TC Alfred Fishing Impact
6 March 2025 — Tropical Cyclone Alfred Hits
The below article is published in lieu of this week’s Coastwatch Fishing Report. As Tropical Cyclone Alfred bears down on many of our coastal partners, we talk to some of our experts about it’s impact and what to expect on the fishing front over the next few weeks. We also get some tips on how to spend the downtime in relation to rigging and gear and include 4 supplied Reports from our regular partners from the last week.
DAVID GRANVILLE
Owner — Caloundra Fishing World
Cyclone aftermath predictions :
Our personal opinion would see recent weather events stirring things up, which typically leads to excellent fishing conditions once things settle. Offshore reefs benefit from food being broken off, while inshore systems often see improved activity as well.
As for Bribie, it’s still uncertain what changes will come, as no new channel has fully formed yet—only fallen trees so far. We would love to see the council potentially talk about the benefits of reopening the old bar to improve flow through the passage, though that remains to be seen.
Dave Granville is a widely respected angler and the co-owner of Caloundra Fishing World and Rockstar Tackle. A former editor of Bluewater Magazine and owner of Coastwatch, Dave continues to present special fishing features for Coastwatch and contribute to the Weekly Coastwatch Fishing Report via CFW.
RYAN VINES
Owner — Capn’s Charters
Cyclone aftermath predictions :
Looking ahead, the impact of Cyclone Alfred is likely to stir up the waters, especially in areas like Jumpinpin, which has numerous feeder rivers and creeks running into it. If the region gets 300 to 400 mm of rain as forecast, the water is going to dirty up significantly. With the swell and wind, the visibility will be poor, and it could take a good month or so for the water to clear. In contrast, Moreton Bay, with fewer feeder areas, tends to hold cleaner water, particularly near the South Passage, which should remain fishable in the coming weeks as it doesn’t have as many creeks draining into it. However, it will still take a while for the waters to fully clear.
Once the water starts to clean up, the fishing prospects look fantastic. Reflecting on the floods of 2022, when the water got dirty for a couple of months, once it cleared, species like Flathead, threadfin salmon, and jewfish thrived. The bait is flushed out during these events, and the fish follow, so once the water settles, we expect an excellent fishing season ahead. While the first couple of months have been challenging due to inconsistent weather, we are optimistic that once things settle, it’s going to be an unreal year for fishing, especially in the back end of the year.
See Ryan’s latest Fishing Report from the last week below.
Ryan Vines is a 30 year old avid fisherman, and the owner of Capn’s Charters. Brisbane born and raised, with 25 years experience in the Jumpinpin region, Ryan ventured away from traditional bait fishing ten years ago and embraced the challenge of catch and release lure and soft plastic fishing with his charter business.
DAVID MACDONALD
Private Angler — Runaway Bay Marina
Cyclone aftermath predictions :
Tough times ahead for many and thoughts are with everyone effected. Not a chance of fishing anytime soon, but if we think ahead we might be able to plan for things in the coming weeks.
There will be rain and a lot of it, putting rivers in flood. Unfortunately, it will push those prawns out to sea just as we were getting good numbers. It seems to happen every year when the prawns start. What it should mean is the season should last longer as it did last year.
When we have a rain event it creates a great time to target mudcrabs in big numbers. The fresh water pushes all the crabs from right up the rivers in creeks down to deep water where the water is still salty. This means a large concentration of crabs in the deepest sections of rivers or further out around the main channels.
Have a look at your charts and find those deeper sections and target those areas. You will need long ropes and there is a high chance of debris catching your float, but the reward can be worth it. It is worth trying a number of different spots to locate the crabs and once you find them, move the rest of your pots.
So get those crab pots organised, tagged up and ready to see what happens in the coming week.
David Macdonald has been fishing the Jumpinpin, Broadwater, Nerang River and surrounds for over 30 years, and is a well respected local angler. David is an expert contributor to the Weekly Coastwatch Fishing Report and has won a variety of fishing competitions in multiple categories, including the “king of the pin”. He has a passion for beach and bait fishing with Alvey reels, inspired by some of the Coastwatch legends.
TAHLIA WHITE
Editor — Coastwatch Fishing Report
Rod and Reel Cleaning and Maintenance Tips
Always follow Manufacturer Instructions
Each brand and type of rod and reel may have unique care guidelines. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions for best practices and maintenance tips specific to your gear.
Regular maintenance will keep your gear in top shape, ensuring you’re always ready for your next catch!
General Rod Maintenance
🎣 Clean Regularly – After each trip, rinse then wipe down the rod with a soft dry cloth to remove saltwater, dirt, and debris.
🧼 Check the Guides – Inspect rod guides for any cracks or damage that could weaken the line. Clean them gently with a cloth or soft brush.
⚙️ Store Properly – Always store your rod in a rod rack or case to prevent bends or damage to the blank. Avoid leaving it in direct sunlight for extended periods.
General Reel Maintenance
🧴 Clean After Every Use – After a trip, rinse the reel with fresh water to remove salt and grime, then dry thoroughly. **Make sure to tighten the drag right up before washing your reel. Then, don’t forget to ease it back off before storing it.**
🔧 Lubricate Moving Parts – Apply light oil to the reel’s moving parts, such as the handle, spool, and gears, to keep them running smoothly.
⚙️ Check the Drag System – Inspect the drag washers for wear and tear, and lubricate them if necessary to ensure smooth performance
🔩 Tighten Screws – Regularly check and tighten any loose screws or parts to avoid them coming undone during use.
General Long-Term Care
🔧 Disassemble and Deep Clean – Once a season, disassemble your reel for a deeper clean. Remove any built-up gunk, lubricate moving parts, and replace worn-out components like drag washers.
🧴 Use Reel Protectant – For extra protection, apply a reel-specific protectant spray to prevent rust and corrosion.
Tahlia White compiles and edits the weekly Coastwatch Fishing Report and is a passionate angler. She shares her fishing insights through a weekly radio segment and volunteers with the Women in Recreational Fishing Network to inspire and support female anglers. Tahlia is dedicated to teaching the basics of fishing and enjoys sharing her love and knowledge for the sport with anyone eager to learn.
NICOLE ROBINSON
Founder — Women’s Fishing Classic
Pre-Rigging
Now’s the time to pre-rig your whiting and paternoster rigs, and don’t forget to re-spool any old or brittle line. If we get the forecasted rain, the fresh water will slow the rivers down, but it could also bring new structure, offering potential new fishing locations.
Snapper tend to move in closer after a big swell, so it’s worth preparing snapper rigs. A squid bait with a running sinker should do the trick, and for a more effective setup, try a running sinker rig with a 9-ounce sinker, L cat hooks, and a bit of tinsel or a soft plastic in pink or white.
Nicole Robinson is the founder of the Women’s Fishing Classic and a former leader, now advisor, at the Women in Recreational Fishing Network (Queensland).
SUPPLIED WEEKLY FISHING REPORTS – 6 MARCH 2025
This week at the Pin, prawns and threadfin have been around in good numbers, but with Tropical Cyclone Alfred looming, conditions could change quickly. Few anglers have ventured out, and those who have found the fishing not quite worth the effort. Stay safe.
| Jacobs Well Boat Hire Ph (07) 5546 2608 | www.jacobswellboathire.com.au |
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Last Friday was the only chance to get out on the water, with cobia, school mackerel, mack tuna, and reef sharks caught on floating pilchards, metal lures, and live baits out from the Gold Coast. Since then, fishing has been on hold, as big swells from Tropical Cyclone Alfred have made conditions impossible. The Gold Coast wave buoy hit a record 16.52m today—4.52m higher than the previous max recorded in 1996. It will take some time for storm debris to clear, but hopefully, conditions improve in time for the Spanish mackerel season reopening on March 23rd.
| BK’s Gold Coast Fishing Charters Ph 0414 293 034 | https://bksfishing.com.au/ |
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It’s been too dangerous to venture out on the deep sea or close reefs, and the beaches and breakwalls are also off-limits due to the rough conditions. However, the river has been fishing exceptionally well, with good catches of trevally, tailor, jewfish, bream, flathead, and those prized mangrove jacks.
No updates on mud crabs, but reports suggest that the drop in barometric pressure has triggered some fantastic fishing action—though only a few anglers have been out to take advantage of it. Fishing is expected the boom after things settle.
| Bruns Beach, Bait & Tackle https://www.instagram.com/brunsbeachbaitntackle/ |
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Over the past week, we’ve focused on fishing in the southern Moreton Bay islands, particularly around Peel Island, Garden Island, and Macleay Island. With a strong southeasterly wind over the past couple of weeks, we’ve been targeting the cleaner water closer to these islands. As soon as the wind picked up, we shifted to the more sheltered spots around Garden Island and Macleay Island, where some solid fish have been holding. There have been good schools of snapper, along with tailor, threadfin salmon, and jewfish around the prawns outside the Redland Bay boat ramp. The fishing in these areas has been productive, particularly on the western side of Macleay Island. However, with the weather conditions changing and Cyclone Alfred approaching, it’s not going to be fishable for the next few days.
| Capn’s Charters Ph 0410 590 049 | Capns Charters – Lure & Soft Plastic Fishing Charter |
