Great Sandy Straits

[Serge]

Just putting out a general query which encompasses a great many topics. Mid October I am undertaking a long paddle powered trip from the mouth of the Noosa River to Moon Point on Fraser Island. I intend to paddle up the Noosa catchment as far as Teewah Creek pick up my shuttle to Tin Can Bay or Poona and then paddle the Straits along the western side of Fraser Island. I will be taking with me a 6wt & 9wt each with WF floating & intermediate lines, a 6-8kg spin stick and a 3kg spin rod…. Combine this with associated tackle I will have zero room for anything else so I expect I’ll be sleeping on the ground living off fish and dirt!
I’m familiar with the Noosa River but the Great Sandy Straits are a mystery to me. I’ll be camping wherever I stop along the western shore of Fraser and am very keen to target Flathead at creek mouths and the myriad sandbanks. Jacks and such in the creeks and any pelagics that will be cruising the deeper channels. Finally I want to end up at Moon Point spending a few days chasing goldies on the flats. If I have time and the conditions are right I may even skip round Moon Point and try and locate any Longtails or Queenies. It’s a big & long trip covering a lot of territory and I would really appreciate any advice on hot spots, techniques, flies, tides etc. I look at a map of the Straits and my mind boggles with what seems like endless options! I will be paddling it in a kayak that is rigged for trolling and does have a sounder.

[fisher]

Serge,thats one awsome paddle your setting out to do,Re; flies, clousers in a range of colours and some big ones in pink with a chartruese [spelling?]hackle spun around the head should see you get a lizard or two.And white decievers should catch you plenty of everything else.Any of the creek mouths along the inside of the island will produce fish of many species.The area around ungowa and north and south white cliffs is a reliable spot for small to average Gt's and more.If your camping along the island you will need a camping permit and watch the tides through the straights as it fairly rips through there in places.By mid Oct there should be plenty of Goldens on the flats to cast too.As far as the longies go there might be a slim chance but there should be the ever reliable mac tuna to have a cast at.If you want any more info pm me and I'll give you the rundown on whats chewin where.Regards Paul

[flytime]

Serge,
I just came back from carlo pt today.Theres still plenty of longtails in tin can bay inlet to carlo pt.there were also schools of wolf herring around also.as for flies clousers of course, in chartruse and white for the flats fishing. polarfibre surf candy's in olive and white for longnies.Im heading back up there soon let you know how i go.
regards steve :)

[Fisherman02]

mate thats a fantastic idea!

[ferralflyer]

Hi Serge,watch out for the tides and wind up there,things can turn nasty on you quick,cheers ;)

[mackmauler]

Id be stuffing as much bushman and babyoil into that kayak as possible ;) there was a lady last year at wathumba creek in a kayak that had come from riverheads, she turned down my offer of fresh spottys for lunch, quiet amazing really. good luck with your trip.

[Smithy]

Flytime,

how did you go? We were there as well but only slug chucking. Got a few good shots at them but no hookups. They worked a lot better in the wind on Saturday than the calm of Sunday.

[flytime]

Hi Smithy,
I pulled out sick sat morning,About 9am.The boy's got 5-10 on sat morning on fly . But soon gave up as the wind was blowing 40 knts. It became to dangerous as the tide ran out.None were caught on sunday, too calm ;D ;D ;D I'll head back up there on the new moon and give it another shot.
Regards steve :)

Ps which boat were you in ?

[Smithy]

12' Stessl Eggcracker "Katana", Merc 25.