fishing the cape.

[ad heeney]

hi fishos, will be trying to get out around the cape area, brennins, robs, smiths,tempest. this month if conditions allow me too. is the souwester the best to fish the cape area,whats the current run like in may around the shoals, fishing the cape area has me spooked now after the too well knowen fishos were lost, is there any thing i should be looking out for when fishing the cape area, like how much water is over the top of roberts, brennens. i think smiths breaks doz it, any replys gratefull. regards robo. (spooked).

[Goldfinch]

Hi Robo,
Been fishing out there many times and as a rule of thumb, I only go there when Seabreeze predicts winds under 10knots and seas under 1.5metres. Have fished there with winds from NE, N, SE and SW and all fine as long as the swell is under 2m. If the wind picks up and the swell is over 2m then it can get messy. Sometimes it glasses out and sometimes it is choppy. Just use some common sense and if it doesn't feel right travel to a safer place inside the bay. The currents change all the time. I tend to fish around the edge of Smith and Roberts just in case but I haven't experienced any breakers over my bow as yet. If it looks dicey, stay clear.

Cheers
Dave

[Scalem]

There are many offshore guys restricted to weekends just like me, waiting for the right conditions to get out the cape. General rule by those in the know (not me, I am too chicken with limited offshore experience) anything predicted to be more than 2 mtr swell don't go there.

Scalem

[captain rednut]

i agree with scalem the swell is the main concern on those shallow reefs, 2mtrs is the max safe limit there and winds over 15knots make it a little ordinary especially combined with the a big swell.
jim

[Greg P]

One of the biggest factors around there is just the sheer volume of tidal flow. Outgoing tide and 2m swell really makes those waves stand up between the Cape and the shallow reefs and it aint too hard to see why some boats get into trouble. A quick look at how large the tides are versus swell will give you an indication. If you want to fish there on big swells try and time it with either top or bottom tides or plenty of better options just south of the cape in 30-40m anyway. Once your out of the main tidal outflow conditions are much better to floatline.


Cheers

Greg

Jim - did I pass you trolling near Flinders on Saturday - you were headed south towards the shallow tempest? Nice and ordinary out around there.

[SgBFish]

There are many offshore guys restricted to weekends just like me, waiting for the right conditions to get out the cape. General rule by those in the know (not me, I am too chicken with limited offshore experience) anything predicted to be more than 2 mtr swell don't go there.

Scalem

Thats good advice. As the weather cools and we get into a winter pattern with early SW and glass out days more options open up.

When its big at the Cape I go further north to Hutchies.

There are plenty of blokes itching to get out if this high ever moves.

Scott

[Smithy]

Hey Greg I saw a blue Fisher out there but not in the location you just said. I gave you a call on 21. When there was no answer I thought it might have been the other similar looking one.

[Greg P]

Rob - yeah was out that way before heading to Wide Cal for the arvo/evening fish. Had a bash around the St Paul then trolled up to the Trench Dog Leg. Sorry I think I was on 16 that day - what boat were you fishing on - the big Noosacat?