Stanage Bay and its surrounding islands and reefs  have been having a well earned rest, with the wind visiting on and off – it feels a bit like living in Cooktown.

The mackerel fired up whilst we were on annual leave in so I didn’t get to join in to catch one or two.

On the close islands the fishers were rewarded with awesome catches of red emperor, had it have been a few years ago they could have taken them home, however being 53 and 54cm they were all thrown back until next time. Good work boys well done.

On my favourite patch of islands I heard and saw pictures of  huge sweetlip - not one or two but dozens - all to be thrown back! Apparently down south they aren’t worthy of a tasty reef fish meal. Up here our sweeties are the locals favourite eating fish - their white flesh is superb. Lust make sure you bleed it as soon as you pull it in.

The oysters have been simply perfect this season as well.

In the estuary the jewfish have been back to how they were 10 years ago with huge catches coming in. I think one was weighed in at 19kg, but mostly they were between 5-10kg.

The muddies are on the prowl after simply cruising for the past few months. Come in and see me for some pointers before you put your pots in though - hopefully I won’t disappoint you.

The council have almost finished grading all the Stanage Bay Road, but still make sure you do your maintenance on everything before coming up - it’s a long way to come to have breakdowns. – Von Ireland