When the fish are biting there is a good chance Clive and Carolyn Redgate will be down at Bribie Island’s Bongaree jetty with fishing rod and baited hook at the ready.
Living at GemLife Bribie Island for the past two years has put the active couple in a prime position to indulge in their love for fishing.
“Fishing is probably more my passion than it is for Carolyn, but she still enjoys joining me, our kids and our grandchildren on family fishing days out,” Clive said.
“Our nine grandchildren are aged three to 18 and love nothing better than casting a line out to see what they can catch.”
He said fishermen are spoilt for choice when it comes to popular fishing spots on Bribie Island which is located at the Brisbane end of Pumicestone Passage and is effectively a huge artificial reef located in a deep part of the waterway.
Trips down to the Bongaree Jetty have proven popular as many of the fish that can be caught near the main Bribie Island bridge can also be hooked at this peaceful, family-friendly location, according to Clive.
“You can catch a great variety of fish at the jetty ranging from bream, mulloway, cod and snapper to some beautiful tailor which are especially plentiful during the months of June to August. Mangrove jack are often prolific between the jetty and the bridge.”
Clive once owned his own small, motorised fishing boat but now prefers to hire a craft when needed.
“When there are a few of us we can hire the GemLife pontoon boat. It can’t go fast or far but is ideal for a day of fishing with family and friends,” Clive said.
Boat hire is also available at some of the local fishing spots which include Banksia Beach where flathead, bream and tailor are prolific, Sylvan Beach which is north of the Bribie Bridge and Red Beach located at the southern end of the island. While admitting he is no fishing expert, Clive says hooking good-sized barramundi in the estuaries or a tailor on the high or low tide in the waterways was a fisherman’s delight.
He said deep sea fisherman often stay out on the reef for 24 hours for the real big fish such as snapper while the deeper waters of the passage also offer a good supply of sweetlips, cod and mulloway. Clive also takes his grandchildren ‘yabbying’ at Bribie Island although he believes fresh prawns are the best bait to use for fishing along with a light tackle.
Originally from New Zealand, Clive never worries about wet weather because he says rain enhances the chances of getting some good catches.
“The passage fishes well after prolonged heavy rain,” he said.
On any days when the fish refuse to bite, there is always the great takeaway option available from Savige’s Seafood shop near the jetty, according to Clive.