small tinny in townsville - is it worth it?

[Myth88]

hey guys,

Im originally from Mackay but am now living in Townsville, and i have a 10 foot tinny in storage back at Mackay. I wanted to know what everyone thinks about having a ten foot tinny with a 6hp in Townsville. Keep in mind i have limited boating experience and will be going out on my own, so dont wanna go taking any stupid risks, and also i dont like crocodiles when im in a 10 foot boat, so i wont be going places like the Bohle. Questions are:

Will i be able to get much use out of it or is it too small?

Where will i be able to take it? (not after spot x, just areas in general)

Can you catch anything around the dam area in Thuringowa, i know there is a boat ramp there.

Finally, is it worth the hassle or should i just stay land based?

Reason im asking is because Im not making an 800km round trip to go and get it if its not going to be much use to me or if ill catch just as many fish landbased. Would i be better off just selling it and saving for something bigger?

[bobbyb]

Ni myth88.
a feed of crabs would be enough to get me going.


cheers.........

[Kendall249]

I wouldn't rush down to mackay to get it for the weekend, though it would open up some more fishing options. I wouldn'y consider it too samll as there are a number of small creeks around the place. Generally the lizards are not a problem around townsville, but use commonsense. The bohle gets its share of idiots, for example someone leaving a small dead pig at the ramp. So no wonder there crocs are attracted to the ramp. You would definately have more fishing options if you brought it up.

As you meentioned, the ross river above Black's weir toward the dam would be a ideal location. One of the most underated spot it Townsville for barra and jacks, as it has been stocked. A tinnie would almost be essential to fish this location consisently. Landbased fishos struggle to find good spots. This is a particularly good spot from a convienence point of view if you live up the Upper Ross some where (Condon, Kelso etc...). There are also some small creeks out the back of oonomba which would be ideal to fish as onlt a small tinnie can access them.

It is definately a hassle to travel 800kms and also there is the general hassle of boat fishing. Though if you are living for while I could see an advantage of have a boat here. Though if you're going back to mackay within the next few months I would worry. This also considering that fishing will get better in the river when the weather warms up.

In saying all this there is some okay landbased spots around townsville. With a bit a time and some thought you can consistantly catch fish.

From what you have mentioned, I would bring the boat up. But I wouldn't be in a rush to do it, rather waiting until I had a reason to go to Mackay.

Hope that helps the decision somewhat.

Kendall

[Scott nthQld]

a 10fter would be ok for the creeks around Townsville. The crocs don't bother you, infact, they'll scarper before you get close enough to do anything. I agree with Kendall and wait until you've got more reason to travel to mackay other than just the boat, like is there anything else you need out of storage? since you're making the trip down there, make it worth your while.

The Bohle isn't the only place with crocs, they will be in every creek system up and down the coast, so just because you don't see them, doesn't mean they aren't there. It took 3 years for me to spot my first wild croc in the Bohle, and I've never seen one in the ross, but they will be there, don't you worry about that.

Just use your common sense, don't leave bait and frames at the ramps, don't dangle fish over the side of the boat, where practical, net and boat everything you catch, if you don't want you net the fish, lift and bring the fish into the boat swiftly as to not attract attention from either crocs, or other fisho's looking for a new spot to try, it might only be a bream of whiting, but swinging a fish in the air boat side is like waving a sign "free, easy meal right here". When launching, try not to enter the water at all, but if you do, always keep between the boat and dry land so you can make a quick get away if need be, this also helps deterring the crocs from approaching you. Obviously no swimming if it gets too hot (one of the things I miss about living down south).

With a boat, it opens up almost the whole river systems to you for fishing, crabbing, croc spotting, whatever floats your boat. Though if it works out not worth your while to go and get the boat, there are planty of landbased spots around Town that a feed can be had. EG, the breakwater behind the casino is good for trevally, grunter, barra, jacks, fingermark, queenies etc as well as the Strand jetty and rock pool, then further up there's numerous spots along Rowes Bay, Palleranda, Shelly beach as well as all your landbased spots along the creeks. Try this site for info on landbased spots around Townsville: http://www.freewebs.com/badbubby/index.htm

Also, don't forget, there are plenty of Townsville folks that would be willing to take you out for a day in their boats if costs were split.

[Scott nthQld]

one more things....if a croc ever approaches you in the boat (unlikely, but it could happen) don't do anything, don't try to push it away with oars, don't try to frighten it (that won't work, the croc will probably be bigger than the boat anyway), just let it be and let it go away on its own terms.

And THE MOST important thing yet.....If a croc approaches you NEVER, NEVER, EVER FEED ANY CROC, EVER. You do that, I'll shoot you myself, once you feed a croc, it will associate people with food (which they probably already do) and will be more and more daring when it comes to approaching people and that's when bad things happen, like going to sleep in a blender....

[STUIE63]

Hey guys don't forget about the haughton ,morrissey's and hinchinbrook all great places to go with a boat . myth88 just go and get it you won't regret it . a day on the water is better than a day on the bank
Stuie

[ronnien]

even on a glassed out day middle reef isn't out of the question, seen a couple there over the years.

ron.

[disorderly]

You guys are all keener than me.....
I have no qualms about spending 2 days, 70 km's out in my 5.25m tinny in 15
knots by myself....but when I bought a little tinny for creek work I ended up with a 4.3m tinny......3m tinny ..just asking for trouble I reckon...particularly stability-wise....buggered if I would take that chance in croc territory....good luck.

scott

[Myth88]

Thanks for the input guys, all this info is really helpful. Its good to hear a few opinions on the matter. Im thinking ill bring it up if i get the chance. But i might stick to the fresh water near the dam for a while until i get used to the whole boating thing. Once ive found my feet i might look at venturing into one of the creeks near oonoomba, but if im venturing into croc country i would feel a hell of a lot more comfortable in something a bit larger, so it might be time to start saving.

Once again guys, thanks for all the info.