17/1/09 - ABT/Hobie Kayak Bream Tournament - Hen & Chicken Bay

Finally the wait was over! History was in the making and it was absolutely sensational to see 43 yakkers turn up. I'm sure there'd have been a few more entrants if that 'slight' breeze had stayed away. Talk about testing weather.

Hobie had organised free drinks for all and I'm sure all anglers were impressed and they quickly realised that this was going to be a fantastic day. The debrief was held at 5:45 am and at 6 am we were off. Our target species - Bream - with a two bag limit and they must be a minimum of 25 cms to the fork to be eligible. Lure and fly only and no trolling.

I had a few plans up my sleeve and when I noted the wind direction, I headed into Exile Bay hoping to pick up a couple over the weed beds. I started off with a Gulp 2" shrimp in Banana, rigged on a 1/20th jighead with 4lb leader. I'd cast with the wind and slowly lift the lure and let it drop back, keeping an eye on my line for a take at any stage. I landed my first at 6:20am but Aaarrggh, only 24 cms so back she goes. Ten minutes later I get another that's 21 cms then straight after that I get one that's bang on 25! Beauty, I'm on the board.

Great camaraderie was the order of the day as there were about eight or nine of us all fishing away and chatting and generally having a ball (as much as could be had with the 20-25 knot gusts, anyway.) An hour later (after another three just undersize), I get one that's 26 cms and that's my bag. This guy fell to a TT Switchblade in gold. Time to upgrade.

I moved off to the marinas and found another dozen or so yakkers trying to get out of the wind. Thirty meters in front of me I see Gary C hook up and it's a cracker that looked about 40 cms to me. Lots of well dones from everyone nearby but as soon as he was out of earshot it was 'You lucky bastard!' All in good jest, mind you and it was great to see some quality fish being landed.

I moved about a bit and managed flatties, whiting, flounder and more undersize bream but that was it for me. Heading home into the wind was fun...NOT, and I stayed relatively dry until I jumped out of the yak at the beach, stood on a slippery rock and went A over T as Steve from Hobie was taking photos. I hope he didn't get that shot!

The weigh-in was great and I think all realised how exciting a live weigh-in is and when Wayne brought up his two thumpers, you should have heard the "Oohs and Ahhs' from the crowd. Kraley was leading up until then, too. Wayne took the first place out easily and all from a Hobie Sport. Go the Sports!

Everyone at this stage was chatting away and it was great to walk up and down the beach and see how others have pimped their yaks. The set-up from Hobie and ABT and Sailing Scene was sensational and the professionalism really shone through with a smooth, fun event had by all. Big thanks to Steve, Steve, Paul and of cause Bazoo, who graciously decided to give us all a chance and stayed on shore looking after the BBQ.

I had a chat with Steve Morgan from ABT afterwards and he was wrapped with the turnout. He said that normally for a first off series they get about 20 entrants, so to have over double that amout was superb. Another interesting fact he revealed was that the average size of bream from the Ausopen held just before this event was 550 grams while us yakkers (being the supremely better anglers ) averaged 610 grams.

I can only see this as being the beginning of great things for the Kayak Tournament Scene. Before we know it, we'll have our own AFC style show with Bream, Bass and Barra (how good would that be) rounds on prime time TV. And we were all there at the start of it. Congratulations to all involved (especially the top 5 that had great bags which included Scott that now has bragging rights! ) and bring on the next tournament! Happy yakkin', everyone!

cheers,

Cid

Squidgie Bream Challenge - Round 3 Hawkesbury

Sorry for the lack of photos (battery died on me) but 51 teams, after lining up at the start (Photo courtesy of http://www.ausbream.com.au/) spread out through Pittwater and the Hawkesbury after 5 breambos! Gary and I had a plan and it was simple - fish the weedbeds at the back of Palm Beach. This spot has been very popular the last few years and it has become known as "The Parking Lot". Today there were about a dozen boats so it wasn't too bad really.

First off we started catching Pike and Long Toms. Then a Snapper, then a Whiting...then a Flathead. Sheesh! Are there any bream down there? At the top of the tide, we moved off hoping to find a few before we returned when the tide started running out.

We found a small reef and Gary hooked up to a good fish. Nice strong runs, definately not a Flattie but also definately not a Bream when we saw it. Bloody Luderick! Nice at 35 cms but useless to us. A few casts later and just a few feet from the surface, a King screams up from the depths, grabs Gary's Switchblade and zooms back off. The next ten minutes I listened to Gary yelling 'Give me my lure back!', which he finally achieved.

The tide turned so we went back to the weed beds. It was 10:45 am and we still hadn't seen a bream. 10:46 am and Gary hooks up and it's numero uno in the live well. Ten minutes later, I add number two which is followed 5 minutes after that by the third, courtesy of Gary. Fifteen minutes and 3 fish, that's more like it.

We were using Gulp 2" Shrimps in Banana or Peppered colours as well as Squidgie Lobbys in the grenade colour, all rigged on 1/24 oz TT jigheads. I feel a tentative tap and set the hook into some solid weight. This guy screamed off and I was done and dusted within 5 seconds. Ooh, that was a beauty. But I make up for it a few minutes later with our fourth. Just one to go but the conditions are deteriorating, with the wind really kicking up now. Five minutes of fishing time left and I'm busted up by another good fish! Aaaarrggghhhh.

That was it for us and our bag went 2.404 kgs, which wasn't bad for 4 fish. The winners had 3.786 kgs for 5 fish, with two of the fish just under a kg each. Real bruisers. Overall we came 8th and were only out of the top 5 by 400 grams.

ABT/HOBIE Kayak Bream Tournament - Bayview Park, saturday, 17th January.

Just a reminder that this weekend sees Sydneys first ever Kayak only Bream Tournament on Hen & Chicken Bay. I know many yakkers have been waiting years for these to eventuate and now they're here, lets give them the support needed to see this format grow. If we can get close to 100 entrants, then the fishing magazines and tackle suppliers will see what a real force we kayakers are with regards to the fishing industry which will only bode well for the yakking fraternity.

Any type of kayak can enter and for rules and entry forms, please visit http://www.bream.com.au/. The comp starts at 6am and weigh-in is at 12pm, so even if you don't want to compete, come on down and meet some fellow yakkers and check out some of the pimped rides.

Hen & Chicken Bay holds some quality bream and there are a multitude of areas to target, from flats, to weed beds and moored boats and marinas. Plenty of room for lots of kayaks and there should be some great fish weighed in at the end of the day. I can't wait! Good luck to all the competitors and I'll see you down there. Come up and say hi. Happy yakkin', everyone!

cheers,

Cid

Botany Bay - 27/12/08 & 30/12/08

Back to work and I've had a complete break from technology, which is why there hasn't been a report for a while. During the break I made it out a few times, mostly getting in practice for the bream comps coming up, especially the ABT/Hobie tournament that will be held at Hen & Chicken Bay on the 16th January. I've been waiting for a dedicated kayak comp for years and I can't wait for this very first one in Sydney. I hope there will be a good turn-out to support it.

Terry and I ventured out just after Christmas and tried for a few kings around the HWO. No luck there, so we went spinning for flatties instead. We managed 4 each up to 52 cms so it turned out to be a fairly good session.

On the 30th December, Terry, Lachlan and I made our way out to Towra Point. On the way Lachlan trolled up his first pike and if we'd have been fishing for jewies, he'd have been prime live-bait (the pike that is, not Lachlan). Lucky for him, we were after flatties and bream, so back he went. We'd no sooner arrived at our destination when Lachlan said he didn't feel well. There goes the fishing, so 'See ya, Terry' we say, and head back to shore. We didn't end up missing out on much though as Terry only picked up two flatties, a trevally and a bream.

Twice I've fished the flats and weed beds just out from Oyster Bay this year and picked up a few bream and half a dozen flatties each time. No real size to the bream but the flatties were close to 50 cms, with the best landed going 56 cms. I lost an absolute croc that would have been close to 80 cms when it shook its head at the side of the yak just out of the nets reach and sawed through the 6lb leader. I'd have let her go anyway, so I'll count it as a capture. Close enough is near enough. : )

This weekend Gary and I are fishing the 3rd round of the Squidgie Bream Series up on the Hawkesbury River. Stay tuned for the report next week. Happy yakkin', everyone.

cheers,

Cid

Parramatta River - 14/12/08 & Oyster Bay - 21/12/08

Squidgie Bream Challenge Round 2 - Parramatta River

While Gary sat and drank bourbons in the pool on Hamilton Island, Terry and I braved the 30 knot winds (again!) for a rather unspectacular bag. We only managed 2 fish and didn't even crack the top 20. Sure, we lost a few crackers but the only fish of note landed was a nice whiting of 40 cms that Terry picked up with ten minutes to go.

Oh, and Terry did hook a monster...the only trouble was that the monster was him. Ouch! Right in past the barb and it took him about 20 minutes of cursing, crying and yelling to get the hook out. Makes me wonder how the fish get off so easily sometimes.

Oyster Bay - Lachlans 1st fishing trip

I remember a family holiday at Nords Wharf on Lake Macquarie when I was four years old and the days were spent with my father, drifting around in a tinnie, catching bream, flathead, whiting and blue swimmer crabs. That holiday was golden and my dad instilled in me a love for fishing that will be with me forever.

I felt that my son, Lachlan, who is four, was ready to come out in the yak and I'd attempt to get him hooked on this wonderful lifestyle we lead. He was a bit sceptical when I woke him at 5 am but was keen to get in the yak as soon as we reached Oyster Bay.

Drifting the flats with one lure out the back and casting ahead with the other (I'd cast and Lachlan would wind in), it didn't take long to get a hit and Lachlan was ecstatic. This was no record breaker but it bought back those fond memories again as this was the same type of fish that I'd caught for the first time all those years ago. A bream! Not legal but Lachlans eyes were wide with wonder and he readily accepted why we had to put him back.

Over the next two hours, I had the best fishing session ever. Not because we caught the most fish or the biggest but because I was there with Lachlan, teaching him what had been taught to me by my dad and watching him get excited over the same things all us anglers do. After 3 fish, he wanted to land them on his own and I was surprised when he managed it, too.

The final tally for the day was 8 fish - 6 to Lachlan and 2 to Dad, with four keepers (3 flatties and 1 bream). Back home he couldn't wait to show off his fish and was grinning like a Cheshire Cat when Grandpa took some snapshots.

We snuck out again for a quick session this arvo and landed a hefty flattie that went close to 60 cms which was closely followed by another about 40 cms. When we'd packed up and finished putting the kayak away he said, "When are we going again, Dad?"

It looks like I've got a new fishin' buddy.

Unfortunately my father died 17 years ago but I know he'd get just as big a buzz out of seeing Lachlan enjoying himself as I do. I never said it at Lake Macquarie when I was four but I'll say it now.

Thanks, Dad.

Happy yakkin', everyone and may you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

cheers,

Cid

Botany Bay - 8/12 to 12/12/08

I made it out for another few sessions this week but do you think I could land a legal Kingfish (65 cms)? The closest I came was 63 cms (about 4 times) but I did get smoked twice. I caught up with a few different guys out there and on friday morning there was ten of us bobbing around out there.

Once again they were hitting anything thrown. Poppers (from small to HUGE), SP's (all colours and types) and even metal slices. There'd be a frenzy of action for a few minutes then it'd go all quiet again. Then someone would hook up, and another two or three guys would get crunched as well.

Andrew (Rebel1 from AKFF) had been out most days and had a blinder with DaveyG where they landed about twenty each with Davey getting the biggest at 80 cms. But Andrew went out again this morning for zip. Not even a hit. Funny creatures these fish.

No Kingie action for me this weekend as it's the 2nd round of the Squidgie Bream comp. It's being launched from Bayview in hen and Chicken Bay and there should be over forty teams again which will make for a challenging day. Add the forecast wind and the murky water from the torrential rain we've just had, and it'll be doubly challenging!!!

Gary is up on Hamilton Island (catching Coral Trout, the swine) so I'm partnering with Terry for this one. Let's hope I can pull my finger out and land a couple this time. Happy yakkin, everyone.

cheers,

Cid

Botany Bay - 29/11/08 & 2/12/08

After last weeks efforts, it was pretty obvious where we were going to try next time. Saturday morning was just as calm in the grey light as wednesday but the obvious difference were the amount of boats zooming about. Terry was first off with a cast and straight away he hooks up. My cast is only a few seconds later and ditto, I'm on, too. These guys although spirited, were obviously undersize so it was quickly into the yak and back into the water for them.

Next cast and we both hook up again. Woo Hoo! Slightly bigger but still only about 60 cms. And that was it with the poppers (I find as soon as it's gets light they go a bit deeper), so we change to the Mojos. All up we managed about 6 each with two big reefings to our credit. No legals but great to see such healthy stocks of fish about.

I'm sure they went off the bite early due to the amount of power boat traffic. What really cheesed us off was a guy that raced straight over to where we were fishing before cutting the engine, then he rattled around with his anchor chain before tossing it over. If there had of been any kingies left in the area, they certainly weren't here now. : ( We gave it another 5 minutes without a touch and headed for home.

This morning I just had to have another quick flick and was greeted by two other yakkers already fishing, Andrew and Kevin (hi guys). They were also getting stuck into the kings and it was triple hookups a lot of the time. Once again they were mainly rats, such as Andrews here, but at least there were plenty to go around. No power boats to put them off and it was action aplenty until 6 am when they shut down. We floated about chatting for a ten minutes or so when ZZzzzzzzzzzzz, we're all away again.

I hooked my biggest for the day (felt like a beauty, too) on the last cast but the swine busted me off on something. Biggest I landed today went 63 cms, so I was only 2 cms off a legal one. I really do need to get some heavier gear as the 15 lb braid just doesn't cut it sometimes. I hope the weather holds for another early morning session this week. Happy yakkin, everyone!

cheers,

Cid

Georges River - 23/11/08 & Botany Bay - 26/11/08

Squidgie Bream Challenge

25-30 knot winds with gusts up to 40 knots. Sensational breamin' weather...NOT! These conditions completely stuffed any ideas that Gary and I had of venturing up to the Cooks River. Instead we stuck it out in the Georges which was a battle enough in the wind.

Things started off slowly until we hit some weedbeds that we figured would fish ok with the falling tide. Gary eventually rigged up with a Gulp 2" Banana Prawn and bang!, was on straight away. A few minutes later, he added number two to the well. After about 3 hours I finally get a hit and it's a small flattie. Not long after that I get another take and this one is much better..but it's still a flattie. Very nice size at 65 cms but useless in a bream comp.

As the day wore on, we slowly added bream until we had our 5 bag and even added a couple of upgrades. When I say we, I actually mean that Gary hooked them, I netted them and then put them into the well. I couldn't catch a bream for love nor money. Talk about being a spectator! And with 10 minutes to go I finally hook up to another decent fish but this time it's a whiting that stretches out to 44 cms. Sheesh...

Our (ie Gary's) bag ended up weighing 2.16 kgs which saw us nab 16th place out 41 boats, so not too bad considering the conditions. And to top it all off, two out of the top five boats caught their bream in the Cooks! Aaaarrgghhh.... Sorry Gary, next time I'll do better, I promise. : )

Botany Bay Kingie Madness

I'd heard that there were a few kingies around in Botany Bay so I ventured out for a midweek early morning session. Perfect conditions saw me flicking out an East Coast Popper bang on 5:30 am. Six or seven cranks of the handle and 'BOOF-O', I'm on! At first I thought it was a tailor but a strong run had me thinking that maybe it's a king. I had to go fairly easy with the 6lb braid and eventually I netted a feisty king that was about 60 cms. And first cast too, how sweet is that?

Just in case there were a few more bigger guys about, I upped the tackle to my 15lb outfit and threw out a 6" Mojo SP. Another surface smash knocks the lure flying and I can hardly control myself to fire off the next cast. I let it sink for a fews econds, then get two winds away when I'm on solid. Ooh, this feels like a good 'un. The line zings through the guides and I'm being towed back to the beach. Lot's of surging runs and I keep sideways pressure on him to tire him out. When I eventually see him through the slightly murky water I think, "Yowser, this could be close to a meter!". I make sure he's totally knackered before I tail grab him and haul him into the yak. Woo Hoo! He's a new PB for sure but on closer inspection, I don't think he'll go a meter. In fact, he came in at 89 cms and 5.82 kgs, so I wasn't too far off my estimate.

As I'm re-rigging, a school of kings busts up in front of me, so I throw on an olive green Sluggo this time, seeing if the colour change will make a difference. Another instant hook up, so no, it doesn't make a difference! This one goes about 55 cms and the next one I land is probably about 70 cms. I've already kept the big one which is enough for me, so anything I catch now goes back to grow bigger and wiser.

I change lures again, this time to a Squidgie Slick Rig and it's nailed as well. I continue changing lures and it doesn't matter what I use, they are getting hit. Another angler in a hornet (Brad) had turned up and had landed a few on poppers but they'd stopped hitting them and all he had were 3" plastics which he wasn't having any luck on. I gave him a couple of the Mojo's and he was back into them straight away.

At about 7:45 am they switched off which was my cue to go home. What a session! I'd say I landed about 12 kings between 50-65 cms and 5 between 65-89 cms. Plus I was reefed three times as well by some bigger guys, so I may have to take out some heavier tackle next time. Next time? When will that be? Two parties to go to this weekend sees an early session on saturday or sunday unlikely.. Cough, cough...Ooh, I hope I'm not sick during the work next week... ; ) Happy yakkin', everyone.

cheers,

Cid