Barra Fishing Melville Island

[wakd]

Hi Folks,

My four day trip to Melville Island is approaching (end of April) but I'm still uncertain as to what to take. I'll be droppping an email to the guides, but in the meantime thought I'd ask any raiders who have been up north fishing for barra. The guides website states:

Single handed baitcasters, spinning outfits or fly fishing gear (not supplied).

Line class: 10 kilo minimum breaking strain.

Reel capacity of not less than 120 metres.

So my question is, should I bother taking up my 3-5kg Black Diamond Bass rod w/ Chronarch 101 spooled with 20lb braid, or will I get badly smoked (ie the rod won't be up to it)? My other thought is to take just the reel (since its a lefty) and use it on one of their rods. I also have a 5-7kg BD spin rod w/ Tica Taurus 3000 spooled with 8kg Fireline XDS, which I think could be alright. A few people I spoke to said take your own gear, while others have said just use the guide's gear. I'm also unsure as to whether I buy a bunch of barra lures or just use theirs. At this stage I'm inclined to just use the guides lures (on a replace if lost basis), but take a bunch of bigger soft plastics with me. If i get over excited I may end up buying a heavier baitcaster rod and put my Chronarch on that. As much as I would like to, I don't think I'll be packing the Saegake, Flats Ranger or Sustain 1000...

Anyways, all these questions will probably be answered when I email the guide, but I really wanted to post the question here pretty much so I could brag about going!!!

Cheers,

Ben

[yellow submarine]

Just came back from a session up at Hintchinbrook island. We were 30lb braid on low profile baitcasters for the barra. Make sure your drag is in top order. rods in the 5 -7 kg range handled all the fish we tangled with. There were no Barra over a metre but a couple around the 70cm mark. Fly fishing gear was a 10# with 30lb braid backing filling the whole spool. Important to have a full spool to improve retrieve rate. Lures were mainly orange and black shallow diving hard bodies. Flies were mainly white and green.

Enjoy, I had a ball. keep your eye out for blue or threadfin salmon, these things run faster then any other fish I have tangled with in their size range.

Cheers

[wakd]

Yellow sub, thanks for the info. My Chronarch is brand new, so presumably the drag will be sweet. Not sure how good the drag is on the Tica Taurus - its new too, but only a 3000, so drag may not be up to it.

Pedro - The guide is Les Woodbridge, I didn't organise the trip, so all I know is that it is on Melville, haven't heard of Manupi. I presume its all 8-10kg rods and Calcuttas or equivalents, which makes my 3-5kg and Chronarch look undergunned. Can you explain why you would take your own lures if you went again? Not sure if plastics are part of their regular arsenal up there, the website only mentions the usual barra HBs. Can;t see any reason for me to stock up if they already have the ones that the guides know work up there. Apparently there is no baitfishing allowed, barbless hooks only, so not sure if livies will be used.

Thanks for the info guys - still wondering if the guides will laugh their heads off if I turn up with the 3-5kg rod...

[changa]

Wakd,

you really should try and come along to the talk a guy is giving at our club next week. It all about barra fishing, lures, presentation, knots, rigs etc.

He has fished lots for barra etc and you may just learn a bit too.

look here for info.

BARRA NIGHT

changa

[wakd]

Thanks again guys, good advice all round.

Changa, would love to attend the meeting, just have to decide whether the drive from Taren Point to Pitt Town in peak hour is tolerable! I'll let you know ASAP if I'm coming.

TelcoBroker - good points, think I might have to invest in at least a couple to take up. Theres a 4 for $40 deal at my local tackle store at the moment - think they are Barra Magnums.

Pedro - yep, its Snake Bay. Sounds like I should take some placcies then.

I've got some 4inch Berkley Lizards here that I reckon will go alright on a weightless rig. On that note, whats everyones suggestions on barra plastics? I'm guessing Ecogear mini tanks are not appropriate Wouldn't mind getting a barra on a 3" minnow though! Spose I'll take some sluggo's, 4" minnows, big shads, lizards, and some bigger craws. Got a few bigger "creature" plastics that might go alright too. What size/weight/brand jigheads would be appropriate?

Thanks guys - to fishraider advice!!!

Ben.

[heckendorfmortgage]

I'm jealous of you wakd.

Definately take some lures and some. The tackle shops in Darwin will guide you.

Brown bombers or their equivalent are perfect for flicking around the snags and drains. Surebite blazers in various sizes are cheap and effective. Take a couple in your bag. Some deeper divers can come in useful if you try trolling along some of the deeper creeks.

I have never broken a charter rod but I nearly had a problem in Melville. I had just lathered up with sunscreen and thought my sweaty hands were OK. First cast slip and the rod went in the drink. Fortunately we were at a snag in clearer water was near the mouth of the ocean and fairly shallow. Guide jumped in and retreived it for me. Saved buying a new loomis and reel.

Be mindful when packing cloths and gear, when flying up that its a light plane and everything (including you) is weighed on departure and returning.

Have a great time.

MH

[patl]

Ben,

I think the most important thing to take in your bagge is.............................me

Mind you, you ,may have a problem with excess baggage.

Have a great trip

Patrick

[aussiebasser]

Take Long Sleeve shirts and long pants. Your Chronarch drag could do with upgrading, they are not as smooth as you think at high settings. Jack Eskine could fit a set of Carbontex washers for you, which are awesome. Fireline is a bit stiff in the sizes you need, I'd suggest 30lb Bionic Braid and learn to tie a good 40 turn Bimini. I use Barra Class Knotted Dog leaders, and they haven't failed me yet. Read the pack to learn how to tie them on so you don't have a tag end rattling through guides. Go out and buy some new Halco 120DD's in Gold. Also some 130 and 150 Lively Lures Arafura Barra's in Bleeding Mullet, Gold and "Shirt Lifter" Pink.

Have Fun