Bush 'n Beach Fishing Magazine Location reports & tips for fishing, boating, camping, kayaking, 4WDing in Queensland and Northern NSW
Now is the time of year where the fishing have been great and will continue to be as water temps drop. The spring tides pushed masses of bait into the bays and all along the coast line from Mooloolaba and north of Noosa. This has seen lots of mackerel and tuna follow and many anglers have finally caught their PB Spanish.
As the water temps drop, if after a Spanish you would be best to hit the water early and time it with a tide movement such as last of the high tide turn to run out tide. The period of slack water and turn is often a trigger for fish to feed. This is especially true with fish that hold tight to structure to reduce the effects of current.
The inshore reefs of Sunshine, Halls, Sunrise and Peregian have been popular for those chasing pelagics. Be sure to have a few metal slugs rigged and ready like the Arma Twist range in 25g to 60g rigged up on a medium spin outfit so when you spot the schools you are ready to go. Always go on the up wind side of the schools and wait for them to come into casting distance. It is also vital to have at least 1 rod pre-rigged and ready to go with a stickbait. The Spanish are hitting these at speed and it is great fun once you hook up. Should you lose a lure to a set of teeth then having a spare ready saves you a lot of lost time. You don’t know just how long the fish will hang around for so being prepared helps.
Double Island has been very rewarding for anglers with anything on the cards from mackerel, dolphin fish, big pearl perch, snapper, jewfish, amberjack, red emperor and many more. As the water temps drop, these waters are the perfect place for high speed vertical jigging if you see a good show on the bottom. Big amberjack, cobia and tuna will happily smash a jig. 80lb set-ups are a minimum as are 100-120lb leaders. Take a look at the Shimano Butterfly jigs and Zetz Slow Blatt Long in the 120-200 gram range. Don’t forget to take split ring pliers and use 8/0 single assist hooks for maximum holding power. The Barwon Banks has been another area that anglers have done well over the past couple of weeks with gold barred snapper, cobia, Moses perch, pearl perch and amberjack all on the chew.
The Noosa River has been producing, with early morning sessions yielding good results. Trevally have been hot on the bite with anglers getting amongst the action in the Woods Bays and around Munna Point bridge. Surface poppers have been working well at sun up in particular the Storm Chug Bug. Tailor have also been coming into the river system with the mouth being the place to be. Pillies rigged on a set of 3/0 gangs is one of the most effective ways to target them.
Away from the river mouth the Gympie Terrace stretch has been fishing well for good size bream and whiting around the flats and drop offs with prawns and worms the preferred baits. Tarpon and queenfish have been showing up after dark around Harbor Town Marina a great option. Squidgy Prawn soft plastics and larger 70-80mm sized surface walkers are also getting crunched. Be sure to keep rod tips low and even under the water to prevent fish from jumping you off once hooked. Also there has been heaps of muddies on the move so don’t forget to set a few pots.
As the water temps drop, the Maroochy River has seen trevally in good numbers around the Motorway Bridge with anglers having good success on live baits. Prawns have been relatively thick in the river over the last month with anglers getting good results around the Bli-Bli Islands. This area will also see huge flathead coming down and sitting in the drop offs. The stretch from Coolum Creek to Dunethin Rock has been fishing well for flathead and jewfish on the run out tide. When fishing this stretch concentrate your time fishing out the front of drain and creek mouths with hardbodies and live baits the best a great option.
Don’t forget to check in to www.fishingnoosa.com.au for all the latest up to date info on fishing and bar crossings. The knowledgeable teams at Davo’s Tackle World Noosa and Davo’s Northshore Bait & Tackle at Marcoola can provide you with the right equipment, bait and advice to ensure success!
