Rick caught this ripper barra at Mondy during last weekend's Family Fishing Classic.
Classic Mid-Spring Weather this Week
This weekend’s weather will be much improved on the last, so it won’t be just those avoiding the workday grind that enjoy the best on offer this week. The past couple of days were delightful, then the north wind returned and spawned those storms that caused some excitement late yesterday. We might see a little shower activity this week, but all-in-all it looks like a classic mid-spring pattern and one to savour if you can get out on the water.
A westerly wind this morning blew the remnant storm activity out to sea. That breeze is expected to ease as the day wears on and should be quite light before a subtle south-east change blows in this evening. Nothing dramatic, with barely 15 knots overnight, leaving us with the option of an early start Saturday morning.
Those there to greet the dawn tomorrow will be glad they did, with a 10 knot or so south-east breeze creating a subtle slap against their hulls. The breeze should tend more easterly as the day unfolds and is unlikely to peak much higher than 10 knots. Sunday is just as good. Perhaps a couple of more knots initially, yet still closer to 10 than 15 and at its lightest around midday. The breeze should tend more north-easterly all day.
Trying to decipher weather forecasts for the working week is a challenge once again, with the various gurus contradicting each other and changing their minds every few hours. With any luck, Monday will be quite good with a light northerly easing through the day. Tuesday could be better again initially, before a south-easter picks up in the afternoon. Wednesday; light onshore, before the north wind returns for the latter part of the week.
We entered the last quarter moon phase yesterday and this half moon means neap tides once again. Minimal tidal flow for a couple of days will appeal to many folks, as the making tides trigger a feeding response and subsequent localised movement of many key spring target species. If you can get out on the briny this week, then do so, as there are good things to look forward to.
Bigger Tailor but Not as Many this Week on Fraser
Reports from Fraser varied a little this week, but all had the same general theme – bigger tailor, but not as many. Those camped at Orchid only managed quite modest catches from local gutters, as well as from the Waddy Point and Indian Head surrounds. Waddy proved a tad better than Indian for at least one crew, yet comments regarding the built-up sandbanks on the north-western side are notable.
Bird activity in that area was substantially less than what was observed in recent weeks. Traffic on the beach was down all week too (which no-one was complaining about). There was the odd decent jewfish caught amongst the tailor, yet those seeking dart struggled compared to recent efforts. No word from Ngkala or further north at this time, however, one might anticipate some interesting captures towards the cape this late in the season as can be the case some years.
The weather has been largely manageable all week, and there is no sign of weed in the northern sector. Disappointment with the surf fishery lead one large crew to venture through the island to Wathumba Creek and they enjoyed champagne whiting fishing. Quite a few legal fish were thrown back as the lads hauled in some serious quality and went home happy with a great fresh feed from the sand.
Word from down around the Cathedrals was relatively similar to up north. No weed, and some excellent tailor caught. Numbers were again less than they have been previously, but the average size, quite often 60cm or so, made up for that. Dart were found in the odd gutter, but nothing mind-blowing. Pippies are apparently quite abundant down south and many crews are bagging their limit down Eurong way as they head up the beach.
Big trout featured amongst the reefies Riley brought home from his 1770 trip.
Josh with a 1770 red from a recent trip.
Riley again, with a sample of the reds the lads caught off 1770.
Mackerel and Flathead, the Standouts at the Pier
Urangan Pier is still hosting a significant quantity of herring, though the fishing over the past few days has been quite lack lustre. There has been the odd flathead caught, and a few broadies, but dirty inshore waters have left the pier fishos a little bored at times. Making tides this week should bring another wave of pelagic activity. Expect the return of school mackerel and maybe a couple of more spaniards, queenies or goldies.
Neap tides do not favour the whiting fisho, so you would be relying on stirred-up waters from northerly winds (or storms) to create an interim bite at this time. Give it a few days though, and the tides will kick enough to warrant further investigation. Try the beaches and mudflats at the outskirts of town at this time, and rely on those tiny little surface lures to excite the whiting cruising the skinniest of flats.
Head for our local creeks this week and you could be in for a treat. Barramundi and mangrove jacks are active once again and some surprisingly large specimens take up temporary residence in some fairly insignificant waters. Wander upstream whilst the tides aren’t draining too much, then retreat for the creek mouth and adjacent flats when the tides build later next week.
River Heads itself could be quite entertaining this week. Depending on water quality at the time of your session, you could be catching mackerel, bream and flathead, or blue salmon, a thready, a barra or a jewie. Nocturnal fishos may achieve the best results from the latter, though even then, timing is everything. The heads is a fickle fishery for the landlubber flicking lures, and the sand flies and mozzies certainly don’t make it any more appealing for dawn and dusk sessions.
Louise enjoys wandering local foreshores and often scores flatties and salmon for her efforts.
The quality of the whiting is a little varied at present, but a good feed is still fairly easy on the bigger tides.
Shallow Reefs are Ultra-Popular
Somewhat turbid inshore waters, created by prevailing northerly winds has kept the spearos at bay and the local fishing fraternity has pounced on the opportunity. Coral trout have been the number one target for many. Some are happy to target them as they always have with baits of pilchard, large banana prawn or other whole baitfish. More and more others are favouring the trolling approach these days though, whilst a few also prefer to drift and work lures within inches of the reefy bottom.
The neaps won’t improve the catch rate for the lure fishing approaches in the shallows, but it will only be a matter of days until enough tidal flow will change that. Early starts are advised, and some consideration for the future of this fishery would also be suggested. You don’t have to keep a coral trout just because it is legal you know. The average reduced size of Hervey Bay’s bar-cheeked coral trout these days due to constant effort is very obvious.
Having said that there is a better class of trout in deeper waters if you can find them without the sharks finding you. Good luck with that on some popular sites! Estuary cod numbers far out-weigh trout numbers in deeper waters, and they are a larger fish on average too. They fall for the very same tricks as the trout do and feed at the very same times. They may not be as glamorous, or as quick, but they aren’t nearly as fussy either. Take a couple of smaller models and let the bigger cod go to keep our reefs in good shape.
Some excellent late season snapper were caught quite close inshore last week. Fish beyond the 80cm mark were found by a few lucky fishos as they hopped lures past reef systems lousy with baitfish. As alluded to recently, the snapper season is fast coming to a close inshore, so make the most of each major moon phase in the meantime, or at least until the sharks suggest otherwise. There is more than one good reason to take a deep diver or two for a casual stroll (troll) this time of year.
An impressive snapper for a young bloke. There were some beauties caught in the bay last week.
It was a very happy crew aboard this boat last week. Prime snapper had the kids hooting and hollering.
Yet another impressive catch for such a young fella. Sadly, we couldn't ID these boys with their snapper for full cred, but are happy to share.
Mackerel and Marlin Keeping Many Crews on the Move
One of the reasons for trolling deep is marlin, believe it or not. Word from a guy that trolled Nomad DTX Minnows and Magnum Rapala X-Raps and scored 3 baby blacks for his efforts is quite remarkable, yet not altogether surprising. Landing 3 billfish on such treble-clad lures is the remarkable (and commendable) bit; getting the bites not that surprising. Accidental captures were reported from bay waters well before anyone deployed a teaser and some skirts/baits out the back for a troll, and some other crews hooked more fish trolling garfish deep when surface presentations failed to draw a fish recently.
It is unlikely that boat traffic is an issue to baby blacks, as typically, the bigger and noisier the vessel, the more fish it attracts. Consider adding a deeper diving minnow-style lure to your spread for trips in the near future, as apparently the guy mentioned above had attempted conventional trolling tactics for no result before changing lures and scoring bigtime. Food for thought perhaps.
Masses of baitfish were observed rounding Rooneys Point in very ordinary weather earlier this week. Schools of large mullet, and schools of large herring were substantial. Fodder for pelagics including any marlin in the area no doubt. We finally have some decent weather and making tides on a fast-waning moon so the marlin fishery might get a boost this week. Many crews are geared-up and eager, so if the fish are there and they rise, then there should be plenty of tail-walking action to behold. This next new moon will be very interesting, and very telling.
In the meantime, those pesky mackerel keep annoying would-be marlin fishos. Bite-offs, snipped baits and generally making a nuisance of themselves; many school and spanish mackerel have been to blame. The first early season spotties have been caught too already, so Platypus Bay and Rooneys is no place to be a baitfish right now.
The schoolies can be found from out wide all the way inshore. You really don’t have to travel far at all if schoolies is all you seek. The waters off Gatakers Bay and Toogoom have hosted plenty of late, and the good old Bait Grounds continues to give up a feed. Head for the Burrum 8 Mile or Fairway if you prefer, but be prepared to suffer losses to the dreaded noahs.
There has been bonito in the mix, some tiny spaniards too, along with many sizeable broad-barred mackerel. This season’s broadies have been a real standout and have thrilled many kids and adults alike. Spinning for them with spoons is as popular as ever, yet many folks trip over them whilst trolling. Trollers have plenty of reason to cheer at this time, as they can fish for many species in a day with a few simple tactical changes.
Send a couple of high-speed minnows out the back and drag them around at 6-8 knots and it won’t be long before your drag is squealing to the tune of a panicked mackerel. Troll deeper and at speed and there will be more mackerel and perhaps a few trevally or a big coral trout to boot. Tighten your drag a notch or two and slow it down to dredge even deeper, and snapper, cod and more trout might join the party. And this might be all some time after you have already pulled a couple of trout for dinner from the shallows not far from the ramp.
Stuart spends a lot of time fishing our inshore waters and enjoys success regularly. This big broadie is one of his latest captures.
The schoolies are thick throughout much of the bay and Hot Reels Fishing Charters are catching their share.
Mac tuna make up for the general lack of longtails in the bay this time of year. Larger models go nearly as hard too.
Lots of Big Cobia in the Northern Bay
October has always been a big month for cobia fans in these parts and if word from out at the Gutters is anything to go by, then this spring has been a beauty. Even in the heyday of the Gutters many years ago, local crews didn’t bother too much with those grounds at this time of year. The north wind made it tough going to get there, mackerel were a nuisance, the trout were yet to peak and the best of the reds and snapper had moved on. We enjoyed the luxury of being fussy. These days it is very different however, as early spring is one of the few times you can successfully fish those waters without constant depredation from those incessant sharks.
The Gutters is fishing quite well apparently. It might be catches of big cobes and hordes of mackerel bringing smiles to dials as much as the much sought after red fish, but it is encouraging to hear of any good catches from up that way. Those familiar with night-time tactics should fare well right now, boosting their chances of snapper, reef jacks and other lutjanids. In time, the trout bite will improve, but it is hard to ignore recent history and the ever-present threat of sharks once the boat traffic increases in times of sustained better weather as spring passes into summer.
Get up there this weekend and you are likely to score a nice mixed bag of reefies. You might score some trout, cod, scarlets or even a red or two, but your catch is likely to be supplemented by the usual box fillers such as grassy sweetlip, various perch and other sweetlips. Night-time hangs or drifts targeting snapper when the tides build again would be warranted, especially alongside reefs hosting substantial bait schools.
Don’t bother heading for the Gutters or Rooneys reefs, or beyond for that matter, during the upcoming week, unless you do so outside the 2nd and final Coral Reef Fin Fish Closure. The taking of fish within the CRFF Plan is prohibited from those waters between the dates of Tuesday 29th October and Saturday 2nd November, inclusive.
Be prepared for those big oversized cobia up there and do your best to handle them with respect so they get to swim and fight another day. If keeping a large cobia is to your fancy then you better have a big esky and a serious donger to subdue it efficiently. The bigger fish are a real handful boatside let alone in your boat.
Many a gaff-man has failed to secure his first cobia first try and many more will suffer the same embarrassment and bewilderment when such a muscle-bound beast unleashes its power on the gaff. Zip-up insulated fish bags were almost custom-built for fish such as these, so invest in one if you have plans to keep fish that large. Otherwise, just take a happy snap and let them go. Many a first-time XOS cobia filleter has wished they did in the past.
It is smiles all round when monster cobia are hauled in on Hot Reels Fishing Charters.
This school cobia is a manageable size fish for keeping. They are quite tasty if trimmed well, but there is a slime factor once on ice.
Annual Barramundi Closure Looms Near
If catching saltwater barramundi, or indeed any barramundi not contained in waters held back by recognised stocked impoundment dam walls, appeals to you, then you basically have this week to do so. Come November 1st, barra will be off the hit list for three very long months. Yes, you can head to a dam to target them, but salties and other ponded fish must be left alone.
Our waters certainly house some very impressive barra, second only to the mighty Fitzroy River system I would suggest. They have gotten over their winter-time stubbornness and apparent dose of lockjaw and have been biting reasonably well just of late. No experienced local barra fisho wants to see fleets of boats on our rivers chasing them, least of all yours truly, yet that scene is unavoidable these days sadly. It is just too easy now, with side-scan and live-scope technology bringing these fish within the grasp of the masses.
It is fair to assume that our rivers will be hectic this week. Many will fail miserably, whilst those succeeding will do well to keep their captures from prying eyes and passers-by. Reading the river will be the first stumble for the uninitiated, so if that is you, then give yourself time to explore. The Burrum system will offer the best chance of success, yet the Mary always stands out as the home of our biggest fish. You stand a decent chance of metre beaters in either system right now.
Jacks will join the fray if you head for the Burrum, and you might even discover that system’s sneaky threadfin population. There has been plenty of flathead caught throughout the system recently too, and some fine grunter were happy to take baits or softies in the lower-mid reaches not that many days ago.
The Mary’s threadfin salmon population is scattered and a lot harder to track down than they normally are at this time of year. That said, it is only a matter of scanning likely waters, vibe at the ready, and you are potentially just a spot or two from success. Fall back on a bit of fun with the daggy old blue salmon if you must, or see if the grunter, flathead and jewfish closer to the heads are keen to play.
No doubt the Great Sandy Straits will see plenty of traffic this week. Eager barra fans will lead the charge, but some are sure to get distracted by schools of salmon or grunter, if not the more obvious tuna and queenfish. Time spent chasing jacks within Fraser’s western creeks could be very fruitful, and the post-spawn flathead population is bound to get a touch up.
If all of that just doesn’t appeal, and you favour the lightest of tackle, then set your sights on a day or two later next week to target the abundant whiting and bream on offer. The bream schools are marching back up our rivers and they are very hungry since spawning. Whiting in the lower reaches of the rivers, or within certain creeks of the straits and adjacent flats will be worth pursuing again once there is sufficient run in the tide.
Steve caught this local saltwater barra, amongst others. You only have this week to target them then they are off limits.
Quillan Tarr was stoked with this stonker mangrove jack. It stretched the tape to 52cm and was caught on a mullet strip after a torrid battle.
Muddies for dinner can be challenging at this time. Head upstream and put in the effort for better results like Ray did.
Successful Lake Monduran Family Fishing Classic
Mondy regulars steered clear of the lake last weekend as the annual Family Fishing Classic was run and won. There was a huge crowd, but the fish bit very well and many big barra were caught. For those keen on the stats, you can google the event, but essentially the winning fish were as follows:
Largest senior barra 122cm, largest junior 110cm; largest senior bass 2.69kg, largest junior 2.17kg; largest senior eel-tailed catfish 2.26kg, largest junior 2.16kg; largest senior forky-tailed catfish 4.45kg, largest junior 3.65kg. There were a few other prizes for ‘bags’ of fish and many lucky draws to give everyone a chance of a prize. Various methods of capture were permissible, including trolling, and many fine barra were caught via that method. This was a notably successful comp when compared to those of recent years. A sure indication of the quality of fishing on offer.
The lake took a direct hit from the storm early last night which must have been quite exiting for those unfamiliar with such events. Luckily, Mondy offers ample hideaways to escape the ferocity of storm-borne winds, but you can imagine the chaos at the ramps if the crowds tried to exit the water pre-storm. Mondy must have been fishing very well for the past few days. Expect a busy lake from now right into summer as more and more hopefuls descend on it for their chance at a mighty Mondy barra.
The clear waters of Awoonga continue to fish quite well. Night time efforts are out-shining daytime, but fish can be caught right around the clock. Windy conditions certainly give you an edge in cleaner waters; the ruffled surface offering the barra more favourable feeding opportunities. The upcoming new moon period will be very popular on Awoonga, and with such huge fatties taking a wide range of lures, including topwater, there should be some sensational sessions enjoyed.
Lenthalls is also fishing well, and will continue to do so unless we get substantial run-off rains. The barra might be smaller, but there is lots of them and there is no issue with crowds. Lenthalls barra are big fans of topwater lures, and this is the perfect place to hone your skills. Enjoy the peace and quiet of the Lenthalls scene and mix up your barra fishing with some effort on the bass and you will be impressed with the determination and muscle of the lake’s chunky bass population.
Ben headed for Mondy and enjoyed success with barra such as this one.
The average size of a Mondy barra is very impressive these days. Here's John with a recent example.
Make Your Vote Count on Saturday
If you haven’t already voted in the Qld state election, then you get your chance this Saturday. This election has been the LNP’s to lose according to the mainstream media, yet recent debates and airtime has swayed many folks so much that they almost might. The latest from the pollsters still has the LNP a neck ahead as of this morning. The sitting labour government has had to respond to a barrage of criticism of its handling of so many issues that impact our lives these days, yet the offerings from the alternative major party falls short of the mark too.
Make up your own mind without any influence from the likes of me of course, but ensure you make your vote count. Be extra careful with the other numbers you place on the ballot paper other than your number one preference. Remember what the city-centric Greens attitude is towards recreational fishos and those of us that actually live in ‘the country’ and like to enjoy the outdoors. We do not need more restrictions on our enjoyment of the Australia we love so dearly.
Good luck out there y’all …… Jase
Mondy barra of all sizes have been on the chew, and they are eating a wide range of lures.
There is plenty of barra biting in our impoundments and families galore and getting in on the action.
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