The offshore fishing in Weipa has certainly improved over the past month. Schools of marauding mackerel tuna, Spaniards and longtails have been eating their way through a seemingly endless supply of bait.

GT have been found in good numbers on reef systems and under bait schools, and make for a good break in between pelagic action. The arrival of the pelagic fish has also bought with them an ever-increasing shark population, which makes landing these feisty fish very difficult.

Fishing the bottom with live bait and squid has been producing some quality fish. Fingermark and black spot tusk fish have been found on reef patches and make for a great meal – when you can get them past the sharks.

Large numbers of tuna have also attracted black marlin and sailfish to the area, and a number of hook-ups have been reported over the past few weeks. If you’re keen on catching a billfish, now is the time to do it. Trolling skirted lures and skip baits near tuna schools will certainly increase your chances of landing one of these magnificent fish.

The estuary fishing has been relatively consistent; however the drop in water temperature has slowed down some species over the past month. Barramundi have become very lazy and finicky biters, making them very difficult to hook.

Black jew and fingermark have been caught in good numbers in deep holes on live bait, and will really give your gear a work out. Blue salmon and grunter have also been found in the river systems of Weipa, live bait also seems to be your best bet on these species.

With water temperature expected to drop further over the coming month I would expect to see the river fishing become patchy and inconsistent. Fishing a good run-out tide with some live bait will increase your chances of getting into some quality fish. Look for draining creeks, snags and deep holes when fishing the estuaries over the next month.

The large volume of bait to the south of Weipa should keep the pelagic activity going for a long time. Expect to encounter tuna, Spanish macks and trevally in good numbers. Look for birds working low on the water, and get the fish in quickly as the sharks won’t be far away!