Bush 'n Beach Fishing Magazine Location reports & tips for fishing, boating, camping, kayaking, 4WDing in Queensland and Northern NSW
December is upon us, which normally means lots of hot weather. So far this spring, the temperature has stayed relatively low.
This has kept the water temperature down, which can keep certain species quiet. Mangrove jack are one fish that thrive in a higher water temperature.
Thankfully the lower-than-normal water temperature hasn’t stopped them from causing havoc among anglers.
All the rivers around southeast Queensland have been producing plenty of jacks. One of my favourite rivers to chase them is the Noosa.
The Noosa River has a huge variety of structure to target mangrove jack from – jetties, pontoons, bridge pylons, mangrove edges, deep holes, rock bars and fallen trees.
These areas will all hold jacks at certain times. My favourite spots to target this species are fallen trees and rock bars.
I find these to be the most consistent locations to hold jacks through all stages of the tide.
That doesn’t mean they will bite all the time though. Persistence and trial and error are best to work out when jacks feed in the spots you’re targeting.
There have also been a lot of big barramundi in the Noosa River lately.
It’s currently closed season for barra in Queensland, which means these fish are not to be targeted.
With the quality of sounders around these days, it’s very easy to distinguish between a barra and other species.
The last time I was at Noosa, there were massive schools of small jewfish, especially through the stretch between the lakes.
Though we didn’t land any legal fish, with the biggest coming in at 73cm.
There have been good numbers of jewies in all the rivers I’ve fished over the past few months.
The Brisbane River has been very active with them, as well as the Caboolture River and Pumicestone Passage.
