Dampier Bucket List
Hi,
Have been having a look around this site for a little while now and decided to make my first post (sort of - tried the other day but it didn't work). Anyway, I've been living in Karratha for about 3 years now and have had a boat for the last two. I've recently decided that at the completion of my current job I'll be moving back to Perth.
I've had a ball fishing around the place over the last couple of years and have ticked alot of boxes on fish caught. There are two and a half boxes that remain unticked, that being a sailfish, a barra and a big red (this is half as I've got some smaller ones).
Couple of questions:
- are there still sails around?
- if so can someone give me some sort of tip? I've studied the photos and have a general idea of area but don't know what I am looking for.
- are the barra around now?
- Similarly, I've never chased them so am totally green, any tips would be appreciated
I'm here until the end of January so hopefully have a bit of time. I've got a 5.9m ally cuddy cab which is pretty versatile and can get me to most spots.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Jarrid
POC
Posts: 231
Date Joined: 05/01/09
Yep to both
Though i don't chase sails i herd some reports, no expaert but head for the ships at Dampier and look for bait balls. Barra are around too most creeks are worth a try i don't bait for them but it is pretty popular method. Tolling smaller lures this time of year works OK for me.
Adam Gallash
Posts: 15653
Date Joined: 29/11/05
Sails
I hear the sails and marlin are still out on the baitballs behind the ships as well - few guys have been getting well into the double figures for the day.
Not sure about the barra, but its the time of year to try!
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allrounder
Posts: 1853
Date Joined: 10/11/08
with all the small marlin
up that way at the moment i would say that they are on the come back.I wonder WHAT has changed in the last couple of years
.Could we see the come back of the shortbill swordfish in exxie in my lifetime.We can only hope they didnt get wipedout.
So tell me have you got your info from years on the water or hours on the internet?
jarrid
Posts: 363
Date Joined: 20/08/10
cheers for the quick
cheers for the quick replies. that's pretty much where i figured from the photos. will get out and have a crack as soon as the weather dies down a bit. will give it a go with some skirted lures and a garfish and see what works. i trolled around some skirts a few weeks back for the first time and ended up with some mac tuna and a nice spaniard, but also lost a nicer one when he cut through.
what creeks are accessible by boat and are relatively easy to navigate? i've only ever launched from Dampier... having a crack at the barra might be a better option for windy days.
jay_burgess
Posts: 4648
Date Joined: 18/08/05
All the creeks are pretty
All the creeks are pretty much accessible by boat from various boat ramps, Dampier, Karratha back beach, point samson, cossack etc it just depends how far you want to travel.
I wouldn't say any of them are 'easy' to navigate, the creeks in the pilbara are shallow and very tidal and can change dramatically between trips. Study google earth of the creek you decide to visit before you go to get a bit of an idea where the deep parts of the creek are. Head in on the high tide and lock yourself in and fish the low, head back out of the creek on the high. Head to the more remote creeks for better results and during the week you have a much better chance of having the creek to yourself.
Brucesta
Posts: 1721
Date Joined: 29/05/09
for the reds i'd be hitting
for the reds i'd be hitting the reefs of Pt Samson out in 30m or so, Sailies are still there as well and the barra have been on the chew
Las Vegas - Rolling the dice and trying your luck. 1M+ Barra summer target. 100kg Black Marlin winter target
Webby
Posts: 835
Date Joined: 24/09/08
it really depends on how bad
it really depends on how bad you want these fish mate. they are all not 'hard' to catch, its just about putting in the time. if you head out the back of the ships and troll gardies you will probably find one, but it may not be the first trip or even the second. they are still out there for sure. and the same goes for the barra. put in the time, go every day off possible and sit through the low tides and eventually you are bound to encounter one. just have a go mate and keep persisting.
I live with fear every day... sometimes she lets me go fishing.
jarrid
Posts: 363
Date Joined: 20/08/10
had a spare couple of hours
had a spare couple of hours yesterday and went to cleaverville to have a look. got a decent queenie from the shore (too windy for boat solo and my gps is playing up) on a popper but that was the only interest. also had a good look around the nickol river in the car but it was a bit dodgy trying to get close to the river so i gave it a miss.
hopefully weather will be better next weekend and i can get out. if you reckon the creeks should be fished on the low tide then that will probably mean i'll head out wide if conditions are ok, according to the tide book.
one more question, are billfish affected by tides much? the mackeral and tuna seem to be on an hour or two either side of high tide - is it the same for sails? have also heard that the moon affects them too.
will put a trip out from samson on the list as well...the list is getting bigger and the days left are getting less!
once again, cheers for advice.
Webby
Posts: 835
Date Joined: 24/09/08
apart from sun rise and sun
apart from sun rise and sun set, the tide change is the next best time for billies. Not sure about moon. I dont get out often enough to really test it.
I live with fear every day... sometimes she lets me go fishing.
NOHA
Posts: 914
Date Joined: 24/06/07
Love Dampier reds
Twin turbo..V8 diesel..Ohh what a feeling!!
No Orange Hats Allowed
jarrid
Posts: 363
Date Joined: 20/08/10
"you will probably find one,
"you will probably find one, but it may not be the first trip or even the second."
you're right so far. was a long way to go, and i only got about two hours trolling in before my mate got crook and i had to come back. pretty rough yesterday, saw a few bait balls but no action. next time....