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Free Stuff!!
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For a limited time, you will receive a free Stealth or
F111 lure with every order over $50-00.
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| Bruno Vucas caught this 13.5 kilo barra using the new F111 rattling barra lure near Ellis Beach
from a rocky headland. His first for the season but he reckons it’s not his last! |
Barra Season Off To A Flying Start
The early wet season rains could not have come at a better time! Hopefully all the barra had spawned in time before
the season opening and initial captures suggest a great season ahead.
The rocky headlands north of Cairns have produced some memorable captures plus heaps of ‘hard luck’ stories from keen
local lure fishos. Barras that have recently spawned, smaller males as well as bigger females, still hang around these
outcrops for some time chasing bait schools and a well placed lure worked with the rod tip will entice consistent strikes.
Timing is so important to success. A general rule is ‘an hour either side of the turn of the tide’ when there is tidal
movement. The period of slack water usually sees the barra inactive, but, when the tide begins to ebb or flow the bait
becomes active, and so do the barra!
I fished the opening day at Suicide Bend, just south of Ellis Beach and sat on the rocks waiting for the tide turn.
As the first bait began to flick on the surface I began casting my Stealth metallic gold and blue lure towards the
activity. I did this without success for almost thirty minutes before a huge barra had a go, but only turned on the
lure rather than hit it. That’s the way it goes sometimes!
A couple of days later Bruno Vucas from Bransfords fished a similar tide change and within half an hour hooked ito a
mega sized barra using his F111 rattling minnow. This fish fought dirty dragging Bruno’s leader over a couple of rocks,
then became wedged under a rocky ledge. He kept gentle pressure on it and the fight began in earnest again as the
fish jumped seawards, all the time Bruno was thinking that his frayed leader would give out. As luck would have it
(and he is a lucky bugger), he managed to beach the fish and weigh it in at the shop - 13.5 kilos and 108cms long.
What a fish!!!
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| Mick Schultz also fished the rocky headlands near Ellis Beach and caught this 13 kilo barra using
a Gold Bomber. This is Mick’s first barra over a metre, he’s worked hard to get this one! |
Mike Schultz also had a great session off another headland just north of Ellis Beach. He was using a Gold Bomber and
hooked into a good sized barra only to loose it on the first jump. Not deterred at all he kept on fishing and hooked
another big fish and fought it for 15 minutes before bringing it to the gaff. Again, he weighed it in at the shop and
it was 13 kilos and 103 cms long. Mike was elated as he had never caught a metre plus barra before even though he had
tried last year. Patience really paid off for him and his fish is now in the running for an ABU Record baitcasting
reel in Bransfords Barra Buster weigh in competition.
Anyone can enter this comp by weighing in their barra at Bransfords, or, by sending in a photo of the one released
accompanied by a witness signature and address. This comp closes on March 31st and the winners announced April 2nd.
The two most meritorious barra captures will each win an ABU Record reel for the lucky anglers.
Night Fishing for Tarpon
This time of year presents a good opportunity to chase that ever underestimated sport fish the tarpon. Growing to
around 3 kilos these silver bullets provide some heart stopping acrobatic action on light gear and readily take jigs,
spoons, small crank baits, soft plastics and live or dead bait.
They have a reputation for throwing hooks on a regular basis, and with good reason as they have a protruding bony mouth
so take the time to sharpen your hooks well and keep a tight line when fighting them.
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| Byron Hammacott fished under the lights on the barron river near the airport using live prawn
and had a field day scrapping with tarpon around this size |
A group of keen local anglers have been night fishing for these speedsters around lit up areas on the Barron River and
in the Cairns Inlet. Using live prawns drifted down with small split shot attached to the thirty pound mono leader they
have been catching some beauties up to the two kilo mark. Tarpon are attracted to night lights chasing the bait that
gathers around them so it’s odds on you will come across them during decent run in or run out tides.
Don’t be put off by bigger tides either! One one recent session Byron Hammacott used an unweighted live prawn and just
flicked it across the surface as the tide was raging out and came up trumps with several air borne tarpon in a one hour
session. Byron prefers tarpon to barra claiming that they hit harder and fight better. It’s a good job they are not
edible or they would be targeted by many more anglers
Hinchinbrook Charter
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| Allen Hammacott tells us he gets sea sick so doesn’t do much fishing, but on this trip he was
fine and managed his P.B. a fine gold spot trevally (I think he’s bluffing) |
There’s no doubt that the inshore fishing around Hinchinbrook Island is spectacular. Often published articles praising
the abundance of barra, jacks, trevally etc. are a fair testament to this pristine fishery. But what can be overlooked
is the awesome reef fishing this area has on offer with just about every bluewater species on offer roaming the
offshore waters. A first time trip to these parts has left a lasting impression on this scribe and beckons further
investigation in the not too distant future.
Good friends of ours, Paul & Barbie, live at Port Hinchinbrook. This Keith Williams development has over the years
caused some controvercy due to the felling of mangrove forests but the end result sees a splendid marina complex
surrounded by beautiful homes and a new playground that locals can also enjoy. I was impressed by the quality of the
construction and the ‘laid back’ lifestyle it offers, also the easy access it allows to nearby waters.
It was Pauls 60th birthday bash and his wife Barbie wanted to organise something he and his family & friends would
long remember. Knowing how much he loves his fishing she chartered the game boat ‘Joe Joe’ captained by the ever
entertaining Barry 'Cranky' Cross for three days. The plan was to take out Paul and his guests fishing and with there
being quite a workload for the crew my wife Vicky and I offered to live on board and help. We had a great time,
as anyone who’s fished on Joe Joe will tell you, enjoying the company of old and new friends plus the added bonus of
catching some memorable fish.
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| Gabs’ loves her fishing and here she holds her biggest capture to date - a gold spot trevally |
The weather was hot and sultry with 5 to 10 knot northerly breezes. Just about perfect boating weather but as any
fisho knows the fishing can be a bit patchy on the reef during the wet. We had three days to explore some spine
tingling reefs such as ‘Otter’ and ‘Brittomart’ plus some wrecks marked on the chart.
With eight guests on board each day we were limited to trolling and bottom bouncing and this was further limited to
bait fishing as trolling proved less than productive. The bait schools were there but few predators were on the chew.
We had some memorable drops latching onto some better than average gold spot treavally, that fight like hell and are
usually found marauding in mobs. Coral trout were occasionally hooked as were red throat emperor, bludger trevally and
several cods. Arms were well and truly stretched as some of the new chums on board caught their first decent sized
reef hoodlums.
The highlight of the trip was experienced whilst fishing over a wreck. The first drops produced the usual mixed bag
of reef fish then as the berley started to take effect cobia moved in - a spectacular fighting fish that kept the group
entertained for some time.
Paul managed a fish of around 15 kilos after a spirited fight, a fish we kept for the BBQ that evening. Then in quick
succession another two cobia about 10 to 12 kilos came on board. As these fish mate for life we handled them gently
and released them to fight another day.
As the berley continued to do it’s job a huge cobia began feeding near the surface. We all watched it sucking in bits
of pillie drifting around in the cobalt blue water and Captain Barry encouraged Barbie to throw an unweighted pillie
in front of it. She was a little hesitant but the Saltiga spin combo loaded with 50 lbs braid was more than up to the
task, and as we were to witness so was Barbie!
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| Captain Barry holds up Barbies big cobia, estimated at around 50lbs on the old scale. It was
released to fight another day |
The fish took the offering with some aggression and made it’s first speeding run. The hook was well set and Barbie held
the rod high and let the drag do it’s work. Run after run this XOS cobia did it’s best to find freedom but the angler
wasn’t having any of it and stuck to her task. I managed to capture most of the fight on video which shows the angler,
tackle and fish all doing the right things but as with any big cobia fight patience pays off and Barbie eventually tired
him out as he came alongside.
Not wanting to harm the fish Barry asked the deckhand to grab the ‘Tailer’. This is a coated wire loop device that
latches onto the tail of a fish so it can be carefully handled with minimum stress. It took a couple of attempts but
our deckie, ‘Ads’ got there in the end and after the marlin door was opened the fish was slid on board to a round of
applause from the other anglers and crew.
We estimated it’s weight close to 50 lbs, in the old scale, as the hook was quickly removed. A couple of quick pics
and he was gently swum away. A fitting end to a memorable 3 day charter!
Read all Keith's Old Fishin' Yarns HERE!
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Fishing News
