An even better class of GT this week... 

Fukui Kenzaburo is a tackle tester for Shimano and probably one of the best GT fishermen in the world. And when you look at the size of this land-based Tongan brute he tamed recently its not hard to see why. 

 Does getting towed around by donkey GT's count towards job satisfaction? We reckon so.

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 The Department of Fisheries has initiated surveys of the Swan River, near Eden Hill and Caversham, for feral pearl cichlids, after a member of the public found several of the unwanted species in the river last week.

Subsequent surveys by researchers have not yet located any further samples, but the find has raised concerns that pearl cichlids may have already become established in the Swan River.

Director of Aquatic Management Greg Paust said the species was first located in Bennett Brook in 2006 and action was taken in a bid to control their spread.

 "This common aquarium fish, which is a prolific breeder and can survive in saline waters, could impact on the local ecosystem, but the extent of its impact is unknown at this stage," he said.

"Likely impacts on the Swan River ecosystem are unknown because, while the cichlids could dominate native species in freshwater environments, their ability to reproduce, spread and compete in the more saline sections of the river is unknown," he said.

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Here's this week's Sunday Times fishing report...

HOT SPOTS

METROPOLITAN

Duncan Brown of Duncraig, aboard his boat Dunk-it, has found heaps of action  offshore. Brown worked the FAD's for excellent dolphin fish with metal lures, had some fun with jigs on the samson fish and scored a nice yellowfin tuna on the run home using a deep diving lure.

Scarborough staffer Joff Weston and his mate Graeme Stewart reached their self-imposed limit of one jewfish each in short time from off Mindarie. The pair worked 32-34m of water with one jewfish weighing 14kg and the other 10kg. A couple of king george were added to the bag on the way in.

Forty metres of water from Two Rocks to Rottnest has produced some yellowfin tuna. Striped tuna and samson fish featured prominently on the north-west side of Rottnest.

Sorrento fishing identity Paul Forrestal has located king george and a personal record flathead not far from home.

Swanbourne anglers baitcasting mulies have scored a few tailor. Good herring  have also come from the area. Tailor reports from lesewhere in the metor area suggest they're spasmodic. Herring and skippy fishing has been okay from Hillarys and Mindarie Marinas. Floreat Drain has turned up tailor some days and Hillary's weed banks have yielded some squid.

Three pink snapper, all over 60cm, were landed by some young anglers from North Mole during the middle of the day. Another 3kg pinkie was caught from shore near Garden Island.

Bluewater Morley's Chris Boyling is pleased with the bream fishing activity in the Swan with Belmont, Maylands and Garrett Road all yielding good size fish. Heaps of little ones have been spotted in areas of clear water. Skippy and small samson fish are worth chasing in Blackwall Reach and Rocky Bay.

MANDURAH

Some select spots near White Hills have offered middle-of-the-day tailor action with those in the know catching their limit of kilo sized fish. Work the tides at the Dawesville Cut for tailor and herring with plenty of garfish. More gars have been found throughout the estuary and offshore. It's worth watching the shoreline as masses of whitebait are moving along with herring not far behind. 

The back of the Five Fathom has been productive for jewfish chasers.

If you are looking for bream try well up in the Murray River while yellowfin whiting are schooling on the eastern side of the estuary. The rivers are worth a try for crabs.

KALBARRI

The Murchison's waters are clearing up after recent flooding with some nice bream taken from quite a way upstream. Mulloway and even the occasional shovelnose havecaused a bit of a stir. The odd mangrove jack has also made an appearance. Many of the bream are over 40cm with one weighing 1.8kg and measuring 47cm long. Good fish have come from structures near town including many estuary cod. One fellow catching and releasing two of the cod around 60cm long. Whiting numbers  have improved, especially along sandy banks near the mouth.

Big swells have turned on the tailor at Chinamans and the Blue Holes. Poppers and bait have both accounted for fish. Chopper tailor have been active at Wittecarra and Red Bluff with evenings best. Herring are biting well in the morning. A 10kg mulloway was captured from the shore at Chinamans recently.

Improved offshore conditions resulted in more mackerel and tuna catches with  the Sand Patch and coral lumps offshore producing. Along the cliffs mackerel were also on the bite especially from the south end. Wagoe has also been good when it hasn't been too rough. Some quality spaniards have been caught to 16kg.

Pink snapper and baldchin groper featured for bottom bouncers with the odd coral trout nabbed neat the cliffs.

EXMOUTH

Our Exmouth crew have been flat out preparing for the start of the annual Gamex competition, so we will have a newsletter up soon. Last week's can be viewed here.