QLD: Jul/Aug Bribie Island - walk before you run

[rino88]

I remember not too long ago I bought an enclosed kayak, thinking it would be the best thing on earth for me and that my first trip out in it would land heaps of fish... I really had no idea what I was doing, had never fished from a kayak and only ever used bait and perhaps the odd soft plastic. After 12 months of hit and miss I lost interest in the hobby and the kayak sat and collected dust.

After landing a new job that consumed most of my soul and a partner that drives me insane, yes I'm saying it as most of you probably know of this, I had to get a hobby to escape the rat race. So I sold the old kayak and purchased an open top fishing yak, a Moken 10. This changed the game completely for me, I had a kayak that was more user friendly and better suited to a 6' 6" giant like me.

I then started spending more time (money) out in the yak and spending more time (money) using different lures, success started to come and bait fishing left. I got hooked on using soft plastic lures and was getting technique down pat. Then I started doing a bit of fresh water fishing, no idea what I was doing so success turned into hit and miss. All I wanted to do now was to catch a bloody bass, how hard can it be! Using my techniques and lures targeted at salt water species in a fresh water environment on a fish that I had no clue about was a question that answered itself.

So I started using hard body lures More time (money) spent experimenting with different lures and more time (money) spent out on the water landed me my first bass. After that I was hooked and kept going after more fresh water species; bass, yellowbelly, cod etc... Now I fish predominately fresh water

Now I have purchased a new Hobie Pro Angler 12, something you don't do if you have no clue what you are doing. One simply doesn't purchase a new car if they don't have a licence to drive it.

So I have gone from bait fisherman in salt water only in a shotty enclosed kayak, to an ultimate fishing kayak with using only lures and fishing mostly fresh water. All things change, skills develop and time (money) will be spent developing your skills. I guess you never stop learning and there is a wealth of knowledge floating around out there and people to help you discover new things. One piece of advice I can give you, is to challenge yourself; if on technique fails then try another. You'll look back in a few years and wonder what all the fuss is about, just like I am now.

Tight lines and happy adventures!

Cheers.

[anselmo]

Then I will parade on this site my exploits for all to gaze upon with the utmost respect and admiration

Hasn't worked for me.

Have to disagree with you there Ado

[fishmond]

Hey guys if you are going to go out on Monday, I would listen to Pat... his advice is exactly what I would say and do if he hadn't. If the winds are down at any stage there is also a wreck in the middle of the passage straight out from the mouth of the canals. However I would say Ningi Creek would be the go for success.
If you are going to use baits, a few drifts under the bribie bridge wont hurt, especially if you use that sounder and find the drop off. I would use either white pilchards, squid or prawns under the bridge. Chance of Flathead, Bream, Whiting and even some nice Squire and Grassy Sweetlip.
Wish I could get the day off and come out, but I think I might get fired with work how it is ATM.
Hope you guys have a great day on the water,

Richo


PS. There are some good fish in the canals but they are very hit and miss....

[foxx1]

There is nothing like the anticipation that builds when preparing the night before. An occasional swig of beer whilst you check your rods, attach new lures and double check you have not forgotten something.

Yes we are new to this sport but we two are brave if not persistant. Arrangements have been made for dual launches even though we are yet to meet. We share a common desire to succeed at this kayak fishing obsession.

So just sit right back and you will hear a tale, a tale of a faithful trip, two amature kayak fishermen aboard their mighty ships.

[Barrabundy]

I love reading about the experiences of people who have recently started kayak fishing. While I haven't been at it as long as some of the others here, it's been long enough for those types of early experiences to get a bit fuzzy in my mind. Reading others brings them all back clearly again.

My first kayak fishing trips were awesome, I caught fish every time for quite a while and it was a rude shock when the donuts inevitably came. First ever freshwater fish were jacks and further up the river than I ever thought possible. First saltwater fish was a small mackeral, second and third were 1m and 90cm barra! I couldn't understand why I'd been fishing for years out of a boat but never ever caught a barra, let along big ones. Never caught fish other than catfish in the freshwater.

It was probably luck those first few trips but I think kayak fishing teaches you a better awareness of your surroundings. You are travelling slower and quieter and have more time to take notice of things happening around you like currents, baitfish, bigger fish hiding in structure, temperature changes, position of the sun/moon.

Keeping things simple is definitely one of those pieces of advice I've stuck with. I don't have a sounder at all and only carry a handfull of lures with me. Someone mentioned casting from seating position? This is something that took my quite a while to get comfortable with. It took me a long time to pluck up the courage to cast at snags because my early attempts cost me lots of lures to trees and snags!

[foxx1]

Well it was an enjoyable paddle this morning and pleasant paddling with someone else for change.

Again the fish lived to see another day. There were a few entertaining moment such as when Swerve managed to land himself a motor cruiser or when I had to climb up on a pontoon (much harder than you would think) so as to be able to drag the yak up to empty the water out after the scupper plugs from BCF failed in there purpose.

Any way Bribie island looks to have loads of potential for future fishing adventures and it's good to know there is good company to share the adventure. Thanks for the outing swerve.

[Swerve]

Thanks fox11 for an enjoyable morning..I might not have caught a fish..but I took my first photo from a yak, not as satisfying but pretty damn amusing

Enjoy the Pin