Pilbara trip suggestions
Hey guys,
I’m after a couple of suggestions for up in the Pilbara. At the moment I’m still figuring out where I want to head to, I’ll have about 4-5 weeks with a 3.9m fiberglass dinghy (fully rebuilt and very capable). I’m looking at going up at the end of January into February.
I’m wanting to mainly hit creeks and inshore reefs, obviously with the smaller boat, while also, with weather permitting, some pelagic trolling.
I’ve heard good things about Balla Balla and would like to check out there while also spending some time around Cleaverville and point Sampson area. Further south I wouldn’t mind looking at 40 mile. I’m definately going to be spending about week in the gulf of Exmouth around Giralia and Exmouth gulf stations on my way back.
I would love to get as remote as possible, especially to creeks, and have the vehicle and equipment to do so.
Are there any other spots that I should be looking into at the moment, and any spots that I listed that I should ignore ??
Because it is a while before I leave I’m still only pre planning spots to hit up. Should also add that i'm planning on doing the trip solo
Thanks heaps for any input,
Nathan.
Feral
Posts: 1508
Date Joined: 01/11/06
be wary of Balla Balla in
be wary of Balla Balla in the lower tides. Not only is the ramp a horrible lump of clay but there are rock ledges near the western shore that your glass boat won't enjoy. . If your launching around mid -high tide the ramp is better with a rock base..
Cleaverville is fished really hard in winter as is 40 mile. At least 40 mile has plenty of ground tho with reef fish.
Sherlock station would be good for you as long as the creek is able to be crossed (gets muddy after a rain and not possible to pass for days)
barcelona125
Posts: 197
Date Joined: 22/08/11
Thanks for the reply
Thanks for the reply Feral,
Yeah I have read about the tide situation at balla balla, on spring tides does it come up to where the boat ramp car park (if you can call it that) is ??
What about during Janurary ?? How many people frequent these spots ?? Does the fishing get substantially better during summer ??
I also read that Sherlock station closed access to people, worth a phone call though.
Thanks again for the reply,
Nathan.
Pete F
Posts: 310
Date Joined: 07/01/18
Yes the fishing is much
Yes the fishing is much better in summer and you will largely have those places to your self.
Cheers
Feral
Posts: 1508
Date Joined: 01/11/06
the reason the fishing is
the reason the fishing is better is because it's stupid hot and can be very windy :)
More Barra tho if that's what your chasing.
On spring tides it can get close to the car park (easy to see where the high ground is tho. Just don't camp there as the midgies will carry you away.. Drop back a few km to the fresh water holes and nice trees
barcelona125
Posts: 197
Date Joined: 22/08/11
Just finished talking to my
Just finished talking to my old man,
He suggested looking into the Peewar river, and just north along the coast, closest to Ronsard island. As well as the coast line of Munda station, maybe the Yule river mouth ??
Anyone fished these areas and willing to share knowledge
Thanks,
Nathan.
pendy
Posts: 50
Date Joined: 16/09/08
we use to fish all around up
we use to fish all around up there years ago.the yule was okay for a few crabs,mangrove jack and the odd barra.far and away the best place is at the mouth of the degrey river.salmon,barra and kingies(or black jew i think they call them now)and all sorts of other fish.we only used nets in those days but you would catch the same with a line i am sure.sadly i cant tell you what it is like today as that was a long time ago.
Pete F
Posts: 310
Date Joined: 07/01/18
That time of year 40 mile
That time of year 40 mile creeks will be firing for some good solid jacks.
Munda is good though acess is not to public so would need to launch at Balla balla if there has been any storms it would be a quagmire.
Fishing at Fortesque mouth would be good for Barra that time of year plenty of Salmon, cod, jacks and crabs as well.
Cheers
barcelona125
Posts: 197
Date Joined: 22/08/11
Thanks for the suggestions
Thanks for the suggestions guys, wil definately look into them.
a couple more questions, What is the old hwy like to drive on (whim creek rd) heading into the coast from the pub towards munda station ??
Also, having a look at the navionics web app, out in the deep channel out from balla balla it says there are rip tides, are these of any concern with my smaller boat, it only has a 20hp 4 stroke on the back. should i just avoid going out during spring tides ??
Thanks,
Nathan.
dodgy
Posts: 4580
Date Joined: 01/02/10
Pretty hot time of year to
Pretty hot time of year to be fishing. I usually try and fish the building tides coming out of neaps. You want a bit of movement but spring tides are just hard work. Very small windows you can actually fish and a high chance of getting stranded up a creek or on a mudflat.
Is 20hp enough to plane your dinghy with a massive esky of beers? It’s thirsty work fishing 40 deg days and there is zero shade whim creek area.
Does anyone know where the love of god goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
barcelona125
Posts: 197
Date Joined: 22/08/11
haha, yeah it's a bit
haha, yeah it's a bit underpowered but it just gets up on the plane with two people and all the gear, remove the passenger and add the extra beers
pale ale
Posts: 1755
Date Joined: 02/01/10
Fortescue and Du Boulay
Fortescue and Du Boulay would be a better option. No mud (unless it rains), jacks and mudcrabs are always plentiful. Barra are likely and possibly big jewies across from the ramp.