Armstrong Beach Area

[FTW]

After a bit of information, going to Armstrong beach, Sarina end of September for 5 days will have a 10' tinny and 6hp outborad with us. What is the fishing (salt/freshwater) like , any hints thanks Kev

[chisel]

My mum used to live on the beach at Armstrongs beach but I didn't fish it often enough to be a great source of advice. Rocky Dam Creek is about 30mins drive and looks very fishy/crabby. In the couple of times I fished there I caught a few bream but nothing to write home about. I'm sure if you know what you are doing there's all sorts of fish to be had there.
The headlands around Freshwater point (northern end of the beach) also look fishy but again I never really spent enough time there to suss it out. Plenty of other spots between there and Mackay also.
Sorry not much help

[FTW]

Thanks Chisel, going up for a wedding and staying there so might as well do some fishing. Spending the 2 weeks prior on Frazer then heading straight from there to Sarina. Should be good. Kev

[Beard1705]

FTW

Rocky Dam is a pretty big system, and the tides in the Mackay area as you move south toward St Lawerence get pretty big (5m to 6m of tidal change). Trying to cross from Armstrong's/Freshwater Point across the bay to Rocky Dam (shortest way) in a 10ft tinny you will want to make sure tides/weather are spot on as it can be pretty exposed (and personally I would not try it in such a small boat). Afternoon southeastly winds can make it very very unpleasant. As mentioned best option would be to drive to Koumula and access Rocky Dam from the boat ramp (signed from the Bruce Highway as you come in from the North of Koumala, just after you cross the tram lines on the highway). September should see summer species starting to come on (barra and mangrove jacks if warm enough) even better if some rain has been kicking around. Try around mangroves and snags especially where there are snags in full sun as the water should be warmer and the residents more lively and inclined to play ball. There are a number of crocs in residence (my brother has seen at least a 12-14 footer earlier this year) but use common sense and you should be right. Also should be flathead still around toward the flats at the mouth, along with King/Blue Salmon. Cast net the small drains for live bait (mullet & prawns) and you should be away. We have had better luck more toward the mouth of Rocky Dam, but it is large, shallow and there are a myrid of channels which can mislead you. Given the extreme low tides you can face prospects of being stuck from time to time in shallow holes, and on big tides you can expect a fair bit of water to start rushing in making it hard to fish. Depending on your preference to be around more people in an unfamilar area, Plane Creek offers good lauching (at Sarina Beach) and if you head up the main creek there start to become series of very snaggy rock bars. Smaller boat could see you get around and over these better than 15ft Seascape platey we have used. Being closer to Sarina there is generally more people around in case you need a hand/looking for some tips. As Rocky Dam has generally less traffic, but on the flip side it tends to get more attention from the pros so your results can depend on how long it has been since their visits. Good Luck.