your mates boat will make it over there its aound a 19km treck out there i was going to take my 18ft quinny there too and i was told thta was no worries. im pretty sure people head over in 16ft dingys too. as for fishing the beach im not entirely sure as i had to cancel due to a lil baby.  but i hear the back each is mint for casting lures for small gt and queenies

17 footer is fine up there mate thevenard is only 20km from onslow. If you base yourself there it's not far to travel to the good grounds each day.

Just came back from mackerel islands, and we had 16 ft boats in our group. Even if its blowing, you can still get a scross, just a bit wet in a centre console. land based around the island i had a blast! caught plenty of fish, even from the jetty. And off the Jetty at night can be great fun with sharks :) Land based fish caught Long toms, GT's Gold spots, Queenies, cod, Jacks, small macks ans a few other bits a pieces couple pics

The guys who run the Island are great, Drew and ... Treacey i think her name was. If you ask them, they will give you a lift over to the back of the island on the back beaches, which at high tide is great fishing for GT's macks, goldens and more. Walking out on the reefs is the best way to go. Also in your boat, weather dependant there is great close shore fishing, with Spangles a main species. From the bay at thevenard, if you head south along the island there is some shallow 2-7 metre reef lines which produce some nice sized spangles, some GT's and cod. Also if you can get round the island to the back, also some great reefy areas in there for Spangles, some Trout and rankin. Make sure you pay attention to your sounder and GPS as it can be quite shallow in some parts. Dont to be risky on travelling over shallow reefs, remember big tides. Also getting into the bay at thevenard there is a red and green marker just past the big drum you NEED to go inbetween to be able to miss the reefs. This passge is only 10 or so metres wide. They will have a big Car moored up infront of the island, if you head to this you will see the markers. Hope this helps.

If that doesn't get Ian away from his zimmer frame, nothing will

Looked magnificent - and that you had tons of fun!

Colin Molloy

(Colin 2 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)

The back of the islands is protected from the Estly winds, which if you go this time of year, there is a lot of.

Best time of year so im told is May, June, July.

Definitely going even if it means swimming - looking at April. And the Zimmer comes Col, it's 316 SS with rod holders and a bait tank.

You've always got a good (funny) answer

Colin Molloy

(Colin 2 - Co-founding member of the prestigious Colin Club)

been out there in a 14 ft tiller steer not a problem .got a bit wet op the way in but the water temp was like 26degrees so not an uncomfortable trip, especialy with good fish caught and a few cold ones to break it up... you wont regret it .
always in it just the depth that varies

"Best time of year so im told is May, June, July."

Easterlies start around June. Best time would be March/Aprl/May.

I wouldnt plan a trip up this way june or july

easterlies have a tendency to spoil the party

april is the go mate perhaps may

the details everyone. My mate with the 16-17 footer has pulled out to take his wife on a cruise, so unless i win lotto, it's my 4.4m tinny which i am told will walk it in unless it's too blowy.

I went over in August 2007 and it blew around 30 knots every day,went back in April this year and it was awesome.Bit blowy in the mornings but dropped off early.Worked well cause you could have a sleep in, big breaky then go fishing.As for the boat size in April we took a 7 metre Genesis and a 5.2 plate ally over with no probs.The smaller boat was ideal for messing aroung over the shallow bombies on the north side of the island

Prior planning and preperation prevents piss poor performance