WEIPA'S REEL RIVER SPORTFISHING
So what can you expect to catch?
Shane has been fishing the Weipa river systems his entire life and knows what's running and when. He knows how to read the tides and will put you on the fish every time! The best time to come fishing is.....NOW! Here are a small sample of fish you can expect to see or catch on any charter in Weipa.
Barramundi (Lates calcarifer)
Commonly called Barra, Silver Barramundi, Giant Perch, or Palmer Perch. They can grow up to 1.8m and weigh as much as 60kg. In Weipa, it is common to land a Barramundi between 60cm and 1m+!
Barramundi inhabit a wide variety of habitats in rives creeks and mangrove esuaries in clear to turbid water. Most common in rivers and creeks with large catchments with a slow continue temeatures abve 20C. They show a distinct preference for submerged logs, rock ledges and other structure in the water.
Barramundi respond well to lures cast or trolled. Large minnow pattern lures are popular and productive when fished around snags, mangrove roots, rocky outcrops, submerged timeber and other heavy cover. Bright metallic gold or bronze a particular popoular lure colours for these feisty fellows. Get your camera out as these guys like to jump!
Excellent tasting fish and we rate it
Target Species Calendar!
Black Jewfish (Protonibea diacanthus)
Commonly called Jewie can grow up to 1.5m but are commonly caught around the 70 - 95cm mark. They are often caught on hard body lures, soft plastics and are known to take baits.
They are found in coastal waters to a depth of 100m and there are numerous secret holes that Shane has been lucky to keep to himself all these years. They ascend tidal rivers and estuaries to feed on smaller fish fry, prawns and crustaceans.
Good eating fish and we rate it:
Mangrove Jack (Lutjanus argentimaculatus)
Commonly known as Jacks, Dogtooth Bream or Red Bream.
Mangrove Jack are found all over Weipa including deeper reef areas but mostly in mangrove estuaries and lower reaches of freshwater streams.
They can reach 1.2m but are commonly caught around 40 - 60cm in length.
They are an excellent eating fish and we rate it:
King Threadfin Salmon (Polydactylus macrochir)
Commonly known as Burnett Salmon or King Salmon. These guys can give you a run for your money and will take just about any type of lure or bait.
They are found in all of the rivers and estauries and are commonly caught on shallow sand or mud flats so excellent for the fly or casting lure.
Commonly caught around 70 - 90cm here in Weipa, Kind salmon can grow in excess of 1.7m with an estimated weight of 45kg!
Although they are edible, they're not as tasty as their Blue cousin. We rate it:
Blue Threadfin Salmon (Eleutheronema tetradactylum)
Commonly known as Blue Salmon or Cooktown threadfin. These guys can give you a run for your money too and will take just about any type of lure or bait.
They are found in all of the rivers and estauries and are commonly caught on shallow sand or mud flats so excellent for the fly or casting lure.
Commonly caught around 60cm here in Weipa, Blue salmon can grow in excess of 1.5m with an estimated weight of 40kg!
They are good eating fish and we rate it:
Golden Snapper (Fingermark) (Lutjanus johnii)
Commonly known as Fingermark, Sea Perch or Red Bream. They have an unmistakable black round spot that is larger than the eye.
Juveniles are found in all of the rivers and estauries and are commonly caught in brackish mangrove estuaries and out on the coral reefs.
Commonly caught around 50cm here in Weipa but many have been landed around the 60cm+.
They are good eating fish and we rate it:
Cods and Groupers
We grow them BIG up here! Be prepared to land a cod in any of the river systems, estauries or even out the front on the reef.
Cod are commonly caught around 60cm - 80cm and will take baits and lures readily.
Common species that you can expect to catch are:
Tomato Cod, Strawberry Cod, QLD Groper, Gold spot Cod, Chinaman rockcod and Potato Cods.
While most are protected, there are some cod which are delicious eaten fresh! We rate them: