Tackleworld Exmouth weekly fishing report

How joyful is a good weather weekend? It’s even more enjoyable when there is a tournament as well.

That’s just what happened with the Billfish Bonanza as 10 teams with 27 anglers, two juniors and three small-fry, hit the water to target some sailfish and marlin.

The Exmouth Gulf and the west side of the Norwest Cape have been producing some awesome statistics for billfish and the teams that entered were excited about their prospects.

Sailfish in the gulf at this time of year can be exhilarating as they harass the masses of bait that moves into the gulf during spring.

To watch this feeding frenzy is incredible and through this tournament, many fish have been tagged over the years.

Some have returned to the same grounds, while others have been recaptured further north.

This year three anglers caught their first billfish, including seven-year-old Tahlia Mossman, who was very proud to have handled the fish from bite to tag.

In fact, Tahlia caught two sailfish that helped her to win the champion small fry section.

Champion junior angler was taken out by Jake Fitzgerald with four sailfish.

Champion team marlin was won by Team Valiant, with four marlin tagged. The team also took out champion team combined with a sailfish, as well as black and striped marlin. Champion team sailfish went to On Strike with 19 sailfish, who also took out champion team overall.

The team aboard On Strike were from Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Perth and Texas.

Other teams came from various regions of WA, while all teams enjoyed the event, with more than 60 billfish raised and 40 tagged.

Thanks go to the people behind the scenes that make it all happen, from the event co-ordinator to the radio operator, the various volunteer members and sponsors that help make the event.

The rock lobster stories keep coming in as people head out to enjoy the open season.

The rise in water temperature makes it a little easier to collect them as well, although the stirred-up waters of the gulf from strong winds during the week made it a bit challenging.

A customer queried using pots for them in this area, which are allowed, yet not used much, mainly because the tropical rock lobsters do not fit in them because their feelers don’t fold flat.

The other major issue is sharks, which are very prevalent in the gulf, not to mention persistent at trying to get to a baited pot.

November can be one of the quietest months of the year in Exmouth, along with February.

However, this is a prime time to come and fish, with fewer people out on the water and using the ramps.

November can be great for big blue marlin out wide, while those anglers restricted to shore-based options have some extra space when it comes to fishing the baitschools for queenies.

The rise of the tide is perfect for targeting queenfish in the shallow waters south of Bundegi this month, and while many of us have done this for years, it’s good to note that most people take extra care with these fish and release more than they keep.

The next event for the Exmouth Game Fishing Club is the annual Christmas party, followed by the Tantabiddi camp-out, then the Heavy Tackle Tournament on the Australia Day long weekend.

There are events monthly that people can attend to learn more about fishing.