With offshore on hold due to the cyclone swell and the solid 6-8 foot swell making landfall we should see the channel move and hopefully open things up.
All the rain we had in the middle of the week in combination with post full moon tides saw the river get a good flush out too which often sees the fishing improve. For the meantime if you are an offshore angler check your safety gear is in date and be prepared for the inevitable drop in swell.
Before the swell arrived a few boats did fish in close and picked up some solid sweetlip and a few coral trout off Sunshine Reef. If there is one thing the reef fish love it’s a big downpour and jump in swell! Try slow fall jigs on the reefs as these stand out with plenty of vibration to really fire the fish up. Baits on paternoster rigs will be dynamite once the seas calm down. Use a pilchard on the lower hook and a squid on the upper hook for best results. If after pelagics you may need to sit out wider beyond the dirty water line or focus attentions around the high tide.
Surf and rock fishing is also very much on hold given the swell. If you are looking to go off the rocks be sure you go with a friend and never take your eyes off the sea as big sneaker sets often roll in. For safety reasons a low profile life jacket is something worth inventing in. Once the swell drops the surf fishing will also improve with many new gutters formed over the last week.
The river has seen some great captures of mangrove jack and flathead on various lure and bait options. These two fish continue to feed hard during big runs of freshwater so fishing is still very much worthwhile doing during this time.
For lure anglers it’s all about prawn profile plastics and soft vibe style lures with a lot of vibration. If using bait then the best would have to be live bait. This is the time of year when owning a cast net really pays off. Be sure to have a decent sized bait bucket and keep water changes regular and have an aerator running. Have a look around Noosa Sound, Noosa Dog beach and the river mouth during lower tidal flow times.
Freshwater may be quieter with Borumba and Lake MacDonald now sitting at over 100 per cent capacity and both spilling. Borumba has now risen three meters in a couple of weeks so the main ramp is open again. This sudden influx of water will see a temperature drop but this will soon balance out and see the fish feeding hard in areas that have been high and dry for many months.
Both dams will also be murky so now is the time for heavier soft vibes, blades, slow rolled soft plastics and tail spinners. Using sounders is important as fish become acquainted with new areas previously high and dry so look for schooled up fish seeking warmer waters. Surface fishing with frogs will also be a great option as will using cicadas around overhanging trees. Look for any water entering these waterways as fish will often sit in the path of this water and feed off anything brought down. As always be quiet on the water and be sure to become familiar with the new layout in the timber and plot your track so you come back to the ramp safely.
So on behalf of Jack Mangrove, best of luck on your fishing adventures!
