So decided to ignore the weather forecast and entered Bonze's Skins tournament at the club last week.
Only four trailer boats entered this year so we knew we were already being pretty intrepid.
I did a bit of a recce Monday and Tuesday and had a great plan which the weather put paid to. First two days stayed close south of the Knights down to the Coppermine. Saw a few fish in pretty nasty conditions but couldn't buy a bite that didn't come from a toothy thing. Spent second day pulling livies out of makos' mouths before they could snap shut.
Third day and while the forecast was the worst of the three days we decided to go for the doctor and get into blue marlin country. After a two hour slog we were at the K Patch and started zigging and zagging our way wider. Crew were wet and a little over the 3.5m walls of water when the green bottles took effect and we decided to keep fishing for the day.
Decision paid off at 1300 when the D Shackle on the long rigger got hoovered (we had 3 D Shackles out as they were working best in the conditions). Figured it wasn't a marlin after the first short run. Figured it wasn't a shark after the second scorching but short run. Sure enough after a bit of deep circling up pops a nice 30kgish yellowfin.
Crew were stoked with this, better than a stripey as far as they were concerned and I concurred.
Huge effort from the crew who braved the **** for so long for this fish, Brian's first landed yellowfin and the biggest for the boat so far.
Epic effort from all the boats who braved the conditions, especially the trailer boats. Amazing test for my boat too.
Huge congrats to the WDSAC and the Bonze crew for an amazing tournament.
.
Stu