Chasing Barra

[mudgecko]

What would be the mininum rod weight I should be looking at when chasing barra? This will most likely be the biggest fish I will be targeting but mainly chasing bass and toga and some light salt.

[tim_flyin]

Hi Mudgecko,
I guess this is one of those million dollar questions. I have caught some great Barra in clean and open water on a 7# and 6#. I have also been smashed by smaller barra in really snaggy country on a 9#. The size and weight of the flys that you a throwing also makes a big difference. A heavily weighted Pink thing on a 6 or 7# isnt pretty.
I guess if it was a once or twice a year thing you might get away with a 6 or 7#, but dont forget there are often other fish that dont fight quite as clean in the same water (Jacks, GT's ETC)
I most often use a 9# these days. I hope this has been of some help.
Tim

[BOMBER]

Hi Mudgecko,

It really gets down to what sort of country your fishing in clean water eg mouth of rivers and very open estuary system I would not fish less than a #9 places like Faust Dam or extreme cover #10 to #12 need that grunt to get the big girls heads turned, will be tossing the #12 at faust in Sept only problem most of the whoooeeerrrss in this dam are a metre or better UH OH.

Regards,

THE BOMBER

[mudgecko]

Thanks for the advice fellas. So a 8/9 weight has it maybe a bit big for the bass and toga, but hey I can always get another couldn't I (but don't tell the Minister for W & F). One day Bomber I would like to get to Peter Faust and have a go for the barra and the grunter, I live near the Callide Dam so we are looking forward to when it starts to warm up to have a crack at these fish as they will be around the metre mark this season. More so when I finally get myself that fly outfit, I can't wait bring on summer.

[Lowy]

Mudgecko,
Started out with an eight and moved up to a ten when I got a bit frightened. Still managed to bust the ten trying to out-horse a 10kg fish that really wanted to go home. If you're chasing metereys I'd go the ten [smiley=2thumbsup.gif]
Lowy

[Lowy]

Still got the fish though 8)