Testing times in the dry

The dry season can certainly test a fisho's patience. The dry's unpredictable weather conditions often frustrate anglers wanting to head wide for a crack at the big blue, however, early morning does at times provide an opportunity.

As expected, the closer locations have copped a bit of a touch up and yes you guessed it, Anglers Reef, The Bottlewasher and other Lee Point structures have proved most popular. Hank Schmidt, an annual visitor to the Territory, has had his hands full yet again as the Spaniards continue to attack his drifted pilchard baits in a berley trail. The photos Hank has dropped into Got One confirm that he's perfected the art of catching these monsters around our Lee Point reefs - no wonder he's a regular Darwin visitor.

To the east, Got One's Mal Strong invaded the Vernons with a group of other boats and it was tough going all the way. Coming home was even tougher with the afternoon winds really kicking him up the backside. A drop on Anglers Reef saved the day with a couple of grey macks caught before calling it quits.

From the west, I'm still hearing the word "sailfish" on a weekly basis ... in fact one crew claimed four sails were hooked from their 4.5m tinnie during a session just last week!? Dundee's Long Lost seems to be close to the action but that's yet to be fully confirmed.

Landbased fishing has been worth the effort for some, chrome slices doing the deed on trevally and queenfish about the wharf and Fort Hill rocky foreshores. Locating protected waters around East Point is always the secret and the early morning high tides proved favourable on flighty queenies and the odd salmon.
Darwin Harbour is still reported to be holding big macks and they've been a by-catch while chasing jewies on the harbour wrecks.

As the build-up weather approaches, the inland billabongs are set to fire up as they do every year. Pick the fullish moon for a night session or the new moon when fishing daylight hours for your best chances. That little Rapala X-Rap10 and Reidys Lucifers are still my favourites inland, with the surface lures included for night sessions. I consistently find that the shallower sections are warmer and therefore most likely to catch more fish, so keep that in mind. Try a 115mm Tango Dancer and "walk the dog" along the weedbed edges and around the lillies. Don't be afraid to just let it sit for a second or two either. This is a damn enjoyable way to fish ... you will often have your heart in your mouth as that Tango cops a touch up when you least expect it.

It's nearly time to pay attention to Manton Dam too...I can feel a nice quiet night session coming on.

The build-up is coming...bring it on I say!

Danny Warren with a nice Spaniard.

Craig Grosvenor
Got One Darwin
Truck City, Berrimah NT
Ph (08) 89472224
Fx (08) 89472239
Email- darwin@gotone.com.au

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