Cornacarpio's Eclectic Estuarine Escapades

[deathray]

Nice bream CC. Much appreciated continuation of the inclusion of a related historical text excerpt.

[Cornacarpio]

I headed out today with the best intention of trying a new spot along the Maribyrnong, so I got on the track under Footscray Rd. and started cycling upstream looking for somewhere 'fishy'. I pulled up along one of the bridges and cast a line out, but after 10-15 minutes of not even a nibble, I was itching to get to my new favourite spot. So I packed up and headed further upstream towards the 'Wrangler's Cavern'. I was utterly disappointed when someone (X3) was in my spot, so I had to make do and fish about 10m away. The Bream, particularly the little ones, were still on the go, although not quite as prolific as in 'my' little enclave yesterday. As the other party was about to leave I was getting ready to move my stuff over when someone just wandered over and started fishing in the spot I wanted as soon as they left. 'FML' I thought to myself. I was even considering leaving and trying another spot, but I decided to stick with it. I'm glad I did, because even if the Bream weren't quite as crazy as the other day, there was a steady stream of bites - and Bream - to go along with it. Like yesterday, I probably ended up with 6-8 all up (hard to keep track when catch & releasing - unlike the 'kill and collect' method for Carp). Again, no biggies, but I feel I am really figuring the Bream out. Just like freshwater I guess, the lighter the tackle the better and I've noticed the Bream tend to play with the bait a bit - not unlike Carp - and it is best not to strike straight away, but on the second or third go. Still after that first legal one!

I also added another species to the list - a Toadfish (I think). Not the Mulloway some people were after, but a new species nevertheless.

BAITS
There is a goodly array of articles of diet for this fish. We know at least twenty different kinds of bait on which bream have been caught. Unfortunately, as previously mentioned, the bream is rather fickle in its tastes, and is generally feeding on only one of these various foods at a time.

From the Concise Handbook of Australian Fishing (1947) by “Taggerty”, p.62

[Lightningx]

Great report and pics mate :thumbsup:

[Delirium]

Nice

[Cornacarpio]

Just the one small miserly Bream today from my new-found favourite spot. As usual, there were too many fisherpeople there and I wasn't able to get to the exact spot I wanted...

I exhausted my bait supply from last time, and being a public holiday I had to go to 7-11 and buy some exorbitantly priced and inferior bait. Never again! Hardly got a bite all day.

On the way home I saw a ripper of a snake along the Maribyrnong creek trail and tried the Stony Creek backwash. As usual, it was blowing a gale and I left after 30 minutes without even a nibble. I'm yet to catch anything from there and not entirely convinced it holds any fish at all

Today shows just how fickle fishing can be. On the bite one day, crickets the next.

For instance, in a certain river they may look at nothing but mussels for some weeks; then suddenly, for no apparent reason, they will take blue crabs and nothing else. At precisely the same time, in another locality, they might be specialising on sandworms or shrimps. It is advisable, therefore, always to seek local information as to what baits are taking, before going bream fishing; in the absence of such information, take several kinds of baits with you.

From the Concise Handbook of Australian Fishing (1947) by “Taggerty”, p.62

[rb85]

Really enjoy reading your reports Corna, might be time to get some plastics or hardbodies mate.

[Cornacarpio]

I am the proud owner of 1 Ecogear and 1 StrikePro lure (as a kid and just before I joined this forum, I was actually a keen lure fisherman). I even bought some Gulp sandworms on a fellow forum members advice a few weeks ago. Trouble is Marcus (my telescopic rod) isn't particularly well suited to the art of retrieving hardbodies and soft plastics. I do have a one-piece 'Bullseye' rod spooled with ultra-thin 6lb mono which would be ideal for such situations. Trouble is it's some 150 miles away in regional Victoria!

[donutcrooks]

Cornacarpio! The man who strikes fear into Gods among fishing! I must say I caught my first fish today and was planning to come to 'Wrangler's Cavern' in hope to see you. I hope one day I meet you! Happy fishing brethren.

[Cornacarpio]

Your post made me 'lol' donutcrooks. Congratz on the first fish. Was it a Bream? I probably will be hitting up the Wrangers Cavern before it cools down too much, but I am quite determined to find somewhere a bit more discreet along the 'nong...

[donutcrooks]

I caught 7 toadies mate, I got some wicked pictures. I can show you if you like!