Oct 5 2011
No: 9 Ribbon Reef
The weather has been awesome since we started, and even a few days of flat calm.
Our first trip was 11 days with the boys from the US, and was very cruisy, with lots of spearing and fishing in the afternoons. We stocked up on bait and dropped off a load of bait in Cooktown for later in the season as well.
The boys really enjoyed their time on the reef this year, and were totally relaxed by the time the trip was over.
Fishing wise, we caught some small ones, and one afternoon after a really long spearing session we put the bait in at the top of No: 3 Ribbon and didnt even go 200 yards, and there she was a nice big one. The fish sat still for a moment, still swimming around, and we snuck up on her pretty close when she realised something wasnt right and took off out to the deep!!!
With some great angling in the Scopinich Chair, we got the leader on a really nice fish and tagged our first big one of the season, a really big fish at 900++.
We are currently fishing the 25th Lizard Island Classic, and with our lady angler Lydie back with us for their 6th season with us !!!!
Starting in Cooktown at lunchtime we just chugged out to the reef catching baits, and getting ready for the week. Our fabulous “chefs” prepared Tasmanian oysters and garlic/ginger Moreton Bay bugs with rice for dinner, a great way to start off the trip.
Saturday morning was a glass out on the reef and we fished down No:10 for the first time this season, and were rewarded with great fishing. Early on we caught a feisty fish about 350 lbs, that just went nuts!!! Jumping all over the place in different directions. Kept going and we fought a nice fish around 700 for a while , only to pull the hook 6″ from grabbing the leader !!!!
By now i was marking lots of fish and we managed to tag another one about 300 for Lydie, and then saw another couple on our way up to the top of No: 10, before we ran into Lizard Island for the tournament briefing.
First day of the comp was totally different conditions, no current like the day before and much slower, we didnt even see one, and pretty slow for the fleet. Day 2 we saw a few , missed a 700 and tagged a 350 for Lydie to put us in 2nd for the ladies division.
Yesterday was frustrating, started off watching the 2 boats next to me tag one each, and we had to listen to the good fishing for a couple of boats on the radio while most of the fleet watched the action too!!!
First day of the comp was totally different conditions, no current like the day before and much slower, we didnt even see one, and pretty slow for the fleet. Day 2 we saw a few, missed a 700 and tagged a 350 for Lydie to put us in 2nd for the ladies division.
Late afternoon we raised a pod of fish , including a real big one and as she was going to eat, the males charged in and took her away to make baby marlins !!! Very frustrating, and then we had a double header, and jumped them both off. Just wasnt our day.
There are definately some big fish around, with big ones being seen everyday.
I have had one of my client pull out, so I have some exceptional time open beginning on Oct 24 and into November, which is always regarded as incredible time for fishing and weather on the GBR. Let me know if you can get away from work and get here to fish with us on TRADITION.
Till next time, Tim
