Big bream will be the most targeted species this month. They move into the sheltered waters of the Pin to feed up for their breeding season and you will notice the quality and size of the fish you catch will improve. We’ve already seen some bream over 1kg caught and, like the crab and prawn season, I expect this bream season to be a bumper one!

When fishing for these larger bream the best way to go is upsize your tackle, as these fish don’t mess around. They can usually be found around heavy snags and rocks that they will use to bust you up; 12-20lb line should be enough with a heavier leader line to a 1/0-3/0 baitholder hook and a sinker to fit the conditions to make sure you get to the bottom.

Up size your baits as well to tempt the larger fish, such as larger banana prawns, bigger clumps of mullet and chicken gut, larger mullet and bonito strips, and set up a good berley trail to get the fish feeding.

Night fishing has always proved more fruitful around the last few hours of the run-in tide. Try hitting the beaches along North or South Straddie in good gutters where tailor and dart are usually found for the big sea bream as well. Other great spots to try are the deep water off North Straddie, Kalinga Bank, the Stockyards, Short Island, Karragarra, Jacksons, the Powerlines, the north wall of the Seaway and Tabby Tabby Island.

Winter whiting should be around in good numbers. They are easily distinguishable from their summer whiting cousins, as they have dark spots along their flanks and are usually smaller (although they can get to 30cm). There is no size limit but they do have a bag limit of 50 per person.

The whiting are found on the sandy flats of Moreton Bay right down to the Broadwater of the Gold Coast. They are great for family fishing outings as they are easily caught on worms, squid, pipis and small yabbies. At the Pin you can find them at Slipping Sands, Tiger Mullet Channel, The Bedrooms, Tipplers and the Neverfail Islands.

Flathead should still be around in good numbers at the top of Crusoe Island, Cobby Passage, Pandannus weed banks, the Pig Styes, bottom of Kangaroo Island and the mouth of the Logan River. Pillies, prawns, mullet, herring and soft plastics are the best baits and the first of the run-out tide will be the best time to catch a feed.

Trolling in the shallows is another great way to chase flathead, as it allows you to cover heaps of ground and locate more of them. The best part is that you can usually pick up more than just flathead with bream; tailor, trevally and whiting are ready to hit your lure as well.

Tailor should be around early in the mornings just inside the bar and at the top of Crusoe Island. Try the beach across from South Straddie for better quality fish and the odd dart and bream thrown in as well. There have also been a few on dusk at the top of South Straddie in the rough water just inside the bar.

The crabs and prawns have gone a bit quiet, however there is still good cause to throw a few pots out during winter as there are still some good muddies and sandies about.

Lots of small mulloway are being caught to about 90cm, but as the cool nights kick in we should be expecting some larger 20kg fish to be on the chew in the deep water off Swan Bay, Kalinga Bank, Short Island and in the river near Marks Rocks.

• Thanks for all your reports and fish weighed in. if you’d like any up to date information of what’s biting drop us a line at Gem Bait & Tackle on 3287 3868 or email --e-mail address hidden-- I’ll catch you next month.