Bush 'n Beach Fishing Magazine Location reports & tips for fishing, boating, camping, kayaking, 4WDing in Queensland and Northern NSW
Winds of change – Well, finally the weather gods smiled down on us. No matter what your style of fishing, we all had a chance to enjoy some amazing weather. Noosa fishing
Offshore we had mackerel, snapper, tuna, grass sweetlip, trout, cobia and a pile of other reef fish. Most anglers stayed in close from Sunday onwards due to the westerly wind and found places such as Sunshine Reef, Sunrise Beach, Arkwright Shoal, Coolum Reef and of course, north from the Noosa Bar towards and including Double Island the better places to be.
The building tides and clean water have driven the bait in and the fish have followed. For tuna and mackerel anglers, many got in on the action by casting a simple Gillies Baitfish Metal Slug around 15-20g. If this is you and are having trouble with distance, be sure to load up your reel with a quality casting braid to help you reach the schools. Take a look at Shimano Grappler and YGK X-Braid. Noosa fishing
For those not casting at tuna, gang-hooked pilchard has claimed many great fish, including some big spanish that will continue to hang around throughout June. Other fish on most anglers’ lips have to be snapper. Generally speaking, the perfect eating size are pan size or those around 50cm, with trophy fish best returned. For those looking to land a snapper while the water is super clean, you are best to use 20-25lb leaders on lighter rods – such as the Shimano Raider snapper series.
Surf fishing is seeing a few jewfish and reports of tailor are starting to come through. Though not plentiful, it’s great to see they are coming in, and it looks as though they’re being caught during the day. These fish are taking pilchard, with jewies taking mullet and squid after dark. If fishing bait for jew, you are best to use a snell rig with 5/0 and 7/0 octopus circle hooks and 60lb leader. For those of you with baitrunner reels, there is nothing more enjoyable than seeing a big fish tear off with your line before engaging the reel to start the fight, so be sure to bring them in for a fresh spool of line.
The Noosa River is seeing an influx of trevally and even some queenfish. These fish are taking small metal jigs retrieved at speed around the lower estuary area. Try your luck around Gympie Terrace and the Noosa Sound region. For those who are land-based, you are best to focus efforts around the Sand Bags and the dog beach. If flicking plastics and working lures close to the bottom, try small minnow-style baits such as the Zerek Live Flash Minnow. Noosa fishing
Flathead continue to turn up in good numbers, with plenty of smaller 45-50cm fish holding around the mouth during a run-out tide. With the water still running darker, you can fish heavier leaders in the 12lb range and try heavy vibration lures such as the Storm Gomoku Ultra Blade in 10g sizes.
Lastly, the dams and lakes in the region are still at 100 percent capacity and are fishing hard. The previously mentioned blades and micro jigs all work well when bass are hard to tempt during cold conditions. Keeping baits and lures small is important during the winter because fish often only require a small feed. Try to fish in area that receive the most sun and work all weed beds in the immediate area, as weed can hold water that warms by several degrees, making this a favoured spot for bass to hold.
Now, for all the latest information log onto www.fishingnoosa.com.au for up-to-date bar and fishing reports, don’t forget to drop into Tackle World Noosa, Noosa Boating and Outdoors and Northshore Bait & Tackle in Marcoola for all the right equipment, bait and advice to get you catching. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and remember, tight lines and bent spines!
