Bush 'n Beach Fishing Magazine Location reports & tips for fishing, boating, camping, kayaking, 4WDing in Queensland and Northern NSW
With the dramatic change in temperatures we saw last week, it seems the change in season is upon us in a big way, with this we are seeing a change in water temps that has seen a wide mix of species getting caught in close and out wide. Spanish mackerel are still about and were feeding hard on the run up to the full moon, as water temperatures are dropping these fish will head north so to target them you may have to do a run up toward Double Island, try trolling lures like the Halco 140 & 160mm DD divers and River2sea killer vibe, these are a high speed trolling lures and are great while on the move. For the bait anglers nothing beats a live bait so make sure you have your Sabiki jigs to gather livies.
For the reef anglers using larger 4-7 inch soft plastics around Sunshine Reef has been a great way to get onto the snapper, sweetlip and the odd coral trout, great profiles to try include Jerk Shads, Flick Baits and Streakz. Now is the time of year where having a pillie floater out the back in a burley trail is a must. Larger snapper will regularly feed away from the safety of the reef and is also great for finding a rouge mackerel or two. A couple of anglers made the trip out wide last week with some good results, conditions were a little sloppy so it was only for the larger craft. Some good trout came from up towards Double Island while the Banks fished well for snapper, pearl perch, sweetlip, mori cod, and jew.
In the River the surface action has really been firing up in Woods Bay and around Munna Bridge with Trevally, Tailor and Queenfish on the bite. Poppers and stick baits in the 45-70mm range have been the most successful fished on 6-8lb leaders. Poppers to try include Jackson RA 70mm POP, Bolt Ballistic 55 and the Skinny Pop. Surface stick baits included the must have Strada Viral and Fish Candy Skinny dog 65mm.
Flathead are still getting caught right throughout the system on a range of soft plastics and fresh baits. Soft plastics in the 2.5-3 inch size worked along the drop offs is working well. Using the right size and weight jig head is crucial so the more run you have the heaver the head will have to be. Soft plastics to use include Boom Baits 2.5 inch in motor oil and Squidgies prawn wriggler in bloodworm. Be sure to use a good coating of Pro-Cure Super Gel scent to increase your catch rate. There are still great numbers of sand crabs getting caught in the system so come and take advantage of our Davo’s Tackle world 4 pot special deal. The winter bream are also in the river and have been taken around structure, fishing baits like prawn, mullet gut, fowl gut and whitebait has claimed some great fish. Whiting are still on offer around the mouth area with the dog beach and the frying pan the prime spots, live worm and fresh yabbies seem to be claiming a good feed.
For the angler that love the sand between their toes, the beach seen has also been firing. Tailor are still on the move with the stretch between Teewah and Double Island producing some quality chopper and the odd greenback. This year is again shaping up to be a cracker so dust off the beach gear and get amongst them. Good Flathead, bream and the ever-present dart are also inhabiting the same gutters. Baits of choice have been pilchards, mullet strip baits and bonito fillet. We are also moving into the new moon faze over the next week so we should see the odd jew.
In the Fresh Water; the wild Bass closure is in effect this means it time to head for the dams. Lake MacDonald and Borumba are the closest options to Noosa. Using a wide range of spinner baits, plastics, vibes and surface lures is the best way to crack the code during the cooler weather. Slowing down your retrieve and ensuring every cast is tight up to structure is the best approach. Try 3 inch paddle tail plastics in Motor Oil and Baby Bass for Zman users. Ecogear 3 inch power shad in Rainbow trout colour has accounted for a few sizable Bass. Lures to use include Lucky Craft Sammy 65 walker, River 2 sea live minnow and Zip baits Trick shad 70 divers. Don’t forget to purchase your stocked impoundment licence on line or in store.
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 in Noosa or Davo’s Northshore Bait & Tackle at Marcoola to find out where the fish are biting, and remember Tight Lines and Bent Spines!
