Written by Andrew Chorley
February 1st will see the opening of our saltwater barra season. It’s shaping up to be a good one. Best of luck to everyone targeting barra this month !
This time of year also see’s the pelagic action heat up with longtail tuna, mac tuna and queenfish harassing bait fish across the bay.
Burrum River
The mouth of the Burrum and the Gregory river have seen a few barra reported. Out the front the Burrum 8 mile has produced a few school mackerel and golden trevally.
Local Reefs
The shallow reefs have fished well but coral trout have been in good numbers with jigs, soft plastics and fresh baits getting results. When targeting trout the humble cod is often a bycatch. Cod have been fairly active also with fish to 8 kg reported in water less then 5 meters. Around the islands golden trevally and queenfish have been in the eddies and working the current lines.
Urangan Pier
Off the Pier big golden trevallies have been reported out the end with whiting and flathead in the first channel. The odd golden trevally has also been reported on live baits.
Platypus Bay
Up in Platypus Bay longtail tuna are slowly working their way into the bay. As we move into Autumn they will ramp up as they arrive for their annual migration south. Queenfish have also been reported working bait schools through the bay. Deeper in the water column golden trevally, painted sweetlip, grass sweetlip and scarlets have been reported but sharks are very bad. Move about regularly to avoid the sharks!
Sandy Strait
The creeks along Fraser’s west coast have fished well for salmon, grunter and a few barra of late. Fishing these creeks on the night tides has seen great results if you can stand the mosquitoes. On the edges mangrove jacks, grunter, sweetip and a few fingermark have been reported. In the Mary River system barra have been about with the deeper holes and rock bars holding fish. Working around the mouth should see some good catches over the coming weeks with all the bait hanging out the front. Salmon, barra, golden trevallie, grunter and more will be out and about on the hunt, working these areas with vibes. Harbodie lures and soft platics should see results.
