Happy New Year. I hope everyone behaved and made a resolution to do more fishing. That’s one resolution we should all be able to keep.

We’ve had some rain lately that was well and truly needed. It flushed all the feeder creeks into the rivers and then out into the Bay. This is going to make for some great fishing when the water quality improves and we can look forward to a productive start to the year.

So, what’s been happening?

January is the hot time of year for anglers who love to chase large whiting. We’ve had some great reports of a few topping 700g and all the anglers who have weighed in their catch are saying the same thing. A little berley, a lot of patience, live worms or yabbies and fish as light as the conditions will allow. Then put your feet up and check out the scenery. Try around the Gold Bank, Jacobs Well Channel near Diner Island, Squire Island, south of Russell Island near the green beacon and in the Logan River near Marks Rocks or at the Junction.

Greenback tailor are due at the start of the month as they usually run this time of year. In years gone by we’ve caught them to 5kg and it’s easy to spot a school, just keep an eye out for the birds diving into the water. They will be feeding on the bait that the tailor are smashing. So far we’ve only had choppers and small greenbacks to 2kg – so fingers crossed that the big stuff is on its way.

Flathead have been consistently weighed in with lots of 70cm+ fish being released to ensure Jumpinpin’s future flathead stocks. The larger ones have been favouring live bait so try to find some mullet, small gar and prawns. Whitebait, pilchards and froggies have also been going well. Try Little Rocky Point, across from Cabbage Tree Point boat ramp, just off the south eastern side of Kangaroo Island, Kalinga Bank, Duck Creek and Canaipa Passage near Willis Island.

A couple of small jew, estuary cod and mangrove jack have been caught from the Logan near Marks and Pitts rocks if you can find yourself some quality livies. Make sure to pack on heavy line as these fish have been busting up 30lb+ mono easily. Ben McAuley caught this 2kg beauty on his first cast.

Pack the dillies if your heading out as it has been a bumper season on sandies. Be sure to keep an eye on all your pots as there are some people out there who think it is okay to raid and steal them. Muddies have been going strong and we’re finding that they are mostly being caught out of the rivers and more along the mangrove lined banks of Eden Island, Tabby Tabby, Mosquito Island and Long Island.

Plenty of small bream have been on offer as usual with the odd squire thrown in as well.

Thanks for all reports and if you have any questions on conditions or what’s biting drop us a line at Gem Bait & Tackle or email --e-mail address hidden-- .