26 March 2009

We managed to get our team together for a training session yesterday out at sea. Michael, Dave Welch and myself headed out to the Big Island and specifically the pinnacles N of the Island. The ocean was beautiful. Flat and calm with spectacular viz. I floated just outside of the bait and watched as a school of Mack Tuna started hammering the bait from below. I did some dives to the edges of the pinnacles in 15-22m of water and saw some Cobia near a Black Ray but my full attention was focused on shooting a Wahoo. The Wahoo did not disappoint. They were present in abundance. My ability to land one was sadly lacking however. Dave got the first at approx 15kg, I fired at one of the fish in that school falling horribly short. The next school I lay still and allowed them to approach closely. I thought the shot was good and my gear got dragged around the Ocean with my float being dragged down repeatedly. Eventually found the float after about a half hour of swimming. Retrieved the gun and the fish was gone....


Later I watched Michael fighting a huge Wahoo which weighed 25kg. A remarkable fish that many spearos would aspire to. I dropped down on a school of tuna that turned to look at me and placed a nice holding shot in one of the fish. I was quick to pull the fish in and hold it against my body to stop any struggling which may have given the fish a chance to escape. We are still a little unsure of the species because it resembled a Mack Tuna but without the pectoral spots: possible a Frigate Tuna. Dave took a Rainbow Runner while drifting over some deep structure.


We moved S and drifted along the channel between NW Rocks and the Big Island for Mackerel but nothing came knocking. With the Classic around the corner, Michael and I still had some things to attend to and we decided to make a move in. Dave saw a log floating in the middle of nowhere and that is always good for a quick look. Took some Leatherjackets and I picked up a small Dorado.


Last stop: The Wash. This is a pinnacle that comes to the surface and drops off to some significant depths around its steep sides. With the current from the N we drifted in along the NE edge of The Wash. The bait seemed quite nervous and were packed close together. On closer inspection an array of predators were in tow. It wasn't long before I had 2 Amberjacks, a Rainbow Runner and a Yellowtail loaded in the esky. It seemed like I had started the Classic early. There were several other species also in the vicinity and at least 3 others could reasonably have been taken around this spot. I have heard that around the deeper structure there are always some Jewfish present and that will be a definite plan come competition day.


Michael chatted to me at some length about taking Wahoo. He turns away from the fish not directing any swimming attempt at them. He sometimes even balls himself up to arouse their natural curiosity. Judging by his success with Wahoo his technique pays dividends.


I was glad to see a number of species that allowed close approach. Apart from the fish taken, I also saw Silver Trevally, Mack Tuna and Cobia. Last year any diver with 4 species would have made it into the top 10 and a diver weighing 5 species each day would have to be in contention to win.