Perfect conditions turned it on for punters fishing the reef this week and will continue to stay fishable into the start of next week. Spanish mackerel are on fire as well as the classic largemouth nanny and coral trout with anglers bagging out on these tasty red demersals. Some solid red emperor have also been found in the mix while anglers target the inshore locations, as well as the light tackle marlin season beginning with reports of juvenile fish being captured on small skirts and rigged gar trolling through the paddocks. Large barramundi in the rivers and flats have been chewing hard as well as some great fingermark and mangrove jacks through the local Trinity Inlet. Sooty grunter, jungle perch, tarpon and jacks are all chewing through the freshwater streams as well for the young groms on foot.
Staff member Brayden managed to find this meter barra in the salt plugging large 10 inch swimbaits through the night. Measuring 105cm that's a great fish for the local Trinity Inlet.
Reef Fishing
Inshore rubble patches and wonky holes have produced many large mouth nannygai and some occasional but stomping sized red emperor that are finding the baits in these shallow water locations giving anglers a decent run for their money. Mixed bags of reef species are filling up coolers for many punters jigging, bottom bashing or even casting with stick baits around the reefs' blue holes and isolated bombies or the flats. Passionfruit coral trout are among these delicious demersals as well as various emperor species taking the baits or lures. Fun fighting size GTs were even finding the stick baits and poppers for a few anglers searching for that adrenaline rush of a top water blow up. Even schools of golden trevally and large diamond trevally are rocking up to pull some string and create some excitement for the thrill seeking fishermen, however they are rocking up on the marks where desired eating fish are almost becoming a pest for these anglers chasing a feed.
This beauty of a red emperor was caught onboard Exceed Sportfishing Port Douglas in the shallows at 19 meters of water whilst targeting nannies.
The Boys from Outtathebluefnq plucking a great mixed bag of nannies and trout in a glamour weather window.
How's the colors on this solid diamond trevally Josh managed to pull inshore.
This photo tops it watching the State of Origin in the background while fighting cracker reds at the reef.
Game Fishing
Spanish mackerel are chewing for most along the inshore wrecks, wonky holes and reef edges. Trolling around these locations with hardbody divers or a garfish on a jig head is a great way to cover ground and find schools of these hungry pelagics. Cobia have even had interest on the mackerel lures around the wrecks adding more of a variety to the coolers. Light tackle game fishing has kicked off early with some great signs of a promising season. Small juvenile black marlin have already been captured through the paddocks around the islands on small skirts and rigged garfish. Hopefully the season will continue to produce some great numbers of these exciting light tackle game fish!
This beautiful eating size Spanish mackerel was caught aboard Dragon Lady with some pearler weather in the background.
Another great Spanish Josh managed to catch with a popper.
Rivers, Estuaries and Beaches
Mangrove coastlines have been producing an array of different species this week. As the water temperature has cooled down, winter species such as queenfish and GTs are moving into the rivers while barra and fingermark are still chewing hard. Mullet and garfish are becoming more prolific as the water continues to cool creating more of a food source for all the desirable predators we all chase. Mangroves produce an abundance of life and bait for all these species. Barramundi have been gorging themselves on the garfish and mullet with some even coughing up large tarpon! Huge GTs are around giving anglers some cooked drag washers on their barra gear with line blistering runs, while schools of queenfish are keeping anglers occupied with some decent top water hits on small poppers and stick baits. Small metal slices or slugs can be another very effective way to cover an area with long distance casts and quick retrieves that entice the bite. Being a versatile option it could help you cover ground and stay on top of the quick moving schools. Fingermark along the mud flats are also keeping anglers entertained and well fed, with the occasional large grunter taking the baits as well keeping the mix interesting.
Luke managed to wrangle this meter barra measuring 102cm throwing hard body lures through structure in the Inlet.
A quality fingermark caught aboard Fish Tales Charters Cairns Sportfishing Adventures in the local Trinity Inlet.
Freshwater and Dams
Hiking into the mountains in pursuit of jungle perch and sooty grunter always keeps the young groms busy and off their gaming consoles. These young guns are keen to hike to the top pools and waterfalls of these scenic freshwater river systems with many being rewarded with the larger model jungle perch and sooties from the system. Closer to the coast these freshwater systems have produced great numbers of mangrove jacks, tarpon and the occasional barra that take a liking to the jungle perch lures in the gin clear freshwater. Tinaroo has been producing some large sooty grunter off the bank for bait fishermen targeting their live bait for their night ahead. Large garden worms have fooled these larger model sooties, while catfish, mouth almighties and tilapia will all take the bait and keep the kids occupied reeling in a catch. Some of these species are a great desirable live food for the barramundi in the dam and some big models can be easily convinced on a snack. Keep in mind tilapia may NOT be used as a live bait and must be correctly disposed. Anglers plugging away through the night on the boats are managing to pull some solid barra from the deeper timber in the dam. Trolling has been an effective method in fooling these big girls from the depths.
Banjo and his mate Henry set off on foot through the freshwater and found some great sooty grunter on their adventure.
Banjo with another soot from the stream.
Weekend Outlook
Glamour conditions will likely see more punters heading out to the reef over the coming weekend, where slower morning tides might make some fishing slow, it won't deter the anglers who have been waiting for this weather window to head out. The large night time tides could be a great opportunity to hit the wonky holes or rubble patches in search of some of the decent red emperor and nannygai that are out there. The build up to the full moon Sunday will see barra chewing on the large night time tides in the salt, but also another great bite window to try and hit up the dam.
Kynan from Outtathebluefnq caught this coral trout in perfect weather conditions.
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.