Jungle Perch

[Aaron H]

Hey guys was reading an article from modern fishing (daydreaming during the quiet times at work again;) keeps me sane) And I stumbled upon an article about targetting Sooties and JPs up North. I tell u what it looks like some fun, pristine environment and the fish looked a good size to, anyone on here ever caught them and know there southern most limit, or am I dreaming about an unattainable species again:(

[Angus]

Its would take a trip mate i think.

But we could do it

Simon Harmon was telling me the other day he got onto some really good sooties in teh fresh at Bundy only a couple weeks ago.

I would love to catch jungle perch out of little rain forest streams though mate. Awesome experience.

Angus

[Aaron H]

I'll Definitely research this one I think nothing better than fishing remote areas where bugger all people go, I've knocked off work, sitting at home and still day dreaming:blush: I need a life:laugh:

[Feral]

I've fished for jungle perch when I was young and fit.

A Lot of work, caught a few, not really worth the effort I reckon. But it was bewdiful country!

[Aaron H]

did ya get any sooties as well Andrew?

[Feral]

Dont think so Aaron, I was specifically targeting the Perch, might have got the odd one and not known what it was!

[mackmauler]

ive caught some big jungles within 400km of brissy best was 45cm, they dont fight as hard as a bass imo but stunning fish, id be in some trouble if i gave the spot out lol

[ellicat]

Feral wrote:

Dont think so Aaron, I was specifically targeting the Perch, might have got the odd one and not known what it was!

I reckon if you'd caught a Sootie Feral you would have taken the time to find out what it was. They go pretty hard;)

[Feral]

I caught mine while working on the Road up at Sarina, went up into the mountains behind Mackay with the local lads on weekends

[Schultzy]

Aaron,

Southern most limit is Logan River. They are quite rare in the southern part of their range. Biggest one I ever saw came from the Brissie River at Mt Crosby, went 52cm. Have caught several in the Mary River, but there again you could fish for alot of years without catching one.

If targeting them I start looking from Townsville north. Still reasonable numbers in the larger rivers of north Qld, usually in really difficult country, (where the mob won't walk).

Very wary fish, too handsome and special to keep.

[img size=500]http://www.australianfishing.com.au/media/kunena/attachments/legacy/images/junglie_M50D.jpg

[Feral]

Biggest I ever caught was only about 10 inches.

[Aaron H]

Awesome thanks guys, I never knew they were sown so far South.

It's the areas they are found in that is half the appeal I think, I go through these stages where I just have to get away from the city:laugh:

[Pelican]

Tell us how you go Aaron, id give my left arm to catch a jungle perch but it seems such a trek. definitely number one on my \"to catch\" list.

[James W]

i have heard that jp's were once found in kedron brook many many years ago....they are pretty fish thats for sure....when i lived in mackay i used to fish kinchant dam a lot and the sootys in there were great to catch and they went pretty hard too:)

so when ya going in search of a jp aaron?

[Aaron H]

Hmmmm, how long to drive to Mackay about 10 hrs? Definitely not a weekend trip might have to wait until next years holidays, havent figured out how I'm going to sell this one to the missus yet:whistle: lovely romantic walk in the rainforest with backpacks full of fishing gear:evil:

[Brian D]

To much hard work for me - if I go that far I'll take the boat and play in Hinchenbrook. Lets see:whistle: 80cm salt barra plus what ever else turns up or 25cm fresh water bream and a romantic walk with Aaron:sick: :pinch: I don't think so:woohoo: .:pinch:

[werewolf]

I have caught a few back in the day up Ingham way. We used both SPs and small HBs. The water was so clear we could sight cast to them!!!

Pic: a pair of JPs caught sight casting:laugh:

[img size=448]http://www.australianfishing.com.au/media/kunena/attachments/legacy/images/jp_s1.JPG

[werewolf]

Dad with a fat JP from the same creek

[img size=448]http://www.australianfishing.com.au/media/kunena/attachments/legacy/images/jp_s2.JPG

[Aaron H]

Awesome Werewolf where is Ingham?

[Aaron H]

Never mind I ran it through whereis program and found it to be 16hours and 42 min from Runcorn:(

[jeff f]

aron there is a good article on sooties in the current fish and boat fishing paper

where how stocked dams etc

[werewolf]

haha okay Aaron. I'm not sure where Runcorn is but over 16 travel from anywhere in SEQ should get you to Bullocky Tom's creek;)