Since the recent flood event and tornados of Australia Day, communities have begun their long awaited rebuilding process to get back to some degree of normalcy.

As people have begun the recovery process, so too has the Burrum River Catchment system after what has been described by many as the biggest flood waters through our region. With new debris structures and submerged craft providing temporary playgrounds for marine life, there has been some interesting river action punctuating the still calm.

Again we are seeing water temps for this time of year still around high 20-30ºC, which has allowed our good mates the blue bottle jellies to continue their southern holidays in our waterways. Nevertheless, the numbers have started to thin out somewhat, which may be indicative of a water temp shift back too low to mid 20ºCs making more ideal conditions for marine diversity.

A number of our avid readers may know Burrum Heads holds the Easter Fishing Classic, one of the largest family fishing comps in Qld. As one of the organisers for this event I will be offering a detailed breakdown of the winners and the vital stats from the event in next month’s edition.

As a result anglers have been busy organising the final details ready for the event (over a few coldies of course) but in true fisho spirit we have been able to hit the waterways and get amongst the action even supporting the Pirtek Fishing Challenge.

Lately, the fishing has been a lesson in patience and perseverance but it has paid off. Early mornings on an incoming tide appear to have been most productive along with the slack water at low tide.

Armed with a range of baits, such as the trusted mullet fillets and squid have been central to success. The river has been bubbling with quality live bait such as prawns, herring and poddy mullet. Yabbies have in been in abundance however pumping through the mud will pose a challenge for even the fittest anglers.

With good volumes of live bait, there has been reasonable light gear action with quality grunter, mangrove jack up to 3kg, yellow and black bream (over the 1kg mark), flathead in excess of 2kg, leatherjacket, and yes the good old whiting in small numbers.

For the barramundi enthusiast, Lenthall Dam spillover has ensured good quality barra have entered the river system; live herring and lures have been working a treat with some reports of barra up to a 1m.

TIP: A safety message seems appropriate here, as there are still submerged marine craft, drifting debris, along with a shift in the sand banks, please exercise caution and enjoy your fishing adventures while on the Burrum River.

Inshore reefs have been quiet of late with plenty of freshwater around. Further offshore from the 12 Mile to the gutters has lived up to its reputation with good numbers being caught.

It has only been in recent weeks the winds and swell have died sufficiently to allow anglers to get offshore; and with the forecast looking promising there should be plenty of opportunities to get amongst it as we close in on our cooler months.

One of our regions great sport fish, golden trevally, have been working out the gear and testing anglers with 9kg+ specimens on show. Coral trout, blackall, and grassy sweetlip have been active with good numbers being reported despite the frenzy of sharks reliving anglers of their catch.

Hussar are a really tasty chew and are being caught in good numbers on the outgoing and incoming tides from mid-morning to late afternoon.

TIP: Mullet and benito fillets will do the trick however live baits will ensure greater success around the feeding sea birds.

Burrum Heads has come a long way since the Australia Day tornado and this has been represented by the mass turn out of anglers to the Burrum Heads Easter Fishing Classic, along with the volume and the quality of fish that were weighed in.

With some of the best all-round fishing on the east coast right here at Burrum Heads, it is certain a great place to catch up on some earned R&R and, with winter approaching, the winter whiting will provide entertainment.

The cooler weather approaching will produce great offshore and river action with local traders being well supplied with bait, tackle and all the fishing essentials to help all members of the family to have a great time.