Hooked up
Whether you’re trolling for a big barra on the Daly, flicking a plastic into the lilies on a Kakadu billabong, or chasing macs on the blue water, we’ve got you covered
THE weather map over the past week was something special. Up north the isobars were far apart, the high-pressure system over Australia was small and, as a result, there were light winds. If you weren’t out fishing you missed a great opportunity.
Coastal pelagic fish have been the name of the game off Darwin, with plenty of reports of queenfish, tuna, trevally and mackerel. Thanks to the warm conditions, barra and salmon are still biting well on the flats in Darwin and Bynoe Harbours. For big barra in calm weather, try Chambers and Finke Bays out of Shady Camp. In calm weather the water gets a chance to clear enough for good lure fishing, and big barra and threadies are there for the taking.
Crabs are on the move, not in huge numbers, but enough to make it worth dropping pots. There have been trophy barramundi caught off Shady Camp barrage, with 123cm and 130cm fish and other meteries in the past fortnight.
The billabongs have been less impressive, but if you enjoy catching saratoga and tarpon on fly, you’ll have a fine time at Corroboree Billabong.
If the calm conditions keep up, you’d be crazy not to take advantage of it.
The more serious fishing news last week was the fallout from the sinking of a recreational fishing boat by a large commercial barge just outside Darwin Harbour.
It appears the skipper of a barge did not see an 8m recreational fishing boat, which allegedly had its anchor light on. The recreational boat was destroyed and the crew thrown into the water. It was a miracle everyone survived the crash, and luckily they were found promptly by another nearby boat.
This was a significant accident. It is also surprising it has not happened sooner, given that so many vessels run with autopilots now. Darwin has also become a busy harbour, with a proliferation of fishing boats fishing the reefs and wrecks. If there is one thing to be learned from this accident, it is that you must not expect to be seen. If you see a vessel of any size heading your way, prepare to pull anchor. Don’t sit back and think all will be OK.
I noticed long ago many skippers anchored their tinnies at night without lights at busy places like the Six Mile grounds. This is asking for trouble.
The good news is the Dundee Beach boat ramp tender was awarded on Wednesday. Mark Cundall Earthmoving PL won the tender and $4.5 million will be invested into the upgrade. Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries Gary Higgins said disruptions to anglers will be kept to a minimum during construction, with the existing launch process to continue at Dundee. Construction is expected to be completed by October.
The Shady Camp ramp has also been tendered, with construction expected to start in August, although controversy remains over whether this ramp will be or become problematic. Million Dollar Fish Season 2 starts in October and there is a good chance of a La Nina wet season next year. Life is good for Top End fishos! In reports, Tackle World Berrimah’s Chris Rainbird said Team Tackle World’s Steve and