Sunrise over Corio Bay |
After launching the boat in the upper reaches of Waterpark Creek at Corbetts Landing we headed down the passage at sunrise. I was fortunate enough to be invited by Daniel and Renee to fish with them for the day in Corio Bay targeting mainly Dusky Flathead, Goldspot Rockcod and Barramundi.
We started by casting our soft plastic lures over a sand flat for the first target fish, dusky flathead. The tackle I was using was my Okuma Flame 30 and my Okuma graphite Travel Spin spooled with Sufix DuraFlex monofilament. It wasn’t long before we were landing flathead around the 35-45cm mark, tagging and releasing them.
The writer's first fish of the day |
After changing locations, we commenced casting our soft plastics at the flathead up close to the banks. Renee was soon hooked up to the largest flathead so far that measured 52cm and had already been tagged. The tag code and fish length was recorded so it could be reported as a recapture.
It was around then that we noticed a couple of other anglers that skillfully landed their small boat directly on top of a shallow sandbar. We were deep into discussion about whether their desired fishing spot was intentional, the answer becoming apparent when they jumped out to push the boat off the sandbar.
Large Flatty caught on the writer's Okuma Combo |
65.5 cm Dusky Flathead tagged and released |
The total catch of the day was 30 dusky flathead, 6 goldspot rockcod, 5 wire net rockcod, 1 barracuda and 1 barramundi. Not a bad day when 36 of the fish are tagged and all the fish are released to live another day.
Thorne loves is Okuma Combos |
Words and Pics: Rhett Thorne - reproduced with permission. Read more of Rhett's fishing adventures at Mad Keen Yak Angling.
We're expecting the big flathead around the Sunshine Coast any day now. They must be a bit late due to the weather at the start of the year.
ReplyDeleteRemember that these big flatties are the breeding females, so only take what you need....
Digger
We tagged and released all the flathead we caught. It is vital for the future of sports fishing to release all of the big breeding fish.
ReplyDeleteWe tagged and released all the flathead we caught and didn't take any fish home. It is vital to the future of sports fishing to release all the big breeders.
ReplyDelete