Land based fishing in FNQ for beginners

[steveG]

We're heading up to the Cape in July, and my wife is quite keen to have a bit of a fish if she gets the chance. I used to do a bit of fishing in NZ when I was younger, but haven't really done any for 20+ years. Shes definitely a beginner, but quite keen, and has really enjoyed the couple of fishing charters we've been on over the years.

Not looking at anything too serious, more a case of something to do and maybe get lucky and land a feed. The idea of lures or plastics appeals as its easy and no need to store/catch bait.

I'm planning to buy her a new spin combo as a present before we go (might go part way to making up for lack of aircon in the County ;) ) and my mad-keen fishing mate who hasn't actually fished up there (but watches a lot of the fishing shows) has suggested a decent quality 2 piece rod spin combo around the 7-8' size, with around 5-6kg line. Small enough to pack in the vehicle, but might give her half a chance if she hooks something reasonable.

Would love to hear some advice as to what sort of gear to use and suggested places to go, and any comments on my mate's recommendation.

Steve

[Rusnut]

I'm not exactly what you would call an expert Steve, I run 15lbs braid with a 40lbs abrasive resistant mono filament leader on a 7ft two piece with egg beater. I gave up on putting braid on overhead, got sick of adjusting brake for bait weight and the such and birdcages galore.

Gold bombers, are a renowned barra lure and have worked for me in the past, but my lucky lure, which I cant find any more is about 20cm long, mostly light blue and white and dives to about 1.5 metres. Cast near snags they will bite on the up so let it sink retrieve repeat.

A cast net and some pop eyed mullet live bait is a relaxing way to fish.
The Bloomfield river if your doing the creb track.
The Annon river mouth, turn right before Cooktown golf coarse, is not pristine due to use but you can set up camp and fish for as long as you like. Ive caught GT's in the inlet.

Then Lakefield N.P.
A lot depends on which route your taking, old telegraph, going to Weipa, but once you hit Bamaga and the tip it is mangrove jack city.

I will be at awoonga res near Gladstone on a house boat in the first week of July if your near on the date give us a hoy.

Have a good trip.

[Rusnut]

ps I believe your mate is right, it's just I don't hook enough, or not patient enough to use such light tackle. Might be after the Gladstone trip ha ha.

[isuzurover]

In the past I have normally used a baitcaster and 4-5' rod with a range of lures. I have only been after small stuff though.

In addition to the fish, don't forget mud crabs and freshwater crays and shrimp. Easy to catch, but you do need traps. The frames from the fish you catch can be used for that.

[Bearman]

G'day Steve, Myself and a few other members on here could be up that way about then. Not sure yet whether it'll be gulf or cape at this stage but keep in touch.

[steveG]

Thanks Rusnut - definitely the sort of info I was after. What size reel are you running on your setup? Some of the combo's I've been looking at have a choice of sizes (either a 2500 or 4000 series Shimano from memory)

Bearman - will definitely stay in touch. Would be great to catch up in person after all the phone calls and PM's :D

Steve

[roverrescue]

Steve,
Im in Cooktown and I DONT live up this way for the dope...
Let us know when you are up this way and Id be more than happy to help out with your piscatorial adventure.

-Your recommended combo sounds just about right. Personally I would keep it around the 6-7 foot length, just that a lot of the July fishing will be in the rivers, lagoons, swamp country where a shorter rod excels (my tight country rod is only about 3 foot long).
-A 4000 series shimano will do just dandy.
-Learn how to attach a heavier leader to you 6-8kg main line - ideally without use of a swivel. Up this way you will generally want a tough flexible leader with a minimum 40lb (20kg) breaking strain. This gives you a bit of protection from teeth, gill rakers and snags. Easiest is just to buy a small spool of 40 or 50lb schneider.
-For the trip have a couple of B52s, a couple of small (5cm) poppers, a couple of Xrap XR-8 or XR-10 and a few metal slugs (25g or so). Then a bag of Squidgy 75mm slick rig plastics in "drop bear" colour. These lures will cover essentially all the bases from lagoon/billabong/swamps to creek mouths, estuaries to open beaches.
-Once you have your rig, tie on a lure, go out in the back yard with a 10L plastic bucket. Put the bucket on the ground about 3m away. Cast and then recast and then recast until you can plonk the lure in the bucket every cast. Then move it out to 5m and then 7m and then 10m. I guarantee you will have both a more successful Cape trip and a heck of a lot more fun if you are not spending all your time trying to catch koalas and untangle line.
-I guess also realise that July is probably the HARDEST month all year to catch a barra. Try your heart out & Ill give you a few places, tips and hints but be happy catching all the others while you try to snag old pinkeye silversides???
-If you really want to catch fish a charter is a sure thing if you know what I mean. I can recommend some good operators in Cooktown and Weipa if you need.

-What is your rough itinerary / plan for the trip?

Enough for now ;)

Steve

[steveG]

Cheers Steve - really appreciate the detailed info.

The boss's birthday is on Thursday, so I've pooled together with our daughters and did a bit of a spend at BCF today for a present. Should give her a few months to get used to it before we go.
Came home with a Shimano 7'3" graphite rod and 4000 series reel, some 14lb mono, a few basic swivels etc and some 30lb leader. Also got a couple of lures - don't recall which ones and might be useless - but will look good when she unwraps them :D.
By the sounds of it I should have gone heavier with the leader, but that's easily fixed.

Definitely great to have some local knowledge, and definitely considering a charter if it fits in. My fisher-mate here is already jealous that we'll be up there and the boss landing something semi-exciting would just top him off....

Steve

[Chenz]

Was up the Cape a couple of years ago and had a ball. We took a rooftop mounted tinny and a 6hp Tohatsu outboard and fished all the rivers ,like the Mitchell, Fitzroy, Archer and the Wenlock. Used a variety of lures including rhe Gold Bomber but the one that did the damage was a Reidy's in Chartruse and black which everything ate including Barra, Sooties, Saratoga, catfish and jacks.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/02/479.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/02/480.jpg

Don't put your tootsies in the water if you are on salt water

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/02/481.jpg

You will have a ball. As others have said if your lures are not in the snags you won't catch as many fish. Have fun. Wish I was going too.

There are some good operators out of the camping area in Weipa that do charters for mackeral and tuna etc.