Bush 'n Beach Fishing Magazine Location reports & tips for fishing, boating, camping, kayaking, 4WDing in Queensland and Northern NSW
It certainly feels like summer is just around the corner with temperatures beginning to hit over 30C. This really should start to see a big awakening of fish both offshore and in the rivers and dams. With more persistent west/northwest wind, the oceans will begin to clean up and bring the fish with it. Sunshine Coast Noosa
Many anglers are still waiting for mackerel to turn up and though sporadic there are a few about. The humble pilchard floater is about to become the most popular method, so while we have good supplies of wire and other trolling ‘must haves’, be sure to load up on squid skirts, flasher rigs and troll rigs and be prepared. Sunshine Coast Noosa
Offshore
In close is where you may find a few, so head down toward the Sunshine and Castaways area and keep a watchful eye on your sounder. You can even try the Little Halls and Big Halls reefs. One thing these spots have in common is shallower water that holds bait. Sunshine Coast Noosa
The wider grounds are still producing snapper, pearl perch, sweetlip, jewfish and a few good cobia, along with the occasional mahi mahi showing up, but these are sporadic too. Mahi mahi will take a wide range of bait and lures, so be sure you have a couple of rods rigged with a small cube of bait and a lure or jig. Small jigs such as the Major Craft Jigpara is the perfect snack size for a medium mahi. Sunshine Coast Noosa
Beach
Beach fishing is seeing clean swell, clean water and warmer water. This is a great time to go and chase whiting in the shallows. Come in and pick up some worming supplies and have a crack at catching a few livies. If you don’t succeed, we carry live worms and can certainly help you with rigging and techniques. There are plenty of small dart and bream mixed in to keep everyone entertained.
Rock fishing during an early morning high tide could see the occasional pelagic getting caught. You can try floating whole bait or casting stickbaits and ripping these along the surface. The new Ocean’s Legacy Keeling lures are perfect for big distances and big fish.
River
Fishing in the estuary should be on fire soon enough with mangrove jack starting to fire up. These fish will start showing up in the day as well as the night. The turn in a tide can be a huge trigger for predatory fish to feed, making the river mouth rocks a great starting point. If you don’t have a cast net, we hold a wide range and can show you how to cast one so you can get live bait anytime. Flathead still dominate in the estuary and are a great target for anyone looking to start fishing this area. Traditionally flatties love drop-offs where baitfish will get pushed off and sand flats. This makes the Dog Beach, Sandbags and the North Shore area of the Frying Pan a few great starting points.
Freshwater
While we have these beautiful low wind mornings, why not hire a kayak or come in and check our range and take a day trip to the Noosa Everglades. This part of Noosa is often forgotten about and less explored making it a very special place. Up here you can catch wild Australian bass which are native to this area. They will take a wide range of lures from small trolled hard-bodies to surface lures. You can also explore Lake Macdonald by kayak, which is only 20 minutes from Noosa. This is a beautiful lake with many arms and some huge bass call this area home.
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!
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I have been a keen fisher since age of 5.
It is so distressing ! to see breeding stock around Australia being destroyed, helped by the massive increase in fishing related technology.
Can you please show one, just one ! photo of breeding stock being tagged and released in your publications.
Think about your childrens’ and grandchildrens’ future re fishing? Return the breeding stock to where they came from. For food…buy farmed fish only. jmc.