queensland Yippee Yeppoon #2

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

Hi all

Well the other day, it was almost time I hopped on a plane to fly up to Yeppoon, to visit some relatives. I quickly piled together three rods, two of which were telescopic/three piecers, so they fit into a suitcase, but one of which was only a two piecer so needed to be wrapped in bubble wrap so I could take it on the plane. 

After the plane ride, I got off at Rockhampton Airport. We proceeded to drive to where we were staying. After catching up with relatives, my uncle told me some great news. He had planned a trip to the Fitzroy River, for the next day! 

We left early. After a bit of jinning around to get everything ready we were set. We got to the ramp after about 40 minutes of driving, half of which was on a pretty good dirt road. The boat was launched in, and we loaded up with all the gear. There were some people fishing off the boat ramp. They got their cast net snagged, but unluckily for them they lost the big mullet in their net as well. Bugger!

We set out to our first spot, which was a promising headland. It was very rocky, there were lots of eddies, there was plenty of churned up water, but it seemed there was nothing interested in a well presented prawn or pilchard! At the first spot we dropped anchor, and it would've been a good 15 metres. We gave it about 30 minutes here, and in that time I changed my rig to a lightly weighted pilly, while my Uncle stuck with prawns. He got some little nibbles, and was pickered, but I did not get the huge hit I was hoping for. We moved along a bit closer about twice (pulling the anchor up was exhausting, Lol) and to our disappointment we still had no hits. We moved once more, a bit closer, and sat here for about another half hour. My uncle got a good-ish hit but the hook did not stick, and I got pickered again. We decided this spot was not working so we moved along a bit, to the other side of the river.

We got into some more snaggy country here, so it looked promised. We lobbed out baits out again, and kept fishing. We had no love here, so we moved down a bit more to the mouth of a feeder creek. We anchored on a corner near it, and there was rocks and an eddy. It looked promising. Nothing here, either! We decided it was time to go for a drift now, so we drifted along the creek entrance and down more. We hadn't gotten a touch, so we got out morning tea. We kept drifting, but unfortunately for us, simultaneously, we got snagged, then our rigs broke! (At least we think it was a snag - one big pull and everything was gone. It didn't feel like a fish but then again, could've been...). After we re-rigged, we decided to find another spot and anchor up. 

We drove downstream for a little bit, looking for somewhere that looked promising. Eventually, we found a smaller feeder creek. We didn't have the pots, but if we did, this would've been a promising spot. After getting in an alright position, we spent the next forty odd minutes lobbing prawns and pilchards up and around the drain. It was pretty hot, but there were no fish. As I was reeling my line in at one point, I did manage to snag a muddy. He was a bit small to keep though, so I said bye bye to what would've been a tasty meal at the side of the boat. I lifted the anchor after a while and we drifted downwards a bit more, but we still had no luck with the fish.

It was about 1 by now, and hope was fading. We kept fishing though, and we'd switched to the other side of the river. We found some interested structure, so anchored up here and kept fishing. We had some more food and water, and still had no bites - not even a blasted catfish!

It was approaching knock off time, and we still were having no luck. I was really hoping for something, but unfortunately, there was nothing biting. We got to the final spot, and we gave it everything. We tried fishing in every different spot we could reach there, but still, not a touch. We motored back to the ramp, and I got the boat ready to go back. We left, and while we were slightly disappointed we had not got a fish we still both enjoyed the day. It was a great exploratory mission for both of us. 

Statistics of Trip: 

Tide: 3:21AM, 4.7M, High, 11:15AM, 1.5M, Low, 4:00PM, 3.8M, High

Moon Phase: Waning Gibbous

Tackle Used: 20LB, 30LB, braid mainlines, 30lb leaders, 4/o suicide and circle hooks, size 2 and 6 ball sinkers, large swivels, Rogue Firepoint Boat Rod 5-8KG 2M, Ugly Stik Rod, Penn SSM 650, Abu Garcia Barra King 6500. 

Bait Used: Prawns, pilchards

Fish Caught: - 

Crustaceans Caught: Mud Crab, x 1

Weather: Hot, Sunny

Location: Fitzroy River

Notes: No one else back at the ramp had any success, maybe it was a bad day?

Overall Success Rate: 60% - awesome day out!

Anyways, despite our lack of fish the day before, we went out to the harbour the next day. We had prawns and pilchards, and the targets were mainly bread and butter species. The boat had been moved closer to the rock wall, and it was safe to say some people had fairly lousy aim when casting, as there was a heap of line wrapped around all the piles attached the boat. My uncle was doing some maintenance to start, so I wet the first line.

I got pickered on the first drop, then I rebaited and dropped my rig down again. Bang! I'd jagged a tiny bream, who I just threw back. On the next drop, third of the day, I got a couple picks, but then hooked something a bit better. After a run, I saw a flathead, of OK size (approx. 50-60CM). Unfortunately, it did the old boat side head shake, flicking my hook out. Man! There goes dinner . 

On the next couple of drops, I kept getting pickered. I wasn't landing any of the fish, and with my tiny long shank hook already on the line, there wasn't much I could do about it. Apart from some little grunter, which I caught in between picks, it was a very quite day. About forty minutes later, my uncle got on the action too. Though, it had gone pretty quiet for both of us. I moved up to the front of the boat where it was very close to the rocks, and so did he. Within about 1 minute of dropping down, I hooked something which put up a bit of a tussle - a nice 27CM bream. I cut his throat and then, my uncle hooked something else as well (little bream). It was time for lunch now, so we packed up, planning to come back to the boat in a little while.

We got home, and cleaned the bream. He looked very yummy . After lunch, I got to watch my Uncle weld a bit of metal so it would fit into the pump on the boat. That was a first, and very interesting too. Anyways, we launched the bait again, this time with a bit more bait, and kept fishing. After not much for the first odd hour, we decided to go out the front. It wasn't that rough, and there was probably 1-2M swell (maybe a little bit of chop as well, certainly not much). We motored out and found a nice spot in front of one of the headlands. Baits were dropped, but within ten minutes I was feeling queasy. Within another ten minutes, we had to go back in. I really need to find some sea sick tablets that work! 

Anyways, my uncle did a bit more work on the pump, and in between me going to help him, I landed a 30CM cod, so I put him back, and another legal bream, who I kept, and then ate later that night. To end of my Yeppoon Fishing Trip for this time, I jagged a toadfish in the mouth. Yuck!

Quick Stats:

Tide: Outgoing/Incoming

Tackle Used: 20LB braid and 30LB braid mainlines, 30LB leaders, size 0 and 00 ball sinkers, tiny long shank hooks, Penn SSM 650, Abu Garcia Veritas 6500, Rogue Firepoint Boat Rod 5-8KG, Ugly Stik Rod. 

Fish Caught: Cod, Bream, Grunter, Toadfish, many more pickers

Bait Used: Prawns and Pillies

Time Fished: About 8-11AM, about 1-3:30PM

Overall Success Rate: 90% - we got out and caught some, that's the main thing

We got home and cleaned the fish, and sizzled them up that night. Yum! 

Perfect!

Anyways, that concludes my most recent trip to Yeppoon. It was alright weather the whole time, and I caught a couple of fish, so I had a great time! I hope you enjoyed this report if you're still reading, and sorry for the lack of pics!

Cheers Hamish  

[Junky]

Least you managed a feed mate. 

What tablets are you taking? 

I don't get crook but my wife and kids do. They take kwell. 

Seems to work. 

They start their dose the day before an outing. 

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

2 minutes ago, Junky said:

Least you managed a feed mate. 

What tablets are you taking? 

I don't get crook but my wife and kids do. They take kwell. 

Seems to work. 

They start their dose the day before an outing. 

Yep, that was good Junky. 

I have taken Kwells and Ginger Tablets with mixed success. On all the days I've been out with someone from AFO, it's been quiet calm, and I've been fine. But on a charter and a couple times when I've been out and it's been lumpy, I get sick quiet quick. 

Cheers Hamish

[ellicat]

Shame they weren't on the chew. Bigger shame to have dropped the flathead ! I remember a recent post from @GregN70 saying fishing the Fitzroy was tough.

I take Travacalm Original fairly successfully when going outside. (Doesn't work everytime )  It has a combination of the active ingredients from both Kwell and Dramomine. You need to follow the instructions and you need to start the day with a full stomach.

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

18 minutes ago, ellicat said:

Shame they weren't on the chew. Bigger shame to have dropped the flathead ! I remember a recent post from @GregN70 saying fishing the Fitzroy was tough.

I take Travacalm Original fairly successfully when going outside. (Doesn't work everytime )  It has a combination of the active ingredients from both Kwell and Dramomine. You need to follow the instructions and you need to start the day with a full stomach.

Yeah, it was Brian. I think one of the main reasons we struggled was because we had no sounder. I'm not going to blame it all on that or anything, but we might've been driving straight over a school of fish. 

Thanks for the tip with Travacalm. I will have to try it one day. I would make sure it is not on a big day though, if it didn't work, a full stomach and rough seas sounds like a disaster!

Cheers Hamish

[GregN70]

On 16/07/2021 at 4:42 PM, ellicat said:

Shame they weren't on the chew. Bigger shame to have dropped the flathead ! I remember a recent post from @GregN70 saying fishing the Fitzroy was tough.

I take Travacalm Original fairly successfully when going outside. (Doesn't work everytime )  It has a combination of the active ingredients from both Kwell and Dramomine. You need to follow the instructions and you need to start the day with a full stomach.

Yeah, the Fitzroy could be one of the most challenging places i've ever fished. If I had to try feed myself in a survival situation there im sure id die of starvation.

 

As for taking sea sick medication, over the years i found the best was to take a Kwell before bed the night before, then when up in the morning or about an hour before hitting the water have 1 or 2 Travacalms. That Kwell the night before is the key, and is always the best for me.

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

On 19/07/2021 at 10:13 AM, GregN70 said:

Yeah, the Fitzroy could be one of the most challenging places i've ever fished. If I had to try feed myself in a survival situation there im sure id die of starvation.

 

As for taking sea sick medication, over the years i found the best was to take a Kwell before bed the night before, then when up in the morning or about an hour before hitting the water have 1 or 2 Travacalms. That Kwell the night before is the key, and is always the best for me.

Hi Greg

Man. It’s a shame you were not rewarded for persistence. 
I have heard a kwell the night before can work. I will try this as well as the one ellicat suggested eventually. 
Cheers Hamish

[GregOug]

Hi Hamish,

Thanks for the interesting report. Just a word of caution. Not sure what type of welding your uncle was doing but you normally shouldn’t watch someone welding without wearing a welding helmet yourself. There is real danger of permanently damaging your eyes.

cheers

Greg

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

7 hours ago, GregOug said:

Hi Hamish,

Thanks for the interesting report. Just a word of caution. Not sure what type of welding your uncle was doing but you normally shouldn’t watch someone welding without wearing a welding helmet yourself. There is real danger of permanently damaging your eyes.

cheers

Greg

Hi Greg

No worries. I should’ve specified. I wore a welding helmet too. It was a bit harder to see but I could still make everything out.

Cheera Hamish

[Hweebe]

There is still hope. When i first started boat fishing I needed to dose up on the kwell tablets but over time you will gain your sea legs if you persist.

Now I don't take any tablets and can get through all but the roughest days (when i probably shouldn't be out on the water)

The theory is sea sickness is caused by your brain and your balance (inner ear) being out of sync.

• I found the number 1 thing that helped me in the early days was to keep the eyes on the distant horizon, that really helps the brain / eyes / balance all stay in sync with the horizon helping that.
• Avoid looking down at your feet or spending too much time tying hooks / terminal etc - This will trigger the sea sickness
• A good hearty breakfast meal seemed to also help.

 

 

[Ed.]

11 hours ago, Hweebe said:

There is still hope. When i first started boat fishing I needed to dose up on the kwell tablets but over time you will gain your sea legs if you persist.

Now I don't take any tablets and can get through all but the roughest days (when i probably shouldn't be out on the water)

The theory is sea sickness is caused by your brain and your balance (inner ear) being out of sync.

• I found the number 1 thing that helped me in the early days was to keep the eyes on the distant horizon, that really helps the brain / eyes / balance all stay in sync with the horizon helping that.
• Avoid looking down at your feet or spending too much time tying hooks / terminal etc - This will trigger the sea sickness
• A good hearty breakfast meal seemed to also help.

 

 

As @Hweebe said, for myself, I rarely get seasick and the times I have been it was due to having spent too much time looking towards the floor, such as when tying a lot of knots or problems with motor or boat, but the biggest thing for me is not getting enough sleep the night before going out.

Having breakfast is good as it will give you something to throw up if that happens, as there is nothing worse than dry retching!, wanting to throw up but not being able to do so as your stomach is empty.

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

18 hours ago, Hweebe said:

There is still hope. When i first started boat fishing I needed to dose up on the kwell tablets but over time you will gain your sea legs if you persist.

Now I don't take any tablets and can get through all but the roughest days (when i probably shouldn't be out on the water)

The theory is sea sickness is caused by your brain and your balance (inner ear) being out of sync.

• I found the number 1 thing that helped me in the early days was to keep the eyes on the distant horizon, that really helps the brain / eyes / balance all stay in sync with the horizon helping that.
• Avoid looking down at your feet or spending too much time tying hooks / terminal etc - This will trigger the sea sickness
• A good hearty breakfast meal seemed to also help.

 

 

Hi Hweebe

Thanks. That's just more reason for me to go out fishing more. That is interesting about the theory, I've never heard that. Basically, I'll just need lots of focus and be careful to not look down. I hope it works for me over time

7 hours ago, Ed. said:

As @Hweebe said, for myself, I rarely get seasick and the times I have been it was due to having spent too much time looking towards the floor, such as when tying a lot of knots or problems with motor or boat, but the biggest thing for me is not getting enough sleep the night before going out.

Having breakfast is good as it will give you something to throw up if that happens, as there is nothing worse than dry retching!, wanting to throw up but not being able to do so as your stomach is empty.

Hi Ed.

I always try to go to bed the night before fishing. Sometimes it is hard when I'm so excited though. I will start eating a bit before I go out on rougher days.

Cheers Hamish

[samsteele115]

I've only been seasick when on some medications, and in those times I found ginger tablets and ginger beer helpful! Plus not staring at something on the boat for too long (sounder, knots, lures, willy, etc) 

+1 to eating a meal beforehand too. Nothing worse than throwing up stomach acid 

[Coconutdog]

Andrew Ettingshausen on his fishing show (Escape with ET) recommends these. I've never used them but may be worth a try:

https://www.escapetravelsickness.com.au/

Matt.