Weekend heating up for fishers
THE forecast for the weekend is for hot conditions again with northerly winds under 10 knots for Saturday. With the quarter moon Saturday coral trout, nannygai and Spanish mackerel will be targeted and should be in reasonable numbers on the inshore reefs.
Offshore the big pelagics should be fired up and targeted on trolled lures and baits. Estuary fishermen should see improved fishing on both mangrove jacks and fingermark on the building moon phase from Saturday.
Conditions have been very hot on the water this past week with light northerly winds and calm seas ensuring plenty of water is needed to stay hydrated.
Fishing has been a little patchy in some locations and fairly good in others with the heat and rising water temperatures.
Offshore yellowfin tuna and mahi mahi have been taken on trolled lures and rigged baits along with several black marlin with Linden Bank, Jenny Louise Shoal and out off the Euston Reef light producing fish.
The Ladies Ribbon’s Game Fishing Tournament is fast approaching on December 3-5 where the girls will be chasing a variety of pelagic species on 10kg, 15kg and 24kg line class including Spanish mackerel, wahoo, yellowfin tuna, dogtooth tuna, mahi mahi and billfish.
All marlin or sailfish are tagged and released for points while the edible pelagic species are weighed-in on the Saturday night between 6-8pm on the Salt House Lawn. Fish caught on the lighter line receive a higher point score.
Most boats compete for the best decorated boat and angler/crew at the 7am sail past on the Saturday morning which the general public can view from The Sailfish Quay Pier in front of the Salt House. For any further information contact Dianne Hance on 0408 471114
The Cairns Inlet has fished a little tough this week in the heat with the occasional mangrove jack, fingermark, trevally and queenfish caught.
The southern river and estuary systems have seen decent numbers of both trevally and queenfish caught casting poppers on the mangrove flats. Mangrove jacks have been the dominate species caught on small diving minnows and soft plastics. Tinaroo Dam has been on fire with multiple metre-plus fish being hooked predominantly at night casting the shallow points and creek bed drop-offs.
A trip up the hill to the dam will be well worth it this weekend chasing one of these monster fish. Remember, you must have a fishing permit, available on line to fish Tinaroo Dam.