Photos: Spero Kartanos.
BY SPERO KARTANOS
Well, if you have a boat, January is a good time to get out on the bay to catch a fish or two. Thousands of boats will be out this month, with many families trying to catch fresh fish for the table. Busy spots are usually the western side of the islands from Tangalooma to the Sand Hills at Moreton Island, and from Amity to One Mile, and of course, Horseshoe Bay. It will be great to see so many boats on the bay.
The fishing should be good with plenty of whiting for all. Try the Small Boat Channel, the Rous, the Sand Hills at Moreton, and Amity Banks – there will be enough for everyone. The school mackerel will not be in the hundreds, but if you put some time into having a troll between east of the Hope Banks and the entrance to the Small Boat Channel (and at the start of the Chain Banks), then you might get a couple of nice fish. Hopefully, as I write this, the spotties should also be in the bay.
The tiger squid season will have started, and as the water clears a little more, they should front up at Green Island as well as around the weed banks at the Small Boat Channel, all through the Rous and Amity Banks, and in the weed banks at Moreton Island. All these areas will be producing plenty of squid, especially an hour each side of the tide, and at dawn and dusk.
For snapper and squire and some really nice sweet lip, try around Mud Island and the Lazaret Gutter at Peel. For me, the best fishing this time of year is for whitebait at Peel and Green Islands at night. All you need to catch these tasty critters is a butterfly net and a light at the back of the boat at night.
So all in all, what we want for January is great weather and no wind, and a few great weeks on the water and lots of fun. Let’s hope 2026 brings health, happiness, and plenty of fish for all.
Till next month, good fishing!
