Now the weather is warming, the South East comes alive with plenty of action for anglers.

Things should improve during November in the Brisbane River, with whiting catches getting better through late October.

Snapper are always on the cards in this fishery and threadfin salmon will be on the increase.

The area around the sunken wall is as popular as always for local bream fishos, with the odd mulloway still showing up. As always, remember to watch for shipping.

Offshore anglers have plenty to look forward to in November and the run up to Christmas.

Yellowfin tuna is a popular target, with trolling a preferred method for most anglers chasing yellowfin. Wahoo and Spanish mackerel are another two species tempted by this style of fishing.

Large cobia will no doubt be around, with unweighted drift baits very effective.

Hutchies, and Shallow and Deep Tempest are all good locations for the above mentioned species.

Moreton Bay has plenty on offer this month, with reef and open water producing best.

Sweetlip are a good target around Mud and Peel islands as things warm up.

Longtail and mac tuna should be showing themselves right across the bay.

School mackerel and their delicious spotty cousins will hopefully make an early start to the season, particularly off the Bribie Coast.

Flathead, on the inside of Moreton Island, are always good about now and offer a good option for days when the wind picks up.

November brings us all our warm weather favourite for sport and table. Whiting catches are normally good on all foreshores from Brisbane River to Beachmere, so choice of locations are great for land-based anglers and boaties alike.

Blood worms, beach worms and yabbies will cover your fresh bait and with small artificials still gaining popularity, this adds another option for chasing whiting.

Flathead will be present as always, with trevally, queenfish and grunters also on the prowl.

Mangrove jack is the top shelf target for many of us at this time of the year and early signs for summer are exciting. Remember, smaller live baits are the go for good hook contact on strike for most estuary jacks. Hardbody lures have always worked well for jacks, their choices are endless with most anglers using 7-12cm size range in diving and surface.

All our dams in the South East corner are fishing well. North Pine, Somerset and Kurwongbah have produced good quality bass, goldens and saratoga in past weeks, on both bait and lures.

The gear used in freshwater situations around our region varies greatly from one angler to the next. One safe bet for all occasions is a 2-4 kg light spin outfit. This will cover all your needs from bait to lures and plastics. Reels from 1000 to 2500 series coupled with 6-7’ rods of your choice are ideal. A 4-6lb braided line with similar fluorocarbon leader attached will hold up well on all native species, with the exception of large cod.

Single hooks for lures are being used more and more in recent years. Anglers are starting to realise the benefits of this hardware; they make it much easier to release fish, cause less damage to the fish’s mouth and throat, they are easier to store and they eliminate dramas when using landing nets. Likewise, single hooks have no effect on swim patterns, they are excellent for holding on jumping species and, best of all, they give the angler a choice of facing hooks in multiple combinations to suit location and lure type.

Plastics have a good following in freshwater angling, as well they should, including surface work. As most plastics float when fished on a blank hook, some make very realistic offerings for early morning and late afternoon sessions. All our freshwater country looks great, so enjoy.

1

Mick ‘Dundee’ Barry had a cracking day on the water catching this pair of jacks.

2

Tyler Williams was very pleased with this great little flathead.