Fishing Tips

La Nina shines on

THIS is the time of year when I start to get excited, not for the weather but for the fishing it brings to the coast. The two biggest targets for anglers now are tuna and mackerel, as they start to filter across our bays. They bring with them stories of being bitten off and the line-burning runs we all dream …

Read More »

Summer species and techniques

WITH the warmer weather many anglers turn their attention to mangrove jack. In fact, for many it becomes a seasonal obsession. Much is written about mangrove jack during warmer months, so I thought I would cover a few other favourite fish that can be caught in the systems I frequent, while also covering the areas that attract these species and …

Read More »

The rewards of mentoring

THE older you get, the greater the realisation that there is more to fishing than merely catching fish. In fact, helping others embrace and enjoy the experience is definitely number one in terms of personal satisfaction. Mentoring rewards If there’s one thing my 30 years as a professional guide has taught me, it’s that unless you’re able to enjoy the …

Read More »

Catch a Christmas feed

I HOPE you have all been keeping well and smacking a few for a feed lately. So, what’s happened in the bay this past month? Well, thumper whiting have been caught, with consistent catches of cracking fish up to 38cm. Christmas feed Customers fishing the mangrove lines at creek mouths on incoming tides have been doing well, but the first …

Read More »

Hervey Bay pelagics arrive late

THIS month I found myself sitting around whinging about the weather. The spring northerly wind has given me plenty of time to get my article written and in on time! We’ve had plenty of storms, so I hope many areas are getting decent rain. Ironically, I spend most of my year hating rain because my house turns into a swamp, …

Read More »

Stanage Bay for Christmas?

HI to everybody from Stanage Bay. The fishing during October at Stanage was very slow, with a heap of barramundi and fingermark being spotted, though not many actually landed. Several anglers found success using dead bait, however lures and live bait were also successful on occasion. Chris caught a dream catch saltwater barramundi in late October using a live mullet …

Read More »

Christmas in Moreton Bay

REALITY check – the big guy in the red suit is not far away. With Christmas destinations limited this year it can only mean one thing – more fishing in Moreton Bay! This is the perfect time to go to the shed, grab the fishing gear you’re going to take away with you and check it out for damage from …

Read More »

Trip to Saumarez Reef

THERE’S not much to report on my fishing charters because I’ve only been out once over the past month. We caught a couple of flathead and a few small snapper, but I just haven’t been able to line up with any good weather, so hopefully next month will be better – we’ll see how we go. Saumarez Reef On the …

Read More »

Northern Rivers good between storms

HELLO all and welcome to this month’s edition. It has been another interesting month around the Northern Rivers as far as fishing goes. The weather has continued to heat up and we have seen our first storms and rain for the summer. One big concern for the coming season is the amount of rain we are going to see. The …

Read More »

Summer options in the Bay

AS summer kicks into gear, species such as estuary cod, mangrove jack, threadfin salmon, snapper, grass sweetlip, spangled emperor, tuskfish, moses perch, trevally and other pelagics come into play. Most of the reef species can be found around the bay islands, artificial reefs and in the Brisbane River, while pelagics are found in more open waters. The shipping channel, Rous, …

Read More »