Coral Sea report

[Andre van Wyk]

Absolutely spectacular report Dave, and congrats on an EPIC trip....

This seems like it was one of those trips we all dream about making happen, but seldom does where the fishing far exceeds any exopectations, even at a place with such a massive reputation like the Coral Sea... fantastic mate, and once again congratulations.

Big ups to the Nomad Crew again too, you guys really do pull out all the stops.... defintely on the "Must Do" list....

[Dave Foyle]

Cheers Andre.  I expected the fishing to be pretty good out there but a few of the days were just insane.  I'm used to pounding out the usual numbing 200+ casts a day when chasing GT's but one of the mornings out there I probably made 12 casts for 10 GT's!!  With breaks in between some of the casts to recover ! The reason two of the casts didn't result in a GT in the boat was because there were so many fighting over the lure none of them managed to get hooked up 

A number of the fish boated had big scrapes and bite marks down their flanks where other GT's had mobbed the fish trying to get it to cough up its meal.  I had a 36kg fish with two parallel gashes down its side about 8 inches apart...I think these were from the stud teeth on a really enormous GT's bottom jaw....

Robin - Thanks again for the tips on the photo's - images in the post are now pin sharp !!

Tight lines   Dave

[Robin Chan]

You're welcome Dave, definately a whole lot better.....once again great trip! Cheers!

[Ben Earl]

WOW!!! That black one in the water is huge! it looks like a stealth submarine!! scary

[Sami Ghandour]

Dave!
i knew you are going to do well, congratulation!
great picture and nice shot,
the only problem i see, that each trip cost you a new rod, ease down on the drag my friend .
sorry to hear for the loss of the big one but that will make you come back.

[Sam Conacher]

Thanks Serge - I'm sure you'll make it out there  - I can't recommend the trip highly enough !!!  I'm trying to figure out how I can do it all again !!

Hi Sam - I used the 79H with 150gm stickbaits and poppers. It seemed to do both very well to me.  I don't think you would want to drop much below 150gm with this rod as it is very powerful.  Damon described the rod as a heavy version of the 79R - hence its versatility.  I tried the rod for the last day of the trip (as you spotted I managed to bust my Wild Violence !!) and the rod was very nice to use after a few days on the WV.  Still a very powerful rod but a little easier on the angler when fighting fish - and very light in weight too....very tempting - I might make an investment myself!!

Hope this helps mate.

Cheers   Dave






it has helped,   thankyou.


i am truly sorry to hear about your busted Carpenter WV,  (ouch   ).

[Luke Wyrsta]

Great report David. I love the massive swells busting onto those magnificent reefs!

[Travis Heaps]

Awesome report David - the sort of trip everyone crosses their fingers and hopes for when planning and labouring through the slow few months leading up to it!!

[Stephen C]

Absolutely fantastic pictures, they are such a professional organisation...If it was Ed driving the game boat the kid is a genius at the wheel, I had him almost put the boat into a 6ft barrel, he is a freak...Well done again on a trip of a lifetime...If only money grew on trees...I'll be back again

[Mick Cunningham]

wow what can i say .. well done ...

loved the huge black gt photo in the water only 2m away from the boat ..
hmmm have you thought about jumping into the water and try to grab this one ??   

[Dave Foyle]

Thanks guys.

Hey Sami - hope you are well man.  Somewhere out there is a 50kg fish with my name on it.....one day...  I think I need to eat less concrete for breakfast when going popping to preserve my rods and my bank balance !

Hi Stephen - Ed was on a weeks shore leave so it was Damon driving the 52 footer.  Some pretty trick helmsmanship to enable us to fish safely in those conditions - very impressive.

Mick - That GT was huge.  Wouldn't wan to put a weight on him.  Big pack of them in the reserve at Lizard island and they are used to being fed by all the boats in there.  There were quite a few 50kg+ fish....then that big black one 

[Brock Arifovic]

Dave - great report, i have only been home a couple of days myself, we fished the ribbons from the 13th through to the 26th of october, i know what your whether was like we fished through it as well.

Any chance we can see a pic of your 46kg fish?

[Dave Foyle]

Hi Brock,

It was pretty gnarly out there.

The picture of my best fish is second from bottom - above the snap of the big seas.  Not the greatest picture - I'm 6'2 and 240lb which doesn't help either !

Tight lines  Dave

[Matt Harvey]

Awesome report Dave - as others have said it's the stuff of dreams.

[Dave Foyle]

Cheers Matt,

A month later and I've still got a buzz from the trip - I reckon I will have for a little while to come too !

Tight lines   Dave