mixed bag at D.I, 11/12-3-06

[reef_king]

Headed out the wide bay bar at 6.30am saturday with the hope of going wide for some reds. Stoppeed off 13nm off the bar to test the current. We pulled some undersize reds and pearlies and the current was only a trickle, so we shifted off towards the shelf. Upon getting to shelf country i told the boys to put on big baits and hang on. We pulled up on a mark with 3 big fish hooked up followed by 3 visits from the men in grey suits. Next drift out came the alvey reef queen and down it went, up came our first fish of the trip a red about 65cm. Next couple of drifts only produced reds in the 45-53cm range. Moved east another mile and again got slammed with the winch producing a just legal red. The next few drifts were completely quiet so we headed out to a mark about 35nm off the bar. It was blowing 20knts by know and we slowly fished our way north pulling the odd hussar and parrot. We managed to get a cod and a nice coronation trout but it was VERY quiet.

By about 4.30 in the arvo we were 42nm off the bar and it was blowing a solid 25-30knts. Last time we were in this area we got slammed by good fish but we couldn't lose a bait. For some reason the fish were showing on the sounder but weren't interested in eating. With time getting on we decided to come a bit closer in to some ground about 25nm out. The waves weren't standing up as much here and we settled down for the night. Again it was fairly quiet with the only action being some small cobes and kingie. After tea 3 went to bed and left just the 2 of us fishing. Some small snapper came on the bite from 8.30-10pm along with endless amout of undersize reds and pearlies.

The next morning we fished around the area and manged some small mahi mahi and other bits and pieces. With the coast guard telling us that there was a strong wind warning current and 20-35knt winds we headed in early over the bar before it got to the bottom of the run out tide. The trip was the slowest we have ever had at D.I and we really had to work for our fish with over 135nm travelled. At least we managed a mixed bag of fish and it was a bit of an experience for some on board who had never been out in water that rough.

[reef_king]

a lucky fish to make it to the boat, i just love that deck winch

[reef_king]

next morning was a little calmer in close

[reef_king]

dollie no. 1

[reef_king]

dollie no. 2

[reef_king]

esky

[Hagar]

Reefie

Cripes guys you must be in a bigger boat than mine . 20 to 25 from the south means I am home or at least on the way not planning to stay out overnight . Even looks ordinary on the camera so it must have been worse on the water .

[reef_king]

14 different speices show the variety you can expect from offshore fraser waters, which makes it my favourite place to fish.

I've never seen so many undersize pearlies in fraser waters, has anyone also been having this problem latley?

[reef_king]

Hagar, the photos don't give the weather justice. Were in a 7m Coastal Cat and in that weather were able to still maintain cruise, it amazes me how good the boat is.

[bundopeace]

thats fantastic... good catch!!

[liltuffy]

Good effort Reef King, I fish up there as well and fish on the sounder not biting is what we call Double Island Lock Jaw, seems to be a common malady up that way.

[Fixation]

Good effort reef king. Yeah I've had a few trips up there and sometimes the fish will go on and off the bite like someones turning a switch on and off. Looks like you still did alright though. Makes it hard work when you have to cover so much ground though. Well done.

[TIM-DONSELAAR]

well done reef_king....full esky with a good variety of fish...[smiley=thumbsup.gif] [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

cheers tim

[herveybaymagic]

nice catch reefking good effort

[Thunderbird]

D.I lock jaw or red fever? (just to mention a couple of sicknesses up that way!)
Good to see you got a couple in the boat. Looks like a nice rig to be out fishing those conditions that wide.
I'll swap ya some pearlies for one of the trout.
When you fish out that wide up there, the species change so i've been told. So if it's pearlies that you crave, stay in closer and wait for the chew.......
Cheers Birdy......