GOING OFF IN WINTER

When compared to southern states, winter in Queensland is relatively mild and the fishing on the offshore grounds is generally very good. The current slows down a lot, giving good access to the wider reefs that have largely been unfishable through the warmer months. Despite this, it is rare to see water temperatures less than 22 degrees beyond the continental shelf and game fishing can be quite good throughout the winter months with all three marlin species still turning up for those who are persistent.

Fishing the deeper reefs in winter produces a wide range of species, but the main target fish are snapper, pearl perch, kingfish and amberjacks. In closer to shore mulloway and teraglin are very common, and some of the biggest Spanish mackerel turn up in June and July as they return north from their southern migration. Quite a few wahoo are also caught in early winter. Cobia are another species worth chasing on the closer reefs and the winter run generally consists of big adult fish over 20 kilos in weight.

Weather conditions in winter are generally favourable, with far less strong south easterlies and a lot less swell. The predominant wind is from the west. Always remember that