Bush 'n Beach Fishing Magazine Location reports & tips for fishing, boating, camping, kayaking, 4WDing in Queensland and Northern NSW
Holidays on the horizon
WITH school holidays in full swing, you can expect to find things a little busier on the water and around the ramps. If the fishing stays consistent this spring, the holidays should offer a few opportunities for heading out and enjoying a great day on the water. The wind has been everything from light to variable and 20 knots plus, and those who watched the weather made most of the conditions at hand.NOOSA
Out wide continues to be popular for jiggers and those hunting big fish. We can expect to see the water temperature start to rise and, as such, those after trophy snapper will find the Hards and Barwon Banks the more popular options. In the 30-40km plus range from shore, amberjack, jewfish, longtail tuna, pearl perch and cobia are all holding on various wrecks and reef patches. These fish love soft plastics on 1oz-1/2oz jig heads and 40lb leader. Always ensure your plastic has plenty of free-fall time and doesn’t sink like a stone when working it. This ensures you will get smashed on the drop. Check out the new range of Bite Science jerk minnows and get your fish on!NOOSA
In closer, the continued run of smaller snapper and pearl perch is keeping anglers busy with light gear and small bait. Cobia have been picking up floated pilchard in the lighter currents and will always give a great fight. The bar crossing is the best it’s been in a long time, with bigger boats making the trip in all conditions.NOOSA
With the drop in swell, surf fishing has been getting better. Tailor are still present and best taken on 5/0 gang hooks and whole pilchard around the river mouth and middle rock groyne. Fishing after dark is also a productive time and, as the neap times approaching, you should find better weather and less run in the current.NOOSA
The warmer weather is making its presence felt and we can certainly expect to see fish becoming more active. With the air temp hitting over 20C and the wind coming from the north, you can expect mangrove jack anglers to be getting excited. These predatory fish are now a deep shade of red, having changed from their winter silver colours and ready to fight. You can come in, grab a cast net and try live bait or pick up a pack of Keitech Easy Shiner 3-4” soft plastics and try casting the edges, or head up between the lakes and cast deep in the snags with a weedless hook. No matter your method, we can certainly help you out.NOOSA
For other anglers, the bread-and-butter fish of trevally, bream, whiting and flathead are all on offer. Be sure to fish around the turn of the tides in the river and find your favourite drop-off away from heavy boat traffic. Drifting light-weighted pilchard, prawn and whitebait in the current will see you hooked up. You need to keep your running sinkers to size 2 or less, so your bait looks natural. If you need help with rigging, be sure to pop in and ask us how, especially if you are new to fishing the Noosa River these school holidays.NOOSA
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!
