Yearly Fraser Trip (with trip reports)

[-Shay-]

Hi Guys

It is just about that time of year again where I am off to Fraser to catch some tailor and hopefully land a few monsters slide baiting. This time next week I'll hopefully have some early reports of plenty of fish being caught. For those of you that have followed along in previous years on my blog at 1monthonfraser I have decided, along with a mate to up my game a bit recently and register a new blog (www.blog.effectivefishing.com.au) . We are slowly releasing all the old material, as well as loading lots of new stuff and of course I will be writing up daily reports for the two weeks this year starting next saturday (29th).

If you want to follow along and get easy updates like our facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/effectivefishing which will ensure you won't miss any of the action!

I look forward to sharing our trip with everyone once again.

Tight lines! (See below for a reminder of some of last years catch!)
-Shay

110588

[Symetre]

Hi Shay,

Look forward to the reports.

Have you had much luck putting flesh baits out on the slide? I have tried and the bait seems to get stuck in the shallows. Have read before that they can be jigged out.

What are your thoughts?

[-Shay-]

Hi Symetre

We haven't really slid flesh baits as such, if you are going to fish with flesh, then the recommended method would be to use it as a throw bait. Keep it to a reasonable size, maybe use some bait elastic to help keep it together and get it out there.

What we have had a bit of success with is using dead tailor, but to help get them out in the surf, chop off their tails and their pectoral fins. Makes them much more streamlined and makes them slide out in the surf much better. Obviously still not as good as a livey but it works surprisingly well. I feel it also helps release the fish scent and bring the sharks in for a feed!

Hope that helped

[McKnight]

What's your setup for slide baiting? I really want to try but don't think I have anything close to suitable.

[-Shay-]

What's your setup for slide baiting? I really want to try but don't think I have anything close to suitable.

I'm currently using a custom made rod from Excalibur tackle in Namibia and an avet mag cast control overhead reel. In not going to lie it's not a cheap set up.

At a bare minimum you really need a rod that can cast 6oz sinkers 80m or so. Slightly less in good conditions or if you really like getting wet and can cast in shoulder high water. This will allow you to get into the stroke zone. As for the reel we use overheads, but if you have a reel that can hold at least 100m of 50lb mono and 300m of 40/50lb braid at the minimum you will be in with a chance at least. You need the mono as this is what the slide slides down on, and it's much easier to cast and the braid just gives you a lot more line to work with as a lot of the beasts you run into can easily take 2-400m of lone off you.

I have a post at home on the computer about different rods, I'll look into getting that on the blog when I get home, currently at Singapore airport on my last leg coming home from Europe.

Hope that has helped a little?

[mhilton]

what rig set up do you use and how do you get the sinker to stay buried in the sand so it doesn't pop out when you slide the tailor down?

[rosscoKYA]

Hey Shay,
Ross here mate, saw you there last year with all my mates(the short stick crew) hahaha we are heading up on Saturday the 5th... Starting to get excited about it all now.... Look forward to catching up with you on the beach... Hopefully the weather plays the game again this year

[Rhys_Mav]

Looking forward to the report mate as I'm headed there in3 weeks. Planing on a bit of slide baiting and chasing tailor. Goodluck.

[YOOT]

I'll be there in 10 days :) new surf rod too:)


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[-Shay-]

Hey mhilton, not sure which part of the rig set up you are using, but I'll go over everything for you and hope I cover it. I have a 14ft custom made overhead surf rod paired with an overhead reel (I have 3 different ones, a Daiwa Saltist BG50, a fin nor OFC 30H and an Avet LX 4.6MC)

On the reels I have ~500m 50lb braid and ~120/130m of 50lb mono. The usual slide bait rig, normally using 100 or 150lb windon leader. I use Eagle claw medium duty hooks, generally a 10/0 or 12/0 if using really big bait.

As to the sinkers, the legs on the grapnel sinkers help hold the sinker in the sand without pulling free when sliding the tailor. Sometimes rough conditions can make this tricky but in general if you have the right sinker you shouldn't have too many problems

http://blog.effectivefishing.com.au/slide-bait-rig/ has a comprehensive write up of everything but the rods and reels and after dinner I'll be posting a blog post on rods due to McKnight's question!

Hey Rossco, looking forward to seeing you guys on the beach again this year. Hopefully everyone gets stuck into some great fish! Yeah agreed on the weather, was great last year and I've heard the weed has disappeared too!

Cheers lads. Getting close!

[-Shay-]

Hey Yoot! I remember you were a keen follower last year! Thanks for joining again. What rod did you get?

[upstart]

Are there any YouTube clips of slide baiting on Fraser?


Ben of Upstart

[Rhys_Mav]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebX038X9OXc

[-Shay-]

Thats me at 6:05 next to Richard!

Nice lads those South Africans!

[Rhys_Mav]

You guys don't get worried about ciguatera in those big spanos off fraser?

[Symetre]

Hi Shay,

That vid is great.

How do you safely unhook the sharks? Also where do you gaff them?

[-Shay-]

You guys don't get worried about ciguatera in those big spanos off fraser?


I've been told up to 40kg on the outside of Fraser is fine by a number of people. Definitely safe around the 20kg mark. Wouldn't touch that 50kg model caught recently hahaha.

Symetre, that vid is by the South African guys, one of their crew is a graphic designer, knows his shit!! We just lightly gaff them in the mouth, but our Namibian buddies (who make the excalibur rods and are pro guides) have said its perfectly fine to gaff sharks behind their dorsal fin if it needs doing.

As to removing hooks, big pliers, or one of those hook removers if you are hand at them. Just pay attention to what you are doing!

[cuzzamundi]

Hi Shay,

That vid is great.

How do you safely unhook the sharks? Also where do you gaff them?

The small sharks on that video could easily be de-hooked by pliers, or hand, if they're lipped. Just a matter of holding them down with one hand by putting pressure on the gill plate. Shouldn't need to gaff them at all. They won't actually reach your hands, contrary to popular 'opinion', if they start banana-ing. Simply grab them on the tail wrist with both hands and drag them up. Easy and very safe.

Shay, you should send one of the bigger spannos out whole on some bigger circle hooks - you'll then come across what eats those smaller whalers in that last vid!

Cuzza

[Symetre]

Shay, you should send one of the bigger spannos out whole on some bigger circle hooks - you'll then come across what eats those smaller whalers in that last vid!

Cuzza

That would be epic - might need to up the gear!

[YOOT]

Hey Yoot! I remember you were a keen follower last year! Thanks for joining again. What rod did you get?

Shimano Aerowave heavy, with Stradic 6000 FJ and 20Lb power pro, tailor here I come.

What's with the stupid East beach camping zones now, looks like zone 6 is closed, so have to camp at maheno or north near Indian head! Big gap!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[-Shay-]

I'm not sure. Have a mates Dad who is up there on the beach atm but he didn't mention where he was. Will run into him tomorrow hopefully. Personally I'd go closer to Indian heads, but thats just me!
Nice work on the rod. Bet you will catch some beauties with it! Good luck!!

And Haha, Cuzzi, I don't know if I could handle anything that eats a spanish whole!

[McKnight]

Shimano Aerowave heavy, with Stradic 6000 FJ and 20Lb power pro, tailor here I come.

What's with the stupid East beach camping zones now, looks like zone 6 is closed, so have to camp at maheno or north near Indian head! Big gap!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Beach sites were mostly closed due to back burning being performed. They like to do rolling back burning so areas have different levels of fuel to prevent major fires.

[-Shay-]

Bloody freezing atm. Just at Happy Valley stealing reception. Tailor were better this morning than this arvo but lots of current made it impossible to slide this morning, maybe this arvo?

[dogg15]

Arrgghh.....fighting my way through Monday then I read a post from someone sitting on Fraser. Good for you shay. Enjoy.

[catfishkid]

just got back from 4 days camping just north of Happy valley with a bunch of mates,got a fair haul of whiting, heaps of dart (All released bar one)and enough tailor to keep everyone happy. The weather was awesome if not a little wet Saturday night,Last night was a lot cooler! The full moon rising on beach last night was spectacular.

Cheers craig

[YOOT]

4 days to go...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[-Shay-]

Tailor are starting to come on the chew. Definitely getting easier to catch everyday. Specially in the high tide gutters.

Monster shark last night. Still getting photos on board but I think there is one to start on facebook.

Beach is okish even at high tide. Can cross Eliat high. Just have to be careful of the washouts

[feral cat]

Sounds like your into them again shay. Heading up on the 18th to take the kids again this year,look forward to your reports.

[YOOT]

Weather looks ok too, last day of work tomorrow, hook up the trailer and leave for the first barge on sat morning.

I see zone 6 has reopened, so must just been back burning.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[YOOT]

Nice to catch up with you Shay! Thanks for showing us the rigs, look forward to dropping past next year!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[-Shay-]

No worries Yoot! Nice to meet you as well mate.

You missed some mayhem the other day. About 30mins after you left we had a triple hook up haha. Another big Bully last night over at Waddy. Weather is turning to shit now though :(

[YOOT]

Man it feels like months since I was there and it was only a week ago lol http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/17/0b1b93bdef5139f28801e5b3eb730dfa.jpg

We caught up with these fellas who build a bar every year, had a few drinks, played guitar and headed home late....


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[-Shay-]

I know right. I'm always missing the place