Ram Road Trip Part 6

My Ram has taken me from Rockhampton to the Hinchinbrook Channel north of Townsville, a 10-hour 882km journey up the Bruce Highway.

And I’m on a wonky expedition with fishing guide Ryan Moody. Wonky holes hold heaps of fish and Ryan is the man to find them.

He has lived in North Queensland for many years and has spent much of that time exploring the ocean depths looking for these unusual natural freshwater springs.

I’m launching my boat at the Hinchinbrook ramp. My Ram is perfect for towing this large heavy craft because it has an integrated trailer brake system. I’m launching my boat at the Hinchinbrook ramp. My Ram is perfect for towing this large heavy craft because it has an integrated trailer brake system.

Again I’m out with Ryan Moody and we’re heading offshore around Hinchinbrook Island hunting reef fish.

First stop though is to chase some live mullet for bait. We love jigging and using soft plastic lures but its always great to have some livebaits in the tank to cover all bases.

Ryan works his cast net along the mangrove-lined shore and amongst the sand banks where Mullet, Garfish and Herring can be found. It’s the hardy mullet that we are really after and a few successful casts on the flats is all it takes to get enough to fill the live well.

Im in my trailerboat and it has been fitted out with everything I could think of to help us catch more fish.

From our 112 Min- Kota to our Cannon downrigger, Garmin electronics, 170 watt KT Solar panel, National Luna Fridge with Century Marine Pro and Deep Cycle batteries charged to keep everything running including the motor on the back.

There’s a lot of good country around Hinchinbrook Island and Ryan has spent a lot of time using his Garmin marine electronics to seek out top spots. One of them is a wreck site he regularly targets.

I hook up to a strong fighting fish on my way to the bottom and Im hoping for something Red, but then it raced to the top and the mid-water fight meant it was maybe something like a Cobia or Mackerel. Not to be though as a Mac Tuna charged to the top.

We’re a long way from land so as always I’m playing it safe and wearing my waist belt PFD. Even though it’s calm and we’re apparently alone, conditions at sea can rapidly change. So keep a good lookout for other vessels and changing weather. Please remember when boating to remain alert at all times.

Down with another bait. I like using a 2 hook rig when Im chasing reef fish with small live mullet as bait. One hook in the lip and another towards the tail means a strike from a predator usually ends in a solid hookup.

It’s not my rod that buckles over but Ryans. The fish powers away but the drag on the Shimano Twin Power reel puts the brakes on the fish and the strain back on Ryan. Big head shakes get us excited and as the fight goes on we are thinking that this is the Red Emperor we were talking about catching before we put the boat in at the ramp.

Big Reds often frequent the shallow wonky holes and inshore wrecks but you never really know what species it is until its ready for the net. It was yahoos all round when the large Red Emperor surfaced and slid into the net.

Its always great to visit the Hinchinbrook area and get the chance to head offshore with Ryan Moody. You can follow Ryan and get plenty of fishing tips and coaching at ryanmoody.com

What a classic royal red to end on.

I hope you tune in again next week when my Ram Road trip continues as I journey even further north to Tully and catch up with the great team at Cavs outdoor and Marine. Coral Trout are our target species and we have loads of great reef action.