Very hot weather with little wind, swell or rain has been the story of late, giving us plenty of fishing time.

Spanish and spotted mackerel have been thick in recent times, along with plenty of tuna.

Huge schools of baitfish and masses of sea birds are a common occurrence at this time of year, with pelagics and sharks taking full advantage of this treat.

This season has been very different from last year. The spotted mackerel have been very fussy, coming on the chew one day and then switching off the next.

When they have been biting, livebaits have been particularly attractive to them, whereas previously you would go through endless amounts of blue pilchards.

The spotties we have caught have been loaded with small frogmouth pilchards. These little guys have been making up the bait balls in our local water of late, and are the most likely reason for the spotted mackerel’s fussiness: too much food.

Reef fishing is still holding up well with the close grounds producing good catches of pearl perch, squire, cod and sweetlip. Wider waters are plentiful with pearl perch, parrot, snapper, Maori cod and red emperor.

Tin Can Bay Inlet has produced some quality golden trevally up to 6kg. Larger specimens have been landed at Inskip Point on livebait.

Flathead have been taken in good numbers between Kauri Creek and the bottom end of Fraser Island. You will also find quality whiting in the same vicinity, more so around the full moon.

Spotted mackerel have been caught between Big Mick beacon and the mouth of the Wide Bay Bar. Very early morning has been the most rewarding time.

Plenty of mud crabs have been potted lately in all mangrove-lined creeks, and blue swimmer crabs in the deeper channels on the inside of Fraser Island.

Still a smothering of weed on our beautiful beach, though there are unaffected patches towards Inskip Point that are fishable and providing whiting, flathead and dart.

Teewah Beach is a lot clearer of weed and you will catch yourself a good feed of whiting, dart and tailor in the evenings.

Ed Falconer’s charter business, Keely Rose Reef Fishing Charters, makes regular trips to the reefs off Rainbow Beach. If you’d like to go on a trip with Ed you can contact him on 0407 146 151.