Bush 'n Beach Fishing Magazine Location reports & tips for fishing, boating, camping, kayaking, 4WDing in Queensland and Northern NSW
Mid-week spoils – As expected, we are finally seeing a few more fishable days. With a drop in the swell mid-week, a few boats made the bar crossing with ease. For many anglers, the weather has kept them grounded but next week is shaping up to have light wind and swell, so keep a watchful eye out! Sunshine Coast Noosa
Offshore, the continued run of quality reef fish continues, with catches consisting of pearl perch, snapper, cod, sweetlip, cobia and tuskfish. For most bait anglers, using pilchard and squid bait on twin-hook paternoster rigs are getting most of the fish. For lure anglers. a simple 5” minnow style soft plastic on 3/4oz jig heads and 30lb leader will help get the bites. Check out the Berkley PowerBait Power Jerk Shad for the perfect baitfish profile, especially around Sunshine Reef wide and North Reef. Sunshine Coast Noosa
Things should start to clear up next week as we leave the spring tides behind. With the bigger tidal range gone, we should start to see the dirty water being flushed out. The predicted drop in wind and swell will see things improve. If heading offshore, make sure you have a rod rigged up with a slug because tuna can pop up in a second’s notice and be gone. Try using 20lb outfits for tuna and smaller 20g slugs with the TT Lures Hardcore a consistent performer. This is the time we start to see longtail tuna, so be prepared.
The river has been fishing well for those targeting flathead and whiting. Much as the ocean is clearing up, the river will be starting to clean up too. This will only improve the fishing and fish will start to feed heavily. Bait anglers will find pilchard, whitebait and prawn bait work best on flathead, with worm and squid for whiting. Keep your lines no more than 8-10lb and always cast up current for the best presentation.
Reports have been limited upriver and this should start to improve in the coming week, with no rain forecast. Always ensure you have your sounder running in down or side view to pick fish from trees as there is likely to be a lot of debris around. Trolling smaller minnow-style lures will work well on mangrove jack and trevally and bigger slow-rolled soft plastics loaded with scent such as the new Berkley Gulp Gel will work for jewfish. If you are catching catfish, the river is still too fresh and it’s time to head back toward the mouth of Lake Cooroibah and the ski run.
The freshwater dams have only recently opened after weeks of closures. The water is still dirty and the amount of water that spilled over will mean you’re going to have to work hard to find fish, as many have now moved. Keep sounders in low frequency as bass do not enjoy high settings and try Ecogear ZX blades, Jackall TN vibes and Hot Bite Gang Banger spoons. Use 2-3” paddle tails and fish areas that get the most sun because the temperature dropped during the rain. Don’t forget to get a SIPS permit online before you fish the local dams and keep an eye out while on the water as there could be floating branches.
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.
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