Friday night in Portland set the scene for what would turn into an unforgettable weekend. The mission was simple—chase down some southern bluefin tuna—but more importantly, it was about getting out there with a great crew.
On my Whittley, alongside me and Mima, we had Cara, Dean and little Archer. Running beside us was Bernard’s Bar Crusher, with Bernard and Loris joined by Ovi and Benji. A solid group of legends, all keen for what lay ahead.
Saturday morning kicked off early. By 9:30am we were on the water, while some of the other boys had already beaten us to it. Brett was out from 7am with his son Lochie and their mate Pat, and Jason was already out there with his crew as well.
As we launched, I gave Jason a call. Mid-conversation he dropped the words every angler wants to hear—“We’re on.” He pointed us straight out from Lawrence Rocks into about 70 metres of water where they’d already landed a fish.
The run out wasn’t easy. The swell was up, and little Archer started feeling it. Seasickness creeping in—but he stuck it out like a trooper.
Then the signs appeared. Birds working. Water alive.
We dropped the lures in, and within minutes—bang—we were hooked up.
Even feeling crook, Archer stepped up. Gimbal on, rod bent, he took control of the fight. It didn’t take long to realise this wasn’t a small school fish. The power said otherwise—this was something in that 30–40kg class. With a bit of help from his dad, Archer dug deep and we landed a cracking tuna. The boat erupted—cheers all round. First fish on board.
But Archer was still feeling rough, so we made the call to head back in.
Back at the ramp, we filleted the fish, grabbed a bite, and just as things were settling—another call came through. The boys were onto them again. Out in 100 metres the ocean was alive—birds diving, tuna busting up, dolphins feeding through the chaos.
That was all we needed.
Back in the water we went.
We called Brett, gave him the coordinates, and they followed us out. As soon as we arrived—triple hookup. Chaos. Lines crossing, reels screaming. We managed to land one, and not long after another tuna smashed a Bass Strait skirt—this time, a clean fight and another fish on board.
The action slowed for a bit as the fish went quiet, but persistence paid off. A teaser bar in the water, and about 20 minutes later—another hookup, another tuna landed. Brett and his crew were also getting stuck into a few fish of their own.
By 5pm, we were heading back in. But the ocean wasn’t done with us yet.
As we approached Lawrence Rocks, Mima spotted birds circling. We dropped a couple of lures in—and within seconds, we were on again. Fish number four for the day.
Back at the ramp, the place was buzzing. Fish everywhere—some absolute monsters pushing the 100kg mark being cleaned down. A proper tuna town atmosphere.
That night back at the accommodation, Bernard and the boys fired up a BBQ, and Cara put together fresh sashimi along with a coconut cream dish that was next level. Good food, good company, and plenty of stories already being told.
Day Two – Short Session, Big Action
Sunday morning was a smaller crew—just me, Mima and Ovi. The plan was simple: fish until 11am, then head home.
Conditions were tougher. The ocean had that washing machine feel—short, choppy and unpredictable. It took some effort to push past the rocks, but once we did, luck swung our way.
In 40 metres of water we spotted bird activity and tuna busting up. We hooked one early but lost it.
Then it all went wild.
A four-way hookup.
In messy seas, it was full chaos—lines, rods, shouting, adrenaline. Somehow, we managed to land three fish, and the fourth… well, that one I managed to drop mid-air trying to boat it. Not my finest moment—but all caught on video, so that’ll make for some good viewing later.
As we called it and started heading back, one last sign near Lawrence Rocks—a lone bird circling. We dropped a lure… and bang. One last tuna to finish the session. Number four for the morning.
After that, it was a straight run in—fish gutted, boat cleaned, gear packed away.
Mission accomplished.
An epic weekend chasing bluefin, filled with great mates, great fishing, and moments that’ll stick around for a long time.
