queensland lucinda heartache

[ellicat]

The other week, @Another Wazza and I headed up to Lucinda, with boats in tow, to meet up with @crazywalrus for 7 days of fishing.

The first 5 or 6 days the weather was rubbish. We tried to get offshore, but with 2 metre waves at the jetty we were turned away. The estuaries were where it had to be and there is plenty of rivers and creeks to explore.

On the 2nd day, at the mouth of the Herbert River, on the way back to the ramp, I ran into a sandbar. Slowly as it was only 40cm deep in the narrow way through. Unfortunately I sucked in some sand and the motor began to overheat. Wazza, who had made it through about 20 minutes earlier, came back and gave us a tow home.

The next morning the three of us all worked on getting the sand out by dropping the leg. A lot of sand came out, but when we put her back together there was no water coming from the tell tale. The impeller was in good nick.  I got on the phone to Mick at Coorparoo Marine. He ran us through some extra tricks to get the sand out. We got more out, but again when we put it back together the water wasn't flowing where it should. Bugger!! That afternoon we looked to get out again in Ted's 6.7M boat but it was still rubbish conditions outside, so we just fished the channel.

The trip wasn't panning out so well and after another dud day with Ted and I in his boat fishing the channel and Wazza fishing the creeks/rivers things were looking bleak. Then we got the message from Wazza with a picture of a Jack. Then another picture of a Jack. He was having a good time where we couldn't get to.

So, the next morning Ted decided to go home, as he had plenty of work on, and allow Wazza and I to fish out of his boat. That day Wazza and I decided to have a day off fishing. We put our heads together and Wazza raised some logic about my motor not getting water to the top but getting water out the bottom. The pump was working.

We dropped the leg again and repositioned a nylon sleeve that the water pipe wasn't seated into properly. Magic. The water was now coming out the top and I was back in action.

The next day we launched both our boats and headed for the creeks, as the wind was still rubbish. Wazza was into more Jacks. On the other hand I was struggling as my electric motor was now playing up. Spotlock would not hold and kept cutting out at low prop speeds. When I tried to drive it manually, it would not steer unless I turned the prop off. So I tried driving it by pointing the head in the direction I wanted, then turning the prop on, then turning the prop off and turning the head then turning the prop on, then off again etc etc. Very difficult and frustrating. Also at speed 9 it was barely moving the bow. I decided to go for a troll instead.

Trolling was slow and a tad on the boring side, but eventually I had a good hit and hooked up to something that was playing up nicely. I got maybe 8 winds and 10 seconds of excitement before the hooks pulled. Maybe a good Jack or smaller Barra.

The weather had turned the corner with good conditions forecast for the two day drive home, so we decided to stay an extra couple of days - stretching the trip to 9 days 'fishing'.

I pulled the prop off the electric to find a broken sheer pin. I carry spares, so I replaced that and was hopeful that was the cause of the other issues. The next day I headed out to the jetty while Wazza focused on the estuary again. The electric dramas were not fixed, so I motored around the jetty marking shows and throwing vibes and plastics for the poor result of 1 approx 25cm GT on the Squidtrex. Off the donut...just. There were a lot of boats out in the morning but most left by the afternoon.

Meanwhile, Wazza had added to his tally of Jacks, Cod, Queenfish and Barra.
 6 jacks 35 - 40cm
 2 cod 20 to 42cm
 1 queeny
 1 barra - 62cm

(from memory)

The last day had the best forecast and it turned out to be spot on. We both fished the jetty. I caught nothing, while Wazza was able to come up with a finiscad and some type of trevelly. Neither desirable, but way better than nothing. Some of the workers told us wher the GT's were, so we both threw stick baits at them, but they had lockjaw. I finished the session with a decent troll around hoping for a Spanish, but no cigar.

 

It was not the trip I was hoping for. I should have been able to read the tea leaves when the day before we departed, the accommodation I organised and paid for in December 2022 was cancelled. A mad scramble saw us find a replacement about 12 hours before we left. Anyway, I'd go back there for revenge. Next time a bit later in the year.

I think I have sorted the electric problem - a battery not holding charge. Hopefully, with a new one next week, the electric will function as it should.

 

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

Great report Brian. Sorry to hear it wasn’t a successful trip but hopefully next time you’ll get on the fish.

Cheers Hamish

[Old Scaley]

Unlucky mate. Very disappointing to put so much effort into a trip and then not have it live up to expectations. Hopefully the new battery will solve some of the MK issues. Are you getting a warranty claim on the old one?

[ellicat]

Nothing we could do about the weather. It's the risk we took, having to book so far ahead...

Battery is being tested at the shop, currently (pardon the pun). They'll let me know early next week.

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

Did anyone see any crocs while you were up there? 

[ellicat]

Yes. Ted and I didn't actually see the croc. We did however see a line of ripple where one was just under the surface, then it disappeared.

Wazza saw two up the creeks.

MSQ told us they were there, but tended to stay away from the noisy zones.

[Junky]

Well that sucks. 

Shame you couldn't reach the reef. 

 

At least you managed to sort your issues with both motors. 

Nothing worse than that feeling of essential items playing up 1500k from home. 

 

Next time you'll just have to make it a month, at the bare minimum, just to be certain you get a day or two of nice conditions. 

 

[Bretto77]

I had a trip to Cairns go a bit pear shaped a few years ago. Mate and myself both battling illness, boat issues and bad weather. We managed a few fish but the trip definitely didn't go to plan.

Unpacking the freezer when I got home, I found some empty (but sealed) vacuum pouches labeled "Brett's Barra".... 

We still laugh about it now.

[kmcrosby78]

Shame the weather and electric played up Brian - definitely a good excuse to return for a revenge mission though

[Angry51]

Shame the weather and motors didn't play the game Brian.

That's more likely to happen when you are so far from home rather than on home turf. But that just gives you a excuse to do it all again another time. Try April/May next time, you tend to get less wind then, around the end of winter you always get the big winds leading up to the mango blossom time.

[Another Wazza]

Brian, I'm still in awe of your display of pure unluck, its something I haven't seen before, and hopefully never witness again, hahaha. It was still a great holiday in an awesome part of the world.

The channel is an amazing place to see and fish, and I can't wait to get back up there and get amongst it again.

[ellicat]

The unluck mongrel raises his head every now and then. I've put him back in the box for now, so should sort things out fishwise. Good start today, with 13 bass and a yella.

Son Mitch was over this arvo and inquired as to what happened to my leg. haha

[Another Wazza]

23 minutes ago, ellicat said:

Son Mitch was over this arvo and inquired as to what happened to my leg. haha

Hahaha, I had noticed a few things didn't make it into your recollection.

[Bretto77]

53 minutes ago, ellicat said:

Son Mitch was over this arvo and inquired as to what happened to my leg. haha

Motor leg or towbar leg???

[ellicat]

Same as the towbar leg, but this time I tore chunks and strips off it on 3 separate occasions on the same day on the same piece of metal.

[GregOug]

1 hour ago, ellicat said:

Same as the towbar leg, but this time I tore chunks and strips off it on 3 separate occasions on the same day on the same piece of metal.

What is the outcome? And what piece of metal is on your boat to do that? I’ll come over with my grinder and give it what’s for.

[ellicat]

3 minutes ago, GregOug said:

What is the outcome? And what piece of metal is on your boat to do that? I’ll come over with my grinder and give it what’s for.

3 bolts came out of my drivers' seat on the way up, allowing the sharp aluminium base plate to poke out. All back together now and Loctited in place.

[Bretto77]

2 hours ago, ellicat said:

All back together now and Loctited in place

Glad you got the leg sorted out

[Ed.]

Nothing worse than planning a nice long road trip and everything goes pear shape when you get there, very disappointing. I can sympathise, I have had 3 trips like that, first trip to Roslyn Bay, motor ECU failed. 2nd trip 1770, blowing gale force winds. 3rd trip to Cairns, 4WD blew a coolant hose so didn't get there.

Hopefully this will be the end of our bad luck. The missus and I are heading up as far as  Port Douglas with various stops in 3 weeks time so hopefully we won't have any dramas, 4th time lucky perhaps. This time I will be fishing on charter boats!

At least you have sorted out your motor issues, so if nothing else you can fish locally again whilst day dreaming about the big ones you didn't catch. Not quite the same as fishing up north but you should still get a feed.

[ellicat]

Thanks, Ed.

I'm already planning another trip, this time to Cairns, early next year. Back on the horse. In the meantime I'll be hunting some decent sessions back on the Bay.

Good luck at Port Douglas. The weather should be better by then according to Ted.

[Neil Stratford]

I think most people have hit that sand bar at the mouth of the Herbert River. I must admit I skimmed bottom   the first time I went through there also. Speed is definitely your friend in that little area. I remember the  fishing up in  Conn creek was 1st class  for Jacks , Barra and Cod , but but the spoiler was the sand fly fog at dawn and dust.The wind  probably saved you from that experience. 
regards

Neil

[GregOug]

9 hours ago, Ed. said:

Nothing worse than planning a nice long road trip and everything goes pear shape when you get there, very disappointing. I can sympathise, I have had 3 trips like that, first trip to Roslyn Bay, motor ECU failed. 2nd trip 1770, blowing gale force winds. 3rd trip to Cairns, 4WD blew a coolant hose so didn't get there.

Hopefully this will be the end of our bad luck. The missus and I are heading up as far as  Port Douglas with various stops in 3 weeks time so hopefully we won't have any dramas, 4th time lucky perhaps. This time I will be fishing on charter boats!

At least you have sorted out your motor issues, so if nothing else you can fish locally again whilst day dreaming about the big ones you didn't catch. Not quite the same as fishing up north but you should still get a feed.

Now, if you want to talk about a trip that went pear-shaped, read 

Brian’s trIp was a very good trip in comparison.

[Bretto77]

12 hours ago, GregOug said:

Now, if you want to talk about a trip that went pear-shaped, read 

Brian’s trIp was a very good trip in comparison.

For anyone that hasn't read that story, take the time. It's worth it

[ellicat]

Got suited up with a new battery today after Battery Central Brisbane approved the warranty claim on the dud one.

Lookout SEQ fish!! haha

[GregOug]

3 hours ago, ellicat said:

Got suited up with a new battery today after Battery Central Brisbane approved the warranty claim on the dud one.

Lookout SEQ fish!! haha

Great to hear! 

[Bretto77]

The weather hasn't been great so I don't suppose you have tested it yet Brian?

[ellicat]

I'm heading to the Pin to give it a run tomorrow. Fingers crossed the issues are resolved.

[Bretto77]

A very early run?

[ellicat]

Yeah, 5.15am leaving home. Back to ramp about 1pm.

[Bretto77]

I hope it goes well for you. 

Incidentally, I will be heading off early to work early tomorrow.

[ellicat]

I can put you on the list of friends to send pics to, if you like. haha

 

I think I just doomed myself...

[Bretto77]

I am backing you to bust right out of the "Bugger" experience and have plenty of available photos

 

 

[ellicat]

Thanks, let's hope so.

I will send you pics of fish or conditions depending on which is better.

[GregOug]

46 minutes ago, ellicat said:

I can put you on the list of friends to send pics to, if you like. haha

 

Now, now Brian, this is a family orientated site.

[Bretto77]

No doubt either would likely be more desirable viewing than anything I am likely to capture tomorrow.

[GregOug]

56 minutes ago, Bretto77 said:

I hope it goes well for you. 

Incidentally, I will be heading off early to work early tomorrow.

Well, you can’t really head off late to work early tomorrow.

What was the question again?

[Bretto77]

my editor is working on another beer related issue at the moment... She will be home shortly...

[Bretto77]

On 02/10/2023 at 5:47 PM, Neil Stratford said:

Speed is definitely your friend in that little area.

Apparently you have to keep the boat high in the water to be able to utilize the marina at cardwell too. It's a challenging area. When were you in Conn ck @Neil Stratford? There was a Barra farm there years ago.

[Neil Stratford]

Yes there was a blue water Barra in Conn Creek , I’m pretty sure cyclone Yasi had her way with that enterprise though  .I was there quite a few years after she hit the area and there was still areas of twisted decimated mangroves pushed over in that creek.