Since the onset of winter, the fishing has changed considerably in the South Burnett Region. With a little bit of patience and some searching you can find some cracking catches of our native fish. No matter what type of angler you are, there’s always some great options when targeting fish in Boondooma and BP dams.

Boondooma

Over the past few months the fish have been sitting unseasonably deep in Boondooma. Generally, this time of year, you’ll see the fish up along the rocky edges or feeding up shallow in amongst the weed. This season its totally different, the fish have been up a little shallower in the morning in 20 ft but as the day warms they seem to be moving out into the 30 to 60 ft range. I can’t remember the last time I caught bass this deep in QLD let alone Lake Boondooma. The reason for the fish sitting so deep though is the bait. The bass are feeding on very small shrimp, red claw and bony bream. The large percentage of this forage for the fish is moving along the bottom out in those deeper zones of the dam.

Matt Langford and Lennie with a brace of big bass from the depths of Boondooma using Blades

Areas to target are the Boyne river up in the timber, early in the morning when it’s cold. Small ¼ blades and Ice Jigs seem to be the best way to catch a few Yellow belly and Bass in 18 to 25 ft. Fish these lures vertically with small sharp hops off the bottom in amongst the timber pockets.

The afternoon has been the pick of the times to be on the water, as the fish are responding well to the warmer afternoons. Once that water has been getting above 16 degrees, the deeper sections along the Barbour’s Pole area has been fishing very well in 30 to 60 ft. Fishing water this deep is still quite easy using ½ ounce blades, 20 gram spoons, Tail spinners and ½ ounce rigged plastics fished along the bottom.

Lennie with his PB bass of 51cm caught on a 1/2 blade along the Barbours pole area.

Bait fisherman have been getting good catches of yellow belly in the Boyne arm of the dam fishing close to trees and the Boyne rocks. Most have been using saltwater yabbies, shrimps and worms. It’s a good idea to use smaller sinkers as the bite is hard to detect if you’re using huge ball sinkers. Simply tie up to a tree drop your bait to the bottom and slowly move the bait up and down off the bottom. It won’t be long until you get a bite.

Trollers have been getting a few Yellow belly but they have to work hard for them. Make sure you take a tackle retriever with you as you’re bound to get a snag or two whilst trolling.

Redclaw are still coming in pretty good numbers around the shallow rocky edges, soft fruits and vegetables have been the best bait during the winter months.

Lake Barambah

Typically, in winter, BP dam’s fish move in closer to the edge and can be caught using a few methods. Lately, the best edge fishing methods have been Eco gear ZX blades, Skirted Jigs and Jerk baits cast up shallow. Slower moving baits like the ones suggested are dynamite in winter the key is small hops off the bottom near the edge with the ZX blades and long pauses near the edge with the jerkbaits.

The deeper flats have also been producing lots of fish be it bass or yellow belly. Jigging blades has been the best method. Most anglers have been sounding fish in about 20ft and sitting on top of them, Eco gear ZX blades have been the real standout as they have two small stinger hooks attached. Drop them down to the bottom and hop them with small sharp hops, a fish only needs to touch them and the stinger hooks will grab them very quickly. Best spots have been the big flat out from the main dam wall.

The Bass are keen on skirted jigs or yabbies as the afternoon heats up.

It’s Valuable to remember that most fish in the dam are gorging themselves on small bony bream so it’s a great idea to throw anything that looks like a small bait fish. Look for steeper banks that hold some timber or rocks as this is a likely place that fish will be looking for bait up shallow. Out deeper try to find flats that are close to significant drop offs or the main submerged creek line.

Nick Anderson with a beautiful Yellow belly from the edge on a small soft plastic.

Bait fisherman have been getting a ton of nice fish from BP dam. Most have been fishing along the edge and fishing saltwater yabbies and shrimps.

Trollers are catching the odd fish trolling around the main lake points, small deep diving hard bodies are the best. Redclaw have gone very quiet and should start popping back up as the water gets warmer.

Fishing Charters

Don’t forget that you can book a fishing charter with me on BP and Boondooma dams. If you’d like a great day out and all the info and knowledge to catch Bass or Yellow belly in our two great dams make sure you give me a call on 0408658592 and I’ll be happy to take you out for a great days fishing.  You can also check out our website on www.australianfreshwaterfishing.com

Until next time, tight line and bent rods.

Matthew Langford