Moreton Bay Fishing Report – March 2025 Tackle Land

Moreton Bay fishing for January & February are done and dusted! Hopefully the good weather we had will stay and we can enjoy a cracker March!

So far this year we have seen some great catches in the Moreton Bay Region. I think with the water clearing, the winds dropping, we are going to have a lot of fish being caught.

Harvey’s Adventures

Young Harvey is still at it, getting down to Baxters Jetty whenever he can. Harvey has become a bit of an icon at Tackle Land, always looking for a new way to fish or a new bait to try.

Harvey always seemed to be checking his crab pots every day in Cabbage Tree Creek before school. However, he had so many Crab Pots stolen that this soon unfortunately, became a too expensive hobby.

Best thing is that Harvey has not lost his passion for getting out there with his best mate “Pickles” (His puppy) and going for a fish.

Sometimes we could all take a Chapter from Harvey’s book, he just never gives up! Well done Harvey, always a pleasure to have you instore and even better when we catch up down at the Creek!

We try to focus on Kids and Family both in these write ups and particularly in store. There is a very old, good reason for this, “Teach and child to fish and ……… “

There are so many endings to this sentence and not many the same.

Kids learn so much from us at a very young age, Fishing teaches Problem Solving, Patience, Respect, Communication Skill and so much more!

Don’t wait to teach your young ones how to fish and let them have a great start to life.

Ryano’s Crew

Young Ryano has been hitting the Moreton Bay waters while we have had good weather windows. So far it has paid off, well for the blokes he has been fishing with anyway!

Jack nailed this cracking little Jewie; it went hard for a bit but lost the battle in the end. Well done Jack.

Team Event!

Jack then teamed up with Liam to bring on board this awesome pair of Grunter.

There have been quite a few of the being caught lately, from Hayes Inlet, Clontarf and Shorncliffe Pier.

A gentleman caught an impressive Grunter on the Pier, his first one! What a way to start!

Joel even got skin in the game when he won the battle with this cracking Mackie. Great fight on light gear and what was more impressive, he did not feed the Taxman! Well done Joel.

Skipper’s Sorrows!

But being the Skipper on the day, you would think that Ryano would set a good example to the crew.

Well apparently they forgot to let Ryno in on this and as you can see, the Taxman came in to collect his pound of flesh!

What is better, the fact that the Taxman took all of the good bits or the look of disgust on Ryno’s face!

Still, it looks like most of the lads had a cracker day on Moreton Bay!

We have a number of senior fisho’s come in store and they like to share memories of the good old days.

Well Bill is in Aged Care but every Wednesday he is brought into Tackle land by his carer. David and the crew get to share some quality time with them both.

Bill likes to create new lures and new fishing rigs in his spare time, and we get a front row seat to his unveiling of these creations.

I love listening to Bill as he actually loves to share old school wisdom.

Like most fisho’s Bills age, they have forgotten more information than we learnt.

David sent me an email after one of their visits and I would like to share a small part of it:

David’s Message

I read your article in the Feb edition of BnB and loved it. Sad it’s the last.

As I read it I found myself getting quite emotional about the topic.

I have vague recollection of my first catch way, way back at a beach, may have been Bribie Island, of a small Whiting.

I’m still using the same rod (a Butterworth) today.

I do remember I was excited. And yes, it is important to encourage children the joys of fishing. I’m often around Sandgate and Shorncliffe and during holidays you see young boys on their bikes carrying fishing rods and buckets down to the bay.

Fishing is a lifetime adventure. Seeking out new bodies of water, new lures, knots, hooks, baits, rods and reels.

Daytime, night-time, in a boat or on the banks. Do I catch fish all the time? No. But isn’t that half the adventure and the fun.

But your article brought out emotions that are hard to quell.

For some time now, I have been bringing Bill around to your store to purchase his fishing tackle.

Whether hooks or beads, bells and lures so he can create his well thought out, perfectly designed and considered lures aimed at catching that elusive fish.

Lures that he creates at 1am, sitting in his quiet nursing home room for our fishing outings offers him a creative expression of his 80+ years of fishing experience.

I am equally eager to see the lures Bill uses catch that elusive fish one day.

I do offer my opinion and suggestion and minor changes, though I would never to presume that my experience exceeds Bills. No, no.

But, I needed to add a bookend to your article. I can see one day that there will be that ‘last’ fish.

Bill often encourages the lifestyle coordinator at the nursing home to plan fishing trips for the half dozen or so resident fishermen who don’t have visiting carers.

Fishing is a lifetime adventure, and after that last fish is caught. These fellows sit in their rooms and tell their stories of fish caught and those that got away. Sometimes talking to themselves.

I needed to get this out, but I think only fishermen will understand.
Kindly
David

Local Scene

Flathead everywhere! It seems that no matter where you fish around Moreton Bay, there is a really good chance that you will catch a Flathead lurking around.

The Pine has been giving up good numbers and Cabbage Tree Creek saw a few 60’s and even an 80cm model come in be safely released.

The Rapala “Imposter Yabbie”, Squidgy “120mm Bloodworm Wriggler” and the Pro Lure “Crystal Pink UV” Clone Prawns being the outstanding Flatty takers!

From the Brisbane River to Deception Bay, good sizes and numbers have been caught. So get out there and have a crack.

New Lure Profile – Atomic Realbaitz Whitebait 50mm & 75mm – Moreton Bay Slayer!

Introducing the Atomic Realbaitz Whitebait, a game-changing weapon that elevates your pursuit of predatory fish.

This lure is expertly designed to mimic the appearance and behaviour of whitebait, making it an irresistible temptation for hungry predators.

With its lifelike swimming action and authentic colour patterns, the Atomic Realbaitz Whitebait effortlessly fools even the most discerning fish.

Crafted with durability as a priority, this lure can endure the challenges of intense fishing sessions.

The precisely engineered weight distribution ensures accurate casting and a lifelike retrieval. This provides you with the tools needed to entice strikes and enhance your success on the water.

Having road tested the 75mm model and it was not long before I had a nice little Flattie giving me curry around the pylons!

I managed a couple more in a short session around 15th Ave at Brighton. Definitely one that be used a whole lot more!

If you would like some Tips from a Local Fisho, Ted Gray, check out this article – https://tackleland.com.au/flathead-tactics/

Now, if you want to see your photo with your catch, please send me the photo of you holding the fish.

Add a short description of how you landed it.

We do not give out “Secret Spots” but more a general location like Hates Inlet or Brissie River, or The Pine.

Have a great time on and around our awesome waterways!