April 11, 2018
by Matthew Langford
Boondooma and Lake Barambah have seen a small influx of water from some great rain recently.
With the rain came some run off, and we’ve seen some water flow in to our two dams.
Although it wasn’t a lot, it was very welcome with Boondooma sitting at 44 per cent and BP at 22 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 holiday fishing pressure.
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 as the temperature begins to drop.
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Lake Boondooma
Boondooma has been fishing reasonably well in the main basin of the dam.
There are a few very good options when fishing during this time of year, although it does pay to be patient.
The dam has grown some very healthy weed edges over the summer months and these edges will come into play now that the water is beginning to cool.
I’d start the day along the weed edges and begin by throwing lipless cranks, chatterbaits or spinnerbaits up to the edges, followed by a slow retrieve back to the boat.
This is your most likely chance of coming across some big, healthy Bass and some Yellowbelly.
There are plenty of Bass schooled around the major points of the dam, particularly around areas that the wind blows past and creates current eddies.
Sound around areas such as the points around the rock walls near the dam wall, and the major rocky points around the front of the dam. The water is at its clearest here due to the recent inflows.
When a school has been located, start by casting 5/8 spinnerbaits, 20 gram spoons and ½ rigged soft plastic and count from five to seven 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.
Half ounce rigged plastics have been a popular choice among anglers as the bait is a smaller profile and can be burnt fast as well to initiate a strike from any hungry fish.
Another great option, particularly if you have young kids, is to jig 30 to 40mm blades around the above-mentioned points.
The most consistent depth out wider of these points is 20ft. Dropping down a blade and jigging it vertically off the bottom is a great way to catch some fish and an easy technique for the kids.
Trollers are catching some nice Bass and Goldens in the main basin, trolling 5/8 spinnerbaits and deep diving hard bodies around the major points and tight along the steep rock walls.
Red claw have also been coming in pretty thick of late, including some big lobster-size ones.
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, along with dog biscuits.
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Lake Barambah
BP Dam has been a little tough for the lure casters lately due to the weather and pressure, 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 wide 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 in the dam 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 on to fish eventually.
Be wary from Bass Point onwards towards the timber, though, 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 fisherman are getting heaps of table fish, fishing just about anywhere on the dam that is more than 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.
Don’t forget that you can also 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 Yellowbelly in our two great dams, make sure you give me a call on 0408-658-592 and I’ll be happy to take you out for a great day’s fishing.
Hope to see you on the water soon
Tight Lines and Bent Rods!
