YAK on the WATER

Lake Lenthalls, RD 4 YakHunters Comp

I always say it, but I genuinely look forward to the Yak Hunters comps every time. Round 4 for Barramundi was over the weekend, and it was an awesome turnout at an awesome location. The weather had its moments though......when a storm rolled through unexpectedly on Sunday, my first thought was, Dam, I didn’t zip up my swag…🤦‍♂️

But honestly, staying dry was the least of my worries. Catching Barra was a much bigger priority than a comfortable/dry sleep! 😂

It was tough going out there. As usual, after a couple of days, you finally start to figure out what the fish actually want. On the last day (Sunday), watching another angler get hit after hit on the frog was insane, especially when I was throwing similar topwater baits and getting absolutely nothing, which I think came down to the frog's size and profile.

Missed the full footage due to a technical issue with the GoPro, but did capture the strike, which I always look back at for learning or to see what I could have done better.

In the end, I managed one Barra at 72 cm on a 4” paddle tail, which put me on the podium for the Pro Series……pretty stoked with that! Luck was definitely on my side. Sometimes you only get one shot at a fish like that, and thankfully, mine stuck. The hook was pinned perfectly in the corner of the mouth, which made all the difference.

So many laughs as always. Great company and an awesome event.

Huge thanks to the YakHunters Admin Team for putting on another fantastic comp.

It’s been a while since I’ve been out on the water, but yesterday was an awesome day with the kids, probably one of the best in a long time. We landed plenty of bass. While they weren’t huge, there were a few double hookups that made it even more fun. I’ve also been working on teaching the boys a new technique (jigging) and both of them managed to catch their very first fish using it. Couldn’t have asked for a better session with great weather………so good!👌

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=db_RjDu6sJA

NorthPine Dam

Took the Kids out on the kayak for some Freshwater Fishing @ NPD. Ended up getting on to a Few Bass, Catfish and a Saratoga. PBs all round for everyone, Yew! ☝️Funny moments I ll never forget getting the kids to hold their fish, PBs dont count unless you hold your fish. 😆
Water Quality was surprisingly clear after all the rain lately, fishing wasn't too bad. Great to get out on the water with the kids, because I usually leave them behind. I think their addicted now. Got some cool footage of the boys cleaning up
https://youtu.be/dINLEiNiqmw

This year’s fishing journey has been both challenging and rewarding. With limited time on the water due to the demands of study, family, and work, I’m incredibly proud to have finished 2nd overall, and JD took 3rd in the YakHunters Pro Series competition. We’ve put a solid amount of effort and passion into fishing, even with a busy schedule.

Though I couldn’t fish as much as I would have liked, every moment spent on the water remains unforgettable, especially those shared with friends. I have gone through all of this year’s photos and picked the ones that represent the hard work paying off, the beautiful scenery, or the moments that highlighted the day.

Hopefully, I can squeeze a couple more sessions in before the end of the year, but see how we go!!!😀

QLD YAK HUNTERS Round 3 (Bream) Comp is approaching fast. Like any comp I do, I try to get out a few weeks beforehand and test out the area, especially if I haven’t fished there before. Having done about 3 sessions trying to figure out Newport Canals, and attempting to match the tides times to the day of the comp, uncertainty is strong. Every time I have been there it’s been mixed results so far, figuring out what lures to use for the low/high tide, whether they like to sit on the bottom, near the pontoon structure, or in the shallows. Basically, it can be a combination of all the above and trying to find out what they might be doing at what tide. What is interesting is that I could fish one day and do reasonably well and then go back the next day using the same lures and techniques and do extremely badly. See hundreds of them around the pontoons, using lures essentially weightless or thrown well beyond the structure and retrieved through the area to avoid spooking them. Then watch the bream look at and follow the lure but not committing. Two of us fished the same day using different techniques and lures and getting the same results. one day they were on and the next day they were not. It will be very interesting to see what happens.
Bycatch species
flathead, cod, pike (alot), tailor, grunter, flounder, moses perch, whiting
Water quality - clear, (some debris in areas. w**d, scattered)

We hit Newport Canal for a session. I haven't fished there before. The weather was pretty average, but we still managed some decent fish: Cod, Moses perch, Flathead, and Bream. We will be fishing this area more over the coming months, targeting Bream on the hunt for some of the bigger models. 👍 I couldn't believe the size of the Flathead caught in the area. 75cm, 70cm, 55cm insane especially on the light gear.
https://youtu.be/eEf1qkvwFxs

It was a difficult day of fishing because of the weather conditions at Wivenhoe Dam. The photos are from two different days: pre-fishing the week before and the day of the comp. Some insane fog from pre-fishing the lake, but Like usual can get some decent yellowbelly the day of the catfish comp, when fishing a yellow belly comp I get some decent catfish 🤦‍♂️. struggled to get a bag of 3 small catfish and thought I had no chance of a podium finish but seems like it was a struggle for most also. Snuck in 2nd place over JDs 3rd place 😉 Still always enjoy being on the water with everyone at the Yak Hunters Comp. Bring on the next round of the Yak Hunters Series targeting Bream. looking forward to it 😎.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OPVTa1QaWs

Good times at Wivenhoe Dam, pre-fishing for the upcoming catfish comp. There were plenty of small ones around and some bass amongst the catfish. Finally managed some awesome footage from the Mini 3 Pro of a few catches. The catfish lacked size, so we will have to head back and find out where the big ones are hiding 🤔😂
As usual, out with the partner in crime JD
I did try a few different retrieves this time. Funny enough a couple decent size bass while targeting catfish 🤦‍♂️

2 of the Yak on the Water anglers on the podium in the latest YakHunters Comp 🤘👌 a tonne of pre fishing a couple weeks out helps 😉

https://youtu.be/NEeWgNnaRPM

It's been a while since I visited Lake Borumba, and wow! I've forgotten what a beautiful place this is. Some Yellow Belly came out to visit, as well as some bass. They were not huge, but I had a lot of fun, enjoying my time on the water. Water quality is pretty good, considering all the rain we have had and the dam level is high. Especially since the last time I visited, which was about 2 years ago.

Starting the year off into Round 1 of the Yak Hunters Australia Kayak Fishing Competition. If you’re looking for a great day out on the water with a bit of competition in the mix, these comps are perfect. They have pushed me to challenge myself by targeting species I usually wouldn’t target, and why not do that with a great bunch of like minded anglers 👌

Yak Hunters Kayak Fishing Series