There were certainly a couple of surprises in last weekend’s Corroboree
Park Challenge.
This 32-year-old Palmerston Game Fishing Club family-fishing event is held on the Mary River system and all waterways east of the Mary as far as the East Alligator River.
For ease of access and general convenience, most teams fish Corroboree Billabong.
Given that every report so far this year from Corroboree is that the barra fishing had been terrible, the first surprise was that the big lagoon fished exceptionally well for barra.
Another surprise was that three barra entered were all over the magic metre mark.
According to one of the co-ordinators, Tegan Cann, there were 79 teams and 227 anglers this year.
“All up there were 121 barra and 20 saratoga registered, totalling a whopping 7901cm of fish measured.
“Corroboree Billabong fished really well for some and not so good for others, surprising us with the capture of a tagged barra, making this the second barra to go off during a Corroboree Park Challenge,” Tegan reported.
Daniel Webb from The Salty Seamen team caught the red-tagged barra, but unfortunately it was from the previous season four of Million Dollar Fish.
Tegan said: “They were packing up, but left a line in the water on the troll when a fish jumped on.
“One of them joked that the fish was probably carrying a red tag and, when they put it on the measuring board and it flipped it over, they saw the red tag and the three of them went crazy.
“But then they checked the tag closely and realised it was last year’s.
“A lot of anglers ventured out further afield, with popular fishing spots this year including Four Mile Hole, Shady Fresh, and both the East and South Alligator Rivers,” Tegan told me.
“The overwhelming feedback from anglers was the number of big crocs, especially in Corroboree.
“Overnight fishing saw the best results thanks to the full moon on both Friday and Saturday nights,” Tegan said.
Once again, the Corroboree Park Tavern proved a spot-on venue, and ideal for both individual anglers and families with plenty of activities for the kids.
The winners this year will be announced at the presentation night this Saturday at the Palmerston Game Fishing Club clubhouse, where you can get a feed and bar service.
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The Amateur Fishermen’s Association of the NT (AFANT) is celebrating national Gone Fishing Day by encouraging all Territorians to pick up a rod and wet a line this Sunday 20 October.
AFANT is launching its Brag Board Photo Competition and entries are eligible beginning on Gone Fishing Day.
AFANT CEO, David Ciaravolo, said: “Fishers from all over the Territory can participate in Gone Fishing Day celebrations through our Brag Board Competition.
“All you have to do is go fishing between 20 October and 17 November, take a photo of the fun you’re having and send it to bragboard@afant.com.au
“You could feature on the big brag board we are making and go in the running to win prizes from Shimano, Fishing and Outdoor World, Reidy’s Lures and Humpy Doo Barramundi,” he said.
“AFANT will also be hosting a pop-up near the Dinah Beach boat ramp, in front of In & Outboard Marine, on Sunday morning from 7:30am to 10.00am.
“Thanks to our sponsors, we will be giving away Paul’s Iced Coffees, the Sunday Territorian, fish measuring stickers and even some Reidy’s lures.
“Come down to Dinah Beach for a chat with AFANT, grab an iced coffee and a donut, and celebrate Gone Fishing Day on your way out from the ramp or before you head off fishing elsewhere,” David said.
It sounds like a pretty good idea; for more information, visit www.afant.com.au/gfd.
Isla, dad Mark and Harper Allcorn with a legal barra from the Corroboree Park Challenge.
Johnnie Pope Jnr, Bailey Mackenzie, Khloe Mackenzie, Mason Pope and skipper Johnnie Pope in the middle with a beaut Corroboree Park Challenge barra.
Justin Halton from Team Fraid Knot with a ripper 74cm barra.