All the tourists have headed off and old mate had said the new moon would produce results and it did
Woke up at 3:20am and was paddling out at about ten to 4. Plenty of bait fish around. No wind and water temp made life very comfortable. Anchored up and started throwing in a glow in the dark grub tailed jig I got in USA. Threw it around for about 45mins. Nuthin!!!. Changed over to my fav hardbody that usually produces and it did . I was rolling this puppy back to me and whumpa!!! Solid hit and it was peeling off line (6lb Nanofil, 9lb flouro leader) It was fighting like a flatty but it just wasn't the usual experience. I was finding it hard to turn it's head though it wasn't massive. Well I had to work hard to get this thing in close and when I got it up and near the yak I could see why. It was hooked in the shoulders so no wonder I had trouble turning him. Was very precarious getting him in the net, I was expecting the trebbles to pull at any moment. Anyway, after about 5mins in comes a nice fish at 57cms. Had been having a dry run of late and girls wanted me to bring some home so into the keeper bag he went. Kept casting about but nothing happening as the sun came up. Still plenty of bait fish but no action for me.
Decided to lob a few SP's in amongst the weed beds as Bells creek flows out into the channel. Tied on a light jighead (about 1/12thoz I think) and a 4inch Gulp minnow. 1st cast cast thud... pause .... strike... I am on! . Had him onto the yak after a short tussle amongst the weeds. He went 47cms. Kept casting in around for various smaller flatties and then another good whack and had fun with a 51cm jobby!!! Few blokes in a tinny going past telling me "Grab the net mate!!!". I did and he went in the bag too!!
Spent a nice couple more hours drifting over the beds and headed in around 10:30am. If you have the patience to deal with the weed it is very productive. Would have caught about 8 flatties all up. Ended up taking home 4 fish for the family (6 of us so wont go to waste!!)
A great morning on the water
Will be keeping an eye out for new moons from now on!!!