OFFSHORE: The variable northerlies continued to drive the temperatures up and by Saturday afternoon the hot winds had picked up in pace and we were up over the 30 degree mark and feeling it. From then on offshore was a no go as the winds pushed through 25 knot barrier, bringing with them hot stormy afternoons with just a threat of rain but not much more. Fortunately there were enough fishable days before the blow to keep everyone happy and those who went out wide reported snapper, moses perch and gold band snapper at the Barwon Banks. Chardon's Wide was another good option, producing snapper, pearl perch, venus tusk fish and, as you can see by the photos below, mahi-mahi or dolphin fish.

Local angler Steve Chapman (above) was out there on Friday on a full day Cougar One charter when his bonito bait (caught earlier at Sunshine Reef) was taken by the 8.5kg mahi-mahi he's posing with.

And on the same charter, Bevan Efford used a half pilchard bait to attract the attention of the 7kg fish he's pictured with. These fish have some amazing colours, Steve's fish being green/gold while Bevan's was initially bright iridescent blue.
North Reef was also worth a look with the standouts there being scarlet sea perch, red emperor and the odd cobia.

Sunshine Reef started to come out of its slumber and with the arrival of the first of the spotted mackerel there this week things should start to hot up pretty quickly. Charles Boyle (above) was out there on Friday with local offshore fishing guru Craig 'Chicko' Vella when his floated pilchard bait was taken by this 3kg 'Spotty'. The rest of their catch was coral trout, sweetlip and pearl perch. Sunshine Reef also produced a few snapper, moses perch, bonito and parrot fish. Apart from that, the odd snapper was on the bite at Jew Shoal in Laguna Bay.