Sweetwater Fishing Forums
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: BrisBassMan on November 08, 2010, 09:57:33 AM
-
Hey guys,
I was trying to get my Bro and Cous together so we could make a run up to Awoonga for the weekend of the 20th of Nov. I now hear that there is not one comp but two up there on that weekend.
Now unless I'm in the comp, what would you guys suggest about going up there the same weekend? Would it be madness !!! Should we postpone to some other time ? What's the collective experience.?
Now take into account my experience with fishing barra fishing on Dams is pretty awful and Awoonga would be the first time visit.
Any help and advice is very greatly appreciated. :thanks
Cheers
-
I can't see it being too much of an issue. I've fished Awoonga when there are over 100 cars and trailers at the ramp and the lake wasn't crowded. Your biggest problem may be finding accomodation. As far as fishing, if you're fishing a bank, stick to it. If someone else is fishing a bank, leave them to it. The comp guys don't have any more right to fish than you do.
-
Why not hit Monduran if your worried about too many other people
-
I`d be turning up and looking at places where the other comp guys are fishing. Dont go near them because thats not cool. But, notice the type of areas they are fishing and duplicate this elsewhere. Theres a big choice of places to fish in Awoonga. It may be just the heads up you need on the dam. As Dale already said, its a big dam, room for lots of anglers.
randall.
-
yeah there is a ladies comp on and straight after there will be the abt barra tour. expect to see 40 plus boats out there throughout that weekend, but there should be enough room to get a possie.
cheers
kurt
-
BBM,
Also, find out what hours they will be fishing, and work around that. Get in before them rather than immediately after the daily events. Pick a spot or two and bash it to foam. Each fish averages around 100cm long, so make sure your gear is up to standard. If it's the first time visit- be patient. The fish will come to you if you sit and wait. Spend atleast 1 hr in each spot. Do some homework on lure selection and techniques before you go. Do more than just ask a tackle shop employee that's 500+ km's away. Search this site, my site, and other internet mediums for barra info. Read plenty, learn plenty- and catch yourself a snodger.
Cheers and good luck.
Johnny Mitchell
-
Perosnally, I be dodging the place if there's a bunch of tournament folks in town. There'll be plenty of room for the boats, the competing egos of a few might make it a bit crowded, i prefer solitude. In saying that, all the guff I'm hearing is that Monduran has fallen in heap. Maybe its because many locals & visitors are letting others do their thinking & just chucking plastics off points & not going into tiger country with other lures / techniques. Maybe I'm wrong.....happy to hear otherwise. :thumbsup
Awoonga, by all accounts is fishing well ATM. I dropped into Awoonga Gateway Cabins the other night. Mark & Lyn said they've got alot of bookings & there's been some good numbers of barra being caught by their guests.
Cheers,
fitzy..
-
Many thanks to everyone who replied.
Fitzy: We had been planning to get this trip sorted for ages and are now kinda cornered to that weekend so we are kinda committed. We are looking at going for Saturday through to Monday so hopefully a good sesh on the Monday morn ;). The reason we are heading to Awoonga is mainly because we haven't been there before. Mondy has not been kind to use with only a few dropped fish. I guess I shouldn't say "Monday hasn't been kind" because it really is all about what, where, and how I fish that makes the difference.
JM : Thanks for the advice. Getting out as early as possible is what I was thinking and besides it is the best part of the day for being on the water I reckon ;D. I will take everything you have said on board and go back and re-read the stuff I have visited already as well. It can be frustrating going to a awesome place like Awoonga or Mondy and not getting a fish but there are no freebies when you hit the water so just have to suck it up and try something different if things aren't working. Oh and I spoke to the Minister for Family and Finance last night and I reckon I could be getting a business case signed for a day charter up there mate so hopefully talk to you soon. :youbeauty
I really want to get a Barra off the surface and so maybe Boof-Frog or a Sammy might do the trick.
Once again many thanks to everyone and hopefully we find some good spots to make our mark and get a few. :yourock
-
If you want a Barra off the surface, see if you can find some Ribbits Bull Frogs.
-
As Fitz stated, getting away from the hoo ha can be a blessing in disguise as well. I'm pulling the pin that week- Norfolk Island.
The word on the street from many is that Monduran is dead, BUT IF YOU TALK TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE, you'll find the place has a few vibrant sparks in the air with some quality captures recently. Friends of mine caught fish to 115cm, (among other sizes) one day this week- from Monduran. As Fitz also said, ( man of wisdom) you have to use your own brain and adjust to suit the lay of the lake and it's fish rather than following the pack. There's plenty of reports of doughnuts or singular captures from Monduran- those same reports include examples of 'missed bites, swirls, surface bites and the like'. To an experienced angler- that's golden egg information. It shows the fish are willing to move. Moving fish are what the doctor ordered. What needs to change is a bit of angler 'direction'. The fish haven't gone anywhere, they just changed- just like fish do in those lakes- every year, and when fish change their ways because of topographical lake fringe variations, water flow and depths, temps and so on- they become a hunter of another kind. The angler just needs to find out how they are operating. The typical run of the mill common tactic obviously isn't the best answer in 2010/11. Guiding would be super easy if the fish were the same every year.
If every keen Monduran angler runs to Awoonga thinking the fishing is easier up this way, they are leaving a bigger gap in their own fishery- why because you can't mow your own lawn while your at the neighbour's house. Some day, they'll have to bite the bullet and crack the new pattern. It won't take long, just a few days, diversifying.
A simple thought- some of those places that were cr@p for barra in Monduran, might now be 5 times better- don't drive past them wondering. Ignore nothing- turn every stone. Bring out old lures, tactics, methods. Crack the whip- catch that 140 cm Monduran Monster. I'd be keen to spend a week down there- just think about it- if the crowds aren't catching plenty, it's leaving lots of un touched fish at the ready for he or she who cracks the new code.
BBM, we hooked a biggun today on a surface lure in the rain. There's no strike like a surface bite, from an angry barra.
Johnny
-
Well there is hope for a awesome sight of a Barra hammering my lure off the surface yet :P
It will be good to see and go to Awoonga and at least get a look at what I have read about and heard about. I'll post some pics and maybe there might be some scales in a few of them. :thumbsup
Cheers and thanks again
-
Most ignorant bunch of $$#@% Ive come across that ABT mob. Will quite happliy roar within 3 metres of you, when your anchored or drifting, at full throttle, cut ahead of you on drifts you have spent half an hour setting up etc etc.
The football hooligans of the fishing world. I'd find another dam.
-
Search this site, my site, and other internet mediums for barra info. Read plenty, learn plenty- and catch yourself a snodger.
Cheers and good luck.
Johnny Mitchell
Ok so have been reading article and forum posts like a mad man and have come to 2 conclusions:
1. I think we are gonna have to be really on our game to get into some fish up there at Awoonga given the traffic that will be there.
2. There is soooooooooo much more to fishing for barra in Lakes than I first thought. I knew it was a tricky science but geez!!
There is so much to think about and look for. So many variables that make an impact that it will be hard to track all of it :o
Given that though, I would like to ask the community a couple of questions that I think might help me (aleast partially) with a plan of attack. Your thoughts are very much appreciated.
Q1. Water quality is talked about a lot and taking temperature out of the equation(I think I have a basic but reasonable understanding of temperature) what major factors dictate good or bad. My thoughts would be oxygen and clarity/suspended matter in the water.
Q2. Wind is another factor that I want to undersand more given that by the sounds of it, may be something we will be dealing with a lot. i.e. Changes temp, locations of food sources and how fish may shelter from the effects of wind if they do at all.
Many thanks
-
Ok so have been reading article and forum posts like a mad man and have come to 2 conclusions:
1. I think we are gonna have to be really on our game to get into some fish up there at Awoonga given the traffic that will be there.
2. There is soooooooooo much more to fishing for barra in Lakes than I first thought. I knew it was a tricky science but geez!!
There is so much to think about and look for. So many variables that make an impact that it will be hard to track all of it :o
With that in mind JM's hour in one place is good advice. You're not going to be on top of the subtleties but settling in to one spot for a while will allow you the opportunity of picking them up as they make themselves known to you. Make sure you have the big ticket items covered and keep your wits about you for the small gems when they sparkle.
Don't let the lack of action cause you to hit an run gaining nothing for the exercise :)
-
Fish are still there at M, they cant walk off, fished it 2 week ends ago for 7 hook ups but only one finding the mat, 5 came from spots never fished before. Just hope Im not getting the dropsies.
In saying that, the 4 blokes I was with didnt manage a looker - with scales that is. It aint easy, but chasing your tail racing off to fish "the promised land" isnt going to make you a better fisho.
First timer, Id say go to A, listen to JM, he lives on that water. You want to dodge the crowds, go to M - harder fishing at the moment but rewards are there.
Be watching with interest the Monduran ABT round results.
-
I won't lie to you... My times(2 weekends) at M were not very succesfull with two dropped fish. This going to Awoonga is more about going somewhere we haven't been and experiencing something new. Also we have the one window my Bro and Couz can do it so there it is.
BR65: I guess you're dead right, the fish in M haven't gone anywhere ;)
The "The Promised Land" is all just a mirage if you take the time and read some articles I have found. I like JM's attitude and no doubt all the other guides as well in that this is hunting and it should be approached that way.
DP: I am guilty sometime chasing the bass to adjust the tactics too often so will be keeping an eye on it this time ;)
Cheers
Geoff
-
Interesting dilemma (Awoonga.... the promised land or Mondy) -
Awoonga is fishing better atm in addition to the higher stocking levels - but the comps will clearly limit your opportunities for your own space and choices of locations........ mind you the ABT results were outstanding last year with record results - so that flys in the face of the boat traffic putting the fish off ....... I guess with the higher water levels too - you'll have more space. - So dont discount "the promised land" - Accommodation could be the issue!
Mondy will give you greater freedom - there is certainly plenty of space to do some exploring but finding the fish can / is a challenge atm - they are there alright but spread out with the higher water levels. .....
If it was my choice - I'd go Mondy ...... it's due to come good
Chris
-
Most ignorant bunch of $$#@% Ive come across that ABT mob. Will quite happliy roar within 3 metres of you, when your anchored or drifting, at full throttle, cut ahead of you on drifts you have spent half an hour setting up etc etc.
The football hooligans of the fishing world. I'd find another dam.
Pretty unfair comment - I cant think of many ABT barra anglers that would fall into that category .......... sure having a lot of high powered boats heading off at the start is a bit of an issue - but most are extremely courteous when fishing
Chris
-
Interesting dilemma (Awoonga.... the promised land or Mondy) -
thought youd like that.
Agree re the ABT fishos as well, those I know who paticipate have ettiquette and consideration at the forefront
-
Pretty unfair comment - I cant think of many ABT barra anglers that would fall into that category .......... sure having a lot of high powered boats heading off at the start is a bit of an issue - but most are extremely courteous when fishing
Chris
Of Course, I appologise - I'm mistaken.
Not like these blokes at Mondy in the first pic were hogging the ramp for filming the loading and unloading of boats for over an hour so no one else could get a shot at the ramp.
And I'm sure the 3 blokes in the second picture had just really heavy motors that sunk the bum of their boat,and the big chop splashing on their bows made it look like they were exceeding 6knots within 30m of the boats queued at the ramp.
-
Of Course, I appologise - I'm mistaken.
Not like these blokes at Mondy in the first pic were hogging the ramp for filming the loading and unloading of boats for over an hour so no one else could get a shot at the ramp.
And I'm sure the 3 blokes in the second picture had just really heavy motors that sunk the bum of their boat,and the big chop splashing on their bows made it look like they were exceeding 6knots within 30m of the boats queued at the ramp.
Well filming a TV series happens every day - ? ........ specially at such a massively busy ramp like Mondy
As for the start of each ABT event ........ its certainly low speed till you pass the starter - then off you go ........ I'd love a boat that could go 0-30knts in 30M (are those boats on the plane ????)
Chris
-
Yes your right Nagg TV filming does take place everyday but normally what happens is that a notification is posted saying that a particular area will be out of use between the hours of yah da yah da. Its not normally just locked off with no notice so people are unable to use it, if thats what happened in this case its poor form.
The bomber
-
that was 2 years ago. that was the afc filming. can see your problem but they would not be at the ramp for that long....
are these the abt anglers you have concerns with, forward it to the abt.
-
Ive never personally come accross any big tournoment fishers, But every dog has its day now fulla's ;)
-
I'm pulling the pin that week- Norfolk Island.
You wont be dissapointed Johnny, Norfolk is a very interesting place to visit. I lost 3 big running fish in 3 casts of a halco 25gram slice off the rocks on the southern end of the island.
Fishing aside, the place is full of interesting history. Enjoy.
Randall.
PS..... definately do the progressive dinner thingy. You will meet some great locals and get to hear some interesting facts. ;) The fish fry is another must do. Also, work on your "passing another car wave" ;)
-
Whataway?
Yorle gwen ruma morla?
The quaint Norfolk lingo - a blend of pidgin and gaelic Welsh will be easier in the ears than all that the fish frightening vroom vroom.
The faster they travel and the more they've to say, the less likely is is they've ever been in water much over their heads.
Spent some happy days at Norfolk back when island hopping through the Pacific.
You never quirte knew what you'd pull up next.
The locals are pr-occupied with red throat emperor - called trumpeter over there.
Rosy job fish - king snapper here - were amongst the jig hitting surprises when one tried something different.
Check out the state of the art tackle...back then, that is.
JM & party: have a great trip, everyone.
-
Thanks Randall,
A few yarns have been told about their 'wave', so we'll keep our eyes peeled. The progressive dinner has been second and third recommended so we'll be onto that like a dog on a Kununurra dinghy. I can't wait for snooping about the place- push bike I hear!?
Thanks Harro,
It'll be a hoot- and yes we are goin fishing- it wasn't my idea, but I'm not saying no.
Cheers.
Johnny
-
Guys just wondering if anyone has been and or stayed at the Boynedale Bush Camp. Would this be a good option if there are gonna be lots of people on the lake this weekend? I see that it is first come first served so obviously no guarantees but what do you guys think. I'm just thinking there might be less traffic there and more water since the dam filled up and might help to avoid the crowds maybe ?
Cheers Geoff
-
Guys just wondering if anyone has been and or stayed at the Boynedale Bush Camp. Would this be a good option if there are gonna be lots of people on the lake this weekend? I see that it is first come first served so obviously no guarantees but what do you guys think. I'm just thinking there might be less traffic there and more water since the dam filled up and might help to avoid the crowds maybe ?
Cheers Geoff
Hi Geoff
My last two trips to Awoonga - I stayed at the bush camp and loved it ...... certainly you can get away from the crowds and there is now a huge area to explore (awesome)
Just remember that you need to be self sufficient up there (water!)
Certainly a good option
Chris
-
Oh No.....
Looks like the weather at Awoonga is gonna be raining and raining hard. Well that is what the forecast on the old I-Phone is saying. First we lost our boat owner so we are down to two and now the weather.
Apart from the possibility of being miserable standing in the rain all day(a previous trip to M saw two days of heavy beating rain) what is your experince of fish activity during these periods. From everything I have read generally they might shutdown a bit and things get a bit tough ?
What do you guys reckon
Cheers :thumbsup
-
Oh No.....
Looks like the weather at Awoonga is gonna be raining and raining hard. Well that is what the forecast on the old I-Phone is saying. First we lost our boat owner so we are down to two and now the weather.
Apart from the possibility of being miserable standing in the rain all day(a previous trip to M saw two days of heavy beating rain) what is your experince of fish activity during these periods. From everything I have read generally they might shutdown a bit and things get a bit tough ?
What do you guys reckon
Cheers :thumbsup
I've got no qualms about fishing in the rain. I'm a believer in a connection between high humidity and fish activity in coastal rivers/lakes. Leading edge of a front can be a brilliant time to be have a lure out. The fish don't mind the rain either, they're already wet. Pleated pantaloons and pressed shirts must not look the best wet, many noise boats often clear out when the frogs are croaking. Less vroom & more room makes for better fishing options. :thumbsup
fitz..
-
Fished Awoonga in the rain last Christmas. The fish didn't seem to mind. They're already wet.
-
Interesting info. Thanks
I have been out on the water fishing for bass and have found they have shutdown but this might be more to do with sudden baro changes more than the rain.
I guess we will be wait and see. At least it won't be stinking hot and I'm getting sunburnt every second.
Cheers guys :thanks
p.s. I dont think I have ever, or will ever wear pantaloons!!! 8)
-
Fitz and Dale have given you enough info to keep it positive. Positive minds catch fish.
Make sure you carry ideal wet weather gear, to keep you not only dry, but warm- to stay healthy. Bright warm sunny days can sometimes produce cr@p fishy conditions whilst heavy overcast, low light, warm days can be dynamite- it all depends how nature delivers the rain. (One big day long pour down in calm conditions, or, small squalls with lighter skies/periods between.) The latter will provide more bite windows than the former. The fish choosing their moment to feed, not necessarily biting whilst the rain is pouring. Days of calm will settle the fringes- wind will ruffle the edges creating fishy opportunity. Mornings where it's o/cast, warm and calm are usually better than windy mornings on Awoonga- in the summer months.
If guides cancelled every charter due to the weather being a bit unfavourable for people's comfort- we'd miss out on many days of ideal fish catching conditions. One of the battles when fishing solo/ charter/ comp/whatever is finding where to be- depth, water conditions, technique.
There's some good fish being caught trolling in the deeper water, so it's up to you how you approach it. Tow a lure, 10-20 ft down if doing nothing else.
Johnny
-
All this advice is very greatly appreciated. I am storing all of this in my head and creating my own little check- list of variables to take into account when I get there and whilst I'm on the water now and in the future.
Many thanks indeed. :yourock