THIS WEEK’S FISHING TIPS AND REPORT
TIPS:
To successfully target mangrove jacks requires strong, good quality tackle. You might get lucky once in a while on light gear, but most of the time a good old fashioned smoking is the end result.
Trolling for mangrove jacks is far from easy, it is effective however. You’ll need baitcast reels that can handle their brute power, such as Shimano Curados and Quantum Smokes.
Rod in the 6-10 kg and 6 ft length will do the job coupled with the above reels, and quality braid no less than 30 lb breaking strength will be needed to stop the bigger models.
For live baiting for jacks, spinning reels up to 8000 size and leader up to and above 80lb are sometimes needed to land those 60cm and above fish. A nearly locked drag and some urgent pumping and winding just might prevent a violent and quick bust up. Be ready, they hit when you least expect it.
ESTUARY FISHING REPORT:
TWEED:
Brad has been having some good days catching whiting and bream on surface lures. His two favourites are the MMD splash prawns and Bassday Sugapens.
He has also been finding some bass, flathead, and trevally in the deeper sections of the upper Tweed river for his clients.
GOLD COAST:
Clint went searching the deeper water in the broadwater during the neap tides, finding some fresh ground around the 6-7m mark just South of Crab Island.
Regular guest Terry and his brother in law Jeff had a good day using Ecogear ZX40 blades, with 14 different species and more than 50 fish caught on the day. They kept a few for dinner and released heaps. The silver coloured ZX was a stand out.
Gregg and his family were visiting from Sydney and caught some nice Tuskfish, flathead, and whiting.
Other lures such as Zerek fishtraps and Berkley Gulp shrimps have also done the job for us this week.
The next few days features the lead up to new moon, a good time to be going for mangrove jacks. Just remember you need to be fishing close to structure to get a strike or two.
We will be very busy in January which ends up fully booked every year, so get in touch now to avoid missing out. We also have nice gift vouchers, there is still time to mail you one in time for Christmas Day.
Till next week legends!
Cheers
Smithy & Clinto
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