Fishing Monduran for Shutdown Barra : Fishing The Edges

I've been asked about Monduran a lot. It’s one of those fisheries that just gets in your head, massive barra, epic scenery & barra that can be incredibly frustrating when they decide to lock their jaws shut.

So l wanted to put together something from what I know plus others that fish the dam often. 

The Setup I’d Reach For...

Lure : 120mm Pop Eye Mullet, this is my go to for shutdown fish on the edges. It’s not too big, not too small & it moves well at pace without going mental. The 150mm will work too especially if the bait around is on the bigger side or you want to cover more water. I wouldn’t be throwing the 200mm on the edges though save that for deeper water scenarios.

Jig Head : 5/0 Combat in a 3/8 or 1/2oz weight. You want enough to get it in the zone quickly, especially if you’re working structure in any kind of wind or current.

Colours : I’ve had good sessions on the 006 and the 013 at Mondy. If you’re unsure where to start, the Mixed Packs are a solid option there is a range that covers different water colours for ya. 

The Retrieve That I Would Use...

Here’s where a lot of people go wrong with shutdown fish, they slow down. The instinct makes sense, like oh they’re not feeding, I’ll go slower so they have more time to eat it. But with shut down barra, a reaction bite is often your best shot.

Count it down : After your lure hits the water, count one, two, three, let it sink into the zone. Don’t let it go all the way to the bottom, just get it down to where the fish are sitting.

Then burn it : Not flat out, but with purpose. A solid, consistent pace. You want the lure moving like something trying to get away, not like something dying. Shut down barra will often react to that movement when they’ll completely ignore a slow presentation.

Where to Cast

Edges are the play : you already know this if you’ve fished Mondy before. Work your casts along weed edges and structure & of course pay attention to the wind.

Wind pushing onto or along a bank is ya best mate. It concentrates bait & where the bait sits, the barra won’t be far away. Shallow flats and shallow water are also worth covering too, especially in September when the fish can be sitting surprisingly skinny.

A Note on September Specifically

September at Mondy can be really productive but the fish do move around based on conditions. Water temp, bait presence & wind all play a role in where they’re set up on any given day. Don’t be afraid to move if you’re not getting bites, cover water until you find them feeding, then slow down and work that area properly.

A Quick Recap

Size : 120mm primary, 150mm as backup

Combat Jig head : 5/0 in a 3/8 or 1/2oz

Colours : 006, 013 or grab a Mixed Pack

Retrieve : Count it down, then burn it with purpose.

Location : Wind-affected edges, weed, structure & shallow flats

Hope that helps, let us know how you go out there.

Tag us in your catches, love seeing Mondy barra come up on Pro Lates gear. 

Cheers from Trace & some lads that fish Mondy often.