Spring in your step for the start of summer GLADSTONE
Eve Malone eve.dave42@gmail.com
As we move through the last of our spring into the summer months, some would say we’re in our prime fishing seasons of the year. With water temperatures warming nicely, and if the early catches are anything to
out, it was standing room only for the birds who were feeding off the mac tuna and mackerel runs, no more than a kilometre from the coast line. These are very exciting times ahead. With barramundi off the fishing menu for a few months, it’s a natural progression to target jacks. They’re fierce fighters and excellent table fish. Mangrove jack will happily take well presented
past, or lucky in our case. You’ll find them around any structure – rock walls, concealed rocks or timber, mangrove banks, bridge pylons and pontoons. Land and boating fishos have plenty of options to target them in both Calliope and the Boyne rivers, however the Boyne is starting to show signs of a great season ahead. Golden snapper are fishing well at night in the Boyne River, fish up to 70cm have been caught on live and dead bait like herring and mullet. Grunter are fishing well on the gravel grounds
in the Boyne, around South Trees Inlet and up around the mouths of Targinnie north to Port Alma. Grunter are showing excellent numbers with well sized threadfin and king salmon. Mulloway are still fishing well in the harbour, both undersized schools and fish up to 12kg are around the deeper holes on the north side. Soft plastics work well further north at Connors Creek. There have been great reports of very nice mulloway up around Rundle Island caught on whole mullet working the outgoing tides at night.
Nicholas with his tagged jack, ready to release.
Juvenile reds don’t come much prettier than this beautiful by-catch for Trent Hall. go by, it should be a cracker season for the almighty mangrove jack. Other shining stars showing their presence in our waters are of the pelagic kind. Marlin have shown out wide and on one of my last trips
baits such as prawns, mullet and sprat both live and dead, or hardbodies and soft plastics. They’re predatory fish and unless they’re on the move, they’ll be holding hard to structure only moving to take the unlucky bait swimming
Nicholas Hamilton caught and tagged some beauties on Eden hardbody lures in the Boyne River.
Pelagic action is starting to stir, both in close and out at the reefs. Spotties and mac tuna are hitting floated baits and trolled skirted lures around the mouths of the harbours and along the coastline up to Cape Cap. I’ve had reports of marlin being caught on pink skirted lures out at North West and along the shelf, which is very exciting for those who can travel that far. Spanish are active around Masthead and Erskine Island along with big golden trevally. The reds seem to have slowed a little, but are still
being caught around Wistari and Sykes. Coral trout catches are on the increase and this should only get better as we move through November into summer. All reefs are fishing well for redthroat and tuskies, so no matter the target, most will come home with a nice feed. I hope everyone got involved in the national fishing day last month, it’s an excellent way of showing how popular our sport is and how strong our voice can be. This day grows year by year and the idea is brilliant.
FISHING FILL-ITS
Have an amazing adventure with Castaway Buckle up and leave the crowds behind – you’re about to embark on an epic fishing adventure! Check out all the possible fishing hotspots from the air as you fly into a tropical island paradise, landing on the beach in a modified Cessna. You are left a ‘Castaway’ on the island with only a handful of backpackers and fellow anglers in an established camp from which to launch your own fishing adventures. The hard work is already done for you with roomy camp tents already erected, thick mattresses, solar
lights, USB power, camp kitchen, cool boxes, and a toilet. You just need to turn up with your fishing gear, enjoy the experience and catch the fish! If you’re looking for a unique fishing adventure, you’ve come to the right place. Here you can beach fish from Bustard Headland for mackerel, tuna or GTs. You can fish from a kayak or motorboat in Jenny Lind or Pancake creeks for trevally, mangrove jack, grunter, queenies and more. Let’s not forget the abundance of mud crabs in the area! After a long day fishing and exploring, what
Meet new friends and make new memories with the old.
FISHING EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME! Stay out in the wilderness like a survivor, while getting a breath of fresh air.
There’s great fishing to be had around the island, with a range of species on offer.
better way to relax than to get back to camp for the stunning sunset over the western side of the island, eating your catch of mud crabs for an entrée, and of course the famous Castaway Stew? Spend the evening under the stars, around the campfire with new friends playing games and telling large fishy
stories to foreigners who may not believe you… even when it’s true! Don’t miss out on this once in a lifetime experience! Get your fishing mates together for a guaranteed trip of a lifetime you’ll remember forever, for all the right reasons. – 1770 Castaway Island Adventures
• Reef, Deep Sea and Sport Fishing • Swains, Samurez, Cap Bunker Group • Dories available • LUXURY 20m Cat. New V8 Scanias. Large comfortable and stable. • Air conditioned and fast (cruise up to 16 knots) • Professional crew (over 22 years experience) • Cater for groups up to 12 people from 3 to 10 days • BYO or fully licenced bar • Desalinate unit • Trips designed to suit your requirements
SATELLITE TV INSTALLED
Phone: 0427 125 727 I Fax: (07) 4972 1759 michael@mikat.com.au
www.mikat.com.au NOVEMBER 2016
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