Deep Depths

[loozitt]

Hey fellow fisho's, need some help on locating deep dwellers, like hapuka and big eyed travs, off the moloolaba thru to the goldie coast. I want to know at what sort of depths I should be starting at, some say around 300m while others say 600m min. Whats the best baits to use that deep, live or dead.

What I'm really chasing is a starting point, I have absolute no idea where to begin, maybe a GPS co-ordinate of some reefs or something out that far. This sort of deep fishing is new to me and all the help possible will be appreciated.

Cheers,

[blue_mako]

Mate the best thing you can have is a strong right arm there is a lot of winding involved unless u pay the big $ for electric setups, Ive heard mixed reports on there eating quality, The major kinks along the shelf from 300m out all hold fish, the best way to find them is to go fishing for blue marlin.

[Noelm]

this is a pretty common past time down my way, first off you need to locate some good structure way down deep, these types of Fish are "cave dwellers" so you need dropoffs and so on (there is plenty around your area), then we come to the gear, if Rod and Reel is to be used, then you need a bloody good one, kilos of lead from the deep will test any reel quick smart, Braid is best for sure, big Alveys like the Sea king and queen are by far the best option, loaded with (say 200lb Braid) then some simple mono droppers on about 100lb line and some good strong hooks, the lighter mono will save your couple of hundred dollars worth of Braid if you get a snag, best bait is Squid as it stays on the hook better than flesh, so there you go, a quick look at the gear, sinkers need to be cheap and expendable, some make their own from a variety of things that can be scrounged for free, best off to test out the game with any gear you have already untill you see how you go.

[Noelm]

I must add in response to Blue Mako, the Blue Eye and Hapuka are probably some of the best eating Fish there is, including all the Northern reef species, trust me on that one.

[Vindicator]

Does anyone know about how far you would be looking at going to get into that depth off Mooloolaba. You'd need some decent sized arms just to be pulling the anchor rope in!

Cheers
Kezza

[finding_time]

Does anyone know about how far you would be looking at going to get into that depth off Mooloolaba. You'd need some decent sized arms just to be pulling the anchor rope in!

Cheers
Kezza

40NM from Mooloolaba or 20 NM from Cape Moreton We mark shows all the time out there whilsh trolling for blues!

Bar Cod .... The ledges around 270m

Big eye........ 400- 700m range

[scrubba01]

Hi Loozitt
This is something I have been keen on giving a go myself for a while I don't have any marks but if you do go and want some company, (another boat to tag along) send me a PM I would be keen.

I have done a bit of research on the subject it seems the best and easiest way is to use a couple of kgs of weight on a breakaway of light line so you don't have to wind it back up. Really need a reef king reel for this type of fishing and a good 1kw sounder. I have a Koden so no problem there but I only have the reefmaster deck winches. It needs to be an absolutely perfect day with no current and no wind, I believe most do it in winter when you tend to get more of these days.

Kezza its about 70 klm off mooloolaba and you would need to bring another boat to hold all of the rope if you were to anchor out there.

I hope this helps cheers, Warren.

[Noelm]

you will need current to catch fish, just like inshore fishing! no anchoring involved, it is strictly drift fishing. The breakaway sinker system has been tried lots of times with bricks, the big problem is the Boat load of bricks on the trip out, and by the way, if you do not get snagged now and then, you are not fishing the right sort of terrain! a lot of guys down our way use a simple "hand line" system with Venetian blind type of cord, it is not as hard as you think (and indeed easier than rod and reel) two guys taking turns pulling up with gloves on, done it myself for years, and cost bugger all to try out first up.

[Vindicator]

Thanks for the heads up guys. I reckoned that it must be all drift fishing cause I was beginning to think my 22 footer wouldn't be big enough to hold all the rope. I take it thats 40 nm straight out from M'ba cause I go that far to go to the hards.

Cheers
Kezza

[finding_time]

Thanks for the heads up guys. I reckoned that it must be all drift fishing cause I was beginning to think my 22 footer wouldn't be big enough to hold all the rope. I take it thats 40 nm straight out from M'ba cause I go that far to go to the hards.

Cheers
Kezza

try ese! Straight out it just sloops away , you need the ledges , always get good shows there!