Mixed conditions throughout the region’s fishing hotspots means there is something for everyone wanting to throw in a line.
Bundaberg Offshore and Inshore
For the guys and girls wanting to head out this weekend I would definitely be keeping a close eye on the weather report in case the wind drops off as it is looking a little blowy for now.
If we do get a nice little window of opportunity it’s a great time to head offshore whilst the rivers are running fresh.
If bottom bashing is your thing the red emperor, nanny’s and big trout have been on the chew, jigging up fresh yakka’s has been the go whilst they are around in numbers.
If the wind sticks around the inshore reefs might be your only option to get out, but don’t let that deter you as there has been some great pelagic action happening all along our coast.
Looking out for birds working is a dead giveaway of a bait ball and warrants a few casts as tuna, trevally and queenfish will likely not be too far away.
Drifting shallow reefs whilst flicking plastics and vibes is a great way to cover ground and pick up coral trout and sweetlip.
As always, make sure to check the latest weather reports before heading out.
The Burnett River, Kolan River and Baffle Creek
With all of these systems getting pumped with fresh water this week the fishing will be a little tough, but those who put in the effort can still find some quality fish taking advantage of this dirty water.
Fishing towards the mouth of these systems then upstream as the tide rises is going to be a great way to start as the cleaner, salt water flows into the river.
Using a large profiled lure in a dark colour cast at structure at the mouth of all of these systems is going to give you a good chance of catching a range of species.
Be sure to drop the pots in as all of these systems have already shown great numbers of large bucks being caught, placing your pots in deeper channels out the front of small inlets is a great way to get a feed.
Elliott River
With the other local rivers running fresh the Elliott will be a great place to fish as it’s a much smaller system resulting in far less runoff.
Fishing the sand flats and drop offs near the mouth of the river is an awesome way to catch a feed of bream, whiting and flathead.
Drifting freshly pumped yabbies or flicking small soft plastics and hardbody lures is deadly.
Dropping the pots in is also a great idea as this river system has been producing plenty of bucks.
Local Beaches
Fishing our local beaches whilst the rivers are running fresh is going to be a super fun way to mix things up and catch a feed.
Moore Park Beach, Elliott Heads Beach and even Coonarr Beach are all great places to get away from all the fresh. Looking for deep gutters in close with a clear entry/exit is a great place to start.
Throwing well presented beach worms and yabbies into the gutter should result in a range of common species such as dart, bream, whiting, trevally and flathead to name a few.
Lake Monduran and Lake Gregory
Although Lake Monduran is spilling it doesn’t appear that we are losing any barra at this point.
I would focus on fishing into the backs of bays in the afternoon whilst the water is at its warmest.
Using hardbodies or big paddle tail soft plastics fished along wind-blown points implementing plenty of pauses is a great way to put your lure in the strike zone and keep it there.
Lots of the rat barra have been tight in the structure so shallow diving hard bodies and lighter weighted plastics are ideal for getting your lure right in front of their face.
Lake Gregory has been fishing very well as of late, using your electronics to sound up schools of bass helps but definitely isn’t a must.
Using small paddle tail soft plastics hopped through these schools has been killer.
Covering ground when you don’t have a sounder is key, once you get a fish, have a few extra casts in that area as there are likely more bass ready to feed.
If you would like your catch photos published to be in the running for a $50 gift card every week, please email your details and photos (of local catches only) to: accounts@tackleworldbundy.com.au.
Tackle World Bundaberg
Other stories: Three storey learning centre for Bundaberg SHS
