Now the school holidays are over, it’s a great time to head out and avoid the crowds. Even though heaps of fishos out and about over the break fish are still around in good numbers.

Tailor have been running through the Bar and as far in as the Powerlines. There have finally been some greenbacks near 4kg, but it’s been mostly choppers to 1kg. The best catches have been at night from the beaches of South Straddie. Baitfishing has been the big winner with pilchards and whitebait getting the best results.

Muddies are coming up in good numbers but you have to move the pots around a bit and try different baits as one pot might have 5-10 in it and the next one down is bare. The rivers are going well for muddies and you could try Tiger Mullet Channel, Tabby Tabby Island, Double Island and across from Cabbage Tree Point for some sandies. Be aware of the share farmers, who believe any pot within 500m of their boat is their own. Some crabbers have resorted to sinking their pots and risking fines from Fisheries.

Quality whiting are on offer along the drop-offs of most channels using sand or bloodworms at night near the bottom of the tide. The Logan River is producing the odd 500g specimen, or you could try near the Powerlines, Slipping Sands and south of Russell Island. It doesn’t get much better than a few whiting fillets cooked on the BBQ in summer.

There are still plenty of flathead on the go and they seem to be biting at all times of the day regardless of what the tide is doing. White, pink and green soft plastic lures are working well in getting strikes throughout the ‘Pin area especially near the bar on the sandbanks between North and South Straddie. Drift small pillies, prawns, whitebait and froggies to cover more area and you’ll have a better chance of landing a lizard.

As usual bream are everywhere you drop your line and are being caught on any bait. The larger specimens have come from the surf off South Straddie, Kalinga Bank, Short Island and near the Powerlines at night.

If you have any questions or would like to order some bait give Gem Bait & Tackle a call on (07) 3287 3868 or email: --e-mail address hidden--