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Marvellous muddies
  |  First Published: December 2004



The New Year has begun the same way the old year ended, with the ‘Pin producing some real quality flathead, bream, squire, greenback tailor and the odd monster whiting.

At this time last year I scored a 4.5kg greenback tailor just inside the bar and I’ll certainly be heading out again to try to get another. I know plenty of my mates will be trying to top that fish because I’ve had a very enjoyable year reminding them of that great day.

The schools of tailor have started to come through the bar, although not so many as last year. We can expect more to come through this month, and the size and quality of the fish should also improve. Metal slugs from 10g up to 125g work very well when chasing the schools of tailor as they chop on the surface feeding on the baitfish. Look for white birds diving into the water to pick up the scraps, then motor over to them and fire in your lure, retrieving it quickly until you hook up. Be sure to keep the pressure on the fish as they can get off quite easily with their violent fighting technique, which can also include some aerial action. Remember there’s a bag limit of 20 tailor per person, and be sure to bleed the fish immediately to ensure their top eating quality.

Flicking soft plastics and livebaiting with large banana prawns have been the best methods of scoring a feed of flathead at the ‘Pin. Most of the reports coming in have been from just inside in the bar along Kalinga Bank, the top of South Stradbroke and Canaipa Passage near the entrance to Cobby Passage. Some other good spots have been the southwest side of Russell Island and between Jacobs Well boat ramp and Behms Creek.

There have been some real big elbow-slapping whiting coming in from the Logan River near the Junction and Marks Rocks, the Broadwater near the Seaway and the Nerang River near the Council Chambers. Live bloodworms and beachworms have been the best bait, followed by squid, small yabbies and soldier crabs.

It’s never too difficult to get a few bream so long as the water isn’t rushing in or out at breakneck speed. In those conditions it’s very difficult to feel their bites and a lot of time is wasted rebaiting your hook, so it’s best to up anchor and go to plan B. If you have to persist in these conditions, be sure to use enough weight to get to the bottom where the fish are. Chook gut, mullet gut and mullet fillets don’t come off the hook as easily as other bait does, and should give the larger fish a chance to have a go at the bait before the pickers steal it. A few good squire have been coming up as well.

Mud crabs are being potted in good numbers, and from all reports they are pretty full too. The Logan River, Pimpama River, Russell Island and near the entrance to Behms Creek have been the best spots. Sandies have been coming from Tiger Mullet Channel, Canaipa Passage and Little Rocky Point.

Thank you for all your reports. If you need to order bait or need any advice come in and see us at Gem Bait & Tackle, or call us on (07) 3287 3868 or email --e-mail address hidden-- I’ll catch you next month.

[CAPTIONS]

1) Good numbers of mud crabs are being potted in the Logan River, Pimpama River, Russell Island and near the entrance to Behms Creek.

2) If you’re after a large bream, try using chook gut, mullet gut or mullet fillets to give the larger fish a chance to get the bait before the pickers steal it.

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