Virgin barra fishin

[dodgyboy90]

Hey there new to barra fishing and i have no gear and i want to know what i should buy in the way of rod and reels so please help... and anything else you can help with that i should have or need... Monduran dam is the place im going

[NAGG]

Hi dodgy - welcome to Ausfish

Barra fishing can lead to small bank balances - and obsessive behavior:P

what is your fishing background ....... > Can you cast a baitcaster or know how to lure cast in an estuary ?

Do you own a good 3000-4000 size spin reel / rod or baitcast gear ? - What is it ?

or

are you a complete newby to fishing ?

what type of boat do / will you be fishing out of - this will help us offer some guidance

Chris

[dodgyboy90]

hey mate well im just used to yella belly fishin in the condamine near where im from so all this is very new to me... lure fishing yeah no problem casting...

nope none of that gear at all...

umm i do beleive its just a 13 to 15 ft tinny...

yeah really looking forward to getting back into it so i hope someone can help me

[NAGG]

hey mate well im just used to yella belly fishin in the condamine near where im from so all this is very new to me... lure fishing yeah no problem casting...

nope none of that gear at all...

umm i do beleive its just a 13 to 15 ft tinny...

yeah really looking forward to getting back into it so i hope someone can help me


what do you use for your yellas - tackle wise ?

[dodgyboy90]

umm just 15 to 20 pound line and just a small rod i got when i was really young

just a lil javis walker reel but i got a new one a few years ago but never used it... its a bigger one not a bad looking reel...

just lures ive got over years of birthdays and christmas's...

[NAGG]

umm just 15 to 20 pound line and just a small rod i got when i was really young

just a lil javis walker reel but i got a new one a few years ago but never used it... its a bigger one not a bad looking reel...

just lures ive got over years of birthdays and christmas's...

OK then what is your budget ? - I guess a spin out fit would be a safe bet:-?

[dodgyboy90]

well i dont really have a budget im just really wondering a cost of a basic first time barra fishing... i will be buying more gear as i start going more but for now to make sure im hooked ill just spend as little as i can

[NAGG]

well i dont really have a budget im just really wondering a cost of a basic first time barra fishing... i will be buying more gear as i start going more but for now to make sure im hooked ill just spend as little as i can


Gee dodgy - ya makin it tough for someone to offer you some sound advice . The reality is ...... you can catch and land barra on a $100 K Mart spin outfit - you may even get by for a year or so with it - - - but the likely outcome is that if by some luck you get onto a big fish or catch a few - that outfit will fall apart:(

My basic spin outfit would be based around a 3000 Daiwa Tierra or 4000 Shimano Stradic matched to a T Curve snapper spin - and 30lb braid. This would be a useful snapper outfit etc ....... If you shop hard locally , you might put this outfit together for $500.
This outfit will last and be enjoyable to cast ....... plus handle decent fish.
There are plenty of other combinations - but a half decent one will still be between $400 & $500

Chris

[pilgrim]

BCF has a nice barra rod, Shimano Sonic Pro Barra Baitcast Rod - 5'6", 6-10kg Only $59.00 I have one which I leave up in Townsville when I stay up there for work or just visiting my mother. And a Shimano Crestfire Baitcast Reel - 100 for $99.00 if your on a budget, there are more expensive reels. I have a Shimano Caenan which I got for $150. It has 7 ball bearings. Some braid, 20-50lb usually around the $22-30 mark. You may need to buy some cheap mono as backing as the spools of braid are usually only in 125m lengths, and it won't fill your reel to the top. And some Berkley Vanish leader, same breaking strain or heavier. I'll leave that choice up to you. You will get a lot of different opinions as to which breaking strain is best, and that will also depend on where you plan to fish. Same goes for lures, soft plastics are a good starting place as it won't hurt your wallet so much when you lose some of them. The choice there is endless, I use Berkley hollow bellies and squidgies 100mm, but again it will depend where you are going to fish. So you can outfit yourself with a reasonable outfit for around $200. Hope that helps.
Also if you can get hold of a copy of the DVD's Estuary tactics 1 and or Barra tactics 1 and 2, loads of useful info for the budding barra fisherman.

[dodgyboy90]

cheers chris but i didnt understand what you meant by making it hard for you... its hard enough for me someone who has no idea on barra besides eating them...

Pilgrim cheers for that im headin to bcf this arvo now cause that sounds like a great starting point...

[Young Gun]

Hey guys, I am also a keen lure fisherman, heading to Awoonga for my first time in 3 weeks. done a search last night on the forums with the key word being 'Awoonga' Found tons of info from good fishing spots, lures, braid, leader, knots, rods, reels. Was on here for hours. Some really good info on here. Anyone else heading up there around 12th Nov? Also NAGG if you read this. I read about the Schneider Mono you described as being great leader material. I have plenty of 45lb stuff, do you think that would be sufficient for Awoonga? Probably gonna run 30lb fins, or 40lb Sunline.

Cheers

Ryan

[pilgrim]

I heard that 50lb fluorocarbon was the norm these days in Awoonga, you may get away with 45lb. But having never fished there, can only go on what the experts say.
And no probs Dodgyboy, I'm sure you will get a bargain and lots of good advise from BCF.

[Steve B]

I heard that 50lb fluorocarbon was the norm these days in Awoonga, you may get away with 45lb. But having never fished there, can only go on what the experts say.
And no probs Dodgyboy, I'm sure you will get a bargain and lots of good advise from BCF.


Yeah right..biggest ripoffs around. Advice??..depends on who you get I spose::):P;)

Pilgram is right, 50lb + leader should do the trick. Spend about $200 on a reel, and it will last you 5 times longer than $100 reel...anything Diawa shimano will go OK. Same for rods, anywhere from $100 to $200 should get you a good quality, comfortable to use outfit. A mate has the shimano sonic pro and has landed good barra, that would be good. Owner trebbles on everything. Plastics?? Slickrigs, berkley power mullets, storm shads are all good safe starters.


cheers Steve

[dodgyboy90]

yeah i understand that ya should spend good money for ya good gear but atm i dont have cash to throw around so just a first time cheap starter setup is all im looking for

[Steve B]

yeah i understand that ya should spend good money for ya good gear but atm i dont have cash to throw around so just a first time cheap starter setup is all im looking for

fair enough. Understand where your coming from. maybe check some of the secondhand gear for sale on various websites. could be some bargins on better gear. good luck with it.

Steve

[NAGG]

Hey guys, I am also a keen lure fisherman, heading to Awoonga for my first time in 3 weeks. done a search last night on the forums with the key word being 'Awoonga' Found tons of info from good fishing spots, lures, braid, leader, knots, rods, reels. Was on here for hours. Some really good info on here. Anyone else heading up there around 12th Nov? Also NAGG if you read this. I read about the Schneider Mono you described as being great leader material. I have plenty of 45lb stuff, do you think that would be sufficient for Awoonga? Probably gonna run 30lb fins, or 40lb Sunline.

Cheers
.
Ryan

Hi Ryan .

You obviously know just how tough the Schneider is8-)

I'm using 55lb Schneider klear which is 0.8mm - the same diameter as most 80lb leader material. (It is tough & offers the best abrasion resistance) After a long search this is the one and the only one that has not failed me ........ all the others have been worn through at some stage .

my advice is to spend $15 on a 50M spool and be done with it ......... I couldn't think of anything worst than seeing someone make the big trip - hook a fish of a lifetime only to get worn through on a extended fight or if you have to apply some hurt to the fish.
30lb fins in fine ...... these days many fish 30 & 20lb.

Best of luck on your trip

Chris

[NAGG]

cheers chris but i didnt understand what you meant by making it hard for you... its hard enough for me someone who has no idea on barra besides eating them...

Pilgrim cheers for that im headin to bcf this arvo now cause that sounds like a great starting point...


Its always tough giving advice to someone who is having their first shot at impoundment barra
specially when I've watched a mate go through the same thing ....... he didn't want to spend the cash either and over just a handful of trips - I've watched a rod fall apart and 2 reels pack it in .......... all this over just 6 trips and maybe 50 barra
Now he has spent a bit more and is much more satisfied with the whole experience ....... he can concentrate on fighting the fish and not the gear:)

Chris

[Young Gun]

Yeh i agree totally with you there Chris. i mose well spend the money and get the right gear in the first place then not complain when i lose the fish, lure and my tears.

Gonna hit the tackle shop up tomorrow. should be a good day burning the credit card. Gonna do a bit of experimenting with the suspending side of things on the xraps and maybe some bombers. Also might slip some different jig heads in the slick rigs and work out some sink rates :) Thanks again guys for your input. It will only help me land the fish of my life!

Cheers

Ryan

[NAGG]

Yeh i agree totally with you there Chris. i mose well spend the money and get the right gear in the first place then not complain when i lose the fish, lure and my tears.

Gonna hit the tackle shop up tomorrow. should be a good day burning the credit card. Gonna do a bit of experimenting with the suspending side of things on the xraps and maybe some bombers. Also might slip some different jig heads in the slick rigs and work out some sink rates :) Thanks again guys for your input. It will only help me land the fish of my life!

Cheers

Ryan

Good onya Ryan

impoundment barra fishing is good fun and so is setting yourself up for the assult - getting put in the right direction can save a lot of expense and angst. There is tackle that is tested & proven ...... buy it and at the end you find that its not your cup of tea - it is easily sold ..... and at a good price . There will never be a problem selling a curado , chronarch or Zillion baitcast reel - 8-)
If you have time up your sleeve (5 days from tacklewarehouse US) - you can land a shimano curado for just over A$200 ........ :)

as for those X raps (12s) ..... #4 owner STN-66 on the tail & a #1 on the front will usually have them suspending .......... if it still sinks - remove the tow point split

Chris

[Young Gun]

Yeah will be having a nice relaxing day down at the tackle shop tomorrow. eh eh eh! lol I have never owned a bait caster purely because i was bought up Jew and Flathead fishing old school style with the old man. Then the last 5 or so years have really ventured into finesse lure fishing and haven't bothered with them. To be honest I would like to make the change soon and have a bait caster for Jacks/ Barra etc. I have a Barra raider at the moment paired with a dodgey 5bb Regal. which i will be upgrading before i go away. and i also have a raider Snapper light which is a bit lighter at 4-6kg but gee is casts a lot nicer than the barra and i like the longer butt. So at the moment i have mixed thoughts on what to take away. Do i buy a nice spin reel and use my current rods or do i go all out and get a nice bait caster combo and finally make the change. I had a look at the website you are talking about. Is it the one that is on sale for 179? with the free razor? lol hmmm that razor sure does sound good.. " And here is a photo of me shaving with my new curado at Awoonga" haha.

Ryan

[Young Gun]

Ahh damn its only a Shaver bag. Scammers

[NAGG]

Yeah will be having a nice relaxing day down at the tackle shop tomorrow. eh eh eh! lol I have never owned a bait caster purely because i was bought up Jew and Flathead fishing old school style with the old man. Then the last 5 or so years have really ventured into finesse lure fishing and haven't bothered with them. To be honest I would like to make the change soon and have a bait caster for Jacks/ Barra etc. I have a Barra raider at the moment paired with a dodgey 5bb Regal. which i will be upgrading before i go away. and i also have a raider Snapper light which is a bit lighter at 4-6kg but gee is casts a lot nicer than the barra and i like the longer butt. So at the moment i have mixed thoughts on what to take away. Do i buy a nice spin reel and use my current rods or do i go all out and get a nice bait caster combo and finally make the change. I had a look at the website you are talking about. Is it the one that is on sale for 179? with the free razor? lol hmmm that razor sure does sound good.. " And here is a photo of me shaving with my new curado at Awoonga" haha.

Ryan


I like baitcasters ...... but am warming to quality spin gear ( forced to by a form of tennis elbow)
For 50% of my impoundment barra fishing a spin outfit is sweet ....... so for a newby - I'd go spin first.
Yes ...... the one with the razor (It will cost you $340 locally)........ they are a popular baitcast reel ...:) ... just buy a few packets of berkley hollow belleys or split bellies and you will turn the shipping cost to barely nothing ....... along with adding to your placcy range .
Chris

[Young Gun]

Will have a good think about it all over the next few days and come up with an attack plan. Thanks again for your input Nagg. Will be in touch. Tight lines.

Ryan

[pilgrim]

[/COLOR]


Yeah right..biggest ripoffs around. Advice??..depends on who you get I spose
I suppose it depends on which BCF you go to, Always had good advise from mine here in Brissy, and In Townsville. Never been to the Gin Gin one so I can't comment on them. But as from Steve B's Avatar he should know what he is talking about. As they say buy the best you can afford.

[Steve B]

I suppose it depends on which BCF you go to, Always had good advise from mine here in Brissy, and In Townsville. Never been to the Gin Gin one so I can't comment on them. But as from Steve B's Avatar he should know what he is talking about. As they say buy the best you can afford.


Hi Pilgrim, I had to have a little chuckle "Gin Gin BCF"...;D;D our whole town would fit inside a BCF shop!!;D;D but we do have a tackle shop, and F o xies Barra Havvoc is great, he will give excellent advice to anyone of impoundment barra, and better prices than BCF too. I have found tackleworld to also be cheaper. I have had good and bad BCF service, and occassionally they have some good specials, but as a whole I find them more expensive in the stores I have visited.

Thanks for the kind words about ol Homer as hes known (my avitar)..hes still my favorite barra of all time.

As for gear, your right, best you can afford. Barra are a tricky one, we use the lightest gear possible to catch one of the biggest, meanest beasts around. They can destroy even quality gear, as NAGG can verify with a destroyed HLC Zillion from a rampaging fish.

Cheers Steve

[pilgrim]

Ha yeah, Gin Gin's not that big hey, Grew up in Maryborough myself, Most of my gear now is either Shimano or Daiwa, But do have a couple of ABU baitcasters, that have served me well over the years. An ABU 2500c is a bit of a classic these days, and still going strong, and an old ABU five, which I pulled the carbon bushes out of and replaced them with stainless bearings, which I got out of an old Shimano Bantam. And it is still going strong after 25 yrs of service. The key is as with any gear, regular servicing and maintenance. Looking foward to hitting Lenthalls and Monduran in the near future. Let you know how the gear holds up.