Fishing report – Tin Can Bay

by Jim Cole, tincanbayboathire.com.au, 0408 329 167

By all accounts the rain has got the fish firing a bit more and flushed a few crabs out from up the creeks just in time for the holidays.

In the Straits, whiting have been active around Tinnanbar and Poona as well as around Ida Island and Pelican Bay.

There has been some good flathead caught with the last couple of hours of the run-out tide giving the best results.  Try areas like the mouth of Alligator and Teebar Creeks.

The hot and humid conditions are ideal for those wanting to head up the creeks chasing jacks.  Kauri, Tuan and Poona creeks are a great option, as they will offer a degree of protection from the northerly winds and are easily accessible in poor conditions.

The creeks have been fishing well with several reports of quality mangrove jack to 50cm being caught.  Live baits of poddy mullet, diver whiting, herring and silver biddies all work well however, for those wanting a little more fun, try casting deep diving hard bodied lures such as sebile koolie minnows or atomic shiners around the 75–90mm range at the snags.

The shallow reefs around Tin Can Bay will be worth a try before the wind gets up, with the ideal time to fish being around first light.  Lightly weighed pilchards or whole squid rigged on set of 3/0 gangs should provide good results.

On the freshwater scene, the Mary River is fishing well for Australian bass and provides an option for those wanting to escape the wind.  Spinner baits or soft plastics rigged with TT spin jigs are your best bet.

There are reports of large golden trevally being caught off the beach at Inskip Point using livies.  For more inshore pelagic action try areas such as Big Mick or the channel between Inskip and Fraser for mackerel, queenfish and trevally.

Try getting out on the water at first light in fishing areas like Bluff Reef and Teebar Ledge and fishing the last of the run-out tide for sweetlip, squire, parrot and cod.

For those wanting a feed of whiting, Ida Island and Pelican Bay are still producing a few quality fish.

Don’t forget, with the start of the school holidays, we will start seeing increased patrols by Qld Boating and Fisheries officers.  Don’t ruin your day on the water. Spend a couple of minutes checking your vessel to ensure that all your safety gear is in date, you have up to date green zone maps and that you are familiar with the relevant size and bag limits for the species you may encounter.  For more information on green zones and so on, drop past the store.

Remember the fish of the month competition. For your chance to win $50, just visit the store located at 6/6 Scullett Drive, Tin Can Bay, near Mitre 10 and weigh in your catch!