On those real hot December days, there’s nothing better than beating the heat by being out on the water and having a fish. It’s best to get out early, as storms can blow in pretty quick and really put a dampener on any fishing trip.

Mangrove jack become more active and feed more often over the warmer months, so now is the best time to try for a jack. They love hiding in against the mangroves, pylons, rock walls and snags, and there are heaps of spots at the ‘Pin just like that. Live bait is the best way to fish for them, but luring for them works well too. They hit very hard and will try to snag you up, so try to get them out into open water before they bust you off.

Try around the rocks at Rocky Point, the Powerlines, the Stockyards, the Gazebo in the river and the rock walls at Calypso Bay.

Whiting will be the main species that will be targeted this month and there should be plenty around too. The Logan River always produces some real quality fish with plenty over 40cm to be expected. Try to pick the tides with the most water movement. Whiting love fast-running water and you will pick up the bigger fish on these tides.

The pick of the spots are Ageston Sands, Marks Rocks, the Junction and the mud flats at the mouth of the Logan. Bloodworms are the by far best bait for catching whiting, however, they are very expensive and not always in abundant supply, so be sure to order them a few days in advance to avoid disappointment. Other baits to try are beach worms, pipis, prawns and squid.

Outside the River a few other spots to try are the Gold Bank, Fishermans Channel, Slipping Sands, the top of Crusoe Island, Tipplers Island and the Never Fail islands.

Flathead catches just seem to keep improving with most reports I get having flatty or two amongst the catch. Some real quality 75cm+ fish are still being caught on pilchards, white bait, vibes and 5”-7” soft plastics, from the deeper water of Kalinga Bank to out front of Swan Bay. Some flathead being caught are that great eating size of 50-60cm, and everyone is happy if they get one that size, but for the most part you will probably catch 5 undersized lizards to one decent fish.

For a feed of flatty try around Tabby Tabby, Logan River Mouth, Pandannus Island, outside Couran Cove and the Stockyards.

Mackerel and tuna should start to show up out beyond the ‘Pin bar as they follow the warm current down the coast. Using unweighted pillies or slimies is a good way to fish for them, leaving your reel in freespool and letting them pick the bait up and run with it. Trolling is also an excellent way to cover more ground and find where the fish are holding.

Tuna are usually easier to spot as they tend to push bait schools to the surface and you can spot them busting the surface. Tuna tend to feed on smaller bait, so if you can see the fish but can’t hook up, try using a smaller 10-20g lure for better success.

Muddies and sandies have also fired up with the recent rains, so don’t forget your pots and dillies on your next trip out. Nudging deeper into the mangroves at the high tide when you drop your pots has been producing the best catches of muddies lately. Fish frames, chicken frames or off meat have been the better baits. Sandies have been taken along the edges of channels such as Jacobs Well Channel, Tiger Mullet, north Canaipa and up near the Powerlines.