Start Loc: Macona Inlet, Hook Island (20o 09.37'S, 148o 55.87'E)
Narrative: We left Macona Inlet at 9:10am The forecast was for winds S/SE at 15-20kts, but they appeared to be more easterly. With 15-20kts, seas to 1.7m and swell of 1.5m, we decided it would probably be a bit uncomfortable fishing around Deloraine Island. We decided that instead we would head up the west side of Hook Island and the east side of Hayman Island, then around to Blue Pearl Bay on the west side of Hayman.
The winds were all over the shop in both strength and direction, and we ended up having the engine running for most of the trip. We didn't get anything on the two lures before we had to pull them in as we came across the north of Hayman Island. Blue Pearl Bay was not as crowded as last time we were here, and we picked up a red mooring buoy (monos to 35m) at 12:10pm. A blue mooring buoy (monos to 20m) became available so we moved to it to free up the red for larger boats.
After lunch, Cameron and I took the dinghy back around the top of Hayman Island to do some fishing. Not much to speak of here either. I caught a 30cm fusilier but let it go, and I caught a small, colourful reef fish of some sort. I let the latter go as well, but just after I released it and it was still near the surface, a sea eagle swooped and took it for lunch.
The winds are supposed to ease to 10-15kts tomorrow, so again we will see how the weather is before we commit. I would like to finish near Whitehaven or Chalkies Beach so it is not far to Hamilton on Thursday.
End Loc: Blue Pearl Bay, Hayman Island (20o 02.46'S, 148o 52.85'E)
Distance run: 15nm (cumulative: 1126nm)
Engine hours: 2 hr, 39 min (cumulative: 143 hr 39 min)