Doug Burts Fishing Report Friday 17th Feb 2017
FISHING REPORT
GOLD COAST OFFSHORE WATERS
FINALLY THE MACKEREL ARE HERE!! We went out this morning (Friday) on the 12 fathom Reef off SeaWorld, Spotties were being caught on floating pilchards and livies. Out further on the 18fathom reefs, we caught Spanish Mackerel, and Spotties were also caught. The sounder was showing quality amounts of Mackerel schooled up in around 10-15 meters below the surface. Also after hearing this week of probably the best reports this year of Spotted Mackerel being caught and spun up throughout Moreton Bay and the top of the Bay, finally means that the season has started down our way here on the Gold Coast. So based on this expect to start seeing more then the average of one fish per 20 boats which was previously happening off the Gold Coast. Look for birds diving and lots of splashing on the surface , drive upwind of the splashing and cast 20-50gram metal lures like Arma Spinners into the erupting water. Retrieve your lure at a quick steady pace with a pause for a micro second every 15-20meters. Make sure that your drag is set correctly before you cast your line and use at least 1 meter of 30-40lb fluorocarbon leader preferably with a loop not on the front of the lure. I prefer to use a 7ft rod of around 6-10kilo rating and a 4000 -5000size reel filled with either 20 or 30lb braided line. If you are using a gaff, make sure that it is not too big in the hook gape, between 40-60mm is best, and make sure that it is extremely sharp. Always gaff the fish in the head or shoulders part of the fish. Again it is worth trolling for Spanish Mackerel at the moment, especially around the 12 and 18 fathom reefs off Seaworld and also on Mermaid Reef and the Gravel Patch off Burleigh Heads. I prefer to troll Garfish rigged with a 300mm piece of single strand wire around 60-100lb, with a heavy skirted metal head, gar spring and 3 x 6/0 hooks (minimum size). Troll your baits at a very slow speed 1-2 knots and pause when passing a bait school that may be sitting deep on your sounder ( often your baits will be hit on the fall, before clicking back into forward gear of the boat ). Last weekend saw some nice Snapper caught on the 36fathom reefs northeast of the Seaway early morning, but only a few were caught. One of our pro tackle testers Rossco caught an awesome 8.5kilo snapper this morning ( Friday) on the local 24’s off Goldy. Out further on the 50 fathom reefs, there have been only a few small Pearl Perch being caught, the odd small Snapper, a few Kingies and Amberjack. The current has been reasonably quick at times especially after a few days of northerly winds. Black Marlin are being caught using live baits or trolling Skirted Lures around Spot X and Deep Treg area out along the 50fathom reefs. There are plenty of Slimmy Mackerel schooled up mid water and down to the bottom in these areas. There have also been Wahoo and the odd Dolphinfish caught in the same areas last weekend. Closer in there have been good signs of Black Marlin and Dolphinfish this past two days . With fish caught between Sullies Reef off Jumpinpin to east of the Seaway. It’s actually worth trying all the way south down to east of Burleigh Heads, trolling small 6 inch skirted lures along the 50 meter depth.
Worth a try for Spanner Crabs off the Seaway in 50 meters deep.
NORTHERN BROADWATER
The Prawns are still on!!
Even in 33 knots of Southerly winds this week my staff and myself caught a few kilos of quality Banana Prawns on the high tide between Karagarra Island and Lamb Island in around 20ft of water. Last Saturday we caught them around Rudy Mars amongst the moored boats in and around 18-20ft deep of water. They were also caught along the western side of Karragara, Russell and Macleay islands. Worth a try anywhere from Jacob’s Well to Macleay Island and east to Lamb Island. There have been a few Sand Crabs around Tipplers Channel Mouth and a few solid Muddies up the creeks on the high tide. Still the odd Jewfish on livies and soft plastics in the Jumpinpin Mouth area, fish the top of the tide or bottom of the tide without much run in the water. Whiting up on Gold Bank and in the lagoon at high tide. A few bream around the snags in Tiger Mullet Channel and along Kalinga Bank.
Some descent Flathead up on the flats at high tide around the Bar and Crusoe Island.
BROADWATER
This past week, there have been a few Jewfish caught in the Seaway on both live baits and on soft plastics. Just on dark in the late afternoon has been best, and when the tide in not running too fast. There have been a few large bream around Wave Break Island in the evenings as well as off the Jettys at Labrador and Southport. Plenty of large Whiting in the Nerang River at night around the Council Chambers, Sorrento straight, and in the Pimpama River around the s bends. Best baits are live Bloodworms, beach worms and Yabbies. During the day try for Whiting around Paradise Point off the fishing platforms, off the Sand Pumping Jetty and across the sand flats on the banks opposite Labrador on the high tide. A few Sand Crabs around Sovereign Island and Coombabah at night and a few Mud Crabs in the Pimpama River and Coomera River at night. Mangrove Jacks in the Coomera river from the weir down to the marina at Coomera and further down from Sanctuary Cove to Paradise a Point. Worth a try also in the canals from the Casino to Bond University. Late afternoon and lady of the run out tide has been working well or high tide early morning. Keep an eye out for Trevally working the bait schools in the rivers and canals at night , if you see or hear them , cast you popper or stick bait straight into them and work it back slowly towards you.
SOUTHERN GOLD COAST
This past weeks strong winds has made beach Fishing difficult on our southern beaches, but always after a strong southerly, nice gutters form. I would try for both Dart and Whiting along the beach from Kingscliff to Brunswick Heads, where ever you can find a nice deep hole or shall gutter. Best baits will be Yabbies, Beach Worms or Pippies. With hot northerlys forecast again this weekend, try for Mangrove Jacks in the deeper holes, and along the rock walls and bridges. Offshore worth a try on the Nine Mile Reef for Spanish Mackerel and GT’s with stick baits and poppers. A few Dolphinfish at the fad on the 36 fathom reef.
FRESHWATER
Plenty of Redclaw in Sommerset Dam up and around the Powerlines. Overnight is best and keep your pots in depths no greater then 12 ft. Troll the hills in the dam and along the timber edges for Bass and Yellowbelly. A few Bass in the Hinze and Maroon Dam caught casting spinnerbaits and plastics amongst the timber. Always worth a try around the Qcenter with spinnerbaits and poppers .
WHAT’S ON!!
We are still running our special whilst the Prawns are still running !!
If you ever wanted to know more about how to catch a feed of beautiful king size Banana Prawns and even more importantly how to cast your net like a pro does.
Come and see us and we will show you everything , plus offer you 30% off our cast net prices!!!
Doug Burts Tackle World Gold Coast
Shop 4/142 Brisbane Road.
Labrador.
QLD. 4215.
Ph. 07 55 638746
Email. dougie-burt&hotmail.com
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