Conditions ‘trout’ of this world
WITH the forecast of variable winds (around 10 knots) for Saturday it will be another opportunity to hit the reef and target the great run of coral trout on the shallow bommies and a bonus Spanish mackerel.
If looking to target nannygai, the best fishing has been in the deep offshore reef dropoffs.
With the building tides off the quarter moon, barramundi should also be a high priority target in the creeks and estuaries along with mangrove jacks, with the Cairns Inlet, Russell/ Mulgrave River, Hull River and Hinchinbrook Channel all worth a fish.
Barramundi anglers need to be aware the annual spawning season closure comes into force from Monday, November 1, where barramundi can’t be taken or targeted.
So this weekend will be the last chance to target a barramundi that have been highly active recently. Any incidental catch from November 1 must be released in a healthy state.
Stocked impoundment barramundi in Tinaroo Dam and many other dams in Queensland are exempt from this and can be targeted all year round.
The second and final Coral Reef Fin Fish closure also comes into force next Tuesday (November 2) where all coral reef fin fish can’t be targeted or taken.
All pelagic species like Spanish mackerel, wahoo, tuna, trevally and mahi-mahi can continue to be caught. Reef mangrove jacks are exempt from the closure and can also be taken.
The Cairns Bluewater Game Fishing Club held a oneday marlin shootout last weekend with 14 boats and 33 anglers competing. Eleven black marlin were tagged and released with champion boat in the gold section going to Viking
II with three tagged billfish and small boat Ofishal taking out the silver section.
The heavy tackle black marlin has been a little slow to date which may point to a late season.
The Tinaroo Barra Bash was held last weekend with 589 nominations received comprising 384 adults, 144 juniors and 61 small fry anglers competing for a great range of prizes. More than 230 barramundi were measured and released with the biggest fish measuring 122cm.
Coral trout have remained the hot species along the FNQ inshore reefs with good numbers being consistently caught on the shallow bommies in the 20m range with good current and bait present.
Spanish mackerel are also feeding in the same areas, attracted by the big schools of fusiliers and readily taking floated pilchards and live baits.
Nannygai are very much a hit and miss proposition at present with the best fishing being wide on the outer reef edges as the water temperatures continue to rise with a mix of red emperor, rosy job fish and snapper being caught.
The Cairns Inlet continues to see some excellent barramundi caught on live baits.