queensland We're not at Boat Rock any more, Toto.

[kreel]

A quick check before we head out:

Tugger - check

Kreel - check

Daveylad - check

Bait - check

Tackle - check

Boat Rock? Boat Rock?... where the hell are we going? We have all the gear and what's this flash new boat all about? Why is Daveylad at the helm?

For those that have been following my last few posts the consistent elements of them has always included Tugg, me and Boat Rock. This time however we had a generous offer from Dave to head of for a night fish off Caloundra in his beautiful boat - Free Spirit.

[br]

[kreel]

We left port just after lunch, and as we headed for Caloundra Wide we were passed by a charter boat which turned out to be quite lucky. The pace was checked by the heavier than expected swell, but the real problem was that the GPS unit cut out just off the headland. We decided to follow the charterboat as it seemed to be headed in the exact direction we were after. When we reached what we approximated to be Caloundra Wide and slowed the boat - the GPS unit glowed and came back to life telling us that we had about 4 nm to go. Dave and Mark did some magic to the unit and it worked a treat for the remainder of the trip.

But enough about the boat and the trip out - what about the fishing? The fish finder wasn't showing much structure and there were no fish to be seen so we decided to drift about and try our luck for a while. Lines were sent down the 60 metres, just before sunset.

[br]

[kreel]

I was pretty pleased and we were all excited about the prospects when in quick succession I brought up a Pearl Perch, a Bonito and another Pearly. In the excitement I didn't get a shot of the first Pearly (around 34cm), but here are the next 2, both undersized but we knew there would be bigger down there.

[br]

[kreel]

With 3 fish caught and released and nothing from Mark and Dave, I lay down the gauntlet to my ship mates: "Come on fellas I can't catch all the fish by myself". Oh how foolhardy of me. Mark is almost immediately on as the words leave my mouth and up comes the first keeper - a Pearly at 38.5cm.

[br]

[kreel]

Followed quickly by a first for Dave - an undersized Pearly. Mark then matches my Bonito with 2 of his own.

[br]

[kreel]

The fishing slows down after this and the decision is made to travel north to the Barwon Banks. I enjoy my decky role on any boat and it allows me to meet some great skippers, fish some great spots and generally have a great time. However 17 meters of chain on 60 meters of line nearly killed me - I had my revenge at the Banks!

I had a quick kip below and was ready to make a come-back at the Banks. The lads had other plans in mind - Mark dragged up a Red-throat at 45 cm.

[br]

[kreel]

Upon which he sits in his throne and allows himself a ciggy break. I can only imagine what he's thinking.

[br]

[kreel]

Daveylad then puts a boot into my quickly shrinking sense of self worth with his own Pearly at a touch over 36.5 cm.

(I suspect that Dave was confused about what we were doing tonight - he brought his mining light!)

[br]

[kreel]

In quick succession Tugger, or should I say King Tugg brings in a beautiful Red Emporer (just undersized)...

[br]

[kreel]

... and a 43 cm Moses Perch, that looks for all the world like a Jack.

[br]

[kreel]

Humiliated and defeated, I continue bringing up undersized fish one after the other. Until finally I get a fish that fights a little harder, feels a little heavier and looks the goods...

... that is until we put him on the lie detector and...

... 34.9 cm, you bast#@*!

[br]

[kreel]

We decide there's no way I can catch a decent fish and its time to go. This is when I get my revenge on the anchor. During the course of the preceding hours the boat has drifted with the currents and has successfully lodged the chain around some pretty impressive structure. Try as we might, we couldn't budge the anchor from its spot, the boat couldn't drive it off the spot either so the decision was made to collect as much rope as we were able and cut the rope. I have to admit I had a smile on my face and a certain sense of karma balance as I cut the rope free. Sorry Dave.

For all the action we had through the night Mark and Dave only managed to bag:

2 Pearl Perch

2 Moses Perch

1 Red Throat.

Thanks to Dave for the glorious Free Spirit and Mark for another lesson in fishing. Another great trip with top blokes, thanks to AFO for making it possible.

[Angus]

Nice one Kreel.

Always awesome to fish new ground.

Shame about the fish but meh, thats fishing.

What a sweet looking Moses Perch!!!!

Good on you Daveylad for offering the deckie spots.

Angus

[Whiskers]

Great report, Great read cheers

Cam

[kreel]

BTW. The lads generously let me have some Pearly and Moses Perch. My first taste of Pearly last night marinated in lemon juice and rind, garlic and white wine, seared in the pan and served with chips and a lemon sauce.

Heaven.

[straddiebrad]

should have clicked your red high heels three times great report kreel nice looking fish shame there wasnt more but looks like you had some fun how far did u head out

[daveylad]

Hi Brad, the first leg was from Mooloolaba to Caloundra Wide area, about 13 nautical miles,as Kreel says it was sloppy and we only travelled about 12knots per hour. Then to Barwon Banks I think about 15 N/M took us about 1 1/4 hrs and by then the swell was settling down. After we played around with the anchor we then set off back to Mooloolaba 26 N/M. Tugger took the helm and made better speed but it still took us over 1 1/2 hrs. It was great have Tugger with me especially in the dark for Navigation and other tips, I learned a lot that night. Interesting that far out in the dark plenty of noises Tugger reckoned one noise could have a been a whale in the vicinity so we had some music on "I want to Break Free" by Freddy Mercury, and I also saw a small shark that followed my bait up. Great night with some great company Thanks Tugger and Kreel

[nadders]

good fishin boys, i was wondering why you had a boat for sale dave didn't realise you'd bought a newie it looks flash indeed

cheers

Dan

[dhess]

Good stuff guys.

Nice redthroat at 45cm. Have never caught one bigger than just legal in those parts. Beautiful red emperor too. A legal one would be a very rare catch down this far south.

[Keen-as-fisho]

Sounds like you guys had a great night. I will be enjoying some pearlies to night that dad caught on thursday morning, his biggest whent 50.5cm. BTW when are you going to learn how to measure your fish kreel that pearl is about 32cm

[Sparksie]

Argh...

When are you going back to work Kreel!??!?!?

[FishoDave]

thanks for the read guys

sounds like some really good fun on the water. that's a beautiful boat

[dassa]

Good work daveylad and your right about tugger I learnt something from him during the MBC regarding navagation and reading markers at night.Good to see kreel liviing up his true ability again Nice fish boys even if kreel didn't add to the bag it sound's like a good night out on the water.

[Eug]

nice work fellas and flash boat as well...

[fishguru5]

nice work guys. i would say that the "moses perch" is a reefjack the spot could just be a coincidence

pat

[Scope]

Top read as always Kreel, great work to all involved

Jono

[tomca]

Well, well, well. Looks like Tugger has stopped baiting Kreels hooks causing the rapid decline in his(hers) fishing prowess.

Good report guys, sorry we didn't leave any snapper out there for you's

Looks like round 1 goes to the yakkers :woohoo:

[tomca]

kreel wrote:

Humiliated and defeated, I continue bringing up undersized fish one after the other. Until finally I get a fish that fights a little harder, feels a little heavier and looks the goods...

... that is until we put him on the lie detector and...

... 34.9 cm, you bast#@*!

[br]

you should have opened its mouth and angled it more on the mat. Could have found an extra 2mm easily.....seriously you are as dodgy with your fish measurements as Biggles

[tugger]

thanks dave for the trip out shame about the lack of fish but over the radio the rest of the boats didn't fair any better either that were out with us. i told you guys you weren't holding your tongue right or the lepricorn i rubbed paid off if only that red went a little bit bigger i would go back and give him a kiss. i could just of measured it like kreel hahahaha

[wesfish]

that was a great report

sounded like an awesome o/n sesh! :woohoo:

[fishingnut]

kreels reports are always good for a laugh

[kreel]

fishingnut wrote:

kreels reports are always good for a laugh

I'm very serious about my fishing fNut, I can't help it if I'm unsure about what fishing stick to use and what's the best string to put on the spinny thing... and bait is slimey so if Tugg gives a mate a hand at putting the little fishies on the hook thingy then I'm man enough to let him.

sparksie wrote:

Argh...

When are you going back to work Kreel!??!?!?

I'm due back from long service leave on the 15th of July, but I think I might take 6 weeks of annual leave before I go back, I just want to ease back into things.

If anyone is looking for a mediocre decky I can hold a fishing stick with the best of them.