Today in Townsville

[Curmudgeon]

I woke up this morning with the imminent barra season closure front of mind, so after dispatching son to school and tending a few other errands, I found myself back on the banks of Ross River. Determined to break the hoodoo that is preventing me from catching a barra in excess of legal length, I threaded a fresh flickbait onto a finesse jighead and surveyed the surroundings. The breeze was going to make things difficult this morning. But neither the wind nor the prospect of several hours in the blazing NQ sun could deter me. I wanted that barra.

First cast, and the dreaded braid wind knot almost happened. To try and avoid it, I immediately began a fast retrieve as I tensioned the line through my fingers. The little plastic skipped happily along the surface unmolested. Second cast. Splashdown. Getting my fish catching stance just right while I waited for the plastic to touch bottom. Then the retrieve. Jiggy, jiggy, pause. Jiggy, jiggy, pause. The wind was forcing me to hold the rod where it was going to hit my wrist watch every time I jigged the lure. Momentarily distracted by this nuisance, I was considering taking the watch off when... BANG!!! What the?! The little rod buckled over, and it was on for young and old. Almost immediately I could feel the rasping of fluorocarbon against a submerged object. Then with a TWANG, it was clear and I was still connected! Big swirl on the water's surface. Still no i.d. on my adversary since I was keeping one eye on the line while trying not to fall off my perch. The little Symetre was yielding line against an almost locked up drag. And then I got my first look at him. Niiice reddy. Disbelief that it wasn't the barra I was hoping for, but ecstatic at the biggest jack I've got on plastics in over a year. By this stage, the fish was tiring, and with a little more patience I glided him up onto the bank.

45cm and 3 pounds. Caught on 4kg braid. This bloke also had a shiny new 5/0 in his belly with half a metre of heavy mono snelled to it. Didn't seem to have affected his appetite any.

Normally, I'd have called it a day right then and there, but the barra bug's got me bad. So on I went. First a little flathead. Then the first of four undersize barra. Three that I landed, one that I kind of intentionally jumped off.

May the barra gods smile on me tomorrow...

Cheers All,
Brian.

[Playdo98]

Sounds like a pretty good mornings fishing Brian. Great looking Jack too and a great effort of 4kg gear. Congratulations

Hope the gods shine favourably.

[chrisallangler]

That's a good Jack mate, looks nice and healthy also. Hopefully you will get your barra soon mate Cheers Chris

[Synful]

That's a nice Jack Curmudgeon; like you I'm still trying to land my first legal Barra so I know the feeling. Will probably get one when the closed season is in effect and have to throw it back knowing my luck

Might be time to start targeting those red fish for a while I think

[Dunco]

Nice work Brian, I'm going to have a go at the ross today. Just goto finish this stupid B.A.S.

[vinny78]

Jesus, I can't wait to get home. Read'n all these threads about how well you fellas are doing!!
Curmudgeon, when is the next 'SoftPlastics- Class 101 for Dummies' to be held. I think I better attend.

Andrew.

[Fishin_Dan]

Nice Jack there Brian! Hope you get your legal Barra before the closure

[Silent]

Good reading report and a nice jack...

[Creek Vermin]

Nice work mate. I've got plenty of pics with that lure hanging from red fish gobs. They def love it. We also got plenty of small barra at hinchinbrook on it. Have you nailed any big barra on it?

[kingkev]

Excellent Jack..........sorry about the Barra but there is always next year. I am jealous as I am yet to catch a legal Jack. Will try the Haughton on Monday just because I can and because I can feel a legal JACK coming on

cheers

[Fisher4life]

Great Fish there Brian, i'm still to crack the 40cm mark on a jack. I bet he gave you a good run for your money. Good luck with fishing down there in the morning. I bet you'll prolly catch your legal barra at 1201, just after the season closes....

Na, Good luck mate, Congrats on the great Jack, i bet he tasted good too

Josh

[ffejsmada]

Good fish Brian, I'm bustin' to get one at 45cm. Good stuff mate.

Jeff

[Curmudgeon]

Thanks for the replies, people.

Creek Vermin, that's kind of a sore point. I was connected to a legal barra a few weeks ago on a flickbait but pulled the hook. Other than that, lots of little fellas.

Andrew, I reckon you should host a class up on the fresh side of Aplins. I still haven't been up there yet.

Cheers All,
Brian.