Just got back from my fishing trip in Darwin.
On this trip I fished in Crab Claw Isalnd (130km west of Darwin) and in Darwin Harbour. Didin’t fish in Kakadu as there were a few crocs around (although the local aboriginal kids didn’t seem to care a caught a good sized barra.
I also missed out fishing at the Corroboree Billabong (for the big barra) as there was a stuff up with my booking agent - I paid for the trip through an agent but the guide claimed he never got the booking from the agent.
The other mishap is my brand new US supercaster reel went for a permanent swim after catching its first fish!!
Because of the booking stuff up this trip ended up being good mixture of fishing and sight seeing - still a very enjoyable trip. I would certainly recommend the Northern Territory to anyone - fishing or sight seeing.
We arrived in Darwing on the 3rd of May morning and spent a day there doing the sights and drove to Crab Claw Island on the 4th and staying until the 6th. Rented a boat and went fishing on the 5th. Also did a bit of shore fishing on the 4th night and got eaten alive by sandflies. Did catch a few Sharks and Catfish though.
View of the island
Sunset from our chalet
How about some deicious mud crabs? Note my crab cracker on the edge of the table.
And cherabins too
Now to the fishing. On the morning of the 5th we went out at about 8am in the rented boat and was catching sharks almost immediately. They were everywhere and when the sharks are on everything else goes.
Photo of my long time fishing buddy Mr Yu (his real name)with ikan Yu. hehe . most of them were this size so we didn’t bother to take more photos. Although the night before he did catch a bigger specimen.
Then towards mid morning having moved to another spot - sofia suddenly hooked up!!. This is one big fish and a bloody strong fighter too. Also it was hooked up on my new US Superbaitcaster reel on its maiden outing - yeehaaa the christening of a new reel is always exciting. The fish proofed too strong for Sofia so she passed it on to me (heehee - trying hard to hide the smile on my face). I took over the rod and put some hurt on the fish. It went left the right then under, everything but give up. We were all guessing what it was - snapper, GT, shark (not likely), jew fish (maybe).
Finally it came into view for a second - something purpish - what in heavens is that??? Before we could get a good look it was down in the depths again - boy one persistent dude here. Tightened the drag and up she comes - any idea what fish??
its a Brown Morwong!! Ever heard of it? I was really impressed by it’s fighting ability. Gave my new reel a fantastic workout. Unfortunately it went for a permanent swim not too long after.
Mr Yu cleaning the Brown Morwong. By the way it is also called a Mother in Law fish by the aussies. It is suppose to taste so bad that you gave it to your mother in law. But then again aussies like fish with soft meat not the harder ones.
Then back to sharks again (boriiiing) for a few hours. Suddenly something big hit my VIPER and Certate combination. With amost 6kg drag on (wasn’t on lock up) it just kepth going. My virgin Viper rod is bent double (a bit much for a graphite rod I reckon).
It slowed dowm, I got some line back and off it went again - almost spooling me. Hey time to chase it with the boat. Got right above it and it went berserk, took a right, got under the boat and went off again. After about 15minutes of fight, it wrapped itself around some corals and took off. All I had for the effort was a nice piece of coral wrapped around my 30lb braid. So don’t know what it is.
Then back to sharks again.
We moved to the mangrove areas and caught heaps of catfish with a 10ft croc watching us.
Then off to Kakadu - went to the Cahills Crossing where there is good fishing but too many crocs and snakes. Didn’t end up fishing
Cahills Crossing - not very friendly locals eh?
It is a dangerous area
The actual crossing
Aboriginal kids in croc infested waters with a Barra. We were on the other side of the bank and they kept yelling at us to be careful of crocs on our side.
But sofia wouldn’t heed the warnings - oops!!!. There goes my fishing buddy. Need a new one
Then it was off to Darwin to fish. Went out a 6.30am on a charter boat. First fish was another bloody shark.
Then suddenly my rod went and there was no stopping this brute - Shimano TLD15, 80lb braid and 15kg rod (not the best match). It just took line like there is no tomorrow. After 15 minutes or so my arm was wearing out but still managed to keep the smile on my face hehehe
The skipper thought it was a big shark (bugger - not another) and finally after a lot of sweat it surfaced for the first time. It is not a SHARK!!!. It is golden and silver from the morning sun. Then just as quickly it went under again.
It is a JEW fish and a boodly good sized one!!! 15kg to be exact.
That made my day. Unfortunately there were no GT’s ar the famed large threadfin Salmon and other pelagics.
Oh my new fishing buddy with a strawberry fish
Carry a rod and speak softly.
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