The calm August doldrums occurring the past couple of years were with us this week.
The biggest Manta ray I’ve seen. Estimated span of 7m (23’) These creatures are mobile fish attracting devices, this guy had a shoal of 45cm baitfish and a 20 kilo Cobia in company.
Over the full moon, the
sort of weather you expect in late October, absolutely beautiful, bright sunny days, crystal clear
sky’s and a light cooling breezes. With these sort of days comes an afternoon sea breeze with the
incoming tide, a bit of a bitch because it screws up the flats fishing somewhat.
Little price to pay for the magnificent fishing that results from this weather pattern, or is it the
month, or the time of the month, the moon, or, has a different current moved into the coast?
Who knows? Could be a current thing, never seen so many Mantas rays and the accompanying Cobias.
I’ve said it before and I‘ll say it again “Fish are where you find them” and boy did we find them
this week. The pelagics were so prolific on the close inshore reefs at one stage in an area the size
of 2 football fields we had 12 anglers in 6 boats on the water and I counted 9 of them hooked up at once.
Trevally mostly, Giants, Goldens and Bludgers with some XOS Spanish Mackerals and Cobias thrown in. Sorry,
no pix of these as I can only be in one boat at a time. I have ordered another digital camera for #1 guide
Zatch, so more fish pix for trip reports in future.
The man responsible for more permit captures than anyone, Del Brown the originator of the “Merkin”
fights, and lands a Golden Trevally during one of the hottest bites I have seen in 12 years on the Cape.
If you look closely you can see his Merkin fly in the corner of the fishes mouth.We were honoured by the company of Del Brown an absolute gentleman, developer of the “Merkin” crab fly that,
in the early eighty’s took permit fishing on fly from there being only a very few fly anglers enjoying an
incidental captures on offerings destined for other flats quarry to where it is now. Permit fishing on fly
is common place and a thriving business through out the world.
Del was in pursuit of his 500th permit and I am very sad to say that he / we did not achieve this goal.
Many were seen, we had some shots and one did take his fly and did not stay connected. One angler trolling
an orange “Tilsan Barra” lure in the river mouth caught one.
A few of the many many fish caught last week, these fish readily take flies and lures including crab flys
Some of the best Barramundi fishing I have seen also was enjoyed this week. All anglers
who pursued these fish the snags had success with many fish to 80 cm and plenty of Jacks and large Pikey bream as well.
Something new, the mainstay of tropical estuary plug casting the Bomber long A in some new livery ,
available at the Compleat Angler, Villerwood Sydney. Check with Mick and Pat, possibly you might like
to join them on there trip next year with us in August.
Trolling deeper diving lures when chasing the off shore speedsters often pays unusual dividends. These 2 fine
bottom dwelling fish, Large mouth Nannygai and Coral trout rose to nail a RMG 150 deep diving Scorpion lure in
the popular “Elton John” Colour combination. This lure and the Rapala Super Shad rap in “EJ” and chrome colours
are my 2 favourites for trolling work. They do out fish the others. Previous Fishing Trip Reports:
