From Santo Vanuatu to the Brissy River

[cherrald]

Hey peoples,

I’m pretty new on this site but am enjoying it. I’m getting married to a local girl from Santo Vanuatu in June this year, so obviously I spend a fair bit of time over there. I’ve just had a 5 weeks long holiday over there for the Christmas break in which I did quite a lot of fishing – which was very disappointing. Not cause there aren’t any fish, but because all the fish are too big and I was well under prepared. This was the first time I’ve really gone fishing over there so it was a big learning curve.

My 6ft boat rod and 15lb mono line was no where near enough. I couldn’t get anything in except the odd small stingray – which, btw, they love to eat over there. I had some hand reels with 35lb line, so I gave them a go. After the first big hit I had, my line came back with a broken hook, and the same was for the second hit. I changed to a bigger stronger hook, only to get onto something that hit hard and ran, shredding my hand and then getting off. Of course I was getting the odd nice little reef style fish too which were nice, but I wanted the BIG ONES!!!

Frustrated I put 20lb line on my reel (mid sized egg beater style) and had another go. I managed to get one in, which was a nice golden travelly about 40cm long. I still couldn’t get the majority in though.

A few nights later I was off the beach at low tied catching smallish (but good) fish when one of my little fish was hit by a sword fish. He was on (and fighting) for only about a minute until he shredded my trace. About an hour later something hit me and just ran. After taking about 150m off me the line snapped off from the tip of my rod – I guess due to it getting hot and melting the line.

The new plan:
I’m heading back in June to go fishing (oh, and get married too ) with my new Penn950 with 50lb braid. I’m gunna turn those big suckers!!!

Since I’ve been back we’ve been trying to catch a few Bull Sharks. We’ve caught about 6 bullies, and one hammer head mostly just near the Brekky Creek. I don’t mind telling people where we caught them cause they’re far n few between. Caught plenty of sting rays, shovellies and cat fish though.

Has anyone got any places they could suggest where you can at least catch one nice eating fish close to Brisbane? In the Brissy river, or Pine River, or Logan river? What do I need to look out for when choosing a spot? I’m pretty new at boat fishing. I’ve grown up beach fishing in northern NSW every holidays.

Happy Fishing!!!

Sorry about the shark pic - it was after midnight and I only had my phone.

[Toppy]

Hey Cherrald, welcome to Ausfish mate!
Is that Hat Island in the background of the first pic?

Local fishing area's, try Jacobs well jetty & beach, take some aeroguard for the sandflies.
Cheers
Toppy

[Pistol_P]

Hi mate welcome..
Sounds like you could be in BIG GT country over there mate...?
Lock ya drag up and get some big poppers....although you may find the 50lb to be under gunned still......Good luck....

[Blackened]

G'day
Beaut pic there mate!!!!
Just keep asking questions and keep a good idea on the reports section here for where to go. there's plenty of options. What species would you like to target?

Dave

[cherrald]

First, the island in the background. Not sure of the name of it, but the photo was taken from champagne beach.

As for what kind of fish I'm targetting, well.... anything really. I'm open for suggestions. Bream, flattys, whiting,whatever...

Never caught a mangrove Jack or a Dewy. That'd be alright.