Fisho's Weekly Fishing Report – 21st February, 2025
by Fisho's Tackle World Hervey Bay 21 Feb 05:56 UTC
21 February 2025
Trade winds set to dominate this week
The past week wasn't overly kind to boaties, yet it looks as though it was a darn sight better than the week ahead. Strengthening high pressure systems to the south of the continent and low pressure up north means onshore trade winds for our part of the world. The south-easter has set in and will be with us for the foreseeable future.
The BOM issued a strong wind warning for Hervey Bay waters for today, with south-easterlies to 25 knots that might reach 30 knots this afternoon or evening. The weekend isn't looking too flash unfortunately, as the trade wind remains constant at up to 25 knots each day. It is the same scene offshore, if not windier. Showers shouldn't be an issue over the weekend. They will start to increase in frequency as the working week wears on.
At this stage, 20 knot south-easters might be the best we can look forward to Monday to Friday, with winds to 25 knots just as likely any given day. Forecasts are bound to vary this far out of course, but it really looks like dawn-buster sessions in protected inshore waters for boaties this week - or hitting the streams or the lakes otherwise.
All eyes will be on a developing low-pressure system in the Coral Sea over the coming week. Online weather sites will be awash with potential modelling that could spell disaster for somewhere on the Qld coastline the first week in March. Last night, some longer-term models showed a direct hit on Fraser Island in 10 days or so. Wow! How many times have we seen that model this far out - that consistently fails to achieve its prediction! This morning; totally different forecast from the same modelling, with the low heading east and away from Oz. Who knows what their modelling will suggest next.
Monitor and prepare when and if necessary, but remember, it is the week or two of prevailing stronger south-east trade winds that dominate our weather preceding the approach of a cyclone from the Coral Sea that sees a temperature drop in our waters and resultant downgrading of a cyclone to an east coast low. Hence the rarity of cyclones this far south. Let's hope history repeats in this respect eh.
Today's last quarter (half-moon) phase means we are smack bang in the midst of another set of neap tides. The moon is waning and the nights getting darker by the night. Increasing tidal flow daily from this point on offer excellent options for many protected water scenarios, so at least the tides are on our side this week.
Half of Urangan Pier accessible again
Workers restoring the Urangan Pier have moved their fencing to mid-way across the sandbar, meaning keen pier-goers can access all of the first channel and a portion of the sandbank once again. This is great news for family fishos keen to get the kids amongst the fish that frequent the first channel.
Action-wise, it has been a mere sprinkling of flathead that have entertained first channel fishos these past few days. Passing queenfish offer a higher level of sport potentially, but their passage through the channel can be very random. A nocturnal session might raise a grunter, some big tarpon or other estuary predator. Fishos can only peer out towards the end of the pier and its deeper waters otherwise; wondering just what might be on the chew out there.
The garfish that kept a few kids and others entertained over the full moon disappeared as the tides waned. You might expect a re-assembly of gar at the beach end of the pier (and at the rock groynes) as the tides build in a few days' time. Otherwise, shifting focus from the pier to the many other sheltered shore-based options is suggested for landlubbers this week.
The small tides will favour those keen to wander the banks further upstream in our local creeks. Mangrove jacks will be the main target for some, whilst ever hopeful of stumbling onto a barra or two. As the tides build, the flats out the front of the creeks will again appeal, with fish such as flathead, grunter, barra, salmon and queenfish all possible. Smaller finesse species such as bream and whiting will bite with greater gusto as the tides near the next new moon too, so options abound.
Sharing the scientists' reports regarding algal blooms in Hervey Bay waters and along beaches west of town set off no alarm bells amongst local fishos last week. Many of us have witnessed such blooms many a time over the eons and no doubt will again. No ill-effect to folks consuming fish from these waters have been documented (apart from ciguatera in Platypus Bay spaniards that we all know about), so it will remain business as usual until toxic incidences are revealed (if ever).
The south-east trade wind will deny access to otherwise productive mudflats such as those fronting Booral, so anyone keen to mix it with the bread 'n' butter species, or perhaps their predators, will have to look west of town proper this week. Beach fishing will be challenging along exposed stretches, with involuntary sideways casts common, so focus on stretches with the breeze quartering over your shoulder.
Random catches of quality grunter from the town beaches might be repeated as the tides build later this week. Wading out a little when the tide starts to rise, whilst flicking small soft plastic prawn imitations, will put you in the game. Bait fishos can opt for fresh or frozen prawns if they like, or go pump some yabbies if they think they can keep them clear of the baby whiting. Maybe save the yabbies for when the better whiting come back on the chew later next week.
Reef Fishos restricted by trade winds
When the winds allowed this past week, local reef fishos plied our inshore waters for what amounted to quite a decent feed - for some. Not everyone managed to avoid the dreaded sharks, but a few folks did. Hauls of quality sweetlip came quickly in deeper waters, and quality sweeties also turned it on along the fringes of the shallow reefs during low light periods.
Catches of decent nannygai continue to please many folks, and even amaze a few too. Catching legal nannies around our closer inshore reefs hasn't always been consistent, yet the past two summers have seen quality fish in many locations. Artificial reefs give up a few these days, though the localised shark populations make that a very risky affair. Night sessions can improve your chances of landing nannies inshore, assuming the resident noahs have wandered off to hunt elsewhere in the darkness.
Coral trout are on the chew inshore. The months of February and March see them at their most voracious. Generally speaking, trout in deeper waters out-weigh and out-fight their smaller brethren in the shallows (yet plenty of baby tackers reside amongst our deeper reefs as well). Fish the tide turns by dangling your favourite trout lollies in the pressure-face of gnarlier reefs systems and skull-drag the trout clear if you can. It will then be a race for the surface as you grit your teeth and hope to avoid the sharks. Some you may win; many you will lose.
Estuary cod bycatch whilst fishing for trout in deeper inshore waters can be significant. Those with enough experience catching both will know which species they have hooked by the fight that ensues. Trout react faster with a seemingly more vicious bite and have a quicker tail beat, whilst the codgers can be just as determined to trash you, but rely more on their weight and powerful lunges. Baby cod spin on the way up; baby trout tend to 'rattle'.
The wind will restrict access to most of our deeper inshore reefs this week. Larger vessels might get a crack, but smaller craft will seek alternatives. It is a shame about the wind this week, as the grunter have been on the chew inshore in exposed waters and offer great sport and a handy feed for many. Perhaps a session down the straits or somewhere along Fraser's sheltered west coast will see repeat catches when the winds aren't peaking. Or will it be Gatakers Bay - Point Vernon that fires for grunter during this week's making tides?!
Strong trade winds can result in increased tuna numbers
Every cloud has a silver lining they say, and the upside to stronger trade winds in these parts at this time of year is an influx of tuna to Hervey Bay waters. The longtails have started to roll in over the past week or so, and are steadily increasing in numbers. Nothing compared to what can happen during a good blow though, as masses of fish offshore seek out the baitfish seeking shelter in the bay.
Should these trade winds be the precursor to an east coast low, then it can mean a real bonanza for tuna fans. The rougher it gets offshore; the greater the tuna migration inshore. Access to open waters will be largely restricted this week, but those keen enough can make their way up into southern or central Platypus Bay to fish its eastern waters in some comfort (assuming their craft is capable of course). Few will bother to be honest, as even in protected waters, approaching and casting to and fighting fish in 25 knot winds is a serious challenge.
Small numbers of tuna have made their way down the straits over the past week. Mac tuna mostly as far as we know, but longtails might join them. Expect increased numbers as the making tides draw baitfish and their pursuers into the straits later next week. In the meantime, seeking other sports fish in more sheltered waters is a good idea.
There has been enough golden trevally and queenfish up on the local flats to make them very viable targets. Reduced netting effort inshore is paying dividends for sports fishos and they are finding fish quite consistently. The goldies are often fairly small, so the larger and more acrobatic queenies offer greater sport. The bay islands have hosted both species of late, as well as other flats raiders such as blue salmon.
The southern bay's giant trevally have made their presence felt over the past week. I raised the question last week as to why they haven't featured in recent catches, and was answered this week. Their numbers may not be as significant as they have been in other drier summers, but they are out there and ready to rumble. Try the local shipwrecks and other artificial reefs, or wait for the bigger tides and see if they rock up at the Picnics. A bit of wind never put them off and will mean more unattended prime GT spots for those that brave the breeze.
Local mackerel populations have been on the move, as always. Random patches of school mackerel intent on haunting the pencil squid in the shipping channels have been either a pest and a blessing, depending on your take. Squidders detest the jig-stealing so-and-sos, whilst mackerel fans find a trolling session quite productive. Improved water quality has schoolies appearing further into the straits in small numbers, but it is still the reefs up the island, the Outer Banks latitudes and the Burrum Coast that offer best numbers. They could be anywhere after this blow passes.
The odd broad-barred mackerel continues to grace our waters inshore, and a random spotty or two was reported off Wathumba recently. Far more common it seems are the recently-protected spanish mackerel though, which are back on the hit list this week. The 3-week closure concludes at midnight tonight. However, it looks as though the spaniards will gain an extra week's protection courtesy of the weather. Come 1st March, the second of the 3-week closed seasons commences for our waters, so spanish mackerel won't be on many menus in these parts for the next month.
Fraser's Western Shoreline offers shelter
Keen enough fishos will take on a bit of sea to get to a productive fishing spot. That 'bit of sea' might be the rough crossing between mainland launch sites and Fraser Island's sheltered western shoreline this week. Don't risk it if unsafe of course, and consider wind-against-tide scenarios and high tide periods that are best avoided for better boating. High tide at dawn this weekend is less than ideal.
Consider jumping on the barge out of River Heads in lieu of crossing the channel in small boats if necessary. Kingfisher Bay offers many options for walk-on fishos that disembark at the resort's jetty. You can fish the jetty for squid, flathead, grunter, jewfish and pelagics, or wander the pristine beach seeking whiting or flatties. The full moon tides saw plenty of whiting in the area, so the next new moon tides might see a return. Flathead are regularly spotted from the elevated position on the jetty and are just a live bait or a well-placed lure from capture.
The local tiger squid population copped a hammering in recent weeks, and everyone is prepared for any that might return. Spotting them can be an art that is easily learned. Polarised sunnies are a must for daytime affairs. Come night-time, it can be the arrival of numbers of pencil squid that see keen squidders downsizing their jigs and cleaning up. The moon has waned a lot and continues to do so, so the night bite should be a good one over there this week.
Wandering south from there in a boat, you can fish the many creeks and the flats that front them. Flathead, barra, threadfin and blue salmon, grunter and mangrove jacks are all possible. Cod bycatch is a given, and you might even end up mixing it with passing queenfish, GTs or mackerel. Ungowa will be a popular sheltered area for yachties, who could end up feasting on squid entrees and grunter and cod for mains. At least the bugs won't be as bad with the breeze overhead.
River Fishos not deterred by the wind
A 20 knot south-easter is quite manageable in our river systems; 25 knots+ not so much. Making tides will be a determining factor for keen river regulars intent on mixing it with the mighty barra and threadies of the Mary system. There are very big fish from both stables on offer in the river right now, and they won't get a complete reprieve just because of this blow.
Some may not even drive far from the River Heads boat ramp for their fix. Enough large estuarine predators are traversing nearby waters to make a session locally quite viable. South Bank will be a very obvious option, as will the Little Susan, Bengstons and the Turkey Creek area. Those sporting side scanners have it easy enough these days, whilst scopers have an even more significant advantage. Convincing barra and salmon to bite shouldn't be too hard, so long as you have all the lure bases covered.
Live baiters can park up out of the wind somewhere and try their luck. Recent reports of ridiculous numbers of bull sharks suggest they are likely to 'enjoy' some sort of action, even if not from the more desired species. Grunter and the odd flathead in the lower reaches can add a bit of variety, as can encounters with schools of blue salmon. This weekend will see serious fish caught by those that can handle the conditions.
The Burrum's population of bread 'n' butter species has a few folks heading home with a regular feed. Large bream in the 35-40cm size range are quite prevalent, and easily triggered to bite with a subtle berley trail. The flatties have been on the chew since the river waters have improved in quality, with most fish found in the lower reaches. Whiting and grunter are a chance when the new moon arrives. Not so much right now.
Jack fans will have to focus their attention on stretches of river sheltered from the high winds. There are many such stretches, but as any river regular will know, the wind can and will twist and turn with the terrain. Gusts can be managed, but accurate casts to tight cover can be a major challenge in wind-blown waters. Even a session anchoring to bait fish for jacks can be trickier in the wind, so consider a second anchor, or a tie-off point aft to a tree if necessary. Early morning high tide sessions will appeal to some this weekend.
The Burrum's barra are proving elusive for a number of fishos apparently. Snag-oriented fish can often escape the gaze of scanners first pass, so trust your instincts and put some casts in to sunken timber too impressive to ignore. Spend time on the river after dark if you really want to get good at catching barra. Their boofs will be a dead giveaway and you will soon realise just how mobile they are at night. Lenthalls Dam was overtopped a few times earlier this summer, and many barra now reside in the river. This weekend should be a productive one up that way, regardless of the wind.
Prawns getting bigger by the week
Many a keen prawner has cast their net over schools of prawn in the Burrum in recent weeks. From the most obvious scenario where its shoulder-to-shoulder at the boat ramp pontoon, to sneaky sessions away from prying eyes, there has been many a prawner bringing home a feed for the family. These neap tides make for easy prawning around the middle of the day low tides, even if the wind doesn't.
Mary River prawners have also been active each week of late, with their catches steadily improving as time goes on. China Bite is by far the most common and popular prawning ground in that area, and it has given up a modest feed for those that put in the effort. Not a bonanza by any means, but a few kilos if you cast your net enough. Further upstream in either the Mary or the Susan can see you catching similar quality prawn; that being a mix of small-mediums with the odd random large prawn amongst plenty of throw-backs or escapees.
Until the prawns really get their game on and school in masses of more mature individuals, there will be serious bycatch issues for cast netters. All are familiar with the nuisance factor when the likes of mullet, herring, ponyfish, glassies, toadies, whiting and so on get caught in a net, but there are other critters to consider. 'Happy moments' can be a right pain and potentially challenging bycatch in the Prawn Gutter, whilst catfish, flathead and bream can be spikey contenders almost anywhere. Avoiding ghouls, stonefish and sea snakes is better for your health, and whilst not highly common, can be an issue in places.
All that so called bycatch aside, there is one other major consideration for cast netters that deserves a mention. That is, the significant bycatch of juvenile river predators that can be very common amongst the prawns. Extra care should always be taken to extract baby threadies, grunter, and jewies from your nets as soon as you catch them. Leaving them meshed by the gills while you throw again and again is a surefire way to damage these precious progenies of our most sought-after estuary fish. Baby barra feature rarely in cast netting efforts, thankfully, but would also deserve the same courtesy. Clear your nets quickly and regularly people - it's the right thing to do!
Cast netting effort from the River Heads pontoon and boat ramp is substantial these days. In recent years, a growing band of regulars appear to descend on the area almost daily with the express purpose of catching a feed of prawn, and supposedly, fish. No-one seems to care, so long as boating traffic is not obstructed, and possession limits aren't abused.
The Qld bag limit for prawns is 10 litres per person, or a boat limit of 20 litres if there are two or more people on board. So, it seems; that if you aren't in a boat, the default limit is 10 litres per person, not matter how many in your 'group'. A bonus for those prawning from shore perhaps. There is no size limit on prawns, but only cast nets of 3/4 inch or 1 inch mesh can be used. We get asked every year early in the prawn season for nets with smaller mesh. Apparently, some people are keen to catch and keep that tiny prawn the rest of us are so glad get through our nets.
Our prawn season will continue to improve as the weeks wear on. This blow will cool our waters a tad and that will be beneficial. Our rivers and local creeks still offer the best chance of a feed right now. The mainland creeks down the straits are worth a try soon and Fraser's western creeks thereafter. There are great times ahead for prawn fans, as the current status is a mere shadow of what's to come in the very near future.