Fisho's Weekly Fishing Report – 1st November, 2024

Fisho's Weekly Fishing Report © Fisho's Tackle World Hervey Bay

Enjoy the Warmer Weather this Week

Many boaties enjoyed the light winds and all-round lovely conditions earlier this week. The north wind cranked it up over the past 24 hours and is dominating the weather-scape right now, spawning stormy weather such as last night's. It should ease for the weekend and leave us with options galore, and if you are lucky enough to have this coming week off work, then you are laughing!

This morning's 15-20 knot north-westerly is expected to lean more northerly and strengthen during the afternoon. If it gets as strong as some sites are suggesting this evening, then expect some residual northerly swell tomorrow morning. Otherwise, Saturday looks great. Minimal breeze from a general northerly direction for the morning session, tending light easterly to 10 knots in the afternoon. There is the chance of a storm, particularly inland, that could stay alive as it approaches the coastal strip.

Melissa joined Luke for a shallow water trout trolling session and they ate well that night - photo © Fisho's Tackle World Hervey Bay

Sunday should be a joy for boaties as well, with a 10 knot easterly tending north-easterly later in the day. There might be a few clouds, but very little chance of showers. Expect a light northerly breeze Monday morning and a 15-knot sea breeze that evening. From Tuesday onwards, it looks like a 10-15 knot north or north-easterly inshore and even lighter conditions offshore. It will be quite warm, yet also very inviting for those in larger vessels looking to venture beyond the bay.

Today's new moon means larger spring tides this weekend. The waxing moon will shine a little extra light, night by night, but a few savvy fishos will take advantage of the darks in the meantime and cash in on the great bite triggered by this moon phase at this time of year. There should be some great fishing enjoyed by quite a few fishos this week.

Coral Reef Fin Fish Closure Concludes Saturday Night

There seemed to be a lot of questions as to what species of fish were catchable during the Coral Reef Fin Fish Closure over recent days. Tempting weather had crews considering trips to the northern bay or offshore until they realised the futility of such ventures. The closure concludes at midnight this Saturday night, so take the next chance you get and head wide for a feed of Queensland's best.

For those that are still unsure, the species affected by the annual Coral Reef Fin Fish Closures include all the trouts; all of the cods and groupers excluding 'estuary' cod; all of the emperors, excluding the grass emperor/sweetlip; all fusiliers; all parrotfishes; all surgeonfishes; all sweetlips; all tropical snappers/jobfishes and sea perches; all wrasse and all tuskfishes. Kind of takes the fun out of reef fishing above latitude 24°50' during the closure unless you have the skill to selectively fish for alternative species without impacting the key spawning coral reef fin fish.

The government website isn't as easy to navigate as it could be, so do yourself a favour and download the Fisheries Qld app on your phone to simplify information gathering. Some folks might want to download the Marine Parks app too, going on the latest round of stories of folks spotted actively fishing in our new green zones!

Come Sunday, you can head north of the bay and expect some decent action. Numbers of cobia of all sizes are still prevalent at the Gutters, where you might also bag a feed of mixed reef fish. Expect issues with mackerel here and there whilst doing so. Hang in for the evening session and you will improve your chances with the snapper up that way, and you might even score some other fine red-hued fish.

Head for Rooneys or some of the bait-rich reefs of Platypus Bay and snapper may feature in your new moon catches. Any nannygai you trip over will be keen to feed over the darks too, so a handy feed is on the cards. Shark activity hasn't been too bad on some grounds of late (due largely to a lack of boat traffic). There has been a lot of mackerel up that way though, so be prepared to lose some lures etc.

Offshore Options Looking Good Next Week

There might be a few local tradies MIA next week as the weather gets too tempting and they charge off for the wide blue yonder. 1770 looks like a great option, and having fish still schooled-up post-spawn, some very substantial catches are on the cards. The tides post new moon will appeal to those that can handle a bit of run in the tide, with the setting moon likely to produce a particularly ravenous bite.

Catching a limit of coral trout and RTEs shouldn't be too challenging for the more experienced reef fishos, and they should have ample opportunity to head deeper in search of reds and a variety of jobbies. The combined 20 per person limit on coral reef fin fish species must be respected, as must, the individual species bag limits and specific boat limits. Other fish not regulated in the CRFF plan can be added to your catch of course - fish such as snapper, pearl perch, mackerel and cobia for example - but surely, if you have 20 fish each on board then you already have ample.

Offshore waters beyond Breaksea Spit will appeal to some this week. The swell will dissipate as the weather improves. There is an image of the latest SST Chart hereabouts that reflects the development of that tongue of warmer water that wedges southward wide of Fraser at this time. If you have been monitoring it in recent weeks, then you would have noticed how much that spur has developed. Good news for heavy tackle marlin fishos, and good reason for reef fishos to get out there before the EAC kicks in bigtime.

There was giant trevally, spanish mackerel and yellowfin tuna caught east of the spit this week, and one might anticipate an even better bite over and beyond the new moon from the same species. Hurling poppers and large stickbaits across the shallower reefs out there will be one way to find out if the spaniards or GTs are home. Trolling big tight-swimming hardbodies or bibles lures over similar terrain being another method.

Fisho's sporting heavy tackle are likely to put some time in along and beyond the continental shelf very soon. That is where the yellowfin might be found, but also where the larger marlin should be lurking. We have no specific word from any game fishos from those waters just recently, so it will be very interesting to hear how this week unfolds out there.

Hopes for Better Things from the Inshore Marlin Fishery

Talking to folks tuned in to the baby black marlin fishery to our north has left some creeping doubt as to how well Hervey Bay's season is going to fare. There has been basically no fish caught off Yeppoon apparently, so that is not good news for us. Fish from up the Qld coast head our way each spring on their way south. There has already been fish caught south of Fraser, yet numbers here remain quite low.

I proffered a suggestion that the tiny average size of the marlin caught in the bay this spring indicated they were progeny of local spawning events just north of Fraser. If you can imagine large black marlin spawning in the waters out Lady Musgrave - Lady Elliot way, then you get the picture. Typically, larger fish that spawned earlier hundreds of miles to our north are what swamp the bay in a good season. That is yet to happen.

Having said this, the new moon period is the absolute prime in the eyes of the majority of experienced game fishers so we can only hope that this moon brings a wave of marlin our way. Enough boats up in Platypus Bay and off Rooneys this next week will be very telling as to how the remainder of this season is looking. Maybe there is a run of fish headed our way on the heels of the smaller spotties due next month - perhaps.

Ensure you have plenty of extra garfish baits or lures if planning on a bay marlin session. The mackerel have been a real nuisance for many folks in recent weeks. Warming waters are likely to invite more and more spotties to join the schoolies and spaniards in coming weeks, and your chances of catching a few large spotties is improving with each passing tide. Oh, and stay out of the new green zones up that way too! It was amazing to hear yarns of boats happily trolling through the extended zones without a care in the world just recently.

Plenty of New Moon Fun on Offer Inshore

If you are an inshore pelagic fan, then this new moon period will excite you. Last week saw some fine fish caught from our local shipping channels and many reef sites. The larger new moon tides will lose their momentum once the moon passes, but this weekend retains sufficient run to keep the pelagics on the chew.

The deeper waters of the northern straits are awash with masses of small baitfish and this has kept quite a few mac tuna in the area. The bay islands and surrounds have hosted fish such as giant herring, queenfish and various trevally too, as well as some substantial broad-barred mackerel.

Golden trevally are being caught from both deeper shipwrecks and ledges as well as from select local flats. Expect larger fish in the deeper water at present, with smaller school fish on the flats. To target these skinny water goldies, head up towards the mangrove fringes as the tide builds and retreat as the tide recedes. Keep on the move and keep looking for the telltale shadows of cruising fish and the even more obvious fleeing baitfish.

Queenfish fans should be in for a great weekend. Some very large fish are cruising the fringes of the flats along Fraser's western side, as well as select channels and flats further down the straits. The current lines of the bay islands are always popular on bigger tides, and that fishery has leapt forward in leaps and bounds since netting restrictions were implemented.

If chasing a feed of mackerel is more your thing, then you are spoilt for choice. The big broadies just keep on coming and they are well represented in the southern bay. Schoolies are pretty widespread nowadays too and you still don't need to burn much fuel to get amongst them. Try the Bait Grounds, the reefs off the Burrum, the Fairway, the Outer Banks or other inshore hotspots. Mackerel drawn in close by baitfish are also feeding a few crews that are fishing not far west of Gatakers Bay boat ramp.

Perfect Chance to Hone Your Trolling Skills

If you are a fan of trolling, or would like to improve your trolling skills, then this is the weekend to send some lures aft and get ready for action. The new moon tides are very favourable for those keen to ply the shallow reefs for coral trout, and you have the option to chase bigger versions of the same species in deeper waters too.

Be on the water at sparrow fart (or earlier) and have your lures tuned, your drags set and your intended trolling runs planned out. You could be home with breakfast before the less keen members of the family are even out of bed. Ensure you troll stouter, deeper-diving hardbodies such as the new Barambah Deton8or and similar well-proven models, and pick up the pace a bit to excite the trout into biting. Make them think they must strike or miss out on an easy meal.

I personally found that a reasonable north-easterly ground swell really turned the trout on 20 odd years ago when I used to troll local waters. The surge of the boat when running with the swell triggered a bite from the trout very regularly as the lure sped up and slowed down. Stirred-up waters also seemed to favour an active trout that was less shy about leaving the safety of its coral lair.

Head deeper and dredge lures along reefy ledges and around other reef systems. Deploy divers that get to within metres of the bottom. Obviously, you all have Dr Evils for that task, but there are some other fine lures such as Poltergeists and Atomic Shiners that will also crash dive to alternative depths and get you within striking distance of trout and cod lurking below. Such lures might even pick you up a stray snapper, and you would be 'lucky' to avoid any mackerel or trevally in the area. Slow is the go with these wide-wobbling ultra-deep divers, so be prepared for a real battle if you connect to a reef thug too close to its lair.

If you want to make it easier for the younger kids to join in, or are just an everyday mackerel fan, then skirt the fringes of the shipping channels and do some passes by the deeper beacons looking for takers. Longer-profiled lures capable of more speed are the go in this scenario, with your drag set a fair bit lighter than for trout etc. You can cover a lot of ground with this technique, yet you should still focus on areas likely to host some baitfish. See above for a generalised list of starting points. If the northerly swell is a little too much for you then try the straits. Mackerel can be found down that way too.

Change tactics and opt for a little time flicking softies or jigs when the tide isn't racing and you might score a decent snapper from our deeper inshore waters. You are fast running out of time to do so, but still in with a chance, particularly on this weekend's tides. Some solid grassy sweetlip are also on offer and they won't say no to a well-presented bait on the fringe of the shallow reefs during low light periods.

Barramundi Closure is Now in Force

As of midnight, last night, you are not permitted to target or keep any barramundi in Qld waters, unless they are in a recognised stocked impoundment. This closure is in place for a very long 3 months and will conclude at midnight 31st January 2025.

This annual closure has been in place for eons and was implemented to protect spawning barra from over-exploitation. We Queenslanders enjoy excellent barra fishing in our rivers, creeks and elsewhere at times these days, and that is only because this annual closure is enforced. It is now up to you to show some restraint and discipline and respect this rule for the coming months and leave the barra in peace so they can spawn and repopulate our waters.

Reduced netting effort due to marine park regulation changes have paved the way for a substantial growth in the local barra fishery that experienced many ups and downs over the years. Never have the barra had a better opportunity to propagate our waters in a big way than they do now. Please do your bit and resist targeting them as your next encounter with a breeding female in roe could deter her from spawning at key times.

You know you cannot target them in our rivers and creeks, but also be aware that you cannot target them from pondages or from waters downstream of stocked impoundments. This includes freshwater weirs and man-made lakes of all kinds. Crazy as it may sound, you technically would be breaking the law by fishing for barra in your own farm dam during this closure.

It is fairly obvious that a crowd will descend on Lake Monduran this weekend. Trollers are catching fish in the main basin and this phenomenon draws hopefuls from all over. Trolling efforts focussed on key bite periods have been most productive, and when the fish are on, virtually everyone is catching them. These fish will be an easy target whilst ever they are in the mood. They are there in that part of the lake because they want out. Most have burnt a lot of energy getting there and they are hungry. When they eventually sense that they cannot escape, then their mood will change.

An established thermocline and aggregations of baitfish within and above have the barra focussed on that upper couple of metres of water. Lures that they can be caught on are many and varied, though it is swimbaits that are proving more popular than the traditional hardbodies these days. Trolling certainly isn't the only tactic for main basin fishos, as the barra are very obvious on even a half-decent sounder and they can be targeted by casting.

On-water etiquette might be found wanting this weekend as a crowd gathers in a small area of what is a huge lake. Those clowns with the biggest spotlights that refuse to turn them off when passing other boats at speed will continue to make enemies no doubt. Many folks have a ball milling about amongst all the action of the main basin, but it is a little hard to see the appeal when exploring the meandering waterways of Mondy and enjoying its glorious sights and sounds in peace is such a major drawcard for so many of us. Nevertheless, big barra look the same in happy snaps no matter where or how they are caught though - of that there is no doubt. Enjoy this aspect of the fishery while it lasts and make some lasting memories.

Straits is Attracting the Baits

With barra off limits, lots of gung-ho estuary fisho's will shift their attention to the other key predators of our streams. Threadfin salmon and jacks are the bigger drawcards, but grunter, flathead and others also appeal to many folks. The meandering waterways and feeder streams of the Great Sandy Straits is seemingly hosting the larger biomass of baitfish at present and for that reason is a great area for future fishing effort.

The mighty Mary and its little sister river, the Susan, are far less productive than they might be at this time for threadies, so time spent searching elsewhere is worth considering. Having said that, there are still some fine fish in the rivers, and undoubtedly more on their way there, but for now, there are better options. Arm yourself with a good selection of soft vibes, some prawn imitation and paddle-tailed plastics and a few small hardbodies and go scan likely waters where the big ebb tides drain into deeper water. Keep on the move and trust your sounder whilst always watching for fleeing prawns and baitfish in the shallows.

Blue salmon will offer a little fun distraction for many of you as you seek your next threadie. Focus on grunter instead and you could take home a nice feed to boot. The grunter have made their way back into the streams, so it is a matter of hopping small prawn imitations along the bottom until you track them down. Kick back and wait for them to come to you if you prefer, whilst soaking a yabbie or prawn, as these fish (like salmon) cover some serious ground in a tide phase.

Whiting fans can still catch a great feed down the straits if they wish. The need to fish evenings isn't as significant at this time of year, but some still will when the weather allows. There is still good flathead fishing to enjoy down the straits, though that fishery is tapering off with the building heat. Bream fans will soon hang up their finesse gear for the summer, but could venture upstream in a river or large creek if they need another fix.

The big tides will challenge a lot of folks for a few days yet, but otherwise, the Burrum system has a lot to offer next week. From whiting, bream and flathead in the lower reaches to mangrove jacks and grunter elsewhere upstream, there is something to keep any river fisho occupied. This building heat and the dark nights of the new moon scream 'jack attack' to those bait fishos familiar with the red terrors. Focussed lure fishos capable of fishing the increased tidal flow shouldn't be too many casts between jolting strikes either. If you haven't tried topwater fishing for Burrum jacks, then do so - now!

Big Predators in Fraser's Surf Gutters

Reports of spanish mackerel continue to trickle in from folks fishing Fraser's surf beach. Targeted fish, caught by those drone-fishing or slide-baiting outnumber accidental captures, yet so many have reported surprise encounters this spring. Right now, it seems like the major biomass of tailor that created the 'best in a decade' fishery of past months has moved on, but there are still plenty of schools over there and some very large fish in the mix.

Spinning for tailor is more popular than ever and a highly successful technique. Many proven metal slugs and spoons continue to get thrown and retrieved at a medium-pace, whilst more and more fisho's lean towards select stickbaits when pursuing tailor. The added bonus of GT captures and the improved average size of the tailor these lures catch has warranted repeat purchases.

Word from folks up the Cathedrals way is that there has been plenty of dart caught this week. The average size has been very good in that area too. Fraser's surf scene is so dynamic and the reports from various locations so varied that is always encouraging to hear of some folks' success whilst others are struggling. Word of a few legal jewfish being caught is exciting too, as these fish are highly sought after by a select few dedicated fishos this time of year.

The beaches are pretty much weed-free as far as we know. Travel is getting a bit lumpy along some stretches apparently, indicating the development of mid-tide and/or high tide gutters. No word on the pipi front, so pick them up when you see them in your travels.

Making Tides Brought the Pelagics Back to the Pier

Urangan Pier fishos had little to cheer about a week ago, then the tides started to 'make' and that all changed. The return of pelagics hell-bent on a herring feast had the locals out there catching mackerel, queenfish and trevally. There was even a few more flatties caught, but it was the mackerel and the chance of other fish that had everyone excited.

There were schoolies caught, along with spanish mackerel and some very nice broadies. Some queenies evaded capture whilst giving onlookers a glimpse and golden trevally once again came too close for their own good. There is every chance that the pelagic numbers will drop off again as the waning tides draw them elsewhere. Dirtier water from the north wind and bigger tides will have an adverse effect perhaps too.

That same north wind can create an extended fishery for those keen on a feed of whiting. There are still good schools cruising the local town beaches and even better-quality fish beyond the outskirts of town. If flicking a lure for a flattie is to your liking then you can try a local creek and expect some success. There have been numbers here and there in recent days.

Good luck out there y'all...... Jase