North West Island Red Session - by East of the Capricorn
Firstly, a bit about the skipper - Stu, Stu targets Reds! Meaning Red Emperor and having lived in Gladstone Queensland now for the past 35 years, Stu has his spots! So needless to say his freezer is always stocked with Emperor fillets for the evening cook ups.


There was a little chop on the water at north entrance, so not perfect, but still very manageable as the Haines ploughed through at 21 knots. We had a bit over two hours of travelling time before we arrived at where we would begin to fish, a spot off North West Island!
There is something about arriving at a fishing location where a tropical island is visible, and the early morning flight of the sea birds can be seen as they head out to catch their breakfast and food for their young. The wind was abating, and was now down to about 8 knots, so everything was looking better and better.
As the GPS alarm announced our arrival at Stu’s secret spot, all eyes were on the sounder. Then right on queue the depth started to drop and fern was visible on the edge of the drop off. Matt flew up to the bow ready for Stu’s call to drop anchor, and set the anchor in a depth of about 53 metres (Thank god Stu had a bouy to lift the anchor, as I am sure Matt would of had a heart attack lifting it from that depth!).
As Matt came around the cab from the bow he saw Stu locked on to a good fish as the bugger was quick to throw a bait on, and get it to the bottom! After some blistering runs and Stu’s arms looking like they had been lengthened by at least 6 inches, we had colour! A damn shark, of about 6 or 7 foot came up from the depths! As Stu started re-rigging, my bait sailed down the depths to the bottom.

Then as colour appeared Stu dived for the leader and dropped on board a nice 11 kg Red for Matt! Then the grin appeared on Matts face and it was priceless, he was one very happy fisho! (As we all would be if we’d just landed a 11 kg Red Emperor!) Matt baited up again and sent his rig sailing back to the bottom for another round. As Matt now had a chance to look around he said to Stu,” check out the weather”. The wind had dropped and was now zero! How much better could this day get? Red on the deck and no wind, perfect!


Would give my left nut for one of those!
ReplyDeleteGreat fish fellas, well done!
now that is fishing. well done guys.
ReplyDeleteNice fish Lozzer, next time I'm up in Gladstone guess where we are heading. Cam
ReplyDeleteNice fish Lozzer, when are you taking me!!
ReplyDeleteWell done fellas, almost as nice as my big red old man snapper ;)
ReplyDeleteCheers Robbie