Fishing News

RoLy Newton

UNFORTUNATELY, we just experienced another wet and windy weekend, with all fishing confined to the estuaries and freshwater. I am writing this report on Monday, and I can see a brief drop in the wind forecast for tomorrow. I can feel a cold coming on and will try to get out to the islands for a quick fish. Hopefully, if I target some of the more eastern islands headlands, such as forty foot, I can manage an early-season Spanish Mackerel. There should also be some nice Queenfish around, and maybe a Fingermark or Coral Trout will succumb to a vibe or soft plastic. All these species, plus Trevally and School Mackerel, should be plentiful now that the water temperatures are finally dropping.

Of course, this is at the expense of a drop in Barramundi and Mangrove Jack numbers; however, last year, I found that targeting Barra during the periods of rising temperatures, I had some great results through the winter months.

Last weekend Saturday was wet and windy, making fishing the estuaries difficult. Some Mangrove Jacks and Barra were caught; however, most anglers found the going fairly tough.

The sheltered waters in the Hinchinbrook Channel offered the best opportunities, with some nice Barra and Mangrove Jacks coming from the sheltered central sections.

The snags in the estuaries are now starting to attract the schools of Pikey Bream, which often sit up high in the structure. I have heard some anglers remark that they rarely catch Jacks and Barra when the Bream are present; however, I have found the opposite and get excited, considering the Pikey Bream a great sign.

The reports coming from those that fished the freshwater reaches of the rivers and creeks were varied. Plenty of reports of Barramundi; however, managing a solid hook-up was challenging, which is typical behaviour when the water temperatures have dropped. A few sunny days and the Barra will come back on the bite. I have found that targeting the Barra in the mid to late afternoon when the water temperatures have risen will give better results.

Fishing Photos

MONTHLY $50 TACKLE WORLD VOUCHER TO BE WON

Please email, post or drop your photos into our office, along with your name, phone number and details of your catch for your chance to win the monthly voucher. Your photo will appear in the following issue of the Wet Tropic Times, and the winner will be drawn on the last Thursday of each month.

info@wettropictimes.com.au PO Box 1100, TULLY, 4854 70 Butler Street, TULLY

Last weekend, a few anglers targeted Sooty Grunter and Jungle Perch in the smaller feeder creeks. Again the fishing was better in the afternoon, with some nice fish caught mostly on soft plastic lures such as the smaller Cast Prodigy. These are excellent paddle tail soft plastics with a deadly action; the tail will wobble on the slowest of retrieves.

The mud crabs have been relatively consistent, with most boats managing a reasonable feed for an overnight set. The pots are full of undersized crabs. It’s just a case of sorting through them until you find the legal ones.

Looking forward to the weather this coming weekend, most of the forecast are for 10 to 15 knots on Saturday, with the wind rising to 15 to 20 knots late Sunday afternoon. Hopefully, this will allow the larger boats to target the islands and inshore reefs. The smaller early morning incoming tide will suit targeting Barra and Mangrove Jacks in the estuaries.

Another great family-orientated alternative would be to pump a few yabbies on the afternoon low and then fish for whiting, Bream or Flathead during the afternoon run in tide.

Either side of the mid-morning high tide would be a great time to target a Spanish or School Mackerel around the islands.

Good Fishing

Roly Newton

Tackle World Tully