Shoalwater

[Neale Bird]

28 more sleepless nights till nomad, started counting from 138 and i must say its gone quickly!
From any of you that have been there before is there anything you would strongly recommend taking?
I've collected a selection of lures to take with me.. thanks mick, bluewater and fishhead but i know ill be buying more onboard.

? 24 times 28 = only 672hours to go!!

[Brandon Khoo]

Some suggestions:

Go with PE10 - 130lb braid. if you only have one reel and spool, take spare braid along
A spare rod is desirable - if you going to break a rod anywhere, this is the place it will happen
strong leaders - twisted leaders of at least 100lb (go with something tough like Penn 10X. If you prefer single strand, at least 170lb
Poppers - I wouldn't bother with anything smaller than about 125g. you don't have to use Hammerheads or Craftbaits but you are always better off using good poppers. Avoid uusing mediocre poppers. You've already paid so much for the trip so why use crap?
Stickbaits - Shoalwater is more a popper location but sinking stickbaits like Orions are good
Only use good terminal tackle in your split rings and hooks like Owner, Decoy, Varivas, Fisherman etc.
A good gimbal belt
Gloves are essential
Sunscreen is essential - don't forget the sunscreen for the lips. You can either get the sticks (like lipstick!) or zinc cream. Don't forget this or you will regret it
For Shoalwater, some insect repellent as places like Island head Creek are crawling with sandflies
A small waterproof bag to put your lures and accessories in. You will need it to be waterproof if you're in a dory
A spray jacket is essential. if you have a full waterproof fishing suit, all the better

Good luck

[Luke Wyrsta]

[Graham Scott]

Neale,
Looks like the wet season will be a good one again this year. Its raining here (Yeppoon) now and the monsoon trough is down across NQ and looks like moving further south. In combination with a High in the Tasman sea this is our classic wet season pattern. Bring some decent wet weather gear but avoid anything that will make you hot. Our rain falls out the sky at about 30C.

You might get a lot of high winds so make sure you take some baitcaster gear or lighter spin and have fun with all the smaller breeds in the creeks.

[Scott Maybury]

Hey Neale, are you fishing the week of the 6th of Feb? That is when I am going up and I have started trying to work out what I am gonna take too....so much gear, so few arms/little baggage allowance

I also started working out about 3 months ago, but it hasn't been as dedicated as I would like, and I know I will be paying for it 

[Neale Bird]

yeah mate same trip look forward to meeting you, im stressing a little myself got a few of the basics covered (gloves, rings, a dozen lures) but due to the 10k exspence for the missuus and i coming from WA i've had to sacrifice on the hardware... ill have to get hold claire and find out exactly what gear they can 'lend' and what i must bring.. ie do you need to bring your own gimbal belt or do they have some available to use?
I will have my own gear eventually but as you all know GT gear aint the cheapest of gear

[Neale Bird]

[Scott Maybury]

Neale definately speak with Claire, but as I understand it they have all hardware (quality stuff too) required, which is available on a replace if lost or damaged basis....pretty much the same with your lures etc...I was told you can just show up with your clothes etc, but I like using my own gear, find it more satisfying catching fish on it for some reason

Also mate I don't know what your travel movements are, but I am gonna be on Hamilton the night before and will be on my lonesome if you and your girlfriend want to catch up for dinner or a drink, though I can understand if you want to fly solo for the last time for a week!

[Neale Bird]

would love to mate but we fly in from WA the same morning we fly out to shoalwater... (red eye flight) we're staying a night at hamilton on the way back but.....

[Neale Bird]

Flights changed, we'll have to catch up for a beer for sure

[Neale Bird]

Some suggestions:

Go with PE10 - 130lb braid. if you only have one reel and spool, take spare braid along
A spare rod is desirable - if you going to break a rod anywhere, this is the place it will happen
strong leaders - twisted leaders of at least 100lb (go with something tough like Penn 10X. If you prefer single strand, at least 170lb
Poppers - I wouldn't bother with anything smaller than about 125g. you don't have to use Hammerheads or Craftbaits but you are always better off using good poppers. Avoid uusing mediocre poppers. You've already paid so much for the trip so why use crap?
Stickbaits - Shoalwater is more a popper location but sinking stickbaits like Orions are good
Only use good terminal tackle in your split rings and hooks like Owner, Decoy, Varivas, Fisherman etc.
A good gimbal belt
Gloves are essential
Sunscreen is essential - don't forget the sunscreen for the lips. You can either get the sticks (like lipstick!) or zinc cream. Don't forget this or you will regret it
For Shoalwater, some insect repellent as places like Island head Creek are crawling with sandflies
A small waterproof bag to put your lures and accessories in. You will need it to be waterproof if you're in a dory
A spray jacket is essential. if you have a full waterproof fishing suit, all the better

Good luck




Orions stickbaits.... does anyone sell them in Aus??

[Jay Burgess]

Orions stickbaits.... does anyone sell them in Aus??

Nomad 

[Brock Arifovic]

Someone is very keen to get a fish in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Relax Max & just have some fun

[Neale Bird]

Of course silly me.... ok back to the cricket

[Brock Arifovic]

Neale,

I know the cricket is on but please check your messages.