Winter fishing on the rivers of the southern Gold Coast is pretty good, but the summer fishing is when they really come into their own. November is the first major summer month when the water temperature gets up in the mid 20ºC and all the summer species come to life.

Whiting will be the main target species in the creeks, especially on the Tally and Currumbin creeks due to their shallow nature. Both creeks have numerous yabby beds and if you are keen to head out for a whiting fish then these are the prime spots.

As expected, some spots will fire better than others as the tides differ in sizes. You will improve your chances if you fish around a yabby bank on the lower stages of the tide. And when the tide floods over the top of the bank, move up with it.

It can often take a bit of time to work out the best banks and one good trick is to pump your yabbies at low tide on a specific spot, then as the tide starts to run in, fish this exact spot. All the disturbed mud and dislodged crustaceans will attract the whiting’s attention and act as a natural berley. Yabbies and worms will be the two main baits.

Both creeks will also have loads of small bream throughout the summer months, which can make your whiting fishing a bit frustrating. Nevertheless, it can be great fun if you are taking the kids along as they don’t have to wait long for a bite and therefore don’t get too bored or fidgety. I took my little boy up to the barra dams with me a few months ago. He is still only a little tyke at 16 months, but he thoroughly enjoyed watching the fish jump out of the water. He couldn’t take his hands off the barra when I had them on board and when I put the fish back he wouldn’t stop crying - obviously I have started something that my lovely wife is not very impressed with.

Bream in the upper reaches of the river and around the canals will also be on the cards this month. They respond really well to top water lures fished around the mangrove lined banks as well as the boat ramps and floating pontoons. The odd tarpon and giant herring will also be an option, but both are extremely difficult to keep hooks in when you do come across one.

Flathead, around the medium size, will still be a viable target, although the bigger models do become a bit harder to find as the water temperature increases. Trevally will be around in good numbers this month at the mouths of the canal entrances as well as rock walls and bridge pylons. In fact, any structure that holds good concentrations of bait is a fish magnet for the marauding packs of trevally.

Tally and Currumbin creeks are both popular family venues with a host of places to pull over and have a picnic or barbecue while wetting a line on the side. Therefore, November will see an increase in boat traffic as well as fishing pressure. Try to remember that there is a lot of watercraft out over the holiday and summer season and try to show other smaller craft a bit of courtesy when passing. Remember that not all people that use watercraft are experienced and it may only take one large wake or passing too close for an accident to happen.

The wider grounds will be a bit tricky this month due to the increase in current. Although this is not good for bottom fishing, it is great for pelagic fish. Mackerel, wahoo, tuna and the odd black marlin will be an option for November.

It is still a bit early to be spending the entire day trolling, but if the weather and current continue to increase we might see some early action.