Ahhh, November. The weather is warm, the winds aren’t too strong and it’s the perfect time to hit the water and get down to some serious R & R.

As usual, flathead are turning up in good numbers along the sandy flats to the north of south Straddie, south of Kangaroo Island on the shallow mud flats, across from the Cabbage Tree Point boat ramp and in the upper reaches of the Logan River. Kalinga Bank is a great spot to start, though it is probably best to give it a wide berth on weekends as it can get a little crowded. The water quality has been good so flicking and trolling lures has been extremely effective. Prawns, pilchards, froggies, whitebait and live poddy mullet are also scoring quality lizards.

You can’t answer “What’s biting at the ‘Pin?” without mentioning bream. It’s hard to go out there and not catch one. We’ve had some great catches from the surf off south Stradbroke with the odd dart thrown in, and there have been heaps of reports of small to medium sized fish from Kalinga Bank, Whalleys Gutter mouth, the Five Ways, Diner Island and the bases of the powerlines. Mullet strips, live yabbies, pilchards, prawns, and squid have been the baits of choice. You may even land the odd squire or two at these spots.

There have been a few small school jew taken from out front of Swan Bay and in the deeper holes of the bar. The tailor have been a little quiet, with mainly small choppers on offer and not many reports of greenbacks – but who knows when the next school will come through?

Lately there have been some top catches of whiting to around the 40cm mark, taken on live bloodworms, beachworms and small yabbies. Once again there are a lot of diver and small summer whiting on the sand flats stealing everyone’s bait around the Gold Bank, Cabbage Tree Point and Jacobs Well Channel, with the better size fish coming from Never Fail Island, the Albert and Logan river junction and near Slipping Sands.

Muddies have arrived on time with some nice bucks almost nudging 1.5kg. These are being caught mainly in the Rivers and Redland Bay Channel with a few from Cabbage Tree Point, Jacobs Well Channel and south of Russell Island. Blue swimmer crabs are being caught consistently throughout the ‘Pin. Remember that you’re allowed only four pots or dillies per person.

It’s going to be a hot summer so don’t forget to cover up during the day and apply the mozzie spray at night. If you have any reports of fish, any questions, need to order bait or just want to yarn, give me a call on (07) 3287 3868, come in and see me at Gem Bait & Tackle on the way to the ‘Pin or e-mail --e-mail address hidden-- I’ll catch you next month.

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