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Hartman's with Trav This Morning
Topic Started: Jun 8 2014, 03:08 PM (238 Views)
Colin Molloy
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Wahoo
Well the day finally arrives!

I'd set the alarm for 05:00 am, but my mind must have subconsciously excited and prodded me awake at 04:30 am.

All the gear was packed and ready, with rods safely stowed in the car and the esky, optimistically loaded with ice, stowed in the ute tray of my Amarok, safely out of site hidden by the tonneau cover.

A few morning rituals out of the way,including one Quell I was dressed and loaded and sitting in front of the computer, sipping a strong hot coffee and nibbling on two pieces of dry toast (I've learned from experience that a goad boating trip is NEVER preceded by anything too culinary rich).

Ten past 05:00 and a quick pop into the forum showed me Trav was awake. I finished off the coffee and toast, flicked Trav a quick PM and I was soon on my way, ready for the 60 plus kilometer trip down to Trav's place in Young Siding. A trip that would see most of it travelling down the Denbarker Road - notorious for it's curves and bumpy surface.

06:15 and I was pulling in through the gate that heralded the long farm driveway and moments later Trav greeted me with the very welcome offer of an coffee.

Boat hitched and packed, we arrived at Hartman's just after 07:00 am to an almost empty beach, with one boat and crew heading out into smooth, softly lit early morning waters:

Posted Image


We were soon underway - heading through the narrow southerly channel marked by the start of the West Cape Howe Headland and the two inshore Islands, Migo and Richards:

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The plan was to cover the long expanse of water on the East of the Headland and fish in close around an area at it's most southerly projection. Typically, the dead calm conditions of the three preceding work days had given way to slightly less ideal conditions, with a moderate WNW wind blowing.

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Around the southern tip of the headland, Trav slowed the motor to an idle speed and we sent our lines to the bottom...

Trav, showing his legendary form was ON almost immediately as the arc of his rod showed and soon had the first fish of the day up to the surface and on board, a nice double header of Harlequin and Break Sea Cod - both of good size:

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There is no doubt about it, the Harlequin is unarguably, one of the most beautiful fish in any of Australia's waters and prized table fair as a definite added boost:

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No sooner had the pics of Trav's great start been taken, when I experiences two solid bites followed by an angry down thrust of my T-Curve 400 rod tip and my Torium 30 screamed in protest as I fought to gain line from what was obviously a decent fish, albeit as yet species unknown.

Ten minutes of line tussle and I had my first fish of the day - a good sized Southern Queenie (Blue Morwong) :

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Not as spectacular in colour markings and variation as Trav's "Harly" but nonetheless a beautiful fish in it's own right and always a good fighter:

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A few more drops and things slowed up a bit with Trav and I catching a variety of sh!t and/or small fish between us, a small Breaksea and Wrasse by Trev, supported by my effort of a Rock Cod, and small Swallow Tail.

Not to be deterred, another drop my me produced an immediate flurry of solid bights and I soon had a good sized Break Sea onboard:

Posted Image


This was quickly followed up by a keep - sized swallow tail - the species assortment was building nicely!

Trav had swapped from bait to a softy, having lost his bottom rig to one of many snags between us, and half way up on the retrieve, the line was smashed - "Salmon" - Trav confidently called as his curving rod tip buckled and shifted with the runs from an obviously decent sized salmon:

Posted Image

After a few further dives, Trav had it to the surface where it put on some characteristically wonderful aerial acrobatic displays:

Posted Image

We'd hoped the wind would have dropped off and the fishing escalated, unfortunately it happened the other way round, so with some good fish in the esky and the promise of a very wet return to Hartman's (and it was!) we pulled anchor and heading back up the east side of the West Cape Howe headland.

Both thoroughly drenched and frozen, we slid the bow to the beach, loaded the boat on the trailer and returned to Trav's place for another welcome and warming coffee.

No fishing records were broken, and the wind didn't play ball as we hoped, but it was still a great day, we landed some good fish and had a wonderful time.

THANK YOU Trav, great to meet up at last - I really enjoyed the morning, the fishing, your company and your hospitality and would be only happy to repeat that experience. 8-)





Kind Regards

Colin Molloy

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Lefty
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I wish my bad days worked out that good.
Shame about the weather.
I'll fit in a trip down there sometime.....hopefully.
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Colin Molloy
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Yeah wet as coming back - even my lard arse and broad shoulders couldn't shield poor Trav on the way back - :D - hope you can make down one day Lefty !
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Colin Molloy

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Numbskull
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Well done, great assortment. Love the cliffs in the background
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Colin Molloy
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Numbskull
Jun 8 2014, 04:06 PM
Well done, great assortment. Love the cliffs in the background
Cheers Numbskull :) - yeah that's the beauty down here - even if you don't catch any fish (and I've yet to "achieve" that ^_^ ) the scenery alone makes it worthwhile.
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Colin Molloy

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K1W1
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Black Jew
Nice writeup Colin, those harlys look and taste great.
That boat is a very neat set up Trav.
They say "the early bird gets the worm"... Not a problem, worms all yours birdy. I'll get up around noon and fish a dry fly - Hank Patterson
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rob dulson
Rob dulson ,the anchor man .
Fantastic report felt like I was there with you .
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TravGrundy
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Black Bass
Cheers Kiwi, just about have it setup how I like. Still have some lights, wiring and maybe a live well plus deck wash to sort out down the track.

I lost a good sized fish just after Colin scored the queenie, had lots of fish showing on the sounder but conditions just weren't ideal to anchor and burley. Still fresh harliquin for dinner tonight so I cant complain.
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choc
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Great day out guys!!!
Would love to drag my runabout down and catch up for a fish with you guys.
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Goodie
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Good stuff!

Amazing country the granite and the deep blue water is just amazing !
Oh its on!
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choc
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Might be a trip coming up Rob, what do you think?
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TravGrundy
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Black Bass
Just send us a pm if you want to come down Choc and we'll sort a trip out.
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Colin Molloy
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Thanks guys for the kind words - would be great to get a bunch together!
Kind Regards

Colin Molloy

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Wookiee
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great report and a fine assortment of fish.
queenies are a fine looking fish but that harly is spectacular.
Carpe Pisces

The walking carpet disaster.
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Goodie
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keeen
Oh its on!
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Fish
homebrewer not fishmonger

well done trav and col
4 kids, no beer and lots of mullet
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ChilliBeer
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ChilliBeer
Damn nice scenery you were fishing in. Good report and a few good meals with memorable moments ahead.

Well done Trav and Colin
Give a man a beer and he'll waste an hour. Teach him to brew and he'll waste a lifetime.

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Colin Molloy
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Thanks again Guys - agreed re the Harley Wookiee - Goodie - hope it's ok saying this (remove if not by all means) - I've kicked off a Hartman's Trip organisation thread on Southern WA Outdoors - perhaps you could join and I can keep the organisation in "one place" (so I can keep my head around it).
Edited by Colin Molloy, Jun 9 2014, 08:37 AM.
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Colin Molloy

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SnappaDan
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Can't complain too much with a day like that, way better than sitting home on the couch. Good stuff Fellas, I'm coming down next year to join in the Southern adventures permanently.
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Lefty
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SouthernWAOutdoors
Jun 9 2014, 08:37 AM
Thanks again Guys - agreed re the Harley Wookiee - Goodie - hope it's ok saying this (remove if not by all means) - I've kicked off a Hartman's Trip organisation thread on Southern WA Outdoors - perhaps you could join and I can keep the organisation in "one place" (so I can keep my head around it).
All good.
A good cross promotion for both.
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Colin Molloy
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Lefty
Jun 9 2014, 08:51 AM
SouthernWAOutdoors
Jun 9 2014, 08:37 AM
Thanks again Guys - agreed re the Harley Wookiee - Goodie - hope it's ok saying this (remove if not by all means) - I've kicked off a Hartman's Trip organisation thread on Southern WA Outdoors - perhaps you could join and I can keep the organisation in "one place" (so I can keep my head around it).
All good.
A good cross promotion for both.
Onya Lefty - nothing but the greatest respect for your perspective mate! B-)
Kind Regards

Colin Molloy

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Colin Molloy
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SnappaDan
Jun 9 2014, 08:49 AM
Can't complain too much with a day like that, way better than sitting home on the couch. Good stuff Fellas, I'm coming down next year to join in the Southern adventures permanently.
Cheers Dan - that's AWESOME news mate!!
Kind Regards

Colin Molloy

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ChilliBeer
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SnappaDan
Jun 9 2014, 08:49 AM
Can't complain, I'm coming down next year to join in the Southern adventures permanently.
You beauty, But please dont take all the snapper and gummys with ya! :)
Give a man a beer and he'll waste an hour. Teach him to brew and he'll waste a lifetime.

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Chess Shark
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Spanish Mackerel
good effort and good report! ;)
PB Black Bream 48cm, PB Silver Bream [Tarwhine] 37cm, PB KG Whiting 52cm, PB Mulloway 18kg, PB Tailor 3kg,
PB Salmon 5kg, PB Snapper 3kg, PB Samson 25kg, PB Snook 75cm, PB Flathead 45cm, PB Gummie 100cm, PB Hammerhead 35kg
oh and.....
PB Blowfish - 24 in one trip
Herring are not a food fish they are best used as bait for bigger fish.....
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Colin Molloy
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Thanks Chess :)
Kind Regards

Colin Molloy

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