The lead up to the new moon gave us next to no swell offshore and light winds. The Noosa bar however claimed another boat during the low tide so do not reply on any tracks older than a week or so as you could become stuck in the sand. Be sure you are compliant with up to date jackets, v-sheets, flair kits and EPIRB to be safe on the water
North reef has been very popular with snapper very much on the menu. These fish have been taking everything from plastics, deep dropped baits and of course the classic pilchard floater on a gang hook. Other fish included pearlies, maori cod, tuskies and some medium sized cobia. Closer in, Sunshine Reef has sizable snapper, cobia, sweetlip, cobia and even coral trout. Paternoster rigs will always work well and if floating baits, be sure to use some bait wrap to help present your bait and keep it intact.
The Noosa River has been fishing well for bream, whiting, tailor, flathead trevally and queenfish. Still the lower part of the river is fishing better with the dog beach, frying pan, around Weyba Bridge and Woods Bays the favourites. With the super clear water be sure to fish lighter 4-6lb lines and leaders, especially when lure fishing. Scents are a must for soft plastic anglers as is refining your technique so help trick those fish into biting. Be sure to carry a landing net as big fish can and do get lost boat or bank side and keep the net out of the water until the last second. Mud crabs are still on the move as we have had some heavier evening showers and with the new moon behind us the tides will begin to slow.
Surf fishing has been, however smaller tailor and standout bream are all along the coast, especially around the headlands of Noosa and Arkwright. Great options include the gutters and drop off along the river mouth and the north shore side of the frying pan. This area is changing a lot and new ground is getting exposed daily so pick the turn in the tide as the tides become weaker.
Freshwater has been fishing well in the consistent conditions and the winter bass are schooling in the main basin at Borumba and the deeper sections of MacDonald. Anglers are reporting good catches on slow trolled spoons and heavy jigheads with 2-3 inch sized soft plastic curly tails slowly wound through the schooled up fish. Saratoga are quieter as we approach their breeding season and if after one persistence will certainly pay off. As you approach be sure to do so with stealth as these fish are very timid this time of year.
So on behalf of Jack Mangrove, best of luck on your fishing adventures!
