Sooty Grunter

Size and possession limits:

 For up-to-date information on size and possession limits visit QLD Fisheries.

Targeting:

Eungella Dam is quite possibly one of the most picturesque impoundments in Queensland and is loaded with world class size sooty grunter (and barramundi). The fishing here can be electric with epic battles in tight country with standing timber everywhere. Look for the shags (birds) in trees and start by working around these areas earlier in the day. Topwater lures and lightly weighted soft plastics will work well early. As the sun rises and the temperature heats up, the fish retreat a little deeper and you'll need to adjust your lure choice accordingly.

When hooked up, you'll need to go hard on the fish to get them away from structure at the start of the fight. It’s real white-knuckle fishing!

A bit of rain around the region also tends to fire up the wild sooty grunter and help to clean out the creek bends and cut-aways they like to hang in. If you want to tangle with these hard-fighting ambush predators, head to the upper reaches of the Pioneer River/Cattle Creek and focus your casts on deep, shady bends. 

In the dawn hours, use surface poppers and walkers. Once the sun gets harsh, switch to spinnerbaits and diving minnows as the fish will hold on to submerged structure.

When fishing for sooty grunter, light gear is very useful, as it allows you to cast small lures that best imitate their food sources, however, make sure your outfit has some stopping power in the backbone and at least 4kg braid.