Issue 114 Fishing Report

Hi, this is Danny and Michelle from Island Fishing Supplies, Banksia Beach and Bellara! 

We have had an unfortunate run of bad weather from February through to the end of March. Aside from this, people have been able to get out on the water and catch fish and crabs. 

A few campers at Mission Point have been doing well, catching some nice mangrove jack on lightly weighted live baits, such as poddy mullet, garfish and herring.  

There has also been some very nice flathead caught in the same area on soft plastic lures using Rapala – Crushcity’s and 4-inch Zman Paddle Tail Swimmerz with a ¼ ounce jig head. Along with the flathead, there is plenty of grunter bream around as well. These seem to prefer the live bloodworms and there is also a chance of getting some nice whiting. 

Another great spot to try is through the stretch at Gallagher’s Gutter, where some nice grassy sweetlip have been caught on fresh squid, with the odd snapper getting caught there as well. 

The canals have been firing very well with large bream at night, prawns have been producing the biggest bream. Remembering that most fish are hiding under the pontoons. 

If you fancy a feed of delicious mud crabs, the upper reaches of all the creeks have seen some very good bucks caught. Also around Sandstone Point in the channel.  

Thorpy caught these mud crabs 

Up on Top 

The reasons for using surface or top water lures over other presentations are quite varied, but most anglers will use them when they can because when there is a strike on the surface from a fish, it’s very exciting. 

Top Water Surface Lures 

When to use surface lures 

Typically, the warmer months see most fish feeding on the surface higher in the water column. Along the coast, baitfish from the north follow the warm currents and feed on nutrients pushed to the surface from the deep. Inshore, prawns and other crustaceans start moving from creeks and estuaries into open waters. All this surface layer activity sees top water fishing fire up.  Success with surface lures largely rests on the angler being observant and responsive to the conditions. 

Shaun caught this nice black spot tusk fish off Woorim 

Where to use surface lures 

There are many situations where a surface presentation will work. When fishing in the salt, the key conditions instrumental to top water success are finding fish hatching around structure, coupled with the presence of baitfish or a food source and finally having some current or flow in the water. When everything comes together, you will find opportunistic predators patrolling, waiting to pick off an easy meal. Some proven top water grounds are shallow inshore reefs, rocky headlands, bridge pylons and marker buoys. These are likely areas where bottle inshore and estuary predators will be actively patrolling and feeding.   

Surface lures are worth putting the time and effort into learning how to use properly. Catching fish ‘on the top’ is really exhilarating stuff. 

Mitchell caught this nice mangrove jack out of the canals 

Enjoy your fishing and remember to catch only what you need! 

Danny and Michelle