Yakabout - Jervis Bay Middle Ground

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Jervis Bay Middle Ground

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Saturday, 13 September 2008

Monster hook up

My first intention for todays outing was to investigate Cave Beach (Booderee national park), which I've been hearing good things about. Once I got there I could see why (very serene) although I figured getting the kayak into the water might be a bit tricky. Getting it back would be even trickier, due to the 300 metre sloping path that connects the car park to beach. It would be a bit of a bumpy ride by wheel trolley to, thanks to the steps and speed bumps along the way. I figured this would be a better destination for two people, allowing for alternative means of carrying kayaks to the water. Being that I was alone today, I jumped back in the car and drove on to Murrays beach.

By the time I arrived winds were blowing at about 10 knots and I'd anticipated them being at least this strong, which is why I packed a sail kit. Taking advantage of the winds, my plan was to sail around whilst trolling a lure behind. My destination was the middle ground reef, which lies pretty much right in the middle of the entrance to the bay. My target species was something big, strong, fast and predatory - tuna preferably. To that end I tied on a large Rapalla Magnum divebait hardbody lure to 40kg fluorocarbon leader connected to 120 metres of 40kg braid, backed with about 150 metres of 50kg mono. I only rigged up one rod for today, opting for the ever-reliable Nitro Godzilla.

Winds were blowing in from the sth east when I launched, making for a simple as-the-crow-flies sail directly to the middle grounds. Along the way winds started to pick up and sailing alone (no pedalling) my GPS recorded 9.8kmph and averaged about 7.5kph. So it didn't take long to reach my intended destination. By the time I did the wind direction had changed somewhat, now coming in from the sth west and was continuing to build. I was having so much fun sailing that I barely paid attention to the fishing. And just when I was least expecting it the rod jerked hard and line started screaming off the reel at a furious pace. Yeehar!

My first move was to grab the rod to try and slow down the movement of whatever had taken the lure but line was ripping off with such force that I had to tighten the drag gently. It wasn't helping matters that I was still sailing in the opposite direction either, so I quickly loosened off the main sheet. I then tried to turn around and fight the fish and although I was able to do so, the now loose sail was thrashing around violently. I knew for sure this fight would go on for quite some time, so this wouldn't do. My next step was to put the rod back in it's holder, pull the sail from it's mast step, roll it up and strap it down under the port side paddle bungee cord. Then I was free to take up the fight, by which time my reel had almost been spooled. On the plus side, I hadn't been bust off, so I felt confident that the hook had set properly and was free to tighten the drag a little more. Then I peddled towards the hook up in order to bring in some line. After a short while I was able to get braid back onto the spool, at which point I backed off on the pedalling and decided to let it tire itself out by towing me.

I was towed for the next 15 minutes, initially further north and then later out into the east, out of the bay and into the ocean. According to my GPS, I was being pulled along at 5.5kmph and was showing no signs of slowing down. At this rate and on this course, I'd be in New Zealand in record time. I didn't have an epirb aboard so I decided enough was enough and determined to start pedalling towards it in order to try and identify the catch to see if it was worthwhile pursuing. I was of the opinion that I'd hooked either a large yellowfin tuna, or otherwise a marlin, guessing at around the 100kg mark. If so, I'd stick with it. But I thought there was also a possibility it might be a shark or a dolphin, in which case I'd be forced to cut the line. But I wasn't going to do that without finding out what it was.

I was surprised at how quickly I was able to gain line by pedalling forward while being towed. I soon spotted an ominous shadow and quickly ruled out tuna as a possibility. I was starting to think that it was either a shark or black marlin so I continued to pedal towards it to be sure. That's when I realised it was neither. It was actually a large seal. As soon as I realised what it was I let the line slack and moments later it surfaced, casting me an angry look. It then shook it's head violently and to my relief, the lure shook loose.

I've seen angry seals before and wasn't interested in seeing another so as soon as the lure was free I high tailed it out of there, pedalling back towards the bay as fast as I could. Nth east winds were now gusting at the 20 knot mark so I waited until i got back to the bay before putting the sail back up. Once done I had a perfectly textbook downwind sail all the way back to the boat ramp and I didn't have to pedal back whatsoever. Upon landing I noted the distance travelled on the GPS, which was 24km. Of that distance, I probably only pedalled about 4-5km worth. The rest I sailed or was towed.

I really hope the seal is OK. I've never seen a seal take a lure before and as far as I'm aware, that's actually pretty rare (and perhaps says a lot for the lure). I'd be interested to hear from anyone else who may have hooked a seal from a kayak, and whether or not it got their hearts racing like it did mine. I really did think I was onto a yellowfin or marlin though... what an anti-climax!