Hi guys,
Heres a quick update on the fishing at Lake Awoonga.
I have just returned from the South Coast of NSW, been down there having a ball with friends chasing southern species.
Today was my first day on the water in 6 weeks, the longest time I have ever been away from the dam and was good to be able to test myself considering the changes Awoonga has gone through, and the time I have been away from it.
Time on the water = How good you are at catching fish. No-ones born a good angler.
The water had risen but not settled just before I left, and had some last minute wicked sessions while it was still raining.
On the water at 9am, fresh to strong East South East wind, 15-25 knots, rough wind chop and messy but no match for the skeeter.
Admired many "old haunts"which will be back in vogue very soon on the way down the basin, and headed straight up the Boyne River to check water quality with a LDO probe.
As expected, the dissolved oxygen levels were very poor from the entrance to the Boyne, all the way up past the road way. Didnt fish here, it was not inspiring and show very little signs of life. Great to see a big waterway again though!!
Checked out lots of good timber I used to fish, all this stuff will be on fire again soon.
Shot out of the Boyne and straight into Futter, same story up there but went up for a look at new water and old favourites. Its time will come.
Back into the basin to find favourable oxygen levels along the Western shoreline, TONNES of bait and life in obvious area's. The amount of new boneys swimming in mega schools throughout the fresh flooded grass was impressive, and this new biomass explosion will contribute to mega proportioned fish in the coming years.
Once we get some hot stable weather the phtyoplankton and zooplankton are going to explode. Then the boneys will really hit their straps!
The dam water temps were very similar right throughout the system, and 24.2 degree's to 26.0 degree's was the variation.
Core temp looks to me like around 25 degree's.
Its obvious the dam has de-stratified there is no or very little difference between dam surface water temps down to 30 feet and more. It was isothermal in just about every corner. Isothermal meaning same temps, no thermocline.
This is certainly expected considering over 6 weeks of strong East to South east wind, many days over 30 knots.
It occurs naturally and makes fishing conditions tuff because good water becomes harder to find, and the dam mixes.
The thing about it is that fish WILL settle into patterns under these conditions and they are very catchable, but dont expect the key to it to be easy. Once you have found it, look out the numbers will roll.
Spoke to 3 boats at the ramp who reported zero's and have struggled for some time. They have been doing the same thing for days, so make sure you dont fall into that trap.
Warm stable weather for a distinct period will re-stratify the Lake, and once a thermocline re-establishes it will bring good fishing with it.
In saying that, there are many hungry fish in Awoonga at present.
After 2 hrs of water testing, I picked up a rod and nailed a 110cm fish first cast on a slick rig in an area that caught my eye. Didnt need to put the probe in there!
That started a hot little session, and was good to catch barra's again after fishing for Bream, whiting, trout etc for 6 weeks.
I ended up fishing for about an hour and a half for 5 fish over a metre and a 80cm fish.
All metreys fell for slick rigs in the pro range, and the 80 took a stiffy boney bream.
I wasnt really rigged to fish, this trip was about checking all the new contours, structure, and water quality. I didnt have my camera onboard, but I took pics on my mobile camera phone. Does anyone know how to download mobile pics???
I ended up fishing my leader down to about 2cm, I didnt even take leader material. Didnt worry the fish though.
So, in all of that, there are many area's that as a fisherman you would rule a line through and not fish because of poor water quality.
More than half the dam actually. There would be fish there but why make things hard for yourself.
There is lots of good water, its easy to find (I found the fish without the DO probe) the weather and wind shape where the fish will be.
The takes were all purposeful, and were all hooked inside the mouth, no mucking around.
If your going to Awoonga in the coming weeks, and your struggling, change your tactics, lures and area's your fishing. Dont blame bad weather or wind, get smarter and think harder about where the fish will be.
You'll know when you are in the right place, trust me.
Otherwise its going to be a long trip with few fish, and no-one likes that.
Good luck and have fun.
Cheers
Jas
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about the places to try this looooong weekend at Tinaroo.
Originally Posted by the_matrix
