Location Locations - Coffs Harbour Region

[Mickahcs]

Hi

new to the forum and to the coffs harbour area, i grew up in broken hill nsw and spent a lot of time fresh water fishing and yabbing (yellow belly/cod mostly)

looking for somewhere in the area to fish. and have no idea where or what to catch. would like to take the kids also so somewhere with a good camping area would be nice.

and suggestions would be appreciated


Cheers,

[LAJC2012]

I just recently caught some good flathead where Back Creek meets the Kalang River @ Urunga which is only 15 mins south of Coffs. The mouth of the Kalang where it meets the Bellinger river is supposed to be good as well, although I only got as far as Back Creek when I went.

[mylestom]

If you let us know what gear, land based or boat. Then we can most probably come up with a few tips.

Regards

Trev

[Mickahcs]

I just recently caught some good flathead where Back Creek meets the Kalang River @ Urunga which is only 15 mins south of Coffs. The mouth of the Kalang where it meets the Bellinger river is supposed to be good as well, although I only got as far as Back Creek when I went.

thanks! know roughly where that is. camping isnt a problem?

[Mickahcs]

If you let us know what gear, land based or boat. Then we can most probably come up with a few tips.

Regards

Trev

Thanks Trev
not much in the way of gear yet. i use a shimano 5'6 baitcaster rig (got 20lb braid on it at the moment). need to get rods for the kids yet. im assuming soft baits/ lures would be the go if the water is clear? will need to work out the tackle once i know what im chasing i suppose.

will be land based no boat yet

would like to be able to just take the tent and cooking gear and setup somewhere away from the crowds if possible.

appreciate any help

[webbc]

If you want to get away for some time camping and fishing without heading away too far there are heaps of options.
If you have a 4wd and want to head to the salt then Station Creek is on the coast between Woolgoolga and Grafton. Great camp right on the water just check your tides on the way in and the Marine parks when you are fishing.
If you want to head to the fresh and chase some bass then the Junction Camp grounds on the Nymboida River in the Nymboi-Binderay National Park National park is a nice getaway.

[Mickahcs]

Thanks webbc, no 4wd but Nymboi-Binderay National Park sounds like the go! checked out maps and seems i can get there ok and not too far.

never chased bass though better do some research. catch anything else there?

[webbc]

There are Eastern Cod in the river but they are a no take species. Too pretty to be taken anyway. The Junction camping area is a little steep and loose on the way in but it is able to be done slowly in dry weather.
Without a 4wd the station camping area is close to the Pebbly beach one and is an easy 2wd camp with good facilities, it just means that you will need to walk to the beach over the sand dunes.

[Mickahcs]

Thanks again. will defiantly make a trip there soon.

just need to get some tackle sorted. might buy a few tt switchblades as people seem to be recommending them for bass , and some lighter braid for my rig.
can you recommend any other lures/soft-baits or livebait for bass fishing in the area?

[mylestom]

Lots of places to fish land based on the Bellinger and Kalang system, depending on the ages of the children. The camping is restricted to the Riverside Caravan Park at Repton, North Beach Caravan Park and the park in Urunga.

Bait fishing is usually an easier an cheaper fishing option for the children, if your going for bass, worms work.
A lot of fun can be had collecting nippers for the Salt fishing and their are a few places on Yellowrock Rd were you can pump nippers (Opposite the pool Mylestom) and on the corner Back ck. You will need a pump and bucket to keep alive.

Depends on how you are situated, yabby pump and Sieve around the $39 a good long term investment for fishing. The riverbank on Mylestom drive presents lots of opportunities for quiet fishing, good bream around the Boat ramps, and live bait there and at the Tidal pool. At Urunga, the boardwalk open up the Kalang/Bellinger mouth and good rock fishing and access to Beach.

At Mylestom there are quite a few roads that access close to the beach, Tuckers Rock Rd, Fire Trail north side Caravan Park, numerous track to the beach and then you have the area south of the Life Saving Club, 4WD access to beach but you can fish down a klm or so no problems, depending on how old the kids are, good sandworms being caught at the right stage of the tide at the moment.

Hope this helps, will send a pm and have a chat.

Regards

Trev

[webbc]

I love chasing bass on surface lures so tend to use lures like basscada's and jitterbug's. It might not be the most productive but is lots of fun when they hit. Some examples can be found here on sweetwater.
Better options during the day are spinnerbaits with black/purple being a favourite combination.

[mylestom]

There is also heaps of places up the Bellinger/Kalang, but some of the roads/bridges have been effected by floods. But not much in the way of camping up through Thora/Darkwood. However the park next to the Thora store would probably suit. Think it has free/donation camping and toilet block. That would give you some access to a wide area to fish.

Regards
Trev

[Mickahcs]

Thanks for all the great info. heading to the junction campsite tomorrow for a day trip to check it out. will go back for a camp if its good.

will then start working through your list trev.

loaded up with some Bassman spinners and some surface walkers so with any luck will have some fun.

will report back

[Mickahcs]

recon trip to the junction was good.

and you were right there are way to pretty to keep.