queensland Burrum Heads January

[Old Scaley]

Hi All

Just got back from our annual pilgramage to Burrum Heads. Same house every year - conveniently located right beside the boat ramp at the mouth of the river.

Here is the view from the front room of the house:

Weather was perfect for morning fishing. Target species this year were reefies and maybe a mackerel or two. Day one was good, with some just undersized sweetlip (mostly grassies, but I did manage one 37 cm red throat - just short by 1 cm ), and a nice 40cm cod :cheer:

The next few days were very quiet on the bottom bashing. Got very frustrating, as the mackerel would only bite on the lines I was using for bottom bashing with flurocarbon leaders and slice right through them. Finally something very fast took the heavier line with a fine wire trace rigged with a live gar, but unfortunately my favourite old reel (ABU Cardinal 757 vintage 1981) chose that moment for the spindle attached to the handle to die of old age, so I lost another nice fish. Story of the trip really.

Had to fall back on the ever relaiable bream for a feed most days. Here is a nice mangrove bank that can produce good fish at times, but not too many this trip:

More reliable is tis drop off at low tide. Photo taken from front steps of the house.

Had the crab pots out all week and managed only one keeper muddie. Apparently there were heaps of prawns around the first couple of days we were there, but I only had my brother's 6 foot non-drawstring cast net which was ok for herring and hardiheads but no good for prawns. Lost it on day 3 by not securing the wrist strap in 8 metres of water :blush: and drove into the Hervey Bay to get a replacement 9 foot drawstring net. Set out the next day to chase these big prawns. Left at the same time as the local pro, netted the same area for about 4 hours. He did better than me - he got 1 prawn :laugh: I got nothing!

Yesterday, I managed to get a nice cobia. Again just too small at 70cm, but still great fun. No piccie cos my wife wanted to take some high tide photos and I was always out fishing at high tide (and low tide, and in-between tides :laugh: ) Not too many fishy photos at all really. first year without kids means no deckie and I always forget to take happy snaps until after the fish are back in the water. Have to work on that.

Anyway, despite the lack of fish and crabs this week, it was still a fantastic break. I got so relaxed I keep having to take my pulse to see if I am actually alive.

Thanks for reading

Steve

[stewie]

Steve, the only pics I see are of your cods

[Old Scaley]

Try again. Piccie of the mangrove spot

[Old Scaley]

Here is the drop off out front of the house

[Old Scaley]

And finally , the view of the boat ramp beside the house

[adambris]

nice lookin place! those mangroves look very fishy.

adam

[Old Scaley]

Yea, Adam, it is like an aquarium some days - all sorts and sizes of fish. That particular area is a lot like Kalinga Bank down the pin, but not as busy and not quite as much run. I reckon I could fish there every day and it would be a little bit different.

[Feral]

Its a great spot, we used to stay there when doing the Lenthalls trips.

[adambris]

how long does it take to drive there?

adam

[ryanyoung]

Nice cods mate ! Ha ha, looks like a nice place for a holiday!

Cheers,

Ryan.

[barney87]

Thinking of going up in near future. Could I get the agents phone number?

Thanks.

[Feral]

Burrum heads is an old fashioned holiday town Barney, probably 50% of the houses are holiday rentals. Heaps of good uns to choose from. Have a look here, their web site is pretty good, they handle a lot of the rentals in Burrum herads

/>http://www.eldersburrumheads.com.au/

[Old Scaley]

Barney, see if you can get one of the houses right on the river. It will make the experience a lot more enjoyable even if it costs a few bob extra. Out of school holidays the rates are pretty good. If you have kids who need maccas and a lot of entertainment, this is not the spot for you, but if you are looking for a sleepy little fishing village with all the essentials in easy reach, give it a go.

[Feral]

Yeah its great for the kids, walk down for an ice cream at the shop of an arvo, wander along the river walk, great atmosphere.

[barney87]

Many Thanks

[Do$tylz]

wow.. didn't see this report. I love this area of QLD. Its such a short drive, but long enough to feel like you're going on a holiday. And the water is always beautiful and if you pick non school holiday times, you can literally be the only one on the water the entire day.

Beautiful.