Gods’ divine hook-up
week. Spanish mackerel were an obvious target with the popular sport and table species in good numbers throughout recent weeks, although they weren’t as hungry as I had hoped.
I’m thinking the moon had a lot to do with their sudden loss of appetite but nonetheless, the lads enjoyed some spirited battles and stowed some quality fish to about 12kg in the icebox.
Standard mackerel bycatch including large queenfish and barracuda were welcomed when the bite was quiet, both species admired and released, and Jason Beil was unlucky to pull the hooks free of a small black marlin when we fished near Salamander Reef. Meanwhile, others couldn’t believe the size of a GT or giant trevally that chased down a popper or surface lure or the cobia that made for an unexpected appearance when they swam up to the boat.
Whales, travelling rather than frolicking, also provided first-time experiences for a few of the Clermont fellas. But it was the monumental hook-ups on large nannygai and the unfortunate but not unexpected ferocity of the inshore shark population that completed the bluewater experience.
Bounty on the Strand
AND the spell of fantastic spring weather has not been lost on landbased anglers either, Strand Jetty regulars reaping rewards when casting their lines in shallow foreshore waters.
Sean Mccarthy, often found among a throng of regular Strand walkers, dropped in on friends fishing from the jetty yesterday morning and borrowing a handline, joined them while having a chinwag about nothing in particular.
Mccarthy says he often interrupts his walks to stop for a chat with fishing mates Lou Molinaro, Terry Jackson and Bruno Salvini, the trio well known for pulling an array of species including barramundi, golden trevally, mackerel and blue or cooktown salmon.
Mccarthy recalls yesterday’s experience: “This morning I walked past them on my journey and decided to drop in a live greenback (herring) on a 100lb handline that I borrowed from Lou. All of a sudden it got a nice hit but didn’t hook up.”
Hardly deterred by the missed opportunity, Mccarthy enlisted the help of Molinaro, who replenished the live bait supply with his cast net before again allowing a live herring bait to settle near the base of the jetty.
“I dropped the bait beside the pylon and proceeded to make a work call when the handline screamed off and after a blistering, albeit short, battle I heaved a 79cm gold spot cod into the net with the help of Terry,” Mccarthy added.
The chances of Mccarthy catching a second fish though, were thwarted in quick time when Molinaro reclaimed his handline to pin on another herring and drop the offering back to near where the cod was hooked.
Molinaro was soon hooked up to a rampant little barramundi of about 65cm. However, the fight was a shortlived one when the barra threw the hook. Mccarthy said Molinaro, Jackson and Salvini (89 years young) can be found wetting a line at the jetty most weekdays.
Wet one for a good cause
ENTRIES for the inaugural Townsville Family Fishing Challenge are available now at local bait and tackle outlets including Higgo’s Bait and Tackle, Fishing Warehouse, Akwa Pro Tackle and Tackle World.
Organiser Mike L’huillier asks anglers to mark the October 19-20 event in their fishing diaries with thousands of dollars worth of prizes.
“The total profits of this event, plus dollar-for-dollar from the charity arm of Freemasonry called the Hand Heart Pocket, will be donated to Cancer Council Qld Townsville Branch,” L’huillier said.
For entries, check out the mentioned tackle stores and for more information about supporting a worthy cause, interested anglers and sponsors can contact L’huillier on 0400 696 386.
Fine conditions continue
FINE boating conditions are expected to extend well into this weekend and even better tides are set to entice anglers on to the water.
Skippers of larger vessels are likely to take advantage when they set course for waters surrounding the Reef while those commanding small to mid-size craft could enjoy inshore conditions when they fish among many island hot spots.
The Palm group are said to be fishing well and might well be popular tomorrow and Sunday before winds are forecast to increase Sunday evening and beyond.
Mackerel, cobia and trout have proved reliable catches in waters surrounding the southern flank of Great Palm Island.
Those who have a penchant for tough battles and stretched arms are finding their joy in throwing large surface lures near Barber Island and Hayman Rocks.
Inshore, fingermark or golden snapper will almost certainly be among catches made when anglers try their luck at Halifax Bay shoal spots.
Doggie mackerel are equally certain to be in the offering when both baits and lures are used at weed beds wide of Alligator and Crocodile creeks.