As predicted the wind dropped off into the start of the week with Monday the pick. Even though the sea conditions were a bit lumpy the westerly winds helped flatten things down. This made inshore fishing a pleasure before the winds whipped up late morning.
Many anglers played around with mac tuna and mackerel on Sunshine Reef and a few guys headed slightly wider around Chardons and North Reef. Spanish are yet to arrive in big numbers but they are getting caught with more consistency. The lack in rainfall has seen the inshore conditions improve and these fish love clear warm water. Halls is also a great option if we have stronger southerly swells or winds from the south. If looking for a lure then a small red head Halco Laser Pro will do you well in a mix of colours. The red head and white body is a consistent performer on 30-40lb fluorocarbon leader.
Reef fishing is producing all the usual species of small snapper, sweetlip and tuskies, but while the pelagic fish are around these are by far the most popular. Mahi mahi and wahoo are starting to show up and both of these fish not only look amazing they put on great displays of power and speed. Trolling lures like the new Nomad Madmac and marlin style pusher and jet heads work well on wahoo as they love fast moving lures that let out long bubble trails. To get the best from your fish be sure you always brain spike them, bleed them and get them into a saltwater slurry. This reduces lactic acid and body temperature where more sensitive flesh like tuna can spoil.
The river has been fishing well with the usual estuarine species showing up throughout the system. Flatties will always feature and some bigger oversize fish have also been caught. These big females need to be promptly released and anything over 60-65 is best returned. Bait anglers will do well with live baits or big dead baits. Lightly weighted whitebait is a great option as are pilchards. Lure anglers will do well with just about anything you can get down to the fish. For a great plastic that works well on a traditional jighead or weedless the Molix RT Shad has a great tail thump and profile that many fish find hard to refuse. Jacks have slowed this past week with the building of the full moon. During this time jacks will use the moon to feed making night time fishing the better option. Much like flathead big dead or live baits work well. Daytime whiting fishing should be coming alive along the sand flats of Gympie Terrace and the frying pan. The consistent lack of rain means warm water and clear water which whiting love. Grab some Atomic walkers and Zerek Poparazzi poppers and wade the flats for some of the most exciting styles of fishing. Keep equipment to a max of 6lb and rod in the 1-2 or 1-3 KG range.
Surf fishing has been quiet with the swell but now is a great time to think about land based tuna. As we push into March we should start to see more longtail and mac tuna inshore. This makes land based angling an option with drop in swell and clean waters. Big soft plastics, stickbaits, slugs and just about anything that can be cast 80-100m or more are required to lure a Longie. Use a reel big enough to hold 4-600m of PE3 braid and a rod suitable of casting 2-3 ounces. Be sure you have a gaff long enough should you catch a fish and for safety sakes always fish in pairs.
Freshwater is harder to fish with the daytime temps over 30C and last weekend sitting at 38C. This sees a limited surface bite as the early morning sun tends to drive the fish into the shade or deeper. Borumba is dangerously low and I witnessed every passing boat hitting trees at speed. It is far safer to run electric motors and take your time as some huge trees are just below the surface. Water clarity is a little reduced from the winds but should clear over the coming days. Popular lures are smaller Jackall squirrels, hot bite spectre assist and TT vortex spinnerbaits. Working the shade lines and edges of lilies with a small hard body will entice any fish lying in wait. Always be sure to put in a long enough pause with jerkbaits as most fish will hit during this time. Weedless lures are also a must, especially in Borumba as the weed has grown 3-6 meters from the bank with the drop in the water level. Take your time and enjoy the freshwater this March as spring is usually a great time to be out there.
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!
