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:

 

  1. are there still sails around?
  2. 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.
  3. are the barra around now?
  4. 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's picture

Posts: 231

Date Joined: 05/01/09

Yep to both

Wed, 2010-10-27 16:29

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's picture

Posts: 15607

Date Joined: 29/11/05

Sails

Wed, 2010-10-27 16:56

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's picture

Posts: 1853

Date Joined: 10/11/08

with all the small marlin

Wed, 2010-10-27 17:38

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 yearsLaughing.Could we see the come back of the shortbill swordfish in exxie in my lifetime.We can only hope they didnt get wipedout.

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jarrid's picture

Posts: 363

Date Joined: 20/08/10

cheers for the quick

Wed, 2010-10-27 18:17

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's picture

Posts: 4648

Date Joined: 18/08/05

All the creeks are pretty

Thu, 2010-10-28 12:40

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's picture

Posts: 1721

Date Joined: 29/05/09

for the reds i'd be hitting

Fri, 2010-10-29 09:49

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

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Webby's picture

Posts: 835

Date Joined: 24/09/08

it really depends on how bad

Fri, 2010-10-29 10:34

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.

 

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jarrid's picture

Posts: 363

Date Joined: 20/08/10

had a spare couple of hours

Sun, 2010-10-31 11:47

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's picture

Posts: 835

Date Joined: 24/09/08

apart from sun rise and sun

Sun, 2010-10-31 15:36

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.

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NOHA's picture

Posts: 914

Date Joined: 24/06/07

Love Dampier reds

Sun, 2010-10-31 22:08

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jarrid's picture

Posts: 363

Date Joined: 20/08/10

"you will probably find one,

Mon, 2010-11-08 10:36

"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....