Quick trip to Shelleys beach

[Cuthbad]

This time each year me and a few mates take a trip to celebrate a couple of birthdays and the start of summer. While it isnt exactly a fishing trip, when they ask me if I'm bringing the fishing gear all I can do is laugh. This years we only had a few days so the long drive north was out of the question, instead we went south, to Shelleys beach in a National park about 5 hours from Perth. I hadnt been there before and while Albany has some great fishing spots shelleys isnt known for its fishing so I wasnt sure what to expect....

We stopped at a lookout above the beach and as well as being amazingly beautifull, I thought there was the potential for some decent fishing. Albany is known for its rock fishing, but as I broke my foot a couple of months ago and only just ditched the crutches I was limited to the beach

 

[Cuthbad]

We set up camp the first night and were swarmed by wildlife, the bandicoots raided anything left on the ground and a 6 foot plus kangaroo came charging through our campsite scaring the hell out of us. I was just hoping there was as much wildlife in the water as there is in our campsite

 

[Cuthbad]

First morning I was up early and out fishing for bait, luckily my mates missus came down to help out. We picked up a dozen herring, enough to get by for a while. Was a great morning, nothing seems to shake a hangover better than a mornings fishing and a quick swim!

 

[Cuthbad]

After a day on the beach we grabbed the gear and headed down for an evenings fishing. I carried the fishing gear, everyone else carried the drinks, beach tents, stereo etc..... it was clear where our priorities were.....

 

[Cuthbad]

After an hour of nothing I was losing confidence, and the first fish landed didnt help. Dont even know what the hell it is. I would have guessed a North west blowie but we were on one of the southern most points of Australia? Stilll dont know.... and to be honest I dont care, dont really need to catch another one

 

[Cuthbad]

First decent run I set the hooks and handed it over to bec, was clearly a ray so I knew it would give her a bit of a workout. Some advice on setting the drag and she was on her own.

 

[Cuthbad]

starting to struggle

 

[Cuthbad]

a little help

 

[Cuthbad]

finally landed a little eagle ray, looks a bit like the duckbill rays you guys get hey?

 

[Cuthbad]

That was it for the night.... pretty quiet to be honest but a fun evening anyway. Next morning I sneaked down to put out a rod while breakfast was being cooked. Didnt take long and this banjo shark/fiddler ray took off with a whole herring. Was a bit like dragging in a lump of seaweed no fight at all, but something I hadnt caught before so good to tick it off.

 

[Cuthbad]

I just wanna mention that while a couple of us were camping, my mate and his girlfriend were doing it in class with a bloody big camper van. That arvo I was told enough fishing, come n play poker n have some drinks. We managed to reach a compromise where the back of the van was opened up so I could leave a rod out the back and fish while we played.

 

[Cuthbad]

I had a couple of big mullet with me for bait and I figured this was the timeto use them. After about an hour I had a run, jumped out of the camper and grabbed the rod. Turned out to be a baby hammer head. If I had been more geared up (and sober) this would have made a great swim bait, but since I wasnt ready for that kinda fishing he went back.

 

[Cuthbad]

Another

 

[Cuthbad]

and gone

 

[Cuthbad]

So the fishing wasnt red hot, but what a beautifull spot and a great way to relax for a few days with some good mates. I'll be back again to have a more serious shot at fishing the area cuz that water was looking really sharkey on a couple of days!

Cheers

 

[Koper]

Thanx for the report from your neck of the woods!

Congrats on the catches!

 

[cheetah13]

Well done Cuthbad!

Looks like an awesome spot!

 

[Francois13]

nice report!! thanks for sharing!!!

 

[aquadementia]

great report and some nice fish!! thanks for the motivation to visit WA!