Page 86 - Bush 'n Beach Fishing magazine

Though small, creeks in the bay can sh very well for the usual Stunning sunsets are the norm at Bathurst Bay. tropical bandits.
Stunning southeast Cape York – Cape Melville magic
* from P85
cally encounter abso-
adjacent creeks to the west for corker estuary fishing.
are part of the scenery and the very healthy eco- systems that still exist.
ordinary late in the dry season.
town or Musgrave to Kalpowar Crossing in Rinyirru (Lakeside) National Park.
lute stonker queenfish and giant trevally.
These are particularly good systems for man- grove jack, fingermark and barra until the clo- sure.
And the magical sunsets over the bay - breathtaking!
Bathurst Bay is situ- ated approximately 205km north of Cook- town using the coast route that is Mount Webb Wakooka Rd.
Then you’ve got a long easy hour to Wakooka, followed by around three hours of rough stuff – the remaining 45km to the bay.
Good fishing can be had off the beach for grunter, flathead and blue salmon, while beautiful barramundi inhabit the boulder country at Cape Mel- ville itself – noting the season closure on No- vember 1.
One of the magical things about Bathurst Bay is sitting back at camp after a great morning of fishing and watching the marine wildlife.
Good freshwater is usually available in the spring creek that flows out of Melville Range’s boulder fields – just fol- low the divergent track upstream.
Expect to take nine hours plus via this route, depending on conditions.
Soft sand about 12km back from the beach tends to snare many ve- hicles, so be prepared to air down or use re- covery gear.
The higher part of the tide allows access to the Muck River and
Here turtles, dugong, dolphins and crocodiles
The much easier way is via graded roads from Laura, Cook-
The other recom- mended destination up this way is Ninian Bay, and the sign-posted turnoff to the camping area is located approxi- mately 21km south of Bathurst Bay.
When I say usually, there have been rare years following a poor wet when it gets a bit
It’s taken me 12 hours on many occasions!
Fingermark are common around headlands and inside creeks in the bay.
Until next month...
Page 86 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, November 2020
www.bnb shing.com.au
It’s about 17km to a small beach with rocky headlands and Barrow Islands sit off to the east.
As the southeast wind blows directly onshore here, you can’t sneak along the coast like you can at Bathurst Bay.
Needless to say, for both places you need to be self sufficient in all regards, and mindful of possible storms at this time of year.