General News
2 September, 2026
Time to head for the jungle
HUGE perch keep coming, moon draws the barra and spotty mackeral a ‘plague’
Freshwater
THE jungle perch fishing over the last week has been unbelievably good, with some huge fish – up to 48cm – caught which is about as good as it gets.
Daniel Colombini and Dallas Sutton had an amazing session getting 12 jungle perch over 40cm and four over 45cm. These fish were caught way up in the mountains, mostly on the ever-faithful Jackson R.A. popper.
They weren’t the only ones catching perch. Everyone one I’ve heard who has gone chasing jungle perch have done exceptionally well over the last week. As the waters warm the fishing is only going to get better, so if you’re thinking of going, now’s the time.
Estuary
WE have had an amazing bite over the full moon period. Three days before and after, the barramundi were chewing. I’ve had some of the best reports I’ve seen in a while and just about everyone that chased a barra did well. Plenty of smaller 60s models have been caught in big schools, with some bigger models hanging out with them. A considerable amount of barras 80cm and bigger were caught over the week also.
The Samaki weedless prawn has been the absolute stand out lure and at times is the only thing they will take. If you’re wanting to chase some barras I’d recommend fishing around the full moon and the tide changes as this is when the barras are most active. Make sure you have a few prawn imitation lures in your tackle box.
Offshore
WE have had a few smaller breaks in the weather recently allowing people to fish our inshore areas and the larger boats able to punch it to the reefs, although most took this chance to chase a mackerel.
This is the season for spotty mackerel. We are seeing some huge spotty mackerel caught up into the metre mark, mostly on drifted pillies and metal slugs. There is also no shortage of schoolie mackerel. Reports are coming in of fisherman being absolutely plagued by them.
Although a bit harder to find, there has been some proper big Spanish in around the islands and, if you’re willing to put in a little bit of extra time, you may just be rewarded with a trophy sized catch.
Plenty of nice fat coral trout were caught during this weather window also, mostly on pillies. Hopefully we will see some more good weather this mackerel season, as I’m writing this now, the forecast looks to be improving for the weekend, so make sure you stock up on the essentials and cross your fingers.
– Ryan Sanger, Tackle World Tully
Read More: Cassowary Coast