First trip to the FADs
Glen had previously invited me to fish the FADs, an opportunity that I had to reluctantly decline. I was not going to decline a second invite and even though the swell was up, I gladly accepted.
We launched before first light from Mindarie and after navigating a rather tricky Three Mile Reef with white water breaking all over the place, we were on our way to the Recfishwest FADs about 54km offshore. A short stop at Direction Bank for breakie whilst celebrating another awesome sunrise in a crazy Covid world, and we were on our way again. We arrived at the FAD and were pleased to see that we had this part of the ocean all to ourselves. Our target species for the day was the dorado (also called the dolphinfish or mahi-mahi), a species that has been on my bucket list for a long time.
I had visited Luke Ryan from Tackle West the day before and he had given me some great advice on catching this fish (btw, Luke has a well equipped tackle shop with quality gear and is never shy to share his knowledge and experience). Loaded with the lure that Luke suggested, I hooked and landed my first dorado on the second cast. What a great fight this fish offers as it delivers a number of breathtaking leaps in-between line stripping runs, before eventually unwillingly surrendering to the angler. Next it was Glen’s turn and so we took turns in landing this stunning species until our arms were cramping from fatigue.
There was a period of about an hour where the bite slowed due to a couple of spearos who arrived on the scene. They however soon reached their quota and thankfully disappeared over the horizon. Another two boats made a brief appearance during the morning, but everybody acted like gentlemen and made way for each other. There were more than enough fish to go around in any case.
After an exhilarating morning of landing about 20 fish between us, we decided to make the run back home. Back home we cleaned the six fish that we kept and vacuum packed the fillets to enjoy on another day (two of which my daughters already pinched).
What a great part of the world we are privileged to live in.
YouTube video
Fisheagle Ed
Faulkner Family
Posts: 17862
Date Joined: 11/03/08
Well done. Its great when a
Well done. Its great when a plan comes together. Great looking fish. Conditions don't look too bad out there. Is the last fish a bull or is it just the angle
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
Fisheagle
Posts: 349
Date Joined: 04/02/12
Just the angle
Just the angle
Fisheagle Ed
https://www.youtube.com/user/fisheagleed/videos
Didley
Posts: 58
Date Joined: 09/02/12
Awesome
Cheers for the report and awesome photos, and video as usual
Tom M
Posts: 662
Date Joined: 22/09/15
Good report and great
Good report and great photos, well done.
Tom M
davewillo
Posts: 2254
Date Joined: 08/09/16
Well done on ticking that
Well done on ticking that one off your list! They are such great fun to catch aren't they? Conditions look pretty good really. What was doing the damage on the day? Planning a run this weekend.
PGFC member and lure tragic
Kakkerlak
Posts: 114
Date Joined: 26/03/15
Top report and
Welll done Sir.
BJPK
Posts: 45
Date Joined: 02/05/12
Nice one gents
Nice one gents
paul d
Posts: 252
Date Joined: 16/03/13
Awesome video as always
Awesome video as always Eddie .
big john
Posts: 8726
Date Joined: 20/07/06
Nice
Nice work Eddie!
WA based manufacturer and supplier of premium leadhead jigs, fligs, bucktail jigs, 'bulletproof' soft plastic jig heads and XOS bullet jig heads.
Jigs available online in my web store!
Guardy
Posts: 381
Date Joined: 09/08/12
Nice one Eddie
Good to see some nice sized ones coming in over the side. I haven't caught one here in WA as of yet, the last one I caught was in Angola. Now you just have to get the missus out there with you catching them. Take care mate. Frank
Fisheagle
Posts: 349
Date Joined: 04/02/12
Been trying
Hey Frank, been trying for years, but she does not want to lose sight of land.
Fisheagle Ed
https://www.youtube.com/user/fisheagleed/videos
Dale
Posts: 7930
Date Joined: 13/09/05
On lures or bait?
"Just because you are a Character, Doesn't mean you have Character."
Mr Wolf
Fisheagle
Posts: 349
Date Joined: 04/02/12
Mixed
First few on lures and last lot on bait.
Fisheagle Ed
https://www.youtube.com/user/fisheagleed/videos