After much anticipation and many kind words from other Ausfishers KH15 (my son Kyle) and I headed to Monduran last Thursday morning. It was an uneventful trip until the boys in blue greeted us in Childers for a short stop and a $100 donation for a slight speed transgression.
We were met at Monduran by the dreaded SE winds and drizzly conditions.There were only 7 trailers at the ramp.
We hit the water at around 9.00am, shot up the system and began by casting at likely spots in area B. Water temps were 27 degrees at best. Three hours later and not a single hit we decided to try the old 'shallow water troll' that was so successful for us in October. Suddenly KH15 is on and a short time later and in comes our first barra at 85cm! One more hit for KH15 and a couple of Monduran trout (catfish) and that was it for our first session.
That afternoon we tried casting and trolling a few different spots in area B but only managed one catfish. There was very little action and no-one we spoke to had caught any barra.
Conditions on Friday morning were much the same if not a bit worse. We tried casting the southern part of Bird Bay and though the fish were there they did not want to play. Up to area B again were the water was 1.5 degrees warmer at 26.5. Another shallow troll and KH15 lands a very feisty 95cm model. A short time later I manage a 93cm model. Things were looking a bit better!
After lunch we decided to to work over the same area again. We cast our arms off all afternoon and finished with a troll. I managed two good hits but no hook-ups. KH15 hooked-up to a good fish late in the day but after a big aerial display it threw the lure.
And that was it!! Not another hint of barra. All day Saturday and all Sunday morning saw us casting, trolling and travelling all over Monduran trying to find fish. We tried Barra Classics, F18s, Xraps, Vipers, Sandvipers, Tango Dancers, Torpedos, Scuds, Stiffys, Magnums & many others in all colours!!
Water temps were still around 26.5 and the fish were there but we couldn't tempt them out of their lairs. We managed a few more catfish and the irony was that the weather improved every day. By Sunday it was quite warm and sunny but the water temps had not climbed up yet. I'm guessing that this weekend should produce the goods for anyone heading up there for the Australia Day long weekend.
The only other point to mention is that we hit an underwater branch at speed in Bass Straight in open water on the way home. Luckily no damage but it scared the sh*t out of us! Please go easy in this section!
Anyway three barra are better than none!! All the barra and all but one hit came from Rapala Xraps with the new colours working well (a sort of olive one with dots and a yellow/orange combo).
We will be back in March to try again.
Pete & Kyle
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Originally Posted by BR65
