Spanish mackerel and juvenile black marlin season almost go hand in hand! These are both a fun fish to catch but also a great eating fish in my humble opinion (Kelly). [For something different, have you heard about my Tandori Mackerel Tail recipe? If you ask nicely I will share!]
Spanish mackerel are fast, aggressive, and hard-fighting. They’re commonly found on the reef edges, drop-offs, and bait-rich shoals (like the little blacks!).
May through October is generally the best time to target them, coinciding with the cooler dry season when baitfish schools are thick and water clarity is high.
Interesting in booking a Cairns sport fishing trip? Get in touch!
Other pelagics like yellowfin tuna, wahoo, and mahi mahi are mostly encountered offshore in the warmer months from November to March. Whether you are fishing for marlin or specifically targeting the pelagics, they promise anglers a lot of fun.
Anglers may also choose options like throwing poppers for GTs – one of the true brutes of the reef – or jigging for species such as dogtooth tuna.
So whether you are trolling lures, casting poppers, or live baiting, anglers of all experience levels can enjoy the thrill of sport fishing in the tropical waters off Cairns.
Visitors should keep in mind that there are closures on the Great Barrier Reef that affect species such as Spanish mackerel as well as reef fish including coral trout (and barramundi for that matter!) The latest closure information can be found here. If you have any questions about closures and what they mean, don’t hesitate to ask.
Generally two long closures (only a week open) in both October and November annually.
Generally two 5 day closures in the period September to November.
Runs annually 1 November to 31 January.