Big W Bass

[Gigantor]

Thought I'd do a combined report of my exploits over the past month at Lake Wivenhoe fishing in the Hobie kayak.

Have been chasing the big Bass and have done OK. Mainly trolling Jackalls (TN60 & TN70).

Best Bass has been 2 x 50cm models. Though most have been in the early 40cm area.

The 4 best are pictured.

Cheers,

Pete

[bdowdy]

BLOODY NICE FISH AND PHOTOS ,thanks for showing them ,love the 3rd photo with the fog, cheers bdowdy...brett

[MeePee_99]

Nice Fish!!!!!!!

[BLOOEY]

Good bass there gigantor. I'd be watching those anal spikes near the family jewels though. Ben

[warrior]

top effort mate got a mate who has one of those and we are planning a trip up the mary river to chase wild bass really keen the big Wis a great dam all the fish are in such great nick

[Bronson]

nice bass mate

bron

[Gigantor]

Brett, Thanks. The foggy day was 2 Sat's back. Was on the water at 7:30am and came back in at 10:45am and the fog was only just lifting. Actually got lost out on the dam for an hour or so. Have since bought a hand held GPS to make sure that doesn't happen again.

Thanks, Mee Pee.

Ben, Thanks. Don't have any uses for the family jewels anymore so not too worried. The big bass seem to wear themselves out in the fight and haven't kicked up much of a stink once on board.

Warrior, Thanks. Yep time to hit the Mary before the dam work commences. Some good yellas & MR cod up there too. Good luck.

Thanks, Bron.

Hope to head back to Big Dubya this Saturday again for more fun. Stay tuned. bass should be nearly moving to the deep water to school-up.

Cheers,

Pete

[leelee]

Nice fish there

Now were you guys out there on Saturday morning before the rains hit?

Cheers

Lee

[themissus]

Awesome bass, looks like great fun. We're keen to get up there soon. Might wait till it warms up a bit.
Cheers Kim.

[Gigantor]

LeeLee,

Graham & I were out there Sat from 7:30am to about 12noon. We were out there before, during and after the rain & wind hit. The best session for me was actually around 11am when it was pissing down. In a 15 minute period I got: 42cm Bass, 18cm silver perch, and 50cm Bass. Just had to keep an eye on the waves and make sure I didn't get swamped by a big one. The Hobie Outback kayak is really stable in this sort of weather, as it's quite wide (80cm).

Kim,

Don't wait for warmer weather. Winter is the best time for big Bass at Wivenhoe. Don't let a little cool weather stop ya's. Nothing like playing a big fat Bass. They are very fiesty and make some great runs on light gear. I use 8lb braid mainline and a 8lb Flurocarbon leader. I tend to troll the most. Usually a couple of Jackalls - TN60 and TN70. The TN 70 has been getting hit the most of late. Now get out there!

Cheers,

Pete

[Braddles]

nice fish mate - well done!..

looks bloody cold in that yak though ..... not a lot of free board to stop ya bum getting wet if you cop some slop over the side?? Maybe I am just a sooky la la and hence like the comforts of a cab boat.

Brad :-)

[Gigantor]

Brad,

Thanks.

This kayak (Outback) is quite wide - so you don't get any wave/water over the side all that much.

My other kayak is another Hobie Adventure but is long and narrow for offshore work. I do get a wet butt in that. It sits low in the water as well. So your butt is only about 6 inches from the water. These kayaks do have drainage holes under the seat to draw-off the water. So not as if you are sitting in a puddle or anything.

I guess your preception & enjoyment factors change. I too started off in a 5 meter power boat, then got into tinnies, then into canoes, then into kayaks.

The thing I have enjoyed the most in kayak fishing is playing a fish down low to the water. You are more connected to the fish for some reason. Particularly if you hook-up on a solid fish. Success is all back to your fishing skills - not an electric/fuel motor moving you clear of snags. You have to finese & control the fish. It's very much about your rod control & technique and you ability to manouver the kayak at the same time. Being low to the water gives you a lot of control too.

Also the stealth of the canoes and kayaks - you can really sneak-up on fish and do a lot more sight fishing. You can also fish in shallow waters, which there is plenty off these days. It's so damn quiet out there in a kayak. All you hear is your own breathing and the birds - it magnificent. And no exhaust fumes either.

Cheers,

Pete

[Braddles]

cool - they look amazing! Good to know they have a drain hole to keep your butt from tap dancing in a puddle lol...

Can I ask a dumb Q?

What do you do if you hook up to a solid fish, especially a toothy critta? Or a big sting ray?

I wouldnt want that anywhere near me..

[Gigantor]

Brad,

Solid non-toothy fish = pedal around and wait for it to get tired. The get the lip-grippers on it.

Toothy fish = pedal around and let it get really tired. Then workout if you can handle it or not. If not, cut the line and let it go. Lip grippers are the greatest thing since sliced cheese for handling fish.

Cheers,

Pete.

[Braddles]

thanks mate...

I could just see myself paddling back to shore every time I caught a decent fish lol...