Despite a week of strong winds and rough seas, plenty of keen fishos have still managed a bent rod, especially in the sheltered estuaries and river systems. With a short window of improving weather on the cards heading into the weekend, now’s the time to get your gear ready and out on the water. Here’s what’s been biting 👇
Reef Fishing
Opportunities to hit the reef have been limited, but those who found a calm patch, like clients of Dragon Lady Charters out of Port Douglas, were treated to mixed bags of reefies. Coral trout, nannygai, painted sweetlip, reef jacks, and trevally (both tealeaf and gold spot) were all in the mix. A few Spanish mackerel were also tempted with floated pilchards during bottom bashing sessions.
Closer inshore, early morning trolling around the islands before the wind set in yielded a few doggy and Spanish mackerel, mainly in the sheltered lee sides.
Hot Tip: Watch for a brief weather window today and early Saturday before strong winds return Sunday. Reef species like trout and nannygai are ready to chew if you can reach them, along with Spanish mackerel on floated pilchards. Check the latest observations before heading to sea.
Trevally are a staple reef catch in FNQ, and these two specimens are a solid addition to any mixed bag.
In tough conditions, coral trout remain a prime target on sheltered reef bommies for Dragon Lady Charters out of Port Douglas.
River & Estuary Fishing
The estuaries have been the week’s standout!
Mangrove jacks have been red hot from the Endeavour River in Cooktown right through to the Hull and Tully. Especially around snags and structure, live sardines, mud herring, and prawn imitations are doing damage.
Barramundi have been patchy in the Daintree but much better in sheltered systems like Cairns Inlet, Mourilyan Harbour, the Barron River, and Hinchinbrook Channel. Soft plastics like the Panic Station Mullet have landed fish up to 95cm. A great fish going 1.02m was caught by young angler Reif fishing the Cairns Inlet with Kim Andersen on Wednesday.
Grunter have been roaming the flats on the big tides, especially around the Cairns Harbour, Cardwell, and the muddy creek mouths. Fresh mullet strips, garfish, and prawns are producing the goods.
Pikey bream numbers are on the rise with cooler temps. Great for young anglers using a simple prawn bait.
Young angler Reif was stoked with his 1.02m barramundi caught in Cairns Inlet on Wednesday while fishing with Kim Andersen.
Cairns Tackle World staffer Jai Irwin with a solid barra that hit a Panic Station Mullet on the Cairns Inlet flats.
Coastal Headlands & Foreshores
Threadfin and blue salmon have popped up sporadically along the Hinchinbrook flats and current lines. Live baiting adjacent to the bait schools has been most productive. Grunter and barra have also been in the mix for the bait fishermen along most FNQ beach foreshores.
Barra smashing surface lures like the Panic Station Mullet is a common sight along FNQ foreshores.
Freshwater
Upper freshwater reaches and swamp drain inflows are producing barra, sooty grunter, and the odd jungle perch. Surface lures and small diving minnows have been working a treat.
With neap tides and hopefully clearer water, the Daintree River could really fire. Deep dredged weighted prawn lures and imitation minnows are working well around timber and deeper holes in the brackish and freshwater. Target barra in the drains and creeks before runoff spikes again.
Crabbing Bonanza
One of the biggest wins this week has been mud crabbing. Big rusty bucks are being pulled from Cairns Inlet to Hinchinbrook. The Hull River has been a standout location to the south. The big tides last weekend had them on the move and once the tides build again from next Tuesday, they will again be a priority target for many.
Big rusty bucks have been on the move with the building tides, making it a productive week for mud crabbers.
Weekend Outlook
A slight break in the wind is expected Friday and early Saturday. Perfect for quick reef or coastal missions. But don’t wait too long, conditions are expected to deteriorate again by Sunday and into next week.
If offshore isn’t an option, the estuaries are absolutely firing. Fingermark are showing strong promise in deeper holes on the neap tides, along with the occasional barra. Live sardines, mud herring, prawns, and soft plastic vibes will give you the best shot. Fingermark and barra also love any of the Gulp Prawns and Jerk Shads.
Deep dredging the river structure with weighted prawns like the Chase Bait Flick Prawns, Irukandji Mega Prawns, Zerek Live Shrimp, and the Zman Prawnz Elite should produce some bigger barra if the rain holds off and systems are clean.
Any of the major river-running swamp drains should also fish well on barra. Imitation prawns and minnows like the new Jackall Squirrel Flats are excelling.
Barramundi remain a strong weekend option in the local estuaries and river systems across FNQ.
If conditions hold, Spanish mackerel will be a key target for offshore anglers before winds pick up again Sunday.
Fish Smart:
Always check the latest marine forecast before heading out.
Tag @tackleworldcairns or email your fishing photos to robert@cairnstackleworld.com.au to be featured in a future report.