We headed up to Tinaroo with boat and tent in tow for the valentines weekend and also to see if we could “shoot a fish in a barrel” and land a barra for my birthday.
Kim and I got up there earlier than our friends and set up the castle (3 room dome tent) with a large tarp (7mx 9m) extending out ready for the other tents to go under due to threat of rain/thunder storms present. I was keen as mustard to get out and have a quick fish after setting up but instead grabbed the guitar, a few liquid refreshments and then proceeded to scare the wildlife away for a few hours. Alan and Annette arrived so we put up their tent and then relaxed for the arvo sinking one or two coldies, on top of a gourmet meal fit for a king. The night soon became early/late morning so we stumbled into the tents for a long awaited rest.
4am a massive rain shower hit, with a river running through our campsite..
After a slow wake, feed and the mandatory brunchtime refreshment Alan and I put my boat in at 1pm to chuck in the red claw pots to see how we’d go. I have very limited experience with this so it was more of an experiment than anything. It was carrot verses potato as that’s all I had brought (forgetful). We had to be off the water at 2pm to collect the other crew that were arriving and get Alan’s boat ready for the arvo fish. After dropping pots, we had 20 minutes before pick up so we went to a pronounced point that extends out into the main basin and motored in (40hp motor) and dropped anchor. I did not worry about using the electric as time was a limiting factor plus we had a long anchor rope.
I grabbed my spin rod and started to launch the lorikeet towards the point. On the 5th cast I came up trumps and started laughing as all Alan could say was “buuuuullllsh$@t” as he had only managed to get his line in once or twice snagging on grass. The fish hit real hard then started playing like it was a 60cm, and I stated that we should BBQ the little fella as we had a crew arriving that arvo and for them to try it. Alan and I were laughing away when the barra put on the power booster and took off fast. We were gobsmacked when this “little fella” quickly became a 117cm fatso. Alan grabbed the camera as she started peeling line of in a hurry. We got her in and both of us were amazed at the bad call on my behalf. Needless to say we did not keep that one for the BBQ
We headed back and the girls didn’t believe me when I told them, till we showed the photos and video footage. I just wished it had of been on Alan’s line instead. I guess I must have made the right shot into the barrel (hehe)
We headed back to camp and awaited the newbies.
After organising everyone three people jumped in Alan’s boat and three into mine and off we went. Upon arrival at our chosen destination, I decided to sit this session out and try and get Felicity (Aaron’s wife) into the groove of things and helped her with her casting plus explaining techniques and what to do if she hooked on.
As I was coaching Fliss and driving the boat under lecky, out of the corner of my eye I saw a barra broad side Aarons Drop Bear Slick rig and take off. This was his third cast. Fliss got a shock as to did Aaron, but he played this fish well. I was really hoping he’d get this fish in as it had been about 7 trips with me since his last meterey (at 110) and was long overdue. We got this on video as well on the new manfrotto tripod I was given that weekend (much steadier with tripod). Aaron was happy as a pig in the brown stuff when I netted the fish for him. Good stuff at 109cm and now the challenge was on to get Fliss onto one. I was also guiding the other boat, and had given Alan my T-Curve/Chronach setup with the gold Boney Bream as felt with the shallow weed dropping into deep water they (barra of course) would be resting waiting for the baitfish to pass over the point. I yelled out to an area where I thought he would do OK and told him to work the area hard. About ½ hour passed and he had a massive hit on the BB, one of which I nearly got on video. Somehow it missed but the abrasive leader told the story 8 inches up the line. Faster reflexes may have been required there. Ah well back to it. 15 minutes later and he received another big boil so I got my boat crew to fire their soft plastics into the region to see if we could make this barra commit to another offering.
No such luck. With the sun setting, and light fading, I decided to make a move as we had to convoy our way back up the dam to the vehicles.
That night along with the stories, beers marshmellows and BBQ were consumed late into the night.
It’s not just the fishing I go for at impoundments. I will let some of the photos tell the story....
Cheers
Matt
Top effort Matt, only two fish for the session and both over a metre
Great start to the weekend hey? How'd the rest of it go? Any more reports forthcoming? No holding out on us now!
What bait did the redclaw go for? - or is that a trade secret?Bet they tasted good!
Only four sleepless nights to go until Danielle and I jump on a plane and head over. Can't wait.
Regards
Marc
Jesus Matt, If you don't tone down these reports you are going to have half of southern Queensland on your doorstep going "take me fushin"(how is your calendar for the 15th August
Seriously - great report, nothin beats a quiet weekend with good company, a few drinkies and a fish or 2, not to mention the guitar.
Dave
Not to get technical...... but according to Chemistry, ALCOHOL IS A SOLUTION
Nice report Matt - good times with friends and some big fish as well.
As a musician it sounds like you make a good fisherman........
Pete
I like the pics where there isn't a rod in sight, yet you're still wearing a pair of braid scissors around your neck Matt. That's dedication...or an improvised bottle opener?
top stuff mate, sorry we couldn't attend. next time!
thinking of actually putting a report up..something like sooty, barra and the taipan...!
re redclaw, last few trips we've found rockmelon to be the gun bait, especially when combined with a little orange
Matt,
Your the king of the barrel mate!!
Well done
Steve
It’s not just the fishing I go for at impoundments. I will let some of the photos tell the story....
Cheers
Matt
Spot on buddy, great read
Looks like you had a great weekend away at the barrel mate ......... awsome stuff again
Cheers
Chris
Give a man a fish & he will eat for a day !
Teach him how to fish
& he will sit in a boat - & drink beer all day!
TEAM MOJIKO
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
