Gnaraloo Bay - Mack Attack and Squid

Macky Assault

While the wind howled we watched Battle Fish on Netflix. Battle Fish is a show about professionals trolling for Albacore Tuna and using lines to pull them in. Words like “bust up”, “boilers” and “birdnado” were mixed in with using the time for direction. These were practiced while the kids and I planned an early morning Mack Attack.

We woke at 4:30 am to reasonable winds, so we hightailed it to Gnaraloo Bay where the boat was waiting. Gnaraloo Bay is very remote, with predominately rough seas this time of year and no one in sight or for miles, if things take a turn for the worst you are on your own in shark infested waters. Nerves will be tested out here!
We were all pumped to get a big Macky, but after half-an-hour of trolling through choppy conditions and getting wet, I could see the excitement wearing off the kids faces. The realisation of the danger was sinking in, but then the rod started dancing and the reel was singing, we were on a tuna and the excitement returned.

Not long after we struck gold, a 1.1m Spanish Mackerel. It fought hard dragging the small tinny around the ocean for a couple of minutes. Brax sunk the gaff and we lifted it into the boat, just as three large whaler sharks arrived on the scene, they were exited too.

To say we were exited was an understatement. We fished a little longer then headed back in very proud of ourselves, not only for achieving our goal, but for taking on the the very remote Wild West Australian Ocean in a 3.7m tinny.

Fillets were vacuumed sealed and put in the esky, then we headed out for a more relaxing squid in the bay. They are fun, 4 big dogs later we returned and washed up. The boys are getting so helpful cleaning squid and washing the boat. A few cold drinks 🍺 and a swim in paradise before heading back for a Spanish Mackerel cook up at our ocean front home.

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