Whilst still trying for snapper, a decent size calamari decided to have a go at a slimy mackerel head I had out on a snapper rig and hooked itself up. Score! :super: Fresh bait!
Unfortunately that didn't catch any snapper!
Continued to move around sounding for reds until the next tide change at 9PM when I anchored again in deep water in a drop off around the northern arm. Sat there through the change but no reds!
I did however catch 2x pike, 2x couta and 3x yellowtail mackerel. Yay .. more bait!
Pulled the plug at 11PM and went to the ramp.
Whilst prepping my boat for driving home, the police arrives doing an usual lap of the carpark at Hastings. Next thing I know, the party lights are on and the man in blue is at my window for a licence and breath test. All good.
He then goes to tell me my trailer lights are off! Umm ... OK that's news I go.
He informs me that there will be no fine for me tonight, but I cannot drive off without fixing them first or I will get fined if I get pulled over again. (besides the fact that its pure dangerous at night without trailer lights)
Without any other real choice lol, I SMS the missus telling her not to expect me home until the morning, I dump the boat back in the water, park my trailer and head right out again! :banana:
This time knowing I have fresh bait and a whole night to be on the water, I head off to the deep water off Rhyll and anchor there in a little protected spot from the winds.
I drop two snapper rods in the water, loosen the drag and I'm off to the cabin for some sleep (thank god I keep a sleeping bag in the boat).
At 3AM I wake up to one of the snapper rods going crazy, spool peeling off the reel at very fast rate! I grab the rod and the fight is on!
20mins later an 8kg gummy shark is in the boat. Give it quick kiss (jk) and back in the water it is for someone else to catch.
Re-bait and back to bed!
At 5AM (just before sunlight) I once again get a welcoming wakeup call by the same reel screaming off. This time its a red, a BIG red.
I take my time tiring the fish off and 15mins later its in the boat. 80cm snapper (later weighted at 8.4kg)
By 5.30AM I had bagged out on snapper, boating 1 more 6kg fish. (both on couta fillets)
Was just about to pull the plug when the rod buckles over and I pull out a big whiting! Must've been a few hungry ones, because I ended up with 9 whiting in the esky by 6.30AM (all on fresh calamari)
What an afternoon/evening/night/morning this was I tell you!
At 8AM I was back home. Called in sick and rested all day yesterday.
PS: Sorry I only have a pic of the big snapper for now. I'll post up some more later from work.
