The heavy tackle season started with a bang, with large numbers of marlin up north around lizard island. We were lucky enough to be the only boat getting amongst it on Number 10 ribbon reef, catching 3 and 4 fish a day. The weather hasn?t let up, so we have only been gong out after lunch and putting the heavy tackle in at 2pm, so that s fairly good fishing in my book!
The only thing missing was the big females, the water temp was down a little, but with plenty of males around, it was only a matter of time.
06/10/06
Weather still 25 to 30 knots, and water temp 24.8 degrees, but really good color.
Had a good morning on the shoals catching 10 scaley mackerels. Had the one bite, late in the arvo, 5pm, but it was the one we wanted.
We were just north of second corner, heading for 1st corner when I noticed a boil of water on the big bait, which I assumed to be a chop off? but seconds later a large head of a nice fish appeared and ate inside out. After coming tight, we backed out into the 3 meter swell,(damn this weather!) getting every one soaked in the process.
The fish didn?t jump and remained on the surface allowing us to have her boat side with in 20 minutes. A few nice jumps boat side on the wire and a good release followed. Finally our first big one, was over and done with. Our new Off set game chair from Release marine had made fighting the fish, especially in the this weather, so much easier. By rotating the chair out to side, the line was able to clear the covering boards which made chasing and handling the fish with the big boat a breeze.
We didn?t see another big girl until the day before the tournament, but our days were filled with 300 to 400lbers, and a 600lber to Tom Crosby.
13/10/06
Our next group of guests arrived at mid day and we wasted no time getting out and putting the baits in the water around 1pm, and hour later, just of second corner, we had the bite on the runner, no one had seen, but after coming tight, the fish jumped once.
We noticed it was a nice one and gave chase. regular angler Keith smith was in the chair, doing exactly what he did last year on his first day, (catching a nice one) we called the fish 700lbs on that first jump but when boat side the fish took to the air and it was an easy 900lb.
Our run of luck ran dry during the tournament, and the fish also decided to slow down also with every one finding it hard to find a fish.
20/10/06
Late in the day on first corner, 5pm, hadn?t seen a anything all day. The day before I noticed a bait ball of fish just off 1st corner, so we were finishing off the day there. The runner got bit again. And another small fish had appeared behind the big bait. But we decided not to get greedy and concentrate on the fish we had hooked up. The boys pulled the baits away from the small fish and we gave chase. Again, Keith had the fish boat side with in 15 minutes and it looked good in the water, but we obviously gave her a fright, because she was off and jumping and it was then we got a really good look her size, it was a big fish!!
Keith was doing a good job in the chair, and the new Shimano T curve rods from Ian Miller were awesome. After an hour and 20 minutes, Randle got the leader, then again, on the second attempt and James placed a good tag after the second jump. This fish was big, it wasnt jumping as such, but big lunges or lazy flops with massive head shakes. The leader was shortened and cut away. Randle and I both agreed, it was easy over a grand.
This is what we come here for!!
Good Fishing
Tom
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