going to shute harbour in 3 weeks

[thebandit]

hi im heading to shute harbour in 3 weeks and taking up my 5.18 boat up. is this suitable for this size boat.

im wanting to go after trevally, spanish mackrael, reef species fish eg. coral trout, parrot fish. how far out and what sort of areas should i be heading to in this area.

should i be using live bait in chasing these or do lures have a good strike rate up there thinking of getting some poppers and halco red/white trolling lures.

finally is there many areas to chuck in some crab pots and get a feed. thanks

[Lucky-Phill]

Got any room for me !

Love that area. Always fished with lures. poppas etc.

I find the fringing reefs on a rising tide on the inside of Whitsunday Island is a good start. But, hey, I've caught Red Emporer between Shute and Tancrad Island just 2 minutes fron.m the boat ramp.

Places like Langford Reef, western side of Hook Island, Islands east of Hamilton.........shute, all round that area is good fishing. May pay to find a web site for the area and ask a Local !

Get a good chart, don't cruise at night, watch the currents between close islands.

Funny story for ya. Couple blokes hired a yatch from there, slept on it first night before heading out. Woke in the morning to thumping sound. Got up to find a small spanish mackerel on the pontoon. Apparently chasing bait fish, and came up from under the school and landed there. Legal size, so the fellas kept it for diner that night. True !

I'll post more info for ya if need be. maybe you can be a little more specific on where you want to fish and how far you are prepared to go.

Cheers Phill

[skippa]

Just don't eat the Batfish!!

First year we went up there, the crapper on our hire yacht died and couldn't be fixed untill the next day. Paid the early morning visit, but where do I empty the bucket?? tip 'er overboard I thought, not many boats around and anyway its 5.00am nobody else awake.

Briefly watched the 'ol Pollywaffle drift away and to my total amazment it lasted no more than 10 seconds before this mother of a Batfish gobbled the lot!!!

Cheers,
skippa 8)

PS yep 17 footer ok, took our Haines (17 ft) up there couple of years ago, great time just watch the weather with wind against tidy especially around the headlands and passages.