The cold weather has been great for bream fishers this year with good quality specimens on the chew right throughout the ‘Pin. A lot of good fish around 28-35cm are being caught with the odd larger 40cm+ stonker being landed as well.

Carl Haack and Randall Hobbs cracked the kilo mark with each catching a monster bream from Crusoe Island. And Rod Palmer swears by using fresh bread for his big bream from Short Island.

The bream will be on the bite all month and for your best chance to catch these quality fish try around the eastern tip of Short Island, Kalinga Bank, Flatrock, Crusoe Island’s deep hole, Giants Grave and the base of the Powerlines. The best results have been at night near the top of the tide or early in the morning, and the best baits have been mullet gut, chook gut, yabbies, pillies, worms, and tailor fillets.

Jew have also been around in good numbers, with a few good sized school jew from Marks Rocks in the Logan River. Larger jew are being caught from the ‘Pin bar and out off Swan Bay, and some trag jew are hanging around the Dragon Wreck, Sulleys Reef and the reefs around 24 fathoms. Lofty caught a hefty 8.3kg jew from the Logan, and Kierra Powell caught a nice little school jew from Marks Rocks.

Plenty of flathead have been caught using soft plastics, such as twist tails, double tails, worms, 3” and 5” split tail shads and minnows. The best colours have been pink, white with silver flecks, trout, chartreuse and pearl. The baitfishers have been using pilchards, froggies and prawns for the best results.

The most popular spots for flathead have been Slipping Sands, mouth of Whalleys Gutter, Tabby Tabby and near Tulleen Island on the weed banks, with the last two hours of the run out tide producing the most success.

There are still a few tailor getting about, but they are few and far between. Try floating a pillie or letting one hang about mid water to target them. They seem to be just cruising around in small numbers and have been caught all the way in as far as the Logan River.

There have been a few cod and mangrove jacks on offer if you can cast net some livies. Try fishing along the rocky ledges at the Grave, Cobby passage, Marks Rocks in the Logan, and the mouth of the Pimpama River.

A few better sized whiting are on offer for those willing to brave the chilly conditions at night using live bloodworms and beachworms at the Junction in the Logan, Diner Island, Pelican Banks and just south of Slipping Sands. They are also about in good numbers cruising along the sand flats of Tiger Mullet Channel, the Gold Bank, Tipplers Island and from Cabbage Tree point to the powerlines. They’re fun on light gear and easy to catch for the kiddies. Just remember to use a bait that holds on the hook, like worms or squid, to give yourself a few goes at hooking the fish. Baits like prawns and yabbies are easily picked off and you’ll be constantly re-baiting.

There are still some muddies and sandies being potted even though it’s not traditionally the best time to target them. Stick to the mouth of the drains of Short Island, Cobby Cobby and Lagoon Island on a run out tide. For Sandies try Rocky Point, Tiger Mullet Channel and Long Island.

Thanks for all your reports and keep those fish coming in. if you’d like any advice or up-to-date fishing information drop us a line at Gem Bait & Tackle on 3287 3868 or email --e-mail address hidden--