Got the call up from a mate late last week looking for a crew to have a crack at the run of barrels off Apollo Bay, needless to say I wasn't going to say no!
Fished on Wednesday in sloppy conditions, only 4 boats braved the weather. We put in a whole day of trolling for nothing, but we heard that there were 2 fish caught.
Thursday was the pick of the days, perfect weather and plenty of boats out. Another big day on the water, with a bit of action happening around us but again we didn't get a look in.
Friday we changed tactics and headed out wide where we came across some big bait schools, and we knew we were in for a good shot. Sure enough we hooked up around 10am, and it was all hands on deck as we were finally on!
After half an hour, we had the fish at the side of the boat. Unfortunately the gaff man was a bit nervous and went early with the gaff, and nicked the leader which gave the fish an early release. Estimated 100kg bluefin, we were pretty rapt about finally getting onto the action and at the same time devistated with the result.
We set back up and trolled around for the rest of the day, sticking with the bait schools with not much happening. As we headed into the late afternoon we began to mark up what appeared to be tuna but down deep. A few hours passed and we were almost going to give up when bang, the outrigger went off and we were on once again!!
Another reasonably short fight and we had the fish at the side in just over half an hour, this time making no mistake with the gaff.
This bluefin went 89.5kg but being the first bluefin I've actually seen in the flesh, looked enormous!
An awesome trip, can't believe that we managed to bag a barrel on my first ever trip on the bluefin!
Apollo Bay barrel!!
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scott__henning
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Apollo Bay barrel!!
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Last edited by scott__henning on Sun Sep 13, 2015 7:12 am, edited 2 times in total.
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burks
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bowl
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Re: Apollo Bay barrel!!
Hey what's with the pics going side ways upsidedown ect
My pic Do the same on occasions
My pic Do the same on occasions
To many boats kayak, helicopter , catch a fish,catch a fish
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scott__henning
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Nude up
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Re: Apollo Bay barrel!!
Great work scott nice fish I am stuck at home at the moment wife just had her knee replaced she has great timing
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scott__henning
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Re: Apollo Bay barrel!!
That's a bugger. Not too many better times to get one at the moment!Nude up wrote:Great work scott nice fish I am stuck at home at the moment wife just had her knee replaced she has great timing
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matt1991
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Redhunter
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Re: Apollo Bay barrel!!
Mate, thats awesome. Well done.
Was out there on Saturday. The day started off very sloppy. Sounded fish down deep, along with bait down deep, but wasnt until about midday until things started to happen. There were boats hooking up around us, but we failed to get a hit. It was a good learning experience...
Was out there on Saturday. The day started off very sloppy. Sounded fish down deep, along with bait down deep, but wasnt until about midday until things started to happen. There were boats hooking up around us, but we failed to get a hit. It was a good learning experience...
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Redhunter
- Rank: Bream
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Re: Apollo Bay barrel!!
We were concentrating on purple & pink, black & red, 8in skirts, with a 10in lumo in the mix, along with various coloured xraps. The skirts seem to be doing most of the damage though.
What colours did you get your hits on Scott? Also, what speed pls mate? We tried 8-10knots, and 10-12knots with skirts only. I feel we were doing the right thing, just unlucky.
What colours did you get your hits on Scott? Also, what speed pls mate? We tried 8-10knots, and 10-12knots with skirts only. I feel we were doing the right thing, just unlucky.