RAINS SEND FISH ON A SALT QUEST
AFTER the recent drenching we have copped on the Gold Coast it is worth heading to the Seaway and other river mouths as a lot of fish head downstream after rain where the salt levels are higher.
A sounder becomes a fisherman’s best friend after rain as it helps you find the deep holes in the rivers. If you find the holes you will find the fish.
The reason is the freshwater column sits on top of the saltwater and fish school up in the deep holes.
For those chasing mangrove jacks, remember although the water on top of the rivers is a dirty brown, down deeper in the saltwater it remains clearer but you’ll need to use deep diving lures to make sure your lure is swimming in the saltwater.
Mudcrabs come out in great numbers after the rain as it flushes all kinds of food into the river systems and they are in a feeding frenzy so get your pots in the water.
One species definitely worth targeting after a downpour like we have just experienced is the jewfish.
Big jewies will be in good numbers in the deep holes of the Seaway right now.
Try finding some live bait on the close reefs offshore and fish the incoming tide.
I like to keep my reel in free spool and let the jewfish take the bait and have a decent run before setting the hooks as they are easily spooked.
Prawns love the rain as it flushes out the rivers. It has been an awesome start to the prawn season and now it will only get better.
Try around Macleay and Lamb islands as well as the powerlines at Jacobs Well and the mouth of the Logan river.
Hundreds of boats are out chasing them at the moment so the best advice I can give you is go where the boats are and do exactly what they are doing exactly where they are doing it.
If you are lucky enough to find the spot offshore where the freshwater meets the salt, that is where you want to fish.
Huge volumes of fresh water is being pushed out to sea at moment and plenty of fish will be lurking along the colour change.
Even though it may not be very pleasant fishing in the rain, it is a small price to pay for what can be a very productive session.