NSW
The bottom bashers are really kicking goals COFFS COAST
Rob Taylor
We’re finally starting to defrost and dry out here on the Coffs Coast as we move out of winter and intro spring proper. For those chasing a feed, it’s been a bumper season for bottom fishing, with plenty of pearl perch, trag, mulloway and snapper coming over the side. Pearlies in particular have been schooling in solid numbers from in close out to the 100m line, and everywhere in between. With them have been goodsized trag, which has made for some very tasty outings. Some big, bruising snapper are still falling to plastics in close, with some epic fish being taken in relatively shallow water. The usual presentations from Gulp, ZMan and Squidgies have been doing the damage. Keep jigheads light, cast your plastics forward and let them sink
down to the bottom third of the water column. You should find some reds! Bass season has opened with a bang! Many of the local rivers as well as the bigger systems produced some astonishing fishing for those willing to get off the beaten track and be in position for the opening bell. Some hot bites were recorded, and hopefully this all bodes well for a great 22-23 season! While historically October can tend to fish a bit on the quiet side, let’s take a look at what should be on the chew. CREEKS, RIVERS AND ESTUARIES As mentioned, it’s all systems go in the freshwater with the opening of Australian bass season. With the weather warming, there’ll be plenty of red-hot bass fishing on offer in all of the local creeks and rivers. Systems such as the Bellinger and Clarence will be well worth a prospect on foot or in kayaks and
Fishing with his good mate Rick Mocket, local angler Carl Perry tempted this fine mulloway in 85m of water with a live slimy.
Laurie Banks with a solid king that fell to a plastic out around the islands.
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and big seas, then there’s a good chance of solid silver ghosts around the local rock walls chasing big lures and plastics. Sadly, drummer numbers have started to thin, although there will be more than enough fun in the suds with bream, tailor and salmon all there for the taking. This month is always a fun time to be walking beach gutters at low tide flicking either soft plastics or lightly-weighted live yabbies in search of flathead, bream and whiting. This is a surefire way to bag a decent feed. We should start to see some dart also moving into the beach gutters as the water warms.
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ROCKS AND BEACHES The local rocks and beaches will still produce good catches of tailor in the white water for those keen on some fish for the smoker. I like to work the local headlands at this time of year and spin for choppers. If you don’t fancy eating them, they make a great troll bait for the upcoming Spanish mackerel run. Plenty of big Spanish fall to slow-trolled dead tailor. Plenty of mulloway are also still on offer for those throwing baits or lures around. Now is the time to find them in good numbers before the warmer summer water makes them harder going. If we get some rain
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canoes. There’s a plethora of lures to chase bass with, so get down to your local tackle store and chat to the sales people for the best options. By the end of this month we should start to see the first mangrove jacks turning up on the social media pages, so keep an eye on the water temperature if you’re looking to get among the red devils. Small GTs will start working the bait throughout the systems, so always keep an eye out for surface activity and have a suitable lure at the ready. Flathead and early summer whiting will start to increase in numbers as the bream and luderick fall away.
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