THIS WEEK’S GOLD COAST AND TWEED ESTUARY FISHING REPORT
TWEED RIVER by Smithy
*Brad’s boat has had a late cancellation for this Sunday, message us asap to grab the opportunity with fish the peaceful Tweed river with him chasing mulloway, flathead and more on lures.
Well what a cold and windy period we have been through earlier in the week with the area getting some of the arctic blast in our Southern states.
The fishing and the conditions were very tough with wind as well as water temperature and barometer drops. The great news is that as from today and right through until next week the weather is looking fantastic with the water temperature and the barometer already starting to rise.
The wind made conditions very hard to do much deep water jigging earlier in the week so trolling a combination of deep and shallow running lures around the mid to upper reaches of the river was the way to go. Some flatties, bream and the odd whiting was caught on the troll with the majority of the fish favouring the shallow warmer stretches of the river.
Now that the weather has come good I will be able to mix it up with some deep water jigging for some jewies around the tide changes as there are good schools of baitfish showing on the sounder in the deep holes. Deep water jigging under these bait schools should also produce some flatties as well and hopefully some nice bream and the odd tailor.
I also intend to start doing some surface fishing for some bream and maybe a couple of early season whiting of the shallows.
I have noticed that the commercial crabbers have been doing well all week which was a surprise given the water temperature drop so it might be worth taking a pot with you and see if you can nail a nice mud while you are fishing.
GOLD COAST RIVERS by Clinto
A cold snap earlier in the week made it a challenge to find actively feeding fish early in the mornings.
Typical winter days warm up nicely here with light winds as the Westerlies drop. The fish have been coming on the bite as the week goes on, especially as the barometer rises again.
I’m finding a lot more bait fish are now present in the broadwater everywhere from the spit to Ephraim island, resulting in catches of big flounder, dusky flathead, bartail flathead, sand whiting, winter whiting, squire, tarwine, bream, grassy sweetlip, and a few squid.
Simply look for bait on the fish finder and drift with it, changing lure colours until you crack the code on the day.
The mid size tides have made it possible to fish the deeper areas, which helps when the water is clear. On the run out tide there has been some slightly discoloured water running along the inside of South Stradbroke island.
This helps predators such as flathead ambush their prey at close range, and it’s in these areas you’ll find nest of fish feeding, ideally with a water temperature of around 18 degrees.
Shannon came fishing on Wednesday along with Ryan, Cam, and Kadin, and what a lovely day weatherwise, with about 30 fish caught and loads of laughs.
If you’re keen on chasing Tarpon they’re still around, you’ll find then near the seaway and along the main channel running North.
I’ve left the Nerang river alone this week to give it a break as it has been slow, and taken advantage of the good weather to fish the broadwater. Week days have been very pleasant out there.
Best lures this week: Ecogear ZX40 in colours 415 and 440, Gulp Crabby in camo colours. Yabbies are catching plenty too.
We have some stock just arrived including some newly released Ecogear SX48 colours.
Newly released ultimate pro pack:
https://gold-coast-lures.myshopify.com/cart/29496275140706:1?channel=buy_button
Browse our facebook shop for go to lure packs and the River to Reef Gold Coast book:
https://m.facebook.com/bradsmithfishingcharters/shop
Till next week!
Cheers
Smithy & Clinto
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