I had the day off , it was a rare windless day and the sea was oilslick calm with low , slow swells ... perfect conditions for a trip to an area of reef I had recently investigated .
As is my custom I am alone on my Ski-Vee , a 14 ft boat with twin 30 HP outboards - light enough for one person to handle .
On the way I see several schools of baitfish , mainly fusiliers , feeding on the surface of the northern tips of reefs I pass , a good sign as it means our prevailing current is in action , a necessity for hunting pelagics ; the only fish we are allowed to spear in this marine reserve . To seaward I notice some Bonito feeding , another excellent sign .
The place I call Hotspot is the northern seaward edge of a 2 km. reef , relatively flat apart for this one bump which attracts all kinds of fish . The bottom is mostly 30 m. On my previous dive here I speared some 'couta (king mackerel) ,all between 8 and 15 kg ,typical summer size . In winter , although fewer , we get them to 30 + kg.
After kitting up I slowly move the boat upcurrent while paying out my floatline , killing and lifting the outboards about 70 m. past the actual site .My technique is to hold onto the boat and wait for fish to come and investigate my flashers , which are tied to the boat .I can't afford to dive down to look for ish as the boat drifts faster than me and we quickly separate .
As is my custom I am alone on my Ski-Vee , a 14 ft boat with twin 30 HP outboards - light enough for one person to handle .
On the way I see several schools of baitfish , mainly fusiliers , feeding on the surface of the northern tips of reefs I pass , a good sign as it means our prevailing current is in action , a necessity for hunting pelagics ; the only fish we are allowed to spear in this marine reserve . To seaward I notice some Bonito feeding , another excellent sign .
The place I call Hotspot is the northern seaward edge of a 2 km. reef , relatively flat apart for this one bump which attracts all kinds of fish . The bottom is mostly 30 m. On my previous dive here I speared some 'couta (king mackerel) ,all between 8 and 15 kg ,typical summer size . In winter , although fewer , we get them to 30 + kg.
After kitting up I slowly move the boat upcurrent while paying out my floatline , killing and lifting the outboards about 70 m. past the actual site .My technique is to hold onto the boat and wait for fish to come and investigate my flashers , which are tied to the boat .I can't afford to dive down to look for ish as the boat drifts faster than me and we quickly separate .
