Although there was 1.5 metres of easterly swell and big tides, I decided to head out the Tweed bar to stay away from Easter crowds in the seaway. The bar wasn't too bad on the run in but glad i have 200hp on the back for the cross on the run out tide. Through the bar and up to the bait grounds, sounded around for a while, no bait, so decided that lures would be the go for the morning. Trolling skirted hex-heads, second pass over my mark one of the rods starts screaming off, with only me on board (as my mate decided not to come) I started clearing the other lines but had to give up on that as I was just about spooled on the TLD15. While clearing the other lines and fighting the fish at the same time, the fish must have become tail-wrapped, with the amount of line out. It ended up with a bust off, and loss of lure - damn my favourite wahoo lure! Oh well, have to re-skirt a new one.
Another half hour trolling skirts with no results, decided to change to Halcos . Same spot, hook up again, only this time I was running two rods, not three - so it was more manageable clearing and then fighting the fish. After a decent fight, a nice hoo is boat side and on ice.
Ten more minutes, another pass, another hit but no hook up - lure comes back with teeth war wounds.
With no current and the wind dropping , I decided to run out to the 36's. First drop on my spot, second line down - doesn't get quite to the bottom and my first rod starts to buckle over. Start fighting that fish, get it half-way up, then the second line goes off. Get the first line to the top - nice 83cm snapper hits the deck. Start fighting the second fish, pearl perch at 55cm. Pulled the sea anchor in, had another drift over the same spot with the same result - double hook up, one person on board.
The weather kept getting better as the day went on, the drift slowed down to almost non-existent, with that the fish went off the bite. I fished out there for about 3 or 4 hours moved around a bit, got a few benito and smaller squire. Decided to head back in for a troll, a few more laps around with no results.
Glassed out conditions, nice run back to the bar, only to be greeted by the pressure waves and swell of crappy tweed bar - yet again.Attachment 78765
I dont mind fishing solo, but I really could have done with an extra set of hands this trip - let's just say my mate is kicking himself now.
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