Sport
26 November, 2025
Last of reef closures are over
AS water levels fall in our freshwater systems, the larger sooties and jungle perch will make their way into the remaining bigger pools making them a little easier to find.
Remember when catching and releasing these fish, use both hands to support their body weight. This will greatly improve their release back into the water.
Good numbers of trevally and queenfish are being caught around the river mouths at present.
Walking along the sandbars at low tide casting surface popper or stick baits imitating fleeing bait is a great option.
These predatory fish love to chase their prey.
If you’re lucky enough to see this happening, cast your lure into the bust up and retrieve.
Big flat head are still being caught around the river mouths as well.
These fish are ambush specialists. They will lay in a trench for hours waiting for bait to swim by.
Casting small soft plastics over the flats is a great option to catch these fish.
Fisherman who target these species tend to use a lot of pink plastics, like Arma 85mm flats doctor.
With the persistent heat and storms starting to appear, the red bream are getting caught in good numbers, both by lure fishermen and bait fishermen.
Red bream are a tough fighting fish to catch. Once hooked they will swim into the nearest snag they can find and it can be impossible to coax them out.
However, fishermen are reporting catching 40cm-50cm species over the last couple of weeks.
The last of the reef fin closures have passed, so reef fishermen will be looking forward to trying their luck chasing coral trout as well as nannygai and red emperor.
This week’s weather forecast looks pretty good, coinciding with the cane cutting season ending.
I would expect a lot of cane workers enjoying a well-deserved reef trip.
Remember to always get an up-to-date weather forecast before planning you next trip.
Stay safe.
– Tony Mossop, Tackle World Tully
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