7th January 2021
The school mackerel just keep on keeping on, the whitebait has moved back closer in and looks like the schools of schoolies have followed, between the huybers light to the trench before the hope banks has been a good spot for them as well as the area east from the wellington point leads in 25 to 35 ft depth a little closer with the full tide in the last week, plenty of mackerel as well in the Rous channel at the entrance of the maroon gutter.
Whiting fishing is going well with the southern side of the chain banks all the way through to the Rous especially on the maroon side of the channel. Some very large fish around the last green in the Rous before the dogleg.
The season for tiger squid has started very well and judging by the amount of small ones around its going to be a bumper season again the shallow grounds around the weed banks is holding plenty and even some very large arrows.
As soon as the weather calms and we get a few glassy days it will be time to see what’s happening with the spotties ,managed a couple the other day trolling for schoolies near the naval banks ,but saw no surface action at all but were full of whitebait same as the schoolies.
Some nice squire around the bay islands but most days the wind against the tide makes it hard to fish, but we will get the right conditions sooner or later. For anyone like me that loves baitfish this is the time to start looking for them at night behind the boat, plenty in horseshoe bay in the last couple of weeks, so yummy to eat.
16th January 2021
Great past week for the schoolies with them turning up in close and out from the huybers light front of the leads at wellington point out to the start of the hope banks as well with plenty of good size fish, smith jigs and all the 3 inch spoons are working well as is the Halco Kimberly spoon. The spotties are in but hard to find they are not in the thousands as they should be so I don’t know what’s going on.
The whiting are thick from the start of the chain banks all the way through the channel up to and in the Rous channel and the good news the tiger squid are now in good numbers in the weed banks but not many at all at Green Island yet.
January 26th 2021
Happy Australia Day to all.
fishing has been fantastic after all the winds and storms and rain,anything you would wish for in the bay is there,the whiting are in the small boat channel entrance at the chain banks but more on the southern side on the shallower water and much better when there is good tide run,worms and squid strips are working well but i decided to try bacon rind for many years and finally did and it works a treat good back up to all other whiting baits.
school mackerel have come on with a bang in the rous, been there for a few weeks but the last week they have even been feeding on the surface thanks to the bonito balling up the bait there were plenty of boats catching them and it was fun to see couples on their jet skis catching plenty anthony and christina had lots of smiles on their faces.not huge fish but all just over 50 cm with a few 70 plus mixed in and plenty of big bull sharks following a couple of 10 ft so don’t go for a swim where the bait is,i was very concerned as i was netting (butterfly net ) some bluebait froggies out of the balls of bait that were hiding next to the old boat did not want to fall in with the sharks swimming around,very yummy eating.
spotties are around but all i find is very small schools and the bait balls are also small in the southern bay between st helena and spoiled grounds , lucinda bay area might be worth a look as there is tons of bait and lots of bonito.
some nice squire at green island and the Lazaret at peel and artificial reef is good on the quieter days but lots of boats in the last week or two but enough fish for a feed.
the tiger squid have come on mass especially the rous channel maroon banks and gutter and amity banks even chain banks on the southern weed banks have plenty not many at green island yet and the ones that are there are small. plenty of whitebait on the western side of green island at night but you have to be patient as you wait for the pike and other to ball them up and plenty of arrow squid as well,so enjoy this great fishing weather
Febuary 3rd 2021
I thought i would update all re the hope bank beacon getting a weather station on .BOM are finalizing agreements with marine safety Queensland to install the gear on the hope bank beacon ,BOM equipment is ready to go so as soon as all agreements are reached Bom will be ready to go and Dr Andrew Johnson ceo BOM still believes mid to late march this is fantastic news and i for one am pretty excited.Dr Andrew also mentioned that the equipment that was on spitfire channel is now on NW10 beacon work was completed Feb 24 and should be available soon on the BOM website.again i want to thank Dr Andrew Johnson for all his effort i think this is great for the bay. so write to as many people as you can if you want to try and see something done sooner or later you find someone who understands and wants to help..
February 8th 2021
A few on and off days of high winds but the winds eased and the fishing was back on,tiger squid are plentiful a;; through the bay i would say in any weed bank and clean water from the western side of both big islands all the banks in between and green island is also firing well more to the north of the island rather then the south,only problem on the week end was the damn sea toads smashing my expensive squid jigs,not happy at all i cant believe they actually bite through the body,lots of arrows at night under the lights at the Lazaret and green island.
the school mackerel were in big numbers throughout but lots in the peel area in front and east of the Lazaret gutter and a few big spotties with them on the bottom the bonito are going wild all over the bay but the spoties north are in small numbers and not large schools at all but a good slug will get you a long tail tuna which are mixed in with the bonito.
squire and sweetlip are all biting well in the shallow reefs but a few bull sharks are taking plenty of hooks. the whiting are plentiful at the chain banks but the big buggers were at the amity banks on the week end,so plenty of fish around a few days of wind and come friday it looks ok again.
February 14th 2021
A couple of days was enough to get out for a fish and the day was made when a couple of mates joined up for the 3 species plentiful in the bay this time of year,school mackerel ,whiting large and normal size depending where you go and of course tiger squid and at night arrow squid and even a couple of small cuttlefish starting to show up.
the schoolies are throughout the bay but are concentrating around peel island south east and the north of the island and a few big spotties lurking with them as well ,the whiting normal size are thick in the small boat channel on the southern side of the chain banks but the 30cm plus size are on the amity banks but it seems an hour after the start of the outgoing tide and in the sandy areas, and the tiger squid are now throughout the area as well ,so plenty for all to catch and take home a feed and the kids and (adults ) have lots of fun squidding. weather looks a little ordinary for a week so maintance and a few more colour squid jigs are in order ,i found red working better then anything in the last week .
February 21st 2021
Great few days on the bay with the weather not the greatest but still plenty of fish around,the school mackerel big and small have moved throughout the bay again from close in wide of the hyubers to the trench at the start of hope banks the two greens at the western side of amity banks and plenty on the eastern side of the Lazaret at peel island.
the tiger squid are plentiful in the weed banks and plenty of small and large arrows at night in the light behind the boat and the good news plenty of whitebait as well.lightly flour and pan fry in a little olive oil one of the best tastes ever.
plenty of whiting and depending what size you want amity banks and the maroon gutter has plenty of 30cm ones and the chain banks and small boat channel have plenty of smaller fish they all taste the same to me. plenty of 35 to 40 cm squire in the Lazaret but plenty of sharks as well
Febuary 28th 2021
Cant believe its the last day of summer its funny it seems hotter this last week then any days we had during summer, the good news fishing has been very good with lots of our Moreton bay treats in plentiful supply.
whiting are all through the small boat channel and the size has changed to good 30 cm ones on the southern bank from the chain banks /small boat channel plenty also along the maroon edge all the way to the rous entrance and the maroon gutter has plenty as does the amity banks. the two yellows at the sandhills had plenty as well as did the blue hole.
school mackerel are now throughout the bay and you can see why when you look at youre sounder and see the amount of bait throughout, been getting them from close in at green island and king east to the hope banks and the gutter before the chain banks all the way past the two greens at amity banks and the basin at peel island but more on the Lazaret gutter side .
the squire and sweetlip are in good numbers managed plenty at peel the tiger squid are now in plentiful supply all through the banks from the chain bank weeds all through the rous and amity banks only problem amity bank side the big horrible sea toads are smashing the squid jigs and i mean to pieces .i found red colours were working the best so plenty for our dinner table
March 9th 2021
A few nice days on the bay with some glassy conditions and the fishing was not disappointing,the school mackerel are now throughout the bay with plenty of small ones as well which should make it a very good late autumn and winter season and it was good to see a few nearly a mt long spotties still in the bay .the are from the hyubers to the surrounds of the hope banks to peel is literally full of bait with thousands of mac tuna and bonito and the mackerel in between .
the whiting are is big numbers and good size all through the small boat channel all the way to the rous so no reason not to get a feed but they are biting better with good run in the tide and in all the same areas the tiger squid are plentiful as well with some giant ones up tp 30 cm in body size some are full of eggs try and release them if you can you can see the underbelly if you turn them upside down the egg sack is to the back of there body. if you are out overnight plenty of small arrow squid in the bay i have been catching them with tiny micro squid jigs
squire and sweetlip was a little slow especially when there were lots of small sharks taking nearly every bait .
March14th 2021
A few storms and rain seems to have excited all the prawning fishermen so cant wait to see all the boats out netting a few,i have been told the area in front of the airport will be a hot spot over the next few weeks.
The school mackerel in the bay have spread from the king island /green island to around the hope banks depending on the tide flow lee side is always the place to try we had success past few days with the incoming on the southern side where there have been thousands of mac tuna and bonito smashing the bait but i am finding the mackerel are away from the feeding frenzy,
whiting are bigger and lots of in the small boat channel on the shallow bank to the south east and plenty of tiger squid in the deeper weed banks in the same area.
March 21st 2021
The rains have come and in between the howling windy days we have had some dead calm days and the fishing has been very good ,the whiting are as good as ever in the small boat channel rous channel especially on the maroon bank side and amity banks and maroon hole and the bonus is the tiger squid are every where in the same areas so a jig floating back of the boat is a good idea only problem at the amity banks the horrible sea toads are smashing the squid jigs especially red which happens to be working the best at the moment for the tiger squid.
the school mackerel have spread throughout the bay so a spoon out from the last leads at manly to between king and green to the hope banks past the naval bank to peel basin and over to the rous will pick you are a few schoolies i am finding at the moment spoons with a yellow or gold reflector working the best i tried the smith jigs white and chrome and kimberly spoons on some rainy and cloudy days which worked pretty well .
of you are after mack tuna or bonito they are in the thousands throughout the bay so a small small chrome slug and plenty of casts will finally get you one or two but some days you can cast a thousand times for 0 results.
April 11th 2021
Well finally the wet and windy weather stopped and time to get back on the water, colour of the water close in is terrible but big difference from friday to today where the green instead of brown is coming thru especially on the high water mark, the school mackerel are around managed a few in the cleaner water south of the amity banks but the squid and whiting are the slowest they have been for this time of the year they seem to have left the chain bank area and headed further eas
t in to the bay if you got a feed you were doing well and the squid were very weary as well managed a feed .reef fish were in good numbers at the lazaret with some nice squire being caught ,the crabs are pretty thick at the moment but seem to be in the deeper fast running water and by all accounts plenty of prawns are being caught as well Nudgee seems to be producing some large ones at the moment.
April 16th 2021
The water is finally clearing a little but still very murky but clean enough for the schoolies to come a little closer eastern side of green island and in between green and the hyubers but not many the best was south eastern side of the hope banks especially with the cleaner water at high tide.
as mentioned the whiting have gone further into the rous channel all the way to maroon gutter and along the southern side of the rous but be careful going into the green zone easy to do as the whiting are in the shallower water and fisheries were out letting everyone know today.
squid are there but very skittish and you have to work hard to get them red and nkn yamashita and daiwa orange emeraldas worked the best 3.5. mt cotton reach fished ok with some nice size squire so all in all weather was good and so was the fishing. some good news the Hope bank beacon is now operating on the BOM site and we have accurate winds to plan our days by I am very grateful to Dr Andrew Johnson CEO of BOM for making this happen .
April 26th 2021
The water has cleared and the weather was perfect for the Anzac long week end and the fishing crabbing and prawning is really going well.
whiting have moved to the eastern side of the rous channel and maroon hole shallows and fisherman’s gutter and the quality is really good but you need run in the tide squid strips seem to be working better then anything else at the moment.
tiger squid in the same areas are ok but nowhere near as good as they should be one area that seem to be working well is fisherman’s gutter and the weed banks on the rous side before the entrance.
the school mackerel have come back in close with plenty of fish especially an hour and even slack water south of hope banks and the spoiled grounds where a pillie of the bottom seems to be catching plenty of schoolies ,we managed plenty in 35 ft depth straight out from wello leads on halco spoons with yellow or gold on them and I tried smith jigs white and chrome which worked very well ,interesting all the small fish have gone and all 55 cm to 65 seem the norm.
plenty of tuna on the surface this past week with some nice fish being caught from tangalooma all the way to peel island and plenty of bonito in the rous channel.
the prawns are thick down towards the southern bay island I have been told so if you can throw a cast net pretty sure you will see where they are as there are many many boats catching them.
crabs are in plentiful supply around the bay island and in the fast running deeper water .
squire and sweetlip are in good numbers around peel st helena and green islands and some nice fish were caught at harries artificial reef and the spoiled grounds just to the north ,mt cotton reach also produced some nice fish last few days.
so all in all it has been a good week of fishing and good to remember our diggers that sacrificed their lives so we have our freedom to do what we love doing ,always remember them.
May 5th 2021
The weather finally cleared and of we went to see where the fish had migrated to ,and luckily we have records over the last 40 plus years where they are ,the school mackerel have come in a little closer but not too close wide of the wello leeds in 35 ft depth around the northern side of the chain banks n/e of harrys artificial and plenty at shark spit and in front of the sandhills plus I would float out a pillie or tow a spoon in the rous channel as well.
the whiting are very large in the maroon gutter and even at the entrance of the floating red in the rous channel and still lots in fishermans gutter also the yellow on the eastern side of the chain banks in the small boat channel tiger squid in the same area but a little skittish.
goos size squire at green,peel st helena mud and mt cotton reach in the rous and some nice ones caught at cowan reef as well. so plenty out there when the weather permits.
May 11th 2021
What a week on the bay after all the rain and winds and the fishing was as good as ever.the whiting have moved east to Fishermans gutter and the Maroon hole and gutter and Amity banks but you need to have run in the tide .
The school mackerel have moved closer from the green island and hyubers light all the way to Hope banks and south in front of wellington point leads in about 30 ft depth the rous channel has plenty as does the spoiled grounds north east of harries and shark spit and lots caught floating pillies in the last few days .
The tiger squid still going strong with plenty on all the areas where whiting are,and the squire /snapper season starting very well with some nice fish being caught around the bay island green produced some nice fish this week.
May 18th 2021
Great fishing week on the bay with lots of good fish, whiting are plentiful in fishermans gutter but the huge ones are in maroon gutter and amity banks.
The school mackerel seemed to have grown a few inches in the last week and the cold snap has brought on the big fish from south of the hope banks to the rous channel and the greens beacons and around in the peel basin once you find them they are taking pillies.
The snapper and squire are now in the bay and some monsters are being caught from 50cm to 80 cm I managed a few fishing green island but plenty about.
The cuttlefish have turned up so anywhere from ormiston to st helena 25 to 30 ft depth is where you should be looking for them. Had a reader approach me in the rous last week with a hook thru his finger and luckily I have always carried a proper pair of parrot beak cutters as I have found over the years side cutters are no good for strong steel and stainless hooks so if you are looking for a pair water tower have got a few in I think a great investment for yourself or someone else you can help
May 27th 2021
One great day on the bay this past week Wednesday and it was like xmas came all at once with hundreds and hundreds of boats out on the bay and the fishing did not disappoint with plenty for all but you had to be patient, with whiting in the thousands but coming on the bite in there own time half way thru the run out tide and school mackerel the same better on the last of the outgoing and the squire and snapper start of the incoming the only thing that was on all day were the cuttlefish(messy buggers) but taste great.
The whiting were in the fishermans gutter but only sections areas where you get one or two and then areas where fishermans were getting 2 at a time and bagging out in an hour, and the same with school mackerel over the same ground for not a hit and then on for young and old, my advise for all of the moreton bay fishing is stick it out in an area if yoy know where the fish are they don’t leave the bay it all comes down to time and tide.
Squire and snapper are in good supply and some monsters being caught top of cape moreton but in close there are plenty around the bay island drop offs, and the cuttlefish have come into the bay in large numbers a few arrows with them so I am hoping we see more and more of them probably my favorite squid to eat.red jigs working the best at the moment.
couple of shots of Seb and George H catches.
June 4th 2021
Managed a few days out, forcasts were hit and miss with predicted winds not arriving so did not take any chances till was dead calm and it was like glass .
The school mackerel have been in good numbers from close in between green and hyubers all the way to the greens at amity banks going towards peel and the mt cotton reach also has plenty on spoons but better on floating pillies especially either side of the tide.
The whiting were nearly gone out of fishermans but still plenty in the rous channel maroon side and some really big buggers in the shallows east of maroon hole and amity banks.
Tiger squid are slowing up a little but the cuttlefish have come into the bay in the thousands 18 to 24 foot mark east of ormiston all the way to green. please take only what you need i heard of 90 plus being taken which seems a little over the top .not many arrow squid yet but i don’t think it will be long.
Did not get much chance to fish for squire but picked one nice one and a lovely big tailor while sitting east of green enjoying lunch. fresh squire roll the whiting master enjoyed it lets hope we have many more good days out.
June 10th 2021
Well winter hit with a bang bloody freezing early mornings on the water but after the sun and winds eased some nice days.looks like a good week end of weather coming up as is next week.
The school mackerel especially the big ones have gone very quiet with lots of babies at the moment all the way from the end of the leads at manly thru king and green islands and all thruout the bay ,some tailor as well but most in the 25 cm range and the bonito are thick towards peel island and in the basin between lazarete and amity banks.
The cuttlefish and arrow squid are in good numbers around the ormiston to green island drop off .
the squire/snapper are in full swing with some nice fish being caught at the spoiled ground north of harries and the bay islands drop offs the end of the going out tide has been working well just floating out baits.
the whiting should start moving west soon towards chain banks but in the meantime the rous channel and maroon gutter and amity banks is the place to get a few.
July 6th 2021
Firstly thank you I had lots of first time and not first timers cuttlefish fisherman send thru some nice feedback re the article in the magazine even from folks who are going to try for the first time ,great to hear, and it’s has been and is a great time to try for them at the moment lots around from ormiston to green island from 18 to 30 ft depth and with the south westerlies in the mornings with an outgoing tide make perfect drifting conditions ,I have been finding the yamashita nkn and rol working best in overcast conditions and the daiwa emeraldas nudes and masuta red working best in bright sunny days.
been reading of folks catching 50 to 100 I really don’t get it what you would do with that many I would suggest enough to eat and a few for bait if that’s you’re wish is, sufficient but only my opinion. so have fun and if you get inked it means you are catching them have fun.
Some magic days on the bay between the horrible westerlys and again tragic news of another person drowing so close in the bay,if you have a small boat pls be careful with the south west and north west winds and especially mouth of the brisbane river wind against tide makes the waves stand and becomes trecherous.maybe life jackets for small craft or signage at boat ramps might be worth a thought ,my thoughts are with the family.
the fishing is good if you are chasing whiting squire /snapper and squid and cuttlefish but the school mackerel have gone quiet close in ,I think shark spit and the sandhills,rainbow channel and the basin at peel is where they will be showing up going by past years over the next few weeks with plenty of just under size ones but will not take long to grow.
Plenty of nice squire /snapper in the shallow reefs and harrys,spoiled grounds ,mt cotton reach and mud island and cowan reef but closer to home green island and wello drop off is holding some nice fish.
the whiting are in the rous channel and should be moving west to chain banks soon but in the rous they are in the 20 ft depth mark which is not common but my old friend bob caves always told me deeper water when water is cold , thank heavens I remembered .
the cuttlefish are going strong and the arrows are showing up in the same area ormiston to st helena 20 to 30 ft depth and there are some large tigers chasing the whiting as you bring them up in the rous worth having a jig at the back.
a little bit of rain and wind in the forecast over the next week but it won’t be long before some beautiful sunrises sunsets and calm days.
July 7th 2021 The biggest pleasure for me these days is seeing kids have fun on the boat and have been getting some great feedback from the cuttlefish and arrow squid article ,from long time readers taking the kids out to give it a try and being successful ,so don’t waste time winter is when they are in the bay. Kelvin and his dad took the boys out Liam and George
JULY 11th 2021
A few good days in the bay with the cuttlefish and whiting being caught and again great to see dads and the kids out having fun some of these children I have been watching grow up thru this site so it is always great to be sent photos, our future generation of fishing folks. and the smiles on their faces is what matters. Angus took the boys out for a whiting fish at the small boat channel and Johny and Henry and they caught a lovely feed and Milance took the boys Nico and Dominic for a cuttlefish and arrow squid session and it looks like they caught plenty and no ink on their faces, pretty good I think
July 20th 2021
It’s been very cold in the morning not much fun but when the fish are about you just have to brave the cold, The school mackerel are out for the count just not feeding at the moment might have to wait for another week or so in the past they have shown up in big numbers in the rous and small boat channel as the whiting are making their way back in towards the chain banks , the other area will be the basin between peel and amity banks another are the school mackerel should start showing up at and the broad mackerel hopefully will make an appearance .
the whiting on the other hand are in good numbers and quality but the run in the tide is essential you can drift over the same spot and get 1 or 2 fish and as the tide start running you can catch 30 in the same drift, all thru the small boat passage on the maroon side all the way to the rous an the maroon gutter banks (legal side) and gutter had plenty as well with a few big tiger squid lurking around.
The arrow and cuttlefish are still in good numbers in the 20 to 35 ft marks of the bottom so plenty to keep us occupied waiting for the snapper season to restart in august and the mackerel to start feeding again.
July 28th 2021
Its warming up a little and the whiting are moving further west back towards the chain banks but plenty of pockets of them on the maroon side of the small boat passage and around in the maroon gutter with a few tiger squid still hanging around, the cuttlefish and arrows are still around but better in the far southern bay and not as many in the wello and green island areas but still enough for a lovely meal. Its the longest time that I can remember for the schoolies to be off the bite and I am expecting them to come on with a bang but at the moment they are nowhere close in to be found.
August 1st 2021
Some dead calm days in the bay even when predictions were 20 plus knots so we missed a few days but we need to listen to the forecasts ,yes it annoying but that’s life safety first.
The mackerel have really gone dead in the bay but for whatever reason all the small ones that are normally in plague numbers in the bay have moved down into the southern islands and estuaries, the only thing I can put it down to is hard to see any bait anywhere at the moment.
Lucky for us plenty of whiting in the small boat channel and the rous channel and plenty around on the banks on the north and south the brisbane river, you need to wait for the run in the tide as they are very quiet on the slack water and with these smaller tides the window for all the action is shorter .and don’t forget to take out the whiting roe very nice to eat.
Plenty of nice arrows and cuttlefish around especially if you only want a couple of feeds they are in deeper water then early in the season yesterday 30 to 35 ft mark was the go, I am finding the nkn and rol in the yamashita colours and 3.5 working the best at the moment.
So yard work and spit and polishing the fishing gear for next 3 days which looks perfect with predicted forecasts ,so hopefully if no extensions end of the week looking pretty good.
August 8th 2021
Well if this was not the easiest way to have a fish closure in the bay ,good old covid and lockdown nearly got us thru the total snapper closure and it also would have helped the whiting ,cuttlefish and arrows and every other species in the bay, and by the time it’s over the school mackerel might have grown a little and found their way back into the bay from there holidays in the estuaries ,I found it easier for the brain just accepting we could not go fishing then trying to work out a way around it or why why why. so let’s all hope today brings a small relief and the whales start to come into the bay to have a rest which will bring a smile to our faces ..hopefully a fishing update in the following week. Keep safe till then.
August 15th 2021
What a week end if you are a school mackerel /whiting/squid or cuttlefish fisherman and you missed out on a feed something is wrong, the mackerel were thick on the western side of strabroke from onemile to amity and the rous was jumping with mackerel and whiting and even a few tailor thrown in jigging on chrome slugs, floating pillies or diving boards with spoons they took everything and it was great to see them come back in great numbers, and the whiting are very large fish as well and plenty about ,the cuttlefish and arrows were also in good numbers and the weather was the best 3 or 4 days we have had this year and snapper season open in a few days, and hopefully the whales arrive as well can’t beat moreton bay..and especially when you can get some whitebait at night.
August 22nd 2021
What a few days of great weather on the bay with thousands of boats out and the overnight anchorages were like queen st before covid.
The fishing was good with all our favorites in the bay but with that many boats around hard to find a good quite spot but still managed some nice fish, whiting have slowed in the small boat channel but then when there were thousands of school mackerel eating them I would hide as well and the school mackerel are not in the big numbers they were in the rous and rainbow but still enough for a feed ,lots of small ones on the western side of the bay but some big buggers mixed in. I found big pillies was the way to get the bigger ones.
the squire and snapper were again in good numbers and all the know spots fished well harries, mt cotton reach and peel and green were excellent.
so as long as the weather holds the fishing will only improve.
got sent in some beautiful shots of young Annika 5 and Alex 2 fishing with their dad Ben and I have to say it puts a huge smile on my face seeing the young ones fishing. and on the week end Rio and brother Luiz with dad Diego and his friend had lots of fun catching and releasing small schoolies
August 29th 2021
Some good days on the bay went out on Friday I was 68 came in on Sunday I was 69 but it was great to be on the bay catching fish on my birthday what else would a fisherman want? lots of fun with my mate for a day he enjoys his fishing.
The schoolies are back in closer to the western side between green island and ormiston from close in along the drop off to wider out sometimes you need to spend the time to find the bigger fish as there are lots of small ones around.
They are happy to take smiths jigs in white pink and chrome and that’s what I have been using at the moment. also anchoring up floating out some pillies worked a treat if you did not feel like going around in circles.
The squire and snapper are on the close in reefs and the squid and cuttlefish still around the same areas.
Lots of whiting and arrow squid at the sandhills but the better quality fish are in the small boat passage.so all in all plenty of fish around.
September 3rd 2021
Fishing and the weather have been really food for the start of spring with big school mackerel moving in to the western side of the bay with plenty of fish being caught from the gap between st helena and green all the way to Ormiston so if you put in the time you will find them lots around on Wednesday but Thursday with lots of weed around it made it hard ,I went out and tried a few different colour and size lures and I found the smith jigs and the kimberly school very good as were our halco favourites the all chrome and the chrome with gold or yellow, so catch and release was fun. I would think in the next few weeks the basin between the lazarete and amity banks should be a place they will show up.
arrow squid and cuttlefish are still showing up but not as plentiful as they were a few weeks back but plenty for a feed
Whiting are in big numbers at the sandhills but the rous has some nice quality and there are still a few mackerel taking them as you bring them in.
The best news for me was yesterday when I saw a humpback and baby just east of green island and I had a heart stopping moment when I pulled up admiring them and mum decided to turn and come straight for the boat ,I waited for the bump but she just casually dived under the front of the boat and went with bubs on her way it was great to see, so if you are taking the family out keep an eye out for the humpbacks the feeling of seeing them is unbelievable.
September 12 2021
The school mackerel are putting lots of smiles on people’s faces and I have to say thank you to all who have sent thru photos and nice comments ,for those still having problems worth reading the school mackerel feature in fishing monthly that I did ages ago as lots are having problems with how far back to troll and the other problem I see all the time is swivels on the spoons.
The schoolies are in close and are on the bite most of the day but at certain time around the bottom of the low and top of the tide are some days better, I have been finding the kimberly spoons and the halco smith jigs really good and spoons with a flash of gold or yellow working best, had lots of fun anchoring up and floating pillies at ormiston this week they fight so much harder.
the arrow squid and cuttlefish were in much better numbers this week and interesting some different colours worked a treat. whiting were in good numbers in the small boat channel especially with good run in the tide, and some nice squire caught in the shallow water around the drop off at wellington point and Ormiston, peel was very quiet with lots of those horrible sea toads.
September 20th 2021
Been some great weather and very good fishing over the last few weeks with plenty of very good size school mackerel in close from the eastern side of green island all the way to the eastern side of st helena all in the 23 foot mark just a matter of where they are sitting on any given day, I have been catching most of the bigger fish with chrome and white smith jigs but one day they were not touching them so chrome and gold did the trick.
The whiting are in good numbers but if there is no run in the tide nothing doing, the squire and sweetlip are a nice size at the moment on the drop of around green and wellington point, Mud produced some nice fish this week st helena was no good with lots of those horrible sea toads, and after the whale siting last week does not seem any more have come in close, hopefully next couple of weeks should get better.
water tower have got some new boards in and are working really well worth a look at , have been using the baby ones and are working a treat.
September 27th 2021
Some great days on the bay even if the wind forecasts were completely out of whack with what was happening out in the bay, this is the worrying part people stop believing what bom and other sites predict and get caught out when they do get it right, remember better to miss a day fishing then get you and the family in deep doodoo.
The school mackerel were hit and miss close in with better results as the water became cleaner with the incoming tide the water was very dirty with the last few hours of the outgoing due to big tides and strong winds, as the tides decrease and the wind eases they will be easier to find and catch. It also seems they are starting to move north and east of the close in areas they have been with a few being caught eastern side of st helena and mud island which means the shipping channels and the markers will start producing more fish, as will the hope banks and sandhills shark spit and peel island ,a few were also caught in the rainbow .
week ahead does not look to good but might be able to get out for a few hours in the morning for a squire /snapper fish with the last of outgoing tides.
Still a few arrow and cuttlefish around.
October 4th 2021
Not a bad week on the water school mackerel were pretty thick close in till the rain and storms which made the water very dirty best time seemed last hour of the rising tide with hundreds of very small fish but some nice big ones mixed in, my thoughts are the bigger ones will be moving out towards peel and the hope bank areas and going for a troll out wide managed two big fish but two flippers decided it was easy lunch.
The other area worth looking is the north west side of mud island towards the shipping channels this time of year as well as shark spit and the sandhills.
Whiting were ok in the small boat channel but they will be moving closer in to south of the chain banks as well in the coming weeks the fish caught were 30 cm so very good quality .
At least the last week of school holidays and the long week end weather was pretty good wind did get up early on Sunday.
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October 15th 2021
Well the weather finally went to poopoo with predictions of Armageddon thank heavens it was the typical qld storms and finally plenty of rain, but the fishing before the event was pretty good, we went out to catch a few whiting in the small boat channel between chain banks and maroon banks and plenty of fish with the big incoming tides and plenty also in the blue hole at Moreton so family was happy with fresh whiting tempura fillets, a few small mackerel still around in close but the water with the big tides and winds really churned it up so we will wait a little and look a little further out.
Also a few nice squire and sweetlip around the close in bay islands mud and green worked well with the last of the outgoing tide. Crabs are in plentiful supply in close and gee they taste good ,the week ahead looks like we can get back out for a fish.
October 20th 2021
The storms and rain put a stop to the fishing for a few days managed to get out to try the new boards water tower got in from France and they work a treat very close to the old yamashita boards with good action so we don’t need to keep trying to find Yamashita ,the orange copies of the yuzuri work as well but I do like the action of the white boards .
Lots of small mackerel in close with the big incoming tides and it’s when the water is at its best managed a nice one for lunch and had a few come around the boat on pillies . Whiting are in good numbers in the small boat channel this morning all the way thru to the rous but with southerly at 14 knots and incoming tide was not much fun.
October 28 2021
Had a few good days out in the bay looking for the schoolies after the rains and strong winds and the water looking not to clear, the small ones are still around close in but all the bigger fish have moved further out towards amity banks on the south western side of the hope banks my friend and I had lots of fun especially in the morning when it was dead calm.
The whiting are in good numbers in the small boat channel but smaller fish but anu size fillets taste the same the bigger fish seem to be further into the rous, caught the smallest snapper I have ever seen the whiting hook was bigger but good to see these babies in the bay.
hope you all back a winner in the cup I am sticking with the chosen one and watching the races as the forecast does not look to good for the next few days.
November 11 2021
A day to remember.The storms rain and winds has made it a hit and miss last couple of weeks but managed a trip out for some whiting after we got the boat back from getting a new coat of paint and antifoul, and it was great to get out, crabs must be thick as there are lots of pots all over the place.we went straight to the chain banks and the whiting were waiting for us plenty for all all the way to the rous entrance into the small boat channel and nice size fish.the mackerel were hard to find but with these big tides they do stay down some small ones around and the bonus was a couple of big tailor trolling on the drop off west of chain bank green, looks like more rain storms and wind forecast for the week and week end next week is looking nice at the moment.
November 16th 2021
Some horrible days mixed in with some glorious ones today was a good one plenty of boats catching plenty of whiting with a really good run in the tide and quality in the small boat channel was very good.
some nice squire on the way home with the last of the outgoing tide northerly came up which did not help but 4 nice fish was all we needed.
school mackerel are down for the count with big tides dirty water till it settles down sandhills and shark spit and peel basin rainbow channel and the start of the rous at the dogleg is where I would be looking for them.
December 5th 2021
Well the weather did really keep us off the water but Saturday at least till we ran home in the evening when we saw what was heading our way and the overnight stay was quickly cancelled .it was great to be out on the day with ,dead calm conditions plenty of big whiting in the small boat passage southern side of chain banks and all the way thru to the rous, and was so glad to see the big tiger squid arrive as well, my wife snagged a couple of monsters, good timing seeing we had just published an article in the magazine on tiger squid in the bay in december.one other thing the 30 second mould cleaner from bunnings completely gets rid of squid ink stains on your cutting boards and boat, mine is an old wooden cruiser painted and it works fine and does not bother the paint but if your boat is fiberglass maybe a little trial spot somewhere first, just spray on to ink stains and they turn brown and gone wash of fwith salt or fresh water.
Looks like some ordinary weather conditions with big tides and rain again so the bay looks like staying brown close in for a while and the bull sharks are in big numbers, all we can do is wait for a good day.
December 12th 2021
A few nice days in between the storms and rain and massive tides and just as the bay was cleaning, back to chocolate. In close one thing is the whiting are loving it all the way from the chain banks and into the rous and some nice big fish in the maroon gutter, lots at the sandhills as well as the blue hole.
The good news is the tiger squid have turned up even with this dirty water ,meant to tell you a product on the market 30 second mould remover actually works a treat for removing ink stains from your boat and bait boards just spray on leave and was off amazing to see the ink vanish worth having a bottle on the boat especially if you are catching squid ,the water temperature has nearly gotten to 76 which is the spotty mackerel water temp they like so need to start looking let’s hope it is a better season then the last few years.
I caught the smallest snapper I have ever seen while getting a few whiting the 1.0 red long shank hook was bigger, good to see these in the bay.
looks like a little wind for a few days and then some good fishing and crabbing as everyone crabbing tells me it’s a great season so far.
December 17th 2021
Weather has improved out of site and the water is clearing enough to get those schoolies back in close and the amount of baitfish in the bay combined with the water temperature nearly at the 76 degree mark that the spottys tend to show up is looking promising, the only thing missing are the mutton birds blubber jelly fish and the big brown (giant ) jelly fish,lets hope it all happens over the next few weeks but a good idea to keep an eye out from now on for turns in a feeding frenzy and the water bubbling from tuna or spotties smashing the baitballs.
only managed a day out for some whiting and squid this week and not disappointed plenty of very good quality whiting and tiger squid as the water clears with the full tides on the weed bank in the small boat passage and all the way to the rous channel, interesting was the amount of small arrows on the very shallow water on the chain banks unexpected but great for a morning tea on the boat.
Predictions are for great weather so enjoy the boating and the fishing.
December 23rd 2021
First let me wish everyone a merry xmas and a happy and healthy new year, the fishing was great so hope 2022 is as good .
The water has gone back to mud close in and with the big tides its worse than when we had all that rain, thank heavens the whiting love it and the tiger squid are even finding their way into the bay, we even managed some schoolies with the last of the run in tide on the north eatern side of the hope banks ,there seem to be pockets of clean water so worth some effort to get a few.
water temp is slowly edging to 76 so lets hope we see a few spotties in the bay the bonito are starting to show so let’s hope.
plenty of sharks and catfish at green and mud so squire and snapper fishing will have to wait for a while.
safe fishing and boating to all.
December 30th 2021
Well the year is at an end and the weather has not been kind at all for fisherman in the last week with 20 plus knot winds everyday so lots of close in crabbing and fishing in the creeks out of the winds, and the crabbing has been very good, I have been told the prawning should be very good as well with all this rain .
Managed one day out to catch a few whiting and only for a couple of hours plenty of them in the small boat channel.
The best news I heard this week was there were plenty of spotties up north so let’s hope they come into the bay in big numbers this year I think after this week or two depending what the low does will be a good time to start looking for them.
the other good thing this time of year is the whitebait/bluebait that we can net up at the back of the boat at night. To all have a happy new year and keep safe out on the water and good fishing in 2022.
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