Weekend Fishing Forecast: Gold and Tweed Coasts

Overview

After a challenging week of strong winds and large swells, the Gold and Tweed Coasts are finally seeing an improvement in fishing conditions. As we approach the weekend, the wind is expected to ease from the E/NE and the swell is predicted to drop, creating ideal conditions for offshore fishing as well as exploring the Broadwater, Jumpinpin, and local rivers. Saturday is currently looking like the best day for fishing. Always ensure you have the most up-to-date weather forecast before heading out.

Offshore Fishing

Given the current forecast, conditions are looking very favourable for heading offshore. The 18 and 24 fathom grounds are recommended as the current may be strong out wide. An early start is crucial to beat the sunrise. Take time to locate both bait and larger fish on your sounder before choosing a spot. Float lining is the most productive method to fish baits, with Snapper, Moses Perch, Tusk Fish, Maori Cod, Trag Jew, Silver Jew, Cobia and Spangled Emperor likely catches. Best baits include live Yakkas, Slimy Mackerel or WA Pilchards, Squid, Mullet Fillet, Bonito Fillet and even Silver Trevally Fillets.

Inshore Fishing

Fishers have found a few nice Tailor around Jumpinpin and the Gold Coast Seaway this week. The best time to look for a Tailor is during the last two hours of the run-in tide and the first hour of the run in. Keep an eye out for any activity that would indicate fish feeding like birds diving into the water or splashing on the water surface.

Whiting Fishing

Whiting have again been a good target option with windy conditions leading up to the full moon resulting in some great catches of quality fish. Live bloodworms have been the best bait followed by beach worms and yabbies. Timing your trip to avoid a tide change is a good idea if possible as Whiting bite best when there is plenty of tidal flow churning up the bottom.

So gear up and get ready for an exciting weekend of fishing! Remember to always check the latest weather forecast before heading out.

Brad from Brad Smith Fishing Charters reports:

“Once again it was a very windy week with the winds picking up 25 to 35 kms each day. As we do as fishing guides, we have to continuously overcome mother nature’s little tantrums and produce fish for our clients. Trolling the shallows where the wind was opposing the tide produced excellent results in the rough water. The rough water rolls the bottom over bringing up food and nutrients as well as discolours the water giving the bait a place to hide. It may sound eccentric to be fishing the roughest part of the river, but Clint and I have been doing it for years in fact Clint was doing the same thing in the Nerang river this week. Apart from trolling the shallows we had a couple of early morning starts before the wind came up and caught some Flatties and small School Jew in the deep holes. The fish caught this week were Flatties, Bream, Whiting and School Jew with pontoon 21 crackjack lures being the best lure. I also tried trolling the newly released samaki 50 mm redic minnows and they were outstanding so I will be trolling them again next week.“

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

“Windy week with strong Northerlies followed by a Southerly change. Luckily the fish were still hungry in Nerang River and at Tweed River with plenty of quality Flathead, Grunter, and Whiting caught on Ecogear Zx’s, and trolling with Samaki Redic 50’s and Pontoon 21 crackjacks. The forecast this week is strengthening Northerlies until Wednesday then another S/SE change coming through then wind hopefully easing on Friday. Morning high tides and big run outs over the next few days, good for Flathead fishing throughout the river systems.“

Gavin from Sea Probe Fishing Charters reports he has had some great fishing on the 50-fathom line during the week with solid Kingfish up to 15kg, quality Amberjack and also some Snapper showing up.

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