RAMPS TO HIT FULL CAPACITY
LIGHT winds and calm seas today and Saturday will ensure boat ramps are overflowing as anglers look to take advantage of the conditions.
September is prime coral trout and spanish mackerel fishing time and these two species with be highly sought on the shallow to mid bommies.
The trout have started to congregate in the shallows feeding up aggressively and preparing to spawn.
Spanish mackerel will also be thick in the same locations and will take floated pilchards rigged on gang hooks and live baits.
Local reefs to target include Arlington, Moore, Sudbury, Oyster and Pixie reefs. Most of the charter boats have reported fantastic catches of trout and spanish mackerel and with building tides to a full moon from today and calm conditions, fishing should go berserk. Spanish mackerel should be schooled up and rising to trolled wog rigged garfish and deep diving lures also.
The deep water has fished excellent on large mouth nannygai and red emperor with the open paddocks of Grafton Passage and Trinity Opening ideal locations to target.
There should also be a good mix of spangled emperor, gold-band snapper, cod and trevally caught this weekend.
While fishing was tough for the 29 boats fishing the Cairns Bluewater Light Tackle Billfish Tournament out of Fitzroy Island there were still 34 billfish tagged. (See story, opposite page).
Surprisingly, despite another recent cold snap, the barramundi have been active in the Cairns Inlet with All Tackle Sport Fishing again landing multiple fish in the 80cm-plus range on live prawns.
Live prawns are the key to success during the cooler weather to entice the barra.
Some nice fingermark are also being caught on live prawns in the inlet, along with mangrove jacks on lures. Hinchinbrook Channel has fished well on barra and jacks that are taking soft plastics cast around mangroves and structure.
With variable winds below 10 knots forecasted for today and Saturday most fishing attention will be focused on the blue water, chasing bottom fish and mackerel.
Boat ramps will be hectic and very early starts would be recommended. The tides and moon phases will be ideal to target barra and jacks on lures and live baits with the warmer late morning low tide a prime time. The perfect weather and predicted red-hot fishing action should not be missed.