A recent increase in water temperature has brought with it species usually found further to the north of the WA.
Several Spanish mackerel have been caught around the Capes area in the last week and bottom fishers have reported captures of baldchin groper, one Spanish mackerel was even caught off the Busselton Jetty.
Time to break out the trolling lures and try to get amongst them.
The bottom scene has been inconsistent with some bagging out and others left wanting, however some big dhufish have been landed in the last couple of weeks.
Plenty of pink snapper have been reported as well.
The waters off Augusta and Hamelin Bay have been fishing the best. Yellowtail kingfish have been in good numbers around their usual haunts.
These are premier sport fish which can be targeted using a wide variety of methods. Trolling minnow lures around reef areas is an effective way of and you might even pick up a mackerel as well.
Black bream has been fishing well around the Blackwood River near Alexandra Bridge with catches of a respectable size.
The fish have been falling to both baits and small hard bodied lures such as Ecogear SX-40’s.
Yellowfin whiting have been thick inside the estuary at Augusta and on the flats around Geographe Bay.
Bait fishing with prawns and worms works well for this species however an addictive method for catching whiting is to chase them with small surface lures.
Imitating a fleeing prawn, these small lures elicit surprisingly aggressive strikes from the humble whiting.
Shore fishing appears to have quietened down a little, although there have still been some decent sized mulloway landed.
Some tailor have been showing up as well and there have been plenty of herring around the usual places.
Crayfish have been closer to shore with the warmer water and both divers and those putting out pots have been getting good numbers.
Those collecting Abalone have been getting a few as well. Spearos have reported some nice shallow water catches of demersals, particularly in those harder to reach locations.
The marron season has come to a close and from all reports those who put the effort in came away with some good hauls. This fishery will be closed until January next year.