Day 167 - 168 29th July - 30th July 2012

Day 167 Sunday 29^th July 2012.

Well we are still in Darwin. Today we decided to “go fishin”. We grabbed our rods, reels and bought some bait at the caravan park and off we went to Mandorah, about 70k’s up the road. We were told that there is a jetty there and a pub. That sounded pretty good so off we went.   Maps all say Mandorah but buggered if any of the signposts do.

After driving round, and round and round eventually found the “jetty”. Off we went very excited to do some “fishin” at the top end. Well, after about 3 hours of not getting a “nibble” we just about threw the whole thing in saying that the NT had no fish.

Circumstances changed rather rapidly. A young “boy” of the jetty hooked himself a hammer head shark. It was fantastic see how he managed to pull it in. A ferry coming across from Darwin didn’t see everyone on the jetty  directing him to stop or go around and the ferry ended up “cutting” the “boys” line to the shark.  Everybody was naturally “pi**ed” off. The shark was attached to a white buoy which was slowly being pushed further from the jetty. A small boat was flagged down and the young boy hopped into the boat, went up to the buoy, connected his line and rod and continued to pull the shark in. Once back on the jetty he (and others) managed to pull in a 2.3metre hammer head shark. What happened next I was not too impressed with!  Other younger men “killed” the shark and basically wasted it. I would have preferred to see the young “boy” measure the shark have his photo taken and the shark released back.  Alas, not too be.

Vania and I in the meantime were getting no were fast. All the locals were catching smaller “bait” fish and using these as “live” bait. Somehow a  “ local” man called Bob came up, started a conversation and helped us rig up our lines appropriately and also provided some “live” bait. Well, my fortune changed. After about 6-7 minutes I had a “bite”.  Bob was with me still at the time and he advised me on how to bring this “monster” in.  I only had a very light line and it was most likely that I would lose this “monster”.  After about 10-15 minutes of pulling this monster in Bob grabbed a “grappling” hook and hooked my “monster”.  Well I had no idea what it was but when it landed on the “jetty” I was absolutely chuffed. It was a “Queen fish” and I estimate it would have been between 8-12 kilos. Needless to say this was one bloody huge  “monster”.

Having landed the largest fish in my whole life I had to find out how to “gut” and “clean” it. Once again a local lady called Helen was extremely helpful in giving me instructions on what to do.

Having cleaned this monster we bought some ice and rubbish bags to keep it “edible”.  Drove back to the caravan park with my “prize” catch and filleted it up. Vania also made some “roll mops”. No doubt we will be having this “monster” for some extended period.

Although I am NOT a real enthusiastic fisherman as such, after this I can see myself taking a lot more interest. I must sincerely thank Bob for his advice and assistance as without that I don’t think In could have landed this “monster”.

So what started off as a quiet day of “fishin” ended up a very, very exciting day that I will not forget for a long time.

Sorry to “rave”on about my catch but as you may have gathered I am rather “chuffed”. So till nect time , take care from Vania and Oscar.

PS Sorry to rub it in Lester but this was some great fighting fish and it was HUGE. Get your “arse” iup here and ger into the “fishin”.

This is the 2.3 metre "Hammer Head" shark that nearly got away.

Young "boy" with his prixe catch.

Panaroma of the jetty and surrounds. This is were it was ALL happening.

This is my "monster" still in the water. It put up a great fight. Lot of jumping out of the water.

Yours truelly with my prize catch and Bob. Bob was a complete stranger who openly helped. These are the people that I love to meet along this "journey". I have been extremely fortunate that I (we) have meet so many todate.

Picture showing the shark still hooked to the buoy but NOt to the fishing line.

This was totally unnecessary. Others "buchered" the shark and did not really do anything with it.

Day 168 Monday 30^th July 2012.

Vania thinks that I now have a head 4 times “bigger” than what it was before. I try not to “gloat” about my catch but somehow  on "rare" occasions cannot stop myself.

There was no way today was going to match up to yesterday. We had to do some “housekeeping” before we move on. We have been in Darwin now for 8 nights. Our longest stay in any one spot since the start of this journey.

In the afternoon we decided to take in a movie as we had time to kill.  The movie was “The Dark Knight Rises”.  A “Batman” movie. I enjoyed it but Vania was not too impressed.

We will be moving on tomorrow into Kakadu. It is times like this that you realise how awkward and difficult it can be organising “stuff” while travelling round the country.

Not sure when I will get the opportunity to “blog” again so may I wish you all the very best to everybody in “blog” land and take care. Take care from Vania and Oscar.

Sorry, no pictures today. I was tempted to publish pictures of my huge catch again but felt that would be "inappropriate".