Bush 'n Beach Fishing Magazine Location reports & tips for fishing, boating, camping, kayaking, 4WDing in Queensland and Northern NSW
What a difference in the weather we have had this week. With a peak in the swell and the winds the bar has been off limits to everyone until the weekend finally gave anglers a narrow window of opportunity to go for a quick fish. With the tides low at first light it certainly paid off to wait until there was a bit more water or head to Mooloolaba.
In close Sunshine reef and Chardons reef were the popular spots with coral trout, pearl perch, snapper, tuskies, sweetlip, estuary cod and of course cobia, mackerel and tuna in the mix. Most of these fish falling to pilchard floaters on 4/0 gang hooks with a small pea sinker up front to help them sink. Soft plastics have been working very well and with the wind and swell a heavier jighead of ¾ to 1oz in weight is required especially if using 7 inch jerk shads. These are perfect for sight casting at tuna and mackerel as well as hopping along the bottom for the reef fish.
In closer around Halls and Jew Shoal the swell is a little larger, but more protected from the South East winds. Reports of cobia and mackerel have come through with the bigger mackerel taking slow trolled live and dead baits on pre rigged chin guards. The famous Spanish special lures are in stock and are a great addition to your tackle box. The Spanish special has an octopus skirt on 3 gang hooks, a weighted head and 3 spinner blades attached which attract the big fish in dirtier waters due to the extra vibration.
Surf fishing has improved with the recent swells and some great gutters have formed all along the coastline. For anglers fishing with lighter lines around 3-6kg then whiting, bream and dart are easily caught with fresh worm and mullet strip. For those anglers using heavier gear looking for bigger fish the various headlands and points not only gives you protection from wind and swell, but get you into deeper water. Gang hooks and bigger whole baits like slimy mackerel and mullet fillet will attract the bigger fish like pan sized snapper and jewfish. Be sure to use some bait wrap to keep baits together when casting.
In the river most anglers are fishing in the lower areas due to the recent rains. Away from the main current of the river mouth the dog beach and along Gympie Terrace which is sheltered in south east winds have been holding some solid whiting for land based anglers. These fish are mainly taking live beach worm but will take smaller Rapala micro and Zerek Poparazzi poppers worked across the flats. If in a boat then the frying pan has seen some great fish up to 40cm caught on a mix of lures and bait.
Around the drop offs of the current line, sandbags and river mouth larger flathead have shown up. These larger fish are taking live and whole dead baits. Small pilchard and whitebait rigged on Citer size 1 gang hooks are pinning some good fish. Prawn style soft plastics like the popular Gladiator prawn are also a great go to when combined with some pro-cure scent. For something different why not try an OSP Bent minnow on the flats. The 106mm size has caught some big flatties when worked in 2-3 feet of water across the sea grass and shallows.
For those anglers chasing mangrove jacks with bait then a fresh chunk of mullet on a 4-6/0 octopus circle hook works best with 30lb leader as a minimum. You can expect to step up to 60lb if there are big fish around the heavy structure areas. For those using lures then TT Snakelockz jigheads in the 4/0 size are working very well on 4 inch paddle tail plastics. Be sure to ask us how to rig these onto your plastic as presentation is vital. Areas to go would be in Woods Bay around the rocks, Weyba Bridge and around Noosa Marina.
Freshwater has been on fire as of late with some huge saratoga coming out of the Lake Mac Donald and Borumba Dam. Working the timber and weed edges has even seen some solid bass getting caught too. Using the TT Frogerz and Bassman spinnerbaits is great for the deep drop offs and heavy timber during the daytime. Hardbodies like the new Rapala jerk bait shallow are also working well on the bass in the shallows with the possibility of hooking a big toga.
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 Outdoor in Noosa and Davo’s Northshore Bait & Tackle at 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!
