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Matt Kilpatrick

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Gold Coast Jigging
June 13, 2011, 11:46:23 AM
Trevor (skipper), Sam and I headed out wide off the Gold Coast on Friday morning for a fish ahead of the forecast weekend bad weather. Initially, the trip was going to be our last blue marlin bash for the season, but a late change in plan saw us spending the first half of the day jigging in 220 m and bottom bashing in 350 m to 450 m.

Being some 25 nM off the coast, we were amazed that the first two fish jigged up were mac tuna. What followed was a great session on kingfish up to about 1 m long, providing some good arm-stretching fun in deep water. I was very disappointed that the handle of my Accurate B2-665 failed. After landing a few nice fish on my Blue Rose / Accurate outfit, I handed it over to Trevor to use. After promptly hooking up, the reel lost high gear and made some awful sounds. Fortunately, the line and fish were successfully retrieved because after that the handle would constantly slip rendering the reel inoperable. I am now counting on Neil Griffiths to work his magic and repair the reel.

Armed with some fresh tuna flesh baits, Trevor deployed the deep dropper set-up to produce a beautiful 35 kg bass groper almost immediately upon reaching the bottom. 15 minutes of winding later, the fish popped up on the surface. I had intended on jigging the depths for such fish, but with my Accurate out of action that will have to wait for another day.

We spent some time fishing in 60 m in the afternoon where Trevor landed a lovely kingie on light tackle. Also, we saw our first whale for winter (actually, we just about hit it) in about 40 m of water.

Matt
Last Edit: June 14, 2011, 08:53:29 AM by Matt Kilpatrick

Matt Kilpatrick

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Re: Gold Coast Jigging
June 13, 2011, 11:52:10 AM
Photos

Rob Langridge

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Re: Gold Coast Jigging
June 13, 2011, 07:27:00 PM
Sounds like you all had a great day fishing. Lots of smiles and lots of kings and 35kg of one of the best eating fish in the sea.
Sorry to hear about the Accurate B2-665 you need to upgrade to a Saltiga it wont let you down.

Cheers Rob  :)
Cheers,
Rob

Graham Scott

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Re: Gold Coast Jigging
June 13, 2011, 10:13:11 PM
Nice work Matt. I have to go 100 miles to get to 200m.Deep water fishing is on my to do list.

Philips Mardianto

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Re: Gold Coast Jigging
June 14, 2011, 02:15:14 AM
Just wondering have you ever jig in 350m-450m?
What does it feel like?
Nice fishing trip though   :)

Matt Kilpatrick

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Re: Gold Coast Jigging
June 14, 2011, 10:00:38 AM
Cheers guys.

Rob, after the Accurate packed it in I resorted back to my Niari 55 / Saltiga Expedition / PE 8 outfit, which is my usual weapon. I find 300 m of PE 8 is fine for 220 m, even 250 m if there is little current, but after that you just run out of string. I find I can pack 600 m of PE 6 braid on the modestly sized Accurate and so it I tend to use it for deeper work.

Graham, give me some notice, especially during the cooler months, and I will organise a spot on the boat for you.

Philips, I don't have much experience fishing that depth, but I have dispatched a jig that far a few times now. I have noticed the drag of the water on the braid does slow down the rate of drop and there is a little delay in feeling the jig move, but you can still feel the jig bouncing on the bottom. There are some great photos on the forum of guys landing big fish in very deep water.


Ryan Theyer

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Re: Gold Coast Jigging
June 23, 2011, 11:20:17 PM
We jig in 300-500m down south of WA. Catch Hapuka, Blue Eye Trevalla, saddleback cod and western bass. Usually just use 500gm sea rocks due to the current being so strong. Good fun