Moreton Island

[Fisherman02]

hey guys me and two friends are heading over to moreton in the april hols we are taking everything, spearguns beach rods tents eski etc just wondering what the camping fees are and where we can purchase them also any other info would be helpful.
cheers jack

[SteveCan]

You can get all that info here http://www.moreton-island.com/how.html

Cheers
Steve.

[Fisherman02]

thanks heaps steve
cheers jack

[Fisherman02]

yeh doesn't say where to get them though :-[
come on guys bit of help here! Dont tell me you haven't been to moreton at least once in your life!
cheers jack

[mackmauler]

Ive been there :D don't remember having a permit but ;)

[predator]

A permit is required to camp on Moreton Island. Camping & Vehicle Permits may be purchased from the Combie Trader Office.

[Fisherman02]

thanks predator
i know there is another barge that leaves from whyte island is this correct.
cheers jack

[predator]

The 'Moreton Venture' runs from Whyte Island (mouth of the Brisbane River) to Reeders Point near Kooringal and also to The Wrecks near Tangalooma. The Redlands Barge Service, runs between Cleveland and Reeders Point. All offer "Walk-on, walk-off" fares. Each crossing of Moreton Bay takes approximately two hours

[SteveCan]

Hi Jack,

Sorry if I didn't make it clear - the Barge can take care of all permits, fees etc. that you need for the Island.

Whereabouts are you going to Stay? - My opinion is that you have more options up Bulwer way - but the people chasing the big Tailor swear by Kooringal on the south. Though with your Spearing I guess you would be interested in the Wrecks or especially North Point where all the rocks are.

Cheers
Steve.

[bugman]

Jack,

Obviously your mates will tell you this but you cant spear at the wrecks at Tangalooma or at the Jetty.

You can however spear at the wreck at Bulwer and the headlands around the North.

You probably realise this but I'd hate to see you get caught and give us spearfisherman a bad name with the locals.

Bugman

[Fisherman02]

hey mate well we were thinking of camping near tangalooma wrecks as i can cast a country mile with my new rod and we were just just gonna take it easy there chuck the rod in the rod holder and relax. So were thinking par of moreton where the water it a lot quiter like near the wrecks. Unless there is it is probable that there will be tailor in which case anywhere near the surf. I probaly wont be spearing and im not sure my mate is too bothered either. We would be camping two nights 3 days. We have a lot to carry so cannot walk far from the barge (another reason why wrecks was good) anyone caught anything decent at the wrecks?
cheers jack

[SteveCan]

The Bulwer wrecks are within walking distance (a couple of k's) of Tailor Bite - the north of the Island - you are more likely to get Tailor there. The west side of the Island fishes well for Flattys and Whiting. Most times I have found that the lizards are very close in to the shore.

But If you want Tailor - then it's Tailor Bite or the Eastern Beach. Sounds like Bulwer may be an option worth considering. 8)

cheers
Steve

[bugman]

Jack,

To tell you the truth - the fishing at the Tangalooma wrecks is pretty ordinary - even from a boat. From the shore it's pretty well shite. The Bulwer wrecks fish better from the shore and camping is pretty close. No facilities like at Tanga though.

Brett

[Fisherman02]

thanks fellas
spose bulwer it is then :) so anywhere along the surf beach there should be tailor ay, we would be using pillies for bait most of the time. Just another question, which barge would we need to catch to get to bulwer wrecks? Scarborough or whyte island and is there a website for it?
cheers jack

[SteveCan]

Hi Jack,

The Kombie Trader out of Scarbourough is the one you are looking for. once you get off the boat, walk north about 500M and you will find a camping ground. There is a Gereral store and an excellent bait and tackle shop in Bulwer itself so getting Pillies & ice etc. wont be a problem (keep an eye on the quality though) you don't have to stay at the camp grounds, but there are some facilities there so it might be preferable.

Two weeks ago we were pulling Tailor, Dart and a Longtom out of absolutely flat water at Tailor Bite, so you don't have to have surf - although it will help. You can catch flathead and Tailor with the same pillie setup - you just use a different approach. For the flatties, stand well back from the shore and cast about 10 metre out (really close in - it's hard to believe it - but that's where they are) Just a slow retrieve and work your way up the beach giving attention to any gutters or little features. Do that from the Campground and head north and when you have rounded the point, start going for the tailor - they will be further out. Using the same close in technique I have caught flathead on hardbody lures as well.

I haven't fished the Island a lot yet - only about two weeks worth, but I stay with locals who have been there for 20 years plus and that is the advice they gave me - so far it's been well worth listening to ;)

Cheers
Steve.

[Fisherman02]

thanks steve
so coming DOWN from the campsite we would start casting and retrieving slowly close in for the flatties all the while moving north towards north point which would be right with inland behind you until you get to the surf (looks like a long walk) I have inclused a map not sure if it is too big
cheers jack

[SteveCan]

Good Map Jack,

you would never get near North Point - it's about a 15k walk from Bulwer! You might get as far around the point as Bulwer is south of it. But that's ok - you can get flatty's south and north of the Bulwer wrecks - give special attention to the outflows from the freshwater creeks. Once you get up around the top of the Island you are likely to see some gentle surf - that is where the Tailor start. Don't discount the humble Dart either, they can be a lot of fun on light gear, and there can be lots of them too. they love beach worms and you can get great worms from the Bait and Tackle shop.

They tell me that you are more likely to fish well at night - but I haven't noticed much difference. Whether you get fish or not - I am sure you are going to enjoy the Island.

Cheers
Steve.

[Fisherman02]

yeh mate went there once before great place absolute beautiful. Will try fast retrives for tailor with slugs and use pillies for the flatties and for tailor. I got a 2kg block in the freezer which we can use for burley so yeh bound to get a few tailor. I know early morning is best but is that the only time they r on coz we will have to get up pretty damn early and walk probaly near heath island but it looks a bit far.
cheers jack

[CHRIS_aka_GWH]

oh Jack !

what a joy to be young, dumb & full of c... (err commitment to fishing). What you are planning seems good on a map - the reality of walking Moreton is quite different.

The walk from the Bulwer Wrecks to Comboyoro Point will be enough to give you a board short rash capable of compromising your manhood. Also the inland tracks are just that - tracks & not necessarily flat - even the slightest rise when walking in soft sand is a bugger - there are some steepish rises thru the dunes of moreton.

I have pursued on foot the fabled Moreton rogue tailor at the southern end (see the inset map) walking from where the moreton barge drops off & the exit onto the surf beach near the dump & beyond. Its a fair hike even in the cool months of winter made even harder when you've found the fish & have a load on board when returning.

My advice Jack is work the area Bulwer to Comb. Pt targetting flathead & whiting dawn to dusk - make that your goal - you will have fun & be successful. Carry a chrome lure for tailor or, at this time of year, the Macks & Tuna show. For evening fun fish slabs behind the wrecks for some noah action or there is could even be some calamari waiting to be crumbed if you have a squid jig.

Spend your time fishing not walking!

chris
(learnt from experience - I still bear the scars!)

[Fisherman02]

fair enough mate
sounds good
cheers jack
p.s yeh i do have a squid jig how far r the wrecks out form bulwer? Also mate i dont think i have enough line on my reel for sharks and dont fancy taking any overheads

[CHRIS_aka_GWH]

g'day jack,

when i say behind the wrecks I mean the beach behind the wrecks - you could not cast to the wrecks - they are a fair distance out.

Also consider your water & don't waste it. A minimum of 2L drinking water per person per day. e.g Three guys for three days - that's about a 20l jerry can, unless you want to do more walking.

When are the holidays jack ? Will we see some pics of your adventure?

chris

[Fisherman02]

hey mate holds start on the 18th april will we leave on the 6:30am combie barge on the 23rd. I dont have a digital but will take a normal camera and will see if i can get some pics up. Thanks mate i checked with combie and the prices for going over haven't rised at all nor the camping fees so now its almost definite
cheers jack