KEEP up to date with the latest boating and fishing reports - Mud Island is the place to fish for snapper this week.
Fishing Report

GOLD COAST TO LOGAN
FLATHEAD are at their best throughout the southern bay, Jumpinpin and Broadwater. Some of the better areas at Jumpinpin include the steep foreshore from the eastern point of Short Island to Cobby Passage, the deeper edge of sandbanks between Kalinga Bank across to Crusoe Island and the edge of banks wide of the northern western tip of South Stradbroke.

They have been on the main channel edges of the run-out tide and move up into creek mouths and drains on the rising tide. Floating weed has been a problem for those trolling lures but it is possible to get away from it my moving out of the main channels.

Whiting catches are in the increase as the water temperature rises. There has been reasonable numbers of excellent quality fish around the green beacons towards the mouth of the Logan River known as Ageston Sands. At Jumpinpin the better fish have come from out in front of Behms Creek and on the edges of Green and Gold Bank.

The Nerang River is starting to produce good numbers and quality around the moored boats near the Gold Coast Bridge and on the edges of the main channel at the Gold Coast Council Chambers.

Sand crab numbers have increased making it worthwhile targeting them from now on. The better catches have come from the southern bay around McLeay and Garden islands but most sand areas throughout the bay are worth targeting.

Best results have come from early morning before the sun hits the water. Mud crab catches are also on the increase although there are quite a few soft shell and undersize crabs mixed in with the keepers.

Best results have come from the upper reaches of creeks and at the mouth of mangrove drains throughout Jumpinpin.

Dave “Nugget” Downie www.nuggetfishing.com.au For all the latest fishing information listen to 1116am Talk Radio 4BC from 5am-7am over the weekend.

MORETON TO BRIBIE
THIS weekend strong southwesterly winds look set to blow and make fishing in open waters not only very uncomfortable but also dangerous. If you are planning to head out for a fish the best options will be the sheltered local rivers and estuaries targeting a few flathead, whiting and bream.

Cabbage Tree and Nundah creeks should have plenty of flathead on offer at this time of the year, particularly for those willing to use soft plastics to target them. Powerbaits and Gulp have been the two plastics of choice recently with Bruiser, Nuclear Chicken and Pumpkin Seed being the general colours of choice.

For those chasing bream, all the moored trawlers near the mouth of Cabbage Tree Creek are worth a go, particularly on the run-in tide. Fresh strips of mullet fillet, peeled prawns and lightly weighted plastics are all worth a go for these fun estuary fish.

Before the wind came up out in the bay there were a few quality snapper being caught around Mud Island and the ledges throughout Moreton Bay. Again lightly weighted baits such as slimy mackerel, yakkas and yellowtail pike will be the best options, provided they are fished near the bottom or top of the tidal movement.

We are coming up to a great time for fishing Mud Island and the quality of fish should only improve over the next few weeks as the big snapper start to move in.

Around the beacons there are still reports of some big cobia getting caught both on large live baits and big chrome slugs. The best technique to target these brutes is to anchor away from any given structure and berley the fish away towards you boat to stand a better chance of stopping them.

Jason Comino, jcbayfishing@hotmail.com

SUNSHINE COAST
NOOSA: Bream and luderick are being taken from the rock walls inside the Noosa River mouth – it has been best three hours before the top of the tide to the top of the tide.

A few trevally and chopper tailor are being taken in Woods Bay on lures, flesh baits and pilchard baits. A few whiting have been coming in from the Frying Pan area on small yabbies and live worms.

Good dart and a few good bream and tailor have been taken from the deeper gutters north of Teewah – late afternoons into the night has been best. Maroochy River: The river mouth has been producing a few chopper tailor and a few school jew around the top of the tide.

A few whiting have been taken from around Chambers Island and Cotton Tree on worm baits. School jew have been taken from around the the Cod Hole and also a few chopper tailor.

It has been fishing best on the top of the tide. Good flathead are being taken from the Bli Bli reach of the river on soft plastics and pilchard baits.

Mooloolah River: Pt Cartwright rocks and the Mooloolaba rock walls have been producing tailor and good bream. Early morning has been fishing best. Pike and garfish are being taken from Cartwright Cove and La Balsa Park area – on the top of the tide has been best.

Kawana Beach has been fishing well for good whiting and dart. Mooloolaba offshore: With the offshore conditions not being good most of the fishing has been done on the close reefs.

Inner Gneerings: Good snapper, yellowtail king and grassy sweetlip have been taken on floating baits whole pilchards and flesh baits have been the best baits. Murphy’s Reef: Snapper to 5kg, just legal pearl perch, moses perch and grassy sweetlip taken on whole pilchard baits, whole squid and fresh flesh baits.

Raper Shoal: good grassy sweetlip, snapper and a few school mackerel taken drifting with whole baits. Caloundra: Bream and flathead are being taken from the crossover channel between Golden Beach and the Blue Hole on the incoming tide on live yabbies and mullet fillets. School mackerel are being taken from Dicky Beach.

The Caloundra Bar area at night has been producing a few good bream.

Caloundra offshore: Bray Rock has been producing small snapper, sweetlip and trevally on floating baits. The coffee rocks on the northern end of Bribie has snapper to 3kg.

Barry McDade, fishing guide, Sunshine Coast Offshore Fishing Service, www.scofs.com.au (07) 5437 7754.

HERVEY BAY TO BURNETT
THE forecast for this weekend is for SW winds at around the 15-20 knots and easing by Sunday afternoon. The moon is going to be in the first quarter so the tides will only be small with highs around late afternoon and early morning.

Big summer whiting are being caught on yabbies and some fish have been over 500g. Winter whiting, bream and big flathead are still abundant as well as nice tailor and a few grunter around the deep holes in the creeks and rivers.

The water temperatures are slowly rising and are now about 20C. Snapper will still be about until late September and early October and soon pelagics will show up.

Juvenile black marlin are already being caught up north and it looks like being a good season. Hopefully the winds will decrease enough and we can all get out this weekend.

Mark Bargenquast, fishing guide, 0427 230 261, www.fraserguidedfishing.com.au

CENTRAL COAST
WEATHER conditions are tricky to predict but it looks like the strong winds will start to settle down on Saturday afternoon and progressively ease to 10-15 knots but offshore sea conditions are likely to remain pretty ordinary for trailer boating beyond the Keppel islands and Rodds Bay peninsula.

Sunday will possibly be the pick of days to fish the coastal reefs, shoals and shipwrecks. These conditions generally see the offshore fishing grounds go quiet so save the fuel and try a bit closer to the ramp.

With the quarter moon phase next Monday, the tidal run is diminishing and will see angling a little easier at locations that are otherwise challenging on larger tides.

While the tide changes are not all entirely ideal, the hour or so either side of the midday high change provides an opportunity to hit the sand and weed bars around the mouths of the larger creeks for flathead, threadfin salmon and grunter.

Try the making tide in Water Park and Fishing creeks in Corio Bay for grunter, bream, whiting, threadfin and trevally. The Fitzroy River mid to lower sections have been producing a few sizeable king and blue salmon along with quality grunter and bream inhabiting the structured areas and deep holes down into the estuaries of Port Alma and The Narrows.

The level of fresh, if any, entering the region’s river systems will inherently determine the fishing prospects. There have been a few mud crabs in the mangrove creeks and although many are female, a few meaty big bucks are available.

Bait your crab pots with oily fish like mullet or bream or even give chicken thighs a go and leave them set for a full tidal phase before checking them.

The Calliope River and Anabranch is worth a look for blue salmon and bream or South Tree’s Inlet for grunter, yellowfin bream and mangrove jack with prawn, herring and mullet flesh good all round baits.

The Colosseums, Wild Cattle and Turkey Beach have seen a good run of whiting and bream with flathead and blue threadfin also a welcome catch.

Rod Griggs

FRESHWATER
AS if on queue to the warming days of spring, Lake Boondooma has had days where the bass are right on the chew. Schooled bass have kept anglers entertained with steady bites through the day.

On the good days schools can be easy to locate with active fish spread through the water column.

More often these schools will hug the bottom and can fool anglers and sounders alike. When attempting to locate these inactive schools sounding slowly can be an essential element of success.

At the slightest suggestion of possible fish, target this area. Often these “suggestions” turn into a hook up and a cluster of active bass on the sounder. Most schools are holding in 8-11m. Prime locations are the second yellow buoy, the two sunken islands, and Pelican Point.

Best method has been slow rolling jig head rigged paddle tail bass grubs through the school. At times vertical presentations (slowly winding up and down through the school) have also been successful. Slow rolling and hopping blade baits have also been effective.

The shallow water around the banks has been a little quiet but may fire up at any time. Jackall’s and spinner bait are the best option for prospecting the banks.

John Schofield, tournament angler, flytime@optusnet.com.au

OFFSHORE
THE influence of the upper trough that caused the rain and the resultant low pressure system will be sliding away down the coast progressively over the weekend leaving improving fishing weather in its wake.

If keen for a fish wait until Sunday as there will likely be a high pressure system over us late in the day with excellent offshore conditions. Again there was zilch current offshore early in the week and a good fish bite in the lead up to high tide and a few hours after.

Large line twisting teraglin put on a good show on paternosters loaded with big baits out on the 42s. Deep water jigging a mix of long metal jigs and the new generation hybrids was productive for amberjack and yellowtail kings but the crew had several good fish bitten off by sharks.

The northern end of Tempest has continued to produce good snapper and reasonable pearl perch this week with the fish well spread along the reef chain. Teraglin are in smaller schools and should still be active on the rising barometer.

The 37 fathom reef inside Square Patch will be worth a visit for amberjack on live baits and will be a good location on this moon phase for a mix of reef fish on floaters and paternosters.

There have been some big cobia caught on the 33s this week while following the whale movement along the coast.

The swell off the low pressure system should be easing considerably as it moves south, but plenty of caution will still be required on the run-out tide early Sunday morning if crossing any of the coastal bars.

Bill Corten, coastal bar crossing and offshore fishing instructor 3286 3647

MACKAY TO WHITSUNDAYS
THE forecast for Saturday is for SW/SE winds 10-15 knots, reaching 15-20 knots offshore. Sunday will have similar SE winds of 10-15 knots.

Don’t forget to check with the Bureau of Meteorology for a more up to date weather forecast if you are going fishing offshore over the weekend. The last quarter moon is on Monday night. Species to target are barramundi, mangrove jacks, blue and threadfin salmon, cod, bream, flathead, grunter and whiting.

Best spots to try will be the Gregory River, Sinclair Bay, Proserpine River, Repulse Bay, Thompson’s Creek, O’Connell River, Dempster’s Creek and the 10 Mile Creek. Live baits of mullet, prawns and herring are the favourites of these species, but fresh dead baits of the same will also produce good results.

Trolling and casting both hard body and soft plastic lures along the deep banks and holes, rock bars and other obstructions will produce good catches. The best times are the last couple of hours of the outgoing tide and the first couple of hours of the incoming tide, especially if it coincides with dawn or dusk.

When fishing up the creeks, don’t forget to put in a crab pot and you might just be rewarded with a mud crab or two.

Ken Crittenden, Whitsunday Tackle Shack, 4948 1899

TOWNSVILLE
CONDITIONS have been up and down all week with plenty of people hitting the water and heading out for a fish. Coral trout have been a little patchy although those who were prepared to up anchor and work for them did catch a good feed.

The good news is that conditions look OK on Saturday with light to moderate winds forecast but bureau says the sea breeze will be strong in the mornings so just keep that in mind. There isn’t a great deal of run in the tide this weekend and this will make fishing a little tougher.

Trout should bite OK in the deeper water with pilchards still the best for bait, there have been some great catches of redthroat emperor in the shallows mid-week so expect them to still be on the chew. They have been responding best to strips of flesh baits.

Mackerel catches have only been moderate with the water temperature still a little low, those putting in the effort have been rewarded.

Nannygai catches have been good with the deeper shoals holding good numbers, most have been small-mouth with the large-mouths a little more spread out. Places like Trunk, Loadstone and Bramble have been best.

On the inshore wrecks there have been some monster cobia caught on live baits – these fish should improve in numbers over the next few months and just love live baits. Mixed in with them are plenty of trevally which are falling to baits and jigs.

The shipping leads and inshore islands are producing a few school mackerel on floating pilchards. This weekend be sure to use a float with little run so the bait doesn’t sink to the bottom and stay there, and continually work your baits back to the boat.

Barra and jack catches have been good in the Ross, Haughton and Bohle rivers and Hinchinbrook Channel with fish falling to live baits and lures.

Scott Hillier. Catch Scott on Friday night on Seven local news Townsville and Cairns and Fridays between 9-10am on Sea-FM

CAIRNS
MODERATE weather during the week has allowed several boats to fish the blue water and some good fish have been caught. Reef fishing has really started to fire with the large-mouth nannygai back on the bite and coral trout starting to feed up ready for their first spawn.

A variety of other bottom fish including spangled emperor, small-mouth, cod and trevally are also keeping bottom anglers happy. Pelagic fishing has also been hot with plenty of small black marlin on the wide grounds and some quality spanish mackerel are also in the same vicinity.

The Cairns Inlet is still alive with big schools of banana prawns and fishing is improving quickly as water temperatures increase.

Mangrove jacks and fingermark are back on the bite and barramundi will also be smashing lures again in the very near future. Big giant trevally have also moved back into the Russell River and are being taken on poppers and surface lures.

Saturday looks like being a good day on the water with winds forecast at 10-15 knots south of Cairns, but always check the latest report before heading to sea as conditions are continually changing.

Robert Erskine, Erskine’s Tackle, Cairns, 4051 6099

FRESHWATER NORTH
WITH a large rise in temperature over the last week the barramundi have become more aggressive and an increase in catch rate is filtering through from all the major dams.

Larger concentrations of bait are also starting to show up and all indications are that if we get some calm days the next few weeks should see some top fishing in the impoundments.

At the moment most of the activity is in the shallows with the big barra taking a mixture of lightly weighted soft plastics and shallow running lures.

Anchor in 1.5-2m of water and cast to the shallows slowly working the lure over the weed beds or along the drop-offs. According to the staff at Tackleworld Townsville, the weirs in the Ross River have also started to fish well with barra up to 1m and the occasional mangrove jack and tarpon being caught.

The Russell, Mulgrave, Johnstone, Liverpool, Tully and Herbert rivers are fishing well with good numbers of sooty grunter and the occasional jungle perch taking a variety of lures ranging from soft plastics to poppers.

Try to time your trip from mid to late afternoon to take advantage of the slightly warmer afternoon water temperatures.

Roly Newton, Barrier Reef Tackle Village, Tully, 4068 1604

Source: Courier Mail