Need Hervey Bay advice

[the gecko]

I might be moving to Hervey Bay by the end of the year, and Im just looking for some general advice for boating.

Does the bay area hold good reefs and species (I assume it does)?
Which boat ramp would you use, River Heads or Pt Vernon?
Is it safe for a 4.1m side console boat? Is it like Morton Bay or offshore GC, just pick your days and read the charts, or are the conditions generally a bit better than down south? (I expect Im only going if its under 10-15kts and 1m swell.)
Will I get to most grounds in 30 min from the ramp?

Any general advice appreciated. We are looking at houses in River Heads and Eli Waters and trying to work out which is best.

thanks guys,
Andrew

[roydsy]

Andrew, I am also looking at relocating to the area and have sent you a PM regarding a good URL to get you started.

Where to start mate, hervey bay is god's country with close reefs producing good catches and very fishable from your rig in most conditions. Most of the bay is in smooth waters and sheltered from the prevailing southerlies. people fish out of canoes around the bay mate, so you will be right just pick your weather.

Most people fish and leave from the Boat harbour (Urangan) and just straight out the front to catch livies out the front of the main pier. Big macks are regularly caught of the main pier, including trevally, squire, whiting, etc...

Reports have been good for fishing the inshore reefs all within 30-40 mins of the ramp. I personally would like to target River Heads and the sheltered waters of the Susan and Mary inlets but mate take your pick as there is so much water and many fish. the straights look real fishy and I think i will be spending quite a bit of time chasing barra once it starts warming up.

There are still a few reports of Barra being caught, as well as the odd threadfin, but i suspect that you like many others will be wanting snapper and the close reefs will give you reasonable catches if you venture out at night and on the right tides.

Conditions are very mild there mate and not comparable to GC. If you want to fish wide at the southern gutters then conditions will have to be just right. But most of the time you will be fine.

You will fish there and never want to leave mate, I am certainly doing everything i can to relocate there.

Roydsy

[Marlin_Mike]

What roydsy said.......boating and fishing paradise

Mike