Even the wrasse are all smiles when they come aboard a Double Island Point Fishing Charter. Especially when Greg gives them the ol’ Hopoate grip.
Windy at Times Preceding the Full Moon
No-one could complain about the weather over the past week. It was absolutely glorious! Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end, and sadly, the weather is about to turn sour. Just in time for the weekend, and over such great tides preceding the full moon too.
A cool south-easterly change arrived this morning, that will increase in wind strength throughout the day. The BOM has issued a strong wind warning for Hervey Bay waters, and we can expect at least 25 knots by midday, and perhaps up to 30 knots in the northern bay. Expect a few showers to hitch a ride onshore some time today.
Saturday will be marginally better, with 15-25 knots from the south-east. It may prove to be at its worst early and ease to less than 20 knots later in the day. Sunday is substantially better, initially at least, with around 10 knots from a southerly direction early, that will tend south-easterly early afternoon and strengthen to 25 knots again by nightfall.
The south-easter will still be cranking Monday, before easing dramatically Tuesday. Mid-week offers the best boating conditions, whilst a lesser and quite brief blow from the north looms late in the working week. All-in-all, not atypical of early spring, yet very frustrating when the tides are this good, the fishing is as good as it gets in these parts, and one of the region’s major fishing comps is on.
Next Wednesday’s full moon has been branded a ‘super moon’, so thankfully the weather improves just before then and those without the burden of work can get out and enjoy what should be a great bite day and night. There will be a lot of run in the tide by then, with high tide peaking a smidge over 4m from a low bottoming out at barely 0.3m.
Luke headed wide last weekend with mates and was very happy with this brace of reds.
Urangan Pier Turns it on for the School Holidays
Those anxious about bored kids due to the weather denying boaties access to the bay can let them loose on the Urangan Pier in coming days. Expect them to come home with exciting tales to tell and perhaps even a fresh fish for dinner. The pier’s waters have been alive with baitfish, their predators and the predators’ predators all week.
As was the case last week, mackerel have led the charge on the pelagic front, with representatives from the school, spanish and broad-barred fraternities all turning up from day to day. The schoolies have been mostly of decent size, the spaniards average, and the broadies tending smaller. Great fun for the kids in any case, as they spin their hearts out with Flasha Spoons or soak gang-rigged live herring from the deep end.
A few large queenfish have also added that extra excitement to proceedings out the end and over the sandbank, right into the first channel. These highly mobile speedsters turn on the acrobatics when hooked from a lofty platform such as the pier and not only the angler, but all the onlookers get to enjoy the spectacle. Add the odd golden trevally and a few random longtail tuna when they wander too close, and the good old pier is producing the goods once again. September school holidays are typically the pick of the year’s holiday periods when it comes to pier fishing in the bay, and there is even more on offer than mentioned above.
The neap tides this week really fired up the flathead, and many quality fish were landed from both the first channel and from the slope out near the deep end. Sight fishing opportunities can be capitalised upon with lures if you think heavily-weighted softies or soft vibes (to contend with your height above water), but it will always be the humble live bait of pike or herring that will be the undoing of the vast majority of Urangan Pier flatties. Please take care to release oversized flathead unharmed (and un-gaffed) and encourage your neighbours to do the same.
The bigger kids can have some fun with the sharks that are starting to haunt the pier’s waters once again. Manageable-sized noahs can be caught on fairly conventional pier tackle, with or without wire trace, yet those that actually purposefully target such creatures typically do so with heavy tackle and terminal gear up to the task. Night time is the right time for shark fishing, though there are random sharks caught in daylight at times too.
Sharks such as this one Max caught always draw onlookers on Urangan Pier.
The Cassar kids having fun spinning for mackerel from the ramp at River Heads.
Whiting Galore to Entertain the Kids
As the full moon gets nearer, the local whiting population will really hit its straps. Flood tides from about half tide up and the early ebb can be fished from the beach end of the pier this week, with yabbies or worms both being worth a try. This activity will appeal to the family fisho, and even the smallest kids can get in on the act at this time.
When the whiting are on, it will be almost shoulder-to-shoulder to half way out the first channel. The early evening rising tide will be most popular, and likely most productive, though early risers can ply the same waters at dawn next week and expect to catch a feed. Some better whiting fishos might achieve a bag limit with enough effort, though you can imagine that task being a tad more challenging when surrounded by other eager fishos vying for the same fish.
Those preferring the sand between their toes can wander the beaches of Urangan and Torquay and should score well. Mobility can be key, though the wind strength may well dictate where many fishos will favour, by default. The rock groynes at Shelley Beach will be popular as usual, and there is even a few whiting to be caught from the Torquay jetty and the storm water pipes nearby.
Both Torquay and Scarness jetties have been quite productive this week already, with a mix of flathead and mackerel turning up to harass the baitfish gathered between the pylons. This is not a common event, and these jetties are high and dry at low tide. If the baitfish don’t return, then nor will the predators, so move on if this happens.
You can opt to head out of town proper, and try the banks of creeks such as Beelbi at Toogoom, or nearby stretches of beach. Strong wind will make beach fishing more challenging, but a savvy fisho will work around that (or come back when the wind isn’t blowing as hard). Eli Creek will be out of the prevailing breeze, and it too can produce some handy fish. Whiting and flathead will be the mainstays from both creeks, yet queenfish, bream and even grunter are possible.
Callum smashed the reefies up on the GBR last week, with a nice mixed bag that included a few fine trout.
Woodgate Beach Hotel Family Fishing Classic
The Woodgate Beach Hotel is hosting its 6th annual fishing classic this weekend. The event is a three-day affair, that kicks off at midday today and concludes at 2.30pm this Sunday. It is a crying shame about the weather (again), but for many that head to Woodgate for this event, that will barely even be a consideration. This event is as much a social affair as it is a serious fishing comp and many will be there for the festivities and have a fat time regardless of the weather.
There is a massive prize pool, from hands-on sponsors such as Fisho’s Tackle World. Dane will be there for the duration of the event, so if you need some advice, seek him out and I am sure he will be happy to assist. Grab some merch from the event to remember the good times, and get involved in the many day-to-day activities. There is no chance of getting bored at this family friendly fishing competition, and if you are a regular, then no doubt you will see many of the same familiar faces from past events.
You can register online, by googling the event, and in doing so will find all the rules and regulations. Daily activities are scheduled and predetermined times are set, so your days can be planned accordingly. There is a wide range of fish species that can be weighed for species-specific prizes in both senior and junior categories. It is fair to assume that some categories might by hard to fill due to weather constraints, but bigger boats should handle the inshore conditions Saturday whilst there is a chance of decent weather Sunday morning for those not suffering from prior festivities.
No doubt everyone that rocks up will have a great time, and going on past years, record numbers might be expected once again. Good luck to all that enter the comp, and feel free to read on and you might gauge a few tips on where and how to catch a winner.
Aidan and his mum enjoyed a session amongst the bay's snapper this week.
Burrum System Will Be Very Busy This Weekend
The Burrum River and its three feeder rivers will be ultra-popular this weekend. Offering ample protection from strong winds, these rivers will likely produce a few winners for the Woodgate comp. Don’t let the dirty-looking water put you off, as that is just the remnants of the big August rains that washed down, and those waters are now filtered, well-mixed and saline in all but the uppermost reaches.
Fish the flood tides for whiting and you might get lucky and catch an elbow-slapper in the mid-forties that the Burrum and Gregory are known to produce. Such a fish is typically caught at night, up on a shallow sandbank in a flooding tide by a local soaking a yabbie, but everyone is a chance. The full moon tides will certainly have them on the move and feeding, and your yabbies may well be scoffed by a passing grunter or a large bream.
Recent netting restrictions have improved the Burrum fishery dramatically in past months, and quality bream can now make their way back upriver unhindered. Tailor might make an appearance over the higher stage of tide in the lowest reaches, as may a grunter or two. This week’s reports of sizeable flathead taking baits as well as cast or trolled lures is good news for Woodgate comp entrants. Again, the lower reaches will be most popular, but you can find flatties well upstream at present as well.
Recent warmth has triggered a positive response from the local mangrove jack population. The Burrum, Gregory, Isis and Cherwell are all famed jack waters that host some very impressive fish. Word is that a couple of jacks have taken a liking to topwater lures this week, so that alone suggests they are eager to feed. Lure fishos will always struggle to compete with a switched-on bait fisho that knows these rivers, yet sheer luck is a variable that cannot be denied. Those that contend with the cool change and windy conditions best will score.
The chance of a Burrum system barra cannot be ignored. Live baiting will suit some, whilst others will opt for tried and tested lures for their barra fix. Dirty water tactics should be considered, and those with side scanning sonar have a real advantage. Those with forward-facing live sonar have an even bigger advantage, making it almost like ‘shooting fish in a barrel’. As good as the daytime bite may turn out to be, a serious Burrum barra fan might want to spend some time on the water after dark this week.
There are some fine flatties on the chew in the Burrum. Here is Tony with an example.
Big Tides Create Opportunities Down the Straits
Neap tides and perfect weather this week meant most folks headed wide if they could, yet a few wandered the lower reaches of the Mary River system and came up trumps. Flathead lead the charge in the River Heads area, with a few caught land-based and a swag more caught from boats. Expect more of the same flathead action this week.
The wind will deny such opportunities in coming days, but it is still worth mentioning the mackerel and tailor fishery that is an option for shore-based fishos at the heads. Once the wind eases again, head out with some spoons and spin from the rocks near the front ramps when the water is clearer from mid-tide up. You might even pick up a jewie or two, with different tactics, though chances are legal fish won’t be nearly as common as juveniles.
Both threadfin and blue salmon are possible from the lower river itself, as well as many stretches of water down the straits. Those lucky enough to get down there when the wind allows should be in for a good time. Concentrate on bait-rich creeks, or try the flats and channels between the creek systems. Grunter and blues could really turn it on over the flats down there this week, and whiting and bream most certainly will.
Indeed, many a keen whiting fan will be out pumping yabbies as soon as the weather settles, to ensure they are ready for an evening session or two next week. Quietly slipping fish after fish over the side under a rising and strongly-glowing moon will appeal to such fishos, and if their spot is well-chosen, then a bag limit of the season’s best ‘ting will be heading home with them that evening.
Matt with a sample of the sort of jewfish you might find in the straits.
Don't touch it son. Wolf herring would have to be the slimiest fish that swims in our waters. Fun for the Cassar kids amongst mackerel bites though
Bream fishos can make the most of the tail end of their season, as they intercept large schools of bream milling about up on the flats or around the gravelly/rocky verges not far from river mouths. Tiny lures tossed their way will be pounced upon repeatedly and a fat time had on the lightest of finesse tackle. At the same time, there might even be a couple of folks that favour baits out there doing their thing, catching cricket scores of bream as they return upstream, on lightly-weighted baits tossed into a berley trail.
This impending blow might give the local flathead a chance to regroup after fairly relentless efforts in recent weeks. They are certainly at their prime right now, in full blown spawning mode; hungry and aggressive. Their numbers are nowhere near what they used to be (what is), yet a fun time is in the offing for flathead fans this week. Draining flats and creeks will once again offer ample ambush opportunities for these masters of disguise and if you read the waters right, you should catch several in a session.
A notable phenomenon from the tides around the recent new moon was that the local yabbie populations got up and moved – en masse. Few get to witness such an occurrence first-hand, and over the years, I am sure a couple of folks wished they didn’t. Those folks being yachties or other boaties that found their water intakes blocked with masses of yabbies passing in the night. There is a picture hereabouts that tells the story better than I can.
Having worked on a charter boat back in the day when such a yabbie migration event occurred, I can assure you it is a spectacle, and one not lost on the fish. Reef fish and snapper caught inshore at such a time were found to be gorging on the hapless yabbies, even though the yabbies seemed to remain on the surface as they hitched a ride to their new homes. You can well imagine the foraging opportunities this creates for dedicated flats dwellers and might marvel at nature and its intertwined destinies.
Yabbies in their millions got up and moved over the recent darks. An amazing sight witnessed by Mick Cassar and crew whilst fishing inshore.
Swags of Reef Fish Caught Out Wide Last Week
Those that decided to stay inshore struggled to put together much of a feed over the ‘neaping’ tides last week. Those that headed wider fared much better, and many will be feasting on prime reef fish fillets for some time to come. There were quality snapper caught from the northern bay, along with some fine coral trout, the odd red emperor and plenty of grassy sweetlip and tuskies.
The Gutters was central to much of this action; giving up a handy feed in what are typically otherwise shark-infested and largely very frustrating waters. As alluded to recently, you have this next month to make the most of the temporary reduction in shark activity up that way, before they return all hangry when the water warms further. Looking very shark-like at first glance, the biggest of the season’s cobia are also a chance from the Gutters area, as well as over Rooneys way and further south.
Spanish mackerel numbers spiked off Rooneys recently, meaning a quick bag limit of one fish was a no-fuss affair. Snapper and nannygai were also caught from reefs in the area, be that on jigged softies or slow-pitch lures during daylight, or on float-lined baits after dark. Trevally numbers haven’t been as exaggerated this season as past years, though they are still somewhat well-represented over select heavy reef hosting schools of baitfish.
Snapper will be a very worthy target species this week. The blow will only increase your chances (thereafter of course), as the big knobbies look to fatten up on the abundance of baitfish and other fodder in the bay. Platypus Bay reefs, the 25 Fathom Hole, Rooneys and the Gutters, as well as the usual inshore hotspots will all be worth a look for snapper this week. This full moon will have the snapper firing on all cylinders and the best of the season’s fishing is in the offing. Grunter and nannygai ‘bycatch’ will also be significant this week; both species just as fired up about the big moon as the snapper.
Bar-cheeks come a variety of hues. Looks like this one really needed a feed Nath.
Big cobes can be caught from the Gutters and numerous other bay haunts. Hot Reels clients with their hands full recently.
Once again, there were some great catches from offshore waters east of Breaksea Spit last week. Deep droppers plumbed the depths for the usual assortment of snapper, pearl perch, jobfish and cod. Some of the same crews spent time on the shoal country and scored a great mixed bag of reefies that included all the big names such as reds, maori cod, RTEs, tuskfish and snapper, as well as plenty of lesser reefies such as hussar and moses perch etc.
The sharks were not altogether unavoidable in depths from 35-100m; swiping way too many large reef fish for some crews. All the same, mobility and persistence paid off and they brought home a good feed. Cobia added a little extra action to the bottom bouncers’ day, as did random captures of green jobfish and spanish mackerel. This is a fantastic time of the year offshore from Sandy Cape to the Bunker Group, and those with capable vessels should be eagerly watching the weather for their next adventure up that way.
The grounds east of the Wide Bay bar and southern Fraser Island have been fishing every bit as well recently. A stream of photos and comments from renowned charter boat skipper, Greg Pearce, of Double Island Point Fishing Charters fame, highlighted the exceptional fishing on offer down there. Greg is totally switched-on and knows those waters intimately well, and that is why his daily hauls are regularly so impressive.
Bag limits of pearl perch and snapper have been easily achievable every charter in past weeks, and if that hasn’t been good enough, Greg has been putting his clients onto some great red emperor, stonking tuskies and ripper nannygai. He has also parked the boat over plenty of amberjack to give the crew a good arm-stretching when called for, and many of these fish landed will be all-species PBs for some clients forever.
If you want to experience some of the best reef fishing the Fraser Coast offers, then look Greg up and see if you can get in on a charter. He is often booked well in advance, but can take names and possible days/dates from local folks keen to go on his standby list. If you get really lucky, then he might even take you deep dropping and will totally blow your mind!
The sort of show that excites Double Island Point Fishing Charter clients. A school of knobbies with AJs circling above.
The Marlin Have Arrived Early
Unlike offshore captures of blue marlin, mahi mahi, wahoo, yellowfin tuna, GTs and spaniards north east of Fraser, the inshore pelagic scene is typically all about mackerel, trevally and some fairly paltry mac tuna schools at this time of year. The very real chance of encountering sailfish within cooee of Breaksea Spit has much past history, yet seemingly lost appeal in recent years.
Most are awaiting the whispers of the season’s first baby black marlin, that are typically kept on the down-low year in year out this early, out of respect for the locals that do their thing quietly and without fuss, out of the limelight. Well, it looks like we won’t be waiting until October to talk up the inshore marlin fishery this year as social media is awash with talk of early blacks, following the capture of at least four marlin within Hervey Bay this week.
These captures add to the odd random capture from past weeks, where fishos happy to target snapper or spanish mackerel encountered marlin that scoffed live baits meant for their alternative quarry. Some of these marlin were caught within Platypus Bay (off Wathumba somewhere) whilst at least one was caught well down in the southern bay.
Given that these recent catches were made largely accidentally, you might wonder what a concerted effort might reveal. Are we in for an early marlin season in the bay, or are these just examples of deep-feeding marlin that have been recorded in late winter so often in the past? Is there enough fish to warrant a serious trolling session this early? No doubt some will think so, and future captures will reveal just how this potential early season opener shapes up.
Last year’s inshore marlin season was a resounding flop, with next to no baby blacks caught within Hervey Bay. A far cry from the year before, that was a blinder. Obviously, no two seasons are the same, and for my many years monitoring the local fisheries, I do not recall two ultra-bad seasons in a row. Chances are there are happy times ahead for Hervey Bay marlin fans!
Mick and his uncle caught this little black 2 weeks ago from the southern bay, on a live yakka attached to a balloon.
Epic Tailor Season on Fraser
The tailor fishing continues to impress a growing number of fishos over on Fraser. Those based in Happy Valley haven’t had to travel far at all for their tailor fix, and some fine dart are also on offer up and down the beach. There are some great gutters and fish galore when the weather is mint, but this latest blow will make things a little challenging for the next few days.
Your chance to enjoy top notch tailor fishing, all alone and unhindered by other surf fishos, has been surpassed and you will now have to contend with the school holiday crowds. You may have to share gutters with passing traffic that pull up when they witness bent rods or a growing crowd. Don’t despair though, as it’s a big island, and there is always the evening bite under that glowing moon. There has been literally so many fish of late - so well scattered along the island - that the effort has been well spread.
Slide-baiters have managed to catch spanish mackerel from the surf on live tailor over the past week. Such catches are quite the spectacle for passers-by and at times draw onlookers. Big predators such as spaniards, giant trevally and even longtail tuna are possible via this technique, with the added ‘bonus’ of sharks.
Surely there will be a repeat of the excellent whiting catches from the southern end of the island over this full moon. Jewfish fans will likely dust off their heavier tackle and seek out those smelly critters after dark too. Waters in the central sector or well up beyond the headlands are likely hangouts for fishos focussed on these big ghosts of the gutters.
Pippies and worms have been abundant and easily gathered from recent reports. Tracks are good, beach travel is good and very little in the way of rocks impede beach travel. The island’s headlands and waters 400m either side thereof remain closed to all forms of fishing until the end of this month.
The Greaves kids had a ball catching dart from Fraser recently.
ABT on at Lake Monduran
There is a round of the ABT being held at Monduran today and tomorrow. Such an event is worth avoiding for we mere mortals, even if some of us are there every other week. The south-east blow might taint the scene for some competitors, but the fish have been biting well and if those competing are the best barra fishos in the nation then they will have no trouble putting numbers on the boat.
Lake Lenthalls continues to give up some fine little barra to 70cm for those inclined to avoid the big lakes. The big bass have been on the chew as well apparently. Perhaps consider a session or two out there with the kids these holidays, catching numbers of fish in a quiet and uncrowded environment. Just remember, it is four-stroke outboards to 60hp only, with speed restrictions and limited gated access. Hence the appeal to those seeking serenity and what can be a highly productive fishery.
Good luck out there y’all …… Jase
Josh got into the snapper offshore last week, amongst other reef fish such as reds, cod and tuskies, as well as wahoo.
Lil Bartlett with a lovely trouty caught during the great weather last week.
Junior Whiting Fishing Competition - FREE ENTRY
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. 
