Kayaking: spring catches

Yakkers have spring in their step

It’s that time of year again. Kayakers start getting a little edgy, work is more of an inconvenience than usual, and everyday tasks become a loathsome burden. Like an addict, hands tremble as they

The Nudgee Beach boat ramp is a good choice for a trouble-free launch.

dream of stalking their prey, using instinct, skill and determination to outwit their quarry. Spring has arrived and for a flathead fisho, this is an exciting time!

The smaller fish that have plagued us over the winter start to be joined by some larger relatives, ready to challenge anyone brave enough to confront them on light gear. While large fish have certainly been in the system during the colder months, numbers are far lower and the average size rarely inspires us to roll out the brag mat. If you’re one of the very lucky or exceptionally talented who continues to catch huge flathead during winter, I both applaud your skill and envy your fortune.

Kayaks are the ultimate weapon when chasing estuary flathead. While they are a stealthy alternative, kayaks are somewhat vulnerable around larger vessels, so it makes sense to find locations where there is a degree of separation from boats. Apart from the safety factor, finding areas with low boat traffic usually means the fish are less pressured, with reduced disruptions from motor noise and dropping anchors. Often, these ideal fishing areas are not hidden in a narrow creek, but sitting to the side of an otherwise heavily trafficked waterway.

Kedron Brook is a great example of the principle, as this busy location is bombarded by locals fishing the shoreline, as well as boats working the passage and transiting into the deeper water of the bay. While that sounds unappealing for a kayaker, the creek is very wide, but much of it is too shallow for boats to navigate. When the tide is up, the prolific flats become a hunting ground for flathead, bream, whiting and some other surprise species. In addition, there are some complex water flows that run

over the flats, causing eddies, traps and drop-offs, which can be used to advantage.

The choices of launch are relatively limited, as

the best fishing is mostly towards the mouth of the system. For those car-topping their kayaks, there is a reasonable amount of parking near the Nudgee Beach Dog Park, however the only viable sandy launch point is a moderate walk to the north. The launch is between a small man-made rock wall, so care needs to be taken or you could add some unflattering scratches to your hull. The nearby Nudgee Beach boat ramp offers a far simpler launch, but once again parking can be an issue for those car-topping their kayaks, as the nearest car parks are inconveniently located. If, like me, you prefer to carry your yak on a trailer, this site has numerous parks and you’re unlikely to be disappointed on even the busiest day.

For such a small, yet heavily fished system, you are likely to be surprised by the healthy population of fish. The locals who crowd the shoreline certainly know its potential, often standing within arms reach of each other. With stellar fishing both north and south of

Nudgee Beach, you’d think the close proximity of other anglers would encourage many to fish elsewhere, but when fish are being landed,

there’s little incentive to relocate. Certainly, when fellow Qld Hobie Crew member, Nirmal Sumy, first introduced me to the area, I was very sceptical about why he’d choose such a busy location. Once again, Nirmal proved he has great judgement, as I was impressed away by the diversity on show. Nirmal has fished the area many times, which meant that I was the beneficiary of some fast-tracked local knowledge. Sadly, in my couple of visits I’ve failed to bag a trophy fish, but I’ve certainly witnessed a large array of species and whet my appetite for a return visit.

If you’re new to the area, I’d recommend you arrive on low tide. This will give you an opportunity to see potential ambush sites for fish, scope out some flathead lies, plus show you a pathway through the

shallows. Another advantage of arriving at low tide is that you’ll extend the time you have to fish the flats, as well as nearby Jackson Creek, which after only one visit became a place which is on my ‘must return’ list. While waiting for the incoming tide, you’ll be well entertained while fishing the edges of the banks, plus jigging the deeper section running to the mouth.

The mouth of the channel contrasts with the inner banks. There is a deeper section running between the navigation markers, which at times can be a conduit for larger species moving in and out of the system. Mostly, there are smaller fish such as bream and flathead working the edges of the channel, with small tailor also taking a liking to a lure. On our recent visit, big arches on

our sounders inspired some hope of a larger catch, but the deep channel was mostly unproductive. Some days, you just can’t unlock the code, which leads to success, so it’s simply a case of persistence. Regardless, fishing the flats for flathead and bream on light gear is intoxicating stuff, so if the larger fish in the channel aren’t playing fair, the flats will keep you smiling. Pay particular attention to the direction of the tide, as some of the most productive sections are the areas where the water is pushing over the back of the banks, congregating predators waiting for an easy meal.

As you exit the creek, on the right side you’ll see the entrance to Jackson Creek. In my opinion, if you don’t fish this section of water, you’ve wasted a massive opportunity. It can be tricky to navigate and is best explored on an incoming tide. Enter the creek the moment you have enough water to do so, or simply drag your kayak over the sandbanks. This small but diverse creek is difficult to access by boat, so you’ll mostly be alone in a kayakers paradise. Flats, good tidal flow, tree-lined edges and a deep hole; what more could you ask for? It’s a very small system and could be over-fished quite easily, so practice catch and release, have some fun and move on.

My recent venture into lure making has been enjoyable, but at times has ruined what may have been a productive session. If I want to test a new lure, I often waste a large portion of the session throwing a lure which isn’t productive, simply because I want it to work. The reality is, even if it isn’t catching fish, the lure itself may be fine. Due to bait which are prevalent in the area, water clarity and a number of other factors, sometimes even the best lures simply won’t entice fish on the day. If I watched another angler continually casting an unproductive lure, I’d advise them to make a change. Change lure profile, colour, size, technique or all four. Despite my one-eyed obsession with testing lures on my last visit, I still managed a number of smaller fish. Nirmal used a more logical approach, cycling through a combination of soft and hard bodied lures, so he deservedly enjoyed a better size of catch, while also snaring a diverse range of species. I struggled to get a fish onboard, until that moment I let logic win over ego and put the prototype away. Fishing with an older design, as well as a couple of ‘brand name’ lures, my ego was saved by some late catches.

On the flats, small

Nirmal’s willingness to share his local knowledge was invaluable. Nirmal got busy racking up a variety of species.

This modest mackerel gave the author a desire for something larger. Based on the sounder image, he suspects he pulled the smallest fish from the school!

paddletail plastics with profiles similar to the 2” Keitech Easy Shiner are typically engulfed. Smaller lures may seem counterintuitive if you’re chasing a larger flathead, but they are often the perfect presentation if they ‘match the hatch’. Conversely, don’t be afraid to tie on large lures, especially if you see larger mullet being harassed. While light jigheads are favoured when fishing around structure, it is beneficial on the flats to increase your cast weight, as it’s otherwise difficult to get your cast well away from your kayak. Wind can assist your stealth by causing a ripple on the surface of the water, but for me a longer cast is your best friend in this situation. Flathead don’t seem to care if your lure is nose down and dragging through the sand, which is what may happen with a larger casting weight. Try to balance the weight, aiming for long casts and a slow wind to keep your lure just above the bottom, it’s only a matter of time before you fell that first big bump travel up your line, followed by a welcome bend in your rod.

While I favour soft plastics, hardbodies worked over the shallows are deadly. For those chasing the thrill of a surface strike, the mouth of Jackson Creek and virtually all the areas on, or around the vast flats will keep you smiling. When the tide is moving quickly over the shallows, casting directly into the tide can be too difficult, as maintaining contact with your lure and slowing its movement are near impossible. In that situation, casting forward of your kayak at a 45º angle allows you to slow your retrieve, while allowing better feel of potential strikes. Flathead struggle to resist an easy meal, so maximising time in the strike zone is your main priority.

If the flathead aren’t cooperating, or perhaps you prefer to chase a different species, don’t hesitate to explore a little further. I only managed a small mackerel outside the mouth, but I’ve heard reports of bigger specimens caught between the mouth and a

nearby beacon. The larger arches on my sounder in the mouth weren’t identified, but with locals reporting big mulloway and threadfin salmon being pulled from that precise spot, I suspect it’s worth at least a few casts. Nirmal knows the area well and found a mulloway within easy reach of our launch, so I suggest you explore the area extensively. There are plenty of opportunities to be had nearby, but please be aware of the nearby Green Zones. Tidal flow through the mouth can be a challenge at its peak, so if you’re in a smaller kayak, I’d suggest

you stick to the flats and Jackson Creek.

If you’re looking for a system that offers plenty of action in a small area, Nudgee Beach is unlikely to disappoint. Whether you’re chasing flathead, you want a quiet float in a secluded creek or you just like watching boaters ram into sandbanks, this is one location which should not be missed.

Looking at the serene conditions on the flats, you’d never know there was heavy boat traffic in the main channel to the left.

YAK TIP OF THE MONTH

Pedal kayaks make fishing easier, but occasionally wind and tide can make your rudder momentarily ineffective, preventing a turn. Before you reach for your paddle, try leaning into the turn. In most situations, this will improve your turn speed and radius. Take care though, as you don’t want to find the tipping point of your hull! Nirmal cast a diving hardbody across a deeper hole, then cranked it down into the strike zone. Pausing the lure resulted in a solid strike. Not quite the monster flathead the author was chasing, but still fun on light gear. Now is the time to chase some larger fish.

SMALL PACKAGE BIG BITE

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