A Raptor 6in Patriot was the undoing of this 111cm Mondy barra on Dane's latest Impoundment Barra Sportfishing charter.
Windy Weekend then Glamour Mid-Week
The cool change that swept over the Fraser Coast during the week was highly timely for this late in May, and has set the stage for the winter weather patterns to follow. Plunging temperatures will be even more notable as stronger winds buffet our world in coming days, so rug-up and prepare yourselves for a weekend much chillier than the mild autumn so far.
The forecast rains preceding the change never eventuated to anything more than nuisance showers, evidencing once again how often the weather boffins broad-brush our district in with the great south-east. Lost opportunities for campers and boaties convinced the rains were coming by all the hype once again. They copped a drenching well south of us, so perhaps we were 'lucky' – but surely, some accuracy would be nice for a change.
Yesterday's strong wind warning must've been applicable for the northern bay and offshore only, as inshore was windy, yet well-short of strong force. Today's 15-20 knot won't deny access to sheltered inshore waters for keen enough boaties, and may actually offer the best conditions of the long weekend.
Clouds cover will increase into the weekend as the southerly cranks to 25 knots Saturday, followed by 20 knots again come Sunday, according to the BOM (looks more like southerly early then south to south-east to me, but anyway). A windy and rather cool weekend with some chance of scattered showers Sunday, yet somehow still rather pleasant for all but exposed-water boating.
As the low in the northern Tasman that's causing all the ruckus heads for New Zealand, vastly improved conditions should unfold in our region. An easing southerly Monday morning is expected to ease further as it tends south-easterly. Even better conditions are possible thereafter, right through the working week potentially, and offshore boaties might even get to wash the dust off their big rigs. A big swell is rolling by outside right now, and will ease, yet leave a residual through the week.
The waxing half-moon of Saturday's first quarter phase sees us smack bang in the midst of another set of neap tides. This set of neaps sporting a little extra current flow than at other times of year, but still substantially less than the massive tides of the new moon period just passed. Perhaps better conditions for sheltered waters and estuaries than open water this weekend, all the while generally cloudless and rather appealing, so enjoy.
Part of the range of Raptor lures new to the lure walls at Fisho's. Great options for Mondy wintertime livescopers and local trollers alike.
Dane with an Impoundment Barra Sportfishing Charter 109cm barra on a fly-jig.
Wintery Chill Spells Future Bream for Pier Fishos
The breeze might prove a little uncomfortable at times, yet your chances of getting amongst a feed of Urangan Pier bream has just improved exponentially with this cold snap. Numbers to date haven't impressed any regulars, but those putting in the effort with baits are being rewarded with a modest feed. Expect the bream fishery to get better and better as winter arrives, with the full moon in a week or so being a time worthy of extra evening effort.
Flathead have been keeping pier-goers entertained and a few fed, as they lay in ambush adjacent to the pylons and scoff live baits lowered from above. Catching baitfish regularly has been a challenge this week, as those darn herring seem to have the wanderlust once again. Pike are a vastly better flathead bait anyway, so put the effort in to secure the smelly brown fang-filled morsels and any flathead within striking range should be easy enough to tempt.
Jewfish, broad-barred and school mackerel are all potential targets for a well-armed fisho wandering the planks at the right time. Your chances of pelagic action being much better if the herring settle in and linger. Ensuring you have size 2.5 or 3.0 squid jigs in your arsenal for future pier outings will also ensure you aren't left wanting should you peer over the side and see tiger squid lurking beneath.
Addi Priala scored a fantastic feed of mud crabs during the massive new moon tides.
Mud crabs have been prolific in Fraser Coast streams and the quality is excellent.
Winter Whiting Fans Scoring a Feed
Winter whiting schools hitched a ride on the big new moon tides last weekend and they have been feeding a few crews fishing close near-shore grounds ever since. The waters off Pt Vernon in particular have been very productive, and are likely to get a touch-up in this weekend's southerly. Being well protected from that wind direction and so close to the Gatakers Bay boat ramp means there is likely to be a small fleet of hopefuls out there this weekend. Great fun is on offer for family fishos sporting the simplest of ultra-light tackle, and a handy feed is almost assured.
Other waters to the west; off the mouth of the Burrum, up Woodgate way and back down off Toogoom, are all potential winter whiting hotspots at present. Winds will dictate caution in the more exposed waters of course, so Gatakers will be the go for the weekend. Waters just off our Esplanade in the midst of town also offer potential well out of the wind for those willing to experiment, yet no reports can be confirmed from there as yet.
Mackerel are bound to make their presence felt at some time should the whiting schools be prolific. There has been plenty of schoolies off the point and Gatakers lately, so take appropriate tackle, or try a leisurely troll if you fancy some fish for the smoker. Bream are likely a future option, but you could consider a session casting unweighted baits back in a berley trail over the close reef come the next full moon if you are keen.
Andrew Faulkner was one of many fishos to get a good feed of winter whiting this week.
Tiger squid have been around for several weeks. Carry squid jigs even if not dedicating a session to catching them.
Quality Grunter and Squid Near-Shore
Those excellent May new moon tides created multiple opportunities for beach-goers to score a feed last week. Whiting were active in the stronger tidal flow and actively took baits of worm or yabby during the rising tide. Most were small and had to be thrown back admittedly, but a few keepers were amongst them for those that kept mobile and persisted, justifying the effort.
Even better, were the classy grunter that took swipes at prawn imitation lures, yabbies and fresh banana prawns over the recent big tides. Grunter were caught from sandy fringes beyond the rocks, yet some of the best specimens were reported from rocky shorelines Pialba to Gatakers Bay. Longer rods improved the odds of keeping thin braided lines clear of the rocky terrain, yet one guy managed quality fish almost at his feet on standard tackle.
Wandering those foreshores this time of year without squid jigs in your kit would be rather foolhardy. Pack some 2.5-sized jigs in bright colours and you can quickly tie one on should you spot the inky critters mooching about nearby. They will creep right up into the shallowest of water with the rising tide and linger there as long as they can whilst the tide ebbs. The 2.5 jigs will enable you to present to them without snagging like you would with heavier jigs, and the bright colours make your jigs easy to monitor.
Steady slow winding without any flicking or stalling will catch you most of your squid. Those pinned and released previously, or extra-wary due to carnage they witness from you or other fishos may get a bit cagey and demand alternative strategies such as momentary stalls that let the jig touch bottom.
Ignore what you read or learned from southerners talking up jerking retrieves and 'must hit bottom to score' techniques southern calamari supposedly demand. Our tiger squid (also known as "locallies" or "local squid" by longer-term residents in the bay) are northern calamari, and they respond to straight retrieves and momentary stalls with gusto. They also bite too, which might come as a shock to any of you used to grabbing the southern models behind the head.
Lou enjoyed the high-speed acrobatics of this land-based ladyfish (giant herring).
Catching grunter on the flats is a fantastic option for fly fishos at present. Jack Jones with a recent example.
Snapper Season Started with a New Moon Bite
Dull, overcast and occasionally showery weather combined with the new moon to create a handy snapper bite last week. There weren't significant numbers caught from what we have heard, yet a couple of crews scored large knobbies from select reef sites in the bay. Those tides just passed offered some of the best of the moon's cycle; far improved on the current neaps. All the same, the chilly southerly wind change since has its own bite triggers, so we can declare the snapper season up and running.
Snapper caught so far fell to soft plastics and slow-pitch jigs. Aggregations of yakkas up the island and out wider in the central bay were elements that brought success for those that made the effort. Sadly, more snapper were lost to sharks than were landed, though at least the fishos finding them had the common sense and respect to move on when they knew all hope was lost.
Snapper are viable targets closer inshore once this latest blow eases, or during the blow for those of you with capable vessels and a sense of what waters are safe to traverse. Look for opportunities for dawn sessions before the winds increase if you must, or leave it for better conditions next week closer to the more productive full moon period.
Grunter schools can still be found close inshore and the new moon had them all fired up. Battling the raging tides was a challenge, yet plenty of grassy sweetlip bit well, and were generally of better size than summer fish, as is standard for this time of year. Throw in the odd blackall for the bait fishos, the strong chance of cod and maybe a coral trout over the turn of tide, as well as some plump little nannies and squire, and the inshore reef fishery could be productive. 'Could be' that is, if those flaming noahs arks would rack off.
The tides just passed were your scribe's favourite for catching mulloway jewfish from select local reef systems in years past. The same tides in June also produced occasionally too. Repeat efforts on the best of those past hotspots would be plain irresponsible these days I would suggest, as you are hard-pressed to land a squire let alone a thumping big hard-pulling jewfish from waters that deep inshore these days.
Those of you sporting modern high-tech sounders should be able to spot the jewies if you know where to look. What you may or may not spot are the toothy monsters ready to rush in and steal your prize. Try if you might, and I wish you luck. Jewies can be bycatch when snapper fishing on a spot or two, whilst purpose-specific targeting of fish spotted on your sounder is very rewarding.
Paul Hayes with a lure-caught 74cm snapper from somewhere up the bay. Last weekend's tides were primo, and so are next weekend's.
This thumping 1m golden trevally gave Paul a workout. Expect a few of these critters as snapper bycatch this season.
Variety Possible in the Northern Bay and Beyond
Recent weather was briefly good enough to enable crews to head for the reefs of the northern bay. Snapper were found out at The Gutters, along with spanish mackerel, way too many pesky school mackerel, and a mix of bottom-dwelling reefies.
Tides building towards the next full moon could be productive for return visits for those so inclined should the weather improve as the BOM suggests it might. Avoiding the prolific and incredibly aggressive sharks up that way could see the capture of more snapper, coral trout, grassy sweetlip, nannies, cod and other reefies. The snapper will be particularly focussed on dawn and dusk feeding times in locations where abundant baitfish are gathered.
Heading offshore would be a vastly more productive option, even though there are ample sharks out there too. At least you can escape them by driving away and trialling various depths when necessary. Should the shoal country prove too risky, then the deep drop tackle can always be brought into play as you head wider and deeper.
The wind looks like dropping out to next-to-nothing by mid-week. Residual swell from the big southerly blow will still impact bar crossings, so take care there, particularly if still 1.5m or more. A decent ground swell in an offshore glass-out is fantastic for triggering a solid bite from the reefies and also enabling you to drift rough ground with less snagging. A huge variety of reefies are waiting for you offshore, so head out if you can avoid work mid-week.
The ladies had their hands full with these chunky estuary cod.
Pelagic Fun Aplenty Across the Bay
If you are a fan of mackerel, then you can relish future trips out on Hervey Bay waters. There are hefty big broad-barred mackerel to be caught very close inshore, from the shallow fringing reefs and the nearby flats to the plunging ledges dotting Fraser Island's central western borders. Just focussing on the bay islands and nearby waters should see you get amongst a few, be that trolling, spinning with spoons or soaking gang-rigged baitfish.
Big broadies are also possible well into the Great Sandy Straits, where they can be found terrorising the herring schools. Kingfisher Bay may see more broadies move in as the tides make again this week, and it shouldn't be too surprising to hear of more spanish mackerel captures from the resort's jetty over there either. An abundance of baitfish has seen some very nice spaniards landed from the jetty itself as well as from boats working nearby.
More spaniards can be found throughout Platypus Bay (where they are a no-take species) and out wider at The Gutters and spots south from there. The 6 Mile grounds and isolated hotspots in the central bay have hosted spaniards of late, and they have an increasing array of tucker to choose from. Yakkas are moving in and will continue to do so with more southerlies and cooling waters. Bonito are also increasing in numbers dramatically, so try dancing stickbaits past bonito schools seen thrashing the surface to foam.
School mackerel numbers are quite reasonable in Platypus Bay and the southern bay. Over Woodgate way and off the Burrum coast you will struggle to avoid them if you try hopping plastics or jigs for snapper or grunter, so be warned. Being represented all over the bay basically, the schoolies are well-positioned for an advance down into the straits later this winter.
Schools of school-sized longtail tuna have been reported from up Rooneys way. They are not large, but manageable fish, and their numbers are surprisingly modest at present too. Much larger fish should be a feature of the inshore shipping channel fishery at this time of year, so keep an eye out for the bigger black barrels of muscle if a dogged drawn-out battle appeals to you. No doubt they will surprise a number of snapper fishos as they feed sub-surface on south-bound yakka schools this winter.
Ryder with a sample of the smaller school longtails up the bay.
Options Galore in the Straits and Our Rivers
After such productive new moon tides down the straits last week, you could repeat your efforts in some fashion in less tidal flow and with vastly less-dramatic tidal drain this week. Or, you could pit your skills against the apex estuarine predators in cooling waters in our rivers. Lots of options; lots of opportunities.
Think more grunter and plenty of threadfin and blue salmon down the straits. Quality barra down that way too, and the chance of jewfish along deeper ledges fronting Fraser's western fringe. Vibing or hopping small prawn imitation plastics will keep you amongst the grunter, but you may encounter issues with those mongrel green toadfish. Carnage to your lure collection can be frustrating and a little expensive, so move elsewhere if the toads find you.
As baitfish such as herring continue to migrate back upriver into steadily improving water quality, their predators are hot on their heels. Add swags of mullet and prawn and those same predators are spoilt for choice. So, you need to be versatile regarding what artificials you offer them too. For me, it will always be twitched hardbodies and jigged soft vibes with a little effort with soft plastic prawns if necessary. For others, it will be prawn imitations all the way, with maybe a few chunky big paddle-tailed plastics when called upon.
You are going to encounter blue salmon on smaller presentations in the Mary system at some stage – they are largely unavoidable. Threadies offer vastly greater appeal, even though they can be slightly trickier to tempt in cooler waters. Barra trigger tunnel vision for some of us when the tide is right, and can be downright cantankerous after a cold snap like this one. They will bite – just not as aggressively or for as long.
Head for the Burrum system and its even clearer waters will see you mixing it with plenty of flathead; barra at times and perhaps a few threadfin salmon. A jewie is possible from deeper holes and ledges downstream, particularly given the likelihood of larger banana prawns returning to the river soon.
Burrum bream appeal to some folks, and rightly so, as cricket scores are possible this early in their spawning migration. Perhaps the bigger and tastier grunter appeal more, and they are an option downstream. Jacks remain a chance, but the odds plummeted with the water temperature. It was struggling to stay above 21°C pre-cold snap by the way, so I trust it is a mere 20°C at best now.
Crabbers continue to relish the incredible mud crab season being enjoyed throughout the whole region. Stories of ridiculous numbers of crabs being tipped out of pots in the hottest of hotspots are quite amazing. As is, the intensely congested effort from the pros on the most lucrative patches. The bucks to jennies ratio has been brilliant to date, yet talk of increasing numbers of jennies and undersized bucks in some waters is noted.
Offshore southerlies will have those not satiated with Woodgate banana prawns considering a run up that way this weekend. These are the sorts of conditions that have proved very conducive to fast-filling bucket limits in the past after all. These same southerlies will trigger a response from bananas throughout our local streams as well, so cast netting will be a popular pastime somewhere out of the wind for plenty of locals this weekend.
Threadies are suckers for soft vibes; as are barra, grunter, jews and blues.
Threadies can be tempted with prawn imitations as big as 8in at times, then demand the tiniest at low tide in the drains.
More Reasons to Get Excited About the Upcoming Hervey Bay Fishing Classic
If the chance to win one of three $500 Early Bird Entry gift vouchers from Fisho's Tackle World that will be drawn at the end of May isn't enough to get you signing up online for the bay's biggest ever fishing comp, then here are a few more temptations.
Event organiser, Brandon from Qld Fishing Classics, has just recently uploaded the event's program to its website. Slide on over to https://herveybayfishingclassic.com.au and check out the comprehensive 3-day program of events. Picture you, your family and friends enjoying one heck of a great time.
Between serious bouts of fishing effort, there will be plenty to entertain, from Joy Flights, the Yamaha Super Tank, live music and countless fun activities for the kids. Major sponsors, Garmin, will be on hand displaying the latest and greatest in marine technology, and there will be raffles galore to keep the prizes rolling in. Secured parking is a key feature for those of you demanding that extra security for your car, boat and tackle, as you kick back and enjoy the atmosphere that can only be experienced at an event of this nature.
So, don't miss your opportunity to go in the Early Bird Draws and sign up as soon as you feel compelled. There are so many impressive Super Draw Giveaways that they could justify the cost of entry alone. Not to mention the total prize pool of in excess of $120,000. This is the fishing comp you have long been waiting for fishos, and definitely not one to miss!
Scan the QR Code above to suss-out the uploaded event program and register your entries.
Good luck out there y'all …… Jase