Enroute from Port Douglas to Lizard Island - 19 September
Moonshadow of London
Peter Mantle
Sun 26 Sep 2010 10:01
We left Port Douglas at 0730 bound for Hope Island but when we came to it, heavy rain covered the island and made an approach through the reef-intensive area a bit tricky so we pressed onward to Lizard Island, about 24 hours more. Paul hooked a 20 pound shark which managed to tangle itself in the line so that it was dragging sideways through the water. It felt like he had hooked a sea container and we were constrained to haul it in by hand. He brought it on deck and it promptly decided to leave us by cutting the line and jumping into the water.
Paul later hooked and landed a beautiful Mackerel which then hooked Paul once aboard. We assembled the hook removal team on the afterdeck and performed the delicate hook removal from Paul's arm which has healed nicely. The Mackerel made for a sumptuous feast when David prepared a dinner of fried fish, garlic mashed potatoes and brocolli.