Finally it would seem the big run of monster barra at the NT’s Shady Camp has come to an end…well at least for now.
That’s not to say there’s no fish being caught, just that the numbers of metre-plus reports have definitely decreased. That could well change again if we get another monsoon from our east, just like it did early March. More water, big moon and massive tides might just open the gates once more but time will tell. One of the last 120cm reports from Shady came from Ricky Zulkarnin, who was fishing up inside Sampan Creek with his mate Leigh Jefferies when the big fish struck the big Bomber lure.
In other barra fishing news, The Daly has dropped to a low of around 2.5 metres but at least for now is quite dirty. Most crews are still managing 6-10 fish per day and the ones that travel close to the mouth are getting better and bigger results.
The Adelaide is a tough one – great one day, “cactus” the next. So many mixed reports of late has made it hard to judge, but perhaps I’d best say it can be good and is close to home!
A short big fish burst around Beatrice mouth seems to have expired already but then again, may well be back on song tomorrow. Toward the mouth has excited a few with the Wilshire creeks producing quality silver fish to 84cm. Casting small deep diving Killalure Flatz Rats up amongst the snags did the deed, as did a trolling session close to the mouth of Wilshire number two.
To our west, the Finniss River has managed to stay under the radar and has impressed many fishos lately. The Little Finniss just a bit further around the coast is also returning positive reports, trolling Bombers along the edge of the flat at the mouth returned nice silver barra to 82cm.
Mudcrabs! If you want a few muddies, Shoal Bay is on song right now. One boat netted nineteen big bucks in a session. The harbour arms are also worth a shot with most crews getting more than a feed.
Talking Bluewater, Charles Point is back on the map with big jewies back on the chew. Jigging methods have been working wonders, particularly the new Reidys Sea Bug variety and it’s been a case of putting the dead baits away. Blue salmon are about in large numbers around most inshore reefs and pilchard or prawn baits have been working for the landbased guys.
Craig Grosvenor,
Got One Darwin
Email: darwin@gotone.com.au