S.w.r Back Creek

[Bar Up]

Up at Nambucca Heads for a couple of weeks and want to get amongst some decent fish. Went for a drive to SWR to have a look before dragging the boat down there.

When looking at Back Creek I noticed a large excavator with bucket which appeared to be digging sand out of the entrance.

Are they deepening this area and should I try this (haven't crossed a Bar before) in a Barcrusher 560 or just go through the Bar?

Edited February 14, 2009 by Bar Up

[tide'n'knots]

Up at Nambucca Heads for a couple of weeks and want to get amongst some decent fish. Went for a drive to SWR to have a look before dragging the boat down their.

When looking at Back Creek I noticed a large excavator with bucket which appeared to be digging sand out of the entrance.

Are they deepining this area and should I try this (haven't crossed a Bar before) in a Barcrusher 560 or just go through the Bar?

mate if you havent crossed a bar before wait until someone who has is in the boat with you!!! it can be quite tricky but its rather simple if you know how.crossing a bar can be quite dangerous if you dont know how, particularly coming back in- dont make the mistake of surfing the wave its a sure way to disaster, the wave in front should be breaking just under the very front of the boat with the wave behind just rising up getting ready to break, and you will probably have to vary your speed slightly to stay in the correct zone, as soon as the wave in front has broken completely, gun it and get in or just behind the next wave rising up! The other thing you MUST think about is water depth, on low tide if there isnt sufficient water as the waves are breaking in the troughs there is very little water and that is right where your boat should be, if the out board touches bottom you will lose control and get swamped by the next wave. on a run out tide the waves push against the tide and can STAND UP suddenly and that can be very dangerous both coming out and in!

If you are going to attempt a bar crossing for the first time without someone who has experience,

the best advice I can give you is go out half way through the run in tide so the tide and swell are pushing in the same direction and there is suficient water so the waves break less, and dont wait until dead low to come back in. sit on the end of the breakwall for an hour or so and watch how the other boats do it and take note, before you go out, and speak to a local who has been out and knows the area well.

Go and see Charlie at charlies corner store at SWR, he is a fisherman and knows the area very well and will steer you in the right direction and may even offer to guide you out and back in if he happens to be planning a trip himself.

The dredge at the entrance to back creek is always there constantly keeping the entrance deep enough to get out. In my experience I have found at back creek entrance the waves are generally smaller and its a little bit safer to get out but as i said before beware of low tide because if your motor hits bottom a suprisingly small wave can turn you sideways and tip you over.

hope this helps.

good luck.

Pete.

[arpie]

Absolutely agree with everything you say, Pete. I have been up to SWR every year for the last 10 years & fished that back creek every time. The bar & entrance is small, but particularly dangerous. Take care.

My advise would be ....... IF IN DOUBT, DON'T!!

Roberta

There is some terrific fishing in the area in & around the bridge in the back creek. Lots of popper action. Lots of bream around those busted up jetties on the other side. The mangrove area on full tide is full of fish - whiting on poppers, flatties, everything. Just don't get stuck on the flats when the tide falls!

Edited February 15, 2009 by Roberta

[olitay]

HI there, The tractor normally operates in peak season so boaties can access the open water without having to risk the Bar. We have taken a 6M boat through the creek on days the bar has been to dodgy and havent had a problem. You just need to make sure you leave at high tide and come back on the high otherwise back creek can be as dangerous as the main bar itself, I have seen a few boats breach at low tide at back creek on small 2 feet waves and bottom out forcing the boat to plant into the sand and flip.

Just make sure you cross and come back in at the high and you should be fine.

Saying that, if you want to visit SWR occassionally your best learning how to cross a bar, there are so many great fishing locations along the east coast of NSW that require bar experience to access them. SWR probably isnt the best bar to start with, but on a good day its not too difficult at all.

Either way, (as Roberta said) If your in doubt dont go out!

B

[pjbink]

I prefer the Back Creek compared to the main river bar. A lot of boats have been lost on the river bar in recent years. The tide flow is very fast and it is not predictable where the break will occur. It is not pretty in a strong NE wind and a run out tide! That said on a low swell and a full or run in tide, often it doesn't break at all.

The Back Creek is just a one or two small have hop to get out. On the way in get on the back of a wave. This will give you more water depth as well as stopping you being caugth by a wave. As others have said the Creek is shallow. You will need to identify where the channel is and time you trips according to the tide and how much water your boat draws. With my 5.4m Marlin Billfisher I usually need the tide to be at least half in or no more than half out (note the Billfisher has only a moderate V).

[dominator4.3]

Up at Nambucca Heads for a couple of weeks and want to get amongst some decent fish. Went for a drive to SWR to have a look before dragging the boat down there.

When looking at Back Creek I noticed a large excavator with bucket which appeared to be digging sand out of the entrance.

Are they deepening this area and should I try this (haven't crossed a Bar before) in a Barcrusher 560 or just go through the Bar?

hey mate just came back from a week up there ran the back creek all week in a 4.3m dominator.A 5.6 bar crusher if you time the tides right wont be a problem but if you dont time the tide right you wont have enough water to get back in.In a 560 bar crusher you should have no problems running the bar,go and have a look first watch for a while,talk to locals but i personaly have had a hard time with the bar if its lumpy dont go its that easy they lost alot of boats up there cheers