LAST CHANCE TO TAKE YOUR SECRET DELIGHTS

THIS weekend is the last weekend for a while that you can chase spanner crabs.

In my opinion they are one of, if not the most, underrated species in Gold Coast waters.

Many chase the sand or mud crabs but few target the spanner crabs and I have no idea why, as they are not only beautiful to eat they are also prolific in numbers.

Frames are very cheap to purchase and by placing them in 50m of water in front of the Q1 you are almost guaranteed to get a good feed.

However from Monday through till midnight December 20 they are off limits as it is closed season.

Closed seasons have been introduced to replenish stocks to ensure sustainable fishing for future generations.

On the spot fines of $504 will be issued to anyone caught with a spanner crab during closed season. Here is the hot tip though: on the morning of December 21 get your frames in the water.

Switched on fisherman will be waiting and if it is anything like last year they will be rewarded with massive amounts of spanner crabs just in time for the Christmas dinner table.

Remember your bag limit though which is 20 person and the crabs need to be a minimum of 10cm across the back of the frame.

Roman scored a nice pan size squire in Moreton Bay this week. Try with soft plastics south of the pin. Mackenzie Riddle went fishing through the week in the seaway and caught this 66cm jewfish using a lure – there are plenty there at the moment. Once...

Get your pots in the water as there are heaps of sand crabs and big muddies around at the moment. Ben White caught this beauty through the week.