The cold water temperature in August is not the ideal situation for estuary fishing. However, in between the patchy reports there has been good hauls of fingermark, black jew, mangrove jack and barramundi. Offshore is also firing up with the annual run of Spaniards and large schools of longtail tuna filling the bay.

August is a great time of year to chase pelagics, such as the northern bluefin tuna and Spanish mackerel, which can produce some excellent bottom fishing. Macks have continued to run rife throughout July, with great numbers being located close to the coast. Large bait schools holding up in the bay have attracted these hungry predators, and trolling deep diving lures has produced the best results. Finding birds working low on the water will help you identify these schools of bait and enjoy some awesome pelagic angling.

Good numbers of school sized large- and smallmouth nannygai, and fingermark have also succumbed to well worked soft plastics and squid fished on the bottom.

Fishing patches of reef in Weipa is somewhat of a lucky dip, drop your bait to the bottom and you never know what will return to the surface. A selection of over 25 species calls these rocky habitats home.

With the drop in water temperature over this month, the barramundi and other estuarine species have become very lazy. The river fishing is very patchy, with some days fishing better than others. Nevertheless, with some fresh live bait and a bit of patience; you will see some good results.

Snags and shallow creek mouths have been fishing better, and a decent run-out tide also seems to get the bait moving and the fish actively feeding.

Moving into September, and I would expect to see a change in the barramundi fishing. As the water temperature begins to rise, these fish move out to the saltwater to begin breeding. Fishing rocky headlands and areas closer to the river mouth will produce some great specimens, both on shallow diving lures and live mullet. Threadfin or king salmon will also be found patrolling these areas and will make a great meal after a big day in the sun, especially with the closure of the season fast approaching.