Where should I fish, what time, and what lures/bait should I use for land-based bass fishing around Yeppoon, Qld?

Question

FishGPT · Accepted Answer

That sounds like a solid weekend plan, mate. Yeppoon offers some great land-based bass opportunities if you target the right spots, the right times, and the right lures. Here’s a field-tested game plan for a weekend on the Capricorn coast. 🎣

**Where to fish (land-based, near Yeppoon):**
- *Creek mouths and brackish edges*: Head to the upper reaches and mouths of creeks feeding into Keppel Bay (think Ross Creek and nearby tidal channels). These zones hold mixed fish and often concentrate bait when tides push through. Look for weedlines, pockets of shade, and drop-offs where the current concentrates plankton and baitfish. 
- *Shoreline weedlines and mangrove edges*: Sheltered coves behind the main beaches and along esplanade banks are classic bass edges—thin-line vegetation, lily pads, and drop-offs around the banks. 
- *Lagoons and backwaters*: If you’ve got a bit of a walk in, small lagoons around town can hold fish chasing small shad and crustaceans on calm days.
- Pro tip: if you want a quick visual guide, check out local examples of Yeppoon creek fishing in videos like [Ross Creek / Yeppoon creek fishing](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sg1AzTTe65k) for structure ideas. Also, the clip [Yeppoon & Stanage](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFmktAlktYI) gives a sense of the area’s water features and cover to probe.

**When to fish (timing):**
- *Dawn and dusk are prime*. Bass bite best when light is low and the water is cooler after night, so plan for first light and last light sessions. 🌅
- *Tide influence*: in brackish creeks, incoming tides can push baitfish into the mouths and create ambush points for bass. If you see a rising current in the morning, move to the creek mouth or weedline edges. 
- If you’re chasing inshore or estuarine bass during a warm fall day, the bite often shifts toward shaded edges as the sun climbs.

**Lures and bait (bass-optimized, land-based):**
- *Topwater options* for first light: small poppers, prop boppers, or walk-the-dog style lures to crack the surface and trigger reaction bites on slow, steady retrieves. 
- *Soft plastics*: 2–4 inch paddle-tail or grub tail plastics on a light jighead (1/6–1/4 oz) work great along weed edges and drop-offs. Color ideas: natural shad, green pumpkin, or chartreuse-tinkered tones for clarity and stain. 
- *Crankbaits and lipless/bouncing divers*: use shallow-divers that run 2–4 ft to cover structure quickly along ledges and along weed lines. 
- *Spinnerbaits*: in slightly stained water or windy days, a small spinnerbait can punch through the chop and tempt short-strikes from wary bass.
- *Bait options*: if permitted, live yabbies or earthworms can take bass from creeks and lagoons, especially around structure and shade. Soft plastics are often the most practical option when you’re moving from spot to spot. 
- Color and retrieve: alternate slow, steady retrieves with short pauses to imitate a wounded baitfish; mix in short hops when you’re bumping along weed edges.
- Quick gear notes: lightweight 6–8 lb braid with a 8–12 lb fluorocarbon leader helps you feel subtle bites along vegetation and structure. 
- DIY inspiration and gear ideas: consider a versatile freshwater lure kit like [MadBite 143pcs Freshwater Fishing Lure Kit](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DT14K43V?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) for a range of plastics, swimbaits, and cranks that cover many situations you’ll encounter around Yeppoon. And if you want more saltwater-y options, [Narcissus 6PCS Trolling Lures Kit](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FCLRFSBB?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) can be handy for mixed days on the coast.

**Weather, season, and how it shapes the fish (early fall in Yeppoon):**
- Current conditions (Yeppoon): Partly cloudy, around 81.1 F, light wind ~8.7 knots, humidity ~62%. This warm pattern keeps bass active and the water comfortable in the shallows, but afternoons can warm quickly and push them to shade or deeper pockets. 🌤️
- Weather tip: with warm fall days, start with topwater early when light is low, then switch to slow-rolled plastics along weed edges as the sun climbs. A light breeze can push bait up into the edges where bass ambush in the shade. 
- Weather summary: early fall on the Capricorn Coast remains warm and relatively stable, so focus on morning/early evening sessions, shaded pockets, and current-driven ambush points around creek mouths. Bring sun protection and plan for calmer mornings with a breeze building into the afternoon.

Practical tip: target the first 10–20 minutes of light and then the last 20–30 minutes before dark. Use a paddle-tail plastic on a 1/6 oz jighead and work it along the weed edge with a slow drag, then pause; often a bass will inhale it right after you pause. 🪝

If you want a quick scouting run, start at the Ross Creek area and follow the chan­nels toward the mangrove edges; you’ll be amazed how quickly a fish turns the tide in your favor with the right cadence. Stay patient, stay mobile, and you’ll end up with a few solid weekend bass bites. Good luck, and tight lines! 🌊🐟

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