Subject: fishing today -- 27aug09
Date: Thursday, 27 August 2009 4:00 PM
After my mid-day foray yesterday launching from Sunshine Beach and fishing Sunshine Reef, we just had to do it again today, especially as the weather forecast was at least as good. But this time it was an early start and there were five of us.
Brian, Jaro, Jim and I assembled in the doggie beach carpark before sunrise. Steve had warned us he'd come out later.
0602hrs. Brian and Jaro choosing their moment...
Jim made his dash first and got away cleanly. Jaro and Brian followed and I got some video of their launch. It was then my turn. I picked a quiet time, hopped into the yak, missed my footing and sat down in the surge. This woke me up somewhat but I was back in the saddle very quickly and paddling like hell to join my companions out the back. I understand that Jaro and Brian had an interesting trip through the peaking waves... perhaps they'll tell us about it.
0610hrs. Jaro setting up while our nearest star and greatest benefactor peeps over the shoulder of our home.
We all set out for the close-in marks we'd fished before, less than 2km from shore. The vista was the sort that travellers to distant parts pay a fortune to view and we were getting it for nothing except the small effort required to get out of bed early (oh, and paddle through the breakers).
I'll be upfront with this. Today, I caught nothing, a performance matched today only by Steve (turtleboy) who spent less time fishing than I did but at least caught a giant toado. And, I'm knackered. So I'll summarise the fishing situation, throw in a spectacular video of a heart-stopping return to the beach by our oldest participant and then provide a few pics of interest.
Although Jaro very soon caught a keeper snapper it was clear that the action wasn't exactly going to be hot. We fished in close and also out wide, meandering out to about 4km from our launch spot in perfect winter conditions. Jaro, Jim and Brian caught fish (photos soon). The largest caught, by Jaro, was also an unusual capture, a netted sweetlips (Plectorhynchus flavimaculatus) aka Rubber-lip and a well known mother-in-law fish.
Eventually we elected to return to the beach where we were delighted to find that the swell had increased during our absence. What fun lay ahead? Turtleboy was first to chance his arm and managed an upright arrival on the beach only to fall in (but only up to his neck) when he was caught in the shore break. Brian and I lined up -- I turned the chest cam on and we went through unscathed, hitting the beach together after getting a dream run.
Next came Jim and Jaro, who were given directions for the best approach from us on the beach, by radio and arm signals. Jim's run was well managed and safe and soon he also was on the beach (4 safe yakkers out of 4 attempts -- very good). Jaro left the best till last. He approached the breaking waves and was in the middle of the transit zone when we on the beach spotted a nasty wave rearing up behind him. Although Jaro couldn't hear us we started yelling at him to increase his paddling rate in an attempt to outrun the wave. Jaro was having none of this -- he just kept coming at a gentle pace. I was operating the video camera at the waters edge and felt certain that this wave was likely his nemesis. Anyway you can see it all on the video. Did he make it in, and if so, how or did we have to phone 000? You'll just have to watch. Here's what it looked like from my POV.
Is Jaro a goner? See the full performance in this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9W06THFFd8w
Some fish etc pics:
Above: At one stage our yaks were surrounded by millions of very tiny critters (about as large as a pin head) drifting near the surface in the 30m deep water. I scooped some up to take a look and discovered that they had legs and resembled crabs. (Pic from underwater)
Above: Brian's catch: two sweetlip, one snapper, one striped sea perch. Sorry about the pic, Brian -- I must have had water on the lens.
Above: Jim's two snapper
Above: Jaro's netted sweetlips and snapper.
Harvey W was waiting and watching on the beach when we came in. Nice to see you Harv. -- we're hanging out for the day when you can rejoin us on the big blue.
Thanks for organizing, Jaro. Hey, wasn't that beach return fun? Maybe we should have a beach day (no fishing).
Hope you enjoyed the video...
Kev
Red & Yellow Espri, black paddle
VHF channel 09 or 22 (if alone), Call Sign: sunshiner
http://noosayakers.blogspot.com
Later...
Subject: Jaro's epic ride
Date: Friday, 28 August 2009 10:11 AM
G'day guys
I thought Jaro's epic ride yesterday was worthy of greater publicity so wrote a quick story for AKFF, including a link to the video. It's here.
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