Tackleworld Exmouth weekly fishing report

Spring has sprung and the brilliant weather of late has helped increase the water temperatures, not to mention allowing many crews to get out and into the action in what is a magic time of year.

The weather has been described as perfect by many locals and visitors — not too hot, nor cold, not wet, not windy, with no flies, mozzies or sandflies about. Let’s hope it continues through to the school holidays.

Jimmy Small and Sam Crock had a day out diving last week and got into some decent coral trout, blueys, jobfish, chinaman fish and a thumper Spanish mackerel that tipped the scales at a whopping 28kg. The fish was short and fat and made for some great butterfly cutlets on the barbecue.

Quite a few spearfishing enthusiasts have been heading out this last week with insane visability despite the large tides. The select method of spearfishing is gaining popularity and with so many camera options these days, you can see some amazing footage online.

Warmer water is starting to push in from the top of the gulf, bringing lots of baitfish that are scattered top to bottom.

Predatory fish are yet to clue on to the masses of baitfish but it won’t take long before the pelagics are feeding well.

The sailfish are reported to be quite north at present, with some of them venturing into the top end of the gulf. With the baitfish in the gulf and around the west side, it will be an interesting tournament for the juniors coming up on the grand final weekend.

Remember that there are boats and teams with spots available for any keen juniors to jump aboard.

This event is designed to help teach kids about teamwork, boating safety, tagging programs, fish handling, good fishing ethics and fishing photography.

The Exmouth Game Fishing Club has further details for the event on their website, www.egfc. com.au.

Bottom fish are on the chew with many anglers getting their bag limits. One boat did only half a day and got the limit on trout, rankin, gold band and large mouth nannygai, otherwise known as saddletail snapper. Plus the same boat got 17 sailfish in just over a day of fishing.

Another charter operator that usually prefers sport fishing had some clients on board that only wanted to reef fish and had their limit by 10am. The sharks have not been as pesty with the reef fishing, but perhaps it is because they are so well fed at present.

Squid, whiting, crabs and flathead have all been reported from the gulf side.

If you are not sure where to go and what is biting, drop into the store and ask.

There are always plenty of options around the Exmouth area.