If it’s blowing a gale offshore on the Sunshine Coast, why not head inland and try your luck on the Maroochy River?
The protected passage holds good numbers of bread and butter species, as well as decent muddies. There are a load of boat ramps you can launch from, or if you don’t have a boat, not to worry.
Mark and Matty Planck have run Swan Boat Hire on Bradman Avenue for the better part of 30 years. As it so happens, Matty is also a gun estuary angler who is more than happy to share his favourite spots.
Fancy a flathead on the troll? Matty will hook you up with a boat that is perfect for it; he’ll even suggest the lure to use!
When we went out with him, we were also lucky enough to snag a beautiful big mangrove jack. The technique was relatively simple. Matty knows a few good flats where the flathead like to park up. Using light line (six-pound) and some deeper diving hard bodies, the idea is to troll at a consistent (but slower) pace.
BCF has a literal wall of lures waiting for your attention. You’ve got to ask the guys in store for their opinion. They are fishos like you and I, and know what’s biting, and how it’s doing across our waterways.
Go and see Matty at Swan Boat Hire next time you’re on the Maroochy River. Pick his brains if you’re going for a fish, and make sure you say hi for us.
