The spotties should be starting to really fire up by February. Throughout January there were only a few mackerel getting around but the amount of bait was unbelievable. If it sticks around and we don’t get any substantial rain then the spotty season should be a great one.

We have had a large amount of ordinary weather through late December and January so the reports from offshore have been very few and far between. As soon as the weather allows there should be some great fishing out there.

Trolling at this time of year is very popular, and for good reason. The sound of a screaming drag going off in the opposite direction is something that every fisher loves to experience.

It is a good option to troll around some of the shallow reefs with minnows or livies before you head wide to chase the snapper and pearl perch, as there are plenty of species like wahoo, Spanish mackerel, mahi mahi and yellowfin tuna about. Lure options for trolling locally are the Rapala Magnum 30 and 20 and the Sebile Koolie Minnow 160 and 190, which are amongst my favourite lures.

Around the bay islands there are good numbers of grassy sweetlip and some good quality snapper. At this time of year targeting them up in the shallows is a lot of fun. Casting lures and soft plastics around in 4-5ft of water is a real buzz. You may lose some gear among the bommies that are up in the shallow areas but you will be rewarded with very good fish.

With the crowds from the Christmas period and school holidays in full swing I thought it would be an ideal time to begin looking for a new outboard for my boat.

My previous motor was a three cylinder Yamaha 50hp and with the added weight of an electric motor and the two deep cycle batteries it was beginning to be a little bit gutless. After a lot of research talking to the boys at Stones Corner Marine the decision was made to go with the new Yamaha F70. After a water test and a turn around of only four days, I was away.

I couldn’t be happier with how the motor and the boat now performs; I was especially delighted with how quiet the motor is at idle and at full throttle. If you are in the market for a new outboard, I can’t recommend highly enough James and Cliff at Stones Corner Marine. If you would like to talk to the boys there about a new outboard for your boat, give them a call on (07) 3397 9766.

If you have any other questions come see me at Fish Head Tackle Store 349 Colburn Avenue Victoria Point. Until next month I hope you all get amongst some good fish.