Mick and Lee came to experience the bay a couple of weeks ago, caught lots of spotties and mac tunas, the longies were a little alusive and mention of marlin on the flats was almost scoffed at however 2 days later in Mick’s own boat they managed to do just that, catch their own nice little black off the flats of Fraser.

Mother-shipping and marlin on the east coast of Australia are somewhat synonymous with each other, but marlin fishing and flats fishing are certainly not. However a little place called Hervey Bay, just a short flight from Brisbane, not only has little blacks on its flats but bonefish in the bay as well. In addition to this the area is home throughout the year to a plethora of sportfish species from 30kg longtails, smaller mac tuna, three species of mackerel (Spanish, spottie and schoolie), three species of trevally (golden, GT and tea-leaf), yellowtail and black kingfish, queenfish, snapper and red emperor.

Four anglers (brothers Tom and Nick Young, and two more brothers, Peter and Mick Trevaskis), two guides (Mark “Bargy” Bargenquast, and myself, Pete Fry), a mothership (“Whalesong”), captained by Jason Brigden, and Sid Boshammer, the man responsible for much of Hervey Bay’s flats fishing momentum over the years, experienced an awe-inspiring 5 day fishing adventure. Half an hour into day one we were chasing tailing goldies on the flats, while day two saw us pursue four little (20Kg) blacks across the flats, then celebrate the capture of several bonefish.

By day four we had been successful with a couple of blacks, approximately 30 and 80kg, which put on an impressive display, and by the week’s end fishing Hervey Bay the brothers had chased abundant tuna, both macs and some quality longtails, spottie mackeral and snapper too to round out a sensational and unforgettable south-east Queensland holiday.

The spotties have shown up in full force, the last 2 days have seen double and triple hook ups. The weather has been kind with light northerlies, plenty of mac tunas still around but fortunately the spotties usually out run them to lure as pods of both fish feeding together are common. In saying that the mac tuna is still fun to catch as they make your reel sing with their speed and determination to get away.

Whilst most fish were released, this one made it to the dinner table for a nice feed.

The longies have been a little illusive but worth pursuing as many fish sighted this week are over the 20kg mark.

2009 looks like an absolute cracker when it comes to the fishing scene.  Please be sure to check back here often for updates as to what I have guided my clients onto on every trip.

Put yourself in the Picture!

Cheers

Pete