Social event end of Sept

[bassbug]

Hey all
A belated report but ya anyways
The UKFC planned a social end of Sept  formally named Bay Getaway, in Richard's Bay, the whole idea was to catch and release garrick.
Due to bad weather for the entire long weekend most guys cancelled on the last minute but it was the guys like me who had to make it even if it meant sitting under the gazebo with a beer in hand and chit chat fishing all weekend long.
I arrived on the 24th, set up camp and still had time to paddle a late arvie before the sun set, so awesome to be on the salty stuff again. The next day, we planned our attack with weather in mind. Got a few livies, razor bellies, who proved tricky to catch. After a hour or so we were finally trolling. We trolled all day without a single take from Mr garrick but my buddy, Eddie manage a beautiful queenie.
On Saturday, the 26th, we repeated as we we did the day before, only this time after a good few hours of trolling I manage to get a bite, the fish took off nicely with my livie, swallowed it and the 6/0 demon hook did its trick. I enjoyed every single second of the fight, landed it, kissed it and returned it back.
Sunday morning we head out again, with bad weather, wind and rain, we braved the conditions out near the entrance to the harbour. Manged to catch a couple of mozzies. As soon as I had pinned one, I had another good run, man was I happy to hear the reel scream again. Guessing about 120 odd meters on the first run, stopped, then took off slowly again, i engaged the reel and reel in, felt a little bump and nothing more. Man was I gutted. With that I ended my days hunt and headed back to camp for some much needed hot coffee.
While drinking the coffee the okes pulled in for the ceremony before packing up and heading back home. I was stoked to be only one who managed to land the targetted species and was rewarded with some nice goodies from the sponsors, to them I thank for making it special (basil manning, sox lures, wardell insurance to name a few). After that, I helped all pack up and waved them good bye.
Until next year Mr  , be safe and run free 


Thanks for reading

[REEFMAN]

Nice report Rui! Great Garrick! 

[John F]

Well done!!!!

Catching a fish.... distant, fading memory .... 

[bassbug]

Thanks gents 

[buildershane]

Nice one Rui!
I saw your photo's on the ukfc group. Some advice please.  I want to target garrick in the Kowie river off my kayak. What knot did you use onto your 6/0 circle, and how did you attach your livebait  ? Cheers

[bassbug]

Howzit Buildershane
I use a snell knot (nail knot) on 1m long flouro leader( normally 0.6mm or as thin as I can get by, not less than 0.5mm), ended with a swivel. This swivel serves as a stopper when I want to downrig a bait, half ounce to 1 ounce barrel sinker, able to slide up the my shock leader without it spooking the garrick.
On smaller baits I'll either pin it thru the nostrils or thru the top jaw, on bigger baits my favourite is to use a bridle made of dacron or floss ( threaded thru the eyes with needle and attached to the circle hook with a few turns/twist), before this I used the thinnest cable tie thru the eyes, trimmed the access and then thread the hook thru.
I like the circle hooks because it helps with catch and release without hurting the garrick but some guys swear by using two hooks tied back to back with thread.
Hope this helps
Cheers 

[buildershane]

Thanks for the  info! Going to give it a try in the EC estuaries over new year. Will report back if I have any luck!