March 14, 2018
by Matthew Langford
Our two dams have seen some much-needed water flows over the past month, and while it wasn’t a huge amount, it’s still been enough to lift the water levels and keep the fish active.
Both dams haven’t changed much as far as the fishing goes and right now there are huge opportunities to get amongst some great fishing for natives on Boondooma and BP.
Here’s some fishing tips for both of them:
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Lake Boondooma
There’s a couple of good fishing options for Boondooma this month.
Early on in the day, your best option would be to hit the trees in either the Stuart or Boyne arms chasing Bass, Yellow Belly or even Saratoga amongst the spindly timber.
I usually start here first when the arms are quiet, and it usually pays off.
I like to cruise amongst the trees with the electric motor and cast 5/8 Bassman Spinnerbaits or soft lipless cranks in tight to the spindly trees.
Let the lure sink for 3 to 5 seconds then start the retrieve.
This procedure usually accounts for a few Bass and Yellow Belly – the goldens particularly like lipless cranks cast tight to the trees and the Bass tend to hit as the lure bounces over the underwater structure.
If you’re after a Saratoga, casting surface lures when the water is still is a great way to catch one of these prehistoric fish.
These techniques are a great way to fish and it can be nail biting stuff at times, especially when you hook up to a quality catch.
Later in the day when the sun is up, I’d be moving out to the main basin and sounding for concentrations of fish in the 15 to 25 foot range.
This time of year the fish that sit in this zone (called the “thermocline”) are a real sucker for slow retrieved or burned 5/8 spinnerbaits, 1/2 ounce rigged plastics and 18 gram Norries spoons.
So give this a try next time you’re out, but make sure you find some good shows of fish on the sounder before you start casting.
It pays to put the work in to find them because you can be greatly rewarded.
Trollers are getting some big Bass in the main basin trolling 5/8 spinnerbaits, mainly around the Barbour’s pole area, the dam wall, Leisegangs Ledge and Pelican Point.
Be patient and the rewards will come.
Bait fisherman are still recording good catches in the timbered sections of the dam using shrimps and worms.
Silver perch, Bass, Yellow Belly and Eel Tail catfish are all catchable and good eating quality.
Red claw are patchy but if you put in the work you will catch some whoppers.
Remember: if the pot is empty make sure you keep moving them as you might drop a pot on the honey hole.
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Lake Barambah
BP has been the pick of the dams lately as far as fish numbers go.
Sessions of 20 to 40 plus fish are not uncommon and if you put the work in you can get some quality as well.
A few areas that have been fishing well lately are the open water straight out from the park boat ramp, wide of the quarry and wide of Bass Point.
Make sure you ask the guys at the kiosk if you want to know these areas.
Soft plastics rigged on a 1/2 ounce head have been very effective.
Soft Vibes and spinnerbaits are also a great go-to lure if the fish are sitting up off the bottom with a burn and kill retrieve.
Areas you shouldn’t overlook are those places around the edges of the dam that hold some rocky structure.
Because the dam is so shallow, the fish like to move up into these areas to feed most of the year.
Coming into autumn, the fish with definitely be up in these places.
Baits like spinnerbaits and blades could become a key bait at this time of year.
Trollers are catching some nice fish trolling around the main lake points of the dam, and the open water out from the main boat ramps.
Deep diving hard bodies are also accounting for some nice Yellow Belly, especially the more fluorescent colours.
Bait fisherman are still getting some nice Golden Perch along the rocky walls around the edges of the dam using shrimps and worms as bait.
The Red Claw have been fairly quiet this year but they are still there to be caught.
Set your pots around rocky structure for the best results.
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Park News
It was great to see another record attendance at the annual Boondooma Yellow Belly competition this year.
Everyone was well behaved and most people caught fish.
A huge thank you to everyone that attended this year’s event and made the weekend such a success.
And a special thank you to the Boondooma Fish Stocking Association lead by Terry Allwood, who made it so enjoyable.
These guys will put the money the competition generated back into fingerlings for the dam to keep it flourishing for years to come.
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Now that we’re coming into the Easter break, the dams will become quite busy.
So can I please remind everyone to be wary of the six knot zone in front of the camping areas, and please make sure you have your SIPs permit and life jackets.
Inspectors from Queensland Fisheries will be visiting quite often over the Easter break and we’d hate to see you fined.
And don’t forget that you can book a fishing charter with me on BP and Boondooma dams.
If you’d like a great day out and all the info and knowledge to catch Bass or Yellow Belly in our two great dams, make sure you give me a call on 0408-658-592.
I’ll be happy to take you out for a great day’s fishing.
So until next time: tight lines and bent rods!
