Rudder Reef Sat 17th

[Daintreeboy]

Went out with mum and dad sat chasing coral trout. I made a mistake with the big tide reversing the usually north to south current which left us on the wrong side of the reef. A few other boats made the same error and quickly nicked off. We decided to stay and take our chances with what bommies were left and managed a decent haul. Dad's moment was a nice Mangrove Jack on the mackerel floater, mum's was a few trout and just being out there after such a long time in between trips. Mine was an awesome double hookup you'll see soon.
The last spot of the day was in 105 feet of water so I added a dropper rig to my trout handline. Interestingly I caught a fusilier on one of the hooks on the bottom so I chucked him on the top hook and sent him down. 30 seconds later I was in for the fight of my life on 60 lb handline.
After a long drawn out struggle I wrestled the two fish aboard. For those interested in the difference between Red Bass and Mangrove Jack the next series of pictures should help.
Tally was 11 trout, 1 Spanish Mack, 1 Long Nosed Emperor, A freaking Slatey Bream mum wanted for fish cakes, several Stripey and Moses Perch and two yes two Jacks.
Cheers, Mark.

[Daintreeboy]

Incoming Spanish

[Daintreeboy]

end result

[Daintreeboy]

now for the jacks

[Daintreeboy]

second one

[Daintreeboy]

That Trout went nearly 4.5 kilos. Gives you an idea of the size of the Red Bass!

[Daintreeboy]

now surely you can tell the difference between Jacks and Red Bass1

[Daintreeboy]

The days work.

[philip_thomson]

very nice mark top effort. some good fish and good photos

there is a real big difference between the bass and jack.

cheers phil

[scuttlebutt]

geez Mark, you've done it again! Think I might have to drag the boat up to Mossman for a look one of these days!

There seem to be a few of those big Mother-in-law fish around lately - I've caught a couple on the last few trips (always a dissapointment - they pull hard).

Great trout though, and those jacks!

cheers,

steve

[mattooty]

Beautiful fish. The red bass has alot more of an orange tinge in that photo.
Loved the report.
Matt

[JB]

Mate that is just friggin awesome, wat a catch of quailty fish. Well done Us southerers are bloody jealous

[devocean]

Nice how clear is the water out where you are fishing?

[bazzaman]

Yeh well done mark. Good to see you gettn out a bit more than usual. Did it blow up in the arv, i dont think the weather was at all close in bowen. We were out for two hrs and got blown off the water for only i spaniard.

Good to see quite a few jacks around.

I think its time to start hunting for a few marlin. Ive heard a few reports from a few blokes that their in close and hungry. Taking bottom bouncing gear.

Shane

[Moffy]

nice haul mate - pity Mick didn't want to go out in the second boat - i would have loved to have gotten on to a few of those trout oh well - will be out there in my own boat soon

good size too - should point out to everyone that thats not an esky lid they are on but a full size household door - bl**dy nice trout[smiley=happy2.gif]

Steve - nah mate nothing up Mossman way - not worth the run up there at all