Bush 'n Beach Fishing Magazine Location reports & tips for fishing, boating, camping, kayaking, 4WDing in Queensland and Northern NSW
The arrival of March brings with it gusty wind to the Sunshine Coast, making fishing conditions more challenging. However, as the weather begins to cool down, the fishing heats up – making it an excellent time to hit the water and cast a line. Anglers should note that the spanish mackerel closure – which began in the first week of March – will continue until 21 March.
Noosa was a rewarding spot for anglers, with good catches of snapper, pearl perch, tuskfish, moses perch, spotted mackerel and cobia reported around Sunshine Reef. In the Noosa River, mangrove jack, bream and whiting have been biting well, while plenty of flathead were caught around the mouth.
Offshore from Mooloolaba, fishos have been reeling in spotty and school mackerel, grass sweetlip and wahoo at the Barwon Banks, mahi mahi around the fish aggregating devices, and blue and striped marlin out at the shelf. Inshore, bream and mangrove jack were being caught in good numbers in the Mooloolah River.
The Maroochy River was a popular spot this week, with plenty of flatties caught at the river mouth, whiting around Chambers Island and bream, jacks and trevally at the Cod Hole. Mud crabs have been in good numbers again, with the middle reaches of the river your best bet.
When it comes to bait for offshore fishing, anglers may opt for squid and pilchard. For lures, metal jigs, spoons and soft plastics are effective for targeting pelagic species such as mackerel, wahoo and mahi mahi. For bottom fishing, paternoster rigs with fresh bait – squid, pilchard, mullet fillets, slimy mackerel or yakka – will attract grassies and pearl perch.
For those targeting marlin, lures such as skirted trolling lures and live bait can be effective.
Inshore, live bait – including worms and yabbies – is your best option. Soft plastics, hard-body lures and blades have also been effective for flatties and bream. For whiting, small poppers and surface lures can attract bites.
From the team at Bait Master Fishing & Tackle
