Shallow Sensations
The breezes are chilly, the nights grow long and we know that winter’s on its way. Winter is well and truly under way for the North West Slopes & Plains and although it took quite some time to arrive and with the warmer weather lingering well into autumn, a couple of solid frosts all but have indicated winter is upon us. Many seasons have passed since we first braved the winter winds in search of Murray Cod. Many anglers lock up the rods and baits for the big chill, simply because of common beliefs held that Murray Cod shut down during winter. Many anglers believe the Cod lay dormant, living on the stored fat deposits accumulated from the warmer months. We begged to differ on this expert advice and although fishing was at times slow and steady, there were very rewarding times to level the score.
One of the reasons for our cold weather success was staying away from the deeper water. This is where fishing in rivers comes into its own and since the rivers in our catchment rarely boast waters deeper than 12ft, targeting our mighty greenfish becomes somewhat easier. Catching the fish is one thing, but finding them is another. 90% of our river fishing consists of casting spinnerbaits to the snags and the very edges of dormant willows. Cast accuracy is the biggest and most important factor of casting baits. Every inch counts imperatively to meet that strike zone. Our first cast consists of casting right up against the snag pile and letting it sink to the bottom. This instantly gives us a feel for that snag and although allows an opportunity for the Spinnerbait to become snagged, being crunched on the drop has produced many Murray Cod for us. These captures
Nick with a Solid Winter Murray Cod taken during one of our first winter outings several years ago.
Leader of the pack.
If we had a dollar for every time we have seen or heard of a fish of a lifetime getting away we could nearly retire comfortably. With ninety percent of the hard luck stories pertain to leader material, if any at all. We sport a leader when targeting all of our species, but the two that lead the pack are Murray Cod and Barramundi. Murray Cod contrary to popular belief do have teeth. Although not a set of dentures you would see in a jaws film, they are very sharp and boast a rasp like feel. When Murray Cod inhale a lure, Spinnerbait or live prey, their first instinct is to throw their head from side to side commonly known as headshaking. This explosive action is similar to that to someone working a rasp across your line. This will eventually lead to your line fraying and leaving you thinking of another hard luck story to tell. This is why a heavy mono leader is paramount. Barramundi on the other end of the scale, do not boast the needle sharp teeth that cod do. But what they do boast are razor sharp gill cover spurs and during their amazing headshaking leaps, can nip the line as if your pliers had just cut a fully tensioned high tensile strand of wire.
In the water, Barramundi are at bay but out of the water cutting instruments unsheathed and moving faster than most digital cameras can freeze, they weigh as much as a man. There are a plethora of leader materials on today’s market. Fluorocarbon has been regularly touted as the be all and end all of leader materials; this is mostly due to the “Yankee Wankee” bass and bream aura. Whilst there are horses for courses and personal preference, one must weigh up the pros and cons. Fluorocarbons do have an inalienable advantage in that being heavy than co-polymers, they offer a better sink rate in finesse spinning situations such as soft plastics. That virtue enhances presentations. But when we start to reach the heavy end of the scale, Fluorocarbons v Co-Polymer/ Hard Alloy are evident. 50/60 lb Fluorocarbon leader will never meld up as neatly as its Co-Polymer/Hard Alloy classmate and will have a tendancy to spring back from the knot. Softer materials form far better knots that not only pull up neatly, but boast higher abrasion resistance and also give you peace of mind when running through your guides. Many of the uninitiated do not bother running leaders, simply because they do not know how to tie one. We prefer the bimini twist (double) and the leader material is connected via a Tony Jones leader knot. We are yet to lose a fish with this knot.
Midnight Special
For some it’s perceived as craziness! But to others, encountering twilight Barra is certainly a must in any angler’s lifetime. Impoundment Barra fishing has always been at the top of the list when it comes to picking that ideal fishing trip with plenty of thrills and spills. For many anglers’ new to the Barra scene it’s something that is understood as only being achieved in daylight hours. Fishing for twilight Barra uses a no different approach of that as if you were fishing late afternoon. Of course there is the weather factor that’s always going to play major roles i.e. wind speed and wind direction but although wind is sometimes no more than a nuisance to us, wind can be a friend of still water barra as it concentrates all the baitfish along the wind blown points and bays.
A fine example of a midnight special, metre plus barra caught right on midnight
In windy conditions anchoring up is the only solution and by far the best, but on still nights where the water is like glass, mooching around on the bow mount is another handy method.
“Stealth” is the key to success. The mere splashdown of a lure and even a squirt on the electric motor can give Barra a negative vibe. This vibe can be picked up by neighbouring fish that will begin to hit the panic button. In minimising these outcomes, spin gear is the preferred approach taken by us and since converting to spin gear when casting for Barra after several years on the bait casters our fishing success has tripled. Most anglers aren’t fully aware of the heat that can be applied whilst using spin gear. Braids allow for a line tensile strength that exceeds whatever pressure can be applied through the rod. All of our Barra reels are spooled with 20lb braid of either Bionic Braid or Platypus Super Braid. Any higher breaking strain or bulkier weight range is full stop overkill. The heavy tackle once deemed mandatory by fisher folk of yesteryear has completely fallen to the lighter end of the scale. Some of our metre plus spin fished barra have been taken on reels spooled with 12lb Bionic Braid.
The other upside of twilight Barra fishing has to be serenity. Although late at night and mostly pitch black with an eerie 4th of July feeling, the bounds of frog’s, cicada’s and other noisy wildlife, makes it such a peaceful feeling and places you in a state of mind like you have stumbled across a Louisiana swampland!
SPIN FISHED BARRA
Impoundment barra, such a hard fighting, heart stopping euphoria that many fishermen have or hope to experience in one’s lifetime. These wiry water demons are the Holy Grail when it comes to freshwater impoundment species.
So amusing is watching fellow anglers come and go from all areas and most out of their element. It seems catching that trophy fish is a could be or won’t be scenario, thus reinforcing the gear fit enough to tow a train. Some of this is caused by misleading information by tackle shops, the type where their second fish will be there biggest because they haven’t caught there first yet and the other being the fear of losing what could be a trophy fish of a lifetime. Anyone fronting up on barra water armed with anything less than a ballsy baitcaster risks being viewed as some sort of beginner. This stigma would have to be the biggest load of bulldust this side of the black stump.
Spin gear is a preferred method with many fisher folk at the forefront of impoundment barra fishing these days and is a very rewarding approach if in the right hands. Take nothing away from baitcast brethren they perform as good as any barra setup. But as the distance becomes imperative, the limitations of baitcasters become apparent.
As the popularity of impoundment barra fishing continues to sky rocket, so does fishing pressure. Boats burning around all day, catch and release practices and same fishing methods all lead to fish having a higher education level. This keeps anglers on their toes and is one of the hurdles in trying to keep one step ahead of fish. Stealth is one key to a successful barra trip and spin gear is one of those crucial tools in the barra toolbox that should fall under the word stealth.
When casting points and inlets of bays wind assisted casts are the way to go. The long distance achieved by this method smells of stealth. Especially when barra spook easily and such simple noises like electric motors, waves crashing into alloy hulls and even dropping something on the floor of the boat give barra a negative vibe and as the water becomes shallower the more acute the problem is.
Our advice for anglers looking for that fairytale barra trip is to include spin gear in their arsenal. Rods around the 7’ length with a line rating of 6-8 kg is more than sufficient and with a longer rod, good solid cast distances can be achieved. Reels that are around 3000/4000 style and loaded with braid around the 20lb mark is the elite option. On our recent Awoonga trip all our metre plus fish were landed on spin gear. We were running 3000 type spin reels, 7’ 6-8kg rods spooled with 20lb Bionic Braid and a 50lb leader. At the end of the day there is no doubt people employing spin gear can cover a lot more water than baitcasters and there is certainly no need for gear built to resurrect the Titanic. This is an unnecessary overkill that has a great effect on the trip of a lifetime. 5’ long rods that have a line rating of 15-20kg and have rollers on the tips spooled with 50lb braid and 80lb leader are designed for coupling road trains. NOT CHASING BARRAMUNDI!
Matt applies the heat to an Awoonga Spinfished Barra
HIGH VOLTAGE
One of the most important ingredients in the recipe for a successful days fishing are batteries. Whether its for cranking, fish finders, trolling or casting with an electric motor. Having a reliable source of power is imperative for hassle free fishing. This is why we choose Century Batteries. For over a decade we have used the Century range of Batteries and through some of the harshest climate and conditions, Century have never let us down. Below is an in depth look at Centuries Deep cycle range containing why and how Century are fishings foremost power supply. Be sure to click on the Century Logo on our sponsors links for full details on the entire Century Range.
Click here for
Deep Cycle Information
Century Selection Guide
DOUBLE TROUBLE!
If fish have something that they should be worried about its the DT (double trouble) range of spinnerbaits from BASSMAN. Like the Codman Series, Glen Casey has once again hit the nail on the head. Constructed from heavy gauge stainless steel wire and components second to none, these very effective weapons are sure to send a shiver through the fins on the hardest of our natives. And have accounted for cod up to and over the 100 pound mark. Another standout amongst the awesome ingenuity of these fish magnets is that they come pre rigged with a bozos soft plastic. These quality plastics have a life like swim action and an awesome tail whip that is sure to entice that welcoming strike to any angler.
The technique we have found most rewarding is to let the bait sink completely to the bottom then start to slow retrieve. Id have to say nearly 60% of the time we get hit on the drop, which is an awesome feeling. Not to mention an easy way to get your heart rate up. I think this has a lot to do with the two big gold blades that "helicopter" during the fall. Alot of flash not to mention the clanging of them while doing so seems to generate alot of vibration, just the right formula to evoke a strike from an aggrevated Murray Cod. And on a dead still morning or afternoon, you can hear this distinct sound from well under the water.
Golden perch have also been taken on these spinnerbaits. Which to some could only be thought of as a cod lure.
BIONIC BRAID OR BUST!
We take an indepth look at the history and the componetery that makes BIONIC BRAID a true world leading superline.
*Be sure to check out Platypus Fishing Lines link for other superior fishing products.
Bionic Braid came about through a collaboration between Rod Harrison and Don McPherson. They saw shortcomings in existing spectra/dyneema braided and fused lines and set out to make a superline that was both distinctive and superior. They succeeded. To ensure that Bionic Braid maintains its pole niche as the world’s foremost super line, progressive refinements and enhancements have been quietly occurring at the Australian Monofil Company’s Brisbane plant. Bionic braid is made from the fibre industry’s finest denier gel spun yarn. Those structure and material upgrades result in a line that performs better and last longer. The new Bionic braid is made from a recently released grade of Micro Dyneema™ that uses a third less fibres for the same strength. These fibres dramatically reduce outer surface fluffing – wear and tear that rapidly occurs in thermo fused gel spun lines and in true braids, in time. The Australian Monofil Company has been the first fishing line producer to adopt these advanced and more costly fibres. Bionic braid, which has set the benchmark in long lasting lines, lasts even longer.
Specialised applications include -
Flyreel backing
Lure Casting and trolling
Specialised baitfishing (Surfcasting, offshore reef fishing)
The Ultimate Flyreel Backing.
Bionic Braid in the 50 pound size becoming widely accepted as the ultimate flyreel backing, especially in the saltwater arena. It has been used in a number of IGFA world record captures and claims and has been acknowledged by Lefty Kreh, Flip Pallot, Buzz Bryson, Dan Blanton, Dean Butler as (end of story) the best backing there is.
Thinner, stronger & more
Compelling Bionic Braid advantages are an effective doubling of reel capacities over the standard loading of 30 pound dacron, a de-regulation that allows an enormous increase in scope. Bonefish reels become billfish capable. Flow on advantages include a substantial decrease in water pressure brought about by the comparative thinness of Bionic Braid – and, no significant reduction in the recovery rate in the wake of a big run.
Super tight weave
Machine braided with a super tight weave that rates at 80 picks per 10cms - higher than any competitor. Bionic Braid retains its rounded shape on the spool. It exhibits an ideal degree of limpness that lays between that of billowy first generation spectra lines and the wiry crop of uni-filament fused spectra/dyneema lines. Those qualities translate into a braid that is stronger for a given diametre and which casts further. An additional bonus lays in the 7% elasticity the Bionic Braid weave provides. This modicum of stretch, absent from competitor product, results in more striking fish solidly hooked, less hooked fish lost and comparatively higher percentage knot strengths.
Better Lure Actions & More Depth
Bionic Braid combines all the positive qualities of super dyneema. It provides a remarkable “feel” and situation awareness when lure fishing. Flow-on advantages include crisper lure actions, deeper running depths, and positive hook setting.
Slick Hi-Viz Finish
Bionic Braid has a unique slick and durable teflon based finish that outlasts the
heat treatment “coating” of other fused Spectra/dyneema lines. This treatment negates concerns (which have been somewhat over-rated) about gelspun lines cutting rod runners and careless hands. Bionic Braid is optically enhanced – it’s trademark fluorescent pink colour provides exceptional situation awareness under a wide range of weather and water conditions. While anglers can see Bionic braid, it is far less visible to fish. Scientific research has established that bright pink is not on the vision register of offshore gamefish and many commonly caught inshore/freshwater fish.
While there are many “situation awareness” advantages of the trademark fluoro pink colour there are others where conditions – or one’s peace of mind - may call for a muted approach. A simple “camo” application with a dark coloured marking pen will accomplish this.
Hard Wearing & Longer Lasting
Bionic Braid is exceptionally hard wearing. It’s distinctive finish outlasts that of the fused generation of spectra/dyneema lines and monofilaments. It offers exceptional abrasion resistance around snags, weeds and smooth surfaces.
Please note:-some manufacturer’s claims as to the abrasion resistance of spectra/dyneema are wildly exaggerated. Users of gsp lines should understand that (as with all fishing lines) significant wear can occur with hard running fish in rocky habitat.
Knots and Connections
There are a number of knots and connections that have been specifically devised for use with spectra or dyneema lines. Basically these involve oodles of wraps and the positioning of any cross-overs at the rear of the knot. A good analogy is traffic flows, the reduction in the potential for crashes on a roundabout as compared to cross roads. These break figures on popular fishing knots represent an average taken on exhaustive lab tests.
Six turn Uni-knot (tied with BB doubled).......70%
Spider Hitch (tied with BB doubled)..............70%
30 turn Bimini Twist......................................70%
70 turn Bimini Twist (highly recommended)..88%
Of the methods used to connect Spectra/Dyneema to flylines and mono trolling casting leaders, by far the safest, strongest and most efficient is a self locking loop to loop method developed by Rod Harrison and called the Bionic bind. A 70 turn Bimini twist (84%) forms the basis of the Bionic bind. Anglers intimidated by the Bimini twist – a much simpler knot to tie in gsp lines, by the way – can make a loop with a 6 turn uni-knot.
Follow the directions on the diagram, making sure you “figure eight” the flyline or Knotted Dog leader six times over/under both strands of the loop you’ve made in the Bionic Braid with the Bimini Twist. When pulling down this connection, make sure it is done evenly so that it locates in the apex of the loop before given a final tightening.
While this connection offers unsurpassed security, it is more difficult to undo than the standard loop to loop join. With flylines it is recommended that a fresh Bimini twist loop be made. When an angler induced break-off occurs – events less frequently caused by fish, the Bionic Braid loop simply cuts through the strands of the mono Knotted Dog leader. Anglers can achieve a quick turnaround by adding another Knotted Dog. However, it is recommended that the loop in the Bionic braid be changed from time to time.
Sizes, & lengths
20 lb 30 lb 50 lb
150 yards 300 yards 500 yards 750 yards.
(larger spools also available)
FLYREEL CAPACITIES
These capacities are with 50 pound Bionic Braid and are based on the Tibor series of Fly Reels.
Freestone 200 yards +WF5F
Everglades 300 yards + WF8F
Riptide 500 yards + WF10F
Gulfstream 750 yards + WF13F.
