As Cyclone Hamish hovers off the Queensland coast, a tale of remarkable luck has emerged from the survivor of a capsized trawler. Fisherman James Palmer was drifting at sea when a wave washed back an EPIRB he had lost earlier – allowing authorities to home in on him.

The stroke of luck has been likened to “winning Lotto 100 times over.”

The cyclone has been battering islands off the coast with wind gusts of up to 50 knots recorded.

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The Perth game fishing community is abuzz with reports of marlin activity behind Rottnest Island.

There have been three confirmed hookups on fish in the 2 – 300kg range in the last week, although none have been successfully tagged.

With only a handful of marlin encounters in Perth waters over the last few seasons, this season could be a stand out.

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Closer inshore Perth anglers continue to have a great time on pelagics - with reports of Spanish mackerel and tuna continuing to filter in. Ian MacFarlane, son Tim, Geoff Macdonald and Wayne Blanch experienced some hot action just north of the metro area.
They decided to troll the reefs down past Ledge Point and Seabird after a diving trip on the Key Biscayne – a sunken oil rig off Lancelin. In idyllic conditions they were hoping to repeat the previous day’s effort of two spanish mackerel.

Trolling deep diving Halco Laser Pros around some bird activity saw Wayne hooked up to the biggest fish of his life. After a tense tussle a 16kg yellowfin was landed for the happy angler.

Two smaller tuna, a samson fish and a pike were also taken as the anglers’ relaxed with a cold drink and feed of fresh sashimi.

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The West Coast Bioregion extends from the Zuytdorp Cliffs, north of Kalbarri, to Black Point, east of Augusta. The South Coast Bioregion stretches from there to the WA border.

Department of Fisheries shark scientist Dr Rory McAuley said Western Australia’s new regulations would assist in the protection and, in some cases, the recovery of at-risk species within the Family Carcharhinidae, in which all whaler sharks belong.

Details of the new arrangements, with illustrations of how to measure a whaler shark correctly, are now available from the Department of Fisheries website

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Here's this weekend's Sunday Times fishing report:

METROPOLITAN

 Rottnest’s West End remains the highlight for pelagic action. Southern bluefin tuna, shark mackerel, yellowtail kingfish and spanish mackerel all hitting baits and lures at times. Nick Bailey and Ross Italiano were among boating parties enjoying the frantic action. The pair caught and released six small yellowtail kingfish while watching heaps of shark mackerel jump nearby. They also hooked and lost some larger tuna. Bailey reckons there are acres and acres of blue mackerel bait schools behind the island.

Bottom fishing has been relatively quiet but bigger boats venturing to the Bank and beyond are finding a few quality jewfish. More jewies have responded to anchoring and berleying techniques north of Ocean Reef. The back of reef territory such as the Three Mile also worth trying for mackerel and yellowfin tuna.

The FAD’s are yielding dolphin fish. The Hillarys and Furuno FAD’s have been better producers. The north wall of the Trench is turning up an increasing number of marlin. Damien Wham lost a fish estimated at 250kg close to the boat.

There are heaps of sand whiting close to shore for small boats. Numbers of thumping king george whiting are on the increase from the thirty metre line offshore.

Beaches from Swanbourne to Trigg Point have held schools of small salmon. Bull herring are widespread but tailor only patchy. Marinas have fished well over the high tide.

The old Traffic Bridge at Fremantle has yielded great tarwhine. Squid are moving around Bicton waters at night with tailor and big bull herring in Rocky Bay. Bream are more active around Maylands to Ascot with some large resident fish near Bandyup.

 GERALDTON

Spanish mackerel numbers have improved near town. Pensioners has been a hot spot. Most have averaged 8-10kg with some up to 12-15kg. There are also masses of small bluefin tuna around 2-3kg.

Bottom fishing has been great with jewfish from 9 to 12kg, baldchin and coral trout found onlumps from African Reef to Coronation Beach. Macks have also been hanging around near the lumps with water from 12 to 30m deep the best bet.

Those privileged enough to fish Abrolhos waters enjoyed encounters with mackerel to 15kg, and large numbers of small tuna during the recent good weather. Bottom fishing yielded sweetlip, pink snapper, coral trout and baldchin. Coral spawning near the islands has forced some fishers to work a bit further offshore. Shark mackerel also came from the region.

Small boat anglers found bountiful times from Pt Moore, Southgates and right up to Drummonds. School and yellowfin whiting were plentiful, as well as pike near weed beds. Drummonds has been great for mulloway. Skippy to 1kg have been taken from reef spots with herring and tailor were biting well during the evening.

The best tailor have been between 55-60cm with anywhere from the Nine Mile through to Flatrocks productive. Heaps of small mulloway have been caught in the area with some nearing 70cm but many babies about. The first and second points at Greenough have been a similar story with mornings the best for fishing before the strong afternoon breezes have kicked in. North of Geraldton spots such as Sunset, Drummonds and Coronation Beach have also shown tailor.

Wagoe reefs have turned up a fair number of pink snapper to 7kg, while ballooners have scored a few spaniards to 15kg.

 JURIEN

Yellowtail kingfish provided action right from Cervantes to Jurien. Most fish are not large at 1-2kg but have been good fun on lures and light gear. Shore parties have been able to cast for the fish from spots such as the marina. Island Point has held numbers of yellowfin whiting. There are a few tailor about and herring have been prolific. Some nice squid have come from second jetty.

Mackerel numbers have improved and they are patrolling behind the islands. Striped tuna to 5kg are widespread with schools of mahi mahi along the back edge of the shelf. Baldchin were biting well on top of the banks. Jewfish have been found in 60 - 80m, where pink and red snapper added to some excellent mixed bags.

EXMOUTH

 This week's Exmouth newsletter can be viewed here.