Getting Ready

[ellicat]

@Old Scaley sent me a link the other day about spotted mackerel. The season is almost upon us. I also followed a link to an article on schoolies. Trolling was the main thrust of the articles. I realised I needed a new rod for trolling to pair with my Penn Fathom 25 2 speed reel, so hit up the tackle shop yesterday and selected a locally made Live Fibre 8-15 kilo rod as well as some trolling accessories.

 

Now we just need to get some decent weather to get out there and test it all.

[ellicat]

I paid too much for it, but still managed to keep a straight face when I told the wife I had to get it now because it was on special.

[Brodie_S]

What size reels and line do you use for mackerel. My brother recently bought a boat for offshore trips and I’m semi interested on catching mackerel on metals . I’m thinking a 4000 sized reel with 300m of 20lb braid and a 40lb FC leader with a short bit of 70lb mono trace or nylon coated wire connected to a lure 

[ellicat]

For offshore I think you'd want a larger reel that you can bottom bash with as well, so at least a 4000 will give you a big enough spool, but I'd prefer a 5000. You wouldn't need a 70lb trace - 40lb would be enough. Wire is not necessary and most articles will tell you you're less likely to get a hookup with it.

In Moreton Bay, to date I have used a 4000 spinning reel with 20lb braid and 20lb leader onto a set of 3 x 4/0 gang hooks. This has served me well. However for trolling I have got the new setup with 15kg mono.

[Old Scaley]

You can use lighter gear if you are trolling a hardbody but need a good solid rod if you are using a trolling board or paravane because of the extra drag. Hardbodies or spoons on the lighter gear would be more fun but you need the boards to keep the lures down a bit deeper. I have a heavy overhead set up for trolling the boards but this year I want to use a heavy mono hand line like the pros,  just for the extra fun and mayhem of getting loose line all over the deck of Brian’s boat.

[Kat]

Hey @ellicat - do you only fish the bay for mackerel?

[ellicat]

23 minutes ago, Kat said:

Hey @ellicat - do you only fish the bay for mackerel?

I only fish the Bay for them, but they get them offshore as well.

[jon]

Nice mate, you definitely can’t go wrong with any rod out of the Wilson stable. There hands down some of the best rods Ive used. Spotties are definitely around too my mate got seven or eight on the weekend at the foul grounds.

[kmcrosby78]

Read this in a hurry before going to bed Brian (BIG week ....) but just wanted to quickly note that it is normally believed that 3 inch spoons are better for the bay - might be worth either swapping them or adding to your collection. Watertower Bait & Tackle (next to the BP on your way to Manly Harbour) normally stocks them.

[ellicat]

Yep, I have some coming from Watertower in 3 inch. They only had 4" at Tackle Warehouse, so I have a couple of options.

Thanks, good sir.

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

Looks great Brian, I hope to hear of some adventures with that! 

Cheers Hamish

[Drop Bear]

Love the Live Fibre. You wont regret that purchase. 

They have started to get some spotties but they have not been very hungry. Perhaps once the full moon buggers off they will be more inclined to chomp on the lures. 

Good luck anyway. 

[ellicat]

Blooded the new outfit today on a schoolie. Trolled up a 40cm model.

Apart from unders squire and grassies that was all we got though.

The new rod loads up nicely. I reckon it'll stop some whoppers if I'm ever lucky enough to hookup to one.

[Old Scaley]

Don’t forget the knot eel. 

[kmcrosby78]

Any gr!&&er$????

[ellicat]

4 minutes ago, kmcrosby78 said:

Any gr!&&er$????

Nope, not that we know of - lost a trolling board to the bottom though, so could have had one I guess. :P

 

[kmcrosby78]

What depth were you in out of interest? I normally try to stay in water at least 5m deep. And normally if you are catching gr!&&er$ you are too shallow so either need to go into deeper water OR wind in some line so that it doesn't dive as deep. All a learning curve. Just catching one on your first go is a success  

[ellicat]

We were in 7 - 10 metres but came into a sharp incline that took us to less than 5 metres rather quickly. Momentarily thought we'd hooked up.

It was disappointing as the Yamashita trolling boards are no longer made in the 6 inch and are getting hard to find. I got the last one from Watertower last week. Just found some more online, luckily, so I snavelled a few.

Thanks for the tips.

[GregOug]

1 hour ago, ellicat said:

We were in 7 - 10 metres but came into a sharp incline that took us to less than 5 metres rather quickly. Momentarily thought we'd hooked up.

It was disappointing as the Yamashita trolling boards are no longer made in the 6 inch and are getting hard to find. I got the last one from Watertower last week. Just found some more online, luckily, so I snavelled a few.

Thanks for the tips.

A few! Mine cost me thirty something bucks for one. Did you win lotto?

[ellicat]

I'm an accountant and was able to amortise the cost over 10 years in the books.

[GregOug]

Just now, ellicat said:

I'm an accountant and was able to amortise the cost over 10 years in the books.

Yeah, but losing them on the first day out sort of stuffs up your ten year depreciation schedule, doesn’t it?

[GregOug]

Maybe you should use Scott Morrison’s instant write off scheme. 

[GregOug]

Throw it in the water, troll twenty yards, lose it, write it off.

[ellicat]

Haha. It's fine as long as the total number of boards last 10 years.

[ellicat]

Got a message yesterday they only had one in stock, not the three I ordered. So a refund is on its way for 2.

I then ordered more from another tackle store and they rang this morning to say they don't have any in stock either, so another refund is on its way.

The search will continue today.

[ellicat]

Found some more. I've ordered another 2. Fingers crossed I don't get another call.

[Old Scaley]

59 minutes ago, ellicat said:

Got a message yesterday they only had one in stock, not the three I ordered. So a refund is on its way for 2.

I then ordered more from another tackle store and they rang this morning to say they don't have any in stock either, so another refund is on its way.

The search will continue today.

Now I feel extra bad that we lost your other one on its first outing. I should have stopped the boat as soon as we hit the 5 metre mark. I will bring an extra Cherry Ripe for you next trip.

[ellicat]

I'll take that Cherry Ripe, but don't worry about losing the thing. Live and learn. It's called 'terminal tackle' for a reason haha.

[kmcrosby78]

If you get stuck, check if Watertower has any Delta boards. That's all I've ever used and haven't had any problems with them, and from memory they were maybe $18. Haven't lost one yet and they turn well.