April 10, 2017
by Matthew Langford
Boondooma and Lake Barambah have had an influx of water from Tropical Cyclone Debbie.
With the rain, came the run off, and we’ve seen some welcome water flow into our two dams.
Currently Boondooma is sitting at 53 per cent and BP 24 per cent.
The anglers haven’t been disappointed as both dams have been fishing well but have been a little slow due to the weather and the recent rain.
It’s great to see so many people coming to our dams as the water levels rise; the next few weeks should see the fishing improve considerably.
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Boondooma Dam
Boondooma has been fishing reasonably well in the main basin of the dam.
There are a few very good options when you’re fishing during this time of year, although it does pay to be patient.
The deeper water around the dam is holding big Bass and Yellowbelly suspended in the Thermocline (comfortable water) and these fish are very willing to eat most offerings presented to them, given time.
The trick is to locate these suspended fish before casting. It really pays to have good electronics on your boat as sounders are the best way to locate concentrations of fish. The fish in the basin have been the bigger ones. Bass over 50cm have been caught, so it pays to spend the time sounding to find the fish to cast at.
Sound around areas such as the rock walls near the dam wall and the major rocky points around the front of the dam. Here, the water is at its clearest due to the recent inflow.
When a school has been located, start by casting 5/8 spinnerbaits, 20g spoons and ½ rigged soft plastic and count from 5 to 7 seconds depending on how deep the fish are sitting.
Consistent fast retrieves have been working best and it pays to put in multiple casts before you get a bite or a fish. ½ ounce rigged plastics have been a popular choice amongst anglers as the bait is a smaller profile and can be burnt fast as well to initiate a strike from any hungry fish.
The timber is another great option, especially if you’re a bait fisherman, as the fish are still holding around the trees in both arms. If you don’t have a sounder to work on the fish in the basin, this would be the smartest option, although the water is quite dirty due to both arms receiving water so lures in the arms aren’t a great option at the moment.
The water is still quite warm so the fish should stick around in the trees until it starts to cool down.
Trollers are catching some nice Bass and Goldens in the main basin, trolling 5/8 spinnerbaits and deep diving hard bodies.
Red claw have been coming in pretty thick of late and some big lobster size ones as well.
Set your pots close to any rock structure or thick timber and you’re in with a good chance of a feed. Soft fruit and vegetables have been the best bait as well as dog biscuits.
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Lake Barambah
BP Dam has been a little tough of late for the lure casters due to the weather but fish are still getting caught if you’re willing to put in the time.
Bass and Goldens in some areas have been thick and sessions in the double digits still aren’t uncommon, so keep working on them if you’ve found a good show of fish. Best areas of late have been around the Lightning Ridge area and the quarry, fishing down the drop offs.
The deeper water from Bass Point right down the middle to the public boat ramp is also worth of a drift or two.
Best baits have been ½ ounce rigged plastics, ¼ ounce blades spinnerbaits and chatter-baits.
Because BP is a shallow dam, most fish generally congregate around areas where drop offs are. The best way to find these drop offs is to use your sounder or look for points or banks that drop away quickly.
Cast your lure up shallow and slowly wind it down the slope and try to keep it close to the bottom.
I always try to imagine where my lure is sitting close to the bottom to keep in contact with the fish or the “strike zone”.
I consistently let the lure touch the bottom so that I know I’m always close as I wind my lure back to the boat. Using this method usually puts you onto fish eventually.
Be wary from Bass Point onwards towards the timber as the water is still quite shallow.
Trollers are getting some nice Bass and Goldens trolling over the drop offs out from Bass Point and down the middle of the dam between Bass Point and the Caravan Park boat ramp. Also try trolling over the prominent points of the dam using spinnerbaits and blades.
Bait fishermen are getting heaps of table fish, fishing just about anywhere on the dam that is over 10 feet deep and near any structure. Best baits have been shrimps and worms.
There is some red claw still about as well, so make sure you pack the pots.
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Park News
On a final note, if you need to know any information about fishing spots on the dam or want any tackle for your weekend’s fishing, both kiosks have a great amount of information and all the latest tackle that will help you on your way to some great fishing.
Hope to see you on the water soon.
Tight lines and bent rods!
[Photos: Matthew Langford]
