Don't fish with T!!! Don't go on his boat, don't let him near your boat, don't let him touch your gear... And this is what i have had to contend with over the past 2 months due to the 'Salmon Curse'!! And haven't i copped my share of bagging from good mate TINN!?!?
Well, when i got the call from long time mate SMUDO to say that his exams were over and he was keen for a fish, curse or no curse, we were going! SMUDO and i go back many years and we've fished from Fraser Is to Brunswick Heads and everything in between. Fishing with SMUDO (in fact anything with SMUDO) is always an adventure. He always leaves you with something to remember and he is the subject of many a great story over the years!
Like the time we were anchored up off Wello point. Even though the old boat was equiped with super safe rod holders, SMUDO decides to leave his u-beaut new rod sitting against the side of the boat while checking his old mangly one. In one of the funniest things i have ever witnessed, the u-beaut goes whistling out of the boat in one spectacular missile-like motion and disappears into the depths of Wello! I couldn't contain myself at the site of this thing flying out! Well, poor old SMUDO was devasted at losing his prized possession - meanwhile i'm trying to contain myself in sympathy! About 90mins elapses and with ongoing consoling, we decide to pick up anchor and drift. Some 30 mins later, SMUDO is on to something! 'This feels a bit strange!' he says, while i'm still chuckling at the event of 2 hours earlier. Next thing, about 20 metres from the boat there's a splash on the surface. 'Slowly SMUDO' i say as he reels it gently to the boat. I pick up the Squire (about a 1kg) and bring it in to the boat only to see that it still had another rig in its mouth. 'SMUDO!, is this your leader?' 'Hell yeah' he says! He'd hooked the fish that kidnapped his rod some 2 hours earlier - and it was still attached to the rod! Delicately over the next 20 mins we managed to retrieve his rod and reel fully intact from the bottom - with the 1 kg Squire in the esky! [smiley=vrolijk_26.gif]
Like the time we did a mission down to Southport for some Greenbacks to arrive and hit the nail on the head! SMUDO in tow with his grandfathers old cane surf rod (wouldn't listen to T about buying a new rod) heads down to stand next to me! Having already hooked a nice greenback and on my way back in for another, SMUDO steadies and casts! SNAP!! Off he trudges up the beach to re-rig. Meanwhile, another Greenie in the bucket for me! 3 in the bucket and SMUDO wanders down again, steadies, SNAP!!! Off he trudges again... Meanwhile i'm up to 6! Bare in mind that the turnaround time per fish due to their size was 5-10 mins minimum! 3rd attempt and again i'm finding it extremely hard to contain myself, steadies, WOOSH, SNAP!!!! I've lost it at this point as i hook up to another Greenie! Without further ado, the whole beach stops at the sound of this rod snapping in the quiet of the night as SMUDO puts it across his leg - anyone for a '2-piece' used cane rod? Luckily, i'd brought my bream rod and SMUDO was able to finally get into a couple before things went dead - but it was tale of what could have been as they were on for 2 hours solid - still, anight i'll never forget nonetheless!
So, as we headed out from Wello Pt boat ramp last night, i wondered what would await us on this mission? Last time in this boat, we had to get rescued from the Pin! After a few drifts with SP's, we decided to find a spot off the ledge to anchor and sit for the night - and to await the arrival of TINN (as he was supposed to give some fish later in the evening so i would have a feed). Set the Berley trail and things are quiet with only little tiddlers keeping us amused when the call from TINN comes saying he is about 200 metres away and they are catching squire every cast, albeit under size. Nice, we'll just stay here for a bit longer! Finally, one of SMUDO's rods goes psycho zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz and after a short battle, spits the hooks! Then my turn, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, and spits hooks! Then finally, hook up and i've landed a nice 50cm fat Flattie! Yum and in the esky for tonight's din din! More big ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZz and drops and finally the 1st keeper Squire goes in the esky! 'TINN! Things are hotting up here!' 'Yeah', he says, 'there's only one problem! we keep getting fish!' That's nice but there was none in his esky yet! I put the phone down and SMUDO picks up his whiting rod as it bends over like there's no tomorrow ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ, ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ! Woo hoo! Nice and easy mate, let it run, loosen your drag, pump and wind, and then colour! S#@%, a u-beaut Snapper! Heart flapping as we steadied it at the boat and then in the net she goes! 63cm and in the esky! Magic, here we are with our heavy duty gear and big hooks and slabs of mullet and whole pike and SMUDO nails this thing on a 1/0 hook with a bit of Squid!! Well, didn't i let TINN know and not long after, TINN motors up and anchors about 5 metres away! Gee, that didn't take long!! 'I want to fish near the blessed boat' he says!
We finished the evening with some more big runs and drops and a few more Squire in the esky (all between 35-40cm). It was an absolutely magic night on the water and certainly another trip to remember with good mate SMUDO!! Deadset can't wait for the next session!
Take Care T
PS: His nickname is actually Smerdo, but due to my dad's heavy accent, it come across as SMUDO, hence, SMUDO...
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