Recfishwest: Tuna Schools and Yellowfin Active from Mandurah to Esperance

Tuna activity lit up south-west boat grounds, with strong pelagic action reported from Mandurah through to Esperance and yellowfin turning up at mid-range depths. Recfishwest highlighted concentrated schools close to town at Mandurah and signalled productive strikes in the 28-30m range for anglers working deeper grounds.

Mandurah proved notable for nearshore action. "Tuna schools have been active straight out of town" captures the close-in opportunities that make same-day runs viable for trailer boats and smaller vessels. Kalbarri saw yellowfin and other pelagic species showing in early-morning windows, while reports from the south-west indicated "plenty of tuna have shown up in 28–30m" around established boat grounds. Off Esperance, anglers found tuna schools staging off the Cape, extending the fishery well into the south coast.

Practical returns have centered on trolling and mid-water presentations. Trolled skirts have been taking sizeable yellowfin on several outings, and the bulletin included location-specific tips on depths, lure types and timing for those planning trips. Recfishwest also flagged early-morning windows as safer for offshore runs, a useful reminder when balancing bite times with sea conditions and tow distances.

Beyond tuna, the statewide bulletin maintained the usual local intel: good whiting patches, solid snapper prospects, skippy reports and active crabbing in select estuaries. Weather and sea-state guidance featured prominently, with the report urging anglers to time departures around calmer early-morning conditions and to consider tide and swell when targeting mid-depth schools.

This run has immediate community value. Mandurah-based skippers can shorten transit time and focus on surface and shallow-trolling patterns, while boat crews heading for 28-30m marks should rig mid-water jigs, skirts and troll presentations designed to hold tuna in that depth band. Kalbarri operators will want to prioritise pre-dawn departures to intercept yellowfin during morning windows. Tagging local catches and sharing intel helps the network stay current; anglers were encouraged to tag photos with #recfishwest to contribute sightings and school locations.

Contributor credits and spot-specific hints in the bulletin underline that this activity reflects a mix of casual boat reports and targeted outings. For planning, check the latest sea forecast, carry the right skirts and mid-water rigs, and aim for early starts. Continued monitoring of school locations will tell whether these aggregations persist, but for now the coastline from Mandurah to Esperance is holding some very fishable tuna.