Hervey Bay Offshore Fishing
The waters off Qld's Fraser Island are a favourite fishing spot of mine - because you can catch a great mix of northern and southern species.
I'm heading out aboard Tasman Venture 2. Skipper Lloyd Burgess knows all the local hot spots, and first stop is a raid on the reef fish.
We're bottom bashing in about 80m of water, sending down a combo of squid baits, mullet and hussar flesh.
The bottom here is nice and reefy, so you never know what you'll catch.
I'm only about halfway up. Using a 50 pd braid, so it can handle whatever hits, a nice little two speed and 24 kilo stick, in case one of the big fish comes along.
A lovely red throat emperor to start proceedings.
Lloyd reckons red throat school up in big numbers around this reef, and can grow up to 5 kilo. Looks like we've hit a patch.
Local fisho Sid Boschammer's joining me today… and he's using one serious alvey. It makes quick work of landing these bottom dwellers.
Also having a win this morning is Vicki Neville. She's normally aboard as a guide when the Tassie Venture does whalewatching tours. But today, she's checking out a few smaller marine dwellers - like this lovely pearl perch.
Pearlies dive straight for the depths once they're hooked… so they'll give you a run for your money.
Red emperor are also a great fighting fish… And Danielle is having a battle with a raging red.
These shoals off Fraser Island are certainly living up to their reputation… We've scored a truckload of reef fish… And this is a great way to end the afternoon - a couple of beautiful brown maori cod.
Their name comes from the wavy brown markings that look like the tattoos of a proud Maori warrior.
Brown Maori will often sprint suddenly in a chase for your lure or bait.
But the fun's not over yet…As night falls.. the pearl perch hot up. That massive eye means they're great nightfeeders.
Sid's onto a more southern species…A beaut snapper. This old mate's probably close to 30 years old… with a very well-developed hump.
Looks like Sid's on a roll with the big boys… next fish, a lovely spangled emperor…
Next morning I'm out off Hervey Bay with the team from Tasman Venture - and we've spotted a great bit of structure.
This big buoy behind us lies NW of Fraser about 40km. Big sand spit runs back to Fraser and this is the only structure for miles.
It's a great fish attracting device and allows boats to get out of Hervey Bay to Gladstone because the Sandspit is dangerous in huge swell.
We're targetting dolphin fish - because they love to hang out around floating structure. So out goes the burley.
Dolphin fish feed so readily you can use anything to catch em. Try troll past this big buoy little rapala, magnum in red & white, see if we can get em up.
While Sid and I have a go with the lures… Sid's son Jarrad tries the flyrod… And its not long before a dolphin fish is flying too!
I tell ya - this has to be one of the most exciting ways to catch these mighty fighting fish.
The lures don't seem to be having much luck at the moment…So Jarrod shows me a special bait rig, using fresh garfish. He pulls the flesh away from backbone so they swim naturally.
Here we go… Sid has first strike.
Usually one big male dolphin fish swims with a harem of females.
We're after that big bullfish… but Sid's landed a young female.
Male or female - they're amazing acrobats. Jarrad's having a great day on the garfish.
This lively lady can't wait to get back out of the boat! Well no bull fish - but a heap of action…
It's a great time of day to do some trolling. Reefs beneath us, with 20m of water so we've set up 3 rigs. A Halco trembler and two rapala lures on the right.
We're cruising in and out of the coral bombies… and first fish to feed is a nice green jobfish - pretty common in these waters.
Vicki's been a bit quiet, but this mac tuna's giving her curry…
Mac tuna are real speedsters - they run like fury when they're first hooked.. so you have to gradually wear them out.
Well the day's almost over - and I've had a bit of a shocker… Although it feels like I might be making a quick comeback.
A hefty gold spot trevally… thanks mate. You've made my day.
The team from Tasman Venture can take you fishing on the Fraser Island Shoals or around many of the islands in the region.
Tasman Venture II has also been operating whalewatching cruises around Hervey Bay since the industry began.
For more info on fishing or whalewatching cruises, phone their freecall number or look at the website.
Virgin Blue flies to the Sunshine Coast daily and Hervey Bay is an easy drive from there.
Check out all the sensational fares at virginblue.com.au or call 13 67 89.
