Had some fuel barged around the coast a couple of weeks ago, and left Buff Creek high tide last Tuesday 1st, Cup Day, at 8am.Had good seas to Cape Don doing that 150kms in 4 hours just cruising...Turned a bit ugly around the corner so we pulled up at Port Essington for a camp.Headed off early to fish some offshore bommies we found 4 years ago, and caught some nice Mangrove Jacks, along with some big Maori Seaperch and good sized Coral Trout.
It blew constant but was bearable, especially as the average trout were much bigger than what we usually get here.We were getting a good trout each drop early, then smaller stuff then we would have a move, and try another bommie.
We camped in a small bay 2nd night, and hit the reefs again around lunchtime as it was too blowy early. The trout were on the chew again , most liking Red throat Emperor fish baits, over pillies or even whole squid.Next time we will try getting some lives with the bait jig, as we did get reefed by half a dozen bigger trout, managing to only get one out that got home- and hope they may get even bigger on livies.
Had a troll for a macky on the way back but got zilch, although we couldn't complain after 40 trout in a day and a half bottom bashing, and we had a nice breeze to rock us to sleep 3rd night.Saw some promising mack country heading in which will be worth a go next time......
Refuelled and hit the sea Friday early, and tried a few marks near Condor , that fish better at night, and didn't set any records, so in flat seas decided we had had a good run , and anchored off Hotham for a feed of Goldies . Got up early and tried for a few more , but could only catch a nice feed of blue salmon , which were really thick, until the resident sharks adjusted their attitude, so we called it a day and steamed back thru the Vernons to Shoal Bay at high tide again.
Will hopefully do another trip early Dec if the weather is good, was a hike but was worth it, although you wouldn't want to cop rough seas, or it'd be a long run home-we will allow a couple of extra days again and come back early if we have had fun rather than push it.Was a good trip to remember......

good report mate.

lovely country out that way and clear water.

some excellent trout there. cant complain about those.

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Nice Trout
cheers

Interesting trip and some cracker fish. Sounds like a run that might be on the cards.

Question. Where did you get the fuel dropped off at? And what were the costs associated with it?

cheers.

cracker trout ....well done

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Got the fuel barged to Seven Spirit Bay at about $80 a 44 gallon drum x 3 drums so roughly $250.Bit pricey but we needed it there so ..........And it was worth organising it and the manager there couldn't have been more helpful....

Stonker trout!! but bit of a typo there.. or where can i get 44,s for $80?? i,ll have 10 thanks

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Nah Jersy I think cuddlescooper was wanting freight costs not full drum prices ol mate...Filled and freighted was just under $500 a drum

Ah.. that makes sense SS. Like you say pricey but worth it by the looks. Some cracker fish. How big is your boat and how many K,s for the trip?

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It is a 7.3m centre cab plate ally thing mate and I think we did just on 700 km that run

Nice..got a mate coming up June-July in a 6 mnth old 7.3 whitepointer. We normally head over Bathurst but i,ll give him the tip on that area as well. Cheers

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Cheers for the reply Seastorm. Good work!

No worrries Cuddlescooper-and Jersy I think you would want to pick your weather spot on mate, especially in June-July like you are talking.It is a bit of a hike , and that is a fairly rugged 300 km dirt track if you go the other way and tow in. Now is probably the time by sea.Have a look at Cape Don to Cape Wessel on BOM, it is pretty consistently more wild than town.2.5-3m stuff most of the time mate....

Looks like an awesome trip with some cracker fish mate!!

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