FISH & BOAT, April 2019- P37 Fishing From previous page Jetty is a must, and I’ll give you a hot You just can’t beat the brilliant tip - if you see a heap of locals fish- colours of the dolphin fish, it’s If you don’t have access to a quad, ing at the Jetty, there must be some- just an added bonus that they put my top 3 favourite and easily ac- thing good biting. cessed spots to fish would be: Mutee Heads/mouth of the Jar- up one heck of a fight too. The very tip: Where else can you dine River: The first drive we took throw a line into the Gulf of Car- was to Mutee Heads. Just prior pentaria, Torres Strait and Great to leaving, one of our colleagues Barrier reef in the matter of three noticed I was packing a rod with casts. I’ve caught and have seen some lures and was quick to advise some great fish captured at the tip. me that he hadn’t seen many barra From coral trout to big Spanisharound the Tip area. Following that mackerel. Even if you don’t catch a comment, I felt a little deflated but fish, if you are an angler, you need to equally optimistic based on my own get a photo next to that iconic sign fishing knowledge. with a rod in your hand. After a 30 minute drive from Seisia Jetty: This is a hot spot Bamaga, we arrived at Mutee Heads for tourists and can be very busy at and walked down to some rocks on times; however, the jetty structure the beach. There was still a fair bit has a deep channel that runs straight of water over the rocks and while past and holds quality fish. From stumbling over my feet, no kidding, I barra to large black jewfish to giant spooked a group of barra in the shal- trevally or mackerel, the jetty can be lows and watched them take off out a bit of a one-stop shop. It’s even onto the flat. out. I still won’t forget our col- I personally would suggest you al- ics, Tackle shop, Camp Grounds) to worth it if you have family members We were straight into it! Suzie leagues face when we got home and low at least 7-10 days around the secure your vehicle and trailer there. who don’t like fishing. They will be threw her first cast since arriving in pulled the barra out of the car. tip if you want to do a bit of every- You are a long way from home so en- well entertained by the giant grop- Bamaga and ‘bang’!!, hooked and Since then, we did a fair bit of thing. If dragging a boat up with sure you are vigilant. ers and numerous species of sharks, landed a little 60cm barra. Within fishing down around Mutee Heads,you doesn’t sound appealing, thenWhat time of year is best which regularly steal fish from vis- half an hour we caught three good we’ve pulled golden trevally off large there are numerous fishing guides I also get this question a lot, and iting anglers. A visit to the Seisia sized barra before the tide dropped manta ray’s which frequent the shal- and boat hire places around the area the answer has so many variations lows and have been very close to that you could utilise. depending on your personal circum- Longtail tuna are great hooking some long tail tuna off the Security at boat ramps stances. Personally, the wet season fun, especially on light rocks. It really is one of those must This is a very common question I (December – April) was without a visit/fish areas. receive. Personally, in our 6 years liv- doubt the best time of the year for us. tackle. Sashimi anyone? Should you bring a boat ing in Cape York, we have never had There were limited visitors around This is an absolute ‘Yes’ …. BUT an issue with leaving vehicles at boat as the road is normally closed, the only if you have time on your side ramps. In saying this, I do know a wind stops, the ocean is calm, and and only if you are a confident and few people who have. No matter the landscape comes alive following experience boaty. I have observed, where you go in Australia, there are the season’s first rain. It really is an countless times, people who have opportunists that sometimes do the absolutely stunning time of the year. dragged up trailer boats and rooftop wrong thing. If you can manage to get to the Cape tinnies and not used them. This is Treat your vehicle and property se- during the summer months - do it, mostly because time was better spent curity exactly like you would in the you will be rewarded! exploring everything there is bycity. Ensure everything is locked andRealistically though, for most visi- 4WD, visiting the ‘must see’ tourist valuable items are either taken with tors, unless you are willing to put spots and relaxing with the family. you or out of sight. For longer trips your vehicle and boat on the barge At the end of a few days, they have out in the boat, maybe organise with from Cairns or fly in, the dry season to return home. one of the local businesses (Mechan- Continued next page A ONE STOP SHOPFOR ALL YOUR NAUTICAL NEEDS From a tinnie to a 30 metre vessel, no job is too big or too small for us at Norship Port Hinchinbrook. We have Undercover refit sheds taking vessels up to 30 metres, outboard and marine mechanics, painters and sand blasters, hydraulic hose services, welding and machine shop along with a chandlery and Paint shop. Stay on-board and do it yourself crews are welcome and/or you can organize your own contractors to carry out your repairs. CHANDLERY SHOP THE WORKSHOP AT YOUR SERVICE Stocked with most popular brands including BLA, Can provide all your welding, fabrication, machining, hydraulic hose and Bait & Ice SamAllen, Johnson, Rule, Unipro, West Systems, pump repairs, outboard and inboard servicing repairs, engine, gearbox Cold Drinks Fleetguard, International, Jotan, Wattlyl, Ameron, repair and replacement, everything from the key to the propeller. Lanotec, Coxen, Century, Lion and we are agents for Outboard Servicing Muir, Vetus, Maxwell, Valvoline and Yanmar. LOCATION Boat & Trailer Repairs By Water Fishing Gear THE PAINT SHEDWe are located at the Port Hinchinbrook Marina. Matching draft to tide size willCrab Pots & Supplies allow easy access through to our facility. After entry through the leads at Port Boating Chandlery Hinchinbrook, you will see the Marina to your starboard. Do not turn into the Long or Short Storage Caters for all your painting needs from total Marina but keep travelling up the main channel towards the refuelling dock, re-sprays to paint repairs, fibreglass repairs, you will then see a canal to your port. We can be found at the end of this canal. Large Shed Hire Whether it’s gelcoat repairs, anti-foulings, wet and dry abrasive By Road Antifoul Application ‘Commercial’ or ’Just for Fun’ sandblasting, osmosis repairs and protective If you are travelling along the Bruce Highway we are found just south of the we can help. barrier coats. town of Cardwell. Enter Port Hinchinbrook and continue all the way to the end Aluminium & Fibreglass Call in and speak with one of of Foxtail Avenue. See us opposite the boat ramp. Repairs our ONSITE PROFESSIONALS Fabrication & Welding 2 Commercial Dve, Port Hinchinbrook, Cardwell Ph (07) 4066 8419 Email. info@norshipporthinchinbrook.com.auWeb. norshipporthinchinbrook.com.au BByy ORWRoaa tder