Tailor time this morning
WITH the forecast for a perfect morning I decided it was the ideal time to head down to one of my favourite metro spots to try out some of my new, home made, surf poppers.
I arrived about 1/2 an hour before dawn to find the conditions were ideal and I quickly loaded up a surf popper rig on my Daiwa Moonraker/Heartland combo.
It didn’t take long before the bites started, but they felt like herring and I was not having any luck hooking them on my ganged hooks or the big surf popper I had chosen.
Besides, I was after the big tailor that I had heard had been hanging around this spot lately. And just after the sun started to lighten up the water there came the tell tale bang, bang, bang of a sizeable tailor and I was soon hooked up to what felt like a pretty solid fish.
Taking advantage of the reach provided by my Moonraker rod and the remarkable strength of the 3000 Heartland I was able to manoeuvre the tailor around the edge of the reef and soon had it flapping around on the sand.
You beauty, a nice thick fish that measured up at 48 cm.
With the tailor now on the bite I didn’t want to miss out and I quickly rigged up the surf popper and sent it out into the gutter.
Bang, bang, bang and I was hooked up again. This fellow fought pretty hard but I managed to extricate him from the reef and he joined the other tailor on the sand. At 44 cm he was quite a nice fish as well.
With more than enough fish to eat, the rest of the short session was more about giving the surf popper a good testing and it came out with flying colours, enticing two more nice tailor of 47 cm and 44 cm - which went back for someone else to catch.
It was the sort of morning you dream about. The weather was spot on. The fishing was good. The scenery was great.
And I was still able to clean my fish and my gear, get dressed and get to work by 8.30 am.
(This little tacker was pretty hungry and he had a nice feast on some garfish tails).
If you are interested in the surf poppers, make sure you read Issue 3 of Fishwrecked Reeltime where I have put together a more indepth article on the benefits of using them - and how to make your own.
Cheers, Colin Hay
Moderator. Proud member of the Fishwrecked "Old Farts". Make sure your subscribed to Fishwrecked Reeltime http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/
mako magic
Posts: 5785
Date Joined: 03/08/05
some nice tailor there
some nice tailor there colin,must get off my butt one day and go get a few myself, good to see those poppers doing so well
Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
Date Joined: 23/10/07
Thanks Matt
Yes, it is definately time to start pulling out the tailor gear. I will take you down there one morning before work (but don't tell Doug Lol).
Moderator. Proud member of the Fishwrecked "Old Farts". Make sure your subscribed to Fishwrecked Reeltime http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/
Daniel Westerduin
Posts: 429
Date Joined: 30/10/06
A very nice way to start the
A very nice way to start the morning and such a nice sunny one too. Nice catch
Danny
Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
Date Joined: 23/10/07
Thanks Daniel
It was a smashing moerning to be out and about. Pity about having to go to work after though.
Moderator. Proud member of the Fishwrecked "Old Farts". Make sure your subscribed to Fishwrecked Reeltime http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/
Adam Gallash
Posts: 15653
Date Joined: 29/11/05
Well done Colin
That left on the surf break looks mighty inviting too. Coupla nice tailor there, must make for a good day in the office. :)
Site Admin - Just ask if you need assistance
Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
Date Joined: 23/10/07
Not quite in the league of the mornings up your way Adam
But it was pretty damn nice to be down the beach today.
There were a few really nice breaks all along the beach, even my old kneeboarder knees were getting tempted.
Moderator. Proud member of the Fishwrecked "Old Farts". Make sure your subscribed to Fishwrecked Reeltime http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/
Matt T
Posts: 875
Date Joined: 19/11/07
Great fish mate
They look beautiful. I've never fished with a surf popper before. I'll have to give it a try after seeing this. Top little report and pics too.
Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
Date Joined: 23/10/07
Hi Matt
Surf poppers are really easy to use - and just as easy to make.
The great benefit of the surf popper rig is that if some pickers knock your bait off, then you have still have the chance of catching a good fish on the popper itself - and it is not uncommon to get a double header of one fish on the bait and one on the popper.
Make sure you have a look in the next issue of fishwrecked reeltime and you can get the instructions on how to make your own.
Moderator. Proud member of the Fishwrecked "Old Farts". Make sure your subscribed to Fishwrecked Reeltime http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/
grayzeee
Posts: 2283
Date Joined: 09/07/09
nice work colin got to feel
nice work colin
got to feel good making your own lures and getting a few good fish to boot
and the little left has made me want to drag the old 9 footer out too.
If I spent half as long fishing , as I do reading this bloody forum , I'd be twice the fisherman I am.
Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
Date Joined: 23/10/07
Thanks grayzeee
Surprisingly there weren't too many guys out there this morning. There were a few real nice sets coming through as well.
Moderator. Proud member of the Fishwrecked "Old Farts". Make sure your subscribed to Fishwrecked Reeltime http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/
Hobie-Wan
Posts: 119
Date Joined: 04/10/08
Fantastic report Colin. I
Fantastic report Colin. I love to see people sticking it the rat-race and getting in a pre-work fish :-)
Inspiring! ... and i can't wait to see your article on the surf poppers..
Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
Date Joined: 23/10/07
Thanks Hobie-Wan
It would have been good to have a hobie this morning. There were quite a few birds working a couple of hundred metres offshore for most of the time I was there.
Moderator. Proud member of the Fishwrecked "Old Farts". Make sure your subscribed to Fishwrecked Reeltime http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/
Paul G
Posts: 5215
Date Joined: 12/12/07
I would be very intrested in
I would be very intrested in a dhuie popper if you have one .well done on the home made poppers ,some nice fish and what a great looking morning .got to love fishing .
Active Gyp-Rok solutions ,Residential and commercial ceilings and walls
hlokk
Posts: 4292
Date Joined: 04/04/08
Gotta find some dhuies in a
Gotta find some dhuies in a few m of water first
Nice tailor Col. Always more fun when caught on something a bit different or that you've rigged up yourself.
Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
Date Joined: 23/10/07
Paul have I got a popper for you mate
You are just the guy to test it out for me.
Moderator. Proud member of the Fishwrecked "Old Farts". Make sure your subscribed to Fishwrecked Reeltime http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/
Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
Date Joined: 23/10/07
Thanks matt
It does make it all the more enjoyable when an idea actually works. My wife will tell you I have had lots that haven't(Lol).
Moderator. Proud member of the Fishwrecked "Old Farts". Make sure your subscribed to Fishwrecked Reeltime http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/
UncutTriggerInWA
Posts: 2692
Date Joined: 05/09/08
Great Stuff Colin
Nice fish and a great report. I hope to get into the action tomorrow morning at my favourite spot. I have everything ready, I just need to get there!
Vince.
Work smart and fish often.
Member and die-hard supporter of the mighty West Coast Eagles.
Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
Date Joined: 23/10/07
The tailor are around Vince
So hopefully you will get onto some nice greenbacks
Moderator. Proud member of the Fishwrecked "Old Farts". Make sure your subscribed to Fishwrecked Reeltime http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/
wadetolley
Posts: 2258
Date Joined: 27/06/08
Great
Great catch Col ! Nothing like making something yourself, and seeing it in action.
Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
Date Joined: 23/10/07
Thanks Wade
It will be home made lead garfish spoons soon mate.
Moderator. Proud member of the Fishwrecked "Old Farts". Make sure your subscribed to Fishwrecked Reeltime http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/
Kelvin8r
Posts: 475
Date Joined: 12/08/08
nice morning
thats definatly a reason to get up in the morning colin! nice work and good job on the poppers, definatly looking forward to next issue of reeltime.
Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
Date Joined: 23/10/07
Thanks Kelvin
I am really looking forward to the next few months if there are some more mornings like today.
Moderator. Proud member of the Fishwrecked "Old Farts". Make sure your subscribed to Fishwrecked Reeltime http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/
callum
Posts: 417
Date Joined: 29/10/08
:O
i know where that is :)
aha great fish col
happy fishing
Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
Date Joined: 23/10/07
Hi callum
It is a good little spot.
Moderator. Proud member of the Fishwrecked "Old Farts". Make sure your subscribed to Fishwrecked Reeltime http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/
callum
Posts: 417
Date Joined: 29/10/08
for sure
sure iss
happy fishing
Jody
Posts: 1578
Date Joined: 19/04/07
I do to Callum
Recognise that sand anywhere ;)
Might be in for some company Colin. Nice fishies
TWiZTED
PJAY
Posts: 1005
Date Joined: 12/05/09
colin great post and photos
colin great post and photos and i will be reading your article with interest.
The Kimberley....perfect one day and more perfect the next!!!
flangies
Posts: 2550
Date Joined: 11/05/08
Great morning catch col , im
Great morning catch col , im suprised you didnt call in sick too i know i would have.
Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
Date Joined: 23/10/07
Thanks dudes
Jody, you are welcome to come along any time.
Pjay, I have a bit of a secret weapon I have written about that you might find interesting.
James, you don't how close I came to chucking a sicky.
Moderator. Proud member of the Fishwrecked "Old Farts". Make sure your subscribed to Fishwrecked Reeltime http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/
Faulkner Family
Posts: 18079
Date Joined: 11/03/08
you might have to take our
you might have to take our pommy mate down there for a fish when he gets here,
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
Date Joined: 23/10/07
Lol
But I think Sherbs has got his itinerary pretty well layed out. I wonder if the poms would do that for us - especially after we win the next few cricket tests.
Moderator. Proud member of the Fishwrecked "Old Farts". Make sure your subscribed to Fishwrecked Reeltime http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/
eddie
Posts: 303
Date Joined: 07/02/08
Beauties Colin! Love
Beauties Colin! Love catching tailor! Today was a beautiful day on the water.
Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
Date Joined: 23/10/07
It sure was eddie
I can't wait to get back down there.
Moderator. Proud member of the Fishwrecked "Old Farts". Make sure your subscribed to Fishwrecked Reeltime http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/
Faulkner Family
Posts: 18079
Date Joined: 11/03/08
one word
mongrel, how dare you go fishing and then go to work. great report on the home made lures , good to see the time paid off , well done
RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together
Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
Date Joined: 23/10/07
Thanks guys
I will have popper with your names on it for you next time I see you.
Moderator. Proud member of the Fishwrecked "Old Farts". Make sure your subscribed to Fishwrecked Reeltime http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/
bod
Posts: 2321
Date Joined: 03/05/06
Colin's tailor
All that before work and on a mid-winter's morning. How good we have it here!!
Colin Hay
Posts: 10407
Date Joined: 23/10/07
You can say that again bod
And the best times for quick morning sessions are still to come.
Moderator. Proud member of the Fishwrecked "Old Farts". Make sure your subscribed to Fishwrecked Reeltime http://fishwrecked-reeltime.com/