Boondooma and Lake Barambah have seen a recent influx of water from Tropical Cyclone Debbie. With the rain, came the run off, and we’ve seen some welcome water flow into our two dams. Currently Boondooma is sitting at 53% and BP 24%. The fisherman haven’t been disappointed as both dams have been fishing well but have been a little slow due to the weather and the recent rain. It’s great to see so many people coming to our dams as the water levels rise, the next few weeks should see the fishing improve considerably.

Boondooma

Boondooma has been fishing reasonably well in the main basin of the dam. There are a few very good options when your fishing during this time of year, though it does pay to be patient. The deeper water around the dam is holding big Bass and Yellow belly suspended in the Thermocline (comfortable water) and these fish are very willing to eat most offerings presented to them, given time. The trick is to locate these suspended fish before casting. It really pays to have good electronics on your boat as sounders are the best way to locate concentrations of fish.  The fish in the basin have been the bigger ones, Bass over 50cm have been caught, so it pays to spend the time sounding to find the fish to cast at. Sound around areas like the rock walls near the dam wall and the major rocky points around the front of the dam. Here, the water is at its clearest due to the recent inflow. When a school has been located start by casting 5/8 spinnerbaits, 20 gram spoons and ½ rigged soft plastic and count from 5 to 7 seconds depending on how deep the fish are sitting. Consistent fast retrieves have been working best and it pays to put in multiple casts before you get a bite or a fish. ½ ounce rigged plastics have been a popular choice amongst anglers as the bait is a smaller profile and can be burnt fast as well to initiate a strike from any hungry fish.

The Yellow Belly in Boondooma are fat and ready for winter.

The timber is another great option, especially if you’re a bait fisherman as the fish are still holding around the trees in both arms. If you don’t have a sounder to work on the fish in the basin, this would be the smartest option, although the water is quite dirty due to both arms receiving water so lures in the arms aren’t a great option at the moment. The water is still quite warm so the fish should stick around in the trees until it starts to cool down.

Bait fishing in the Timber is another great option for Boondooma with some influx of dirty water. Live shrimps and worms are the best option.

Trollers are catching some nice bass and goldens in the main basin trolling 5/8 spinnerbaits and deep diving hard bodies.

Red claw have been coming in pretty thick of late and some big lobster size ones as well. Set your pots close to any rock structure or thick timber and you’re in with a good chance of a feed. Soft fruit and vegetables have been the best bait as well as dog biscuits.

Lake Barambah

BP has been a little tough of late for the lure casters due to the weather but fish are still getting caught if you’re willing to put in the time. Bass and goldens in some areas have been thick and sessions in the double digits still aren’t uncommon, so keep working on them if you’ve found a good show of fish. Best areas of late have been around the lightening ridge area and the quarry, fishing down the drop offs. The deeper water from Bass point right down the middle to the public boat ramp is also worth of a drift or two.  Best baits have been ½ ounce rigged plastics, ¼ ounce blades spinnerbaits and chatter-baits.

Anglers young and old are still enjoying the fishing at BP, this bass was caught casting a ½ bassman spinnerbait.

Because BP is a shallow dam most fish generally congregate around areas in the dam where drop offs are. The best way to find these drop off is to use your sounder and find them or look for points or banks that drop away quickly. Cast your lure up shallow and slowly wind it down the slope and try to keep it close to the bottom. I always try to imagine where my lure is sitting close to the bottom to keep in contact with the fish or the “strike zone”. I consistently let the lure touch the bottom so that I know I’m always close as I wind my lure back to the boat. Using this method usually puts you onto fish eventually.

½ ounce rigged plastics are the stand out bait at BP recently.

Be wary from Bass point onwards towards the timber as the water is still quite shallow.

Trollers are getting some nice bass and goldens trolling over the drop offs out from Bass point and down the middle of the dam between bass point and the caravan park boar ramp also try trolling over the prominent points of the dam using spinnerbaits and blades.

Bait fisherman are getting heaps of table fish, fishing just about anywhere on the dam that is over 10 feet deep and near any structure. Best baits have been shrimps and worms.

There is some red claw still about as well so make sure you pack the pots.

Park News

On a final note, if your needing to know any information about fishing spots on the dam or want any tackle for your weekends fishing, both Kiosks have a great amount of information and all the latest tackle that will help you on your way to some great fishing.

Hope to see you on the water soon

Tight Lines and Bent Rods

Matthew Langford