The water temperature has increased to summer conditions so you will find mangrove jacks in the creeks and hard up against the mangroves.
Target these hard fighting fish with live baits and lures. Most anglers only catch and release these fish, which bodes well for the future.
The fishing season for dolphin fish, or mahi-mahi, will be in full swing now.
Charter boat operators down the Gold Coast are possibly the best way to learn how to target the mahi-mahi. Once gaffed, these fish are difficult to control, which can be dangerous. Hold the fish by the tail and bend it into a circle to subdue it. Bleeding will improve the eating quality and they should be placed immediately onto the ice.
Once you get the hang of catching them, you can go out with a mate or two and use that experience to catch a few of these beautiful fighting fish. A mixed bag of reef fish will be on the menu.
There are still a few snapper about, but sweetlip will dominate the catch in the close reef. The larger sweetlip prefer prawns and squid.
They will run straight back to a structure once you have them on the line, so use at least a 30 pound leader and a tight drag.
Fish are on all the artificial reefs in the bay and around the bay islands. Harry Atkinson, West Peel, South Stradbroke Artificial Reefs have been the pick of the spots.
The Brisbane River has mulloway and threadfin salmon. The discoloured water will increase their activity.
Prawns are also around in the Brisbane River, so live prawns and herring are the picks of the baits. Fishermen should fish at night and the early hours before dawn.
Plenty of sand crabs are out and about and judging by the number of crab pots I have seen, they must be plentiful. I heard of reports about the start of the banana prawns' run. Jacobs Well, the mouth of the Logan River, Pine River, the areas around the bay islands are popular spots to cast a net for prawns.
The freshwater fishing has been slow, with plenty of water running into the dams. Tai Bui did a bit better catching five bass, and four yellow bellies from one of the impoundments.
If you have fishing news get in touch with Michael at desdavidmichael@gmail.com
