Townsville Breakwall Tarpon

[Curmudgeon]

My first thread, after lurking around hereabouts for far too long.

Went for a wander along the main wall after I picked the son up from school on Monday.

Fish was caught at dusk, on a 4" Powerbait minnow in pumpkin seed scales colour, using a cheap old whiting rod with 3kg mono.

The boy hooked him, but after losing more than 50 yards of line in a matter of seconds, and faced with having to clamber along the rock wall to give chase, insisted that I take control. Took me another 10 minutes to subdue the fish. He told me later that his legs started shaking so badly, he was worried he would fall off the wall.

It was a magic evening, with the duck pond glassed out, and big fish crashing bait all along the wall.

Went back again last night. This time, the young fella brought his 6kg outfit and was determined not to back down to anything with fins. Sure enough, his neon Squidgy fish got clobbered by something substantial that ran hard towards town for 30 yards, but then angled in to the rockwall and bricked him.

Different night altogether, with the wind coming in more from the north. Compared to the night before, the place was fairly dead.

He's keen to go again tonight regardless.

Please excuse the dork in the photo. He gets a bit excitable.

Brian.

[ffejsmada]

Good on ya Brian, they go don't they? They're great fish!
I just finished watching a DVD, these yanks were getting 70kg Tarpon on fly!!!!:o

Cheers Jeff

[Curmudgeon]

Good fun alright. Blew the cobwebs right out of that little whiting outfit.

And it's a new species to add to our plastics tally.

I was initially calling it for a barra much bigger than that. Wishful thinking as it turned out.

70kg tarpon would just be mind blowing.

Brian.

[barkers creek]

i cought one bit smaller then that up the narrows in cq in 4ft of water on a golden bomber about 2 years ago, and i swaer as i released it out of my hand it hit a mullet swimming by was quite incredibal.

iv seen some big ones cought up north qld way but are they diffrent to the ones over in america?

cheers nath

[kingkev]

Great catch...........

When those Northerlies kick in, I struggle to catch a decent fish. Northerlies are expected again this arvo but what the hell it's still better than sitting at home and I am starting to go through withdrawel symptoms because I hav'nt been fishing for 2 weeks

[Curmudgeon]

Went back for another quick session just on sunset yesterday. Watched the sail boats heading out.

Wind was from the north-west, chopping up the duck pond. I really haven't fished the breakwall regularly, but I think you might be on to something with the northerlies theory, Kev. We couldn't even draw a strike last night.

There was a bit of ribbon weed in the main channel making luring difficult on that side too.

Good luck tonight, Kev. I might try the river this arvo, if I'm allowed out. Three trips in three days is exceptional for me. My marriage may be in danger if I try for a fourth.

Brian.

[kingkev]

I fish those walls regularly, especially the Marina walls and have fished them at least twice a week for the past 18 months. When those bloody Northerlies kick in all I catch if I do catch anything is toad fish or something stupid like that.

I am not expecting much this arvo again as I know the wind direction will be the factor. I will however enjoy time out and a great sun set.

[geoff72]

nice catch,they are a great sport fish for sure,specially on light gear

[kingkev]

Well,I hit the walls of the shiopping channel from 4:30 - 7:30 with mullet strips. Bugger all until I decided to reel ion the last line and after 2 winds felt something hit. Caught an 80cm HAIRTAIL. Have eaten them before and quite good actually but decided to let this one go.

Bloody NE WINDS

[slickas]

Great catch...........

When those Northerlies kick in, I struggle to catch a decent fish. Northerlies are expected again this arvo but what the hell it's still better than sitting at home and I am starting to go through withdrawel symptoms because I hav'nt been fishing for 2 weeks


I'm hearin ya re the withdrawals I got out and did a bit of land based SP fishin in the Ross, see my thread in this report re my serious stert into SPs.:)

[kingkev]

I am heading up to Innisfail for a few nights soon and i will try out the Sp's in the Johnstone. I am a fair dinkum bait fisherman but I will try anything once

[slickas]

I am heading up to Innisfail for a few nights soon and i will try out the Sp's in the Johnstone. I am a fair dinkum bait fisherman but I will try anything once


I must admit I am to but just recently I have wanted to try some thing different.The one thing I have noticed is the lack of mess that comes from live baiting. It makes coming home so much nicer and quicker because you don't have all the muck to clean up.8-)