Wind: None
Swell: 0.7 metre
Current: southerly
Launch point: Middle Groyne
Participants: Jag-One; Tunny
We launched at 4h45 and both headed towards Jew Shoal trolling Halco Laser Pros and pilchards. The first sign of surface action occurred as we approached Jew Shoal with a bust up of large Tuna (thought to be Longtails). I was about a hundred metres ahead of Jag-one at this stage and the bust up occurred between the two kayaks but was over very quickly.
The sunrise was spectacular and the bust ups became more frequent but were mainly small tuna (probably mack tuna). Despite some aggressive paddling the bust ups were out of casting range so nothing was caught. Then at exactly 6h30 all surface action ceased, the fish were gone and the birds had disappeared. I don't know how they synchronised that so efficiently, but all the surface bust-ups and bird action ended instantaneously. The only ones who did not know the show was over were Jag-one and me and we continued fishing for another two hours.
Then at about 8h30 a very large shoal of bait fish came by, but they seemed to be in no hurry and were not being chased by any larger fish. The photo (taken underwater) shows the bait fish which were about 2 cm long.
Tunny taking the pic of the baitfish school. Pic by jag-one.
The only catch today was a small leatherjacket jag-one landed and released (prawn bait).
We arrived back MG at 9h30.
Jag-one's contribution
Fortunately, the forecast wind was non-existent and the launch and later recovery were, in Kev's words, a bit of a doddle. The tide was flat going out and almost full on the return.
After the tuna chases, I bottom bashed with prawns for a while and registered two good hits with no hook-ups. I then managed to boat an Elvis Presley, so I figured they were the bait robbers. The water was extremely clear and the bait school, which we sat in for a time, was very impressive.
I tried dropping a prawn under the school but no takers there either. Quite a few stinkies and one offshore fishing charter all had a troll during the morning. We only heard one whoop but didn't see the victim. One other kayaker out there too, of unknown origin.
Anyway, a good training run for me as I haven't been outside since before Jen broke her arm on 02Feb2013.
Enjoyed Tunny's company. Nice day.
Geoff Stolberg
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