queensland Brisbane River Session #8

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

Hi all

I was planning to go out this weekend, but since we were busy I just marched down to the local park to have a fish. It was pretty nice but the results weren't the best. Here it is-

So, I spent last night rigging/preparing my rods/tackle and getting killed by mozzies. I watched the All Star's Game too, and that was good. When I rocked up on the jetty this morning, it was pretty cool, the tide was rising, blue, lightly cloudy sky and pretty windy. Since I was sheltered though, I wasn't getting any. I cast my lines out, baited with a mix of herring, mullet, prawns and eel. The target species were sharks, bream, cod and just for fun, catfish  

Getting to the jetty

Nice sky

I was fishing of the wharf bit at first, but with the rising tide it was pushing my line towards the pylons/under the jetty. I didn't get touched apart from the resident pylon pickers, (probably baby river perch) so in about 30 minutes I moved my lines to the jetty. This was far more efficient, as I could put two lines out the back and keep an eye on the shark rod, baited with a chunk of eel. I got my first run in about 10 minutes, but no hook up. To make it even worse, when I wound it back in, the bait was still on which meant it had just sucked it in and spat it out - silly catfish!

The Setup

This happened about 5 more times and then I moved back to the wharf, fishing the eddy/channel made from the wharf and jetty. It made fishing a bit easier, I had one line out the front and the other sitting in the channel. While the line out the front was getting hits and some good runs, I failed to hook up. Though, every time the bait was still on when I retrieved it. Finally, I hooked up on the line in the channel, and it was quite a feisty fight. The catfish jumped under the jetty, but I kept a tight line so it could't flick the hook.

Forktail Catfish

After that fella was dealt with, the skies started to look threatening and the bite was going strong, but no more fish, There was a light shower but it must've missed me because I reckon it looked like a storm cloud.

It missed me

My dad then came down and picked me up, and my Albright knot snapped clean off, causing me to loose a trace and some leader - I assume the knot weakened the line but I also might've casted to hard as I'd casted it about 5 times before.

Here are the trips statistics - 

Tide: Low Tide, 0.3m, 3:40AM, High Tide, 10:30AM, 2.3M

Time fished: 6:40Am-10:00AM

Moon phase: Waning Crescent Phase, so growing smaller until the new moon

Bait Used: Herring, mullet, prawns, eel

Bait Caught: - 

Fish Caught: Catfish x 1

Tackle Used: 14lb braid mainline, 20lb fluorocarbon leader, 12lb mono leader, 80lb mono leader, 80lb wire trace, size 6 sinker, size 2 bean sinker, 650 penn reel, 30lb braid mainline, Shimano Nasci 2500, Shimano Sienna 1000, Diawa Shinobi 2500, Ugly Stik 6'6", Ugly Stik 8'

Overall Success Rate: 40%, was relaxing and at least I didn't donut

Hope you enjoyed the report,

Cheers Hamish  

[Brodie_S]

Unlucky you only got 1 fish at least it was relaxing . Hope you have a better hookup rate next time

[The Mad Hughesy]

that caty would be a great sized live bait..

 

keep persisting mate! enjoying the reports as i dont get to fish much these days hah

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

Hi christophagus

Yeah, I've never tried using catties as live bait, do you cut the spines off first?

Hope you get out soon,

Cheers Hamish  

[The Mad Hughesy]

44 minutes ago, AUS-BNE-FISHO said:

Hi christophagus

Yeah, I've never tried using catties as live bait, do you cut the spines off first?

Hope you get out soon,

Cheers Hamish  

yeah you can do, ive been stuck by cat fish spines before...they give a good tickle!! just a quick snap off with the pliers does the job.

 

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

Hey christophagus

Thanks for the tips, will do next time  

Cheers Hamish

[AxSeagull]

Out of curiosity, what brand lines are you using? I have seen a couple of your posts say your line was snapping or weakened at the knot and wanted to know if it was the brand you are using. I've been using braid to leader for 15+ years and have only been snapped by snags or fish bigger than the breaking strain. 

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

Hi AxSeagull

I use J-braid or Platypus line.

Do you think it's these brands?

Cheers Hamish  

[AxSeagull]

Just now, AUS-BNE-FISHO said:

Hi AxSeagull

I use J-braid or Platypus line.

Do you think it's these brands?

Cheers Hamish  

I have just started using J-Braid so I hope not 

I do notice my knots slip a lot more when tying heavier leader to light braid though so it could be that. Maybe try doubling the braid before tying to leader.

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

Hey AxSeagull

Yes, I have found when just using light knots J-braid is exceptional. That may well be the reason as when I'm live baiting in the river in the CBD or up, I will use 80lb leader, so I could probably try doubling the braid next time.

Thanks for the tips, 

Cheers Hamish