queensland Christmas Morning at Somerset

[Schultzy]

When Tony asked where we were going for our traditional Christmas morning fishing trip I replied, \"Let's go to Somerset for a cod\".

We were the first boat into the water at the Spit at 05:45 and were at the spot with lures in the water by 05:55.

I towed a large (150mm) yellow lure for a whole two passes before the big hit. There was no way it was going to be anything other than a cod and both Tony and I were rather pleased with a nice Chrissy present.

Having to be home, cleaned up and at rellies by 11am we only spent a couple of hours on the water but it was a very enjoyable outing. [img size=500]http://www.australianfishing.com.au/media/kunena/attachments/legacy/images/Xmas_afo.jpg

[kevinchen19870316]

the best xmas present i can imagine.

[pcsolutionman]

wow nice fish shultzy how big did she go?

Lee

[ellicat]

Got to be happy with a quick session like that, and managed to slip in a report before going to the rellies - top effort:woohoo:

Is that a sore on the belly ?

[mackmauler]

thats got a gut on it that would take more stuffing that the christmas turkey nice one

[Feral]

very nice cod!

[reelchippy]

How said where is no SANTA great fish mate

[STU]

Nice present Neil I will have to give them a go some time is roughly around eagles nest area.

[Schultzy]

Lee, Not sure how big. Didn't have the mat out so didn't give the length a thought. Although it wasn't a huge fish length wise it was in extremely good condition & very heavy for its size. Check out the size of the tail wrist compared to the caudal fin...Fat fish

I'll check with Tony later in the week to see if he ran a tape over it or weighed it in the net while I was messing around with cameras.

[Schultzy]

Ellicat, Yes and I only got into a little bit of strife for sitting in front of the computer instead of getting ready to go out.

Yes the spot on the belly was an old wound, most likely from a hook worm parasite. There was a fresher one on the back of the spiny dorsal.

[jeff f]

very pretty fish

[pcsolutionman]

yes a fat fish indeed, the one i got up the stanley a couple of weeks back was extremely fat as well its great to see

Lee

[brisbane_boy]

did she end up on the xmas dinner table shultzy??

Cheer nice lookin fish good xmas pressy

Cheers

Duncan

[Brian D]

Ballsie move guys – mad keen too.

There’s a few things I like about this shot.

Your smile – how stoked you are after all the fish you have caught

Your plan worked – not that we should be surprised

You took your son on Christmas morning – smart move

You ran the gauntlet on posting Christmas day and got away with it.

Nice fish guys.

[Dimo]

Very nice fish

[Schultzy]

Duncan that fish was released as are all of the cod I catch on both sides of the range. They are simply too special for me to see them as just a source of protein. Much better to put the fish back for someone else to enjoy and to hopefully add to the gene pool. I'll have a slice of ham for dinner instead (pigs don't have the charisma of cod)

[Schultzy]

Brian, maybe that well known credo is true, \"Who dares wins\".

[chubbstar]

\"Pigs don't have the charisma of Cod\" But they put up a hell of a fight on 30lb braid;)

Nice fish Schultzy.

[Brendon N]

Nice cod mate

[Schultzy]

Thanks Brendon, I don't get one every time I target them at Somerset, just often enough to keep the interest levels high.

I guess the extra effort needed is part of the mystique of these superb animals.

Here's number one son, Graham with one of his. [img size=500]http://www.australianfishing.com.au/media/kunena/attachments/legacy/images/2151_afo.jpg

[Tim a]

Thats awesome Schultzy.

[ellicat]

Schultzy, Would you be interested in a voluntary adoption ?

[BIG GAV]

That is a very solid looking fish! What did it go? 18lb?

I can see why you keep going back to Somerset. You catch some ripper fish there.

[BIG GAV]

I towed a large (150mm) yellow Lure

Are you able to let us know which lure or is it a secret weapon?

[Schultzy]

Gav,

It isn't secret fisherman's business but it is not available in the shops.

I used a commercially made lure that I've doctored. Added a large bib and played with the angle to give the lure a wider action and shallower running depth. Seems to work OKB)

I'll show it to you next time I see you.

[kriso]

there rippers of fish mate awesome!

[Schultzy]

Gav,

I asked Tony and he did weigh the fish in the net while I was busy getting cameras out of the Pelican case.

Any of you other guys like to take a guess at the weight before I post it?

[MichaelJ]

around 5kilo?

[Feral]

17lb

[ellicat]

7kg

[Plastic Man]

4.65kg

[pcsolutionman]

I reckon around th 7-8kg mark

Lee

[Cowfish13]

Nice fish as always Schultzy:)

I reckon weight of around 5.5-6kg

[STU]

6.5kg

[kevinchen19870316]

5.8kg