Bass Fishing in Australia
By Bob Ives
If you are looking for some fishing that sure to provide some heart
stopping moments, bass fishing in Australia will definitely fill the
bill. Bass are a lot of fun to catch because they put up such a good
fight and they are a very smart fish. In fact, they can often outsmart
even good anglers. Not only are these fish very strong, but they can
also come in vary big packages, ranging from a pound (1kg) or two all
the way up to 9 (4kg) or 10 pounds. Trophy bass can even be caught a bit
larger than that. And, don’t be fooled; a two pound bass can give you a
hefty fight. An 8 or 10 pounder can keep you smiling for years.
Australian bass are most often found in freshwater and brackish water
and are mostly found in the southeastern portion of Australia in coastal
rivers and streams along the Eastern seaboard from Tin Can Bay and the
Mary River system in the southern central Queensland, south through New
South Wales and to the Gippsland Lakes of eastern Victoria eastern
Victoria. Thanks to stocking and good management systems, this is an
ever increasing area. Bass can be found around rocks, weed beds, water
lily gardens, debris and fallen timber in running streams as well as
still water pools. They tend to be more inclined towards hiding in cover
in the daytime and clear water during the night. Try them sometime
during a full moon! Fishermen in Australia are able to catch them
using most fishing methods, even those used for trout in other areas.
Popular bass fishing methods include, floating lures and top water
fishing, trolling and even fly fishing. Angling is done via wading,
canoes, bank fishing or small boats and motors.
You might consider a bass to be knight in shining armor in the sense
that it is covered with protective scales. These must be removed if you
decide to dine on one. Their tales are usually dark, and the body colors
differ slightly from fish to fish. Some have bright coppery-gold on the
back and silvery belly, some have black on the back, with dark bronze or
gold flanks and a creamy belly tinged with yellow, and some are a silver
color all over with a silver/greenish upper back. All of them have big
eyes, big lips and large mouths. Bass are very good for eating. Try
them fried, baked, broiled or grilled on foil. Again, be sure to get the
scales off of them or you will not be happy with your meal. One good way
to do this is to take the back of a knife and run it along the bass from
tail to head. The scales will come flying off and you can then clean it
as you would any other fish. An easier way is just to filet them and you
won’t have to worry about the scales at all.
So, if you want a an experience that will get your adrenaline flowing,
your heart pounding and challenge your skills against one of nature’s
fascinating predatory creatures, grab hold of your fishing gear and a
couple of top water lures and head out for some freshwater bass fishing
in Australia. |
