Hi Everyone, hope you’ve all had a good week and are hanging in there with all the changes to our lives. Tough times ahead for many locals unfortunately, keep positive and we will come out on the other side. I’m no expert but if you choose to go fishing for a short trip as your outdoor activity that should be acceptable so long as you are sticking to the rules of social distancing. Fishing is a great escape for many anglers, and we don’t like fishing on top of each other anyway. Let’s see what’s been happening lately.
Before you choose to head outdoors make sure you are well informed.
Check out the latest news from Maritime Safety Queensland on boating rules in Queensland @ 30/3/2020. As policies are changing rapidly make sure you are up to date and aware of your responsibilities.
https://www.vision6.com.au/v/63604/1029687/email.html?k=NlnDXQ3XlN_nm9wNHrDxQOigKcJ2ZtdDZFvHADeSnKQ
And also the latest update from Fisheries Queensland at the time of writing this report, but remember to get the latest info https://www.facebook.com/141031799242532/posts/3208605089151839/?d=n&substory_index=0
Fisheries Queensland 31/3/2020
The latest advice from Queensland Health is to #StayHomeSaveLives so we strongly encourage everyone to stay home as much as possible and avoid gatherings that aren’t essential.
Queensland boaties can still take their boats out locally to fish for food or travel for essential reasons.
Public gatherings such as fishing are limited to 2 people (other than your direct household). If you do choose to go fishing, stay close to home, keep a distance of 1.5 m from others and practise good hygiene, especially when fuelling up and at boat ramps.
State Government boat ramps will remain open to boaties. Boaties should also be mindful of hygiene when putting boats in the water at public facilities.
At this point in time, QBFP officers are still patrolling and fishing rules remain in place. QBFP are avoiding close contact, conducting interviews and discussions on open deck, cleaning their hands frequently and have sanitisers on all vessels and cleaning all internal components of vessels. If anything changes, we will be sure to let you know, but for now, do your part to slow the spread.
This advice is current as of 31 March 2020 and may change in response to new or amended CHO Health Directions and the government’s response to stopping the spread of COVID-19.
Stay up-to-date with accurate, reliable information by visiting www.health.qld.gov.au/coronavirus
After all the rain the Gold Coast rivers and estuaries have been firing and producing a good feed of quality Bream, Whiting, Flathead and a few Trevally. If you’re keen to escape for a few hours try the Nerang River, Coomera River, Paradise Point, Tiger Mullet Channel, Pimpama River, Logan River, Jacobs Well and Canaipa Passage. Soft Plastics, Metal or Soft Vibes and Hard Body Lures will do the trick on the above species. I do prefer to bait fish for Bream and Whiting, Yabbies and Worms are the best bait and Mullet Fillet is a favourite for Bream. It’s also worth dropping the crab pots in for a feed of Mud and Sand Crabs with some nice catches reported.
Gavin from Seaprobe Fishing Charters reports offshore in the deep water there was plenty of Ajs and Kingys on the 50 fathom line using live bait and jigs , 36 fathoms still plenty of Dolphin Fish on all the government fads out there using live bait and WA Pillies. The 18s and 24s are producing a fair few Spanish Mackerel, Spotties and School Mackerel. Plenty of Mac Tunas In close, best method is casting small little laser and raider lures .
Clint and Brad from Brad Smith Fishing Charters have stopped running charters until further notice due to the coronavirus epidemic. Sad times but we’ve been around a long time and we will be back as soon as possible!
Brad and Clint sincerely hope everyone takes care and heeds warnings. We’re all in the same boat, and we all need to stay calm and see it through.
The fishing has still been very good, and we’ll continue to each go fishing solo while allowed, to let you know what’s biting and where. If anyone is struggling and would like to chat about fishing, feel free to message our page and we will get back to you. There’s nothing like fishing to take your mind off things. Just remember to play it safe and practise social distancing. We have caught 2 Flatties over 70 cm on mmd splash prawns this week. It is a rush when a big flattie takes a surface lure.
At Tweed river Brad has been having a great time landing some big Bream, Flathead, Mulloway, and Whiting.
The Gold Coast estuaries have been fishing well for the usual big variety of species. There has been that many Bream it’s hard to get past them but the numbers of Flathead, Whiting, Flounder and Tuskfish are starting to increase.
Hope you all have a good weekend, if you have any great catches or photos you would like to share, please email us and let us know how you went.
New fishing regulations now effective fisheries Queensland http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2019/9/1/new-fishing-regulations-now-effective
Fisho Tackle and Coomera Houseboat Holidays now have Hire Tinnies follow the link to view http://www.coomerahouseboats.com.au/our-fleet-type/hire-tinnies/
Seabreeze is a great website to access a local forecast http://www.seabreeze.com.au/graphs/
If you have any great catches to report or fishing photos please email them to brett@fishotackle.com.au Good luck with the Fishing. Brett Gold Coast rivers firing Gold Coast rivers firing
