Having tested the grounds at Portland, Port Fairy and Bawron Heads in the last month, I figured Apollo Bay is the only sensible location still left to try.
We got at the ramp at 4AM with 2 other boats and checking the bins, there were several good barrel frames left over.
We launched just after 6.30AM and headed straight for the reef patch off Cape Otway. As it was my first time launching at Apollo Bay and still dark outside, as we exited the harbour we got smashed by a breaking wave. Luckily the boat didn't get turned, but we all got drenched.
I decided not to follow the 20 odd boats heading W/SW and diverted away from the 50m line, cruising around the 80m depth. 1 hour later pushing through the moderate swell and we had finally arrived at the reef. This was confirmed by the presence of diving birds, seals and dolphins. No other boats in sight, means we have the grounds. The sounder lit up with baitfish and we are ON.
Not long until the short corner starts screaming, but my deckies get tangled in each other's lines and lose what I am told felt like a heavy fish. Bummer!
No matter, 10mins later the long corner starts peeling off and in no time my man Ian pops his tuna cherry and has a small schoolie in the kill tank. :a_goodjob:
I start figure 8ing the bait area and 20mins later the brand new PENN 50VSW starts screaming and Marek is on the rod. He tries to reel it in like the one before, but it didn't take long for him to realise that this was NOT a schoolie. "We're onto a big fish boys" he says.
15mins later, Ian takes over the rod and the fight continues. He was giving it his all, giving the tuna a good fight whilst I was using the boat to tire the fish out.
After 30mins of fighting he indicates a switch is necessary, so I take over the rod and Marek takes the wheel.
She was indeed a BIG tuna, I could feel it in the rod and it wasnt long until she went for her famous run peeling a good 500m of line from the 50VSW.
No matter, I still had 700m left to play with.
We're now well into 2hrs of fighting this fish and gaining my line back. The 200lb leader is soon winding on the reel and I have the fish several meters off the boat. She is HUGE, a true barrell.
She finally decides to go for one last run under the boat. At this point I am screaming FORWARD, FORWARD, LEFT AND FORWARD, but the boat isn't moving. I keep screaming as she is now inches off the prop and I know if we don't clear the line, she will snap it!!!
2 seconds later I hear *SNAP* and the fish is lost. :down: :down:
No f%#*ing way followed by a long list of &^*@*@$#@*#$ was the only sounds you could hear whilst I was smashing my rod. I was less than impressed with the driver and he knew it!
This is my 2nd barrell lost boat-side in as many months. Mother f^$^#$ker!!!
Since I had to get to a wedding last night, we pulled the pin at 2PM and headed back to port and then home, with yet again no barrell. At least the deckies have a schoolfish to themselves to enjoy later on.
Thanks to Ian and Marek for joining me!
PHOTOS: Sorry I dont have many photos, as I don't thin my deckies took any.
Apollo Bay - I'm coming back next weekend. :thumbsup:
