Yakabout - Wandandian creek, the basin

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Wandandian creek, the basin

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Friday, 12 September 2008

But with a twist

steve fields fishing from his new ranger 188vx

Steve Fields flicking lures from his brand-spanking Ranger 188vx

I managed to get out onto the water this afternoon, although that wasn't a planned event until I got a call at about 2:30. MD of Hobie Cat AU (and my boss) Steve Fields had picked up his new boat the day before and was busily shaking it down on the calm basin waters and was good enough to invite me out for a quick arvo lure flicking session. This boat - a beefed up Ranger 188VX - really is an impressive craft so I was pretty keen to check it out. I was also curious to see how the basin was fishing, as I haven't been there for about 2 months and I was trying to decide to take the kayak there or into the bay on Saturday. I met Steve at the Basin View boat ramp at about 3:30 and after a cursory look around the general area we headed into Wandadian creek to get out of the wind.

Our target species were tailor, bream and flathead and we were using a few storm soft plastics and ecogear crankbait lures (which I'm really impressed with) to try and catch them. In just a short space of time Steve was able to nail one of each species. Although the tailor and bream were both pretty small, the flatty was the consummate table fish, coming in at around 44cm. I failed to net a fish and only managed a few bites. The water is still pretty cold and as such the fishing was relatively slow so I think it'll be a couple of weeks before the fishing picks up in the basin.

Today was the first time in a long time that I've fished standing up and I have to admit, it was refreshing to fish in such luxury. It's feature list is pretty impressive to say the least and Steve's really going to have some fun with it. I doubt this means he'll stop fishing from a kayak, but it'll certainly help him mark out some great spots to go fishing in, be it from the Ranger or his trusty Outback.

Given that the basin is still pretty quiet it's helped me to decide where to spend tomorrow fishing. The weather reports are claiming 20+ temps and north easterly winds, which sounds to me like perfect conditions for some kayak sailing. As always I'll be dragging a lure behind me the entire time of course and am aiming for pelagics. I'll post a report on the results tomorrow night.