A fine time off shore

Bill Lacherdis from Sydney boated this quality jewfish on a Cougar One charter to North Reef. 129006

By JACK MANGROVE

WITH the weather at present, it’s not hard to see why there are so many boats out and about. After a quick drive down Gympie terrace on the weekend, it seemed every side street near the ramps had car and boat trailers parked up.
The offshore anglers have had a ball with some sensational fish being caught. North Reef seemed to be the place to be with good sized cobia, dolphin fish and a host of reef fish all on the chew. A little closer in Chardon’s reef also produced some great perlies as well as snapper and sweetlip. The bay has been fishing well with mactuna and bonito smashing the huge schools of frog mouthed pilchards that are around at the moment.
On the river the mouth has been producing a great variety of fish, with the larger tides the bait is making its way into the river and with that, the predators have been feasting. Large flathead, trevally of all kinds, jewies and the odd tailor have all been on the chew. A little further up river there have been some thumper whiting around the dog beach and the frying pan with fish up to 40cm not uncommon. Upriver between the lakes has been the place to be, with jacks and threadfin salmon hitting live baits and trolled lures.
If you have a four by four North Shore has been firing, up toward Double Island tailor are still making the migration southwards after spawning off the coast of Fraser Island, the fish are a little skinny but are hungry and are smashing any tasty morsel that has been presented. On the southern beaches we are again seeing whiting taking sand worms or nippers with prawn attracting dart and bream.
On behalf of Jack Mangrove, best of luck on your fishing adventures!