Photos: Spero Kartanos.
BY SPERO KARTANOS
There’s a coolness in the air this month, and we will be talking about the weather changing quickly to 11°C and 12°C in the mornings, making it a little chilly to get up and go fishing. I’m glad Moreton Bay fish eat all day when the sun is up, and it’s 26-plus degrees. My old Dad used to get me up pre-dawn, and we had to be on the water and fishing as the sun came up. On the way there, I had to recite the times tables – no wonder I hate going fishing
pre-dawn (and maths) these days!
WHITING AND SQUID
The whiting will be large and will have moved further into the Rous Channel, especially in Fisherman’s Gutter, Maroon Gutter, and Amity Banks. There will be plenty at the Sandhills, and squid should also be in the same area by now; the water should be crystal clear, not like it was in April (brown). Squid strips, blood worms, beach worms and peeled prawns are the best baits. Also, look out for the influx of sea toads in the bay; they will be smashing squid jigs to bits.
SCHOOL MACKEREL
School mackerel will have moved across the bay, and you can get them anywhere around the southern side of Hope Banks and in from Wellington Point. Shark Spit is also worth trying at this time of the year. A few broad mackerel started to show up in April, so around the Peel Basin towards Amity Banks will be worth a troll with Smith jigs or Kimberly spoons.
SQUIRE
Plenty of squire are being caught at all the drop-offs of the bay islands, including Peel, Green, St Helena, Mud, and Harry’s, Mt Cotton Reach and Cowan Reef should have some nice fish as well.
So, May is a cooler month, but the fishing will be as good as ever if the weather plays its part!
