Successful nights redclawing (new word)

This weekend we went night fishing, well red-clawing for the first time. Red claw are a fresh water crayfish and are often referred to as a pest. But they are surprisingly good eating, for something that lives in fresh water.

We have eaten them at a friends, and Matt had been introduced to the method of catching them on his recent camping, boys week away in the Cape of Carpentaria. And having bought the gear has been keen to try it for ourselves since. You may have read in Madog’s first boat trip, that we unsuccessfully dropped a few pots. This may have been due to the lake not being renowned for them, or due to the time of day we pulled them in. Or maybe it was because they were all new, and the red claw coul dsmell them... or maybe these are all fishermans tails.

However this time we drove a couple of hours to a fair sized lake, that is supposed to be "ok" for redclaw. Not the 'best  stop', but then no fisherman gives away thier best stop.
So we prepped and dropped the pots before dark. Bait being a combination of dog biscuits, cat food and melon... strange creatures!
The theory was we would pull them in about 8-9pm; if we had, had any interest then we would drop them again and stay, if not we could be home, in our own bed by mid-night.

Our pots are not flash- in accorandance with Queensland freshwater laws we each had 4 pots (so 8 in total) as we both have a fresh water fishing permit- necessary for all freshwater fishing in Queensland: These are pretty easy to collect, we applied and paid for ours at our local Tackle world store, think it was about $60 for a family permit, this lasts a year.

Our pots were the small collapsible kind and tied to our floats by a few meters of rope. Our floats were made from a woggle (or swimming noodle- whatever you call them), wrapped in hi-vis reflective tape and with our name and address written in permenant marker (again as per Qld rules- each state, country would be different).

But we got one! (well a few) I must admit, night fishing is not that easy. Head lamps are a great help, if you have them. We have one, which Matt used as he needed his hands free to drive the boat. I on the other hand was juggling a dolphin torch- bright, but not the most helpful in this situation... May need to invest in another headlamp, especially if this is to become a regular trip.

Also finding the pots in the dark is a challenge in itself- we had wrapped reflective strips around our floats and this was still difficult. So note to anyone attempting this, this is a necessity to finding your pots in the dark. And so is placing them in a line- makes them easier to pick/drop without having to loop around or find that you have re-checked the same pot by mistake and that you are missing 1 or 2.

After finding our missing pots, following quite some time driving around in the darkness, and having had some success, with a few red claw and a few prawns landed. We realigned our pots, bought in the boat and set up the swag, time to get some sleep before an early start.
Note to self, when packing the swag in future- make sure we pack pillows and blankets! It was a beautiful clear night and to be honest I had never realsied that the moon rises twice? But some sleep would have been nice... I am honest in the fact that I do not operate very well without sufficient sleep.
I also wish I had taken the camera. But then I didn't take my phone out either, as I was affraid of dropping it or losing it in the darkness. Especially as I was juggling enough already. So if I had I probably wouldn't have used it.

With our minimal sleep, on our clothes and under towels (these we remembered), we were up and launched the boat just before day break .
Finding the pots at dawn was far easier. When we pulled in all our pots we hadn't a haul, but more than enough for a feed and to make our first attempt a success. We even managed to pull the boat in before the rush for the early morning boaties, making it home in time for breakfast. Even if I did sleep almost the whole journey home- sorry Matt.

Red claw are cooked similar to prawns. A few minutes in boiling water til pick, then dipped in ice cold water. Preparation involves removing the head and the centre flipper on the tail, to devein much like a prawn . Shell once cooked (can be served in their shell). Press along the length of the tail, you will hear a crack, and then peel back. The meat in the claws is also good, if you catch them large enough, again crack and peel back, much like a crab or lobster claw.

So not exactly a "free meal" but definietely well worth the trip. Hopefully we will get better at it and net a few more before our visitors come.

Madogs first Boat trip

So this weekend we had a bonus long weekend- for the Queens jubilee we had a seconds Queens birthday holiday. Though next year the Queensland government are looking into exchanging this date for either the other Queens birthday (usually in June) or Labour Day, as this is held in May in Qld but on the first Monday of October in many other states. So to make the most of the weekend we hooked up the tinny, packed up the swag and camping gear and headed off to Kinchant dam with the dogs.

 Intention was to try and catch 'red claw' and work out the logistics of having the dog with us onboard. The red claw are a fresh water crayfish. Very tasty and something Matt had tried whilst on his bush trip. He had read of people catching them there, but mostly this dam is used by waterski and jetski enthusiasts. though you do get the odd angler who nabs a Barra. So we sorted ourselvs ot with a fresh water permit and some pots. To give it a try.

 It was Madogs first boat trip. Ffion has been out to sea a few times, both on a camping trip as a pup and on our ‘old’ boat (though it was quite a bit larger). So she is quite familiar with the water and is quite happy as a sea-dog. I think introducing Madog to this process on smoother waters was a good idea; as he’s a pretty big dog for a not so large vessel! Though he did like the wind in his face, and took quite a liking to the crab pot floats, though he resisted the temptation to jump overboard.

Hopefully on our next outing we will actually catch some dinner. But all in all a lovely day on the water, followed by a camp dinner, a sleepless night (due to others on the campsite)  and an early morning dog walk around the deserted dam a dawn. Least this way the dogs could have a run and a paddle.

No fish but lovely day

Well we took the tinny for its first run. We almost landed a beautiful travelly before we'd even finished setting up the rods. Unfortunately that was to be the only bite of the day... other than that we definitely caught the sun!



Rockie



Before we set off on our maiden voyage aboard Fred & Barnie (told you I wasn't sure abou the name) we dropped Rockie and Ronnie off for their show debut- Will update tomorrow on how they went.

Ronnie



We also had a few more arrivals. But so far 2 ducklings from the borrowed incubator, first to pip had done little more. Poor thing had dried up and was stuck to the dhell. So again broke the rules and helped with the hatching. Unfortunately no signs of anymore.
Also potted my first batch of Augusts seeds. And planted out the strawberry plants and did a little weeding- nearly pulled a few out before realising I had beetroot and fennel coming! So not weeds at all!





Poor duckling had dried up in the shell

TInny hunt continues this evening

Well the search for a tinny continues, but I'm rather excited by this evenings viewing. Fingers crossed it’s on good nick, unlike most of those we’ve seen so far. Especially since it will be a 250km round trip to see it... am not sure about the name either.

The idea that I am searching for a smaller boat is probably more amusing when you consider I suffer from seasickness. Not so much on larger vessels, but smaller crafts and/or rough seas and in Matt's words I'm a "gone-a".

Now don't get me wrong this is not a flash new boat, the hull is nearly ass old as me, though the trailer and the motor are quite a bit younger. But this fulfils a promise I made to Matt when we bought this place. I said we'd (hopefully) be able to buy a (reasonably priced) tinny by the end of this year to compensate for his loss. As a tinny would be more practical than a bigger vessel; such as the one we sold to buy this place. 

Our cuddy-cab (we sold last year)

One of the appeals of living in North Queensland is the barrier reef and the amazing fish varieties and clear waters. So not surprisingly the Mackay Region has one of the largest boat ownership rates per capita in Australia. And was one of our more "extravagant purchases" since living here. Not in that it was pricey or flash and as I have pointed out around here it's not really "extravagant", as everyman and his dog has one (of some size or description)... it's part of the lifestyle. I guess it's just extravagant in that it's not a necessity. I guess before moving here I would never have thought of owning a boat, or of myself as fisherman but now I think I would find one anywhere. Just for the experiences, let alone the freshest, free food!

Trip to Carlisle/Brampton Island

  

Our previous boat was a 20 year old cuddy cab, but she was neat and served us well; enjoying many sunny days on the sea, fishing, snorkelling etc. Even with my seasickness; which I wasn't aware I suffered from until we bought her.  But Matt made the ultimate sacrifice to buy this place. So this is something I have aimed to repay.

Previous-prawn hall

Now a tinny by definition is not a cuddy cab, but a boat like the old one would not be as practical where we are. Here there are amazing creeks and small boat ramps, perfect for a smaller craft and for fishing, prawning and crabbing.  Not that crabbing has been something we have had a great deal of success with in the past- most we had ever caught was a six pack of beer! Most would have been happy with that, but it was Gold and it would have been our first catch- am guessing it was worth while too, since they left anything at all!



Previous catch



 

Previous catch

Will let you know how tonight’s viewing goes...fingers crossed we'll be on the water soon.