Bush 'n Beach Fishing Magazine Location reports & tips for fishing, boating, camping, kayaking, 4WDing in Queensland and Northern NSW
Prior to the winds a report from one of the local charters on Sunshine Reef saw big yellowtail kingfish offshore from the Sunny Coast come on board and a mixed bag of reef fish. These fish included grassy sweetlip and Moses perch to name a few. Floated live and pilchard baits on gangs usually picks up the bigger pelagic species. For bottom bashing grab a Black Magic snapper snatcher and drop it down with fresh mullet or flesh baits.
Last weekend we also saw some great fishing out of the local Noosa River with GT reaching 70cm. It’s been a long time since fish this large were reported and they were caught on small prawn and baitfish style soft plastics like the Molix RT shad and the new Zerek Ultimate Shrimp. Live baits and slab baits also work well for fish this size. As for tackle you would be wanting at least 12-15lb if land based and even similar from a boat. These fish really know how to run and at this size they won’t come quietly! If after one of these then fishing from the Ski run toward the mouth and even into Noosa Sound are great places to find these hard hitting fish.
Queenfish are also present along this stretch and they can be found from the river mouth up to and around Lake Cooroibah. These are another great fighting fish that will wolf down live baits and lures. For lures they love skipping pencil poppers like the Cotton Cordell or River2Sea skip stick. These can be cranked back at speed and really imitate a skipping gar or baitfish. The bigger fish have rough mouths so up leaders to at least 20lb if specifically targeting this species off the top.
Away from these feisty fish whiting, bream and flathead continue to feature heavily throughout the lower estuary areas. If land based the Noosa dog beach and along Gympie Terrace are two spot protected from SE winds. Simple running sinker rigs with some whiting tube and a live worm is a cracking bait. Fathead will take a wide range of lures and baits. Baits can include mullet strip or snelled froggies, pillies and hardy heads. For lure anglers try rigging 4-5 inch soft plastics with paddle tails and curl tails. Options include Keitech fat swing impact and the new Berkley Powerbait paddle tail. They will need a heavier jighead but once in the water they come alive!
On the beaches and headlands the swell and wind has kept people away so until the drop it would be best to pick the southern sides of the Maroochy or Noosa Rivers. In a south easterly wind you will find the wind will be at your back and be much nicer to fish. A point to note is that wind assisted casts will see you reach great distances with lighter gear so be sure to have a try if wanting a beach fish. You can expect to find solid whiting, bream, dart and flatties lying in wait to ambush a passing bait or lure.
Freshwater will be harder as the wind can cause the bite to slow down, especially surface. This makes casting light lures very hard so your approach will have to change. Trolling hardbodies works well during the windy conditions and the Bassday Sugadeep and Lucky Craft pointers are two of my go to lures in both Borumba and Lake Macdonald. Another option is to drop vibes and tail spinners like the Jackson iga jig and Ecogear ZX blades, especially in deeper waters. As the winds drop off toward the evenings then try fishing the edges with surface lures like the Lucky Craft Sammy 65 and put in a few long pauses while working the lure back to the boat.
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!
