By Jack Mangrove
WITH the great conditions we have been having, it’s hard to leave the boat sitting in the shed.
Offshore, good sweetlip have been caught in numbers around Jew Shoal and Sunshine Reef with the odd snapper among them. Micro-jigging has been the way to attract a nice reefies with the new Colt Sniper Range from Shimano a real hit. These jigs come in a range of colors and weights and are perfect for the shallower reefs.
Cobia have been on the chew, with some great fish caught on North Reef – the pilchard floater method has been the most productive, with a run to the outer reefs on the cards.
The reefs up towards Double Island have really been producing, with good sized snapper, Pearlies, red emperor and cobia all hitting the decks. Fishing the Hards and the Barwon Banks has also been productive with some larger pearlies, trag jew snapper, cobia and cod.
The Noosa River mouth has really turned it on this week with everything from school jew, bream, trevally and also big flathead all feeding on bait fish as it is brought in on the run-in tide. Big whiting have been going off around the Dog Beach and Frying Pan – small poppers and live nippers have proven really successful in landing these bigger fish.
Early morning starts, up in the Tewantin Ski Run has proved to be worthwhile for trevally, bream and flathead, with prawns in the river – a lot of the these fish have been falling victim to a slow rolled Zerek Hot Legs live Shrimp.
Further up river between the lakes has been the spot to be for large bream, jacks and school jew, live baits and trolling hardbodies lures have been coming up with the goods. Also casting around the snags has seen good jacks caught over the past week. Fishing these areas can see a few lures left behind, so make sure your drag is up tight as the fish will have you back in the snags before you know it. A good idea is to have a lure retriever on board to help recover some of those expensive lures.
The Noosa Northshore beaches have been fishing particularly well, with whiting, bream, dart and flathead out of the first cutting and towards the mouth – worms, pippies and small pillies have proven the best baits for them.
Tailor are still getting caught between Teewah and Double Island as they make their way south after spawning at Fraser Island. Pilchards have been the bait of choice; fresh mullet has also gotten the job done.
In the fresh water, bass are in good numbers in both Lake Macdonald and Lake Borumba – fishing soft plastics on heaver jig heads has been a great way to tangle with a nice bass.
Remember to make sure you have your fishing permit to fish the fresh water lakes.
On behalf of Jack Mangrove, best of luck on your fishing adventures.
