Happy New Year, it’s that festive time so first up I’m going to mention some of the great family fishing spots around the Tweed.

A couple of weeks ago, I hired a paddle board down at Kingscliff Creek and what a beautiful spot it is with plenty of places to fish from along with shaded tables and if you’d prefer the beach, it’s only 5 minutes walk away.

Lately I’ve been targeting whiting with lures and live worms and have been having limited success in the Tweed River next to the Rowing Club, but as I paddled away staring into the water with my polarised Spotters sunnies, I noticed a lot of elbow-sized whiting hanging around the weed beds and there were heaps of them, I almost felt like I could get out and walk on water as they were that thick.

A mate with our group had brought along his fishing rod with some chicken for bait. The fish didn’t like the chicken, in fact they took off, it got me thinking if they’d take lures. Early next morning I gave it a go, I did take a couple of live worms as well. The sun hadn’t come up so it was a perfect time to skip a lure across the surface. I got a little bit of interest, but no strikes. Worms? They smashed them. Lesson learnt, take the lures for sure, but grab some lives worms to guarantee a feed.

Hastings Point, Brunswick Heads and Potsville all make for family friendly fishing and picnic spots and if you are up for an adventure, all these rivers make for exciting kayak exploring. A little trip I did a while ago involved launching from the Brunswick Heads boat ramp then heading up river and eventually arriving at the back of the Mullumbimby Football Club. It was a great trip with many flathead caught on the way.

A secret little spot of mine, which is not too well known, is the two little tributaries that are in the valley between Bilambil Heights and Terranora. To get there you have to cross Terranora flats, which on a low tide is almost impossible, so head up on the high tide so you can get a couple of hours in. Deep diving hardbodies in a red colour have been enticing the jacks out of the snags in there, but you’d better have quick reflexes, as they are bloody quick!

A lot has been biting as the river is full of little prawns and the odd jellyfish, but the prawns should make the bite happen.

Bream, tailor and small yellowtail kingfish are being caught off both rock walls and around Jack Evans Boat Harbour.

Fingal boat ramp and down to Tumbulgum Bridge are two of the hot spots for chasing GTs at night.

It’s turning into a fantastic Jack season with some cracker fish being taken off the structure down at the Condon sugar mill and the little bridge just near it. Tumbulgum and Boyds Bay Bridge are also worth a try. I would say Murwillumbah Bridge, but I can’t seem to get anything but bass so if you want to try for bass try all the creeks and little rivers in the area. I do a lot of creek walking and have noticed a lot more snake action so keep your eyes open when walking the banks for Aussie bass.