Bush 'n Beach Fishing Magazine Location reports & tips for fishing, boating, camping, kayaking, 4WDing in Queensland and Northern NSW
Well what a week of bad weather! Offshore has been put on hold while we have 20knot winds and 2 meters of SW swell. Right at the start of the week a few boats crossed the bar before things really kicked off and fishing the local reefs of Sunshine and North. The usual catches were of course snapper which are starting to get bigger with some reaching upward of 70cm’s. Other species included small pearlies, sweetlip and tuskies. It looks like the big tuna and Spanish have left, but there have been reports of very small jelly bean sized tuna out an about so there is every possibility a bigger longie could be sitting lower down or in the mix. Take a look at getting smaller slugs into the mix like the River2sea sea rock or 15 gram Halco twisties. With the rains the inshore reefs should see some great action so break out the soft plastics and prawn profile plastics too and really work the lower water column. The new Zerek absolute shrimp is sure to work not only offshore but in the river too. We should see a break on Monday but watch for the sets if making a crossing over the Noosa bar.
The river will have changed to a nice chocolate colour from all the rain so stay in the lower areas unless catfish are your target. With the water clarity being poor this is the time to use lures with heavy vibration and with a bit of extra weight on your jigheads. This keeps your plastics in the lower cleaner water and gives fish a chance to see them. Soft vibes and Ecogear ZX blades are a must and with the trevally feeding hard then the Jig Para from Majorcraft is a must have too. Whiting will be more locked into baits so grab a pack of live beach worm and don’t forget to use a short length of red whiting tubing on top of your hook to give it visibility. With the new moon this coming Wednesday the fishing should really start to fire up, especially around Sunday so work your spot with a range of lures, plastics and baits. Flathead are still present and most likely to be found during the initial stages of the run out tide while the waters are cleaner and saltier. Pick a sand flat like the area around the dog beach sand bags and work lures and baits into the drop offs. The Zerek tango shad in PB colour is a proven performer during poorer water conditions. Having a lure retriever in this area really helps as the material used to create these bags is like boat carpet and hooks get stuck easily. If wanting to try surface be sure to use the early morning high tides to your advantage as they are during low light periods. These bigger incoming tides often see the trevally pushing the bait into tight balls before taking them down. Sugapens and small poppers worked with speed work very well especially before the wind chops the surface up. Be sure to run a heavier leader as the Tailor are in the mix. Focus your attentions around Munna Bridge, Woods Bay and around Munna Point and along Gympie Terrace.
In the Freshwater the water temps have dropped and a lot of the local dams have reached 100% capacity or very close to it. This influx of cooler water will see the bass sit deeper so use heavier weighted soft plastics in grub and curly tail style and use a slow retrieve. Be sure to use plenty of pro cure scent and give the fish a chance to take hold before setting hooks. Deep diving hardbodies are the go as well so look at double deep suspending Jackall and Lucky craft lures.
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 Davo’s Tackle World, Davo’s Boating and Outdoors in Noosa and Davo’s 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!
