I STARTED fishing for luderick from the rocks at Sydney’s North Head with my uncle Don at the tender age of fourteen. Unfortunately, Don lost his life when washed from the rocks in 1967.
Since then I have had lots of fishing experiences in many parts of Australia and the world. In 2012 I refreshed a friendship with John Toohey from Sydney, who is known by his friends as “JT”. I fished with JT in the ’70s from his 53ft Hatteras Nooroo III where Australian records and 1000 lb marlin have been caught.
Over the last three years John has invited me on his annual fishing trip to The Swains at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, with family members and friends on board his magnificent 64ft Grand Banks Aleutian Class MV Nooroo V.
Grand Banks vessels are known for their superior finish, reliability and long range cruising ability, which many have strived to equal and all have fallen short. Our fishing platforms are shared between the 0.8m wide landing platform at the stern of Nooroo V and a 4m Boston Whaler we hoist on board.
The Great Barrier Reef is home to many colourful sportfish like this red emperor.
Do a spot of snorkeling around the Reef and you’re sure to find some tasty painted crays like this one displayed by Gordon.
In previous years we have released marlin, giant trevally, wahoo, Spanish mackerel, coral trout and other species. JT’s rule on the boat is one I applaud; that is we only kill what we can eat, all other fish are released. This conservation culture is shared by family and friends on board Nooroo V.
Unfortunately, things occasionally go wrong as they did on our last day of fishing. A 150/200kg blue marlin we’d hooked sounded after doing some breathtaking jumps and after a battle to regain line on many occasions the fish surfaced dead, and the clean release we were preparing for did not happen.
A brace of coral trout destined for the dining table.
Once again the trip was an amazing experience and this year I’ve put some of the highlights on the video below, which includes: Hand feeding a 300kg Queensland groper, releasing a potential Australian record giant trevally, and landing a 150kg blue marlin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlgktodKQ7M&feature=youtu.be
