OFFSHORE: Very light to moderate (5 to 15 knot) variable northerlies and a gently rolling 1m swell set the scene for some pretty calm, and at times totally glassed out offshore conditions this week so, as you can imagine, the blue water brigade made the most of the situation ahead of Saturday afternoon's strong, wet and wild south easterly change.

From that point on it was a no go as far as the outside reefs were concerned although there were few complaints considering the variety, quality and quantity of fish weighed in. Squire, Parrot Fish, Moses Perch and Pearl Perch were pretty much common to most of the visited reefs. In addition, Chardon's Reef produced Maori Cod, Teraglin Jewfish, Cobia, Scarlet Sea Perch and Northern Bluefin Tuna while at North Reef the standouts were Yellowtail Kingfish, Teraglin Jewfish, Northern Bluefin Tuna and, as you can see by the photos above and below, Sailfish and Mahi Mahi. Brett Farnell (above centre) from Ipswich was on a full day Cougar One charter to North Reef on Saturday when his live Yakka bait was taken by the Sailfish that he and two of the crew are pictured with. He was kitted out with a Wilson Live Fibre rod and a Shimano TLD25 reel loaded with 30lb line. The fish, of course, was released after a quick pic. And on the same charter, Richard Fletcher (below), another Ipswich angler, boated this very nice Mahi Mahi, Dorado or Dolphin Fish. Again, a live Yakka was the draw card. Closer in, Sunshine Reef fired quite well yielding Cobia, school Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Mackerel Tuna, Snapper, Sweetlip, Marlin (caught and released) and, as per the photo above right, quality Coral Trout. Brisbane angler Graham Lawrence boated the quality 6.5kg 'Trout' he's posing with on Saturday morning using a live fish bait. He was armed with a Shimano T-Curve Jig Rod and a Shimano Stella 20000 threadline reel loaded with 75lb braid. Apart from that there were a few small Spaniards on the prowl in Laguna Bay and, this morning, Spotted Mackerel in good numbers in the stretch from just outside the river mouth bar to Little Hall's Reef.

ONSHORE: The coastal surf beaches were a great place to have a picnic or wet a line this week with conditions as good as they get for this time of the year. Mornings were best, ahead of the more blustery afternoon north easterly sea breezes. The North Shore was still a good option for quality Tailor (at night) while Whiting were in good numbers around Teewah and Chopper Tailor were on the bite south of the Cherry Venture. Over on the east side, Sunshine Beach produced Flathead, Sunrise Beach was the spot for Tarwhine, Bream and quality Dart while at Marcus Beach the standouts were Chopper Tailor. In the river, Whiting were still in good numbers and of good quality with best results coming from the shallows at the top end of the Frying Pan, the sand banks opposite Munna Point and, as you can see by the photo on the right, the Tewantin area. Young Carl Profke tempted this 600gm elbow slapper with a live Yabby bait around midday on Saturday and considering it was his first ever fish, it was an excellent start. He was armed with a Shimano threadline combo loaded with 8lb braid. Flathead were another bread and butter species worth pursuing with the better fish on the bite on the run-out tide from the Gympie Terrace stretch to the river mouth, where a few Chopper Tailor were also on the chew. Last but not least, Trevally were active along the Tewantin ski run (surface poppers and Rio's Prawns), the Munna Bridge area at night (along with Tailor) and in the Woods Bays where Queenfish and Broad-barred Mackerel were hammering Atomic Minnow soft plastics (fast retrieved near on the surface) as the week wound to a close