Well what a start to the week ahead! Australia day really turned it on with clear skies and light winds that all could enjoy. From Noosa the bar crossing has been easier with early morning high tides and light winds. Unfortunately the beautiful conditions didn’t last and with 20 knot winds hitting the coast the only option was to stay in the river.
Most anglers headed to one of two locations with North reef the more popular for reef fishing and Sunshine Reef for pelagics. North reef has been pretty consistent with pearlies, tuskies, snapper and lipper. Sunshine has had some huge Spanish over 25KG which have been taking big trolled baits. If you do catch and keep one of these bigger fish be sure when you eat it to only have a small piece. Ciguatera could be present and although it has not shown up you can’t be too careful. If targeting big fish like this be sure you run a decent length of wire to prevent bust off’s. With the reduction in rainfall, Halls Reef will start to fire up especially if bait gets pushed into the bay following the strong winds.
Surf fishing remains much the same with smaller bread and butter species on offer. For those with long cast outfits then smaller reef fish like snapper and sweetlip are on offer. If looking to do some drone fishing or slide baiting we hold various rods and reels that will let you have enough hook setting power on big fish. This is the time of year when big GT and Spanish come in a lot closer and become a viable target. This is a popular method around Fraser Island as bigger pelagic often swim through.
Fishing the Noosa River is one of the best options for when the strong South Easterly winds start to blow. This is because it is protected and many locations are available, especially to the land based angler. Along Gympie Terrace you will find cleaner conditions with the wind from behind as you fish. This is a particularly great spot for whiting and smaller trevally. The sand flats often hold good numbers of whiting in the daytime and light running rigs with live beach worm will certainly find the fish. If you are a lure angler then small lures like the Atomic K9 in orange wander is a classic whiting colour for when they are refusing all other colours. The river mouth is also a great spot and with the spring tides now behind us the current will drop and allow you drift baits in the channels for flathead and trevally. If after bream then try around the rocks of the dog beach and inside woods bay. While the river is still running darker it is best to stay in these areas as this is likely to be where the fish are.
Freshwater continues to fish well and with the winds you can always find shelter in a protected bay. Lake Macdonald has some great areas to fish out of the wind. Borumba also offers some great spots but it can be hard when the winds get up as the wind can funnel around the dam. With the fish very much staying deeper lures to use would be deeper diving hardbodies on the troll and vibes like the newer coloured Jackall TN60’s which are very well known bass and yellow belly magnets. With the winds set to drop next week let’s hope we can get back to the pelagic run and some big fish stories.
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 Davo’s Tackle World, Davo’s Boating and Outdoors in Noosa and Davo’s 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!
