We received some significant downpours a few weeks ago, and these rain events very quickly improved the fishing. We are now seeing some awesome flathead catches occurring down our end of the river. Bream and whiting have also been around in good numbers, as have school mulloway.

The usual hotspots have been around Browns Rocks, the North Arm, Collis Wall and the breakwall. The river has really needed this rain to flush it out, causing a knock- on effect right through to the ocean where there has been plenty of action with tailor, trevally and longtails. There are so many baitfish around it makes it hard to compete.

We have seen some great catches of tailor on the open beaches and in the river using lures and ganged pillies. There have also been some crackers up to 4kg taken on poppers from some of the headlands, such as Woody Head and the Bluff.

Stuart Bowers from Iluka weighed in a 3.9kg greenback late last month and there have been others.

Mulloway catches have been on the improve, with some decent schoolies in the river. Wazza Bell from Brisbane landed a very nice mulloway weighing 23.5kg caught off Iluka Beach. Spotty and barred mackerel are being taken on pink squid skirts, pillies, live bait and hardbodies. It’s best to get out early for them and troll around Woody Head and Shark Bay.

There are cobia, snapper and trag close in, with Black Rock seeing some good action. Get out for some tuna action off the wall, tailor off the beaches and headlands, or flathead, whiting and bream in the river. Don’t forget the crab traps as muddies are also in good numbers. Make sure you pop in to us at Iluka Bait and Tackle and weigh in that awesome catch for your chance to win $40 to spend in the shop.