Water just priceless
The August 27-29 event will host a maximum of 25 two-angler teams when they cast their fur and feather concoctions within Hinchinbrook Channel and nearby waters.
Organisers say they expect there will be issues and challenges associated with conducting the competition, mainly in relation to COVID-19 restrictions, but are confident of a good attendance.
Nominations for the AFO Hinchinbrook Challenge commence on June 27 via the Trybooking agency, while further information is available from Richard Stanhope on 0429 316 890.
Fingermark take live bait
A handful of brave and rugged-up anglers battled uncomfortable seas and frigid conditions last weekend to pull quality fingermark or golden snapper from Cape Cleveland waters during overnight sorties, although numbers of fish proved down on recent weeks.
I was told of fish to 80cm falling to live squid baits and anglers boasting on social media platforms backed up that report.
And while fingermark are largely recognised by many experienced anglers as a warm water or summer species, that might have more to do with our fragile human intolerance of the cold conditions than the fish not being available at their regular haunts.
Squid, a favoured live bait, can be more difficult to find throughout the cooler months, however, note that fingermark also show a distinct liking for most things live, including herring, garfish and mullet.
Barra bound for weir
The Townsville Barramundi Restocking Group has shrugged off the threat of coronavirus halting its barramundi stocking regime, the group of dedicated fishos forging ahead with plans to spill barramundi into both the Ross River weirs and the Ross Dam.
TBRG president Rhyce Bullimore said State Government funds derived from the SIP or Stocked Impoundment Permit system – where anglers pay for the privilege to fish within designated stocked impoundments and dams – were expected to come the group’s way by the end of June and would be used to purchase barra to go into Black’s Weir.
“We’ll use the funds to buy barra from Ron Shaw at Giru Barramundi and Redclaw and they’ll be used to stock the Ross River Black Weir,” Bullimore said.
When asked how many barra he and TBRG members planned to release into the weir, Bullimore said it depended on the funding, which he expected to be substantial, with the release to be a springtime affair.
“And with the support of the Townsville City Council and Deputy Mayor Mark Molachino, we’re also planning to do another barramundi release, this time into the Ross Dam and before the end of the year,” Bullimore said.
Bullimore said the council had signed off on the fish stocking of the dam and the eventual opening of the dam to recreational use.
“It’s certainly a process but one we’re excited about and happy to put time, effort and money into,” Bullimore said.
Morning stroll fruitful
Winds predicted to stiffen throughout today and into the weekend won’t worry Magnetic Island man Bill Wicks too much.
Part-time charter guide “Barnacle Bill” is likely to undertake his regular morning stroll along the island’s Horseshoe Bay Beach with rod in hand, flicking soft plastic lures as he goes.
Trevally, flathead, tarpon and queenfish are regular catches, although barramundi are always on the cards.
Occasionally he’ll swap the sand between his toes for the comfort of his small car-topper tinny, but the island identity says he loves mixing a bit of exercise with his fishing.
Fishing during recent weeks has been easy for Barnacle Bill, with jelly prawn gathering along the beach foreshore and predatory species ripping into them most mornings.
The skilled fisherman subsequently selected a small soft plastic prawn imitation on Wednesday morning, tied it to his light spinning outfit and was almost immediately rewarded with solid hook-ups.
“Went down at dawn for another cast, and the fish were into the jelly prawns,” Barnacle Bill said.
“Landed four trevally, a nice barra and a stingray on soft plastics.”
Barnacle Bill said the barra, at 60cm, was the second he had caught this year and a similar-length golden trevally might have pushed scales to about 3kg.
“Winter is hard on Magnetic Island … anybody interested in bartering some meat or veg for a barbie-size fish, please contact me,” Barnacle Bill suggested to his island mates.