Noosa

Late autumn seems to be that great time of the year when wind conditions settle, and we can get offshore a little more often. It is also that change over time where we get the best of both worlds with the last of the pelagic run and the start of the great snapper fishing.

On the offshore scene, the anglers that are prepared to do the big steam up to the Double Island reef systems have not been disappointed, this area really produces with some outstanding fish taken, including large pearl perch, snapper, Mauri cod, tusk fish, large cobia, amberjack, and some bigger snapper. On the pelagic front there were wahoo, Spanish mackerel and some good long tail tuna.

To the south, Noosa anglers also did well with reefs like The Hards, Barwon Banks, and North all reporting some great fish. Fishing floaters through a good berley trail has been the key. Make sure you have some extra pilchards on board for that reason. Cut small inch-long chunks and drop a few pieces to start then follow with one or two every couple of minutes, fish your bait through the trail to get the best results.

Out of Mooloolaba, the local reefs have really been firing up with some solid coral trout taken on pillies and livies fished hard on the bottom as well as quality snapper and sweetlip. Even though the water has cooled a little we are still seeing a great run of Spanish mackerel in the 10kg and above range, always Having a pillie floater out on a 5/0 gang hook in a solid berley trail is going to get you into them if you are at anchor. If trolling using Halco Laser Pros, Rapala X-Rap and Nomad DTX minnow in a couple of colours and dive depths, this will help to entice a strike. Reefs like Murphy’s, Coolum and the Gneerings have all seen some great mackerel.

The river and estuary systems were popular with the start of the trevally and tailor runs. Anglers have been working the river mouths with smaller jigs and stick baits. Best times have been around the top of the tide first thing in the morning. The Jigpara range of jigs has been very popular with a lot of anglers opting for the 10g models to get that bit more casting distance. You will have to upsize you fluorocarbon with the sharp teeth of those tailor. Another option has also been the new 70mm Bassday Crystal Pops, these are a sinking popper with a cast weight of 10.5g, cast at left to sink and then retrieved at speed, they are very much a fleeing bait fish.

In and around Noosa the run-out tide in the morning has been perfect for the flathead. These fish are in the shallows feeding on

Coby Thomas with a solid tuna from out near the blinker.

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Lester Spottswood with a mangrove jack from the Maroochy.

smaller bait and warming their bodies in the shallower waters. Soft plastics are perfect for the job and pink is reported to be the best colour at this time. Cast upstream and slowly work the lure back with the tide, this will give a more natural look as the lure is moving with the tide. Another option has been prawn profile lures and the new Armour Prawn from Chasebait has been working a treat. The smaller 85mm size weighs in at 13g so has no problem getting to the bottom and with two-tow point it can be twitched or you can just glide it just off

the bottom.

Bream are also in good numbers as the waters cool, the bigger breeding fish are moving into the area to spawn so if you do catch a large one better to take a photo for the brag wall and let it swim free to reproduce, remember a 35cm fish may be over 20 years old. These crafty old fish have probably seen a hook or two in their lifetime so it is a good angler that can pick one up on a lure. Fishing the shadow lines of jetties and pontoons around the Noosa Sound with very lightly weighted prawns or small grub style lures has been the most effective.

Winter whiting should be starting to show up over the next couple of weeks with areas like the Mouth Weyba Creek and the sand bars at the mouth of the Noosa River an excellent place to start. Fresh is best when it comes to winter whiting so freshly pumped yabbies are the number one bait.

The Noosa River mouth has been firing, there have been quite a few herring around and these make perfect baits for those big mulloway and mangrove jack. Other live bait options

would be poddy mullet and large prawns. For the lure angler’s soft vibes are always a hit with the mulloway and the number one option is the Jackall Transams in the 20g size, these lures are a little more expensive but are a proven winner when it comes to mulloway and jack.

On the beaches there are some reports of tailor starting to come through North of Teewah, again the fish are still around that chopper size with the odd bigger fish amongst them. Trevally numbers are also good with plenty of GTs on offer.

For mullwoay anglers the new moon has been the best time to hunt for them. Reports say there are plenty of fish on offer but only a few are making size. Fresh tailor is their chocolate so if you get a chopper take the side off him and use it as strip baits. Remember the best mulloway anglers are the ones that leave the rod in the rod holder. These fish tend to mouth the bait and an over excited anger will quite often pull the hooks free trying to hook the fish, better to wait until the fish runs and then set the hooks.

Bream, whiting, and dart, continue to be found around

Justin Worth with a solid amberjack from the Barwon Banks.

rocks and along the surf gutters. For whiting anglers to get the best from your baits, try using a Whiting Wacker rig. These two hook rigs are designed for light surf fishing and come fitted with 1/0 hooks, tinsel teasers and glow beads. • Don’t forget to check in to www.fishingnoosa.com.au for all the latest up to date info on fishing and bar crossings. The knowledgeable teams at Tackle World Noosa and Northshore Bait & Tackle at Marcoola can provide you with the right equipment, bait and advice to ensure success!