On Sunday 14th October
at 6:30, At and I launched “ABF” at Cape Vidal. There had been a few dorado
around and we were keen to get in on some of the action. There was a 10 knot SW
blowing and just enough current to keep us standing still… perfect.
We first set about catching some
live bait. We took about an hour to get a good supply. I suggested we troll a
few strip baits around to cover area and find where the fish were holding. We tacked
between 20m and 40m heading south with the current. It didn’t take long to get
a pull but unfortunately, it missed the hooks. We found a current line in 30m
and worked it a bit. The far bait was the first to go away with a good size female
dorado which we were stoked to get into the boat as it meant that we had some fresh
fish for supper. The next turn produced another nice fish. It seemed things
were hotting up. At was busy trolling shallower when he spotted a dorado
jumping in front of us. It was no surprize when the reel smoked off. This was a
very good fish but after a few big jumps, it spat the hooks. We made a turn and
went on with a smaller fish which At caught. While he was fighting the fish,
there were 2 followers, but they just did not want to eat. We trolled along the
current line but had no more luck. Due to unforeseen circumstances, some of our
livies had died so we quickly stopped at the point and caught a few more. While
we were drifting, I pinned a livie and put it out. It didn’t take long for a
pull and soon had another dorado in the hatch. This was turning out to be a
great day.
 |
| A great day on the water! |
With the live well full again, I
put out a few baits and slow trolled around. It took about an hour to find the
fish and the close bait we went away. It took only a few minutes to land the
fish and we made a turn in the area. Moments later, the far rod went off. At
took the strike while I cleared some lines. We noticed another fish jumping
around so I threw a lure at it with no luck. The fish kept jumping as if it was
hooked. Only then did I notice that it was already on one of the lines I had
brought closer. With 2 fish on, we had some fun and games. At’s fish was soon at
the boat but it had a follower… and a big one. I flicked out a livie and watched
the fish eat it. I hooked up and put the rod in the holder before gaffing At’s
one. We still had 2 fish on so we both took a rod. At had his fish at the boat
so again I put the rod down and gaffed it before continuing the fight. This
last fish gave me a hard fight and only after about 20 minutes could we gaff
it. A great 15kg fish.
With more than enough fish to
eat, we packed up and headed back after a fantastic day’s dorado fishing.
