BNB Fishing mag | October 2021 by bnbfishing

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

Brisbane River channel guide

October 2021

450

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From the Bush ‘n Beach Fishing editor

T the start of this month the Queensland Government released a range of reforms to clarify commercial fishing rules and reporting requirements. Apparently, the reforms have not been well received by several commercial fishers, with reports the changes will close businesses and push seafood prices up. However, I believe some hard measures need to be taken unfortunately to ensure the sustainability of several fisheries. We live in a changing world and while I feel for anyone who may lose their business or job, if reforms aren’t made there will be no jobs for them or their families in the future. Now might be the time for a few commercial fishers to change tack and look at other ways they can use their skills and knowledge. The Northern Territory got it right years ago when they worked out that the value of a single barramundi with the potential to be caught multiple times was worth more than catching it only once. Commercial fishers have a very specific skill set that could be used to help manage the resource, run charters or even eco tours. However, it’s not only commercial licence holders who will have to adapt, recreational anglers will also need to make some changes. The current Rocky Reef Working Group

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are closely looking at snapper and pearl perch and ways to increase their biomass. My understanding is that a few scenarios have been investigated as a way to get fish stocks back to a manageable and sustainable level. These scenarios include no fishing for the species for up to 11 years – which will get the biomass up to 60 percent – up to three months closure with a size limit increase and bag limit decrease, or a much larger minimum size limit. Though research suggests that even if the size limit of each species were increased to 50cm, it will take over 24 years to reach the 60 percent biomass. Given this data, I don’t think that particular scenario will be the answer, so start preparing for either of the other two changes or a mix of both. Also proposed is a reduction in the total allowable commercial catch. And while I have a few questions about the data and how accurate it is, I may be better off erring on the side of caution. As for closures, I can see the benefit but what about rolling closures, where certain areas are closed but other remain open? I’m sure this and how any of the reforms are going to be managed have been discussed – and I have previously raised these concerns. Most recreational fishos are self-regulated – in that we ensure we comply to bag, pos-

session and size limits. And fisheries don’t have the resources to check every individual fisho’s catch, so that’s not a viable option. It has been suggested before, but should recreational fishos record their catches? I know some are worried the records would be used against them, however on the flip side, if the government has limited data, they are going to use that information only and it may not be accurate. For example, if no one is recording snapper catches, you might think you’re doing the right thing by keeping the fishery open and not taking any snapper. However, this can also be interpreted as there are no snapper to be caught. If we look at it differently, recording numbers and sizes may help keep the fishery open. It will at least provide more accurate data that can be used to develop management strategies. And if the data shows we need reforms, then we will need to suck it up and comply. I for one want my kids to have an awesome fishery they can enjoy. Writer update The current COVID-19 restrictions are making it hard for one of our long-term writers Brad Smith to hit the Tweed River, so Brad will be taking a break from doing his regular article. Brad is still chartering around the Broad-

water region and instead of contributing monthly articles, he will now supply the occasional feature article on various species. If he has any notable catches or finds a particular technique

working, he will pass the information on to Clint Ansell who will add it to his article. Due to these restrictions, Brad is now working in the insurance game too and we wish him all the best. Ben Collins

OUR COVER

LISA jagged this 82cm snapper on the shallow reefs of the Gold Coast. Picture by Ben Smith. You can read his article about targeting these fish on page PAGE 22.

NEXT EDITION: November edition will be on sale in newsagents from October 29. OCTOBER SUBSCRIPTION PRIZE: See the subscription form on Page 81 to go in the draw to win a Wilson Blade n Tails RLFBT18 rod and ATC Virtuous 3000 reel combo valued at $498 RRP. AUGUST PRIZE WINNER: Congratulations to G Bell, Wynnum; H Butterfield, Wooloowin; N Cumner, Manly West; P Adamson, Ravenshoe and T Little, Camp Hill who have each won a Hook-Eze Plier gift pack valued at $89.95 RRP.

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021 – Page 5

October 2021 contents

Tips for fishing around Brisbane River mouth. . . . . . . . . . . by Brian Webb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P8 Next stage of fisheries reforms come into effect. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P10 Southern Moreton Bay shallow water success. . . . . . . . . by Sean Conlon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P12 Family friendly fishing spots on Brisbane’s northside. . . . by Mark Templeton . . . . . . . . . . . . P18 Quality snapper from shallow Gold Coast reefs. . . . . . . . . by Ben Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P22 Techniques for catching top quality flathead. . . . . . . . . . . by Clint Ansell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P26 Exceptional fishing expected through October . . . . . . . . . by Darren Rama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P30 A few reefies for a feed - locally and up north. . . . . . . . . . by Heath Zygnerski . . . . . . . . . . . . P34 A successful snapper sortie with Mum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Gavin Dobson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P36

It’s Goldilocks time on Northern Rivers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Brett Hyde . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P37 Competition Calendar ��P38 Chasing a feed of flathead. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Tye Porter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P39 Magic Moreton Island. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Sean Thompson . . . . . . . . . . . . P40 Knobbies, crocs and dogs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Grant Budd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P44 Tide Times ��P45 Fishing Teewah Beach and a new tinnie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Craig Tomkinson . . . . . . . . . . . . P46 Jigs get species jumping. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Tri Ton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P47 Taking time out to go fishing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Brad Young . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P48 Swain Reefs redemption – Part 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Mick Clutterbuck . . . . . . . . . . . P50

Insights into boat insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P52 Avoiding ramp mishaps – yours and theirs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P52 Stacer celebrates 50 years of adventures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P53 Hot days and hot action on Cap Coast. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by John Boon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P56 Fishing in a freshwater tropical paradise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P58 Top time to cast a fly around the Gulf. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Dave Donald . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P60 Sweet Samaki offering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Brett Parks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P62 Gearing up for remote Cape York trip. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Matt Potter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P63 Product News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P65 Mary Kathleen ghosts from the mine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Paul ‘Chief’ Graveson . . . . . . . P66 Mini Queensland lap – Carnarvon Gorge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Ben Collins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P68 Fantastic family trip to the tip – Part 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Craig Tomkinson . . . . . . . . . . . . P70 More Australian-made hunting gear. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Neil Schultz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P72 Restoring the balance in Wyaralong Dam. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P73 All shot up and nowhere to go . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Brian Dare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P76

Australian Timber Lure Markets 2021. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . by Ben Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P78 Charter Directory ��P78 Trading Post ��P80 Subscription Form ��P81 Readers’ Forum ��P82 Page 6 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021

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The Team

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

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

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021 – Page 7

Tips for fishing around Brisbane River mouth

Tony Barran was happy with this good-sized jewfish.

HE river has numerous spots to try your luck at catching a decent feed – whether land based or in a boat. Species range from the humble bream, whiting, flathead, cod, snapper, jewfish, threadfin salmon and mud crabs. There are a few places where prawns, poddy mullet and herring can be caught and around the mouth of the river, hardyhead turn up when chased by tuna.

Fishing route – the boat passage to Colmslie boat ramp. Page 8 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021

Moreton Bay by BRIAN WEBB

Starting at the mouth of the river, the Brisbane Rd beacons – which are synchronised – stretch out into the bay. Most of the beacons hold bait at various times, usually hardyhead – particularly the two tripod beacons called the Coffee Pots, the areas of water from the mouth across to Mud Island and the Measured Mile beacons, and the Moreton Island Sandhills will hold tuna and doggy mackerel, plus schools of longtail tuna and spotted mackerel when in season. Occasionally, mack tuna along with tailor will turn up at the mouth of the river feeding on hardyhead. At the river mouth, the rock wall where the reclamation work is being carried out quite often holds snapper, cod, tailor and squid. While on the opposite side, in the Koopa Channel that heads out to the northern section of the bay, whiting can be caught on the sand flats and the vacant water heading into the bay is good for a feed of sand crabs. Heading into the river, the small bay near Luggage Point holds poddy mullet, herring and prawns. From here you pass the new cruise ship terminal where the pylons are starting to show fish life, so it’s worth a try.

Past the terminal is the mouth of Boggy Creek with access under the pipeline that runs across the mouth – the pylons often hold bait, bream, jew and threadies. Boggy Creek itself is a good place to target bream and flathead, and the shallows generally hold baitfish. Further up, the mangroves quite often hold muddies, and heading past the pipeline you come to the Bulwer rock wall, which goes under on most high tides. This is a good area on an early morning and evening rising tide to target bream and cod, whether using bait or plastics. On the opposite side of Luggage Point is the Fisherman Islands terminal, which is one of the best places to work the drop-offs out from the terminals that have a 30m exclusion zone. So casting your bait towards the pylons with a slow retrieve back across the drop-off will surely entice a snapper, or anchoring on the drop-off with live bait will entice a jew or thready. Up past the terminals on the left side is the Boat Passage, where speed zones are enforced heading to the road bridge. On the left is an area called Pelican Banks, across from the Water Police terminal, and on

* continued P9

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Tips for Brisbane River mouth * from P8

a rising tide bream and flathead can usually be caught in the small gutter close to the road. On a high tide, access in a tinnie can get you up this small gutter by trimming your motor. Land-based fishos can fish the rock walls around the bridge or the small gutter and mangroves as stated above. A word of caution though – lower your aerials and rods if roof mounted because they can hit the bridge on a high tide as you pass underneath. With Whyte Island boat ramp on your right, the boat passage heads south past South Point – a good area on low tide for bloodworms – towards the mouth of Wynnum Creek.

On a low tide this channel can get very low, so stick to the beacons. The mangroves on the left at high tide can give you access to some small gutters where you have a chance of catching a few muddies. The banks past the mangroves on the southern side around South Point and across to Wynnum Creek are worth checking out for flathead. Coming back out of the passage past the tug terminal and turning left, you come to Clara Rocks which produces jew and threadies plus the occasional snapper using live bait on a rising tide. As you head further up the river past the Pinkenba boat ramp,

there are numerous rock walls and small gutters that run into the river. The edges of the channel from the Boat Passage up to Bulimba Creek, has a few good drop-offs and are worth a try to entice jew or threadies on live bait. The mouth of Bulimba Creek is a good area to anchor up and fish for jew, threadies and bream, with a few flathead around the mouth on a rising tide. The mud flats across from Bulimba Creek are also worth a go for flathead. The shipping terminals and rock wall heading upriver from Clara Rocks are all worth a crack using live bait, again targeting jew and * continued P10

Chris Fitch with a nice cod from the Brisbane River.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021 – Page 9

Tips for fishing around mouth of Brisbane River * from P9

threadies, especially on a rising tide at night – in fact any of the lit areas from the Boat Passage up to the Colmslie ramp are good. Live bait such as poddy mullet, herring or prawns can be caught around the Colmslie boat ramp, as many of the lit areas over the water attract live bait, and bigger predators won’t be far away. Further up the river are the Sir Leo Hiels-

cher Bridges (was the Gateway Bridge), and fishing the eddies formed around the pylons are good areas to anchor up and let live bait loose when targeting jew and threadies. The current can be fast if you anchor instead of drifting. Colmslie boat ramp is a good place to catch live prawns, poddy mullet and herring, and from there up to Breakfast Creek are good ar-

eas for jew and threadies, and also around the mouth of Breakfast Creek and Cameron Rocks. This whole stretch of water from the mouth past the city reaches is full of bull sharks, so drop some big bait over and hang on. The boat ramp at Colmslie is also a good place for fishing from a wheelchair. With any luck, some of this information will help you catch a feed.

Fishing route – Brisbane Rd to the boat passage. Page 10 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021

Next stage of fisheries reforms come into effect

SIGNIFICANT milestone in building a future for the commercial and recreational fishing industries has been reached with the next phase of Queensland Government’s sustainable fisheries reforms coming into effect on September 1. Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said the changes clarify commercial fishing rules and reporting requirements for fishers, while making fisheries and the industry more sustainable. “These reforms are the result of years of consultation with industry and the wider public to make sure we have a sustainable fishery for our children and grandchildren,” Mr Furner said. From September 1, 2021 new harvest strategies and rules will apply for the following fisheries, bringing the total number of fisheries in Queensland under harvest strategy management to 15: swimmer • Blue crab • Mud crab • Coral • Marine aquarium fish • East coast inshore (as well as a protected species management strategy) • Sea cucumber • Trawl fin fish

(stout whiting) • Northern, central, southern inshore, southern offshore and Moreton Bay trawl • Tropical rock lobster. Fisheries already under harvest strategy management are the reef line and spanner crab. Mr Furner said the commercial and recreational fishing industries together supported thousands of Queensland jobs and meant hundreds of millions of dollars for the Queensland economy. “This reform process began with the MRAG review in 2014 and we have continued the reform process to modernise fisheries management in this state,” he said. “Improved stock monitoring and a more agile regulatory process mean we can make small management adjustments where necessary to ensure long-term sustainability of fish stocks.” Mr Furner said there would be a transitional period until December 31 to help fishers adjust to the new reporting requirements. “Our focus will be on education and assisting fishers with using the system and complying with the new rules,” he said. “Enforcement action may be taken however in the case of intentional, repeated or serious noncompliance.” www.bnbfishing.com. au

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Three-year-old Tommy got into a few bream.

Nick with a solid flathead casting soft plastics. This fish was released unharmed to fight another day.

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HE fishing has been going reasonably well, having caught a few nice fish in the shallows around the Moreton Bay islands. When we talk about shallows, we’re fishing in water depths of 2-6m for squire or snapper and anything from 0.52m for flathead. With bream, most of them are coming out of around 1m of water – at least the better quality fish. Another thing that’s definitely noticeable is the surface water temperature throughout winter was around 15.116C, which for these islands is rather cold. On those days, I found the fishing to be super slow, especially in the early morning when trying to chase flathead in the shallows.

Southern Moreton Bay by SEAN CONLON

Then in the afternoon after lunch when the sun heated the water a little, they came on the bite a bit more. At the time of writing, the water temperature was starting to hit 17-20C and higher on several days, and fishing the shallows early in the morning has been working quite well, so keep your eye on that water temperature. I also find as we move into summer that if the water temp gets too high – around 27-29C in the shallows – you might find the only time you can fish is super early in the morning, while it’s cool. Then, as the day progresses and gets hot-

ter, those fish move into deeper water where the temperature is a little cooler. Something to think about in the future – keep your eye on water temperature. I’ve noticed that some people say that the colder the water the better it is for snapper. I find in the shallows around the islands that when you start to get down into 15-16C constant surface temp it can be a little too cold and they seem to prefer about 17-20C – I think it’s only because they’re used to the water being warmer. I’ve definitely noticed the bite drop off when * continued P13

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Southern Moreton Bay shallow water success * from P12

it’s too cold and then when it does get up to 17-20C those fish become more active. This is only my opinion and I’ve only come to this conclusion by watching large schools of fish that won’t feed and then with a slight change in temperature you’ll get a reaction out of them. On that note, when the water temperature was low, I wasn’t catching any flathead by trolling and I was only catching them by casting, so I knew there were fish in the area but trolling wasn’t working. When I felt the fish

I caught, their bellies were cold to the touch and my thought was that they were a little sluggish. The first thing I did to counteract this was troll on my electric motor and slow the speed down – straight away we started to catch fish, which indicated to me that they were a bit lethargic. For them to chase or have a go at a trolled lure the speed needed to be super slow for them to catch it. For the big flathead that we’d been chasing in the shallows, it was definitely not one or two casts in an area

most of the time. These fish either don’t need to eat as much or are bigger because they’re smarter and more wary, so it took a fair few casts in one area to catch the bigger models. On occasion, we started off catching undersized fish and then all of a sudden I’d get a bigger one and then a bigger one still and then, after casting in an area for 40-60 minutes, one of those nice 70cm-plus fish came over the side. So, a little patience is sometimes required, also changing the lure from a paddletail to a curl grub helped. * continued P14

Riley caught this nice bream on a lightly weighted fresh prawn soaked in garlic.

Nick with a nice southern bay squire caught in 3m of water.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021 – Page 13

Southern Moreton Bay shallow water success * from P13

Keith with a nice 72cm flathead caught putting plenty of casts into an area, this quality fish was released unharmed. Nice sticker!

It could be the jig head weight or colour or all the little things, but when you know there’re good fish around, persevere and keep casting, that’s what will produce the trophy fish most of us are after. Bream have been responding way better to bait than a lure, so if you prefer to chase these fish for sport or a feed, look at areas around rocky points and also at the ends of drains at low tide. Plus try sounding around in front of the drains to find the schools. They have definitely been a species that we’ve chased with bait this year and my favourite bait for bream is undeniably chicken breast cut into strips and soaked in garlic. Or nice fresh prawns

from your local bait shop – I take them home and throw a bit of garlic in the packet and let it absorb. With that aroma and flavour, chicken breast and prawns with garlic have been my two favourite bait. Our rigs are very simple – I run with an 8 or 9’ glass rod, preferring an Alvey reel with 8lb mono line, while the customers use an 8’ glass rod and a spin reel with 8lb mono. I usually put that straight through to the hook with no sinker and fish in roughly 1-1.5m in areas where I’ve found fish. I also prefer to fish for bream a couple of hours either side of a low tide – that’s how we get all the fish to come off the banks and congregate in areas near drains or rocky points.

As this is where we get a larger concentration of fish, we have a better chance of catching a few. Because bream are a schooling fish and they pick up the bait to take it away from their friends, when using spin reels I usually leave the rods in the holders and basically wait until they buckle over with the drag going out before we take it out of the holder to set the hook. If every time you get a little bump from a bream bite and you keep yanking on it, you’re more than likely pulling that bite straight out of its mouth. This is why I prefer the Alvey reel for myself, so that when the fish picks up the bait I can just let the spool run freely until I feel that it has the bait right down * continued P16

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Frank on the very last cast of the day picked up this lovely 80cm flathead on a soft plastic, it was released unharmed. www.bnbfishing.com. au

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Glenn picked up a nice 60cm flathead on a lightly weighted flat shad putting plenty of casts into one area. He did one of my courses and realised he needed to spend more time in an area than he would have previously.

Southern Moreton Bay shallow water success * from P14

its mouth, and then I can put the palm of my hand on the Alvey reel to stop it spinning and lean back to let the long glass rod do all the work and set the hook. Anyway, there are a couple of tips and tricks for bait loving bream.

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Bream will become harder to catch and there’ll be less of them around as we move into warmer weather but a few are still around at the moment for a bit of fun. As we all know with our jobs and lives we are time poor, so if you can learn more to optimise your time on the water, remember knowledge is the key.

Until next month, stay safe on the water and if you’re interested in any of our off the water or on the water tuition classes, or you just want to do a fishing charter, give me a call on 0432 386 307 or send me an email at seanconlons fishing@hotmail.com or check out the Facebook page Seano’s Inshore Fishing Charters & Tuition.

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James pulled a nice little bream from in the shallows. www.bnbfishing.com. au

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021 – Page 17

Rebecca hooked, fought and landed a cracker Moreton Bay longtail tuna, without a gimbal belt!

Reasha had a cracker session, landing a 38cm bream on a prawn at the end of the Shorncliffe Pier.

Family friendly fishing spots on Brisbane’s northside

H Trinity’s largest school mackerel at slightly over 60cm will make a couple of nice meals.

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EAPS of families and people new to the area visit the Sandgate Tackle Land shop asking about places they can take the kids fishing – where they won’t get too bored if the fish aren’t biting. Brisbane City and Moreton Shire councils have invested a lot of resources into areas that are family friendly and with wheelchairaccessible facilities to make it a more enjoyable experience. I know that whenever we arrive at our fishing spot, the very first thing the kids need is a toilet. I am sure it’s something in their DNA… arrive at the destination and check out the facilities, even if they’re not needed. So, with this in mind I checked out a few local spots that are family friendly and have facilities the kids would approve of. Shorncliffe Pier has some of the most up to date family friendly facilities, with a covered area about two thirds of the way out which

Northern Moreton Bay by MARK TEMPLETON

is awesome for wet or hot days, and modern toilets at the start of the pier, so the kids can go before they head out. If the fishing is a bit slow, there is an awesome play area away from traffic with plenty of climbing equipment, basic rides and slides to keep them amused. There is also a large shaded area where you can picnic or cook lunch on the free gas barbecues. Parking can be a little limited but there’s plenty of room in the ‘Drop and Go’ zone and parking further up on the road. This would be my number one family location to visit. Nudgee Beach is off the beaten track a little, but the drive is worth it – it has great toilet facilities, barbecues and a play area for kids. There is access to a small jetty – though what this lacks is made up for by the mouth

of the river and several great beach access points. You need to be mindful of the ‘Green Zone’ which forms part of the Nudgee Beach area. Baxters Jetty at the mouth of Cabbage Tree Creek is another area with brand new toilet facilities and a great little barbecue area, and while there are no play areas here, with the wide-open areas for kids to run around, it should ensure a great night’s sleep! One of the key points of the areas mentioned above is that they have wheelchair-accessible toilets, which is a handy point for those travelling from outside the area with a need for these facilities. If you want more great advice on how to survive a kids’ fishing trip, check out our article on our website tackleland. com.au/kids-fishingbasics * continued P20

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021 – Page 19

Family friendly fishing spots on Brisbane’s northside * from P18

Reasha with an awesome leatherjacket which topped her session off and was possibly catch of the day.

Ian with a nice little snapper caught on a prawn and ultra-light gear.

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It is awesome to see more female anglers hooking in and catching cracker fish. I know when I go fishing with Kaz, I hold off doing a victory dance as she generally pulls out all the stops and I get a serve of humble pie! Rebecca also showed anglers how it’s done when out on Moreton Bay – she hooked, fought and landed a cracker longtail tuna. It sounds easy, but she forgot the gimbal belt – as many of us have – and now has the bruises to go with this awesome fish. Well done Rebecca, I am sure you and your family made the most of that tuna! Local female angler Reasha – Ben’s partner, in a previous story Ben lost a cracker flathead and Adam caught it the next day and gave him his tackle back – had a cracker session, first landing a 38cm bream on a prawn at the end of the Shorncliffe Pier. Reasha was so excited when the bream came on deck, anybody would have thought she had landed a record marlin! To top the session off, she landed an awesome leatherjacket, which I think was the catch of the day. Well done Reasha! And thank you both for sharing your trip with me and outclassing me too. We all had a cracker session. On a roll with awesome female anglers outshining their male

counterparts, new to the area Taniesha picked up the art of landing fish super quickly. Not the biggest of the bunch but it was her third catch for the day, which was apparently three more than her partner. A couple of male fishos had a bit of luck too, with Trinity having an awesome session on the pier picking up three very nice school mackerel using a float and live herring. As you would expect when the razor gang are around, plenty of tackle never made it back! The largest mack was just over 60cm and will make a couple of nice meals – well done Trinity.

And finally, soon after I pulled a couple of nice tailor, Ian did one better and landed a nice little snapper on a prawn. Not a keeper but the fish let him have it on ultra-light gear. It goes to show that you never know what you’re going to get when you put that bait in the water. Well done Ian, hopefully you will pick up its bigger brother in the near future. For more information about wheelchair-accessible facilities when you’re travelling around the local area, check out our website tackleland. com.au/local-fishingmap-full-weather-chart Be safe and maintain the passion.

Taniesha picked up the art of landing fish super quickly. www.bnbfishing.com. au

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021 – Page 21

Bailey with a nice parrotfish caught off Southport using pillies.

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Vern Corfield with a 75cm snapper taken at the 36-fathom line off Southport with a butterflied slimy mackerel.

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Boating by BEN SMITH

crazy with photographs of terrific captures. Great quality snapper have been caught in close from the 18, 24, 36 and 50-fathom reefs off the Gold Coast. This cycle appears to come around every seven to eight years, when we have a run of good quality fish coming into the close reefs off the Gold Coast for a season or two. Most of these fish spawn and go on to create hundreds of thousands if not millions of baby snapper each and every year. When and where this happens specifically is not known with 100 percent certainty for snapper, but it is part of nature and happens without a doubt at some stage between winter and spring.

Snapper spawning is a little different to say coral trout – where it happens on a particular moon phase – and that the same thing doesn’t occur at the same time every year with snapper is something we need to acknowledge. Many anglers who have tried to catch trophy fish in the past have succeeded this year with great results and a lot of fish have been measured upwards of the 70, 80 and even 90cm mark. Fish in the 35-60cm range make up the majority of bag limits that most boats are regularly taking home on their trips to the closer grounds. Many fishers are using and adopting new techniques to keep up * continued P24

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021 – Page 23

Quality snapper from shallow Gold Coast reefs * from P22

Lisa and the author with the day’s spoils.

with the times. With the aid of extraordinary and particularly clear fish finders and technology in electronics, as well as the use of moon phase and tide apps on mobile phones, many of us are honing our skills and are able to follow the cycles of fish these days. Quite a few people are also starting to keep records of where and when their captures are taking place and are therefore able to make notes as to when the best time and where the best spots to go fishing are.

Lisa Cooper with her 82cm snapper taken on 10lb braid with a 30lb leader on a squid. Page 24 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021

Understanding that these cycles take years to come around, it is important that you hang on to your notes. Some of my information from handwritten notebooks dates back decades and has now been transferred and is all kept on my phone. For many years I’ve kept notes and associate them with photos, times and places to follow the patterns and concentrate on my own form of science behind how and where I catch good fish. I also try to keep an eye on other forms of data, including commercial catch rates and other recreational fishers’ catches, to try to determine how the fishery is going. With the increase in the human population and as a result fishing pressure on the system, we have to do what we can within reason to ensure that we're all going to be able to catch a fish or two in future. Recently, I've been trying to release as many larger fish as I can. These days when a fish is over the 7580cm mark I try to take a couple of photographs and then get it back in the water to release it safely and quickly. Unfortunately, due to barotrauma or another reason, some fish don't survive – keeping these is OK provided it's within the catch limit. It’s easy to become knowledgeable on release techniques through the Department of Agriculture

and Fisheries website or by doing a web search for them. Over the past three or four decades there have been many changes in size and bag limits set by fisheries and the government. The government department continues to change and adopt new size and bag limits to try and ensure the fishery stays viable for recreational, commercial and subsistence fishers. Consultation between government and commercial fishers is quite regular but more needs to be done with the communication between them and the recreational and subsistence fishers to determine what the future holds. More tagging data needs to be done also and if recreational fishers want input into catch rates and fish sizes, tagging would give them a better understanding of what's actually happening with the snapper fishery. Many recreational fishers come home with sensational bags of fish and we need to share this information with the relevant government bodies so that an informed decision can be made on what is the best way to manage the fishery. Data needs to be collected from every source, including long term tagging data, recreational fishers’ catches, commercial fishers’ catches and their own independent scientific research. * continued P25

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Quality snapper from shallow Gold Coast reefs * from P24

Decisions then need to be made based on all the collected information to ensure everybody who loves what they do can continue to do it for as long as possible and in the best feasible way. Fishing is one of those wonderful things where you don't know what you're going to hook on the end of your line. Catching your prize trophy snapper and then having to release it simply because it's a closed season is hard enough, let alone if the poor thing died on the way up. A dead fish being released because it's the law doesn't help the fishery in any way. It’s up to all of us to

protect what we have. In saying that October always proves to be one of those sensational months of the year when things start to change, and all sorts of summer species begin to gradually show up. We prepare for species such as marlin, mackerel and mahi mahi, and of course tailor are still in good numbers to catch along beaches, as well as snapper, pearl perch and other reef species offshore. On the past couple of trips, big snapper were the standouts and float lining whole squid pilchard or a slimy mackerel has been the goto bait for the biggest models. Nothing beats float-

ing down a whole squid on 20lb mono line and feeling the spool under your thumb suddenly increase in speed as a snapper decides to run off with it. I've gone back to using my old Wilson Live Fibre RLFSAF14 overhead rod with a Shimano TLD 15 Overhead reel loaded with 20lb mono to catch a lot of snapper this season, and the results have been terrific, with often a two to one ratio fish being caught on mono over braid. As usual, presentation is what it's all about. If you are using braid, going light on the line is also another great option – as my partner found out when catching an 82cm snapper on

10lb braid and a 30lb mono leader. It was impossible for her to put the brakes on this big fish at the start with only a light line, but the fight was outstanding on that light gear, and with the experience she has fighting big fish, she was able to have it boatside

within about five minutes. Consider all your options during October – plan your trips and the results will be much greater. It's an awesome month to be on the water, so whatever you do have fun and enjoy your fishing.

The author with a pearl perch at the 50-fathom grounds off the Jumpinpin Bar.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021 – Page 25

Pearl Shrimp coloured Samaki Vibelicious 70mm Fork Tail is very effective on flathead.

Matt caught and released this 69cm flathead in the Gold Coast Broadwater.

Techniques for catching top quality flathead

H David and Ada had a great day at Jumpinpin catching heaps of flathead and tailor.

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Broadwater Guide by CLINT ANSELL

and whiting venturing downstream to commence their multiple spawning events over coming months. When flathead are feeding aggressively to condition themselves for spawning, they will take most any bait or lure offered to them. They are great fun to catch and delicious to eat. We prefer to only keep a few to eat and release the majority to continue breeding. There are a few techniques and lures that will make your flathead catch rates consistent. I’ll share several that work well on our daily estuary fishing charters – and occasionally nab nice by-catch such as squid, flounder, tailor, whiting and tuskfish. You can of course cast and hop soft plastic lures over shallow sand flats for flathead and along the edges on run-

out tide, but we mostly find success by fishing deeper water with good tidal flow. Flathead will feed well when the tide is running, as they wait on the bottom for baitfish to come along with the current then ambush them at point-blank range. Channels between banks that act as food funnels are prime examples, as are riverbanks, and man-made structure such as breakwalls. By keeping your lures bouncing along the bottom with tiny and constant twitches of the rod tip, you’re finding fish and making them snap at your offering. A lot of small fish are moving around at this time of year including whitebait, and after catching predators such as flathead and tailor you’ll often see them re* continued P28

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021 – Page 27

Wendy and Richard with a couple of decent flathead caught on soft vibes.

Russell with a 70cm flathead that was released.

Techniques for catching top quality flathead * from P26

Pierre with a huge arrow squid, his first time catching them.

Edward and father Steve had a great day on a Broadwater squid charter. Page 28 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021

gurgitate these baitfish. The old adage ‘match the hatch’ is never more relevant than at this time. Our favourite lure to use for this reason is the Samaki Vibelicious 70mm Fork Tail in Whitebait colour. It’s remarkable how well this lure imitates natural prey and the added advantage is that it weighs 10g, which helps it stay on the bottom when drifting and tea-bagging. The Vibelicious 70mm Fork Tails have a clean vigorous vibration, which makes noise through the water and gets the attention of fish before they even see the lure. The Samakis have a great range of colours to mix things up depending on the condition of the water and sky. Some of our go-to colours are Whitebait,

Pearl Shrimp, Ginger UV Squid, Ghost Bait, Lime Crush and Chartreuse UV Head. You’ll find all the colours will work at different times – keep experimenting on the day to crack the code. To use them, all that’s needed is a light estuary setup. For soft vibes, my favourite rod is a onepiece Atomic Arrowz 6-12lb 7’ rod (code AAS 70L) paired with a Shimano Sedona 2500 size reel, spooled with Tasline Elite White PE 0.6 braid and 1m of 10lb Yamatoyo fluorocarbon leader tied to the braid with an improved Albright knot. All high-quality tackle at an affordable price. My other go-to lures for flathead are the Ecogear ZX blades, which mimic prawns very well, and my favourite soft plastic lure for imitating whitebait

is the Fish Arrow FlashJ Shad 4” paddle tail in colour No. 100 Sirasu Silver. Rig these plastics on a 1/4oz 2/0 size jig head and you’ll have a tonne of fun on flatties by casting and hopping them anywhere there are sandbanks and weed beds nearby and in water 0.5-3m deep with a light to moderate tidal flow. Mix it up, but often a double hop, then pause, then wind the slack up and repeat does the trick. Add some scent to the lures for added effect. Happy fishing, tight lines, and hope to see you on the water soon. To book on a charter with myself or Brad, or if you have any fishing related questions, SMS 0432 990 302 or email f ish i ngwit hcl i nt@ gmail.com, or find us on Facebook: Brad Smith Fishing Charters. www.bnbfishing.com. au

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A snapper with a unique tail caught at midday gave the author a great fight.

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Exceptional fishing expected offshore through October

’DAY champions, it’s been a while since I shared information on what’s biting around the Gold Coast but it’s good to be back. With the constant battle of getting through this pandemic, fishing when we’re able to has been a great way to keep minds at ease. Offshore in October will hopefully produce the same exceptional fishing that we were experiencing in September, before the water temperature starts to climb. Snapper fishing has been absolutely awesome on both bait and lures, and while constantly learning and being surprised by what this species is capable of, most of my success has been on lures. I have tried a hand

Nerang Rooster Report by DARREN RAMA

full of lures and it’s still hard to pick which one is the direct winner. Targeting snapper between the 18 and 24-fathom line in 3045m of water, I’ve found that the tide played a bigger part than the time of day. Sure, early morning

and late afternoon are more likely to produce because snapper prefer to feed when they start and end the day, but each side of a tide change when there’s a slightly slower push of current seems to work most effectively! * continued P32

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021 – Page 31

Exceptional fishing in October * from P30

Brandon with his personal best snapper.

The author caught this nice bass in Hinze Dam from a small fish school.

Lure choices have included mostly lighter plastics and vibes as the lure’s sinking. Soft plastics and jerk shads between 5-9” with jig head weights ranging from 1/4-1/2oz have been doing well, and the majority of fish have been coming on the sink. I choose to hold my rod as it’s sinking because it’s common to see a dramatic change of speed as the plastic sinks, and that’s due to snapper taking the plastic as it naturally drifts down the water column – most of my bigger snapper are caught this way. Bigger snapper don’t tend to hug the bottom but actually sit 5-10m off it – being down too

deep you’re likely to entangle common red rock cod, which you have to be mindful of when removing hooks as their spikes are not something you want to mess with! Vibes have been doing well too, with the lighter types getting more attention. Anything around 20g has been accountable for numerous fish, which can also be taken on the sink, but I’ve found letting them sink down and winding a few cranks off the bottom to be most effective. Inshore flathead fishing has been doing exceptionally well. A lot of anglers are scoring on large shallow jerkbaits on the flats and glide baits on a high tide during the day, when

bigger fish can feed on the whiting and garfish that are around. It’s almost that time of year when we experience thick snot weed through the main channel of the Broadwater and up around Jumpinpin, so a higher tide will do well with the cleaner more fishable water. In the dams, Hinze is a bit hit and miss, with some anglers finding schools easily but having a hard time trying to persuade a few bites, though the fishers who did score used smaller paddle tail plastics and spoon lures for reaction bites from schooled fish. Looking forward to sharing more soon and hopefully tips to help your fishing chances on your next trip.

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021 – Page 33

Mitch with his personal best red emperor and it tasted great!

Coral trout are always welcome aboard.

A few reefies for a feed - locally and up north

ITH the seasons rolling along, it won’t take long for the water to warm up in preparation for the onslaught of pelagic fish. The whales have been heading south for over a month now and the first few chirps of cicadas in the trees is a sure way to tell that warm weather and water are on their way. While you could be forgiven for dusting off the spin outfits and marlin lures, there are still plenty of fish being caught on the local reefs at the moment.

Gold Coast by HEATH ZYGNERSKI

Snapper have been on the chew with loads of solid knobs being caught along the Gold Coast. With only a slight current, there is no better time to get a few. The border being closed and NSW still in lockdown at the time of writing means the Tweed reefs will be getting a well-earned rest. This will bode well for the next few years once normality hopefully returns.

Along with snapper, some great pearl perch and yellowtail have been caught on the 36-fathom line and deeper. All this fishing is getting me frothing, as poor old Aquaholic suffered its first breakdown in 17 years of trouble-free boating – it was catastrophic with the motor being unsalvageable. A new Honda will be put on sometime in the next month or so, with the crew from Sil-

A nice redthroat emperor was a great way to start the day. Page 34 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021

ver Service Marine at Burleigh Heads doing the work – and possibly a few extras to modernise her with some NMEA2000 additions. A trip or two north to Seventeen Seventy after she’s run in may be in order, especially with the insane fishing some fishos have been having up there. Reports of great catches of trout and red emperor by the crew from Silver Service Marine, who took some wellearned rest and relaxation, had Mitch and a friend head up in good conditions a week later to grab a feed of reef fish. They weren’t disappointed – rewarded for their hard work with trout, redthroat and red emperor, and a couple of stonker squid. You cannot beat a fresh seafood feast. While not ideal, reef fish freeze well and still taste fantastic a few weeks later when thawed out. Locally in the rivers, creeks and beaches, flathead have been on the chew and good deep-sea bream have been caught off the breakwalls.

There have been plenty of tailor along the beaches too, with a few jewfish thrown in. Tweed River Bar had the trailing suction hopper dredge Albatros come and clear its mouth. The Albatros is 75m long and holds 1860cu m of sand. The dredge removed about 100,000cu m of sand from the mouth and distributed it to Bilinga, Snapper Rocks, Duranbah Beach and Fingal Head. It was well and truly overdue and should improve the conditions and safety of the bar. Currumbin Creek Bar is passable on a half tide. Conditions play a big part in getting over and back, so take care. Tallebudgera Creek Bar is very silted and has the dredge currently in the creek. It will only go as far as the mouth and not past it, so the sandbank at the front of the bar will remain until we get significant water movement through there. The Gold Coast Seaway is in good condition. Bent rods to you all. www.bnbfishing.com. au

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021 – Page 35

Steve caught this 62cm mangrove jack late last season.

Helen Dobson caught this 6kg snapper within minutes of arriving at the reef.

A successful snapper sortie with Mum n Mum scored a 6kg knobbie in very ordinary conditions

T had been a while since I took my mum out fishing. Last time she came out with me we caught a few teraglin, discovered the leatherjacket were too thick to fish successfully and then came across Migaloo the white whale and spent an hour with him. With a good forecast recently, we planned another adventure together. A phone call to a couple of friends who were already out confirmed that the conditions were good, so I was looking forward to a nice smooth run to a spot about an hour from the bar. Halfway there we hit a rain squall and conditions deteriorated badly. Thinking it might only be short lived, we pushed on but it didn’t improve. Eventually turning up at the spot, I showed Mum how to feed a bait out and within a minute she was getting a run.

Tweed to Byron Bay by GAVIN DOBSON

Flipping the bail arm over, she set the hook and soon had a 6kg snapper in the boat. Despite the rough conditions, I was glad we had pushed on because the fish were biting and we were getting a fish every drop. After several nice snapper, we moved to a different spot and snapper were on there too! We caught a few more and left them biting to do a bit of whale watching. The whales put on a show and as we headed home the travelling conditions improved greatly, so all in all it was a great trip out with Mum. And no, we didn’t catch a single red emperor. This comment is in reference to the fact that a couple of my articles over the past year have made mention

Page 36 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021

of red emperor – last month again as a case in point. Somewhere gremlins have got in the system and changed my words. It’s all good, nothing and no-one is perfect, I just thought I would clarify that while we do occasionally get the odd juvenile red emperor down here, they are far from common and definitely not a target species. Snapper have dominated catches lately as you would expect. Most of these fish are coming from out wide where conditions haven’t been easy, as there has hardly been a day without fairly strong current. Fortunately, the fish have been in good numbers and working with the current has been possible. The inshore snapper season has been a com-

plete flop despite showing promise early on. I’m not saying you won’t catch one, but they have been very light on. The next few months can be lean offshore as the northerly makes fishing the wider grounds difficult, and in close is typically slow through spring. On the other hand, the rivers have begun their change over from winter to summer and characteristically fish quite well between now and Christmas. Up on the Tweed River, fish up around Tumbulgum and Condong. Whiting, trevally and jewfish will be biting along with a few flathead. Mud crabs are slow but usually improve next month. Sand crabs on the other hand are being caught in the lower reaches around Fingal Head and up the Terranora arm. Winter is a hard time

for mangrove jack fishers, but the cold months are behind us now and the whole season is ahead. Once again you will probably do better upstream where the water is warmer and the bait is more prevalent this month. The hot water outlet at the Condong Sugar Mill has been producing plenty of jack as per usual, but it’s a noisy place to fish so if it’s serenity you’re after give this spot a miss. Here on the Brunswick River whiting are moving into the system, so start looking from Stingray Island all the way up to the footy fields. Trevally and jack are also on the hunt but flathead have been hard to find. All the best with the fishing during these tough lockdown times, stay safe and learn a bit more about your local waterway. www.bnbfishing.com. au

It’s Goldilocks time on Northern Rivers Ballina Bait & Tackle

by BRETT HYDE

ELLO all, spring has certainly sprung on the Northern Rivers with several of our summer species starting to make their presence known over the past month. The weather is starting to warm up and the best part is that while some summer species are starting to make an appearance, the winter species haven’t totally left us yet. I do love this time of the year, the weather is ‘Goldilocks’ – not too hot, not too cold, it’s just right. The hardest thing to do at this time is decide what I’m going to spend my day chasing after when I’m out on the water. As far as offshore fishing goes this year, it hasn’t been a normal winter period as such. Normally, I would expect the current to have dropped off to nearly nothing and we would have an early morning westerly wind and calm days. However, this year the current has continued to run fairly quickly on the wider grounds, and this has made fishing these areas difficult indeed. It does concern me a little that come summer the current may be running harder than normal, and it may also mean that our summer offshore fishing may kick in a little earlier than normal. But I guess only time www.bnbfishing.com.au

will tell with both of these hunches. In contrast to the wider reefs, the 32-fathom lines and close reefs have been quite fishable, and we have seen quality snapper from both of these areas. Lightly weighted soft plastics and vibes have worked quite well at Riordans Reef and at Black Head over the past month. Brighter colours seem to be having a better response early in the morning, but as the sun comes up more natural colours have also accounted for a number of fish. There have been plenty of live bait on the close reefs lately and most of them have been rather large. The mulloway that have been caught in close have been more than happy to take this large live bait. The strong current out wide has meant good numbers of school-sized kingfish out on the 42s and 48s, and this current also seems to have pushed pearl perch in a little closer, with quality fish being taken on both bait and jigs on the 32-fathom line. With the water temperature already hovering around the 20C mark and the strong current out wide, it may not be too long before we start to see mahi mahi and marlin cruising around. Now may be a good * continued P38

Mark with a jig caught snapper off Ballina.

BALLINA BAIT & TACKLE Bill with a nice bass.

Ballina West Shopping Centre Pacific Hwy, Ballina NSW

02 6686 2527 Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021 – Page 37

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FISHING EVENTS COMPETITION

DATE

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2021 Planet 72 Ice Creamery Oct 16-17 Cania Dam, QLD Cania Carve Up

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Fishing Classic Port Douglas

Nov 11-14 Port Douglas, QLD (PDFCI)

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& Tilapia Eradication Comp Glenlyon Murray Cod Nov 14-21 Glenlyon Dam, QLD Challenge www.ansaqld.com.au/event/ To have your competition listed in the calendar please phone (07) 3286 1833 or email design@collins.media Page 38 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021

It’s Goldilocks time on Northern Rivers * from P37

time to dust off the trolling gear and check the hooks on your lures, while you still have time. Back in the river, the water quality is quite good – largely due to a lack of rain during winter. It’s predicted that we’re going to have a wet summer again, so the clean river we’re currently experiencing may not last long unfortunately. Bream have been slowly migrating upriver over recent weeks and we’re seeing an increase in their numbers between the ferry and Wardell Bridge. The rock walls in this area seem to be holding the bulk of the fish but there are a few showing up on the sand flats around the top of the tide too. A run-in tide appears to be producing better quality fish on bait such as prawns, mullet and squid. Flathead are also on the move but they’re moving towards the mouth of the river in preparation for their breeding season. And over the past month the bulk of fish have been caught in less than 2m of water, as the temperature – similar to offshore – is still around 20C, so flatties are staying in the shallows to keep warm. Small hard-body lures, soft plastics and vibes have all accounted for a number of fish. There have been schools of white pil-

chard in the river too and they have been a great option over the past couple of weeks – this will continue through most of summer, along with prawns and mullet fillets. Luderick have slowed down a little in recent weeks but, for those willing to put the time in, there are a few fish still hanging around behind the CBD on the Porpoise Wall and at the old ferry approach on a run-in tide. At the time of writing we were also seeing a few early season whiting and mud crabs start to appear in the river. Obviously, we need the water to continue to warm up, but both of these species will continue to get better over the coming months. Speaking of a species that will get better, the bass season has opened for summer 2021 and there have already been quality fish caught on reaction bait such as diving hard-bodies, chatterbaits and spinnerbaits. Swan Bay to Coraki has been producing a few fish and good numbers have landed further upriver between Wyrallah and Lismore. I am excited having heard an occasional cicada chirp at night already, so it won’t be long before bass will be belting a few surface lures early morning and late afternoon, and I can’t wait… bring on summer! Well, that’s about all from me for this month, until next time, tight lines!

www.bnbfishing.com. au

This little beach flathead couldn’t resist Tye’s 10cm Berkley Gulp jerk shad in Pumpkin Seed colour.

Chasing a feed of flathead

ISHING along the Clarence Coast of northern NSW has once again been affected by a series of strong to gale-force wind and extremely large swells, but having said that the anglers who have been able to fish during the quieter periods still managed to rustle up a half decent feed of flathead, bream and school jewfish. Inside the mighty Clarence River, the winter run of jew is well and truly over, however the fact remains that solid school-sized fish to say 10kg can still be taken throughout summer by fishing deeper holes and drop-offs using either live sand mullet, herring or a well-presented 14cm soft plastic lure. October is also the month to be fishing the river side of breakwalls with whole octopus over slack high water and then the run-out during a big daytime tide. During a night tide, I prefer to stick to using either whole or stripped squid or even a nice live yellowtail because www.bnbfishing.com.au

Mischa with a pan-sized flathead taken off Shark Bay beach.

Just Jew by TYE PORTER

on average fish taken at night are a lot smaller than those caught in daylight. When using octopus during the day don’t be concerned with getting constant bream picks – I use bream picks as a guide to my bait being in the right spot. By that, I mean that if I lob my occy out and don’t get a bream picking at it, I continue to wind my bait back in stages until bream start doing their thing. After doing this style of fishing for over 40 years, my theory is that jew don't generally patrol the middle of the river during the day, and why would they when the bulk of fish and bait they eat are holed up on the covered nooks and crannies of the wall? I can't remember a time when I’ve had a run from a jew during the day without first having my occy attacked by bream, which I reckon

attracts jew to my bait to some degree. During this month I’ll make the effort to get a few octopus and head out to the wall during the day for old times’ sake and to get a few pictures and video of how I fish and rig. I will post any video on the Bush ‘n Beach Fishing Facebook page and include the pics in the November issue. I actually had a fish this month, and while I was only chasing a feed of flathead off the beach with my son Mischa and his girlfriend Rebekah, I showed the youngsters that this old fisho hasn't lost his touch by landing a couple of fish around the 50cm mark on soft plastic lures. Mischa and Rebekah have also been getting among flathead inside the Clarence River by walking the weed beds and casting 10cm soft plastic lures and this * continued P40

Iluka angler Rebekah Ellis with a little flathead taken from Shark Bay beach on a soft plastic lure.

Mischa Porter with a nice bream landed on Main Beach at Iluka using live beachworm. Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021 – Page 39

Magic Moreton Island

A good tarwhine in the surf on a live worm.

Matt the chef and his awesome slight surf flathead taken on a plastic.

OWDY, with our planned annual trip to Fraser cancelled due to COVID travel restrictions, we decided to stay and fish locally instead. This required a quick rethink of plans based around tides and forecasted conditions, and our much more limited knowledge of Moreton Island when compared to Fraser. Our trip could probably best be described in terms of three main target areas – the light surf at the northern end of the island, the flats along the western side and southern end of the island, and the eastern beach for surf fishing. Light surf fishing At the top end of Moreton, we focussed

Fishing Tips by SEAN THOMPSON

our efforts on whiting and flathead from around Dog Creek across Main Creek through to Yellow Patch. We mixed things up here with a combination of bait and soft plastic fishing. In terms of our bait fishing, there were a few yabbies outside the green zone of Main Creek, but it may pay to bring some with you as there are plenty down towards Day’s Gutter and Kooringal. We also took a bunch of beachworms that we caught on Ocean Beach. We caught a variety

of fish here on bait, with the best being a 40cm whiting my brother caught on a very lightly weighted yabby on 4lb line. This fish and most of the biggest whiting, bream and tarwhine – along with an occasional good flathead – were caught on the back sandbank of the light surf gutters, either casting to them or wading out to them on a low tide. We also targeted the same gutters but particularly those close to the creek mouths with bigger 5-6” soft plastics and 1/4-3/8oz jig heads. I lost a good tailor * continued P41

Fun times chasing a feed of flathead * from P39

style of fishing should only continue to improve as the weather warms up. The good catches of luderick that anglers had been experiencing up at the Old Ferry approach have come to a grinding halt with most anglers battling to scratch up a feed now, but I suppose this was to be expected as the bulk of breeding fish have done their spawning and returned to the walls and headlands for summer. Tailor have done their disappearing trick again with very few decent fish being reported by anglers, and the only

semi-consistent location that was holding fish was the bit of a reef on the northeast corner of Iluka Bluff where an occasional good fish had been taken on metal lures at first light and then at dusk. The biggest reason for the lack of choppers along the beaches could possibly be the absence of good formations, but then again you’d think they would be fairly thick in the few good bits of water we’ve had. The southern end of the Bluff produced a handful a small school jew around 8kg on small hard-bodied lures and 15cm paddle

Page 40 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021

tailed soft plastic lures, as have the breakwalls during slack low water at night. On the days the offshore brigade could put to sea, boats returned with nice mixed bags of teraglin and snapper, with the occasional nice kingfish thrown in for good measure. Speaking of kingfish, about a month ago a school of about a dozen large fish were found stranded in a large rock pool over at Yamba and a group of people dispatched them with spears and clubs, and more recently a similar sized school of fish from 15-25kg was netted in Iluka Bay ad-

jacent to the Clarence River Fishermen’s Cooperative. At the time of writing, I have been informed of more fish inside the Clarence River – with any luck these critters can get to do their thing in peace. Whiting are slowly beginning to move into the river with quite a few nice fish in the 40cm range being taken along the southern bank of Goodwood Island on live nippers, so things are starting to look promising indeed. Nice bream, pansized flathead and quality tarwhine are to be had along the beach

at Shark Bay when conditions allow, so all in all October is shaping up to be a cracker of a month with very little rain forecast. If you believe what we’re being told, NSW should be out of lockdown statewide by the end of the month, however we won't have our freedom back anytime soon because we’ll have to be double vaccinated to enter most venues. Lucky fishing isn't caught up in all this madness and we can continue to enjoy the greatest pastime of all. Until next month, stay safe and be kind to each other.

www.bnbfishing.com. au

Beach fishing Moreton Island * from P40

doing this, but we did land a few nice flathead, with the best fish caught by Matt – a 73cm model that was carefully released. These light-surf flathead put up an awesome fight on light leader – the waves aiding their fighting prowess. The best wind at the northern end is a southeastly or southwestly and having a little protection from the mainland behind you. The flats As for Fraser Island, when a southeasterly wind is blowing, the western side of Moreton can be a good option due to the protection the island gives. Though down the bottom end – Day’s Gutter and Reeders Point – are areas more protected from northerly wind. With the exception of a few days, we didn’t have too many windy days, so focussed our efforts on the western flats from about 2.5 hours before low tide down to the low. We targeted areas around drains and also weed patches. Targeting any slightly deeper darker water and the weed patches in these areas was critical because the water was very clear during our stay. Likewise, light clear colours such as Motor Oil and particularly white were stand outs during our stay. And it paid to use light jig heads with light gauge 1/8-1/6 TT HeadlockZ jig heads – our favourite as they www.bnbfishing.com.au

hold the plastic on so well. The light gauge also results in better hookups, using light 6lb braid and 10lb fluorocarbon leader. Then as the tide started rising, we would change locations and target areas where the tide starting to flow in over exposed sandbanks and into deeper channels in the first couple of hours of a rising tide. Fish sat slightly over the ledge of these channels and so we used light plastics to target them successfully. The surf beach As noted, we got a bunch of beachworms for bait along the eastern beach, with a few big thick stumpy worms requiring two hands to pull them out! These were also good bait for whiting around low tide on the main beach, and bream and tarwhine in deeper gutters as we waited for nightfall to target tailor. When it came to tailor, we found one excellent gutter which was sufficiently deep that we were able to keep returning to it a number of times over the trip. It had a deep entry point rip that swung around behind a sandbank that then ran parallel to the beach with another entry point further down. As night fell and the tide came in, fish gathered around the entry points to the gutter and then spread out along the gutter running parallel to the shore.

As the tailor come on after dark, we stuck to pilchard on size 4 Tru Turn gang hooks, which make hooking up so much easier because they are inter-connected with swivels. A fellow angler tried my three-dropper rig and got a couple of big surf bream on the pink surf popper on one of the droppers, which is a good option to have alongside an extra dropper with a pilchard bait and another popper or surf fly. Finally, a new addition to this trip for all the boys was the motion activated Hardkorr rechangeable headlamp. The crew finally saw what I was raving about when they tried it out. You can turn away from the water – bursts of light on the water will spook the fish – and then wave your hand in front of the headlamp to check your line for bait or weed, then another swipe to turn it back off and away you go. I also used mine to charge up my luminescent bead, which can attract fish to your nearby bait at night. All in all, it was a successful trip – especially considering we had only about three to four days to organise it after the COVID travel restrictions went into effect. For more tips and reports, jump on to subscribe and follow my YouTube, Facebook and Instagram pages – Ontour Fishing Australia

The author’s brother Ross with his 40cm whiting caught on 4lb line.

The author with a tailor that came on after dark.

Plastics worked well in the very clear water on the western side of Moreton Island.

The back edge of the sandbanks produced several good fish this trip. Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021 – Page 41

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021 – Page 43

Matty ‘Bassman’ Williams with a chunky Lake MacDonald bass.

Justin Worth with a solid dawn snapper at 86cm. Photos: fishingnoosa.com.au

Knobbies, crocs and dogs

Isaac and Harry got the early morning snapper bite out wide.

Kane with a solid flathead on a Berkley PowerBait plastic. Page 44 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021

CTOBER is a great time of year, with daytime temperature on the increase and water starting to heat up. Winter was a quiet one for many anglers as we had lockdowns, the annual snapper closure and consistent wind to deal with. Though we often see swell hitting the Noosa Bar, we also experience many fishable days and a great variety of fish on offer. Offshore anglers will start getting excited as the first of the summertime pelagics start to show up in the shape of the super colourful mahi mahi. These fish will hit almost anything from trolled lures to skirts, with plastics and jigs thrown in for good measure. Don’t forget to check out the various fish aggregating devices in the area and if you need GPS marks, let us know. Double Island Point, Barwon Banks and beyond have seen great captures with pearl perch, bigger snapper, jewfish, cobia, goldband snapper, parrotfish, a few solid red emperor and big amberjack about.

Sunshine Coast by GRANT BUDD

Big live bait on 6080lb gear are the order of the day for the big stuff, particularly if sharks are present. Soft 7-9” plastics such as the extra-large Silstar Slapstix on big 2-3oz jig heads also make a costeffective presentation when getting sharked. You can jig these or flick them if in shallower water, as they swim very well. If huge fish are about then drop a few heavier jigs in the 200g range, especially if using 80lb gear. As always, ditch the stock hooks and use 4/05/0 Decoy Single Assist hooks because trevally, cobia and large amberjack love these in deep water, and all pull hard. Wider spots such as North Reef in Noosa will be holding a good mix of species, including pearl perch, tuskfish, snapper, cobia and jew. This spot is great when drifting and letting bait and lures gently drift with you. Of course, you can drop paternoster rigs similar to the pre-made

Black Magic rigs, which come with heaps of flash that reef fish love. Sunshine Reef should hold quality coral trout in the mid-60cm range, along with pearlies and sweetlip to name a few. Most of these fish fall for twin-hook paternoster rigs, with the bigger mid-water species taking pilchard floaters. Slow drifting and casting soft plastics is a great way to build up marks on your sounder. And having an electric motor allows you to pick a track and stay on it, letting you fish certain contour lines or dropoffs. These are game changers for lure anglers because you can leave the anchor tucked away in the hatch where it belongs. Lighter 20lb spin outfits are so much fun here too. You can decide to float line bait or flick smaller 3-4” lures, even soft vibes. As I’ve said in the past, fish light for the bite and presentation is key. * continued P45

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Knobbies, crocs and dogs * from P44

From Noosa North Shore heading south toward Peregian Beach and beyond features the usual run of smaller whiting, dart and bream. If fishing these species, you are best to leave the big 12’ traditional surf combinations at home and break out the lighter Shimano Maikuro surf rods, or a Gary Howard The Dart and Breambo rods for those chasing a more traditional feel. These rods use fiberglass blanks that are light in the hand and have the ability to punch lightly weighted bait out a great distance. If using soft or big bait, the use of bait wrap is important to prevent smaller fish from running away with your bait. This also allows you to cast further as bait can be wrapped to make them more streamlined. The Noosa and Maroochy river mouths have seen a mix of quality bream, trevally, flathead and whiting. Big bait work well here for the bigger species such as flathead, and light lines, pea sinkers and whippy surf rods keep it fun when fishing for smaller bream and whiting during the day. The upper reaches of the Noosa River from Lake Cootharaba and beyond have started to produce good numbers of mangrove jack in the snags and flathead on the flats. Lure anglers are getting best results by casting deep into cover on bait cast gear and weedless paddle tail plastics such as the Keitech Swing Impact. Poppers similar to www.bnbfishing.com.au

the ever-faithful Lucky Craft G-Splash in darker colours work very well for early mornings. Trolling hard-bodies has worked well over various rock bars – switch stock hooks out for 4x strong Decoy Y-S81. Lures to use include Lucky Craft Pointers and Jackall Squirrels in various gold and red colours, as well as the old faithful Bomber 15A in Gold. Downstream from the mouth of Cooroibah, decent-sized jewfish have been taken on various plastics and soft vibes. Plastics in the 3” size range are working well on 1/4oz jig heads and a light leader. Using prawn-style plastics such as the Atomic Plazos Prong, and slow twitched and paused often gets the bites. If you’re seeing fish on sounders without getting bites, try going lighter on leaders, dead sticking your plastic and using scent. This can tempt lineshy or uninterested fish into biting. Heading away from the lakes toward the marina, the ski run has good numbers of smaller giant and bigeye trevally, queenfish and undersized jewfish. If fishing around the lower estuary, surface fishing for trevally on first and last light are the best times and using 70100mm stickbaits. Be sure to have Bassday Sugapen and Atomic Bulldog lures in your kit because these catch fish. Keep leaders to no more than 14lb and 60cm in length as they tend to sink the lure and ruin the action.

This applies to those who use a walk the dog style retrieve from a great distance. Bass and saratoga are becoming increasingly active, with fish taking lures off the top. Suspending diving lures dropped around timber and weed edges also works very well. Consistent producers are the Jackall Squirrel and Nories Laydown Minnow in the smaller sizes. Use leaders up to 12lb for bigger fish, especially if you are deep in the snags. Curl tail plastics in 3-4” sizes work well on schooled bass and the use of heavy jig heads is a must for slow rolling presentations. Another option that continues to provide fat fish is the Hot Bite Gangbanger. These can be deep dropped, slow rolled or jigged, so be sure to carry one if other options aren’t working. Other surface lures to try include the Chasebaits Bobbin Frog along weed edges. With the lack of lilies in Borumba Dam, you will have to find weed banks and adopt the same style of presentation to trigger a bite. Now, for all the latest information, log onto fishingnoosa.com.au for up-to-date bar and fishing reports, and don’t forget to drop into Tackle World Noosa, Noosa Boating and Outdoors and Northshore Bait & Tackle in Marcoola for all the right equipment, bait and advice to get you catching. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and remember, tight lines and bent spines!

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021 – Page 45

The tinnie with new tail lights being flushed after a run in the local river.

Fishing Teewah Beach and a new second-hand tinnie

The author’s new second-hand 3.7m Quintrex tinnie.

The tinnie stripped of the bimini, swivel and padded seats and storage compartment. Page 46 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021

HAT can we expect to happen on the coast in October? Well, once the September school holidays are over, I will buy a monthly vehicle permit and in good calm weather start fishing for summer whiting on Teewah Beach. I prefer to have a low tide around midday, but I head off from home at around 10am, get over to the beach and drive to where the hand-glider take off ramp is, then look for good worm beds in that area. I catch a few beachworms, which takes me a few hours because these days my reflexes are not as good as they were a few years ago. But I love catching beachworms, so it’s all part of the trip. Once I have enough bait, I rig up my rod – a 2m rod with a small 2500 spinning reel or a Alvey Bakelight reel that my dad bought for me about 50 years ago. I use a simple running sinker rig with a

Tinnie Time by CRAIG TOMKINSON

long shank hook, and I use a big bait. Then I start fishing any little gutter that I think would hold whiting, heading north towards the camping ground. I fish until dark and, if the fish are still chewing, I will keep fishing until there’s enough time left to catch the last barge over the Noosa River. By the time this issue is out, I will hopefully have sold my 5m tinnie, as I am downsizing my rig before heading north. I was on Facebook Marketplace and I spotted a nice 3.7m Quintrex tinnie with a good trailer and a lovely 2015 Yamaha 15hp 2-stroke on the back. I messaged the seller and it was still for sale, so my son Gavin and I slipped up to Bundaberg, had a look, handed over the money, did the regis-

tration transfer papers, dropped them in at the Department of Transport, paid the fees and headed for home. Once at home, I got to work on the boat – it had a bimini, swivel and padded seats and a ply storage compartment up front. It took a few hours or so before I had it all stripped out – with alloy angle and pop rivets gone and sanded smooth – it was a mess, with sharp objects everywhere, a nightmare if trying to handline out of the boat. What I took out weighed around 20kg, so with the boat back to its 76kg weight, it will be easy to put on top of the Toyota LandCruiser 80 series roof racks. I will start crabbing in the Noosa River in November, so fingers crossed we’re in for a good crabbing season. Until next month, be safe on the water. www.bnbfishing.com. au

Justin with a nice longtail tuna on jigging gear.

Laura and her partner Luke enjoyed a hot bite on a few big queenfish.

Jigs get species jumping

HE tough fishing continued through August, especially around neap tides, but we had it easier near a full moon, though not right on it. As I reviewed my images, hot bites were not often triggered in my memory. One case in particular was a beautiful day with a young couple who had recently had a tough session fishing at Lake Awoonga, so I was keen to give them a day to remember. It was extremely tough – we boated a nice grunter for dinner first up but then struggled to get bites, bar those from sharks. We lost a cracking mulloway on a jig – it was heartbreaking to work so hard – and the only upside was getting the jig back and being able to see what we’d had on the end of the line. The damn shark gave us only a few seconds to enjoy the battle. Later in the day, Laura managed to sting a few queenfish in a short but highly entertaining bite period. It was my last card to play, so I was thankful some fish played the game.

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Robbie with a tasty grunter. He was happy.

Fraser Guided Fishing by TRI TON

A different day but on a full moon, our crew boated a few fish and lost a few fish, and then we went through a very tough dry spell. To throw a spanner in the works, it was an absolute cracker of a day, so the traffic was ridiculous. Our winter weather was super bad this year, meaning any nice day was crazy from the ramp to Rooney’s Point. It was lucky that previously we could tell jigs were working – which wasn’t the case earlier in winter. Jigs are so much easier for novice anglers to use, and I placed this particular crew in that category. We persisted and found a nice patch of nannygai to keep us entertained and landed legal-sized fish. The icing on the cake was a beauty of a morwong – on a jig too! Another positive was the number of grunter taken around a full moon. They ate plastics, vibes and jigs when we found the schools.

Occasionally they sat under trevally and at other times in their own company. In any case, they provided good feeds and a small amount of sport, particularly if they were over 60cm. Father and son crew Jay and Mav caught a few of these fish. There were also longtail tuna hanging around them in one of the better sessions just before a full moon. We ended the day on a hot bite when I found a nice school of giant herring.

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Graham was very happy with a beautiful morwong.

Paul did well on jigs with his first legal large-mouth nannygai.

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Taking time out to go fishing W ITH the September school holidays upon us and the seemingly ever-present possibility of a lockdown, make the most of the break and go fishing with your kids. September is often considered a ‘cusp’ month, where we experience a change in species available. That is, we see declining catches of the winter species and the slow awakening of summer species with the water temperature increase. With little rain over winter, it will be interesting to see how our local estuaries fish. The positive benefits of a fresh are well known – a fresh is literally a kick-starter for the entire food chain. An example of the effects of the dry weather has been the decrease of prawns in our area. While they have still been available, it could be argued that they

Bundaberg Region by BRAD YOUNG

have not been in their usual quantities. Our local rivers and creeks have been producing good numbers of flathead, particularly using live and fresh bait on a making tide. There have also been whiting taken on the shallower flats and edges of banks using yabbies. With a full moon approaching, these species should increase in activity as the tide increases in magnitude. Due to a lack of time, we fishers often pump our yabbies at the bottom of a tide or the start of a run-in and have missed prime fishing when we eventually get to our chosen fishing spot. The best strategy for targeting these species is to try to pump your yabbies a day or two

before your planned fishing time, so you can fish the first of a runin tide as it floods the banks. Grunter have still been a feature in recent catches. Paula Smith landed her personal best 69cm in the Kolan River recently. She was fishing deeper water with a whole sprat that a grunter could not resist. Nice fish Paula! Offshore opportunities have been appearing often mid-week. Keen anglers have enjoyed a bit of success with coral trout always willing to take a live bait or fresh pilchard. Tuskfish have also been keen for a chew in the peak times of dawn and dusk. The tuskies appear to quieten down from

Paula Smith with her personal best 69cm Kolan River grunter. Nice fish Smithy. Page 48 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021

sun rise until it starts to drop, when they have a bit of a pre-sleep feeding frenzy. Those chasing red emperor have also enjoyed success, though luck avoiding the sharks plays a big part in individual triumphs. If sharks do appear when you’re fishing, don’t waste your time or tackle – move on. Sharks taking fish is occasionally a sign that you’re fishing a regularly fished area, where they have been conditioned that there’s a feed available. To reduce the chances of the taxman appearing, never throw your fish frames, old bait and other enticements overboard at your fishing spot. Keep these aboard until you have moved away and then dump them. Dumping where you fish is similar to throwing your fish scraps in the same spot in a river up north where you’ll eventually be met by a crocodile. I simply use a plastic bucket for all frames and offal and then dump this after we’ve moved well away from where we intend to fish. Mud crabs should start to appear again as the water temperature rises, though a good fresh will help flush them out of their holes and less accessible areas into creeks and rivers where they can be caught more easily. As an aside, after a reef trip when cleaning fish, I usually bag my frames in packs of eight – for two per pot in four pots – and will

also often use a bit of wire to have them ready to be sewn in pots. This makes it a little quicker when baiting pots and ensures you have the right amount of bait. Longer days welcomed With the amount of daylight increasing every day and winter sport finished, you may have more opportunities to head out in your boat. Make sure you take the time to ensure your trailer is in tip top shape – that the lights are working, bearings checked and greased or replaced, and any other repairs and maintenance done so your fishing trips are not ruined because of a breakage. This maintenance doesn’t take too much time if done frequently but when completed, can save many hours stuck on the roadside while you wait for assistance. Monduran action should be heating up With the daytime temperature beginning to rise, barramundi will start to fire in Lake Monduran again. My suggestion is to wait for the first few days of a warm northerly – which will lift the water temperature – and then head to the dam. Check with the staff at your preferred local tackle shop to find which lure styles and colours have been nailing fish. As always, I can be contacted by email at f ish nboat@bigpond. com or via post at PO Box 5812, Bundaberg West QLD 4670. Until next month…

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AWN broke to an amazing day with not a breath of wind and, after another hot breakfast and briefing, they were on their way to explore a new set of reefs. The day was similar to fishing in a bathtub and was so calm you could let rip with the 50hp motors and get out to the 5NM range with ease. The fish were on the chew too and anything that was thrown at them was eaten. Helaine started with Rob’s homemade jelly prawns that the trout absolutely loved, then followed with a Shimao Butterfly Flat Fall jig in pink which was more than acceptable to the scaly critters below. Next out of the box was an octopus jig, then the ever reliable and great performing Berkley Gulp Nuclear Chicken soft plastic, both of which worked a treat and performed exceptionally. Running out of ideas, H finally decided to go old school and drown a

Power Boat Anglers by MICK CLUTTERBUCK

bait and guess what… the trout loved that too. No matter what outfit or jig, plastic or bait presentation that was thrown at them, the trout vacuumed anything up. H had only witnessed this type of fishing once before in her life and that was when she was a kid in Cairns in the early 1980s – this session was one she’d never forget. Back at Big Cat, it was apparent that everyone had the same luck, with good catches of trout coming on board from all directions. After a quick pow wow, all the fishers decided to up the size limit to slow the catch rate and ensure the bag limit was not exceeded. Choosing to explore new area in the afternoon and try for top water fish, they moved to a coral reef where they could throw stickbaits.

While topwater fish were the target, the first fish to jump on were… you guessed it… coral trout. H and Rob moved around and watched as Sam hooked up to a giant trevally and motored over to watch the fight. H could hear Sam squealing with delight as the line peeled off his reel, with his brother John barking instructions at him. Soon enough Sam had the GT under control and boatside. His smile was from ear to ear and H and Rob were, to say the least, a tad jealous. They set off to find themselves a GT but try as they might, they couldn’t tease a hook up. H said she had plenty of bumps and follows but just could not crack the pattern to get them to smack it, de* continued P51

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Swain Reefs redemption trip – Part 2 spite varying from fast to slow retrieves and everywhere in between. It was a good excuse to go back again she said. Day five was a carbon copy of day three with another glass out and fish on the chew everywhere. By now, all were keeping a close eye on the tally of fish and were backing off a little on the bottom bashing. Most had now turned to testing out equipment and lures that were purchased from Nomad Tackle representative Rob, who was onboard to do some testing of his own. Rob managed a nice GT, as did his deckhand Andrew, so the

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there in the early morning, then they’d be able to get half a day of fishing in better conditions than they were currently experiencing. All agreed with the plan and the tenders were hauled back onboard for the first time in six days. They awoke to the sound of the anchor going down and after breakfast fished off the cat. A good feed was caught through the day and maybe the occasional beverage was downed too. Sil came through at the death hooking up on a lovely coronation trout to snatch the skippers classic catch pot and claim victory. The afternoon was

spent on the back deck drinking pirate brew and feeling a little sad that the trip was over and they headed south for home. Late afternoon and the engines slowed as they found themselves in the middle of a huge pod of humpback whales that put on a show jumping and swimming around the boat. The sea had flattened back out to a millpond with a magical sunset to watch as they motored home. H noted that this was the most epic way to tick off her bucket list item, with a trip that was great in so many ways. She noted that the crew of Big Cat Reality were the most profes-

sional and courteous she’d come across over many years of doing charters. The food was five star, the fishing was next level and the weather for most part was excellent. Definitely time to start earning brownie points to do it all over again. Please note that the meeting times have changed and now occur on the first Wednesday of every month at ‘The Club Manly’ (bowls club), 26 Faine St Manly from 6.30pm for a 7.00pm start. Upcoming meetings are Wednesday October 6 and Wednesday November 3. Until next month, safe boating.

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BOATING & marine Insights into boat insurance

Avoiding ramp mishaps – yours and theirs

QUICK question, where do a substantial proportion of marine mishaps which result in insurance claims occur? If you answered at the boat ramp, you’re statistically right on the mark. But with a little thought beforehand, a good plan and patience, even the most crowded boat ramp can become a happy place to be. It starts with queuing for the ramp. That’s the time to acknowledge other boaties and to keep yourself well clear of the ramp as you start to prepare your boat for launching. Every good boatie has a checklist and an order in which to do things. As an example, step one – motor tilted to the right angle, so it doesn’t drag the skeg

down the ramp. Step two – fuel taps open and fuel system primed to avoid further delays at the ramp. Step three – bungs and deck drains in. And so on through a list that would also include things such as ensuring that the bow eye shackle is still secured, that the turnbuckle and chain are still attached to keep the boat safe when reversing down the ramp, that the winch rope is still attached for the trip down the ramp, that the winch handle is in a convenient place, that there are no youngsters in the area who may wander behind the boat, that gear is placed into the boat before it goes down the ramp, that the crew is briefed on who is going to do what and when, that the postlaunch landing place

has been selected, that the tiedowns are ready to be removed quickly, that you’ve checked the condition of the ramp and the water level at the end of it and in doing so that you’ve noted the slope and slipperiness of the ramp… there’s a myriad of pre-launch checks to be made. But while waiting patiently in the queue also be aware of what else is going on. Has that person over there left their ice cooler balancing precariously on the rear deck of their boat as they get into the driver’s seat? If so, politely draw their attention to it. Is someone about to reverse over a fallen fishing rod? Perfect time for you to warn them. Being smart helps avoid mishaps – the sort of mishaps that slow things down,

lead to frustration and cause impatience, which in turn leads to additional mishaps that may in turn result in insurance claims. Ordinarily, there is a clearly defined path of arrival, launch and departure from the top of boat ramps. Look for it, learn the flow and wait your turn. And after having made all the reasonable checks and having been a lookout for others nearby, have a super careful look for the inexperienced or thoughtless water users. That person peeling into the leads at near full-throttle is probably going to be the one who doesn’t back off early enough when they get closer. Take that into account before backing down the ramp. Are you going to be confronted with a bow wave from their vessel just as yours reaches launch level? It’s not only on the ramp itself that prompts a disproportionate number of insurance claims. It’s in the general area of the ramp as well. There’s a classic site at one bayside ramp where the local authority placed pebble-

filled heavy-duty bags – some of which have since split – so boats could ‘park’ while owners retrieved their boat trailers. Unfortunately, as many boaties found out, the authority or contractor did not remove the hard volcanic rocks from the shallows on the approach to this ‘landing beach’. Crunch, grind, gouge. Fortunately, repair work to fibreglass in these circumstances is generally claimable under policies from leading specialist marine insurers such as Nautilus Marine. Apart from the obvious exposure in that instance, it’s worth noting that even sandy quays can have the occasional rock exposed by tidal influences. Taking extra care in the shallows is always a smart move. Any special conditions and excesses should always be explained clearly in your insurance policy’s product disclosure statement. 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 52 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021

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BOATING & marine

Stacer celebrates 50 years of adventures

STABLISHED in 1971, this year Stacer not only commemorates its golden anniversary but a plethora of golden years, delivering thousands of Australians more than a lifetime of memories. Fifty years young, Stacer celebrates only the beginning of its successes, launching into the market with its latest campaign honouring a golden history of the brand name. From 1971 to today, it’s said that Stacer quickly established itself as one of the fondest and most recognised names in the boating industry, becoming a major part of many families lives in Australia and beyond. Telwater general manager Sam Heyes said, “Acquired by Telwater in 1999, Stawww.bnbfishing.com.au

cer has completely boomed.” “With a rich history already established in the market, we took the brand to another level by introducing specialty craftsmanship techniques into the designs, including technical aluminium moulding to strengthen and form the hull into shapes similar to that of fibreglass to deliver an industry-best ride experience.” What started off as a small factory based in Victoria – founded by Ernie Stadler and Horst Cerncic who combined their surnames to cultivate Stacer Alloy Craft Pty Ltd – has now flourished into a fully comprehensive aluminium boat brand with over 90 models under its belt. Offering an impressive line up of models specifically built to meet the needs of

every boatie with a diverse range of tinnies, ba r r a mu nd i-f ish i ng styled boats, runabouts, bow riders and offshore plate boats, Stacer is a one-stop super shop for unlimited boating adventures. Stacer has been delivering a lifetime of unforgettable memories to a devoted community of Stacer owners, thanks to a rich history of committed dealers. Pat and Dennis McKeegan, owners of one of the first and longest trading Stacer dealerships – which operated from 1977 until their retirement in 2018 – have seen firsthand the brand flourish to the force it is today. “Stacer has come a long way from being a basic tinnie to a fully integrated boat motor trailer package,” Pat said. “The success of the

brand is the quality control and pride of workmanship of factory personnel.” Now manufactured out of the Coomera Queensland-based factory, over 300 staff members put their hands to work to craft the full fleet of Stacer boats. Thanks to a specialised team of research and development professionals, Stacer continues to reinvent the wheel of boating by delivering revolutionary designs including the Revolution Hull, while maintaining a solid reputation for quality, strength, longevity and reliability. With a portfolio of over 50 dealers who bestow widespread industry knowledge to make both new and experienced boaties buying experience a breeze, there is a passionate Stacer expert at

the fingertips of every Australian. Northside Marine sales manager Bill Hull said, “One of the best experiences is seeing a repeat customer now on their third or even fourth Stacer that they have purchased from us.” “At every touch point it is easy to do business… from the quality of boats to easiness of the sale process and then through to the enjoyable day when customers are taking delivery of their new Stacer.” Owned and operated by global leader in the world of powersports BRP, 50 years is only the beginning of what’s to come. Join the revolution by becoming part of the family today by contacting your local Stacer dealer at stacer. com.au/buying-a-boat/ dealers

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021 – Page 55

The author with a ripper Fitzroy River barramundi taken on a Zerek Fish Trap soft vibe.

Hot days and hot action on Cap Coast

ELL, the days are certainly hot here on the Capricorn Coast and we aren’t even into summer yet. It’s a timely reminder to look after your health when out on the water. Sunscreen, long clothes and hydration should be top priorities on everyone’s list. Sometimes when you’re on fish or looking for spots, these important factors can be easily forgotten. I know it has caught me out a few times and I’ve ended up with either sunburn or dehydration, so make sure to slip, slop, slap and keep the fluids up. Nice warm water tem-

Capricorn Coast by JOHN BOON

perature means that all the summer species are well and truly on line. I can’t wait to get the opportunity to go and have a flick for a mangrove jack, but for now they’ll have to wait because we only have this month left to chase saltwater barramundi, which is now my number one passion. Once upon a time I was a mad keen reef goer and all I cared about was a flat sea and red fish. The barra bug bit hard and it was time for a change. Don’t get me wrong,

Page 56 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021

I still love heading out to the reef but there’s something about barramundi that keeps me going back. They can be so fussy and react quite quickly to changes in conditions. Catching them is a thinking man’s game and that’s why I love targeting them. I’m going to talk about the top three mistakes made by anglers new to the game. The first would be gear failure under your control. Drag washers not up to scratch, knot failure,

poor reel maintenance, blunt hooks, weak split rings and the list goes on. Make sure you do your research because barramundi will find all the weaknesses in your game. Everything – including rod, reel, line, leader, knots and terminal tackle – should be barra ready. Get this right before you even cast a lure. The second would be anglers not knowing what their electronics are showing them. In my opinion, there is no excuse for this as there is so much information available now… on YouTube, the internet and there are also sounder courses

you can purchase. Make sure you master your electronics and know how to navigate with ease. Making sure you are casting at fish is a good start. When you’re starting out, being on fish is important so you can see what lures and retrieves work and what doesn’t. If you don’t know if there’re fish present, it can be a bit of a guessing game. The third would be getting pigeon-holed into fishing a couple of pressured spots. As in fishing spots that the entire city knows about. You need to get out * continued P57

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Hot days and hot action on Cap Coast * from P56

there and find your own spots. If you continually go to the common areas, then your results are going to be very limited. There’s no greater feeling than finding a new honey hole loaded with barramundi and catching them to eat. It doesn’t matter if you capture them on a lure or live bait because a barra on deck is a barra on deck, regardless of the technique used. Speaking of barra, don’t forget the Fitzroy River Barra Bash is on again this month. The boundary is the entire Rockhampton net-free zone, so plenty of room to find a spot or two. A big stack of cash and prizes are up for grabs. The main prize money is for a team of two’s most meters of barramundi, and the prizes goes all the way down to tenth, so the odds are good if you fancy yourself a good barra fisho. There is also prize money for the biggest barra, biggest king threadfin and most meters of king threadfin. They always make it bigger and better each year, so make sure to come along and join in on the fun. You can either search the Fitzroy River Barra Bash tournament on the net or give the Frenchville Sports Club a call on 07 4932 6800. When the weather has played the game, the islands and offshore www.bnbfishing.com.au

have been fishing well, especially on the lead up to a full and a new moon. Most reports have been that red emperor and large-mouth nannygai have been fairly easy to locate. Sharks have been hit and miss with several anglers saying they’re getting hammered and others not having any trouble at all. I prefer to fish the flatter areas when sharks are being a pain. Big structure such as wrecks and pinnacles look to be magnets for them. The fern grounds are a great place to get away from the grey suits. Well, that’s it from me this month, I’m off to start prepping for the Barra Bash. We didn’t do well last year, so we are keen for redemption. I’ll have a detailed report in coming months… stay tuned.

A nice surprise for Luke Peisker when slow rolling a paddle tail for a barramundi was this top grunter coming in at 58cm.

A nice new spot sounded with the Humminbird Helix. Barramundi everywhere. Time to get the rods out.

The author with a nice Fitzroy River threadfin salmon at 114cm. Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021 – Page 57

Often the further away from anyone you are, the more chance you have of catching a jungle perch.

Fishing in a freshwater tropical paradise

HE allure of fishing for jungle perch is not just in the thrill of the fight or the unique colours of the species. JP are generally isolated to the far north of Australia. Most people in pursuit of catching one of these fish might not have them on their doorstep. The preparation for the trip rarely comes down to the fishing equipment but more so the choosing of unique destinations that are removed from society and involve a bit of a trek.

Quite often the further away from anyone else you are, the more likely of catching a jungle perch, as they haven’t seen a lure before. These remote locations can be spectacularly beautiful and untouched. In between casts, an angler might need to grab the pliers and pinch themselves to remind them they are truly in fishing paradise. How to find them JP are a tropical freshwater species that can be caught lurking in stormwater drains

Smaller jungle perch are often sighted as the bigger models are more aware of their surroundings. Page 58 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021

through Cairns or at the base of magnificent waterfalls with gin-clear water in the Daintree. Be aware of your surroundings and be on the lookout for crocodiles, especially in the lower reaches where JP might be found. The more popular spots to target this fish are usually above croc country in skinny water. Go on Google maps and find waterways, follow them with your finger to look for sections that could be of interest – usually, deep-

er holes in running water. This species of fish has been so successful in the far north due to their vigilant and attentive nature. Quite often an angler will become aware that there are jungle perch in the area by sighting fish free swimming. Generally speaking, the fish sighted are smaller than the potential of the water hole, creek or fall. The bigger fish are more aware of their surroundings and have deliberately hidden from potential predators.

The more popular spots to target jungle perch are usually above crocodile country in skinny water.

This is one of the reasons that casting accurately can improve the size of your catch in flowing and longer creeks with plentiful fish. Here is a tip that I have found of particular use and tend to abide by as a rule of thumb. Bigger fish hold at the base of bigger falls. They tend to head upstream, and when they can no longer get any further because of a waterfall, they concede to perching up – pardon the pun. This is not to say that big fish cannot be caught elsewhere. Some great fish can be pulled out of small holes or under rocks only slightly covered by water. The fish are hiding, you will catch them when you find them and put the time in. How to get them When you have found a likely waterway, it is * continued P59

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Fishing in a freshwater tropical paradise * from P58

important to complete some reconnaissance to ensure you know the most suitable ambush points to wet a line. The term ‘ambush’ needs to be applied in a unique way when targeting JP. The crystal-clear skinny water that they quite often call home has allowed the fish to maintain a high alert to any potential predators. Any added disturbances in the water – vibrations, poorly sighted or violent casts, lures or even shadows that show movement on the banks – will potentially shut the bite down. Try not to wear super bright clothing that sticks out against the lush green backdrop. When approaching creeks always be mindful that they are on the lookout. If wading, minimise disturbances and look to start downstream casting up. Try to make sure that the first cast at a snag or hole is accurate. Always remember to wear sneakers so you can sneak up on these awesome little creatures. As jungle perch are a tropical species, one theory is that they fire up later in the day once it has warmed up. Lower light periods are effective, and late afternoon is prime time. This goes against the stereotype of ‘first light bite’ that anglers are familiar with for other www.bnbfishing.com.au

freshwater species. The gear Lighter outfits will mean that less pressure is needed to cast lures and less splash will follow as the lure hits the water. It will also mean that smaller lures can be used without risking wind knots. The Atomic Arrows Skinny Water 6lb outfit is the perfect length and weight for JP. The shortened length will allow an increased range for casting among trees without having to get too far out in the open, which could scare the fish off. A 2500-size reel will do the job, using 6-8lb Dangan Braid by Majorcraft. The advanced 8-carrier or weave technology in the braid will allow for longer casts with a greater sensitivity to lure action and bites. Unitika FC The Rock 8lb fluorocarbon leader is abrasive in the snags while providing the necessary shock for a high impact bite. Most of the time jungle perch will be looking to the skies for a feed. Any bugs that are falling out of the thick canopy are gorged on. In the crystal-clear water, there is simply nothing better than experiencing the fish launch themselves out from snags to thump your lure. The Atomic Semi Hardz Soft Pop is a new lure that has come onto the market. The action of the lure

can be subtle or emphatic, depending on the intensity of the rod twitch. JPs prefer less vigorous popping action – using even the index finger to knock the base of the rod to work the tip. Another tackle box favourite is the Bassday SugaPen – with such a great reputation for a variety of species, its walk the dog action in 70mm is prime. The Atomic K9 comes in a few small sizes, representing small minnows darting across the surface. These are great in ankle-deep water – you’d be surprised what size fish you can pull out. Jungle perch are a fish that should be on every fisho’s bucket list. They will take you to extraordinary locations and provide plenty of fun along the way. Zac Panaretos

Lighter outfits mean less pressure is needed to cast lures and less splash will follow as the lure hits the water.

Vigilant and attentive, older and larger jungle perch will deliberately hide from potential predators.

This tropical species tend to fire up in lower light periods and late afternoon is a prime time. Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021 – Page 59

Mangrove jack are a prize catch anytime, but the thrill is even more enhanced when taken on a fly. Paul Millist landed this ripper on one of the author’s hand-tied Deceivers.

Top time to cast a fly around the Gulf

HILE fly fishing might seem a difficult way to catch a fish, there are those who enjoy the challenge that the technique involves. Personally, I find fly fishing satisfying and very relaxing even though it conversely requires a high degree of activity. At its highest level, when you are actually casting to a fish you have sighted, it requires arguably the most intense concentration of

Trip to the Tip by DAVE DONALD

any fishing technique. As far as opportunities for the budding fly fisher go, northern Australia definitely has more to offer in terms of available species. I have personally guided parties of fly casters who have notched up more than 40 species for a week’s effort while fishing the Gulf of Carpentaria coast

Page 60 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021

between the Archer and Cotterell rivers. That coastline would be hard to beat in terms of available species and habitat range. There are not many places that you can catch barramundi, salmon, queenfish, trevally, giant herring and permit along the beaches then head offshore for longtail tuna, cobia, mackerel plus even bigger queenies and trevors. One of the best times for keen fly fishers happens during the months of September and October in the gulf. At this time of year, the southeast trade wind generally starts to taper off, providing near perfect water clarity and improved ease of casting. And the transition in

the unusual gulf tidal oscillations, from a winter to summer pattern, results in perhaps the most consistent sight fishing conditions of the entire year. In terms of tackle, the most versatile outfit would consist of an 8 or

9-weight rod matched with a lightweight large arbour reel capable of holding at least 150m of 30-50lb braid backing behind an intermediate or sink tip fly line. Most fly lines these days have a loop at each

* continued P61

The author sight fished this chunky blubber lipped bream that was part of a small school sitting on the edge of scattered reef. The fish took some arm wrestling to keep it out of the stones. www.bnbfishing.com. au

Top time to cast a fly around the Gulf * from P60

end allowing a tapered leader to be quickly attached to the forward end. Making your own leader is fairly simple – just join about 90cm each of 60, 40 and 20lb mono with double blood or uni knots, making sure to add a short shock tippet of 40lb immediately before the fly because many tropical species have abrasive jaws. As an all-round fly, the Clouser minnow fly pattern is hard to beat. It’s best to have a range of sizes from about a number 6 to 2/0 hook and various eye weights. Other versatile flies include the Lefty’s Deceiver, Pink Thing, Surf Candy, crab and shrimp. There are hundreds of great patterns out there, but the most important factor is to have faith in the fly you use. Barramundi are suckers for a well-presented fly. My preferred offering is a Deceiver tied with plenty of flash on a size 2/0-4/0 hook, fished with a long slow retrieve and leaving a slight pause between strips. If a fish does flash behind the fly, do not stop, keep it moving. If there is the likelihood of larger barra in the area, upgrade your shock tippet to 60lb to avoid being chafed off on the thinner stuff. Probably the most important part of saltwater www.bnbfishing.com.au

fly-fishing technique is striking the fish effectively. The key is to remember not to lift the rod immediately after the fly is taken – rather keep the rod tip pointed at the fish and use your retrieving hand to set the hook. It’s the total opposite of trout fishing technique but needs to be applied particularly to northern species. Believe me when I tell you that I’ve seen hundreds of fish lost when the hooks dropped out after being ‘hooked’ by trout fishos. If you are fairly new to fly fishing, my advice would be to book with a guide for your first gulf experience. Your learning curve and technique will definitely benefit from their intimate knowl-

edge of the area. Meanwhile, let’s hope the latest COVID outbreak is brought under control and we can all get back on the water. Stay safe and good fishing!

All trevally species love a fly and are one of the toughest fighters around. Big goldens such as this one are regulars along the gulf coast.

Big queenfish are one of the best performers around and will smash a wellpresented fly with gusto. Nick pulled this stonker from a bust up.

Richard landed this lovely salty barramundi off a rocky point slightly south of the mouth of the Wenlock River at Cullen Point. His party landed quite a few here during the first hour of an ebb tide. Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021 – Page 61

Sweet Samaki offering

A sooty grunter captured on a Samaki Vibelicious.

The author with a solid jungle perch.

S anglers we can get fairly set in our ways – we have our go-to lures, rods, reels and accessories that we rely on when we’re out on the water. Though occasionally we are drawn to something shiny on the shelf of our local tackle shop. That item for me was a Samaki Vibelicious Thumper Tail, the 70mm version for my freshwater ventures to the upper reaches of north Queensland’s rivers. The Thumper Tail is a bit heavier than my other go-to lures and as such is more versatile when conditions get a bit windy or targets are out of range for lighter options. The vibrations the lure puts out can be felt through the rod tip, letting you know the lure is working well. I work the lure by pulling it through the water column to make the vibration then pause while winding the tip of the rod forward – the lure

Fishing Cairns by BRETT PARKS

doesn’t necessarily have to drop but stop vibrating, and it’s during this stage of the retrieve that most bites are had. Using this method, you can fish shallow water, and allowing the lure to drop during the pause will see better action while fishing deeper sections of the river. I appreciate this deeper style when chasing tarpon, as they will often sit on the bottom of holes scanning up for any errant offering coming their way. Most times a hardbodied lure will not get far enough down to entice a bite. The Vibelicious

Thumper Tail has the ability to get down to the desired depth and bring on silver flashes, and then great fishing action. The rear treble is suspended horizontally by a soft plastic sleeve or collar – this reduces snags and presents the hooks near the tail, reducing near misses. I am really warming to this lure and think that it will probably become one of my go-to lures and a permanent feature in future. It is also good to expand your tackle box with more options and different techniques.

Planning a trip to North Queensland? Freya and her nice little jungle perch.

Book a charter today! From barramundi to marlin, jungle perch to jacks, we’ve got you covered. Page 62 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021

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Merv’s solid sooty grunter. www.bnbfishing.com. au

There are a lot of fishy features in this drone image. Water eddying around a submerged rock bar, a small drain, a drop-off ledge, distinct colour changes and flats that will hold fish on a flooding tide.

Gearing up for remote Cape York trip

T’S time to gear up for our annual trip to chase barramundi in several remote Cape York river systems prior to the closure. An assortment of highly prized estuary and inshore species will also be on the target species list in this wonderfully wild part of the world. October is definitely one of the most exciting months to be fishing Cape York. As days grow warmer, the water temperature rises and the fishing fires up. Species such as barramundi feed hard after being less active through cool dry season months. The tip of Cape York is about an hour’s boat ride away from our home-base of Thursday Island. However, we travel much further on these extended trips – which I’ve been doing now for 11 years. Over the course of www.bnbfishing.com.au

Cape York & Torres Strait by MATT POTTER

a week, I’ll explore a number of remote river systems covering up to 250NM by boat – which is 463km – but it is largely weather dependent. Red emperor, fingermark, nannygai, bluebone and trout are viable options in the inshore shallow waters. We have caught nice reds at 65cm in only 6m of water. Anglers much further south fishing in 6070m of water are in disbelief of this. The pelagic action this time of year is wild. While queenfish, spanish mackerel and a range of trevally species are encountered in good numbers, it’s the northern bluefin (also known as longtail) and mack tuna that are most prolific as they gorge on the abundance of bait.

Their location is quickly given away by diving terns and booby birds. The 55g Halco Twisty in Gold is a lure I’ve written about many times before and highspeed spinning one of these generally results in hook-ups within seconds. It sure provides some drag-screaming fun and I always have a spin stick rigged with these lures as we’re travelling. It is fair to say that a lot of planning goes into this week-long trip. With several boats joining in, there’s plenty of banter. It is interesting to reflect on some of our earlier trips fishing this region. There weren’t any specific plans, we just headed out each day and fished.

Nevertheless, we had an absolute ball catching a handful of barra and an assortment of other species in a magic part of the country. As with any location, the more time you spend fishing an area, the more you learn about what does and doesn’t work. With over 30 trips fishing the region, the fishing these days is much more targeted. In fact, as a teacher I guess the planning has transferred across to fishing, and for the past six to seven years or so I have a rigid ‘game plan’, which is devised by collating as much information as I can muster, including knowledge from previous trips. The tide, water temp and lunar cycle are all critical factors that can impact fishing, so we have timed the past few years around a full moon. Over the years we’ve

come to rely on certain lures and techniques that we found work best in the particular region we fish. This game planning has resulted in some epic sessions on barra in recent years and, though in the early days we used to catch 20 barra in a week, we now rack up 20 plus per day and solid ones of up to 96cm at that. Yes, I’m still trying to get my Cape York 1m barramundi. With barra being the main target species, here are three useful tips for the travelling angler. Study the tide The area we fish has a semidiurnal tide. This refers to a tide that has a period or cycle of approximately 12.5 hours. Therefore, a semidiurnal tide usually has two high and two low tides each day – which is common in many parts of the world. * continued P64

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021 – Page 63

Fingermark are a common catch on the inshore rubbly grounds.

A legal red emperor caught in only 6m of water on a Halco Twisty in Gold. Got to love Cape York!

Gearing up for Cape York * from P63

An 84cm chrome barramundi taken from the salt using a live mullet floated into a rock bar.

A 91cm barramundi taken from brackish water while trolling a junction with a Classic 120mm +10 Barra Ghost in Casper. Page 64 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021

For the region of the Cape we fish, one tide set has significant tidal change and therefore water movement, and the other has little variation – about 40cm. We find barra are more concentrated in back-eddies when there is greater tidal movement and they tend to feed more aggressively. As the tidal movement slows, the bite often does too, so live bait are effective. I collect live bait such as mullet around the river mouth where they are easy to get and then take them 12NM up a system into freshwater – where they are harder to find – and flick them out… they don’t need to last long. Typical areas are of course drains, snags and deeper junctions on river bends and rock bars. The flats around river mouths are often overlooked but hold good numbers of barra, particularly as the tide starts flooding and the bait moves into the shallows. Studying the tide also ensures you don’t spend

half the day high and dry in these shallow systems and lose good fishing time. Lure colours I’ve found colours make a big difference for barramundi fishing, having a lot to do with the colour of the water. Personally, I prefer to use more natural lure colours around the mouth of rivers in cleaner water during the dry season. I use fluorescent or gold which reflects plenty of sunlight in dirtier water or prominent colour changes around drains, and paler colours such as Casper White tend to be highly effective in the more tannin-stained or tea-coloured brackish freshwater found in the upper reaches of most systems. It doesn’t take the crew long to change to a certain colour when one lure is outperforming the rest five to one. Lure choice I enjoy trying new lures each trip but that said, there are several lures I have come to rely on for barra. For hard-bodies these include the Clas-

sic 120mm +10 Barra Ghost, Jackall Super Squirrel 115, Rapala XRap 20 and the faithful Bomber Long A B15A in gold. All have great actions, though check they have quality trebles. I prefer to fish soft vibes on the deeper junctions for barra and around rock bars for mangrove jack. The soft vibes I use mostly are Quick Catch 100mm vibes and Zerek Fish Traps. Soft plastics are also effective, and I tend to favour Z-Man 6” SwimmerZ and adjust the TT jig head for the tidal run. This year, the team at Lure Labs gave us a stash of plastics to throw around and test out and they certainly look the goods. While I tie on various other lures, I’ve found those listed above to be the most consistent for me over the years. Adjusting your lure selection to suit the water depth and colour can see catch rates improve significantly. Happy fishing! I look forward to sharing the trip report.

www.bnbfishing.com. au

Okuma Cedro Spinning Reel

SPECIFICALLY designed for saltwater use, Cedros spinning reels feature Okuma's patented Litecast construction design for reduced weight, while maintaining maximum strength and durability, along with a dual force drag system for extreme stopping power and proprietary high density gearing with corrosion resistant coating for sustained performance. Initially available in 8000, 10000 and 14000 sizes, these reels boast a comprehensive features list that also includes 6HPB+1RB corrosion resistant stainlesssteel bearings, Hydro Block watertight drag seal, machined aluminium screw in handle and loads more. Classy looks, power and performance in a feature packed, value for money bluewater reel that will put the brakes on the big ones. For more information, contact tackletactics.com.au

scrim on the rod blank. This higher carbon design reduces blank weight to further enhance rod balance, feel and performance. Fuji Fazlite guides provide ultimate connectivity between angler and fish, with their ultra-tough construction designed to stand up to the rough and tumble of fishing, yet still have the sensitivity to deliver anglers unmatched feel for a rod of this price. Flat-top EVA grips blend perfectly with the Beefstick Z’s graphite reel seat, with their ultra-sensitive design delivering angler comfort and in-hand control. A composite cork butt cap adds a classic look to the Beefstick Z’s traditional design, with its robust construction made to handle the knocks and bumps of life on and off the water. If you’re looking for an evolution of the traditional fibreglass tipped rod of yesteryear, look no further than the new Beefstick Z range. For more information, visit daiwafish ing.com.au

Atomic Weighted EWG

Shimano Silicon Landing Net Daiwa Beefstick Z

TRADITION once again meets contemporary looks and styling with the release of the new Daiwa Beefstick Z range. An evolution of the popular Beefstick series, the new Z range features a composite graphite blank integrated with a traditional fiberglass tip but takes it to another level with a new carbon outer

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through the water when netting a fish and the honeycomb mesh pattern makes it easier to free your lures or hooks if fouled up. Designed to suit anglers of all levels, whether fishing for bream and bass in the kayak, dhufish on western reefs or mighty Murray cod and barramundi in Australia’s vast impoundments. Recommended retail price from $59.99 to $99.99 depending on size. For more information, visit shimanofish. com.au

SHIMANO’S brand-new landing nets with nylon mesh are built on a sturdy heavy duty alloy frame and with four models in the range, there is an option for all favourite species across the country. The new grip design features long PVC handles for more ergonomic use, and most importantly the knotless coated nylon mesh is super durable and friendly on fish protective slime. The wide mesh design is easy to pull

ATOMIC is one of the most popular fishing tackle brands in Australia. They produce a wide array of rods, lures, plastics and jig heads for all fishing styles. To complement the existing range of monster weighted worm hooks, they have added a smaller range suitable for all estuary fishing. The hook sizes come in #1, #2 and 1/0. Built on a super sharp Gamakatsu hook, they are perfect for horizontal sinking presentation of popular plastic styles including the popular Atomic Prong. The weighted EWG comes with a weight on the shank of the hook. By placing the weight on the shank, the hook and plastic combination will sink naturally and, being weighted, it offers anglers the ability to use a weedless presentation at depths or in current that made an unweighted EWG unusable. Available in various sizes and weights. Visit atomiclures.com.au or facebook. com/atomiclures

Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021 – Page 65

C ARAVANNING & adventure

A little green oasis at the Clem Walton campsite.

Mary Kathleen ghosts from the mine

I all, 56km east of Mount Isa and 64km west of Cloncurry, situated among the dry arid country, sits the remnants of the township of Mary Kathleen. The town was built to accommodate the families of miners who worked the uranium mine. A few kilometres down the road we set up camp in the beautiful camping location of Clem Walton Park on the banks of Lake Corella. This lake was created in 1959 by the construction of the Clem Walton Dam to provide a water source for the mine and the township of Mary Kathleen but now it supplies a cool recreational area for travellers and locals escaping the outback heat. While in Cloncurry we were lucky enough to meet the grandson of

Touring by PAUL ‘CHIEF’ GRAVESON

Clem Walton and hear the yarn of how his grandfather had donated this stretch of beautiful country to Cloncurry Council, with the recommendation that it be used for future generations as a free camp destination. So, who was Clem Walton you may ask? Clem Walton and Norm McConachy discovered the uranium deposit in the area back in 1954. The mine and town were named after McConachy’s late wife Mary Kathleen. The two gentlemen sold the exploration and mining rights to Rio Tinto. The complex was mined until 1982, delivering 31 million tonnes of ore until its closure

Page 66 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021

in 1984 – a death sentence for the town. Though the buildings are long gone, there’s an eerie presence as you drive along the streets, past the concrete slabs and foundations where many houses and associated businesses stood.

Following the tracks, you pass many reminders of days long gone until you find yourself staring at the most incredible hue of water, which lies in the bottom of the old majestic open-cut mine. The colour of the water changes and almost draws you in, but you’d be well advised to stay clear and avoid any contact.

It’s ironic that this whole area is so dramatic in landscape and possibly so dangerous in nature. The grave of Thomas Tame stands silently beside one of the tracks as a reminder of how one’s life could easily end in such a place. This region is such an attack on the senses. One moment you’re * continued P67

To be here is such an experience for the senses. www.bnbfishing.com. au

C ARAVANNING & adventure

Mary Kathleen ghosts * from P66

navigating a rough track and the next you’re braking hard to everyone’s astonishment to avoid colliding with three large camels exploding from the mulga. That was certainly an experience I’ll remember – that split-second image of the Isuzu DMax’s bull bar and the extremely tall dromedary’s bum high tailing it out of our pathway. Why is it the camera is always packed away when one of these incredible occurrences unfolds right in front of you? There are a number of hidden treasures in this region, such as a beautiful gorge we stumbled across. The tall rock walls standing over a pool of clear freshwater, with its schools of small native fish somehow existing in this isolated location. I’ll probably end my days never knowing the intricacies of the ecosystems of many of these different environments. Our son Clint had told us of an old train tunnel cut straight through a mountain of rock in a ridge not far from Mary Kathleen, so we went on a mission to find this treasure. The track in was a little more challenging than expected but we were well pleased to be able to stand at the entrance and walk www.bnbfishing.com.au

through this old engineering feat. The crude excavation screamed of the hard work undertaken by workers in this harsh hot land. I’m more at home living on the coast enjoying the sea breezes, surfing and fishing, but without the experience of how tough this outback is and especially the determination of the men who tamed it, I could easily live out my life without truly appreciating the diversity of Australia. The area around Clem Walton Park has so much to offer and so much history but take note, to camp at Clem Walton you need to be fully self-sufficient be-

cause power and water are not available – just a beautiful oasis. So, keep it that way. This is such a special place to visit and explore, and if you do drop in, spend a bit of time enjoying the history of the district… and a donation at the Cloncurry Information Centre and Museum is always appreciated. And leave the area exactly the way you found it so everyone can enjoy this unique place. About 7km between Clem Walton and Mary Kathleen is a dump point for chemical toilets in a rest area right beside the highway. It also provides a large industrial type bin for general waste as well.

A timely reminder of the harshness of Australia’s outback.

The beautiful hidden pools beneath ancient walls.

The crude tunnel cut through a stone mountain. Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021 – Page 67

C ARAVANNING & adventure

The campsites at Takarakka Bush Resort in the Carnarvon National Park were spacious.

Mini Queensland lap – Carnarvon Gorge

HE state of Queensland has many beautiful spots that are well worth visiting and Carnarvon Gorge is one of them – our next destination on the mini lap. Depending on what time of year you visit will determine where you can stay because more camping and caravan spots are opened over school holiday periods. On this trip we made

Exploring Queensland - Part 2 by BEN COLLINS

Takarakka Bush Resort our home base for a couple of days as we explored various walks within the Carnarvon National Park. It can be a little hard to get in contact with various accommodation places but be persistent and email as well as call. Unfortunately, avail-

There were some friendly locals at the campsite. Page 68 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021

ability is also a problem so try and book as soon as you can. Fortunately, we managed to book in and, though our dates were a week before the school holidays, it was still very busy. If you are considering staying at Takarakka, overall it was fine – the camp sites

were large and the kids could ride their bikes around, plus you’re only a short drive to several walks. Though a little more effort from the staff to ensure the facilities were kept clean and stocked would have been nice – definitely wouldn’t call it a ‘resort’. Thankfully the natural beauty of Carnarvon Gorge made up for this. Before heading off, we did a couple of

short hikes to see how the kids would go, as we wanted to do the longer walks to the Amphitheatre and the Art Gallery. Wow, they were certainly worth the additional effort. The aptly named Amphitheatre highlights nature’s efforts in architecture, with a 60m chasm deep inside a gorge – simply breathtaking. As well as the 8.6km * continued P69

Boolimba Bluff is well worth the effort, unfortunately the photo doesn’t do the view justice. www.bnbfishing.com. au

C ARAVANNING & adventure

Mini Queensland lap – Carnarvon Gorge * from P68

return walk, there is also a tiered ladder that needs to be climbed to access the open-topped cavern. The Art Gallery which is a little further along is also worth a look. The large section of displayed Aboriginal art tells many stories, and it’s great to have a read and reflect on

how life would have been for the traditional land holders. If you are keen for an even more adventurous hike or an overnight camp, Big Bend is highly recommended – but I haven’t had the chance to do it yet. Two other hikes I would absolutely recommend are to the Moss Garden and Boolimba Bluff.

A snippet of the Aboriginal art on display.

The Moss Garden is a tranquil destination with fern gardens and a slow running waterfall providing a very relaxing ambiance. Greta and I did this walk late one afternoon without the kids and had the place to ourselves. It was extremely relaxing and rejuvenated us, which was needed because we had to run back to get to Takarakka before the bar closed at 6pm. However, they decided on this day to close it eight minutes early, which was exactly when we arrived back – so glad we ran! Another walk we did without the kids was Boolimba Bluff. While not a very long walk, there are a lot of stairs to climb which makes it a little

The Amphitheatre walk is 8.6km return.

* continued P70

The Art Gallery displayed a large selection of Aboriginal paintings. www.bnbfishing.com.au

The aptly named Amphitheatre highlights nature’s efforts in architecture, with a 60m chasm deep inside a gorge – simply breathtaking. There is a tiered ladder that needs to be climbed to access the opentopped cavern. Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021 – Page 69

C AMPING & outdoors

One of our free camps on the road to Cape York.

Fantastic family trip to the tip – Part 2

FTER towing Arthur and Sandy’s dual cab four-wheel-drive back to the red road – with what we think was an overheated motor, which meant a rebuild or another motor – I came back to camp, had breakfast and then we walked out to the swamp to look for birds and critters.

Heading North by CRAIG TOMKINSON

We found a few on the 7.5km walk on soft sand, so we had the afternoon off. My wife submitted a couple of the sightings to be identified by iNaturalist, a social network of naturalists,

citizen scientists and biologists, – as a citizen scientist, this is her hobby. Next day we packed up and headed to Weipa. We were going to take the kids on a mines tour because I had done it

with my dad in 1987, and Donna and I did it in 1991. Because they were great, I told my friend Nathan, and we did it in 2014. What a disappointment it was compared to the old tours, in fact it was a waste of money. I wasn’t too concerned as, on the way to our camp a few days before,

we had pulled up and watched mining gear drive past and be loaded further down the road – I told the kids that this was miles closer to the gear than they take you on the tour. In Weipa, we got fuel and drove around to check out the town. We ate at a lovely park on the way out of town

* continued P71

Mini Queensland lap – Carnarvon Gorge * from P69

challenging, though the view at the top is worth it. From the top of the gorge you can see all the different landscapes and it is here you appreciate how large and wonderful this piece of paradise is. If you are into walks and want to see some

Aboriginal art, I’d recommend spending at least a few days here. Ours was a threenight stay, which I suggest would be the minimum because there is so much to see. After putting in quite a few hard yards on foot and with our next destination, The Gemfields, a few hours

Page 70 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021

away, it was time to get back in the car and on the road again. The run from Carnarvon Gorge north to Emerald with a detour to Lake Maraboon was an easy drive because I had worked out how to best use the airbag suspension on the JB Scorpion Sting caravan. Ensuring your vehi-

cle and van are well set-up is crucial, especially when on outback roads as there can be large potholes or groves and ridges in the road that move you around. It’s worth noting that before our trip I had the wheels on the van aligned. On a car the alignment is very straight,

for a caravan however the person doing the wheel alignment skews them a few degrees inwards to better handle the camber of the road, which leans the other way. In next month’s issue, we continue our lap west to the dinosaur trails. Visit bnbfishing. com.au for Part 1. www.bnbfishing.com. au

C AMPING & outdoors

Fantastic family trip to the tip – Part 2 * from P70

where we watched a 70,000-tonne ship being loaded with bauxite. After a feed we headed for Portland Roads, we drove the Portland Roads Rd for about 20km and as it was getting time to find a camp, we found a spot beside a great little flowing creek – being mindful of crocodiles up here. We got the van set up and heard a palm cookatoo call and were treated with three lovely birds landing in a tree near us. Our son Magregor had his GoPro and filmed them, but they didn’t stay long. The next day we had our bacon and eggs on toast, packed up the van and were away. The road into Portland Roads was in great condition, it was a lovely drive and very pretty but there were dozens of shallow water crossings and rougher causeways. We got to Portland Roads around midmorning and had a look at where the old World War II jetty was, then we headed to Chili Beach for a walk and a drive on the beach. We would have loved to have stayed at the Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park for a night or two, as there were around 26 camp sites. We had tried to book a camp spot in this nawww.bnbfishing.com.au

tional park online from home and, not knowing the exact dates we would get up there, it was fully booked for the timeframe we had in mind – though once again, when we got there, around 17 sites were available. It is absolute rubbish booking a national park camp spot online. I suggest one camping permit that covers you or your whole family to camp for a day, a week, a month or a year in any national park in Queensland, and another permit to drive your 4WD in any national park in Queensland. No bookings, just first in best dressed. And we need numbered camp sites, so others don’t camp right on top of you. Imagine if we had to pay individual registration fees to every shire council we drove through in this state. Well, that’s what the national parks are making us do – individual fees for the separate national parks. When we camped in this area in 1991, it wasn’t a national park and there was only one camping area. I can’t remember if there was a toilet but there was an old donkey set up to have hot showers, which we used. The locals had lit it for tourists, and it cost $0.50 per shower to use.

We stayed there for a few weeks – had great fishing, explored the beach and were lucky enough to see cuscus in the trees above our camps at night. From Chili Beach we drove to the Lockhart River, where we filled up with fuel and headed out to the beach. We stayed there for an hour or so and, as it was getting late, we drove back out of the national park to find a camp. The next day, we were on our way through Coen to Port Stewart. I haven’t been there for 30 years and the little place that was once only a river and sandy boat ramp, has been developed. The traditional owners have the place looking amazing, there is a new boat ramp and a spot back off the river for about four big camp sites with toilets and possibly water as well. We were told by the ranger that at that time it was $12.50 a night per person for camping.

I will go back and camp there – it’s such a nice spot if you’re into your fishing. From there we took Lilyvale Rd – what a great road and drive – hardly any traffic, so we loved it. We popped out on

Lakefield Rd to Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park. We drove through and stopped at Old Laura Homestead and then on to Hann Crossing for lunch, where a bloke caught a barramundi just as we got there.

The author on a remote beach at Cape York watching a flatback turtle going into the water after laying its eggs.

The author watching a ship being loaded with bauxite. Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021 – Page 71

HUNTING & archery

Product review - more Australian-made hunting gear

OR readers south of the border – and those in Queensland, if we’re in lockdown by the time this goes to print – I’ll give a review on a couple of Australian-made products that can be used and enjoyed at home. I began reloading my own ammunition as a 15-year-old purely for economic reasons, turning out 12-gauge shotgun shells with a Lee Loader hand press – much to the dismay of my poor mother who thought I’d blow myself into tiny pieces seating primers with a hollow punch and a hammer on the front stairs.

Hunting by NEIL SCHULTZ

Within a couple of years, I’d saved my pay packets and bought an Aussie-made Super Simplex Turret press and was loading my own 22/250 and 30/06 ammunition. One of the accessories that made the process easier and more regimented was a good reloading block. A reloading block is basically a rectangular block – usually plastic – that holds brass cases vertical while partially reloaded to keep things in order and prevent spilling when they’re

You’ll not find a better hunting video than any of the Beyond the Divide series. Aussie-made par excellence. Page 72 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021

filled with powder before projectiles are seated. The first block I purchased was in 1978, made by Bruce Hill under his brand name Hillver Products – at that time being manufactured in Greenacre, about 20km southwest of Sydney. Turn the clock forward 43 years and I recently purchased another reloading block… still being manufactured as Hillver, would you believe. The blocks have been upgraded and the range expanded to include cartridge diameter specific models in four sizes. These blocks cater to almost any centre-fire rifle cartridge most of us are likely to be reloading – up to 16mm diameter, short of monsters such as 50BMG,

577 Schneider and such. The blocks are made of high impact resistant plastic that won’t warp or split with age. All four models are available in either green or red and have small feet on each, making them stackable to keep the reloading bench tidy. The business is back in NSW after several moves and changes in ownership since Bruce sold it. The current owner Alex offers a speedy mail order facility, so you can still get them even with travel restrictions in place. Check them out at hillverreloadingblocks. com Next is one for rainy windy days when you want to stay indoors. Readers who watched the community TV station Briz 31 when it was being broadcast free to air may have caught an Aussie hunting series, Beyond the Divide. If you enjoy hunt-

Current production Hillver reloading blocks are as rugged as the original. This is the smallest calibre model in the range for small-based cartridges such as 22 Hornet, 204, 223, 300BLK and such.

ing videos that are informative and entertaining, then you’ll be enthralled by this television series. Produced by Rob Fickling, this show gives far more than only the pull of the trigger. The entire atmosphere of the stalk, the often physically demanding hikes and appreciation of the bush is presented in such a thoughtful way that the viewer is taken along. Rob details the country in which he is hunting, the gear used and often the background of the species being targeted – whether it is a game animal or a feral species. Four of the first five seasons of the show, each 10 episodes, are available on DVD – about 20 hours of viewing – with episodes from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Africa and the US. Species hunted range from feral pigs in Queensland, scrub bulls, water buffalo, goats and foxes to most of Australia’s deer species, elk in the US, cape buffalo in Africa, even moose in the frigid north of Canada. You’ll get to tag along with the team in the steamy top end as they stalk crocodile-infested swamps, climb nosebleed inducing heights in the New Zealand alps chasing thar, call bull elk to within bow range in seemingly endless pine forests of * continued P73

www.bnbfishing.com. au

Restoring the balance in Wyaralong Dam n 2021 Wyaralong Dam carp and tilapia eradication competition

T’S on again, COVID permitting! The annual Wyaralong Dam carp and tilapia eradication competition, hosted by the Logan and Albert Fish Management Association, will be held Saturday November 13, 2021. This is a one-day family oriented fun fishing day aimed at catching pest fish. By entering this competition, you’ll help remove noxious carp and tilapia from the dam, as well as help LAFMA raise funds to supplement those received from the Stocked Impoundment Permit Scheme. There are heaps of prizes and giveaways and two lucky entrants could go home with a kayak.

You don't even have to catch a fish to be in the running for the prize. Fishing can be done from the bank, kayak, canoe or even your boat as long as you don't start the motor – this is an electric only impoundment. Note that motors can be left on but must not be started. We are now more than 20 years down the track from where it all started.

Australian-made hunting gear * from P72

the northern hemisphere, struggle through wet forest gorges in southern New Zealand and all imaginable environs in between. Season six is available as a full high definition digital subscription that gives unlimited streaming to your device, including your big screen smart TV if you have the savvy to link it. Since the early days of VHS videos, I’ve watched thousands of hours of hunting www.bnbfishing.com.au

footage from Australia and overseas and I can honestly say I’m yet to find a better produced, more enjoyable, more professionally presented series than Beyond the Divide. No wonder it was nominated for the best special interest program and most outstanding outdoor program in the 2014 Antenna Awards. To quote Molly Meldrum, “Do yourself a favour” and watch this series – available from moroka30.com.au

The ‘carp out, natives in’ concept was started by a small group of concerned anglers in the Rathdowney Beaudesert area to get introduced noxious carp out of the Logan and Albert rivers and replace them with native fish. LAFMA, formerly known as Carpbusters, ran seven successful Easter carp eradication competitions from 1998 to 2004, removed more than 10 tonnes of carp from the rivers and raised approximately $65,000 to purchase fingerlings for the native fish stocking program. Situated 14km northwest of Beaudesert,

Wyaralong Dam was completed in 2011 and filled almost on completion. LAFMA decided to take on Wyaralong Dam as a project for our fish stocking program in 2012. As the Logan and Albert rivers were already infested with carp and tilapia, we knew it wouldn’t be long before these pests took over the dam. In 2013, we resurged the carp competitions of old but concentrated on Wyaralong Dam only. All net profit from the competitions were spent on Australian bass and Mary River cod fingerlings to stock in the dam. In conjunction with Fisheries Queensland, LAFMA decided to make Wyaralong Dam a trophy Mary River cod fishery, stocking mainly Mary River cod with a backup of Australian bass. The last eradication competition held

in March 2019 highlighted the continued aggressive takeover of the fishery by tilapia – evidenced by the final numbers of fish caught and destroyed in a seven-hour window – 1554 tilapia and 25 carp. Compared to the 2014 competition when only 75 tilapia and 273 carp were caught in the same seven-hour time allowance. As one can see from the figures, tilapia have exploded in Wyaralong Dam. Let’s hope that by continually stocking the dam with an apex predator such as the Mary River cod, we will once again restore the balance. For more information and entry forms, visit our web page lafma.org Note that a stocked impoundment permit is required to fish Wyaralong Dam for those 18 years and over. Lloyd Willmann LAFMA Secretary 0429 614 892

The annual Wyaralong Dam carp and tilapia eradication competition will be held Saturday November 6, 2021. Photo: LAFMA Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021 – Page 73

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021 – Page 75

All shot up and nowhere to go S

Michael Drage spent Father’s Day with his son at Stanthorpe.

O, my COVID-19 shots are done, and I suppose I can expect a booster shot a little later and then an annual jab similar to the flu shot. But am I allowed to go fishing along the border rivers in my canoe? No! For the time being, the only access to streams and rivers are on the Queensland side along the rivers Dumaresq and Macintyre to Goondiwindi, west of Yelarbon. From Glenlyon Dam, you have the Bonshaw ford, the Bonshaw weir, the s-gully at Texas, the Texas town bridge, Beebo, the Cunningham weirs and the Ketar bridge via Yelarbon

* continued P77

Glenlyon Dam

by BRIAN DARE

on Kildonan Rd. The local Goondiwindi Shire Council has gone to great lengths to open five sites to access the local river system on the Macintyre. At the entrance to these sites, you will see large rubbish bins and information on use of the area. Unfortunately, in many of these locations, you will also see where the idiots and grubs have mis-used the site. Attitudes and alcohol go hand in hand – they trash these areas then head home as if they’re heroes.

Smashed cans, glass and rubbish left where they’ve camped – all could have easily been put in the big green bin supplied. This behaviour spoils it for everyone and leaves a sour taste in the mouths of other visitors, and may also have an impact when councils look at the issue of access on reserves. Passive recreation The following formats are practised each weekend or on holidays for millions of Queensland residents. Bird watching, seed collecting from native trees, bush walking,

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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Ph: 02 6737 5266 E: glenlyondamtouristp@bigpond.com Page 76 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021

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All shot up and nowhere to go * from P76

camping in the bush, photographing nature at its best, horse riding, fishing, and kayaking and canoeing on rivers, streams, lakes and dams. Passive recreation could well be under threat along with tourism and locations to visit. Consultation We have only eight weeks to put forward any comments regarding what land and water reserves should remain open. The words ‘user pays’ spring up at us all. The recreational angler already purchases a freshwater permit, which has recently had a price increase… then to add an access fee on top of it? Maps and locations The first thing requiring input is location of sites. We need local Queensland Government authorities’ maps of land and stock water reserves with river areas marked – there are about 48 local Queensland Government authorities in the state. Currently, we have access to a map of Queensland with red, orange and green lines squiggled all over it stating water and stock reserves, with no rivers, streams or dams marked to comment on. We have been advised that at a cost you can purchase these maps via your local government authority and the Department of Natural Resources – ‘Queenswww.bnbfishing.com.au

land stock routes’. Media releases from government departments For most of us, we have plenty of time to scroll through all the government notices each day. With this in mind, you may find a notice of comment on the radio, TV or in the press, but the only paper that I know of – Queensland Country Life – had a third of a page write-up on the subject and was open for comment in the July 22 edition, leaving nine weeks to comment. Some would call this a snow job. By the time you read what I’ve submitted to the paper, it’s too late to comment. Management strategy Under the above heading is the quote, “The stock route network management strategy 2021-25 sets out a clear plan of action for state and local governments to deliver over the next four years.” “It has been developed following consultation with stakeholders and the community. “The strategy provides practical guidance to support the effective management and administration of the stock route network and to balance the multiple uses and values of the network.” Well, there you go… we don’t have to comment after all – it’s all been done before the closing date of September 10, 2021.

The outdated Queensland stock route network map – where are the reserves, rivers, streams and site locations highlighted so we can comment?

DAM LEVELS CURRENT AS OF 15/9/2021

DAMS

PERCENTAGE

MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP Atkinson * 5 4 4 4 4 Awoonga 43 42 42 51 50 Bjelke-Petersen * 8 7 6 6 7 Boondooma * 23 23 23 25 25 Borumba * 81 81 82 81 79 Burdekin Falls * 102 99 96 91 88 Callide * 22 21 21 50 49 Cania * 31 31 31 30 31 Coolmunda * 101 101 100 100 99 Dyer/Bill Gunn * 5 5 5 4 4 Eungella * 83 83 82 81 80 Fairbairn * 18 17 16 15 14 Glenlyon * 54 54 69 73 74 Hinze* 101 99 97 95 94 Julius * 60 91 89 87 86 Kinchant * 98 99 99 83 83 Leslie * 27 27 53 57 57 Macdonald* 101 100 101 99 95 Maroon * 100 100 100 99 99 Monduran/Fred Haigh * 40 39 38 37 37 Moogerah * 42 42 43 42 41 North Pine/Samsonvale * 100 98 96 64 64 Peter Faust/Proserpine * 63 62 61 60 60 Somerset * 75 72 70 65 64 Teemburra * 98 98 98 97 97 Tinaroo* 94 93 92 85 84 Toonumbar 101 101 101 100 98 Wivenhoe * 42 42 42 42 41 Wuruma * 37 37 35 34 31 Wyaralong* 100 99 100 99 99 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, October 2021 – Page 77

The Muggo’s Lures stand at the lure markets.

Clayton’s stand of Sandfly Lures out of Dalby.

Australian Timber Lure Markets 2021

N August 22 this year, the Australian Timber Lure Markets were held at Shalier Park in Queensland, with several of our local timber lure makers attending and bringing many of their magnificent handcarved timber lures. There were many cod and barramundi types on display, but the range extended to include mackerel and mangrove jack, and a heap of other species were catered for. The amount of detail and high-level workmanship that went into making these lures had many of them sold within the first few minutes of the opening of the event. Some of the more collectible pieces raised demand and a high

Lure Expo by BEN SMITH

price, and valuers were able to indicate the history of the lure and its current value on the market. Many of the handcrafted lures never see the water because they are bought as collectors’ items and are only ever viewed through a glass cabinet. And though this is the case, many of the makers told me they spend hour upon hour testing the lures to make sure they swim perfectly and perform as good as they look. With lures ranging in price from about $20 up to hundreds of dollars, there was something there for everyone.

Many of the lures are signed by the makers and they take particular pride in their craft, ensuring everything on display was their best work. All the lures were made from timber and were hand-carved and painted. Many didn’t have hooks connected because that is a choice and preference of the end user, though most were ready to go. It was fascinating talking to the makers and finding out how and why different designs work on different species of fish. In fact, many of the creators were open to suggestions and invited

One of the lures available from Sand- The unique Twisties lures from Sandfly Lures, the Greasy Pig. fly Lures. Page 78 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021

buyers to contact them to have individual colours and designs made as custom jobs and oneoffs. Shapes were discussed, colours could be changed, bib and hook sizes could vary and even a choice of eyes could be customised – in fact, I was told the eyes alone could cost up to $10 each. Many of the products on show were not and never will be available in shops because they are made and sold directly to the

public from the lure makers themselves. It was great to see so many people supporting small local businesses. The owner of Sandfly Lures, Clayton, said he had only taken his lures out of the dryer at 1am that morning prior to attending the show – that's the passion these people have for their products. Keep an eye out on Facebook or on social media to find out when the next show or gathering will be and support our locals.

A selection of Muggo’s Lures. www.bnbfishing.com. au

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021 – Page 79

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Page 80 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021

BLUEFIN 4.5 RANGER – centre console, Suzuki 50Hp four stroke, serviced prior to listing, brand new Dunbier braked trailer, Garmin combo GPS/Sounder, 27 meg radio, Bimini, Inshore safety gear, One owner since new! John Crawford Marine, Queensland’s Used Boat Specialists since 1964 – johncrawfordmarine.com.au Ph. 3890 2322 CRUISE CRAFT F360M – Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to own one of our most sought after boats! With low 174 hours, this ex-demo F360M is still in great condition and waiting to be taken to its new home. Stand out from the crowd with the sleek Ice Blue hull sides, painted black galvanised trailer with mag wheels and harass schools of fish with the MinnKota electric motor while standing on comfortable Seadek foam flooring. Includes Yamaha 175hp EFI 4-stroke motor, drive by wire controls, 210L under floor fuel with dual filler and much more. Contact Wynnum Marine on 3396 9777 or visit wynnum marine.com.au NEED A NEW TRAILER for your 4m tinnie? JCM has available for immediate delivery, brand new Redco Sportsman RES1213S trailers to suit alloy hulls from 3.9 to 4.3m tinnies. Upgraded with Predator alloy wheels from $2,299.00 including free fitting! John Crawford Marine, Queensland’s Used Boat Specialists since 1964 – johncrawfordmarine.com.au Ph. 3890 2322 QUINTREX F370 EXPLORER OUTBACK – near new condition, Suzuki 20Hp four stroke with 23 hours use, Trailer, new bimini fitted, 2 bench seats with padding, Garmin striker Plus 7” colour sounder / GPS, Inshore safety gear and more. John Crawford Marine, Queensland’s Used Boat Specialists since 1964 – johncrawfordmarine.com.au Ph. 3890 2322 QUINTREX 450 FISHABOUT 2016 – with a Mercury 60hp 4-stroke outboard, this versatile boat is perfect to enjoy with family and friends and if you are new to boating, it’s easy to launch, retrieve, tow and store. A very tidy boat with only 27 hours on the clock. $29,990. Call AMC Boats on 3808 7333 or visit amcboats.com.au www.bnbfishing.com. au

Subscription prize for October! SEAJAY 448 NAVIGATOR – centre console, once owner since new, Yamaha 50Hp four stroke, Redco braked trailer, Garmin touch screen GPS/Sounder, Bimini, Inshore safety gear, Bait board, Boarding platform and more. John Crawford Marine, Queensland’s Used Boat Specialists since 1964 – johncrawfordmarine.com.au Ph. 3890 2322 SEAJAY 455 ESCAPE – side console, Honda 50Hp four stroke, 177 hours, Dunbier trailer, Lowrance HDS GPS/Sounder, GME VHF radio, bimini, Inshore safety gear, live bait tank and more – great inshore fishing rig. John Crawford Marine, Queensland’s Used Boat Specialists since 1964 – johncrawfordmarine.com.au Ph. 3890 2322 SMARTWAVE SW4200 CENTRE CONSOLE 2015 – Dry, smooth-riding with great stability at rest, easy to keep clean and easy to handle at the boat ramp. This boat is perfect for those who love to fish, or the whole family – kids and all! Inclusions include 40hp 2-stroke Mercury outboard, anchor, bimini, paddles, rod holders and tie down strap. $16,990. Call AMC Boats on 3808 7333 or visit amcboats.com. au STACER 360 SKIMMA 2017 – Are you after the perfect crabbing tinnie, something for the kids or not really interested in buying a new package? Look no further! This great package is ready to hit the water today. Includes 2017 Yamaha 8hp outboard, Yamaha 24L fuel tank, alloy trailer, safety gear package. $3,150. Contact Brent or Johnny at Wynnum Marine on 3396 9777 or visit wynnummarine.com. au WANTED – Make selling your late model trailer boat simple and hassle free. Quality, used trailer boats are always in demand with John Crawford Marine, Queensland’s Used Boat Specialists since 1964! Call today to see how our experienced team can help you on 07 3890 2322 or visit johncrawfordma rine.com.au www.bnbfishing.com.au

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Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021 – Page 81

The fishing program at Darling Point Special School has been well received by a number of kids. Ben Collins

Young Jackson with a sand bass caught from the Manly foreshore. Ben Collins

Thought I’d share the nice flathead I’ve been catching in Ballina. Serena Sullivan

Long-time reader ... a very long time. Way back when it was only a paper. I caught a grunter at the Hinchinbrook Channel using a piece of mullet flesh. It went 65cm and weighed 3kg. I was so stocked. Glen Fennell

To have a photo of your catch featured in Readers’ Forum, simply email ben@collins.media with a good-quality picture, your name and details or hop onto our Facebook page and send us a message. Page 82 – Bush ’n Beach Fishing, October 2021

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