The town has been busy with the influx of tourists as the winter temperatures drive them north. We've had a few windy days, but also some wonderful weather with calm conditions that allow the anglers to get out amongst the fish. One customer had some fantastic luck this week while fishing in the marina. He caught everything from queenfish, trevally, jacks and bream. However, the prize catch for him was a 57cm coral trout!

The hardy head bait schools have been thick inside the marina which has obviously brought in more predatory species. The late afternoons have been very entertaining down there as the bait schools have been herded up and smashed by these bigger fish.

Squid have been common around at Tantabiddi on the weed beds, as well as in the southern end of the gulf. Reports from anglers say that orange has been the most popular colour. The areas around the marina have not been as successful: just ask Des Ryan if you know him. Des and his wife Kathy have been in Exmouth for many years and love their fishing. They are heavily involved in the Exmouth Game Fishing Club and comment to us on this report nearly every week. We'd like to congratulate Des and Kath this week on their 40th wedding anniversary.

A few weeks ago we had Bob Maddison in the paper with a golden trevally. He brought in another pic of a giant herring (above) he caught and it is such a huge giant herring that we had to put it in this week's report too. Well done Bob! He has also caught bonefish, dart, queenfish and emperor, making his two-month stay very memorable. All the fish he has caught has been on a mixture of soft plastics, baits and lures on a small outfit while walking the beaches along the west side.

Ron Lowes and the boys from Black Pearl are back again for a fishing break and have had no hesitation in getting out among the reef fish. No doubt they will be catching billfish as well, especially after the constant report of billfish being caught, particularly off Helby Bank.

The school holidays are not far away now and if you're looking for something for the kids to do, then there is plenty of action along the shoreline and at the marina. Soft plastic lures work well on all species in these areas using small light outfits. If the weather is not too good, then there are plenty of fishing DVD's these days. Alternatively, using casting plugs can assist with their fishing immensely. The bonus with the casting plugs is that they can keep kids (young and old!) occupied for hours as they try and cast the plug at a target. It improves accuracy for casting and can be great fun. The EGFC will be holding a kids day of casting fun during the school holidays. Next week we will have all the info for you.