BNB Fishing mag | Aug 2018 by bnbfishing

Sensational snapper season!

50 Includes GST

August 2018 Print Post Approved PP100001534 Volume 29, Number 8

Flathead frenzy Mulloway magic Gold Coast going off Moreton Bay snapper bait rigs Fishing Brisbane rivers and creeks

Bagging bumper impoundment bass

Reviews • Horizon 515 Northerner • Isuzu D-Max LS-T 4x4 ISSN 1832-4517

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018 – Page 1

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For more details contact your local Tohatsu dealer or visit Page 2 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018

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Inside this month Brisbane rivers

P20

Land-based bass

P35

up to 140m of water. Pulling in the first one at that depth, I thought maybe the fish got lost, but since then it has occurred in a couple of deepwater locations away from other structure and with great bait-holding capacity. So, looking for jewies offshore, you are more likely to find them around

OUR COVER

Phone (07) 3286 1833 Fax (07) 3821 2637 Email: ben@bnbfishing.com.au Internet: www.bnbfishing.com.au PO Box 387, Cleveland, Qld 4163 Unit 2, 39 Enterprise Street, Cleveland, Qld 4163 AFTA PRINTER: Rural Press, Ormiston DISTRIBUTION BY: Fairfax Max. recommended retail price $4.50 (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 to ensure the correctness of their claims and statements. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. G IN

FISH ING ’S

☛ continued P4

Ben Collins Daniel Tomlinson Ben Collins, Ashleigh Bartlett Jo Hendley

www.bnbfishing.com. au

EDITOR: SUBEDITOR: ADVERTISING: PRODUCTION:

AUST

SEPTEMBER edition will be on sale in newsagents from August 24. See subscriber offer on Page 68 to go in the draw to win a monster BNB Fishing prize pack valued at $350!

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.

E TUR FU

LOCHIE SWEEDMAN captured this awesome snapper on a 3/4oz TT HeadlockZ jig head and Z-Man jerk shad while on a charter with TRI TON, article Page 34.

the shallow reefs on a more consistent basis at this time of year and again, like in the deep water, focus on the more isolated pieces of structure that hold plenty of bait and are located away from the main reef lines. Having said that, the jewies are schooling fish and will still get caught on mainstream reefs including Shallow Tempest and the 29-fathom reef off Moreton Island, but those mainstream areas are not their sole habitat. Parts of the 29s that are broken away from the main reef line are more favourable, as are any shallow wrecks close by on the seabed. A lot of broken pieces of reef with nice rises immediately south of Cape Moreton to the north of Shallow Tempest hold jewies and these types of structure extend well down along Moreton, around the Point Lookout area and past the Jumpinpin Bar and off the shallow Gold Coast reefs. The funny thing about these offshore jewies is they will feed pretty well throughout the day and go very well at night too. At night they seem to like a big slab of bait such as tailor, mullet, bonito or slimy mackerel and you can either anchor or drift fish for them, with the period a couple of hours either side of high tide a prime time. During the day I like to target jewies with live baits such as slimies, and the bigger the better. If you’re lucky enough to jag some legal-sized tailor and are able to keep them swimming in the live bait tank, then you have the perfect daytime bait.

ATI ON

by BILL CORTEN

On the shallow grounds we’ve seen a lot of mulloway or jewies as they are affectionately known. Most people associate them with inshore estuaries, rock walls and structure close to river mouths, but they certainly aren’t limited to those areas. The range of these fish offshore can be considerable as over the years I have caught the odd one in

Offshore

T is that time of year when we are spoilt for species to target offshore.

Offshore mulloway .....................by Bill Corten .......................................P3 Bait rigs for snapper ..................by Brian Webb.....................................P6 Family flathead fun ....................by Leeann Payne.................................P9 Brisbane rivers and creeks......by Keith Stratford..............................P12 Southern Moreton Bay ..............by Sean Conlon .................................P14 Tinnie bashing offshore.............by Jordan ‘Grinner’ Koschel ..........P18 Cool catches on Coast...............by Darren Rama ................................P19 Tricks of the trade .......................by Brad Smith ....................................P20 Broadwater Region......................by Wayne ‘Youngy’ Young ..............P22 Fishing dreams come true ........by Scott Van Burck...........................P23 Snapper on Gold Coast..............by Heath Zygnerski ..........................P24 Reef fishing off Brunswick ......by Gavin Dobson ...............................P25 Richmond River action.................. by Brett Hyde ...........................................P26 Evans Head round-up.................by Gary ‘Squidgie’ Palmer..............P27 Just Jew ........................................by Tye Porter ......................................P28 Trailer repairs ..............................by Nathan ‘Nath’ Palmer ................P29 Targeting winter species..........by Wade Qualischefski...................P30 Fraser Island trip .........................by Sean ‘Skip’ Thompson ...............P32 Squidding Tin Can Bay ................by Craig Tomkinson .........................P34 Hervey Bay....................................by Tri Ton .............................................P34 Turkey Beach trip........................by Lachie Baker ................................P36 Swain Reefs sojourn..................by Mick Clutterbuck ........................P38 Epic Kenn Reefs expedition.....by Greg Lamprecht ...........................P38 Brisbane Boat Show feature .............................................................P40-42 Horizon 515 Northerner .............by Ben Collins ...................................P43 Insights into insurance..............by Nautilus Marine ..........................P46 Readers Forum.............................................................................................P47 Wilson Fishing puzzle page .....................................................................P47 Charter Directory ................................................................................. P48,49 Kayak Fishing...............................by Joel Johnson................................P50 O’Sheas to Logans by canoe....by Dan Owbridge..............................P51 Ripper Rockhampton trip ..........by Adam Foley ...................................P52 Competition Report.....................by John Boon .....................................P53 Remembering Von Ireland ........by Pee Wee ........................................P54 Cape York ..................................... by ‘Billabong’ Bazz Lyon ................P55 Recipe ............................................by Melissa Frohloff ..........................P55 Trip to the tip ................................by Todd Eveleigh ..............................P56 Cape York’s west coast .............by Matt Potter ....................................P57 Condamine River drive ..............by Greg Bell .......................................P58 Isuzu D-Max review ...................... by Ben Collins .........................................P59 Camping at Canungra ................by Ben Collins.....................................P60 Monduran Dam barra ............... by Donna Gane .................................P61 Shore jigging for bass ...............by Peter Herbst..................................P62 Downs winter cod ......................by Noal Kuhl ......................................P62 Bagging big bass ........................by Callum Munro ..............................P63 Glenlyon Dam...............................by Brian Dare.....................................P66 Trading Post.................................................................................................P67 Lake Eucumbene........................ by Neil Schultz..................................P68 Subscription form ......................................................................................P68

FIS

Offshore mulloway magic in southeast QLD

P62

PRO TE CT

The happy snap tells the story for a first-timer offshore.

Trolling tricks

P12

Winter snapper

ARLIER this month, the Four Corners television program highlighted some major concerns regarding white spot disease in prawns and how ruthless importers are bypassing Australian quarantine controls.

HIN G T R A D E

The reporters raised very alarming and disturbing issues in the form of corruption and bribes, all so a few people can make a bit of extra money. This blatant disregard for our control orders and massive disrespect for our environment and home-grown products made my blood boil. Over the past five years the number of biosecurity officers has been reduced by 25 percent while import volumes have increased exponentially. For a country that thrives on its clean and green image, this action does not make sense. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to know asking importers to police their own imports can only be a recipe for disaster. Biosecurity Australia, an organisation that is meant to protect our country, has let the nation down by allowing this type of self-regulation. And unfortunately, from the Four Corners report it looks like Biosecurity Australia is still failing us, though there are meant to be new processes implemented in September. It’s too little, too late, especially considering the latest round of surveillance results from Biosecurity Queensland. On July 16, Biosecurity Queensland announced the latest round of surveillance results for white spot disease in prawns had been finalised, with over 64 sites across Queensland tested for the virus that causes the disease. Check out the interactive map detailing the test site locations and their results at bnbfishing.com.au Unfortunately, nine sites in the Moreton Bay area tested positive for the virus – the same area where positive results were found in 2017. This is more than concerning, and I feel for those who are directly affected by this situation. We have, or should I say had, arguably the best prawns in the world and this has been compromised by a government department failing yet again. One positive is samples collected along the east coast of Queensland, outside the movement restriction area, have tested negative for the virus, which is great news as it tells us the virus hasn’t spread. However, time will tell if this means there isn’t any disease in these areas or it just hasn’t been detected yet. I know it may not be as simple as it seems, but wouldn’t banning uncooked prawn imports be the simplest and easiest way to prevent the problem occurring again? So rather than import prawns grown in ‘god only knows’ conditions and standards, why not build up the Australian prawning industry? We have prawn farmers who are struggling or have closed their businesses due to the white spot outbreak, so how about we assist them to become operational again and grow the Australian economy with more jobs and quality product. On a different note, the Brisbane Boat Show is upon us once again, with the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre hosting the event from August 24-26. We have a sneak peek on Pages 4042 detailing what some of the exhibitors will be displaying. BNB Fishing once again has a massive Show offer for subscribers, with our one-year subscription offer valued at over $100 and the two-year deal valued at a staggering $300. Check out Page 41 to see what’s included in these awesome packages. Make sure you mark the Show in the diary and come along. If you make it there, drop by Stand 120 and say hi, as we are always keen to meet our readers. Ben Collins

June prizewinner Congratulations to Chris Cameron, Capalaba who has won a Techniice canvas swag valued at $238!

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018 – Page 3

Persistence paid off for Sue with this nice jewie.

Theresa worked hard all day and was especially happy to land this fish.

Offshore mulloway magic in southeast QLD ☛ from P3

George gave the Biomaster a good workout with this 15kg jew caught while sitting on the anchor riding out the southwesterly wind.

This cod was George’s first fish on the new Shimano Biomaster 10,000.

Live yakkas work, but probably rate not as highly as their preferred bait. The ideal rig is quite subjective and many people have strong opinions, but keep in mind jewfish patrol the area around the seabed, so it doesn’t matter too much what rig is used as long as (a) the jewies are in residence and (b) the bait is kept in the zone where the fish are hanging out. My best jewie so far this winter went just over 120cm on the measuring stick cut into the SeaDek flooring on the 685 Cruise Craft, and at 16kg on the scales it was a pretty good fish, but they can get a lot bigger.

The rig was 50lb braid with about 3m of 60lb fluorocarbon leader joined by an improved version of an albright knot that Peter Stanley from Mossops Tackle World showed me. A running sinker to a pair of Mustad 7766 hooks joined by a swivel were attached to a whole tailor and as soon as it hit the bottom, wham, the jewie just smacked it. Many of the other jewies recently caught on my boat have been on paternoster rigs. The advantage being, if no jewies are on that particular pinnacle, a nice cod, snapper or maori may take your live bait, or a bottom feeder such as moses perch, teraglin and

parrotfish might be attracted to your flesh bait. On the paternoster, 8/0 circle hooks such as the Mustad 39951NPBLN work very well pinned through the cartilage on a live bait’s snout, or if you prefer an offset hook, an 8/0 in a Mustad Octopus style will do the job well too. George recently scored a new Shimano Biomaster 10,000 spin reel from Mossops to use on our upcoming Swain Reefs trip, with a view to it replacing the handline around the shallow bommies, so we headed offshore to test it out. I must say he has the knack of nailing good fish, and his first-ever fish on the new reel was a nice cod caught on one of the floated twin-hook 7766 rigs with a livie intended for a jewie. Not a bad by-catch but he nailed the jewie we were chasing a little later when we ventured to a small isolated patch of rock in the lee of a building southwesterly wind.

A good start to the day, with mother and daughter Stephanie and Mackenzie Cook both landing excellent fish.

While sitting on the anchor riding out the wind, the jewie just smashed the whole tailor we pulled from under the boat on the bait jigs. That fish really tested the knots and the reel that was perfectly mated to a Venom 6’6” spin PE2.5 rod. An excellent combination, and for George it was just a matter of patiently turning the fish’s head and methodically taking his time working it up to the surface. A big smile from George was testament to the effectiveness of the reel and he said he enjoyed the power of the reel while retrieving as well as its light weight and ergonomics. This might just be enough to see the handline pensioned off. Actually, my overhead reels and the 5000 Daiwa Saltiga have been copping some work on big fish lately too. A crew from the Wynnum Manly RSL Fishing Club bagged out on jewies one trip when we ventured south for a change.

Sue and Theresa persevered and after some initial bust-offs nailed some quality jewies as a reward for their efforts, but it was trip organiser Greg Cullen who landed the fish of the day. I get a kick out of seeing people who don’t get to tangle with large fish very often take home some good fillets, so for Sue and Theresa to work so well together and help each other out so successfully was a real hoot. The icing on the cake came shortly after when mother and daughter, Stephanie and Mackenzie Cook, took their maiden offshore trip. To go home with cracking jewies was beyond their initial expectations, but for 10-year-old Mackenzie the day was just one big thrill after another. Who could get bored out there with so many whales, dolphins and seabirds around you, and to catch nice fish on top of that was a bonus. Until next month, tight lines.

Greg Cullen was rewarded with the best fish of the day.

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Brisbane Boat Show returns to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from August 24-26, 2018

HE Brisbane Boat Show returns to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from August 2426, 2018. The Show is one of the largest recreational boat shows in Queensland and fills more than 20,000sq

m of floor space across four halls at the South Bank venue. With a history spanning over 50 years, this threeday celebration of recreational boating is sure to please both committed boaties as well as those new to the lifestyle.

Popular with locals and those from the city’s surrounds, the Brisbane Boat Show is where industry comes together to display and offer the best in recreational boating. The boats are the Show’s heroes, but all the boating gear you might need or want plays a big part too. Andrew Fielding, chairman with the Queensland Council of the Boating Industry Association who organises the event, said given Australia’s recreational boat manufacturing powerhouse lies at Brisbane’s doorstep, visitors can be assured of seeing the best and latest designs at this show. “Boat manufacturing plays a big part in the Queensland economy and

this event showcases the quality and innovation Australia has to offer,” he said. Over 60 organisations have booked exhibition space, and they will bring more than 500 vessels that will present an excellent array of boats catering to various interests including fishing, waterskiing, wake boarding, personal watercraft, canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and more. Once again, family cruisers will prove as popular as ever at the Show. While the Show is the best place to see and buy boats, the BIA also aims to entertain and educate. With a commitment to safe boating, show organisers have pulled together

an excellent line-up of government agencies to ensure visitors have the opportunity to better understand how to stay safe and maximise their time on the water. On stage will be a mix of educators and entertainers, and the fishing masterclasses make a welcome return. All the details about the Show, ticket prices, where to park and Show hours can be found at brisbane boatshow.com.au

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Surveillance results show no further spread of white spot disease

HE latest round of surveillance results for white spot disease have now been finalised, with the results showing no further spread, which is welcome news for the Queensland seafood industry.

More than 60 sites across the state were tested for the virus that causes white spot disease and the findings have shown there is no indication the virus is spreading. In April, testing revealed nine sites in Moreton Bay near Deception Bay and Redcliffe returned positive results for the virus. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said those detections were in the same area where positive results were found in 2017. “No new detections of the virus found in the Moreton Bay area means we’ve done a great job of containing the virus and not letting it spread,” Mr Furner said. “Furthermore, all samples collected along the east coast of Queensland, outside the white spot disease movement restriction area, have returned negative results for the virus, which is great news. “To continue to contain the virus in the Moreton Bay area, it is important for movement restrictions www.bnbfishing.com. au

to remain in place for prawns, yabbies and marine worms from Caloundra to the NSW border and west to Ipswich.” Acting Chief Biosecurity Officer Malcolm Letts said it is still unclear whether white spot disease will be considered established in Moreton Bay, however for the time being nothing will change. “All states and territories in Australia are currently undergoing proof of freedom surveillance for the virus that causes white spot disease, and therefore no decision will be made until all the results have been finalised,” Mr Letts said. “Commercial fishers and prawn farmers will need to remain vigilant if operating in the movement restriction area.” Map of the surveillance results Prawn and crab samples were collected from 54 sites in the Moreton Bay area to test for the virus that causes white spot disease. Nine sites returned positive results in the northern part near Deception Bay and Redcliffe Peninsula. The surveillance results and a map of the surveillance area are available on the DAF website. Along the east coast of Queensland samples were collected from 10 sites from Caloundra through to Cairns.

The surveillance results and a map of the surveillance sites are also available on the DAF website. If viewing the maps from a desktop computer, click on each surveillance site (green or red dot) and more information such as sample numbers and species will appear in a panel on the left-hand side of the screen.

If viewing the maps from a mobile phone, click on each surveillance site and then click on the sample name, which will appear at the bottom of the screen, to view further surveillance information. Visit daf.qld.gov.au for more information and to see the interactive maps.

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Bait rigs for Moreton Bay snapper

NAPPER are one of those fish that anyone who has picked up a fishing rod dreams about catching.

However, you will be lucky if you catch a prize fish on your first trip into Moreton Bay as snapper are very smart and fussy feeders, especially the big ones. Mono or braid? While a well-balanced rod and reel spooled with either braid or mono is important to catch a good snapper, it’s what’s at the end of the rig that is the most vital. Following are some of the rigs and baits I have had success with. Snapper are such hard and strong fighters that you really need to have tough terminal rigs to even be in with a chance. Whether you spool your reel with braid or mono to a degree depends upon what depths you are fishing. I have found that when I am fishing in water of 40m or

Moreton Bay

BRISBANE (NORTH)

BRISBANE (BAYSIDE)

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Wynnum Marine 31 Fox Street Wynnum, QLD T: 3396 9777

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BRISBANE

BRISBANE (SOUTH)

Northside Marine 2294 Sandgate Road Boondall, QLD T: 3265 8000

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BOWEN

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GOLD COAST (NORTH)

GOLD COAST

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more, braid is the best choice because it doesn’t bow as much when the bait heads for the bottom. Braid is good here too because it is very responsive and you feel every bump and hit when fishing such depths. I use 50lb braid when fishing in deep water. When in shallow water of 20m or less, mono stretches, which is useful when that big fish takes off and you strike at it. When fishing shallow water with braid, I found that as the fish ran and I struck, it ripped the hook out of the fish’s mouth because braid has no stretch. To compensate, I used a very long fluorocarbon leader to absorb the shock during a strike. I seldom use swivels as all you’re doing is adding an extra

Snelled and snooded rigs.

Page 6 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018

breaking point in your rig that can give way, but if I do I generally use Black Magic ones. For tying main line to leader I use an albright knot because it is one of the easiest to tie when rocking around in a boat. The main thing to remember is to wet the knot when tightening because this helps to eliminate friction in the line and keep it strong. I have not had many of these knots give way. Baits Fresh bait will outdo any offering that is frozen, but if you can’t get access to fresh bait, the next best thing is fresh frozen. Live bait will beat any dead bait but snapper are sometimes fussy eaters and hard to predict. Occasionally snapper will just smash a pilchard but other times the pillie won’t even get a touch and your live bait will be punished, which is why it’s so important to have a variety of live and dead baits. My favourite baits for snapper are slimy mackerel, pilchards and yakkas, as well as fresh squid I catch myself. The others I get from a fishmonger or one of the river prawn trawlers. Pilchards certainly work well on the right day but they can be a one-hit wonder. Squid is a snapper favourite and will not be knocked back by a hungry fish. I only ever use full squid on a two-hook rig. Fresh mullet fillets and tailor cut into strips work too. The biggest thing is to use bait local to the area you are fishing, Presentation The next important factor in your hunt for a trophy fish is how to present the fresh bait you have acquired. There are many ways to rig ☛ continued P8

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018 – Page 7

Bait rigs for Moreton Bay snapper ☛ from P6

a bait and the choice you make will come down to presentation. The most important thing about baiting up is to try different methods if the fish aren’t biting. It just might be the difference between bringing home that trophy fish and coming home emptyhanded. The most important thing to remember when chasing big snapper is to experiment with each part of the process to help you find the right lines and rigs to suit the areas you’re fishing. It is imperative you buy the best-quality gear you can afford to give you a better chance of landing that prize fish. Leaders Using a heavy piece of mono leader of the same type as your main line works but because it is not invisible in water, it can be a hindrance when fishing the shallows. Fluorocarbon leader is a better choice because it is invisible in the water and to the fish. I use a variety of leaders up to 40lb, all in Black Magic brand. Try to use the lightest leader possible but make sure it’s still strong enough to hold a big snapper. These fish have quite abrasive mouths and during a long fight can wear a thinner leader down. If the leader isn’t strong enough or is worn it will simply break and the fish will be gone. The other consideration for leader is length. Having a long leader is especially useful when floating lightly weighted baits down the water column. The longer the leader, the less chance of the fish seeing where it connects to the main line. This will also give you more stretch during the powerful runs big snapper make. Hooks Hooks are probably the most important part of your tackle setup. A good sharp and strong hook is vital when trying to lure a snapper.

Squid rigs.

Live bait rigs.

When that fish bites, you really want it to gnaw into a hook that is strong enough to withstand the pressure. Of course, the other part of the equation is that the hook is sharp enough to penetrate the snapper’s hard bony mouth. Myriad hooks on the market come in many different shapes and sizes, though the standard suicide hooks work very well. Circle hooks are quite effective too because you don’t need to strike at the fish, they are designed to hook the fish themselves. If you do strike, you inevitably end up missing the fish by pulling the hook out of its mouth. I also use gang hooks crimped together into a set of two or three depending on the length of the bait, though I don’t mind the hooks being joined together with swivels. I used Mustad gang hooks for years in a twohook Big Gun pattern. However, one day I switched to Mustad Penetrators and have stuck with them ever since, in either a snelled or snooded rig. Both hold the bait straight and make it look more lifelike. These two rigs allow the bait to float naturally in the water column rather than being held stiffly with gang hooks. The two snelled or snooded Penetrators can also be better hidden in your bait, making it look even more lifelike. As a general rule, I judge hook size by bait size, not the size of the fish I am targeting. The fish I am targeting determines the bait size. Another good thing about this rig is the final hook can be threaded through the bait several times before it is set. This allows an inspecting fish a few goes at it, meaning the bait is not easily ripped from the hook. The top hook is set at the top of the bait and guides it as it descends naturally through the water column. Knots Knot tying is a very im-

portant part of your rig. You can have all the right lines and tackle you like, but without a strong knot holding it all together, forget it. A well-tied strong knot makes all the difference when fighting that big snapper. If the knot is even a little bit suspect you will find out how bad it is when a big fish is connected. The last thing you want is to lose that fish for the sake of a badly tied knot. I use the albright knot for leader to braid and a double blood knot to the hooks. Baits If chasing big snapper and you don’t have live bait but do have fresh bait, try the butterflied method, which leaves two fillets attached to the head. As it descends through the water column it will resemble a live bait swaying in the current. If you catch live bait on the way to the fishing grounds and you cannot keep it alive, make sure it is stored in icy water to keep it as fresh as possible. Third in line is frozen bait. Choose frozen bait using much the same judgement as if you were planning to eat the bait yourself. Bait that has been well cared for up to and including being frozen will look

better in the pack. Any baits that look lifeless in the pack will probably appear so under water as well. It is essential that frozen bait retains the oil and juices that make it attractive to your prey. Bait that looks flat in the pack has probably been left too long before freezing and it is likely the oil and juices will have dissipated. It is for this reason frozen bait should not be allowed to totally unfreeze before use. Keep most of the bait you have taken out for the trip as cold as possible and only put enough bait on the bait board to cater for your immediate needs. Many baits turn into a soft mush when unfrozen. It’s a mush that is difficult to rig onto a hook and the fish can easily pull off a hook. It is likely that fish have very little means of detecting hot or cold in terms of food, so bait that is still partly frozen is no problem.

I Cryovac a lot of my freshly caught bait so I only take out one pack at a time. When you look at bait in the retailer’s freezer (and don’t buy bait until you get a look at it), look for the following key points before selecting it. Make sure no oil or blood is in the bag, as this is a sure sign the bait has either been defrosted or frozen too slowly and the oils and juices have leaked out. Look for evidence of freezer burn, which may show up as bruising or discolouration. This may indicate the bait has been poorly treated when freezing or it has been in the freezer for too long. Again, freezer-burnt bait will be low on oils and juices. Bait selection, presentation and rigging are too often neglected when chasing big snapper or any fish of relevant size. Get these things right and the rest will fall into place.

The author’s Cryovac-packaged bait.

Gang hook rigs.

Various hook styles.

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Page 8 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018

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This flathead was caught on a prototype 1m-diving 50mm Tango Shad.

Lochie Reed and one of the average-sized flathead from the Pin area.

Rob jigged up this Pin Bar tailor on a Fish Trap.

Family flathead fun around Jumpinpin

FTER a long couple of months sitting in the shed, we’ve finally got our 5m Southern Star back on the water after giving her a bit of a spit and polish and a new motor. We’ve removed a lot of

Fishing Australia by LEEANN PAYNE

unnecessary weight from the old girl, getting rid of the heavy live well tank at the rear and also reassessing the front deck area to

John put in a bit of effort to wind in many of the flathead hooked this winter.

fit a new lighter weight under-deck icebox. A new 130hp Yamaha has given us better topend speed than the old 100hp Yamaha, and surprisingly a smoother ride too. Our boat sits up out of the water higher and handles the chop a whole lot better as well. Another thing we are loving with the new motor is the variable trolling control that allows us to adjust the engine’s trolling speed from 600-1000rpm (adjustable in 50rpm increments), which means we’re not constantly on

the throttle bumping up or down to suit the trolling runs. All up, we are exceptionally happy with our old girl/new motor combination and now she’s back in one piece, we’ll certainly make sure we’re on the water a whole lot more! We recently had the pleasure of taking the kids out for a couple of trips around the Cabbage Tree/ Jacobs Well and Jumpinpin areas. We had a mix of blustery wintery westerlies along with the glamourous days the winters in the southeast corner are renowned for. The blustery days meant finding shelter in the protection of a number of the

channels that lead from Jacobs Well and Cabbage Tree to the bar area. It gave us the opportunity to fish a few locations we had never targeted flathead in before, so that was a bonus. We had to work a bit harder for our fish but it was good to come up with almost 15 fish for both sessions. Trolling was the easiest method in the prevailing conditions and the kids are quite capable now of holding the rods and working the lures. They now know by feel when the lures aren’t working to their potential as a bit of weed was around in the areas we trolled. ☛ continued P10

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Family flathead fun around Jumpinpin ☛ from P9

It’s still way too early to be pre-fishing for the Gold Coast Flathead Classic as a lot of the fish showing in areas now will not be there come competition time. However, it has been good to get out to test and swim some of the lures Rob’s been playing around with. Rob’s nothing short of a tinkerer and is usually never quite happy with a lure that comes out of the box.

He will often make an adjustment here and there to make the lure behave the way he wants. Mostly we used Zerek Tango Shad 50s, which are now our go-to lures for trolling. They swim perfectly straight out of the box without any tinkering needed. I still believe the most important part of flathead trolling is to ensure your lure is bumping bottom, and if it’s not, change lure

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to one that swims deeper. One way of changing lures quickly is to use the UltraPoint Fastach Clips made by Mustad. In utilising these clips, the lure simply twists off the clip and your new lure twists back on again in only a matter of seconds. A lot of time is saved by not having to retie knots and it also saves on trimming your leader length every time you cut a lure to retie. They are great little inventions and are a must for flatty fishing when it is imperative to have the right lure on at all times to be in the running to catch a fish. When fishing the shallows in an area with a lot of weed, we like to swim a lure above the weed beds. Obviously taking into account the depth of water and the height of the weed beds, we will generally use lures that swim to less than one metre. Good news is the prototype 1m Zerek Tango Shad 50mm worked a treat in the shallows and on my first troll I had a fish on within three seconds of the lure hitting the water. These must-have lures will be available in tackle shops come August, all going well. We have caught reasonable numbers of flathead but are yet to land anything substantial size-wise. They’ve mostly been small to pan-sized flatties, which are very welcome. Selina also caught her personal-best flathead of 62cm and she was super excited. Besides taking the kids out for a couple of runs, Rob’s also managed to fit in a few boys’ trips to the Pin Bar area.

Once again the target was flathead but that certainly doesn’t mean other fish can’t be targeted if the opportunity presents. Plentiful tailor have been around the Jumpinpin Bar area and these fish will take trolled lures, small cast metal lures and if you don’t mind fly fishing and the wind’s on your side, they are a sucker for a deceiver fly. Zerek Fish Traps are great

lures for tailor as well as most fish in the estuaries. Trevally numbers have also been quite good, with plenty of these fish caught in channels leading to the bar area as well as the bar itself. The usual giveaway is birds working, with the addition of fish breaking the surface. Bait is always an important factor when fishing – no bait, no fish!

The Tango Shad in So Much colouration has worked very well on the Pin flathead of late.

Selina with one of her favourite species of the moment.

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John Payne with a nice little keeper destined for the icebox.

Page 10 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018

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August is generally a very productive month for a wide range of species. The local flathead run will still be going strong and the jewfish and threadfin will remain active in the rivers and creeks. Good numbers of quality grunter are turning up in some of the rivers around Brisbane, so hopefully a few will still be around during August. This month also signals the start of the flathead spawning season on the Gold Coast.

Local Luring by KEITH STRATFORD

A lot of big fish will make their way into the deep water towards the bar entrances and the action can be hot at the start of the season before the fish get bombarded with lures. The Brisbane River has been producing quality fish, with jewies, tailor, flathead and threadfin salmon all turning up regularly. Local rivers The rivers and creeks around Brisbane have turned on red-hot sessions this winter.

Jewies, flathead, grunter, bream, tailor and big threadfin have all shown up quite regularly. Flathead have been the most common species encountered and their average size has been really good, with plenty of fish in the 60-70cm range. They haven’t been shy either, eating just about every type of lure thrown at them. Paddle tails, curl tails and prawn imitations have all worked well. Soft vibes have also been productive, with the

popular Zerek Fish Traps doing a lot of damage. If one type of plastic isn’t producing, it’s worth mixing it up and finding out what they want to eat on the day. Big threadies have been getting around in the smaller Brisbane rivers this winter. They cop a flogging from the netters when they are in numbers, so hopefully they dodge them and we can keep having some fun. Threadies are really exciting to catch in these rivers. They can be a real challenge with their crazy speed and directional changes. However, they can also be frustrating to keep a hook in and if they swallow the lure they can rub through the leader in a split second. They are a lot harder to land in shallower systems than the deep water of the Brisbane River and the fight is much more challenging. Threadfin eat a variety of lures including soft

vibes, hard-bodies and a wide range of soft plastics. Just like most species, it’s more important to get your offering into the zone. Threadies can move around a fair bit and it’s not uncommon to find them in completely different areas from day to day. They are particularly fond of deep holes, especially those that hold good numbers of bait. These holes are always a great place to start looking because they hold just about every type of fish available. Holes aren’t the only area to find threadfin. They can turn up in places you would never think of, so it’s worth having a good look around and trying different things. Small things like back eddies behind fallen timber and rock bars are enough to hold them. Once again, these areas work even better if bait is present. Jewies have been plentiful in the rivers and ☛ continued P13

This solid tailor came from the Brisbane River.

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The author caught this 97cm jewie at sunset in the Brisbane River recently.

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Page 12 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018

Mangrove jack will be active towards the end of the month. Back in June this one ate the author’s plastic on a deep rock bar.

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Ben Monro nailed a 116cm threadfin on a Berkley Gulp Alive Crazy Legs.

Ashlee Levy jigged up this 88cm jewie on a Zerek Fish Trap in the Brisbane River.

Cleaning up in the Brisbane rivers and creeks ☛ from P12

creeks, but their size has been disappointing. Other than in the Brisbane River, it’s been hard to find a legal fish among the rats. The good news is these smaller fish have been in big numbers. On a recent trip I found a school of fish sitting under a boat, which turned out to be small jewies around 65cm in length. I managed eight fish from eight casts by skipping a Berkley Gulp Alive Crazy Legs next to the boat and allowing it to sink under it. The fish were hungry and it was good fun on light gear. Some of the jewies have been as small as 30cm,

which is a really good sign for the future. Grunter have been the surprise this winter. They were in big numbers during June and on a couple of occasions we managed up to 15 fish per session. Most were between 40cm and 50cm, with a few stretching into the mid-50cm range. Hopefully they hang around during August as well because they’re a heap of fun and they are one of the tastiest fish you will come across in our rivers. They eat a variety of lures but getting a solid hook-up is the hardest part. They are really good at grabbing the tails of plastics and missing the hook.

Scent works well for grunter because it will keep them coming back until they find the hook. Brisbane River The Brisbane River has fished well through winter. Jewies have been a standout, along with huge numbers of tailor and the odd big threadfin salmon. I haven’t been chasing snapper in the Brissie at all, but I’m sure a few are around. I can’t remember the last time I caught an undersized jewie in the Brissie. All the fish I’ve been finding lately have been over 85cm, which has made for some exciting sessions. It’s unusual to find so many bigger fish in the Brisbane River and so many small fish in the

smaller rivers and creeks around Brisbane. Tailor are feasting on the big bait schools winter brings. They are in a range of sizes and the biggest I’ve encountered was over 60cm and caught while deep jigging for jewies. Plenty of 40-50cm fish have been around for those who like eating them. I love a feed of fresh tailor, so always throw a couple in the Esky. August will be a great month on the water in southeast Queensland. All the winter species will still be on the chew and towards the end of the month a few cranky mangrove jack will be getting active again. I hope to see you on the water.

Big Phil landed this big threadfin recently. It stretched the tape to 120cm.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018 – Page 13

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Targeting the tides when tackling the bay

HE colder weather over the past month definitely makes it a bit harder to get out of bed early in the mornings, but those who do have been rewarded with good fishing.

A few different species around have included squire/snapper, plenty of flathead, bream and winter whiting. An abundance of winter whiting has been throughout southern Moreton Bay this winter. I always like chasing winter whiting. Look for them on the Banana Banks and Pelican Banks or if you’re a little further north, the Chain Banks. I like a bit of run in the tide so I can get a nice drift. Always fish nice and light and use fresh strips of cuttlefish or squid. If you can get fresh instead of frozen you’ll do way better. When chasing flathead, the high and low tide changes give you a better chance. Because the water is very clean I’ve been using pink and lighter-coloured lures. Believe me, these are not colours I use very often in this neck of the woods. Remember, a 2-4kg rod, 6-8lb braid, 1/8 to 1/4oz jig head and you’re in business. Flathead have been caught all through Moreton Bay, Jumpinpin and the Broadwater and they are definitely worth chasing in coming months. If you like chasing bream and snapper, they have been coming from rocky outcrops and the usual small wrecks

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moretonbaycharters.com.au m.au Page 14 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018

Editor Ben scored this sweet bartailed flathead on the troll. Lure colour was pink.

WITH SEAN CONLON

Southern Moreton Bay by SEAN CONLON

throughout the southern bay. Early morning and late afternoon have been the best times to chase these fish. The best baits have been pilchards, squid, banana prawns and fresh strips of pike. Now, if you have a small boat but don’t like getting up too early on the cold mornings over winter, it can be a matter of picking your target species and making sure you are fishing the correct tide for that species. So if the correct tide is in the middle of the day, there’s no need to be getting up at 4am in the freezing cold. You may be thinking hang on, the best time to chase fish is early in the morning and late in the afternoon, and yes that is generally correct, but if you have the wrong tide early in the morning, you could be wasting your time. Let’s take flathead. At the moment, fishing around the tide changes has seen the best results. Consequently, I’ve been chasing these fish on the high and low tides and if one of those occurs early in the morning then great, we’re taking advantage of the early morning bite period with a good tide to chase flathead. But if the tide change isn’t early in the morning there’s no need to be out there early. BNB editor Ben and I recently decided to go fishing for flathead and worked out a day that suited us both. The low tide was at 1pm, so I told Ben we needed to be at the boat ramp by 10.30am. We didn’t need to get out of bed early and were able to get a few things done before heading out to fish the last of the run-out tide. Ben picked me up around 10am, we loaded the fishing gear and headed to the boat ramp. It was great because there’s nobody there at that time of the day. We quickly launched the boat and headed to the first spot in 10-15 knots of southwesterly with a fair bit of tide running out. After a few casts with no luck, we decided to head to another area a bit more out of the breeze where we would also have a little less run in the tide. Ben deployed the electric, whacked it on spot lock and we started casting. About three casts in,

bang I was on, and after a little fight we had a nice lizard in the net. We decided we weren’t keeping any fish, so took a quick photo for a prompt release. I checked my leader for any scuff marks and then resumed casting in the same area. Just a couple of casts later l was on again and before we knew it another decent fish was in the brilliant extendable landing net and brought safely into the boat. After a quick picture, the fish was released to fight another day. Before I could make another cast, Ben was on and it was my turn on the net. And just like that, we had another 50cm-plus flathead in the boat. This went on for another hour, with us catching very nice flathead but nothing huge, all in the 50-60cm range. By now we were getting near the bottom of the tide and the fish were starting to settle. Ben made his next cast and instead of the usual slow retrieve he sped it up.

Just as it was getting to the boat, he sped it up even more. I looked into the water and my initial reaction was jeez, Ben’s using a large lure, but in fact a flathead shot up off the bottom and was chasing the lure back to the boat. Just as he was about to lift the lure out of the water, the flathead smashed it almost on the surface and took off like a bullet. Visual fishing just doesn’t get much better than that. The fish was airborne at one point and after a great fight we had a 56cm lizard in the boat. We went through the same routine of a quick pic and fast release. After seeing Ben’s result, I sped up my retrieve and saw a shadow shoot up off the bottom to grab my soft plastic and take off. Soon another 50cm-plus lizard was in the boat. We caught a few more fish in this location using that quick retrieve. Always remember, if the fish slow down it doesn’t hurt to mix up your retrieves and lures. As the tide got right to the bottom the flathead went off the chew. It was almost time to

head home, so we decided to have a quick troll to see if we could stir up a couple of fish. I caught one undersize flathead and Ben got a nice bartailed flathead. We got back to the boat ramp around 2pm having boated 12 good size flathead and one undersize. I think Ben changed lure three times and I changed twice. It doesn’t matter what size vessel you’ve got or even if you’re land based, anybody can enjoy this sort of fishing. You don’t have to be out there early in the morning or late in the afternoon, you just need to get out and fish the correct part of the tide, no matter what time of day it is. Flathead are in season right now and plenty are around, so check the tides and get out there and into some fish. If you’d like to join me on a charter, give me a call on 0433 732 310. To learn more about catching these fish and others more often in Moreton Bay, call me on 0432 386 307 and inquire about my fishing tuition course called ‘ticking all the boxes’. Until next time, stay safe on the water.

This customer got a decent lizard on a Zerek Live Flash Minnow Wriggly.

A happy client with a southern bay squire/snapper.

Young Jesse with a southern Moreton Bay flathead.

Ben with one of the many decent flathead from a quick session in the bay.

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Fish, wake, ski with the Formosa X Bowrider at Australian Marine Centre BRISBANE-based Formosa Marine is leading the way in Australian plate boat design and manufacturing. The recently released X Bowrider has proven a very popular model for Formosa. Tomahawk dealer, Australian Marine Centre in Slacks Creek, has an Offshore 580 X Bowrider in stock to view now. Features on the X uniquely allow for the perfect crossover boat to enjoy family skiing one day and transform the X for offshore fishing the next. The X Bowrider has a raised dash and bollard seating position for offshore adventures. Formosa’s V2 Hull on

the X gives ideal performance, safety and strength, with a softer ride, extra floor structure, solid feel underfoot, high sides, wide deck space and large forward seating area. The cushioned bow seating position encompasses a large, accessible storage area underneath and removable cushions and centre board in which to create the perfect fishing platform. Other design features include the new Folding Side Seats, which Formosa has added to its long list of optional extras for custom designing your boat. The X Bowrider has two side seats as standard and an optional

third folding back seat. This is a very practical feature as it sits low for safety and allows seating for up to six people, while all seats fold away to enhance the generous freeboard Formosa Marine is known for. The innovative X Bowrider is available in Formosa’s Classic range in sizes 520, 550 and 580 and in the Offshore range with a self-draining deck in sizes from 520 to the new 740. View the full range of Formosa boats online at formosamarineboats. com.au For Formosa Tomahawk pricing and sales, call Australian Marine Centre on 07 3808 7333 or visit amcboats.com.au

AMM takes heavenly step with 7000 Halo centre console

UST R A LI A N Master Marine has taken a further step upmarket, adding major comfort, convenience and styling features to create its first Halo model centre console.

The result is one of the most awesome fishing platforms ever seen in an offshore plate alloy boat range. AMM’s proven 7m hull, which also underpins its cruiser-oriented Tournament and Weekender half cabin models, has been reconfigured to now include the option of a massive downstairs storage area incorporating an electric flushing toilet. With full-height headroom and a cavernous storage recess that helps shape a sundeck pad topside, AMM’s Halo version of the 7000 series centre console is now a step higher up the food chain when it comes to chasing offshore predators. The boat has an entirely new design of hard top with a rigid perimeter framing adding major strength to an otherwise lightweight design. The concept is virtually a cantilever design, which reduces obstructions on

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the sides and weight up high. AMM director Barton Thomas designed the new hull and said the brilliant white hard top seems to ‘float’ above the darkened windscreen made of toughened glass. “The design is very sound and doesn’t require any rear bracing struts for support, and therefore makes the hard top look like a protective, floating halo,” he said. “The new design also provides for a more efficient deck area and with less mass and leverage up high, meaning a more stable fishing platform. “People familiar with the AMM centre console design will immediately recognise its vastly different shape – it’s larger and longer, but less obtrusive into the side decks. “Pushing the front of the console forward provides a more raked, sportier design and has allowed us to create a sundeck step. “It’s a fantastic topside leisure space and enables a massive storage area, with full standing headroom, to be created downstairs. “It’s now a far better blend of plush comfort and offshore fishing practicality. “We’ve also considered at length how to best manage an efficient air flow to the toilet and storage area while also ensuring the watertight integrity of the space. “An off-the-shelf Vetus opening hatch window with an insect screen provided a simple, stylish but very practical solution.” Premium contoured seats with folding bolsters, the incorporation of a new work area featuring the option of an ARB Elements fridge/freezer that slides out on rails from a storage area, a full-width slide-out lined tackle tray and an aft-facing drop-down seat further integrate comfort with practicality. “We’ve even set four rod holders into the top of the rear seat console to make them instantly accessible,” Barton said. “One or more of these lower rod holders can also be used to keep fishing pliers, lip gripper devices or a fish donger very handy.”

The helm and hull sides feature a new two-pac satin black colour scheme that has been mistaken by observers for black chrome, vinyl wrap and various other finishes. “It’s a difficult treatment to apply but gives a sensational, classy finish,” Barton said. Blistering performance in the chop was another key design criterion and helps explain why the 7m centre console was fitted with a dual-prop 350hp V6 Suzuki outboard that in early sea trials had the boat recording better than 46 knots. “The contra-rotating dual props launch it straight onto the plane when the throttle is pushed forwards and the amount of thrust available in reverse is phenomenal – it makes putting the stern in an exact spot an ultra-easy exercise,” Barton said. Range is extensive with two 300-litre fuel tanks underfloor in a self-contained cell replacing the single 240-litre underfloor tank that traditionally has been packaged with AMM’s 7m hulls. And to ensure the skipper will be in full control at high speed, the console has been configured to have the steering wheel on its port side, with the throttle assembly in the middle of the console. “That way the skipper can be directly behind the steering wheel and not offset slightly to the starboard side, in order to be able to access side-mounted console controls,” Barton said. “It gives the skipper and console passenger far better ergonomics as well as a far cleaner and unobstructed line down both sides of the boat – no bumping into important controls when passengers

move around.” Reflecting the demands of extended offshore trips, the rig has been fitted with two kill boxes, both of which incorporate their own integrated electric water pumps and macerators to allow a seawater slurry to be refreshed when transiting fishing spots. There’s also the option of a 300-litre fully insulated underfloor icebox that also has its own integrated electric water pump and macerator. As well as AMM’s extensive list of standard features including a selfdraining deck, duckboards and wide side decks, the 7000 Halo offshore centre console has a virtual catalogue of options ranging from a free-fall anchor winch to a transparent window in the 130-litre live bait tank. The list features items such as a versatile Fusion sound system that can be Bluetoothed with mobile phones or linked to compatible NMEA-backbone sounders and plotters, a special Hella lighting package that includes a new hardtop-mounted Sea Hawk light bar and a Sea Hawk work light. Blue underwater lighting is provided to fill the dual roles of attracting bait and providing mood lighting. A mounting plate has been incorporated into the foredeck to accommodate a bow-mounted electric trolling motor; there’s an upgraded built-in foam flotation package and also colour-co-ordinated Ultralon flooring available. Sea trial video footage of the AMM 7000 Halo offshore centre console is available on AMM’s website australianmasterma rine.com.au

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An 84cm snapper for the author on the last drop of the day at Rainbow Beach.

Tinnie bashing for billfish and reef raid off Rainbow

W This versatile family/fishing boat gives you the best of both worlds. Small enough for one to handle but will take 5 comfortably. This boat is on the Evo Advanced Hull and features Stacer’s new V-berth bunks and new optional casting platform. Overall a winner with options of side or centre console. Visit www.stacer.com.au for more details.

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Page 18 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018

ELL, well, well, look what the cat dragged in!

It’s good to be back into my normal routine, it’s great to be back writing articles and it’s even better to actually have a bit of time to enjoy the topquality fishing of late. This month’s article is a wrapup on the past few months and what I’ve been up to in the fishing scene. Working full time and having an addiction like fishing is always going to suck, as work takes over and before you know it you have gone weeks without wetting a line. Fishing is always on my mind at work and I’m constantly checking the weather, moon phases and anything else to do with it. Finally, after a long stint with work I had a day free up and the weather looked pretty good to head offshore. I didn’t have a clue what I wanted to chase but I soon had my arm twisted by Mick Reed, the owner of 5m plate boat Penetrator, who was telling me he wanted to get a billfish out of the small yet very capable platey. I was keen to help him achieve this goal as we had come so close on a few other attempts. We knew where the fish were and we knew what we had to do to get them. Saturday rolled around and we were on the water before dawn and on a mission. We needed to get out the front ASAP and find our live baits, which would be key to getting the sailfish. We went through a lot of my live bait marks and couldn’t really find anything. I was beginning to lose hope until we stumbled across the mother lode, the sounder lit up like a Christmas tree and soon we had strings of slimy mackerel going into the live bait tank. Slimies are without doubt the best live baits and by far the toughest and hardiest. The hardest part of the day was over and the bait was in the tank. Now it was time to get out to the grounds and see if we could make it happen and get Reedy’s goal of the first billfish in his boat. We wasted no time in getting

Offshore Action by JORDAN ‘GRINNER’ KOSCHEL

to the grounds and had our live baits in the water for less than two minutes before Reedy came up tight on a very healthy sailfish. We had the fish to the boat in a few minutes and on the leader pretty quickly, meaning the fish was quite green, so it played up a fair bit, eventually popping the 80lb leader. The day slowed after this and even though we had two more opportunities on sailfish, we

couldn’t capitalise. The sailfish were nuts, but something else that is pretty damn nuts is the run of winter snapper we’re having! Everyone I’ve spoken with seems to be getting into them, whether inshore in the rivers and Moreton Bay or offshore in the deeper water. I had really been craving a reef fishing session after see☛ continued P19

Driving up on the sailfish as it tail danced away from Reedy. Thank you to Ryan McKinnon for the pictures.

The chook (Matty Fowler) with a solid trout from Rainbow.

The author’s new little river boat – it wont look like this for much longer!

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Tinnie bashing for billfish and reef raid off Rainbow ☛ from P18

ing all the Facebook posts and reading the articles about everyone slaying them, so I had a chat with the boys (Matty Fowler and big Lukey aka Strike Johnson) and they were keen to head to Rainbow Beach after having a couple of good sessions there in previous weeks. I was pumped because I have a lot of ground mapped out off Rainbow and I know the

quality of fish on offer is outstanding. We shot up quite early and were waiting on the bar before sun-up. I hadn’t fished out of Rainbow for a while and was keen to get into some rod-bending action. The fishing was slow by Rainbow standards and the taxman gave us a bit of a hiding but we were able to scrape together a feed of snapper and mixed reefies, the standout fish being an

Big Strike Johnson (Lukey) landed a decent spanish mackerel off Rainbow.

84cm knobby snapper on the last drop of the arvo. In other news, I recently bought another boat in the form of a 4m tinnie, so I now have a back-up option if the weather doesn’t want to play the game for offshore fishing. The tinnie is going to be fully built from the ground up into a fishing machine. The whole boat is pretty much going to be a casting deck, making it a great fishing platform for the inshore waters I love to fish around southeast Queensland. Over the next few months I’ll be sharing photos of how the build is going and how the tinnie ends up. Having a second boat also means I should go fishing more, so I’ll hopefully have a lot more content to keep writing about. That’s all I’ve got for now, good luck with the month of fishing ahead and I hope you get into a few stonkers. Remember, if you would like to come fishing with me, call Moreton Island Fishing Charters on 0413 128 056 and we can arrange a day for you to come out and catch the fish of a lifetime!

A tailor caught using a small surface walker on sunrise.

The author’s first trip to a new dam was a success.

Cool catches continue on Coast

OW past the midway point of our yearly chill, the cool fishing captures will continue, though as it begins to get slightly warmer the fishing will improve further. Offshore, inshore and freshwater grounds have all been producing. The offshore fishing has been consistent, with good numbers of snapper, jewfish and pearl perch coming on a variety of techniques from micro jigs to soft plastics. Fishing in about 40m of water has resulted in many of the good captures. Inshore tailor fishing is still going well for anglers targeting this toothy species from breakwalls and in river mouths with metals and surface lures. Small walk the dog style lures seem to be best during low-light periods. Bream are stacked

AUSTRALIA’S

Nerang Rooster Report by DARREN RAMA

around bridges and in the main channels in the Broadwater and Jumpinpin Bar and are not too fussy. When in schools, most techniques will work on bream, but as their annual spawning run comes to an end they will begin to scatter back up into the canals. For now, once you find a fish, try fishing that area for a while because you will likely pick up a few more. Flathead are a fish of interest as the Gold Coast Flathead Classic approaches, and this time of year sees some flatties upriver in Coombabah Creek and a long way up the Coomera River, but

come September they’ll push right down into the cleaner water near the mouths and bar entrances. I’ve been doing a bit more freshwater fishing in recent weeks, targeting a mixture of schooled fish and edge bite structureholding fish. The impoundments are not salty, so bass cannot spawn in them, but the instinct remains and these fish will school up in big numbers and generally hold off points and near bait. Correctly using a sounder helps significantly. We have been using the Lowrance Elite-7 Ti and the ability to run a dualscreen arrangement of

SideScan and DownScan simultaneously is a big help when trying to locate these schools. However, early in the morning the larger fish push up into the timber to feed before returning to the schools, which means you shouldn’t rule out a good edge bite. Finding deep shaded banks helps your cause significantly. Lately a mixture of metal blades and jerkbaits has been the go. With water temps down, the lures with the most vibration have been a key piece of the puzzle. As the water warms, the edge bite will become the most productive as the fish slowly push back into the timber and weed banks. This month can be a great opportunity to make the most of the late winter species.

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.c com om.a au u Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018 – Page 19

Tricks of the trade – part two G

’DAY everyone, in part one last month we discussed some techniques for using soft plastics and vibes in our Gold Coast estuaries, while this month we will have a chat about trolling hard-bodied minnows.

Jay hooked a 73cm flathead trolling a Pontoon21 CrackJack in very shallow water in the Tweed River.

Bradh's Smited Guiding Fishs Tour

Over the past five years trolling lures around our rivers and creeks has taken a bit of a back seat as far as techniques go due to the surge in popularity of casting soft plastics and vibes. The trend is starting to curve around, with trolling making a slow comeback and I think this has a lot to do with some of the early winners of the Gold Coast Flathead Classic resorting to this tried and true method that was successful in the early days. To some anglers, trolling means tying on lures, throwing them out the back of the boat and driving around all day. To me, trolling is a science and a technique that requires skill and a series of basic, well-orchestrated events to gain a high level

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To me, trolling is a science and a technique that requires skill and a series of basic, wellorchestrated events to gain a high level of consistency and success. of consistency and success. Step one The first step is to have a selection of lures that will cover a range of depths. I prefer smaller lures in the 40-50mm range because smaller lures really appeal to our bread and butter species including flathead, bream and whiting. If it helps in your purchasing process, my go-to lures on an everyday basis are the Brad Smith Li’l Mates for water under a metre in depth, Pontoon21 CrackJack 48SP DRs for water up to 2.5m deep and Lively Lures Micro Mullets for water up to 4.5m deep. OK, some of you might be thinking the depth ratings on the packaging of these lures is half what I just mentioned, so let’s go to step two for the explanation. Step two To make your lures dive deeper than their recommended dive rating, use light braid no more than 0.6-0.8mm in diameter attached to a short length

of 6lb fluorocarbon leader no longer than 50cm. The light line creates less resistance through the water and allows the lures to dive deeper. Other governing factors to maximise the depth of your lures are to troll with the tide and have your rod tips held low to the water and set your lures 15-20m behind the boat. Step three This step involves fine-

tuning and explaining in more detail the small links in the chain necessary for success. You will always catch more fish by trolling with the tide. Fish position themselves facing into the tide because food will be carried down to them by the tide. If you have your rods positioned at almost right angles to your boat and the tips down low to the water, the lures will dive deeper and your rod will absorb the contact when the fish strikes. It is crucial when trolling that you adjust your choice of lures to match the depth of water you are in. You want your lures continually skimming and tapping the bottom because this is the feeding zone for flatties, bream and whiting. The lures hitting bottom adds another visual aspect for predatory species because the puffs of sand, mud or shell grit that plume out when the lure hits bottom resemble a foraging baitfish, prawn or yabby. It is also important that your boat speed is as slow as possible, which in most

cases will see your motor just clicked into gear at idle. Smaller outboard motors under 50hp have no problem trolling slowly. Some anglers with larger outboards use their electric motors to get the right speed, which I call walking pace as a guideline. Step four Trolling is effective and allows you to commute parallel along seagrass beds, sandbanks and rock walls and cover the whole length in the strike zone. I call this joining the dots because casting and retrieving along the same areas does not allow you to fully explore the whole location. Time in motion, exploration and coverage mean that by trolling you are continually fishing and at the same time learning new areas. To conclude, it is vital you maintain your lures while trolling and keep them running free and clean of any seagrass or contaminants that could impede the action of the lure. You don’t want to miss that much-anticipated strike.

Bream like this one landed by Noel are always keen to take a trolled minnow.

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Loretta caught this quality flathead by trolling a Micro Mullet in 4m of water.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018 – Page 21

Fishing options on offer for August anglers ■ Jewfish ■ Tailor ■ Flathead ■ Whiting

I everyone, August is a great month to be a fisho, as offshore, estuaries and the beaches will all be holding good numbers of fish.

Brett with his first Gold Coast offshore jew.

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While it hasn’t been our normally cool winter, getting offshore has been a bit hit and miss due to strong wind and big swell making it tougher than it should be. This month should see a calmer ocean with our normal winter westerlies. A standout species over the past month has been mulloway or as most fishos call them ‘jew’. A few years ago the minimum size limit for the species was increased from 45cm to 75cm when it was discovered they don’t mature and breed until they reach about 70cm in size. In addition, the bag limit was reduced to two. These changes have been very successful, with jewfish numbers exploding. We are now seeing the best fishing for them we’ve experienced in years. They have gone from being a species that needed to be targeted mainly at night to becoming regular daytime by-catch while offshore bottom fishing for snapper. While they can be targeted with live yakkas, we have been having great success with pillies, squid and flesh baits while chasing reefies. From sundown into the early evening has still been best for those targeting jewfish. However, we have been getting our better captures from sunrise to 10am, especially around a tide change. There are no secret spots either. We’ve been catching fish up to 16kg from close in on the bait reefs just south of the Seaway all the way out to the 24-fathom reefs. The only tackle change we make for specially targeting jewfish is changing our normal three-gang 4/0 Mustad 7766 hooks with

Broadwater Region by WAYNE ‘YOUNGY’ YOUNG

swivels in between to a two-gang of 5/0 Mustad 7766 hooks for the flesh baits. Having a good sounder is important. The large Garmin I have in my boat is ideal as the jew are easily seen sitting in groups of six to 12 near structure and bait. The best snapper fishing has been out a bit wider on the 36-fathom reefs but this month should see them in closer on both the 18s and 24s. A few school mackerel have been around as well as excellent moses perch or as Fisheries Queensland now wants them to be known, moses snapper. Tailor have just started to turn up on our beaches in the evenings, with the sand pumping jetty the most popular spot. However, I wouldn’t recommend it unless you like fishing in big crowds. The beach to the south of the pumping jetty is a much better and more relaxing option with easy access. The more serious tailor fishers will head over to the South Stradbroke Island beaches either by walking across from North Currigee or the area north of The Bedrooms at Jumpinpin. While pillies will always be the best bait for tailor, if you’re after a PB, a slab of bonito or freshly caught legal size tailor will give you a better chance. With all the jewfish offshore at the moment, a big fillet of fresh tailor would give you an excellent chance of catching a jewfish from the beach. If you want an early start to your beach fishing, take 20 or 30 yabbies and get a feed of dart or bream while waiting for the tailor to turn up. In the estuaries, flathead numbers are on the increase as they move downstream closer to their spawning areas near the Pin Bar and Seaway. The better numbers are coming from the channels to the west of Tiger Mullet

Channel back to Cabbage Tree Point and Tipplers Passage towards the Pin. In the Broadwater, the Aldershots and the western side of South Straddie around Brown Island would be best on a run-out tide. While soft plastic fishing is the most popular way of targeting flathead, this early in the season trolling small hard-bodied lures will be a much better option. Lures including Ecogear SX40s, Lively Lures Micro Mullets and Zerek Tango Shads work well and are consistent catchers, with pink and gold the better colours. Our Broadwater tailor season has been very hit and miss. The anglers fishing at night with bait have been doing OK, but for us daytime lure trollers it’s been patchy. Lots of bait has been coming through the Seaway over the past couple of weeks, so catches should improve in numbers and size this month. In calm conditions, trolling lures at the back of the surf break from the sand pumping jetty down to the wreck of the Scottish Prince off Main Beach

can also produce good size tailor. In the Nerang River, we are entering the last few weeks in which you will find whiting in the Sorrento to Carrara stretch of the river. It’s been good fishing without being great this season, with the fish moving around a fair bit and making them difficult to find at times. The run-out tide has been slightly better than the run-in and the fish have been feeding in the slightly deeper water of around 2m on the top of the tide. Good-quality bream are around the rock walls and

bridges at the mouth of the Nerang River, the Seaway and Paradise Point. While prawns and yabbies are the most popular baits, flesh baits will last longer and attract better quality if a lot of small fish are around. Just be aware we have a new six-knot zone in the area that starts at the deep hole near the red channel marker commonly referred to as the ‘Cotton Trees’. In the Coomera River, the Paradise Point area speed limit has changed from six knots to 40 knots for vessels under 8m. ‘Til next month, fish for the future.

The author held a couple of tailor caught in the Broadwater on lures.

Warren ‘Wazza’ Cox scored a quality winter Nerang whiting.

find us on facebook • Win prizes • Post your brag • Chat to readers shots and writers • Join in on the fun • See who’s catching banter what • Have a laugh

www.facebook.com/bnbfishing Rebecca with her PB 123cm jewfish. You know it’s a big fish when Dad has to hold it for you.

Page 22 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018

www.bnbfishing.com. au

A cracking amberjack for a Fish the Deep customer.

Cobia have arrived along with the whales and make for a fun and interesting catch.

Winter fishing dreams come true A S we pull on the winter woollies and head out in the dark, our fingers crossed the winter action will reward the effort of the early alarm, those aboard Fish the Deep enjoy a magic sunrise and prepare for a momentous day of fishing.

With daily phone calls to the office asking “what fish are being caught?” I am pleased to say the so-called winter fish have arrived. After four months of bad weather and no flow-on from the Commonwealth Games, life is back on track, with the regular winter fishos returning for enviable snapper catches. Fish the Deep had the pleasure of hosting Dan from Bush ‘n Beach during June. Snapper were on the bite, so all on board were rewarded with a good haul of the scrumptious fish.

Fish the Deep

by SCOTT VAN BURCK

Adding to the spoils were a 10kg highfin amberjack and several sumptuous pearl perch. To have these quality catches amid good weather made for a gratifying day’s fishing. Dan must have brought luck to the new fishing season as the weather has continued to play ball and with school holidays upon the Gold Coast, visitors and locals have been streaming back onto the water. Fish the Deep endeavoured to head out on some night fishing trips, and though the bookings were filled, the weather closed in at night, with only one of the six trips booked able to venture out. Mulloway were on the bite, so those on board

wondering why they were out in the cold were soon rewarded with awesome fish. Fish the Deep hopes to run night fishing trips again, weather permitting, around the full moon at the end of July. With the arrival of the whales and the snapper returning in praiseworthy sizes, charters travelling further offshore have scored valuable catches. Some days those on board have bagged out on snapper, which is encouraging for the rest of the season. Kingfish are being caught in small quantities but the water may not be quite cold enough for the larger numbers to arrive. The kingfish being

caught are of a solid size with plenty of meat for the family barbecue. Amberjack are more prevalent and being caught on most full-day charters. They are a good substitute when the kingfish are not on the bite. Although it is not mahi mahi season, the odd one is still lingering along the coastal strip, making for a pleasant catch for the lucky customers. With the whales swimming north, cobia have moved into coastal waters. These fish are caught closer to the shore, so visitors are enjoying the double act of cobia and whales. That makes for a superior day on the water. Many a fisher calls pearl perch the best tasting fish in the ocean and those anglers are not being disappointed, as pleasing numbers are be-

ing caught each trip. Teraglin are still the saviours of half-day trips. With the reduced hours on half-day trips and the reef fish deciding it is their day off, teraglin and tailor have ensured a feed of fish goes home in the Esky. The weather has been decent in recent weeks, with most booked charters enjoying the open waters off the coastline. School holidays also aided positivity in the charter business and other tourism areas of the Gold Coast, as it has been hard times since the Commonwealth Games, with not many tourists visiting the region. Next issue should feature stories of big knobbies and kingfish as they venture into Gold Coast waters. Happy fishing and may your fishing trips tick off your bucket list.

Pearl perch have been showing up on full-day charters.

The author with a roughly 10kg highfin amberjack that provided a brutal battle.

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Snapper numbers strengthen on Gold Coast

ITH the air t emp er at u r e dropping to single digits over the past month and the water temperature sitting at a balmy 20C, snapper have moved onto the close reefs.

Willo never disappoints, with a nice snapper for his efforts on a cold winter morning.

Good catches have been coming over the side, with solid fish of a couple of kilos the main catch. A few bigger fish have been boated but for the most part it’s been pinkies lining the Eskies. The best methods are still anchoring and float lining baits over a bit of structure holding fish or drifting over the school with baits trailing behind the boat. I prefer to anchor because that way I can get a good berley trail going to

Mitch with a stonker giant herring that measured over the magic metre mark.

Gold Coast by HEATH ZYGNERSKI

bring in the fish. Berley should consist for the most part of what you are using for bait; matching them up can make for a better catch rate. It always pays to have a soft plastic or even a live bait in the berley trail because you never know what will come wandering up the trail once it starts to attract fish. We’ve had cobia, yellowtail kingfish, sweetlip, jewfish, mackerel and wahoo follow the trail right up to the boat and we’ve been able to pick the fish we are targeting. It’s also a worthy test to see how good your bait presentation is as we’ve often seen fish shy away from a loaded bait while they’ll chomp down all the other pieces of berley. We’ve had some good mornings of southwesterlies and westerlies over the past month but it’s the light northerly wind I prefer so the boat sits just about perfect with all the baits out the back. You can try to anchor from the stern but I don’t like doing this in any sort of swell or chop and you are effectively fishing up your anchor rope too, which can be disastrous if you get a really

good fish on. Plenty of bait has been loaded up on the shallow reefs, with yakkas and pike readily caught. Mixed in with them are pesky chopper tailor. They are way undersize and make a big mess of your bait jigs. Remember you can’t use the small tailor for bait, as undersize is undersize, pure and simple. While we have the settled weather, it would be worth hitting the wider grounds along the 50-fathom line for pearlies, snapper and cobia. Try to get a few trips in before those piranhas of the sea, the leatherjacket, arrive. Once they are sitting on the reef it’s next to useless to fish for anything because your baits get picked to shreds and you lose a heap of gear. Over the next month we should see the estuaries turn it on with good-quality flathead, bream and whiting. Just before the cold snap hit, the giant herring were going off, with some absolute stonkers over a metre landed and just as many lost. If the mullet are running, it’ll pay to target jewfish

from the rock groins and entrances as they make their run seaward. Even soaking a bait in a good gutter during the dark should see you in with a good chance of hooking a silver ghost. I’d be packing the waders and a warm jacket because it’ll be freezing. The local bars are very ordinary. Tweed River Bar is getting shallower every time I use it. It is really starting to build up inside the bar and the back bank is about 4m deep, even on the top of the tide. Use extreme caution. Currumbin Creek Bar, if you can call it that, is all but silted up on low tide. Only the smallest boats will get over it. So unless you really want to be governed by the clock and tide, I’d

give it a miss. We need a good flush to clear its throat, and with that comes big seas. Tallebudgera Creek Bar is in a similar boat. It has a very small channel inside the creek and then a big sandbank at the end. Only use it on the full tide. The Seaway is having problems with a bank out the front that is starting to catch the swell. The waves kick up there without warning, so take care. I put the poor conditions of the bars down to the sand dredging that went on last year. It’s all settled in close and just doesn’t seem to be moving on. But hey, what would I know! ‘Til next month, smoking drags to you all.

Dean Roubos landed this solid snapper with a head only a mother would love.

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Winter woes donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t deter fish E Traditionally winter would bring cool nights, clear days and plenty of snapper and tailor. Well as far as tailor runs go, this one has been the best for a while but it is still poor. The nights are cold, the days are cold and windy and snapper are not on the close reefs. Winter, hey! And to top it off, the leatherjacket are due to turn up in numbers any minute. But being a fisher, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, so letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s have a look at the options. With all the wind around, I reckon the river is a pretty good option and a few jewfish are in the middle reaches of the Brunswick River. Soft plastics in the holes are accounting for jew to 6kg. Bream are here in proper numbers and some of them are thumpers. They are cunning fish, so berley, low light and dirty water are critical factors in getting them to feed. Bream only have to be 25cm to be legal in NSW, but fish of this size are not nearly worth keeping. If Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m after a feed I will start keeping them at about 28cm, but they arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a good bream until 35cm. Some really good fish are around this year and a couple of fish over 40cm are to be expected each session. Whiting will start to come into the river this month and you will see good ones in the clean water, but they will just frustrate you. For some reason they wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take a bait until the end of the month or even well into September some years. Blackfish numbers are improving and will continue to do so through August. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not going to go down in history as one of the best seasons for these tough fighters, but it is still worth wetting a line. They are underrated food fish too, and though they are not going to compete with whiting or reef

Tweed to Byron Bay by GAVIN DOBSON

fish, if treated properly they are a good feed. I guess after the past few years this has to be considered a good tailor season. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rubbish really but at least you can expect to catch a couple each trip and every now and then you will strike a better catch of good ones. Half the trouble is the big swells we keep having, which stop you getting to the good spots and also bugger up the beach formations. Getting offshore has been difficult because of those big swells and a lot of wind. The bar has been very shallow too, so it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take much swell to get it cracking. A handful of leatherjacket have just shown up, so it remains to be seen how weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll fare with them this year. Last year wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t too bad because they didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stay much longer than a week. If they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t turn up in big numbers, then this month is a good time to be fishing the 32-fathom line for parrotfish. I recently had a dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fishing where the parrot were seemingly the only fish biting. It was one of the rare flat days weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had in the past month and I was glad my mum had picked a nice day to come out with me. We started on the outside of the local reef just to get a feel for things and Mum immediately put two nice squire on ice. I hooked a very decent parrotfish shortly after but things soon slowed, so we headed for the 32-fathom reefs. Usually the 32s turns up a real mixture of species, not overly large, but great eating. After a couple of hours we caught a great feed of parrot but only one squire and one just-legal pearl perch. I kept moving around and the parrot kept turning up. I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t complaining because they are one of the best eating fish out there, but it was unusual not to get a bit of variety.

We headed back in closer because it was getting late in the arvo and I wanted to fish for a snapper in the shallows. We stopped to have a drop on a bit of gravel on the way in and more parrot came aboard. Anchoring in 15m of water, I float lined for a couple of hours and was rewarded with one lonely squire for my efforts. I had made the comment to Mum that we would be unlikely to catch a parrot at this spot. Well she got a bit of variety with some good moses perch and a couple of maori cod, but I was shocked when she pulled

in four good parrotfish. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not sure what it was, but something sure made the parrot bite that day and no one was complaining when I cooked up a big feed for the family that night. If the snapper havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t come in close this month, it will be time to start thinking of float lining the deep reefs for knobbies. By the end of this month there should be good snapper being caught on the 45s and 50s. If the jackets move in, night fishing is an option in the depths just mentioned. When they come in thick, a good period of snapper fishing is often found of an evening and overnight on Windarra Banks. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hope the weather lets us get out there and explore some of the options.

A nice midday parrotfish from the back of the Brunswick local reef.

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On a day when parrotfish dominated the catch, Helen Dobson proved there was some variety in the shallows with a few maori cod.

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Bush â&#x20AC;&#x2122;n Beach Fishing, August 2018 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Page 25

Close reefs set to improve and Richmond River running hot

ELLO and welcome to this month’s edition of BNB.

Xavier with a 38cm whiting.

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Just a few short weeks ago I was saying to some friends how warm the weather was for this time of year. Fast forward to now, and I know it’s getting cold when I have to go looking for my beanie, jumper and track pants before heading down to the beach or river to wet a line. It’s amazing how quickly the blast chiller can drop the temperature and turn our part of paradise into an igloo in a matter of days. I’m really not a fan of winter, and I do realise we can’t stop it, but the sooner summer gets back, the happier I will be. The offshore fishing over the past month still hasn’t settled into a normal winter pattern. While we are seeing some improvement in the number of snapper on the close reefs, they are definitely not at normal levels for this time of year. I can only suggest this is because we have had a mild and certainly late start to winter. The snapper that have hit the decks have been showing interest in 4”-5” soft plastics and vibes in brighter colours, along with lightly weighted pilchards for bait. Some good numbers of trag and a few mulloway have also been taken, but they have been a little inconsistent at times. I am expecting things on the close reefs to improve dramatically over the next month, so if you don’t normally fish in close, now is the time to give these areas more of a go. The 32-fathom line has produced a few snapper,

Ballina Bait & Tackle by BRETT HYDE

The next couple of months should be great for those who want to hunt a little wider and chase super-deep bottom dwellers, as this is the time of year when the current slows significantly and makes fishing these grounds much easier. flathead and tuskfish. The current has slowed a little and made fishing easier. Live baits such as yakkas and slimy mackerel, along with soft plastics and slow-pitch jigs, have all seen success. Reports have been coming in of leatherjacket on the 32-fathom line. They will continue to increase in number over the next few weeks, so be prepared on your next trip out and take extra terminal tackle, wire and leader just in case. The wider grounds are starting to produce quality pearl perch, kingfish and amberjack now the current has slowed somewhat. This drop in current has meant we can now target these fish with slow-pitch or high speed jigs. The only drama may be the leatherjacket because they don’t always stay around the 32-fathom line and they have a tendency

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to bite off jigs, which can make for a rather expensive day. The next couple of months should be great for those who want to hunt a little wider and chase super-deep bottom dwellers, as this is the time of year when the current slows significantly and makes fishing these grounds much easier. We are already seeing quality bar cod, blue-eye trevalla and bass groper coming from the continental shelf on a mix of live and dead baits. Back on the beaches, we are having a great run of tailor, with a few flathead and bream thrown into the mix as well. Blue pilchards, bonito and mullet fillets have all been good bait options. Plenty of fish have also been taken using shallowrunning hard-body lures and metal spinners. Most beaches seem to be holding fish but they are moving fairly quickly and being replaced by the next school of fish. With this good run of tailor on the beaches, the usual predators have also shown up, such as sharks and mulloway. For most anglers the mulloway have been a welcome distraction but the sharks can chew up a lot of valuable fishing time. As is usually the case,

the fight is over fairly quickly thanks to some very sharp teeth. Moving further into winter, we should see an improvement in the numbers of bream as well as an increase in the quality of tailor on the beaches. The Richmond River has slipped into winter mode rather well and a lot quicker than the above areas. Good-quality bream have been happy to take prawns, pilchards, mullet fillets and gut baits. The run-in tide has still been the better time to try your luck, and a few quality bream have been hitting smaller live baits fished at night and intended for school mulloway. Curl tail soft plastics, metal blades and crab imitations have all been good lure options, but given how clean the river is, you will need to stick with more natural colours. Numbers of luderick are steadily increasing and they have moved further upriver, with good size fish coming from the old ferry approach, along with some of the more common spots such as the Porpoise Wall and behind the CBD. The better numbers are being taken on black weed, however the goodold humble cabbage isn’t a bad option either. Flathead had seemed to be further upriver until the past couple of weeks when some better numbers popped up from the ferry to Wardell Bridge. Bright-coloured soft plastics and white pilchards have been the best bets to catch a feed on the run-out tide. I still think it will be worth checking out the shallow areas between Wardell Bridge and Broadwater, as the bulk of the flathead had been in that area previously. Try fishing the run-out tide in the afternoons because the fish seem to be very lethargic due to the cold weather in the mornings. That’s all from me for this month. ‘Til next time – tight lines!

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Page 26 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018

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Water quality brilliant and fishing getting better

Evans Head Deep Sea

Fishing Charters

’M now one year older, or can I say wiser?

Ah, maybe not but I am learning every day. Good, bad or ugly, as fishers we learn from our experiences and sometimes we learn bad habits and teach them as well. I write what I do and some might agree but others will disagree as they were taught differently. Whether their way or my way is wrong or right does not matter as long as the method works. I must apologise to the Evans Head Fishing Classic organisers for not writing about the Classic but unfortunately I was hospitalised for an extended period and in all the stuff that went down I just forgot. I was a bit crook and knew a hospital trip was coming up, so had done my normal article early and was going to do a Classic article when I came out. But no sooner had I come out of hospital than I collapsed and was rushed back in. I apologise once again. With bass season closed and the bass and estuary perch currently in the lower reaches of our river systems, you will encounter more and more of them as you fish for bream with hard-bodies and soft plastics. I have caught them at Iron Gates, the Bream Hole and even the beginning of the south wall in among the rocks. Let them go as soon as you catch them, and if you see someone not sure about bass, just tell them you can’t keep them until September 1. We have a lot of Victorian visitors who don’t know our fishing laws and I see a lot of them on the water asking what sort of fish bass are. Once again I hear and read about the councils in our areas talking about the quality of the Richmond River and what to do to fix it. I really don’t think they know. As I’ve said before, I’m not sure how many meetings I have attended and all the bull crap that comes out of them and still nothing has been done. I can think back over 14 years of meetings, with the government giving so many millions to work with, but I have seen no changes or any work apart from a few trees planted. I’m not sure what that’s going to do apart from save a few banks from collapsing. It will take years for that little tree to have any impact but I suppose it’s a start. The Evans River is looking so nice as I put pen to paper. The water quality is brilliant and fishing can only get better. Being so clear, nights and early mornings are best. www.bnbfishing.com. au

Evans Head by GARY ‘SQUIDGIE’ PALMER

If you are boating, I would try the upper reaches just up from Iron Gates. On a run-out tide, head to the Black Hole and drift back casting to the banks. You will get a lot of pan size flathead and very big bream. For the bream, you will need a bit of cover to cast into, while I find the best flathead are near the small run-off areas. I have also got some very good flathead hanging up on the banks. If you go past Black Hole, just on the first corner is a bit of deeper water where I have picked up quality flathead. For some reason big flathead like to lay there. On a good tide I used to be able to take my boat all the way upriver but now it’s a bit hard with all the snags. One day they will all clear and fishing all the way to Woodburn will be possible again. Chasing flathead and bream in the holes along with bass and EPs in the upper reaches will once again be on the wish list. Mind you, if you own a kayak you will be able to mix it with them right now. Heading out to the beaches, the beach up from the 4x4 track has a few nice gutters and some very big bream are being caught on cut baits. Tailor are being taken too but they are only just over legal size, so there’s no need for a whole pillie on three gang hooks. You could use a couple of hooks and cut your pillie in half but I’ll leave that up to you because you never know when a big school of good-sized tailor could come through the hole you are fishing. I love to fish the walls at this time of year for blackfish. Just get hold of some good weed or cabbage from the headlands and you should be able to put together a feed of fish. I like to fish just after a storm when the waves are churning and heaps of white water is coming in along the walls. Just pick a safe spot to fish with at least 3m of water and set a float up to hold your bait about 30cm off the bottom. Cast up-current and let the float go past you at least three rod lengths or more. If no downs (bites), just repeat. I can sit for an hour or more without a down as you just never know when a school of fish will come through. It’s a waiting game and to be good at it you need patience. Blackfishing is not everyone’s cup of tea but for success you need three things: good fresh bait

(weed and cabbage), patience and a good blackfish rod and reel. I feel the rod and reel are very important. I have seen some fishers use broomsticks to fish for them and wonder why they have caught none. You really need a 10’12’ long whippy rod or blackfish-specific item. I use a Wilson Blackfish rod and I have 10’ and 12’ models. I actually own three 12’ rods, one of which Brett Hyde rebound in South Sydney colours. It’s my pride and joy and I only bring it out when the Souths win games, so

it has seen a lot of action this year. Go the Bunnies. I only use one type of reel for blackfish and that is an Alvey. The centre pin reels are best for the job. It does not matter if you buy the dearest or the cheapest, these reels are the duck’s nuts for blackfishing. It doesn’t take long to teach yourself how to use an Alvey. It’s all about hand and finger control. I’m sure you can find something on YouTube regarding how to use them, but I found it really easy to pick up. A few mates use threadline reels, but if you are just learning, go and get the right gear for the job

and you will thank yourself later on. Mind you, I have seen some weird and wonderful gear and people out there on the walls. To anyone who wants to learn, just sit near an experienced blackfisher and watch. Don’t get in his or her ear, just ask if they mind you watching them. If the fisher is up for it, ask a few questions regarding how they go about their trade – and yes it is a trade as it would have taken them years to master. I’ve said my bit for this month. ‘Til next time, remember: limit your kill, don’t kill your limit. Tight lines and smelly fingers.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018 – Page 27

Luderick, tailor and jewfish for avid anglers

ISHING along the Clarence Coast of northern NSW really hit its straps during July, with the traditional winter species such as luderick, bream and tailor providing anglers with excellent fishing inside our river systems and along the open beaches.

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Luderick catches had been fairly dismal, however the fish finally came out to play once the cold weather really set in, with excellent bags of fish boated from inside the river along the Collis and Middle walls, with the preferred bait being black weed found upstream in the cane drains. Here at Iluka, the old ferry approach finally turned it on and local anglers Tony Arnold and Wayne Franklin bagged out most days they fished. Over on the Yamba side of the river, luderick are biting freely on the approaches to Oyster Channel Bridge and along the breakwall. Those anglers preferring to chase luderick from the headlands have also been taking horse fish on cabbage, and it was Sydney angler Ryan Freeman who led the way with a stud fish weighing 1.7kg taken from the rocks at Woody Head. As expected at this time of year, solid bream are being captured from just about anywhere you choose to wet a line, as visiting Chermside angler Jo Smith discovered by landing fish to a kilo on chicken gut along the Yamba wall. Tailor were also plentiful along the open beaches and headlands, with fish around 2kg quite common. The best fish I heard of was the 5.3kg specimen taken from Back Beach Iluka on whole garfish by visiting angler Josh Tyrell of Brisbane. Damien Hogue and Jeff Smith spun the Iluka Bluff over the school holidays with Halco metal slice lures for choppers

Just Jew by TYE PORTER

around the 1.5kg mark, while Allan Jefferies of the Sunshine Coast used bonito strips for fish to 4.2kg from Main Beach. Jewfish were once again taken far and wide on a variety of baits, and Bribie Island visitors Liam Howe and Mark Daraz were on hand to land school jew to 7.5kg on strip baits from inside the Clarence River along Middle Wall. Further upstream just off the green channel marker at Browns Rocks, David Rawlins used 5” Drop Bear soft plastics for several schoolies to 9kg. Other anglers fished the hot water outlet at the Harwood sugar mill with live herring for fish of similar size. Mischa Porter of Iluka, Guy Stewart of Lismore and Mark, Mitchell and Peter Cook of Casino used live mullet inside the Clarence for jew to 17kg during the high slack water. The Dowsett family of Gulmarrad has been giving the jewfish a headache along the Yamba breakwall using fresh squid bait. In last month’s issue I had a pic of Fran Dowsett with her first jewfish taken from the wall and that really got her husband Graham and son John motivated to fish. Though both men were rewarded with quality fish, they could not beat the 23kg specimen taken from the wall on a lure by Yamba angler Anthony Fryer. The Bluff and Woody Head have both produced school jew on hard-bodied lures during the low tide on dusk, along with loads of sizeable bream and tarwhine on peeled prawns. Ten Mile Beach at Shark Bay kept the holidaymakers happy by yielding nice mixed bags of swallowtail dart, bream and

tarwhine on pipi bait. A handful of reasonable school jew were also taken near the second wash-out on live beach worms during the rising tide at night. Offshore, the odd small longtail tuna is being boated off Minnie Water, and further north at Black Rocks snapper and trag have dominated catches. On a different note, I’d like to give a shout-out to Daiwa Australia for helping me out in fixing a reel for a young mate of mine. Young Jake Hyatt of Grafton bought a Daiwa Crossfire 2000 spin reel 18 months ago, only to have the bail spring break, which is not uncommon on threadline reels. After initially not being able to source the part, I contacted Daiwa direct and within a few days a package arrived at my door. Sadly the part was for a different model of Crossfire and the error came from me in not giving the company the correct part number. I contacted the company once more via email advising of my error, and within a couple of hours had a reply stating the correct parts were in the mail to me free of charge as I had already paid the previous postage and handling. These days on social media we get bombarded with people knocking

companies and businesses, so I feel it is only right to give a big pat on the back to the companies that go the extra mile to look after their customers, and that is Daiwa in a nutshell. Talking of companies, it was great news for Alvey tragics such as myself to hear that Alvey Reels is back up and running at full steam. I personally owe Alvey reels the world, as I could not have become a successful angler without their products. To Bruce Alvey, family and employees, I’d like to say thanks for a lifetime of awesome fishing only made possible by the mighty Alvey reel. Finally, I was gutted to hear Australian Pacific Composite rod manufacturers closed late last year. I have always used the company’s FSU 5162 blanks matched with my 700 A5 Alvey reel for jew fishing. If anyone out there knows where I can lay my hands on a Pacific Composite FSU 5162 blank, please give me a call on 0427 978 790. I am still using my current rod but would love to have a spare in the rack because I am pretty rough on gear. I’d be happy to travel up to 500km to pick one up. I know of a Kilwell FSU 5162 on the market, however it is a totally different blank and not quite what I need. Until next month, safe fishin’.

Lismore angler Guy Stewart made several trips to Iluka chasing jew using live mullet last month and was successful each time.

Tim the Bream – Yamba Fishing Classic 2018

AMBA’S famous annual Tim the Bream fishing competition, which attracted crowds of up to 17,000 entrants in its heyday, will return to the Clarence River in September 2018.

After a successful return to the Clarence in 2016, the Rotary Club of Yamba has continued the tradition to host the Yamba Fishing Classic, with this year’s event mirroring the original 1958 event prizes for catching tagged fish. The featured prize catch of ‘Tim The Bream’ is worth a whopping $20,000, while another 10 tagged fish are valued at $1000 each. There are great prizes for the heaviest yellowfin bream, flathead, luderick, jewfish, trevally and whiting. The main weekend event Page 28 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018

will be held at Ford Park, Yamba. Bring your live yellowfin bream, flathead, luderick, jewfish, trevally and whiting for weigh-in and go in the running for the biggest catch. Prizes are also awarded for the weirdest fish species weighed in. There will be fishingrelated markets, boating and fishing education, food stalls and music at the event. Registration is online at stickytickets.com.au, however tickets will be available soon at all bait and tackle shops in Yamba and Iluka. Registration is also possible at Ford Park over the weekend from 6am Saturday. For any further information, search for Tim the Bream online or call Gayle on 0417 002 682. www.bnbfishing.com. au

Trailer troubles result in serious repairs ■ Blackfish ■ Bream ■ Flathead ■ Jew on beaches

I and welcome to this month of BNB.

The past month has been a challenge, that’s for sure. I got home after work recently to a letter stating my boat trailer needed an inspection before registration. After having owned my second-hand boat and trailer for just 12 months I thought cool, shouldn’t be anything bad, but I’ll give it a once over and if anything needs replacing I’ll get it sorted out and take it in to get a 100 percent pass. Or so I thought… I had my uncle meet me at his warehouse so we could grab his forklift and lift the boat off the trailer to do a complete check over and replace anything required. When I bought the boat and trailer I was more involved in checking out the boat than what was underneath it. I’m paying for it now, as my trailer is chopped in half with the whole back end being replaced as I type. We found the trailer had not been capped off at the end of the frame and had not been completely galvanised inside and out, so water got in every time I reversed the trailer down the ramp. The rust had basically eaten its way through the trailer from the inside out and was the reason I didn’t see it when I bought the damn thing (lesson learnt). So after doing the old hammer trick all over the trailer, half of it was ready for the scrapyard. I’m now out of pocket over $600 in getting steel fabricated and a boilermaker to do the job and it’s just done my head in how I didn’t pick this up in the first place.

3WAYSFISHIN – Newcastle by NATHAN ‘NATH’ PALMER

As my uncle said, we don’t usually take a hammer when buying a boat and trailer and start hitting it in front of the seller to see if there are any rust pockets, but it makes sense for me to do just that next time to make sure the trailer is sound and I am getting my money’s worth, that’s for sure. Once we found the rust and where it ended, out came the grinders and within 10 minutes my 4.6m trailer was down to 2.8m and I was in shock seeing how much needed replacing (damnit). This month I was hoping to show you some of the Cranka Crab catches I’ve been getting, but that will have to wait until next month. Instead I will talk a little about trailer care and the things you need to do when washing down your boat and trailer once a month to keep your pockets lined with cash for fishing gear rather than spending money like I’m doing right now, which is keeping me off the water. After my trailer has been fabricated the way I want it, I will be sending it for a full galvanised dip to make sure I am not in this situation again. I’ve been told not to cap the back end of the frame just in case the welding has pin holes and allows water to be trapped inside. The new setup will have the top end of the frame

open so I can flush water down it and it can completely drain and dry under tow. I was recently told that fish oil applied once a month will help a steel trailer last, but it can be very tacky and becomes unsightly over time, collecting sand and dirt. You can also use Tectyl, which is a petroleumbased product in an aerosol can. It has a wax coating and can last up to five years if you apply it well. Being a first-time steel trailer owner (I’ve always owned aluminium), I’m looking forward to giving these methods a shot and seeing how they work. A mate will use the fish oil and I’ll be using the Tectyl, so we will see which is best. When I’ve washed my boats over the years I’ve done the boat first and then the trailer. I found I spent less time washing the trailer and put the most effort into the boat. Now I’ll be starting on the bottom first and working my way up to the boat to make sure I have done the best I can to keep the trailer free of saltwater damage. Some great cleaning products are on the market these days but luckily I have an uncle who owns a cleaning company, so I get all my products from him. As long as you have very

The start of the new trailer build. Ben Canvin caught the first snapper of the day.

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soapy water, a good hard brush and a good hose with decent water pressure you will clean everything and do a good job to keep salt off your boat and trailer. Another good way to keep your trailer clean is to use an air blower to dry it. If your boat is kept outdoors, you can cover the whole lot with a tarp to keep the worst of the weather off it. I’ll be doing just that when my trailer is all done or until we move into a new home with a large shed to keep my pride and joy safe and sound. Newcastle fishing OK, enough trailer talk, let’s get into what’s been going on in Newcastle. Blackfish season has been a blast, with Nelson Bay (Port Stephens) the pick. Solid catches have been landed around the marina. I’m talking 1.5-2kg studs, with plenty of them to go round. Some mates have been using fake weed but fresh is best and there is heaps around if you know where to look. I’m planning my next trip and expect to be standing shoulder to shoulder with other anglers as word has got out that this is the place to be to catch a few. Stockton breakwall is another great spot to hit but finding and keeping them has been a struggle. With the wind in your face, it’s tough as your float just gets blown back to your feet. Alternatively, places like Nelson Bay are protected and you can get out of the wind and have a good crack at them. If you get the time, it’s worth the one-hour drive from Newcastle. Plenty of good size bream are around in Newcastle Harbour and as you probably know, I love hitting the pylons. If you can find a spot out of the wind you will land a few as bait is everywhere. You will see the bait getting busted up on the surface, so make sure you are rigged up with a ZMan GrubZ ready to cast into the school. Run a tight drag as some large ones are about. Flathead and whiting are all over the sand bars past Stockton Bridge including good size table fish and some larger ones in the mix. Soft vibes in 70, 90 and 100mm have been the standouts along with large plastics fished very slowly. If you can keep the wind at your back and the tides working with you, I’m sure you will land a few. As for whiting, small poppers and stickbaits are heaps of fun for landing a few.

Take a mixed bag of lures and get into them. In a southerly wind, a productive spot is the ponds on the left past Stockton Bridge. This is one of my favourite locations for targeting bream, flathead and whiting. It’s heaps of fun walking the rock walls and flicking small grub plastics and my favourite Atomic Hardz Crank 38 lures close to the oyster-covered rocks. I’ve caught cracker fish here and it’s also a great place to take the kids. It’s a very safe spot to teach them, with minimal snags and heaps of crabs and other creatures to keep them entertained while you get a few casts out. Stockton Beach is fishing OK, with a heap of salmon and tailor captured on pillies. We’ve also hooked several cracking whiting early in the morning on a rising tide. At night-time you’ll score the odd jew if you can get past the taxman. Heaps of sharks are being hooked late of an afternoon into the night, so beef up your gear if you want to try your luck chasing jewfish. Fighting a shark is fun too if you’re into that. Ben Canvin and Nick Berry (the Slippery Boys) have been having a ball chasing snapper around the boat harbour and off Tomaree (Nelson Bay) with good catches weighing 2-3kg. These are perfect table size fish and were hooked using Gulp plastics, which they tell me was a heap of fun. I’m just waiting on that phone call from them to invite me out but I’m being overlooked at the moment. I might have to hide in their boat the next time they go. Every time they have gone out they have come back with a few kilos of fillets. I’m very keen to fill my freezer with a few snapper, that’s for sure. The mud hole just out from Newcastle Harbour is still fishing well for snapper, trag and the odd jew. It’s well worth the short trip. Grab a few mates and pick the day and tides, take fresh baits or plastics and get into them while they’re in close. Well that’s me for this month. I hope next month I’ll have some great pics of blackfish, snapper, bream and flathead as well as my new fixed trailer. Stay safe on the water and enjoy the winter fishing.

Nic Berry with a couple of decent jewfish.

The author’s trailer about to be cut in half.

The trailer chopped in half and free of rust.

The start of the new trailer build.

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018 – Page 29

Prime time to target winter species

ITH August the last month of winter and those water temperatures at their coolest, there’s never been a better time to target cold water species.

Craig Mullet with a nice tailor taken from Pincushion. Photos: fishingnoosa.com.au

In the Noosa River, plenty of quality bream are being landed near the river mouth, the sand bags at the dog beach and the deeper sections of Woods Bays. Most anglers are using fresh strips of mullet, live herring, prawns and live bloodworms. In the Frying Pan we’ve seen great size bream along with elbow-slapper whiting. It is great visual fun to chase these fish with small surface lures in-

Sunshine Coast by WADE QUALISCHEFSKI

cluding Bassday Sugapens and Cultiva Zip ‘n Ziggys. If you like soft plastics, stick to small grubs and minnows because they have been very effective. At this time of year you’ll often find good size tailor in the same area due to the large schools of mullet. Try medium size poppers and walk the dog lures, which provide plenty of entertainment when you see the fish smash the lure. The Woods Bays and Noosa Sound is trevally

alley, with mixed schools including golden, diamond, tea-leaf, bigeye and giant trevally feeding hard early of a morning and late into the afternoon. Micro jigs continue to be the pick of lures for chasing trevs throughout the river because they allow you to cover a lot of ground and fish the entire water column. A good tip is to rig them with an assist hook on top and treble on the bottom, providing a better hookup rate. For further rigging tips, drop in and see the teams

at any of the Davo’s Tackle outlets. Prawn imitations are another consistent producer. Take the time to ensure you rig your plastics nice and straight for maximum results. Up along the ski run, jewfish continue to be caught, with fish up to 80cm taken on these imitations including the Fish Candy Smash Prawn 95mm as well as live baits. In the Maroochy River, bream catches are increasing, including numerous solid fish over 40cm. The river mouth has been the pick of the spots for big bream, with fresh mullet strips and small pillies the go-to baits. Chopper tailor and trevally have been making their way through the mouth on the run-in tide and they seem to hang around the stretch from Nojoor Rd to the motorway bridge. Small slugs worked fast through the schools of baitfish have claimed their fair share. Jewfish have been active throughout the river, with night-time producing quality fish. Paddle vibes such as the new Fish Candy Poddy Mullet Swimbaits and Samaki Vibelicious Thumper Tails have enticed fish due to their broad tails that produce a lot of vibration, which the jewfish find irresistible. Offshore water temps have been perfect for our favourite reef dwellers, with plenty of fish on the chew due to the large

numbers of baitfish present at this time of year. Even though plenty of good frozen baits are available, don’t be afraid to take a bait jig and catch yourself some livies on the way out. A couple of my favourite species that respond well to live bait are pearl perch and coral trout. Even though the trout are not as active at this time of year, there is always a chance when using live yakkas. Out on the Barwon Banks in the 60m depth range, good size pearlies have been landed. The best baits have been freshly caught or storebought slimy mackerel. To make these baits irresistible to pearlies, slice up either side of the fish to just past the bottom of the fish and remove the tail insert. Then rig the fish with three 5/0 Tru-Turn gangs by placing the first hook in the head, second in the back and let the last hook swing loose in the middle of the tail section. You can place this bait on either a paternoster or running sinker rig, depending on the current. Off Noosa at Sunshine and North reefs we’ve seen good catches of snapper, trout, tuskfish and a few large squid. To the south off Mooloolaba 9 Mile, Murphys Reef and Gneerings Shoal is where most anglers have boated sweetlip, maori cod, snapper and ☛ continued P32

Rob Kelly secured this awesome snapper off Coolum Reef.

Page 30 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018

Melanie Jade Ottaway caught this school jew on a soft plastic rigged by the Davo’s Northshore crew.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018 – Page 31

Tide Times Sponsored by

AUSTRALIA EAST COAST - BRISBANE BAR

Fraser Island mates’ trip at Eurong Beach Resort

LOVE this time of year in Queensland.

It’s beach fishing season. Not only that, it is also a great time of year to wade the estuary flats for whiting and flathead. Like everywhere this year, it has been an early and great start to the flathead season on Fraser Island’s flats. As I mentioned in my ‘Planning a Fraser Island trip’ article last month, this year I am undertaking three Fraser Island trips. The first was a short trip of three nights with a couple of brothers and mates staying at Eurong Beach Resort. In over 22 years of boys’ fishing trips to the island, we have never stayed at a resort, though my family and I have done so a couple of times in recent years. So, it was with some excitement and a new sense

Fishing Trip by SEAN ‘SKIP’ THOMPSON

of adventure that we set ourselves up in the comforts of the resort this year. The resort Eurong Beach Resort is located 35km from Hook Point at the southern end of the island and is nicely set back just behind the dunes. The resort is also about a one-hour drive from its ‘sister’ resort at Kingfisher Bay where the barge from River Heads lands. Being a boys’ fishing trip, we didn’t want anything too fancy accommodation-wise. We wanted to be comfortable yet still be able to bring some of our fishing gear into the rooms to rerig on the balcony and whatnot.

A quality tailor from the beach and the ever-reliable Alvey reel.

WADDY POINT - FRASER ISLAND

Flathead just love pink lures, this time a Z-Man Curl TailZ.

As it turned out, the resort suited us nicely in the form of a couple of fully serviced apartments with cooking facilities and a big fridge/freezer to store bait, drinks and so on. The other great thing about staying here is with buffet breakfast and dinner we didn’t need to worry about bringing Eskies full of food, which meant more room for fishing gear. The other advantage was we had easy access to the bakery and shop for coffee, fuel, ice, snacks and other odds and ends we needed. The fishing Because we only had four days on the island and arrived and departed from Kingfisher Bay, we decided in advance that we would fish the western side of the island on our first and final days. As it turned out, the swell on the beaches was up and unfortunately big swells meant the beach just north of Poyungan Rocks was closed or just accessible an hour around low tide, so we decided rather than take the long way around and back, we would head over to the western side for another day session. The fishing is more tide rather than time based on the western side, so on our first and third days we still arrived back at the resort to fillet our fish on the beach and get cleaned up in time for dinner. Western side action As we caught the first Fraser Island ferry to Kingfisher Bay to arrive at 7.30am on our first day, we hit the ground running and fished the western side of the island. You have a few options on the western side after you arrive at Kingfisher.

Prime time to target winter species ☛ from P30

moses perch. The late afternoon and into the night has been the preferred fishing time, with quality pilchards, slimies and local squid doing the damage. The key to night fishing on the local close reefs is to have plenty of berley and fish both a single running sinker rig and floater out the back with either a large pillie or whole squid for big snapper. If the southerly wind is blowing a little and you’re still keen for a fish, try anchoring in front of the headlands between Mooloolaba and Alexandra Headland in 7-8m of water. The beaches are super busy at the moment, especially from Coolum to Pincushion, with tailor sizes on the improve as Page 32 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018

we move further into the season. Most anglers are finding the run-in tide after dark is producing the bigger fish. The perfect setup for big tailor involves good strong bait such as salted bonito fillets on a two-hook rig. I use and recommend Tru-Turn strip bait rigs, which are made up of two different sized 711 hooks and come pre-rigged with a wire trace and glow tube, making them ideal for big tailor. Jewfish are still going hard around Yaroomba Rocks on the run-in and the sand bags at Cotton Tree on the start of the run-out. Our famous fresh mullet is responsible for most catches, while live beach worms have been the winner in the open

beach gutters at night. Good bream are on the open beaches and Teewah, with first light on a run-in tide the better time. Excellent baits include fresh mullet and bonito strips on a Mustad long bait-holder hook. One important note when chasing bream in the surf is to throw a handful of berley around your feet every so often, allowing the waves to slowly disperse it and attract the bigger fish in close. Jump onto fishingnoosa.com.au for upto-date bar and fishing reports, and don’t forget to drop into Davo’s Tackle World, Davo’s Boating and Outdoors in Noosa and Davo’s Northshore Bait & Tackle at Marcoola to find out where the fish are biting!

This includes driving down to the Ungowa area, walking and fishing the flats to the south of Kingfisher Bay, fishing around and just north of the jetty, or taking a longer drive and heading inland and north to Woralie Creek. Whiting and bream If you plan to go bait fishing for whiting like we did, it is a good idea to bring some live beach worms as well as a yabby pump because many of these locations have plenty of yabby banks. In fact, to ensure we were well prepared on the day we arrived on the island, we bought live beach worms at Davo’s Bait and Tackle Noosa the day before and kept them alive with portable aerators. We also pumped yabbies to go with the worms for a bit of variety. Sometimes whiting prefer worms, while at other times having a mix of worms and yabbies can deliver better results, so we wanted our bases covered. Likewise on our next trip two days later, we brought live beach worms we caught from the beach near Eurong and topped them up with a few yabbies. Once again we kept our worms alive overnight using a couple of aerators in a shallow polystyrene box. If you have a larger surface area of water, the water will stay fresher and keep your worms alive longer (though you should change the water once or twice from when you catch them if keeping them overnight). Avoid putting the worms in a deep bucket of water as they will corkscrew upwards and break off. One final tip is to remove the slime from your worms as you catch them to keep them alive longer. Back to the whiting. We had two reasonably good sessions on the whiting but they weren’t yet in the numbers you can find during their peak of August/September on the flats. Consistent with previous years, for the couple of guys in our group who chased whiting during the hour either side of low tide, the action was very slow. This was because of very little movement in the water. Whiting like some movement as they follow the tide in or out as it pushes over yabby banks and into soft sandy drains and bait-

filled melon holes. Once the tide picked up outside these periods, we caught nice whiting to 34cm, mostly on the worms. Our usual successful target areas were once again: the slightly deeper channels/drains that fill over the flats; off the edge of sand spits and higher sandbanks dropping into deeper water; across areas of soft sand littered with melon holes; and in areas where the water runs off the flats creating mini waves and ripples that stir up the bait and attract fish at the same time. Our technique for chasing whiting on the flats is to cast our bait out as far as we can and slowly retrieve. Once we find fish, we cast back closer to the spot we caught them. Use minimal sinker size, nothing more than a 2 ball, or the weight will feel unnatural to the fish and the splash will spook them. See my article in the July edition for rigs but also check out a video on presenting a live worm on my Ontour Fishing Australia Facebook page. Flathead Low tide is slow for whiting, but perfect for chasing flathead on the flats. On Fraser’s flats we like to target flatties during the last two hours of the falling tide and the first hour to 90 minutes of the rising tide. This concentrates the fish around drop-offs (some as little as 0.5m deeper than the water around them), at the entrances of drains and in sandy patches among the weed. Any areas of discoloured water amongst very clear water are also worth targeting. We caught a few fish on our first trip but as we arrived only around the time of the low tide, we missed our favourite last two hours of the run-out. Two days later, we arrived two hours before low, but also on a lower low tide. That is, as we were two days closer to the full moon, the tide was lower and gave us better access to some drop-offs and drains that didn’t completely run out two days earlier. On our last day, as we waited for the ferry to arrive at Kingfisher Bay, my mate Chris and I fished the flats beside Kingfisher jetty for more success. ☛ continued P33

Keeping beach worms alive in a shallow tray with aerators.

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COMPETITION DATES COMPETITION

DATE

LOCATION

2018 A nice feed from the western side of the island.

Fraser Island mates’ trip at Eurong Beach Resort ☛ from P32

On this occasion, we found three flathead lies at low tide in an area not far from a drop into cleaner water. First cast, we had a double hook-up! We got a couple more fish from the same spot and let them go because we already had enough for a feed or two from our trip. Check out our Facebook page for a video of the before and after footage of finding these lies in the sand. Our successful tackle was light 1-3kg and 2-4kg graphite rods such as Lox Fishing models around 7’ long. We used Platypus Platinum+ braid in 5lb and Platypus P8 braid in 6lb with fluorocarbon leaders of 10lb and 12lb. Provided you keep the fish’s head below the water, this breaking strain is all you need. You can do this by reducing the line angle from the rod (with your rod held low and to the side of you), and you can eventually wear the fish out after a few runs in the shallow water before sliding it up a sandbank. In terms of lures, once again this year the Z-Man range proved very effective in the 2.5” SwimZ, 4” MinnowZ and 4” Curl TailZ. Pink, Green Lantern and Motor Oil all worked well. In addition, we also tried out Halco’s range of Madeye soft plastics. I got a fish first and fifth cast, so was suitably impressed and tried out a few to see what worked best. By far the best was the Flick Stick range in Amber Oil, Ivy Flash and Coffee colours. If you want to try some lures that fish haven’t seen so much in our waters, give them a go (Halco is based in Western Australia). In terms of jig head size, we used 1/8-1/4oz depending on the wind, with 1/6oz often a good option. We prefer the Finesse www.bnbfishing.com. au

range of TT jig heads in the HeadlockZ series. The Finesse range comes with blue packaging and the advantage is with a thinner gauge, the fish are much easier to pin in shallow water. These jig heads also lift and drop much more naturally in the shallow water of 0.5-1m or so. Beach fishing As mentioned, due to the swell and surf conditions, the beach was a little sloppier than we prefer for tailor. A succession of waves stretched from the horizon into the beach and it was harder to find the cleaner and greener gutters the tailor like. However, I did get up pre-dawn on the day we stayed on the beach and was rewarded with a few tailor just after dawn. I managed to find a gutter about 5km north of Eurong that had an obvious pattern of the waves rising but not breaking in some darker green water. A telltale sign of this deeper water in the dark of pre-dawn was the sand from the beach dropping away steeply into the water. There are some videos of our gutters along with some commentary on our Ontour Fishing Australia page. We tried the same gutter and another spot further

north later that day around dusk, but the high tide, wind and strong northerly sweep made it very difficult fishing. We weren’t too troubled by this, as it meant an early night, a hot shower and a yummy buffet dinner back at the resort, then our feet up in front of the TV watching the State of Origin! During the middle of the day on our beach day, we got a bunch of beach worms on a sand spit not far from the resort. Sand worms are best targeted two hours before to one hour after low tide. A couple of videos on our Facebook page show how we did it along with a few tips. Summary All in all, it was a short yet sweet visit to Eurong Beach Resort for our first Fraser trip of the season. We can highly recom-

mend a stay at the resort for a boys’, girls’ or fishing group trip. The area is fenced from the dingoes, the accommodation comfortable, you have everything you need nearby, hot showers after fishing and you don’t even have to bring your own food. If you choose to cook in your apartment or use the barbecues, you don’t have to worry about keeping your meals on ice in Eskies for several days. So until next month, I hope you got a few tips for your next Fraser trip. Hopefully I will have more fish and some other great features from the resort to report on after my family trip coming up shortly. For more reports and videos, don’t forget to like and follow my Ontour Fishing Australia Facebook page.

A brace of flathead caught near Kingfisher jetty.

Moreton Bay Fishing Classic

Aug 12-19

Moreton Bay – 07 3396 8161 www.facebook.com/mbtbcmanly

ABBT* Bass Singles

Aug 18-19

Somerset Dam – Russell Nowland a/hrs 07 4165 4286 or 07 4167 8183

King of the Fitzroy Fishing Competition

Aug 18-19

Rockhampton– Keppel Bay Sportfishing Club facebook.com/events/182647292394368

Reel Wivenhoe Classic

Aug 18-19

Lake Wivenhoe – fishingfreshwater.com.au

Catch a Catty Family Fishing Comp

Aug 25-26 Mingo Crossing – Beppie Stanley 07 4156 3185 E: beppie,s@bigpond.com

ARB Moreton Island Fishing Classic

Aug 29Sep 2

Moreton Island Beach Fishing moretonislandadventures.com.au/events

ABBT* Bass Singles

Sep 15-16

Wuruma Dam – Russell Nowland a/hrs 07 4165 4286 or 07 4167 8183

WTF Women That Fish Barra Classic

Sep 21-22

Rockhampton – Shara Vanhaeren 0429 923 243

Bowen Family Fishing Classic

Sep 22-23 Bowen – Russ McCabbin 0428 776 653 or 07 4786 3899 bowenfamilyfishingclassic@yahoo.com.au

Gold Coast Flathead Classic

Sep 25-28 Gold Coast – flatheadclassic.com.au

ABBT* Bass Singles

Oct 13-14

BP Dam – Russell Nowland a/hrs 07 4165 4286 or 07 4167 8183

WIN Television Family Fishing Classic

Oct 20-21

Lake Monduran – Gin Gin masa-fishstocking.org.au

ABBT* X-Factor Teams Grand Final

Oct 27-28

Dam TBA – Russell Nowland a/hrs 07 4165 4286 or 07 4167 8183

Lake Callide Family Fishing Classic

Oct 27-28

Lake Callide – Nigel Krueger 0402 923 443

Lions Mary Valley Family Fishing Classic

Nov 3-4

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ABBT* Bass Grand Final

Nov 24-25 Cania Dam – Russell Nowland a/hrs 07 4165 4286 or 07 4167 8183

2019 Boondooma Yellowbelly Fishing Competiton

Feb 9-10

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Muddy Water Classic

Apr 20-21

Dawson River, Moura – Zelma Lewis 07 4997 1932 E: m.a.f.s.g@bigpond.com

*Australian Basstasstic Bass Tournament To have your competition listed in the calendar please phone (07) 3286 1833, email design@bnbfishing.com.au or fax (07) 3821 2637

Doing it tough and having a coldie by the resort pool.

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018 – Page 33

Squidding trip at Tin Can Bay ■ Exploring inland of the Sunshine Coast

H The swimming hole at Peach Trees.

Supposedly the biggest cactus in Australia.

The author’s arsenal of squid jig colours.

Gavin and Troy with some great eating Tin Can Bay squid and cuttlefish.

> Hervey Bay > Fraser Island > Sandy Strait

I, it’s Craig Tomkinson here.

With August upon us, it should be business as usual on the fishing front. The reef fishing in close should be good, with mulloway and big snapper on the wrecks including the Taipan Star, but fish the tide changes for better results. When fishing the closer reefs, the early morning with a tide change will be a good option, as will the 40-60km reefs off Double Island Point and up along Fraser Island. If you are fishing at daytime, focus on the new moon, as it should produce a better bite period through the day. Fishing wise, I have not been out since I came back from Inskip Point several weeks ago, though I did manage to chase squid at Tin Can Bay with my two sons Troy and Gavin. Because the boat had not been used for a few weeks, I did the usual safety checks like charge the battery, put new fuel in the tank, check the oil in the motor, look to see if rats had chewed any wires around the motor, check the tyre pressures and made sure I had all my safety gear in the boat. Because the boat is stored outside, I take everything out and put it in the shed to keep it dry. Once everything was ship shape I hooked the earmuffs up to the motor and gave it a run. As usual, my 60hp fourstroke Yamaha fired up as soon as I turned the key. This is my third four-stroke 60hp Yamaha, and they are the best outboard motors I have owned. It was cold, so we did not leave Cooroy until 7am. We headed up the highway to Gympie where I bought a couple of new squid jigs off Tony at Fisherman’s Warehouse, then we went down to Tin Can Bay. The carpark was nearly full of empty boat trailers, so it was good to see people out on the water enjoying life. The boys and I headed out of Snapper Creek and down to Carlo Creek where about eight boats were drifting around chasing squid. I asked a few of them if they were getting any squid and most said only one. After checking the sounder, I figured the boats around us were in too shallow for that area, so we moved out into 10m of water. I put two new Daiwa Emer-

Noosa to Fraser Coast by CRAIG TOMKINSON

aldas Nude 3.0 squid jigs on the boys’ rods, while I tied on a green jig I bought at BCF for about $4. We all dropped down and straight away Gavin was on, catching two squid in five minutes. I thought it was great that this new jig colour was working well, and after a few drifts we had each caught about the same number of squid, with 10 good ones in the boat. By now the other boats had come over and were drifting the same line as us but only catching one every now and then. But that is how squid are – they seem to want a different colour every time I go chasing them. We drifted around and up through the yachts and a few other spots for another hour for seven more squid. Next we ran up to the power lines but only got one there because the water was pretty dirty from rain. The squid only seem to be on the chew when the water is moving with the tide. As they say, no run, no fun. We headed for home and on the way back we pulled into Bernard Petroleum at Goomboorian and fuelled up. While there, Gavin noticed the big cactus in the lot and said it is the biggest cactus in Australia. I asked him how he knew and he said he read it on the sign. I’ve been fuelling up there for over 20 years and have never read the sign myself. Change of pace My wife Donna and I are keen birders and through a birding group we met Chris, who is a guru at finding rare birds and documenting them. He had heard of a sighting of diamond firetail finches out Jimna way but he only owns a two-wheel-drive car and a

mountain bike, so couldn’t reach them. Donna said if he was keen we could go for a drive on one of our favourite 4WD roads up and over Mount Buggery to Jimna and we could all look for the diamond firetails and other birds out that way. Chris was very keen, so early one morning we picked him up in our old 80 Series LandCruiser and headed out to Imbil, over Mount Buggery and out at the entrance to Landcruiser Mountain Park near Jimna. We drove back towards Jimna and pulled up where Chris said the birds had been seen. We all hopped out of the 4WD and walked up a few tracks in the area. Lo and behold, I saw one take off in front of us and land on

the ground about 30m away. Chris had his binoculars and saw the bird walking around on the ground. After a little while it took off and landed in a tree right in front of us but we did not get a photo as the camera could not focus on the bird and it flew off. But at least we saw a rare bird for that area. We drove into Peach Trees camping area and enjoyed the walking tracks. If you have never been to this area, there are plenty of lovely grassy areas for camps, with fire pits and a toilet block with flushing toilets. It has great swimming holes if you’re there in summer. We drove down Sunday Creek Rd back to Charlie Moreland camping area and then back to Kenilworth and finally home. It was a great day out. ‘Til next month, be safe on the water.

The suspension bridge at Peach Trees.

Going light to get the bite

T is mighty chilly, and my fingers would prefer to be tucked under a blanket, not tapping a keyboard. The weather change has started to affect the fish. We are finding big schools of non-committal fish on the sounder and not getting too many bites. Occasionally a fish gets

Fraser Guided Fishing by TRI TON

stupid, but we never really see it become a pattern. However, if you find only a few fish, you might get a bite in relatively short time. Go figure! Maybe the build-up to the

next new moon will change this frustrating cycle. When the bite is tough, try using lighter lures, lighter leaders and frustrate the hell out of the fish. ☛ continued P35

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www.fraserguidedfishing.com.au > 0427 230 261 Page 34 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018

Gavin worked hard to boat this golden. Luckily this fish wasn’t as tight lipped as its mates.

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Going light to get the bite ☛ from P34

Lighter lures waft and sink more realistically, especially when fished with slower actions and retrieves. Just think of holding a soft plastic and how difficult it is to keep dead still. It’s impossible, so sometimes less is indeed more. Deadsticking can be extremely effective on fussy fish. Just be sure the lure is actually in the vicinity of some fish. Often teamed with a light lure is a light leader. This can be important to help the lure sink and transmit soft bites or the bottom. Light leaders are obviously thinner and hence harder to see, which is something to consider with the smaller winter tides and cooler water – two factors that control water clarity. Aggressive-action lures and retrieves will catch fish in all seasons, the key is to stop the fish thinking and instead get them to ‘react’ to your presentation. Whipping soft lures, jigs and vibes deep can catch you anything from snapper to queenfish, tuna, trevally and even bottom species. Leader size and lure weight won’t matter too much. Luckily the tuna have been around, so when I get frustrated I turn to them. They have not been easy

Whipping soft lures, jigs and vibes deep can catch you anything from snapper to queenfish, tuna, trevally and even bottom species. to catch but it has been worth the persistence. Those fortunate enough to spot the bigger longtail tuna have found them easy to hook. The tough part is finding the bigger models. Let’s hope this tuna fishing continues a while longer. The longtails will no doubt continue to make an appearance as we drift deep plastics for snapper. And as for the snapper, I’ve seen no big numbers yet. However, I’ve heard of a few down off Inskip Point, so hopefully they move north soon. The water is much colder than last year, so fingers crossed! The sharks have definitely moved on with the water temperature drop too, which is awesome. When snapper are more active and looking upwards or swimming midwater, I like to use light jig heads (up to 1/2oz) with

a grub or paddle tail and lighter leader up to 20lb. Your lure doesn’t need to be big (remember, elephants eat peanuts). When snapper are hugging the bottom, 3/4oz and 1oz heads are ideal for getting there fast. I use bigger grubs and jerk shads in this case. I am yet to notice a particular jigging style that works consistently for snapper in Hervey Bay. You can use more aggressive twitches with the light heads, but keep in mind you want the lure to still have some depth. I like softer pulses and hops on the heavier head options. Several solid queenies have shown up. Mostly they are sub-metre fish but the odd horse has been mixed in. It would be nice to see decent numbers hang around, especially if a few horses stay in the game. They are fast and honest sportfish.

In winter they don’t seem to jump as much, and hence do not burn themselves out to the point of death. If you catch queenies, be quick with photos and sometimes a swim before release is a good idea, especially when the water is warmer. As a general rule, keep any fish out of water for as short a period as possible. If you are eating the fish it doesn’t matter, but let’s not kid ourselves about catch and release. Do so with caution, as what’s the point if you throw back a compromised or dead fish? Remember what catch and release is meant to be about: the fish first. The photo is nice to have but it is way nicer to catch the quarry two years on after it has packed on a few more kilos.

Quang from Bait Tackle Store was rewarded with his PB snapper. Cheers for rallying a crew from your shop.

Jay from Davo’s Northshore Bait and Tackle loved his first experience with longtails.

Arif entered the 1m club with a lovely queenfish.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018 – Page 35

A nice redthroat emperor in incredible conditions. The author with his first trout of the day on the floating pillie rig.

A slob of an estuary cod that took some serious budging off the bottom.

Tangling with reefies on Turkey Beach trip

CHOOL holidays had begun and I had been watching the central Queensland weather for a week, and things weren’t looking great.

The author’s PB grass sweetlip taken on the faithful float-lined pilchard.

The second trout nabbed by the author on the rig discussed in the article.

Page 36 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018

All sites showed the same thing: the wind worsening as the week went on. With time off already booked, it had to be this week or nothing, so it looked bleak for the old boy and I. I knocked off my final shift on a Sunday night feeling a little defeated, as it didn’t look like we were going on our annual Turkey Beach trip. I saw my dad when I got home and he was grinning from ear to ear, saying the weather looked to be coming good and we should start packing gear. The following day we got to work organising a selection of rods, reels and other terminal tackle including hooks and sinkers and packing them into the boat. We were constantly checking the weather and decided to pencil in Thursday to Sunday because the weather window was looking to hold Friday

Fishing Trip by LACHIE BAKER

and Saturday before a strong change at midnight on Saturday. On Wednesday we bought bait, plastics and food and finished packing the car. I was feeling excited but also very nervous because I was worried the weather window wouldn’t hold. We stayed positive and left at 5.30am Thursday full of anticipation. Dad recently bought a new Sea Jay 5.5m custom plate centre console and he was dead keen on giving it a run, however we both had to wait for the seemingly never-ending roadworks to let us through. We arrived just after midday and saw the wind was still hanging around, so we shot up Seven Mile Creek and sounded over a rock bar while looking for a sneaky winter barra. Countless small GTs, cod and moses perch were landed and I dropped a nice blue salmon but that was about it. We went home undeterred and rigged up for the following day. We planned on fishing around Bustard Head early and potentially sneaking out to the reef in the afternoon when the wind was supposed to drop right out. I was starting to get a bit excited as the reality that I was back at one of my favourite fishing places was setting in. Memories from 12 months earlier were flooding back and I could hardly contain myself. I had rigged up a floating Zerek stickbait in the hope I would encounter a spanish mackerel or a big GT, and once I saw the rock Dad was taking me to I was fairly certain a fish would be on it. Outer Rock reminds me of Boat Rock off Point Lookout, so I decided to fish it the same way. I cast my stickbait to the deepest pressure edge with current roaring over the top of it, eagerly watching my sticky float over the waves and glide from side to side. I was in the zone when a large spanish launched into the air in a spectacular aerial display, but I was absolutely in awe, so my strike time was delayed about a second too long and I missed the bite. For another hour I continued fishing the stickbait, and while my Wilson Venom Stickbait rod is a breeze to hang onto, I was getting bored and tired, so suggested we look around for some bottom to fish on. We marked a decent show of fish and deployed some baits. I managed a decent 48cm

grass sweetlip that we tagged and released in anticipation of the reef fishing the next day. Dad soon followed suit with a similar model. We then put a couple of venus tuskfish in the Esky before the sharks moved in. After trying to get fish past sharks and having solid fights ending with the tell-tale dead weight or bite-off we called it quits and went to check out Pancake Creek for the afternoon. That night I hardly slept a wink because I couldn’t wait to fish the reef the next day. We were up early and in the water by 5.30am but a thick fog was restricting visibility horribly and you could hardly see your hand in front of your face, which meant we had to rely on our electronics to get us through the sandbank-filled Rodds Bay without drama. It was quite an eerie feeling once we rounded Flora Point, as we are used to seeing the container ships anchored off Gladstone in the distance. While we knew they were there, we couldn’t see any of them, so we ensured we stayed on course straight out to the ‘20-degree patch’. The excitement and anticipation I feel every year when the first bait is on its way to the bottom is indescribable. It was about three seconds before I had a bite and swung a little red emperor over the side. At 40cm, it definitely wasn’t the size we would’ve liked, but it was a cool capture in its own. Another dozen juvenile reds followed before Dad came tight to a nice redthroat emperor, which was lost to a nick in the line breaking as he went to lift the fish into the boat. It wasn’t long before a shark got word of the activity in the area, and losing a quality venus tuskfish to a shark was enough for me to suggest a move. We moved around until we found a quality show on the sounder, and it took one drop to convert my new PB grass sweetlip, with this fish measuring 61cm. I was rapt as I hadn’t seen one that big in person, only hearing stories from when Dad came here in his prime. Next drop I thought I may have been snagged, until I felt something large move away with my hook in its mouth. I hung on tight and stretched my 30lb braid to its limits, not letting this fish take an inch of line in an attempt to keep it away from the bottom. I soon saw colour under the boat and a slob of a goldspotted estuary cod surfaced. A quick photo, a tag inserted

and some holes made by our venting needle saw this old reef pig back in the water and on its way back to the bottom. We continued picking away and moving around and eventually found ourselves drifting along in about 18m of water on top of the patch. The fog from the morning had found its way out to the reef in spectacular fashion, rolling across 40km of open ocean and out to the fishing grounds. It was like something out of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. A few boats were anchored about 100m from us, and while we could still hear them talking we could no longer see them. The fish had gone off the bite, so we began working our way back into deeper water and found ourselves sitting on a ledge south of the patch in about 28m. Here we put away a couple of quality redthroat and grassies until the sharks found us again. They were really starting to become a problem, so we moved back to our starting area from the morning. By this time I was well and truly fed up with ripping mullet strips off hooks after pickers had chewed on them and not connected. I dug around in the Esky looking for a packet of jumbo size pilchards I had bought two days earlier from Mossops Tackle World at Cleveland. I thought that maybe if I presented a different offering the bigger fish on the sounder might chew. So I switched to a gang of two Mustad 7766 hooks separated by a swivel and weighed down by a 5 ball sinker. The first drop saw my bait nailed by the biggest redthroat of the day, which I felt was a good start. I floated another pillie down and it wasn’t long before I felt a better fish pick up the bait and move off. I fed out about a metre of slack line, felt it pull tight and swung into a solid fish. Jamming my thumb on the reel, I let the Venom overhead rod do what it does best. The fish gave up the fight about halfway to the surface and I knew exactly what it was. A nice coral trout surfaced and went safely in the net. After a few quick photos it joined its reef fish mates in the Esky. I rebaited and dropped down again, except this time my bait never got to the bottom, so I threw the reel into gear and felt a quality fish load up. I had increased my drag pressure to almost lock-up stages and was concerned about getting sharked, but before we ☛ continued P37

www.bnbfishing.com. au

Tangling with reefies on Turkey Beach trip ☛ from P36

knew it another cracking grassy was on the surface. When I lifted the fish for a photo I had a moral dilemma – I wanted to tag and release it as I hadn’t caught one this big before and it beat my PB from earlier in the day, but I was worried about the fish getting nailed by a shark en route to the bottom. We decided the grassy had a better chance of surviving in the water than it did in the Esky, so we worked quickly to tag the fish and get it back in the drink. The grassy kicked out of my hands and powered back towards the bottom. ‘She’ll be right’, I thought, until the fish carked it and floated back to the surface. We raced over and got it before it could sink, and while we tried to get it going again it was dead, which was quite strange because it wasn’t out of the water for long and it kicked away strongly, but we weren’t too fazed because they’re one of the tastiest fish on the reef. I dropped down again and before long came tight to another trout, this time a bit smaller at 54cm. I had another drop and again felt a big fish pick the bait off the bottom

and swim away with it. After letting it properly eat it, I swung the rod and instantly thought I hadn’t struck hard enough to drive the hooks home. However, I still had to lock up as the fish powered back towards the edge. After about 10 seconds the hooks pulled and I was devastated, but that’s fishing. With a decent box of fish aboard, we decided to run for home, so I aimed the nose of the boat back along the plot trail and pinned it for home. I was happy with our efforts for the trip but was shattered I had to go to work the following afternoon, so we had to clean up and pack the car once back at the unit. We departed early on Sunday morning, leaving around 4.30am to ensure I would be home well before my 3pm start at work. We had to take a large detour about two hours into the drive as a truck had rolled over on the highway, but we made it home with half an hour to spare. My old boy and I had run two very different setups for fishing the reef. His was very much an ‘old-school’ combo comprising 55lb Schnei-

der mono over an M10 Wilson Live Fibre Rod, whereas I had chosen to run 35lb braid on a Wilson Venom PE2-5 overhead. Even though my setup was fairly light, I only lost one fish to being cut off, and I feel like I caught more fish because I felt more bites through the sensitive braid than Dad did on mono. I ran a mixture of Mustad 7766 hooks, both ganged and single, as well as a 7/0 Mustad Octopus where applicable. I like the 7766s because you can run a swivel in the eye of the hook, which eliminates twist in your line and makes your bait look more natural while sinking. We used between 5 and 8 ball sinkers because the current was running fairly hard, but we never failed to reach the bottom, so I believe the leads chosen worked effectively. With snapper season in full swing, I have been enjoying fishing offshore from Brisbane and Caloundra, with both areas producing awesome results. Stay tuned for my article next month on targeting these red brutes and what has been working for me. Tight lines and sore arms.

VMR Bundaberg Family Fishing Classic went off with a bang

HE 13th VMR Bundaberg Family Fishing Classic was held over three days at Burnett Heads and concluded with an impressive Fire in the Sky fireworks display.

Spokesman Graham Kingston said the Classic was another outstanding success, with registration of 1133 adults and 413 juniors well up on last year. The crowd for the lucky draw and prize ceremony exceeded 3000. The forecast for the weekend was the best in the history of the Classic, however the offshore fishers still found conditions quite ordinary at times. In any case, some very impressive offshore catches came in, with the best cobia weighing 33.14kg among several other big specimens. The winning parrot weighed a whopping 7.445kg and was the heaviest of this species ever weighed at the Classic. The estuary catch highlighted the participation of juniors, with the weigh-in revealing a win-

ning 0.375kg whiting and 2.29kg trumpeter. Candice Taylor was awarded the Keith Gill Memorial Trophy and Jupiter prize as the Most Outstanding Junior. The live catch aquarium was a popular attraction, with many parents identifying fish for their children. All the live catch was documented and tagged by the Bundaberg Sportfishing Club before release to the harbour. The lucky draws and raffles are a major attraction at the Classic. And without the support of the event’s sponsors, the generous program would not be possible. The value of sponsorship and prizes this year reached a new record at $124,000. Two Quintrex Explorer 390s, a Quintrex Renegade 420 package and a kayak were included in the lucky draws, which made for some very happy winners. Each of the senior lucky draw prizes generally exceeded $100 in value,

while registration was only $35. Many attendees said the Fire in the Sky display sponsored by Hitz 93.9 FM and Harvey Norman Bundaberg was one of the best fireworks displays they had ever seen. Thanks to major sponsors Boats Galore Bundaberg, Tackle World Bundaberg, Harvey Norman Bundaberg, Bundaberg

Broadcasters, WIN Network, Rum City Locks and Security, TAYCO Outdoor Advertising, The Bolt Place Bundaberg, Koastal Kayaks, Burnett Heads Marina, Queensland Computers and of course the other 85 Bundaberg and Queensland businesses that supported the Classic. Watch this space for details on the 14th Classic in 2019.

Candice Taylor won the Keith Gill Memorial Trophy and Jupiter prize as the Most Outstanding Junior.

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The Cooper family with some of their fish.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018 – Page 37

Power Boat Anglers Swain Reefs sojourn

P One of the Swain Reefs’ shark-proof chinaman fish.

Greg Snape landed a solid GT when he wasn’t even trying.

Jake with a big Swain Reefs GT.

OWER Boat Anglers Jeff Sorrell, John Hooker, Mark McLennan, Greg Snape, Grant Bennet, Rod Henderson, Helaine Wilesmith and Rob Schomberg joined Jeff’s brother Ray, Mark Chain, his son Jake, Ray Wessels, Gary Keilor and his brother Kev on a seven-day charter trip to the Swain Reefs. Leaving Gladstone, they steamed for 17 hours before arriving around 9am the next day. The trip out was a bit of a rock and roll affair, with the stiff wind and large swell nearly rocking them out of their bunks during the night. The morning was no better, with 30-knot wind and rain squalls that unfortunately set the tone for the following few days. With no other choice, they braved the weather and practically lived in raincoats as they took the dories out in search of the big ones. If you told anyone they were 200km out at sea in 4m tinnies with 30-knot wind and rain squalls, they would think you were mad. The first day started slowly with a few fish on board, no trophies, but not bad considering the weather. While the fish weren’t thick, the pro trout boats were, so the skipper made the call to steam a couple of hours north to get away from them and try to locate some better ground. The next day they tried a new reef and with the weather the same, it remained hard going.

Power Boat Anglers by MICK CLUTTERBUCK

Like many a trip you hear of these days, just when they thought they were on a decent patch, the sharks would move in. This remained the story for most of the week. Every decent-fighting large fish hooked was sacrificed to the sharks, well except for the chinaman fish that apparently not even the sharks like (I’m thinking chinaman fish-print wetsuits… I’ll let someone else work on that one). One day turned into a ‘who could catch the biggest coral’ special, with some beautiful specimens coming over the side, giving a glimpse of what wonders lay below and the reason they were donating so much tackle and getting bricked so often. A few of the team expressed an interest in going for a snorkel and looking for crays, but with the abundance of those grey things swimming around it was a fleeting thought at best. I would love to say things improved over the next few days for the crew but unfortunately they didn’t. At one stage a GoPro was deployed over the side to see just how thick these damn things were and 15 to 20 sharks were in the one frame alone, mainly whalers of varying species, with a couple of large tawnys thrown in for good measure. Trolling produced decent tuna, shark mackerel

and one solid spanish mackerel, though the majority of the catch for the trip was coral trout and redthroat, with some tuskies and cod in the mix as well. The last day and a half saw the sun and wind back off but by this stage all sharks at the Swains had been sent the memo about hanging out under the boat and had allocated themselves a minimum number of sharks per dory. Each time they went out, it became a game of frustration and all the anglers present would take convincing that the shark population is anywhere near endangered. By far the highlight of the trip was the five-star food, with almost everyone coming back at least 3kg heavier. Full baked breakfasts were the norm then fresh baked morning and afternoon tea delights. Gourmet lunches were served in the middle and topped off in the evening with two-course dinners including twice-cooked pork belly for entrée and crispy-skin duck confit on mushroom risotto with black truffle for mains. Other nights it was cooked desserts like Turkish delight, pavlovas or espresso martini panna cottas (pretty sure Helaine went around for seconds more than once and probably took the deckies’ share too). All in all, the bucket list

trip of a lifetime has to have a swansong, but with some serious decisions as to who to charter with next time. It was disappointing for all that no one came home with any trophy fish photos apart from the GT session off the back of the boat one arvo. Greg bagged a GT (when he wasn’t even trying), Jake got his first and Helaine missed out once again. Jake and Helaine had been thrashing the place to foam trying to conjure up a GT when Jake came up trumps, and there’s some great footage to prove it. Greg’s came when he threw some pink thing in as an afterthought and got immediately smashed. The fish had him bent in half for what seemed like half an hour, holding the rod for dear life trying to get the upper hand. He managed to turn the tables on the fish after being fitted with a rod belt, allowing him to exert a bit of hurt the other way. There was a lot of huffing and puffing but he was

happy in the end when he got his GT on the lap for a photo shot. We also got some footage of a few of the guys locked onto some good fish. Jake battling and landing his GT was great to watch but most videos ended with a pretty sad face. In the end we had a few snapped rods, missing sunnies and more gear lost than anyone would like to mention. Everyone came home with a reasonable feed but like some trips, it had come up a bit short of expectations. No guarantees with fishing, unfortunately. Next meetings The next club meetings will be held on Monday, August 6 and then Monday, September 3. Meetings are held on the first Monday of the month at the Bulimba Bowls Club located in Quinn St, Balmoral. Please feel free to come along, have a beer, eat a bit of pizza and meet the members. Until next month, safe boating.

Rob Schomberg captured a quality coral trout.

Epic expedition to Kenn Reefs – part two

N last month’s part one article on our trip to Kenn Reefs, we experienced crazy dogtooth tuna action on lures and jigs from the smaller boats before bad weather saw us fishing from the Big Cat Reality mother ship for a day and a half, which produced an array of species.

Gregg Chapman had one wish for his Kenn Reefs trip and that was to catch a big dogtooth tuna on a jig. Safe to say he nailed it with this specimen.

Page 38 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018

Day four On day four the conditions improved greatly and we all managed to get out in the smaller boats to explore. Myself and Dane Radosevic from Fisho’s Tackle World Hervey Bay teamed up for the day and we had the same mindset of searching for new ground and jigging all day. We headed west of the Kenn Reefs system and soon found plenty of pinnacles in about 40m of water. Straight away green jobfish started coming over the side one after another but they became a bit of a pest, which is not something you would normally find yourself thinking. We persisted and before long something bigger nailed my jig close to the bottom and the Wilson Venom PE5-10 jig stick was well and truly loaded up. After a great fight and a

Fishing Trip by GREG LAMPRECHT

bit of huffing and puffing, a nice GT hit the surface and was quickly released. Dane followed suit with another GT but we were keen to find dogtooth tuna and decided to go exploring. After a couple of hours spent sounding, we found a large shoal coming up from 55m to 18m over a fairly large area. This wasn’t highlighted on any maps, so we were excited to find it and had high hopes of catching good fish. The shoal was full of life and we quickly pulled in a range of species including coronation trout, rainbow runners, GTs and loads more green jobfish. As we drifted off the large shoal, we noticed big fish on the sounder in 40m of water, so quickly dropped our jigs. We only got a few winds on the reels before we both got smashed by quality fish and the Venom rods buckled over. The initial few runs were brutal and it seemed the more drag pressure we applied, the harder they went.

After a great battle we had a couple of dogtooth tuna of 20-30kg hit the surface, and following them were more big doggies, which was cool to see. After some quick pictures, the fish were released and we immediately went back for another drift. This time Dane dropped a plastic down while I stuck to the slow-pitch jig

and once again we were both smashed not far off the bottom. The sound of screaming drags is music to any fisher’s ears and the grins on our faces said it all as more solid dogtooth tuna came over the side. For over an hour the dogtooth mayhem continued before the fishing finally slowed. To be honest, it was a blessing because we were buggered from the brutal fight these fish put up. We decided to go searching for more ground but unfortunately after a couple of hours we didn’t find

anything of interest, so went back to the shoal where we caught the doggies to try our luck again. We found good shows of fish in front of the shoal this time and the jigs were soon smashed by big green jobfish, with about 10 sharks closely following. After that, the sharks started eating both our fish and jigs, so we called it a day and headed back to the mother ship late in the afternoon. Day five By day five the weather had improved greatly and ☛ continued P39

The author with one of many GTs boated while slow-pitch jigging the deeper reefs and shoals around Keen Reefs.

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Mike and Dean made the trip up from Tasmania and were rewarded with many new species including this wahoo captured from one of the many well set-up 4.3m poly tenders Big Cat Reality Charters supplies for customers. Nigel Webster and the author with a beautiful Kenn Reefs sailfish that put in a tackle-testing one hour and 15-minute fight. All the action from the trip will be televised on the AFN Fishing Show in coming months.

Dogtooth tuna not only look mean but fight extremely hard. Dane Radosevic landed this one on the new Nomad Buffalo jig and PE3-8, 350g Venom jig stick.

☛ from P38

lier in the fight and lodged in the base of the sail behind its head, making it extremely difficult to pull up. The fish was in good health and after quick pics swam away strongly. During the sailfish fight, the other boats had reported crazy fishing on wahoo and monster dogtooth tuna from the same area. The lads on the Wilson boat had caught a massive doggie around 80kg while trolling a Zerek Pelagic Z hard-body lure with 50lb line and a 7’ PE2-5 Venom rod. We quickly headed over and started trolling again but by the time we got there the fishing had slowed. We got a few hits but they resulted in fish being sharked or our lines bitten off, which was once again frustrating. Day six Day six saw us yet again fishing the northern part of the reef and again we continued our bad run of luck with bite-offs and sharks. I even put some swim gar out but the barracuda and sharks were quick to nail them before anything else, so we went back to lures. A few of the boats had reported the odd big dogtooth tuna on jigs, with Gregg Chapman from Secret Spot Bait & Tackle in Yeppoon getting a monster bucket list fish. Overall the fishing was slow that morning and the weather started to deterio-

Epic expedition to Kenn Reefs – part two this time I teamed up with Nigel Webster from the AFN Fishing Show to film the last two days of action before we headed home. The plan was to fish the northern part of Kenn Reefs where no one had yet been due to the poor conditions. Most of the boats reached the northern end of the reef and started trolling, jigging and popping a likely looking area that held good structure and ledges with current running over it. Our first troll past the area resulted in a solid coral trout bitten in half by a shark and not long after that a large black trevally was also sharked. We then experienced a run of bad luck, with bite-offs occurring even on the lures running long or short wire traces, which could have been schools of wahoo biting the swivel that connected the main line to the wire trace. Between all the boats the fishing was fairly quiet and not what we had expected from the area, which looked to have great potential. Everyone started to explore and head further afield and it wasn’t long before we ran over a nice rock in 50m of water, so I got Nigel to drop his Mustad Bigeye Bucktail Jig down. A quick retrieve off the bottom for a few metres followed by a short pause saw him get smashed three drops in a row, producing two big red bass and a monster coral trout. I had a quick drop with a slow-pitch jig and got smashed close to the bot-

tom, which saw the fish go straight for cover and rub the 130lb leader off on the reef. Dane and James had come across a few wahoo away from the northern end of the reef system and we soon found our backup there in the hope the fishing would get better as the day progressed. The area looked promising and we decided to stick it out and pray the tide change had a positive impact. The next hour was extremely slow, with no one reporting much action, but as the tide changed things started to heat up. Dane and James had hooked a sailfish, so we headed over and got some photos just as they were releasing it. To say they were stoked would be an understatement. We kept trolling and it wasn’t long before we noticed one of the rod tips bounce a few times but fail to hook up. It was the only rod with a resin head skirted pusher lure on it, so we thought it might be a sailfish having a go but we couldn’t see a bill swiping the lure. We had another 10 hits but the light-gauge SL12 game hook just wouldn’t stick, so I picked the rod up and straight away hooked up, with 40lb Pandora braid peeling from the Shimano Saragosa 8000 reel. A sailfish jumped out of the water but in doing so threw the hook straight away, which was super frustrating. As I started winding in, the lure was getting belted left, right and centre from what must have been a

school of sailfish. We quickly put the boat into gear and after several more hits finally had a solid connection and a beautiful big sailfish came shooting out of the water to put on an awesome aerial display. After some seriously bad luck that day, I was really hoping we could land this fish. Around the 15-minute mark we had it close to the boat before it took off again. I felt the line come loose for a split second but the weight came back on and the reason for this would later be revealed. The fight continued and after 45 minutes the sailfish had gone deep and was now in strong current, making it extremely hard to gain any line. We tried driving away to get some angle on the line in the hope this would raise the fish but every attempt failed. After an hour I made the call to put huge pressure on the line to see if I could get it coming up. I was using a 40-60lb Venom Stickbait rod, which is a very versatile rod. I was thankful I was using this rod because it has a reasonably light tip but heaps of power in the mid to lower section to budge big fish. Eventually I began gaining little bits of line but the pressure I was putting on the tackle was crazy and I was very nervous about losing this fish. After an hour and 15 minutes we finally had a beautiful sailfish boatside and we yahooed with joy. It turns out the hook had come out of its mouth ear-

rate, so we made our way back to the southern end of the Kenn Reefs system for some sightseeing. One of the southern sand cays had a big yellow buoy washed up on it, which turned out to be a NSW Department of Primary Industries fishaggregating device that must have come adrift some time ago. With time getting on, we made our way back to the mother ship so the crew could load the boats and start the journey home. The weather on the way home the next day was magical and we managed to hook a decent blue marlin off the back of Big Cat, which was a first for John Carmody and a great end to a truly epic trip. Tune in to 7mate in coming months to see all the action on the AFN Fishing Show. A special thanks to the Wilson Fishing team for organising such a memorable trip. The Mustad, Zerek and Venom products were amazing and to see that no rods were broken out of 100 taken was a true testament to these quality Australian-built rods. If you want to experience the trip of a lifetime, get in contact with Big Cat Reality Charters because James and his crew work tirelessly to look after you and make that dream come true. Until next month, tight lines.

John Carmody with one of the biggest dogtooth tuna of the trip. It was estimated to weigh 80kg and was captured on a Zerek Pelagic Z hard-body lure and PE2-5 Venom rod.

Offshore reef fishing fanatics WANTED One of Brisbane’s oldest deep-sea fishing clubs with a 100 percent safety record has vacancies for new members. Owners of suitable vessels encouraged. All levels of experience. Those without own vessels also invited to apply. Approximately 15 deep sea trips per year. One week-long fishing holiday to Town of 1770. Monthly meetings, video shows, guest speakers and free nibbles. 4WD beach fishing and camping. Inshore fishing also on the agenda. Interested? Then call Darryl (0407 596 822) or Robin (3269 5013). POWER BOAT ANGLERS REEF FISHING CLUB INC

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Nigel Webster hooked this big coral trout by working a Mustad Big Eye Bucktail Jig on a newly found pinnacle in 50m of water.

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BRISBANE BOAT SHOW – August 24-26 Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre OPENING HOURS Friday and Saturday . . . 10am - 8pm Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10am - 6pm

Brisbane Quintrex at the Show

ground-breaking. “It is designed to offer a soft, safe and dry ride that will set a new standard in aluminium hull design.” Brisbane Quintrex is located at 3775 Pacific Highway, Loganholme. For more information, visit the team at the Show on Stand 105 in Exhibition Hall 2 or go online at brisbanequintrex.com.au

ENTRY PRICES Adults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $15 Children (6-17) . . . . . . . . . . . . $5 Children 5 and under . . . . . . FREE Family (2 adults, 3 children) . $35 Seniors and pensioners . . . . $12 After 5pm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5

GETTING TO THE SHOW Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre is an easy 10-minute walk from the CBD and has direct access to an efficient transport network. For information about public transport, visit translink.com.au or call 13 12 30. By train South Brisbane railway station is located adjacent to the Convention Centre on Grey St. The city-to-airport Airtrain operates from South Brisbane station. By bus South Bank is serviced by two bus stations: the Cultural Centre station on Melbourne St and the South Bank Busway station on the corner of Colchester St and Tribune St. By car Below the Convention Centre is an undercover carpark that accommodates 1500 vehicles, with three additional carparks.

A boat for everyone at Karee Marine ATTENTION all southside Quintrex fans! Brisbane Quintrex is opening soon at Loganholme on the southside of Brisbane. At the Show, the dealership will be offering a sneak peek of the massive display on the highway at Loganholme. Brisbane’s newest Quintrex dealer will offer the newest range of Quintrex models and Evinrude outboards. Dealership owner Aaron Goodchild said on display at the show will be the latest range of Australian-made Quintrex aluminium boats, in addition to Evinrude E-TEC outboards. “We will be offering some genuine show deals with BMT packages on display,” he said. This business is owned by Aaron Goodchild of Brisbane Yamaha fame and will service the huge demand of boat buyers on the south of Brisbane. According to Mr Goodchild, the Loganholme area has traditionally been a large Quintrexbuying region. “I am excited to be offering the best-selling range of Quintrex boats to this growing audience,” he said. “With the exit of carburetted two-stroke outboards, we also see an opportunity for the powerful and clean E-TEC outboards in the market.” The Quintrex range features the revolutionary Apex hull from Australia’s largest boat builder. According to Mr Goodchild, the new hull is

KAREE Marine will be at the Show on Stand 217 with a range of aluminium Stessco boats including several side consoles such as the everpopular Renegade models from 4.4m up to the Gulf Runner 550. Numerous Stessco runabouts and bowriders will also be on display. New Zealand-made McLay plate boats will be on the stand too, including the 591 Sportsman Hardtop powered by a Mercury 135hp FourStroke. Alongside the 591 will be the 611 CrossXover Hardtop with a Mercury 150hp FourStroke attached to the stern. The real drawcard from the McLay stable is the big 651 CrossXover Hardtop running Mercury’s latest and greatest 200hp FourStroke. This year Karee Marine is the proud new dealer of fibreglass Tournament Pleasure Boats now owned and manufactured by The Haines Group. On display at the show will be a Tournament

See the latest electronics, safety equipment, ﬁshing tackle & ski gear, with world class aluminium & ﬁbreglass boats.

1750 DLX cuddy cabin powered by a Mercury 100hp Command Thrust FourStroke. You won’t want to miss the Tournament 1900 Centre Console hooked up to a Mercury 150hp Pro XS FourStroke, as this rig is an absolute weapon. For the offshore fisher, Karee will also have the 1900 Bluewater cabin boat on display. Powered by a Mercury 150hp FourStroke, this boat rides on the new Australian-made Redco alloy trailer and looks amazing. Drop in to see the team from Karee Marine for a great one-off Boat Show deal! www.kareemarine.com.au

10-year warranty at Caloundra Marine

THIS year for the Brisbane Boat Show you will receive a 10-year warranty with every boat, motor and trailer package bought from Caloundra Marine. It doesn’t matter if you’re going for a quick picnic or a trip out deep-sea fishing, having peace of mind your boat and motor will get you there and back safely is something we all think about. A 10-year warranty on all Quintrex and Evinrude E-TEC BMT packages means you can go boating with confidence. Call Caloundra Marine for more information on how you can get your hands on this Showonly special. www.caloundramarine.com.au

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Page 40 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018

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BRISBANE BOAT SHOW – August 24-26 Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre

Haines displays an array of boats AN exciting array of new-release outboards and show-stopping boats from The Haines Group brands will be on display at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre this year. From Haines Signature Boats, we’ll be debuting a brand-new model that will surely turn heads at the show. While we’re keeping the details under wraps, you won’t want to miss seeing this awesome new model up close. We’ll also have a great cross-section of boats across our fishing, boating and cruising ranges. Our boats are perfectly suited for the waters of Queensland – a tried and tested hull that performs every time, whether inshore or offshore, and provides a soft and stable ride. See why these are considered some of Australia’s best-built boats at the Australian Marine Centre stand. Karee Marine will be showcasing the latest from Tournament Pleasure Boats. These boats are renowned for their exceptional build quality and are designed to withstand the harshest of Australian conditions. The legendary craft from the Seafarer Boats stable will be on display at the Laguna Boating Centre stand.

An icon of Australian boating, the Seafarer brand has filled Australian waterways for over 60 years and will no doubt be popular among die-hard fishos at the show. Suzuki Marine will also be there with an array of new products and plenty of ‘Suzuki on Sale’ deals including the DF325A, DF350A and DF100B – Suzuki’s newest and most technologically advanced outboards to date. With exclusive boat show deals across the entire range, visit one of the many Suzuki dealer stands, including Australian Marine Centre, Bayside Suzuki Marine, Laguna Boating Centre, Motorsport Marine and Surf Coast Marine. Whether it be Suzuki power for your boat, a complete boat package to get your family on the water or a serious boat to brave all conditions, The Haines Group has a product for you at the show. www.thehainesgroup.com

Savwinch shows world-winning designs IN 2017 Savwinch introduced the world’s first and only complete 316 stainless steel winch, the SSS range! Like the SS winches, these are fully sealed 316 stainless steel motors that also feature a full 316 stainless steel gearbox. Our SSS winches are the Rolls-Royce of

winches – you cannot find anything better. Savwinch is proud to have the world’s first electronic Fast Fall system, with a patented world-winning design. It is mechanical clutch free, which increases the speed of the motor on the way down, comparably as fast as you can freely drop your anchor. Other winch brands go up just as fast as they go down, which draws more current and could lead to overloads, battery drainage and winch failure. Regardless, the Savwinch Fast Fall system drops significantly faster than a fixed-speed winch. www.savwinch.com.au

Wynnum Marine releases new F360M WYNNUM Marine will be showcasing the entire range of Cruise Craft boats including the official Queensland release of the all-new F360M – a 6.35m centre console. On display will be everything from the Explorer 530 through to the flagship Explorer 685 Hardtop. The show will also see the official release of the first-ever (in 72 years) production centre console from Cruise Craft: the Fish 360M. This stunning 6.35m centre console features the all-new ‘Ice’ blue gelcoat colour. Danny Jordin from Cruise Craft said, “We have watched the popularity of bowriders decrease and the need for fishing yet family friendly centre consoles increase.” “There has been an influx of American imports, many of which are over width (with towing implications) and more suitable for bays and lakes rather than serious offshore work. “An Aussie-built console with a large flared bow and no towing restrictions designed specifically for bluewater fishing is a hole in the market we feel we have filled perfectly with the F360M. “The positive response from press and public has

blown us away and exceeded our expectations.” Wynnum Marine will also have a selection of Stacer boats on display, all of which feature the all-new Revolution Hull that’s softer riding and more stable than its predecessors. The new hull is used across most of Stacer’s pressed-alloy models measuring between 4.29m and 6.2m in length – including the Sea Master runabouts, Crossfire console boats, Assault Pro bass boats and the all-new Wildrider bowriders. All Wynnum Marine’s Cruise Craft and Stacer boats will be packaged with Yamaha’s classleading outboards. Yamaha four-stroke outboard engines are the number-one choice for serious boaties everywhere. Yamaha offers an unmatched reputation for reliability, design and innovation that delivers superior performance and fuel efficiency under all conditions, whether that’s heading offshore to chase serious fishing action or just a relaxed weekend on smooth water with the family. This year there will be some serious Boat Show incentives, so it’s a great time to turn your dreams into reality. For more information, see the team on the stand at the Show, contact 07 3396 9777 or head to wynnummarine.com.au Alternatively, call in and see why Wynnum Marine is so unique, ideally located beside the beautiful Moreton Bay at Fox St, Wynnum, only 15 minutes from Brisbane city.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018 – Page 41

BRISBANE BOAT SHOW â&#x20AC;&#x201C; August 24-26 Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre

Australian Marine Centre at the Show

From basic manual-start tiller handle setups to electric-start forward-control and electricstart forward-control with power trim and tilt, the new F25 has great configurations to suit the needs of every boatie. www.yamaha-motor.com.au

Brisbane Yamaha ready for a big show

New Yamaha F25 4-stroke showcased THE recently released Yamaha F25 four-stroke outboard has been engineered for skippers who expect the very best in features, performance and efficiency from their small outboard. This new motor was developed to exceed the performance and features of Yamahaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 25N two-stroke, a motor that offered excellent performance and highly reliable operation and has powered Australian boaters for decades, as well as improve on Yamahaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s existing F25. With an optimised and sleek design, the F25 now weighs 20kg less than the previous-generation F25, making it the lightest model in the 25hp four-stroke class. Battery-less electronic fuel injection is an exciting new feature on this engine and to the Yamaha four-stroke range. Yamahaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s battery-less fuel injection achieves easy starting performance, delivering one-handed starting from a seated position. The F25 is also compatible with Yamahaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comprehensive range of Command Link digital gauges, with options of both basic back-lit LCD and premium full-colour displays. The engine is also NMEA2000 compatible, allowing it to share information with third-party multi-function displays, GPS units and fishfinders.

BRISBANE Yamaha has a huge range of fishing boats on display at the 2018 Brisbane Boat Show in Exhibition Hall 2 on Stand 110. On show will be the latest range and the leading brands Brisbane Yamaha is known for. Visit the stand to see the best-selling Baysport range of fibreglass boats and the Australian-made Quintrex range of aluminium boats, in addition to Yellowfin plate boats and Yamaha outboards. Dealership owner Aaron Goodchild said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Brisbane Yamaha is famous for its genuine Show deals and we will have massive savings across the entire range, available only at the Show.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Yamaha is the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading outboard for a reason. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It offers reliability, performance and Brisbane Yamaha backs this with a six-year warranty on four-strokes when bought and serviced at Brisbane Yamaha to give buyers peace of mind. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have also come up with unbeatable value on drive-away packages for the 2018

range of Baysport boats.â&#x20AC;? Every Baysport size has a purpose-built fishing or weekender model available and all feature a full composite transom. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Combined with the proven foam-filled fibreglass stringer system, this ensures peace of mind for the life of your boat against any chance of structural failure you would find in other brands with wooden transoms,â&#x20AC;? Mr Goodchild said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This attention to detail is why Baysport is the largest-selling fibreglass boat brand in Queensland for the past five years! â&#x20AC;&#x153;I say ask the question when buying a boat. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Before you buy any other brand of boat, do yourself a favour and water test a Baysport with the Brisbane Yamaha team. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You will be impressed, I guarantee it.â&#x20AC;? Brisbane Yamaha is Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest-selling dealer of the award-winning Quintrex range of aluminium boats. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a reason for this,â&#x20AC;? Mr Goodchild said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We offer unbeatable prices and once again will have the biggest display of any brand of boat at the Show.â&#x20AC;? Brisbane Yamaha also offers in-house Yamaha Motor Finance and Yamaha Marine Insurance, making Brisbane Yamaha a one-stop shop for expert advice and servicing on boats. Come and see the huge display at the Show, call 07 3888 1727 or visit brisbaneyamaha.com.au

YOU are in for a real treat at this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Brisbane Boat Show! Australian Marine Centre will be showcasing some of the best locally manufactured boats and we welcome all new and returning customers to our stand. We will have a terrific range of boat packages on display including Aquamaster Alloy Boats, Bar Crusher Boats, Chaparral Sports/Surf Boats, Formosa Marine, Haines Signature and SmartWave Poly Boats. To complement our range of trailer boats, we will also have the ultimate four-stroke Suzuki Marine outboard engines on display for you to touch and feel and our qualified, knowledgeable staff will be on hand to assist with all your inquiries. As expected, there will be great Show specials available on the complete product range, so make sure you come and say hello and let us put together a show-only deal to suit your boating lifestyle. We will be on Stand 321 where a great opportunity awaits you! The best locally built boats in Australia, great Boat Show deals and an awesome customer experience â&#x20AC;&#x201C; thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why Australian Marine Centre is Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s boating specialist! www.amcboats.com.au

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Page 42 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Bush â&#x20AC;&#x2122;n Beach Fishing, August 2018

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BOATING & marine You can choose from various wraps or painted hull designs.

The 115hp Yamaha was a good match.

A front casting platform and deep sides make this a very versatile fishing boat.

Horizon 515 Northerner built to fish G OLD Coast boat building company Horizon Boats has hit the mark delivering quality sportfishing boats with the new-for-2018 Northerner range. The Northerner lineup consists of six models ranging in size from 4.15m to 5.4m, giving anglers plenty of choice when deciding on a boat. Already a popular choice for keen fishos, the Northerner has seen a few upgrades for all 2018 models. Some of these are an electric bow mount platform, now standard, modified bow rails and a massive removable 115-litre icebox. I recently took the 515 Northerner fitted with a Yamaha 115hp four-

Boat Review

by BEN COLLINS

stroke for a run in the Broadwater to see how it performed and the results were impressive. One of the first things I noticed when jumping aboard was the battery, which is now centrally located. This is a standard feature and gives the boat better balance at rest and under way. It has also allowed for additional storage on both sides of the battery as the transom has been redesigned. Now, two large and easily accessible shelves are ideal for keeping your

tackle bag or safety bag with life jacket within easy reach. Additional storage can be found in the large side pockets, and as I have said before, you can never have too much storage, especially when it’s close at hand. Aside from the large icebox under the front casting platform, you’ll find even more storage in the form of two additional hatches. These present a great place to stow bulky items. A 30-litre live bait tank has also been added to the standard package.

Combine this with the large front casting platform and electric motor and you have a dedicated fishing rig for bait and lure fishos. Given these features, the Horizon 515 Northerner would be equally at home on offshore reefs or luring for barramundi in impoundments. While predominantly a fishing rig, that doesn’t stop it suiting other purposes such as a family runabout. Throw in an extra pedestal seat or a cushion on the front casting platform and you could easily enjoy fun family boating in the Broadwater or Moreton Bay. And with the 115hp Yamaha four-stroke on the back, towing tubes or

wakeboards around would be a breeze as well as easy on the pocket due to the motor’s excellent fuel economy. As tested, the Yamaha cruised easily at about 3500rpm travelling at 34km/h. If I gave the motor a punch, wide-open throttle saw us hit 65km/h. The best thing was, even flat-out the boat performed well and was easy to drive. Actually, it was fun to drive. Trimmed down slightly, at WOT I threw the boat into a tight turn and it handled superbly. While you wouldn’t normally drive like this, it is good to know you could if you had to. ☛ continued P44

Check out the footage by searching for BNBFTV

The helm had room for flush-mounted or sit-on-top electronics.

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Whitsunday Outboard Centre Cannonvale 07 4946 7286

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018 – Page 43

BOATING & marine

Horizon 515 Northerner built to fish ☛ from P43

Another notable feature was the very comfortable pedestal seats. Though the boat rode well through the slop out the front of Wavebreak Island, a decent seat goes a long way to ensuring

excellent ride comfort. The helm had plenty of room to flush mount large electronics, and you could even mount additional units on top of the console or to the side if you wanted to go over the top with devices.

The redesigned transom now has a centrally located battery and extra storage.

A massive 115-litre icebox can easily fit under the front casting platform.

Overall, the workmanship that goes into a Horizon hull is of a high standard, with extra ribs added for greater hull strength. Combine this with 4mm bottom and 3mm side sheets, a 2.4m beam and 1.23m depth and you have a serious rig with a solid and stable ride, which is what you want, especially if you intend on going offshore. The quality of workmanship can also be seen in the fully welded top deck, which when painted finishes the boat off nicely. As tested, the Horizon 515 Northerner was priced at $52,990 and included the 115hp Yamaha fourstroke, digital gauges, hydraulic steering, Garmin echoMAP 95SV, hull wrap, Minn Kota Riptide Terrova i-Pilot 88lb electric, additional battery, single-axle mechanical override braked trailer and underfloor kill tank. However, basic packages start from about $32,000 with a Yamaha 90hp fourstroke and trailer. For more information on this and other Horizon models, check out hori zonboats.com.au We’ve also uploaded a video report to our YouTube channel BNBFTV, so be sure to jump on to see this boat in motion.

Lowrance announces price drops on Elite Ti

OWRANCE has just announced a price drop across its Elite Ti range of multi-function displays. The new recommended retail prices incorporate savings of 20 percent off the previous RRPs, with savings up to $700. With displays available in 5”, 7”, 9”, and 12” screen sizes, the Elite Ti series features clean yet rugged styling anglers have come to expect from Lowrance. Designed for anglers looking for an all-in-one fishfinder/chartplotter, the Elite Ti displays offer incredible value at an affordable price. Take advantage of cutting-edge features including an easy-to-use touchscreen interface, wireless connectivity, proven Lowrance navigation technology and high-performance sonar. Paired with a compatible transducer, Elite Ti can deliver CHIRP, Broadband Sounder and StructureScan HD im-

aging sonar with SideScan, DownScan Imaging and new FishReveal views. CHIRP sonar offers improved fish-target separation, while the StructureScan HD sonar imaging system delivers photo-like images of fish-holding structure on both sides and directly beneath the boat. FishReveal is a massive leap forward in fish-

finding technology that allows anglers to quickly and easily discover how fish orient themselves in and around cover and structure, with clearly defined fish arches. For the ultimate in onwater navigation, Elite Ti displays feature a highly accurate built-in GPS antenna that displays position on a detailed C-MAP or Navionics+ chart.

Bluetooth and wireless connectivity also provide control of single or dual Power-Pole shallow water anchors and enables remote access to the display via compatible smartphones and tablets. For further information on the Lowrance Elite Ti range or to locate an authorised Lowrance dealer, please call 1300 NAVICO or visit lowrance.com

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Page 44 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018

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BOATING & marine Insights into boat insurance

USH ‘n Beach has brought Nautilus Marine Insurance on board to expand the fine print and provide readers with clear, easy-to-understand and helpful tips on protecting their boating assets.

The scenario Catching marlin from personal watercraft as well as tuna, mackerel and countless reef species – fishing from personal watercraft is a burgeoning sport in Queensland. As an example, in May this year a large, highspeed armada of fully kitted-out PWCs headed more than 40km offshore from the Bray Park boat ramp to the Rock Cod Shoals while taking part in the annual Boyne Tannum Hookup fishing tournament. PWC fishing was a new category for the event this year (along with ‘human powered watercraft’ targeting owners of kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards). Anyone who knows those waters would recognise the Rock Cod

Shoals as a very serious trip on a PWC. And every weekend, offshore fisherfolk in traditional boats see more and more of these very customised PWC rigs turning up on Queensland’s reef systems. Some companies specialise in crafting stainless steel frames for PWCs to securely hold iceboxes as well as incorporating rocket launchers for fishing rods, live bait tanks, racks for extra fuel storage, cutting boards, transducer and sounder brackets, navigation lights and camping gear. As a specialist marine insurer, Nautilus Marine understands what these additions to a PWC actually are and how much they can increase the value of these specialist fishing platforms. Accordingly, Nautilus also provides insurance cover for them. When making an application for insurance for a PWC, it is important to list all the accessories fitted and evidence of their value – that way an appropriate level of cover can be

provided in the policy. A typical PWC policy from Nautilus includes coverage for up to $10,000 of fishing gear with a maximum of $1500 payable for any one item. Equipment such as sounders come under the ‘hull and equipment’ provisions of the policy, rather than fishing gear. And recognising how PWCs are used these days, the policies also typically include coverage for water skiers. Trying to secure similar coverage from a company that perhaps specialises in residential home or automotive insurance is fraught with traps for the unwary – many of them stemming from a lack of specific knowledge of what these PWCs are and how their owners use them. As a specialist marine insurer, Nautilus recognises that coverage for offshore locations is a critical consideration. But one of the key points here is that just like a boat, the vessel must be ‘fit for purpose’ for the area and conditions in

which it is operating. There are a couple of other factors to understand as well. For example, if the owner has held a PWC licence for less than two years, there ordinarily is a $500 excess, and if the owner is under 24 years of age, there also is a $500 excess. Given that PWCs are stolen far too frequently, there is also an excess if it is stolen from a shared parking facility. That’s one reason why it makes sense to have a high-quality lock mechanism securing your PWC trailer to the towbar – not just a padlock, but a device that locks the towbar and PWC together. Special conditions and excesses should always be explained clearly in your insurance policy’s product

disclose document. So always check your product disclosure document and if you have a query, ask for clarification. If you need further information, you can contact Nautilus Marine Insurance on 1300 780 533 for any boat insurance requirements. Win a Nautilus Prize Package Nautilus will also be answering your boat insurance questions of a general nature and will be offering a great bimonthly prize to the best questions received. The prize is a Nautilus Marine merchandising pack comprising a collapsible chiller bag, a handy marine sports bag and a cap. Just email your questions to qld@nautilusin surance.com.au

Any advice contained in this article is of a general nature only and may not apply or be right for you as it does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any advice provided in this article, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs.

Page 46 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018

Ocean Craft Cruiser THE Ocean Craft Cruiser is now available with an aircraft carrier-style square-nosed bow for maximum deck space and dune buggy ramp loading. The Cruiser is available in three options: 1. Cruiser extreme party barbecue boat; 2. Aircraft carrier square-nosed bow for maximum deck space; and 3. Dune buggy transporter. Standard fit includes an above-waterline selfdraining deck, fulllength heavy-duty folddown bimini top, hatch to afford access below deck, airtight buoyancy section under deck and an ocean-going wave-

punching hull. Below deck options include: • Storm refuge V-berth; • Underfloor live bait tank, kill tank and fuel tank fit-out; and • Second weatherproof hatch to afford below deck access. Whether it’s going surfing, spearfishing or weekending around the islands, the Ocean Craft Cruiser is ready to do its job. Ocean Crafts can be optionally fitted with an on-board toilet, kitchen, worktop, fridge, dualburner cooker and basin, stereo hi-fi and 12V power points. The 5.2m Cruiser is priced from $38,283 and 6m from $44,995.

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Hi Ben, I was so happy to catch this 94cm jewie at Jumpinpin recently. Stephanie

Hey guys, I recently caught this jewie in the Coomera River at night-time off my kayak. Jonathon Roberts

Whitney Giffin had fun with her dad and landed this quality snapper.

I landed this 4.5kg Murray cod in my backyard and it’s one of my bucket list fish and my firstever caught. Andrew Rowan

I got this cracker snapper off Point Lookout recently. Deano Palermo

I landed these fat bass while pre-fishing Wyaralong Dam. Brandon Goulding

I captured this coral trout offshore and north of Gladstone on half a pilchard. Krystle Daly

Dakoda Gardham with a grunter caught on half a garfish.

To have a photo of your catch featured in Readers Forum, simply email ben@bnbfishing.com.au with a good-quality picture, your name and details or hop onto our Facebook page and send us a message.

■ Readers Forum ■ Readers Forum ■ Readers Forum

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018 – Page 49

K AYAKING & canoeing Matching the hatch with Atomic Plazos

TERM that often gets thrown about in the fishing scene is “matching the hatch”.

A small blue salmon pulled out of a feeding frenzy on prawns.

This cracking mangrove jack was a surprising winter catch.

When it comes to applying this to your day on the water, you simply match your bait or lure to what the fish are thought or seen to be feeding on. Sometimes finding out this key piece of information can mean the difference between catching fish and going home empty handed. Fishing is the type of sport where you never quite know what to expect when it comes to anything beyond the tide and weather predictions. Being an avid lure fisher, I always carry an array of soft plastic and hardbodied lures to cover all bases. No matter the conditions, I’ll have a lure to suit. When bait fishing, it’s also a good idea to take or catch a range of bait to find what works on the day. Some days finding what the fish are feeding on can be a matter of trial and error, but on occasions the answer can jump right out at you. On a recent kayaking trip to a local river system, my girlfriend Leeah and I set out to target any fish the system had on offer. Almost instantly after launching the kayak, we noticed surface activity and were quick to check it out. An abundance of fish was actively feeding on something near the surface, and after a closer look we discovered it was prawns getting devoured. I didn’t think twice about putting on an Atomic Plazos Prong soft plas-

Another great catch, with this flathead falling victim to the Atomic Plazos Prong.

Page 50 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018

Kayak Fishing by JOEL JOHNSON

tic rigged on a 1/8oz TT Lures jig head. I cast the prawn imitation into the action and with a fast twitching retrieve I hooked up. The first fish to come over the side was a small trevally, followed by plenty more varying in size. These trevally made for great sport out of the kayak, however we wanted something bigger! One species I’ve had in my sights to target this winter is blue salmon. These fish run through our Bundaberg river systems during the cooler months and generally feed in numbers. Knowing blue salmon readily prey on prawns, I knew too well if there were any among the action they wouldn’t shy away from my lure. Sure enough, the Prong worked wonders, this time hooking up to something that performed acrobatic jumps left, right and centre. A lovely little blue salmon made its way into the landing net after a spritely battle for a small fish. After releasing the salmon, we continued to pepper the feeding school but unfortunately no more hook-ups were converted into captures, so we pushed downstream to see what else was biting. We found a likely looking rock bar situated out from the river’s edge that definitely deserved a cast. After just my second cast, I hooked up once again on the mighty Atomic Prong and this time was on to something decent.

The fish peeled line towards the structure, making me suspect I may have hooked a mangrove jack. I knew I couldn’t put any more pressure on my line as I was only fishing with 10lb leader due to thinking the jacks might be shut down in the cool water. Luckily, the fish steered clear of danger and I slowly brought it to the kayak. Indeed it was a mangrove jack and a cracker at that, measuring just shy of 50cm. This beauty was released to grow bigger and stronger and hopefully give us another fight in future. As the tide pushed in, we drifted back towards our launching destination, hoping to encounter more fish along the way. We approached the area where the fish were busting up earlier in the day and noticed a big change in the fish feeding behaviours. The tide had pushed higher, giving the prawns and bait cover in the mangroves and snags along the bank, but it was not a good day to be a prawn! The prawns were still being smashed by schools of fish and the food chain was working like a National Geographic documentary. We could see the fish were herding the prawns together before simultaneously ambushing them and causing them to spray out of the water in a wavelike fashion, where the birds would then do their best to score a feed.

And there we were, trying our luck at catching the predatory fish in the middle of it all. By fishing the mangrove-lined bank we continued to catch everything from flathead to more trevally and a nice blackspotted estuary cod on the prawn-imitation soft plastic. Now it may not always be as easy as spotting a flicking prawn, tying on a prawn imitation lure or prawn bait and then catching fish. Sometimes achieving success can involve more investigation. For example, when targeting whiting you might think to use a yabby as bait on a sandbank because yabbies live on sandbanks. However, yabbies don’t inhabit all types of sand, so look for banks covered in yabby holes to narrow your fishing area and greatly increase your chances of success. The same principle works with nearly any type of baitfish and predator situation, where it pays to find what the fish will be hunting before casting at anything and hoping for the best. Just think, you wouldn’t go to a takeaway restaurant hoping to buy a meal they specialise in and come out satisfied after being given the complete opposite. Yes, you might like to eat the opposite on occasion, like a whiting would eat things other than yabbies, but if you go in like a whiting hunting yabbies on a yabby bank, that’s what you’re going to want. Find the ideal bait or lure for the situation on the day and don’t stop casting!

A blackspotted estuary cod caught from a rock bar.

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K AYAKING & canoeing Reflections on the lake near Hamon Cove.

First stop of the day overlooking the ranges of the Stanley River.

O’Sheas to Logans by canoe A

N annual event run by a group I’m a member of within the Scout Association is a trip down Wivenhoe Dam from O’Sheas Crossing to Logans Inlet.

The length of the paddle (40km) is definitely a challenge but is achievable for anyone with reasonable paddle skills and levels of fitness. It was certainly one that my partner and I were keen to undertake. So we found ourselves braving the cold at 5am one Saturday morning, waiting for the car shuttle up to the launch point at O’Sheas Crossing. It is often at this point of an early morning paddle that you find yourself questioning your sanity. I mean, who in their right mind gets out of a warm bed before 5 in the morning to traipse around in the cold darkness like gorillas in the mist to go paddling? We do! O’Sheas Crossing is a delightful spot to go paddling and despite a bit of carry to get the boats to the water, a really easy place to launch from. Usually quite a picturesque location, there was not much to see at 7am on this cold misty morning. The effect as we set off downriver was eerie but definitely beautiful and as the mist slowly cleared it revealed stately grey gums backlit by the rising sun. From O’Sheas, the Bris-

Canoeing by DAN OWBRIDGE

bane River heads southwest for about 3km before meeting the Stanley River at the headwaters of Lake Wivenhoe. From here it winds slowly southwards for another 8km before entering the dam proper. The riverbanks are lined with grey gums and backed by rolling hills and escarpments before gradually flattening out into the pastural land that dominates most of the surrounding countryside on the upper reaches. It was here we took our first break, having covered just over 11km in two hours of paddling. It was time for a warm cup of tea and to shed a layer of clothing. Our plan for this paddle was to break it down into four legs of about two hours each. This makes for more relaxed paddling and ensures you have time to enjoy the scenery and take in the experience. Our next two legs took us down through the channels between the large islands near Esk, lunching opposite the town pumping station. The backdrop to this section features the hills surrounding Esk to your right and those of Crossdale and bordering Sandy Creek to your left. Though we didn’t ven-

ture into it this trip, the gorges inside Sandy Creek are worth a sperate trip to explore. Unless you are familiar with this area, it’s a good idea to bring a map and compass for this section as the lake winds in and around numerous islands and large bays. It’s easy to get lost and find yourself headed up a dead end. By the end of our third section we found ourselves at the mouth of Hamon Cove. This is one of the gazetted launch sites for Lake Wivenhoe and a good set-off point for paddlers wanting shorter day paddles on the upper sections of the lake. This section of the lake is a bird watcher’s dream come true. We observed literally thousands of swans, ducks, eagles, waterfowl, egrets, cormorants and pelicans. Our passage along the lake was frequently accompanied by the thunder of thousands of wing beats as a large flock of waterbirds took to the air as we approached. I have no doubt about the importance of this lake as a wetland habitat for local birdlife. We were fortunate enough to see some quite spectacular sights on this

There’s a bridge there somewhere! O’Sheas Crossing in the early morning.

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portion of the trip, including a family of swans with cygnets in tow and an absolutely massive wedgetailed eagle enjoying its lunch on the lakeside. The last section of our paddle was an easy 8km run home from Hamon Cove down to Logans Inlet, passing by Pelican Island. This is a nesting colony for local pelicans and is usually covered with thousands of its namesakes vying for nesting space. The lake starts to widen out at this point and can be quite wind affected. It’s a good idea to keep close to shore if the wind picks up. We were fortunate to have a clear and quite still day, so were able to hop from point to point for a very quick trip home. We arrived back just before 4pm, an overall duration of nine hours, with 7.5 hours of actual paddling. A pretty respectable effort, averaging 5.5km/h! It is worth noting the group involved were all experienced paddlers and able to maintain a steady paddling rate all day. It is a more reasonable expectation for a group to be achieving an average of 4.5km/h for a trip of this duration, particularly if unforeseen circumstances arise, such as excessive wind or rain. As with any extended journey in the outdoors, it is important to be adequately prepared. All the boats on our trip carried a first-aid kit, dry clothing and adequate water. We also had enough food for a day of moderate exercise and means of calling for help in case of an emergency. The paddling craft selected by each member was suited for extended trips and had been paddled previously by the individual. My partner and I use a 15’ canoe for its ease of paddling and comfort. We find it easy to change seated position in this craft during an extended trip, which avoids the numbness often associated with a long day in the seat of a kayak. Members of the group

who chose kayaks certainly were a lot stiffer at the end than we were; something canoe paddlers are always happy to point out. In summary, it was a long day on the water but absolutely worth it! We saw amazing scenery and a wide array of wildlife. The lake is clean and clear and a real pleasure to paddle on, with many easy places to stop along the way for a cuppa and a sandwich, and for the most part the voyage is sheltered from the wind. The only part we found strange was no one else was out there! It would seem Wivenhoe is a very well-kept secret… For more information about this paddling trip or others in the local area, please give me a call at One Tree Canoe Company on 0424 001 646 or visit onetreecanoe.com Happy paddling!

Grey gums started to appear from the mist.

A group of pelicans enjoyed the afternoon sun.

CLASSIC AUSTRALIAN-MADE CANOES

Canoes | Repairs | Hires 0424 001 646 | onetreecanoe.com Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018 – Page 51

Nick Whyte from Tech Fishing landed this healthy threadfin salmon on the first afternoon of the trip.

Luke Cameron with a beast GT that couldn’t resist a Chug Norris popper from Nomad Design.

Ripper trip to Rockhampton A NOTHER month has flown by and I hope everyone has been enjoying the great weather in southeast Queensland.

The author with his first queenie, hooked on a 7” white jerk shad. These fish put on a great aerial display.

A quick stop to break up the drive saw Shane Ramsay put a plastic in front of this barra’s face.

e h t t u o Check nge a r w e epic n l! e r a p p of a outerline.com.au

Page 52 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018

The cold southwesterly wind is definitely in full swing, the water temperature has dropped and the bait is thick off our close inshore grounds, which means the big snapper are here. From what I have seen, plenty of people have been getting into them! The inshore grounds off Stradbroke and Moreton islands and the Gold Coast have been firing. This is my favourite time of year. Recently my old man and I went chasing snapper off Straddie and Dad hooked what we thought was a cracker knobby, but it turned out to be a solid red emperor of about 8kg. That is the second red of that size we have caught off Straddie in a year. Funnily enough, they have both came from isolated bits of rock and both on the night of the full moon. I went out with a mate a day after the last full moon and he hooked what looked and felt like another solid red on the same spot but he pulled the hooks halfway up. Obviously it may not have been, but anyone who has caught these fish knows they have a very distinctive bite and telltale fight, so I’m just going to stick with it being a red. To think we are fishing these areas off Straddie with the legitimate chance of catching reds is bloody unreal! I was recently invited to join Luke Cameron and a few other boys on a trip to Rockhampton to chase barra and threadies in the Fitzroy River. I said bloody oath and couldn’t wait! We left Brissie about 1.30am on a Thursday towing three tinnies. We broke up the trip by stopping at a river where the boys had caught barra before. The fish were very timid but after a bit of moving around Ramsay got a solid barra from the bank.

Fishing Trip

by ADAM FOLEY

We arrived at our first spot and began to cast poppers, plastics and small stickbaits for GTs and queenies. I caught the first queenie of the trip on a 7” white jerk shad and what a great fight this speedster put up. After a few happy snaps we were back in the car and on our way to the Fitzroy. As soon as we arrived, we put the boats in the water and were away. The other boats had a few hits and each of them got a thready but we didn’t get a touch. We pulled the pin on dark and headed to our accommodation: a shed situated on 5000 acres. To say it was beautiful country would be an understatement. About six months ago we all went barra fishing at another place and had a massive night on the turps, which we said we would never do again. Well guess what happened at the shed… we hit it even harder and it turned out to be one of the funniest nights of my life, but I will keep this G rated! I went to sleep about 4am, but a few of the boys stayed awake until the sun came up and then went fishing. On waking, I was told it was raining, cold and miserable on the river and the fish were not biting, so the rest of us decided to get the tinnie and head out to Great Keppel Island for the day. It ended up being a great day and although not many fish were caught, it was good to explore some of the creeks and little islands off Great Keppel. The next day we all had

our game faces on because the fishing had been underwhelming so far. With mint weather forecast, we loaded the tinnies with fuel and started what would be a 170km round trip off the Keppel group looking for GTs, queenfish and black jewfish. We arrived at our first spot and began to cast poppers, plastics and small stickbaits for GTs and queenies. I caught the first queenie of the trip on a 7” white jerk shad and what a great fight this speedster put up. After a bit of an aerial display, we brought the fish in for a photo and released it. We then headed out further and met the other tinnies to target black jew. The first thing we heard was our mate Wilky had been blown away on heavy gear. We sounded around and picked up numerous fish on the sounder but couldn’t get a hit. Ramsay got a nice golden trevally, and when our other mates Josh and Dale hooked up we were close enough to see how hard these things go, which was pretty cool. Unfortunately, we had just missed the good bite time and they went off. We proceeded to have a look around the area and plot out spots for a future trip. After a few beers and checking the place out, we headed back to where

we began the day to chase GTs because the tide was now running hard, but not before stopping off at a spot where Nick Whyte thought queenies would be hanging. Camo hooked the first on a small Nomad stickbait and then Whyte got the second on a Nomad Riptide 200mm stickbait. I had never been in the boat when a big GT was caught and it had been on my bucket list for a long time. After casting poppers for about 20 minutes, we heard Camo screaming: “Yup, yup GT!” It was chasing his Nomad Chug Norris popper, which from what I have seen is a real go-to GT popper. This thing belted the lure and had Camo working hard for about 10 minutes. Once he had it beside the boat, Whyte grabbed its tail and the two of them dragged it aboard. What bloody beasts these things are. Camo’s drag was done up so tight you could hardly pull it wrapped around your hand, yet this GT pulled it like it was nothing! After releasing the fish and sharing a bunch of high fives, we continued popping, with a few fish having a look at our lures but nothing hooking up. It was a bit later in the afternoon and we were in small tinnies considering how far offshore we were, so we decided to head in. I guess my chance to hook a big GT will have to wait until next time… which won’t be too far away as on the drive back to Brisbane plans were made for our next adventure up there. Thanks again to the boys for the invite. It was good to try a new style of fishing and there is nobody better to learn from than these boys with their knowledge of structure scanning for barra, threadies and jewfish, not to mention their experience with the big pelagics. Next time I am definitely not having a bender on the first night… maybe! Happy fishing everybody. www.bnbfishing.com. au

Frenchville Sports Club Barra Bash a success

’M very pleased to be reporting on the success of the very first Frenchville Sports Club Barra Bash that was held from June 7-9.

A few people were thinking “What the hell are you doing running a barra comp in winter? You don’t catch barra in winter.” Those lucky enough to call the Fitzroy River home are well aware the Fitzy fishes incredibly well when old Jack Frost comes a knockin’. Months before the event, the Frenchy crew called upon some local knowledge to make sure the comp would be something to remember. Steve Pill and Colin Brett of Barra Jacks Rockhampton were brought onto the committee and with years of fishing barra competitions, they had plenty of experience and ideas to put forward. The prizes on offer were nothing short of spectacular. Prize money was up for grabs for team overall performances for most

Competition Report by JOHN BOON

metres of barra. First to fifth got you into the dollars. Biggest barra and king threadfin also took home a cool $1000 each. The main lucky door prize was a Shimano Stella 3000 and there were far too many other prizes to list. As this was a team event, the name of the game was to catch your 10 biggest barra each day. If you hit your limit, you would then look to upgrade sizes. Fishing time was a full day on Friday and half a day on Saturday. The tides for the comp were spot on and the water clarity right up to the town reaches was out of this world. The weather, however, wasn’t the greatest, with 20-25 knots forecast for the two pre-fish days and also the first day of the comp.

Most metres of threadfin salmon was taken out by Team Baldy and Shorty.

Biggest barramundi was won by Zac Moss with this 1250mm horse.

If there’s one thing old pink eyes likes, it’s stability. Many teams put in at least one pre-fish day because it’s always a good idea to have a look around to find likely spots and hungry fish. We went one day further and put in two days prior to the comp. We wanted to stay where the water clarity was best, so looked hard from the town reaches down to the cut-through, or Pirate Point as it’s commonly known to locals. Searching for barra we went and barra we found. The Humminbird Mega Imaging was showing us this section of river had fantastic numbers of barra and threadfin present. A few of the hardcore comp fishos don’t like to pin the fish before comp day, so will take the hooks off their lures. We definitely don’t fall into that category because we are fairly relaxed when it comes to local barra comps. Instead we went about proving the fish we found would bite, landing a fish and moving on. At most of the spots we found, the barra were keen. The big question was: would they still bite come game day? The opening day of the comp certainly had a different feel to it, with the wind stronger and colder. One thing was for sure: everyone would be fishing the same conditions. We positioned ourselves for kick-off on a spot holding 20-plus barra. After only about 20 minutes, my teammate Luke Peisker put us on the board with our first barra. No doughnuts and the monkey off our back. We persisted for another hour with no more to show for our effort. We then headed downstream to see if the spots we found in the pre-fish would produce the goods. It was really difficult to find productive areas out of the wind because it was funnelling straight up the river. It really became a game of finding protected areas

Biggest threadfin salmon was Evan’s 1370mm fish.

www.bnbfishing.com. au

holding barra. By now it was almost 1pm and it had been over six hours since we had seen a barra. We pulled into a snaggy spot where we had caught fish in the past. Everything had lined up. The tide was spot on and the water clarity fantastic. We generally don’t fish an area unless we see fish on the sounder, so this was one of only a handful of spots we cast blindly to. The action was instant and the weedless Berkley Gulps were going well. They were only small barra but they were point scorers nonetheless. The bite died after about half an hour, by which time we had boated three barra and two king threadfin. We headed back to the town reaches for the last few hours before the 5pm knock-off. Boats were everywhere, so it was going to be hard to find a spot. Luke made a great call to check out a set of rocks we had extracted good barra from before the last flood. On the sounder the rocks lit up with barra all over them and we went to work. We pulled another three barra and jumped as many off. It would have been good to have another hour at this spot but the end of day one was upon us. The chat from the opening was it was a pretty tough day all round. We ended up with seven barra and were pretty happy considering the conditions. The big talk of the day was Colin Brett and Mick Slade of Team Dobyns Rods/Lethal Lures had a blinder, landing 21 and putting them a long way in front of the rest of the field. Day two saw a massive improvement in conditions. We stuck with the same plan and started in town. It was the same story from the day before, with the fish proving tough to get a bite from. We boated our first after about an hour and headed downstream once again. We thought the fish downstream might chew with the better conditions but it wasn’t to be, only boating one more for the rest of the allocated time. The talk from day two was Steve Lill and brother Jon had managed to find the bite with a 20-fish session including plenty of upgrades. An outstanding effort. The best part about the comp was the mystery around the placings. At no stage were any scores posted, except for the top five teams on the first day. It built excitement and anticipation so the presentation night was an absolute cracker. Steve Lill had the MC duties and after a couple of beers had the entire crowd in stitches. They couldn’t have found a more fitting person for the role.

Together, the Frenchy and major sponsor Iron Jack surprised everyone by putting on free beer for the night. It was just what the doctor ordered after a couple of big days on the water. The morale of the competitors and all the organisers was top notch, with everyone having a yarn, a beer and plenty of stories of tragedy and triumph. For the most metres of barra, Colin Brett and Mick Slade of Team Dobyns Rods/Lethal Lures took out first prize, which was a cool $5000. Steve and Jon Lill of team Idnumarrab Brothers placed second, only 3cm clear of third place in the form of Andrew and Scott Spyve of Team River Rats. The biggest barra was taken out by local guru Zac Moss at a whopping 1250mm. Zac is no stranger to banging big fish in the river and it definitely won’t be his last monster to land on the deck. ☛ continued P54

Most metres of barramundi was won by Team Dobyns Rods/Lethal Lures comprising Mick Slade and Colin Brett.

A solid school of barra scanned to the side of a rubble patch.

Plenty of barra were sitting on the pressure edge of this rock pile.

The author’s best barra unfortunately came in the pre-fish.

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Remembering Von Ireland T

HE last time I wrote an article on behalf of Von it was because she was off doing what she loved best: sitting in her little boat chasing barra in some beautiful part of the country she’d discovered.

Von with one of her favourite species.

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Today, sadly, I write on behalf of Von because at 4.20pm on Tuesday, June 19, 2018 she left this world to begin her journey to heaven. In true Von style, she continued her fight until the seas became calm, and then at the top of the Stanage Bay tide she packed her bags and hit the ocean to forever go fishing. The day after Von’s passing, a little group of us made the journey from the hospital back to Stanage Bay in support of her loving partner Tony. So if it’s road condition information you’re after, I can tell you the road in is slightly corrugated, with minor pot holes, but in all not too bad. The beers were aplenty the minute we hit the dirt. We stopped for a chat at each of Von’s favourite little spots along the way. Each stop brought shared stories and memories of her life. Much laughter was had at her quirky antics and pranks as well as tears shed at the thought of her leaving us. The final stop was in a little spot Von used to visit to reflect and admire the beautiful Marble Islands. Von certainly had control of the weather on this day, with seas so calm you could skim rocks. The only two days Tony has ever seen the ocean so calm and the scenery so clear were

Von’s final day at Stanage and that day of Tony’s return. That afternoon, the moon was tipped on its side, which Von believed meant all the fish were being emptied into the sea. It was time to ready the boats and head for the reef. The shop is fully stocked with bait, tackle and supplies, so make sure we keep Von’s legacy alive by supporting her little venture. The latest supply of lures has arrived, and Yo-Zuris are a favorite with the spanish mackerel and our Von. The cooler weather has brought on the red emperor, nannygai and coral trout in the Marble Island surrounds and jewfish into Stanage Bay. New souvenir shirts are in stock too, with a range of new designs. The whales are on their way up the coast and yachties have been spotting them off Hexham Island. Please remember to respect these beautiful creatures and abide by the 100m clearance rule. Boaties please be careful because whale numbers in the area can be quite high, including in the bay itself. Muddies are still about and

braving the cold temperatures and must have their winter kilos because they have good weight to them. Stanage has been the basis of my whole life’s holiday memories and I have been fortunate to pass this opportunity down the line. Bookings for accommodation are filling fast for the rest of the year but the campground is still available to all. Stanage is never going to be the same without Von’s warm smile, hugs and fishing advice but she’s now at peace and has begun her new chapter. As we endeavor to begin ours, one thing high on the priority list is to do Von proud.

Don’t forget to call into the shop and say g’day to Tone and Mort on your next visit. The Stanage Bay Marine & Accommodation Facebook page is still up and running. Let’s keep the ball rolling for Von. You don’t realise how big her feet really are until you have to step up and take a walk in her boots. We love you so much Von and will be looking out for signs that you are still with us, hopefully in the form of some excellent fishing marks. You’ll never be forgotten and may you always steam under calm seas. Pee Wee

Von back in her pro crabbing days.

The final picture Von took the day she left Stanage, with the message “Who fancies a stroll to the Marbles?”.

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Von’s partner Tony and the author returned to Stanage for a photo in the same spot as Von’s last shot.

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Page 54 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018

Biggest king threadfin was won by Evan from Team Jem Lures 2 at 1370mm. That’s a monster thready. Evan actually caught the second-biggest as well, going 1300mm. He sure has those big threadies worked out. Team total of most metres of king threadfin was taken out by team Baldy & Shorty, with an overall total of 7.39m. Our Team Downtime came in eighth and we were happy with a top-10 finish considering how tough we found the bite. The main aim of the com-

petition was to showcase what the Fitzroy River has to offer and celebrate that it has now been commercial gill net free since November 2015. The number of fish in the river at the moment is incredible and it’s a credit to all those involved who have pushed to make sure the Fitzroy River will be there tomorrow for everyone to enjoy. So many barra and threadies were caught in only a day and a half of competition. The fact the comp was held during winter should make a few people wake up and take notice of the fishery we have right on our door step. The 2018 Frenchville

Sports Club Barra Bash was a bloody great comp and I would highly recommend it to everyone. Next year’s dates have already been set, so make sure you save them in your fishing calendar. The event will run from May 23-25, 2019. The committee has some exciting new ideas to make it even bigger and better. This is a great competition you should keep your eye on. You can check out all the results and the amazing sponsors on the Frenchville Sports Club Barra Bash Facebook page, and make sure you follow the page to keep up to date. www.bnbfishing.com. au

Josh Lyon with a sizeable Cape York barra.

Barramundi should start coming out of their winter lethargy on the Cape during August.

Prime month for barra on the Cape A UGUST, bring it on!

While winter might still be happening in southern parts, this month on Cape York sees temperatures sneaking up as the days get longer and the sun a little stronger. Sure, there’s still the odd coolish night at times. However, you can now sense the change heralding the beginning of the ‘build-up’ to wet season. This typically triggers a feeding switch for barramundi which, especially in fresh water, have been fairly lethargic over previous months. In fact, I’ve seen some of the best barra fishing during August. One of the most memorable times was on the Normanby River in Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park, camping with an American family. We were hoping to provide a feed of the fabled sport and table fish they had heard so much about. Josh took one of the guests, Glenn Close, upriver in our little tinnie during the late arvo of the first day, flicking around the snags and lily pads and catching barra after barra. They tagged and released over 20 before the sun set, with a couple kept for a campfire feast under a magnificent starry Cape York sky. That little session not surprisingly coincided with a drop in the southeasterly wind and the first warm spell of the changing seasons.

Cape York

by ‘BILLABONG’ BAZZ LYON

The fishing for the previous couple of months had been fairly quiet, to say the least. Incidentally, our guests enthused that the camping weekend, complete with the amazing wildlife including crocodiles, was the absolute highlight of their visit to Australia. Anyway, with reports of good barramundi fishing around the Cape so far this year, August is likely to be a prime month. The bite will not be as lively as it is during the run-off after the wet season, and in fact you may have to put in many hours before hitting the ‘happy hour’ (or so). However, that’s all part of the fun and learning! It is worth fishing deep holes as well as bankside snags, and if you identify rock bars or deepwater snags, you might just strike gold. For this reason, deep divers and soft plastics for jigging are important inclusions in the tackle box. So too are shallow divers that can be used on top with plenty of splash, along with poppers and other surface lures. Surface lures can be blooped to great effect at night too, but using a good headlight is important so you can keep tabs on the action. I like night fishing because you can see much of

the other wildlife moving around. Barramundi, tarpon and saratoga all have orange/ red eye-shines that reflect in a light beam (so long as it’s not too bright), as do freshwater prawns, and of course freshwater and estuarine crocodiles. The other option of course is bait fishing, using mullet, herring and cherabin/prawns. In fresh water and estuaries I prefer to use lures as there’s something really appealing about enticing the fish to bite. However, bait fishing, especially with live bait, also has its own appeal and makes a great change from time to time. A cast net is a much better option for collecting bait on the Cape than a drag net. In fact it’s really the only option in most places because of the presence of estuarine crocodiles. There might be the odd shallow creek where you can see everywhere is safe, however it’s best to just take the cast net and leave the drag net at home. Don’t forget some yabby traps too. We generally use opera house traps with partly cooked potatoes or dry dog food in a plastic container with small holes drilled in. While cherabin are excellent baits, they make a

This productive headland at Ninian Bay on eastern Cape York has produced cracker barra, mangrove jack, fingermark, trevally, queenfish, cod and the occasional maori sea perch.

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cracker feed as well. Boiled for a couple of minutes in salty water with a tablespoon of sugar thrown in they are great tucker. They’re tops in omelettes, jaffles, curries and camp oven-cooked pizzas too. From experience, we get the best results by checking the pots a few times at night before hitting the swag, and transfer any cherabin caught to the fridge or bait bucket. Otherwise, come daylight, many cherabin will see the openings in the mouths of the traps and do the Harold Holt. August also sees improved fishing for pelagics such as mackerel, queenfish and trevally as they move in to chase the bait in the generally clearer water. Any rocky headlands or beaches are well worth targeting, as well as places including the Cooktown, Weipa and Seisia wharves. You also stand a good chance to catch some of the local residents including mangrove jack, estuary cod, sweetlip, fingermark and barramundi, the latter usually on the points or lee side of the headland to the southeasterly. Fishing on the upper part of the tide usually works best, and don’t be afraid to lure shallow water. Mangrove edges and outlying mangroves and rocky areas, even biggish lone rocks and mangrove trees can be absolute hot spots. Blue salmon abound along parts of the Gulf of Carpentaria coast, along with threadfin salmon. August is statistically the second-driest month on the Cape behind September, so the chance of rain is minimal, except perhaps in the Iron Range and Bloomfield River areas. There, the southeasterly trade winds collide with the mountain ranges to produce the occasional shower. Each year the bitumen is extended further up the Peninsula Development Road, much appreciated by most locals, but less so for many visitors who relish the wide gravel roads after the restrictions of city traffic.

Understood! Keep in mind that by August, many roads that were graded earlier in the dry season will now be corrugating and dusting up. A bit of experimenting will find the best speed for a particular vehicle on bad corrugations, though it’s typically between 60 and 80km/h. And as always, ensure your suspension is in top order. Safe travels, and see you up here!

Josh Lyon held a stonker fingermark, which is always a prime capture in the tropics.

by MELISSA FROHLOFF

Thai-style stir-fried squid Ingredients • 500g squid tubes, scored and cut into bite-size pieces • 1/2 red capsicum, sliced • 1/2 yellow capsicum, sliced • 1/2 head broccoli • 1 small zucchini, halved and sliced • 4 baby corn, chopped • 100g snow peas, chopped • 4 shallots, sliced • 1 carrot, finely sliced • 2 tbsp rice oil Sesame oil • 1 kaffir lime leaf, finely sliced • 1/2 tsp fresh chilli flakes • 1 tbsp freshly ground ginger • 1 stick lemongrass • 1/2 cup oyster sauce

Method 1. Heat wok on high, add a few drops of sesame oil. Add squid and cook until opaque. Set aside. 2. Add rice oil to wok. Sauté carrot, broccoli and zucchini and set aside. 3. Sauté capsicum, snow peas, shallots and set aside. 4. Bruise the piece of lemongrass in mortar and pestle. Add a couple of drops of sesame oil to the wok and add lemongrass, ginger, chilli flakes and kaffir lime and cook until aromatic. 5. Add squid, vegetables, oyster sauce and stir fry until heated through. Remove lemongrass and serve stir-fried squid immediately.

Prep time: 20 min | Cook time: 10 min | Serves 4-6 Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018 – Page 55

Trip to the tip – part two C Enjoying a drink.

ONTINUING on from part one of my Cape York adventure article last month, due to the strong trade winds blowing on the east coast, we decided to spend a couple of days fishing the west coast of the Cape.

Cory, Clint, Christian, Gavin, the author, Ricky, Mark and Soren at the tip of the Australian mainland.

Injinoo has a little boat ramp on Cowal Creek just west of Loyalty Beach. We decided to put our boats in here and run along the coastline hugging the beaches in 1215m of water. I found fantastic little bommies rising 3-4m off the bottom with plenty of fish showing. I waved the other lads down and we all had a fantastic bluewater session dropping Shimano Coltsniper jigs and Frookup Vibes to the bottom. We caught fantastic fingermark, trevally, mackerel, coral trout and some unstoppables. After sounding around this area, we found many other lumps and bumps holding good numbers of fish. After a great morning on these bluewater species, we decided to head

Cory nailed a jewfish.

Cape York Adventure by TODD EVELEIGH

further down the coast to the mouth of the Jardine River, where we moved cautiously upstream. The Jardine is a very shallow system and really tide affected, so you have to be careful not to get stuck in there on the falling tide because you will be trapped for a long time. Fishing in the Jardine was very good, with lots of quality saratoga and mangrove jack, but it just seemed to be riddled with baby barra between 35cm and 50cm. Casting 3” Lively Lures Mad Mullets in black and white to the grassed edges and pressure points was very productive. The boys began casting towards what they thought was a log, and after numerous casts with no bites, they moved further up the bank to realise it was a big 4m crocodile with a sea turtle in its mouth. The crocs are pretty keen up there and very inquisitive. They will stalk your boat to the point we had to bop one on the head with a tackle pole in the Jackey Jackey as it was getting far too close. Be very croc wise when you are up north. The next morning we decided to try another session in the Jardine and fished the western arm. We found good weed banks in about half a metre of water, so Gav and I decided to cast Lively Lures Ziggys over them and had a ball landing over 35 rat barra. Gav also got a cracker queenie and I caught a giant wolf herring, all on surface. We decided to finish early this day, head back to Loyalty Beach, unhitch

the boat and drive out to the tip of mainland Australia, which was only a 45-minute drive from Loyalty Beach. Once you get close to the tip, you can go a couple of ways to reach the end of the journey. We walked out over the hills and got a fantastic perspective of the tip, the islands and the bays nearby. It’s about a half-hour walk from the carpark to the tip. Once we got all the photos and yeehas and celebrations out of the way, we went back to the cars via the western side. We walked back along the beach to the carpark, which was a much easier walk, but you can only do this at low tide. From there we drove around to Punsand Bay where we proceeded to have a great night with beers, pizzas and a good laugh and reflection on our trip so far and how amazing it had been. The plan hatched that night was to fish more creeks further down the Gulf of Carpentaria past the Jardine. The next morning was a bit of a late start, with some of us sporting a few hangovers. Let’s face it, we were on holidays! We headed down to Injinoo, put the boats in and travelled out to fish some of the remote coastal creeks, which again equalled fantastic fishing for great-quality mangrove jack, heaps of rat barra, queenfish and trevally. Just casting to the snags resulted in good jacks, and in every small creek 10-15 little barra seemed to be waiting to munch our lures. All these coastal creeks showcased untouched and great fishing. I was a bit disappointed

in the size of the barra because I was expecting better numbers of bigger fish in these more remote locations. However, the Jackey Jackey and Escape proved excellent. Out in the ocean, just keeping an eye out for little bommies as we ran along the coast resulted in fantastic fishing for fingermark, trout, black jewfish and more. To be able to catch all these species (averaging over 30 fish a day) and to tick off the mighty Jardine toga really was fantastic. I can’t wait to plan a similar trip again, and hopefully we get to fish

some of those places we really wanted to go to but couldn’t access due to the wind. We talked to some of the traditional owners and accessed some of their lands around Vrilya Point but unfortunately the log bridges to get across the creeks were just not safe enough for us to travel. Hopefully next time I will be able to access some of these more remote Gulf rivers. Regardless, it was so great to explore and use our skills to find fish in areas we had never seen. I hope this inspires others to explore and fish remote destinations.

Clint with his first fish on a plastic.

A big croc with a turtle in its jaws.

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The author with one of the better barra.

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AJ with a typical-sized red emperor for shallow waters. Luke and Bronte with the results of a double hook-up on big goldens.

The author’s nephew Axel was ecstatic with his big golden trevally.

Cape York’s west coast A

TRIPLE hookup on northern bluefin tuna was giving the crew the runaround as we passed our lines over and under each other in an effort to stay connected. The blood was certainly pumping and it was only 7.30am. I took a moment from the action on deck to look around and take in the fishing mecca that is Cape York. Hundreds of birds were working the bait pushed to the surface by an assortment of pelagic fish and this was happening in all directions. Northern bluefin and mack tuna were busting the surface and no doubt spanish mackerel, cobia and a range of trevally species were mixed in among the schools. There was also the occasional bigger splash as a large shark got in on the action. We were fishing the inshore grounds off the west coast of the Cape and it was complete and utter pelagic pandemonium. The crew was having a ball! It was only a matter of seconds between casting our Halco Gold Twisties and hooking up solid on tuna. Our drags were set tight as we tried to get our fish past the bull sharks and bronze whalers that tend to hang under the boat and snatch your catch in the closing stages of the fight. Two safety rules are im-

Cape York & Torres Strait by MATT POTTER

portant for this sort of action-packed fishing. 1. Look back before you cast; and 2. Always wear sunglasses. It is easy to get caught up in the excitement and the last thing you need when fishing remote areas is a nasty injury. After a few longtail tuna were tossed into the Esky and a few more tossed back into the water, I decided to tie on a popper. While the hits are fewer, the quality of the fish is much better, with the larger northern blues (longtails) and spanish mackerel usually taking to the air as they crash tackle the lure. Unfortunately, this time it was a sizeable barracuda that took a liking to my Halco Roosta Popper. We could have spent many more hours playing with the speedsters, but I also wanted to drop some plastics and baits to the bottom for tasty reefies. Occasionally when chasing tuna we have stumbled across really productive ground that has produced desirable species such as black jewfish, fingermark, large-mouth nannygai, red emperor, grass sweetlip and tuskies. The waters we fish along the west coast of the Cape are relatively shallow, being between 7-15m and

often no more than five nautical miles from the coastline. The great thing for fourwheel-drive enthusiasts who tow a tinnie up the Cape is they can easily access awesome fishing action not far from their river mouth campsites. Something can be said for catching legal red emperor and a variety of pelagics in the morning and then heading upriver and landing barra and jacks in the afternoon. The Seven Rivers, as the traditional Angkamuth People refer to them, include the Jardine, Crystal, Cottrell, Doughboy, MacDonald, Jackson and Skardon rivers. I have been fortunate enough to spend time in all and though they all fish well, I certainly have a couple of favourites. Several of these systems flow with fresh water all year. This brings nutrients to the waters of the western Cape, which explains the incredible numbers of baitfish and the hungry predators pursuing them. Another great thing about this area is during the dry season, the inshore waters of the western Cape are somewhat protected by the mainland from the prevailing 25-knot southeasterly trade winds.

The author’s family with the results of a four-way hook-up on northern bluefin tuna (longtails).

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Back to the fishing! We often spend time sounding the contour lines for any lumps and bumps of interest while dragging a couple of Rapala X-Raps or mackerel wogs rigged with garfish. However, as time was limited on this overnight trip, I first headed to some old marks that have held good fingermark and nannygai. The first drop resulted in a double hook-up on solid golden trevally, which put up a great fight and are a highly prized target for visiting fly fishers. They were released after a quick snap. The next few drops resulted in fingermark and sweetlip, which were released into the Esky. We were using fresh squid bait and as the water was only 8m deep I was using a small running ball sinker to waft the bait down naturally. This was working a treat. After several good fish I decided to switch to prawns in an attempt to catch blackspot tuskfish. Anyone who has targeted these fish will know they love crustaceans including whole crabs. They grow big in these shallow waters and certainly take some stopping. It wasn’t long until I came up tight on a fish that put up a solid fight before a sharp jolt and my line going limp. I wound in the head of what would have been a nice tuskie of about 4kg. Though a little disappointed, I was surprised we hadn’t been sharked sooner. In half a dozen or so drops the crew had added more sweetlip, fingermark and a decent black jewfish to the Esky. We decided to leave them chewing and head a little further south to a couple of rocks I had marked when returning from a previous trip but simply didn’t have time to fish. After about 15 minutes of sounding, I located a good bommie and told the crew to drop. Luke came up tight on a good fish but his excitement soon turned to disappointment as a catfish surfaced – never a

welcome sight. I was about to tell the crew to wind in when AJ managed something a little more solid. After a short battle in 9m of water, he lifted a red emperor that went 60cm. An awesome fish for such shallow water. It wasn’t the only one, as we soon found out, with four more reds coming over the side, two of which were legal. I also managed a large estuary cod that was released before a couple of sharks moved in and stole any decent fish. I was stoked to have found another red rock in these parts. We headed further south and with the water clear and the boys experienced divers, they were keen to jump in for a quick look. I pulled up on a large mushroom bommie in just 4m of water for them to have a quick spear. In a matter of minutes they managed a nice tuskie each. We moved on to another bommie but the visibility wasn’t great, so that put an end to their spearing and we fished it instead. This rock was covered in bludger trevally. I’m not sure why they are named bludgers because they fight like hell. After getting stretched and releasing them back into the drink, we decided to play around with more schools of tuna before ☛ continued P58

Luke Beqir and Adrian Jeloudev with a couple of nice west coast tuskies speared in 4m of water.

Bronte Potter with a decent estuary cod. These fish are usually the first to grab a bait on new ground and release well when caught in shallow waters.

The author scored a quality fingermark.

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018 – Page 57

4WDING & off - road The Milk Carton washed its wheels in one of the 14 creek crossings. A picturesque spot at the top of the range.

Condamine River drive Q

UEEN Mary Falls is one of southeast Queensland’s most iconic day trip destinations.

The sunset from the hills was absolutely stunning.

Located within Main Range National Park, this waterfall is one of those spectacular locations that satisfies the need for adventure. The trip to Queen Mary Falls is an extremely picturesque drive, though if

Fishing Cape York’s west coast ☛ from P57

leaving them and heading into one of the rivers to check it out and cook up a late lunch. We trolled a couple of +10 Classic Barra 120 lures through the channel as we entered the river. This is prime queenfish territory and it wasn’t long before we were onto a solid queenie that measured just short of a metre. I was keen to catch a barra but unfortunately we were limited to the lower reaches of the river in my 7m Fisher. This is where a small tinnie that draws little water is very handy as it can skim across the shallow sandbars and access great barra fishing in the upper reaches. We decided to anchor inside the mouth, stretch the legs ashore and have a flick along the beachfront. Queenfish, trevally,

blue salmon and at times barra are caught by casting shallow diving hard-bodies such as gold Bombers along these clear beaches. It is great visual fishing. Charter operators also spend time stalking permit (snub-nosed dart) in the shallows with their fly fishing clients. Soon we found a school of small queenfish that were a bit of fun before we spotted a small dark shape moving in the shallows. A closer inspection confirmed it was a decent-sized mud crab making its way into the river with the incoming tide. I made a short dash back to the boat to grab a hand spear and headed back to the boys. I speared the quality buck and flicked it up the beach. The search was now on for more muddies,

Fresh fish on the coals. It doesn’t get much better.

which we have come across in this way many times. After about 45 minutes of searching the shallows, we had two more buck muddies and had spotted several more crabs, but they were either too small or jennies. I should mention we certainly wouldn’t be doing this if the water wasn’t crystal clear and ankle deep for 100m or more, as this is certainly croc country. To top off a great day, we lit a small fire on the beach, boiled up the muddies for entrée and had fingermark and nannygai on the coals for our main, washed down with a beer. Gotta love the Cape! As the boat is set up well for boat camping, we climbed aboard, using the stern line to pull it tight against the bank. You certainly don’t want to be wading out to boats in these waters. I re-anchored in the middle of the river so I could sleep knowing we wouldn’t be high and dry in the morning. We had a couple of quiet beverages as the sun touched down on the horizon and reflected on an awesome day. The tough thing about the Cape is there is just so much to explore and we always want to do more. In the morning, a couple of resident Queensland groper hanging

under the boat provided us with a little entertainment as they swallowed whole mack tuna we had kept for bait. The great thing about boat camping is you can be fishing sooner and don’t need to lug gear up and down a bank. I dropped a few fuel jerries in the tank as the boys organised the deck. Soon we were flicking lures around the river mouth but we only managed a couple of small queenies. With a big clean-up ahead, we decided to fish our way back to Thursday Island. No barra this trip but the pelagic and reef action certainly made up for it. The tuna schools were again thick on the way back but the highlight was a 10kg cobia on a Pearl Z-Man 7” Jerk ShadZ. If you haven’t experienced the Cape, it is time to start organising your trip of a lifetime. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. I was lucky enough to have a similar trip with my family when they came to visit on Thursday Island and it’s fair to say my 10-yearold nephew is hooked on fishing. You can check out this and some of our other remote adventures on our Fishing MissionsNorthern Australia Facebook page.

4WD Trip by GREG BELL

travelling from Brisbane you will be cruising on blacktop to get there. However, don’t be discouraged as you won’t be disappointed! Most four-wheel-drive directories will guide you along a tight windy road through private property before heading up an extremely steep range. Although this road is fairly straightforward, I urge you to keep an eye on your coolant temperatures (oh yes, my old Nissan Terrano II hated this hill) and take your time to check out the view. This trip is one that is special to me for a few reasons. First and most simply, it is a relaxing adventure with absolutely amazing sights and it’s one of the only trips I can say I haven’t broken something on! But more importantly, this is one of the first trips my late father took me on, and it was one of two specific trips I remember exposing me to 4WDing, and yes, I’ve been hooked ever since. Anyway, back to the trip. At the top of this magnificent range you are

greeted with one of the best views anywhere. From the top, it takes about half an hour to drive to Queen Mary Falls. Once you’ve hit the carpark at Queen Mary Falls, I suggest you get stuck into some tucker from the caravan park café. With brilliant service and quality food, this is a well-deserved and enjoyed stop before taking a walk down to the falls themselves. During our last adventure to Queen Mary Falls, we met one of the most brazen kookaburras ever. The sneaky bugger flew onto the end of our table before casually walking over to our food and eat-

ing our chips as if we had invited it to share. Reaching the top of Queen Mary Falls requires only a short and gradual descent from the carpark. Once you hit the lookout you will experience amazing views of the canopy below and of course the stunning 40m-high plunge waterfall. Queen Mary Falls is part of Spring Creek, which links with the Condamine River shortly after the falls. After heading off from Queen Mary Falls, you have two options: either take the bitumen back home or hit the dirt and get your wheels dirty. As always, we chose the dirt track and cruised down to the start of Condamine River Rd. ☛ continued P59

One of the few rigs staged along the side of Condamine River Rd.

The author and Sam chased a shot of the sunset.

Page 58 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018

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4WDING & off - road Isuzu D-Max delivers on all fronts

’M sure plenty of readers, especially those in the trucking industry, are familiar with the Isuzu brand. This name has been synonymous with truck engines for over 100 years, however what you may not be aware of is the brand has also been producing diesel engines for 80 years. This is a pretty good pedigree in the engine-manufacturing game, especially in the brutal trucking industry. These days the Isuzu badge is becoming more frequently seen on passenger vehicles in the form of the MU-X SUV and D-Max ute. There’s a good reason for this: the Isuzu brand has recorded double-digit growth over the past 10 years. The company must be do-

4x4 Review by BEN COLLINS

ing something right to achieve such growth, so when offered the keys to test the latest DMax LS-T turbocharged diesel ute, I was more than happy to find out why these vehicles are becoming so popular. Currently you can choose from six models in the D-Max range, starting with the basic 4x2 single cab chassis through to the top of the range LST crew cab, which I had the pleasure of testing. Nothing like top of the range for a test drive! And to be honest, when initially looking at the ute and

A modern dash with plenty of technical features makes driving a pleasure.

then hopping in, it felt more like a luxury car than a work ute. Looks wise, the 18” alloy wheels, fog lights, side rails and roof racks indicated it was ready to tackle a mix of offroad adventures. However, inside you were reminded this ute is also ideal for city driving and commuting, particularly with its central 8” touchscreen audio system, which incorporated satellite navigation, reverse camera, Bluetooth and fuel economy display. After taking in a few of the features including the leatheraccented seats that held my upper body securely, multiple glove boxes and an overall sleek and modern finish, it was time to get on the road. A quick adjustment of the electric side mirrors, which can also be electronically folded away, and I was almost ready to go. It is worth noting the vision from the driver’s seat was very good and you could easily see out all the windows. I quickly and easily synced my phone to the Bluetooth system and made a call to the better half to see how good the reception was (on the phone; not because I was running late

due to work). As I’ve had issues with other systems, I was impressed when Greta indicated the sound clarity was fantastic. Performance As mentioned, Isuzu has been making diesel truck engines for years, technology the company has refined and used in this model. It is reassuring to think a truck engine designed for longevity has been detuned to suit a mod☛ continued P60

Plenty of room in the back for a couple of keen four-wheeldrivers.

The D-Max had ample torque for towing.

Enjoying amazing sights along the Condamine River drive ☛ from P58

This is an easy 4WD track that meanders along and crosses the Condamine River a total of 14 times. It is a perfect trip for inexperienced 4WDers and a great track for learning your rig, especially if you aren’t up for a huge challenge straight off the bat. Condamine River Rd winds

through Condamine Gorge, and consequently you’re presented with scenery including massive rock faces and stunning flora and fauna, which gives you an unforgettable experience driving through nature. However, Condamine River is prone to flooding during heavy rainfall, so please just check with local authorities if

The author took in the view from the top of Queen Mary Falls.

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you are planning to head out there after storm activity. After popping out at the end of the gorge, you will once again have a choice of following the blacktop home or continuing along the road less taken. I would highly suggest taking the road less taken, as this dirt road is an extremely easy track that gives you a true feeling of being in the middle of nowhere. Travelling along this track you will cross over the Queensland/NSW border before dropping down into thick bush and spending half an hour winding around the mountainous countryside. We were lucky to time our trip to catch the sunset in the mountains – a-ma-zing! After following this road, you find yourself popping out the back of Maroon Dam, which is another great spot to stop for some refreshments before embarking on your final leg home. Although Maroon Dam has a few free camping spots, we highly recommend checking out Camp Lake Fire. This little campsite is run by one of the most amazing, genuine country blokes we have ever met and for $5 per person you can gain access to the dam via a private track, at the end of which you will find a number of campsites set up and access to both canoes and tinnies with electrics. Either with your own fishing

gear or the hireable gear, this is a great spot to get onto the water and flick a line chasing yellowbelly and bass (don’t forget your Stocked Impoundment Permit!). Our favourite part of Maroon Dam is the yabbying. With an abundance of yabbies and easy access to the dam, we love catching our limit and cooking up delicious garlic butter yabby tails. Make sure you keep an eye out for next month’s article as we have a special trip organised.

Condamine River provides such a beautiful backdrop.

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C AMPING & outdoors Quick family escape to Canungra W INTER may not seem like the ideal time to go camping, but the cool nights and clear fine days can in fact be very enjoyable for the whole family.

The kids loved playing in the trees.

Nothing beats a campfire in winter.

Recently I packed up the clan and Kedron caravan (which I will be doing a full review on in coming months) for an extended weekend away to Canungra with family friends. Canungra is a small rural town in the Scenic Rim region of southeast Queensland, about an hour’s drive from Brisbane. Google Maps can show you the best way to get there on the day depending on the traffic. On this occasion we skirted a traffic jam on the Pacific Highway and took the back roads through Munruben and Jimboomba. While not a doublelane highway, the roads were good enough that we could easily do the speed limit, even towing the van. Canungra has several camping options including the Sports and Recreation Ground, which is close to town, James Sharp Memorial Park and Sharp Park River Bend Country Bush Camping, which is where we stayed. Since the forecast was for chilly weather, we opted for a powered site so we could run the air-con

Camping Trip

by BEN COLLINS

on reverse cycle at night, and as it turned out it was well worth the $33 a night for four people. In terms of other facilities at the campground, toilets were about it. However, that was also the beauty of this place, as we felt like we could have been in central Australia with the peacefulness and starlit night sky, but in fact the Gold Coast nightlife was less than 30 minutes away. This makes Canungra a great spot for a short trip away, and I’m looking forward to heading back again with some fishing gear in hand. The plan for this trip was just to get out of the hustle and bustle and relax, which is what we did. I always love a campfire, but in winter it is an extraspecial treat. At Sharp Park River Bend fires are allowed in contained fire pits, some of which are available from the campground. If you have your own brazier or camp oven, it would be well worth taking along. Sitting around keeping warm and ‘hydrated’, telling yarns and toasting marshmallows – life doesn’t get much better! And aside from it being

a relaxing getaway, it was great to see the kids off their devices and enjoying the great outdoors, something I did almost exclusively when I was a kid. The campground sits on the upper reaches of the Coomera River, and the kids loved exploring the rock pools and climbing the trees. No Wi-Fi meant they had to think about fun things to do to keep entertained, which wasn’t a problem on this holiday. If you want to drag yourself away from the campfire, around Canungra you’ll find a golf course, local markets on the last Sunday of each month (except January) or you could explore the

Coomera River in the hunt for bass and apparently Mary River cod, which I’m planning to do on the next trip. The town is a quaint place but is becoming more popular with weekend visitors. If you decide to spend a weekend or just head out on a day trip, I’d recommend sampling one of the pies from the local bakery, which were top-notch. You will need to take your own water and fire-

wood but a local van does the rounds selling extra firewood at the campground and along the way you’ll see places where you can grab a bag or two. If you are after a quick and easy holiday from Brisbane to what feels like a remote bush town, I’d recommend Canungra. The town’s economy depends on tourism, and being such a short drive from the Gold Coast and Brisbane makes it a very accessible destination.

Plenty of smiles, even in the cool conditions.

Having fun without devices.

Isuzu D-Max delivers on all fronts ☛ from P59

Digital fuel usage data and temperature control were standard features of the LS-T.

ern-day four-wheel-drive. This is unlike some manufacturers who tune their engines to the nth degree to get the required performance out of them. In terms of grunt, the three-litre, four-cylinder, double overhead cam turbocharged powerplant delivers a respectable 130kW of power and 430Nm of torque. While not the biggest numbers in the class, it was ample to squirt off the line at a set of traffic lights and to tow the 685 Cruise Craft around town

and on the highway. Though you could feel the boat on the back (any vehicle manufacturer that says you can’t feel over three tonnes on the back is lying), it wasn’t any harder to drive and actually cruised exceptionally well at 80-100km/h. In addition, I got some great economy figures from the on-board computer while towing, at times holding around 13 litres per 100km at 80km/h. Isuzu claims about eight litres per 100km for combined fuel consumption, which I don’t think is too far off the mark, and pret-

The D-Max delivered impressive fuel consumption figures when towing.

Page 60 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018

ty good for a vehicle capable of towing 3.5 tonnes. But it’s not all about fuel numbers, as reliability and longevity are also key points, and with Isuzu’s proven diesel technology, this is where the D-Max stands out. Given that the company has tested its product for over four million kilometres in a mix of extreme conditions, you know it is built to last. While you may feel like this is just a spiel, I can assure you it is not, which is proven by Isuzu’s fiveyear, 130,000km warranty with five years of roadside

assist and two years of capped price servicing. Functionality When buying a ute, you generally want the best of both worlds in the form of a work truck that doubles as a family vehicle. To do this, you need a vehicle that is tough but also full of features. As mentioned, heaps of functionality is built into the 8” multi-function display, and once you add push-button start, hill-descent control, trailer-sway control, traction control, ABS and electronic brake force distribution, you have a vehicle that is going to meet most people’s needs on and off-road and towing big or small trailers. Safety Even though the D-Max is designed to prevent you from having accidents (with some of the above features), Isuzu has added fail-safes to the vehicle including front, side and curtain airbags and pretensioning seatbelts. Combine this with an impact-absorbing chas-

sis and a specifically designed cabin shell and you have a vehicle that will protect its occupants if needed. Summary Overall, the Isuzu DMax performed very well in a mix of situations. There was plenty of room for three kids in the back seat (two in car seats), even with my driver’s seat slid a decent way back. While it is a work ute, the D-Max had plenty of mod-cons to appease the tech savvy, while the leather-accented seats were very comfortable. Priced from about $51,000 for the top-ofthe-range LS-T 4x4 crew cab auto, the Isuzu D-Max would be well worth a test drive if you are in the market for a new car. Make sure you jump on the Isuzu website isuzu ute.com.au to check out the entire range and find any current specials, as at the time of writing they were offering two years of free scheduled servicing. www.bnbfishing.com. au

Casey with an 80cm barramundi.

CATCH BARRA Contemplating colour and contrast Will captured a cracking bronze barra.

Blue sky days and big barra define winter at Monduran.

at Lake MonDuran

IN Gin, the small rural town halfway between everywhere, offers many recreational areas for water sports and fishing.

Travelling just 15 minutes north brings you to the wonderful playground of Lake Monduran, which hosts some of the best barramundi fishing in Australia. Without doubt the mighty barramundi is Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier sportfish. Lake Monduran is stocked by Monduran Anglers and Stocking Association, who have released 100,000 barramundi fin-

Monduran Dam by DONNA GANE

gerlings and in recent years thousands of bass fingerlings as well. Being a Stocked Impoundment Permit fishery, this lake can be fished 365 days a year with a permit. The estimated survival rate of fingerlings to adulthood is 30 percent, which adds up. Numerous metre-plus fish are now roaming the waters of Lake Monduran. Do the maths and you will work out the popula-

tion of large barramundi in Lake Monduran exceeds the human population of Bundaberg. This amazingly beautiful lake stretches 30km from the dam wall, playing host to a variety of landscape changes and an abundance of birds and wildlife. Flooded forests and submerged logs create great habitat for the predatory barramundi but a maze of dead trees can prove daunting to anglers.

Lake Monduranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flooded forests make ideal barramundi habitat.

Take care when bumping around those old trees we call widow makers. There are endless spots to fish in Monduran and every day will be different, be it in terms of barometric pressure or wind direction, so check with me at Barra Havoc or the kiosk at the dam regarding what areas are fishing well. Any help available for catching a barramundi is well worth having. Increasing your odds is the key to successful angling. Now Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll continue on from last monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s issue discussing lure colours for a variety of water conditions. Conditions constantly change, as does the time of year, the wind and many other factors, but sometimes the fish are just not interested in what you are presenting. When you come up with nothing, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to rethink your strategy, and lure colour can be key to success. Fluorescent lures appear ultra bright green, and their flash of colour is even visible down deep. For us, a flash gets our attention and makes us curious of its origin, but for animals whose survival depends on finding and hunting baitfish, a bright flash is a dinner bell. The chart indicates which colours suit various

depths and light penetrations. Contrast refers to the difference in colour and brightness between different parts of a scene that allow those parts to be distinguished from each other or from a background. Contrast is at its maximum when white and black are placed side by side. You can achieve a good contrast when light and dark hues of the same colour are put together. In angling we talk about the contrast between your lure and the background fish are viewing it on, and the contrast between the colours in your lure. Finally, the next event local to our area is Paradise Stocking Associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Catch a Catty Family Fishing Competition. This event is held annually and is always great fun, with more than $10,000 in prizes up for grabs this year. The comp will be held from August 25-26, with camping grounds and amenities on site at Mingo Crossing on the Burnett River. Call into Barra Havoc at Gin Gin on your way up or down the Bruce Highway and we will help you with your lure selection and get you onto top catches. Happy fishing!

LIGHT CLIMATE Vivid

WATER DEPTH

Surface

All colours, especially dark ones

Bright

Dull

All colours especially Dark colours dark ones

Dark Black and dark colours

Dark colours create silhouette against sky background.

Black and dark colours

Wavelength except greens absorbed by algae. Other colours visible on bright days.

Black and dark colours

Little colour left except greens. Fluoro colours help. Dark colours contrast are easier to see.

Yellow-green, redorange, fluoro redorange, white and dark colours

Fluoro yellow-green, fluoro red-orange, white and dark colours

Yellow-green, fluoro yellow-green fluoro red-orange, dark colours

Yellow-green and fluoro yellow-green

Fluoro yellow-green, white and dark colours

Deep

Fluoro yellow-green and dark colours

White and dark colours

Dark colours especially black, brown purple

Black and dark colours

Contrast the most important feature.

Very deep

Dark colours especially black, brown and purple

Dark colours especially black

Black and dark colours

Very poor colour visibility.

Algae reduces light intensity, colours dull, green wavelengths go deepest.

Colours become more dull as light dims. Contrast increasingly important.

Most colours not visible except fluoro yellow-green close to surface. Contrast more important than colour.

Lure colour not critical, dark colours give contrast.

Shallow

All colours, especially yellowgreen and white

Medium

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Dennis Harold with his world record 44.62kg, 134cm long, 107cm girth barra caught from his kayak at Lake Monduran in 2010.

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Shore jigging for bass I

WOULDN’T usually pen an article on something I have done so little of but I thought I’d share my experiences of shore jigging for bass all the same.

It might look funny to be chasing bass with a rod that looks like it should be used in the surf, but it sure gets the lure out and the long, slow-tapered rod bounces perfectly to work the lure with ease.

Plenty of anglers have been getting good results casting micro jigs from the shore in a number of southeast Queensland lakes. The majority of these jigs have been designed in Japan for shore-based fishing. In Japan, shore jigging is a big thing but here in southeast Queensland we have mostly used these jigs from boats and fished them vertically. The anglers using them as they were intended (cast from the shore) for bass have generally

This big yellowbelly was a nice surprise when jigging for bass. It took a jigged 20g Palms Slow Blatt Slim.

Luring the Fresh by PETER HERBST

cast them out and slowly wound them back on rods they would normally use from a boat with lures like soft plastics. Seven-foot fast-action spin rods with light braid are what I have seen and heard of. This is very different to what anglers use in Japan for a number of saltwater species, so I thought why not try using their tackle over here. I got my hands on a rod I hope to also use in the salt for a range of fish, so it’s a little on the heavier side for bass, but the cast weights are well within those used for bass. The Palms Shore Gun Evolv rod I have is 9’6” long, has a 12-45g cast weight and is rated at PE1-2.5 or 10-24lb. The length of the rod plays a big part in getting distance on the cast, and long casting is why anglers started using these jigs in the first place. Increased distance can be a huge advantage because it allows the angler to cover more ground and potentially get the lure out further to where the fish may be schooled. Casting distance is the first part of why an angler would use a rod specific to this shore casting technique, the other is the taper of the rod and how it works the lure. Short winds of the reel and slight jerks of the

rod at the same time make the front end of this rod load and unload, which on the other end makes the lure dart side to side as it was designed to. Bass will usually hit the jig as it is fluttering back down on a slack line. Bites can be subtle or aggressive, it really depends on the mood of the fish. The Palms Slow Blatt jigs have been very popular and pretty much the lure designed to be used with these rods. Slow Blatts come rigged with ridiculously sharp and fine assist hooks in the form of twin hooks off the top and a single off the bottom, which helps hook-up rates when the bass bite the lure. Different shaped jigs are available and each will have its own action and cast pattern. Within the Slow Blatt range is Slim, Wide and Oval. Slims cast the longest due to less resistance through the air and have a more vertical flutter. Wides don’t cast quite as well but have a more horizontal side-to-side action on the drop. Ovals don’t cast all that well, especially into the wind, but have a very wide, horizontal fall the bass like. These are just the jigs I have been using but

a number of others are available. The other factors in casting distance are reel and line. Larger-diameter spool reels with a longer taper will see more distance on the cast due to less friction as the line comes off the reel. I use a 3000-size Daiwa reel, which suits the rod nicely and casts well. ‘Long cast’ reels may aid in getting more distance than a standard reel. Line diameter is another factor and I tried a couple of sizes, finding PE1 Sunline Siglon braid to be strong enough not to pop on a mis-cast yet get plenty of distance. Locations where the water depth increases fairly close to the bank

will be worth a look when shore jigging. Points are always a good place to start as deeper water is usually close to the shore, meaning schools of fish are potentially within casting distance. One of the locations I fished had weed growing on the bottom for a fair distance and once the lure hit the weed it would foul. The further I cast, the more ‘fishable’ water I covered and essentially increased my chances. A big cast can be very important. I really enjoyed shore jigging for bass as it’s simple. You jump in the car with a rod and a few jigs and walk the shoreline to catch some nice fish.

This bass took a liking to a 20g Slow Blatt Oval, which has a very wide and slow fall the bass like.

Downs winter cod kayaking

ESIDENTS who live on the Darling Downs in places including Oakey know winter temperatures here usually compete with Stanthorpe to be the lowest in the state.

A quality Murray cod measuring 74cm was hooked by Scotty while working the narrow end of a pool. A likely ambush spot for the bigger predatory fish.

Some of the creeks on the Darling Downs are similar in size to the main artery rivers. These areas can be explored via small versatile craft like kayaks. Some of the accessible reserves are great spots to start from.

Page 62 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018

Fishing and exploring go hand in hand and on the Downs at the moment, river levels are lower in the colder months due to the ongoing drought and absence of rain. Getting tipped out of a kayak becomes easier due to the submerged timber that is now within easy reach of the keel. Some bonuses of low water fishing are being able to read the water better, with the topography to be photographed or kept in mind so you know where to target native fish when normal higher levels return. Getting out of the kayak more often to navigate on foot around the shallows can be annoying, though it does have its good points. Kayaks are a great transportation tool to access spots where bank fishing can be impossible due to steep bank drop-offs and overhanging vegeta-

Fresh Water by NOAL KUHL

tion that cut off practical means of retrieving fish. The problem of fishing in a kayak is if you do hook a big cod, you will get towed around. In narrow creeks, the cod will escort you to a grove of snags and that’s about the ball game. I learnt the hard way that you either have to tie off somewhere to prevent this happening or go for a freezing swim to retrieve your lure. I’ve had moderate success using surface lures in winter but the native fish just aren’t as active as in summer. Though you have to work much harder when targeting them, the advantage is the cod will now have taken up the best positions in the isolated waterholes, which are usually the end of the pools or ‘margins’. These areas become ambush spots as water still flows from one hole to the next and small bait-

fish will travel through, making an easy meal for large fish that don’t want to expend energy in the cold to chase them. Once out of the kayak, it’s wise to work the shal-

lows and target spots that may hold a predatory fish, which is usually the shadows of structure or deeper holding spots near backeddies. Scotty Vlietstra is one angler who has mastered this tactic and I have adapted to using the same 4’-long kids rods as he ☛ continued P63

Kelvin Wilson with a magic Murray cod moment after getting out of a kayak and tackling a bigger specimen from the bank. Doing so makes more sense than being towed about and straight into some snags where your chances of retrieving the beast are low.

www.bnbfishing.com. au

Boondooma is really firing, with cracker bass like this readily coming into the boat.

A big winter bass.

Back on Boondooma bagging big bass

VER the past month I’ve been putting in a bit of work fishing Lake Boondooma for the upcoming B.A.S.S. Australia Nation round. I was pumped to fish the dam because I hadn’t hit it for at least three years. I planned to fish with my dad for a couple of days and was keen to smash some big Boony bass. The water level had decreased dramatically since the last time I had fished there. Last time, the water level was at 100 percent, but this time it was only about 50 percent, so as you can imagine, it was going to be very different fishing. Travelling up the dam, it was amazing to see locations where I used to catch a lot of fish now high and dry. Seeing what they looked like with no water gave me a clue as to why the fish used to hang there. We headed straight up

Freshwater Luring by CALLUM MUNRO

the Stewart arm hoping to find some schools of fish hanging around the drop-offs of the main river channel, but I could only go so far because the trees were intense. It was crazy to think I used to drive up the arm in the Stratos doing 100km/h. After realising the water was too shallow and with too many trees, we started moving back down the lake, sounding over goodlooking areas towards the Junction. This is where we started to have a bit of fun. Sounding up fish in 6-12m of water on the main point at the Junction, we started smashing big Boony bass. Hopping blades, spoons, tailspinners and the new Berkley Shimma Shad in Barra model all worked

amazingly well. I don’t think it really mattered what we cast as long as it hopped back across the bottom. After landing about 20 decent bass, they eventually started to go off the chew. When this happens I usually try a subtler approach with a lure that doesn’t have a lot of action. I generally start using a soft plastic or ice jig to bring the shut-down fish back on the chew. For this dam my favourite plastic setup is a Berkley Gulp Minnow Grub matched to a 5/8oz Smak jig head. This really worked for me on the day. When the bass are shut down they are more inclined to hug the bottom, and with a heavy 5/8oz

Downs winter cod kayaking ☛ from P62

does, which improves casting in the narrow confines of underbrush. Add a decent reel around the 2500 size with 20-50lb braid main line and 60lb leader and you’re in business. While fishing off Fraser Island for big red emperor, Dwane Frohloff showed me how to tie the awesome FG knot. The various methods for tying this knot can be found on YouTube. It is a really tidy knot that allows the leader to slip effortlessly through the guides, which is required when casting lures in limited space with tall grasses and overhanging tree limbs. www.bnbfishing.com. au

Minor water rises from upstream rains have a greater effect on fish activity in the cooler months. The slightest amount of sediment being stirred by inflows is enough to make the cod lethargic

and therefore your fishing time more critical. All is not doom and gloom when fishing for Murray cod on lures in winter – it just requires a bit more adaptation and utilising the changes to your favour.

jig head you can keep the plastic in the fish’s face for longer. I use 3lb Berkley FireLine matched to 8lb Berkley Vanish fluoro leader. When casting plastics, you’ll need a medium to slow-taper rod. If you have a stiff rod, when you get a bite the fish will feel the resistance from the rod, so you’re going to need a rod with a soft tip. I’ve been using a 7’6” Abu Garcia KRX 2-6kg rod. It is by far the most impressive rod I’ve used for this style of fishing, but in saying that, a lot of rods on the market will do the job. When using a plastic, I generally employ a slow roll technique, which involves casting out, letting it hit the bottom and slowly rolling it back in. As you start to get a bite, do not strike! You must wait until the fish loads up on the rod. If you strike, I guaran-

tee you’ll pull the plastic straight out of the fish’s mouth. This will take a while to get used to, but keep practising and you’ll get the hang of it in no time. This technique caught me another 10 fish from the same school, so keep it in mind next time you’re on the water. After this, we started looking for more schools of bass in different locations. Pelican Point was holding heaps of bass and yellowbelly and the same lures and techniques worked here. Boondooma Dam is one of my favourites for bass fishing and I’m hoping this pre-fish pays off in the upcoming B.A.S.S. Australia Nation event. However, everything can fall apart quickly in a tournament, as it’s all about making the right calls when needed. Until next month, tight lines.

The author with some bumper Boondooma bass.

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Scotty with a cod taken on foot.

0412 887 651 Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018 – Page 63

Doughnut boy – a true story I

T is with great pleasure I can share with you the humorous and true story of ‘doughnut boy’.

About 10 seconds after seeing this mark, the author was on.

The prominent structure marking scattered fish. There was also a koala sleeping towards the top of one of the trees.

I recently had spousal permission to engage in a full day of solo fishing, so off I headed before sun-up to my local dam to hunt yellowbelly and bass. I must admit, before I jump too far into this story, in the past I have engaged in embarrassing and just plain stupid activities while boating that have almost resulted in the sale of my boat. Namely related to trailer bearings, bungs and leaving important things such as ice and bait at home. But this story really takes the cake. I pulled up at the ramp shortly after the gates opened and directly behind a nice newish bass boat. My first impression was ‘nice boat and nice ute, wish I had one of those setups’. In fact, the well-kept condition of the rig gave the impression that the owner was quite the angler, and I sneakily thought I might follow him to mark some GPS spots for later. I uncovered my boat and stowed my equipment (rods, tackle box, Esky, safety gear) in good time, as did the young guy who owned the bass boat.

The little one that went back.

DAM LEVELS CURRENT AS OF 16/07/2018

DAMS

PERCENTAGE

FEB MAR APR MAY JUN Atkinson 10 15 14 11 8 Awoonga 98 100 98 97 95 Bjelke-Petersen * 17 22 22 22 21 Boondooma * 42 44 42 41 39 Borumba * 101 101 100 100 100 79 Burdekin Falls * 110 104 99 97 80 Callide * 79 77 76 73 97 Cania * 99 98 97 95 52 Coolmunda * 49 45 43 41 Dyer/Bill Gunn * 4 9 8 5 5 Eungella * 92 94 100 100 99 Fairbairn * 26 29 27 26 25 Glenlyon * 58 57 54 50 50 Hinze 99 102 101 100 98 Julius 72 100 98 95 93 Kinchant * 52 68 84 86 87 Leslie * 12 12 11 11 11 102 Macdonald 103 101 102 103 97 Maroon * 100 100 99 97 102 Monduran/Fred Haigh * 101 100 99 98 Moogerah * 89 92 91 89 87 North Pine/Samsonvale * 72 90 90 89 87 Peter Faust/Proserpine * 67 81 73 72 70 Somerset * 77 78 79 77 77 Teemburra * 91 93 98 98 98 Tinaroo* 47 74 95 97 95 Toonumbar 99 100 100 100 100 Wivenhoe * 68 78 77 77 75 Wuruma * 100 100 99 98 97 Wyaralong 97 100 99 98 97 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.

Page 64 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018

JUL 5 95 20 37 99 92 71 94 40 4 98 24 49 96 91 85 10 101 96 98 84 85 69 78 98 91 99 74 96 96

He was ready slightly quicker than me, again giving the impression he was a regular fisho who mostly fishes serious comps with gear stowed in lockers. I reversed my boat down the ramp next to him but noticed he was perhaps not far enough into the water, so I decided to stop short of the water and check my bungs again. I find that if a fellow boatie is struggling it’s best to either wait patiently or politely lend a hand. After ‘checking’ my bungs I backed my boat trailer into the water ready to launch. My neighbour was sitting in his boat at this stage with the outboard singing away in reverse. However, the boat would not overcome the friction of the trailer bunks. After he had beaten the water into a muddy and frothy mess, I offered to give him a gentle push. He declined, stating he just needed to back the ute a little further into the water. He gingerly climbed back out of the boat and into the ute to reverse a little further. Happy that this ‘pro’ was experienced enough that my help was not needed, I turned my back and went about removing my safety chain, loosening my winch strap and tying a docking line to my grab rails in preparation for my solo launch. I heard the diesel ute rev briefly, the brakes firmly squeak to a halt and then the noise that all boaties will know – the clicking sound the trailer makes as the weight of the hull is released from the last roller. However, something was not right. I turned around to see that in the absence of a loosened winch strap or docking rope the boat was slinking off on its own. Oh dear. My new boaty mate’s words were slightly stronger. We looked at each other as if to say “How did that happen?” and “What next?”. Perhaps the situation would have been OK had the outboard not still been ticking over. The boat casually floated straight out about 10m and once the inertia of freeing itself from the trailer wore off, it engaged in a slow but definite reverse right-hand turn with the engine still tilted up on the steering lock. The boat (to my amazement) was making its way back to the muddy bank at the edge of the concrete boat ramp. With relief I said to the pro, “Well, would you look at that.” However, his body language was not so positive. Again to my amazement, the boat was now well locked into that tight but very slow reverse ‘doughnut’, which prompted my next question. “It wasn’t still in gear, was it?” The answer: “I think it was.” I mean, if there was ever a time for a yes or no answer, now was that time. I went about launching my boat as quickly as I dared, tucking it safely away in a pocket on the other side of the concrete ramp, well away from

the path of the big unmanned stainless steel propeller. Then I drove my car up the ramp just enough so my trailer was definitely out of harm’s way. I then offered doughnut boy a lift out to his boat to stop the embarrassment. He gratefully accepted but then paused. Looking back at the boat (which was on circle five already), “Oh, it’s not going anywhere is it?” “I might go park my ute.” Slightly puzzled, I watched him park his car 50m away and walk back to the ramp. Yes, the concrete ramp the boat was getting closer to on each unoccupied doughnut. I had my second-hand fourstroke running by the time he made it back to the ramp. Adding to my confusion about his relaxed nature, he was just standing at the bow of my boat looking at me. I suggested he climb aboard quickly because his expensive boat was getting nearer to destroying its propeller on the concrete ramp. I then noticed that despite my hull being firmly planted in the mud, doughnut boy was still wearing shoes, socks and jeans that were not rolled up very far. “Yes, you are going to have to get your feet wet mate,” I said. So, after removing his shoes and climbing aboard, we were on our way to regaining control of the boat… until my secondhand engine stalled. It’s normally a reliable engine but it was a cold morning. So after another turn of the key we were again on our way to the boat that was edging closer to the concrete ramp. I judged the diameter of the doughnut and edged in for the boarding, only for my engine to snuff out again. Damn. This would have been fine except for the tightening of the doughnut due to a gust of wind. So, a third turn of the key and we were alongside the boat, well, more like a slow-motion reverse T-bone. But with a little arm power the boat’s doughnut was slowed, doughnut boy was safely aboard and the throttle

briskly returned to neutral. Phew. I thanked my new boatie friend for “inserting a little humour into my morning”. The thank you was tentatively returned and he was on his way to the north end of the dam in typical bass boat fashion. I was now free to park my car as if nothing had ever happened. I met up with doughnut boy later in the day and we spoke about the undersized bass he was catching and the two legal fish (in my Esky) I had captured. My chosen fishing method for the day was trolling, so I saw him every pass, occasionally asking about the presence of fish, with the responses simply being “nope”. I was delighted by my two legal captures before 7.30am, but even more so when I hooked a horse of a yella that was pushing 50cm, a personal best. So delighted was I that on my next pass I whipped it out of the Esky and showed him as I trolled past. His grin was almost as big as mine and congratulations were exchanged. I proceeded to explain I had sounded up two scattered but decent schools of fish in my travels and pointed out landmarks to make it easy. Only 10 minutes later I was again onto a similarly large yella that made a surprisingly good account of itself. On that note, I decided to head home to prepare my catch for the barbecue. My wife’s favourite part. I was pretty excited that I caught four legal fish alongside a ‘pro’ with a snazzy boat and bigger sounders and I will be sure to tell this story when any of my mates suggest I upgrade my second-hand boat. Thankfully no equipment was damaged on the day and most importantly no one was injured, but boy it makes for one hell of a story to tell at the pub. Happy fishing and tight lines. Oh and always wear the harness for the engine dead man’s switch. Andrew Barrett

A yellowbelly on the truth mat.

Two yellowbelly filleted, one more yella and a bass to go.

www.bnbfishing.com. au

Pertinent issue regarding wearing seatbelts at boat ramps

I Ben,

The message below from the Greenslopes Electoral Office is the matter of our recent telephone conversation regarding the use of seatbelts when launching and retrieving watercraft at boat ramps and manoeuvring vehicles and boat trailers within boat ramp carparks. Since speaking to you I have had conversations with friends who are also recreational boaties and they are of a similar opinion about the fearful thought of using a seatbelt while on or reversing down to the boat ramp due to a number of situations that could cause a disastrous result. Opinions expressed included, if any, what boating/water ramp knowledge and experience the legislators who formulated these regulations possess. The matter of workplace safety and duty of care has been raised. Duty of care is of special interest. Should a situation result in a death or injury because of the regulation that imposed the wearing of a seatbelt under these circumstances, who is going to accept responsibility? Examples a. Reversing down a ramp, the trailer wanders off line and it’s necessary to move forward to realign the trailer to travel straight. It is not uncommon to encounter drivers who are less experienced than others and require several attempts to successfully reverse down a boat ramp. Each time they move forward they are required to replace their seatbelt to comply with requirements. b. Any watercraft retrieved and loaded onto a trailer to move forward requires the vehicle driver to engage the use of the seatbelt to comply with this requirement. Watercraft retrieved onto trailers at ramps are not tied down and fully secured onto the trailer there and then. This procedure is completed when clear of the ramp to make room for other ramp users. Watercraft are usually removed a short distance from the ramp at low speed (most commonly with the vehicle in first gear) where they are then secured onto the trailer. Do the legislators have any knowledge as to the limited speed travelled within the confines of a boat ramp carpark? Before making such decisions was there any consultation with users of these areas? It would appear most appropriate to include these types of situations in the exemption below (travelling a short distance at low speed within the confines of the boat ramp carpark). c. If any, what consideration have the legislators given to the possible situations? If the vehicle’s motor stalls, there is little chance of vehicle brakes operating sufficiently to prevent the vehicle rolling/sliding backwards into the water www.bnbfishing.com. au

with the driver buckled into the seat and the driver’s door closed. d. Boat ramps that have an accumulation of sludge, slime, moss, weed, mud and so on can cause the vehicle to lose traction on the ramp and slide backwards into the water – with the vehicle driver strapped into the seat with the seatbelt engaged. I have encountered this situation when my vehicle slid backwards into the water past the rear axle and I was able to escape the vehicle without harm as I was not restrained by the seatbelt. The only thing that prevented the car from sinking completely was when the trailer was completely submerged the boat floated as it had not been secured onto the trailer. Securing of the boat onto the trailer was to be done clear of the ramp as is the normal practice to allow others waiting to use the ramp. e. Similar seatbelt situations are going to occur when attempts are made to reverse park vehicles and trailers in the appropriate parking bays, when it is necessary to do several manoeuvres to get the trailer lined up square in the marked bay. In many instances the towing vehicle is a 4x4 or similar vehicle and the trailer may not be seen moving off a straight line of travel until it is spotted in the side rear vision mirrors. It is then necessary to move forward to realign the trailer, so you would be required to put your seatbelt on again to comply with the required regulation, as the vehicle is moving forward. f. No doubt these same requirements also apply to those who tow normal trailers, caravans and campervans (think caravan parks). Regards, Edward Bones Reply from Greenslopes Electorate Office Good afternoon Mr Bones, Below is a summary of rules regarding seatbelts on boat ramps and chains used when towing a boat. I have highlighted specific parts that are pertinent to your concern. Seatbelts • Under the Transport Operations (Road Use Management – Road Rules) Regulation 2009 (Queensland Road Rules), if the driver’s seat is fitted with an approved seatbelt, the driver of a motor vehicle must wear the seatbelt properly fastened and adjusted whenever the vehicle is moving, or is stationary but not parked. This applies unless they are reversing, or otherwise exempt from wearing a seatbelt. • As such, a driver reversing a motor vehicle down a boat ramp is not required to wear a seatbelt. However, a driver driving a motor vehicle up a boat ramp is required to wear a seatbelt. This is consistent across all Australian jurisdictions. • The Department of Transport and Main Roads

considers that the exemption provided for drivers who are reversing is sufficient to cover the many boat users who are required to reverse in order to attach trailers and position the car to launch their boat or pull it from the water. • There are some reasons where a driver may be exempt from wearing a seatbelt under the Queensland Road Rules. For example, a person (seven years of age or older) whom is engaged in the door-to-door delivery/ collection of goods, and is required to get in or out of the vehicle frequently is exempt from wearing a seatbelt. The vehicle must not be travelling over 25km/h. • Not wearing a seatbelt is one of the ‘Fatal Five’ behaviours that contrib-

ute most significantly to road trauma. Even at low speed, not wearing a seatbelt can cause serious injury and death. Research demonstrates that wearing a properly adjusted seatbelt reduces the risk of fatal or serious injury by half. Safety chain requirements • The safety chain requirements for boat trailers vary depending on the aggregate trailer mass of the trailer and can be found in the Department of Transport and Main Roads’ Safe Towing Guide. • You have not detailed the size of the boat trailer you are querying, however, it is likely to be of a size that does not require breakaway brakes. The Safe Towing Guide confirms that any boat trailer without breakaway brakes must be fit-

ted with safety chains that are marked in accordance with the relevant Australian Standard complying with the following: a. Trailers that do not exceed 2500kg aggregate trailer mass must have at least one safety chain complying with Australian Standard AS 4177.4-1994 or Australian Standard AS 4177.42004 ‘Caravan and light trailer towing components Part 4: Safety chains up to 3500kg capacity’, or be a safety cable with a certified load capacity of the same. b. Trailers over 2500kg and not exceeding 3500kg ATM must have two safety chains of designation 3500kg complying with Australian Standard AS 4177.4-1994 or Australian Standard

AS 4177.42004. c. Trailers over 3500kg ATM must have two safety chains made from steel of a minimum 800MPa breaking stress that conforms to the mechanical properties of Grade T chain as specified in Australian Standard AS 2321-1979 ‘Short Link Chain for Lifting Purposes (uncalibrated)’ or Australian Standard AS 2321-2006 ‘Short Link Chain for Lifting Purposes.’ Each chain must be sized such that the minimum breaking load exceeds the ATM. • The length of the safety chain/s must prevent the trailer’s drawbar hitting the ground if the trailer is detached from the towing vehicle. The safety chains must be properly connected to the tow bar

with attachments capable of withstanding the specified breaking load of each chain. Padlocks are not to be used. For further information regarding couplings, brake requirements and safety chains please refer to the Vehicle Standard Bulletin - Building Small Trailers available on the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development website infra structure.gov.au Alternatively, you might prefer to ring Vehicle Standards on 13 23 80 for further advice or clarification. I hope this helps you. Regards, Jordan Ayton Assistant Electorate Officer Office of Joe Kelly MP Member for Greenslopes

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Fish breeding and a workshop T

HIS is going to be a very big ask for those of us who love to fish for cod in our local streams.

Looking out from the dam wall with Glenlyon sitting at 49 percent capacity.

Bob Dover landed this Murray cod.

The period of July, August and September is our peak breeding time for the iconic Murray cod in our northern region right down to Tamworth in NSW. From late-July on, our cod are in the process of setting up nesting sites on rivers. The biggest letdown at this stage is river water levels and lack of flow during this important part of the northern rivers Murray cod life cycle. We have a closed season from September 1 until the morning of December 1 right throughout the Murray-Darling system. As most readers who follow my articles would know, I’ve long been ranting about the time difference for breeding periods between northern and southern waters, as we’ve seen changes up north by looking at our local waterways. What I would like from you, the Murray cod angler, is to think about fishing away from our local breeding sites and rivers. I know it is a very big

Glenlyon Dam by BRIAN DARE

ask and that the same thing takes place on dams as well, but consider fishing the dams for the next three months. Some water storages are now remaining open all year round to cod fishing, with more to follow. With Glenlyon Dam’s cod, yes they are back. We have sighted our first lot of cod performing their selection process on the rock ledges around the storage, so it is photo time. To see this yearly event, bring a camera with a telephoto lens or a quality video camera. It is important to use a very good lens filter to get good glare-free shots of the fish. You also need calm and clear mornings with no wind and you’d want to be at the dam by 8.45am. Watch the surface as the male cod fight over locations and real estate for their nest preparation for Mum’s inspection prior to egg laying. Call us at the dam on 02 6737 5266 to get the

heads-up on where the cod are for photo opportunities. The following news is the best I’ve heard in a while. It has been nine years, yes nine, since we have had a freshwater fishing workshop. And now, thanks to hard work behind the scenes from a group of older anglers, we will be having another workshop in 2018. Bob Reid of Warwick started to make phones melt he was making so many calls. It was a constant barrage of “Look, this is what needs to happen”, and that’s how it started. With me being computer illiterate along with owning a phone I only use to talk on, it was hard work to talk to me, yet Bob was melting my phone down to fist size. So with a lot of talking and working with Fisheries Queensland, the Freshwater Fishing and Stocking Association of Queensland and northern and southern stocking

groups, it is on! November 2-4, 2018 will see a gathering of freshwater anglers arrive at Warwick to meet at Leslie Dam for a two-day workshop, with groups of two delegates from each fishing club or stocking group. I mentioned older anglers, and these are blokes and ladies who have concerns about the future of freshwater fishing in Queensland. We’ve seen a lack of young anglers taking interest in the future of fishing in the fresh. What have you done to maintain your fishing lifestyle? I have been very lucky to have had help from two young blokes, Nick Cos-

mo and Aaron Wilmont, who brought in some mates on a cod project. The important part is to get involved and look at what you feel might need to be changed. While you might practise catch and release, there’s more to it. Join the Australian National Sportfishing Association, join a club and help with restocking fish. Without the help of younger anglers putting time into maintaining their fishing experience, it is going to fall apart. Blokes like me, old farts, are getting on in age and just want to relax and fish. We’ve worked hard to maintain our fishing lifestyle, it’s your turn to keep it going.

Bob captured this yellowbelly on a recent trip to Glenlyon.

National Carp Control Plan research delivering interesting and unexpected findings

ITH the National Carp Control Plan’s research program now over halfway through, some interesting, and at times unexpected, findings are beginning to emerge.

Over the past 18 months, Australia’s leading universities, research institutions and expert organisations have been working to deliver independent and rigorous science to inform development of a plan for the control of carp in Australia, including the possible release of the carp virus (CyHV-3). NCCP national co-ordinator Matt Barwick said the issue of carp control in Australia has prompted widespread discussion and debate, with many valid points raised by stakeholders and the wider community, and that sharing some of the early lessons from the research will contribute to this important discussion. “While all research will go

through an extensive independent peer review process before being included in the final plan and made public, the NCCP is able to start sharing some of the insights emerging from the program that will help to address gaps in knowledge and future decision making,” Mr Barwick said. Following are a few examples of what the science is telling us. Larger than expected carp biomass variations With on-ground fieldwork to estimate carp biomass in different habitats using electrofishing, markrecapture, fyke netting and surveying of environmental DNA now complete, summary statistics indicate carp density varied considerably between sample locations – with carp biomass in some sites sampled revealing carp biomass below, and some well above, the threshold at which ecological impacts occur as a result of carp.

What this means: Identifying where carp density influences ecology is important for informing where priority areas lie. This work will also critically inform water quality modelling and clean-up strategies in different habitat types if the carp virus is approved for release. Decomposition no impact on fertiliser quality A recent commercialscale trial into alternative uses for carp biomass found highly decomposed carp were still usable for producing high-quality fertiliser. Further, opportunities exist for processing carp waste on-site, limiting need for transport and storage, thereby helping to keep costs low. What this means: Carp biomass can be processed into fertiliser regardless of the state of decomposition. Other appropriate utilisation methods continue to be explored including

composting and insect feed. Investigations continue into virus spread With mortality rates from the carp virus understood to be strongly influenced by multiple factors including water temperature, virus concentration and carp schooling behaviour, computer modelling points to few highly specific scenarios in which biocontrol may result in high levels of carp knock-down. These investigations have highlighted a need to further understand exactly how the carp virus is likely to spread from one fish to another. What this means: Additional lab trials are required to investigate factors that may influence effectiveness of the virus as a biocontrol method in more detail. Research into dead carp impacts on water quality ongoing While research by Aus-

tralian National University scientists has confirmed the carp virus cannot infect humans, several separate and additional investigations are under way to understand how dead carp might impact on different aspects of water quality. A systematic and quantitative risk assessment project is also exploring different areas of ecological and social risk. What this means: While factors such as water movement and areas of high carp biomass can be used to identify potential clean-up hot spots, the NCCP acknowledges community concerns about water quality and is committed to providing greater understanding around water quality, and risk of bacteria and micro-organisms causing secondary issues “The NCCP welcomes robust discussion as it ensures a thorough investigation of concerns can be undertaken,” Mr Barwick said.

“Insights into our learnings will not only inform this debate but help direct our ongoing research efforts. “In terms of progress, it’s exciting to receive incoming data to help us learn more about the prospects for potentially controlling carp in Australia safely and effectively. “One of the common concerns raised by stakeholders is more time is needed to review the research findings and ensure the right recommendations are made in relation to carp control. “This is an important consideration for our nation, and one that must deliver long-term improvements to our waterways. “If an extension is needed, as we’re discovering, we will seek to secure more time.” It is important to remember no decision has been made in relation to carp control, or the possible re-

lease of the carp virus. “The NCCP is designed to enable risks to be identified and explore ways to manage them,” Mr Barwick said. “This information will then inform the decisionmaking process. “The Fisheries Research and Development Corporation is not involved in the actual decision-making itself – this will be made by governments. “Our role is to deliver a comprehensive program of research and stakeholder engagement to inform the development of a plan to control carp in Australia.” To ensure everyone is given the opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions about carp control, the NCCP has launched yoursay.carp. gov.au – a dedicated site where visitors can learn more about the work of the NCCP, leave comments and ask questions. For more information, visit carp.gov.au

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Page 66 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2018

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Extended dry conditions had Lake Eucumbene down to 40 percent, exposing the volume of fish-holding cover in the basin.

Lake Eucumbene, Queenslander style B ACK in the June edition of BNB I mentioned Rose and I were camped on the shore of Lake Eucumbene, the largest of the lakes in the Snowy Mountains.

After spending an interesting session in a neighbouring valley, fishing for cod in the upper Murrumbidgee River, it was time to turn my attention to the lake. Regularly travelling around Australia’s highways on our roof racks, the reliable old Hobie Outback was once again pressed into service. My trout ‘go-bag’ has a few bladed spinners for streams and a decent assortment of small minnows in both deep and shallow variants. Perfect weather greeted our first morning at the lake, so it didn’t take any prompting for me to pedal the Hobie in the general direction of the main basin of the lake. Both the light rods I had brought on the trip were on board, each with a different depth and hue of Predatek MinMin tied on to test the appetite of the local trout. My previous lake-borne endeavours in the Snowies had been on Lake Jindabyne, so I had some idea of what might work but wasn’t about to assume the trout in Eucumbene would behave identically. I must admit to being quite surprised when just 15 minutes after commencing fishing I hooked up to a reasonably sized trout on a shallow-running MinMin in Rainbow Trout colour. This fish, almost predictably a rainbow, was destined for the table, so was dispatched and dropped into an ice slurry. Circling the immediate area a couple of times didn’t yield any more interest, so I returned to my course parallel to the shore. Just a few hundred metres further along, trout number two came on the same lure and was about the same size as the first. As the morning progressed, the 40-45cm rainbows kept coming at the rate of about two fish per hour. All the strikes were coming on the shallowrunning lure while the deeper-running model remained untouched.

Fishing for Sport

by NEIL SCHULTZ

Despite the obvious pattern that had emerged, I kept the deep runner in the water, hoping it may attract either a larger rainbow or a brown. By about 10am the sun was high enough overhead to put an end to the morning bite, so I pedalled back to the launch point, content with the results in a new location. I skipped the dusk session because the cold afternoon breeze was whipping up enough chop to make kayaking an unattractive proposition. Daylight the following morning saw me pushing across the lake once again with a different pair of lures in tow, though still both MinMins, just in different colours. Again, success came quickly with yet another school-sized rainbow trout on a shallow-running MinMin, in Mulga Perch colour this time. The results mirrored

those of the previous morning, so I swapped the deep-running lure for a smaller Hot Pink MicroMin, the 40mm model of the family. Once again the bite tapered off late morning, prompting a halt to proceedings during what was our final morning on the water. As you would expect, it was this lure that took the next strike, just minutes after going into the water. All my fish had come from relatively close to the shore, though due to the steep angle of the banks, not in overly shallow water. During this outing the fishing had been consistent, even easy, with fish well above the legal size limit regularly coming to hand. So impressive was the angling on offer in this lake that while you read this, I will most likely be there again, probing its depths once more.

Although contrasting the natural hues of the successful trout-pattern lures, the Hot Pink MicroMin also yielded plenty of fish.

The shallow 50mm MinMin in Rainbow Trout pattern was a hit with the fish in Eucumbene, accounting for impressive numbers.

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