Cairns - Vlassoff reef lure session

[scuttlebutt]

Went out to Vlassoff Cay from Yorkeys knob this morning for a lure session across the shallow reefs. I’ve been developing a bit of an addiction for luring the reef lately, and while the freezer’s still full of trout from past trips, there’s no pressure to bring home fish – just enjoy the challenge.

So first stop was the sand cay to drop off the girlfriend, then I commenced drifting across the adjacent reef, casting deep divers on 20 pound braid. First customer was a solid trout on the second cast

[scuttlebutt]

A couple of casts later saw a double header with purple cod and stripey. Seems there’s a bit of competition down there at times

[scuttlebutt]

The bulk of the fish were yellow tail sweetlip and stripeys. I lost count of the number of these tough little customers, but would guess more than twenty.

[scuttlebutt]

A tough spangled emperor jumped on for a bit of variety before things went bad. First casualty was caused by a huge long-tom that hammered the Mad-mullet and got it’s teeth wrapped up in the trace. I was just starting to get attached to that lure too. Then as soon as I could tie on his brother, it got hammered by a big dark shape that effortlessly powered under a bommie. Couldn’t say for sure, but my guess was either a red bass or a jack.

[scuttlebutt]

I then trolled for a while with a wolfie and barracuda caught the day before, looking for a Spaniard. Sure enough, after about twenty minutes the inter started to growl and a nice Spaniard made it’s way to the boat. Unfortunately the hooks pulled just as I was reaching for the gaff, but that’s life. We anchored up for a while, and the girlie caught a big bludger trevally…

[scuttlebutt]

And I got a nice pink trout, the only fish kept from this trip..

[scuttlebutt]

On the way home there were tuna feeding all over the place, so we stopped to have some fun. The first hookup ended with a huge (and I mean huge) barracuda shortening my mack tuna right next to the boat…

[scuttlebutt]

Second time lucky though, and I eventually landed a whole tuna.


So that was the day. Fantastic weather, great variety of fish, also went snorkeling and the water is beautiful at the moment. Couldn’t live anywhere else!

Cheers,

steve

[vertico]

thats a nice shortened mac tuna you got there
very common around structure

[morty103]

Mate thats unreal, i bet that lure fishing around the reef would be heart stopping stuff
Weather looks magnificent as well
Morty

[slacky]

Flicking lures around the reef looks like fun.I will give it a go.great catch.cheers

[Mad_fisherman]

Pure gold yet again Dude

Hey can you flick me a pm in relation to lures/jigs/poppers

i have no idea where to start

Cheers

MAD!

[Scott15]

niiiice

[no_wind]

good variety there mate top effort.

[HOOKLINEnSINKER]

looked like a great day out there. you arrived just in time at the ramp to winch my boat onto the trailer too
thanks for that.
daniel
ps. if your ever short of a fishn partner let me know . we can take either boat.