Exploring and fishing the Herbert RIver - QLD (Prehistoric looking place and FULL of fish!)

The Herbert River flows through the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland. With a range of shallow rapids, sandy beach like banks and immense rocky gorges, it's easy to feel removed from the modern world as you explore these prehistoric wonderlands. Dinosaurs still live in these parts, by way of large Saltwater Crocodiles which should always be on your mind as you wander through the area.
Fish here are predominately Sooty Grunter and the iconic Barramundi which respond well to artificial lures. Sooty grunter prefer the quicker flowing water which supplies them with a constant source of food from the upper reaches of the river. They eagerly attack a well presented lure cast into under overhanging shrubs or into eddies caused by obstructions in the rapids. The Barramundi prefer the laze around in the slower moving, deeper pools. They are a pleasant change from the numerous and much smaller Sooty Grunter. Slow twitched diving lures seemed to entice the strike on this trip, however landing them is another challenge altogether.
We based ourselves in the rural town of Ingham for this multi-day exploration trip.
Bring:
The usual sun protection gear
Lots of water (it gets hot in these parts!)
A good range of shallow and deep diving lures
Gear:
We took 2500 sized spin reels with 10lb braid and 8lb leader which was more than enough to handle the veracious Sooty Grunter, but left us severely undergunned when it came to the Barramundi!
A 15lb - 20lb leader MIGHT help bridge the gap if you don’t want to carry a second rod and reel combo around.
Music:
NOWE - Realize
Check out more of NOWE's work here: / nowemusic