Wider reefs saw bigger fish for the table on Sunshine Coast

April 2, 2020

Well what a change in the weather! From light breezes and glass out conditions to winds and rain from Monday. With each change in the weather we also see a break for the fish offshore so that when the sun shines and the seas are calm the fishing is excellent. Last weekend was a great example of this with some cracking fish caught offshore.

The wider reefs off Double Island, the Barwon Banks and the Hards have seen bigger currents due to the New moon but this also congregated bigger fish around deep water bombies on the wider reefs and bottom contours. Those fish included snapper, huge tuskies, jewfish and other big reef species. Midwater schools of cobia were also reported and these fish taking soft plastics on the drop.

In closer the currents around Sunshine Reef were lighter, especially toward the end of the week. There have been some cracking Coral trout caught and these fish are one of the tastiest and hardest fighting fish for their size. Short powerful rods work best here with 60lb leader and 30lb braid a minimum. Take a look at the many leader options and hooks for hard fighting fish in store. Other fish included Spanish mackerel, longtail tuna, sweetlip, tuskies, pearlies, juvenile red emperor and some solid cobia.

Lastly along the shore fronts of Halls reef heading north we are still seeing big Spanish mackerel on the wider reefs. As always these fish are getting caught primarily on slow trolled dead baits such as bonito and pilchard. The TT troll rigs come armed with big hook and a rear hook on a swivel which allows for multiple rigging options.

Surf fishing is starting to come good with the new gutters formed from last week’s swell. With swell around the bar sitting at 2-3 foot you should be able to find a few good gutters. Fish you can expect to find include whiting, bream, dart, flathead, grunter and even some trevally. Rock fishing has been on hold due to the swell but inside the points you can expect to find some protection from the winds and swell. Best baits include bonito, mullet, prawn and beach worm.

The Noosa River has quietened following the moon but toward the end of the week flathead, mangrove jacks, bream, trevally and even some school sized jewies have been on the feed. Upriver trevally, jewies, bream and flathead can be found. Try the mouth around Lake Cooroibah for a mixed bag of species. This is a great place to try using soft vibes, soft plastics and drift lightly weighted baits along the sandy drop offs. From here you can continue up river but if it is murky or cooler from the recent rains try and time your trip with an incoming tide so you get the push of cleaner saltier water. Further down through the ski run expect bream, trevally, flathead and the odd school sized jewie and jack sitting in the snags that can be found throughout this area. This is a great place to drift and flick soft plastics or soft vibes for jewies and trevally. Back down toward the mouth you can find plenty of smaller flathead and bream. These fish are smashing soft plastics in the 2-3 inch size range and 18^th-1/4oz jigheads. If stuck for a go to soft plastic the gladiator prawn is killer in this area.

Lastly with the rain we are still seeing some crabs on the move so if you have pots the coming tides are great as we approach the neep tides. As always don’t forget to mark your pots and keep them away from the main boating channel for safety reasons.

Freshwaters of Lake MacDonald and Borumba dam are closed. All SEQ water governed lakes and dams are off limits to all boating, fishing and land based activities including picnic areas. This all part of controlling the COVID-19 virus so in the interest of public safety be sure to follow these rules.

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 Davo’s Tackle World, Davo’s Boating and Outdoors in Noosa and Davo’s Northshore Bait & Tackle in Marcoola for all the right equipment, bait and advice to get you catching. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and remember Tight Lines and Bent Spines!