Kayaking up Eudlo Creek

Last Saturday, I scheduled a meeting with the coach of the Maroochy river Canoe club, right at the fork with Eudlo creek. The meeting was set for 8:00am, so I had plenty of time to paddle upstream the creek and look for some fish.
I've paddled a bit upstream, got used to trolling the shallow water of the river, getting snugged in branches, sand bars and even a clam that closed itself on my line. I kept looking back at my rods, so much, that the next day I woke with a sour neck...
 After a while I came across two young kayakers and one of them just caught a Flat head. I went over, took some pictures and asked some questions and then I realized that my smallest ocean lures, that I used, are way too big for the river and also the speed that I troll is too high. So I slowed down and indeed, it wasn't long till I caught a nice Flat head (about 50cm), Ha! my first keeper!
I went on, enjoying the relaxed and silent beautiful nature and a after an hour or so, turned back to the Canoe club. I inquired there whether I could rent a sprint K-1 boat for Adi (my beloved wife), when she'll join me here (she's a professional Canoe sprinter). At the club, I've met a legendary paddler - Birgit Fischer, 8 times Olympic gold medalist, in 6 different Olympic games!! She's now practicing in order to participate (and win) in her last Olympic games, in London, as a gift for her 50's birthday! An amazing woman.
After that, I've met a couple of friends with their kayaks and we paddled further upstream, this time without any fish, but with great scenery:

I've also edited a short video:



I've also set out for the ocean in the past week, but haven't caught any fish, just a few lost strikes, which gives a lot to anticipate for.
The weather is a bit stormy now, let's hope it'll clear up before Christmas vacation ends.
Will keep you updated,
Iso

Fishing in the Mooloola river and Mountain Creek

Hello,

Past weekend the weather had smiled at us - with sunny mornings and some calmer winds. It was all I needed to get outside and paddle the surrounding waters.

I started on Friday morning, intended to set out to the ocean, but when I got there, it was raining and windy, so I launched and turned back into the marina and Mooloola river. 

I paddled between the numerous Yachts and Boats that were tied to the private pontoons of every house on the river. Some of the Yachts were quite impressive, usually in correlation with the size and luxury of the house:

I paddled further upstream, past drowsy, sleepy Mooloolaba and into Mountain Creek, where the houses are modest and scarce, with enough room for natural habitat, including various water birds, fish and even a Kangaroo on the bank.

Over there, I stopped to cast some lures and when I gave up and started paddling again, I got a strike at my trolling lure that rested behind me. I reeled in and discovered a Catfish. I wasn't sure if it's legal to take and if there's a bag or size limit, so I checked in my fish guide, but because I was excited (after all, first fish in Australia), I coudln't find it and decided to release it anyway (I don't like Catfish in general).

From there, I paddled back to the marina, with the wind in my back and was very surprised to find free of charge boat ramp with close by car park. I was looking for the catch - a hidden guard, a gate, someone who charges money, but no, it's free of charge, for recreational fishermen like myself.

It is easier to be a fisherman here...
I'll publish some more of the weekend experiences in a short while.
Meanwhile, enjoy the short clip from that day:

First fishing trip - Mooloolaba bay

I've just got my kayak on Sunday and was eager to get it wet. The forecast was promising for Tuesday's morning - no wind and low swell, so I headed early morning towards the southern corner of the Mooloolaba bay:

When I arrived to the beach, I took my time getting the yak ready to go and enjoying the morning silence and calm sea:

I put all the gear in the Stealth huge hatch and with a few strokes was out behind the small surf. A look behind me revealed a beautiful sunrise:

As a first trip here and in Australian water in general, I decided to cross the bay towards Mudjimba rock and explore the bottom with the fishfinder, while I troll some lures. The water was murky with very poor visibility. After an hour or so I came close to the rock, without any action on my reel, or on the water surface:

As I drew near the rock, I saw a school of small mackerels (I think...) chasing bait, or being chased around. I took out my spinning rod and prepared a small slug and only then noticed the strong current, that was moving me past the rock, further north. I realized that I was paddling with the current in my back and figured out it would be best to turn around and start head back.

This time I've passed Mudjimba rock from the inshore side and discovered some Wave Ski riders, who came all the way for the small surf that formed over the reef. I passed by them and continued back south, this time, closer to shore, just behind the shark nets. I stopped a couple of times to change lures, but still got no action.

After another hour and a half, I was back at my starting point, sheltered from the wind and swell, landed the kayak and went for a refreshing swim:

In total, I guess I wasn't too close to any fish dwelling reef, but I had a great morning paddle (20k in a little less then 3 hours) and headed off to work.

Next trip I'll venture the southern shoreline or maybe the offshore reefs in the middle of the bay.

Yours, IsoBar