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Mixed Catches Despite Weather Challenges
It was encouraging to witness favorable weather conditions over the past weekend, allowing anglers to seize the opportunity and reel in some rewarding catches. Despite the wind’s strength, fishing enthusiasts maximized the improved conditions, enjoying fruitful outings and securing noteworthy fish. However, as I compose this report, the outlook for the upcoming weekend seems less promising, with forecasts indicating an increase in southeastern winds and offshore swells. Nevertheless, sheltered inshore waters remain viable options for those eager to brave intermittent rain showers. As always, it is advisable to stay updated with the latest weather forecasts before embarking on any fishing expedition. Let’s delve into the highlights of this week’s fishing activity.
Seaway Action: Mangrove Jack and School Jewfish Highlights
The Gold Coast Seaway has been bustling with activity in recent days, with anglers encountering substantial catches of high-quality Mangrove Jack and sizable school Jewfish, serving as the primary target species. Additionally, the Seaway has been teeming with abundant schools of bait, making it an ideal location to pursue a diverse array of voracious predators. Mangrove Jack and Jewfish have been congregating in significant numbers, particularly around the North Wall and the pipeline. As noted in previous reports, anglers seeking larger, hard-fighting fish are advised to upscale their gear to mitigate the risk of opportunistic sharks intercepting their prized catches. Furthermore, a variety of other species, including Queenfish, Tailor, Trevally, Spangled Emperor, Grassy Sweetlip, Bream, Tarwhine, and Flathead, may also be encountered in the area. Optimal fishing times coincide with the first couple of hours preceding and following a tide change, minimizing the impact of strong currents. Additionally, monitoring swell conditions is recommended for those planning weekend fishing excursions.
Crab Hauls in Broadwater and Jumpinpin
With water quality showing signs of improvement in the Broadwater and around Jumpinpin, anglers have reported successful hauls of Sand Crabs along the edges of main channels in both regions. In the Broadwater, productive areas include Wave Break Island, Crab Island, and the Aldershots, while around Jumpinpin, promising spots encompass the Neverfails, Bedrooms, Canaipa, and the mouth of Tiger Mullet Channel. Furthermore, Mud Crabs continue to be plentiful, with notable locations including the Coomera River, Pipmapa River, Brown Island, Tipplers Passage, Jacobs Well, Cabbage Tree Point, Logan River, Russell Island, and Karragarra Island. Preferred baits for Mud Crabs include mullet, fish frames, and raw chicken pieces.
Offshore Outlook: Spanish Mackerel Closure and Varied Catches
Once the wind and swell conditions stabilize, anglers will eagerly resume offshore expeditions. However, it’s essential to note that the first closure period for Spanish Mackerel in southeast waters commenced on February 1st, 2024, and will persist until February 21st, 2024, followed by a subsequent closure from March 1st, 2024, to March 21st, 2024. Prior to the onset of southeastern winds, anglers managed to secure satisfying catches throughout the week. Beyond coastal waters, a few Marlin have been captured while trolling lures along the 50 to 100 fathom line. Closer to shore, the presence of small Black Marlin has been inconsistent. Targeting bait schools within the 36 to 50 fathom line with skirted lures or live bait may yield favorable results. Depending on prevailing currents, anglers have enjoyed diverse catches, including Snapper, Pearl Perch, Job Fish, Yellow Tail Kingfish, Amberjack, and Dolphin Fish, primarily on the 50 fathom reefs. Additionally, the 36-fathom line has proven fruitful, yielding catches of Snapper, Pearl Perch, Tusk Fish, Trag Jew, and Dolphin Fish. Despite intermittent challenges posed by wind, swell, and currents, fishing efforts have remained productive, with notable catches recorded at the 18 and 24 fathom reefs, comprising Snapper, Moses Perch, Tusk Fish, Trag Jew, Maori Cod, and Sliver Jew.
By adapting to prevailing conditions and strategically selecting fishing locations, anglers continue to enjoy rewarding experiences along the Gold Coast, demonstrating resilience and proficiency in pursuit of their passion for angling.
Quotes from the Boats
Brad from Brad Smith Fishing Charters reports
“This week was once again about utilizing the hot humid weather to chase some Mangrove Jacks. The jacks thrive through our summer months, and I like to focus heavily on them from now until April. Most of our bites came from very early morning starts coinciding with the tide changes. We caught some small fish and landed a few good ones and got destroyed by a few monsters, so it was a pretty expensive week due to lure losses. At the end of the day if you are not losing a few lures to snags or monster Jacks scrapping you up in the snags you are probably not fishing for the red devils properly.“
Clint from Gold Coast River Charters reports
“Another week of awesome fishing with the Sand Whiting hanging around in the biggest numbers I’ve ever seen. Usually, this time of year wading is the best way to catch lots of Whiting during the day. For three weeks straight now, we have been catching 20-70 fish per day by drifting the Broadwater in the one to three metre depth range. There are also numbers of beautiful quality Blue Swimmer Crabs on the days we take the pots. A feed of quality sized sand whiting and sand crabs is very hard to beat! There is also a large mass of big Tarwhine and Bream around TSS. The run-out tides are ideal and getting bigger with king tides later in the week. There will be some great fishing periods. Options include wading and drifting for Whiting, trolling the Southern Broadwater, vibes, soft plastics like the new Fish Craft Dr Prawn as well as move in to prawn season.“
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 [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_raw_html]JTNDZGl2JTIwaWQlM0QlMjJjYm94LTVTbTQ3M0p3RHpJZ01TRlklMjIlM0UlM0MlMkZkaXYlM0U=[/vc_raw_html][stm_sidebar sidebar=”651″][/vc_column][/vc_row]