With prime conditions settling in over an extended period, anglers across the region have been enjoying outstanding fishing, both inshore and offshore. From the estuaries to the reefs, there's no shortage of exciting fishing action.
Reef Fishing
The inshore reefs have been a hotspot for Spanish mackerel, particularly around the pressure points and pinnacles holding bait. Trolling deep-diving lures like the Strada Pro Tracka’s and wog rigged garfish along with floating pilchards has proven to be a deadly technique. Areas including Pixie Reef, Thetford’s 11 fathom patch and the Sudbury Reef Apron off Cairns are all providing plenty of pelagic action. The coastal reefs and headlands, including Cape Bedford, have also been alive with Spaniards, making for some thrilling fishing north of Cooktown.
Bottom fishing has been highly productive, with large and small-mouth nannygai biting aggressively on the offshore grounds fishing the isolated rocks, rubble patches, and around the well-known wonky holes as the tides have moderated during the week. Coral trout have been in excellent numbers on the inshore reefs, particularly on the big tides, while spangled emperor, long-nose emperor, cod, and various trevally species have rounded out the mixed reef bags.
The only downside has been the ever-present sharks, which have been making short work of hooked fish if not retrieved hastily. Authorities need to take urgent action as sharks are out of control and have exploded in numbers with a massive imbalance both off & inshore.
Rivers & Estuaries
Inshore estuary fishing has been equally rewarding, especially for those targeting barramundi. The Cairns Inlet has produced several barra, with live baits and slab baits of garfish proving particularly effective along the Cairns Harbour Flats around the drains and creek mouths. A few nice grunters have also fallen for fresh strips of garfish & mullet. Lure enthusiasts have also done well, with mangrove jacks and barra readily hitting soft plastics and hard-body lures around snags and dredging soft plastic prawns & paddle tails in the deeper holes.
The Daintree River and its tributaries have also fished well, particularly in the upper fresh reaches where small barra have been abundant in the drains and back-eddies along with the occasional mangrove jack and jungle perch. The Jackson Jester minnow has accounted for plenty of fish in these systems recently.
South of Cairns, the Johnstone River’s freshwater drains have also been fishing well, with barramundi, sooty grunter and jungle perch hitting small minnows and plastic prawn baits.
The Hinchinbrook Channel region has been challenging due to recent rain run-off, but the Missionary Bay creeks, which have remained relatively clean, have provided more consistent action.
Headland & Beach Foreshore Fishing!
The Cairns Northern Beach foreshores have been fishing well for both barramundi and the occasional threadfin salmon, with soft plastic paddle tails and large imitation prawns being the lures of choice. Most anglers are exploiting the use of live scope and targeting marked fish with multiple casts.
Beach and headland fishing at Clump Point and Tam O’Shanter Point has yielded some nice barra, particularly on the turn of the high tide.
Weekend Outlook!
Looking ahead, conditions are shaping up well for Friday with winds around 10 knots forecasted, increasing slightly to 10-15 knots on Saturday. However, the weather continues to be unsettled & worth checking the latest forecasts & observations before heading to sea. The quarter moon building from Saturday is a definite positive for fish activity which should see some hot action.
Plenty of boats will continue fishing the reef with bottom bouncers chasing both coral trout & nannygai if the weather holds into Saturday. Friday looks ideal for the deep droppers heading offshore targeting Ruby, Flame & Gold Band Snapper along with various job fish in the 100m plus depths off the outer edges. Trolling the reef edges and floating baits in areas like Pixie, Thetford & Sudbury Reefs should produce Spanish mackerel. Spanish & grey mackerel should be feeding on the bait schools around the southern islands like Dunk & the Family Group, with jigging metal vibes or floating pilchards being successful methods to target these great table fish.
Barramundi and mangrove jacks will be highly sought after again in the estuaries and rivers, with the Cairns Inlet, Dickson Inlet, Daintree River, and Johnstone River all worth a fish. Casting soft plastic prawns, paddle tails and hard body minnows like the Jackson Jester will be effective. As the tides build during the week, grunter, barra & salmon will be running on the estuary flats and along the Cairns Northern Beach Foreshores. Mud crabs will also increase in numbers during the weeks bigger tides and should be back in the creeks, making it worth setting some pots.
Tip of the Week
With reef bottom fishing highly popular recently, a great tip to increase your bite period time with every drop is to accompany your squid & pilchard baits with a strip of fish flesh. Often the best fishing is on the structure holding bait schools like fusiliers and Hussars, but they are also a pest stealing soft baits before the trout or nannygai have a chance to bite. By including a strip of tougher fish flesh like hussars, it can increase your catch rates as your bait is presented longer to a potential keeper fish. The softer pilchards are ideal for keeping fish in the areas as they break up and attract fish to your bait like burley.