I hadn't planned to head out fishing today but after a quick dose of really good caffeine that was sipped down at the bayside Aquavue Watersports cafe (possibly the nicest coffee in Hervey Bay) I just couldn't help myself. The morning started out calmer than expected but by the time I got myself going winds had picked up considerably. I really should have seeked out some protection from those northerlies but I had a taste for Snapper, inspiring me to head back to the openly exposed Gatakers Bay. Wind was more noticeable here and the water looked fairly choppy but I had a plan and was determined to execute it. For the first time in a very long time I decided to fish with bait - frozen bait at that (Pilchards) - using cubes to set a berley trail from an anchored position... right where my respectably sized Grunter and Snapper were caught a few days previously.
It was only about 20 minutes before I started getting bites on an unweighted pillie and it was fairly obvious the berley trail was doing it's job nicely. It didn't take long to hook up on this ideally sized pan-size Snapper (or Squire, Pinky, whatever you want to call it) and at this point I became fairly confident that more would follow. I'm sure they would have to, if not for the fact that my anchor line was severed soon after, sending me into an inadvertant drift, right out of the fishy goodness of the berley trail. The combined weight of the wind and waves was putting a lot of pressure on the anchor line, which was shorn off by the sharp edge of a reef. Note to self: create a thick wire reinforced 'tracer' for my next anchor!
With potential strategies diminished I then decided to troll back and forth the general area but the wind and waves continued to gather strength, making for a very uncomfortable paddle. So instead of persisting I decided to cut my losses and head back to shore. It was an interesting return paddle to, with waves lifting me and propelling me forward faster than I wanted to go. I had to concentrate hard to stay on board the kayak and it would appear that by the time I got within the surf zone I was all concentrated out. That's probably why I neglected to lift the fins out, which I really should have done. About 8 meters from the concrete boat ramp a wave picked me up and thrust me towards it much faster than I'd anticipated. Although I was able to steer it in the right direction and keep it upright the entire time, the bow hit the ramp pretty hard and the Miragedrive scraped up along it like fingernails on a chalkboard. Fortunately no real damage was done, which I have to admit to be surprised about. It was one of my worst landings ever, but fortunately everything survived relatively unscathed.
After a hearty meal (pan-fried Snapper, of course) it was off to Fraser Coast Rod and Reel tackle shop, for a 2-hour soft-plastic fishing training night. Presented by pro-angler Scott Mitchell I learned a lot more than I was expecting to and in the process got really fired up to start chasing Bream on the placcies. That's a whole new story though and really deserves a write up of it's own - keep an eye out for that one.
36cm pinkie...ya can take the boy outta Melb but not the Melb outta the boy! Good to see the Mirage handled the landing 5th...must have been an uh oh moment
25-09-2007 04:59
re
Yeah, it was. I peeled off a bit of rubber on part of the fin, but nothing that would effect performance or longevity. That said, I'm much more vigilant now. Before going near surf I just take it out and strap it down under the rear bungees. I fold up the rudder to and just paddle my way in now. Ya line and ya learn :-)
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