HAPPY DAYS
When your kids turn up at Christmas time, Jay with a sprained ankle which will stop him surfing for a while, Lisa coming across from Sydney, both keen to go fishing, especially now I have two boats, then of course I am more than happy to oblige. Years ago they were both surf crazy, which was all good as I was a keen surfer back then, having now morphed into more of a diver and fisherman. So for years I had to chase down crew or go fishing on my own, but there is a real joy in taking your children, now adults, out for a fish, although this trip was just a little tricky to start with.
Lisa had arrived from Sydney the day before, having been awake since 3am to catch the plane and here was I the next day telling her she could only sleep in until 4am for the fishing trip, because an early boat launch is critical these days, with only 15 boat trailer bays at Gracetown. This was my only day off for a while, but the weather was not predicted to be perfect, 15-20 knot offshore in the morning and the major bite time not until 10 am. So I woke at 4am, walked outside to check the wind and immediately realised this plan was not going to happen. I pottered around making rigs, checking and rechecking the weather, drove to the boat ramp, sure enough no parking available and by 8am there was still no sign of the kids surfacing, nor of the wind abating.
So I start hatching a revised plan, where we would just fish the predicted window of lighter wind from 10-12noon, coinciding with the bite time. Fishing deep was out of the question and with the net fishing boat arriving the day before, I needed to avoid their set areas to have any chance of catching a fish. By 830am it was time to rouse the troops and get things happening.
We finally get sorted, late breakfast out of the way, the wind is down to 10 knots easterly, but as soon as we launch the seabreeze comes in. So much for the small window glass off. Anchoring in shallow water with a strong seabreeze is a sure way to bring on sea sickness, not a good way to start the kids holiday, but I now have little choice, so decide to anchor in very close, in only 15 metres of water, for what would likely be a 30 minute fishing session. Nothing too exciting for the first 20 minutes, other than a few snagged lines. I am just getting my own rod in the water when Lisa announces she has another snag, except this snag is taking line and we are at anchor. Mayhem ensues. Those that fish with me know I can get quite animated and excited when someone is onto a good fish, so instructions were plentiful. Finally, with Jay videoing the final stages, a 30lb dhuie was netted and Lisa was ecstatic, her biggest fish ever. But mayhem continued. While I was dealing with this fish, Jay landed a harlequin and then snagged his gear, losing the lot. He immediately grabbed my lighter rod and while I was still bleeding Lisa’s fish, he was on again. Although initially calling it a sambo, as it also took line, shallow water Dhuies put on a great fight and hence Jay landed his 20lber soon after. We had indeed fished for 30 minutes, could not wipe the smiles off our faces, thankful not only to have shared a special moment, but also that the ocean we live near can provide these opportunities.
ith a strong seabreeze is a sure way to bring on sea sickness, not a good way to start the kids holiday, but I now have little choice, so decide to anchor in very close, in only 15 metres of water, for what would likely be a 30 minute fishing session. Nothing too exciting for the first 20 minutes, other than a few snagged lines. I am just getting my own rod in the water when Lisa announces she has another snag, except this snag is taking line and we are at anchor. Mayhem ensues. Those that fish with me know I can get quite animated and excited when someone is onto a good fish, so instructions were plentiful. Finally, with Jay videoing the final stages, a 30lb dhuie was netted and Lisa was ecstatic, her biggest fish ever. But mayhem continued. While I was dealing with this fish, Jay landed a harlequin and then snagged his gear, losing the lot. He immediately grabbed my lighter rod and while I was still bleeding Lisa’s fish, he was on again. Although initially calling it a sambo, as it also took line, shallow water Dhuies put on a great fight and hence Jay landed his 20lber soon after. We had indeed fished for 30 minutes, could not wipe the smiles off our faces, thankful not only to have shared a special moment, but also that the ocean we live near can provide these opportunities.