Another GC Jack on Popper - 18 Jan 06

[keen_as_mustard]

Flattymatty was kind enough to offer me a seat for another pre-dawn raid on the Gold Coast Jack population. Things started well with virtually no breeze and the moon still over head. We went to Matty's Spot X and found the rock wall had virtually no water against it due to the early morning low tide. We both worked poppers hard along the wall, but unlike other mornings there was an absence of surface action. I doubt we saw more than 10 surface bust-ups in the whole 4 hours we were on the water.

After an hour of casting with no result, I changed lure to my favourite popper and hooked this 32cm Jack within 10 minutes. As per all Jacks caught in this spot, the hit came within a foot of the rock wall. This Jack really fought hard early, but once it was away from the wall the odds turned in my favour. A quick photo and it disappeared into the depths again.

This Jack was very rewarding as it was caught in the same spot I got busted up last week where I lost my favourite popper and confirmed the suspicion it was a Jack that did me.

We continued to work the walls for several hours but never saw another fish. We both agreed it was the slowest we had ever seen this spot fish - most likely due to the dead low tide. Next week should be much better!

Thanks again for the trip Matty - always good to share the water with a fellow Ausfisher.

Marty

[caught-ya]

nice jack there, it would of put up a good fight!! ;D ;D

[keen_as_mustard]

...you can see in the background of the photo what a horrible day on the water it was ;D

Is there anything better than catching a Jack before work...catching 2 Jacks maybe???

[morty103]

The water looks perfect for a slow bloooping popper

[gogecko]

Well done marty. What sort of popper were you using before you changed to your favorite? Id like to know what NOT to use, lol.

Andrew

[keen_as_mustard]

Andrew,

I was using a Rapala Skitter Pop before I changed. But I am not writing the Rapala off yet as it has a great action - I just haven't given it enough time yet. You know how it goes, once you have a lure that works well it is hard to use anything else!

Marty

[gogecko]

Ive not had much luck with rapala either marty, but I think its the dark green colors I picked. The shape and action seemed good. Im using river2sea in small and medium now.

Im seeing a consistancy in good poppers of red heads and light underbelly.

Got the new trailer now. Just gotta get the boat off the old one, and I might see you guys next week.


Andrew

[Far_Canal]

use the river2sea poppers, i think its the 7cm one. Theres 5 sizes, the smallest one which is dynamite for bream, the next size up iv found to be a touch too big for most bream, the size after that...dynamite for jacks and trevs, then 2 bigger sizes which are more ur nth qld types. Sticking to natural colours has worked for me.

[a]

Good work MartyZ, 4hrs fishin then work for the day, I don't know wether to offer u a job or ask for one from ur boss.
Never the less hard work always pays off, I wouldn't be suprised to see u bag out on jacks on the next trip. Perhaps theres a spare seat for your old mate scotty

[Toppy]

Good on ya Marty!
Its always more rewarding when the fishings tuff.
cheers
Toppy

[Jay_S]

Well done [smiley=2thumbsup.gif]...

One day I'm going to get one on a popper......... I hope 8-)


Jay [smiley=starsbronze.gif]

[keen_as_mustard]

there always a seat for you scotty - as long as you don't mind fishing blindfolded - gotta keep my Jack spots secret..nah just kidding - if I can't trust you who can I trust???

did you leave any fish in the Tweed for us locals?

[a]

Marty, I don't mind fishing blind folded, might improve my success rate, worked well on the missus, (mine not urs)
As for the local fish population on the tweed, I left plenty, only took some y-ting for a nice breaky 4 me and my mates missus. Not likr that, she is the only other one that likes eating yting u devo...

How r the tides for next sunday? might be able to make the trip down for some of these infamous jacks...

[keen_as_mustard]

scotty,

midweek is going to be a cracker for jacks - goods tides and light winds hopefully.

sunday should be alright at a different spot ;), aslong as we don't get too much rain between now and then - will you be up for the pre-dawn start?

...but I won't talk it up too much, it will put the mocker on it!