PLANETS ALIGN FOR ANGLERS ON COAST
WHILE most Gold Coasters are excited about the Commonwealth Games there is a lot to be excited about for local fishermen as well.
We have just entered a new month and a period of transition for fishing. This is the month where we get the best of both worlds.
The summer target species are still here and the winter species start to come on the bite too.
Spanish and spotty mackerel are being caught on our closer reefs and while the numbers being caught might not be as prolific as a few months ago the quality is better with some big boppers landed just off the Southport Seaway over Easter.
Small black marlin are now in 80m of water in areas like Spot X and Deep Treg and should remain there for the next couple of weeks given the big bait schools currently there.
Big hauls of prawns are around Jacobs Well.
April is traditionally the month we see the prawns in big numbers but the season has already been sensational so I can only imagine it is going to get even better.
In the lead-up to the full moon we saw excellent whiting fishing with big fish taken at the council chambers and in the Broadwater.
This is the month we start to see bait fish move into the Broadwater and as a result the jewfish follow.
Big jewies have already been caught in the Seaway but the fishing should really start to improve.
Also chasing the bait will be tailor and small queenfish.
Chopper tailor will start to show up now in surf gutters and in the Seaway and if it is anything like last season we should be in for some great fun.
Using a small raider metal lure and a 20lb leader works well for me and I prefer a light rod as it adds to the fun.
Unfortunately the weather over Easter was awful so the reports of reef fishing have been scarce but with winter just around the corner we will start to see the water temp drop and snapper will come on the bite very soon.
To add to the smorgasbord of seafood on offer there are plenty of crabs around at the moment too. Mud cabs have slowed but sand crabs are around in big numbers in areas from Tipplers north and spanner crabs are worth trying for as well.
Put your frames in 50m of water directly in front of the Q1 and you should get a decent feed.