|
Trip reports -
QLD
|
|
Wednesday, 17 October 2007 |
Great kayak fishing... most days Cape Hillsborough is a top yak fishing spot | Launch: | - 8:30 AM | | Landed: | - 10.30 AM
| | Tide: | - 11:30 AM,High | | Weather: | - Hot, 28 °C, 5 - 10 knots
| Caught:
| - Nothing
| | Method: | - Casting and trolling hard body and soft plastic lures |
We didn't have too many expectations of getting out for a kayak fishing trip this day because the previous nights weather report had predicted 'tonnes of rain' in exactly those words. So we didn't make an effort to get out of bed too early but soon after we did arise we'd started wishing we had. Conditions were much more accommodating than we were expecting, with a few patches of rain clouds present, but with low winds and otherwise sunny skies. A quick decision was made to head down to Cape Hillsborough, where Astro has recently had some good success. Given the results of the past couple of trips we were determined to catch a fish and figured that the Mackeral might be kinder to us than the Barramundi had been.
Our kayaks were geared up by waters edge on the beach of Cape Hillsborough and after returning the cars back to the nearby car park, were on the water soon after. Winds were practically non-existent at this stage but with expected northerlies, today's strategy involved heading around the southern end of the cape which is nicely protected from in-coming winds. It was right after we'd turned the point and were heading towards this protected area that my first hit came, bringing with it all the tell-tale signs of a Mackeral of some kind, grabbing and running hard. Line peeled off quickly, but there was never any danger of being spooled because it managed to spit the hook a few moments later. It was over before it even began. This encouraged me to bring in the lure and check the sharpness of the hooks, as this poor, cheap little lure had caught a fair few impressive fish over the past few weeks. Indeed, a couple of barbs were due for a re-sharpen. Once that task was out of the way I cast it back out for another try. It was struck again soon after, but this time with much less commitment and no hook up at all.
 Be first to comment this article | E-mail | Read more...
|
|
|
Trip reports -
QLD
|
|
Wednesday, 17 October 2007 |
Awesome spectacle of nature| Launch: | - 4:00 PM | | Landed: | - 9.00 PM
| | Tide: | - N/A | | Weather: | - Hot, 32 °C, calm
| Caught:
| - Nothing
| | Method: | - Livebaiting, trolling and casting soft plastic lures |
I've never been terribly successful casting lures during night time but it was clear from the previous day's outing that Teemburra barramundi are sometimes much more active after the sun goes down. So I suggested that it might be worth trying out some livebaits for tonight's outing. Astro agreed it was well worth an effort, so that made up part of our strategy. Lures were also factored into today's agenda, although I decided to experiment by placing a small green glowstick inside a black and gold squidgie shad in the hope that it's inner glow would prove irresistible to ravenous barra. It didn't.
We fished in a more concentrated area this time, focusing on where we knew for sure barramundi were feeding the night before. This time around, we threw practically everything at them, including a large collection of soft plastics, as well as live baitfish, unweighted and or underneath floats. As with the previous night, nightfall made the water come alive, with barra jumping around all over the place. Amazingly, however, once again we failed to manage a solitary hook up.
At around 9PM we were treated to an awesome demonstration of the real power of nature as a highly charged electrical storm moved in. It didn't look overly impressive from a distance but as it moved in ominously toward Teemburra, electrical energy manifesting from the storm became more and more obvious, with lightening now visibly striking from various directions around us. This caused me to stop and ponder the warning that accompanied the Nitro rods I'd acquired recently, which was a reminder that graphite rods have the ability to attract and conduct electricity and that under no circumstances should they be used in an electrical storm. Like this one.
 Calm before the storm
Be first to comment this article | E-mail | Read more... |
|
|
Trip reports -
QLD
|
|
Wednesday, 17 October 2007 |
Hunting Hillbilly Barramundi Carl 'Astro' Holland in his playground | Launch: | - 3:30 PM | | Landed: | - 8.00 PM
| | Tide: | - N/A | | Weather: | - Hot, 31 °C, calm
| Caught:
| - Nothing
| | Method: | - Trolling and casting soft plastic lures |
Carl 'Astro' Holland had been building me up to the experience of catching my first Barramundi from the kayak so expectations were high when we arrived at Teemburra dam, which just so happens to be his favourite local Barra haunt. Upon arriving at Teemburra I could see why it is so high on his list. Protected by picturesque hills and mountains the waters here are shielded from winds that would otherwise make many other areas much less comfortable to be kayak fishing in. That's partly why we chose Teemburra for our first Barra hunting trip in the Mackay area - north easterly winds had been building throughout the afternoon. The other reason we chose Teemburra for today's outing was simply because there's no shortage of fish there - even if they can be tough nuts to crack.
 Nice to be in fresh water for a change
We turned up just after 4PM and had both kayaks in the water soon after, beginning the afternoon's proceedings with a quick tour of the Dam where Astro pointed out the various areas that have typically produced good fish. There is quite a few options as it turns out, although he did mention that his 'spot X' of the area is actually very close to the boat ramp where we launched from. As the sun made it's way to down towards the horizon line we tried our luck at a few of these spots, casting various lures along close to the banks, in amongst submerged trees and trolling them as we moved around each area. No bites came, however, so as night rolled in we made our way back to his highest producing hotspot and continued to cast lures. Be first to comment this article | E-mail | Read more... |
|
|
Josh's Blog -
Of no fixed address
|
|
Tuesday, 09 October 2007 |
Somehow I managed to miss my turn off to Stanage, either driving right past the sign post, or perhaps there just isn't one. Rather than turn back looking for it I just kept on driving and decided that I'd just check it out on the second pass. I'm starting to think that won't be as far away as I originally thought. My plan has always been to traverse the coastline in an anti clockwise direction, making the journey twice.
Having a good hard think about various factors, I've started considering going as far north of the east coast as I can (or should) and then double back down the east again, this time stopping off at places I either missed or vowed to return again. In particular I'd be paying much closer attention to NSW, rather than just skimming through on my way to Queensland like I did again. The timing of this just might work better, although I haven't made up my mind on this. I'll be stopping in at Townsville (real-soon-now) for a couple of weeks at least and will probably figure it out then.Be first to comment this article | E-mail | Read more... |
|
|
Trip reports -
QLD
|
|
Sunday, 07 October 2007 |
It's raining Tuna That tuna is the Godzilla's bitch | Launch: | - 7:30 AM | | Landed: | - 10.00 AM
| | Tide: | - 6:30 PM, Low | | Weather: | - Hot, 28 °C, calm
| Caught:
| - Bluefin Tuna, Wirefence cod, Cobia
| | Method: | - Trolling soft plastic lures, live baiting
|
As mentioned in the previous trip report, upon landing through the surf I was greeted by some curious and enthusiastic onlookers. From their perch on the small hill above the beach they could see the large Tuna I brought in with me and came down to investigate. Not only they kind enough to take some photos of me and the catch, they also weighed the fish, helped me drag the yak up the beach and then even offered me a drink. Because they are keen fishermen the conversation flowed pretty freely and before long I knew a fair bit more about where the best spots might be for kayak fishing. They also invited me out to go fishing with them today, including allowing me to take my kayak aboard the boat.
This was a fantastic opportunity I wasn't about to pass up, because among other reasons, it was a chance to get ferried out to a reef that I otherwise simply couldn't get without enduring a very long paddle out first. And given the size of the fish out there, one wouldn't want to fish these waters fatigued. So after powering out about 20km a few bait fish were raised on jigs and my kayak was gently slid out into the deep blue (actually, at 14 or so metres, it wasn't so deep, but it was very blue water).
My ambition today was to land a cobia and the best way to do this, I was told, was to send down a live bait. So that's exactly what I did. Upon seeing bait fish being chomped a short while after I paddled over (a couple of hundred meters) to investigate. The livie was still kicking around out behind me (on the Godzilla rod) but I decided to cast a large pillie-sized soft plastic as the panicked bait fish. Just as I was starting to think nothing would come of it, the Godzilla bent over and line started peeling off fast. I was on to something nice and large once again - not quite as strong as yesterday's fish, but not far behind it.
 Just another day at the office
I was able to control the fish reasonably easily, being towed a good deal of the time (in circles) and peddling towards it slowly whenever the fish made a hard run. Once again, the Godzilla was in charge and at no stage did it feel like I might lose the fish. When it got within 10 metres I was able to identify it as another bluefin tuna. A bit smaller than the last one, but still worthy of the title. It took about 20 minutes to bring it onboard. Thankfully, with a support boat nearby I had a much easier time of dealing with it, without the need to store it on the kayak. This also meant bleeding it immediately was a much safer proposition.
 Easier to deal with than yesterday's catch
Comments (3) | E-mail | Read more... |
|
|
Revenge at Yeppoon: Iron Pot rock |
|
Trip reports -
QLD
|
|
Saturday, 06 October 2007 |
Tuna, conquered| Launch: | - 1:30 PM | | Landed: | - 4.45 PM
| | Tide: | - 6:30 PM, High | | Weather: | - Hot, 29 °C, 10 - 15 knot north easterlies, gusting to 20 knots
| Caught:
| - Bluefin Tuna | | Method: | - Trolling soft plastic & hard body lures
|
 You look surprised to be caught by a Hobie kayak angler! I see no reason why pelagics in season can be caught from my Hobie not. I paddled/paddled about 5km as the crow files to reach Ironpot rock, which I figured would provide some protection from the north easterly winds, which was gathering strength gradually. Here I intended to set anchor and try for a Mackeral, which are commonly caught in the area. I wasn't the only one seeking shelter either - five power boars were also anchored there. None of us were catching fish, however. I may have done better had I remembered to take my anchor, so I continually drifted into oncoming breezes, which made my leisurely bait-fishing session short lived.
So instead I decided to head back towards Yeppoon, trolling a 11cm red-headed hard-body lure along behind me. By now the wind had picked up quite a bit, gusting up to around 20 knots and causing quite a stirring chop. The tide was coming in strong at the time. With not a bite thus far I was just starting to think that I wouldn't catch a fish and contemplated either bringing in my line and just concentrating on navigating the water, or perhaps changing lures. Just as I started to reel it in the Nitro Godzilla rod bent hard and line began peeling fast. I put a little more tension on the drag, which was already quite considerable. Whatever this fish, it was big. And strong. Really strong. It had no problems towing me further out to sea.
The fight lasted for almost half an hour, the fish taking numerous hard runs. When I got near the boat and first saw that long flash of silver I knew it was either a Cobia, Mackeral or Tuna. It continued to pull hard whenever it got close, so I soon pegged it for a Tuna. I figured a Cobia or Mackeral just wouldn't have this strength or persistence.
Eventually it did tire, however, and when that happened I just lift and winded it in, the new Nitro rod performing magically. Although this is probably the strongest fish I'd ever hooked (and not lost), the Godzilla was well up to the task, being the strongest rod I've ever owned.
 Wider than the gunnel
I used a gaff hook to get the fish aboard and when the hook went in, Tuna blood started spilling back into the sea. Known for it's large Tiger sharks, I figured this was bad, so I brought the fish in quickly, smothered it with a small towel, placed my legs over it to stop it from flapping its way to freedom and paddled hard to get out of the area. This was easier said than done at this point (my arms and shoulders were tired) but determination got me out of there. I couldn't pedal at that point because the fish was just so big it got in the way of the miragedrive. I could have dealt with it in other ways, but my main priority right then was to put some distance between the kayak and the pool of blood where the fish oozed it's aromatic (to sharks) life force.
 Catch of the month Comments (4) | E-mail | Read more... |
|
|
2007 Sunstate Hobie Bassbash |
|
News -
Latest News
|
|
Thursday, 04 October 2007 |
Springfield style whacking day... only for Lake Macdonald Bass (not snakes) Ready to bash some bass?
Customers of Cooroy based Sunstate Hobie (and lucky invitees) are reminded that the annual Bassbash kayak fishing event is creeping up again, due to take place in the last weekend in November.
I'll be making an effort to get there myself, although that will be totally dependant on various circumstances at the time. If you think you can make it then you'd be mad to miss out. Here's the lowdown:
The 2004, 2005, 2006 Bassbashes were roaring successes with plenty of anglers, lots of fish caught and heaps of great prizes. This year will be better again. This annual competition and darn good fun fishing day out is open to all kayak customers of Sunstate Hobie and associated stockists. The 2007 BassBash will again be held at Lake Macdonald but with a different format. Camping is available lakeside at the Cooroora Scout Camp: ph 54425285 for bookings
When: Last weekend in November
Cost: FREE ENTRY
Extras: Saturday arvo fishing and BYO barbecue. Sunday early start fishing comp. Lunch provided.Be first to comment this article | E-mail | Read more... |
|
|
Trip reports -
QLD
|
|
Wednesday, 03 October 2007 |
Lots of kayaking, no productive fishing
 Rita Mada... usually fishes well apparently | Launch: | - 2:00 PM | | Landed: | - 6.00 PM
| | Tide: | - 3:45 PM, High | | Weather: | - Hot, 29 °C, 10 - 15 knot north easterly
| Caught:
| - Nothing
| | Method: | - Trolling soft plastic & hard body lures
|
I made my way to Emu Park again today, this time with intentions of checking out the reefy patches of Rita Mada. AKFF member Troppo (and Rockhampton local) isn't the only person to tell me that place was worth investigating. I caught up with one of the Emu Park locals briefly before heading out and he told me a few Mackeral had been caught around the shark beacon near the Emu Park boat ramp, so I decided to launch from here, troll around the beacon a bit and then head towards Rita Mada from there.
Unlike yesterday there was a fair wind blowing today, coming in from the north west and creating a bit of a chop in the process. The water splashing over the bow kept me cool though, so I didn't mind so much. I did have to put in a bit of an effort to reach Rita Mada, however, but I got there in the end. It did look just as fishy as I'd been promised, although by the time I got there I was too tired to troll around for hours (until sundown would have been ideal) and then all the way back. So instead I gave it about an hours worth of zig zagging back and forth, switching lures and trying as much as I could be bothered in a short space of time. Be first to comment this article | E-mail | Read more... |
|
|
Emu Park - Pelican Island |
|
Trip reports -
QLD
|
|
Tuesday, 02 October 2007 |
Teasing tuna  Doh! | Launch: | - 11:00 AM | | Landed: | - 2.30 PM
| | Tide: | - 1:40 PM, High | | Weather: | - Warm, 26 °C, calm as a hindu cow
| Caught:
| - Estuary cod
| | Method: | - Trolling soft plastic & hard body lures
|
I arrived at Coorooman creek near Emu Park this morning but upon seeing the sign pictured above and having a good hard think about it, I decided it really wouldn't be a great idea to venture into these waters alone. The waters around the Rockhampton area has been a bit of a reality check as far as crocodiles go, so I hopped back in the car and drove back to Emu Park to head out from Emu Point. With perfectly calm waters (ideally suited for a spot of kayak fishing) and an overcast sky keeping the sun at bay, I had a really good feeling about what might happen today. Just before I launched I had a quick read of the following sign, which was a timely reminder that it's almost time to start thinking about stingers as well.
 Yeah, it'll be much safer here!
The reality checks kept on coming because I'd only paddled out about 200 meters past the rocky point when I heard a loud splash about 100 meters to the south. I looked over to see a splish, a splash, and black fin and tail slashing the water. Aha... a shark! I couldn't tell you what species it was, nor an accurate account of it's size, although I'd guess about 2 metres or thereabouts. Apparently a 3.5 meter Tiger shark was caught in nets a couple hundred metres to the north of here just last week.
I did paddle over to the exact position where I saw it but it was gone by the time I got there (at least, I think it was). Soon after, however, I did see what I think it might have been interested in. Tuna. Lots of them. Again, I'm not exactly sure what species these were because they were moving pretty fast, appearing quickly and then disappearing again. I continued to see them in schools all the way from Emu Point right out to Pelican Island. Some of them were relatively small for Tuna, yet some of them were really very big. A few of them materialized suddenly only meters from the kayak and their size was impressive. I estimated one of them to be about 100cm in length.Comments (7) | E-mail | Read more... |
|
|
News -
Latest News
|
|
Tuesday, 02 October 2007 |
11 rods on a kayak... wow! AKFF member 'onemorecast' has created an interesting thread which is asking fellow yak fishing comrades what their golden rule for kayak fishing is, and the responses are already pretty enlightening. It has highlighted the difference in attitude with certain yak anglers, which is something I very much sit on the fence with. Some guys go for a minimal approach to how many rods they take - and this makes a lot of sense - whereas others shoot for the maximum, which can also make a lot of sense. There are many reasons for and against and I think these will be raised in the thread.
 Dgax65's Malibu X-Factor, loaded up with 11 rods
Within the topic San Diego based kayak fisherman Douglas 'DGax65' Gaxiola has shared a photo (from Big Waters Edge.com)of his Malibu X-Factor kayak rigged up with 11 (I had to look twice to believe my eyes) rods ready to go. That really is pretty impressive, if not for any other reason, as a demonstrate what is really possible to carry on a kayak. Most power boat anglers would have issues storing that many rods. Personally speaking, I've gone from using one rod, to two, to four and have now settled on 3 as the magic number for me. If I was continually fishing just the one area I'd almost certainly step down to 2, but given I often move from estuary to ocean or bay in the same trip, my fishing needs change a lot. So 1 flick stick for Bream and Flathead is required. I also like to have a mid weight rod for casting or trolling medium - heavy lures as well as one stronger, meaner stick for trolling for pelagics. 3 rods is easily managed and gives me plenty of options. Comments (2) | E-mail | Read more... |
|
|
Articles -
Kayak fishing destinations
|
|
Monday, 01 October 2007 |
Kayak fishing options aplenty
 Sunset over Burrum Heads
As far as kayak fishing destinations go, it's pretty hard to look past the Burrum river. And as far as ideal places to base yourself for a kayak fishing-fest holiday, the Burrum Heads Beachfront tourist park is pretty much impossible to overlook. Positioned right at the river mouth, or Burrum Heads, as it's known, access to the northern stretch of Hervey Bay is a mere few minutes paddle away. Access to the river itself is as simple as it gets: just select one of the boat ramps to launch from (there are three of them within relative arms reach - one that looks suspisciously made for kayaks and canoes) and away you go. It's not often that weather will prove a showstopper for kayak fishing at Burrum Heads. Strong easterly winds combined with an outgoing tide will generally make for uncomfortably choppy conditions, however.
 Count on catching a Flatty or two Kayak Fishing Around BURRUM HEADSDue to it's accomodating proximity to the river and bay, depending on your tastes or weather, there are numerous options on the table at Burrum Heads. Flathead is probably the most likely of catches around the river mouth, with large specimens caught regularly - often right out front of the tourist park itself. It's worthwhile inspecting the beach flats at low tide, which reveals some large crevices left behind by Flatties that were resting up during the high tide.
Many other species can be caught in the river mouth, however, including Queenfish, Trevally and even Spotty Mackeral are known to venture past. Bream are also present, easily visible on a clear day from a stealthily gliding kayak. These are also commonly caught on the opposite side of the river, where reports of Mangrove Jack captures are also made.
 Fringefin Trevally caught near the channel edge close to the tourist park
Downstream of the mouth a myriad of potential fishing spots reveal themselves, many of them only really accessible by canoe or kayak at lower tides. Depending on how far you are willing to go (playing the tides would be a good idea) Gregory river might be worth a visit and may just produce a nice Jack or two (look for deep holes and rocky edges). Even further downstream there is a stretch of deep water just south of Buxton that is known for holding Jacks and Barramundi. Almost anywhere between there and the river mouth could produce Flathead or Salmon (Threadfin or Bluefin). You never know your luck in a big river system.
 Spotty Mackeral caught near the beacon markers
The fishing possibilities are just as interesting amongst and beyond the Burrum river heads as well. Mackeral of various species are commonly caught (Spotties being the most likely) as well as Queenfish, Golden Trevally and Tuna. Whilst visiting Burrum Heads the local Bakery owner told me that he'd hooked onto a Black Marlin in the heads vecinity, yet few people believed him. I had no trouble believing him, however, because the very same day I saw one leap out of the water. Although I failed to hook up to any of them, I also spotted an active school of Yellowfin Tuna (3 days in a row) that were rounding up baitfish.
Given time and determination, the Burrum river heads is a very likely destination to hook up to that monster pelagic. Make sure your rigs are well tied and line tough enough to deal with them, however, because some of the fish you might encounter here could very well give you a very serious challenge.
To the south of the heads is a long stretch of beach that is well known for producing Whiting in numbers. This area can be reached easily by kayak, regardless of the tide conditions. Loggerhead turtles and Dugongs are frequently found here as well, so if you're a happy-snapper, be sure to have your camera ready.
 Nice Golden Trevally, caught on the opposite side of the river
Be first to comment this article | E-mail | Read more... |
|
|
