October is the start of the 'Build-up' and here in Kununurra and one positive with the increase in the heat is that it turns the Barra on

I'd missed some of the prime run-off season earlier this year, but many agree the build-up is better fishing........ not one to argue, it was decided to test the theory....

I had heaps of overtime up my sleeve and as you know the saying.....if you don't use it you lose it.....so not wanting to waste it I decided to take some time off and fish hard. A week of hard fishing to dissolve the work stress!

The plan was to hit the Lower Ord for Barra but in the middle head wide offshore chasing some Black Jewfish. Part of the reason in upgrading the boat was to give me the ability to explore the Kimberley Coast and see what she offers.

To start the trip it was decided to hit Skull Rock as there is plenty of river to fish and after the big wet the river has been loaded with fish. So last sunday Nick and I grabbed the tinny and launched early, we had another boat with us so we were bound to surround the Barra   

Heading downstream a Sea Eagle greeted us for the start of the journey

Always a good sign fish are active

We pretty much trolled or threw lures around the wood. It didn't dissappoint us and Nick was straight into some Barra

I was not far behind

We had a day that can only be described as the best day -worst day Barra fishing.... Well more so for me.....

Best day as we scored mobs of Barra, well over 50 fish, from 25cm through to monsters....and all good solid, fat, silver, hard hitting and wood burying Barra.  It was a hot season.

Worst day for me as I got absolutely trained by 3 big girls. Two just smashed me in the wood within seconds, locked drag, thumb burn, all over in seconds, powerful girls.........but it didn't stop there; on the last troll for the day I was hit by what I called a small Barra....as I was trying to stand up in the 3.5 tinnie, I was looking down, not concentrating, only to have my arms ripped from my sockets.....and hearing a large splash......the not so small fish was a 110 plus girl as everyone else saw her exit the water and fly through the sky........needless to say she continued with my lure as the leader parted.......now all I get is the 'not so bigl fish' ribbing from the crew  probalby wont have a season like that again and oh the pain......

But the memories of the day will last a lifetime and I now run 80lb leader in the wood.......

As some of you may know POC was up for the week with a crew from work. We had been talking for ages as I was helping with organising the trip and providing some tips for the fishing. The crew where heading for the Lyne River, which is out in the Gulf. So come sunday night I shot over to Wyndham to finally meet the crew in person. Good bunch of blokes and we solved the fishing problems over a few beers and jerky  

I wont write much as POC will probably put a post up but here's a few shots. I had  previously planned a trip wide chasing Black Jewfish with another mate from work so we were to head out in two boats, live-aboard for three days as the weather looked good....well at least on the internet..... Luke and Thommo couldn't depart Wyndham until Wednesday arvo so given the trip was planned I meet up with POC Wednesday morning while I had a day waiting for Luke's boat. So I departed Wyndham 6am and headed for the Lyne.

Here's a familar boat

And that is boat kitted out for serious Barra fishing. The rest of the day we fished and had a few beers and fished and had a few beers

Rafting up was the order of the day.

It had been pretty quiet with a few Fingermark and Barra so in the arvo I decided to hit my favourite wood. 

I pulled two good Barra 

But then proceeded to get smoked by three good fish.....bugger, oh well lick the wounds and head back to catch up with POC before Luke arrived.

After talking to POC we returned to the wood and I just anchored up and was content in watching the master work his magic.....

Whats that mate I say over a cold beer

Oh you got smoked...yeah I saw that..... ha ha

So it's not just me.

So after a few more beers I said goodbye and left POC 'still trolling" looking for her sister

I hear they got some big fish on their last day......and who would have thought we were bumping heads back in Darwin the in 90's. Was good catching up mate  

So I ran down to the mouth and waited for Luke. We camped the night at the mouth and readied ourselves for the journey into the blue for the next few days and I got little sleep dreaming of those big Mulla's......those big Mulla's that pull like freight trains .....

Nothing like a Kimberley sunrise

And heading off into the wide open......

Past some amazing scenery

The mornings were glass but the arvo's were slopp....

We reached our destination and fished with high expectations......

We were fishing shallow rocks and using Octa-jigs and after some time we were justly rewarded

Drew with the first jew

I was not long after with my first Black Jew. First fish first attempt so I was very happy

Not the big metre plus fish but given the weather we were very happy and I was even happier to land her on my new light jigging outfit fresh from Oceanside; Zxoga Taki- Si 5814 PE 4 running a Sol 4000. She stopped the fish in 3 metres of water  

Thanks Ryan and Blake, very happy.

But the weather turned for the northery worst and we reluctantly had to leave......

Shelter was Cape Domet but not one for sitting around all day we trolled with the Leci and flicked a few lures for Barra around the mangroves on the outgoing tide.

We had success with plenty of Barra and this 50cm Fingermark which was quickly dressed for the frypan

Cheers for the lure POC, she works

The weather got worse so our last day we spent exploring some of the False Mouths.

Can't get enough of the Kimberley sunsets

 Needless to say all Barra spat the hooks fo buried me deep......

But given last sunday's success there was still one day of the week left to fish.....

So Nick and I again hit the Lower Ord as Nick had scored some good fish on the Wednesday I was at the Lyne; a 90cm fish weighed in at 24lb; that good a fish! 

Another beautiful morning on the River

And the fish were happy to play

Nick had a metre plus Barra flow his lure here

But everything then went dead and about 20m later I pulled a small Barra only to get sharked.

We had a few more trolls for a few more fish

We pulled plenty of Barra but it was not like last sunday as the big girls were away so we headed home

in the company of the Magpie Geese

There's still plenty of October left