By Jack Mangrove
The fishing both far and wide is only getting better for anglers headed to Double Island. Big reds in the form of scarlet sea perch, red emperor and snapper have been on offer as well as amberjack, sweetlip and cobia. The Barwon Banks is also holding big snapper along with cobia and pearl perch. This is the land of big AJ’s so you may get dusted no matter how heavy you go so hold on and tighten those drags! In closer North reef has 3-4kg snapper, pearl perch, tusk fish, cobia and even longtail tuna but not in big numbers. Jewfish have also come from this area so big slab baits and live baits work well here in lighter currents. Sunshine reef proves ever popular for smaller craft and those chasing a feed of smaller snapper, pearlies and sweetlip. Soft plastic fishing works very well here so a lighter 4-6kg spin rod with 20lb braid and 20lb leader is enough to get you going. Lastly don’t forget to drop off any spanner crab dillies as it is the time of year for them and good catches have been reported along the coast.
The local surf fishing will see jewfish and tailor in the evenings around the headlands and river mouths as we approach the new moon so bigger gang hook slab baits, strip baits and even live baits will be the go. For those fishing light during the daytime take some beach worm and fish the inshore gutters for bream, dart and whiting.
The Noosa River has seen mixed species of trevally, flathead and smaller jewies throughout the system. This is the time of year where slow rolling soft plastics with slightly heavier jigheads will entice a bite from a big flathead. The heavier jighead kicks up the bottom and creates interest as you slowly roll it back in. Having scent really helps as fish will follow the lure as they pick up on the scent trail. Fishing Lake Cooroibah, the opposite side of Gympie Terrace toward the frying pan and the current line are some prime spots. Trevally and tailor will be schooling up around woods bay and are hitting surface lures at the end of the day with Woods Bay a popular spot.
The freshwater has seen warmer temperatures so the bass and toga are still feeding. The lead up to the new moon should see a strong bite especially with the warm days and lack of rainfall. Working the weed edges while the sun is overhead will get the fish during the hottest part of the day and toward the end of the day. Spinnerbaits have been successful when all else fails but using suspending baits are a great option. Don’t forget to purchase your SIPS permit for fishing Lake MacDonald and Borumba which can be done online in a matter of minutes.
So on behalf of Jack Mangrove, best of luck on your fishing adventures!
