It's been a long time

It's been a long time since we went fishing. Luckily it is like riding a bike you never forget, especially after the first bite.

Rosie and I took out our little tinny for some exploratory fishing.

The morning was looking very promising, so we headed out to a reef nearby. Now when I say nearby I mean maybe 5 miles or so by water.

Just as we get to the reef the westerlies start blowing and the swell starts swelling and our little tinny starts bobbing around like a cork. That signals the end of deep water fishing so we find a little cut in the reef and end up fishing about a 200 meter stretch all day.

The area looked fishy enough and and it was not to rough.

We start our drift and start fishing. It was not more than two minutes when there is a huge splash on my popper. Line starts to peal away slowly and I can feel the weight of the fish. After what seems hours, but really seconds the fish realizes that it

is hooked and takes off. Now I am using 30lb braid and my drag is tight and line is melting away like I am in free spool. Almost at the same time Rosie has the same thing happen to her. Luckily for me her fish throws the hooks allowing her to start the motor and give chase. After a good five minutes the giant whatever (pretty sure a GT) finds his way to the coral and wins it's freedom.

After that start it was pretty much fish on or a really visual surface strikes with every pass.

We took a few home to eat and let a lot go to fight another day.

I had hoped these fishing grounds would prove to be good and so far I am very impressed. Considering the water depth was maybe 2 meters at the most and the biggest fish in the boat was 5kg, I am happy.

Here's a few photos of some of the fish, hope you enjoy.

A Long Nose Emperor

From Mar 18, 2009

Rosie with a nice Coral Trout

From Mar 18, 2009

A Bluefin Trevally

From Mar 18, 2009

Nice big Jack

From Mar 18, 2009

From Mar 18, 2009

Tight lines and screaming drags

Something in the works

I have been going over some ideas for a new branding for XstreemFishing.Com. After racking my brain I came up with some ideas. The reality is I needed some help with the design and graphics.

I decided to get help by way of Nick Hannan of Marine Graphics Ink . I liked his work and gave him a shout about my ideas. He said he could help me and I agreed.

Now you must be wondering why in the world would someone want to spend money on a blog that is free. Well you are right, why would you?

That's why I will be launching a new website with my old blog. This new website will be to promote my fishing guide business that will officially open in June. Fingers crossed.

I also have ideas for shirts, hats and other sundries.

As you have seen, my new boat will be the platform for this new venture plus a whole lot of new and latest gear.

If you have any graphic design needs check out Nick at Marine Graphics Ink.

You will see his handy work here soon enough, but so far I love what he has given me as a preliminary sketch.

Stay tuned for more.

Tight lines and screaming drags

If you can't go fishing then watch them

I have to say aquarium's are really cool. Wherever I go, if there is an aquarium, I will find my way there. Especially if I can't go fishing.

Seeing fish underwater and up close in something that resembles the wild is definitely an educational experience.

Being and avid angler and sometimes a bit mad about fishing I relish the chance to learn anything I can about my prey. Besides the modern day shark tubes are really cool and the petting pools are definitely a major draw.

I think we were in there for 3-4 hours. Me holding everybody up for "just one more minute".

If fish had a way of capturing us and watching to learn how to avoid the hook, I think they would.

So with that being said, here is a short video of the Melbourne Aquarium.

You can't pet the fish but you can have a look.

Tight lines

Boat update

So here is the latest update on my boat situation. My new one is still being built but as you can see the built in ice chests and dry storage are in as well as the rod holders and speakers. The T-top supports are in and the top frame is almost completed. The rear engine pod is on it's way from Florida and the engine is already here waiting to be installed on the pod. Most of the electronics are here just waiting on the Garmin 4210 with a 2kw transducer (look out fish). I am hoping to see a little more progress this next week as I have been turning the screws to the builders.

Now this is my old 14ft alloy that has been motorless for more than a year. I just bought a Suzuki DT30 for it. This is the first running of it. The old fellow is a good friend of mine and is giving it a good once over. You know these new fan-dangled motors are fancy and all. We took it for a test run today and boy does it have a lot of power. I am planning on doing some fishing in the coming week so hopefully there will be some pictures to show.