This time we are heading to Louisa Reef and Royal Charlotte Reef. Journey is about 10 hours.
After dinner and loading up the boat, we set off. About 2 hours into the ride, I could feel the waves were pretty big and my sea-sickness started to rear its ugly head. After another hour, I couldn't take it any more and out came dinner! Even though I took my sea-sick medication, the rocking was unbearable! Halfway through, the boat anchored up to as it was too dangerous to continue in the darkness.
Just before sunrise, the boat started again towards our fishing grounds, Louisa Reef. We only reached the fishing grounds in the late morning. I was totally puked out, lying in the bunk, exhausted. Even when we started fishing, I was in no mood to get out of bed. So the guys began fishing and started catching Dogtooth Tunas.
I spent the next 24 hours recuperating in the bunk. Didn't eat, only 100Plus to keep hydrated. Only started to come around on the 2nd day, when the seas were much calmer.
Started fishing but as I was still weak, I decided to do bottom fishing only. But the waters were around 120m deep plus the current and sinkers, would be around 150-200m of line to be wound up. After a few drops, I was too tired and called it a day.
Later in the night, I came out to fish. The rest of the guys were jigging but I decided to hook strip of tuna bait and dropped it down. Halfway down, a fish snatched the bait and sped off. Free-spooled for 5 secs then I engaged the drag and FISH ON! This fish gave a nice fight and was duly boated. First time I'm catching this fish, Southern Ray's Bream.
Last year we only caught 1 specimen of this fish, but this year, we couldn't stop catching them! Some were 3-4kgs!
Next day, I felt much better and we were fishing in slightly shallower water of 80m and the current was rather slow. Managed to hook up some nice coral fishes.
I'm using only VMC 4/0 Circle Hooks and they work like a charm. The trick is to allow the fish to take the bait but not too long in case it finds a hole to hide in and snag you.
Was using mackerel tuna strip baits on my bottom Apollo rigs. The problem was trying to get the bigger fish to eat the bait and not small fishes. So I used bigger strip baits!
Sure enough, This biggie decided he was hungry and climbed all over the bait. Rod loaded up and up it came! This is the first time I've caught a Longnose Emperor and circle hook nicely pinned at the corner.
Unlike a Grouper which will bloat halfway up the water column, this fish fights all the way to the surface!
Then one kaki hooked up big time! Fought for about 20mins and a whopper Dogtooth Tuna emerged.
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| Nice set of chompers! |
Continued bottom fishing and was rewarded with a nice Rosy Jobfish.
A little while later, one of the kakis hooked up something big. He was fighting the fish for close to 30mins and we took turns to reel the fish. Finally when the fish neared the surface, we saw that it was a Thresher Shark and it was foul-hooked at the long tail. Slowly we brought the shark over onto the deck for some quick pictures before releasing it back into the sea. Awesome looking fish!
Stalking bird!
As I was still pretty weak, I decided to skip the night fishing session and rested.
Next morning, started bottom fishing again.
Double hookup of Rosy Jobfish and unique color fish
Another Longnosed Emperor. The fish color changed because I spiked the brain. Maybe should spike it after the photo!
Night-time came and it's back to targeting the Doggies. Switched to my jigging setup and used a 300g leaf jig.A buddy suggested I attach those green flashing strobe thingy on the jig.
Dropped the jig over and worked from the top 50m of the water column. After about 15mins, then I got a hit! Fish ON! Fish took out some line but managed to bring it to the boat.
Yess!!! Finally my first Dogtooth Tuna of the trip. Was just a small fella compared to what the other anglers have been catching. Still quite happy with the catch.
We fished all the way till dawn when it was time to head back. A long 10-hour journey back to port.
Back at port, we took out the bigger fishes for photographs. We did pretty well!
Overall, this was a good trip. Even though the sea-sickness knocked me out the first 2 days, I was still glad to be able to fish these amazing waters and see all these different types of fish.
Fish ON for next year!
Jigging gear used:
Rod - BlackMarket Slow Jig PE 3-5
Reel - Shimano Talica 8 II
Line - YGK Jigman X8 50lb
Lure - Daiwa Leaf 300g
Bottom gear used:
Rod - Expert Graphite JigForce PE3-6
Reel - Shimano Talica 12 II
Line - YGK Jigman X8 65lb
Bait - bonito strip baits
Rig - Apollo
Fish ID
Southern Ray's Bream (Brama australis)
Robinson Sea Bream (Gymnocranius grandoculis)
Rusty Jobfish (Aphareus rutilans)
Five-Lined Snapper (Lutjanus quinquelineatus)
Longnose Emperor - Lethrinus olivaceus
Big Eye Trevally - (Caranx sexfasciatus)
