Despite the neap tides, Spanish mackerel have been thick off Cairns and Port Douglas
Welcome to this week’s edition of the Tackle World Cairns Weekly Fishing Report.
The last burst of calm weather opened the door for reef trips, and anglers from Cooktown right through to Hinchinbrook have been rewarded with exceptional fishing. Offshore boats filled eskies with reef bottom & pelagic species favourites, estuary & river crews found some barra and jacks, and even the freshwater enthusiasts got in on the action with solid sooty grunters. It’s been a cracking week across the board, but with winds forecast to climb back up to 20 knots this weekend, most smaller boats will be confined to inshore and estuary waters. Here’s the full rundown:
Reef Fishing
Reef fishing has delivered in spades this week. Coral trout continue their stellar run, biting freely across inshore reefs and bommies despite the small neap tides. Anglers dropping pilchards and strip baits have found consistent action, while live baits have been irresistible to the bigger models. Spanish mackerel have been another highlight, with both trolling and floated baits proving highly effective along reef edges and pressure points off Cairns & Port Douglas.
The deeper rubble patches and offshore shoals have produced quality mixed bags. Large-mouth nannygai and red emperor are dominating the catches, while spangled emperor, cod, cobia and painted sweet lip are filling out the boxes. Reports of mosses perch, job fish and plenty of trevally add to the variety, making these deepwater sessions particularly rewarding.
Although the small tides were expected to quieten the bite, anglers found that the calmer conditions made fish easier to locate, and sounder work was crucial to pinpointing schools. With the tides now building towards the full moon, the next offshore window should fire again once conditions allow.
Bar-cheek coral trout have been in good numbers on board Dragon Lady Charters recently
A quality red emperor caught off Port Douglas with Exceed Sport Fishing
Lucy with two nice large-mouth nannygai from a Reef Runner Charters session last weekend
Islands & Headlands
The close reefs and island systems have been buzzing with life. Dawson Reef off Cooktown was a standout, producing great numbers of Spanish mackerel. Around the headlands and inshore islands, fingermark have been the star attraction, with live baits such as herring and squid working particularly well in the deeper pockets. Lure fishers throwing vibes and soft plastics have also been in the mix. School, spotted and Spanish mackerel are still present around the Family Group & Dunk Island hot spots.
Trevally schools have been pushing bait tight against structure, often accompanied by queenfish that readily attack surface lures. These pelagic have provided plenty of entertainment for those chasing fast-paced action on lighter gear.
Spanish mackerel have been in good numbers around the islands and reef edges, with Judah Elliot landing his first ever Spaniard at Stagg Patches
Spotty mackerel continue to be caught around the islands and reefs
Rivers & Estuaries
Estuary fishing has been steady, with barra proving a reliable target right across the region. From Cooktown’s iconic wharf, where live pike rule, to the creeks of the Daintree, Cairns Inlet, Mourilyan Harbour, and down into the Hull and Tully systems, barra have been feeding steadily. Live mullet, prawns and pike remain the most consistent offerings, while lure casters are also scoring with hardbodies and soft plastic prawns worked around snags and drains.
Mangrove jacks have been a regular bycatch while chasing barra, with plenty of healthy fish reported. Deeper holes and drop-offs are producing fingermark on live baits.
Surface action has been lively at the mouths of the Daintree, Russell & Tully Rivers, with queenfish and GTs smashing poppers and stick baits, particularly on the early morning tides. Smaller trevally’s have been mixed through most estuary systems, adding another dimension to the action.
Rolly Newton with a solid barramundi caught in a Cassowary Coast Creek casting soft plastic prawns
Young Nate Pritchard with a queenfish caught on a surface lure in the river mouth
Freshwater
The freshwater scene has also been ticking along nicely. The upper Tully has produced solid sessions on sooty grunter, which have been smashing small surface walkers and diving minnows. These fish are great sport on light gear, providing non-stop fun for those keen to explore upstream stretches. Some nice barra are also being hooked while targeting sooty grunter & jungle perch. Impoundment fishing has been quiet but action should heat up this week on the building full moon and warm conditions.
Tarpon are common catches in the fresh-saltwater systems
Weekend Outlook
The forecast is less friendly for small boat owners, with winds set to climb to around 20 knots for both Saturday and Sunday. Larger offshore boats may still push out, but conditions will be uncomfortable while travelling, but the rewards will still produce plenty of angler smiles fishing behind the reefs targeting trout & Spanish mackerel.
The game boats will target Spanish mackerel on the troll with ideal tides and moon phase inducing a hot bit on deep diving lures like the Strada Pro Tracka and rigged garfish.
For most anglers, the estuaries and rivers will provide the best opportunities this weekend. Barra, jacks and fingermark should continue to bite well, and with building tides, the chances of tangling with quality fish are good. Grunter should return in decent numbers on the estuary flats and worth a fish, soaking strip baits of mullet & garfish. Freshwater options are also worth considering, with sooty grunter & barra providing reliable fun and Tinaroo Dam still a chance for those chasing monster barra over the building full moon.
If you’re keen on a feed, mud crabs are still around in fair numbers, particularly on the bigger night tides, so dropping a few pots could be a good backup plan when the wind keeps you off the water. Hot spots this weekend will be sheltered areas of the Cairns Inlet, Mourilyan Harbour & Hinchinbrook Channel along with the small sections of the rivers protected from the wind.
Fishing behind the sheltered reefs will see more coral trout caught
Spanish mackerel will be a target for the bigger boats both on the troll and floating pilchards while bottom fishing
Barramundi will be targeted on soft plastic prawns in the rivers this weekend, like this fish caught by Steve Polzin
Father’s Day Giveaway & Gift Ideas
Don’t miss out – our Father’s Day Giveaway ends this Sunday! Be sure to enter in store for your chance to win.
Still need the perfect gift? Cairns Tackle World gift cards are available in store now, so Dad can choose his favourites.
From all of us at Cairns Tackle World, Happy Father’s Day to every Dad, Grandad and father figure may your weekend be filled with tight lines and great memories on the water.
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