“CLARKIES” GOLD COAST FISHING REPORT

24/04/2020
Posted by: Hendrik Botha

Hi Everyone, hope you’ve all had a nice week, the weather gods have been turning on some fantastic fishing conditions the past week on the Gold and Tweed and Coasts seeing consistent days with light winds and sunny skies. Let’s check out some options for putting a feed on the plate.

I recommend before heading out on the water that you make sure you check out the latest news from the Queensland Government, New South Wales Government and Maritime Safety Queensland. Fishing for food is allowed at the time of writing this report.

I hit the water last Sunday with my daughter Jess looking for a feed, we fished the deeper channels and edges of Sandbanks in the Broadwater from Wave Break Island in the South to Couran in the North and managed to land over 20 fish on lures. Jess had an awesome day catching and releasing a quality Jew Fish on a metal blade lure fished on 8lb (see photo in report). We basically sounded around until we found shows of bait and fish on the sounder then drifted the lures through the area until we scored a bite. Once we located numbers of fish we would concentrate on that area until the fishing slowed then we moved on. We also kept an eye on the diving birds picking up bait fish from the current lines, these areas were producing some good-sized Tailor. We ended up landing Jew Fish, GT’s, Pennant Trevally, Flathead, Tailor, Bream, Tarwhine and Moses Perch. The lures of choice were 1/2 ounce TT Switch Blades and 4” Zman StreakZ Curly TailsZ rigged on 3/8-3/0 TT Head LockZ jig heads.

 

 

Reports from Offshore early in the week saw a good mixed bag of Snapper, Trag, Moses and Tuskies landed on the 18 to 24 fathom line off the Seaway, the current was up at times making fishing light difficult. Some good bags of Pearl Perch were landed from the 50 Fathom line mid-week, fishos said the current had slowed down considerably out wider making bottom fishing worth a go and were rewarded with a top feed.

Clint and Brad from Brad Smith Fishing Charters reports we all know that going fishing at the moment is subject to debate. Of course, we don’t want boat ramps to be overcrowded and seeing people doing unnecessary stops to get fuel and bait. However, being out on a boat or shore fishing alone or with family or one mate is way safer than visiting the supermarket. Each to their own I guess, as long as it’s safe and legal. if you are getting out to nature and you’re allowed within your postcode, it is great for morale and spirit.

 

The Gold Coast Broadwater has been fishing well. During the neap tides I took the opportunity to fish some deeper water around the seaway and North of there. Ecogear ZX40 and Samaki Vibelicious vibes accounted for Flathead, Snapper, Whiting, Tarwhine, Bream, and Flounder. As always find the bait and you will find the fish. Best areas to fish this coming week in lead up to new moon: Runaway Bay foreshore, Budds Beach, Seaway around tide changes, edge of main channel near Marina mirage.

Tweed is still producing Whiting on MMD splash prawn surface lures, with Honey Bee and Banana Bender the stand out colours, while flathead are growing in number and size in all local rivers.

 

Gavin from Seaprobe Fishing Charters reports awesome conditions outside at the moment with light westerly winds in the mornings, try the 50 fathom line at the moment with no current and a real good mixed bag of fish out there. Snapper, Pearlies, Amberjack, Pig Fish and Silver Jew just using squid, pillies and live bait. Also try the fads on the 36s for feed of Mahi Mahi.

Hope you all have a good week and stay healthy and safe, if you have any great catches or photos you would like to share, please email us and let us know how you went.

New fishing regulations now effective fisheries Queensland http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2019/9/1/new-fishing-regulations-now-effective

Seabreeze is a great website to access a local forecast http://www.seabreeze.com.au/graphs/

If you have any great catches to report or fishing photos please email them to  brett@fishotackle.com.au    Good luck with the Fishing.  Brett