The Toga are ON!

[Leigh77]

With Jaime (my wife) getting very anxious about having not gone Bass fishing for 6 months, and my local river trying to kill me last time I went, the decision was made mid-week for a weekend adventure...just the two of us. Call it a 'babymoon' if you will. Crossing off the list all the dams that dont have water in them (that narrowed the list greatly) and a quick bit a research we decided on Lake Borumba...2 1/2 hours north of Brissy.

With Jaime being 6 months pregnant we booked one of the onsite vans at Borumba Deer Park for a little bit of luxury...the van itself was good, but the bed was a SHOCKER!

Saturday morning saw us on the water at approx 5am...with heavy clouds overhead we crossed our fingers that the rain would hold off, and the fish would bite. Well, we got our wish! We started fishing a steep rocky bank with two little rats coming my way on a jackall. Fishing up the top of Lake Borumba is similar to any dam/river with a lot of standing timber...so many places to cast, so little time.



Paying attention (for a change) to what the sounder was showing soon had us fishing any water shallower then 20'...if it was deeper then that, we were wasting our time. The fish themselves were holding at about 10', but you needed the correct depth to find the fish to begin with. Finding a good show of fish the jackall was fired out and counted down. A light tap, followed by a hard pull that would of made Hugh Grant a happy man saw line screaming from my Sol and the Bass heading for the trees.

A few nervous moments as I could feel the braid rubbing against the tree as I pulled her back into open water...into the net. YAH! 48cm of fat Borumba Bass.



It was then I heard the first muttering from jaime..."why arent I catching..." BANG! Just when you least expect it, the Shimano Calcutta is turned inside out and the drag is having its own coronery. It didnt take long for Jimmy to have this freight-train of a Bass into the net. All the way through the battle Jimmy called it for a "bigger then yours" but when the time came Jimmy fell a little short. Measuring it in at a very respectable first fish in 6 months, 44cm.



The pattern was definately cracked, and we were looking down the barrel of a cracker session. The Bass werent the only things wanting to play this game, with a fat Golden being my next capture. I did try to smile for the photo, I promise.



The day continued with some smaller (mid 30s) Bass being caught, and I picked up a few more Yellas as well. This is when Jimmy did it again with a "how come your catching all the Gol....". The rod buckled under the weight, a bit of line was dragged from the calcutta as Jimmy did battle with a fish from the deep...yep...you guessed it, a YELLA. Jimmys' first ever Yella, and not a bad size either.



With hunger pains growing and Junior really starting to kick up a fuss, we decided to head back for a feed and maybe a quick snooze.

>>>> FAST FORWARD >>>>

Back on the water that afternoon the fishing had slowed a little in the location we were earlier in the day, so we moved onto a new location. Going up another arm of the dam, we found a large area of flat ground that was holding plenty of fish...We picked up a few more mid 30s' Bass and another Yella or two, but no mosters like we encountered that morning.

We traveled up as far as we could go into this arm, and it just had that feeling. "Its surface lure time". But I wasnt aiming for a Bass, I was hoping for a Saratoga! These fish are an awesome looking fish, and great fun to catch.
About 10mins of casting the Sammy around any likely looking structure was all it took. A small hit, followed by a jump...another jump...then it was pretty much over and done with as a small Toga slipped into the net. I had done what I had wanted to do, I love it when plan comes together! Its only a small one, but its still a Toga!



That was it for the day as we headed back to camp for another feed, a drink for me, and DEFINATELY a long snooze

>>> FAST FORWARD >>>

4:30 am and we were on the water heading back to where we had all the luck the previous day. Started working another steap rocky bank and within minutes of dropping the electric I got the surface strike I was not expecting. I was actually going for another Toga, but this 42cm Bass thought otherwise. A great hit, sending water flying and my knees shaking. An awesome tussle to get her out of the timber and into the net.



But as far as the Bass go, that was it for the day but dont be too alarmed...we still had our fun. Since the fishing was slow, we decided on pushing further up the arm then what we did the day before to have a look...you never know whats around the next corner

We came to a little bay that for some reason demanded attention..."What the hell" I thought, "can only try". Tying the Sammy back on, I started targetting the standing timber close to the bank. By the time I had got my second hit from a Toga, Jimmy joined into the game with a jointed jitterbug.

I cant really remember what happened in what order, but what I do know is this...I ended with 11 strikes, for ZERO boated. I dropped 6, 4 missed and I got busted up once. Jaime ended up with 5 hits, 3 of these were dropped, 1 missed and the other one was BOATED! Jaimes first ever Saratoga was caught on a surface lure. I was even more happier then Jaime was I think. All that happened in 1 short hour, the fishing was just unbelievable.



Only a small one at 57cm, but still a great fish regardless. The colouration is done no justice in the pic, you really have to see one in the flesh to fully appreciate their beauty.

That, as it turned out, was the last fish of the trip as we had to get back to camp, pack and head home. Jaime ended up with two "firsts" for the trip, her first Yella and her first Toga...No complaints were heard from her thats for sure.

[roydsy]

Thanks for sharing, top report and it is good to see more yellas being caught at Borumba.

I was just about to give up on that place, well done.

roydsy

[Little grey men]

Really nice report there mate. I love it when people put a bit of detail into it. A great read and some fine pic's for the album hey ? Congrats to the missus on two new species as well, and best of luck on the upcoming family addition too.

[Hardb8]

Thanks for writing m8,Nice report.
Congats on ya whipper snapper on the way too.I'm in the same boat,As my Mrs is 5 months .

I'm heading up there over the Christy holidays,And I hope to also do battle with the planks of Borumba on topwaters.Can't wait .

Regards. B8.

[Pistol_P]

Great report mate....great photos too.

I might hit Borumba Wednesday arvo for some Toga.....You have helped my enthusiasm.

Cheers
Pete

[Peter4]

All round good story and great pics.

Well done. You should probably squeeze in another trip before baby comes as you may be otherwise occupied for a while!!

Pete

[Leigh77]

Thanks for the comments guys...its always good to hear that a well written report is appreciated.

PMs have been sent regards to locations and lure selections.

[bdowdy]

great report and some great fish, congrats ive been wanting to make a trip[up here for ages ( should do it ) cheers bdowdy.brett

[nipsta]

great report good to here some is catching some nice fish keep the stroys coming love the read

[BLOOEY]

Good onya mate.They are some fine looking fish youve got there.The togas are a spectacular fish arent they.I think i'll give borumba a miss untill after xmas when the crowds die down a bit.Beautiful dam though. And the bass seem to pull harder. Ben

[ethan1]

great photos great fishing. i was there on sunday with brother in law, caught good bass, more than usual yellas and you' re spot on about the togas. biggest went 65cm. spinner baits never fail. also the new anthrax lure, has un believable action caught both bass and sarras onit. best day there yet, since low water levels.

[ffejsmada]

Good stuff mate, you did well. Lovely photos.

Jeff.

[TIMMY 666]

Great report mate! Top pics, top story and some top 'togas .

Looking forward to the next...

Cheers,

Tim.

[Big_Ren]

Fantastic report mate matched by your pics. Toga and Borumba are definitely on my To Do list. congratulations also to you and Jaime for the upcoming family addition.

Cheers
Paul

[dagwood]

Great report mate. Haven't been on the fresh water for about 12 months. Planning a family trip to borumba in January with daughter and family from Melbourne, Daughter and family from Brisbane and mates family.. Absolutely drooling after reading your report. Once again thanks for a great read.

Darryl