GRAB A CAST NET AND SEARCH FOR A FEED

EARLY this week, schools of banana prawns have been thick in most estuary and river systems. Both the Barron River and Cairns Inlet have seen plenty of prawns being taken by cast netters to eat and for use as just about the best bait you can get. Almost any fish that swims will eat a freshly caught prawn and especially if fished live. The prawns are good-size banana prawns that will eventually head to sea and mature further and be targeted by the trawlers. Mono draw-string cast nets are the most popular and successful method to ensure a good catch of prawns. These nets close off at the bottom preventing losses when bringing the cast net on to the boat or up onto a jetty. Many fishermen are unaware that a 10 litre bag limit on prawns is in force for all recreational anglers in Queensland.