Finding the red devil

[WestOzDesertFisher]

Will be hitting the creeks hard this Summer in search of my first and hopefully a lot more hard pulling (from all reports ) jacks. This is what I've got to work with (Google Earth images)...





So, what I'm asking is what areas would you jack fisho's concentrate on looking at the map and at what stages of the tide (up to 1.8m movement in the area), using what technique (figured I'd just throw lures around what structure I can find) etc...? Day and night if this helps.

My gear includes 8, 15 and 20lb spin and baitcast setups with 10, 20 and 50lb fc leader. Unsure on what sort of country I'll be fishing in so what sort of approach should be taken?

Cheers,
Damo

[greenie.77]

down here (gc to ballina) I am yet to catch a a jack from anywhere but a rock wall! I use poppers river2sea's generally.

[marty+jojo]

Try the first snag or rock bar in the creeks or rivers.
Good luck Damo, looking forward to the report.
Marty.

[ockoman]

well the only think i can say is that u have alot of area to cover and mate good luck with that

[WestOzDesertFisher]

Lol thanks guys. I've got plenty of time to suss it all out over summer, just thought I'd ask the questions to give me some sort of idea as I have none. Has anyone tried live whiting on jacks?

[WestOzDesertFisher]

From what I've heard, like most fish, jacks will be found further up the creeks on high tides and you should concentrate your efforts around the entrances on the low?

[mattooty]

Having never fished up north, take what I say with a bar of soap, but one of my local tackle shop owners used to live up on the west cape of Nth QLD. He said that on the incoming tides they'd fish for Jacks, Queenies, cod, and whatever else they'd find, then on the outgoing tide everything was just barra barra barra.

Also, I've got a photo somewhere of a jack we got on a whole live, legal sized (27cm) whiting. Smashed it right behind the head.

[Matthias]

Where are those map of?

BTW Live whiting is one of the best jack baits around

[WestOzDesertFisher]

Sick! The maps are of my local creek system in the Gascoyne or North-West region of Western Australia. I know it's hard giving advice when most users live on the other side of the country but the methods used to catch these fish can't be that different can they? Appreciate all advice given.

[Matthias]

Methods are the same mate.

I had a look at google earth and I can see a heap of spots I'd try for a jack at night. The inlet on the North side of Small Harbour Rd has bridges, holes and a marina- I dont know what sort of tidal flow you'd get in there but I'm sure there would be some big jacks gettin round late at night.

If there is decent tidal flow try jigging plastic off those bridges or try an unweighted livey around theboats at the marina at night. If the bidges have lights you'll find plenty of fish there.

Probably more fun casting to snags in the creek though...

goodluck.

[cuzzamundi]

Mate hit up any one of those feeder creeks. Look for any really nasty snags, and try a livie in there. Also, be worth taking out some pillies/sardines. As the high changes and starts to ebb, anchor just short of one of those bends, and cast the said bait INTO the bend...let the tide push it right back into the snags. 1/0-3/0 hook through the eye of the pillie/sardine. When i couldn't get livies in my spots north of Cairns, I try this method, and it's game on every time. Sometimes 6 legal jacks within an hour, then they'd go off the chew. They engulf the pillies/sardines around the head region. No need for a stinger rig. Often this would outfish the livies, and the creeks were very narrow, so it's similar country to there. Looks like prime territory up there, so get stuck in mate! When you find the right location, and ;pick your phase correctly, you'll be surprised just how many will turn your reel.

Cuzza

[cuzzamundi]

...and expect a huge variety of by-catch - Barra, Quuens, trevs, fm, ec's, eels, catties, bulls. exciting fishing mate! make sure your bait is tight up against the bend i nthe nastiest of territory.

CUzza

[Pazz01]

Blood and guts mate. Red bream love em. I like to get a fresh mullet and cut him in half (cut the head in half too). Thread it on a 4/0 - 5/0 hook mate. Can't beat it (IMHO). Worked for me up north. Try big snags with over hanging trees etc over the water or a little arm off the river.

Hang on.

I am so jealous.

Pazz

[WestOzDesertFisher]

Thanks Matt, cuzza and Pazz. Great info! What's everyones favourite hook type and size for the angry red fish for use with livies up to 6" and strip baits or pillies? I'm thinking 3/0 or 4/0?

Thanks again,
Damo

[WestOzDesertFisher]

...and expect a huge variety of by-catch - Barra, Quuens, trevs, fm, ec's, eels, catties, bulls. exciting fishing mate! make sure your bait is tight up against the bend i nthe nastiest of territory.

CUzza

Barra! I wish mate! Don't get 'em this far south but 400kms or so north and you're in with a chance.

Thanks cuzza,
Damo