Recfishwest held their annual fishing clinic at the Exmouth Game Fishing Club recently and had a huge turnout with around 50 local kids and families. The variety of species caught from the marina was impressive and even included a coral trout!  Although the sizes of the fish were small, they were great for learning how to identify different species, how to handle and release fish correctly and how to have fun fishing! (Not to mention getting away from a computer screen!).

The Recfishwest Forum was held in conjunction with the volunteer thankyou evening at the clubhouse and approximately fifty people gathered to talk fishing. Issues raised included fishing zones around mining vessels, Wilderness Fishing and where money raised from fishing licenses should be directed. Some people may not be aware that Recfishwest is the voice for recreational anglers in WA. They represent and advocate at state and national levels to government, organisations and industry, the best interests of the Western Australian recreational fishing community. They assist anglers with many recreational fishing issues and encourage juniors and adults to learn more for the benefit of the future of recreational fishing. If you have any queries at any time regarding recreational fishing, you can contact them via recfishwest.org.au

The Paz boys from Perth are here for two weeks fishing. They were off Tantabiddi and getting smashed up by huge mackerel. The two boys caught cobia just north of the passage and spangled emperor to 5kg. The boys took their kids to Wapet creek and caught bream, mangrove jack and all sorts as well.

The ‘winter locals’ are back and testing the waters for the winter whiting along the beaches in the gulf. Interestingly all through summer there were lots of whiting seen along the shoreline, but they seem to have been quiet to the anglers with only a few catches reported.

Meanwhile along the shoreline on the west side the baitschools have continued to ball up and be hammered by predatory species such as trevally and queenfish. A few travellers from the east coast were casting poppers along the shoreline at five mile and I had to include a pic of one this week. It was a tiny giant trevally that took a swipe at a lure that was almost as long as the fish itself!  The area was also very weedy and despite all this, the little critter had a crack at the popper. These brazen creatures are not shy and I’m sure this little one will be fiercely chomping on all sorts of smaller fish in years to follow.

Keen GT