After a couple of days of nice flat calm weather, Wednesday started with a tropical thunderstorm rolling through the anchorage at 2am, and the clouds and rain still lingered by morning… But what a day it turned out to be. By lunchtime, the sky had cleared to blue and the wind had dropped right back.
On KEKOA, we trolled south over the Bank and in towards Spur Reef and picked up two energetic flying blacks in the 200-250lb range for Adrian and Blake before taking an early mark back into port. That put us a five for the three days. We’re out again late this afternoon and fishing tomorrow.
Capt. Tim on Tradition reports it was a bit quieter on Number 8 yesterday. He headed up to Number 10 Ribbon Reef and released one from three on Second Corner before heading into Lizard Island. I also spoke to deckie Brad on Iona who also came in for changeover from their latest trip ending with 6 in 7 days including the 950lb-er at Escape Reef and another in the 500lb range. Brad tells me they also had a ball spearfishing and fishing for bait in the mornings.
More photos from yesterday:
Ben on the leader for another nice fish for Adrian on board KEKOA.
Tradition started their 2010 campaign out of Cooktown Tuesday heading north towards the rock with Lester and Liz from New York on board. Enjoying the calm 10 knots, Tim reports the fish cooperated as well as they went two from four with a real nice 750lb-er for Lester and tough 300lb-er for Liz a little later. A great start. Late addition – At Escape Reef, Capt. Trent Vischer on Iona released two as well including a great fish Trent called 950lb (mobile photo at bottom – click to enlarge).
Further south at Linden Bank, it was a much quieter day with boats reporting very few seen. On board KEKOA we were lucky to hook both fish we raised for the day starting with a nice little guy for 12 year old junior angler Blake, who quickly brought in and released his very first marlin. Later, dad Adrian put the lesson he learned in his big fight yesterday to use with a nice 600lb black (photo).
Phantom returned to port after their first four day trip and raised 7, hooked 3 and tagged a healthy 450lb black and 500lb whaler. They also had a ball reef fishing and Daniel managed to land a bat fish behind the reef on 6kg mono.
It was also nice to see Capt. Jim (Dalling) back on the reef with a camo appearance at the wheel of Amokura. South Australian’s Jimmy and son Nathan are back with Capt. Jim this week and heading north today.
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From Cairns heavy tackle, Capt. Adam and Iona 2 have been heading up the Ribbons in not too favourable weather. Even still they managed to release two yesterday on Number 10 Ribbon Reef at 300 and 150lbs (picture). Its a really good sign for the season ahead, the fish being around so early.
From Townsville light tackle, today was Day 1 of the Mike Carney Toyota Billfish Challenge. Unfortunately, the quiet we experienced before the tournament has continued through the start. Not a single black marlin was seen although two sailfish were tagged and released from amongst the 30 boat fleet.
On board Screamer, Pemberton Jnr (Lindsay) tagged the first billfish of the tournament just after 1pm. At 2, the team on board Elektrakushen put a tag in a sail that angler Brad Kane had been fighting for two hours on the 6kg line. These were not the only seen. On board Castille III, Capt. Deano raised a pod of sails for a double hookup which unfortunately turned to a double jump off soon after. And there were a few more reports of fish lost around that same time including Burgundy Lady who had a couple of bites that couldn’t be converted.
