Four guys from Perth aboard the boat Catatonic have been experiencing some great days out fishing off the Muiron Islands, Peak Island and the west side of the cape.  They were trolling for mackerel off the islands when a small black marlin hooked up to one of their Halco Laser Pro Crazy Deep (190DD) lures.  The fish danced at the stern and there was mayhem on the boat.  There was enough time for the video camera to come out, but we’ve been told the footage needs to be watched with the sound down!  The marlin finally jumped off and we’re not sure if the angler or the skipper was to blame, or if it was just luck.  They have also had some success with catching rankin cod, spanglies and even a nine-kilo red in 18m of water.

July is one of the best months for Spanish mackerel in Exmouth and this year is no different. Tantabiddi has been a hotspot with many anglers reporting double hook-ups on these speedsters once a school of mackerel is found. The mackerel have been predominantly found in depths between 20-30m of water and as usual all the deep diving minnow lures have been catching well, with the Rapala X-Rap 30 and the deep diving Mackerel Maulers being a couple of standout performers.

Bottom fishing is has been as productive as ever with plenty of red emperor, rankin cod and spangled emperor being taken west of the islands. More and more people have been reporting success using the Gillies Ockta weighted jigs. This week we even had one customer hooking a marlin on one of the jigs on its way down to the bottom. Unfortunately, as is quite often the way with marlin, it threw the hooks after a couple of exciting jumps. Other reported catches on the Ocktas include big spanish mackerel, bluebone, spangled emperor and plenty of rankin cod.

Jeni from the Exmouth shop scored a good bonefish on fly on Thursday, while the rest of us were working... hmmm... nice catch. West side of the Cape.

Fishing around the west side beaches has been a little quiet of late with a distinct lack of baitfish present compared to previous years. Spangled emperor and the occasional bluebone are being caught by those getting up early and fishing the access roads at first light.