Kakadu Wanderings

As it has been reported over the last few days on Facebook I have just spent the last week wandering around Kakadu fishing a few of the Billabongs and had a great time.

Started at “Secret Spot X” which everyone by now should realise is the Red Lily waterway chain. This fished for me earlier in the dry fantastically and if anything is better now as the average size of the fish seems to be bigger. With the cooler nights had to wait until lunchtime for the fish to really start to show themselves then it was constant action into the dark. 

Typical Spot X fish.

Over two days of fishing caught heaps, only two “rats” under 50cms and the largest going 72cms. All fish were silver and fat as, good eating too. Have a feeling that as the water temperature starts to raise this place will “go off” and trust me there are some good fish to be had out of there. I think Parks will close access after the first rain because of the flood plain that needs to be crossed, so don’t leave it too long if you wish to go.

Forgot the sink but took the office!

 

From Spot X it was onto Sandy Billabong to explore that waterway utilising “MV Croc Bait” as Parks deny access to trailer boats (despite a ramp being there!!). Spent two days exploring the waterway and had a great time and a lot of fun. Totally different fishing from a 10 foot punt! 

Where there is a will there is a way.

Soon found out that to land any fish of decent size you had to finesse them away from the scrub, as soon as too much pressure was applied “MV Croc Bait” would be towed into the scrub. Ended up catching Barra, Toga, Tarpon, Archer, Sooties and Catfish.

Sandy Toga.

 This waterway will start to fire up with some temperature. Water here was crystal clear but cool as there is so much shade and the sun only on the water for a short time. This place should be interesting first thing after the wet as there seems to be a lot of drains leading into it from surrounding area. I’ll be back.

View from rear deck.

Always something going on.

From Sandy it was onto the Yellow Waters chain of Billabongs. Over 4 days fished all the Billabongs with the stand out one to me was Home Billabong with good numbers of Togas, Barra and Sooties. All Billabongs were clear water with the exception on Yellow Waters which was very muddy but produced large numbers of rat Barra from the edges with larger fish showing on the sounder sat in deeper water. Again a couple of extra degrees to water temperature should wake these fish up. Salvinia was evident in all the Yellow Water Billabongs.

Home Billabong Barra.

Home Billabong Sooty.

Had a great time fishing a world class fly fishing area located on our doorstep and had the place all to myself at Red Lily, Sandy, Home, Jim Jim and Mardugal. Where else can you fish and have it all to yourself???

Remember, “You’ll never never know, if you never never go.” Get out there and fish.

Tight lines

Jim Churchley