Bycatch a bonus in search for barra

Bynoe Harbour was the venue last weekend for the fifth round of the Top End Barra Series (TEBS).

Brett Warren with a barra that helped him win runner-up in last weekend’s Top End Barra Series round five at Bynoe Harbour

Bynoe Harbour was the venue last weekend for the fifth round of the Top End Barra Series (TEBS).

According to TEBS co-ordinator Ross Abraham, most competitors fished the flats.

“There were large numbers of fish on the flats but unfortunately they were flighty most of the time,” Abraham said.

“Fish were also caught around the drains, around rock bars and rocky headlands and up inside the arms.

“There was a good range of bycatch, including trevally, queenfish, threadfin and blue salmon, jacks, goldies, cobia, tarpon and even flathead.

Brett Warren with a barra that helped him win runner-up in last weekend’s Top End Barra Series Round 5 at Bynoe Harbour.

Darwin Flyrodder junior Jarryd Jeffrey with one of fly fishing’s holy grails, the permit which he caught at Melville Island.

“With the AFL Grand Final on, people spent some time at Sand Palms and Crab Claw.”

And there was a 15-boat raft up on the Saturday night ­listening to the game.

“Apparently there was a 12- volt TV and portable satellite dish out there somewhere tuned into the game on Saturday as well,” Abraham said.

“There were 97 barra over 50cm captured.

“The biggest fish was 90cm caught by John Langdon.

“The winner of the round five was Reece Carrier.

“Reece will go on a helifish trip with the winner of the final round to be held at the mouth of the Adelaide River in a few weeks time.”

For the record, Brett Warren was runner-up.

Also held last week was the NT Fly Fishers Social Mob annual Bynoe Sheep Station Stakes.

According to Cathie Bassett, Dion Wedd won the “sheep station”, closely followed by Kate Buckley.

“A total of 51 barra to 68cm were landed over the day and a half of fishing, with a couple of big ones dropped,” Bassett said.

“There were plenty of barra out there, but getting them to take the fly was the problem.

“In the end, the smaller clouser flies on a No.2 hook won the day – with one snag, there were what seemed to be hundreds of small barra to 52cm which were only too ­willing to take a small fly.”

Bassett also explained Wedd’s peanut theory:

“The peanut theory is based on the likelihood of fish feeding on small titbits even after they are full and have fed to sufficiency,’’ she said.

“Dion reckons that, if you’ve just pigged out on a huge three-course meal, and someone places a bowl of peanuts in front of you, you’ll probably still grab a couple.”

The most meritorious capture was made by Crusty Young, who caught a 73cm giant trevally.

“There were some huge trevally around,’’ Bassett said.

“Peter Cooke fought one back and forward off the backing for nearly an hour before it spat the hook.”

Bassett suggested that people check out the club’s blog: flyfishersmobnt.blogspot. com.au.

Still on fly fishing, Darwin Flyrodders fished the last neaps at Melville Island.

According to Warren Jeffrey, the three boat crews that made the trip were primarily targeting bonefish.

They were armed with long leaders and small prawn patterns on eight weight intermediate lines.

“Jarryd Jeffrey put out a long cast to what he first thought was a queenfish,” ­Jeffrey said.

“The hook-up was intense and the fish tore off and took him well into the backing.

“As the fish came closer to the boat, we realised it was a permit. A 15-minute fight ensued with the nerves hitting overdrive when a shark tried to attack as we were netting the fish.”

The permit is one of fly fishing’s holy grail of catches and this would be the first successful capture of this species that I have heard of in the Northern Territory.

“I will have to slow Jarryd down a bit as he is only 15 years old and will have nothing left to look forward to in his fishing career,” Jeffrey joked proudly about the surprise catch.