Rach Parker caught and released this ripper 90cm snapper recently. Well done Rach, and thank you for doing your thing for the species recovery.

A Warm Weekend Ahead

With the exception of a day or two of light winds, the past week has been rather frustrating for boaties. It was quite cool in the stiff breeze too, though thankfully, the shore-based fishing options have been bountiful and holidaymakers are catching a few fish day to day. The wind has tended more northerly over the past 24 hours, so things are warming up now and the week ahead will get better as time passes.

Today’s north-westerly wind is likely to peak around 20 knots this afternoon. Weather vanes might get a little dizzy Saturday, as the wind swings wildly through the day. North-west early at around 10 knots, tending northerly through midday, then easterly late afternoon; before swinging back to the south that evening. Mostly either side of 10 knots, with the chance of 15 knots when the northerly peaks mid-afternoon. 

Early risers will be greeted by a fairly stiff southerly pre-dawn Sunday that will abate to around 15 knots soon thereafter. Hopefully that breeze will continue to ease through the morning. There is a 15 knot south-easter expected some time that afternoon. There appears to be the chance of a passing shower Friday night or Saturday, but little more than nuisance value.

Holidaymakers will enjoy improved conditions throughout the week next week. Starting on Monday, an onshore breeze of 10-15 knots will prevail, and lighten further mid-week. Being mostly either side of easterly initially, the protection afforded by Fraser Island will give boaties a comfy run up the island and those remaining close inshore will handle the conditions with ease. Expect the breeze to return to the north later next week; typical of a standard spring pattern in these parts.

We passed the full moon on Wednesday, so it is waning once again. As the moon’s glow diminishes and it rises later each day, the bite too will wane somewhat from a range of species reliant on bigger tides for better feeding opportunities. Efforts focussed around key bite periods will still be rewarded for those that persist, though certain fisheries will fail to live up to the highlights of the past week.

Weather Didn’t Hamper a Good Time at Woodgate

A massive full capacity crowd descended on Woodgate last weekend for the 6th annual Woodgate Beach Hotel Fishing Classic. The event was well organised and very well run, but someone needs to organise better weather for next year. 

For the statisticians, there was a capped total of 800 competitors, that included 210 kids and 590 adults. Amazingly, there was some 500 fish weighed in, and all prize categories were filled and prizes presented. A wise move from the organisers saw the event kick off earlier than the scheduled midday start on Friday. This was purely to enable competitors to beat the approaching weather, and many did, successfully.

Tough conditions late Friday prevailed through much of Saturday, with only the sober and super keen venturing out later that day. Sunday was vastly better, yet boaties were still largely limited to inshore options. The Burrum system was very busy, as expected, and some fine fish were brought to the weighmaster from those waters. There was some impressive reef fish, plenty of estuarine species and a few quality pelagics weighed in, yet nothing you might classify as huge.

The best coral trout was around the 6kg mark, there were solid cobia, quality spaniards and schoolies, good snapper, sweeties and tuskfish from the boaties that got out onto the bay. The Burrum and elsewhere gave up plenty of large flathead (under the maximum size of course), a relatively small number of bream and swags of nice-sized whiting. The usual elbow-slapper whiting eluded everyone, so the weighmaster must have been looking at the smaller increments to judge the winners in that category. Quite a few mangrove jacks were weighed, but again, more of a representation of the average Burrum fish than the vicious heart-stopping brutes the Burrum is famous for. Suss out the comp’s website or the pub’s for a full breakdown of the end results and to see the long list of winners.

Fisho’s Tackle World is proud to be a major sponsor of this great local event, and will be back next year, with bells on. Those of you that are keen to enter again next year, or perhaps for the first time, should ensure you get in early and register when allowable. The comp is capped at 800 entrants, so, to avoid the disappointment that some folks experienced this year, ensure you get in early.

It is Toogoom’s Turn This Weekend

If Woodgate didn’t satiate your competitive urges, or you just want to get the kids involved in another fine fishing competition, then head on out to Toogoom for the local club’s annual competition this weekend. Toogoom’s Sensational Family Fishing Competition kicks off at 3pm today in fact, and runs through until noon Sunday. It will cost very little to enter, as adults are a mere $35 and it is only $10 for juniors up to 16 years of age.

Live weigh-ins will be conducted at the Toogoom jetty, next to the boat ramp. Dead weigh-ins will be accepted at the Toogoom Community Hall. There will be a bar serving drinks. Be aware that BYO will not be permitted at the event site. There will be tucker and other drinks available, stacks of raffles, lucky draws and of course, some great prizes for both junior and senior entrants lucky enough to bring the winning fish to the weighmasters.

Senior prizes will be species or category-based, that will include fish such as whiting, bream, flathead, grunter, mangrove jack, grassy sweetlip, mud crab and a pelagic category. For the juniors, the fish to chase will be whiting, bream, flathead, garfish and flounder. Only live flathead can be weighed-in, whilst most other species can be brought in alive or dead. The muddies must be alive and tied up appropriately.

Check out the Toogoom Fishing Club’s website, or google the comp for more details and instructions on how to register your entry. No doubt all involved will have a great time, and hopefully the weather eases a little so everyone isn’t restricted to the estuaries. Good luck to all.

 

Junior Whiting Fishing Comp is on Too

There is no need for the kids to get bored this weekend, as there is also the Junior Whiting Fishing Competition on too, run by the good folks from the Hervey Bay Amateurs Fishing Club. Grab the kids and head for Lower Dayman Park at Urangan this Saturday and be there for kick off at 8am.

This comp is all about the kids, and all about the whiting. There are some lovely prizes up for grabs, in three categories, specified by age. There are prizes for under 8’s, under 12’ and under 16’s. You need to ring Marg on 0407 600 119 to register the kids, and they must be accompanied by an adult. There will be a sausage sizzle around 11am followed by the day’s prize presentations.

 

Whiting Continue to Entertain Holidaymakers

The above comp is well-timed to coincide with the spring run of whiting along our town beaches. The Urangan Pier has been central to a lot of the most recent action. A few days before the full moon, the whiting numbers were good and the size was also quite good. As the super moon passed however, the best of the run had tapered off and less fish, of slightly lesser quality, were being hauled aloft. Evening sessions remain the most productive, and more good times are on offer for those keen to try their hand.

Those wandering our town beaches are having mixed results. Some have been fairly static and caught fish for periods, whilst others had to get mobile to find a feed. Timing is everything, as always, and knowing (or guessing) just when and where the whiting schools will swim by can dictate a change in location from day to day. The return of the north-wester is likely to stir schools of whiting into action once again, so seek out waters disturbed by the wave action that are still fishable. The whiting will feed under cover of murkier water right up into the shallowest of margins.

The flats fronting Eli Creek have produced the goods for some folks recently, and may well do so again in the current conditions. There has even been whiting moving along the rocky foreshores nearby, so some might investigate the sandy pockets when the tide is in. otherwise, the Booral Flats are worth a try for the mudskippers that can handle that terrain, as is the beach south of the harbour.

 

Local Pier and Jetties Exciting for Holidaying Fishos

If whiting don’t excite you, and your kids are keen for a little more challenge, then take them down to the Urangan Pier and they will be begging you to bring them back for more. As is so often the case, the pier has really turned it on this September school holidays and there are swags of pelagics as well as a few estuary species and sharks being caught.

A host of pelagic species have appeared at one time or another over the past week. There has been spanish mackerel, broad-barred mackerel and school mackerel taking spoons and gang-rigged live baits. There has been mac tuna making raids in numbers, and even the odd golden trevally or queenfish rocking up to feed on the abundant baitfish sheltering beneath the pier.

Indicative of what is appearing to be an early spring season, there has even been a couple of big giant trevally haunting the bait schools and other lesser pelagics. These brutes typically turn up a bit later in spring, so visits this early are notable. No doubt they will get a bit spooky if bombarded with too many offerings attached to tackle that isn’t up to the task, but more will arrive in time.

Flathead continue to be targeted daily, by those dropping live baits to fish either spotted or suspected near the pylons of the first channel or out the end. It is pretty hard to beat the accomplished locals at this caper, so if you are new to the game, or just visiting, pay attention and you might learn something. Respect each other’s space and everyone will get along fine. This might mean giving way, or getting out of the way of an angler hooked to a rampaging pelagic or someone trying to shuffle along the pier to stay directly above a big flatty. 

Head out the deep end after dark, and chances are you will witness folks fishing for sharks on fairly heavy tackle. Ballooned baits, be they for sharks at night or tuna during the daytime, often end up at angles to the pier and prevailing current. Those ballooning such baits out need to be considerate of their fellow fishos, as do those fellow fishos of the ballooners. It can be quite an exciting spectacle for the uninitiated to see the sharks being fought and caught, and we trust those targeting them are abiding by all laws in doing so.

Find a stretch of beach out of the wind or with the wind at your back and you and the kids can also try for sharks at night. There can be numbers of smaller sharks cruising quite close after dark, and there is the very real chance of hooking a hard-fighting, yet totally harmless shovel-nosed shark. These critters really turn it on when hooked and are happy to hoover-up just about any decent morsel you wish to toss their way. 

The smaller jetties at Torquay and Scarness aren’t usually all that exciting, yet lately, they have produced a modest feed of whiting for some folks, the odd flathead and occasionally a mackerel or queenfish. Being high and dry at low tide, they don’t retain the baitfish like Urangan Pier does, but if the baitfish decide to cruise the beach and stopover for a while, then they might draw the predators.

 

Kingfisher and River Heads Worth a Try

Hopping on a barge and heading for Kingfisher Bay resort on the western side of Fraser is a fantastic option for holidaying fishos. The north-wester will be pumping directly onto that pier for the next day or two, which may not seem appealing, but such a breeze can trigger a good bite. Enhanced baitfish numbers seeking shelter from the increased wave action draw in more predators, so those that happen to be over there when the wind eases and swings back to the east should be in for a treat.

Anything from jewfish to flathead, bream and whiting can be caught from the jetty itself, and whiting and flatties are also worth pursuing for those happier to wander the adjacent beaches. Squid are always a chance, and pelagics such as mackerel, tuna, queenfish, trevally and tailor could turn up at any time. Evening sessions are popular with the locals, yet most will avoid busy times such as these, so the visitors have the edge, by default.

River Heads too, can be quite productive in these diminishing tides, particularly in a north-wester. Think jewies, barra or salmon potentially, particularly for nocturnal fishos, but flathead, cod and bream are the real mainstays. School mackerel have been turning up quite regularly when the tide is relatively high, and are caught quite easily on metal spoons and other slugs spun from the rocks.

Boaties fishing nearby have plenty of flathead to target and they can catch jewies and salmon if they know their stuff. Some will be happy to soak a live bait or whole squid for a cod or two, whilst others will scan feverishly seeking barra and salmon. Locals well-versed in the finer arts of whiting fishing have been having a good time not too far away, weed-permitting, particularly when windy weather has kept them from their usual haunts along Fraser’s western side.

The Great Sandy Straits continues to give up quality whiting, plenty of bream if you aren’t bored of them yet, flathead, grunter, queenfish, blue salmon and jewies. Most of the jew have been undersized rats, but quality fish can be found here and there. Barra and salmon get another whole fraternity of fisho excited down there at this time of year, and undoubtedly some folks are considering a mangrove jack session amongst the mangroves of a Fraser Island creek now that it’s a bit warmer.

 

Go Catch a Feed of Reefies or Mackerel Next Week

As soon as the weather improves, there will be a serious number of boats roaring around in the southern bay once again. Snapper will be the target species for some, and they will be found either up the island in Platypus Bay or out in the central bay in the best numbers. The local inshore hotspots like the artificial reefs and certain ledges will be worth a try as well perhaps, whilst the grounds across the banks will also see plenty of snapper-seeking traffic.

There has been a bit of extra action inshore of late, with schools of cobia taking up temporary residence on select prominent sites. These critters just love shipwrecks and other towering structures, so you won’t need to be Einstein to work out where to start looking for them. They will eat live baits, whole dead baits and a large range of lures. Their presence may be short-lived, or they may linger. The deciding factor might be baitfish movements, but it also might be fishing effort from above. 

Cobes have made their way down past Kingfisher and The Picnics to Ungowa and beyond in years long gone. Small models even spend time up on the flats in loose schools on rare occasions. Most fish encountered in deeper waters will be average fish of maybe 6-15kg, whilst some of the bigger brutes to 30kg or more can mix with these schooling fish. Quite the handful for a snapper fisho on conventional inshore tackle, but very much catchable all the same.

Golden trevally also take up residence around similar structures and have been typical snapper bycatch since mid-winter. A cod or trout is possible from many deeper inshore reefs when the tide is slack, whilst a handy feed of squire, sweetlip and maybe even a nannygai is also possible. Those that make the effort after dark will really reap the rewards, particularly if the boat traffic gets overly hectic in close.

If the wind eases right back, which is possible mid-week, the Gutters and the reefs off Rooneys will be worth a visit. Reduced shark activity at present has meant that these grounds are actually giving up a decent feed for a change. The usual candidates, such as trout, snapper/squire, grassy sweetlip, tuskfish, cod and nannygai are all possible, and if you are super lucky, then you might even trip over a red or two as some folks have recently. Cobia are a very real chance up that way, and your next one might be of gargantuan proportions.

Spanish mackerel and school mackerel can be an absolute pest to those of us that prefer our reef fish and our lures still attached to our leaders. The spaniards might be hard to avoid over some of the more prominent ledges and bommies whilst the schoolies will be most prevalent out over low-lying rubble country. Find yakkas out in the paddock and you will soon have the schoolies all over you. Mackerel fans can fill their bags quite quickly with a simple vertical spinning session, whilst a quick troll will also sort out your one and only spaniard for the esky.

 

Recent Marlin Captures Were No fluke

We mentioned the capture of a handful of early-season baby black marlin last week. Keeping such captures under wraps in this age of social media is virtually impossible, so we will play our part and keep you informed as the season unfolds. It is early days yet, but there are little blacks out there keen to rumble, as proven by a couple of lads that picked fish up this week via conventional means.

Whilst most fish caught prior to last week were totally accidental, eating live baits meant for snapper or other fish, some concerted effort with a spread of small skirts dancing along behind a string of teasers was all it took to prove these fish were indeed worthy of that effort. A couple of these marlin were true ‘babies’ that you would class as tiny, even by Hervey Bay standards, but cheeky little buggers all lit up and aggressive all the same.

Given that the new moon is renowned as prime time for marlin pursuits, there should be some very interesting times ahead. Those keen to try their hand at trolling for marlin are welcome to drop in and chat with the boys at Fishos. We have all the right lures, the rigs to attach them to, the teasers, and of course, the other tackle on which to do battle. It is a far simpler form of fishing than you might think, and well within the realm of all and sundry.

 

Fraser Island Experiencing Best Fishing in Years

The surf fishing over on Fraser Island just keeps going from strength to strength. The tailor are absolutely abundant, and well-spread along much of the island. The central sector (Happy Valley, Maheno, Cathedrals, Dundaburra) has been the focus of many crews, and the many gutters in the area are drawing big crowds of fishos. Some are lining up almost ‘picket fence’ style and fish are being hauled in one after the other. 

At times, it has been literally a fish-a-cast, with both baits and lures producing the goods. When the action is this full-on, stuffing around putting a pillie on a gang hook can seem counter-productive and a savvy fisho will soon drop that caper in favour of metal lures or stickbaits spun at pace through the surf. Much more fun and much more efficient when the fish are as aggressive as they have been. Take a few spare lures if you wish to join the fun though, as bite offs are a real risk (as are tangles if you fish in a crowded gutter).

Without knowing exactly where he was fishing (and also uninclined to expose his location) one returning fisho commented that every cast with a lure was a winner, and he didn’t know what he would hook next. If it wasn’t a tailor or a large dart, then it was a GT or a spanish mackerel. Insane fishing from the surf by anyone’s standards. Keen slide-baiters are over there every other day at present and some are enjoying repeat success on Fraser’s iconic apex surf predators such as GTs, spaniards and sharks. 

Beach travel is still good, though the traffic is very hectic. There are whiting being caught down south, along with dart and a few tailor. The Eurong strip is producing a good mix of fish at times and there are plenty of worms and pippies to be gathered when needed. Bite-offs from tailor trashing light leaders attached to whiting baits remains a constant annoyance for some folks. If you get the chance – get over there. It is going off!

 

Barra Impoundments Busier than Ever

ABT rounds played out at both Lakes Monduran and Awoonga over the past week. Quite a few big barra were caught in both events, indicative of the class of fish so readily catchable at present. You can well imagine how crazy the boat ramps were with such events coinciding with school holidays, so those not overly fond of crowds and delays have probably considered their alternatives.

There is yet another competition on at Mondy again this weekend. Google QFFT if you are interested. Another 20-odd boats are anticipated in this event, so things will be super hectic up there once again. The weather is very favourable for those that are there right now and no doubt plenty of quality barra are being caught regularly. 

The full moon has passed, and died-in-the-wool Mondy regulars will know just how the barra react a few days thereafter. Dramatic wind changes will affect their behaviour as it swings from the north to the west, then the south, then back to the north-east over the next few days. Many holidaying fishos will enjoy the lake regardless and pit themselves against the notoriously moody lake barra day after day. Many will be successful, but not all. 

This week may well prove a lot more challenging than the last, but with the chance of catching some of Australia’s biggest barra on offer, few will care. If you have the option, then avoid this weekend and head up there mid-week. The wind is supposedly going to stabilise from a general north-east direction which will certainly make the barra easier to track down. 

They have been smashing all manner of lures with gusto, and if you are good enough, then serious numbers are possible. Do not limit yourself to just the popular lures being promoted by others, as there are so many folks working the same lures that fish in popular sectors can tend to avoid recapture on similar presentations. Try small suspending hardbodies of course, but large shallow diving models are also very effective after dark. 

You simply cannot throw a swimbait too big when it comes to these sizeable barra, and simple plastics, glidebaits, soft vibes and topwater lures all have their moments. Watch the barra’s reaction to your presence on your sounder and move on if they do not respond positively. They are spooking often due to the insane amount of boating traffic and associated sounder pings.

 

Qld Labour Promise a Net-Free Mary River if Re-elected

In news just to hand, Bruce Saunders, State Member for Maryborough, has just announced his party’s promise to rid the remainder of the Mary River system of gill nets if Labour is re-elected in the upcoming state election. This is a huge move on Labour’s part and very much designed to get your votes swinging their way come October 26th.

As you all know, the recent Great Sandy Marine Park review effectively prohibited gill netting activities in the Great Sandy Straits and the lower ‘half’ of the Mary system. The upper reaches of the Mary do not fall within the Marine Park’s jurisdiction, so gill netting continues up there unabated. The main species targeted are the very same species that so many of you fishos so eagerly seek when fishing those waters, ie; barramundi, threadfin salmon and grunter. Obviously, removal of all netting will be an absolute boom for recreational fishing in the area, and many businesses will benefit dramatically, as will the everyday fisho.

If you are already a Labour supporter then perhaps this just seals the deal for you. However, many are not, and the TV news constantly bombards us with suggestions that Steven Miles’ party may not see another term in power the way things are shaping up. So, such a promise may be appealing to many, but may not bear fruit should Labour be defeated. 

If you are so inclined, then you could consider lobbying your LNP candidate, and/or other candidates, for their support of similar policy should they desire your vote. Opportunities for such action only come around when our pollies are vying for future office, so now is the time to act if this is a matter you are passionate about.

Come October 26th, regardless of which way you lean, make sure your vote counts. Talk to your friends, your kids and/or your workmates and encourage them to vote with due consideration of any matters that will impact them. For keen recreational fishos it is pretty much a given. It will certainly be interesting to see what counter offers the LNP and others make in coming weeks.

Good luck out there y’all …… Jase

When: Saturday 21st September 8am 
Where: Lower Dayman Park Urangan 
Prizes to be won: 3 categories - Under 8's, Under 12's & Under 16's
What to Bring:  Your Smiles, Fishing Rod/Reel, Tackle, Bait, Bucket, Hat, Sunscreen & Water Bottles. 

ALL CHILDREN MUST REGISTER BY RINGING MARG ON 0407600119 PLEASE.
ALL CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT, WHO MUST STAY BY THEIR SIDE.

FREE SAUSAGE SIZZLE AROUND 11AM, AND THEN PRIZE PRESENTATIONS

We will have our club members on hand for older children to learn how to rig a fishing line with tackle.  

Come join us for some fun, bring your imaginations and sense of adventure.          

    

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