Pine, PB Snapper & Shark ID - What a Day!

[Lapras]

Headed down to Dohles Rocks again this morning to see if I could duplicate last weeks plastics session. Dropped two pots near the mouth and headed back to the bridge pylons to flick for bream. After last weeks success I was sure that it would be easy but, you guessed it, barely a bite and no hook ups. Tide was turning so decided to head out to the reef near Woody Point. I haven't done much reef fishing so although I couldn't distinguish any "rubble" or "bait balls" or other things I've read about here, decided to drift along side another couple of boats - I figured they knew more about it then me. No good.

Headed in closer and found a bit of bait and even some fish arches. The bottom also had a lot more contour and the trace line changed thickness (one day I need to do a bit more research on this stuff). Anyway, first cast I had a little chopper tailor try to bite off more then he could chew. Next cast and zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz !!! I wasn't sure what it was at first but it ran and then stopped and after a few minutes I got it close enough to know it was a snapper. I have only caught one snapper before so after a short fight and a few anxious moments with the net solo I boated a PB snapper (45cm to fork). I know it may seem a bit lame to regular snapper fishermen, but I was stoked and shaking with adrenaline.

Tried a bit longer but decided I was happy with my catch so headed back to get the pots. As I pulled up the first pot I couldn't believe the weight and when I saw the brown colouring I was sure I had a dozen muddies - then it broke the surface I was shocked to find the colour was caused by a 3ft long shark (ID please, see photo). How the hell it got in the pot I'll never know but it was a bitch to get it out (thanks to the tinny who came over to give me a hand).

No crabs, but all in all a great morning out.

Dave

[kingtin]

Good report Dave, and it's a wobbegong. Take a look at the sticky section of the Electronics forum, there's a good thread there that will help with sounder usage.

kev

[Leighton]

great fish mate, the book " Sounder Secrets' is a worthwhile read

[Outsider1]

Wobbies are notorious crab pot invaders Dave. Have got a dozen of more of them in my pots over the years around Peel. You do wonder how the hell they managed to get in!!??

Nice Snap! well done.

Cheers

Dave

[SummerTrance]

Nice snapper mate. What plastic did ya get him on? what depth was it in?

[chief]

congrads on the pb,got to be happy with that.

[Lapras]

Thanks for the replies.

Kingtin: Thanks for the ID. I've browsed the sticky awhile ago but should go back and do it again. Fish and bait I can understand but it is more the bottom and "rubble" and what to do when you find stuff, I figured you have to go past and try to drift back over.

CaptainS: I'll have to try and find a copy.

Outsider1: I've had very small shovelnose before but never a wobby.

SummerTrance: Gulp watermelon 3" minnow, just on 4m of water.

Chief: Very

[Plastic_Magic]

Congats mate awsome..

plastic_Magic

[loophole]

nice fishing there good lil squire and yeah its a woby gong ive caught one out at scarby reff before woulda gone about 6kg big bugger it was.

[Poodroo]

Good report Dave, and it's a wobbegong. Take a look at the sticky section of the Electronics forum, there's a good thread there that will help with sounder usage.

kev

Kev is the best man for identifying vermon.

Well done on the PB squire mate.

Poodroo

[Murks]

well done mate, nice report,
Brett