Sun Sand Surf and Beer: Yalata 2007.

My West Coast addiction started back in 2005 with my first 4x4 trip with young Mick my stepson. We roughed it in my BJ42 and camped on Scotts beach for 4 or 5 nights. The trip started with two 40+ degree days then turned to cold and rainy for the remainder. Although we did it tough it had me hooked and we were back for more in 2006. This time we hit Yalata. Once again we were hit with a stinking hot day to start with then we suffered thru another 5 days of gusty south westerlies. We didnt catch the fish we'd gone there for (the mightly Mulloway) but I was still keen to get back there (maybe because we didnt catch one). On both these trips we didnt have any pics to share :-( but in 2007 I was back and this time I was equipped with my trusty camera, although young Mick was unable to make this one. So, here is a breif glimps of that trip from 2007.

We went up in two vehicles. My mate Neil and I in his Maverick and Simon with the two Chris's in Chris's Prado. The destination was Yalata! Neil and I went up a couple of days early to camp at Scotts and catch some fresh Salmon that were to be used as bait for the rest of the trip. We stopped off at Ceduna and hired a quad bike.

We'd never fished with the bikes and were blown away at just how many different beach spots were opened up to us. They were also a tonne of fun.

We set up camp at the back of the dune and got about catching some Salmon. Things wernt exactly going to plan with only a total 4 or 5 fish being caught in the first 3 or 4 sessions but this was all about to change. On the last day we were to stay at Scotts we were cruising along the beach on the bike. We'd been driving along the waters edge next to the weed line when I spotted a very small school of fish. We parked the bike and I hurled a lure out past the school so as not to spook them. Then we freaked out. This thing that we'd thought was the weed line, the thing we'd be driving along next to for what seemed like ages was actually a massive school of fish. And when I say massive, I mean MASSIVE! I've heard people talk about schools being the size of football ovals and always took that with a pinch of salt but this school was seriously way bigger than ONE oval. It was just incredible. As my lure hit the water the area around cleared, it parted to reveal the sand beneath. I started shouting "Shit, thats not weed, THATS FISH!" We were catching Salmon of between 3 and 4kg (with the odd larger one here and there) for the next two hours. That was without doubt the most incredible fishing session I've even had and I wouldnt be surprised if I never have another session like it in my life. So we were happy little chappy's now. Plenty of bait for the fella's who were to arrive tomorrow. It was back to camp for a well earned rest.

The next day we were up early and set off to meet the others at Geues. We set up camp at site #3 I think. It was quite an effort but when you're there for 5 or 6 days and its going to be near 40 degree's it pays to get things set well.

After already fishing up a storm the day before Neil and I were quite happy to just settle back at camp and relax that evening as were Surfy (Chris) and Simon. Ergo (Chris #2) was keen to get soak a bait so we took him over the dunes on the bike and left his to fish while we all went back for some dinner. We were going to go back and collect him in a couple of hours. After tea I felt like going to a play on the bike so I took off to see how Chris was doing. It was lucky I did because he'd caught a monster Mully and was just about to release it without even being able to take a photo. Just goes to show, persistence is the key. The wind was blowing pretty hard that night and Ergo stuck it out for a huge reward.

The following days were more of that 40 degree West Coast weather that we're all so familiar with. The wind had dropped away to nothing and this really seemed take the fish off the boil. It did however make for some beautiful images.

We fished hard right thru the heat but the fish were few and far between. Simon caught a reasonable Mully, Neil caught a beautiful Snapper, wow, they look so clear when caught off the beach but it had to be returned due to November being a Snapper ban month. There were a couple of small sharks caught too but no more big Mully's. We just relaxed and enjoyed the surrounds. A bit of fun was had bait fishing too.