"

Bay waters teem
  |  First Published: July 2011



Everything is up for grabs this month with estuary, reef and pelagic species performing well.

Snapper are well and truly on the hit list and being caught at most major reefs, squid are gaining in numbers throughout the bay and prawns are still on the menu inshore.

IN THE BAY

The Rooneys and the Coral Patch area are fishing well with a good mix of reef and pelagic species being caught. On the bottom scarlets, coral bream, snapper, Moses perch, cod and blackall are responding to baits of squid and mullet fillets.

There has also been a lot of undersize red emperor caught in the 45-53cm range, which is just short of the legal size of 55cm. On the surface Spanish mackerel, barracouta, cobia, longtail tuna, yellowfin tuna and mac tuna have been taking live baits, trolled pushers and hardbodied lures.

There are a few sailfish in the area that have been smashing undersize reefies just meters from the boat after they have been released, so an early season sail could also be on the cards.

It is a similar story at the gutters and 25 fathom hole with the addition of mangrove jack, trout and some better quality snapper being caught.

In a bit closer to shore the Moon Ledge, Maringa, Bagimba and the Arty are producing cod, snapper, blackall, coral bream, trevally and mackerel on a mixture of baits and lures.

Blue parrot have also been on the move with some decent specimens being caught on crabs, prawns and squid in the lead up to them shutting down until the warmer months.

Squid are gaining in numbers as they come in to spawning season so remember the jigs for some fresh bait or a feed of calamari.

DOWN THE STRAITS

Flathead are still thick and have been taking plastics, mullet and yabbies. Bream have also been all over plastics, poppers and blades. The winter whiting are also gaining in numbers and size.

Tailor are on the chew working the prolific bait schools, which seem to be everywhere at the moment. There are a lot of choppers around but most schools are holding a few greenbacks. Upgrading lure size can help to find the better fish.

Mud crabs are still maintaining numbers in most rivers and creeks, as are the prawns which are still thick enough to easily secure a feed.

Reads: 1825

Matched Content ... powered by Google