Fishin’ Maggie

What’s New On The Rock

I was trying to identify a fish I had never seen the other day, and a mate told me to use the Grants Guide to Fishes Facebook page. They are fast at Identifying and replying. Load them on your Facebook. There are 1500 known species of fish on the Great Barrier Reef, 10 percent of the worlds known species, so there are plenty of fish we catch that need ID. ( Im still hoping to catch a totally new species, that would be cool.)

It is a fact that the council is planning the removal of the Picnic Bay boat ramp. With only two other boat ramps is on the island, I think it would be a big mistake. As short a time as two months ago we needed it for a safe landing after the steering snapped on the boat, and we were able to get somebody to come with a trailer and pick us up in rough weather. We wouldn’t have been able to get back to Nelly around the very rough Hawking’s Point.  With councils big focus on stopping people driving down the beaches to launch boats at Westpoint and Cockle Bay, why would you remove the only western side ramp? There is a petition in Magnetic Adventure & Hire to fight the removal of the ramp if you wish to keep it for the future. Removed infrastructure is rarely beneficial.

Whats the chances of throwing a popper as big as a large pike on the Island and actually getting a fish? The answer is next to nothing. That was until Friday when a lucky angler fishing near bright Point scored a fish of a lifetime when a 23kg GT smashed the popper the second it hit the water. With walkers watching in amazement , the angler from Winton fought the monster fish around into the harbour and over to the shallows for some quick pics. Never say never.

The Herring schools at the jetty are stillthere,  and large Pike and Gar schools are in near the jetty as well. Grabbing a Herring livie and taking it off the rockwall at Nelly has been rewarding with Coral Trout Mangrove Jack and Big Cod ready and waiting. The inner harbour has  schools of harassed Hardyheads being stalked by a school of juvenile GT’s, top fun on light gear.

There are only 6 weeks of Barra season left, well worth a bit of planning and effort, and yes there are plenty around. They are sluggish, noisy vibes are best. This week focus on Flathead, Trevally, Jacks and GT’s on the neaper tides. Queenies have been feeding in the murky shallows towards Base. Picnic Bay to cockle bay has seen some smaller GT action all the way around the rocky point. Chuck some Poppers around for some top fun.

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 BIKE HIRE, SEGWAY TOURS and convenience supplies. Check out Kooler 24 hour Ice 7kg plus $4.  New BIKE section. Rod and reel repair available