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G'day Folks, Just wondering where some good carp spots around Brisbane/Gold Coast are?

We have been out catching a few tailor after school on the weekdays around Runaway Bay. No big fish but legal fish for the most part. It's handy to just duck down to get a feed in the afternoon and be back in time for dinner. We just used the usual old school approach of small pillies on gangs, mono and Alvey's. The approach has worked for me for 30+ years and shows no signs of stopping and no need to overcomplicate things.

Who here uses Pontoon 21 Crack Jacks 48. What colours work best targeting Bream. Now If i was to nail you down to two colours what two would they be. Cheers

Blew the cob webs out of my little tinnie the other day and cruised out from the Southport seaway to chase a Marlin. Perfect weather for it and I was soon jigging up a tank full of live slimie mackerel. Drifting over the same bait schools dropping a couple of live baits was the method we used. At around 8am we hooked up to a good black Marlin with the fish jumping clean out of the water. I drove the boat while my mate Adam filmed and Jasen fought the fish. Each time the fish went deep I motored off to plane him up. Then each time the fish came to the surface I'd drive towards it to get back line on the reel. The fish jumped 4 different times getting some exciting wahooos from us each jump. It was about the 20 minute mark we saw the leader line but it still had one more jump before we could grab the leader. Adam leadered the line and Jasen grabbed the bill of the Marlin while Adam dehooked the fish. We swum it beside the boat with the engine ticking along at idle to get some water through his gills. We measured the fish and estimated it around 60kg then it swum off strong. Another Marlin hit on a livie without hooking up then a snip from a wahoo followed before we called stumps for the day.

Hey everyone.....been a while. Moved to the Gold Coast recently. I've got a bunch of herring I froze post-cast netting sessions a couple of months back. Thinking of butterflying them and heading out to the Seaway. So I'm just wondering a couple of things..... - Hook placement in a butterflied herring - what's most effective for hook placement? And one or two hooks? - Any recommendations for tides? - I'm landbased - do I hit the very end or somewhere in the middle? Thanks for having me back!

Last Tuesday the fishing weather gods aligned and the BF managed to get the day off work. We headed to the GC Seaway departing from South Maclean about 2.30am. Unfortunately had a couple of stops to make before launching at the Spit boat ramp so the sun was already coming up when we launched. The bar crossing was a non-event as the weather, tide and swell was almost perfect. I logged our trip by phone - my first time logging a trip. The plan was to return about 3pm. We headed to the 36 fathoms found a bait ball on the sounder and I dropped my Sabiki bringing up a minimum of four slimy mackerel each drop. Once I had dropped the bait jig three times we decided we had enough live bait for the time being. We dropped a live bait and another two rigs with squid at the same spot. No joy. We hit another mark or two close by and did a drift or two, again with no joy! It was difficult to find bottom, the current was raging through despite the reports otherwise. We decided to head back in a little and fished one of the FAD's. My first drop I felt a couple of small taps, felt like I might have had a couple of bait fish on (Paternoster rig with two dropper hooks - No. 5/0 for snapper). Pulled up a baby flatty and another barely legal (the latter released to the Esky to accompany the whiting fillets in the freezer). The next few drops we both pulled up small flatties. Other smaller reef fish were landed and then the BF got wrapped around the FAD by an unidentified fish. We decided to move further in and head South East to a couple of marks. The first mark produced some decent snapper after a few drifts, my PB, which measured 50cm on the boat and had shrunk a couple of cm by the time he hit the Bragmat! I also got a 37cm one and a couple of unders. The BF got a couple of unders, a 60cm (again it had shrunk by the time it hit the Bragmat). On the last drift the BF hooked a monster that he swears was a Snapper, it peeled off the drag and unfortunately the hook pulled. I have never heard so many choice words erupting from his mouth! The F word continued every few minutes all the way home! Lol. All of you know this feeling I am sure. For the first time offshore on C-Jay with no marks of our own I thought the trip was very successful - I feel another addiction coming on!

Hey everyone, New member here. I was out in the yak the other day and came across a fish acting strangely around some structure in the Nerang River. I could have sworn it was a barramundi from what I could see above the waterline, but since they're basically like unicorns up here, and I've never seen one apart from the battered variety I think Im probably mistaken. Add to that I've only been fishing for about 3 years so I'm almost certain to be wrong. Anyway I'd still be interested to know what everyone thinks. I've added a couple of videos so hope it works. 20210816_142335.mp4 20210816_141810.mp4

Although they can be found throughout the year, around the full moon in August is when the sand whiting get a bit more active as they start to roe-up. It's also the time of the year when there are still a few tailor around. We fished Runaway Bay today and we got a good feed of whiting. The area we fished during the day tends to be dominated at this time of the year by fish between 27 and 32 cm. We used Cribb Island worms for the whiting. There were some tailor there as well with the best 42cm on pillies so it was a good day overall.

I haven't been getting out much recently but have managed a fish or two each time. So impressed by the little SeaJay! Here are a couple of shots of fish from the last 3 months. (Prawns were from an arvo session when my mate borrowed the boat) Been building a few rods in my "spare" time too. Gee its addictive!

Hey guys want to go gold coast tomorrow for a fish anyone know any good spots that are land based to throw the net out and catch live bait as well as fish there to , and tips and advice about the location as well ? Cheers guys :)

My well off Gold Coast friend has just retired and purchased an (all bells and whistles) 6m Formosa bowrider with a 150 yammy. I'm his Gilligan and we try to get out twice a week. So far we have been out 10-15 times in the broadwater and down to Mermaid and Palm beach. We have only snagged(correct word) 1 mac tuna on a fluke lure. We are like boys in a lolly shop, all this top gear, huge waterways, lets do this, lets do that. In reality we haven't a clue how to fish. We were out for 5hrs yesterday in the broadwater and had 2 nibbles. I did notice my Captain had a 4 oz weight, 500m leader and a double gang rig with a 125mm pilly, in 4mtrs of water. I was using a very light weight and small fillets letting the tide take the bait, to no avail. And no fish on the Garmin. HEEEELLLPPP. Even when there is fish on the sounder, I think its in Demo mode. Is there more logic to any of this, eg, finding out what fish is in season, where their habitat is, keep going back to try and get a strategy, what bait they prefer etc, etc,etc. I know this is very broad and obviously would appreciate any and all help, even to have someone come out with us to show ue the practicalities

Anyone a member of the Gold Coast Sportfishing Club? Or past member? Just wanted to know whether it was any good - thinking about joining. Cheers Kat

Hi Everyone, especially you fishos on the GC! The Gold Coast Tilapia Busters is on this Saturday from 6am to 2.30pm - see this Link or the GC City Council website: https://www.mycatchaustralia.com.au/gold-coast-tilapia-busters-2020/ Cheers Kat

Hi All I had a welcome surprise pm from @deegee12g(Don) last week, introducing himself and asking if I would like a deckie spot on his boat, with the intention of fishing the GC Broadwater. Apparently he had been quietly reading some posts and realised how keen I was and available weekdays. I would call it obsessed, addicted, sometimes insane - thinking about fish and fishing all the time. Anyway needless to say I took him up on the offer and the weather was looking good for yesterday, Thursday. I wanted to collect some yabbies the avo before but the tide was too high before dark. So I left my bed at 4am on Thursday and headed to the local yabbie beds at 4.30am. The tide was sti a little high so it was hard yakka and I arrived at the agreed boat ramp just in time to wash all the mud off me and change my muddy clothes before meeting Don at 6am. We launched the boat at about 6.30 am and Don said he was bringing some heavier rigs than my 10 lb braid and leader. His plan was to target some Tuskfish. Shortly before heading off Don handed me a rod/reel setup ( what do I call it?). Anyway he handed it to me and asked me how it felt. It felt good so I said so. Don then said it's now yours!!!! Well that made my day (particularly as the rod my brother gave me to handle bigger fish is to be returned - his wife was not consulted apparently ). We headed out and did some drifting, me with the yabbies and Don with his live worms (night wrigglers I think he said - from his worm farm). We were immediately pulling up unders, whiting, bream, tarwhine, and that little pretty whiptail. Don wasn't really looking at it when I asked him what it was - he was on the other side of the boat busy releasing an under of some sort. Anyway Don suggested we move on as everything was small and we didn't want to waist our bait on unders. We moved around to a few different areas but not much was showing on the sounder and the tide current was getting pretty quick so drifting wasn't going to be too successful as it was too fast. We were getting lots of pickers. Don thought we should change tactics and try some squid jigging. Sounded good to me this was one of our plans anyway. I had packed the only squid jig I own called Nemo. We put my jig on another of Don's rods. We found the deepest water we could and while Don kept an eye on us drifting fast and tied on his jig I had my jig in the water, drifting and jigging up and down slowly and gently. Don said to me that if I had a squid I would just feel like a dead weight dragging on my line, as if I had caught a heavy piece of weed. After about 10 min I felt just that but it was really quite heavy. I carefully kept a bit of pressure on and began slowly reeling in and then all if a sudden there was no weight. We wondered if it was a snag of some sort. Anyway we continued to drift. By this point Don was jigging too. After another minute or so I felt a weight on my line again. I kept pressure on and slowly gently wound it. Finally I could see a squid surface. Pretty sure I let out a little whoo hoo then he started squirting black ink. Don got the net under him and just as he did he dropped off the jig. We tried starting again and drifting back but no luck and by this time there were ominous black clouds to the North. The wind had picked up and the current was too strong to drift. We headed back to where we might have less current and more luck. By the time we were back and baiting up again the rain started, thunder and lightening and we couldn't see two feet in front of us. Don had a long drive back home and he was soaked through so we crawled back to where we thought the boat ramp was and called it a day! Don put the heater on in his ute while we covered the boat. Squid was great fried in some butter with salt. Being addicted I also went land fishing after Don drove home - had to use the yabbies! Got unders flounder and tarwhine and one keeper bream. Saved the squid head and offcuts for bait in freezer. Thanks Don your a legend. Cheers Kat

Hi all. I have tried beach worming once. Got to the stage where I can find the worms and that is it. I have been saving up my stinky bait, have watched numerous videos, identified that i need a different bait for the worms to latch onto (was using yabbie), probably pippi or pilchard? Want some kind soul to volunteer to meet me on the GC somewhere (or Brisbane) and help me learn how to catch them. At the moment I have no income and can't afford to buy them. Would also be open to someone willing to show me how to get cribb island worms. I know you guys are all legends - someone must be able to help. I am sick of using servo squid. Cheers Kat

We had another good trip landbased to the Nerang River. Yabbies and Cribb Island worms produced a good mixed bag of grunter bream, whiting to 38 cm, tarwhine and bream. All of the parks in the Nerang River and the Broadwater foreshore produce fish if you put in the effort and keep things simple.

This is the time of the year that the sand and yellowfin whiting really start to kick into gear. There have been plenty of sand whiting in the Southport Broadwater for the landbased angler of late. There have been quite a few bream mixed in with them as well. These ones were from a couple of hours last night using surf worms for bait with the best fish of 36 cm. You don't need a boat to consistently get a feed of fish.

Details of the upcoming Flathead Classic in case anyone is interested. https://gcsfc.profishingtournaments.com/tournament.php?id=110 cheers Greg

Hi All I'm Katrina and haven't fished since I was about 20 back in NZ - 20 something years ago. Back then it was fishing with the boys and all I learned was one knot and how to cast. I loved it so much I decided it was time to take it seriously and learn the sport. I purchased my gear last week and have been obsessed ever since. I have been watching YouTube clips and reading fishing knot books. There is so much to know. I am hoping other members may be able to share knowledge, tips and maybe even offer to buddy up for a trip or two occasionally. I would especially like tips on snags (how to avoid them), cleaning gear, and threading bait. I am land based around the GC but also have family on an Island in Moreton Bay with a boat so intend on exploring the fishing there too. I caught a Bream on my second trip (1st fish caught in Aussie)! Also scaled, gutted and filleted it myself (also a first)! Would love to hear from anyone with good land based spots for beginners? Cheers Kat

Link to Gold Coast report. https://www.bnbfishing.com.au/mud-crabs-good-target-gold-coast/?mc_cid=f654f805dc&mc_eid=47674f88e7

Hi all I'm planning a fishing trip to the GC this Friday and I'm looking for some spots. So far, we are going to try our luck at the spit with pilchards or spinning for some pelagic species (probably tuna, bonito, tailor or mackerel). Though, I'm struggling to find a spot that looks uncrowded and has a wide variety of the following species; Dusky Flathead, Sand Whiting, Yellowfin/Pikey Bream, Estuary Cod, Mulloway, Mangrove Jack and good live bait. I'm not sure if anyone would like to give up there prized spot but if you have any pointers on what area i should be looking in it would be much appreciated (Surfers Paradise beaches or Nerang area.) Cheers Hamish P.S. I will update on the plan at the end of the day and see if everyone has some better techniques (tackle, where to fish, etc) P.S.S. It's my Dad's day off work on Friday so he can take us up there

Land based fishing on the Gold Coast was good the past weekend. Grunter bream were the stars of the show with plenty of fish around 40cm with the best 42cm. Mixed in with them were whiting to 33cm, legal Moses perch, a few blubberlip bream and of course bream and tarwhine. Yabbies and bloodworms were the bait of choice with no real difference between either of them. As is so often the case, sinker size was the key with anything over an 0 Ball being too heavy for where I was fishing. While grunter bream are not my favourite fish to fillet, once that chore is out of the way they are fantastic on the table. The blubberlip are put to good use too as they go quite well in the smoker. A sample of the catch are in the photos.

Hit up Palm beach reef for an early morning session a couple of days ago. Jumped currumbin creek bar and joined the other boats already anchored but luckily no one was on my usual spot. We floated out pilchards and spun with slugs but it was all bait doing the work. The 1st fish hit the deck by 0500 and there was not much time before the next strike. We had double hook ups, tangles and plenty of fun keeping baits in the water. All up we got 8 strikes and landed 5 big Spottie mackerel in just over an hour. We were back on the ramp by 0800 and filleting by 0830. The fresh fish went well on the bbq with family and friends.

Been fishing landbased around the Broadwater lately for a feed of whiting. Not in great numbers, but all a decent 30odd cm. Using bloodworms for bait. They are so expensive that if you don't use them all you have to go fishing everyday until they are all gone. Bugger.

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2019/6/25/fishing-initiative-not-just-a-passing-fad?fbclid=IwAR3XMWNHtTAE2DkvMVXUuzhn1QHSZ3JlIvHsUGC4GnsSbYlpmCJ7MLQueWs outh-East Queensland fishers are set to reel in a bigger catch with the installation of fish aggregation devices along the Sunshine and Gold Coasts and in Moreton Bay. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said devices, called FADs, were a floating buoy that gets tethered offshore and attracts fish. “We’re investing $1 million in rolling out a series of FADs that will attract sports fish species including Mahi Mahi (dolphin fish), cobia and mackerel,“ Mr Furner said. “The added benefit of making it more likely that you’ll hook one of these species is that it takes some of the pressure off snapper and pearl perch, which are currently overfished and stocks are very low. “Over the next year we’ll be developing a design and installation plan for the FADs in consultation with stakeholders. A FAD monitoring and maintenance program will also be developed.“ Member for Lytton Joan Pease said enhancing the fishing experience in Moreton Bay was good for fishers and for local jobs. “For many people fishing is an important part of Bayside lifestyle, but it also drives more visitors to our region and that creates jobs,“ Ms Pease said. “This is a great initiative because it will enhance our reputation as a great place ot drop in a line, and that means more jobs in businesses servicing those visitors. “We are investing in jobs today and for the future, and delivering infrastructure for our state.“ Mr Furner said the State Government would also be exploring oppportunties with potential partners who may be interested in matching funding to roll out even more FADs in South East Queensland or more widely. “NSW Fisheries has already demonstrated success with FADS installed along its it east coast, which attract large numbers of dolphin fish,“ Mr Furner said. “We believe that this initiative will help to strengthen world class recreational fishing in Queensland while giving snapper and pearl perch an opportunity to rebuild stocks. “By encouraging recreational fishers to target species other than snapper and pearl perch, we can ensure that our kids and grandkids will be able to enjoy fishing for these iconic Queensland species in future.“