Written by Andrew Chorley
Wintertime on the Fraser Coast sees some of our best fishing of the year.
Some exciting news also is that from August 15, snapper is back on the agenda after a month-long closed season. Targeting snapper can be very rewarding and we have had a great season on the inshore grounds this year.
Burrum
The Burrum River has been producing some quality bream, along with some big yellow fin whiting. Night has been the best with live yabbies and worms doing the trick. The run on the bigger tides can be tricky with yabbies so take some worms with you for when the run is at its peak.
Out the front, grunter and snapper have been reported on the Burrum 8-Mile, with live baits working the best. Keep an eye out for mac tuna while traveling out of Burrum they make great baits and are also a ton of fun on light tackle.
We don’t seem to see the run of small chopper tailor like we use to but a quick troll out the front may produce a few along with school mackerel.
Wild Grounds
From the southern gutters beyond, Cobia, red emperor, scarlets, snapper, sweetlip, and cod are the main catches offshore at the moment. Coral trout also have been about along with trevally for some sport. Live and fresh baits are key particularly in August with some of the more tropical reef fish just that little harder to tempt.
Platypus Bay
The whales are now in the bay and care must be taken when travelling. Snapper, school mackerel, longtail tuna and mac tuna can be found throughout Platypus Bay. Snapper have been taking a range of baits, soft plastics and jigs. The moons are always the best time to target snapper so concentrating your efforts around that period will see best results.
Local Grounds
Snapper have been reported on grounds such as the outer banks, Fairway Marker, the artificial reef and the channel hole. A range of techniques has been working successfully with soft plastics a stand out. Sweetlip, blackall, cod and coral trout have also been reported.
Sandy Strait
In the Sandy Strait, bream is a go too for many anglers this time of year. Working the rock bars around River Heads, Big Woody Island, Round Island and the Picnic Islands can turn up some big spawning bream. Jew are also a great target in August with River Heads, the ledges along Fraser Island and deep holes in the Mary River producing. For whiting anglers, night tides have been best and for those putting the pots in muddies are still being reported in reasonable numbers.