Although the weather has been hot and uncomfortable, we have managed plenty of trips offshore and what a cracking start to the year we’ve had! The arrival of our Spanish and spotted mackerel has certainly been keeping the fishos busy with plenty of pelagic action. It’s been great that we haven’t had to travel too far to get our rods bent and our reels screaming.

Flicking both pilchards and lures in amongst the pack is doing the trick for the macs. The reef fishing offshore has also been very good with some nice snapper, on and around the new and full moons. Maori cod, Moses perch and tuskies have also been thick. Live baits have been picking out the big Maori and estuary cod.

With the continuation of hot, steamy weather around the Great Sandy Strait, barramundi and mangrove jack have been on fire. Kauri Creek is one of the hot spots with reports of barra nudging 900mm long. Whiting and flathead continue to bite well. The bottom end of Fraser Island around the old logging ramp has seen very good catches of both species.

On the beach, there have been some nice little patches of whiting around the Oaks. Just to the north of there on the point, large dart are being caught. February is another red-hot pelagic month. It’s probably the best for spotted mackerel. Last February we also caught a lot of nice red emperor on our northern grounds.