Northern Bay

NORTHERN BAY Tackle World Lawnton

The end of the year is here and what a year it has been! Luckily in our neck of the woods we have very limited Covid lockdowns, so we have had much more freedom to hit the water and go fishing compared to our southern friends.

December is one of the busiest months of the year in sometime between launches.

Leading up to December we have seen some good catches of summer whiting and flathead in the estuaries and crab numbers have started to increase as well. It’s also been a good start to the mangrove jack ‘season’ with good catches throughout our local estuaries. BAY

It’s prime time to be chasing pelagic species this month. School mackerel is happening. This way you won’t spook the schools too much.

It’s also worth targeting the shipping markers as well with some floating pillies on gangs or fast burning some metal lures through the zone.

Some Spanish macks may be hanging around in the bay schools as well, but more consistent catches will be out wide. And off the northern tip of Moreton Island. ESTUARY

There is always plenty going on in our local estuaries this month – more boat traffic and plenty of fishing opportunities available. Your regular bread and butter species will be the main focus and expect a few mangrove jack and trevally to be around still.

It’s worth trying to get away from the regular areas that get fished hard and head up the rivers to areas that don’t get as much boat traffic. It’s also worth doing a boat trip at night, as there are less boats on the water and it’s always a great time to wet a line.

We have been getting some early summer storms this year and all indicators are that this will continue through to the end of the year. For those who love to get a good feed of mud crab for the Christmas lunch, now is the time. Try and get out a day or so after some good rain as this can flush them out and get them on the move.

If we get a good couple days of rain it’s worth chasing some sand crabs as well. The southern end of Pumicestone Passage from Donnybrook South has produced good numbers in the past. It’s also worth targeting along the flats around Beachmere/ Deception Bay.

We will see the prawns turn up again in good

The jacks have been firing in the estuaries, Franky got this one while fishing from his kayak.

our region with people taking time off work, spending it with family and friends and getting out and about doing what we love…fishing! If you’re taking your boat out for the first time in a while, remember it’s important to stay safe and be aware and courteous to others who are out and about on our waterways. It can’t hurt to give your boat and safety equipment a quick check over as well if it’s been have been consistent lately and we should start to see some numbers of spotties also come in. They can often be spread out and can turn up anywhere. Keep and eye out for bird and bait activity close to the water surface and you will be heading in the right area.

Instead of racing your boat towards surface bust up, take it easy and try trolling some diving lures into or around the area all the action Flathead are a prime target in December. Franky Gilligan has done well on them lately.

Josh Gollan with a nice jack he caught in the months leading into December. some opera house traps in if you get a chance. Red claw bait is easy as there not much they wont go for, but I have found rockmelon cubes has usually worked best. But old frames, par boiled potatoes and vege/ fruit scraps can also do the job. Give the pots a good soak and hopefully you get yourself a good feed for the Christmas lunch.

Thanks for tuning in. The team at Tackle World Lawnton would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New year. All the best for the Holiday season, and stay safe on the water. • For more up to date information on fishing in and around Brisbane call into the guys at Tackle World Lawnton and they can point you in the right direction. The friendly staff at Tackle World Lawnton cater to all

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numbers after some good rain. Best to check the usual spots like next to the highway bridge on the Pine River. So get your nets ready, because when the prawns are on, it gets pretty hectic on the water!

DAMS

Both North Pine and Kurwongbah have been fishing well, and as we come into summer it’s worth targeting some fish on the surface. Early morning and late afternoon is the best time to have a crack. Try throwing some walk-the-dog pencils or cicada imitations and you will be in with a good chance of picking up a bass, or even better a saratoga.

With the fish being more spread-out spinnerbaits and chatterbaits along the edges and points will continue to be some of the best ways to get a few fish throughout the summer. For the fish that are Jow Dow with a good bass on a small chatterbait.

sitting deeper, try fishing a deep diving crankbait along the drop offs.

Again, with a bit of rain and some heat in summer the red claw in the dams will be on the move, so throw levels of experience and offer the widest range of brands at the best prices. They are located at 640 Gympie Road Lawnton (07) 3205 7475 or find us on Facebook and Instagram.