bassboy888 Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 (edited) Well Raiders due to a busy few weeks I haven't quite had time to put up a report of the trip Basscatcher and I took up (with the new boat) to one of our personal favourite dams Lake St Clair, BUT finally I have pulled my finger out and here goes the report! The first day had us heading up to the dam on the Thursday with an early start to get to the dam for an early arvo first session. With a little bit of local knowledge from a few mates both Basscatcher and I rigged up a few rods with plastics, jerkbaits and surface lures and headed off to a point in the main basin where I had some previous success on my last trip up. It took a while to work our heads around a pattern but once we did, it didnt take long for me to get my first fish on board a FAT 39cm from the weed beds on plastic. A slow roll/shake to get it going through the weeds to be belted as it darted around. As we had the wind pushing us along the bank we continued on the drift and it wasnt long after the first that I got my second fish. An even bigger 41.5cm fish who absolutely SMASHED my plastic on the boat side of the weed allowing me to keep her clear of the weed and being busted off with the 6lb leader! Not even 10 minutes later I hook onto another big fish, this one however thinks it wants to go home, burying me in the weed but with some very good electrics work and skilful *COUGH lucky COUGH* I managed to pull out another 41cm beast on the 6lb leader Unfortunately It was from here I got a little cocky/overexcited/keen to land my next bass forgetting to retie my lure and leader resulting in 2 consecutive bust offs letting Basscatcher catch up to me with 2 quick mid 30's fish Luckily once my lure was back in the water I got back in the zone landing a smaller fish By this stage it was starting to get dark, so it was decided after some thirsty fishing work and hungry bellies we would give it 10 more minutes then back to camp for some cold ones, and luckily we did as 3 quick mid 30's came aboard giving smiles all around! Day 2 had a bit of a sour start with an interrupted sleep from high winds both of us were feeling a little stale so we had a delayed exit on the water. However not to waste any fishing time I decided to test" a few lures while we waited, this resulted in two missed surface strikes and me practically dragging Basscatcher out onto the water for the early morning surface bite (for those of you who don't know already IM AN ADDICT) Once we got to our first spot it didn't take Basscatcher long to secure first fish of the morning slow rolling the plastics over weed. it was a good conditioned 36cm fish. From this point it didn't take him long to regain his mojo and he landed 3 more bass (37cm, 34.5cm and a right on 40cm) in the next 30 minutes, ALL while I persisted on the surface getting miss strike after miss strike (thankfully there's at least a surface element in it). After this morning flurry we changed location (and I put away the surface ) this time it took us a little while to find some productive grounds but as soon as we did fish started coming aboard (and busted off....well I was) Basscatcher caught this lovely dark 40cm fish It didn't take me long from here to catch up from here though landing a Mid 30's fish and a nice fat and healthy yella (which apparently doesn't count, cheating Basscatcher) Unfortunately (for me) basscatcher extended his days lead with another mid 30's boat side, leaving me to catch up quickly before the end of session with 3 in the boat quickly! By this time it was about 1pm and time for some fresh bacon and eggs water side while we planned out the arvo session. From here it was decided we would head up another arm and have a live well competition to test out the new flow-rite timer system in the boat, with 2 longest fish winning! Once again Basscatcher was first of the bat with a lovely 38cm fish caught with in 5 minutes of us fishing once again rolling plastics along the weed. With the wind increasing a change of location was called looking for somewhere we could have the winds to our backs and set the electric motor to spot lock while we cast at weedy points, this plan worked with me getting 2 consecutive fish both going 38cm and caught either side of the boat while Basscatcher was re-rigging! Once the master was re-rigged however it didn't take him long to get back into the zone and ahead on the score board with another over 40's beauty! luckily I got to get in on some this action just not with the required size, even better was that this fish dug me deep into the weed and with some patients and hand lining skills i pulled her from the depths of the weed Stopping for a quick photo with my 2 best on our way to the next spot with some light still around, Basscatcher got a great shot! Was slow from here on with Basscatcher landing another fish and calling it a victory on his behalf. After a few beers and a quick leaf/twig fed fire we hit the swags this time to only be awoken by "cannon" loud lighting, which from Basscatcher's description tickled the tops of the surrounding mountains..... making me wish I wasn't so lazy and snuck out to watch. Saturday morning was to be our last session and another competition was in order to see if i could regain any bragging rights back and level the total sessions scores to 2 a piece. Heading back to a same location as the previous morning I stuck to surface while Basscatcher stayed in the comfortable soft plastics zone. Once again I had miss hit after miss hit so I changed to a smaller lure and immediately rewarded with a small 32cm bass. Only to be once again out done by the "champion" Basscatcher landing 2 quickies on plastic before we called it game over Cheers, Stu Edited February 20, 2014 by bassboy888 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nat Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 awesome work guys some solid fish there... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brendong Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 Cracking weekend lads.....very jealous looks like being a good bass season....seems early for a surface bite buts it's hard to resist.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjc123 Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 Great Bass Stu! Some chunky fish that's for sure. Awesome stuff! Cheers, Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironbark Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 Wow just wow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scratchie Posted October 6, 2013 Share Posted October 6, 2013 Awesome! Have been up there myself but not with those results. I only live an hour and a bit drive, so it maybe on the cards shortly. Great story, effort and weekend fellas. Congrats! Cheers scratchie!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassboy888 Posted October 6, 2013 Author Share Posted October 6, 2013 Thanks for the replies already raiders! Poddy you know as well as me it's never too early for the surface haha! I just couldn't help my self, they were hitting it that hard even one bass went airborne! Scratchie, I would suggest just by using all the electronics properly and sound up the bass I the edges you can/ will increase the amount of fish that's for sure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jewhunter Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 Terrific report Stu & thanks for putting the effort in to post it up. That sounds like a top trip. Nothing wrong with a bit of father/son competition! Those bass look really fit & healthy. They would have gone hard! Just as guide what depth did you find most of the fish sitting in? I know a lot of the NSW dams can have a similar pattern at certain times of year. Well done boys!! Cheers, Grant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul.kenny Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 Stu, Thanks for posting the report. It was an outstanding trip and I look forward to our next bass adventure when I return back to Australia. By the time I get back we will be able to focus on the surface bite in the mornings and evenings. Grant - the fish were mainly in the weed beds ranging from 5 - 8 feet deep with the tops of the weeds siting between 2 - 4 feet from the surface. The trick was to ensure that the plastics were just ticking the tops of the weed. PK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassboy888 Posted October 7, 2013 Author Share Posted October 7, 2013 (edited) Well there you go Grant, dad beating me to the punch again, he cant give me any victory can he haha. You're right with a bit of friendly father/son competition being fun, it's unfortunate that he keeps beating me..... I swear he is tampering with my Lures when I hit the hay...... Edited October 7, 2013 by bassboy888 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jew Stalker Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 Great work guys, looks like the years playing with the bass before you were born have payed off Stu. In saying that though you both got onto some great fish. Congrats on a solid few days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arpie Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 How did I miss THIS one?? Well done boys - some really FAT bass there!! Awesome sessions! Well done!!Yeah - the wind at St Clair & Glenbawn can be a real killer - also VERY dangerous - I've been blown off the water on both in my yak!! cheerio Roberta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dean Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Great result Bassboy, nothing like a bit of friendly competition between father and son. I'll be up at st Clair in a few weeks, if I do half as good as you guys I'd be happy. Nice looking boat, bet that rides a little better than the tinny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pmak Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Hey Bassboy, don't know how this report slipped my radar but sounds like the fishing was red hot! You and your dad sure enjoy your bass fishing and these trips away are an awesome way to experience it. I hope someday my son will wake me up early to go fishing too . Boat looks like a fishing weapon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassboy888 Posted October 23, 2013 Author Share Posted October 23, 2013 Trout stalker: unfortunately we started bass fishing at the same time. He just cottoned on to them a lot quicker then I did. Roberta: I think I posted this when you started back on the water again. So I dare say you were too excited haha. The winds can be horrible there, the trip before this I had waves coming over the back of the boat as I was waiting to retrieve it. DWAG: get the surface lures ready and TN50s/60s ready, that's what I heard was working. I'm sure there will be some red hot action up there as the water is a little warmer and it's feeding season. The boat is extremely comfortable too. PMAK: don't worry about being woken up to fish If your son is an addict like I became it won't be long until he does. These bass trips would be a lot like your yellowbelly trips. It's about the company and location. Fish are the bonus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robinsoi Posted October 23, 2013 Share Posted October 23, 2013 Tremendous trip Bassboy & Basscatcher!! Excellent write up and great photos too. Congratulations all round on the solid quality fish caught. Nicely done and thanks for sharing. Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul.kenny Posted October 24, 2013 Share Posted October 24, 2013 Well there you go Grant, dad beating me to the punch again, he cant give me any victory can he haha. You're right with a bit of friendly father/son competition being fun, it's unfortunate that he keeps beating me..... I swear he is tampering with my Lures when I hit the hay...... Stu, I thought you knew I dipped your lures in the fuel tank each night and loosened your knots to ensure that I can get a head start. However, I should stop doing that when we are competing as a team.....heheheheh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jew Stalker Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 Stu, I thought you knew I dipped your lures in the fuel tank each night and loosened your knots to ensure that I can get a head start. However, I should stop doing that when we are competing as a team.....heheheheh Giggity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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