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Brett Doolan did well to land this solid Mangrove Jack

CLARKIE’S GC FISHING – New Year’s Crabs and Whiting

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Christmas Storm Chaos and Fishing Success: Navigating the Gold Coast Waters 

The weather took a wild turn on Christmas Day, starting pleasantly but ending with a massive storm wreaking havoc across the Gold Coast. The aftermath left locals with significant damage and a massive cleanup on Boxing Day. As stormy conditions persist this festive season, it’s crucial to stay updated on the weather for a safe and enjoyable time on the water. Despite the challenges, those who ventured out on the water over Christmas managed to land a satisfying feed. As we approach the weekend, showers linger, and a South Easterly wind is expected to pick up on Saturday afternoon, easing on Sunday and shifting more easterly. With New Year’s approaching, be cautious of the increased waterway traffic, and prioritize safety on the water. Always check the latest weather forecast before setting out and let’s explore the recent catches.

Offshore Pursuits: Navigating Unsettled Weather:

Brett with a solid Whiting caught on a recent trip up the Nerang River
Brett with a solid Whiting caught on a recent trip up the Nerang River

For those considering an offshore adventure over the weekend, an early start is recommended to avoid potential unsettled weather, including storms in the afternoon. The 18 and 24 fathom reefs have yielded impressive hauls of Snapper, Trag Jew, Silver Jew, Moses Perch, Tusk Fish, Maori Cod, Spangled Emperor, and the occasional Spotted Mackerel. Heading south, Mermaid Reef, Palm Beach Reef, and the Gravel Patch have seen catches of Spotted Mackerel, with the occasional Spanish Mackerel. Casting metal slugs has proven effective, and for bait enthusiasts, WA Pilchards and Live Yakka’s are top choices. Offshore, chasing Dolphin Fish around the fads has been successful, while Little Black Marlin fishing has been quieter, requiring time and effort, especially when trolling skirted lures.

Mud Crab Bounty After Rainfall:

The recent rainfall has made Mud Crab hunting a rewarding endeavour around the Gold and Tweed Coast. The increased river flow has spurred crab activity, making them more inclined to feed. To optimize your catch, set pots in various positions from upriver to down towards the river entrance. Fresh chicken pieces, mullet, and fish frames are effective baits if placed in the right crab-rich spots. Explore locations such as the Tweed River, Tallebudgera Creek, Coomera River, Pimpama River, The Never Fails, Jacobs Well, Cabbage Tree Point, Logan River, Russel Island, and Karra Garra Island for a successful crabbing experience.

Whiting Feeding Frenzy Under the Full Moon:

Darren caught this 42cm elbow slapping Whiting on a trip with Clint from Gold Coast River Charters
Darren caught this 42cm elbow slapping Whiting on a trip with Clint from Gold Coast River Charters

The favourable moon phase has created ideal conditions for Whiting fishing, especially during the full moon. Larger tides and increased river currents make it easier for Whiting to find food. Productive spots include the Tweed River, Currumbin Creek, Tallebudgera Creek, Nerang River, Wave Break Island, Crab Island, Coomera River, Pimpama River, Jacobs Well, Bedrooms, Tiger Mullet Channel, and the Logan River. Bloodworms, Beach Worms, and Yabbies are top bait choices, with nighttime sessions yielding better numbers of fish, including impressive catches ranging from 38 to 40cm. Daytime fishing remains a viable option, particularly for those looking to introduce younger kids to the joys of fishing.

Quotes from the Boats

Paul Whilshire did well catching and releasing this solid Blubber Lip
Paul Whilshire did well catching and releasing this solid Blubber Lip

Brad from Brad Smith Fishing Charters reports

Brett Doolan did well to land this solid Mangrove Jack
Brett Doolan did well to land this solid Mangrove Jack

Once again it was all about very early morning starts and getting off the water before the midday heat. We were also lucky enough to have early morning tide changes. If you are in the right spot and have the right lures and technique you will almost be guaranteed to get a bite around a tide change. The place to be this week on the tide changes were the deep holes as the fish are favouring the cooler water on the bottom of the holes. The species caught this week were Flatties, Bream, Whiting, Trevally and School Jew.

 

Clint from Brad Smith Fishing Charters/Gold Coast River Charters reports

“This week again I chased the Sand Whiting and there was also heaps of Dusky Flathead in the same areas around the seaway. We caught plenty of Whiting up to 42cm on yabbies and while there were lots of small Flathead, there were also enough legal sized ones which are great fun to catch on ultra light line. Besides fishing with yabbies in the shallow water we also spent time casting hardbody lures for Flathead and also some drifting in the deeper channels with zx’s and TT blades.”

 

Happy New Year to everyone, hope you stay safe and enjoy some time on the water. All the best to those that experienced storm damage over Christmas I hope you are back to normal soon.

 

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]