Garfish have been prevalent along the shores of the gulf, but so have the midgies on the dropping tide. The lead up to the high tide is best time for the garfish and a good berley trail in the water should have the tiny critters curiously honing in on your attractant. A small long-shank hook and prawn for bait is optimal bait and make sure you have a good esky with ice ready for keeping them. Some people eat these fish, while others are using them for bait for bigger species. They are a great way to keep kids entertained and there are plenty of areas along the beaches to target them.

Chris Francis from Melbourne is here enjoying the great fishing Exmouth has to offer. He’s been using garfish as bait and hooked a trevally that raced off from the shore. The fish was finally close enough to be lifted in by hand when the hook pulled for a perfect release.

With school holidays and Easter upon us we should remember to keep our kids well protected through the holidays. Make sure you slip, slop and slap while kids are out and about. There is increased exposure to the sun from the reflection off the water when people are fishing. Rash shirts are great for swimming, but no good for fishing as they get extremely hot. Ensure your kids are well hydrated in our northern climate and consider some sun-smart clothing like FishKids or BigFish shirts, caps and pants.

Kye Venrooy is the lucky angler pictured this week. Kye and his parents have recently moved to Exmouth from Albany. Kye began school here on a Wednesday and the Friday of that week he asked his Dad to take him fishing at the marina. He was using a reel that had been handed down to him from his late Grandad spooled up with 30lb braid on a Sputnik rod. 

Kye put on some squid bait and within no time the rod was bent over with a fish on the end of the line. The reel was spooled back to the knot when Dad assisted and skilfully (and luckily!) Kye managed to land the fish, which was a whopping 3.5kg spangled emperor measuring 650mm!  Dad then went on to catch another one measuring 510mm. As you can imagine, Kye and Dad are happy with the move north and we’re sure Grandad was helping from somewhere that day.

Kye Venrooy spangled emperor