Whitsunday Islands - This weekend

[QuintrexII]

Hi guys,

Easters not looking good for a holiday at this point - busy work period, so going up to Whitsundays on friday for a week.

Was last up there at christmas - go up 1-2 times a year. Had a ball chasing the macks around - as well as a couple of beautiful meals of Perch and emporer.

Has anyone got any reports of late - I believe the weather is crappy to say the least over the past week.

Had some good sessions trolling east and west of Hook Island as well as through Soleway pass previously. with skirted lures doing most of the damage.

Any reports or a couple of general areas where you may have had some good sessions recently, or what bait/rigs are working well.

Thanks guys

We only keep what we eat that day, so just looking for a great week of sport fishing, with some omega fishy oils for the dinner table

[madman1]

Cant wait for your report Quinnie,

The family and I are heading that way to live in a few weeks.

Let us know how you go.

[QuintrexII]

Will do madman.

As I said, we go up 1-2 times a year - only for a week, so each time we get a little more experienced and the catches get a little bit biger and better.

Christmas was good, but we were in a 36 ft charter cruiser, and I had a hard time getting close to bait schools without scaring them off. It's a pity because there was bait balls busting the surface everywhere. You could look off the fly bridge and see 2-3 at a time.

But I've been reading reports on this site and in mags, so have a better idea about drifting into range etc.

Am going to be trying those Lively lure "Mac Baits" and will also be trying live bait for the first time ever - I've been told the reds love those Hussar.

So hopefully will haave a good report and some helpful tips for you on my return.

Cheers

[upstart]

Hi Mate. I live in Townsville and one of the lures which work really well up this way is the RMG Scorpion Crazy Deep 8m+. Give one of them a swim around the rocky ledges and drop offs. They catch everything that swims. Including Coral Trout.

[QuintrexII]

Excellent - Thanks upstart - If I can get one at Airlie b & tackle I'll try it for sure.

I only get one-two weeks a year up there so I'll always try something that is recommended - especially by a local. It's a whole different playground up there.

Cheers mate - I'll post as I go - so look out for 1-2 posts over the next week and I'll let you know how I go - I'm keen to try some new poppers against those Mac bait Lures and see how they both go against the trusty old skirted lures.

It's fun to experiment !

[QuintrexII]

Upstart & BobbyJ,

What do you find to be the best trolling speed - I'm chartering a boat so max speed is 9-10 knots.

Thanks

[BobbyJ123]

G'day mate, 6-8 knots for mackerel and GTs.
Wet around the islands.
Today's radar reading.