WPB: Close but no Cigar
Posted: Wed Nov 06, 2019 11:40 pm
'Decided to head out on Cup Day like numerous others from Yaringa on one of the hire boats from about 6:30am.
I usually target squid and KGW but this time devised a plan to target Snapper and maybe a gummy. The idea was to squid early on and then venture out deep to set up for the tide change around 7:45. Trying around the Quail bank area and just off the Yaringa channel produced donuts on both jigs and baited spikes despite one of the pilchards receiving the tell tail signs of a squid taking a liking to it (beak bites just behind the head at an angle).
Despite the lack of Calamari, I decided to head straight out to Hastings just off Tyabb bank and found a relatively secluded spot in 10m of water, just as the bank gradually climbs westwards onto Tyabb. In went the burley bucket on the anchor rope accompanied by a slow pilchard trail and it wasn't long before I had enquiries from Yakka's. With a couple of bigger rods out, I managed a couple of Yellowtails before one of the big rods tapered off and starting howling! I let it set for a few seconds before gradually tightening the drag but it wouldn't stop and after a few hard shakes on a tightened drag, *BING* line snapped. A slimy mack and KGW (40cm) double header made for some fun before again, the same rod with a squid ring (again) starts to sing! Great, so again I ease on the drag and after a 10 second tussle and not being able to stop the fish - *BING*. I was really frustrated but persisted so tied the last rig on.
After another couple of yakkas, a pinkie, a juvenile gummy and two small flathead on a double hook-up; that same rod went off again - this time on a fresh Yakka fillet and as it happened, no matter how much I let it run, it was unstoppable. The Penn Spinfisher was running out of line rapidly and snapped, again. To rub salt into the wounds, another boat about 2km south of me near the Esso Plant landed an 87cm red on a squid head.
I think the first fish was either a Snapper or Gummy and the 2nd two being rays. I've really underestimated the species in WPB as I've fished and have caught good size snapper when out with Dad previously. Deflated yes but also very determined.
I usually target squid and KGW but this time devised a plan to target Snapper and maybe a gummy. The idea was to squid early on and then venture out deep to set up for the tide change around 7:45. Trying around the Quail bank area and just off the Yaringa channel produced donuts on both jigs and baited spikes despite one of the pilchards receiving the tell tail signs of a squid taking a liking to it (beak bites just behind the head at an angle).
Despite the lack of Calamari, I decided to head straight out to Hastings just off Tyabb bank and found a relatively secluded spot in 10m of water, just as the bank gradually climbs westwards onto Tyabb. In went the burley bucket on the anchor rope accompanied by a slow pilchard trail and it wasn't long before I had enquiries from Yakka's. With a couple of bigger rods out, I managed a couple of Yellowtails before one of the big rods tapered off and starting howling! I let it set for a few seconds before gradually tightening the drag but it wouldn't stop and after a few hard shakes on a tightened drag, *BING* line snapped. A slimy mack and KGW (40cm) double header made for some fun before again, the same rod with a squid ring (again) starts to sing! Great, so again I ease on the drag and after a 10 second tussle and not being able to stop the fish - *BING*. I was really frustrated but persisted so tied the last rig on.
After another couple of yakkas, a pinkie, a juvenile gummy and two small flathead on a double hook-up; that same rod went off again - this time on a fresh Yakka fillet and as it happened, no matter how much I let it run, it was unstoppable. The Penn Spinfisher was running out of line rapidly and snapped, again. To rub salt into the wounds, another boat about 2km south of me near the Esso Plant landed an 87cm red on a squid head.
I think the first fish was either a Snapper or Gummy and the 2nd two being rays. I've really underestimated the species in WPB as I've fished and have caught good size snapper when out with Dad previously. Deflated yes but also very determined.