Written by Andrew Chorley
After some good rains throughout the new year we are shaping up for a great March and Autumn period and a change of seasons. With the change of seasons we will see some great fishing with Autumn generally the pick of the seasons.
Burrum
The Burrum is starting to look really good after recent rains over the last few months, fishing has been consistent right through the system. If you after a few prawns try the Gregory River, also it will be certainly worth your while if you take a few crab pots. Barra have been taken on the rock bars and snags with a few jacks also about. Grunter, flathead, whiting and bream have made up the rest of the captures out there.
Wide Grounds
On the wide grounds the usual captures of scarlets,hussar,parrot,coral trout,sweetlip and parrot have come from areas like the southern gutters and further north around the African gutters. Live baits have been key to getting the coral trout . Spanish mackerel, yellow fin and longtail tuna can also be found out wide at present.
Platypus Bay
Platypus Bay again has been shark central; getting any fish past these pesky sharks has been difficult, looking closer to Urangan for fish has been a better option. Golden trevally, sweetlip, blackall and school mackerel have been reported from Platypus Bay.
Local Reefs
On the local reef scene big Giant Trevally have been in good numbers on some of the Artificial Reefs, these brutes have been great fun but are poor eating quality so catch and release is recommended. Other captures on local reefs have been sweetlip,blackall, golden trevally, coral trout and cod.
Sandy Straits
Down the straits whiting,flathead and grunter will be on many anglers target list this weekend. Basic techniques like pumping live yabbies is the key to success. If your fishing the deeper ledges try yabbies balls of 5 -10 yabbies for Blackall, golden trevally and even blue parrot. For lure anglers hitting the Mary targeting barra and salmon would be a great idea with early starts best to avoid boat traffic. Taking the crab pots should provide fruitful with both the creeks on the western side of the island and the Mary river system holding good mud crabs.
Urangan Pier
On the Urangan pier golden trevally, queenfish and tuna have been reported out the end with whiting, flathead and bream coming in on yabbies in the first channel.
