Inshore options when the weather allows
by Fisho's Tackle World Hervey Bay 24 Sep 2021 01:38 BST
Inshore options when the weather allows © Fisho's Tackle World Hervey Bay
We haven't heard whether anyone scored any snapper leading into the full moon. Chances are that if you had a crack at the right time and place, with plenty of bait present and a lack of sharks, then you would have scored a few. Big knobbies will become less common as our waters warm, as will the squire, but for now you are still a chance.
Your best chance at a late season snapper will likely be from the reefs off Wathumba or Rooneys, the Gutters, the 25 Fathom Hole or out wider. Timing will be everything, with night sessions suiting the bait fishos.
Mackerel are seemingly everywhere of late. Reef fishos are complaining about them snipping off their baits or lures aimed at more desirable species, whilst mackerel fans are having no trouble scoring a feed. You can try the shipping channel beacons, the reefs within the shipping channels or the reefs in southern Platypus Bay from the Outer Banks to the 6 Mile. The drop off out from the Burrum river or the reefs off Woodgate or the Burrum are also worth a crack. River Heads fishos are also knocking off a few macks when spinning spoons or floating out pillies of live baits from the rocks.
As always, trollers are picking up fish doing the rounds in the vicinity of reefs, ledges, beacons or baitfish schools, and once some macks are located, the more energetic crew members break out the spoons and spin up an easy feed. Bait fishos are not left out either, with live baits rigged on gangs scoring well, and even the humble old gang-rigged pillie tricking a few.
Reef fish wise, it can be a fickle time of year inshore - partly due to the frequency of the northerly winds. Coral trout are not super active as yet, but can still be tempted. The estuary cod are easier to fool and will take the live baits or lures aimed at trout with gusto. It won't be long and our inshore waters will warm further and trolling or flicking lures for trout over our shallow reefs will be worth a try.
Fishing our rivers and creeks out of the wind
Whilst we highlighted our very real concerns over the state of play in our local estuary systems in last week's report, many holiday-makers and locals alike, will be left with little alternative when the weather restricts access to the bay. So, even though these fisheries may not be up to the standard we have enjoyed in the past, let's take a quick look at a few options.
As our waters warm, our mangrove jack population will spring into action. These awesome estuary brawlers are on offer in the Burrum system, in the creeks down the straits or along the inside of Fraser. They can also be found in our local creeks and even on some of our inshore reefs. They are not common in the Mary / Susan system, but given the lack of rains in recent years, your chances of scoring jacks in those rivers are higher than they have probably ever been.
That bitter cold snap Tuesday night did little for the jack fishery, but the warmer weather on its way will see their activity enhanced. Bait fishos will score best this time of year, at least until the water temps get into the high 20's. Lure fishos are obviously still in with a chance, but will need to time their efforts to coincide with prime feeding times.
Those heading up the Burrum or its three tributaries could find a few barra or the odd thready. Their numbers are not what they could or should be, but there will still be fish if you look hard enough. These four rivers offer such an incredibly diverse range of fishy-looking terrain and offer such fantastic potential, if only so many fish weren't taken from those waters en-masse.
Grunter are worth pursuing in the Burrum system this time of year. Bait fishos will sit on a likely bank or gravelly run during the evening with baits of yabby, prawn, squid or small herring and pick them off as they mooch up with the tide. Lure fishos can ply the same terrain with small plastics of vibes. Some excellent whiting bit well in the Burrum prior to the full moon for those in the know, and a few flatties were found scattered throughout the river.
The kids could have some fun with the big tarpon in the Burrum, or potentially with the schools of mini-GTs and queenies. We say "potentially", as we are yet to hear of the usual run of these fish in the river yet again his year. Perhaps they are being intercepted before they get upriver? Perhaps they are already there. If they are (and hopefully so), they make for great fun on the light gear in the holes on the bends in the mid reaches of the rivers.