Darwin adventure part 2, the saltwater grind

[dirvin21]

As the title says the saltwater part of our trip wasn't as successful fishing wise (see freshwater report section). 

Our first afternoon in Darwin we wasted no time in getting unpacked and heading down to the water, for us the adventure truly starts when the lure first hits the water. Our first spot was Stokes hill wharf only  minutes drive from our accomodation.

even has a purpose built fishing platform

we were just excited to be in the NT, the first arvo was pretty exciting on the fishing front although no fish were landed we had queenies busting up and plenty of follows and hits. We started talking to a local who turns out had only just moved to Darwin and was quite new to fishing naturally I gave him a few pointers and in no time he had a solid fish which turned out to be a solid cod, I felt privelaged to be part of what he said was the by far his biggest fish. We returned to the wharf just after dark there was life evrywhere, I hear a big barra boof, I cast a softvibe right where it was and made a smat comment about how hardcore I'd look if I caught it............... The soft vibe was taken by an unstoppable beast that taught me some humility when it ran back up into the pylons, a couple of locals said it was almost certainly a big barra.

After our Corroborree success on day 2 we were booming with confidance hoping to tangle with some pelagics, we made the drive around Cox peninsula our destination Mandorah jetty and Waigat beach. The drive itself was amazing, one of the highlights being the massive termite mounds

the fishing at Mandorah and Waigat was slow to say the least the apparently the queenies had been aound during the arvo's 

Waiget beach was a beautiful place to fish

we did have a couple of hits but when your in a spectacular place like this doesn't seem to matter so much, we started making our way back towards Darwin fishing a few spots on the way

and being very croc wise this spot on the Blackmore river looked pretty popular, heading a different route back we pulled up at a culvert on channel island I found on google earth before out trip 

I had to do a quick run back to the car for spray as the sandflies were a bit vicious, the tide was dead low I was thinking this spot was another bust and out if nowhere a fish

only a small barra but I was happy especially when it's my first barra without a guide and on a spot I found myself. 

Day 4 we headed to the Northern end of Darwin hitting places like East Point again looking for pelagics even the locals were struggling and apparently conditions and tides were perfect just no fish, I'll give Darwin fishos credit for how friendly and helpful they are we were pointed to an area for a hopeful barra

 

a beautiful spot, no fish but we enjoyed watching a group of indigenous youth being taught traditional spear fishing skills, 

Our final day we were up before dawn and back up to East point looing for our pelagic fish

the picture doesn't do the territory sunrise justice, truly breath taking 

We put plenty of casts in but there was a lack of bait and life 

 

so we headed to a different area called deckchair cinema a local suggested was worth a go

The fish were busting everywhere at deckchair unfortunetly they were just out of cast range

we had a good session practicing our casting but the pelagices evaded us, for a last ditch effort we headed back to stokes hill wharf right as the tide turned it was like a switch was flicked and i had a fish on, which I called for a cod 

turned out to be a crocodile fish, another new species, I was getting a hit a cast off the wharf including what I presumed was another solid barra just couldn't pin the hooks and then my last softvibe was destroyed by a what I assume was a small mackeral. With that we finished up with fishing and finished our day doing somrthing touristy

the croc jumping croc tour was a truly awesome way to end our trip

the crocs were massive 

Despite the tough fishing in the salt which is just how fishing goes sometimes we'll definetly be back for another trip to Darwin it's hard to beat  30 degree weather in July 

cheers for reading 

Dave

 

 

 

[Rebel]

Great report and adventure. What about that Croc. I am glad it was you.

Cheers.

[big Neil]

Another great report. Can't say you didn't put in the effort. As you say, sometimes all the effort in the world can't guarantee the fish will play their part. Great experience anyway and the freshwater fishing more than made up for the saltwater results. bn

[Blackfish]

Great report and photos again Dave. Good to see you went out and had a go yourself, bet that was rewarding.

Also, I really like the Sunrise photos and catching an unusual fish.

Good stuff.👍

[Green Hornet]

Great reports, both fresh and saltwater Dave, some nice fish and memories for life.

The Top End sure is a unique place.

[masterfisho7]

Love the report and photos looks like quiet a trip