FISHING NEWS with Tony Mossop

NO joy for reef and inshore fishermen last week, with the rain and strong winds continuing to dominate the local weather pattern.

Some brave soles fished the river systems, generally with good results; big flatheads continue to be present around the river mouths, eagerly taking both lures and bait.

Flatheads can be very aggressive feeders this time of the year and will chase anything they can catch. Big yellow-tail winter bream are also caught in good numbers foraging along the bottom in rubbly grass beds. They will feed on small prawns, yabbies and small crabs.

Bream have a tough mouth that lets them crush the crabs to be eaten. Chase bait makes a very realistic crab lure that can be very effective in the right areas.

Jacks and Barras are still being caught despite the water temperature dropping.

Barras generally won’t feed when the water temperature is dropping. Still, when it stabilises at a low temperature, they seem to acclimate and feed again.

Red bream don’t seem to be bothered by cold water. In fact, some of the best jack fishing I have experienced has happened on very chilly days and nights.

This week’s weather is improving; the rain seems to have cleared, and the wind is easing into the weekend.

Saturday and Sunday are not too-early morning highs with a low after lunch should see the mackerel fishermen ready and raring to go.

Keep an eye out for the birds chasing bait, then try casting metal slugs into the bait schools; trolling garfish or wolf herring is a good option, also. Pilchards under a float is an all-time favourite. Concentrate your effort around that high, then again on the mid-day low.

River fishermen have an early high tide to take advantage of, then a nice steady run out to the low tide after lunch—an excellent opportunity to spend a day on the river. Prawn lures work well in these colder conditions. The new Rapala imposter and the clone prawn have been tried and are working well, with good catches of both Barra and Jacks reported.

Don’t forget to take your crab pots as well; there have been reports of crabs caught in good numbers.

After such a long run of terrible weather, getting out on the water and enjoying the fantastic area we live in will be great.

Good Luck

Tony Mossop Tackleworld Tully