Tackle Tactics » Tips-Techniques » Sweetwater-Impoundments-Brackish » A Jungle Perch Adventure

A Jungle Perch Adventure

By Cassurina Stahlhut

Vinnie and I don't always get a day off together, but when we do it also involves a tiny, inquisitive toddler. Having a day off together without the baby could be referred to as a 'unicorn', a rare treat that we were going to make the most of.

Our day began with coffee. I had our daughter ready for daycare, while Vinnie packed up all the gear we needed for a few hours of walking. I needed to dust off my zip-up boots and fishing shirt, however soon enough we were on our way. From the passenger seat I was able to admire the beautiful scenery that surrounds us in the Townsville region. I am still amazed by the mountains and waterfalls in view. Arriving at our destination, we needn't forget a nice lather of Aeroguard as it didn't take long for the bugs to find us. Snacks, water, rods and tackle in supply and we started our walk, heading over boulders and sandy creek beds.

The crystal clear water made fish spotting so fascinating to watch, however it also made us extremely visible to the shy and skittish targets, the iconic jungle perch. Sneaking up on them meant that I had a very small window of opportunity to place a good cast. I'm more comfortable with a heavy, rigid baitcast combo than the light and finesse spin gear. It soon became apparent that Vinnie was giving me first opportunity to scare all of the fish away. With trees above, vines hanging low and a small corridor of creek to throw a long cast into, let's just say it wasn't my finest three hours of fishing. Some of the more open pools gave me a better shot at getting a cast to go long. Hiding behind a few trees also meant that I could get closer to a spot with some (supposedly) better casting accuracy.

It goes to show how challenging these creeks can be when even Vinnie lands a snag here or there. Despite all the trick shots required and a few missed pools, due to shutting down the fish, along the way there were some nice surprises. It's amazing how you can catch a small jungle perch, just bigger than a goldfish, but what they lack in size they make up for in attitude. When you do land that fish, up close the markings on each fish can still leave you in awe. Amongst the babies, there were also a few larger lads (or ladies) that made for nice photo opportunities. Although the smaller fish couldn't get enough of the ZMan 3" MinnowZ, the ZMan 4.25" Billy Goat delivered on the larger fish.

We survived the conditions without incident, although the sinking sand and slippery rocks made us appreciate some sections of level and dry land. I am surprised at how versatile our Sun2Sea polo shirts are, considering it is at the colder end of the year for Townsville. I stayed warm, even while wet, but remained cool and protected from the harsh sun. There were signs of pigs throughout the area we fished, so we remained vigilant and made sure to always have a nice climbing tree in sight. In addition we also carry a well kitted out first aid kit and personal locator beacon, just in case.

Although opportunities for Vinnie and I to go fishing together don't come up too often, you can be sure that it's going to be an interesting day. Vinnie being the competitive angler who doesn't leave until his self-instilled quota is reached, while I am not competitive for fishing at all and am just happy to be outside. Despite our polar opposite attitudes, we make a great team by sharing a love for the outdoors and making time for birdwatching in between casts.

We hope that you too get to make time for some outdoor exploration soon!

Cassurina & Vinnie

Below is a breakdown of the gear used on our trip:

Combo 1 -

Okuma Helios SX Spin Rod - HSX-S-701M 7' 3-6kg
Okuma Inspira Blue Spin Reel - ISX-30B
Platypus Platinum Braid - 10lb
Platypus Stealth FC Fluorocarbon Leader - 10lb
TT Lures ChinlockZ Jighead - 3/0
ZMan 4.25" Billy Goat - Various Colours

Combo 2 -

Okuma LRF 6' Spin Rod - LRF-S-602L-FG
Okuma Helios SX Spin Reel - HSX-20
Platypus Platinum Plus Braid - 6lb
Platypus Stealth FC Fluorocarbon Leader - 10lb
TT Lures ChinlockZ Jighead - 3/0
ZMan 3" MinnowZ - Various Colours