Popular Post Malc Posted August 1, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted August 1, 2023 Went back to the reef I was at 2 weeks ago as light winds were forecast and they were right, but surfline was wrong and instead of 1-2ft it was 2-3ft and a bit of snotty chop at times, but I got out of the harbour ok and headed for the reef. I sat for a minute to watch how and where the drift was going when I heard some unmistakable snorting and a big pod of dolphin went past 60-70m away but my photos were mostly of the grey sea! Lure on and I cast over the reef and count down 5 seconds shut the bail, let the line tighten then a couple of turns and slow pull and then a sleigh ride as I hadn't adjusted the drag! It was going berserk first away from me, then right and then left and everything just siezed up. I peddled uptide to see if I could get over it and lift it but it was solid and I couldn't budge it, so I tried giving slack and still nothing, I tried a different angle and the braid just pinged 🤐 By the time I tied another rig I was well off the reef so set up another drift parallel to the first and cast out, 5 seconds and bail arm, line tightens and I started retrieving slowly and half way in I had a pull but no connection, I free fall the lure and another tap as I started the retrieve, so this time a fast few turns and bang its on! I caught a glimpse of bronze as it tried to motor down to the kelp but a bit of side strain turned it and after 2 more runs it is lifted into the kayak 😃 nice stocky fish that's been munching sandeel for months. Sea was getting a bigger lift by now and was 3-5ft so I tried one more drift but snagged up and it was a bit too much in some of those waves to try and pull out so I cut and headed back as sometimes getting into the harbour can be tricky and I didn't want to catch a big wave side on in 6-8ft of water and end up upside down on the beach. It did happen as there's a photo ! suzook12, Geoff, mick and 3 others 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saintly Fish Posted August 1, 2023 Share Posted August 1, 2023 41 minutes ago, Malc said: Went back to the reef I was at 2 weeks ago as light winds were forecast and they were right, but surfline was wrong and instead of 1-2ft it was 2-3ft and a bit of snotty chop at times, but I got out of the harbour ok and headed for the reef. I sat for a minute to watch how and where the drift was going when I heard some unmistakable snorting and a big pod of dolphin went past 60-70m away but my photos were mostly of the grey sea! Lure on and I cast over the reef and count down 5 seconds shut the bail, let the line tighten then a couple of turns and slow pull and then a sleigh ride as I hadn't adjusted the drag! It was going berserk first away from me, then right and then left and everything just siezed up. I peddled uptide to see if I could get over it and lift it but it was solid and I couldn't budge it, so I tried giving slack and still nothing, I tried a different angle and the braid just pinged 🤐 By the time I tied another rig I was well off the reef so set up another drift parallel to the first and cast out, 5 seconds and bail arm, line tightens and I started retrieving slowly and half way in I had a pull but no connection, I free fall the lure and another tap as I started the retrieve, so this time a fast few turns and bang its on! I caught a glimpse of bronze as it tried to motor down to the kelp but a bit of side strain turned it and after 2 more runs it is lifted into the kayak 😃 nice stocky fish that's been munching sandeel for months. Sea was getting a bigger lift by now and was 3-5ft so I tried one more drift but snagged up and it was a bit too much in some of those waves to try and pull out so I cut and headed back as sometimes getting into the harbour can be tricky and I didn't want to catch a big wave side on in 6-8ft of water and end up upside down on the beach. It did happen as there's a photo ! And there was me waiting for a photo of you upside down on the beach. Never mind. Thanks for the report, you're lucky to have got out. Things don't look good here for at least another week!! 😡 Geoff 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malc Posted August 1, 2023 Author Share Posted August 1, 2023 Sorry to hear that, we've had howling westerly winds that have flattened the sea but drifts would have been fast, lots of rain flooding the estuaries and today was a small window as the wind went NE'ly before it goes E'ly and its big onshore rollers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy135 Posted August 1, 2023 Share Posted August 1, 2023 Well done! A decent fish well deserved 👍 Shame about the one that got away but that's fishing I suppose. Malc 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike farrants Posted August 2, 2023 Share Posted August 2, 2023 nice report - makes me want to get out on the kayak again - but its no good for the boat here at the moment let alone the kayak! Malc 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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