Sweetwater Fishing Forums

General Category => Fishing Reports => Topic started by: takrat on June 29, 2011, 08:52:05 PM

Title: Jungle Perch
Post by: takrat on June 29, 2011, 08:52:05 PM
A little while back I put up a post about going to North Queensland for a trip and almost right away had an offer from Brett Guy to go chase some Jungle Perch. Well Brett was as good as his word and we ended up having terrific day up in the hinterland somewhere west Innisfail. I had to swear on a stack of bibles not to reveal exactly where we went but it involved a lot of walking, wading and rock climbing. At times Brett and I were up to our waists in water, but that wasn't a problem due to the warm weather. The water was a little colder though than I expected due the fact that it was coming down from the rainforest clad hills/mountains. It was also incredibly clear and we spent the whole day casting surface lures into the heads of pools just below the rapids and into shady spots that nearly always resulted in  a strike. For anyone who has not fished for JP's they are a very aggressive fish that only grow to around 45cm. That in no way inhibits their fighting ability and out poppers were smashed all over the creek.
We ended up hooking and releasing about 30 fish all up plus one Sooty Grunter as part ofa double hookup. Brett at one time had his own double hookup with 2 JP's hitting the same lure. We were using very light gear I had a 7ft 1-4kg Wilson rod and a Saros 1000 full of 4lb Fins Windtamer. Brett had a Stradic 1000 similarly loaded and both had 6lb flouro leaders.
If you ever get the chance to do this give it a go. JP's will hit surface lures all do long and in particular seem to prefer River 2 Sea Bubble Pops. You have got to love that.
Thanks again Brett, see you next years mate.
John
Title: Re: Jungle Perch
Post by: bushwacker on June 29, 2011, 09:14:22 PM
No happy snaps of fish John?

Sounds like a good time

Steve
Title: Re: Jungle Perch
Post by: Brett Guy on July 01, 2011, 02:07:41 PM
Thanks mate. Was a grat day on the water and good company. Unfortunately the weather has really turned up here lately and my only trip for them since was nowhere near as sucsessful(highlight being a 6ft plus Taipan crossing my path). Look forward to seein you agian.
Title: Re: Jungle Perch
Post by: takrat on July 01, 2011, 08:37:14 PM
Steve,
pics are under way mate. I lacked the knowledge to handle it so forwarded some on the Fitzy. Should come up soon.
Brett, do worries mate, I'll be back up there next year probably around April to June all being well. I'll see you then if not before.
Cheers blokes,
John
Title: Re: Jungle Perch
Post by: takrat on July 18, 2011, 10:00:16 PM
More pictures

Title: Re: Jungle Perch
Post by: Sweetwater on July 18, 2011, 10:02:14 PM
JD,

Sorry for delay mate. I'm only about a month behind on work to get done. I posted them under your name (above).

I love the pics, beautiful country, beautiful fish. Thanks for sharing the adventure.  :thanks

Cheers,
Title: Re: Jungle Perch
Post by: takrat on July 18, 2011, 10:13:23 PM
No worries mate, you'd have loved it up there. Brett and I just waded streams all day. It was incredibly clear water too, Brett reckons it's abit like tropical trout fishing.
John
Title: Re: Jungle Perch
Post by: takrat on July 18, 2011, 10:16:01 PM
By the way, that painful look on my face was close to the end of the day and I think I was fairly knackered.
John
Title: Re: Jungle Perch
Post by: Sweetwater on July 18, 2011, 10:28:25 PM
No worries mate, you'd have loved it up there. Brett and I just waded streams all day. It was incredibly clear water too, Brett reckons it's abit like tropical trout fishing.
John

Bloody oath I would have lived it......... Like a fat kid loves cake!!!!

BTW - I tried loading your pics into the "your" member gallery. There's something I'm not doing right, they're up there, but not coming up under your name or in the right spot. Will keep working on it.........

Cheers,
Title: Re: Jungle Perch
Post by: bushwacker on July 18, 2011, 10:54:07 PM
Ok so its definatly on my to do list the streams look amazing and so do the JP's
Well done

Steve
Title: Re: Jungle Perch
Post by: Bracey on July 19, 2011, 06:59:08 AM
Awesome stuff John, thanks for sharing. It has inspired me to head north one day especially to target them.
Title: Re: Jungle Perch
Post by: A Marshall on July 19, 2011, 08:37:28 AM
Nice one Takrat, bet that stays in the memory bank for a while.
Thanks for sharing.

Cheers Andrew
Title: Re: Jungle Perch
Post by: takrat on July 19, 2011, 09:25:12 AM
Thanks for all the kind words fella's. The full credit goes to Brett Guy up there for taking me his secret and possibly sacred spot. This is one of the great things about his forum and I'll be back up there again next year. I'll bring my own blindfold this time Brett. Fitzy don't worry about the details mate, the main thing is that we all had a chance to have a look.
Cheers
John
Title: Re: Jungle Perch
Post by: beau on July 19, 2011, 09:56:08 AM
They are one of my favourite to chase when in cairns visiting my brother, the hills the water the rain forest the scenery is fantastic and a fish is a bonus! must get back up there soon. Thanks for your pics they have got me keen to go get em again  :thumbsup
Title: Re: Jungle Perch
Post by: Jim_Tait on July 20, 2011, 11:45:38 AM
Hey John,

did you try out any of the Google Earth marks I gave ya? Few good fishing possies amongst those...

Jim
Title: Re: Jungle Perch
Post by: takrat on July 20, 2011, 01:46:28 PM
Sorry Jim, didn't get a chance to, our trip co-incided with the birth of another grandchild and she was fashionably late and took 3 weeks off out plans. However I'll save the wayponts and re-visit next trip that will not be interrupted by childbirth.
Thanks again mate,
John
Title: Re: Jungle Perch
Post by: Brett Guy on July 20, 2011, 05:25:40 PM
Went for another hit up today.(first fish for a few weeks now due to weather and work >:(). Water levels were a little lower but the fish were on the job again. Guess I wound up with 30-40 with 3 over the 30cm mark and one of those going ann even 40(only missed my PB by 2cm). Best thing I saw though was schools of dozens of small(5cm) JP's in most decent pools. Great sight.