b'WEST COASTThe fish were even bigger hitting the softbaits and I released a healthy 70cm fish and Brian with snapper from 60cm-65cm.The bite time never seemed to end, and the sounder was just stocked all down the coast when we left to head back.The west side can offer superb fishing when it is like this and as we made our way back and near the beach after trolling for a kingfish.We had to stop all the way as big 3kg+ kahawai were attacking the lures in packs.We watched the sets off the beach go in and picked a large wave, then followed the next wave in and sat behind it.No dramas coming back in through the surf zone until I spotted something in our way to the left, it was an orange kontiki!Lucky, I saw the flag and yelled out to Brian as it was hard to see in the white water, we just missed it and came into the beach on the sand.We saw the relieved owner waving to us as it was a near miss.There is always a surprise out west and we soon had the boat on the trailer using a strop to tow it up on the hard sand and back at the bach to fillet the fish and cold ales, all by 2:30pm!We counted out 18 fat snapper and we guessed we had released about the same healthyBack in early arvo after launching at ones that were hooked in the mouths,10am in the morning, Ali, Brian, and including a lot of the biggest fish.TheMatt were amazed by the red-hot west is best they say, I agree.FIGZ fishing experienced off Baylys Beach.08. Look for deeper water like a hole,14. Returning - wait outside the surf Beach Launching Tips with no shallow sand banks whichzone watching sets go in and wait for 01. Check the forecast often beforeare hazards. a larger wave to take more water in, going. Then check it again! 09. Put in trip report to Coastguard andthen pick the next wave behind it.02. On beach, ensure swell is down andlifejackets on before launching. 15. Keep behind wave as you approach watch the sets to determine lulls for a10. Unhitch trailer to run boat on hardthe beach, following the same line safe launch. sand into water - 3 people best toon your GPS you took on way out to help push. avoid sand banks.03. Dont go if in doubt! 16. Keep an eye on waves coming up 04. Go with an experienced11. A fast launch with two crew turningbehind you.skipper, ideally who has beachboat quickly into incoming waves, launched before. while trailer is put onto vehicle and17. Trim motor up closer to beach and parked above high tide line. let waves help push you in until you 05. Only use a 4x4 vehicle. 12. Skipper starts outboard when crewstop on sand.Skipper will determine 06. Your boat needs to be in reliableare safe and a lull in sets. when safe to exit boat.condition and seaworthy. 13. NEVER turn on incoming waves and18. Use a strop/rope to pull boat on 07. Pick your spot carefully with room tokeep speed up, backing off powertrailer out with 4x4 so your vehicle manoeuvre ute/trailer on the sandslightly as you go over a wave. Oncenever goes in water, or it will sink and not get stuck. out of surf zone into deeper waterin sand.you can look to stop and fish.38FISHING IN GODZONE MAY/JUNE 2022'