Post tsunami fishing or Cashing in on Karma

Well after much bad weather and tsunami Sunday, that was when the earthquake hit Chile and put us on tsunami watch. Here are a few images of us and the entire community on high ground.

From Brendon, Katie and Billy

Who could resist turning it into a bit of a party?

From Brendon, Katie and Billy

And of course someone had to keep an update on the whole situation Pacific wide, and that someone was me of course. With wireless internet and a laptop it is amazing what you can find out.

From Brendon, Katie and Billy

It was time to get out and do a bit of fishing. I was beginning to feel like I was growing roots.

Plans were laid and then the day came for them to be executed. As Billy said to me, "You must have cashed in a whole lot of Karma cause this is a great day."

From Brendon, Katie and Billy

On board for the days fishing was, Katie Longo, Brendan Yee, Billy Longo (who does not fish, he has some deal with the fish, he wont eat them and they wont eat him...... Scuba divers), Rosie and myself.

The tides were all wrong but the weather was all right so who cares.

Off we go and before long we are fishing.

Nothing much for the first hour or so. We finally get to a spot that the current is ripping through. Then we start to see a bit of action. A few follows and a couple bites but still nothing in the boat. Then Brendan hooks up to a mighty big something. Not sure what it is but he is definitely out gunned. After he is taken into the rock below his double leader is bit right through. This leads me to think shark. Then not two minutes later a white tip reef shark starts to harass our poppers. Time to move.

Our next stop sees us casting to a long reef finger about 3 meters deep and maybe 60-80 meters long.

Suddenly and without warning Katie shouts, no screams, FISH ON!!!!!!!!!! and of course we all get really excited because she is excited and everyone rushes to one side of the boat to see this leviathan of the deep. Because anyone who yells that much has got to have a monster of a fish on and is asking for assistance to put on a fighting belt.

Alas it is but a small Long Tom the is not even hooked with the hooks but instead, it's elongated beak is wrapped up in the leader.

From Brendan, Katie and Billy

Ok, now the first fish is in the boat and everyone can settle down and move away from the side of the boat. We get back to fishing and as we do a bunch of birds have moved over the finger we are fishing on and start diving into the water after bait. This of course means there must be bigger fish below the bait.

Right then we hear the same, shall I call it a hysterical scream, FISH ON!!!!!! You got it Katie strikes again, only this time it is a small Bluefin trevally. She hauls it out of the water by her rod and almost slaps me. Then within minutes, maybe less, Brendan catches one and this is followed by another. All about the same size and all in the ice chest.

The birds are still working and everyone is still fishing when, you guessed it, Katie sings out, FISH ON!!!!!!!!!! This time I can hear her drag screaming as line melts off of her little 30lb outfit. I can tell this is a better fish and something different. With repeated runs and her not gaining much line we get a belt on her and she settles in to the fight. Soon she has the upper hand and before long we have color. To all of our amazement she has hooked and landed a Yellowfin Tuna.

From Brendan, Katie and Billy

To say she was excited is really an understatement. In fact we were all excited and returned to fishing in hopes of another, but alas it was not to be on this occasion.

We move on down the reef and eventually inside of the lagoon in search of some eating fish.

Instead of fish, some on the boat got in a swim.

Brendan out retrieving his non floating lure.

From Brendan, Katie and Billy

Billy's fish eye view of the boat.

From Brendan, Katie and Billy

From Brendan, Katie and Billy

After swimming and mucking around we tried a few bommies inside the lagoon, but the tide was wrong and no one wanted to bite.

We decided to head to a reef that we know can produce some nice fish. So off we go for a 20 minute ride.

We arrive on the reef but the swell is massive which makes standing a chore. We fish on despite any hardships.

Soon Rosie boats a nice Bass and comments on how hard they can pull as it is released because they are poisonous.

All is quiet for awhile and the troops are getting tired from casting all day. Soon it is Brendan at the back and Rosie up front when I see Rosie pause and step down from the bow. I take the opportunity to get in a few casts.

Pop pop SPLASH, fish on. Drag screaming. 50lb braid melting away. Drag screaming. Turn the boat. Drag screaming. Follow, follow. Go go. Drag screaming. Keep going, keep going. I will let the video finish the story.

From Brendan, Katie and Billy

Needless to say we had a great time out. Friends, great weather, fish and lots of laughs.

Until next time

Tight lines