Fishing

JEWFISH and tailor dominated catches during June here in the Clarence Valley, which is to be expected. I’ve been writing about it for 27 years now and it was happening long before Captain Cook touched down, so it amazes me the number of people still surprised by the yearly event that happens right along the coastline. Winter equals a lot …

IN the build-up to winter, the Bundaberg area was experiencing little to no good weather for offshore fishing, and when a weekend finally arose, other commitments prevented me from heading out. But at long last a weekend came along when nothing stood in the way and once Friday night arrived, the boat was packed and the alarms set for the …

A MAJOR sting by the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol has uncovered unlawful black market fishing activities in Brisbane. A total of 70 charges were laid against four men, two of whom were commercial fishers, with a total of $35,690 in fines handed out. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said the detection of such significant offences, …

A SUNSHINE Coast company which damaged protected marine plants of cultural significance to the local Indigenous community has been convicted and fined more than $29,000 in the Maroochydore Magistrates’ Court. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said the detection of the offences and the fines imposed sent a clear message that the wilful damage of marine plant …

THE Queensland Government will fund two innovative companies to develop high-tech systems for fisheries monitoring of commercial fishing location, effort and catch. Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Minister Mark Furner said Anchor Lab and Fish-e had been awarded funding of $278,300 under the Advance Queensland Small Business Innovation Research program. “The two companies will develop systems that include location tracking, …

WINTER has well and truly kicked in, with cold mornings and nippy wind, but it has been a pretty successful cold season so far, with plenty of fish caught inshore, offshore and in fresh water. Offshore anglers who fish light are enjoying good snapper fishing on small drop-offs using 3”-4” soft plastics on light 1/6oz and 1/4oz jig heads, which …

A CLONTARF recreational fisher who sold crabs unlawfully has been convicted and fined $12,000 in the Redcliffe Magistrates’ Court. During sentencing, the Magistrate commented that the offending was commercially motivated and had a detrimental effect on recreational and commercial fishers. Referring to the fisher’s history of fisheries offences, the Magistrate said the court penalty should send a clear message to …

FISHING restrictions are in place around all prawn farms in the Logan River region. Because fishing near these farms could introduce serious diseases, line fishing is prohibited within 100m of prawn farm water intake and outlet channels and all fishing is prohibited in drainage channels surrounding these prawn farms. Crab pots, cast nets and yabby pumps can be used in …

THE Atomic Hardz range is one of the most comprehensive hard-body lure line-ups ever developed. It began with the Crank 38, which quickly became the go-to lure for estuary anglers chasing bream and flathead. From there the range rapidly expanded to include multiple models such as the Shiner in both barra and bass lure sizes. Today there are over 28 …

THE land-based longtail tuna and mackerel season came to a grinding halt mid-May after a couple of days of howling westerly wind followed by large 3-4m swells that lasted for several days. Sure, you may still be in with a chance of a land-based longtail tuna off the walls and headlands during June, however I would take a good supply …