Written by Andrew Chorley
November is here and that means from November 1st, a closure on tidal waters for barramundi until February 1st will be in place. Please keep that in mind, as even targeting them to release can have impacts on future fish stocks, putting them under stress. The warmer weather will see pelagic action and inshore reefs fire. Many locals will be putting in their efforts there.
Burrum
Mangrove Jacks, big whiting and a few grunter have also been active in the upper Burrum System. Prawnstars, 4 inch z man swimmerz and killalure flatz rats have been effective on the jacks fished tight to structure. There has been some nice flathead on offer between the ramps at Burrum Heads on dusk and a few school mackerel out the front on Burrum 8mile.
Point Vernon and Local Beaches
Gatakers will be worth a look with the wind in the south east, coral trout, blackall, sweetlip, parrot and school mackerel are all reliable targets out there at present. Lightly weighted baits and soft plastics fished in the reef have been productive with early starts a must on the shallow reefs. Whiting have been very active over the full moon tides with some great specimens about, our local beaches have fished well particularly at night. The Urangan Pier, Pulgul flats and Eli flats have all produced catches. Live yabbies and blood worms have been effective, with the blood worms having that extra edge particularly in areas with larger tide flow.
Urangan Pier
Flathead are always a spring time favourite for anglers on the pier. Live baits are best with catches of mackerel , bream, golden trevally and longtail tuna also reported.
Platypus Bay
Mac and longtail tuna have really turned it on over the full moon period, schools can be found right through the bay with some great action being had in our local shipping channels. They are responding to a wide range of methods from soft plastics, metal slugs and thread busters to poppers and fly. Our first run of Spotted mackerel is also due any week now and are usually bigger fish early in the season so keep an eye out and have a spin rod handy.
Mary River
In the Mary river system with Barra now in closed season anglers have turned their attention to threadfin salmon with some nice quality fish about, the deeper holes have produced some big fish along with targeting the drains with live baits and lures. Flathead, grunter and whiting have also been reported. Further down the straits Grunter, diamond and juvenile giant trevally have been creating some fun in the creeks with small soft plastics getting the best results.
Catch of the month
