A bunch of keen kayak anglers made the most of the rare experience of fishing the Monte Bellos with Blue Lightning Charters last month.

There were nine kayakers on the trip, which I had planned to attend but unfortunately had to miss, and they notched some sensational captures in my absence.

I love my kayak fishing and have done it at the Montes a handful of times, so was extremely envious of the group, especially when they enjoyed the sort of weather anyone on a fishing trip dreams of.

Three of the posse came from the other side of the country and they were rewarded with the adventure of a lifetime after departing from Exmouth for the long cruise to the Montes.

Fishing from the Blue Lightning base in Chartreuse Bay near the northern end of the islands, they capitalised on glassy conditions on all five fishing days to do some serious exploration.

The fishing was everything they hoped for, with a wide range of the typical Montes species caught and many tales of the ones that got away.

Some inquisitive sharks also kept the kayakers on their toes, as they explored the many nooks and crannies of the Montes.

One of the most common species this year was chinaman, which were caught up to over 80cm, and were even hooked on surface lures.

Chinaman are tough to stop at the best of times, so stopping them in shallow water from a kayak is a major challenge, but several were caught by the yakkers.

As is usually the case at the Montes, coral trout and spangled emperor featured heavily in catches, with the latter caught up to 75cm.

Trevally were prominent, with some good goldens as well as plenty of smaller models, along with goldspots and little GTs.

One good GT was hooked, but it pulled the hooks at the kayak.

While the group often scattered as they hunted fish, on the last day of fishing they all headed north to a sandy point and had a ball on small queenfish and trevally.

The fish of the week went to eastern states visitor Briana Daly, for a massive cod that towed her around on the last day, capping a week full of edge-of-the-seat moments.

Two of the kayakers had a real wildlife experience when a large and seemingly excited hammerhead shark tailed them for an extended period as they paddled back to the mothership.

All agreed the Blue Lightning base was perfect for the week and its crew made sure the kayakers were well looked after.

With good company, feeds of fresh crayfish and fish, and the chance to explore the stunning Montes, including visiting ground zero, all agreed it was an amazing trip.

We are planning to do the same Montes kayak expedition again next year with Blue Lightning and anyone interested should email me at scoghlan@westernangler.com.au.

Martyn Gittens with a nice goldspot from the kayak at the Monte Bellos.