Pine River (Downstream)

[Gigantor]

A mate and I went for a paddle on Saturday morning down the Pine River. Left Deep Water Bend and headed for Dohles Rocks, trolling lures as we paddled. Nothing hit the lures so we came ashore just short of Dohles Rocks and got the cast net out and gathered some small poddy mullet. Hooked these onto our light outfits and cast them out into the shallows. Within 10 minutes the mates spin outfit was screaming and he was hooked up to something worthwhile that was moving quickly. After a short fight the line let go (my knot above the swivel let go - Doh!!!). My mate tied his own knots after that.

5 minutes later my overhead outfit started going bananas, with a big splash just out in the shallows (probably 2 foot of water). Then another big splash and a large ray flap broke the surface. I too was hooked up and playing a nice ray for a minute or so and then the line broke above the hook. Can't expect too much on light gear I guess. Was using 6kg flurocarbon leader attached to 5 kg braid on a little baitcaster. Was good fun just the same. No intentions of keeping the rays. Just like the thrill of the fight - as they go like the clappers once they're hooked!

Though we didn't land anything it was just plain good fun, which is what fishing is all about. Will be heading back out that way again in a few weeks to have some more fun live baiting. But this time will take some slightly heavier gear.

So if anyone says there is no life in the Pine - they are kidding themselves.

Cheers,

Gigantor

[Fishin_Dan]

Good to see a post from you again mate! You've been quiet for a while...


Instead of the poddy mullet, try using a legal sized whiting there for live bait

[chanquetas]

Nice report Gigantor. Im home for a month, I reckon we should get a fish in somewhere when you can.
Cheers,
Jake

[Gigantor]

Hi Fishin Dan,

Yeah have been busy mowing a lawn that never seems to stop growing. Though have been out twice in the last month or so. Have seen lots of prawns skipping around the shallows. But have been hell-bent on throwing SP's, without a lot of luck. Got small lizards down Jacksons Creek recently. And the odd tiger prawn jagged on the lure trebles when trolling. Hence the live bait change. My mate cast the net probably 3 times on Saturday and got mostly mullet and small bream, and one very small whiting. So mullet was used and the rest sent back to grow bigger. I'm not that pickie. I like the darker mullet when live baiting on light sand - they seem to stand out more.

Hi Jake,

Yep. About time we finally get together and go for a paddle. We've been threatening it for some time. Give me some days/times that suit you in the next couple of weeks and I'll confirm.

Cheers,

Gigantor (Pete)

[Gigantor]

Chaps,

Am heading back down to the Pine near Dohles Rocks on Saturday to tangle with some rays again with my mate. Got a new cast net that I've been hankering to get wet also. Will also be dusting off the 15 foot Rosco canoe (Gigantor 1), which hasn't touched water since July 05. (Time for the kayaks to have a rest).

So if you see a couple of guys down Dohles way with dangerously bent rods running along the bank - it will be us! Nothing like fighting big rays on light gear, though will be going for a heavy mono trace this time (which might give us an extra 2 minutes of fight before the ray cuts the leader).

Cheers,

Gigantor