By JACK MANGROVE
In the river, fishing over the weekend has been great, with trevally and tailor carving up in Woods Bay, surface lures like the River 2 Sea Bubble Pop in the 65mm have been working a treat. With a fast retrieve, these lures move a lot of water and imitate a fast moving baitfish fleeing across the surface. Flathead and large bream are still dominating captures at the river mouth, with bream up to 38cm being taken. Mangrove jack have also come back on the scene with the water temperature still up these fish are still actively feeding. Try the stretch upriver between the lakes early in the morning. Casting toward the bank, diving lures have been the go, with the Live Minnow from River 2 Sea a real cracker.
Offshore thing last week was a little quiet with the weather; but for those that did get out, spotted and spanish mackerel were again on the menu, with small schools of fish around the closer reefs. With some nicer weather on the way, the bottom fishing should improve good snapper, sweet lip and pearl perch should all be on the bite as the water temperature drops. Why not give Octo Jigs a go; these are a small squid or octopus imitation that comes in a range of colours and weights that can be hopped around structure and reefs. I have found that if you lace them with a little fresh squid you will generally have a better hook up rate.
The beaches have been performing well; there have been some nice whiting taken at the Frying Pan and also on the North Shore, with the area around Teewah producing some real elbow slappers. With whiting, the old adage “bigger bait bigger fish” really seems to work, so really load up those hooks when baiting up.
On behalf of Jack Mangrove, best of luck on your fishing adventures.
