Sundown

[Member]

Heading out to Sundown national park early in June for a 4wd trip. I've read a few reports over time that there is some fishing available there. We are most likely camping at Burrows Waterhole and will be along the Severn at somepoint.

Are there any closed seasons affecting this area? Anyone got tips for fishing there, will be land based for this one. If the fishing is okay thinking of taking my baitcaster with a few spinnerbaits and hardbodies, and maybe even my fly rod.

[Member]

Muz,

I haven't fished within the national park, but have fished plenty downstream just outside the park. The border rivers have a closed season for the entire spring, but the Severn that flows through Sundown is well within qld, and I am unsure whether it's on the closure too( as qld doesn't have a closed season for Murray cod).

But it's probably in the best interests of the cod that reside there not to bother them during their breeding cycle, anytime between August and late November. Some research has shown that murrays in the northern part of their distribution begin their breeding cycle well before the traditional cod closed season comes into force.

Over the years there have been some cracking fishing reports on sweetwater which feature Sundown, probably worth a trawl through the fishing reports section.

Cheers,
Dave.

[Member]

Hi Muz,

I have been fishing at the other end of Sundown (Broadwater) over the past couple of months.
The Severn at that end is stone dry in a lot of areas but if you don't mind the walk the fishing as been pretty good, all land based using surface lures.
Make sure you get your trip in before the 9th of June as the park is going to be closed for a couple of weeks (9-27/06/14).

[Member]

Many thanks for the info guys. Jason, any idea on why it's closing? We are going the weekend 7-8 so should be fine, curious is more than anything

[Member]

Pest eradication Muz.

[Member]

Muz
Going down there on the 23/05/14  will let you know how I go.
Cheers

[Member]

G'day guys.  I camped at Broadwater for 4 nights the week leading up to Easter and the Severn sure is dry in that part.  There is a small waterhole to the right with quite a few carp in it (2 less after my visit - a 55cm and 69cm).  I walked around to the steeper rocky side, through bits of bread out and found they came right to the edge to get the bread, and just used floats on the line to hook them.

I only tried fishing the permanent waterhole (about 20-25mins walk to the left) once but didn't have much time so only used a cicada lure - would have liked to have also tried some deep divers and/or spinnerbaits (I should point out that I am a complete novice at cod fishing).  The permanent waterhole is approx. 500m long and the steepest bank seemed to be the first section on the other side of the river (from where you come to along the path).

Will be interested to hear how you go if you dedicate more time than I did (first camping trip with our 2 and a half year old so didn't cram in too much fishing).  Good luck!

[Member]

Hi,

Me and a mate camped at Burrows Waterhole a couple of months ago, caught one 45cm cod and had hits from others all on surface lures. Very dry up the top part of the park to.

Heading into Burrows waterhole again first thing Friday morning till Sunday. Will be spending the days/early evenings walking the dry parts of the river to find some honeyholes. Will let you know how it goes

[Member]

Thats awesome mate, hope you get onto some, and look forward to your report, photos would be fantastic!!

I'm hanging for this trip now, getting all my gear ready and picking my fishing weapons. The 7th can't come fast enough! lol

[Member]

Me and a mate are both taking our gopros so hopefully we can make a bit of a short movie of the drive in and fishing Looks like a full moon as well so should help with walking the rocky river bed at night time

[Member]

Nice, I'm also taking an action cam, and my high end Olympus Em-5. There are a few of us going so I'll have plenty of action shot, as well as trying to get some landscape photos (my other passion) as well.

[Member]

back from the best fishing trip I've had yet. The recent rains have filled up alot of the water holes and its actually still flowing in most parts.

We ended up with 12 cod for the weekend, all between 30-60cm or there abouts. Mostly all around the 40cm mark. Beautfiul colors and nice and healthy, but also would of had at least another 15 surface hits that we dropped throughout the weekend. Daniel blitzed the weekend with 6 off a Jackall Surface lure, and 2 off a gold Bassman spinnerbait. I got 3 with 1 off Taylormade surface, 1 off  70mm gidgee wilburra fatty and 1 off 90mm AC invader, (all around the 35-40 cm) and JB with 1 off a surface in about 10cm of water.

Surface and big lures seem to be the go down there at the moment, with the small fish not scared to eat something half there size. I will be getting all photos of JB tonight and will do up a report

Luke

[Member]

Great stuff mate! Got me itching to get out there now Started getting my gear ready yesterday, am going to have a shot at some of them on fly too, tying up some wiggle minnows and big gurglers for surface action, should be interesting

Look forward to the report.

[Member]

Luke how was the track in to the water hole .Going out there on Friday
R

[Member]

Luke how was the track in to the water hole .Going out there on Friday
R

Hey mate,

As long as you have a 4wd you will be fine. It can be a bit slow going at times due to roughness, You really only need the 4wd for clearnence over the drainage cutouts.