Fishing Monthly - Latest Fishing Reports - Updated Weekly
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COMPILED WEEKLY BY GARRY SMITH IN CAIRNS:
e-mail: lavallesmith@iig.com.au
Gold Coast

John Polson & Paul Revie
The Fisherman Pty Ltd
Sporty's Warehouse
32 Strathaird Rd. Surfers Paradise
Gold Coast. QLD 4217
Australia
Phone: +61 7 5531 6511
Mobile: +61 418 751220
www.thefisherman.com.au

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Moreton Bay
Another trip to Peel this week produced a few nice fish including a 2.5kg parrot and a 1.8kg squire, while casting plastics along the edges of the reef during the run out tide. I was also smoked three other times on 14lb braid, which is one of the things that keeps me going back for more. I tried for a few mackerel but drew a blank even with live pike out for bait. There were plenty of pike along the edge of the reef and I caught well over 60 for the day, with the average one being around 35cm. I kept quite a few of the bigger ones for offshore troll baits.

A few school and spotted mackerel have been caught on pillies floated out around the measured mile beacon and at Mud.

Adam ‘Stormboy’ Meredith caught a couple of nice jew over 15kg and dropped another larger fish while live baiting with pike around secret spot X at Jumpinpin. There have been a few mack tuna and tailor working the bait schools at the bar on the run in tide. Good bream and flatties have been caught right throughout the system and a few choppers have been caught at Squire Island.

There are plenty of diver whiting around at the moment, with most of the shallow flats around the creek and river mouths producing good numbers.

A few tailor have been caught between Tailor Bight and Yellowpatch and along the eastern side of Moreton. A few good flathead and tailor are around the timbers on the western side.

Squid are still being caught in small numbers in the canals and along rock walls and bridges in the southern bay. A few cuttlefish have been taken around the shallows of the Bay Islands.

Plenty of squire around most of the usual haunts, with a few good quality fish being taken at night, especially in the northern bay.

The Curtain has been producing good numbers of squire, as well as the occasional snapper, sweetlip, trevally and kingie. Early mornings sojourns are advised for the better quality fish. A few cobia have been hooked on live baits fished along the drop-off.

A few big longtails have been caught along the front of Bribie, with the fish being reasonably easy to entice once you find them.

Mack tuna and bonito schools are still popping up in the shipping channel and along the inside of Moreton from time to time.

May your bait be nervous.

Gordon Macdonald
Tackle Warehouse
Ph. (07) 3398 6500
masterbaitertackle@hotmail.com

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Moreton Bay - Wide

Keith Hall
INCREDIBLE CHARTERS
20 Courageous Ct,
Scarborough 4020
Tel: 3203 8188
Fax: 3203 8199
incrediblecharters@bigpond.com

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Southern Freshwater

Peter Taylor
Mullet Gut Marine
Ph (07) 4632 9770
Fax (07) 4639 2543
mullet_gut@bigpond.com

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Lake Boondooma

Lance & Kristy Frahm
Lake Boondooma Kiosk
Open 7 days 8am-5pm.
Ph 07-41689694, fax is 07-41689691,
PO Box 24, PROSTON 4613.
lakeboondooma@wondaishire.com
Stop Tailor Netting - Phone (07) 3284 0043 or 0414 376 217
Bribie Is. & Caloundra
Last week saw the south westerly winds howling through the coast, making outside fishing very uncomfortable. The temperature has dropped dramatically and I am waiting to see my first polar bear for the season.

On the fishing front, things seem to be well on the improve for those brave enough to battle the elements. Good trevally and tailor have been caught off Kings Beach. In fact the gutter at Kings Beach has established itself over a three week period and produced some lovely fish.

The Esplanade and Boardwalk are not too bad for the holiday makers, with bream to 1kg, the odd trevally and good whiting. Tailor are still off the northern tip of Bribie, on the front gutter between the cut wash and passage entry. Dicky Beach has also had a reasonable run of quality bream and the odd schoolie.

We chose to venture out off Mooloolaba last Friday, as Caloundra folk enjoyed a day off for the local show. The old wind was still at around 15 knots at 5am and some doubt lingered as to whether or not to launch. Luckily, the drive to catch fish overrode any sensible decision making process, so we headed out.

The swell was minimal in the Gneerings. The only thing annoying was the wind. On the horizon we watched in awe at the size of the swell. It has been a long time since I have seen the swell so predominant and lapping high on the skyline. We sure were not going out there.

What happened next was unbelievable. We lost signal from the transducer, so no fish finder. The GPS was still in form, so we headed for a particular spot in the Inner Gneerings and began our adventure. The first fish aboard, caught by myself, on the first cast, was a sweet lip of 2 kg.

A couple more were landed then the spotty mackerel started to strike the floating baits but not one was over 30 cm. A few other species like leather jacket, squire and small emperor came up then we were inundated with yellowtail kingfish. They have been in shorter supply than normal but we would have landed nearly 50, with one weighing in over the kilo. They are incredible fighters on light gear, so we had some fun for the next hour. There was not much else we could do because the bait was not even reaching the bottom before you hooked one. One other boat was fishing around Point Cartwright when we returned and they were also getting nothing but yellow tail. That will please the many live baiters.

We look forward to the wind blowing itself out and giving us a good shot this week at the snapper.

Brad McKendrick
Raine & Horne - Caloundra (07) 5491 3555
Compiled by Brad McKendrick from local fisherman with local reports.
brad@caloundraproperty.com.au
Sunshine Coast

The mornings are brisk and crisp, but that hasn't kept Davo's Bait and Tackle staff member Michael Geary off the water. In fact Michael has had two successful mornings in a row catching quality mangrove jack in the Woods Bays, casting surface popper lures. The jacks, weighing an average of 2.5kg, were released live. Michael was working the surface with a Storm Chug Bug popper chasing trevally and tailor, which have been running hot and cold in this area.

In other areas of the river, bream are well spread throughout the system, whiting are mainly at the river mouth, and flathead are best targeted in Weyba Creek.

The coastal surf beaches continue to fish well, with quality whiting and garfish off the National Park headland, and the North Shore has been producing dart, whiting and chopper tailor. If you're heading down to the open surf beaches of Sunshine Beach and Castaways Beach it's worth trying for some chopper tailor.

Lake MacDonald continued to fish well for bass, where the fish were schooled up on the edges of the wed beds around Three Ways, Fry's Run and Gerry's Run.

Offshore, further out, Chardon's Reef has produced some quality Spanish mackerel, North Reef was quieter than usual but there were some big cobia bust offs amongst the cobia catches, and lots of tuna. Sunshine Reef and Halls Reef fished well for Spanish and spotted mackerel plus good sized spangled emperor.

Fishing in Noosa? Call the team at Davo's Bait and Tackle 5449 8099, drop in for a chat or check out the website www.fishingnoosa.com.au.

Davo's - (07) 5449 8099
www.fishingnoosa.com.au

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Hervey Bay

Jim Sullivan
Fisherman's Corner - Ph (07) 4128 1022
fishcor@itfusion.com.au

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Bundaberg
Even though a bit of breeze has broken up the good days, fishing is still holding strong.

Estuaries have produced some nice flathead, bream and the odd trumpeter. High tide popper fishing around the entrance is seeing some good queenfish, trevally and even the occasional mackerel.

Reef fishing has been solid, with trout and parrot being high on the list.

Night fishing has also been productive for trumpeter and squire on the inshore reefs.

Winter whiting are on the chew at all the popular haunts and even the prawns are holding a good size.

In June we have two major fishing events. The first is the "Take a Kid Fishing Day" on the 6th of June and the "Burnett Family Fishing Classic" on the 26th/27th of June. For more information and entry forms on both events, drop in and see us in the store.

Best breezes,
Ben Shorten

Tim Mulhall / Matt Costar / Ben Shorten
Salty's Fishing Team
Salty's - Ph (07) 4153 4747
info@saltys.net

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Yeppoon

Kim Martin

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Stanage Bay

Von Ann Ireland
stanagebaymarine@bigpond.com
www.stanagebay.com

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Mackay

Arthur Lavern / Bruce Nash
Northside Fishing Centre - Ph (07) 4957 2272
Peter Faust Dam

Andy Thomsen (Fishing Guide)
www.andysfishing.com.au
0409 466 336

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Airlie Beach / Whitsundays

Andy Thomsen (Fishing Guide)
www.andysfishing.com.au
0409 466 336
Whitsundays - Bluewater

Capt. Ken Bryant
Marlin Blue Charters Ph 07 49465044

www.marlinblue.com.au

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Townsville
A little bit of good weather mid week was certainly appreciated and from all reports those who were able to take a sickie and make the most it had red hot fishing. Coral trout, nannygai, red emperor and Spanish mackerel made up the bulk of the catch, with some boats having to leave earlier than planned due to bag limits being reached.

John Woodbury used the good conditions to his advantage and was trolling the reefs for a few mackerel when much to his surprise his Halco Laser Pro became attached to an early season sailfish.

Cooler conditions and lots of bait in Cleveland Bay should hold the big schools of doggie mackerel for a while yet and give us plenty of good fishing for the next few months. Recent tides were a bit ordinary for the mackerel, as there was very little run, however this week will be a different story with plenty of movement to get them excited. Pilchards under a float with plenty of berley to keep them in the area will be the most successful method for catching them. There are also a few cobia hanging around with the doggies so be prepared just in case.

The bigger tides will be good for the flats, with plenty of whiting and bream turning up around the creek mouths and beaches. As usual peeled prawns and yabbies will be the best baits.

Until next week, Good Fishing.
Kind Regards

Tony Katsaros
Tackle World
Ph. 0747251266
tackleworldtsv@beyond.net.au

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Hinchinbrook
Hi Friends!

An Indian Summer early in the week saw some nice barra landed on lures. Water temperatures up to 28 degrees C were experienced on some of the muddy flats areas.

Queenfish, trevally and school mackerel have all arrived in the area in numbers. Early in the week clients were having some hectic sessions on queenfish at the end of the sugar loader and also a couple of nice Spanish came from around the fairway buoy north of the loader.

Estuary cod have been prolific in the channel, and have really come on the chew with the cooler conditions. Water temperature in the channel proper is 25 degrees C, but most creeks and the Herbert River are sitting on 23 degrees.

Bream have been a little slow in making an appearance this year, but June will see a dramatic increase in their numbers.

There has been much talk in the area lately regarding the need for a reduction in bag limits for barramundi. The limit of five barra in possession per angler is way out of kilter with current resource levels and makes one wonder why managers are ignoring the situation. My personal view is a limit of one – two fish, with a narrow slot size to give much more protection for future breeders, is urgently required considering it is a public resource.

Will this ever happen! I think not, given the current legislation and priority ranking for stakeholders. But I suppose they will release another glowing resource level net study from the Gulf and throw in some gillnet data from a couple of bigger commercial producing river systems on the east coast and conclude everything is honky dory state wide. This is a classic example of “Market First” policy. Once again we are faced with the total lack of focus being placed on tropical east coast estuarine finfish management.

Will we ever see a draft plan for the tropical inshore east coast? It’s been a hot potato for years now and I guess planners have a fair idea of what will result from a public consultation process. As populations increase, more and more anglers are out there trying to catch an ever diminishing estuarine resource. Look around and ask yourself what is being done to address this situation.

This is one of the very reasons why “The Fishing Party” was born - Sheer frustration was the motivating factor.

BLUE EYED BARRA
As I mentioned last report re: the blue eyed barras in Hinchinbrook Channel. Take a look at the posted fish photos. How may of you guessed it is a barramundi? Not many I bet.

This is just one of countless reports of malformed barramundi in Hinchinbrook Channel. Blue eyes, short snout, stocky body, slaty grey colour, eyes close to the mouth. There are just too many reports of these fish for it to be a natural occurrence.

We have a good population of natural wild barramundi in the Hinchinbrook area and can not run the risk of interaction with a misaligned species. Any reaction from the relevant government department to the public concerns?

Al Goodwin
Crackajack Sportfishing Adventures
Lucinda Ph/Fax 61+07 47778365
crackfish@ozemail.com.au
www.crackfish.com

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Mission Beach

Malcolm Hills
FNQ Fishing Adventures- Ph (07) 4068 9000
fnqfishing@bigpond.com
www.fishingnorthqueensland.com

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Cairns

Robert Erskine
Erskine's Tackle Shop
51 Mulgrave Rd Cairns
Ph (07) 4051 6099
erskinestackle@bigpond.com
Cairns - Reports compiled by Garry Smith

The spell of perfect reef weather mid-week saw many sickies and lots of smiling fishos. The trout, big mouth and red emperor really turned it on for angles, with some great catches reported. The big mouth have been bigger on average than the past few years.

The Spaniards started to show up at High Island and around the reefs last week and are also a good size, with most in the six to ten kilo range. Once the wind drops the mackerel should really turn it on.

Garry Smith
lavallesmith@iig.com.au

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Port Douglas
As it seems to be the norm at the moment - freshening winds up to 25 knots have halted any blue water assaults and beach activity. Anglers have been forced back into the protection of our mangrove creeks and rivers, with average results.

Bread and butter species such as bream, grunter, sickle fish and sand bass are dominating catches. There are some smaller mangrove jack on the chew in the snags and a few trevally patrolling the main channels.

It will be a matter of sitting out this high pressure system and seeing what lies beyond it. Calm weather in the near future should see our pelagics rise to the occasion, including Spanish mackerel and some bigger queenfish. Any reprieve in the weather stakes will be much appreciated I can tell you.

Lynton "Heff" Heffer
Ph (07) 4098 5354
www.fishingportdouglas.com.au

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Cooktown
This past week was an interesting one, with it starting with wind and no tide, then no wind and no tide, then finally some tidal flow but the problem was the big high in the Bight that drove 30 knot + winds up the coast and I got blown off the river. So that was our weather.

As for the fish, they were only biting in the morning. With the one big tide during the night, in the arvo there was no action at all. In the mornings there were trevally, queenfish, grunter, cod, jacks, fingermark, flathead and still plenty of muddies to top it off. All in all, it was a good week.

The most disappointing trip was into Lakefield, where for the morning we landed 120 CATFISH and two archerfish. We did not even get a sniff of a barra in spots where I usually get plenty. I think I will have to explore other spots this year.

Leonard Todaro
Reel River Sportfishing.
PO Box 829 Cooktown Qld 4871
Ph 07 4069 5346.
reelriver@hotmail.com

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Karumba

Jason Jesse
Gulf Sportfishing Adventures
P.O. Box 228 Karumba
Phone - (07)4745 9434
gsakarum@tpg.com.au
www.gulfsportfishingadventures.com.au

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Weipa

Barra Dave Donald
Dave Donald SPORTFISHING - Ph (07) 4069 9064
DDSPORTFISH@bigpond.com
www.weipafishing.com

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Queensland Tide Times

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