With 20 knot winds and 2m swell, the offshore crew were put on hold. At the start of the week a few boats crossed the bar and fished the local reefs of Sunshine and North reef. The usual catches included snapper upwards of 70cm, small pearlies, sweetlip and tuskies. The big Spanish have just about left and there are small sized tuna around the headlands and inner reefs of Halls and Stingrays.
Take a look at getting smaller slugs into these smaller fish as there is every possibility of a larger fish just under them. With the rains the inshore reefs should see some great action, so break out the soft plastics and prawn profile plastics and work the lower cleaner water column.
The Noosa River will have changed from all the rain so stay in the lower areas unless catfish are your target. With the water clarity being poor this is the time to use lures with heavy vibration and add a bit of extra weight to your jigheads. This ensures your plastics will stay in the lower cleaner water and gives fish a chance to see them. Soft vibes and metal blades are a must with the trevally and flathead.
The new moon on Wednesday should see the fishing start to fire up, especially around Sunday so work your spot with a range of lures, plastics and baits. Flathead are still present and most likely to be found during the run out tide on sand flats like the area around the dog beach sand bags.
The early morning high tides would be a great time to chase trevally and tailor on surface so use them to your advantage this week. These bigger incoming tides often see the trevally pushing the bait into tight balls before taking them down. Medium sized walkers and poppers worked with speed work very well during this time.
Be sure to run a heavier leader as the tailor are in the mix. Focus your attentions around Munna Bridge, Woods Bay and Munna Point and along Gympie Terrace.
The freshwater temperatures have dropped and a lot of the local dams have reached 100% capacity or very close to it. This influx of cooler water will see the bass sit deeper and they may even start to school up so look around the dam walls. Use heavier weighted soft plastics in grub and curly tail style and use a slow retrieve through the schools once you have sounded them up.
Be sure to use plenty of scent and give the fish a chance to take hold before setting hooks.
So on behalf of Jack Mangrove, best of luck on your fishing adventures!
