Well I just got back from Nomad?s final week at Marion for May/June. This was my first time on a trip like this, and I would have to say that it was the fish I didn?t catch which really opened my eyes!!!
As per the previous trips the fishing was slow, but there was still enough fish around to keep us interested. I initially thought the trip would be cancelled due to the weather as there was a strong wind/gale warning out the night before we left, but in reality it wasn?t too bad. In fact we had only one afternoon that was blown out.
On the catching side the best fish for the trip was a GT of about 35kg, there were also a couple in the 20-25kg bracket (I got 1 of these) and another a bit under. There were a few rats as well. There were plenty of smaller doggies, with the best around 30kg, and a number about 15kg. There were also a few nice trout in the 10kg + category, with the best around 17kg. Obviously there was a mix of red bass, jobbies, cod, barracuda etc as well.
On a personal note I nearly started my account with a estimated 40-45kg GT on jig. I had done most of the hard work (so Ed the guide told me), and then in a final bid for freedom it found a bommie and cut me off. On another day we had a 35kg GT swallow a stickbait 2m from the bow of the dory only to spit it out, and then 20 secs later a 25kg fish hit beside the boat and pulled the hooks a second later ? at this point Carl claimed we were cursed!!! I also lost a very good fish which I didn?t see (but Carl thought it must have been the same 40kg+ fish they raised earlier in the day at the same spot due to knot failure ? I nearly cried??
And then there were the huge doggies that we had no chance of landing. I have never been demolished so convincingly!!! When we actually turned something, the sharks decided they were hungry, so ate them on us.
Anyway here are a few pics from the week. I wish I could say it was me holding the big fish, but unfortunately it wasn?t.
Catchya,
Simon
