McGowans Island - 2nd August to 10th August - PART ONE

We came here to fish and the boat was on the roof for this reason.  We are quite novice to blue water fishing and secretly had our reservations that our skills may be met and surpassed on this little adventure.  With weight a consideration to having a tinny on the roof it restricts you to certain types and models of small boat especially for blue water fishing.  We were hoping our 3.6mtr tinny would cut it, given the rumour of 6mtr Sharks, Crocs and being caught in a swell.



We knew we were in for a treat

Setting up

After a long day fishing the place felt five star with welcoming cold showers only and flushing toilets in the old decrepit but clean ablution block.  There was no electricity so expect the hum of generators as this is needed to keep your catch on ice.  Best of all was a huge stainless steel filleting table located in camp with water to it.

RockCod - real yum

A Study of filleting concentration








McGowans Island is not a place to come if you want to swim.  Rumours of Crocodiles and Sharks now confirmed!  Day two fishing a 3+ metre Tiger Shark circled the boat continually and at one stage came right up to the side of the boat head out of water eyeballing us.  A lot of apprehension on our behalf and appeared to be none on his.




Over 3 mtr Tiger Shark next to boat

Day Three we saw an approx. 2 mtr Salt Water Crocodile swim near shore past the boat ramp and along the beach.  It was very inquisitive popping its head up out of the water on numerous occasions and having a look at us.


DLM

Donna tended to keep a more watchful eye when launching from then on.  For Mothers Day she received her Crocodile Dundess Knife (DLM) which gave her a sense of security for no other reason other than to say her one tooth was bigger than theirs.

Our last day whilst packing up, one of the long term campers (nick name HoHo) points out an extremely large Crocodile (best guesstimate over 6 mtrs) cruising the waters about 40 mtrs out.



Sunset - A calm day at boat ramp



Inquistive Croc

There is no private or secluded sites so expect neighbours to be in close proximity.  We have found in the past this can make or break a camp site.  We were very fortunate to be beside 3 other couples all there for the same reason, we had a lot of fun and all got along exceptionally well.  We all arrived on the same day and left a day apart.  Fishing companions we learnt invaluable lessons from and we all spent many great nights around the camp fire sharing stories, laughing and eating the catch of the day.  Meals included Mangrove Jack, Saddletail snapper, Mackerel, Fingermark, Queenie, Shark, RockCod, Giant Oysters and a special meal of Barramundi from Burketown.



Mackerel - yum

Only Mangrove Jack caught - the boys
wanted to throw her in - yum

 


 







Giant Trevally - Fun to catch & good bait

 

McGowans Island to us was paradise, camped on the ocean front amount the pandanus looking at turquoise seas and red sunsets.  we arrived with the intention of staying 4 days no matter what, but ended up staying eight.  Next time we return we plan to be one of the lucky ones who sets up for weeks/months at a time.




Looking back at Campsite

Golden Trevally

 
 


Great company - great nights



Barry not a Mac - disappointing

Being the novices we are, we would like to share some of our lessons learnt.




A valuable lesson learnt by us

Lesson One:  Have a back up when travelling and fishing alone, especially in unknown waters.  We met new friends, boated in groups, carried our two way radio to communicate.  This proved invaluable when one of the boats would not start 25kms out from camp.







Lesson Two: From this bloggers point of view, fishermen are very coy about where the good fishing spots are and it would seem parting with GPS co-ordinates was a thing rarely done.  You are on your own and may find the spots or new ones which is half the charm of fishing.

This was lesson 3,4&5 in one moment

Lesson Three:  Learn how to use your equipment.  For example GPS, as re-finding the fishing spot you took all day to find then had to leave due to wind, large swells or lack of light.  It is imposing the following day to re-find your GPS position when you are surrounded by blue water as far as the eye can see.  TIP - Let your Anchor rope out twice as long as your depth or don't expect to stay on your fishing spot.


Lesson Four:  Take more fuel.  We had to turn back on many occasions and once made it back with only 1 litre left.  Nothing like just hitting the trawling spot and fuel becomes an issue.


Lesson Five:  Fishing in the morning doesn't guarantee there won't be a metre swell by lunch.  We had to keep an eye on the white caps and judge our return time as we had no access to weather predictions.  We had a couple of hairy trips back and from the marine life out here, bobbing around in  lifejackets would have just make us easier to eat, like a lure without a hook.






Paradise

 

 

 



Our time here could not have been better however nothing ever goes without a mishap.....