Coral Bay advice
Submitted by steve434 on Fri, 2017-01-20 04:51
G'Day all,
I'm heading to Coral Bay in a few months with the boat, missus and kids. I was up there last year for the first time but didn't get much luck. My problem is I'm reluctant to head out too far with the kids on board (3 under 5). Can anybody offer any advice or some areas to start looking not too far out past the reef (or PM some spots if you're feeling charitable...hey I can only ask and hope). I have been told once before that you can find some fish on some lumps in the Bateman Bay area near the north passage, has anybody ever given it a crack here?
Cheers
Steve
sparrow
Posts: 119
Date Joined: 04/02/13
yes, not far out the channel
yes, not far out the channel in batemans bay we have fished on really rough days and caught spangled emperor and baldies.
If the swell is not too big you can anchor up anywhere behind the reef in about 15-20m water and burley a little for GT's. spangled, sweet lip, rankin ect. Sharks will probably visit if you berley hard so could try without burley first.
Personally I would not go near the south passage at all with kids but less than 1 mile out SW from it there is lots of broken ground.
Inside the reef south you could try near 5 fingers. There is also squid around you could try tempt.
Hope you get the kids onto a few!
Hand over fist!
Spence
Posts: 302
Date Joined: 09/08/10
Some of the best ground i've
Some of the best ground i've fished is only about 3-5km from the mouth of the northern passage (~60m). Soooo many reds, pearlys, rankins. Some of the biggest fish i've seen have come from this area. Though its not long until sharks figure out whats going on and move in.
Alternatively, just troll the ledge at the back of the reef about 15m on incoming/high tides for mackies/tuna.
-Spence
Insta: @wafishingofficial
crasny1
Posts: 7003
Date Joined: 16/10/08
Depends what you are after.
Depends what you are after. Chasing trophy fish I wouldn't try with that aged kids. South Passage no no, but even the northern one IMO with littlies onboard is dodgy IMO.
Inside the reef casting poppers/placcies/lures over bombies etc you will temp esp spanglies, Trevors and even the odd Coral trout. With kids this isn't do-able but kids don't care about what they catch, and just bottom bouncing them they will catch all sorts of reefies to keep them entertained.
Dad tries for dinner, kids have a ball. That's what I did up there when my 2 were young just in a tinny. And squid over any weed area a stone throw from the marina is almost a sure bet.
"I would like to die on Mars. Just not on impact!!" _ Elon Musk
kirky79
Posts: 1354
Date Joined: 13/01/12
What Crasny said
I wouldn't be going outside the reef with young ones. Plenty of good fish to be had inside, I would anchor on sand so the wind blows you back towards coral weed patches and cast unweighted or lightly weighted baits to the edges.
Travisd
Posts: 315
Date Joined: 07/05/11
check the tides
naturally check for sanctuary areas. 1hr before the high tide right up to the turn is best inside the reef... 40lb leader, unweighted baits, and smaller hooks for flighty fish
Baron Sportsman
Just the depth that Varies
SEAFORCE CORAL BAY
Posts: 150
Date Joined: 09/12/13
For a bit of fun try trolling
For a bit of fun try trolling some smaller lure or twistys along the inside of the elbow (sothern part of north passage reef) just outside the sancury, you will allways pick up some little tuna and the odd mack. Not too much for dinner but great fun for the kids. If you see us down the tables when your here dont be shy to come have a chat, might be able to give you some pointers suiting the current conditions.
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steve434
Posts: 27
Date Joined: 17/02/12
Thanks guys,Yeah, I think I
Thanks guys,
Yeah, I think I might plod around the Bateman area and try my luck. Last time I was up I managed to get out the passage on a day that was like glass for a bit of an explore but no luck.
fat chance
Posts: 9
Date Joined: 04/04/16
Coral Bay
Hi Steve - we are heading up there for the Easter holidays. I assume that's when you are heading up there? Happy to show you a few spots that are good for the kids to catch a few bottom fish - inside the reef area. PM me, or just come pop by - we currently have a site down in the bayview camping ground, in the 140's - we have a 5m Quinny, so you'll find us.