Crays 2021
Submitted by little johnny on Tue, 2021-10-26 16:06
Every getting ready ,should be good run this year. 1 month to go . Funny enough it was around this time of year got our first softy’s ( diving) water like mud atm . Water to cold for me also . Getting soft.
still trying
Posts: 1043
Date Joined: 27/06/17
I have been starting to
I have been starting to think about them I didn't realise that the full moon in November was so early I usually feel that the whites are cranking in the pots on the full moon, not so sure this year.
rather be fishing
carnarvonite
Posts: 8653
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Pots
Spent yesterday arvo building another pot, just got to hunt up some ballast to put in it and another one I finished last week, then its sit and wait till after the next full moon
Been years since I gave pots a bash so be interesting to see if I have forgotten how to catch the buggers
hezzy
Posts: 1521
Date Joined: 27/11/09
got some ballast i can give
got some ballast i can give you john if you need some , are you down south here ??
OFW 11
evil flourishes when good men do nothing
carnarvonite
Posts: 8653
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Bunbury
Living in Bunbury now
little johnny
Posts: 5348
Date Joined: 04/12/11
I don’t think you
Have forgot . I just started getting mine ready . Buying 1 box of macky and box of heads . That’s it .Taking them out just before December . Otherwise waste bait . Do a few dives prior to check on white/red ratio. With pros getting low prices all year could be good run.
Meeuwissen
Posts: 755
Date Joined: 29/03/13
Bought 2 ex commercial pots
Got $20kg of roughy heads from Shore catch and got some floats of them aswell. It's gonna be a bumper year! Crays in 8 m of Mindarie last new moon. Cray guys soaking out of freo and Mandurah there already pulling!
Down the Line
Catch the Experience
Shark1
Posts: 1086
Date Joined: 21/05/12
i got some metal for
i got some metal for ballast
SOR free
uncle
Posts: 9442
Date Joined: 10/02/07
Ready to
go, bring it on
all aggressive fish love bigjohnsjigs
uncle
Posts: 9442
Date Joined: 10/02/07
Ready to
go, bring it on
all aggressive fish love bigjohnsjigs
NORUN NOFUN
Posts: 1028
Date Joined: 15/08/11
The last few years have been
The last few years have been sooo good I've pretty much been spoilt and am a little crayed out you could say lol (a genetically modified half waygu/cray fish would be good) - will only put my pots out a few days during the run for a few chrissy crays and that's it for me.
What a great fishery we have on our doorstep.
Hopefully we get the demersals sorted out with a plan forward that runs with my similar sentiment with the crays.
nebbian1
Posts: 166
Date Joined: 31/08/17
Checked out a likely ledge
Checked out a likely ledge last Sunday, too far for me to reach with my loop, but under there was the biggest cray I've ever seen. Thought it was a species of crab I didn't know about at first, as all I could see were his legs. Fkn huge.
Went out and bought a much longer loop yesterday, so hopefully if I come across any more I won't have any excuse.
Not too many others kicking around in the shallows, so hopefully they come in soon from the deep.
Going to check out some more ground this weekend.
davewillo
Posts: 2363
Date Joined: 08/09/16
My son works at one of the
My son works at one of the co-ops and has been told the work is cranking right up in the next week or two. Which is what they've been saying for the last 3 or 4 weeks!
PGFC member and lure tragic
tiimmbo
Posts: 694
Date Joined: 16/08/09
I'm getting too soft as
I'm getting too soft as well, still too cold for me at the moment.
little johnny
Posts: 5348
Date Joined: 04/12/11
If water clears may have
A look this weekend prior to going on family sick leave. If everyone hates loosing pots do 1 thing . Put a small crab float cork 4 meters down ( splice tie Knott doesn’t matter) put 3 to 4 links of big gauge chain on rope ( slides down)Then do floats as normal . No shit hit float anyway you like Any speed .your hull pushes away float and rope ( keeps them away from props and rope cutters on pro boats ) if by any chance is does happen ( very dought full. You can always see small cork ( chain slides of ) little cork floats . Makes for safer boating also . If someone hits your weighted lead ropes and smashes floats of . Bye bye pot . Seen many brand new pots on bottom over years ( can’t touch them) or retrieve them . Small cork ( not classed as float) . Must be big linked chain so it slides off . Saves loosing pots and any stuffing up gear boxes .
davewillo
Posts: 2363
Date Joined: 08/09/16
That's bloody good advice
That's bloody good advice LJ! Would never have thought of that.
PGFC member and lure tragic
Kevson
Posts: 4
Date Joined: 12/02/12
Weighted cray ropes
LJ.
Thats bloody clever.
I "had" a different method pre reading your post which involved putting a poking a 25mm piece of bungie through the line at 10m below the first float. I then have a smallish snapper lead on a single ended snap bolt. When I winch up, the weight comes up past the tipper and I simply pause the winch and unsnap it. The small piece of bungie holds the snapper lead from going below 10m and doesn't get caught up in the winch. this method keeps my rope pretty much straight up and down and so far - so good. I'm busting to get out and try your method now though!
Thanks for sharing.
Kevson.
tiimmbo
Posts: 694
Date Joined: 16/08/09
I see pots with cut ropes
I see pots with cut ropes when diving all the time. Am sure some pots gets knicked, moved etc but there are heaps that just get cut off.
little johnny
Posts: 5348
Date Joined: 04/12/11
Correct I see heaps it’s a waste
And you are not allowed to salvage them.. Dave willow I know rules states 20 meters or more must be waited but in shallow waters doesn’t hurt either . Also try not use polystyrene floats they get hit by boat they explode in peices.. if your pot goes missing doing this method. Good chance someone borrowed it ..every year always here about ropes to long ect ect . Still can have your bit longer ropes for swell /wind waves ect.how painfull can it be when your trying to get to your pot somedays due to ropes bombarding 1 area. Stops it and it works well. Anyway food for thought
sea-kem
Posts: 14918
Date Joined: 30/11/09
Looks like I'll be missing
Looks like I'll be missing out on the crays this year
we've had major beach erosion at our neck of the woods and half our access road has been washed into the sea. Gin Gin shire are taking the retreat approach and won't help, we've pointed out that we can't repair it ourselves as it's crown land and it's their responsibility. We also pointed out there's a safety issue that in if someone is hurt by a cave in etc it's on them.
We just got a couldn't give a rat's response, they even said their operators won't take a front end loader onto the beach WTF! The beach is wide this time of year.
I'm of the opinion of a fix ourselves and plead guilty later approach.
What the shire of Gin Gin seems to forget is that there's 180 rate payers in the park generating around 250K of rates per year, we don't even get a rubbish collection.
Apologies for the rant but it's frustrating as this is usualy an exciting time of the year for us getting ready for the white run.
Love the West!
still trying
Posts: 1043
Date Joined: 27/06/17
That sucks Andy will you
That sucks Andy will you fish from lanclin through Xmas?
rather be fishing
sea-kem
Posts: 14918
Date Joined: 30/11/09
Probably Ledge Guy, it's not
Probably Ledge Guy, it's not too bad there. We've made plans of my mate taking his own car and snatch strap if needed. I've got some reasonable marks up that way. Just a harder day, with travel etc. But who cares when you're out fishing ;)
Love the West!
Piggy
Posts: 548
Date Joined: 24/08/12
Ledge
Give me a yell if you need a tractor mate haha
Ive never thrown my cray pots in at Ledge. Always had the intention of doing it but never got around to it haha
I go boating not fishing
sea-kem
Posts: 14918
Date Joined: 30/11/09
Cheers Josh, Might have to
Cheers Josh, Might have to take you up on that for a carton or two ;)
Love the West!
still trying
Posts: 1043
Date Joined: 27/06/17
When you wake up up there
When you wake up up there and see a flat ocean, that would just tease you.
rather be fishing
little johnny
Posts: 5348
Date Joined: 04/12/11
Be interesting run
Full moon 24th November. Full moon 24 December.
davewillo
Posts: 2363
Date Joined: 08/09/16
Co-op told my son it'll be
Co-op told my son it'll be busy after the 11th
PGFC member and lure tragic
TorquenFish
Posts: 321
Date Joined: 30/12/12
Pretty sure full moon is
Pretty sure full moon is 19th and 19th?
Brock O
Posts: 3205
Date Joined: 11/01/08
Quick Dive Sunday morning...5
Quick Dive Sunday morning...5 - 8m....all reds, good size and plenty of them. Very slow moving...easy pickings for us divers atm
little johnny
Posts: 5348
Date Joined: 04/12/11
Double shells I gather
Itching for a dive. Top feed
Sea goat
Posts: 955
Date Joined: 26/03/17
put mine in last
put mine in last sunday.pulled yesterday first time, 3 reds, good sized, no tarspots. in about 8m of water. 1 pot had all three the other donuts.
TorquenFish
Posts: 321
Date Joined: 30/12/12
Pulled ours for the first
Pulled ours for the first time on Saturday after a 3 day soak - donuts from 4. OR.
Sea goat
Posts: 955
Date Joined: 26/03/17
2 more reds yesterday. still
2 more reds yesterday. still no whites. seocnd pot donuts.
nebbian1
Posts: 166
Date Joined: 31/08/17
I got bitten by the bug,
I got bitten by the bug, bought a tipper, winch and 2 pots last weekend. Now I've just got to install them and sort out how to do it!
Finding time to work on the boat is tricky.
Ericl
Posts: 461
Date Joined: 02/05/11
First drop
Don't spend all your money on beer, boats, and fishing. Save some to spend foolishly
diver
Posts: 149
Date Joined: 25/09/08
nebbian1
A lot safer than diving mate i hope you catch plenty & stay safe.
Sea goat
Posts: 955
Date Joined: 26/03/17
yeah seem to be a few
yeah seem to be a few bronzies around. both times i pulled my pots, hav had decent size bronzies following them up.
Ericl
Posts: 461
Date Joined: 02/05/11
7 Keepers today
7 Keepers today (out of 6) 3 returned - 2 undersize and 1 very big lady in berry. Others mostly reasonable size - all red
Don't spend all your money on beer, boats, and fishing. Save some to spend foolishly
Ericl
Posts: 461
Date Joined: 02/05/11
Forgot
Forgot. 1 huge bloody wobby. Made getting the pot up a lot more difficult. Fell out on the deck when we removed the gate. Well done uncle on some pretty swift wobby throwing to get it out of the boat![](http://fishwrecked.com/sites/all/libraries/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/msn/regular_smile.gif)
Don't spend all your money on beer, boats, and fishing. Save some to spend foolishly
sea-kem
Posts: 14918
Date Joined: 30/11/09
You've got a thing with
You've got a thing with those Wobby's Eric lol
Love the West!
carnarvonite
Posts: 8653
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Fresh bait
That is usually from using fresh bait that hasn't been frozen. Seem freezing kills the protien in blood that attracts the wobbies
We sold fresh salmon to pro crayfishermen working out of Hamelin, next pull = wobbies in nearly every pot, deckies were spewing
uncle
Posts: 9442
Date Joined: 10/02/07
Not in this case John
Just old frozen carcases.
all aggressive fish love bigjohnsjigs
Fathom
Posts: 619
Date Joined: 18/04/08
Wobby = good tucker
Wobbigong shark is delicious, way better tasting then a dirty old cockroach (AKA crayfish, AKA Rock Lobster). This is a major problem, some only fish for some sort of recognition, they throw away the good eating stuff and take home some crap that's overated`
carnarvonite
Posts: 8653
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Wobbies
The bigger the wobby the better they are for eating, not as tough as the small brown mongrels that love to inhabit your pots.
And when cleaning, cut from the inside of the skin, rather than trying to saw through from the outside. Make an incision and slide your knife under the skin then cut upwards, this will save the edge on your knife going blunt in no time
Sea goat
Posts: 955
Date Joined: 26/03/17
interestingly enough i had a
interestingly enough i had a port jackson in one of my pots the other day. cute sharks.
TorquenFish
Posts: 321
Date Joined: 30/12/12
1 keeper, 1 kacka and an
1 keeper, 1 kacka and an occied shell from 6 today.
Cobia7777
Posts: 51
Date Joined: 25/11/15
Gday all A mate of mine gave
Gday all
A mate of mine gave me some home made timber tray pots be for he passed away ( skin Cancer , Slip slop slap everyone PLEASE ) with ali sercurty mesh on the bottom , whats peoples thoughts on the ali base material .
was thinking of changing it out to timber or steel orv leave as ????
Swompa
Posts: 3851
Date Joined: 14/10/12
I dare say that it will fizz
I dare say that it will fizz pretty quickly.
Brody
Posts: 1024
Date Joined: 06/02/07
Galv ali mesh no dramas,
Galv ali mesh no dramas, used to make pots with that as the base. Not sure about security mesh screen stuff if that's what you mean? Never used it. Either way, will still need plenty of weight. If anyone is interested, I have my usual jarrah base/frame pots for sale, plenty in stock. 
www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/kingsley/fishing/craypots-new/1282217902
Daryn
Posts: 162
Date Joined: 01/05/12
I got mine from Brody last
I got mine from Brody last year - did well with them and still going strong.
Brody
Posts: 1024
Date Joined: 06/02/07
The cheque is in the mail
The cheque is in the mail Daryn! Haha. Thanks mate, always good to hear![](http://fishwrecked.com/sites/all/libraries/fckeditor/editor/images/smiley/msn/thumbs_up.gif)
Swompa
Posts: 3851
Date Joined: 14/10/12
Galv and Ali don't go
Galv and Ali don't go together. Perhaps something else?
Brody
Posts: 1024
Date Joined: 06/02/07
Yup true, just wire galv
Yup true, just wire galv mesh, I think I used to use 75 x 50mm. Pain to work with and secure to the frame properly
carnarvonite
Posts: 8653
Date Joined: 24/07/07
Pick Up
Take the tour round when the rubbish pick up is on and grab all the old bed frames with the light gauge angle iron, its ideal for fixing weld mesh too
Cobia7777
Posts: 51
Date Joined: 25/11/15
Thanks all yes it is the
Thanks all
yes it is the cheap door stuff and hopefully it wont scare them off
Brody
Posts: 1024
Date Joined: 06/02/07
Where are you located mate?
Where are you located mate? If you are anywhere near Kingsley or gnangara, I can make it a jarrah base for about $20 if you like?
Cobia7777
Posts: 51
Date Joined: 25/11/15
Will keep that in mind and
Will keep that in mind and see if my mate is watching down on me
Cheers brody
little johnny
Posts: 5348
Date Joined: 04/12/11
16 today
1 jelly . Weeks away. Not pots
Swompa
Posts: 3851
Date Joined: 14/10/12
Big ones in close. Hard red
Big ones in close. Hard red shells
TorquenFish
Posts: 321
Date Joined: 30/12/12
Sweet FA from 6 today...
Sweet FA from 6 today... reckon 10 days or so and it'll be on.
Brody
Posts: 1024
Date Joined: 06/02/07
Quick swim this
Quick swim this morning.Plenty around but right back and skittish. Double shells about to moult. Another couple weeks
Sea goat
Posts: 955
Date Joined: 26/03/17
nothing in mine yesterday. 3
nothing in mine yesterday. 3 big bronzies hanging aorund the boat tho. as soon as the old bait hit the wter they were there.. pretty cool to see, but a bit concerning.
nebbian1
Posts: 166
Date Joined: 31/08/17
My mate came round with some
My mate came round with some pretty old and shonky looking pots yesterday, so we rigged them up along with my new ones.
It would have been pretty funny to watch us, we really had no idea what we were doing, first pot (mine) dropped fine and we motored over to a different spot. Second pot (mates) was really heavy, in 27m, we heaved it over the side and fed out the rope. It was really dropping quickly. "How much rope is on there?" "Should be fine, I think it's over 30m" We watched the line go tight and drag the float along the surface for a bit, before *ploomp!* down went the float. It was probably about half a metre underwater, you could see it when close, but no way you'd see it if you didn't know it was there.
After that I had a bit of a scratch around to find some spare rope, then we had to try to catch the bloody float again. That wasn't easy. We ended up lassooing it with the spare rope and a boat hook, and had to drag the pot up a bit to get to the float. Did I mention this pot was really heavy? Anyway we ended up getting it sorted out and down it went again.
I think I should video our first attempts to actually pull the pots next week, again I've never done this before. I've got a new tipper, and set up my winch to be controlled wirelessly (no way I'd have big thick welding cables snaking around the deck, I know that's how others do it but I have a healthy respect for that sort of current when petrol fumes and salt water are involved). No doubt mistakes will be made, and I'm pretty sure we won't have any crays. But anyway you've got to start somewhere, right?
little johnny
Posts: 5348
Date Joined: 04/12/11
Old beat up pots
Work good. You will do well
anypuddle
Posts: 597
Date Joined: 22/01/12
Just put my pots in
Just put my pots in yesterday off Mindarie. Anyone catching around there yet?
Anywhere anytime
duncan61
Posts: 376
Date Joined: 21/11/14
sad story
Bit of a sad story I was potting out of Bunbury when this boat went flying by about 400 metres away then all of a sudden it stopped and turned around.His mate had thrown a pot out while they were howling along and it had pulled him in.By the time he got back it was all over.I have been out with a lot of people over the years and if they do the whole going flat out in to the sea breeze and we get shaken about and wet I never go again.I used to troll a chrome at about 8 knots 100metres of the beach and would still get to the ramp just as the speed freaks were leaving.Caught some good tailor on the way back as well
just do it.
Westy74
Posts: 225
Date Joined: 23/11/13
Dropped pots on Saturday OR.
Dropped pots on Saturday OR. Could hardly drop a pot without it landing on a shark. Never seen so many...
little johnny
Posts: 5348
Date Joined: 04/12/11
Putting mine in
3 to 4 days away. I’ve heard heap of potters seeing big bronzes hanging around while pulling pots . 2 to 6 at a time . There not dumb the big buggers. 12 days away my books
Markie
Posts: 2143
Date Joined: 06/08/10
Dropped on saturday. Just
Dropped on saturday. Just arrived to my spots and had 2 cruising around
little johnny
Posts: 5348
Date Joined: 04/12/11
Bronzy don’t normally bother
You while swimming. It’s the whites I don’t want to see. Big bronzys come in have a look and normally go .
nebbian1
Posts: 166
Date Joined: 31/08/17
Pulled the pots today,
Pulled the pots today, tallies were:
Pot 1 (mine) No lobster, bait still there.
Pot 2 (mine) No lobster, bait still there.
Pot 3 (mates) No lobster, bait container lid dislodged and bait gone.
Pot 4 (mates) No lobster, bait container chewed up and bait gone.
I was using tuna heads only, he was using fish wings and other bits of fish frames. I supect a small wobbegong or perhaps some leatherjacket?
All pots were dropped on the sand, about 10-15 metres away from a long 7m high rocky ridge where I've caught plenty of dhuie and pinkies when in season. Perhaps this early in the season I should drop them on top of the ridge?
The new winch (Muir) and tipper both worked really well. The Muir winch is really fast, perhaps even too fast. It didn't seem to have any problem with knots in the rope, it just powered through them. I wouldn't want to get my finger stuck in it.
Also had some fun when I accidentally hit the breaker for the auxilliary power and didn't realise what had happened. No GPS, no radio, had to drive home blind. Oh well at least now I know I can find the channel leading markers without the GPS! I'm going to paint that breaker indicator bright yellow so that it will be obvious if tripped.
Bodie
Posts: 3758
Date Joined: 05/11/07
First white today in a pot,
First white today in a pot, about 5-6 days away.
little johnny
Posts: 5348
Date Joined: 04/12/11
Just curious
What area ( north)?
Bodie
Posts: 3758
Date Joined: 05/11/07
yep north.
yep north.
little johnny
Posts: 5348
Date Joined: 04/12/11
Cool we will be
About 8 days away then. Cheers
nebbian1
Posts: 166
Date Joined: 31/08/17
Turns out that the whites
Turns out that the whites don't run until the end of December down here (Margaret river).
I think I'll move all my pots to on top of the reef instead of next to it.
uncle
Posts: 9442
Date Joined: 10/02/07
Few whites at
OR yesterday, not for us.
all aggressive fish love bigjohnsjigs
davewillo
Posts: 2363
Date Joined: 08/09/16
Co-op told my son yesterday
Co-op told my son yesterday morning at work that he'd have 2 days next week. In the afternoon they said scratch that - 5 or 6 days a week from Monday onwards so they're expecting it to happen.
PGFC member and lure tragic
little johnny
Posts: 5348
Date Joined: 04/12/11
I heard reasonable
Amount of kilos caught north way yesterday. Would think more today. Hot weather will bring them on
uncle
Posts: 9442
Date Joined: 10/02/07
Crays for tea sunday
Then
all aggressive fish love bigjohnsjigs
still trying
Posts: 1043
Date Joined: 27/06/17
2 whites today out from
2 whites today out from woodies.
rather be fishing
diver
Posts: 149
Date Joined: 25/09/08
Little Johnny
I spot on about the Bronzies I have had fish taken off my float down at Hamline Bay but never have ay been a real concern but the Whites, a totally different animal, if they are just looking to see what is going on noy too Phucn bad but it is the one who has been swmming out of the divers underwater vission ,that will swim in at 20plus for a bump or worst taste test that is what scares me and as I put my tank on in the water then have to take it off in the water that is the danger zone & yes I think a Shark sheil will deter one that is that in for a look but not one that has statred its attack patern after all has any one run flat out in a footy game then been able to stop before hitting the opponent.I think that the diving fraturnity should ask for the Police service to reconsider the carrying of bank sticks Not to hunt sharks or anything just to be able to protect themselves or their dive buddies .True story,Two mates one ex Marine commndo diving in South Australia foe scallopes sone years back ,they kitted up dropped over ,started down the anchore line ,saw a GW comeing up ,both turned for the surface/boat ,one pulled himself over the side tearing a shoulder muscle also gota bad cut ? the other tried to come over the stern,tried to pll himself up but was unable too he thought the shark had his leg.then after both in boat he realised his fin strape was caught between his boot & the outboard skeg.Both were still shaking that night one used to known as Ice cold .a couple of weeks later a married women was after scallopes same place when she was taken.
little johnny
Posts: 5348
Date Joined: 04/12/11
You can actually get them
Under one section under firearms act . So I’ve been told. Never had one . It’s the one you don’t see that nails you . Absolutely shit loads of big bronzys out back of g/island last few days.
Westy74
Posts: 225
Date Joined: 23/11/13
6 size from 8 total OR. All
6 size from 8 total OR. All in one pot.
little johnny
Posts: 5348
Date Joined: 04/12/11
Bagged out easy
Only 4 to 8 meters . Once again 50/50 ratio reds and whites. Seen heaps of shells. Warmer weather will bring them on . Took pots out today hoping we’d/ thurs they will start to go. Some whites today hard shelled. 2 jelly’s
anypuddle
Posts: 597
Date Joined: 22/01/12
Donuts from 6 pots,
Donuts from 6 pots, Mindarie. Glad we didn't drop early this year.
Anywhere anytime
nebbian1
Posts: 166
Date Joined: 31/08/17
Nothing from 4 pots down in
Nothing from 4 pots down in Margaret River today.
Bear in mind that I don't know what I'm doing, but even so it's a bit frustrating going through all the rituals but seeing no result.
hezzy
Posts: 1521
Date Joined: 27/11/09
where off margs are you
where off margs are you potting nebian ??what depth are you in mate ?/
we fish there every year might be able to help with abit of info ,, pm me
OFW 11
evil flourishes when good men do nothing
little johnny
Posts: 5348
Date Joined: 04/12/11
I know few people who
Know what there doing many got donuts. Some got 1 hard white . Just not ready yet .glad I only put mine out today
sea-kem
Posts: 14918
Date Joined: 30/11/09
Another week till they're
Another week till they're full on. I only usually drop pots aroun d this time of year. End November, and whites early December.
Love the West!
Swompa
Posts: 3851
Date Joined: 14/10/12
I had a swim on my 'always
I had a swim on my 'always something' spot yesterday and there was nothing. Not even a hint of a feeler.
Back of GI is quite the minefield at the tic though