Fishing on Cape York....what do I need ??

[rijidij]

We're going to Cape York in July, and although I don't go fishing at all down here in Vic, I would like to throw in a line when we're up on the Cape as it's supposed to be pretty good fishing up there.
I did do quite a bit of fishing as a kid, so I know the basics.

So what do I need for the Cape ? Will a few spinners be enough to catch something or will we need some fresh bait.

It would be nice to catch something to cook on the campfire.

Cheers, Murray

[boofdtl]

Nice chair cold beer oh and a rod to

[bigcarle]

no matter how inviting.........stay out of the water :o
too many things in the northern waters that will kill you :wasntme:

[460cixy]

You will need a bait jig and a hand line a big one. Go to the warf and watch how the locals do it and enjoy

[Disco44]

When fishing up there do it either in a boat,up a tree or behind a big tree.There are plenty of big lizards around.As a rule of thumb don't go to the same spot more then once as they stalk you.
The safest spot is the wharf at Seisha,where you can catch your bait.There is a resident groper there and the locals catch him every so often to take the hooks out of his mouth and then release him.It's nothing to see Tiger sharks and the odd croc swim past from that wharf.
Have fun it's really a unique part of Australia.

[roverrescue]

Murray,
As i write this i am cooking up a few mud crabs. Been chasing em week, 20 nice bucks so far. Last of our frames are soaking now so will bring the pots in on tommorrow tide, hopefully with a few more crab.

Have look in the "fishing shack" section, i wrote a few pointers in a thread a while back. Feel free to
look me up when you get up this way. Happy to help you put a feed on the fire!

Steve

[Tank]

Watch out for Cigateura (think that's how it's spelt), check with locals on which fish are most riskiest (if that's a word), some mates of mine when I was at Gove were real crook for a long time, beware, Regards Frank.

[Bearman]

Are you coming up the coast road?. If so make sure you let me know what dates you are going to be up there as a member from Cairns and myself will be up that way around that time. If I am home when you come through feel free to drop in and stay a night if you want and I can show you some Gulf rigs and lures etc otherwise may run into you up there.:D

[rijidij]

Are you coming up the coast road?. If so make sure you let me know what dates you are going to be up there as a member from Cairns and myself will be up that way around that time. If I am home when you come through feel free to drop in and stay a night if you want and I can show you some Gulf rigs and lures etc otherwise may run into you up there.:D

G'day Brian,
Thanks for the offer, but we'll be travelling up via the inland route through Charleville, Winton etc. We meet in Cairns on June 29th and head north from there on July 2nd.

Cheers, Murray

[Bearman]

No worries Murray. Not sure of the exact dates we are going yet but will keep in touch. What you need is a baitcaster rod about 2m long with either overhead or eggbeater reel capable of holding about 150M of 10 - 15kg line and some lures (combination of deep diver and shallow ones around 150mm long). A strong nylon leader or steel trace is required for barra/jacks. Great fun catching them.

[pormpaul]

We're going to Cape York in July, and although I don't go fishing at all down here in Vic, I would like to throw in a line when we're up on the Cape as it's supposed to be pretty good fishing up there.
I did do quite a bit of fishing as a kid, so I know the basics.

So what do I need for the Cape ? Will a few spinners be enough to catch something or will we need some fresh bait.

It would be nice to catch something to cook on the campfire.

Cheers, Murray

Cast net and handline!!!

[Kat555]

Strong fishing line - the fish are big! :)

[Mack]

would be nice to take the boat up there too.

[Disco44]

It's not the fact that the roads are flat,it's the state of the roads.Unless you are very lucky and follow the grader up the roads are as rough as guts so much so that at most times you are in great fear of your dash falling out.It will not in Landies but many have in other makes.
Your boat trailer unless it has been modified for extreme off road will fall to bits.No joking.I took a 3.5 ally up, it was a roof topper,on a purpose built camper trailer.1000ks up and 1000ks back one bloody long way and that distance is just from the start. It used to be Laura but worth the trip in the right vehicle.Just remember you are a long way from help if anything goes pear shaped.
My advice ,
John.

[korg20000bc]

I went a few years ago and had a great time fishing. Nothing like it...
Anyway my budget for gear was a bit limited and I trolled through the fishing shops looking in their bargain bins and getting some of the biggest lures I could find in them. I came across a bunch of wobbler-type metal lures for a few bucks each about 9" long. Also cheap surface poppers.
My selection raised a few eyebrows from my keener fishing mates. But those eyebrows soon frowned as my success rate was just as high as the more expensive gear.

My understanding is that the predatory fish in that part of the world are so voracious that they'll have a lash at nearly anything.

Hope you have a great time.

[Chenz]

No worries Murray. Not sure of the exact dates we are going yet but will keep in touch. What you need is a baitcaster rod about 2m long with either overhead or eggbeater reel capable of holding about 150M of 10 - 15kg line and some lures (combination of deep diver and shallow ones around 150mm long). A strong nylon leader or steel trace is required for barra/jacks. Great fun catching them.

I would go 15kg braid if possible with the oufits mentioned above. Some deep diving lures in green and the good old golden bomber.

I agree about not going in the water or near it. We saw 100's of big crocs and the water is very murky.

If you cast near the sticks you can catch plenty of barra and jacks and grunter and even catfish which make a great green fish curry.
You can evgen catch one like this
http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/9770/dsc0331eo.jpg

[Disco44]

Just to wet your appetite .These were caught at Somerset which is on the eastern side.Great spot as there is a fresh water spring.You will also get a good feed of Oysters there and a muddie or two and crayfish in season.
John.

[bob10]

We're going to Cape York in July, and although I don't go fishing at all down here in Vic, I would like to throw in a line when we're up on the Cape as it's supposed to be pretty good fishing up there.
I did do quite a bit of fishing as a kid, so I know the basics.

So what do I need for the Cape ? Will a few spinners be enough to catch something or will we need some fresh bait.

It would be nice to catch something to cook on the campfire.

Cheers, Murray
May I suggest one or two members to bait the hooks, ciean the camp, cook the catch. I think I could find a couple of volunteers, Bob