Oceania North West Island 2008. Year of the wind

[Blackfish]

Greeting all from Australia.
We did our 2-week family trip up fishing/camping to North West Island again this year.
Our trip was hampered by strong winds stopping us going to far from our main camp.
We did not fish much as a family. The girls didn't like the choppy seas and the wind making it hard to fish, so most of the areas we fished have been hit quite hard over the years, but we still got plenty.
Over the reef flat fish up to 1kg were common and made great fun on small spin rods with drags nearly locked to stop the fish getting into the coral, with both soft plastics and small poppers doing the damage.
When we did venture out to the reef edge in a boat we mostly fished soft plastics and the catches were fantastic, mostly Red Throat and Yellow stripped Emperor. Ben fished 40lb off a threadline and I fished 30lb off a baitcaster, again locked drags some great bustups and some nice fished pulled out of the coral.
Ben did a bit of shore based at low tide off the edge of the coral and just couldn’t land many fish as hey were to close to home, reefing him.
Again with the wind so strong the boys didn’t do much trolling, Lee was rewarded with a nice 20kg+ Spanish Mackerel which fed our camp that night (30 people).
Most fish caught on line were released, as refrigeration is a problem and we could not bring any fish back, we had fish every 2nd night, mostly Coral Trout that we spear with the occasional Cray.
Took lots of photos so after seeing “Alantani’s” great reports with lots of photos I thought I would post a few more photos this year. and if your ever in Sydney I can show you the other 2000 .
Hopefully Bensonsan (Ben) will also post a few photos and a bit of a story.
Enjoy.

Arriving at the Island


Plenty of Turtles this year for everyone to look at.
Sam looks on


Fishing in one of the small tinnies for small Big Eye Trevally



Some of the boys went out one night for a evening fish and were rewarded with a nice Bludger/Gold spot trevally and Spangled Emperor.










Sharks wanted this more than us.




Wife with a small Big Eye


Caitlin with a small Cod


Caitlin with a small Fusilier


Small popper Stripey


Taking the newbies out for a fish






Derek with a Cod and Cray


When I did jump in the water a few nice fish were speared.
Black spot Tuskfish


When the tide was wrong and it was too windy to fish.... we played cards.


Ben with a Mac Tuna on the other end



Soft plastic Red Throat


There was still time to relax


Some great sunsets



Then at the end we pack up and wait for the Barge to come and pick us up.


Hopefully we'll all be back next year
Thanks for reading.

[eeyore]

I should say thank you for sharing all the nice photos and catch please continue to post some more photos to make me drool

By the way may I know where exactly is this place located or may be the name of the island ?

Cheers

[Blackfish]

Hi Eeyore, thanks for the kind words.
The name of the Island is called North West Island, its located in the Capricorn Bunker group which off Gladstone. Queensland. Just over 1100 klms north of my place.
I very lucky to be in a position these days that I can do these things. I love the fishing and diving but just being up there is what I enjoy.
I will try to get a few more photos of the place up when I get a chance.

[kiwitoh23]

Great Fun Mike...

[eeyore]

Hi Eeyore, thanks for the kind words.
The name of the Island is called North West Island, its located in the Capricorn Bunker group which off Gladstone. Queensland. Just over 1100 klms north of my place.
I very lucky to be in a position these days that I can do these things. I love the fishing and diving but just being up there is what I enjoy.
I will try to get a few more photos of the place up when I get a chance.

1100km away from your town what a great distance to travel but I think all the good fishing and super nice environment worth all the travel. Thank again for sharing all the great photos