Recent heavy rain is the major influence on fishing, the upper reaches of most rivers and creeks are flowing chocolate brown and not producing fish. Better results are coming from deeper water closer to bar entrances.
Look for flathead in the cleaner water on the edge of main channels and around the demarcation line where dirty runoff water meets cleaner more saline water. Working bait slowly over the bottom has been the best technique, lure anglers have had best results using dark coloured lures.
There has be an unseasonable run of bream. Land-based anglers fishing Moreton Bay foreshores and the Broadwater have had excellent results using baits like mullet or fowl gut. Bull sharks are in big numbers in deeper holes around the mouth of the Logan River and in the Broadwater.
There has also been quite a few mulloway caught this week, deep holes inside the Jumpinpin Bar and the Southport Seaway have been productive, there’s also been some good catches in the Brisbane River. In the bay anglers need to avoid the dirty water flowing out of rivers and creeks, the shallows around the islands are producing snapper to 50cm and a few redthroat emperor. Small baitfish including whitebait and hardiheads have been the most productive bait.
Rain always flushes out the mud crabs and already there were good catches throughout the southern Bay and Jumpinpin over the weekend. Sand crabs have been best on the eastern side along North Stradbroke Island as far south as Macleay Island. There has been very few opportunities for offshore anglers over the past week. Those that did get out reported the shallows fishing well for snapper.
Current has been an issue on the deeper reefs although when fishable there’s been quality pearl perch caught. There’s also been mulloway caught on the bait grounds, just of wide bar entrances and on shallow wrecks. Pelagic species hate dirty water so if you are chasing mackerel stay away from bars where the water is discoloured.
On the freshwater scene, the rain is just what we need leading up to the summer redclaw season. Some impoundments have been closed since the rain, if you are planing to fish freshwater check the SEQwater website for current closures.
