Winter is the best time to chase tailor off the beach in southeast Queensland and northern NSW.

Beach fishing time in Queensland

BY the time this issue hits the stands it will be the start of winter – that means beach fishing time! While the beaches of northern NSW and southeast Queensland can fish reasonably well for one species or another all year-round, winter is when most anglers hit the sand. With the season generally peaking later as you move north to Fraser, you still have a bit of time to get everything ready so as to be well prepared and give yourself the best chance of success.

Beach species targets

The most popular target species for beach anglers in southeast Queensland is tailor. While the arrival of the first schools of migrating tailor vary from year to year, there were reports in early May of tailor in places such as northern NSW, south Stradbroke Island and Happy Valley at Fraser Island. Beach fishing Queensland

For those chasing bigger fish, mulloway will follow the mullet schools along the coast and generally in better numbers over winter. For light-line anglers, bream and tarwhine are similarly great targets along the beaches from May through to early August.Beach fishing Queensland

You can throw dart in during these times, if you don’t mind these bait-stealing pests! While available along southeast Queensland beaches over summer, summer whiting can peak from April to June on several beaches, such as Fraser Island’s main beach. However, in the calmer waters on the western side of Fraser or the southern ends of both Bribie and Fraser islands, this peak can be as late as August or September.

Make sure to book your accommodation early in popular winter fishing locations such as Fraser Island.

Preparing your kit

All in all, this means June is the perfect time to either hit the beach or take stock of your beach fishing gear and be well prepared for the season ahead. So, make time this month to pull your gear out and see what needs replacing, servicing or what new products might help make your trip more enjoyable or productive.Beach fishing Queensland

Make yourself a list of what you need and head to your local tackle shop. You will generally find experienced beach anglers there who can help you with what you need. Also make sure you book your accommodation, camping permits and such well in advance, and write up a list of what you need to take on your trip – including fishing, four-wheel-drive and camping gear if appropriate – and who brings what.Beach fishing Queensland

Having a plan

While it is great to plan an impromptu trip or two over the beach-fishing season, for bigger trips it is advisable to have a plan. This means you want to time your trip around the ideal tide and moon for the fish you’re targeting. If you are four-wheel-driving, plan for the best tide to access the beach as well.Beach fishing Queensland

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE!

For more tips and advice, check out my Facebook, Instagram and YouTube pages – Ontour Fishing Australia.

About Sean Thompson

Sean caught the fishing bug bad one very cold Canberra day 20 years ago when he was bored and picked up and read Angler's Almanac by the fireplace. Since then he has filled his mind with knowledge from fishing magazines, books, the internet, TAFE fishing courses, guiding fishing charters (estuaries, beach, bay and mountain lakes) and of course 'on water' experience. He and a group of mates formed a social fishing club and soon started to share what they learnt and caught online. Sean is the admin for Ontour Fishing Australia on Facebook, which is a page that shares information, reports and sponsor giveaways and welcomes all to the site. He plans to move into blogging on his new website when time allows.

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