swaines reef

[bcj]

I've just joined a weeks trip to Swaines reef outa Gladestone in mid july and am after some thoughts on reef fishing gear -mines all to light(Bream & Bass).
I'm thinking a penn spinfisher 950 & 7' rod with 300yds 30lb for dory work and a 725 Alvey (600yds 50lb) & 5'6"heavy rod for bottom bashing outa mother boat-though my local shop recons use of 40lb o/head (Diawa Saltist)& 7'rod is the go ($$$to him). The old fellas I'm going with recon the Alveys the go.
I need at least 2 sets of gear and might take a heavy hand line as backup.
My budgets pretty tight as I need line ,tackle & a couple of lures.
Any thoughts?
Brett

[roverrescue]

If money is tight, an option would be to get that spinfisher 950 spool it up with 80lb Tuffline and then get a medium popper rod something like T-curve Bluewater 15-24kg which will be great for throwing poppers and sticks around the reefs edges and pressure points. And then pick up a short spinning jig rod. Use the spinfisher on the jig rod to bash the bottom.

Since going to big spinning reels and short jig sticks for bottom bashing (off Cooktown up to 60m of water chasing reds etc etc) I cant go back to overhead/ alvey. In a charter situation handlines can be frustrating with line everywhere. And a Spinfisher will get fish up as quick as an Alvey and youll have more fun too!

So two rods one reel, 80lb braid, a bunch of leader material and have a ball.

Steve

[Chenz]

If money is tight, an option would be to get that spinfisher 950 spool it up with 80lb Tuffline and then get a medium popper rod something like T-curve Bluewater 15-24kg which will be great for throwing poppers and sticks around the reefs edges and pressure points. And then pick up a short spinning jig rod. Use the spinfisher on the jig rod to bash the bottom.

Since going to big spinning reels and short jig sticks for bottom bashing (off Cooktown up to 60m of water chasing reds etc etc) I cant go back to overhead/ alvey. In a charter situation handlines can be frustrating with line everywhere. And a Spinfisher will get fish up as quick as an Alvey and youll have more fun too!

So two rods one reel, 80lb braid, a bunch of leader material and have a ball.

Steve

I agree an excellent idea on the reel and line. I would throw in a few different soft plastics and a variety of different weight jig heads in double strength 5/0 and 6/0 size. Colours like pumpkinseed and nuclear chicken will pull plenty of reef fish up as well as a good variety of pelagics.

A couple of skirted trolling lures that you can hang out the back when moving from spot to spot won't go astray either. A couple with wire trace if the big Spaniards move in is always the go.

Hope you have a great time and don't forget the pictures when you get back.

[incisor]

yep the advice all sounds pretty good.. is a nice spot.

hope your arms ache!

[bcj]

Back from Swain's, good trip-thou didn't get that big one,might have to go back next year (look's like I won't be getting my diff lock yet)
Dept.Gladstone sat 4pm, 15hr trip. Great weather till wed afternoon change wind 15knots some light rain,same thurs increased to 25-30knots for 17hr trip home on fri afternoon-bit bouncy but ok
394 keepers for the boat, bagged out on Venus Tusk fish @190 (16 of us + 2deckies & skipper), heap of red throat emperor & coral trout, a few red emperor and a couple of mackeral
I took a Penn 760 slammer and 6'6" rod spooled with 35lb schnider line for the dory & my old shimano speedmaster with 50lb suffix braid running 80lb penn leader for mothership, both worked well. Also took Penn 950 as spare
Boat & crew where great, was able to fish all along one side of Tura while drifting when dory's were out- big boat caught just as much as dory's & when wind got up was alot more comfortable than dory's

http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/904/004jog.jpg
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http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/6968/061dj.jpg
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http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/5681/068if.jpg
:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D
cann't wait till next year-going afew weeks earlier to try and pick up some mackeral, we were a bit late this season
Brett

[roverrescue]

Looks like you had a good trip... the SE trades can be a downer at this time of year.

How did the crew figure a bag limit of 190 tuskies. Combined bag limit of all tusk fish species is 6 per person, with 19pax that = 114? (Bag and size limits - tidal waters (Primary Industries & Fisheries, Queensland) (http://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/28_3042.htm))
The crew may need to look up the regs ;)

It certainly will be a shame if the greenies get their way and shut down the coral sea... Such a fertile area!

Regards,
S

[bcj]

Boy's said it was 10each?- I didn't count them, I'm from NSW & didn't even know what half the fish were- decky talked alot of crap too. Last 2 days we increased min size for tuskies kept because we where catching so many, anyway freezer in my beer fridge is full now:)
brett