Hweebe

Update from the HB trip.

Treated to mint - glassed out conditions for 2 days straight. Very hot and humid though, as the rain threatened but did not arrive throughout the trip.

The conditions meant we could spot bust ups from quite a distance away. Central bay was where all the bird action was, whilst closer to western side of fraser was very quite. Only problem was that the bust ups spooked very easily and with no wind at all, the direction of the bust up proved very unpredictable to get in-front of the feeding fish. 

Most of the bust ups were of the mac tuna (per photo) variety with some school mackerel lurking underneath.

We kept a couple of school mackerel for the trip back to brisbane.

For both days it was mainly chasing bust ups and throwing metal slugs whenever we could get to the spot before the fish went down deep.

What we learned quickly is you usually had one good cast into the bust up for a hook-up before they moved on.

Tried keeping revs constant from the outboard which seemed to help, but our best chances were drifting in the vicinity and you would be granted a bust up magically popping up beside the boat.

Tips for hervey bay bird/fish chasing:

1) Motoring up at speed will give you almost no chance to get a cast in

2) Keeping the revs constant seemed to help bust ups stay longer

3) Sometimes a wait and see approach will work (once you have figured the area the fish are working)

4) Smaller metal profiles silver and red eye seemed to work (although) this was to the detriment to casting distance

5) After the first day you will intuitively know to pick out the "lead" bird. That's the bird you want to chase/follow

You know @Allnighter is in a different fishing league when he is so blase with only a 65cm specimen.

@Allnighter must be the cheatcode of fishing in the bay  

Congrats on making the right decision on work/life/fishing balance. This can only bring you more happiness

Wouldn't know the feeling of waiting for a new boat..

Have always bought second hand but the first tow home and launch has always been exciting.

Add to that, disappearing for days/nights in the shed tinkering away at mods just after taking the boat home.

Getting pumped for Australia Day and extended long weekend. Trailering the boat from Brisbane to Hervey Bay for the extended weekend

Wind conditions predominantly light easterlys before increasing in the afternoon. Hopefull the island will give me some protection in afternoons.

Plan will be simple - explore more central bay searching for the birds in the morning before circling back tighter in when conditions start blowing.

Fabricate a casting deck that can be fitted for fishing days and removed for family days in the bow rider.

80lb trolling motor works very nicely for me in a 5.75m plate boat.

112lb would have been nice but i preferred not having to to go to 36v

I went 24v lipo battery that i can also use for keeping my portable fridge going on camping trips when there is not enough sun to charge the dual battery in the car.

With Bream cook them whole, if you try and fillet them you leave / lose some of the best parts.

1) Gut, Scale and score the fish

2) Splash the fish with a mix of soy sauce, rice wine, sugar, salt. Pour into the scores / cavity

3) Scatter some thinly sliced ginger all over (optionally add freshly sliced chilli to your liking here (more the better for me)

4) Foil over and place in a steam oven (100c) or simple water filled suacepan/lid with fish on plate out of the water to steam in the pot

5) 20-30mins for the fish to cook

6) Serve with Spring onion garnish.

This recipe only really works with fresh fish, its simple but brings the freshness to the front.

Looking at your requirements above - That looks close to the ideal boat. I think you have just about nailed it for your requirements.

• Caters for up to 5 pax
• More shade compared to standard T-top
• 1/4 cab doesn't eat into fishing room
• Gets you in the bay or in the creeks no problem