Barra are best just either side of the closed season. When the water warms it activates the barra out from their winter doldrums and makes them more aggressive towards baitfish. So the best months to look for barra at Hinchinbrook are September, October, February, March and April. While a lot of barra are found in the snags in the rivers, there are plenty of barra to be found over the sand and mud flats, especially where a lone tree provides some shelter for the fish. Casting baits or lures close to the snags repeatedly is a good way to entice a barra onto your line.

You’ll need a 4-6kg outfit (baitcaster or threadline), a handful of lures that include PrawnStars, gold Bombers, Reidy’s B52s, Lead’s Lures, Ecogear SM125s and Killalures, 20kg and 30kg leader, 15-24kg main line, sinkers to suit the current and a range of hooks between 1/0 and 8/0. If you can source fresh prawns, herring or mullet with a cast net, you’ll be in better shape than having to rely on frozen bait.

Mangrove jack are found in similar areas to the barra and at similar time, with the exception being that they do bite a little better through the cooler months. If jacks are your target extend your holiday window a couple of months either side of the best barra months.

You can use the same tackle for jacks as you do for barra, but downsize the lures a little for the best results. The same baits and locations work well for jacks, but they will let you know sooner rather than later that they are interested in what you have so you can spend less time at each spot if jacks are on the menu.

Like barra, jacks eat very well, but understand that most estuary jacks are juveniles and it’s not until they move offshore that they mature to breed, so consider your take carefully.

Nannygai, both large and small mouth, are absolute prime targets for those heading offshore. These red fish can grow to exceptional size and they taste as good as any fish you’re likely to encounter.

Most serious offshore fishers start to get excited about nannygai as the water cools towards winter. If there is a break in the wind, you’ll see plenty of trailer boats and larger heading offshore to a favourite patch of reef or rubble ground.

The tackle needed can be as simple as a sturdy handline with sinker and hook. But other anglers use 10-15kg overhead outfits or 10kg threadline rigs to make the fishing a little more challenging. Baits of fresh squid (caught on site), pilchard, fish flesh or live baitfish are all popular. While the fishing can be good on frozen baits, the real trick is to use fresh or live baits for the best catches.

Mackerel and trevally can be caught all year round too, but their peak times are in the cooler months.

Keen mackerel fishers love floating out pilchards in a berley trail or slow trolling garfish rigged on a ballyhoo rig with a squid skirt over the top. Others troll garfish rigged with a chin sinker, squid skirt and ganged hooks.

Commonly 10-15kg overhead outfits are used when targeting mackerel as their first run can be awesome. After this initial dash for freedom though they do come relatively easy.

Giant trevally are a powerful and unforgiving fish that will test any tackle. Around Hinchinbrook you can catch them all year from small 1kg creek models through to the true giants that prowl around the offshore reefs and headlands scaring everything within their range.

Most anglers like to popper fish for the big GTs because it’s so spectacular. Even in the creeks you can popper fish for GTs but don’t be surprised if a barra or jack latches onto your popper.

If you’re into serious GTs then you’ll need serious tackle and serious lures. Tackle in the 24-36kg range that can be cast and reels that can handle line up to 36kg are needed. This is specialised fishing with specialised tackle. There are many game fishing operations that target big GT and operate out from Hinchinbrook, so it will be well worth your time and money getting on board with one of these operations and letting them supply the tackle, experience and location.

So the fishing options at Hinchinbrook are year round. Depending on your target species, you can visit Hinchinbrook and expect to be hooked up to your quarry in short order. All of the species available at Hinchinbrook can be caught year round, but there are peak seasons. Give yourself the best chance and plan ahead. Hire a guide and have some of the best fishing you’ll experience in Queensland.

Non-Fishing Options

If you’re travelling with the rest of the family and they’re not keen on fishing 24/7, there are plenty of fish-free, family-friendly options in the Hinchinbrook area that are sure to please.

Once you’ve had your fill of lounging on the beach, why not head to one the of the region’s many freshwater swimming holes? Popular locations include Crystal Creek (Paluma), Five Mile Swimming Hole, Wallaman Falls, Jourama Falls, Broadwater, Zoe Bay and Mulligan Bay. All of the swimming holes are located in National Parks or State Forests and most have toilet and barbeque facilities. You can find out more at www.hinchinbrooknq.com.au.

Bird watching is another popular option with raftons, owls, birds of paradise and other species throughout the region all available for the keen watcher. Combine this with some of the walks and you have the makings of a great day in the Hinchinbrook wilderness. For more information contact John Young on (07) 4777 1271.

Tyto Wetland is located near Ingham and features lagoons, lookouts and walking tracks. For sheer beauty it is hard to beat the Tyto Wetlands. The Tyto Wetlands is also home to over 200 bird species, so you can easily combine your love of bird watching with the spectacular backdrop that Tyto provides. For more information visit www.hinchinbrooknq.com.au/trsm_tyto.htm.

There are several areas around Cardwell worth checking out as well, including the Cardwell Lookout and Forest Drive and the Rainforest and Reef Centre. For more information visit www.csc.qld.gov.au.

The Great Australian Corroboree will be held in Cardwell over 9-14 October, and you can find out more at www.greataustraliancorroboree.com.au.

You can base yourself at Ingham, Cardwell, Lucinda or any of the smaller towns and hamlets in the area and be within half an hour’s travel from some of the best tourist activities available on mainland Australia. And of course the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park is right on your doorstep too. This world heritage listed icon of Australian tourism is a must visit when you’re in the area – and that goes for the angler in the family as well.

… The Ultimate Holiday Package

Hinchinbrook Island inhabits a part of the angler’s imagination like few other places in Queensland. It is a rich and productive ecosystem which means that you, as a keen fisho, will find much to be excited about, while those you drag along with you are bound to find the beauty of this place equally inspiring. There really is something here for everyone. Most anglers head here for the barra, particularly in the warmer months, but don’t only get hung up on this fish. The estuaries and outlying reefs are rich grounds and the offshore fishes well with some brilliant species to be had.

It’s a year-round destination, so when you get a break, make the worthwhile effort to head to one of Australia’s best island parks. It’s just the place to recharge your batteries and see some amazing wildlife and scenery.