General News
13 July, 2023
The 1m-plus barramundi that didn’t get away on lake
DESCRIBED as a “majestic piece of God’s creation”, a 109cm barramundi caught in Lake Tinaroo has reeled in Brisbane man Mark Hennessy $3000 in the Fish’n’SIP$ tagged fishing competition.
Mr Hennessy and his brother Mick were fishing on the lake in May after abandoning their plans to go fishing on the Reef due to windy weather.
“Being a happily retired lifelong resident of Brisbane, the lure of large and plentiful fish is something that is shared by many amateur anglers,” Mr Hennessy said.
“To try and satisfy this urge, an annual two week trip with my brother Mick, to stay with a friend and avid fisher in Gordonvale, is something that is enthusiastically anticipated.
“We travelled by road at the beginning of May hoping to jag some decent weather. Alas, the high winds on open waters were to stifle any hope of Reef trips. Not to be deterred, a trip to Tinaroo dam was hastily organised.”
“The moment he caught the fish was like some thing out a movie, as they reeled in one of the biggest fish they have ever seen. Three times the fish lurched into the air, violently shaking its head trying to dislodge the hook then making another run in its bid for freedom,” Mr Hennessy said.
“Not sure how long it took to land but it felt as if the battle could have been lost on a few occasions as it circled the boat repeatedly.
“To keep it clear of the outboard and then get it into the landing net seemed to take an immeasurable amount of time. Seeing it secured in the landing net, I was now conscious of the size of this majestic piece of God’s creation.”
Fisheries Queensland executive director Dallas D’Silva said their change in plans had them reeling in the giant winning barramundi, along with 14 others – four of which measured more than a metre long.
“Mark’s tagged barra is the third winning fish caught on Lake Tinaroo during the competition and was landed during a trip in which he and his brother caught and released 14 barra with all but four of the fish measuring more than a metre in length,” he said.
The competition is still well underway, with $12,000 up for grabs for tagged fish in Lake Tinaroo, Lake Proserpine, Lake Kinchant, Lake Callide, and Lake Cania stocked impoundments.
“The next 11 fish caught on a line and accurately reported to InfoFish will win a prize and the sooner a tagged fish is caught, the larger the prize will be,” Mr D’Silva said.
Visit qld.gov.au/recreation/activities/boating-fishing/rec-fi shing/dams to find the nearest stocked waterway and buy a permit, or call 13 25 23 for more information.DESCRIBED as a “majestic piece of God’s creation”, a 109cm barramundi caught in Lake Tinaroo has reeled in Brisbane man Mark Hennessy $3000 in the Fish’n’SIP$ tagged fishing competition.
Mr Hennessy and his brother Mick were fishing on the lake in May after abandoning their plans to go fishing on the Reef due to windy weather.
“Being a happily retired lifelong resident of Brisbane, the lure of large and plentiful fish is something that is shared by many amateur anglers,” Mr Hennessy said.
“To try and satisfy this urge, an annual two week trip with my brother Mick, to stay with a friend and avid fisher in Gordonvale, is something that is enthusiastically anticipated.
“We travelled by road at the beginning of May hoping to jag some decent weather. Alas, the high winds on open waters were to stifle any hope of Reef trips. Not to be deterred, a trip to Tinaroo dam was hastily organised.”
“The moment he caught the fish was like some thing out a movie, as they reeled in one of the biggest fish they have ever seen. Three times the fish lurched into the air, violently shaking its head trying to dislodge the hook then making another run in its bid for freedom,” Mr Hennessy said.
“Not sure how long it took to land but it felt as if the battle could have been lost on a few occasions as it circled the boat repeatedly.
“To keep it clear of the outboard and then get it into the landing net seemed to take an immeasurable amount of time. Seeing it secured in the landing net, I was now conscious of the size of this majestic piece of God’s creation.”
Fisheries Queensland executive director Dallas D’Silva said their change in plans had them reeling in the giant winning barramundi, along with 14 others – four of which measured more than a metre long.
“Mark’s tagged barra is the third winning fish caught on Lake Tinaroo during the competition and was landed during a trip in which he and his brother caught and released 14 barra with all but four of the fish measuring more than a metre in length,” he said.
The competition is still well underway, with $12,000 up for grabs for tagged fish in Lake Tinaroo, Lake Proserpine, Lake Kinchant, Lake Callide, and Lake Cania stocked impoundments.
“The next 11 fish caught on a line and accurately reported to InfoFish will win a prize and the sooner a tagged fish is caught, the larger the prize will be,” Mr D’Silva said.
Visit qld.gov.au/recreation/activities/boating-fishing/rec-fi shing/dams to find the nearest stocked waterway and buy a permit, or call 13 25 23 for more information.
