Monster fish biting in the Brisbane River, writes expert

Monster fish are biting at the mouth of the Brisbane River, according to fishing expert Spero Kartanos.

Monster threadfin from the mouth of the Brisbane River. Picture: Doctor Russel

The weather started of OK early in the week and we managed a couple of days out.

The big tides finally ended and the water clarity improved and the whiting were still there off the Chain Banks and the Rous Channel and plenty on the western side of Moreton Island as well.

The Amity Banks were not as prolific as they have been in the past few weeks as the school mackerel moved back closer to the islands and we managed a few good fish on the northern side of the Hope Banks with the outgoing tide.

I did not get a chance to have a reef fish this past week but from all reports there were some nice squire and sweetlip in the shallow reefs around the bay islands and harrys artificial reef.

The catch of the week was by good friend Dr Russel, who fished the mouth of the Brisbane River to try and catch a few threadfin.

After many tries without one success arrived three monsters, one was 110cm, now that’s a big fish. I think he is still smiling and so he should be, that’s a good looking fish, well done.

The smallest spotty mackerel ever. Picture: Spero Kartanos

Speaking to fisherman, who fish the mouth of the river, they tell me these have been around for a while so a few live herring baits or large prawns are the go for one of these monsters.

So, the doctor gets the award for the biggest and yours truly gets the prize for the smallest, I managed to hook the smallest ever spotty mackerel I have ever seen at 15cm (or nearly 6 inch) only twice the size of the spoon I was trolling.

In 40 years I have never seen a spotty that small, lets hope with the south easterlies blowing this last week and a little rain the big spottys arrive in the bay.

Until next week, good fishing.