White Gold at Clarrie
Interesting how fish often adopt the colour of their environment to blend in with their surroundings. Since the floods Clarrie’s water has turned a pale coffee colour and the bass have gone from gold/silver to milky white! The good news is that the bass are as fat, feisty and fit as ever.
This guy was sight fished using the Livescope. This type of ‘virtual sight fishing’ is the best way to catch bass this time of year. After spotting a cruising fish in perspective mode, you simply estimate the distance and direction of the fish. Watching a fish turn and pounce on a lure on the screen and then have your rod buckle over is next level fun!
Keen for Clarrie
Despite constant showers, a stiff wind and an early start, Talya and Campbell showed up bright eyed and ready for adventure! The Sydney couple had chosen to spend Christmas/New Year in the Northern Rivers and were keen to learn as much about Bass fishing as they could.
We started the session with some fly casting lessons on the grass before heading in the boat. Out on the lake we explored techniques using soft plastics, skirted jigs and crank baits. As their new found skills increased it was only a matter of time before the first fish was boated. Campbells rod was the first to buckle over as a chunky Bass made a bid for it’s freedom.
It’s so great to see such appreciation and passion for life. Good times when you can catch fish like this your first time Bass fishing! Thanks for a great day on the water Talya and Campbell. Such a pleasure to guide enthusiastic folks like you two š
Nothing Like a Native Watercraft
Ray joined us today to test our Native Watercraft Kayaks. Ray is looking to upgrade his fishing yak and was keen to test out the performance of our Slayer 10 Propels. I have been using these kayaks on our charters for over 5 years now and I have found the Slayers to be the ideal vessels for fishing those hard to access remote areas.
The Slayer 10’s are light enough to easily unload from the car and carried to the eaters edge. Using the unique pedal/propeller system, they can be pedaled forwards or backwards quietly with the feet and the hands are left free to concentrate on the fishing. They travel fast, track straight and turn on a dime when you need them to.
The Propel drive system is made from marine grade aluminium and stainless steel and powered by an aluminium propeller. The kayaker is able to pedal either forwards or backwards in an instant without having to pull a string or even lift a finger. This ability to maneuver both forwards and backwards, hands free, cannot be underestimated when it comes to pulling fish like Bass away from structure.
Most kayaks have the angler sitting awkwardly at water level. The Native Watercraft Slayer 10 Propels have elevated seating, providing an arm chair ride to the days fishing. They are fully adjustable and offer an elevated prospective which helps gain insight into the water you are fishing.
Needless to say, Ray was suitably impressed with the versatility and comfort of the Native Watercraft kayaks. He even managed to catch a number of healthy Tweed River Bass in the process.
Book your charter with us on a Native Watercraft Kayak or our Quintrex Boat today on 0409 760 380
Winter Brawlers
This chunky winter bass snatched my bass vampire and bricked me in the weed licketty split! The fly line then wrapped around the propeller which was on spot lock, then wrapped around the transducer pole on the Garmin. When did fishing get so complicated š
September is Bass O’Clock
September is prime time to book your bass fishing trip in the Northern Rivers. As the water warms, so does the metabolism of our local native sportfish, the Australian Bass. Spawning time has ended and they are again ready to feed.
The Tweed River is looking particularly good. Last year the drought dictated low flows and the river was choked with weed. This year, good rainfall over winter has flushed away the weed and the water is clear and begging to be fished.
Clarrie Hall Dam is also looking good. The dam is 100% full and crystal clear. The average size of the larger BassĀ (42cm) is bigger than it has been in years, possibly ever!Ā And as always, the condition of these fish is outstanding. Clarrie Hall Bass are fit, vibrant and full of lustre. I can’t recall ever seeing a Clarrie Bass with a parasite. And boy can they pull some string!!
If Bass on fly or lure are on your bucket list, September is the time to get it done. Message me or give me a call, dates are filling up fast 0409 760 380.
-Simon Fitzpatrick, Northern Rivers Sportfishing
Bass Tactics
Today’s mission was to guide Glenn and Helda onto their first Bass on fly. Heading out on the water the plan was to focus on all the usual areas one would expect to catch fish. Looking at the sounder, the fish were holding in around 5m of water. The boys diligently stripped their flies past the suspended arches, but the Bass were playing hard to get. We cycled through the fly box but the fish just appeared to be ignoring our offerings.
Like other native fish, Bass can be active and hungry one day and shut down the next. After weeks of northerly winds, a cool change had arrived the night before and the wind was now blowing from the south. Recognizing that the changed conditions may be dictating the mood of the fish, we changed our tactics. The boys picked up the spin gear and threw skirted jigs out among the fish. We could see the Bass following the jigs on the sounder, but again they wouldn’t commit to the bite.
Again, switching tactics we tried crank baits. Sometimes a more aggressive bait is needed to trigger a response. But that response never came. After exhausting a number of other lures in the tackle box we finally succumbed to trolling. Whilst not the preferred method, trolling is one of the most productive methods. It wasn’t long before Glenn hooked up his first bass on the troll. He finished the day with 3 more.
Bass fishing is a challenging sport. Catching Bass consistently on any given day is like cracking a code. You will need to draw upon all your past experience, ingenuity, tenacity and plenty of luck. But the rewards are certainly worth it.
Time to OzFish
OzFish Tweed River Chapter members Tom, Jake and Simon spent some quality time on the water today chasing bass. The fish are growing noticeably bigger and fatter in the dam which is a great sign there is ample resources for the fish. We encountered two 45cm bass today which were as big as any I have seen in these waters. Happy days.
Bass Season is Open!
This kid can fish! Flying up from Tasmania especially for this trip, Lucas an his Mum were on a mission to add a new species to his bucket list. Luckily Lucas is just as skillful with a fly rod in his hand as he is with a spin rod. The mission was accomplished when Lucas boated his first Australian Bass on a diving minnow. True to his form he followed up with another 2. His efforts are a credit to his passion for fishing and his mothers dedication to her boy. Congratulations to you both!
Winter Bass
Winter time often means picture postcard days at Clarrie Hall Dam. Today bright blue skies held the mountains and the lush green lilies that fringe the lake margins. The cooler water temperature at this time of year requires slower bait presentations to spark the interest of the bass. Adding plenty of scent to the lure and slowing down the retrieve is the key. Even ‘dead sticking soft plastic can work wonders, with very small movements triggering the ever watchful bass into striking. Right from the start Marie mastered this technique and connected with a number of fish throughout the day. Marie’s first bass ever was a very fat & healthy 40cm specimen. Well done and thanks for a great day!
Kayaking with Keanu
If only more kids were like Keanu who takes every opportunity to wet a line. In this modern era of ‘i-gizmos’ and ‘x-amathingies’ its great to meet young folk that would much prefer to go fishing than stagnate in front of a screen. Keanu, an NDIS participant, insisted on a fly casting lesson too. His dedication to master all aspects of this sport is inspirational! More tackle boxes and less x-boxes people!
Bass Fishin Mission
Visiting ‘ofishionardos’ from the UK worked hard for their fish but the rewards were all the more sweet!
#tweedriverfishing, #goldcoastfishing, #shimanofish, #catana, #nexave, #squidgies, #powerpro
Trees for Fish Day
Mother nature always gives freely and asks for nothingĀ in return so it is always great to give something back. Yesterday I helped plant 400 trees on the banks of the Tweed River. Some native fish rely on river bank vegetation to provide up to 40% of their diet! Insects, frogs, lizards, birds and other fish are all attracted to this type of habitat so it is important we replant areas that have been cleared. OzFish Tweed River Chapter is dedicated to doing just that and also aims to undertake all types of projects that improve fish habitat in the Tweed Valley.
Of course I never miss an opportunity to wet a line so it was great to get out on the water afterwards and hook up a few bass. The river looks good but could certainly do with a flush of rain to wash away the weed that is floating throughout the water column. Nevertheless we had a great day! Looking forward to the coming warm weather, the insect life and the surface bites it will bring š
OzFish Tweed River Chapter is looking for volunteers. If you are interested in helping restore fish habitat we would love to hear from you! Email ozfishtweedriver@gmail.com
Fishing for Canna-bass
Marijuana trees flying through the air are the last thing you expect to see when bass fishing. But when the police find a cannabis crop growing in the forestĀ near the lake, they send in the helicopter to confiscate the hooch.
My fishing companion Harry and I, wereĀ enjoying a nice quiet day on the water when the police chopper rudely interrupted our serenity. The aircraft made several trips too and from the crop, carrying its valuable load to police waitingĀ on the other side of the lake. During one of the flights we witnessed a particularly large plant in full bloom tied underneath the chopper. We laughed as we marveled at the ingenuity of the police for creating such an effective cannabis seed sowing machine.Ā Throughout the comedy show we caughtĀ plenty of bass. The noise of the chopper didn’t appear to deter theĀ fish from feeding. Perhaps they had the munchies?
Lake Fishing Charter 1st Feb, 2018
The “pressure is on” whenĀ one fishing guide hires another fishing guide to go fishing. Especially when the customer is an expert guide such as Rohan Soulsby from Top End Barra Fishing. RohanĀ operates his charters from DarwinĀ targeting iconic species such as the mighty Barramundi, GT’s, Queenfish and Golden Snapper. So it was fantastic to see Rohan’s enthusiasm and appreciation for our southern native species. Out on the water this morningĀ Rohan connected with plenty of bass, three of which were around the 40cm mark. I felt the pressure easing with each fish that hit the net. Clarrie Hall had done me proud again.
Thanks for a great trip Rohan. I look forward to visiting up your way for a fishing trip soon……no pressureĀ mate š
Bass Fishing Trip January 27, 2018
The bass fishing was consistent today with plenty of fish moving around and feeding on the surface. Popping sounds could be heard throughout the morning as the bass inhaled small bait-fish at the surface under the lily pads.Ā Robs small diving minnow lure was certainly the flavor of theĀ morning, drawing at least a dozenĀ strikes from some aggressive fish.Ā Rob managed to stay connected to at leastĀ half of them, finishing the morning with a very respectable tally.Ā Thanks Rob for a great bass fishing session!
Clarrie Charter January 8, 2018
Under a cloudless sky and with barely a breath of wind we ventured out onto the mirrored lake. It was hot and still but Feizul and Shane managed to rustle up a few fish. I was surprised to see an Eel Tailed Catfish Tandanus tandanus take a spinnerbait today. Only the second one I have seen at Clarrie Hall to take a lure. The boysĀ alsoĀ landed a couple of Australian Bass Macquaria novemaculeata. A little different to the Small and Large Mouth Bass they are used to catching back home, but no doubt 2 welcome editions to their new species lists. Thanks for a great day!
Bass Fishing Charter, December 22, 2017
An early start saw Conrad and I loading up the kayaks with tackle and disappear onto the lake covered in mist. As usual the bass were feeding early under the cover of the low light conditions. It wasn’t long before Conrad openedĀ his account when a small bass snaffled his shallow running minnow. HisĀ very next castĀ connected with a much bigger specimen. It never ceases to amaze me how hard these fish fight for their size, and the protest this fish put up was no exception to the rule. Once netted the bass measured 42cm to the fork, which is about as big as they grow in this waterway.
Conrad managed to land another bass for the morning before the sun burnt through the mist and penetrated the cool clear water. With no cloud and no wind, conditions were hot and the water was glassy calm. Ideal conditions would include cloud cover and some wind, which tends to bring the fish out from under the security of the lily pads and into the open where they feed in the current. Today, the still conditions provided some truly awe inspiring scenery, but the fish went off the bite.Ā None the less, it was anotherĀ great morning out on Clarrie Hall.
Clarrie is Looking Good!
The water at Clarrie Hall has now cleared and the dam is now looking fantastic. Much of the cabomba weed is gone which makes the fishing much easier. You can now work your lures right along the edges of the lilies without fear of having the lure covered in weed.Ā The bass could be heard feeding on the surface which makes surface luring around the pads a great option. Today I caught bassĀ hopping a mumbler across the bottom and also found bass by retrieving lipless crankbaits. It is great to see Clarrie firing once again!
Tweed River Fishing Charter, October 9, 2017
Andrew and I enjoyed a great days fishing the Tweed River for bass. Andrew had never caught a bass before and it wasn’t long before he nailed his first on a cicada surface lure.Ā HisĀ second fell for the same trap soon after. As the sun rose we switched to deeper divers and the bass continued to bite. AnotherĀ 4 orĀ 5 fish were netted before the sun made an appearance from behind the clouds and the bite slowed down. Andrew still managed another couple of bass before we called it a day. Andrew finished the morning with about 8 nice bass and a smile from ear to ear. Thanks for a great day!
August 14 Tweed River Charter
A few bass continue to show up through the month of August. Today Melle and Kim worked their lures diligently along the edges of the snags and were rewarded for their efforts. Another couple of weeks and this freshwater section of the Tweed River will be absolutely teaming with bass as they return from their spawning run. September is the best month for bass fishing by far!!! Now is the time to book your charter.
Clarrie Hall and Tweed River Update
It has now beenĀ 4 months since the floods in March and Clarrie Hall Dam is still undergoing some change. The water is still coffee coloured but this will likely have a positive effect on the lake. It could be said that impoundments are in a constant cycle consisting of boom and bust phases. Clarrie Hall is probably in the latter phase now. My theory is that theĀ elevated water levels and turbidity during the floods has cut off the cabomba weeds light source. Subsequently there has been a major die back of this invasive weed. The die off of the weed probably led to more turbidity which in turn caused more weeds to die. A kind of positive feedback loop. Hence 4 months later the dam is still turbid.
The good news is that much of the cabomba weed is now dead. ThisĀ has exposed the edge of the lily pads making lure fishing a much easier proposition. The die back of the cabomba has also made access easier in a number of places including the boat ramp area which was previously choked with weed. The lily pads have had a bit of a shake up too and now there are gaps between the pads where anglers can swim a bait.
The Tweed River has also undergone some change. There has been some extensive erosion on the river bank where riparian vegetation has been removed for farming…..no surprises there. (River bank planting in these areas is desperately needed to stop erosion and siltation of the river.) However I was very pleased to see numerous new snags in the river. Some of these snags are absolute rippers and will no doubt hold good numbers of bass. On a charter yesterday Dan had some success fishing these snags with a Donny Brasco fly. On a number of occasions the bass appeared to be only sideswiping the fly but Dan managed to connect with a couple of nice fish. When the bass return from their spawning run in September there should be plenty of action to look forward too around these new snags!
Pre-and Post Spawning Bass Fishing Tactics
Each winter Australian bass turn their minds to spawning. Biological urges compel female bass to head downstream in search of spawning grounds. Their annual migration can take them hundreds of kilometres down river to the eagerly awaiting males. During these cooler monthsā, large schools of migrating bass can be found at various points in the river system. These congregations can be vulnerable to over exploitation by fisherman. When targeting these iconic sport fish, there are a number of things the recreational fisherman can do to ensure good catch rates for years to come.
Australian bass are catadromous. This means they migrate downstream to spawn. Most catadromous fish migrate to the sea to spawn, however bass only need move into the brackish water to breed. Rainfall events between May and August trigger the females to move downstream into the estuary to breed. Males tend to remain in the estuary after spawning, whereas the females move back upstream where they remain until the following season.
Bass prefer to spawn in water of low salinity (about 1/3 sea water). Therefore, it could be predicted that; in most south east coastal Australian river systems bass will be congregating to spawn during the winter months where the salt water meets the fresh. The exact locations will vary each year, dependent on conditions such as salinity. However, spawning often remains within the vicinity of a predicable part of the river each year. The predictability of these congregations of spawning bass make them vulnerable to over fishing.
Post Spawning Tweed River Bass
Some anglers would argue the key to conservation here is catch and release. But it is likely that the trauma caused to a fish after capture and release would at the very least ākill the moodā. At worst the eggs or the milt may be purged and spawning for that individual is delayed until next year. Our native fish already face enough adversity through loss of habitat, pollution, over fishing etc. Thus, targeting spawning bassĀ is simply not good practice. Despite this, in NSW the laws currently donāt appear to prohibit targeting spawning bass. From June to August each year a zero-bag limit applies, but fishing in these areas is still allowed. This raises a few questions. Does this mean catch and release anglers can still legally target bass in rivers over winter? More importantly is it ethical?
Pre-spawning and spawning bass fishing tactics
Perhaps the best rule of thumb is to fish for bass in your local dam during winter. Bass in our rivers are busy ensuring future generations of bass, so they are best left alone to do their thing. The good news is that bass also tend to congregate over the winter months in our dams as well. Their instinct to spawn often has them forming schools in the lower catchment. Large congregations of bass can often be found near dam walls or spillways that prevent their migration downstream. Of course, there is no saltwater in our impoundments, so the bass canāt breed anyway. So, bass fishing over winter can be guilt free and highly productive.
In the cooler monthās schools of bass tend to hold down deep out in the middle of the dam. Cycling through a variety of deep presentations such as ice jigs, blades, soft plastics and lipless crankbaits are the āgo toā baits over winter. At times these schooling bass can be tight lipped, so varying retrieves and presentations is the key to success on any given day. Perhaps the most valuable technique is to ensure you donāt disturb the school too much. Pressuring a school by the capture of numerous fish can cause the school to shut down. A captured and released bass somehow puts out a vibe which often alerts other fish to possible danger. By temporarily retaining the fish in a live well, the angler can catch a number of bass before the school wises up.
Post spawning bass fishing tactics
After spawning female bass want to return home to their freshwater habitat. September is the best time to intercept these post spawning females as they make their way home. The freshwater areas immediately above the estuary are the areas to focus on. Spawning activity has left the bass hungry and competition caused by the presence of other bass, means they are particularly vulnerable to capture. Care should be taken not to over exploit the fish stocks at this time of year. Tackle choice plays a large part in the conservation of the fishery.
Bass with missing mouth parts
All the usual array of baits tend to work in September; spinnerbaits, diving minnows, soft plastics, blades, lipless crank baits, flies, surface baits etc. With such an increase in the likely hood of catching high numbers of bass, it makes sense to moderate your approach. First, try using baits that are less likely to cause injury to the fish. Baits with single hooks such as spinnerbaits and soft plastics are less likely to cause injury to vulnerable mouth, eyes and throat parts of the bass. A bass hooked with a single hook is also much easier to release and less likely to cause injury to the angler.
September/October is an ideal time to fly fish for bass. Fly fishing can often be a bit daunting due to lower catch rates compared to fishing with lures. But with plenty of hungry bass around now is the time to practice āwaving the wandā. Focus on the shady areas around snags during the day with clousers and streamers etc. Tie on surface flies such as Dahlberg divers in the low light conditions of early morning and late afternoon. A fly is also far less likely to cause injury to a fishās mouth parts and eyes compared to many other baits.
Bass Fly Fishing
When the fishing is tough using lures with double trebles increases your likelihood of hook up. A fish only has to sniff a fine gauge treble and it is hooked. But when unhooking small fine gauge trebles from a high number of captures, you may notice the injuries these trebles can cause to fish. These hooks tend to stick to and penetrate anything they touch, including the fishās eyes, throats and gills. Modifying trebles by flattening the barbs and even cutting off one of the hooks goes a long way in ensuring the survival of released fish.
At this time of year it is possible to pull a number of fish off each snag. If your intention is to catch and release and you have a live well, be sure to detain each fish temporarily. As with bass fishing in the dams, your catch and released bass might alert the rest of the school to your presence. It is important here you know the local rules and regulations in the area you are fishing. At time of writing, in NSW taking of only 1 bass over 35cm from rivers and 2 from dams is allowed. So even if your intention is catch and release, possession of numerous bass in a live well may not be allowed? In this case the alternative is to release each fish at a distance from the area you wish to keep fishing.
Conclusion
To ensure future stocks of Australian bass, anglers would benefit by alteringĀ their fishing locations and techniques just before, during and after the spawning season. In winter avoid fishing in rivers, instead concentrating on dams. Use catch and release friendly tackle such as baits with single hooks or flatten the barbs on trebles. By following local rules and with a little forethought, the iconic Australian bass will be around for many future generations to come.
Simon Fitzpatrick
Lake and River Charter March 12, 2017
We arrived at the dam at 7am ready for action. As we were unpacking the gear the natural beauty of our surrounds demanded our attention. The mist slowly rising from the lake, revealing lotus flowers in the morning light. I heard someone comment “just being here was worth it already”.Ā It is always such a pleasure to hear people appreciate the natural beauty of this wetland as much as I do. My job was already done and we hadn’t even wet a line yet.
The 5 of us diligently peppered the lake with our lures throughout the morning. We cycled through a number of different presentations, altering our retrieves and changing lures. But we had no bites at all. The water at Clarrie Hall is currently very turbid. I haven’t seen it this colour before and I am not sure what has caused the turbidity. With no significant recent rainfall, the discolouration it is likely due to an algal bloom. These events can strip the water of oxygen leaving the bass lethargic and unwilling to eat. High temperatures alone also decrease dissolved oxygen levels and may have resulted in a die off of some aquatic weed. This could further exasperate the issue. Either way the fish were certainly ‘off the chew’ so we decided to head for the river.
It was good to see the Tweed had recovered from its previous turbid and somewhat stagnant state. There had been just enough rain to flush the system and it looked great. Using spinnerbaits and hard bodies the boys worked all likely looking snags. By 5pm the boys had caught about 10 bass between them. They worked hard for their fish and deserved every one of them. Their enthusiasm, appreciation and help throughout the day was awesome. Days like this its a real privilege to be a guide. You guys are welcome back anytime!
Simon
Hinze Dam Feb 16, 2017
Tom showed up keen as mustard ready to fish Hinze Dam for the first time. The weather had cooled since the previous days, so conditions were very pleasant out on the water. First up we headed straight for a nice looking bay where we fished the surface for saratoga. Tom tied on a popper and it wasn’t long before he had his first inquiry. The toga snaffled the lure on the pause, jumped a few times and spat the hook. Saratoga have hard mouths and throw violent head shakes when they jump, so staying connected with a toga is a volatile thing. I have heard many say “expect to land about 1 in 5 toga hook ups.”
We continued to fish the area but with no luck we decided to tie on spinnerbaits and fish the structure. We fished the edges of the timber where plenty of fish were identified on the sounder. But with no wind the fish just didn’t appear to be feeding. I threw everything I had in the tackle box at them but the bass were very tight lipped. In the afternoon the wind picked up but it appeared to make little difference. The bass were there but just not interested
As the shadows grew longer towards the end of the day we came across a school of bass that were keen to play. Both Tom and I had several hits from the school and we landed a fish each. We certainly worked hard for those 2 fish and we were very happy to take a couple of photos and release them to fight another day. Hinze Dam is a beautiful place and a valuable fishery. I can’t wait to get back there soon.
