1 minute read
Fishing News RoLy Newton
MANY anglers were surprised by the weekend weather conditions being far better than what was forecast by most of the weather sites. The morning seas were calm in close and still quite reasonable, closer to the main reefs. The afternoon north-easterly was expected and made for a cooler, although bumpy, ride home. The small run in the tide meant that the boats that targeted the edges of the reefs with the most current did well, with most boats managing some nice Coral Trout, mixed reef fish and the occasional Spanish Mackerel.
The deep water rubble patches produced both Small and Large Mouth Nannygai and some excellent Spangled Emperor.
Advertisement
I have not heard any reports from those fishing the shipping channel shoals for Spanish Mackerel. It's very early yet, with the main run of Mackerel not due to turn up until June, although you can usually pick up a fish or two at this time of year. There was minimal surface action around the shipping channel or the islands from Pelagic over the weekend.
Closer in around the islands, the fishing was relatively slow through the heat of the day, with only the odd Coral Trout, Grass Sweet Lip, and just legal Nannygai reported caught. The fishing was a lot better through the evening or early morning with some quality Fingermark, Grass Sweet Lip, and Nannygai caught. When the water clears, it will be a different ball game, and the large schools of bait will return with the schools of Pelagic feeding on them.
We should also start to see some nice Grunter turning up around the headlands and islands.
The water in the coastal estuaries showed signs of clearing during the first half of the incoming tide; however, the further upstream you went, the clarity diminished. The estuaries still aren't at their best; however, anglers who know their way around managed some reasonable fishing for Mangrove Jacks and Barra.
The Hinchinbrook Channel was the place to be with some better fishing on offer, and it was a case of finding the run and having fun. You needed to find good water movement and bait.
