By JACK MANGROVE
THE fishing over the past week has been nothing short of sensational, with both the Noosa River and offshore scene doing well. Starting at the mouth of the river, school jewfish have been a good option for those wanting to get up early and have a fish. Soft plastics are by far the best way to chase these elusive fish, and small offerings like Zman StreakZ in the 3.75” size work an absolute treat. Further upriver, the Woods Bays are both holding some nice tailor and trevally action, with surface poppers proving extremely effective. Further still, flathead are in good numbers around the Tewantin Ski Runs, and trolling deep diving lures like the 90mm Maria Jerkbaits will give you a great chance of tangling with a lizard or two.
The offshore scene is set to fire in the coming weeks, with both reefies and pelagics starting to come on the chew. Close in, jew shoal, halls and the inner edge of Sunshine reef are really fishing well, with both snapper and sweetlip getting caught in good numbers. Soft plastics really come into their own in this shallow water, and almost nothing beats a 5” Zman JerkshadZ in the Nuked Chicken colour! Out further, the outer edge of Sunshine and out towards Chardons reef, the bigger reef fish have started to come out to play. Snapper, pearlies, big sweetlip, coral trout and maori cod are just some of the tasty critters that have been inhabiting these areas. When fishing this deeper water, octo-jigs are well worth a shot, with their seductive action often tempting the bigger fish from the school to come over and have a look.
Pelagics wise, just outside the Noosa Bar has been holding some great tuna which even smaller vessels have been having fun chasing. Mixed in with these tuna are nice-sized school mackerel (or schoolies) which also make for great chewing.
On behalf of Jack Mangrove, best of luck on your fishing adventures.
