Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Trolling and all it's cracked up to be.

As usual the weather plays a big part in our fishing lives and this trip is no different. The day before it was sunny and dead calm, albeit a bit hot but calm none the less. Of course I could not get out on that lovely day. So when we finally get out the weather changes and not really for the better.

From Fishing with Nick, Becky Joe, Kordula
The decision was made to do a bit of trolling to get some food fish. Now I must be clear here, I hate trolling, unless of course the bite is red hot, which happens about never for me.
So a trolling we go. A nice spread of lures out the back and a steady burn of fuel.
Time to settle in for the long haul.
Of course when you troll with friends you have the chance to break up the monotony with goofy antics and lots of laughs.

From Fishing with Nick, Becky Joe, Kordula

From Fishing with Nick, Becky Joe, Kordula
During one of our laugh sessions the short corner goes off and we are suddenly thrust into fishing mode. As Nick grabs the rod and sets the hook we quickly realize he is onto something we all dread to catch, Garbage!!!!

From Fishing with Nick, Becky Joe, Kordula
And Thai garbage at that. At least it broke up the morning.
After what seems like forever we finally we find the birds.

From Fishing with Nick, Becky Joe, Kordula
And when you find the birds many times you will find the fish. This time that is exactly what happened.
First up was Cordula and her first Mahi Mahi and probably her first fish bigger than a trout.

From Fishing with Nick, Becky Joe, Kordula
Then it was Joe's turn and he also landed a nice Mahi Mahi.

From Fishing with Nick, Becky Joe, Cordula
Now it is Becky's turn and of course with her outfit she had to land something different, so it's a Wahoo for her.

From Fishing with Nick, Becky Joe, Cordula
Next up it is Nicks turn and he is very fired up for a nice Yellowfin. Not long after we get the spread set again the long corner goes off and Nick skull drags a small Rainbow Runner to the boat. Not quite the 50kg Yellowfin but a beauty of a fish and nice eating.

From Fishing with Nick, Becky Joe, Cordula
It is afternoon by now and we have all had enough trolling so we decide to head in to the reefs for a popping session.

From Fishing with Nick, Becky Joe, Cordula
Nick lands the first one on popper and it is a nice Red Bass.

From Fishing with Nick, Becky Joe, Cordula
Followed by four more of them. A few of them were quite big and gave head shakes like a GT.

From Fishing with Nick, Becky Joe, Cordula
Rosie decides she has to get into the action and fires off a few casts. As is usual with her she is soon onto a nice GT and this fellow has some serious attitude. It runs her around the boat and gives a good accounting of itself. Even when boat side it is still putting up a fight. When it is brought onboard it gnashes it's teeth at us. Easy there fella your going back in.

From Fishing with Nick, Becky Joe, Cordula
As you can tell in the photos, the weather came around and we had a good day out. Not to mention we put some fish in the freezer.
Tight lines

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Window of opportunity

The wind has finally lessened and the weather is a little calmer. It seems like forever since I have been out on the water but really only about two weeks.
Friends just in from America, Katie, and some from Australia, Nick and Becky. So the weather is good and we must fish.
From Nick, Becky, Katie
Believe it or not this is a really calm day compared to what we have been experiencing.
Nick being artistically lit by the flash.

From Nick, Becky, Katie
Becky relaxing on the way to the reefs.

From Nick, Becky, Katie
Katie getting into the action.

From Nick, Becky, Katie
Becky getting into the action.

It was not long before the fish were on the chew. Once the tides are right it seems everything comes together all at the same time. There is this window that opens up and if you are there and fishing you will catch fish. Only problem is when the window closes that's it, the bite shuts down and anything after that is pure chance and a lot of work.
I try to fish that window by being about 1 1/2 hours before right through to 1 1/2 hours after. Seems to work and here is some proof that I am not just blowing chop.

From Nick, Becky, Katie
Nice Bass, too bad they are poison.

From Nick, Becky, Katie

From Nick, Becky, Katie
Not really sure what this is. If you know let me know.

From Nick, Becky, Katie
A nice GT and rather long.

From Nick, Becky, Katie
Katie with a nice GT caught on 30lb. She has now discovered that they can pull and put up a real fight.
These are not trout, they are bad ass fish that will give you a work out.
The total for the day was 7 fish in the boat in 4 1/2 hours. All of them caught in that little window when everything is just right.
By the time we called it a day the wind had started up and so had the seas. Everyone settled down for the trip back with stories to tell and sore muscles.

Tight lines