The crabs in the Bay of Rest have been plentiful this year, but according to Fisheries many people have been keeping undersized blue mannas. Over the weekend Fisheries checked several boats, and infringements were given out to people for the undersized crabs taken. Please be mindful of this and be aware that there will be more checks from both Fisheries and DEC in the future as DEC officers are also being trained in this department.

Predominantly easterly winds have made fishing in Exmouth Gulf a little uncomfortable until late in the afternoons, when the wind drops. Squid have been plentiful both north and south of the Marina. Those fishing out of small boats having been encountering plenty of school mackerel, which have been taking mostly small diving minnow lures.

Tantabiddi has seen small black marlin and sailfish for those anglers putting in the time trolling out wide with skirted lures. Wahoo and yellowfin tuna are also putting in an appearance between billfish strikes. Anglers trolling the back of the reef have reported good action from spanish mackerel with the odd cobia and longtail tuna thrown in for good measure.

Whiting and yellowfin bream have made up the majority of the catch for those fishing the Gulf beaches. When the neap tides were on, being on the beach very early in the morning was crucial if you were chasing a feed.