queensland A Mackerel trip with no Mackerel

[marty]

Had some family visiting this week and decided Tuesday was a good forecast to chase a few Mackerel. After convincing them of an early start we crossed the Seaway at first light and headed out the local reefs to chase some Mackerel. After trying a few spots and not seeing one Mackerel boated from any of the nearby boats the pressure was on and a new plan was hatched.

Headed a bit wider and decided to bottom bash in the hope of some Snapper. A few undersize fish decided to come aboard then my brother nearly loses my rod overboard as he gets a good hit. After some swearing and a little coaching he manages to pull up a 65cm Snapper. This well and truly upgrade his previous biggest fish of a just legal Bream.

Half an hour later and he gets another good hit and again nearly loses the rod overboard. After a decent fight and a couple of good runs he has a 110cm Jew beside the boat and I am thinking to myself “glad I packed the big net”.

A pretty successful day and always good to see a non angler get the thrill of fighting a decent fish.

[Old Scaley]

Classic looking snapper. And a very nice Jew. Good idea to change tactics early. Thanks for sharing. 

[ellicat]

Nice change of plan with good rewards. Your brother must be stoked and considering his next visit sooner rather than later.

@Another Wazzaand I headed out yesterday to the Four Beacons, Curtain, Shark Spit and every beacon in between for zero. This seemed to be the theme with every other fisherman we chatted to. Wazza managed a happy moment, a blue eyed zebra fish and something very slimy in the river on the way back to port. Beaut day for boating though.

[Kenne]

I went out thru the Seaway as well on Tuesday. Headed down to Mermaid. Was lots of fish busting up but only seen 2 spotties landed out of 20 plus boats. I got 2 shovelnoses and some under size fish. Mite follow you next time.                        Was great conditions tho.

PS  Did you see the 2 fighter jets come up the coast about 9.30am

[marty]

Yes Kenne, was certainly a great day on the water. I tried around the Pinnacles area early, but with Mackerel fishing if they don't show up it can be very quiet. That is the main reason I went through the Seaway as it gives a number of options to try different species and techniques.

We were on the water till about 10:30 but I don't remember seeing any fighter jets (maybe they went by when we were hooked up haha). 

 

[Kenne]

Hey Marty were them fish caught at the pinnacles? We usually fish there but was so good went to Mermaid. Came back to the pinnacles about 10.00 and there was a big school of bait fish busting up but no good .Came back to the seaway for the turn of the tide and still no good. So went to the back of wavebreak and had a beer.

 I was driving the boat back from Mermaid and my mate was sitting faceing the back of the boat and tapped me on the shoulder and i stopped. These 2 jets came up  behind us then over us then gone in about 4 seconds. Just as I put the throttle down to take off again there was a big BOOM. I thought oh s##t I've blown up the motor. But it was from the jets.    Never know what you'll see out there.

[marty]

No - all our fish were caught out wider. As you said, it was such a good day we made the call to go wider. Can't tell you the exact spot as it is a closely guarded secret amongst a few close mates, but I can tell you it is around 40m deep (check the first photo for confirmation, plus look at the bait stacked up).

I have had jets do a low fly by when fishing up the Pin - blink and you miss them. Never enough time to get the camera out.

[Kenne]

Thanks Marty got a good idea where you were. I'll go there next week and the Mackerel will bite big time at Mermaid.       Isn't that how it works . LOL

[Ryannnnnnnn]

Nice one Marty what a good recovery from the slow morning.

Very new to fishing the seaway area. Are there any reefs that are pretty consistent with holding mackerel?

I've never caught one and am busting to catch a spaniard or a spottie (or just anything at this rate!)

 

Do you usually troll around a reef for a while, then stop and burley up if you see signs of fish?

[marty]

Mermaid is probably the most consistent reef close the the Seaway, although if you run that far down you may as well join the crowds at Palmy. This year Burleigh Gravel Patch has been better than previous years, especially for Spanish. It also depends on the time of year - the more northern reefs fire later in the season - 12 fathoms and Pinnacles off the Seaway are good in Feb and March - but not everyday as I showed!

For the reefs other than Palmy, yes I usually motor around till I find a good show of bait - and also gives me a chance to see if other boats are catching them in certain spots too.

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

Wowza's! Great job marty! I'd love to catch a Jewie half that size to be honest! 

The Snapper would've fought great. Glad you had a good day with your family.

Cheers Hamish

[Ryannnnnnnn]

On 05/03/2021 at 4:09 PM, marty said:

Mermaid is probably the most consistent reef close the the Seaway, although if you run that far down you may as well join the crowds at Palmy. This year Burleigh Gravel Patch has been better than previous years, especially for Spanish. It also depends on the time of year - the more northern reefs fire later in the season - 12 fathoms and Pinnacles off the Seaway are good in Feb and March - but not everyday as I showed!

For the reefs other than Palmy, yes I usually motor around till I find a good show of bait - and also gives me a chance to see if other boats are catching them in certain spots too.

Champion thanks for that I look forward to getting into it!