2006 / Fishing Reports 2005 / 2004

ON THE HOOK” with Ross and Glenn Hunter - 12th of December, 2005

SUMMER BRINGS YELLOWFIN AND MARLIN

Summer is here and with it has come some very good fishing .

We have had some amazing off shore trips with our customers on Broadbill and Billfisher lately Catches of yellowfin tuna nearly every trip as well as encounters with our favourites, the marlin.

Local Bangor angler Peter Beaumanis’is crew managed 10 yellowfin last week and Steve Naza’is group fared well with 8 fish .

Happy anglers with their catch of fin

.Local Sutherland dentist Mandy Kwok’is Father Peter also had a great day with 9 yellowfin .Most fish were trolled on Bloodshot Tuna Hunter lures”and bib less minnows

The reason for the good fishing is a big eddy of 22 to 23 degree water is sitting off Botany Bay and has brought our piscatorial friends with it.

There have been many other groups who have experienced the thrill of tuna fishing … & even although the fish have been on the small side they are still great to eat and the customers love the double and triple hook ups.

Some chose to eat so,me at sea Ah! Sashimi

On our boats we generally allow up to 10 per day then we tag and release the rest ensuring that we set an example of conservation of stock. For our customers.

This way our crews have ample fish for a few meals and we leave plenty for the future generations.

Smiles all round and a damn good barbeque

The good news is that the Federal Government has announced a 170 million dollar buy out of commonwealth long line licences. This will be accepted by many of the long line operators of which there are over 120 registered boats working our east coast. Their catches are falling and they are suffering financially from having to travel long distances to sea to catch the tuna. Fuel burn and lack of catch is seeing the industry in dire straights. Most commercial boat owners, I feel will negotiate this buy out or go broke.

A massive reduction in long lining will see the replenishing of our yellowfin tuna stocks back to how they were prior to the wholesale slaughter by overfishing by long lining

Yellowfin tuna are one of our fastest growing tuna with a life span of about 7 years They do not breed until they are around 3 years old or 30 kilos Therefore if they are left alone with only a few caught by recreational anglers, the stocks will return within a few years.

Billfisher anglers caught a few kings last week

It has been a long haul to get the Federal government to listen to us and I so pleased the Senator Mc Donald has realized that we must protect our fish stocks before they disappear forever.

Congratulations and well done Federal Government

On the inshore reefs, we too have had some great days.

The boys from CRC Civil caught a great catch of snapper, morwong, pigfish and kingfish last week.

Glenn Hunter has been fishing south of Port Hacking for great catches of Blue spot flathead and jackets

Dolphins joined us for a free ride

Hot Press Billfisher caught 7 yellowfin tuna and 12 kilo dolphin fish to day. That is the first dolly for the season so the water is lookin’good…summer’is here and we aren’it complainin’.

We have been fishing the wide oceanic grounds for yellowfin and marlin.and I need not to tell you that there have been some really unpredictable changing weather . Hot summer afternoons can bring violent storms Westerly winds too …the worst of all winds when fishing the wide grounds, especially for small boats

More fin

GET THE WEATHER RIGHT FOR TRAILER BOATS OUT WIDE

During one day last week we observed a 17-foot trailer boat trolling the same area,.we were working.

On that day there was a strong wind warning for westerly winds, the worst wind when returning from an offshore trip.

Peter Kwok's crew had a great day on the tuna I'll bet the wok was fired up back on land

My boat Broadbill is a 40 foot cat and a superb sea boat, she weighs around 12 tonne and on that day we encountered 25 knots when returning to port, this does not worry us too much, just a lot of spray and the occasional thump from the short sharp wind induced sea.

However it is another story in a tiny 17 footer that weighs 600 kg.It is 25 nautical mile of slamming a terrible head sea with every second wave 2 metres high and 2 metres apart. Such a sea can only be negotiated at 6 to 8 knots meaning that it could be a four hour, wet, lonely and frightening trip home, a motor failure during this epic could be fatal… I really do urge small boat owners to be careful.

How it was back then...they will come back

SAFETY CHECK LIST

Do a checklist before you leave port then whilst at sea;

65 kg tuna on a lure in the '80s

I started my career some 45 years ago in small boats I also founded the Marlin Broadbill Boat Company and fished from our 17 foot Billfisher and Broadbill boats for many years, so I do know the dangers associated in fishing wide from small craft .

We have endured 30 knot gales which frightened the tripe out of us leaving us with the thought that we should be more careful next time, we got away with it, but the experience taught us a most valuable lesson……..to be more careful next time.

Glory days gone by...they will return

Since those early days I have seen storm fronts and winds to 100 knots, such winds would blow a small boat off the water out wide……..So please be careful

It is Christmas, the fishing is great, so let’is keep safety foremost in our boating

A Merry and Safe Christmas to all fishos and our customers from the Hunter family.

A young Glenn Hunter with a jumbo in the early '80s

PT STEPHENS ‘06

Whilst we have full books for our three-month migration to Pt Stephens, we still have a few share days available but will be closing the books soon.

You can join us for three exciting days fishing @$950.00 per angler including accommodation.

It is storm fronts like this you do not want to see in a small boat 25 mile to sea

This is a fishing holiday, which you will remember for along time fishing with BROADBILL or BILLFISHER.

Last year we tagged 300 billfish caught swags of Mahi mahi and yellowfin.

ON THE HOOK with Ross and Glenn Hunter - 17th of November, 2005

The past few trips to sea have rewarded our anglers with some great fish ,however none better than Paul Hobb is first gamefish, a 90kg striped marlin .

The big fish was feeding on a school of tuna when our Bloodshot Tuna Hunter lure, being trolled in Broadbill's wake, attracted the marlin.

The hook up was solid and at first I thought it was a yellowfin tuna, however after two hundred and fifty metres disappeared off the big Shimano, I was convinced that we had something of a larger size. We backed up after the fish with a certain amount of haste to retrieve the mass exodus of line.

Billfisher caught a swag of 60cm flatties

The marlin then solved our curiosity by leaping high time and time again to the thrills of all on board.

We tagged and released the big fish after a 35 minute battle which we all enjoyed immensely

The marlin was the first for the season and we were thrilled about that too.

As a skipper of a marlin boat it is a relief and a great thrill to catch and release that first one sort of takes the pressure off a bit.

These days all these great fish are tagged and released, on our boats it is mandatory.

The fact that we have not killed a marlin for over a decade now is something we are proud of.

The boys on Glenn Hunter's Billfisher were on for a good feed of flathead to 60 cm..check out the catch of eastern blue spots

I personally cannot believe that people in this modern era would want to kill one of these great fish they certainly will get no respect from me.

Our anglers Cronulla's Paul and David Johnson, Paul and James Hobbs, Daniel (from SURPRISE IN A BOX) a company specializing in adventure tours and his client Alex Hreszczuk all had great day catching 8 yellowfin and the striped marlin.

Peter Baumanis's crew had a great day last trip 10 yellowfin, a heap of stripeys and a marlin encounter.

Wanda Surf Club's Brad Harris and Garry Swan also had a good day catching yellowfin and striped tuna as well

Glenn Hunter too got amongst the action catching 7 yellowfin on the same day on Billfisher.

He also reported good catches of reef fish and flathead to the south of Port Hacking.

Prior to the past half a dozen trips we have been scratching around, catching one or two tuna for the day and working hard for them

The current flows have not been favourable for good tuna fishing. This has changed now with better water flowing south as we speak. My crystal ball tells me to expect some great game-fishing as result of this flow.

The tuna fishing is really good

TECHNIQUES USED TO CATCH TUNA

We have caught most of our tuna by trolling We find that during a tough season, covering water is a better option than cubing. If a school of tuna is spotted then cubing can work, but when the fish are a little scarce then trolling will work better .

We watch our sounders, which we set to 100 metres this gives us better bait definition and will also pick up the tuna.

Paul Johnson's yellowfin

When this situation is encountered we will work the area for a while, most times a bite will be encountered. Most of our fish have been caught on the wide grounds There have been a few caught inside the shelf however these have been in the minority. We only use Bloodshot tuna hunters and Bib less minnows.

A warning however if marlin are around pull in the minnows as it is almost impossible to hook a marlin and keep attached on a minnow.

We should see the start of some good marlin, yellowfin tuna and mahi mahi over the next few weeks and that is exciting.

More tuna small but still yellowfin

PT STEPHENS ‘06

We still have a few spots available on our boats for next year…..Pt Stephens will provide you with a fishing holiday you won't forget for a long time.

Last year we tagged 300 marlin. Caught mahi mahi up to almost as big as they grow. Add to this some yellowfin tuna and there is the potential for a wonderful adventure on the Bluewater, one that you will not forget in a hurry.

COSTS.. The “Three Day Package” including accommodation is $950.00 per angler.

You do not have to have any experience just join us for the ride…the novice angler are our favourites, every fish caught is really appreciated by the new chums and we love that.

Do not hesitate however as bookings are all but full .

Ross released the first marlin of the season last week for angler Paul Hobbs it was his first.

We have share charters for mid Feb late March and a weekend in April. Individual bookings welcome . We require a deposit now balance later.

BILLFISHER AVAILABLE FOR THE ’06 INTERCLUB

Last years champion boat BILLFISHER Is available for this great tournament.

Four days of champagne fishing the largest tournament in the southern hemisphere.

Last year Glenn won champion lady and champion boat day four and was only a couple of marlin from winning champion boat over all.

If you have a group that would like to experience this great spectacle and enjoy the excitement of the Interclub Ring 029534 2378 to book .

COSTS $1600.00 Per day.

The tournament is run over two weekends. The last in Feb and the first in March. Do not leave it too late to round up a team as we do have interested parties.

My great mate Brian “The Moose” Nesbitt and myself have had enjoyable times this month catching blackfish in the Georges River. Our best day has been nine. Not brilliant fishing, but most relaxing Days full of good conversation, many laughs, sitting in a boat on the Georges…….Who would want more?

“Angler Paul Johnsons's account of a great days fishing on Broadbill with Ross and Little Johnny” - 5th of November, 2005

BROADBILL - 1st MARLIN - SYDNEY 2005/2006

Its all started with the a group of novice TUNA fisherman looking a bit "green" in the 2 meter + swell.

At 12 noon no TUNA strikes the team of 8:

Ross (Skipper - the Marlin master)
Johnny (1st mate - the Marlin virgin)
Daniel  (the missed it man)
Andrew (the family man)
Dave (the doctor)
Paul (not marlin Paul)
James (16yr old - marlin  awakening)
Paul (marlin Paul)

Ross congratulates angler Paul Hobbs and deckie Little Johnny on the release of the seasons first marlin

With no strikes by 12.00 noon all anglers were looking a bit concerned but not disheartened.

Then ZZZZing ZZZZing YELLOWFIN TUNA (1 and 2)

Then ZZZZing ZZZZing ZZZing YELLOWFIN TUNA(3, 4 and 5)

Then 1:10 PM ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZing

Johnny "its a good one"

Ross "its a STRIPED MARLIN"

Anglers"Sxxx   Sydney really does have Marlin"

Sure enough we looked out about 150 meters and saw a 90kg STRIPER MARLIN 6 to 7 foot jumping completely out of the water every 20 seconds.

Father & Son bring the STRIPED MARLIN in

16yr old James had just wandered onto the stern 10 seconds before the Marlin strike, as he was not involved with TUNA 1,2,3,4 or 5 he was urged into the chair.

At the time unaware he was managing the first Sydney MARLIN of the 2005/2006 season.

Ross & Johnny got the other lines in and were ready to play with this STRIPED MARLIN hook up.

Johnny was busy as a one armed paper hanger working the decks

16yr old James brought the MARLIN  in from 250 meters astern to about 70 meters (With Ross's expert assistance)  before handing over to Dad (Paul).

Paul, Ross & Johnny worked together to get the STRIPED MARLIN (90 KG 6 to 7 foot) along side BROADBILL to tag it. The tag went in,  Johnny grabbed the STRIPED MARLIN'S bill and dragged him along side BROADBILL, took the hooks out, ran water through its gills (no longer a Marlin virgin and was tattooed in the process)  and the STRIPED MARLIN decided it was time to depart.

QUOTES OF THE DAY  - 5th November 2005

Johnny (the Marlin virgin) - Its a good fish
Daniel (the missed it man) - I thought it was a dream, I missed it
Andrew (the family man) that cheap red wine last night
Dave (the doctor) - eat and you'll be fine
Paul (not marlin Paul) -Remember Paul caught the Marlin
James (marlin awakening) - I'm feeling better
Paul (marlin Paul) - These little ones (tuna) don't interest me

The marlin being released

ROSS - 7 YELLOWFIN and a  STRIPED MARLIN, you have to be happy with that - Johnny where is the Marlin flag

Regards,

A bunch of happy customers.

ON THE HOOK with Ross and Glenn Hunter - 15th of October, 2005

DUNBOGAN TOO MUCH FUN

Isn't it funny how a fisherman's passion for different spheres of fishing can live dormant for years. Maybe as a youth, a fisherman may have scrambled the rocks fishing the drummer and bream or perhaps wandered a lonely trout stream with fly rod in hand always anticipating that fish of a lifetime but not always catching it..

Some great blackfish were caught this year ...this photo Ross took as a self portrait in the process the fish gave a kick and he got a good cut by the gills in the thumb.

My fishing career has been very much like this:..The many facets of fishing which I love so much in my youth have never left me they have been tucked away for another day, to emerge again and to be enjoyed again, even more now than those many years ago.

I fished with my Grandfather and my Dad wandering beaches or sitting in my Grandfather's beautiful rowing boat on the expanses of The Brisbane Waters at Tascott. Fishing with them, listening and hanging on their every word

Those days are still so precious to me, the love of all these more simple forms of fishing are probably as much, if not more enjoyed today, than when I was a youngster.

Check out the big fellow he went 1.2kg

Whilst these times I do spend 180 days per year at the helm of my charter boat BROADBILL chasing the big pelagics around Mother Ocean and please don't get me wrong, marlin are my passion, I just love catching these amazing fish . they are the ultimate challenge for a skipper and they are my favourite fish to catch at this stage of my apprenticeship as a fisherman.

I have many times thought about this and whilst it is now fourty years since I caught my first marlin. it led me into a lifetime of a learning program in an attempt to understand the whys and wherefores of the species.

Broadbill has 22,000.00 hours on the hour metres and 70% of these hours have been spent chasing these remarkably exciting fish This boat has released over 2000 fish.. best season 97 where we tagged 247.

Bob "the road runner" got lucky as well.

So I guess there has been some success along the way. but here's the cruncher I still have so much to learn.and still go out ,troll all day for diddly squat

A fisherman's apprenticeship, for want of a better description, spanning over fourty years and I still learn something new every trip..these fish are without doubt the fisherman's fish they are hard to hook ,hard to keep hooked and a challenge to catch.

However when on the end of a line, nothing in the water will be more spectacular than these athletic, aerobatic fish. It is this facet of fishing I find myself enjoying so much in the summer months.

A busy morning on the wall. The blackfish were biting

However whilst I regard marlin as the pinnacle of any fisherman's career.. I still get a different kind of contentment and joy from fishing a lonely beach, just on dark with the surf rolling at my feet or throwing a fly over a feeding trout or standing on a river bank, watching a float on a good blackfish bite.

These days I really do love.. the more simple forms of fishing returning from years gone by.

a personal feeling emerging again, to enjoy, when I am not catching marlin or tuna.

Ross and Jack Ellis with the morning catch.

No boats..no rough seas just good old Terra Firma..me and my childhood passions returning again what a great world it is ...the one of a fisherman.

I have met many fine people over the years who have taught me much in various forms of fishing.

My dear old Dad and Grandfather both now deceased,without doubt the ones whos encouragement led me into the world of fishing.

The salt of the earth Newcastle coalminers at Scott's Head ,Allan Wotton and Nev Haggerty They taught me how to pick a good gutter on a beach and how to catch the illusive beach worm. I was then a youngster following them around the northern beaches like a stray pup.

The steelworkers at Pt Kembla Bill Crann and Bill Carloff who taught me the art of catching bream in the washes of Windang Island when I was a teenager..simple things to them never realising that their lessons would stay with me for life.

Laurie Woodbridge ..my hero. A great Cairns marlin boat Captain and pioneer of the heavy tackle scene, a quite unassuming man...a man who taught me much in the early Cairns days in the mid seventies, especially about the patience required to pursue these great fish. never a word about disappointment,if a bad day was had. No! More the thought that to morrow will be better.

There have been many more I could mention but it would take up the whole chapter.

Local blackfisherman "the mystro" Brian Perkins has taught me so much.

The point I make is that fishing is a lifelong journey there are many self appointed experts with melon headed egos. Such egos should never enter into a fisherman's repertoire or thoughts because once one thinks he's learnt it all, then he has ceased learning and has just started going backwards.

Fishing is a persuit which should be a passion to be savoured and loved in quite humble manor, always ready to learn..never sitting back on laurels always ready to pick up scraps of learning along the way, especially from some one who has accumulated much over a particular type of fishing pursuit. 

THE BLACKFISHERMAN

Blackfishing is a great passion which I personally have been enjoying immensely over the past few years. maybe as the years go by. this is where we head. if so, it's fine with me.

As a blackfisher man I have much to learn, whilst I have fished for them on occasions, they have not been high on my favourite species until the past few years.

Ross and Brian with the Thursday catch.Brian predicted it would be the best day.

DUBOGAN 05 FISHING WITH OLD MATES

I have a bunch of mates Bob The Roadrunner Morgan ( we courted our wives to gether some 40 years ago ..we must have got it right as we are still married to the same girls) Brian The MooseNesbitt a friend of 40 years and John (the Gnome) Robertson We grew up to gether as teenagers. joined the St George Sportfishing Club to gether in the early 70 s

Every year we all go away somewhere. be it trout fishing..or a bit of beach and rock at Yamba, but in the latter decade it is the sleepy hamlet of Dunbogan near North Haven we have settled to.

We look forward to this annual sojourn to-gether in October each year.

A great day was had...... all healthy fish

We are joined each year by the young guys our sons and their friends.they fish from their tinnies in the river, whilst I tend to keep out of the boats and stick to Terra Firma chasing blackfish

In this field I have been fortunate to befriend a few locals, they have been very much my mentors in this exacting world of blackfishing.

Wonderful blokes who have fished the blackfish all their lives men who I was embarrassed to stand beside, such is their skills .and so poor was mine in comparison.. men who have forgotten more than I know, such is their knowledge of blackfish

They sensed, however that I not only enjoyed their company but wanted to learn from them so they went out of their way to help me improve my basic skills.

Jack Ellis doesn't just catch blackfish ....check out his soaker of a bream

Locals Jack Ellis, Brian Perkins and the late Ian Bato have taught me so much over the past few years to the point where I am not in their class, but feel much more comfortable rubbing shoulders at our favourite haunt.

What a joy it is to fish a morning with these larrikins

Jack will say How Deep Ross ?

About 9 foot Jack'I reply. Take it down a foot he'll say and bingo the bite is on again.

Brian said Thursday will be the day Roscoe ..it is the perfect day in the month.

The crew at the presentation of the annual trophy

We caught 13 between us. Thursday ..was our best day of the week.

Exactly what Brian predicted on Tuesday

The late Bato, a Vietnam veteran and his dog Sally, a champion bloke who died last year; leaving us all with great memories of his company fishing on the wall at Dunbogan

This year we caught some great blackfish. fish to 1.5 kg ..not big numbers, but a four to 8 fish. per session ..per angler

We fished the wall using local weed and cabbage and had some great times catching quality blackfish and I loved the experience.

Banana Bob" Cartwright with the trophy he has only dreamt of winning for years. Finally becomes a reality. . Happy!, what do you reckon!

THE ANNUAL 05 FLATHEAD COMPETITION

Whilst I would head off with blackfish rod the boys were intent to win the converted flathead trophy on the Monday

At daybreak they launched their boats and the challenge began

A