Tackleworld Exmouth weekly fishing report

The talk of the fishing fraternity in town this week is without doubt the absolute cracker mackie caught by young angler Daniel Charsley that weighed a very impressive 30.2kg.

The horse Spanish mackerel was caught on a Kaiken 180 stickbait and had Daniel on the edge of his seat the whole time from bite to landing.

Ken Collings has also entered a queenfish in the monthly comp that measured over one metre.

His huge queenfish was caught on a soft plastic using a new combo purchased that week. The fish was snared off Janz access and it is good to see the big queenies getting in close to shore. There has been a few also around the gulf side, particularly Bundegi.

It can be exasperating to stand on the bow of your boat and look into the clear waters with dozens of them milling around the boat so close that it is hard to cast.

At times like these a small popper or metal slice cast off to the side and retrieved erratically can work well, especially if they compete for it. The visual side of this fishing is awesome and we are lucky to have such crystal-clear waters in our area.

The squid off the marina have been in good numbers for some anglers. Last week there were several dugongs spotted in the areas south of the marina as well, which was a bonus for visiting anglers Jack and Brooke Wilson from Melbourne, who also caught their first squid.

The conditions were absolute glass, yet there was a strong northerly hampering other boating enthusiasts further towards the Muiron Islands. Luckily, we have some good options for small boats close to shore such as these grounds and some a little deeper that can also be good for bluebone, various emperor and golden trevally.

Are you a lady angler? The Exmouth Game Fishing Club is preparing for the Ladies Day Tournament on August 12 and tradition tells me it will be a great day.

In the past there has been some amazing statistics with tuna and mackerel, while the luncheon has been an absolute treat. I’d recommend getting a team together, or if you want to join a team, contact the club via secretary@egfc.com.au.

The annual GAMEX tournament in 2018 will be the 40th and entries are already open for this highly-acclaimed event.

Anglers come from all States and overseas to compete for the various fish on offer and enjoy the camaraderie of a remote coastal country town that has such an amazing fishery.

Research is now a big part of the event and social activities allow the anglers to tell lots of fishy tales over cold ales.

In 1969 the first annual fishing competition was incorporated with the town’s celebration of Gala Week, held in the August/September school holidays.

In October 1977 a group of keen gamefishermen including John Hallworth, Jim Gherardi, Bruce Stronach, Des Ryan and Kathy Ryan met at Wally William’s residence and re-formed the Game Fishing Club as we know it today.

In that year the fledgling Club worked in conjunction with the Tourist Bureau to run GAMEX.

The club constitution was first printed in December 1977. In 1978 Exmouth Game Fishing Club conducted the Gamex Tournament and registered the name.

So really, if the first fishing event was in 1969, then it is the 50th event. Technically speaking it is the 40th GAMEX.