[Squidder]

Josh (5/11) and I met at Ricketts Point at 5:30, keen for some snapper action. Wind was a fairly stiff southerly of 15 knots, with some delightful rainy squalls coming through every now and again. :roll:

The conditions were made for pedal yaks - I was struggling to push the barge through the chop. PhilipL met us on the water at about 8am, and immediately caught a small pinky on a HB. Overall the fish weren't around, or weren't hungry. I only caught 3 20-25cm pinkies on SP in about 3 hours, and had to call it quits about 8:30 when conditions worsened slightly, and I felt like my arms were about to fall off I had to admire Josh's keeness at sticking it out, I left he and Philip out on the water and headed in to warm up.

Not a very fishy trip, but still great to have an early morning paddle, catch up with some akff mates, and test the yaks (and my) ability in less than perfect conditions. I was happy that we stuck it out in the conditions for longer than many of the stink boats nearby

 

[Milt]

It was a VERY quiet 4 day weekend for all fisherman in the bay both stink boaters and yakkers from what i have heard. But your right it is good to catch up and down some fresh air early morning.

The heavier yaks like the fish & dive and Espri don't perform to well in the slop when it windy hey? :? My last ricketts effort saw me paddling into a 20 knot head win and lots of chop and slop. My little arms were aching but i knew I had to persist or end up somewhere near the heads :shock:

Milt,

 

[Squidder]

The heavier yaks like the fish & dive and Espri don't perform to well in the slop when it windy hey?

True mate - I never felt unstable or unsafe in the rough conditions, but getting from point A to point B was hard work. The current was running from left to right, so I was drifting for a while flicking plastics, then paddling back and drifting again. I reckon it took me just as long to paddle against the current as to drift a similar distance with the current :shock:

 

[Milt]

Yes same here I never felt unstable was just more concerned about being blow in :evil: what would normally take 20 mins took me 40 mins to get back in.

Anyways we are looking at launching the boat early sat morning at this stage of proceedings as a 5 foot swell and a S/E wind of 5 knots is predicted. Let me know your movements, I'll give you an update Friday lunchtime

Milt,

 

[Guest]

Yeah, that was pretty wild out there. I think that's what made it hard to get onto the fish - I had trouble keeping lures where I wanted them. Figuring this, I threw out a couta tail after Squidder left and got nailed by something nice. 4 - 5 kgish nice I'd say, and the damned thing spooled me on it's first run. That inspired me to stay out even longer. I sent a bit of squid down there as well and there was quite a bit of interest shown in that. Only managed to hook 2 underlings in the end, both returned. Conditions never looked like improving so I packed my bags at around 11:00.

T'was hard work, but it was fun. It really made me want a Hobie Adventure - I was rather envious of PhillipL's boat, which was clearly better suited to those conditions than my 'lil sport. I can't wait to get back there in some more favorable conditions. Thanks for showing me the ropes there Squidder.

 

[Squidder]

Milt - I reckon the forecast looks a bit too extreme for ocean yakking at this stage, the harbour could still be worth a crack for trevs and squid. There's also that other spot I told you about :wink:
Cheers for the accomodation offer, but Michelle and I will need to keep it to a day trip as her puppy won't cope with more than 1 full day by itself :roll:

Josh - no need to thank me mate, I just wish there were more fish to be had. That run you had sounds very snapperish indeed. I agree, Philip sure did look comfortable in his Adventure

 

[PoddyMullet]

Nuffink ventured nuffink gained....good effort getting out there gents.

 

[PhilipL]

Thanks for the fish gents. It was a bit hairy when first getting out with 1 eye rigging up and another on the swell. Copped it sweet with one slapping me about chest high when I first got out. Got used to it pretty quick and never felt like tipping.

Good to meet you Josh - wish I'd seen the one that spooled you. Figure that's why you kept plugging away. Kinda bizzarre watching you peddle real casual and move like that with them turbos - Scott, I'll be visiting soon!!

There were fish down there - with my limited sounder reading skills, they appeared mainly small and holding close to structure at the bottom. Saw probably 10 large ones but in the conditions and with a gps out of batteries, had a hard time coming back to them.

Real sad to hear you leaving for the sweetwater Jason. Red will score good company. Hope to catch you for a fish or two before you go.

 

[ScottLovig]

Would have been a bit of work off Rickets all weekend being down wind from where I was playing. It blew the crabs out of the water and my eyes are still red from all the high speed salt spray that was blasted into em from my Tiger.

A morning out beats sittin at home watching Koshi and Mel though.

Cheers

Scott