Fishin’ Maggie
What’s Happening On Maggie
The flat barge sitting in Nelly Bay for the last couple of weeks has been fixing the broken Ergon powerline. With only 2 lines to the Island it was imperative that it was repaired ultra fast. The break occurred where the cable bent over the reef into the deeper waters. That power cable was over 30 years old so all in all not a bad innings. I guess the 4 big emergency generators will now be removed from the Island, crisis over.
Whilst on the subject of essential services, don’t we all wish they would fix our crap telecommunications one day, third world countries have better phone systems than Maggie.
I had a light-hearted argument in my shop on Sunday morning with a staff member who tried to refute my statement that there are no kangaroos on Magnetic Island. I told her they are the Allied Wallaby that are always mistaken for our national emblem. With perfect timing the next customer was Parks and Wildlife, who confirmed my statement. (Thanks Chris.)
Some frustration for anglers now fishing at Horseshoe Bay, where the fish have become fixated on the jelly prawns and are very difficult to catch. (Research has shown that when Jelly Prawns are particularly abundant, sportfish can switch prey and feed on them to the virtual exclusion of anything else.) The only chance you have is to go very small and lure soft plastics that look like Jelly prawns, or fish just after dark. The little fellas have also migrated further down the bay. FYI Jelly Prawns move A maximum 20 meters per day, based on a Townsville study where they dyed the prawns different colours and let them go again to track movement. Imagine finding pink blue and yellow prawns, you might give up drinking.
Our QLD Jelly Prawn species is Acetes sibogae australis and grows to only 35mm. (Incidentally Dried shrimp, Blachan and shrimp paste used in Asian cooking is actually a species of jelly prawns.)
On the only clear day last week, Mikki and I decided that it was time to do some work research (Yep it’s tax deductable,) and went to rediscover the Nelly Bay Snorkel Trail. A tip at low tide, enter the water at X Base and swim back to the trail, or you will get stuck waddling ungracefully through the very shallow weed rocks to get to the deeper snorkelling areas. We found the amount of colourful corals and fish well worth the effort. There were legal size Trout, although Mikki was too slow at dive and grab to provide dinner What we found particularly interesting was the dozens of honeycomb cod. Instead of hiding in small caves in the coral and rocks they were in fact anchoring themselves high on top on the coral with their pectoral fins and were unfazed with humans. Cods are a commonly caught fish around Maggie and are tasty eating.
(Did you know that if a cod survives to a year old it has virtually no predators from then on, other than humans.) The 3 giant clams were very healthy and we recommend you all take the time to snorkel our trails.
Picnic Bay Jetty – Hotspot
The Herring are getting even thicker at the Jetty, hanging around underneath and attracting the bigger fish for us super keen anglers, as well as the relaxed visitor. Spaniards are smashing the Greenbacks, and have caused many anglers to upgrade to steel trace and heavier line. As one local told me, you just can’t slow them down, they are too big. (We all know if you wait 2 hours for a big fish you don’t want to lose that sucker.) We also still have those fun size super fast Queenies line stretching GT’s, thumpin big night Goldspot Cod, and the odd super tasty pan size Golden Trevally smashing floated Herring. Pebbles also pulled some sizable squid in the weed beds after dark. Picnic Bay is the place to be, no doubts at all. (You Horseshoe Bay anglers remember where Picnic Bay is still? Keep going past the Ferry terminal. ) I’m heading down Wednesday Arvo for a bit of fun, work permitting. (Sadly we still have no seats or rod holders there at all, lets revisit that. Any Island Sponsors at all?)
Congratulations to Matt and Az for the 9 Mack’s and one massive Queenie in Horseshoe bay on my red white Halco super lure. Great job guys in the tinny, the bay has really been the only place to fish in the constant winds. If they don’t let up soon I might move to Cooktown for calmer conditions.)
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, bike hire and ELECTRIC BIKE HIRE, SEGWAY TOURS, car hire and convenience supplies. Check out Kooler 24 hour Ice 7kg $4.