Brisbane River Session #160

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

Hi all

Last Sunday my Dad and I decided to try something new - chasing bass in the Brisbane River. We left home a bit past 3 to fish the arvo/dusk bite (or attempt to anyways), to try the freshwater reaches (so no closure for bass). After a 50 minute drive we arrived at Atkinson's Kayak Launch, but we were disappointed to see gates up, sign specifically saying no fishing, and a long walk down. I think I have seen a few photos from this area recently but oh well...

Seeing as though that didn't eventuate, we looked on Google maps and decided to go downstream a few minutes drive to Shines Road Kayak Launch. We made our way down the skinny, but well used, track to see something large free swimming (maybe a lungfish) before we got to casting. My Dad had a golden TT spinnerbait (1/4) and I was using a TT spinner on a 3 inch paddletail. My Dad went upstream from where I was and I started casting - only to get snagged on my first cast. Our hopes were still high as there were a few bass/mullet jumping, and lots of pelicans swimming about.  

Looks good!

After I rerigged, I tried with a green hardbody around some sticks for about 15 minutes, before switching back to a plastic. I made my way down to my Dad, who had gotten nothing as of then, and got snagged again. I switched to a small hard vibe and started casting around a submerged tree in the middle of the river, as did my Dad. We did this while getting bitten by mozzies for about 30 minutes, with a couple more moves, before I got snagged and busted off my lure. It was dark by now, so my Dad had a couple more casts on the way back, and hooked something!

Just joking.

We clambered back to the car disheartened with no fish.

Braces off... so were the bass  

Here are the stats of the trip - 

Stats of Trip:

Temperature: About 16 degrees

Air Pressure: 1008

Location: Upper Brisbane River

Humidity: 71%

Tackle/Gear/Lures Used: Rapala hard vibe, Z-man 3 and 3.5 inch paddletails/curltails, TT jig spinners, TT jig heads, deep diving hardbodies. 

Fish Caught: -

Overall Success Rate: 40% - sussed out some new spots

Hope you enjoyed, Cheers Hamish. 

[Old Scaley]

Fishing isn’t all about catching, Hamish (lucky for most of us). I love that you and your Dad are always trying something new. You will nail all of SEQ before too long the way you are going.

[ellicat]

Maybe the fish are a bit lethargic with the cooler weather, Hamish.

Your spot pics scream a top water lure worked slowly with lots of pauses.

Good on you for giving it a whirl.

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

Thanks guys. It was nice just being out there. I was thinking of trying a popper but on sunset I wasn't seeing as surface activity so decided to give it a miss.

[Angry51]

Hamish, it's good to see you and your Dad spending time together.

Later on you will realise catching fish is a bonus it's the Dad

and son time together that's important. Your Dad probably

realises this and that's why he carts you all over the country

so you can fish together.

Good on both of you. Just keep casting.

[Another Wazza]

Good report Hamish, you did have me when you said your old man hooked something!, Hahahaha, nice

[kmcrosby78]

Nice afternoon with your old man Hamish, hope the fish are biting for you next time.

[rayke1938]

Good scramble up that track with a yak especially if it is raining.

[Hweebe]

Bugger about the no fishing  - Good to explore some new ground none the less

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

Thanks guys. I definitely would not be to keen to launch a kayak there with the track Ray. 

[ubnt]

Thanks for sharing your adventure and those are nice pictures.  I will give the spot a go when the weather is ready to launch my kayak. How clean is the water there, compared to Akinson's crossing?

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

16 minutes ago, ubnt said:

Thanks for sharing your adventure and those are nice pictures.  I will give the spot a go when the weather is ready to launch my kayak. How clean is the water there, compared to Akinson's crossing?

The water is pretty dirty, muddy, and smelly. It's a nice skinny section of the river so would be pleasant to paddle in though. The track to get down is very steep so beware about that - it would be difficult taking a heavy kayak there.

Cheers Hamish

[ubnt]

1 hour ago, AUS-BNE-FISHO said:

The water is pretty dirty, muddy, and smelly. It's a nice skinny section of the river so would be pleasant to paddle in though. The track to get down is very steep so beware about that - it would be difficult taking a heavy kayak there.

Cheers Hamish

Thanks Hamish for the information.  From your description it is not worth it, isn't it? What do you think about the Atkinson session?

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

Atkinson's was closed when I was there last. Dunno if it's opened yet. I reckon it would be quite fun but it would be disappointing if you went out there and it wasn't opened. You could always try launching at Twin Bridges or Kholo.