Hi Everyone, hope you have all had a good week, we have been spoilt on the Gold and Tweed Coasts for the past couple of weeks with some perfect Autumn weather. This weekend will see a drop in temperature and a shift in the wind direction as we head closer to winter. Let’s see what’s been happening lately.

I recommend before heading out on the water that you make sure you check out the latest news from the Queensland Government, new regulations are in place from Saturday 1^st of May, New South Wales Government and Maritime Safety Queensland. Fishing for food is allowed at the time of writing this report.

The benefits of all the rain at the back end of Summer have paid off with heaps of bait fish schooling up throughout the entire Broadwater, Jumpinpin and adjoining rivers and estuaries. Fishing will just get batter and better as we edge closer to winter. Currently the Gold Coast Seaway has been a hot spot with massive schools of Yakkas taking up residence. The Yakkas have attracted all kinds of predators for fishos to target including a few prized Mackerel, Tuna, Tailor, Jew Fish, Mangrove Jack, Snapper and big Flathead. The Seaway can be a tricky place to fish with strong currents making going tuff at times. The best time to fish the area is the last hour before and the first hour after a tide change which is also a prime bite time. Just watch how close you get to the pipeline or you will donate your tackle.

Mates James (see Snapper photo in report) and Jason did well trying their luck on the 24 fathom reef off the Seaway last Saturday landing a prized Snapper along with a mixed bag of Moses, Trag and top eating Tusk Fish float lining WA Pilchards and Squid. Once the swell eases up it will be well worth a look for a great feed of reefies.

Customers have landed some nice catches of Whiting in the rivers and throughout Jumpinpin and the Broadwater this week. Local Whiting expert Wayne Young (see photo in report) had a great trip landing a top quality feed in the Nerang River, also try Tiger Mullet Channel, Bedrooms, Canaipa Passage, Shoals at Jacobs Well, Coomera River North and South Arms and Paradise Point. Worms and Yabbies are the best bait.

Clint and Brad from Brad Smith Fishing Charters report the Tweed River continues to provide fun surface action with Whiting, Flathead and Bream willing to chase MMD splashprawns in Banana bender and Honey Bee colours. More Mulloway are showing up in the deeper holes of the middle reaches, Samaki Vibelicious in White bait colour and Ecogear ZX40’s work well for them.

There are a lot of fish moving around the Broadwater chasing big schools of small bait fish. The seaway is the main fish focus with a big variety of fish feeding there including Mackerel, Snapper, Bream and Flathead.

Gavin from Seaprobe Fishing Charters reports another week of great offshore weather, on the 50 fathom line. There is still a good mixed bag of Snapper, Pearlies, Rosy Jobfish, Amberjack, Samson fish and Pig Fish out there just using squid, pillies and live bait are the best options. Also try the fads on the 36s and 50s for some Mahi Mahi with pillies and little lures working best.

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.

Stay up to date with all fishing regulations in Queensland https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/business-priorities/fisheries

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