View Full Version : Barra Impoundment- what gear do you require?
mylestom
20-10-2008, 05:00 PM
Fishing the barra impoundments, we read a lot of information about what is available to catch the elusive barramundi.
But, what gear do we actually require? This is intended to help the newie or someone just wanting to try barra fishing.
Main requirement is Boat and Motor, Canoe or Kayak. Type recommendations?.
Rod and Reel. Basic outfit that would do job, Threadline or Baitcaster?
Fishing Line - Mono, Braid.
Leaders- Type
Trebles, Hooks- Upgrade etc
Lures- Hardbodies, Plastics.
Landing Nets
Lip grips.
Fish finder
GPS
Realise this doesn't cover it all but just want a start for those new to Ausfish.
The type of information should be based on basic requirement. Not 20ft boat and 200hp outboard, with $1,000 rods and reels.(Wish list not need list)
I.E. 12' Tinnie 9.9 hp outboard, etc. (Not flash but will do the job in most impoundments, subject to weather conditions).
What is your basic recommendation for someone starting out.
Know that this is available with a bit of search, but just trying to get it together.
Lots of enquires over the years and just want to compress a bit of info to help them out.
Edit one: Additional fishing items
Camera, Brag Mat for measuring fish
Appropriate clothing, sunglasses,hat and sunscreen.
Regards
Trev
eotbmg
20-10-2008, 06:41 PM
Hey Trev
Minimum you need a boat that floats and wont take hours to get to the system. I have a 30 hp Hooonda and thats the slowest i want to go. It does about 35 km's per hour, so at a minimum that would be it for me. My 4.35 Sea Jay is decked out pretty well, as i said if it floats its a bonus!!!! MOst people at a minimum have spining reels, so one loaded with 30-50 lb braid is sufficient, and a 10-15 kilo rod is sufficient. I use wind on leaders, but a minimum a 60 or 80 pound mono leader will do. There is no discussion with rings or trebles, OWNER st-66 trebles and OWNER rings to suit the standard size of the ones you are replacing. Nearlly any lure available will catch a Barra, plastics or Hard bodies. The usual suspects are generally good.....B52, Bombers, Killalures, Barra Classics- still havent caught one on them though. Plastics are Storm Suspenders, or slick rigs, hollow bodies, frogs the list is endless. I use a Invizo enviro net which is the big barra sized one which is heuge.. Good for the protection of slime on the barras scales. Dont use lip grips. I use the base model Lowrance x 51 and it tells the depth and water temp...minimum to say the least. I have a hand held GPS map 76. And its as accurate as the other ones that are on the big sounders... I would recommend a camera, to take pics before you release them, wet weather jacket, and decent hat and sunscreen...
Good luck
Ben
mylestom
20-10-2008, 07:06 PM
Hey Trev
Minimum you need a boat that floats and wont take hours to get to the system. I have a 30 hp Hooonda and thats the slowest i want to go. It does about 35 km's per hour, so at a minimum that would be it for me. My 4.35 Sea Jay is decked out pretty well, as i said if it floats its a bonus!!!! MOst people at a minimum have spining reels, so one loaded with 30-50 lb braid is sufficient, and a 10-15 kilo rod is sufficient. I use wind on leaders, but a minimum a 60 or 80 pound mono leader will do. There is no discussion with rings or trebles, OWNER st-66 trebles and OWNER rings to suit the standard size of the ones you are replacing. Nearlly any lure available will catch a Barra, plastics or Hard bodies. The usual suspects are generally good.....B52, Bombers, Killalures, Barra Classics- still havent caught one on them though. Plastics are Storm Suspenders, or slick rigs, hollow bodies, frogs the list is endless. I use a Invizo enviro net which is the big barra sized one which is heuge.. Good for the protection of slime on the barras scales. Dont use lip grips. I use the base model Lowrance x 51 and it tells the depth and water temp...minimum to say the least. I have a hand held GPS map 76. And its as accurate as the other ones that are on the big sounders... I would recommend a camera, to take pics before you release them, wet weather jacket, and decent hat and sunscreen...
Good luck
Ben
Ben,
Thanks that a good start and have added some of those extras to first post as Edit One. For all of us there is a lot to remember, for those learning its a big curve.
But the planning and having the right gear when you arrive, helps improve everyone chance of catching that catch of a lifetime.
Memo to myself, new barra mat (the larger type). P.B. this year 119.5cm need bigger mat for it successor. Pick up new Lake Monduran Map from Foxies.
Regards
Trev
Gordie
20-10-2008, 07:06 PM
I have 2 mates that swear that the only reel you need in this world is an Alvey and braid is not necessary.
Neither have caught a Barra.
They recon all my expensive gear is a waste of money.
I am sure that someone out there has caught one. I would love to hear a report of what hapened.
Regards Gordon
mylestom
20-10-2008, 07:27 PM
I have 2 mates that swear that the only reel you need in this world is an Alvey and braid is not necessary.
Neither have caught a Barra.
They recon all my expensive gear is a waste of money.
I am sure that someone out there has caught one. I would love to hear a report of what hapened.
Regards Gordon
Gordon,
Funny you should say that, fishing up at Awoonga with a group of mates a couple of years ago, old fellow (Yeah even older than me) came over and told us he was going to catch a metre barra the next day, then showed us the gear he intended to use.
14FT Surf rod and old Alvey reel with 16lb mono (Was probably in the Ark) el cheapo lure and no leader. Boat was a 10ft tinne very old and 5hp outboard.
Nice bloke to talk to and had never been barra fishing before.
After he went back to his site, the boys has a bit of a laugh at his gear.
Your right, next morning less than a 100metre from the boat ramp on this gear, he caught his metre barra and was back in camp with the evidence in just over an hour.
Moral. Never discount anyone or their ability (or luck) with what gear they use.
He was a very happy chappy.
Regards
Trev
pontificator
24-10-2008, 10:28 PM
Casting
Any boat that gets you to a bit of bank that you like.
If no boat, and can't wangle a spot on one in the campground, then fish shore based near the ramps.
Use what you have, and some $5 lures from a chain store, esp. if you can use a boat to get to a nice spot with cover not too far away.
trolling
again, use what you have, if in open water you'll go ok with 6500 abu, 3000 +- threadline and reasonable knots, leader and luck.
And no, that isn't what I do, nor is it what I use. But I have seen the photos that show this works well.
Likewise, use everyday gear, or use the go hard stuff including specialised hooks etc- I've done both, and again, because I don't really need to land the max number of fish, don't plan to get any more SST66N (is that the right #?) trebles.
What I use is half the fun, but I completely understand the minimalist approach, if only because my offshore trips are done with a minimalist skipper.
Rick K
phatty
25-10-2008, 12:35 AM
I have 2 mates that swear that the only reel you need in this world is an Alvey and braid is not necessary.
its funny how you mention that.
in mr mitchells "Awoonga" dvd he manges it.
would have hurt his knuckles tho ;D
This is an interesting thread & I can relate it back to what my mate is going through.
When we started fishing for impoundment barra a few years back ....... Old mate took a minimalistic approach ( cheap baitcast rod , old ABU / Shimano baitcast reel & armed himself with stump jumper & smilin jack lures) - Never caught a scale in his first couple of trips - Lack of experience more than anything!
Anyhow ..... 12 months ago he landed his first few barra - only small but his first regardless - no changes to his tackle
Back in March he lands his first legal 70 cm fish (in the timber) & he starts to appreciate the power of these little street fighters ! Later in the trip he lands more & bigger barra ....... The cheap rod starts to break up & one of his reels seizes ...... Fish are lost through gear failure or just not having the guts to turn a rampaging mumma ....... I had to lend him one of my outfits to complete the trip:)
On the most recent trip ..... he has upgraded a rod & now is asking me about another rod & reel ..... after landing & loosing some serious fish - The penny has dropped::)
So where is this leading to ..... I hear you ask:-/
Like old mate ......... he is now spending more $$ to come up with tackle that even he feels is more appropriate ....... & he hates parting with cash . Clearly he would have been better off spending a bit more to start with .....
Sure you can catch barra on a range of gear ..... even handlines! But if you really want to pursue these magnificent impoundment barra on a regular basis ...... Buy gear that will handle the fish ( over many trips) + enhance the whole experience ..........
Chris
PS .... My choice for a quality budget outfit would be something like Shimano T Curve , Nitro or Pflueger Medalist rods (spin or baitcast) & Reels to look at Daiwa Advantage hsta , Hard rock fish, ABU Revo SX / STX/ Inshore ....... or Spin reels Daiwa Tierra , Shimano Stradic ........... but you would still be spending $400-$500 for a complete outfit
DEANO68
25-10-2008, 08:43 AM
This is an interesting thread & I can relate it back to what my mate is going through.
When we started fishing for impoundment barra a few years back ....... Old mate took a minimalistic approach ( cheap baitcast rod , old ABU / Shimano baitcast reel & armed himself with stump jumper & smilin jack lures) - Never caught a scale in his first couple of trips - Lack of experience more than anything!
Anyhow ..... 12 months ago he landed his first few barra - only small but his first regardless - no changes to his tackle
Back in March he lands his first legal 70 cm fish (in the timber) & he starts to appreciate the power of these little street fighters ! Later in the trip he lands more & bigger barra ....... The cheap rod starts to break up & one of his reels seizes ...... Fish are lost through gear failure or just not having the guts to turn a rampaging mumma ....... I had to lend him one of my outfits to complete the trip:)
On the most recent trip ..... he has upgraded a rod & now is asking me about another rod & reel ..... after landing & loosing some serious fish - The penny has dropped::)
So where is this leading to ..... I hear you ask:-/
Like old mate ......... he is now spending more $$ to come up with tackle that even he feels is more appropriate ....... & he hates parting with cash . Clearly he would have been better off spending a bit more to start with .....
Sure you can catch barra on a range of gear ..... even handlines! But if you really want to pursue these magnificent impoundment barra on a regular basis ...... Buy gear that will handle the fish ( over many trips) + enhance the whole experience ..........
Chris
PS .... My choice for a quality budget outfit would be something like Shimano T Curve , Nitro or Pflueger Medalist rods (spin or baitcast) & Reels to look at Daiwa Advantage hsta , Hard rock fish, ABU Revo SX / STX/ Inshore ....... or Spin reels Daiwa Tierra , Shimano Stradic ........... but you would still be spending $400-$500 for a complete outfit
yes chris even a budget outfit is still 4 or 5 hundred, you can get a reasonable quality rod for 100-120, but you still need to spend around 300 for a suitable reel,then braid another 30-50 bucks, had a good score on a new rod few weeks back, mate sellin stuff, penn pinpoint 12kg and revo sx, 50lb braid, said he wanted 200...hand streight in pocket;D used once, and that was me who used it at the muster....450 worth..ha.. he shoots he scores.. ripper..:P
Nice buy Deano, the revos are a good lttle reel.
Chris, you hit the nail on the head mate.
Another thing to factor in is comfort level, when you are contiually useing the gear all day. Low end product that is difficult to manage (read cheapo baitcasters) soon becomes more of a hassle to fish with than it is worth, comfort level with the gear is then zero, and that equals loss of confidence, and loss of potential fish in the net.
yes chris even a budget outfit is still 4 or 5 hundred, you can get a reasonable quality rod for 100-120, but you still need to spend around 300 for a suitable reel,then braid another 30-50 bucks, had a good score on a new rod few weeks back, mate sellin stuff, penn pinpoint 12kg and revo sx, 50lb braid, said he wanted 200...hand streight in pocket;D used once, and that was me who used it at the muster....450 worth..ha.. he shoots he scores.. ripper..:P
Yeh those Pinpoints seem pretty decent for the coin ........ I do have to say , I find it pretty important to have a good rod ........ silcon carbide guides & good cork grips & reel seats .....:) Seen several Raiders , Dropshots & Sic Sticks fall apart now
Thats a good buy Deano
cheers
Chris
Nice buy Deano, the revos are a good lttle reel.
Chris, you hit the nail on the head mate.
Another thing to factor in is comfort level, when you are contiually useing the gear all day. Low end product that is difficult to manage (read cheapo baitcasters) soon becomes more of a hassle to fish with than it is worth, comfort level with the gear is then zero, and that equals loss of confidence, and loss of potential fish in the net.
Brian .... Spot on with the comfort ( hence my mention of low profile baitcasters) Balanced outfits make it easier - specially on 12 hour days
I watch old mate , stuggling with his gear ...... & I shake my head - Its just false economy:(
Chris
Steve B
25-10-2008, 09:24 AM
NAGG, Brian and Deano have summed it up well.
Fools pay twice. Get decent gear to start with and it will last longer....who knows the cheap gear might explode (probably will) on a fish of a life time.....I wouldn't travel hundreds of KM spending big$$ on the way to let that happen. I have seen it happen...regularly. How many time I have seen blokes walk into foxies with a K Mart special detroyed is quite amazing.....they then spend the money and upgrade.
Around the $300+ mark is pretty safe for combo..plus braid, leader ST66's!!
All worth it if your going to make the effort to chase these critters.
Just my take on it.
cheers Steve
PS. then theres comfort = more casts
More quality generally= longer/accurate casts=lure in zone and water longer=more chance of fish
PS. then theres comfort = more casts
More quality generally= longer/accurate casts=lure in zone and water longer=more chance of fish
yep, thats about it.
It then leads on to the multiple outfits in the boat thing, each one rigged with a differant presentation to suit whatever situation you may have in front of you. A typical day on the water can take in shallow points and edges in the morning, medium divers in the sticks dureing the day, snag bashing, deep trolling, a number of scenarios. Haveing a outfit ready at hand to pick up and use to suit whats in front of you is a time saver, and adds on to what Steve was saying about more time in the water equals.....
DEANO68
25-10-2008, 09:57 AM
Yeh those Pinpoints seem pretty decent for the coin ........ I do have to say , I find it pretty important to have a good rod ........ silcon carbide guides & good cork grips & reel seats .....:) Seen several Raiders , Dropshots & Sic Sticks fall apart now
Thats a good buy Deano
cheers
Chris
poor bloke never used it , got it for our trip to awoonga last year, got crook and didnt come,,sat in his shed ever since, i was lookin at gettin a second baitcaster outfit before the muster, but didnt have the coin to get a decent one,and wasnt willing to get a cheepie,,so borrowed it..yea good buy..
yep, thats about it.
It then leads on to the multiple outfits in the boat thing, each one rigged with a differant presentation to suit whatever situation you may have in front of you. A typical day on the water can take in shallow points and edges in the morning, medium divers in the sticks dureing the day, snag bashing, deep trolling, a number of scenarios. Haveing a outfit ready at hand to pick up and use to suit whats in front of you is a time saver, and adds on to what Steve was saying about more time in the water equals.....
Multiple outfits rock ...... & I couldn't agree more about rapid changes in presentations
A point with a weed edge ...... which drops into deep water .......... can call for multiple presentations ......... plastics , surface , divers & shallow runners - having the ability to throw all of these in succession may just turn a result ...... + lets face it...... we are less likely to change 4 or 5 lures in 15 mins >>> So much easier to pick up another rod.8-)
Unfortunately ...... now we are talking serious expenditure
Chris
poor bloke never used it , got it for our trip to awoonga last year, got crook and didnt come,,sat in his shed ever since, i was lookin at gettin a second baitcaster outfit before the muster, but didnt have the coin to get a decent one,and wasnt willing to get a cheepie,,so borrowed it..yea good buy..
I'm with you on the not going the cheapie ...... better off saving the coin & buying later .......... Also look for specials or run outs ( picked up a runout Pflueger President 7Ft 8-10kg spin rod...... Sic guides , nice cork - pull stumps with it ..... a fraction heavy because of the guides ............ $99:P Will do me - matched with my Certate 3000:)
Chris
DEANO68
25-10-2008, 11:38 AM
I'm with you on the not going the cheapie ...... better off saving the coin & buying later .......... Also look for specials or run outs ( picked up a runout Pflueger President 7Ft 8-10kg spin rod...... Sic guides , nice cork - pull stumps with it ..... a fraction heavy because of the guides ............ $99:P Will do me - matched with my Certate 3000:)
Chris
yea looked at them in september at foxies think they were a tad shorter, for 99bucks good cheep rod, i got an ATC hardstik 10kg for 120 last year had never heard of them before,6"4...put a 3000 curado with it, luv casting it,and it got me over the metre mark...;D
yea looked at them in september at foxies think they were a tad shorter, for 99bucks good cheep rod, i got an ATC hardstik 10kg for 120 last year had never heard of them before,6"4...put a 3000 curado with it, luv casting it,and it got me over the metre mark...;D
I saw the ones at Foxies ...... mine is a bit different (longer) & running the MNSG fuji guides ...... :P Gotta be $100+ of guides
I'm not huge fan of spin rods for barra ....... but this gives me a better option for lightweight plastics though
Chris
Tropicaltrout
25-10-2008, 03:23 PM
Yeah well there seem to be by my observations of the dams when I am up there two types of Barra fisherman, Brian will probably back me on this type 1... THE TROLLER the guy who drives the dam edges in a circular motion on the intent of catching a barra with minimal effort. normally in a boat that goes to the outer reef or with P&O written on the side. For this you will need nothing more than a cheap bit of gear my little girl uses a el cheapo rod with a cheap barrel reel with 30lb bionic braid and 80lb leader... the drag is set loose for her size and weight and she does mannage well with metre fish.
Type 2 The flicker, these fellas seem to be more of a enthusisit, padantic, suffering the hard deep feeling of critical IBD he spends alot of time worring about his gear, making sure everything is in top working order and the average price of a rod in between $100 to $500, then the reel nothing but the best to his budget $200 to $500 again Braid 50lb bionic or what ever they consddier the best $60 to $120 for a 300 yard spool, leader well this is a really tough one for the avid IBD sufferer, do i twist use clips well oh no were do I turn.... 60lb 80lb 100lb jinki, black magic, penn... the list goes on $30 to $50 for a leader spool. Then the boat electric motors, casting decks and the list goes on.
To be honest use the gear that your budget allows Barra are a fantastic fish and different methods like trolling and casting will catch them and as you get the conferdence with the style of fishing you use then I say up grade your gear to what you want dont break the bank on a trip and get up there get a donut and never return. Best bet try and keep it as simple as you can till the conferdance grows.
Nath
Hey Nath, every time I think of trolling I remember that trip in Feb, or was it early March, where we ran into each other on the basin that arvo, what a circus.
As a self confessed flicker, am I pedantic or masochistic.
Tropicaltrout
26-10-2008, 08:20 AM
I hear you mate that was something else there were 45 boats in the basin and another 40 odd scatted in Bird bay and bass straight for those who are wondering what we are on about
Nath
I hear you mate that was something else there were 45 boats in the basin and another 40 odd scatted in Bird bay and bass straight for those who are wondering what we are on about
Nath
Nath ..... was that just after the dam rose with the big dump of rain ........ ???
Lots of barra nailed near the dam wall of a night
Chris
Steve B
26-10-2008, 10:43 AM
Nath, Love you summations mate!! Very good read..
I think you paint the good old trollers brigade a bit harshly:P ;) I am a finatic flicker....but I like trolling too. In fact at times......dare I say it....here goes...I love trolling. Kickin back with a beer on sunset....trolling with a mate, havin a chat....
BUT....the secret is not trolling aimlessly. There is an artform to trolling. ie water depths, temps, the RIGHT part of the dam!....Some of my most memorable sessions are trolling both here and particularly at Awoonga.
Cheers Steve
PS notice I didnt mention 'theromclines'..they dont have them where I troll.
Nath, Love you summations mate!! Very good read..
I think you paint the good old trollers brigade a bit harshly:P ;) I am a finatic flicker....but I like trolling too. In fact at times......dare I say it....here goes...I love trolling. Kickin back with a beer on sunset....trolling with a mate, havin a chat....
BUT....the secret is not trolling aimlessly. There is an artform to trolling. ie water depths, temps, the RIGHT part of the dam!....Some of my most memorable sessions are trolling both here and particularly at Awoonga.
Cheers Steve
I'd be pissed by the end of a trolling session Steve !
Nah ..... After several years of Marlin & YFT fishin ..... i'm over the "T" thing::)
Sure we will leave a lure in the water when we move from one location to another while having lunch ...... yes relaxing for a little while - - - Maybe a troll while prospecting new water ............ But in the end , I love more active forms of fishing.
The last trip ..... never saw us troll & I think we trolled once back in March
Chris
Nath ..... was that just after the dam rose with the big dump of rain ........ ???
Lots of barra nailed near the dam wall of a night
Chris
Just after the big inflow Chris, all water from B up was cold and lifeles, but the basin was a degree or two warmer, and a better colour. The bite switched on late arvo, co-incideing with the moon rise, absolutely something to see, boats hooked up everywhere you looked, reminded me of trolling the mouth of Tommycutt in the NT dureing the run off on a tide change. Couple of pics of my brothers first impoundment barra hereabouts, caught trolling that trip.
Im not bagging the trollers, each to their own, I just like casting, feels a bit more like me against fish.
Tropicaltrout
26-10-2008, 12:40 PM
Yeah Chris it was not a night thing thats for sure they were hooking them all throught the day one boat took 9 fish trolling from the boat ramp cross the dam wall and around in a day. It was amazing to see so much action in the biggest part of the lake.
Steve I hear you I do often have a small troll on the way in it is enjoyable with a cold drink. When the kids are in the boat they love it and I get a kick out seeing them holding the rod as tight as they can in antisapation of a leaping barra.
Nath
darylive
26-10-2008, 09:51 PM
Nath, Love you summations mate!! Very good read..
I think you paint the good old trollers brigade a bit harshly:P ;) I am a finatic flicker....but I like trolling too. In fact at times......dare I say it....here goes...I love trolling. Kickin back with a beer on sunset....trolling with a mate, havin a chat....
BUT....the secret is not trolling aimlessly. There is an artform to trolling. ie water depths, temps, the RIGHT part of the dam!....Some of my most memorable sessions are trolling both here and particularly at Awoonga.
Cheers Steve
PS notice I didnt mention 'theromclines'..they dont have them where I troll.
Some passionate argument there, :o Us 'n them, WHO BLOODY CARES :D
Steve I am happy to come trollin mate, especially after floggin the guts out of every thing else. Sit back and cruise, with a couple 'o quite ones ;D if you want to get serious you can even take the rod from the holder and hang on to it.
As for what you need. Get the best you can afford! it's that simple.
You don't have to spend a fortune just speak to some one who knows and get the best you can with the money you have. Go for quality not quantity, quantity will come soon enough when you realise there is nothing more important to spend money on than fishing gear, but only if you enjoy the gear you have. Eg. Buy half a dozen good lures not 20 cheapies.
As has been said the good gear not only performs better it makes the whole experience more pleasurable. You soon get the s#its with stuff that buggers up and as for bait casters get a decent one or don't get one.
mylestom
28-10-2008, 08:25 PM
All the gear, good, bad or indifferent means nothing if the fish don't want to cooperate.
The pro tournament here today and prefish yesterday. All the gear and not a lot of fish.
First find the fish that are active and then worry about the gear.
Lots of days in between?
Regards
Trev
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