Waddy Point Fraser Island 6/6/08

[INDUNA]

The last time I was up at Waddy Point was in December last year where not too much happened on the fishing front. Since I still had unfinished business to take care of I planned a return trip with 3 of my mates and 2 of their kids. This trip would also give me an opportunity to try out my new Tomski kayak which I imported from South Africa. Unfortunately I was the only one with a kayak.

We arrived on Friday afternoon, set up camp and managed to squeeze in a quick fish off the rocks before dark where we caught a few of the usual smallish suspects.

I was up at first light and after a quick brekkie drove down to Waddy Point Headland. I rigged up with a Reidys "the Judge" and launched. After barely 50 meters I was on to something smallish but as I was still in the surf zone I had to continue paddling to get beyond the backline. I reeled in a a tailor of about 30cm and quickly set off again. After about another 150 meters the ratchet started screaming. I grabbed the rod and hung on as the fish took off for New Zealand. The line was getting down to the backing so I tightened the drag (probably a tad too much) as the hooks pulled from the fish. I checked the lure and set off again only to be absolutely smashed once again. I grabbed the rod and this time the hooks were set but the power of the fish was unbelievable. I tightened the drag as much as I could but there was no stopping this one. The line eventually parted - leader knot the culprit and lure gone!

I tied on a new leader and this time used a gold bomber. By this time things had quietened down a bit so I settled down to a nice slow paddle. I paddled to the first set of rocks on the way to Indian Head and decided to turn back. After paddling for about 20 minutes the ratchet once again started going nuts. This fish (which I think is an Ox eye Herring) decided that it was going to head towards the rocks on the headland dragging me with it. I quickly turned the kayak and headed back out to sea with the rod back in the holder. Eventually after about 20 minutes I brought the fish alongside the yak. It was totally exhausted and virtually dead. Unable to revive it I slipped the gaff into its gills and brought it on board. I paddled back to the beach totally knackered.

The fish measured 1.15m in length and I estimated the weight to be between 8 - 10kg. Its a pity the fish died as they are not good eating - in fact a bag of nails would be better!

The rest of the weekend was pretty much blown out with 60km/hr winds so all we could do was go sight seeing.

It's funny how one decent fish makes for a good weekend .

Cheers
Tom

[hooknose]

Hey Tom,
Looks like a giant Herring, xos model too, best fighting fish there is on light tackle, good effort mate !
ps
watch your back for noah's narks at Fraser in a yak !