Reef fishing northeast Cape York * from P60
in the Kutini-Payaumi (Iron Range) National Park for a week or two of absolutely cracker fishing in a very scenic area. The fish available follow a similar pattern to the Cooktown reefs, with nannygai and fingermark perhaps even more common in the inshore reefs. Though the recent cyclone knocked the rainforest about, there are still a few nice shady camps along the beach, and the caretakers have provided a freshwater bore for campers back along the road. You can beach launch at Chilli Beach or the small settlement of Portland Roads, a little further to the north. There’s plenty to see around here too – the old wartime bunkers near the Lockhart River airstrip, the local com-
munity where you can purchase fuel and food, and the picturesque Quintel Beach where a barge delivers essential supplies on a regular basis. Restoration Island, which can be seen from Chilli Beach, features very strongly in Australia’s history. This is where Captain Bligh and 18 sailors reached after being cast adrift from the Bounty in 1789, covering nearly 4000 miles in a 22’ open boat. Bligh named the island ‘Restoration’ as this was where they found plentiful food and water and were ‘restored’. Back to fishing! Weipa is the major western Cape York destination and I have covered it fairly well recently. Needless to say, it too offers great reef fishing
– on generally smaller reefs than those along the Great Barrier Reef – and often in surprisingly shallow water. Fingermark and tuskfish make up a major part of the catch here. For reef fishing generally around the Cape, pilchard along with other hard bait of fish fillets, squid and jigs, soft plastics and hard-body lures will all produce well, according to the species and location. Personally, I find jigging soft plastics over the reef cracking fun – likewise casting poppers over reef edges for coral trout and anything else on the chew. Weatherwise, there are predictions about of an early wet season onset – possibly in November – something to be mindful of should you venture up this way. Until next month, tight lines and stay safe!
A plump coral trout, without doubt one of the best easting fish on the planet.
Anchored off the idyllic Chilli Beach, Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) area of Cape York.
Custom Marine Welding • Aluminium • Stainless steel • Mild steel welding & fabrication • Boats & trailers repaired and modified • T tops with rod holders for all boats • Custom fuel tanks to survey • Bow rails • Electric outboard mounts • Water & fuel tanks for boats, trucks, campers & 4WD underfloor storage • Vehicle tool boxes & canopies
T: 3807 7846 M: 0414 736 606 E: cmwelding@yahoo.com QBFP officers joined the Gudjuda Indigenous Rangers recently to clean up illegal pots.
QBFP with Gudjuda Rangers
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HE Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers joined the Gudjuda Indigenous Rangers recently to haul in and remove a significant number of illegal crab pots from Townsville and
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Burdekin waterways in their latest cleanup operation. Over five days, the clean-up focussed on Plantation, Ocean and Barramundi Creeks, the Haughton River and Cleveland Bay – removing 119 aban-
Jacobs Well Road & Rotary Park Road Behind Gem Freedom Service Station
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doned and derelict pots from the marine habitat. Good relationships were built from the joint operation and Gudjuda Rangers were very helpful and passionate about cleaning up their sea country. Bush ’n Beach Fishing, November 2021 – Page 61
