Brisbane River Salmon

[blue_mako]

Hey Guys.

Two mates, Ando and Tim, and I headed down to the Lower Brisbane River for a shot at some Salmon since Tim hadn't caught a good one before. Ando was onto a foul hooked Ray early on and we all got into 1 or 2 Catties through-out the night with nothing unusual.

When the bite started to slow down we started flicking a few plastics in the shallows for some Bream and Cod. Ando was on first cast to a Moses Perch as was I with a Bream. We didn't get a Cod only managed to land a few more Bream and a 42cm Flattie which kept us entertained as only the Catfish were biting.

Tim got onto a very obvious Salmon and after some solid head shakes under the pontoon it was all over spitting the hook. Tim wasn't a happy chappy.

Tim's Mum arrived and it was time for him to go. (It was past his bed time) Just before he had to leave the Barra combo started getting a few taps. Tim was right on it since he really wanted a Salmon. He gave it a good yank and he was on to something small but had extreme head shakes so it was called for a small Salmon by Ando. Up came Tim's first ever shark, a nice little Bronzie Whaler measuring 64cms.

Soon after Tim had left the Abu made that never ending buzz that we all wanted to hear. Ando pulls it from the rod holder and starts getting into what we thought was a Ray. Half way through the fight Ando handed me the rod since he had already landed a few Catties and Rays for the night, what are mates for? . Once he hands it over, quote, This better not be a Salmon ay? unquote. The fish was right under the pontoon and heading for the bottom as a Ray does. But there were a few chracterising headshakes that had us both guessing.

Up pops a 84cm Thready thrashing about on the surface. I pass the rod to Ando, leant over, and bellied him up onto the platform. We got a few flicks and sent him on his way. Happy with the night we decided to head back to home for a good nghts sleep.

Total Tally between the 3 of us was:
5 Yellowfin Bream
1 Moses perch
1 Dusky Flathead
5 Forktailed Catfish
1 Common Ray
1 Bronze Whaler
1 King Threadfin Salmon

There's pictures coming.

Troy

[blue_mako]

Me with the Salmon.

[blue_mako]

You can see why he took 4 dead Herring on the single hook!

[blue_mako]

On the Mat.

[blue_mako]

The Release.

[vanurose]

Thoroughly enjoyed your report. You are very descriptive too.
Did you catch the salmon on dead bait or live bait?
I also think its awesome that you let that salmon go for me to catch one day, if it ever arrives in Cairns that is. Usually there are tons of them around, but last year(2006)up till now, I have heard of no catches locally.
They actually taste better than Barra, when they are the size you caught.
Keep up the good work and I look forward to your next report.
Cheers
Rose

[ando_04]

It was a good night.

a pic of me with the salmon

[ActiveAnglerCrew]

Well done guys and great you have let the fish go for future captures.

It appears you have that Threadfin Salmon fishing down packed!

Top work!!

Active Angler Crew.

[blue_mako]

vanurose: Maybe here is where all the Salmon have got to. We only started catching them December 2005. Before then we used to fish the Brisbane River once or twice a week and almost every second day on holidays and never caught one until then . Maybe we should tag a couple.

That Salmon is only the 2nd or 3rd one we've caught on dead bait. We were low on bait and only had 4 dead Herring that had that died from being on the hooks too long. So chucked them all on one hook and whamo. Doesn't happen very often tho, just lucky this time.

Troy

[HyperTackle]

Nice fish there fellas, wish we had Threadfin a bit further South, keep those reports coming

Hyper Tackle