Channel zone under
A POPULAR hunting ground favoured by many local anglers is being altered and disfigured to a point where fishing tactics and options will have to be reconsidered, should anglers remain permitted to fish within the area.
The Platypus and Sea channels are having a portion of their 27 markers removed to allow for channel widening works to commence as part of a $232m Channel Upgrade project.
The spoil from the dredge works will be spilt into a new reclaim rockwall perimeter which is nearing completion and flanks the existing reclaim and Ross River marina.
When completed, the channel widening works will allow larger ships to service Townsville Port, the project expected to extend to 2023.
It is currently unclear what restrictions will be placed on boaties and anglers traversing and fishing the area.
Michael Bailey and mates know first hand what great fishing destinations are both the Platypus and Sea channels, a mixed bag including giant trevally, mackerel and coral trout falling to the Laverack men last weekend. Bailey, his fishing handle ‘Magic Mike’, was elated when fishing close to one of the channel markers, he hooked and landed a solid GT or giant trevally.
The fish, in typical trevally style, stretched Bailey’s arms as he struggled to keep the tight braid line from the pylon. The fight was also typical and drawn out before Bailey could heave the trevally for a photograph, the army man choosing to release the fish soon after.
PATIENCE PAYS OFF
Steffan Aprea also realised the value of fishing close to shipping channel markers early this week, the Kiwi
expat looking for doggie or Queensland school mackerel while fishing with mate Arden Mckenzie and Jimmy Summers.
The trio didn’t take long to hit their target, each using metal jigs and a high-speed retrieve to fool fish to a fat 60cm, but it was a fish hooked among the mackerel near the north cardinal marker that will be remembered best.
Aprea lost plenty of light line in quick time as an obviously larger fish made for the horizon.
Holding his nerve and waiting for the initial sprint to finish, Aprea settled into a rhythmic pump and wind routine, yet allowing the fish its head each time it embarked upon another run. Seas were calm and waters clear enough to make out the torpedo-like form of a tuna when it was eased towards the boat, but being of the longtail or northern bluefin variety, the fight was far from over.
The tuna resisted early efforts, but patience won the battle for Aprea who was delighted to tail and heave his biggest ever fish for the camera, the perfect longtail specimen glistening under a sensational autumn sun.
The tuna, bled and iced, completed a catch of doggie mackerel and sizeable queenfish, Mckenzie claiming a pair of near metre long fish while sharks continued to tax several hooked fish.
PENNANT FISH PULLS HARD
Sportfishing minded anglers will be mostly happy with the idea of tangling with some hot running longtail tuna, but they might be even more interested in doing battle with some donkey-sized pennant fish and golden trevally, both species invading Cape Cleveland waters recently.
Column regular Ronnie Neill was dragged around his centre console tinny last weekend after hooking a thumping pennant fish on a soft vibe style lure.
The pennant fish, closely resembling and related to the diamond trevally, used it’s enormous profile and large tail to good effect in the current pushing past the cape.
“I was only using light line and that fish, about 8kg, took me at least 10 minutes of hard work to get it to the boat,” Neill said
Neill backed up to fish the same area during calm conditions on Wednesday snaring a mixed bag of doggie and grey or broad barred mackerel for his efforts.
Jameson Sturzaker. 11, won’t forget his recent trip to Cape Cleveland waters anytime soon.
Fishing with dad Andrew and grandfather Peter Sturzaker, the youngster showed huge fishing potential when he landed his very first fish – a whopping golden snapper or fingermark.
The fight was a tough one when, as encouraged, Jameson refused to allow the big fish to return to the rubble bottom hooked.
“I can hardly move my arms,” Jameson exclaimed while heaving the thumping fish for a photograph.
The fingermark was never going to be released and slipped into the icebox. from which it was
WINTER SPECIES MOVING IN
germark are both recognised summer or warm water species that will gradually prove a more difficult and uncertain catch as winter conditions approach, but the seasonal news is not at all bad.
Already, yellowfin bream and whiting are invading local estuary and foreshore hotspots while doggie mackerel and early season spanish mackerel are finding their way to inshore environments, including the Alligator Creek weed beds.
Barramundi have already started showing a preference for prawn baits over mullet, a winter trait of the species, and blue or Cooktown salmon have begun terrorising bait schools within Cleveland Bay creeks.
And it’s only a matter of weeks before Townsville’s gamefishing community get a little serious about chasing their season’s first marlin and sailfish. Bring on those chilly, brisk mornings when standard fishing clobber includes a beanie. Happy days …
EXPO EXHIBITORS DOWN
Local anglers might be a little disappointed, just a pair of exhibitors, both non-locals, listed under the fishing banner at this weekend’s Townsville Expo.
One will be peddling cast nets while the other does their thing with fishing rods, yet there could be good things happening at the event for avid campers and outdoor enthusiasts, of which many in this part of the world are equally avid anglers.
The Expo, commencing today at Reid Park before winding up on Sunday, promises a heavy emphasis on caravans, camper trailers, auto and 4x4 accessories and camping gear while dyed-in-the-wool anglers might still be somewhat entertained by the Berkley Supertank.
Presenter Michael Cooke is set to demonstrate lurecasting tactics within the 14,000-litre portable ‘fish tank’, complete with about 20 live fish, giving the audience a fish-eye view of lure manipulation and the fish’s reaction to different techniques.
The live fishing demonstration runs throughout each day of the event and tickets, $15 Single Day or $18 Three Day Pass (children 16 and under free), are available online only at townsvilleexpo.com.au