GregL Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 (edited) Few weeks ago an old friend sent me some crazy pics of monster barra..... 3 hours later a phone call from another person that had seen the same pics asking if I wanted to join in on a 3 day barra trip, the same trip as my friend just went on..... Before he could even finish his sentence my reply was "I'm in!" The plan was, Fly into Gladestone, pick up from the airport to cabin, then fish HARD for 3 days straight, fly back to Sydney, done and fishing fix out of the way. "I have BARRA-FEVER" The fishing Gods smiled apon us was an understatement! Day one warm up. Learn the art of softplastics in weed beds..... Total 9 for the boat, largest going 96cm Day 2, cast your arms off! With a late start needed after a total body work out on day 1, we had pick up at 11am. With big expectations from the guide with weather and temps looking great, we wanted to keep our bodies for the afternoon session as day one finished strong. The tally kept ticking over threw the day but the late afternoon bite just went ballistic! In the end we set a new boat record! 20 barra to the boat in one day!! We jumped off just as many!! The size were high 70's to 2 fish off the same spot just over the magic 1m mark! Day 3 was set for a early start as we had to get back by 2ish to make the plane home. Fishing early in beautiful surrounds on Awoonga Dam is just something everyone must do. The bird life is amazing..... Pretty much the same as day one with fish constantly coming, no real hot bites but kept the heart pumping every cast. Total barra 9 again. 99cm, so close but so far The release Summary. In the end the total was 38 Barra smallest mid seventies and the to largest just over a metre. I didn't get my metre fish in the end but I was so glad to see the other guys faces when they got theirs! Just makes it more nessasary to go back in December on my next "Quick trip" Bestest, most pofessional guided service I have had the pleasure of going on. A total fly in fly out service and I didn't have to pull my wallet out the whole trip, everything was included including a box of crownies every day! Gear was first class and the food was just excellect with plenty of it! Ever been on a charter where you get RedBulls and Powerades as a part of the service? I booked my next visit before I even left the place, that's how good Awoonga is!! A quick chop chop of the vids for your enjoyment! You Tube Links. http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=JPN5mjRH6Cw http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=8EOObT5J5TU Sorry for the language in some of the excitment! Greg Edited November 23, 2008 by GregL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taloyoak Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Well done Greg! I am really happy for you, wish I could go!!!!. The photos are good quality ( makes a huge difference when viewing posts with quality shots). What kind of lures/poppers did you use?. What was the name of the guiding company and costs. I have been upto Cape York before, fished in Arurukun and also Pormpurraw ( spelling might be wrong). Nothing beats little exciting trips like that eh?. your one lucky guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robeebee Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 mate , what a great trip 3 days of heaven Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glennmreid Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 some great barra there mate. Sounded like 3 days of heaven. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hodgey Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Great report and photos Greg Some very impressive Awoonga Barras Were you throwing slick rigs or weedless shads? Considering the fish numbers caught on this trip, your 'metre' trophy is one trip away Great stuff mate Cheers Hodgey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Iceman Posted November 7, 2008 Share Posted November 7, 2008 Sounds like a great trip with some good barra Greg up in my old stomping grounds Weather gods must have shone for you as my last three trips up there were all 20kn+ soueasters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brendong Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 Awesome trip mate....welldone..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jewhunter Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 Fantastic report & pics Greg. I'm sure you'll crack the metre mark in Dec. Congrats on a top trip. I gotta get me some of that action!!!! Cheers, Grant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishhunter76 Posted November 8, 2008 Share Posted November 8, 2008 Well done there Greg. Nice Photo shop. .LOL Would off been a great trip. Congrates How would you compare a Barra to a Kingie???? Cheers LALA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arpie Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Well done Greg!! Fishing Heaven!!! I wanna go back there & get one in my yak !!!! I nearly 'scooped' a monster a few years back, but I touched it instead (to see if it was awake) & it disappeared intot he depths!! Fantastic fishing action!! Roberta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew399 Posted November 10, 2008 Share Posted November 10, 2008 Nice work greg! Sounds like a blast! Can you give us a rough guide on the overall price? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregL Posted November 11, 2008 Author Share Posted November 11, 2008 Thanks fellas Considering it was tuff fishing up there with near all boats coming back with donuts. Even a few high profile fishing guys with film crews packed up early as they only got one fish in 3 days, we did pretty well. The trip costs was about $2000 each ex Sydney for 3 days based on 3 anglers. I didn't have to pull the wallet out for the whole trip which is pretty unusual for fishing trips. Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slinkymalinky Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 Awesome report Greg... probably makes the pain of selling your much loved boat seem like a distant and unimportant memory. Any chance you could PM me the details of the charter (don't post it please)... I think I know who it probably is but with my move to QLD, Awoonga is on my to-do list in the near future but it's one of the places that needs a guide to get the hang of it I'm told. Cheers, Slinky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregL Posted November 11, 2008 Author Share Posted November 11, 2008 Awesome report Greg... probably makes the pain of selling your much loved boat seem like a distant and unimportant memory. Any chance you could PM me the details of the charter (don't post it please)... I think I know who it probably is but with my move to QLD, Awoonga is on my to-do list in the near future but it's one of the places that needs a guide to get the hang of it I'm told. Cheers, Slinky Worth doing even for locals. The place is very technique sensitive. I'm sworn to secrecy from the guide but there is NO CHANCE in hell I would have retrived the lures the way we did! Mate boats gone and new one is bloody fantasic! Done a few little trips out side chasing snappers, caught a few but it's the ride that impresses everyone thats been on board. Sunday I fished long reef twice, the arvo was blowing a solid 15-20kns, we cruised out at 28kns, bone dry and zero pounding. Went for a drive to woolongong and back yesterday in beautiful conditions, 2 and a half hours from the islands back into hunters hill, yep impressive! Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluedog Posted November 11, 2008 Share Posted November 11, 2008 thats done it for me i'm definitely doing a barra trip next year. was gonna take the missus to perth but she can go on a cruise with her mates now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outdoordan Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 Big pat on the back for an ausome effort Thats the type of trip which will take a long time to beat. Heres to the Meter'y on the next trip Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snag Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 Someone looks like a happy camper thats for sure, spoke to tricky mick and he said you guys smashed it while you where up there. Nice pic's aswell, your camera or someone elses? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GregL Posted November 12, 2008 Author Share Posted November 12, 2008 Someone looks like a happy camper thats for sure, spoke to tricky mick and he said you guys smashed it while you where up there. Nice pic's aswell, your camera or someone elses? Hey Jorg Hows life over the other side? Off my little Sony camera, couldn't be bothered to take the SLR.... Good job at the bream I hear, well done mate. G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snag Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 Hey Jorg Hows life over the other side? Off my little Sony camera, couldn't be bothered to take the SLR.... Good job at the bream I hear, well done mate. G Thanks greg id be happy with a new skeeter but carnt complain about 6th with that type of field. Lets hope the open is as kind to us as the clarence was. Ring yar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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