on orders over $125In recent weeks the local rivers and estuaries in the Bundaberg area have been finally getting back to fishing the way they were before all the rain and floods earlier in the year.
Cooling temperatures have certainly brought the snapper on the chew. The Cochrane Artificial Reef, and the other close inshore reefs have been producing some 55 to 60 cm fish early morning, and later in the afternoon into the evening. Squid and Gulp soft plastics in the 5 and 7 inch have been the most successful method of landing these fish.
Most outer reefs are fishing quite well for large red emperor, sweetlip, parrot and hussar.
Winter whiting have finally appeared, mainly around the Woodgate area, and eventually should travel further north to the spoil grounds at Burnett Heads.
The occasional tailor has been caught along the coastline, and a few are even venturing up the Burnett River to Kirbys Wall.
For those hardy fishermen willing to endure the cold, night fishing for bream in Kirbys Wall is worth a go. Mullet gut, chook gut and whole sprat will give the best results.
Prawns are fairly widespread in all the local river systems, with some decent sized specimens filling the 10 litre bucket.
It is also still worthwhile putting a crab pot in, as some nice crabs have still been taken, even this late in the season.
With the cool temperatures, at the moment the bass at Lake Gregory are tougher to catch, so chasing schooled fish in the deeper water would be my option.
Lake Monduran is still very quiet but a few smaller fish, around the 60cm mark, are being caught well up the dam. Reports of some nice bass to 50cm and above have been coming in. Targeting the points of the bays and inlets with Spinnerbaits, Jackalls and Blades has been producing the best results.
Don't forget, the VMR Bundaberg Family Fishing Classic is only a week away - on the weekend of 24th, 25th & 26th June. This is a great family competition, so get your entry in and you will be in the draw for two boats and a heap of other worthwhile prizes.
Till next time,
Gary Leather
Green Acorn