Fishin’ Maggie
What’s Happening
How good was that rainy Sunday last week? There is nothing quite like relaxing at home watching movies on a wet Sunday. The rainfall at the top of Mandalay at Nelly for the event was 59mm, just what was needed. Horseshoe Bay 52mm
Dave managed to drop his phone into the water at Picnic Bay jetty, leaving it in his top pocket and then bending down over the water. I wonder how many phones have entered the water at the Jetty. My record is 2 expensive phones on the same weekend, mine, and then I borrowed Janie’s, and dropped that too. My worst drop effort though, and also at the Jetty. I had a shop order for a custom tackle box to be made up for a 12 year old boy’s birthday present. His parents had ordered it because he was a mad keen junior angler. The next Sunday, (his birthday) I was at the jetty chasing Mackerel, and he was also there fishing with his parents, his amazing new tackle box open and proudly on display. I sauntered over his side of the jetty to cast for baitfish. As I cast my net, the corner of the cast net caught his open tackle box and the whole lot went into the drink. Imagine his face, and that of his shocked parents Kerry and Andy. Needless to say he got a new load of gear free the next day, an expensive mistake I haven’t repeated.
I see the Americans have started official fishing therapy courses in the Everglades for retuned veterans to help them deal with post war stress. Positive proof finally that fishing can cure depression and help cope with life, a fact us keen anglers always knew.
A get well message from Magnetic Adventure & Hire to Whippet from Early Bird Charters. Early Bird Charters are the newest fishing charter on the Island, and Whippet is their fishing Guru. We all hope you get well soon mate.
A new Dive shop on the Island is set to open shortly and with their own dive boat. This experienced team are set to do some advanced diving courses and offer dive trips out into some deeper water. Good luck with the new venture.
About Fishing
There is a colossal Groper still feeding at night, off WestPoint, and this monster can’t be stopped. She swallows big live baits set on 50-80 lb braid lines, and the battle starts. After 5 to 10 minutes of back breaking action, she spits out the bait and disappears. This girl must be huge; she peels off 80lb braid like 10lb, and is frustrating the regular night anglers. There must be a big holding Bommie out there somewhere to afford day protection.
Congratulations to mad keen Angler Caillen who landed 6 quality Grunter in a session with his mate off WestPoint on Friday.
WestPoint has also seen big Blue Salmon in the muddy areas chasing small prawns, along with 40 plus Grunter. Grunters, (Silver Javelin), have become much more active in the last month, feeding in shallows, and are well worth targeting at this time of year.
Horseshoe Bay has seen some 40-60cm Golden Trevally moving in close in the mornings and on the top of the high, along with Doggie Mackerel and again quality Grunter. Golden Trevally is also one of the nicer eating fish and well worth targeting on prawn and small lures.
Wolf Herring are still schooling, so we need more Spaniards to come in the bay chasing them for top action.
Nelly Bay is still producing Winter Whiting and small Queenies, but no Barra despite plenty of sightings. Although too lazy to chase lures at this time of year they are still showing their numbers.
Big Doggies are schooling around the southern side of the Island and out at the pylons, as are a few 5-8kg Spannies. That’s less boat fuel for a good time with metal jigs, spoons and lures. There were bust-ups all week as more predators move into the shallow waters around the Island as it cools. It is well worth trolling the points for Tuna and Mack’s again over the next few weeks.
The Reef has been producing bag limit Trout and some good Reds. It is well worth a trip out and that means lots of locals now have fish fillets in the freezer again. With the school holidays approaching this weekend the fishing spots will take some extra pressure, so try to get out before Saturday.
Remember, “To the world it may be just one fish but to me it is the World”
Until next time gone Fishin’…. be back dark-thirty
Cheers Dale
Fish’n N Fuel’n
36 Mandalay Ave, Nelly Bay 4778-5126