Fishing Reports

  • Moreton Bay - Wide :: Weekly report 28 Nov 07

    Posted by: Brad
    Subject: Weekly report 28 Nov 07
    Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 8:51 am (GMT 10)
    Topic Replies: 0

    Fishing weather was reasonable in parts this week. Yellowtail King in the small variety (rats under 3kg) are still the feature fish of the moment. It doesn’t seem to matter whether you are trolling, jigging with plastics or bait fishing the shallow reefs, it won’t be long before the little hoodlums turn up and beat up your tackle. During a classic session on the Kingies on Monday, blokes were not even game to hang their baited hooks over the side while they wiped their hands before dropping down- or else they were hooked up. We even tried ‘poling’ them- not letting line out, just dangling the bait in the top 30 cm of the water and hooking up!

    In the end we had to drive away- the guys were stuffed from hauling up Kingies. Most were released to fight another day. The boys kept a couple each. Kingies of this size are great BBQ fish when bled on capture and iced down promptly. See any of my good mate Phippsy’s recipe books to find the best fish BBQ recipes. Parrot (Venus Tusk Fish) have been about in good numbers as well as quality Pearl Perch. Daytime fishing around the full moon can always get a bit dodgy as there will be plenty of fish on the sounder but they won’t bite until the moon comes up.

    I have been experimenting with soft plastics since a couple of blokes came out with me last week and brained every fish in the ocean including Snapper, Red Emperor, Maori Cod, Kingies and Pearlies on them. The trouble is landing the fish that are taking the plastics home with them! I will keep trying but I virtually lost a box of jigheads and lures and did not land one fish. Maybe I will have to use smaller lures…………

  • Moreton Bay - Wide :: Weekly Report 11 Nov 07

    Posted by: Brad
    Subject: Weekly Report 11 Nov 07
    Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 2:37 pm (GMT 10)
    Topic Replies: 0

    Lest we forget. Thanks to all those heroes who spent a portion of their lives or made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can enjoy the life we currently have. The weather is still having a major negative influence on any fishing activity. I have lost seven bookings out of the eleven days in November to the perverse weather.

    Offshore weather conditions usually close out about two hundred days to line fishing in the Moreton Offshore region. How about we instigate a two hundred day closure for ALL OF MORETON OFFSHORE when the wind is over twenty knots? That way the Greenies will have a 73% closure to offshore fishing that we can all live with.When the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) started talking about Green Zones with the MBMP Review in February, it was all about protecting BIODIVERSITY. How come, in November, Simon from the Queensland Conservation Council and the AMCS are all talking about using Green Zones to protect fish stocks? Are we all on the same page here? Because fisheries management is the role of another State Government Department, the DPI&F, not the EPA. Maybe the whole debate about Green Zones, if it is in the context of fisheries management as indicated by the QCC and the AMCS, NEEDS TO BE REVIEWED BY THE DPI&F IN THE SAME CONTEXT AS BAG LIMITS, SIZE RESTRICTIONS AND GEAR LIMITATIONS AS FISHERIES MANAGEMENT TOOLS.
    But then I am a fisherman, not a politician.

  • Moreton Bay - Wide :: Weekly Report 5 Nov 07

    Posted by: Brad
    Subject: Weekly Report 5 Nov 07
    Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2007 9:49 am (GMT 10)
    Topic Replies: 0

    Strong winds from the North and Easterly swells have prevented any fishing this week off Cape Moreton. Hopefully we will have better weather next week.

  • Moreton Bay - Wide :: Weekly Report 29 Oct 07

    Posted by: Brad
    Subject: Weekly Report 29 Oct 07
    Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 9:44 am (GMT 10)
    Topic Replies: 0

    While strong Northerlies have spoilt most of the week, Saturday was a cracker. Calm seas, minimal breeze and an absence of current all added up to an EPA staffer’s nightmare. Pearl Perch were caught in good sizes with our bag limit being met pretty quickly. Parrot, Hussar, and small Squire were also plentiful in depths from 50m to 85 metres.Trag Jew are not common in our waters so a couple of them plus some really solid Moses Perch added variety to the creel.

    The rat Yellow Tail Kingfish which were haunting the shallow reefs have beefed out to 3-4 kg. Their numbers have thinned as they head East and South as they grow but they are great fun if you target the 28m- 35m Eastern ledges of the shallow reefs north of Cape Moreton. Bait, jigs, plastics and livies are all working on this really honest sportfish.

  • Moreton Bay - Wide :: Report 22 Oct 07

    Posted by: Brad
    Subject: Report 22 Oct 07
    Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 8:43 am (GMT 10)
    Topic Replies: 0

    Fishing was brilliant earlier in the week until strong southerlies combined with poor forecasting marred the weekend. Monster Pearlies to 10lb, 4.5 kg to you youngsters, monster Hussar to 42 cm, plenty of Yellow Tail King, and quality Parrot made for very tasty fish recipes. Wide Caloundra has been fishing well as long as the wind stays out of the North West. Once the wind goes Nor’west either go home or go south of the Cape. Wide Caloundra shuts down completely in this wind and you can waste a lot of time and fuel waiting for the wind to change. The weekend proved too rough for most. Let’s hope for better weather this week.

    Interesting to read on the AMCS web site that Tim “the turtle hunter” Winton was in town recently. Tim managed to hook a turtle, something I have yet to accomplish in forty-odd years of recreational and commercial fishing. I hope he does not use the same bait, tackle, location, moon phase, etc again to avoid this careless act. Tim is the first angler I have heard of achieving this feat, despite the huge resurgence in turtle numbers in Moreton Bay. Tim, please don’t destroy what we now enjoy- a sustainable, well managed fishery. Maybe Tim should take a charter with one of the many quality Moreton Bay Marine Park charter businesses to learn how to fish for our quality local seafood while minimizing his destructive activities resulting in unwanted turtle injuries.

  • Moreton Bay - Wide :: Weekly Report 24 Sept 07

    Posted by: Brad
    Subject: Weekly Report 24 Sept 07
    Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 8:00 am (GMT 10)
    Topic Replies: 0

    Fishing was productive this week and weekend with the shallows packed with rat Yellowtail King and Hussar. Out to the 100 Metre line most boats bagged out on good quality Pearlies. Squire were about in patches both shallow and deep, but the quality was poor. Reports of large Cobia and Snapper are coming in from the northern gravel patches between 40 and 70 metres east of Caloundra Head. West of the Cobia Wreck is the best place to start looking.

    I am on holidays for the next two weeks in Tasmania. Hopefully the fish keep biting and the weather is fair while I sample the delights of the Apple Isle.

  • Moreton Bay - Wide :: Weekly Report 18 Sep 07

    Posted by: Brad
    Subject: Weekly Report 18 Sep 07
    Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 8:18 am (GMT 10)
    Topic Replies: 0

    'INCREDIBLE' completed her first charter on Wednesday and came through with flying colours. Conditions were rough from the North so a wait at Bulwer and a few drifts for MORETON BAY CORAL TROUT (whiptail-thanks for the name, Gary Howard!) kept us occupied til the weather eased. Conditions were good past the fifty metre line and we caught good pearl pearch. Quite a number were at that magic 32 cm size. We get plagued by just unders at various times of the year and Wednesday was one of those times.

    A few small Squire and pig fish rounded off the catch between 75 and 85 metres. On the way back in we stopped at Hutchies and knocked over some rat kingfish, trevally and moses perch to round out the creel. The new boat went great and the abundance of fishing space was enjoyed by all. There were fewer tangles and the Geebung RSL Social Fishing Club rebookes as they stepped off the boat. Must have had a good one.

  • Moreton Bay - Wide :: Weekly Report 3 Sep 07

    Posted by: Brad
    Subject: Weekly Report 3 Sep 07
    Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 10:37 am (GMT 10)
    Topic Replies: 0

    The State Government has mounted an incredible media campaign to sell fishermen the lie that they will still be able to fish in the same spots they have always fished after the MORETON BAY MARINE PARK REVIEW. If this is the case, why are EPA public servants stating that their mission is to “protect 10% of each of the sixteen habitat types as Green Zones”?

    Jim Higgs, Chairperson of the EPA Tourism Operator’s Stakeholders workshop at the EPA building in town on Monday, August 27, reinforced this position at the start and also the conclusion of this meeting. Nundah Creek, Shorncliffe, Hay’s Inlet, Scott’s Point, Redcliffe Jetty, Scarborough Reef, Flinders Reef, Shallow and Deep Tempest could all be gone if this idiocy continues unopposed by the normal fisherbloke. What are you doing to protect your own fishery? And whining in the pub to your mates doesn’t count.

  • Moreton Bay - Wide :: Weekly Report 28/8/07

    Posted by: Brad
    Subject: Weekly Report 28/8/07
    Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 9:33 am (GMT 10)
    Topic Replies: 0

    GREAT TO HEAR PREMIER PETE COME OUT PUBLICLY ON CHANNEL SEVEN AND STATING, “RESTRICTING ANGLERS FROM AREAS THEY HAD TRADITIONALLY FISHED” WAS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE MBMP REVIEW. EPA MINISTER LINDY NELSON-CARR HAS ALSO GOT INTO THE ACT WITH A PHOTO SHOOT ON A SOUTHSIDE JETTY BESIDE A FAMILY FISHING AND UTTERING SOOTHING NOISES.

    IT APPEARS A TOUCH OF COMMON SENSE IS ENTERING THE MBMP REVIEW AT THE TOP LEVEL. LET’S HOPE IT FILTERS DOWN TO THE TROOPS IN THE EPA AND WE SEE A SENSIBLE R.I.S. IN LATE OCTOBER. WEATHER HAS BEEN DANGEROUS BUT HOPEFULLY IT MAY IGNITE THE FISHING OFFSHORE. IT HAS BEEN A PRETTY QUIET WINTER SEASON FOR A LOT OF REASONS BUT WE MAY HAVE A GREAT SPRING BITE WITH THE RAIN.

  • Moreton Bay - Wide :: Report 13 Aug 07

    Posted by: Brad
    Subject: Report 13 Aug 07
    Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 7:17 am (GMT 10)
    Topic Replies: 0

    GOLDEN RULES FOR GREEN ZONES
    TO MINIMISE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS.
    AVOID PLACING GREEN ZONES:

    1) CLOSE TO POPULATION CENTRES OR POPULAR HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS.

    2) IN OR NEAR SHELTERED ANCHORAGES OR LEES WHERE FISHING CAN BE CONTINUED IN DIFFICULT WEATHER.

    3) IN HIGH FISHING BOAT TRAFFIC AREAS.

    4) ACROSS BOATING CHANNELS AND IN BEACONED AREAS.

    5) WHERE THERE ARE HIGH LEVELS OF A.N.S.A. TAGGING DATA.

    6) WHERE PROFESSIONAL FISHERMEN REGULARLY WORK.

    7) IN ICONIC FISHING LOCATIONS.

    Lastly, LISTEN and EMPATHISE.
    Imagine if your favourite activity (horse riding, scuba diving, snorkeling, bush walking, church going, tennis, golf, going to work, etc) was to be outlawed where you usually undertake this activity. You were told that banning your favourite activity was for the good of the whole community.
    To make things worse, you would be fined or even receive a criminal record for engaging in this activity. Then you would start to understand how fisherfolk feel.

  • Moreton Bay - Wide :: Report 11 Aug 07

    Posted by: Brad
    Subject: Report 11 Aug 07
    Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007 10:10 am (GMT 10)
    Topic Replies: 0

    SOME INTERESTING ISSUES that are being taken to task by some very smart people. Worth a read and stay in tune with the issues.

    MORETON BAY MARINE PARK ACCESS THREATENED BY EPA’S “AREAS OF INTEREST”MANY POPULAR AREAS OF THR MBMP FACE CLOSURE FROM THE EPA’S SO-CALLED “AREAS OF INTEREST”.

    IN THE NORTHERN END OF THE BAY, OFF CALOUNDRA, THE HAMILTON PATCHES AND ALL OF THE MB NORTH EAST CHANNEL ARE “INTERESTING.”

    PARTS OF WESTERN ROCKS, A KILOMETRE CIRCLE AROUND FLINDERS AND UNDERNEATH CAPE MORETON AT THE BOULDERS ARE "INTERESTING”.

    THE NORTHERN END OF DEEP TEMPEST, AND SHALLOW TEMPEST SOUTH OF THE NORTHERN PINNACLES ARE “INTERESTING”. THE BRIBIE PASSAGE INCLUDING LIME POCKET AND MISSION POINT ARE “INTERESTING”.

    ALL OF SCARBOROUGH REEF, REDCLIFFE POINT INCLUDING THE JETTY, AND THE ENTIRETY OF HAYS INLET INSIDE THE OLD HORNIBROOK HIGHWAY ARE “INTERESTING”. TO PUT IT BLUNTLY, ANY AND ALL GREEN (NO FISHING) ZONES WILL COME FROM THESE “AREAS OF INTEREST”.

  • Moreton Bay - Wide :: Report 16 Jul 07

    Posted by: Brad
    Subject: Report 16 Jul 07
    Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:32 am (GMT 10)
    Topic Replies: 0

    The Snapper have turned up. Plenty of fish are available on the shallow reefs at dawn and dusk. Wide Caloundra has good Snapper moving between the 60metre and 90 metre lines during the middle of the day. Good Pearlies are scattered through this area as well.

    The BRIBIE ISLAND S.E. QLD SNAPPER CHALLENGE was held in Moreton Bay Marine Park on the weekend. Heaviest offshore fish was 2.8kg, heaviest inshore fish was 5.4kg. This is a lure only competition which attracted 62 entries. All caught fish, not all were weighed in as catch and release ethics were practiced. Bycatch included a 7kg Spangled Emperor offshore as well as huge Bream and quality Tailor from coastal areas such as the Scarborough Reef. Let's hope that events such as these are not threatened by the impending EPA closures, which are supposed to protect "biodiversity". I still can't figure out how you can allow a development like the Port of Brisbane, which has changed the whole
    outflow of the Brisbane River into Moreton Bay, and allow hundreds of hectares of mangroves, also known as the nurseries of the sea, to be bulldozed to build a new runway for the Airport, but try to ban fishing because it affects "biodiversity".

    Congratulations to the BRIBIE ISLAND SPORTFISHING CLUB on its donation of most of the event's takings to the REDCLIFFE COASTGUARD. Both are voluntary organizations doing their best for the boating and fishing community.

  • Moreton Bay - Wide :: Report 9 Jul 07

    Posted by: Brad
    Subject: Report 9 Jul 07
    Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2007 7:31 am (GMT 10)
    Topic Replies: 0

    Snapper are still conspicuous by their absence offshore. Quality pearl perch and amberjack are providing the weight in the creel. Deep Tempest is fishing OK for those prepared to put in the time. There are a lot of small squire being dragged from the depths so float lining is recommended to keep above the rubbish. Strong Westerlies blowing the tops off pretty serious Southerly swells are creating early morning difficulties for offshore anglers. Sometimes it is better to sleep in and target the afternoon bite. Conditions have usually settled by then.

    The new boat is being delayed in the painting stage due to strong winds and rain. Hopefully the next two weeks will see the paint on so that the fit-out can begin. Motors and all things electrical have been purchased and are sitting waiting patiently in boxes to be bolted on. Fingers crossed the weather turns fair so I can be on the water for the start of August.

  • Moreton Bay - Wide :: Report Mon 02 Jul 07

    Posted by: Brad
    Subject: Report Mon 02 Jul 07
    Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 7:24 am (GMT 10)
    Topic Replies: 0

    The start to the new financial year is an incentive to go fishing when the weather Gods allow. Due to the aforesaid Gods the new INCREDIBLE has sat in its paint pen waiting for the rain to stop and the winds to drop below 25 knots. So what's the difference when you are fishing.....
    Noone with any commonsense is venturing wide in the search for a feed. In fact the Scarborough Reef is producing excellent Squire in between floggings by the local netters. Remember that the real enemy is the GREEN movement. The pros are a bit smarter than the average Yogi at catching fish at times. It doesn't make them bad, just smarter.

    Offshore fishing may be later than usual this year, with September and October as probable Snapper months. The water temperatures have only just started to plummet so with any luck we will have a reasonable, if late season. And the weather may be better..

  • Moreton Bay - Wide :: Report Sat 16 Jun 07

    Posted by: Brad
    Subject: Report Sat 16 Jun 07
    Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2007 11:48 am (GMT 10)
    Topic Replies: 0

    Weather has not been conducive to fishing with cold Westerlies and a large swell. Large pearl perch are still about in numbers but are very localized. If you are not catching, be prepared to sound along ledges to track them down in depths of 70m to 110 metres.

    Spaniards have made a very late appearance and are not in large numbers. This has been our worst spaniard year for a long time. Water temps are still up delaying the appearance of snapper in the shallows. Evidently they are on fire again at the Barwons so maybe a trip north is in order over the next couple of weeks.

    The new boat is completed to the "hot metal" stage and goes in for painting on Tuesday. Hopefully the weather gods are kind to enable a quick and quality paint job.

    The EPA are planning to meet with stakeholder groups to further discuss possible closures to fishing. If you believe you are a stakeholder and have a group please give them a call as the EPA has not finalized who they are meeting with or when. The EPA'S SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY GROUP has handed down its GUIDING PRINCIPLES for the MORETON BAY MARINE PARK REVIEW. In all thirteen principles were identified. NINE of them specifically dealt with the environment, two mentioned socio-economic interests and the rest were too general to matter. I believe that a more balanced approach would have seen an equal number of principles guiding the social, the economic and the environmental. This lop sided view of what is important to the EPA is supported by a recommendation for at least 10% closure of each of sixteen different habitat types to fishing, with larger amounts to be closed if the area is of "special interest". Maybe now is the time to ring the EPA or log onto their web site to find out how this review WILL affect you.