Took my 2 boys out to the islands on the weekend as we hadnt been for a while.
As it was the only opportunity between moving the oldest daughter to Perth and going back to work we just bowled out there even though the weather wasnt looking too flash.

Weather wasnt too bad on the way out, 15 knot southerly.
Quick stop for some fish for dinner/cray bait

Staying with friends out there was a bonus, though we camped onboard as we always do.

Next day was a good 25 knots so not much option but to have a play in the shallows

Got a feed out of the pots

Fishing in about 3 meters of water, Cam got smashed by a baldy that dragged him to the side of the boat much to his little brothers amusement.

Suprised him I reckon as hes no stranger to fighting bigger fish

Pretty sloppy day bouncing around.

Next day was a howler, to about 40 knots.
Couldnt do much, even pulling the pots was a drama.
Had a bit of a troll around the lumps for a undersize trout but that was about it, no option to head home.

Boys have got a bit of a thing for "catch and cook" these days and whole fish Asian style is a favourite.
The two of them devoured this thing whole and I barely got a taste, yes it was well over legal size but wouldnt have got a 30cm fillet

With the good old staple, Me Goreng noodles 

Trying to get the boys to school on time wednesday, get up 5.30, pull pots, brekky of Weetbix and push into the SE of about 15-18 knots.

Not the best but still could make 15-17 knots.

20 minutes in, got a call from sea rescue asking if we still intended coming in that day due to weather, but it really wasnt that bad.

Boys back to school...

 Not fishing related.

Going for a week Bali trip in March and havent been in 20 years when was surfing days and Sari club nights. Looking for a great chillout place with missus thats not too far from good food (not there to party) at around 200-250 a night (or maybe more depending as its been the only o/s holiday in ages)

Any suggestions?

Cheers

Adam

 Hi guys, 

I've always loved the idea of island hopping on the boat, cruising from island to island and setting up camp on the beach. So we are currently planning a fishing trip for ~2 weeks at the end of March. I have an 17ft swiftcraft with a 80hp 4 stroke yamaha (2013 model with 150 hrs on it). Our current idea is to lauch at fortesque rivermouth and spend a week or so camping and fishing the islands to the west / south-west of the mouth - about 20km from shore (thinking Sholl island, steamboat island etc). Would be doing a bit of everything - fishing the mangroves, trolling, popping and bottom bashing (if we can find some good bottom reef around this area)

Our thoughts are that we should plan for the best case scenario and have enough fuel and supplies on board so that IF the weather was to really turn it on, we could make the long trek out to the monties (perfect case scenario). I wouldn't attempt to head out there unless there was a really good forecast with sustained periods under 10knt's for the trip there and back. I think the main requirement is the additional fuel required which we would probably use if we didn't attempt to make the journey anyway. 

I normally fish out from Rockingham between 10-20nm. So I consider the one way trip to the monties about the same distance I would travel on a day's fishing - except the difference would be the weight on board with all the required fuel (jerry cans), camping gear, ice etc etc. I plan to do a few fully loaded test runs in Rocko in the 2 months before we head off.

I'd hope that the fishing around the more inland islands (steamboat, stewart, sholl etc) would be good enough that we wouldn't even need to consider crossing to the monites. Anyone have much experience around these islands ?

Have done a lot of searching for information, especially on this site and found some good info. Will likely continue this information hunt until the day before we leave ! 

Seeking any and all advice / opinions - would the fishing around the islands near fortesque rivermouth comparable to the mackerel islands ? Should we maybe consider the mackeral islands or perhaps somewhere else ? 

So we have had a 2 week trip to Kalbarri for a long time now, but due to the recent rain around we have been told that the goyges are flooding and the river will more than likly turn brown.

so firstly if anyone is planning to go there in the coming weeks keep that in mind.

2nd what would be some other family friendly places up north.

we have a boat 4 adults and 2 little kids Ages 1 and most 3

Thanks  

FUCK ME, just did this whole post and lost it on save

After 1 1/2 hours with videos etc 

Sorry but just gonna let the pics do it now

Many thanks to Fuzzy79 (Alex) who once again acted as valet launcher/retrieve and parking for Leeuwin Ramp!

Breaky is a feature of our trips 

Crays were great, if you like spawners 

Luckily still got 2-3 a day along with the dozen or so berried!

Who needs an anchor winch when you have these guns to impress the ladies...

A run out to the West End for a go at Jump Rock 

Last day we planned to be off pretty early as we were heading to Adventure World for the day.
Of course the weather had other ideas, 30kt SE all night then 25+ at 7am.
We of course did what the Cruisecraft does as good as nay, and put the hammer down straight into it

Well not quite but 14-18 knots was pretty comfortable

 Hi All

Will be arriving at Steeps to camp on the beach for the week 30th of April. Anyone else be around then?

First trip up there and looking forward to it. Will be bashing the bay from a 3.7m tinny.

 Any tips or tricks for a noob to the area are welcome.

Cheers Jayce

 Hi All,

Taking my 3.8m tinny down to Albany for 5 days. Never fished the Albany area and I was hoping some of you learned fishos might now of some decent spots to take the tinny to?

Cheers

Final lot of photos.

Photos follow on from my other Dirk Hartog story

Leaving Perth at 0400 5 of us in two 4WD’s headed up the brand hwy with our first stop the 440 roadhouse for a fuel up and breakfast. Then it was on to the Overlander roadhouse for a fuel top up and an early lunch before heading in towards Steep Point. The trip in wasn’t too bad, some corrugations but overall not too bad. The sand hills were negotiated with ease by the Triton and Landcrusier and we arrived at Blackies beach to wait for the Barge. We dad arrived in good time so had an hour or so to wait so killed the time downing a cold one and having a swim in the crystal clear water. Then it was onto the barge for the quick trip over to the island and the 40 minute run up to the homestead and our accommodation in the Ocean Villa. This would be our base for the next 5 nights. It was perfect for our needs, verandah to sit under and talk bullshit and have a quiet beer or two, hot shower and comfortable bed.
You couldn’t have asked for better weather for our time there, Mid 30’s light winds and low swells. The plan had always been to fish the West coast which we were able to do on all 4 days. We were mainly targeting demersals as the winds were onshore most of the time. Had 4 awesome sessions with many Baldies, Pinkies, Spangos along with a smattering of trevally, shark mackerel and kingies caught. I will let the photos do the talking.
A big shout out to Kirren for his hospitality and his son Will for the amazing photos and video he took on our last day. None of us wanted to spend time on the camera as we all wanted to fish so thanks.
Already planning another trip up there next year, camping this time as all the families want to experience the island. I guess that will mean I will get to explore the island more and finally make it up the cape inscription after not managing it on account of too much fishing my last 2 times there.
Finally a big cheers to Mick, Dan, Reece and Ben for making it such a great trip.
Here is a link to the Video of our last days fishing, hope it works as I'm not that tech savvy.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/cmlm3uley17wnfk/fishing.mp4?dl=0

More photos to follow as have too many for one post.
Cheers Brad

 Long shot I know, but we are heading down to Perth and Rotto from 31st onwards, just wondering if anyone will have a pot or 2 still out there and be happy for us to throw our float on and haul a couple of times?

I can drag one of mine down but its just more shit on board along with bikes, camping gear for the girls and beer 

 Hi All, 

Went for broke earlier in the year and got myself into a 26ft Jackman (aptly named "obsession") so that I'd be able to do the trip of lifetime up into the North West exploring the stunning Kimberley without having to fork out $2000 a night for a bunk on true north. Currently planning on departing mid april for approximately 3 weeks in the wilderness. 

Planning is fairly advanced but given my idea of a big tide is the 1.7m tide that caught me out at rottnest in 2013 i'd definitely appreciate any advice, I'll be having four POB with 550L below deck and a further 250L in Jerrys, plan is to tow to Broome in the week before school hols, steam to One Arm & refuel, Refuel @ Dog Leg going on to explory Doubtful Bay and her creeks before heading back to horizontal falls and dogleg for more juice, steaming into Derby for a crew change / refuel / resupply, from Derby to Kuri Bay via. deception Bay and Montgomery Reef, fuel has been organised at Kuri bay which opens up Prince Regent River and Cascade Falls. From Kuri we will be retruning to Broome via. a third stop at dog leg creek fuel barge. Total time on the water is 22 days. Still need to do some more seatrials with an full IBC on deck in sloppy conditions to work out my worst case fuel economy (plan to wait out any need to drive into a tide), current plan has an allowance for 1500nm @ 2.5 L/nm, worse than any numbers i've been getting off perth but not too far off to be carrying around excess fuel.

Mostly the trip has been planned based off what i have seen on some of the Kimberley Post on fishwrecked, as well as the Freo Cruisers Guide and resources available on KCCYC website, i would say that for every starred location on the below map at least 5 hours of planning and a few thousand dollars have gone into this trip, having said that i am very eager to hear from anyone who has been up that part of the state and has any advice for me, i'd definitely be happy to buy beers for anyone willing to listen to my ramblings long enough to depart some wisdom. 

Once completed i'll be be posting up a detailed report including hopefully a GPS log and all of my fuel numbers for anyone else looking to plan something similar. 

Simon

 Can only dream of 7 days of this!

Gday crew. Imagine there are some sore heads around the country this morning... ha ha.

The missus and I are wheeling up to Broome for a bit of a getaway prior to the Christmas crazy times. What's the fishing like around that area? Coming into the wet, I imagine it will be luck of the draw with weather, but a bit of rain never hurt anyone :) much land based around there as bit of a rushed trip and cant be assed dragging the boat from Gero for a daytrip..

Any and all advice be greatly appreciated..

 Hi all. I'm taking the family upto three bays tamala next week will be meeting up with 3 other familys on the way and staying 7nights. Has any one been up lately how's the weather, fishing etc any info would be appreciated 

Hey guys looking to book somewhere to stay with the family next year for a week in Exxie with the boat....has anyone stayed at the Exmouth Villas? Was the parking close to the villa? I like to have my gear close at hand and we will be coming off 2 weeks at Warroora so we have all the camping gear loaded. Hard to tell from google earth.

Cheers

Woody

Looking at going down south over the Christmas period from the 26th to the 30 of December  up to 8 people and a couple of dogs. Anyone have any recommendations or property down there? 

 Hi Members....been searching the web for info on boating around Broome...more open water...it must be really good cause not much info is available - everyone is keeping it a secret? Anyway...would someone have some info on general areas to head, been there before so comfortable with the launching scenarios up there...looks like the wind may pick up again this time of year? 

I cooked brekky last school holidays on Cable beach and was watching gents launch and head out...looking forward to this one....

Im heading up to kalbarri for a week at the end of september with the mrs and young fella, and much to her dismay im planning on taking the kayak up and hopefully the weather is nice enough to get out or atleast play around in the river. Few questions; ive never been up that time of year so what weather conditions should i expect? Is anyone else gonna be up there with a yak, or might have a spare spot on a their boat for a day trip? Ive been to kalbarri a few times with mates but it was more just sinkin piss and soaking baits with a few laughs rather than actual fishing trips, although I'll have the mrs and little one with me i wanna give it as good crack as i can before she packs up and leaves me there. Haha

 NOT!

Planned a quick spin over for 4 or 5 days with my 2 lads and to catch up with Paul G as well.

Paul rolled up the day before, being a little smarter than me but not quick enough to avoid interaction with the local mermaids (c++ts with scales) but still got away for a good run across.

Unfortunately with my boat parked at the far side of town and the missus had the Landcruiser in Perth til fri nite it was a rushed organising, consequently leaving behind the bacon, deck wash hose and a few other things.
Left too late and got flogged on the way over, on arrival I realised one mount of the bimini broken-fuck...

Picked up a couple of nice pinkies though

We were expecting a couple of nice days, and of course we were disappointed but not suprised, they are 10 to 1 for us!
Sunday we took off for a troll as it was about 25 knots but didnt get much except a mackeral tuna. Saved a chunk to eat and the rest for bait which went well

As the breeze started dropping away we did a bit of bottom fishing, barely a shark to be seen which was a very welcome change.

Picked up a few pinks and baldies.

Pulled into the Bity Hole to cook up some lunch and fillet and the boys had the bright idea of taking a rod and lure plus a pinkie frame to try and rustle up a trout.
They disappeared over the coral to the entrance spit and after a while I wandered over to see them.

The sight that greeted me was yelling and Cam and Mac running backwards out of kneedeep water as a shark came flying out of the deep and snatched the frame.

Both breathless and in hysterics at a close escape, arms spread, "it was twice as big as this"!!

They had walked 5 meters out and hooked a few small trout but the shark just bored up out of the deep.

 Headed back and parked up for the night expecting a decent monday-dawned 20 knots nor east, the worst f-king direction. Forecast was more of the same tuesday and maybe wed.

Paul decided to head off in the morning and got flogged back to Gero.

Theres a young seal thats hangs in the area we go and over the years has actually proved to be a bit of a character.

He has pretty much the complete personality of a Staffy and happily will play with the kids and a piece of rope for hours.
They lower it in the water, he grabs it and gently pulls on it, chases it if they throw it out and brings it back in but never acts rough at all even if you walk past him on the coral.

There is another bigger older one that is a bit agro

We went trolling for nix, then as the breeze dropped a bit got our bag in about an hour, 4 pinks and 2 dhuies plus let maybe 8 pinks go that were borderline for a 30cm fillet.

Last pair of fish were chased up by a shark but he wasnt quick enough

Back to anchorage and I was waiting for the weather report as with a broken bimini I didnt feel like a NE flogging (likely for the next few days)

Decided at 4pm "f++k it, lets move" and we packed up and hit the road at 4.30

Unusual for me as I normally stay too long but didnt feel like another flogging and we had plenty of fish.

By the time we got close to Gero the sun was on the horizon and Id rather ambitously aimed for the shortcut of Eves Passage

I could see white water ahead, the sun under the horizon, the missus waiting at the ramp-hammer down and go, phot doesnt look like much

Home again...

Hi all.

Heading to Gnaraloo for the first time next month. I'm trying to decide wether or not to drag the dinghy up there on top of the camper.

As I won't have a boat trailer there I will need to unload the boat at Gnaraloo bay and leave it there until we head off again.

Can you leave your dinghy at Gnaraloo bay on the beach(out of the launching area) or at anchor? Is it protected enough?

And is it even worth taking the tinny up there? 

Any advice or tips(and places to fish haha) will be much appreciated.

Cheers

 Hi all, heading to Steep Point on the 2nd to 9th Sept (5 nights total). Camping on the beach. There is currently 3 of us (aged 35) taking 2 px rangers and taking my 5m runabout. Looking for another one or two dudes and another boat approx same size to tow up behind our other ranger. We got all the gear, gennys, freezers etc. So all you need to do is bring your food, booze and chip in for fuel. Work out finer details over a few beers. Cheers, Dan

off to Exmouth early Saturday
no one else goig it seems
no replies
this site pretty dead these days
I appreciate the replies and tips I have had
many thanx all
Brimhunter

 Close to the end of my 5 week break from work, Easter seemed the perfect time to spin to the islands.
Unfortunately the weather, touch of the flu, and kids timetables worked against us and the planned saturday trip was brought forward to friday.

The weather would be marginal at best but a mate was going in his crayboat early afternoon so the fallback was to follow him over.
Launched 10am after laying in bed looking for an excuse not to go and watching the southerly out my window.

Fuck it, lets hit the road...
Took my 3 youngest only as the others had Country Week hockey etc.
Wasnt overly fussed about what fishing if any, had the great fortune to be guests of some very good friends with a roof over the kids heads for a change.

Got out of the marina and thought we'd head out Eves Passage and see what it was like then come back to the Fishing Boat harbour and wait for Kim to leave but after getting a mile out I looked back and thought bollocks lets just get moving.

Wasnt the roughest trip by a long shot but wasnt comfortable either, 20 kts southerly. A head cold plus a face full of spray made it a little unpleasant.

An hour and 40 later we pulled into the calm water to find Fisheries right up our ass. A "minor" issue to be sorted with them, will see how that plays out...
A quick troll in the arvo, pots in the water, very rough especially south of Long Island, couple of strikes and thats all.

Next day good 25-30kts, jerked the pots for more than we needed to feed 10 people and off trolling again.

BOOM double header of yellowfin in 5 minutes, Cam on one and Leah the other.
Lost one , landed one maybe 10kg

Back in with the lures, 15 minutes out into open water and another double header.
This time Leah and Mac worked hard for about 15 minutes while I tried to keep the boat steady in the trying conditions.
As they worked the fish in it looked as though they were tangled but turned out on lure in the mouth the other in the back!

Pulled into the Bity Holes braving the breakers across the entrance to have a rest, lunch and a breather.

Had one more strike but that was it for the arvo, back to the camp to chill out and scoff fresh tuna ent're and crays for dinner.

Next day knocked over a few jobs lined up around the camp and boats then spin out in to the washing machine for a troll again.

Another 25-30 knots but swell was up a fair bit now also, another couple of mackies to the kids then a 3rd which Cam worked all the way to the boat and I gaffed, slipped off the gaff and ran bleeding.

Peeled off 100 meters or more then got sharked I think, best lure gone.
That caused a fair bit of angst aboard with the kids ragging Cam which went down like a bacon sandwich in a mosque-Cam takes his fishing pretty seriously 

After 5 days, with flights to work looming I thought better head homeward.
First day with under 25 knots was tuesday so we had a short troll for nix then packed up and loaded and put pedal to the metal.

Hi
off to Exmouth on 29th April
anyone Fished from Kayak at Exmouth ?
I have posted a few times on the site no one replies ????
Just wondered if Gulf side out from Marina is the go or anywhere else for that matter
Not asking for any secret spots just want to be safe and maybe get into some fish
haven't done mush yak fishing off the Beach just wanted to increase my odds if possible
If anyone can help be much appreciated
Brimhunter

Hey FW crew, looking for suggestions for a good spot to do some bush or beach camping probably in the Southwest. Prefer to stay away from the commercial caravan parks, and like to have a campfire and some tunes so probably better if the neighbours aren't close by.

Love doing this up at Sandy Cape (Jurien) or on the beach south of Lancelin, any suggestions for something similar down South? Have heard Conto's is good but worried the neighbours will be on top of us so no tunes or genset.

White Hills / Preston is OK but looking for something new.

Appreciate any feedback.

Cheers,

BD

 Anyone heading over for Easter?
Heading over mid morning tomoz with 3 of the kids.

 Any one fished out of greenhead with a boat what the fishing like cheers daniel 

 Hi guys! 

Heading up to exmouth in a week or two and towing the boat which is a stacer 539 sea runner. Missus wants to stay at karrijini on the way back. Any one had experience with the road in? Some ites say its all sealed now. Also obviously will be leaving the boat at the site etc for day trips, anyone done this before? Any issues with security etc? 

Any suggestions greatly appreciated! Will be devo if cant bring he boat just because of a few nights on the way back! 

What do you guys run, and how long can you run it for?

Just after some real world experience on some set ups for remote camping. i  atleast want to run 80l engel on freezer and a 40l engel on battery/batteries for  about 10 days.

will have a generator for back up.