Hi all.
If you are considering coming up to Awoonga, here is an update and also some things you may want to consider. I have highlighted some keys that require deeper / extra thought, these are important.
How is the dam fishing? That depends on who you talk to.
Read on…………………………..
Firstly, what will make for tough fishing?
Weather. There is not much worse than a big blow from any direction to shut down a hot bite. It will not shut down the dam, but it will slow the bite.
Particularly if the wind is from the SE. It is a cool sea breeze.
Why does it slow the fishing?
Firstly, a big wind mixes a well stratified dam. What this means is that the warm layer of food rich, comfortable water the Barra have been enjoying is taken away quite briskly.
It is mixed with the cooler layer of water lying beneath, which also may be a little lower in oxygen content. So, all of a sudden that food rich warm water is gone, replaced by colder, less oxygen rich water devoid of a thick food source. I’d be sad too.
If you spend lots of time on the water, you can pre-empt where fish will be and how they will react to your lures, but as a traveller it will become very difficult (although still possible through hard work) but yeh expect tough street.
It has nothing to do with barometric pressure, it’s purely a big change in water quality.
This is also why dams fire during long periods of stable weather and light sea breezes. Because water is a poor conductor of heat, it takes time for dams to stratify.
Obviously the dam’s biomass finds warm oxygen rich water favourable too, and that’s why it affects the whole system.
Other factors that will hurt your chances are public holidays (although I know sometimes it’s the only time we can get away), turning up around tournaments, and full and new moons.
FULL MOONS DO NOT AFFECT IMPOUNDMENT BARRA, THEY AFFECT HUMANS.
If you wish to spend your fishing time with the rest of the free world, then come on up during a full moon.
Expect to wait upwards of an hour at the ramp, not be able to get a park, varying degree’s of ramp rage, and flighty fish.
Boat traffic has shaped this fishery, so the less conspicuous time you are here, the better because there will be less boat traffic and noise. The best sessions I have are when no-one is around, the moon is nowhere to be found, and peace and quiet have descended onto the Lake.
If you do choose not to believe the statement regarding moons, that’s your call, but consider this.
John Mitchell shares the same belief regarding moons and impoundments as I do. The days when I am not on the water, he is and vice versa. That is 365 days a year coverage without even considering any of the other locals views……………..so forget about the moon.
So if you choose to believe someone who comes up here 6-10 times a year, then writes an article how critical moon fishing is then, then go for it and enjoy the stress of a full moon.
The fishing.
The fishing at Awoonga in my opinion is as good as it’s ever been. I cant remember the last time I missed out, and I have been fishing daytime surface lures since early November. Who knows what I have missed out on by doing this but I've been having a ball fishing daytime topwater, watching fish up to 60lb annihilate my lures.
I wouldn’t expect to go to Monduran and get the same results because I don’t have the time on the water down there so be realistic and understand how important time on the water is and don’t aim too high.
Awoonga’s resident guide, John Mitchell is also having outstanding results and has been for some time, but travellers have been missing out because they are not refining techniques, dont understand the water or are fishing the same way they did last year.
It stands to reason that the more time you are on the water, the better your results quite simply.
You must also consider that it’s no longer “a tie on a slick rig cast it out and hook a Barra type of dam”.
The fish are much wiser, and different tactics are required. Much of those tactics can be invented on the run, its not rocket science. Try different retrieves, with varying degree's of rod work. You will know when they have stimulated Barra!
Barra can be tempted to eat ANY time, using different methods, but if you’re new to this game pick the peak bite periods, that is, early mornings, late arvos and into the dark.
Slick rigs, as well as all the usual hard bodies both shallow and deep still work awesome up here, however you need to refine your tactics, as well as give plenty of attention to other critical factors such as stealth, line and leaders, tactics, speed, and of course presentation and effort. Use your sounders to find the break lines that are holding fish, the right depth and thickness of weed growth, as well as fish and bait congregations.
The Boyne River is fishing well, so is Iveragh, as is Riverstone and every other corner of the dam. There is no “secret” spot. The fish are well spread, as is the bait. Some areas are fishing better than others because of water temps and quiet undisturbed waters. Use your sounder and common sense to find these area’s.
It is unfair for us regulars to post on how well it is fishing (or what we are catching) because we are always on the water.
So, if I or one of the other locals gets ten it’s an unfair report because most will assume that they will be able to do same. These fish can be caught any time in any weather, and what travellers may consider very tough conditions or a shut down dam, quite often the local guys are whacking them. I get it all the time, boats at the ramp telling me the dam is shut down and not to bother, should have been here yesterday etc etc, yet can get out there and catch a fish first cast. That’s not being big headed, that’s just how it is.
It’s better for travellers to post dam reports, as they will use similar tactics as each other and therefore give a realistic account of the fishing.
What I can tell you is that there are mega amounts of Barra in this dam, but be wary of expecting a mega session. It may happen but it’s no longer the norm.
Forget about how you smashed them last year because it’s a different fishery. Focus on stealth, presentation, your sounder, differing retrieves and where and why barra will be congregating.
20lb to 50lb braid is the go, as are threadlines and baitcasters. Expect to get buried by big fish in the weed so don’t go too light on the braid.
The ramp is in urgent need of help, but two wheel drives can still launch without too much drama, there’s usually a four bee close by if you cant get out.
If it’s been a year since you have been (or even a few months) don’t go flat out everywhere. There are islands and shallow sections popping up everywhere that will bring you undone.
If you see a boat getting amongst fish, don’t think its ok if you go and fish near them. It is not.
Respect people who have worked things out or are having a bit of luck and the same respect will be shown in return.
Please also keep well clear when passing stationary boats/fisherman. The further away you are the better, but try and stay at least 100 metres away when passing. This is not always possible, espeacially if a boat is trolling the middle of the Boyne River, where in places its less than 100 metres wide.
Consider that the boat you see working a weedbank may have taken all the right steps to ensure stealth, so dont blow his chances by flying by too close. This is a common problem.
Be considerate, what goes around, comes around.
Bring your happy face and you will find the same in return, everyone helps everyone up here.
If you’re going to keep fish for a feed, please despatch them and put them out of their misery, nothing worse than watching guys fillet Barra still alive at the cleaning table. If that stuff makes it to idiot groups like PETA, we are in big trouble. Please have respect for these awesome fish.
Also, be man enough to accept that you were not good enough on the day if you missed out, as opposed to blaming bad weather. It will inspire you to be more outward thinking and try different tactics next time out.
I know that when I miss out I analyse every move I made until I can break down where I went wrong.
So, finally.................. the take home message is this:
The dam is fishing very well; the fish are hungry as usual, there are tonnes of them and are there to be caught DAY and night. They cannot escape.
Take some of the other info as you like, each will have their own take on how to approach the dam, but it works for me.
Don’t forget to wave at other boats and say hi !!! (unless they have cut you off or crowded you out!)
Sorry about the long winded post, but these things need to be covered.
Happy fishing.
Jas
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Re: Lake Awoonga UPDATE 1st FEB
