December 15, 2002 - Volume 6 Issue 7

COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON TO ALL OUR READERS, I trust you are all well and looking forward to a Christmas / New Year break. This is obviously a peak holiday time all around the Globe and I too am looking forward to wetting a line.

Summer is really upon us here in the Tropics but those usual thunderstorms and afternoon rains are alluding us at the moment. The rivers are way down for this time of year but the salt water is penetrating way upstream bringing with it plenty of bait fish and predators. It’s a mixed blessing I suppose and something that all thinking anglers must come to grips with.

Don’t just try the same old things, don’t be surprised to find prime salt-water species way upstream from their normal range and don’t forget to make sure your tackle can handle it.

Web Site

Well after three years I thought I needed a change and together with my web developer (Greg Slapp of PDIS) have completely changed the template, navigation and feel of the Fishing Cairns site. Check it out and let us know what you think. We have tried to make it easier to find your information but regular readers may take a few times to adjust.

Certainly any feedback is welcome.

Rivers & Estuary

The jacks are definitely on the chew and quality ones at that; fish to almost 50cm are occasionally coming from the mangroves with plenty of medium sized mates as well.

Certainly the upper reaches are a bit difficult to navigate in the skinny water but the rewards are there for the light tackle enthusiast, sooty grunter and JP’s coming from the faster flowing sections. It may be necessary to walk some banks to get to the action however but please take care, crocks do inhabit these waters.

Rocky Headlands / Inshore Sport Fishing / Blue Water

At this time of year perhaps the most exciting angling method on the inshore wrecks and structure would have to be jigging metal slices for the likes of monster trevally, barracuda, cobia and mackerel. This past month has seen plenty of action here, the faster you crank the more hits you get – but then you have to land the monsters! The GT’s have certainly raised a few heart rates and caused quite a few bust off’s, even on 80lb braid. Our guides are again field-testing some of the new Laser Lures and I hope to have reports early next year.

Heavy Tackle Marlin

In a word, the current season has been "fantastic" although it is winding down now. Probably not as many grander’s landed this season as last year but they were there all right. The El Nino effect threw a few variables into the equation with the ocean currents switching around a few times adding to the confusion. Skippers that went out wide found the right conditions and the big fish.

Cape York

Our last charter was cut short by a day, the summer storms and afternoon showers proving a little too daunting for our overseas visitors. The guides have all closed down now and are having a well-earned rest following one of the busiest years on record. Quality fishing sure gets the grapevine pumping and no where else in Oz can you consistently target such a variety of river / estuary / near shore blue water species – all within about 20 minutes of each other. Clients are already booking for next year so don’t leave it too late to confirm your prime dates.

See you on the water,
Les Marsh