Noosa

Noosa River is fishing well

The Noosa River has been fishing well with plenty of good whiting caught around the dog beach, Gympie Terrace and, for those in boats, the sand banks around the Frying Pan. Yabbies, peeled prawns and worms have been the prime baits. Lure anglers have been just up from the Tewantin Boat ramp to Makepeace Island has been a hotspot. The best results have been on the run-out tide. Soft plastics have been very successful, with Squidgy Prawn Wriggler tails really getting the job done. For bait anglers, larger prawns have claimed the better fish. In the Maroochy River reports are also good with plenty of flathead on offer. If you have a boat or kayak, has been also working well. Trevally seem to always be around when the big tides are here. GTs and goldens were taken around Twin Water, the Traffic Bridge and around the mouth. Fast moving soft plastics, surface walkers and slugs were all successful.

With some warmer weather, the jack fishing in the Maroochy River has started to pick up. Most anglers have opted for live baits of either prawns or small bait fish, like herring or poddy mullet. For anglers that do not have a cast net, then larger cut baits of mullet or bonito have been getting some great results.

Mud crabs are on the go with plenty of bucks on offer in Sunshine Coast creeks. Mullet is one of the best baits for these tasty crustaceans, make sure you know the rules about crabbing before putting your pots in as it can be a hefty fine for those caught breaking the rules. For all the info check out the Queensland Fisheries website.

On the offshore scene, some good mackerel have been taken on trolled lures around the North Reef and Chardon. Halco Laser Pro and Nomad minnows have all got the runs on the board. Floating baits has also been a popular way to do battle with some good sized pelagics. Tuna schools have been at play in the bay rounding up schools of small bait fish, slugs like the Halco Twisty in the 20-30g size have pinned some good macks and long tail tuna.

For those of you working the bottom, big trout and pearl perch have been just a couple of the great reef species on the menu from Double Island Reefs. Most anglers were

Steve Curnow picked up this nice 68cm flathead from the Maroochy River.

reporting some bigger fish taken on smaller surface lures like the MMD Splash Prawn and the Bassday Sugapens. A good tip with these is to remove the rear treble and replace it with trailing hooks this helps if the fish are biting short.

Woods Bays has been one of the prime spots for trevally and queenies. These speedsters have been taking a liking to lightly weighted live herring on a snelled rig. For those that love their plastics, the Nemesis tails from Powerbait have also claimed some good fish.

The odd mulloway has been coming from the deeper holes up towards the lakes. Just before sunrise has been the prime time with the majority taking soft vibe lures like the Zerek Fish Trap and the Samaki Thumper Tails. Another tip is to make sure you’re fishing tight to the bottom.

For those anglers chasing flathead, the area the area around Bli Bli Islands has been fishing extremely well. For those land-based walking and casting along Bradman Ave was also some great success by anglers dropping slow fall jigs with kingies and amberjack taking a liking to these.

Sunshine Reef has been very popular. Off the bottom there have been some nice coral trout and sweetlip around. Mid water, anglers have picked up cobia and mulloway. Keep an eye on your sounder for changes in water temperatures as this may see you pick up some nice mahimahi.

To the South, the local reefs like Gneerings, Coolum and Arkwright have been good for snapper, Moses perch, Maori cod and a couple of solid cobia. Murphies Reef have been producing with snapper, cobia, cod, and pearl perch. Caloundra 12 Mile will also be worth a look if you have a larger craft. This reef always performs well and is the home to some big pelagics. Live yakkas and slimy mackerel are the best chance to hook up to the bigger fish.

Make sure you have your trolling lures when moving spots as mackerel are starting to come into our local areas. Mac tuna schools are also around and have been spotted on the closer reefs, like Coolum and Arkwright sholes. Small slugs are your best

bet as they are feeding on small bait at the moment.

On the beaches tailor are still making their way back south after spawning, good quality fish have been taken along the Noosa North Shore the Noosa River mouth and the rocks around the National Park. Fresh mullet, salted mackerel and pilchard baits have nailed most of the fish.

Dart are in good numbers with most fish in close, this is great for the kids as they don’t have to cast a mile, prawns and small fish baits have claimed plenty. We are also seeing some good quality whiting also coming from the same area. Look for those deeper gutters and fish the two hours up to the high tide for the dart and the start of the run out for the whiting.

Save yourself some money and teach the kids to worm or do the pipi shuffle as the beaches are

Greg Harris picked up this perfect snapper on a trip off Double Island. It measured 72cm.

dropping baits but there Dylan with one of many metre-plus sized cobia taken on the flipper jig.

loaded at the moment.

Rock fishing is also worth a look depending on swell and winds. Double Island must be one of the best spots locally for landbased game fishing and as we move into the pelagics season. Big poppers, slug and stick bait have all worked well in the past casting at the passing long tail tuna, mackerel wahoo and even the odd bill fish. • 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!