All this rain has put more fresh water into the Jumpinpin waterways, but with it comes much needed nourishment. In the long run this will be a good thing for the system but until it clears we’ve got to put up with dirty water and tough fishing.

Although, not is all lost. Some fish thrive in the fresher water, such as catfish, rays and sharks, which are great fun to catch and can really test out your gear. Fishing at the top of the tide will increase your chances as there’s more salt water around and heading out towards the bar should produce more fish as the clean salt water floods in.

Flathead are always about this time of year taking a variety of bait, including pillies, white bait, prawns, live mullet and herring. Flicking soft plastics and trolling hardbodied lures across shallow sand banks are great ways to catch lizards and produce some really good fish too. Try around Pig Styes, Tipplers Island, top of Crusoe, the Stockyards, Cobby Passage and out front Swan Bay.

Some good whiting are still on offer with good fish coming from Rocky Point, the Gold Bank, Slipping Sands and the sand flats at the top of South Straddie. The Logan and Coomera rivers have been going well but tend not to fire if there is too much fresh, so try the run-in tide for better results. Stick with worms and yabbies as bait, and squid is also worth a try.

Not too many jacks or cod about due to the hot muggy weather not turning up but when the sun comes out it should become stinking hot, so fingers crossed for a late jack season.

Small schools of chopper tailor should be coming through the Bar chasing schools of white bait. Use lures that look white bait or just pick up a frozen pack and use small ganged hooks. Look for the birds diving and tailor chopping and get in there and chase them.

There have also been small schools of spotted mackerel out front of the Pin with the odd mac tuna amongst them as well. We berleyed up big time with small chopped up pillies and threw unweighted pilly baits in with good results. A few mates of mine trolled hardbodied lures around the schools and also caught a few. Both ways seem to work well but mackerel are easily spooked by engine noise and the latter may scare them off.

Some big Jew have been caught off the close in reefs such as Alf and Sully on livies and pillies.

Bream are the bread and butter fish of the Pin and available all year round. Just look for structure and you’ll find them. They will eat practically anything and always put up a good fight, which makes them one of the best and easiest fish to catch. Hot spots are the Pig Styes, the dead trees off the bottom of North Straddie, Never Fail Islands, Short Island and Flatrock.

Muddies are still going well with the rain flushing out the rivers and supplying heaps of food into the system. Try around the river mouths and drop-offs near mangrove banks. For sandies try around Rocky Point, Stegleitz, Tipplers and Tiger Mullet channel.

Thanks for all your reports and fish weighed in. Drop us a line at Gem Bait and Tackle if you’d like to order bait or get some up to date info on what’s biting on 07 3287 3868 or email --e-mail address hidden--

I’ll catch you next month.