QLD Fishing Report

Brought to you by Compleat Angler Mackay:

When the weather and seas allow it, the fish to hunt is Spanish mackerel. It has been a good season thus far with reports of fish from 10 to 36kg being landed in the last week. The smaller to average size have been taken on a well presented trolled garfish, however if you want the big fellows (30 kilo plus) big trolled ribbonfish is the only way to go. With these big baits you’ll need to gang 4 or 5 10/0 limerick style hooks attached to a chinguard or similar. The popular trolled gar grounds are “The Patch” of Wigton Island, Roundtop, Prudhoe and Knight Island, while for the big ribbonfish baits, “Joe’s Hole of Aspatria, Double and Snare Peak are hard to go past. Closer inshore off the rock walls and headlands, school mackerel have been landed casting metal 20–30gm metal slugs. Take advantage of the moon next week to hunt for a black jewfish off Indian Head near Cape Hillsborough, Harbour Breakwall, Hay Point and Dalrymple Bay, (be aware off the area restrictions) and Glendower Point. Fresh whole squid, mullet, prawn or slab gar, mullet or ribbonfish gets better results, otherwise jigging 30-60gm soft vibes or reflextion and gulp jerkbaits if you want to keep your hands clean. Tides are getting up there for the whiting, try a late night fish on the rising tide with small prawn, yabbies or 30mm popper along the beaches. Catches will improve if it’s a cloudless sky and keep your lures dark in colour.

Bruce Nash