Species

What we can do about shark numbers in Queensland

shark

Recent news items indicate that Australia has one of the highest numbers of shark attacks in the world. Environmentalists however state that sharks are endangered in Australian waters. These two statements are, to a large extent, contradictory. How can we have one of the highest number of attacks with so few sharks? One explanation is that the statement that sharks …

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Guide to catching red emperor

red emperor

Well, it’s been a bit of a wait but we are finally getting some of the very nice weather patterns that winter is known for. Unfortunately, between work and family commitments, I haven’t had the opportunity to head wide for a proper offshore mission, but the boat is set up and ready for when the chance does pop its head …

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Tailor time on beaches

tailor

A cold westerly wind, chilly mornings and evenings and long rods lined up along the beach signal my favourite time of year. It’s peak beach-fishing time in Queensland off the open surf beaches from Tweed Heads to K’gari. For beginners to experienced anglers, tailor are a popular species for a multitude of reasons. Including that they are can be found …

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Lizard and bream techniques

flathead

Hi crew, it’s been a while since I wrote an article, simply because the weather had been too poor for me to get out. flathead So lining work up with the weather windows and when the clients could go has meant I’ve done minimal charters over the past 3-4 months. Hence, I haven’t had a lot to write about. Luckily, …

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Snapper time in southeast Queensland

snapper

Winter is snapper time in southeast Queensland and since the introduction of the closed season from mid-July to mid-August, June is the month to chase a few. The cooler water temperature and light southerly wind that we typically experience during June are perfect conditions for schooling snapper to feed and spawn. Snapper are an incredible fish, particularly when you consider …

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Luring monster flathead tips

flathead

Hi everyone, this month we’ve seen a big spike in winter species in the Gold Coast Broadwater. Large numbers of flathead, tailor, squid, flounder, bream, squire, winter whiting and other species can all be caught on lures, which makes the next three months my favourite period of the year for fishing. The amazing run of sand whiting locally has been …

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Live baiting spanish mackerel

mackerel

Live baiting spanish mackerel can be the answer to either an amazing session or a slow morning. This all depends on the season, the water and various other conditions. The better times I’ve found for live baiting in winter have always been the start and the end, with dead bait filling in the middle. From big yakka and bonito to …

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Hot action at Bli Bli Barra Fishing Park

barra

Hi folks, this month I’m pleased to report on a recent trip to the Bli Bli Barra Fishing Park with my son and some friends. It had been a little while since I’d been to the park for one reason or another, including major surgery during the peak fishing season last year, so it was good to be back. On …

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Inshore snapper on soft plastics

snapper

A lot of anglers start their soft plastics fishing journey chasing bread and butter species such as bream and flathead, with the perception that snapper are a more exotic species reserved for anglers with big boats travelling long distances. This is not the case. Over the years, improvements in fishing tackle, electronics and watercraft have seen small boats and even …

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Dead bait for solid spanish mackerel

mackerel

Hello everyone, I hope you were able to catch a break in the weather and head out for a mackerel or two. On the Gold Coast, the wind and swell were non-stop for at least two weeks straight, making it very difficult to get out. Finally, there was a nice window of good weather that created a great opportunity to …

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