Community & Business
4 July, 2023
Big win reeled in at Tinaroo
DESCRIBED as a “majestic piece of God’s creation”, a 109-centimtre barramundi caught in Lake Tinaroo has reeled in Brisbane man Mark Hennessy $3000 in the Fish’n’SIP$ tagged fishing competition.
DESCRIBED as a “majestic piece of God’s creation”, a 109-centimtre barramundi caught in Lake Tinaroo has reeled in Brisbane man Mark Hennessy $3000 in the Fish’n’SIP$ tagged fishing competition.
This is the third fish caught in Lake Tinaroo throughout the competition, proving Lake Tinaroo is the hotspot for anglers wanting quality fish.
Mark and his brother 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,” Mark 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 something out a movie, as Mark and Mick 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,” Mark 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.
“Fishers need a Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme (SIPS) permit to fish those impoundments and recreational fishers without a SIPS permit should buy one before trying their luck.”
SIPS permits are available for purchase online, through the QLD Fishing 2.0 smartphone app, at 585 Australia Post outlets throughout Queensland and northern New South Wales or by phoning 1300 575 359.
Revenue from SIPS permits supports volunteer groups to stock impoundments with native fish species including golden perch, Australian bass, and barramundi specifically for recreational fishing.
Visit qld.gov.au/recreation/activities/boatingfishing/rec-fishing/dams to find the nearest stocked waterway and buy a permit, or call 13 25 23 for more information.
