East coast advice?

[Broomstick]

Hi guys,
So next week I'm driving up to Townsville to collect some fish (for my PhD), and of course I'm taking a rod with me. I've fished in Townsville a few times so have a reasonable idea of where to fish, but I was wondering if anyone can recommend some spots to flick a lure on the way up? I'll probably do the drive up over three days so will have a fair bit of time to fish. Not too fussed on species, just looking for somewhere scenic and fishy

Cheers!

[scubascott]

Port Stephens and Forster are good options, scenic and easy land based access. South West Rocks, Port Maquarie, Old bar are good too. Infact the whole NSW north coast is excellent. Can't go wrong along there. Hervey Bay is nice too plus if you want to detour inland some of the stocked dams would be in prime barra season too

[forsterfisho]

Where do you start??

South coast of NSW is awesome, then around sydney has some good but crowded options and then further north comes Lake macquarie, Tea Gardens, Forster, Port Macquarie, SWR, Yamba, Ballina, Tweed.

Out of interest, what is your PHD on? Tough gig sampling fish on the reef...

[Broomstick]

Thanks fellas, lots of options there.

Forsterfisho I'm not working on reef fish (you're right, sampling reefies is a nightmare!), I'm working on guppies (there are a few wild populations in Townsville where I collect). I'm looking at the effect of agricultural contaminants (specifically trenbolone, which is a hormone used to promote growth rates in cattle) on fish populations using guppies as a model species. It's pretty nasty stuff and can do all sorts of weird things to fish when it gets in the waterways

[dirvin21]

if you stop around Nambucca Heads theres plenty of fishing options

[Windknot]

You must be a better driver than me. The last time I drove to Townsville it took me just over 3 days and that was by the more direct inland route. I barely stopped, apart from sleeping overnight.

I came back along the coastal route and that took me over 4 days of constant driving. I found the coastal route so frustrating, as there were so many dead end turn offs to coastal towns, which I just didn't have time to check out. It would take many weeks to explore it properly.

If I was going to stop somewhere, I would consider the flats at Hervey Bay. I think it's pretty safe, as far as crocs go, so you could probably wade out a fair way. It's a place where tropical and temperate species overlap, so you might pick up just about anything. Apparently there are flats in Hervey Bay and there are also flats at the mouth of the Mary river.

[Goody1971]

Try Marlo, I hear that's a good spot!

[Broomstick]

Originally Posted by Windknot

You must be a better driver than me. The last time I drove to Townsville it took me just over 3 days and that was by the more direct inland route. I barely stopped, apart from sleeping overnight.

I came back along the coastal route and that took me over 4 days of constant driving. I found the coastal route so frustrating, as there were so many dead end turn offs to coastal towns, which I just didn't have time to check out. It would take many weeks to explore it properly.

If I was going to stop somewhere, I would consider the flats at Hervey Bay. I think it's pretty safe, as far as crocs go, so you could probably wade out a fair way. It's a place where tropical and temperate species overlap, so you might pick up just about anything. Apparently there are flats in Hervey Bay and there are also flats at the mouth of the Mary river.

Sorry mate I should have given a little more detail, I'm driving up with my old man (he's my 'research assistant') and we just drive straight through - we sleep in shifts in the car. We've done the drive a couple of times and without stopping to fish we've always done it in well under 2 days, but that was the inland route . Maybe we'll give it four days if we are going along the coast.

I've always wanted to go to Harvey Bay so I think we have a winner! Thanks mate

[Broomstick]

Originally Posted by Goody1971

Try Marlo, I hear that's a good spot!

Haha Goody if I stop at Marlo I'll never make it to Townsville!

[Pistol]

Originally Posted by Broomstick

Sorry mate I should have given a little more detail, I'm driving up with my old man (he's my 'research assistant') and we just drive straight through - we sleep in shifts in the car. We've done the drive a couple of times and without stopping to fish we've always done it in well under 2 days, but that was the inland route . Maybe we'll give it four days if we are going along the coast.

I've always wanted to go to Harvey Bay so I think we have a winner! Thanks mate

I wouldn't suggest Hervey Bay. It's great if you have a boat and its not windy but without a boat you're restricted to Urangan Pier (which can be great) or the mouth of the Mary at River Heads (remember the Bushmans for the midges). Not aware of any "flats" at River Heads but north of Hervey Bay there are some. Besides that, it's a bit off the main drag. I've fished there many times.
I'd be looking at somewhere around Townsville so you can take the most direct route then get back and go to Tamboon

[Eastbrimin]

Originally Posted by Pistol

I'd be looking at somewhere around Townsville so you can take the most direct route then get back and go to Tamboon

Nah stick to Marlo, Tamboon doesn't fish well this time of year

[Pistol]

Originally Posted by Eastbrimin

Nah stick to Marlo, Tamboon doesn't fish well this time of year

Yeah, I've heard that actually. Apparently they shut down at the start of December right through to after Easter. Probably no point in anyone going there.

[Broomstick]

Originally Posted by Pistol

I wouldn't suggest Hervey Bay. It's great if you have a boat and its not windy but without a boat you're restricted to Urangan Pier (which can be great) or the mouth of the Mary at River Heads (remember the Bushmans for the midges). Not aware of any "flats" at River Heads but north of Hervey Bay there are some. Besides that, it's a bit off the main drag. I've fished there many times.
I'd be looking at somewhere around Townsville so you can take the most direct route then get back and go to Tamboon

Cheers Pistol. I think you're right, there aren't many places that fish better than Townsville so I might as well take the most direct route and use the spare time to fish there (the mouth of the Ross River is just about my favourite place I've ever fished). Can't wait to fish Tamboon!

Cheers everyone!

[forsterfisho]

Originally Posted by Broomstick

Thanks fellas, lots of options there.

Forsterfisho I'm not working on reef fish (you're right, sampling reefies is a nightmare!), I'm working on guppies (there are a few wild populations in Townsville where I collect). I'm looking at the effect of agricultural contaminants (specifically trenbolone, which is a hormone used to promote growth rates in cattle) on fish populations using guppies as a model species. It's pretty nasty stuff and can do all sorts of weird things to fish when it gets in the waterways

That's a pretty cool PHD choice, did you get to pick it or was it selected for you?

If you ever need another research assistant or lab monkey, let me know...it always looks good for experiance next to my undergrad degree

[Broomstick]

Originally Posted by forsterfisho

That's a pretty cool PHD choice, did you get to pick it or was it selected for you?

If you ever need another research assistant or lab monkey, let me know...it always looks good for experiance next to my undergrad degree

I chose it, I did similar work for my honours. What was your undergrad? I'm always looking for people to help out in the lab