BNB Fishing Mag | June 2024 by bnbfishing

Cool winter catches 495

Includes GST

June 2024 Print Post Approved PP100001534 Volume 35, Number 6

Get set for snapper action

Tips for fishing structure Refining your fingermark skills ISSN 1832-4517

06 Proudly produced and printed in Australia

9 771832 451001

Moreton Bay species fire Post-flood fishing in FNQ Live baiting spanish mackerel

Estuary • Offshore • Freshwater • 4WD • Camping • Touring www.bnbfishing.com.au

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 1

Page 2 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 3

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From the Bush ‘n Beach Fishing editor

N early May, the Queensland Government confirmed there would be five new gillnet-free zones in the Gulf of Carpentaria. To aid with the transition, $12 million was allocated to a support package for assisting commercial fishers who were impacted. These commitments by the government show it is keen to adjust the way our fishery is run and managed. While the commercial sector is making plenty of noise in this space, these closures don’t mean that all gillnetting in the area has stopped. Fishing with gillnets can continue between Point Parker and John’s Creek, outside the defined western Gulf of Carpentaria gillnet-free area. In addition to the new gillnet free areas, the consultation also looked at several other key areas of interest, which included short to medium-term actions to rebuild king threadfin stocks, implementation of a new harvest strategy for the gulf, new commercial catch limits and improved reporting arrangements, and implementation of independent onboard monitoring. This wholistic approach to the fishery is what is needed.

Fingers crossed that once the reforms in the gulf and on the Great Barrier Reef are finalised, a bit more effort can be put into southeast Queensland, as there are a few areas here that need immediate attention. Apologies Occasionally we get things wrong and, in this case, about face too. Apologies to Kim Martin for not only spelling his first name incorrectly but swapping his surname for his first – twice! Thanks for letting us know that we’d confused Kim with a relative of the famous swimmer. Getting your hands dirty If you are keen to put a little back into our fishery, OzFish Unlimited has several working bees across the country. These events can be found at ozfish.org.au/ events If you are based in southeast Queensland, two Moreton Bay working bees at the Port of Brisbane will be held on June 12 and 20. Both working bees are focused on rebuilding the lost shellfish reefs of Moreton Bay. There are both morning and afternoon sessions, which helps fit things in around school sports commitments.

OzFish Moreton Bay working bees at the Port of Brisbane will be held on June 12 and 20.

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Just remember to register your interest, as these working bees can fill up. Not only are you doing an awesome thing for our fishery, it’s a great way to meet likeminded people. On the fishing front… or should that be the weather front? Picking the weather these days is a lottery. In an e-news recently, I detailed a few of the weather platforms I use. If you haven’t signed up for our weekly fishing updates, make sure to jump onto bnbfish ing.com.au and join – it’s a free and easy way to stay up to date with what’s on the chew near you, plus other fishing and boating news. Thankfully, the fairly average weather possibly improved the fishing. My reasoning behind that is that less people have been hitting the water, so when presented with an easy feed, the fish have been keener to take a bait or lure. The rain has also kept the rivers pushing food out into the bay, which gets the fish feeding. Hopefully, we will see more stable weather patterns as we move into winter, which will result in several inshore and offshore species biting. If a solid bay snapper is on your bucket list, now is the time to aim for one. We have plenty of tips on how to target these fish using both bait and lures on the website – so check them out. Or have a read of the reports in this edition and work out a plan of attack for the cooler months ahead. Tight lines and stay safe on the water. Ben Collins

OUR COVER Cool winter catches 495

Includes GST

June 2024 Print Post Approved PP100001534 Volume 35, Number 6

Get set for snapper action

Tips for fishing structure Refining your fingermark skills ISSN 1832-4517

06 Proudly produced and printed in Australia

9 771832 451001

Moreton Bay species fire Post-flood fishing in FNQ Live baiting spanish mackerel

Estuary • Offshore • Freshwater • 4WD • Camping • Touring www.bnbfishing.com.au

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 1

JACOB IEDEMA showed that, by using modern equipment and watercraft, 55cm snapper are accessible from a kayak. Flick through the mag for more tips on catching this species.

NEXT EDITION: July edition will be on sale in newsagents from June 21. JUNE SUBSCRIPTION OFFER: See the subscription form on page 84 to subscribe this month and to go in the draw to win one of four apparel packs from The Dirty Oar valued at $90.00 RRP each. APRIL PRIZE WINNERS: Congratulations to A. Simmond, Humpty Doo; B. Parker, Tamborine Mountain; B. Wesener, Dallarnil; B. Henningsen, Maryborough; B. Brix, Alexandra Hills; C. Warren, Maleny; C. Jeppesen, Bracken Ridge; D. McKinnon, Evan Heads; G. Howell, Heathcote; H. Maurer, Amity Point; J. Cumberland, Cornubia; J. Jackson, Mount Cotton; L. Eichmann, Humpty Doo; M. Sweeny, South Toowoomba; R. Jenner, Redland Bay; S. Dodrill, Collingwood Park; S. Laban, Cleveland; S. Allan, Keperra; W. Evans, North Lakes and M. MacArthur, Cleveland who will each receive a Campanion Ultrafine Microfibre Travel Towel, valued at $17.95 RRP each. Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 5

June 2024 contents Flatties falling for soft plastics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Keith Stratford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P8 Tide Times - Brisbane Bar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P10 Tips for fishing structure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Justin Willmer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P10 People power paying off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Caitlin Berecry . . . . . . . . . . . . . P16 Fishing Events Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P17 Solid spanish snared in southern Moreton Bay. . . . . . . . by Sean Conlon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P18 Offshore Moreton Island. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Mick Clutterbuck . . . . . . . . . . . P20 Snapper time in southeast Queensland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Chris Raimondi . . . . . . . . . . . . . P22 TT Split Foam Tackle Trays. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Mick Clutterbuck . . . . . . . . . . . P24 Winter snapper in Moreton Bay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Ben Collins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P25 Cracking Moreton Bay species. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Mark Templeton . . . . . . . . . . . P26 Lowrance’s new Eagle fishfinder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P30 Pirtek Fishing Challenge sponsored by Stacer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P32 MEMU-7 digital boating innovation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P34 Suzuki DF60A outboard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P35 Next level Yamaha JetFish. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P36 When to upgrade your trailer by Move. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P38 Product News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P40 Charter Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P43 Luring monster flathead. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Clint Ansell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P46 Live baiting spaniards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Mitchel Zygnerski . . . . . . . . . . P48 Caring for your catch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Andy Melville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P50 Fishing for a fat fish feed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Gavin Dobson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P52 Mulloway en masse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Brett Hyde . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P54 Yamba’s Troy Billin wins seafood excellence award. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P55 Big jewies and mullet in Jewn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Tye Porter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P56 Red spot in Sunshine Coast rivers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P58 Flatties, queenies, GTs and jacks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Chris Rippon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P60 Mackerel and bonus by-catch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Tri Ton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P62 Lures ain’t just lures.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Paul 'Chief' Graveson . . . . . . . P63 Tide Times – Waddy Point. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P64 Cap Coast winter options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by John Boon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P66 Getting gold in Gladstone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Gary Churchward . . . . . . . . . . P68 Full on fishing post floods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by 'Billabong' Bazz Lyon . . . . . . . P70 Top pick Karijini National Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Ben Collins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P72 Australian Adventures by Ted Mitchel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Neil Schultz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P76 Isisford Fishing Competition 2024. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P77 Moura Muddy Water Classic 2024. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Helen Abdy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P78 Catch of a lifetime in Fish ‘n SIP$ comp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P78 Dam Levels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P79 Lake Monduran fishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P80 Open view on freshwater fishing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Brian Dare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P80 Trading Post. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P82 Readers’ Forum ��P83 Subscription Form ��P84 Page 6 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024

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The Team

EDITOR: Ben Collins ADVERTISING: Chantal Rimmington PRODUCTION: Tiffany Brown 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: SpotNews DISTRIBUTION BY: Wrapaway 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.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 7

Luke landed the first flathead of the day on his homemade plastic.

Flathead were very aggressive over the past few weeks.

Flatties falling for soft plastics

Double hook-ups have been common lately.

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T’S winter already! Time flies when you’re having fun! The past couple of months have produced some excellent catches around southeast Queensland. The larger systems, such as the Pine and Caboolture rivers, have been on fire, especially around the mouths. Flathead were the most common catches for those anglers fishing lures, with tailor and bream not far behind. I’ve spent a lot of time chasing flatties recently and have been playing with a few different lures. These days, anglers have a variety of soft plastics to choose from and it can be very daunting walking into a tackle shop for someone who hasn’t used lures before. I recommend going into a specialised tackle shop instead of one of the bigger chains. For example, Tackle World at Lawnton is an excellent shop for anglers who live on the north side of Brisbane. The staff there actually fish and are happy

Local Luring by KEITH STRATFORD

to pass on information that will help you get connected to a few flatties. Lure selection can make a huge difference to your catches on the day, particularly if the fish aren’t quite in the mood to feed. To prepare for what the fish want on any given day, I always carry a variety of soft plastics. When chasing flathead, I like to use either

a paddle tail, curl tail or prawn imitation. Soft vibes are also a good option, especially in deeper water. This month, I won’t bother going into hard-bodies for flathead, yet they also have their place in my flatty arsenal, namely trolling. When chasing flathead, I take at least two rods, so I’m not continually changing lures. * continued P9

Fish Craft Dr Prawn plastics have produced a heap of flathead.

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Flatties falling for soft plastics * from P8

One will always have a prawn imitation on it and the other will start with a paddle tail. I prefer paddle tails in the 3-4” size. Flathead aren’t shy about eating a big plastic, and a lot of undersized fish will happily eat a 4” or larger sized plastic. Smaller sized soft plastics still work very well, however on average, I find they attract smaller fish, including tiny undersized models. Small flatties are always the ones that will spike you, so minimising the number of little rats that come aboard is a bonus! Stacks of good paddle tails are available in a variety of great colours. I stick to two or three brands and make sure I have a good selection of colours to cover all conditions. Prawn imitations are excellent flathead lures. The 92mm Pro Lure Clone Prawn is a great flatty catcher, chiefly when jigged through deeper water in the 3-9m range. I have been playing around with Fish Craft Dr Prawn plastics in the 3” and 4” sizes lately and they’ve produced very well. My son Luke has turned into a very dedicated young fisho and has hassled me to make some soft plastics with him for a few years now. My friend Benny decided he’d had enough of making plastics and generously passed on a stack of gear for us to start pouring our own. Mostly we’ve been using a 3” and 4” paddle

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tail mould that works nicely. The fun part was mixing the colours, then going out to try them the following day. Our first batch produced some interesting colours, to say the least. Luke was very keen to try them out and picked the ugliest colour from the bunch. To my surprise, he smashed a heap of fish on that colour and by the end of the session, it was held together with super glue. We ended up catching over 30 flathead in a few hours that morning, so the young angler was very happy. When chasing flathead, jig head selection is very important. For Brisbane, the water I chase flatties in can vary between .5-15m in depth, so I carry a wide range of jig heads. Sharp good quality hooks will get you a lot more hook-ups. Choosing cheap hooks is not a good option. This an area where you don’t want to go for the cheaper brands. Hooks that aren’t chemically sharpened miss a lot of fish. Flathead can be very aggressive feeders and they will happily chase a plastic at high speeds when they’re feeding. I prefer to use a heavier jig head than most anglers would choose, so I can fish it a bit faster. The lightest I use is 1/4oz, even on the flats in very shallow water. Occasionally, I find myself using a 3/8oz jig head in only a 1m of water. When the fish are feeding aggressively, they aren’t very fussy.

However, on days when they’re shut down, it can be quite a different story. Working soft plastics very slowly is a little boring, but if it means catching fish or not, it’s obviously worth doing. I’ve had days when I’ve had to dead stick the lure on the bottom for 5-10 seconds to get a bite. Deadsticking is a super boring technique. It involves sinking the plastic to the bottom and leaving it to sit still. Using this technique, you often won’t even feel a bite, then when you go to move the lure, you’ll come up tight to a flatty. Flathead should continue to feed well this month, so hopefully the rain stays away. See you on the water.

Tailor will be a good target this month.

Luke Stratford landed a nice flounder recently.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 9

Tide Times AUSTRALIA EAST COAST -

2024

STRALIA, –– BRISBANE STRALIA, EAST EAST COAST COAST BRISBANE BAR BRISBANE BAR BAR

me me

LAT LONG LAT 27° 27° 22ʼ 22ʼ SS LONG 153° 153° 10ʼ 10ʼ EE Times Times and and Heights Heights of of High High and and Low Low Waters Waters JUNE JULY JUNE JULY

m m

Time Time

m m

338 338 2.06 2.06 044 044 0.83 0.83 647 647 1.67 1.67 219 219 0.99 0.99

0424 0424 2.27 2.27 1115 1115 0.52 0.52 1725 2.05 1725 2.05 SA SA 2320 2320 0.74 0.74

440 440 2.04 2.04 132 132 0.76 0.76 744 744 1.81 1.81 330 330 0.94 0.94

534 2.04 2.04 534 215 0.68 0.68 215 831 1.96 1.96 831

Time Time

m m

Time Time

m m

Time Time

m m

Time Time

m m

Time Time

m m

Bridges are very productive manmade structures.

0428 0428 1.69 1.69 1100 1100 0.64 0.64 1754 2.05 1754 2.05 TU TU

0139 0139 0.72 0.72 0700 0700 1.61 1.61 1259 0.50 1259 0.50 TH TH 1945 1945 2.41 2.41

0525 0523 0525 2.22 2.22 0523 1.87 1.87 1207 0.44 0.44 1207 1157 1157 0.60 0.60 1825 2.23 2.23 MO 1834 2.10 2.10 SU SU 1825 MO 1834

0024 0015 0024 0.79 0.79 0015 0.94 0.94 0556 1.86 1.86 0556 0534 0534 1.65 1.65 1221 0.43 0.43 WE 1155 0.59 0.59 TU TU 1221 WE 1155 1902 2.39 2.39 1902 1848 1848 2.19 2.19

0234 0234 0.63 0.63 0800 0800 1.66 1.66 1355 0.46 0.46 FR FR 1355 2031 2031 2.46 2.46

0158 0158 0.66 0.66 0716 0716 1.68 1.68 1319 0.44 0.44 SA SA 1319 2003 2003 2.45 2.45

1257 0.39 0.39 MO 1257 MO 1919 2.40 2.40 1919

1314 0.42 0.42 WE 1314 WE 1956 2.49 2.49 1956

1442 0.43 0.43 SA 1442 SA 2114 2.47 2.47 2114

1414 0.33 0.33 SU 1414 SU

11 22

0428 0428 1.92 1.92 1110 1110 0.66 0.66 1744 1.95 1744 1.95 SU SU 2344 2344 0.96 0.96

Time Time Zone Zone –1000 –1000 AUGUST AUGUST

16 16 17 17

0451 0451 1.97 1.97 1126 1126 0.45 0.45 1803 2.26 1803 2.26 MO MO

11 22

16 16 17 17

0101 0101 0.81 0.81 0616 0616 1.57 1.57 1220 0.56 1220 0.56 FR FR 1913 1913 2.30 2.30

16 16

Tips 17 17 for fishing structure

0034 0.70 0.70 0046 0.89 0.89 0136 0.73 0.73 0120 0.83 0.83 0320 Bridges 0.57 0247 0.53 0.53 a great system starting point 0320 0.57 18 0046 18 0120 18 0247 33 0034 33 0136 33n 0622 2.14 2.14 18 0615 1.84 1.84 0700 1.78 1.78 18 0635 1.66 1.66 0847 1.72 1.72 18 0810 1.80 1.80 0622 0615 0700 0635 0847 0810 1242 0.54 0.54 TU 1242 TU 1919 2.24 2.24 1919

1248 0.52 0.52 TH 1248 TH 1938 2.33 2.33 1938

2049 2.58 HERE2049 are 2.58 many 0141 0.65 0.65 0238 0.66 0.66 0400 0.55 0.55 030 0.87 0.87 0142 0.80 0.80 0215 0.72 0.72 0333 0.42 0.42 in 030 0141 0142 0238 0215 0400 0333 old sayings 19 0704 19 0730 19 0900 44 0716 44 0759 44 0929 622 2.04 2.04 0704 1.82 1.82 0730 1.70 1.70 0900 1.91 1.91 0716 2.06 2.06 19 0759 1.74 1.74 19 0929 1.77 1.77 19 622 fishing that0.25 255 0.60 0.60 1324 0.49 0.49 1339 0.45 0.45 1505 0.25still 1344 0.36 0.36 WE 1403 0.41 0.41 FR 1523 0.42 0.42 255 TU 1344 TH 1403 SU 1523 WE 1324 FR 1339 MO 1505 TU TH SU MO 914 2.11 2.11 2002 2.36 2.36 2024 2.45 2.45 2132 2.66 2.66 2009 2.53 2.53 2044 2.55 2.55 2151 2.46 2.46 914 2009 2002 2044 2024 2151 2132 ring true and one of 121 0.80 0.80 0241 0.61 0.61 0232 0.73 0.73 0331 0.61 0.61 0306 0.62 0.62 0434 0.56 0.56 0416 0.34 0.34 121 0241 0232 0331 0306 0434 0416 those is ‘find the struc20 0751 20 0822 20 0948 55 0809 55 0852 55 1004 704 2.03 2.03 0809 1.96 1.96 20 0751 1.80 1.80 0852 1.73 1.73 20 0822 1.76 1.76 1004 1.80 1.80 20 0948 2.01 2.01 704 331 0.53 0.53 1427 0.35 0.35 TH 1406 0.45 0.45 1450 0.41 0.41 SA 1428 0.38 0.38 1600 0.43 0.43 the 1554 0.21 331 1600 WE 1427 TH 1406 FR 1450 SA 1428 MOture, TU 1554 WE FR MO TU find fish’.0.21 952 2.24 2.24 2057 2.61 2.61 2045 2.45 2.45 2129 2.57 2.57 2109 2.55 2.55 2225 2.43 2.43 2215 2.68 2.68 952 2057 2045 2129 2109 2225 2215 Available structure for 0335 0.58 0.58 0418 0.59 0.59 0354 0.54 0.54 209 0.74 0.74 0320 0.67 0.67 0505 0.56 0.56 0458 0.29 0.29 0335 0418 0354 0505 0458 209 0320 21 0913 21 0837 21 1035 66 0900 66 0940 66anglers 21 0900 1.88 1.88 21 0940 1.73 1.73 21 0913 1.81 1.81 744 2.00 2.00 0837 1.80 1.80 1038 1.84 1.84includes 1035 natural 2.09 1038 2.09 744 1508 0.36 0.36 FR 1532 0.43 0.43 SU 1515 0.32 0.32 407 0.48 0.48 1446 0.42 0.42 1633 0.46 0.46 WE 1642 0.22 0.22 1633 407 TH 1508 SA 1532 SU 1515 FR 1446 TUenvironments WE 1642 TH SA TU such as 2142 2.64 2.64 2210 2.54 2.54 2153 2.63 2.63 030 2.35 2.35 2126 2.52 2.52 2255 2.38 2.38 2256 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Tackle Tactics by JUSTIN WILLMER

cyclists, cars, trains and other vehicles to travel safely over these waterways. You will often find access points to fish land based around bridges or to launch a kayak or canoe to explore the area further. If you’re new to a system, bridges are a great starting point to find fish because the pylons and other structure that support the bridge also alters the water flow and provides shelter and ambush points for fish. Eddies and pressure points When approaching

bridges, it’s important to think about where the fish might be holding on the pylons and why. As water flows past a bridge pylon, it creates an eddy behind it and this break in flow is where you will often find bait holding, and in turn predators holding and feeding. Working your way along the bridge and fishing the eddies can be very productive, however the water flow also creates another key strike zone – pressure points. Pressure points will * continued P12

1143 0.63 0.63 TH 1143 TH 1835 2.23 2.23 1835 1251 0.57 0.57 FR 1251 FR 1928 2.31 2.31 1928

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monwealth of Australia Australia 2022, 2022, Bureau Bureau of of Meteorology Meteorology onwealth of New Moon First Quarter ns is is Lowest Lowest Astronomical Astronomical Tide Tide ns

bols ols

Full Moon First Last Quarter Full Moon Moon First Quarter Quarter Full

New Moon Moon New

Page 10 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024

CastingLast to and past pylons and bringing the lure back with the flow should see Last Quarter Quarter you hooked88up.

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Email: admin@wynnummarine.com.au Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 11

The TT Quake Power Vibe is dynamite for fishing the base of pylons for flathead.

Once hooked, it’s all about getting the fish away from the marine growth on the pylon to avoid bust offs.

Tips for fishing structure - bridges * from P10

Declan Williams makes a cast to the pylon and works the soft plastic back with the flow.

form in front of the pylon, where the water is forced to divert around the structure, before creating an eddy behind it. It’s worth making the occasional cast into the pressure points as we’ve often found bream, trevally, tailor and other species holding and feeding in these areas. As with all angling, fishing bridges is all about cracking the pattern on the day, working out where the fish are

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holding and what they are feeding on. Top to bottom Pylons provide vertical structure that can make them trickier to fish when compared to a weed or channel edge. It’s important to remember that this vertical structure could hold fish at any depth, so we prefer to vary our retrieves and presentations to fish from the surface to the base of the pylons. Bridges also offer an incredible mix of species, from breadand-butter fish such as bream and flathead to pelagic such as tailor, trevally and mackerel, plus reef varieties such as snapper and sweetlip emperor. Soft plastics are an effective choice because a single plastic can be rigged on different weighted jig heads to fish the entire depth, with a TT hidden weight system an option for targeting bream mooching around the tops of the pylons, increasing the weight to reach the required depths based on the flow. Lifting and lowering the rod tip and increasing and decreasing retrieve speeds can also

allow you to adjust the running depth of your presentation to ensure it is in the strike zone when it enters the eddy or pressure point. End to end Some bridges will be short with only a handful of pylons, while others will span much larger areas, with rows of structure to explore. It’s important to remember that over the span of the bridge, the environment can change radically, so it’s worth exploring the length of the bridge, particularly if you have a depth sounder and can make a note of water depth, bottom structure, bait and fish. Again, it’s all about cracking the pattern in terms of the species, key bite times and what they’re feeding on. Certain sections of the bridge may fish better on different stages of the tide and various tide sizes may hold a mix of species and offer many depths for utilising varying techniques. The pylons are the key structure. However, some will hold more fish and the effectiveness of a particular pylon could be * continued P13

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Tips for fishing structure - bridges * from P12

multiplied by its additional marine growth, water depth or proximity to variables such as heavy flow, channel edges or supporting structure – weed beds or rubble piles created during the original construction of the bridge and sinking of the pylons. Other variables A couple of other variables that can dictate what sections of the bridge can be more effective include water quality, shade and wind direction. Across the span of larger bridges, you may encounter varying wind, bottom structure, current and water depth, all of which can alter the water clarity and the amount of suspended sediment. If the bite is not hap-

pening, try moving to cleaner or dirtier water, as this can sometimes impact the species holding in the area and how aggressively they’re feeding. Regardless of the type of structure you’re fishing – including mangroves, pontoons and bridges – shade often hold fish. Maybe predators use these shade areas as an ambush point or perhaps they feel safer holding in the shadows. Regardless, get a cast into the shadowy areas, especially when fishing shallower water, and you may find yourself hooked up. Finally, the position of the bridge in relation to wind, sun and flow also often dictates which pylons will hold more fish. You could work your

way across the length of a bridge fishing the ocean side pylons without many bites, only to move to the inside pylons and find them stacked with fish, due to one or more of the variables mentioned. So, if the bite isn’t happening, make it happen by switching pylon lines, moving along the expanse of the bridge or varying the depth you’re fishing on the pylons. Go-to combos When it comes to fishing bridges, primarily I have three combos rigged, depending on the type of fishing I’m doing and the key target species. Light A 7’0” 1-3kg spin rod and 1000 reel loaded with 6lb braid and 10lb * continued P14

The author with a solid bridge bream landed casting soft plastics on light spin gear.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 13

Tips for fishing structure - bridges * from P13

A flathead with a face full of TT Quake Power Vibe.

A deep water favourite, the Z-Man 3” MinnowZ on a 3-8oz 3-0 TT Big EyeZ jig head.

A selection of jig head weights allows you to effectively fish the pylons from the surface to the sea floor.

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leader is great fun for delivering lighter presentations, including jig heads to around 1/20oz to 1/8oz. This is my go-to combo when targeting bream, and you may find yourself doing some fancy rod work if a trevally or larger predator decides to eat your presentation. Medium light A 7’0” 2-4kg spin rod and 2500 reel loaded with 8-10lb braid and 10lb leader is a great all-rounder for fishing the river and estuary, including bridge fishing. I use this combo to cast plastics on jig heads to about 1/4oz, as well as fishing blades and small vibes. This combo will handle most species encountered when fishing bridges. Medium A 7’0” 3-6kg spin rod and 2500-3000 reel loaded with 1015lb braid and 10-20lb leader will handle a lot of the heavier work, including fishing deeper water with jig heads to 3/8oz and working larger soft vibes. I use this combo mostly for fishing the deeper channel sections that the bridge spans and when targeting larger species such as snapper and mulloway. Target species and lure presentation will generally dictate the combo selected and you may need to upsize the setup based on this, however these three have served me well when fishing bridge structure for commonly targeted species. Go-to presentations There are a stack of lure presentation types that are effective when fishing bridges, however I wanted to touch on

a couple of my proven favourites. The environment can change dramatically when fishing bridges, including the depth, current, target species and where they’re holding. Consequently, I love the versatility of soft plastics, and that by changing the weight of the jig head, I can fish the same plastic throughout the entire water column. So, let’s start with plastics. Often, you’ll find a concentration of small baitfish holding around the pylons. My favourite imitation is a Z-Man 2.5” Slim SwimZ, a small baitfish profile with loads of action that appeals to a wide range of species. Prawns frequently hold around bridges, so with my go-to being the Z-Man 2.5” PrawnZ and if prawns are active in the system, everything will eat this bite-sized snack. I fish both on a size 1 or 1/0 TT jig head, with 1/20oz, 1/8oz and 1/4oz weights carried as a minimum, which will cover bream mooching around the tops of the pylons to a slow fall for a mix of species and a heavier head to get down to the base of the pylons in reasonable depth and flow. When the bait is larger, it’s hard to beat the proven Z-Man 3” MinnowZ for versatility. Rigged on a 1/8oz 3/0 TT HeadlockZ HD jig head for shallow water, stepping to a 1/4oz and 3/8oz as the water gets deeper or the flow increases. Another favourite for fishing deeper water and increased flow is the TT Quake soft vibe, with the 75mm a go-

to for a mixed bag of species and the 95mm a favourite for mulloway and threadfin salmon. Fish on! Now it’s time to get those casts tight to the pylon or past the pylon and back with the flow, so that your lure presentation enters the strike zone at the desired depth. Keep an eye on your line and be ready for a bite as the lure sinks. Fish that are holding around the pylons are commonly there to feed, so a lure wafting down with the current is often an easy target. The strike zone is generally close to the pylon, with a few twitches or hops, or a shaking retrieve often all that’s required to entice the bite, while keeping the lure in the strike zone for longer. If you’re fishing with other anglers, try fishing a variety of presentations and retrieves until you start to crack a pattern. If one angler hooks up, it can be worth keeping an eye on the hooked fish to see if it has other fish with it because a hooked fish will often draw other fish away from the pylon, keen to get their teeth into whatever their friend is eating. This can lead to some fun double hook-ups on bream, trevally, tailor and other species that school around the pylons hunting bait. There are plenty of bridges out there to fish, so jump onto Google Maps to check out the concrete and steel fish-holding structure available in the areas you fish, get a cast in there and hang on! See you on the water. www.bnbfishing.com. au

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 15

Eddie is a member of the OzFish Central Moreton Bay Chapter, which has delivered over 6500 robust oyster baskets for oyster reefs in Moreton Bay.

If ever you’ve had doubts about the power of one individual, introducing Eddie Johnstone.

People power paying off n Volunteering key to fishing future

Having seen the disappearance of marine life over the years, Eddie spends his spare time supporting the largest community driven shellfish restoration program in Australia.

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HEN we think about time travel to the past, people worry about radically changing the present by doing something small. Yet very few people think they can radically change the future by doing something small in the present day. As fishers, we’re currently bearing witness to some of the most proactive fisheries’ management in recent times. We hear about millions

CREATING BETTER HABITAT FOR BETTER FISHING Page 16 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024

of fish being stocked in waterways, football fields worth of seagrass being restored, rivers on the way back to their former glory, new dams opening to recreational fishing… the list goes on. And while these projects are all important and valuable in their own right, collectively we know there’s still an overwhelming amount of work to be done to preserve the future of fishing. The statistics around habitat destruction alone are boggling – 99 percent of shellfish reefs functionally extinct, 85 percent of seagrass beds lost… the numbers are grim. These stats are likely to make even the most casual fisho uncomfortable, and rightly so. You might be left wondering what can you do to make meaningful change – is it even possible? If ever you’ve had doubts about the power of one individual, I’d like to introduce you to southeast Queenslander, Eddie Johnstone. At 77 years young, Eddie is an active member of OzFish’s Central Moreton Bay Chapter,

alongside his son David and now grandson Oliver. Eddie is one piece of a very large puzzle – the Central Moreton Bay Chapter has delivered over 6500 building blocks, known as robust oyster baskets, for oyster reefs in the bay. Collectively, the oysters the ROBs will house can filter a casual 18.5 million litres of water per day. Eddie jokes that volunteering is keeping the dementia at bay. “It’s a ‘win, win, win’ situation for me,” Eddie said. “I’m involved in an activity that covers three generations of my family, that requires a lot of learning, physical activity and mental involvement to stimulate my aging body and in doing so, I’m contributing to a project that improves the waters and fish habitat in our beautiful Moreton Bay.” Having grown up fishing locally, Eddie shares memories of massive hauls of whiting and crabs from the bay area, acknowledging how times have changed for the better with catch limits now in place. * continued P17

www.bnbfishing.com. au

People power pays off * from P16

He has also seen firsthand the disappearance of marine life over the years, so it’s no wonder he now spends his spare time supporting OzFish’s Shellfish Revolution Project, the largest community driven shellfish restoration program in Australia. Eddie notes that while the obvious final product is the robust oyster baskets, there are ways to get involved without being on the tools. With a background in publishing sales, Eddie uses his life skills to help with fundraising and community outreach – proving you don’t need to be a tradie to lend a hand. “I’m often surprised at the working bees to see a 60-year-old woman alongside a 16-yearold, working equally towards the end goal,” he said. Eddie credits wanting to be a lifelong learner as one of the reasons why he’s so involved with the project. But with age comes wisdom. “I want to leave a legacy by making a contribution to help rejuvenate our reefs and waterways,” he said. Eddie’s story underscores a simple truth – the common denominator in the majority of

these projects moving the dial for fish is people. Locals supporting local waterways, rec fishos caring for the future of recreational fishing. When posed with the question of why, Eddie said, “You have to make a contribution, no matter how small you might think it is.” “You’ve just got to do it – it will have a flowon effect.” Pretty simple stuff really. Channel your inner Eddie and think about doing something small in the present day, knowing that one day in the future, someone is going to see and benefit from your choice. The movement for better fishing is underway. OzFish is only one organisation that supports recreational fishers giving back. It is supported by thousands of anglers across Australia looking after their local fishing spots. If there were more people like Eddie who gave only one day a year to pick up rubbish, help clean used oyster shells or plant a tree along a riparian zone, we’d go a long way to restoring our iconic waterways, like Moreton Bay. Caitlin Berecry OzFish Limited

Eddie’s philosophy is that you have to make a contribution, no matter how small you might think it is. www.bnbfishing.com.au

Competition Winning Performance

FISHING EVENTS EVENT

DATE

LOCATION

2024 King of the Pin Until Jun 2

Alberton, Qld kingofthepin.com.au

Womens Fishing Classic

Southeast Queensland womensfishingclassic.com.au

Until Jun 8

Rainbow Beach Jun 2-8 Family Fishing Classic & Expo

Rainbow Beach, Qld rainbowsportsclub.com.au

Evans Head Fishing Classic

Evans Head, NSW evansheadfishingclassic.com.au

Jul 5-12

Isisford Fishing Jul 26-28 Competition

Isisford, Qld https://www.facebook.com/ groups/276743562394366/

2024 Tailor Classic Jul 26-28

Gold Coast, Qld facebook.com/thebaitshopgoldcoast

AFTA Tackle Show Aug 15-17

Gold Coast, Qld afta.net.au

Catch a Catty Family Aug 17-18 Fishing Competition

Burnett River, Qld facebook.com/Paradise-Fish-Stock ing-Association-105544657844248

Moreton Island Fishing Classic

Aug 28-31

Moreton Island, Qld moretonislandfishingclassic.com.au

Baffle Creek Family Fishing Festival

Sep 16-21

Baffle Creek, Qld bafflecreek.com.au

Flathead Classic

Sep 24-27

Gold Coast, Qld flatheadclassic.com.au

Fitzroy River Barra Bash

Oct 9-12

Fitzroy River, Qld fitzroyriverbarrabash.com.au

Tackle World Bundaberg Family Fishing Classic

Oct 18-20

Lake Monduran, Qld masa-fishstocking.org.au

To have your competition listed in the calendar, please phone (07) 3286 1833 or email ads@collins.media Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 17

C ASTfrom the past

The fishos worked exceptionally well as a team to land this whopping 18kg spanish mackerel from an unlikely location.

Solid spanish snared in southern Moreton Bay

EATURING a great article from the Bush ‘n Beach Fishing mag archives, welcome to Cast from the Past. If you have a hankering to read about a certain topic, drop us a line and we’ll do some deep diving. Here’s a piece by Sean Conlon from June 2014 covering the quality fishing in Moreton Bay. I met the crew for the charter at the ramp at 5.30am and we did the introductions, boarded the vessel and went through the safety brief. It was low tide at 6am, so we needed to make a decision about whether to chase flathead dur-

Southern Moreton Bay by SEAN CONLON

ing the low on plastics or head towards Goat Island to see if we could find a few mackerel in the low light of early morning. Roman, Lee and Mal decided they would like to chase mackerel, so we fired up the 140hp Suzuki and headed out of the harbour and straight for Goat Island. As we arrived at our destination, the sounder was alive with bait and expectations were high. So, the crew grabbed a rod each and started casting metal slugs and

Page 18 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024

plastics into the bait ball. We caught a few small tailor and were bitten off several times, though nothing much to speak about, so we got some fresh herring out of the Esky and sent it out. While catching small snapper to about 34cm, we were again bitten off a number of times. We decided to move closer to Dunwich to see if we could find bait schools that might have mackerel feeding on them. Here we discovered a couple of bait balls and

had fun casting metal slugs, however we could still only manage a few undersized tailor. The decision was made to head back to the original bait school to see if the change of tide had brought the fish on the chew. We worked the bait ball for another hour or so, casting metal slugs and plastics and also sending down fresh bait, but the only thing we could hook were small tailor and snapper. Yet, the bait ball looked very promising. Every so often, the baitfish would sit quietly on the bottom, then suddenly something would round them up and twist

them like a tornado all the way to the surface. We could see the big predators chasing them on the sounder but couldn’t get anything to bite. As we were about to leave, we decided to troll 3m diving 90mm Zerek Ripper Diver hard-bodies through the bait ball. We set the boat up for our run, deployed the lures and let out the right amount of line. The fishos put the rods in the holders and all that was left to do was make a straight run at the bait school. I set the speed at four knots and drove straight over the bait. * continued P19

www.bnbfishing.com. au

C ASTfrom the past Solid spanish snared in southern Moreton Bay * from P18

As soon as the lures entered the bait ball, one of the rods bent over double and the drag started screaming. The 8lb line was ripping off the spool like you wouldn’t believe – we were onto a great fish. Roman was lucky enough to be sitting beside the rod that was on, so he quickly pulled it out of the holder and started trying to retrieve some of the line the fish was tearing off. I instantly put the boat into reverse and Lee wound in the other line as quickly as he could. While all this was happening, about 120m of braid had peeled off the reel and we were onto the backing. So, I spun the boat around and gave chase to see if we could get some line back as quickly as possible. It was an unbelievable first run, but we eventually began to catch up with the fish and were relieved to see the

yellow braid starting to cover the red mono backing. We all had a go at determining the species. Was it a shark, a tuna or a big jewfish? Despite the guessing, no one was prepared for what we were about to see. Eventually the fish slowly came to the surface from underneath the boat. At first, we could see that it was long and silver in the green water. As it steadily came closer, we thought it was a big jew, and then as it got even closer to the surface the call went out – spanish mackerel. What a cracker! At about 1.3m, the crew couldn’t believe it. Now the pressure was on. Thinking the fight was over and we were going to land the fish with no worries at all, it decided to head off again, ripping off the braid and putting us on the mono backing once more. If the team weren’t

anxious before, they were now. For the next 20 minutes or so the fish kept taking line and we kept getting it back, until eventually it started making big circles around the boat. At last, the circles became smaller, but unfortunately the fish was getting right under the boat. Finally it came to the surface and that’s when we noticed the first lot of trebles had popped out and only the last trebles were under its chin. With a little panic starting to set in, Roman was going well on the rod and Mal was ready with the gaff. We knew as it came to the surface that we only had one shot, as we could see the trebles were beginning to bend.

Roman brought the fish to the surface right beside the boat and Mal lent over for the gaff shot. Bang – a perfect shot right behind the head. He lifted the 18kg spanish mackerel straight into the boat and the cheer went up, “You little ripper!” Great work crew, you worked well as a team to

land the biggest fish to grace my boat in southern Moreton Bay. If you’re interested in our fishing tuition or want to do a fishing charter, give me a call on 0432 386 307, send an email to seancon lonsfishing@hotmail. com or check out the Facebook page Seano’s Inshore Fishing Charters and Tuition.

Roman was a picture of concentration during the fight.

The 40lb wire would have been no match if the spaniard had inhaled the Ripper Diver.

www.bnbfishing.com.au

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 19

Offshore Moreton Island

Beating mack tuna to the bait, a nice 15kg wahoo, boated by the Fake Taxi crew.

Arthur snagged this good-sized snapper.

Offshore reef fishing fanatics WANTED One of Brisbane’s oldest deep-sea fishing clubs 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 Dave (0455 125 358) or Tim (0436 625 590).

POWER BOAT ANGLERS REEF FISHING CLUB INC Page 20 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024

HILE the weather wasn’t exactly great, it was fishable for a change, so several boats took advantage to head out and try their luck after a bit of a lay off. Most chose to use the Rainbow Channel and found it to be an absolute washing machine early on in the morning, yet still safe to navigate. Once outside, it was fairly obvious that fishing for the day would be in close because it was very lumpy and windy out wide. Tim Tilbury and sons on Ladybird had elected to head over the night before, anchoring up at Dunwich, and woken up by a phone call from Dave Alexander as he passed them. Tim and crew elected to have a leisurely breakfast before heading out and joining the rest of the boats to try their luck. On the fishing front, it seemed to be mack tuna day and, if you didn’t catch one, well you might as well give the fishing game away. They were definitely there in numbers, taking anything thrown out, particularly hardbody lures. The upside was that they make great strip bait and, with the upcoming trip to Seventeen Seventy, it was an ideal time to top up the bait freezer in preparation. Tim thought his luck had changed when his lure was hit again. Though this time there was more weight and the fight was different – definitely not a tuna. The fight didn’t take too long, but the result

PBA Spin by MICK CLUTTERBUCK

was disappointing. Anyone ever trolled up a giant sea toad? To further add to Tim’s disappointment, he hooked up on the next troll to a very decent fish that was thought to be a spanish mackerel, only to be snipped off and lose everything. The best fish for the trip came from Fake Taxi, with skipper Carl landing a very nice wahoo at 15kg. After calling it a day, the trip back in past Amity Point was smooth and very comfortable, topping off a good day on the water. The tip of the day was that, while mack tuna are fun to catch, they make terrible sashimi… just ask Tim.

Zen’s prawn tails Elsewhere, Lakis Zeniou continues to clock up brownie points after doing a few more family trips on the big PowerCat around the southern bay regions. He’s been leaving the rods at home but has excelled in the ‘hunter gatherer’ stakes by getting into the prawns near the salt works and finding an occasional flathead by-catch in his net. Using his tiny inflatable, which seems to be as long as it is wide, he can manoeuvre in and out of the car park of boats, get his share and have the catch back in the frying pan in no time. A few of us are still waiting for the invite. * continued P21

Arthur Woo and a nice snapper specimen.

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Lakis Zeniou shows off the prawns and flathead taken in his net.

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of smaller more efficient electric reels and batteries – he may have potentially started a rush of new tackle purchases… I know Rob has already gone down that track, but don’t tell his wife that. Thanks again Doug, very much appreciated. Meetings Any interested parties are invited to come along to our monthly meetings, which 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. The next meetings will be Wednesday June 12, then on Wednesday July 3. Until next month, safe boating.

Doug Burt presentation A big thanks to Doug Burt, who volunteered his time to travel up to pass on some of his vast knowledge on more subjects than you could poke a stick at. Doug’s been in the industry for more years than he probably cares to remember and has seen, and continues to see, so many changes and innovations in the fishing and boating industry. Among other things, he sparked the potential of deep dropping to a number of skippers and how helm master and electric motor setups could be used to better exploit this type of fishing. Add to this the advent

* from P20

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 21

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John Bell with a lovely sun-up knobby. A lovely southeast Queensland snapper.

Snapper time in southeast Queensland

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INTER is snapper time in southeast Queensland and since the introduction of the closed season from mid-July to mid-August, June is the month to chase a few. The cooler water temperature and light southerly wind that we typically experience during June are perfect conditions for schooling snapper to feed and spawn. Snapper are an incredible fish, particularly when you consider they inhabit shallow inshore reefs and estuaries in water only 1m deep, as well as the continental shelf and depths of up to and sometimes in excess of 220m. The diversity in their habitat means that there are a stack of different techniques and tactics that can be used to catch these prized fish, however there are a couple that anglers keep coming back to. Float lining Without a doubt, the most traditional way to catch snapper is by ‘float lining’ lightly weighted bait through the water column. This technique has stood the test of time for one simple reason… it’s incredibly effective.

Fishing Tips by CHRIS RAIMONDI

Snapper will leave structure to feed, particularly in low-light periods, and will rise through the water column in the presence of food. A well-presented and consistent berley trail will typically attract the majority of fish in an area, it’s then only a matter of presenting your bait as naturally as possible within the feeding frenzy. The rig to use is simple – a running ball sinker on a set of gangs, snelled or even a single hook. I like to use a green glow bead between the sinker and top hook to protect the knot because big snapper have strong jaws that will typically bite down on your hooks and easily slice through your knot. The weight of your sinker is determined by the depth of water you’re fishing in, the current and wind speed. As a rule, you’ll want to use a sinker that will get your bait to the bottom as slowly and as natural looking as possible. Float lining is most ef-

fective at anchor, especially when employing a berley trail. I prefer to use a star drag overhead, such as a Shimano Trinidad or Torium, slowly feeding out the monofilament line so that the bait descends at a 45-degree, or thereabouts, angle from the boat. In my opinion, mono line has a distinct advantage over braid when float lining due to two key factors. First, mono sinks and braid floats, so mono will allow for a more natural bait presentation. Second, when a snapper strikes, the stretch of mono becomes your best asset. As line starts to peel off the reel, allow the fish to run for a second or two and then engage the drag. The engagement of the drag and the strike from the angler puts a significant amount of pressure on the hooks, and the stretch component of the monofilament line acts as a shock absorber, meaning you’ll set the * continued P24

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 23

TT Split Foam Tackle Trays

I While there are other brands on the market, the size and price point of the TT Split Foam Tackle Trays make them particularly attractive.

DECIDED recently to do a jig head sort and clean up, and purchased a few of the TT Split Foam Tackle Trays in the medium shallow and large sizes to see how they’d go. Well… to be honest, I meant to buy the TT Waterproof Trays but ordered the wrong thing. Though, as they looked pretty good when they

The slits in the foam allow for smaller jigs to be lined alongside each other or the larger sizes to be staggered from row to row. Very impressive.

Product Review by MICK CLUTTERBUCK

turned up, I thought I’d give them a go all the same. I’ve got to say, I’m very impressed with them. The foam is not super thick yet is deep enough to hold the jig heads snuggly, and none of them fell out when I flipped the trays about to test them. The slits in the foam are roughly 1cm apart, allowing for smaller jigs to be lined alongside each other or, with the larger sizes, staggered from row to row– as per the images. The lid on the medium sized tray can be opened from either side or taken off completely, making it easy to load, whereas

the lid on the larger size folds back, allowing the same access. There are other brands out there in the market, however I think the size of the TT Split Foam Tackle Trays and the price point make them particularly attractive. They come in the following sizes: • Small shallow 205 x 155 x 35mm • Medium shallow 255 x 195 x 35mm • Large 275 x 195 x 45mm • Extra large deep 360 x 225 x 80mm Visit shop.tackletac tics.com.au/collections/ tt-products/products/ttsplit-foam-tackle-trays for more information.

Snapper time in sensational southeast Queensland * from P22

hooks more effectively and limit the chances of pulling them clean out of the snapper’s mouth. When float lining, target the low-light periods of slightly before and after sunrise and sunset. Depending on the moon phase, the snapper bite can be hotter in the morning or the afternoon/evening. You can float line in

any depth however, to do it effectively, focus your efforts in depths ranging between 10-70m. Anything over 70m starts to become difficult, simply due to the current and the time it takes to slowly drift bait down to the bottom third of the water column. Bait wise, squid, pilchard, prawns and flesh will all work. Try to match your bait

Jewfish are a common snapper by-catch. Page 24 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024

with what’s in your berley trail. Though ensure your bait is big and well-presented, whereas your berley is the minced version – on descent, this creates a cloud of oil that carries small specks of pilchard, mullet or squid. Lures It’s fair to say that soft plastics and vibes have revolutionised the way anglers go about chasing snapper. The versatility of these lures in any depth makes them a perfect offering for a hungry knobby. The technique adopted when using lures has many similarities to that of float lining. The principal of fishing as light as possible yet still reaching the bottom with your lure is probably the biggest. Jig head or vibe weight

selection is crucial and again is determined by water depth, wind and current. Unlike when float lining, you want to be drifting when using lures. Locate a school of fish, drive upwind or up current and drift back onto them, casting your lure way out in the front in the direction your boat is drifting. Work your lure in the bottom third of the water column until the boat drifts on top of it and you’re vertically jigging. As it drifts out the back, wind in, cast in front of the boat and repeat the process. Most of the time, snapper will hit the lure on the drop – either during the initial decent or after you’ve hopped it off the bottom. If you feel an eat through your slack line,

engage the reel and strike. Soft plastics can be fished in almost any depth, simply change your jig head weight to suit. Jerk shads in 5” and 7” are very popular, though other fish and prawn imitations can be just as effective. My preference is to use soft vibes over hard, so I tend to stick with the Squidtrex and Vertrex ranges from Nomad Design. June will fly by and before you know it, snapper will be off the menu for a month. So, now is the time to keep an eye on the weather, line up a glassy day, get up early (or stay up late) and nail a few southeast Queensland winter snapper. Catch you.

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Winter snapper in Moreton Bay

ISHING for snapper in Moreton Bay during winter presents a unique and rewarding challenge for anglers. Moreton Bay, renowned for its diverse marine life and rich fishing grounds, offers an abundance of opportunities for targeting this prized species. As the temperatures drop and winter sets in, snapper become more active, making it an ideal time to pursue them. Winter in southeast Queensland brings cooler water temperatures, which can trigger snapper to move into shallower areas in search of food. Understanding their behaviour patterns and habitat preferences are crucial for a successful fishing trip. Snapper are known to frequent structures such as reefs, rocky outcrops and artificial reefs, where they can find shelter and prey. One of the most effective techniques for catching snapper in the bay during winter is float line fishing using bait. Bait such as pilchard, squid and fresh mullet are irresistible to snapper and can be presented using a variety of float line rigs. When targeting snapper, it’s essential to use appropriate tackle, including medium to heavy rods, quality reels and strong line to handle the powerful runs and sudden bursts of energy exhibited by these fish. Timing is also crucial – dawn and dusk are prime periods when snapper are most active, feeding voraciously before retreating to deeper water during the day.

www.bnbfishing.com.au

Additionally, fishing around tidal changes, especially during an incoming tide, can significantly increase your chances of hooking a big snapper. Studying tide charts and understanding how tidal movements affect fish behaviour can greatly improve your success rate. Patience is a virtue when targeting snapper in the bay. These fish are notorious for their cautious feeding habits and can be selective when it comes to taking bait. It’s essential to remain patient and attentive to even the subtlest of bites. Using sensitive fishing equipment and paying close attention to rod tip movements can help detect bites early and increase your chances of a successful hook-up. Another effective method for catching snapper is jigging with soft plastics. This technique involves casting out and repeatedly lifting and dropping the lure to imitate the movement of wounded baitfish. Snapper are often drawn to the erratic action of soft plastics and can strike aggressively, providing an exhilarating fishing experience. Weather conditions play a significant role when fishing Moreton Bay in the cooler months. Clear skies, a light wind and minimal swell create optimal fishing conditions, allowing anglers to access productive fishing spots with ease and present their bait or lures effectively. It’s essential to practice responsible fishing techniques and adhere

to local regulations when targeting snapper in Moreton Bay. This includes observing size and bag limits, using appropriate gear to minimise harm to the fish and releasing undersized or unwanted fish carefully to ensure their survival. Fishing for snapper offers anglers a thrilling and rewarding experience. By understanding the behaviour of these elusive fish and employing effective fishing techniques, fishos can increase their chances of success and enjoy memorable encounters with one of Australia’s most sought-after species. Ben Collins

Brandon Gosbell with a quality snapper.

Simon landed a southern bay snapper on a fresh grinner fillet.

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 25

Max snagged a 1.12m threadfin salmon in the Brisbane River.

Cracking Moreton Bay species

Dan was hooked after doing battle with a 15kg cobia.

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HIS time of year is welcomed by many fishos because of the variety of species we can chase – snapper, longtail tuna, cobia, mackerel, tailor and so many more. June is also an awesome month for getting rugged up, filling a thermos, grabbing the family or a friend and searching for a feed of snapper. A few spots including shallow reefs will produce a good feed of snapper and these are reasonably easy to access, either by land or in a boat or kayak. The only real problem with this species is finding out what they’re eating on the day. As with most species, snapper will change their diet. One day they’re smashing squid heads and the next yellowtail fillets or pieces, or whole large prawns. I guess it is a good problem to have, unless it’s your turn to buy the bait! Even though a lot of people target snapper on Scarborough Reef, it can still produce quality fish. It really depends on how you fish it, and the size of the terminal

Northern Moreton Bay by MARK TEMPLETON

tackle you send to the bottom. We see many people buying larger sinkers to fish the shallower areas of Moreton Bay, when actually at times a smaller sinker may help produce better quality fish. A few years ago, I started to downsize my range and style of sinkers, most of my fishing is now done weight free. When I do need to use a sinker, I rarely go

above a #1 and more often gravitate to a #000 or #00. Mind you, this is generally in shallow water and with light lines for creek, river and pier fishing. Out in the Moreton Bay grounds, obviously a larger sinker will be required to combat the run. Next time you take the boat out, have a crack at reducing the sinker size * continued P27

Fynn found out how good fishing from Shorncliffe Pier was when he hooked an awesome mackerel.

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Cracking our Moreton Bay species * from P26

you would normally use and utilise the current to your advantage a little more. Floating a fresh bait down will cover more ground and will look more like a tempting meal. Most of the fishos I talk with swear by getting that berley trail working – be it old prawn shells, left over pillies, mullet chunks or even pellets mixed with a good grade tuna oil – and keeping it well maintained. It will produce rubbish fish as well unfortunately, but that’s the price you pay for a shot at taking home a cracking snapper. For those new to making your own berley, a little trick I use is to add two or three good handfuls of sand to the mix before adding the tuna oil. When mixed, the tuna oil will stick to the sand and once the berley is released into the water, it will disperse the scent down through the water column. And add the sand after the blender! Even though there were small passing storms and plenty of rain, Jack and Dan hit Moreton Bay chasing a feed and some reel-screaming fun. The fishos certainly found the right spot and it wasn’t long before Dan was hooked up and doing battle with a 15kg cobia. Well done Dan, this fish came close to being well matched to you. Our local piers – be it Bongaree Jetty, Woody Point Jetty, Redcliffe Jetty or Shorncliffe Pier – can certainly produce some great action, particularly on light gear. From bream and flathead to mackerel, cobia,

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longtail tuna, tailor and sharks, these are great locations for all ages and plenty of amenities. Fynn certainly found out how good it is fishing from Shorncliffe Pier when he hooked up with an awesome mackerel. On the piers, these fish hit hard and fast and, as a result, many rods and reels have been lost over the railing, so we like to remind people, if your line is in the water, your fishing rod should be in your hand. Max and his crew love to get out and have a fish, no matter what the weather, land based, on the jetty or in the tinnie, they’re out there. Always with a smile, their priority is family time and enjoying the moment. Well, Max and his friends picked the perfect day to hit the Brisbane River to have a crack at something a little bigger than they’d normally chase. And it wasn’t long before Max had hooked up to a 1.12m threadfin salmon. From the initial hookup, Max knew that whatever it was, it was a keeper and, after a bit of give and take on both sides, this cracking gold beast was in the boat. I think Max’s smile – though he may have been trying to catch his breath – tells the whole story. It was a cracker and one to be proud of. Now the crew have to step up to stop his bragging rights. Well done Max! Bobby has been a very keen fisho for as long as I have known him and with a great mentor in his dad BJ, I’m not surprised. From the day that he came in and bought a Backpack Tackle Bag

which was a bit big for him (he has since grown into it), he hasn't lost any enthusiasm when it comes to catching a feed! Bobby nailed a cracker of a flathead in the Pine River and, judging by the photo, I think he was slightly excited with it. Well done with your achievements Bobby, and well done BJ for helping him grow into the respectful young fisho he is. To finish off, I thought I’d share the cracker 6.3kg 88cm Moreton Bay snapper caught by Dan on the same trip as the cobia he boated! There are more beasts such as this waiting to be caught, so don’t waste a great weather window and make sure your gear is up to the punishment it’s going to receive. Well done Dan and Jack, your efforts certainly paid off. Maintain the passion.

Bobby nailed a cracker flathead in the Pine River.

A monster 6.3kg 88cm Moreton Bay snapper caught by Dan on the same trip as the cobia he battled. Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 27

Queensland Recreational Fishing Guide

daf.qld.gov.au

Qld Fishing 2.0

Catch and depredation reporting Coming soon

Which fish is this?

Can I fish here?

Species

Get HOOKED on Queensland’s recreational fishing app. Download fisheries.qld.gov.au FisheriesQueensland FOR FREE now

DAF2240 04/24

fisheries.qld.gov.au 13 25 23 FisheriesQueensland Have feedback? 13 25 23 QLDrecfishingapp.support@daf.qld.gov.au fisheries.qld.gov.au FisheriesQueensland 13 25 23 Authorised by the Queensland Government, William Street, Brisbane Page 28 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 2240 Bush and Beach June 2024_FishApp_LEFT_FINAL.indd 2

www.bnbfishing.com. au 18/4/2024 1:41 pm

daf.qld.gov.au

Get involved so we can all

Join the

Women in Recreational Fishing Network Qld

fish for the future! Here are some ways…

Fish aggregating devices (FADS) are an awesome way to attract fish. Find a FAD near you:

Fish the day away at more than 60 stocked impoundments across Queensland with your SIPS permit. Save time and buy online. Sales support community fish stocking activities.

Be a

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Find a program that suits you:

FisheriesQueensland FisheriesQld DAFQld

Enjoy your fishing and stay safe on the water Authorised by the Queensland Government, William Street, Brisbane www.bnbfishing.com.au 2240 Bush and Beach June 2024_F4F_RIGHT_FINAL.indd 2

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 18/4/2024 2024 – Page 29 1:45 pm

BOATING & marine

Lowrance’s new Eagle fishfinder

Eagle brings Lowrance’s high-definition sonar to its easy-to-use fishfinder.

Eagle features increased contrast and visibility with all-new imaging colour palettes on display sizes.

With its true eagle-like vision, this new fishfinder delivers. Page 30 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024

WORLD-leader in fishing electronics since 1957, Lowrance recently announced Eagle, the latest offering in the brand’s entry level fishfinder/chartplotter line-up. Featuring newly designed high-definition enhanced sonar, with FishReveal technology and detailed C-MAP charting including Genesis Live, Eagle is Lowrance’s most accessible fishfinder yet. Navico Group vice-president and general manager fishing systems Jeremiah Clark said, “Eagle brings Lowrance’s high-definition sonar to our most easy to use fishfinder, providing the ultimate tool for weekend anglers.” “Developed to make fishing simpler and more enjoyable, Eagle is quick to install

– whether on a boat or kayak – and features enhanced autotuning sonar and comprehensive C-MAP charts. “Lowrance is dedicated to providing anglers of all levels the latest technology, with the single aim of helping them to find and catch more fish and, with its true eagle-like vision, this new fishfinder will deliver that.” Eagle was developed exclusively for anglers by anglers. The newly designed TripleShot HD and SplitShot HD offer improved clarity, depth performance and sensitivity, resulting in excellent performance under the surface, while FishReveal on DownScan continues to make it so simple to identify fish from weeds and structures. Additionally, simple autotuning sonar gives

anglers optimal settings from the start, eliminating the hassle of needing to constantly configure settings, and an improved twist-locking connector allows for easy and reliable installation and removal, making Eagle a great portable solution for any type of fishing – simply connect and cast. Designed to fish, Eagle has a new, rugged and modern design, featuring a new inplane switching screen that offers improved resolution, clarity and visibility – even with polarised sunglasses in direct sunlight. Plus, a new range of imaging colour palettes allows anglers to adapt the display for changing conditions. Eagle’s C-MAP embedded inland and coastal charts for New * continued P31

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BOATING & marine Lowrance’s new Eagle fishfinder * from P30

Zealand and Australia let anglers spend more time fishing than searching. It also provides the ability to create custom contour maps of local lakes or unchartered water in real time with Genesis Live, giving anglers all the details needed to discover and navigate to the best fishing spots more efficiently. The Eagle fishfinder is available in 4”, 5”, 7” and 9” display sizes. The 4X model provides total flexibility

with portrait orientation and true-scroll sonar, but is not compatible with enhanced sonar features or mapping. Key features include: • Enhanced SplitShot HD and TripleShot HD transducers* • Autotuning sonar provides optimal settings from the start • Detailed C-MAP charting featuring Genesis Live* (dependent on the region) • Enhanced IPS screen visible from all angles, even while wearing polarised sunglasses • New reliable twist-

lock connector system for easy installation in any boat or kayak • SD card slot for software updates, Genesis Live recording and charting add-ons* • FishReveal mode to help separate fish from structure* • Increase contrast and visibility with allnew imaging colour palettes*. *Excludes 4x model. For more information on Lowrance and its tournament-winning fish finding technology, visit lowrance.com/ en-au

Eagle is quick to install, whether on a boat or kayak.

Eagle’s C-MAP embedded inland and coastal charts for New Zealand and Australia let anglers spend more time fishing than searching.

Fish hard allall day with nono worries Fish hard day with worries! noNo more jammed, seized oror broken cables more jammed, seized broken cables.

Photo courtesy of Australian Master Marine

Hydraulic steering at its best All Australian made, HyDrive hydraulic steering systems offer a smoother ride and greater control in all weather conditions. Call HyDrive Queensland on 07 3821 6580 for the name of your nearest authorised dealer. qld@hydrive.com.au | Hydrive.com.au | @hydrive_engineering

Outboards www.bnbfishing.com.au

Inboards

Sterndrives

Jets and Cats Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 31

BOATING & marine

Featuring the famed Revolution Hull, the Outlaw is designed for inland and offshore waterways – a perfect companion for the Pirtek Fishing Challenge.

Pirtek Fishing Challenge sponsored by Stacer

The Stacer 379 Territory Striker has developed a strong reputation in the industry as a high-quality aluminium fishing boat, perfect for Australia’s inland waterways.

Pirtek competition entry via Instagram. Photo @ team_lewis Page 32 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024

OR the tenth year running, Stacer has committed itself to sponsoring the renowned Pirtek Fishing Challenge to help raise much needed funds for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and the Peter Duncan Neurosciences Research Unit at St Vincent’s Hospital. In its plight to help curb the trend, with prostate cancer the leading cancer diagnosis in men, Stacer stepped its game up this year, donating three boats to drive awareness, entries and donations for the cause. In its sixteenth year, the Pirtek Fishing Challenge offered $300,000 worth of prizes across their catch and release and social media competitions, including a 2024 Stacer 469 Outlaw for the ‘on the water’ prize draw. The Stacer 469 Outlaw, Mercury 75hp motor and trailer package is a sought-after fishing rig, for its top performance and affordability, while featuring a wide range of boating essen-

tials as standard, including rod holders, a rear casting platform, live bait tank and large side pockets. Featuring the famed Revolution Hull, the Outlaw is designed for inland and offshore waterways – a perfect companion for the Pirtek Fishing Challenge. Donning an event-exclusive custom wrap, the 2024 prize boat was decked out to make a statement on the water and was won by Shautine Burns. Alongside the Outlaw, there were also two 379 Territory Striker that were donated for entrants to have a chance to win. The Stacer 379 Territory Striker has developed a strong reputation in the industry as a high-quality aluminium fishing boat, perfect for Australia’s inland waterways. With innovative features such as the deep V-hull design, it provides fishos with a smooth ride while providing plenty of room for passengers and fishing gear.

The two Territory Strikers were awarded to lucky entrants Andrea Bradley and Mason Hodges. Stacer Australia marketing and communications manager Madeline Bishop said that the company was proud to partner with the Pirtek Fishing Challenge, providing locals the opportunity to use their Stacer boats or win a brand new one while raising funds for a good cause. “The fishing adventures are limitless with Stacer and competitions such as the Pirtek Fishing Challenge, providing aspiring fishos with a chance to get out on the water, fish and enjoy the outdoors in their very own backyard,” Ms Bishop said. To find out more about the Pirtek Fishing Challenge, visit pirtekfish ingchallenge.com.au/onthe-water For more information on the Stacer range, and to find your perfect boat for next year’s event, visit stacer.com.au/alumini um-boat-range

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WATCHING THEM LEARN. IT’S A STACER MEMORY WORTH KEEPING. For more than 50 years we’ve been building strong, reliable, aluminium boats you can depend upon, right here in Australia. Whether for fishing or family fun, the Stacer range has an enviable reputation for not just affordability but also great re-sale value. Have a talk to your local dealer – and start creating your very own Stacer memories.

Creating Stacer Memories is easy with the all NEW boat packages. Build your perfect boat in just three easy steps.

For more information contact your local Stacer Dealer:

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See stacer.com.au for details.

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

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

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

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

STB&B 006

Stacer. Memories for a Lifetime.

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 33

BOATING & marine

MEMU-7 digital boating innovation n 10-in-1 analogue to digital boat gauge touchscreen unit by Toba

N an effort to enhance safety and performance for boating enthusiasts, Toba Marine Technology is proud to unveil its first innovation – the MEMU-7 digital touchscreen 10-in-1 boat gauge unit. Developed, manufactured, and rigorously tested in Perth, Western Australia, the innovative main engine monitoring unit is unlike any other consumer marine technology currently available on the market.

This unit is immediately compatible with all boat engines that operate with analogue gauge systems in place – a leap forward in marine innovation. Designed with the unique requirements of every seafarer in mind, this product offers a comprehensive suite of monitoring functions in a sleek and user-friendly touchscreen interface. The unit is developed to be customisable for each individual vessel, reflecting the needs of

Both visual and audible alarms will take care of the owner’s peace of mind when on the water.

Toba Marine Technology is proud to unveil the MEMU-7 digital touchscreen 10-in-1 boat gauge unit. Page 34 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024

its skipper with features such as visual and audible alarms, units of measurement selection, variable range of measurement for each individual gauge and other enhancements. The founder of Toba Marine Technology, John Gray has extensive experience as a boat owner and as an assessor for the biggest marine insurance providers across Australia. Over the past 16 years, John has inspected hundreds of private vessels with extensive or irreparable engine damage, which in many cases could have been easily prevented with effective monitoring instruments. These experiences formed the idea for the Toba MEMU-7 module and, after four years of development, prototypes and testing, we are proud to present a complete system – the first of its kind – to the worldwide market. Key points of difference of the MEMU-7 include: • The unit provides accurate readings on all crucial metrics, such as tachometer, GPS speed, fuel levels, coolant temperature, rudder position, oil pressure and battery voltage • Three additional generic gauges provide further flexibility – the user can nominate what systems they would like to monitor, be it other tank levels, pressures or temperatures

• Compatibility to all engines that use analogue technology that has been in place for decades – as long as the existing sensors and wiring are in good working order, they won’t need to be replaced, eliminating further cost (unlike many other gauges, both digital and analogue) – the MEMU-7 unit connects directly to the sensors with a cluster wiring lead (included) the same way the old gauges did and then calibrates • The intuitive design offers every skipper the ability to configure and set up the gauges to match their boat’s needs, whether the vessel has outboards, sterndrives or operates with big diesel engines, the MEMU-7 can be set up to match their requirements for every single gauge – this is the main point of difference of our technology and is currently being reviewed for a patent (Australian patent application number 2023902335) • Built-in visual and audible alarms to notify users of gauge metrics that are out of the specified range, ensuring prompt action can be taken to prevent costly damage to the engine or potential danger to the passengers. This critical feature alone can save the engine from irreparable or expensive damage. Both visual (gauge turns red) and audible

(Piezo alarm included) alarms are going to take care of the owner’s peace of mind while on the water. The values of each alarmable range are configurable by the user, for example an alarm when fuel is at 20 percent, an alarm when oil pressure is less than 20psi or when coolant temperature is higher than 92C. The MEMU-7 offers firmware upgrades that are automatically available to the user. The unit connects to a WiFi hotspot (such as a phone) and the download is performed and installed seamlessly. The current list of planned software upgrades includes: • Trim indicator to be displayed on the main screen for outboards and stern drives • Daytime/night-time graphics conversion (light and dark) • Data sharing over WiFi for dual helm (upper and lower) monitoring • Fuel gauge/oil pressure gauge to be optioned with a generic gauge if not required • Rudder indicator to be hidden if not required • Engine hour meter, servicing record meter and trip meter to be added for enhanced monitoring of maintenance requirements. For more information about our innovation in marine technology, visit tobatechnology.com

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BOATING & marine Effective use of advanced technologies provides the DF60A with high-tech performance, efficient operation and excellent fuel economy.

Suzuki pioneered the use of multi-point sequential electronic fuel injection in four-stroke outboards.

Suzuki DF60A outboard

OMPACT, lightweight and fuel-efficient, the DF60A is a powerful, quick and economical outboard that has the largest reduction gear ratio in its class. 941CC inline 3-cylinder DOHC engine Suzuki’s vast experience in designing and manufacturing fourstroke engines for motorcycle, automotive and marine use is unrivalled. In drawing upon this wealth of knowledge, Suzuki engineers designed an inline three-cylinder engine with a compact dual overhead cam powerhead and four valves per cylinder. Effective use of advanced technologies provides the DF60A with high-tech performance, efficient operation and excellent fuel economy. Suzuki has been an industry leader in com-

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pact four-stroke designs and the DF60A lives up to that reputation. Suzuki engineers redesigned each part and component from the ground up, applying the knowledge and technological advancements gained over the last decade to produce an outboard that is the lightest and most compact in its class. Multi-point sequential electronic fuel injection Suzuki pioneered the use of multi-point sequential electronic fuel injection in four-stroke outboards. This advanced time-tested system gathers operating data from a series of sensors located in key areas on the engine, processes the data and calculates the optimum amount of fuel and air needed for the engine — all in real time. Boaters benefit with smooth starts, maxi-

mum operating efficiency, excellent fuel economy and reduced emissions. Lean Burn Suzuki’s innovative Lean Burn control system was first introduced on the DF90A/80A/70A to great acclaim. The system predicts fuel needs according to operating conditions, allowing the engine to run on a leaner more efficient air fuel ratio. It delivers its benefits over a wide operating range, providing significant improvements in fuel economy from lowspeed operation into the cruising range. In combination with Suzuki precision control electronic throttle and shift system, the operator can precisely and smoothly increase or decrease engine revs for significantly improved fuel economy. For more information, visit suzukimarine.com. au

The Lean Burn control system predicts fuel needs according to operating conditions, allowing the engine to run on a leaner more efficient air fuel ratio.

Suzuki’s vast experience in designing and manufacturing four-stroke engines for motorcycle, automotive and marine use is unrivalled. Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 35

BOATING & marine

The Jetfish offers a host of fishing features.

Next level Yamaha JetFish

An aft RecDeck converts the stern of the jet ski into a platform that incorporates a 45-litre Engel ice box with four rod holders and a Udek brag mat.

Introducing the 2024 JetFish Equipped FX HO, tailor made for anglers and ready to go fishing straight off the showroom floor. Page 36 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024

AKE your fishing game to the next level with the JetFish Equipped FX HO, the first-ever Yamaha WaveRunner tailor-made for anglers – ready to hit the water straight off the showroom floor. In 2021, Yamaha launched the JetFish accessory range, which saw the introduction of the RecDeck – an extended rear recreational platform and custom JetFish fishing rack. Yamaha Motor Australia has taken this JetFish concept to the next level by combining these exclusive factory-designed JetFish accessories with the extremely popular FX HO to deliver a complete ‘turnkey’ fishing package. The JetFish Equipped FX HO allows you to

conveniently enjoy the unique capabilities of WaveRunner fishing, including easy single operator launching and retrieval, speed to your fishing location, easy manoeuvrability and shallow water access, along with the traditional excitement that comes with riding Yamaha’s legendary FX HO WaveRunner. Standard features include Yamaha’s RiDE computer-controlled reverse drive, a 5” colour multifunction touchscreen, a Bluetooth phone connection that includes the ability to make calls, a cruise and no-wake mode, jet nozzle trim to adjust the hull’s angle relative to the water, a watertight glovebox with a 12V socket and USB outlet, 167 litres of onboard storage and a

70-litre fuel tank. And a host of fishing features that includes an aft RecDeck that converts the stern of the jet ski into a platform, a pull-out boarding ladder, a premium fishing kit that incorporates a 45-litre Engel ice box featuring four rod holders and a Udek brag mat that you can use to measure the length of your catch, and a 6” Garmin 65CV chartplotter and fishfinder with preloaded maps, ClearVu sonar and a GT24 UHD transducer. Yamaha Australia has priced the Yamaha WaveRunner Jetfish Equipped FX HO from $27,899. Visit yamaha-motor. com.au/products/ma rine/watercraft/jetfish/ jetfish for further information.

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PERFORMANCE

X RELIABILITY +

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

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

HERVEY BAY BAY CITY BOATING 55 Islander Rd Pialba, Hervey Bay (07) 4124 6988 baycityboating.com.au

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

MACKAY REEF MARINE 26 Prospect St Mackay (07) 4957 3521 reefmarine.net

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 37

BOATING & marine

MBT trailers are hand-built on the Gold Coast, with a range of standard features to deliver a lightweight durable trailer for personal watercraft, aluminium, fibreglass and plate boats.

When to upgrade your trailer by Move

OR over two decades, Move Boat Trailers have continued to invest in providing an array of trailers to suit a wide range of personal watercraft, fibreglass, aluminium and plate boats available on the market. New boat sales are said to be on a steady incline, increasing by 50 percent every year in Australia, with 62 percent being aluminium and 33 percent fibreglass. To meet the demand of the ever-growing boating industry and ensure utmost safety on the road, Move Boat Trailers has committed itself to delivering a long-lasting high-quality range of PWC, aluminium and fibreglass boat trailers. Despite many Australians already owning a trailer, data suggests that many don’t know

when to upgrade and how to check if their trailer is still suited to their watercraft. Move Boat Trailers warranty supervisor Terry Hill suggests some of the tell-tale signs of when a trailer needs to be upgraded. Rust If there are excessive amounts of rust anywhere, it is likely that this could compromise the usability and safety of the trailer. Rust is one of the most significant signs that a trailer needs to be repaired or replaced. Rollers One of the most important working parts of a trailer are the rollers, meaning it is important to make sure they function correctly. Rollers can break on older trailers and, if not checked regularly, could

Page 38 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024

pose a risk to the user when using the trailer. Boat suitability to trailer Ensuring that the trailer used to transport the watercraft is suitable is crucial. If the trailer was bought a while ago and the vessel has since been upgraded, checking that it fits and can tow that amount of weight is important. If this isn’t the case, upgrading to a more suitable trailer may be necessary. Maintenance Making sure to maintain a trailer is key to ensuring its longevity and avoids any unnecessary wear and tear. Doing regular checks to maintain the braking equipment, tightness of the wheel nuts and tyre tread is recommended. Also, checking that

the tyres are in good condition, are safe and can legally carry and transport the vessel is important. Conducting regular maintenance upgrades with each trailer is imperative to keeping your boat and others safe on the road and at the ramp. Move Boat Trailers strives to make the buying process of a new trailer easy, delivering a wide range of trailers that feature the essentials, all available from a carefully selected dealership network who deliver an unparalleled customer experience and an easy servicing regime. The aluminium build of MBT trailers is not only lightweight to reduce strain on the towing vehicle but is rust-resistant – meaning

a longer lasting more durable build. With C-channel and I-beam frames, MBT trailers ensure complete water-runoff – preventing retention of excess weight – while the carefully designed cradle makes for easy alignment when re-trailering. The MBT difference refers to the high-quality materials used, the refined innovative design and wide range of models available. With its extensive heritage, Move Boat Trailers has quickly become Australia’s top trailer manufacturer, with a leading brand reputation. If you are looking to buy your first trailer or upgrade your existing one, find your local trailer dealer at move boattrailers.com.au/ Dealers.aspx

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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 NORTH

GOLD COAST NORTH

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

IPSWICH

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

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

GOLD COAST

SUNSHINE COAST

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

www.bnbfishing.com.au

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

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 39

Daiwa 24 Steez

STEEZ has a rich history in the Daiwa family as the premium flagship brand of bass fishing equipment, and a new year welcomes a new reel with the 24 Steez debuting ultimate casting design. To achieve ultimate casting design, Daiwa have aligned four key elements, each developed to their limit and for ultimate performance. Developing and perfecting one element was not enough, it took all parts acting together to bring ultimate casting design to life. The four pillars are ultimate casting brake, ultimate casting line guide, ultimate casting zero adjust and ultimate casting spool. When all four of these are harmonised, perfect casting performance is realised, resulting in the 24 Steez being the most advanced and well-rounded Steez ever created. Visit daiwafishing.com.au

TT Tackle Storage Bags KEEP your tackle safe and sorted with the stylish new range of TT Tackle Storage Bags, available in a standard 22-litre option and a large 36-litre model. These tough tackle bags feature a du-

Page 40 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024

rable water-resistant outer material combined with a rubberised internal lining to protect your gear from the elements. A hard moulded base provides additional protection while maintaining the structure of the bag, making accessing tackle trays and other gear quick and simple. Externally, the bag is loaded with storage compartments and finished with quality SBS zippers to ensure smooth and easy access to your gear. An additional mesh pocket allows for the drying of wet items such as fishing gloves or water shoes, while a bungee cord on top of the bag provides additional storage and quick access to another tackle tray, rain gear or other items. That’s not the end of the storage options though, with an internal storage pocket in the lid of the bag adding further to its versatility. Both models feature sturdy side carry handles, along with a comfortable removable shoulder strap. Keep your gear safe and sorted on your next adventure with a TT Tackle Storage Bag. The standard 22-litre tackle bag has a suggested retail price of $99.90, with the large 36-litre model at $129.90. Visit ttfishing.com

Berkley Shimma Pro-Rig

THE Berkley Shimma Pro-Rig is built for big fish that pull hard. Fitted with a removable weighted hook, a single Owner STX Taff Wire treble and a Hyper Wire split ring, this bait is an outof-the-packet solution for prized fish such as jewfish, barramundi and Murray cod. With a thick body profile and a tapered off paddle tail, the Shimma Pro-Rig has a strong body roll and a wide tail action – perfect for slow rolling across weed beds, rock bars and drop-offs for those ambush predators. Built from durable thermalplastic elastomer, the body is super tough and withstands plenty of punishment from preda-

tors with serious jaw strength and raspy or toothy mouths! The Shimma Pro-Rig is available in 10 colours and four sizes to suit a wide range of species in both fresh and saltwater environments. Every angler hunting serious fish needs a Shimma Pro-Rig in the tackle box. Visit berkley-fishing.com.au

Dobyns Mike Bucca Bull Shad Rod

MIKE Bucca has been a long-time staffer and close friend of Gary Dobyn’s since Dobyns Rods first started. Mike’s love for swimbait fishing led him to start his own swimbait company in 2007. He named his baits and company Bull Shad. These baits quickly filled a niche in the swimbait world. The Bull Shad baits range from 4” to 11” and are super popular with swimbait anglers today. Mike has wanted a special rod that’ll throw all of his baits in the larger 6” to 11” sizes and now the Bull Shad rod has been made. It’s a Mike Bucca signature series Bull Shad rod made to handle his popular larger baits. This rod has a unique length at 8’3” with a full 14” handle. This rod is called a fast action but it’s on the slower side of fast, making it an excellent casting swimbait rod. The MB 836SB Bull Shad Special is sure to be a big hit in today’s popular swimbait industry. Visit ejtodd.com.au

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Tackleratz Kids Combo

A LITTLE combo for little people that packs a big Ugly Stik punch! The Tackleratz combo now features a TackleRatz spin reel with a 5’0” integrated clear tip TackleRatz Ugly Stik rod. With reels in four eye-catching metallic finishes – red, green, purple and blue – this is the perfect entry level combo for every young angler. Pre-spooled with line ready to go, the Tackleratz Kids Combo has a recommended retail price of $69.99. Visit uglystik.com.au

tions, making it the perfect companion for any angler’s kit. Shimano fillet knives come in three sizes – 6”, 7” and 9” – to meet your specific filleting needs. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or keep the occasional fish, our fillet knives offer a seamless blend of craftsmanship and innovation, promising a superior cutting experience. Elevate your filleting skills with a tool that marries precision, durability and ergonomic design. Invest in the new standard of fillet knives and make every cut a masterpiece. Visit fish.shimano.com/en-au

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mullet sizes, this realistic presentation will be a favourite for mullet loving predators such as barramundi, mangrove jack, flathead, mulloway and more. Available in 10 proven colours in 3.3” (four-pack) and 4” (three-pack) sizes, with a suggested retail price of $13.95. Visit z-man.com.au

IMITATE the most prolific inshore forage fish with the Z-Man Mulletron! The Z-Man Mulletron is a realistic mullet profile that appeals to a wide variety of fresh and saltwater species, with its range of proven colour options and a rounded wedge-shaped tail that activates a realistic swimming action at all retrieve speeds. From faster retrieves for aggressive predators to those super-slow retrieves that are required to get the bite when the fish are sluggish or the bite shuts down, the Mulletron makes them eat. Other true-to-life body design features include natural gill plates, eyes and fin detail. Z-Man’s 10X Tough ElaZtech construction makes Mulletron naturally buoyant, allowing it to be rigged for fishing from the surface to the depths, while back and belly hook pockets simplify weedless rigging and perfect jig head alignment. Available in versatile 3.3” and 4” poddy

DAIWA’S Tatula family celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2023, marking the milestone with the release of a total redesign of one of the most popular reels in the range, the Tatula TW 100. The 23 Tatula TW 100 incorporates Daiwa’s newest baitcaster design concept, hyperdrive design, for the first time. Hyperdrive is the culmination of multiple key elements, with the goal of creating a reel with more winding power under load that is smoother, more refined and has a long-lasting feel. A totally new precision designed solid aluminium frame and gear side plate delivers maximum power and unrivalled durability, while its ergonomically designed profile fits effortlessly in the palm of the hand. Hyperdrive Digigear, TWS and Magforce Z deliver unmatched strength, smoothness and precision both on the cast and on the crank, while Daiwa’s UTD gives you the muscle to stop almost anything that swims. Whether its chasing Australian bass on the southern lakes, mangrove jack on the Gold Coast or barramundi in the north, the 23 Tatula TW 100 is the perfect way to celebrate 10 years of Tatula and is available in four models. Visit daiwafishing.com.au Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 41

Shimano Caius 150HGC

THE Caius 150HGC is an exciting new addition to the affordable price range of low profile baitcasters. The Caius borrows its sleek design from its sibling, the Curado M, but delivers performance on a budget. With three stainless-steel bearings plus one roller bearing, variable braking system and Super Free spool, casting is effortless and uncomplicated. Keeping the same gear ratio of 7.2:1, it will get those lures flying. Visit fish.shimano.com/en-au

with a 225mm realistic fish profile, level fall in the water puts this lure in a class of its own, longer casting range, more hook points, a custom built XEWG worm hook, rigged with a twist lock, lumo beads and two 4X super sharp trebles, an extra-large scent chamber and large holographic eyes. The Soft Glide swims like it’s got a heartbeat. Each packet contains: • One fully rigged Soft Glide • Two spare bodies Spare rigging available. Check out the QR code on the packet for a guide to fishing Soft Glides, where My Lure Box shares its best tips to ramp your giant flathead fishing up to another level. Visit mylurebox.com.au

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SOFT Glides catch fish that most anglers only ever dream about. After 20 plus years of designing and testing lures, My Lure Box is putting its best lures in your hands. It can be fished slowly and simply to remarkable effect, creating those hair-raising memories that’ll last a lifetime. The Soft Glide’s unique features trigger trophy sized fish. Features include an ultra responsive tail

Page 42 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024

DESIGNED to exacting standards and built to withstand the rigours of Australian saltwater fishing, the 23 Saltist rod range stands out from the pack. True to Saltist’s tradition for strength and design excellence, the 23 Saltist continues the evolution for the famous name to deliver anglers a rod series that is lighter, crisper and more responsive. Integrating many of Daiwa’s most advanced and strength-focussed technologies, the Saltist legend starts with its HVF graphite blank and features ‘Braiding X’ reinforcement throughout the blank. The result is a blank that is slim yet incredibly powerful. The Saltist’s performance blank is equally matched by quality and performance driven components, with a combination of Fuji O-ring ocean guides and

anti-tangle frames delivering strength, refinement and reliability, plus optimised line management throughout the guide train. Full EVA grips offer protection from rod holders when trolling or bait fishing, while jigging specific models come standard with Fuji’s GRC gimbal butt caps that allow the angler to lock their rod in for the fight. The new 23 Saltist line-up features 15 spin and five overhead models. From jigging for snapper on the reefs, popping for giant trevally or casting rocking headlands, the 23 Saltist rod series has it covered. Visit daiwafishing.com.au

Berkley Pro-Tech Slurp 120mm

BERKLEY Pro-Tech Slurp 120mm is the new big brother of the 65mm and 85mm Slurp models, with a couple of key upgrades to make it ready to take on the toughest fish that swim in rivers and estuaries. Built with full wire-through construction and fitted with Owner ST-66TN hooks and Hyperwire rings to ensure big fish stay connected. The Pro-Tech Slurp 120 is super easy to walk and has the volume and bulk to swim confidently in windier conditions as well as smooth water. This bait was built with larger species such as barramundi in mind and is the perfect addition to the lure collection for your next trip to the top end or hunting that 1m flathead in the shallows. Available in eight colours. Visit berkley-fishing.com.au

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 45

Dave had a great day on the Nerang River with the author, catching plenty of whiting and flathead.

Luring monster flathead

Damo and his son Levi took home a great feed of school-sized flathead for dinner. Page 46 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024

I everyone, this month we’ve seen a big spike in winter species in the Gold Coast Broadwater. Large numbers of flathead, tailor, squid, f lounder, bream, squire, winter whiting and other species can all be caught on lures, which makes the next three months my favourite period of the year for fishing. The amazing run of sand whiting locally has been seemingly endless and will continue throughout the colder months. The months of June to December are great for using lures in the Broadwater – something we’ve been very

Broadwater Guide by CLINT ANSELL

much looking forward to. As always, the go-to lures that catch a lot of fish and squid consistently on our charters will be Ecogear ZXs and Ecogear Dartmax squid jigs, Samaki Vibelicious, MMD soft vibes, Samaki Redic hard-bodies, Rapala CrushCity soft plastics and Z-Man soft plastics. On top of that, there are some exciting new lures from Fish Craft that I mentioned last month, including Dr Prawn and Dr Flex. We are spoilt for

choice these days. Even anglers chasing purely monster flathead are catered for, with big lures such as the amazing soft glide from My Lure Box. The Gold Coast Broadwater is a top flathead fishery, and some of my favourite areas to hunt them are Curlew Island, South Stradbroke’s southern end, Runaway Bay and Crab Island. Whether fishing shallow or deeper, there’s plenty of exciting fishing on offer. My absolute num* continued P47

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Luring monster flathead tips * from P46

ber one tactic when looking for flathead is finding bait. By bait, I mean baitfish or prawns. Crab Island can be as good as anywhere for flathead. However, if there’s no bait about, the fish won’t hang around in numbers – this goes for any location. All day long I will keep an eye on my fish finder, whether I’m drifting and fishing or moving between spots. I keep the sensitivity turned up high so as not to miss any bait balls – at least 16 on a scale of 20 ensures the bait pops out on the screen among all the noise and cavitation. What I like to see most within a small area is four to six bait balls in a row, we will catch flathead almost inevitably in this situation. Throughout the day,

I constantly look and listen out for terns. These little sea birds are the best bait hunters and will alert you to the location of bait, followed by flathead. Wherever you see them diving into the water to catch baitfish is exactly where you should be fishing, casting lures in the vicinity and watching the fish finder to locate more bait. You can also listen for terns, when they find big schools of bait, they chirp very excitedly. I have made it a habit to listen for their loud chirping all around me when fishing, even up to and over 1km away. Once I have located bait and flathead, I will drift and fish the area thoroughly, or if the bite is very good, spot lock with my Minn Kota. If we’re not catching fish within five minutes, we’ll always keep

moving to find them, usually short distances at a time. The best time to chase flathead is during a run-out tide. If you can drift parallel to where shallow bank edges meet dropoffs, you’ll have some of the best flathead sessions. Over the next few months, I’ll share more tips and locations to target winter species. This month at the Tweed River will see a massive run of flathead, big bream, jewfish and possibly tailor, as Brad gears up to target many quality fish using lures. To book on a charter with myself or Brad, or if you have any fishing related questions, visit goldcoastriver charters.com, SMS 0432 990 302 or email f ish i ng wit hcl i nt@ gmail.com, or find us on Facebook at Brad Smith Fishing Charters.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 47

The author with a spanish mackerel taken on a live yakka.

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Page 48 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024

Live baiting spaniards

IVE baiting spanish mackerel can be the answer to either an amazing session or a slow morning. This all depends on the season, the water and various other conditions. The better times I’ve found for live baiting in winter have always been the start and the end, with dead bait filling in the middle. From big yakka and bonito to slimies and even tailor – these have all been great live bait for mackerel. Towing, drifting and sitting at anchor are the best ways to use your live bait. Offering a very simple rig that includes a 60lb multistrand wire, a single J-hook or live bait hook and a stinger/ treble. The single hook placed

Gold Coast Broadwater by MITCHEL ZYGNERSKI

snuggly through the nose of your live bait and the stinger going into the middle section will give you the best results for hook-ups. When towing your live bait, you only need to be idling in gear. Any faster and you run the risk of killing your bait. Keep in mind, if you’re towing against the current, you may have to go in and out of gear or make your way out of the current to continue your loop. Once you have your live bait – which you can get from various locations, including small reef structure from 5-20m of water or even from deeper water of

about 40m – you can head to your local reef. Off the Seaway is the 24-fathom reef, which is a great place to start. Every season, huge numbers of spanish school up the bait and have a feeding frenzy, giving many fishos a great opportunity to get stuck in. From there you can make your way to Diamond Reef and even the 36-fathom reef. Having one live bait on top and another on a down rigger will give you the best chance to land your bag limit of spaniards for the day. If you are fishing Tweed, there are a few reefs off the coast* continued P49

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Live baiting spaniards * from P48

line that offer incredible fishing for spanish mackerel, wahoo and tuna. These include Fidos, 5 Mile, Nine Mile and even Kingscliff Reef. The easiest way to fish these reefs is by doing circular laps from one edge to the other, this gives you the best chance of covering ground. And, once you’ve found the fish on your sounder, go over them from different angles – I’ve found this can be the difference between a bite or not. An awesome way to target spanish mackerel is by sitting at anchor and having your bait sit under a balloon behind the boat in the current – the more current the better. Give your bait enough line under the balloon so it can swim freely, and ensure it sits far enough away from the balloon that it doesn’t spook the mackerel. Don’t worry, the cur-

rent will keep your bait at the surface, so it won’t have a chance to swim down. You can anchor anywhere from 15-30m of water safely. Any shallower and you run the risk of the pressure from the current causing a wave that can be devastating, as seen off Tweed Heads on the local reefs. Running 30lb monofilament both towing and anchoring has given me the better results for these fish, with enough grunt to pull the fish away from sharks. One last thing, when you’re towing bait and you get a hit, leave the other rod out and the motor in gear. Nine times out of 10, the other bait will get hit, resulting in a double hook-up. I hope this has given you a better understanding of live baiting for spanish mackerel, and there’s still time to get out there and among them. Tight lines!

Heath with a solid spanish mackerel on anchor.

Andrew with a fish so big he couldn’t lift it.

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A heavy non-stick pan gives an even cook and lots of control to get the perfect finish. This golden textured salmon is a good example.

Miso-glazed venus tuskfish pan fried with tossed greens.

Caring for your catch n Dishing up great cooking methods

Butterflied mackerel half coated in panko, oatmeal and parmesan cheese, then deep fried.

ELL, here it is, my favourite part and the steps that matter after all your hard work… the cooking that is, not the cleaning up. Before starting up Suncoast Skutes, I was a passionate and devoted

www.suncoastskutes.com Flashers and pre-made rigs focused on SEQ water all year round Page 50 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024

Sea to Plate - Part 3 by ANDY MELVILLE

chef, so hopefully I can nail a few good pointers for you this month. Without blathering on, we’re going to look at the most likely cooking methods and dish out the tips to go with them. Barbecue Let’s get the hard one out the way first. A gas or woodfired barbecue is never very forgiving, especially if there’s dripping oil or burning marinade going on. But don’t worry, it’s not only steak and corn that steal the limelight. A well-cooked mackerel cutlet or dry rubbed side of mahi mahi done in tin foil is a winner, though not a show stopper by any means. Well marinaded fish with a light rubbing of oil will char nicely and create enough smoke to give a good flavour on a gas grill, whereas lighter seasoned portions cooked on a wood fire away from the direct heat for longer offer a delicate smoky taste that will really surprise you.

Because of the heat, it’s always handy to oil a separate rack and use that to cook on, so you can easily lift the fish away from cooking too quickly. Without getting too methodical, my favourite is paperbark wrapped fish, which is simply seasoned fish portions in flaked layers of soaked paperbark with plenty of seasoning, herbs and lemon juice. As the bark cooks, it will steam the fish and eventually smoke once it dries out and catches alight. A blow torch and water spray will help to boost or reduce what’s going on. Deep frying While it’s fairly self-explanatory, it does often go wrong. Loss of surface temperature or too much frying in a short space of time is caused by not having enough oil and/ or having the wrong shaped pan for the job. The best advice I can

* continued P51

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Caring for your catch * from P50

give is to make sure your oil is properly hot, and fry in small batches. As the outside seals, no oil can penetrate further and the fish begins to steam from the inside, which leaves it juicy. By slightly undercooking the portion and placing it on a baking rack on a tray in a warmed oven, it will continue to cook slightly while you cook your next pieces. For flavoured fish, it’s best to season the fish itself with seasoned flour and then use a seasoned egg wash, so the outer crumbs protect the spices a little from burning. Otherwise, a well-marinaded fillet of fish dipped in flour, then thin batter, then flour again, will give you fantastic eating. Parmesan or salt and vinegar crisps can be added through the breadcrumbs for an added dimension too, but try using panko breadcrumbs for better crunch. Snapper, pearl perch, flathead and whiting are my top picks for deep frying. Baking or pan roasting Normally, fish go through the oven to die a second time, but it doesn’t have to be this way – there are plenty of little hacks to avoid dry and overcooked fish. First, preparation is key. Try to get all the pieces the same size, so they cook at the same time. Also, having the fillets at room temperature, so heat transfers through the centre easier, is important for a better result. To create a barrier of moisture, the next step is to prepare a fan-assisted oven at 160C with a tray on the bottom con-

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taining a good splash of water. For baking, always use greaseproof paper and season the fish before cooking. Even better, give it a dry rub of herbs and spice mix. I tend to leave the skin on and peel it off once cooked, so I personally don’t make too many scores. When pan roasting, I’ll always get a nice crispy skin in the pan first – and I won’t turn the fish over until the very last minute – before transferring it to the oven,. When 90 percent cooked, it then comes out of the pan to rest and finish cooking in its own residual heat. If you aren’t too fussed about cooking straight away, you can build individual parcels using tin foil lined with baking paper and adding some kind of flavoured butter and herbs spread across the fish. Chuck these in the oven at a social gathering or family dinner party, leaving more time for actually socialising. If you have a probe thermometer, cook the fish to about 63C and let the steam do the rest, it’s a winner. Pan frying Being a chef, this is by far my preferred method of cooking. I love the satisfaction and flavour of a wellcrisped fillet of mahi, or even the texture it gives a piece of venus tuskfish, with skin that looks like honeycomb after a solid searing in oil and butter. While there are no rules as such, it’s a given that you don’t want your fish to stick halfway through cooking, so here’s a little trick – oil the fish and not the pan!

What this means is that you can get a nice hot pan without burning any oil and be able to test it by listening for a sizzle when you touch the pan with the edge of the fish before committing to the whole fillet. This also ensures the whole surface has an even coating, which will allow heat to spread evenly across the cooking surface. Top two tips First, it almost goes without saying that a decent non-stick Teflon-coated – or even better, seasoned castiron – pan will help. Not that I see many cast iron pans in home kitchens, so let’s just go with the first option. Second, patience! Cook the fish 70-80 percent of the way on one side, maintaining a relatively high temperature to get a crispy golden skin or a nicely caramelised crust on a portion of larger fillet cut as a steak. If you add butter gradually, you can use a tablespoon to baste the fish with the hot butter as you wait for the skin to crisp up. If you give the fish a nudge with a fish slice, it should come away from the pan, indicating it can be flipped without sticking and falling apart. If the pan is too hot, the fish will want to curl up. Simply take the pan to one side and the fish will flatten out again as the pans cools slightly. Otherwise, use your hands to press it down so you can feel the oil bubbling through the flesh. This will do the trick for a good seal of the skin. I hope these tips help and/or inspire you. Tight lines and happy cooking team.

Cobia breadcrumbing stages – portion, season and flour, egg wash dip, into breadcrumbs, shake in a tub with the lid on, remove once fully coated and store between baking paper. Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 51

Fishing for a fat fish feed

Ethan headed out with Damien and landed a cracking jewfish.

Keira had a fish for bream in the harbour and landed a nice tarwhine.

It’s snapper time!

LOVE the changeover of seasons. We are into winter now, yet last month was transition time and it produced some great fishing, with a diversity of tropical and temperate species. To a smaller extent, I think this month will still be a bit of a transition because things seem to be running a little late this year. If the offshore water is anything over 21C, I’ll still be chasing mackerel. They might not be as thick as in February, yet they’re going to be quality fish. Late season fish are generally fat fish and a mackerel that would have weighed 9kg at the start of the season, is going to be at least 11kg, possibly 12kg. In my opinion, these late season fish are the best eating, whether sashimi or cooked, because the fat will be spread throughout all the flesh. And the extra condition on the fish makes them fight harder too, so make sure you are spooled up! Also, there will be some very big fish among them, well into the 20kg category. Are these fish safe to eat?

Along with a jewfish, Ethan caught a spanish mackerel. Two firsts in one day. Page 52 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024

Tweed to Byron Bay by GAVIN DOBSON

At this time of year, I believe they are – based on anecdotal evidence and some scientific – but don’t hold me accountable. Going back about five years, Sydney Fish Market sold a ciguatera spanish mackerel, so it cracked down to the 10kg maximum size limit rule. It had been a bit slack with this rule for the few years prior. Throughout Queensland, to not exceed 10kg has always been the rule of thumb to stay safe from the dreaded ciguatoxin in spanish mackerel. The Sydney Fish Market and NSW Fisheries got together and determined that any fish caught north of Byron Bay in excess of 10kg was not marketable. This was based on data stating that if a spanish mackerel had not eaten a smaller fish containing ciguatoxin for a period of two weeks, the toxin levels in the spanish would drop to safe levels. Considering that Platypus Bay at K’gari was the southernmost limit of the ciguatoxin itself, any fish south of this point weren’t eating infected baitfish. By the time spanish mackerel have swum to Byron Bay, the twoweek period should have been exceeded and the cumulative ciguatoxin depleted to safe levels. All of that data

hasn’t taken into account that there was a recorded case of a ciguatoxic mackerel caught as far south as Hat Head, a long way south of Byron. If a mackerel was on a mission, it could get to Byron Bay in two days, let alone two weeks. So, why do I believe they’re safe to eat at this time of year? The fish we have here this late in the season have been well south of K’gari for quite a while. Anecdotally and documented, all the cases of ciguatera in spanish mackerel south of the Queensland NSW border that I’ve heard of have occurred in January or early February. Personally, I eat any sized spanish mackerel after mid-March, however the final decision lies with you. Jewfish are on the close reefs now, so an early morning start might be worth a go if the mackerel are still about because you can fish for both species at the same time. A snapper might swim along too. It’s worth a try, particularly if the forecast is good, and you can head out wide afterwards to do some deep dropping. Imagine coming home after a day’s fishing with a spanish mackerel in the box plus a bass groper or blue-eye trevalla! It’s been done before, I can assure you.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 53

Mulloway en masse

ELLO, I am really beginning to feel like a broken record over the past few months. Rain keeps on falling over the Northern Rivers, and it will just not leave us alone. One of my neighbours has recorded over 1m of rain in his gauge since the start of the year, and I’m sure he’ll have plenty more to tip out of it before the year’s out. I am hopeful however that, as we move closer to winter, the water temperature will continue to lower and we may see a decrease in rainfall. For now though, we’ll have to brave the elements and risk getting wet in order to wet a line. The fishing offshore has been a struggle over the past month, largely due to the continuous run of rough weather we’ve had. On the limited numbers of days that boaties were safely able to cross the bar, the conditions were still not particularly pleasant. Add to this, the seemingly continuous stream of fresh and discoloured water that has emanated

BALLINA

BAIT & TACKLE Steve with a quality mulloway from the beach.

Ballina West Shopping Centre Pacific Hwy, Ballina NSW

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Ballina Bait & Tackle by BRETT HYDE

from the mouth of the river, which ensured the close reefs were rather quiet, apart from a few mackerel and a number of mulloway. Over the next month, we should see an increase in the numbers of jewfish moving closer to shore and making their home on the close reefs. With the weather cooling and the mullet running from the mouth of the river, this will be a prime time for jewies to move in and feed. The only thing that may discourage them is the reasonable number of sharks that, because of the discoloured water over the past few months, have also made the mouth of the river their stomping ground. Out wider, the current is beginning to slow down a little and I expect it to be at a more fishable level in coming weeks. Plenty of anglers are chomping at the bit to get out to the shelf and, with a break in the weather and a reduction in the current, we should start to see bar cod, blue-eye trevalla and other deep-water species caught in the near future. For now, a mixed bag has been coming from the 42-fathom line, with some reasonable pearl perch and average kingfish and amberjack being landed. Mullet, bonito and squid have all been successful bait options, and are a fairly safe back up to boot, particularly given how difficult it’s been to find live bait in close. Jigs and other lures have been a little dif-

ficult to fish, given the conditions and current, but I suspect they will prove to be more popular and effective as we draw closer to winter. Rock and beach fishing has been fairly similar to offshore fishing, with the rough weather hampering many anglers from wetting a line. On the few days conditions were more favourable and allowed anglers access to their chosen locations, we have seen plenty of school-sized mulloway, bream, tarwhine and tailor all landed. Most of the tailor were taken using bait such as pilchard, mullet or bonito. A number of good quality fish have also been landed using metal spinners in the 30-60g range – a similar story to the past couple of months. The breakwalls have produced a few jewfish on both lures and bait, with the biggest problem being the number lost to sharks. This has been very frustrating for anglers, at times losing both fish and lures. With the mullet run just beginning for the season and the rain a constant presence, we’ll see this problem for a while yet. Back in the river, it’s pretty much the same as last month, with discoloured water throughout the entire river. For safety reasons, this has kept most bream holding close to any structure, such as bridge pylons, rock walls and jetties. The usual bait, such * continued P55

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Troy Billin of Yamba Fisheries, recipient of the 2024 Sydney Fish Market Seafood Excellence award in the Primary Producer category.

Yamba’s Troy Billin wins seafood excellence award

ROY Billin has been catching premium quality seafood and selling it to some of the country’s top restaurants for more than 25 years. Recently, the second-generation commercial fisher was awarded for his exceptional quality products – he was announced as the 2024 Sydney Fish Market Seafood Excellence award winner in the Primary Producer category.

Mr Billin established Yamba Fisheries over 18 months ago to sell local product to the Sydney Fish Market. He said when his name was announced as the winner at an event in Sydney, he was “blown away”, as the prestigious honour was unexpected. “I wasn’t confident at all,” Mr Billin said. “I thought I had no chance in the world of winning.” Through his commitment and dedication to

supplying high quality seafood, Mr Billin was nominated by a variety of industry figures for the award. “Nominees had done a lot for the seafood industry, they are recognised for their high-quality product, excellence in high quality seafood and promoting the positives of the seafood industry,” Mr Billin said. “I had letters of support from Oceanwatch, John Susman who is a providore in Sydney and

Mulloway en masse at Ballina * from P54

as mullet, pilchard and bonito all work, as well as chicken and mullet gut. Even though there are some good numbers of bream in the lower reaches of the river already, over the course of the next month, we should see more congregating in this area. If the rain does ease to some degree and the clearer water starts to push its way back in-

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to the river, flathead should start to make their way upriver for winter, to find some shallow sand flats to warm up. The impending cold has not deterred mud crabs at the moment, with good numbers showing up in both the creeks and the main river. Run-in tides, particularly at night, have been the better times to target them. Just a quick reminder

that we are now on our ‘closed season’ for bass and estuary perch. This means that you can still fish for them, but you cannot take any home. Coraki to Woodburn seems to be the best section of the river at present, especially with frogs, spinnerbaits and bright coloured cranks on a run-out tide. Well, that’s about all from me this month, until next time, tight lines.

from a buyer in Melbourne. “At the awards night, there were a lot of great people that I know from across the seafood industry, so to win the award was a great honour.” Mr Billin said as child he always wanted to become a professional fisher and that’s what drives his passion in his dream job today. After the 22,000ha Cape Byron Marine Park was announced in 2002, limiting fishing areas, Mr Billin moved to Yamba where his business has thrived and now, up to 70 percent of his catch is mud crab. “Predominantly mud crab is one of the main seafood species I catch,” he said. “I also catch sea mullet, sand whiting, flathead, mulloway, spanish and spotted mackerel and other ocean fish species with hand lines.” After decades in the industry, Mr Billin still enjoys going to work every day and has a variety of favourite sea-

food species to catch and eat. “My favourite species to catch are probably mud crabs or spanish mackerel, and my favourite to eat is pearl perch,” he said. “But, in saying that, I still love eating good fresh sea mullet!” “Looked after properly, they are pretty hard to beat… they’re unreal.” Mr Billin said he was fortunate to have support for his growing business from a group of local commercial fishers who catch and supply seafood via the Sydney Fish Market to some of the nation’s top chefs, including Neil Perry. “The business is going great guns and I am just about to build new premises here in Yamba to support, sustain and grow the business,” he said. For winning the biennial award, Mr Billin said he received a plaque and a certificate – an honour that will help the continued growth of Yamba Fisheries.

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 55

Ipswich angler Slaine Dodrill showed his versatility by switching from chasing tuna along the wall to landing beautiful jewfish from the southern end of the Iluka Bluff.

Big jewies and mullet in Jewn

Grafton angler Jake Hyatt landed quality bream to 35cm from the beach at Station Creek using beachworms as bait. Page 56 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024

ISHING along the Clarence Coast of northern NSW has been exceptionally good this past month, considering that for over three weeks we had to live with a persistent south southeasterly wind gusting to 20-30 knots most days, and up to 35 knots at least once day a week. The biggest losers in these conditions were offshore anglers because, while there was the occasional day that was relatively calm, the majority were well and truly a blow-out by mid-morning. The one saving grace for the boaties was that the traditional early morning winter southwesterly wind has arrived, which has helped calm the swell a little, until later in the day when the wind swings onshore. With all that said, ex-

Just Jew by TYE PORTER

cellent catches of spanish and spotted mackerel were taken early in the month, with catches slowly waning as the weeks went by. Believe it or not both mackerel and tuna will still be taken by both the offshore brigade and the land-based anglers during June, however the downside will be that they’ll be fairly scarce. However, the good news is that they will more than likely be extra-oversized, as each year along the Iluka wall we get huge lone long-tailed tuna still feeding on garfish. I know I’m stating the obvious here, yet the one species that have started to come on the chew are big bream. And, yes I know you

can catch bream year round, but it is during winter that they feed a lot more vigorously, as they strive to put on condition before spawning, with most fish nearly doubling their summer weight. A great friend of mine, Jake Hyatt of Grafton, has been spending the occasional weekend camping at Station Creek, landing beautiful bream around the 35cm mark off the beach using live beachworms as bait. Other anglers have had similar success up along Ten Mile Beach at Shark Bay, with quite a few big tarwhine and a school jewfish or two thrown in for good measure. Main Beach Iluka * continued P57

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Big jewies and mullet in Jewn * from P56

has continued to produce nice bags of big chopper tailor around the 2kg mark, with bonito or mullet strips and whole garfish bait all accounting for fish, while around the headlands there has been no shortage of pan-sized choppers taking metal slice lures. Inside the Clarence River, the jew winter run is in full swing and good fish over 20kg have been boated from the southern end of the Collis Wall during the slack highwater after dark, and similar sized fish have fallen to both live mullet and hard-bodied minnow lures at the T-Piece, which is located about 200m along the Yamba breakwall. Barring any flood or the like, the river run of big jew will continue through to at least the end of July in all the major river systems along the north coast. The annual mullet run is on in earnest right along the coast, with the local professional crews set up at their usual sites, so if you happen to be around when they hit a patch of fish, it’s well worth spending an hour or two watching what’s involved in getting that fresh mullet to the shop window for you to buy. Believe it or not, I actually waddled out along the Iluka breakwall one night at low water flicking 6” soft plastic lures for a school jew, but returned home two hours later fishless and wetter and colder than when I started – oh well, that’s my yearly fishing done. Ipswich angler Slaine Dodrill paid a return visit to Iluka last month with his friend Lachie Phillips of Brisbane,

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and while I thought the fishos had come back for another session on tuna along the wall, they actually came to catch jewfish at the southern end of the Iluka Bluff and, as the pictures show, they hit the jackpot on their first night. It is great to see fishos fish in terrible wind and rain conditions and walk away with quality fish, which makes the catch so much more memorable. I received a text message from Brisbane jew guru Darren O’Shea saying that he was thinking of coming down for a fish in the river this month for a jew, so I suppose I’ll have to swap my pyjamas for warmer gear and go have a fish with him for old time’s sake. Luderick are another species that will begin to be taken inside the river in better numbers this month, as they too move into the estuaries for their yearly spawning run, with black or green weed and sea cabbage all being effective bait on any given day. I know the month is spelt June, however I prefer ‘Jewn’, as it really is one of the three months of the year when big jewfish can be taken from almost anywhere – the ocean, beach, rocks, walls and rivers all at the same time – with the other two months being ‘Mullowmay’ and ‘Jewly’. So, if the weather gods do their bit and give us fishable conditions, this month should see no shortage of jewfish, tailor, luderick and bream from the bank, while the offshore boaties will be getting into the spawning run of snapper and teraglin along the coast. Until next month, safe fishing.

The annual mullet run is in full swing right along the coast.

Brisbane angler Lachie Phillips was over the moon and itching to get back to Iluka after landing a quality jewfish from the southern end of the Iluka Bluff during a recent visit.

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A fish infected with red spot disease from the Richmond River. John Larsson Ozfish

Red spot disease observed in fish caught in Sunshine Coast rivers

Tony Richings was concerned for the infected bream he caught in the Maroochy River. Photo: Tony Richings Page 58 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024

UNSHINE Coast anglers have observed fish in local rivers suffering from a disease that causes ugly red ulcers, following recent heavy rain. Epizootic ulcerative syndrome, also known as red spot disease, is caused by a fungus that can flourish after acid sulphate soil run-off enters waterways particularly. The fungus can then infect fish with damaged skin, attacking the muscle beneath and causing the unsightly red sores. Experts say the disease is common and does not pose a risk to people, or to recreational or commercial fishing. More than 100 freshwater and estuarine species in Australia are susceptible to the disease, including breadand-butter species such

as bream and flathead. Several local fishos have posted to a popular fishing page on social media over the past few weeks about seeing fish suffering from the disease. Steve Ozoux said he caught a fish in the Noosa River recently that he released but it was in bad shape. Tony Richings wrote that he caught a couple of bream in the Bli Bli reach of the Maroochy River with pretty bad looking ulcers, released to hopefully fight another day. And another posted that there were so many sick fish in the Maroochy system currently, they had been picking up bream and flathead alive out of the water with their bare hands and these fish had sores on them.

A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries said it did not know of an increase in cases but acknowledged the disease was prevalent in waterways. DAF stated the department was not aware of a spike in epizootic ulcerative syndrome cases. “This disease is endemic in Queensland and all other mainland Australian states, as well as the Northern Territory,” DAF said. “EUS often appears after periods of heavy rainfall and acid water run-off. “It can cause unsightly reddish lesions. “EUS is caused by a water fungus (aphanomyces invadans). “It’s common in coastal rivers and catchments.” * continued P59

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Red spot disease observed in fish caught in Sunshine Coast rivers * from P58

Aquatic animal health expert Dr Ben Diggles, who provides specialist advice to industry and government through his DigsFish Services, said the disease was introduced to Australia. “It was originally found in Japan in the early 1970s and Australia got it soon after,” he said, adding that it probably spread via ballast water used in shipping. “It spread from Japan and Australia throughout the rest of Asia, which is why it’s actually a notifiable disease – meaning authorities must be informed about outbreaks.” He explained that EUS – which was once known as Bundaberg disease, after where it was first observed in Australia – needed certain conditions to be able to affect fish. The fungus is required to cause the disease, however other predisposing factors are that the fish needs to be stressed by something and its skin needs to be damaged. “Usually if you expose the perfectly healthy fish under ideal conditions to the fungus nothing happens,” Dr Diggles said. “In this case, the main predisposing factor is our estuarine fish get exposed to these pulses of freshwater during a big rain event. “It’s various things in the water that cause issues with the fish, including the fact that the fungus doesn’t survive with any salt in the water.” He added that if you have even one-tenth strength seawater, fungus can no longer survive or transmit – so, the fish really need to be exposed to the fresh water.

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“Then of course, there’s a whole range of other junk that comes down now after rainfall events in our rivers, including silt and a whole range of other things that load the water up and infect the skin of the fish,” he said. “That allows little perforations in the slime layer of the fish, and the damage allows the fungus to get in and then it attacks the muscle. “That’s why the lesions look so nasty because it’s actually a fungal infection of the muscle and there’s a very vigorous response by the fish’s immune system to try and wall it off. “It gets really gnarly and red.” Dr Diggles said little could be done to prevent the disease once it’s taken hold in rivers, apart from waiting for natural saltwater to recirculate. “In the wild there’s really nothing you can do except work to improve your riparian habitat to reduce the amount of other rubbish that gets washed into the water that can affect the fish’s skin,” he said. “All that soil and everything that comes down is high in bacterial load and they get secondary infections from the bacteria. “That reduction in water quality itself stresses the fish and reduces its immune system. “Also, just development in acid sulphate soils is a big issue. “It drops the pH, which affects the outside.” Usually, red spot disease is worse in areas where acid sulphate soils have been disturbed. “Farming can be one way to disturb it,” Dr Diggles said. And building houses, “Runoff from houses is not the best.”

He reminded fishos to handle fish with care before releasing them. “When they catch fish and have to release them, they have to be very careful not to disturb the slime layer because otherwise they can cause the injuries that allow the EUS fungus to get inside,” he said. He said the problem was widespread. “The catchments of most of our rivers now are modified.” “In the Brisbane River, just before Christmas after a wet, I got photos and video of bream with EUS floating down the river, so it’s not just the Maroochy River – it’s all throughout the east coast and up into the territory.” Dr Diggles said the disease did not pose a risk to people unless they consumed diseased fish. “If you eat sick fish and they’re not cooked properly, there’s always a risk you can get infection,” he said. “The rule of thumb generally is you don’t eat sick fish.” The Department of Agriculture and Fish-

eries spokesperson said fish without the disease were safe to catch and eat. “Healthy fish with no sign of EUS can still be caught and consumed by recreational fishos and caught and sold by licensed commercial fishers,” they said. Recent posts on the social media fishing page also hold hope the dis-

ease will diminish soon. “Not every fish has them, and you will probably be waiting a while until they get better with all this rain,” Mr Richings wrote. Another post said, “I’ve seen some mullet with sores, but there are less of them now. “I would probably just head out.” Sunshine Coast News

A bream caught in the Maroochy River around Bli Bli. Photo: Tony Richings

A flathead suffering from red spot disease caught in the Noosa River. Photo: Steve Ozoux

The Maroochy River wetlands. Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 59

The author and a 108cm queenfish that ate a 4” Molix RT Fork Flex.

Flatties, queenies, GTs and jacks

Tully with his personal best flathead caught in the bay.

Caitlin Falzon snagged a nice mangrove jack from a recent trip out. Page 60 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024

’DAY crew, as always, I trust you’ve been keeping well, staying out of trouble and able to wet a line over the past few weeks. Personally, I’ve been too busy in the shop recently to be causing any trouble. With the Easter school break and a few public holidays thrown in, the town has had its fair share of visitors. On the May Day long weekend, we had about 100 trailer sailers embark on Tin Can Bay to race in the Hervey Bay ‘Bay to Bay Yacht Race’ and luckily they had fairly good weather. Whereas a 10-15 knot wind from the southeast with a grey rain-cloudy sky is definitely not the best fishing weather in my eyes. But my wife Emma and I dropped the Quintrex to watch the start of the race and followed the fleet to Gary’s Anchorage. Now I’m no yacht-

Tin Can Bay by CHRIS RIPPON

ie, but I must say that the sight of 100 plus spinnakers coming up Great Sandy Straits on a gloomy day was fairly spectacular. Anyway, on to the important issue of what’s been caught over the past few weeks. Despite the tannin-stained water this end of the bay, we’ve had good catches of whiting, flathead, cod, queenfish, mangrove jack, barramundi, giant

trevally, squire, legal nannygai and even a stupidly extra-large batfish that ate a soft plastic! For the crew chasing flathead in the bay, there was no shortage of the old flat skulls to be had. We had a good 2.5-hour session the last time we were out and boated 10-12 fish of between 50-60cm in very quick succession. The standout lure for that trip was the 3.5’’ * continued P61

Megan Fah with a solid giant trevally that ate a live pike.

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Flatties, queenies, GTs and jacks * from P60

Biwaa TailGunR Curly in Pearl White and Watermelon, taking 90 percent of the fish boated that session. We have found that fishing the larger drains when there’s a very lowwater low tide on the big spring tides has been paying off. Some small trevally, bream and blue salmon have been in the mix and when you’re fishing 4/6lb braid with 10 or 12lb leader and hook a 60cm blue salmon, you’re in for a good time – hoping it’s hooked on the outside of its face because this species pop light leader very quickly. Lures working well on flathead were the Rapala Crush City The Imposter, 92mm Pro Lure Clone Prawns and the new 65mm Dr Stretch hard-bodies by Fish Craft. They are a mould of the old Mann’s Lures, and anyone who has fished a Mann’s know they catch fish. With the water temperature still hovering around the 24-26C mark at the end of April, mangrove jack were still being caught. Floating a small lightly weighted live bait back into the snags should see you bag a couple, though make sure you

have your drag dialled up, as we all know the sheer brute force the red devil hits with! Once he’s got that bait in his mouth, he’s well and truly halfway home, if not already at his front door. Barramundi in the 75cm size were getting caught, with the ones I’ve seen over the past few weeks caught mainly with big slow-rolled prawns retrofitted with a treble on the chin, for that extra hook-up point. My choice of soft plastic prawn would have to be the 127mm Samaki Live Shrimp. We have found the best way to retrofit these larger prawns is with a TT Fishing SwimlockZ jig head. As they are a heavier gauge wire and also have a rigging point on the bottom of the jig head, this allows you to run a split ring to attach a treble to, for more hook-up opportunities. But now that the nights have become cooler and the water temperature is down around the 20C mark, I’d say that’s a wrap for barra until the water heats up again. With a new moon at the start of the month and a little more rain falling from the sky, mud crabs were out in force, and reports of A-grade crabs and full

Jonathan Mallard with a late session Tin Can Bay barramundi. www.bnbfishing.com.au

pots were coming in thick and fast. The big evening tides allowed access to a few extra spots and seemed to get the crabs on the march. Fresh bait and a good soak are always key to getting stuck into a nice feed of crab. Reports ranged from up the back of the bay, all the way to Gray’s. In the creeks or on the flats, it seemed if you had pots in, you wouldn’t miss out. Speaking of mud-dwelling creatures, I’m tipping that prawns should be in good numbers and have some size to them in the coming weeks, if they don’t already. The quantity of prawns we’ve seen when out fishing has been awesome. Personally, I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many prawns in the system. In saying that though, I’m far from local. I’ve only been in Tin Can Bay for six years… I believe I’ve got another 40 to go before calling myself a local. Tuna have yet to make a good appearance in the bay this year, with only a few small schools being sighted. Though, with the water in the Strait still a pretty green, they may even pass us by this year. Let’s hope the rain holds off for a few weeks and allows the water to clean up a bit. The 10wt fly rod is getting a bit dusty in the corner! Well, that’s it from me for another month crew. I hope you all get out and get stuck into a few. Take care and tight lines. The Chandlery Bait and Tackle for all your boating and fishing needs.

Megan Fah out fished Jon again with a solid mangrove jack.

The author went batty with a silly sized batfish that ate a soft plastic.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 61

Dee boated a scarlet sea perch that raced a mackerel to the slukk.

Mackerel and bonus by-catch Warwick scored a tasty grunter.

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Jeff with a big queenfish he boated when mackerel spinning.

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HE weather still is horrible. Wet and windy, woo hoo! My wet-weather gear is getting a workout – I wish I could say the same about my incoming funds. Thankfully the tuna are fairly reliable, even in poor conditions we can manage to hook into a few. And we’ve caught mostly mack tuna, which are fine when we’re looking for a little fun. More commonly, I have found longtail tuna to be out slightly wider. The good old slukk has been the fire lure of late but, if the tuna are fussy, the stalwart

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softy from Z-Man does the trick. Plenty of Hervey Bay mackerel are still around. Mostly school mackerel, though the occasional spanish, spotted and broad-bar are mixed in too. Be prepared to lose a few lures with these speedsters charging and slashing lustily at the small presentations. They get that worked up at times, they rip each other. If the hooked fish is small enough, don’t be surprised if some cannibalism is displayed by the larger members of the school. When they get agitated, their actions can be mind boggling. The best techniques were fast spinning slukks, after letting

them sink to the bottom. Occasionally try a jig and rip in the retrieve, this triggers a more aggressive response, yet be aware that the varied speed retrieves tend to suffer from bite-offs more regularly. Mackerel fishing bycatch has been pretty cool on the metal lures. Reef fish and other pelagic much bigger than school mackerel have put anglers to the test. Considering I usually use school mackerel as a test bed for novices, the most interesting hook-ups were bonefish and larger species – queenfish and tuna – which you’d expect after doing this technique regularly. Some of the queenies were quite large too, * continued P63

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Ron snagged a rare bonefish, also caught on the slukk.

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Lures ain’t just lures

I all, to steal a phrase from the old TV commercial “Oils ain’t oils”, the same could be said of the massive selection of lures available today. When looking at hardbody lures for estuary fishing, it’s common to find them priced around the $26 mark. On average, with offshore, you’ll probably need to add at least another $10 or more to that figure. So losing a couple can quickly empty the back pocket and take the shine off what should have been a relaxing day. My approach to what I require in a lure can be broken down into several categories. Such as size, which is generally dictated by the

Agnes Water by PAUL ‘CHIEF’ GRAVESON

natural food source. The type of area, such as snags or rocky outcrops, can dictate the diving depth of the lure, as well as other characteristics such as floating, sinking or suspending abilities. As an example, if I find a floating crank bait that dives to 1.3m, what distance does it travel before achieving its maximum depth, as this can vary between profiles and brands. Colour is another important factor to consider, but it is also important to look at durability, hardware and action with overall versatility.

You can upgrade hooks and split rings, but my way of thinking is, if I’m paying good money for a product, why should I? Over the years, I’ve bought a lot of lures across a wide cross section of prices and given each one a start by having an open mind. Many did not cut the mustard and many products failed in my eyes, especially when it came to versatility and durability. So, what does that mean? Look at durability first because, if you’re like me, you’re using these * continued P64

Check out the Samaki MF50, a value-for-money product.

Zerek offer great value lures. These are two of the author’s favourite lures from the brand.

Mostly mackerel and bonus by-catch * from P62

measuring well over the 1m mark, and not as easy to catch as the other species we usually encounter, unless you’re spinning lures for mackerel and it’s a by-catch bite. First, you need to get a bite, but then do your best to get a solid hook set in the bony jaw, followed by keeping it lodged there for the battle’s duration. Jumping and

head-shaking fish put your angling skills to the test. Keep that rod bent firm and use the reel more than the lift or pump of the rod. Many anglers go too hard and fast with the rod, oftentimes missing the opportunity to take line because they’re too hell bent on dictating terms to the fish. If the rod isn’t loading to the mid and butt sections, do not use the rod.

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Ken hooked a turrum that beat a mackerel to the slukk. www.bnbfishing.com.au

Wind the reel – instantly you may gain 1m without trying to move the rod. The more you move the rod from the loaded position and allow it to only be ‘tip loaded’, the higher the probability the fish may throw a lure. And this isn’t a rule solely for queenfish, it’s for all fish! Use the reel as much as possible to keep the rod loaded to the mid-section. There’s a difference between that and trying to wind the reel while the drag is clicking off. Think about this a little… as with many techniques, fishing or otherwise, it’s often about rhythm, timing and control. Not control of what the adversary is doing, but what you are able to do.

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Jeff managed a decent diamond trevally.

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 Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 63

Lures ain’t just lures folks * from P63

hard-bodies in some harsh environments, such as near pylons, rock walls and heavy snags, not to mention what’s about to attack the lure. Recently, I had a few lures crack around the AUSTRALIA EAST COAST seams and bibs that simply snapped. LIA, EASTCOAST COAST––WADDY IA, EAST WADDY POINT POINT (FRASER (FRASER ISLAND) ISLAND) WADDY POINT Some of these lures LAT24° 24°58ʼ 58ʼSS LAT LONG LONG153° 153°21ʼ 21ʼEE wereTime well-known Timesand andHeights Heightsof ofHigh Times Zone Highand andLow LowWaters Waters Time Zone –1000 –1000 and expensive. JUNE JUNE JULY AUGUST JULY AUGUST ime mm Time mm Time mm me Time Time Time Time Time Time m Time m m Time m m Time m Time m m in I mention versatility 229 1.77 0314 1.82 1.82 0326 1.54 29 1.77 0326 0326 0017 0.83 0314 0353 0101 0.83 1.54 0353 1.52 1.52 0326 1.29 1.29 0101 0.83 0017 0.83 to a lure and this refers 161011 110957 111009 11the 16 0950 951 0.90 0957 0.67 0.67 16 1011 0.77 51 0.90 0619 0.77 1009 0.69 0.69 16 0950 0.77 0.77 0619 1.27 1.27 16 0523 0523 1.14 1.14 following scenarios. 556 1.39 1623 1.57 1.57 SU 1701 1.57 56 1.39 1139 0.72 1.57 MO 1708 1.76 1.76 TU 1719 1.65 1.65 1139 0.72 FR 1103 0.70 0.70 SA1623 SU1701 SA TH MO 1708 TU 1719 TH FR 1103 049 1.04 2147 0.89 0.89 2241 1.02 1.02 49 1.04 2241 2344 1809 1.84 2147 2324 1841 2324 0.95 0.95 2344 1.00 1.00 1841 1.98 1.98 1809 1.84 I may choose to roll a 327 1.72 0411 1.76 1.76 0417 1.47 1.47 27 1.72 0458 0431 0139 0.76 0458 1.43 1.43 0431 1.23 1.23 0139around 0.76 0054 0.70 lure a0054 snag0.70 area 20411 170417 2 2 2 2 17 034 0.83 1039 0.60 0.60 17 1042 0.71 0.71 1039 1055 34 0.83 1042 1037 0709 1055 0.67 0.67 17 1037 0.73 0.73 0709 1.31 1.31 17 0624 0624 1.21 1.21 648 1.48 1715 1.73 1.73 MO 1744 1.68 1.68 48 1.48 1227 0.66 1759 1.90 1.90 WE 1802 1.75 1.75 1227then 0.66 ask 1155 0.60 and that 0.60 same SU1715 MO 1744 SU TU FR SA TU 1759 WE 1802 FR SA 1155 204 1.00 2258 0.84 0.84 2340 0.97 0.97 2258 04 1.00 2340 1924 1924 2.03 1849 1.96 1.96 lure to2.03troll 1849 the drains 418 1.68 0505 1.69 1.69 0503 1.40 1.40 0505 0034 18 1.68 0503 0036 0208 0130 0034 0.89 0.89 0036 0.92 0.92 0208 0.70 0.70 0130 0.58 0.58 and flats for flathead. 181112 331117 33 0600 3 0749 18 0533 105 0.75 1117 0.55 0.55 18 1112 0.67 0.67 0600 1.37 05 0.75 1.37 18 0533 1.20 1.20 0749 1.37 1.37 18 0706 0706 1.30 1.30 729 1.58 MO 1802 1.89 1.89 TU 1821 1.78 1.78 WE 1140 0.65 29 1.58 0.60 0.65 TH 1123 0.69 0.69 1312 0.60trolling, 1240 I0.49 0.49 MO1802 TU 1821 WE 1140 SA SU TH 1123 SA 1312 SU 1240 When like 301 0.94 1845 2.02 01 0.94 1840 2004 1927 1845 2.02 1840 1.85 1.85 2004 2.06 2.06 1927 2.06 2.06 to find the bottom oc500 1.65 0000 0.80 0.80 0029 0.92 0.92 0130 0.82 0.82 0239 00 1.65 0204 0118 0.82 0.82 0239 0.66 0.66 0204 0.47 0.47 190029 440000 44 0130 4casionally, 19 0118 129 0.68 0555 1.62 1.62 19 0548 1.35 1.35 0657 1.36 1.36 19 0555 0657 0827 29 0.68 0548 0629 0745 0629 1.21 1.21 0827 1.42 1.42 19creating 0745 1.40 1.40 a 805 1.69 1155 0.52 0.52 WE 1144 0.63 0.63 1226 0.62 0.62 FR 1353 0.56 05 1.69 0.40 1208 0.63 0.63 1353 of 0.56 sand 1322 0.40 TU1155 WE 1144 TH 1226 TU TH SU MO FR 1208 SUpuff MO 1322 that2.14can 346 0.88 1846 2.04 2.04 1854 1.88 1.88 1930 2.10 2.10 1846 1930 2042 46 0.88 1854 1916 2006 1916 1.94 1.94 2042 2.04 2.04 2006 2.14 certainly catch the0.39eye 537 1.60 0057 0.77 0.77 0115 0.87 0.87 0215 0.76 0.76 37 1.60 0057 0115 0215 0157 0312 0239 0157 0.73 0.73 0312 0.64 0.64 0239 0.39 50645 200631 5 20 5 5 5 of0901 a flathead waiting 149 0.61 0645 1.55 1.55 20 0631 1.32 1.32 0749 1.37 1.37 20 49 0.61 0718 0749 1.44 1.50 0718 1.25 1.25 0901 1.44 20 0824 0824 1.50 in 838 1.80 WE 1233 0.51 0.51 TH 1218 0.60 0.60 1314 0.61 0.61 SA 38 1.80 1431 1252 0.57 0.57 1431 0.57 0.57 TU 1404 0.35 0.35 WE1233 TH 1218 FR 1314 SA 1252 FR MO MOambush. TU 1404 1930 2.16 2.16 1928 1.97 1.97 2015 2.15 2.15 1928 1954 1954 2.04 1930 2015 2118 2046 2.04 2118 1.99 1.99 2046 2.16 2.16 Unfortunately, some of 026 0.84 0155 0.74 0.74 0158 0.81 0.81 0258 0.71 0.71 0235 0.63 0258 0235 0345 0314 26 0.84 0.63 0345 0.66 0.66 0314 0.36 0.36 60155 21 0158 6 6 6 6 21 612 1.56 0736 1.49 1.49 21 0713 1.32 1.32 0837 1.40 1.40 21 0801 0801 1.31 0933 1.44 0907 0736 0837 12 1.56 0713 1.31 0933lures 1.44 just 0907 1.58 the can’t1.58 deal 214 0.56 1314 0.53 0.53 FR 1255 0.57 0.57 1401 0.61 0.61 SU 1336 0.51 14 0.56 0.51 1504 0.60 0.60 WE 1448 0.38 0.38 TH 1314 FR 1255 SA 1401 SU 1336 TH SA TU TU 1504 WE 1448 with whereas 909 1.90 2015 2.23 2.23 2003 2.05 2.05 2059 2.15 2.15 2033 2.12 2150 1.91 2128 2.11 2.12 2015 2059 2033 09 1.90 2003 2150 this 1.91 ask, 2128 2.11 others revel in the0.37task 107 0.81 0252 0.74 0.74 0243 0.75 0.75 0340 0.71 0.71 0314 0.56 0.56 0314 0415 0351 07 0.81 0415 0.70 0.70 0351 22 0243 770252 77 0340 7and 646 1.51 0827 1.45 1.45 22 0758 1.34 1.34 0921 1.40 1.40 22 0846 0846 1.38 1.38 0758 0827 0921 1004 1.43 0952 46 1.51 1004produce 1.43 22hook-ups. 0952 1.65 241 0.53 1358 0.59 1337 0.56 1446 0.64 1420 0.47 0.47 1535 41 0.53 1536 0.67 0.67 TH 1535 0.47 FR 1358 0.59 SA SA 1337 0.56 SU 1446 0.64 MO MO 1420 FR SU WE WE 1536 940 1.99 2101 2.24 2.24 Trial1.82 and TH error 2043 2.11 2.11 2142 2.10 2.10 2116 2.17 2.17 2043 2101 2142 2116 40 1.99 2218 2213 1.98the 2218 1.82 2213are answers 149 0.79 0347 0.75 0.75 0328 0.70 0.70 0420 0.73 0.73 0354 0.51 0.51 49 0.79 0347 0328 0420 0354 0443 0430 0443 0.74 0.74 to finding 0430 0.43out 23 0848 880917 88 1001 8the 723 1.48 0917 1.41 1.41 23 0848 1.36 1.36 1001 1.39 1.39 23 0932 0932 1.44 1.44 1035 strengths 23 1.48 1035 1.42 1.42 23 1041 of 1.69 your 311 0.52 1441 0.66 0.66 SU 1422 0.57 0.57 1525 0.69 0.69 TU 1507 0.48 0.48 1611 0.75 11 0.52 0.75 FR SA 1441 SU 1422 MO 1525 TU 1507 TH 1611 SA MO TH FR 1628 0.62 014 2.07 2146 2.20 2.20 2128 2.14 2.14 2221 2.02 2.02 2201 2.15 2.15 2247 1.72 2146 2221 2201 14 2.07 2128 2247 2258 1.81 1.72 however purchase, it’s a 235 0.78 0437 0.79 0.79 0415 0.66 0.66 0457 0.78 0.78 0435 0.51 0.51 0510 late 0435 35 0.78 0510 0.76 0511 you’ve 0.52 0.76 to find 24 0415 990437 99 0457 9little 803 1.45 1004 1.37 1.37 24 0940 1.37 1.37 1035 1.36 1.36 24 1020 1020 1.47 1.47 1113 1.42 1.42 24 1134 1.71 1004 0940 1035 03 1.45 1113 spent your money on a 344 0.54 1524 0.75 1510 0.61 1602 0.75 0.75 WE 1554 0.55 0.55 1653 0.85 0.85 SA 1734 0.79 44 0.54 SU 1524 0.75 MO MO 1510 0.61 TU 1602 WE 1554 FR 1653 SU TU FR 051 2.11 2230 2.11 2.11 2217 2.13 2.13 2254 1.92 1.92 2247 2.08 2.08 2317 1.61 1.61 51 2.11 2317 2346 1.60 2230 2217 2254 2247 dud. 324 0.78 0523 0.85 0.85 0503 0.66 0.66 0532 0.83 0.83 0518 0.54 0.54 0540 0.78 0532 0518 24 0.78 0540 0555 0.61 alNow,0.78 my mother 10 0523 25 0503 848 1.42 10 1049 1.33 1.33 25 1035 1.37 1.37 10 1110 1110 1.34 1.34 25 1110 1110 1.49 1.49 10 1159 1159 1.43 1.43 25 1239 1.72 48 1.42 1035 1049 told SUme, you 422 0.59 MO 1608 0.83 0.83 TU 1600 0.67 0.67 1639 0.82 0.82 TH 1644 0.65 0.65 1746 0.95 0.95 22 0.59 1746 1904 if0.93 MO 1608 TU 1600 WE 1639 TH 1644 SAways WE SA 133 2.12 2312 2.00 2.00 2308 2.08 2.08 2327 1.82 1.82 2334 1.95 1.95 2348 1.50 33 2.12 2308 2348 2312 2327 2334 haven’t anything nice 417 0.78 0607 0.90 0.90 0552 0.68 0.68 0607 0.85 0.85 0602 0.60 0.60 0613 0607 0602 17 0.78 0.79then 0043 to0613 say, don’t1.41say 11 0607 26 0552 936 1.38 11 1136 1.31 1.31 26 1132 1.36 1.36 11 1153 1153 1.33 1.33 26 1207 1207 1.50 1.50 11 1258 1258 1.44 26 0649 0.71 1136 36 1.38 1132 504 0.67 1656 0.90 1652 0.74 0.74 1724 0.89 0.89 FR 1742 0.79 0.79 1858 1.05 so 04 0.67 1858 1401 that 1.74 in TU 1656 0.90 WE WE 1652 TH 1724 FR 1742 SUanything, TU TH SU MOwith 219 2.08 2355 1.89 1.89 2355 19 2.08 2103 0.97 mind I’m going to share 513 0.80 0652 0.92 0.92 0000 1.99 1.99 0003 1.72 1.72 0023 1.78 1.78 0024 1.38 13 0.80 0003 0023 0024 0208 1.26 I believe are the 12 0652 27 0000 030 1.33 12 1234 1.30 1.30 27 0642 0.70 0.70 12 0645 0645 0.86 0.86 27 0650 0650 0.66 0.66 12what 30 1.33 1234 0642 0650 0.81 27 0757 0.79 550 0.75 WE 1751 0.96 0.96 TH 1233 1.37 1.37 1251 1.34 1.34 SA 1313 1.53 1.53 50 0.75 1414 bang-for-buck 1.47 TU 1524 1.79 WE 1751 TH 1233 FR 1251 SA 1313 MObest FR MO lures 311 2.02 1749 0.82 0.82 1819 0.97 0.97 1856 0.92 0.92 11 2.02 1749 1819 1856 2041 1.09 2252 0.90 and why I always keep a 610 0.82 0043 1.80 1.80 0052 1.89 1.89 0043 1.62 1.62 0116 1.60 1.60 0109 1.26 10 0.82 0043 0116 1.20 of them. 13 0043 28 0052 28 0350 133 1.30 13 0742 0.92 0.92 28 0734 0.72 0.72 13 0728 0728 0.85 0.85 28 0741 0741 0.71 0.71 13stock 33 1.30 0742 0734 0735 0.82 0918 0.82 642 0.83 1348 1.31 1.31 FR 1342 1.41 1.41 1407 1.37 1.37 SU 1436 1.60 1.60 42 0.83 1.53 WE 1635quality, 1.84 TH 1348 FR 1342 SA 1407 SU 1436 TH SA TU 1530 Durability, 1852 1.01 1.01 1855 0.91 0.91 1928 1.04 1.04 2040 1.01 1.01 1852 1855 1928 2040 2228 1.05 2358 0.82 price and they deliver 009 1.96 0136 1.70 1.70 0147 1.77 1.77 0129 1.50 1.50 0224 1.43 1.43 09 1.96 0147 0129 0224 0228 1.16 0517 1.22 14 0136 action to catch fish. 709 0.82 14 0840 0.89 0.89 29 0827 0827 0.72 0.72 14 0814 0814 0.83 0.83 29 0839 0839 0.75 0.75 14the 09 0.82 0840 0837 0.81 29 1032 0.79 247 1.29 1505 1.37 1.37 SA 1500 1.49 1.49 1523 1.45 1.45 MO 1554 1.70 1.70 47 1.29 1634 1.62 TH 1733 1.89 FR 1505 SA 1500 SU 1523 MO 1554 FR SU WEZerek lures 746 0.89 2003 1.04 1.04 2019 0.97 0.97 2057 1.08 1.08 2239 1.00 1.00 46 0.89 2003 2019 2057 2239 2333 0.95 I always keep two par111 1.90 0232 1.62 1.62 0248 1.64 1.64 0223 1.39 1.39 0347 1.31 11 1.90 0232 0248 0223 0039 0.74 0347 0400 1.12 15 0931 30 810 0.79 15 0931 0.83 0.83 30 0919 0919 0.71 0.71 15 0902 0902 0.80 0.80 30 0943 0943 0.77 15ticular 10 0.79 0612 in 1.29the 0956 0.78models 404 1.33 1610 1.46 1.46 SU 1611 1.62 1.62 1628 1.54 1.54 TU 1659 1.81 04 1.33 SA 1610 SU 1611 MO 1628 TU 1659 SA MO TH 1725 1.72 FR 1129 0.73 boat, particularly when 900 0.92 2125 1.05 1.05 2157 0.99 0.99 2234 1.07 1.07 00 0.92 2125 2157 2234 1819 1.92 fishing the estuary. 213 1.86 0005 0.92 13 1.86 0005 0107 0.69 907 31 0512 0.74 0512 1.26 07 0.74 0651 1.35 Zerek 31 Tango Shad 519 1.43 19 1.43 1214 0.65 WE 1044 0.76 WE 024 0.92 50mm is aSAfantastic 24 0.92 1755 1.91 1857 1.93little lure with a proven monwealth of Australia Australia 2022, Bureau of of Meteorology Meteorology onwealth of 2022, Bureau New Moon First Quarter action. ns is is Lowest Lowest Astronomical Astronomical Tide Tide ns I have no problems usFull Moon Last Quarter ing theseLast straight out the ols New Moon Moon First Quarter Quarter Quarter New First ols Full Moon packet due to17the quality

Tide Times

2024

Page 64 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024

of the split rings and hooks. With a great colour range, these work a treat with a slow roll or, if you’re asking them to troll a little faster than normal, they simply get on with the job and perform. As you’d expect around the estuaries, they take a wide variety of species. A heads up, the hot pink is an awesome colour, especially if the water clarity is a little iffy. And the Zerek Tango Shad is available in floating and suspending. Barramundi will take this smaller profile, and surprisingly, school mackerel will crawl all over them when trolling. The Tango Shad is also available in larger sized profiles of 69mm, 120mm and 130mm. The Zerek Skittish Dog is a great topwater lure, with Zerek retaining the quality for straight out the packet use with confidence. Barra, trevally, mangrove jack and any aggressive feeders relish these and I love the explosive hits and the visual experience these lures provide. Available in 85mm and 115mm sizes, the Skittish Dog also comes in a good colour range. And don’t be afraid to try a black profile on a moonlight night. Halco Tackle lures To be quite honest, I haven’t really used any of the smaller profile lures around the estuaries, however offshore, I can’t go past the Halco Laser Pro range. It’s a quality and durable trolling lure at a price that fits the bill. I use the 120mm, 160mm and 190mm sizes in a range that covers a variety of diving depths.

Currently, the H53 White Redhead colour is one always in the spread, and the 120mm in R15 Chrome Pink is perfect for school and spotted mackerel. Truly one of the best value-for-money lures on the market. Cobia, various tuna species, school, spotty, shark and spanish mackerel, giant and golden trevally have all fallen to the Laser Pro. Samaki lures One of the cheaper-option lures I’ve found to really work a treat. My introduction was the Samaki Redic MF50, and it has performed when casting and trolling, producing a surprising number of different species. Full transparency, I’ve only used the colour Ghost Shad on a couple of occasions, yet encountered blackspotted and gold spot cod, bartail and dusky flathead, blubberlip, giant and fringefin trevally, flounder and a number of sizable summer whiting, so I can tell you the MF50 definitely offers value for money. I penned this story because I’ve spent my fair share on off-the-shelf lures that just don’t perform. The above lures dot the i’s and cross the t’s, and I believe offer brilliant bang for your hardearned buck.

For the author, Halco Laser Pro is the most effective and well-priced lure ever produced.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 65

Snapper will be a more regular capture this month.

Cap Coast winter options

A quality inshore grunter caught by Shannon Rufus.

Jemuel Lacap is a local rock hopper. Check that out for a quality tuna. Page 66 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024

O P E F U L LY, by the time this hits the stands, we should be having some better weather periods. It hasn’t been playing the game lately, with only small windows of opportunity to head out inshore or offshore. We are certainly starting to see the weather shift to more of a typical winter pattern, which means we’ll get wind in the morning and glassy afternoons. During the warmer months, there is no wind in the morning and a northeasterly change kicks in after lunch. So, in winter, instead of heading out early, most seasoned anglers will go after lunch for an overnighter. They use the afternoon to travel to their spot, fish there most of the night and half the next day, then come home when the wind drops out again. During these small weather windows, there have been some very cool captures. A few of the boats that headed north of Yeppoon did well on big inshore grunter and

Capricorn Coast by JOHN BOON

small-mouth nannygai. Generally speaking, when both of these species get caught together, they are inhabiting many of the inshore wrecks. One of the disadvantages of fishing inshore wrecks is that when you do get a good bite going, the men in grey suits rock up and ruin the party. In the past, it was the warmer months that they made pests of themselves, yet it seems it’s all year round now. If the sharks show up,

all you can do is move on. If you can get the timing right on those wrecks though, they can fish very well. Spots that are well known and regularly fished still produce amazing results at times. Fishing them at night can be a real lucky dip, plus we have less issues with sharks for some reason. I remember being on a hot grunter bite one night on a wreck about 40km north of the ma* continued P67

Brandon Isaacs with a thumper local tripletail.

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Capricorn Coast winter options * from P66

rina and, in the middle of that bite, we boated a 10kg large-mouth nannygai, which topped off a solid session. Back on the headlands, the fishing was fairly good once the water cleared. I know a few locals who float live bait and spin for mackerel have been tangling with some massive tuna recently. When the fish are on, it can be shoulder to shoulder on those popular headlands – the next 20kg spanish mackerel that gets caught there won’t be the last. One species that always turns up wide when the water temperature drops is snapper. And they aren’t limited to only wide grounds either. We have caught them on inshore rubble patches, around the islands and all the way out to 100km offshore. In our experience, snapper like a good fresh bait best. Fresh strip bait or squid are a safe bet. If you want to run live bait for them, you can’t go passed a nice live yakka.

Yakka tend to work best when nothing else seems to be getting any interest. When the going gets tough, make sure you downsize everything. Sometimes we’ll run a 40lb fluorocarbon leader and use 5/0 hooks to get a bite. Finesse can be the difference between catching a feed or buying fish and chips when you get home. Moving into the estuaries, blue salmon are now in full swing. Plenty of schools are in most of the estuaries throughout the net-free fishing zone. I would rate Corio Bay as one of the easiest places to catch a feed of blue salmon. When the blueys start to get caught off the beaches and rock points, you know they are thick everywhere. Occasionally, it doesn’t matter what you cast at them, when blueys are boiling, they will eat anything. I know of a few anglers who have caught them on squid jigs even, just to prove a point. With small neap tides during winter, it’s a

prime time to chase fish on the flats. Good weather periods and small tides will get that water nice and clear, so you can see those fish cruising on the flats. Most fishos prefer to chase flats fish on fly gear. A flats fly angler in full swing is a sight to see. There’s a proper art to it – though its not a technique I’ve had a go at yet. Plenty of species are on offer for this kind of fishing, including trevally, queenfish, bonefish, tarpon, tuskfish and blubberlip. It’s a very exciting form of fishing, yet you do need to apply as much stealth as possible. Noise travels a long way under water and fish in shallow water are extra flighty already. Moving slowly and casting a long distance will give you better opportunities. Well, that’s it from me. Make sure to get those kids out on the water at every opportunity. Stay safe and I’ll catch you next month.

Rick Van Arkel with a nice blubberlip from the flats on fly.

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Ray-An Salvaleon with a top headlands’ tuna.

Adam Gillen did well on blue salmon recently.

Kelvin Tysoe took his daughter on her first trip out the front recently. Safe to say, with this quality small-mouth nannygai, she’s now hooked. Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 67

Different sizes of fish from the same school, one on a 3” Berkley Gulp Shrimp and one on a 95mm Zerek Fish Trap.

Phil with a common sized fish from the harbour on a 5” paddle tail plastic.

A nice sized fingermark from the Calliope River caught on a Zerek Fish Trap.

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FREE Hop on to bnbfishing.com.au Page 68 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024

Getting gold in Gladstone

OLDEN snapper – more commonly known as fingermark – are a common species caught throughout the Gladstone harbour. Though it has been only in recent years that I’ve worked out the techniques and areas that consistently produce good numbers of this fish. A change of techniques – fishing vertically and deeper when fishing in rivers – was the first thing that had me catching better numbers and sizes of fingermark. Before this, I would catch an occasional GS when targeting barramundi around fallen trees or near rock bars when looking for grunter. This would be infrequently and the size, rarely worth a mention, but I was happy to catch some variety. It has taken a little time fishing the harbour and figuring out tides and locations to finally catch them in consistent numbers and sizes. For a starting spot, I look for structure and water depth of about 4.5m, this is usually the shallowest I’ll target golden snapper. Structure typically is

Gladstone Region by GARY CHURCHWARD

a headland or the rock formations throughout the harbour, yet pylons, simple depth changes or a small lump in the ocean floor can also hold fish. If bait is present – and typically the harbour holds good schools of herring, pike and garfish – the better the chances are that fish will be in the same area. Sounding for fingermark can be difficult because they usually hug the bottom, and it can be hard to tell them apart from the structure. At times they will show on the sounder as they rise off the bottom to feed on the bait schools they’re typically underneath. Now, I’m not saying this is the golden rule – a good golden snapper coming from shallow water wouldn’t be a surprise. While I’m an avid lure fisho, if a lure is repeatedly ignored and I know fish are in the area, I will drop an occasional live bait down. The majority of my GS are caught on two lures. The first is a 95mm Zerek Fish Trap, though

any good vibe will work. The other is a 3” Berkley Gulp Shrimp on either a 3/8oz or 1/2oz jig head, depending on the depth and current flow. The Berkley Gulp Shrimp will get a bite when everything else has missed out or if there are big schools of herring present and the fish are finicky. I started using these only over the past few years and am still trying to understand why they work so well with such little action. Regardless, they definitely work! It would be hard to find a rod in my boat without one of these tied on it. Plenty of other lures work and everyone will have a favourite or different opinion, though I use paddle tails or jerk shads, simply because they’re my go-to lures. Don’t rule out trolling a deep diving lure over structure either. Plenty of lures will reach 5-8m, and the hit from a good golden snapper on the troll is very impressive. For live bait, I find it * continued P69

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Going for gold in Gladstone * from P68

hard to go past a large live herring, however fingermark will take just about anything with mullet, and garfish is a good back-up. Fresh cut bait or a pillie will also get a few fish, but I would prefer live bait to these. My tackle ranges from spin gear to barramundi baitcasters and I will change it depending on the location I’m fishing and whether I’m lure or bait fishing. Typically, a 30-40lb leader is enough to deal with most situations, though I do use a slightly lighter setup of 2025lb if they’re hard to get a reaction from. When bait fishing, I use a 40–50lb leader because occasionally GS will get a head start and take you into the structure

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with some loose line. I have braid on all of my reels and this ranges from 15-30lb, with 20lb the standard, which will stop any fingermark you can hook in the harbour. The size of the fish will range from just legal to mid-60cm – I’m still on the hunt for consistent fish over the 70cm mark. While you can get bigger golden snapper on the outside of Curtis Island and the wrecks offshore, the appeal of using less fuel and being able to start fishing within minutes of leaving the ramp makes up for the lack of very big fish. Many other species can be caught when you’re targeting fingermark in the harbour. I’ve caught plenty of reef species, with sweetlip emperor, tusk-

fish and coral trout all an option. The typical by-catch is the ever-present estuary cod, grunter, blue salmon, as well as an occasional jewfish and barramundi. It has taken me some time on the water to figure out the fingermark in Gladstone harbour, so I won’t give you exact spots, though I can say spend the time on the water, be patient and try different techniques. If you can crack the right code, you can expect to consistently catch golden snapper and, at times, in good numbers. Get out on the water, enjoy the hopefully more stable weather conditions during winter and explore the harbour. Cheers and happy fishing from Gladstone.

The 3” Berkley Gulp Shrimp worked well for golden snapper. Sebastian caught a decent fish from a rocky headland in the harbour.

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 69

The author with a nice Wenlock River barramundi.

Full on fishing post floods

Ryan Polderman with a tidy Weipa blue salmon. Page 70 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024

ELL, the wet season that kept on giving finally faded away in late April. At home, near Cooktown, we received a cracking 3.1m of rain from November to April – 1.4m of that fell in only five days, after Tropical Cyclone Jasper. June generally results in a few showers from the southeast trade winds – heavier on the eastern side of the peninsula and lighter towards the west. However, these rarely deliver much rain, so the peninsula is now in a drying mode that will continue until about late November, early December. Good wet seasons, such as this recent one, are vital for regenerating the tropics.

Cape York by ‘BILLABONG’ BAZZ LYON

The country up here is now brimming with water and flourishing with life. It has been a fabulous season for breeding barramundi and other river fish, as well as cherabin (freshwater prawns) and red claw. Moving into June, outlying roads will begin to open, yet still expect high water levels in most places, including along the famous Old Telegraph Track. People are understandably curious as to where all that magnificent champagne-coloured water in the OTT creeks originates from. One theory is that it comes underground

from New Guinea, another that it comes up from the Great Artesian Basin. The truth is that the local sand and underlying sandstone in this ‘wet desert’ is the source. This landform is highly permeable and absorbs much of the heavy monsoonal rain. The water then runs out of literally thousands of freshwater springs, which gives the country its special magic. Fishing wise for June? Cooktown is always a great option for the Endeavour and Annan rivers, and of course the magnificent reefs off the town, if the ‘infamous’ * continued P71

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Fishing post floods * from P70

trade wind drops out. Apparently, Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park will not open until July, due to flood damage. However, I wouldn’t mind betting that some of the southern half of the park – perhaps up to Kalpowar Crossing and the Hann Crossing – will open in June. It’s certainly going to be interesting to see how the Normanby River looks after the big floods, with much sculpturing of the riverbed no doubt. Otherwise, it’s well worth bringing some yabby pots for catching cherubin here. We find bait of parboiled potatoes, chicken and bacon all work well, as does dog kibble in some kind of punctured container or tied up in a cloth. Many people use cherabin as live bait, though personally I reckon they’re one of the best eating crustaceans around! The other fabulous fishing option at any time of year is, of course, the Weipa area. With its expansive estuarine areas of the Mission and Hey rivers, and the Wenlock and Ducie rivers further north near Mapoon. Collectively, these offer some of the best estuary fishing in Australia for prime species such as barramundi, threadfin and blue salmon, jewfish, estuary cod and the ever-abundant trevally and queenfish. Having so much country to explore is truly amazing for any keen angler. Then of course, there are the abundant reefs, many of which are not too far offshore and are fishable even in a reason-

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ably stiff southwesterly. Expect to catch fingermark here as a staple, though coral trout and nannygai are about in good numbers too. Bait and lures work for all. One of the highlights in these waters are longtail tuna, which are often about in good numbers. Just look for all the mayhem and birds – and get those slugs out there and coming back fast! Until next month, wishing you all safe travels and cracking fishing.

Chastyn, Josh and Addi Lyon relished in a saltwater barramundi experience near Weipa.

Lagoons are full to the brim at this time of year.

Eligh Polderman and Richo Pillans enjoyed some great nannygai action. Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 71

TOURING & exploring Mirror-like reflections made the scenery even more spectacular.

We enjoyed a quiet dip in the beautiful Hamersley Gorge.

Top pick Karijini National Park

A The girls loved the offerings of the national park as much as the author.

You must experience it to fully appreciate how awesome this place is. Page 72 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024

FTER seeing a picture of Hamersley Gorge on the front of an RACQ holiday book, a good friend and I decided we wanted to go there one day. That happened when we were both 21. It wasn’t a direct route, of course. We headed north along the coast across to the Gulf of Carpentaria, via the Northern Territory and made our way through Western Australia until we got there. Obviously, we saw heaps of attractions on the way, and we also spent a month or so working in various towns so we could pay for fuel and beverages, but we made it. It was awesome to revisit Hamersley Gorge 27 years later with my family, hopefully inspiring my kids to travel this great country. My eldest daughter has already spoken

Family Adventures by BEN COLLINS

about doing a trip similar to the one we’ve just taken when she’s 20. I hope that’s the case. Who knows, I might even be able to tag along or cross paths on the road. Hamersley Gorge This gorge is simply spectacular, both to look at and for a refreshing dip. Situated to the northwest of Karijini National Park and away from the other main attractions, a designated trip is required to visit the gorge, though it’s worth it. Even if you don’t go for a swim, you will be mesmerised by the beauty of the place. Deep rock pools with rugged scoured embankments adding to the visual beauty of the water.

If you can fluke it when no one else is there, you can get mirror-like reflections, which are almost surreal. Unlike when I was here the first time, there is now a sealed road for the car park, toilet and designated lookout. Unfortunately, it does take away from the fact that you are literally in the middle of nowhere, but I guess it makes things accessible so that more people visit. Is that a good thing though – I’m not totally convinced. One thing I am convinced of however, is that it is worth the trip. Kalamina Gorge All the gorges are spectacular, with each a little unique, giving * continued P73

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TOURING & exploring Top pick Karijini National Park * from P72

them all their own personality or feel. Which sounds kind of weird, but it’s true. Even though we spent every day here walking through gorges, we didn’t get tired or bored because they were all so different and had their own charm and challenges. Kalamina Gorge is not very large in comparison to some of the other gorges, yet it does have some stunning rock formations and a water hole, which makes it one of the more picturesque. The beauty of Kalamina Gorge is that you don’t need to walk for hours to explore it. Climbing down rock stairs brings you to the base of the gorge, where you can view permanent pools and waterfalls. If you are more ad-

venturous, like us, you can complete the 3km return walk to the Rock Arch Pool. Again, very much worth it. And the swim at the end is refreshing. Joffre Gorge At only a Class 4, this was one of the easier walks. Though it did require us to transverse over very loose and rough terrain. The loose rocks were often more difficult to walk over because they moved, making it tricky to stay upright and maintain balance. If you’re not keen to venture into the gorge, you can do only the lookout, though as we’re always up for an adventure, for us it was the full walk. Thankfully there wasn’t too much water in the gorge, so we

were able to walk all the way in and enjoy the spectacular scenery. Knox Gorge This walk was probably one of the more challenging we encountered. You’re faced with a very steep slope that needs to be navigated down, with the trail full of loose rocks that slide underfoot. This climb requires you to pay full attention to your foot placement and be able to adjust your footing if you start to slide. Overall, a very challenging climb down and up – definitely a Class 5. Once you reach the bottom of the trail and proceed along to the end of the gorge – which required climbing up and down several rocky section – you come to * continued P74

Some of the walks, such as Joffre Gorge, had stairs or ladders, while others had very slippery shaletype rocks.

Views in the Australian outback don’t get much better than this – steep red rocky cliffs, native trees and a water hole.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 73

TOURING & exploring The colour of the rocks and their formations were stunning. It is a good idea to take a photo of your hike map before heading off.

Top pick Karijini National Park * from P73

A Class 5 walk requires a lot of climbing and scampering.

The end of the track often meant it was time for a swim. Page 74 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024

two large rock embankments that gradually come together. Weano Gorge – Handrail Pool Lower Weano Gorge is accessed, like several walks in the area, by a Class 5 track. These trails require a high level of fitness and are suited to experienced and well-prepared hikers. The trek down was reasonably easy at the start but became more challenging, with heaps of climbing and scampering required. You also need to walk through deep water to make it through to the actual Handrail Pool. On the trails that required walking through water, we used our reef shoes. These made the going easier at times, though a high level of caution is required because it’s very easy to slip on the rocks. However, another adventure where the re-

wards at the end were totally worth it. Hancock Gorge This is another hike where you’re best to bring a pair of reef shoes because you’re going to get wet. Initially, you make your way down into the gorge, which isn’t too bad, but some sections of the walk may require you to sit and slide down rocks. Thankfully your efforts are compensated by a deep pool at the end that has a high side – perfect for jumping off – which both little and big kids enjoyed. Dales Gorge Fortescue Falls and Fern Pool If you are wanting to experience some of what Karijini NP has to offer and you don’t have the physically capability to conquer Class 4 and 5 walks, I highly recommend doing the Fortescue Falls and Fern Pool walk. These are reached by going on the Dales

Gorge ‘Gorge Rim’ walk. Both pools are spectacular – I seem to be saying that or a similar adjective a lot – the beauty is simply amazing and hard to describe any other way. These were the final walks and swimming hole we visited and were a pleasant way to finish our time in the gorges. Mount Bruce After ticking off all the gorge walks in well under the predicted walking times, we were feeling confident to do the same when we embarked on the trek up Mount Bruce. As for all our walks, we took plenty of water for the time we thought we’d be walking and some snacks for energy. We were also sun smart, wore hats and had good walking or hiking shoes. Even though the summit was a 9km hike, about 500m elevation * continued P75

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TOURING & exploring Top pick Karijini National Park * from P74

and a suggested six-hour return trip, we were confident we could do it, and in less time. The main reason for this was that we’d done all the other walks in half the time or better. The climb started well and we were all in high spirits as the first hour went by. It was only after the second hour had passed and hikers on their return had said we still had a long way to go, we started to think we’d bitten off more than we could chew. After some consideration – we had our two girls with us – we decided to continue, at least to the chimney. The chimney is a section of the climb where you need to hang onto a chain as you make your way around a small ledge on the edge of a cliff face. After getting around that, you needed to climb a steep piece of rock to get to the next

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ridge, which then winds along more ridges until you reach the summit. As my eldest daughter and wife are a little scared of heights, this part of the climb was challenging to say the least. Though I am very proud of our crew – we worked together and made it past this and other Class 5 sections. Reaching the summit was a very rewarding feat and, while the view from the top was amazing, I was more impressed that we’d made it. The descent was easier, yet had its challenges too. After two knee reconstructions, I find walking down harder than the trek up. Thankfully we made it back unscathed – not in record time but with the satisfaction of doing it as a family. Home base During our time in Karijini National Park, we had two home bases

We made it to the summit!

– Dales Recreation Area and the Eco Resort campgrounds. Both places provided reasonable access to the gorges and hikes, with the Eco Resort also providing a small café for buying snacks, dinner and refreshments. If you’re planning on staying here, make sure to keep up to date with the latest dingo activity. A dingo notice had been given when we were there, so we made sure to keep our distance when we encountered them. Aside from that, this place was insatiably beautiful and somewhere I want to get back to. If you ever get the chance to explore any of the Karijini National Park, do it. This part of our country is so spectacular and would have to be up there as one of the best adventures we’ve had as a family – definitely a major high point of our trip!

Easy to get to, the Fern Pool comes complete with a handy ladder.

The early stages of climbing Mount Bruce.

Rest time. Have a break and refuel in the shade so you’re ready to trek on. Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 75

Australian Adventures by Ted Mitchell

F you have a copy of Bush ‘n Beach in your hands, like myself, you are obviously a reader. My days of pouring over reference texts for research projects are now behind me and all of my reading is now for pure entertainment value. Most recently added to my extensive library are two volumes from an author who definitely fits into the entertainment category. Ted Mitchell has been retired for more than a decade, though is still a very active hunter, angler and, as a sideline, maker of custom knives too. Ted’s name will be familiar to most with an interest in hunting in Queensland from the 1970s to 1990s, when

Book Review by NEIL SCHULTZ

his stories regularly graced the pages of glossy magazines. I hope Ted won’t mind me mentioning that he recently had 80 candles on his birthday cake and, as one would imagine, a lifetime spent in the bush has generated countless stories. His books, titled Australian Adventures (Book One) and Australian Adventures (Book Two) are collections of those stories from the past 60 or so years. The first volume contains 46 short stories – beginning with Ted’s early days hunting with a longbow – of adventures throughout Queensland chasing

deer, boars, buffalo and barramundi with friends and family. Recounting the good times, along with the many challenges inevitably faced when spending time in the bush. Ted’s writing style is remarkably descriptive, without trying to be too ‘clever’ with his words, making his yarns an easy yet entertaining read. My favourite Aussie outdoors authors all write in a similar voice – Dave Donald, Bill Bowtell and Dick Eussen spring immediately to mind – perhaps not coincidentally, all are grey headed. Ted’s second volume

follows the same vein as his first, being a collection of stories chasing all of our Queensland game and feral pest animals. Along with tales and images of deer, goats, pigs, buffalo, scrub bulls and such, and there’s a sprinkling of barra fishing too. Included is a very useful chapter on utilising

game meat, also revealing Ted’s secret wurst recipe. Both books make excellent campfire reading and are perfect for cold winter days when sheltering indoors away from the weather. Ted’s books can be purchased online from the store at primal huntingandoutdoors. com.au

Two volumes, totalling more than 80 short stories, of Australian outdoor pursuits by Ted Mitchell. Great winter reading.

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Prizes and presentations will take place on Sunday at 12pm and competitors will need to be present for the major prize draws.

You don’t have to catch a fish to be in the running – your name goes into the draw automatically for both major and smaller prizes.

Isisford Fishing Competition 2024 T HE Isisford Barcoo Recreational Fishing Club invites you to its annual fishing competition on the banks of the Barcoo River at the Oma Waterhole. This year’s Isisford Fishing Competition will be held on the weekend of July 26-28, 2024. The event starts at 10am on Saturday and finishes 11am on Sunday, and competitors can fish all day and all night if they wish. The only requirement is that the fish be measured alive. Nominations are taken on Friday afternoon at the control point

from 1pm to 6pm and start again on Saturday morning at about 7.30am. The Friday night entertainment will include football televised on the big screen at the control point, raffles and the bar will be open. Categories are adult and junior, and eligible species are yellowbelly, black bream, and catfish. Nomination fees are $30 for adults and $10 for juniors. And you don’t have to catch a fish to be in the running – your name goes into the draw automatically for both major and smaller prizes. This year features a new category, the Lake

Eyre Basin rangers environmental award ‘Most invasive species caught’, sponsored exclusively by Longreach Tourist Park. The award will be given to the person who catches the most of these invasive species – sleepy cod, red claw and gambusia (also known as mosquitofish) – the most can include either all of one species or a combination of these. And the Barcoo River Rats have included a team competition for teams of five. The team must be registered, with each team member registering their chosen fish. Once measured, that

team member cannot enter any other fish. The winning team will be determined by the total length of the five fish measured. It all starts on Saturday, with nominations, displays, raffles and merchandise, and food vans and the bar will be available over the whole weekend. Novelty events will feature on Saturday afternoon at 2pm, with hay bale rolling, foot racing, children’s sack racing and horseshoe throwing, and Adam Kilpatrick kicks off for some evening entertainment at 7.45pm. Portable toilets will be available along the riv-

erbank and ‘little Oma’, with toilets and showers available at the control point. Firewood can be purchased, with funds going to the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Prizes and presentations will take place on Sunday at 12pm and competitors will need to be present for the major prize draws. Thanks to the generous sponsors, some great prizes can be won, both cash and random draws. For more information, visit the Isisford Fishing Competition Facebook page – QR code below – or phone 0427 588 069.

The Isisford Fishing Competition is on July 26-28, 2024 and competitors can fish all day and all night if they wish.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 77

Moura Muddy Water Classic 2024 lived up to its name

HE Moura Muddy Water Classic lived up to its name this year, with the mighty Dawson River having a minor flood and sending some brown water down for the weekend. Absolutely great for the river, though it did make finding the fish a bit challenging, with heaps more food flowing through. All of this didn’t put a dampener on the spirits of the fisher people

Outback Fishing by HELEN ABDY

and campers who, despite there being a lot of events held on the same weekend in the surrounding district, still came and had a great time. This year we had anglers from Brisbane, Toowoomba, Dalby, Rockhampton, Yeppoon, Emu Park, Sunshine Coast, Gold

Dawson Foden’s winning 62cm saratoga.

Coast, Kabra, Blackwater, Gladstone, Bundaberg, Childers, Rolleston, Taroom, Miles, as well as the local district and Trangie in NSW, which covers quite a large area. It’s a popular little spot and such a great camping area, right on the water and a cement boat ramp for easy launching, with toilet and hot/ cold gold-coin shower amenities. A big shout out to Deb and the kitchen staff who, as always, do a massive job supplying food all day with a menu to rival a lot of restaurants, including sweets. No need to bring food

when you come to this comp. On the Friday night this year, we had live music from Deal’N, sponsored by Moura Tavern, who played all the old favourite songs that had everyone singing along too. Making his way down from Townsville again was Dave ‘Hodgie’ Hodge, ‘the barefoot fisherman’, who entertained the crowds with his casting skills and tips for catching fish – showing different casting outfits, how to rig them and answering multiple questions from the ever-interested crowd. He ran two casting comps – the junior winners were Grace Taylor and Jackson Sorrensen, Milton McGechin and

Billy Davidson, Tai Marianetti, Declan Mitchell and Clancy Eyles, and the senior winner was Mark Hutchinson. Both groups had tips from Hodgie, who picked up on different casting styles and advised how it could be done a little better. The main thing was practice, and having a target to aim for. Another welcome visitor representing FFSAQ was Charlie Ladd, who bought along the fish display trailer containing native and pest species for viewing, which is consistently popular. And Charlie is always informative with the rules and regulations that seem to elude a lot of people. With the dirtier water * continued P79

Angler scores catch of a lifetime in Fish ‘n SIP$ comp

N Anzac Day flick around Lake Tinaroo paid off in spades for a 17-year-old Atherton Tablelands fisho in the second edition of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Fish ‘n SIP$ tagged fishing competition, in partnership with the Freshwater

Fishing and Stocking Association of Queensland. Tate Gowan from Tolga, southwest of Cairns, reeled in a 92cm barramundi on April 25, netting the $20,000 first prize, as well as a bonus $6250 for the first fish caught at Tinaroo. “I fish at Tinaroo sev-

eral times a week and have caught well over 150 barra out of the dam over the past couple of years,” Tate said. “The largest was last year at the inaugural Ash Memorial Fishing Competition, where I won the largest barra at 125cm. “While this one didn’t

Tate Gowan with his prized catch. Page 78 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024

go as big as that, it’s now my most memorable!” The $10,000 second prize was then claimed on May 5 when southeast Queensland man Matthew Taylor snared a bass at Wyaralong Dam in the Scenic Rim region. Matthew also claimed an additional $6250 for catching the first eligible fish in that impoundment, which is one of the new additions to the competition this year. The 2024 Fish ‘n SIP$ competition has built on the massive response to last year’s edition by extending this year’s event to three new fishing spots – Wyaralong, Leslie Dam and most recently Baroon Pocket Dam. Fisheries Queensland has partnered with the Freshwater Fishing and Stocking Association of Queensland and In-

foFish teams to tag and release 20 fish in each of the eight impoundments now included in this competition. Tagged fish must be caught and reported by November 30, 2024 to be eligible. Lake Tinaroo, located on the Atherton Tablelands, continues to steal the limelight in the competition, having accounted for nine of the fish across both competitions so far. A total of $48,000 in prize money was claimed from 13 catches across four dams during the inaugural competition. For more information on the competition and how to buy a SIP, download the free Qld Fishing 2.0 app or visit daf. qld.gov.au/news-media/ campaigns/fish-n-sipstagged-fish-competition

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Moura Muddy Water Classic 2024 * from P78

coming from way upstream, catfish were the most abundant species caught, using mainly bait such as worms and prawns. Saratoga were the main species targeted and, even though no one caught one of the three tagged toga worth $1000 each, five were weighed in. The best at 62cm was caught by senior male Dawson Foden, with the second largest hooked by Coen Saxby. This group got onto a patch of toga right up in the drowned grasses early and threw in hard-body lures that were floated – twitching these was enough to entice bites. While getting the fish out was a bit of a battle, they did very well. The best black bream (or barcoo grunter) was 36cm, caught by senior male Peter Delaforce on his first trip to the Dawson River. Best saratoga, as mentioned, was caught by senior male Dawson Foden and second was Coen Saxby. Best sleepy cod for senior male was caught by Chad Eyles and second was Ken Green. Best sleepy cod for senior female was caught by Kaylee Reading. Best catfish for senior male was caught by Grant Burns and second was Shane Degier. Best catfish for senior female was Christy Phillips and second, Sherry Strandquist. In the junior section, the catfish winners were Eliza Drysdale and Aurora Tolliay. Black bream winners were Khobe Millen and Thomas Eyles. Spangled perch winners were Flynn Hoare

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and Jyah Saltner. Best female senior catching saratoga was Tiffany Foden and second was Kaylee Reading. Congratulations to all the winners. Stocking this section of the Dawson River is done by a very passionate group of locals called the Moura Fish Stocking Group, who are not on the stocked impoundment permit scheme, so every fingerling put in the river is bought by money raised by this hard-working group. The main fundraising event for the year is the family fishing competition and everyone who supports this event has not only a great weekend catching up with friends new and old, they win a prize or two and help to buy fingerlings for future stocking. As for every event, sponsors are so important. We would like to thank Hutchinson Ag, Apex Moura, Mining and Energy Union, Secure Well Services, Banana Shire Council, Moura Australian Manufacturers Workers Union, Santos Limited, Mitre 10, Yarraboldy Briquette Company and Queensland Cotton Corporation, as well as Anaconda, Anglo Coal Dawson Management, BDS Mechanical Repairs, Bush ‘n Beach Fishing Magazine, Cornetts Supermarkets, Country Atmosphere Café, Dawson Valley Tilt Tray Services, Theodore Home & Garden Café, Hourn & Bishop Qld, Macmahon Holdings Limited, Melwood Pastoral, Moura Accounting, Moura Backhoe & Plant Hire, Moura Bus Service, Moura Meet, Moura News, Moura Real Estate, Moura Post

Office, Moura Tavern, Moura Tyre Centre & Fabrication, Queensland Nitrates, Ron Tarry Transport, Theodore Family, Ventia, WestSide Corporation and new sponsor Geteminya Spinnerbaits. The sponsors and locals who chip in and help Zelma, Ken and Graham, and all the stocking group members, are why we have such a popular event. You can catch us on Facebook by searching for ‘Moura Fish Stocking Group’. Also follow Hodgie on his YouTube channel – search for ‘hodgie the barefoot fisherman’ and see some of his highlights from the weekend. Hope to see you there next year. Keep safe and happy fishing.

Peter Delaforce and senior male best black bream at 36cm.

Khobe Millen and the best junior black bream.

DAM LEVELS CURRENT AS OF 14/05/2024

DAMS Atkinson * Awoonga Bjelke-Petersen * Boondooma * Borumba * Burdekin Falls * Callide * Cania * Coolmunda * Dyer/Bill Gunn * Eungella * Fairbairn * Glenlyon * Hinze * Julius * Kinchant * Leslie * Macdonald * Maroon * Monduran/Fred Haigh * Moogerah * North Pine/Samsonvale * Peter Faust/Proserpine * Somerset * Teemburra * Tinaroo * Toonumbar Wivenhoe * Wuruma * Wyaralong *

PERCENTAGE JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

48 55 76 75 91 90 18 25 71 43 99 28 68 103 84 70 76 104 97 87 84 50 66 82 97 105 101 64 80 101

73 57 84 85 100 109 18 25 72 80 100 39 65 101 100 72 75 103 100 89 100 65 66 80 100 103 102 70 81 100

75 54 85 84 100 106 18 25 69 98 101 42 63 101 100 83 73 106 100 89 100 67 68 80 101 104 101 74 80 99

81 54 87 86 100 103 17 25 68 100 100 39 63 101 100 86 73 102 100 89 100 67 67 79 100 105 101 81 80 100

82 54 89 92 100 99 17 26 67 100 100 38 63 101 97 86 73 103 100 91 99 67 67 80 100 102 102 82 79 100

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.

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 79

Lake Monduran fishing

AKE Monduran is currently fishing very well, with plenty of 1m plus barramundi being caught. These big barra are reacting to erratically twitched hard-body lures with long pauses. Samaki Redic DS80s were the standout lure and for a lot of anglers these are fast becoming the go-to lure on the dam. The south arm of B

has had good numbers of fish, including mangrove jack, and even the bottom of the dam in Wiggle Bay is fishing well. Fishing hard around bite times is what has helped anglers get a few barra on deck in a short period of time. The shallow points and flats are where most fish are being caught, and the 3-4m mark is the sweet spot at the moment. Get into it! John O’Driscol with a 69cm cod.

Open view on freshwater fishing

O Nathan Sutton with a solid Lake Monduran barramundi.

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07 4157 3881 or email info@lakem.com.au www.lakem.com.au Page 80 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024

VER the past three weeks, I have penned six pages on recreational freshwater fishing in Queensland, as I know it. It’s come down to the demise of this section of Fisheries Queensland over the past six years. The loss of two doctors of fisheries biology and a further six biologists who were stationed throughout regional areas both east and west of the divide. We have a workshop due in the next couple of months and a lot of questions need to be answered. First, the total of fish purchased, numbers released and the totals of money raised for each of the past six years, plus Stocked Impoundment Permit System reports written up for all stocking groups to view prior to the workshop Second, SIPS has been in operation for 24.5 years now, how much has been raised in that time and what outcomes need to be discussed in regards to the future of the permit system? Third, the stocking of

Glenlyon Dam by BRIAN DARE

rivers and streams by local fish stocking groups and funding required, the other side of this hard work is the actual availability of access to fishing areas. The major concern here is the local government authority (shire councils) giving or providing access to water reserves and stock reserves, which are under their guidelines. The word ‘biosecurity’ leaps out as the discussions on these locations are had. I would like to suggest that all LGAs take a leaf out of the Goondiwindi Regional Council’s fishing guide – grc.qld.gov. au/downloads/file/510/ fishing-brochurepdf When reading about such locations, think along the lines of the Indigenous rangers who could look after these areas, as is the case with Goondiwindi. Fourth, the ‘I own this water’ attitude. We need to seek out, through the Department

of Resources, the full and total picture on access for freshwater recreational anglers, many of whom are stocking group members and stock rivers and streams in their local regions. While talking about rivers, the major concern to all anglers are fenced-off rivers and streams, with either strands of barbwire or electric fence tape. This is dangerous. Currently, one location is under investigation – an angler was lucky to escape being tangled and possibly drowned had the water been flowing a little faster. Fifth, the fishing permit. As a recreational angler who fishes in freshwater, I ask… could you afford to spend $0.10 a day to fish all year round, at a total cost of $36.50? The other way would be to purchase a weekly permit at a cost of $10 for 52 weeks, which * continued P81

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An open view on freshwater fishing * from P80

would equate to paying $520 total to fish for a year. Back in 2000, the permit cost was $15 a year and $5 weekly, locked in at that price for 10 years, with 50,000 freshwater anglers buying an annual permit. At the end of those 10 years, about $7.5 million would have been collected. From 2010 to 2020, at a cost of $25 annually and about 85,000 anglers, $21.25 million would have been collected. So, from 2020 to 2025, with 130,000 recreational freshwater anglers paying $36.50 per year, about $23.7 million would/could have been raised. The grand total that would have been collected from 2000 to 2024 is about $52.47 million – which could have been spent for freshwater. And no Consumer Price Index rise, as the money collected is for a trust fund and a lockedin cost! Would you be happy to pay $0.10 per day? You could collect 365 cans and/or bottles to pay for it. I wonder if this will put a grin on the face of Gary FitzGerald – let’s make it work. Gary mentioned this system at a workshop in Mackay in 2022. Oh yes, and in 2030, the cost for the other suggested format would go up to $45 for ten years and $10 for a weekly permit for those over 18 years. By the way, the cost of a yearly permit currently is $60.72, with a CPI rise expected next year. Question what the actual grand total collected from the existing permit system is from

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2000 to the 2025 forecast. Sixth, what needs to take place is to have Queensland Fisheries aquaculture, commercial and recreational fishing under the one government department – not under agriculture, which is farming, not fish and fisheries. Seventh, I question the fact that, if you wish to sit on a board or committee and are putting your time and effort into it, you have to fill out a ‘terms of reference’ form when the advisory committee is a non-statutory working body. It is not a decision-making body. There should be no required form for a position on a voluntary board or committee… you’re not a public servant! Don’t rock the boat, don’t make waves, steady as she goes, it’s all going well, hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil! Eighth, boating and fisheries patrols, this is a major concern in the up-

per region of the Murray Darling Basin. Get a map out and look at the headwaters of this major river system. Having done that, add up the kilometres between townships and work out just how far you will get in three hours to visit an area where there is a fishing inspection required by Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol officers. We need more staff! Lastly, I asked at the Mackay workshop that the size limit on silver perch and golden perch be lifted to 35cm minimum size, and that the possession limit on silver perch be reinstated back to five in possession on storages and dams. This was about 18 months ago… still waiting. If you have suggestions on subjects that need to be aired at the next workshop, contact your local fish stocking group and pass on your written questions, so they can be discussed and actioned.

Don Lobwein of Lobby Lures with a nice yellowbelly.

Five-year-old Dustin Hynes from Allora Queensland caught a sizable 98cm cod on a worm, with a little help from his dad Dan.

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

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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 glenlyondamtouristpark.com.au Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 81

TRADING POST MAKOCRAFT 481 HD SC – One owner since new. Quality model with heavy duty construction and fit out. Honda 80hp 4S freshly serviced, Dunbier alloy trailer, Garmin UHD95 sounder/GPS, Fusions stereo, trim tabs, electric anchor winch, LB tank, deck wash, safety gear, crab pot hauler and so much more. Only $38,995. Call JCM on 07 3890 2322. Photos online at www.johncrawfordmarine. com.au

QUINTREX 420 BUSTA – Affordable and well equipped for the money! This terrific little tinnie is well suited to everyone, from the family to those who love to fish. This Quintrex 4.20 Busta, 30hp Suzuki four-stroke outboard package is well worth a look. With registration to January 2025, it certainly won’t last long in the yard. $15,990. Contact AMC Boats on 07 3808 7333 or visit amcboats.com.au

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GOLDSTAR SEASTAR 5700 CUDDY CABIN – Goldstar boats are a top tier Western Australian custom plate boat builder located in Perth. This highly revered brand is designed by award winning naval architect, Dave Jackman. We rarely see them in Queensland waters, but this superbly built rig is perfect for

the long runs out to the reefs. This 2022 model is built like a tank, with 5mm plate bottom and 4mm sides. With a grey acid washed finish, wide gunnels and some serious appointments, this really is set up for battle. A 2024 replacement model is north of $130k. With only 129 hours on the Mercury 135hp and host of options, this boat will suit the most demanding of anglers. $79,990. Contact AMC Boats on 07 3808 7333 or visit amcboats.com.au

SIGNATURE 602F – Powered by a Suzuki 175hp 4S with only 194 hours, Sealink 19HYD24 multi-roller trailer, Garmin 16” touchscreen GPS/sounder, approx 200-litre UF fuel tank, trim tabs, hydraulic steering, deck wash, LB tank, safety gear, stainless-steel targa with rod storage rack, tropical canopy for shade. Now $74,995. Call JCM on 07 3890 2322. Photos online at www.johncrawfordmarine. com.au

July Edition Copy Deadline – Advertisements must arrive NO later than May 30, 2024

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.: ___ ___ ___ ___

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Page 82 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024

STACER SEAMASTER 429 – This awesome runabout allows you to try your hand at fishing, day boating, social tow sports and more. It’s a smart-looking but functional boat with lots of practical features. It is bound to suit your every need, with plenty of space for its size and quality performance. It has been very well looked after and with only 71 hours on the Yamaha 50hp outboard, this boat is an absolute must have. $24,990. Contact AMC Boats on 07 3808 7333 or visit am cboats.com.au

ADVERTISERS – To organise a classified ad in the Trading Post, call 07 3286 1833 or complete the form and post it to the address provided or email it through to ads@collins.media

www.bnbfishing.com. au

Riley with a stonker bream, caught and released on a Tweed River charter with Brad Smith. Clint Ansell

Josh braved some adverse weather on a charter to catch a great haul, including a 38cm whiting. Clint Ansell

While waiting for Sunday dinner to cook, my husband Jason decided to throw a line off the jetty out the back. To his surprise, he landed this big beauty that weighed in at 2.3kg. Hayley Jackson

Our daughter Lola caught this 61cm golden trevally at Tin Can Bay during the school holidays, with a little assistance from dad. Tressa Fuss

Visiting from Sydney, Lucas caught and reAria Holdsworth beat dad in the holiday leased a hard fighting slatey bream using Big whiting such as this 40cm model are fishing competition. an Ecogear ZX40 lure. present all year-round in the Nerang River. Ryan Holdsworth Clint Ansell Clint Ansell 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. www.bnbfishing.com.au

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 83

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MACKAY Phoenix Powersports 165 Paradise St, Mackay www.phoenixpowersports.com.au 07 4952 2436

WOODBURN Woodburn Marine 83 River St, Woodburn woodburn.marine@outlook.com 0402 512 Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June603 2024 – Page 85

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BRISBANE NORTH Holt Marine 25 Queens Rd, Everton Hills Q 4053 P: 07 3353 1928 E: info@holtmarine.com.au www.holtmarine.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 SOUTH Australian Marine Centre 3491 Pacific Hwy, Slacks Creek Q 4127 P: 07 3808 7333 E: info@amcboats.com.au www.amcboats.com.au

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024 – Page 87

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Page 88 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, June 2024

BNB Fishing Mag | June 2024

Articles inside

Capricorn Coast winter options

Live baiting spaniards

Snapper time in southeast Queensland

Flatties falling for soft plastics