Finally my boat is fixed. Very happy with the new transom, Shane @ Avenger Marine did a great job. Launched for the first time in 5 months yesterday with my buddy Josh on board and it was a cracker day.
Already with 7 frozen fresh squid from the week before on board we decided to hit up Tyabb for a few fresh ones. I pushed in shallow to 1.5m due to the strong early NW wind and planned to drift back out over the drop. First cast and bang a squid.. already such a great start to the day. We continued the squidding but unfortunately couldn't manage anymore.
Made the decision to boat down to BP Jetty and try snag a few Yakkas & Couta. This is a first for me.. but it was completely DEAD. There is also some construction already going on there, im assuming for this stupid AGL Gas Terminal.
I didn't want to waste too much time so i pulled the pin about 25 mins in. Motored back up to Yaringa where we sat on a mark of mine for 90 minutes with as little as a touch. Usually im not one to move around too much, i like sitting out spots you believe in.
A few days ago we had spoken about giving a mark of mine from last season a go. Reefy, Coral ground with some nice holes in amongst it all. "Lets go to Joes", i had this gut feeling and ive learnt to always trust it.
Off to Joes island we went, going flat stick on a glassed Western Port Bay, so beautiful to be back amongst it. We sounded around for a little while around Joes, but i made the decision to go anchor up on my mark.
Not long in and we had 3 Couta follow a bait back up to the boat. I had Josh keep the bait in the water and immediately i dropped down a metal and started vertically jigging it back up and boom, they couldnt get enough of it. Some more FRESH BAIT
.10 Minutes later, my rod started to twitch and twizzle and then it buckled! zzzzzzzzz...! I've missed this feeling big time! Put up a great fight for a 3kg fish.
After a couple quick photos i cut half a couta fillet and out it went. 5 minutes went by when it buckled and was screaming. Both fish very aggressive takes. It was a great fight and i knew i had a Big fish on, the runs were long and fast as opposed to short zippy runs. It dogged it under the boat for a few minutes and then she broke the surface. Absolutely stoked.. 6kg Red. First trip of the season and on my boat in 5 months. Couldn't have asked for a better start.
Its going to be a massive season.
Cheers.
