Gold Coast is a haven for an array of fish, and different fishing waters and conditions. The canals hold some great fishing opportunities, from sharks to whiting and Jewies. While fishing offshore, you can see the migrating whales and the local dolphin pods often stopping by to say hello.
My main motivation to go fishing is to find peace with nature while I am out enjoying my environment. I love fishing these waters; you will never really know what you will encounter. I rarely kill my fish as I am out fishing as a sport. However, I will take fish home with me if they are worth being kept. I never take more than my partner and I can eat on the day. I am out that often that fresh is best. I never keep small ones; it is best to let them grow so I can catch them when they grow up!
A few months ago, I went out with the sole purpose of catching a marlin, and dedicated the trip to my nephew, Sasha, who has a brain injury. I packed my marlin lures and headed out to a spot that I had some luck with previously. There was nothing special about this spot, but as I sent my first lure on the outrigger and started getting ready for the next lure – Bang! went the outrigger, and I was on, with not enough time to put the second lure in. It was a black marlin and was screaming line off my reel. I chased it down. It did a couple of jumps, and eventually behaved for me. I got it on board, took a couple of photos and video, and then swam it for about 20 minutes. As it started kicking, I released it. My girlfriend and I motored back home smiling. The entire trip, including the marlin catch, took just two hours. This proves that sometimes, luck comes your way, and if you put the lure in front of a hungry fish, he will eat it.
MAHI MAHI
My favourite species here on the Gold Coast are mahi mahi during summer, and amberjacks during winter. The reason I enjoy targeting mahi mahi is purely because of the aerial show they give when hooked. And the reason to target amberjacks is for the fight; they are beasts to fight.
I was trolling one day, and it was so calm out wide. We noticed floating debris and headed that way with our trolling spread of five lures. Out of the far corner, we could see the fin of a huge mahi mahi zeroing in to our spread at full speed. That in itself is an awesome sight. He hit the lure and took off jumping around when the hook set. It did not take long to get him in, but the show was pretty awesome.
I find the most productive areas for mahi mahi are where there is a dirty line with debris or foam floating. The mahi mahi seem to hang around these areas, as do the desired big male bull mahi mahi. Your strategy should be to find anything floating or dirty in the water, and look for birds and maybe flying fish. These are sure signs that there might be fish hanging around. Troll lures or you can also spin them up if you see them.
The equipment required to catch these fish does not have to be specific. I have personally caught bulls on spin and overhand reels. I recommend trolling with a braid line because of its high knot strength, lack of stretch, and great overall power in relation to its diameter.
THE WARMER MONTHS
During the months of September to December, you can expect to catch mahi mahi, baby black marlin, longtail tuna, and mackerel tuna. You can fish for these species along our coastline from Tweed and all the way past North Stradbroke and Moreton Bay.
The recommended equipment are trolling rods and lures, teasers and skirted lures. Your strategy should be to get out early, and find some bait (as the bait moves in around these months and coincides with the pelagic run to our shores). Set your teasers and put a spread of lures out, troll at a desirable speed, usually between 6 and 9 knots, depending on the lure type.
Interview with Vlad Tesic
By Andy Kancachian
