**CATCH OF THE WEEK **
John Chappell with a ripper grey mackerel caught on a metal twisty off Burnett Heads!
Congratulations John, please call into the store to collect your $50 gift card.
Catch of the week winner - John Chappell
Inshore & Offshore
With the coral reef fin fish closure in place last weekend, hopefully the fish have had a chance to settle in and will be ready to chew as we get back out on the water. There have been plenty of school mackerel caught across the inshore reefs, making them well worth a look. We've also seen some late-season snapper hanging around, so if you're keen to chase one of these fish, try getting out around sunrise or sunset when they can be more active. Pilchards are a great bait option, while 5-inch soft plastics are well worth throwing for those who prefer to target them on lures.
Shynice Wilson with a cracking trout
Team member Mitch Beyer with a stonker snapper
Burnett River
The Burnett has been producing some good numbers of barramundi, flathead and grunter, with small prawn-imitation soft plastics proving effective across all three species. Slow-hopping these lures along drop-offs near structure and banks has been working well, particularly when using a lightly weighted presentation. Keeping the lure light allows it to sink and move more naturally through the water, making it a great option when targeting fish holding around these edges and drop-offs.
The prawns have also continued to show up around the usual areas near Strathdees and the Port. Both the top and bottom of the tide have been producing opportunities, so rather than focusing entirely on a particular tide stage, the key is locating where the prawns are schooling. Once you find them, you should be in a much better position to fill the net.
Blake Hutchison with a big barra caught locally
Kolan River
The Kolan has a good mix of estuary fishing on offer, with whiting, grunter and flathead all worth targeting throughout the system. Those looking for a relaxed session can focus on the whiting, while the grunter and flathead provide some great options for anglers wanting to put a few different techniques to work. Crabbing is also starting to pick up, with crabs beginning to move into the system, making it a good time to get a few pots soaking while you're out on the water.
Jack Hamilton with a nice flathead caught in the Kolan
Elliott River
The mangrove jack fishing in the Elliott is worth a look at the moment, with 4-inch paddle-tail soft plastics working well when skip-cast into shaded pockets and underneath overhanging branches. Getting your lure right into these areas is important, as the jacks will often be sitting tight to the structure waiting for an easy feed. Early starts and late afternoons are great times to concentrate on these shaded edges.
There have also been plenty of bigger flathead becoming active throughout the system. Shallow drop-offs, pressure points and current edges have been the areas to focus on, with small paddle-tails around 3 to 4 inches producing good numbers. Hard bodies have also been doing the job, particularly lures such as the Daiwa Double Clutch and Samaki Redic. These are great options for covering the shallows and working along the edges where the flathead are hunting.
Will Hamilton with a big flathead caught locally
Baffle Creek
Crabbing has been going well in Baffle Creek, so it's worth getting the pots out if you're planning a trip. The mangrove jack fishing has also been providing some exciting sessions, with topwater lures working well when skip-cast into shaded pockets and underneath overhanging branches. These areas are well worth targeting, particularly when the fish are sitting tight to the mangroves and waiting for a feed.
There have also been queenfish around closer to the mouth of the creek, with shallow-diving hard bodies and topwater lures both producing some good opportunities. Flathead numbers remain solid throughout the system as well. Lightly weighted sprat, small soft plastics and hard-body divers are all worth having tied on, allowing you to work the shallows and drop-offs while searching for active fish. With a good variety of species on offer, Baffle is giving anglers plenty of reasons to get out for a fish.
Paige Bagnall with a 47cm mangrove jack caught in Baffle Creek on a mullet
Lake Gregory
With the warmer weather setting in, Lake Gregory is shaping up well for those keen to chase bass on surface lures. Frogs worked through the weed have been producing good results, particularly when targeting the shallow edges during the early mornings and late afternoons. Concentrate on the weed edges and shallow water during these low-light periods, keeping an eye out for signs of baitfish and bass feeding near the surface.
Once the sun gets higher and the surface activity begins to slow, switching to small diving lures worked along the same edges has been a good option. This allows you to keep targeting the areas where the bass are holding without relying solely on the surface bite. Having both surface lures and small divers ready will give you a few options as the conditions change throughout the day.
Nelson Philips with a Saratoga caught at Lake Gregory on 6lg spin gear
Lake Monduran
Lake Monduran has been fishing exceptionally well lately, with the warmer weather helping get the barra fired up. Water temperatures are sitting around 25.5°C, and there are some great options for anglers looking to target these fish across the shallow bays and timber-lined areas. Flies and strolling baits worked along the timber lines have been effective, while jerkbaits fished around the shallow weed points have also been producing fish. These barra can still be fussy at times, so getting your presentation right and working your lure through the areas holding fish is important.
Large soft plastics have also been a good option, with 6 to 7-inch paddle-tails working well around shallow, windblown bays and points. Soft vibes are worth trying too, particularly with the barra feeding on red claw at the moment. Having a few different lure styles ready to go will help you adapt to what the fish are responding to on the day, especially when moving between the timber, weed edges and open bays.
Surface fishing is also starting to come into its own as the barra push shallower into the weed beds. For those keen to give topwater a go, Mintoss Skip Frogs and Wilson Skittish Dogs have been producing some good opportunities during the early mornings and late afternoons. These low-light periods are well worth making the most of, particularly when fish are moving into the shallows to feed.
It's also a big weekend at the lake, with the Tackle World Bundaberg Lake Monduran Family Fishing Classic running this Friday 16th, Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th! There’s plenty of fun for all ages, with a variety of fishing categories, plus a colouring-in competition and casting competition for the kids. You could even be in the running to win a boat, motor and trailer package in the lucky draws (junior and senior). For further information www.masa-fishstocking.org.au.
With the barra becoming more active and a range of techniques producing results, it's a great time to get up to Lake Monduran and enjoy the fishing.
Jack Bowman with a cracking 1m barra caught on topwater at Lake Monduran
From the team at Tackle World Bundaberg
Live the Tackle World L.I.F.E - Local Independent Fishing Experts
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