Fishing Report

Hi Everyone. I hope you are all having a nice week. We had a few good weather windows during the week to get out for fish, which was good news whilst the Spanish Mackerel season was open.

Unfortunately, the weather is not looking good for the weekend with the southerly winds picking up on Friday and the swell increasing offshore for the Gold and Tweed Coasts. At the time of writing my report Sunday was looking the best.

Let’s check out what’s been on the bite this week.

Mud Crabs

The rain we had a couple weeks ago seemed to do the trick on the mud crabs around the Gold Coast with some good catches reported. It has been a relatively dry summer compared to normal, we usually rely on heavy rainfall to flush the mud crabs out. The bit of rain we had recently was just enough to stir up the mud crabs and push better numbers out of the creeks to target.

It will be worth soaking the pots if you are heading out for a fish. Some good areas to try are Tallebudgera Creek, Currumbin Creek, Brown Island, Paradise Point, Coomera River, Pimpama River, Aldershots, The Never Fails, Tipplers Passage, Jacobs Well, Tiger Mullet Channel, Cabbage Tree Point, Russell Island and the Logan River. There have also been pretty good hauls of sand crabs from similar areas particularly on the edges of most main channels throughout the Broadwater and Jumpinpin.

Best bait for mud crabs is whole mullet, fish frames and raw chicken pieces. I recommend using a bait bag for best results. The bait bag deters small fish, eels and crabs that get into the crab pots from being able to steal the bait before it’s had a chance to attract the larger crabs. Just make sure you are up to date with all the rules and regulations before targeting a feed.

https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/activities/boating-fishing/rec-fishing/rules/limits-tidal

If you are going to be leaving your pots out overnight try to set them late in the evening and pick them up at first light to avoid having them checked. When crabbing during the day, I try to stay close by and have a fish in the area so I can keep an eye on the pots.

The Spanish On Pause

We had a couple of weather windows during the week and Ben White took advantage on the nice conditions and managed to score himself a great quality Spanish Mackerel trolling lures around the 24 fathom reef of the Seaway.

Unfortunately those looking at fishing for a Spanish the next close has started on 1/3/2023 and extends to 21/3/2023. Once the closure ends it will be fine to target a feed of Spanish.

https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/business-priorities/fisheries/sustainable/legislation/management-changes-for-east-coast-spanish-mackerel

Bottom fishing has been a bit slower the past week, but some lucky fishos have managed to catch a feed of Snapper, Moses Perch, Tusk Fish, Trag Jew, Silver Jew from the closer reefs whilst out wider on the 36 and 50 fathom grounds a few Snapper, Pearl Perch, Yellow Tail Kingfish, Samson and Amberjack have been landed, with live yakkas having produced the better quality fish.

Looks like the wind and swell will be back up over the weekend – always have the latest forecast before deciding to head offshore.

The Broadwater has also been a bit quiet at times, Jason (see photo in report) managed to catch and release his first Jew Fish on a recent trip. It is worth persisting around the sandbank edges and weed beds for a feed of Whiting, Flathead, and Bream, on both lures and baits with live yabbies being the pick.

QUOTES FROM THE BOATS 

Brad from Brad Smith Fishing Charters reports:

“The fishing this week was a little slow with the tides and gusty south-easterly winds.  We still managed to find a couple of fish by working our lures along the fringes of the river and the odd deep hole that provided some protection from the wind. The species caught were Flatties, Bream, Whiting and a couple of small Big Eye Trevally and Jacks. I am looking forward to next week’s better tides, as well as being excited about trying out MMDs new prawn vibes as they look super cool.”

Clint from Brad Smith Fishing Charters reports:

“Another tough week of fishing with big tides and strong wind. I’m very much looking to smaller tides this coming week to fish the Broadwater. The catch this week included a few Blue Swimmer Crabs, Dusky and Bartail Flathead, Sand and Winter Whiting, Flounder, Squire, Tailor, Tarwhine, using beach worms, Ecogear vibes and MMD soft prawn vibes around Runaway Bay. I used the MMD vibes for the first time and their strike rate was impressive on Flathead. We will be using them a lot.”

Gavin from Sea Probe Fishing Charters reports:

“There have been good catches of Spanish Mackerel in close using live bait and spinning with slugs. Out wider here has also been some goog hauls of Snapper, Pearl Perch and Kingfish. Also, plenty of hard fighting Blue Marlin on the shelf targeted by trolling lures.”

LINKS & INFO

If you have any great catches or photos you would like to share, please email us and let us know how you went. brett@coomerahouseboats.com.au or brett@fishotackle.com.au     

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

Fisho Tackle and Coomera Houseboat Holidays now have Hire  follow the link to view http://www.coomerahouseboats.com.au/our-fleet-type/hire-tinnies/     

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

Good luck with the Fishing. Brett