Mangrove jacks still seem to be the number one target at present, with outstanding catches coming from all local estuaries, with fish between 50-60cm not uncommon for many anglers.

Pummicestone Passage and its feeding creeks have really turned it on lately for many of us, and with the storm season upon us, this should only improve in December. Flathead, whiting, queenfish, trevally and grunter will all be present.

The Pine River is also fishing very well for most species and is fast gaining the reputation for being another good threadfin salmon haunt.

Crabs are increasing, and sand and mud crabs will no doubt be on the list for those Christmas lunches. Remember to keep your baits firmly placed in the centre of your pots and try to avoid cluttering main channels with pots in high traffic areas. Check your size and bag limits.

For a lot of us, fishing our main river in December means threadfin salmon should be on in fair to good numbers. Plastics have a very good following for threadfin and are worth trying. Reports have shown that the Z-Man 4” Shrimp pattern has been very popular.

Whiting and flathead will keep anglers busy on the many sand bars at the entrance and lower reaches.

Snapper are always there for those prepared to look and mulloway just keep on coming, despite seasonal change.

December is a month that lends itself to freshwater angling in every way. For dams, creeks, rivers and streams activity above and below the surface is at its peak. All forms of angling in natural or artificial presentations, will produce good results in our festive season.

That being said, North Pine Dam and Lake Kurwongbah have produced great results in recent weeks for bass, goldens and saratoga. Baits, in the form of shrimp and worms, have been the most effective on goldens, while plastics and lures of various types are working for bass and saratoga.

Spinnerbaits have always been popular, but lately they really are putting numbers on the board, in both of the above locations.

Redclaw should be there for the picking, with extra ripe rockmelon always a good choice for bait.

Fly fishing at North Pine has been practised by many local anglers over the years and is still going strong, which is good to see.

Overall, December is a great month for all our local freshwater impoundments and waterways.

As the warmer weather increases, the spotty and school mackerel will be worth a go around the channel markers on the inside of Moreton Island. Try berley with cubed up pilchards, but don’t overdo it. A little bit a lot, not a lot a little bit. A lightly weighted pilchard or non-weighted pilchard drifting down the berley trail will be a good way to go.

Another option would be to drift past the beacons while dropping slugs to the bottom and retrieving them at a fairly fast rate. While at the beacons, put a bait jig over for yakkas or slimy mackerel and have a go for cobia. They respond really well to the berley trail and they are a very good possibility.

Mud Island will also be a good spot to try for mackerel. Grassy sweetlip and average snapper will also be worth targeting, along with the chance of bream and cod.

Fish with a light sinker at Mud Island as it can be very snaggy. Stay around the shallow water for the bream and try the ledges and drop-offs for snapper and sweetlip.

Tuna will be present in the bay and will be a lot of fun, although they can be very frustrating. Have a range of slugs and soft plastics in different sizes and colours and work out which is working on the day. Today’s success could be tomorrow’s failure. Tuna are well worth the effort if you’re into fly fishing.

There have been good reports of wahoo and yellowfin tuna around Hutchinson Shoal. Trolling early morning and late afternoon are usually the best times. Halco Laser Pro 120 D in fusilier and bonito colours have been producing, along with Laser Pro lures as they hang in water up to 8-9 knots.

There is always a chance of Spanish mackerel or even marlin while trolling, so don’t be afraid to put out a skirted lure.

Smiths Rock and Brennan Shoal will be good to drift along with some plastics for snapper and spangled emperor. If you come across bait schools on the sounder, quickly retrieve the plastic off the bottom and you may be able to entice a yellowtail king or amberjack. Deep water jigging can be painful on the body but it is a great way to catch these species and is a lot of fun.

Live bait around Wild Banks artificial reefs is a good place to try for cobia. Don’t forget to berley up.

Other reef fish are available to catch at the Wild Banks, so have a bottom fish with bait or plastics while you wait for the live bait to get taken.

Deep Tempest and Wide Caloundra should work for pearl perch. A two hook paternoster rig can quite often catch two at a time, making it worthwhile in the deeper water. Flesh bait and squid work a treat on pearlies.

At The Tackle Shop we are continually expanding our range. We now have a lot of new products in store at very competitive prices. We have something for everyone, from beginner to expert. Also, we still have the largest ranges of fresh and frozen baits in Brisbane. Our business hours are from 5.30am – 6.00pm Monday to Friday, Saturday from 4.00am – 6.00pm and Sunday from 4.00am – 4.00pm

If you would like more information on tips and techniques, locations or an up to date fishing report please give us a call on 3862 9015 or just call into 1754 Gympie Rd, Carseldine ( The Caltex service centre on the way out of town).

My team are all mad keen fishos and are always happy to help.