Sweet Seas at 1770

[Lucky_Phill]

Sweet Seas at 1770

After watching the weather all week and saying, Yes, No, Yes, No, a quick trip to 1770 for a scouting mission was on. Particularly after the non-event of February, when the wind howled and the fishing was limited.

My crew for the trip on Saturday was Roz and non-Ausfish members Ray and Mick. We met the mauler or macks and the dinger of props at the servo at Agnes pre dawn. Fuel and Ice on board and a couple of Beef and Red Wine Pies from ‘ Dave “ the baker, then off to the ramp at 1770. Putting in at the same time as us was a nice Col Svennson Fisher 7.4mtr, called ‘ Awesome” .

The skipper Roz, being a local, took us out over the bar entrance and onto the bait grounds. Although the shows were good, the yakka were playing hard to get, but after a 1/2 hour, enough were in the tank. We headed out another 17k’s or so to some local Trout spots. Not much showing on the Furuno and eventually settled on some small shows, holding the hard bottom.

Wind was light and seas slight, the sun was coming up and the moon had disappeared a few hours ago. Fish started coming aboard instantly. Not what we had anticipated, Snapper ( Squire, Squabbies, or whatever you all want to call them ). This session lasted some time, with other species being Hussar, Sweetlip, Moses Perch, Sea Bream and a few grinner. With under size Reds coming, and the King Shark catcher RAY, gettin into the XOS Flannel Suited Ferets, a move was called for.

I had a few marks for around the place within some easy distances. Next stop over a very good show of fish rising off the bottom, produced Squire every drop. That’s fine, but the bag limit was closing in, and we wanted a different species. Further travel to a local wreck site produced some surprises. Larger Snapper, Nannygai and Grunter. Then the local Trevally Community moved in and proceeded to nail every bait entering the water.

The action was pretty fast and one of the lighter moments was when Roz hooked onto one of the larger Trevors, and as I was also connected up solid, the two crossed paths. I had the faster retrieve and my fish hit the surface first. I noticed that my leader had wrapped Roz’s braid. Easy way out I thought, I’ll cut my leader. Fine, except the Trevally stayed attached to Roz’s line as her braid had slipped into the eye of my hooks. Now she has 2 Trevors going in the same direction at speed. Picture attached hereabouts.

And as this was happening, Ray had brought a Trevally to the surface only to be followed by several of his mates, and what Mick thought was a shark. Turned out to be a Cobe. So Mick feeds a nice big bait down towards the critter, and sure enough, engulfs it. Mick strikes hard and all hell breaks loose. With the decks cleared and a couple of pics taken, the senior gaff-man ( that’d be me ), placed the hook of death under the Black Kings gills. A good heave ho and into the bare floor of ReBait.

This was one of the last fish caught in this spot due to the Trevally population getting annoying. Also, Mick had fed another bait down and there was no stopping THAT monster.

Back to a previously fished spot for the rest of the sunlight. With all fish bled and in a bloody cold saltwater ice slurry, a call went out to head home before the sunlight disappeared. Sure enough, the sun had sunk behind the mainland, but leaving enough light to traverse the bar and make the return trip safely. Not that the bar at 1770 is nasty, but with no lighting on the beacons, could be dodgey.

Many thanks to Tony and Sandi at Agnes Bait & Tackle for their input, knowledge and excellent service. Be sure to pop in and say hi, should you venture that way.

Later in the week, I was asked to have a crack at the crab population back at Agnes Water. Roz has a secret spot that is sure to produce a few crabs. To her credit, she was spot on. That is only half the story. Following a track through the scrub to secret crab spot X, we pass a couple, sitting in a new Cruiser near the Salt Flats. Upon returning that way, with 4 good Muddies in the bucket, we see the Cruiser axle deep in mud/ sand salt flat. With the English tourist ( Scott ) waving us down and holding a Mobile in the other hand. Closer inspection reveals 2 problems. 1, being they ( his GF Nicolla ) are S T U C K, and 2, he tells us NRMA ( who are on the blower ) do NOT do off road recoveries. No probs, we’ll snatch ya out. Roz backs her cruiser towards the trapped tourists and next thing, oops, someone is ALSO bogged. Time to get the Nissan. Afterall, 2 bogged Toyota’s are a great sight. AND NO BLOODY CAMERA !

The local copper turns up and winches out Roz’s Cruiser, and then she snatched the tourists out. Cartons of beer all round and all ends well. I’m sure more can be said here.

Pics attached for most fish etc.

Cheers Phill

[Lucky_Phill]

more ?

[Lucky_Phill]

Sweetlip of the large variety

[Lucky_Phill]

Phills sweet thang

[Lucky_Phill]

Ray hard at it

[Lucky_Phill]

OPPS

[Lucky_Phill]

Mick's

[Lucky_Phill]

more ?

[Lucky_Phill]

wtf

[Lucky_Phill]

well

[Lucky_Phill]

zoom

[Daintreeboy]

nice haul phill. How big was the Grunter?

[chemmy]

great report felt like i was there with ya

[spaniard]

Sounds like a great trip there phil, well done [smiley=thumbsup.gif] [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Whens the next M&G up there.

[agnes_jack]

Good bit of fun there Phil.
Shame the weather didn't hold up too well for the rest of your visit
Good to see you all got a bit of action and a few nice fish.
Good to see ya

Regards, Tony

PS..Spaniard...THere are rumors of a possible m&g around oct-nov ish.