BNB Fishing Mag | August 2023 by bnbfishing

Free Angler’s Almanac inside 495

Includes GST

August 2023 Print Post Approved PP100001534 Volume 34, Number 8

Getting fussy fish to bite

Soft vibe lure guide ISSN 1832-4517

9 771832 451001

www.bnbfishing.com.au

Proudly produced and printed in Australia

Moreton Bay basics

Offshore action Broadwater flathead tips

Estuary • Offshore • Freshwater • 4WD • Camping • Touring

OVER $100,000 IN CASH AND PRIZES!

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023ENTER – PageNOW! 1

EX568ST LENGTH 5.68m | BEAM 2.33m | MAX FUEL 160L MAX HP 150hp | WEIGHT BMT 1,940kg

w w w. c r u i s e c r a f t . c o m . a u Page 2 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 3

Page 4 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

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From the Bush ‘n Beach Fishing editor

HAVE spoken about regulatory changes a great deal lately, and this will also touch on some news in that area, but first I wanted to look at catch rates of snapper. At present, we’re in the middle of a month’s closure for snapper and pearl perch. Before the closure, there were plenty of snapper being caught in the northern and southern bay and offshore too. However, what I find interesting about the catches – and these are my observations and understandings after speaking with fellow fishos – is that the snapper in the southern bay seem to be noticeably smaller this year than those in the northern and central bay areas. This is not always the case – in fact, it can be the exact opposite. But it does make you wonder how much or how little we know about this species and what its actual numbers are, as well as how or why their numbers change each year. This highlights the need to have more catch data for those of us who fish for pleasure, and while some recreational anglers will not like me saying this, I do feel

as an industry we need to get past this and do what we can to help manage the biomass. I’m not saying that we need to stop the closure or extend it – it provides an opportunity for the snapper to bolster their stocks – but I will ask, is there a better way to implement it? Unfortunately, the closure impacts many levels of the fishing industry – from charter operators through to local bait and tackle shop and everything in between, with no compensation or government support during this time. One suggestion could be to stagger the closure of snapper and pearl perch, and by that I mean have the snapper ban for a month and then immediately following that have the pearl perch closure. This way you’re limiting the immediate downturn in the fishing industry as the impact is lessened. While it would be over a longer period, essentially you could still fish, and catch fish. Predominately, this would impact offshore fishos, but on the flip side, it would also mean there’s an additional species to target during the closure. I understand that of-

We are definitely against false advertising.

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ten snapper and pearl perch are found in the same areas, however this is not always the case and any pearlies caught in shallow water could easily be returned if hooked when chasing snapper, with limited impact to their survival. Great Sandy Marine Park The zoning plan review process has come to an end for the Great Sandy Marine Park, with several changes set to be implemented – see page 44. Full details can be found online, including a 397-page Decision Regulatory Impact Statement – qld.gov.au/ environment/coasts-wa terways/marine-parks/ zoning/gsmp There is also an ‘Outcomes’ document, which provides a good summary of what’s planned. At first glance, I thought this may have been a simple percentage number grab by the Greens with a few bulk areas, however on further examination, I feel the mix is just about right. Fraser Coast Fishing Alliance chair Scott Mitchell stated he believed the final DRIS with its associated mapping will be broadly welcomed by the recreational fishing sector and environment groups. It will also greatly assist in rebuilding fish stocks and protect endangered species. I note that tunnel and set-pocket nets have been maintained, even though 70 percent of the submissions called for them to be removed. The document suggested that this decision was made to maintain the supply of fresh local fish for those who do

not catch their own. Scott also highlighted that bringing an end to destructive gillnetting inside the Conservation Park zones is well overdue and should never have been established in the first place. The Great Sandy Marine Park was the only

marine park in Australia that allowed commercial gillnetting in Conservation Park zones. Getting the mix of access and conservation right is never an easy job, but hopefully this is a step in the right direct. Ben Collins

OUR COVER Free Angler’s Almanac inside

495

Includes GST

August 2023 Print Post Approved PP100001534 Volume 34, Number 8

Getting fussy fish to bite

Soft vibe lure guide ISSN 1832-4517

9 771832 451001

www.bnbfishing.com.au

Proudly produced and printed in Australia

Moreton Bay basics

Offshore action Broadwater flathead tips

Estuary • Offshore • Freshwater • 4WD • Camping • Touring

OVER $100,000 IN CASH AND PRIZES!

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023ENTER – PageNOW! 1

QUAT captured a decent golden trevally on a jig. Check out Tri Ton’s article on page 56 on techniques for catching fussy fish.

NEXT EDITION: September edition will be on sale in newsagents from August 25. AUGUST SUBSCRIPTION OFFER: See the subscription form on page 100 to subscribe this month and to go in the draw to win one of seven $25 vouchers from Suncoast Skutes and a BNB Beanie, valued at $40 RRP each. JUNE PRIZE WINNER: Congratulations to S. Sullivan from Spring Grove who has won a TT Sling Prize Pack from Tackle Tactics valued at $305 RRP. Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 5

August 2023 contents Getting basics right in Moreton Bay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Sean Conlon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P8 Tide Times - Brisbane Bar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P12 Tips for winter flathead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Keith Stratford . . . . . . . . . . . . . P14 Bay options during closure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Sean Thompson . . . . . . . . . . . P16 Trying to tackle new bait. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Mark Templeton . . . . . . . . . . . P20 New boat Old Ben. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Mick Clutterbuck . . . . . . . . . . . P22 Moreton Bay Fishing Classic is back. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P23 Nothing better than local fishing insights. . . . . . . . . . . . . by Paul Suttor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P24 Targeting reefies, tuskies and jew. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Ben Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P28 Fishing Events Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P30 Spanish mackerel management plan flawed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P31 Broadwater flathead haunts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Clint Ansell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P32 Tips for snapper post-closure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Darren Rama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P34 Jewies, knobbies and reefies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Gavin Dobson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P38 Dry spell impacting local fishing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Brett Hyde . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P40 Jewel jewfish, large luddy and top tailor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Tye Porter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P42 Review of zoning plan for Great Sandy Marine Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P44 Women’s rec fishing and boating opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P46 New east coast spanish mackerel rules in effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P46 Product News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P48 Charter Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P50 Insights into boat insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P54 Kingfisher 510 Powercat review. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Ben Collins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P56 Mercurys Racing flexes outboard muscle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P58 Mercury’s Avator 7.5e powers competitive angler. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P60 Tips for catching fussy fish. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Tri Ton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P62 Sea cucumbers key ingredient to deter diabetes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P63 Rainbow Beach Family Fishing Classic wrap up. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P64 Winter family favourite for fishing K’gari . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Chris Raimondi . . . . . . . . . . . . . P66 Tide Times – Waddy Point. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P67 Soft vibe fundamentals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by John Boon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P68 VMR Bundaberg Family Fishing Classic review. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P70 Daiwa Australia celebrates fifty years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P70 Something very fishy in the Pioneer River. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P72 Great Barrier Reef fishing guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Andy Melville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P74 Catch and cook scheme charter operators split. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P76 Important milestone for Qld Fishing 2.0 app. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P78 Research experiment boosts mackerel population. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P78 Fine tuning a new D-Max X-Terrain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Paul ‘Chief’ Graveson . . . . . . . P80 Surviving the Nullarbor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Ben Collins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P82 Next NT leg - Nhulunbuy to Weipa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Craig Tomkinson . . . . . . . . . . . P85 Heading north along WA coastline. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Matt Potter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P86 Freshwater fishing notes for novices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Neil Schultz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P90 Conditions are key to success for barra. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . By Sam Rowley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P92 Short scenic three-hour trek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Brian Dare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P94 Dam Levels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P95 Readers’ Forum ��P96 Trading Post. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P98 Angler’s Almanac. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P99 Subscription Form �� P100 Page 6 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

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The Team

EDITOR: Ben Collins PRODUCTION: Tiffany Brown Lisa Jones ADVERTISING: Annmarie Flanagan

Bush ‘n Beach Fishing magazine is published monthly by Collins Media Pty Ltd ABN 43 159 051 500 ACN 159 051 500 trading as Collins Media. Phone 07 3286 1833 Email: ben@collins.media PO Box 162, Wynnum, Qld 4178 PRINTER: Spotpress DISTRIBUTION BY: Wrapaway Max. recommended retail price $4.95 (includes GST).

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CORRESPONDENTS: Editorial contributions are welcome, as is news from clubs,associations or individuals; and new product news from manufacturers. Entire contents copyright. Nothing may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. It is the responsibility of advertisers and contributors to ensure the correctness of their claims and statements. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher.

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 7

A decent 77cm jewfish was hooked at low tide when casting soft plastics for flathead.

Getting basics right in Moreton Bay

Brad landed his personal best 66cm flathead casting soft plastics around the mangrove line on high tide.

HE fishing last month was good, and it continued into this month. Even though we had a few days of rain and a couple were windy, overall the weather wasn’t too bad, which meant we’ve been out and plenty of nice fish were caught. Now, I may have done

Tick all the boxes and catch more fish! FISHING TUITION

WITH SEAN CONLON

Southern Moreton Bay by SEAN CONLON

an article on this topic already, though I’m not too sure as, after having written a few over the years, the old brain sometimes forgets. So here we go… Many people make fishing sound complicated or perhaps more convoluted than it needs to be. It doesn’t matter whether you’re fishing with lures or with bait.

Yes, there are heaps of different techniques and yes, when you’ve done it for a long time, you can get quite methodical with it. A few people who see pictures of great fish in fishing magazines will buy their boat, get out on the water and then nothing happens for them. Remember, you have * continued P10

A four-hour off-water course for up to four people covering: Target species BOOK TODAY Moon phases Weather and tides Techniques Environment Tackle tips

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Kids love catching bream in the shallows on bait.

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Email: admin@wynnummarine.com.au Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 9

A 36cm bream was caught on an unweighted bait in 1m of water close to the mangrove line and a little structure. It’s possible to catch a bay squire against the mangrove line and also on flat mussel beds in very shallow 1-2m of water, after August 15.

Basics of fishing Moreton Bay * from P8

Pan-sized squire can be found drifting on flat mussel beds, after August 15.

Even young fishos can manage flathead on soft plastics, if fishing in the correct area. Page 10 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

to walk before you can run and the best way to build confidence is simply to fish very basically – whether it’s basic with plastics and lures or basic with bait. One of the most important things to be mindful of prior to putting your lure or bait in the water is that you’re in an area where there are fish, or the potential for fish. This is super important, whether you’re chasing from basic bream up to Moreton Bay pelagics. Where to start? I frequently see, particularly in the bay, everyone on a jetty, pontoon or bank trying to cast as far out as they can into the middle. And those in boats are casting back towards the edge and into the shallows where the structure might be. It gets to the point where the fisho on the jetty is casting out to

the middle and the angler on the boat is casting underneath the jetty. If you’re casting out to the middle, you should be casting to something – whether it’s a bit of structure or the hard bottom. When casting out to the middle, you may just be casting into mud. The fish are in close and, if you’re on a pontoon or jetty, they’re probably underneath you. These are the things you may need to look at before deploying your bait or your lure. In Moreton Bay, you can easily catch bream or flathead under a jetty or pontoon, or from the flat hard ground. And from around the mussels, razor shells and rock carrying little crabs that we see around the edge of the bay when the tide goes out, you can catch yourself a lovely squire

post August 15, grass sweetlip or tuskfish. Because of the way the bay was formed, the fish will feed on everything in this sort of shallow reef system. It’s very flat and doesn’t have many big pinnacles on it. So, if you’re sitting on the bank and the tide goes out, in front of you will be covered in mussels and razor shells, and when the tide comes back in, it has the potential to hold bream, squire, grasss sweetlip and tuskfish. These fish particularly as their teeth are designed to crush mussels, razor shells and the crabs and things that live on that type of ground – they’re not designed to chase bait schools, cut fish in half and pick the pieces up later, as our pelagic species do. Though to be fair, in the right conditions and if there’s plenty of bait * continued P11

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Basics of fishing Moreton Bay * from P10

around, those fish may also chase bait schools but are designed to eat from the bottom. So, if you’re a landbased angler, when you see a flat hard bottom at low tide, maybe come back and finish those areas on high tide. Fishing it could be as simple as coming down with a berley pot and spreading some out over those areas to draw fish into where you’re going to place your bait. Remember, a berley pot can be basic – a plastic milk container with a couple of rocks in the bottom and a few holes punched in it, full of dry dog or cat food or some bread with a little tuna oil will work well. Put it in the water and shake it up to let the berley disperse into the area you’re fishing. Then, if it’s shallow and snaggy, use a float to suspend your bait

slightly off the bottom. The float can be as simple as a piece of foam or buy a little bobber for a couple of dollars from a tackle shop. Suspend 1m of line below it with a nicely presented piece of squid, pillie or even a bit of chicken breast soaked in garlic – one of my favourites. The setup can be a basic 7-8’ glass fishing rod with a 2000-3000 spin reel, 10-15lb mono line and a simple whiting long shank hook on the end. I suggest a running sinker from below the float right to the hook – you’ll be surprised how many fish you’ll catch with this simple technique. No special fishing rods required – a cheap combination will do the job. Many people make the mistake of casting to fishing areas such as this with no float.

A solid 70cm flathead caught in 7m of water by drifting with soft plastics.

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Don’t get snagged every 10 minutes, give a float a go. Very simple fishing is not going to cost of the world and believe me, you’ll be surprised at the quality fish you’ll catch. Fish love structure. Little fish hide behind it or in and around it, and bigger fish will then be in the same area because they eat the smaller fish. One thing we have in this bay that many people avoid are mangroves – these are great structure for small fish to hide in, and bigger fish will hang around them to eat the smaller fish. To fish these areas at high tide, pull up at the bottom or top of an island, where there’s more tidal flow as the tide runs in and out. Get a berley trail going by putting out some lightly weighted bait and, if there isn’t much flow, perhaps don’t use a sinker or wait. Tie the hook straight to the end of your line, put your bait on, cast out and let it do its thing. This is a very simple way of catching good quality bream, flathead and grunter. You’ll be amazed how many times you can pick up squire or snapper up to 50-60cm by doing this in a 1m of water at high tide. Also, while you are doing this, have your bait rods out the back and don’t be afraid to cast a few soft plastics around the front of the boat – you can pick up some flathead while you’re waiting for a bite on the rods down the back. * continued P12

Brett and a sizable flathead captured at low tide on Zerek Live Shrimp Hot Legs.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 11

Basics of fishing Moreton Bay

When fishing with that will give you the Low tide is one of the plastics in the bay confidence to keep gobest tides to target these around muddy areas, ing out and doing more. areas. Whether it’s learning look for natural colours Think about it… all and have some 1/8 and more about bait or lure those little fish up in 1/4 jig heads with 2/0 or fishing, you can grow the mangroves on high 3/0 hooks. your experience and extide and the bigger fish Plus get some scent pertise from these bachasing them. – there’s a heap on the sics – walking before When the tide goes market – coat your lure you run. AUSTRALIA EAST COAST out, they must come off in it, cast out and a little I fish this way, so I AR EAST COAST – BRISBANE BAR that bank, otherwise hop hop will get your hope this helps some of BRISBANE BAR AUSTRALIA, LATthey’ll 27° 22ʼ S 153°no 10ʼ E die asLONG there’s lure to the bottom, have you too. Time Zone –1000 Times and Heights of High and Low Waters Time Zone –1000 water up there. Of course, one way to aNOVEMBER pause and then anoth- DECEMBER AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER What should we look Timeer hop more hop.Time m Time m Time m Time m Time m Time m Time fish m is to get Time m Time m m Time catch m for low tide? the water more this 0307 0.66 0334 0.45 0359 0.56 0419 0.42 0409 0.33 0443 technique 0.36 0.36 0443 0.23 0443at0.19 0505 Repeat 0.35 0511 out 0.49 on 0515 1 0856 1.84 16 0930 1.79 1 1022 2.13 16 1010 2.03 1 1044 16 1021when 1 1200 often. 0830 1.68 2.25 the1 1143 2.40 16 1122 2.42 2.34 16 1201 2.56 2.36simply, Very as many times as need1424 0.46 1500 0.25 TU WE 1527 0.43 FR 1630 0.19 SA 1619 0.45 SU 1703 0.35 MO 1643 0.53 WE 1823 0.66 TH 1804 0.63 FR 1851 0.74 SA 1857 0.56 2103 2.44 2136 2.72 2152 2.38 2219 2.24 2219the 2.00spot 2344 1.63 1.70 2243 2.61 2252 2.20 tide goes out, As we all know, with ed to catch2323 a fish. 0348 0.64 0425 0.37 0429 0.55 0.22 0446 0.40 0515 0.23 the 0438 0.46 1.57 0.42 1.75 last 0.34 water2 0537 jobs0016 and if 0520 you’re 2 0949 2 0521 2 where 2 0007 0912 1.70 1.91 17 1001 1.84 1208 2.39 catch0604 0.43lives we 1108 2.19 17 1045 2.07 1127 2.37 17 1057 2.27 1225 And, 2.29 17 0547 our 0.59 17 1503 0.46 1858 0.67 1250 2.51so if you 1748 0.48offTUthe 1721 bank 0.59 1240 2.25 isTH 1912ing0.76a FR WE 1552 0.21 TH 1601 0.43 SA 1717 0.27 SU 1655 0.50 MO comes SA SU are time poor, few bream or 2141 2.44 2223 2.76 2223 2.37 1948 0.56 2323 2.46 2248 2.15 2330 1.99 2253 1.89 1932 0.78 where the little baitfish flatties on bait at the can learn more to opti0425 0.63 0512 0.33 0456 0.53 0.25 0514 0.40 0545 0.32 0506 0.38 1.50 0015 1.63 1.53 0114 1.74 3 1040 3 0557 3 will 3 0027 3 0051 0949 1.72 1.98 18 1033 1.88 1153 2.22 18 1119 2.09 1209 be. 2.32 18 1134 2.26 0613 0.59 18 0605 0.50 0630 mise 0.69 18 0700 time 0.52 on the your back, I guarantee this 1539 0.46 1642 0.21 1803 0.41 1731 0.58 1835 0.63 1802 0.67 1309 2.17 1300 2.34 1322 2.16 1635 0.45 TH FR SU MO TU FR SA SU MO 1341 2.44 They’ll WE be 2330 waiting why not 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1234 2.07 5 0651 0.56 20 0615 0.52 5 0800 0.85 20 0814 0.66 5 0826 0.89 20 0914 0.71 1056 1.77 1648 0.50 1.99a MO 1502 2.27 2.01you’re 2.21 1305 fish 2.18 are So, 2.12 if theFRlittle TU 1327 2.15 WE 1852 0.77 TH 1344 SU 1502 It’s TU 1502 if WE 1532interested SA 1818 0.39 SU 1745 0.58 in very simple way 2320 2.37 1945 0.76 2034 0.88 2210 0.61 2202 0.76 2225 0.50 1951 0.80 2349 2.17 congregating at the bot- 2221to 0.84 our fishing tuition or start and, if you can 0558 0.64 1.74 0145 1.40 1.42 1.66 1.60 0436 1.94 0025 1.75 0111 1.52 0033 2.45 0620 0.51 drains6 0408 6 tom 6 0122 21small 21 0355 6 0407 6 0715 1131 1.78 0743 0.52 21 0641 0.53 0737 of 0.70the 0924 0.90 the 0935 0941 want 0.93 21to 1030 0707 0.61 0.37 21 1221 1.93 do0.77a fishing work high0.69 and low 1724 0.55 1445 2.01 SA 1408 2.14 1610 1.96 TU 1609 2.25 1600 1.97 TH 1632 2.09 WE 1422 2.08 TH 1320 2.04 FR where MO WE SU 1308 2.06 MO 1823 0.69 last 0.81 water 2318tides 2351 2.32 2053 0.90 2203 0.91 the 2113 0.77 in the 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0.48 0137 0.28 0110 0.45 0147 0.37 0135 2.02 0403 1.59 0245 1.59 25 0042 0650 1.68 areas. 0630 1.89 10 0730 2.02 25 0751 2.34 10 0738 2.22 25 0822 2.46 0817 0.63 10 1023 0.60 25 0910 0.64 10 0630 1.50 25 0539 1.58 10 in those 1432 1.81 TU 1238 0.68 WE 1226 0.50 SU 1212 0.68 MO 1130 0.57 FR 1336 0.65 SA 1412 0.55 SU 1358 0.72 MO 1500 0.65 TH 1721 2.11 FR 1614 1.99 1858 2.12 where 1852 2.15 1818 2.31 1845 1952 2.05 1926 1.88 2023 1.76 2030 0.92 2251 0.92 That’s the2.37 small 1927 2.06 0143 0.65 0113 0.52 0138 0.56 0131 0.32 0157 0.40 0217 0.26 0150 0.39 0230 0.37 0223 1.88 0007 0.89 0416 1.53 fish are, which is the 0904 0.63 11 0526 1.52 26 1029 0.62 11 0719 1.63 26 0645 1.75 11 0729 1.82 26 0723 2.07 11 0808 2.15 26 0837 2.45 11 0820 2.35 26 0906 2.51 supply, and by 1325 0.59 0.42 put1540 1.87 MO 1308 0.59 TU 1242 0.44 WE food TH 1329 SA 1421 0.60 SU 1505 0.54 MO 1448 0.65 TU 1550 0.63 FR 1128 0.61 SA 1733 2.13 1937 2.22 1915 2.45 1937 2.18 1935 2.38 2038 1.95 2011 1.85 2111 1.74 2144 0.97 1825 2.18 ting out lightly weight- 2004 2.04 0220 0.58 0204 0.37 0211 0.48 0215 0.24 0230 0.35 0230 0.34 0255 0.26 0309 0.38 0325 1.76 0116 0.79 0021 0.79 ed bait or casting soft 1002 0.61 12 0639 1.54 27 0542 1.57 12 0759 1.74 27 0741 1.93 12 0803 1.94 27 0811 2.24 12 0845 2.27 27 0920 2.52 12 0902 2.45 27 0947 2.51 1354 0.51 1344 0.32 1407 0.52 1424 0.37 1506 0.57 1537 0.60 1556 0.54 1652 1.99 TU WE TH plastics into FR those areSU TU MO WE 1634 0.63 SA 1230 0.58 SU 1145 0.54 2015 2.28 2006 2.54 2012 2.20 2021 2.33 2041 2.00 2057 1.83 2122 1.86 2154 1.73 2309 0.94 1918 2.26 1841 2.31 as, we are fishing in an 0303 0.31 0242 0.42 0253 0.53 0249 0.27 0254 0.20 0330 0.28 0345 0.40 0309 0.31 0440 1.69 0208 0.69 0130 0.62 0838 that 2.04 28 2.36 13 0923 2.35 28 1001 2.53 13 0945 2.53 28 1026 2.49 1106 0.57 13 0735 1.61 28 0653 1.68 13 0833 1.83 28 0830 2.08 13 area can0856 potentially 1800 2.15 FR 1446 0.49 SA 1515 0.37 WE 1433 0.46 TH 1439 0.25 MO 1549 0.56 TU 1643 0.57 WE 1626 0.57 TH 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0.50can 0.47with 1308 0.41 FR 1545 0.42 SA 1617 0.27 SU 1604 MO 1651 WE 1717 0.59 TH 1810 0.68 FR 1806 0.55 SA 1821 0.70 TU 1451 0.45 WE 1451 0.22 You start 2151 2.29 2214 2.38 2147 2.09 2224 1.94 2238 1.79 2326 1.62 2323 1.77 2345 1.71 1956 2.49 2119 2.38 2117 2.69 a reasonably cheap 0434 0.26 0.55 0241 0.56 0401 0.27 31 1101 2.47 31 0530 31 0935 2.04 1211 2.33 0800 1.77 combo graphite rod in 1736 0.56 1853 0.72 405 0.33 1543 0.17 TU SU TH 2304 1.78with 2-4kg or 3-6kg, 047 2.62 2201 2.69 a 2000-3000 spin reel, © Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2021, Bureau of Meteorology 10lb braidTideand some New Moon First Quarter is Lowest Astronomical Datum of Predictions 3” curly or paddle tail This young angler was stoked to score a 40cm Full Last Quarter Moon Phase Symbols Full Moon New Moon – have a look First Quarter Lastin Quarter plastics in squire before Full Moon LastMoon Quarter the closure on bait 2m of water on 9 flat mussel beds. the bargain barrel. 8 * from P11

Tide Times 2023

Page 12 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 13

Ben Monro jigged up a decent jewfish from the Brisbane River.

Luke Stratford landed a tailor when chasing flathead recently.

A nice flathead was captured by Amelia Stratford on a 3” soft plastic paddle tail.

Chris Stratford tried some different lures to get this nice flathead to bite.

Page 14 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

Tips for winter flathead

UGUST is an excellent month to chase a wide range of species in southeast Queensland. It’s the last month of winter and, towards the end of the month, we tend to have a few warmer days and the northerly wind starts blowing. This winter has been excellent for flathead, with large numbers showing up in the rivers and creeks around Brisbane. Most of the action has been in very shallow water, which can make for some great sight-casting to cruising fish in the crystal-clear water we’ve had. I’ve had a couple of good sessions with friends and my kids chasing these fish. When you can see the fish you’re catching, you can learn a lot by paying attention to their feeding habits and movements. The first time I found a good school of fish was with my son Luke. A big school of bait was in the area and, if we hadn’t seen birds diving in the channel, we wouldn’t have fished it. It was a very plain sandbank with no gutters, weed or drop-offs. Without the baitfish present, very few fish feed in this area normally.

Local Luring by KEITH STRATFORD

We started fishing the channel and the edge of the drop-off, but only came up with a tailor, bream and a flounder. The first cast that landed in the shallows on the flat was eaten as soon as it hit the water and that’s when we stumbled across a big school of lizards. It was a fish a cast for a while, and we were having a ball. We kept drifting over the shallows quietly and there were fish spooking everywhere, along with some fish swimming with the boat feeding on baitfish. The fish that were swimming with us were easily tempted into eating a lightly weighted plastic or shallow-diving hard-bodied lure. This action went on

for a few weeks while the massive numbers of small baitfish hung around, and we caught them on a wide range of plastics. This was the perfect time to experiment with a few different techniques. I caught plenty of fish on hard-bodied lures cast across the flats that bounced into the bottom, but they didn’t outfish a soft plastic. What worked very well were 3” paddle tails rigged on a 1/4oz 2/0 or 3/0 jig head. The retrieve needed to be varied and was dependent on how the fish were feeding on the day. Most days the flatties responded well to an aggressive double-hopped flick but other days they * continued P15

The author landed a solid tailor in the Caboolture River while chasing jewfish.

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Tips for winter flathead * from P14

wanted a consistent slow roll. I took my brother down for a session on these fish because the bait was thinning out and the fish were disappearing. Conditions weren’t great and the action was slow at the start. I started catching a few undersized fish, but it wasn’t looking good. Chris ended up putting a 3/8oz head on with a 4” plastic to try something different. It worked straight away and he landed some good quality fish, while I kept catching the smaller ones. It showed that it’s worth thinking outside the box and trying various things. I would never have tried this because the

lures I was using had been working for a few weeks. Keeping an open mind and an open tackle box does get results! Plenty of other species have been on the move in the rivers and creeks around Brisbane too. The Brisbane River has produced some nice jewfish. I had a session there recently with my friend Benny and we scored a few decent fish in the mid-80cm range. I got one first cast on a plastic jigged down on a rocky ledge, but it went quiet after that. We stuck it out for a few hours and had a good look around with little result, so we went back to the original spot and got a couple of fish by jigging plastics down the deeper ledges.

Good tailor have also been in the rivers. These things are eating machines and will take most lures thrown at them. I recently caught one up the Caboolture River when chasing jewies and mangrove jack, it stretched the tape out to nearly 60cm. It was a big solid fish that would have caused a lot of stress to the local baitfish population. A few trevally have been in the rivers feeding with the tailor too, so keep an eye out for any surface action if you’re on the water early morning or late afternoon. That’s it from me for now. Get out there and enjoy the last month of winter. Hope to see you on the water.

Luke caught a decent flathead when fishing the shallows.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 15

Full mud crabs can be an option in August, particularly after late winter rain.

Overhead rods and reels are a great option for mackerel trolling.

Bay options during closure

Double hook-ups of winter whiting can be common with double-dropper rigs.

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Page 16 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

ELL folks, despite the snapper and pearl perch closure continuing through until 11.59pm on August 15, plenty of fish and seafood options are still available this month. Squid and mudcrabs By ‘seafood’, I am talking about chasing squid. This isn’t something I’m all that interested in, so will leave the details to other writers. Needless to say, I’ve seen plenty caught on squid jigs by others, as well as a few chasing my winter whiting this season. The other seafood option is of course mud crabs. Now, while these aren’t a target for many over winter, August can see some big rusty mud crabs in southeast Queensland before their spring moult. They can be a good backup if the wind is up, particularly after rain. Beaches Of course, good alternatives during late win-

Fishing Tips by SEAN THOMPSON

ter in Moreton Bay and southeast Queensland are the beaches. This month should see tailor well and truly in good schools along the beaches of North and South Stradbroke, as well as Moreton Island. I’ll be chasing them further north at my favourite hunting ground off K’Gari, but after any decent spell of westerly wind, both baitfish and the tailor chasing them should be in deeper beach gutters and holes. Of course, the combination of 6” Alvey reels, 13’ composite surf rods, 15-20lb monofilament line with 30-40lb fluorocarbon leader and pilchard on gang hooks is one of the best traditional setups for targeting tailor off the beach. I also can’t go past Tru Turn ganged hooks with swivels in between, as they make

hanging up so quick and easy, and I – along with many other experienced fishos – find the offset camshaft Tru Turn hooks give a hook-up rate that is second to none. If you want to throw lures, long graphite rods, high speed spinning reels and braided line with a 2.5m fluorocarbon leader are a better setup option. The braided line has less resistance through the air, so will cast further and is less prone to sweep on retrieval through the water. Then of course, there are the low-tide gutters along the same beaches. The shallower gutters will hold whiting and bream, and if you don’t mind dart, you’ll find the bigger species in the deeper water at the back of the low tide sandbanks or in the high-tide gutters day or night. * continued P18

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 17

A nice fish caught when trolling in very shallow water.

Bay options during closure * from P16

Use light whippy whiting rods and you will catch more fish.

Live beachworms are by far your best bait, with pipis your next best option. Quality firm red-dyed frozen beachworms are an OK backup for the first day you hit the beach, or if you can’t catch any yourself. In the bay Winter whiting are a perfect option for families or a feed with friends over August. They were in plentiful

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Page 18 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

schools around the usual shallow banks on the eastern side of the bay towards North Stradbroke, as well as the holes around the Big Sandhills of Moreton Island. As I’ve mentioned in the past, they are less fussy than their summer whiting ‘cousins’ and will take a variety of frozen bait. These include good quality frozen banana prawns – keep some from prawning season – firm red-dyed bloodworms and red-dyed frozen squid, however I’ve not had the same results with the squid, particularly in shallower water. When choosing your worms, avoid the very thin dark-looking worms you see from some bait suppliers. These defrost very flimsy and blackened, and you will get much fewer bait out of them, plus less fish. Make sure your frozen beachworms are thick, firm and red to achieve best results and value for money. Now, this season has been a little different for me with the winteries and target areas. They haven’t always been where I’d expected and have moved around a little. Normally, I target

them in 2.5-3.5m of water in sand patches among the weed, but this year a number of times I’ve found schools in 1.8-2.5m of water when drifting. That’s the advantage of having a number of marks named and the dates of them recorded among your waypoints – so, I can look for similar times of year and try shallower if they are not around the general depth of the previous marks. The other tip for chasing them is to fish periods of good tidal movement – that is, avoiding the change of tide period if you can. However, I do have a little trick to fire them up if you fish through the change. This is to cast out to where you were catching fish or getting timid bites, let it sit a while, then commence a quick retrieve. If you have some red tubing attractors around your bait, this will definitely help to attract the fish and before long… bang, you can get a double hookup with a couple of dropper rigs. I’ve also tried three droppers and, while this works, they’re more prone to catching on each other and twist* continued P19

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Bay options during closure * from P18

ing, so I stick with two. Flathead Flathead are another great option in Moreton Bay over winter. Warm sunny days will find them lazing in the shallows and so I’ll troll over shallow drains and the edge of drop-offs towards low tide to cover a lot of ground. Normally, you will find patches of them, so if you get a fish, keep trolling over the same area – you’ll be amazed at the fish you can catch in the same vicinity. However, if you catch the big female they might be with, please consider letting it go. These are our breeders. I feel 75cm is too high a cut off, so I let all fish over 65cm go, occasionally even smaller and at other times, if I have fish in the freezer already, I let them all go. My method for targeting flathead in the shallows is to fish in around 0.8-1.4m of water. Noting that when I get below about 1.2m – the usual diving depth

of my favourite Zerek Bulldog Crank and Lively Lures Mad Mullet lures – I will angle my rod holders a little upwards and no longer parallel to the water. This avoids the lures banging too hard into the bottom and twisting over the line. I prefer to run two lures out the sides and one directly behind the boat, with that lure being a slightly deeper diver and stirring up the sand and mud. One recent addition to my flathead armoury is the great Watersnake Geo-Spot electric motor. More on that in a future article, but by setting the speed and direction on this motor, it makes working three rods so much easier and, of course, quieter. School mackerel Finally, another of my favourite targets, which will be a good option in August, is school mackerel. These were about over winter but can move a little, with areas such as Rous Channel, Hopes Banks, Rainbow Chan-

nel and around Lazaret Gutter holding fish. In August, these fish can come in closer to the western bay, but beware of your sizes because they can be accompanied by a lot of fish slightly under the 50cm minimum limit. As I’ve noted before, I have learnt and implemented a lot of great tips on schoolies from local Spero Kartanos. As such, I like trolling with boards or paravanes, with long 5m leaders being the way to go. I’ve found the OceanStream trolling boards dive well to around 5m or so, along with green and gold-coloured 3” spoons or white Smiths jigs. I troll these at 5.5-6.5 knots in about 6.5-7.5m of water. So, there you go – a round-up of many options for Moreton Bay this August. I hope you get among them! In the meantime, be sure to follow my tips and reports on Facebook at Ontour Fishing Australia.

One of the author’s favourite flathead trolling setups.

The Watersnake Geo-Spot electric motor makes flathead trolling much easier.

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www.moretonbayboattrimmers.com.au Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 19

Joel came to the party with a nice nannygai, found on a small patch of rubble while drifting.

Ryno landed a beautiful juvenile red emperor – undersized but looking amazing with its vibrant colours.

Trying to tackle new bait

Dan with a couple of local Moreton Bay snapper captured before the closure.

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HE only way I could start this article was with a cracking smile from one of our great clients ‘Dan the destroyer’, with a couple of local Moreton Bay snapper captured before the closure! I sometimes think Dan and Jack spend more time fishing the local area than they do at work. But they certainly know how to find the fish, as we have seen in previous articles. Whether pearl perch, snapper, cod or threadfin salmon, the preferred bait are local octopus, squid and IQF pillies. In saying that, not every trip ends up in an Esky full of fish, they too have off days. After August 15, we

Northern Moreton Bay by MARK TEMPLETON

should be seeing more local snapper being caught in Moreton Bay, if the weather continues to play the game, and great catches for land-based fishos around Redcliffe, Margate and Woody Point too. More people are trying out new bait, with cuttlefish and octopus the newest in this range. Often seen as a messy bait – with cuttlefish being able to produce black ink at the same rate as an active oil rig – my advice is to work with them when they’re frozen or partly thawed. I normally put a small

slice at the top of the cuttlefish, pop out the hard plate and then put it on a snelled rig and send it down. At other times, I’ll remove the head, put it on a single hook about 7/0 size, with a small sinker and float it down. I save the body and cut it into bigger strips, which slow down the pickers and rubbish fish until the larger species can have a go. But there are a whole host of bait that will be readily smashed by snapper that you can either gather yourself or buy from your local tackle shop. * continued P21

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Trying to tackle new bait * from P20

Yellowtail pike is always a popular goto bait, either whole, cut in half and even strip-baited, and floated down under a pea sinker is a very effective technique. If you can’t find yellowtail pike in a shop, you can always catch your own at a local pier or jetty. A few people use the traditional Sabiki rig, but the more seasoned pike fishos use a little red or yellow wool tied onto a long shank #4 hook. Remember, they can be slimy, so having a rag or a pair of rubber-coated tongs will help a lot. You never know what Moreton Bay is going to produce when you get out there. Ryno landed a beautiful juvenile red emperor – at this size they look amazing with their vibrant colours. Well done, Ryno – a great photo. You’ll have to land it again when it is legal size! On the same trip with Ryno, Joel came to the party with some nice nannygai, found on a small patch of rubble when drifting. It goes to show that the smallest show on the sounder can produce some quality fish, not always legal, but every fish brings a smile and tells a tale. Well done, another great Moreton Bay trip. Recently, we had a new virtual 360-degree tour done of the Tackle Land shop – and the Shed too – by Peter from Hello PRO Photo. It was amazing and a

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little scary to watch a drone scooting around the place, however the results are incredible – thank you Pete! Have a look at tackle land.com.au While up from Sydney, Pete took a quick break and headed to the Pine River with our friend Andy Chan to experience how good the fishing can be in our neck of the woods. They weren’t out for long before Pete landed a cracker bream. Not only was it the first fish in the boat for the day, it was also the first ever fish Pete had caught. A cracking effort and, judging by the smile, Pete had a great day on the water! Well done – a great fish, an awesome adventure and perfect video footage as well. I always enjoy seeing a photo of a professional fisho – so welcome back to another champion… Finn! We have seen Finn in a few other articles, but this time he had an even better reason to smile – while out with dad Tony and brother Will, Finn did everything himself – baiting up, casting, hooking and landing a stonker bream! It’s so good to see how quickly our young fishos develop and gain confidence when they truly love what they’re doing, and when they are being guided by people who not only mentor but are as passionate about fishing as those they encourage. Take some time out with the young ones and introduce them to this incredible sport,

it’s not only about catching a fish and having a photo taken, but much more. They learn many new skills, including how to communicate and problem solve too. So, if you only dabble or you don’t have fishing experience, get out there with the young ones and learn together, it’s never too late. Well done, Finn – it’s wonderful to see what you’ve achieved and I look forward to hearing about your next adventure. If you’re going to stay out at night, remember to check your nighttime running gear to ensure it actually works and that you can be seen! You don’t want to ruin a great night picking up a fine due to unsafe lighting. Stay safe out there and maintain the passion.

Pete landed a cracker bream.

Finn did everything himself – baiting up, casting, hooking and landing a stonker bream!

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Daryl Eaves caught a nice jewfish from the 29-fathom line.

Arthur Woo managed a solid pearl perch prior to the closure.

Arthur was happy with the decent maori cod he captured.

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New boat Old Ben N

OT a lot to write about this month because it seems the few members who did get out on reasonable trips haven’t had a chance to put pen to paper and get a decent brag out yet. From all accounts, the Seventeen Seventy trip went off well, so that’s something to look forward to next month. Old Ben As most who read the article last month would know, I bought another boat recently and named it after my late father Ben, who taught me a lot about fishing and gave me my love and passion for it. We started out at Woodgate in the early 1970s in a 10’ bondwood boat with a 5.5hp Evinrude, which was about the physical size of a modern day 3040hp engine. Back in those days, we didn’t have a fourwheel-drive or tractor to get it to the water, so we used to roll it down the beach using black rubber rollers – this was fairly common in those

Power Boat Anglers by MICK CLUTTERBUCK

days and it was quite effective too. Our main target was winter whiting, though we always had a line out the back trolling for spotted and school mackerel, as flat out is the perfect trolling speed when using a spoon. In those days, it was nothing to have 50 or more boats on the water all packed in tight, whether drifting or anchored, and the fish were plentiful and rather large for winteries, with many up to and over 30cm. It was fitting then that my first trip out on Old Ben with a crew member was with my son Josh and yes, the target species was winter whiting, though Woodgate wasn’t the destination. I’d had the boat out the week prior on a test run – to get used to it after getting it back from Tony once he’d completed

my wiring and other upgrades. Stellar work again and, as I said previously, you can find him on Facebook under Tony’s Boats and Marine. Conditions were great and I loved how the boat handled and performed – such a smooth ride from the Quintrex blade hull. On the fishing front though, I drew a big doughnut of take-home fish. That said, it continually amazes me that when table fish are off the bite, you’ll always pick up trash, such as grinner and toadfish. I tried all my usual spots and, while I was sure I could see them on the sounder, I couldn’t get one to bite. The following weekend, as Josh was on a bye from football, we decided to head out and give it a crack. I wasn’t sure how we’d * continued P23

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New boat Old Ben performs on first trip out * from P22

go, however spending quality time on the water with your son is always worth it. We poked around a few different spots before we managed to find a few. They were fairly consistent, and we drifted basically in the same area, building a good bag of fish. We virtually had the whole place to ourselves, though there were a couple of boats about 700-800m away to the south. We were just about to move when they came over and parked almost on top of us. I’ve got no problems with people fishing in the same area but come on, a little space please! Anyway, we went back to the top of the drift and were about to drop lines again when they moved in right behind

us, so that time I left them to it and moved elsewhere. Maybe they didn’t catch anything, I’m not sure, but a few minutes later they were off, so we went back and continued where we’d left off. Regular readers will know squid is my bait of choice for winter whiting, though I have to say, you need to be selective these days. I’ll visit retailers until I find squid with a hood length of around 10-13cm in length, as I find these give me the best strips without being too thick in the cross section. Recently, so much bait has been in retail outlets that I won’t use, particularly the small ones around 5cm – they are so thin and a waste of good money, in my opinion. So, we managed to

get our bag and, after a few minutes of towing the catch in our Wilson Scaler Bag, that part of the job was done, only the filleting was left for when we got home. Those of you who have changed vessels will know that there are always variances between boats, and particularly trailer setups. Old Ben is no different, I’m now used to the extra trailer width when reversing but it’s totally dissimilar when it comes to the launch and retrieve, now having to sink this craft a fair bit further, and it needs a good shove to get it moving off the trailer. Just a tip too when it comes to flushing your outboard... I see plenty of debate on whether you should be using muffs or the flushing port hose connection. If you do happen to

Moreton Bay Fishing Classic is back

HE Green Beacon Brewing Co and Wynnum Marine Moreton Bay Fishing Classic boasts over $100,000 in cash and prizes, including a $20,000 boat, motor and trailer package, thanks to Wynnum Marine. The newly refurbished Manly Harbour Boat Club hosts the competition as Moreton Bay transforms into the ultimate fishing playground this August. Join us from Friday to Sunday August 18-27 – we’ve got everything, from kids casting workshops, show-stopping weekend entertainment, prizes and

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daily weigh-ins. And that’s not all, we also have the Atomic Dash for Cash event, bringing in $7500 in cash and prizes for this year’s event. Stay listening to Nova 106.9 and you could win the ultimate fishing experience! MHBC general manager Zoran Stojcevski said, “This is an amazing annual community event representing the core values of the club, where we encourage and promote all forms of recreational boating, fishing and associated water sports.” “Our special guest Ash from Nova is excited to get among

the classic action for 2023!” Moreton Bay Trailer Boat Club commodore Ben Hall said, “It’s wonderful to see the community coming together for an event like this one.” “We are proud to have a great team of volunteers, and urge anyone interested in being a part of the team to contact us today.” Register now and check out all the event information online at manlyharbour boatclub.com.au Support this wonderful competition and our beautiful part of the world – the Moreton Bay Fishing Classic 2023 – can’t wait to see you!

use muffs, make sure you also flush through the port – especially if you’re a Honda owner, from what I’ve seen. My BF100 had 160 hours on it and the flushing port and poppet was absolutely chock full of salt, due to not being flushed through there. I’m hoping this doesn’t cause me any issues down the track, though I’m in the process of

trying to get it flowing again. Note that the meetings occur on the first Wednesday of every month at ‘The Club Manly’ (bowls club), 26 Faine St, Manly from 6.30pm for a 7pm start. Upcoming meetings will be Wednesday August 2, followed by Wednesday September 6. Until next month, safe boating.

Offshore reef fishing fanatics WANTED One of Brisbane’s oldest deep-sea fishing clubs has vacancies for new members. Owners of suitable vessels encouraged. All levels of experience. Those without own vessels also invited to apply. Approximately 15 deep-sea trips per year. One week-long fishing holiday to town of 1770. Monthly meetings, video shows, guest speakers and free nibbles. 4WD beach fishing and camping. Inshore fishing also on the agenda. Interested? Then call Darren (0413 511 436) or Tim (0436 625 590).

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 23

In the podcast, Professor Clark explained that information came from the accounts of early fishers in Australia.

Professor Anna Clark said what we might know intuitively about the places we fish at also applied to ecosystems around Australia as a whole.

Nothing better than local knowledge when it comes to fishing in Oz

USTRALIAN bookstores are filled with books on every aspect of fishing – from how to tie knots to tips and techniques to maximise your chances of success on the water. But there’s a knowledge gap on the history of fishing in Australia and what we can learn from previous generations. University of Technology Sydney Professor Anna Clark delved into our national fishing heritage, exploring its ancient origins and forgotten tales in her book

The Catch: Australia’s Love Affair With Fishing – first published in 2018 and to be re-released by Penguin. Professor Clark went on a deep dive into the history of fishing in Australia on OzCast, the podcast by Australia’s fishing conservation charity OzFish Unlimited. The renowned historian’s extensive research has uncovered hidden gems about Australia’s earliest known Indigenous fishing practices prior to European settlement, to the accounts of British explorers in

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

the late 1700s, through the generations to today. There’s no better knowledge than local knowledge, particularly given the ways the population and landscape have changed in Australia in modern times. And this is mirrored in our waterways. “In Queensland, the movement and population of particular fish species have their own corresponding sign on land,” Professor Clark writes in the book. The extent of the annual sea mullet run in winter can be predicted

CREATING BETTER HABITAT FOR BETTER FISHING Page 24 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

by the number of rainbow lorikeets in late autumn. If magpies are scarce in winter, numbers of luderick will also be low. And when the bush is ablaze with fragrant sunny blooms of coastal wattle in early spring, surging schools of tailor can be expected offshore. Butterflies flying offshore indicate mackerel are on, as they feed on the nutrients when the water gets warmer. In the podcast, Professor Clark explained that information such as this came from the accounts of early fishers in Australia. Saying that the late nineteenth century was a time of great scientific expansion in Australia and the science of fisheries, such as ichthyology, happened. “There’s a sense of we need to build the industry, but we also need to build our knowledge about fishing,” Professor Clark said. “From Aboriginal knowledges that were passed on around Australia, there’s a sense of not only a spirituality belief system that sees everything as linked – the heavens and the sea and the land and knowledge of the past, present and future in

dreaming stories – but that the natural systems are linked in that way. “This is what 60,000 years of observation can give you. “When the wattle are blooming, there’s tailor. “Noticing the signs. “I think fishos generally – and it’s partly the joy of fishing – you notice the signs. “You have to if you’re going to be good, but it’s also the great pleasure of knowledge of a place.” She continued to say that if you go to a place, close your eyes and imagine – it may smell fishy if the wind is right – there’s a sense of understanding what that means, as your knowledge of that place is very holistic. “You can’t just take the wind out or take the tides out or take the sunset out because they all work together,” Professor Clark said. “At a massive kind of macro level these systems operate in too – of bird movement, fish migrations, sand deposits, the cooling of the waters, estuaries closing up or opening out. “It shows what we might know intuitively about the places we fish at is also about these ecosystems around Australia as a whole. * continued P25

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With the re-release of her book The Catch: Australia’s Love Affair With Fishing, Professor Anna Clark features on the OzCast podcast. Pictured with OzFish Unlimited media manager Jonathon Bleakley.

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available on the OzCast podcast, which focuses on OzFish Unlimited’s work around Australia in habitat restoration aimed at making fishing better for everyone. Professor Anna Clark is a highly regarded historian based at the Australian Centre for Public History at the University of Technology Sydney. Her extensive research and writing focus on various aspects of Australian history, which includes the recreational and commercial fishery in Australia. Professor Clark’s passion for fishing is evident in her book The Catch: Australia’s Love Affair With Fishing, which will be re-released on August 29. Paul Suttor OzFish Unlimited

impoundment and then they went everywhere,” she said. “We can only look back on this with hindsight, so it’s a privileged position to look on this historically, but at the same time I think it shows us changing values of what progress is, and also our growing realisation of how fragile Australia’s natural world is. “The rivers are not a big Mississippi. “They’re not a massive wetland system. “They feel big because they’re long and there’s a lot of water in them most of the time, but they’re precarious – same with our ocean fisheries – once they start being taken at an industrial level, they collapse quickly.” The full interview is

“It’s very powerful and it gives us important lessons about how we might think – what happens if a weir is here or what happens if you take out the oyster reefs. “What’s the flow-on and how are these interconnecting pieces of our fisheries puzzle playing out?” Professor Clark said Australia’s fishing community has learned harsh lessons from previous generations introducing invasive species such as trout and carp. “Unknown at the time, could they have foreseen what the effects of this would be, particularly for carp?” “They weren’t even deliberately released in the wild. “There was a flood and they escaped their

* from P24

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 25

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Gillnet announcement The Australian and Queensland governments have announced they will commit more than $160 million to phase out commercial gillnet fishing in the Great Barrier Reef by mid-2027 and transition to more sustainable fishing practices. A gillnet-free north will be established from Cape Bedford to the tip of Cape York. Additional commercial gillnet free zones will be established in the Gulf of Carpentaria and other locations of high ecological value.

Changing seasons

What you need to know Australian bass

Mary River cod

CLOSED SEASON

CLOSED WATERS

All Queensland tidal waters

Selected Queensland fresh waters

Spanish mackerel

Murray cod

1 June 2023 – 31 August 2023

1 August 2023 – 31 October 2023

MANAGEMENT CHANGES

CLOSED SEASON

East Coast Queensland tidal waters

All Queensland fresh waters in the Murray-Darling Drainage Division

From 1 July 2023

Snapper and pearl perch

1 August 2023 – 31 October 2023

CLOSED SEASON

All Queensland tidal waters 15 July 2023 – 15 August 2023

Murray cod

Murray cod are a no-take species from 1 August – 31 October in all Queensland fresh waters in the Murray–Darling Drainage Division. This closed season protects Murray cod during their breeding season. It is also illegal to deliberately target Murray cod for catch and release during the closure, as the stress of capture may prevent fish from spawning or protecting their nest. Murray cod caught accidentally must be immediately returned to the water unharmed. Wanting to chase some Murray cod during the closure? Head to your local stocked impoundment, where you can still catch Murray cod.

Mary River cod

Mary River cod are a nationally listed endangered species in the wild and may only be taken in certain stocked dams or weirs outside of the Mary River catchment. In these dams and weirs, a possession limit of one and a minimum size of 60cm applies. To further protect the Mary River cod population during breeding, you must not possess or use a fishing line from 1 August – 31 October at the following locations: • Albert River (upstream from the junction of Canungra Creek and Albert River – includes Canungra Creek) • Christmas Creek • Coomera River (upstream from the junction of Guanaba Creek and Coomera River – includes Guanaba Creek) • Mary River and adjoining waterways (upstream of its junction with Six Mile Creek at the creek’s northern bank, other than waters up to the full supply level of Baroon Pocket Dam, Borumba Dam and Lake MacDonald) • Running Creek Stanley River (above Neurum Creek and Stanley River junction). A person must also not possess or use a fishing line in Obi Obi Creek all year round between the Baroon Pocket Dam wall and the shortest line across the creek at the downstream side of Obi Obi Creek crossing 4 (Manuel Hornibrook Bridge). Search fisheries.qld.gov.au for ‘closed seasons’ or ‘closed waters’ or use the Qld Fishing 2.0 app to find out more.

Download the free ‘Qld Fishing 2.0’ app from the App Store or Google Play DAF2030 07/23

Page 26 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

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Qld Fishing 2.0 app to be upgraded Fisheries Queensland is enhancing the Qld Fishing 2.0 app with a voluntary reporting function so that it can be a one-stop shop for fishers. After talking to recreational fishers to gather feedback, you said you wanted: • Features to use the app like a fishing diary with badges for quality data collection • Flexibility with user profiles to customise preferences • Trust and transparency to let users know what the data are used for as well as ensuring that information is secure, with user’s location and privacy respected • Data collection to be tiered for necessary catch reporting data and optional extras with the ability to fill out reporting offline and add photos • Feedback to see summaries of what information was recorded and the ability to share it with others • Simplicity in design to make it easy and quick to use • Data validation and flags to make sure we collect quality information and flag possible errors This feedback will be used to inform the enhancements. Don’t have the Qld Fishing 2.0 app? Join the 100,000 users who have downloaded it for free from the Google Play or Apple app stores!

Faces of fisheries

Connan fulfilled his childhood passion of becoming a Fisheries Officer when he joined the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol. As a Nyikina and Yawuru man originally from the Kimberly region in Western Australia, he has a strong passion for fisheries sustainability and Indigenous culture. In his role as a Fisheries Cultural Liaison Officer, Con engages with the local Indigenous communities to foster cooperation and build a better understanding between the communities and QBFP of traditional fishing. After 4 years in the patrol, it’s still everything he imagined it would be and Con’s still amazed at what he sees regularly while on patrol.

Meet Connan...

fisheries.qld.gov.au 13 25 23 FisheriesQueensland FisheriesQld DAFQld www.bnbfishing.com.au

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 27

We spent time targeting tuskfish during the closure, with great results. Prior to the closure, large snapper came on thick around the close reefs of the Gold Coast.

Targeting reefies, tuskies and jew

T Quality fish such as the beauties Mark bagged will be back on the table after the season re-opens in a few weeks.

Grass sweetlip are a common by-catch when snapper fishing. Page 28 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

HESE cool mornings test fishos who wake up early and travel out to sea, with freezing air whisking through the boat and finding every little gap in their clothing. On top of that, we have the closed season for snapper and pearl perch in full swing during July and August. So, I guess there may be a few who would be deciding whether its worth hooking the boat up and heading out for a fish, with these things to consider. All I can say is that the fishing has never been better and it’s well worth getting out there. Though the closure is on, there are plenty of other great winter species on offer and it’s an awesome time to test your knowledge and skills by targeting something different to what you’re used to. How about the good old mulloway – or jewfish, as many of us know it. There are a few ways of targeting these, but the two best ways are on live bait and big soft vibes.

Gold Coast Offshore by BEN SMITH

What works for me is a rod and reel combination of around 10-15kg, with the rod being generally 1.5m long. I prefer to use PE 3-5 braid with a leader of 50-60lb clear supple monofilament such as Black Magic or Ande. This can be tied directly to the soft vibe with a loop knot to allow the action of the lure to work at its best. Big Samaki Vibelicious or Nomad Squidtrex lures work well and smearing them with Squidgies S-Factor or similar will definitely increase your catch rate. The general idea with vibes is to position your boat almost vertically over the fish you’ve spotted on your sounder and work them with a tea-bagging action directly onto the fish’s head. If the fish are hungry, they eat it as food and if not, they will probably have a bite out of curiosity or aggression as

you work the lure past their face. Bait fishing is much the same but the most important thing to do is to have a good supply of fresh live bait, and for jewfish, I find nothing works better than yellowtail scad or pike. Keeping them alive and active is very important, so a good livebait tank and a pump big enough to re-circulate it with fresh seawater continually is needed. A tank with an air bubbler will only work for a short period, so you’ll need to keep bucketing in fresh water to keep them from dying. Bait can be easily caught with a bait jig, and I use a Wilson #8 with a 3-4oz teardrop-style sinker on the bottom. The heavier sinker allows you to get the jig down into the bait quickly, as well as keeping the baitfish, once hooked, from * continued P30

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 29

A tuskfish taken from 65m of water east of the Seaway on fresh squid.

Targeting tuskies and jew FISHING EVENTS EVENT

DATE

LOCATION

2023 Moreton Bay Fishing Aug 18-27 Classic

Manly, Qld manlyharbourboatclub.com.au/ fishingclassic

Catch a Catty Family Aug 19-20 Fishing Competition

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Mackay Isaac’s Lucky Sep 9-Oct 8 Mackay Isaac Region, Qld Catch and Snap luckycatchandsnap.com.au Woodgate Beach Sep 15-17 Hotel Fishing Classic

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Flathead Classic Sep 26-28

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* from P28

swimming up around the other hooks and tangling the whole rig up. Finding them is as easy as using your sounder around the channel markers in the Seaway, or going slightly outside to the known bait grounds such as the Scottish Prince, Aquarius or the rocky patch about 1km southeast of the Seaway. The bait will show up as a thick yellow or even red cloud-like shape on the sounder. All of these areas hold good bait and as a result they also hold good jewies. Once again, keep an eye on the screen and if you see a larger red shape or an arch forming in or around the bait, it’s probably a jew. The north wall of the Seaway is a good option too, but the best place to chase them is the concrete blocks along South Stradbroke Island, a few kilometres north of the Seaway. You’ll find the GPS marks easily enough online or ask at a local tackle shop. The same rod and reel combo can be used as for luring but simply change the rig to a pair of snooded 5-7/0 suicide

hooks and an 8-10 ball running sinker. Put the leading hook through the nose of your bait and the trailing hook through its back, just passing it under the skin so it stays upright with the hook point fully exposed. Then it’s a matter of a controlled drift over the fish you’ve marked up and lowering the bait down into the zone. It shouldn’t take long for a bite and hopefully a hook-up. As well as mulloway, plenty of good-sized venus tuskfish have been around and squid bait works very well. Tuskies have to be one of the best tasting fishing the sea and they are also quite easy to catch. A simple paternoster or dropper rig is best, and these are reasonably easy to make. Better yet, Andy from Suncoast Skutes – who also has articles in this publication, see page 74 for this month’s – has them available premade, with his special flasher rig hooks attached and ready to tie on. Visit suncoastskutes. com or Facebook to contact him and to see his range of rigs and hooks. * continued P31

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Report reveals spanish mackerel management plan flawed

HE state’s peak seafood industry body has called on state government to halt its imminent drastic cuts to spanish mackerel catches for professional, charter and recreational fishers. This follows the release of a draft independent scientific report questioning the fisheries department figures behind the planned catch cuts and saying the figures should not be used for management decisions. Queensland Seafood Industry Association chief executive officer David Bobbermen said the catch cuts would cost professional fishers and seafood marketers millions of dollars over the next 12 months. Mr Bobbermen said he had written to Fisheries Minister Mark Furner asking for the new east coast spanish mackerel total allowable commercial catch declaration to be withdrawn, as the information upon which it was based had been questioned by independent reviewers. “The cuts should not go ahead until the Queensland Government has called in experts to completely

review the work that Fisheries Queensland has carried out to come up with their catch cuts decision for the 202324 financial year,” Mr Bobbermen said. “Fisheries Queensland is cutting the total allowable catch for professional fishers on the east coast from 578 tonnes this year to just 165 tonnes in the 202324 financial year.” He pointed out that from July 1, professional fishers will be allowed to catch less than onethird of the fish they caught this year. “And now an independent analysis of the Fisheries Queensland figures has concluded the figures should be thoroughly re-examined,” Mr Bobbermen said. “On the basis of what has been found, Fisheries Queensland is prepared to cause serious financial hardship to fishing families throughout the east coast. “That’s not how our fisheries resources should be managed or primary producer livelihoods should be manipulated.” Mr Bobbermen said QSIA had commis-

sioned an independent analysis of the facts and figures behind the Fisheries Queensland spanish mackerel east coast stock assessment 2021 and the draft report had recently been received. The analysis was conducted by Simon Hoyle and Alistair Dunn – eminent fisheries scientists based in New Zealand – experienced with management of species such as mackerels and tuna. The draft report said in part, “We find that the model shows signs of misspecification, with residual trends in the decadal CPUE – catch per unit effort – time series, age structure and length composition data, bias apparent in the estimated growth curve, and instability in model fits and the likelihood profiles.” “These problems may largely be driven by the lack of recovery in the CPUE index after the large reduction in estimated catch from 2005. “These issues should be resolved before the model is used for management advice.” Mr Bobbermen said, “While the draft report is couched in scientific language, the bottom

line is clear to anyone – what Fisheries Queensland has relied upon in reaching decisions about future spanish mackerel catches simply should not be used in its current form for management of the fishery.” He continued that professional, charter and recreational fishers would be impacted by Fisheries Queensland’s planned catch cuts for spanish mackerel. “While the total allowable commercial catch will be slashed by more than twothirds, recreational anglers will suffer simi-

lar cuts,” he said. “The daily trip catch limit for anglers will be cut from three spanish mackerel per person or six per boat – when there are two or more anglers on board – down to only one per angler or two per boat. “The catch for charter-boat operators will also be cut, significantly impacting their businesses. “No-one in professional, charter or recreational fishing trusts the stock assessment behind the Fisheries Queensland spanish mackerel cuts.”

Fisheries Queensland is cutting the total allowable catch for professional fishers on the east coast from 578 tonnes to 165 tonnes, so from July 1, professional fishers will be allowed to catch less than onethird of the fish they caught this year. Table taken from the Fisheries (Spanish Mackerel) Amendment Declaration 2022.

Targeting reefies, tuskies and jew * from P30

It is far more convenient and greatly increases the success rate to have the rig prepped and good to go when you’re out in the boat and the bite is hot. As I said, squid is the preferred bait and good quality frozen is fine but fresh is better. The Broadwater is producing some great www.bnbfishing.com.au

squid fishing at the moment around the Sea World channel, the inside of Crab Island and near the Labrador public jetty and boat ramp, so grab a few squid jigs and hit these areas at the start of the tide change. Hopefully snapper and pearl perch get a good break for a few weeks and come back

on fire once the closure finishes. I’m looking forward to getting back into them so I can bring home a good feed for the family, but with plenty of other alternatives on offer, there is always heaps of fin to be had. Until next month, have an awesome time fishing.

Mark demonstrated where to insert the IkiPik on a squire caught prior to the closure. Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 31

Broadwater flathead haunts

Jack caught a 60cm flathead on a MMD Soft Prawn vibe.

Marc booked a Nerang River charter and caught a good number of flathead on Pontoon 21 Crackjack lures.

Z-Man 3” MinnowZ plastic rigged on 3/8oz 3/0 TT Fishing jig head tempted this nice flathead. Page 32 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

I everyone, it’s been an amazing winter of fishing on the Gold Coast – let’s hope it continues. August is well known for its annual westerly wind and cool mornings. Flathead and squid are two creatures I enjoy chasing for my charter customers during this month. The best thing is, we don’t have to start too early in the morning to catch them. Flathead take time to warm up and feed as the sun rises, and arrow prefer visibility to hunt their food. Dusky flathead are present all year-round, though their numbers definitely increase in cooler months. However, they are susceptible to weather conditions. Often a falling barometer can put them off the bite, as does water colder than 16C – more than most types of fish. They also seem to be less active for a number of days after a full moon but when they do feed after a quiet period, they feed hard. These are some of the best times to catch flathead on soft plastics and vibes. Obviously, to catch heaps of flathead, you need to be fishing the right places – when you do, it’s not uncommon to catch over 50 fish in a day. From this time of year and through to December, they are widespread in the Broadwater. In my opinion, the best places to catch them are the edges of the sandbanks in the southern Broadwater – from Southport to the

Broadwater Guide by CLINT ANSELL

Sovereign Islands. Basically, every island, including Curlew, Wave Break, Carters and Crab. Accessible by boat or kayak, the prime periods are the last two hours of a run-out tide and the first two of a run-in. This is when the bait and fish are forced off the middle of the flats to the edges. Then, as the tide rises again, the flathead are there on the edges, waiting to get back up on top of the banks to hunt for food. Other places are the edges along shorelines – the best being Southport, Labrador and Runaway Bay – especially where there are weed patches meeting soft sand. These areas are easily accessible by landbased anglers, though the trick is to keep mov-

ing until you catch fish. I can almost guarantee that if I walked a few kilometres along these areas and cast soft plastic lures to the edges of the weed beds then slow-hop them, I will catch a number of flathead. A great option in windy weather is to fish wherever the wind is at your back, to make casting easier and longer. This can be at the land areas I mentioned or all along South Stradbroke Island. People on my charters who camp there are amazed when I mention that they can catch flathead on lures right at their feet, where they set their tent up! On one occasion, I even stopped with a couple who regularly camp there and demonstrated this to them. Their first cast to a * continued P33

Zac with a decent flathead from a Broadwater charter with the author.

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Favourite Broadwater flathead haunts * from P32

sandy strip between two weed patches resulted in a 56cm flathead only metres from the shore. A great way to find good spots is by looking at satellite maps then finding weed edges that show up. Then go there in person and have a cast. You’ll soon remember spots where you catch flathead, and this species will frequent these spots repeatedly because they are good hunting grounds. Flathead will lie next to the edge of weed beds to catch baitfish that hug the edges when travelling. They will also wait in sandy holes and along sand drop-offs. A few other tips to catch heaps of flathead include moving and casting in different places until you catch some, hop lures slowly with little twitches, pauses and slow winding in between, and learn to feel the differ-

ence between catching lures on weed and flathead bites. Weed feels ‘softer’ – pull the lure gently through until it’s on the sand again. Flathead usually feels solid, like a snag – you’ll feel the bite through the braid too. I prefer to pause and drop the rod tip for a few seconds, to let them engulf the plastic more, then strike hard once to set the hook. The following are my favourites for flathead in winter. Soft plastics: • Z-Man 3” MinnowZ in Opening Night and Midnight Oil colours • 6th Sense Divine 3.2” in Pro Shad and Ghost Ice Minnow colours • MMD Fat Skipper 80mm in Mullet and Pearl colours. Favourite jig heads: • TT Big EyeZ 1/4oz and 3/8oz 3/0 • TT DemonZ 1/4oz and 3/8oz 3/0. Favourite scents: • Pro-Cure Inshore

Salt Water and Bait Sauce Sardine/Pilchard. Favourite reels: • Okuma ITX and Ceymar HD 2500. Favourite rods: • 1/4oz and lighter lures – TT Fishing Black Mamba and Red Belly 2-4kg 7’ • 3/8oz and heavier lures – TT Fishing Black Mamba and Red Belly 3-6kg 7’, Samaki Archer 701SM 6-12lb. Braided line: • Platypus Pulse X8 10lb white • YGK X-Braid X8 Pentagram PE 0.6. Flourocarbon leader: • 10lb for 1/4oz jig heads • 12lb for 3/8oz jig heads. To book on a charter with myself or Brad, or if you have any fishing related questions, visit goldcoastrivercharters. com, SMS 0432 990 302 or email fishing withclint@gmail.com – or find us on Facebook at Brad Smith Fishing Charters. Catch you next month and tight lines!

Pierre enjoyed catching many flathead on plastics.

Matt caught his first flathead on a Z-Man 3” MinnowZ in Midnight Oil.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 33

The author captured a sizeable snapper using soft plastics prior to the closure.

Tips for snapper post-closure

These were a couple of the snapper caught using soft plastics prior to the closure.

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Page 34 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

RESH mornings are still to come for we fishos in southeast Queensland. In my opinion, August is a great month for all sorts of fishing – from offshore to impoundments – and often it can be quite a tricky situation simply determining what type of fishing to do on the day. Offshore on the Gold Coast, we’re lucky enough to have the end of the snapper closure on August 15, and catching this species should come back with a bang! Before the closure, I gave these fish a good crack using light gear and had so much fun doing so. I focused on targeting these fish using lures such as vibes and soft plastics and found I had quite a bit of luck. I prefer to fish for snapper early in the morning and, if that can be lined up with a sunrise and a tide change, chances will be fairly high. Off the Gold Coast,

Nerang Rooster Report by DARREN RAMA

I favour the closer reefs from about 30m to 45m, as I’ve found these areas are where I have the most success. The way I fish for them is drifting, so I can cover as much ground as possible until finding the fish school I’m after. When it comes to soft plastics, I vary the weight depending on the wind and current because I prefer to cast in the direction of my drift and want the plastic to slowly waft down towards the bottom as naturally as possible. A high percentage of the time, the plastic is eaten on the sink. If you’re fishing an open bail arm, always make sure you are watching the line speed for the whole sink, so if there are any variations in speed, it will indicate that a fish has grabbed it. The weights that are my go-to are 1/2, 3/8

and 1/4oz jig heads and 3-5/0, depending on plastic size. When it comes to plastic options, there are so many on the market to choose from. My advice is to choose a jerk shad and paddle tail style in 5-7” and mix it up until you discover what works on the day. Another good technique is fishing with soft vibes, as you can let these sink to the bottom, place them in the rod holder and the movement of the boat is generally enough to get the lure to vibrate and grab the attention of the fish. When it comes to the tackle, I normally take only three rods and they range from 6-20lb with 2500-4000 sized reels and 12-20lb line. If I’m using light jig heads, I prefer to use lighter rods and heavy gear for the vibes. * continued P35

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Tips for snapper post-closure * from P34

Due to the lure already being close to the bottom, this helps to stop them from running into reef and busting me off. Inshore, we have the option of chasing fish such as flathead, jewfish, tailor and even the occasional tarpon. I’ve found that fishing around slack tides in rivers with deeper 3-5m holes has resulted in captures of jewfish using only plastics and, where the drop-offs begin, there have been good flathead waiting in ambush – getting a few of them at the same time made for a couple of fun sessions. Tailor have been running quite thick on the Jumpinpin Channel side of the Gold Coast,

caught mostly on lures around the mouth. They’ve been quite easy to find – harassing bait and helping to feed the local bird population. In the impoundments, fishing has been quite successful. Hinze Dam was producing quite a few saratoga, even in the colder months and mostly on jerkbaits intended for bass. But it is closing in on their breeding season which usually begins late August, and these are mouth breeders, so during this period it makes them quite a tricky fish to catch. Better to get in early while you have a chance. Bass have been moving into schools sitting

off the points, making them fun to target on metals and plastics with heavier jig heads. Maroon Dam has been fishing well on the edge using jerkbaits and smaller paddle tail plastics, with the occasional golden perch making an appearance – a pleasant capture for something different. So, hopefully the fantastic fishing continues through the month and into September, when the days slowly start to get longer and there are fewer cold mornings, which should help get us motivated and fishing as much as we possibly can. Good luck out there, and remember, you can’t catch fish from sitting on the couch, so give it a crack.

Conor captured a nice school jewfish.

Grant and an early morning Maroon Dam yellowbelly.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 37

Jewies, knobbies and reefies

Bream were in good supply around rock walls and harbours at the moment. Toby and Ava with a double hook-up.

Whales will be in great numbers this month and can provide an entertaining family trip. Keira snapped this picture.

ITH the great run of winter weather continuing to bless us, I hope you’ve been able to do some fishing over the past month. It’s forecast to hang around for some time yet, so if you haven’t been out, now is as good a time as any and there are definitely fish to be caught in the Tweed Byron region. If you haven’t heard already, the Tweed and Brunswick rivers are chock-a-block full of little jewfish – the only good thing to come out of the last big flood event appears to be a great recruitment on the jewie scene. This species currently range from 20-60cm, so well undersize. After a few more months though, the upper end of this size bracket will become legal. However, by November – my favourite river jewfish month for up-

Tweed to Byron Bay by GAVIN DOBSON

stream – there should be some good fishing to be had. In the meantime, undersized fish are crawling all over lures and bait meant for other species such as flathead and bream, so if you do catch a little jewie, handle it with great care and release it quickly. We want to see these fish again when they are over 70cm. At the moment, the larger jewfish are on the reefs and, while not the greatest season, a bit of patience around dawn and dusk should yield a couple. A few big model snapper were caught in close too, but it’s hardly a snapper season to write home about. Smaller squire are almost non-existent in close, which makes getting a feed fairly hard when you’re relying on only an occa-

sional bigger fish. If you need a feed of reef fish, your best option is to head wide and put together a selection from the 32-fathom reefs, the 42s or the 50s. A steady stream of pearl perch, parrotfish, squire, teraglin and other assorted reef dwellers has made the cleaning bench a bit livelier. In my past few articles, I mentioned the autumn and winter oddities that turn up, and this year has yielded a few firsts for me. The most recent one was a gold-band jobfish from out wide. It was only a small specimen at about 1kg, however a new species in these waters for me none-the-less. I did hear of one from Brunswick Heads years ago and am sure there’re plenty more I haven’t heard of. * continued P39

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

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An almost legal jewfish. In a few months, an increase in the number of legal fish coming aboard will be welcomed.

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Jewies, knobbies and reefies * from P38

And it is a bit of fun catching something out of the ordinary. Mental uppercut for forgetting to take a picture though! The shelf is still a positive attraction for many anglers this month and a few bar cod have come in here but the predominant species has been flame tail snapper. Can’t complain about

that – they’re a great looking fish and sensational on the plate. Whales are an ever-present problem at this time of the year, so take care. By problem, I mean a navigational hazard – every year there are more strikes, due to continually increasing populations of both whales and boats. Travelling at night can

Small jewfish are voracious feeders and will take most styles of lure presentations. Toby Hart caught and carefully released this one.

be a bit of a worry, as can being on anchor, with whales heard on all sides. August in our rivers can produce a few whiting, though they tend to be a bit quiet until towards the end of the month. Tailor are in the Tweed River in good numbers, albeit very spread out. Flathead are warming themselves on the mud flats and trevally will start showing up. Bream are everywhere and will probably have spawned by now, so they mightn’t be in the greatest condition, however they will be hungry and in good supply. All in all, there’s plenty to do as we await spring.

A last light jewfish held by Gary.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 39

Plenty of bream were about in the Richmond River.

Northern Rivers dry spell impacting local fishing

ELLO all! Even though the Northern Rivers is known to be a fairly wet region, we’ve had virtually nothing as far as rain is concerned over the past month. This pattern looks set to continue as we move through winter, and summer is setting up to be quite dry too. This dry spell has already begun to affect fish, with an increase in numbers moving further upriver. So, let’s check where to find a fish or two during the next month. The continuing dry

Ballina Bait & Tackle by BRETT HYDE

weather means plenty of flathead have made their way well upriver for winter. Reports have come in of captures as far up as Swan Bay, however the bulk appear to be between Pimlico Island and Rileys Hill still. Most anglers have reported fish being caught in less than 2m of water, though some captures were in less than 0.5m. This was largely due to the cool weather and

Page 40 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

water temperature at the time. Some of the better quality fish were taken on live bait such as poddy mullet and herring, while others have shown interest in suspended hard-body lures – such as the Daiwa Double Clutch in 75mm and 95mm. The bulk of the smaller fish were happy to attack their typical bait – prawns, mullet and white pilchard – along with curly tail soft

plastics up to 100mm long. With the dry spell, the water has been quite clear, so the more natural-coloured plastics have enjoyed the most success over recent weeks. Bream haven’t behaved as they normally would at this time of year. I’m not sure exactly why this has been the case but suspect it’s due in part to the water temperature remaining fairly warm up until a few weeks ago and the past few months of dry weather. Recently, the better

bream were taken from the rock walls between the Burns Point Ferry and Wardell Bridge. Hopefully, we’ll see them drop into their usual pattern over the next month, with better numbers hanging around the mouth of the river. Luderick have been similar to bream in some ways, with only small numbers of fish in the expected locations such as Prospect Bridge and behind the CBD. The floods last year appear to have damaged some of the food * continued P41

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Dry spell impacting local fishing * from P40

sources for luderick, and we have seen a number of fish taking yabbies and prawns. Both bait tend to be good options when the water is dirty or discoloured, though perhaps reduced available food sources have forced luderick to adjust their diets. It will be interesting to see if this trend continues during winter. The mulloway were a little slower in the river than normal too. However, good numbers of fish have been landed on both lures and bait from the close reefs. Each time we have a patch of rough weather for a day or two, these fish take the opportunity to move into the river for shelter. Of the fish that were landed in the river, most were in the 10-18kg range and fell for a mix of both lures and bait. The traditional spots during night-time tides produced the most fish and we can expect this trend to continue over the next couple of months. The beaches were much more productive this winter compared to last. This was obviously due to the floods, with large amounts of discoloured water and debris expelled from the river mouth – though, it’s been great to have a solid run of tailor already. Most of the larger fish were hitting live bait or large cut bait at night. With the majority of school-sized fish happy to take pilchard or metal spinners. Spinners in the 4060g range have been the most popular but, on

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a few occasions, tailor showed interest in a few larger metals too, so it may pay to have a selection with you on your next trip to the beach. This species tends to be fairly transient – be prepared to make a couple fishless trips to the beach. But if tailor are there, you’ll probably experience reasonably good numbers. If this fish isn’t your style, then make sure you have some mullet fillets, white pilchard or some beachworms with you, as very good quality bream and tarwhine have come from the beaches, along with a few flathead and dart too. Angels, Lighthouse and Patchs beaches have all produced good fish, though in saying that, many of the beaches held fish on different days, dependent on the formation of the particular beach. Offshore was on the quiet side, however the current slowed and we’ve had a few days when the weather allowed some boaties to get out to the shelf and chase bar cod and blueeye trevalla. Also, the 48-fathom line has held quality pearl perch to 4kg and small kingfish. Leatherjackets are beginning show up out wide, so I’m expecting to see larger numbers of them moving to the 32s over the coming month. The close reefs had a few snapper on them but as yet, we haven’t seen the numbers we’ve come to expect for this time of year. Once again, I think the warmer water temperature may be the main cause of this.

Plenty of tuna were around the close reefs and, once leatherjackets show up in bigger numbers, I’m sure we’ll see larger quantities of snapper move into Riordans Reef, Black Head and Lennox Point. Well, that’s all from me this month, until next time – tight lines!

Marlon caught a bream.

BALLINA BAIT & TACKLE Don and a decent snapper caught off Ballina.

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02 6686 2527 Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 41

No shortage of nice tarwhine and bream at Shark Bay beach.

Jewel jewfish, large luddy and top tailor

Local angler Guy Stewart took a nice Clarence River jewfish at the old ferry approach using live mullet.

Even in the dead of winter, a feed of flathead is not hard to find along the beaches using soft plastic lures.

Page 42 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

ISHING along the Clarence Coast of northern NSW has continued to produce some quality fish. Excellent catches of jewfish, bream, luderick and tailor were taken by the land-based anglers, while those who ventured offshore landed plenty of snapper, teraglin and an occasional big pearl perch. Mad keen local fisho Guy Stewart continued a good run in the jewfish stakes, landing several nice fish in recent weeks when fishing the old ferry approach at Iluka using live mullet. Guy relished this ‘purple patch’ on jewies after hooking nothing but sharks for nearly two months along Shark Bay beach and was keen to make the most of his good fortune while it lasted. Quite a few anglers have taken good fish from this location too, however unlike Guy who leaves no trace, they leave scales all over the place and complain when every man

Just Jew by TYE PORTER

and his dog fish there. My mentors taught me from the get-go to always take the time to pick up the few scales that will be left on the ground after landing a fish – by leaving them there, you may as well hold up a neon sign that reads ‘fish here’. There is nothing more amusing than catching a jew off the breakwall, scaling it at home, collecting the scales and going for a walk along the access track to the southern end of the bluff, scattering them as you go. And then watching the town gossip run into over-drive about the big jewies that are getting caught there. The T-Piece on the Yamba breakwall has been turning it on at night, with solid fish to nearly 30kg taken on both hard-bodied lures and live mullet. The second bluff was

fishing well for big jew on hard-bodied lures during daylight low water, while the rocks on the southern end of Woody Head also produced a handful of nice fish on lures too. Back Beach – the small beach between the above locations – is holding good numbers of tailor to 65cm, with bait of small strips of either bonito or mullet currently being preferred. The rocks at Frazers Reef and the reef at the front of the bluff have been the pick of spots for anglers wanting to spin up a feed of choppers on metal slugs, while the top end of Shark Bay beach near Black Rocks has also seen quite a few decent choppers taken on spin and bait. The same area of beach has also produced good catches of * continued P43

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Jewel jewfish, large luddy and top tailor * from P42

bream, tarwhine and big swallowtail dart on either fresh pipis or beachworms, with the occasional school jew thrown in for good measure. The offshore brigade made the most of the recent awesome weather, with most boats returning with their bag limit of snapper and trag, while those who ventured a little wider had nice pearl perch coming over the rail. Inside the Clarence River, the annual sea mullet run has come to an end, and this has seen jewfish home in on the large schools of flat tail mullet, in residence until the end of August, before they make their way back upstream for the summer.

Remember, during the day take the time to find a location in the lower reaches of a river system where the small mullet are holding, then fish that same spot several nights in a row during the slack high water… the jewfish will come, simple! Luderick will hit their peak inside the rivers during August and will be found close to any sort of structure – from jetty pylons to tree stumps and rocky groins such as the one near the boat ramp at the old ferry approach. The headlands and breakwalls produce plenty of these hard-fighting fish yearround and in general, the fish tend to be of a much larger size, with green cabbage being the

best bait at these locations. Bream are being taken as far upstream as Grafton and all the water systems in between, with the majority of fish being in prime condition as they continue their spawning cycle. As for me, I did put a rod on my vehicle twice last month, then went and parked at the wall, thinking about what I wanted to do. Though I decided that it would be too much of an effort, so drove home. Oh well, a start at least. Who knows, I might surprise myself this month and actually have a cast. Then again, probably not. Until next month, safe fishing.

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Mischa landed this fish along the Iluka breakwall using a soft plastic lure at low tide at night.

channel!

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 43

Review of zoning plan for Great Sandy Marine Park

HE Queensland Gover n ment has undertaken a review of the zoning plan for the Great Sandy Marine Park. Each marine park has a zoning plan that outlines the rules to manage the multiple activities that occur within each park and defines the locations of different zones, which in turn provide for different levels of protection and use. The Great Sandy Marine Park is a multiple-use park established in 2006 to protect its significant natural and cultural values, while providing opportunities for a range of different uses. The review of the zoning plan for the Great Sandy Marine Park has now been completed. The outcomes of the review resulted in a range of zoning and management changes that will be included in the final zoning plan. The need for change Globally, marine biodiversity is under threat from a range of factors including climate change, popula-

tion growth, pollution and increasing use. The Great Sandy Marine Park is being impacted by these global trends. The Great Sandy Marine Park: • Boasts 23 broad habitat types, however several of these are under-represented in the highly protected zones of the existing zoning plan, placing the marine park’s biodiversity and critical species at risk • Has seen a significant decrease in its extent of seagrass habitat • Is seeing a significant increase in mature marine turtle and dugong strandings resulting from a range of causes including boat strike, poor health and flooding • Includes the only known gestation site on the east coast of Australia for the critically endangered grey nurse shark, however the existing zoning plan does not effectively protect sharks at this key aggregation site from being hooked or accidentally caught by recreational and commercial line fishers • Is seeing a de-

crease in the numbers of many migratory shorebird species, some by more than 10 percent per year • Is subject to increasing coastal impacts from severe weather events caused by climate change • Is subject to a range of demands from competing uses. The opportunity The zoning plan review provided the opportunity to: • Better protect cultural values, respect and recognise First Nations peoples’ native title rights and responsibilities for caring for their sea country • Improve biodiversity and provide better protection of several iconic and threatened species, which are significant nationally and internationally including whales, dolphins, dugongs, turtles, grey nurse sharks and shorebirds • Largely maintain the use of the marine park by the commercial trawl, crab, line and harvest fisheries, and those components of the net fishery that are of a lesser risk to threatened species

Globally, marine biodiversity is under threat from a range of factors including climate change, population growth, pollution and increasing use.

Page 44 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

• Enhance the region’s enviable nature-based and recreational fishing lifestyle • Support future economic growth in the region based on nature-based tourism, recreational and charter fishing and, where appropriate, aquaculture • Assist local councils to address coastal impacts of climate change. Outcomes The final zoning plan will increase the Marine National Park green zone network, remove some forms of commercial net fishing in certain areas, improve threatened species protection and improve protection of cultural values. Key changes include: • Change in zoning to represent 12.8 percent of the area of the marine park in green zones contributing to a total of 28.6 percent of the marine park in highly protected green and yellow zones • Removal of commercial large mesh gillnets and ring nets – operating under N1 and N2 fishery symbols – from the Conservation Park zones within Baffle Creek, Elliott River, Burrum River system, the Great Sandy Strait and Tin Can Inlet • Measures to increase protection of threatened species, including shorebirds, turtles, dugongs and grey nurse sharks • Measures to protect cultural and amenity values • Zone changes to facilitate local government responses to increased coastal

erosion from climate change impacts. Implementation As at July 2023, following the completion of the review phase, there are several steps required to finalise the Great Sandy Marine Park Zoning Plan. Next steps: • A commercial fisheries impact mitigation package will be developed and implemented to assist the commercial fishing sector and post-harvest seafood businesses directly affected by these changes • Processes will be finalised to legislate the final zoning plan • Community education to prepare marine park users for the commencement of the new zoning plan • The final zoning plan comes into effect in 2024 following implementation of the impact mitigation process • Ongoing implementation of a regional economic enhancement package that will include infrastructure such as boat ramps and artificial reefs to support recreational fishing and tourism opportunities in the marine park – further opportunities to explore the expansion of aquaculture in the region will also be investigated. Community awareness In the lead up to the final zoning plan taking effect, there will be public education and awareness programs to help support marine park users understand and prepare for the new zoning plan.

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The map shows the zoning and designated area network that will be in the final Great Sandy Marine Park zoning plan. For larger and more detailed versions of the zoning plan maps, visit the resources and maps section at qld.gov.au/greatsandymarinepark

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 45

Network ramps up women’s rec fishing and boating opportunities

HE number of women in recreational fishing has increased rapidly in the five years since the Andrew’s Labor Government established an award-winning network for female fishers, which has now been expanded to include recreational boating. Minister for Outdoor Recreation Sonya Kilk-

enny recently joined Member for Cranbourne Pauline Richards to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Women in Recreational Fishing Network, which has now become Women in Recreational Fishing and Boating. Since being established on International Women’s Day in 2018, the network has grown

rapidly to include more than 4100 members from around Victoria, Australia and abroad. This includes 20 leaders promoting the network and advocating for women in fishing. The network’s success was recognised earlier in the year on the global stage at the 2023 World Recreational Fishing Conference

Women in Recreational Fishing and Boating Network leader Michelle Brittain.

in Melbourne, scoring an award for excellence in promoting inclusive participation in recreational fishing. The network includes beginners to experts and provides a welcoming place to share stories, experiences and tips. This will now extend to recreational boating and will cover a range of topics from professional development opportunities to practical skills-based events, such as trailer-reversing clinics. Several leaders and members have gone on to land careers in the industry, including Bendigo-based tackle store manager Karen Rees and Australian Fishing Network presenter Michelle Brittain. Others also feature on fishing TV and radio shows or podcasts and several have joined advisory boards and committees, including the Recreational Fishing Licence Trust Adviso-

ry Committee, which guides the reinvestment of Victorian fishing licence fees. The network offers opportunities to build connections in the industry through major events and through the development of the WIRFAB Locals program, which includes more than 300 women participating in regular skills-based sessions to build their fishing knowledge. Women in Recreational Fishing and Boating Network leader Michelle Brittain said, “I’ve always had a passion for fishing and the network has helped me harness it and turn it into a career.” “Now I’m able to use what I’ve learned to give back to other women hoping to forge their own path in fishing and boating.” To find out more about the network, visit vfa. vic.gov.au/recreation al-fishing/women-inrec-fishing-network

New east coast spanish mackerel rules in effect

EW rules designed to ensure recovery of spanish mackerel stocks off Queensland’s east coast came into effect July 1. The changes were announced last year after a peer-reviewed

stock assessment found stocks of spanish mackerel had fallen to 17 percent of the estimated original biomass. For recreational fishers, the changes mean the recreational possession limit will reduce to one fish per person

Marius with an estimated 20kg spanish mackerel caught on a floating ribbonfish. Page 46 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

or two fish per boat carrying two or more recreational fishers. The recreational boat limit will not apply to recreational fishers on licenced charter fishing trips. For charter operators, the previous extended charter trip limit – allowing fishers to take twice the in-possession limit on trips over 48 hours – will no longer be available, with fishers limited to one per person, and the seasonal closures will now also apply to charter operators and their customers.

The total allowable commercial catch will be lowered to 165 tonnes for the 2023 fishing season. Fishers will no longer be permitted to possess spanish mackerel taken outside of closed waters if they enter closed waters during seasonal closures. Appropriate exemptions will be provided for commercial fishers to return to relevant ports with fish onboard after the beginning of seasonal closures, in line with current practice for the reef line fishery.

Northern and southern region closure dates for the next three years are available on the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries website and through the recreational fishing app. More information on the spanish mackerel rule changes and the sustainable fisheries strategy can be found on the Department’s website – daf. qld.gov.au/business-pri orities/fisheries/sus tainable/legislation/ management-chang es-for-east-coast-span ish-mackerel

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• Double paddle 95mm aluminium swept handle arm • Traction grip technology With a suggested retail price of $169.90, the Okuma Serreno baitcast reel offers real control. Visit okuma.com.au

Okuma Serrano Baitcast Reel

THE Okuma Serrano baitcast reel is built to stand out from the crowd, with its striking aesthetics and traction-grip technology handle knobs – developed for all-day fishing comfort. These handles are attached to a stylish double paddle 95mm swept handle arm and a compact body, which is built around a 33.5mm machined aluminium black anodised spool. Other features include a 6BB plus 1RB precision stainless-steel bearing drive system for long smooth casting and a quick-set anti-reverse bearing for solid hook sets. The precision-cut high-strength brass main and pinion gears are smooth running and durable. The Serrano has plenty of stopping power, with multi-disc drag washers for consistent performance and an externally adjustable magnetic cast control system that helps to slow the spool in conditions calling for extra control and finesse. Long casts, rock solid performance and a price point that allows all anglers to own a quality compact baitcast reel. Features: • Rigid corrosion-resistant frame and side-plate construction • 6BB plus 1RB precision stainless-steel bearing drive system • Quick-set anti-reverse bearing for solid hook sets • Precision-cut high-strength brass main and pinion gears • Externally adjustable magnetic cast control system • 33.5mm machined aluminium black anodised spool • Multi-disc drag washers for smooth and consistent performance

Page 48 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

Atomic Reel Covers

THE Atomic Reel Covers are available for both spinning and casting reels. The covers come in three sizes for spinning and two for casting. For spinning, there is small for smaller freshwater and bream or flathead reels, medium for snapper reels and large for topwater reels. The casting reel covers come in small and medium – small is perfect for freshwater baitcasters and medium for large overhead jigging reels. Both types of reel covers feature a lure keeper on the front for easy tackle management. Visit frogleysoffshore.com.au

Tanacom Braid

DESIGNED and developed specifically to match Daiwa’s growing range of deepdrop electric reels, such as Tanacom, Seapower and Seaborg, the new Tanacom Braid is the perfect match if you’re looking to dominate the deep this season.

Built around eight strands of the finest quality Japanese fibres and made to the highest tolerances in Japan, Tanacom Braid is the perfect partner for spooling electric reels. Available in either 60lb or 80lb test in 1000m spools, the 80lb is the perfect length for larger electric reels such as the Tanacom 1200 or Seaborg MJ 1200, and the 60lb is perfect for smaller 750/800 size reels from the same families. Spooling up your electric is made dead simple with this perfect length spool, simply program the reel to spool your desired length and hit the button. Dominate the deep this season with a new Daiwa Dendoh outfit, spooled up with the new Tanacom Braid. Visit daiwafishing.com.au

Zerek Live Shrimp Hot Legs

THE Zerek Live Shrimp Hot Legs makes a perfect lure even better! Made with softer material and a slender body, the Live Shrimp Hot Legs are ideal for estuary situations. The leg tips are painted with contrasting colours to enhance the visual aspect of the vibrations. Available in all new sizes and colours to widen the range of targeted species, the Zerek Live Shrimp Hot Legs has the same tough body material and Kevlar webbing to ensure your first fish is not the last fish taken on the lure. Coming with a stand-up jig head and a weedless worm hook, the Live Shrimp Hot Legs brings innovation to the table like few other lures on the market. Visit wilsonfishing.com

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Samaki Split Foam Tackle Box

WITH five designs and size options, these premium storage boxes will hold the smallest of flies up to your favourite vibe and jig head. The soft split foam insert has incremental slits and holes for you to utilise your tackle box to the max. The ultra-violet resistant lids will reduce lure fade and the waterproof O-ring and stainless-steel hinge pins will safeguard your products. Visit samaki.com.au

sistance, delivering an unrivalled lightweight and smooth feel. Features: • HDG-II – oversized high-density gearing • 7BB plus 1RB corrosion-resistant stainless-steel bearings • Multi-disc oiled felt drag system • Quick-set anti-reverse roller bearing • Precision machine-cut brass pinion gear • Even flow line roller system with DLC coating • Corrosion resistant frame, side plate and rotor • Rigid machined aluminium screw-in handle design • Pinion gear – double supported with ball bearings • Frictionless main shaft design provides smooth operation • Machined aluminium two-tone anodised spool • Heavy duty solid aluminium bail wire • Rotor brake system prevents rotation while casting. Suggested retail price is from $129.90. Visit tackletactics.com.au

Samurai Elevate Rod

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THE brand new Ceymar HD is designed and developed based on the concept of power! Features such as high-density oversized gearing, aluminium screw-in handle and a gear stabilisation system provide the ultimate in strength and cranking power. In addition, the frictionless main shaft design effectively reduces rotational rewww.bnbfishing.com.au

SAMURAI proudly announces the release of their highly anticipated Elevate range. This ground-breaking collection is the result of three years of meticulous research and development, aimed at creating a rod that seamlessly combines the capabilities of both bait and lure fishing. Engineered with precision, the machine rolled and hot-press baked blank of the Elevate range features a bi-axial fused wrap at its base. This cutting-edge construction significantly reduces torsion under load, re-

sulting in a remarkably lightweight and responsive rod. The backbone of the rod effectively channels the blank’s full power, enabling anglers to harness the true potential of their fishing gear. The in-house designed DuraGrip handle sits at the business end of the rod, precisely crafted to provide anglers with a perfect thickness for a supremely comfortable hold. This ergonomic design ensures a superior grip, enabling fishos to enjoy extended fishing sessions without discomfort. Additionally, the incorporation of Fuji Alconite K series anti-tangle guides ensures the smoothest running gear possible, enhancing overall performance. The Samurai Elevate range is now available at a recommended retail price of from $329.00. Visit frogleysoffshore.com.au

Squidgy Fish

ANOTHER of the original trio of classic tail designs that helped put Squidgies firmly on the map, the Squidgy Fish is the ‘go-to’ lure of discerning soft plastic fishers throughout the nation. Combining the best of shad, T-tail and swim-bait features – but with a unique Squidgy twist that sees it pounding out a tail beat, rolling its body seductively and rippling those trademark belly flaps – the Squidgy Fish is a genuine world-beater! In new territory, under tough conditions or when you’re struggling to turn a scale, tack on a Squidgy Fish... and hang on! Visit squidgies.com

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 49

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Like to learn more about crossing coastal bars safely and using electronics? Tuition with Bill Corten Professional coastal bar crossing instructor and offshore fishing trainer since 1996.

Coastal bar crossing and electronics tuition: • Hands-on experience crossing • Learn how to get the most out of your GPS and sounder coastal bars safely • Interpret sounder readings • Direct supervision mastering and shows all bar crossing skills • Fine tuning your sounder for • Fine-tuning of skills in breaking better results swells and white water • Using your electronics to • Overcome your fears and learn find reefs and structure vital safety skills as part of an • And much more. on-water training course.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 53

BOATING & marine Insights into boat insurance

Nautilus throws a line to inflatable water toys

OU only have to look through one of those Christmas or Easter marine specials catalogues to know there are some sensational inflatable tow-along toys available for your boat. While towing toys might have started with a car or truck inner tube – which also had the capacity to spear the rider with an inflation valve – today’s range is far more sophisticated, far more colourful and almost mind-blowing in terms of performance. There’s the World of Watersports Cyclone Spinner, which might be more at home as a theme park thrill ride; the Jet Fighter – a warplane on water; the wild O’Brien

Sombrero; the Radar Teacup; doughnuts by the score; inflatable interpretations of personal watercraft; chevron-shaped zot machines; inflatables in the shape of oversized Dachshunds; banana-shaped toys; chairs, wedges, wings that fly and some that don’t. Yes, they are heaps of fun and kids love them, but they also bring with them some risk – skipping across the water like a skimming stone is inevitably going to bring about a couple of heavy splashes too. So, does your boat insurance policy cover you when one of these toys more resembles a lunar exploration vehicle than towable water toy?

You need to check whether it does, and you also need to understand that some policies generically regard towing inflatable toys as ‘skiing’. The question then becomes, “Do you have skiers’ insurance for your boat?” Skiers’ insurance requires a declaration and an ‘additional’ premium under some policies. If you haven’t taken out skiers’ insurance, then you could be staring down the barrel of a hefty bill – when little Johnny, who only minutes ago was having so much fun with the other kids, suddenly starts heading skywards out of the towed inflatable toy. The good news for Nautilus Marine In-

surance policy holders is that the company has now decided to include skiers’ insurance at no additional premium cost. The decision avoids another tier of paperwork, another tier of declarations and another tier of costs for policy holders. The inclusion of skiers’ insurance will be effective from the time a policy application is approved and a new product disclosure document is provided to the policy holder. The product disclosure statement is the definitive document in the first instance, relating to what is and what is not covered under your policy. But there is an important exclusion to note here – those inflatables and other pieces of equipment that are designed to deliberately fly you up into the air are not included in that cover. You might need airplane insurance for that, given the heights some of these birdwinged devices can attain. U n d e r s t a n d a b l y, parasailing also is outside of the scope of what is regarded as skiers’ insurance. Policy owners in Queensland also need to comply with the

general safety obligations as set down by Maritime Safety Queensland in terms of the condition of the equipment, the competence of the skipper, compliance with safety equipment regulations and having a competent observer aged 13 years or older aboard the vessel doing the towing, paying due regard to the water conditions and operating at a safe speed. Similarly, these toys must not be towed in areas restricted to skiing, nor above six knots within the regulated proximity of other vessels and obstructions such as wharves, jetties and pontoons. As always, what is and what may not be covered will always be decided in accord with the terms of insurance as defined in your insurance policy’s product disclosure statement. That’s why it is so important to read it thoroughly and to note any special conditions and excesses, which should be explained clearly in your PDS. If you need further information, you can contact Nautilus Marine Insurance on 1300 780 533 for any boat insurance requirements.

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

Page 54 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 55

BOATING & marine A bird’s eye view of the Kingfisher – the design means you have a bigger boat than a traditional mono hull of similar size.

The twin hull of the Kingfisher 510 meant that not only was it stable at rest, but it also made planing and punching through waves easy.

There’s ample room to mount large electronics on the dash. The screen also offers protection from the wind and cold.

You can fit an electric motor to the bow of the Kingfisher, making the vessel very versatile and adaptable to a host of fishing options. There’s also space to fit an anchor winch in the middle hatch.

This model had been fitted with twin reversible captain chairs that are well suited to this boat, providing a very comfortable and elevated seating position. Page 56 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

Impressive performance by Kingfisher 510 Powercat

FTER driving by Wynnum Marine several times and noticing a new catamaran-style boat painted in aqua – my daughter’s favourite colour – I was pleased to receive a call from Johnny Milton asking if I wanted to test said boat. The answer was a resounding yes, so plans were made to meet Brent at the Manly Harbour boat ramp and put the Kingfisher 510 Powercat through its paces. Kingfisher Boats and Powercats are a New Zealand-based boat-building company that has been in operation for over 19 years, producing all types of boats – from small dinghies and punts through to large commercial vessels. Recently, the focus has been on developing the range of Powercats, which vary in length

Boat Review by BEN COLLINS

from 3.9m to 5.7m. As I checked out the build quality – which was easily seen with the precise and neat welding – my first impressions of the Powercat were positive. And on boarding the Kingfisher Powercat, I experienced one of its key features – it’s incredible stability. As the name suggests, the Powercat is technically a catamaran, however a unique feature of this boat, and in particular its hull, is that all models – from the 3.9m to the 5.7m – are powered by a single engine. So, you get all the benefits of a cat but you only need to buy one engine, which means you have only one engine service too – an additional overtime cost savings.

Also, the hull of the Kingfisher has been designed to be more efficient through the water, so less horsepower is required on the back to give you optimal performance. The test boat was fitted with an ever-reliable 90hp Yamaha outboard that had plenty of punch out of the hole with two people and about half a tank of fuel and safety gear onboard. It was noticeable that the Kingfisher jumped easily onto the plane with minimal bow lift – I’m guessing this can be attributed to the hull design, as it draws very little, so there would be limited drag from the water. Aside from better fuel economy – and as * continued P57

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BOATING & marine Kingfisher 510 Powercat performs * from P56

mentioned the need for less horsepower – this means the Powercat can be used to fish a variety of situations, including fishing shallow banks too. With the option to fit an electric motor and a decent-sized raised casting platform, you have a great vantage point for flicking lures at several species. At 1200RPM, we were travelling at 3.6 knots, which is what you want when chasing fish such as flathead and even snapper. Due to its design – including the high sides, wave breaking hull and large fuel tank of 150-litres – it would easily be at home bait fishing offshore or trolling for marlin, which makes this a very versatile boat. In terms of storage, there was plenty – the bow section had two very big hatches and an anchor well that I was told could fit an electric winch. Two side pockets also offer a place to store a combination of items and the two bench seats at the back are great places to put tackle bags or a small Esky. You can also utilise the area under the helm seats. This boat was set up with two reversible seats, which I think are the best option, as they allow for the best use of space and versatility. Brent also mentioned

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they were looking to have the option of the rear bench seats made as folding or removable – this would make offshore fishing a little easier and would be an option I would take up. The best part about this possibility is that the boat can be customised a little for your needs, with the team at Kingfisher keen to provide customer-specific vessels. Overall, the Kingfisher 510 was a well-designed and thoroughly considered boat that will impress plenty of keen fishos and boaties. The attention to detail – which is evident though the fully welded rod holders, stylish and functional bait board, solid targa and rocket launcher – means this vessel is not your average plate boat. It’s also worth noting that the Kingfisher 510 can safely carry six people, which is great if you want to have a day over at Peel Island or cruising southern Moreton Bay. Though there is plenty of room to be able to fish all six, if you were heading offshore, I think four would be a more comfortable number. I’d also look at putting a large Esky in front of the massive helm, this could double as additional seating. In terms of performance, the 90hp Yamaha pushed the boat along nicely, with a good cruising speed of about 20-25 knots,

which saw the engine revving at 4200RPM and 5000RPM respectively. Punching the throttle a little more, we were quickly at the top speed of 31 knots. While rated to 150hp, Brent mentioned that even with a 130hp Yammie on the back, it was extremely quick when unladen. I guess picking the right donk to put on the back will come down to how you’re going to use the boat and your budget, however a 115hp may be worth considering if you’re after a little more top end. While I didn’t get a chance to punch through the traditional Moreton Bay chop, Brent assured me the Kingfisher handles it well, with two hulls to split the waves and provide a safe and dry ride. I’ll simply have to try teeing up another outing on a windy day! If you’re after a boat that’s suited to a host of applications, the Kingfisher may be what you’re looking for. Even if traditionally you’re a mono-hull person – which I am – I’d still consider the Kingfisher because the quality, ride and performance were awesome. You can find out more details online, but I’d also highly recommend dropping into Wynnum Marine to properly check these boats out, or give them a call on 07 3396 9777.

The quality of the welds and overall finish is evident throughout the boat, including the bait board and rear seats.

Stability at rest is a key feature of the Kingfisher 510.

Even though the centre console is quite large, there’s still ample room to walk around the boat. Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 57

BOATING & marine Mercury Racing flexes outboard muscle with new V8 500R model

ERCU RY Racing elevates outboard engine power and technology with the introduction of the Mercury Racing V8 500R model. This supercharged 500hp V8 outboard was created for no-compromise owners of the fastest sport boats and combines unrelenting horsepower and torque paired with sophisticated technology and rugged design. The 500R introduces a host of new components. Mercury Racing general manager Stuart Halley said, “Capable of delivering more than 500hp in a wide range of conditions and weighing as little as 325kg, the 500R establishes a new benchmark for outboard power density.” “This motor offers incredible mid-range punch and pulls with unrelenting authority all the way to wide-open throttle. “This is the most exciting production outboard to ever emerge from the Mercury Racing shop,” he said. The 500R delivers

more than 500hp eagerly – 50hp more plus 10 percent higher torque than the 450R model. Its 4.6-litre 64-degree V8 four-stroke powerhead is boosted by an exclusive Mercury Racing supercharger. The engine delivers all of its performance on premium unleaded 95 octane fuel. To handle this new level of power and to satisfy the most demanding performance-boat owners, the 500R features upgraded component designs in the powerhead, cooling system, midsection and steering system. An all-new 5.9” diameter gearcase – available in R-Drive and R-Drive Sport configurations – efficiently transfers the power to the water, while delivering outstanding durability, handling characteristics and cooling. The 500R is available in four lengths – 20”, 25”, 30” and 35” – to accommodate any single or multi-engine performance application. The 26” centre-to-centre mounting distance on multi-engine tran-

The 5.9” diameter gearcase efficiently transfers the power to the water while delivering outstanding durability, handling characteristics and cooling. Page 58 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

soms enables seamless installations on new boats and repower applications. Stout powerhead While the 500R model is based on the same 4.6-litre V8 powerhead as the 450R model, the engine has been upgraded with a number of new components intended to support the scaled-up power output. A stout new crankshaft specific to the 500R model rides in 230-degree groove main bearings for improved oiling and features larger more robust 1” driveshaft splines. Connecting rods, rod bearings and pistons are strengthened to handle increased combustion pressure and a higher 6600RPM redline. A new low-inertia flywheel allows the engine RPM to climb faster for improved acceleration. Supercharger boost pressure is increased by 26 percent compared to the 450R model. To accommodate increased airflow demand, the 500R features a new attenuator with a larger intake. Throttle body diameter is increased by 15 percent from 80mm to 92mm and the shape of the supercharger inlet is redesigned to improve flow. The charge air cooler fin density and flow pattern are optimised to improve efficiency. Humidity compensation technology To promote consistent performance in a broad range of atmospheric conditions, the 500R outboard is equipped

with a new sensor located in the intake attenuator to measure the humidity level of the incoming air. This allows the engine ECM to combine reported humidity with air pressure and air temperature data to determine the ideal spark timing for prevailing conditions. The humidity compensation technology makes it possible to maintain the most aggressive calibration to optimise performance under virtually all conditions. Boaters will notice a significant gain in power in challenging humid conditions – up to an additional 30hp than would be available without humidity compensation and a 15-second reduction in 0-to-110km/h acceleration in testing conducted by Mercury Racing using a Tidewater 2700 boat powered by a single Mercury Racing 500R outboard. New midsection – advanced racing core The 500R is the first Mercury Racing product to feature the exclusive advanced racing core – a new midsection that upgrades durability and performance. A stronger redesigned transom plate can accommodate 3” of vertical adjustment via seven transom mounting holes – twice the adjustment range available on the six-hole 450R transom plate. An enhanced trim system features two main hydraulic rams plus two new booster rams for added trim authority under full load and the

speed of the trim adjustment, as for the 450R, is reduced to permit very fine resolution for more-precise trim adjustment at high speeds. The precision-fitted heavy-duty guide plates and stiffened engine mounts are tuned to stabilise the engine for enhanced high-speed handling. The Mercury hydraulic power-steering system has been upgraded to deliver more steering authority, now producing 18 percent more torque than the 450R power steering system. To support this added steering torque, a newly designed steering arm, steering tube and steering cylinder are 20 percent stronger, with an upgraded tube material changed from aluminium to stainless steel. An optional rear tiebar bracket integral to the ARC provides a strong ultra-light mounting point for rock-solid precision steering on catamaran and other ultra-high-speed applications. Introducing R-Drive Mercury Racing has designed an all-new gearcase specifically for the 500R outboard. R-Drive is available in two versions to accommodate a variety of applications, and both versions feature a crescent leading edge and long aspect torpedo hydrodynamically tuned for high speeds. The new 5.9” gearcase can accommodate propellers up to 17” in diameter, 1” larger than the 450R gearcase. The R-Drive gearcase, * continued P59

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BOATING & marine Mercury Racing flexes outboard muscle * from P58

both base and sport variants, have been engineered with low water pick-ups, a torpedo shape designed to thrive in submerged, transition semi-surfacing and full surfacing applications and a 1.60:1 gear ratio. A new intermediate spray plate reduces drag in submerged and transition scenarios. An application-based adjustable nose cap pick-up system allows for optimising cooling water flow for specific boat settings. The nose cones are available in two basic shapes – one for submerged and transition positions which have several water inlet hole variations, and another that is shaped to run fully surfaced on ultrahigh-speed vessels. An all-new water pump increases cooling capacity by 57 percent by ensuring optimal water flow to the 500R. Both R-Drive versions benefit from larger more robust shafts. The driveshaft diameter is increased to 1” from 7/8” and the prop-shaft diameter is increased to 1.5” from 1.25” compared to the 450R model. The base R-Drive is designed to perform well in submerged and transition applications on boats capable of speeds between 135 and 160km/h, beyond the speed range of the Mercury Racing 5.44 HD gearcase. Many high-speed centre console boats fall into this category and will benefit from this design. The R-Drive gearcase

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features a standard skeg length with a very efficient parabolic cross-section shape and is offered with left or right-hand camber to balance steering force with standard and counter rotation props. The 500R’s all new water pump increases cooling capacity by 57 percent by ensuring optimal water low. The R-Drive Sport version is optimised for ultra-high-speed surfacing scenarios, primarily high-performance catamarans and centre consoles capable of regularly reaching speeds beyond 160km/h. It features a longer skeg than the base R-Drive version, which allows it to maintain steering control while operating fully surfaced at the high mounting positions desirable for many of the fastest hulls. The R-Drive Sport skeg has a wedge shape from leading edge to trailing edge and is available with no camber or with a right-hand camber for single engine boats. The R-Drive Sport variant is equipped with a prop-shaft made from an ultra-high-strength aerospace stainless steel alloy, similar to the material used for the Mercury Racing M6 and M8 sterndrive prop shafts. This alloy was selected specifically to better endure the vibratory stress caused with the loading and unloading of a surfacing propeller. Technology The 500R model features Mercury Racing technology solutions designed to enhance the

boating experience, including the precision of digital throttle and shift with available Mercury Racing digital zero effort controls. Adaptive speed control maintains engine RPM as load changes due to sea conditions or turning manoeuvres to maintain boat authority with less control input. The 500R model supports all Mercury SmartCraft technologies, including the Engine Guardian monitor system and VesselView multi-function displays. The top cowl service door eases routine maintenance by providing easy access to the oil dipstick and fill without removing the cowl. Colour options Colour options for the Mercury Racing 500R model include Phantom Black or Cold Fusion White, finished with Mercury Racing graphics and Devil Eye Red trim. For boaters planning a custom-paint application, the 500R is also available in ‘ready for paint’ in Phantom Black with no applied graphics or trim panel. Graphics and an application mask are included for installation after custom painting. The 500R is covered by a three-year limited factory warranty. Learn more about Mercury Racing high-performance products at mercuryracing. com The 500R can only be purchased through a Mercury Racing dealer. Find a dealer at mercu ryracing.com/dealer-lo cator.html

The all-new supercharged 500R V8 outboard by Mercury Racing.

The 500R’s water pump increases cooling capacity by 57 percent by ensuring optimal water low. Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 59

BOATING & marine

Mercury’s Avator 7.5e electric outboard delivers clean quiet power.

Mercury’s Avator 7.5e powers competitive angler

E R C U RY ’ S next step forward in electric propulsion, the Avator 7.5e electric outboard offers an alternative to traditional petrol-powered engines, delivering clean quiet power that’s as simple to use as it is fun to drive. Testing out the outboard recently at the Rapala Bass Australian Open, competitive angler Beau Everleigh showed that an electric engine can still compete with much larger horsepower outboards. The Avator has the equivalent power of a 3.5hp four-stroke petrol motor, yet the performance it gave in comparison to other electric engines is what stood out to Beau. “The limited range of my other electric motor meant I would have struggled to get to the fishing spots I wanted to go to, so the Avator really played its part over the weekend,” Beau said. “I saw a top speed of

12km/h in the Alloycraft, which is the fastest that thing has ever gone and that was without any wind or tide assistance. “The turning was impressive – if I wanted to go left, I went left straight away, while with other electric motors, I find that you almost have to do a 20m circle to turn around.” Using a demonstration model of the Avator 7.5e to power his Alloycraft boat up and down the Clarence River, Beau had the smallest and slowest boat in the field. However, he certainly got the most out of the motor – finishing a respectable thirteenth out of 45 anglers. The Avator is powered by a 1kWh lithium-ion battery, which easily slides into place under the flip-up top cowl, saving valuable space. The batteries are designed to last an hour at full speed and travel 8km, while it can deliver a maximum run time of 26km if the engine is

Page 60 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

running at 50 percent. For longer distance journeys, the battery can be easily swapped out for a new fully charged one within seconds. Over the two-day event, Beau was given three batteries and averaged a cruising speed of 9km/h – travelling 13km on the first day using one and a half batteries and 15km on day two using one and a quarter batteries. “I had people on land, on the water, kayakers coming up to me asking what engine I was using,” Beau said. “People were really blown away, especially with what I was telling them about the distance and speed I was going. “That motor is definitely bang for its buck.” Despite the small size, the Avator can generate high torque with little effort, maximising battery life and range while providing quick efficient performance – a feature Beau was surprised to discover.

“The torque surprised me – I thought I would be able to stand up like I would with my normal electric motor, but I soon sat down very quickly,” Beau said. “If I wasn’t prepared, I would have gone overboard. “For a little motor, it does have some grunt behind it.” With no fuel and no fumes, the Avator is convenient to store at home or on a larger boat, with a quick connect bracket that enhances portability and allows for the outboard to be installed in a snap. In total, the Avator weighs slightly north of 27kg – its lightweight design and ease of transport being Beau’s

favourite feature. “My favourite feature is the ability to be able to lift it on and off, leave the mount on and take the motor off and then store it away nice and safe,” he said. “The motor is so light – they say it’s light, but until you pick one up, you don’t realise how light it actually is. “One of the cool things I found with it is that the Avator makes the same beeping sound on ignition as the 200hp outboards, which many of the other anglers were using.” Head to mercuryma rine.com to learn more about the latest in electric propulsion and check out the Avator 7.5e.

The Avator is powered by a 1kWh lithium-ion battery.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 61

Tips for catching fussy fish

I Liam and a solid female dusky flathead that was released.

Lexi with a longtail tuna that couldn’t be defeated, so Lyndon helped out.

T’S winter and though we’re finding big schools of non-committal fish on the sounder, we’ve not been getting too many bites, especially on neap tides. When it’s like this, occasionally a fish gets stupid, but you never really see that it becomes a pattern. With more water movement, then yes, it can be easier with replicable techniques. Things to try when the bite is tough – lighter lures, lighter leaders and frustrate the hell out of them. Lighter lures often waft and sink more realistically, sometimes fished with slower ac-

Rodney caught a typical winter longtail tuna from a mixed school in the water column.

> Hervey Bay > Fraser Island > Sandy Strait

Get into the best fishing action!

Fraser Guided Fishing by TRI TON

tions and retrieves. Think of a soft plastic and even simply holding the lure. Have you noticed how difficult it is to hold the lure dead still? It’s impossible, so occasionally less is indeed more. Dead-sticking can be extremely effective on fussy fish. Though 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 on the bottom. Light leaders are obviously skinnier and hence harder to see – something to consider with the smaller winter tides and cooler water… two factors that control water clarity. Aggressive-actioned lures and retrieves will catch fish in all seasons. The key is to stop the fish from thinking and ‘reacting’ to your presentation. Whipping soft lures, jigs and vibes deep can catch you anything from snapper, queenfish, tuna, trevally and

even bottom species. And the leader size and lure weight doesn’t always matter too much. Luckily, tuna have been about as, when frustrated, I turned to them. They weren’t easy but were well worth persistence. Longtail tuna made regular appearances as we drifted deep plastics for snapper and trevally. And though a few mack tuna also surfaced on tiny bait, as for snapper, unfortunately no big numbers from my end as yet. School mackerel have been thieving our snapper lures. Lures I use when snapper are more active and looking upwards or swimming midwater are light jig heads up to 1/2oz with a grub or paddle tail and a lighter leader up to 20lb. It doesn’t need to be big – remember the saying ‘elephants eat peanuts’. And when they’re hugging the bottom, use 3/4 or 1oz heads to get there fast. * continued P63

Full and half day tours All levels of experience Experienced guide

www.fraserguidedfishing.com.au > 0427 230 261 Page 62 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

Liam captured a massive diamond trevally. His best fish previously was a school mackerel.

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Catching fussy fish * from P62

I use bigger grubs and jerk shads in this case. I’ve yet to pattern a jigging style to work regularly in Hervey Bay. You can use more aggressive twitches with the light heads, though keep in mind, you want to still keep some depth. And use softer pulses and hops on the heavier head options. A few dusky flathead are about for the less than favourable weather days. Personally, I find these fish are tide specific. You can’t simply fish the same structures without considering the tides. These days, I love this species more now that I guide. They really drive home the ‘think like a fish’ concept. And, because they

are often so shallow, they’re reliable and a viable option for a beginner. They can’t be seen, so the angler will often focus on breaking down structure and casting, as opposed to freaking out while watching the big fish about to eat their lure. And dusky flatties are very willing to eat and don’t require a heap of skill to lure and hook. These fish will often eat lures that are used in much deeper water. We might get into a little gear drama, and I’ll hand over a less than optimal lure to use – and guess what? They’ll still eat. This aggression is so important in helping the novice fisher gain confidence. And often that confidence is what separates them from the average fisho.

Lexi with her dad, though the golden trevally was hooked and landed by herself.

Quat worked out the cobwebs with a golden trevally on a jig.

Humble sea cucumbers key ingredient to deter diabetes

HEY are a marine delicacy loved across Asia, however the humble sea cucumber is also proving to be a key ingredient in preventing diabetes, according to new research from the University of South Australia. Exploring the medicinal properties of sea cucumbers – holothuria scabra – researchers found that processed dried sea cucumber with salt extracts can inhibit a compound that is associated with increased risk of diabetes, thereby reducing the likelihood of the disease. To date, there is no commercially available therapeutic agent to in-

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hibit the formation of this compound – called advanced glycation end product, or AGE. AGEs form when proteins and or fats combine with sugars in the bloodstream. When accumulated in high levels, they increase diabetic complications, including heart disease, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, kidney disease and cancer. Lead researcher Dr Permal Deo said understanding how the bioactive compounds in sea cucumbers can inhibit AGEs could protect against these diseases. “We know that an accumulation of AGEs is associated with complications of type

2 diabetes, so strategies to prevent this may reduce the risk of developing diabetic complications,” Dr Deo said. “Biologically active novel compounds in medicinal plants and foods are potential therapeutic agents to prevent diabetic complications. “Sea cucumbers are known to have a range of therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, so we wanted to explore their bioactive compounds as AGE inhibitors. “We found that processed dried sea cucumber with salt extracts and collagen can significantly inhibit

AGEs by lowering a range of sugar-related metabolites in the body and reducing the risk of diabetes.” In Australia, almost 1.3 million people have type 2 diabetes. Globally, about 422 million people have diabetes, with 1.5 million deaths directly attributed to the disease each year.

Almost 60 percent of all cases of type 2 diabetes can be delayed or prevented with changes to diet and lifestyle. “These results provide sound evidence that sea cucumbers could be developed as a functional food product to help battle the onset of diabetes and diabetic complications,” Dr Deo said.

Researchers found that processed dried sea cucumber with salt extracts and collagen can reduce the risk of diabetes. Photo: University of South Australia Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 63

Rainbow Beach Family Fishing Classic wrap up

Helen Blake took out the adult draw down prize of $10,000.

Peter Brady Trophy recipient Ben Horne.

Impressive fish were brought in and measured at the weigh-in.

Page 64 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

HE Rainbow Beach Family Fishing Classic held on June 11-17 proved to be a sensational week of fishing, fun and family entertainment. With over $200,000 worth of prizes generously provided by 46 sponsors, the event attracted record-breaking crowds and showcased the exceptional fishing opportunities of the region. The highly anticipated annual competition did not disappoint, leaving participants and spectators thrilled with the exciting catches and remarkable camaraderie. The Rainbow Beach Sports Club served as the epicentre of the event, offering a lively atmosphere and an array of activities for everyone to enjoy. Throughout the week, anglers from all skill levels showcased their fishing prowess and competed to land the biggest catch. The weigh-ins were a sight to beheld, with impressive fish being brought in and measured. In the adult category, several notable winners emerged. Alan Balfour snagged a flathead weighing an impressive 2.63kg, while Brian Byrne reeled in a sizable tailor of 3.236kg. Justin Walters earned recognition for his catch of a red emperor – a whopping 12.995kg. Suzie Arthur’s mulloway came in at an impressive 10.556kg. But the biggest fish of the week was landed by Ian Brookes, who triumphantly presented a colossal blue-eye trevalla tipping the scales at a

staggering 21.237kg. There were great prizes for the junior, cadet and adult draw down, with Wendy Blake taking out the much-anticipated adult draw down prize of $10,000 cash. Keeping it in the family, Wendy’s son Gary took out second prize, winning a sounder. However, RBFFC isn’t only about competing and prizes. It also celebrates the joy of fishing and the spirit of community. In the junior category, Ben Horne was awarded the prestigious Peter Brady Memorial Trophy for being the best and fairest angler, and Lachlan Byrne was honoured with the Cedric Byrne Memorial Trophy for his tailor fishing. These accolades highlight the dedication and integrity displayed by participants. The 2023 RBFFC event was favoured with fantastic weather for most of the week, which created an idyllic backdrop for families to bond, enjoy delicious food and explore the vibrant expo area. Numerous exhibitors presented their products and services, catering to all fishing enthusiasts’ needs – from fishing equipment to mouth-watering food stalls – and offering something for everyone. The nightly raffles

organised by various community groups added an extra touch of anticipation and excitement, providing attendees with the chance to win fantastic prizes while supporting local initiatives. The Rainbow Beach Family Fishing Classic truly showcased community spirit and commitment, coming together for a worthy cause. Looking ahead, mark the calendars for next year’s RBFFC – scheduled to take place from June 2-8, 2024. With the success and enjoyment of this year’s event, anticipation is already building for the 2024 event. RBFFC continues to be a highlight on the local calendar, drawing participants from near and far. The 2023 event’s ability to bring families and fishing enthusiasts together, coupled with the generous support of sponsors, made it an outstanding success. Congratulations to all the winners and participants who made this year’s competition a memorable experience. We look forward to witnessing even greater feats and unforgettable moments next year. The above contains excerpts from Chantelle Bozicevic’s piece in Gympie Today.

Cedric Byrne Tailor Trophy recipient Lachlan Byrne.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 65

Winter family favourite for fishing K’gari

Will and Rosie fishing off Waddy Point.

Magical K’gari weather.

ESPITE my social media feeds being filled with European summer holiday images from friends and family, I’ll stay true to my opinion that, in the middle of the year, there’s no better place to be than right here in southeast Queensland. Crisp sunny days and a cool westerly breeze are as good as it gets and there is no better place than K’gari when these conditions favour us. Much debate has surrounded the renaming of Fraser Island to K’gari – in my opinion, most of it was unwarranted and some of it, blatantly disrespectful. One thing we can all agree on is that the translation of K’gari to ‘paradise’ is spot on, The island means so much to many different people, each in their own way, so let’s all enjoy it for the wonderful place it is. Winter is almost my

Sunrise, the best time of the day! Page 66 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

Fishing Tips by CHRIS RAIMONDI

favourite time to visit K’gari. The weather is normally beautiful and, as a rule, it’s usually a little less inhabited than the busy periods of Easter, the September school holidays and Christmas. With the family on board and the boat in tow, we made our way to Orchid Beach. Early in the trip, the weather forecast looked good for a couple of days offshore in the boat, and that’s exactly how it played out. A westerly wind made for perfect beach launching conditions and the offshore fishing certainly didn’t disappoint, even if larger fish were tough to come by. My plan for day one was to put some live yakka and slimy mackerel in the tank and chase some bigger reef fish. Though despite quickly catching all the livies I needed – apart from a few nice pearl perch – I didn’t have much to show for my strategy as the clock approached noon. The morning was a typical Fraser offshore experience – plenty of good shows, a number of ‘unstoppables’ ending in bust-offs and a fair few decent fish lost to sharks. At about 11.30am, I headed to a mark that I’d caught nice fish from years ago and was pleased with what the sounder showed. Fifteen minutes of live baiting was unfruitful though, only

smaller fish picking their way through my lovely live yakka. As a last resort, I decided to downgrade my outfit, picking up my lighter overhead combo with 35lb mono and 40lb leader. I snelled a couple of BKK 5/0 circle hooks and rigged a light float line using squid and fillets of fresh yakka and slimy mackerel for bait. For the next half hour, it was a fish a drop, with a nice mixed bag of wrasse, redthroat emperor and spangled emperor nailing the dead bait and doing it aggressively. It was a total contrast to the morning I’d had fishing live bait, which had me wondering whether I should have employed the change in tactics much earlier at the other spots I’d fished. A couple of trevally fooled me into thinking I’d hooked a nice reef fish, until another solid run resulted in a nice spangled emperor in the 5kg range hitting the deck. Next drop, another nice fish – and my first venus tuskfish of the day – but, as often happens off Fraser, the sharks had moved in to see what all the action was about, and my tasty tuskie was mauled at the boat. It was pretty much game over after that, as the bite slowed in the presence of some fairly large grey-suited taxers. Day two offshore and * continued P67

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Tide Times

AUSTRALIA EAST COAST AUSTRALIA, EAST COA WADDY POINT 2023 LAT 24°

AUSTRALIA, EAST COAST – WADDY POINT (FRASER ISLAND)

Time

0456 1135 1753 MO 2322

MAY

1.77 0.68 1.58 0.80

Time

0522 1141 1810 TU 2357

LAT 24° 58ʼ S LONG 153° 21ʼ E Times and Heights of High and Low Waters JUNE JULY

1.85 0.56 1.82 0.76

Time

WE 1851 1.94

Time

Times and H

Time

0.87 1.45 0.62 2.03

0037 0550 SA 1148 1853

0.86 1.34 0.55 1.96

0.80 1.33 0.67 2.02

0208 0737 TU 1317 2010

0.55 1.35 0.43 2.22

0.49 1.59 0.53 1.73

0239 0905 SU 1500 2114

0032 0609 FR 1214 1909

0153 0.83 17 0730 1.41

0128 0641 SU 1231 1935

0.77 1.34 0.51 2.10

0243 0.75 17 0822 1.35

0249 0827 WE 1406 2058

0.47 1.43 0.38 2.27

0331 0.35 0300 0.49 0312 0.63 2 0936 17 0902 1.71 17 0921 1.63 1.41

0313 0949 MO 1554 2155

0410 0.42 0323 0.50 0332 0.42 0338 0.64 3 1023 3 0916 1.74 18 0955 1.66 1.50 18 0929 1.42

0347 1035 TU 1701 2239

0103 0643 FR 1224 1924

0.80 1.54 0.47 1.98

0210 0741 SU 1257 1959

Winter family favourite for fishing K’gari TU 1826 1.69

Time

SEPTEMBER

0529 1.58 1143 0.52 TH 1833 1.84

The author with a nice K’gari spangled emperor.

0532 1.77 0607 1.78 2 1158 0.58 17 1213 0.52

Time Zone –1000 AUGUST

SA 1300 0.63 2003 2.08

MO 1337 0.66 2037 2.02

0004 0.73

0045 0.74

0119 0.75

0240 0.81

0217 0.67

0317 0.73

WE 1224 0.49 1857 1.81

TH 1245 0.52 1930 2.04

SA 1247 0.44 1947 2.10

SU 1336 0.66 2041 2.09

MO 1319 0.48 2022 2.21

TU 1414 0.65 2113 2.00

3 0607 1.77 18 0648rocks 3 0652 18 0814 1.39 1.69 but 1.52 came 0735many 1.37 18 0858 1.36 * from P66 there 3are differagain

0243 0833 WE 1358 2044

0.64 1.40 0.56 1.92

TH 1429 0.56 2114 1.88

0252 0850 FR 1434 2112

0.32 1.65 0.32 2.11

SA 1521 0.44 2155 1.97

0237 0851 SA 1432 2052

SU 1507 0.60 2120 1.65

ent water depths and I was keen to look for up empty-handed. 0044 0.69holy 0133 We 0.75 changed 0210 0.71 0325 0.80 techniques in- 0.74 0306 you 0.59 can0350 0450 0.52 0347 0.54 0416 0.44 our plan red emperor, the 0421 0402 0.66 4 0640 1.74 19 0729 1.61 4 0739 1.49 19 0855 1.36 4 0832 4 1114 4 1005 4 1125 1.40 19 0929 1.35 1.75 19 1032 1.67 1.54 19 0957 1.44 corporate turnWEyour grail in these parts. 0.43 FR 1316and 0.54 commenced 1448 0.66 TH 1250 SU 1325 0.45 fishMO 1411 0.70 TU 1410to0.47 FR 1545 0.46 SA 1533 0.65 MO 1720 0.78 TU 1627 0.80 WE 1820 1930 1.93 2.11 2029 2.20 2119 2.07 2112 2.28 2146 1.95 2323 1.57 2225 1.45 2233 2.14 2329 2209 1.74 day around. in shallower water, We were greeted by 2009ing 0125 0.67 0222 0.78 0304 0.68 0406 0.82 0356 0.55 0421 0.76 0532 0.62 0415 0.59 0501 0.49 0503 0428 0.67 Apart from the offvenus tuskies quite a strong south5 0717 1.71 20 0810chasing 5 0830 1.46 20 0933 1.34 5 0928 1.43 20 0958 1.34 5 1056 1.56 20 1030 1.45 5 1212 1.74 20 1113 1.67 5 1223 1.52 1318 0.40 SA 1347 0.59 0.49 TU 1448 0.74 1504 0.50our 1522 0.69 MO 1410 emperor. THtrips TU 1844 0.92 WE 1721 0.89 SA 1637 0.60 SU 1609 0.74 TH 1949 shoreWEfishing, westerly FR wind, which 2047and 2005 2.04 2.14redthroat 2117 2.25 2154 2.02 2205 2.27 2218 1.89 2321 1.97 2302 1.33 2237 1.65 to K’gari0447 are0.55 very much for 0.67 us, both made for a 0208 rather 0.68cold 0314 Luckily 0.82 0401 0444 0.85 0451 0.79 0014 1.38 0546 0.57 0447 0.65 0039 0453 0.68 6 0756south 6 21 21 1027 1.65 21 0850species 1.45 0926 1.42 1006 1.33 1025 1.43 and about 6family we 1.34 6 1152 1.56 21 1108 1.46 6 0622 0.72 21 1202 1.65 6 0608 were on the and wet trip in SA 1349 0.42 SU 1417 0.66 TU 1458 0.57 WE 1526 0.78 TH 1557 0.56 FR 1557 0.72 SU 1736 0.77 MO 1650 0.84 WE 1323 1.72 TH 1840 0.96 FR 1335 regularly time 2.13 2124chew 2.14 2231 1.96 2258spend 2.20 2249 1.82 2029 0.98 2346 1.22 2130 2307 1.55 and2209by2.23 lunch the 5.5m 2043 Galeforce catching worms, pipis 0255 0.71 0405 0.86 0459 0.68 0522 0.88 0537 0.59 0523 0.80 0123 0009 1.24 0531 0.72 1.77 0234 0520 0.70 time, we had salvaged centre console! 7 0840 1.58 22 0929 1.39 7 1028 1.38 22 1042 1.31 7 1122 1.43from 22 1101 7 0634 0.65 22 1153 1.47 7 0723 0.81 22 1313 1.64 7 0734 and fishing the 1.33 MO 1424 0.48 our 0.67 from reasonable Once weSUreached MO 1451a 0.73 1257 1.57 TU 1742 0.95 WE 1550 feed TH 1607 0.82 FR 1651 0.66 SA 1636 0.79 TH 1447 1.73 FR 2041 0.94 SA 1453 2126 2.17 2202 2.09 2306 2.17 2310 1.88 2351 the 2.08 kids.2321 1.74 2228 0.94 1852 0.92 2236 2341 1.44 beach with zone and thawed out, what initially looked to 0351 0.75 0456 0.90 0558 0.71 0602 0.89 0628 0.65 as 0558 0.80 0100 1.57 0307 1.16 0109 1.13 0411 0551 0.72 Unfortunately, for 23 1009be1.35a tough 8 1134 morning. 8 1223 1.43 23 1146 1.33 8 0725 0.72 23 1249 1.48 8 0837 0.86 23 0638 0.78 8 0901 we were 8left disap0927 1.49 1.34 23 1126 1.29 1502 0.57 TU 1528 0.81 0.79 winters, TH 1648 0.76 FR 1656 0.86 SA 1748few SU 1722 0.87 the past TU 1418 1.61 WE 1857 1.03 FR 1602 1.75 SA 1441 1.68 SU 1559 pointed –MO the2212 areas 2.15 that 2242 It 2.02goes to show how 2353 1.80 2355 1.65 2034 1.02 2335 0.86 2204 0.82 2316 the beach fishing bewe 0005 are 2.08 to have had held good 0454 fish 0.80 in 0545lucky 0.94 0646 0.90 0044 1.92 0633 0.80 0203 1.40 0450 1.17 0309 1.13 0506 0019 1.32 9 1019 largely 9 0657 0.75and24di-1226 1.28 24 1242 1.40 24 1054 1.31 tween9Waddy Point and 1.34 9 0823 0.77 24 0632 0.75 9 0952 0.86 24 0814 0.78 9 1014 0722 0.70 the past TU were 1543 0.69 WE 1611such 0.88 dynamic FR 1244 1.34 SA 1753 0.92 SU 1332 1.45 MO 1819 0.96 WE 1540 1.68 TH 1408 1.51 SA 1701 1.78 SU 1552 1.78 MO 1651 Ngkala Rocks was very 2304 2.10 1.94 offshore 1751 0.85 1855 0.91 2235 1.01 2259 0.67 2346 2057 1.04 fishing devoid of decent shows. 2327verse slow, despite a number 0602 0.84 0638so0.96 0106 1.98 0039 1.72 0139 1.76 0032 1.55 0327 1.27 0014 0.79 0431 1.21 0543 0118 1.21 close to home. With no fish mark10 1122 1.32 25 1151 1.28 10 0758 0.76 25 0735 0.88 10 0817 0.73 25 0711 0.79 10 0926 0.80 25 0729 0.77 10 0547 1.23 25 1002 0.69 10 1106 of beautiful gutters. 1631 0.80 for 0.95 1357 particular 1.37 SU 1345 1.29 TH 1707 When SAone MO 1453 1.52 TU 1358 1.37 TH 1647 1.76 FR 1527 1.59 ing, we WE searched SU 1054 0.81 MO 1652 1.90 TU 1732 1900 0.91 1858 0.98We found 2024 whiting 1.00 1930 1746 1.80 2344 0.52 2235 0.95 and 1.04 species doesn’t fire, better ground and new 0005 2.03 0019 1.84 0206 1.88 0128 1.64 0239 to 1.60come0113 0002 0.94 0039 0.72 0532 1.34 0012 0309 1.14 dart hard by 1.44 11 0714 0.85 26 0737 0.96 11 0858 0.75 26 0824 0.84 11 0912 0.74 26 0754 0.77 11 0459 1.22 26 0846 0.77 11 0624 1.30 26 1108 0.55 11 0615 1.62 aWE 1516 1.44 TH 1246 1.28 FR 1314 1.26 and were about month SU 1514 1.46 MO 1506 1.35 TU 1606 FR 1026 0.80 SA 1632 1.71 MO 1141 0.72 TU 1743 2.01 WE 1145 1738 0.89 1819 0.99 2023 0.95 2009 1.02 2207 1.03 1741 1.82 1823 1.83 1805 2333 0.81 or so too early for 2102 the 1.07 0117 1.97 0120 1.76 0307 1.79 0220 1.56 0346 1.46 0209 1.34 0054 0.86 0103 0.64 0023 0.39 0034 0438 1.16 12 0827 0.83 27 0841 0.93 12 0950 0.71 27 0910 0.78 annual tailor, for 0.75 12 0607 1.24 27 1021 0.71 12 0654 1.37 27 0618 1.48 12 0645 12 run 27 0843 1004 of 0.74 1706 1.74 TH 1618 1.55 FR 1413 1.31 SA 1446 1.29 1119 0.77 SU 1727 1.86 MO 1621 1.58 TU 1608 1.44 WEthe TU 1220 0.62 WE 1158 0.41 TH 1220 which is2242 fa- 1.03 SA 1824 1902 0.93 1935 1.01 2152 0.95 2126 1.03 2338 island 0.99 1.87 1857 1.85 1829 2.07 1836 mous. 0227 1.94 0224 1.70 0408 1.69 0314 1.48 0456 1.37 0327 1.25 0125 0.79 0128 0.58 0058 0.30 0019 0.66 0054 13 0930 0.77 28 0936 0.86 13 1035 0.67 28 0952 0.71Despite 13 1050the0.73lean 28pick0940 0.73 13 0653 1.28 28 0548 1.23 13 0725 1.43 28 0659 1.62 13 0714 SA 1528 1.41 SU 1554 1.36 TU 1715 1.72 WE 1656 1.56 TH 1756 1.84 FR 1710 1.68 SU 1205 0.72 MO 1127 0.59 WE 1254 0.54 TH 1243 0.32 FR 1254 2034 0.92 2050 1.00 2307 0.93 2240 1.00 2348 0.93 1902 1.91 1928 1.86 1911 2.08 1816 2.00 1905 ings from the beach, 0331 1.92 0320 1.67 0504 1.59 0406 1.42 0046 0.93a ball 0440– 1.21 0149 0.72 0152 0.53 0132 0.25 0100 0.52 0116 the kids had 14 1022 29 0.69 1015 0.78 14 1113 0.64 29 1030 0.66 14 0600 1.32 29 1039 0.68 14 0729 1.33 29 0640 1.33 14 0754 1.49 29 0739 1.75 14 0744 spending 0.71 outside SU 1634 1.54 MO 1644 1.47 WE 1802 1.84 TH 1737 1.69 FR 1134time SA 1756 1.82 MO 1247 0.65 TU 1218 0.45 TH 1326 0.49 FR 1326 0.30 SA 1330 2200 0.86 2158 0.96 2343 0.94 1840 1.92 1938 1.94 1957 1.84 1951 2.02 1901 2.12 1934 in the wide-open spac0430 1.89 0407 1.64 0008 0.90 0458 1.37 0134 0.86 0040 0.80 0215 0.67 0215 0.50 0205 0.24 0138 0.41 0139 es 15 among the30wild15 1105 0.61 30 1045 0.68 15 0555 1.51 30 1108 0.60 0654 1.31 0546 1.22 15 0802 1.37 30 0723 1.45 15 0822 1.54 30 0821 1.86 15 0814 0.70 SU 1136 0.61 MO 1726 1.68 TU 1725 1.58 TH 1148 0.62 FR 1815 1.82 SA 1216 TU 1323 0.60 WE 1303 0.35 FR 1358 0.49 SA 1412 0.36 SU 1406 life that makes K’gari 2304 0.80 2256 0.90 1844 1.95 1920 1.98 1840 1.97 2013 1.95 2024 1.79 2033 1.91 1944 2.19 2006 unique. 0449 1.61 0125 0.67 0215 0.34 31 1114 31want, 0.59 31 0806 1.56 0645 1.27 Call it what you WE 1800 1.71 MO 1228 0.52 TH 1348 0.29 2346 0.85 but one thing we 1924 can 2.11 2028 2.19 agree on is that K’gari © Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2021, Bureau of Meteorology © Copyright Commonwealth of Austra is a very special place, New Moon First of Quarter Datum of Predictions is Lowest Astronomical Tide Datum Predictions is Lowest Astron one we all need to look Full Last Moon LastPhase Quarter Moon Phase Symbols New Moon First Quarter after. Full Moon Moon Quarter Symbols New Mo Catch you! 17 A tasty feed of tuskfish. www.bnbfishing.com.au

TH 1455 0.38 2145 2.24

FR 1501 0.59 2142 1.81

SU 1615 0.60 2239 1.77

MO 1544 0.69 2152 1.55

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 67

Soft vibe fundamentals

One of the author’s favourite vibes and colours, the Zerek Fish Trap 95mm in Min Min.

Small threadfin salmon like a good soft vibe. These little tackers loved a hopped Jackall Transam.

N the previous issue, we started a discussion on using soft vibes. We discussed terminal tackle, types of soft vibes and fine tuning. This month, we’ll be looking into the more technical side of catching fish on soft vibration lures. The first topic I would like to cover is retrieves. There are so many ways you can work a soft vibe, so which one is correct? The very obvious and simple answer is… whichever retrieve gets the bite. For anyone new to using these types of

When changing between vibes, going from a standard tail to a thumper tail is always worth a try to trigger a bite.

A fond memory, the author’s wife helping to hold up their son’s first barramundi using a Zerek Fish Trap vibe. Page 68 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

Capricorn Coast by JOHN BOON

lures, the easiest way to use soft vibes is the old-fashioned lift and drop. Cast the lure out and let it hit the bottom – if the fish are hard to the bottom or within 1m or so – then use a nice slow long lift and again let the lure fall back to the bottom. It is very important to wind the slack up when the lure is falling and to remain focused watching the line. Nine times out of 10, the fish will hit it on the drop, so you want everything in your favour. If you’ve got too much slack line out, you won’t be able to set the hook and see those subtle taps on the lure through your line. My absolute favourite retrieve consists of short sharp hops across the bottom. It was explained to me as similar to a prawn skipping across the seabed. And you can change it up by doing a few short hops followed by a long hop. It always pays to experiment. Body position is also critical. Your body should be square to the direction you’re casting, and the rod should be pointing at the lure. It’s very hard to remain focused and concentrate for the entire session but I can assure you that if you can do this well, you’ll put more fish on the deck. There’s nothing more frustrating than getting only one or two bites for

the day and being off with the fairies. When you do receive a bite, it’s very important to strike hard and wind slack at the same time. It might take a while to perfect the technique because the coordination might not be there in the early stages of learning. The reason you do this is to get a good hook set. Fish such as barramundi can clamp a lure in the front of their mouth without being hooked, so if you don’t get a good hook set, the fish can simply open its mouth and spit it out. Yes, it does happen, even when the lure is covered in prickles. The reason for winding hard is for hook set but the other important factor is to maintain tension with the lure – to keep it in place. The first thing a fish will do when you pin it with a lure is shake its head. Constant tension will make it harder for the lure to come free. Some species – as an example, king threadfin – have a knack of swimming at the boat once hooked. Most fish when hooked will swim away from the tension created rather than towards it. If you’re not onto it, then a fish swimming towards the boat will gather slack line very quickly and spit the lure out. I know there’s a lot to consider when using this technique but it’s like any new skill – it takes time to develop and refine. * continued P69

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Technical side of fishing soft vibes * from P68

Always look at what you’ve done well for the trip and what needs improving. I guarantee that given time on the water, you’ll be a confident and efficient fisho. If different retrieves aren’t getting a result, it may be time to switch vibes. When changing, always observe which lure you’re using and why. Always think about what’s not working and what you’re going to tie on next. Obvious changes are vibe size and weight – different colours and contrast make a big difference too. Going from a heavy vibration, such as a Nomad Vertrex Max, back to a subtle vibration, as

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per the Jackall Transam, can make a difference. When the fish are a bit finicky, I believe that heavy vibration will deter them. Another factor to consider when changing colours is the presence of ultra-violet active colours. It’s not something most people are aware of, though it’s a 1 percent that can make a difference. I’ve seen it plenty of times when you’re using say a very natural colour in clear water, which sounds logical. The fish will swim around it, even though it might be imitating the baitfish that are present. Clip on a Zerek Fish Trap in Flying Bear and it gets eaten straight away. The Flying Bear col-

our has a UV active red head. That’s it for insights into using soft vibration lures. I hope you’ll be able to benefit from something in this article. I’ll be back next month with a full report on what’s been happening on the Capricorn Coast.

MMD Soft Prawn vibes are a great change from the traditional baitfish style.

Soft vibes work well at getting the bite when other lures fail.

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 69

VMR Bundaberg Family Fishing Classic review

T Diverse species and impressive fish at weigh-in, including this big red emperor.

The Rogers’ cobia competition.

HE sixteenth VMR Bundaberg Family Fishing Classic was held on June 23-25 at Burnett Heads. The weekend turned on the best three days of weather in the history of the classic, where previously at least one day was marred by unfavourable wind or rain. The good conditions allowed offshore competitors decent access to their favourite spots, as was evidenced by the diverse species and impressive fish at weighin. Over the weekend, there were 890 registrations, which were

down a little on previous years and possibly a reflection of the current economic climate. The catch and release category for estuarial species continues to grow in popularity, with 80 percent of the estuarine catch sitting in this category. The $500 tagged bream and flathead escaped capture, however a tagged fish from a previous classic was captured and returned for yet another swim. The family-oriented nature of the classic was highlighted this year in the Rogers family, who are cobia specialists. Previously, Dad

Rogers took out the Wakefield Perpetual Trophy for the heaviest cobia. Though there was a generational change this year, with Son Rogers taking it home. While the event was underway, Bundy Rescue 2 was activated for five assist missions. The volunteers at Volunteer Marine Rescue Bundaberg appreciate the wonderful support from sponsors and the community for this the major annual fundraising event, hopefully back again in 2024 for the last weekend in June.

Daiwa Australia celebrates fifty years in fishing tackle industry

HE year 2023 marks a milestone for the Globeride and Daiwa family, with Daiwa Australia celebrating its fiftieth year in the Australian fishing tackle industry. With its genesis deeply rooted in Japanese culture, Daiwa has a rich global history garnered over decades and a focused commitment to design and innovation. Daiwa Australia’s managing director Greg Seeto said, “Breaking new ground in product design, striving for in-

novation and driving the industry forward is as important to us now as it was when Daiwa Australia started in 1973.” “It’s at the core of who we are as a company, a brand and what inspires us for the future.” The 50-year journey has seen a remarkable evolution in fishing with angling styles, tackle and techniques all experiencing the face of change. “The changes have been enormous,” Mr Seeto said. “When Daiwa Aus-

Breaking new ground in product design, striving for innovation and driving the industry forward is as important to Daiwa Australia now as it was when it started in 1973. Page 70 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

tralia began, very few people were fishing with lures, bait fishing dominated, stocked impoundment fisheries were largely non-existent and fishing as a sport was still in its infancy. “Fast forward 50 years and the recreational fishing landscape is a very different place. “Despite these changes, our vision remains unchanged – to inspire people to have ‘wow’ moments in fishing, influence them, no matter their age, gender or stage of their fishing journey, and as a result, play our part to grow fishing for future generations to enjoy for years to come.” Evolution in tackle design has been a driving force for this change, with Daiwa designers and engineers leading the charge. The original openface reel in 1965 has been followed over the decades by other ground-breaking designs and technologies,

such as Daiwa’s graphite body and rotor in 1979, Real Four in 2004, Zaion in 2007, MagSeal in 2010, AGS guides in 2014, monocoque body in 2018 and Airdrive Design in 2022. Each technology heralded a new dawn in composition, with reels such as Certate, Saltiga Z, Exist and Steez becoming iconic examples of performance-leading design. One release perhaps best celebrates Daiwa Australia’s 50 years and epitomises Daiwa’s focus for the future. “Our D-VEC logo was released in 2009 and represents three key objectives – challenge, originality and innovation,” Mr Seeto said. “Three elements with one key focus – to share the love and happiness of fishing around the world. “The D-VEC logo represents our spirit for a bright future.” Daiwa Australia’s retail partners have been instrumental in the de-

velopment and success of the company during its 50-year journey. “Reaching 50 years in the Australian tackle industry is testament to the unwavering commitment of the Daiwa family, past and present, as well as the invaluable support of our retail partners,” Mr Seeto said. “They’ve embraced our products and elevated the Daiwa brand – all the while demonstrating resilience as they navigate the shifting tides of a competitive retail landscape. “We are incredibly grateful and humbled by their support and belief in who we are, our products and our focus on the future of fishing in Australia.” Buoyed by the positivity of its partners, customers and stakeholders, Daiwa is empowered and energised for the next 50 years and creating more ‘wow’ moments for Australian anglers and customers. www.bnbfishing.com. au

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 71

A school of moses perch and fingermark congregate on one of the reef habitat modules.

Belinda Hassan, Matt Moore and David Perkins at the Carlyle Street fishing platform.

Something very fishy is going on in the Pioneer River

ECENT underwater video monitoring surveys show fish habitat reef modules in the Pioneer River were thriving. An amazing 22 fish species were recorded using the new habitat reefs which were deployed in 2021 by Mackay Regional Council. All up, 45 habitat reef modules were deployed at the base of three easily accessible fishing

platforms on Bridge Road, Brisbane Street and Carlyle Street. Fisheries Ecologist with Catchment Solutions Matt Moore said recording 22 species on these reefs was a fantastic result and represented substantial increase compared to pre-deployment surveys. “Monitoring results demonstrate the reef design and project have been a huge success, both in terms of

All up, 45 habitat reef modules were deployed at the base of three easily accessible fishing platforms on Bridge Road, Brisbane Street and Carlyle Street by council in 2021.

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increasing populations of iconic recreational fishing species such as barramundi, mangrove jack and fingermark at the sites and providing habitat for juvenile fish species,” Mr Moore said. He added that the most encouraging results had been the high numbers of juvenile fish species utilising the reef modules as nursery habitats. “Fish typically have millions of eggs and larvae, but most of these are eaten by predators,” he said. “A great way to increase fish populations is to provide nursery habitats for these baby fish, allowing them to shelter from predators.” Busy fish nurseries also get a big thumbs up from recreational fishers. John Bennet from Mackay Recreational Fishing Association said they fully supported sensible and practical ways to improve fisheries management. “It’s fantastic to turn desert landscapes into productive fisheries by protecting juvenile fish,” Mr Bennet said. “If there is no habitat, then there are no juvenile fish.” Some of the more iconic fish species spotted during the video surveys include barra-

mundi, golden snapper – also known as fingermark – mangrove jack, barred grunter, estuary cod and trevally. Catches of large barramundi and barred grunter from the fishing platforms have also been reported by young and old fishers alike. In addition to the recreational fishing species, the reef modules also provide habitats for fish species that feed on algae, such as rabbitfish, red scats, mullet and small-bodied wrasse. Mr Moore said that these ecosystem engineers were vital for maintaining healthy habitats in the Great Barrier Reef, as they feed on fast-growing algae, which often outcompetes slower-growing corals and molluscs. Recreational Fishing Advisory Committee chair Belinda Hassan said it was amazing to see the results of the video surveys. “Seeing just how much these innovative concrete structures have transformed into healthy marine ecosystems in a relatively short time is really exciting,” Ms Hassan said. “It’s also fantastic that, as part of council’s Recreational Fishing Strategy, we have been able to offer three easily accessible fishing plat-

forms and install reefs off them that are now home to some big barra, and plenty of other quality fish. “Council is really pleased to see the platforms being used by so many anglers, as well as local Mackay schools for outdoor curricular activities.” The innovative habitat reef modules were designed by Catchment Solutions to provide complex vertical relief structures for a wide range of fish species and encrusting marine organisms. The modules comprise an internal chamber at the top, only accessible via small openings to provide shelter for juvenile and small-bodied fish species. A large cave at the bottom of the modules can be occupied by larger-bodied fish, including recreationally significant species. For more information on the habitat reef modules including technical specifications, contact Matt Moore on 0417 083 898.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 73

The Capricorn and Bunker group of 22 reefs offer some fantastic scenery to fish around.

The IkiPik is the perfect tool for a quick and humane dispatch on all species.

Cameron from On Your Boat Adventures put clients onto a beautiful blue maori cod.

Medin has had his fair share of red bass – a no-take species, but one of the hardest fighting fish out there on the reef. Page 74 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

Great Barrier Reef fishing guide

INTER into spring is by far the best time for looking north and thinking about ticking off those hard-fighting bucket-listed species such as red emperor, maori cod, coral trout, monster grass sweetlip and not least redthroat emperor. The shallow reefs host a great variety of fish that conquer strong currents daily and have habitual feeding routines, which creates an all-day fishing experience. Pair that with tough terrain and even sturdier tenants and you have a brilliant mix of arm-stretching blood-pumping soul-breaking adventures to have with your friends. Though fishing sounds relaxing, let’s not get caught out by being under gunned, ill prepared and assumptive about everything being available when you get to the small towns on the southern ends of the Great Barrier Reef. Before you head off, be sure to consult the checklist for food and water arrangements with your companions. I was once tasked with sourcing the munchies – thinking light daytime snacking, I loaded up on chips and dips, apples and a few other non-appetising things.

Fishing Tips by ANDY MELVILLE

In short… don’t buy hummus! Swap it out for Pringles and beef jerky to avoid the ridicule. Worst though, when it came to the barbecue, I hadn’t bought a new ketchup – on the basis that I swore I saw a bottle onboard before. Turned out it was turfed after attracting too many ants – not ideal in any way. Second and third on anyone’s list must be bait and tackle, closely followed by rod and reel outfits pre-kitted out with the correct monofilament and or braid, fuel and then medical needs. There’re hundreds of suitable outfits, so let’s not get into that topic. This month I’m keeping it focused on the bait and tackle needs. Bait choice is fairly important, depending on your targets, as there aren’t many live bait opportunities on the way out, and even less by the time you get out to the reefs to find them belly up in the live well. Our recommendation is a cheeky bag of squid first up, then onto 5kg blocks of mullet and a couple of bags of nice pillies to keep you going

over a couple of afternoons. Trout love pillies and the mullet takes a while to defrost, especially if you salt it as you go. Hussar are great table fish but sadly for them they are an easy target and make fantastic bait, as do iodine bream, which don’t have much appeal for eating as the name suggests. Don’t be shy to pack the Esky as full as possible with ice – when fishing Seventeen Seventy, the 15-20kg bags from the deep freeze at the service station are the way forward and generally last the trip. Particularly if you can manage an ice and salt slurry to cool your brain-spiked fish. Brain spiking prevents the signals getting to and from the nerves to tell the brain to flush blood through the stressed flesh, causing excess fluids and acids, which spoil the flesh faster. Right so, bait and ice are sorted and assumedly two separate Eskies are on deck and a third is somewhere for food. Time to put some tasty fillets in the box! Most of your targets are going to be on the * continued P75

www.bnbfishing.com. au

Fishing Great Barrier Reef * from P74

bottom or slightly off the bottom if you’re fishing the reefs, so be sure to have plenty of lead with you and back up leader in excess of 60lb, to get you out of the bust-off zone once you’ve sunk hooks. Speaking of hooks – in order to have them penetrate well, it is vital the hooks are suited to the rod you’re using – too thick and you may struggle to set hooks on a light rod, especially if you choose mono. Too thin and you may find straight or snapped hooks an issue if you are going heavy skull dragging with braid. Swivels should never be overlooked and sourced from a reputable supplier. I use size 3 stainless steel crane swivels rated at 103kg, which is a great starting point

for profile and strength when ganging hooks or terminal points. Gang hooks are a firm favourite among most anglers and SnappaSlappa triple assists have been proving very effective when it comes to ease of use, due to their flexible and adjustable design for fishing larger bait. Both have their own stand out qualities – between you, me and the door post, it’s the SnappaSlappa for the win. Don’t be fooled by the name though – three 8/0 triple-strength needle-sharp assists are deadly. Premade rigs are recommended, along with a sound plan of what marks can be fished, and be sure to include some offshore contours to explore if red emperor, monster pearl perch

www.suncoastskutes.com Flashers and pre-made rigs focused on SEQ water all year round

* continued P76

Fresh or Salt? No matter your preference, your catch will be epic.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 75

Catch and cook scheme to help though charter operators split

The new rules would allow charter boats to catch and cook demersal fish such as pink snapper. Supplied by DPIRD

Steve Smith’s Batavia Sea Safaris offers charters between Geraldton and the Abrolhos Islands.

ISHING charter operators are divided over an announcement by Western Australian Fisheries Minister Don Punch on the expansion of a ‘catch to cook’ scheme during a demersal fishing ban. Mr Punch said charter boats without tags would still be able to fish for species such as pink snapper and dhufish — as long as they were consumed on the boat. “One dhufish could feed three or four people very effectively — if they have seven or eight people on board, it might be a couple of dhufish,” Minister Punch said. Mr Punch said there was no limit to the number of fish the charter boat could catch and eat, but operators would need to log how many fish were consumed. The new rules follow a suite of changes to recreational and commercial fishing announced earlier this year in a bid

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to help keep fish stocks sustainable. “You can’t build a business on a fish that is in recovery, essentially a fish that is scarce and getting scarcer,” Minister Punch. “We have to work hard to try and get this fish back on to a sustainable basis and make sure our fisheries are fishing what is sustainable in the future.” Alan Bevan, who runs a fishing charter out of Fremantle, said due to the smaller size of his boat, trying to cook and eat onboard could become a safety hazard. “Barbecue on a boat is a pretty expensive way to have a barbecue,” Mr Bevan said. “I can’t see any benefit at all on the catch and cook proposal.” He was also concerned about the sustainability of the industry, but said with these changes in place, he was not sure how his business would survive winter. Batavia Sea Safaris offers charters between

Geraldton and the Abrolhos Islands. Steve Smith said he was devastated to have missed out on any fishing tags under the new quota system. “We’ve always run quite an eco-friendly type of charter business where we don’t take massive amounts of demersal scale fish,” Mr Smith said. “So, to receive zero tags was quite heartbreaking because it just doesn’t allow me to run a full-tour experience.” Mr Smith described the announcement of the catch and cook rule for charter fishers without tags as a ‘lifeline’. “I would much prefer to see a one fish per person policy,” he said. “But in the short term … it is something that will at least allow me to run a tour.” The State Government said the quota tag system and catch and cook scheme would be reviewed in 12 months.

Fishing Great Barrier Reef * from P75

and big trout are your thing, without the constant pickers destroying bait. Oh, and wind faster – the sharks are brutal at times. The more time spent fishing – instead of tying new rigs, ganging more hooks or trying to find new marks to fish out on the water – the better. My parting piece of advice this time around is definitely to download Navionics and learn to use the

relief shading to your advantage from the comfort of your own home. Look for ridges and channels, and aim to fish along drop-offs where the current is likely to start slowing down and become easier to fish. Don’t be scared to have a drift across the entire channel – trout, grassies and redthroat thrive on the rough ground that doesn’t show any real features on the maps. Tight lines and safe travels!

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 77

Research experiment boosts mackerel population with artificial insemination

The Qld Fishing 2.0 app is a vital tool in every Queensland’s fisher’s arsenal.

Important milestone for Qld Fishing 2.0 app

HE Qld Fishing 2.0 app – the number one recreational fishing app for all of Queensland – recently chalked up over 100,000 downloads since its release in October 2020. The app is a onestop shop for recreational fishers, with a plethora of handy tools, including helping fishers to identify their catch, check the rules and receive reminders about closures. The app recently underwent a suite of improvements, including: • ‘Can I fish here’ updated so you can see when you are near or have reached a marine park zone • Hyperlinks created from ‘Can I fish here’ to relevant ‘Know the rules’ sections • Symbols added for pest fish and species with temporary restrictions • Fish aggregating device locations updated • Great Barrier

Reef Marine Park estuarine conservation zones added and headings updated in ‘Know the rules’ • Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme prices and Australia Post outlets updated. Reporting recreational catch using apps occurs in other jurisdictions around the country and the world, and Fisheries has collaborated with these jurisdictions to learn and share experiences about this work. Extra development work to add catch reporting has begun, and the department will keep you updated about this exciting project. Thank you to the recreational fishers who have provided feedback – Fisheries Queensland is always looking for more, and you can email QLDrecfishingapp. support@daf.qld.gov. au Download the Qld Fishing 2.0 app for free from the Google Play or Apple app stores.

Page 78 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

HE Taiwanese Fisheries Research Institute recently announced it had completed an experiment to artificially inseminate narrow-barred spanish mackerel at sea, successfully reproducing fries. The institute said it would continue to develop technology geared toward raising the mackerel and making the fish a flagship product for Taiwan. The narrow-barred spanish mackerel is a migratory species and has long been a favourite among Taiwanese. However, due to changes in the maritime environment, the total catch around Taiwan has dropped from 3200 tonnes in 2001 to about 500 tonnes last year. The institute said the increasing scarcity of the mackerel has driven the price to $A61.52 per kilogram, adding that the price tended to spike around the Lunar New Year, reaching about $A70.99 per kilogram. Other countries, such

as Japan and Saudi Arabia, have also considered developing the technology to artificially inseminate the narrow-barred spanish mackerel. Littoral Marine Resource Research Centre director Weng Chin-hsing commented that the fish – which has proved to be aggressive and has no scales to protect it – often failed to live long enough after leaving the water, making it very difficult to extract its gonads. Though by working with fishers in Penghu County, the institute has captured the fish and obtained its gonads. According to the Littoral Marine Resource Research Centre, the fry grew to 7-15cm within 45 days. While artificial insemination was successful, the centre found that the fries were extraordinarily aggressive and would attempt to eat other fries in the group, adding that the fish developed teeth as early as their fifth day.

With its larger pool, a Tainan facility had achieved a 0.2 percent survival rate for the fry, Mr Weng said, adding that the centre hoped to increase the survival rate to 50-70 percent. Fisheries Research Institute director Chang Chin-yi said that they would trial a project to raise 10cm narrow-barred spanish mackerel fry off Penghu County in an attempt to repopulate the species. Mr Chang added that net cages would be the ideal method of raising the fish. Helping the institute with its experiments, the captain of the Peng Shan No 100 Tsai Tsung-wei said three generations of his family had been fishers in the Penghu area, and that he remembered in his grandfather’s time the narrow-barred spanish mackerel population in the area had already decreased. He is hoping to help restore the fish population in the area and allow mackerel catches to make his vocation sustainable.

Narrow-banded spanish mackerel bred by the Fisheries Research Institute are displayed at a news conference in Taipei on Friday. Photo: Yang Yuan-ting, Taipei Times

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 79

TOURING & exploring Fine tuning a new D-Max X-Terrain

Heaps of green was a simple way of showing us our rigs compliance.

I all, last month I was eager to get the new Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain on the road to evaluate how it towed with the standard suspension. I must report that the automatic transmission and the latest 3-litre turbo diesel with its 450Nm of torque supplied a totally different towing experience than our previous 2013 D-Max LS-M. To say I was happy with that side of the equation would be an understatement. What I did find out

All relevant information was tabled and explained in the comfort of the meeting room.

When the author saw the company vehicle, he knew he was in the right place. Page 80 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

Talking Towing by PAUL ‘CHIEF’ GRAVESON

very quickly was that the standard suspension was insufficient for the job at hand. As we were travelling, Tonia brought up the point of “Why don’t we get our total rig accessed by a professional and look at what is truly going on between vehicle and caravan?” So, while we were passing through Brisbane, we decided to look for an appropriate specialist, and Tonia found a Thorneside company called Mobile Weigh Station. We had the caravan packed with our usual travelling utensils, food and clothing, which would give us a realistic indication of our true travelling weights. Company owner Matt Taylor asked us to turn up with our two 100-litre water tanks completely full and a full tank of diesel in the X-Terrain. Now, we’ve never dealt with Matt before, so I thought I’d research his company and professional background. Talk about stumbling onto the perfect man for the job, especially with us having the Isuzu X-Terrain. Matt has one of the most impressive resumes within the motor vehicle industry that I’ve seen. A driver for the

Mercedes-Benz race team as well as an advanced driving instructor. A stunt driver for Warner Bros Movie World, as well as performing stunts for movies such as Mad Max. He holds a diploma of motorsport engineering and has a strong affiliation with Isuzu Australia. What caught my eye was that he’s one of the members of the Team Isuzu D-Max drivers. Most of you would have seen Matt performing at events such as the Brisbane exhibition, with his precision driving displays in the main arena. His life has been cars and understanding the dynamics and principles needed to get the most out of vehicles. Add to this his attention to detail, cutting-edge equipment and exclusive customised computer program for data entry that provides all the pertinent information. Including critical data such as tow ball weights, caravan weight distribution between left and right sides, tow ball heights and how this changes performance. After the comprehensive collection of relevant details pertaining to both our tow vehicle * continued P81

www.bnbfishing.com. au

TOURING & exploring Fine-tuned D-Max X-Terrain * from P80

and caravan, we moved to a meeting room where all our information was presented to us on a large flat screen in a way we could grasp, and we were encouraged to ask questions. Matt explained how legal our combined rig was, as well as how safe it was. We received great news on our weights and balance, and he gave us extra information to apprise us of the extra pay weight available to us. I left his shed with a whole new insight into things. As an example, details on our Redarc electric towing system and how to use it to its maximum potential, tyre pressures and how important it is to understand the tyres carrying your caravan load. Matt gave us guidelines on tyre pressures relevant to our caravan’s gross weight and the individual tyre model we were running. The same was offered for the X-Terrain’s tyre pressures. Following a few small changes we made to tow ball height, type of tongue and both truck and van tyre pressures, we had the rig towing better than ever. We’ve booked the X-Terrain in for a suspension upgrade to Matt’s recommendations, which will then see us travelling exactly how we want – with maximum safety. Both Tonia and I at-

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tended the assessment and we both enjoyed the professional explanation of terms such as ‘gross vehicle mass’, ‘kerb mass’, ‘payload mass’, ‘aggregate trailer mass’, ‘tare mass’ and so on. Terminologies I truly didn’t fully understand. We walked out with a printout of our report, complete with weights and the assessment of our legalities. I’m always rapt when I drive away thinking that was money so well spent – and the new information we gained… priceless. If you’re towing and you want to understand exactly what’s going on with your rig, I strongly recommend you call Matt Taylor at Mobile Weigh Station on 0497 697 697, or check out the website – mobile weighstation.com.au Stay safe until next time.

Matt explained how legal the author’s combined rig was, as well as how safe it was.

Matt has one of the most impressive resumes within the motor vehicle industry that the author’s seen.

The author strongly recommends you call Matt Taylor at Mobile Weigh Station or check out the website. Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 81

TOURING & exploring The view at Head of Bight was picture perfect. Penong in South Australia feels like the last outpost for anyone travelling west. It is one of the last traces of wheat-growing country before the notorious Nullarbor Plain begins.

Surviving the Nullarbor

What a walk – from the information centre at Head of Bight we were met with spectacular views.

The limestone cliffs of the Great Australian Bight was a sight to see – impressive would be an understatement. Page 82 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

HEN travelling, you must often expect the unexpected – planning for the worst and hoping for the best. Case in point, on our trip we did unfortunately run into a little car trouble – right before embarking on the trek across the Nullarbor Plain – more specifically, about 70km down the road from Ceduna. Before our trip, I had some work done to the trusty Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series to improve fuel consumption and increase power. All had been fine, with the van and car performing perfectly – however, we did have a ‘check engine’ light come up and then a ‘reduced power’ light turn on. Not ideal circumstances for our trip across the plain. Fortunately, we called Toyota in Ceduna and they had some time available to look at the car that afternoon.

Family Adventures by BEN COLLINS

The decision was made to head back to try getting it fixed. However, the guys at Toyota didn’t really know what they were looking at, though they managed to reset the code, so we headed off again. And… you guessed it… the lights came back on – which did not impress my better half. Particularly as I’d paid to get the work done on the vehicle before we left and now, in the midst of crossing a largely uninhabited part of Australia, we had a faulty car. Thankfully, after calling a few mechanic friends back home, plus chatting on Facebook with a few LandCruiser gurus, I was assured it was simply a code issue and that the car would be fine.

Even though I tried explaining this to my beloved wife, I was still given dagger eyes for the next few hours… which turned into days. As a bloke, I guess I wasn’t too worried about being stuck in the middle of nowhere if the car did break down but, as my wife indicated, we had our two kids with us and that instantly made me reconsider our position. The plan to deal with the car issues was made, so when the car was going well – which it was at times – we would push through. The positive with this was that it did make me more aware of where we were and that I needed to be a little more prepared for the worst, especially with my precious cargo in tow – and * continued P83

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TOURING & exploring Surviving the Nullarbor crossing * from P82

I don’t mean the van. While not a mechanic by any stretch, if needed I can fix bits and pieces, which was required as the adventure progressed. Having some basic knowledge and tools can get you out of situations that might otherwise see you stuck on the side of the road for ages waiting for help. Fowlers Bay Despite having plans to smash out the first leg of the Nullarbor, due to the car issues we ended up spending a night at Fowlers Bay. This small town would be the perfect pitstop for a couple of days of fishing, four-wheel-driving and riding sandboards on dunes and, if our circumstances had been different, we may have considered doing just that. Though, if we hadn’t had car issues, we probably wouldn’t have ended up there and would never have known about it in the first place. I guess things happen for a reason, which also

highlights the fact that you need to be adaptable when travelling because you never know what might crop up. Head of Bight If you ever decide to cross the Nullarbor, you must stop here. It would have to be one of the most picturesque places on our trip to date. There’s a tourist information centre and, while you need to pay to be able to head down for a closer look at the start of the Great Australian Bight, it’s worth it. Seeing the beautifully blue water and the rugged cliffs was a real treat and the pickup we needed before continuing. Nullarbor The Nullarbor Plain is a 1200km stretch of road between Ceduna in South Australia and Norseman in Western Australia, and can take several days to cross, especially if you’re stopping at every roadhouse and tourist attraction. It even has an 18-hole golf course that you can play as you make

Managing your fuel is important when covering long distances in the outback. www.bnbfishing.com.au

your way across. Given our predicament, we didn’t opt for golf – and, let’s face it, it wasn’t worth risking my life over to even suggest it. However, we did still manage to have a good time on our trek across, stopping when either we needed fuel or the car needed a rest. On the back of the van, we carried two fuel containers that were empty most of the time, though we did use them when planning our fuel stops. By using a fuel app and doing a little planning, you can easily save yourself $30 or more each tank, which adds up when doing bulk kilometres. Using apps such Willy Weather and Windy also makes planning your long drives more fuel efficient. Knowing which direction the wind is blowing, particularly when travelling long distances, can help with fuel economy and ease of driving. * continued P84

There were definitely plenty of dead-straight roads.

The Old Nullarbor Roadhouse was a welcomed pitstop for stretching the legs and checking out the history of the area.

What else do you expect to see when driving along – camels, wombats and kangaroos. Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 83

TOURING & exploring Surviving the Nullarbor crossing * from P83

The JB Scorpion Sting blended in perfectly with its surroundings.

The Don’s Lighthouse was a novelty for kids.

Esperance This was my first time here – I did a lap about 27 years ago when I was 21 but didn’t make it to Esperance on that adventure. Hopefully the pictures depict how crystal clear the water was and the special aqua glow it had in the shallows. I’m not exactly sure why the water looked so awesome, it may have had something to do with the white sand that made the colours pop. Irrespective, it was something you could enjoy looking at and relaxing by all day. Our first port of call was the RAC Esperance Holiday Park, which is situated on the outskirts of the small town and across the road from the beach and a beautiful foreshore. After our time off grid on the Nullarbor, it was great to be back in a coastal town and on power. Not that we really needed power that often, especially when do-

ing big days in the car, but it was good to be able to throw the anchor out, so to speak, and pull up for a few days in one spot. Thankfully, the caravan park was top-notch, and we could extend our stay. This allowed the girls more time to enjoy the pool and kids’ areas while we adults en-

The foreshore in Esperance had an awesome bike path, playground and swimming enclosure – just what the kids needed after a few long days in the car.

Esperance had several street art sites, which made the area much more colourful.

Page 84 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

joyed unwinding. The foreshore was also a great place for a walk or ride on an electric scooter or bikes, as the kids did. The only issue we had was the cool water temperature, which was fine once we got used to it. Next month, our explorations of the southern cape of Western Australia continue.

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TOURING & exploring One of the best camp sites at Wanuwuy – formerly Cape Arnhem. So rough it made fishing impossible.

Next NT leg - Nhulunbuy to Weipa

I, here’s the next leg of my trip, from Nhulunbuy to Weipa. The following morning, I was up early and had a hot beverage with Nathan. He went to work, and I unpacked the boat, got it ready for fishing and then unpacked the fourwheel-drive. With the boat ready, I drove around town and found the service station to buy petrol for the weekend fishing trips, and also had a good explore of Nhulunbuy. The next day, Nathan I were up early to head to Binydjarrnga – formerly Daliwuy Bay – about an hour’s drive south of Nhulunbuy. We launched the boat and headed offshore – it was rough and blowing but we caught a few fish. I caught my first goodsized Northern Territory large-mouth nannygai and ‘we’ caught some lovely trout… well, Nathan caught most of them. Home late and away early the next day for a little sightseeing.

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Touring Northern Territory by CRAIG TOMKINSON

Nathan had received permission to go to Bawaka Homeland through a locked gate – what an awesome spot! Though, being on coastal plains country, it was wet from record rainfall. They’d had 300mm for the day – the ABC reported that in one day, it was the wettest place on Earth. The roads were awash with water, so we didn’t get to where we were headed because it was too wet. In a big bay outlined by a lovely sandy beach, we scooped a mud crab. Though, as we saw a few crocodiles and I was bit worried – only staying in shallow clear water – I missed one. However, it’s such a pretty place and we were very privileged to be able to see that country. We left there and went to Waṉuwuy – formerly Cape Arnhem – it was the same thing there…

wet with huge showers of rain coming in off the ocean. It was a long drive out, but what a magic place! I’d love to come back one day to camp, bringing my 3.7m tinnie. We were home late from Waṉuwuy, though the next day I had a fish at Binydjarrnga again. I caught a few grass sweetlip and estuary cod and nearly got bogged in the middle of the road because it was so wet with clay soil. Nathan, his partner Monica and I went out for tea at the Gove Boat Club with some of Monica’s work friends. It was an awesome night, with an amazing feed. While not cheap at about $50 for a huge steak, salad and chips, we were lucky to get such a great feed in a remote spot. In the afternoons after work, Nathan, Monica and I took their dog * continued P86

A nice feed of fish from Binydjarrnga – formerly Daliwuy Bay.

Part of the World War II airfield at Gove where former Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam was stationed.

The lovely rock formations around Nhulunbuy. Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 85

TOURING & exploring Of course, the big attraction at Monkey Mia was the dolphin feeding. The kayak purchased in Perth has come in handy.

Heading north along WA coastline

The author’s wife Kristy with one of several whiting caught from the beach at Monkey Mia.

Nhulunbuy to Weipa * from P85

Molly Girl for a run along the beaches around Nhulunbuy and to other places of interest. Nhulunbuy offers some stunning scenery and is well worth checking it out one day, though perhaps not in the wet season. After being there for about eight days, with very heavy rain off and on, the threat of heaps more to come and a possible Cyclone fore-

cast, I packed up and thanked my friends for having me. As is typical for me, I headed off early. The first 200km was rough, though after that, the road was graded. I arrived at Mataranka about 6pm, fuelled up and headed south, pulling up at 9pm. The next day was an early start and I arrived in Queensland, headed for Weipa. Until next month, be safe.

Page 86 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

Y family and I are now three months into our eight-month trip around Australia. We’re currently heading north along the stunning Western Australian coastline, as this is where we wanted to spend most of our time exploring, being the furthest away from our hometown of Bundaberg. With so many sights featuring, I’ll do my best to stay focused on the fishing. As we don’t have a tinnie, most of the fishing is land-based with a little on the kayak, as well as hiring boats and jumping on the occasional charter. If you’re planning to travel Australia and unsure whether or not to take a rooftop tinnie, I would say prioritise it. There are so many locations around the country to launch from, with access to great fishing. We made our way towards the World Her-

Travelling Oz by MATT POTTER

itage listed Shark Bay area, which is part of the Gascoyne Coast Bioregion. As mentioned in the previous article, WA’s fishing laws are strict and vary depending on the region. The recfishwest app

and brochure – available at information centres and online – is very useful because size and bag limits are heavily enforced, plus there are a lot of sanctuary zones as you head further north. After stopping in at the * continued P87

The author’s daughters Lyla and Zahlee with a nice feed of blue swimmer crabs. www.bnbfishing.com. au

TOURING & exploring Heading north along WA coastline * from P86

Overlander Roadhouse, we continued on to a great free camp – WikiCamps Scenic View and Telstra Mast – where we had a fire and spent the night before heading to Monkey Mia. Monkey Mia After checking out a few of the sights along the way, such as Eagle Bluff, we settled in at the RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin Resort for a handful of days – a little fancier than we’re used to – so we made the most of the great facilities, namely the bar and pool. The family enjoyed watching the dolphin feeding, but not so much the over-friendly emus that provided a few laughs and screams across the caravan park as they helped themselves to any food or rubbish bags left out. On the fishing front, I was impressed – considering the number of tourists who visit the area. I put the kayak in and had fun drifting outside the dolphin sanctuary

zone, catching some solid whiting and undersized flathead on peeled prawns and worms. I hooked a decent bartail flathead at about 50cm on a pink Squidgies only to drop it trying to lift it into the kayak. The kids also caught some nice whiting from the beach on their little Ugly Stik Tackleratz Kids Combo. After doing a bit of research, I threw the crab dillies in off the kayak and managed a dozen nice blue swimmer crabs in a couple of hours only 70m from the shore, which were a welcome feed and good fun from the ‘yak. Definitely worth doing if you’re visiting the area. Denham Next up was Denham, a great little seaside town on the western side of Shark Bay’s Peron Peninsula only 30 minutes from Monkey Mia. The kids loved the very informative Ocean Park Aquarium, especially the shark feeding. It became clear with

The stunning colours of Francois Peron National Park. www.bnbfishing.com.au

the number of 6-8m trailer boats getting about that Denham was a fishing mecca. Apparently, snapper stocks were once overfished but are now back to healthy populations, with larger boats accessing areas such as the tip of Dirk Hartog Island and Steep Point. With a great weather forecast, I decided to hire a boat from Shark Bay Boat Hire, and I only needed my Queensland boat licence for this. It was a 5.99 Polycraft with a 175hp Honda, which certainly gave it plenty of power. I was definitely familiar with Polycraft, the boats being built in my hometown of Bundaberg. I took the girls out for a look along the coast where we spotted eagle rays and caught and released some spanish flag fish that provided great entertainment. I dropped my wife and youngest daughter back to the ramp and took my eldest daughter Zahlee for another fish. I punched out 15NM, two-thirds of the way to Dirk Hartog Island, in glassy conditions. It didn’t take long to find snapper, or should I say squire, with most fish undersized. Nonetheless, we had great fun pulling them in one after the other using squid on paternoster rigs in only 8m. We managed a solid estuary cod and a couple * continued P88

A blue-tongue lizard that didn’t enjoy being escorted safely off the road.

Shark Bay lived up to its name. The author’s daughter was excited to catch her first shark, a beautifully marked juvenile tiger shark.

Crossing Shark Bay in glassy conditions in a Polycraft from Shark Bay Boat Hire. Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 87

TOURING & exploring

Gladstone Bay was a great spot to whip out the camp oven.

Big Lagoon at Francois Peron National Park.

Three month mark - heading north along WA coastline * from P87

of nice black snapper – known as grass sweetlip or blue lined emperor in Queensland. We also caught a couple of school mackerel and golden trevally casting and retrieving Halco Twisty Golds at the channel markers. Though the highlight for my daughter was

catching and releasing a juvenile tiger shark – these are in high numbers throughout the region. While based at Denham Seaside Caravan Park, we dropped the tyre pressure and headed up to the tip of Francois Peron National Park to enjoy the sights. What a stunning part of the world!

The author’s daughter Lyla with a little golden trevally caught in front of the campsite.

Page 88 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

At Bottle Bay we had fun catching dart as a very large tiger shark cruised the shallows, metres from the beach. The temptation to go swimming miraculously disappeared. Leaving Shark Bay, we headed further north and stayed a couple of nights at a great coastal camp called Gladstone Bay. After scouting the shoreline, the water seemed rather lifeless – not even a baitfish or rock crab. I wondered if this was due to the high levels of salinity that impacted parts of Shark Bay, Shelly Beach as an example. It didn’t bother me because it was a magic location and once again I had a campfire, so I put my energy into a camp-oven silverside and a couple of minor running repairs on the caravan. Warroora Station Next up was Carnarv-

on – known as the food bowl of Western Australia – situated between Shark Bay and the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage areas. This region is known for its monster landbased mulloway. Unfortunately, due to some windy weather, there wasn’t much landbased fishing done, with an onshore swell, dirty water and lots of weed to grapple. We stayed for a couple of nights, checked out the town and grabbed a few groceries and supplies before our next stop at Warroora Homestead. The road in was heavily corrugated, so I dropped the tyre pressure in the car and van. We set up just as the rain set in, though it didn’t put a dampener on exploring Warroora, which is a magic part of the Ningaloo Coast. At the homestead, we ran into a couple of families we had met on the

road, so when the kids played, we caught up and shared our adventures over a few beverages. There were some incredible coastal camps in these parts and I was a little envious of the campers launching and retrieving their tinnies at places such as the Lagoon, Black Moon Cliff, Stevens Camp, Elles Beach and Maggies. You can book a site at these campgrounds on the Park Stay WA website, which requires a bit of patience. Be mindful that some of the more popular WA coastal camps can book out six months in advance, so if there’s somewhere you really want to stay and know your dates, book ahead if possible. When fishing the Ningaloo Coast be mindful that there are some sanctuary zones in these parts, though they are clearly marked. * continued P89

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TOURING & exploring Heading north along WA coastline * from P88

Staying at the homestead gave us access to a couple of private beaches, where we caught spangled emperor using squid on floats and a couple of rock cod. Whether due to weed or coral, I seemed to do a lot of fishing with floating rigs – these work well in this type of area and present bait more naturally. Spangled emperor are certainly one of the most common species encountered and targeted by land-based fishos along the Ningaloo Coast. Our next spot was the Ridge at 14 Mile Beach, one of our favourite camps. This is a highly sought-after camp spot and when you get there you understand why – caravans parked metres from the crystal-clear water and tinnies dragged up onto the beach. Our camp spot – Camp 12 the Ridge – was a cracker and overlooked the water, with a nice little beach and rock ledge where we and the kids caught a couple of squid and small golden trevally. After getting to know our neighbour Greg, I was fortunate to be invited on a trip out in his rooftop tinnie, as he struggled to launch it with a bad knee. Launching and retrieving tinnies can be a bit of a challenge here when the breeze is

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up because the waves dump on the shore, but it was clear Greg had been doing this for years and he had his system sorted. We headed out and had a crack inside the breaking reef for squid and spangled emperor, but apart from a few red rock cod, we had little luck. So, out we went behind the reef, and I was impressed at how well Greg navigated the breakers. Once outside the reef, conditions were fairly good. I trolled a Rapala X-Rap Magnum in 12m as Greg sounded about. It didn’t take long to hook a nice rankin cod – my first even though they are endemic to the warmer coastal waters of Western Australia – such a cool looking and prized cod species. We came across several large bait balls that were being smashed by large whaler sharks. And being in such a small boat with an 8hp Suzuki, we felt it wise to leave them be and move on, eventually finding bait with less sharks present. I cast a Halco Gold Twisty and it was smashed as it hit the water. It was a great fight with blistering runs, but unfortunately it turned out to be a shark mackerel that was returned to the water. This was followed by a couple of tea-leaf trevally.

The plan was to dive the cracks for a couple of crayfish on the way back to the beach, but we decided it wasn’t a good idea, given the current and swell. Greg timed the swell to run the tinnie back up the beach expertly and we jumped out to drag it a couple of metres more to avoid being swamped by the waves sweeping up the beach. We enjoyed this location for four nights and highly recommend booking here if you’re travelling WA. For now, we’re checking out Exmouth and Cape Range National Park, which I will share more on next article.

The author was stoked to catch his first rankin cod on a Rapala X-Rap off 14 Mile Beach.

It’s not hard to see why 14 Mile Beach is a popular spot for self-sufficient campers. Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 89

Though much of the water in the cod streams we fish is only knee-deep, the kayak makes a perfect fishing platform.

First class freshwater fishing notes for novices

READ… a lot! Mostly ‘old-fashioned’ books – remember those? Though I do browse digital formats too, albeit infrequently. During the years ‘BF’ – before Facebook – internet forums were popular as a source of information for newcomers to the world of angling. I actively participated in several of those forums, often at the behest of the administrators, and quite enjoyed delivering snippets of helpful information to less-experienced anglers. Since the ‘anti’-social media boom, ‘user

Fishing for Sport by NEIL SCHULTZ

groups’ have replaced those forums as the goto place for newcomers to seek advice. In recent years, what has become apparent is that a significant percentage of the replies to questions asked of those groups are of no value whatsoever. Many replies don’t broach the subject of the question at all. You’ll see it regularly – for example, a request for a good baitcasting outfit for throwing lures

in search of bass. Replies such as, “Don’t use a baitcaster, use spin gear” or “I don’t fish for bass, but for blue marlin I use XYZ.” Even less useful are the scores of socially challenged individuals – also referred to as numpties – who think they’re comedians with responses to questions about locations with answers such as, “In the water” or worse, blatant insults. We fishing writers

Several Australian lure makers produce purpose-designed shallow-running cod lures.

Page 90 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

tend to focus on the bleeding edge of technique too, so to cater to our newbie readers, I’ll pass on answers to a question I’ve been asked in person recently. Where’s a good place to catch a Murray cod? My answer... in the shallow streams of the Murray Darling catchment. There are more cod in those streams now than when I first caught cod in the 1970s. To narrow that down, select a stream with a reputation for producing cod, browsing magazines such as this publication will give you a few options. Once you’ve picked your target river, scan Google Maps to find an access point on public land, with travelling stock reserves being a great starting point. Note, the further from popular fishing spots you can get, the better your chances will become. I passed over the Severn River on a secluded back road on Good Friday and counted more than 30 camps on the bank.

That spot was likely to be devoid of cod that weren’t very lure shy. Note that nominated shallow stream. These areas are largely out of the reach of anglers using boats, therefore reducing the angler effort to which they are subjected. Walking the banks is fraught with risks of unintentional trespassing, which can lead to embarrassing confrontations with understandably irate landowners. That puts anglers with access to canoes and kayaks in the front running to find a cod or two. Launch your vessel at one of the public access points, then put a few kilometres behind you before getting serious about fishing. The further you get from areas with ‘moron droppings’, the better the fishing is going to be. Once past the point where an Esky full of beer can easily be carried, start throwing a lure. The best fishing stretches of shallow * continued P91

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Freshwater fishing notes for novices * from P90

cod streams will involve some wading and dragging your kayak or canoe between fishable pools, so be prepared with suitable footwear – I find Crocs ideal. To nominate a few rivers, look at the Severn in NSW, the Macintyre, upper Condamine, Gwydir and Macquarie rivers. If you are prepared to travel, the Murrumbidgee River has been very good to me, as has the upper Murray River above Lake Hume. Tactics involve casting lures towards any structure that breaks the flow, including rocks stumps, thick vegetation beds and such. Any eddy is worth a

few casts too, remembering that – as well as the obvious ones on corners – these can be in the horizontal plane behind bottom contours. Lure selections should include a few surface paddlers, a wakemaker and some wide-actioned shallow-running divers, all Australian-made of course. Cod in these shallow streams are more ready to feed than those in lakes or deeper slow-flowing major rivers. That is due to the scarcity of prey items in freestone streams when compared to still lakes. Find a spot that hasn’t been subjected to heavy fishing pressure and the fish will cooperate.

The Gwydir River has some great cod habitat, perfect for walking the banks.

The more difficult the access, the better the fishing. Again, the kayak will allow the river to be travelled with relative ease.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 91

The author with a 65cm barramundi snagged on a Shads Lures 5” Hollow. Insert: Tom Rowley caught a 98cm barramundi on his own boat with a Shads Lures 5”.

Conditions are key to success

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T’S the last month of winter and most impoundment barramundi anglers are looking to get their gear ready for the spring season. It’s no secret that the spring bite is typically great, however things can definitely start firing up earlier from the later part of winter. The biggest thing in your favour during this period is that the fish start to group up in large numbers in the warmer backwaters of Lake Monduran. This means a better barra-to-bait ratio, which has been one of

Lake Monduran by SAM ROWLEY

the biggest contributing factors to the tough fishing over the past six months. It is important to remember that the fish are still going to be quite lethargic and, in most cases, will be enticed with small and slow presentations. Nice sunny warm days are the greatest key to a successful winter mission at Monduran. As the shallow water becomes significantly warmer than the deeper

areas from late morning into afternoon, the fish will begin to move very shallow. In anywhere from 0.32m of water, you’ll find good numbers on fine clear days. Wind is still important and will dictate where the greater numbers of fish will be holding. Consistent wind pushes warm surface water into the bays, so this is where you need to be looking. * continued P93

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Conditions are key to barra success * from P92

Between the hours of about 9am and early evening are your best bets for finding active fish. My go-to lures at this time of year are small lightly weighted plastics such as Shads Lures 5”. Look for very natural colours because they will appear far more enticing to a barra in clearer water. It is important to fish these lures very slow and that is why I tend to fish a 1/8 weight on these plastics. Casting up over the weed flats or up against weed edges will give you the best chance of crossing the path of a feeding fish. Another proven technique to try is using small jerkbaits, such as the Jackall Hank Tune Squirrel 79. These lures are very effective when fish are holding on structure, and they can be fished very slow. Again, natural colours

are important because the fish can be particularly wary of this style of lure in clear cold water. It is important to not fall into the trap of throwing big heavy lures about, as many inexperienced winter anglers do. These lures will almost certainly spook all the fish in the area. The line class I often run at this time of year is a quality 30lb braid and 60lb fluorocarbon leader. I find the Daiwa J-Thread 60lb is nice and thin, as well as being quite supple for a fluoro leader. This is very important when fishing small lures that can be affected dramatically by stiff leaders. Good luck to anyone thinking of making the trip up to the lake over the next month. Remember to be persistent and confident in the techniques you are employing because the fish are always catchable.

Andrew Crisp captured a 66cm barramundi on a Jackall Squirrel.

Lake Monduran Fishing Charters What’s the mission? Catch more fish!

0432 420 034 themondyman.com The author with a 93cm barramundi hooked on a Shads Lures 6” Hollow.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 93

Short scenic three-hour trek

The canoe was only just in the water when Len claimed his first cod, no more than 6m upstream.

ALKING about access to our bush beaches and fine fishing holes, I was able to sneak off for three and a half hours of fishing recently. It’s been 18 months since I fished our local sections of upper river regions. Changed? You bet it has! The whole area had continual flows through it and the holes of good fishing I had known were now sand beds – in 18 months. You now have to work hard and drag your canoe and fish the small deep holes you come across. We had only just put the canoe into the water when my offsider Len claimed his first

Glenlyon Dam by BRIAN DARE

cod, no more than 6m upstream. And crystal-clear water that you could see into for 1.5-3m. To see this fish come out of nowhere and slam the lure like a freight train from hell was such a great sight. After a quick photo and measure, the cod came in at 69cm. With the bluey-pink colour coming out around its big solid head then into the green cold colour of its body, it was a hell of a sight to behold. And yes, no respect when released… water splashed up over Len’s shirt and fishing gear.

I mentioned upstream… well, as you get older you apparently become what is termed ‘smarter’. You tend to be fresher at the start of the fishing trip and going back downstream in the afternoon is ‘easier’. So, we got out of the canoe for what in the end would have been about the fiftieth time in the hunt for better fishing holes. Len had his second fish on in 15 minutes, working the bank and a log. This time a quick swipe by the fish and a miss. * continued P95

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

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GLENLYON DAM TOURIST PARK via STANTHORPE 4380 Contact Debbie or Brian Dare for more information or for bookings Ph: 02 6737 5266 E: glenlyondamtouristp@bigpond.com Visit our new website at glenlyondamtouristpark.com.au Page 94 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

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Scenic three-hour trek * from P94

Two quick casts and it was back following the lure to the canoe with no hit, so we thought it had gone. Unbeknown to us, it was under the canoe with Len about to lean the rod on the side of the canoe! I’ve been hit right at the side of the canoe using a surface lure. The first thing you think is ‘no, no, not the rod tip’ as your rod tip goes under the water, bent to a near right angle. It happened… as Len’s lure was floating just on the surface for no more than 45 seconds, whack! It was on! Two cod to Len. More work upstream – we dragged the canoe into a small deep hole, pulled it up onto the bank to see if it was good fishing up one of the two connecting rivers and, after 800m of walking up and back, we chose to follow the other stream. Then… you guessed it… another hit for Len and a miss. No matter how many times you cast at a missed fish, it won’t be caught – it’s run back to mummy with a sore gob to sulk for an hour. We moved on into tight water after some tough dragging of plastic, to a location that gave us a chance of a half decent cast. My turn. A root ball and log blocked what would have been a good cod hole. So, I cast to the bank with a slow roll of the lure to the log, a short stop and the lure floated up enough to crank it over to drop off into the

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1.5m hole and… whack! And it was on! In tight water, it’s great fun when the fish tries to throw the lure. It was a beaut – a 78cm boof-headed cod – and I was given a workout. We were in luck, as we pulled and dragged the lump of plastic into a main hole of the river I knew of. It had changed too, and was now a big deep hole about 40m long and 5m deep with clear water that you could watch your lure move through and see the fish hit with a rush. Two more cod to Len and then a rough trip back downstream. It would have been an hour prior that Len had dropped the missed cod. So we pulled up and set the canoe into a position where one of us could get a couple of good casts in. Then Len’s second cast – whack, hook up and he had it pegged. Green and gold for 65cm – a good conditioned fish was taken from no more than 1.5m of water. Six cod in total and 80cm was the biggest. So, for the three and a half hours of fishing, a great time was had. Gordon Roberts will have a few lures to make for Len. As for me, Brian Power’s Power Lures Farrow is still one of my favourite styles of river lure for the high country. They get a flogging and can swim to 0.51m below the surface. I love river fishing! It’s seat-of-the-pants stuff. No electronics… just fishing!

Crystal clear water that you could see into for 1.5-3m.

This fish slammed the lure like a freight train from hell – it was such a great sight.

DAM LEVELS CURRENT AS OF 19/07/2023

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

PERCENTAGE MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

87 63 92 91 99 105 23 35 74 96 100 45 90 95 103 85 90 88 99 100 95 61 72 80 100 103 101 76 91 97

84 63 89 88 97 101 23 35 101 94 100 43 98 93 98 83 93 82 99 99 94 58 72 79 100 101 98 75 90 96

80 61 89 87 96 97 23 35 99 86 100 42 98 92 95 78 94 82 99 98 92 57 71 80 100 98 99 74 89 96

77 60 87 85 95 94 21 34 99 80 99 41 98 90 93 74 92 85 98 97 90 55 70 79 100 95 100 73 88 96

73 59 86 83 94 90 21 31 98 71 99 40 98 87 97 72 90 86 97 96 88 53 70 79 100 91 100 71 87 95

For updates on dams, visit sunwater.com.au or seqwater.com.au *This symbol indicates that a Stocked Impoundment Permit is required to fish these dams.

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 95

Captured this monster off Ballina… all 42kg worth! Liam Oconnor I took a good-sized arrow squid off South Stradbroke Island. Clint Ansell

Lachlan Buckley with his 75cm flathead caught at Matt caught his first ever tiger squid on My friend Dean White fishing in the the Chinderah Pontoon in NSW and proudly rea charter with the me. Northern Territory. leased. Clint Ansell Ian Ward Peter Protheroe To have a photo of your catch featured in Readers’ Forum, simply email ads@collins.media with a good quality picture, your name and details or hop onto our Facebook page and send us a message. Page 96 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

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I caught a nice jewfish from the Logan River on a 3.5” Molix RT Shad – 61cm. Cooper Caltabiano

Caught on the Gold Coast with Fish the Deep Charters, my personal best yellowtail kingfish at 11kg was caught on dead bait squid with a Penn Slammer III reel and Daiwa Saltist rod. Dylan Wadey caught a 42cm 1.2kg sweetlip using Jackie Bardelli a 20lb mono and squid as bait. Taken from Banksia Beach on Bribie Island in the canals on the low tide change. John Wadey

We went out of the Maroochy River toMy grandson Daniel caught his first ever bream at wards Coolum recently to chase bust38cm on his first ever fishing trip with me at Yamba. ups. In one hour, we’d caught three He’s now hooked on fishing. And Daniel’s mum Julie mack tuna by chucking slugs into bust- Lee Andrews caught her personal best with a 30cm bream caught off the jetty at the Blue ups. I was using a Nomad slug and a flathead at Jacobs Well in ‘flathead alley’ – a whopping 74.5cm. Dolphin Holiday Resort at Yamba. Great memories. Daiwa BG MQ 4000. John Andrews Terry Edwards Jack Easton To have a photo of your catch featured in Readers’ Forum, simply email ads@collins.media with a good quality picture, your name and details or hop onto our Facebook page and send us a message. www.bnbfishing.com.au

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 97

TRADING POST NOVA 5.5m HALF CABIN 1986 – Refurbished 140hp Johnson. Email for more photos: dasuton@bigpond.com $12,995. 0438 463 601.

BAYSPORT 585 WEEKENDER – Designed for fishing overnight, cruising and exploring Queensland’s waterways and oceans or trying your hand at watersports, this boat has a good sized cockpit and enough space to comfortably fish three or four people. The cabin is roomy, has plenty of storage and the bunks are long enough for an adult to sleep. It’s certainly very comfortable and best of all, it can be towed behind most 6-cylinder family cars! $59,990. Contact AMC Boats on 07 3808 7333 or visit amcboats.com.au

OCEANCAT 26 WEEKENDER – Ultimate plate alloy, crossover 26’ fishing/family trailered cat. Launched 2020, dual Yamaha XCA 200hp o/bs, Simrad and Furuno electronics, CZone, galley, walk-in head and so much more. Incredible buying opportunity. $265,000. John Crawford Marine, Queensland’s Used Boat Specialists since 1964 – johncrawfordmarine.com.au Call JCM Ph: 07 3890 2322

STACER 619 OCEAN RANGER – Built for fishing adventures, it’s the perfect companion for offshore fishos. Features a berley bucket, bait board, kill tank, live bait tank, transom door and boarding ladder. $67,500. Contact AMC Boats on 07 3808 7333 or visit amcboats.com.au

SIGNATURE 543SF – Calling new buyers, why pay over $110K? New in May 2022, Mercury Pro XS 150hp - 22 hours, Dunbier tandem trailer, Minn Kota Terrova, lithium 24V battery, Simrad GO12 XSE, trim tabs – the ultimate sports fishing pack! $89,995. John Crawford Marine, Queensland’s Usted Boat Specialists since 1964 – johncrawfordmarine. com.au Call JCM Ph: 07 3890 2322

HORIZON 525 HALF CABIN – This little ripper features performance, fit-out, safety and seaworthiness – all key features for newcomers and family boaters. Don’t miss an opportunity to own this well-presented boat with only 3 hours on the engine! $49,990. Contact AMC Boats on 07 3808 7333 or visit amcboats.com.au

September Edition Copy Deadline – Advertisements must arrive NO later than August 3, 2023

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

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

___ ___ ___ ___

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

Page 98 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

LATE MODEL TRAILER BOATS WANTED – We are seeking premium condition trailer boats including Quintrex, Signature, Cruise Craft, Stacer, Surtees, Stessco and Sea Jay. Make selling your late-model trailer boat simple and hassle free through John Crawford Marine, Queensland’s Used Boat Specialists since 1964 – Call JCM on 07 3890 2322.

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

www.bnbfishing.com. au

Angler’s Almanac August 2023

DAY Above Below Tue.

Fri.

Sat.

LAST GIBBOUS

Sun.

Mon.

Tue. LAST QUARTER

Wed.

Thur.

Fri.

LAST CRESCENT

Sat.

Sun.

Mon.

Tue.

Wed. NEW MOON

Thur.

Fri.

Sat.

Sun. FIRST CRESCENT

Mon.

Tue.

Wed.

Thur. FIRST QUARTER

Fri.

Sat.

Sun.

FIRST GIBBOUS

Mon.

Tue.

Wed.

Thur. FULL MOON

11.32am

Thur.

Fri.

Sat.

1.56am

Sun.

1.24pm

1.48am

2.14pm

2.38am

3.02pm

3.25am

3.50pm

4.14am

4.39pm

5.03am

5.28pm

5.53am

6.20pm

4 5

Wed.

Thur.

Sat.

9 Sun.

7.12pm

7.38am

8.05pm

8.31am

8.57pm

9.22am

9.47pm

Fri.

LAST CRESCENT

6.45am

Mon. Tue.

LAST QUARTER

Mon.

Tue.

Wed.

Thur.

Fri.

10.11am 10.35pm

NEW MOON

Sun. Mon. Tue.

1.40pm

1.21am

2.20pm

2.00am

3.02pm

2.41am

3.48pm

3.25am

4.38pm

4.13am

5.33pm

5.05am

FIRST CRESCENT

19 Wed.

Thur.

Fri.

Sat. FIRST QUARTER

Sun.

Mon.

Tue.

6.32pm

6.03am

FIRST GIBBOUS

Wed.

7.35pm

7.04am

8.39pm

8.08am

9.41pm

9.11am

27 Thur.

28 Fri. FULL MOON

Sat.

10.39pm 10.11am 11.34pm 11.08am

29 30

2.30pm

2.55am

3.21pm

3.46am

4.13pm

4.39am

5.07pm

5.33am

6.01pm

6.27am

6.53pm

7.18am

7.44pm

8.09am

8.32pm

8.54am

9.17pm

9.38am 10.00pm 10.20am 10.41pm

1.01pm 12.41am

1.00pm 12.41am

2.05am

12.20pm

12.20pm 12.01am

1.41pm

11.40am Midnight

11.39am

1.15am

11.00am 11.20pm

15 Sat.

10.56am 11.19pm

Notes

12.25am 12.51pm

LAST GIBBOUS

Below 12 Noon

Super Moon – Perigee 357,309km from Earth

12.01am 12.30pm

Minor Times: Add 6 hours

www.bnbfishing.com.au

DAY Above

11.00pm 10.29am

Wed. FULL MOON

September 2023

Notes

1.46pm

1.24am

2.34pm

2.10am

3.26pm

3.00am

4.23pm

3.54am

5.23pm

4.53am

6.24pm

5.54am

7.25pm

6.56am

8.23pm

7.55am

9.18pm

8.52am

10.10pm

9.45am

Spring Equinox: Day & Night equal length

11.01pm 10.36am 11.51pm 11.26am

Super Blue Moon – Perigee 357,181km from Earth

Minor Times: Add 6 hours

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 99

Subscription offer for August! Subscribe this month to go in the draw to win one of seven $25 vouchers from Suncoast Skutes and a BNB Beanie!

Valued at

40.00

each RRP

www.suncoastskutes.com * Valid until August 31, 2023. Picture for illustration purposes only.

SUBSCRIPTION FORM

n O NE YEAR $50 (inc. post)

Receive 12 issues delivered.

n T WO YEARS $95 (inc. post)

n New subscriber

Receive 24 issues delivered.

September edition will be posted to you on August 23, 2023

n Renew/extend subscription

n YES, please send me two free BNB stickers

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

❑ Money Order

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

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Subscriptions are non-refundable. They can be transferred to another subscriber.

Page 100 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

www.bnbfishing.com. au

SEA JAY BOATS NEW MODELS

590 TITAN

AVENGER SPORTS Console

460 RANGER Heavy duty tiller

AVENGER Tiller

AVENGER

TERRITORY Console

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

www.bnbfishing.com.au

WORKMANSHIP

CUSTOMISATION

SINCE 1989

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 101

Page 102 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

www.bnbfishing.com. au

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

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

For more information contact your local Stacer Dealer:

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

www.bnbfishing.com.au

See stacer.com.au for details.

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

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

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

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

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

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

STB&B 006

Stacer. Memories for a Lifetime.

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023 – Page 103

SALE

IN STOCK

450 FISHABOUT PRO - 60HP

550 FRONTIER - 135HP

Includes: Mercury 60hp ELPT, painted sides, live bait tank, alloy trailer

Includes: Mercury 135hp, transom door, hydraulic steering, alloy trailer

NEW INTO STORE

SALE

590 CRUISEABOUT - 150HP

530 RENEGADE CENTRE CONSOLE - 115HP

Includes: Mercury 150hp, live bait tank, bunk infill board, alloy trailer

Includes: Mercury 115hp, bimini, painted sides, Lowrance sounder, hydraulic steer, alloy trailer

IN STOCK

NEW INTO STORE

540 OCEAN SPIRIT PRO - 135HP

460 RENEGADE SC - 60HP

Includes: Mercury 135hp, live bait tank, bimini and envelope, alloy trailer

Includes: Mercury 60hp CT, raised front cast deck, alloy trailer

Finance & Insurance available

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

Can’t make the yard? Shop online! For quality new and used boats! www.brisbaneboatingleisure.com.au 1743 Ipswich Road, Rocklea | Call 07 3875 1600 | Formerly Karee Marine Page 104 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, August 2023

BNB Fishing Mag | August 2023

Articles inside

Rainbow Beach Family Fishing Classic wrap up

Tips for snapper post-closure

Conditions are key to success

Trying to tackle new bait