1 minute read
TIDE TIMES
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April
Johnstone River April
Hull Heads
Although absent in large numbers last weekend, some quality Grunter and Fingermark were caught from the islands and inshore reefs. Those bait fishing caught mainly Grass Sweet Lip, Gold Spot Cod and the occasional Trout.
Well, the estuaries are definitely starting to fish better with switched-on lure fishermen landing Mangrove Jacks, Barra, Gold Spot and Estuary Cod. The Whiting and Bream have also begun entering the estuaries, with anglers reporting catching some great whiting up to 40cm. The larger tides over the weekend were ideal for pumping some yabbies or casting a net for some fresh prawns for bait for these great-eating fish.
The mud crabs have been around in reasonable numbers over the last month. It will be interesting to see if the rain we are forecast to receive before this report is released gives them another boost.
The freshwater reaches of the coastal rivers have been fishing incredibly well. There have been vast numbers of Sooty Grunter and Barra being caught, along with some nice Jacks and Jungle Perch. Every creek and river gets to that perfect water height and clarity at slightly different times. Still, if you can manage to get the timing right, you can enjoy some champagne fishing. Small to medium-sized diving lures such as the Jackson Joker were standouts over the weekend, large enough to handle the Barra and Jacks and small enough to attract the Sooty Grunter and Jungle Perch. If you crush down the barbs on the trebles, you can release your unwanted catch without removing the fish from the water. Surprisingly, the size of some of the
Barra that will move right up high into the freshwater reaches of our rivers.
Unfortunately, this coming weekend's forecast is unsuitable for offshore boating, so anglers will be confined to the estuaries. I like the early morning incoming tide to fish for Barra or Mangrove Jacks. The alternative is to fish on either side of the afternoon low. The more extensive evening incoming tide will suit those that wish to fish for Grunter in the estuaries or, even better, the sheltered waters of the Hinchinbrook channel. The mud crabs should be on the move, so remember the crab pots. There have also been good numbers of prawns along the esplanades.
Of course, depending on how much rain we receive before the weekend, you could always head up into the freshwater for a fish.
Good Fishing
Roly Newton
Tackle World Tully
