:00 Saturday morning 6 Feb 2010 saw 4 Sealiners, myself, Patrick, Fishinmagician and Bulk Carrier departing Struisbaai harbor aboard the 28ft Buttcat "Awesome". Our plans for a run to the Alphard banks were aborted due to an untimely Northwesterly that was due to pull in later. Plan B involved running to the 12 mile banks to target the yellowtail there.
Upon arrival after an impressive run of about 30 minutes or so we were between some commercials already pulling a few good looking fish over the gunwales. Fish on the finder, jigs down, jig, jig, jig, jig, nothing – apart from 2 pan size yellowtails, a Jacobever and a rock cod.
We left the 12 mile bank to do some trolling for marlin and landed 3 skipjacks after one double strike and another triple strike. When all the trolling became too boring, we went back to the 12mile and put down anchor. After another while without success on the jigs (with fish flying over the gunwales on the boat next door) we changed to bait lines one by one and soon the ass-whipping commenced. Groaning, sweating, dancing, cursing all along the gunwales! This was what we came here for!
Apart from the burn-offs, pulled hooks, popped knot and snapped rods which accounted for at least 5 good sizers being lost, we managed a good couple of fish each, all in the 10 – 12kg range. Well above the average Cape Point tail we are used to. It's unbelievable how strong a 12kg yellowtail is, your tackle HAS to be pretty close to top notch!
Thanks to my fellow Sealiner mates for a bunch of good laughs, our skippers, Derick and Frederick and also Sculmaster Stef for setting up the trip and accommodating us!
Hail the Cape Yellowtail. Hail the Buttcat. Hail Awesome Charters.
