Bush 'n Beach Fishing Magazine Location reports & tips for fishing, boating, camping, kayaking, 4WDing in Queensland and Northern NSW
With the consistent run of good weather and low swell we have had over the last few days, plenty of anglers took advantage and headed offshore to get into the action around the Noosa reefs. The lead up to the full moon has seen the snapper go on the chew with reefs like North reef, Sunshine reef and Jew shoal are reporting good fish. Also on offer are a god mix of Pearlies, Tuskies, jewfish and tuskies. Using a live bait rig to get some fresh Slimy Mackerel or Yakka’s has proved to be worthwhile as live baits seem to be getting inhaled as soon as they get to the bottom. Large strip baits have also been popular with fresh mullet and hussar working well. When fishing bait a consistent stream of burley will really help the cause and we have pre-mixed burley as well as burley logs and Tuna oil to help get you into the action. For the lure anglers; soft plastics have been working exceptionally well, give the Zman Streakz in Motor Oil, Gulp 7” jerk shad in Nuclear Chicken and Chasebaits forkbait in Disco Chicken a go. Those that have larger craft, did the run to the outer reefs there was plenty of offer with some big amberjack, snapper, pearl perch, cobia and cod climbing on any live bait close to the reefs. Knife jigs have also been working well and jigging this way is a great way to get a workout while fishing. Dropped to the bottom and ripped up at speed has seen plenty of monster fish leave the bottom in pursuit of these fast moving jigs.
In the river we have seen a solid run of BIG Flathead from the lower part of the system as well as up to the mouth of Lake Cooroibah. These have been caught on a wide range of baits from livies to whitebait and of course soft plastics. In the lower part of the system the tailor are making a stronger presence each week as they make their run north. Fish in the mid 70cm mark are not unusual so it’s important to upsize your leaders when the tailor are around as they can get through some gear if the leader is to light. The bigger fish are falling to a range of trolled lures and surface lures and fresh strip baits fished on small gang hooks. Surface lures to use include the popular Storm Chug Bug and Eco gear PP60F poppers. Trolling divers including the Strada Dredge and Jackson Athlete along the drop offs and rock bars has been working well. Live beach worms have been accounting for quality Bream and Whiting in the lower estuary when rigged with lighter leaders and worm hooks. Fishing areas like Gympie Rd, Munna Point, Woods Bays, the dog beach and of course the frying pan have all seen great results.
With good schools of tailor really starting to show up in numbers starting now is the time to start using gang hooks with fresh mullet strips, bonito fillet and whole pilchard baits. Fishing along the North shore has been very popular with the Double Island end seeing some bigger fish on the morning and afternoon tides, jew are also about and love a feed of tailor so if you get a legal chopper take the sides off him and send it out the back. The best jew bit will be between sunset and moonrise. There is still a strong presence of Whiting, Dart and good sized Bream on most of the close gutters so make sure you call into the shops and check out the range of Whiting Wacker rigs, these rigs are dynamite on the whiting and loaded with worms or squid tentacles work a treat.
In the fresh the bass are starting to school up with plenty of fish sitting in thermoclines midwater, fishing soft plastics in the 2.5-3” size with a curly tail and 1/6th-1/8th size jigheads ripped through the schools will quite often encourage a reaction bite. Take a look at Keitech Mad Wags, Zman Grubz and Chasebaits Curly bait in 2.25” size. Suspending divers cast in close to structure may also get a strike from a Saratoga or Bass. Take a look at Jackall Squirrels and OSP Dunk Divers.
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 in Noosa or Davo’s Northshore Bait & Tackle at Marcoola to find out where the fish are biting, and remember Tight Lines and Bent Spines!
