Port Stephens Big Reds

Chris Blanch [Port Stephens, NSW]

I had Thursday off in this cycle and as luck would have it, so too did good mates  Simon and Mick ‘the fairy’ Fair.  We launched the 535 Stacer at first light and after checking in with the local coastguard, we headed out through the heads, turned north and steamed up towards Broughton Island . 

The heads at Port Stephens contain no bar and are accessible over 90% of the time.  Very occasionally the swell and wind get up such that it is too dangerous for trailer boats to venture outside, but this is an exception.  Today the conditions were perfect and the run to Broughton only took 20 minutes.  We had decided to target the Big Reds that lurk in the shallow reefs around this time of year, and as usual we were using GULP 5 – 7” Jerk Shads.

My preferred method to target these excellent fighting fish is to skirt around the area that we have chosen and drift back through it casting ahead of the boat, allowing the lure to sink to the bottom and jerking it back towards the boat while retrieving slowly.  If the Reds are there it won’t be long until you are peeling line off after an aggressive strike.

The ‘Fairy’ was the first to get a hit after only a matter of minutes and judging by the large head shakes being transmitted down the 7’7” Bronzeback it was a large fish and did not know it was hooked.  After a couple of tense minutes and substantial runs we were on top of the fish and Mick was putting the brakes on what we were hoping was a large snapper.  By changing the direction of pull Mick was able to disorientate the big red and a few minutes later a very large Snapper of 7.85kg was guided in to the large environet.

Mick 'The Fairy' Fair with his 7.85kg Snapper!

Simon, having only being to Broughton island once before, was in for a proper introduction to the islands locals ( BIG Reds ) and only moments after landing Micks fish Simon was connected and losing line fast.  Unfortunately this fish was hot to trot and had Simon reefed in a matter of seconds ( how big was this snapper? just ask Simon - BLOODY BIG ).  With the score now snapper 1 Simon 0 he was itching to settle the score and 5 casts later was given the chance.  Unfortunately for Simon this fish was also in the XOS bracket and promptly smashed him once again - “bloody tough fish these reds” was the only comment I heard.  As this area did not produce any more strikes we moved a couple of hundred yards to another shallow reef.  This time in about 10-15mtrs and on about my 10^th cast for the spot I was rewarded with the tell tale thud of a fish eating my lure on the drop I wound up tight a struck only to have all hell break lose.  With the boys now chasing down the fish I was starting to feel more confident when I felt reef down on the business end - NOT GOOD - but after driving round the fish the line cleared and another beautiful fish of about 7kg was guided in to the net. Now it was Simon’s turn and only moments later both he and Fairy were hooked up with Simons fish obviously the bigger of the 2 at about 3.5kg and Micks another quality pan fish. 

Rowan Blanch with his Big Red!