Thursday, June 5, 2025

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

Weekly Fishing Report 5 June

We’re stoked to report that it’s been a great week in fishing, and that the weather conditions for the week ahead are looking stellar.

Dam
With the mornings and evenings being colder, barra fishing at the dam has continued to get slower. We have had reports of some being caught in the middle of the day when it’s warmest, with barra sunning themselves in the weed beds. Sight casting and top water lures are most effective here.

Estuary
Good numbers of mud crabs have been reported across the Lethebrook region. Most reports we’ve received have been caught up the back of narrow creeks as opposed to the wider river mouth.

Grunter continue to be about in good numbers. The key to catching them is using fresh bait, with poddy mullet and herring being the best options. When casting, get up into sandy and rocky areas.

Mangrove jack are also still around. If you’re chasing bigger ones, use fresh or live bait.

Islands & Offshore
With the recent nice weather, lots of boats have finally been getting out to the reef. Micro jigging in 20-30m of water has been producing lots of coral trout and slow-pitch jigging in 50-60m of water has produced several great red emperor. Once again though, the challenge for many has been getting their catch past the sharks.

Lots of large Chinaman fish halve also been landed, but please remember that these are a protected species and need to be sent back down.

Best of luck out there!

Contributed with thanks to Beth Hockley and Jason Fisher from Tackle World Airlie Beach

Whitsunday local, Ryan Hutchinson, with a GT caught at Knuckle Reef. Photo supplied

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