SRW25

We put in at the spit and headed upstream. We were fishing in line with the camp Somerset area of the dam. Good luck for Thursday Ray. I will head back down to Hinze when you start catching them again I suppose.

Hi Ray, I too went to Somerset today (Friday) with a mate after 7 weeks of no fishing. I was telling my mate that you had been doing it tough lately and we might be in for the same outcome . I read your post this morning while on the dam and I was immediately not confident. We ended up with 5 bass on shrimps and no yellas . Only 2 were legal . We headed for the ramp at 11am as it was way too hot . Cheers Steve.

Hi Bob, Thanks for the pics , you are landing some quality fish. What is the river you fish and the dam wall from some pics? I wish I had a local spot like that, it looks great . I’m thinking about getting some of the McGrath lures you are using with success. What is the retrieve/depth style you use ? Have you tried stinger hooks replacing the trebles for maybe less snagging without compromising hookups ? thanks for the tips Steve (SRW25)

Hi everyone, I've recently had 2 months on annual leave from work so high on the list was plenty of fishing. Pics are all better size goldens from Somerset , a place I do love to fish when all the ski boat and jet ski owners are at work. This summer it has fished fairly consistently and hopefully will remain good. On a blistering 36 degree day I was able to gain my new PB of a yella measuring 56cm . I was super happy to see gold from the depths after it latched onto my live shrimp after a typical solid bump on the bait. A new venture for myself was to try the Ecogear ZX40 blade . What a great lure they are and I had several quality yellas smack them with positive top lip hook ups . I used the colour "the dark night" lifting them about half to 1 metre and simply letting them drop to the bottom again while drifting structured edges. I also applied scent (X factor) to the lure every so often. The super sharp hooks also produced bass, spangled perch and even a small tilapia and they are very snag resistant fished vertically . Until next time tight lines everyone. Cheers Steve.

Hi everyone, Myself and a mate fished Hinze on Friday in perfect conditions with live shrimp. Low wind and cloud cover kept the sun away which was a real bonus. I headed upstream where I haven't been for a while. We picked up lots of undersize bass and the banded grunter kept us tree hopping. Best bass of the day was a 44cm model with only 4 other bass boated above legal size. I caught a tagged eel tail that had only grown 5mm in a little over 2 years that was recaptured in the same area. Ray I tried the trees in the spot you got the yellas from the day prior in hope of these elusive fish at Hinze but to no avail. I really wish the stocking association for Hinze would fund golden perch fingerlings for a few seasons. The only yella I have caught from Hinze was a beauty at 50cm , maybe the bass are just too quick at honing in on an irresistible live shrimp snack. Tight lines everyone Cheers Steve.

A quick report from Leslie dam 24/25th Nov. The weather forecast was great and with a few days off work I headed to the dam with a work mate . We camped at the Washpool camp ground and with the dam full it doesn't get any better with a water front position. First time camping there and I was impressed with access, amenities and a friendly welcome from the manager there. Ended up with 8 legal yellas and 3 small cod from a few sessions. Most were caught close to the submerged brush trees lining the bank in parts on live shrimp. Best cod 50cm and best yella 52cm. A report that fisheries were visiting anglers doing the usual checks out on the dam. Also plenty of nice size shrimp on hand now the edges are offering plenty of food for them around the algae covered brush. I can also suggest the old Sandy Creek Hotel for good old country hospitality, nice cold beer and a hearty feed if you are in the area. Cheers Steve.

Hi everyone and Ray, Ray, I would've taken your offer on a deckie spot but had to work today . I did however take a mate and his young son to Hinze west side on Saturday 29th. My mate has taken his young fella down to Jacob's well jetty 3 times for just nibbles and still isn't off the mark. I did my traps for oversize huge shrimp also then we went downstream to a point you have showed me before that I believe used to be marked by a tree with pink paint. My mates son caught his first ever fish, first go on the drop so he was stoked. We pulled about 20 bass no bigger than 30cm and a large eel in quick time. I dealt with some tangles and snags but had a good morning. Ray , thanks for teaching me to check the seq water alerts page also as I didnt know they had shut the dam following the inflow so I will keep an eye on that in the future. Cheers Steve. SRW25

Hi Hamish, You could easily kayak there. Just pick your weather with light winds as when it blows there the dam chops up considerably. From the main ramp areas to the dam wall area is only a short paddle away. Access also from the wash pool camp area to other fishing spots . There seems to be more fishing boats there usually than ski boats or jet skis disturbing the peace.

Thanks Ellicat, yes I read that with interest and it's nice that all the cod breeding pipes that were high and dry are now underwater also. The park owner said the hooning was only the 3rd occurance in about the last 10 years . The Warwick police eventually attended . Pity about their timing as they could've issued plenty of cars to the can crusher. I have no problem with car lovers having a go but do it somewhere isolated. Angry51, I coat the fillets in plain or corn flour with some black pepper thrown in the mix then straight onto the bbq plate into melted butter . Leslie yellas are clean and delicious.

Gday everyone, A report from Leslie dam 24,25,26th Sept. I took my girls camping for 3 nights with Saturday arrival being windy but perfect conditions followed. With a 100% level and a water release on there is now plenty of dead shrubs and structure around the edges. Dealing with my 9 and 6 year old we picked up a handful of tasty eating size yellas from 32-35cm just out from the ski club ramp one afternoon and a small 40cm cod and a handful of undersized yellas the next. Gun bait being frozen preserved saltwater yabbies . They are an expensive option at $12.50 a packet from the tourist park but the fish love them. I put my shrimp traps out overnight for nothing and a stomach inspection of one yella showed small shrimps inside. It was fairly busy with the public holiday and the local tools took part in their own amatuer burnout comp right outside the park until about 2am Saturday night, thanks for the peace and quiet, Not. Anyhow I hope to prioritize more fishing this year so until next time tight lines Cheers , Steve.