Posts Tagged ‘Sailfish’


Fishing Report 1.11.09

November 4th, 2009 by Helen

 The Exmouth Game Fishing Club held its annual Billfish Bonanza last week-end.  The event was a great success with 20 boats, 65 anglers, over 150 billfish raised and 49 billfish tagged. The mornings were a little breezy, but the gulf glassed off each afternoon with some magical visions of silhouetted whales breeching as the sun set for boats returning to the
marina and Bundegi. 

 Most of the fish tagged were sailfish in the gulf averaging 30kg.  There were several black marlin on the west side of the
cape tagged including a 180kg black onboard James Roscic’s new boat Apocathery.  There was also a 90kg black tagged on 10kg line, which was a fantastic effort by female angler Debbie Snook. This took out the Champion
Angler Marlin Section.

The youngest angler in the event, 7yr old Hayden Michaels caught five sailfish and successfully tagged three of them.  He won the junior section and was runner up in the champion angler sailfish section too: another wonderful effort! 

 Simon Prins, a chef from the Novotel, had never caught a sailfish before the event. He ventured out onboard Saxon Raider and tagged eight sails to take out the Champion Angler Sailfish award.  Simon, along with Kurt and Jo Decker aboard Saxon Raider took out the Champion Boat for Tag and Release Billfish.  The crew on Fully Sic came runner-up followed by On-Strike. 

 During the event many people tagged their first ever billfish, including the three anglers from Jurien Bay aboard the boat Yogi.  There were only two boats that did not catch a fish, and both those teams won a  prize too! 

The event was very challenging and exciting with baitballs in the gulf that had sailfish, trevally, long tail tuna and queenfish feeding on them.  The birds were a good sign for the anglers to find where the action was happening.

There were three sailfish tagged that had already been tagged previously. One of them had been caught in two consecutive days.  The EGFC promotes good fishing ethics and fish handling to ensure the sustainability of recreational fishing through catch and release.  It’s great to see these fish feeding one day, being caught and released, and back feeding again to be caught the next day.  

Congratulations goes to all the participants, while a big thanks goes to all the sponsors, volunteers and committee who
helped make it such a great success.

 

Bill Fish Bonanza

Bill Fish Bonanza

Pics are: Team In Deep getting ready to release a fish. Hayden Michaels with
his first sailfish. Hayden Michaels with his Dad Steve and the trophy for
Champion Junior.

Hayden Michaels

Hayden Michaels

permalink | trackback

Posted by Helen Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in News | No Comments »


Fishing Report – 17.10.09

October 26th, 2009 by Helen

Sorry for the missed report last week.  We were busy at the Mandurah Boat Show for the week-end (and few days it takes to get there and back!) It was a great show with some new and interesting ideas.  There was fish filleting demonstrations, the Engel Aquatank, cooking demonstrations and all sorts of great ideas for the EGFC for the AIBT(Australian International Billfish Tournament) and Gamex in 2011.

The Exmouth game Fishing Club has begun works on the building and the due date for completion is the week before Gamex 2010. (!)  Local contractor DLR have started works with vigour and all hands are on deck to get the project ready in time.  Meanwhile the Billfish Bonanza is on this week-end. Briefing is 6pm Thursday October 22nd at the rec centre.  If you are interested in seeing what this event is all about, you’re welcome to come down and join the club members and competitors  as they gear up for the tournament.  The bar will open each night and there will be nightly raffles and info on tagging billfish for this three-day event. 

Meanwhile, pictured this week is Karen Cook-Barron with her first sailfish.  Karen is a first-timer for the Billfish Bonanza and she is hoping to see many more of these fish this coming week-end.

The coral trout have been abundant in the gulf according to many locals who have had the time to get out in a boat on the glassy afternoons.  Soft plastic lures have been working best and one customer reported a 6kg bluebone caught on a Bozo soft plastic.  Blue lined emperor have also been caught in the gulf waters.  One was even caught on a bait jig, that just held up to the challenge of the feisty fish.

The shore based fishing has shown up even more spanglies on the west side as the weather warms up.  Better results for these species have shown to be in the early mornings.  A lightly weighted bait of squid or strip of mullet has been successful.  Berley in the water also improves your chances with these hungry fish.

A few times this year we have commented on having the correct safety equipment and knowing your size and bag limits.  I can’t say it enough.  Please make sure you do have the correct epirb and safety gear.  The fines are bad, we all know that, but your safety and those with you is important.  The fisheries and DEC rules are also important.  Once again, we know the fines are bad, but the future of the fishery is important for us to enjoy returning to the water each time.

Karens first Sailfish

Karens first Sailfish

permalink | trackback

Posted by Helen Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in News | No Comments »


Fishing Report 5.08.09

August 10th, 2009 by Helen

The long awaited decision to construct the second run of floating pens at the marina is finally starting to look like reality.  However, there needs to be enough Expressions Of Interest for the project to begin.  If you or someone you know is interested in getting a pen at the marina, please contact the Department of Planning and Infrastructure for an EOI form on 08 9949 2079 or go to http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/geraldtonandexmouthpens  This is going to be a great help to the AIBT (Australian International Billfish Tournament) in 2011 and 2012 when we expect a number of larger vessels will visit Exmouth to partake in this international event.  All we need to add to the equation is the EGFC clubhouse and that area will certainly be a busy little hub in a few years.

Seth Nafte has moved here for a few months while remotely studying.  Seth usually visits with his friend and fishing partner, Neil Silver to fish the billfish tournaments.  Seth had a ripping start to his stay when he went out to the waters off Helby Bank and hooked three Yellowfin tuna, three wahoo , two sailfish and a marlin.  He was trolling pushers and said the action was so hot, he couldn’t believe it: Especially when there were no other boats around.  Seth has also been having fun off North-west reef with some amazing sessions with sharks that he could see swimming around in the crystal-clear waters.

Keen staff members Ben and Nick had some fun with mackerel on poppers with over forty hook ups, but none kept for the day out.  They also caught a small giant trevally (sounds contradicting, I know, but that’s their name!) and gold spot trevally. This action all happened in the waters surrounding the islands in the gulf, while on the way home they got in to some cobia late in the afternoon: not bad for a day off!

It’s really lovely to get feedback from people who have had a great experience in Exmouth.  However, it’s also good to get any feedback regarding service, fishing or experiences in general.  If you have any comments to give us at anytime, we welcome it and encourage it to improve our service and your experience. 

Exmouth Marlin

Exmouth Marlin

One customer, Charlie Saykao sent us this weeks pic and these comments. “Hi Bluewater Staff. Just wanted to say thanks for putting us on the right spot. My brother (from Melbourne), two cousins (from Brisbane and Sydney) and I (from Albany) came into the store last Saturday to ask for some info and stock up on some lures and gardies. We had an awesome time. It was unbelievable as we managed not to land 1 but 2 marlin in the 5 days fishing. Along with dozens of Spanish mackerel and tunas.  It was all our first time chasing big game on my trusty 5.8m Pacemaker. Our magic skirt was a purple richter glassy. Attached a photo that I am hoping you can use as part of your monthly update. Once again thanks. Regards Charlie“

permalink | trackback

Posted by Helen Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Fishing Reports | No Comments »