Written by Andrew Chorley
February is here already and as we move closer to Autumn we will start seeing some changes on the fishing front. February 1 marks opening of the Barramundi season and barras will be on the agenda for many. The Burrum will be a local hotspot this season along with the Mary River.
Burrum
Out at the Burrum River, barra and jacks will be the main targets for many with grunter also a worthy target species around the mouth. Casting hard bodied lures among the snags and rock bars has been working the best on the jacks and big plastics will be the go to on the barramundi.
Point Vernon
Around the Point Vernon local reefs, blackall, coral trout, sweetlip, and grunter have been responding well to soft plastics rigged light and worked through the reef. Fresh hardy heads and pilchards have also taken a few fish. Around the fairway, a few trevally, queenfish, and longtail tuna have been reported smashing live baits and soft plastics.
Southern Gutters
For those who ventured out wide towards the southern gutters and beyond reported the usual sweetlip, parrot, coral trout, hussar, cod and a few red Emperor. The spotties are most likely on their way out of the bay now with good numbers being reported further down the coast as they migrate south.
Platypus Bay
In Platypus Bay school size longtail tuna around 7-10 kg have started to show with more numbers of fish yet to show up over the next month creating some great sport fishing. Trevally, spanish mackerel and cobia can also be found down deeper in the water column, these schools of fish can move around a lot, keeping an eye on the sounder at all times and jigging metal jigs, soft vibes and soft plastics will see a few fish come over the side.
Urangan Pier
The guys at Anglers Den have reported golden trevally, queenfish, GT’s, flathead and whiting coming from the Urangan Pier with a few nice whiting also coming from the beaches.
The inshore reefs from the outer banks to the channel hole have produced some nice sweetlip, blackall, cod and coral trout over the new moon tides, these areas should continue to fish well over the coming months.
River Heads
Around River Heads a few barra, threadfin and blue salmon have been reported with most fish being taken on live baits fished around the creek mouths, drains and rock bars.
