The strong winds persisted this week, and it will be gusting to 20 knots on the weekend.
Once again, many Darwin anglers will be contemplating whether it’s worth heading out onto the wild blue yonder where, on this weekend’s neap tides, the Spanish mackerel should still be in a ravaging mood.
It’s curious that, although the macks have been going berserk offshore, very few seem to have been wondering in close to that great dinghy mack-fishing spot: Lee Point.
I hear regularly of the odd Lee Point mack hitting the deck – including a 50 pounder I mentioned last week – but the numbers are not there as they have been in past years.
That 50 pounder was actually the exception that proves the point.
According to professional fishing guide, Chris Hurt, it was very quiet on the day.
“We’d caught a couple of broadbars but the garfish weren’t co-operating so I put out dead pillie baits,” Chris told me.
“We didn’t get a touch and the water was dirty, so we headed out to a wider reef.
“On the way I did see some garries spraying out of the water so I thought something must be scaring them.
“I pulled up, tossed in the pillies and the big mack jumped onto Isaac’s line.
“Isaac and his dad, both from Toowoomba, were fishing with me.
“I’m just berleying up milkfish now for a fly-fishing client,” Chris said, making me laugh.
Lee Point has traditionally been the stamping ground of anglers not equipped with big trailer boats, and who fish only from smaller boats not suited to offshore windy conditions.
Fortunately, there are some excellent fish-catching options this weekend that do not require getting a pounding at the same time.
A group of interstate anglers who visit the Top End each year, and fish only land-based from Mandorah Jetty, have been catching big GTs (and losing plenty more around the pylons), longtail tuna and even the occasional Spanish mackerel.
Mind you, they put in the hard yards, jigging squid before dawn and keeping them alive to use as live-bait during the day.
Shoal Bay and the Howard River has also been fishing well for barra, certainly better than you’d expect at this time of year.
However, my choice for a wind-escaping option would have to be one of our great inland waterways.
A day on Corroboree Billabong, for example, could well produce both barra and saratoga for any angler who knows his or her way around these species.
A bit further afield at Four Mile Hole, cricket score catches are available once you get the hang of this delightful Kakadu waterway.
This is a great lagoon for anglers who like to cast for barramundi.
There are plenty of snags and lily patches to probe, and both small, diving minnows and soft plastics work.
Another favourite of mine is Alligator Billabong on the South Alligator system.
Once again, there are plenty of snags and weedy banks but, if you look carefully, you might just find a small, submerged rockbar that is just crawling with hungry barra.
Enough said on that.
For those who like the comforts of a cold beer at the bar and an air-conditioned room, then Yellow Water is the shot.
This is always a great fishing hole, and the pub nearby will give you all the civilisation you need.
Perhaps one final inland spot – which only requires a half day to fish – is the Mary River Bridge Lagoon.
It has a concrete boat ramp, more bankside structure to cast at than most inland waterways I know, and plenty underneath for those preferring to troll.
And if you like eating your barra, then take it from me that the sandy bottom in this lagoon contributes to a fine-tasting fish.
Dave and Isaac from Toowoomba fished with Chris Hurt and caught this 23kg Spanish mackerel off Lee Point.
Kobe Ryan, 15, fished with Addictive Nature Sport Fishing and caught several Shady Camp barra, including this terrific 82cm fish.
