The winter months bring along the colder currents and schools of small baitfish that are food for the different varieties of tuna. For the great southern oceans these species will feed all the way up the coast and can be followed from port to port. Striped tuna area prime target for bait gatherers and sportsfishermen. Trolling and spinning lures are the best methods of catching these speedsters. The top of the scale in tuna fishing is the mighty yellowfin.
Drift cubing pilchards and working live baits, down a berley trail is the most productive method.
Trolling out very wide along the continental shelf is also productive. These toothy predators prefer the warmer waters of the north coast. From late spring to late autumn, spotted and barred mackerel will work their way up and down the inshore reefs and islands. Their feeding habit is to work the local baitgrounds, terrorising the schools of slimy mackerel and yellowtail, these baitfish obviously being the best baits for the bigger mackerel. Trolling baits and lures are also very productive.