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Coongul Creek , Fraser Island
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Thread: Coongul Creek , Fraser Island

  1. #1
    Ausfish Platinum Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2006

    Coongul Creek , Fraser Island

    Hi guys, I'm back, well, the fishing wasn't as exciting as I'd hoped, largely due to high winds from the north, but this did allow me to spend most of my time during the high water times exploring what is a stunning waterway. the run up to the island was extremely easy and left us with high expectations for the following few days, mackeral and tuna schools busting the surface of incredibly calm seas all the way up to our camp locations, Coongul Creek. We arrived at the creek mouth an hour and a half before high tide and picked our way up the weaving channel to a nice open spot amongst the casuarinas.







    We set up camp, and after a short visit from the fisheries boys, I was keen to get some paddling in, and a few fish. the water was so clear that it was often difficult to guage the depth of the water and fish were clearly visible darting off for cover as I approached.







    Fishing was quite difficult, but I managed a few small flatties and nudges from a few bream too. As I went further up the creek, I came across a deep hole in which the water was stained dark with tanin. As my 4" squidgie fish dropped into the depths a small estuary cod grabbed it. I also hooked a few small trumpeter (bait theives) and a small whiting, so all up, the first day was not bad with 5 species landed, but I couldn't bring myself to sacrifice any of these fish from such a beautiful location, much to the dismay of my camp mates who only landed two small keeper bream all session.

    Another day, another brilliant view.



    The creek at low tide



    The local duck family



    Awesome sunset with moon setting above it



    With the rising winds we canned plans to go outside chasing some reef species and so I packed all my gear on the kayak and headed off in search of fresh water.





    The creek was very narrow and involved ducking under low branches on numerous ocasions. I stopped to stow some gear below deck and spotted a few small fish dart behind a tree root, then as I was busy stowing my gear, out they came, half a dozen small mangrove jacks, very curious little fellas.





    The creek runs parallel to the beach for a lot of the time, but this location showed just how close to the beach it is, in these two photos I didn't move, just turned 180 from beach to creek.





    More scenery













    The end of the line



    Heading back to the salt





    I spied a few nice breambos lurking around a series of shallow tanin stained pools and stopped to flick a plastic, this was amazing as the water was actually very clear on the fringes of the holes and I watched the bream toying with my plastic and it was an excellent learning experience to see how they reacted to my twitches. at one stage I had 3 bream and a flattie fighting over my gulp.
    One of the 3 bream I caught in this spot.



    Dingos tracks had been evident, but this was the only time we spotted one, he wandered accross the creek after sunning himself on the far bank for a while, very healthy looking animal, and didn't seem vaguely interested in our presence.



    This is my mate Mark's Dad, Doug who is 71, he was very interested in my kayak and it didn't take much to get him in the seat. He loved it.




    Anyway, that's about all I have to say, accept, if you get a chance to visit this part of the world, do it, awesome scenery, and on the right day, the fishing would be incredible. While the fishing was not what we had hoped for, we all came away very happy chappys just to have had the opportunity to experience the beauty of Fraser Island.

  2. #2

    Re: Coongul Creek , Fraser Island

    What a wonderful place ,truly gods country Thanks for sharing with us ,the pictures were made my day
    George
    At Heaven's gate a soldier stood,
    his story ready to tell,
    St Peter said, 'no need my son all is understood,
    Go right in cos you've already served your time in Hell'

  3. #3

    Re: Coongul Creek , Fraser Island

    very good report, and nice pics. shame about all the winds

  4. #4

    Re: Coongul Creek , Fraser Island

    Great pics, love the little Mangrove Jack school ..

  5. #5

    Re: Coongul Creek , Fraser Island

    Heya Canoedle

    Great report and pics. When you have stuff like that to look at you don't mind if the fishing is a little quiet. Hard to guage but that second jack looks like he might have a little size about him, did you have a cast or two at them?


  6. #6
    cdenyer
    Guest

    Re: Coongul Creek , Fraser Island

    Canoedle, that was great reading, and I just loved all those pictures too. Well done.

    Chris

  7. #7

    Re: Coongul Creek , Fraser Island

    Nice Karl, nice!

    Looks like you found out how to insert pics through html


    Some beautiful pics there mate. Shame you couldn't stay longer hey... I've got about 35 days of leave due, and works hounding me to take it, so we might have to get the yak & canoe on the cruiser for a bash soon...

  8. #8
    Ausfish Platinum Member Adamy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2006

    Re: Coongul Creek , Fraser Island

    Nice pics, Magical country - thanks for sharing!!

    Adam


  9. #9
    Ausfish Platinum Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2006

    Re: Coongul Creek , Fraser Island

    Thanks guys,

    Straddie, I had to put the rods away as there were too many tree branches to duck under and reeds everywhere getting caught in my rods, but really these fish were only about 10 to 15cms at the most and it was just great to see them. I also spotted some MUCH larger models down in the salt and had a few casts at them, but they werent keen on plastic in the middle of the day aparently. I would have liked to get up there at night, but with very little moon it was bloody dark and I didn't want to go on my own lol.

  10. #10
    Ausfish Platinum Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2006

    Re: Coongul Creek , Fraser Island

    Quote Originally Posted by Fishin_Dan
    Nice Karl, nice!

    Looks like you found out how to insert pics through html


    Some beautiful pics there mate. Shame you couldn't stay longer hey... I've got about 35 days of leave due, and works hounding me to take it, so we might have to get the yak & canoe on the cruiser for a bash soon...
    Dan, I think I 'worked out' how to use html about 4 years ago now, thanks for noticing though.
    Let me know where and when you want to go for a bash and I'll do my best to be there.

  11. #11
    freddyfish
    Guest

    Re: Coongul Creek , Fraser Island

    Great pics and report.

    Makes one feel like packing up and heading off today!

    Brad

  12. #12
    Ausfish Platinum Member lippa's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006

    Re: Coongul Creek , Fraser Island

    karl, give up fishing mate, and take up photography! pics are unreal!!! i'm crap at both, so i'm going to get another beer!!!!

    cheers

    lippa

  13. #13
    Ausfish Platinum Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2006

    Re: Coongul Creek , Fraser Island

    Good onya Lippa

  14. #14

    Re: Coongul Creek , Fraser Island

    Awesome report, Ive caught some of most best and most unique species in that area. Great photography.

    A mate who pilots the Heli tours tells me that he has recently seen a medium sized shark hanging around Coongul Crk, glad you didnt meet up with him ( the shark that is ).



    Cheers
    James

  15. #15
    bidkev
    Guest

    Re: Coongul Creek , Fraser Island

    Nice report and pics Karl. Can't wait to get up there in Dec.

    kev

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