Probably the last Trip for Declan

[crazywalrus]

We got out on Monday, which is probably the last chance for Declan this trip north. The weather for the next week is not looking good unless you want to wind surf.  
 

We head out wide off Cairns.  It was lumpy at first and only got better from there. We have been testing the fishing against the almanac. The day was set to be a poor day with one bite period which was average.  We fished the morning bite and we did manage some activity but like the last Wednesday the sharks where insane. 
 

I have never seen sharks this bad.. normally you get taxed after a fight. This trip they where onto our fish a few metres into the fight.  We had several sharks that managed to hook themselves and 45min fights ensued trying to get our braid back, fighting them and driving them off.  I had 2 such fights and Declan had 3.  Has to be said we where spent after. Personally I can not imagine why anyone would choose to target sharks. 

We worked and moved around trying to get away from the sharks and not waste to many fish to them. We managed 1 Red and 9 Robinson’s Sea Bream, 2 trout and  a milf and a spangled.  
 

On a positive note, I really rate the Robos as an eating fish. Right up there with Reds.   Such  lean flesh.  I got my PB with the largest going 67cm.  
 

[Bretto77]

Bugger about the sharks. Between sharks and Crocs it might soon pay to check the throne really well before you sit down... Glad you managed to get some tucker past it all .

[crazywalrus]

9 hours ago, Bretto77 said:

Bugger about the sharks. Between sharks and Crocs it might soon pay to check the throne really well before you sit down... Glad you managed to get some tucker past it all .

Yes, it makes you think twice before jumping in to cool off. 
 

yeah there is no shortage of sharks up here and hear from @ellicat that is the same in the Bay as well.  So hard when you are struggling to find the fish and get a bite , only to have the first one smashed 2m off the bottom.  No point putting another bait down to waste another fish.  I think the only reason Alex got his red up was that I had a shark on the line in the rod holder as he brought it up. 

[Bretto77]

Yes they are bad down here too. When I was fishing up that way we used to have trouble with them sometimes but it definitely seems to be harder to get fish past them anywhere these days.

While the officially adopted data may say otherwise, the endangered idea is hard to sell to the average fisho.

[Rebel]

Top photos.

[Bob9863]

Sharks are getting to be a real problem, we should be selling sustainably harvested fins and flake.

Good money and if it's done properly it could really help with the illegal market.

[Corry]

Sounds like you had a great day. I went out around Linden Banks a few weeks ago, the sharks were bad enough that I just had to move. Haven't been up this way long so still finding ground, but loving chasing GT's then doing some surface work over the reef flats.

Had two of the kids up so far and stretched their arms, they had a ball, just don't get to do it often enough. 

[kmcrosby78]

Shame about the sharks Ted, glad you still manage to land a few. Quality times with Declan either way .

[crazywalrus]

21 hours ago, Corry said:

Sounds like you had a great day. I went out around Linden Banks a few weeks ago, the sharks were bad enough that I just had to move. Haven't been up this way long so still finding ground, but loving chasing GT's then doing some surface work over the reef flats.

Had two of the kids up so far and stretched their arms, they had a ball, just don't get to do it often enough. 

Yeah I have fished Linden banks a few times and the sharks are generally a problem for us there.  We did manage a nice dogtooth tuna at Christmas.   We have not christened the flats rods yet. After Jasper the water was so dirty.   At Christmas the boys and I spent 2 days out there with pretty poor results.  The first day we would have boated 40 medium Red bass and the same number paddle tails.  So we gave up and moved south to try and get away from them.  I have not caught anything of quality out there apart from the doggie.  
 

What boat do you have? I picked up a 671 Mclay cruiser 18 months ago and mounted a min kota shortly after.  Really enjoying it. 
 

[crazywalrus]

16 hours ago, kmcrosby78 said:

Shame about the sharks Ted, glad you still manage to land a few. Quality times with Declan either way .

Yeah it really does not get any better than getting out with the boys 

[crazywalrus]

22 hours ago, Bob9863 said:

Sharks are getting to be a real problem, we should be selling sustainably harvested fins and flake.

Good money and if it's done properly it could really help with the illegal market.

I have not seen the Stats from fisheries here. But from a layman’s perspective they do not seem a rare occurrence. I am not sure but I feel we may be influenced by the plight of sharks in other regions around the world.  They say they are an essential component to the ecosystem but it certainly feels a little one sided. 

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

Nice work @crazywalrus!