Dassen Island

Easter weekend was the official close of the crayfish season, so we made an effort and went to Dassen Island. Weather was to be 'OK' , Good Friday and Easter Saturday but turning to the north on Sunday. decision made, leave 04h00 Saturday to get the best of the day cray fishing..... We, Mark, Zarn, young Sean, Jorg and myself met just after 03h00 and were leaving just before 04h00. Conditions, no wind but bloody cold, engine on all the way. Sunrise was spectacular and expectations as the sun rose, hopefully it would get warmer, was not to be !!!

Jorg never gets cold???? yes he was....

so was I 

1st beer, hmmm when was that consumed? For breakfast, obviously, Jorg was aboard.

The trip was quite uneventful except for a bird strike, yes Windforce repeat. Mark had a line trailing hoping to catch something, all that found our lure attractive was a Cormorant. Mark reeled it in and this time instead of Zarns towel Jorg used his own, they fished it out with the hand net and after Jorg got bitten, they cut off the hook and freed it from the line, releasing a stunned but healthy Comorant back to its mates.

We also started training a new helmsman...

Sean showing how it's done, great feel.

We made good time, motor only, arriving off the southern end around 10h00 and were anchored by 11h30. There were a number of yachts already at anchor and lot of ski boats participating in a fishing competition.

Quickly after anchoring Jorg pumped up his duck and the motor was mounted...... but   ...... next hour was very frustrating. The motor refused all attempts to start it. Very kindly Grant Saunder loaned us his duck and Mark and Jorg went and set our nets down for the first time.

Beer and Wine was consumed ..... and snacks etc, as we waited for the arrival of those great crayfish.

Dassen tale continues.....>>>