Tackling bay winter species

When it’s cold, rug up and get into a couple of species that love the cooler weather. Winter whiting are in great numbers all over Moreton Bay and there are still a few summer whiting hanging around too.

Chasing winter whiting is great for the kids, they only need light gear and, when land based, you don’t have to worry about long casts.

Most of the whiting will be only a few meters in front of you.

All you need is a size 6 long-shank hook, #1 ball or bean sinker and, if you want to get a little fancy, try some pink or red tubing.

I remember years ago that trying a piece of red wool to the top of the hook did the trick of grabbing their attention.

We are fortunate to be able to take off and catch up with families and kids fishing off the local pier, up the creeks and off the foreshore.

Times like these allow us to get back to basics, share a bit of knowledge and even learn a few tricks too.

Teaching people the basics is fairly straightforward when you have an abundance of bread-and-butter fish literally in the backyard.

 

With the Pine River, Cabbage Tree Creek and the Sandgate foreshore area so close and so easy to access, you’re hauling fish in no time at all.

Fishing with the kids has helped me rethink both my strategies and expectations, and I must admit, I have found my recent trips to be far more rewarding.

Not only in the size of fish being caught but also the enjoyment of being out with friends and family.

What I’m trying to get across here is that sometimes it’s a matter of putting the heavy tackle away, grabbing the light gear sitting in the shed collecting dust, and going out and fishing like a kid.

So, keep it simple, grab a friend or family member, ditch the seriousness and have a few laughs, you will not regret it.

Over the past couple of months, I’ve been venturing out of my comfort zone with good friend Ian.

We try to get out for a trip every Monday, weather and work commitments dependent.

The last few places to hit our radar were Bribie Island, Mooloolaba, Caloundra, Nudgee Beach and Manly.

We found each place we visited to be well worth the effort of getting there.

 

Military Jetty at Caloundra was our last place to visit, and it was an awesome session.

We ended up with a diverse range of species – bream, moses perch, long tom, butterfish and something that could only be described as a submarine… it did not stop, no matter what I tried!

Every location we tried, we landed fish, be it on plastics or on bait.

Using lures only at Beachmere will be on the cards very shortly, as will Military Jetty with heavier gear.

If you get a chance, try a few new places.

Most are under an hour to get to, so pick a spot and make it happen.

Tom and Lucy did the same and hit Bribie Island surf side to try their luck.

It wasn’t long before this an awesome little dart hit the beach.

Lucy did herself proud, and turned it into a very nice meal.

 

Well done Tom and Lucy, great to see you both getting out and about.

Three ‘Jacks’ sounds like a winning hand.

Well, Captain Jack headed out to Moreton Bay again to catch a feed on his boat Blackjack.

Hitting the usual grounds and using local Moreton Bay bait, Jack nailed a 61cm cracker mangrove jack, which let him know it wasn’t going to give up without a fight.

Well done Jack, great to see you still finding quality fish.

It’s not very often you see photos of my crew holding fish, they can be a little shy.

Ian, or Chewie as he’s also known, loves using plastics for most of his trips, though he also likes to throw out a bit of stinky bait.

On a recent trip to Mud Island, Ian landed a very healthy 64cm flathead.

He also reported that there were quite a few grinners hanging about but that these would thin out with the cooler water coming through.

 

If you’re keen to get into plastics or lures in general out in the bay, have a chat with Ian and see what he recommends.

Well done with the flathead, a worthy feed there.

On the same trip as catching that cracker jack, Jack also nailed a monster Moreton Bay snapper, which came in at 7.8kg!

It’s amazing how healthy the snapper being caught at the moment are, not a skinny one in sight.

Well done Jack, great snapper and an awesome photo to complement it.

With the colder weather coming in, the Moreton Bay area is going to fire up.

Don’t forget the snapper and pearl perch closure for all Queensland tidal waters from July 15 to August 15.

But remember, if there’s a good weather window, get out there, don’t waste it.

Cracker fish are inviting you to take them home.

Maintain the passion!