Mud Island Sunday Arvo

[Cheech]

Thought I better put up a quick report as it was looking pretty quiet due to the weather.

Made a decision to go this morning as it looked like it would turn good. And it did Tried to get crew together but no luck so made it a solo.

Was still blowing as I left the ramp, but had a really smooth run out. Anything with west is usually good because the waves have not built up yet.

Went round to the shelter of the east side and found it deserted apart from one other boat. Was surprised because it was pretty calm and only got better as the afternoon progressed. Was almost dead flat when I headed back in 3 hours later.

Anchoured up and pulled in 3 small yelllow trevally looking fish. At least that is what they looked like (yes they were let go).

Then started hooking up to a few squire. One went 59cm. Great size. A few cm longer and it would almost rate as a snapper. Was planning to stay a couple of hours later, but with 3 in the bin, that was dinner so called it an early day at about 4.30.

When I got back to Ferny Hills, it was still blowing. Seemed that the only place it was not windy was at Mud. Very strange,,, but good.

Pictures turned out crap after I resized. Don't know what I am doing wrong to loose all the quality, but will have to do.

You can see how calm it was in the background.

Cheech

[charleville]

Hey Cheech. Great fish! Well done!

I have caught a couple around that size in the past week or so and they are very pleasing to catch. A great reward for taking a chance on the weather today though.

Very well done!

[aquarius]

Nice snappery squire mate.... You deserve a feed braving those wind and rain predictions.
Cheers Brent

[Murks]

well done cheech...and just to think i read that post this morning with you looking for a crew...i thought no chance this would have been taken up for sure...my mistake...big mistake...one day i'm going out there to investigate for myself..the reports that keep coming are just to enticing
Great pic even though its a bit pixelated....
Cheers,
Murks

[StevenM]

Nice fish there cheech....bloody good to be there without all the boats every where

cheers

steven

[PinHead]

you live at Ferny Hills??? You could have picked me up at Everton Park on the way through

[richieboy]

Excellent effort Cheech considering the 'D' was made in those conditions. As luck would have it though, you reaped the rewards. Well done mate.

Rich

[Commodore]

Ya just cant leave it alone can ya, seriously what would it take to stop cheechs charters heading to mud, 50knt se winds …you could have given me a call, with conditions like that id make the 6 hr return rd trip for 3hrs at mud …good on ya mate nice fish. Still working on the end of the month will confirm soon.
Cheers,
Chong

[Cheech]

I was getting the Mud DT's as it had been 2 weeks since last out to the Island. So had no choice, had to go.

Wanted to test out a new secret burley as well. Not sure if it actually worked. I think the fish were around anyway, particularly with the lack of traffic. They were just starting to come on leading up to sunset when I left, so would have bagged out for sure.

By the way for those that may be intersted, only bait used was mullet strips. I went to Morgans on Saturday and bought a 5kg box of pre-frozen squid for future trips (note that Morgans have great squid, but did you know it is almost always frozen and thawed? Buy a box of frozen and section it and you then have at home the same thing after you thaw it). I also bought a dozen fresh mullet barrells ($1.99 per kg) that I froze for emergency bait as it is not always possible to get fresh where I live and the times I often go fishing. Anyway, as I was on my own, I just grabbed 4 of the barrels. Which made my bait bill for the trip about $3.00.

The rod in the background is my second rod that is a 2-5kg ugly stick I have had for years with a 2500 Symetre loaded with 10lb fireline. The other is similar but is a graphite rod with a 2500 twin power. Also loaded with 10lb fireline. I had tried it with 14lb, but felt like driving a car with the hand brake on.

I find that not having a rigid grip of the rod allows it to move with the headshakes rather than fighting them. ie using your rod hand as a spring. I also have a very loose drag. These combine to maintain a constant load at the hook, which I thing helps to stay connected. Also, don't panic when line starts to peel off. They will tire (unless you are about to be spooled. Then you are allowed to panic).

Rig is simple. Just a pea sinker straight to the hook (no swivel).

Cheech

[T1]

Well Done Craig! Great advice and departure of knowledge! Had i have seen your post in the morning yesterday, you would have had a keen deckie!

Just a Q, why no swivel? Do you attach your leader straight to your braid instead or no leader at all?

Take Care T

[T1]

Oh, and for those interested, the FISH FACTORY is open 7 days a week until 7pm on Lytton Rd Bulimba and they have fresh Mullet/Squid...

Take Care T

[Scalem]

Well done Cheech

I also found that finer guage hooks tend to straighten more easily using braid or fireline because of little or no stretch, so the loose grip makes a lot of sense.

Thanks!

Scalem

[Hornblower]

Nice fish there, Cheech, It sometimes pays to take the chance on the weather. You deserve the results and we all bow to the master.

Cheers

[Tinn]

Nice fish Cheech and all by your self good work. Shame you had no one there to watch you catching them

[F1SH_BOY]

nice snapper