North Australian FISH FINDER TM forums

Hey all, looking at going out to sampan mouth on Friday morning. I’ve never really launched this time of year with no water coming over the barrage on neap tides. Is launching possible close to high tide at the barrage? I’m looking at launching at 0530am and retrieving at 3-4pm. Any help appreciated.
Thanks

There's good info in old posts about this if you have a search. Not much wiggle room this time of year

Thanks, I had a good look through historical post on this subject before I posted. I could not find much in regards to no water over the barrage. Best I could find is a post in 2007 that said they think 5m is required to launch. I didn’t think that was accurate. I’ve always used 4.5 hours after Darwin tides at the barrage on neap tides although I know a few people that go opposite Darwin tides. This has always worked by launching within an hour of high tide but that is always when there is some water coming over the barrage. Hopefully someone can help with experience with launching this time of year with no water flowing yet.
Cheers

I launched at dawn on 4 Oct. High of 6.34m at 5am on that day (Darwin tides).Tide peaked at the barrage about 0830 and by 0930 there wasn’t a lot of depth on the first bend. My suggestion would be to get there earlier than 4.5 hrs before Darwin high and I expect that you will need every bit of the 5.54m tide on that day.
Others may have a better understanding.

Use the Willy Weather tide curve. Your launch window cut off is 40mins after high tide on that curve. On retrieval it's approximately half way up the run in

DOA let us know how you go. I might head down this weekend and it would be good to have the launch window confirmed.

Ivan told me 30 minutes before the high indicated by Willy weather and it's never failed. I pulled out Saturday at a 2.7m rising tide and I wouldn't want to go much lower.