queensland Sick of getting busted up

[tiotony]

Ok back to barra corner again last night. Perfect tide and prawns everywhere- got about 30 in the first cast so continued for half an hour and got about 5kg worth for the table. Down the wharf to barra corner and seeing big hump backs with yellow tails and glowing pink eyes in the shadows of the wharf. Knew a big live prawn wasnt going to last long in the water. Sure enough instant hookup dropping a prawn in front of a barra only to be skunked on the pylons. 8 bustups in a row followed with a fat 44cm jack thrown in.

This is getting ridiculous, if only I could hook a fish in open water or of a more manageable size like around 80cm. I guess its saying good things for the fishery though, in 15 years of fishing that spot I have never seen anywhere near the numbers and size of fish that are there this year. To be continually skunked on 24kg braid is saying something, and I am sighting at least a dozen big fish every time I go down. What is working against me getting runs on the board is that they are just not holding in open water off the wharf at all, and every fish is 1 metre plus. 10 years ago the fish averaged around 75cm but now all I see are monsters.

Next time I'm fishing off the wharf a bit in open water to give myself a chance to play a fish out. They are only holding in the shadows of the wharf but I'll wait it out to see if I can hook a stray in open water.

[Dazzamcgee]

Ever heard of a 100lbs line??

Well done with the Jack!

Keep the reports coming I want to see ya land one!!!!

[tiotony]

my missus tried a 100 pound handline last night (mainly because she lost the drag screw on her reel). Not a touch on it, those barra are smart!

[madmullet]

nice jack... try 80lb jinki as a 50m wind on.....

[ryanyoung]

Must be frustrating mate, but geez, I wish I was you lol!!!

Cheers,

Ryan.

[eg_vtec]

another session full of bust off. better luck next time. what kind of size reel and rod are you using? nice jack though

[Guest]

Mate nice fish, but I wish i only had your luck lol..... I cant even get a hit maybe becouse im using Hard Body Lures at night. But it would be nice to here my line scream even if its heading to a pole.

Im Jelous of you lol :blush:

[tiotony]

37kg shimano tcurve deep jig rod, okuma catalina overhead, 24kg braid, 30kg flourocarbon leader to a 7/0 circle hook baited with an unweighted big live prawn. Drift down in the shadows or drop in front of a fish and hang on tight or the rod gets ripped out of your hands.

Since the monsoons stopped this week they have been hanging just under the wharf on the uptide side, boofing every fish and prawn that floats down as soon as it hits the shadows. Typical of big barra they're not tailwalking on the surface and hence tiring themselves, but just doing unstoppable deep runs under the wharf. I am redlining on the 24kg too but they are just too big and powerful.

I got the jack in another section of the wharf that's good for fingermark, was taking a break from getting busted up in the barra zone, but got busted once there too from what was probably a thumping fingermark.

Maybe I'll give it a break for a bit to prevent depression! My mate I usually fish with down there is giving it a break as he is sick of getting busted too. Also fishing out from the wharf a bit under the lights gets tiring too- you just catch one tarpon after another and the temptation is too great to drop it down in front of the barra swimming under your feet.

There's a big QLD groper about 80kg Iv'e seen twice hanging around in the zone as well, wouldn't be surprised if he's wearing some of my hooks and SP's as jewellery.

[eg_vtec]

thats some heavy gear! and still getting the bust off. so Crazy!!

[tiotony]

Get a posting to 51FNQ Ryan and it could be you getting frustrated!

[ellicat]

Longer rod

Long wire leader

Stop the drifting bait short of the target

or try out the bow and arrow.

[tiotony]

I wish I could go heavier, but seen them like this before when they will only take the most natural presentation, typical fussy big barra in an urban environment- even using a tiny sinker will turn them off. Also got to get right in the strike zone, 1 metre off and they won't take it. Not the first time I've seen them like this, and sometimes I go down and they are busting up under the lights everywhere and will take anything you throw at them, doesn't happen often though!

I could probably gaff one while its sitting in the shadows, but its just not sporting!

[dassa]

That jack looks like he's been in war's with those barra but it's looks like he's been eatting well and bad luck on getting fraged up you might have to try out of a boat if ya can.

Your in townsvile arn't you?

[tiotony]

No I'm in Cairns Dassa, fishing trinity inlet in town.

Yeah noticed myself the jack came up all banged up, but he was hugely fat.

[yoyo]

tiotony i will be up in cairns the week after next for work, happy to come and get busted off with you !

let me know and i will pack my jigging gear and see how they like that!

[tiotony]

Alright job's on then yoyo, I think I'll still be in town. Bring some lighter gear just in case the big stuff has gone off and can smash GT's/tarpon etc instead.