Fishing Swains Reef

[Chopper Taylor]

I am heading up to Swains in May 2008 to fish for 7 days on the Booby Bird. I would like some info on lure fishing in that area. I've heard plenty of stories from mates about bottom bouncing for emperor etc. but i am particularly interested in jigging and throwing poppers around.

I have a Stella 10000 and Trinidad 40N, both loaded with 80 pound braid, which i expect will do the job just nicely, but any tips and advice would be much appreciated. Is it better to fish the cays or the deep water drop offs, lures, leaders, what to expect etc. etc.

[rando]

The blokes on the Booby Bird are a good crew, tell them what you want to do and they will give you all the info you need.
Just google MV Booby Bird and you should find them . The good thing about the Swains, is that if you want to fish a certain way or type of ground, then its probably less than 500 metres, and away you go.
Ive never visited the Swains at that time of year so can't comment on sea ,and wind conditions in april , that, is ultimately what will dictate where and how you fish.
It also depends on who else is doing what. Its hard to jig on the "bird" if others are bottom bashing .
If you are in a dory, its up to you and you companions how and where you fish.
Sorry if this is a bit non-commital,
You will have a ball.

cheers
rando

[cdg81]

fish the weather face, generally the deepest, thats where the beasties live. take lots of jigs.

[Chopper Taylor]

fingers crossed for fair weather

[Chopper Taylor]

cheers rando

[rando]

Cdg81
That will depend on whether they can get to the weather face.

But a good thing to keep in mind is that the trout will congregate on the pressure side of the reef, which of cause changes with the state of the tide/ orientation of the particular reef.

rando

[barkers creek]

gday mate
my boss from work went out onsaturday on the noraval from gladdy it was blowing 25 to 30 knots and it was still the go ahead, they went out form a week so there should be back this saturday interesting how to see how tehy went

[Chopper Taylor]

hey Barkers Creek. how did your old mate go on his trip to Swains? please tell me stories of spanish and episodes tackling dog tooth.