Bergo
12-19-2004, 02:55 PM
Recently went out with Rob Torelli and Blue Water Hunting International on the Kinimbla out of Gladstone, Australia. The trip was a ten day live aboard out to the Coral Sea.
As this was my first time blue water hunting I was psyched to get out there but I didn't get my expectations too high.
After countless hours in the air I arrived in Brisbane only to run into a few of the other spearo's headed for the trip. It is funny how we can spot one another in the airport. After another short trip we arrived in Gladstone a day early. Arriving early with me were three other guys from the US (two from CA and one from NY) as well as four Italians. That night the Italians and I went to dinner at a Mexican joint.... funny- Italians eating mexican in Australia with a yank....
Anyways on to the trip- We boarded the boat the following day. Bruce, the boat captain, helped us move all the gear to the boat and went out of his way to help us out. We were greeted by Rob and then we all headed down to grab a traditional pre-trip lunch and a few (yeah right) beers.
Once we had everyone on board we got underway for an evening steam out to the first reef. Everyone was tired from the travel so we stowed the gear, had a drink or two and then hit the sack. First leg of the trip was a bit rough but not too bad.
The next morning we awoke to a great breakfast prepared by the Captain and his crew. These guys really take care of you. We then split into groups and headed out for our first dive. Each team of about four shooters and one guide each loaded into our boats after the crew put them in and then headed out to a spot chosen by the guide. We wanted to get some burly so we dove some shallow stuff.
After a good day the boat again did a night move to the next spot. We were headed out pretty far so we had a long steam ahead of us.
Now I could go on to describe each day but with the trip being ten days this thread would get a bit lengthy. Once we got out to the far reaches of the coral sea we would over night here or there and hunt the same spot.
This trip was everything I had hoped for and more. There is nothing better than rolling out of bed, rubbing the Bundaberg Rum from your eyes, grabbing some breakfast and then hitting the water. After a few hours of hunting we would come back in for lunch and a short break and then head out for another hunt. On average we spent about eight hours a day in the water. Some guys would take off a morning dive here or an afternoon dive there. Not me. I was determined to be in the water as much as possible and learn.
Some of the higlights of the trip were two pending world records- one for Job Fish and the other for Dog tooth tuna. The Doggie was nailed by a guy from NY. This is impressive- the guy was over 60 and had major surgery the year before! Way to go Bernie!! I will post a picture of his fish but I don't want to steal his thunder (not sure if he posts on the board) I want to say the fish weighed in at 81KG.
Other highlights included swimming with a 14ft Hammerhead. He was sniffing around the coral when I pointed him out to our guide, Andy Ruddick. Andy swam down to get his attention and the big fella came up and swam with us for about 15 minutes. Amazing.
The next day I had a big Tiger shark do a drive by. Actually, a few days before we had another team encounter a big tiger and chased one guy out of the water. Sorry Luke.
This trip was amazing. More fish than you shake a spear at. The only trouble is that there are alot of sharks too. I would say for every fish landed we probably lost one to sharks. The feeding frenzies were one of the most amazing things to watch except when they just start nipping at everything. The flashers are ok to bite but not my fins!!
I will post a few pictures and if you have any questions feel free to ask. I know that I have left quite a bit out.
I will say this about the trip though.... I am going next year without a doubt.
As this was my first time blue water hunting I was psyched to get out there but I didn't get my expectations too high.
After countless hours in the air I arrived in Brisbane only to run into a few of the other spearo's headed for the trip. It is funny how we can spot one another in the airport. After another short trip we arrived in Gladstone a day early. Arriving early with me were three other guys from the US (two from CA and one from NY) as well as four Italians. That night the Italians and I went to dinner at a Mexican joint.... funny- Italians eating mexican in Australia with a yank....
Anyways on to the trip- We boarded the boat the following day. Bruce, the boat captain, helped us move all the gear to the boat and went out of his way to help us out. We were greeted by Rob and then we all headed down to grab a traditional pre-trip lunch and a few (yeah right) beers.
Once we had everyone on board we got underway for an evening steam out to the first reef. Everyone was tired from the travel so we stowed the gear, had a drink or two and then hit the sack. First leg of the trip was a bit rough but not too bad.
The next morning we awoke to a great breakfast prepared by the Captain and his crew. These guys really take care of you. We then split into groups and headed out for our first dive. Each team of about four shooters and one guide each loaded into our boats after the crew put them in and then headed out to a spot chosen by the guide. We wanted to get some burly so we dove some shallow stuff.
After a good day the boat again did a night move to the next spot. We were headed out pretty far so we had a long steam ahead of us.
Now I could go on to describe each day but with the trip being ten days this thread would get a bit lengthy. Once we got out to the far reaches of the coral sea we would over night here or there and hunt the same spot.
This trip was everything I had hoped for and more. There is nothing better than rolling out of bed, rubbing the Bundaberg Rum from your eyes, grabbing some breakfast and then hitting the water. After a few hours of hunting we would come back in for lunch and a short break and then head out for another hunt. On average we spent about eight hours a day in the water. Some guys would take off a morning dive here or an afternoon dive there. Not me. I was determined to be in the water as much as possible and learn.
Some of the higlights of the trip were two pending world records- one for Job Fish and the other for Dog tooth tuna. The Doggie was nailed by a guy from NY. This is impressive- the guy was over 60 and had major surgery the year before! Way to go Bernie!! I will post a picture of his fish but I don't want to steal his thunder (not sure if he posts on the board) I want to say the fish weighed in at 81KG.
Other highlights included swimming with a 14ft Hammerhead. He was sniffing around the coral when I pointed him out to our guide, Andy Ruddick. Andy swam down to get his attention and the big fella came up and swam with us for about 15 minutes. Amazing.
The next day I had a big Tiger shark do a drive by. Actually, a few days before we had another team encounter a big tiger and chased one guy out of the water. Sorry Luke.
This trip was amazing. More fish than you shake a spear at. The only trouble is that there are alot of sharks too. I would say for every fish landed we probably lost one to sharks. The feeding frenzies were one of the most amazing things to watch except when they just start nipping at everything. The flashers are ok to bite but not my fins!!
I will post a few pictures and if you have any questions feel free to ask. I know that I have left quite a bit out.
I will say this about the trip though.... I am going next year without a doubt.