Fishing Report Tin Can Bay

by Jim Cole, tincanbayboathire.com.au

The past week of hot weather and high humidity has seen the fishing action in Tin Can Bay firing.

With reports of mangrove jack, threadfin salmon and the odd barra coming from the creeks along with a mixed variety of reef fish including grassy sweetlip, estuary cod, moses perch etc coming from the shallow reefs around Tin Can Bay.

Over the next few weeks we should start to see an increase in pelagic activity inside the bay. As the wind drops away early next week try fishing areas such as Big Mick for queenfish, trevally and spotty mackeral.

With the shifting of the navigational light at hook point by 2 degrees boaties should be cautious when crossing the Wide Bay bar. If you’re planning on heading offshore contact the guys at TCB Coastguard for the current waypoints for safe navigation of the bar.

Over the past week there has been some good catches of mangrove jack up to 50cm coming from the creeks as well as a few solid grunter around mid-40’s to 50’s. Whilst schools of bait fish have been difficult to locate at times it does pay to spend a little more time looking, as live baits work best however fish are also responding well to flesh baits of mullet fillet or working lures such as the Zerek Live Cherrabin and Hot Leg Shrimp is also worth a shot.

When  low tide falls mid-morning it is worth walking the flats flicking some surface lures for whiting try areas such as Pelican Bay that will offer some shelter from the wind.

Care should be taken when walking the flats as there has been a number of stonefish sightings of late so make sure you are wearing shoes.

Mid month also saw a number of mangrove jack being caught with soft plastics rigged on weedless hooks providing good results. Lightly weighted live baits of herring, mullet and diver whiting rigged on a 4/0-6/0 hook also work well. If you don’t have time to throw a cast net around for a few livies then strips of mullet fillet will also a treat. Try creeks such as Carlo, Teebar, Snapper and Kauri.

In the bay there have been reports of queenfish, trevally and the odd mackerel around Inskip Point.

Summer whiting have been around in reasonable numbers try around Ida Island and Pelican Bay for best results. Live worms or yabbies will be your best bet otherwise try flicking small surface lures to entice a bite.

Last weekend we ran a trial of having live beach worms in store. Whilst weather conditions weren’t the best the live worms were well received and we will continue to trial having them every second weekend. Just look for our new sign on the corner when they are available.

The October fish of the month was won by local angler Wayne for a nice 1.2kg mangrove jack weighed in on the last day of the month.

For your chance to win $50 in the November draw just drop past the store located at 6/6 Scullett Drive Tin Can Bay near Mitre 10 or check out our facebook page www.facebook.com/TinCanBayBoatHire.

Christmas is only 3 weeks away so why not stop past the store to see what gift ideas we can help with? We stock are great range of fishing gear, kids scooters and can now even hook you up with a brand new Viking kayak as well.

Have a great month and be safe on the water.