Coral Bay Trip.
Hi all, well its been a while waiting and planning but Im off to Coral Bay on friday. 2 4x4s, 2 boats and 7 mates all up. We are taking the boats in hope that the winds will be friendly and we can get out a couple of times or at worst fish the inside of the reef( not in the sancuary zones obviously). Ive done a heap of search's on here finding out all I can about using the south passage. What I was trying to find out especially from people who have done it a few times is, whats the maximum swell height you would use the passage in?
Any other Coral Bay tips would also be appreciated as it my first time up there.
Cheers will post a report when we return, hopefully with some good catches.
Still trying to catch fish!
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dan1
Posts: 379
Date Joined: 11/07/07
m8 my advise is to be patient
m8 my advise is to be patient with the south passage every year i go there i sit and wait and watch the swells dont just rush out i have nearl been caught there following a m8 out and freek set came in if they are breaking just go the north its not worth the risk and on a super low tide out from 5 fingers there is a very shallow bomie if you out too far good luck start at 65m of water looking
Iceman
Posts: 747
Date Joined: 17/03/09
North Passage
I agree with dan1. the north passage is a bit further to travel but a least the channel is marked. I came back through the south passage once but took for ever to get back to the ramp as wind was up and it made it hard to see all the bommies.
Heard a story a while back of a chater boat going out the south passage and getting caught. Lost a lot of gear and passengers were hurt when they came of a huge wave. It shows even the experts can get caught.
Will use extra fuel if you want to head south but much safer.
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Versus
Posts: 918
Date Joined: 06/03/09
north*
north*
hunterdive
Posts: 363
Date Joined: 24/02/09
I think the key to the South
I think the key to the South is be cautious, but not freaked out by it. Keep a good eye on the weather forecast and the swell and as Dan said, be patient. Watch for it for a while but if you have any doubts then take a nice drive North and head out that way.
If you decide to go, commit to it and go, don't chicken out in the middle and try and turn around. That could end in disaster.
Enjoy mate, its a hell of a place, I'm almost counting the days till I'm back there, just give the ocean some respect and you'll have a ball.
Also I believe that you can log in to Coral Bay Sea rescue (located at the Seaforce fishing Charter office I believe, someone correct me if I'm wrong), which isn't a bad idea.
Reefmonkey
Posts: 711
Date Joined: 22/09/08
Sit and watch
Most times I've been up there south passage has been breaking right the way across, if its breaking forget about it. There are also 3 lead's on the shore marking the transit (one of the only transits in australia with three markers, say's something) play it safe. After friday will also be the peak of a spring tide, be cautious of heading through there on a dropping tide, as the tide drops the water funnels out the inside of the reef through the entrances, over shallow water out going tide with an incoming swell will make smaller swells break.
Dave J.
Aaron Santos
Posts: 300
Date Joined: 12/11/10
Thanks for all your advice
Thanks for all your advice guys, Im thinking I will take the extra time to get out and head to the north passage if the swell doesnt drop. Its around the 2m mark now. not worth the risk.
cheers
Still trying to catch fish!
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