What a glorious week it has been.  On Monday night the waters were so calm that boats drifting after-dark could hear whales calling from under the water.  Many whales have been showing up, particularly off the west side.  The fishing that night was awesome with catches of large red emperor, rankin cod and spangled emperor.  Not only has it been calm, but warm (enough) as well with winter feeling like it has almost passed. 

Gavin Pardington and partner Kim, along with Kim’s sister Sascha fished off Tantabiddi chasing mackerel.  The two girls caught their first mackerel and yellow-fin tuna, whilst Gavin caught his first sailfish.  Many reports have come in this week from people catching billfish, most of them accidentally.  Alan McDonald and Ian Went from Bunbury were reef fishing off Yardie Creek and had a floating mulie beside their 14ft tinny, when a sailfish inhaled the bait.  An hour later the guys landed their first sail.  The feisty fish was released and returned to continue feeding.  Similarly Matt Gates was fishing with friends south of Tantabiddi for reef species and on his first drop hooked and landed a 20kilo black marlin.  The water temperature has been around 23-24 degrees and the billfish are certainly liking it. 

Michael Wunhym aged 9yrs was fishing in the marina with a soft plastic lure and surprisingly caught a 76cm Spanish mackerel, which he happily released.  He also caught a few gold spot trevally and showed up his Dad, Shane.  

Meanwhile along the shoreline Linton Walker from Dianella was disappointed having caught only one fish during his stay.  He had been using big heavy rods, reels and sinkers.  A whisper in his ear had him change to a small light outfit with light sinkers.  On his first day he caught 21 (yes, that’s twenty-one) fish!  He’s now enjoying his fishing holiday much more.