Shackle Your Tackle With a Head Start

So back in January we started chasing mahi at the FADs off Sydney. Plenty there - but almost all of them undersized. Frustrating! But because mahi AKA dolphin fish are the fastest growing fish in the sea, it was just a matter of time before these little ones grew to way over the NSW minimum size limit of 60cm. Friday was the day to test this theory. Rowan Nicks and I started at the West Head bait grounds, at Broken Bay. Plenty there:

With a few in the bait tank we headed offshore:

Out to the twin FADs and only one boat there. Good news! They stuck to the eastern one and we fished the western attractor. We kicked off with the live baits:

I had just got my 1980s vintage Mitchell 499 reel back from Duncan at Australian Reel Repairs. These are unusual because they’re a spinning reel without a bail arm. I matched it to a 1980s Fenwick solid glass 7 foot rod, with ceramic guides. That worked great:

It didn’t take too long to fill the fish box I’m sitting on. But surprisingly the bite was by no means hot. There was no current, the water was green (although 23.5 degrees) and there were no dollies jumping out of the water, the way they do. Fishing with lures was a waste of time. Our live bait stocks disappeared pretty quickly - especially if we went too close to the FAD, where the little ones seek protection. Luckily, I had brought along some Head Starts, and good quality garfish from Drummoyne Bait and Tackle. That got the ball rolling again:

If you’re not familiar with them, check out this how to video:

And maybe this video, showing Sammy Hitzke using them to deadly effect on mackerel. They’re just as effective on mahi:

Should mention that we are currently out of them, but have a shipment arriving in two weeks:

HEAD STARTS

Mostly 75-80cm, best one went 91cm:

We kept eleven:

Rowan (an ex charter fisherman) did a fantastic job, turning these into prime skinned fillets. Delivered a few to some family members who turned them into delicious meals. Here’s a mahi green curry:

With a fantastic forecast for the coming week I’m hoping to get out and bag a one metre or over. Will keep you posted if that happens and thanks for reading
Andrew Hestelow

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