queensland Flattie, Cattie And Bream

[Old Scaley]

I have been laying low because of the current restrictions but had to get out for a fish this week with all the signs pointing to a good week for essential food gathering. Decided to just stick around Port of Brisbane since last time I went there I got a heap of just under snaps so thought they may have grown a little since then, or their bigger rellies may have moved in. Got to the ramp just before dawn (very early start for me fishing solo) to find it was already packed. Must be a lot of people not working at present I guess. After a short wait at the ramp I was in the water and had a line in just as the sun was peeking over the horizon.

Beautiful morning on the water. As usual when I have an early start there were no bites until about 8am. I felt the soft tug tug and thought “I know what this is”. Sure enough after a fight that felt like pulling up a ballet slipper, up pops a biggish catfish. Not a great start but a fish to get the day going. Not long after I felt the old familiar long pull of a flathead. This fish had a bit more go in it and turned out to be a nice 60cm model. I dropped one this size beside the boat last trip and haven’t landed a decent flattie for ages so it was a welcome addition to the esky.

Just before the high tide the bream started chewing and I landed about half a dozen in quick succession with biggest at 32cm. Once the tide turned the bite slowed right down to zero pretty quickly so home I went. Not a single snapper but hopefully they will pick up as the weather cools.

I have an electric motor on order that should be ready for pick on Friday so I am hoping for some more exciting reports in the future. Also looking forward to the time that I can safely fish with mates again. I like a solo trip but also enjoy a bit of banter and company. Stay safe everyone.

[ellicat]

Good to see you get out there. Nice flattie, looks quite a chubby specimen.

What bait did the damage or was it a plastic ?

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

Hi Old Scaley

Nice session and report, good that you went out for some essential fish. Like ellicat said, what bait was it on? Livies, dead bait, or lures?

Also, I always thought that if you fished the POB you would escape the catfish but I guess I was wrong.  LOL

Cheers Hamish  

[Old Scaley]

4 minutes ago, AUS-BNE-FISHO said:

Hi Old Scaley

Nice session and report, good that you went out for some essential fish. Like ellicat said, what bait was it on? Livies, dead bait, or lures?

Also, I always thought that if you fished the POB you would escape the catfish but I guess I was wrong.  LOL

Cheers Hamish  

Hamish, it was the humble half pillie that did the damage. It is an easy and successful bait for most fish, especially snapper. And I was using my new Stradic reel on a Nordic Stage Favourite Rod. 15lb JBraid line with 16lb Rock fluro leader. Size 2 ball sinker above the swivel and a 5/0 circle hook.  Really hunting snapper but happy with a flat fish as well. @ellicat, it is a very chubby fish.

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

Hi Old Scaley

Thanks for the good tip, if I go to the POB on the kayak any time (we are tossing and turning between the POB and Nudgee for a feed of fish) I will use that rig, or similar.

Cheers Hamish

[kmcrosby78]

Nice one Steve, good to see you out enjoying this great weather and good you were rewarded with a nice flattie . Bet you are looking forward to using the new electric motor - Friday could be a good day for us as I pulled the trigger on the new Suzuki today and they are hoping to have it installed by Friday, fingers crossed .

@AUS-BNE-FISHO - plenty of catfish in the POB area as there are plenty of mangroves. You even catch big ones out at the bay islands.

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

1 hour ago, kmcrosby78 said:

@AUS-BNE-FISHO - plenty of catfish in the POB area as there are plenty of mangroves. You even catch big ones out at the bay islands.

Hi kmcrosby78

Right, I should know that. I remember you telling me (in one of my first posts) about a catfish you caught that you cooked up. It makes sense they are in the mangroves, at the local park on a high tide I could berley them up with bread and there'd be heaps of big ones eating it all. Fun to drop your line into the middle of.  

Cheers Hamish

[GregOug]

Well done young Scaley. I fished the POB a few times when I had a little tinny a few years ago and the best I could muster were some decent bream along the rock wall near the mouth. Although I must admit dawn and I just don’t get on. A 8.30 am start is bloody hard for me!