Fishing Report 26-02-2015

FISHING REPORT – 26-02-2015

Dylon Perrin landed this quality Murray Cod
 in the Glenn Innes area last weekend,
 it was released after taking the photo.
Well done Mobro!! Happy Birthday!! WG

Last weekends predicted weather didn’t happen as expected, so there has been little or no impact on the impoundments, apart from Somerset receiving plenty of water. This has resulted in water being released into Wivenhoe, which has seen the water level go from 80% to 95%. All impoundments within our local area that were closed were all reopened at the start of the week.

BASS

Cressbrook Dam is a bit patchy at the moment, so use your sounder to find the fish, out from the boat ramp and across to the buoy line would be worth a look, the Cressbrook Creek arm is worth a look as well and if you find the fish, try casting blades, spinnerbaits, Jackals, and hopefully you might pick up a few. There has been quite a few smaller fish landed here in the past month, so remember the minimum length for Bass is 30cm. Boondooma Dam has again produced some decent catches of Bass. Most of the fish have been caught around the points or timbered areas of the Stuart and Boyne arms, mainly on Spinnerbaits and Blades, but you could also try trolling hard bodies in about 15 - 20 feet of water. It’s not easy at Bjelke Peterson at the moment, however casting Jackals, Blades and Spinnerbaits around Bass Point and on the banks below the Wineries has produced a few fish, while trolling hard bodies has seen a few landed as well and at Maroon, there were plenty of smaller Bass caught on Jackalls, Piranhas, Blades and Soft Plastics, most of the fish were landed along the weed edges.

YELLOWBELLY AND COD

Cooby Dam has been a little quiet also, but there is the odd Yellowbelly and Silver Perch about. Try targeting these with live Worms, and trolling lures around the rock wall area could also prove fruitful. Cressbrook has seen a few quality Yellowbelly hitting spinnerbaits around the Eagles Nest area, Boondooma and Bjelke Peterson have again produced good numbers of quality Yellowbelly, the majority of fish are being caught on bait, but casting Jackalls, Blades and Spinnerbaits, or trolling hard body lures should pick you up a few fish as well. Coolmunda Dam has improved over the past week as the water clears up; there have been reports of reasonable numbers of Yellowbelly with some quality Cod as well. Frozen Saltwater Yabbies and live Worms seem to be the best bait, but also try casting Jackalls, Spinnerbaits and hard bodies around the timber if you want to chase the Cod. Things have been fairly slow over the past week at Leslie Dam, anglers have managed to land a few nice fish but they have had to work hard for them, there’s been reports of a few nice Yellowbelly landed in the main basin on frozen saltwater yabbies, one local angler landed a few legal sized fish, while casting spinnerbaits around structure and Glenlyon is still producing good numbers of Yellowbelly on bait and Spinnerbaits, as well as plenty of Silver Perch on worms.

COASTAL FISHING

Very limited opportunities offshore this week due to the weather, however inshore fishing has seen the Southport Seaway producing good sized Jewies on the incoming tide and a few Flathead around the Aldershots and Kalinga Bank, while at the Sunny Coast, the Passage has produced a lot of smaller Bream and Whiting and a few Flathead around the mouth of Bells Creek and the rock walls at the entrance to the Noosa River have produced fairly good numbers of Trevally and Flathead at the top of the run in tide.

 

 

Fishing Report 19-02-2015

FISHING REPORT – 19-02-2015

 

The weather outlook isn't great for this weekend, so it may be a weekend for getting the gear ready for the next trip!!!

BASS

Dave Green with a quality Somerset Bass
caught last week on a spinnerbait.

The South Burnett dams have continued to produce reasonable numbers, even with the windy conditions, the fish are quite scattered throughout Boondooma, but there are still good size Bass being landed, with quite a few smaller fish in amongst them, casting Blades, Soft Plastics and Jackalls, as well as trolling hard bodies between 15 and 20 feet have proven to be the most successful methods. There are quite a few smaller Bass coming out of Bjelke Peterson; trolling hard bodies around Bass Point and the banks opposite have been the most successful. Somerset has again produced reasonable catches of Bass over the past week, Pelican Point, Queen Street and around the timber at Kirkleigh have been the pick of the spots, while casting Blades, Jackalls and Spinnerbaits, or trolling hard bodies have been the best methods and Moogerah Dam produced decent numbers of Bass on the weekend, with slow rolled soft plastics working the best down there.

YELLOWBELLY AND COD

Cooby Dam has seen a few fish holding in deeper water and trolled hard bodies, vertically worked blades or frozen saltwater yabbies have been effective. Boondooma and Bjelke Peterson have both produced pretty good numbers of Yellowbelly, the majority of fish are being caught on bait, however, casting Jackalls and Spinnerbaits, and trolling hard bodies is working well. Glenlyon has fished well over the past week, with some nice Cod around the mid 70cm to 80cm mark, these have been caught on Spinnerbaits, trolled hard bodies and bait, Yellowbelly and Silver Perch have been plentiful, but they have mainly been coming on bait. Coolmunda has seen the odd fish taking frozen saltwater yabbies and trolled hard bodies, on the drop offs to the old creek beds and also along the wall area. Leslie Dam has produced a few Yellowbelly on frozen Saltwater Yabbies, in front of the Washpool camping area, good size Silver Perch on live worms and there were a couple of Cod taken on Jackalls near the boulders, just out from the buoy line. As for the rivers, the upper reaches of the Condamine have produced a few fish on bait and lures, the Dumeresq at Texas is still producing reasonable numbers downstream of the township, the Macintyre at Goondiwindi is still fairly quiet at the moment, with only the odd Yellowbelly falling for frozen saltwater yabbies and finally, the Goondiwindi Fish Restockers released 90,000 Yellowbelly into the river during January and February, all of the funds are raised by raffles conducted at the Railway Hotel on Friday nights.

COASTAL FISHING

Very limited opportunities offshore at the moment, however prior to the current weather system, the Southport Seaway was producing good numbers of Jewies and Jacks on strip baits, plenty of Whiting around the river mouths, Flathead around Gold Bank and Crusoe Island at the Pin and the creek mouths have seen good numbers of muddies filling the crab pots.

Fishing Report 12-02-2015

FISHING REPORT – 12-02-2015

BASS

Les Werribone taking fish releasing to the next level.
Love the commitment Les!!!!

Somerset Dam has produced good quality Bass this week; Pelican Point, Queen Street and Kirkleigh have been the areas to target, working spinnerbaits and blades slow and tight to the bottom in 28-40ft of water has picked up the majority of the fish. The South Burnett dams have fished well again, at Boondooma, trolling hard bodies in 30-35ft of water from the main basin through to Pelican Point has produced good sized fish, while working 5/8oz spinnerbaits around the timber in the Stuart arm, has been good also. At Bjelke Peterson, working Blades, mask vibes and plastics in 15-25ft of water, around the points and drop-offs in the main basin has been good, while trolling dark coloured hard bodies in the same areas has produced decent numbers as well. Cressbrook Dam was a bit quieter this week, working the weedy edges with spinnerbaits early morning/late afternoon has again produced a few fish, also look for fish suspended off the steeper points in the main bay and around the Eagles Nest area, hopping soft vibes or blades, trolling smaller profile hard bodies, or working spinnerbaits tight to the bottom will give the best chance of picking up a few of these fish, and  Maroon Dam produced good numbers of Bass along the southern bank, just off the weed edges, using spinnerbaits, beetle spins and soft plastics.

YELLOWBELLY AND COD

Cooby has fished quite well this week, with some quality Yellowbelly taking TN60 Jackalls, cast to the edges. Boondooma and Bjelke Peterson have continued to produce good numbers of Yellowbelly, working the same areas as with the Bass, will see you pick up some quality Yellowbelly also, and these fish will fall for the same tactics as used for the Bass. Glenlyon is a bit quiet at the moment, there has been the odd Yellowbelly taken on trolled hard bodies, live shrimp and frozen saltwater yabbies, there’s only been a couple of Cod about, with spinnerbaits working the best on these. Coolmunda is still quiet due to the dirty water from the recent inflow, there has been the odd fish taking frozen saltwater yabbies on the drop offs to the old creek beds, the water is starting to clear, so hopefully in the next few weeks the fish will become a bit more active. Leslie Dam has been a bit quiet again this week, but anglers did pick up the odd Yellowbelly on frozen Saltwater Yabbies, blades and trolled hard bodies in the main basin and also around the Black Boys, there was a 10kg Cod caught on a Predatek up near the dam wall. As for the rivers, the Macintyre at Goondiwindi is still a bit quiet, with only the odd Yellowbelly caught; the Dumaresq River from Texas downstream to Yelarbon has fished alright again for Yellowbelly, with spinnerbaits and hard bodies proving to be effective.

COASTAL FISHING

Offshore fishing has been almost non-existent this week, due to the windy conditions, however, getting out early morning, before the wind really picked up, saw a few Spanish Mackerel taking trolled diving lures on the 24’s, as well as Palm and Mermaid Reefs, the Seaway has again produced School Jew and Kingies on live bait, good quality Jacks, up to 70cm in the Nerang and Coomera Rivers on soft plastics and Flathead at the Pin, while at the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Reef produced mixed bags of reef fish, Spotty and Spanish Mackerel are getting about also, but again, the conditions haven’t been favorable for offshore fishing and inshore has seen the passage at Caloundra fishing well for Flathead, Jacks throughout most of the estuaries, Trevally in the upper reaches of the Noosa River and the beaches have been a popular spot for Whiting.

 

Fishing Report 05-02-2015

FISHING REPORT – 05-02-2015

 

Well done Ben Squires, on landing your first Yellowbelly!!! Ben caught this at Cooby Dam a few week's ago, on his own, no help from anyone. Good stuff mate, hope there's many more to come. WG

BASS
The South Burnett dams have continued to produce good numbers, at Boondooma, trolling hard bodies from the main basin through to Pelican Point and up the Stuart arm has produced good sized fish, working TN60 Jackalls and blades on the same fish will work as well, while working blades and spinnerbaits around the timber in the Stuart arm, has been good also. At Bjelke Peterson, working Blades and Spinnerbaits in the timber has been successful; blades have also worked around Bass Point, while trolling dark coloured hard bodies in about 15 to 20ft of water has produced some good fish. Cressbrook Dam has seen decent numbers of Bass this week, working the weedy edges with spinnerbaits early morning/late afternoon has produced some good quality fish, and as the day warms up, look for suspended fish in the main bay, out from the boat ramp and also the Eagles Nest area, to entice these fish, try hopping soft vibes or blades, trolling smaller profile hard bodies, or working spinnerbaits tight to the bottom, there has been a lot of undersize fish, with some decent 40cm plus fish in amongst them. Somerset Dam has produced good quality Bass this week; Pelican Point and Queen Street have been the areas to target, hopping Soft Vibes, blades or plastics has been effective, but working spinnerbaits slow and tight to the bottom has picked up the better quality fish, while afternoon has been the best time to target these fish, and Maroon has seen good numbers landed on spinnerbaits and surface lures worked around the weed edges.

YELLOWBELLY AND COD
Boondooma and Bjelke Peterson have continued to produce good numbers of Yellowbelly, working the same areas as with the Bass, will see you pick up some quality Yellowbelly also, and these fish will fall for the same tactics as used for the Bass. Glenlyon is producing good numbers of Yellowbelly around the structure, trolling hard bodies and spinnerbaits about 5-6m behind the boat has worked well, there’s a few Cod about as well, with spinnerbaits picking up the majority of these. Coolmunda is a bit quiet due to the rise in water level, there has been the odd fish taking frozen saltwater yabbies on the drop offs to the old creek beds, but the dirty water has made the fishing quite tough. Leslie Dam has been a bit quiet, but anglers did pick up the odd Yellowbelly on frozen Saltwater Yabbies and trolled 3D Cranks in the main basin, there was also some quality Silver Perch landed in various spots off the bank, with live worms proving to be the most successful bait. As for the rivers, due to a rise in the river, the Macintyre at Goondiwindi has been quiet, with only the odd Yellowbelly caught; the Dumaresq River from Texas downstream to Yelarbon has fished alright for Yelowbelly, with spinnerbaits and hard bodies proving to be effective.

COASTAL FISHING

Last weekend saw the Gold Coast fishing quite well for Black Marlin on the 50’s and Spotty and Spanish Mackerel on the 24’s as well as Palm and Mermaid Reefs, but offshore fishing has been almost non-existent during the week, due to the windy conditions and this hasn’t helped much with the inshore fishing either. The Seaway has produced School Jew and Kingies on live bait, a few Whiting near the Council Chambers, in the Nerang River, Jacks around Sovereign Island and Flathead at Kalinga Bank and Crusoe Island, while at the Sunshine Coast, the passage at Caloundra is fishing well for Flathead, Jacks throughout most of the estuaries on live mullet and Trevally have been hitting metal slugs and surface poppers just inside the mouth of the Noosa River.

 

Fishing Report 29-01-2015

FISHING REPORT – 29-01-2015

BASS

Caitlin Bryant took out the prize for biggest Bass at a
 family fishing comp, held at Bjelke Peterson dam recently,
it measured 44cm. She also won the Junior Female angler division.

The South Burnett dams have been the pick again this week, although things have settled a bit, there’s still some decent fish through the main basin at Boondooma, these fish are taking trolled hard bodies, blades and soft plastics, while working spinnerbaits tight to the bottom around the timber in both arms has been the better option. At Bjelke Peterson, there are plenty of undersized bass and an occasional keeper still being caught throughout the dam in 15-25ft of water, trolling shallow diving hard bodies and TN60 Jackalls has worked well. Some good shows of fish at Somerset Dam again, however getting them to bite is still a bit of a challenge, the odd fish has been taken on soft plastics, blades and spinnerbaits. Closer to home, Cressbrook Dam produced quite a few undersize Bass again this week, with blades picking up a few in the main basin and Moogerah Dam has produced a few nice Bass in the timbered area, where TN60 Jackalls have been the most successful, the majority were caught while trolling with a few being landed while casting to the structure. 

YELLOWBELLY AND COD

The South Burnett dams have again been productive for Yellowbelly, in Boondooma, casting spinnerbaits around the timber in the Stuart arm has worked well, while at Bjelke Peterson, trolling hard bodies and using live bait around the banks, particularly near the old ski club area has produced some decent fish. Cooby Dam has been a bit quieter this week, but there have been a few Yellowbelly getting about, again the Northern bank, from the dam wall buoy line through to the north arm of the dam has been a good area to target, TN60 Jackalls, blades and frozen saltwater yabbies have worked the best. Glenlyon is still producing good numbers of Yellowbelly on live Shrimp and frozen saltwater yabbies, while Spinnerbaits have worked well on the Cod, there’s been nothing huge, but the numbers have been consistent. Coolmunda is still a bit quiet; however there has been a few Yellowbelly taken on bait and hard body lures, just working around the creek beds. Leslie Dam has improved over the past week with anglers having success on a variety of lures and bait. Shrimp, frozen saltwater yabbies and worms have all worked well, while trolled diving lures and TN60 Jackalls accounted for some nice fish in the deeper water in the main basin and there were also some big Silver Perch landed last weekend, as for the rivers, the Macintyre at Goondi has only produced low numbers of Yellowbelly on bait and locally, as the Condamine starts to clear, spinnerbaits have produced some nice Yellowbelly.

GOLD COAST

Offshore fishing has produced Spanish Mackerel, Black Marlin and the odd Wahoo on the 50s east of Southport, trolling skirted lures and live bait has worked the best on those fish, while inshore has seen Whiting and Flathead throughout the Jumpinpin area and Mangrove Jack have been prominent around the rock walls and bridge pylons in most of the estuaries.

SUNSHINE COAST

Offshore fishing has seen Caloundra wide producing plenty of Spanish and Spotty Mackerel on slow trolled live baits, Pearl Perch, Cobia and Tusk fish on the Barwon Banks, while inshore fishing has seen sand whiting taking surface poppers opposite the Power Boat Club at Caloundra, the river mouths are producing Bream, Trevally and Flathead on the run in tides and good numbers of Jacks are taking live baits in most of the creeks, rivers and canals.

 

 

 

 

 

Fishing Report 22-01-2015

PB Cod for young Ben Janke!! Caught and released in the Tenterfield area recently, it was 76cm, well done Ben, hope there's many more to come. 

FISHING REPORT – 22-01-2015

BASS

The pick of the dams have been in the South Burnett again this week, there’s still plenty of 40cm plus fish throughout the main basin at Boondooma, these fish are taking trolled hard bodies, blades , tailspinners and soft plastics, while working 5/8oz spinnerbaits close to the bottom, around the timber in both arms has also produced a few again. Bjelke Peterson has also fished well again, the fish are throughout the dam, in about 15-20ft of water, trolling shallow diving hard bodies and TN60 Jackalls has worked well, while working blades and soft vibes through them has also been effective. Some good shows of fish at Somerset Dam, however getting them to bite has been a bit of a challenge, the odd fish has been taken on soft plastics, blades and spinnerbaits. Closer to home, Cressbrook Dam produced quite a few undersize Bass this week, with blades picking up a few in the main basin and Moogerah Dam has produced a few nice Bass in the timbered area, where TN60 Jackalls have been the most successful, the majority were caught while trolling with a few being landed while casting the structure.  There are plenty of fish showing up on the sounder in various spots around the dam, however the heavy boating traffic has made it quite hard to target these fish.

YELLOWBELLY AND COD

The South Burnett dams have again been productive for Yellowbelly, in Boondooma, bait and trolled hard bodies have been effective around the junction, while casting spinnerbaits around the timber, sinking them to the bottom and working them back past the trees has worked well, while at Bjelke Peterson, trolling brighter coloured hard bodies around the points in the main basin and also through the timber, has seen good numbers of fish caught. Cooby Dam has been going alright as well, with good numbers of Yellowbelly and a few Cod getting about, again the Northern bank, from the dam wall buoy line through to the north arm of the dam has been a good area to target, while trolled hard bodies, TN60 Jackalls and frozen saltwater yabbies have all worked well. Glenlyon is still producing good numbers of Yellowbelly on live Shrimp and frozen saltwater yabbies, while trolled hard bodies and Spinnerbaits have worked well on the Cod. Coolmunda is still a bit quiet; however there has been a few Yellowbelly taken on bait and hard body lures, just working around the creek beds. Leslie Dam has continued to be a little slow again this week; however, there was a cracking 60 pound Murray Cod landed while trolling in front of the boat ramps.  There were also some nice Yellowbelly landed on blades and hard body lures, while it has been a little quiet for the bait anglers, with only a few legal fish caught, and the rivers and creeks around the local area have been fishing quite consistently over the past few weeks, with some nice Yellowbelly landed in the Condamine, mainly on lures, while the Stanthorpe area has seen some nice Cod landed, including a huge 130cm specimen.

GOLD COAST

Offshore fishing has produced Black Marlin and Mahi Mahi on the 36s east of Southport, Cobia on the Artificial Reef off South Straddie and Spotty Mackerel on Palm Beach and Mermaid Reefs, while inshore has seen Dart and Whiting in the gutters at night along the beaches, Yellowtail Kingfish on top of the tide on surface stick baits in Southport Seaway, Jewies on the tide change around the Pipeline and Mangrove Jack have been hitting deep divers in the lower reaches of the Coomera River.

SUNSHINE COAST

Offshore fishing has seen plenty of Spanish and Spotty Mackerel taking slow trolled live baits on most reefs, Yellowtail Kingfish, Cobia and tuskfish on Murphys Reef, while inshore fishing has seen sand whiting opposite the Power Boat Club and Gemini Towers at Caloundra and Munna Point and the Frying Pan at Noosa, Bream and Flathead along most of the beaches, Jewies along the rock walls at the Mooloolah River mouth and good numbers of Jacks are hanging around structure in most of the canals.

 

 

Fishing Report 15-01-2015

FISHING REPORT – 15-01-2015

Lachie Puig landed this Mahi Mahi off the Gold Coast last week. Well done mate. WG

BASS

The pick of the dams has been Boondooma this week, there’s plenty of 40cm plus fish throughout the main basin, suspended at 15-25ft, in 70ft of water, these fish are taking trolled hard bodies, blades , tailspinners and soft plastics, while working 5/8oz spinnerbaits close to the bottom, around the timber in both arms has also produced a few. Bjelke Peterson has also fished well this week, working the timber with spinnerbaits has been good, while trolling hard bodies through the main bays of the dam has produced some good fish as well. Somerset Dam hasn't been too bad either, with some decent catches over the past week; Bay 13 and Queen Street have been popular spots for the anglers, where hopping Soft Vibes and plastics or working spinnerbaits tight to the bottom has been effective. Closer to home, Cressbrook Dam is still fishing a bit tough at the moment, I would suggest using a sounder to locate fish on the steeper points and around the marker buoy in the main basin, while targeting the fish with trolled hard bodies, soft plastics, blades, live worms and live shrimp will give you the best chance of landing a couple and Moogerah Dam has slowed a little with anglers having the most success trolling lures in approximately 15 feet of water in and around the timber.

YELLOWBELLY AND COD

The South Burnett dams have been the pick for Yellowbelly as well, in Boondooma, bait and trolled hard bodies have been effective around the junction, while casting spinnerbaits around the timber, sinking them to the bottom and working them back past the trees has been effective, while at Bjelke Peterson, trolling brighter coloured hard bodies around the points in the main basin and also through the timber, has seen good numbers of fish caught. Cooby Dam has been going alright as well, with good numbers of Yellowbelly and a few Cod getting about, working the Northern bank, from the dam wall buoy line through to the north arm of the dam has been a good area to target, while trolled hard bodies, TN60 Jackalls and frozen saltwater yabbies have all worked well. Glenlyon is producing good numbers of Yellowbelly on live Shrimp and frozen saltwater yabbies, while trolled hard bodies and Spinnerbaits have worked well on the Cod, with the best for the week being a 96cm fish. Coolmunda is still a bit quiet; however there has been a few Yellowbelly taken on bait and hard bodies have picked up a couple of Cod. Leslie Dam has been a little slower over the past week, there were still some quality Yellowbelly landed on a variety of lures.  Most of the fish have been sitting in approximately 7-12ft of water, so shallow lures are a better option, while the bait anglers have had success around the big rocks opposite the dam wall, as well as up near the Black Boys, there were also reports of a couple of legal sized Cod landed over the weekend with the biggest fish measuring 97cm. The Condamine River is still a bit dirty, so using spinnerbaits would be a good option to pick up a couple. 

GOLD COAST
Offshore fishing has produced plenty of Dolphin Fish and small Black Marlin on the 36’s, live baiting and trolling smaller skirted lures has picked up the majority of these fish. Inshore fishing has seen Kingies and School Jew in the Seaway, Whiting have been prominent near the Council Chambers in the Nerang River and the Coomera River has been firing for Jacks on live bait, minnows and soft plastics.

SUNSHINE COAST

Offshore fishing has produced Mackerel, Dolphin Fish and small Black Marlin, on live bait and trolled lures. The majority of these fish have been taken on Caloundra Wide, Sunshine and Chardons Reef. Most of the creeks and rivers are producing Jacks on live bait around structure, Whiting on Yabbies and Worms on the incoming tide, Queen fish in the Pelican Waters canals, GT’s and Kingies around the river mouths and most estuaries are producing a few Mud and Sand Crabs.