Keeping a Big Eye out for the Reel Girls

The response I received from many readers about the photo of Tracey and myself holding the tuna in the February issue has led me to this month’s column. The article also written by Jo about “blokie” apparel and lack of options for women in tackle stores also has enticed me to tell you all about REEL GIRLS’ exciting new release. REEL GIRLS has just started up our own website (www.reelgirls.com.au) and range of clothing for women and children. Whilst it is just in the beginning stages, keep on the lookout for constant changes and new releases of REEL GIRLS merchandise on our website. You may also see our logo popping up in tackle stores near you soon.

Anyhow, back to the mag.-Big eye tuna are not often caught in Australia by recreational anglers, so everyone was interested to hear the whole story. Here it is!

On a recent trip to Perth with my REEL GIRLS team mate Tracey Rushford, we caught up with Ross Newton from Broome. Ross works his 45’ game boat from the far north Kimberley region, where numerous species of tropical fish inhabit, right down to the excellent fishing areas off Exmouth and through to the bustling waters off Fremantle. Those southern waters well known to the majority of Western Australia’s angling enthusiasts, but presenting a different challenge for Tracey and myself. Western Australia is the largest state in the country and most people from the eastern states seem to think that if you are from WA and you fish, you must now every spot off Perth. I grew up on the south-east coast of NSW and have fished in every state of this country. I call Broome home now, however I had never fished south of the warm waters at the lower end of the Kimberley in WA until this trip.

As most good fishing days begin, we set off from port at 5am. Trace and I were warned that the waters off Perth can be quite rough (compared with Broome) and we anxiously awaited the big seas. There had been no marlin tagged for the season and we were keen to possibly be the first boat to do so.

The water was smooth and mirrored. Crisp air flowed past the boat as we headed out for the FADs. The day looked to be perfect. Trace and I grinned at each other, and sheepishly decided we had been made the butt of somebody’s joke! Who cares? It’s regarded as a national characteristic to be able to laugh at yourself, and laugh we did. Although time spent steaming out to the grounds could have been a good chance to catch up on sleep lost during the festive season we were just too excited. Instead, we began preparing the lures and rods. We had no deckhand for the day and invited our business partner, Shane Lehmann, to take photos for us and see first hand, the girls in action.

We decided to be prepared for a big blue and set up the Shimano 37kilo outfit with a green lumo pusher from the Pakula range. We also set up a couple of Tiagra 24’s with a few other colour combinations and one light outfit for the odd dolphin fish. The ever-faithful daisy chain was attached to the starboard corner along with a “freddy” teaser (Moldcraft Fender teaser) on the port side. We were set. Now all we needed were the three B’s.- Birds, bait and billfish! We reached the grounds in no time, cruising through the ocean at 22 knots, and began the search through the blue waters. The swell was still flat and the wind light. We were then informed that this was the best day on the water in months. The forecast was a top of 28 and we sat back with a smile on our faces knowing just how lucky we were.

In Broome we fish in depths ranging from 25-35meters for sailfish and marlin. When I was fishing around the east coast last year they put the lines in from 65 fathoms. In Perth it’s 65meters and working between the FADs. There’s also the “Trench” as the locals call it, where the bottom drops from 140-1120m and looks like someone has hit it with an axe! However the one thing in common is the birds and bait, no matter what the depth, if you can find them. In fact, during a fishing tournament in Gove one year, we caught a 120kilo marlin in just 14meters of water. Admittedly we weren’t targeting the billfish. In fact we were fishing for sharks with a mackeral head drifting on the bottom. It was a little unexpected surprise that tipped us to win the tournament. That’s one thing we all love about fishing; you just never know what you might bring up from the depths.

The hours tick by in game fishing, but you soon forget the wait when a fish is raised at the stern of the boat. In this case the fish were a school of Mahi-Mahi. One soon snaffled up the little lure on the 8kilo outfit and the acrobatics followed with glistening lime, lemon and aqua colours between spectacular splashes. After it’s brave display I reeled it to the boat and Tracey lifted the fish on board. It thrashed about until we covered it’s eyes and retrieved the hook. We took a couple of photos and slipped it in to the freezer; a keeper for the pan that night! Another circle around the Mills Charter FAD produced another dolphin fish for us and Trace happily took the rod. Both fish weighed in at over nine kilos and we left the rest of the school to play, heading off to the next FAD.

On our way we passed another boat called Profile that appeared to be backing up to a fish near a bevy of birds. They called us over, saying they had a school of tuna and were happy for us to try for some. Sure enough as soon as we passed by the rods started screaming. First to go was the Shimano 37kg outfit and Trace and I looked at each other, indecisive for a split second who was to grab the rod. With little hesitation I picked it up out of the holder and set it in to my gimbal. As soon as I did another reel screamed and the excitement began. Luckily we had Shane on board to clear the deck. Trace’s tuna peeled line from the spool rapidly. My hook-up was short lived as the tuna spat the hook. I then swiftly reeled my line out of the way, only to have a tuna follow it right to the stern of the boat and strike within a few meters of the transom. The vision of a fish striking the lure always stays in your mind and it’s firmly planted in mine. Once hooked, the tuna took off (as they do) like a bullet and stripped the line off the reel like it was a big marlin.

Screaming reels are music to our ears! At one stage my fish pulled so hard with the 37kg outfit on full strike, I could barely hold the rod and couldn’t lift it off the rail along the gunnels.

The energy they exert is amazing! Out came the cameras and video, and finally the back brace for me, after a good 15 minutes. Five minutes later Trace called out as her fish surfaced beside the boat. Almost instantly mine surfaced too and as I waited for her fish to be landed mine swam placidly with the boat. It was hard to believe that this powerful creature that was so calm below me had nearly pulled me in the water only minutes earlier. To our surprise they weren’t yellow-fin, but big-eye tuna. Trace’s fish would have tipped the scales at the 25kilo mark and we all cheered as she put down the rod. My fish was also an impressive size at 35 kilos. We both glowed with excitement. This was one school the long-liners hadn’t found. We had never before landed big-eye tuna and both of us added this to our list of species from the deep blue.

Sashimi would have to be my most favourite meal and big-eye tuna are probably the best eating for this dish. Dinner was looking good! We didn’t stay around the tuna school as we had to begin the trek homeward and reluctantly headed east. The first marlin for the season was not to be tagged by us that day. Profile landed six tuna and hooked up to a marlin, but dropped it. The day remained calm and everyone we spoke to said it was the best day in Perth for a long time. I guess we were just lucky. But hey….that’s fishing.