New season mean new methods

It was an exciting couple of months on Lake Monduran. Despite the larger fish remaining hard to catch, we were once again able to have a very successful Humminbird Lake Monduran Barra Classic.

There were 27 teams entered this year, with all but one team landing a legal-sized barramundi.

Experienced competition fishers Jake and John Schwerin took out first place with an impressive bag of five fish measuring 515cm.

My friend Justin Allen and I fished the comp as well and were happy to take home third place.

For those interested, this competition is run in March each year by the Monduran Anglers and Stocking Association and is open to everyone.

A couple of weeks after, it was time for a fingerling release on the lake.

This year 133,000 fingerlings were released, which to date is the most for Lake Monduran.

Using a Z-Man Finesse FrogZ, the author captured a decent 87cm barramundi.

This work is vital in retaining a healthy fishery because barramundi cannot breed in a freshwater environment.

With a good amount of cover available to the fingerlings, it is hoped we achieve the good survival rate experienced in recent years.

The Monduran Anglers and Stocking Association puts a great amount of effort in to fundraising for the fingerlings, with the help of some great sponsors.

The month of May generally produces good fishing on Monduran.

If the weather is stable, barra will be looking to feed up before the coldest part of the year.

The majority of fish will start to push up on the edges to feed where the warmest water is.

Depth ranges for these fish will vary, depending on the weather.

Mitch Long scored a 62cm barramundi on a 4” Z-Man Finesse FrogZ soft plastic.

Cold changes will see the fish hold on the deeper points and edges.

During stable weather, the fish are more likely to go to the shallow points and backs of bays.

The most important thing to be mindful of is ensuring your lure is reaching the correct depths to entice a bite.

Fish holding deeper are still very catchable, though will not readily rise to the surface to take a lure.

In contrast, fish holding high in the water column will often not swim down to take a lure.

Quality electronics are very important when locating where and how fish are holding.

A good quality side and down scan –which I get from my Humminbird Helix – will give you confidence that you are in an area with fish and indicate where you need to be casting.

A 64cm barramundi caught on a Z-Man Finesse FrogZ by Tom Rowley.

In recent years, the best lures for this time of year have been the heavier soft plastic swimbaits, such as the Molix Shad 140mm, which is now also available in a 120mm size.

Though with larger fish being harder to tempt at the moment, it may pay to fish a little slower.

Other quality options to try are 6” shads or the Pristine Lures PT150.

Altering the jig head weight to fish deep or shallow will enable you to keep the lure in the face of the fish and hopefully entice a bite.

Ensure you’re fishing a hook size with enough gape to easily penetrate above the lip of a large barramundi.

My favourite jig heads for these lures are the TT Lures War Head 8/0XH.

Good luck to those heading to the lake – I hope to see you on the water.