sbarnden 397 Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 Well have managed a couple trips out on the northern flats for the month so far and got into good fish both times. First time was out was 2nd August with my friend who's now on the site as TommisnSalmon chucking lures and getting into some good fish holding fairly close in over broken lumpy ground. No Strikehook gear for the comp though. Weather was crap with rain and moderate winds but we managed to position ourselves upwind of some schools and got into fish from just over legal up to the 40's. Then got away again on Saturday 15th with Underpants and his mate Blackdog3. Was out pretty early and the weather was fantastic for it early in the morning. Even had to strip off some of my insulation as I was getting a bit cooked when the sun was out. There was a lot of early morning fog which was interesting to fish in being able to see nothing but the water and grey cloud around us. Was plenty of interesting life around the place. Lots of activity everywhere. Was a small group of dolphins close in chasing fish in knee to waist deep water making huge bow waves and birds hovering overhead looking for scraps. http://youtu.be/p8K_YDL5aGM We got into fish fairly quickly. I was trying out some new lures, in particular a Savage Gear 2.5" Manic Shrimp which worked was working great on the little salmon trout but didn't land anything special. Underpants quickly got into some good fish with soft plastics. We moved further out while Blackdog3 stayed behind which was a solid move on his part as further out in the sort of channel and gutter systems where normally good fish school up we struggled to get a hit. I managed a couple of good follows from salmon trout and some nice sized snook but no commits and Underpants managed to net some solid squid but as for the good salmon schools they were absent, holding again in the lumpy broken ground further in where there was no clear channels or gutter systems, just sandy holes with scattered high lumps of weedy patches. We headed back to that area spotting some nice rays, one right up on shallow flats waving its wings in the air and a massive one that came right up to my feet to check me out. Underpants also manhandled a huge Pt Jackson that kept trying to eat the catch in his keepnet! Those things are like badly behaved puppies sometimes. Managed to get into some good fish myself, switching over to a 68mm black-chrome Shimano Waxwing fitted with a quality single hook. I find this a great searching lure as it casts like a metal but can be fished with a slower hardbody like action and with the single I find it to be a bit more weed resistant than a metal as the 'wings' push floating weed up and away from the body a little when pulled through. Was a good days out fishing with company, hopefully can find time to get out again with the fly rod next time. And to finish off Underpants sent through a pic of his cleaning table once he got the fish he kept home: NOS, The Fishing Guru, Kuerschie and 10 others 13 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
brenton 637 Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 Good posting mate,Salmon have been pretty rare metro this year. cheers b Quote Link to post Share on other sites
keenfisho 1,416 Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 Great report and fantastic conditions to watch the dolphins. I find when it is that calm out there fishing can be tough. Wont be long and the yfw will be on the flats waiting for my surface lures Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kuerschie 2,309 Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 Wicked report Sbarnden! Only ventured up there once last year for yfw as Keeno mentioned using poppers, but with the salmon season slow down the surf beaches might be time to head north for light tackle luring. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sbarnden 397 Posted August 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 They have been pretty consistent up north for me so far, had no troubles finding some to get into. Got into a few on surface lures as well once I found the schools and they were pretty willing takers. Was great fun chucking a scum dog walker over the top of the schools and having it savagely attacked the entire retrieve from the time it landed by the school. But most of the best ones have been hooked on plastics. Single hooked metals and the Shimano waxwings have been great searching patterns for locating the schools. Hard to throw anything sinking with a treble around due to all the weed about the place. Was disappointed I didn't manage to get those snook to take a bite, they were nice sized ones and followed to my feet. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bjorn2fish 4,612 Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 Agree with the other guys, a great report Sbarnden. Cool footage of the dolphins and awesome to see a bunch of you guys getting together for a fish Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Underpants 1,543 Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 Cool! Been waiting for your report. A new PB Pt Jacko for me, must have been 1m+ . Does it count as 'hand caught' and not rod&line? A few little ones succumbed to the popper but all 40+cm STs on my last lot of 110mm Flickbaits and 1/4oz jig heads. Going to use 3.75&5in Zmans next time. Gulps are to soft and get smashed here. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
plankton 725 Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 Great report, I've never fished those northern flats, looks like an awesome place. Nicely done on the port jackson too underpants, I reckon hand caught definitely counts. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
keenfisho 1,416 Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 Next strike hook fishin day : Northern flats piratepom, Jay R, Fishingmad and 1 other 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sbarnden 397 Posted August 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 For that Keenfisho I think they need to either have it in summer for the yellowfin or Bjorn needs to add StrikeHook waders to the store! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kuerschie 2,309 Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 Next strike hook fishin day : Northern flats Great idea Keeno! I reckon we'd be able to do that and pick up people from the south for the road trip. Also we'll have another fishing day in Spring somewhere. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
keenfisho 1,416 Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 Very true mate but I think most people who would turn up would have waders already Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HB tragic 743 Posted August 18, 2015 Report Share Posted August 18, 2015 Nice read with great photographs. Regards, HBt. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Underpants 1,543 Posted August 19, 2015 Report Share Posted August 19, 2015 For that Keenfisho I think they need to either have it in summer for the yellowfin or Bjorn needs to add StrikeHook waders to the store! Very true mate but I think most people who would turn up would have waders already Another month and i recon ill just about game the wetsuit. Waders suck-diddily-uck! Ive done many summer sessions in nylon pants (UV protection) but prefer an longjohn (open shoulder) wetsuit any day. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Fishing Guru 239 Posted August 19, 2015 Report Share Posted August 19, 2015 Killer photos Bro! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Booma 1,360 Posted August 19, 2015 Report Share Posted August 19, 2015 Love these Flats reports! Great photos and solid catches! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
piratepom 3,197 Posted August 20, 2015 Report Share Posted August 20, 2015 Fantastic report and photos. Looks like a great place to fish. Well done. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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