Fishing Townsville - Part 2

by Jarrod Day on 1 Feb 2012 In part one of Fishing Townsville we looked at what fishing opportunities there were around the town. This week we head offshore and up the coast to see what else is available.

Great barrier, great fishing: If you lucky enough to have a sizable boat you can venture offshore and head to the reef. Bottom fishing is popular amongst anglers keen on catching quality table fair. These species include coral trout, mackerel, emperor and many, many more. Known for putting up quite a battle, a paternoster rig tied from at least 80lb trace with 6/0-8/0 suicide hooks is adequate. Bait selection will vary but squid is by far a hot favourite and will stay on the hook well.

For the lure enthusiast the options are endless with even more species on offer. Hard core sports fishos can expect dogtooth tuna, amberjack, giant trevally, mackerel and long tail of the few. Tossing poppers and stick baits to the edges of the reefs is known to attract all species at one time or another. This style of fishing isn’t for the fait hearted and requires the use of tuned up tackle and some of the most elite tackle on the market. Specifically designed 'GT' popping rods of 7’6' or 8’ in length are recommended to tackle a brute along with a reel capable of holding 80lb braid and drag system able to putting the brakes on a fish quickly.

Deep water jigging is another technique used by those keen on tackling a big brute including amber jack and dogtooth tuna. Both fish usually lurk on deep drop-offs and when hooked rip braid from a reel quicker than you can blink. Metal jigs in the 250-400g range are recommended and the heavier jigs used when the current is running hard. Jigs outfits usually consist of a similar reel to that used for popping while the rods are relatively shorter in the 5’6' height range. The reason for the shorter rod is to be able to control the jig having it work in a vertical motion. This fast moving lure gets the attention of these two brutes along with wahoo and mackerel which can’t resist. The shorter rod will enable the angler to not just work the jig vertically but will also aid when a hook-up occurs having the angler working closer to the body. This enables the angler to put more power into battling the fish.

If these styles of fishing seem a little challenging, kicking back while trolling lures works extremely well. Tuna, mackerel and trevally are the most common species caught with both skirted lures and hard body diving lures attracting most. Hard body lures like that of the Yo-Zuri Hydro Magnum, Bolt Mystique and Strada HD Tracka dive to seven meters. Trolling the outskirts of the reef systems will these lures will attract some sizable species. While there are specific trolling outfits available, the same outfit used for jigging the deep is more than adequate for trolling purposes.

An hour’s drive north of Townsville, the magnificent Hinchinbrook Island boasts some of the most remarkable fishing in the Townsville region. The location itself is picturesque to say the least but it is what lies below that brings anglers to the region.

The best access is from the three lane boat ramp at Lucinda which provides anglers access to the southern end of the Hinchinbrook Channel and into the northern end of Halifax Bay.

During the low tide, the southern end of the channel has exposed and visible sand flats all of which drain off into the main channel. Queen fish are a popular target here for anglers flicking poppers on the edges where the flats meet the deeper water. A light spin outfit with 4000 series reel loaded with 20-30lb braid is more than suitable.

Moving further north there are more shallow flats lining the edges of the channel. A stealth like approach is the best method as these fish are often skittish and spook easily. If you’re a sports fishing type angler and have an electric motor on your bow, you’re on the money to seek out these fish. Cruising the flats, and polaroiding will allow you to see the fish before they see you. Barra, gt’s and queen fish are the most common species caught and respond well to soft plastics pitched right onto their noses. Poppers cast overhead and worked nearby are also as effective. Often, a barra might be lying in ambush in a shallow drain, next to a lone snag or up on the mangrove edges. Seeing fish in these areas will allow a few casts put in before they become spooked and move off. When sight casting to these fish, make the first one count.

On the mainland side of Hinchinbrook Island the edges are mangrove lined with some 16 creeks that feed into the main channel. The waters up here ear exploding with a variety of fish including, barramundi, tarpon, queenfish, cod, mangrove jack, giant trevally and many, many more.

Bait fishing is productive, especially when live baiting for barra amongst the snags but for a real thrill, tossing lures is by far more exciting and enjoyable.

When fishing the feeder creeks and mangrove lined channels, a high tide is preferred for most species, although mangrove jack are a more highly sought species during this time. Fishing the high tide amongst the mangroves requires precise and accurate casts to place the lure in the thick of it. A cast too short is best to be immediately retrieved as you’ll most likely be wasting your time in working it. Lures must be cast into the back of the snags to invite a strike. Providing your flicking the right lures, a lurking fish won’t hesitate in attacking it. DOA prawns are irresistible along with Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows and 3D Minnows. Either way, for any hard body lure used it is recommended that it be suspending with a deep diving bib in the two to three meter range. Although the water may not be that deep, you want the lure to dive quickly after the cast and left to suspend mid water. Doing this will catch the attention of any fish ambushing prey in the snag.

During the run out or low tides, access will be limited to the upper reaches, but most of the barra school up in the mouths of the creeks and drains. For lure anglers, this is the time that multiple catches of barra will occur.

Barra respond very well to a variety of lures with DOA prawns, Yo-Zuri 100mm 3D minnows, Sashimi Shads and Strada Peita’s being hot favourites. The best technique to fishing a creek mouth is to anchor, tie up to an overhanging branch or by using an electric motor to hold position while casting into the entrance. As baitfish including small mullet and tarpon are sucked out of the mouth, barra line up awaiting an easy feed. Casting lures similar in profile to the local baitfish into the mouth and worked back with the current, a hungry barra will quickly be hot on its tail.

This same technique also applies when fishing drains. Drains don’t have to be as wide as a creek; rather they are often just a trickle of water running off a flat into the main channel. These drains will also have a few barra lurking in the murky water awaiting a potential meal to wash off. A lure cast into these areas will result in a solid hook-up.

While there is much more to explore around Townsville, it is best if you get up here and sample some of the fishing on offer. Although a short stay won’t enable you to experience everything, you will get a real buzz from what you can catch in just a short amount of time. For the best chances drop into the local Tackle World store where the boys can put you right onto the fish that are biting. Better yet, with one of their staff Jack, being an avid land based angler around town and Rob Laspina being a local sports fishing guide, you can have the latest of up to date information to point you in the right direction at any time of the year.