Abrolhos, solo
last week decided that since I hadnt been to the islands for a couple of weeks, I deserved a trip over.
Became a bit of a headache lining up someone to go with, a mate had to go away urgently last minute-about 7 or 8 txts to different people and just thought fuck it, just go.
What I forgot though, was to take selfie lessons from my kids, I struggle to take pics when others are there let alone by myself.
Friends were working at the islands, but then the night before they pulled out as the cray price dropped also.
Bugger it, already loaded up-hit the road into a 4 meter swell.
Contrary to what some comments on here seem to say, only ONE thing makes a shitty ride and that is wind.
Swell, rain, cloud etc do nothing without wind in deep water
Beautiful ride over, quick chuck of the line for cray bait (charlie courts) and chuck the pots in.
Decided on this trip, that without the pressure of having to put someone else on fish Id experiment with different stuff especially the soft plastics Id been conned into buying years before.
First fish up, on bait, 9kg dhuie
Then another, another, another.
Moved, 3 more
and gave up. All went down ok, quite shallow.
Next morning, moved a few mile and good sized pinky straight away, then fkn sharks losing rig after rig, move a mile same again.
Gave up and motored about 5 miles and dropped again.
On bait, just size pinkys hammering the bait but not big enough for a 30cm fillet.
Good time to try the plastics, straight down bang and on with the light rod in about 25 meters.
Small but size dhuie, went down, dropped again and something bigger
8-9kg dhuie, out with the release weight but it wouldnt pull him down so tied on a couple more 16 ounce sinkers and he started going down but slipped off.
Backed up to it but as I was reaching, smashed by a bronzie and bitten in half-fffaaarrrkkken waste, came back and ate the rest
Thoroughly pissed off went and pulled the pots for-nothing
Set them back elsewhere
Next few days a bit more fishing, dogged everywhere by sharks though I didnt travel far as 1 dhuie and 2 pinkies were my 10kg, plus ate a few pinks and crays
Mates turned up for a night to pull their pots in, then met crew on next island and helped with a bit of camp repairs
Trip became 5 days and thought I better head home and see whats happening there
Naturally, this coincided with a nor easter in the morning.
My number one tip, if it is NE in the morning it will almost ALWAYS drop of during the day but the shit sea state will hang around long after its glassy
While I never listen to ABC radio at home, I enjoy listening while over there and followed the events of Coral Bay Mandurah and Gnaraloo.
Very sad on all counts.
Knowing Coral Bay pretty well, I have my thoughts on what has happened there in light of what we know so far.
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
Vinesh87
Posts: 2751
Date Joined: 02/04/11
Sounds like a nice peaceful
Sounds like a nice peaceful trip!
Rob H
Posts: 5800
Date Joined: 18/01/12
yeah it was
yeah it was, nice not having to worry about anyone else, sometimes it can feel a bit like a charter.
Missed the kids a bit, but nice to have a comfy bunk rigged in the cabin ready to go when ever!
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
Gav475
Posts: 397
Date Joined: 16/11/11
nice
Looks like a great trip. Definately something addictive about being at sea by yourself. What time of year do you think is the best time weather wise for an abrohlos virgin to do a trip across?
Rob H
Posts: 5800
Date Joined: 18/01/12
if you can go at short
if you can go at short notice any time of the year has a stretch.
Otherwise April May June
Give a man a mask, and he'll show you his true face...
The older you get the more you realize that no one has a f++king clue what they're doing.
Everyone's just winging it.
scano
Posts: 1247
Date Joined: 31/05/07
I agree with you rob
that wind is the number one factor that makes a boat ride average! Just got back from gnarloo and it blew its tits off nearly every day till the last day we were there. Swell is nothing really, as long as the wind chop is holding off I too old go out in anything other than major windy conditions.
Stevo81
Posts: 1278
Date Joined: 16/04/12
Great trip Rob. Bit less to
Great trip Rob. Bit less to worry about by yourself! Plastics work a treat over at the islands
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Madmerv
Posts: 672
Date Joined: 24/01/15
Nice write up.
Sounds like a bloody relaxing time was had.
Sometimes when the water is quiet, you can hear the fish laughing at you !
Deleted
Posts: 6265
Date Joined: 26/04/14
Wouldn't be too many better
Wouldn't be too many better ways to clear a few thoughts and have a couple beers I reckon. Who needs overseas holidays
kirky79
Posts: 1354
Date Joined: 13/01/12
Great write up Rob.
Will have to get over there one day. Sounds and looks awesome
meglodon
Posts: 5981
Date Joined: 17/06/10
This is not my saying
It goes something like this, "some times people go fishing alone and don't realise it's not the fish that they are seeking"
Very good report thanks for sharing your solo experience.
Good catch
Paul G
Posts: 5215
Date Joined: 12/12/07
Sounds like you had a good
Sounds like you had a good time ,yes can be good by yourself no worries fish when you want ,sleep in .and come home when you have had enough.
We got back on Monday Had a cracker trip .found some new ground ,bloody baldie heven and most around the 4-5 kg. bagged out for the trip .got some good trout also .will give you a call sometime this week.
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