San Remo - Punchbowl - 2/11
Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2019 6:53 pm
A short report and PSA for Punchbowl.
A workmate and I decided to give the infamous Punchbowl a try-out at sunrise this morning (2/11) . For my part I spent the better part of the week doing my homework, asking questions, watching youtubes, and reading previous forum posts. Scouts motto, be prepared! was my mantra.
Aside from the off/on drizzle rain, the forecast had winds below 10kn, swell at 0.5, hide tide at 6am, in my mind a satisfactory weather combination. A real shame it was not lovely and sunny.
We arrived at sunrise, traversed our way down to the eastern ledge, 4 other lines were already in the water belonging to other early risers. We baited up with Pillies n squid and started soaking baits. We stuck it out till 12noon, landing only a single 32cm salmon, our neighbours didn't fare much better bagging just one 45-50cm Salmon. However a fellow just around the corner landed 7 quality salmon and a very decent snapper. So the fish are around, but jthey ust not patrolling areas of shoreline as much as you'd expect.
Now my PSA, just as a warning to (some) folk aiming to make the trek to Punchbowl. For my part I knew as we made our way down to the shoreline that the return trip was going to be taxing on my body (memories of Mt Martha cliff face). I'll preface this next bit with my own disclaimer, I'm over 50, smoke more gaspers than I should, am a bit heavier than whats good for me, and my resting blood pressure is 156/90. Seriously folks, anyone else who vaguely resembles those stats.... I encourage you to take careful measure of the your conditions, and that of the path down and reconsider your desire to fish this location, and doubly so in wet conditions as the clay'ish soil is steep (almost vertical) in places and slippery. I felt certain my heart and lungs were going to do that Alien thing and burst right out my chest, cue visions of blood, viscera, and Air Ambulances.
My workmate and I enjoyed our morning fishing despite the poor result, though the trek back up just about ( probably did tbh) killed any enthusiasm we have to return to Punchbowl eastern ledge.
I'll probably cop some flak about being reckless to have made the journey down, though hindsight is always a perfect critic. Anyway, made it back home and will no doubt be sore for my efforts tomorrow.
Cheers folks
A workmate and I decided to give the infamous Punchbowl a try-out at sunrise this morning (2/11) . For my part I spent the better part of the week doing my homework, asking questions, watching youtubes, and reading previous forum posts. Scouts motto, be prepared! was my mantra.
Aside from the off/on drizzle rain, the forecast had winds below 10kn, swell at 0.5, hide tide at 6am, in my mind a satisfactory weather combination. A real shame it was not lovely and sunny.
We arrived at sunrise, traversed our way down to the eastern ledge, 4 other lines were already in the water belonging to other early risers. We baited up with Pillies n squid and started soaking baits. We stuck it out till 12noon, landing only a single 32cm salmon, our neighbours didn't fare much better bagging just one 45-50cm Salmon. However a fellow just around the corner landed 7 quality salmon and a very decent snapper. So the fish are around, but jthey ust not patrolling areas of shoreline as much as you'd expect.
Now my PSA, just as a warning to (some) folk aiming to make the trek to Punchbowl. For my part I knew as we made our way down to the shoreline that the return trip was going to be taxing on my body (memories of Mt Martha cliff face). I'll preface this next bit with my own disclaimer, I'm over 50, smoke more gaspers than I should, am a bit heavier than whats good for me, and my resting blood pressure is 156/90. Seriously folks, anyone else who vaguely resembles those stats.... I encourage you to take careful measure of the your conditions, and that of the path down and reconsider your desire to fish this location, and doubly so in wet conditions as the clay'ish soil is steep (almost vertical) in places and slippery. I felt certain my heart and lungs were going to do that Alien thing and burst right out my chest, cue visions of blood, viscera, and Air Ambulances.
My workmate and I enjoyed our morning fishing despite the poor result, though the trek back up just about ( probably did tbh) killed any enthusiasm we have to return to Punchbowl eastern ledge.
I'll probably cop some flak about being reckless to have made the journey down, though hindsight is always a perfect critic. Anyway, made it back home and will no doubt be sore for my efforts tomorrow.
Cheers folks