I got home from the Monday Muster this arvo, and have to say it was nothing short of fantastic.
I'm not sure of the exact number there, however I think the final roll call is around 30 Ausfishers, and what a fun crew to have around a campfire. Top people, top weather, and I have sore ribs from the bad jokes and yarns
I turned up late Friday afternoon and wandered up to the camp kitched where a bunch of the guys had allready set up camp, after putting some faces to names and setting up camp I decided to take the lazy approach and hang around camp with a few lazy ales and save the energy for the next day on the water. To cut a very long story a little bit shorter the few ales turned into a fair few and at 2:30 decided to hit the swag to get a little shut-eye.
As Les (McCod) and myself were both fishing solo Les suggested we share a boat the next day and as I enjoy a bit of company on the water I gladly accepted. We were both of the school of thought that a casual gentlemans hours start would be the go, which would give the water a little time to warm up, and our heads to clear a bit
Saturday morning we headed into Gin Gin to replenish supplies and dropped in to see Foxie. After having given up on plastics for Barra after many unsuccessfull attempts I succumbed to grabbing a packet of Hard Nose placcies after getting the nod from Les on them being a good choice for the Barra.
We launched Les's Skeeter around 10:30 ish and headed up the dam at a speed I estimate to be around Mach 2At this point I have allready mentally declared the day a top trip as this beat Dreamworld in the fun stakes!
Warning - my report follows in the Ben Hur tradition of the Mondy Muster
==== Fishing report begins here =====
At around 10:40 Les had a good hit although unfortunately the hook didn't set.
My next cast out with a weedless white Hard nose was slammed in about 3 feet of water by a frieght train, no need to set the hook as this fish wanted that plastic and wasn't going to give it back!
At this stage I started to get a little nervous as I usually fish with 50lb braid and 80lb leader for casting in the sticks, although after hearing Les and Steve talking about lighter line being fine in the sticks if you back the drag right off I had decided to stick with 20lb Nitlon on the new Zillion and backed the drag off to about 2-3 kilos. This felt completely alien to me however I felt like living dangerously
I quickly brought in the slack as what appeared to be a decent sized Barra promptly went airborn and was head shaking like mad to try and get rid of the lure. This fish was not happy to have a hook deep down it's throat and put up the most spectacular fight of any Barra I have ever landed.
It fought dirty, the fight was probably over in about 2 minutes although it seemed like two hours as time stood still while I tried to stop this fish that was obviously over a meter from taking my dental floss like line under the boat, around the electric, around trees, and tail walking while shaking it's bucket mouth with flared gills madly!
However this fish had it's own plans, it's tactics included wrapping the line around the electric - I put the reel into free spool while Les raised the leccy and unwound the line - phew first disaster avoided!
After about 3 more lots of arial tail dances the fish decides it wanted to go under the boat, I tight the drag up just a tiny touch and managed to bring her out. Still not ready to give in the fish then decided to take me around the motor! After a very nervous 10 minutes (ok it was probably 5 seconds) I manged to get the fish around the massive etec while my Loomis MBR784 was doing it's best to imitate a definite U shape.
Phew thinks I, but no this fish still has more dirty tricks, so around a tree it heads while Les skillfully moves the boat back so I can pass the rod around the tree
I better get to the point I suppose! Basically a few more arials (5 or 6 massive arials all up) and another frantic dive under the boat (this fish obviously doesn't like purple people eater boats!) and another trip or two around the outboard plus another lap right around the boat she finally decided enough was enough and slid gracefully into the net skillfully placed there at just the right moment by Les!
After watching Les' arm dissapear up to the elbow down the big girls throat to retrieve the plastic Les picks her up and she decides she's still not ready to lay down! The outcome of this is the first spine of the dorsal has left a rather long track mark up Les' bicep which last time I saw was a rather interesting shade of green - talk about taking one for the team!
Quickly on to the brag mat for a photo to have a shot at the Inaugural Mondy Muster trophey and she measures at 112cm - a new personal best, on a new reel, and only on 20lb!!!! Woohoooo!
Onto my lap she goes for a quick photo and back into the water quick smart she only sat there for about 20 seconds before racing back of to her snag to figure out what the heck just happened.
When I eventually stop shaking and my heart rate slows down a bit Les gives me a grin and says "mate - you could be in for a shot at the Mondy Muster trophy here mate"
The rest of the day was very quiet and the fish certainly were playing hard to get, there was plenty of bait around and we threw a few different plastics and lures but no interest so the alarm on the Skeeter goes at 5:30 to signal beer o'clock! After a much appreciated refreshing ale we fished a few more bays, ending up in a tiny long bay throwing plastics down a long alley into very shallow water only about a foot or 2 deep.
Les came up tight on a Barra which had no choice but to swim for the exit unless it wanted to swim on land. It went arial and we were both packing it as the leader was very cleary wrapped around it's gill rakers!Les backs the drag off and to my astonishment manages to lead the fish to the net - phew, this man knows how to fish!
She measured around 95cm and Les had her straight back in the water as he had allready caught 4 the previous day.
Having had a thoroughly enjoyable day on the water we decided to call it a day and head back to camp. This didn't take long as Les decided to open the throttle up and show me what this gorgeous boat is capable of - I had a silly grin on my face all day, not sure if it was the new PB or the thrill of the ride, a bit of both I'd say!
A huge thank you to Les for the day out and for the much appreciated advice. You'd be hard pushed to meet a nicer gentleman!
Phew sorry about the big spiel - If you can't tell I had an awesome day
Cheers
Tony
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Originally Posted by BR65
Re: Innaugural Mondy Muster 2008 - Barra, Beer, and a Barrel of laughs
so left that bay but snuck back in a bit later for nuthin..sunday bit wearey, tried up in B. and C, where finally some action , but only catties,4 or 5 for the morn and a breif hook up on sumthing solider ,,pack up go,home.....
NOW THE SOCIAL SIDE...
hope i didnt miss anyone if so i will blame the lot that kept me up all saturday nite..
