Sport
23 December, 2025
Rain cools waters of bounty
WELCOME rain has cooled conditions dramatically over the last couple of days and that will entice fish of many varieties.
Fresh water fishing has seen solid sootiest and good-sized jungle perch being caught.
With the extra heat around, these fish have been taking surface lures, like the small drunken mullet and imitation sicardas.
Having a small spin rod and reel is the key to this style of fishing. The secret is to walk up along the bank quietly – these fish are very aware of their surroundings and if you spook them, they become impossible to catch.
Estuary fisherman have also been enjoying some good catches of red bream. Lure fisherman have been reporting consistently being able to catch good numbers of these fish with a well-placed lure.
Skipping plastic lures under overhanging mangroves trees is showing great results. Skipping plastics requires a little practice but when mastered will increase your catch rate dramatically.
It is also worth mentioning that with this first bit of fresh water around mud crabs will be on the move. There is nothing like a feed of freshly-caught mud crabs over the holidays.
Around the island coral trout, grunter and finger-mark are all being caught in good numbers, Grassi sweet lip are also being caught out on the rubble patches.
Big coral trout and finger mark also love to forage on these same rubbly patches, so the opportunity arises for a mixed bag.
Reef fishing has seen good numbers of fish being caught, red throat emperor and trout are being caught up around the reef edges with nannygai and red emperor also being caught out in the deeper water.
Local Cardwell fisho Antoinette Jesse and her husband Neil had a great day on the Reef with their kids, with Antoinette out fishing the boys, with a beautiful nannygai.
The staff at Tackle World Tully would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Remember to always get an up-to-date fishing report before venturing out and stay safe.
– Tony Mossop, Tackle World Tully
Read More: Cassowary Coast