Fishin’ Maggie
What’s Happening On Maggie
The news that Jetty anglers have waited for since cyclone Yasi, the Herring are back. Yes big schools of greenback herring have moved in to the Picnic Bay area. They are followed by Schools of Wolf Herring, so far but are sure to attract Queenies, Mackerel and GT.s. Easy to cast net and jig, and top bait, Herring have been nearly non-existent for too long. At the reef they put up quite a show with their synchronised jumping in complex wave patterns, making these crazy noises as they re-enter the water. It is always one of the fun things to watch while fishing the reef.
It does surprise me how many locals have never been to the reef. Fishing aside it is one of the most amazing places to park a boat. Clear Turquoise water several varieties of Turtles, abundant and active fish life, sea snakes gliding, Billfish leaping, whales breaching in season, I could go on all day. It occurs to me that some people don’t get an opportunity to go out deep (also called lack of boat). What about a boat pool, at Magnetic Adventure & Hire or Facebook. Those with a gap in a reef going boat, and those who want to see what the hype is about get put together. More on this idea in the future.
Magnetic Adventure & Hire has the info sheets on the Port Expansion Project for anyone that wants more information. Also check out townsvilleportexpansion.com.au, (pretty easy to remember). This is a complicated matter and I will give you all feedback as we get extra information. It only takes a trip to Palm group to realise how clear water can get without sediments, so projects like this need to balance with tourism needs.
Fishing Maggie
Neap tides, on Sunday, low fish activity, and it had to be on the day of the Pirtek fishing challenge. The trouble with National fishing competitions, you can’t have it right for everyone.
The Pirtek fishing challenge is about raising funds to fight Prostate Cancer, and of course having fun. This year we had a team of 4; Matt, JB and Mikki and me.
As I said it was really tough fishing and we only had one potential prize fish uploaded, so we will find out next Saturday if we have a winner in the mystery size category. The highlight of the day was a dropped potential winning fish. JB was standing in the water at WestPoint luring for Flathead when he hooked onto a big lizard. He ran backwards out of the water, pulling the fish with him at the same time, until he got to the sand and beached it. The wily Flatty suddenly realized it was out of the water, promptly spat the lure and a mouthful of fish, and started wiggling back towards the water. JB tried to stop it, trying unsuccessfully to flick it back up the beach. Matt saw JB’s plight, and raced over to help, diving across full length into the water with his hands out in a gallant attempt to block. (Flathead are covered in spikes and flesh cutting gill razors.) I was too far away to help, but I cracked up laughing watching both guys fully in the water now trying to re-catch the Flathead barehanded, and flopping around. They failed and the now free Flathead took off out to sea. Matt stood up, blood dripping from his sliced hands and pulled his sodden tobacco and Iphone 7 from his pocket. It was a top but failed fish catching effort and also a moment I wished I was close enough to film.
That 2 tonne boat sitting on the ramp at Nelly Bay on the weekend is what happens if you get tired and forget to lock the winch lug. Fortunately the only damage was the sounder transducer. It happens to all of us.
Congratulations to Martin for his 77cm Barra at Horseshoe Bay on the weekend. Caught on live poddy mullet near the boat ramp, the big Barra gave good account of itself. Horseshoe Bay is the spot for Barra at the moment with big schools of Poddy Mullet attracting big predators, including large Tarpon and Queenies.
Until next time gone Fishin’…. be back at dark-thirty
Cheers Dale
Fish’n N Fuel’n
36 Mandalay Ave, Nelly Bay 4778-5126
For all of your fishing and sports hire gear. We hire and sell fishing rods, and snorkel equipment, plus sell bait, tackle, ice, spear fishing equipment, toys, party, pool toys, and ELECTRIC BIKE HIRE, SEGWAY TOURS and convenience supplies. Check out Kooler 24 hour Ice 7kg $4. March special electric bikes $29 per day