queensland Allnighter and Ellicat's Happy Ending

[Allnighter]

Two old codgas, three bay snappers.

Rang Brian with no notice at 7am to meet me at the ramp at 9am for the Snapper Quest part 2. I didnt really know myself if i was going to have a crack today, but woke up, checked wind reports and decided to give it a go.  Was fantastic to see Brian bring in the big ones, the smile on his face made me feel all warmnfuzzy, one of the best feelings ive had for awhile with my pants on, and the adrenalin was pumping for both of us with his first hookup. Well done mate

The last one may have been the 90cm pb, why didnt we unspotlock and chase? Duh, i didnt think of that at the time....

Will leave it to Brian to fill in his glorious details

[Kat]

I hope you are serious!!!! Waiting with baited breath...

[Junky]

Thank goodness for that. 

Cmon Bri, get those pics up.

 

Well done Allnighter. 

 

[ellicat]

So I was having a sleep in today. Luckily not a long one as when I awoke there were two messages and a missed call from 'Darren Allnighter AFO' on my phone. I rang back and Darren asked if I could be at the ramp in 45 minutes. Yep.

Got there eventually after catching every red light and the Stop sign at the roadworks. Darren had already launched, so picked me up from the pontoon. We motored out and tried to catch some livies with not much luck at first. Eventually we were onto a patch of pike. I managed to hook 4 but lost three - one slipped out of my hands and the other two dropped off the hook before I swung them aboard. Perhaps my hands were a little shaky with the anticipation.

We had gathered enough bait to start the session. Darren had declared that he was the decky for the day and his rods were mine to grab. So I deployed one and sat it in the holder and Darren deployed the other one. My bait wasn't in the water for a minute when that blistering run I've been waiting for happened. The reel screamed off and I held the rod waiting for it to slow. The line was getting low when finally the run paused and I began getting some line back. Eventually the net was slipped under my first bay brute ! 77cm on the brag mat. Much joyous expression followed with handshakes and I think even a man hug. I think @Allnighter got some footage on his GoPro too. Many photos were snapped, but I didn't share any with mates as there was no service where we were.

Redployed the lines and managed two more in the mid 50's, one of which Darren kept for a feed and the other we let go as I kept my first one. I've had the boat for just on 2 years and have clocked 270 hours searching for this sucker without success. I've been out with @Another Wazza a few times and he has taught me the method with soft plastics and shared his ways too.- hooking and losing one snapper the first time and then hooking and losing a jew another time. @Junkyhas organised a session with me and has been generous with tips also, but we haven't made it out yet (come on next Monday). @Cobiaaddicthas also wisened me up with tips/methods also, but I just haven't been good enough. @Old Scaley and @benno573 have shared quite a few hours coaching me too, amongst those 270 hours. Finally, now with one hour on Darren's rig and it's a done deal. I am so stoked and thankful to all those that have egged me on. Cheers fellas.

I think I have learnt heaps and so a new quest begins - to catch one aboard Ellicatch to prove it wasn't a fluke !

Thanks again @Allnighter, you certainly gave me the happy ending I was hoping for !  Now I need the massage.

We had plenty of hits throughout the rest of the day, but no hookups until last cast. Darren said he'd like to get a 90+ as he hasn't got one yet. About a minute later his drag screamed off. It kept going, with him saying this is big and heavy. It slowed just short of spooling him and then it just sort of sat there. It started to come in but somewhere along the way it spat the hook and was declared the one that got away. We packed up and scooted home in excellent conditions, not that I would have noticed if we were pounding as I was floating on air.

 

 

 

 

[Old Scaley]

I hope you didn’t tire him out too much, @Allnighter. He still has 80 minutes of rugby league to play tonight.  Congrats Brian, that is a helluva way to break the drought. I think I see a new aviator coming.

Edited June 8, 2022 by Old Scaley

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

Great job @ellicat, that's a awesome snapper!!! And nice work Allnighter too!

Cheers Hamish

[Another Wazza]

Well done boys, that’s a nice fish!

[Junky]

Nice fish. 

Let's hope the gods are with you on Monday as well, or maybe, just maybe we could sneak outside now that you have a bay pinky wink wink, nudge nudge. 

See what the weather does.

 

[Kat]

Hey Brian.  Well done sooo happy for you!  I bet you won't sleep tonight .

What a top bloke you are @Allnighter

Also all those others that have been helping Brian with the quest.

whoo hoo

[ellicat]

14 minutes ago, Old Scaley said:

He still has 80 minutes of rugby league to play tonight.

Hahaha. We did mention we had to get home to warm up for tonight. Darren's doing star jumps. I'm doing 1 star jump.

[ellicat]

4 minutes ago, Junky said:

Nice fish. 

Let's hope the gods are with you on Monday as well, or maybe, just maybe we could sneak outside now that you have a bay pinky wink wink, nudge nudge. 

See what the weather does.

 

I'm up for whatever happens, Damo. Can't wait to get back out there.

[Andrew_P]

If this is not the most wholesome thread on this whole damn site I dunno what is! (Hamish’s posts have definitely gone downhill with all the swearing and nudity!). 
 

well done Brian and Darren! You guys are the reason for my wet dreams!

[Angry51]

Good onya Brian and Darren.

Just like the little spider, just keep trying and it'll happen.

[ellicat]

4 minutes ago, Angry51 said:

Just like the little spider, just keep trying and it'll happen.

Funny you should remind me of Incy Wincy...usually the size of my snapper. haha

[Allnighter]

Hahaaaa nice report mate funny stuff.

I had a great day out there with ya, cept i got home and saw how sunburnt i got from the reflection off your hi viz jumper.

How good was it when that wind died down.... soooo good, i love those little windows when the weather plays the game. And how good is it trying to get the rod out of the holder on that first run hey.... . Next time we go even shallower in 4 metres with 1-2kg bream gear.... woooohoooo  hahaaaaaaa

 

[ellicat]

Hey, my hi vis jumper kept the fish thinking it was sunrise. haha

Yeah, the wind was off and on, but off when it it counted fortunately. As for the bream gear - I'm just a novice remember. haha

It was a top day and a great way to spend it.

[Angry51]

40 minutes ago, ellicat said:

Funny you should remind me of Incy Wincy...

Thanks, I couldn't remember his name.

[Old Scaley]

@ellicat, I guess you are glad I couldn’t make it for the Pin trip today.

[benno573]

Awesome stuff mate… fair play to @Allnighter for sharing his tips and helping get him over the line at last.

 

next the thready…

[kmcrosby78]

Well, this has made my State of Origin day (along with the current scoreline ..... ). Great work skipper @Allnighter and well done @ellicat for being good enough to land it. What depth and pound line out of interest?

[ellicat]

We were in about 6.5 I think...not 100%. I used Darren's rigs, so not sure on what line strength was. Reasonably light though.

[ellicat]

3 hours ago, benno573 said:

next the thready…

That could be on the cards. I have a stash of vibes I'd like to try on them.

[Cobiaaddict]

Well Done @ellicat  you wont forget that fish for a while. Nothing beats shallow water snapper fishing , especially with quality like that. 

[Hweebe]

Congrats @ellicat can't beat time on the water to bag your target fish OR in this case someone by the name of @Allnighter

[The Mad Hughesy]

happy ending with a big knob

[kmcrosby78]

6 hours ago, christophagus said:

happy ending with a big knob

And ironically @ellicat was the recipient of both of them ........ 

[ellicat]

Here's a vid of the day's action. -

 

[Kat]

Awesome watch Brian!  You look on top of the world.  The cameraman did a pretty bad job though?  No landmarks in the background or GPS marks showing on the sounder....

[Drop Bear]

So good! Well done mate. I am sure it won't be the last now you have the touch. 

Man that one had a big ugly nose.... I will let you work out what one I am referring to. 

[ellicat]

21 hours ago, Kat said:

Awesome watch Brian!  You look on top of the world. 

Indeed, I was on top of the world and still haven't come back down.

 

3 hours ago, Drop Bear said:

So good! Well done mate. I am sure it won't be the last now you have the touch. 

Man that one had a big ugly nose.... I will let you work out what one I am referring to. 

I can only hope. I went out with @Old Scaley and @Junky today for a bay trip (after the wind was deemed too strong to head offshore). Tough day on the fishing front but got to meet up with another forum member that is a top bloke in real life too. Thanks again for the day, Damo.

As for the nose thing, I don't know what you're talking about.

[Kat]

Missing the cigarette!

[Junky]

1 hour ago, ellicat said:

Indeed, I was on top of the world and still haven't come back down.

 

I can only hope. I went out with @Old Scaley and @Junky today for a bay trip (after the wind was deemed too strong to head offshore). Tough day on the fishing front but got to meet up with another forum member that is a top bloke in real life too. Thanks again for the day, Damo.

As for the nose thing, I don't know what you're talking about.

If they're ever looking for a real life seven dwarfs character then you're the people's choice with that pic above.

Gold.

 

My wife can't believe I have a real friend. Two for crying out loud, and they're not related to me. 

 

Was a good day for a cruise. Loved it. Weather just got better and better. 

Hopefully get out again sooner rather than later. Next time however it'll be in my play ground. Bend some rods. You'll be like a steam train at wide open throttle with the ciggie. 

Cheers for the day boys. 

[Old Scaley]

2 minutes ago, Junky said:

If they're ever looking for a real life seven dwarfs character then you're the people's choice with that pic above.

Gold.

 

My wife can't believe I have a real friend. Two for crying out loud, and they're not related to me. 

 

Was a good day for a cruise. Loved it. Weather just got better and better. 

Hopefully get out again sooner rather than later. Next time however it'll be in my play ground. Bend some rods. You'll be like a steam train at wide open throttle with the ciggie. 

Cheers for the day boys. 

 Cheers to you @Junky. Really enjoyed the day today. Loved your boat, your company and your generosity.  The time just flew by today even if the fishing was slow. We will brain them next time, Damo.

[Junky]

9 minutes ago, Old Scaley said:

 Cheers to you @Junky. Really enjoyed the day today. Loved your boat, your company and your generosity.  The time just flew by today even if the fishing was slow. We will brain them next time, Damo.

Thanks Steve'o, I had a great day. It was my pleasure. Glad you enjoyed yourself, pitty we couldn't put a "trophy" in the box for you both. Owell, I explained my assumptions as to why. Better off howling at the moment. 

Not many people have driven Blue Jay so today is one of the few times that I've been able to just chill and think that I'm in someone else's boat. I was like a dog out the window heading down to Coochie and Mcleay.

 

[kmcrosby78]

Great video Brian/Darren and great to see @Junky taking @ellicat and @Old Scaley out for a fish - the forum is alive and well .

[Drop Bear]

16 hours ago, ellicat said:

As for the nose thing, I don't know what you're talking about

Gold.

Top fish mate. Are you moving your sights up to a 80 cm model now? 

 

[ellicat]

1 hour ago, Drop Bear said:

Gold.

Top fish mate. Are you moving your sights up to a 80 cm model now? 

 

Baby steps... Next is to get one in my boat (using an anchor), one on plastic and due to popular demand, a 90 offshore.

[Drop Bear]

6 minutes ago, ellicat said:

a 90 offshore

Years ago I got 90+s at the drop off just west of the 2 leads that mark the Rouse. Night time, occy for bait. I havent been back there for years. Probably time. 

Tonight I am heading to Green to see if they are around. 

 

[ellicat]

Good luck. I'm trying to organise a Thursday session.

[kmcrosby78]

8 hours ago, Drop Bear said:

Years ago I got 90+s at the drop off just west of the 2 leads that mark the Rouse. Night time, occy for bait. I havent been back there for years. Probably time. 

Tonight I am heading to Green to see if they are around. 

 

Good luck Robbie, I hope you're reeling one in as I type (procrastinating from doing school reports ........ ).