With a rainy and stormy start to the week, river levels were high and some areas were unable to be fished. Once conditions improved, boats were back out on the water with good catches of Spanish mackerel, large-mouth nannygai, coral trout and spangled emperor. Jacks have fired well this week in Trinity Inlet, with some solid catches on both lures and bait.
Reef Fishing
Rainy days and afternoon storms slowed most anglers heading out to the reef at the start of the week, but once conditions improved many anglers enjoyed some hot sessions. Quality nannygai were landed dropping fresh squid and slab baits using dropper rigs, fishing mostly around the 35m mark around rubble patches. Using fresh pilchards close to reef edges and bombies produced good numbers of coral trout, as well as the odd spangled emperor.
An absolute stonker large-mouth nannygai landed aboard Exceed Sportfishing, Port Douglas.
The boys had a ripper session landing triples on nannygai aboard Exceed Sportfishing.
A nice coral trout from a reef edge aboard Dragon Lady Charters.
Another arm-pulling spangled emperor aboard Dragon Lady Charters.
Game Fishing
One good thing to come from the rain and storms is the flushing of bait into the blue water, bringing great numbers of Spanish mackerel of all sizes aboard for many anglers this week. Trolling lures, dropping jigs and floating a pilchard out the back of the boat while bottom fishing are all effective ways to catch Spanish mackerel.
All hands on deck for this monster mackerel. Well done to the young guns.
Another horse of a mackerel landed aboard Dragon Lady Charters.
Another cracking Spanish mackerel landed aboard Dragon Lady Charters.
Rivers, Estuaries & Beaches
Often right after a storm or low pressure system, mangrove jacks become very active feeders in the tropics due to rain knocking insects, crabs and frogs into the water throughout mangrove systems. A great way to target them is by matching your lure or bait as closely as possible. Skip casting frogs and recreating a crash landing and high-speed exit is something mangrove jacks cannot resist, chasing them through the snags and trying to nail them. Trinity Inlet and southern rivers such as the Mulgrave and Mourilyan Harbour are great systems for this style of fishing and consistently produce quality fish.
Local angler Jai had another awesome session flicking the snags in Trinity Inlet.
Freshwater Creeks & Dams
Battling late nights and early mornings, most would be in bed, but those who have been fishing Lake Tinaroo have been rewarded with some hot sessions, with plenty of fish over the metre being caught. Big soft plastic paddle tails, as always, have been getting the bite. Walking the upper reaches of freshwater creeks after rain, once the weather has cleared, and casting poppers and frog lures can make for an exciting day, with jungle perch charging the lure in a very visual surface bite.
Putting in the hours for clients aboard DBM Sportfishing, Dylan rarely gets a lot of time to fish himself, but this week he landed a 124cm barra at Lake Tinaroo.
Casting surface lures to the overhanging branches and trees along a freshwater river, Daniel had awesome action landing some solid jungle perch.
Weekend Outlook
With conditions improving by the weekend, and only the chance of afternoon showers or storms, anglers should still be able to get out for morning sessions chasing red fish and nannygai, or hit the reef for coral trout and troll for Spanish mackerel on the way home. With barramundi season now open, many anglers will be out trying their luck for their first barra of the year. Wherever you fish this week, stay safe and courteous on the water and enjoy your time on the water.
Need gear, bait or just a bit of local advice?
Swing by Cairns Tackle World at 172 Aumuller Street, Bungalow to chat with your local independent fishing experts.