By JACK MANGROVE
WITH the big seas and wet and windy weather, anglers have sought sanctuary in the Noosa River. With the river fishing sensationally over the last week, it will only get better with the approach of the new moon. We will see larger tides in the evenings, so with this there should be an increase in the predatory activity as bait is brought in with the tide. But don’t rule out a fish in the morning as the morning tide is also perfect for the river. Trevally is on everyone’s mind, and with a great variety in the river at the moment, we certainly are spoilt for choice. As a table fish, trevally are not up there but if you come across a nice golden trevally these are a very good table fish. Golden trevally are best eaten fresh as freezing tends to soften the flesh. Another strong tasting fish is tailor, and these are also on the chew in the river, both trevally and tailor will take live baits, fresh mullet and dead baits but the most fun is catching them on lures, with surface lures in the low light periods probably the most exciting. Woods Bay is probably one of the hot spots, but the river is full of trevally. Down towards the mouth, big bream are also on the chew, some of these fish have some real size to them and as they are spawning at the moment and are full of milt. Keeping the big ones is probably doing all anglers a service as these are the breeding stocks that help to keep the river plentiful, so if a feed of bream is what you are after, take legal fish and only photos of the big ones, let’s face it these fish are too good to catch only once. Flathead are also prolific in the river at the moment, and there have been some good quality fish boated over the last week, these are by far one of the best fish to fish soft plastics to, pink reds and earthy colours seem to work the best with prawn profiles also a favourite for a hungry flathead. Another great addition to the soft plastic is sent, do a little research and you will find anecdotal evidence that these wipe on scents defiantly improve your catch. So, on behalf of Jack Mangrove, best of luck on your fishing adventures.
