Er lining from disaster
n road to nowhere
HE seasonal practice of land-based nglers standing shoulder-to-shoulder nd casting lure for lure at hot spots here fish are known to concentrate uring floodwater run-off has been ampered significantly by limited cess with many regional roads ll closed.
Alligator Creek man Bradley Dixon sted his casts throwing a small gold omber lure in flooding waters near uart Creek on Monday morning. Dixon hadn’t yet had a strike from a rra but he told me he was confident a h wasn’t far away with small baitfish ecies spotted skirting the shallow ges of the floodplain.
“My mates in Giru are slaying the rras but we can’t get to them,” Dixon id. “They’re catching them erywhere down there,” he said of his ates in the sugar town stranded by aughton River floodwaters.
“But the highway is blocked and I on’t know when it’ll be open again,” ixon said.
ape Cleveland place to be
APE Cleveland Rd dissecting the rocodile Creek salt flats will be one of ose shoulder-to-shoulder places hen water levels drop to where they st lap the edge of the road.
Given a major freshwater undation, barramundi are known to ngregate close to the culverts that nerally drain saline waters during ring tide periods, however, it is here here they will feast upon all manner small fish – mostly herring, gudgeon nd catfish – during elevated levels of eshwater.
But with this mass arrival of barra opefuls comes obvious traffic issues in n extensive no-parking zone, issues hich are certain to be closely onitored by the police.
And while the lure of a barra can be difficult to resist, those intent on fishing from the shoulder of Cape Cleveland Rd must also keep in mind this thoroughfare is not only a barra one, but also the only vehicular passage for both Cape Cleveland and Cungulla residents.
Any impediment to that traffic might not only be dangerous, but action that could see that section of the road deemed off-limits to all anglers.
WHILE the connectivity of local waterways during times of flood is mostly a fantastic situation for native fish species like barramundi, it also allows less desirable species like tilapia and other introduced species the same opportunity to travel far and wide.
I was amused to read social media posts where, during the height of the floods, adventurous residents passed time netting fish within swollen gutters, drains, footpaths and indeed, household yards. Funnier still, some proudly hoisted tilapia for the camera labelling the fish barramundi and ol’ mate stood by – cast net at his side and equally happy with his skills.
Some knowing anglers applauded the men’s efforts while others pointed out the error of their ways for not immediately killing the tilapia and for using a cast net in non-tidal waters.
The tilapia, deemed a noxious and invasive species, is by law to be immediately killed upon capture and disposed of – buried or binned – well away from the waterway.
Ol’ mate might have had a little trouble finding his way south of Mackay to undertake such a direction.
Menace of peacock bass
AND speaking of floodwater connectivity and noxious fish species, the fishing community of Mackay and greater North Queensland will be wondering what will become of a small population of peacock bass recently found in the Gooseponds system in the city’s north, especially should the area succumb to recent rains.
The peacock bass is a predatory species from South America and regarded as a pest in many countries where it has been introduced.
It is thought that the Gooseponds population is a result of the release of aquarium fish.
Aquarists describe the peacock bass’ temperament extremely aggressive, although “peaceful” when residing with fish of a similar or larger size.
However, the bass has the potential to reach 90cm long and will consider anything smaller as dinner.
Ecologists fear the spread of this fish could compromise native barramundi and mangrove jack populations.
Take care on the water
SEAFARING anglers will be buoyed by weather forecasts indicating calm seas, light winds and little chance of significant rain next week.
However, this doesn’t mean offshore waters will be easily or safely navigated with the real prospect of floating and drifting debris posing a real risk to boaties.
Freshwater influence will be found well out to sea and among that all manner of vegetation, logs and remnants of suburban possessions — even ghost ships that might have drifted free of their anchors or moorings. And what might seem as an innocent enough stick from even a short distance away might well be a propeller bending or hull punching tree immediately beneath the surface.
The advice is obvious.
If you must go to sea in the next short period, please navigate carefully and consider the safety of yourself and your crew and undertaking such trips during the evening hours is even more foolish.