Sunday morning with Macca. 31Aug14

TR by sunshiner


Wind: gentle SW early, dropping to calm by 0900
Swell: 1m SE
Water temp: 20°C
Current: at Jew Shoal, slight SW-NE
Launch point: Middle Groyne
Participants: macca, sunshiner
Keen Angler Program: N/A

Today was to be the day. Macca was determined to do his first launch into the open ocean on his yak. Several emails had passed between him and me recently, each from him containing a carefully considered question about beach launches and fishing at Jew Shoal and each of my replies contained a carefully considered response. Macca, like many of us, can only fish on weekends and, if you've been following the weather, you'll have noticed that very few weekends lately have coincided with weather suitable for offshore kayak fishing. But several days ago we bookmarked Sunday 31Aug as a strong possibility and the forecast proved accurate.

So that is how I came to be on the beach at Middle Groyne at 04:50 this morning. I'd arrived slightly early for our agreed rendezvous and was checking that conditions were suitable -- they were. It was now that I encountered a long tailed marsupial scampering on the beach, its gleaming eyes reflecting the beam of my head torch. I've seen ringtail possums with their distinctive and long white-tipped tails clinging to the branches of trees in the carpark on several occasions but this was the first I'd seen cavorting on the beach. It sought refuge in the casuarina clump adjacent to the lifesaver station and possibly is still there even now, awaiting darkness before venturing back to the treeline fringing the beach.

Paul, for that is macca's real name, turned up on time. We went through the formalities in semi-darkness, meeting face to face for the first time and then turned to the main task, unloading and prepping our yaks. This didn't take long but I think macca will be quicker next time, and probably will have a little less equipment.

Soon our yaks were both on the beach with just enough light to make it easy for me to describe the launch scenario, gutter, back paddling etc.

As I said, maybe macca will have a little less gear gear next time.

Today's launch was as easy as it gets and I sent macca off first and watched him dry-bum it after back paddling a little in the hole to allow a small breaker to pass through.

Macca in the channel

Soon we were together out the back. I was delighted to hear that Paul had a brand new Icom M-23 VHF radio. Callsign? Nope! Nickname? Nope! Pointing out that we already have four or five yakkers whose first name is Paul, I suggested that we call him macca in recognition of his Scottish ancestry as indicated by his surname. It was settled, for the time being at least; macca it was.

Macca setting up as the horizon gets ready to showcase the sun.

As you can see, beautiful conditions. We pretty much had the whole bay to ourselves, too. Jew Shoal is a good starting point for newbies, being far enough but not too far and so we set out for The Pinnacles, which we reached at about 7:00am. Sad to say, by 9:00am neither of us had received any attention from fish. There were a few big and noisy predator splashes early on, and a few tuna put in an appearance about 8:00 am. A large accumulation of the usual baitfish was visible onscreen in the shallows of the shoal, apparently not bothered by any predators. Oh and a sea snake popped its head up to take a look at me at one stage. Turtles, yes, plenty, but no whales or dolphins. Accordingly I opted to head for home. Macca decided to fish on. I hope he eventually bagged a snapper or two.

Macca fishes on. Good luck, macca.

So, I donutted August (but, in my defence, I only had one opportunity to fish).

Kev Long
Sunshiner
Author Kayak Fishing Manual for iPad and Mac (click linked text to view)
Stealth Supalite X, yellow/orange

Pedro solo at Jew Shoal. 27Aug14

TR by Pedro
Wind: 10 knots SW early turning SSE 12 knots
Swell: 1-1.5m SE
Current: gentle N to S
Launch point: Middle Groyne
Participants: Pedro

There was a big difference in wind predictions with Wind guru, willy, seabreeze all saying doable while BOM put out a strong wind warning.

Woke at 4am and checked radar. DIP was gusting at 17 knots but I was keen to go as it had been 16 days.

Launched about 6.30am, late for me as I wasn't packed the night before. There was a decent swell with some sand dredging taking place on the bigger ones. I took my time and made it easy, getting a bit wet punching through the last wave.

Jew Shoal certainly wasn't firing, although I did manage to bag two snapper each between 40/50cm and a grassie about 38. All were caught on lightly weighted pilchard while drift fishing. Other baits, including a live bait, went untouched.

Landing was no problem -- timed it well between sets, which was lucky as I had Sunshiner with the camera on the rocks.

Pedals stowed, bending the paddle shaft. Pic and caption by sunshiner

Just checking… Pic and caption by sunshiner

Pic by sunshiner

Pedro

Sweeties at Jew Shoal 11Aug2014

TR by Tunny

Trip date: 11 Aug 2014

Participants: Pedro, Diesel, Mahatma, Stormin, Tunny

Launch Site:  MG

Destination:  Jew Shoal

Conditions: 5-8 knots, 1 metre swell, slight NE current

Keen Angler Program: none

Having fished the Noosa River the previous night I opted for a launch at the leisurely hour of 6am.  As I arrived at 5.30 to unload, Diesel was heading down to the beach.  He informed me that Pedro had already headed out.  Mahatma then arrived, followed by Stormin with his brand new Stealth Profisha 475 which he had tested in the river but yet to take in the sea.  The launch was not difficult, and we headed for Jew Shoal.  I trolled a large pilchard while Mahatma and Stormin opted for hard bodied lures.  There was no surface action and no interest in any of the baits or lures.  The only marine life visible was a huge number of jellyfish which at times we could feel hitting the bottom of the kayaks.  I stopped briefly to take an underwater photo of the Jellyfish before continuing to Jew Shoal.

Only signs of life for most participants - Jellyfish at Jew Shoal

As we approached Jew Shoal Pedro radioed to say that he had caught a sweetlip while Diesel had a bream.  I did a few circuits with the pilchard in tow, then switched to jigging soft plastics without success.  Mahatma caught some undersize reef fish which he released while Pedro’s persistence was rewarded with a second Sweetlip estimated at 40cm.

Overall a fun day out – now we just need the wind to die down for the next trip!

Moon river 10Aug2014

TR by Tunny

Trip date: 10 Aug 2014

Participants: Redwood, Tunny

Launch Site:  Munna Point Caravan Park

Destination:  Lower river / river mouth

Conditions: full moon, high incoming tide, 5-8 knot winds

Keen Angler Program: none

Tunny with full moon rising

With full Moon came the urge to do some river fishing!  As high tide at Munna Point was due at 8.30 pm, and low tide at 3.50 am we were faced with the choice of a really late night trip for optimum fishing conditions on the falling tide or go early evening and fish the incoming to high tide.  We took the more comfortable choice and launched at 5 pm.  As I had previously caught Tailor in Woods Bay on the rising tide I thought this would be a reasonable option.  From the caravan park we headed towards the nearby sand bar where a tinny fisherman had just landed a bream.  I tried drifting with a gladiator prawn, followed by paddling back with my gold bomber which is looking well chewed from previous encounters with Hairtail.  There was no surface action and no interest in either lure. 

Redwood decided to head off towards Munna Bridge towing a gold bomber.  Unfortunately this tempted a large pelican which either became hooked on the gold bomber or had the line tangled around its wing.  Despite the full moon it was impossible to see how the bird was attached to the line or where it was hooked.  Redwood radioed me for help and while I was on my way he contacted  Wildlife Rescue.  But before they could send someone to assist the line snapped and the pelican was gone.  I guess the lesson we learnt from this is reel in your lures before passing close to pelicans.

We continued fishing for about an hour.  We both had tiny fish nibbling on gladiator prawns and other soft plastics but hooked nothing.  At about 8pm I hooked a small Trevally.  With no further bites we packed up around 8.30 pm

Tunny's single small Trevelly caught on a bomber

Redwood - View from Munna sandbank looking west - stinky next to us picked up a few bream but nothing wanted our gladiator placcies.

Redwood - View looking east toward the mouth. Specs in the sky are birds but not sure of species. I'm mostly only interested in one species of bird.

On the board. 31Jul14

TR by sunshiner

Wind: gentle NW at first, then strengthening to 10-15 knots N
Swell: less than 1m NE
Water temp: 20°C
Current: at Doggie Beach reef, none
Launch point: Doggie Beach
Participants: sunshiner
Keen Angler Program: Donated 1 fish

Here it was, the last day of July and I hadn't caught a keeper, despite several attempts and plenty of light wind days. The fish seem not to be around in sufficient numbers where we kayakers can reach them. However, one of the few benefits of being an old codger is that there's more spare time, theoretically. And today my time was indeed "spare" and the weather was looking good. The wind stayed light and I decided around 11:00 to set up for a Doggie Beach launch. My quest was to get myself on the board for July and as yet, this month, I hadn't tried Doggie Beach reef so that was my destination.

Car parking is often an issue at Doggie Beach and today I had to resort to parking in the side street just west of, and uphill from, the carpark. Never mind, at least unassisted loading and unloading is easier in this area.

Unbelievably flat, eh? But never, ever, become blasé about launching or returning at Doggie Beach.

Easy launch, probably needless to say, and a few minutes later I was paddling east toward one of my marks at Doggie Beach reef, about 1500m away. A couple of stinkies were visible at first and by the time I reached my mark the breeze had started to pick up from the north.

Here the depth was 27m and there were a few shows on the sonar so I set my drogue, which filled immediately, and started a drift with the breeze toward the south. I had a pillie hanging out the back about 10m down and was using a 1/2 ounce jighead with a SP, casting downdrift, and over-running the jig as it fell toward the bottom. My first drift went 700m, with depth gradually reducing to 21m, before I decided to turn back and do it again as there had been quite a bit of sonar display right near the bottom. The slog back was straight into a strengthening breeze but had to be done, and anyway I need the exercise.

On only the second cast of the second drift, and only 150m from the start point the jig was grabbed, the rod bent and I let out a whoop. This was obviously a keeper.

42cm snapper, very welcome aboard, today.

Next fish:

The smallest grinner I've seen, I think. The only one I hooked today.

Anyway, having got no further action by the end of the third drift I decided to head in. By now the breeze from the north was quite stiff and was pushing some waves onto Doggie Beach. It was also low tide and as a result the swell was occasionally breaking on the outer bank, although there were long time gaps between white water events. As I always do, I packed everything away below deck. Anyway I was congratulating myself on picking the gap on the outer bank and was heading for Doggie Beach's notorious shorebreak when the wave of the day came through. I heard it roaring behind me as it broke on the bank but by then I was in the deeper water and let it slide under me. I probably should have waited in the deeper water but pressed on only to find that the the big wave was part of a set and I was in the shore break zone with a large wave looming and curling behind me. For the first time in ages at Doggie Beach I was rolled when the bow went down and hit the sand and the yak and I parted company.

I had my chest cam running and this a cropped frame from the video. Here the bow is about to hit the sand

No harm was done of course, as everything was stowed, but the yak did roll right over and was pushed in to the beach upside down. I mention this as a warning to all to never treat the Doggie Beach shorebreak casually. Always assume that you'll be rolled.


Kev Long
Sunshiner
Author Kayak Fishing Manual for iPad and Mac (click linked text to view)
Stealth Supalite X, yellow/orange

Slow day on Sunshine Reef 26Jul14

TR by Redwood

Trip date: 27 July 2014

Participants: Weeksie, Redwood

Launch Site:  Doggie Beach

Destination:  Sunshine Reef 

Conditions: no wind early, light wind later. 1m swell.

Keen Angler Program: none

I arrived at the doggie beach cark park before 7 and before Weeksie. I checked the launch conditions which were favourable. Weeksie arrived and we both managed to get out easily. I was keen to fish North Sunshine as I'd not done so before and it was only a 2.5km paddle. Weeksie was going to checkout a few marks he had. I headed toward North SSR but found my GPS compass was all over the shop (later fixed this at home by recalibrating the unit), so I changed tac and headed for some boats about 1km east. On the way there were a few surface bust-ups but I couldn't make out the type of fish--looked large, perhaps mullet? I asked one of the stinkies how it was going and they said they could see fish on the sounder but nothing was biting. Not a good sign and looked like the trend of the previous day was continuing, new moon or no new moon. The stinky was pulling anchor as they'd heard the charters and others were fishing wide. They were heading 4km east and I was not about to follow even with the offer of a tow.

I headed out toward North Sunshine and found Weeksie and we fished a mark of his for some time without so much as a touch. Weeksie decided to go and try A-Bay reef and I joined him. The bites did eventually come on around 10am but I was not able to hook-up and lost the only decent encounter of the morning. I landed a grinner and Weeksie a small unknown reefie. The only action was on pillies and bonito, with squid and placcies being ignored.

The green monster had been throttling me for some time as the swell was bigger than forecast and it was very close together. My home made burly of water, banana and acid didn't seem to be drawing the fish so I decided to pack it in and Weeksie did the same.

Sunshiner had been in contact on and off most of the morning and he kindly came down to the beach to help us find a good spot to come in. We both landed without too much drama, only flipping our unmanned yaks on the last shore break.

Weeksie dodging the shore break at Doggie Beach

Redwood going hard trying to stay ahead of the waves

Fishless Four. 25Jul14

TR by sunshiner


Wind: gentle SW early, swinging to a 5knot SE about 0800.
Swell: less than 1m SE
Water temp: 20°C
Current: at Jew Shoal, none
Launch point: Middle Groyne
Participants: jimbo, diesel, josh, sunshiner
Keen Angler Program: N/A

The forecast was spot on, as we discovered, with launch conditions dry-bum easy. Diesel, very keen, was early and so first away, heading strongly for Jew Shoal. In the event, we all had our first baits/lures out at the shoal by just before 0700, having been treated to a brilliant sunrise on the way out.

On my first pass over the shallows to the SW of The Pinnacles I could see on the sonar a huge cloud of bait, stacking up from the bottom to within five metres of the surface. Alas, nothing seemed to be feeding on this smorgasboard, but, as often occurs, there were several longtoms flipping out of the surface nearby.

As mentioned by email earlier, none of us brought any keepers home. Helping to relieve the boredom was a whale which turned up to the east, breaching several times while we watched, but bypassing Jew Shoal on its path northward. And then diesel paddled over to me with a small green turtle occupying the cockpit with him. You guessed it, the turtle had become accidentally hooked in the flipper. Diesel managed to lift it aboard to make sure that it was safely released but I was surprised to see how relaxed the turtle appeared to be, comfortably resting and seemingly enjoying his short journey out of the water. It swam away strongly once diesel nudged it over the side.

We paddled back to Middle Groyne individually and once there encountered scater gazing at us from the wall, sporting a pair of crutches and a very complex splint-thingy on his left leg. Apparently he was injured in a basketball match and will be somewhat disabled for about three months. Our commiserations, Sam.

So, the pesky snapper are still not around. Looks like July has been a very poor month, fish wise. Still, it was nice to get out today and have a go. One of these days the effort will pay off.

Kev Long
Sunshiner
Author Kayak Fishing Manual for iPad and Mac (click linked text to view)
Stealth Supalite X, yellow/orange