PB Snapper (SP)

[Tony_N]

Mate and I have been unable to get out for ages (weather, me moving house, him with a big job on) Yesterday was a window with Bouyweather suggesting 8-10 kts and 1-1.5 seas. #We decided to put the extra fuel in the boat and travel to the italian Grounds south of Evans Head. #There's a special pinnacle (actually a "city") there that we hadn't fished for months. #Got to Jeff's place at the appointed time and he was still asleep! #- Not a good start. Quick cup of tea and we got into the water not long after pre-dawn light. Bar was flat as - so all good #- went to the bait grounds and bait was plentiful #- small slimies #- great!!

Out of the protected areas and the wind started to pick up #- half way there we were 3/4 sideways into 15-20 kt wind and white capped chop #- #bugger!!

Anyway we were determined to get there - and did, but a bit wet. #Sounded around and no fish to be seen on the sounder. #Decided to anchor up after finding that the drift was way too fast. #For reasons that are too distressing to talk about, we didn't have a sand anchor, so after 4 or 5 shots at trying to anchor onto the mark with the pick we finally settled on a grab about 30 metres north of it where there was shale and sand. #

We weren't too hopeful, but burleyed heavily with small bits of pilchard and fish scraps and tuna oil-soaked pellets. #

A few flathead came aboard and after about an hour a few lttle squire #35-40 cms.

We were getting a bit restless and i suggested we pack up and sound somewhere else, I just started to turn the handle to wind in #when THUMP I was on, no questions asked. #10 minutes later Mr.Knobby was netted and me a very happy camper.

As you can see from the pic I got him on a white snapback. #I usually bottom bash with a paternoster (Our father !!) rig with 3 hooks, a SP hanging off the top hook. #I like to think that I've always got something in the water that will catch a fish even if I have been baited on the other two hooks. Its been successful, catching coral trout and other reef fish, jewfish, squire, and lots of sergeant bakers. The fish in the pic is the first really decent snapper. Its not huge (5.93 kg gilled and gutted) compared to the knobs that some of you guys have boated, but it's my PB so thought I'd put it up.

cheers

Tony

[Jeremy]

great stuff Tony. Nice to have a win when the weather wasn't what it should have been!

Jeremy

[-spiro-]

Well done mate bet you were excited with that

[ida]

nice fish tony you gotta be happy with that well done cheers ida

[finding_time]

Nice Tony!!!

The water doesn't look that bad behind you!

Ian

[Tony_N]

Yeh, thanks guys. Ian, its not at all big, but the wind was ripping and as you can see it was white capping the chop. The sets were weird and came in threes (mostly) and were very close together and bounced us around a bit. The discomfort was that the chop was coming from 3/4 on the starboard side and we have a very open boat and got quite wet on a cold day. Anyway it all turned out pretty well.

[reef_king]

very nice fish, that 15+knot sw was definitly annoying and we got it around midday up north out wide this pic is looking back at cape moreton.

[Payneful]

Good stuff mate ... I miss the snapper fishing

[wayne_cook]

nice fish tony it is surprising what sps produce always worth persisting with.

[Big_Ren]

Great stuff Tony. A PB is a PB is a PB no matter what

Ty, that's a great spot for the deck winch on the cat. Does the line ever get caught on the props or is it just not an issue at all?

Cheers
Paul

[seatime]

A good result and worth the trip Tony, cheers.

[chicken]

Nothing wrong with that fish.Would be happy with that anyday well done

[stonecold]

Good onya Tony any PB's a good one