The Bribie bridge tonight - a no go.

[Reel Nauti]

We decided we'd put a few hours in under the bridge tonight. Wife's birthday and she really wanted to go, and not having fished there before we were both looking forward to it! Boat ready and packed and head up after work. It was about 6.30 when we got there, tide running in, but quite windy. We parked and walked along the waters edge looking out and thought it was a bit sloppy but not too bad. Headed to the ramp and noticed not one single other car there. We decided that if none of you people were out there tonight then there must be something wrong. Wind too strong, too much weed?

We went for a drive over the bridge and even on the Bribie side there were no cars and trailers, and looking out to the bridge we could not see a single boat fishing. We had a picnic in the park, fished for a bit off the sand, and then came home.

I have to admit I felt a bit creepy thinking that not even one single person has a car/trailer at the ramp. If all the local knowledge decided not to go, I wasn't either.

What chased everyone? Please I'd like to know so that I don't go to that sort of trouble again if I can recognise prior signs.

Thanks

Dave

[lido76]

Dave I think the fact that it has been blowing 20-25k all day and its a bit nippy might have a fair bit to do with it. I'm heading up the passage tomorrow after I drop the kids off at school late start I know but what the heck.Will let you know how things go

[tunaticer]

Some nights are like that under the Bridge Dave. I've spent quite a few nights being alone on the water up there mid week. Doesn't mean to say its not the right time to be there tho as a few times I have done very well being the only boat there.

Its a good place for tailor at night fishing the edge of the shadows with unweighted whitebait or froggies. If you get a live squid there its almost certain to arouse interest from something large there. Don't be afraid to fish livies in mid-water to top-water depths as the big fish will certainly rise to the occasion and soon take you down to the bottom again.

Jack.

[T1]

Hi Dave

I agree with Jack - i get super excited when i see no other cars at the ramp! Best time to fish IMO!

Better luck next time...

Take Care T

[Reel Nauti]

Thanks fellas

We love not being in amongst a crowd because quite simply we're not used to it. Last night spooked me from putting the boat in because it was our first time there, it is a popular spot, yet no-one was there. I had a few alarm bells ringing, and I listened to them. Obviously now from your info we probably could have had a nice night all to ourselves!

I'll know next time!

Thanks and cheers

Dave

[the gecko]

I find the same thing on the gold coast. If its been blowin 25 kts all day, nobody fishes at night. Except me of course....

I check the wind strength at the BOM observations (get the link at Brownies) for the previous nite, and I usually find the wind drops at about 7.30pm lately. last nite it dropped at 9-9.30pm.

If the wind stayed up the previous nite, and the chart isobars havent moved, then its a good bet it will stay up tonite. Id just fish in a more protected spot on such a nite, or make a later start.

checking Observations for wind strength, as well as being able to read a chart, gives me a good feel for whats gonna happen.

cheers
Andrew

[Kleyny]

I go further up the passage when the wind is blowing.
its much easier to find shelter up further.
as others have said the passage can become a ghost town sometimes, especially when the weather is a little off.

neil

[tunaticer]

Some of my best fishing at the bridge has been on blustery chilly westerly wind nights esp for jew and tailor. Sadly tho, I think the decent jew from the bridge are almost nonexistant these days and I would happily return one immediately if i caught one in the future.

I generally do a drift along the dropoff along bribie with lights over the side and catch a few live squid before going to the bridge to set them out. Keeping squid alive is the biggest challenge tho.

Jack.

[Seahorse]

hi dave,
hows that paint holding up

greg

[Tim_N]

I went out yesterday arvo to test something I changed on my boat setup and I can tell you it was blowing, very cool and quite uncomfortable. The 25 knots of SE is a pain when fishing under the bridge. There was about half a m of swell in the Passage while the tide was running in but that would almost double when the tide turned and ran out. Wind against tide in there is nasty.
I did take my boat into the canal at Banksia and saw quite a bit of bait getting belted by Tailor or Tevs, so that would have been a better option in that wind.
Tim

[Reel Nauti]

Paint job holding up beautifully Greg! We must catch up, beer or fish?

Dave

[gunna]

Wife's birthday and she really wanted to go,


Dave

I think I want to swap wives lol.

[Reel Nauti]

Gunna!!! LOL

[uripper]

I think I want to swap wives lol.

Now there's a class deckie

MalM