Although the weather remains a bit unstable it has certainly improved and the fishing is really hotting up.

We have managed to get offshore more lately than in previous months and have had some of the best fishing this year. A very good run of snapper saw us bagging out on a few occasions. We haven’t caught any real whoppers, but have landed lots of fish to the 4kg mark, which is the best eating size.

We haven't had to travel too far with the close grounds producing snapper, Moses perch, cod, pearl perch and lots of sweetlip. To my amazement, the light gear and fresh strip baits of mullet are still working better than the plastics.

On the wider eastern grounds the fishing has also moved up a couple of gears. Plenty of snapper, parrot, Moses perch, hussar and quality pearl perch are showing up in good numbers.

I managed to get up on the northern grounds off Fraser Island on one trip and the action is the same up there. The fish were biting like crazy! We came home with some good reds, lots of big spangled emperor and we bagged out on snapper and parrotfish.

The beaches are still in a bit of a mess copping another hammering of high winds and big swells. This has made access difficult in places, but I have had reports of quality bream and dart being caught around the exposed rocks at Rainbow Beach. Tailor seem to be a bit scarce with only the odd few chopper's around Middle Rock.

With the consistent rain the water in the Straits is particularly dirty and this has hindered fishing. But good flathead are being caught around most creek mouths and even as the water temperature cools anglers continue to trap some great mud crabs.

Squid have been the highlight of fishing the Straits. For a week or so the water cleaned up and big schools of squid were hanging around between Big Mick beacon and the barge crossing to Fraser Island – time to get out those orange prawn jigs.

July is certainly one of the prime months for offshore fishing and with the way they have been biting lately I think we are in for something special.

Just a reminder that the Rainbow Beach Fishing Classic is on between 17-25 July, with some great prizes to be won and a lot of fun to be had.

I will be running my Keely Rose Fishing Charters every day over the comp, but I’m usually heavily booked so be sure to book early for a spot.

To book or for more information about my Keely Rose Fishing Charters phone 0407 146 151 or log onto www.keelyrosefishingcharters.com.au.