Sincere apologies for the lack of reports over the last few weeks, but after Gamex, I had to have a holiday. I went with five other girls on a fishing trip from Exmouth, to the Monte Bellos to the Rowley Shoals to Broome over 10 days! And what a fantastic trip it was aboard the 65ft Reel Teaser. I haven't been on holidays for a while, so it was well overdue! We caught a heap of fish, had a wonderful time and plan to do it again.

Some of the best catches were a big blue marlin off the Montes and huge GT's at the Rowleys. Sadly we missed what we believe was a broadbill off Exmouth, but did manage to get sailfish, blue, black and striped marlin, as well as coral trout, mackerel, dogtooth and wahoo. The snorkelling at the Rowley's was sensational and we (West Aussies) are so lucky to have such a wonderful back yard.

Robert Schultz from Forrestdale has been fishing up here with Dave Williams and a few friends on Rob's 6m Seafarer boat. The crew were anchored off Exmouth Reef targeting spanglies and mackerel. They had a floating mulie astern that was taken by a fish that took about half an hour to land. When it finally surfaced it turned out to be a mackerel well over 30kg! Rob's two young sons were on board at the time and Dave came in with the gaff to assist in bringing the fish aboard. It was later weighed in at 33kg and the families have got plenty of fish to eat on their holiday.

Rob Schultz with his thumping 33kg spaniard.

Alex and Jack Dandie have been reporting plenty of northern salmon in the marina. They have been using soft plastics and C'Ultiva shads. They also said that many boats were coming in from just north and south of the marina with plenty of squid. The boys also tried for some squid down at Learmonth, but said the squid have been quiet there.

Young James Bell, aged 4 caught his first squid off Bundegi and was squirted with black ink all over his life jacket, legs, arms, face and the boat! His Dad didn't have the camera unfortunately, but he did clean up before Mum saw it!

Andy and Kerry Jankowski are previous Exmouth residents now living in Karratha and have come down for a holiday with their tinny. The two have been fishing inside the reef at Tantabiddi targeting any species willing to take to their soft plastic Gulp's. They hooked up to some great spanglies on 3kg line - landing several between 60 and 70cm. They also caught some bluebone and many charlie courts.

There is a whisper that the blue manna crabs have started super early. Last year we had a thumper season after the rains in early April, but with the rains even earlier this year the crabs may be early too.

Jeni Gates - Bluewater Exmouth