Lorne Pier

Location: Lorne Pier
Date: 05.07.08
Crew: Ross, Dave Huggett
Time: 8.00-11.30pm
Weather: 10-15 knots, small chop,cold
Target Fish: Squid, Silver Trevally, Mackerel, Thresher Shark, Seven Gilled
Bait: Pilchard, King George Whiting, Salmon, Barracouta
Berley: Fish leftovers - whiting, salmon
Catch: Nothing. Dave hooked onto something that was taking out line... but busted off after a minute.
Report: No luck this time. As we arrived a dude was hooked onto something big, most likely a seven gilled shark or a thresher. An hour before we arrived he hauled in a 5 foot thresher that he pulled up nearly to the top of the pier but its tail thashed the line and broke off. They were using a gafe rope to pull them onto the pier. Using full Pilchard with steel trace. 8.0 hook maybe. Weed toward the corner where the bait table is. Straight off the end or to the left seems best.
Rating: 2/10

Whiting Challenge

Species: King George Whiting

Location: Ventnor, Phillip Island

Bait: Pippie

Tackle: Standard Surf Rig

Length: 46cm

Weight: 750 grams

Poached Australian Salmon

Fish: Australian Salmon
Recipe:
Fillet Salmon - remove dark muscle along outer side of fillet (this is the strong fishy taste which is not wanted)
Heat red wine in pan (enough to completely cover fish)
Add fillets, sprig of rosemary, a bay leaf, basil, diced tomato and Spanish (red) onions
Slowly poach making sure red wine issimmering not boiling
Remove fish when cooked
Reduce red wine sauce on med-high heat (continually stiring)
Serve fish on couscous and pour over sauce
Serve with asparagus or green beans
Note: Apparently Australian Salmon works well in fish burgers and is very good if smoked. Check web sites shown in Blog for other Australian Salmon recipes

Rating: 7/10

Steamed Whiting

Fish: Whiting
Recipe:
Fillet whiting
Boil water in saucepan or wok
Lay fillets on bamboo steamer and put on lid - ensure water doesn't boil above fillets
Heat peanut oil in small saucepan
Chop spring onions and ginger and place in a metal bowl
Once oil starts to steam pour over spring onions and ginger to make an infused oil
Once fillets are cooked place on plate and pour over sauce
Serve with lemon slices and salad

Rating: 8/10

Ventnor Success

Location: Phillip Island - Secret Spot (Tinny)
Date: 28.06.08
Crew: Ross, Luke
Time: 9.30-11.30pm
Weather: 10-15 knots, small chop,cold
Target Fish: Whiting, anything else
Bait: Pippie (metal lure)
Berley: Tuna berley pellets with tuna oil mixed in
Catch: 21 x Whiting, 1 x Salmon, 2 x Snook
Report: What a catch! Biggest haul on the tinny yet. After 18 whiting had to start throwing them back. Nice size salmon found our berley trail, 30cm - 650grams. After 1.5 hours decided to throw on a small metal lure(blue back) and try my luck. On the second cast pulled in a nice sized Snook much to my amazment. Few more casts later pulled in a second. Prior to casting I made sure there was a good berley stream.
Note: Berley seems to work well if it has been soaking in a bit of water, breaks up nicely when thrown in and creates a nice cloud of fish food. With the tuna oil mixed in you can't beat it.
Rating: 8.5/10