Jumpinpin

JUMPINPIN Bo Sawyer

At the time of writing the wind and lockdowns have been making fishing opportunities a little bleak, but a windy day’s fishing is always better than a good day’s work!

There are plenty of spots around the Jumpinpin area to find a bit of shelter, I recommend looking at the wind forecast before heading out. If it looks fishable, take note of the wind direction and fish on the opposite side of any islands. The fishing will generally be a lot better and much more enjoyable out of the wind so do a little planning to get the most out of your day.

Local anglers have been getting some great scores of flathead along the drops offs, banks and drains in the area. Low tide has definitely been the best time to chase them, but as the tide gets higher they’ll spread out over the banks more, and the wind chopping up the water and discolouring it has made it much more challenging on the flats.

I’ve been keeping at least two rods rigged with plastics, one with a natural style and the other with a pinkish colour. I’ll quite often use both styles in the same spot, working the natural colour in the cleaner and deeper water off the drop off, and the pink colour right on the drop off where the water is a little dirtier. Works a treat!

The size of the flathead should really start improving this month. Try fishing south of Russell Island, Kalinga Bank and as the weather gets warmer the big girls should be biting in the deeper water around the mouth of the pin.

Reports of tailor have

Benno with a solid mulloway. The author with a flathead caught on a Gulp plastic.

Norton caught this great feed of tailor.

Our soft plastic lures are designed to be more effective in catching fish. Why? Our Jigging Lures next generation soft plastic lures, feel more natural and realistic to a striking fish and in turn, increases the odds of the fish mouthing the lure. Jigging Lures soft plastic lures are practical and can be fished in any depth of water and can manage any retrieval speed. The range of colours designed by Jigging Lures are specific to weather and water conditions and as a result, offer the angler choices best suited to the surroundings. been very favourable. Try targeting them on dawn before the wind picks up. Small spinners have been accounting for some fantastic catches around the Jumpinpin mouth and Kalinga Bank. I haven’t heard of any monsters being caught but plenty of tablesized fish have been reaching the eskies. Tailor require some care if meant for the table, so quickly bleed them and place them in an ice slurry if possible.

Bream have been plentiful and I’ve been constantly sounding them bunched up in massive schools, especially near big bait balls. The five ways, Kalinga Bank and the eastern side of Crusoe Island are great spots. They will also be around any yabby banks but the better quality fish will be in the deeper water. Lightly weighted mullet strips are my favourite choice, but cut up pillies, prawns and yabbies will get them biting as well.

There have still been some nice whiting caught. My favourite spot to fish for them are the sandbanks between Cabbage Tree boat ramp and the Powerlines, this is where I caught my elbow-slapper that won first place in the males whiting category for the King of the Pin comp. Other great spots are Kalinga Bank, the lagoons at the north tip of South Stradbroke Island and the northern side of Crusoe Island.

Mulloway have been a little shy with these big tides, but if you can fish around the tide changes for them you will greatly increase your chances. Try the deeper water in the Pin bar and Swan Bay along the drop offs. If the tides are running, scan the deeper holes as you may come across a school of them. • Don’t forget to pop into Jacobs Well Bait and Tackle to stock up on your gear and fresh bait. We’ve also got the Gold Coast Flathead Classic coming up so keep an eye out for that as well. Take care on the water everyone and you can message me on Facebook or Instagram at ‘the bobo boat’ if you’d like any pictures featured. Tight lines.