Hi Everyone, hope you have all had a good week, thoughts go out for those on the Tweed and Gold Coast that have been affected by the recent flooding rains that have belted our coasts earlier in the week. The Local rivers have been flowing hard with many bursting their banks and hitting low lying areas hard with flood waters and debris. Hopefully by the time my report comes out the rain has eased and the sun has re appeared and everything has started to dry out. The massive flush will clean the rivers out and well see the benefits of this with some great fishing over the next few months. Let’s check out what’s on offer this weekend.
After hundreds of millimetres of rain has fallen on the Gold Coast the past few days when to choose to head out for a fish is a bit of a gamble with lots of debris being flushed out of all the local rivers becoming a hazard to any boats using the waterways. I recommend if you are keen to get out on the water you will need to be extra vigilant when navigating all waterways including both inshore and offshore grounds and keep an eye out for trees, logs and any other form of rubbish floating around that may pose an issue. Water quality will make a big difference to catch rates this week with a massive amount of fresh water being dumped into your local systems. It will take quite a few days and multiple tide changes before we will see the water improve in any way. When you finally get out for a fish, I recommend looking for clean water and tides lines where the fresh water meets the salt around the bar entrances will increase your chances of finding some quality fish. A large amount of bait fish and prawns will be washed out of the rivers and estuary systems and will school up along the tide lines and closer to the ocean. The Gold Coast Seaway has fished well before the rain hit so it will be worth a go towards the last 2 hours of the incoming tide which will hopefully bring in some quality water from the ocean. Try your luck between the pipeline and Wave Break Island where there is a bit of scattered rubble. This area has produced some nice Squire, Bream, Tarwhine, Juvenile Spangled Emperor, Moses, Tusk Fish and Trevally. Using a mixture of metal and plastic vibes or drifting baits like White Pilchards, Prawns, WA Pilchards or Yabbies has been successful. Also try the North Wall to the pipeline to see if the Jew Fish and Mangrove Jacks are still on the chew. There will also be plenty of Bull Sharks in the same area on the hunt for a feed. If you are keen to check out the waterways toward the Northern end Jumpinpin Bar will be the place to look as most of the fish species will be chasing a hit of salt water, this area will produce a variety of species including a few nice Bream, Tailor, Trevally and Jew Fish.
Mud Crabs will again be the perfect target species after all the rain, with such a big flush out it may take a few trial drops before you manage to locate a feed. I recommend starting by setting your pots around the river mouths where they meet the main channel, depending on the catch rate try either deeper water or the edges to find out where most of the Crabs are. A few nice crabs have come from the mouth of the North and South are of the Coomera River and the Pimpama River. Also try the Logan River, Nerang River, Russel Island, Canaipa Passage and Cabbage Tree Point. Whole Mullet and fish frames make great bait. I recommend changing the bait regularly, you will catch more crabs with fresher bait.
At this stage the weather forecast is finally looking good this weekend for heading offshore, with light winds and a small swell on the way it will be worth a go. The close reefs may be affected by the freshwater flush like Mermaid and Palm Beach so chasing Mackerel in close may not be the best option. I would start looking around the 18 to 24 fathom areas for signs of life like bait fish and predators to have a drop on. These areas should produce a mixed bag of fish including Snapper, Moses, Tusk Fish, Jewfish, Trag Jew, Tailor and Morwong. Depending on water conditions Spanish Mackerel will also be a target species worth trying for, if you can locate bait the predators should be if that general area. If anchoring I always recommend the use of burley as will make a big difference when it comes to holding the fish you sounded up and also drawing in fish down current of your boat. Unfortunately, it can also attract in unwanted pests like sharks which have been particularly bad lately attacking un suspecting anglers hard earnt catch of the way up.
If you’re looking for a fun weekend of fishing with the family or mates, I recommend you look at the Pirtek Fishing Challenge which is held on 17th and 18th of April this year which is a new format for this competition. It is a fantastic event and all money raised goes towards prostate cancer research. Check out the link for more details and how to enter https://pirtekfishingchallenge.com.au There are some awesome prizes on offer, and everyone gets a hat and brag matt, also this year all the junior entries receive a free packet of soft plastic lures which is a great bonus.
If you have any great catches or photos you would like to share, please email us and let us know how you went. brett@coomerahouseboats.com.au or brett@fishotackle.com.au
Stay up to date with all fishing regulations in Queensland https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/business-priorities/fisheries
Fisho Tackle and Coomera Houseboat Holidays now have Hire Tinnies follow the link to view http://www.coomerahouseboats.com.au/our-fleet-type/hire-tinnies/
Seabreeze is a great website to access a local forecast http://www.seabreeze.com.au/graphs/
Good luck with the Fishing.
Brett
