Townsville & Magnetic Is

[Pete62]

Hi all, heading up to Magnetic Island this week with a few days in Townsville. I have been chasing a barra charter out of Townsville with little luck. Can anyone from up that way advise of an operation that is active, most I have contacted seem to have moved further north to work.

Also, whilst on Magnetic we will hire a tinny so any tips for areas to try around the island.

Thanks in adavance.

Pete.

[slyman]

Have you tried Aussie Barra Charters with Andrew Mead?

http://www.aussiebarracharters.com.au/

Did a trip with him about 2 years ago, very happy with his efforts.

[Scott nthQld]

Andrew Mead has alos gone north I think, give Eddie Riddle a go, great guide, grat bloke and ore than knows his stuff about the Townsville region, would even pick you up from Maggie Island

info@fishcity.com.au

Costs $660 for the day for 4 people in smooth water

[Scott nthQld]

Oh and as for fishing around Maggie, first thing is to get a green zone map, lots of prime ground is now off limits. Definitely steer clear of Alma, Arthur and Five Bech Bay, definite green zones, there are others, but can't think of them off the top of my head.

The townsville side of the island is all yellow zone, so one line one hook per person, one hook can be classified as upto 6 hooks connected through linking them (as in gangs), or snooded rigs, as long as only ONE bait is used and INTENT is to catch one fish. The whole area is pretty barren with a few isolated bommies away from the island, however, new to the area, you're best bet is to stay close, there's reef along the southern edge of horseshoe bay that produces tuskies, island trout, stripey's etc, picnic bay reefs and middle reefs are pretty baron, but at time can produce some good sweetlip, stripey's, island trout, and about 1000 different cod species. Your best bet is to stay close to the rocky healands where you will encounter those mentioned above, plus grunter, fingermark, mackeral (mainly doggies in close with the occasional school size spaniard) small, but occasionally legal nannygai, and again, your myriad of cods. Squid, pilchards, and live greenbacks and mullet are great bait for the area. plastics, well the 5" snapback jerkbait (i think) in pearl white isa cracker for the area, looks just like a live squid shoting through the water, grunter, fingermark, cod and trout will belt them.

Also don't forget your trevally species which are prevalent all year round, and I have caught some absolute stonkers in and around the island.

[Pete62]

Have you tried Aussie Barra Charters with Andrew Mead?

http://www.aussiebarracharters.com.au/

Did a trip with him about 2 years ago, very happy with his efforts.

Thanks but Scott is right, he has moved north.

Andrew Mead has alos gone north I think, give Eddie Riddle a go, great guide, grat bloke and ore than knows his stuff about the Townsville region, would even pick you up from Maggie Island

info@fishcity.com.au

Costs $660 for the day for 4 people in smooth water

Thanks Scott I will shoot him an email.

Oh and as for fishing around Maggie, first thing is to get a green zone map, lots of prime ground is now off limits. Definitely steer clear of Alma, Arthur and Five Bech Bay, definite green zones, there are others, but can't think of them off the top of my head.

The townsville side of the island is all yellow zone, so one line one hook per person, one hook can be classified as upto 6 hooks connected through linking them (as in gangs), or snooded rigs, as long as only ONE bait is used and INTENT is to catch one fish. The whole area is pretty barren with a few isolated bommies away from the island, however, new to the area, you're best bet is to stay close, there's reef along the southern edge of horseshoe bay that produces tuskies, island trout, stripey's etc, picnic bay reefs and middle reefs are pretty baron, but at time can produce some good sweetlip, stripey's, island trout, and about 1000 different cod species. Your best bet is to stay close to the rocky healands where you will encounter those mentioned above, plus grunter, fingermark, mackeral (mainly doggies in close with the occasional school size spaniard) small, but occasionally legal nannygai, and again, your myriad of cods. Squid, pilchards, and live greenbacks and mullet are great bait for the area. plastics, well the 5" snapback jerkbait (i think) in pearl white isa cracker for the area, looks just like a live squid shoting through the water, grunter, fingermark, cod and trout will belt them.

Also don't forget your trevally species which are prevalent all year round, and I have caught some absolute stonkers in and around the island.

Mmm, thought that may have been the case with the Green Zones.

Thanks for the feedback on the other options.

Pete.