Kayaking: Hays Inlet

Surface paradise at Hays Inlet

BRISBANE Mathew Fenton

As a local to the Redcliffe Peninsula, Hays Inlet has become one of my regular haunts these past couple of years. It continues to produce on most occasions, weather permitting.

For anyone that has researched the area or travelled via the bridges to Redcliffe, the first thing you will notice is the large channel that runs north up from the Houghton Highway and Ted Smout bridges and past the now called Hornibrook Pier. The channel runs up into Kedron Brook and the green zone, which is signed. Another large feature that stood out to me the first time seeing it was the large sandbanks Hays Inlet on a glassy day. Days like this are a surface fisher’s dream. Every little slurp, bump or nudge on the lure can be seen and heard.

A nice sized bream caught on the flats close to the bridges using a Bent Minnow. Haysmouth Parade if you don’t mind trekking over the flats.

With large tides you will find some strong currents in the channels, so if heading out prepare yourself to move with the tides. On a few occasions I’ve noticed kayakers struggling to get back to the ramp, which I try and avoid if possible.

I enjoy targeting flathead up here, but I’m constantly getting distracted by all the surface action and I find myself throwing poppers, splash prawns and bent minnows most of the morning. The MMD Splash Prawn is a favourite of mine. The lure casts well and you can execute different retrieves with ease.

My main target species

and weed beds that are exposed during low tide. There are also hundreds of metres of mangrove banks that can be fished during high tide.

The area can be accessed from a few different launch spots depending on tides, weather and location. Main launch spot is Pelican Park at Clontarf, which if you’re an early bird, has plenty of parking for single cars with no trailers. Pelican Park offers a double ramp with a small sand patch either side, plus toilets. If launching from here, it is a couple of hundred metre paddle/pedal or motor until hitting the bridges. When travelling under the bridges be aware it does get a little choppy under there and, on a few occasions, I nearly had to change by undies, shorts and leggings.

Dolhes Rocks ramp is another option if you’re up for a trek. And there’s also a tiny ramp at the end of A fat 38cm bream pulled out from under the mangroves.

lately has been trevally on surface and the area hasn’t disappointed. Once the high tide has pushed in, these fish seem to just switch on. Following the and when I eventually cast at them got no strike.

You will find plenty of whiting on the sand flats during the low tide. Plenty of little tackers, but

Patrick Hinds landing a nice high 36cm trevally in his new kayak. Pat was using the 95mm MMD Splash Prawn.

mullet schools seems to work the best so far. Or if you’re lucky, have a school bust up right in front of you. This happened to me, and all I could do was babble around, tangle rods occasionally you can entice a larger model to have a slurp. For whiting I find replacing the stock treble with assist hooks increases the hook percentage, and lure tangle.

The weed beds and banks will produce plenty of bream on the surface. With bream I like to move in with the tide, as they do, and pepper them as they feed. Again, you will find plenty at the smaller end of your brag mat, but I have landed a few in the high 30s and on light gear, it’s a blast!

Once the tide has pushed up into the mangroves the hunt for bream and mangrove jack begins. Throwing up into the shadows produced by the mangrove trees is a A couple of the RKC (Redcliffe Kayak Cartel) boys checking out new grounds. reside in the mangroves. I usually soak myself in Mitchy Itchys before attempting to explore the mangroves.

End of March and onwards sees an increase of tailor action in the area as well. Larger poppers will entice these guys to strike. And if you’re as lucky as me, you might even hook a sea mullet, which felt like I’d hooked a tuna. Make sure you upsize your leader and line as running 4lb might see you lose a few lures to the 40cm tailor that can be found up there.

Houghton Highway Bridge in the early morning. A few feathered locals waiting for the tide change.

favourite of mine lately, which regularly gets me a strike. Just be aware as most of the time you may be lifted out of the kayak by the 400 million midges that

The bridge pylons can produce some nice fish on surface as well, depending on the tides. You will find plenty of bream here, and other species such as

A mangrove special, not a monster but still a challenge when the fish is up in the mangrove trees.

estuary cod and Moses perch. The pylons create a nice structure and feeding station for fish, and you will find them most of the time right next to them.

Hays Inlet is generally protected from high winds and swell due to the bridges, but always be prepared and ensure you have all your safety gear handy. I always try to fish with another kayaker, for safety reasons, and the laughs.

For any keen kayak anglers who are looking for a fishing location with such a diverse marine life, Hays Inlet will not disappoint.

Suzuki unveils new DF115b and DF140b mechanical-drive outboard motor range

Suzuki Motor Corporation have today unveiled a new mechanical range of mid-sized outboard motors, the DF115B and DF140B, due to arrive in Australian dealerships from March. Superseding the ever-popular DF115A and DF140A outboard motors, the new “B” series feature a host of updates, many of which are shared with the highly acclaimed DF115BG, and DF140BG Suzuki Precision Control (SPC) drive-by-wire outboard motors released last year, albeit in mechanically driven form. The compression ratio has been increased from 9.7:1 to 10.6:1 to achieve greater top speed and acceleration produced by the 2.0-liter displacement inline fourcylinder engines. Lean Burn fuel efficiency has also been significantly improved compared to the outgoing “A” series models. Tests have demonstrated as much as 10% improvement across mid-range to high-end cruising speeds. The redesigned cowl features a sporty, streamlined profile, sculptured to complement any type of boat with its smooth exterior appearance. It also incorporates a new air intake structure for improved water separation and a silencer-resonator system to attenuate engine sounds and provide a pleasant boating experience at all engine speeds/RPM. An optimised gear oil passage contributes to lower gear oil temperatures with greater cooling efficiencies increasing the durability of the pinion gear. A large capacity fuel pump, optimised o2 sensor mounting location and use of zinc-coated rustproof fasteners further contribute to Suzuki’s renowned durability. For ease of maintenance, it is now possible to replace the oil filter by simply removing the upper engine cover. A new oil spill catcher surrounding the oil filter mount allows for filter changing without making a mess. A water detection fuel filter has also been added to help protect the engine against contaminated fuel.

Available from March 2022, the DF115B and DF140B range will be available in both 20-inch and 25-inch shaft lengths, exclusively in Suzuki’s Pearl Nebular Black livery, and backed by Suzuki’s 3+3 year recreational warranty.