Page 43 - Demo

Flat out fishing for flathead – whiting on surface lures
* from P42
paddle tails but a few of the curly tails have worked too on colder days, particularly over the top of the sand flats in North Creek and Mobbs Bay.
rock walls from the ferry to Broadwater.
brings plenty of pelagic species with it, and the mahi mahi have been fairly solid so far this season.
keeping schools of bait- fish fairly concentrated and this is making it easier for predatory spe- cies to hunt them down.
case, they’ve by-passed Ballina and shown up south of us.
Large swimbaits and glide baits slow rolled over sand flats have also tempted big female flathead over the past month.
Cut mullet bait and live bait have been working well for bait fishers at night, while the 4-5” soft plastics in darker colours have had the most success for the lure brigade.
The smaller models still seem to be haunt- ing the fish aggregating devices and the wave rider buoy, while the larger fish are hanging out a little wider and seem much more inter- ested in small to medi- um skirted lures being trolled around.
It is however, making it hard for us to get a live bait or knife jig in the right area to tempt these powerful brutes, but if you can get your angle of delivery spot- on, you could be in for one hell of a workout.
Unfortunately, Ballina is a little geographi- cally challenged, with warm water pushing past Cape Byron, then moving wide and south of us.
This will be a tech- nique to continue us- ing over summer, with plenty of mullet and whiting cruising over the flats in line of sight of flatties.
A few fish have also been taken on surface walkers and poppers, but this seems to be a better proposition for early morning during a run-out tide.
The more natural col- ours have worked most days, but it will always paytohaveapinkora luminous-coloured skirt on board, just in case.
The north 48-fathom line has been a little more productive recent- ly, and as by-catch there have been a few larger pearl perch taking live bait intended for king- fish and amberjack.
We do need southeast- erly wind to push the fish and warmer water into us, but I’m sure these conditions are not too far away.
Whiting and man- grove jack have been enjoying the warm weather, with good numbers of whiting on most of the sand flats from the mouth of the Richmond River to Pimlico Island.
Offshore the current is continuing to make life a little difficult, with most anglers needing a truckload of lead to hold bottom, even on the 32-fathom line.
The heavy current is also a good thing for am- berjack and kingfish.
Any tick of the clock now, we are going to see mackerel show up again – as is usually the
Now is the time to drag the wire trace, hooks and swivels out to start making a few rigs – so you’re ready to go when they arrive.
Our only saving grace is that the current
The current is still
Well that’s about all from me for this month, so until next time – tight lines!
ONLY
$300
per night
Book today call Micheal 0418 152 749 or visit stewartislandecovilla.com
LOCATION | Located in the Great Sandy Straits Marine Park between Tin Can Bay and Her-
vay Bay tucked behind Fraser Island. Stewart Island o ers complete peace and tranquillity with abundant fishing, crabbing and exploring opportunities.
INCLUSIONS | A self contained eco villa
with everything you need for a relaxing break, including: medium size electric fridge; gas stove; solar hot water; tank water; all cooking utensils and cutlery. All you need to bring is food, drinks and bed linen.
BEDROOMS | The villa has two bedrooms: one with a queen size chiropractic bed; one with two bunk beds. There are also two fold out double beds in the lounge room if needed.
GETTING THERE | Ideally you need your own boat to get to Stewart Island but transport can be arranged if required.
BOOKING | Cost is $300 per night with a minimum booking period of three nights.
The usual bait, such as worms and yabbies, have been working well on a larger run-up tide, as have more natural or clearer colours when using surface lures over sand flats.
Stickbaits and pop- pers have both tasted success, and if you don’t have any in your tackle box yet, grab yourself a Bassday Sug- apen, Bassday Backfire 65mm Popper, Daiwa Silver Wolf Slippery Dog, Atomic Hardz Pop 50 or an Atomic Hardz K9 Bulldog – to name a few.
Get out there, throw a few around your fa- vourite sand flat and have a bit of fun.
As is usually the case, jack have been hang- ing around most of the www.bnbfishing.com.au
Bush ’n Beach Fishing, January 2021 – Page 43
FOR RENT
Stewart Island Eco Villa
ABSOLUTE WATERFRONT