BNB Fishing Mag | May 2022 by bnbfishing

Awesome autumn action

495

Includes GST

May 2022 Print Post Approved PP100001534 Volume 33, Number 5

Moreton Bay tuskfish Lures to lure big fish

Offshore outings Topwater tackle tips Vertical jigging Planning a K’gari trip

Techniques for mackerel Finesse fishing on Gold Coast flats ISSN 1832-4517

Proudly produced and printed in Australia

9 771832 451001

ERA

FOR THE EAST COAST

Scan

FOR DEALS & PACKAGES

EURONG BEACH RESORT HAS BEEN RENAMED TO K'GARI BEACH RESORT!

kgaribeachresort.com

www.cruisecraft.com.au 07 3390 4877

Page 2 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

www.bnbfishing.com. au

AND

AUSTRALIA’S BIGGEST DEALER WITH ALL THE BEST BRANDS

3888 1727 BRUCE HWY,(174 BURPENGARY EASTERN SERVICE RD) BRISBANEYAMAHA.com.au CALL NOW

www.bnbfishing.com.au

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 3

AXIOM MARINE SOLUTIONS

• • • • • • •

CUSTOM MARINE FLOORING GENERAL CNC CUTTING & DESIGN CUSTOM FLOOR REPLACEMENTS ALUMINIUM WELDING BOAT WRAPS AND STICKERS 3D & 2D DIGITISING CUSTOM INSTRUMENT PANELS

Page 4 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

www.bnbfishing.com. au

From the Bush ‘n Beach Fishing editor

T’S time to put the bunny ears away and pull out the beanies. Well, it isn’t quite that cold yet, but I feel the harsh summer heat has passed, which will make time on the water even more enjoyable. Here in southeast Queensland we are usually blessed with great year-round fishing, though the start of this year with the amount of wind and rain we experienced would have to be the worse I can remember. My thoughts are still with those who had losses during the floods – some of the stories are heart wrenching. Mother Nature can be harsh at times, though I do think the east coast has had enough rain for a month or two! As lives slowly start to return to normal, we do need to support local business, particularly those that have been impacted. Support your local On the fishing tackle front, it would be nice if people could drop into their local marine and

tackle shop – even if only to have a wonder around and say hello. I can appreciate that many may be time poor and it can be easier occasionally to purchase items online, but it is also good to have that human interaction with a fellow fisho. Since COVID, we have become more isolated and there have been less events such as fishing competitions and boat shows where people can catch up and have a good old-fashioned chin wag and chew the fat over what’s biting and where. Boat show Sanctuary Cove will host their feature international boat show May 19-22. While there are lots of multimillion-dollar boats on display – which are way beyond my wallet strings – the past couple of years have seen trailer boat numbers dramatically increase – awesome news for the average punter. If you enjoy fishing and boating, I highly recommend putting this event in the diary.

Easter holiday fun in the Mooloola River.

www.bnbfishing.com.au

With a good mix of wow-factor boats and what the average fisho wants, you have the best of both worlds, which makes for a great day out. Spanish mackerel survey This topic of debate will be headlines for a couple of months, so it is important to have your say. There is a discussion paper you can read to get a better understanding of the situation, but you don’t have to read this to do the survey. The survey is more about how often you fish for spanish mackerel, how many you catch and what management tool you prefer. Even though you have the option to tick ‘yes’ or ‘no’ for supporting a closure, the next question then asks how long the closure should be, however there is no option to select zero weeks – which is what you think people would pick if they opted for no closure. That said, everyone needs to make their own decisions based on their fishing and beliefs. The hard part is deciphering the information and working out what is accurate. One thing that jumps out to me is that the commercial sector over the past 18 years has only caught around half of its allowable quota, which has been reduced only slightly in 20 years. This rings alarm bells for the current state of the fishery and how it has been managed. Unfortunately, recreational anglers have felt the brunt of the changes over the years, with size increases, and posses-

sion and boat limit decreases. I don’t want to make this survey an ‘us versus them’ debate, but it is pointless making significant changes to one sector and basically nothing to the other. Now both sectors will

have to brace for what lies ahead, which could be a closure – though for how long, I’m not sure anyone knows at present. If this does happen, it will impact both the recreational and commercial sectors. Ben Collins

OUR COVER Awesome autumn action

495

Includes GST

May 2022 Print Post Approved PP100001534 Volume 33, Number 5

Moreton Bay tuskfish Lures to lure big fish

Offshore outings Topwater tackle tips Vertical jigging Planning a K’gari trip

Techniques for mackerel Finesse fishing on Gold Coast flats ISSN 1832-4517

Proudly produced and printed in Australia

9 771832 451001

ERA

FOR THE EAST COAST

Scan

FOR DEALS & PACKAGES

EURONG BEACH RESORT HAS BEEN RENAMED TO K'GARI BEACH RESORT!

kgaribeachresort.com

MISCHA with a solid flathead. Picture by Tye Porter. You can read his article about targeting these and other species on page 36.

NEXT EDITION: June edition will be on sale in newsagents from May 27. MAY SUBSCRIPTION OFFER: See the subscription form on Page 80 and subscribe this month to go in the draw to win a Chris Britton hand-made Tempest fishing rod valued at $450. MARCH PRIZE WINNERS: Congratulations to G Hill, Inala; S Garnett, West End; C Greene, Moorooka; R Mendham, Sunnybank Hills; M Froome, Camira; N Freeman, Mt Crosby; M Grubb, Bribie Island, L Smith, Big Tuan; A Slean, Mungar and R Jenner, Gooburrun who each received a Fire to Fork cook book valued at $39.95 each.

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 5

May 2022 contents Transition time for Moreton Bay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Brian Webb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P8 Tide Times ��P10 Shallow water shines deep water doldrums. . . . . . . . . . . . by Mick Clutterbuck . . . . . . . . . . . P12 Fishers fined for illegal crabbing ��P12 Time to target tuskfish. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by David White . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P14 Heavy topwater tackle 101. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Anthony Cass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P16 Fishing Moreton Bay after floods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Mark Templeton . . . . . . . . . . . . P20 AFTA Trade Show ��P22 Commercial fisher fined ��P22 Various techniques for targeting mackerel. . . . . . . . . . . . . by Darren Rama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P26 Strategies for winter species . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Ben Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P28 Finesse fishing the flats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Clint Ansell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P32 Floods and fishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Gavin Dobson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P34 Having a ball on bream and flathead. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Tye Porter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P36 Best of both worlds with ‘crossover’ period. . . . . . . . . . . . by Grant Budd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P38 Spanish mackerel survey ��P40 Reef fishing off Noosa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Craig Tomkinson . . . . . . . . . . . . P41 School mackerel tactics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Neil Schultz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P42 Catching reefies on lures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Chris Raimondi . . . . . . . . . . . . . P46 Navico at 2022 Santuary Cove International Boat Show ��P48 Insights into boat insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P49 Charter Directory ��P50 Top jigging tips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Dyllon Schulz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P52 Tips for bait and lures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Chris Rippon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P54 Planning a K’gari Fraser trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Sean Thompson . . . . . . . . . . . . P56 Fish Seeker not legal in Queensland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P58 Lures to lure big fish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Tri Ton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P60 Annual Fraser Island K’gari Clean Up. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P62 Great prize pool at VMR Bundaberg Family Fishing Classic ��P64 Capricorn Coast estuaries on fire. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by John Boon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P66 Ten tips for extended offshore trips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Matt Potter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P69 Product News ��P72 Bayside legends of steel fix tow ball troubles. . . . . . . . . . . by Paul ‘Chief’ Graveson . . . . . . . P74 Rob Schombie’s return to Tassie Queen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Mick Clutterbuck . . . . . . . . . . . P75 Companion ProHeat low pressure two burner stove. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P76 Lifestyle 4x4 Portable Battery Box. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P76 Recipe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Melissa Frohloff . . . . . . . . . . . . P78 Tilapia suspected in Cooby Creek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P78 Cod breeding up close and personal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Brian Dare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P79 Dam Levels ��P80 Red spot disease ��P81 Competition Calendar ��P81 Trading Post ��P82 Readers’ Forum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P83 Recreational Queenlander fishers beware ��P83 Subscription Form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P84 Page 6 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

www.bnbfishing.com. au

14 Like us on Facebook (Bush ’n Beach Fishing Magazine), post your photos, share in the laughs and win prizes!

Check out our YouTube channel BNBFTV for boat tests, product reviews and other interesting videos.

Follow @BNBFISHINGMAG on Instagram to see cracking catches from all around the country.

Subscribe to the FREE BNB e-news on our website to receive email updates packed with the latest fishing news and important information.

Our website bnbfishing.com.au is updated several times a day with the latest news and handy fishing articles.

The Team

EDITOR: Ben Collins ADVERTISING: Tiffany Brown PRODUCTION: Adrian Cardaci and Lisa Jones

Bush ‘n Beach Fishing magazine is published monthly by Collins Media Pty Ltd ABN 43 159 051 500 ACN 159 051 500 trading as Collins Media. Phone 07 3286 1833 Email: ben@collins.media PO Box 162, Wynnum, Qld 4178 PRINTER: Spotpress DISTRIBUTION BY: Ovato Max. recommended retail price $4.95 (includes GST). CORRESPONDENTS: Editorial contributions are welcome, as is news from clubs, associations or individuals; and new product news from manufacturers. Entire contents copyright. Nothing may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. It is the responsibility of advertisers and contributors to ensure the correctness of their claims and statements. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher.

www.bnbfishing.com.au

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 7

Robert Martin was happy with this nice slatey bream.

Ricky Mitchell-Fagan with a monster Moreton Bay jewfish.

Transition time for Moreton Bay Craig Stewart and his elbow-slapping whiting.

Cleveland Upholsterers & Marine Trimmers Grant Street Business Centre Unit 4, 7-9 Grant St, Cleveland Q 4163

• Boat canopies and interiors • All types of furniture upholstery Email: cleveup@people.net.au

MORETON BAY BOAT TRIMMERS

Specialising in: n Canopies n Side Curtains n Seating n Bimini Kits n Storm Covers Unit 2/19 Thorne St Wynnum Ph: 3396 1617 • Mob: 0402 755 189 www.moretonbayboattrimmers.com.au Page 8 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

ITH winter knocking on the door, Moreton Bay goes through a few minor changes. Spotted mackerel have left on their migration north and the majority of longtail tuna have departed, leaving only the resident population, however there are still plenty of doggy mackerel around as well as a few schools of mack tuna. Snapper numbers increase with some from offshore entering the bay – you can usually tell the difference with offshore snapper as they have a much brighter colour, while the resident snapper in the bay have a duller colouring. Doggies can be found in their usual haunts – around the shipping channel beacons and Measured Mile across to the Sandhills and the Rous Channel down to Peel Island. Rainbow Channel usually produces more doggies during winter as they go looking for bait entering the bay.

Moreton Bay by BRIAN WEBB

If there are no birds around, try trolling a paravane along the edges of the Rainbow and Rous channels and from Peel up to Amity Banks, or trolling along the drop-offs from the Measured Mile across to the four beacons and down toward the Sandhills. Also jigging the beacons that run up the side of Moreton on a run-in and run-out tide is another area to try. These are the same places I troll for longtail. Annoying is when you find a school feeding close to the surface and

boats drive through the school, making them scatter. Another rant while I am at it… those at the boat ramp who back their boats into the water and then decide to unstrap it at a leisurely rate. Back to fishing… Reef fish – better quality snapper are appearing in their usual haunts, such as the eastern side of Mud Island, Green Island down to Coochiemudlo Island and Harry Atkinson Artificial Reef during the week when there are less boats around.

* continued P9

Will Radkovic’s nice snapper. www.bnbfishing.com. au

Transition time for Moreton Bay * from P8

The Scarborough shallow reef system has been producing good numbers of quality snapper too. The coffee rock in the shipping channel also holds good numbers of snapper – from the structure off Tangalooma up to Bulwer and the Brisbane River, which is turning into one of the best places to target quality snapper – remember the closed season from July 15 to August 15. Grass and spangled emperor numbers decrease but if you fish in the right areas, there’s a good chance of catching a few. Places such as Mud, Green – the eastern and western side – and the Wellington Point dropoffs, plus the northern side of Peel, and the coffee rock along the sides of the shipping channel from the Curtin Artificial Reef up to Bulwer produce some quality grassies. Harry’s also produces nice grassies mid-week. A heap of slatey bream are getting around the bay at the moment and, even though they’re not much fun to eat, they give a good fight, especially the bigger ones. Tuskfish are still around, with grass tuskies the main species that inhabits the bay. Mud, Green, the northern side of Peel and around Coochie are the areas that hold this fish. Targeting them on the bottom of the drop-offs will give you a better chance of catching one – tuskfish are only caught during the day because they spread a

www.bnbfishing.com.au

mucus that holds them in place at night while they rest. The bigger blackspot tuskfish are also available when fishing the bottom of the northern reef at Peel and from off Myora Conservation Park up to Amity Point. But one of the better places to find big blackspot is the area from Curtin up to Bulwer. Fish the rocky dropoffs where they spend their day hunting crustaceans and your best bait is crabs – either ghost crabs or rock crabs collected along the shoreline or rock walls. The other crab you can use is the sand crab minus its nippers. And by upgrading your gear there is a better chance of getting a blackspot to the surface. Squid fishing during winter is another option – from the rock wall at the mouth of the river, in close at Mud, around the weed beds at the mouth of the Rous, Fishermans Gutter, the rock walls around some of the boat harbours, plus the weed beds and a few of the jetties off Scarborough. Diver whiting can be found around the Rous, Pelican Banks and the weed beds around the cockle banks off Redcliffe. Plenty of summer whiting are still in the Rous, around Pelican Banks and the Koopa channel as you come out of the river, or the sandbanks in the Pine and Caboolture rivers. Tailor also turn up in good numbers, mainly from fishing the drop-

offs around most of the bay islands, and by floating whole pillies or live yakkas – which can be caught around the Coffee Pots and other beacons in Brisbane Rd. If snapper aren’t biting, get the light gear out and chase some bream – their numbers are increasing as their breeding season gets closer. There’s nothing better than fighting bream on 1-4kg gear with a 25003000 size reel, and a few of the better areas are again Mud in close especially the eastern side, the Brisbane River around the pipeline and Boggy Creek, Clara Rock, the mouth of Bulimba and Breakfast creeks, in close around Coochie, from Dunwich up to Myora, the Pine and Caboolture rivers, or head down to the Jumpinpin Channel, which is a natural haven for good bream fishing. * continued P10

Jarryd Parkinson from Caught on Fishing with a great Moreton Bay flathead.

John Steptoe scored this cracker longtail tuna on a 2-5kg rod.

MARINE WINDOWS & DOORS We make windows and windscreens for everything including:

• Runabouts • Half cabins • Walk-arounds • Cruisers • Trawlers • All over Australia Free quotes from your templates. Acrylic or glass. In or out of survey. Quality guaranteed. Very competitive rates. Excellent freight service.

9 Cameron St, Clontarf Q 4019 Phone 07 3284 5088 Fax 07 3284 5089 email amw@myaccess.com.au www.austmarinewindows.com.au Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 9

Transition time for Moreton Bay

Proposed changes to volved in developing and distributing petitions The river is fishing Queensland’s spanish and letter templates to well for jewfish and the mackerel fisheries Resulting from the lobby your local MP ever-present threadfin salmon, especially on proposed changes to the and to provide a space live bait, which can be spanish mackerel fish- that allows like-minded found around Luggage ery, we will see closures individuals to network Point and the pipeline to a fishery that many and devise strategies to at the mouth of Boggy Queenslanders depend combat these proposed on to feed their family, changes. Creek. I urge you to join our AUSTRALIA EAST COAST If you read last as the species is an afmonth’s issue, I did a fordable source of pro- Facebook group and BRISBANE BAR AUSTRALIA, EAST COAST – BRISBANE BAR write up tein. become involved in the comprehensive LAT 27° 22ʼ S LONG 153° 10ʼ E Queensland fish and conversations. on jew and threadies in Times and Heights of High and Low Waters Time Zone –1000 chip shops will no I didn’t have a probthe bayJULY and the river. MAY JUNE AUGUST longer be able to source lem with a closure from If targeting jew, shoot Time m Time m Time m Time m Time m Time m Time m Time m fresh line-caught the tip of Cape York out the Coffee 0345 0.50 0527 0.46 0604 0.39Pots 0600 2.36 0359 0.59 0457 0.69 0516 to 0.68 0.56 wild0009 1 0940 2.08 16 0917 2.14 1 1020 1.77 16 1048 1.86 1in1039Brisbane 1 1138 1.74 16 1131 1.90 1.85 16 0647 0.40 Australian spanish to south of Mackay in 1726 and 0.33 grSU 1555 0.42 MO 1537 0.31 WE 1618 0.49 TH 1645 0.33 FR 1634 0.50 SA Rd MO 1737 0.51 TU 1240 2.02 2200 2.63 2326 2.72 2358 2.64 1841 their 0.57 cus2355 2.33 2211 2.44 2255 2.43 2311 2.40 mackerel for October and November ab a few yakka because 0436 0.63 0436 0.49 0531 0.72 0550 0.69 0621 0.47 0649 0.41 0632 0.55 0045 2.16 tomers. and south of Mackay to bigger bait. 2 1219 1.86 17 0720 0.46 2 1013 1.98 17 1005 2.04 2 1055 1.72 17 1145 1.82 2jew 1116 prefer 1.74 17 1222 1.90 recrea- the Queensland border 0.54 flathead 0.59impacts 2.00 MO 1622 0.44 TU 1616 0.32 TH 1651 0.55 FR 1733 0.40 SA 1711 SU 1815 0.43 TU 1816The WE 1325 on A few have 2245 2.44 2247 2.67 2330 2.38 2345 2.36 1927 0.74 tional fishos will include in February and March, been found at0042 the 2.50 south- 0029 0512 0.67 0529 0.51 0607 0.76 0016 2.65 0626 0.70 2.25 0122 1.94 closures and reduced al- some did however. 3 1045 1.88 18 1055 1.93 3 1132 1.68 18 0715 0.50 3ern 18 3 18 1157entrance 1.73 0731 0.46boat 0707 0.55 0755 0.53 to the 1.87 TH 1415 1.96 TU 1648 0.49 WE 1657 0.37 FR 1726 0.61 SA 1241 1.79 SU 1749 0.59 MO 1312 1.90 WE 1304 lowable catches. A change I did have 1826 0.50 1904 0.57 2021 0.89 2317 2.41 2336 2.66 passage towards Wyn- 1901 0.69 This in turn will lead a problem with was the 0546 0.73 0625 0.55 0006 2.32 0107 2.53 0022 2.32 0125 2.32 0107 2.13 0204 1.73 Creek – though4 4 1116 1.78 19 1149 1.82 4 0645 0.79 19 0807 0.54 4num 0703 0.69 19 0814 0.50 0745 0.60 tackto a0.55 loss19of0835 fishing recreational bag limits stay close to the bea1717 0.56 1742 0.45 1214 1.65 1340 1.79 1241 1.73 1405 1.90 1356 1.89 1515 1.94 WE TH SA SU MO TU TH FR 2351 2.35 1804 0.69 1923 0.62 1832 0.67 1958 0.72 0.79 2133 0.99 le sales. of one per person and cons on low tide as 1956 and tourism a boat limit of two, and 0623 0.80 0028 2.59 0045 2.26 0100 2.26 0152Charter 1.99 0300 1.55 0159 2.40 0209 2.12 shallow –5 0830 0.55 20 0927 0.66 5 1152 1.69 20 0725 0.61 5 0730 0.82 20 0858 0.56 5it0745does 20 0855 0.68 get 0.54 operators will also be for charter operators, 1331 1.74 WE 1503 1.91 1459 1.93 SA 1627 1.95 TH 1749 0.65 FR 1248 1.73 SU 1302 1.62 MO 1442 1.81 TUthe FR flats 1831 0.57 1850 0.77 1922 mud 0.75 2106 0.87 2310 0.98 2026 0.73 2059 around 0.86 negatively impacted in one fish per person on Pinkenba Boat Ramp, 0252 1.84 2.27 0123 2.49 0131 2.20 0253 2.25 0144 2.19 0258 1.93 0425 1.45 an already struggling board. 21 21 6 0029 21 6 6 6 21 0703 0.86 0829 0.64 0821 0.81 0947 0.57 0830 0.65 Creek 0940and 0.57 al- 0927 0.55 1032 0.69 Boggy 2.02 SUdue 1738 to 2.02 COVFR 1232 1.60 SA 1355 1.68 MO 1401 1.62 TU 1547 1.87 WE 1430 1.77 TH 1607 1.95 SA 1614 industry This is likely happen1826 0.75 1932 0.68 1946 0.84 2136 0.82 2021try 0.82the 2212 0.95 of 2232 0.88 so mouths ID-19. ing from July 1 this 0349 2.11 0233 2.11 and 0355 1.77 2.18 0223 2.38 2.15 1.72 0.89 Tingalpa 7 0111 7 0223 7Wynnum 7 0408 22 0031 0920 0.61 22 1030 0.58 0754 0.91 22 0930 0.65 0916 0.78 22 1037 0.56 1033We 0.53 are 0551 1.46 actively in- year! 1537 1.85 FR 1713 2.03 THcreeks. SA 1324 1.54 SU 1509 1.70 TU 1511 1.67 WE 1651 1.96 SU 1729 2.16 MO 1141 0.67 2131 0.87 2249 0.87 2333 0.95 1913 0.85 2046 0.77 2055 0.88 1836 2.11 It’s also a good time of 0447 1.99 0332 2.02 0501 1.66 0203 2.11 0329 2.30 0321 2.13 0002 0.80 0126 0.77 to chase some8 0528 1.68 23 0653 1.54 8 0900 0.93 23 1030 0.63 8 1014 0.70 23 1126 0.54 8the 1015year 0.56 23 1122 0.58 0.48 TU 1241 0.61 FR 1647 1.99 SA 1813 2.12 SU 1435 1.52 MO 1622 1.79 WE 1622 1.78 TH 1751 2.08 prawns because thereMO 1143 2250 0.86 2016 0.93 2207 0.81 2210 0.88 1838 2.33 1924 2.21 are around, 0000 0.87 0438 plenty 1.94 0045 0.88 as 0122 0.66 0308 2.07 0433 2.23 0422 2.12 0209 0.67 9 1010 0.89 24 1126 0.58 9 1108 0.61 24 0544 1.90 9are 9 0642 1.70 24 0740 1.63 1114 0.49 24 0607 1.62 sand crabs – aroundTU 1249 0.40 WE 1331 0.53 SA 1753 2.16 SU 1215 0.56 MO 1600 1.58 TU 1728 1.93 TH 1727 1.95 FR 1212 0.51 1843 2.20 1904and 2.22 the 1938 2.49 2138 0.95 2322 0.79 2323 0.83 2006 2.29 Cockle Banks 0102 0.82 0010 between 0.79 0143 0.79 0416 2.09 0533 2.18 0521 2.11 0226 0.51 0.60 area the Pearl 10 1112 0.80 25 1216 0.53 10 1200 0.51 25 0636 1.83 10 0545 1.89 25 0705 1.62 10 0748 1.77 25 0246 0818 1.72 1211 0.43 down 0.53 SUChannel MO 1305 to TU 1712 1.72 WE 1824 2.08 FR 1823 2.14 SA 1255 0.48 MudWE 1352 0.32 TH 1415 0.46 2257 0.89 1930 2.30 1853 2.34 1949 2.31 2033 2.62 2044 2.35 have been producing 0157 0.77 0124 0.69 0230 0.70 0518 2.14 0029 0.76 0032 0.75 0321 0.40 0.55 26 0755 of1.66san11 1204 0.69 26 0627 2.13 11 0616 2.10 26 0725 1.79 11better 11 0846 1.84 26 0321 numbers 0648 1.86 0854 1.80 MO 1307 0.36 TU 1350 0.49 WE 1808 1.89 TH 1300 0.48 SA 1250 0.42 SU 1336 0.46 TH 1449 0.26 FR 1454 0.41 dies. 2011 2.38 1950 2.51 2030 2.36 1913 2.21 1916 2.32 2122 2.69 2119 2.39 The0.57 back of0311 Green 0245 0.72 0.65 Is- 0411 0.34 0004 0.79 0125 0.72 0137 0.66 0230 0354 0.51 12 0612 2.20 27 0714 2.07 12 0711 2.06 27 0809 1.76 12land 0750 1.84 27 0836 1.70 12 0938 1.91 27 0928 1.86 up to St Helena IsTH 1252 0.57 FR 1340 0.45 SU 1338 0.35 MO 1414 0.45 TU 1402 0.31 WE 1431 0.46 FR 1541 0.22 SA 1532 0.38 2050 2.43 2108 2.40 1858 2.07 1956 2.32 2007 2.49 2044 has 2.64 also 2208 2.70 2152 2.40 land produced 0328 0.68 0348 0.62 0104 0.69 0215 0.69 0237 0.58 0330 0.48 0455 0.31 0426 0.47 sand crabs. 13 0700 2.24 28 0755 2.01 13 0804 2.02 28 0850 1.75 13quality 0850 1.85 28 0913 1.73 13 1026 1.97 28 1003 1.92 0.43 0.27 the TH 1510 FR 1336 0.47 SA 1415 0.43 MO 1425 0.30 TU 1450 0.45 WE 1456 SA 1629 0.23 SU 1610 0.38 Fishing bay is not 2127 2.44 2144 2.42 1945 2.25 2035 2.40 2057 2.63 2135 2.73 2251 2.65 2224 2.39 only about throwing the 0535 0.32 0200 0.61 0300 0.67 0334 0.51 0406 0.67 0425 0.41 0422 0.60 0.44 14 0745 2.24 29 0833 1.94 14 0859 1.96 29 0928 1.74 14boat 29 0947 14 1112 2.01 29 0458 0946 1.86 1.77 and 1041 1.97 in the water 1418 0.38 1446 0.42 1511 0.28 1524 0.46 1547 0.25 1545 0.42 1714 0.30 1647 0.41 SA SU TU WE TH FR heading you2.42haveSU 2331 2.53 MO 2255 2.35 2030 2.41 2112 2.45 2146 2.71 2202 2.44 2225 2.76 out,2217 to0515plan 0.54 0342 0.67 0430 0.47 0443 0.67 0.38 what 0455 species 0.59 0613 0.35 0528 0.43 15 0253 0831 2.20 30 0911 1.88 15 0953 1.90 30 1003 1.73 15 1041 1.88 30 1023 1.80 15 1156 2.03 30 1118 2.01 to1622 target 1637 intend 0.27 SA 0.42 and SU 1459 0.33 MO 1517 0.43 WE 1557 0.29 TH 1559 0.47 FRyou MO 1757 0.42 TU 1725 0.47 2115 2.54 2146 2.47 2236 2.75 2237 2.42 2312 2.73 2327 2.26 the hours of 2250 the 2.41 day to 0420 0.67 0528 0.58 0558 0.42 target them. 31 0945 1.82 31 1100 1.83 31 1158 2.03 1659 0.45 TU 1547 0.45 SU you WE 1804 0.57 Though can’t 2221 2.46 2322 2.39 beat early morning or © Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2021, Bureau of Meteorology into the evening – these New Moon First Quarter Datum of Predictions is Lowest Astronomical Tide are prime times to fish Full Moon Last Quarter Moreton Bay Wayne Mephan New Moon First Quarter Last Quarter with a good-sized spangled emMoon Phase Symbols Fulland Moon the peror. Brisbane River. 8 * from 9

Tide Times

2022

Page 10 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

www.bnbfishing.com. au

3491 PACIFIC HWY, SLACKS CREEK Q 4127

07 3808 7333 www.amcboats.com.au

See us at the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show from 19-22 May

www.bnbfishing.com.au

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 11

Subscribe to our

channel!

or Search f

BNBFTV

Check out in-depth video coverage of the latest boat and product reviews plus fishing action and handy tips.

Offshore reef fishing fanatics WANTED One of Brisbane’s oldest deep-sea fishing clubs with a 100 percent safety record has vacancies for new members. Owners of suitable vessels encouraged. All levels of experience. Those without own vessels also invited to apply. Approximately 15 deep sea trips per year. One week-long fishing holiday to Town of 1770. Monthly meetings, video shows, guest speakers and free nibbles. 4WD beach fishing and camping. Inshore fishing also on the agenda. Interested? Then call Darren (0413 511 436) or Robin (3269 5013). POWER BOAT ANGLERS REEF FISHING CLUB INC

For A ll Your Fis hing Needs and More... Shop 4, 127 Colburn Ave

VICTORIA POINT

07 3820 9757

Page 12 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

Shallow water shines deep water doldrums

FTER spending his month in Tassie and watching the rain pour down back home, Rob Schomberg knew he hadn’t missed any fishing opportunities while away. Salty had been sitting for months and he had only just finished giving the boat a wash and run of the motor when he got a call from Helaine Wilesmith. H had not been on the water since September and, after selling her boat Amity, she was keen to get out for a deep drop and pop the cherry on the new Shimano electric reel that was gathering dust. A plan was hatched to go for a look and with no other takers from the club, they headed out on Sunday morning with a bit of light in the sky so as to look out for floating debris. They got to the Cape when the Furuno decided to play up. It would shut down then start, shut down and so on. Then, to make things worse, the VHF decid-

Power Boat Anglers by MICK CLUTTERBUCK

ed to pack it in. Rob headed to the cabin to check connections and fuses and, for the first time in 40 years, started to go green in the stuffy hot cabin – all the electrics were good but he certainly wasn’t. In the meantime, H had thrown out his plastics rod and got slammed and was demanding the net. Rob was trying to hold on to his stomach contents while managing to land a nice snapper for her. They had a few more drifts, got one more legal and five unders in the very dirty water before they decided to move, now using the backup Garmin unit. They headed to the containers to see if it was better out wide because it was a bit rough. When close, they found a boat spotlocked on the best containers. No point in annoying

them, so they moved on to the Kyogle. Spot locking, they could see a good show but no takers, apart from a rather angry eel. They headed northeast to various marks in 220m but after going through quite a few and finding nothing, it started to look as though there was no one home, and the bait coming up untouched confirmed it. They continued looking and finding nothing, so decided to head closer in to the 100m line. The shows were good but after a few missed hits, they moved back to the Cape in 30m of dirty water. First plastic down was slammed by a nice snapper and another two followed in quick succession. A floated pillie resulted in a green jobfish for Rob and when H went to bait, she

* continued P13

Fishers fined for illegal crabbing

WO fishers have received a total of $20,131 in fines and costs for illegally crabbing in a Moreton Bay Marine Park green zone. Marine park rangers were conducting covert surveillance of the Pannikin Island Marine National Park Zone when

they found two unlawfully set crab pots. Later that night, they observed two men in a recreational vessel inspecting the crab pots. The rangers and Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers seized the 24 live mud crabs found onboard.

While they were recreationally fishing on the night of the investigation, both men were active licenced commercial fishers at the time of the offence. For information on Queensland’s fishing regulations, call 13 25 23 or visit fisheries.qld. gov.au

www.bnbfishing.com. au

Shallow water shines * from P12

was pleasantly surprised with a nice grass sweetlip, followed by a spangled. With the afternoon sea breeze well up,

they called time and realised sadly they had covered 100km for nothing. If they had stayed put at the Cape, they most likely would have

bagged out, but that’s fishing. And we won’t mention how much it was to replace the electronics. Bruce Carrol also snuck out for a deep drop and battled current all day, though did considerably better with a bar cod and a bass grouper. At least they were on the water, I suppose. Meetings Please note that the meetings occur on the first Wednesday of every month at ‘The Club Manly’ (bowls club), 26 Faine St Manly from 6.30pm for a 7pm start. Upcoming meetings are Wednesday May 4 and Wednesday June 1. Until next month, safe boating and happy fishing to all.

EZY THROW CA

STNET S

If it’s not an Ezy Throw then it’s not an easy throw! The original design and the best!

7’, 8’ and 9’ spreads and 6’ for kids and kayakers.

PH 0408 884 173

www.ezythrowcastnets.com.au

PMB Trailer Repairs

Trailer repairs & maintenance

Minor rust repairs & replacement of: Wheel bearings (incl regrease) Winches Springs & axles Jockey wheels Brakes Rollers & skids Lights

Servicing Brisbane & surrounding suburbs

Contact Pearce 0408 636 639 pmbtrailerrepairs@gmail.com

Marine Electronics Helaine with a snapper off the Cape.

Sales, Service and Installations Mobile service and on-site fit-outs also available

... ...

Extensive Industry Experience Qualified Electronic Technicians Professional Sales, Service and Installations Dedicated to Customer Satisfaction CONTACT BLAIR, SCOTT, DECLIN OR LACHLAN

PHONE:

Shop 4, 1440 New Cleveland Rd, Chandler Q 4155

3245 3633 www.trymax.com.au

www.bnbfishing.com.au

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 13

Luke was stoked with his personal best tuskfish.

The author with a favourite species for this time of year.

Time to target tuskfish

A good feed of tuskfish and crabs from a father and son sortie.

RUHLE

TRAILERS FOR INFORMATION ABOUT OUR COMPLETE RANGE OF BOAT TRAILERS CALL US TODAY

1800 429 442 2/1776 Ipswich Rd, Rocklea Qld 4106

Page 14 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

’DAY everyone! Well, it seems to have been blowing southeasterly after southeasterly. Throw in water clarity resembling a chocolate milkshake and the conditions have certainly made fishing a little tricky. In saying that though, if you can manage to get out and fish the right areas with cleaner water, some good fish are still on the cards. This time of year is all about tuskfish for me. Without a doubt, these brutes are my favourite fish to chase in the bay. They fight hard, play dirty, have some amazing colours and in my opinion are some of the best tasting fish around. When I was first introduced to these brutes of the sea by a good friend, I totally underestimated how dirty they fought. Time and again I was

Moreton Bay by DAVID WHITE

left standing there with rod in hand wondering what had just happened. My addiction grew and I was determined to land these elusive fish. Years down the track, I am still learning and refining my techniques in the hope of getting that magic 10kg model. The one thing I know for sure is that you can’t give these fish an inch. My tackle of choice these days is a Wilson Venom Overhead 6’6” PE 2-5. These rods punch well above their weight – they have a sensitive enough tip to feel those bites but plenty of backbone to stop tuskies in their tracks and keep them from heading to the reef and busting off.

I couple this rod with a Shimano Tyrnos 16 Overhead reel, 80lb braid and a good length of 120lb leader. Schneider Fishing Lines is my go-to – while thicker than many mono brands, its abrasion resistance is exceptional. Thick gauge hooks along the lines of Mustad Big Gun and PETackle’s BFG series are a must. Match the hook to the size of bait you are using and try to hide it as much as possible, but ensure the point and barb are free for better hook-up rates. I was lucky enough to recently get two trips in – one with my son and another with a good friend who managed to get his

* continued P15

www.bnbfishing.com. au

Time to target tuskfish around Moreton Bay * from P14

personal best. As with most of our trips, our process always involves getting fresh bait. So, it was down to the local foreshore to gather some crabs. It’s always a good laugh trying to navigate around rocks at night with a headlamp to chase down these crawlies. For the first trip, which was with my son, we set off in less than ideal conditions and a 15-20 knot southeasterly wind. We dropped some pots and headed to our area of interest. I dedicated some time searching for new ground in an area I hadn’t spent a lot of time in previously, looking for rubble ground, drop-offs and bommies.

After about an hour, I had three spots marked. It was then time to spot lock on the first mark and send some bait down. I’ve found with these fish that they can be very tricky, frustrating and there are usually long waits between bites. Today was not that day! The first bait lasted all of 30 seconds and before long we had a nice bluebone tusky on the deck. This fish certainly had a story to tell, with battle scars all over it and what I could only assume was an old spear injury. The next couple of hours produced some crazy fishing, with nine tuskfish landed, three lost to the reef, we kept four for a feed and released the others. Then as this fish does,

they went completely off the chew and shut down, so it was decided to head home to check the pots. We managed nine sand crabs and mud crabs, so it was well worth the effort. The second trip was a lot more frustrating, with strong wind, strong currents and the poor Minn Kota struggling to hold position. The fishing was slow, and the bite period was very short lived. Through persistence and trying every trick in the book, we managed three tuskies, with Luke landing his personal best of 67cm. To say he was happy would be an understatement. I can see another tusky addict in the making.

If you want to tackle one of these brutes yourself with plenty of heartin-mouth moments, I highly recommend it. Go grab yourself some crabs and fresh prawns,

find some likely looking structure and give it a crack – you won’t be disappointed. Enjoy your fishing and fingers crossed for decent weather.

The author’s son Jordan had a successful day targeting tuskfish.

Hydraulic boat steering for a hard day’s fishing Go wherever and whenever the fish are biting with confidence! Made in Australia for our tough marine environments.

Photo courtesy of Vindicator Boats.

For product information and to find your nearest authorised dealer contact Graham HyDrive Engineering Pty Ltd – Queensland Unit 12, 73-75 Shore Street, Cleveland 4163 T: 07 3821 6580 E: qld@hydrive.com.au W: hydrive.com.au www.bnbfishing.com.au

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 15

Big spanish mackerel love big stickbaits.

Heavy topwater tackle 101 A pair of delicious Moreton Bay cobia that couldn’t resist a large stickbait. Stickbaits are a very efficient means of picking up the second fish that often swims alongside its hooked friend.

Full lean on a Shimano PE8 popping rod. Trying to lift a stubborn giant trevally.

HERE is no denying the rise in popularity of topwater lure fishing in recent years, with many social media influencers showcasing how exciting and productive this style of fishing can be. Topwater is all about the strike. When a spanish mackerel suddenly launches on a lure, sometimes up to 10m high, or when the water erupts with the shear violence of a giant trevally strike, the instant excitement that shatters the tranquillity gives a rush

A big kingfish swam up from 30m to eat a popper. Page 16 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

Moreton Bay / Offshore by ANTHONY CASS

of adrenaline like no other! From GTs and extralarge spanish mackerel in the north to giant tuna and kingfish in the south, there are plenty of opportunities along our coastline to get in on the action. There are three key factors to look for when identifying possible pelagic habitat. First, there needs to be a lot of current – whether it be oceanic or tidal, current of about 1.5-2.5 knots is ideal. Next, there should be some kind of structure for the current to hit and create a ‘pressure edge’. The final telltale sign to look for is deep water near the structure. Tick those three boxes and it’s time to start casting. When approaching a piece of structure, it’s important to move towards it slowly and get a good bearing on the direction of the current. Then approach the structure from upcurrent and start a drift line several hundred metres away from the

target pressure edge. The pressure edge will be the leading face of the structure on the upcurrent side. As the current collides with the structure, it creates turbulence and pockets of high and low-pressure water. Schools of baitfish become trapped in these pockets. Pelagics and large predators will be patrolling the deeper water surrounding a piece of structure looking for opportunities and weaknesses in the bait schools. That's where we want to be casting. Large predators require some serious stopping power! We’re talking PE8 – about 113lb – and up. A good spin reel with up to 20kg or more of drag pressure is ideal. The Shimano Saragosa 20000 is a great starting point that won’t break the bank and has proven itself to be a big fish stopper. A heavy rod rated for at least PE8 line and around 8’ in length * continued P18

www.bnbfishing.com. au

“Traditional Excellence Since 1946” NEW BOATS - USED BOATS - MOTORS - SERVICE - PARTS - ACCESSORIES THE HOME OF CRUISE CRAFT BOATS, STACER BOATS & YAMAHA OUTBOARDS ON THE BAYSIDE Craftsmanship Since 1946

The Explorer 720 Hard Top is the flagship model of the Cruise Craft fleet of premium offshore boats. The Explorer 720HT delivers huge fishing capability and huge comfort to match. With a large fishing area, convenient underfloor kill tanks, a large dash and so much more. This boat is the number 1 choice for Australian offshore fishermen.

CHECK ME OUT HERE

**PLEASE NOTE: This boat won’t be available for handover until October/November 2022

DEMO CRUISE CRAFT EXPLORER 720HT w/F300hp - $277,249

STACER OUTLAW SC 429 w/F50hp: $27,707 PACKAGE INCLUDES: – F50LB Yamaha 4-stroke Outboard – Sealed Timber Floor – Seat Upgrade to Sea Pro-2 Elite Pro – Thruster Bracket Bow Mount – Welded Top Decks & Gunnels – Stacer Light Alloy Long 749 ATM S 13 L/Skid – 12 Months boat and trailer registrations – Safety Gear Package – Includes all factory standard features One of the most wanted fishing models on the water! Stacer’s Outlaw range is available as a tiller steer, side or centre console and stand out on the water with smooth plate-look sides. Each model comes packed with nothing but the best fishing essentials – tough 3mm bottom sheets and side sheets, Revolution Hull, front and rear casting platforms and a rear live bait tank!

STACER SEAMASTER 499 w/F70hp: $41,500 PACKAGE INCLUDES: – Yamaha 70hp EFI 4/Stroke motor – Bimini and envelope – Lowrance ELITE FS 7 combo – GME VHF marine radio – Alloy cutting board with 2 x rod holders – Plumbed live bait tank – Sealed timber floor – 12 months boat & trailer registrations – Safety gear package – Stacer alloy braked trailer – Includes all factory standard features Heavily reduced and priced to sell!!! Was: $44,572

NOW: $41,500 TOW AWAY

STACER WILDRIDER 619 w/F175hp: $104,646 PACKAGE INCLUDES: – Yamaha 175hp EFI 4/Stroke motor – Garmin EchoMAP UHD 95sv+GT56UHD Transducer – Yamaha CL5 touch screen display – Custom carbon wrap – Spare wheel & carrier – Catch & release – Roswell CAM RT Wakeboard tower – Roswell CAM RT Sun top – Bow cover – Transom door – Ski hooks – Sealed timber floor – Plumbed live bait tank – Alloy cutting board with 2 x rod holders – Casting platform carpeted infill board – Casting platform infill cushion – 12 months boat & trailer registrations – Safety gear package – Stacer alloy tandem axle braked trailer – Includes all factory standard features

Craftsmanship Since 1946

Wynnum Marine

P: (07) 3396 9777 31 Fox Street, Wynnum QLD 4178 F: (07) 3893 2046 PO BOX 301, Wynnum QLD 4178 E: info@wynnummarine.com.au www.bnbfishing.com.au

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 17

Heavy tackle topwater 101 * from P16

Giant trevally in the 20-30kg category are in peak condition. Still relatively young fish at this size, they’re full of testosterone and bad attitude!

Like to learn more about crossing coastal bars safely and using electronics? Tuition with Bill Corten Professional coastal bar crossing instructor and offshore fishing trainer since 1996. Coastal bar crossing and electronics tuition: • Hands-on experience crossing coastal bars safely • Direct supervision mastering all bar crossing skills • Fine-tuning of skills in breaking swells and white water • Overcome your fears and learn vital safety skills as part of an on-water training course.

• Learn how to get the most out of your GPS and sounder • Interpret sounder readings and shows • Fine tuning your sounder for better results • Using your electronics to find reefs and structure • And much more.

Contact Bill Corten M: 0447 233 247 / 0447 ( a f f a i r ) E: reel_affair@yahoo.com Page 18 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

will have the backbone needed to launch lures that weigh up to 200g and put plenty of pressure on a fish, while also having the length required to work a proper action into the lure. Leader breaking strains of about 120150lb will give maximum abrasion resistance while still being supple enough as to not hinder the action of the lure. A leader of 3-3.5m – or 2 arm spans – will allow enough length to have your casting finger holding the leader and not the braid when casting. This will stop the braid from fraying and becoming weak over time. Leader should be attached with either the FG knot – fine grip knot – or the PR Bobbin knot. Whatever your knot of choice, it must be able to pass through the guides smoothly, frequently and without deteriorating in strength. A 9mm solid ring is tied to the end of the leader with a Palomar, AG Chain or similar heavy-duty knot. The lure is then attached to the solid ring via a split ring. Many anglers prefer a large swivel in place of the solid ring, however in my opinion, line twist is never an issue to the extent where a swivel is needed. Also, a swivel adds an unnecessary weak point and will hinder the ac-

tion of most stickbaits. A good pair of casting gloves are a must! A small length of fabric medical tape wrapped around the tip of your casting finger under the glove will add extra protection when casting for prolonged periods. Nearly all fish species are influenced by the moon in some manner. This is particularly true in respect to the feeding patterns of large pelagics. Pelagics will feed with varying degrees of aggression and frequency depending on, not only the monthly lunar phase, but also the position of the moon in the sky throughout the day. Moon overhead, moon underfoot, moonrise and moonset are the four ‘bite periods’ of the solunar cycle. When casting topwater, anticipation always rises around the solunar bite periods – they are definite periods of the day when casting and focus should be intensified. While there may be more efficient means of targeting most of the species you’re likely to encounter when throwing large topwater lures, with topwater you’re more likely to entice a bite from that bigger fish in the pack. It does require more effort and energy than other methods of fishing, but the rewards are well worth it! Get out there and have a cast… but be forewarned, topwater is very addictive!

www.bnbfishing.com. au

SEA JAY BOATS NEW MODELS

590 TITAN

AVENGER SPORTS Console

460 RANGER Heavy duty tiller

AVENGER Tiller

AVENGER

TERRITORY Console

For more information visit www.seajayboats.com.au Talk to your nearest Sea Jay dealer for pricing and options. STRENGTH

www.bnbfishing.com.au

WORKMANSHIP

CUSTOMISATION

SINCE 1989

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 19

Fishing Moreton Bay after floods

Glenn’s broken rod proved the bream were extremely solid.

The author uses Mustad Viking 540-BR bronzed hooks in size 4 for their compact size and turned-in eye.

HE year is passing by so unexpectedly quickly! So much has happened in such a short amount of time – particularly weather we’ve not seen in a few lifetimes. And with it, the destruction, emotions, disbelief and then the appearance of people standing beside you asking, “What can I do to help?” I know this is meant to be an article about Moreton Bay and how good the fishing is, but I think we need to look briefly at the people in the Moreton Bay region. Personally, I have not seen water levels as high as those that occured in the Sandgate and Deagon areas ever before – amazing, bewildering and at the same time shocking when seeing the destruction a life force can create. So many people risked the loss of their

Northern Moreton Bay by MARK TEMPLETON

own life and property to check on friends, neighbours and people they did not know. When the water subsided, so many people came forward and put boots on, rolled sleeves up and got to work without being asked – after all, it is what we do. I know there were many people helping, however the actions of one man and his daughter – Clint and Bec from Barber by Design in Deagon – caught my attention. With no power in his barber shop and helpers and friends that needed to be fed, Clint and Bec fired up the barbecue and got to work feeding those they could. When the power came on, he opened the shop doors and welcomed anybody

and everybody who wanted a hot shower and clean towel. This may seem like a small thing, but when you are covered in who knows what and you’ve dragged your life’s possessions onto the street, a hot shower and clean towel made things that little bit better for a moment. Clint and Bec did a whole lot more for one family in particular, and though it is not my place to disclose names, they made a huge impact. There are so many Clints and Rebeccas out there – thank you to each and every one of you. After major flooding – once the water has cleared, the fresh is back to salt, the debris is minimal and it is safe to hit the water

* continued P22

–WANTED– Pre-trained old fishing gear!

We will come to you if you have bulk gear!

0402 703 519 Page 20 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

Clint and Bec from Barber by Design in Deagon were among those who opened their doors to help flood victims. www.bnbfishing.com. au

✓ Powerful acceleration ✓ Outstanding fuel economy ✓ Ultra-low emission ✓ Japanese engineering

model variation BRISBANE Neptune Marine Oceania Unit 1/3361 Pacific Hwy, Slacks Creek www.neptunemarine.com.au 07 3290 6370

GOLD COAST (NORTH) Me Tender 8 Waterway Dr, Coomera www.metender.com.au 1300 853 950

SUNSHINE COAST Port O’ Call Boating 29 Production Ave, Warana www.marinecenter.com.au 07 5493 2255

BRISBANE (BAYSIDE) Cleveland Marine Unit 1/32 Enterprise St, Cleveland www.clevelandmarine.com.au 07 3286 9077

GOLD COAST (NORTH) Tim Stessl Marine 1 Carl St, Oxenford www.timstesslmarine.com.au 0429 680 504

TOWNSVILLE B & M Outboard Repairs 35 Civil Rd, Garbutt 07 4779 6569

CAIRNS Port Douglas Marine 7-9 Dickson Street, Craiglie www.pdmengineering.com.au 07 4223 4725

GOLD COAST (NORTH) Slades Marine 16 Paradise Pde, Paradise Point sladesmarine@bigpond.com 07 5577 1011

e details contact your local Tohatsu dealer or visit www.bnbfishing.com.au

www.tohatsu.com.au Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 21

Fishing Moreton Bay after floods * from P20

A small pilchard with the hook passed all the way through and simply pinned back along the body, so it sits flush.

AFTA Trade Show

HE Australian Fishing Trade Association’s trade show is the only one of its kind dedicated to the fishing, marine and outdoor industries. The 2022 AFTA Trade Show will

be held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on August 4-6, and registrations are now open. For further information, visit afta. net.au/trade-show or contact enquiries@ afta.net.au

again – the fishing is nothing short of ballistic! We have seen a very small number of boaties hitting the water recently, possibly due to safety and the fuel prices, however those who have ventured out have done very well. Cape Moreton, the Captain Neilsen wreck and even Mud Island are throwing in some nice snapper and cod. I dare say, now the weather is playing the game, there will be a lot more action out in Moreton Bay, with good numbers of mack and longtail tuna cruising through. If lucky, a few snapper will make it to the Esky before the next closure takes effect too. Don’t forget to check both your safety gear

Commercial fisher fined

C OM M E RCIAL fisher has been fined $15,000 in the Caboolture Magistrates Court. He had repeatedly failed to allow Queensland Fisheries

officers to inspect his vehicle and boat, did not maintain logbooks properly and had noncompliant nets. The offences took place on a number of occasions over six months.

Fined! A commercial fisher was fined for failing to allow vehicle and boat inspection by QBFP officers. Page 22 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

In one instance, the fisher motored away from Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers on the Caboolture River and threw a number of fish overboard to avoid inspection. While no conviction was recorded, he was fined $15,000 plus costs, and his nets were seized. QBFP became aware of the fisher’s activities from information provided via the toll-free 24-hour Fishwatch Hotline 1800 017. For information on Queensland’s fishing regulations, visit fisheries.qld.gov.au

and fishing gear for serviceability before you get out there and hit the water. Out of date flares may not save you and a reel with seized bearings makes an expensive handline! The usual suspects have been getting out land based, and have scored the rewards. Glenn has been catching solid bream from the local area. The average size has been around 35-38cm and a couple have nudged 40cm. An interesting observation is that the 35cm models have around the same weight and girth as a 40cm bream – they are extremely solid. I had to handline one of Glenn’s 35cm bream over the rails because it was too heavy to lift on light gear. Glenn’s broken rod the next day proved that I was right! Tip of the month I’ve been meaning to share this for a while – it is a tip I was taught many years ago by an older fisho while casting off the Urangan Pier. He called it ‘slack line’ fishing, though a few may call it by different names. As a young jetty rat, I probably didn’t appreciate what older fishos – about my age now, I reckon – tried to teach me. The slack line method is one that did stick with me though and by using it I have landed more fish than I can remember. You can use almost any sized main line, leader and terminal tackle to suit each in-

dividual fishing location. I mainly use it in creeks and off piers – it’s lethal on a pier or around structure. I use a 6-10lb main line and an 8-10lb fluoro leader such as Sunline FC Rock or Daiwa J-Thread, which I normally use though I am about test the Stealth FC from Platypus. I use the Mustad Viking 540-BR bronzed hook size 4 – mainly for the compact size and turned-in eye, it seems to give me a much better hook-up rate. I used half a blue bait – a small pilchard – with the hook passed all the way through and simply pinned back along the body, so it sits flush. I lower my bait towards the waterline, stop, flick it under the pier and give it extra line. The important part is to give it a little extra free line so it sits flat on the water surface. Once you see the line being taken, it can happen very quickly – give the rod tip a flick when you think it is right and game over – hopefully you’ll have nailed a cracker! This comes with a warning though – you will lose tackle! Creek fishing is even easier – cast upcurrent, don’t wind the slack and let your bait glide past you – normally you’ll get smashed in quick time. If you must use a sinker, do not go bigger than an 00 size – less is best! Maintain the passion!

www.bnbfishing.com. au

Here’re the new, two easy steps to buy a Quintrex with everything you could want. Choose an entry level, cost effective model like the Hornet, Fishabout, Ocean Spirit, Top Ender or Cruiseabout. Then, depending on your boating lifestyle, choose the options bundle that’s best for you.

The bundles can include Marine Radios, Burley Bucket Kits, Hydraulic Tilt Steering, Maritime Sport Seats, Sound System and Speakers plus a whole lot more. It’s the easy way to build your perfect boat – whether it’s for fishing or family.

QXBnBDEALER 001

BRISBANE Brisbane Yamaha 174 Eastern Service Rd, Burpengary Q T 07 3888 1727 brisbaneyamaha.com.au

www.bnbfishing.com.au

BRISBANE Brisbane Boating & Leisure 1743 Ipswich Rd, Rocklea Q T 07 3875 1600 brisbaneboatingleisure.com.au

BUNDABERG Boats Galore 142 Enterprise St, Bundaberg Q T 07 4152 6744 boatsgalore.com.au

GOLD COAST Surf Coast Marine 50-54 Brisbane Rd, Labrador Q T 07 5563 7733 surfcoastmarine.com.au

SUNSHINE COAST Caloundra Marine 8 Baldwin St, Caloundra Q T 07 5491 1944 caloundramarine.com.au

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 23

LIGHT, POWERFUL, DURABLE…

INTUITIVE

CONTROL

The game has changed… The ALL NEW Mercury 15-20hp FourStroke battery-free EFI range changes the way you will think about portable outboards.

• 13% lighter than previous model • Battery-free EFI for fast, reliable starting • New exclusive multi-functional tiller handle, adjustable for left or right handed operations Page 24 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

www.bnbfishing.com. au

Available now from: AIRLIE BEACH Whitsunday Outboard Centre 17 William Murray Dr, Cannonvale Q 4802 P: 07 4946 7286 E: woc@whitsundayoutboardcentre.com.au www.whitsundayoutboardcentre.com.au

GOLD COAST Onshore Marine Horizon Shores Marina, Woongoolba Q 4207 P: 07 5546 2480 E: onshoremarine@ozemail.com.au www.onshoremarine.com.au

BRISBANE Brisbane Boating & Leisure 1743 Ipswich Rd, Rocklea Q 4106 P: 07 3875 1600 E: sales@brisbaneboatingleisure.com.au www.brisbaneboatingleisure.com.au

GOLD COAST TR Marine 167 Currumburra Rd, Ashmore Q 4214 P: 07 5532 5812 E: shaun@trmarinegc.com.au www.trmarinegoldcoast.com.au

BOWEN Reef Side Marine 34 Don St, Bowen Q 4805 P: 07 4786 2944 E: enquiries@reefsidemarine.com.au www.reefsidemarine.com.au

IPSWICH Ipswich Marine Centre 45 Huxham St, Raceview Q 4305 P: 07 3294 3944 E: enquiries@ipswichmarine.com.au www.ipswichmarine.com.au

BRISBANE NORTH Holt Marine 25 Queens Rd, Everton Hills Q 4053 P: 07 3353 1928 E: info@holtmarine.com.au www.holtmarine.com.au

MACKAY Sugar City Marine 11 Victoria St, Mackay Q 4740 P: 07 4951 4711 E: goboating@sugarcitymarine.com.au www.sugarcitymarine.com.au

BRISBANE SOUTH Australian Marine Centre 3491 Pacific Highway, Slacks Creek Q 4127 P: 07 3808 7333 E: info@amcboats.com.au www.amcboats.com.au

ROCKHAMPTON Rifen Marine 6 Dooley St, North Rockhampton Q 4701 P: 07 4927 9150 E: rifen.boats@bigpond.com www.rifenmarine.com.au

BUNDABERG Adrians Marine Centre 28 Ritchie St, Bundaberg Q 4670 P: 07 4153 1819 E: sales@adriansmarinecentre.com.au www.adriansmarinecentre.com.au

SUNSHINE COAST North Coast Boating 22 Enterprise St, Caloundra West Q 4551 P: 07 5493 9376 E: sales@northcoastboating.com.au www.northcoastboating.com.au

CAIRNS Aussie Marine 5 Hannam St, Bungalow Q 4870 P: 07 4033 8800 E: sales@aussiemarine.com.au www.aussiemarine.com.au

YEPPOON Sea Breeze Marine 150 Scenic Hwy, Yeppoon Q 4703 P: 07 4933 6366 E: info@seabreezemarine.com.au www.seabreezemarine.com.au

CAPALABA Mike’s Marine 9 Smith St, Capalaba Q 4157 P: 07 3390 3418 E: admin@mikesmarine.com.au www.mikesmarine.com.au www.bnbfishing.com.au

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 25

Conor with a nice Hinze Dam saratoga.

Darren caught his spanish mackerel when trolling.

Various techniques for targeting mackerel

’DAY fellow fishos, I hope all have been well and are recovering from the past few weather events we’ve encountered and endured – which have also played a big role in fishing our waterways. For offshore fishing, before our last downpour of rain, people were starting to do well on spanish mackerel on various types of techniques – from slow trolling live and dead bait to spinning and trolling hard-body lures. The rain did slow things up with the big push of dirty freshwater, but things look as though they’re coming back into full swing before the water starts to cool down. The type of rod for the various techniques definitely makes a difference and also makes the opportunity easier

Nerang Rooster Report by DARREN RAMA

and better for the fisher to catch a couple of speedy tasty critters. For slow trolling or hard-bodies, using an overhead rod and reel with about 10-15kg mono line is more than enough. This allows you to have the drag pressure set and the strength in the shorter rod. Leaving the reel in strike and having the ability to go up from there, helps to control the fish. Whereas the spin reels tend to want to let more drag go when doing this. Though if mackerel are concentrated to a particular bait ball, on a small section of reef or perhaps you’re lucky enough to have seen them in a bust-up,

Rodney scored this longtail tuna recently. Page 26 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

the spin reel’s ability for long-distance casting definitely sets the two apart. Because these fish are known for preferring bait moving at high speed, having a high-speed spin reel with a ratio of 6:2:1 or more will certainly get your metal lure, plastic or stickbait moving. This more often than not results in them wanting to hunt down and smash your lure. That being said, fishing like this can result in by-catch species such as tuna. Off the coast, we have a variety of species that can make for a good time if you happen to find schools of longtail tuna. Inshore, the fishing has been a little quiet,

though with the dirty water around, it has been great for bream fishing in the back of canals. Small little deep diving hard-bodies have worked a treat for people using lighter gear and luckily enough, doing this has resulted in a few mangrove jack captures as well. Mangrove jack will still be around, though as we start to see a few cooler mornings roll through, instead of doing one cast at a desirable looking piece of structure, consider doing two or three to make sure that if the fish is there it gets annoyed enough to whack your lure or bait. For the freshwater side of things, with the downpours of late there is still a lot of current getting through our creeks, which is making for tricky times. But when it slows

up, using little surface lures and spinnerbaits will make for great sessions because the fish will have had a good chance to move around in all the water, which will burn a bit of energy. So, they should be fired up to eat whatever comes their way. In Hinze Dam at the moment, there has been a high volume of saratoga, and sightcasting these fish is becoming a common occurrence. They are showing confidence sitting slightly below the water surface, making it an easier job for anglers to cast and get lures directly in the zone to hook a toga. Using surface lures and shallow divers have so far paid off the most. So, good luck out there this month and see you on the water!

Common-sized mangrove jack are being caught in the canals. www.bnbfishing.com. au

Top s tinger atta chmen t

TPE body

Big boot ta il

170mm

Kevla r webbed ta il

74g

Paten ted body slits

Bottom s tinger eyele t

ta ke things up a notch Flat Shad X

Jighead 90 130 14 5 170

Weedle ss 130 14 5 170

THe mos t ver satile ba rra pla s tic on the ma rke t For more information please visit

www.bnbfishing.com.au

WWW.WILSONFISHING.COM Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 27

Strategies for winter species

A solid pearl perch found on an isolated bommie in only 30m of water off Seaworld.

T will soon be the start of May and that means cooler mornings and warm days. The sea will begin to flatten out, the days will get shorter and the winter species will move into closer grounds. The heavy rains we had earlier in the year made the water dirty, so this meant going a little further afield to find where fish were biting. From the Gold Coast, we have some wonderful areas to fish in depths of about 80m. For many people, this is a little too far to go, but for those who manage to get out that far, it's an insight into what we might be in for over the next month or two. On a couple of recent trips on fine days, we've managed to get out and explore a few new areas. Exploring new areas can sometimes seem a waste of time because you’re not sure whether you’re going to find something worthwhile, and in the back of your mind you have a few other marks in the GPS that you could fish – so why all the effort?

BALLINA

BAIT & TACKLE

Kane with a nice snapper caught on light line off Southport.

Ballina West Shopping Centre Pacific Hwy, Ballina NSW

02 6686 2527 Page 28 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

Gold Coast by BEN SMITH

The way I see it is if you already have the mark, then so has someone else, and it has been fished already too. How often do you turn up to a spot you want to fish and someone is already on it? If someone is there, you will need to go to plan B. Therefore, exploring new areas is so important – more often than not, that isolated rock or bump on the sounder is holding a trophy fish nearby and being aware of where the new grounds are is so valuable. Having a selection of unfished marks in the GPS can sometimes mean the difference between coming home with fish and not. I’ve been over marks before that I thought were nothing in particular, however a week or two later you go back and they're loaded with fish. Those are the days when we often get a good portion of our catch on bait and then switch things up – using jigs or plastics for a bit of fun to finish things off. As the cooler months move in, we obviously won’t have to travel out that far but having an accumulation of marks on the 18, 24, 36 and 50-fathom reefs will give you many options to work with. Making your fishing trip successful is up to what you do and how you prepare – having a variety of quality bait and soft plastics as well as jigs and other

lures is very important. Make sure all of your equipment is in top condition, including rods, reels, line, leaders and terminal tackle. Start looking at weather patterns at least a week out from the trip – to ensure that when you have planned to go, the weather is going to cooperate and the areas you plan to fish are going to be accessible in the size of boat you have. One of the main points of interest when planning a trip is of course the moon phase and the bite time. I’ve said it many times before but having an understanding of the affect the moon and tides have on fish activity here is very important. On some days the fish will bite continuously for an hour or so, maybe even longer, and on other days you may only get half an hour of active bite time. So, try to familiarise yourself with how the science behind fishing works – as a result, successful trips with full Eskys will become more regular. If you are planning a trip this month – and I hope you all are – look for areas in depths of 40-45m southeast of the Gold Coast Seaway. It's about an 8km run from the entrance to the Seaway and is reasonably accessible in most boats. Of course, early mornings produce some of the best fish as the sun rises, which means having everything prepared * continued P30

www.bnbfishing.com. au

AND YOU AIN’T SEEN NUTHIN’ YET!

We might be 50, but we think we’ve only just hit our straps. We’ve got a whole lot of new features and developments planned, so our boats are getting even better.

For more info information contact your local Stacer Dealer:

WYNNUM | WYNNUM MARINE 31 Fox St, Wynnum P 07 3396 9777 E info@wynnummarine.com.au wynnummarine.com.au

www.bnbfishing.com.au

Other brands find it hard to compete – especially for the price. So if you haven’t owned a Stacer yet, maybe it’s time to say hello to your local dealer. And get ready to have a Stacer in your life for the next 50 years. STB&B 005

For 50 years Stacer has been helping Aussies have fun on the water. Whether it’s with family and friends or a bunch of fishing mates. Everybody loves our quality fit-outs, unbeatable build strength and ultra reliability.

BOONDALL | NORTHSIDE MARINE 2294 Sandgate Rd, Boondall P 07 3265 8000 E info@nsmarine.com.au northsidemarine.com.au

ROCKHAMPTON | RIFEN MARINE 6 Dooley St, North Rockhampton P 07 4927 9150 E rifen.boats@bigpond.com rifenmarine.com.au

CALOUNDRA | NORTH COAST BOATING 22 Enterprise St, Caloundra West P 07 5493 9376 E sales@northcoastboating.com.au northcoastboating.com.au

BUNDABERG | ADRIAN’S MARINE 28 Ritchie St, Bundaberg P 07 4153 1819 E admin@adriansmarinecentre.com.au adriansmarinecentre.com.au

ASHMORE | WHITE WATER MARINE 10 Hinde St, Ashmore P 07 5532 4402 E kim@whitewatermarine.com.au whitewatermarine.com.au

MACKAY | PHOENIX POWERSPORTS 165 Paradise Street, Mackay P 07 4952 2436 E admin@phoenixpowersports.com.au phoenixpowersports.com.au

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 29

Strategies for winter species * from P28

Jason Woodall connected to this nice squire 50 fathoms east of the Seaway.

the night before and getting out before the sun comes up. Try not to fish within 500m of other boats because the bigger fish tend to get spooked by noises. I can report that a few big fish have already been taken in close and, as the cooler water moves in, more of these fish will start to inhabit the local reef systems. Water grounds around 65m deep east and northeast of the Gold Coast Seaway will produce beautiful snapper over winter, as well as a variety of other fish including pearl perch, tuskfish and the usual yellowtail kingfish. I always float line out with half a pilchard head end or the head of yellowtail scad as a starting point. Be prepared because quite often the biggest fish is the first one to bite on these early morning trips. It is important to fish with only one line in

your hand, so you have total control over what’s going on. Ensure you have your drag pre-set and everything is ready to go because the morning bite is also quite often when you’ll get most of your fish. As you can see from the photos accompanying this article, we have had a couple of very successful trips during March and April, and things will only get better as we head into winter. Crabbing this season has also been exceptional, with good quality crabs coming in regularly on most trips. Once again, the flash of freshwater from the upper reaches of the creeks has pushed the crabs out, and they are feeding in the deeper holes where saltwater lies underneath the fresh. We’ve had the most success placing our pots in deeper areas where there’s a little current or tidal run. Using whole mullet

with some cuts down its sides as bait has been quite successful this year. And it appears that it works better when you use only a bait clip to secure it to the bottom of the pot and let it swing free, rather than packing it into one of those baitholder mesh bags. Most times, we’ve left the pots in for an hour or so and have pulled three or four good-sized bucks. On several occasions, there were so many crabs, they were actually falling off the outside of the pot as we pulled it up. The last two hours of a run-in tide have been very effective for us this season, with our last trip being done and dusted in three hours and our bag limit of crabs using eight pots between the two of us. So, whether you're heading offshore or up the creek, have a good time doing what you love and, until next month, happy fishing.

The author with a brace of rusty bucks from Coombabah Creek.

Kane Barclay with a good mud crab after the rain. Page 30 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

The spoils of a well-planned trip in search of snapper. www.bnbfishing.com. au

Runaway crabber in hot water A fisher has been fined $5000 in the Caboolture Magistrates Court after being caught in illegal possession of a female mud crab by Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers at a Bribie Island boat ramp. Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol questioned the fisher at the Sylvan Beach boat ramp, Bribie Island, when he threw the crab away and fled the scene. He was questioned again when he returned to the boat ramp hours later. Officers released the female mud crab back to the water and seized two stolen crab pots and a number of styrofoam floats. The fisher was charged with interfering with fishing apparatus, using unmarked crab apparatus, and obstruction. For information on Queensland’s fishing regulations, visit fisheries.qld.gov.au, call 13 25 23 or download the free ‘Qld Fishing 2.0’ app from Apple and Google app stores.

Do your part. Be SharkSmart.

Planning to drop a line some time soon? Keep in mind that throwing fish waste and scraps in the water can attract sharks scavenging for food. Many species of sharks will happily take an easy meal if it’s on offer from a fisher or a boat. If you are fishing, don’t throw your scraps, fish frames or leftover bait in the water unless you’re far away from where people get into the water. Never chum or berley (scatter bait on the water to attract fish) in areas where people swim. Dispose of your scraps and rubbish in a bin on land.

Cressbrook Dam structures lure fish and fishers Our efforts to improve fishing at Toowoomba’s Cressbrook Dam are going swimmingly!

A recent report shows the dam’s 615 fish attracting structures are successfully luring Australian bass, golden perch and prey species. This makes for great fishing! Fish attracting structures have also been installed at Mackay’s Kinchant Dam and Mount Morgan Dam No 7 near Rockhampton. We have also released best-practice guidelines to help community groups such as fishing and stocking clubs construct and deploy fish attracting structures.

Keen to drop a line? •

Check out fisheries.qld.gov.au and search ‘fish attractors’ to find the structure locations.

•

Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme (SIPS) permits can be purchased online by visiting qld.gov.au and searching ‘SIPS permit’

Check out qld.gov.au/SharkSmart for more SharkSmart tips.

fisheries.qld.gov.au 13 25 23 FisheriesQueensland

FisheriesQld DAFQld DAF1643 04/2022

www.bnbfishing.com.au 1643 Fish and Bush April 2022.indd

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 31 16/3/22 2:38 pm

Mike with a solid 65cm giant trevally from the Tweed River.

The author caught this 42cm sand whiting while flats fishing.

Alex with a good-sized mud crab caught in the Broadwater after the floods.

Dave caught this nice brassy trevally on a yabby. Page 32 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

Finesse fishing the flats

I everyone, May is when big numbers of arrow squid start to show up in the Gold Coast Broadwater as the waters cools and clears. These tasty critters are usually caught on vibes and squid jigs and are found in sandy channels that have drop-offs. This month however, I’ll talk about fishing the flats with hardbody and soft plastic lures, which is something I’m going to do a lot on charters over the cooler months. Besides drifting the channels for winter species such as squid, flathead, flounder, tailor and winter whiting, we will also walk the flats for some exciting visual fishing. Big summer whiting disperse from the flats from April, but more and bigger flathead appear. I have learnt from wading the flats with yabbies for monster sand whiting that big fish often feed in very shallow water.

Broadwater Guide by CLINT ANSELL

Even though you can’t see them because they are so well camouflaged, they are often there and easily targeted on light line and small lures. You will also get plenty of by-catch such as big bream, flounder and small to medium sand whiting. The key to success in these areas is using finesse tackle. I use 7’ 2-4lb rods and 2500-size reels

spooled with either polyethylene 0.6 braid and 1m of 6lb fluorocarbon leader or with 4 or 6lb fluorocarbon. You can use a wide variety of lures but remember you get more bites with smaller lures and can still tempt some big fish. Some of my current favourite lures are Pro Lure ST-72, Pontoon 21 Crackjack 48mm SP DR and Daiwa Pro * continued P33

Marker 54 Mullet Run plastics are flathead lollies. www.bnbfishing.com. au

Finesse fishing the flats * from P32

Double Clutch 60mm and 75mm. I love using suspending lures in the shallows because they hang in the strike zone when you pause your retrieve. There are some easy techniques when it comes to fishing the flats, which can be done easily from a boat or kayak. I prefer to walk the shallows while casting as it’s such a quiet and effective way to stalk wary fish. The best time is a runin tide when fishing on top of sand banks and a run-out when fishing off the edges. I love fishing a run-in tide when the water is clear because you can watch the lure being smashed by an angry fish. Good areas to fish are on top of yabby banks, the edges of weed beds, sand holes and bank edges. From there, cast with the wind onto sandy areas, wind up the slack then mix up the retrieve. You can retrieve the lure at a slow to medium speed, while twitching the rod tip to get the lure crashing into the sand and stirring up the bottom,

then pause to suspend the lure slightly above the bottom. Don’t get stuck casting in one spot, keep moving until you get multiple strikes. You can also constantly walk and troll the lure over areas from 0.3-1m deep until you get a hit – this works very well on flathead. Set it back about 20m and walk at a moderate pace. Mix up casting hardbodies with soft plastics. Rigged on 1/4oz 3/0 hook TT Fishing HeadlockZ jig head, plastics such as the Marker 54 Mullet Run, MMD Fat Skipper, Pro Lure Clone Prawn and Ecogear Balt will tempt flathead of all sizes. Fan your casts around then use the double hop, pause, repeat method. On my charters over the coming months, I’m going to be taking a couple of heavier outfits to target the huge flathead we often see on the flats. We’ll be throwing and slowly retrieving Samaki Boom Baits Mega Bomb shads, John Costello’s My Lure Box new soft glide lures and MMD

Whiting Glides. Both of these locally designed lures are specific to catching massive flathead. It’s a small percentage play but if we give it a go for 10 minutes every day, we will hook a big fish sooner or later. Who knows, maybe even that fish of a lifetime – a 1m long flathead. My local store is Sporty’s Warehouse in Strathaird Rd, Bundall. Tony and the experienced team are always up for a friendly chat and stock all my favourite tackle. To book on a charter with myself or Brad, or if you have any fishing related questions, visit goldcoastrivercharters. com, SMS 0432 990 302 or email f ish i ngwit hcl i nt@ gmail.com, or find us on Facebook at Brad Smith Fishing Charters.

Reuben caught and released this stunning diamond trevally.

David caught and released his first ever mulloway.

The remarkably real-looking MMD Whiting Glide.

GOLD COAST ESTUARY CHARTERS

PRIVATE

CHARTERS FOR 1-4 PEOPLE

BOOK NOW!

Longest-running estuary lure fishing charter in SEQ with over 40 years’ experience Light tackle lure fishing charters guaranteeed to catch!! Spots, tackle, lures, tides, species, estuary tactics, moons, seasons and more!

SMS 0432 990 302 Charter gift vouchers and online store www.goldcoastlures.com

John Costello’s new soft glide lure. www.bnbfishing.com.au

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 33

Floods and fishing R

Hooked up to a jewfish at last light.

Unfortunately, these days this is becoming the norm.

ECORD-breaking floods have devastated the Northern Rivers over the past weeks. My grandfather built a house on the Tweed River between Murwillumbah and Condong in 1952. Two years later came the flood that everyone talked about for the following fifty plus years. In the flood of 1954, the water came within 200mm of the floorboards, the 1974 floodwater level was a little lower and Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie in 2017 was about the same as that of 1954. Then came 2022! This one wasn’t 200mm under the floorboards… it was 200mm over. This story resonates for so many who hadn’t been flooded before but were this time.

A good-sized parrotfish caught by Tema while waiting for a mackerel bite. Page 34 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

Tweed to Byron Bay by GAVIN DOBSON

The bulk of the cleanup was done but rebuilding and recovery will take many years. Obviously, the floods have had an impact on fishing. Last month, I mentioned it might have been a good idea to get out wide and find the blue water line to have a troll for a wahoo. Well, I’m not sure how far out you’d have to go… Vanuatu possibly! I headed out to the 50-fathom reefs recently and the water was still filthy. People who went to the shelf said it was the same there. I haven’t heard of any wahoo being caught at all but, despite the soupy water, small yellowfin are still being caught on Windarra Banks. May is the best month of all for wahoo, so it would be nice if some blue water pushed in over Windarra. On the close reefs, life is a bit hard at the moment. There are mackerel being caught in the discoloured water, but it is hardly going to go down as a good season. And when you finally do hook a good mackerel, a shark eats it! I headed out the other evening, hooked a mackerel and a shark ate it. Next the floating pillie went off and it felt like a good snapper, but I’ll never know because a shark ate it. A little later, I had a

nice jewfish nearly to the boat… I don’t have to tell you what happened. I cursed the sharks and went home. May is a good time to hedge your bets in close. Fish for a mackerel and at the same time snapper, jewfish and reef fish are on the cards. This is also when longtail tuna get a bit bigger and are willing to eat a mackerel bait or a floating pillie. For some these fish are a nuisance, but for those who enjoy a great battle and a bit of sashimi, they are worth the effort. The cooler weather will herald the start of the mullet run on our beaches and a few better tailor should start showing up also. With all the flooding this year, who knows what the mullet run will be like, though I suppose it will still happen. Get those jewfish lures out and see what’s going on around the headlands and breakwalls. Fishing in the rivers is restricted to the lower estuaries. The water is dirty but salt is moving back in and the fishing has been reasonable for most estuary species, except trevally. Whiting and bream are in good numbers and there’re a few flathead around. Flathead usually * continued P35

www.bnbfishing.com. au

BOAT WINDSCREENS

Custom designs, repairs and replacement Tema with a tasty moses perch.

Floods and fishing * from P34

move to beaches in March, the floods certainly pushed them out of the rivers this year. If you are looking for a flathead and can’t find one near the river mouths this month, the

beachfronts are definitely worth a try because they are being caught in good numbers. And in front of the surf club at Brunswick Heads has been a good spot. Mangrove jack will be around the walls in May

and this may be your last chance to get one before they close down for winter. Mud crabs are also in reasonable numbers at present and should continue for a few months yet.

• Boat windscreens • Cabin windows • Console windscreens

Quotes over the phone

20/42 Burnside Rd, Yatala QLD

Phone 07 3382 7883 E: allboatswindscreens@hotmail.com

Queensland’s Used Boat Specialists

#readytogo

$ 34,995

#fullyoptionedpackage

$ 99,995

Quintrex 450 Fishabout Pro

Chaparral H2O-19 Fish&Ski

Delivered new in 2020, Yamaha 60hp FS with balance of factory warranty, loaded to the gunnels with fishing-friendly accessories. Lowrance GPS/Sounder, VHF radio, full covers, inshore safety kit – ready to go, are you?

Screams fun in the sun, a true combo of fishing features and family water sports, 220Hp V6 Mercruiser with low hours and excellent service record, quality Mackay trailer, deluxe upholstery and comforts for a great day on the water!

Call 07 3890 2322 today! More pics online at johncrawfordmarine.com.au

#greatdayonthewater

$ 49,995

Call 07 3890 2322 today! More pics online at johncrawfordmarine.com.au

Stejcraft 640 Monaco

Whittley CR2380

2020 model with 17 hours on the Mercury 200Hp V6, fully optioned package with so much aboard as the ultimate family/fishing boat offering incredible value. As new condition and ready to go – no build time waiting!

“Absolute waterfront” stunning 2020 model with 74 hours, presents as new condition, serviced Volvo 200Hp FW cooled motor, Mackay trailer, set up for overnighting with galley and bedding, full covers and so much more…

Call 07 3890 2322 today! More pics online at johncrawfordmarine.com.au

#absolutewaterfront

$125,995

Whether you’re buying or selling, call us today on 07 3890 2322 or visit the sales yard at 1029 Manly Road, Tingalpa Brisbane. View our entire range at www.johncrawfordmarine.com.au

Call 07 3890 2322 today! More pics online at johncrawfordmarine.com.au

My new bulk spool of 50lb Platypus Lo-Stretch line ready for spooling.

Mischa Porter of Iluka with a little mangrove jack taken on lure at the old ferry approach.

Having a ball on bream and flathead

Mischa landed this nice flathead from the beach at Shark Bay on a soft plastic lure.

Warric Johnson with a nice longtail tuna taken from the Iluka breakwall. Page 36 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

TRAIGHT off the bat this month, I have to correct a boo-boo I made last month when I said that I use 70lb Platypus LoStretch line. Yes, I have always used 70lb Platypus mono from the breakwalls for jewfish, however the type of line I used to use is no longer available, so I have stepped down to 50lb Lo-Stretch Platypus mono because they don’t make 70lb in this line anymore. Sorry for the stuff up, but after 30 years of writing, 70 just came out. On the fishing front, back-to-back floods have not helped anglers access places such as the Iluka breakwall and Main Beach, as for nearly two months the road has been closed due to standing floodwater. Yes, people are still driving their four-wheeldrives past the closed road signs and through the water. However, I think we are all fully aware that this is a tad illegal and hefty fines will be incurred if you’re caught doing it. Even access to the

Just Jew by TYE PORTER

Iluka Bluff has been unavailable for about the same period of time, with only a few days of access before more rain closed it again. Those anglers who chose to walk some distance to the Iluka wall and Main Beach were well rewarded with mega catches of flathead on lures, and many anglers getting close to a hundred fish each outing. I must point out that no one kept more than their bag limit, with all excess fish being returned, probably only to take another angler’s lure. Gold Coast mangrove jack whisperer Warric Johnston paid us a visit recently and fished the wall for tuna with Mischa – each of them scoring a tuna and missing several spanish mackerel bites. They even managed a couple of small school jewfish on soft plastic lures in the dirty water while waiting for a tuna bite, so the long walk out was more than worth it.

Even with all the floodwater coming out the lower reaches of the Clarence River, within a couple of kilometres of the mouth is fishing extremely well for bream and flathead, though a lot of the bream have some degree of red spot disease. One notable event that occurred last month was a patch of mangrove jack that moved in around the rocks at the old ferry approach and, while no monsters were landed, up to a dozen fish to 50cm were taken on lures each day for about a week, with the majority of fish living to fight another day. Offshore fishing has been restricted due to the mediocre weather, however those with larger boats who braved the conditions returned from the southern grounds with mixed bags of spanish mackerel, snapper and teraglin, while those who headed north caught mainly snapper. * continued P37

www.bnbfishing.com. au

Having a ball on bream and flathead Ten Mile Beach at Shark Bay has continued to produce a few nice jewfish during the falling tide, with local Rebekah Ellis leading the charge scoring a nice 21.6kg fish, taken by floating a whole dead mullet out of one of the many rips that can be found along the beach. The only downside to this style of fishing is that you tend to donate a lot of hooks and bait to sharks of varying sizes, but if you can put up with the toothy critters, your dream jew could be but a cast away, as Rebekah discovered after hooking two sharks prior to catching her jew. Bream have been a dime a dozen along the

410 Challenger

see excellent catches of bream being taken and the annual winter run of jew occur in the lower reaches, as they move into rivers to feed on the large schools of sea and flat tail mullet that come downstream to spawn – here's hoping anyway. May is still not too late to get among the land-based pelagics such as spanish mackerel and longtail tuna, as long as the weather returns to some sort of normality. All in all, we have to play the cards that Mother Nature deals us, and I hope that the accompanying pictures show that even the worst weather can still produce good fishing. Till next month, safe fishing.

Iluka angler Rebekah Ellis was over the moon landing her personal best jewfish of 21.6kg from the beach using a whole dead mullet bait.

450 Drifter

SEE YOUR LOCAL DEALER... AINTEN AINTEN M

BRISBANE NORTH

for money” “great value for money”

BUNDABERG IL ABILIT TAdrian’s TAB IT Also available Also available in Marine Centre 07 in4153 1819 Y

Also available in

Brisbane Yamaha 07 3888 1727 www.brisbaneyamaha.com.au

CE AN

LOW

open beaches, as have flathead. We’ve been having a ball, landing nice lizards on soft plastic lures at Shark Bay. Those anglers after a feed of nice-sized chopper tailor need look no further than Back Beach, which has been fishing extremely well. However, due to a lot of coastal erosion that has taken place, you do have to be able to climb up and down a very steep embankment. As for where to fish this month, I’m almost not game to say what should happen because in recent months what should have happened hasn't. But surely the rain has to end one day and, when it does, the rivers along the coast should

LOW

* from P36

www.adriansmarinecentre.com.au

Also available in

“available in 5 different“available models” in 5

GOLD COAST

480 Brumby

530 Warrior

MACKAY

S NOIS ES

TR Marine 07 5532 5812 shaun@trmarinegc.com.au

Sugar City Marine 07 4951 4711 goboating@sugarcitymarine.com.au

SUNSHINE COAST Also available in

Bens Marine 02 Boats 6646 3101 Baldwin MILDURA Bairnsdale Boats Fishermans Warehouse 02 4945 2152 LUCKNOW Marine - Richardson’s Hardy’sWARRNAMBOOL Car And Boat Sales 0408 628 150 Salem Boats BENDIGO Enterprise Marine 02 9913 7767 Boats & More SHEPPARTON Maitland Power and Marine 02 4933 3284 Gippsland Boat Supplies MarineTRARALGON Scene 02 4628 5000 Sales WILLIAMSTOWN - Aussie02Boat Merimbula Outboard Service 6495 9634 Leigh Martin Marine WODONGA Nowra Boats 02 4422 1999

03 5022 7596 MILDURA 03 5152 3220 LUCKNOW 03 5562 6373 WARRNAMBOOL 03 5443 5717 BENDIGO 03 5822 2108SHEPPARTON 03 5174 1223 TRARALGON 03 9397 6977 WILLIAMSTOWN 02 6024 6555 WODONGA -

Baldwin Boats WESTMINTER Bairnsdale Boats BoatMarine City Richardson’s 08 9345 4311 Salem Boats Boats & BUNBURY More Sports Gippsland BoatMarine Supplies BoatSales Centre Aussie Boat 08 9721 4390 Leigh Martin Marine

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

www.bnbfishing.com.au

Bens Marine YAMBA - 02 6646 3101 07 4153 1819 Fishermans 02 4945 2152 07 4033 8800Warehouse NEWCASTLE Hardy’s Car And Boat Sales FYSHWICK 0408 - 628 150 07 3888 1727 Enterprise Marine MONA VALE 02 9913 7767 07 4972 0135 Maitland Power and Marine MAITLAND 02-4933 3284 07 4759 3218 Marine Scene CAMPBELLTOWN 02 4628 5000 07 5532 5812 Merimbula MERIMBULA 02 6495 9634 07 4948 3298Outboard Service Nowra NOWRA -02 4422 1999 07 5442Boats 4872

1800 336 603

VICTORIA

www.polycraft.com.au

300 Tuffy

“little boat with big boat stability” “little boat with VICTORIA

YAMBA - Centre Adrian’s Marine AussieNEWCASTLE Marine FYSHWICK Brisbane Yamaha VALE CurtisMONA Coast Marine RisingMAITLAND Sun Honda- Marine CAMPBELLTOWN Nitro Marine MERIMBULA Whitsunday MarineNOWRA Laguna Boating-

Also available in

NEW SOUTH WALES

BUNDABERG 07 4153 1819CAIRNS 07 4033 -8800 BURPENGARY 07 3888 1727 GLADSTONE 07 4972 0135TOWNSVILLE 07 4759 3218 SOUTHPORT 07 5532 5812CANNONVALE 07 4948 3298 NOOSAVILLE 07 5442 4872-

NEW SOUTH WALES

QUEENSLAND

arine Centre ine amaha t Marine Honda Marine e y Marine ating

“big and beamy”

“the great all-rounder” “the great

D SE

beamy”

Also available in

4 Durable 4 Stable 4 UV Stabilised 4 Quiet 4 Low I STABILmaintenance STABILI 4 Tenders D SE

Also available in

599 Frontier

Port O Call Boating 07 5493 2255TAT TAT LO IOwww.marinecenter.com.auLO IO N

ell appointed” “versatile and well appointed”

Also available in

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 37

03 5022 75 03 5152 32 03 5562 63 03 5443 57 03 5822 21 03 5174 12 03 9397 69 02 6024 65

Ocean Buitenhius with a 31cm bream from the surf. Photos: fishingnoosa.com.au

Harry Halliday with a beautiful coronation trout caught on a jig while on the Hards.

Best of both worlds with ‘crossover’ period

ITH the past few months being wet and windy. I think it’s about time for a change! The long-range reports show that La Niña is going to become more neutral, which hopefully means less rainfall and lighter wind. This time last year, COVID forced many fishos to look closer to home for angling opportunities. This of course had many heading north to experience big barramundi and giant trevally, and even relocate their lives as a direct result. May is one of my favourite times to be an angler because it’s cooler. Over the next few months, pelagic fish will move on, with June traditionally being the tail end of spanish mackerel season. This year could obviously see that change, giving us all enough time to bag a few. May often sees the start of what I call the ‘crossover’, with winter species becoming possible targets alongside

Sunshine Coast by GRANT BUDD

mackerel and tuna. For now, that period of crossover features some of the best fishing of the year – if you can get out there. The popular areas for snapper, jewfish and pearl perch will be the deeper and cooler water of Barwon Banks, Double Island, North Reef, Chardons Reef and Sunshine wide. The best method is often a big curl tail soft plastic such as a Berkley PowerBait Nemesis in 5” and 6.5” sizes on lightweight jig heads. A lighter jig head gives the plastic a realistic action while falling, often leading to hook-ups. Bait anglers will find gang-hooked bait allowed to slowly descend great for almost everything, including mackerel, tuna, cobia or big midwater snapper. If spanish mackerel aren’t around, a 4-5/0 snelled pilchard or whole squid on long 30-40lb

Page 38 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

mono leaders will present best for everything. Mono gives your bait the best presentation because it doesn’t sink as fluorocarbon and braid do. You can always land mackerel on mono but if in doubt, try using a small length of 44lb single-strand game wire. With slow-pitch jigging about to become very popular, now is a great time to get yourself kitted up. With a multitude of jig rods for both spin and overhead in the shop, those on a budget will find the new Penn Fathom II 8XNSD the perfect compact overhead slow-jig reel. It features a supersmall narrow spool, capable of holding a full 300m spool of PE3 and more than enough drag to turn even the biggest fish. Slow pitch is about refined small reels capable of being held all day

without fatigue. Combine this with a suitable rod and a mix of jigs and you’ll be landing a wide range of reef species this winter. Surf fishing this time of year often sees a bit of a westerly wind blowing. If fishing from the headlands, you will find a westerly wind will greatly help with distance casting. Given the time of the year, you could end up with a jewie or a mackerel and maybe a snapper or sweetlip. If doing this type of angling, be sure to fish in pairs – from a safety perspective. For those not chasing big fish, you can certainly find a good gutter along the beaches, with small dart and whiting to help pass the time. The main rivers have certainly seen a massive flush, with record rainfall in March. All of this has meant the fishing wasn’t great heading from the marina, due to the volume of freshwater. Fortunately, Noosa tends to clear up quickly,

which tailor and queenfish will be enjoying should they come over the bar in the coming spring tides. During early morning with a high tide and no wind, you will find casting medium-sized surface lures nothing short of explosive! For a great start, look at the many sizes of Bassday Sugapen to best suit your rod’s casting weight. For bait anglers, fishing the mouth with a gang-hooked pilchard fished in the surf zone tends to produce. Trevally are generally in good numbers at this time of year, with golden, giant and the spectacular-looking diamond trevally on offer. Woods Bay, Noosa Sound and Munna Point are all excellent options, even if you don’t have a boat. The beauty of trevally is that they look different, fight hard and are often in schools. For those after flathead, you can fish anywhere from the mouth * continued P40

www.bnbfishing.com. au

GEKI: PARTING SEAS

A REVOLUTION IN INNOVATION Our award-winning flagship GEKI series of outboards boast advanced 4.4L DOHC VVT 4-Stroke powerheads, the largest displacement V6 outboard range ever produced. Loaded with innovative Suzuki technology to deliver the perfect balance of power and thrust, with outstanding Lean Burn fuel-efficiency and trusted reliability, all in a lightweight and stylish package.

www.bnbfishing.com.au

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 39

Best of both worlds with ‘crossover’ period * from P38

to Cooroibah, and they make an excellent target no matter what the water condition is. For lure anglers, you

can throw almost anything from the soft plastic side of things and around 3-5” in size. If getting started, the Z-Man Slim SwimZ,

Berkley PowerBait Nemesis and Keitech Easy Shiners are three must-have patterns. Bait anglers would do well with snelled rigs

Chart of 2020 Australian east coast stock assessment biomass estimates and key management actions for spanish mackerel.

Spanish mackerel survey

N April 6, the Queensland Government finally released it’s ‘Have Your Say’ consultation survey on east coast spanish mackerel, with a closing date of May 5. The survey and discussion paper are available at daf. enga gem ent hub. c om. au /spa n ishmackerel-2 022/ userinfo/survey-oneast-coast-spanishmackerel-fishery From its April 10 post by Bob Baldwin, the Australia Fisheries Trade Association questions the very nature and structure of the survey, given the limited selection of multiple-choice answers – answers which

would be critical to the industry. These concerns were raised by AFTA with the Director of Queensland Fisheries on the survey and its inadequacy, given several questions were skewed towards the answers the working group want to hear to support their pre-determined position and not those of genuine industry participants. Further the survey cannot be ‘submitted’ online, with only Question 16 ‘Are there any other issues, opportunities or solutions that you would like to raise?’ being answered. The survey questions are also available at the end of ‘Consulta-

Page 40 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

tion on Management Discussion Paper’ available on the link and AFTA recommend this as the preferred method to be submitted, if you don’t wish to be forced into the multiple choice answers that you do not agree with. Note, only questions 1, 2 and 5 are compulsory. AFTA also recommends that you print the survey out, complete it and post your submission to Spanish Mackerel Fishery Discussion Paper, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, GPO Box 46, Brisbane Qld 4001 or email to fisheriesmanagers@ daf.qld.gov.au

and whole whitebait, pilchard or headyhead fished along the dropoffs and choke points around the flats of the Frying Pan and the river mouth. If wanting to fish beyond Cooroibah, you would do well to check conditions on the day. If we’ve had heavy rainfall, do not head too far upstream because it will become fresher. If things are clear, then head beyond the lake and enjoy some great fishing between the lakes. Up here, you can enjoy the serenity and the chance of landing anything from trevally to jewfish. Generally, the water is darker, and this will allow the use of heavier leaders in the 10-12lb range. If the wind is light and you have enough fuel, a day trip to the Noosa Everglades is something everyone should experience, with the option to chase wild bass, or head up to Kin Kin Creek to experience other fish including mangrove jack when conditions are right. Other freshwater options include the dams in the local area of Lake MacDonald and

Borumba Dam. These both saw record rainfall and partial closures in March. Before you head to any dams, it’s always worth logging onto Seqwater to check for up-to-date conditions, including closures. For those who enjoy a road trip, head to Lake Monduran or Awonga to try landing a huge barramundi. It is something to be experienced and you need not have all the fancy bells and whistles. Most offshore snapper setups will handle these fish, with some anglers taking troll outfits to tangle with these 20-30kg plus fish. We hold a wide range of barra lures, soft plastics and swimbaits, as well as all your upgrade hooks and leader. For all the latest information, log onto fishingnoosa.com.au for up-to-date bar and fishing reports, and don’t forget to drop into Tackle World Noosa, Noosa Boating and Outdoors and Northshore Bait & Tackle in Marcoola for all the right equipment, bait and advice to get you catching. Follow us on Facebook and remember tight lines and bent spines!

Zane Gordon with a huge 63cm mangrove jack taken at night. www.bnbfishing.com. au

Reef fishing off Noosa

ELL, with May not far away things should be getting colder, the weather will settle down and the wet season rain should slow to nothing… I hope. Though a few showers on my garden, to top up the tanks and to keep the pool full would be nice. Finally, I got to go out with Ryan on his 5.56m Quintrex SC for a reef fish off Noosa! On the day, we were the closest boat to the headland and out only around 1km. We did one hang for three fish and thought that was good and then shifted to another mark 400m away. We anchored on this spot and had some great fishing off it – if not the best day fishing I’ve ever had off Noosa.

Sunshine Coast by CRAIG TOMKINSON

We bagged out on nice grass sweetlip and an extra few nice tuskfish. Ryan was on fire straight off the bat and I caught up later in the session, we ended the trip with 25 nice fish. We pulled the pick and left them chewing. We went home and cleaned our bounty – what a cracker day, thanks Ryan. I heard a few people talking on VHF radios that there was no run out wider, so we were lucky. Other than that trip, my wife and I drove up for the day to check out the beach between Rainbow Beach and Inskip Point, looking for washed up blue dragons

The transducer bracket and slide.

The brakes in pieces, ready to reassemble. www.bnbfishing.com.au

– also known as glaucus atlanticus. My wife enjoys doing this type of thing. We drove through Inskip and there were campers everywhere – great to see after the gastro scares. I’ve also been working on my gear for the upcoming trip north – to either Nhulunbuy or Weipa. Recently, I reconditioned the wind up Jayco’s bearings and brakes and replaced the belts on our Toyota LandCruiser 80 series. To rebuilt the brakes on my 5m boat trailer, I stripped down the disc callipers and put in new O-ring kits and boots, cleaned the pistons, then repacked the bearings with MBL Grease. I took it for run behind the 80 and everything worked well – so whichever way I go or whatever setup I take, it’s ready. Also, I bought a new Echomap Plus 45cv with transducer recently. I picked this model for my 3.7m tinnie because it has the mini SD card to upload and download my marks – and it’s so easy to use. My 3.7m tinnie had a mount-fitted sliding transducer already but I bought a new one and fitted the transducer to the sliding plate. I must point out that I’m not sponsored by anyone and that my opinions are my own. Hopefully by the time this issue hits the stands, I’ll have headed north! Until next month, stay safe out there.

Ryan with a nice Sunshine Reef grass sweetlip.

The disc brakes from the author’s 5m tinnie trailer needed a rebuild.

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 41

School mackerel tactics

Roxbee Coultas with a few of the big schoolies he scored trolling Predatek SandVipers in Moreton Bay.

Though designed primarily for freshwater, the ultradeep 80mm Predatek Boomerang scored well for us on mackerel holding over reef in 12m of water.

Jigging beside a channel marker in Moreton Bay produced this average school mackerel. The lure was on the bottom beside the pylon in 20m of water.

Page 42 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

UTUMN is an interesting time of year for anglers fishing the coastal waters of Queensland and northern NSW. Common targets include bream, luderick, tailor, blue salmon and mulloway – depending on your location and inclination. A personal favourite – which is also popular with many statewide – is the sprightly school mackerel. The smallest of the four popular mackerel species, schoolies are very much sought after by recreational and commercial anglers throughout their range. Two obvious reasons for their popularity are their appeal as a light-tackle sportfish and the fact they are extremely good table fish. Though schoolies are available in summer in the areas I fish most often – southern Queensland – I prefer to target them at this time of year. My reasoning for this is solely because it is when we encounter the biggest specimens. Growth rates for school mackerel are impressive, as is the case for most pelagics, and the small just-legal fish of summer are likely to be the same class as the 70cm fish you’ll encounter in June. This is certainly the case in popular southern locations such as Moreton Bay, Hervey Bay, the Sunshine Coast and Bundaberg. Bait fishing School mackerel

Fishing for Sport by NEIL SCHULTZ

generally feed much lower in the water column than other mackerel species. This makes the most commonly used tactics a little different from those used for spotted mackerel, as an example. Spotties are regularly fished with floating bait, while those for schoolies are best fished with a sinker to put them close to the bottom. You’ll often find schoolies sitting slightly above the seabed around channel-marking pylons, where floating bait often go unnoticed by the fish. When fishing channel markers, anchor well upcurrent and try to place your bait close to the base of the pylon. Schoolies don’t only sit behind pylons, they’ll often hold well up current as well, as do the baitfish they hunt. Large tripod-style markers such as the four beacons regularly attract school mackerel, where they can

often be found 30m or more away from the pylons, so you don’t need to be in close to score. Other spots to try include the edges of sandbanks where the water drops into a deep channel, similar to the Rous and Rainbow channels – keeping an eye on green zone boundaries. The drop-offs into deeper water on the inside of Moreton and Frazer islands also produce schoolies on a regular basis. Any area in large bays or near offshore water where baitfish congregate is likely to be visited by schoolies. Blue pillies are the most commonly used bait for schoolies, though at times it can pay to use smaller bait such as white or frogmouth pilchard. The rig for blue pillies is typically a gang of four 4/0 Mustad 4200 hooks, fished on a short wire trace under as much lead as necessary. White pilchard are * continued P43

Our most productive mackerel trolling lure, a Predatek SandViper, and one of the many schoolies it has fooled.

www.bnbfishing.com. au

School mackerel tactics and techniques * from P42

best fished on two size 1/0 4200s ganged and attached to a fine wire trace. These mackerel can also be caught from the shore on bait in a few locations. The one I used to fish many years ago was Bold Point on the southern end of Bribie Island. A visible tide line runs southeast from the point and a white pilchard under a fair lump of lead cast along this line is the way to score a mackerel. Jigging My favourite way to fish beacons and pylons is by jigging with metal baitfish profiles or slugs. Most of the beacons we find mackerel, stand in water from about 10-25m deep. The shallower ones can be fished successfully with lures of 4050g, while the deepest may require heavier lures if there is a bit of run in the tide. Best of the metal lures I’ve used for jigging mackerel are the original Lazers from Javelin Lures on the Gold Coast. Their 50g Lazer lure and 42g Lazer slug are both excellent and sink quickly and attract plenty of strikes. Position the boat upcurrent of the beacon and so the lure is on the bottom before you drift past. Work the lure with swift upward sweeps of the rod, allowing the lure to fall back to the bottom when the rod is lowered between sweeps. Lower the rod at the www.bnbfishing.com.au

same speed the lure sinks to prevent any slack line. Mackerel often hit the lure while it is fluttering downwards, so any slack line will prevent you feeling the hit and will often allow the fish to get the lure deep, resulting in a bite off. I don’t use wire when jigging because the fast movement of the lure usually results in the fish being hooked in the mouth, chewing harmlessly on the lure. When retrieving the lure at the end of an unsuccessful drift, wind it up as fast as physically possible. This high-speed dash towards the surface will sometimes result in a hook-up from a passing mackerel. Gear for jigging is most often a fairly robust spin outfit, such as my old faithful Ugly Stik and a 60-sized spinning reel. The rig is simple and consists of a 2m leader of 20kg Platypus Game Leader tied directly to the lure with a fisherman’s loop. Trolling School mackerel are very willing takers of shallow-running plugs and using this method you can regularly out fish those around you using pilchard. Predatek’s deadly SandVipers have proven to be a very productive lure for school mackerel, appealing to large specimens. We’ve had some fantastic sessions on schoolies while trolling SandVipers on Moreton Bay, Tin Can Bay, Bagara Beach

and around the Newry Islands in recent years. Troll the same areas where you’d fish bait. Drop-offs along sand banks, channel junctions and around rocky islands are top

spots for schoolies. Always use wire when trolling. Popular types are single-strand stainless such as Malin trolling wire or nylon-coated multi-strand. Whichever type of

wire you use, rig with the lightest practical breaking strain for your tackle. Trolling speeds for school mackerel when using minnows should be between four and seven knots.

Heavy spin gear loaded with 8kg mono serves multiple functions in the author’s boat, including trolling for small mackerel.

CUSTOM MARINE WELDING n Aluminium

Boat Repairs and Modifications and Fuel Tanks for Boats n Campers n Caravans n 4X4 Vehicles n Trucks VehicleTool Boxes k Body Repairs n Canopies n T Tops Aluminium and Steel Truc n Water

n Marine

and Auto Electricial n All types of Welding Steel n Aluminium n Mild Steel n Boats Repaired n Fuel & Water Tanks n Canopies n Bow and Stern Rails n Custom Vehicle Tool Boxes n Stainless

Shed 1 281 Jacobs Well Road Behind Freedom Service Station, Alberton 4207

Phone 3807 7846

Mob 0427 142 201 Fax 3807 2468 Email: Remoplains2@bigpond.com

www.custommarinewelding.com.au Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 43

8.40

% P.A. COMPARISON R ATE FINANCE*

24 TO 84 MONTH TERMS

OFFER AVAIL ABLE ON NEW BOAT, YAMAHA MOTOR & TR AILER PACK AGES Minimum loan amount $50,000. Ends 31 May 2022.

VISIT WEBSITE FOR FULL DETAIL S

www.yamaha-motor.com.au

* Finance to approved personal applicants only. 8.40% p.a. comparison rate is available on new boat, Yamaha motor and trailer packages on a term of 24 to 84 months. This incl fee and a dealer administration fee of $720 . Comparison rate is based on a 5-year secured fixed rate consumer loan of $30,000. WARNING: The comparison rate is true only for Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Offer available from participating Yamaha dealers from 15/01/2022 until 31/05/2022, w on or before the 31/05/22 and settled on or before 30/06/2022. Not available with any other offer. Credit criteria, fees, charges, terms and conditions apply. Finance is prov 928 670 Australian Credit Licence Number 394553.

Page 44 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

www.bnbfishing.com. au

CONTACT YOUR LOCAL DEALER BRISBANE | Northside Marine P: 3265 8000, 2294 Sandgate Rd, Boondall, QLD www.northsidemarine.com.au

BRISBANE (BAYSIDE) | Wynnum Marine P: 3396 9777, 31 Fox St, Wynnum, QLD www.wynnummarine.com.au

BRISBANE (REDLANDS) | Marine Care Qld P: 3186 5270, 30 Gordon Road, Redland Bay, QLD www.marinecareqld.com

BRISBANE (NORTH) | Brisbane Yamaha P: 3888 1727, Bruce Highway, Burpengary, QLD www.brisbaneyamaha.com.au

BRISBANE (SOUTH) | Stones Corner Marine P: 3397 9766, 117 Old Cleveland Rd, Stones Corner, QLD www.stonescornermarine.com.au

BUNDABERG | Bundaberg Marineland P: 4130 0500, 95 Targo St, Bundaberg, QLD www.bundabergmarineland.com.au

GYMPIE | Watson’s Marine Centre P: 5482 2135, 52 Wickham St, Gympie, QLD www.watsonsmarine.com.au

SUNSHINE COAST | Sunshine Coast Yamaha P: 5346 9981, 14 Machinery Ave, Warana, QLD www.sunshinecoastyamaha.com.au

ludes a $325 application fee and a $5 / month account keeping r the example given and may not include all fees and charges. while stocks last and a finance application has been approved vided by Yamaha Motor Finance Australia Pty Ltd ABN 29 101

www.bnbfishing.com.au

TWEED COAST | North Coast Yamaha P: 02 6680 3322, 4 Lucky Lane, Billinudgel, NSW

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 45

Ross with a nice jig crunchy tuskfish.

Big snapper love vibes and slow descending jigs.

Catching reefies on lures

This spangled emperor crunched a Nomad Vertrax vibe.

Page 46 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

S for many sectors, new technology in the fishing industry has changed how we do things – allowing for new techniques and more effective ways to chase our favourite target species. For many years, lures have been about casting. Whether it’s flicking soft plastics for snapper, launching a metal into a school of tuna or chasing barramundi in the snags, the premise of a lure was traditionally that it was to be cast and retrieved or trolled – hopefully with a fish eating it along the way! Sure, jigs and vibes are nothing new but coupled with the ultra-light gear and super strong braid that anglers now employ offshore, they are becoming a popular and effective way of catching all sorts of bottom dwelling species. Though still often effective, dropping to the bottom with flesh bait on a paternoster rig and super heavy gear is being replaced by finesse tactics using baitcast gear and light jigging rods. As with any type of fishing, one of the first things to ensure is that your bait or lure is presented naturally. Whether you’re using

Fishing Tips by CHRIS RAIMONDI

jigs, vibes or plastics, natural presentation is critical – particularly when you’re looking to target fish on the bottom. On most occasions, you’ll be fishing straight ‘up and down’ on top of a reef system, bommie or rubble ground. In these scenarios, the most important factors to consider are water depth, current and wind. Once you’ve located fish on the bottom, you’ll obviously need an offering that is heavy enough for the depth that you’re fishing. Generally, you want to get your lure to the bottom slowly enough for it to swim naturally when worked across the bottom or desired area of the water column. This is especially the case with vibes and soft plastics, where the slower the descent, the better. The current, wind speed and wind direction will determine the drift line of your boat. Ultimately, you want to cast or deploy your lure in the direction you’re drifting so that as it descends through the water column, your boat po-

sitions itself on top of where the lure is hitting the bottom. For knife jigs or heavier jig options, a slow descent is less important because it’s about getting down there quickly and working the lure aggressively. This scenario is normally employed for chasing high-speed critters such as trevally, amberjack, samson fish, tuna, kingfish and mackerel. For reef fish – red emperor, coral trout, tuskfish, nannygai, spangled and grass emperor – slowing it down is the key. When the line stops rushing off your spool, you’ll know your lure is on the bottom. From there, it’s as simple as a lift of the rod tip and a half wind. Drop the rod tip back down and repeat the process. Once you’ve worked the lure half a dozen times, let some line out to ensure it remains in close contact with the bottom. On most occasions,

* continued P47

www.bnbfishing.com. au

Catching reefies on lures * from P46

fish will hit the lure on the drop and sometimes you’ll only feel the slightest tap through the braid. Strike accordingly and hang on because a decent bottom fish will want to head straight back home. Repeat the process until your lure starts to drift out the back of the boat. When that happens, retrieve, cast upstream to your drift and go again. One of the great advantages with jigs, soft plastics and vibes is that they’re always in play. You’ll often hook-up on the drop or you may even entice a midwater speedster on the retrieve. In terms of specific lures, most of the lead-

www.bnbfishing.com.au

ing brands offer great options across vibes and jigs. Recently I’ve had a lot of success using the Nomad Vertrex Swim and Max vibes, as well as the Nomad Gypsy jigs. All are rigged with super sharp and strong BKK Hooks. You can fish vibes and jigs with spin, baitcast or overhead gear – though make sure you’re using braid to ensure you can work your lure to its full potential. Species wise, I’ve mentioned a stack, but there isn’t any one species that isn’t in play using these techniques. Small fish right through to large predatory species will hit lures, and there is nothing better than when that

slight tap to your slackbraided line turns into a thumb-burning run once you’ve set the hooks on a quality fish. This was certainly the case on a recent trip where a big spangled emperor found my vibe to its liking. Minutes before that, I’d hooked a cobia on the drop, showing the versatility of vibes in general. As with any technique, persistence is key because it’s important to get the feel of the lure and ensure you’re working it in the strike zone for as long as possible. So, next time you’re offshore fishing your favourite marks with bait, switch it up with a vibe or jig – you may be in for the time of your life.

A nice little grass sweetlip on the Nomad Vertrex vibe.

Ross scored a decent Moreton Bay grass sweetlip.

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 47

BOATING & marine

Visit the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show and see Simrad, Lowrance and B&G Sailing’s latest releases.

Navico at 2022 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show

HIS year’s Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show is another big one for Navico, with a huge range of Lowrance, B&G Sailing, Simrad Yachting, C-MAP and JL Audio products on display. From Simrad Yachting – and for the first time in Australia – the

newly launched Simrad NSX chartplotter and fish finder will be on display. The Simrad NSX is available in 7”, 9” and 12” display sizes and is based on a new operating system, built from the ground up to redefine boating experiences. NSX features an in-

Come and speak to one of the friendly Lowrance, B&G and Simrad sales staff at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. Page 48 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

novative and modern interface with a new intuitive touch screen experience and crystalclear views. Charts include powerful C-MAP navigation capabilities and compatibility with sonar, radar and autopilot systems. Simple setup wizards guide users through each step during device setup, and Simrad app integration makes connectivity from your smartphone easier than ever. In addition to NSX, the Simrad NSOevo3s and Simrad NSSevo3s series will also be on display for consumers to get hands-on and have a system schematic quote created for a refit or new build by

one of the experienced sales staff. From Lowrance, the ActiveTarget Live Sonar – suitable for use in coastal or inshore applications – can also be viewed by boat show attendees. The ActiveTarget Live Sonar views show highresolution images of fish movements in real time and in detail. With this immediate feedback, anglers can adjust the presentation to trigger a strike, and know if more than one predator fish is active in the area. In addition to the ActiveTarget, Lowrance will have on display the Elite Fishing System – the latest introduction in Lowrance’s line-up of mid-range fish find-

er and chartplotter displays, along with the Lowrance HDS Live series – the ultimate integrated multi-function display from Lowrance. The latest from B&G Sailing, the world’s leading sailing navigation and instrument specialist, includes the Nemesis sailing display. A new generation of intelligent sailing data displays offering unparalleled visibility, with complete customisation or easy to use pre-set multi-function templates and automatic dashboards based on the point of sail. Visit the show and speak to one of the friendly sales staff. Located at stand 244 in the Pavilions.

www.bnbfishing.com. au

BOATING & marine Insights into boat insurance

Gauging rain and storm damage

HE relatively recent storms and massive rainfall events that hit the Queensland coastline before moving further south brought with them graphic lessons on how best to store recreational boats and the need to have proper marine insurance. For a raft of reasons, it makes good sense to try to mitigate the impact of floodwater on your vessel and on your wallet – and in turn, your health. It won’t always be possible but let’s look at a couple of points that may assist you in keeping your boat and assets in times of turmoil. First, the registered owner of any boat that heads downstream in river or suburban street floodwater and causes damage to other properties or infrastructure, could be held liable for that damage. Therefore, it is critical to have appropriate marine insurance cover. That means insurance cover for the boat itself and cover against any damage it may cause.

Unlike a car, where you have a registration fee and compulsory third-party insurance that offers a level of protection, if your vehicle injures someone, your boat registration does not include insurance protection for other people. It is vital to note that neither boat nor car registration include protection against third-party property damage. Therefore, if your boat or car causes damage to other things, you could be held liable. The key distinction here is that the CTP on cars provides a form of injury insurance to other people, but your boat registration does not have this CTP. There is a rather brutal but wise old adage, “If you can’t afford to insure your boat or car against damage to others, then you can’t afford to own one.” It was also clear that many vessels stored on trailers were not secured to their trailers and further, that the trailers were not secured to anything else. If a recreational boat

is held to its trailer only by the winch wire, then when water rises, the boat can float off the trailer sideways, causing damage by being perched precariously as the water recedes. Similarly, in some instances, water can cause the trailer to float off with the boat. So, the principles that apply when towing on the road and securing the boat to the trailer at a number of points so it won’t jump off if the trailer hits a big bump, apply equally when the trailer is at rest at the side of your home. Many people create a substantial concrete anchor point in the ground so they can lock or shackle their trailer to it. Others chain them to a secure post or tree. Is it a guarantee that your boat will never be stolen or damaged in a flood event? Obviously not, but it might lessen the likelihood of your boat bashing into the side of your house or disappearing down the street. Open boats left uncovered outside that are not at risk of being

ripped away by floodwater should have their bungs removed. That way, the boat won’t fill with water when there are astronomical downpours. Conversely, boats that potentially could be affected badly by floodwaters may need their bungs kept in, particularly if the boat has an overhead cover that can keep the rain out. And a tip here on boat covers – get a professionally made cover that has a pocket to allow the interior of the boat to ‘breathe’. Without adequate ventilation under the cover, some fibreglass boats will ‘sweat’, causing moisture to form under the floor, which can lead to issues with stringer and transom structures. The transom bungs on many boats are a very short distance above the ground

and rising floodwater could cause a boat to sink to the same level as if it had been holed. For those with moored boats, the heights of piles securing pontoons need to be considered in the context of the extreme end of the tidal range and potential floodwater flowing past them. At the end of the day, what is covered and what may not be covered will be interpreted in accord with the terms of insurance as defined in your insurance policy’s product disclosure statement. Similarly, any special conditions and excesses should always be explained clearly in your insurance policy’s PDS. If you would like further information, contact Nautilus Marine Insurance on 1300 780 533 for any boat insurance requirements.

Advice in this article is general and might not apply or be right for you. Before acting on it, consider its appropriateness having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. Nautilus Marine Insurance is a business name of NM Insurance Pty Ltd ABN 34 100 633 038 AFSL 227 186 (NM Insurance), the issuer of Nautilus Marine Boat Insurance. Consider the Product Disclosure Statement at nautilusinsurance.com.au before deciding whether to purchase a policy.

www.bnbfishing.com.au

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 49

C HARTER directory GOLD COAST

GOLD ST COA

Bradh's Smited Guiding Fishs Tour Fish the Deep Charters cater to group bookings or individuals, and half or full-day deep sea offshore reef and game fishing.

GOLD COAST

ACKLEED T L L A 30 years’ local experience D PROVI Targeting all estuary species Bookings and inquiries: Lure fishing specialist 0419 028 704 Personalised service

www.bradsmithfishingcharters.com.au FRASER COAST

> Hervey Bay > Fraser Island > Sandy Strait

Full and half day tours All levels of experience Experienced guide

Get into the best fishing action!

www.fraserguidedfishing.com.au > 0427 230 261 Page 50 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

www.bnbfishing.com. au

C HARTER directory BALLINA / BYRON

TIN CAN BAY

Fish ‘N’ Cruise Charters ALL MEALS INCLUDED

FV Nightbeat

• 2-5 day trips • Up to 8 people • Private charters • Modern facilities • Air-conditioned

WE PROVIDE • All meals cooked on board • Rods, tackle and bait • Bedding/linen • Drinks & snacks (BYO alcohol) • Fully covered deck • Separate shower and toilet

Fozie’s Fishing Adventures 0427 834 376

• Half and full-day adventures • Whale watching • Scattering of ashes ceremonies

info@foziesfishing.com.au www.foziesfishing.com.au

SWAIN REEFS / GOVE / KIMBERLEY

0428 711 718 or 0427 745 204 E: fishncruise@yahoo.com.au

www.fishncruisecharters.com.au MORETON BAY

Fish the bay with Sean Conlon

Carlo Fishing Charters NEW 100-FOOT VESSEL!

BOOK OR S A AP F ! 4 2 0 2

people max

Learn how to fish with lures and soft plastics • Inshore charters BOOK • Small groups only TODAY • All gear supplied • Full/half day Off-water courses also available.

0432 386 307

seanconlonsfishing@hotmail.com www.bnbfishing.com.au

• 39 years family owned and operated • Fishing Swain Reefs, Kimberley, Gove • Meals included

• All cabins with aircon and ensuite • Affordable 7-day, 10-day and extended charters

www.carlofishingcharters.com.au

0428 753 293 Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 51

Bryce was stoked with this snapper.

The author and a solid spanish mackerel.

Top jigging tips

S The author scored this nice yellowfin kingfish.

Ben Glass scored a diamond trevally.

Bryce with a nice amberjack. Page 52 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

OUTHEAST Queensland has an incredibly special offshore fishery, and we’re currently in the middle of when cold water meets warm, so there is an abundance of species to chase. Personally, vertical jigging is by far my favourite go-to fishing style. There is something very satisfying about tricking a fish into smashing a chunk of metal and devouring the hooks. Surprisingly, it is much easier than newcomers to the jigging scene think and, once you dip your jig into this world, I can guarantee you’ll be hooked, particularly with how many fish this style can produce. First, you need to understand the jig that is to be used, in what situation and for your target species. At Top Dog Tackle, we have slow pitch jigs – these have a few names such as butterfly, flutter or even slow pitch. To look at, they are short, wide and often

vary in weight from the front to the back. Jigs can have a range of different assist hooks on them – from single hooks to double hooks and even hooks off the top and bottom of the lure. There is no right or wrong here – it comes down to what you the angler is most confident with. When slow-pitch jigging, I use a doubleassist hook with glow fibres and feathers. The super-sharp double assist allows a better hook-up rate if the fish is coming in only to have a look and when they are a bit tentative on the bite. As the names suggest, they ‘flutter’ on the drop and this drives demersal fish crazy. I’ve caught almost all the fish species anglers want to eat – from coral trout to red emperor and the humble snapper and, more often than not, if the fishing is slow on bait, the jig will get the bite on the better fish. As a general rule of thumb, when selecting

what size jig to use, 1g per 1m of water is a good start. So, let’s say you’re fishing in 60m of water, you’d use a 60g jig. The more you become familiar with your jigs and depths, the more confidence you’ll gain to play around with this technique. I’ve used 130g jigs in 30m of water, bashing the big weight to the bottom around zombies to get big angry trout to the big profile jig – the 1g per 1m is a good starting point. The most common type of jig that people recognise is the knife jig. These are long skinny pieces of metal that sink fast and need to be retrieved quickly to get the pelagic and oceanic fish to eat. The knife jig is generally used in deep water situations and even in shallower water when the current is strong. The slim line profile allows the jig to get to the bottom easier, allowing you to use light* continued P53

www.bnbfishing.com. au

Top Dog tackles jigging techniques * from P52

er gear than if you were using bait. The same as the slow pitch jig – there is no right or wrong scenarios with assist hooks. I’ve seen fishos with hooks on the top and bottom of the lure, though my preference is one hook off the top where the line is attached because the fish that are generally eating these lures are quite aggressive. These fish include amberjack, tuna, cobia, mackerel and even dolphinfish that are deep on a bait ball, with big mouths and pulling like crazy. So, I don’t want two hooks pulling in weird directions when that

www.bnbfishing.com.au

freight train is pulling line from the reel. One of the less intense styles of jigging is the slow-pitch technique. As the name suggests, this style involves slowly working the smaller wider jigs through the water column. It’s a simple lifting of the rod tip and letting the jig ‘flutter’ back down 1m or so before lifting the rod tip again. When chasing snapper off the Sunshine Coast – my home grounds – this is by far the deadliest action for fish that aren’t feeding up in the water column. The more erratic style of jigging that most people would associate jigging with is the short sharp lifts of the rod tip

and the winding of the reel to get the metal to jig its way through the water column. This style is much more labour intense on the angler, though for some strange reason, when you feel that big fish trying to eat your lure two or three times before its hooked, fatigue levels are quickly forgotten! This style of jigging can be used with both the knife and slow-pitch jigs. The knife jigs are generally kept to a speedy retrieve, where the slowpitch jigs can work fast or a little slower to incise the reef fish that are actively feeding higher in the water column. As mentioned, we are

very lucky in southeast Queensland, with a wide range of both warm and cold-water species. For me this means one thing only… we can jig all year-round. If you keep a full jig bag of both slow pitch and knife jigs, you can chase all our winter species on the bottom

and then have endless fun with the big schools of amberjack and other fish in the warmer months. So, if you’re a first timer to the jigging scene or even a seasoned professional… happy jigging! Dyllon Schulz Top Dog Tackle

The author with a decent snapper.

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 53

Tips for bait and lures

Mal Kay with a nice rusty buck for dinner.

Howard Rippon with his first bream.

Noela Kay with a couple for the dinner table. Page 54 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

’DAY crew! Well, what can I say but that the weather has been less than average over the past few weeks. If it wasn’t tipping it down and blowing a gale, it was bucketing down and blowing its poop chute off! But despite the unfavourable weather we’ve had for nearly two months now, there have still been opportunities to get out and get stuck into a few fish. Even with the tanninstained waterways we have been presented with for the past couple of months, the fish have been there and anyone who has put the time in has been rewarded. The amount of bait that is in Tin Can Inlet and up and down the Great Sandy Strait is insane, and finding a fish on the sounder some days has been nearly impossible because of the bait on the screen. This is of course a great sign and goes to show that all the rain has been a good thing for the system moving forward. While fishing off the bank recently, we kept getting nipped on the toes by tiny jelly prawns and looking around, there were thousands of them cruising up and down the bank. Every time our lures hit the mangrove line on the other side of the creek, there was a shower of jelly prawns. We could see mangrove jack and bream actively feeding on them but unfortunately, they were not interested in our offerings. Mangrove jack have not been turned off by all the rain and dirty water, that’s for sure! Plenty of our regulars have been getting into

Tin Can Bay by CHRIS RIPPON

some great fish over the past few weeks and the average-sized fish has been about 45cm. Live bait such as whiting, pike and herring have been working well for bait fishos. Fishing the last couple of hours of a run-in tide, up tight and against the mangrove line has been the key. Octopus hooks 5/08/0 lightly weighted and fished deep in the snags on at least a 40lb leader have worked well. Lure fishos have been having a lot more success on small lures and the 3’’ Z-Man Slim SwimZ in Calico Candy, Pearl and Motor Oil colours have been working a treat. Rigged on 3/0 TT Lures ChinlockZ and 1/8-1/4oz SnakelockZ jig heads, with most of the fish coming from the last couple of hours of a run-out tide and the start of the flood working the best. I run 30lb Sunline FC Rock Fluorocarbon as my leader of choice for this style of fishing and will normally have 1520lb braid on my reel. I am a big fan of the Sufix 832 in Neon Lime and the Sunline Siglon PE ADV braids. There have been a few great catches of mud crabs and most have been coming from further down in systems and in deeper water, with fishos reporting both good numbers and quality. I reckon the last two I had were possibly the nicest I’ve ever eaten! Fresh bait is always the key to success when chasing crabs. Giving the pots a good

soak and changing your bait every tide will also serve you well. Flathead have been showing up in good numbers too. Working 3-5’’ soft plastics on the flats on a rising tide and hitting the drop-offs on a dropping tide is a sure-fire way to catch a feed. Berkley Gulp 5’’ Jerk Shads, Shimano Squidgies 120mm Wrigglers and Shimano Squidgies 80mm Prawn paddle tails have all been working well. The hot seller has been the Biwaa 4’’ Deus paddle tail in Pink Ice – rigged on a TT Lures HeadlockZ 1/4oz 3/0 jig head and running a bit of 12lb Sunline Siglon FC leader has been a killer combo. Despite the unsavoury looking waters, queenfish have been out in great numbers and most fish have been over 1m! Floating live bait back into pressure edges and over any reef structure you might find has been the go for catching one of these great sport fish. Though a very susceptible target species on lure and fly at this time of the year in Tin Can Bay, they seem to only eat well-presented livies, with pike seeming to be the favourite offering. The biggest complaint from most has of course been the recent weather and the lack of sunny dry days. Now, if you didn’t put your big person pants on and brave the weather to get out and go for a fish, there were plenty of opportunities to get a bit of maintenance done on your gear! * continued P55

www.bnbfishing.com. au

A few nice queenfish were taken using live bait onboard a Great Sandy Strait Sports Fishing charter.

Tips for bait and lures in TCB * from P54

Such as giving the trailer a once over, the boat a good clean, polishing the gelcoat, tying up a few rigs and even cleaning out the tackle box. One of the things that is often overlooked until it’s too late is the servicing of your fishing reels. It’s too late once you’re in the middle of a battle with your fishy foe – suddenly there’s a grinding sound or something seizes up and things go south fairly quickly from there. Having worked in the industry for 13 plus years, I’ve heard most of the heartbreak stories and have seen a few reels bounce across the counter in anger, “This is a piece of...” The fact of the matter is that most of the reel’s failings could have been avoided with a simple service, and it’s not the reel’s fault that it wasn’t cleaned. Look at your fishing reel as you would a car and get it serviced every 10,000km. A fishing reel needs some love every now and then. I was once told by a reel technician that if you fish once a week, service

www.bnbfishing.com.au

it once a year, fish two times a week, service it two times a year and so on. While that might seem excessive to some, it has it merits, especially for the crew who put their gear through its paces. I tend to use that as a rule of thumb, however I’ll add that if you live in a fishery that has ‘seasons’, you are best giving your reels a service at the end of each season. This way, when put away your pride and joy it is clean and tidy with a nice grease and oil change done. And you’ll know that next season it will be ready to do battle again and it’s not going to be seized up and corroded when you take it out of the cupboard. If you do need to have your reels serviced, we are happy to help. We can send reels to our professional reel service agencies or get the parts you’ll need to do it yourself. Pop in for a chat and we’ll point you in the right direction. Don’t forget, we run a monthly fishing photo competition on our Facebook page, with the winner scoring $100 in store

credit. Entry is simple – snap your best fishing-related photo and Facebook message us or post your picture to our FB page directly for your chance to win big – facebook. com/thechandlery baitandtackle Well, that’s a wrap for me this month. So, until next time, tight lines and get out there and enjoy our beautiful Great Sandy Strait.

Your

Nathan caught this great 84cm flathead recently.

ol c tackle Store Queenfish were the order of the day on this charter with Great Sandy Strait Sports Fishing.

loc tackle Store

Ÿ Ice, Bait & Tackle Ÿ Fuel & LPG Bottles

A your Fishing Gear

Ÿ Marine Electronics Ÿ Marine Paints & Cleaning Products Ÿ Plus a huge range of Stainless Steel

Ÿ Ice, Bait & Tackle Ÿ Fuel & LPG Bottles Ÿ Marine Electronics

Call Chris & the team on 07 5486 4744 At the Marina Emperor St, Tin Can Bay

A your Fishing Gear www.tcbchandlery.com.au

’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 55 Ÿ Marine Paints & CleaningBush Products

Planning a K’gari Fraser trip

A graphite rod and reel along with a bibless lure for tailor spinning.

A nice low-tide whiting gutter.

’GARI – meaning ‘paradise’ and previously known as Fraser Island – is rightfully known as a beach-fishing mecca. Though it is so much more than that. The sand-flats fishing on the western side, and at times the fishing at Sandy Cape, is very hard to beat for quantity and quality of a variety of fish year-round. Add to that the natural beauty of the place and the freedom to drive along much of this beach and it truly is a very special place for anglers. It is for these reasons and more that my friends, brothers and I have been fishing the island for 26 years now. We have learnt plenty about the island’s fishing in that time and for the past decade have reported on our trips and tips through my Facebook page ‘Ontour Fishing Australia’, as well as through this magazine. So, this month I thought I’d share some tips on what you can

Some whiting and Alvey tailor rigs. Page 56 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

Exploring K’gari – Part 2 by SEAN THOMPSON

catch and when, what to take, and how and where to fish when you are there. Time of year While K’Gari fishes well year around, there are definitely a couple of seasons that are better than others, depending on the fish you’re chasing. For the dedicated beach angler, tailor fishing is at its best from late July through to early October. The timing of the schools varies a little year to year, though smaller schools can arrive as early as late May at the southern end of the beach from North Point through to around Yidney Rocks. Though June and certainly July are better months if you’re keen to chase them and can’t make the peak times. Tailor schools tend to thin out later in the season, however the quality improves into September particularly, into October and even November. For those chasing whiting off the main beach, whiting fishing is best around May to June. You can pick up some thumpers during this time. Bream and tarwhine as well as the mighty mulloway are also best targeted in cooler months, with June to September ideal. Dart – for those who don’t mind chasing them – are available year-round but can be a pest to anglers chasing whiting during the mid-

dle of the day in tailor season. For rock anglers – given the main rock-fishing destinations of Indian Head (also known as Tukkee) and Waddy Point are off limits due to tailor spawning in August and September October can see some great albeit rather crowded fishing, as anglers chase bigger tailor, the occasional pelagic and the usual rock species. I’ve also had great mixed-bag fishing of drummer, bream, dart and even a few tailor in January off the rocks at Indian Head too. For sand-flats anglers, whiting reach their peak in August September on the western side and far southern – Hook Point – and northern – Sandy Cape – ends of the island. Flathead have a slightly longer peak season, coinciding with cooler water from late June to September. Beach formations to look for While K’Gari can offer exceptional fishing, anglers shouldn’t turn up expecting to catch fish anywhere. For tailor anglers, look for nice deep green water in a gutter, a shallow sandbank at the back within casting distance and preferably an entry and exit point to the north and south. A steeply shelving beach into water is another good sign of deep water. Deep holes are also a good option – ideal * continued P57

www.bnbfishing.com. au

A beautiful flathead caught on a small soft plastic lure prior to release.

Planning a K’gari Fraser trip * from P56

particularly to set up for jewfish after dark. A great idea – taught to me by Drew Gardiner from Gardiner’s Fisheries at Rainbow Beach – is to fish neap high tides in gutters with a steep bank close to shore to target fish that come onto the sandbanks during the day. In the big high tides, you can’t reach them. Throwing 40-65g lures is a great option here. For those chasing whiting off the main beach, K’gari whiting are best targeted an hour before and after low tide. Ideally, you want a light southeasterly breeze to put a little ripple on the water. The best gutters are shallow with a shore dump, a blind corner, which closes up to the beach at one end, and a back sandbank at 45 degrees to the shore or blind corner. Great spots to send out the drone or a slide bait are around rocks, such as a South Ngkala Rocks, Poyungan Rocks, Indian Head or Waddy – outside of the closure from August to September. Other spots are simply deep drains or channels with big entry points to the sea or where nearby reef is located offshore. On the western side, fish the drains and www.bnbfishing.com.au

melon holes for whiting along sand flats and around creek mouths. You can fish whiting as the tide makes its way in or out – movement in the tide is best, rather than the tidal change – add a change of light such as dusk and, if you use live bait, the action can be hot! Cloudy days will also fish better than bright sunny days in the shallows. Fishing around mangroves in the couple of hours before high tide for whiting and bream can also be a great option. For those chasing flathead and other fish on plastics, fish the last couple of hours of a runout tide and first two hours of a run-in around creek mouths, drains, the edge of drop-offs or sand patches between weed. What to take Rods and reels When it comes to beach fishing – especially on open beaches such as those on K’gari where waves can pound in to you on the shore – the Alvey reel stands without peers. A 6-6.5” Alvey 600650 series filled with 20lb line is a good choice for tailor fishing. This is best matched to a 13’6” composite rod, with a low mount to suit your Alvey reel. A low mount simply means your reel is po-

sitioned lower or closer to the butt of the rod, which allows for longer casts and makes it much more comfortable to fish with. On long trips, I also take a cheap back-up rod in case one of the rods break during a long sortie. One of the spare rods has absolutely delivered in times of emergency, even landing a couple of mulloway. If you want to throw lures for tailor, a light graphite rod of 9-11’ and a matching light 2500-sized reel are perfect. I fill the reel with 15lb Platypus braid and 20lb fluorocarbon leader. My friends and I have been using the 10’6” Lox Iridium Surf rods in 6-10kg for a few years now – they cast a mile and are an absolute pleasure to fish with. For light-line fishing, use a 10’6” whippy or ‘slow action’ rod for chasing whiting and bream. A 500 or 5” series Alvey is the perfect combo for it. No more than 6lb line is necessary off the beach for whiting and bream. My favourite mono line for whiting is the Platypus Super 100 series, due to its very fine diameter of 0.19mm, compared to others that are up to 0.25mm.

A chopper tailor caught on the author’s preferred choice of Tru Turn gang hooks.

The author’s friend Chris with a nice sand whiting.

TURKEY BEACH 2 Bedroom Villa Holiday Rental • Outdoor BBQ and pergola For • Fish cleaning facilities enquiries • Large yard with room and for the boat bookings • Undercover carport phone • Close to boat ramp 0458 742 153 • Linen available www.turkeybeachfishingvilla.com

* continued P58

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 57

Planning a trip to paradise – K’gari Fraser Island * from P57

The thinner the diameter, the less drag in the water – therefore, the more natural the presentation, the harder it is to see and the further you can cast. If you are keen to chase flathead or bream on plastics, you need another set up. A 7’ to 7’6” graphite rod and a 1000-2000 series reel spooled with 5-6lb bright-coloured braid and 10-14lb leader are perfect for this. Go for a 1-3kg – or 2-4kg at most – graphite

rod for chasing flathead, bream, whiting and the occasional grunter and trevally on the western flats. Though make sure the rod has a cork butt because foam butts absorb some of the smaller ticks and hits from a fish on the line, which are transferred to the rod. In terms of reels, you don’t need to spend several hundred dollars – a good entry level reel is around $100 retail. And if you wait for specials, there are decent reels by the likes

of Shimano and Daiwa discounted to around $50. Speak to your tackle shop for more information. If you want to chase jewfish or join the evergrowing slide bait or drone-fishing fraternity, throw in another 13’6” heavier-rated rod and spool another Alvey 650 series reel up with 40lb line, or a big 6000-8000 spinning reel. Lure fishing the surf can be a lot of fun, particularly on lighter graphite rods as mentioned.

Fish Seeker not legal in Queensland

FTER seeing a TV commercial for the ‘Fish Seeker’, local fisher Edward Bones and a few fisher friends had a discussion on the legality of the product, and the question of whether the device had been assessed and approved by Queensland Fisheries was raised. The commercial shows a multi-hook invention that could use up to five hooks at a time. No mention was made to any state fishing regulations in the commercial and could

be considered misleading, inferring the Fish Seeker with its five hooks could be used anywhere. The fishing regulations in Queensland are that a fisho can have two hooks or one gang hook per line. Though the product has received a great deal of publicity and the video on the TV Shop website includes a small disclaimer – ‘Consult your local fishing rules and regulations’ – the origins and price are not advertised. Seeking further clari-

A screenshot showing three of the Fish Seeker’s five hooks, and the small disclaimer not on the television commercial. Page 58 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

fication, Ted wrote to the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol. Recently, he received an interim reply via telephone call from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, advising that his correspondence had been referred to the appropriate section for consideration and comment. During the conversation, Ted was also informed that the fishing apparatus that had been advertised was illegal under the provisions of the Queensland Fisheries legislation, and that the matter had been referred to the appropriate legal department for consideration and subsequent referral to legislators. Ted has since received written confirmation of the above. In short, and if fishing in Queensland, perhaps think twice before purchasing the Fish Seeker at this time and until DAF has given the goahead… or not.

There are a bunch of lures on the market but those that keep working for us are 40 and 65g Halco Twisty lures in Gold and Chrome, and blue Spanyid Raiders in 40 and 65g too. Another favourite in recent years has been a bibless lure – these cast a mile. For lure fishing flats, I find small plastics – as small as 2.5” – and light 1/8-1/4oz jig heads will cover all the fish mentioned above, including flathead to 80cm. Z-Man and Halco Madeye soft plastics are my favourites. In terms of whiting and tailor bait-fishing rigs, we tend to solely use Tru-Turn hooks. For tailor, we use the swivel-connected gangs and for whiting, we use the finesse Tru-Turn 860 Blue Aberdeen whiting hooks, which are extremely light weight – excellent for big wary fish. Before you go on your trip, make sure you do up a bunch of rigs on pool noodles or the heavier rigs in small snack-sized snap-lock bags. Other accessories To keep dry and protect you from the elements on cool winter nights chasing big predators, waders are a must-have for many beach anglers. Another of my essen-

tial items is a shoulder bag. Other must-haves we take include bait buckets, a closed shoulder or waist bag for fishing the flats, a ruler, knife, stink bag for worming, yabby pumps and aerators, and a bucket or two. In terms of headlamps, we love Hardkorr’s range for their brightness, and the new 440 Lumen Rechargeable even has a hands-free mode – a motion sensor to switch it on and off with a swipe of your hand. Finally, make sure you throw in a filleting table. We have used The Ice Box Bloke filleting board for about 12 years – it is big, collapsible, tough as nails and allows two filleters at once with ease. Of course, on top of all that, you need to remember your fourwheel-drive safety gear including Maxtrax, tow straps, dampeners and such, and to temporarily replace your tow ball with a tongue and heavy-duty D shackle, in case you need a rear recovery. So, there you go. I hope these tips help in planning your trip to K’gari this year. Get out and try them soon, and don’t forget to check out my Ontour Fishing Australia Facebook page.

Preparing pre-made whiting and tailor rigs, ready for another year’s trips. www.bnbfishing.com. au

FIRST CLASS BRANDS IN FIBREGLASS

NORTHBANK 550 CUDDY CABIN

NORTHBANK 750 HARD TOP

Includes: 150HP, alloy trailer, safety gear, registration

Includes: up to 450HP, alloy trailer, offshore safety gear, registration

ROBALO R222

ROBALO R230

Includes: 250HP Mercury, alloy trailer, Simrad, T-top, registration, safety gear

NO SACRIFICES NO COMPROMISES NO APOLOGIES

FOURSTROKE

20% MORE TORQUE

VERADO

12-15%

MORE TORQUE

BETTER ECONOMY

V6 3.4L 200HP FOURSTROKE

12-16% BETTER FUEL ECONOMY

Go online or contact your nearest Mercury Dealer to find out more about the Mercury V6 / V8 range, taking performance, efficiency and reliability to the next level.

V8 4.6L

250HP PROXS

16% BETTER FUEL

ECONOMY

LEADING COMPETITOR

TORQUE AT 3500-4500 RPM

200HP

300HP

LEADING COMPETITOR

TORQUE

4.6L

LEADING COMPETITOR

MERCURY V6 3.4L

Includes: 250HP Mercury, alloy trailer, Simrad, T-top, registration, safety gear

Can’t make the yard? Shop online! For quality new and used boats! www.brisbaneboatingleisure.com.au 1743 Ipswich Road, Rocklea | Call 07 3875 1600 | Formerly Karee Marine

www.bnbfishing.com.au

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 59

Diogo with his first longtail tuna experience – it came with all the dramas, courtesy of the taxman!

Lures to lure big fish

A nice giant trevally caught under tuna for Reuben.

Bob hooked a couple of these teraglin under schooling tuna. This is why soft plastics are great. They are so versatile. Change the retrieve and you can target another fish. Page 60 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

T has been an average tuna season this autumn, and the weather is still a bit horrid. Tuna are doing the usual tuna things and how to catch them has not changed much at all. Generally, the mostused lure is a soft plastic of some type, rigged on a 3/4 or 1oz jig head by TT Lures. For tuna, I prefer the 5” Z-Man StreakZ, with the colour not always an issue. The action is usually more important than the colour. I find in a schooling situation where a certain bait is predominant, you may want to fool the tuna into chasing and not thinking. In this instance, speed is king. Other times, a jiggly plastic works well. And a soft plastic on a heavy head is very versatile. If you scan fish deeper, it enables you to im-

Fraser Guided Fishing by TRI TON

mediately present the same lure to the targets you see on the sounder. That quick transition can often result in a hook-up. You can’t do that with a stickbait, even a sinking one, because most sinking stickbaits sink fairly slowly. If you don’t have a plastic rigged, don’t fret.

The old metal slice often used by pelagic spin anglers is versatile too. They can flutter a fair bit on the drop depending on the model, so keep that in mind – this may or may not be advantageous. The upside to an oldstyle slice such as a Raider or a Knight is * continued P61

Mav on a rare flat afternoon. A nice golden trevally but the run home wasn’t so nice. www.bnbfishing.com. au

Lures to lure big fish * from P60

that you can crank them fast across the surface to mimic garfish or flying fish. This method has proven itself for many decades, before the advent of lures such as the GT Ice Cream. And if the flying fish are small, these are also matching the hatch well too. You can also sink the chromie for a moment or two to get subsurface retrieves. Sometimes that under the surface action is much better. But for fast retrieves subsurface, I believe the soft plastic wins, no questions. And yes, if you scan the fish, metals fished deep on a jigging retrieve can bring home the bacon. To view what’s happening below, I run a fairly pricy Lowrance unit, but I’d rather that than a top of the line fishing reel. I use a Lowrance 12” unit. Primarily I run it with chart, side scan and sonar screens activated to view. It gives me all the information I require. Knowing how the different beams and scans work is a priority, so I recommend you learn that. I don’t even change the settings much. I consider my settings practically default and good enough to find schools of trevally, queenfish and such, species that may be working deep under the eruptions of tuna. On calm days, I can see schools of fish on the scan about 60m to the left or right. www.bnbfishing.com.au

So that can give you a potential idea on what is possible with your modern electronics. It is a common occurrence and you should keep an eye on the sounder – it was very common over the past month. Mostly its trevally but at times I have caught giant trevally, cobia, queenfish and even snapper. Obviously, the size and power of the unit will constrain what you can do personally. So, do your best to maximise your efforts. Depending on where you live, the schools you find working around and with tuna may vary in species. And if someone in Brisbane told me they catch mulloway that way, I would not question it. Now, I don’t want to sound as though I hate surface lures for tuna – on the contrary. In the right situation, they can absolutely be the best lure. But versatile they most definitely are not. If the bait are sparse but you know the fish are there, or if you think the action will trigger a response, then great. But overall, they are big and bulky and often require specialist gear to cast. The bulkiness does not equate to more fish landed, even if the strikes are visually appealing. I am sure of what the statistics would be if you lined up metal slice versus soft plastic versus topwater lures. And that’s only by looking at tuna captures in my local area.

Tirra and her first tuna.

Awesome surface fishing with Reuben. No monsters but some large longtail tuna were caught that day.

> Hervey Bay > Fraser Island > Sandy Strait

Get into the best fishing action! Full and half day tours All levels of experience Experienced guide

www.fraserguidedfishing.com.au > 0427 230 261

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 61

Scan the QR code to help out.

Preserving the environment for the next generation to enjoy and explore is always front of mind.

In 2021, about 1000 volunteers from twenty-two 4WD clubs, children, organisers and sponsors descended on the island to give it a thorough cleaning.

Annual Fraser Island K’gari Clean Up

OUR-wheel drivers have been cleaning up Fraser Island – now known as K’gari – since before it was declared a national park in 1971. That tradition has continued through the decades and generations of families ever since. This practice has taught many children, now parents or grandparents, to respect the bush, beach and nature – and to pass that on to their children. In 2001, Four Wheel Drive Queensland volunteers got together to formalise an annual clean-up. That has been running ever since, and they are now in the twenty-second year of the event. The only year it did not occur was 2020, due to COVID-19 restrictions. In 2021, about 1000 volunteers from twenty-two 4WD clubs, chil-

dren, organisers and sponsors descended on the island to give it a thorough cleaning. The event is held annually over a weekend usually in May, with Four Wheel Drive Queensland affiliated club members and event sponsors volunteering their time to clean marine debris from this beautiful World Heritage listed island. The twenty-first Fraser Island K’gari Clean Up will be held on May 20-23, 2022. If you would like to join in, please consider joining one of the 50 incorporated 4WD clubs in Queensland. Details can be found at 4wdqld.com.au Due to the recent floods, much landbased debris has found its way down the local rivers and become strewn along our beautiful beaches. F o u r- w h e e l - d r i v e clubs and their mem-

Page 62 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

bers have joined with organisations such as Tangaroa Blue to help clean up the worst of this debris prior to the big clean in May. However, plastic in its many forms – nets, fishing lines and many other items that are either thrown into the sea by passing international commercial and fishing ships or swept into the sea from other countries – finds its way to our beaches. This is a constant inflow of rubbish to our shores and efforts such as this are needed to keep marine and intertidal life healthy. This year the cleanup volunteers will also be removing invasive weeds that have been brought on to some of the beach campsites by vehicles and camping trailers from the mainland. Four Wheel Drive Queensland recently started a new annual

clean-up, and this was led by the Caloundra City 4WD Club on Teewah Beach and Double Island during February. Further sites are being considered as more and more environmentally aware four-wheel drivers bring this to the attention of 4WD Queensland. At this time, Curtis Island near Rockhampton, Moreton Island and parts of Cape York are some of the areas being looked at. Four Wheel Drive Queensland – in collaboration with partners Queensland Department of Environment and Science, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, and the Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation – does not receive government funding and therefore relies solely on the generous support of sponsors and club members to ensure the event continues.

If you would like to assist this worthwhile cause, 4WD Queensland is running an online raffle with five prizes worth over $28,000. Scan the QR code to help out. Four Wheel Drive Queensland is the peak body representing state 4WD member clubs and their respective members. By advocating on behalf of members, 4WD Queensland aims to improve recreational fourwheel driving, protect the environment, encourage education and knowledge sharing while creating fun and active outdoor communities across Queensland. Four Wheel Drive Queensland has a CARE program that dovetails with their code of ethics. Conservation Through wise and responsible four-wheel * continued P63

www.bnbfishing.com. au

The annual Fraser Island K’gari Clean Up volunteer their time to clean marine debris from the beautiful World Heritage listed island.

Annual Fraser Island K’gari Clean Up * from P62

driving, 4WD Queensland aims to ensure the natural assets that we all enjoy are preserved, protected and managed appropriately. Access Key relationships with public and private landowners – such as the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services, HQPlantations Queensland and the state government – provide unequal authorised access to affiliated 4WD clubs and members. Recreation Having fun, making friends and enjoying all of the great outdoor activities in the state’s most precious places is only one benefit 4WD Queensland aims to deliver to members.

While 4WD trips and touring is at the heart of recreational four-wheel driving, so is camping, fishing, navigating and exploring. Why sleep under five stars when you can sleep under 5000! Environment Preserving the environment for the next generation to enjoy and explore is always front of mind for 4WD Queensland. Through active community events and participation, it aims to protect the environment and wildlife through responsible camping and organised activities such as the Fraser Island K’gari Clean Up, Adopt-a-Track, Eyes and Ears and general community clean ups.

If you would like to join the clean-up, consider joining one of the 50 incorporated 4WD clubs in Queensland. www.bnbfishing.com.au

Includes: CAOS NOMAD 270 Base Awning and Awning Organiser, CAOS 83L Case, NOMAD Canvas Bag and NOMAD 2 x Canvas Top valued at $1278, Set of 5 Toyo Tyres valued at $1750, Advanced Diesel Tuning $1650 voucher, Beaudesert Exhausts $1200 voucher, Direction Plus Gift $1000 voucher, and many more prizes worth $3942.

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 63

More than 2000 people lined up for the lucky draws at the 2019 VMR Bundaberg Family Fishing Classic.

Great prize pool at VMR Bundaberg Family Fishing Classic

HE VMR Bundaberg Family Fishing Classic is back. The fifteenth VMR Bundy Classic will be held from June 24-26, 2022. The prize pool for lucky draws includes

a Quintrex 420 Busta boat and trailer package, $5000 and $8000 cash and other great prizes. The total prize pool for the lucky draws and fishing category prizes usually exceeds $70,000.

A nice sweetlip and coral trout from the 2019 VMR Bundaberg Family Fishing Classic.

The live catch aquarium featuring trumpeter. Page 64 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

The VMR Bundy Classic runs from Burnett Heads over three days, with an open offshore category, as well as senior and junior estuary categories. The estuary fishing allows for catch and release and dead weighins. The program, regis tration form and rules are available at vmr bundabergfishingclas sic.com.au Registrations are $40 for adults, $10 for children and $90 for a family of two adults and three children. A strong list of category prizes is on offer and the early bird prize of a $1245 car fridge will be for entries prior to May 31. Burnett Heads is a great central venue for excellent beach and estuarine fishing, with Baffle Creek and the Kolan, Burnett and Elliott rivers all fishing well. The three-lane ramp at the Gateway Marina at Burnett Heads is a good facility for those who want to chase pelagics and reef fish at the many reefs and gutters in northern Hervey Bay. VMR spokesperson

Graham Kingston noted that a friendly yet serious competition has taken place in recent years between some of the offshore specialists. The rules cater for junior and senior entries in live release and dead fish categories. The live fish category has included about 30 percent of the total estuary weigh-in for recent Classic events. Graham said, “We have an excellent live fish viewing tank that is very popular with the kids, and fish are tagged and returned to the harbour.” The very popular lucky draw sessions will include the Friday evening this year, with the cash draws on the Friday and Saturday, and the boat draw on the Sunday. Times are shown on the program, which is available on the Classic website. The junior lucky draw prize is a kayak. This is an exciting family event with many prizes for both junior and senior participants. You only have to register to participate in the lucky draws – the fishing provides extra fun.

This great event is only possible with the support from VMR’s fantastic sponsors. Boats Galore and Suzuki Marine have combined to support the boating package, while long-term sponsor Tackle World Bundaberg has continued with quality fishing tackle prizes for both seniors and juniors. Harvey Norman Bundaberg is on board as a major sponsor with thousands of dollars in gift vouchers, The Bolt Place is sponsoring again, Rum City Locks and Security is helping with financial support for prize purchases and Koastal Kayaks is providing an impressive kayak prize. Many other local sponsors allow VMR to keep the prizes rolling. The excellent media coverage provided by the Seven Network and local broadcasters ensures extensive promotion of the event, and Tayco Outdoor Advertising have boosted the promotion with a large roadside billboard. There will be plenty of great food stalls manned by supporting service clubs and a licenced bar.

www.bnbfishing.com. au

Family Fishing Classic Marine Rescue Bundaberg Burnett Heads

Where you can win a boat and cash without catching a fish! Over $70,000 in prizes and lucky draws to be won. • Entry online at the VMR website and at Tackle World, Quay Street,

Bundaberg

● Food and drink stalls | displays | music ● info@vmrbundabergfishingclassic.com.au ● www.vmrbundabergfishingclassic.com.au

Major JNR lucky draw:

● Phone Eric on 0407 698 575

1 x Kayak valued at $725

Sponsored by Koastal Kayaks

● 51 Harbour Esplanade Burnett Heads Qld

Major SNR lucky draws: Friday Draw: $5000 Cash Saturday Draw: $8000 Cash

Sunday Draw: Boat Quintrex 420 Busta, electric start, 30hp Suzuki 4-stroke outboard, alum trailer, safety equipment, registration & 12mths insurance — valued at $15,000. (Picture of similar but not actual boat.) Green Solutions $500 Tagged Fish - One Bream and One Flathead Raffles everyday / Lots of giveaways everyday / Fishing prizes.

MAJOR SPONSORS

www.bnbfishing.com.au

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 65

Brendan Warren with a nice surprise while chasing mangrove jack. This juvenile groper was released after a quick picture.

Adam Gillen with a smile almost as big as his personal best mangrove jack.

Cap Coast estuaries on fire I

WOULDN’T say we’ve had the best run of weather. At the time of writing this article, we have seen a few short weather windows but most of the time we’ve been restricted to creeks.

Capricorn Coast by JOHN BOON

It’s definitely not all doom and gloom, and I’m pleased to report that the estuaries

Ricky Eyre with his first ever king threadfin, caught in the Fitzroy River. That will certainly take some beating. Page 66 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

have been fishing well around the Capricorn Coast and Rockhampton area. We have two main guiding businesses that service this area. I would rate Guided Fishing DownUnder number one, closely followed by Audacity Charters with Travis Lacey. Both of these companies have been killing it of late – getting their clients on to personal bests and supplying them with memories that will last a lifetime. These charters mainly target barramundi and king threadfin, but they will branch out to other species also. One of the clients onboard with GFD managed to crack the 130cm saltwater bracket not too long ago. Clients with Audacity had the pleasure of catching two monster barra only 10 minutes

apart, with 129 and 132cm. It’s amazing how regular big saltwater barra over 120cm are becoming. Perhaps one of the benefits of having a netfree zone established back in November of 2015. King threadfin have been biting well during smaller tides and when conditions are reasonable. Threadies around 120cm are now quite common. The 140-150cm size is still the benchmark currently. Personally, I’ve managed to catch them over 150cm three times now and each capture was very special. It will be interesting to see what sizes we’ll catch in years to come. If you’re thinking about heading out to target king threadfin, here are a few tips to put a few on the deck hopefully. If you find a good school of threadies, it pays to be patient.

If you’re fishing with lures, keeping them on the side imaging will prevent many wasted casts. There’s nothing worse than spot locking and casting, only to scan the same area 30 minutes later and they’re gone. How long ago did they go? They may have moved on only a couple of minutes after you spotted them. By keeping them on the sounder screen, you can make sure you are 100 percent running your lures through them. When using this technique, make sure you vary retrieves constantly. If you’ve put a dozen good casts through the school with no luck, then it’s time to change lures. Make sure you cycle through size, colour and vibration. I’ve seen it happen many times when the good old soft vibes won’t get the bite, but you throw something in

* continued P68

www.bnbfishing.com. au

PERFORMANCE

X RELIABILITY +

BRISBANE STONES CORNER MARINE 117 Old Cleveland Rd, Stones Corner (07) 3397 9766 www.stonescornermarine.com.au

GYMPIE WATSONS MARINE CENTRE 52 Wickham St, Gympie (07) 5482 2135 www.watsonsmarine.com.au

BUNDABERG BUNDABERG MARINELAND 95 Targo St, Bundaberg (07) 4130 0500 www.bundabergmarineland.com.au

www.bnbfishing.com.au

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 67

Cap Coast estuaries on fire * from P66

Brett Gimm with a quality Capricorn Coast mud crab.

Clients onboard with Audacity Charters and a 132cm giant barramundi.

After a groper, Brendan finally got the target species – a nice central Queensland mangrove jack taken on prawn imitation. Page 68 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

such as a 4” grub tail and they eat it straight away. If casting lures isn’t working, then it might be time to go and find some live prawns. Out of all the bait you could have at your disposal, live prawns would be the number one choice. If I’m taking the kids for a fish for thready bait, I’ll go out the day before and get 50 or so. The best thing about prawns is that they don’t require a lot of oxygen, so a 20-litre bucket and aerator will keep them alive for a couple of days. It’s been great to see mud crabs on the move over the past few months. Most fishos heading to the Fitzroy River or Port Alma have been doing well. A fair few floaters are still among the quality, so make sure you know how to tell if your crab is full. There is nothing worse than boiling or steaming a crab to find it empty when you

crack it open. I’ve spoken with a few fishers who have done well on muddies and there’s a lot of variety in the bait they’ve been using. Fish frames are most common. Some fishos make their own bait canisters and run soft bait such as pilchard. Catfish are another common bait, as well as mullet heads. One professional I spoke to said the best bait are the more oily options. I guess if you’re heading out mud-crabbing, then take a selection and make up your own mind. Don’t be afraid to try something left field because trial and error is a great way of learning. The final report I have is of a few great mangrove jack captures from the Capricorn Coast area. I’ve put a bit of time in over the past few months – mainly chasing the 50cm and above models. I’ve had good days and tough days, but it’s

been a great learning process. I haven’t chased them specifically in over 18 months, so it’s been great to pick up the central Queensland jack diary and add to it. One of my work colleagues Greg was on Causeway Lake recently with his son Adam. Adam is a mad-keen fisher, and I was as excited as he was when Greg rang to tell me that Adam had landed a big jack. The best part of this story was that Adam had used his dad’s rod and lure – how cool is that? I don’t think poor Greg is going to get his gear back any time soon. Well, that’s it from me for another month. I haven’t managed to get out for a decent barramundi fix this year yet – I’m hoping to rectify that very soon. Hopefully, I’ll have a few pictures to share. Stay safe when out on the water, but above all else, don’t forget to have fun.

The author and his son Brax with a cracker mangrove jack taken on a 4” Molix RT Shad. Tagged and ready for release. www.bnbfishing.com. au

Boat camping allows you to travel further and fish for longer. Dogtooth tuna were the target of this long-range trip.

Ten tips for extended offshore trips

HERE is nothing I enjoy more than heading offshore for several days and nights and camping out in the boat – when the weather allows. Sleeping in a small boat is not everyone’s idea of a good time – many people couldn’t think of anything worse – but it’s certainly something I and many other keen fishos around the country love doing. What boat camping allows is travelling to more isolated areas and fishing for longer. You can be fishing at the optimum bite times of dawn and dusk instead of travelling to or from your destination. By boat camping, I’ve been able to explore some amazing locations – from Breaksea Spit to the tip of Cape York and across the Torres Strait, travelling up to 135NM one way – 250km –to explore a new area for a few days. www.bnbfishing.com.au

Cape York & Torres Strait by MATT POTTER

What you take and how you pack depends on the size of your boat and its layout. The goal is to be as safe and comfortable as possible, without overloading the boat. For those getting into extended trips, the following 10 tips may be useful. One - choose the right crew Just as important as a capable boat is a capable crew. It pays to be a bit more select with your crew when doing extended trips. Keep your crew small – three is a good number in a 6-8m boat – and be sure they can handle a few days on the water. Spell it out to the crew that it takes time to work out new areas and there can be a lot of sounding around for

little reward at times. You also don’t want someone who is prone to getting seasick or who gets anxious at night when they lose sight of the horizon. For these trips, you need like-minded fishos who are happy to be onboard. Two - create a checklist and pack light When you add up fuel, food, water, beverages, ice, tackle and people, there can be a lot of extra weight on extended trips. Creating an ‘extended trip checklist’ can help reduce unnecessary gear. It also ensures you don’t forget anything, particularly if the trip is last minute – which is sometimes the case with weather windows. Know the capabilities of your boat and avoid

putting unnecessary stress on the boat and motor by taking too much stuff. Three - have a game plan Before leaving for a trip, spend a bit of time looking at the area on the charts to work out a ‘game plan’. I use tools such as Navionics, BathyMaps, Garmin’s ActiveCaptain and Google Earth

to work out what I want to be doing at various stages of the trip. The plan may include travel time, bait collection, high spots to troll, a search area for bottom fishing and potential anchorages where there may be some shelter provided by a reef system should the weather turn. Plans do often change,

* continued P70

The reward for an extended trip exploring new ground was this sailfish. Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 69

Ten tips for extended offshore trips * from P69

Luke Beqir cooks up a feed while cruising at 27 knots off Cape York. In glassy weather, the wind block even allows for lunch to be heated up when travelling between spots.

The wind block allows us to cook on Eskys and seats. It folds up nicely to be stored out of the way.

A solid fingermark for Roy Faull. Notice the wellused wet hessian bag that keeps the bait board nice and clean, and stops things sliding about. Page 70 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

but it is good to leave home knowing what you want to do, the species you intend to target and have a few starter marks already entered into your GPS from charts you’ve been studying. Four - cooking onboard Cooking on a boat is perfectly safe, provided you use a bit of common sense – in reasonable weather, well away from fuel tanks or breather lines. It doesn’t get much better than cracking a beverage, cooking up a feed of fresh fish and having a laugh with the crew. While many choose to take luxury items such as a Webber barbecue, a small lightweight butane cooker is all you need, and it’s far more compact. The relatively new inset style gas cookers are quite simply… awesome – they cook faster and used with a non-stick pan and lid is great. I often use it to heat up pre-made meals such as spaghetti bolognese. They are super easy to clean and store away. One of my favourite pieces of equipment for cooking onboard is the ‘wind block’, which is a simple contraption fashioned out of marine ply, a couple of stainless-steel hinges and a toggle latch. It enables me to safely cook on the Esky or seats and keeps the cooker out of the breeze. It then folds away nicely to store next to the passenger seat.

Five - keeping the boat tidy Keeping a sponge, rags and a couple of hessian bags on board will help keep the boat tidy. After catching a fish, it pays to quickly wipe down both the inside and, if necessary, the outside of the boat. This will make the clean-up at home so much easier. A wet hessian bag is not only useful to put bait on and cover it to keep it fresh and to keep the bait board clean, it is a useful nonslip surface for filleting a feed of fish on. A quick rinse off over the side of the boat and everything is clean. Stopping at the end of a day to tidy up gear and prepare for the next day is time well spent. Six - safety gear The Life Cell is a buoyant capsule that ensures all safety equipment is contained in one place in the event of a marine incident. It is made of a closedcell polyurethane foam and, unlike a grab bag, it is highly buoyant and stable with hand-holds to keep all crew together in the unlikely event of an emergency. It holds the emergency position indicating radio beacon, flares, small water bottles and a satellite phone. If heading to remote areas, a satellite phone is a worthwhile investment. A few years ago, I purchased a Thuraya XT-Lite satellite phone, which is on a $15 per month plan with Pivotel. Alternatively, you can hire sat phones for your extended trip. The sat phone has

come in handy on a several remote Cape York trips for things such as getting weather updates, medical advice, informing families of changes to plans and even mechanical advice for engine troubles. I don’t think you can put a price on the life of those onboard and considering many of us spend a small fortune on tackle, it is worth investing in decent safety gear. And don’t forget a quality medical kit! Seven - make your own salt ice Salt ice is great for extended trips because it lasts much longer and gets your fish colder quicker. I make up buckets and containers of salt ice in my chest freezer, which I continually rotate. To make it, I’ll do one of two things – flood my 200-litre kill bin with saltwater as I’m coming back into the ramp, put the bungs in and when home drain this into buckets and put it into the freezer. Or I’ll buy sea salt and mix-it myself with freshwater into buckets and pop it in the chest freezer. It is fairly easy – I even take the garden hose and fill the buckets inside the freezer. Remember though, saltwater has a much lower freezing temperature and can therefore take much longer to freeze in the average chest freezer. I leave it to freeze for four to six weeks before I use it. * continued P71

www.bnbfishing.com. au

Ten tips for extended offshore trips * from P70

Eight - sleeping options Let’s be honest, not a lot of sleep is had on the first night of a boat camping trip. Usually the second night is a different story with everyone fairly exhausted. There are a lot of sleeping options, and it will depend on the size and layout of your boat as to what sleeping gear you might take. Again, it’s about limiting weight while still being able to get comfortable. I’ve had friends bring huge heavy swags that take up most the boat, which certainly wasn’t practical. So, I now have a couple of lightweight stretchers that I set up on the deck for friends coming aboard – which fit nicely with bit of Esky shuffling. Add a thin mattress, small pillow and a sheet or sleeping bag and they’re sorted. The stretchers make sleeping a little more comfortable for them, while keeping the mattresses and crew off the wet and mucky deck. I sleep in the cabin with a sheet and a little tent fan, as it can get quite warm during summer. While it may seem I have the best spot on the boat, you can feel and hear every ripple hitting the hull, which is something you get used to. Keep in mind that the cabin is not the best spot for those who are prone to being seasick. Your sleeping set-up on a boat can be a bit of trial and error, but this is why it pays to keep the crew small for www.bnbfishing.com.au

extended trips. Don’t forget to switch back to a single battery, turn off the majority of your electronics, turn on the anchor light and set a drift alarm before hitting the hay. You can’t go past using the super high-holding Manson Supreme Anchor if you want peace of mind before going to sleep. Nine - carrying extra fuel If you’re ever in a position to have a boat custom built, then ensure a large-capacity fuel tank is a priority. It is surprising how many 5-7m boats have small fuel tanks, which are not ideal for extended or long-range trips because they require a lot of extra fuel to be carried on deck. That said, don’t let the need to carry extra fuel deter you from planning long-range extended trips. The wider-bodied Scepter 25-litre marine jerry cans are a great stable fuel option. Don’t forget a quality fuel syphon jiggle hose. Depending on the layout of the boat, empty jerry cans can be secured out of the way on the hard top, transom or up the nose to maximise fishing room. A little piece of advice is to avoid fuelling up as everyone is going to bed – lying down with fumes circulating is a sure-fire way to kick start a bit of seasickness. A quality fuel bladder is another practical fuel option. These come in a range of sizes, connect directly to the filter and can be rolled up and stored out of the way

once empty. Though you don’t want them in the way when you are fishing. If using the fuel bladder, I will calculate how much fuel I’ll use on the run out – say 80 litres – and fill it to that amount, so once I arrive at the location where I want to start fishing, I can change back to the main tank, roll up the empty fuel bladder and store it out of the way. All boat owners should know how much fuel their boat uses per kilometre or nautical mile fully loaded. This enables fuel consumption to be calculated accurately. Remember, if the weather turns, you will use significantly more fuel. Ten - spares container While it’s important to limit weight and unnecessary items, a small box of spares may come in handy. A few items that have been useful over the years include fuses, cable ties, gaffer tape, spare pliers, side cutters, shifter, knife sharpener steel, second gaff, spotlight, hydraulic steering fluid, phone charger and an extra pair of sunnies. It’s also a good idea to stash a few extra bottles of water around the boat. Well, I hope you found these considerations useful. Each extended trip is an opportunity to refine your own boating systems and setup. I hope you feel motivated to plan that trip you’ve been thinking about for some time! As the saying goes, “Do the miles… get the smiles.”

A fuel bladder allowed the author to cover some serious miles to target dogtooth tuna. It rolls up to nothing to be easily stored.

The author covered 650km exploring Cape York. Empty fuel drums were able to be stored out of the way on the hard top to maximise fishing room.

Safety should always be a priority. The Life Cell is a highly buoyant safety device designed to hold safety equipment such as an EPIRB, satellite phone and flares. It has handles to keep the crew together in the unlikely event of having to abandon the vessel. Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 71

with one tackle tray inside. There’s no better time to get packed and ready for day on the water with the new Daiwa luggage range. Visit daiwafishing.com.au

2022 Daiwa Luggage

THE new Daiwa Luggage for 2022 bridges the gap between fishing and everyday lifestyle, bringing you a fresh range of luggage that looks great on and off the water. Combining both function and style, the new Guide series introduces three items designed to standalone or be combined as part of our bag-on-bag system. The Guide Backpack is tailor-made for long days walking, travelling and working – the perfect everyday bag. Featuring a protective sunglasses pouch, laptop sleeve, waterproof PVC base, gearattachment points, padded back and valuables pocket, the Guide Backpack has you covered. Each Guide Backpack comes with one tackle tray inside. The Guide Waist Pack is a great hip or waist bag for the angler who is on foot all day, and is made from tough-denier material. The Guide Waist Pack features padded support, multiple pockets, a large compartment for tackle boxes and tools, adjustable waist strap, corrosion resistant zippers, gear-attachment points and internal organisation. The Guide Phone Pouch is the essential item for the mobile angler, with a clear touch-screen-friendly front window, waterproof zip and storage room for credit cards and folded notes, making it ideal to keep your phone safe and secure when out on the water. A restyled DVEC Sling Bag is the perfect bag for land-based anglers and features a one shoulder sling design that swivels around to the front of the body for easy access. The front pocket folds down to create a handy workbench for re-tying leaders or making a quick lure change. All DVEC Sling Bags come standard Page 72 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

Z-Man 4” Goat ToadZ Wilson Vibe Tackle Trays

WILSON’S new Vibe Box comes in two sizes – a large size based on the popular Wilson Waterproof Deluxe 3508 tackle box and the standard size based on the Wilson Small Tackle Tray. The 309TBVL – Wilson Tackle Box Vibe Large – measures 35.5x22x8cm and has a slotted-foam base that allows treble or single hooks to be secured, holding lures in place. This box is made deliberately deep so that anglers can store larger plastics, the largest vibes and even hard-bodied lures easily. The 309TBV – Wilson Tackle Box Vibe – measures 27.5x17.5x4cm and is also fitted with a slotted-foam base to secure your lures in. A thinner profile tackle tray, the 309TBV is perfect for smaller lures such as vibes, blades, shrimp-style plastics and minnow lures. Constructed from wormproof plastic, the Wilson Vibe boxes are semi-transparent to allow you to easily identify what lures are in which box, without having to open them all up and go searching, making them a simple to use option for storing sensitive lures that may warp and bend in standard tackle trays. Visit wilsonfishing.com.au

THE ultimate topwater presentation has arrived, designed in conjunction with ZMan customers and fans over a period of about a year as they offered feedback on shape, size, design features, colour and more throughout the digital design, threedimensional printing, single shot moulding and testing process. The 10 times tougher ElaZtech construction provides extreme durability and buoyancy, while a bulky yet streamlined body allows for long casts on a 5/0 or 6/0 TT ChinlockZ hook and a plastic that skips extremely well. Once it’s on the water, the thin legs and cupped kicker feet create that fish-attracting bubbling and gurgling that drives fish crazy on a slow, medium or fast retrieve. The Goat ToadZ is 4” in length, initially available in eight colours and other key features include a V-shaped keeled belly that assists with stability and rapid lift out of the water, belly-hook slot to assist with weedless rigging and ridges on the back to help protect both single and double weedless hooks from snagging or fouling. With the feedback of customers and fans, Z-Man has effectively designed the ultimate topwater toad that will appeal to medium to large predators such as barramundi, mangrove jack, Murray cod and more. Fish on! Available in eight colours with three per pack and a suggested retail price of $14.95. Visit tackletactics.com.au

www.bnbfishing.com. au

www.bnbfishing.com.au

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 73

TOURING & exploring

Bayside legends of steel fix tow ball troubles

i all, since being involved with Bush ‘n Beach Fishing, I’ve met a lot of incredible people who base their business on helping us enjoy our outdoor activities. Genuine people such as Grainger from Chasebaits and River2sea Brands and Lennie and Jennifer Mifsud from On the Move Caravans. But this story is about Leo Hite, a man and his sons who have been helping outdoor adventurers with equipment to assist towing their boats, camper trailers and caravans for decades. A country boy who

Touring by PAUL ‘CHIEF’ GRAVESON

moved from the western Queensland town of Barcaldine to the big lights of Brisbane, Leo has built a well-earned reputation for quality and honesty. Seems he brought those country ideals with him and never lost them. Recently, I took a large toolbox full of tools and equipment off the back tray of my Isuzu D-Max. Naturally, this allowed the vehicle’s suspension to lift.

Wynnum Towbars have been in this location for 40 years.

As the chassis lifted, so did the tow bar height, which changed the ball weight and our caravan’s towing angle. When towing long distances, over time you develop a feel for how your rig will react to various situations and conditions, such as when braking and challenging road surfaces. I had found that ideal setup, however I’d compromised it when the toolbox was removed. What I needed to change was the tow ball height to bring the towing equation back to being safe and enjoyable. This is where the story starts. As always in this type of scenario, my first thought was to speak to Leo Hite from Wynnum Towbars. As a teenager, I completed my apprenticeship in a factory situ-

The author’s setup, including reverse camera showing pin. Page 74 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

ated beside Leo’s business. The iconic Wynnum Towbars has been located on the corner of Tingal Rd and Burke St Wynnum for almost 40 years – providing service and building second-to-none rapport throughout the Brisbane region. Over the years, I hadn’t thought to go elsewhere. I’ve had eight of my vehicles fitted with his towbars and he has provided me with information to cover a range of towing situations I’ve encountered – all the way from camper trailers, various sized boats through to our latest off-road caravan. I’ve watched Leo’s sons Matt and Jason do odd jobs around the factory as primary school children, they’ve grown up around the business and today have valuable input and technical know-how that can only be acquired from such a unique involvement. There’s an old saying, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” and this is so appropriate when describing the Matt and Jason. Good old-fashioned quality service is rarely seen these days. Wynnum Towbars produce everything – from standard towbars to full custom-made bars, electric-brake installations and stabiliser-bar hitch kits through to 12V charg-

ing systems for dual batteries and refrigeration. Wynnum Towbars are proudly manufactured on site and are built for extreme Australian conditions. They use the best materials available, including heavy-duty wiring, which is sometimes overlooked by other manufacturers. I’ve watched Leo making paper templates underneath vehicles to custom make towbars for the latest model cars or unusual tow vehicles. Nothing is ever a bother and its apparent their engineering skills have been the backbone to their companies’ success. The business is situated at 2 Burke St Wynnum, which is a convenient three-minute walk from the Wynnum train station – perfect if you’re dropping your truck or car off for the day. If you need a towbar or electric brakes, you can contact Leo and his sons on 3893 0411. Leo, Matt and Jason are up there with the greats who make a living providing us with product to enhance our outdoor experiences. I had no hesitation making the six-hour trip to Brisbane to visit Wynnum Towbars, where it’s done once and always done right.

www.bnbfishing.com. au

TOURING & exploring

Rob Schombie’s return to Tassie Queen

T finally felt safe enough for Rob Schomberg to travel back to Tasmania to see his relatives and go for a fish in the tinnie now named the Tassie Queen. He had vowed to make the tinnie more stable after nearly going for a swim in 5C water last visit and had been looking at a boat collar. But in the vicinity of $2000 by the time it was freighted was too much outlay on a $3000 tinnie, so it was on to looking for option two. He searched many possibilities on the internet, finally settling on some big blue floaties from Airofloat Stabilizers in Melbourne. A call to the number on the website was answered by a very helpful person who had designed them and recommended the 3m highspeed models and, at $770 plus $30 postage, they were a bargain. The order was placed, and Rob was hoping to see them in Tassie in a couple of days. That almost worked. They were delivered to the wrong address, but were thankfully located and reached the right hands within a couple of hours. The box was surprisingly small, however the contents seemed to make sense. The outer shell was a vinyl tube and the inner bladder was rubber or

www.bnbfishing.com.au

Power Boat Anglers by MICK CLUTTERBUCK

similar, with a Boston valve for inflation and all the fixing hardware was 316 stainless-steel. The only additional requirement were two 6.5m lengths of rope track, available at most hardware or auto canvas trimming businesses. Once the rails were installed, the bladder was put inside the vinyl outer and partially inflated. It was then slid onto the tracks and when inflated won’t move, though a stopper was fitted on the track as a precaution. Next morning at the ramp, the bladders had deflated slightly due to the cold air but were back up to pressure after five or six quick puffs. The maiden voyage was impressive to say the least. Mr Hemmingway indicated that each tube had 200kg of flotation, and when Rob gave it a test and lent over the side, his 130kg moved the side down only a few inches – best money he’d ever spent. Before the Airofloats, they would have been in the drink with that move, and had a chilly swim back to the ramp – as a bonus the boat’s also more stable and drier when underway.

The Tassie Queen is now a very useable and safe 50-year old Stacer, build number 63, which would have rolled off the line in the early 1970s. More importantly, she’s now a King

George whiting weapon and an absolute pleasure to have on the water. On the first trip out, the fishos landed some cracking fish and it’s amazing how much drag those whiting pull on a light outfit. If you put your rod down while fishing for our Queensland whiting, you’d be minus a

few outfits in no time because they’d be flying out the back of the boat at a great rate of knots. Now that Rob has mastered this species, he reckons it’s time to have a crack at the snapper slightly offshore, as they’re getting bigger every year. He can’t wait to get back out there again..

Rob’s King George whiting catch.

The Tassie Queen with Airofloat Stabilizers. Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 75

Lifestyle 4x4 Portable Battery Box

The ability to slowly simmer food while cooking makes for a more creative and relaxing camp cooking experience. Photo: Mark Watson

Companion ProHeat Low Pressure Two Burner Stove

OM PA NION’S ProHeat Low Pressure Two Burner Stove is an everyday gas cooker when attached to a LPG bottle, but is also designed to suit built-in RV camper kitchens and plumb directly into a bayonet fitting of a regulated system. Australian Geographic recently put the stove to the test and headed bush to see how the 18,000 BTU stove – 9000 BTU per burner, 188g/h consumption – performed. Immediately evident was its compact size. With dimensions of 620mm L x 350mm W x 105mm H when closed, its low profile meant it was easy to fit inside the rear drawers of a fitout four-wheel-drive. At 6.5kg it is on the heavier side of twoburner gas stoves, but manageable.

Impressively, considering its overall compact size, the stove has a large cooking area with space for two large pots – it includes a heavy-duty pot trivet – to be used at the same time. Each of the 9000 BTU burners ignites using an inbuilt electric piezo ignition system. This is one of the hero features of this stove – the dual electric piezo system means it starts every time and each hob can be fired independently. Theoretically, the only maintenance would be replacing the AA battery, and if this runs down the piezo will kick in – piezo can last over 10 years – but damp or ageing ignition systems are a notoriously weak point and spare batteries can disappear, so best retain your lighter or flint.

Page 76 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

E don’t ever truly appreciate power until we don’t have it. Blackouts at home are an instance that highlights the priority we put on power. No lights, no fridge, no connectivity equals no fun! For the simplest solution for campers who haven’t invested in a dual-battery setup or those who want a genuinely portable and versatile solution, you can’t look past a well-equipped battery box. Simply place your battery in the Portable Battery Box and away you go! What can run off the Portable Battery Box? The Portable Battery Box, with its available outlets, is suitable to run a number of powered devices. Some of the most popular include: • 12V portable and car fridges • Phone and device chargers • Camping lights • Sound systems • Portable 12V camp ovens. The outlets are capable of up to 50amp in 12V and can be bolstered with an appropriate invertor. Battery selection The power available comes down to the size of the battery utilised in the battery box. The Ironman 4x4 Portable Battery Box is capable of holding up to

an N70 size battery – 305mm L x 171mm W x 202mm H, 225mm total height – which typically is available up to between 120-140amp hours. The Ironman 4x4 Portable Battery Box is capable of storing and distributing power from lead-acid, AGM or lithium-ion batteries – customers will need to couple the chosen battery with a suitable charging solution to match. Lead-acid and AGM batteries in good health are capable of utilising up to 70 percent of their full capacity – that is 84 usable amp hours from a 120amp hour battery. A lithium battery on the other hand can utilise 100 percent of its full capacity – 120 useable amp hours from a 120amp hour battery. The ins and out-lets Charging up The Ironman 4x4 Portable Battery Box is complete with inputs for on-the-road and campsite charging via either solar or a suitable DC/ DC charger direct from your vehicle. Additionally, the Portable Battery Box allows for a battery to be charged at home on a 12V charger – battery and charger sold separately. Input connectors include: • High-current positive negative terminal posts, suitable for input or output • 2 x 50amp Anderson

plugs, suitable for input or output. Power out When it comes to drawing power from the battery, the Portable Battery Box is equipped with numerous outlets suitable for running a range of camping and touring accessories. Outlet connectors include: • High-current positive negative terminal posts, suitable for input or output • 2 x 50amp Anderson plugs, suitable for input or output • 1 x 5V 1.0amp USB socket • 1 x 5V 2.1amp USB socket • 2 x 10amp 12V sockets. Convenience and contingency Covering all bases, the Ironman 4x4 Portable Battery Box also features a built-in fan for improved air flow and circulation to the battery, as well as an inbuilt fuse protector. A nice additional feature is the side LED light, which is great for when you might need a little extra light by your battery charging station. Key features • Transforms a battery to a six-plus outlet power station • Easy solar connection via 50amp Anderson plug, compatible with Ironman 4x4 solar kit blankets • Built-in fan and fuse protector for battery and device protection.

The Ironman 4×4 Portable Battery Box features a six-plus power outlet station, easy solar connection, and built-in fan and fuse protector. www.bnbfishing.com. au

HOME OF

Family Owned Australian Company SAFER, STRONGER, SMARTER Since 1958

ALL THE GEAR YOU NEED, TO GO ANYWHERE YOU WANT! Come and see us at the FRASER ISLAND CLEAN UP 20-23 May 2022

BULLBARS

SUSPENSION

RECOVERY GEAR

WINCHES

CAMPING GEAR

4X4 ACCESSORIES

INSTALLATION SERVICES AVAILABLE! Finance Options Available ROCKLEA

CAPALABA

SPRINGWOOD

GYMPIE – New Store

Shop 3/711 Beaudesert Road, SALISBURY 07 3000 9898 or rocklea@lifestyle4x4.com.au 3447 Pacific Highway, SPRINGWOOD 07 3884 9488 or springwood@lifestyle4x4.com.au

1/150 Redland Bay Road, CAPALABA 07 3215 7788 or capalaba@lifestyle4x4.com.au Cnr of Bruce Highway & Hall Road, GLANMIRE 07 5209 6888 or gympie@lifestyle4x4.com.au

lifestyle4x4.com.au

www.bnbfishing.com.au

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 77

Tilapia suspected in Cooby Creek

by MELISSA FROHLOFF

Prawns with Tamarind Sauce Ingredients • 12 large green prawns • 2 tbsp sesame oil • 1 red chilli, sliced diagonally, fine • 1 pair kaffir lime leaves, finely sliced • 1 tbsp crispy fried shallots • 1/2 cup rice flour Tamarind sauce • 2 shallot onions, diced • 6 cloves garlic, crushed • 35g of wet tamarind block • 1/2 cup hot water • 8 tbsp palm sugar • 4 tbsp fish sauce • 1/4 tsp salt • 1 tbsp sesame oil • 1 red chilli, finely chopped Method Tamarind sauce 1. Soak the tamarind in 1/2 cup of boiling water for 10 minutes. Tip into a strainer to extract

tamarind water, push the pulp through the strainer using the back of a spoon to remove the paste, scrape the paste from the underneath side of the strainer, stir to combine to make tamarind water. 2. Heat sesame oil in the wok over a low heat, add shallots and garlic, simmer until onion is opaque. 3. Add tamarind paste, palm sugar, chilli, fish sauce, salt and stir until sauce reduces and slightly thickens. Prawns 1. Remove heads from prawns, peel leaving tail intact and devein. Dust prawns in rice flour. 2. Heat sesame oil in pan over medium heat. Cook on one side until crispy and turn prawns to cook the other side. 3. Spoon sauce on serving plate, top with prawns, sprinkle with crispy fried shallots, chilli and kaffir lime and drizzle with tamarind sauce to serve.

Prep time: 15 min | Cooking time: 20 min | Serves 2 Page 78 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

IOSECU R I T Y Queensland is investigating a report of the invasive pest fish species tilapia in Cooby Creek, downstream of Cooby Dam, north of Toowoomba. Cooby Creek is a tributary that flow into the Murray-Darling Basin. If confirmed, this would be the first instance that tilapia have been found in this catchment. Tilapia were introduced into Australia in the 1970s as ornamental fish and are now a major threat to Australia’s native biodiversity. Photographs of the fish were provided to Biosecurity Queensland on March 24 but were inconclusive. Biosecurity officers conducted initial sampling in the area, but no tilapia have been found to date. More extensive sampling will be undertaken, including environmental DNA sampling, but recent flooding has limited access. It is expected further sampling will not be possible for the short term. Habitat and environmental impact Studies have shown that around half of the Murray-Darling Basin is currently suitable habitat for tilapia, including parts of NSW, Victoria and South Australia. It is expected that tilapia would have significant impacts on a range of native species and would lead to reduced water quality in this system if established. In contained waterways such as ponds and

small dams, poisons can be used to completely remove pest fish – these are not effective for open waterways such as Cooby Creek. There are currently no effective control methods for tilapia in open waterways. What to look for The spotted tilapia – tilapia mariae – ranges from dark olive-green to light yellow and has eight or nine dark bars or blotches on the sides, which is more obvious in younger fish. The spotted tilapia grows to 30cm and has a deep body with a thin profile and long pointed fins. The Mozambique tilapia – oreochromis mossambicus – grows to more than 36cm and lives up to 13 years. This variety is usually dark grey or almost black, but can be silver with two to five dark blotches or spots on the side. Breeding males can have red tips on their fins. This fish is also deepbodied with a thin profile and long pointed fins. What to do if you suspect tilapia If you see something you think might be tilapia, take a photo, note the exact location and call Biosecurity Queensland on 132 523 or report it online. If you catch tilapia in the wild, humanely kill them and do not return them to the water. For more information visit Business Queensland.

www.bnbfishing.com. au

Cod breeding up close and personal

’VE recently come back from having a look around the dam wall and, at full capacity with a small run going down the spillway, things look great for winter. With winter comes Murray cod July nest cleaning. By late July, you’ll see the female cod doing her annual house inspection for nesting sites. This is the time to get the photography gear out – the singlelens reflex camera and telephoto lens and the 35mm camera with lens filters affixed – for shots of cod along the dam wall. This year, you’ll get good views of what will be taking place at storages throughout the western side of the Great Dividing Range, as breeding will be taking place everywhere, rivers included. Debbie has included a shot of cod, taken during previous breeding seasons. Shivers up the backbone is what you’ll get, as fish will be close because the water is at full supply level along the wall. To make for a good day’s viewing, it has to be fine and clear, with no wind. And you have to be at the dam wall from 8am through to 11.30am, after that time nature takes over. You’ll have the morning sun behind your back as it rises from the east, and viewing will be good for three to four hours for about 45 days in total. As for the kiosk being open, you’ll find a sign with two phone www.bnbfishing.com.au

Glenlyon Dam by BRIAN DARE

numbers - call either one. I’ve included three comments this month, which are very important to us as anglers. Country tourism and camping How many local township residents know of locations called water reserves and stock reserves within their shires outside a 10km area? Not many. I’m talking not only about fishing locations but also large tracts of Crown-owned land areas. These are managed by local government associations – shire councils and LGA groups. I write the following in the hope that the conservation councils of Queensland, as well as the following groups and country tourist associations that rely on the use of our bush retreats, are aware of the changes that will take place I ask that you – a freshwater angler – take this to your local tourist visitor’s office and ask for their help to keep open all of these locations, and that the LGA supply a map of all water reserve and stock reserve locations where a userpays fee will apply. ‘Users’ include bird watchers, naturalists, seed collectors, horse riders, push bike riders, hikers, photography clubs, anglers, campers, land care groups… the list goes on. We are all entitled to the information as to

what is going to take place. This ‘user pays’ sleight of hand approach is taking place across the whole of Queensland and will be put through the house without a whimper from the groups mentioned above. As a recreational angler, I hope that local council takes up the cost of stocking native fish, thereby taking the pressure off the local fishing clubs that run raffles year-round and purchase a fish stocking permit. Collection of broodstocks With stocking season now over, it would be the right time to do a quality-control audit on all hatcheries. This should include registered aquaculture centres as well, due to the species that tend to get through the system. As with native fish, there is a need to hold broodstocks for breeding of silver perch,

golden perch, catfish, Murray cod, Mary River cod, bass and barramundi. As for most things, including ourselves, we all have a use-by date – something my wife reminds me of each time I stuff up – and information on species should be held over at the hatcheries. The collection of stock should come from the wild and released back there with a pit tag placed inside the fish. By using the wand for the pit tag number, you will find old stock that should not be used again from the wild. I have been advised that some hatcheries have been sent to collect broodstock from storages. It is a quick way to collect your broodstock but in-breeding of freshwater species takes place, unlike bass and barramundi that need to get downstream to brackish water to breed. I have spoken to Dr Stuart Rowland about this type of collection format and he advised that at some stage inbreeding will take place,

which could lead to fish replacement as a whole on that storage. With that in mind, collection of broodstock from storages should not take place. Government inaction – a $350 million loss to date The end of 2013 was when the MRAG Asia Pacific report was released by the then Newman Government. The format was where a total of 14 meetings took place at locations such as the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Wynnum, Redcliffe, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Cairns, Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, Tin Can Bay, Innisfail, Townsville, Bowen, Mackay, Warwick and Karumba. Input from recreational anglers was asked for and as a result, 12 locations asked for an all-waters licence for fishing, the other two locations wanted funding. I had submitted a licence format that would have cost $0.10 a day for all anglers across the board, 18 years and over, at a full cost of $36.50 a year each, and * continued P80

Murray cod breeding time is coming and this year will be great for viewing it because the fish will be close, with dam water at full supply level along the wall.

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 79

DAM LEVELS CURRENT AS OF 19/04/2022

DAMS

PERCENTAGE

DEC JAN FEB MAR APR Atkinson * 19 27 26 100 100 Awoonga 59 58 57 57 54 Bjelke-Petersen * 96 101 100 102 100 Boondooma * 100 99 98 100 98 Borumba * 100 100 100 101 100 Burdekin Falls * 84 96 105 98 89 Callide * 70 74 68 63 63 Cania * 28 27 27 27 27 Coolmunda * 101 100 100 100 99 Dyer/Bill Gunn * 51 67 81 95 100 Eungella * 75 73 74 73 73 Fairbairn * 26 25 22 20 18 Glenlyon * 103 100 100 100 100 Hinze* 99 102 101 103 101 Julius * 98 93 101 97 92 Kinchant * 71 74 74 74 68 Leslie * 100 99 99 100 100 Macdonald* 102 102 107 103 101 Maroon * 100 100 100 100 100 Monduran/Fred Haigh * 45 46 46 54 53 Moogerah * 70 77 83 105 101 North Pine/Samsonvale * 68 68 67 67 67 Peter Faust/Proserpine * 55 53 54 54 53 Somerset * 73 79 79 81 80 Teemburra * 90 90 91 90 88 Tinaroo* 70 71 83 85 88 Toonumbar 101 101 101 101 101 Wivenhoe * 44 54 56 89 89 Wuruma * 66 68 70 69 67 Wyaralong* 101 100 99 100 100 For updates on dams, visit sunwater.com.au or seqwater.com.au *This symbol indicates that a Stocked Impoundment Permit is required to fish these dams.

Cod breeding * from P79

with that price locked in for 10 years, with a weekly licence of $10 for tourists and weekend visitors or anglers. Had it been implemented back in 201314, we would be looking at $350 million in total – spent on recreational fishing, boat ramps, parking areas with CCTV and such – up to 2022-23. So, $180 million has been lost for saltwater fishing projects. A total of $50 million has been donated to the Great Barrier Reef projects. With $32.5 million for freshwater lost over 10 years. Administration costs of $37.5 million lost over 10 years.

At $0.10 a day, money would have been left in the trust for future use and $50 million would still be available. If this was to be put in place next year, the cost of a licence would be $45 each, locked in for 10 years. This is not going to happen. So, we watch $800 million by 2033 lost through the inaction of those we vote for every four years. What a pack of idiots we’ve elected – they sit on their hands not thinking of Queensland’s one million voting recreational anglers who have witnessed their fishery get worse each year. They’ve stuffed up my recreational pastime.

GLENLYON DAM TOURIST PARK A great place to fish! • Powered and Unpowered Sites • No Domestic Pets or Generators • Kiosk • Ice • Gas • Petrol • Amenities Blocks and Laundry • BBQs • Hire Boats • EFTPOS • Fishing Permits

14 CABINS bookings necessary

GLENLYON DAM TOURIST PARK via STANTHORPE 4380 Contact Debbie or Brian Dare for more information or for bookings Ph: 02 6737 5266 E: glenlyondamtouristp@bigpond.com Visit our new website at Page 80 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

glenlyondamtouristpark.com.au www.bnbfishing.com. au

A moderately ulcerated fish – red-spot expands and deepens.

Red spot disease

PIZOOTIC ulcerative syndrome, or red spot disease, often appears after acid water run-off following heavy rains, with the unsightly lesions reducing product marketability. EUS is caused by a fungus aphanomyces invadans and shows as red lesions or deep ulcers. Secondary bacterial infections are often also associated with red spot disease. To identify EUS, look for red spots or burnlike marks with pale edges, deep ulcerative lesions along the flanks of the fish and erratic swimming and increased respiration. This disease is endemic in the wild in Queensland, so movement controls are unlikely, however interstate movements of live EUS-affected fish may not be permitted – check before moving EUS-affected fish into

other states or territories. Host species include Australian bass, barcoo grunter, barramundi, bream, bony bream, catfish, all eels, all estuary cod, flathead, golden perch, jungle perch, Macquarie perch, Murray cod, rainbowfish, sleepy cod, silver perch, mangrove jack, sea mullet, tilapia and whiting. Severely ulcerated fish should not be eaten. EUS is endemic in many freshwater catchments and estuaries in Australia and has been of officially reported from NSW, Northern Territory, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. If you see a suspected diseased fish, take a photo of it, collect a sample if possible and refrigerate it and report it by calling Biosecurity Queensland on 132 523.

A severely ulcerated fish – ulceration with loss of scales and skin, exposing underlying muscle. www.bnbfishing.com.au

FISHING EVENTS COMPETITION

DATE

LOCATION

2022 Sanctuary Cove May 19-22 Boat Show

Sanctuary Cove, QLD sanctuarycoveboatshow.com.au

ANSA South May 20-22 Queensland Interclub Challenge

Redcliffe, QLD ansaqld.com.au

21st Annual Fraser May 20-22 Island K’gari Clean Up

Fraser Island (K’gari) https://www.ficu.org.au/

VMR Bundaberg Jun 24-26 Family Fishing Classic

Bundaberg, QLD vmrbundabergfishingclassic.com.au

Evans Head Jul 1-8 Fishing Classic

Evans’s Head, QLD evansheadfishingclassic.com.au

Isisford Fishing Jul 29-31 Competition

Isisford, QLD longreach.qld.gov.au

Australian Fishing Aug 4-6 Trade Association

Gold Coast, QLD afta.net.au/trade-show

Baffle Creek Family Sep 19-24 Fishing Festival

Baffle Creek, QLD bafflecreekfishing.com

2022 Flathead Sep 27-30 Classic

Gold Coast, QLD flatheadclassic.com.au

Boondooma Dam Sep 30-Oct 2 Sportfishing Festival

Boondooma, QLD ansaqld.com.au/event/boondoomadam-sportfishing-festival/

Kingaroy Sep 30-Oct 2 Sportfishing Festival

Kingaroy, QLD ansaqld.com.au/events

Fitzroy River Oct 16-19 Barra Bash

Fitzroy River, QLD fitzroyriverbarrabash.com.au

To have your competition listed in the calendar, please phone (07) 3286 1833 or email ads@collins.media Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 81

TRADING POST STACER 429 SEAWAY – Yamaha 50Hp 4S EFI, 20 hours, alloy Stacer trailer, purchased new in Feb 2018, Garmin combo GPS/Sounder, Bimini / front and side clears, Stereo, seating for five and so much more. Stunning condition and a crazy $24,995 tow away. John Crawford Marine, Queensland’s Used Boat Specialists since 1964 – johncraw fordmarine.com.au Ph. 3890 2322 BLUEFIN 4.5 RANGER CC – Suzuki 50Hp 4-stroke, near new Dunbier 4.7CMF braked trailer, 3 bow bimini, Garmin combo GPS/Sounder, VHF radio, underfloor 50L fuel tank, inshore safety pack for two. Suit the estuary angler and crabber. Only $21,995. John Crawford Marine, Queensland’s Used Boat Specialists since 1964 – johncraw fordmarine.com.au Ph. 3890 2322 ADVERTISERS – to organise a classified ad in theTrading Post, call 07 3286 1833 or complete the form and post it to the address provided or email it through to ads@collins.media

AQUAMASTER 420 RUNABOUT 2021 – This cool little boat will provide loads of fun for family and friends. You can go tubing with the kids up the dam, chuck a few pots in the creek, cruise the bays or fish with your family and friends. There is an ample amount of storage space with two good-sized side pockets and an area forward of the helm to store lifejackets, as well as room under the rear seats for tackle bags, and soft-style Eskys. This well-built, handy family vessel has plenty of potential and is suited to a mix of fishing and cruising and will give you and your family plenty to be happy about. In fact, it has been so well looked after, it looks brand new, and with registration until January 2023, there is nothing to do except enjoy our wonderful waterways in the terrific runabout boat! $33,990. Contact AMC Boats on 07 3808 7333 or visit amcboats. com.au

June Edition Copy Deadline – Advertisements must arrive NO later than May 11, 2022

POST TO PO BOX 162, Wynnum QLD 4178 or EMAIL with a photo to ads@collins.media When completing this form please leave one square of space between each word (Hyphens, full-stops, commas, word spaces count as one letter) ALL ADS MUST BE PRE-PAID 1 1 2

Cost per insertion: 2 lines $15, $1.10 per line thereafter. Contact details must be included in ad. NAME: ...................................................................................... PHONE NO. ................................................... MONTHS OF INSERTION: ...................................................... AMOUNT: $ ................................................... CREDIT CARD NO.: ___ ___ ___ ___

___ ___ ___ ___

EXP DATE: ..................................................................... SIGNATURE: ..........................................................

Page 82 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

STABICRAFT 1850 FISHER 2013 – The 1850 Fisher is one of Stabicraft’s most popular mid-range models. The uncluttered fishing space makes this boat an adventure platform for those who love fishing or diving. There is also enough comfort and safety to take the family out for a memorable day on the water. So, whether you’re fishing with the family or your friends offshore, this package is bound to suit everyone. $59,990. Contact AMC Boats on 07 3808 7333 or visit amcboats.com.au

HAINES HUNTER 495 PRO FISH – This immaculate boat has the family who enjoys cruising the waterways, water sports and fishing in mind. It is also an ideal model for anyone new to boating or someone wanting to downsize but not miss out on a quality boat with plenty of inclusions. The cockpit is roomy for a boat this size and the well-laid-out interior has ample storage for bait, food, drinks and fishing rods. Storage in the cabin is also ample with full-length storage shelves and three under cushion storage compartments providing plenty of room for safety gear and all your extra bibs and bobs. If you are in the market for a great value, terrific all-round fishing family boat, do yourself a favour and visit our yard today and jump on board the 495 Pro Fish, you won’t be disappointed. $46,990. Contact AMC Boats on 07 3808 7333 or visit am cboats.com.au

www.bnbfishing.com. au

Jacko with a haul of tasty prawns caught after rain. Andrew Green

Though it’s been tough fishing in the Coomera River lately due to the recent flooding, I managed a couple of quality fish over the past couple of weeks using a few different techniques. Also caught a good Gold Coast bream on the light gear using MMD Soft Prawns. Chris Whatson

Cooper with one of a few whiting caught with live yabbies on Bribie Island over Easter. Grant Peel

To have a photo of your catch featured in Readers’ Forum, simply email ads@collins.media with a good quality picture, your name and details or hop onto our Facebook page and send us a message.

Recreational Queenslander fishers beware

E W A R E Queensla ndbased recreational fishers as a raft of new management programs is fast approaching that will have a severe impact on your fishing experiences. Fisheries Queensland and the state government have been planning measures that they claim will keep our fishery stocks sustainable – and there is little we can do because we are blinkered and handcuffed in our approach. For as long as I can remember, Fisheries Queensland have been upgrading its strategies with basic tools such as bag limits, size limits, closed seasons and even slot limits, which it admits has

www.bnbfishing.com.au

had little effect on the sustainability of each fishery sector. Have any species recovered or even been elevated off the ‘in danger’ or ‘critical’ scale – no. Why? Well, there are several reasons – some scientific, some political and some unpredictable. Politics plays a role in how each government department is funded and administered, and Fisheries Queensland have been hamstrung for many years due simply to the perceived lack of importance by any sitting government. Though recreational fishing in Queensland contributes over $1 billion in economic benefit each year and

immeasurable health benefits – we are unrepresented and undervalued by the state government. Fisheries Queensland is given limited funding, limited importance and, even more so, limited tools to use in their quest for a better fishery. The unpredictable event is the ever-growing and rapidly increasing recreational fishing population, the technology explosion and the Queensland lifestyle – all leading to increased demand on quality consumables such as fresh fish. The regulations surrounding recreational fishing in Queensland that are thought out and implemented, soon become outdated by the time they ap-

pear at parliament. In fact, I would suggest that by the time a program receives a green light, the data for that program is superseded and out of date. If the current situation continues, Queensland’s fishery will be but a distant memory and quite possibly non-existent for my great grandchildren. In a few short years, we will have a fishing licence, dramatically increased size limits, boat limits instead of bag limits, across the board slot limits, more green zones, much longer closed seasons for all species – perhaps a year or more. But what we will not see is the implementa-

tion of proven management tools to assist in the recovery of our fish stocks. Wild stocking and artificial reefs are proven tools of fisheries management all over the world, and have been in fact more successful than were expected in most of the countries that rolled these out. The countries with vision are now home to healthy and sustainable fisheries, both recreational and commercial. Time to give Fisheries Queensland the right tools to assist our depleting and currently unsustainable fishery. Phill Kliese Ausfish Fishing Forums Australia

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 83

Subscription offer for May! Subscribe this month to go in the draw to win a Chris Britton hand-made Tempest fishing rod!

Valued at

450

RRP

www.chrisbrittonrods.com * Valid until May 31, 2022. Picture for illustration purposes only.

SUBSCRIPTION FORM ONE YEAR $50 (inc. post)

TWO YEARS $95 (inc. post)

Receive 12 issues delivered.

Receive 24 issues delivered.

New subscriber OR

June edition will be posted to you on May 25, 2022

Renew/extend subscription

YES, please send me two free BNB stickers

Send your cheque, money order or credit card details for $50 or $95 (inc. GST) to Bush ’n Beach. We’ll advise you when your subscription runs out. Return completed form to: Bush ’n Beach Fishing PO Box 162 Wynnum 4178, ph 07 3286 1833 or go online www.bnbfishing.com.au Name: ..........................................................................................Email: �� Address: �� .......................................................................... Postcode: .............................. Phone: ......................................... Date: �� PAYMENT DETAILS

❑ Money Order

❑ Cheque

❑ MasterCard/Visa

Card No: ................................................................................... Expiry date: .................... Phone: �� Name: ............................................................................................................. Signature: �� GIFT CERTIFICATES

❑ Merry Christmas

❑ Happy Birthday

❑ Happy Father’s Day

❑ Happy Mother’s Day

❑ Happy Fishing

To: ................................................................................................ From: �� Subscriptions are non-refundable. They can be transferred to another subscriber.

Page 84 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

www.bnbfishing.com. au

PREMIUM BOATING, AFFORDABLE PRICE

IP S WI C H Ipswich Marine Centre 45 Huxham St, Raceview 07 3294 3944 www.ipswichmarine.com.au

S U NS H I NE C OAS T Sunshine Coast Yamaha 14 Machinery Ave, Warana 07 5346 9981

www.sunshinecoastyamaha.com.au

GOLD COA ST Gold Coast Boating Centre 64 Kortum Dr, Burleigh Heads 07 5576 7388 www.gcbc.boats

For further info visit www.stessco.com.au

www.bnbfishing.com.au

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 85

POWER YOUR LIFESTYLE WITH MERCRUISER – BUILT TO PERFORM, BUILT TO LAST, BUILT TO ENJOY Mercury MerCruiser engines and drive systems are designed, tested, and purpose built for the marine environment.

POWERFUL - High displacement delivering more torque FUEL EFFICIENT - Providing extended range DURABLE & RELIABLE - Complete peace of mind

Go online or see your nearest Mercury Dealer to discuss powering your time on the water. Contact or visit us for more information.

AIRLIE BEACH

Whitsunday Outboard Centre 17 William Murray Dr, Cannonvale Q 4802 P: 07 4946 7286 www.whitsundayoutboardcentre.com.au

BRISBANE

GOLD COAST

TR Marine Gold Coast 167 Currumburra Rd, Ashmore Q 4214 P: 07 5532 5812 www.trmarinegoldcoast.com.au

IPSWICH

Manly Harbour Marine 570 Royal Esp, Manly Q 4179 P: 07 3893 2199 www.manlyharbourmarine.com.au

Ipswich Marine Centre 45 Huxham St, Raceview Q 4305 P: 07 3294 3944 www.ipswichmarine.com.au

BRISBANE NORTH

ROCKHAMPTON

Holt Marine 25 Queens Rd, Everton Hills Q 4053 P: 07 3353 1928 www.holtmarine.com.au

GOLD COAST NORTH

Onshore Marine - Horizon Shores Marina, Cabbage Tree Point Rd, Woongoolba Q 4207 P: 07 5546 2480 www.onshoremarine.com.au

Page 86 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022

Rifen Marine 6 Dooley St, North Rockhampton Q 4701 P: 07 4927 9150 www.rifenmarine.com.au

SUNSHINE COAST

North Coast Boating 22 Enterprise St, Caloundra West Q 4551 P: 07 5493 9376 www.northcoastboating.com.au

www.bnbfishing.com. au

BESPOKE HAND-CRAFTED FIBREGLASS FISHING BOATS

AUSTRALIA’S BEST HARDCORE FIBREGLASS FISHING BOAT • Built and designed by experienced anglers for anglers of all experience levels • Highest quality materials and manufacturing practices • Hand-laid fibreglass constructions

500

• Unique Deep-V / wide reverse hull • The most fishing features of any boat available on the market • Unparalleled performance with exceptional stability and handling • Safety and quality is never compromised

552

600

NOW AVAILABLE AT

EXCLUSIVE DEALER FOR QLD

652

3888 1727 BRUCE HWY,(174 BURPENGARY EASTERN SERVICE RD) BRISBANEYAMAHA.com.au CALL NOW

www.bnbfishing.com.au

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, May 2022 – Page 87

DRIVE AWAY $

DRIVE AWAY

29,000

$35,448

420 RENEGADE S/C - 50HP

430 TOP ENDER PRO - 60HP

Includes: Thruster bracket, fishing rod holders, live bait tank, safety gear, registration, alloy trailer

Includes: Pro Features, GME VHF, deck lights, bait board, ski poll, safety gear, registration, alloy trailer DRIVE AWAY $

DRIVE AWAY $

61,500

54,422

520 OCEAN SPIRIT - 115HP

510 TERRITORY LEGEND - 115HP

Includes: underfloor 95L fuel tank, upgraded seating, safety gear, registration, alloy trailer

Includes: 92L fuel tank, 115hp Pro Xs, Elite FS9 sounder, safety gear registration, alloy trailer

DRIVE AWAY $

65,411

88,000

540 OCEAN SPIRIT - 135HP

5800 YELLOWFIN FOLDING HARD TOP - 135HP

Includes: hydraulic steering, underfloor 95L fuel tank, registration, safety gear, alloy trailer

Includes: Platinum pack, registration, offshore safety gear, alloy trailer

40-60HP FOURSTROKE

Finance & Insurance available

INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY PROVEN RELIABILITY POWERFUL PERFORMANCE

A POWERFUL PACKAGE * Mercury Finance terms and conditions apply. Photos for illustration purposes only.

Can’t make the yard? Shop online! For quality new and used boats! www.brisbaneboatingleisure.com.au 1743 Ipswich Road, Rocklea | Call 07 3875 1600 | Formerly Karee Marine

BNB Fishing Mag | May 2022

Articles inside

Top jigging tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Dyllon Schulz

Planning a K’gari Fraser trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Sean Thompson

Time to target tuskfish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by David White