VETERAN angler John Lee has fished in every ocean around Australia – but says nothing beats the beaches of North Stradbroke Island.
Mr Lee, 72, of Amity Point, spends about six days a week casting a line from the sand at Flinders and Main beaches, where he targets dart, whiting, flathead, bream and tailor.
On most weeks, he brings home enough fish for “a meal or two”.
“If the fish are really biting, I might catch too many and then I’ll freeze them for when the weather’s bad, but I don’t catch more than I need,” he said.
His preferred method is oven baking, although he once enjoyed frying or wrapping whole fish in alfoil – especially the bonier species.
Mr Lee has been fishing on North Stradbroke Island for 21 years, since buying his beach house, which became his permanent home a decade ago.
“It’s pretty quiet here, except it gets busy on holidays and long weekends. There is plenty of wildlife and I have great neighbours,” he said.
One neighbour has even become his regular fishing mate, joining him most days of the week.
Mr Lee uses pipis and prawns as his go-to bait, with the occasional worm or pilchard thrown in.
“It’s relaxing and it fills in the time. Getting ready is also a part of it – making sure you are rigged up correctly,” he said.
Marine life is a constant companion.
“I see sharks in the waves four or five times a year,” he said.
“From August to September, you notice the sting rays and of course there are whales coming or going in the winter months.
“On Main Beach, they are about 100 metres away. They are very close.”
A lifelong fisherman, Mr Lee learned the craft from his father, who took him to freshwater dams and rivers near Esk.
“Fresh water offers very different fishing. But the salt water is better to eat, no question,” he said.
In dams and rivers, he caught dew fish, silver perch, eels and bass.
But his best catch came at Cape Don in the Northern Territory, where he reeled in mangrove jack and barramundi.
“I always pack a rod every holiday – just in case,” he said.
“Fishing is a great pastime.
“If the kids start early, they might catch something small and let it go, but this will stay with them for life.
“It’s a great hobby and better than looking at a computer screen.”
