2 Days on the Lake

Good to catch up again Ken, and also with Mr & Mrs Angles, Rawprawn and Shrimp, and Gatesy.

I hit the water first this morning while the others were still arriving and setting up. Visibility at water level was only a few feet - had to keep looking out for taller features. Rod with an SX48 bent over and I dragged up a large puffer fish. Reached for the net but it dropped off. Check the lure and the rear treble was missing a hook and the split ring was mangled. At this point I realised I'd left my tackle bag in the car so returned to the launch site.

No more joy trolling around Wyee Bay so joined the others heading up the creek. I had a plan this morning to explore the flats of Mannering Lagoon, which is quite large and shallow - rarely more than 1 metre. So I left everyone in the creek and took a channel to the lagoon and started throwing a bubblepop. Got a few hits around some ribbon weed - very encouraging. Got taken by a longtom but dropped it, nothing unusual there. Moved on and found some more weed. Got one follow from a bream but nothing else. Pottered around a bit, disturbing a few flathead. Also lots of swirls and mullet jumping.

Found the end of the lagoon and a small creek that led to a slipway from the colliery lake - Mannering Lake. Lots of coal ash around so I didn't bother fishing.

Back to the lagoon and tried anchoring up and flicking 3" power minnows, rigged weedless. Also took the opportunity to sit sidesaddle and see how I would stow rods while on the water. Very pleasant sitting with feet in the water and casting but no action. Saw rawprawn and shrimp heading in so followed them with a few more fruitless casts.

I reckon the lagoon has to fire and could be a top place to fish on its day. Today was just a bit slow. Only casualty for the day was the bail on my Symetre breaking as I opened it. No idea why, never bent the bail. Will get it checked out but should be a warranty item.

Lovely morning with some beaut scenery. Just hope for some fish next time (Gatesy and Rawprawn managed some nice lizards)