July 3, 2020 - Reading time: 3 minutes

Karumba is about 20 kms North west of Normanton as the eagle flies, but 70 kms by road!

Outback meets the sea is Karumba’s official slogan – not wrong there! Nothing tropical about the place at all – dry, dusty, hot and rundown in appearance – stunning sunsets, azure seas, and good fishing. It is unlike any other place I have visited in Australia!

Interestingly, there are normally only two tides a day here and they determine the activities for the day. Wednesday saw a high tide time of 10.15 am, so everyone fished from around 9 through to midday. We followed the pattern and Maureen ended up with two nice bream (29 cms each in length) while I managed a puffer! After cleaning the fish it was into the pool to cool down and find a good spot in the shade to relax. The process was repeated on Thursday – Two bream for me this time and Maurs got the nil result!

Subsequently, we lashed out on a half day fishing charter, which provided some great results. Firstly, we saw a pair of beautiful Jabiru feeding in the shallows of the Norman river at sunrise. Secondly, the fishing while not resulting in large quantities of fish being caught, but, the quality was outstanding! Five huge Queenfish, over a metre in length gave tremendous entertainment and enjoyment, especially when passing rods under the anchor to help each other out, while the school mackerel provided a much better quality eating fish. Throw in a few catfish and sharks and a great day was had by all. Queenfish

School Mackeral

The fishing guide, who has spent the sixteen winters in Karumba suggested that the advice given to us regards to fishing just either side of the tide and predominantly at the beach was incorrect! He argued that the river fishing was excellent, however you needed both water movement and structure for the fish to ambush from. Not surprisingly, he was proven correct – with a large number of Bream in particular being caught and anything under 30 cms quickly went back. In conjunction, with Paul and Col, two neighbours from the caravan park we chased the elusive Grunter or Javelin Bream. Unfortunately while capturing a large number most where well under the legal limit of 40 cms, with the largest (4/5) being returned due to being 39 cms only. It was very tempting as they are both a terrific eating and fighting fish.

Our wonderful time at Karumba ended with a pub meal at sunset, and a splendid sunset it ‘twas!