A Barracuda tried to eat my face

Author: Carl

Category: Trip Reports

Created on Monday, 12 April 2010 21:54

Written by Carl Holland

Well finally the good weather hit and by the look of it every man and his dog was out and about. The Victor Creek boat ramp was crazy packed with people parking along the road since the large car park was packed to the gills. After a couple of loops I managed to find enough room to park and unload the kayak. Fishing the out going tide was today's plan along with hundreds of others I might add. Today's strategy for dealing with the usual tinnie crowd was 'smile and wave'. I have to say it worked a treat, I got a lot of friendly smiles and a great many boaties actually slowed down obeying the law…well done guys. Boats were heading in and out at a constant rate and I stayed to the edges staying out of their as much as possible. On the way out I hooked several rock cod casting a Squidgy Slick Bait as well as on a trolled chatter bait. I also missed a few hits so added a stinger to the Slick Bait only to get more rock cods.

With boats being everywhere I tried…in vain…to find somewhere a little quiet. My search required constant movement because all of my usual spots had boats already. So after 4 ½ hours of pedalling I decided to head in before the late afternoon rush hour. Trolling over the flats I hooked a small barracuda of about 70 - 75 cm that as usual took to leaping about. This time however it got much height and actually got close to biting me on the face. As you can see by the pics he had a decent go at me after which I took very few chances. Getting on board to remove the hook I quickly sent it back to where it came from, not looking forward to hooking another 2m model after that experience I can tell you.

Soon after I hooked and lost a nice plate size trevally that would have been perfect for dinner and then had a short tussle with something much bigger. I had one place I really wanted to try on the way in and as I was coming in no one was there. Then as I got 200 metres away a tinny pulled up and anchored…bugger. I managed to get as close as possible only to snag my lure with their line as I trolled past, but it was all smiles and happy waves. Getting in and packed up went like clockwork and wasn't until I got home that the wheels fell off the rest of the weekend.

On arriving home I get the hose to rinse my gear off only for the water to run out half through because my tank is empty. Now I pump my water from the creek 3 times a year to maintain my supply, since we have had so poor weather the creek hasn't been suitable for pumping. Now with an empty tank I have to act, first I pump about 100 litres from my secondary storage, then get my pump, hoses, fuel etc ready for the morning.

Sunday arrives a beautiful day, light winds and clear skies. Fishing is the only thing on my mind that is after I pump water. Finishing breakfast check that the pump works, starts first go then I load the car and drive down to the creek. I set up the pump connect the hoses pull the cord and WHUMPA…no start…WHUMPA…still no start…WHUMPA…again. Now I am getting a little frustrated so I disconnect pump and take it home, only for it to start first pull. So back to the creek, all set up and WHUMPA…I could go on in detail about pulling the pump down and checking all the usual suspects ie plugs, air filter, carby or the 100's of times I heard WHUMPA. Only to say my fishing day evaporated in a cloud of sweat, tears and much cursing.That evening I visit the neighbours to see if I could use their pump, only for ol mate to say 'did you have the pump straight?' I responded yeah, but it is on a slight lean. "Ahhh' he goes, 'your pump has a sensor in the oil sump and if it's not straight it won't start'. (Self censored)

So tonight I headed down with pick in hand to cut a flat perch and in doing so the pump starts first go. On getting home there's no water going in the tank, so back down I go in the pitch dark with torch in hand scouring through the scrub trying to find the leak. Finally hearing the gushing water I find that one of joiners has given out and needs to be fixed. Only issue I have trudge through thigh deep muddy water to do so. So turning the pump off and getting almost completely covered in mud and water I finally have everything together. So tomorrow morning I am going down to start that friggin pump and all should be good. Not the way I expected the weekend to turn out, but what can you do? Water is our most precious resource, if you don't believe me try going without a flushing loo and have only 10 second cold showers. Then you will appreciate it much more.