Shark, that one word SHARK. It's all I ever wanted.

It took countless hours in trial and error trying to work out moon phase's, tides sunrise sunset, reading books magazines internet articles hassling tackle shop staff for that hidden inside information.

Feed up with the undesirable species and not yet landed that big one, I called Charlie.
We meet down at Sorrento boat ramp on a Monday morning, we headed off towards Portsea. When we arrived at the designated area. He spent the next 20 minutes sounding around teaching me about the type of grounds to be looking for on the sounder and that was the key to the day and future success.

Within 15 minutes we had our first bit of action. After a few undesirables I got what I came for a solid hook up on a decent shark, wow what a rush, such power.
I was a happy man after that. And to finish the day off with a smoken hott run. Over 100m of line gone in under 30seconds, now im even happier, it turned out to be a species of ray that neither I nor Charlie had come across before.

Went out the following weekend, found my own spot with Charlie's techniques I hooked and landed a 20+kg Gummy shark.
Full of pups, a quick photo and watched her swim away
Finally I had that fish of a life time thanks to Savage Seas Adventures.

Thanks for the memories David Peterson.

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Charlie,
I'd like to thank you for a great day out on the water the other week.I'd had relative success on the snapper but not much luck with gummys,especially down the southern end of the bay.This is obviously your backyard.I was a bit surprised on the phone when organizing the day and I said the weather looks good.You replied not to worry about the weather, concentrate on the current flow rates. I had no idea how important this was.I now realize it's everything.Not only did I learn about the currents, but the different terrain to look for.More effective use of my sounder and gps unit.Rigging including line,leader and tackle selection,different weights and bait presentation,and tonnes of other stuff that I'm still remembering every time I go out now.Since then I've had two good catches of an 18 and 16kg gummys(both released).Definitely a good investment.

Cheers mate

Paul Williamson

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Good Morning Charlie,

Being a new comer to Port Phillip Bay I was frustrated with the lack of success I was having. Five hours on the water with Charlie gave me the basic skills I needed to select fishing times and spots relevant to tides, wind and currents. As well as how to use the sounder and GPS, bait presentation, rigging techniques even cooking techniques! What I learned from Charlie in five hours would have taken 12 months of frustration, time and fuel to figure out on my own What a great way to spend the day - Looking forward to the next trip Charlie

Regards

Mick Watts

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My first meeting with Charlie was at the Sorrento boat ramp on a cool morning at 5.30am. It mean't an early start from Melbourne with the trusty Haines Signature behind the 4WD. After pleasantries we launched the boat and made our way out to the start of the South Channel on the northern side right beside the first channel marker buoy. Bait consisted of whole salmon fillet on a big hook with a lot of lead so we could keep the bait on the bottom in a running flood tide. It did not take very long for the rod to bend over, a few instructions from Charlie mean't that we were able to bring a big seven-gill back to the boat but not before he made us work quite solidly for the pleasure of being able to film the whole event. It was very good to have a very tangible record of the whole day that I was able to show my wife and my children.

At the turn of the tide we chased the calamari in close to Portsea pier, without luck because the water was quite cloudy, undaunted we moved on up to a spot at the top of Symmonds Channel out from St Leonards in pursuit of the elusive Whiting. Although the fish were not prolific we enjoyed the fine sunny day and the opportunity to sit quietly and talk of past experiences. A good day all round.

Whilst we were on the water Charlie was happy to impart some of his considerable knowledge about fishing the southern end of Port Phillip Bay. He showed me the correct way to work with the tides and the wind,

we discussed the layout of the boat, his suggested modifications being implemented during the following weeks. There is a lot ot learn about fishing in this region and Charlie is the man who is very happy to pass on his obvious experience built up over quite a few years working the area.
When contemplating a trip it is most important to listen to what Charie says because he has an uncanny ability to read the weather a few days out, above all he wants you to enjoy the experience and catch some fish.

I will do it again when the weather improves.

Best Wishes to all.

David G. Fincham.