queensland Brisbane River Session #9 And #10

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

Hi all

This weekend has been a busy one for me but I still managed to squeeze some fishing in. The tides were checked and it was decided we would go to the Green Bridge for a session targeting threadfin salmon, mulloway and sharks, live baiting. We left at about 6:40PM, after I had finished tennis (I lost 6-3 ) and we were shocked to see the amount of lines and people there. I counted 20 people, all trying to squeeze on to this pontoon. What made matters even worse was when I discovered someone had kept a threadfin, left it lying on the jetty with scales everywhere and didn't even have the courtesy to clean up at the end! It looked undersize as well, but the tail was chopped off and I was told it was 72cm. 

After the initial 'Oh crap, I'm not going to be able to fish in this' thought, I managed to squeeze two out of five lines in. One at the end, and one bream line towards the mangroves. It didn't take long for some action to happen, but not for me. One of the larger groups had pulled up a nice big buck, in about 20 minutes of me getting there (7:00PM). It had wire wrapped all around it, and once they cleaned it up I don't think release was even thought of. Straight into their esky, but nothing wrong with that as it as legal and a feed  I'd caught one there myself a while back, so it does mean muddies hang around there. 

Just about the same time, those people pulled up a goliath of a cattie. I mean it was 60cm plus, and it was fat as. It also was kept, left laying on the jetty for a couple minutes before being chucked in their esky. These people must be a regular crowd, I'd say they go there a lot as they were the same people as last time. To be honest, I think it's a bit of a shame because they don't clean up and soon this destination will be known to the world and heavily fished (when it opened it had little to no fishing pressure of huge groups, now, not so much). 

For about the next hour, nothing happened. My dad and I got some bait (prawns, mullet, frogmouth pilchards, herring) and the only thing that proceeded to be caught was vermin (pike and catfish). Eventually, one of the groups left so I swooped in to get a spot and i did. I had my livie (well, deady) on the hook and i was praying for a hookup. Nothing happened except tangles though, and when I went to re-bait i was shocked by how rude this lady was who immediately casted her line right where I was seated when I walked two metres to get some bait - some people  .

We called it quits at about 9:00PM, but the session was not a complete waste. My dad and brother sussed out the rock wall on the other side, so we will try this destination next time, most likely at day time - 

Here are the statistics of the trip for anyone's reference, I assume we were fishing the right tides/moons as every man and his dog was there but it may just be because this is their chosen time.

Statistics of Trip

Tackle Used: Penn 650, 30lb braid, 80lb leader and trace, size 6 ball sinker. Jarvis walker setup, 30lb braid, 100lb leader, 80lb trace. Diawa Shinobi 2500 20lb leader, size 4 ball sinker, 80lb trace, 4/o-6/0 circle hooks. Same on other setup except for bream gear, 20lb with size 2 ball and 2/o suicide hook. 1000 and 25000 Shimano Sienna and nasci, both with 14lb braid.

Tide: 3:45Pm low, .4m, 9:10PM high, 1.9m - we were fishing the rising tide

Moon: Waxing Gibbous - more than half but not quite full

Bait: Herring, Prawns, Mullet

Bait Caught: Frogmouth pilchards, mullet, herring, prawns

Fish Caught: Another donut, I'm starting a drought

Time fished: 6:40PM-9:00PM

Overall Success Rate: A solid 60% - no fish and crowds were there but a new spot sussed out.

Now, some of you may be wondering why I've got number #10 up there too. Well, I wasn't going to report another donut for everyone so I decided to go to the local park this afternoon with Declan. I also made a new investment to a fishing trolley ($50 Kmart trolley) so hopefully it serves me well (will post up some pictures on another topic).

I got down to the local park and chopped up some of our supermarket prawn (no frozen stuff in the freezer). Within two minutes of me casting out my line, I got a take. I managed to hook him pretty well, and from the great fight he put up on light gear I suspected he might've been a bigger catty. It certainly had some go in it, that's for sure, and here's the photo's Declan took - 

After that, the bite went a bit quiet. I had a flick with a prawn imitation plastic in the shallows to see if i could snag a flathead, but maybe it was just a fluke when I got that lizard. About 20 minutes later though, Declan's line went off again. I missed the hook up, but i think for a better hook up rate i should strate tightening the drag a bit more (I have the drag loose like you would when shark fishing). Declan's friend from down the road came and found him though, so off they went together. Now, it was up to me to catch a fair fish.

I had had about an hour of no fish and then my rod went off. I was not going to lose this fi- to late, already had. I waited patiently about another half hour, having the odd conversation with passers by. Eventually, my rod went off and I set the hook. I was on! After some aerobatics about 25m out, I landed a nice forkie, which was a bit smaller than the last- 

That was the last fish for the day because then my mum came and told me to pack up my stuff and get home!  Here are the stats of the trip-

Statistics of Trip-

Tide: I was fishing the run out, must've only been .3m (from a 2.5m high)

Moon Phase: Same as the last - a bit over 50% but no quite full

Bait used: Prawns, mullet, herring

Bait Caught: - 

Fish Caught: Forktail Catfish x2

Tackle Used: 650 Penn reel, 30lb braid, 80lb wire (shark rig), 14lb braid mainline, 20lb leader, 2/o-4/o suicide hook, size 2 sinkers, size 6 sinker

Time fished: 2:45PM-5:30PM

Overall success Rating: 70%, a nice afternoon out

[ellicat]

Time well spent. Shame about the bogans on your first trip, but you can only control what's in your control.

Some of your setups seem a bit on the heavy side to me. Have you considered going lighter ? When fishing the river I generally use 15lb braid with a 20 or 30lb leader. I'm not fishing particularly rocky areas though.

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

Hi ellicat

Yes, you're right. I do go a bit heavy but that is simply so I can still land sharks. I suppose if my circle hooks do their job though, going lighter wouldn't be a problem. I might start using 30 pound leader again, or even go down to 20lb if the bite is slow.  Thanks for the pointer. This area isn't very snaggy, with only one snag and then some bridge/jetty pylons.  

Cheers Hamish

[Old Scaley]

That rocky area near the bridge has some good places to fish from. I used to take my boys there when they were young and we usually caught bream and COD, with odd flathead thrown in. A few good eddies around the rocks to aim at. Not sure how clear the path is and I have seen the odd snake there so be careful climbing down.

when you buy the supermarket prawns, make sure you only buy Australian green prawns to make sure there is no disease transfer. If you are travelling anywhere near Lytton, drop in to Mr Bait and pick up a few packs of frozen local prawns. They will be cheaper and you know there is no chance of white spot. 

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

Hi Old Scaley

Good to know there are fish there, my dad did say the path was pretty wild and grassy. I made sure to buy supermarket Australian green prawns too, thanks for the recommendation on the tackle shop too. I will go there if I ever fish around Lytton. Could you cast net from those rocks?

Cheers Hamish  

[Old Scaley]

2 hours ago, AUS-BNE-FISHO said:

Hi Old Scaley

Good to know there are fish there, my dad did say the path was pretty wild and grassy. I made sure to buy supermarket Australian green prawns too, thanks for the recommendation on the tackle shop too. I will go there if I ever fish around Lytton. Could you cast net from those rocks?

Cheers Hamish  

I wouldn’t recommend cast netting because of the rocks and other snags. Maybe throw your net around the fishing platform before you go to the rocks? BTW, I hope your addiction to AFO is not interfering with your classroom work?

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

Hi Old Scaley

Thanks for the advice  

I would not say AFO is interfering with my classroom work either, the only time I can go on it is when the teacher gives us free time between double lessons (a bit over five minutes max). 

Cheers Hamish