Our two dams have seen some much-needed water flow into the dams, whilst it wasn’t a huge amount, it’s still enough to lift the level and keep the fish active. Both dams haven’t changed much as far as the fishing goes and there are huge amounts of opportunity to get amongst some great fishing for natives on Boondooma and BP.

Boondooma

There’s a couple of good fishing options for Boondooma this month. Early on in the day, your best option would be to hit the trees in either the Stuart or Boyne arms chasing Bass, Yellow Belly or even Saratoga amongst the spindly timber. I usually start here first when the arms are quiet and it usually pays off. I like to cruise amongst the trees with the electric motor and cast 5/8 Bassman Spinnerbaits or soft lipless cranks in tight to the spindly trees, let the lure sink from 3 to 5 seconds and start my retrieve. This usually accounts for a few Bass and Yellow belly. The Goldens particularly like lipless cranks cast tight to the structure and the Bass tend to hit as the lure bounces over the underwater structure. If you’re after a Saratoga casting surface lures when the water is still is a great way to catch one of these prehistoric fish. These techniques are a great way to fish and it can be nail biting stuff at times, especially when you hook up to a quality fish.

The views of Boondooma from the Bunk House are spectacular

Noel Gothman with a nice bass caught from a suspended school in 20 ft on a spoon

Later in the day when the sun is up, I’d be moving out to the main basin and sounding for concentrations of fish in the 15 to 25 foot range. This time of year the fish that sit in this zone called the “thermocline” are a real sucker for slow retrieved or burned 5/8 spinnerbaits, ½ ounce rigged plastics and 18 gram Norries spoons. So give this a try next time you’re out, but make sure you find some good shows of fish on the sounder before you start casting. It pays to put the work in to find them because you can be greatly rewarded.

Kaleb Baker and Matt Hart with some nice bass caught from a suspended school along the rock wall near the dam wall.

Trollers are getting some big Bass in the main basin trolling 5/8 spinnerbaits, mainly around the Barbour’s pole area, the dam wall, Leisegangs ledge and Pelican point. Be patient and the rewards will come.

Bait fisherman are still recording good catches in the timbered sections of the dam, using shrimps and worms. Silver perch, Bass, Yellow belly and Eel tail catfish are all catchable and good eating quality.

Red claw are patchy but if you put in the work you will catch some whoppers. Remember if the pot is empty make sure you keep moving them as you might drop a pot on the honey hole.

Lake Barambah

BP has been the pick of the dams as far as numbers of fish go. Sessions of 20 to 40 plus fish are not uncommon and if you put the work in you can get some quality as well. A few areas that have been fishing well lately are the open water straight out from the park boat ramp, wide of the Quarry and wide of bass point. Make sure you ask the guys at the kiosk if you want to know these areas. Soft plastics rigged on a ½ ounce head have been very effective. Soft Vibes and spinnerbaits are also a great go to lure if the fish are sitting up off the bottom with a burn and kill retrieve.

The Author and Corey with some nice bass caught recently on soft plastics fished near the surface with a fast retrieve

Areas not to forget are the areas around the edges of the dam that hold some rocky structure, because the dam is so shallow, the fish like to move up into these areas to feed most of the year. Coming into autumn the fish with definitely be up in these areas. Baits like spinnerbaits and blades could become a key bait at this time of year.

Trent Baraclay with a nice bass caught from a shallow 10 ft point near the Quarry

Trollers are catching some nice fish trolling around the main lake points of the dam, and the open water out from the main boat ramps. Deep diving hard bodies are also accounting for some nice yellow belly especially the more fluorescent colours.

Bait fisherman are still getting some nice Golden perch along the rocky walls around the edges of the dam using shrimps and worms as bait.

The red claw have been fairly quiet this year but they are still there to be caught. Set your pots around rocky structure for the best results.

Park News

It was great to see another record attendance at the Annual Yellow belly comp this year. Everyone was well behaved and most people caught fish. A huge thank you to everyone that attended this year’s event and made the weekend such a huge success. Thanks to the Boondooma stocking group lead by Terry Allwood who made it so enjoyable. These guys will put the money back into fingerlings for the dam to keep flourishing for years to come.

Now that were coming into the Easter break the dams will become quite busy, can I please remind everyone to be weary of the 6 knot zone in front of the camping areas and please make sure you have your SIPs permit and life jackets. Fisheries QLD will be visiting quite often over the Easter break and we’d hate to see you fined.

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.

That’s it for this month’s report.

Until next time, tight lines and bent rods.

Matthew Langford