Retirement fishing trip advice
Hi Crew,
I have just received the email below, I figure the best way to respond is to send a link to this thread with replies from you guys. Advice would be great.
Cheers,
Adam
I hope you can help because I would like some fishing advice. I am retiring at the end of 2010 and sometime in 2011 I plan to take my 12 year old and my 18 year old sons on a sports fishing holiday over to Western Australia. We live in Melbourne and plan to tow a boat across by four wheel drive. I have to buy a powerboat, probably about 5.5m to 6.00m and I will do that with my super, anyway what’s left of it by then (wife’s not too keen on the idea but she’s not coming anyway).
I’ve got an old army mate living in Perth so will probably visit him and start our 3 month fishing tour from there. We will take our time and head north, stopping at places where we can catch a fish. Certainly I hear that Coral Bay, Exmouth and Kalbarri are good fishing locs. We are prepared to head north as far as Broome, Derby and Wyndham to chase fish and then come home through NT and so on back to Melbourne. Can you suggest any MUST FISH places for us?
We practice catch and release and when I want a feed of fish I buy some from the fish n chip shop. For the past 6 months I have begun to stockpile my fishing tackle with bits and pieces, i.e., lures, rods, reels, etc. I’ve got a great barra rod on lay buy at the moment. I’ve got surf rods, boat rods with overhead reels and lots of light tackle. Is there anything I should take with me? Cast net maybe? Do I need a fishing license? Can you advise me?
Best wishes
Richard Pleash
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Bodie
Posts: 3758
Date Joined: 05/11/07
oh man...3 months,,,,fishing
oh man...3 months.....fishing trip...WA... where to start!!!!
First and formost i think needs to be looked at is your Boating capabilities.
One spot mentioned on the email was Kalbarri, while this place is excellent fishing, its not fr the light hearted. going in and out of the river mouth, and fishing from the reefs / Cliffs. Big swells are very common.
That being said, if your going to start in Perth, good place to start.
I lived in Melbourne for 6 years and the is a very big difference between the coastline, weather, currents and swell to Perth.
Places north that would be recommended (others would have a much more info im sure) is Mackerel Islands. Good facilities on the islands, fairly easy to get too (only need a guide to get you through the reef to the moorings), and have some awesome fishing!!
http://www.mackerelislands.com.au/
crasny1
Posts: 7032
Date Joined: 16/10/08
Dampier with a 5.5m Boat
fantastic sports fishing and camping on the islands. Accomodation around karratha and dampier is $$$ so camping is the way to go. Heaps of options from here including Point sampson etc, and yes the mackerel islands.
Cheers
Neels
"I would like to die on Mars. Just not on impact!!" _ Elon Musk
WODF
Posts: 553
Date Joined: 16/10/08
Livin' the dream!
MUST FISH places? Deffinitely Carnarvon, Coral Bay and Exmouth. All have plenty of accomodation options, awesome scenery, amazing wild/marine life and more importantly, great fishing! - both landbased and by boat. You're going to love it!
Don't forget your camera!
Damo
damo6230
Posts: 2029
Date Joined: 07/06/08
retiring fishing trip
apart from the above I would say miss Broome. Plenty of better options and this then means you can spend more time in either Exmouth or the NT (or anywhere).
the gear you have will do the job. you will need a licence/permit for the throw net. No live bait traps allowed.
you will need a skippers ticket and if you get one in Vic you can use it over here. no fishing license for ocean fishing
most importantly dont rush the trip just enjoy it.
post on the site and meet some people from the regions who may in turn show you around when you arrive into towns etc.
all the best
just dhu it
Posts: 1081
Date Joined: 14/05/09
one day
what an option to be retired and have several months with your teenage sons to go away fishing, Kalbarri early in the year to start with march/ april then onto coral bay and exmouth, exmouth has the small town warmth and two sides of the range and islands to fish, no huge tides to worry about and easy access for boat launch, teenage boys can get into the diving /whale sharks and all aspects of fishing, the town doesnt explode with the invasion of silver tops and vans with most locals willing to give you starter tips , all aspects of accomadation and town facilities available.... ENJOY !!