Warmer weather can make for an exciting fishing trip in south east Queensland. The heat brings bait fish closer to the shore and the big pelagics, like tuna, follow them in.
One place you will have no trouble finding these fish, is off the Sunshine Coast. Our guide Gavin Platz from Tie ‘n’ Fly Outfitters took the Creek to Coast team out to catch some. Less than 15 minutes off the Kawana boat ramp, schools of tuna bust up on the surface.
To catch one of these, you have to come out with the right gear. Get yourself a high gear ratio reel, and a rod with a bit of bend in it. It’s important to match your profile to the baitfish the tuna are eating. A smaller lure usually works better. Winding it in faster, will help make it appear smaller, giving you a better chance at hooking something up.
If you’re not having any luck, keep experimenting with different profiles, until you find something that works.
Then there’s getting the technique right. Send your slug long, right into the bust up. Rod tip down, then wind as fast as you can. Repeat the process until you get a bite.
If you’re planning on your own tuna fishing trip, you might want to consider finding somewhere to stay the night before. These trips can start in the early hours and it’s always nice not to travel far for a big day on the water. Coco Mooloolaba is a great option. Right in the heart of the Mooloolaba, it’s the ideal spot to spend the night.
