IT WAS only a few short weeks ago we looked on helplessly as one of our surf rods was ripped clear of the holder before being dragged down the beach and into the sea.
We were fishing the surf at Salt Creek for mulloway and fishing partner Gus Storer ploughed head-long into the sand in a frantic attempt to save the rod.
Funny at the time, it was a fairly costly mistake that stole not only rod and reel but a long-awaited shot at a sizable mulloway.
With a good run of hot weather and a new outfit purchased we were once again driving the beach in search of a suitable hole to target these fish.
Known as the fish of a thousand casts, mulloway can taunt the unprepared angler a lifetime for little or no result.
Fickle in nature, only the freshest baits will tempt a bite and with several kilos of fresh Coorong mullet on ice we were in with a good show.
Mulloway frequently dine on these fish as well as other bait species like small salmon, garfish and tommy ruff.
When beach fishing, weed is just one of many problems faced and our location had a good amount that was sweeping right to left with the current and continually building on the line.
Eventually the combined weight of the weed would end up pulling the bait and sinker free, resulting in a tangled mess.
After several hours the weed began to thin and the first bite loaded the rod with a sizable bronze whaler shark.
With a mouth full of razor sharp teeth, it was hands clear as it was carefully unhooked before being dispatched and put on ice.
Several more of these took a liking to the fresh baits but still our mulloway continued to remain an elusive quest.
Next morning we awoke to the relentless pound of ocean waves and a slight Northerly breeze that made the fishing a little more favourable.
A solid bite pulled one of the rods flat before it bounced back and sat motionless.
On closer inspection the bait was still intact, a reasonable sign that it had been a mulloway that had refused the offering. Not 10 minutes on and another show of interest lay the rod over, only this time it didn’t bounce back.
Unlike the previous rod-out-of-holder experience Gus kept his footing reaching the rod and setting the hook.
It was a good fight but the heavy gear quickly stole the fight from the silver sided fish that now lay flapping on the beach. While it is doubtful this mulloway was anywhere near the size of the one that stole our rod a few weeks back it was a welcome catch.
Smiling at the prize Gus had cause to comment on his surf-caught mulloway, suggesting that the taste of victory is far better than that of sand.
