heading north in the new year

[jeffo]

hey guys. after the lack of holidays i had this year i have made the decision that i will take a few more in 04' (yes it was a hard decision to make )
looking at planning a 2 week trip to the witsunday area in about april. though i would start planning early so i am all set when the day arrives.
any input on where to stay, when to go, and places that might be worth stopping on the way up for a fish would be tops. i was thinking a stop over at 1770 or turkey beach may be called for.
ill be towing my 4.1 up with hopes of mackeral, trout,GT's, jacks, tarpon and maybe even a barra
very prepared to ruff it if need be and will probably be camping where ever we go.
cheers. jeff
ps. i dont have a 4x4 but if one is required to reach better fishing then i will have to arrange to have one for the trip

[mackmauler]

sounds like a good idea jeff, you might have to look at the green zones in that area (if there are any yet) some inshore islands with easy access and great fishing were on the hit list from memory ???

[adrian]

hi jeffo
am going to airle beach in 5days i'll leave you some fish maybe.
ok places to stay the island gatewate caravan park is the pick of camping grounds good clean showers and toilets . choice of cabins powered or unpwoered sites free bbqs and camp kitchen . pool and tennis courts for the family also a wash area for car and boat they don't mind too much if you flush the motor just be doing that when you leave. they will freeze your catch( well the ones i miss ) location is drive through airle beach and head for shute the park is on the right about 1 to 2 kms from town pub on left look the phone number up on the racq site i think . the best ramp is at able point marina can use the one at shute just watch low tide it's not friendly to cars as the tide has gone past the end of the ramp and the ramp does drop off. if all else fails peterfaust dam isn't too far away. as for info on the green area rangers are just up the road opposite the fuel and marine shop

anzac

[agnes_jack]

Hey Jeffo
If you are coming up to 1770 give me a yell. Shall be able to fill you in on whats happening at the time. The spanish usually are fading out a bit by then, alot less mackies, but the ones that are around at that time tend to be the BIG loners. Generally the reef fishing is going very well at that time though. I should be able to get enough time out to come for a bit of a fish with you and show you some of our more isolated creeks. There are a few good camping spots around the place and it is a fairly quiet time for the tourists so you would probably get a good spot to yourself. Dont be worried about the green zones mate, where the green zones are going will hardly effect rec fishos at all, in fact in a 4.1 metre boat you wont get within cooee of em. I am actually really pleased about thier choice of sites for the green zones and spent a lot of time with gbrmpa senior planner working out a mutualy agreeable result. Contrary to popular belief they did try to co-operate as best as possible with those who were willing to do the same (at least in this area) and I have nothing but praise for Belinda Jago the senior planner. But anyway let me know what your up to if I can help.

Regards Tony

[TimNQ]

If your boat can carry enough things then you could think about camping on the islands. There are heaps of camping grounds on almost all the island and at that time of yeqar you may have the beach and section of island all to your self. It costs $4 per person per night i think and you book through national parks. If you want a brochure i can try and scan it and send it which tells you which islands you can camp on and what facilities are in each such as water, toilets etc. The biggest problem would be fuel i would think. Anyway just a suggestion, i am thinking of doing the same when ive got some cash together.
As for the fishing there, well ive never fished there yet but on every island that ive been on ive walked the jetty and the amount of bait and big pelagics is unbelievable. Obviously heaps of nice reef fish also. Dont expect the islands to produce that great a reef for you, if you want really nice reef then head out to the barrier reef. They are nice but colourless compared to out deeper in cleaner water.

Tim

[agnes_jack]

As Tim says the outer reefs are the best. An idea might be to go out to musgrave. There you can camp on an island ON the outer reef. It may also be possible to have your boat towed out for you.
Just an idea?

Tony

[jeffo]

all great ideas guys, and thanks for the offers tony. i will probably take you up on them. i chose aprilish for that very reason....there will be bugger all people (living on the coast i know how anoying tourists are). when you say the islands wont produce the reef for me do you mean that there wont be trout and GT's in residence? if there is other good fishing spots near by dont be affraid to mention them as airlie is mearly a starting point and i dont mind towing the boat an hour or so each morning to get to more productive grounds.
cheers. jeff

[TimNQ]

There will still be decent fish around the reefs around the islands
Just not in as large numbers i dont think. I saw a guy fishing off a pier at daydream island and he was pulling in all sorts of good fish. His eski was full and it was only 7.00am. So it cant be bad.
Some other good spots to try would be peter faust dam, about an hour away from airley beach and is starting to produce some monsterish barra now. Search for peter faust dam on here you should find a bit.
Tim

[krazyfisher]

have alook around monties and dingo beach islands are nice and close and there are some nice trout