Fishing

So many species, so little time

MISTRESS SPORTFISHING CHARTERS

Fish one of the world’s most productive Blue and Black Marlin grounds aboard the state-of-the-art 50 foot Custom Charter boat “Mistress”. Available for min. 3 day Charters (up to 4 anglers) – live aboard in luxury air conditioned surroundings and comfort. All food and drinks provided. Facebook: Mistress Sportfishing Charters 0417 766 734 | captainbrettalty@bigpond.com www.fishingmistress.com

The maze of intertwining creeks and rivers, vast sand flats, inshore islands, deep reefs and gin-clear waters of the Fraser Coast deliver one of the most diverse fisheries in Australia, with an overlap of both northern and southern species.

Its sheltered waters, protected by the largest sand island in the world, make the Fraser Coast one of the most renowned fishing destinations in the country.

Some of Australia’s most iconic sportfish species can be targeted successfully here, including blue and black marlin, sailfish, longtail tuna, golden trevally, snapper, coral trout, barramundi, threadfin salmon and mangrove jack.

The options range from world-class beach fishing on the eastern side of Fraser Island and outstanding pelagic fishing in Platypus Bay, to one of the best blue marlin fisheries in Australia. Not to be outdone, the Mary River is home to big barra and threadfin salmon. Don’t just take our word for how great the fishing is, grab your fishing gear and find out for yourself. A word of warning though – you’ll be hooked.

Pick your spot

Fraser Island’s Platypus Bay is responsible for putting Hervey Bay’s pelagic fishing scene on the map, making it the ‘go-to’ destination for all enthusiasts. With the crystal-clear, bait-rich, sheltered waters of the bay, it is an international drawcard for lure and fly anglers.

The Hervey Bay flats are world famous among fly fishers and sport fishers alike with a huge variety of species on offer. These flats are greatly influenced by the adjacent creeks on the western side of

Fraser Island creating a unique fishery that includes prized species such as Hervey Bay’s iconic golden trevally, longtail tuna and juvenile black marlin. The marlin can be sight fished in less than 2m of water – one of the only places in the world where this is possible.

And if that’s not compelling enough, the eastern side of Fraser Island is described as the “holy grail” of beach fishing and throughout the winter months it draws crowds of anglers for the annual run of tailor. Spectacular catches of Spanish mackerel are common during the summer months as well as the everyday staples of whiting, dart and flathead.

Great Sandy Strait between the mainland and Fraser Island covers about 70km of crystalline waters, white sandy beaches, a network of shallow lying flats and a maze of creeks. These wildlife and fish-rich waters present anglers with a huge diversity of species from whiting and flathead, barra and threadfin salmon to prawns and mud crabs.

For land-based anglers, the 868m Urangan Pier is the ultimate fishing platform accessing a diverse fishery of garfish, whiting and flathead in the shallower waters of the first channel and larger predatory species including mackerel, tuna, trevally and queenfish which patrol the deeper waters of the outer channel. These larger predators are drawn in by the huge schools of herring, hardyhead and pike that congregate around the pylons of the pier seeking protection.

The Mary River is the largest estuary system in the region and boasts one of the most remarkable barramundi and threadfin salmon fisheries on the Australian east coast. In with what feels like a never-ending system to explore, the river has multiple areas to fish with some form of structure to be found around every corner. Mud crabs are a year-round option in this river and each wet season spawns a significant banana prawn fishery producing exceptional quality prawns.

The upper reaches of the Mary River above the causeway not only provide a picturesque backdrop but a healthy Australian bass fishery. The region is also blessed with one of the best freshwater fisheries in Queensland at Lake Lenthall, off the Bruce Highway north of Maryborough, where thousands of Australian bass, barramundi and golden and silver perch fingerlings were released into the dam two years ago.

The Fraser Coast is blessed with an excellent fishery of inshore islands and reefs comprising many inshore islands, shallow natural reef flats, deeper natural and artificial reefs and ledges of coffee rock.

The Roy Rufus Artificial Reef at the top of Great Sandy Strait off the eastern side of Big Woody Island is one of the largest in the southern hemisphere and consists of sunken barges, boats, car bodies and pipes creating a diverse ecosystem for a variety of fish. On top of all this, the relatively protected waters of the Bay offer fantastic bait and lure fishing year round.

Hook A Prize Catch

The diverse range of fish which can be caught on the Fraser Coast include barramundi, threadfin salmon, bass, blue and black marlin, sailfish, bream, flathead, golden trevally, longtail tuna, reef fish, snapper, Spanish mackerel, tailor and whiting.

Not to be missed April 10 – 12 Burrum Heads Easter Fishing Classic April 11 – 12 Poona Family Fishing Competition May 30 – June 3 Hervey Bay Fishing Classic, Scarness September 18 – 20 Toogoom Family Fishing Competition November 19 – December 2 Hervey Bay Game Fishing Classic *Dates subject to change, for updates visit: frasercoastevents.com

FISHO’S TACKLE WORLD – HERVEY BAY

• Open 7 Days – Find us on Facebook • The Fraser Coast’s Premier Fishing Tackle Store • Bait, Ice, Tackle, Lures • Fly Fishing Gear • Apparel • Spear & Snorkelling gear • Rod & Reel Repairs

59 Torquay Road, Pialba | 07 4128 1022 info@fishostackleworld.com.au www.fishostackleworld.com.au BOAB BOATS HERVEY BAY | See Hervey Bay your way Enjoy the best parts of boating without the stress of towing, launching/retrieving or cleaning. Just like a rental car only on the water. We have a range of boats and jetskis to choose from, we can even supply fishing and water sports gear. Full or half day hire options available. The only hire vessel in Hervey Bay that can operate in open waters, this opens up so many more options for o shore fishing. For those without a licence we have guided sightseeing, fishing and water sport tours as well. 0418 507 750 | herveybay@boabboats.com.au www.herveybayboattours.com.au