LOCAL fishing guru Bob Spees has been run off his feet at Whitsunday Tackle World this week, servicing the needs of anglers keen to make the most of great fishing conditions in the Whitsundays.

Mr Spees said there were still plenty of tuna around the islands and under the tuna, you would find good numbers of spanish mackerel.

"Also there have been a lot of bait fish so it's a good time to stick a few lures out the back or pushers to try and land a marlin,” he said.

Mr Spees said the best time to target marlin was at the change of the tide.

Fishing on the bottom, there have been reports of trout and sweet lip being caught around the islands and fringing reefs.

"In the morning around Shute Harbour try fishing there for giant trevally and spanish mackerel using live herring for bait,” he said.

Moving on to the rock walls land-based anglers stand a good chance of landing a feed also.

"Off the sailing club early in the morning there have been nice barra and fingermark being caught. Also they are getting grunter and queen fish off the VMR rock wall on a rising tide,” Mr Spees said.

Mr Spees said the Peter Faust Dam had been fishing reasonably for the anglers competing in the Proserpine Invitational Tournament which was held at the weekend.

"The dam has been fishing okay, and it will improve as we come up to toward the full moon, which is due on later this month,” he said.

In the Proserpine River the pick of the species to target at the moment is king salmon.

Mr Spees said the river had been fishing well and most anglers had been reeling in good sized king salmon.

"Also there is barra and a few mud crabs being caught. Repulse has been the pick of the spots for barra and people have also been getting good numbers of fingermark.

For those planning a fishing trip to the outer reef Mr Spees had some good news.

"The reef has been fishing very well for big red throat. Try fishing the edge of the reef in about 15 metres of water. Also there have been good numbers of spanish mackerel being landed.”

Mr Spees suggested to try trolling the edge of the reef for the spanish mackerel.

Even and consistent tides will lead into the weekend this week with the top of the tide at Whitsunday Island happening at 11am on both Saturday and Sunday.

Gentle winds are expected to blow before strong winds form the ESE hit us early on Friday.