First Offshore Trip - Need Advice

[scottishguy]

Mate,

The best way to go is join a boating club. Power boat anglers fish deep tempest when weather permits. They leave from mainly and scarb.

I have a form here for the Moreton Bay Boat Club at Scarborough. Is this what you had in mind?

[mattyd]

Hey Scottishguy. I've also bought myself a Freedom Escape 5.3m and Scarby is one of my fav. ramps to launch from (caravan park side).

Been some nasty wind around the last few months, we're hoping to get out again soon. I'm interested to find out if you've managed to get out and try your hand at reef fishing since your last post?

As it's still early boating days for us, we very rarely get out off shore (unless we got some miracle duck pond conditions all the way to Moreton!). Interested to see if you tried any of the sunny coast reefs or the one's on the western protected side of Moreton.

[therapy]

Gedday Scottish guy,
You will find all the generic type marks in a book called 500 hot fishing spots that will get you started. Try be cee eff or tackle world at Sandgate. The guys down at Tackle World are keen fisho's with allot of knowledge. Spend a few bucks down there and have a chat. Also just come across this list from an old Ausfish post but beware of green zones as this was from 2007!!
http://www.ausfish.com.au/vforum/arc.../t-107240.html
Cheers...Terry.....

[scottishguy]

Mattyd, since I posted this, I tried Curtain artificial reef briefly while on a day trip to Tangalooma. Caught a couple of tuskies and got blown away with what I think was a Long-Tail Tuna...I was fighting the bugger for about 30mins before it busted me off, was tottaly guttted but that's fishing I guess. The thing that annoyed me about Curtain was anchoring with a Danforth...it's a pain in the arse, keeps getting stuck. I ended up drifting over the area but with so many other boats around this was not ideal.

On Sunday I stuck my bow out the front of Mooloolaba for about 2 mins before heading back with my tail between my legs. The swell was quite severe, handling the boat in these conditions is beyond my skill/nervous threshold. I've been out in the bay when the swell has been reported up to 2m and it's not too bad but Mooloolaba on Sunday was way to risky.

Other than that, I've been stuck in the estuaries due to the weather but keen on getting out again soon.

[SummerTrance]

G'day EasyRider, I've never fished reefs before. All of my previous experience has been in estuaries and surf. Just got myself a boat so I'm keen to get out there fish the reefs. I was thinking of somewhere that would allow me to build up my skills/experience with both the boat and the style of fishing without undue stress.

I'd say try Moreton Bay first mate, a great starting point to get to know your boat, in the relative 'safety' of the bay. Try a trip or two in the bay first, then start planning to go offshore.

Edit: I posted this b4 I read the second page.

[Goldfinch]

Scottish Guy,
I wouldn't recommend going outside Moreton unless you have a maximum of 10knot winds and seas up to a 1m if it's your first time. Then you can enjoy yourself and scout around for some spots. If you have a GPS and a Data card it will show Smith Rock, Brennans Shoals, Roberts Shoals, Hutchies Shoals etc. These are all good areas to catch a wide variety of fish on bait or plastics. If the winds are Nthly's in the afternoon it's a bugger of a ride home. Just take it easy if it's bumpy.

Another good spot to try that's not too far is Noosa. There are quite a few spots not far offshore. You may need some bar crossing practice first. The Mooloolaba bar is very safe to cross.

Good luck. See you out there.

Cheers
Dave