July 1999 - Volume 3 Issue 6

Beautiful One Day, Perfect The Next

Well the last time I opened my big gob and started raving on about the weather it turned around and bit me really hard, right on the backside. Do I dare do it again !!!!

Hell, if I don't tell you how fantastic it has been up here in North Queensland, who is!

The days are just magnificent, clear sunny skies, a nice warm 27°C, light SE breezes to 15 knots, just perfect for being involved in any water activity. The water is like glass early in the morning and as we drive down the Mulgrave valley to the fishing location the light fog is just lifting from the cane fields.

The reef charter vessels are chock full of happy, excited tourists. Whether diving, snorkelling, lazing about or chasing the big ones on the Great Barrier Reef, we could not wish for better conditions.

The close inshore reefs, Kings Point, Cape Grafton, High Island, the Leads and the wreck out from Double Island are all producing good quantities of prime Spaniards and doggie mackerel. Whether floating ganged pillies, live yakkas or the most exciting method of all, cranking locally made bumpa-bar lures (very fast), these hard fighting and excellent eating sport fish are prolific at present. Anyone with a seaworthy boat should get out there before the winds pick up again.

The Rivers have also cleared and schools of sardines are everywhere. Big trevally and queenfish are patrolling the sand bar channels and gutters. There are also plenty of river prawns available to anyone with a cast net and these too make excellent bait for the above fish as well as big fat sickle fish and grunter. The occasional flathead is also falling to a well presented lure.

There are a few barra about, but it is still hard work in the cold water, if the fine conditions prevail for a while theie capture numbers should increase dramatically. Luring the shallows and weed beds should be the best bet, especially on bright sunny days.

The Cairns estuary has been a little slow to respond to the much improved conditions. The huge tides last week around the new moon, the biggest movement for almost six months, probably stirring things up too much for the better quality fish but this should improve from this week onwards.

GOOD FISHING,
Les Marsh