So what happened at 1770 murf?Originally Posted by murf
after my experience from the 1770 trip make sure to check everything associated with trailer, safety clip in car tow hitch (now has a locking pin), handle on trailer hitch is down, number plate is not all bent and folded up and winch electric wires aren't ripped looseI imagine also do the walk around the trailer and vehicle and do all safety checks before driving away
cheers Murf
a lot of coincidences in the first paragraph abovejust very lucky no one got hurt
cheers Murf
Whats that Mate?....Your breaking up....
A Proud Member of
"The Rebel Alliance"
Guys.
The following are reports from FishnTales from November 2011. Just to let you know what happened last year at this time.
November 3rd 2011
Onshore breezes and small tides are set for the next few days, making for plenty of angling options for boaties. Catches over the past week have been quite good from our rivers and estuaries and from our increasing population of pelagics. Reef fishos have been a little disappointed, but this should change with the building tides next week.
Sportsfishos have got plenty of choices at present, as pelagic numbers are growing week by week. Latest reports suggest big numbers of mack tuna out in the central bay, albeit fairly wide out. Look for birds working north of the Fairway through to Rooneys.
Big longtail tuna are in the same vicinity, but hopefully with the easterly breeze they will be drawn in closer to the island. 20 kilo fish are showing up, but there are also schools of smaller fish about as well. Otherwise, there are plenty of golden trevally on the Platypus Bay reefs and up on the flats on the western side of Fraser.
Queenfish and other trevally are also working the flats and around the bay islands as well as inside Fraser’s western creeks over the high tide. You will find flathead, jacks and grunter inside these creeks, or from creeks fringing the Straits.
School mackerel have improved in numbers up the island, with best reports coming from Platypus Bay down to Coongul. Spanish mackerel are also making a somewhat early appearance in the bay. Big Spaniards have been reported at the Burrum 8 Mile and in Platypus Bay this week.
With the barra season now closed, focus in the estuaries has turned to salmon, jacks and others. Salmon are taking live baits and lures in the mid-upper reaches of the Susan River and Bunya Creek. Grunter and jew can be found in the same areas.
As there is still no jelly prawn around, you are better off looking further up-river for the bigger predators as they are up there chasing the abundant baitfish holding in the upper reaches. Until we get significant rains, the salinity levels upriver are quite high and this can mean all manner of fish from trevally, salmon, grunter and jew to bream, pikeys and flathead can be found a long way into the system.
The Burrum system is producing some great jacks. The small tides this weekend should be good for targeting them, be it with lures, livies or the humble mullet fillet. Expect to connect to grunter, flathead, tarpon, trevally and cod in the Burrum as well, and if you are real lucky, then maybe a fingermark.
Many of our local reefs have been a bit quiet during the smaller tides. No real surprise there for this time of year. This should improve with the building tides next week as we are approaching a good time to target the shallows. As we approach summer, the inshore reefs will kick into action. Grass sweetlip, blackall, cod, trout and tuskies are the main targets.
Expect action from whiting from our beaches to improve next week in the building tides, particularly later in the week. If fishing the Urangan Pier, then you are a chance of a mackerel, goldie, queenfish, flathead or a GT.
For the latest on what’s biting and all the tips and tackle to catch them, drop in and see the guys at Fishermans Corner on Torquay Road in Pialba, or join them on Facebook.
November 10 2011
We are in for some fantastic weather over the next week, combining nicely with the full moon this Friday. The bay is firing for pelagics, the rivers are producing well, and local reefs have kicked into gear with some quality reef fish.
Sportsfishos are in for a good time, as the light onshore breezes will enable them to head up the island where plenty of tuna (both longtail and mack) are on offer. Schools of tuna can also be found out wider in the central bay, and down through the shipping channels.
As often happens this time of year, schools of quite large early season spotted mackerel have turned up inside the island north of Wathumba. These are big spotties (by Hervey Bay standards) at around 4-6 kilos. The patches of spotties are fairly big, but word is they are proving a bit fussy at times. Be prepared to throw slugs at them anywhere from 20-85 grams depending on the bait they have balled up at the time.
Further south around Awinya there are big bait balls as well that are drawing plenty of tuna and school mackerel. Sharks are a real hassle in either location, typical of such large aggregations of fish.
We are entering our local game fishing period right now, with a number of boats likely to head towards Wathumba and offshore chasing billfish and others this weekend. Sightings of black marlin inside the bay have been reported this week, so we expect photos to be getting around next week. By the way, if you haven’t already heard, the local gamefishing classic scheduled for this month has been postponed until the last weekend in March.
Golden trevally and a few queenfish can be found up on the flats on the western side of Fraser. Goldies are also hanging around the reefs off Moon, Coongul and Rooneys, whilst queenies and other trevally are worth a shot around the Picnics.
The big full moon tides are likely to produce a good bite from local reef fish. Coral trout, cod, sweetlip and blackall will be the main catches from either the shallow fringing reefs, or from numerous reefs, ledges and artificials throughout the bay. Snapper are still possible if heading off Rooneys or up to the Gutters, particularly early evening.
If heading down the Great Sandy Straits, then expect to find sweetlip, blackall, grunter and cod around the rocky ledges, or flathead, jacks, bream, whiting and flathead in the creeks. Flathead, whiting and trevally are likely up on the flats, and a few salmon are feeding around creek mouths during the ebb tide.
Both of our bigger river systems, the Mary and Burrum, are firing at present. Barramundi by-catch is very high though, so please take care to release them unharmed and do so in the water if possible.
The Burrum is just lousy with tarpon right now, some of which are quite large and of course great sport on light tackle. Some great jacks to 55cm have been caught this week. Rock bars and back-eddies are producing best. A few threadfin salmon and grunter are scattered throughout the system, holding in the deeper holes.
The Mary is worth a try for salmon during the ebb tide, as fish are feeding in the vicinity of River Heads and also well upstream. The upper reaches of the Susan or Bunya are even better at present, with salmon, jew and grunter being regular catches of late. Word from Maryborough is that some really nice jacks are coming from the upper Mary as well as big bream.
Local beaches are the go for whiting for shore-based anglers during the big flood tides. The Toogoom area is a bit choked with weed, but elsewhere is okay. A lot of smaller whiting are mixed in with better models along the town beaches, but a good feed is possible. Garfish can be caught from the Shelly Beach groynes during the latter flood tide, or from the Urangan Pier during the early ebb.
For the latest on what’s biting and all the tips and tackle to catch them, drop in and see the guys at Fishermans Corner on Torquay Road in Pialba, or join them on Facebook.
November 17th 2011
Our spell of great spring weather has continued this week, and is likely to be very good again this weekend. The past week has seen some action for game fishermen offshore, plenty of pelagics inside for light tackle sportsfishos, our rivers and creeks continue to fire, and reef fishing is improving on local reefs.
Ken from Hervey Bay Fishing Charters has reported good catches of reef fish offshore, though sharks are proving to be a hassle over the Sandy Cape Shoals. The current kicked in about a month ago, running at about 2.5 knots most days, but on those days when it dropped out, the shelf has been producing big snapper, pearlies and rosy jobfish. Best fishing on the Shoals has been along the 50-60m ridgelines, with cockies, wrasse, big red-throat, jobbies and pearlies featuring amongst what is always a mixed bag out there.
Ken also tagged four black marlin to 50kg in an hour or so last weekend, trolling skirts south of the cape towards Waddy. Earlier attempts to find marlin over the shoals proved difficult due to the number of yellowfin tuna and dolphinfish climbing all over their offerings, particularly the swimbaits.
Big sailfish were also reported in the area from the top of the spit towards the lightship. Others that tried the inside scene around Wathumba and Rooneys did it tough for billfish, but there are plenty of tuna, mackerel and cobia in the area to fall back on.
Mack tuna are well scattered throughout the central/northern bay and along the inside of Fraser. Longtail tuna to 20kg can also be found throughout the bay. The big spotties north of Wathumba are still there, albeit proving very difficult to catch. Some have even had to resort to using half pillies to tempt a fish. It seems the tiny baitfish we call “rainfish” are what they are balling up, so if your smaller metals are not working then try the wicked little Izumi Pintail plastics on the light gear.
Sportsfishos really are spoilt for choice right now, as big golden trevally, yellowtail king, cobia, school and spanish mackerel are all on offer over the reefs and around bait balls from Coongul to Rooneys. Goldies and queenfish have also been popular targets over the flats on the western side of Fraser.
On the reef fishing scene, it has been a case of head out early before the sun gets too high to fish the shallow fringing reefs for sweetlip, blackall, blueys, coral trout and cod. Or, hit the reef ledges such as Sammies, Mickeys, Bogimba, Moon etc for the same species over the turn of the tide.
Down the Straits, it has been a fairly similar story for weeks now, with flathead taking plastics around creek mouths and further up inside the creeks, whiting on the flats and adjacent channels, grunter, jacks, sweetlip and blackall along some of the rocky ledges and salmon smashing herring around creek mouths.
The Mary/Susan system is still your best option if chasing threadfin salmon. Good fish can be found well upstream, but there are also fish showing up in the lower reaches, so keep your eyes peeled for surface eruptions as they move along hearding the herring. Grunter and jew are also on the cards in the mid-upper reaches of the Susan and Bunya.
The Burrum system continues to fire, where mangrove jacks are a particularly good target right now. Serious jacks are smashing lures, livies and dead baits throughout the system. There are still heaps of tarpon for light tackle fun, just look for the surface activity. Grunter are taking baits and plastics from about Buxton upstream. The lower reaches are producing trevally, tailor, flathead and some ripper whiting as well.
The Urangan Pier has been a bit quiet over the past week, with just the odd queenfish and mackerel reported, along with a few bream. Stacks of herring have turned up at the pier, so this is likely to draw attention from other pelagics any day. The first of the summer’s pencil squid have been caught (during the mornings) this past week or so, but numbers are still very minimal.
November 24th 2011
The heat has really been on this week and the fish are responding accordingly. The impact of the persistent northerlies has been a bit negative on the bay fishing scene, but all positive for our rivers and creeks.
Firstly, a reminder that the annual Coral Reef Fin Fish Closure is currently in place, banning the take of these fish between 22nd and 26th November, inclusive. This closure affects waters north of latitude 24°50’.
In other news, our Fisheries Minister has announced that recreational anglers are no longer required to remove the pectoral fin from Coral Reef Fin Fish or Spanish Mackerel.
The pelagics that were so prolific up the island recently have scattered. The big spotties have moved on, and whilst the northerlies continue they are unlikely to return. Remember, that spotties are highly mobile and feed into the wind, so best waiting until the wind turns to the southeast to go looking for them. Expect smaller models in the near future.
Latest reports suggest the tuna have also moved on, heading wider and further north beyond the bay. Until they return (which they will), sportsfishos would be better off targeting golden trevally over the reefs off Platypus Bay, or even hitting the flats or bay islands looking for goldies and queenfish.
There have been a few mackerel around many of the local reefs and ledges including those off Coongul, Arch, and the Burrum 8 Mile. A few spanish, goldies and cobia have been reported from the Arti over the past week. Huge GTs are again a feature on the Arti, where they are smashing reef fish whilst pulling them up to the boat.
Sharks are becoming a hassle in many locations as can be expected this time of year. Big tigers, big bullies and a mix of whalers have been reported from local reefs throughout the shipping channels, and amongst the pelagics further north when they are there.
This time of year usually sees our shallow fringing reefs at their best. Big tides around the new moon Friday offer a great chance to get into coral trout, sweetlip, blackall and cod in these areas. Get there early though, as these shallows are rarely as good with the sun high in the sky.
Our rivers are proving very popular lately, and rightly so, with our tropical estuary species reveling in the hot conditions. Mangrove jacks are firing, taking baits and lures in the Burrum system and in many creeks throughout the Straits.
Sinking prawnstars, plastics and vibes over rock bars and deep snags has been the better option lately, as our waters are quite clear and these big-eyed beasts are avoiding the sunlight. By the way, the huge morning tides will be difficult to fish this weekend, whereas the evening tides are a lot more fisher-friendly for our rivers.
Grunter are appearing in better numbers, taking yabbies, herring and soft plastics such as GULP and ZMan shrimp. Threadfin salmon can be found throughout the Mary/Susan system. Better numbers are still holding upstream, though schools of salmon have been working the channels in the Straits and the flats and gutters north of River Heads.
Bass have been very active at Lake Lenthalls lately, taking all manner of lures at the appropriate time. Average bass have been in the 35-45cm range, all fun on light tackle. Finally, reports of a few barra have filtered through from the dam. The barra have been small, and apparently hard to find, but they are in there and worth a try.
Thanks to site owner Tony who is also an Ausfish member mossy43.
cheers LP
Last edited by Lucky_Phill; 07-11-2012 at 09:08 PM.
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Good stuff Phill. As if I didn't need anything more to get me excited about the M&G. It looks like a good time of year to hit the Bay
A Proud Member of
"The Rebel Alliance"
Not had any issues leaving the car/trailer at the ramp at Hervey Bay. Not expecting any this time.
Cheech and Chong Charters will be making a late start as Matt has to work Saturday morning. We will not be launching till about 2.00pm Saturday.Probably just doing the one overnighter and head back to the ramp at around lunch time.
Gspot got a sore bottom though Murph!a lot of coincidences in the first paragraph above
cheers Murf
yes it did and me nearly a sore face, got boat back todaygear box all new
cheers murf
Hooray....yes it did and me nearly a sore face, got boat back today
cheers murf
This post has had me thinking ...... (imagine a clunk followed by a lazy intermittent buzz) .... if the weather's good for friday, Black Magic might make her way up there on Thursday. So it'll be Thursday to Sunday instead of Friday to Monday. No big difference, still 2 days off work.
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot ..... in for a penny, in for a pound - might even make it Thursday to Monday!
Weather dependent.
What do you reckon Murf?
Cheers,
Jim
hmmmm will be watching the weather and making a call a bit closer to the day... but heading up Friday and and heading back to the ramp around lunchtime Sunday...
Not working but fuel will be my only problem...
Cheers
Brett
Nah, I recon that Murf for one won't be able to afford a pound and probably won't be able to withstand that long on ya boat Jim with his back and all, so as not to see you go without a decky I'll just meet you at the ramp but only so Murf won't have to deal with the pain and all........This post has had me thinking ...... (imagine a clunk followed by a lazy intermittent buzz) .... if the weather's good for friday, Black Magic might make her way up there on Thursday. So it'll be Thursday to Sunday instead of Friday to Monday. No big difference, still 2 days off work.
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot ..... in for a penny, in for a pound - might even make it Thursday to Monday!
Weather dependent.
What do you reckon Murf?
Cheers,
No such thing as a fat alcoholic, just fat piss pots...
Nah, I recon that Murf for one won't be able to afford a pound and probably won't be able to withstand that long on ya boat Jim with his back and all, so as not to see you go without a decky I'll just meet you at the ramp but only so Murf won't have to deal with the pain and all........
That is the best thing about this site. People care about others and will do what they can.
If that also results in manouvering a ride on a top rig at the same time, then that is just a bonus!
Here is the latest report from Fishermans Corner
Fishing Reports
Hervey Bay – November 8th, 2012
A slight change to our format this week, as the old typing finger is getting worn out.
Flathead
Pretty much everywhere. All River systems fishing well for this species. The flats and creek mouths along the western side of Fraser Island the hot spots. Great fun and great results on Soft Plastics. Keep in mind the 75mm maximum length for Duskies. Some specimens that are around at the moment would well and truly exceed this length.
Whiting
The gutters in the flats south of Urangan to River Heads producing excellent fish. Some monster Whiting coming out of the Burrum system. All beachfronts producing good feeds, although fish will be a little bit harder to find on the smaller tides. Western beaches and flats of Fraser also fishing well.
Mangrove Jack
It goes without saying, the Burrum system is HOT. Don’t be surprised if you pick up a Fingermark as well. Hard body and Vibe lures are the go, and PrawnStars are working exceptionally well.
Salmon & Grunter
Both the Mary & Burrum systems fishing well for these two sought after species. The creeks down the Sandy Straits also firing.
Reef Fish
Blue Parrot on all shallow in-shore reefs – crabs a must as bait for these critters. Coral Bream & Blackall particularly at night, and dawn & dusk. Coral Trout taking hard bodies trolled over the shallow reefs. The Gutters fishing very well for Trout, Scarlets, Red Emperor, & a whole host of reefies. Don’t Forget the fin fish reef closure north of 24’50” from 11th to 15th of this month. Plan your trips to the gutters accordingly.
Mackerel & Pelagics
Mackerel scattered throughout the bay, along with Tuna species. If you can’t find Mackerel schools feeding on the surface, prospect by dropping a metal lure to the bottom and use a quick retrieve in likely areas. The Urangan Pier always worth a shot using live baits and metal spoons. Golden Trevally from the grounds out from the Boat Harbour, the flats along Fraser, and the Pier.
The Bay is full of little Black Marlin at the moment, which should make Game Fishermen & Ladies fishing this weeks Game Comp extremely happy, and we hope the fish gods smile on them and they have a great comp.
For the latest on what’s biting and all the tips and tackle to catch them, drop in and see the guys at Fishermans Corner on Torquay Road in Pialba, or join us on Facebook (http://facebook.com/fishermanscornerherveybay).
BRING IT ON
A Proud Member of
"The Rebel Alliance"
This time in two weeks and we should be fishing , hope the weather is good after all this planing it would be a huge disappointment to not go. Got a trolling outfit and been out a got some new 6" skirts to match the size of bait dish.
Maturity is not when we start speaking BIG things,it is when we start understanding small things
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