This past winter has been the toughest for many years with uncharacteristically cold water shutting down many species.

The poor snapper anglers have had to work hard for most of their fish this year and even when they have got on to them not many fish have topped 4kgs. At times the water has been so clear that many estuarine species have been reluctant to take a bait – even berley hasn’t helped bring them on the chew. If you have been fishing winter and come home empty handed don’t be too worried as you weren’t alone, not by a long shot. With the water starting to warm and the effects from the August rain kicking in things are looking good for this month.

In the bay things should be starting to hot up with most pelagic species on the move in platypus bay. Spottie mackerel, mack tuna, golden trevally and a few Spaniards are starting to be caught north of Arch Cliffs and small black marlin are a real possibility from now through to late March. Cobia or black king have been all over the place the past couple of months both inside and across the bar. Many have been up around the 40kg mark making them a formidable adversary on medium tackle. Paul Rosman and his son Jimbo had a great day across the bar one calm winters day recently and managed to extract two fish on whole dead baits dropped on a patch of reef.

The National Pacific Real Estate Hervey Bay Game Fishing Classic is on again this November and offers anglers the unique opportunity to base themselves offshore for three days and fish the pristine waters off Fraser Island. Mothership and fuel barge services enable big and small boats to be based off Rooneys point saving fuel and time. This year the tournament will be held on the 16th, 17th and 18th of November and mothership berths are filling fast so to book your birth or for more information contact Doug Sanderson on 0411641362 or go to www.hbgfc.org.au