Port Augusta Kings

The more I research this, the more I think that some serious preparation is the only way to have even limited success. I have heard that some reasonable fish have been caught around the bridges and old power station?? etc also.

There is also the concern of a lot of boat traffic in the area as reading the FishSA forum, there seems to be a lot of boaters up there at the moment. This could possibly cause some problems for us in smaller craft in such competitive waters.

So with this being said, and believe me it still something that I would like to do, what gear would be suggested minimum for such a trip. At present my heaviest gear is an ABU 7000 reel loaded with 25lb line. I feel the line weight from reading info would be severely inadequate. Or with the small craft advantage could we get away with this.

I guess what I am trying to say is this: Maybe if we planned a trip up there, it was not our main goal to catch the monster king that we all dream about but more about a lot of research for future trips and a few beers etc. We could fish the bridges and other easy locations gathering information for future trips.

Just putting it out there. Any comments :?:

Yakabe.

I have managed to get a bit more info regarding PA. Yes there is a boat ramp 500m away from the Old Power Station that can only really be accessed at high tide. However it was said if we were able to carry or cart our yaks this may be ok. There is a lot of boat traffic at the moment and we would need to be careful of this. Live squid is the best option, as that is all they seem to be taking.

I have it also on good authority that there is a spot that is probably just as good and there is no where near as much pressure or activity on fish or fisherman. It is apparently near the old salt works north of Port Augusta. The paddle would be longer that the 500m from the Old Station, but less than the 6k's from the other boat ramp. So another alternative.

As far as the season, they will generally slow to nothing by the end of September. Unfortunately this gives us a very small window to organise a trip, and there is no way I would do it alone.

Yakabe.

Yakabe - I think the vicinity of the old power station station is the pick of the spots due to the structure in the water there. But you are right, good fish are encountered further up the gulf, often around the railway bridge. In fact this area is possibly better for the smaller kings. I vaguely remember the track into the railway bridge which i think is 2wd country, but I might be wrong - it might have a couple of soft spots where 4wd would be necessary. I reckon we could manhandle yaks to the waters edge there ok.
From the railway bridge to the salt works is about a 3km paddle. the gulf is very narrow there, but snapper, kings and even the odd lost dolphin fish have been taken in that area. it is a good spot for yellowfin whiting too. I think it would be one of those feast or famine spots, and would take a bit to organise. I'll have to start thinking about it a bit more to get motivated, as every time I've been there in boat I've caught zip!
Oh - re the gear to use - I've got an Abu10000 with 25lb line and thats what I would use, only because its what I've got and I reckon contact with big fish will be few and far between and not worth buying new gear.
Its good to think about this - now to get motivated!

Good to hear from you Adrian

strangely enough, me and my housemate were talking about a PA trip scheduled for this friday, but my car needs a service (more like open heart surgery!!) so ive had to postpone

i was going to do a land based session to scope it out for the yaks, and get some local info, but have to waith til the end of next week for the car

let me recount a story from last week:

me: howdy mate. just these 2 river2sea imitation squids for trolling thanks mate.

bloke: where you headin mate?

me: PA. gonna try and get me a kingy or 2 hahaha

bloke: (looks around the store for eavesdroppers, and continues in hushed tones) i was there last week, and they are on the bite. get there, and get amongst it!

me: (shaking, i wet myself, but pretended i was cool!) thanks for that mate. see ya

SO, its on up there. NOW, to get a day with good tides and moon phases, and get organised.

Also Adrian, a Pt Riley session for squid and snapper would be good too!! Hint hint, nudge nudge!! whats the word in your neck of the woods??

Hey water_baby,

Very keen on the PA orientation trip and a fish. Yes there have been some cracking kings caught up there in the last few weeks. As big as 44.5kg. Check out the thread on FishSA in the Eyre Peninsula fishing report. If you are not already, you will have to become a member.

The lowdown on Riley is plenty of squid and no snapper. We have not had the weather to bring them in close. I went out this afternoon LBF and caught 4 squid and 3 cuttlefish in a short time, so they are about. Have not had the time to really get out there for much else. Oh the other thing is that locals are bagging out on snook in the bay at the moment. And some good size ones also.

Will be going out this weekend weather permitting either in the bay for squid/snook in the afternoon or north of Riley about 5km exploring for the first time. You are more than welcome, as are any other SA fishers. Hopefully the weather will be OK.

Yakabe.