Sweetwater Fishing Forums
General Category => Fishing Reports => Topic started by: 2Dogs on September 01, 2011, 05:12:16 PM
-
had a report that the brisbane river has had a great opening day, lots caught and several bass at 55+. Nice work, cant wait for more pics to get posted
-
I certainly didn't see a bloody 55cm bass. Actually most people I talked to had hardly raised a scale. Where were all these bass caught? 6.5hrs on the water for a few rats and one half decent bass.
-
Where were you fishing Wayne? From what I hear the Lockyer/Brissy junction area was going off. Plenty of big fish up there. I even heard a whisper of a 57 when I was shopping last night. I just heard that there'll be a pic of a 55 posted here today that was taken lower down, between Savages and Burtons.
Oh, hang on, you did OK, but didn't want to let anyone know that the Lockyer/Brissy junction was going well. Oops, sorry, I guess I've let your secret out now. My bad. :-X
-
all fish were twinies to lowood so the story goes
-
:o :popcorn)
-
Due to some minor surgery yesterday lunchtime only managed a quick morning fish in a local creek. Only one fish.
Had a report from Kholo of a couple of mid fourties.
-
Got me buggered why people can't tell the truth, it's not as if there's a shortage of Bass in the Brisbane River at the moment.
Seem a fair call, it a very long river with weir along the way, so tomorrow plus Sunday weather permitting I'm putting in the effort to go and do some research for myself, where to start is the hardest part, so just going to drive around and check all the entry for a place safe to leave the car plus yak trailer.
Ray
-
I certainly didn't see a bloody 55cm bass. Actually most people I talked to had hardly raised a scale. Where were all these bass caught? 6.5hrs on the water for a few rats and one half decent bass.
Come on Wayne we know the comp is around the corner...You're not foolin me. ;D
-
:OMG
-
I wasn't going to report on Thursday's fishing , purely for selfish reasons , but I have had a rethink.
Actually , it is more from a story Catfich Al told me on Thursday morning that has changed my thinking . He recalled how he was paddling doing 'recon' just upstream from Lowood on Monday ( down behind the industrial estate ) . He had an encounter with some old geezer in a tinny who had a 'cricket score' ( 30+ ) of dead Bass in the bottom of his boat . When confronted by Al , the old fella used some lovely language in telling him where to go . Not only was this fella fishing during closed season but a total disregard for bag limits aswell . Unfortunately Al was unable to get any details that would help identify this fella . So in short , the more eyes we have out there on the river the better , and the more chance we have of keeping behaviours like this in check.
So how did we go??
Good , but not as good as it was back in May . The fish are in good nick , not many had sores , and most were fat . We only fished the Brisbane from the end of Shines Rd up to the junction with Lockyer creek . Lockyer creek has a funky green milky look to it , only the one Bass and a catty were pulled from it . The main trunk of the river was where the bites were. Spinnerbaits have been my main weapon of choice , and they were used for most of the day again. Landed a couple from using blades on a fast retrieve.
I won't speak for Wayne on how he went , but I managed 22 Bass . Only 6 casts into the day and I hooked what ended up being my largest for the day. 57cm of fat Bass
Not a bad start to the season
(http://www.sweetwaterfishing.com.au/Forum/gallery/1/16-020911204122-1022459.jpeg)
Sorry , the only brag mat picture was taken on my phone , here its just lying across me
(http://www.sweetwaterfishing.com.au/Forum/gallery/1/16-010911163823-10181898.jpeg)
Wayne joined us about 9.30 I think and it didn't take hime long to get into the action. Catfish Al messed around with some of his own ammo for no result ,so out of pity I threw a spinnerbait at him and he got onto the fish aswell.
(http://www.sweetwaterfishing.com.au/Forum/gallery/1/16-010911163654-1017289.jpeg)
He also managed catching the only yella for the day.
(http://www.sweetwaterfishing.com.au/Forum/gallery/1/16-010911163549-10071272.jpeg)
Here's a few other pics from the day
(http://www.sweetwaterfishing.com.au/Forum/gallery/1/16-020911203535-1020279.jpeg)
(http://www.sweetwaterfishing.com.au/Forum/gallery/1/16-010911163932-10192185.jpeg)
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6205/6101957595_4548640e4a_b.jpg)
Caught plenty this size too
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6087/6105365471_73e6acce9c_b.jpg)
Sorry for the slow report , but keep an eye out for the Banjos up to no good.
Cheers,
Dave.
ps. I haven't had much luck in the reach upstream from Twinnys . All the reports from the locals who fished the winter from the banks say "anywhere from the Lowood bend up to the dam" .
-
Gr8 effort guys!
I did hear a story that Fisheries recently busted a heap of people down near Crosby Weir with way more than they should have, and in closed season also. Hopefully this other clown gets put through the ringer as well!
SB8
-
Report from a mate in the media..... A mate of his put his tinnie in at Twin Bridges & fished upstream. "Lots" of bass reported upto 56cm.
From the reports I've heard from text, here & phone there's fish right through the river from various access points including:
Shines Road, Lowood, Twin Bridges (usptream), Twin Bridges to England Creek Hole, upstream of Savages, downstream of Savages & upstream of Kholo Bridge.
Have a picture here of a 55cm from upstream of Burton's Bridge. :youbeauty Will post it shortly.
Good on Dave for sharing.... Those that come to the Wivenhoe Event will be treated to a "tell all" seminar with Q&A at the Friday night briefing about the lake & river.
Cheers..
-
Dale, Dave introduced me to this spot so it's not like I am going to tell everyone where it is now am I? That would be bad manners. And the fact is that it is not fishing as well as it has in the past so the fish we caught were not as good as we expected. Biggest I caught on the day was 53cm and Dave had already caught his biggun before I got there so I didn't see it. The only other person we had contact with throughout the day only caught one bass (according to the phone calls). There were a lot of smaller fish caught.
Biggest surprise for me was catching the eel on a spinnerbait. Sure made a mess of the yak and spinnerbait. With my one girly scream out of the way (when I got the hook out and it headed straight for my nads), I managed to kick it back into the water and try to sort out the tangled mess of leader wrapped around my spinnerbait.
-
Had a couple of eels hit spinnerbaits over the years... its not a fun thing getting them out of the mess they make.
Some nice fish there Wayne. :youbeauty What are your thoughts about the drag back up the hill at Shines?
We tried using 100m of paramatta rope tied to the back of the car & towed the boats up.
Fitz..
-
I HATE the drag back up Fitzy. Worst thing about fishing there! I am fairly fit and healthy but still have to make a couple of stops and catch my breath and I am puffing like I have just finished a 100mtr sprint.
Yep dragging those suckers out seems like a great idea. Would have to have one person driving and one person guiding though. Dave still hasn't got rid of that log near the top. It's the final nail in my coffin, getting the yak over it.
-
I HATE the drag back up Fitzy. Worst thing about fishing there! I am fairly fit and healthy but still have to make a couple of stops and catch my breath and I am puffing like I have just finished a 100mtr sprint.
Yep dragging those suckers out seems like a great idea. Would have to have one person driving and one person guiding though. Dave still hasn't got rid of that log near the top. It's the final nail in my coffin, getting the yak over it.
We were going to go down with the chain saws a few weeks back but got side tracked.....
To do the rope / car tow up the hill thing you need 3 people really. One in the car, one with the kayaks & one at top of hill coordinating. Not easy to coordinate but easier than the killer drag up the hill.
When the public access is restored at the bottom of that hole it will be easier to paddle the couple of kilometers than drag the 100m up the hill.
Fitz..
-
Thanks for sharing guys, thats what the internet is about after all..
To add to Dave's story about illegal fishing, I was in a tackle shop this morning and one of their customers were there saying that he walked into an unnamed Ipswich Fish shop and they had fresh bass in the window for sale..now that has to be highly illiegal...I'm sure they can't be sold on the fish market...he said the so called bass was at least 3 - 4 kg....
So there is alot of unregulated stuff going on and I have to say it saddens me that fisheries aren't onto instances such as this...
Cheers
-
Good on you guys, looks like the river is alive and kicking. :youbeauty
-
Thanks for sharing guys, thats what the internet is about after all..
To add to Dave's story about illegal fishing, I was in a tackle shop this morning and one of their customers were there saying that he walked into an unnamed Ipswich Fish shop and they had fresh bass in the window for sale..now that has to be highly illiegal...I'm sure they can't be sold on the fish market...he said the so called bass was at least 3 - 4 kg....
So there is alot of unregulated stuff going on and I have to say it saddens me that fisheries aren't onto instances such as this...
Cheers
That just about makes my blood boil Sel. Im sure a tip off could lead to an investigation by fisheries?
Steve
-
Here's a 55cm bass caught by Denis between Savages Crossing & Burton's Bridge.
(http://www.sweetwaterfishing.com.au/Forum/gallery/1/2-040911010608.jpeg)
Well done Denis, nice fish mate. :youbeauty
-
Correct me if I am wrong but I am assuming a large number of the fish being caught down there atm have gone over the wall from Wivenhoe. What sort of percentage would you guys put that at compared to wild fish being caught?
-
Correct me if I am wrong but I am assuming a large number of the fish being caught down there atm have gone over the wall from Wivenhoe. What sort of percentage would you guys put that at compared to wild fish being caught?
ATM. most of them are Big W fish. There are some little tackers which could be either. Many could end up dying if they run out of food, so why not go catch them.
-
I HATE the drag back up Fitzy. Worst thing about fishing there! I am fairly fit and healthy but still have to make a couple of stops and catch my breath and I am puffing like I have just finished a 100mtr sprint.
Yep dragging those suckers out seems like a great idea. Would have to have one person driving and one person guiding though. Dave still hasn't got rid of that log near the top. It's the final nail in my coffin, getting the yak over it.
What log??
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6063/6111696396_b0fc213e35_b.jpg)
Thats how I saw it this arvo , someone was in the process of doing the 'gardening' .
Cheers.
Dave.
-
ATM. most of them are Big W fish. There are some little tackers which could be either. Many could end up dying if they run out of food, so why not go catch them.
What vintage would this one be?
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6194/6111151225_a307b1877e_b.jpg)
ps. Good to see that stinger hooks work .
Cheers,
Dave.
-
Nice one Dave. Will make that last drag a bit easier. Do you have shares in Pepsi?
-
What vintage would this one be?
([url]http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6194/6111151225_a307b1877e_b.jpg[/url])
Cheers,
Dave.
If a river fish.... anywhere upto 5 - 10 years old.
If an ex lake bass a year or 2.
Saw one aged from Brisbane River... 22cm and 7 years old. Same size in upder a year in Wivenhoe.
Cheers,
fitz..
-
What log??
([url]http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6063/6111696396_b0fc213e35_b.jpg[/url])
Thats how I saw it this arvo , someone was in the process of doing the 'gardening' .
Cheers.
Dave.
A great effort by the accidental gardener :thanks
fitz..
-
Still fish in the rustwater well below the wier this morning.
-
Denis is still a bit camera shy isnt he ;D well done !
Dave must have shares at least in pepsi they are always in his pics
steve
-
haha i love that hill climb thats why i only have a daylite paddler for that spot haha up on the shoulder and away i go, all though i too am sucking in the big ones once i get to the gate lol have any of your vegimite eating friends been seen at all fitzy?? i thought i spotted one at kholo today ;)
-
have any of your vegimite eating friends been seen at all fitzy?? i thought i spotted one at kholo today ;)
G'Day Wes,
No I havent as yet....devastated but hopeful. :popcorn)
Are you fishing the Wivenhoe Convention this year Wes?
fitz..
-
haha i love that hill climb thats why i only have a daylite paddler for that spot haha up on the shoulder and away i go, all though i too am sucking in the big ones once i get to the gate lol have any of your vegimite eating friends been seen at all fitzy?? i thought i spotted one at kholo today ;)
Interesting Wes
throw anything at it?
-
Does anyone have pictures of what is below that track to get to the waters edge at Shines?
Cheers
-
Does anyone have pictures of what is below that track to get to the waters edge at Shines?
Cheers
I have some video from the top to the bottom, will try to load it up if I can find it.
-
Sel,
I haven't any pics of the whole track . But I do have a picture of the launching spot from early 2010 and a pic from the background of one of my bass photos. With the old pic , you just need to use your imagination , all the trees are now gone. The island in the middle of the river betweeen the launching area and Lockyer creek is gone. Also the shelf used for launching is much smaller. So here's what it used to be like.......
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6201/6115249585_d3cf1c96b3_b.jpg)
And here's whats left.....
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6064/6115269117_861cca4703.jpg)
Launching any big yaks or canoes from this location is an absolute mission. I'm a Hobie owner , I live in the area and I found it much easier to buy smaller yaks than take the hobies down there. Even Fitzy struggled with his light weight Old Town Pack Angler which hits the scales at a lofty 14Kgs. If it rains this area gets even harder to negotiate .
Cheers,
Dave.
-
Sel,
Even Fitzy struggled with his light weight Old Town Pack Angler which hits the scales at a lofty 14Kgs. If it rains this area gets even harder to negotiate .
Cheers,
Dave.
Mate those dive boots I had on were slippery as hell getting back up the hill after the rain.
I recommend good shoes or boots. Video is loading up now.....
fitz..
-
Here's the video of draging down the Shines Road track to the river.
Note that the log half way down has been removed by a good samaritan. And check out how I slipped & landed on my butt just after it due to wearing slippery dive boots.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Pr3iaABx-Y# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Pr3iaABx-Y#)
link youtube.com/watch?v=0Pr3iaABx-Y
-
Thanks for that, I got a giggle at 1.34...
So is Burtons pretty easy? I might have to go have a look... I remember going there a few years ago, it was a nice easy launch. I thought there were concrete bollards protecting the run in to the bridge each side..has that changed?
I'll be honest all along the lead up to this comp I have been keen to stay at the dam but the weather forecast is not looking flash..I might have to go to the river...
Cheers
-
Thanks for that, I got a giggle at 1.34...
So is Burtons pretty easy? I might have to go have a look... I remember going there a few years ago, it was a nice easy launch. I thought there were concrete bollards protecting the run in to the bridge each side..has that changed?
I'll be honest all along the lead up to this comp I have been keen to stay at the dam but the weather forecast is not looking flash..I might have to go to the river...
Cheers
Twin Bridges is easy (drive right to water)
Under the highway bridge is easy (drive right to water with 4x4 [not rough, just sandy])
Savages Crossing is easy (drive to within 3m of water)
Burtons Bridge is easy (drive right to water)
Lowood Bend is fairly easy (drive to within 7 or 8m feet of water)
Lowood Town Common is fairly easy (drive to within 5m of water)
Harpeng Road is fairly easy, just a fence to slide under to get to shallow area (drive to with 20m of water)
Shines is hard (see video)
Lockyer Weir is hard
Stick with the top options IMHO.
-
I place this on another sight --- Pretty close spend yesterday looking around with Lockyer then this morning on the way home put in at Lowood bend by myself, yes it can be done alone but would be safer with two from here it pretty easy to paddle up river, really for old farts or with people medical problems, putting in at Twin Bridges and working up is a good easy option or if you can pair up, drop one car at Twin Bridges and work your way down to Savages crossing.
On the way home I did stop at Fernvale and the pies are very nice after a couple of hours on the water.
Sel if the wind comes up there two option Fig Tree or the river and it up to you make a choice me if the river becomes the call Twin Bridges like Gary said it the best too go with.
-
Just looking at this comment for a minute:
Actually , it is more from a story Catfich Al told me on Thursday morning that has changed my thinking . He recalled how he was paddling doing 'recon' just upstream from Lowood on Monday ( down behind the industrial estate ) . He had an encounter with some old geezer in a tinny who had a 'cricket score' ( 30+ ) of dead Bass in the bottom of his boat .
Are we being told that it is OK to break the rules regarding the closed season, but it's not OK to break the rules regarding bag limits? I, for one, would happily put my hand up to suspend both rules until the river comes back to an equilibrium. We're really only a couple of months away from us all throwing up our arms indignantly because of a massive fish kill in the river. Honestly, the sooner the quantities of Bass that are in there are thinned out, the better. We have a massively overstocked waterway at the moment and it can only end in tears. (Although I'm sure if the Wivenhoe convention winner wins the comp from the River he'll say it's his skill, and not the fact that it's "fish in a barrel" fishing.) I saw the DEEDI electrofishing boat on Ipswich Road yesterday, hopefully they've been out there and got some numbers and can figure out how to get rid of the massive overpopulation. I doubt that the river holds enough food to sustain the Bass for much longer, especially the Lockyer junction area where the fish are virtual prisoners until another flood event.
-
Just looking at this comment for a minute:Are we being told that it is OK to break the rules regarding the closed season, but it's not OK to break the rules regarding bag limits? I, for one, would happily put my hand up to suspend both rules until the river comes back to an equilibrium. We're really only a couple of months away from us all throwing up our arms indignantly because of a massive fish kill in the river. Honestly, the sooner the quantities of Bass that are in there are thinned out, the better. We have a massively overstocked waterway at the moment and it can only end in tears. (Although I'm sure if the Wivenhoe convention winner wins the comp from the River he'll say it's his skill, and not the fact that it's "fish in a barrel" fishing.) I saw the DEEDI electrofishing boat on Ipswich Road yesterday, hopefully they've been out there and got some numbers and can figure out how to get rid of the massive overpopulation. I doubt that the river holds enough food to sustain the Bass for much longer, especially the Lockyer junction area where the fish are virtual prisoners until another flood event.
Can they do what was done at Boyne River and look at way to open up the area know as the log jam to allow the fish to migrate down further into the section between there and Lowood bend which you said earlier is pretty baron. Just a idea.
Ray
-
I think Anna has already directed all the councils to fix the river blockages, but I'm pretty sure the local council has more important things to do than to get down there and clear the river. They're hard pressed just to fix the roads at the moment. There are plenty of fish further downstream, I was referring to structure in the next stretch, not fish.
-
Just looking at this comment for a minute:Are we being told that it is OK to break the rules regarding the closed season, but it's not OK to break the rules regarding bag limits? I, for one, would happily put my hand up to suspend both rules until the river comes back to an equilibrium. We're really only a couple of months away from us all throwing up our arms indignantly because of a massive fish kill in the river. Honestly, the sooner the quantities of Bass that are in there are thinned out, the better. We have a massively overstocked waterway at the moment and it can only end in tears. (Although I'm sure if the Wivenhoe convention winner wins the comp from the River he'll say it's his skill, and not the fact that it's "fish in a barrel" fishing.) I saw the DEEDI electrofishing boat on Ipswich Road yesterday, hopefully they've been out there and got some numbers and can figure out how to get rid of the massive overpopulation. I doubt that the river holds enough food to sustain the Bass for much longer, especially the Lockyer junction area where the fish are virtual prisoners until another flood event.
From what fish I have seen , they look to be in better condition than they were in May ( less sores and and less fin damage ) . Plus , they appear to have been well fed , look fat even. Seen a few pics of bass from North Pine and Mt Crosby around the net , they in comparison look skinny and hollow ( post spawn maybe ) .
Equilibrium as you say maybe already on its way , they have certainly changed their behaviour of late. No longer are they regularly caught from a blind cast out in the main trunk of the river . Instead the shadows is where the action is and the big units from earlier in the year are far less common ( still plenty of 25-30cm fish ) . And now with the improved water clarity , the plant life in the river should start growing back. I will only get worried if the all the pelicans and cormorants leave the river , they are certainly still there in good numbers , and they won't hang around if the small fish aren't there ( especially as its only a couple of kms away from the dam and the easy pickings on offer for them there ) .
Cheers,
Dave.
-
Here's the video of draging down the Shines Road track to the river.
Mate you need to load a huff and puff vid coming back up. Then you get an idea of what a pain in the ass it is.
-
mmmmm,
After watching that video I would say it's straight into the water from site 12 for me! Not for a rookie like me anyway! Looking forward to it!!
Thanks
Colin
-
Hi All,
Been reading your forum with interest for a while now, but this is my first ever post.
Usually I fish the Brissie River from my boat upstream of Twin Bridges, with the stretch between Lowood Bend and Lockyer Creek junction my favourite of late. Had great success trolling.
Had to add this with you guys talking about Shines Rd - fished off bank there with my son last Friday with live worms. Got a few great bass (40-45cm) and the usual catties. Decided on dusk to flick a few new soft plastics I'd got. Wasn't expecting much, as I've never had great success with plastics in freshwater, but nailed my best bass to date - a 53cm cracker - so needless to say I was massively surprised! See pics attached. Got about 8 all up on the plastics in about half an hour. They were following up to rock ledge and nailing just before it. First of all tried the usual flick/pause/slow retrieve, but then decided on a slightly quicker retrieve just to really get the tail action going. Was casting parallel to the bank, and using a 50mm Squidgie fish in gold and black glitter.
Previously caught a few at 50, 51 & 52cm on hardbodies, so rapt to get these on plastics! Can't wait to try again!
Love the forum and reading about everyone else's experiences.
Cheers,
Tim.
-
Hi All,
Been reading your forum with interest for a while now, but this is my first ever post.
Usually I fish the Brissie River from my boat upstream of Twin Bridges, with the stretch between Lowood Bend and Lockyer Creek junction my favourite of late. Had great success trolling.
Had to add this with you guys talking about Shines Rd - fished off bank there with my son last Friday with live worms. Got a few great bass (40-45cm) and the usual catties. Decided on dusk to flick a few new soft plastics I'd got. Wasn't expecting much, as I've never had great success with plastics in freshwater, but nailed my best bass to date - a 53cm cracker - so needless to say I was massively surprised! See pics attached. Got about 8 all up on the plastics in about half an hour. They were following up to rock ledge and nailing just before it. First of all tried the usual flick/pause/slow retrieve, but then decided on a slightly quicker retrieve just to really get the tail action going. Was casting parallel to the bank, and using a 50mm Squidgie fish in gold and black glitter.
Previously caught a few at 50, 51 & 52cm on hardbodies, so rapt to get these on plastics! Can't wait to try again!
Love the forum and reading about everyone else's experiences.
Cheers,
Tim.
Good on you Tim, Welcome aboard & thanks for sharing. There's some awesome fish being caught right through the river, good to know they're taking plastics as well.
Will be alot of folks up there chasing them over the weekend with the Wivenhoe Convention on, you should come up & take a look at all the decked out kayaks.
Cheers,
Fitz..
-
Thanks Fitzy.
Couldn't help myself and went back to Shines this arvo after the rain had passed thru. Used same Squidgies again, and on the 8th cast got another 53cm specimen. Hard going after that but got 2 more in the high 30's.
If anyone goes down there in the next few days and sees a big slide mark in the track near the bottom of the downhill part, that would be from me - went head over apex in the mud. Must have looked hilarious! Should've known rubber thongs and mud don't mix.
And love your work on the log.
Cheers,
Tim.
-
And love your work on the log.
Cheers,
Tim.
G'day Tim. Not my work on the log mate. Was a friendly local who has helped out us anglers down there with axe & pick.
He knows who he is :thanks :Clap) :thumb :thumbsup :yourock :youbeauty ;D
Cheers,
fitz..
-
Hopefully the accidental gardener will read this Tim and there might be some footholes at the bottom of the track for you to step in next time and not go A over T.