Tackle Tactics » Tips-Techniques » Sweetwater-Impoundments-Brackish » Natives on Foot
Natives on Foot
Paul Chew
With the sun now peeping over the high banks of the creek, dew still wet on the grass, I heard that disconcerting sound of my favourite cargo pants ripping up the inside leg as I crawled on hands and knees under yet another electric fence in search of some feisty Australian natives. This is just one of the many obstacles that can be encountered while chasing fish in the creeks on foot, yet there are few more rewarding ways to chase these little battlers.
On this occasion my mate Pete and I had left home at around 4am and had used the kayaks to access some walking country, paddling downstream for ten minutes to access a few kilometres of good walking country. By good I really mean snake infested, thistle covered creek bed, where after an hour of strolling, with slippery river rocks underfoot, I am normally looking to get back in the yak. In all seriousness, it isn't all like that, and it's an awesome way to fill in a morning, with the wildlife just an added attraction. It's nothing to have two or three platypuses breaking through the surface, preening themselves, along with king parrots flying overhead and the ever present water dragons peering with contempt until we get too close, forcing them to jump from their perch.
As always, we poured for hours over Google Earth, identifying some likely looking timber and shallow runs through areas as a starting point, and this is where our day started in earnest. Pete chose the ever reliable #3 Gold TT Jig Spinner / Mood Ring ZMan 3" MinnowZ combo, which has proven deadly slow rolled past timber in the last few months, accounting for cricket scores of bass.
I chose a #2 Gold TT Jig Spinner, rigged with one of the new ZMan 2.5" Slim SwimZ in Suicidal Rooster colour. This is fast becoming a favourite of mine, with the smaller profile often enticing a bite, particularly in hard fished waters. A lot of fish hit this offering on the drop, making it imperative to keep a close eye on the line as soon as it lands. The bass only need an instant of slack line to bury you deep into any close by submerged timber, so fishing a slightly heavier drag is also worth considering to try and minimise lure losses.
We found a likely looking fallen gum and I told Pete to have a cast along it, which he did. Two cranks of the handle and a sooty stitched him up under the log in no time at all. With a bit of light hearted ribbing he eventually wrestled it out. A few quick pics and he was stoked, his first SEQ sooty caught on film.
When targeting bass, all of the likely lay down timber is a good starting point, but most of the better fish seem to come from skinny running water, hard up against the bank. Another productive area to try is the breakwater line, between the running water and the still 'backwater' as the bass tend to lay in the pressure line between and dart out and grab disorientated baitfish as they pass by. I like to pepper this type of area with a dozen or more casts, fanning them across the breakwater line, as eventually you will annoy a half-hearted fish into a bite.
The other place to look for, that is a sure bet, is deep shaded pockets along the banks. Without fail a few of these spots will produce a few fish as the sun rises overhead, so concentrate on these later in the day. Accurate casts are a must for these areas, with a wayward cast spooking the fish... so then it's time to move to the next spot.
As I have mentioned in other articles an unweighted ZMan 4" CrawdadZ, presented with finesse into a dark undercut, is rarely refused. This often results in a crashing strike as soon as the plastic is moved. Heading back upstream, as mentioned, we hit most of the skinny water hard as it's often a little undercut bank that will produce a fish. All up for the morning we must have landed a dozen bass, which is good going in anyone's books.
The Good
As previously mentioned, there are few things more relaxing than walking the banks, catching a fish here and there, really getting back to nature, with a minimum of gear. It's a cheap, easy fishing trip, with minimal clean up at the end of the day and the added bonus of being able to have a swim.
The Bad
Depending on the river system it can be pretty hard on the body, with steep banks, slippery rocks underfoot and sometimes long distances between fishing holes. Also, generally down in the creek bed the temperature rockets, with the sun beating off the sand during the day, making it uncomfortable.
The Ugly
Mostly this is just the wildlife encountered, with snake encounters pretty commonplace, so it pays to be constantly on the lookout. Also, wasp nests are part and parcel of the walk and should be avoided where possible. A bit of repellent applied before leaving the car normally keeps the mosquitos at bay at least.
What to Pack
As quite a bit of distance can be travelled in a morning, it's a fine line between carrying enough gear and leaving behind something you might need. A well kitted out, lightweight knapsack works well for me. In this I carry most everything I need. Below is a list of what I take.
???????? Water
???????? Box of lures (walk the dogs, ZMan CrawdadZ and Jig Spinners/3" MinnowZ and Slim SwimZ)
???????? Sunscreen
???????? Lip Grips
???????? Small Pliers
???????? Roll of Leader
???????? Camera
???????? Snacks
???????? Basic First Aid Kit (including snake bandage)
???????? Waterproof bag for keys/phone etc.
?
As mentioned earlier I like to keep it simple, however it is essential to take more water than you think you will need to avoid dehydration. Another tip is to freeze at least one water bottle, to keep any snacks cool and you can drink the water as it melts.
Good walking footwear and a decent hat are great investments for this type of fishing. I currently use 'reef' boots, however the soles are a bit soft and I am currently looking into some water compatible hiking shoes.
Just as a final note, anyone who wants to try out this rewarding style of fishing, please carry back out anything that you carry in, to help ensure that these pristine areas don't end up getting locked out of our reach. It only takes a couple of bad eggs to ruin it for everyone, so just pop your rubbish back into the knapsack and take it with you.
So next time it's blowing the dog off the chain, have a look for a creek somewhere, grab a pack of Jig Spinners and MinnowZ, a light rod, go for a wander in the great outdoors and enjoy this great country that we live in.