Bustard Head Spaniards

[Juzius6]

Hi everybody,

I have been chasing Spaniards around Mooloolaba this entire season and have now (or maybe a while ago) become obsessed with catching one, but have never had any luck. I have a few friends who make an annual pilgrimmage to Jenny Lynd and catch monster Spaniards from the bommies off Bustard.

I have therefore planned to tow my 470 Coastrunner up there next weekend ( Friday 27th June 2008) and was wondering a couple of things:

We were thinking of just launching from 1770 every day and sleeping in swags next to the ute. is this advisable?

Are there going to be any spaniards up there, and how the bloody hell am i going to get my fix!!!

Any tips you guys can give, please. I have a really bad case of spaniard fever.
(best time of day, best lures, best trolling speed, which rock is best, how close to the rocks to troll, are plastics thrown at the rocks and jigged back out successful etc etc etc.


Also, camping at jenny Lynd - i am not experienced at bar crossings (mooloolaba only, which is pretty damn flat mostly) so what is the option here etc etc etc

[dog tooth]

The 1770 camp grounds are very good
try get a spot next to the beach/eastury, then you coa leav your boat there just watche tides.
the bar is not bad ,it is as calm as the noosa bar
sory no info on the macs

good luck
dog tooth

[Smithy]

Why bother with the bar at Jenny Lind when you can duck around the corner into Pancake Ck which is safe probably 97% of the time? It gets some pressure waves on it during a run-out tide but Jenny Lind is a full-on bar which is much shallower than Eurimbla and Middle Cks which are easier to do but no benefit to you and what you are proposing. I'd roll my swag out on the deck of the boat in Pancake but watch for Sandflies. Actually Sandflies and Mossies are a problem anywhere in that neck of the woods just rolling a swag out. I'd book into either of the caravan parks if I wanted to work out of 1770 each day. The other alternative to 1770 is to come down from Turkey Beach. The run around from there gives you more protection as the run up from 1770 is pretty open. Just means travelling a bit more up the highway from Miriam Vale but the run into Turkey is only 25km or something.

The two main spots are along the headland itself up to Inner Rock and the East and West sides of Outer Rock. It all depends on the tide but you need to be in the tide line created by these features. We just used to follow the Mackerel Pros around. Give them plenty of room as they often run their lines a long way back and join the circuit the same direction as them but at least you will know you are in the zone fishing near them.

The old school guys will still use deadbaits and hate the live bait trollers but liveys are where it is at these days. Talk to Agnes Jack that used to be on AF all the time when you hit town. He will give you some info and maybe the marks for the 2mile bait ground out the front. All the boats sitting on it will probably give it away though all that heavy weather and rain from the other week stuffed it up but it should be clear in close again.

Baits will outfish minnow trolling most times and use less fuel which is an important consideration these days.

Yep Mackerel trolling has been a bit of a non-event this year on the coast. Have only had a few successful days myself this year and only heard of a handful more, even with the Pros.

[Juzius6]

Tow that Stabi up Smithy - we'll just follow you around. Or better yet, just jump in the car with us!

[Jono_SS]

Don't be afraid to use big baits - the bigger the better.

We had luck last July towing from the headland to inner rock.

[gunna]

I am camped in the 1770 camp ground at the moment. Ringing around for charter prices. If I get out over the next day or so I will post a report on Spanish happenings.

[Juzius6]

Gunna, what's the weather like?

[gunna]

Last couple days have been perfect - bugger all wind and flat seas. Doing a charter tomorow and Seabreeze looks great.