As we enter into the very last stages of the wet season the fishing in the tropics can go to a new level in the coming month. The rainfall to date has been generous enough and we can expect a bit more to fall in the coming month. All our waterways have been rejuvenated and we’ll start to the see the real benefits as we speak. Ocean temperatures will also gradually decrease in the coming weeks which will tremendously improve the fishing offshore as well.

Out on the reef the fishing has been rolling along nicely and it has been all about quality and not necessarily quantity. The size of the fish will remain impressive but the next month or so will see the numbers increase significantly. Recent days have seen the big end of the scale when it comes to the likes of bar cheek trout and large mouth nannygai. As mentioned not in huge numbers but this has been made up for as imposing sized fish. These have been caught in the deeper waters 35m and more on isolated patches, wonky holes and bommies away from the main reef. This dynamic will change as fish gradually move back towards the reef edges as water temperatures fall. You’ll then find a range of fish in varying depths. During the coming month or maybe the following we’ll see a current change pushing cooler waters from the south and this initial period is in my opinion when all the species turn the light on. Numbers go through the roof and it is an exciting time. Fishing the main pressure points of the reef facing the direct cooler current will yield the best results.

With so many calm days on offer so far this year it has been a brilliant time to surface fish the outer reef in the shallows with poppers and stick baits. We are hoping this trend continues because it has been awesome with plenty of brutal fish around in the name of big giant trevally, red bass and bar cheek trout. The calm weather makes it easy to identify where the nervous bait schools are sitting on the reef edge and the predators have been right there as well. Gt’s in excess of 20kg and trout up to 7kg have lit up the waters. It is a specialised form of fishing and a top notch guide is required to obtain the best results so look us up if you are coming this way.

Closer to the coastline we’ve seen some extraordinary fishing as a by product of the rainfall and flourish of bait life. Schools of Gt’s to 60cm in size, big barra over 85cm and a score of others including queenfish, dart, permit, giant herring and blue salmon have been right up in the shallows on the bigger high tides waiting for the outgoing change. Once this has happened then it’s been game on and lures, soft plastics, live fish bait, prawns and flies have all received their fair share of action. Really calm conditions have to associated with this style of fishing and you’ll be almost shocked at what size fish are literally right in front of your nose.

Our rivers and creeks have been stirred up enough to spark a lot of fish into motion with mangrove jacks always busy locally along the banks and mangroved edges. Fingermark are very receptive after dark in the deepest of holes, the bigger barra are still more prominent closer to the mouths and the flats have been holding some ripping grunter on the rising tides. Sure it has been ultra hot work, especially during the day but there’s been enough to keep you engaged with plenty of bait life around and conducive tides. With the coronavirus impacting all businesses in FNQ we hope restrictions are eased soon but the main key is opening our borders so we can accommodate the domestic market. Otherwise we’ll gradually wilt away making it harder to return on the back end of this ordeal.