Fish Guts & Burley- Tuesday 16th October

Blunt Bay North East Percy Island

After exploring Middle Percy Island and looking at the weather coming in from the south we spent a lazy afternoon back on the yacht doing a few chores and some fishing.

Fishing at Sunset at Middle Percy 

 As the night progressed the swell increased in the bay and we were rocking and rolling.  I got up at dawn having not slept much and decided to fish.  Caught some more bone fish which is really great sport fish and looks like a king whiting but with only one dorsal.  The fish as per its name is full of bones and flesh not good eating.  My bait was depleting so I decided to use some salami as fish love the smell of garlic.  With great effort I landed a 3ft long Pilot fish (sucker fish) Pelagic species known as Remora – that attach themselves to large sharks, mantra rays, whales and sometimes boats. The aborigines used to use these fish to catch turtles. They would tether the Remora so when they attached themselves to a turtle they would retrieve the Remora and the sought after Turtle.

I must say my balance has improved as I managed to wrangle this monster on board using the fish net holding on to the rod and balancing precariously on the stern of a very rocky boat.

Ugliest fish with a big sucker plate on its head, what the hell am I going to do with this.  The captain still sleeping I awoke him for assistance and grabbed my Fish Identity book.  Remoras are not a fish that would be commonly caught and their intimidating appearance would put most people off eating.  My book said Remoras have a high-quality fillet, so I am up for the challenge on how to fillet this fish with an anatomy I am not familiar with but they look similar to a shark.

I decided to stop fishing chiefly as it was getting more rocky by the minute but my thoughts were that whatever The Remora Fish was attached to must be still hanging about and the last thing I would want to have launching onto the stern platform is a shark.

With a fair amount of gusto I managed to kill, de-head , gut and fillet this fish.  Alas with my head down over the bait board on the back of a very rocky boat………..enormous amounts of innards which included internal suckers like an octopus tentacle,  I succumbed to feeling a bit nauseated and sea sick. A first for this trip.

Leaving West Bay Middle Percy

 The swells in the bay had increased in timing and size to a point that it was dangerous and too uncomfortable to stay on anchor.

We made the choice to move to another Island on the North Side of Middle Percy to Blunt Bay to wait out till conditions changed and then return back to Middle Percy Island when favourable to finish my craft challenge of a Coconut Bra and continue our time relaxing in this small paradise haven.

The Passage to the Percy North East Island the conditions worsened We got soaked and it was a rough ride but the scenery on the north face of Middle Percy Island is spectacular with sheer cliffs that you can safely sail close to as the drop is 40 meters deep water.

North Face of Middle Percy

North Face Middle Percy Weather Rolling In

We sailed into Blunt Bay under the Nose of the Sphinx head like shape of the island.  Actually 2 islands called North East Percy Islands attached by a rocky headland that covers at high tide. The bay was calm and we anchored just off the coral reef.

I baked the Capt Teza scones as I promised if he found smooth water this would be his treat.

Weather Rolling In Blunt Bay

2 Islands of North East Percy Islands Blunt Bay

 We rested the afternoon and I did more Fishing.

The score is Leonie 7 Fish, Teza NIL.

Some of my Fish-  Me 7 Teza NIL

Caught a sweet lip and 3 Blue Tusk fish all whilst sipping on a martini. A good day.

In the evening we taste tested the Remora and Sweet Lip and The Remora fillet was very good.

The next day we explored the Coral Reef of Blunt Bay in the afternoon at low tide, Capt Teza foraged for oysters and I enjoyed wading around the half-submerged fringes of the reef. Enjoying the sound of hundreds of crabs clicking to warn of danger, small fish shoals and some larger creatures such as the what I think was a spotted Wobbegong shark, and stingrays.

Look closely in the seaweed

Gentle approaches to exploring rock pools and coral reefs means that you can view these creatures up close and personal. Remaining still for a period of time and just look in detail whilst nature goes about its business unaware and undisturbed by your presence. It is a challenge sometimes to be still in the water when odd shapes are darting around you like stingrays and small reef sharks and feisty little crabs having a go at your toes.  

Be still and observe

Whats the moving dark patch in the water- It is a shoal of baby fish

                                                             Truly a great experience on this uninhabited island that rarely has boats drop anchor due to the nature of the coral reef and coral bomies in the bay.

Sea Cucumbers 

Calm of the Bay before the storms Hit