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Kendall249
01-10-2008, 01:40 PM
Needed to get out yesterday arvo, haven't had the chance to get out for awhile, so considering how the weather has warmed so I decided head down for a quick fish. I went down to a spot where I can easily get bait, albeit with a bit of risk ripping the net. The creek I fish runs off Ross river.

Getting down there just on dark I managed to get about 15 mullet baits in a few casts, ranging from 7 - 20 cm. Within the first 20 minutes of fishing I caught two small jacks about 25cm, didn't worry about measuring them, quickly returning them to the water. Things slowed over the next hour with only some small unconvincing hits, though one resulted in the loss of my largest bait. The following 15 mins I got another two jacks this time both just legal, after a quick photo I released both of them. One of these fish was taken on my second largest bait of around 18cm, this showing how even smallish fish don't mind decent sized baits.

After this it went quiet again, making me ponder about the affect returning fish may have on the other feeding fish, particularly in relation to jacks. After a while I got another hit, no a big hit, though as I went for the rod it stopped. So I picked up the rod noting that there was still weight of the bait there. Waiting a moment there was a few small taps, pickers I though attacking the now dead bait. The picks turned into a small run, I struck and ended up hooking the fish that was definately bigger than the pickers I thought it was. After a quick struggle I landed a 41cm jack.

I decided to keep this fish and call it a night, 5 jacks for the evening satisfied the itch, for a short while anyhow. Since moving back to Townsville I'm continually surprised how consistenly some of creeks close to town fish. This particularly spot seems to produce every trip during the favourable times of year. The numbers of jacks in the creek also suggests that the system is relatively healthy.

ronnien
01-10-2008, 01:51 PM
kendall 249

nice mate, thats a good arvo sesh!
"bundy"?

ron.

Pete62
01-10-2008, 02:22 PM
Nice healthy fish there champ, can I ask after the terminal set up u r using?
Cheers, Pete.

kingkev
01-10-2008, 02:38 PM
LOST for words

I couldn't even come up legal...............well done mate

goddy100
01-10-2008, 05:37 PM
well done, I'm yet to even catch a jack!!

Goddy

fish-n-dive
01-10-2008, 05:44 PM
Didn't I see you at Seafood on Boundary yesterday???;D

Seriously though, I'm just jealous cause I have yet to catch a Jack............:-[

killitfillit
01-10-2008, 07:17 PM
your report fits with what we found livebaiting and having one as a pet.they sieze the bait then break its back on a rock or log then turn it around and swallow it headfirst.if you fish a livie in freespool with just the ratchet on you get a small quick run then a few taps as they kill the prey then they move off using water pressure to help them get it down thats when they realise they are hooked and all hell breaks loose for 10 seconds and it is over one way or another.

richieboy
01-10-2008, 08:11 PM
Gotta love the Jacks mate. I'm starting to fish the rockbars more often than not lately. Barra are just a bycatch I hope.......

richie

Mozza
01-10-2008, 09:20 PM
Ta Kendall,

Yep, just returned from a quick sesh down below Aplins and the joint is infested with small Jacks just like this time last year. Anyone wanting to take their kid fishing would be well advised to head on down.

All you need is around a 4O hook on a leader of your choice. Pin a small herring or mullet to it and flick it out no more than 2-3m off any of the rocks (unweighted) and watch it. Where I fish, it takes no more than a couple of minutes before the reds start going at it. The herring are great because they tend to flick on the surface so it's visually entertaining too.

I'll try to convince my 2 to head down tomorrow so reel_screamer, I may still be in with a chance. My tally for 1 hour today: 2 small GT's, 1 jack and about 7 misses.

Mozza

Kendall249
01-10-2008, 09:36 PM
Cheers for the comments guys.

Ron, the missus went for fish with me, she's on my case, so I stuck to Coke zeros to get a few extra brownie points. Makes it harder to put up with the mozzies and sandflies though.

Pete, I've been using a paternoster rig, using a three way swivel because it lets use of a finer leader to the hook. The only way I know to tie a paternoster rig results in doubled leader to the hook. Im also sold on using wide gap hooks as it also also lighter leader because of the majority hookups are in the jaw.

cheers kendall

reel screamer
02-10-2008, 11:49 AM
Thanks for the informative post Kendall. Sounds like a good outing.

Mozza: Just reading this post made me realise that if I offer to take my daughter with I might be allowed out to play;) Sorry about the chopping and changing mate....but I am sure you know how it is with the minister of home affairs.