Boneheads 2013 Basics and Q&A

[GDay]

Fellas - started this thread so you can send any questions you have regarding the trip - the only dumb question is the one you don't ask.
There will also be opportunities for Q&A at the briefing session, to be held for an hour prior to the next club meeting, starting at 6.30.
I should have some charts to show you spots to fish and some examples of flies that we use up there.
Here's a few basics, esp for the virgins [we have 9 this year!], and most of it is pretty much common sense.
For the boaties;
It's time now to start preparing the boat, get the outboard serviced if it's due and get the trailer ship shape for the journey [bearings in good order]- don't leave it till the last minute as it comes in a rush.
Ensure all your boat electronics are working. Most of us use VHF radios up there to communicate between boats or from boat to shore if you have dropped someone off for a wade.
Even a pair of portable hand-held UHF radios are handy when you and your mate are doing a beach walk or wade and need to communicate from a distance.
GPS [ie Navionics card] chartplotters are essential if you are planning on long journeys across/up the gulf or out wide on the West side.
A third wheel for the trailer [plus ropes or straps] is handy for the occasional tricky launch/retrieve from beaches [ie Learmonth, Pilgramanna, Bay of Rest].
Have some basic recovery gear for you car in case you get bogged, and some tyre pressure reduction/inflation equipment.
Bring a long extension cord if you need to recharge your electric trolling motor - I wouldn't leave home without the Minn Kota for up there - it's great for mooching along the drop offs, reef edges, banks, & beaches looking for fish.
Sea anchors are beneficial for when you want to do a drift along the shallows - when the wind gets up [which it inevitably does] it slows the drift down to an acceptable level.
Reef anchors are essential - sand anchors not so effective - I take both.
Have enough anchor rope for the conditions - ie if anchoring at NW Reef, you might need around 30 metres of anchor rope.
Burley buckets are useful for those wanting to anchor up and bring in some big hungry things to the back of the boat.
And lastly, you can't underestimate the value of a good boat bitch - choose wisely and beware of cheap imitations.

For wading/walking the shore;
Good quality wading boots are needed - preferably the ones with the steel spikes [rockhoppers?] as the rocks can get pretty slippery and there are some stonefish in the area.
Stripping basket is very useful for line management and protection from some of the nasty rock ledges.
A bumbag with water bottle holders &/or Camelbak for hydration is essential.
All the normal sun protection stuff - buffs, gloves, hats, caps, sunscreen, etc


A fish species book is an excellent companion up there. Each evening we add new species for the day to a tally board [aka beer carton] and keep a track of species caught for the trip. Part of the challenge is identifying new species which up there can be tricky [more than 170 species over the years]. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia & Sth East Asia by Gerry Allen is recommended.

More to come in a future instalment.....

[Martin Kuhn]

Gavin,
I resent being called an "imitation"

[Jon Hammond]

Some sage advice from Morsie (Sudocrem is what I've used in the past and it's a godsend :p)

"When its day 5 and you're 500 meters from the boat with a salt encrusted crutch rash you'd pay $100 for a squirt of 3B. Savlon works too and is also good for other injuries, 'first aid kit in a tube'. I don't travel without it, or Beroccas."

Also some SPF30+ Lipbalm to save you from the dreaded cracked lips!

[Tony Ong]

That sounds very much like man cream Jon.

[Dave Bailey]

Hmmm, must add 'No cosmetics onboard' to my list of boat rules

Ear plugs are something else I might pay $100 for at times

[eric franco]

Good info Tony, lots to consider when you have a boat in tow. Dave Bell also pointed out at the fly tying day some spares for the trailer are very handy as parts in Exmouth can get very expensive..

[BrianHarwood]

So Dave
are you saying that cosmetics are OK in the privacy of your accomodation just not on the boat.

Not that there is anything wrong with that!!

[Dave Bailey]

Found this on another forum - also often needed at Boneheads, especially for rookies

Some more tips - if swagging it overnight on the way up:

- Pay close attention to the location of cattle grids. The noise trucks make a 2am when they go over them is unbelievable

- Pick your spot very carefully if sleeping in a parking bay/anything thay may have been used as a truck stop. Not going within 50m of the bin is a good starting point

[Jon Hammond]

Gav and Mike have experienced a school of land based blind mullet surrounding their swags at a truck stop :p

[peter birch]

New rear casting made,put out what I'm taking and halved it ,checked all batteries are charged,made heaps of twisted leaders 30lb 20lb 6lb boated is packed. Come on Friday.