Well, here we are with another month down as we push deeper into winter. The start of the school holidays was greeted with rain and despite the conditions the fishing has been great. Offshore has seen a slight 1-1.2m swell running and offshore winds especially over the weekend. In the rivers the post moon bite has seen many anglers landing a wide range of species with some trophy fish.
Offshore right now is all about snapper and with the season open until the 15th reports are strong. Fish have come in with the tides last week and the cool change is seeing them hang around. Sunshine, chardons, jew shoal and halls will all be holding their fair share of fish and if you are south of Sunshine then take a trip down to Coolum. Anchoring and running a slow steady burley trail is working very well especially on 20lb gear with a tough fluorocarbon leader like FC Rock. This light line approach has been the go-to method, especially when the sun is out and conditions are calm.
Those on plastics should look no further than the curly tail grubs in pink, white and blue colours. Having these on ¼-3/8th jig heads on 20-30lb leader works wonders. The big snapper are happy to come up the water to just below the surface in search of a feed so keep your plastics in this upper area.
Surf fishing is tarting to fire up with tailor and jewfish now making an appearance all along the coastline. Bait anglers will do well with squid and mullet baits. If you can catch them a bunch of live worm on a hook can also work very well. No matter how you fish for jewfish your actions once the jewfish picks up your bait is al about patience and timing. If you are losing fish, be sure to come in and ask us how to best keep the hooks into these big fish. Tailor are taking surface lures and slugs around the mouths all along the coastline with a mix of trevally swimming with them so break out your medium weight river rods and enjoy these sport fish.
With the rains the river has seen the mud crabs and fish on the move. The river mouth has seen some great fishing with the baitfish holding around this area. They are also holding in woods bay and around the lower estuary area. Like the surf the tailor and GT are feeding together and taking a wide variety of lures and baits. For the young guns the Bassday Sugapen ripped across the surface is picking up big fish and the micro jigs from major craft are also picking up golden and diamond trevally. Bait anglers are finding whitebait and mullet chunks working on flathead and bream. Much like offshore fishing if you can present a single hook on a light line, you will see better results. Running graphite rods and braided line puts you in direct contact with the bites allowing you to feel everything. For those uncertain on how to tie a braid to leader knot please come in and ask us as once you try braid, you’ll be amazed just how sensitive it is.
Freshwater fishing in the dams and lakes has been on hold lately due to poor water quality. This latest rain should see the suspended mud settle and these areas clean up significantly. With potentially clearer water the bass could be just about anywhere but find areas where the heat from the sun (when it’s out) is hitting the bays. Work lures around weed points and edges as weed holds heat. Try slow rolling soft plastics and using micro jigs like the Jackson Iga jig spin. This little lure has worked wonders on shut down fish as it is small and has massive vibration. Winter fish often don’t want a big meal so fish small if struggling to get the bite and you are finding fish on side scan.
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!
