2012 Top End Barra Series Round 4.

Hi there,

Last weekend was the round 4 of the 2012 Top End Barra Series, and it was all happening at the Adelaide River Mouth.
Once again I teamed up with Arrabmundi, for a weekend of fishing.
We started early, leaving home at 4:00am on Saturday.
It is said that the early bird get the worm, but in this case it was the early fisherman get the fish.
As Arrabmundi got the first fish, just as the sun was about to rise:

Hooked in the darkness.

The fish had been hooked deep in the river, and we were full of anticipation, waiting to see it's colour.

And that was a nice surprise, as this was a fish that none of us had caught in the past:

Arrabmundi and the River Jew.

Not being sure if this fish was good to eat or not, it was put back in the water...

Later one some mates fishing the Barra Series too, told us that it should have been put in the esky, not back in the water... Well we will know it for the next time.

Any way, just after this nice capture, we started a little troll run, and I casted my lures at the back of the boat. Let some line out, to troll a fair way out, then put the reel on and started to wait for the lure to go down... But it didn't went very deep, as it was crushed by a little Barramundi as soon as in started to dive.

A quick and clean fight and the fish was in the boat!

First Barramundi of the weekend.

It wasn't a monster fish, but at 70cm (27.559055 inches), it was going to be my best Barramundi of the weekend. Yes the fishing was going to be hard. 

Still it was not yet 7:00 am, the sun was rising, and we already had boated to nice fishes, spirits were flying high.

Sunrise on the creek.

Then things slowed dramatically, and it was hard work to get a fish.

Yet, the landscape made up for it, this is another beautiful place for a bit of fishing.

Mangrove in the morning lights.

But after some more trolling, some more casting, and no more fish, we had a little meeting with two other boat involved in the competition, and decided to have a brainstorming in the best boardroom in the world:

Summit meeting in the boardroom.

After that we head to the creek number 2, where we saw Rossco and Lincoln.

Rossco gave me a cool little lure for my collection, thanks Rossco.

Then it was back to it, and Arrabmundi got a nice little Blue Salmon:

First Blue Salmon of the weekend.

This was the only Salmon for the day, but not the first of the weekend.

And this was a double hook up too!

Even if my fish was a bit smaller I was still very happy, because it was on a lure that I had never tried before. And double hook up are alway fun.

Snapper on the Tomahawk.

These Snapper taste real good, but this one being on the small side, I put it back.

At least it did give me confidence in the lure. It is always a good thing to catch a fish on a new lure, even if it is not of the targeted specie.

Some more trolling, some more casting and finally Arrabmundi got a Barramundi too:

Second Barramundi on board.

At 57 cm (22.440945 inches) this was a great relief for the two of us as we were now both on the board.

So we decided to get an early break, and stop fishing before sun down, in fact by mid afternoon. This would allow us to get back at the boat ramp before the low tide. So we could navigate the rock bar.

So at the end of day one, we both had a fish in the bag, and were discussing how to improve on that the following day.

The plan that was hatched was to come much later on the sunday, and to stay later on the day.

Bassically, to do the opposite of what we did on the first day.

Sunday saw us getting on the water at around lunch time, once again full of hopes and dreams.

We started by trolling a very little rumble in the middle of the Narrows, and it was nearly a Blue Salmon a pass.

It started with Arrabmundi getting one, then me, then hime again.

And on and on...

A little Blue Salmon.

And another one.

They were hitting pretty hard and giving a very good account of themselves in the rapid flowing current. And more that once we believed that we had hooked on a nice Barramundi, just to see that it was not once the fish neared the boat.

But it was still very good fun.

I even got a small Rock Cod in the middle of all that, but we couldn't get a Barra.

So we moved back to the Creek number one.

There, Arrabmundi got a very nice Snapper:

Snapper caught on lure.

And I finally landed my second Barramundi of the weekend!

Little Barramundi.

But it was 2cm (0.78740157 inches) short to be a point scorer!

Ha!

So I put it back hoping for better.

And do you know what I soon got in guise of better?

A Catfish, that is what I got, a small Catfish...

Ho, and we were both having a sever case of Dropsie, and dropped a few fish that we would have loved to net...

Then not long after that, at the end of a troll run, we had just started to retrieve our lures, when I got a hook up.

Not a massive thing, but it did make a nice swirl on the surface.

The pressure was not super strong, but I could feel it pulling on the line.

Then the fish took some serious speed and swam from the back of the boat to the side of the boat in no time.

Ho ho, was it finally my big Mama Barra that I have been dreaming of for so long, getting ready to take off for the centre of the river and deeper water?

I started to get excited and wanted to see what it was.

Then I saw it...

It was just a small Queenfish...

Little Queenie.

This one I kept for Double Haul, who often ask me to get hime some small queenfish, so he could use them as skipping bait for Marlin fishing.

It was starting to be late, and we really wanted to catch some Barramundi.

And it finally happened, as we were casting some soft plastic in some snags, Arrabmundi started to drop one more fish, then he was on.

But the fish took him directly in the timbers for a dirty fight.

At one stage it was stuck between some submerged branches and mangrove roots.

But Arrabmundi did very well, and got it out of there, and swimming on the other side of the boat. Where I was waiting with the net and in the boat it came!

Last fish of the weekend

At 62cm (24.409449 inches), this was a good upgrade for Arrabmundi.

It is funny how even a day like that, even if it is not your fish, but your mate fish, it still makes you very happy. And happy we were.

But it was starting to be late, and with the sunset approaching we decided to call it a day, and to head toward the boat ramp and home.

Sunset over the weekend of fishing.

On the way back, it was starting to be dark, and the water was much lower than we had anticipated, we nearly didn't make it pass the rock bar, and had to zigzag over it to find the deeper waters that would allow the boat to sail through.

And once at the ramp, we were surprise by the big step at the bottom of it and were wondering how we were going to negotiate that.

Well the trailer was put pass the step, and the boat winched on it. Then the four wheels drive pulled the lot out of it and we were all safe on terra firma.

We didn't get all the Barramundi that we were hoping for, but we got a very nice mixed bag. We got some Blue Salmon, River Jew, Rock Cod, Snapper, Catfish and of course a few Barramundi. This to me was a pretty good weekend of fishing, thanks again Arrabmundi for inviting me on your boat, I had a really good time.

And were do I stand in the comp after this round?

Well remember after the round three, I ended up in 7th position. 

After this round I and now in 5th place, so it is not so bad in the end.

But I am not sure with two more rounds to go, that I will be able to stay this well placed on the overall scoreboard...

But hey, it could be worse.

Have a good day,

Me.

Up The Adelaide River.

Hi there,

We got, Arrabmundi and I, invited onboard Moz boat for a day fishing in the upstream of the Adelaide river.
It had been arranged that we would all meet at a very early hour, at the boat ramp on the river. It was a strange feeling for Arrabmundi and I to go fishing in a car without a boat in tow. We had the sensation of flying too low...
Once at the river Moz's boat the Hard Gore was quickly launched and in the near darkness we started zooming on the water.

Early morning on the Adelaide River.

The plan of the day was that Arrabmundi was going to show some of his good spots to Moz, and I was just there to have a good time with two mates.

So we went up river past Goat Island, in some sections of the river that I had never seen before.  It is alway a pleasant feeling to see a new part of a watercourse that you had never explored, and I had a good time. 

But the fishes were playing hard to catch.

We tried a few places but for not much action, so we started to talk about an early lunch.

This is when I felt a bump on my line, then a sharp pull, then nothing... The pull had been clear and frank, it even stripped a bit of line from my reel and both of my fishing companion saw it and asked me if I was on? 

I said that no, I had a good hit but didn't connect...

I had already stand up to work the fish, and was going to seat down slightly disappointed, when the line pulled again! In fact I was well and truly on! 

But just after being hooked the fish first swam fast towards the boat so I had not tension on the line, and then made a U-turne to show me that it was still on and ready for a fight.

I didn't know if I had to laugh or try to focus on the fish, so I did a bit of both, and started to try to get some line back. Which was the exact opposed thing that this very fish had in mind. As we were on the side of the river, in a spot full of logs and snags of all kinds, Moz started to drive the boat toward the centre of the river, and this was the clue for this Barramundi to try to run across the river. Arrabmundi told me that if it was going to take me in the sticks on the other side, I could say good-by to this piscatorial rocket.

Just what I needed then and there, to stay cool...

I tried to not panic too much, but the fish was starting to get tired and I got him back to us, where it was netted and in the boat!

First Barramundi of the day.

At 67cm (26.377953 inches) and some dust, it was not huge, but had been able to give me some troubles.

As it was the first fish of the day, I decided to keep this one, just in case, you know...

And I was right.

We then went through a very desert patch, with not even a bump.

So we decided to go for an early lunch, on Goat Island.

Speeding up on the way to lunch.

Kai hospitality on the island was great and we sat in the freshness of the place, getting some cool drinks direct from the fridge and tuck into our burgers.

Full of all the good things, we went back to the serious business of fish catching.

And Moz caught the first fish of the afternoon.

Moz first Barramundi of the day.

This was a small fish but it was proof that to bring happiness, size doesn't matter, Moz was all smile. And Arrabmundi and I too, as we though that the fish had heard the dinner bell and were now on the chew.

Well if they were on the chew, they were fussy eaters, that's for sure...

Then as we were going from one spot to the other, I spotted a fishing lure floating on the river and pointed to it. Moz turned the boat toward it, and we picked up a nice Yo-Zuri lure. I had looked at them at the shop, but didn't bought any, because of the price that they command. So I was rather happy to get a free one.

And not long after that Arrabmundi was on a little Barramundi that had bitten on his lure (one of the new Killalure designed by Lance Butler). 

But the fish was not that big when compared to the lure...

Arrabmundi fighting the monster.

Ok this was no monster, but a fish is a fish and that made every body happy, as now we all had a fish at our names.

Then cruising on the river, it was Arrabmundi turn to spot a floating lure, this time a Big B52's, a lure with a proven record for catching nice Barramundi.

We moved to a rock bar, where both Arrabmundi and I got a good hit in a few second intervals. Mine didn't hook up but Arrabmundi's one did and he did fight it for a little while, till the fish jumped and spat the lure...

So we decided to work this area a bit longer.

And Moz got a better fish.

Silver Barramundi from the Adelaide.

This fish was put back in the drink, to fight another day.

We once again moved to another place to try to find the fish, and we saw Dave who was fishing with two friends of him.

So we moved a bit further away, and then I hooked a new fish and managed not to loose it.

My second Barramundi of the day.

This one was on the short size, so I decided to release it, so it could grow a lot more and be more exciting the next time we would meet.

Yes it was going to be my last one of the day, lucky I had kept the first one...

With the fish being so peckish, Arrabmundi decided to put a deep diver on, and to bounce it on the timber at the bottom of the river.

The tactics paid off and he got his second fish of the day.

We then all had two fish in the boat, and decided to slowly go back to the ramp and then home.

We did stop for a few minutes to a little creek mouth to flick our lures. Moz said that he got a few fish in the 80cm (31.496063 inches) there in the past, but also that a very big crocodile is supposed to live there. 

I made sure not to lean over the gunwales, I may even have taken a few step back towards the centre of the boat, without thinking about it...

Then we arrived at the ramp, got the boat back on the trailer and had a little chat about the day.

In my books, this was a great day: three guys on a boat, fishing and talking fishing all day long. We had all boated some fish, we didn't loose any lures.

What else do you want?

Ho, and what happened to the Barramundi that I kept in the esky?

Look what has happened to him:

Grilled fresh Barramundi and salad. 

My little one, the lady of the house and I were very happy with this fish.

Yes I know, I have not yet landed a Barramundi over the magic meter mark...

But hey, it could be worse.

Have a good day,

Me.

No fish but two new lures.

Hi there,

Today I had another go at fishing for no fish.
And it is not for the lack of trying.
In fact there was 5 of us, all regular in this spot, and none of us landed a single fish.

Why?

Well I would love to know.
The weather was perfect without wind, and the water flat as a marble tombstone.
And no life was taken from it.

I did see and this is the first time that I saw that, a stingray being hooked on a popper.
But it unhooked 1 meter from the land...

In fact the weather was so good, that I took the opportunity to make a few photos.
And lucky you, here they are:

Sun rise at East Point.

Fishing just after dawn.

Seano hooked on a stingray with a popper.

Like in the olden days.

Yes no fish but as you can see still a beautiful morning.

And what about the two lures I hear you asking...

Well, Seano gave them to me. He said that he had these old lures that he is not using any more, so I could have them for my little fishing lure collection.

When I saw them, I was so happy that I gave him an Iron Hide lure made by Rupe.

I had receive this lure just the precedent day and really liked it, but was also very grateful for the two lure so I gave him this beautiful little lure.

In a few days, I might do a post about this lure, stay tuned.

So what are these two lures?

Well the first one is my second Classic Barra +10 with no rattle inside.

Same lure than in this post, but in a different colour.

The colour of this one is called Elton On Chrome, and here it comes:

Elton On Chrome, Classic Barra circa 1996. 

View from above.

And the second one is another Australian lure, but the body of this one is made of wood.

It is a Willo Lures, made by Craig Wilson from Brisbane, in Australia.

I am not absolutely sure of that, but I fear that the company does not exist any more.

Let me introduce you to a little part of the Australian recreational fishing history in images:

My first ever Willo Lures.

Battered like a well used fishing lure.

With it's name on the lower belly.

The summary of the morning was that we did not land a single scale, but had a few good laugh between friends, and as a bonus I got two new very cool old fishing lures.

The only problems being that if things continue like this, I will need more room to store all my lures. And Coming back home without a fish start to turn into a bad habit... 

But hey, it could be worse.

Have a good day,

Me.

No fishes but two question.

Hi there,

This morning I went fishing with Sarrge who picked me up at home and gave me a lift to our fishing spot of the day, and back. 
We had chosen to fish the Cullen Bay Rock Wall as the tide seemed to be good for it, and didn't got any fishes.
Except a little Long Tom that I had hooked on the tail with a chrome slice, and that Sarrge tried to use as a live bait.
And a little Scat that I got in the cast net and tried to use as a live bait too.
(Yes we had somehow planed to put some line in with live bait on, while we were going to cast our chrome slices to the schools of pelagic that we had anticipated to come in contact with...)
But we didn't see a single bust up, or any bird working on a school of bait or any thing remotely exciting on a piscatorial point of view.

The place was really calm and relaxing, still we could have done with a fish or two...

Yet I did made two pictures, as I was standing on the rock wall: first one looking on my right at Darwin with the sun rising, and the other photo literally seconds after the first one, looking on my left, in the direction of Mandorah, with the moon in the sky.
I might be a bit of a simple mind, but to be able to see these two things at the same time, in the calm of the rock wall and flat water that we had there on this beautiful and cold morning, that the kind of things that I love in Darwin, it makes me feel happy to be alive. 
The Darwin side with the sunrise was all warmth and light. While the Mandorah side was all cold and night lights, in the dawn of a new day.

Sunrise over Darwin.

The moon over Mandorah.

Like two opposites facing each other, one being chased by the other.


So now, back to the topic of this post, the two question.
Is a small Long Tom potentially a good live bait?
Is a Scat potentially a good live bait?
Do you know?

As I very rarely fish with live bait, (as you may have understand by now, I am more of a lure person). I am basically wondering if we did stand a chance or not to have caught something this morning...


But hey, it could be worse.
Have a good day,
Me