Astro & Brownie hit the harbour (Vid added)

Author: Carl

Category: Trip Reports

Created on Tuesday, 23 February 2010 20:49

Written by Carl Holland

Brownie and I took the opportunity to use a break in the weather to get out in our Hobie Adventure Islands and have a fish/sailing session off Mackay Harbour. After all the recent rain the water was strong tea coloured and the sea wasn't looking the most welcoming, but after being sidelined for so long this was no barrier. Meeting up at the harbour ramp we set up our rigs and were soon underway.

Heading out of the harbour was easy as the wind - although light as we were protected by the rock wall and once out of the mouth the wind strength increased. Within minutes of getting into open water I got a strong hit, peeling line for as long as it takes to start to furl the sail, then nothing, further out I got 2 similar but lighter bites. Missing hooks was the call of the day. The Rapala CD11 redhead was getting a lot of attention with several big strikes during the day with all but one fish getting off.

I had checked the lure several times but it was in perfect order, swam very straight and had excellent action at the 7 - 10 k/h speeds we were maintaining. We decided to head along the coast north to a set of rocks then made our way back south to Slade Island. The SE winds required us to tack several times and the wind direction was finicky at first but strengthened later. By the time we hit the island I had several more hits and my frustration levels were rising just a tad.

As we made our way past east of the island I cut close and made my way through the rocks whilst Brownie went further out. Coming out of the rocks I deployed the lure and before I could settle it went off big time. Grabbing the rod, setting the hook and feeling the weight of the fish made my spirits soared. This fish was tough and the priority was to get it away from the rocks, which I was successful at. Now that I had some space I focused on making sure this one came on board so I used some finesse and soon had it by the yak. Keeping the drag light I slowly lifted the fish but couldn't see any colour yet, so lifted some more. Then a big flash of silver and the hooks pulled…usually I am fairly calm but have to admit I said a rude word quite loudly. I strongly suspect a big queenie or it may have been a sizable mackerel.

Now we started to see a few birds diving and some surface action so off we went on the chase but to no avail. We went to troll the north wall and Brownie headed off whilst I did another pass in a vain attempt to find that big fish again only to receive a couple more missed hits. Trolling the wall was a fruitless exercise and back out to the island we went, and again more missed hits, including another big encounter ending in the usual anti climax. Just as we set off back to the ramp I set my lure only to have it go off within seconds. This time I had another fish connected and it swam straight at me. At first I thought it had gone, and then I felt a flicker of weight and had to wind like buggery to have any hope of maintaining tension on the line. This was one of the quickest fights I have ever had and was over pretty much in 30 seconds.

The fish came in at 65 cm and once it was identified as not being a Spanish mackerel it was quickly dispatched. Upon inspection I found the fish to have a very soft mouth and strongly suspect my missed hits were due to this even though I had the drag set as light as possible in the conditions. Heading in and Brownie caught a ribbonfish…his first fish for the AI, congrats mate. Gee it was nice to be out again after a long break and if the weather holds may have an opportunity to get out on the weekend as well.



Where: Mackay Harbour/Slade Rock QLD
When: 9:00AM Launch, 1:30 Land
Conditions: 5- 15knot Sth/East winds, choppy seas
Tide: Low, 12:55PM
Moon phase: Waxing Gibbous
Fish caught: 1 Mackerel caught/many hits and missed hook ups
Lure of the day: Rapala CD 11/Qantas