Cooktown

COOKTOWN Justin Coventry

The weather here has been strange to say the least with continual rain making our dry season still up, and barra are still able to move around so maybe the migration has helped them stay hungry. The lure fishing is some of the best I’ve seen in years with some very sizable fish around. I managed a on lure in a tidal creek, which was amazing to see it eventually landed, and it was land based. Even though everything worked out, when the first run went 50m downstream I thought there was little chance. However, slowly but surely it made its way back and the capture was completed. It was the most amazing barramundi moment to date.

The river water levels are still high and has provided some exciting sessions when the barramundi have been found. It’s multiple hook ups and action aplenty at the moment, which is so great to see. Barramundi have also been in schools in the estuaries and moving with the water and tide, and the bite seems to be as the school passes with the tide. descend on the wharf as the bite increases and the wharf will fill up, but there is a massive rock wall along the waterfront so lots of room to cast out a live herring to get into the action. Small trace will help to stop bite offs and not spook fish.

Great fun and lots of trevally are also in the mix and the acrobatic queenfish can put on a show once hooked. So plenty of fun to be had at the wharf this month.

Reef fishing is still up in the air with strong winds likely but it can’t last forever. There is some chance of a small window in September showing up but October should see some calm weather. Get the boat ready now and your reef gear as it’s just around the corner! The first weekend will be mayhem at the boat ramp but hopefully also mayhem out at the reef pulling in some nice coral trout. Looking forward to a fresh feed of coral trout. Yum!

Lure fishing for barramundi has been the best in years.

not so dry and the cooler weather hanging on as well. I thought this would slow things down fishing wise but the opposite has occurred with barramundi hungry.

The water levels are session with a 92cm fish taken in freshwater, which is my biggest freshwater barramundi to date. A mate of mine caught a 96cm, so they are getting up there in size to the 1m target.

I have caught a 1.05cm There has been plenty of action on the barra lately.

Moving with them provides more opportunities, and a boat and a quality sounder on side scan will help.

Next month the conditions might dry up a

The author with a 92cm freshwater barramundi.

little, but the expectation is that rain will be around most of the year but it will dry up as the year progresses. The fishing should also be hot once temperatures start to heat up. So, I can’t wait to see how it goes then.

The large holes hold fish and lure fishing snags provides the best chance to locate them. Once found, it’s worth multiple casts as small fish are more active and can steal a feed before the larger fish rises to feed. I’ve seen a number of small fish caught before the trophy fish attacks.

The wharf is still producing some nice jacks and it’s worth a try with some live bait around or under the wharf. Also, the mackerel are expected to arrive in numbers this month, so the fishing will improve. The locals will

• Comfort in all Conditions HEAVILY FACTORY OPTIONED

Ramping it up a notch with this new model, stock boat on order with Mercury 225Hp inc DTS, Redco Alloy Series TA730 trailer, Bow thruster, Toilet w holding tank, sliding doors, Elec anchor winch, Stereo, Simrad electrics, LB tank, Walk thru transom and so much more! Arrange your inspection and call QLD’s Arvor Dealer today!

GOSFORD INSINC MARINE 20 Dell Road West Gosford P: (02) 4324 4300 E: troy@insincmarine.com.au W: www.insincmarine.com.au

GRAFTON DISCO MARINE 160 North Street Grafton P: (02) 6643 1199 E: sales@discomarine.com.au W: www.discomarine.com.au PORT MACQUARIE HASTINGS MARINE 185 Hastings River Drive Port A POWERFUL PACKAGE Macquarie P: (02) 6583 5511 E: sales@hastingsmarine.com.au W: www.hastingsmarine.com.au HORNSBY SHANNON OUTBOARDS 3/41 Leighton Place Hornsby40-60HP FOURSTROKE PERFORMANCE P: (02) 9482 2638 E: sales@shannonoutboards.com.au W: www.shannonoutboards.com.au MERIMBULA MERIMBULA OUTBOARDS 382 Sapphire Coast Drive Tura Merimbula P: (02) 6495 9634 E: info@merimbulaoutboard.com.au W: www.merimbulaoutboard.com.au

KINGS PARK WATERSPORTS MARINE 11 Binney Road Kings Park P: (02) 9676 1400 E: info@watersportmarine.com.au W: www.watersportsmarine.com.au

TAREE MANNING RIVER MARINE 13 Victoria Street Taree P: (02) 6552 2333 E: jim@manningrivermarine.com.au W: www.mercurydealertaree.com

MARKS POINT FISHERMAN’S WAREHOUSE TACKLE WORLD 804 Pacific Highway Marks Point P: (02) 4945 2152 E: enquiries@fishermanswarehouse.com.au W: www.fishermanswarehouse.com.au

COFFS HARBOUR COFFS HARBOUR MARINE 311b Pacific Highway Coffs Harbour P: (02) 6652 4722 E: info@coffsharbourmarine.com.au W: www.coffsharbourmarine.com.au• SmartCraft Technology – Keeps you informed about your engine’s performance McGRATHS HILL • The Most Intuitive Tiller – Feature packed for unmatched comfort and usability TR MARINE WORLD • Troll Control – Dial in precise troll control speeds on all Tiller models in 10RPM increments 4 Curtis Road McGraths Hill PROVEN RELIABILITY P: (02) 4577 3522 • EFI Reliable Turnkey Starting – Starts first time and every time • 3 + 3 = 6 Year Warranty – For real peace of mind E: sales@trmarine.com.au W: www.trmarine.com.au • 18 amp Alternator – Built to handle the demands of marine electronics

MONA VALE JOHNSON BROS ENTERPRISE MARINE 8/77-79 Bassett Street Mona Vale P: (02) 9999 5558 E: info@jbem.net.au W: www.jbem.net.au