Hey guys, 

heading up to monkey Mia next week and missus has granted me a couple of day fishing, weather permitting!

just wondering if anyone been up lately and might be able to give me a heads up on what's been around? I'm hoping to do a mix of bottom bashing and trolling from both sides.

im dead keen to try for a Spaniard, only ever got 1 before, too late in the season? Also if trolling for Spaniards what's the opinion on traces? Only ask as have a number of hook ups, but getting bitten off is extremely heartbreaking lol!! Esp when you see them fly out of the water!!

if the weather is good enough I may try head through south passage to fish the western side side dirk Hartog. Any issues with tides when doing this crossing? 
thanks heaps!

Enjoy 

 They were abit harder to get today

Forgot about this 10 mins after we talked bwahaha

Howdy All,

After some very late planning and even later packing, we ventured up to 3 mile at Gnaraloo for the first week of the school holidays. 

We broke the drove up and spent a night at a very windy Gladstone which had us having to empty the sand out of the swags and remaking them before we jumped in bed...but that overnight stop had us in Carnarvon at 1030 and into Gnaraloo just after lunch.

Thanks to Andy for the tip to deflate to 30 at the King Waves sign - the ride in was comfortable sitting on 60-80 and having a very uneventful drive in - apart from the dust which was rather thick perticularly when the wind was right behind us and we had to slow in segments with it engulfing us. 

The first night, we caught wind of some spangos being caught right on the edge of the sanctuary...Right on the edge was very accurate but i wont go into that here...
We had a go the following afternoon around 100m away from the sanctuary pilons and successfully fed some fish.

The next morning, we were up again having a go off the rocks but after donating some hooks and lead, pulled the pin.

The next few days had a building swell (to 3+m) and breeze that transitioned from sse to SSW three days in a row with willy willys. There seemed to be narrow windows in the morning and those braver than me had a go and seemed to do OK with the Mackies. We could see birds and fish out to sea from camp but the launch looked undesirable as was the transit through the reef. 

The week prior to us going, we decided to extend our stay to depart Easter Sunday, which would give us a slight window for boating on Saturday, with the weather naturally turning it on from Sunday for the next few days....

Anyhoo - Saturday came along and after hearing some horror stories about the launch at Gnaraloo Bay (bogged up to side steps), we had multople plans in place. Got to the beach, deflated to 15 all round, threw it in low range, had the MaxTrax unbolted......and launched incredibly easy... and wondered, whilst beside the massive holes in the earth cut up by people before me, if we even needed 4wd...

Anyhow, fisheries were at Gnaraloo flying their drone around as we headed out. The South Easterly was gusting into the mid teens and the swell was still a nusence so we zipped up to the northern end of the bay looking for anything interesting before heading out the back of the reef. We found a bust up of microtuna and after going around them clockwise, anti-clockwise, through them, beside them, drawing a cock shape beside them, we finally got some interest, enough interest to snap my rod holder. After a brief tussle, we had unsuccessfuly netted (tangled hooks in net with fish outside) a decent sized fish which was released.

A few more laps, zigs and zags, the small people were winging increasingly more so we headed into the bay for a snorkle.

Around lunchtime, we headed back to the beach for lunch and retrieved the boat. All the plans put into place and again, an incredlbly simple reload was completed. 

Over lunch, the wind died down again, so we put the boat back in the water (using high range 4WD with tyres still down at 15) and headed around looking for some Mackie action. Whilst motoring out, Blake (#1 son) noticed a willy willy go throught he carpark.....so we drove around in an increasing seabreeze looking for fish for 30 minutes before going back to the car and retrieving in 2wd this time, just to see how easy it could be.

It seems people go in at 40 and do a big u turn right where you launch so they dig the shit out of the beach, or people launching dont deflate enough and just bog down. I was stunned how easy it was.

After the easter bunny did his thing, headed out. Checked out the HMAS Swan memorial, blowholes at Quobba, lunch in Carnarvon, wee and souvineer shop at Billabong and spent a night in Northampton with a pub meal.

Off to Sandy cape for two nights of rain on the way home and a frightningly close lighting strike that zapped many of us (me through the eyelets in my hat to my ears) before heading home. 2300km later and pleased to tick off another north west station.

The boat went really well after some issues post our Denmark trip and the mighty Ranger never misses a beat.

On one of the days, we drove up looking for Cape Farquar and after 40km or so of driving at 40kmh, found all the access tracks near it to be roped off with 'management access only' signs all around. It was actually a real pain in the arse to have access to so many of these beautiful spots blocked off with the only remaning spots (Gnaraloo Bay) like shopping centre carparks at lunchtime. 

Overall, a great week and a half away, with a highlight being the absoloute lack of connectivity at Gnaraloo.

 My trackfish has finally packed it in. I'm going to get a new chart plotter tommorow. Can anyone recommend one 

Budgets $1500 ish

Hello,

can anyone please let me know where I can buy maggots for bait in Perth, I haven't got the time anymore to breed the myself, they make the best herring bait for when I head out fishing with the kids, any advice is appreciated.

 Be up there from 27th for 3 weeks . Any other members be up there at that time . Be mainly fishing for Marlin but going to have a first time crack at a Ruby . Any tips on targeting a Ruby ? Depth and general area , what to look for on sounder etc would be appreciated. 

 
Enjoy 

 Anyone be there lately heard the Shire no longer run the camp sitebut don't know much else ..

Both caught in less than 4m in shallow channels off Monkey Mia, both released.

We are guessing the first is some sort of sweetlip? But can't find any details, had magnificent colours and spots all over. EDIT-a Painted Sweetlip by all accounts "mother-in-law fish" apparently :-)

Second, maybe some sort of catfish? EDIT- a Giant Sea Catfish

 
Enjoy 

 Heading to Exmouth in a few weeks and trying to find out how many drooper lines i can have on a patanosta rig in that region . I know you can only have one in the metro area but is it different for Exmouth . Cant find any info on fisheries website and i did ring a tackle store in Exmouth and they think you can have 2 up there , bit strange that they didnt know for sure . Thanks for any info 

 Hi all

Heading down to Denmark and Albany for 4 days. Hoping to get a few squid and herring land based. Any suggestions as to location will be great, Cheers

 Saw a manta ray just out of woodys

Howdy Team,

We're venturing north to Gnarloo for the first week of the holidays and taking the tinny up.

It looks like the winds wont play kindly for the first few days but we will get a few days before the (not yet formed) ec TC comes to see us on easter Sunday.

Is there anything I should know about boating up there, or anything I should be wary of?

We're staying in 3 mile.  

Hey guys

Running a storewide sale for the demersal and up north season!

20% off store wide so if you're chasing lures, hooks, line etc they are all 20% off with code "Demersal20"

This is on top of items already discounted

Get in quick stock is limited..

Just jump on the website to check out prices and order

www.mackdogtackle.com.au

Cheers

 
Enjoy 

Taking the tub over for a few days and looking at the weather, Monday seems to be the last of the really good weather for a couple of days which may lead to having to get there just after dark.

When Ive been over before it was either heading to the southern end or around behind Lowendals.

Looking for the safest point to enter up north from the east if anyone has any recommendations- the most obvious points seem to be between Drambuie Bay and Pansy Island but I could be missing something

Don’t particularly want to go around the west side and in through up there or upthe middle when dark but last option if the weather doesn’t behave

Unsure were we will set up camp but probably the usuals down on Bluebell or Primrose so will have to cut across somewhere

Any advice would be great

cheers

 Dose anyone have a good size anchor they can part with. I'd like to use it as a temporary mooring when I head  over to steep point. Boat is 6.6 aluminium.  

 Tried hard could , only intice 2 about size and 2 undersized, even the crabs didn't want to play today,but got a feed

 So today we can go fishing for demersals......well if I wasn't giving plasma I would have gone......but have you seen the longer range forecast for the first two weeks of April.....who needs a closed season when the bloody wind does it naturally 

This is an interesting development

 
Enjoy 

 Another good day out

 while im on a roll i thaught id post my pb jack on plastic 48cms hit like a brick wall and did wel

 Hi all, a few of us have been itching to get away for a trip & have landed on a trip to Shelter Bay for about 8-9days late July to early August. 

Have read through a few posts already but just looking to see if anyone has some recent feedback from the area. Any info on road, camping or fishing would be greatly appreciated.

plan is to tow the boat(s) to Denham & launch/drive down with a car or two/trailer with all the remaining camping gear. My boat is 6m glass centre console & will likely have a 2nd glass 5.3m cuddy cab too

fishing we are ultimately wanting to get out for demersals & pelagics, but with the weather undoubtedly being poor at some stage we will venture up within the Bay Area & look for squid, pinkies & diving for baldies/crays

is it too cold then for pelagics? & any tips for diving in the bay? 
 

Looking forward to all your input 

Cheers!

March is one of the most exciting months for fishing in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, as the waters come alive with a variety of species and the weather conditions are nearly perfect. With warm temperatures, calm seas, and an abundance of marine life, not to mention the friendliest people on the planet, anglers from around the world flock to this Pacific paradise for an unforgettable fishing experience. Whether you’re targeting inshore species or heading offshore for big game, Puerto Vallarta delivers in March. The wind can pick up in March but most days are flat seas with comfortable breeze. **Inshore Fishing:**4 to 6 hrsPuerto Vallarta fishng report March 2025 Inshore fishing in March is excellent, with roosterfish, jack crevalle, mahi-mahi and snapper being the primary targets. The rocky shorelines and sandy beaches provide ideal habitats for these species, and anglers can expect consistent action throughout the month. Roosterfish, known for their explosive strikes and acrobatic fights, are particularly active during this time. Live bait such as mullet or sardines, as well as artificial lures like poppers and jigs, are highly effective. Jack crevalle are also abundant and provide a thrilling fight, often found in schools near the surface. For those looking for a delicious meal, snapper species like red snapper and yellowtail snapper are plentiful and can be caught using cut bait or small jigs. In March, we see all kinds of baits showing up in the bay and offshore. In all my fishing reports you'll see, follow the bait and you will find the fish. Look for temperatures or around 75 degrees up to 82 degrees when it comes to the water. Spring break fishing in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico **Offshore Fishing:** 8 to 12 hrs March marks the beginning of the prime season for offshore fishing in Puerto Vallarta. The waters teem with yellowfin tuna, dorado (mahi-mahi), and striped marlin. Yellowfin tuna are a highlight, with schools of 20-50 pound fish being common, and occasional larger specimens exceeding 100 pounds. Trolling with cedar plugs, feathers, or diving lures is the most effective technique for targeting tuna. Dorados are also abundant, particularly around floating debris or weed lines, and they respond well to both trolled lures and live bait. Striped marlin is another prized catch in March, with many fish ranging from 120-180 pounds. These billfish are often found near temperature breaks and can be targeted using live bait or lures. **Bottom Fishing:** 4 to 8 hrs For those who prefer bottom fishing, the reefs and underwater structures around Puerto Vallarta are home to a variety of species, including grouper, amberjack, and snapper. Using heavy tackle and cut bait, anglers can expect to hook into some impressive fish. Grouper, in particular, is a favorite among bottom fishermen, with some specimens weighing over 50 pounds. Amberjack, known for their brute strength, are also a challenging and rewarding catch. Ya never know what's going to happen when it comes to bottom fishing in Puerto Vallarta. Spring break Puerto Vallarta 2025 **Weather and Conditions:** March is characterized by warm, sunny days with average temperatures ranging from 70°F to 85°F. The sea conditions are generally calm, making it an ideal time for both inshore and offshore fishing. The temperatures typically range from 75°F to 80°F, which is perfect for most anglers visiting Puerto vallarta. **Conclusion:** March is an exceptional month for fishing in Puerto Vallarta, offering something for every angler. The opportunities are endless, whether you’re casting inshore for roosterfish, trolling offshore for marlin and tuna, or bottom fishing for grouper. With excellent weather, calm seas, and abundant fish, Puerto Vallarta is a must-visit destination for any angler in March. Book your trip now and get ready for an unforgettable fishing adventure! Tight Lines https://www.travelvallarta.com Capt. Pete

You boys would be absolutely blown away with where I got these... unfortunately I can't even drop a hint, as even the smallest clue would give it away! 

Best dive I've ever had, Saturday 22nd March 2025. No cray under 2kg. 27 crays on 1 tank, had to change the catch bag twice. Threw back 3 to have boat limit sub 8am.

 Hi

Have a stuck pot out of Mindarie in about 10 Metres of water. Looking for a diver to retrieve

I am available most days and times

Cheers