Saumarez Reef November 1999

A week of crossed fingers and ritual sacrifices paid dividends when, on Saturday 13th November, we boarded the 82' motor cat 'Kanimbla' with a weather forecast that would ensure many fine days. The overnight travelling time was spent getting acquainted and discussing tactics. The array of tackle was amazing and indicative of the keenness of those aboard.

Sunday dawned as we cleared the easternmost edge of the Great Barrier reef so with 60 miles of open ocean to run it was time to run some lures. Breakfast became a fairly disrupted affair as regular marlin strikes would bring all to the back deck to watch the display as another lucky angler hooked up. Only one was brought to boat, a fine 100kg specimen to John from Sydney. Some were just too big. (my excuse for the one I lost)

Early Action- (from left)Fishinternet regulars Bruce, John and Geoff all being strectched by marlin on the trip out. (click to enlarge)

We arrived Saumarez at midday and after a hurried lunch the real fishing began. Kanimbla's dories now comprise 3 webster twinfisher cats and 3 aluminium dinghies so all enjoyed the chance to explore where they wished. Each day the fishing would usually involve an early morning dory launch for those who were keen, while the others slept in, or enjoyed a more leisurely fish from the mothership. A hearty breakfast about 8.30 then the main assault would commence. Dories would again scatter to their 'hot' spots while those who like their fishing a little easier hung an impressive spread of lures and attractors from the stern of Kanimbla, enjoying their trolling from the airconditioned lounge and deck.A regroup for lunch then more of the same, although many would try the alternative and fish from a dory in the afternoon or vice versa.

For those who still had the strength, the nighttime fishing from the back deck provided some spectacular action and many stretched arms.The deckies cleaning and filleting fish each evening always attracted some sharks, the biggest taken was a 10' tiger by Chris. Saumarez produced it's usual huge range of species includingsailfish,wahoo,dolphinfish,dogtooth,yellowfin and mackeral tuna,barracuda,several types of trevally,jobfish,coral trout,red bass, rainbow runners and a variety of bottom fish.

The Usual Speedsters were common. (from left) Meredith with barracuda, Lloyd with jobfish and Greg with wahoo.(click to enlarge)

The dream run of weather continued until Wednesday afternoon.A forecast strong wind change would hit that night so the decision was made to move to the sheltered maze of reefs known as the Swains. Once again the mid ocean cruise was interrupted by marlin and tuna strikes but we managed to arrive at a sheltered anchorage before the stronger winds arrived. Pelagic fish were not prolific like Saumarez but some great sessions on choice eating fish like coral trout,sweetlip and red emperor ensured we all took home some delicious feeds.

(from left) John and a couple of yellowfin that made delicious sashimi, Meri and a bull dolpin, Dave with one of many dogtooth.(click to enlarge)

The return to Gladstone came all too soon but the permanent smiles on everybody's faces made it apparent that all were thoroughly satisfied. Extended charters are even more enjoyable when there is a good bunch of people on board. Our group was great.

Trevor, John, Bruce, Chris, Steve, Cathy, Greg, Dave, Meredith, Paul, Richard, Lloyd, Simon, Mike, Hayden and Chris..... thanks folks for the great company. See you all next year.

A big thanks also to Bruce the skipper, and deckies Phil,Ashley and Glen, who never failed to impress with their exceptional professionalism. Nothing was ever too much trouble for these guys and they worked hard from dawn til dark and later to make sure we did nothing but have fun.The big cat 'Kanimbla' performed superlatively. Her 'kittens', the Webster cats, add a new level of comfort and safety when small boat fishing offshore.

(from left) Accomodation is comfortable and spacious, Captain Bruce and 'Fred' the auto pilot guiding us to adventure, The kittens tucked away on their mother's back for the night. (click to enlarge)

(from left) John, again,with a fine sailfish, Greg with a bruiser coral trout and Trevor doing his thing with sharks. (click to enlarge)

(from left) Cathy with a dolphin fish, Hayden and Coronation trout, Sailfish action boatside and Steve with a nice jobfish (click to enlarge)

Tasty reef species. (from left) Chris with a longnose emperor, Paul with a red emperor and Geoff with a couple of sweetlip emperor. (click to enlarge)

Don't Panic!! Richard and the skipper, Bruce with a nice little doggy - One man's rod collection ( and I thought I was well prepared!!) - relaxing between fishing.

Saumarez Reef 99 - Kanimbla Charter