October was a smooth month operationally, thanks to favorable offshore fishing conditions, with minimal rescheduling due to wind. Most trips were 4-5 hour coastal and outer reef adventures, yielding good catches of coral trout, large mouth nannygai, and occasional gold spot cod, while full-day trips rewarded VIP clients with prized species like gold band snapper and reef mangrove jack. As reef closures approach, I’m taking a break to enjoy some laid-back canal fishing with my dad before resuming in November, eager for more action.

This month’s fishing report reflects challenging early weather conditions, making coastal trips difficult. By mid-month, conditions improved, allowing for successful coastal and outer reef trips with notable catches like nannygai, trout, and emperor fish, though shark interference was an issue in some areas. The school holidays brought more families on board, and bookings for October look solid, with upcoming restrictions in mind for reef closures and Spanish mackerel.

August brought challenging southeasterly winds, but there was a week of exceptional weather that led to excellent fishing conditions. Large-mouth nannygai, coral trout, spangled emperor, cod, and mackerel were successfully caught, with sardine, pilchard, and squid proving to be effective bait. Looking ahead, locals anticipate prime reef and sportfishing opportunities in the coming months, making it a great time to book a fishing charter from Port Douglas or Cairns.