Boaties to sneak out on water before wind fires up Keen young angler Riley Kirk used fresh squid to land this lovely fingermark fishing up in North Queensland. Picture: Scott Hillier
Fishing Scott Hillier
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Conditions
It looks like the offshore boaties will get a chance to sneak out on Saturday before the wind gets up Sunday. Be sure to keep an eye on the latest forecast.
Species on the chew
There has been a really good early season run of snapper out in the deeper water around the Barwon Banks and the Hards.
Floating whole pilchards or squid down on a running ball sinker rig should do the trick.
Targeting tuna and mackerel
First tip is to be on the water nice and early and be on the lookout for any bird activity. The birds will lead you to the bait and hopefully the tuna and spotted mackerel busting into them. Then with your approximately 20G metal slug make a long cast into the feeding fish. Wait a few seconds then retrieve nice and fast with your rod tip down. You can also try trolling hard body lures around the edges of there bait schools. Trolling live yakkas through the bait will work on the bigger spaniards. When casting metal slugs, best to use monofilament about 8 to 10kg. You will cast it a lot further and get more bites than using wire. When trolling live baits ire is recommended.