With school holidays done and dusted, this week will also see the end of the warm northerlies we have been experiencing as a south east change approaches.
A slight drop in temps will accompany the change along with winds around twenty knots and at this stage it seems that it will be short lived and the swell height will be staying low which looks promising for the offshore fisho’s from this coming Monday onwards.
Beach Travel has been great at present with Mudlo rocks passable at half tide however it will pay to see if the south easterlies change that. If we manage a little rain from this change coming through it should pack the sand down nicely for driving on.
On the land-based fishing front, mulloway are definitely still in great numbers and it’s great to see the majority have been catch and release on soft plastics of late. Finding structure like logs in close proximity to the wide bay bar and working large prawn imitations like the Samaki 4.0” Dr Prawns has been working well. Anglers heading back from Fraser Island have relayed to us how tailor are being ‘poled’ along the beach in record numbers. I recently spoke with QLD fisheries research scientists, and they confirmed it’s a record year for tailor in our region, hopefully the trend keeps building in 2025.
Those targeting sand whiting have been doing especially well at Inskip point off the beach. Using live beach worms, light gear and choosing your timing of the tide is critical for success. Drop in and see us at the store if you need help with this. There is nothing more we love then a cracking whiting session in the surf.
In the Sandy Straits, big flathead and whiting have been in great numbers especially on the ripple banks north of Coolooloi Creek located on the bottom of Fraser Island’s Bluff area. With the SE wind blowing this is a top area to try your hand at nailing them on surface lures like Bassday Sugar pens and Nomad Dartwings. A slow constant retrieve with light rod ticks side to side is one way to get some explosive action on surface with these light weight lures. We have also seen the kick-off of some nice jacks and had confirmation of several anglers being dusted by good size barra over the last week. Fresh whole flicker mullet make excellent bait for jacks, just make sure you use suitably strong hooks as these brutes don’t play fair.
For those venturing offshore this week it’s looking good from Monday onwards. Some big pearlies and reds have been on the menu last week and with the dark moon approaching there should be less run and some great bite periods coming up. For both species, fresh bait and an addition to your rig of a Lumo sinker has proven deadly during early morning and evening bites when the water column is darker. Another hot tip, the pearlies have also been going crazy for big curly tail Lumo grub soft plastics too.
As always, if you want the freshest intel make sure to swing by Gardiner Fisheries at Rainbow Beach. We have the hottest tackle and the freshest bait around. Our team is also incredibly knowledgeable and love nothing more than helping people get amongst the action and nail that PB fish.
Catch up with you all next week. Until then, stay safe and keep those rods ready!
