FRIDAY
The trip and anticipation had been building for months and finally Friday morning arrived. So did Frank at 5.00 am to make the trek up to Lake Monduran. It all went well and the tinny slid into the water at 8.45 and we were off to catch Franks first Barra.
We tried a few bays where I hadn’t fished before but didn’t raise a scale so it was off to the trusty Lantana holes where I had caught them previously. Keeping a close eye on the water temperature we noticed an increase of 1.5 degree and all of a sudden the water felt fishy. We were using RMG 125’s and casting right in tight to the snags when out of nowhere barra was doing the tail dancing thing with Frank’s lure hanging out of it’s gob. A couple of tense moments passed then a barra of 70 cm slid safely into the net.
YEE HAA. Operation success. Franks first barra.
Several hours passed without a fish but the water temp was increasing to around 25 so we were always anticipating fish.
We found a large point in between two bays where the Lantana was really thick and my first cast in was engulfed by another barra about 70 cm. Not big but bloody good fun. My next cast into the next hole was also eaten and an identical fish was landed.
A few shots and it was safely released to give my son/daughter a thrill when they grow up.
We only landed one more fish for the day which was 73 cm.
SATURDAY
Late start and brekkie on the deck over looking the water.
Hit the water about 9 and went up the Lake to a spot which was firing during the week but couldn’t find any action-only found cold water, so it was back to the same spot as Friday.
A few hours passed casting to likely snags but nothing so lunch was taken. Cold steak and snags and a couple of cold beers. Life is pretty good.
Franks 1st cast after lunch was smashed by a huge fish which we only saw the back part of and the tail which was a foot wide!! But the hooks failed to find their mark.
My next cast in to the same snag was also smashed ,the hooks held this time but the 50 lb braid got knitted around something and I was left standing on the deck looking dumbfounded holding a limp bit of line. SMOKED!!! Ah well at least we were getting some fish now. About 15 casts later a massive barra was tail walking all over the shop and I was attached. The action lasted about 3 minutes when he made a last ditched dive away from the net and under the boat, I turned him for the last time nearly into the net when the hooks pulled. Pretty disappointed but not much to say or do. Later on that day we found my lure which I got smashed on.
We landed one more for the day which was on a Bills Bug. That was really exciting
SUNDAY MORNING
Got up and out of the cabin at sparrows and we were off to the same spot. Frank had one follow and I got a really solid hit but this fish straightened my Owner ST-66 treble. Are they on steroids or what? We left and drove back home through the rain.