The
2 week up at DOUBTLESS Bay, there were high expectations for some great fishing. Haven�t had much chance lately due to the young family. The Ramco was rearing to go, purchased a mountain of bulk burley and bait plus the new soft bait set up I got for Christmas (never fished these before).
First trip out on the second day, the boys had organized a little fishing comp between three boats as you do after a few rums, up at 5.00am and we were off to new rock on the other side of Hihi were we staying. The weather was perfect flat calm. Decided for a drift, the SP rigged with a 5� Sardine jerk shad, cast in front of the boat tried to work out if it had got to the bottom or not? Went to give it the first jiggle in and bang fish on!!! It was pulling a far bit of three kilo braid, after a few minutes a nice fat 4 pound snapper came on board, I was rapped these soft plastics work?
Kept up the drifting, still had trouble working out when the SP was on the bottom? Caught about 10 more fish of every species imaginable, none target unfortunately but great fun for this first SP timer.
Tried another couple of spots but the fishing was very slow, me mate using baits hadn�t had a nibble. Finished up pretty much that way till mid morning when we through the towel in, waited for the other two boats to come back and surprise surprise we had caught the only snapper and one the competition (still waiting for the bottle of rum?)
A few days latter after a friend dropping in and giving us an 18.5 pound snapper!!! We were off to where they had landed a lot of similar fish to this one. North of Karikari Peninsular, this time with the wife and Two kids under 2???, again the weather was fantastic, went out to where a few birds had taken up residence after feeding and all hell broke loose, every bait (pilchard) was being hammered just before the bottom 15 snapper in about one hour all between 4-9 pounds on the six kilo rig was great fun, tied the SP set up towards the end and landed a horse of a Kawhai. The snapper had given up the bite by then. Wonderful morning fishing and the first time out for the kids which they seemed to love.
All in all a great holiday, no trophy fish to report on unfortunately, but everyone was finding the fishing in the bay challenging. Loved the SP just need more practice?? I guess it takes a wile to get used to a new stile of fishing.
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