June is generally a great month to get out on the water with plenty of calm flat days. A chance to take advantage of not only the magnificent run of bluefin tuna, but with some quality bottom fishing for gummy sharks and the like. Unfortunately, this definitely didn’t happen this year, with strong winds and big seas a constant for most of the month.

Fortunately here in the South West of the state we are blessed with a wide variety of angling options if the weather is not suitable for ocean-going ventures. Come July, even if you can’t get out to sea there will be some worthwhile form of piscatorial pursuit available.

One benefit of all the wind and rain has been the freshening of the local rivers. These waterways have remained fairly clear and the fish are still cautious, which requires a bit of finesse. Some good brown trout and estuary perch have been encountered in the revitalised fresh water systems. Wandering the banks, now thankfully devoid of snakes due to the cooler weather, and flicking small minnow style lures is a great way to spend a day. Daiwa Presso 6cm and TD Minnows have accounted for some great browns to around 2kg as well as EP to over 40cm for us recently in a variety of different local freshwater areas. Hopefully with a little more rain, the dirty water trout fishing the region is famous for will happen.

On the estuary scene, the Hopkins opened but closed again quickly and remains closed as I write this. I’m sure by the time you read this it will have opened again. There are still some mulloway reports coming to light with the biggest I’ve heard going an impressive 7kg.

As stated previously, there has been precious little windows of opportunity to target the bluefin offshore but, for those that get out, there are quality school fish in the 16-20kg bracket to be had. Based on the past few seasons, any chance you get in July to get out there do so, even if there haven’t been recent reports due to bad weather. Take the chance and you might be the one who stumbles across them first.

July is often salmon time and whether you like soaking bait on a traditional 12ft surf rod or wandering along flicking a metal slice, there are usually plenty of schools around at this time of year to keep you happy.