Changing tack for winter species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by John Boon

Kelly Manns with a new personal best barramundi, coming in at a massive 120cm.

Changing tack for winter species

THE temperature is dropping, so I suppose it’s time to hibernate during the colder weather… what do you reckon?

That’s a big, “Heck no!”

Just because you have to put on an extra layer of clothing doesn’t mean that the Capricorn Coast action can’t be smoking hot.

First of all, some of the more prominent summer species can still be caught during June.

We have had good success on inshore fingermark, if you can get a decent weather window.

The wrecks and headland heading north from Yeppoon are the most reliable places.

If you can find isolated structure that’s less pressured up this way, that would be the best bet.

Some of the best mud crabbing we have seen has been during the lead up to the full moon of this month.

We had a cracker of a bag out session at Port Alma.

It would have to be the most reliable area for bigger models too – as in over 2kg.

If you can manage a crab or two, they generally are chock full at this time of year.

Species such as barramundi and threadfin salmon will slow a little but will still be catchable up until the first proper cold snap.

If you can locate good numbers in a school holding stationary, then down-sizing lures and working them slow is key.

If you’re a bait fisho, some live prawns bounced on their noses are a sure bet.

Capricorn Coast by JOHN BOON

continued P67

* from P66

The first species we usually target this month are tiger squid around the Keppel Island group.

We are heading into breeding season, so the squid are generally big, hungry and angry.

There have only been a handful of times when it’s been hard to get them to take a jig.

They are opportunistic feeders, so generally if you can find them and get a jig in front of them, they will have a go.

The technique is pretty simple – don’t overcomplicate or overthink it.

Stick to shallow rock, weed and coral.

Work the area thoroughly and, if no squid are landed, move on.

Sometimes you will hit them straight away and other times it may take three to four hours to locate a school.

Keep persisting and the rewards will come.

The next species on the winter hit list are flathead, and I’m itching to get out for another session.

There’s something very relaxing about light-gear fishing.

Targeting shallow drains with lightly weighted plastics is probably the easiest technique.

Also look for structure such as snags in deeper water because flatties will position themselves around it.

I’m also going to try throwing some bigger plastics this year – after doing a little research and watching a few videos of how fishos down south target them.

Not a lot changes when we head wide for an offshore fish during winter.

My main target is always red emperor and they can be caught all through colder months, and large-mouth nannygai because they tend to frequent the same areas.

I find coral trout to be a bit hit and miss in winter.

One particular species that shows up wide when the water temperature drops are snapper.

This might open up a can of worms but in my opinion the snapper we get up here aren’t that great to eat.

I’ve asked a few other fishos and they agree.

Speaking with southern anglers from NSW, Victoria and South Australia, they reckon the snapper down that way tastes fairly good.

The research I’ve done has come back indicating that the colder the water the snapper come from, the better they taste.

I’ll let you be the judge of that one.

Also keep in mind that the snapper closed season is next month from July 15 to August 15.

I’ll leave with a quick mention about the importance of on-water safety.

Recently, another life was lost due to an on-water accident.

A few anglers were returning from a fishing trip at Port Alma when their tinnie struck one of the markers.

Tragically, three of them ended up in hospital with severe injuries, while the skipper was found many hours later by emergency services and several kilometres from where the accident took place.

It’s a timely reminder to be safe and responsible while enjoying your fishing and boating.

Accidents happen when you least expect them.

Stay safe and catch you next month.

Jessica Manns with an impressive king salmon from the Port Alma area.

Trolling deep rock bars is a great technique to catch fingermark. This Port Alma model took a liking to an Halco RMG Scorpion Crazy Deep.

Subscribe to our channel!