Let’s face it – there’s a million spots in Queensland where you could be fishing – point a dart at a map and wherever it lands, there’s a good chance that you’re going to find yourself a great time with mates.
Recently, our bullseye hit Mackay… and it did not disappoint!
The first place you should visit when getting the lay of the land is your local BCF store – they live and breathe this stuff and have their finger on the pulse on what’s on the chew locally.
While in store at the Mackay BCF, Scotty picked up the new Savage Stealth Spinning Reel which proved to be a lifesaver, pulling in a grunter, permit and even a good-sized Queenie!
On any given afternoon, anyone looking for a quick session can try the Gooseponds in North Mackay or the Lagoons near the Botanical Gardens.
While there’s great fishing there, our journey took us 45 minutes north to Seaforth, a small fishing village. Heading out with Jason Kidd we hit boat ramp at low tide and ripped across to a secret spot amongst the mangroves and where the fish were just waiting to jump into the boat. The result? A couple of grunter, one of which, who lost his sides and ended up in the pan. Jase showed us a stunningly simple salt and vinegar chip panko-esque recipie that resulted in a delicious golden crumb and flaky white fleas. Cue the mouthwatering. See the video for the recipe.
Further afield, the Pioneer Valley is a stunning drive and home to some epic rainforest! Up the road at Eungella Dam anglers chasing “Soot-balls” or Sooty Grunter as fat as your fist can be found among the wood. You’ll need a SIP to fish, but they’re inexpensive and easy to apply for.
Paul Dolan is the man you’ll want to fish with – a guide with decades of experience, he’ll steer you in the right direction if you’re “all about the boof”
Accommodation options –
For a touch of luxury while in Mackay, we definitely recommend the Lanai Apartments. Centrally located and well-appointed.
The Broken River Mountain Resort is our pick when heading to Eungella. Only steps away from Platypus swimming in the river below and in the surrounds of nature it’d be easy to find yourself off the grid here for a couple of days.
