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A Comprehensive Guide to Gold Coast Prawning

Are you ready to dive into the exciting world of Gold Coast prawning? Our comprehensive guide offers everything you need to know about this thrilling aquatic activity. From identifying prawn species to selecting the right equipment, understanding bag limits, and preserving your catch, we’ve got you covered.

Exploring Gold Coast’s Diverse Prawn Species 🦐 The waters of South East Queensland (SEQ), the Gold Coast, and

Far Northern NSW teem with a variety of prawn species. Here are the most common ones found in our region:

1. Banana Prawn (Penaeus merguiensis, Penaeus indicus): These prawns are prevalent from Shark Bay in WA to Northern NSW, growing up to 34cm long. Their prime season runs from November to May.
2. School Prawn (Metapehaeus macleayi): Located from mid Queensland to the SE Victoria border, school prawns can reach sizes of up to 25cm and share a season similar to banana prawns, from November to May.
3. Tiger Prawn (Penaeus monodon): Tiger prawns come in three subgroups – black, brown, and grooved. They are found from mid-coast NSW to Shark Bay in WA, growing up to 33cm. Each subgroup has its peak season but is generally caught year-round.
4. Eastern King Prawn (Penaeus plebejus): These prawns are found all along the east coast, from Tasmania to the Gulf. Mainly caught by offshore trawlers, they can reach sizes of up to 30cm.
5. Coral Prawn: Various genera of coral prawns inhabit coastal reefs along the east coast, with trawlers primarily catching them around reefs and gritty bottoms.
6. Mantis Shrimp: With over 125 different species in Australian waters, mantis shrimp can be found around Australia, from estuaries to coastal flats and out to the shelf in 1500m. They are mainly caught by hand or as by-catch from trawlers or line fishermen. Morton Bay and inshore reefs are great places to find them by hand.

Bag Limits, Handling, and Conservation 🦐 When prawning on the Gold Coast, it’s crucial to adhere to bag limits: 10 liters per person with a boat limit of 20 liters for two or more people. Remember that bag limits apply not just during your trip but also to your entire catch, including what you have in your fridge, freezer, or bait.

Handling prawns requires caution as they possess two sharp spikes used as defense mechanisms, one on their head and one on their tail. Prawns molt their shells regularly, undergoing pre-moulting and post-moulting stages, which last from 10 to 12 days and 2 to 6 days, respectively.

Understanding Prawn Spawning and Life Cycle 🌊 Prawns are prolific reproducers, with a single female releasing hundreds of thousands of eggs each spawn. Fertilized eggs hatch within 24 hours, and the larvae of different prawn species exhibit distinct behaviors. Some drift shoreward to the shallows, while others head to reefs, gritty trenches, and shale bottoms.

Most prawns live for one to two years and die after spawning. Their early weeks are spent drifting, with some eventually making their way up into estuaries and then back out to the sea to spawn.

Prime Prawn Hunting Grounds 🏞️ Finding prawns involves understanding their preferred habitats:

• Banana Prawns: These prawns school up in estuaries and bays, often in 18ft (5.5m) to 40ft (12m) depths, depending on their movements.
• School Prawns: Love the shallows, typically found in 2m to 8m of water, especially in small holes.
• Tiger Prawns: Can be found in various depths, often around weed beds and drains, with spotlights and scoop nets being effective tools.

Utilizing Sounders and Nets for Successful Prawning 🎣 Sounders, including down scan and side scan, are invaluable tools for locating prawns. In shallow waters, side scanning can help spot prawns along banks or sandbars. Cast your net behind your boat for better results.

When prawns are abundant, they can obscure your sounder with large clusters and may even skip out of the water.

Selecting the Right Cast Nets for Different Conditions 🌊 Various cast nets are suitable for different conditions and spots:

• Bottom Pocket: Ideal for shallows (up to 3m) near drains, sand, and weed beds.
• Top and Bottom Pocket: Suitable for mid-depth waters (1m to 6m).
• Drawstring: Effective in deep water with rough or snaggy bottoms when prawns are near the surface.
• Top Pocket: The preferred net for prawning, excellent in depths of 4m to 30m. It captures prawns in the top pocket, offering an exciting experience for prawners.

Scoop Nets and Haul Nets for Shallow Prawning 🦞 Scoop nets from pet or two-dollar shops are great for prawning. You can also create your own scoop net by bending wire into a hoop shape and attaching mesh. Haul nets are registered and perfect for capturing shallow prawns, particularly school prawns.

Weights for Nets: Finding Your Preference 🌊 Select weights based on personal preference. Lead sinks quickly but may snag. Chain sinks slower but is less prone to snags. Rings are noisy and can snag but have a moderate sinking rate. Try each type to determine which suits your needs best.

Preserving and Cleaning Your Prawns for Maximum Freshness 🍤 To preserve prawns, place them in an icy slurry immediately after catch, adding salt to enhance preservation. While you can freeze prawns, they are best consumed fresh or within three weeks of freezing.

Unlocking Culinary Versatility 🍽️ Prawns are incredibly versatile seafood. You can prepare them in countless ways, from pasta dishes, curries, and stir-fries to grilling, frying, and adding to salads or sandwiches. Pair them with various ingredients, including meats, fruits, and veggies, to create mouthwatering dishes.

Responsible Prawning and Conservation 🌊 Follow bag limits, accurately identify your catch, and respect local regulations when prawning on the Gold Coast. If you’re uncertain about a species, take a photo and consult experts. Responsible prawning ensures a sustainable and enjoyable experience for all.

“Squid Fishing Gold Coast – Brisbane – Tweed Heads: A Comprehensive Guide”

– the Cephalopods of the Gold Coast

Australia’s coastal waters are home to a diverse array of squid, calamari, and cuttlefish species, and the Gold Coast region is no exception. Here, we delve into the world of squid fishing, providing insights into the most common species you’ll encounter and the tips and techniques that will help you reel in these fascinating creatures.

Meet the Common Squid Species of the Gold Coast

• Cuttlefish (Sepia apama and Sepia pharaonis): These versatile creatures are found throughout Australian waters. Giant cuttlefish roam over reefs and grassy seabed’s out to the continental shelf, while smaller species, like the Pharaoh’s cuttlefish, can be spotted on close reefs, inshore reefs, and grassy sea beds. Some cuttlefish can grow up to a whopping 5 kilograms and 52 centimeters in length, with a total of 10 different species inhabiting Australian waters.
• Gould’s Squid (Nototodarus Gouldi): Ranging from the southern Barrier Reef to Geraldton in Western Australia, Gould’s squid prefers deeper waters between 50 meters to 200 meters. During winter months, smaller models can be found in estuaries and bays, with individuals capable of reaching up to 1.6 kilograms and 40 centimeters in size.
• Loligo Squid (Loligo Formosa and Loligo chinensis): Along the New South Wales coast and estuaries, Loligo squid are often found near weed beds and riverbeds, spreading out at night. These squid can grow up to 200 grams and 25 centimeters.
• Luminous Bay Squid (Loliolus noctiluca): Stretching along the east coast of Australia, from the Gulf to Bass Strait and the east coast of Tasmania, Luminous bay squid thrive in bays, estuaries, and brackish water. Typically, they’re located over reefs and grassy seabeds up to 50 meters deep and are characterized by dark spots on their bodies with yellow-pink coloring. These squid have wings that extend half their body length and grow to around 10 centimeters.
• Northern Calamari (Tiger Squid) (Sepioteuthis Lessoniana): Found in nearshore coastal waters, bays, estuaries, and offshore reefs up to 100 meters deep, northern calamari can reach sizes of 2 kilograms and 42 centimeters in length. Their range extends from northern New South Wales to Sharks Bay in Western Australia.
• Southern Calamari (Sepioteuthis Australis): Inhabiting inshore reefs up to 100 meters deep, bay areas, estuaries, and inlets, southern calamari can grow impressively large, reaching sizes of up to 4 kilograms and 55 centimeters.

The Squid Life Cycle and Spawning

Squid exhibit rapid growth, with juveniles gaining approximately 30% of their body weight daily, leading to an increase in biomass of 10-15% per day during the first half of their life cycle. As they mature, this growth rate drops to around 5%. Squid typically have a short lifespan, with most species living for about 12 to 18 months, although some, like giant squid and cuttlefish, may live for 3 to 5 years. Female squid can lay up to 100,000 eggs, with both males and females dying after spawning, contributing to the marine food chain.

Squid’s Defense Mechanisms

Squid possess fascinating defense mechanisms. They can change the texture and color of their skin to blend with their surroundings, using color for communication, hunting, or evading predators. As a last resort, they release ink to blind or confuse their pursuers, making their escape.

Squid Fishing in the Gold Coast

Tiger squid and arrow squid can be found in the Gold Coast Broadwater, Moreton Bay, Harvey Bay, and along coastal reefs off Tweed and the Gold Coast. These creatures are most active during the winter and cooler months, favoring habitats such as weed beds, seagrass, coral, rocky reefs, and deeper holes in bays and estuaries. They primarily feed on small to medium prawns, fish, crustaceans, and even other squid, displaying a somewhat cannibalistic appetite.

For successful squid fishing in the Gold Coast, try baiting with banana prawns, pilchards, or strip baits like mullet and tuna. Using squid spikes under a float keeps your bait off the bottom and in the strike zone, and it helps you detect when a squid takes the bait.

Jigging for Squid

The effectiveness of jigging for squid depends on various factors like weather, water clarity, light, current, and depth. Experiment with different jig sizes and colors to match local conditions and preferences. Sometimes, high UV or glow patterns work better, while on other days, natural colors like black or white are more effective. Chin weights can assist in getting smaller jigs down in deeper water.

When using a jig under a float, set the jig height just off the bottom to the mid-water column.

Squid Fishing Set-Up

A simple and effective set-up for squid fishing includes a 6-10lb braid or mono line attached to an 8-14lb leader. Pair this with a 2-4kg or 3-6kg rod and a 1000-2500 reel.

Artificial Lighting

Using artificial lights can attract bait, which, in turn, brings in squid. Drifting with lights on and off can yield different results, as some nights, the presence of light can make all the difference.

Preservation and Cleaning

For those planning to cook their catch, it’s essential to dispatch squid swiftly to ensure tenderness. An EGI spike is effective, as it ensures all three of the squid’s brains are instantly incapacitated. This results in clear to white-colored meat, indicating proper dispatching. Store your squid on ice to maintain freshness.

Cooking Tips

Soaking squid in kiwi fruit for 30 minutes to 3 hours can help tenderize the flesh, thanks to the enzymes in the fruit. When cooking squid, aim for 50 seconds of frying time to maintain tenderness, whether you’re deep frying, shallow frying, or pan frying.

Size and Bag Limits

It’s essential to be aware of size and bag limits for squid in your region. In Queensland, there are no size limits and a bag limit of 20 on cuttlefish and squid (excluding tiger squid). In New South Wales, there is no size limit, and the general bag limit is 20 for all non-listed species. However, Southern Calamari has a bag limit of 15 per person.

In conclusion, squid fishing in the Gold Coast offers not only a rewarding culinary experience but also excellent bait for various species. Whether you’re fishing inshore or offshore, these fascinating creatures are waiting to test your angling skills. So, happy squid fishing Gold Coast, and enjoy your fresh catch!