Barra in the 90's

[eotbmg]

Was thinking out aloud to myself while i was trecking back from Awoonga on Monday last, that in the 40 or so fish myself or my partner have landed I haven't seen one barra in the 90-99 cm range. Is that just a strange fluke or coincidence? I have seen plenty in the 70-80-89 range and then 100+ cm. Did something happen during the period when these fish were stocked? I know that the 90's were a strange period in time for some of us but this is ridiculous-are they rebel teenagers who refuse to take a lure??
Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Cheers
Ben

[Big_Ren]

They're in the nervous 90s Ben...hoping not to get caught out before they get their ton

Cheers
Paul

[eotbmg]

Paul-They should know we aren't going to hurt them, just take their photo's. Do you think they are all related to Micheal Slater??????
Ben

[the_matrix]

Ben,
The 90-100cm fish that have eluded you is a very strong year class in Awoonga.
40 fish can see you catch 5 or 6 year classes, sometimes it might only be 2.
It's just the way it goes.
Ive had sessions where I have caught 6 year classes in one session, and others where they were the from the same.

In my honest opinion, the 90 to 100cm fish are the best fighting stock in the dam, they have speed, stamina and strength (without a large fat content) and dont knock up anywhere near as quick as the metre plus fish.

Keep at it, its only a matter of time before you find out for yourself.
Cheers
Jas

[eotbmg]

Thanks for the relpy Jas.
Sounds like i need to now get one if they go that hard!!!
What year would have the 90-99 cm fish been stocked in to the dam??
Ben

[the_matrix]

Ben,
Without any tagging data in front of me, I cant say exactly.
However, Its not very hard to work out roughly what year they were stocked.

Firstly, temperature and diet are two driving factors directly related to growth rates.
Water temp, (28 degree's is optimum) and a nutrient dense diet that is high in protein and digestable energy will have a high bearing on how quickly they grow.
Barra feed on a wide range of terrestrial protein, and to a lesser extent, plant life.
It is proven that impoundments with high concentrations of Boney Bream and Snub Nosed Gar significantly boost growth rates, way outside wildfish boundaries.
Other factors include emerging vegetation, risks of predatation from Catfish and other Lake dwellers, impoundment charecteristics, weather etc etc.

So, as you can see, there's a bit in it!
We all know Awoonga has all of the above, so the environment is close to optimum.
With that in mind, I'd reckon the Barra swimming around now in Awoonga that are within the 90-99cm year class were stocked in 2002.

In March/April 2002 approx 97600 fingerlings between 50-60mm were released by the GAWB hatchery.
It would take those fingerling approx 12-14 months to reach legal (58cm) size depending on the variables mentioned above.

From that stage on, they bulk up very quickly, and tagging data points to weight gains in the vicinity of 3kgs every year. Variations either side.

Most 90 to 100cm fish weigh anywhere from 10kg to 15kg (again with variations)
so this points to a stocking around that time period in March 2002.
Not saying that exactly, but around abouts.
Cheers
Jas

[eotbmg]

Thanks again Jas.
Great insight to the dam again-i was reading the post about the water levels the other day also great insight and intreaging stuff.
Cheers
Ben

[sea tiger]

Hi eotbmg, just thought you might be interested to know that my wife caught a 93cm barra at Awoonga January this year, put up a good fight.
Cheers Tiger