Queensland summers! Hot, stormy, windy, king tides and as I type – flooding rains across the greater Wide Bay Region. For some, this almost feels like a normal summer weather pattern that’s been absent for many years.
December started with the expected steady increase in quality crab captures that only improved over the month. The most successful crabbers were those that maintained fresh baits and continually moved their pots, alternating from the upper reaches of creeks and drains to the deeper ledges and drop offs.
Our four pot bags of mullet heads and fresh fish frames have been a hands down winner as the go-to-bait. We recommend using heads and frames rather than heavily fleshed baits like whole mullet or fillets. Fleshy baits are an attractant for baitfish and toadfish and in only a few short hours, your fleshy bait will be nothing but a skeleton at best. Perfectly ‘cut’ holes in the pot mesh and an absence of bait can almost always be put down to those pesky deep-sea toads that love a good flesh bait.
We had numerous reports of people claiming to have had pots raided, stolen and slashed. While it is disappointing to hear this, we remind everyone to ensure your pots remain covered on the low tide. There isn’t much we haven’t seen in our thirty years commercially fishing, and often, our trail cams have captured the culprits as big eagles (tend to tear pots open from the top), while wild dogs, and feral pigs will drag your pots well into the mangroves.
King tides, combined with increased tidal surge create massive currents and will drag lighter pots well away from their set point. For those very few people that may be doing the wrong thing, be prepared to smile for the many cameras that are set. QLD Fisheries Officers conduct regular monitoring as do many locals.
The persistent hot, humid days and afternoon storms, saw the Mangrove Jack feeding very aggressively in the lead up to Christmas and again after New Year’s. We time our annual Mangrove Jack competition specifically around a two-week window commencing from Boxing Day. Many of the Jack’s caught this season have been from land-based locations and fisho’s that have never hooked up to a Jack before. Customers that took the time to listen to our advice on bait and tackle selection, bait presentation and locations, have been pleasantly rewarded.
Soft plastics like Zman Pop Frogz and Zerek Prawns have worked well when combined with weedless jig heads to minimise snag ups. Fishing structure is key. Mangrove roots, pontoons, pylons and under moored boats will always be a haven for quality Mangrove Jack. If you are catching bream, then there is a good chance you are in the zone. It might be time to upsize your bait to get past the bream pickers.
Dead baits floated whole such as diver whiting, pilchards, flicker mullet and herring have been getting smoked. Common by-catch for those targeting Jack’s include Barramundi, quality cod and big grunter. Be aware it is currently a closed season for Barramundi. There are several ways to rig up for Mangrove Jack and our team are always happy to discuss your options based upon the gear you have and your experience level. Our goal is to put our customers onto the fish.
The lead up to New Years and the New Moon saw the fishing slow down a little. Cooler temperatures and minimal tidal run can require a change of strategy. Walking sand flats around Carlo and Inskip produced some quality whiting and flathead. Making the effort to walk away from the holiday makers enjoying a swim definitely improved catch rate. MMD Splash Prawns, NOMAD Dart Wings and BASSDAY Sugapen surface poppers all worked well for the lure fishos.
If you’ve never tried flicking surface lures to target whiting you might be very surprised at just how aggressive big summer whiting can be. Bait fishos had greatest success using freshly pumped yabbies and our live beach worms. One little tip worth trying when using our live worm is to increase your hook size. Step up to a larger long shank hook and load it up with a whole worm. There’s no need to make it look pretty! In the estuary this can be an irresistible take for big flathead and even pelagics like trevally. This same strategy is very popular with seasoned fisho’s targeting Jewfish in the surf.
Offshore fishing and beach fishing was completely shut down as we welcomed TC Seth. Despite lingering almost 500km’s off the coast, the powerful easterly swell combined with King tides, caused rapid beach erosion. Wide Bay Bar wave rider buoy was recording average wave heights of 3.5 metres and peak waves exceeding 7 metres. The short respite will see offshore fishing fire and we look forward to providing all the updates as our charter operators get back to doing what they do best.
If you’re in the market for a new Alvey Reel, be sure to come into Gardiner Fisheries. Continuing until the end of January, every purchase of an Alvey Reel gives you a chance to spin up our ‘Alvey Deck Winch of Fortune’. We have over $1000 in store vouchers and prizes on the wheel, including Alvey Spotters sunglasses and an Alvey Akubra hat both valued at $300 each.
Is catching Tailor your thing? Well stay tuned in to our Facebook page. 2022 will see Gardiner Fisheries hold our Inaugural Tailor Championship. The interest from eager fisho’s and sponsors has been HUGE, and the prize pool will make your eyes pop. After an awesome 2021 tailor season we know the competitive rivalry will be fierce.
We hope all our customers, visitors to our region and our readers had a safe, healthy, and relaxing New Year. Thank-you to everyone that has supported our family business grow during testing times and we look forward to seeing you throughout 2022.
For the best local bait, product range and genuine local knowledge drop in and see the team at Gardiner Fisheries. 6AM – 5PM 7days. Find us on the corner of Carlo and Karoonda Roads, Rainbow Beach, on the way to the Carlo Point boat ramp. Just look for our orange flashing light.
