summer at bigw

[Chuong]

Where do all the bass go?? I have a theory but would like to hear others thoughts.

Was up there 23/10 for a few catfish and one golden.

The catfish were not worse than they were in winter either :-? They were all quite large and didn't get any little ones like we usually do.

[1337]

That's a good question mate. I havn't fished big w in the summer so i am of no help. Keen to hear the responses you get; and your theory is .... ?

[Louis]

It has always suprised me just how many catfish and how few bass appear to be present at Wivenhoe.

Maybe they are there but as it is such a large lake with ever ready food supplies the bass may feed at their leisure and aren't so worried about seeking out a feed.

That's about the best I can do theory wise. I welcome hearing your theory on the subject.


Louis

[aussiebasser]

You will find an interesting article by Garry Fitzgerald in the latest Bush'n'Beach regarding sorting out the Forkies from the Bass at Wivenhoe.
Some things we have learnt over the years at Big W are fairly obvious. Forkies like slow moving lures, (how many have you hooked on a stationary lure when landing another fish trolling?) and Forkies like a noisey lure. Remember these two things, and think about how you fish and it probably won't come as a surprise that you are catching more Forkies than Bass.

[Chuong]

Thanks guys... will grab a copy of bnb. Although the catfish weren't anymore a problem the other day compared to the cooler months.

What I think....

1. Bass aren't feeding as heavily, post spawning?

2. Since wivenhoe is quite long and access points are all in the downstream half of the lake, the fish move back upstream after trying to spawn in the lower half?

Anyone fish downstream of Somerset in the upper reaches of BigW in summer?

Aussiebasser do you do ok with the bass in summer?

[Louis]

Sounds like valid reasoning Chuong.



Louis

[aussiebasser]

Up until quite recently, Bass were regarded as a Summer only fish. We've proven that theory wrong, but only in the last 3 to 4 years. Bass at Big W are still there in Summer, and quite catchable. The biggest, deepest water is in the no boating zone between Platypus Cliffs and the wall. There is an awful lot of inaccessible water there, and my thoughts are that that is where the big fish hide in the warmer months. Deep down, in comfortable temperatures. We're not allowed in there, so can't prove it. We're all still learning about impoundment Bass, and the bass themselves are changing in their habits as they acclimatise to their new surrounds.

[Chuong]

Thanks for your thoughts Dale. I have come across a few areas that are 60-100ft deep, even at 35% capacity. Have to try and find these again and give them a good workout. GPS would be handy right now :'(