Tweed River Mangrove Jack

by Brad "Smithy" Smith | Australian Lure Fishing

Tweed River Mangrove Jack Map

Smithy’s Top Tips For Tweed River Mangrove Jack Fishing

  • Smithy prefers to target Tweed River mangrove jacks in deeper water, from 4.5-9m depth. His approach is to troll the rock bars with deep diving, hard body lures that skim the bottom and remain in contact with the structure. If you’re not snagging lures occasionally, you’re not doing it right.
  • Often anglers anchor on top of the fish and then cast to the edges. Mangrove Jack are not just a side-structure target, large fish often frequent rock bars at the bottom of the river. Some rock bars in the Tweed can extend 30m into the river, so keep a close eye on the sounder to find the structure.
  • A little bit of colour in the water helps improve the bite. During clear water periods the fish can be a little more shy and difficult to tempt.
  • Trolling into the current can be effective as you can slow the travel of the lure down and work the bottom structure thoroughly. It also aids in recovering lures that get snagged
  • After hooking a jack, move the boat to the middle of the river and try and work the fish into clear water. Jacks put up a fierce fight when they are within 2-3m of their home in the rocks, but become disorientated and easier to fight once away from structure.
  • Use Google Earth and maps to find tight bends and other structure that could hold jacks and explore the river at low tide for signs of fish holding structure.
  • Trolling is much more of a science than most fishermen realise, it requires an intimate knowledge of lure swimming depth, current and structure to get the lure in front of fish.

Smithy’s Mangrove Jack Tackle Selection

  • Atomic Fish Arrow rods are a great value rod that does the job well. Smithy couples an 8-12 or 10-12kg line class rod with a Shimano Curado baitcast reel, 50lb braided line and a 50lb leader.
  • Don’t skimp on quality as jacks will make you pay if your gear is not up to scratch.

Preferred Conditions For Mangrove Jack Fishing

  • A high barometer (>1020HPa) is usually a good time to target jacks, but periods just before an electrical storm when the barometer drops sharply are also good for a hot bite.
  • An hour ether side of the high or low tide is Smithy’s preferred period for targeting not just jacks, but all estuarine species.
  • The week leading up to and the week following full and dark moons tend to produce the best results. “No Run, No Fun”.

Smithy’s Pick For The Best Mangrove Jack Lures

  • Atomics 75 and 85 Double Deep
  • Deep Diving Bomber
  • Manns Stretch 20 plus.
  • Choose your lure based on water depth, current and direction you’re trolling so the the lures are constantly knocking the bottom. For example, trolling into the current causes lures to run deeper.








GOLD COAST FISHING MAP

FREE Interactive Map Sent To Your Inbox

Brad Smith

Brad Smith

Fishing Guide & Journalist

Smithy operates the Gold Coast’s longest running guided fishing service, “Brad Smith Fishing Charters”, having operated for 25 years in 2019. Over this entire period his business has distinguished itself by being a lure fishing only operation. Brad frequently writes for Bush and Beach magazine and has made radio and television appearances as a fishing presenter.

Subscribe To ALF

Apple  |  Stitcher  |  Google  |  Spotify  | iHeart | MP3

Secrets To Lure Fishing In Lake Macquarie During Winter

Secrets To Lure Fishing In Lake Macquarie During Winter

EPISODE 630 Lake Macquarie lure fishing gun Dan Guilfoyle is back with advice on how to enjoy hot winter fishing in Lake Macquarie. Dan Guilfoyle Lake Macquarie Fishing Identity Dan grew up fishing Lake Macquarie and as a youngster used to walk the banks and wade the...

Secrets To Lure Fishing In Lake Macquarie During Winter

Secrets To Lure Fishing In Lake Macquarie During Winter

EPISODE 630 Lake Macquarie lure fishing gun Dan Guilfoyle is back with advice on how to enjoy hot winter fishing in Lake Macquarie. Dan Guilfoyle Lake Macquarie Fishing Identity Dan grew up fishing Lake Macquarie and as a youngster used to walk the banks and wade the...

Episode 547: Fishing Around Exmouth In Spring With Steve Riley

Episode 547: Fishing Around Exmouth In Spring With Steve Riley

Every time I interview Steve Riley about fishing the Exmouth area I get blown away by the opportunities on offer, but I think this interview could be my favourite so far. Steve spills the beans on five land-based fishing spots that are available to visiting anglers during spring. In the course of the conversation we cover everything from bream and whiting to tuna, reef species and pelagics including monster GT from the beach. What a destination!

Hinchinbrook Winter Mangrove Jack With Adam Royle

Hinchinbrook Winter Mangrove Jack With Adam Royle

They might be considered a “warm-months” species, but Adam Royle fishes for Hinchinbrook mangrove jack right through the winter months with good success – even on topwater lures! In this episode he does a great job of explaining exactly how he achieves good catches of red dogs when the water is a little on the cooler side.

Brad’s Guiding Business

Brad Smith Fishing Charters