Hi there guys,
Had an oppertunity to fish Splash again after many years this w/end. Amongst our group we had Riki, Subash, Roy, the infamous MR BJ a.k.a Whisky king and yours truelly.
On Fri the 31st I joined the rest of the guys at Port Edward Holiday Resort. The guys had arrived at 7am and had fair success in catching a shad or two and simply just winding down after a long week. When I arrived at 6pm, the water was banging (seems that when ever i arrive i bring adverse conditions cc Vidal Social)
Decided to give it a shot from about 9pm till 11pm or so. Having not been in the area for a while, it was pretty much "blind throwing" from the start. While the rest took an early nap, Riki and I made our way down to Lucky Dip.
With two Mackies out presented in two diff ways, we went without a pull for 3 hours.....until, Riki was pulled really hard and flat..... the tug of war lasted for pretty much all of 20 seconds....ending with his Maxima 0.50 shredded after being reefed. I was next to go away with a pull almost minutes apart..... with drag set at almost maximum, this fish was just too stubborn. Under the tendency that it could have been a big brusher....?
Didnt experiance a fight like this before....almost like a cross between a kingie`s first run and a fat rockod.... Well, sadly to say we never did get to see this warrior with my 1mm leader ending up almost pure white from strain and slashed like a grater....
With a foolish grin on our faces knowing we had been given a hiding, we returned to the chalet to catch a kip and recharge for the next morning.
Day 2: SPRING DAY!!
Whilst MR WHISKEY KING carved his age into the wood he was cutting.....we decorated him with flowers.....lol, nay just kidding BUT it was tempting!!!
After a nice breakfast, we set off to Splash Rock.....Now one has to admit that in all the crowds that one may have fished in.....the Splash Rock Shad fishermen and ladies......are in a league of their own. Words cant describe the scenes that unfolded before us as typical Wild Coast sized shad flick flacked on the smooth rocks.....
Well, we witnessed a couple of fights both verbal and physical....the occasional and very fast becoming frequent crack of rod against rod.... the pistol like shot as a guy watched hopelessly as his trace and sinker in tow flew for a good metres without mainline attached....and the ever present, "whooo hoo!!!!" as a garrick picked up the live bait rods.A few good sized garrick were landed from about 6kg to 15kg. Some of the smaller ones were released.
With a howling N/E, a wild crowd and the main rock choked with live bait rods....we opted for Lucky Dip. We swam out live and dead Karos, various baits from fresh octapus to a banana.... lol, gotcha!!! :spite Upon closer inspection, Fri nights warrior/s had a prime battle arena.....a solid ledge known as garrick alley, now clearly visible on the drop tide....made short work of our line.Sadly we went without a pull and retired for a braai and to prepare for a good evening session....
At 9pm Riki and myself made our way down to a section at Lucky Dip, renowned for some impressive catches of kob and in the same mindset of landing that rocky warrior that gave us stick on the first night. After a 9hour session..... and copious amounts of coffee....we packed up and headed back for a quick kip..... The result you may be asking??? Well Riki and I both went into fish but failed to land a thing.... on one trace the 150lb coated wire was spliced....... 1mm leaders were grazed beyond recognition and when Riki finally got one over the ledge he was choped by a very big nunu....
Sunday Morning greeted us with a fresh S/W, perfect for Splash! With a light tip and a S bend chrome spoon, great fun was had in landing some impressive specimens of shad. Time was against us so there was no time to try for a game fish..... But in time to come, Splash will def be visited again.
Thanks to Riki for organising this trip and putting everything together. Much appreciated bro.
Here are a few pics.....
Had an oppertunity to fish Splash again after many years this w/end. Amongst our group we had Riki, Subash, Roy, the infamous MR BJ a.k.a Whisky king and yours truelly.
On Fri the 31st I joined the rest of the guys at Port Edward Holiday Resort. The guys had arrived at 7am and had fair success in catching a shad or two and simply just winding down after a long week. When I arrived at 6pm, the water was banging (seems that when ever i arrive i bring adverse conditions cc Vidal Social)
Decided to give it a shot from about 9pm till 11pm or so. Having not been in the area for a while, it was pretty much "blind throwing" from the start. While the rest took an early nap, Riki and I made our way down to Lucky Dip.
With two Mackies out presented in two diff ways, we went without a pull for 3 hours.....until, Riki was pulled really hard and flat..... the tug of war lasted for pretty much all of 20 seconds....ending with his Maxima 0.50 shredded after being reefed. I was next to go away with a pull almost minutes apart..... with drag set at almost maximum, this fish was just too stubborn. Under the tendency that it could have been a big brusher....?
Didnt experiance a fight like this before....almost like a cross between a kingie`s first run and a fat rockod.... Well, sadly to say we never did get to see this warrior with my 1mm leader ending up almost pure white from strain and slashed like a grater....
With a foolish grin on our faces knowing we had been given a hiding, we returned to the chalet to catch a kip and recharge for the next morning.
Day 2: SPRING DAY!!
Whilst MR WHISKEY KING carved his age into the wood he was cutting.....we decorated him with flowers.....lol, nay just kidding BUT it was tempting!!!
After a nice breakfast, we set off to Splash Rock.....Now one has to admit that in all the crowds that one may have fished in.....the Splash Rock Shad fishermen and ladies......are in a league of their own. Words cant describe the scenes that unfolded before us as typical Wild Coast sized shad flick flacked on the smooth rocks.....
Well, we witnessed a couple of fights both verbal and physical....the occasional and very fast becoming frequent crack of rod against rod.... the pistol like shot as a guy watched hopelessly as his trace and sinker in tow flew for a good metres without mainline attached....and the ever present, "whooo hoo!!!!" as a garrick picked up the live bait rods.A few good sized garrick were landed from about 6kg to 15kg. Some of the smaller ones were released.
With a howling N/E, a wild crowd and the main rock choked with live bait rods....we opted for Lucky Dip. We swam out live and dead Karos, various baits from fresh octapus to a banana.... lol, gotcha!!! :spite Upon closer inspection, Fri nights warrior/s had a prime battle arena.....a solid ledge known as garrick alley, now clearly visible on the drop tide....made short work of our line.Sadly we went without a pull and retired for a braai and to prepare for a good evening session....
At 9pm Riki and myself made our way down to a section at Lucky Dip, renowned for some impressive catches of kob and in the same mindset of landing that rocky warrior that gave us stick on the first night. After a 9hour session..... and copious amounts of coffee....we packed up and headed back for a quick kip..... The result you may be asking??? Well Riki and I both went into fish but failed to land a thing.... on one trace the 150lb coated wire was spliced....... 1mm leaders were grazed beyond recognition and when Riki finally got one over the ledge he was choped by a very big nunu....
Sunday Morning greeted us with a fresh S/W, perfect for Splash! With a light tip and a S bend chrome spoon, great fun was had in landing some impressive specimens of shad. Time was against us so there was no time to try for a game fish..... But in time to come, Splash will def be visited again.
Thanks to Riki for organising this trip and putting everything together. Much appreciated bro.
Here are a few pics.....
