FISHING
NEWS FROM NORTH AUSTRALIA
With Alex Julius - 22 February 2007
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If you’re chasing a big barra this weekend, it’s time to go prospecting the big tidal rivers to the east of Darwin .
The tides are in a waning phase after the big spring tides earlier this week, and that to me says Shady Camp.
Following the big surging tides last week and over last weekend, when the whole aquatic composition of the river would have changed, this weekend’s smaller tides will mean clearer water down at the mouths of both Tommycutt and Sampan Creeks.
That’s your best bet for connecting with a whopper barra, and it’s as easy as trolling up and down the river mouth edges with the right lure.
Bright, chromed colours are the shot, particularly on models like the Killalure Barrabait 8-plus, Classic 160 and that all-round favourite of so many barra fishermen, the Classic 120.
Large Bombers in chartreuse are also proven big barra catchers in these waters at this time of year, as local barra bandit Chris Errity proved earlier in the week with the capture of a 101 cm fish while casting.
The South Alligator is another spot worth a look at the moment.
Reports have been varied from the South this week, with a couple of crews nailing up to 30 barra fishing the edges of the main channel up the top of the river. Others have found it tough going, so it’s a matter of moving around to find feeding fish.
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ARNHEMLAND BARRAMUNDI NATURE LODGE
Chris Errity fished Shady Camp from his new boat, boldly named Meterey, and christened it with this excellent 101cm model.
Jason Swan got onto a hot session at a secret river mouth location, landing a succession of barra between 70 and 90cm. |
Soft plastics are a good bet. Work them slowly back along the bottom with the runout tide so that they hop down the drop off, hopefully straight into the mouth of a waiting barra.
Poppers are worth a try up the top of the South as well, allowing you to work any shallow areas that attract barra holding up out of the current.
If you get out nice and early on Saturday morning, you’ll be able to fish the runout tide up the top of the South, then move downstream to catch the front of the incoming tide in the afternoon.
The Daly is dropping at the moment, which should see the barra action fire up at Browns, Diesel and Elizabeth Creeks .
Recently, fishing at night around these creek mouths with fizzers and shallow-running minnows has returned some excellent catches.
AFANT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The 2007 Annual General Meeting of the Amateur Fisherman’s Association of the Northern Territory will be held at 10:00 am on Sunday 4 March at the Aviation Institute, Charles Eaton Drive , Marrara.
The AGM is an important opportunity for recreational anglers to let AFANT and the government know about issues that are important to them.
Don’t worry if you’re not a member, as you can come along and join up on the day. With membership only costing $10, it’s a bargain, and a chance to have a say in the management of our excellent recreational fishery. That’s less than the cost of a new barra lure, so there’s no excuse to not get involved.
“NT Chief Minister Clare Martin will be giving a presentation at the meeting and Fisheries Minister Chris Natt and Economic Development Minister Kon Vatskalis will also be attending so it’s a great opportunity for fishers to ask questions and raise issues of concern directly with Government,” said AFANT President Warren de With.
“Fish kills, boat ramps, access to the coast at Channel Point and Point Stuart, changes to possession limits and commercial licence buy-backs are all issues that have been prominent lately and we expect that they will be raised at the meeting.”
“Tony Simpson, General Manager of GBS Gold Australia, will also be at the meeting to provide details of plans for the company’s proposed Maud Creek gold mine near Katherine and also some of its other activities in the Top End.”
“To make it easy for families to get along we have organised activities for the kids and there will be a BBQ following the meeting. We’ve even chosen a day when the tides aren’t all that good so it won’t cut into prime fishing time,” Mr de With explained.
For further information visit www.afant.com.au or call AFANT on 8945 6455.
Alex Julius Fishing Media
PO Box 571, Howard Springs NT Australia 0835
International phone: (618) 89832167
International fax: (618) 89831914
Fax (from within Australia): (08) 89831914
E-mail: AJFM@hotspot.com.au