Gulf beaches,producing well

Whiting and flathead continue to be plentiful along the gulf beaches at the moment.

Large schools of squid were also seen along the lower gulf waters this week, with several bag limits caught between a group of anglers.

Blue swimmer crabs are still running in the usual haunts of the gulf and even people fishing the shoreline have seen them in close on the high tide.

It pays to have a crab scoop net with you to help pick up a few for a fresh feed if fishing off the shore.

Mackerel tuna have started to show up off the tip of the cape.

You can get large schools at this time of year, especially south-west of the Lighthouse Bay sanctuary.

Small chrome lures work well or if you’re keen fly fishing for these can also be fun.

Long tail tuna are very active in the gulf side and can be easily spotted feeding on the surface.

Small dark fairy terns are good indicators to finding the tuna; the birds bunch up in large groups and dip down to the water to feed on any broken bits of bait the tuna have left behind.

The end of the cape is still producing shark mackerel, gold-spot trevally and queenfish. These can be fished from a small boat or from the shore.

A few good queenfish were taken along the Bundegi beach stretch, where sharks were also taking poppers intended for queenies.

The sharks are increasingly becoming worse in our waters in all areas and recreational anglers are noting the increase in numbers and their boldness over the years. There is an inbalance, we note, but it is difficult to get some people to understand.

Dave Holbery is up from Perth with mates got a smashing rankin cod close to 10kg.

Josh Vander Merwe, also part of that crew, caught his first black marlin that was estimated at 150kg.

You never forget your first billfish and it would be interesting to know just how many people caught their first billfish in Exmouth.

Dolphin fish and a few small yellowfin tuna were also caught by this lucky crew.

Remember, the Billfish Bonanza is on this weekend. Get your entries in now to help with catering.