Well, that’s all folks! That is the last report for 2021 and what a year! As I write this we are sitting on the edge of what could be one of our best pelagic seasons for many years. We will of course have to see how much rain falls between now and then as mackerel do like cleaner water.
For the offshore gang this week has improved from last week where the moon was clearly asserting its dominance over the bite. This week the pelagics have been in close and gave many anglers another option over ham for the traditional crimbo feed. Most have been taken by anglers slow trolling big gar, whole small tuna and slimy mackerel. Of course, the kayak guys have done well with fish exceeding 25KG. For most boat anglers the standard has been around 6-8kg which is the perfect eating size. From the boats, slow trolling Halco Red Head Laser Pro’s and pilchard colours have been working well during the low light of 4am onward.
For those with casting rigs the 15-20 gram slugs like the TT Hardcore and Halco Twisty have been getting the job done. Anyone who was out this week will attest to the fact there is more bait than fish. The number of birds working are in their thousands and if looking for surface feeding fish you may have to change tactics. The mackerel are there, but are anywhere from a few metres down to as deep as hard on the bottom. Using your sounder will really help you find the deeper fish and tray casting into the bait and count it down before winding back for the bite. If you are looking for a new sounder be sure to pop into the boating and outdoors shop next to tackle world and check out our range.
From the beaches you can expect to find a continued run of small whiting, bream and dart. If rock fishing you could do really on mackerel well with 30-40 gram slugs or stickbaits around 120mm in length. As the bait gets pushed in close the predators are sure to follow. Early mornings and end of the day would work well just be sure you play it safe around the rocks if there is any swell.
The Noosa river now has speed restrictions in place so observe the 6 knots signs. For the land based anglers the more popular places to fish are the Dog Beach and the rocks toward the river mouth. You can also try the Woods Bays and head around to the Lions Park and the Noosa Sound. All of these spots are likely to hold trevally, bream and flathead. You can fish lightly weighted whitebait and pilchard baits in the current or flick soft plastics like smaller Keitech Easy Shiners in your favourite colour.
Between the lakes should see the jacks start to fire up before the storms well and truly hit. Flicking soft vibes, paddle tail plastics and diving lures or jerkbaits will draw in the predators. As the water becomes more dirty these will help predatory fish find your offering due to the excessive vibration they emit. If you are not into lures then live baits will work very well. It is important to remember that all livebait has size and bag limits for example, whiting must be of legal size regardless of their intended use.
Freshwater is still very much about an edge bite. Weedless soft plastics have been working well when paired with TT finesse headlocks and slow wound out from the edges. If you are looking to do this then bait cast gear really helps with presentation as you can put pulses through the reel while winding which really helps to bring it too life. These reels work exceptionally well when jerk baiting for bass and other fish like jacks and barra.
Now for all the latest information log onto www.fishingnoosa.com.au for up-to-date bar and fishing reports, don’t forget to drop into Tackle World Noosa, Noosa Boating and Outdoors and Northshore Bait & Tackle in Marcoola for all the right equipment, bait and advice to get you catching. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and remember Tight Lines and Bent Spines!
