**CATCH OF THE WEEK **
Jordie Groszmann with a monster mulloway caught land based!
Congratulations Jordie, please call into the store to collect your $50 gift card.
Catch of the week winner - Jordie Groszmann
Inshore & Offshore
It is fair to say that this has been a very frustrating year when it comes to getting offshore with good weather windows few and far between, and unfortunately this week has been no different with a strong SE wind keeping most of the offshore fleet firmly on the trailer. The good news is that the forecast is looking more promising heading into next week so fingers crossed that holds true and we can finally get back out there and report on some proper offshore sessions.
In the previous weather windows we have been fortunate enough to see some really impressive fishing from both our inshore and offshore grounds. The Warrego's and Heralds Patch have been producing quality coral trout and red throat emperor up on the shallows for those using soft plastics and gang hooked pilchards, while the deeper isolated grounds east off Bundy in the 30 to 40 metre range have been giving up venus tusk fish, grass sweetlip, red emperor and large mouth nannygai to those fishing fresh flesh baits and live bait away from the sharks. The cobia around the wrecks have been nothing short of exceptional with the Coolalea, Althea, Barjon and Karma all holding great numbers during the dawn and dusk windows. The grounds North off 1770 have also been in top shape with plenty of coral trout and large mouth nannygai being caught on a range of techniques. There has even been some nice spanish mackerel caught around the headlands with spinning metal lures and stickbaits proving quite effective in the low light periods.
Inshore the pelagic action off Elliott Heads has kept plenty of anglers very entertained with big queenfish, numerous trevally species and good numbers of school mackerel all being caught around the Artificial Reef and Dr Mays Island on soft plastics, vibes and Flasha spoons. Hopefully we get that weather window next week!
Trent Higginson and his mate with a big GT caught at the Swains Reef aboard Big Cat Reality
This is what Big Cat Reality is all about - good mates, great fish and plenty of memories!
Burnett River
The barra have continued to be one of the more exciting talking points in the Burnett over the last few weeks with good numbers of fish being found schooled up throughout the system. These fish have remained somewhat of a challenge to get a bite from with their location changing depending on the stage of the tide, however those putting in the time and targeting them specifically around a tide turn have been getting the most consistent results. Timing that tide turn with a sunrise, sunset, moon rise or moon set only improves your chances further and is well worth planning your session around when you can.
The blue salmon have also continued to show up for those in the right place at the right time with the night sessions consistently producing the better quality fish on soft vibes. The grunter have been a reliable catch throughout the system with some seriously impressive fish over 70cm still being reported from the rock walls and drop offs, particularly around Kirbys Wall, Fairymead and Strathdees where strips of mullet fillet, whole sprat and whole prawns have all been reliable options. Soft vibes and curl tail soft plastics have been the standout lures for those targeting these fish with lures.
The bream have remained consistent along the rock walls and rubble patches towards the mouth with the key continuing to be presenting the lure or bait as lightly and naturally as possible, particularly when targeting the bigger fish. The prawns have also been very thick in the river and well worth targeting towards the bottom of the tide, and we have seen a great run of crabs during the bigger tides so be sure to get the pots in when you get the chance.
Nelson Philips with a cracking flathead caught in the Burnett River
Kolan River
The flathead have been one of the more consistent and enjoyable targets in the Kolan over the last few weeks with some quality fish being found across the shallow sand flats and yabbie beds. Trolling hard body lures has been a very effective way to cover ground and locate concentrations of fish with the incoming tide being the prime window for targeting these fish up in the shallows. Those casting soft plastics and shallow diving hard bodies have also been doing well in these same areas. As the tide turns and the water begins to recede these fish pull back onto the surrounding drop offs and sand undulations where the bigger models have been sitting and waiting to ambush bait washing off the flats.
The whiting have been showing up in improving numbers with fresh yabbies and beach worms both getting results, and rigging up with a simple ball sinker rig with a touch of pink or red tubing above the long shank hook has been a reliable approach in this system. The grunter have been another standout with some very solid fish being caught throughout the system particularly during the run out tide as these fish patrol the sand drop offs and rock bars. Live bait, mullet fillet and whole sprat have been the most reliable bait options with a soft vibe or prawn imitation soft plastic also getting consistent results for the lure anglers. Despite the cooler water the mangrove jack have continued to show up on the rock bars and deep snaggy banks up river with live poddy mullet the standout bait and strips of mullet fillet a solid alternative. We have seen a great run of crabs during the bigger tides in this system so it is well worth getting the pots in when you get the chance.
Daniel Bacon with a nice mangrove jack
Elliott River
The threadfin salmon have been one of the more exciting developments in the Elliott over the last couple of weeks with a few local anglers using side scan and Live Scope locating these fish sitting on the shallow flats and muddy banks up river. Getting them to bite has required patience with targeting them around a tide turn and using small prawn imitation lures proving the most reliable approach. If you prefer bait fishing, live bait will always improve your chances with these fish so it is well worth sourcing some before heading up river to find them.
The pelagic action around Dr Mays Island and the mouth of the system has also continued to fire with big queenfish, GT, school mackerel and the odd tailor all showing up in the areas of strongest current during the incoming tide. Small metal lures and walk the dog style surface lures have been the most effective presentations for these fish. The flathead have remained exceptional throughout the system with some very big fish still being caught right up in the shallows on the incoming tide as they target summer whiting and poddy mullet, making upsizing your lure or bait a smart move when targeting them. The whiting themselves have been showing up in improving numbers with fresh yabbies or fresh beach worms on a super light ball sinker and leader the standout approach and a touch of pink tubing above the hook always a worthwhile addition.
Brendon Dern with a quality feed of whiting caught on fresh beachworms
Baffle Creek
The whiting have been a pleasant surprise in the Baffle over the last couple of weeks with numbers improving noticeably compared to earlier in the season. The incoming tide across the shallow sand flats and yabbie beds has been the prime time to target these fish with fresh yabbies the standout bait as always. The black bream have also been showing up along the mangrove lined banks with some fish nudging the 35cm mark being caught on whole sprat and prawns, which is always a welcome and underrated capture in this system.
The grunter have been spread throughout the system with the better quality fish consistently being found on the drop offs and channels during the run out tide rather than up on the shallows where the smaller models have been more prevalent. Despite the cooler water the mangrove jack have continued to show up in the deeper sections with the rock bars around Winfield being a prime location. Live bait fished during the bottom of the run out tide remains the most effective approach for these fish and a slow rolled prawn imitation lure has been the best lure option for those without live bait. The flathead have also been a consistent performer across the sand flats and drop offs around the mouth and around Winfield and Pig Island on soft plastics with covering ground being the key to finding the better concentrations of fish. We have seen some good crab numbers during the bigger tides in this system so it is well worth getting the pots in when you get the opportunity!
Daniel Duncan with a solid pair of blue salmon caught in the Kolan River
Lake Gregory
The bass at Lake Gregory have been well and truly settled into their winter pattern now and the fishing continues to produce some really consistent results for those targeting the right areas at the right times. The late afternoon bite has remained the standout session with the last couple of hours of daylight seeing these fish come alive and feed with a lot more aggression than at any other time of day. Timing sessions around a moon rise or moon set has also been making a noticeable difference to the quality of fishing so it is well worth checking the solunar tables before heading out.
For those running sounders the deep water schools continue to be the most reliable and productive target with slow rolled metal spoons and micro jigs the standout presentations. Getting well past the school with your cast and then rolling back through with the occasional aggressive twitch to trigger a reaction bite from following fish has been the foundation of the better sessions.
Those fishing the edges without a sounder have also been finding some nice fish during the low light periods on shallow diving hard bodies and soft plastics along the weed edges and in the timber bays. This style of fishing can be some of the best fun you can have on the lake, these fish just fight so hard in the shallows!
Nelson Philips with a ripper 50cm bass caught fishing the edges of the lake
Lake Monduran
The fishing at Lake Monduran has remained very consistent over the last few weeks for those putting quality time into the dam. Dawn and dusk continue to be the most productive windows with these fish sitting nice and high in the water column during the low light periods and considerably more willing to commit to a lure. In saying that, this time of year is a great time to fish throughout the day, as the cooler water temperature usually will stop, or at least delay, when these fish decide to push deep. However the low light periods are still the prime time, but if you can only fish throughout the day, this time of year is definitely the best time of year to do so!
These fish have remained spooky and presentation approach continues to be critical with getting the lure to intercept the fish at the right angle before it knows the lure is there making a significant difference to conversion rates. Lures with minimal action continue to get the most bites with strolling lures and fly lures accounting for the majority of fish throughout the week. Once a fish is following the key is to very gradually increase the speed of the retrieve to get these fish to commit rather than doing anything too sudden which will only spook them.
There are fish all over the dam at the moment, but it is important to have a general plan as to where you will fish to try and maximise your time around the key bite times at the moment. However, if you do head up to Mondy be sure to use your electronics to your advantage to find the better numbers of fish. If you are fishing a certain area and aren't seeing fish, just keep moving until you find them. Sometimes your plan is thrown out the window pretty quick so you have to be able to adapt on the fly!
Team member Mason with another cracking Lake Monduran barra
From the team at Tackle World Bundaberg
Live the Tackle World L.I.F.E - Local Independent Fishing Experts
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