Caleb celebrated his birthday in style by catching these ripper reds on a Double Island Point Fishing Charter.
Wind Easing Again for the Weekend
A mix of calm and semi-windy weather meant boaties had to pick their days last week. The week ahead may be similar as the strength of the dominating westerlies fluctuates. The weekend is looking pretty darn good though and the tides are on the make, so our waterways are bound to be busy once again.
This morning’s 15 knot southerly will ease dramatically this afternoon and tend more south-easterly. The breeze will drop right out overnight and see early risers charging off into very calm seas Saturday morning. Whilst there will be minimal wind throughout the day, what does arise will be from the south initially then more westerly or even northerly by late in the day. Those planning an overnighter in the bay should be prepared for a north-westerly breeze better than 10 knots during the evening.
Sunday will dawn clear under sunny skies as a light westerly reminds us it is winter. Expect a light zephyr sub 10 knots early, then a calm and quite balmy day as a 10 knot north-wester creeps in late afternoon. Those of you that are keen weather-watchers will note the significance of westerlies so early this winter, when we would typically expect winds from either side of southerly. Perhaps the lows that keep rampaging through the southern pacific this year can be blamed for this anomaly.
Whatever the case, westerly winds will dominate the working week, starting with a light south-wester Monday that strengthens into Tuesday to near 20 knots that morning. The offshore airflow will prevail right through the week at perhaps 10-15 knots meaning colder conditions and plenty of static in the dry air. Getting out of bed pre-dawn will be that bit harder, yet justifiable for keen enough fishos.
The tides are building and the moon waxing as we approach Wednesday’s full moon. This is a significant set of tides this week as our winter species begin (or continue) their migration and our waters come to life with the cold-water loving fish that have been slow to get going so far this season.
Paul hitched a ride offshore with his nephew and got amongst the reefies east off Breaksea. This thumping big long-nosed emperor was a highlight.
Chris had a ball fishing offshore with Mick and Paul. They caught a mix of reefies once the sharks backed off in the arvo.
Spaniards such as this one Chris caught can be found east of Breaksea Spit at present, as well as throughout Hervey Bay.
Bream on their Way to the Pier
Urangan Pier regulars with a penchant for bream will already have dusted off their light tackle for an assault over the upcoming full moon. The good news for them is that vast schools of bream have been spotted heading their way along the beaches between our township and Burrum Heads. Huge schools in some cases, off Toogoom for example, that would’ve been scooped up in nets in years gone by. Their passage is clear now, so expect big things from bream this winter.
Of late, it has been a mix of mackerel and flathead that have been harassing the pier’s herring population. Schoolies and broadies have shown up quite regularly and are being caught on the usual Flasha spoons or gang-rigged live herring. The flatties are best targeted with live baits too, and have been consistent, if maybe not as huge as they might be at this time.
So, if planning a pier session or two this week, then ensure you have a spin outfit armed with a Flasha or similar metal spoon. Your bait jigging rod will get a workout as you gather herring for either live baits for flatties or pelagics, or dead baits to cut up or butterfly for the bream. Ensuring you have squid jigs handy will mean the difference between elation and disappointment should you spot some ‘localies’.
Those familiar with the pier bream fishery will already have the right combos set up for extracting the bigger fish from between the pylons. Those only accustomed to catching bream in more forgiving terrain will find themselves left wanting when the biggest fish take off through the jungle of pylons if they’re sporting ultra-finesse tackle more at home on the flats.
We are told that restoration works are almost complete, as workers are putting the finishing touches on the very last section out at the deep end. The 20th of this month has been muted as the date for finalisation, which will be music to the ears of pier regulars keen to get back to spinning and fishing from the very end for pelagics.
Offshore reef fishing is all about scoring a feed, and Double Island Point Fishing Charter clients' families eat very well.
Pearlies and tuskies are pretty much assured if you head offshore and avoid the sharks.
Stop playing with your food Paul!
Local Flats and Beaches Prime for Finesse Fishos
As the aforementioned bream schools traverse our beaches on their journey to various spawning grounds, this creates a substantial and potentially highly productive opportunity for land-based fishos. Intercepting these large schools of fish can mean cricket score catches on ultra-light finesse tackle and tons of fun in very forgiving terrain (if you can engage with them before they reach the rocky shores).
Tiny topwater lures will appeal to many fishos, and most certainly to the bream. The appeal of this option only enhanced by encounters with schools of whiting along the same stretches of beach. Remember, the bream like their topwater offerings moving slower and with pauses, whilst the whiting prefer a faster moving target. Mix it up to see who’s at home, if you can’t see them clearly in the water.
Toogoom and Dundowran beaches are obvious starting points for those that believe the fish spotted earlier are still at large out there. The flats out from Eli Creek will also be worth prospecting, with the potential added bonus of larger predators such as flathead, blue salmon or queenfish. Our town beaches will have their moments at some stage, with the rocky outcrops such as Torquay Rocks likely to see fish linger for longer.
Head for the Booral Flats and you could find yourself amongst a whole different biomass of fish. The offshore winds this week and the bigger making tides are spot-on for a session chasing whiting. Go soak some yabbies in the skinny waters during the early making tide or opt for topwater or tiny vibes and wander the mudflats as the tide pushes you towards the bank. Flathead are bound to make their presence felt either way, and other predatory fish, like blues, grunter and baby bullies are bound to interact with some of you down there.
Tony bettered his previous grunter PB with this beaut 67cm 3.8kg model, caught in that crazy fog a bit ago.
Tony caught his best bream to date of 37cm. Fairly sure you will better that one this winter Tony.
Massive Banana Prawn Kill at Dundowran
The pictures hereabouts will give you some idea of the gauge of the massive banana prawn kill that was discovered at Dundowran Beach last Friday. Those that stumbled onto this crazy scene said there appeared to be “tons” of prawns washed up along a vast stretch of beach. No news on the TV, nothing on social media either apparently, yet a major kill in our own backyard.
A call from a mate on Friday that was scouring the prawn grounds off Woodgate for a big fat zero had us both wondering what had happened to the prawns that were so thick up there only the day before. Apparently, a boat limit required a mere handful of casts on Thursday, but no prawns could be found Friday. Sharing the accompanying photos that night enlightened old mate as to where the prawns might have ended up.
Plenty of speculation since has raised a few theories, but nothing concrete, and no-one has claimed to have seen such a phenomenon in these parts prior. One such theory involves the layout of that stretch of beach and the parallel gutter that runs for some distance near the high tide mark. Is it possible that the prawns were intercepted by equally large masses of mackerel that forced them up the beach and blocked their escape as the huge new moon tide receded? This suggestion offered by two separate local beam trawler operators of the past that have seen such a scenario unfold elsewhere apparently.
Could it have been something to do with the supposed toxic algae that scientists claim was discovered in those waters some months back? Did the prawns just reach full maturity and cark it after they spawned for the last time over the darks? Did some large-scale harvesting go pear-shaped when an illegal operation was sprung? Unless someone out there can offer a suggestion, conjecture like above is all we have at this stage, as outlandish as any of those theories might seem.
Whatever the reason for the mass kill, the spectacle was short-lived as subsequent tides soon washed away the evidence. The smell must’ve been something else in the meantime, and the local crabs, stingrays and other fish must’ve feasted well momentarily. If you can offer any insight into what happened, then feel free to share your thoughts by ringing me at the shop, or sending me an email c/- info@fishostackleworld.com.au
The crazy scene at Dundowran Beach last Friday. If anyone can shed any light on why this mass kill occurred, please let us know.
Why the prawns washed up dead at Dundowran remains a mystery. Such a waste too eh.
Bread ’n’ Butter Species on the Bite in a Cooler Burrum
Burrum Heads locals have enjoyed recent sessions catching bread ‘n’ butter species. Bream have been in big numbers in the lower reaches, and of good average size too. Not so many kilo+ models (42cm or so), but plenty in the high-thirties. Bait fishing sessions aided by a little berley have maintained a really good bite as bream that have gathered to spawn are gorging themselves as they migrate beyond the river.
Plump sand whiting have also fed a few members of the Burrum Heads Amateur Fishing Club, and some of those good folks will be heading out to try again as the full moon approaches no doubt. Flathead remain a viable target in the lower-mid reaches of the river, with a few lurking within reach of shore-based fishos at the heads too.
Mackerel have wandered into the river some have said, turning up to swipe at live baits fished near the boat ramp. At the same time, others have failed to find mackerel in any number out the front, which seems a little strange. This week’s making tides might tempt more mackerel into the river perhaps with the clearer flood tides, but surely there are some out there beyond the drop-off, if not up at the Woodgate arti.
The river is still dirty well upstream. Salinity is ever-improving as those waters evolve from the filthy fresh of past weeks to a semi-clear tannin-stained goodness. Dirty water retaining warmth better than clear water might draw summer’s predators back upstream, but for now a wander downstream has been more productive for those chasing larger barra. The Burrum’s jacks won’t be as easy to catch as they were weeks ago.
Jewfish will be stirred into action by cooling waters, so see if you can find any hanging in the eddies around River Heads or along the ledges fronting Fraser’s western shores. Small ones are still being caught by the kids at Kingfisher. Deep holes in the Burrum might host a few, so long as cast netters haven’t been hammering said holes for prawn. Blue salmon will be easy enough to find in our rivers, particularly the Mary, where you can also expect a bit of fun with flatties in the shallow margins downstream.
Cast nets should be permanent fixtures in boats cruising our creeks and rivers at this time. Your next big feed of prawns is only a session away, as the Burrum and its feeder streams continue to prawn well. The Mary not so much as yet, but enough effort will keep you from going hungry down there. Woodgate is bound to attract some effort this week with the breeze offshore, so it will be very interesting to see if more banana prawns have moved in up there.
BHAFC members weighing in their catch in their latest club comp. All but Steve's cat's toys indicate what is biting in the lower Burrum.
Pete has been enjoying success on our river barra. They are still a good option even though its cooler.
A feed of succulent banana prawns is just a few casts away when you find the motherlode.
Winter Whiting Fishos on the Hunt this Full Moon
Whilst our inshore waters have maintained a temperature of 22C in close and 23C up the island this week, colder conditions are bound to see those numbers drop. Good news for winter whiting fans who are beginning to expend some energy at the usual hotspots just wide of our foreshores.
From what we are told, some of the more consistent schools remain off Woodgate Beach and Toogoom. Efforts off Pt Vernon have revealed small numbers, as have those drifting the grounds out from Urangan. Schools of fish off River Heads over towards the Picnics have been scattered at best too, so it seems that a very modest feed of 20 whiting has been more common than bag-outs to date.
All that is about to change however, be it this full moon or soon thereafter. Gatakers Bay boat ramp is bound to see whiting fans launching this week as they try various grounds close off there or up Toogoom way. The westerlies will dictate many whiting fishos’ movements no doubt, and hopefully bring on a good bite. We will keep you up to date as the whiting season unfolds.
Consider adding to future whiting feasts by slipping a couple of crab pots in out the front. Sand crabs can be caught inshore on bigger tides, and whiting frames are pretty much the best bait you can offer them. The crabs haven’t been too flash off the Burrum or Woodgate, whilst a modest feed is on offer closer to town (or up the island). Muddies in our rivers remain catchable too, so sneaking a few pots upriver is worth considering as the moon glows bright.
Jacko headed for Station Hill and had fun catching all sorts of pelagics, including big goldies like this one.
Dan had fun catching goldies, tuna and queenfish with Jacko last weekend.
Daniel tricked this longtail with the Rapala Crush City 5 Jerk. Yet another jerkshad that is a winner on local pelagics.
Mackerel on the Move as Yakkas Begin to Arrive
The excellent run of spanish mackerel in Hervey Bay waters continues unabated. Large spaniards have wandered right into the southern bay and have been terrorising baitfish all the way in to the bay islands. There is spaniards across ‘the banks, out in the central bay at the 25 Fathom Hole and elsewhere, as well as further north at the Gutters.
A quick early morning troll will soon secure a bag or boat limit, or you can enhance the excitement by dancing larger stickbaits over bait schools or reef systems known to host a few. Big fat broadies are scattered inshore and throughout the northern straits too, and will now be a feature of the flats fishery around the bay islands and elsewhere.
School mackerel are supposedly hard to find off the Burrum coast, which seems a little odd as stated above. There is no shortage of them elsewhere, from the Bait Grounds (at times) across the banks to Coongul. Schoolies can be found by trollers hugging the shipping channels, though running circuits around reef systems up the bay that are hosting schools of herring holds even more merit.
The Fairway is potentially a very interesting spot this week, in light westerlies such as what are forecast. So long as there are bait schools hugging the pole and others coming and going as they pass over the gravelly bottom nearby, mackerel and trevally might be joined by grunter and squire over this full moon. Passing spaniards and even the odd longtail tuna are possible out there.
Huge schools of yakkas were observed up off Station Hill in northern Platypus Bay last weekend. There were large longtails busting up occasionally up that way too. Fish in the 20 kilo+ class that were more inclined to feed below the surface for the majority of the time. Their diet changes as they switch their attention to sub-surface baitfish such as yakkas in winter, hence the regularity of encounters with these barrels of speed for snapper fishos up that way.
The longtails were not easy to find or tempt, but Platypus Bay is home to so many alternative pelagics that you will soon forget about them. The school mackerel are thick in places, mostly where baitfish are gathered above reef systems. The queenies are abundant too, quite often in the very same locations. Golden trevally are readily spotted on the sounder whilst scanning select reefs in both northern and southern Platypus Bay and quite easily tempted at present.
Tanya had a serious workout subduing this large spaniard Wednesday morning. Great Fish Tanya. Drop in for a Fisho's cap on us.
Luke is a trolling fanatic and a highly successful one too. Broadies are a fine target close inshore right now.
Take your larger stickbaits out for a session on the bay's spaniards. They are moving inshore and thicker than ever.
Confidence Improving Amongst Inshore Snapper Fishos
Actually catching snapper in Hervey Bay has been very challenging so far this season. Warm waters so far can be partially blamed perhaps. That hasn’t affected the confidence of those about to try their luck over this coming full moon however, even though the westerly winds might be deemed less than ideal by those with the most local experience.
The usual inshore hotspots will be popular with snapper fishos, so let’s see if they are as popular with the snapper. Moon Ledge will draw a crowd, as will the Simpson arti and the Outer Banks. The grounds off Arch Cliffs will get plenty of attention, and so will the Roy Rufus arti.
So far, apart from a handful of larger snapper kept low-key, it has been a run of squire and squirey-snapper to 60cm or so that have been caught locally. Surely, larger fish will rock in soon, hot on the tails of the yakkas etc. Unfortunately, it seems the run of spent males we used to catch as early as March are a thing of the past these days.
You might want to suss out a snapper blog that I put together this week. It should be emailed out to you very soon, if not already. Otherwise, look it up on the Fisho’s Tackle World website behind the tab “Fishery Guides”. It is a basic overview of our snapper fishery with a few hints to help you understand the bigger picture and kick off this season with a bang.
The focus is mostly on lures, as the preferred option to target snapper that has made the task so simple these days. Deploying soft plastics has enabled folks less accustomed to catching them to score trophy fish like never before. Have a read and hopefully you can glean enough information to be bragging about PBs and monster knobbies in the very near future.
Focussing your snapper fishing efforts on prime stages of the tide will leave plenty of time to switch focus to a feed of sweeties or nannygai inshore this week. You may even pick up a coral trout or cod when the tide is dead slack. Some will know where to find the grunter, which will feed well this week as the moon gets brighter.
If you want to catch a feed of squid, then pack a light outfit and some quality jigs. You will have to out-smart everyone else with the same idea to find any numbers. Tiger squid are one of most popular species these days, so it’s a race from spot to spot to secure a feed. They are already fairly big at least, so if you only score a couple you will still eat well.
The Bone Toughfia Papuan Black Bass Diver could be the next big thing for snapper trollers. Checkout Sammy on Youtube for evidence of success.
Brendan Schmidt got amongst the snapper east of the Wide Bay bar recently. Quality fish plucked from the schools by using plastics adding to the fun.
Avoid the Sharks to Catch the Reefies
Driving beyond the inshore crowds to the northern bay could see you get amongst a few snapper this week. Inbound yakkas are a major drawcard, and they are moving into the bay as you read this. To date, squirey-snapper have been caught at the Gutters and at the 25 Fathom Hole. July might be deemed more appropriate timing-wise by the likes of me, but hey, prove me wrong and go catch some big ones.
If heading for the Gutters this week, then ensure you remain shark savvy and on the move. Settling on anchor is a rare privilege up that way these days, as “running and gunning” is more the go to keep ahead of the noahs. Linger into the evening to better your chances of snapper dramatically. Focus on the fringes of the reef in lieu of the gnarlier bits for best results and get your crew to suspend their baits or present their lures above the bottom when necessary.
Luckily for us, and very unluckily for the fish, soft plastic prawn imitations have made the task of catching the likes of coral trout all too easy. Extracting them from the reef remains a task, and beating the sharks to the boat a huge gamble. Locked-up drags and skull-dragging is the only way to go these days, yet you still only stand a chance if the sharks aren’t there. If they are, you lose – simple! They are too big, too fast and never seem to get their fill, so don’t ever sit there feeding them. Move on from the first encounter.
Escape those pests and your esky will quickly fill with a few prime trout, maybe some nannies and tuskies as well as the usual box fillers like grassies and spangos. Cobia and spanish mackerel are highly likely too, so be prepared for a workout one way or the other.
If the weather is good enough, then head well beyond the Gutters and you are in proper red country. Light westerlies are very conducive to a good bite from red emperor up that way, and this time of year is absolutely prime. Loading up on live baits will only enhance your chances, but the usual squid and mullet fillets will get the job done too.
Bruce was suitably impressed when this fine bar-cheek appeared boatside.
The sort of esky shots charter clients want to see after a big day on the briny. Greg from D.I. Point Fishing Charters has many happy clients.
You know you are on prime reef when you are catching cattle dogs. Yet another prime reef fish caught on a recent D.I. Point Fishing Charter.
Rainbow Beach Family Fishing Classic is on Again
Our region’s biggest fishing competition kicks off this Sunday, as the 2025 Rainbow Beach Family Fishing Classic gets underway. This week-long event is hugely popular and draws a massive crowd to the southern Fraser Coast. There’s over $200,000 in prizes up for grabs and opportunities to fish in categories that include offshore, beach and estuary. Prizes are set aside for kids and ladies as well as the blokes, so everyone can get involved and a great time is assured.
The westerly tendency weather-wise isn’t a bad thing down that way, as offshore and beach fishos can enjoy the protection of both Fraser Island and the mainland. The offshore fishing has been particularly good beyond the Wide Bay bar of late too, so big things are expected from this year’s competitors. The snapper have already moved in close and there is always plenty of big reds waiting out wide.
Greg Pearce of Double Island Point Fishing Charters fame has been absolutely slaying the fish down there lately. It has been all or nothing, as big swells and periods of strong wind curtailed a few planned trips, but when he got out there it was bent rods and broad smiles all round. From big hauls of snapper, pearlies, sweeties, cod and the like inshore to thumping big reds, jobfish and other tasty reefies out wider, Greg has enjoyed success trip after trip and his clients have had a ball.
Greg says the sharks lingered inshore longer than they might have recently, due to warmer waters, but they have been avoidable. Big snapper are turning up on select reef sites to the north, and big schools of smaller fish closer to the bar. Trophy winning fish are abundant, so it will take as much luck as skill to bring the winning snapper to the weighmaster at the comp this year.
Meanwhile, north of Fraser, those local lads that got out for day trips earlier this week scored quite well too. The bite was tougher earlier in the day and the sharks made life difficult here and there across the shoals. Keeping on the move soon saw a good feed gather in the esky though, and a very good afternoon bite brought the better fish on with minimal attention from the sharks.
The opportunity is there to head offshore for those with capable vessels again this weekend. Some might head for Lady Elliot, others across the bar. All should do well, in a diminished EAC, in depths of 50 metres or more. Light westerlies can aid skippers looking to probe the shoulders of the shelf. Even if the sharks prove too challenging then there is always deep dropping out wider and deeper for those sporting the appropriate tackle.
Good luck out there y’all …… Jase
Red emperor are always the crowd favourite at the Rainbow Beach Family Fishing Classic.
You won't have to drive far offshore from the Wide Bay bar to catch grassies and spangled emperor.
Amberjack are on the chew offshore and giving D.I. Point Fishing Charter clients a serious workout.
Learn to avoid those big banana arches offshore if you don't want to get stretched by AJ's. If you do, then hitch a ride with D.I. Point Fishing Charters