queensland Brisbane River Session #64, #65, #66, #67, And #68!!!

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

Hi all

Well I haven't reported recently, but I plan to get back into it now it's holidays. This thread will be about my sessions from Saturday arvo until now. The first session was unfortunately a donut. The next session, which was just a bit of a fish at the AFO Christmas party, was with Kat... Then, the final sessions,  which brought the goods. 

I got to the local park a bit before three on Saturday, and deployed the lines. Dead herring and dead poddy mullet were the bait of choice as I was out of prawns. I'll have to go and catch some to stock up at Colmslie with Dad I think. The lines were deployed and it was about half way through the run out. I gave the cast nets a couple throws for no joy, so I decided to put them away for now. The little rod with herring was getting a couple picks so I gave it a little lift. The rod loaded up but then it dropped it. That just told me the pickers were there, so I moved the rod to the other side of the wharf. I changed baits a few times, from bits of mullet to bits of herring. 

It was really, really quiet - not a single bite. I started doing some more cast netting. The second throw though, the salmon line was buckled over. I got the net up as quick as I could, and ran down to the jetty. I walked back and set the hook - the fight was on. I cranked up, and the fish ran back down. I started making some progress on it, and after a steady game of tug of war I only had the pylons to navigate it around. Of course, the second it got close, it went straight in. My line got caught on the pylon, and even though I desperately tried to get it off the fish just took another speedy run. 

*Cut*

*Hamish has tantrum, takes a solid five to calm down* 

 

I got back to my cart and re-rigged the line, this time tying on a mono leader (longer), so I walked back down with another mullet on my line and threw it back out. I was thinking this fish might be a salmon, due to the big runs, but it also could've been an OK size bully I suppose. I'll never know now, as I haven't caught anything with one of my hooks hanging out of it's gob yet but I'm still waiting! Lol. The next half hour or so was very quiet, with no bites at all. 

I saw the rod on the other side of the wharf (the tide had changed to rising) and the line was on a weird angle. I picked up the rod slowly and lifted the hook - it took off! Unfortuenately the fish spat the hook as soon as I realised what might be on - a flatty. It's the only fish that would do that I think and there's a good chance it was just asleep with my bait in it's mouth (live herring which I caught). I was getting a couple little poddy mullet now, but that wasn't much. At least every line had some good bait on it. 

The final bust off came towards the end of the session (or was supposed to be anyways). It took the line in the structure, and this fish just picked up the bait and ran! I had complete lack of control over this bugger, and it just didn't stop! Boy, was this frustrating! It then stopped running, and I tried making head way on it. Nope - it had other plans. It kept running, non-stop, until the line rubbed off on the pylon. Nooo! My dad was down shortly after and he cast netted some OK herring, and one big one which was on the salmon line for about 5 minutes all up. That still did not entice anything, so I was majorly disappointed by the time this session was over. 

As I left though, I'm still pretty sure of it - I saw a shooting star! I actually got a photo so I was quite happy with myself - 

Whizz!

Here are the stats of this busted off trip - 

Stats of Trip:

Tide: 9:40AM 2.1M High, 4:00PM, .5M Low, 9:40PM, 1.8M, High

Moon phase: Waxing Gibbous 

Bait caught: Herring, Glassy

Bait used: Live Herring, Mullet 

Fish caught: -

Air pressure: 1016.3

Humidity: 70%

Wind: Heavy, but died down 

Weather: Windy, Sunny 

Tackle used: 12lb, 14lb, 30lb braid mainlines, 20lb fluorocarbon leader, 80lb mono traces, 4/o suicide hook, 6/o circle hook, size 2 ball sinker, size 6 or so bean sinker, Size 2500 Shimano And Diawa Nasci and Shinobi, Size 650 Penn SSM, Abu Garcia Veritas, Ugly Stik 8", Rogure Firepoint boat rod.

Overall success rate 60%

The next session was at the AFO Christmas party. It was awesome chatting to everybody there, and I think I did more eating and talking than fishing. Lol. Kat and I went to the jetty at Orleigh Park though, and tried getting live bait. In total, I got three - a mullet, a herring, and a frogmouth pilchard.  I chucked them out on the lines though, and got fishing. Kat had been there for a lot longer than me, and only gotten one run on her shark line. 

After lots of bait checks, and new casts, Leo (Leosonfire) and I went to the line and realised that one of my lines was snipped! A fish must've taken the line and wrapped it around a rock . We later saw a bream floating up, so figured there could've been a good chance it was that. I tried hooking it up with my line, but it was tied down and when I got it, it wouldn't come up. I guess that's some free bully food! There were no sharks on this short session, but here are the stats  

Stats of Trip - 

Tide: High, 9:40AM, 2.2M, Low, 4:00PM, .5M.

Moon Phase: 95% full so lots of run

Weather: Sunny, hot

Time Fished: Around Noon

Tackle Used: 14lb, 30lb braid mainlines, 20-80lb leaders, size 2 and 6 ball sinkers, size 4/o hooks, large barrel swivel, size Penn SSM 650, Size 2500 Shimano Nasci, Rogue Firepoint Boat rod, Ugly Stik 8". 

Bait caught: Herring, mullet, frogmouth pilly

Fish caught: -

Bait used: Herring, mullet, frogmouth pilly

Overall Success Rate: 30% - dismal

The third session was on Monday arvo, chasing salmon again. I deployed the line with a whole herring and the other lines with herring as well. Once again, I was at the park just before 3:00PM,  and I decided to get the cast net out. I threw in the normal spots for no joy, so I put it away figuring the tide was too high. I sat back down and for about twenty minutes there was no bend in the rods... Then, I saw the salmon line going over. I pretty well knew what it was, as the bully provided a sluggish account of itself. I cranked him up though, and instead of just lifting him I decided to loosen the drag right off and run back to grab the net. He ran out a bit, but luckily I netted him up in no time. Few. 

A rather chunky bully - a bit over 80CM perhaps? 

I got the line out again, with another herring (seeing as though they were working). The other lines were not getting very much action at all. I was sitting in the hot sun watching everything like a hawk, and I only saw the odd picker attack on the line in the structure. It was really hot, and I was thanking myself for bringing my drink bottle full of ice. I wasn't covered up to well on the legs, but then sun wouldn't even see me above the waist. Balaclava, sunnies, long sleeve shirt.. No sunburn here . It wasn't long before the line went off again, this time seemingly better. I got down there and began the fight. The fish put up a good account of itself - runs in the fight, and as I was about to land it running into structure. It was a pain to net as it would keep running away, practilly getting me off balance at one point . I got him in the net though - bully number two! 

Nice!

It is also worth mentioning before this, I had a big take on the line. It just took the bait and ran, then lept out. I assume it was a bully but I didn't get a positive ID on it. Anyways, it left it's mark on the herring (which caught that bully, haha) as it was missing something - 

Decaptiated

The next catch was when the tide was a bit lower. After a while of just aimlessly sitting down checking the lines, (snagged numerous times) I also moved the cod line to the other spot on the jetty where I have caught salmon. I really think this spot fishes best with prawns for smaller fish as I cannot get anything on herring on the lighter lines! I felt some tugging in the net and I had my hopes high for a big mullet, but instead up came a small breambo. Before you tell me I should've kept him for bait - I thought about it, but I couldn't bring myself to throw out a bream and waste it on small bullies. He was perfect size, regardless. 

Bait?

After lots more waiting about, it began to cool off (mildly). The clouds started to come out so I could take off my sunnies and balaclava. My dad was coming down soon as well, and in this time a bit more cast netting had been performed for some mullet and herring. I then saw the rod go over when I was mid cast so I yanked the net up and started to pull up. It felt OK, and after a quick fight up came a similiar size bully as before. My dad came down right at this moment luckily, and he netted up the bully for me. I got a quick piccy and let him go. 

OK one

Measure

That's that session done now, because apart from the herring dad got in the net (and the big herring that was soaking on the livie line) all was quiet. Here are the stats of that trip. 

Stats of Trip - 

Tide: High, 11:30AM, 2.3M, Low, 5:00PM, .5M

Moon Phase: Pretty much a full moon so lots of run

Fish Caught: Bull Shark x 3

Bait Caught: Herring and a couple little mullet

Bait used: Dead herring mainly, and livies

Tackle Used: 12lb, 14lb, 30lb braid mainlines, 20lb fluorocarbon leader, 80lb mono traces, 4/o suicide hook, 6/o circle hook, size 2 ball sinker, size 6 or so bean sinker, Size 2500 Shimano And Diawa Nasci and Shinobi, Size 650 Penn SSM, Abu Garcia Veritas, Ugly Stik 8", Rogure Firepoint boat rod.

Weather: Cloudy, breezey, hot

Time Fished: 2:45PM - 6:00PM

Overall Success Rate: 65% - Good fun

Now, the next one was a bit more fun and consistent with bullies. I got to the park once again, a bit before 3:00PM, and deployed the lines with some herring. The herring didn't last long... I baited the other lines to try and entice something else, but nothing happened on them. I then looked down and saw the rod buckled over. I picked it up, stepped back to set the hook - and I was on! I cranked line in and it ran towards the pylons, but luckily I got him in the net (after trying about five times). He fought well so I was pretty excited after it. Here it is (sorry, the photo is no good). 

He was feisty

I grabbed him on the top, and jogged him back down to the waters edge. Unfortunately, despite using a circle, the hook was down this fellas gob. I snipped the line and with a quick swimming he was on his way. To put you in perspective, the sharks were so thick that they were breaching on the surface. At first I wondered what all the random splashing was, but then I saw one free swimming. That gave me a shock! It went a bit quiet then, and I didn't see any more action. The other lines were just sitting there, and eventually they both got snagged up and busted off. This was really annoying me. 

After about an hour, the line went off. It had eel on it, so I didn't know if it would work. The bully that came up after a good fight though looked like he enjoyed it, so I took that as a yes . It was a pain netting him, and I did my back in but I eventually got him up. I managed to get the hook out of this guy... And you're not going to believe this. You know how I said that there was a fish that took my line and didn't stop under the jetty? Well guess who had the exact same hook rusting out of his gob . I got that one out too, so the shark swam away piercing free. Another successful release. I was pretty happy now that I had three so I just chucked the same chunk of eel back in and kept fishing. 

OK Bully

The next bully came fifteen minutes after on the same chunk of eel. It put up a good fight, but on closer examination I realised he was bleeding in the gills (gut hooked). I was going to tell dad we had a keeper, but then it slipped/kicked off my hands back into the river. I hope it's still living, that's for sure. The other lines were still quiet as anything, and it seemed the only thing I could entice a bite from was a shark!

Like catfish! 

After he went back, I re rigged and chucked out another slab of eel. It was exciting in the intermission between fish, as I didn't know when the fish would bite. Haha. The final shark of the day fought well, with some runs into structure. Before this fella, I had a taker on the line that didn't stop running, but then when I set the hook (or tried too) he spat the bait. Maybe that was a bigger sucker that was in there? Anyways, I got him up and de hooked him. He took a good 3 minute swim, but he splashed off the strongest of any shark.  

Overall, it was a good trip with a new PB of 81cm. Here are the stats of that trip - 

Stats of Trip  -

Tide: High, 12:30PM, 2.3M, 6:30PM, .5M, Low

Moon Phase: Pretty well full so lots of run

Weather: Slightly cloudy and windy, hot, sunny

Fish Caught: 5 x Bull Shark

Bait caught: Not much

Bait used: Eel, herring - dead

Tackle Used: 12lb, 14lb, 30lb braid mainlines, 20lb fluorocarbon leader, 80lb mono traces, 4/o suicide hook, 6/o circle hook, size 2 ball sinker, size 6 or so bean sinker, Size 2500 Shimano And Diawa Nasci and Shinobi, Size 650 Penn SSM, Abu Garcia Veritas, Ugly Stik 8", Rogue Firepoint boat rod.

Time Fished: 2:30PM (or so) - 6:00PM

Overall Success Rate: 85% - Good fishing!

Now, to the final session. It was just a quickie, at about an hour and a half, but I still got 1 (out of three hits). I got down today with the newly serviced reels from D & H Reel Repairs, and had the intention of testing them out. The first take was shortly after I deployed the baits, but due to my stupid inability to check one of my knots the line slipped and I lost a fish. Lucky the hook will rust out...

The second take was even worse though, with my brand new knots. It just struck then let go. The other two rods were up the top perfectly fine with their herring baits, except they were 100% untouched. The overhead (Abu Garcia Barra King) works great, and even I can flick it a fair distance. My Shimano Sienna has now been given a new life too, and even though it has a slight noise it works great . I can't wait to test them on some fish at Yeppoon hopefully. 

I'd forgotten my water, so I was really needing a drink. I saw the rod hunched over though, so you know what that means. I got down to the jetty, and started the fight. I love hearing my drag roar. It was a quick fight though, as he ran towards me, but I got him out and up from the depths and him in the net in no time. He was a real feisty bugger, and wouldn't stop squirming. Un luckily for him the hook was swallowed so I cut the line and let him go. That was it for me, and I got myself home in dire need for water.

Having a tantrum  

That is that report marathon done though, so I hope you enjoy. Here are the stats of this trip - 

Tide: High, 12:40PM, 2.3M, Low, 7:15Pm, .5M

Moon Phase: Waning Gibbous, so not too much run

Fish caught: Bull Shark x 1

Bait caught: - 

Bait used: Dead Herring and Freshwater Eel

Weather: Cloudy, windy, humid

Temp: Highest temp today was 32 degrees Celsius

Tackle Used: 10lb, 20lb, 30lb braid mainlines, 20lb, 80lb mono leaders/traces/fluorocarbon leaders/traces, size 4/o and 3/o suicide hooks, size 6/o circle hooks, size 2 and 6 ball/bean sinkers, Size 1000, 650 Shimano Sienna, Abu Garcia Barra King and Penn SSM, Size 6" Ugly Stik, Angler Australia rod, Rogue Firepoint boat rod. 

Time Fished: 3:15PM - 4:45PM

Overall Success Rate: 50% - a good day out

Thanks for reading and my apologies for any typos,

Cheers Hamish

 

[GregOug]

Wow! Plenty of good results there, Hamish. Well done! Just a little note. I think the word you meant immediately before the first picture of a shark is ‘Phew’, not ‘Few’. 
cheers

Greg

[Brodie_S]

Good job on the sharks those sinkers you use are giant but I can imagine the current would be very strong in the Brisbane river 

[Kat]

Awesome Hamish.  I am going to try my local estuary with some eel soon!

[Kat]

How big were the herring that caught the bullies?

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

8 hours ago, GregOug said:

Wow! Plenty of good results there, Hamish. Well done! Just a little note. I think the word you meant immediately before the first picture of a shark is ‘Phew’, not ‘Few’. 
cheers

Greg

Hi Greg

Thanks! Yep, that's also correct.

7 hours ago, Breaming with bro said:

Good job on the sharks those sinkers you use are giant but I can imagine the current would be very strong in the Brisbane river 

Thanks Breaming with bro, the sinkers are big but I like using them at around the size 6 size as they hold the bottom better.  

4 hours ago, Kat said:

Awesome Hamish.  I am going to try my local estuary with some eel soon!

 

4 hours ago, Kat said:

How big were the herring that caught the bullies?

Hi Kat

Good luck! The herring we around the 10-15cm mark. Anything smaller and I find it doesn't entice the bullies.

Cheers Hamish  

[Drop Bear]

Great to see all the bullies mate. I'm glad you are catching them and not being the victim of bullies...

How fast was the "Shooting Star"? Im betting it was a jet stream from a plane as I have seen the same thing and made the same assumption. Still really cool to see that back lit by the sun like that.  

Anyway thanks for the reports. I am looking forward to seeing all the fish you catch up at Yeppoon. 

[kmcrosby78]

Awesome work Hamish, the new shark king! So much fun. I think you're setting high standards if catching 3 bullies land-based is only rated 65% ........  Oh and I think you could call your new PB a solid 85cm looking at the photo .

[Another Wazza]

Hamish, you shall now be referred to as “the shark whisperer “, good work man.

[ellicat]

Top reports and fishing, Hamish. I'm with Kelvin - 65% ??? I'd be way happier than that.

What's in the tree pic ?

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

3 hours ago, Drop Bear said:

Great to see all the bullies mate. I'm glad you are catching them and not being the victim of bullies...

How fast was the "Shooting Star"? Im betting it was a jet stream from a plane as I have seen the same thing and made the same assumption. Still really cool to see that back lit by the sun like that.  

Anyway thanks for the reports. I am looking forward to seeing all the fish you catch up at Yeppoon. 

Hey Robbie

Haha, yeah, same here. I had a couple close calls with them. They are sure feisty! 

The 'Shooting Star' probably was a jet plane. I just liked the look of it so called it that. It was there for about a minute. I hope I can please you and not just come back with some donut stories.  

1 hour ago, kmcrosby78 said:

Awesome work Hamish, the new shark king! So much fun. I think you're setting high standards if catching 3 bullies land-based is only rated 65% ........  Oh and I think you could call your new PB a solid 85cm looking at the photo .

Hi Kelvin

Thanks for that - they were good fun. Alright maybe it could've been a 75% success rate - they are good fun but get a bit tireless when you're trying to get something else (I'll admit I did try and catch them though, you can't complain about their sporting abilities).  I'll make it an 85cm shark for good measure.  

22 minutes ago, Another Wazza said:

Hamish, you shall now be referred to as “the shark whisperer “, good work man.

Thank you Wazza, hopefully it will stay like this for a while!

8 minutes ago, ellicat said:

Top reports and fishing, Hamish. I'm with Kelvin - 65% ??? I'd be way happier than that.

What's in the tree pic ?

Hi Brian

Thank you, I suppose it should've been higher. The tree pic is just what I saw when I looked up so I took a photo of it. Good job if you spot anything out of the ordinary though, haha.

Cheers Hamish  

[jon]

Nice work again there mate your going pretty good with those sharks, well done