Fishing Report

We have been blessed with fantastic weather on the Gold and Tweed Coasts, offering plenty of options for fishing enthusiasts. As we head into the weekend, there may be some rain, so it’s essential to check the latest weather forecast before heading offshore.

Targeting Jewfish

The cooler winter weather signals the mullet run, attracting local predators like Jewfish near ocean entrances. The past weeks have seen quality Jewfish being caught. For the best chance of success, focus on night fishing during the last hours of the run-in tide and the first hours of the run-out tide. Live bait, especially mullet, is the key to enticing larger Jewfish.

Beach Fishing for Tailor

If the swell remains manageable, beach fishing for Tailor is a great option. Top-quality fish have been landed recently, making it an ideal time to try your luck. Sunrise and sunset are prime fishing times, and it’s recommended to arrive early to identify the best gutters. Bait fishing at night and early morning with WA Pilchards, Bonito Fillet, or Mullet Fillet on gang hooks is effective. During the day, casting Metal Slugs, Surface Poppers, and Surface Walkers into the gutters can yield exciting surface strikes.

Offshore Fishing

The recent run of good weather has made offshore fishing a viable option. Close reefs near the Gold Coast have seen a drop in water temperature, resulting in good catches of Cobia, Jewfish, Snapper, Spangled Emperor, and more. However, sharks have been active in some areas. On the wider grounds, the 36 and 50 fathoms reefs offer opportunities for Pearl Perch, Snapper, Amberjack, Samson, and Yellow Tails Kingfish.

Quotes from  the Boats

Brad from Brad Smith Fishing Charters reports:

“Fishing the lower reaches of the Tweed River especially on the run-in tides delivered the best results. The run-in tides brought in some clearer oceanic water with a higher density of salinity. Flatties, Bream and School Jew were the species caught with some really top-quality Flatties being the highlight. Deep water jigging produced a few fish but by far the best results came from trolling and covering some ground. The weather and tides are looking good for next week so as always, I look forward to hitting the water.”

Clint from Brad Smith Fishing Charters reports:

“Some typical Autumn days this week with glassed out mornings, just stunning. Despite the small tides, we still had some great fishing, especially Squid! The Arrows are coming on well, and there has also been some Tigers and even Cuttlefish. Using Duel, Ecogear, and Fish Inc squid jigs we have been catching 20-50 squid, adding some attractant to the jigs helps get aggressive attacks. Spray some near the hook end to get the squid sniffing. Pro-Cure Bait Scents and the Ecogear Squid scent sprays are by far the best. Natural colour jigs are working best when the sun is higher. Apart from Squid we caught heaps of Flounder, small Flathead, Bream, Tarwhine, Winter Whiting, and Tuskfish. The standout lure was Ecogear Australia ZX40 in 440 colour by miles. All the areas were fishing well when the tide was running including Southport, the Spit, Carters bank, Biggera, Currigee, Runaway Bay, and Ephraim Island.”

Gavin from Sea Probe Fishing Charters reports:

“Great catches of Silver Jew and Cobia along the 24 fathom line using soft plastics and live bait, look for the bait balls and working them. Also Snapper Tuskies and still some Dolphin Fish around the fads but definitely starting to slow up with the water cooling down.”

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. mail@coomerahouseboats.com.au.

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

Hire a tinnie with your Coomera Houseboat hire to maximise your fishing range on the water:  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