Hervey Bay This Winter

[HeadBanger]

G'day guys,

Going up to Hervey Bay in a few weeks for the school holidays for a week or so, and looking to chuck a line in at least once a day

I was thinking trying off Urangan Pier, what's worth targeting there in the Winter? I've got a cast net and a tonne of bait jigs is live baiting is the game. I've heard that it's good for sharks too, is that right? I'm still looking for my first bully.

Also, any areas that I can pump some yabbies for whiting or bream? I was up there about a year ago and managed to catch a rather large and embarrassing donut, so I'm looking to go a bit better haha.

Thanks in advance,
Kaidon

[sottydog]

Hi, I am not to sure abott the sharks but the pier at the moment is getting good catches of bream just dropping your bait/placcy under the pilons. More in the 2nd channel than the first. You can just jig up the herring (have not been around in huge numbers there) and use strips as fresh bait for bream.

Eli creek on low tide (down the end of martin street - use google earth) you will get a good load of yabbies, also at dundowran beach and urangan beach next to te harbour.

Hope this helps a bit

Scott
________
Coronet

[4x4frog]

Kaidon, when you get there, just check with one of the local tackle shops as I remember from being there in new year '08 there are areas you aren't allowed to cast net.
The tackle shop at the pier is a great place for info too.
Man it'll be cold out there in winter if it's blowing but I'd bet the fishing is great.

[fishboy018]

your best bet would be to head out the very end of the pier with a bait jig and a packet of hardiheads. jig some herring use live if they are small enough. if not whack one out on a heavy rod for all the bigg oooglies that live out there. and then with either your little liveys, big liveys cut into strips (or cut diagonally whole) or your hardiheads rig them on a small snelled hook rig with very small snapper style hooks (2/0) and drop them with a fair bit of weight (current rips on the pier) on the side of the pier the current is flowing INTO. feed them under the jetty. when you get hits make sure you dont strike immediately instead feed a tad more line out so the buggers can actually get it in their mouths (the pier bream seem very talented at biting and missing the hooks so thats why you must do this). then when you hook them pull like mad cos they are very good at running around pylons. you will catch big bream doing this (especially at night).
good luck
Tyson

[4x4frog]

Oh yeah, just remembered that ballooning is very big at the end of the pier. Are the bigger palegics in-shore at this time of year or do they head for warmer waters?

[fishboy018]

nah most of the mackeral head off although there are always a few that hang around the pier to gorge themselves on the acres of herring. early in the morning mac tuna are around and if you are lucky bluefin. but most of them are gone by 8am so in winter its mainly tailor on the pelagiuc scene. although anyhting can turn up. i saw a 40 kg spanish caught at the peir a few years ago at the start of june

[bondy99]

Are there any tailor taken from the end of the pier at Urangan? If so, at the very end or is there another section. Planning to go up in two weeks for a day or two.

Also, any squid this time of year?

Cheers

Peter

[fishboy018]

yeah there are plenty out there but you will have to use a few differnt techniques to get them as bonnie strips and pillies get annihilated by the pickers which are EVERYWHER in hervey bay. use live baits and metal spoons
Tyson

[bondy99]

yeah there are plenty out there but you will have to use a few differnt techniques to get them as bonnie strips and pillies get annihilated by the pickers which are EVERYWHER in hervey bay. use live baits and metal spoons
Tyson

Thanks Tyson,

Yeah, I got a few metal slider lures from slider. they should work.

Live baits might be hard to get especially if the current is running fast.

Pre dawn and dusk onwards still the go for up there or any time of day for them (Tailor). Any fee at this stage to use the jetty or is it still free, been sometime since I was there

Thanks. Peter

[fishboy018]

yep sound like you've got it worked out. no fee for the jetty just a bloody long walk

[bondy99]

yep sound like you've got it worked out. no fee for the jetty just a bloody long walk

Thanks for that