18th ,19th, 20th and 21st July 2014 Jundee Beach

There was strong winds forcast for today do it was a good day for a lay day, plenty of walks on the beach, sitting around the fire at night with a wine and a book, still trying to shake the bug.
Saturday was much the same as yesterday,  they hold a few stalls down the front in the late morning so I bought a pair of what I call clown pants,  so at night I can pull them on to try to stop the midges and mosquitoes, nothing else exciting,  watching all the boats being launched and retrieved and if course yakking to people.
Sunday we decided to go fishing again,  this time get up at 6 o'clock, I must be mad, haven't done that in ages, and it is still dark.
We wanted to head to the 30km spot and get as much fishing done before any wind might come in.
We launched at 7 o'clock, just as the light was breaking through, but although the water was glassed off the night before it wasn't like that in the morning, the eind was up quite strong off the land and there was a bit of a swell coming in, which made the warer like a big washing machine.
We started to go to the spot thinking the wind may drop, we hadn't gone very far we realized that we were getting very wet and would be soaked and cold by the time we got there, not a good idea, so we turned and headed the other way, at least running with the swell, the wind was still a pain making it more than hard to stand up, but at least we weren't getting soaked.
We found a spot and anchored up, we caught a real array of fish, the different ones were, a moon fish, 2 lampray, they stick to sharks,  I had never seen one in real life, a cod that looked like it was from a horror movie, it had huge bulbous eyes on top of it's head, horrible spines down its gill flaps and teeth that were huge and like needles, the last strange thing was like something Robson Green would catch on extreme fishing in the Amazon, when I caught it we thought it was a saratoga, it was very elongated and silver, the mouth is what was amazing, it's bottom jaw came well out from the top jaw and the teeth could only be descibed as fangs, when we got back the only Saratoga that is mentioned in our book are caught  in fresh water and are a golden colour.
As the wind dropped we went further afield exploring other spots, had a great day.
On the way back we dropped a line in the area were Merv caught his big fish, there was plenty of baitfish there we thought we would get some for next time, we both put out a line for the big fish while we were catching bait, it wasn't long before Mervs line went, he had another one on, as we didn't want to land another one I grabbed the camera to take the photo at the side of the boat.
After plenty of playing and taking his time, as it was another big fish, it wasn't far from being alongside, my rod went off with one, I had to get rid of the camera before I could stop it running, Merv tried to hurry his, applied more brake and it broke off, I didn't get to mine quick enough, it wrapped itself in a big rock.
We didn't get them to the boat but we had a lot of fun.
These fish they call black jewfish up here are what is called mulloway from Carnarvon down on the west coast, and Maryborough on the east coast, they just frequent different habitats in the north.
Roast pork at the lodge tonight, roast is a Sunday night special.
Monday another rest lay day, let the muscles recover.

17th July 2014 Jundee Beach

We took the boat out again today, we went approx 30 kms out and down the coast.
Fishing was better, plenty of sharks again but some good snapper, there are lots of baitfish about, we noticed these starting to get about on Tuesday, so we are hoping to pick up some pelagic fish.
Unfortunately we weren't there as long as we would have liked before the wind came up and made it quite nasty, when we decided it was getting to silly to stay it was too rough to drive the boat on the plane, without knocking the hell out  of tbe boat and us, so we trolled lures back in the hope of a mackerel, Merv did hook something but it got off just before the boat.
When we got to within a km of the ramp we decided to fish a little more, we were in approx 4 metres of water and it was full of little baitfish, trevalley, we had a bit of fun catching them 3 at a time to keep for bait.
Merv threw out a mullie on a floating line, the next thing we knew the line took off like a rocket, we both thought he had a huge shark, it was running everywhere, straight out then back around the boat,  under the boat, I kept telling him not to rush I wanted to see how big it was and what sort of shark it was.
It was when he was up at the bow trying to keep the line from the anchor rope that Merv saw it was a big black jewfish.
When he got it up along side I could not believe it, I told Merv there was no way I was going to gaff it, I would hold his rod while he did it, I was not going to risk loosing it, I may have found myself thrown overboard if I had.
After coming in and cleaning our catch we realized that we had far too much fish, we ended up giving 80%of the jewfish away to other campers.
What we have decided is that if we catch anymore big fish I will take a photo while it is in the water then it will be released, while we are travelling we don't have the facilities to keep large amounts of fish so we will only take what we can eat.

8th, to 16th July Dunee Beach

Further up the Cox Peninsula is Dundee Beach, a beautiful area, there are plenty of beaches to walk on and magical blue water.
The beach looks out onto the Timor Sea, great to look at but only the fool hardy would go for a swim, not only the sharks but you never know when a crocodile will swim past, the locals say if you see a crocodile swimming along the beach it is usually going from one creek or river to another.
We have been fishing off the beaches catching the odd trevalley to eat, plenty of catfish, but they go back.
Sunday night we had a great roast lamb dinner at the lodge for $12.50, it was a big feed with fresh beens, brocoli, baked pumpkin and potatoes with mint sauce and gravy.
Monday another long walk on the beaches, we are using the walks to recuperate and get our fitness back, hope it works.
We took the boat out on Tuesday for the first time here, as we have both been battling the flu.
When you take the boat out here you can get it launched and retrieved for $30 a day, it is good value as it means you don't have to put your car in the water, at low tide the tractor that launches has the water halfway up it's wheels, i would hate to see what would happen to a car.
The fishing was a bit disappointing, we got a couple of snapper and cod but threw them back, smaller than we would normally keep, there doesn't seem to be many rules regarding size and bag limits here.
I caught a beautiful hammer head shark, approx 5ft, very pretty to look at, we also caught a wide variety of other sharks, most very pretty, they just get a bit annoying after awhile when yiuvare trying to catch other fish.
It was Darwin again Wednesday, more food and fishing gear.

6th and 7th July 2014 Crab Claw Island Resort

No fishing today bugger, maybe tomorrow.
New day we are going fishing today, we are going about 30 kms out past an island we have been told about.
Good weather all day only caught a couple of bronzies, headed back tried  just out from the camp and caught a small snapper. 
This place is nice but the water side of things seem lifeless apart from pelagic fish, no doubt there would be a lot of barramundi after the wet around all the mangroves, there is the odd barramundi caught all the time, but not many.
Time to move on

3rd, 4th, 5th July 2014 Crab Claw Island Resort

Today we head into Darwin to pick up some medication, hoping to have a better night tonight.
Bit slow to get moving next day, hard long night, maybe I need a bowl of cement to harden up.
Around lunch time Merv suggested we go for a drive up the road to an area called Dundee Beach.
When we got there I didn't have much energy for walking around, what we saw was amazing, we are planning to head up there in a couple of days.
This beach looks over the Timor Sea, it is picture postcard, good fishing, and the boat can be launched with a tractor at the caravan park so that we don't have to take the car on the beach.
The following day we went for a drive up the other direction to see the ferry that runs across to Darwin, reminded me of the rottnest ferry.
On the way back Merv slowed for what he thought was a bag of rubbish on the road, as we got to it we realized it was a wedge tailed eagle with a shag it had caught, when we slowed the eagle released the shag and flew off only to be attacked by a murder of crows, we went back to see what the eagle had, saw it was the shag, not ingood condition,  we left nature to handle it, I suspect all those crows will be down to attack it.
Just before we got to camp a kite lifted from the side of the road with a big snake in its tallons, we see a lot when we take our time.
I am hoping for a good night tonight as I would like to go out in the boat but Merv has been worried and said not till he thinks I well enough. CROSS MY FINGERS

1st and 2nd July 2014 Crab Claw Island Resort

We had a lay day today, I was not feeling 100%, so it was sit around watching the birds. I set up a water bath for them near our camp on a leaky hose, there is an amazing amount of birds, so many different finches, small birds that I wouldn't have a clue what they are, large ones as well.
We went down to the shore at night to try our luck, I caught 2 catfish,  good bait for tomorrow.
Next day we hit the water to explore the area, we were out all day, caught a lot of sharks, Merv caught a nice trevalley that he took home and smoked, it turned out perfect.
That night I became quite sick, bronchitis, serves me right for going out on the water when I knew I shouldn't, you get that.

30th June 2014 Crab Claw Island Resort

Arrived at the caravan park to a nice surprise, there is beautiful water to sit with a drink and lookout over, there is a nice cool breeze.
We set up camp and checked information for going fishing tomorrow.
There are a big variety of birds and wallabies as it is a private nature reserve.