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Lake Awoonga, October 2007

Terry H

By Terry H
in Freshwater

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Terry H Newbie

Terry H

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TEAM YAK DOMINATES AWOONGA 2007

Tuesday 23/10/2007

As the morning of the much anticipated trip to Lake Awoonga dawned upon Brisbane, I made the quickest escape of the year and was quickly on my way to pick up Lee. After a quick trip up Team Yak arrived at the cabins around 1pm, and after hearing of Brian’s and Graham’s 2 good barramundi we were more than keen to hit the water. After a short chat on some “successful†tactics to use, we were on our way and on the water by 3pm.

We launched from the southern boat ramp and trolled straight out into the main basin. As per the advice we were using deep diving lures, myself two Predatek Hyper Vipers in Elton Jack colour and a Ghost Rider. A short while after we started Lee had a massive hit which snapped his brand new Pflueger Trion a third of the way down. Then just to add insult to injury the hooks pulled and the fish was lost. Luckily for Lee he had brought a spare rod, a 10lb Daiwa Heartland, and was quickly back out trolling with two rods.

An hour or so into the troll, we saw some action! How exciting this was, Lake Awoonga, a massive dam well known for BIG Barramundi, me, trolling 140mm Hyper Vipers on 20 and 30lbs setups in a KAYAK! This excitement was quickly shattered as the line didn’t peel off, I didn’t get towed and this tiddler catfish had somehow managed to take enough of the lure to hook himself.

[img size=499]http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb161/pcsolutionman/Awoonga%202007/pa230008-web.jpg

Another 30 minutes later and the Catty Lure (Hyper Viper in Elton Jack colour) strikes again! Yet again, no fight just a dead weight and the excitement once again shatters into a million pieces. This particular catfish weighed in at 5lbs on the Bogagrips.

[img size=499]http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb161/pcsolutionman/Awoonga%202007/pa230007-web.jpg

Late in the day I decided to send Feral a text message \"2 fish c and r by me. We have photos. Lee 1 fish lost and rod broken\". - Laughter to ensue!

We continued trolling along our zig zag pattern across the old river bed in search of some Barramundi. Alas, this wasn’t to be and we called it a day just after sunset.

When we got back to the cabins, Feral and Ferg were the only two still out fishing. As we arrived the usually \"how'd ya go?\" was asked, to which our response: \"We got 2 fish\".

After that sunk in a little, we revealed they were only catfish. A nice laugh there.

Later we get a message from Feral that he'll be back soon - and that there was 2 fish caught! Just before he arrived at the cabins, Jamie made the joke: \"I wonder if he's talking about Terry's two catfish...\" Well, you wouldn't believe it, as Feral rocks up and expresses his excitement in the two fish that I caught (thinking they were Barra!), Lee and I are pissing ourselves laughing in the cabin. Poor Feral, sorry mate! Good call Jamie!

Wednesday 25/10/2007

Wednesday was an early start, and we were on the water shortly after Brian at about 3:30am. Once again we followed the common advice and trolled deep with deep diving lures and Lee even tried some slick rigs. Lee got one hit on the drop with the plastic, but he said it could have been anything – I reckon a catty!:) We moved onto a “small†inlet in Awoonga, which for all intents and purposes is as big as some dams! Lee worked a popper for a good hour or two, while I continued trolling up and down with some hyper vipers and vipers along an area which showed a few big fish on the sounder. Like the previous day, no Barra was to be had fishing this way.

By midday Lee and I had some lunch and decided where we should head in search of our first Barramundi. After some advice from an ol’ local who I thought gave the impression he doesn’t normally provide advice on locations, we decided to head over toward Dingo Island to fish some “good countryâ€Â. After a 4.5km paddle the lack of sleep had set in and I decided to drift aimlessly with the wind whilst I have a quick shut eye. Unbeknown to me, Lee had turned around and had just started peddling back! What a disaster that would have been! Luckily for us, my drift had put me right next to some weed beds, and we then turned our attention to the fishy looking drop off just outside of them.

How could I forget? On the way over Lee picked up this stunning catch:

[img size=499]http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb161/pcsolutionman/Awoonga%202007/pa250284-web.jpg

Marvellous effort Lee!

After a couple of trolls past this fishy looking weed bed Lee was onto the first Barra of the trip. Unfortunately this little fella around 70cm put on a nice show and went airborne almost immediately after being hooked, spitting the hooks in the process. By this stage, a few expletives – you know the ones – were shouted, before the fishing commenced. It wasn’t long before Lee had hooked up again with the lure he was casting. After a nice clean fight Lee managed to boat his first Barramundi, a bigger specimen at 80cm.

[img size=499]http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb161/pcsolutionman/Awoonga%202007/firstfish80cmbringingintoboat-web.jpg

[img size=499]http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb161/pcsolutionman/Awoonga%202007/firstfish80cm3-web.jpg

[img size=499]http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb161/pcsolutionman/Awoonga%202007/firstfish80cm4-web.jpg

Like all of our Barramundi, this one was released.

[img size=499]http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb161/pcsolutionman/Awoonga%202007/firstfish80cm7-web.jpg

[img size=499]http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb161/pcsolutionman/Awoonga%202007/firstfish80cm8-web.jpg

By this stage I was quite frustrated and was frequently yelling out words which cannot be repeated on this site. Some how I could troll the roughly the same line as Lee, at a similar speed at the time, yet my lures would catch some weed, or I’d get some stupid tangle. Then Lee hooks up again! Yeah, you can photograph that one yourself Lee, I want my own Barra!

Lee’s second Barramundi, a nice fish at 86cm.

[img size=499]http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb161/pcsolutionman/Awoonga%202007/secondfish86cm-web.jpg

[img size=499]http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb161/pcsolutionman/Awoonga%202007/secondfish86cm2-web.jpg

[img size=499]http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb161/pcsolutionman/Awoonga%202007/secondfish86cm3-web.jpg

Finally, I managed to get a troll past this weed bed without catching weed! BAM! The Viper in Ghost Rider colour gets slammed. My extremely high level of frustration quickly vanished as I struggled to pull my rod out of the holder (It barely fit in the holder – handle was too big!). After a nice short tussle, I slipped the Bogagrips into it’s mouth and then expressed my joy as I landed my first Barramundi! A lovely catch at 84cm, weighing 15lbs.

24-10-2007%20-%20Awoonga%20-%20Terry

Half an hour later, Lee’s Viper that he was casting just in front of the got smashed by a beast of a barra in a metre of water before leaping clear reaching a good metre high. Luckily this time the hooks weren’t thrown in the leap, and this particular Barra continued to leap another couple of times, literally metres from his yak. Unlike his first barra, his one tried every trick in the book, except digging himself in a tonne of weed, in an attempt to get free. After a nice fight – and no, there wasn’t any towing around the dam – Lee managed to get the lip grippers in his mouth.

Lee working that Barra

[img size=499]http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb161/pcsolutionman/Awoonga%202007/104cmactionshot2-web.jpg

Lee tries to pull him up. Yep, he’s got a bit of weight to him!

[img size=499]http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb161/pcsolutionman/Awoonga%202007/104cmfish1-web.jpg

[img size=499]http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb161/pcsolutionman/Awoonga%202007/104cmfish2-web.jpg

I then replaced the Berkley’s for some Bogas and popped him on my lap while Lee struggled to tow us through some thick weed to shore for some accurate measurements and more great shots.

I must admit, the Bogagrips are extremely good lip grippers. When a 29lbs barra goes spastic whilst your holding the bogas, and he twists around amongst his thrashing, it's still very easy to keep a hold of him!

[img size=499]http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb161/pcsolutionman/Awoonga%202007/104cmfish5-web.jpg

[img size=499]http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb161/pcsolutionman/Awoonga%202007/104cmfish7-web.jpg

On the Brag mate this guy went 104cm and the Bogagrips reported in at 29lbs.

[img size=499]http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb161/pcsolutionman/Awoonga%202007/104cmfish4-web.jpg

The release:

[img size=499]http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb161/pcsolutionman/Awoonga%202007/pa240260-web.jpg

[img size=499]http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb161/pcsolutionman/Awoonga%202007/pa240265-web.jpg

Lee would like to mention it’s an absolute blast pulling in a metre plus barra on 20lbs gear, and even though mine was only 84cm I’d have to agree!

Shortly after the wind had picked up and we commenced the long 5km paddle back to the boat ramp, straight into the afternoon wind. Once we arrived, numerous anglers were coming and going. In the traditional fisherman style, we enquired about others success (to which was very rare – the occasional ONE barra to THREE fisherman in a boat), before exclaiming our success of 5 fish (4 barra)! Some common responses were “Bulls…†“In that?â€Â. What can I say? “Here’s the photos.â€Â

Thursday 25/10/2007

Brian, Jamie and Scott were eager beavers and headed out early in the morning in an attempt to bag some Barra. I believe Brian can be quoted for saying: “We can’t let those bloody yakkers beat us!†More jokes ensued from the night before – like sabotaging our fishing by drilling holes in the yaks etc.

But Team Yak decided to sleep in, as it was clear this deep water at night business was a complete bust. It required far too many mindless trolls back and forth across a patch of water which, if you’re lucky, would result in a barra. So based on our success the previous day we lazily got out of bed around 7am and hit the water by 8am in search of more Barramundi from our weed bed.

I’m sure would like this to slip under the radar, but more catties! Sadly he was too shy for a shot the first time, but I got him on the second catty!

26-10-2007%20-%20Awoonga%20-%20Lee

After another 5km paddle it only took about an hour before Lee got a hook up in close to the weed bed. Unlike the previous days fish, this one wanted to play dirty and swam straight into some thick weed. After a while Lee locked the drag and dragged him out of the weed.

Lee would like to mention that: “Yep even on 20lb BRIAN lolâ€Â. Team Yak doesn’t need heavy sharking gear to catch these Barramundi! Before long Lee managed to boat another 80cm barra.

[img size=499]http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb161/pcsolutionman/Awoonga%202007/day2firstfish80cm-web.jpg

[img size=499]http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb161/pcsolutionman/Awoonga%202007/day2firstfish80cm2-web.jpg

It took another few hours before another Barra decided to take a lure and it was Lee again hooking up to a quality 84cm specimen.

[img size=499]http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb161/pcsolutionman/Awoonga%202007/day2secondfish384cm-web.jpg

Literally minutes after his second catch he was onto his third for the day, sixth for the trip! Like the second this was in the same spot, an area which Lee had seen several on the sounder. This one put on a show making several jumps before being landed. Another nice thick Awoonga Barra at 85cm.

[img size=499]http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb161/pcsolutionman/Awoonga%202007/day2thirdfish385cm-web.jpg

[img size=499]http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb161/pcsolutionman/Awoonga%202007/day2thirdfish285cm-web.jpg

We continued to fish the area hard, I certainly wanted another fish! There were several on the sounder but unfortunately none wanted to play. Like the first day, we started to paddle/peddle back to the ramp after another 25km travel around the dam. Lee beat me to the ramp, as I decided to have a half hour break and whilst waiting found out that no other angler he spoke to had caught any fish. This sort of makes me feel a little better… Of course, this was with the usual.. “In that?!†and disbelief that yes, we do catch fish from the kayaks!

I’m not sure, perhaps people don’t like the idea of guys catching these fish out of yaks, when they get none and use substantially heavier gear and bigger boats (one had a 100HP motor!) capable of going miles off the coast.

Friday 26/10/2007

We got up at 2am, but heard it looked miserable outside, so everyone in the cabin (Brian, Jamie, Scott, Lee and myself) stayed in to get a few more hours sleep. Team Yak decided we’d bagged enough barra and slowly packed up to head home.

We left mid morning and headed down to Lake Monduran to have a few minutes cast. I took out my new Pflueger Trion 66 baitcaster and Shimano Rack Riader Impoundment Barra in search of some more fish for it. Afterall, I didn't want those 2 catfish from Awoonga to be the only catch it's had! We tried casting near some fishy looking weed beds, and on the drop of one cast I managed this nice catty. I know it’s only a catty, but it gave me a considerable amount of stick for its size! It sure didn’t mind running me into the weeds.

Weed shot:

26-10-2007%20-%20Monduran%20-%20Terry

Clean:

26-10-2007%20-%20Monduran%20-%20Terry

One day it will catch me more than catfish.. :dry:

Tally (And notable size)

TEAM YAK

Lee: 6 Barra – 105cm, 4 Catties

Terry: 1 Barra – 84cm, 3 Catties

THE REST OF AFO

Brian: 1 Barra – 98cm, some catties at Monduran

Graham: 2 Barra – 105, 110cm

Ray: lots of catties on bait.

Scott: 2 Barra – 105cm

I’d like to make a special thanks to Brian for organising the event, and Ray for offering his sounder. You’re both champions.

Feral, I hope you get to land one this trip, you deserve one!

So after all the numerous jokes on how we'd get towed around for kilometres, or the fight would last hours, we boated the yaks pretty quickly, on 20lbs line, and the only \"towing\" the Barra did was stopping us drifting with the wind!

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werewolf Newbie

werewolf

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LOL terry mate I had a chuckle when I read \"TEAM YAK DOMINATES AWOONGA 2007\" and then the first pic was a catfish. It got better though! I recon all those km's were well worth it for just one decent barra of your own. Well done! BTW that's about the best report I've read on this site yet. Have a Karma +

Cannot wait to here more from the rest of the boys!

Edit: Curious, did you guys row to shore for every fish you caught to measure them? So someone towed the other yak each time?:huh:

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Dan23 Newbie

Dan23

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The yak I use is my Dad's two seater. You have to use a normal paddle so it can become difficult to troll. I tuck my rod under on leg so the main shaft presses against my other. Not the greatest way to do it but at laest when a fish strikes you don't have to take the rod out of a holder. Nealy lost it in the drink a few times doing this though. We have a sounder on ours which is awesome. Sometimes we'll be trolling and you'll see a school of big fish show up on the sounder and the anticipation is awesome. Many times Dad has said, \"big fish under the yak, get ready\". Count 3, 4, 5... Whack!! Awesome stuff. Wish I had your setup. Defnately a pipe dream though because I'd have no where to put it!

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Terry H Newbie

Terry H

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Snags? I don't know about further up the arms etc but the only snags I saw was weed. When the dam has a lot more water there would be big patches of dense sticks underwater. At the moment there aren't any, and the only snag is weed.

Dan23: Lee kept mentioning how he saw numerous big fish on the sounder but we'd never get a hook up. I think they're still quite sluggish at the moment. Perhaps when it warms up more they'll be more aggressive towards lures.

As for the setup: Some would have seen it in previous threads, but I have no problems with trolling and paddling. My triple mount scotty rod holder is well in front of me so I don't hit rods when paddling. I've also been wanting to get a sounder (and now a GPS) since I bought the yak.

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adventure_angler Newbie

adventure_angler

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ABSOLUTELY AWESOME REPORT GUYS!!!

You should send that in to a magazine to really rub it into all the boaties out there!

Once this semester ends I will be keen as to get out and do a few forum organised yak trips too. Stanley, Mary, Awoonga all sound good to me. Is it hard to find somewhere to camp up there over the Christmas break?

Well done on some great fish guys....

the barra arent that bad either :P

-Nelson-

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Terry H Newbie

Terry H

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Ahahah Lee - I forgot that shot.. that's great!

Boat traffic was ok, a lot of guys even slowed down when they went passed me, dunno why it's not like they're wash was going to topple me over.

I think people don't give Kayaks enough credit!

I'm keen to hit up Awoonga later in the year in the kayaks again!! ... \"IN THAT?!?\"

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ellicat Grand Master

ellicat

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TerryH wrote:

Ahahah Lee - I forgot that shot.. that's great!

Boat traffic was ok, a lot of guys even slowed down when they went passed me, dunno why it's not like they're wash was going to topple me over.

I think people don't give Kayaks enough credit!

I'm keen to hit up Awoonga later in the year in the kayaks again!! ... \"IN THAT?!?\"

I think it's probably a courtesy thing. I slow down for boats too (if I'm close enough). Just fishos showing respect for other fishos.:)

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polyphonic Newbie

polyphonic

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Well I haven't put up a report as yet as unfortunatly I have nothing to report after chasing Barra I only managed to hook 1 that got off during the fight.:(

Scott my deckie for the week picked up 2 for the trip 105 trolling and a 68 from casting plastics.So at least we got a couple in the boat.:)

[img size=150]

Must say I did have a great time and will be going back.

Just got a call from Feral and they were broken into last night. Ray and Graham lost a range of Loomis and overheads and Feral had his leccy taken.:( [img size=499]http://www.australianfishing.com.au/media/kunena/attachments/legacy/images/Awoonga_023_AFO.jpg

post-458-144598430555_thumb.jpg

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pcsolutionman Newbie

pcsolutionman

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man what a bumma some derro breaking in and stealing all that gear, if I found the little bugger oooooooh .

Jamie sad to hear you didnt bag one mate you really deserved one with all the hours you and scott put in. I guess you did your job as the skipper and found a couple you just had them stolen from under your nose lol

Lee

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Feral Newbie

Feral

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I am home, but buggered, yeah quite a bit of gear stolen from us and a couple of other cabins.

The yakkers kicked our buts big time, :) good on em.

I'll get some photo's up, and some details in the next day or so, but this pic says it all for Brian. This is truly the money shot!

P1090068AFO.jpg

These from Monduran say it all for me!

P1090048AFO.jpg

P1090051AFO.jpg

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