Weekly Report 1 Feb 10

[Brad]

Well the spotted mackerel numbers seem to have tapered off however there are still a few around for those willing to spend some time searching. The rising tide seems to be the best time to look however the last of the falling tide has also seen spotties feeding on the surface. Try areas such as around the Measured Mile, Four Beacons, mouth of the Rous Channel, northern shipping channels, Pearl Channel and just east of Mud Island. The average fish has been a little over 2kg but there has been a few better specimens to over 4kg at times.

School mackerel are still patrolling the edges of the major banks from the start of the run-in to around mid-tide. They are rarely working the surface but can be taken on drifted pilchards, slowly trolled pilchards and on some smaller minnow lures. Drifting pilchards and jigging slugs around the beacons has also shown dividends for some anglers. The Measured Mile area has been getting a lot of attention from anglers anchoring and berleying hard with cut pilchards before drifting pilchards back into the trail. They are getting quite a few school mackerel and the occasional spottie for their efforts as well as plenty of catfish, shovelnose rays, sharks and other species.

The bay islands have been relatively quiet but those persisting have been taking a few snapper home for the table. Most have not been brag worthy with only the occasional 50cm plus specimen reported. There has been a few sweeties, cod and occasional other species caught also. Both baits and soft plastics have worked. The offshore pelagics have been a little sporadic with mixed results coming in. The billfish numbers have dropped off somewhat however a concentrated effort will still put you in with a good chance of encountering one. Trolling skirted lures will allow you to cover a good degree of ground in your search however if you find any prominent bait schools then live baiting would definitely be worth a try if the skirts do not raise any action.

Went for a paddle in the Brisbane River on the kayak last Thursday while the new Yammie was in for the 20 hour service and had a fish down towards the mouth at a few spots. Managed to hook two nice threadfin, one of which was dropped beside the kayak as I was trying to get the lip grippers on and the other which managed to straighten both sets of trebles just after the initial hookup. Did manage to land a flathead around 60cm and a few small lizards and got dusted severely on what I believe was a quality estuary cod. It was the first time I have been out in the yak for quite some time and was fairly sore the next day as a result, but was very enjoyable. Will have to get my lazy butt out there again some time soon.

While I was down that way I noticed a sign notifying anglers that they are no longer allowed to fish or park on the other side of the Fisherman Island (Boat Passage) Bridge. This large dirt area provided parking for those wanting to fish the island side of the channel but will now be off limits as of the start of February. This will obviously cause even more congestion on the boat ramp car park. Crabs are still worth the effort with both muddies and sandies being caught in pots. Don’t stray too far from your pots as they have a habit of growing legs. There were a few decent schools of prawn in the Brisbane River last week and these should increase over the next month. One angler managed a good haul of squid from a secret spot out in the northern section of the bay so these may be worth a bit of effort if you like these tasty cephalods on the barbeque like I do.
May your bait be nervous. Gordon Macdonald