Arriving at Monduran around lunchtime , we quickly proceeded to set up camp (spoilt at Awoonga - cabins) & after catching up with other competitors . We put onto the water for a little recon .. concentrating our efforts on locations close to the ramp we failed to find an ideal location that was close to the ramp.
Friday saw us move around the main basin & then into the north arm of B .. where we ran into Steve & Spud some positive reports given we continued to look around that area. Eventually we found a promising stretch of water up in the shallows in the south arm of B a string of bites around lunchtime & a bit of bait activity lead us to believe we had now a couple of good options for the competition.
On the water before sunrise & ready for the final event we got under way . & headed at speed to our set destination - fortunately the faster skeeters that ventured to the same area were in different bays & we could proceed to follow our set plan.
By mid morning we had only managed a couple of bites that Matt got on slick rigs & at this point I dropped down to the 4 Hollowbelly rigged on the all terrain jig head . After the best part of an hour casting the HB the hit that occurred stunned me A big boil followed by some serious thrashing & Im tight to a considerable fish . At this point of time Matt has concerns over the bend in my rod thinking that Im pushing it too hard (light rod) still with not a run the fish was just standing & delivering till all the sudden nothing! I was expecting a straightened jig head & Matt broken leader / line It came back intact but scuffed 4 -5 inches of leader - - - - Damn it
We continued to fish for another hour for nothing & then it was back to the ramp! . Clearly it was another tough day at the office with lots of Os & no bites
Day 2 saw us proceed to the same destination . Where Matt was getting bites on his slick rig .. but no hook ups I had a suspicion that they were bass & to prove a point ( avoid wasting time . Threw a spinnerbait & 80mm slick rig ( for nothing).
The next few hours were uneventful & we decided to just fish some timber after we found another boat in an alternate location. Matt with his keen eye spotted some weed amongst the timber near the island cut through & missed a fish on a stiffy . Not long after Im hit when I cast tight to some weed but fail to hook up
Into the last hour . We proceed along a timbered bank till we see some lantana that was well shaded in 3 or 4 foot of water .. Once again I cast the weedless HB into the thick of the sticks & let it sink .. I feel a faint bite (almost bass like) I strike & the rod loads & Im thinking catfish . Till the fish rampages out of its den , past the boat & off towards some timber 20 yards behind the boat . Now fully loaded the little loomis steez combo was melting line & not affecting the run . Matt chasing hard on the leccy the fish had made it around a couple of broken sticks . I could still feel good contact & we then saw a flash It was obviously a good fish
Matt came into his own at this point of time .. offering the best advice on working out the fish direction & after a couple of false starts the fish was unwound .. before proceeding to steam off ! Matt calls This is your PB right here! ..as the fish rolls on its side prior to turning back towards the timber Some serious determination sees the fish turned & nearly in the net . Then Matt does the deed on the next pass - Matt gives the big Whoo hooo Im exhausted mentally & both of us sweating after what was my most intense fight with a barra yet .. Attachment 39329 ..Measured The fish came in at only 104cm ( we both thought that it was a much bigger fish) ......... but on bass gear a very special capture
Once photos & measurements taken / recorded Matt realized that in a tough bite , another fish could be extremely valuable .. but down to the last 30mins or so . We didnt have the time.
Once back to the ramp it became clear that the day had been extremely tough with only a handful of fish caught . So much so that the 1 fish put me in a top 10 finish for the event.
So with the conclusion of the ABT tour Matt & I spent a pleasant evening with Steve / Spud & Woodsy at the Gin Gin Hotel ( Thanks for your hospitality Woodsy)
The ABT tour was well worth doing & I came away feeling that I learnt more achieved results well beyond my expectation.
It was great catching up with the likes of Steve (partners Chris & Spud) , Trev , Scotty , Jas , Katie / Elaine , Woodsy & all the other fellow competitors.
A big thanks to Matt for his patience , guidance & support it was a tough tour but enjoyable
Cheers
Nagg
PS .... These never worked Attachment 39330
PPS ... The best barra boat Attachment 39331 Congratulations Cy & Kerrin
PPPS Final tally 1 x Echidna & associated trailer tyre , 1 x Wallaby , 1 x Jockey wheel , 1 x Millerod ......... 320,051 brain cells
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.....Great Stuff....Whitto
Originally Posted by Whitto
...... I guess not embarrassing ourselves was the first goal......... & all else was gravy....... specially when you look at the statistics for the events
