Hello all.
After finishing the outriggers midweek it was a chance to take them for a run off the Sunshine Coast today (as well as a get a reccy in for the Shootout - which we're apparantly fishing now)
Gentlemen's hours of 6:30 had myself, Leanne, Brooksy and Mick leave Mooloolaba bound for the closer grounds. The gear set up quite nicely with four skirted lures and one skipping gar plus a homemade witchdoctor and popper string.
Wasn't long before we found some bait and a quick run eventuated on the shotgun uzi but for no hook-up. I gave the reigns to Brooksy as I trialled the new harness I'd purchased only this week - just getting the feel of it with the rod bucket. As luck would have it the short corner band popped and a couple of metres rolled off the ratchet.
I ran to the corner to see a bill chase the lure down and continue to follow and wack the black, gold and purple meridian for about 30 secs before finally hooking up and peeling of line back through the spread. Leanne took over the wheel while Brooksy and Mick cleared as the sail easily reached 300m+ with only one jump.
A short chase and a bit of grunting (I'm definitely unfit) saw Brooksy stick him with the tag about 15 mins later. A few photos followed and he was quickly back in the water kicking and screaming to get back to the depths.
So it was all over - my first sail, made sweeter by the fact it was in my boat with my own rod, my lown ure and surrounded by good company.
The next hour saw the ratchets turn quite a few times but the only successful hookups were mac tuna - one which is still probably trailing my Pakula after a knot caught in the roller (sorry)
It certainly quitened down after that and we were back at Mooloolaba just after lunch. For me it was a memorable trip - my first sail - but it was also good to see the boat set up well with five lures working perfectly out the back.
Thanks to Brooksy, Mick and Leanne for helping me bust the virginity today and I hope to see as many as possible at the Shootout next weekend.
Bugman
Hook-up and taking line - or is that me panting
