First Offshore Trip - Need Advice

[scottishguy]

If this weather ever settles down I'll be heading out of Scarborough in my 5.3m Freedom Escape to try my hand at reef fishing.

I'm brand new to this type of fishing so I'm looking for some advice about where to go, species to target, techniques to try etc.

Gear wise, I have a Shimano 7ft 10-15kg rod, 6500 Baitrunner with 15kg braid. Daiwa Firewolf 15-20kg rod, TLD30 and 20kg braid.

I wil be trying a combination of lures, pillies and sacrificial offerings to various gods.

[levinge]

Don't forget to take some squid.

Not sure about down south but up here in NQ, if you want some live bait around the reefs, look for them on the NW edge of the system. If they act the same you'll be right. USe a live bait jig.

Reef fishing, HMMMMMM lots of trial and error, however have found that the most productive depths seem to be around 15 to 30 metres of water.

If you fish shallow you'll be pestered by pickers all day, with the occassional quality fish, but don't count on it.

If your trolling around the reef, use some deep divers (anything over 5 metres). I use XRAP 30's and they have a good success rate, especially the silver/green one with the black stripes. I troll them at around 4/5kts and always get strikes.

bottom bashing I use a patanoster rig with a snapper sinker on the bottom, size of the hooks around 6/o and sinkers will vary depending on the run in the tide, but I carry a few of every weight just in case.

At the reef, look for some drop offs and fish them. also in deeper water look for rubbly bottom, its always worth a look.

other than that, have fun and if you don't get any action within 20mins, relocate and try again.

Tight Lines and Welcome to Reef Fishing...

[kokomo]

a good starting point is smiths rock.. good luck

[scottishguy]

a good starting point is smiths rock.. good luck

Is this just north of Cape Moreton? What is the depth there? Strong currents?

[kokomo]

yeah just north of the cape.. should be easially acessable on a good day for you..

depth 12m-30m

currents meh... some times great some times not..

its a good place to start anyway

[Mac1952]

Just Saw A Guy (on M&g) Looking For A Spot On A Boat For Saturday. Be Worth Your While Asking Him Along. His Name Is Ismail82.

[Mac1952]

Sorry, don't know where all the capital letters came from.

[scottishguy]

Yeah was thinking the same but this weekend looks like another shocker weather wise

[scottishguy]

I was thinking about putting the boat in a Mooloolaba and fishing Murphy's Reef as it's only 11km from port. Any comments about this reef system and it's suitability for a first outing?

[levinge]

Weather, look north guys, its gunna be a while before we go fishing again!!!

[lethal098]

scottishguy, i think murphys and the inshore reefs of the sunny coast may be a little better for you on the first outing, the cape can be hit and miss and can be a little hairy at times, long way to travel you find you cant fish, another good reef on the sunny coast is currimundi reef, can fish it nearly anytime and pick up a feed, just be there early. if you would like any marks pm me and i will get some to you. cheers lethal

[scottishguy]

scottishguy, i think murphys and the inshore reefs of the sunny coast may be a little better for you on the first outing, the cape can be hit and miss and can be a little hairy at times, long way to travel you find you cant fish, another good reef on the sunny coast is currimundi reef, can fish it nearly anytime and pick up a feed, just be there early. if you would like any marks pm me and i will get some to you. cheers lethal

That sounds good lethal...PM on the way

[The-easyrider]

Hi scottish guy have you tried any of the bay reef spots like curtain, padock, morton trench these are more protected than offshore and can still produce some good fish on ocasion. pm me if you want marks

[timddo]

Mate,

The best way to go is join a boating club. Power boat anglers fish deep tempest when weather permits. They leave from mainly and scarb.

[scottishguy]

Hi scottish guy have you tried any of the bay reef spots like curtain, padock, morton trench these are more protected than offshore and can still produce some good fish on ocasion. pm me if you want marks

G'day EasyRider, I've never fished reefs before. All of my previous experience has been in estuaries and surf. Just got myself a boat so I'm keen to get out there fish the reefs. I was thinking of somewhere that would allow me to build up my skills/experience with both the boat and the style of fishing without undue stress.