Barra - no pics again

[Mozza]

Well,

A small window of opportunity appeared on Saturday after I had done some servicing on the tinnie (replace the sparkplugs). The idling has been playing up and it sounded like the odd miss (apart from the usual coughing and spluttering from a 2-stroke).

With a couple of hours to spend I decided to zip over to spot 'X' for some luring. I like to mix it up with some trolling and casting here and after some deliberation and with the idea that I was there to relax and test the motor, it was obviously trolling.

First troll with the brisk SE'er and against the current. Felt like I'd picked up some weed so started reeling in to clear the hooks. BANG! About 80cm of bea-utiful barra explodes out of the water.

Cool.

It takes some blistering runs in the shallow water - an excellent performance. By the time I get it near the boat, the wind has pushed me into the shallows and I was about to find out that netting in shallow water can be difficult. The barra doesn't like being in the shallows either so its arguments all around, followed by an expletive when I try to shove the net under the fish only to jag the hooks on the good 'ole bomber and set the barra free.

Grr.

Its about 15 min to clear everything up because I had 2 lines out and there's line, net and lures all over the place. Set everythin right and turn back into the wind to troll back. Just started and BANG! off goes the big bomber on the ABU7000. This ones a freight train - swims straight back to me (winding like crazy) and under the boat. I push the rod as deep as I can into the water and then round the back to keep the braid clear of the boat bits. I just start congratulating myself when plink! plunk! out comes the hooks. Straightened. I thought I had been light enough with the drag because I knew that I had not replaced the trebles with the 3X strong hooks you need up here - NOT!

GRR.

Everything goes quiet for a bit so I head back upwind and use the breeze to drift back along the target zone. Pick up a nice ~35 GT that keeps me busy for a few minutes and then its time for home. But I've already decided to be back here on Sunday.

Sunday - don't get out as early as I'd hoped but conditions are the same when I get to spot 'X' but the S'er has already developed into a good 20kt breeze so casting's going to be difficult. After about 1.5 hrs I'm starting to feel let down and home time is approaching so its decided to have one last troll.

Wait.... Ready.... Here it comes.... BANG! (you guessed it) well the train's a bit late but it takes off like the tilt train and in about 10sec I'm in danger of being spooled on the Calcutta200. So, I fire her up and start following - this is difficult when you're the only one in the boat its difficult to keep one hand on the tiller and the other trying to maintain pressure on the rod. By this time, I've convinced myself that I've accidently hooked one of the numerous turtles in this area. The run finally stops and I start to gain on the 'turtle' and I'm waiting for the big "BLOOSH" when it comes up for air. The leader starts to show and I've lift a tad more... SH!T, its a good barra, foul-hooked high up about 10cm head-ward of the dorsel.

End result, one very nice barra (91cm) in the boat after loosening the drag and gently bringing her in.

Get the phone-call that ends my second window of opportunity in 2 days. Not even the 25kt wind can wipe the smile from my face as I set for home in some serious swell.

Mozza

[noodlemantra]

nice one mozza, good stuff.

always a good read your reports. im heading out with a vengence this break, will be hitting it hard from this wed till next tues.

[Mozza]

Ta Noodles,

I'm thinking that the barra are still very active - I don't think the water's cooled down enough yet to slow their activity.

Was really to keen to fish the mouth of Coco this w/e but slept in so missed the beaut morning conditions plus the bay was probably looking like a 2nd boat dealership with the predator comp on and huge winds out wide.

You like to fish the Bohle don't you? Wherever you go - all the best. I don't want to put the 'mockers' on you but.....

Mozza

PS Maybe I should invest in one of those all-in-one mobile phones with camera and video.

[Krazi-kev]

I told you the gods were shining down on you. Keep up the good work.

Some people fish and others catch. Isn't that always the way?

Happy catching mate

[Mozza]

Kev,

Ta.

Your time will come. Here's another option worth trying in the fresh. Take a couple of rods, one v light and one for live-bating. Grab some bread and or bits of prawn and get the smallest hooks onto your light outfit. Got to the weir (Probably Gleesons weir) and catch some live bait with the bread/prawn. Drop into the deep right next to the wall with about 2m of line to a float.

Around sun-down/dark is good.

Mozza

[noodlemantra]

Moz,

I'm a coco man, through and through. love the system and only on occasions has it let me down. havent been there for ages, and possibly make a return this weekend, fri or sat. i set up on the bank and go hard.

basically try and vary the places i fish around t'ville, keep the variety. fished many systems including pallaranda, shelly beach, bohle, coco, cungulla, ross river, ross creek, marina and breakwater.

always fishing the sundown, but maybe i need to try sun up. agree we the barra still being active.

as i live in the city, of late its been the marina/breakwater, pallaranda or the ross as its only a short swagger home. live baiting all the time every time. i figure, if i put myself in the frame everytime i go, then i cant do any more than that and the rest will take care of itself.

[Mozza]

Noodles,

Top philosophy!

We'll have to catch up at a barra hole somewhere.

Moz

[Krazi-kev]

Thanks Mozza

I will try the casini breakwater again early Sat morning.

There are so many options in Townsville and sunrise and sunset in all of the places are magical. Catching something worthwhile is a bonus.

Happy fishing

[Mozza]

Guys,

Just found out that the $1000 prize for the mystery barra weight was 9kg. The biggest weighed in was 3kg.

What the... I was going to enter - changed my mind at the last minute.

Mozza

[noodlemantra]

was that for the predator comp?

o no, thats tragic.

not too worry mate, the fishing gods still smiled upon you.

[Mozza]

Yup, the predator comp (how did I miss that?)

Know what I will be doing this time next year.

Looking forward to your report, Noodles.

Mozza

[gogecko]

Im lookin forward to seeing some of your barra pics mate. Dont go for the phone camera tho, you need a special pc adapter cord, and the pic quality just isnt there with phones.

I got a cheap camera off ebay that I keep in the tackle box, anything above 2MP is ok, and you should get that second hand for about $40-50.

http://cameras.search.ebay.com.au/ca...1QQsacatZ30000

Andrew