Fishing Monthly Magazine | May 2021

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Hunting for tiger squid • How to fish in dirty water • Part II: Stocking debate • Gippsland after the fires • Cod Nationals round up • Fishing advice during COVID-19 • Local area reports • Cruise Craft EX720HT • Yamaha 4.2L 300HP DES •

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Elliot Fooks - The hunt for tigers

NSW

VIC VIC

May, 2021 ISSN 2652-5798

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CONTENTS

OUR COVER May 2021, Vol. 2 No.1 VIC

TAS

QUEENSLAND Gold Coast Jumpinpin Southern Bay Brisbane Northern Bay Noosa Bundaberg Gladstone Mackay Whitsundays Townsville Hinchinbrook Cairns Port Douglas Cooktown Lucinda Cape York Freshwater

14 16 18 20 22 23 24 28 32 34 36 38 38 39 40 37 41 44

NEW SOUTH WALES Pittwater Sydney North Sydney Rock Sydney South Ballina Coffs Harbour Hastings Forster Port Stephens Swansea Central Coast Illawarra Batemans Bay Bermagui Tathra New England Rivers Hunter Valley Lithgow/Oberon Albury/Wodonga Batlow Canberra

48 49 50 52 54 56 58 59 60 61 61 62 63 66 66 68 69 71 72 70 74

VICTORIA West Coast Warrnambool Cobden Apollo Bay Geelong Port Phillip West Port Phillip East Phillip Island Gippsland Lakes Lakes Entrance Bemm River Marlo Mallacoota Robinvale Bendigo Ballarat Wangaratta Shepparton Crater Lakes Eildon West/South Gippsland

78 79 79 78 82 84 86 88 89 90 90 91 91 92 92 93 94 95 96 97 96

6

MAY 2021

From the editor’s Desk...

WA

Rob West on board Fuglie caught this huge 160cm, 20kg+ mahimahi while trolling a live slimy mackerel wide of Wollongong/Stanwell. He fought the beast for 20 minutes on 80lb braid and 100lb Tuff Trace.

A Dean Woolley image.

Come and visit Fishing Monthly Group’s official Facebook page for all your monthly fishing information. Download QR Reader to access.

TASMANIA Hobart WESTERN AUSTRALIA Esperance Augusta Bunbury Mandurah Metro Lancelin Geraldton Exmouth Broome Karratha Freshwater

38

75 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 112 113 114

REGULAR FEATURES Targeting tiger squid Starlo’s Basics: muddy water Sheik of the Creek WIRF What’s New Fishing Recfishwest Tournament Calendar Track my Fish Trades and Services Outboard Test: Yamaha 300hp DES Boat Test: Cruise Craft EX720HT Tide page

8 12 31 98 125 104 103 116 118 120 122 126

COMPS AND OFFERS Find the logo Fun page/Sub page

83 87

98 WIRF

You certainly can’t criticise Victoria for not taking on the big issues. Currently the Victorian Fisheries Authority and the Andrews government are attempting to give anglers and campers fishing and camping access to Crown lands by waterways.

Think about it. Letting the public use public lands. Sounds pretty simple, right?

Apparently it’s not. There are plenty of groups who think that the public shouldn’t be able to access public waterways through public land. And if you’re anything like me, you’re probably tired of minorities preaching to government to prescribe how the majority should behave – and what they can and can’t do. If it went to the pub test, I know who’d pass.

As anglers anywhere in Australia, we hope that the Victorian government isn’t swayed by the noisy minorities.

Access to fisheries is just as important as fishery health to me. Let us – the

54

conservation-minded angling majority – do what we love to do. It’s outdoors, healthy, COVID-safe and positive for our mental wellbeing.

With any luck, readers from around the country will get exposed to the various levels of activity in the state Fisheries departments. And as this happens, you’ll likely realise that there’s a broad variety in the level of services offered and the level of enthusiasm with which each department tackles their public service.

You may have already realised that there’s definitely a spectrum. Some state Fisheries departments attack their roles with feverish enthusiasm, while others roll out the political one-liners about ‘no new changes’ as a reason for the glacial pace of change.

Maybe you’ll get to see what other states are doing, and this will give you ideas about activity you’d like to see in your state. If so, let them know. Maybe one person can’t make a change, but one person can definitely challenge the ego of a manager if you suggest to them that all of their interstate colleagues are making them look bad.

It’s human nature.

Other than that, we hope you enjoy this issue, and you’ll notice that our popular boat and motor testing has made a comeback. It was a little challenging over the last few issues to get boats to test; a combination of lockdowns and an incredibly busy boating industry meant that getting one’s hands on a demo boat was difficult indeed!

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The hunt for tigers BRISBANE

Elliot Fooks

Squid have to be one of the most user-friendly fishing targets. They’re easy to find, easy to catch, safe to handle and they are often found in the most picturesque shallow reef country around! The only downside is the occasional inky outburst, which is more than made up for by their eating qualities.

from about Coffs Harbour in the east to Geraldton in the west. They’re also found throughout temperate and tropical waters in the Pacific, the Indian Ocean and also the Mediterranean, the latter of which they gained access to via the Suez Canal.

Like many cephalopods, they have a fairly short life cycle, in most cases living for only a year or so. In this time they can achieve a 40cm hood length and sometimes weigh over 3kg!

recruitment of squid that haven’t experienced years of angling pressure, and this is what keeps the squid fishing so good!

GOING ON A TIGER HUNT If you live within the tiger squid’s distribution and want to crack your first one, it’s worth thinking about which areas near you may hold them.

The two main ingredients are clear, cool ocean water, and structure. Structure can take the form of rock, coral, weed, rubble, mangrove roots and so on. Anything that can house food items like baitfish, prawns and crabs is worth inspecting.

A classic environment for tigers is around marinas and harbours. The retaining walls, jetties with lights and clean water make good real estate for squid, and if fishing is permitted in your local marina you can be in for some good action.

River breakwalls are another easily accessible area to get amongst them, and are particularly favoured by those fishing without a boat.

A little tip if fishing without a boat is to time your trips around the high tide. During the top of the tide, the water will be at its clearest and the squid will venture up as shallow as they can in search of prey, putting them well within your reach.

If you own a boat, any shallow ground (between 1-4m) with weed, rubble, rock or coral should have squid on it somewhere, so long as the water is nice and clear. I find a little bit of current usually gets the squid out actively hunting, using the current to mooch along as they scan for their

Tiger squid seem to out-perform their southern counterparts on the end of the line, possibly due to their stockier make-up. next victim.

Many of the tiger’s most loyal fans choose to fish for them at night. New moons and dark nights seem to be favoured in squid circles, and while some will blind cast over likely areas in the dark, others will use a spotlight to locate the squid first before casting at them. They can also be found under artificial light sources, no doubt attracted to the bait that hovers around them like moths.

Don’t ever be fooled into thinking these guys will only eat at night though.

In fact, 95% of my squid fishing is done during the day, and I will even go as far as to say I think they feed more aggressively

when the sun’s up! Being a sight-based hunter, it makes sense that they do their best work during daytime hours.

Fishing during the daytime also has the added bonus of allowing you to watch the squid chase down and eat the jig. Watching a cruising tiger switch on and slide toward your jig, tactically changing colour to blend in with its environment, before shooting out the two ‘candle’ tentacles to snaffle your jig never gets old.

GEARING UP The simplicity of squid fishing is one of its big perks, and these weird suckers can be targeted comfortably with fairly inexpensive ‘bottom-of-the-line’ spin

Brisbane’s Moreton Bay has a healthy population of squid, which start to get active in the shallows around autumn every year.

While southern calamari have cemented themselves as a regular target amongst southern anglers, their northern counterparts are still a mystery to many. Bigfin reef squid, or tiger squid as they are known colloquially, can be located and caught with the same ease as southern calamari in places where they are common.

So why aren’t more people doing it? It’s a really good question, and I still don’t have a definitive answer. But the fact remains: there is a seemingly untapped resource that replenishes readily, and so long as we’re not greedy it should continue to provide.

LIFE OF A TIGER Tiger squid can be found in inshore and offshore waters across the northern half of Australia, 8

MAY 2021

This explains why tigers always seem to be hungry; a growth rate like that demands a healthy appetite!

Tigers can be targeted year round, however if you want to focus on catching better numbers of larger specimens, winter and early spring coincides with their breeding and sees a better average size. During this time (the exact period varies from place to place) adult squid venture up onto shallow reefs to mate and deposit their eggs.

In breeding season, schools of 3-4 squid can be seen sticking close together, which is usually made up of one female, one male, and 1-2 smaller ‘sneaker’ males.

This short life cycle means that with each season there is a new

It’s easy to see why they call them tiger squid. Larger males in particular develop the blue and white bands across the tube, which light up when the squid is agitated.

tackle. Of course, there are purpose-built ‘egi’ rods and reels (and even braided lines) with more substantial price tags attached, and these are absolutely worth the investment if chasing squid regularly.

Egi rods generally feature a slow taper and a parabolic action when loaded up, and are designed with enough give to keep small prongs in soft squid tentacles. Egi reels usually have a shallow spool, a light but smooth drag and a slow gear ratio.

Big brands such as Shimano, Daiwa, Atomic, and NS Blackhole have a range of squid specific rods and reels, but if you don’t want to spend too much there’s a few basic things to look for.

Firstly, if fishing from the shore it will be easier to fish with a slightly longer rod.

Something between 7’6”8’6” will make shoregame squidding much easier and more comfortable. If in the boat, anything between 7-8’ is fine. In any case, a rod with a 2-5kg rating or thereabouts and 1000-3000 size reel is sufficient for hucking around most squid jigs, which can be quite heavy in larger sizes.

Speaking of jigs, you’ll want to have a decent collection before you go out. The standard way to measure squid jig size is in inches, and most jigs from around the world have this information clearly displayed on the packaging.

Jigs usually range between 1.6 and 4.0 sizes, and within these sizes are a range of different weights and sink rates.

For any prospecting I

do in new water, I usually reach for a 2.5 size to start.

This seems to be a happy medium of not too small for larger models, and not too big for smaller, sub-500g squid. Anytime I’m fishing in the peak of the breeding season and there’s an abundance of 1kg+ tigers in the area, I’ll happily throw a 3.0-4.0 jig around, as big squid like a big meal. The only times I go down to a jig smaller than 2.0 is if there are only smaller squid in the area, which can be common in summer and early autumn, or if the squid are a bit gun shy.

The subject of colours is where preference starts to diverge a little. There are a lot of theories out there relating to squid eyesight and jig colour, but I only have a few simple rules that I follow, and they work pretty well. Dull day means bright-coloured jig, and bright day means dullcoloured jig. Another rule of mine is if it’s not working, change it. If you fish for a while and don’t get any interest, tie on another jig.

If you watch a few squid inspect your offering without eating it, that’s a no brainer – change it!

Having a range of weights on hand is important too. In deeper water around 4m, you may want a faster sinking models, whereas

done it can’t be undone!

There’s a great range of jigs out there these days, with brands such as Yamashita, Gan Craft, Black

Squid are a great target for kids, who are invariably fascinated by these alien-like critters.

Even offshore in the middle of nowhere, tiger squid will live happily. This 1kg+ model was a surprise catch over a small bommie while collecting live baits for an offshore session. over a very shallow flat you’ll want something that sinks slowly, nearly suspending. A little hack a friend taught me a while ago was to use a belt sander to file down the weight of heavier jigs. It works well, just remember that once it’s

time to put everything into practise. Whether you’re in a boat, land-based or even on a pier, one of the main keys to success is mobility. Squid

Magic, DTD and Daiwa all producing high-quality jigs ready for use straight out of the packet.

APPLYING YOUR KNOWLEDGE Once you have a decent idea of where your local tigers will be hanging out, it’s

do move around, but when they’ve found a good patch they stick with it, so doing a bit of searching will help you to find these patches.

When I’m on foot, walking along a rock wall for instance, I make casts along the length of the wall to keep the jig close to structure, and take a few steps between each cast. In this way, I can methodically work my way along it and in the process intercept any squid feeding.

The same principle applies in a boat; be sure to keep moving! You can do this either by drifting with the wind or current, or you can control your movements with an electric motor.

Working your jig is another contentious issue. I prefer to give my jig a few sharp rips with the rod, which sends it darting aggressively side to side, before allowing it to glide slowly back toward structure. The long, slow fall is usually when the jig gets eaten. Others prefer to slowly wind their jig, waiting for the tell-tale dead weight of a squid to gradually load up the rod. This latter technique works particularly well in shallow water less than a metre, where allowing the jig to sink just isn’t an option.

I have caught many large squid this way.

Once you’ve hooked a squid or you spot a few cruisers, then you can work an area more thoroughly.

To page 10

MAY 2021

9

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Squid tend to gather for common purpose (usually for food or breeding) in certain locations, so if you find one, you can almost be sure there’ll be others nearby. Quite often the commotion of a hooked squid can draw in several others – it’s then just a matter of working your way through them, which is easier if fishing with other people.

A handy trick if working through a school is to keep a hooked squid in the water while another person throws a jig in, and once their jig gets eaten, the other squid can be landed.

Keeping a hooked squid in the water at all times will keep the others interested while your partner readies their gear to catch another.

I recommend using a net for all you squid fishing.

Lifting them by the jig risks pulling the prongs out, and

A good net is essential when squidding, and holding the net above the water like this while removing the jig is a good way to keep the mess outside the boat. Once the squid has used up all its ink, it will be safe to lift aboard.

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When the action picks up, it can get a bit chaotic. That’s four squid in the net from two people fishing.

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MAY 2021

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landing them by hand can see you with an inky mess on your hands.

The best way to net a squid is from behind. If you swipe the net from in front of their eyes they will propel themselves in the opposite direction, however if you do this from the other side they should jet themselves nicely into the net.

ON THE PLATE Fresh calamari is one of the main reasons I took up this caper, and nothing beats the flavoursome flesh of a freshly dispatched tiger squid, which I argue has a better natural flavour than southern calamari.

These animals have a few peculiarities, though, which can turn people off eating them. One of them is their thick flesh. Tigers have an extremely thick tube, about double the thickness of a southern calamari tube, which means a tiger will be much heavier than a southern calamari of the same length. This thick flesh can come out quite chewy if not prepared and cooked in the right way.

Dealing with this challenge

requires a little bit of preparation.

As with any seafood, the first thing to do postcapture is to dispatch (either by ikejime spike or Karate chop method), and put on ice until stiff. Cleaning the animal is easier when it has stiffened up on ice, believe me. Tigers also have an extra thick skin that needs to come off, and this task is easier after icing.

Once you have your tube, wings and tentacles, you have a few options.

The easiest way to tenderise the flesh, and my favourite way, is to freeze and then defrost it in a plastic bag with all the air pushed out.

The other way is to marinate it in smashed kiwi fruit, paw paw or milk. These items have an enzyme in them that will start to break down the flesh, so be sure not to leave them in there for any longer than a few hours, or you’ll find that your squid flesh has been digested into sludgy, inedible jelly!

Whether crumbing and deep frying or scoring and shallow frying, the key is

not to cook it for too long.

High heat and quick cook times are the best way to keep the sweet tasting flesh tender. Cooking for too long

will see it revert back to being tough and chewy. If cooking with oil, I don’t like them to cook for any longer than a minute.

As with all squid, don’t throw away the tentacles!

These naturally tender pieces of the animal are like the fillet or the backstrap; a prized cut!

HAVE A GO THIS SEASON We are moving into the best time to be fishing for tiger squid, so give yourself the best possible chance and take the opportunity to get yourself set up. It doesn’t have to be a complicated set-up, and if you find it’s something you’re into you can always start upgrading your gear from there. Any existing light outfits you may have for bass, bream, flathead or whiting are fine to tie a jig onto and start prospecting for squid!

In summer and autumn juvenile specimens like this are common.

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Playing in the mud NSW STH COAST

Steve Starling www.fishotopia.com

“It never rains, it pours!”

Following drought and catastrophic bushfires a little over a year ago, many of us had been fervently hoping for much

and run-off is extremely positive. Most systems have had a very welcome flush, reserves and aquifers have been topped up, and flood-related spawning events have taken place or are happening right now — everywhere from the bass and estuary perch estuaries of the south east to the

trout streams of the high country and the barra rivers of the far north. Make no mistake: we will reap the bounty of this exceptional ‘Big Wet’ for many, many seasons to come, no matter what our sunburnt land dishes up next.

But in the shorter term, flooded rivers and

Match your hooks to the baits you use. Long-shanked hooks are ideal for presenting whole prawns, while shorter shanks will work well with smaller prawn pieces.

Making the switch to bait can spell the difference between success and failure in dirty water, especially on fish like this golden perch. wetter times in 2021… But sometimes it pays to be careful what you wish for!

A wetter-than-average La Nina summer across big parts of Australia, underscored by a series of dramatic east coast rain events near the end of March, have meant that many of our rivers, lakes and estuaries are still full to overflowing and have remained dirty and high for weeks at a time. This can be a bit of challenge for those of us who live for our fishing.

Of course, the longerterm prognosis from all of this precipitation

MAY 2021

baits – in both fresh and saltwater – is the humble earthworm dug from your backyard compost heap.

Millions of these critters will have found their way

Look for backwaters and eddies that give foraging fish some respite from the current, while also pulling together and depositing a smorgasbord of flood-borne

Bass don’t mind a bait, either!

Saltwater mussels are a strongly-flavoured offering that’s well-suited to dirty water… and not only in the sea!

12

chocolate brown estuaries dotted with mats of floating debris are not always the most inviting of angling venues, particularly for those of us who prefer to chase our fish on lures or flies where possible. Floods and ‘freshes’ tend to make life harder for fishers, apart from some fairly specific regional exceptions; like

big mulloway hunting the flood-lines at major river mouths (something that’s much less predictable these days, sadly, due to the greatly diminished stocks of these wonderful fish).

There are various high water strategies and workarounds, of course. The most obvious is to leave those lures and flies in their boxes for now and reach for some good old bait instead: the smellier, oilier and more strongly-flavoured, the better. I clearly remember editing regional fishing reports a lifetime ago for a fortnightly publication and seeing repeated references to the use of saltwater mussels as trout bait in Victoria’s rivers immediately after floods… I wonder if such tricks are still used?

Many readers may be surprised to learn that one of the very best post-deluge

A couple of lively, clicking, flicking shrimp can really help to attract fish in discoloured water. into our streams, estuaries and inshore waters this autumn, and fish of all types are definitely on the lookout for them. I’d love a dollar for every bream, whiting, luderick and trout I’ve caught on a garden worm in high, muddy water.

Other pungent baits like mullet gut or a slab of bloody, oily fish flesh such as tailor or slimy mackerel can also be effective after the rains, as can pilchard pieces thawed and soaked in tuna oil.

delicacies.

If you insist on sticking with the lures and flies in the mud, choose darker colours to provide a more solid silhouette, and go for those offerings with strong actions that push a bit of water and create a sonic thump, pulse or flash of twirling metal… then scent them up and fish them slowly.

Things might still be a little tough on some waters right now but trust me, better times are coming!

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Southern

OLD

Options as the weather settles GOLD COAST

David Green

This month should see some good fishing on the offshore grounds off the Gold Coast. After recent flooding rains and several weeks of strong southeasterlies in April, the fish should be on the chew on both the inshore and

offshore grounds. As the water clears the Spanish and spotted mackerel should come back on the bite and the snapper fishing should pick up after all the floodwater effect has brought a lot of food onto the inshore reefs.

There can be good numbers of blue marlin just wide of the continental shelf, with some good fish turning

up as close in as the 100m line. If you can find a patch of warm water over 23ºC you are in with a good chance of finding a blue or striped marlin, and I find fishing these warm patches is often more productive than the hot straight southbound currents commonly found in summer.

As well as marlin, there is often the odd wahoo, mahimahi and yellowfin

You will find some decent blue marlin out wide of the Continental Shelf.

tuna in May. I have also found the blue marlin are often a bit bigger this month with fish around 180kg being common. For this reason I always troll 37kg tackle in May when fishing wide of the continental shelf.

Some of the wahoo caught on the wide grounds this month are big fish over 25kg and they commonly wreck your favourite marlin lures.

In closer to shore, both the 50 and 36 fathom reefs should see the fishing improve, as the water cools down a few degrees and the south bound current slows. Snapper, pearl perch, kingfish and amberjacks all increase in numbers over the month and a lot of the local charter boats shift their attention from trolling to bottom fishing.

Float lining for snapper is one of the most effective methods and soft plastics are also effective. Slow jigging is another good method to try this month and catches a wide range of species including big snapper.

The southern reefs of the Gold Coast and the Tweed Nine Mile Reef are also productive for wahoo and Spanish mackerel. If you can high speed troll metal

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Big Spaniards should be back on the bite in May. headed skirts at dawn you are in with a great chance, especially at the Nine Mile.

Trolled dead baits can also

be very effective. There is quite often a good run of big spotted mackerel at Palm Beach Reef in May.

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Southern

OLD

It is thought that this is the ‘return run’ of fish heading north after their southern migration. Some of these fish are around 7kg in weight.

Trolling live baits from a downrigger is probably the best way to catch a big Spanish mackerel this month. The Diamond Reef on the 24 fathom line east of Southport produces hundreds of fish each season but when the fishing is tough a downrigger can get you in the action.

The close reefs also fish well at night during May, especially when there is a tide change around dusk.

The artificial reefs in 23m of water just north of the Seaway are a very consistent producers of mulloway at night with fish averaging around a metre long.

It can be a difficult place to fish as hooked mulloway often run back into the structure and break off. Snapper fishing in the evening on the Cotton Reef and Sullies is often productive. Small live yellowtail can be a great bait for big snapper.

COAST RIVERS AND ESTUARIES All the estuaries on the Gold Coast have had a big flush due to the recent floods and this month should see some

great fishing throughout the entire Broadwater system.

Bream, mulloway, tailor and whiting should be active and already there are big schools of baitfish around

the entrances. Drifting live baits through the Seaway and Jumpinpin entrances should be very productive this month as most fish have been flushed out of the rivers

Sue Sullivan with a tasty flathead. They will become more active as the water cools.

and are concentrated in the main basin and seaward entrances.

As the water cools down a bit flathead will become increasingly active in the Broadwater between Crab Island and Tippler’s Passage. Clean clear cool water and plenty of bait make good conditions for chasing flathead on lures.

Most of the fish are between 40-60cm and can be caught on trolled lures, plastics, metal vibes and soft vibes – bream are a very common form of by-catch. It will be interesting to see if we can find a few big flatties up on the flats this month by working large unweighted stick baits. This method caught quite a few 70cm+ fish throughout the summer months. The key seems to be to work the flats early in the morning when the water is pushing in over the top of flats in about 30cm of water.

These fish are chasing big baits such as mullet, eels and whiting and want a big lure. Large unweighted soft plastics are also effective.

May is the last month of the mud crab season, and the recent rains have flushed the crabs into the main part of the Broadwater, where they are mixed with sand crabs.

Work the mangrove edges on the run-in tide for mud crabs or try around the weed

beds in 3-6m of water for sand crabs. Unfortunately there has been a lot of crab pot theft in recent months so stay close to your pots if possible.

such as herring, yellowtail and small mullet. They don’t stray far from the rocks and need to be fought on a heavy drag to get them out. This method also produces some

This poor mulloway fell victim to the taxman.

There have been a lot of mangrove jack along the seaway walls over the past month and these big jacks respond to small live baits

nice mulloway and tailor.

This May should produce some great fish if the weather settles down and the wind drops off.

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Southern

OLD

Cracker cold season to come JUMPINPIN

Bo Sawyer

We’ve had a very wet start to autumn. While this has made fishing quite difficult at the time

of writing, it is setting us up for an absolute cracker of a cold season.

The recent rain has been great news for crabbers and cast netters and most people have had good success with decent

catchers of muddies and, at certain times, prawns. I was chatting with a pro crabber at the boat ramp the other day and he said it’s been the best season he’s had in some time. However, as we get closer to winter we can

drop further, and the winter species will start kicking into gear.

There have been big schools of small tailor in and around the mouth of the Pin – we will see the sizes start to improve as we head further into winter.

Small Halco spinners are always a good choice for lure fishos and I’ve been getting good numbers on 65mm soft vibes as a by-catch chasing flathead.

I’ve even been getting two at a time on some casts.

If you prefer using bait, try using the humble pilly on ganged hooks, as well as live herring or mullet, as it will be hard for them to resist.

Keep an eye out for

The author with a flathead caught on a 65mm soft vibe in fat betty colour.

There have been a few small mulloway around. Their size will increase as the water cools. start expecting those better catches to drop off.

Clean water has been very hard to come by lately, and the best times to wet a line have been the last 2 hours of the incoming tide.

As a general rule of thumb, if you’re seeing jellyfish in the water, you’re in one of the cleaner parts of the system, so these are the areas to concentrate on the most.

As we head into May we can expect water temperatures to start to Ricky with a 67cm trevally caught on a live prawn off Crusoe Island.

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MAY 2021

Matt with a couple of big sand crabs.

John with a grunter caught on a live biddy. birds working and bait fish busting up. If the birds are just hovering but not diving, it usually means the bait is there, but the tailor aren’t around pushing them up. This can change very quickly though, so it’s always a good idea to keep paying attention on what’s happening around you.

Myself, along with plenty of other anglers, have still been getting some quality flathead.

Try the bottom of Russel Island, eastern side of Crusoe, Kalinga bank and the Northern tip of South Stradbroke Island. Soft plastics and vibes are my favourite approach, however live mullet, herring or prawns will account for some nice fish.

The key to catching good numbers of flathead is to cover as much ground as possible, so drifting or using a light weight to keep your bait moving will yield better results every day of the week.

I have been sounding up some nice schools of mulloway as of late, however I’ve only managed a few smaller models so

far. I expect the quality to really amp up as the water temperature cools. Try the deeper edge off Swan Bay, Rocky Point and the deeper water on the northern side of Crusoe.

When chasing mulloway, it really pays to do some sounding, look for big bait balls and use side scan to locate the bigger fish. Be as quiet as you can while doing this though, as schools will spook very easily. They will be most active around the tide changes as they prefer to hunt in the slacker water.

My preferred bait to use is live mullet around 6-7” and, in the lure department, I like 95mm soft vibes.

Don’t forget the ‘King of the Pin’ comp is running later this month between the 28-30 April. There are some nice prizes to be won including a $15,000 tinny package and it will be a great weekend for all involved.

Until next month, tight lines everyone.

• To see more of my fishing adventures head to Instagram and follow The Bobo Boat (@ thebobo_boat).

Southern

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Snapper on the chew good-size snapper coming from the walls and wharfs. It will be worth soaking a live bait for a threadfin salmon too, especially at night. The majority of the bigger fish have moved back upriver, so searching for them around the middle reaches will see the best results. Mulloway to just over the metre mark and snapper up to 70cm have been reported, and the best

Shane Ramsey with a nice southern bay pinky.

Brenden Whyte with a Brisbane River fingermark that fell to a Fish Trap. around the green zone in the middle of the bay.

The Brisbane River has been producing some nice fish of late. There have been good numbers of mulloway (jewfish) and

This mulloway took a liking to a 40g Mustad Zippy jig.

lures have been plastics and soft vibes. Make sure you keep an eye on your sounder and look for the larger schools to target.

Winter whiting should show up in good numbers throughout the Southern Bay this month. There have been reports already on most banks, but the Pelican and Banana banks have been the stand-outs. Drift along the bank edges until you find a patch of fish and then do short drifts over the productive area or anchor on it. The best baits have been worms or long, thin strips of squid.

Prawns have been a bit patchy and hard to find in good numbers after all the rain we have had. Some people have been getting

their limit without too much trouble, but most have been working pretty hard. The smaller tides will produce larger schools that will stay fairly stationery. When working the larger tides you have to move and chase the school with the tide. There have been good reports around the power lines and bottom of Long Island. There are also good prawns up around the salt works and Lamb Island.

There have been some quality flathead caught down around the Jumpinpin area, with lots of 60-80cm fish reported. Most of these fish have come from shallow water on smaller soft plastics or small trolled hardbodies.

Some of the best performing areas have been around Pandanus Island and the Never Fails. It’s also worth a look at areas close to the mouth of the Logan River, because all rain has flushed a lot of fish towards the mouth.

There have also been quite a lot of small chopper tailor around the Pin area.

These guys are balling up bait

and chopping on the surface so it’s always a good idea to have a small plastic or slug rigged to cast at the surface feeding schools.

If you have a great capture from the Southern Bay you would like to share email them through to nick@ techfishing.com.au.

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Squire have been performing well in the Southern Bay, with plenty of pan-sized fish around.

Most of them have been coming from Potts Point, Goat Island, at South West Rocks and the sunken reefs at Peel Island.

Light line will make a massive difference to your catch rate, and I recommend 8/10lb leader. When it comes to lures, the best performers have been 4-5” soft plastics rigged on 1/8oz and 1/4oz jigheads. I’ve been having great results on the Zerek Flash Wrigglys, which have a natural profile and inbuilt foil flash. The low light periods have been fishing best and producing the better quality fish in the shallower spots. Keep an eye out for the showering hardiheads because the snapper will be right behind them.

Longtail tuna have been around in good numbers in the Northern Bay when the weather has been good enough to get out there. They are still yet to move to the southern end in numbers though. There are some good quality fish amongst

them, with fish to 15kg been reported. Because of the size of the fish they have been chasing larger baits, with big plastics and 110-160mm stickbaits being a good starting option. I use the 115 Zerek Zappelin on the longtails, although I prefer to retrofit larger singles over the standard trebles. The fish have been north of Harrys so make sure you are careful

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SOUTHERN BAY

Nick Whyte

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Southern

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May your rod bend BRISBANE

Gordon Macdonald masterbaitertackle@hotmail.com

With cooling temperatures in the coming weeks, anglers will begin to notice a change in the prominent species on offer. Increasing numbers of snapper, mulloway, squid, cuttlefish, tailor, luderick and other cool weather species are likely to show.

Many warmer weather angling targets are still thriving, however some will slow in prominence. In all, there will be a great mix of species on offer in Moreton Bay. Good rainfall over the last few months has boosted nutrient in the rivers, creeks, estuaries and bay and I am predicting some awesome fishing over the coming months. Let’s look at a few of

options that may get your rod bending in the coming weeks.

SNAPPER Increasing numbers of quality snapper will enter Moreton Bay from offshore waters in readiness for their breeding activities as water temperatures fall. They will be found around all the usual spots including the bay island margins, artificial reefs, wrecks and submerged ledges.

Anglers fishing both baits and lures will be able to score quality snapper although you may need to catch and release numerous undersized fish for each quality specimen taken.

I know they can get annoying, however treat these smaller fish with care, giving them the chance to grow into the big knobbies we all desire to score.

Smaller fish are more commonly taken on baits than

lures but at times they can be quite aggressive and will even smash a sizeable artificial offering. Bait fishers should endeavour to use quality baits such as salted tuna and bonito fillets, squid, pilchards yakkas, slimey mackerel, cuttlefish, gar, and mullet. These baits are best fished with a minimum of lead. Casting baits upcurrent and allowing them to drift down with the current as they slowly sink will often produce the best quality snapper. Even once aft of the boat, the baits can be free-spooled and allowed to drift a distance before winding in and repeating the sequence.

Drifting along with baits close to the bottom is another successful ploy, which allows you to cover a good area.

This works well at the Peel and Coochie Artificial reefs and will also produce other

It has been a great prawning season so far with plenty of quality banana prawns.

The southern bay and Nudgee should continue to produce for a while yet.

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A micro Moreton Bay longtail taken recently from a school of mixed sized fish. These are not the norm for Moreton Bay, which generally produces a much better class of fish. species such as mulloway, cod and morwong.

Lure fishers can use an array of offerings including soft vibes, micro jigs, octo jigs, soft plastics (such as jerkshads, paddle tails, curl tails and crustacean profiles), deep diving minnow lures and others to score snapper throughout the bay and even in the Brisbane River.

Plastics and soft vibes are best cast up current and worked back with the water flow.

Sounding out likely structure, or even individual fish, and then deploying micro jigs or octo jigs straight down will often produce an instant hook up. Trolling minnow lures (usually offerings that dive between 3m and 8m) along the edges of prominent ledges, reef edges and around the shallower artificial reefs will generally produce the goods on snapper and a host of others. We should have several good months ahead for catching snapper and hopefully this will be a season to remember.

LONGTAILS Late March and April saw good numbers of longtails throughout the bay. There were plenty of smaller fish around 5kg amongst them, which is fairly unusual for the bay it but at least gave anglers a chance to get the

occasional fish away from the sharks, which was rarely the case when specimens larger than 10kg were hooked on the average 10-15kg tackle. One day I hooked 11 longtails with estimated weights between 5-18kg and only landed one of the smaller fish. Subsequent others were either eaten by sharks or I purposely broke them off to avoid them getting eaten. The majority of anglers I spoke to in the next few weeks had experienced similar problems. At one time there were six sharks, all appeared to be bullies in the 7-11ft range, cruising around my boat just waiting for the next fish to be hooked. You would drive a kilometre away to another bust up and within minutes there were sharks cruising nearby again. If you fell overboard at least you wouldn’t drown!

I found the longtails fairly obliging most of the time and hooked them on 20-40g chromed slugs, Nomad Madscad 115mm stickbaits and small surf candy flies delivered with a intermediate line on a #9 fly rod. Some anglers found them difficult at times, which is often the case when they get fixated on baitfish of a particular size. The mac tuna that were also around were generally

fussier than the longtails from my experience. I found a lot of fish in the area between the Hope Banks to Rous mouth to the southern edge of The Paddock green zone. However, sightings and captures were reported from all corners of the bay.

The saying ‘longtails are where you find them’ was definitely the case as they could pop up almost anywhere at any stage of the tide. Often the best action was experienced on the first two and last two hours of the falling tide, especially in the afternoons. Some anglers also scored on longtails by live baiting with yakkas, slimey mackerel and pike along the edge of current lines and around the shipping channel beacons. Shark Spit is generally a good location for this pursuit and although the longtails caught aren’t numerous, they are usually solid specimens with most larger than 15kg.

Although the occasional longtail can be caught in the bay year round, the larger numbers might only hang around for a month or two now. The best part about May longtail fishing is that the sharks are a lot less active and any hooked fish are much more likely to be brought to the boat.

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MAY 2021

Ian Johnson scored this quality southern bay tailor while spinning recently. Some travel a long way to score a fish of this quality.

OLD

MULLOWAY A favoured target for Brisbane River and Moreton Bay anglers is the mulloway.

These have been a fairly common capture in Southern Queensland over the last decade and due to the decent summer rains I believe this year will be another good one for mulloway.

In the Brisbane River, mulloway can be found right up past the city reaches and anglers casting lures around lighted areas during the darkened hours score some pretty respectable specimens.

This can be done via Shank’s pony in many locations, which is ideal for those without watercraft.

Threadfin salmon and even tailor can be caught well up the brown snake during the colder months. In the lower reaches of the river, mulloway are commonly taken on soft vibes, jighead rigged plastics and even blades around the retaining wall at the mouth, Clara’s Rocks, the fronts of the jetties and the dredge holes at the mouth, just to name a few.

Obviously, these same areas, as well as the declines into the main river basin will also produce mulloway on baits.

Whilst a fresh fillet bait from mullet, slimy mackerel, bonito, gar or tuna will score a few mulloway, more consistent results will come on live, locally caught live baits such as banana prawns, mullet, pike, herring and gar.

The larger baitfish are best rigged on a snelled, suicide hook rig with the leading hooked pinned through the nose and the trailing hook in the tail area. Banana prawns and herring can be fished on a single hook. Use just enough lead to keep the bait in your decided strike zone and allow the mulloway to mouth and swim away with the bait before striking.

Baitrunner style reels are ideal for this type of fishing as are small lever drag overheads and larger baitcasters with a

ratchet on them. Line classes between 8-15kg are ideal, either braid or monofilament with fluorocarbon leaders.

In Moreton bay, mulloway are commonly taken around the artificial reefs plus Mud and Peel islands and the numerous wrecks. The leads beacons going northeastwards from the Brisbane River mouth are also worth a try with both baits and lures. These can be fished on-the-hop without anchoring.

Work over one beacon for 20-30 minutes before going to the next. Drop live baits close to the beacon and drift away a 100m or so several times at each beacon. Live baits can be fished from an anchored position around the artificial reefs and bay island margins.

Even the humble pilchard or squid will account for some respectable mulloway.

Those with quality sounders (especially side imaging models) and a good knowledge of their usage will be able to locate schools of mulloway on the artificial reefs.

From here it is a simple matter of presenting a jighead rigged plastic, soft vibe or micro jig to the cruising fish. The strikes are often savage and several fish can be taken in a session.

However, sharks can still be a problem at time and seem to follow the cruising mulloway schools just waiting for their opportunity. The next four or five months should see some quality mulloway taken in Southern Queensland waters.

PRAWNS The rains in late March really stirred up the prawns and most had no trouble filling their 10L bucket limit. Nudgee and the southern bay were the places to be. Early morning high tides on the flats out from Nudgee saw some respectable prawns taken, including brown tigers.

The brown tigers are harder to catch as they are much rarer than the bananas and they don’t seem to flick up into the net as far to get trapped in the top pocket. If you close

your net fully before lifting it off the bottom then you have a much better chance of trapping them in the folds of the net.

The southern bay has a heap of good spots to chase prawns.

The Salt Works, Jackson’s Hole, Giants Grave, out from the last moored boats on the eastern end of Lamb Island, The Powerlines, Redland Bay Channel and Main Channel at Jacob’s Well all produced good hauls. Hopefully, May will see some good pockets of prawns from these areas, however they can be here today and gone tomorrow!

CEPHALOPODS The coming months will see some quality squid being taken throughout Moreton Bay. Whether the inshore

(foreshore) squid fishery fires will depend on water clarity as squid like crystal clear water (which often comes after periods of westerly winds). However, further out into the bay around Mud, Green, Peel, Goat and Bird islands squid fishing should be consistent. Any water that flows over, reef, rock, rubble or weed is likely to hold squid. The channels, such as Rous have plenty of weed beds and darkened patches along the edges, which provide ideal ambush spots for squid. During the falling tide, they will hold in such areas as they ambush baitfish and crustaceans that are forced from the flats with the receding water. The weed

banks north of Tangalooma is another popular and productive place to target squid, especially on the higher tidal stages.

A lot of the squid taken early in the season are sizeable specimens that are towards the end of their life period. Squid only live for 12-16 months, therefore the big ones you catch this year were probably only born early last season.

Egi (prawn shaped squid jigs) are one the most popular ways to target squid. These are cast across the likely area and slowly retrieved or worked with a series of hops and pauses. When the squid strikes the jig it will get impaled by the rows of barbless spikes at the rear of the jig. A slow

Chris Deeks with a great early season sunrise snapper, which didn’t mind the dirty water around Mud Island just after the deluge late in March.

Southern

retrieve (do not pump and wind like you would with a fish) is all that is needed to retrieve your calamari entrée.

Rods with soft tips and reels with light drag settings will limit the chance of tearing the jig out of the squid.

For those drifting around the bay islands and the flats areas, a squid skewer can be an easy way to score a couple of cephalopods. These are baited with a pilchard or other whole fish and then left to drag behind the boat. In slow currents you may need to suspend them a metre or two below the surface by using a float. This is a great way to add to your seafood feast whilst targeting snapper or whiting in these areas.

Cuttlefish numbers have been good in recent years.

These are generally found deeper down in the major channels. Good areas include the junction of the Rous and little Ships Channels, out the front of Wellington Point and Green Island in 10-12m of water and wide of Mud Island. Often you will need to add extra weight to the squid jig to get it down in these depths. This can be done by adding a #1 or #2 ball sinker to the loop used to tie on your squid jig or in a small length of monofilament and tied to the moulded weight on the squid jig. Drifting these channels slowly with the jig just up off the bottom can score you good numbers of cuttlefish in short time.

CONCLUSION May is a month that has plenty of options for Moreton bay anglers. Water temperatures will depend on what the more prominent species will be, however there is usually some great variety with anglers often spoilt for choice. Mornings and late afternoons can be rather brisk yet the days warm quickly. May your rod bend regularly under the power of your target species over the coming month.

MAY 2021

21

Southern

OLD

Top catches to look forward to NORTHERN BAY

Steve Nash

As we approach the end of the warmer months, we will begin to see a lot of our summer species slowly dissipate and move on from our waters.

The tuna season was an absolute ripper, seeing some fantastic catches along Moreton Bay and beyond.

The crabbing and prawning season was also a great success with a very fruitful couple of months on that front to say the least! But it’s about time now to put our top water lures away for another season and begin the approach to what is in store.

THE BAY Towards the end of this month, we will soon begin seeing pan size snapper populating the bays again.

The usual rubble grounds around the front of Scotts Point and the front of Queens Beach will soon see a lot of action. By-catches of grunter, sweetlip, cod and even flathead will also be a great win, if you’re lucky enough.

Berkley Gulps 3-4” plastics or even Samaki

retrieve from slow to fast or vice versa. Keep in mind though, that fishing light may well get the bite but if that trophy fish decides to strike, you may well find

snapper and our other reef species, fishing our local estuaries will equally hold high potential to hook up to some great catches.

We have been very

Big bream are spawning.

parts of the channel on the run-in tides. Not to mention the chance to pull in the occasional snapper or even mulloway at these times. In which case, it’s always good not to fish too light, unless you’re up for the challenge.

Early mornings and late afternoons will see lots of bream holding to structure, like river edges or bridge pylons. So keep the crank baits and small profile Squigies or Grubs handy if the bite is slow. You’ll almost certainly find bream on a tough day of fishing.

SQUID Squid are also a great feed to chase around this time of the year. The local jetties off the Hornibrook Bridge, Woody Point and even Shorncliffe are good places to throw some squid lures around.

Finding squid along

yourself re-rigging up your gear from the infamous bust off.

It’s early in the season, so numbers may not be at their full potential yet, but getting a head start may still net you a brilliant feed of these tasty fish! Keep an eye out for the tailor as well, as they are bound to pass

Yakup Soyer hunting the night for mulloway.

Night time tailor fishing can be rewarding.

Vibelicious 15g vibes are good starts for lure fishers to work over the top of the rubble grounds. Be sure to strategise and change it up if you’re struggling to get a bite. If you’re not getting hits on your old faithful lure, try lowering your leader or change up the

through at this time of year.

Bust ups on top of the water line are indicators that they are feeding. Fast retrieving slugs through schools of bust ups are likely to hook you up.

RIVERS While many folks will be out in the bay finding

lucky to have received much needed rain in the Moreton Bay region. The heavy downpours of rain from the previous months have well and truly flushed out our creeks, which should see a lot of species push downstream towards the mouths of our rivers.

Flathead will be likely to school up in numbers and sit amongst the shallows, which will give land based fishers and a great opportunity to chase them along the western banks of Brighton around the low tide. The boaties and kayakers can certainly find flathead along the deeper

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Marty Bubb finding some quality bay snapper. the foreshores of Redcliffe and Brighton in the early mornings of low tide are a good time to start hunting.

Fish light gear and using bright colours on your squid jigs will draw them out.

DAMS We are beginning to enter into one of the most exciting phases of fishing the local stocked impoundments.

As the temperature drops, bass will begin their hectic feeding phases that will last well into the winter months. The cooler it gets, the more bass will school up and feed, which makes fishing for bass some of the most exciting times of the year for local anglers. Last year’s bass fishing scene saw high double digits of fish being caught in just the one session.

Having a sounder or fishing with someone that has one will be key to

finding bass. Plastics, jigs, spinnerbaits, hardbodies will all work when chasing them. More detail will be touched on next month on lures and techniques when winter arrives. It’s very important too to note that the local dams in the area like Lake Kurwongbah and Lake Samsonvale will require a Stocked Impoundment Permit (SIPS) in order to fish these area.

They are easiest to purchase online or a local post office.

Proceeds from these permits go back to fish stocking of the dams and the continuing of keeping these Australian natives thriving.

So as we end another phase of the fishing season, we can only jump for joy knowing that a new and just as exciting one is just beginning. Always stay safe and exercise courtesy to others out on the water.

Shaun Ezzy with a nice yellowbelly from North Pine Dam.

OLD

Southern

Get out early for the best fish!

NOOSA

Peter Wells

Time to toughen up and get yourself out of bed throw on the jumper and head out early to make the most of the fantastic conditions we have at this time of the year.

Flathead have been thick over the last month with Weyba Creek, the sand bars near the mouth and of course the lakes upstream, are all producing great fish. Smaller

lures like the Lucky Craft Gsplash, Sugapen Back Fire and Atomic K9 Walkers have all worked well. As the sun gets a little higher in the sky swapping to plastic in the prawn profile has been very effective.

Big bream are also on the prowl inside the river mouth, around to Woods Bays and around most of the pontoons that line the river. Try prawns on baitholder style hooks fished unweighted and cast to the shadow line of pontoons and

new ones so they are soft and usually fairly empty.

On the offshore scene, this is the time of the year where we start to think more of fish from the bottom rather than pursuing those pelagic species. With some very special offshore conditions at this time of the year, with the winds blowing more offshore, the closer reefs become very attractive for smaller craft. At Sunshine Reef you can expect mostly juvenile sized snapper, with the bigger ones showing up

Benny Peroli with a perfect 57cm jack taken from the Twin Waters area. The big jack went for one of the MMD Whiting Glide baits. fish bait, like small pilchards, white bait and hardiheads on smaller ganged hooks have been the go to bait.

Soft plastics have also been dynamite on the flatties with the Keitech range all the rage at the moment. The Easy Shiner in the 4” size has been the most popular with the new strawberry ripple seeming to work well in the dirtier water. Angers have reported that the slow roll across the bottom seems to be the best retrieve.

Trevally have also been the big news with plenty of good sized golden, big eye and giant trevally caught on lures mornings and late afternoons in Woods Bay, the back of the Noosa Sound and the top of the Tewantin ski run. Working the surface has been the approach, so

jetties and let it sink slowly.

As this looks more natural, these fish will dart out and hit the more realistic looking baits. Remember that a 30cm+ fish has been around a while and has probably seen a hook or two and they are pretty smart, so baits that plummet to the bottom are rarely touched.

Plenty of whiting have also been on offer with some good fish landed around the Frying Pan and along the dog beach, as usual peeled prawns, worms and those freshly pumped yabbies have been the best baits for these amazing table fish.

This will probably be your last chance to put the crab pots in with a hope of catching a viable crab. In the cooler months, crabs will moult their shells and grow

as the waters cool. Sweetlip, Moses perch and maybe a coral trout are all on offer.

North Reef has been worth a look with better snapper, sweetlip, tuskies

and some thumper cobia.

Cobia always seem to be there but seem to be more prolific while the whales are moving up the coast. In fact, if a pod of whales are in the area you will usually find yourself with a solid cobia.

For those that have been doing the run out to the Barwon Banks there have been plenty of quality fish on offer; large pearl perch, snapper, cobia, Maori cod, kingies and amberjack have all hit the decks.

On the pelagic side of things, there are still some good tuna and Spanish mackerel on offer. We do find the tuna schools are a little more mobile and this may be that there is less bait on offer for them to feed on.

Tuna tend to always feed into the wind so if you can get upwind of the schools and let them come to you, you will stand a better chance of hooking up. Matching the hatch is very important and at this time of the year most of the bait they are feeding on is pretty small, so smaller slugs and smaller profile soft plastic should work.

For the mackerel fishers, we see a lot of very large fish are on the close reefs. This is the time of the year when we get the stonkers with a lot of big fish caught on the close reefs or even just behind the breakers. These fish may be feeding on mullet or small tailor as they start to run at this time of the year.

ON THE BEACHES Sunshine and Sunrise beaches have been doing

Ryder Worth got this 17kg longtail tuna just off Coolum Reef, while he and his Dad were fishing from a jet ski. He used a 3-5kg rod and had to chase the fish for over an hour before landing it. well in the early evening with big bream, tarwhine and tailor all on the chew. Fishing the bigger tide around the new and full moons is the ideal time.

Tailor are starting to come on with some good captures coming from the mouth of the Noosa up to Teewah. The bigger tailor are still on their way but as the weather and water cools we should see some good fish taken with the morning and afternoon tides the prime bite.

Good bream are also in the mix with plenty of larger breeding fish around with their spawning time only a month or two away. Small flesh baits of tuna, mullet or cut pilchards should see you hooking up.

Whiting have also been in numbers with plenty of fish on offer on the run out

Lachlan Watts with a perfect tailor from the beach at Mudjimba.

tide. One of the hot spots has been around Peregian and Marcus beaches. Freshly pulled worms and pipis are the perfect baits.

Dart are still everywhere with the larger fish taken at the top of the tide. Most of the close gutters have fish and this is ideal for the kids as they don’t have to cast the back of the breakers to catch one. Dart will pretty much eat anything, I have even heard of them being taken on chicken.

IN THE FRESHWATER Lake Macdonald continues to fish well with plenty of bass around the weed edges. As the water cools these fish will move to the deeper parts of the dam.

Small diving lures on the troll should see a result. For those casting at the edges surfaces walkers and frog profiles have also excited the saratoga with some good sized fish taken.

In Borumba, the timber is where most of the action has been happening, fishing Hot Bite spinnerbaits close to structure has been the way to go.

• Don’t forget to check in to www.fishingnoosa.com. au for all the latest up to date info on fishing and bar crossings.

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Central

OLD

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The fishing has been a bit hot and cold over the past month. On some trips there weren’t many sharks, while on other trips they were such a menace that we switched to targeting Spanish mackerel. Fortunately, the Spanish have been firing, as is usual for late summer/autumn when the westerlies kick in, and we’ve had some sessions where we got 10 Spanish in an hour.

We have caught most of our Spanish trolling sauries, and having really good results. However, these toothy predators have

will get far fewer strikes.

Lately I’ve been running 44lb stainless wire, which has been providing really good results. It’s so fine that it’s almost like having mono. Don’t be lazy, get on YouTube and look up how to tie a wire to mono knot. It’s life changing!

When it comes to bottom fishing, lately it’s been tougher on the days of the moon and the two days after. The days leading up to the moon are much better, regardless of whether it’s a full or a new. Having said all that, don’t be discouraged from fishing at sub-optimal times. I recommend that you get on the water whenever there’s a good weather window, moon or no.

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been so thick that often you can throw in any lure and you’ll hook up on every pass. The lure can be bibbed, bibless, 4” long or 8” long – the mackerel don’t care when they are in a feeding mood, especially if they have to compete with other hungry mackerel.

If I had to share one big tip for luring Spanish mackerel, it would be this: teach yourself how to rig thin, single-strand wire trace.

Don’t use plastic-coated wire, because the mackerel’s teeth will shred it, creating burrs that generate drag and affect the action of the lure. You

catching really big, tasty Moses perch up to 2.5kg, which is unusual for this time of year. Moses perch like to hang out in areas where there is good structure – areas with big overhangs, crevices and so on. Mangrove jack also love these same areas. If you find yourself catching good Moses perch, stick around until the sun goes down. Then you can send down some bigger baits and hold on!

Reef jacks take no prisoners,

A solid grass sweetlip (grass emperor). and I recommend using 80lb braid and 100lb fluoro leader to give you the best chance of stopping them.

The red emperor bite has been much slower in recent weeks, but the trout have been playing the game – if you can get them past the sharks. Interestingly, in May last year the sharks seemed to go on holiday; they hardly showed up at all. Fingers crossed we get a repeat of that this month.

Good grass sweetlip have started to come on the chew, and we’ve been getting some absolute stonkers. It’s always the way when you start getting semi-consistent westerlies – the grassies take that as a cue to come closer in the shallows in 10-45m of water. When they’re in the shallows they tend to get really thick, possibly in preparation for spawning.

The southwesterlies have turned up, which means the yellowtail scad will be back. They make fantastic live baits for those extralarge, educated bottom fish that turn up their nose at a dead bait. Right now is the best time to use livies, because the first month and a half after the livies rock up, the predators just can’t help themselves. It’s good to designate one angler to use dead bait, while everyone else has livies on. The smelly dead bait will attract hungry

smaller fish which will jostle and make a commotion, drawing in curious larger predators to see what all the fuss is about.

To catch some livies, go to the end leads and drop down a sabiki. You’ll almost never miss. If they’re not there they’ll be on the leads before it. If you can find groups of larger scad, that’s even better, because larger livies work better than smaller ones do.

All in all, there’s a lot to look forward this month.

We can expect a better class of reds on the live baits, the trout action will ramp up, and big grassies should be on the chew.

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MAY 2021

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Central

OLD

Take every opportunity GLADSTONE

Dylan Christie

For this month we will start with the offshore as we know everyone around this area is taking absolutely any opportunity to get out.

Prized fish high on the target list is the mighty Spanish mackerel and there has been some beauties around with fish into the 30kg range being captured only a couple of miles from the north entrance, making them targetable to most vessels.

While the majority of

reports are about the larger fish coming on trolled baits, including wolf herring and gar, there have been plenty of school sized fish coming on both trolled and casted lures. Areas such as Rundle Island, Jenny Lind banks and Bustard Head have all been holding good numbers of schooling fish where some people have been throwing metal slugs, poppers and stick baits, capturing these acrobatic animals off the surface.

If you’re looking to give this style of fishing a go then it seems the most productive time is first light through to

There are still a few jacks hanging around this month.

MAY 2021

Golden trevally will be on anglers’ target list in autumn. fish already being captured.

Salmon are a great fish to target, as when they are on they will eat just about anything from surface lures to a dead herring sitting on the bottom.

There have also been some captures of grunter and fingermark coming in from the rock bars and gravel areas around the harbour. However, there have also been a few black jew – remember they are a no-take species at the moment.

The sand bars in Wild Cattle and the mouth of South Trees and around Facing and Curtis islands are producing some great whiting fishing with a few reports of bag outs on quality fish. Surprising many, there are even a few nice muddies still getting

around with the deeper holes on the neaps seemingly being the best option for coming home with a feed.

The Hot Water is generally always worth a look at this time of year. The salmon will move in along the coast with the mighty barramundi. It is common to see fish well into the metre class from this area so it pays to beef up the gear while targeting these fish.

While fishing for barramundi at the Hot Water outlet you can also expect by-catch of solid queenfish as well as large tarpon and trevally.

As it cools, Awoonga always seems to get forgotten, however there is still some great barramundi fishing to be had with some anglers managing

great fish. One advantage to fishing the lake at this time of year is that there is often a lot less traffic, which means that most times you don’t have to share your favourite spot with the afternoon bites the most popular at the moment.

• For all the latest info on what’s biting and where, drop into Pat’s Tackle World at 23 Lord Street, Gladstone or give them a call on (07) 4972 3692. The team have their finger to the pulse to what is happening in the area, and are sure to point you in the right direction. You can also find news, catch photos and special deals on their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ PatsTackleworldGladstone) or check them out on Instagram (@patstackleworld).

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mid morning however the surface bite can extend some days, especially when there is cloud cover.

The wrecks are continuing to host some great sessions on jigs and plastics with many different pelagics being caught, along with some nice large mouth nannygai, even the odd coral trout and, on the inshore wrecks, grunter and fingermark.

When fishing wrecks the hour an hour either side of the tide change often allows you to fish directly over the top of the structure, however the fish will also move away from the main structure to forage for food, especially when there is some gravel nearby. The reef has been firing and as it cools the fish will be moving slightly deeper making them a little easier to target. Yet again, the numbers of coral trout in our area would be up there with the best we have seen in years, especially on the wider reefs and shoals including Fitzroy Reef, Sykes Reef and Douglas shoals. The trout are firing and there are plenty of quality red throat emperor, along with tuskies.

As the weather cools, the blue salmon should start to make a move into the harbour and estuaries with some large

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Matt had a good day fishing off the Gold Coast and caught this 46kg tuna while trolling off the shelf.

MAY 2021

31

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Options for both fresh and saltwater anglers acceptable table fare provided they are bled well straight away and then iced down.

They go well on a BBQ with a bit of sweet chilli sauce, in curries or fish stews.

Late May sometimes sees the first of the snapper arrive on their migration to our waters to breed. The fisho grapevine is the best indicator of the arrival of snapper, and early pre dawn starts are the prime times to be targeting them. Combine with a low tide around daylight, and using either live, or very fresh baits and you will be in with a show. Snapper show up easily on modern sounders and there

MACKAY

Keith Day habdays@bigpond.net.au

May is a transition month for Mackay fishers, with the gradual cooling of the weather, reduced humidity (thankfully), and lowering water temperatures. This affects both the salt and freshwater fisheries, but there will still be options available for anglers, and with the more enjoyable weather, May is an ideal time to get out on the water.

Down in the salt, barra have continued to bite through April, but I expect them to start slowing down, particularly towards the end of this month.

The earlier rains gave us plenty of prawn activity in the creeks and along the adjacent beach areas, and the barra and other predators responded. That prawn run is now exhausted and while there will be the odd few in the creeks, getting a feed will be hard work, and often it is difficult to get enough for live baiting.

Most serious barra live baiters, will have switched over to poddy mullet or whiting and if the northerlies kick in there will be a run of herring available. Another often ignored baitfish is live gar, which although harder to net are very successful live baits for barra.

Barra will be leaving the deeper holes and looking for the warmest water, and a neat trick is to fish up onto a sandbank that has been heated by the sun during the run out and ebb tide phases.

These scenarios can be found in almost all our

the go-to lures, but they can be awfully expensive and the large paddle tail plastics still catch plenty of fish and are a much cheaper option.

Both Kinchant and Eungella dams have seen their fair share of barra caught over the summer, but Eungella in particular goes quiet on the barra front, very quickly as it cools off before the others.

Eungella dam is of course the home of some of the biggest, meanest sooty grunter on the planet and fortunately they stay on the chew right through winter. The sooties

Red fish are always welcome, particularly red emperor like this beauty Shane Bird was able to get past the sharks on a recent offshore trip. systems, with hot spots being places like around the mouth of the Pioneer, Reliance, Constant creeks and those in the NFZ. To the south Sarina inlet and nearby systems as well as those further south will also continue to produce during May, for those prepared to persist.

Apart from barra, king threadies, and blue salmon will be about in the creeks and the blues will work along the beaches in numbers. At times, the blues can be so thick that it almost seems like small tuna have invaded the creeks. For the bait angler, live prawns or yabbies are the best bets for these two species and both can be found almost to the top of the tidal influence as they will follow the incoming tide. Neither needs particularly deep water although the kings

will at times hang in small schools in deep holes, but will often refuse to bite when in this mood.

Lure anglers should use either prawn imitations or plastic vibes when chasing the salmons, while fly fishers can tie up imitations of prawns and the old reliable clouser pattern will also work well. Working quietly along under electric power is one of the keys to success and keep an eye out along the shallow banks for any sign of nervous bait.

Flathead will continue to bite through May and generally are available in some numbers year round. Many flatties will be accidentally caught while chasing barra or salmon but they are always welcome in the esky, even if they are a bit harder to fillet.

Fresh flathead shallow fried

SLAM47

in bread crumbs served with salad and chilled beer or wine, is a meal fit for a king. As always look for the lizards on a dropping tide around the sand banks and mouths of small side creeks and gullies. Work the same areas as the tide makes as they will again move right up on the shallows chasing a feed.

If the winds are kind and swing around to the north, northeast later in the month, there may be some small mackerel and tuna around if the baitfish schools move inshore.

Generally though, these early runs of macks are undersized and can be a bit of a nuisance hitting baits and lures intended for other species.

Queenfish and trevally will be the main pelagics around during May with some monster queenies normally found around the harbour walls and the close inshore islands. Queenies are great fun and respond to live baits, jigs, poppers, trolled minnows and even a pilchard on a gang rig will score them. The really large ones are fairly dry and not the best on the plate, but smaller and medium size specimens I reckon are quite

Matt Richardson regularly catches decent flathead like this from the river flats. are plenty of spots around the Hay Point/Round Top areas that normally hold snapper.

Up in the freshwater, the barra are slowing down coming into the cooler months, and after all the action in the dams over the summer, the fish will welcome a bit less attention.

Teemburra Dam has fished really well this summer and many awesome fish well over a metre have been caught either trolling or casting in the main basin areas. Big swim baits now seem to be

provide top water action early in the day, then respond to deeper presentations as the sun comes up and again will smack surface lures late in the day. A top fish that holds a special place in many anglers’ hearts and definitely one of my favourites.

So, May is an ideal time to visit Mackay, the weather is much milder, the fish are on the chew and there is literally option’s galore in fresh or saltwater. So why not come and check it out. See you at the ramp.

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MAY 2021

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Mother-in-law fish are not normally on the sought-after list, but at the size caught by Joe Hassan, they pull like trains and are hard to land around a rocky/rubble bottom.

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OLD

Lots of ups and downs for the Whitsundays May we normally get our last good bite out of the coral trout population before the bigger fish clam up for the winter. One of the key factors to catching a good haul of coral trout during May is not to sit in one spot for too long, keep moving and changing locations.

On the shallower reefs around the inner islands, the sharks generally aren’t too much of a pest so sending

WHITSUNDAYS

Mick Underwood

Well, that’s another wet season done and dusted – it was a good wet in some ways and not so in others.

On the positive side our region of the coast was void of any cyclones, so there were no natural disasters to deal with along with the negative media when they get a hold of these things.

You know, sometimes I think they do more damage than the cyclones themselves. The negative side is that we really didn’t get enough rain. We had plenty of wet days but the rain was more like fairy piddle than the monsoonal downpours that we normally get. We will have to wait until later in the year to see

Sweetlip have been biting like a beauty recently, and this should continue through May.

Southern Egyptian John Pooley enjoyed getting in on the recent good nannygai bite. what effects this will have on the fishing.

The continuation of this whole covid debacle is having a big effect on the whole tourism industry here in the Whitsundays, but it sure has been nice to see a lot Australians coming up here to visit us and enjoy some time in our pristine backyard. On behalf of the other tourism operators in the Whitsundays we thank you for your custom and please keep coming, you guys are literally keeping our boat afloat.

I have had a lot of people out fishing with me over recent months who would not normally select the Whitsundays as there preferred holiday destination, instead they would normally flit off to Bali, Thailand or somewhere similar. What has been interesting to hear from these people is that not one of them has been disappointed that they came to the Whitsundays for their holiday, in fact it has been the opposite. Everyone has been blown away by the natural beauty of what we have here and by the laid back friendliness of us locals.

So please keep coming guys, we welcome you all.

Righto I had better get on 34

MAY 2021

as grunter.

Fingermark will willingly eat a variety of baits and lures but fish such as grunter can be a bit fussier.

They will eat lures but these fish don’t have huge mouths so you have to keep lure sizes down. As I catch a lot of the better fish here in 40m+ of water, keeping lure sizes down can sometimes be hard so it’s generally fresh baits that get the best fish.

with some fishing. The last month on the water has been a cracker, there has been a pile of species on offer and I have had a blast getting after

plodding along fairly well on most days and we’ve seen plenty of quality coral trout and sweetlip come to hand.

Out on the deeper rubble patches, the fingermark population has sprung to life and we’ve seen a few beauties caught. Through the peak of summer the pelagic fishing locally can be hard but now the water temps have dropped a little the pelagics have shown up and it’s been in force, which is awesome to see. All the usual species of the mackerel and trevally families and some monster queenfish are here now and they are providing some excellent action for anglers.

The only fish that I haven’t hauled over the side has been giant trevally. We’ve been connected to a few but they have got the better of us so

breezes will stay at bay and allow us to get at the best of the fish.

The estuaries will start to see a bit less attention this month as a lot of anglers

A solid trout caught by Kev while targeting fingermark.

A 111cm line burning, acrobatic queenfish for Joel. He did a fine job of knocking this fish over on 12lb line. down a few berley bombs can be useful as well.

Out around the outer islands there should be some great action for both pelagic and bottom species, especially around the new and full moons when there is a bit of sting in the tide. With the bottom species, I will be hoping to get some hooks into some good fingermark and other tasty species, such

They will eat a variety of baits but small fresh prawns are a winner. Another tip with the grunter is to study your sounder closely, zoom right in on the sea floor.

These fish hug the bottom like nothing else and any slight nuances on your screen could be the fish.

Once you’ve located a possible target on your sounder set up a drift and send the lines down and hopefully you’ll get a nice fish or two. When you come back for a second drift over the fish they will more than likely not be in the same place and you will have to find them again. They are a foraging species and, as such, are constantly on the move. Sometimes once you have located the same school two or three times you can ascertain a pattern of where they are heading and how fast they are travelling, which makes it easier to stay on top of them. This won’t happen all the time though so you have to be prepared

Bryan Roberts was happy with this fingermark. each and every one of them.

I haven’t done much in the estuaries but they have been on fire. Barramundi and mangrove jack have been abundant, as have mud crabs and prawns.

Out around the islands the reef fishing has been

far this season, as they so often do. They don’t get their reputation for being one of the toughest brawlers in the ocean for nothing.

Getting into May, and I have high hopes that the excellent fishing will continue. Hopefully the trade

will be starting to shift their attention from barramundi to Spanish mackerel and other similar fishes. I’m sure the more astute anglers will still be able to get amongst a few barra and jacks this month.

On the fringing reefs around the islands during

Dave with one of his nannygai. Cyclone Debbie knocked the heck out of these fish on the inshore grounds, it’s only just now (4 years later) that they are starting to bite again.

COMING SOON FROM RAPALA OLD

to do some time staring at your sounder screen.

There will be some champagne pelagic fishing to be enjoyed this month and, as

powerful fish in that depth of water on light line is just too much fun and it is probably the main reason that I like this time of the year so much.

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Cameron’s first big goldy. These guys are starting to show up in force and will feature a lot more over the coming months with the bottom fish bite, the better fishing will be around the times of the new and full moon when the tidal flow has a bit of punch to it. Out on the pressure lines that run off, any of the outer islands should be holding fish especially if the bait is out there. Out in these areas I generally prefer to troll for these fish unless I can locate a good concentration of them in one area. All depending on the species I am targeting, I will tow anything from small hardbodies to massive wolf herring. You just have to read what is going on in your environment on each day and adapt the best you can to what you think is going on. Out wide will not be the only areas to get after some rampaging pelagics, back in the shallow

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Sue was rapt to out-fish her husband. She caught a good bag of coral trout and in quick smart time too.

Well that is about all I have room for this month, thank you for reading. Please remember that you won’t catch a fish pottering about at home.

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Another golden trevally virginity broken, this time it was for Alyson Stride who had a ball fighting this beauty. waters of Edgecombe Bay as well as out in front of Dingo Beach and Hydeaway Bay, there will be plenty on offer as well. In fact, at this point and time is where I am currently catching all the better fish, nothing is coming from deeper than 4m of water. Catching big

Forget the lawns, pick up a rod, get out there and have some fun and, as always, I wish you all the best of luck.

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OLD

Bring on the bait fishing TOWNSVILLE

Dave Hodge

While still not out of cyclone weather, the temperatures are dropping and the fresh is escaping allowing lure casters to push further up the river systems.

were sunk in the 5m hole, fingermark were the main species caught. Knowing that flesh sits on top of saltwater was the reason we sank deeper baits, just to see what was in the depths, but it was a bit of a surprise nonetheless.

Another surprise that sort of caught us off guard

The initial overflow of the weirs brought with it schools of bony bream, which need to hold very close to the run-off channel that directs water into the salt side of Aplins Weir, as they can’t survive in a high salt content. The barra obviously understand the bony’s dilemma and have been picking them off progressively for the last month or so. Many big fish have been captured over this time and one lucky angler who made the best of the annual run-off event landed a PB on his first attempt. The rig that Greg employed was a float about a metre and a half above a lightly weighted bony and then fed back downstream from the holding school of

Finding new water is always exciting, and this was the first fish the author caught at a previously unknown location they had just discovered.

Tannhym caught this barra on a lumo 7” Paddle Prawn.

Matching what the fish are eating can be the key to success. Schools of jelly prawns gave away the right lure for the job, and Tannhym threw a raw prawn Paddle Prawn to catch this fish.

For the last month or so we’ve actually done a bit of bait fishing with mixed results, not because we want to, but because our MotorGuide electric motor has completely died this time. Over the last six months it has gradually gotten worse until it completely gave up the ghost a few weeks ago.

At only four years old, I was quite surprised at its short lifespan considering the Minn Kota I had before gave 7 years at least of faultless operation.

Needless to say the next motor to grace the bow of the old Poly will be another Minny.

Anyway, them’s the breaks!

I must say that it was quite a step back in time for us to throw the cast net to gather some bait, find an area that had the boat hanging just right, and then anchoring in a position to hold our baits exactly where we needed them. The rigs we were using were quite standard really, but one of the species encountered was a little surprising. Barra were the main target, but it was the fingermark that were the wild card. Not big, at between 45-55cm, but with the high volume of fresh still tying to escape it was a bit out of character for that particular species, which normally bolt out the front as the fresh works its way down stream over weeks.

Depending on where you wanted your bait to secure, dictated the sinker weight, if any. Fishing our live mullet back onto a pressure point, it was obvious there was activity in the area in the form of tarpon and the odd barra boof on the surface. When the baits rigged with a number three ball sinker 36

MAY 2021

a little, was when my young fella decided that he wanted to play with the massive tarpon that were rolling all around sucking in jelly prawns and tiny baitfish. He cast out a piece of mullet and allowed it to sit on the surface. Before he even got to put the rod in the holder, it was nailed by a big barra. Now 8lb braid and 20 leader isn’t what you’d call big barra tackle, but as he often does, he broke the rules again landing a good fish in quite quick time.

Since the second lot of rain has begun to runoff a bit clearer, the barra have become more accepting of lures and baits as they push back up towards the headwaters of many systems locally. All forms of lures are working, and as you’re aware, baits also bring plenty of good fish undone.

This nice barra swam right past a live mullet to eat a piece of mullet fillet. This isn’t rare, but it’s confusing. cornered baitfish. The obvious benefits of a float are the ability to be able to deploy your livie at a predetermined depth, but also have a bite indicator to show you that your bait has just been eaten.

The size of the float will be determined by the size of your live bait, and a big livie can pull a float below the surface and is less defined when your bait gets munched.

Bright coloured pink, yellow, orange or lime green floats standout much better and are easily managed. Hook wise, the Gamakatsu Kahle or shiner designs seem to secure the best hook up ratio, and

there’s a reason why all the respected guides use them.

Being super sharp is obviously a prerequisite, no leaders of good quality in around 40-50lb breaking strain a good happy medium, though lighter may be needed if the fish are a bit shy. Greg’s fish was taken on 30lb Unitika fluorocarbon leader and held up perfectly.

I must say that we couldn’t help ourselves while bait fishing and threw some Atomic Semi Hardz at the pre-mentioned pressure point, and caught plenty of barra while doing this – driving home the need for an electric for our luring needs. Cast

In between bait fishing, the author still throws lures, and as you can tell, it often pays off.

up current from the pressure point and then hopped over the drop off, the semi Hardz were allowed to sink to the bottom before a methodical lift and drop sequence was commenced.

Not far from this spot, around 30m, there had been a lot of surface activity, and some nice barra were taken on the good old Bills Bugs worked slowly along a colour change in the dirty water. This is exceptional fishing, and as exciting as it gets, and I’d encourage anyone who even slightly enjoys lure fishing to give it a go. Short, sharp bursts with slight slack line in between seems to deliver the hook up ratio. My preferred rod for this style of lure casting is the 6-12lb Samurai Refraction, and in the 6’6” length, stops the hook pulling affects and allows the tip to fold back on the strike as the lure is inhaled.

Out in the bay, there’s heaps of bait in the form of herring, mullet, squid and prawns, and along with this smorgasbord of food comes the predators. Fingermark, swarms of small nannies, barra, grunter, mackerel, queenfish, giant trevally along with just about anything you can imagine has been frequenting the shallows of the bay, and switched on anglers have been capitalising. Sinking Atomic Prongs and Mad Eye Paddle Prawns is our go-to technique

for chasing these species, but getting that all important head weight hook size combination just right is what confuses many anglers. For instance, if you’re fishing in less than 2m of water a 1/4oz head weight is just about as light as you could go with the 4-5” plastics, but as soon as your depth increases, your head must also increase.

Keeping in contact with the bottom is essential in order to reach the species, and if you’re a bit lazy, you may try to save the time it takes in rigging of a heavier weighted head.

This will severely reduce the amount of fish you catch, and the short amount of time it takes to tie on a heavier head will more than make up for the change. If you progress from say 2m of water to around 4m, you have to almost double the amount of lead on the jighead, and depending on the tidal or current flow, you may need to go as heavy as 1/2oz head, if using the same plastics mentioned.

Leader strength is dictated by the structure you’re fishing if any at all, and the species you’re expecting to intercept.

For example, if you’re targeting grunter a 20lb leader will usually suffice, but if it’s barra, at least 30lb may be needed if you’re to land your fish.

If it’s the schools of mackerel currently haunting the bait schools in the bay, then you’re going to need to add in a piece of wire. If you’re using small jigs and slices, like the ever-reliable Halco Twisties and Outcasts, then a short 4- 6” piece of light pre straightened Halco wire is spot on. If you’re familiar with the Albrite knot you can use that, but some people are more confident Haywire Twisting the wire to a swivel first.

All in all, it’s a great time to be an angler in North Queensland, and I have no doubt that there will be some incredible photos and captures over the next few months.

Enjoy what many consider to be the best time of year to be fishing around these parts.

OLD

Marvellous marauders LUCINDA

Jeff Wilton jeffwilton83@hotmail.com

Going to go out on a limb here and say that May should be an epic month in terms of fishing. The weather should have settled down and fingers will be crossed that we get some days of light winds.

all species of fish it is very important to try match your lure as closely to the size baitfish that they are feeding on. The ‘jelly bean’ theory is that there is always room for a jelly bean no matter how full you are and fish are no different. Barramundi will be best chased on large tides that will make them feed harder and as always if it can coincide with a sunrise/

will mean there will be no shortage of anglers chasing fingermark bream (chopper) under the cover of darkness.

Deep holes in creeks and rubble areas in the channel itself are perfect spots to target these fish. The nights with smaller tide differences are the best to fish, as they mean there is still current to make fish active but allows baits to hold bottom easier.

Get into the barramundi before they start to slow down for winter.

Anglers are hoping for light winds so they can head out to the reefs.

The best thing about fishing around Lucinda this time of year is that all the species are active and ready to eat. The temperature will be starting to cool down considerably with water temps dropping as well.

Anyway enough about the weather lets get into what should be bending rods.

HINCHINBROOK CHANNEL With the water temperature dropping the barramundi fishing will start to slow down as well. It becomes more important choosing your locations and times carefully to maximise when they will feed. Around this time of year it is also a great idea to start downsizing your soft plastic and lure choices a little. As it is with

Ties the perfect FG knot

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set or moon rise/set then all the better.

Mangrove jack never really slow down here around Hinchinbrook they are always sitting in their homes tucked away ready for something to come too close. The amount of hours I spend sneaking along one of Hinchy’s mangrove-lined creeks skipping soft plastics deep into snags is staggering.

It is really a great way to spend a few hours or day and normally should see plenty of fish hitting the deck and lots of fun had. I release 100% of my jacks unless they won’t survive but if you choose to keep a few they are terrific eating and should be taken care of and kept on ice straight away.

The cooling water

The channel and creeks can run very hard on mid to large tides and it is impossible to fish when in full flow, unless you get out of the main currents.

JETTY, ISLANDS AND REEF It is nearly queenfish mayhem time out along the sugar loading jetty. The water should be clearing up nicely, which will bring the bait fish schools in closer and the queenies will follow. It is no secret the jetty is one of the best places in QLD to chase

these fast acrobatic sports fish. They are best targeted in the mid morning or mid afternoon bite times when there is good tidal flow.

Fast worked soft plastics or metal jig style lures are most productive for queenfish, and a popper worked fast across the surface can also get plenty of attention. Watching a school of queenfish chasing down your popper is something every angler should experience at least once!

Mackerel should be

These guys never seem to slow down!

starting to show up around the island passes, keeping an eye out for bait fish on the sounder holding in places with strong current are perfect locations for mackerel to hunt. There are many ways to target them from working jig and plastics through the schools, floating pilchards out under balloons but the best method is by far a slow trolled gar fish. All mackerel pro fishers will vouch for that and you will see plenty of them out there slow trolling gar for great results.

Fingers will be crossed that we are blessed with light winds so we can get out to the reefs for some fishing.

Everything should be biting and it is that time of year that all water depths are a good chance of getting into fish such as coral trout and other reefies.

The deeper water fishing for nannygai and red emperor should be red hot, especially fishing those major bite times of early morning sunrise and the hours around sun set.

I also add that it is around this time of year the hump back whales should start showing themselves more frequently so keep an eye out while travelling. If you’re lucky enough to be close by when they travel through, grab the camera and get ready to enjoy the show.

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OLD

Those unicorns are just around the corner HINCHINBROOK

Ian Moody info@ianmoodyfishing.com

It has finally been a blessing to get a few regular clients up from down south. I have been trying to get them out since COVID started in March 2020! Some periods of light winds and sunny days have made things a bit easier on the charter front.

Recently I had Brian and son Brad up from down south and they had two days they will never forget. Brian,

being a senior angler, had always reminded me that he had already caught a 121cm barramundi and it would be hard to beat. Well, on day two of their trip we had just caught a 63cm barra first up in the morning at a new area I have been fishing in Missionary Bay. No sooner had I got that fish on board another rod went off again, only this time it went off in a fashion I’ve never seen before. I saw it jump a long way out and called it for close to a metre in length but after 25 minutes of argy-bargy I had

successfully cradled a 124cm barra on board. My biggest ever for Hinchinbrook, a unicorn in my books, a moment that every angler will never forget!

For Brian I had never seen someone so composed and cool as a cucumber but I think it hit home for him once we had successfully released her. Barra like this don’t come along every day and when they do finally take that lure or bait, a calm head is what’s needed to get them to the boat. Maintaining line pressure and never letting

A great PB barra for Robyn at 92cm.

Brian with a new PB 124cm barra caught at a newly discovered location from Missionary Bay.

it go slack is a big factor in preventing them from jumping off the hooks. A lot of areas I fish often hold an average 60-70cm sized barra, but you just never know when that unicorn will pass through with them.

Fingermark are also making an appearance back into their usual areas after the floods from the Herbert River earlier in the year pushed them further out to sea. Some mainland creeks near cardwell have produced some up around the 55cm mark caught on live baits.

As waters start to cool over May, the seasonal run

of Spanish mackerel should start to head further inshore.

Areas around the end of the Lucinda Sugar Jetty, near Pelorus and Eva Island are hotspots for them. I have to say that this year’s summer water temperatures have been by far a lot cooler than other years I’ve experienced.

Most days are averaging around 28ºC, when previous years have seen mostly 30ºC or warmer at the same time.

If you are able to, there have been some good prawns along the beaches lately.

During my last trip, while cast-netting for mullet along the foreshores near Meunga

Creek, I had a good number of nice sized school prawns in every cast. Although, if casting anywhere along Cardwells foreshore be on the lookout for a resident 3.5m crocodile that has been seen regularly cruising the coastline there. He has taken 4 dogs off the beach that I know of.

• We still have spots available in July, August and September this year for charters so get in quick for the end of season build up to secure your spot now.

You can email us at info@ ianmoodysportfishing.com or phone us on 0402 339 459.

Make the most of May in the Cairns NFZ CAIRNS

Dan Kaggelis dkaggelis@gmail.com

In many fisheries, May is a transition period between the warmth of summer and the cool of winter. Something of an

in between time of the year that can see chilly mornings and evenings, which can certainly make the fishing a little difficult, especially if you are chasing warm water species like barra and jacks. The good news is there is no such thing as

this ‘in between time’ in the tropics of Cairns and water temperatures will still be well and truly warm enough for some terrific Net Free Zone fishing.

In fact, May is one of the better months to get out on the water as the rivers

Make the most of the smaller runs to chase those big barra in the deeper holes and channels.

Pitching crab imitation plastics into the snags this time of year is a great way to battle a few jacks.

38

MAY 2021

are typically running clear, which makes them perfect for lure fishing. The other great thing about May is that the tidal runs begin to slow down, which means you don’t have to contend with those monster tidal

runs that sees bite windows short and hard to fish.

One of my favourite types of fishing to capitalise on during this time of year is fishing the deeper water bends and holes for big barramundi. Spots like

the Barron River Bridge and the many bends and holes of the Cairns Inlet will certainly be worth fishing. Go-to techniques will include soft vibes and hardbody rattling To page 39

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Firing on all cylinders PORT DOUGLAS PORT DOUGLAS

Lynton Lynton Heffer Heffer www.fishingportdouglas.com.au

FNQ has finally kicked into gear with really positive signs of tourists visiting Port Douglas and the fishing has really started to turn it on as well.

It seems the wet season is behind us as the seasons have changed. It has been a long haul for us in the tourism industry and it is great to return to normality and do what we do best – and that’s catch fish!

From page 38

herring style imitations.

If you prefer bait over lures, then it’s hard to go past three or four flicking prawns of a worm hook or

The reef fishing component has really gone up a notch with highly targeted species such as coral trout, nannygai and red emperor all playing a major role in daily catches.

Sea temperatures continue to drop for the better and once the southerly currents take a hold, proceedings will be gang busters.

We are also seeing a host of other species taking part including reef mangrove jack, a variety of trevally, sweetlip and cobia. With wind and tide and current all starting to work in together the fishing

will just keep improving on our reef systems.

During May we’ve often recorded some of our best results for the year when it comes to reef fin species.

For the sport fisho, trolling for mackerel species is well on track for a great season and the giant trevally popper fishing is really starting to hit its straps. We have some of the best GT fishing locations with our boats and it is a very popular request for the more serious angler.

As is often the case, we’ll also start to see the small juvenile black marlin

fish using slow sinking soft crab imitations. Jacks love eating crabs and can’t resist these lures when pitched perfectly into a snag. All the systems in the NFZ will

take a little bit more effort to get to. These out of the way spots up little soak creeks are not only rarely crabbed, but also are out of the way of others.

The reef fishing has really taken off this month. You can expect great catches like this coral trout. in the coming months hit certain grounds and well worth enquiring about. Just keep in touch with us at Fishing Port Douglas and we’ll let you know when this run is on the cards to pursue.

Of particular note has been the calm water fishing in the rivers and creeks of late. There’s been a plethora of great catches ranging from barra, queenfish,

mangrove jack, javelin fish, cod and trevally.

To be honest, it has been quite exciting, and while the daytime temperatures remain relatively high this will continue.

The rainfall has subsided and just been enough to keep churning up our coastal systems to keep them healthy and alive with worthy activity. If coming up this way the Daintree

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River has been the pick of waterways to wet a line. On the doorstep of the Daintree National Park there’s lots to see and do. Croc spotting and mud crabbing are an added bonus to look forward to while on the water.

Let’s hope the current situation continues on the tourist front and we are raring to go to show you a good time in Tropical Far North Queensland.

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Flathead on the creek mouths and beaches are a good land-based target. a big live mullet pinned through the shoulder.

While barra will be a prime target, so will be the mighty mangrove jack. With clear creeks it makes it perfect for flicking 3-4” minnow style plastics as close to structure as possible and working them back on a slow roll. My other preferred tactic this time of year is to use the clear water to sight cast these

be holding jacks this time of year so pick a bank and get casting.

The big mover in May will be the mud crab and this is the best time of year to be dropping pots. It’s not uncommon this time of year to get a limit of muddies from your four pots, so it is worth setting a few while you wet a line over the tide. My best advice with crabbing is to put them in spots, which

The final species that will be on the run in May will be the elusive flathead.

Not often caught in the tropics, these flat fish do tend to come on the chew this time of year, especially in the sandier systems like Thomatis and Barron River mouths. They are also a great land-based target for those chasing a fish off the open beaches. I wish you the best of luck fishing our wonderful NFZ.

The Supertanks have been a successful buisness for over 25 years.

I, with my buisness partner Brett Thomson, have had a great income over the years, traveling throughout Australia promoting lure fishing.

With the backing of major sponsors like Purefishing, Yamaha and many others,

the Supertanks are again running at full capacity.

There is a great opportunity for a hard working person or team to take the buisness on with a guaranteed income for the go getter.

If you love fishing and want to be self employed and like to travel, this is a great opportunity.

Please genuine enquires only.

For more information on price, operations and future bookings etc.

Big mud crabs will be running hard in the NFZ in May.

Contact Mike Cooke by email cookiesupertank@bigpond.com MAY 2021

39

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May barra madness COOKTOWN

Justin Coventry

The rivers are clearing up and the barramundi are out to play. Lots of hungry monsters are lurking around the snags and big holes feeding on the bait as they move through the waterways.

With water temperatures still relatively warm, fish

that hooked barra powering through them to stitch up your braid! However, sometimes you can be fortunate and pull the fish through to be captured. The braid can cut deep into the timber so gentle pressure is the key, and allow the fish to hopefully swim out the way that it went in. It can be frustrating at times but who doesn’t love the adrenalin rush as that prize

this year, we will see the most tourism pressure on the Cape in years. As the only option for travel is domestic and with camps booked already filling to over flowing, then the amount of people travelling through the cape in the next few months will be incredible! If planning to visit, plan carefully as sites will be fully booked already. Get in quick to

The barramundi are out and about this May.

They’ll be plenty of variety to catch this autumn, like this cattle dog cod. are moving through the system and are hungry and keen to feed on anything available. Well placed lures will bring an explosion of water as they engulf the lure and race for cover.

Many times that fishholding timber snag will be a network of branches with

fish smashes the lure? It’s so addictive and we are so blessed to have such an impressive freshwater species available to chase.

Let’s hope it’s a fishery that is here for many generations to come.

As the dry season starts and the campsites open

see what’s available as you might find you have already left it too late.

Locals have the advantage as we can do day trips but nothing beats camping at a national park or that remote camp spot, so plan early and reap the rewards as tourism pressure this year

will be intense.

The trade winds will be back in force and there will be little opportunities available to get out to the reef comfortably. The reefs will be clear and pristine but fishing in the rough weather is hard as most locations that are sheltered are well fished.

Water clarity will be great and spearfishing on the reef shallows can be productive, especially for crayfish.

Numbers of crayfish seemed to have decreased over the last couple of years and I’m unsure what have been the factors. However, more spearfishing pressure and commercial activity has increased greatly, and no doubt they are putting increased pressure on stocks. Let’s hope that it’s not reducing numbers too much and the fishery is still sustainable. The decline has been very notable over the last few years.

The local wharf is still an enjoyable place to stop for a fish, as the bait fish will be in numbers and where there is bait, there is fish. Mangrove jack and trevally frequent the

wharf when bait schools are seen around the wharf and there might still be the odd barramundi around as well.

If all else fails then a good feed of fish and chips can be enjoyed on the wharf from the nearby fish shop.

Jonathon Coventry’s first mangrove jack!

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MAY 2021

Harrison Saunders with his 80cm golden trevally caught while kayaking off Torquey Beach, Hervey Bay.

OLD

Time for anglers to cash in on the wet season last few hours of the run-out and that first hour or so of the initial run-in.

It is amazing just how dead a small system can appear as the tide stops running and just how alive it can be moments later as oxygenated water again returns from the ocean.

Many predators move towards the front of the system for

CAPE YORK

Tim O’Reilly wildrivercompany@gmail.com

May is the month where all the bets placed during the wet season are cashed. A true month of reckoning and a sounding board for how the remainder of the calendar year will play out on the fishing front.

With a decent wet season now in the rear vision mirror across most of the Cape, May should be a fantastic month for all manner of fishing. The bays and coastal estuaries, which punctuate the entire Cape York coastline should be coming alive with baitfish and predators close behind.

The mainstay of many fishers new to the Cape this time of year will be the multitude of smaller queenfish, trevally and mackerel ready

Look for snags surrounded by bait holding structure.

West Coast Cape York is mostly calm during the dry. to do battle. Anyone equipped with good eyes and a light spinning outfit should be able to find birds flitting around bait and these silver speedsters not far behind.

In particular, on the

this initial rush of water and baitfish back into the system.

Generally this is my favourite time of the year up in the Cape. The land is green, the waterways are clean and green, and offshore has generally clean water as well. Birds and baitfish are equally prolific and much of the activity is inshore.

western coastline of the Cape, the inshore fishing will be fantastic, despite the developing trade winds that will hamper fishing on the East Coast. With the generally nor’easterly sloping

trend of the Gulf coastline, the prevailing dry season breeze tends to blow offshore, making that first 500m great for boating and, especially, sight-fishing.

Clean, clear water typifies many of the nearshore reef systems of the Gulf, especially during neap tides and anything shallower than 5m can generally be seen from the boat despite the high levels of dissolved substrate in the water column. Like any reef fishing, identifying the bait holding edge will be key to success.

Coral trout, tuskfish, Spanish flag, variegated emperor and fingermark are some of the usual suspects over these shallow rocky reefs.

Over on the East Coast, some of the larger systems that fished a little tough during the run-off and period of swollen rivers should begin to fish a little better in May. This changes year to year, however May tends to be a great all-round month for most species in the smaller creeks and river systems.

Staying inside the mouth is often necessary in many of

these systems to capitalise on the best fishing. Easier said than done watching the water disappear and knowing it will be another 4 hours until you have a chance of escaping a tiny creek. Having a lunchtime plan for a fire and rest up in the shade during the bottom of the tide helps. Generally, the best fishing will be the

Packs of blue salmon should be marauding the flats.

Remote billabongs can be reached as things dry up.

MAY 2021

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Last days of glory TOOWOOMBA

Jason Ehrlich fishability1@bigpond.com

If you hate the cold, this is the last month to get into the action before the bitter winter days set in. Already the fish will have changed their habits as winter approaches and choosing the right destination will play a big part in results.

Some big rain tallies over the last couple of months have topped up a few lakes while others have missed out altogether. The

rise in level will encourage the bait to flourish and the fish will grow bigger and stronger too. When lake levels are low, you’d think it would be easier to find fish but this isn’t always the case. It can actually be easier to find the fish when a lake is full or after a good top up, and quite often they will bite better.

Freshly flooded ground is great country to explore as fish will be using it to hunt for food. In the good seasons when grass and weeds grow thick prior to a rise, it will die off when submerged and the shallow

SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND CRESSBROOK CLOSEST TOWN: CROWS NEST Cressbrook Dam reopened at Easter. The dam was closed due to high levels of algae. The fish have had a good spell from angling pressure so this is one place I’d be heading. Cressbrook fish are hard to find at the best of times and this month they are likely to be even harder as the schools will be

quite scattered. I’d love to be able to tell you there is a magic lure or technique to catch them but it will be a case of trying lots of different approaches.

One of my favourite ways to nail them is by slow hopping the 30g Raptor Slow Fall Jig. They just seem to love this presentation. Usually it’s more of a spring and early summer technique but I have a feeling they will be all over it if you can find them.

water action will stop due to the rotting vegetation. Keep this in mind and you should be able to keep track of the fish. Those shallow water edge bites will be slower around dying vegetation this month unless you can find some oxygen rich water.

You’ll still pull a good mix of species this month but be prepared to work for them. It can take a while after finding fish to work out what they want to eat the most. Mix it up and you should be able to nut them out. Until next month, buckled rods from The Colonel.

SOMERSET CLOSEST TOWNS: ESK, KILCOY Somerset was a tough lake to fish last month. After a small rise in level, the fish dispersed and the schools were hard to find. We had success on smaller schools of big fish by targeting hard structure. Spots like The Hump, the ledge at Happy Clappers and isolated snags on the usual fish holding areas were worth a shot. We were pulling good-sized fish on Spectre Vibration jigs but

Striking gold! You have to admire the rich colours of these fish.

Mick Johnson and Matthew Langford schooled us on how to entice better numbers on skirted jigs.

Deep water jig fishing is something I haven’t done much before. It can be slow to get the bites but when the fish are slow it is a technique to suit their mood. Considering the fish were holding around hard structure, there is a good chance they had moved their focus to munching on yabbies and crays all over the dam. Success this month will depend on how long they stay in this mood.

When the wind blows, the fish are still bunching up out in the open on the flats. Here they can be targeted on blade baits, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits and maybe even spoons and

• Somerset Fishing has their store based at the area above the day use boat ramp. The store is open over holidays and otherwise from Thursday to Sunday. Orders can also be made online via the website www.somersetfishing.com.au.

They have an excellent range of gear suited to fishing for bass and golden perch.

BORUMBA CLOSEST TOWNS: IMBIL, NOOSA The fish at Borumba usually have one last flurry before it get really cold in winter. The edges in the timber seem to be holding pretty good numbers. Experimentation with different lures will be worthwhile. Spectre Vibration Jigs and beetle spins are a great way to explore the edges for

• Davos at Noosaville has all the gear you’ll need to tackle the fish at Borumba and Lake MacDonald. The store caters well for fresh and saltwater anglers. They can be found in the Homemaker Centre on the corner of Mary and Thomas Streets.

MOOGERAH CLOSEST TOWNS: RATHDOWNEY, BOONAH Moogerah had a nice little top up from the rain.

This is great news for boaters as the ramps are now back in business. It will pay to check the Seqwater website to see what activities are allowed.

At the time of writing, the dam was closed to in-water activities. That’s great news for fishers as it keeps the

Those big Somerset bass are now harder to find and entice. Try rolling a Spectre Vibration Jig along the bottom close to structure if you want the big models.

Gary’s Marine Centre

Golden perch will still take a variety of lures this month. They don’t mind a rise in water levels either. If it has cleared up they should be on the job. plastics. I know it’s a lot to experiment with when you find them but at this time of year, they are fussy. Work out what lure and how they want it and you will still catch a bunch of fish.

3201 6232

217 Pine Mountain Road, BRASSALL 44

MAY 2021

fish as you can fish these baits faster while searching. When the fish are found by getting a bite or spotting a few on the sounder, switch to suspending jerk baits or lightly weighted soft plastics.

DARLING DOWNS REGION COOBY CLOSEST TOWNS: HIGHFIELDS, TOOWOOMBA Cooby Lake remains closed due to an algae outbreak. For updates visit the Toowoomba Region Council website.

skiers away.

The significant rise in water could keep the lake dirty for a while but as soon as it clears up, it will be a great spot to head.

Hopefully the flooded edges will be still healthy and the fish mooching around through them well into this month. Spinnerbaits, lipless crankbaits and small blades are a great way to search these areas. Once fish are To page 45

OLD From page 44

found, you can slow down your fishing style and opt for suspending hardbodies or soft plastics. I prefer to run lures with more vibration if the water is coloured but if it looks clear enough, subtle presentations should also work. Like all the other lakes, it’s in that difficult period where the fish throw a spanner in the works

and only eat what they want on the day.

• For a few tips and all the tackle needed to fish Moogerah and the other lakes in the area call in and see the team at Charltons Bait and Tackle.

They have an excellent range catering to the local area.

MAROON CLOSEST TOWNS: BOONAH, BEAUDESERT Maroon fish don’t mind

CAPRICORN REGION AWOONGA CLOSEST TOWNS: BENARABY, GLADSTONE The big barra made a return to the edges of the lake last month. The shorter days and cooling water has seen better numbers of fish moving back to the healthy weed edges. The fish will spend more time here and should be biting well right through May. It will still be a case of working out the bite periods though. Base your assaults around the peak bite times and tide changes if possible. If you’re not into bothering with working all that out, try the late arvo or early morning session.

I’ll be heading up there this month and plan to chuck a bed or bean bag in the boat.

That way you can fish until the bite slows at night and then get 40 winks before doing it all again before the sun comes up and have a proper snooze in the middle of the day.

Soft plastics or weighty swimbait will still be some of the best producers. If you can find any weed growing in deeper water that is yet to reach the surface, try fishing over the top of it.

This is how we scored big numbers when the dam was this low year’s ago. You can work these weed patches by electric motoring over them and choosing a lure to suit their depth. Back in the day, we looked for beds that were 3m below the surface. I am not sure if there is much of this country yet but years ago at this dam level there used to be acres of it and the fish absolutely loved it.

The Berkley 5” Power Mullet was one of our best lures. I think you could still track these down but if not the Barambah Bony Shad or Zerek 5.5” Live Mullet would reach a similar depth.

If you feel you need to go deeper, opt for a Molix Shad 140.

The shallower weed

Troy Clarke with a solid GT he caught on a recent trip to Swains Reef.

a rise in water level and adapt quite quickly. The flooded edges will be the place to explore. It could take a while for the weed and lilies to grow over these freshly covered areas so the fish have less cover to hide in and will therefore be more mobile.

This movement will see them move from the shallows in the morning out to deeper areas in the day. Watch the sounder

closely while flicking up into the shallows in case you start seeing fish around your boat a bit deeper.

It is that crazy time of year when I don’t know what to throw at them. If it was a month earlier, I’d say chatterbaits and spinnerbaits. If it was a month later, I’d say soft plastics and suspending jerk baits. We are right in the middle so mix it up and throw a bit of both. One of

the best in between lures is a beetle spin rigged on a 1/4 or 3/8oz jighead fitted with a 3” paddle tail. It can even pay to try a small and medium sized blade on this offering when they are being picky about what they want. I think this dam will produce some pretty good numbers once you work out what they want and where they are moving during the day. Maroon is well known for

its 30-40cm bass but there have been a few big ones over 50cm caught this year.

When you are expecting a small fish encounter and a large one latches on, you better be ready.

• Duck into Charltons Bait and Tackle at Redbank if you need the latest information about the lakes in the region.

The boys there always seem to know what’s going on.

will also be worth exploring early and late in the day and at night. A weedless or lightly weighted plastic is at home here. The Powerbait Hollowbelly or Castaic Jerky J paddle tail are great picks for this. More fish are coming on topwater lures too. The early morning seems to be the best time for this topwater action.

Suspending hardbodies will also be a good option.

As the fish slow down with the cooling water, you can pause them in their face to get the bites. Just make sure you are in a fishy area. Due to the slower presentation of a hard body, you want it in front of fish. There are plenty to pick from these days with the Jackall Super Squirrel being a standout now the fish are getting bigger.

• Justin Nye from Gladstone Fly and Sportfishing runs fishing charters on the lake.

He caters to the needs of the angler and can do fly or conventional tackle trips to target the lake’s barramundi. He successfully guides clients onto fish right through the year and has a good understanding of fish movements. It is hard to beat time on the water and this is a great way to learn more about this lake and its fish.

You can contact him on 0429 223 550 or visit the website gladstoneflyandsportfishing. com.au.

• Mark from Awoonga Gateway Lodge always has a few productive secret spots to share. The Gateway lodge is on the way in to the dam after turning off at Benaraby.

The accommodation is great with plenty of boat parking space right beside the comfortable air conditioned, self-contained cabins each with its own veranda. To book in a stay give Mark or Lyn a call on (07) 4975 0033.

CALLIDE CLOSEST TOWN: BILOELA I love this place and the barra just keep getting bigger. If you want to catch a fish well over a metre long and stand a good chance of one up to 120cm then this is the place to try your luck.

Not much changes as the seasons get cooler in Callide.

With the lack of weed edges for the fish to hide and chill out they are forced to roam the open water. Occasionally they will move up in to a shallow, windy bay but I think it will need to cool more to see this happening

on a regular occurrence. The cooler inland nights will see them happily seeking out the warmer core temperature out in the open.

Establishing their comfort zone is the tricky part. As the thermocline weakens, the fish will seek out the most comfortable depth close to food.

Exploring the main basin within a km or two of the dam wall should reveal where they are hiding.

Trolling Molix Shads and Zerek Mullets is still going to be a very effective way to target these fish.

If you do see a good patch, make sure you pull up and cast to them. Counting down your lures or knowing how deep they swim on a straight retrieve is very beneficial and comes with experience. I know the way I fish them a Molix shad 140 is going to run around 3-5m deep and a Zerek 5.5” Live Mullet will be 3-4m. This is only a rough guide. If you start sinking them with a few pauses, you can send them much deeper. Winding faster will bring them up higher in the water column.

If you are in any doubt find a bit of water the same depth the fish are sitting and learn how to keep them at the right depth by using the bottom as a gauge. Then return to the suspended fish out in the basin and put what you have learned into practice.

The first of the trees in the main river channel will also be worth a look.

The fish here can be tough to entice but if you time it right, the bites will come.

It’s hand-to-hand combat in the trees so be ready to chase. There are a few smaller fish holding around

The park has basic camping, powered sites for camping and vans and also selfcontained cabins. There is a well-equipped camp kitchen and toilets and showers up in the main part of the

If you want barra, there’s no need to venture too far from the main basin at Callide Dam. This lake is fishable from a boat, kayak or even the shore. the structure but metre plus models are not uncommon.

Suspending hardbodies are a great way to get the bites.

• You can stay close to the dam at Lake Callide Retreat.

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45

Recreational Fishing Update Thousands of Flatties Stocked!

More than 50,000 juvenile dusky flathead have been stocked into NSW South Coast Recreational Fishing Havens as part of a program to enhance fishing opportunities for this highly popular sportfish species.

To date, 40,000 juvenile duskies have been released into the Lake Conjola and St Georges Basin RFHs with another 14,000 stocked into the Burrill Lake RFH. The fish were transported by boat to a range of sites around the systems.

Once released, they quickly took cover in weed

Fishing For Recovery Lands Big Smiles!

beds and sand flats. The stocked fish are expected to have good survival rates and should reach legal size of 36cm within 2-3 years. DPI scientists will be monitoring the fish over coming seasons.

The juvenile duskies were bred by Narooma Aquaculture from wild broodstock caught by volunteer fishos working with DPI. These stocking events are a great example of your fishing fees at work! Contributing funds were also provided under the NSW Marine Estate Management Strategy.

locations. As well as general rubbish, we collected and disposed of a range of fishing-related litter including old line, bait bags and lure packs.

Fishing-related litter left behind by a minority of irresponsible anglers can be a really bad look for the recreational fishing sector. DPI’s “Fish For Life - Clean Up Your Fishing Spot” events are designed to help reduce litter at key fishing locations, inspire more anglers to “do the right thing” and show the general public that the recreational fishing sector can be part of the solution to the wider marine litter problem.

If you’ve got any ideas on spots which could do with a spruce up, or would like to get involved in helping out, please email us at fisheries.info@dpi.nsw. gov.au and we’ll get in touch.

Meantime, don’t forget to do the right thing and keep your favourite fishing spot neat and tidy.

Tagging Champ Cracks 200+ Flatties!

love of this gentle art. Participants also received a box of flies prepared by the club as a take-home memento.

It is such a privilege for DPI to be able to partner with amazing groups including the Coffs Coast Fly Fishing Club and the McGrath Foundation.

Of course, none of this would be possible without our dedicated team of Fishcare Volunteers. Find out more at the DPI website.

‘Clean Up Your Fishing Spot’ Initiative Kicks Off!

Photo: Courtesy of Logicus Images

NSW DPI has partnered with community groups in Forbes and the New England region to take those recovering from breast cancer and the devastating past year of drought, fires and floods out fishing with new friends for the day.

Twelve amazing women learnt the fine art of fly fishing from DPI Fishcare Volunteer and expert fly angler Rodney Tonkin at the Forbes Pink Fishing Day earlier this year. Around the same time, 14 rural landholders and primary producers from across the northern New England region got involved in a rural recovery workshop at DPI’s Dutton Trout Hatchery.

Experienced fly instructors from Coffs Coast Fly Fishing Club generously shared their knowledge and

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Popular fishing spots at Lake Illawarra, Sydney’s Walsh Bay and Abbottsford Wharf, Chaffey Dam and Stockton Beach are now looking spick and span, thanks to the hard work of DPI’s amazing Fishcare team!

Fishcare Volunteers and DPI staffers recently conducted cleans ups and advisory days at all five

Gun Lake Macquarie angler Steve Norris has achieved an amazing milestone by tagging 208 dusky flathead under DPI’s popular Trophy Fishery Program.

Of these fish, Steve personally caught 202, his son James caught five and his next door neighbour caught one. Three of Steve’s tagged fish were in the 90cm range (90cm, 94.5cm and 92cm). Another 27 fish were in the 80cm range. The remaining fish were under 80cm.

As it happens, Steve tagged the very first trophy flathead in Lake Macquarie back in October 2017. Since then, 15 of Steve’s tagged fish have been recaptured, each contributing valuable data on Lake Macquarie flathead movements and growth rates.

Steve has recaptured five tagged flatties himself.

Incredibly, two of those fish were ones he had tagged originally. DPI congratulates Steve for his amazing effort in tagging so many big flatties, bearing in mind all these fish are “trophy-sized” specimens of 70cm and over.

Well done, Steve! For more info on releasing trophy-sized flathead, search “trophy fishery” on the DPI website.

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au

dpi.nsw.gov.au/artificial-reef

DPI’s ground-breaking approach to artificial reef design is providing reef structures that will not only last for decades but which are scientifically shown to be among the most productive habitats in our coastal waters.

A series of reefs of varying designs have already been installed, with two off Sydney and others off Port Macquarie, Newcastle, Wollongong, Shoalhaven Heads and Merimbula Bay. More are being planned for the Tweed coast, the Batemans Bay region and off Jervis Bay. The reefs are designed to provide habitat for key recreational sportfish such as kingfish, snapper and mulloway, as well as abundant bait species.

A key goal of DPI’s artificial reefs program is to increase recreational fishing opportunities for current and future fishing generations.

Download the DPI FishSmart App or visit the NSW DPI website for GPS coordinates to our artificial reef network.

These reefs are built using funds from the Recreational Fishing Trust.

MAY 2021

47

Sydney

NSW

Lots of May options PITTWATER

Peter Le Blang plfishfingers@bigpond.com

Once again another month has passed all too quickly, but there are plenty of options to choose from when you go fishing.

If you’re willing to get up early and head towards Broken Bay, you are likely to find working seagulls and seabirds, which reveal where there are schools of fish such as tailor, salmon and trevally down deep. These fish are feeding quite actively, and on those beautiful calm, still mornings it’s quite exciting to cast lures at the melee before you.

The better size lures to use at the moment seem to be 10-15g metal slugs with a patch of white on them. Positioning your boat upcurrent or upwind, turning off your motor and allowing your boat to drift back on them is the best way to get onto quite a few. I have noticed that boats with electric motors and petrol motors are spooking these fish and of course this means you are chasing around after

fish more than casting to catch them.

Some of these tailor are quite large for our area, being around the 50cm mark, and thankfully they put up a great fight on lighter tackle.

They also taste delicious, especially when smoked. For those willing to use some baits and hunt the fish down deeper in the water column, there are bottom species hanging around all the activity on the surface. We are still catching flathead, flounder and trevally whilst fishing the bottom around these schools.

If you head off along the coast there are still kingfish to be caught in some areas.

Newport Reef and Long Reef seem to be the main two areas where there are some decent fish showing up. In both of these areas if you strike out when targeting kingies, you can always drop your baits on the bottom, drift and catch some snapper, trevally and tailor.

On the deeper reefs an early morning start has seen better results when targeting snapper and drifting. Both baits and lures are finding their fair share of fish.

Recently we have found most of the activity in the 50m depth range, but there are fish that have been caught around the 30m mark. Keep your eyes out on the surface as there are dead cuttlefish floating, and if you find them early enough there may even be a snapper or two taking advantage of this free meal.

This next month should see squid or cuttlefish strips catching a lot of the snapper as well as a few morwong or even some flathead.

Back inside Pittwater we are finally starting to see decent activity after all the freshwater from that big storm a couple of months ago. There are some kingfish still to be caught but they are very spread out and we are not finding them on

A healthy 82cm kingie caught whilst downrigging.

Talking about machines, there are some big squid around at the moment.

These large cephalopods are hanging over the drop-offs of the weedy areas along Pittwater, and one of the better areas has been at Careel Bay. There are lots of other areas to try for squid, namely the usual haunts of Mackerel Beach, The Basin area and of course the massive weed beds out for a Summer Bay in front of Palm Beach. The natural colours are working the best and the better size has been 2.5.

Another great area if the seas and swell allow is along the ocean side of Barrenjoey Head, and this area is best fished when baitfish are found. Drop over a paternoster rig with two jigs on it and just enough weight

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on the bottom loop to get it to the bottom. Be aware that if you lay your rig down on too much of an angle you are likely to lose two squid jigs at once from hooking up on the rough ground and weed.

So as you can see, even though the seasons have changed and we have to rug up first thing in the morning, there are plenty of options to choose from.

I hope this report sees you excited and fuelling up your boat to visit my part of the world, and if you are finding the fishing difficult, give us a call so we can show you the spots and techniques required.

• Peter Le Blang operates Harbour and Estuary Fishing Charters, phone 02 9999 2574 or 0410 633 351, visit www. estuaryfishingcharters.com.au.

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every charter. When we do find them the better bait has been small live cuttlefish, and once again downrigging is the best way to present these baits.

We are finding most of these kingfish are holding down deep on the bottom.

This has meant that I have been fishing very deep with the downrigger, which presents its own problems.

One of the most frustrating things that you will encounter when fishing your baits towards the bottom on the downriggers is all of the smaller fish attacking your hard-earned cuttlefish. There is not a lot you can do about this other than to check your baits quite often to make sure that they haven’t been killed

off by leatherjackets, toadfish or other annoying species.

To find cuttlefish and catch them can be quite a task. The areas where cuttlefish normally hang out are around the weedy rocky zones of Pittwater, and on most occasions they do not like leaving the bottom by more than 1m. Also, when they attack your squid jigs and get hooked on the spikes they will normally rotate like a helicopter blade and spin themselves off your jig.

There truly is no best way to get them back to your boat, but once you do, be aware that these critters are true ink machines. They will coat you and your boat in a shade of black in the blink of an eye.

What better way to spend your birthday than catching kingies?

NSW

Sydney

Tempting fussy fish SYDNEY NTH

Steve Winser

Kingfish have been very consistent in the harbour lately, with the average size ranging between 70-95cm.

These fish are very well fed, which gives them the luxury of being very fussy about what they eat, so fresh squid and patience is an absolute must.

The majority of the fish have been in the lower section of the harbour, with sporadic bites in the upper harbour. We generally look for points or outcrops with water pushing onto them, creating a pressure wave, and the last hour of the high tide has been most productive.

Jewfish have been consistent, but there has been a lot of juvenile fish amongst them. Fresh squid, live bait and vibe style lures (around 100-125mm) worked deep and slow are the best ways to get amongst them. Most of the jewies have been found mostly around wrecks and deep structure, and the bottom end of the runout is our preferred tide for these.

Some very large flathead have come out of the harbour recently, with my mate Craig McGill from Fishabout Sydney Harbour landing one flatty that was 92cm. Most of the larger

appear now in the lower harbour as they get ready for their spawning run to the sea. The larger fish will start to appear next month, but in the meantime the average sized bream are around 35cm with blackfish in the

squid spawning around the ribbon weed beds as the water cools. Our favourite jigs are size 2.5-3.5 in orange or green.

• Fishing Sydney Tours takes pride in tailoring every trip to the customer’s preferred

Some horse flathead have been coming out of the harbour recently. Image courtesy of Fishabout Sydney Harbour. low to mid 40s just now. As usual with these guys, it’s the top of the tide around rock shelves and rock/weed outcrops that’s your best bet. We have been targeting

species, style of angling, and level of expertise, all within a friendly and relaxed atmosphere at competitive rates. There are some excellent fishing

The kingfish have been very fussy lately, but some are still being caught on fresh squid. flathead caught lately have been taken on live baits, again around deep structure.

The school size fish are freely taking shad tail and curly tail plastics over the shallow banks on a high tide. A heavy mono leader is handy with the bigger fish on the live baits to prevent being sawn off.

Numbers of bream and blackfish are starting to

these fish with bread baits in a bread berley trail.

MAY FISHING Bream and blackfish numbers will start to improve in May as they get ready for their run to sea. The kingfish should also remain consistent, with autumn traditionally being a great time for the Harbour kings. The squidding should improve too, with the larger

spots that can be accessed straight off Sydney, and we will show you where. We offer harbour, wash and offshore fishing for species ranging from kingfish and mulloway through to snapper and mahimahi.

For more info go to www. fishingsydneytours.com.au, call 0481 120 600 or look up ‘Fishing Sydney Tours’ on Facebook.

MAY 2021

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Sydney

NSW

Vast array of species SYD ROCK & BEACH

Alex Bellissimo alex@bellissimocharters.com.au

Welcome to the chill! We have been so used to the balmy days that it seemed they would never end. Last month we had some cold days but it was generally only when the wind

changed from the north to the south and especially from the southwest blowing that cold wind directly from the high lands.

For me, May is a transition period, when warmer water species mix with cooler water species.

This crossover means anglers can catch a vast diversity of species from the rocks and

the beaches.

OCEAN ROCK FISHING Good quality tailor and kings are marauding the deeper rock ledges. When you fish with stickbaits, poppers, whole gars or live baits you will get hammered by tailor in that low light period. That will also apply during the late afternoon before dusk, which is when tailor prefer to bite.

Matthew and Jenny Ronald with a bag of bream and whiting.

Late afternoon through to dusk is typically the best time, but this month you may get them in the middle of the day too.

The author caught this nice mulloway on a live yellowtail, on the third gutter of the night. Most beach mulloway anglers sit and wait, but you may get better results if you move around.

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OOD SPORTS

When targeting kings it would be a good idea to avoid using soft plastic stickbaits, live baits and gars if you’re encountering tailor as you may end up losing a lot of plastics, live baits and gars, being severed by the extremely sharp teeth of a tailor. Hardbodied stickbaits, metals, poppers and minnows would be a better alternative.

For a more simple approach try a turnip or torpedo float, sliding down to a size 00-2 ball sinker, then a swivel, then 30-40cm of 30lb fluorocarbon leader down to a set of 3x 3/0 to 4/0 ganged hooks. Add a stopper above the float set about 1-1.5m up

the line so you are fishing that depth. Rig up a whole pilchard on the ganged hooks and cast it out into the sudsy white water from dawn to an hour or so after sunup, or an hour before sunset. Or, if you really know rock fishing, fish after dark for good results.

As always, have a life jacket, steel spike boots or stretch-on spikes and a hi-vis raincoat. It’s important to fish with a hi-vis raincoat and life jacket, because if things go wrong and you’re wearing a dark/black raincoat, it can be harder for emergency rescue to find you.

For the kings it’s hard to go past an XL eastern

sea garfish. The robust gar or river gar works OK but not as well as the eastern sea gar. Also try the 7” Bait Junkie Jerk Shad. It’s best to have two outfits, one with the Jerk Shad and one with a gar or live bait. See what works on the day.

Luderick numbers are pretty good at the moment, with bags of 6-8 fish quite common. Switch between hair weed to cabbage. You may find the hair weed to be better on the day, although that can vary from spot to spot. At the locations that it’s legal to harvest weed, just make sure it is relatively dark green.

The cabbage weed should be

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Father and son duo Dave and Daniel Harris with two bream caught on the last cast. There were six caught in total, all on live pink nippers.

NSW

quite malleable and the hair weed fairly soft but firm and preferably dark green as well.

Fishing the second hour of run-in to the high tide period is good for most locations, although some spots you can’t fish unless it’s low tide and relatively flat seas for accessibility/safety reasons.

Rock blackfish (pigs) are in good numbers too. Fish to 3.3kg are being caught in amongst the sunken boulders and submerged ledges. The best depth is 2-3m of water in well-oxygenated white water zones near where there is cunjevoi and green weed beds. Unlike the luderick, which are normally fished with a 3-5kg outfit, rock blackfish are fished with 8-12kg outfits, subject to terrain, your ability and if you have to lift fish up to a higher ledge where you ae fishing.

For the kings and tailor, try the deeper spots like south and North Curl Curl, and south and North Whale headlands (also don’t forget there may be a run of frigate mackerel too). These spots are also good for luderick, especially South Curl Curl, and South and North Whale Rocks.

For the pigs try Little Bluey at Manly, Long Reef, and South Newport rocks.

South Newport can be safer than other rock platforms like Long Reef, but it still has the typical dangers inherent to rock fishing.

OCEAN BEACH FISHING May is one of my

very favourite months for whiting and bream, which are schooling up in good numbers. It’s common knowledge to fish the lower light periods (either early in the morning or just before dark), but this month you can catch good numbers of bream and whiting even in the middle of the day. For example, you might have a high tide between 11am and 3pm, and you might think that’s not the right time of the day, but give it a try anyway – you may be pleasantly surprised.

Whiting to 39cm and bream to 40cm are being caught on live beach worms.

For the bream, fresh tailor, yellowtail and mullet fillet is working well. There’s also the odd salmon picking up the fish baits. If you are hooking good size fish and getting bitten off, that might be tailor.

Have a set of gang hooks and a longer strip of the fish baits I mentioned, or a whole pilchard. The tailor generally will not bite you off if they are in the chopper size to 1.5kg as they will have some metal to chew on. If you not aware, tailor have razor sharp teeth, and if they swallow a single hook meant for a bream they’ll probably bite you off.

You know you’ve hooked a tailor when you feel a rattling sensation and then nothing.

When you wind in your rig you’ll be missing a hook and have some damaged/frayed line at the end of your nylon or fluorocarbon leader. That

rattling that you sensed was the head shaking of a tailor.

They are literally sawing you off. This is why a set of gang hooks normally sorts them out; they will be sawing on metal rather than your leader.

May is a good month for mulloway (jewfish). I have been catching the odd reasonable fish lately. Small live yellowtail that you catch at public wharfs, and live mullet from the estuaries work a treat. I weighed a good fish of around 13kg for a lucky angler last month, and he was flabbergasted when he caught it! It was his fish of a lifetime. It was caught on a relatively flat night with a swell of less than a metre on a bright full moon.

Tailor, salmon and bream are in quite good numbers also. Salmon and tailor are often caught as a by-catch while mulloway fishing.

The beaches definitely worth fishing are Manly, Dee Why and North Narrabeen for mulloway. However, as you may already know, there are no guarantees when it comes to fishing for the silver ghost.

For the whiting and bream, Curl Curl, Dee Why, Newport and Avalon beaches are yielding good bags. Just be sure to check for kelp first.

• For rock and beach guided fishing or tuition in the northern Sydney region, visit www.bellissimocharters. com.au, email alex@ bellissimocharters.com.au or call Alex Bellissimo on 0408 283 616.

FISHING NEWS

Presso Minnow 60F and 95F

Handmade in Japan to the highest standards, Daiwa welcomes two new Presso Minnows to the range. At 3.2g and mimicking a small baitfish, the Presso Minnow 60F is 60mm long, has a slender profile with a tight wobble and dives to 1m.

This tail-weighted lure casts extremely well and can be twitched, slow rolled or ripped erratically. When paused,

Presso Minnow 60F has a slow floating presentation and is versatile and deadly on bream, bass and trout.

Built for ultimate performance, the Presso Minnow 95SP darts through the water with an erratic action that is bursting with flash and vibration.

Featuring Daiwa’s Silent Gravity Oscillation system (S-GOS), the lure is optimised to achieve long, accurate, bullet like casts yet is balanced and creates

a knocking tone as it moves through the water.

Designed for fast actioned twitching and jerking, the Presso Minnow 95SP dives down to 1m. Offered in a number of brilliant finishes, the Presso Minnow 95SP is the perfect lure for chasing everything from trout and bass in the lakes to flathead and mangrove jacks in the estuaries. For more information visit www.daiwafishing.com. au. - Daiwa

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NSW

Rock fishing is getting exciting SYDNEY SOUTH

Gary Brown gbrown1@iprimus.com.au

Even though I fish throughout the year off the rocks, the month of May is when I start to get excited about chasing bream, trevally, snapper, salmon, drummer, luderick, squid and the odd tarwhine or two off the stones.

I have two outfits that I prefer to use when rock

fishing. One is my 12ft Okuma Flexi Tipz with a 5500 Okuma Azores threadline spooled with 10lb Platypus Pulse 4x braid, and the other is my Bruce Alvey 12ft with a 625b Alvey side cast reeled spooled with 12lb Platypus Super 100 mono.

The spin outfit is great for snapper, drummer, salmon and squid, while the Alvey does a great job on the luderick, bream, tarwhine and trevally.

As for the presentation,

it’s either a small running ball sinker down onto the bait or a small bobby cork or larger stem float. My baits are usually peeled prawns, half pillies, strips of tuna/mullet, cunje and greed weed for the luderick.

Places that are worth a try are the northern end of Bondi Beach near the old rock baths, the southern side of McKenzies Beach, Gordons Bay, Little Bay and the southern end of Maroubra Beach.

On the southern side of the entrance to Botany Bay you could try Inscription Point, Greeny, Tabbigai, Boat Harbour, Windy Point, Jibbon Head and Marley. Care does need to be taken while fishing all of these spots.

For those of you who prefer not to fish the ocean rocks but still like to fish off the rocks, you could try Browns Rock (opposite Bare Island to the east), Bare Island, the northern and southern end of Frenchmans Beach in Botany Bay, the Cooks River break walls, the

Kangaroo Point to Lugarno.

Fresh mullet, squid and tuna have been working well. You could also try using live yellowtail and poddy mullet.

Lure anglers working the poles and pontoons along this same shoreline have been pulling out a few good-sized bream along with the odd estuary perch and dusky flathead.

Port Hacking can be a hard place to fish at times. Try targeting leatherjackets in any of the deep bays and along those rocky shorelines. The best baits by far have been small pieces of prawn and squid on a paternoster rig.

At this time of the year there should be an increase in the numbers of luderick in the Port Hacking, and the drummer will start to stretch your arms off the rocks.

Whiting, bream and dart are a good option for those of you who prefer to fish during the day off the beach in Bate Bay and right down the coast to Stanwell Park. Mulloway,

Tarwhine are not as common as bream off the rocks, but when you do get to tangle with one they are usually a good size. worms for bait. Blades and soft plastic lures have also been getting a few fish. You could also try berleying up the mullet just downstream

of the Audley Weir.

Don’t forget to keep those photos and short reports coming in to gbrown1@iprimus.com.au.

Recently the author caught a number of dusky flathead over 50cm. This was the biggest at 66cm and it was released to produce more flathead.

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groynes off Brighton, Dolls Point and Kurnell.

Luderick will have started to show up in numbers at the base of the Captain Cook and Tom Ugly bridges, Bald Face Point, Alfords and Picnic Point and the entrance to Oatley Bay. Whiting, bream, flathead, flounder and the odd mulloway can be caught drifting from

sharks, rays, salmon and tailor can also be caught by those fishing off these beaches at night.

Whole yellowtail, fresh squid, pilchards and garfish seem to get the best results.

The odd Australian bass and estuary perch are still being caught in the upper reaches of the Port Hacking River, mainly by those using nippers and

Julian Teunis caught this great tailor at Fingal Head (northern NSW) off the beach. He used strip mullet as bait and it was 70cm long.

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Good fishing off the walls BALLINA

Joe Allan

Ballina’s beaches have had some good catches recorded of late although it’s been disappointing to see the council close South Ballina access to 4WDs because of a small minority of idiots. Anyway, that’s another story.

The dirty water run-off from the small flood in late March has really stirred up the jewies and they’re on the chew big time. There have also been some tailor showing up in very consistent numbers, with the best spots being out the front of Boundary Creek and along the front of the Broadwater rocks.

The tried and tested blue

Christian Booker with a thumper mackerel caught offshore from Evans Head on an Atomic Dragstar. pilchards and metal slugs have been great during the day but most of the better fish have been coming on pilchards and cut baits. In To page 55

Nige Skyring caught this nice little trevally off the beach while chasing flathead in gutters.

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One cool thing about the dirty water run-off coming out of the drains is you can actually fish some pretty big topwater baits during the middle of the day. The dirty water makes the bass a lot less skittish and more aggressive.

The bigger holes behind the town in Ballina have been producing good numbers of jewies and this should continue as the water starts to cool down. Live mullet have definitely been the best bait but you will get jewies on big soft plastics during the day. If you are chasing the beasts, the best fish have come on the making tide at night.

You will find some big flathead will come along as bycatch. These guys are in the holes chasing anything that comes in front of their faces. Just

From page 54

between the tailor, some quality snowy bream have been showing up.

North and South walls of the Richmond have been fishing well over the last month. Big flathead, jewies and bream have all been thick. The pick has been South Wall on the run-out tide. Try fishing surface lures like the Atomic Pop50 and crankbaits like the Crank 38 Mid diver over the Porpoise Wall when the water is flowing over, you’ll pick up some great bream. For the jewies, use small blades like the Atomic Metalz in 1/4oz or 1/2oz if the tide is running harder and you can’t get to the bottom. When fishing shallow over the wall, there can be some great visual action as the fish come from the depths to hit your lures.

Freshwater stretches of the river have been

Zac Skyring with a nice bream taken on an Atomic Shiner 45mm from under a boat hull.

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remember, the big girls are the breeders so please, please, please put them back. Once they get big they’re not that nice to eat anyway. A couple of snaps and quickly get them back into the water. It’s great watching a big crocodile swimming back down to the depths.

The dirty water also should have stirred up some mud crabs but I haven’t had a chance to get the traps out to get stuck into them. I know in previous years there have been good numbers around for Easter and leading through to the end of April. This year the full moon is towards the end of April/start of May so the start of May should be good for crabs on the bigger tides.

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NSW

Consistent bottom fishing COFFS HARBOUR

Dayne Taylor

With the recent devastating floods throughout the Mid North Coast, you’d assume I don’t have a lot to report on. However, the fishing offshore has still been exceptional, and although the rivers haven’t been great to get out and about to fish on, they are quickly stabilising and returning to normality.

Larger river systems like the Clarence will still be running dirty in the lower reaches around Yamba and Iluka no doubt, and even the MacLeay River at South West Rocks is far from clear and pristine still, but they have improved a lot, and will a PrawtondoBso. onlybcontinue l a es a “Y mI’ve had plenty dof ” reports that the Australian bass have been loving the

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big dose of freshwater locally, and had been really fired up after the floods. We have now entered the annual no-take closed season for spawning migrations down to brackish water. We are sure to see great numbers of fish move back upstream after they spawn, and being true Aussie natives, they are sure to thrive after huge rain events we’ve had. If you are out on the rivers, be sure to adhere to our NSW DPI Fisheries rules on Australian bass until the season reopens in September.

If you are making your way back onto our rivers systems for the first time since they have been in flood, please take it easy. Navigating a river after flooding should be approached as if you were

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down until you learn the river system again. The flood debris does create new fish habitat in some areas, making up for the loss of other fish-holding structure that was washed away by the relentless torrent. It is a cruel and weird world we live in.

Since the rivers have been in flood the beach fishing has improved, especially around our river mouths. Some quality dusky flathead have been taken in the gutters on 5” soft plastic lures. Quality tailor have also been taken in similar locations. Right now is prime time for some XL size mulloway fishing.

Whenever flood waters push schools of big mullet out of the river mouths and into beach gutters, the big predatory fish aren’t too far behind them. Cold nights with a campfire on the beach with a couple of rods out sure sounds good!

OFFSHORE The water in close is far from the rich, dark blue 25°C that we expect to see

been working well.

Out a little wider at places like the South Solitary Island, the water quality is much better, but still, this depends a lot on the current and wind direction on the day.

Bottom fishing in reefs from 40-80m has been exceptional, with quality sized pearl perch, snapper and Venus tuskfish all on offer. A simple single or double hook paternoster (dropper) rig with an 8oz weight on the bottom is the best rig to use in these

depths.

Freshly-caught yakkas cut into small cubes as bait worked the best for me on my last trip out, but squid and pilchards will surely produce the goods too.

Another alternative is to try using metal jigs such as the huge array of octostyle jigs on the market, or metal jigs in the 80-150g range designed to flutter and dart around. Both of these types have worked a treat for me in the past.

Until next month, enjoy your time on the water.

ROCKS Marine

Cathie Luff was happy with this pearl perch capture.

The author with a tasty Venus tuskfish.

at this time of the year on the Coffs Coast, but it’s still producing plenty of spotted and Spanish mackerel, as well as good numbers of northern bluefin and mac tuna. Live baits such as slimy mac and yakkas are still the best baits to use to produce a mackerel or tuna. You can either set your livie out under a float at anchor, or slow troll it behind the boat or kayak around the shallow reefs. Either method should soon see you hooked up.

The snapper fishing in close around the shallow reefs (20m or less) near our river mouths has been very consistent throughout the flooding, with some really nice reds taken in recent weeks. Strip baits and soft plastics have both

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NSW

Record flooding on the Mid North Coast THE HASTINGS

Mark Saxon castawayestuarycharters@bigpond.com

Port Macquarie and the rivers on the Mid North Coast have copped record rainfalls in March, which has led to flooding levels that have been unseen in the past! As I write this report, serious damage has been done to many properties, homes and businesses, and

the clean-up is going to be enormous.

After the waters recede to a safe level, the break walls will be the place to chase mulloway and bream. Some big mulloway will be present this month, as is usual in these conditions. Heavy gear and big hardbodied lures are a favourite for these fish when fishing flooded water. Floating lures that dive when retrieved are best in my opinion, as you can stop the retrieval near

the wall and have your lure float up, mostly avoiding snagging on the rocks and kelp below. This style of mulloway fishing is not for beginners, and if you’re just starting out you should fish with a companion, preferably someone with more experience. While this is a prime time to land a fish of a lifetime remember it is not worth risking your neck for, so play it smart. If it’s too rough, don’t fish!

Bream fishing down the

Flooding usually helps with the recruitment of smaller mulloway in the northern river systems, like this little fella Mandy caught recently.

Young gun angler Ollie with a good whiting that was hanging in the deeper water after a flood.

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front could be a worthwhile target, we often get good bags of them fishing deeper along the walls and rock piles after flooding. Lure fishing with Samaki soft vibes, metal blades and plastics fished with heavier jig heads gets results and for bait fishers prawns, worms and cut baits all catch the fish when you find them they can be in a hungry mood.

This year’s bass season fizzled out we had reasonable early season fishing in the Macleay and Wilson rivers however the water was still dirty from last year’s floods and fires and over the

ensuing summer months the continual flood events made it hard to get too, hopefully with all this rain we will get a few exceptional seasons in the coming years.

Lake Cathie has had a very torrid time over the past few years with closure to the sea, water quality from the drought and fires causing numerous fish kills. It had been opened recently but was in the process of closing again.

However, March rain events and big seas have now cracked her wide open, and this should help to get things firing again.

As we head into the winter months, with a little luck we’ll get some respite from the weather gods and things will stabilize, as usually this is a great time to be on the water in our region.

Finally to all the businesses and families who have suffered through yet another crazy period of nature, I wish you all the best in this recovery period.

A recent session using soft vibes and plastics resulted in a good mixed bag.

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Fishing plastics deep can result in good captures.

NSW

Huge numbers of fish FORSTER

Luke Austin

The weather has cooled noticeably over the past couple of weeks and it should continue to do so

bridge pylons and any of the oyster leases consisting of decent cover (look for those leases with plenty of growth on them). Catching these winter fish is very easy, all you need is a small sinker (or none at all if

bottom. Alternatively, you can fish with soft plastic lures such as the Gulp Crabby or Ecogear Aqua Bream Prawn. Bream are absolute suckers for these little lures!

Luderick have schooled

The rock walls will hold plenty of mulloway this month.

There are loads of luderick throughout the bottom section of the estuary. this month. This puts the breaks on for a few anglers, but for most it only excites them due to the winter fishing options that come with the cooler temperatures.

The estuary is full of fish at the moment. Most of the action is concentrated in the first quarter or so of the system – the area from the mouth of the river up to Wallis Island and The Cut. Bream are now in huge numbers and have settled along both rock walls, the

possible) running down to a no. 1 or no. 2 baitholder hook baited with a bit of mullet, prawn, whitebait, pilchard or bonito fillet.

You can try other baits if you want to, as chances are the bream will eat just about anything at the moment.

Flick your bait in near a bit of structure or down along the rock walls and let it drift down slowly.

You should get a bite fairly quickly, normally before it reaches the

up in a big way along the northern (Tuncurry) break wall and are being caught in huge numbers by anglers using baits of weed or artificial weed flies. As long as you fish the run-out tide you are just about guaranteed to find a fish or two or, what’s more likely, you’ll find yourself catching them by the dozen! The fish are in great condition and most are big bronze thumpers which can be a bit of a handful on light gear.

All is not lost for those anglers wishing to continue chasing flathead.

Flathead are really starting to show themselves in the rivers now; the Wallamba is fishing particularly well, all the way up to the Discovery Caravan Park. There have also been some nice fish caught down around Coomba Park, if you decide to sneak down that way for a fish don’t be surprised if you run into some nice Snapper as well, there’s normally the odd one cruising around down there at this time of the year and they love belting soft plastics!

The local beaches have been fishing fairly well of late. 9 Mile still seems to be the better option with plenty of solid bream about, surprisingly I received some very good reports of big whiting coming from the northern end of the beach and a fair few flathead coming from the southern end as well. Tailor

have been really good early of a morning down on 7 Mile and Cellito beaches with the odd really nice fish landed, most fish are between 35-45cm.

Janies is still fishing fairly well for luderick and bream off the rocks, as well as the odd black drummer.

For those anglers wishing to target drummer specifically, Booti has been producing the better fish and they are in good numbers. As long as there is a bit of wash about, you should find more than enough of these hard-fighting brutes! With the warm water still holding in there, the odd pelagic is still cruising about so if you want to have one last crack at a big tuna, now is the time to do it!

Shallow water snapper fishing in the cooler months can be insanely good out of Forster/Tuncurry, and this year is shaping up to be especially good. Already we are seeing some very good catches coming from

the skinny stuff, with loads of fish sitting on the reefs in 10-30m of water.

The ever-reliable flathead grounds have been nice and productive lately, and so far we are yet to see too many leatherjackets.

Further out, the deep drop brigade has been having a ball. Bags consisting of bar cod, snapper, kingfish, nannygai and pearl perch seem to be a common thing at the moment, and there’s even the chance of the odd blue-eye at this time of year.

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This hungry bream fell to an Ecogear Aqua Bream Prawn in the grass colour.

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59

NSW

The flow on from the flush PORT STEPHENS

Paul Lennon

The floods back in late March made for some poor fishing in the weeks following, however we should now be really starting to get the benefits of what a good flush does to the system, especially in the estuary.

Big blue-nose bream

racks, islands and wharf pylons using small plastics or hardbody lures around structure.

Flathead are still fishing well and will do so until the water temp drops off, so take advantage of this while you still can. Focus your efforts around the mangrove edges and feeder creeks of Tilligerry and Karuah.

You can still surface fish inside the bay, just look

for birds working around Corlette through to Middle Island and cast 5-10g metal lures into any bust-ups for a mix of frigate mackerel, mac tuna, tailor and bonito.

Be sure to have a larger rod rigged up ready to go with a stickbait or metal around 40-50g, because longtail tuna sometimes pop up at this time of year in the bay.

Luderick season will really kick into gear this

The author with a nice longtail tuna. are flooding into the bay, providing plenty of action for both bait and lure fishers.

If you’re land based then bait fishing is probably the better option for you. Try the anchorage and Nelson Bay rock walls both from the outside or casting back into the marina. Another good option would be the Tomaree torpedo tubes or Wanda Headland.

Although it’s possible to catch fish during the day, night time fishing is by far the most productive. Weight your baits as light as possible (or no weight at all) and cast some unweighted prawns or nippers down a berley trail of bread and tuna oil.

For lure fishing, focus your efforts from Garden Island through to Yacaaba, around rock bars, oyster

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Bream champion Mark Healy with a pair of cracking Port Stephens bream. give particular attention to those areas holding numbers of baitfish.

The next few weeks will provide excellent live baiting opportunities for a range of species in close, such as

longtail tuna and kingfish, plus there’s the chance for a cobia or inshore black marlin.

Slow trolling or suspending a live bait under a float are the two most productive methods for this style of fishing.

Structure equals bream at this time of year.

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month and get better and better as we move into winter. Try Little Beach, the break walls, Short Cut Wall and Windy Whoppa.

Ocean beaches are in their prime fishing months, and there are plenty of big bream moving along the beaches from Stockton through to Hawks Nest. The best rig to use for these fish is a double paternoster style rig with 2 x size 2 long shank hooks baited with either worms or pipi. At this time of year you can often catch two at a time on your paternoster, and also pick up welcome by-catch in the way of whiting, dart, salmon or even a mulloway.

Tailor are being caught in numbers at first light along Samurai, Box Beach and Fingal Spit. There are some quality fish amongst them to an impressive 3kg.

ROCKS Early May is a great time to live bait from Tomaree for a shot at longtail tuna or even a cobia. You need to get there early though as the ledge can get pretty crowded, especially if word gets out there’s a hot bite on.

There are plenty of smaller pelagics on the rocks too, ranging from chopper

tailor through to mac tuna, which can all be spun up on a 40g metal.

Drummer fishing will be on the upswing this month, and you can catch them in the wash zone from Rocky Point through to Fingal Island.

Cunjevoi and larger peeled prawns are the best baits.

OFFSHORE There are some fantastic options for offshore anglers, both in close and out wide.

Snapper will be on the chew around the islands and offshore reefs, with dawn and dusk periods accounting for 90% of fish caught. You should fish areas with reefy bottom between 10-30m, and

Aaron Roddam with a very nice 43cm Australian Bass caught down on the NSW South Coast.

He caught it on a Crackerjack Zenetic.

NSW

Big bream are biting CENTRAL COAST

Jamie Robley

Late autumn isn’t known for warm temperatures, but it can be red hot as far as fishing goes. With solid rainfall earlier in the season it’s all primed and ready to spark up on all fronts, from our smaller creeks, through to rock and beach and right out to sea.

Sometimes when angling options are all good and there

are so many possibilities, the biggest problem is deciding which route to take. With that in mind, this month I will suggest the avenues that are most likely to lead to success, be it in catching a feed or just having some fun and trying to avoid the chance of a failed mission!

BREAM TIME It’s not too difficult to catch a few bream throughout the year but some months are better than others. This month, targeting bream along

A nice flathead caught near The Entrance. Although not normally considered a peak month for them, flathead will certainly still be on the cards in May.

the rocks and beaches can be a very wise move, as they’re normally about in both numbers and sizes. Over the many years I’ve fished the coast here, May has provided my most memorable bream sessions, from places like South Avoca, North Entrance Beach, Norah Head, Wybung and Catherine Hill Bay. Some years I’ve encountered these fish in such great numbers I had almost been cursing them as a bait-stealing pest, although that’s mainly been while I’ve been chasing jewies with bigger baits. One of those bait-stealing pests a few years back weighed 1.85kg, which is a beast of a bream in anyone’s books. So either way, I would strongly recommend the rocks and beaches for bream. Overall, a rising tide of a morning or late afternoon is the time to go, and some of the best baits are white bread, cunje, cubes of salted pilchards, freshly-cut tailor or mullet and good quality prawns.

Of course, bream fishing with lures can still be very good within the lakes or Brisbane Waters this month. While it can still be possible to catch these fish with surface lures over the shallows, as the water cools down bream start to retreat to deeper water. They also begin moving out of the main water bodies and either head towards the ocean or up the feeder creeks. The majority of bigger bream head down towards the mouth or out to sea, but that doesn’t mean some larger fish won’t also be found up the creeks at this time of year. Whichever

This is a ripper of a month to chase bream. The author caught this one in a local creek, but some of the best breaming right now can be enjoyed along the rocks and beaches. direction you go, I would recommend casting small sinking vibes or softies more so than hardbodies or surface lures this month.

MULLOWAY OPTIONS If something on the bigger side is more your thing than this is a perfect month to chase jewies. They can be encountered within Brisbane Waters, along the rocks and beaches or inshore reef at this time of year. So where you target them is more of a personal choice, although I would probably say the beaches are the easier option for most people.

When chasing jewfish in this part of the world, you have to be willing to put in some effort at night, use only the very best baits (or lures if that’s your thing) and fish at exactly the right times.

Of course, location is also important, but in reality we have plenty of well-known jewie spots around the

Central Coast and if you’re not fully aware of them just fish the deeper holes and gutters at the beach or deeper holes or channels in Brisbane Waters, adjacent to prominent structure such as rocky points or bridges.

Having a bait or lure in the water at the two main peak periods is vital. Those periods are right on the tide changes, high or low, and the change of light about 20 minutes before sunrise or 20 minutes after sunset.

I rate these peak times as extremely important, so while fishing you should keep a close eye on the time and if, for example, the high tide is at 9:45pm then be deadly sure to have your best bait in the water at precisely

that time, believe me!

On a lighter side, this is also a great time to chase tailor and perhaps it’s the best month of the year for them along the rocks and beaches.

Throughout summer and autumn, I’ve been encountering quite a few small tailor from the beaches, and hopefully their larger kin will become more common this month.

Other worthy options include flathead, luderick and trevally in the estuaries, drummer, luderick and kingfish off the rocks and kings or snapper offshore.

Providing the weather and conditions are favourable, then all of these species and more shouldn’t be hard to find.

Big flush fires up the fish SWANSEA

Jason Nunn

There have been plenty of fish about over the past month.

Many anglers thought that all the rain would shut down the fish, but within a few days of it settling we got plenty of water out of the system and things started to fire up.

Lake Macquarie wasn’t greatly affected by the rain. In fact, about four or five days afterwards the conditions improved, and the fish came back on the chew.

It was like somebody flicked a switch.

The lake itself has been producing plenty of bream for this time of year. The big flush seems to have fired them up throughout the lake and the channel area, with some really good fish being caught.

When it comes to lures, 3” grubs and 2” Gulp Prawns are worth a throw, as are hardbodies like 38mm

shallow diving crankbaits in dark colours. However, if you really want to catch a feed of bream, you’ll

have to sit and soak a bait.

Hawkesbury prawns have been getting good results, To page 62

Head to the beaches this month, where mulloway should be waiting to take your bait. Be sure to fish the peak times around the tide changes and sunset or sunrise, and use top class baits like fresh calamari, beach worms, mullet or tailor.

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61

NSW

Calmer conditions for anglers ILLAWARRA

Greg Clarke

This month sees the start of the local run of bream along the coast and this should last through to the end of June. The beaches, rocks and quiet bays will all hold fish, and chasing them from the boat and land based is equally rewarding.

The beaches will have fish in just about every deep gutter, with deeper water next to the rocks even better.

anything, but pilchard pieces and fillets of most baitfish like mackerel, yellowtail and tuna are great. On the beach you can use beach worms and pipis as well as the cut baits.

The worms will score any of the big late run whiting that will be hanging about in the gutters as a nice little added bonus.

Even quiet spots like the gravel loader at Bass Point or the local harbours in the evenings and early mornings will hold fish, and Cathedral rocks north of Kiama can be

should get some good days to have a crack.

Alternatively you can cast small baits into the washes around the headlands and islands and score a heap of fish in this manner as well.

Salmon should be plentiful this month on the beaches with Bombo, Coniston Beach behind the golf course and up at Coalcliff all worth a look, and during the evenings there will be some good sized tailor just on dark grabbing pillies and cut fish baits.

good as well.

If you are a boatie then the quiet bays like Sandon point, Bellambi, Wollongong outside the harbour, Port Kembla around Fishos Beach and the quiet spots around Bass Point will hold fish.

Berley is the key again and stay shallow, usually in 3m or less of water, but only if conditions allow. May is generally one of the calmest months of the year so you

The mulloway will be on the same beaches and many others this month, and after all the rain a few weeks back they should still be hunting all along the coast and there will be some solid fish among the schoolies. Next month will be even better.

On the rocks the water is cooling so drummer, bream and blackfish will come into their own but there are still some warmer water predators

about in the form of bonito and the odd mac tuna. And if you live bait there is always a good chance of a longtail or two on the deeper ledges as plenty came down the coast over the past month or so.

If your livies don’t tempt a longtail they will more than likely get eaten by a salmon.

The deeper spots could be worth a throw for a snapper on a big cut bait without any weight while you’re waiting for a passing tuna.

The estuaries are slowing down now with winter not that far away, so only a few flatties will still be about with the odd whiting. However, blackfish and bream should be available for those with the time to work out their daily whereabouts.

Offshore, if the currents are favourable, May can provide yellowfin tuna. These fish used to be a given but not these days, so keep your eyes on social media for any reports and hit the tuna before they move on (which can be overnight).

There is still the chance of a marlin with stripes and blues out on the shelf the best chance, but a stray black in close is always on the cards if there is plenty of bait and the water stays a little warmer.

Dolphinfish have hung around into May for the past few seasons so don’t discount them from hanging around the FADs this month. With a bit of luck the gamefish season could last a bit longer.

In closer there are a few nice snapper over the close inshore reefs and the outer reefs, so berleying the shallower reefs and drifting plastics over the deeper reefs should both produce the goods. If the current is slow, berleying the deeper reefs to 40m works well too. Kingfish will still be around but they

Rapala Deep Tail Dancer.

Another option is to use a handline to troll pilchards on a gang. Using a big sinker will get it down further (the lake floor is around 30ft). This tried and true method has been used for many years – you just get out there early and troll around, and the tailor put up a great fight on handlines. You’ll want your handline to be at least 50lb so it’s thick enough that it won’t cut your hand. The line width also provides a bit of a grip if there’s slime. The leader should be around 30lb. If you want to you can use inner tube to protect your hands from a fight with a bigger fish. You have to strike hard because the fish hit aggressively.

You can get some very big tailor if your weight is right down on the bottom, and if you’re

slow enough you can catch flathead or mulloway too.

The ideal troll speed is around 4 knots.

Since the big rain event there has been a real increase in blue swimmer crabs. Summer wasn’t very productive for blue swimmers, but the influx of freshwater has brought them on, and there have been heaps of reports of good numbers and sizes.

This should continue this month, so there’s no better time to get out and get some. Just remember that you can only use witches hats or drop dillies. Any enclosed crab trap, whether round or rectangular, is illegal.

On the beaches, anglers are catching tailor, salmon, flathead and a few jew. All of these species are drawn to the schools of mullet moving up and down the coast. As May progresses

we’ll still have those schools of mullet moving past, and the numbers of tailor and salmon in particular will increase dramatically along the beaches. There’s no better time to fish the beach than in autumn.

Offshore we’ve had a bit of a current lately so it’s been difficult for bottom fishers to get to the bottom at times. However, when the current and weather has allowed, the fishing has been very good. We’ve been enjoying a really good run of small inshore snapper, and most of our offshore reefs are full of tailor with quite a few trag as well.

When it comes to surface fishing, mac tuna and bonito have made a real comeback, and we’re starting to see a few surface schools of salmon around too, particularly off Moon

Some nice kings will be grabbing livies on all the usual spots.

Berley is always effective on bream, even on the beach. An onion bag full of fish scraps spiked into the sand in the wave zone so it washes back and forth, dispersing tiny morsels, will help to really get them on the bite.

The same technique can be used off the rocks with the bag tethered in the wash bringing the fish right to your feet.

Bream will eat just about From page 61

but oily baits have been working the best, such as mullet strips, mullet gut and half pillies.

There are a few flathead being caught in the estuary but most flatties got moved on by the rain. They will move back into the estuary system around the end of May. Things are looking good when it comes to tailor. They’re a great autumn fish, and there are plenty offshore and along the beaches at the moment.

We are seeing them move into the lake now under the fresh, although they are patchy. Their numbers will increase as the month progresses. Fishing with floating pilchards of an evening can produce some good results, or you can troll a lure that gets down to around 30ft, such as a 62

MAY 2021

Bream are on the beaches this month, and worms and cut baits are the way to go. like the current so if it’s pushing down the coast, spots like Wollongong reef and Bandit may hold a few but the islands off Port Kembla would be a better option.

Live baits down rigged are the way to go, but seals will be a problem as they have proliferated over the past few years, and with a colony now settled onto Gap island they are never far away. They not only steal your fish, they are also very good at whipping a livie off the hook without getting hooked themselves.

They learn quickly and are very clever.

Big bonito are in the same areas as the kings, taking live baits and pilchards, but they should start to thin out towards the end of the month as the water cools. It has been a bit quiet this year as bonnies go all along the

coast but all species fluctuate from year to year. Next year could see them in plague proportions again.

Trevally are starting to pick up in numbers over the reefs and will fill a space left by other species moving back north. The drifters will still see plenty of good-sized flathead hanging about over the sand patches as they seem to stay on the bite a bit longer than their estuary cousins. Mowies are picking up in numbers and size while leatherjackets are on the increase over the reefs too. A few samsonfish are mixing with the snapper over the reefs and there has even been the odd trag coming in as well. The last month of autumn should see you get some nice fish before winter sets in and it starts to get cold and windy. Good luck.

Island and down towards Caves Beach. In amongst these salmon there have been a few kings and also a few very large tailor in excess of 3kg. If you get bitten off while fishing for salmon, you know what the culprit is. One angler recently lost a big longtail amongst the bonito, so we are certainly seeing a big variety of pelagics inshore.

The odd cobia has been showing up too, including a 21kg specimen caught last month.

On the game fishing front, blue marlin have made a comeback, and that run should continue into May. A few tuna have been taken off Sydney in recent weeks, and hopefully some of these fish will start to move up the coast towards us. At the time of writing this report, the water is still 26°C and we got a couple of wahoo recently,

a dolphinfish (mahimahi), and even a 28kg spearfish, so you never know what you’ll hook next.

• Fisherman’s Warehouse Tackle World has a large range fresh and frozen bait as well as a huge range of rods, reels, lures and accessories. They also sell and service outboard motors, and have a competitivelypriced selection of new and second-hand boats.

The friendly staff are all experienced local anglers, and they’re always happy to share their knowledge, whether you’re a novice or experienced angler.

Drop in for a chat at 804 Pacific Highway, Marks Point, or give them a call on (02) 4945 2152.

You can also find them on Facebook, or check out their website at www. f i s h e r m a n s w a re h o u s e . com.au.

NSW

Autumn continues to deliver BATEMANS BAY

Anthony Stokman

What a run we are having.

The fishing has been pretty good over last couple of years and it just seems to keep on giving.

We’ve had some good game fishing from marlin to tuna, good inshore fishing and good estuary fishing even though we’ve had a lot of debris from fires and disturbance to destruction from floods. We got a tonne of rain during autumn but it cleared up quite quickly on the south coast and it was back to fishing in no time. If anything, the dirty water flush-out and big seas stirred things up and the fishing went up a notch. There was a good run of snapper out the front of the bay, and the bream didn’t seem to mind the dirty water in the estuary.

After a big rain event, especially if there’s some swell, one thing that always seems to happen is the snapper push in under the dirty water and gather out the front of the bay and in close along the coast. After the last big rain they were in large numbers out off Yellow Rock and just north of the marine park and out the front of Richmond Beach and down to Flat Rock. I used to pull my charter boat up in 8-12m of water out the front of Yellow Rock 2-4 days after a good rain and was pretty much guaranteed a nice little haul of snapper. I used to do this religiously before running out to the more popular areas.

Quite often a lot of fish are

missed by driving straight over them and looking for the dirty water line.

The next fishing day after a big rain I like to head out past the heads and fish out where the water clears a bit.

But after three or so days the snapper can push in towards the bay and you can fish the dirty water because the cold dirty fresh is on the surface, and it can be good salty water underneath all stirred up with snapper on the chew.

There were a few fishos onto it this time, and Rob

Frawley and crew caught and released 60-70 snapper in one session. There were quite a few other boats fishing a little deeper in 15-20m of water and scoring some larger models around 2-3kg, and getting half a dozen or so. A lot of fishos in these depths are using plastics and micro jigs.

Out in that depth there are a lot of baitfish getting harassed by bonito, salmon and kings.

Phil cracked a couple of good snapper and sounded out the bonito attacking bait and got a couple of them on micro jigs.

Autumn is a great time for squid. Here’s Charlotte with a decent one.

In the 20-30m depth there were some gummies still kicking around, but nothing much out further. If you go out any further after a big rain event there’s typically not much to report, unless you head towards the shelf and then it’s a different ball game.

We were keen to see how the marlin season would be once we could get back out there, and yes, marlin were still hanging around even though the water was a bit green.

There was some bait and fish found a bit over the shelf and some blue marlin getting around out there as well.

Even further out there looked to be some good water out towards the 151 line, and Rick Grintell and the boys on Happy Ending ended up scoring some good yellowfin tuna to make our autumn run of good fishing turn into an awesome run. This is a great sign of things to come and let’s hope this May is as good as May last year when yellowfin were everywhere, every day, with donkeys going 60-70kg.

The next day after Rick’s couple of yellowfin, Jack Johnson and crew went out and found a nice 60 kegger in a bit closer, then went back in towards the shelf to find some marlin.

The marlin bite has seemed to roll on with bait ball action, and anglers have been getting them on trolled skirts out of the blue and finding them in green water.

It hasn’t let up just yet, and we still could see the odd one caught in May when we are hoping for favourable

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Jack and Hugh Johnson have been finding the fin. waters for tuna.

The FADs start getting collected around this time of the year and the dolphinfish start to check out and move back up north. The kings can still bite during the cooler months at Montague and inshore headlands and bommies etc. There has been a bit of king activity after the rains for anglers fishing for snapper and for land-based fishos. What has made it more worthwhile is having a good unexpected run of bonito and a solid run of salmon. Spinning lures or live baits from ledges like Pretty Point has resulted in some success with bonito and salmon, and if you’re lucky you might get a king or two in the mix. It’s been quite a few years since we have seen bonito around in reasonable numbers and it hasn’t just been the ordinary bonito either, we have been getting the Watson’s leaping bonito and as the name suggests, they leap! You’ll think you have a salmon on, and then once it gets close you’ll notice a mac tuna pattern along the top with stripes underneath, and a deeper body.

Rock fishing has been a great option lately, with the chance of the aforementioned pelagics plus drummer, groper, snapper and bream which have been in good numbers also. These fish will continue to be great to target as we move into the cooler months. There really hasn’t been a better time to go rock fishing then now.

It’s a similar story

with beach fishing. We are experiencing a great run of salmon that were previously thick further south. There are good schools right up and down the south coast as well as lots of tailor and the mullet run on top. The rain has really stirred things up and there’s loads of baitfish being harassed by these fish off our beaches, and it’s great to see such abundance. The rains and swells have opened a few lakes, and at the mouth of these lakes and along the beaches there has been loads of massive bream. The whiting are still going strong too, and worms are still the best bait for them, which is good as there are plenty of worms along our beaches.

Land-based fishing is red hot. Even in the estuary with the dirty water, loads of bream are still on the chew.

Fishing the tide change has been the most productive way to catch them. Flathead have been reasonable and mulloway at night have been around that 60-80cm range around the bridge. We had a little flurry of mud crabs in some estuaries throughout autumn too, and there are still a few prawns running.

Let’s hope it keeps rolling on, and we see some big yellow sickles this May. • For more up-to-the-minute information on what’s biting where, drop into Compleat Angler Batemans Bay and have a chat to Anthony or one of the other friendly staff. They’re located at 65A Orient St, Batemans Bay (02 4472 2559).

MAY 2021

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MAY 2021

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NSW

Wallaga Lake widens BERMAGUI

Darren Redman djsxstreamfishing@bigpond.com

Wallaga Lake, just to the north of Bermagui, fished brilliantly all season before it started to slow down a bit due to the mouth of the lake almost closing to the ocean.

only a few centimetres long, which attract the attention of flathead. Small soft plastics and prawn-like lures will work, although don’t rule out baits like fresh prawns, nippers or live mullet for even better results.

Wallaga Lake is set to fish well for at least the next couple of months until the

tasty blue-spots (sandies) or tigers, and you can throw in the odd gummy and red gurnard to create a tasty meal.

All the action is not just over the sandy areas either – there is plenty to be found over or around the reefs.

Up at the rock (Montague Island) the kingfish action has been consistent all

Hopefully it is going to be a great tuna season, with many species on offer.

Wallaga Lake entrance blew open in the floods, resulting in great fishing.

Now, however, following recent rain events resulting in some major flooding, the entrance to the lake has again widened and the fishing is full on.

The reason Wallaga fishes so well is the

waters turn cold. However, don’t just stick to Wallaga as Cuttagee Lake south of Bermagui has also opened to the ocean, and it’s fishing well. And of course there is the Bermagui River, with most species on the chew,

season, and it even got better after the rains. Most of the fish are slightly undersize and must be released, although with plenty of persistence you should be able to obtain enough legal size fish for your needs.

lurking around the 4-Mile, 6-Mile and 12-Mile reefs and those close to Bermagui. This is also a time of year where seas are calm, allowing anglers to venture further afield in search of deepwater dwellers in the form of some very tasty blue-eye trevalla, hapuka, ling, perch and

sometimes those interesting ghost cod.

Now you are out in the deep water it is tuna time. Yellowfin, albacore, southern bluefin, stripies or the rarer big-eye all frequent our waters at this time of year. You can catch them trolling, berleying, cubing or

throwing stickbaits at them as they feed on schools of panicking sauries.

And don’t be surprised if you encounter a late season marlin, because if the food sources and water temps are there, the marlin will be too. It’s up to you to go find them.

The lakes are open TATHRA

Darren Redman djsxstreamfishing@bigpond.com

The major flooding event that occurred all along the NSW coastline may have had devastating results for some areas, but for the Bega Valley catchment where its rivers enter the ocean at Tathra, the

flooding not only refreshed the Bega River system, it also re-opened many of the small lakes along this part of the coastline. Some lakes had not been open to the ocean for several years, and the rain event brought fresh, vibrant life back into them.

Wallagoot Lake south of Tathra is one such system that opened to the sea. This

lake is more often landlocked than tidal. Prior to it flooding, there were some reasonable sized tailor and snapper being taken in it but very few other species showing in anglers’ catches. Now fish like bream, tarwhine, mullet, whiting, luderick and dusky flathead have revitalized the lake,

A lure-hooked salmon about to launch in an effort to dislodge the hook. abundance of food on offer for a variety of fish species. High on the menu is squirt worms, and there are millions of them in this lake.

Whiting, bream, luderick and tarwhine will often spit out these worms when captured, and the condition of these fish after feasting on worms is… well, they are fat.

Also in the lake are hordes of small prawns 66

MAY 2021

especially luderick on green weed. These fish can be targeted from the new boat jetty adjacent to the bridge.

Out at sea the floods had an adverse effect on the reef/ bottom for a week or so, but now anglers are enjoying some positive results. The flathead fishing was good prior to the floods, now it is brilliant. You don’t have to travel far to bag out on those

While pursuing the kings there is a big likelihood of encountering some nice sized bonito as well.

To the northeast of the island, you can find some deeper water which contains species like snapper, both ocean and longfin perch, both species of morwong, nannygai and of course those tasty, pesty leatherjackets.

Most of these species are also

Bream are the most common catch following floods.

To page 67

NSW From page 66

entering in search of the vast amount of food exposed from the floods.

This lake is also one of the best prawning lakes along the south coast. In recent years NSW DPI Fisheries has stocked it with prawns, resulting in a reasonable success rate so let’s hope it opened at the right time to let nature to provide it with wild stocks of prawns.

Other waterways that have opened are places like

Bournda Lagoon just south of Wallagoot, and Middle Lake north of Tathra. These little waterways are well worth a look following the rains, and they can be explored by kayak with a little effort.

The Bega River has also blown wide open.

Although it had not closed to the ocean the flooding was strong enough to widen the entrance, this should result in continued good angling for quite some time with fresh stocks of fish

entering. It should also lead to some great bass fishing upstream in the spring, with new cover and deep holes being created.

The effects of the floods have also filtered offshore to the reefs and beyond. All the nutrients that have washed into the ocean work their way along the food chain right up to the predator species that we anglers like to pursue. Top of the list is what Tathra is famous for: offshore flathead, both

tigers and sandies. South out from Bournda near where Wallagoot Lake opened there have been flatties aplenty, and most anglers haven’t had to wait long to achieve a bag of tasty morsels.

reefs are hosting plenty of snapper and they’re easily caught while drifting with paternoster rigs, or you can try anchoring and put down a berley trail of pilchard or slimy mackerel where you

nannygai and pigfish, while mid-water amongst the berley you can often encounter silver trevally, bonito or kingfish. As you travel between these reefs, try towing a lure or two out

Tailor are another species attracted by floodwaters.

The Bega River is wide open following the floods, and the fishing is great.

Once you have enough flatties, try some of the reefs on your way back to Kianinny Bay boat ramp, areas like White Rock and some closer to home. These

can gear down for some light tackle action.

Other species you may also encounter while fishing these areas are the usuals like ocean perch, morwong,

the back because kingfish or bonito may happen along, plus there is always a chance of a smaller yellowfin or early season bluefin tuna hugging the coastline.

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Rain, rain, and more rain NEW ENGLAND RIVERS

Adam Townsend

Massive downpours belted the whole countryside before April’s edition hit the shelves, so the local dam levels weren’t 100% right last month. In

fact, Both Copeton and Pindari dams doubled their capacity in a matter of hours as the floodwaters made their way downstream.

Pindari Dam managed to rise from just 12% up to the 50% mark and is now currently sitting just over

half of its full capacity.

Copeton Dam was also sitting pretty low around the 20% mark before the flooding occurred, and is now also sitting up around 42% of its capacity.

The Easter long weekend was a perfect opportunity to get outdoors

and it seemed like a lot of people made the most of the 5-day weekend. Both the local impoundments were packed out with families of campers, and the rivers also had their fair share of action.

Although the first few days of a flood typically make it pretty tough for the fishing opportunities, the results that follow can well make up for it. The rivers finally received that well-needed flush that we have all been asking for a while now, which is perfect timing as we head into the cooler months. As we all know, when fresh food and water heads down the system, it’s a trigger for the fish to bite.

Reaction style lures such as big spinnerbaits (up to 2oz), chatterbaits and crankbaits (diving hardbodies) are my go-to lures at such times, and they seem to do a good job of getting the attention of natives in the faster water.

With the impoundments, I like to completely fish the other way around. I like to slow down the approach and fish more naturally

Big and bright is the author’s favourite approach in fast, dirty water.

It’s a good time of year to be catching XL cod bulking up for the winter.

A nice sized silver perch caught at Pindari Dam.

A beautiful river Murray cod caught in flood water.

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with swimbaits and surface lures etc as the dams rise, because this increases the chances of catching fish, whether it be big Murray cod or yellowbelly, especially at Copeton. For the first week or two after the water rises you will often find most fish species milling up in the shallower

water looking for fresh food such as insects, frogs and worms in areas that have been out of water for a long time. I recommend looking for areas where there is still fresh grass, because sometimes it can be bad when the oxygen gets sucked out of the grass underwater. Fish

will generally move away pretty quickly.

All in all, it looks like it is shaping up to be another cracking month to be outdoors enjoying the countryside, whether it be on one of the local impoundments or on a river somewhere. Good luck this month and tight lines.

NSW

Fish are fattening up HUNTER VALLEY

Nick Price

There has been a steady influx of water into both Lake Glenbawn and Lake St Clair, and this has kept both dams fishing consistently. With the water rising over

feeding both on the surface and subsurface. It has been amazing fishing, and let’s hope that the rain keeps coming so the dams can keep rising.

We have been having a mouse plague in the Hunter and the bass have been gorging themselves on mice for the last couple of months.

explosive! Once hooked the fish have been fighting hard in the grass, and as many fish are lost as are hooked.

I have been running 12-20lb leader and have still been losing fish.

The fish have also been taking small chatterbaits and beetle spins. I have been putting on Biwaa

n Trout Hatchery e d a G

Gaden Trout Hatchery Gaden Trout Hatchery

Tom with a nice fish caught off the surface in the shallows on an Aussie-made Mudeye lure.

a lipless See how premierthrowing sport fishcrankbait into the shallows when are bred and raised! fish are up feeding. These

the locally made Dizzy scents that are specifically made for Aussie fish. When have accounted for many looking for these schooled fish over the lastleaping couple fish of fish,4 species try around points and Open 10 am–4 pm daily. months. Again, cast right just off timber. With the Closed Anzac, Christmas, Boxing breeding ponds,I AV up to day. the edgeaquaria, and drive dam rising willshow also be the lure through the grass. sounding around beautiful picnic–BBQ area flats.

Guided tours 10 am and 2 pm.

Be prepared to lose both When deep, the fish troutmay for sale Self-guided tours on selected bass days. and luressmoked as these also be interested in It’s good to fish right up in the shallows where Small the banks well-conditioned fish are something more aggressive find out about kids fishing workshops. admission fee. are flooded, as the bigger fish are up here feeding. fighting hard. such as a blade, ice jig or tail The water cools in May spinner. Make sure you are new ground there has Big noisy surface lures such paddletails and the new and many fish start to move fishing at the correct depth been plenty of food, and as the Wobbler produced by Daiwa Baitjunkie Minnow deeper Gaden Rd (off Kosciuszko Rd) and school up. I like that these suspending fish the fish are in fantastic Mudeye have been doing the paddletails.

These new to Jindabyne. 02 6451 3400target these fish with 1/6oz are sitting in. Remember condition and getting trick. I recommend casting Daiwa plastics are a little or 1/4oz jigheads and a 2-3” to pause and count your www.dpi.nsw.gov.au fatter by the day. these lures right up to the harder to put on the hook paddletail. When choosing lure down before starting The larger fish have bank and ‘driving’ them than the Biwaa tails, but they colours I like to vary the the retrieve. been up in the shallows through the flooded grass. stay on for a good length of colour between naturals and Fishing with yabbies’ amongst the flooded grass, The surface takes have been time and some have kept bright UV colours such as and worms is productive working even after catching chartreuse. I always put all year but with the cooler a dozen or more fish. scent on my plastics, and water temperature the fish It’s always worth I am particularly fond of may be feeding on other

*

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things. They will still take worms and yabbies but it is sometimes worthwhile to try other boats. We are now selling brined prawns in the shop. Sometimes this salty prawns will attract the freshwater fish when other baits are not working.

Please remember that Glenbawn and St Clair are stocked impoundments so only take what you need.

The fish are growing fast and getting fat and if the rain continues the spring fishing will be outstanding.

When heading to Glenbawn make sure you drop into the shop at Aberdeen, we fish both lakes regularly and can help with where to go and what to use.

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Gaden Rd (off Kosciuszko Rd) Jindabyne. 02 6451 3400 www.dpi.nsw.gov.au MAY 2021

69

NSW

It’s big cod time BATLOW

Wayne Dubois waynedubois@westnet.com.au

This month is prime time to chase monster Murray cod, and what better place to do so than at Blowering Dam? As the first big frosts for the year begin, so too do the regular catches of giant Murray cod. Most knowledgeable

small fish producer, at night Murray cod feel much more at ease to venture right up into the shallows in search of a good feed.

This is where you should concentrate their efforts at night. The fish that are up in the shallows will be feeding, making it much easier to get a response from them.

When targeting these big fish in the shallows,

but for best results I strongly recommend casting. The above mentioned lures are also good for casting, but surface lures and wakebaits are great lures for this form of fishing, particularly if the area you’re fishing is loaded with snags.

REDFIN Not too many months go by without me discussing redfin and the best techniques to catch

The land-based redfin fishing at Blowering Dam has been as good as ever. The fish will push into very deep water this month, making them almost inaccessible to land-based anglers, but those with a boat will be reaping the rewards with the jigging season about to begin.

The Tumut River is one of the most consistent trout fisheries in the country, and with backdrops like this you’d be crazy not to give it a crack before the season closes. cod anglers have known this for years, and concentrate most of their efforts from May through until the traditional close of the season.

That’s not to say you won’t land monster Murray cod at any other time of the year, it just seems that catches are more prevalent during the cooler months.

The full moon draws many a cod angler out to troll the dam wall and other deep rock ledges, but don’t be afraid to fish when there is no moon.

The fishing is generally as good as the full moon but you won’t have another 100 boats to contend with.

When fishing with no moon you will have to adapt to the lack of available light.

Your eyes will adjust after a while, then it is a matter of keeping the use of head lamps and torches to a minimum so as to not ruin your night vision.

As mentioned, most anglers will be trolling, usually along the deep rock walls and the dam wall itself. Although this works well and is a consistent 70

MAY 2021

try casting large lures like oversized spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, Angel Baits, lipless crankbaits and shallow running hardbodies. Trolling the shallows with these same lures is also worth a shot,

them. Reports have been sensational of late, and the redfin fishing should only get better as these fish form larger and larger pre-spawn schools. Fishing in deep water with jigs, blades, vibes and plastics

or bobbing with juicy worms and/or yabbies will see most anglers rewarded with lots and lots of redfin.

If you find you are only catching smallish fish you can move on in search of bigger fish, but it has been my experience that if you are landing lots of small fish there is almost guaranteed to be some big predatory fish nearby, and the action of catching all the small ones often brings the bigger models in for a taste of the action. We’ve caught many Murray cod and monster redfin right in amongst a hot small redfin bite, so sometimes it pays to stay and persist.

CREEKS The creeks continue to fish extremely well in the greater Batlow district.

The creeks that were most affected by last year’s fires surprisingly have come back the strongest, with good populations of fit and healthy trout to keep anglers’ interest levels high.

Thanks to the constant regular rain in the area there has been heaps of food flowing into the

creeks, regularly making for some very healthy fish.

Some of these fish are much bigger than we are used to seeing in some of these waterways.

I strongly recommend you go and check out that small creek you used to fish years ago, as you may be very surprised – not only at the amount of fish present but at the size of some of

as many fish as you would in the lower flows, but fish can still be caught.

If you’re lure fishing, use the ‘down and across’ technique I have mentioned in previous articles, or try fishing the slowest moving sections you can find and along the edges of the river and any back eddies.

This is where most of the fish will sit in the high

It’s big cod season in the southern half of Australia, and Blowering Dam has a very good population of bigger fish, making it a popular destination for anglers wanting to test their luck.

The trout fishing in the smaller streams has been very good this season, with crazy numbers turning back up since the fires swept through last year.

the residents.

TUMUT RIVER This ever-consistent fish producer has been fishing sensationally this season. When it has been low it has been a delight for fly fishos and lure anglers alike, but when it is high it can be difficult, and many anglers avoid it like the plague when it is flowing hard. Sure, it can be harder to fish in high flows, and you probably won’t land

flows. Retrieving lures and flies along these areas will certainly tempt a fish or two, and don’t be afraid to retrieve back upstream in the high flows as this gives the fish more time to catch up, look at and decide if it wants to eat your offering. This goes against the normal rule of casting upstream, I know, but in high flows this strategy will out-fish all other techniques.

NSW

Chasing the big green LITHGOW/OBERON

Glen Stewart stewie72@bigpond.com

I’ll be honest, my time dedicated to the pursuit of those big green fish (Murray cod) for the last

5-6 years over winter has come at a cost – a lack of time spent on other species.

The journey has been quiet, with many lessons learnt and many still to learn. In fact, I don’t think we will ever know all the

answers, and that’s a good thing. An enquiring mind keeps us on our toes.

A lot has changed since earlier times chasing winter greenfish on our local impoundments. I remember pulling up at the Wyangala main ramp

The author has been immersed in the goings on of bigger green fish (Murray cod) these last few years, possibly to the detriment of readers looking for more variety.

The next three months are where it’s at when it comes to these bigger specimens.

Bigger specimens have different habits, it’s almost like you’re fishing for a different fish all together.

Lure size plays a big part in the big fish equation, but it’s not all what it’s about – seasonal aggression also plays its part, especially with brown trout.

on a Friday afternoon and there wasn’t another soul in sight. It would stay that way the whole weekend, apart from the odd day-tripper coming to have a look at proceedings down by the water. They would observe the visual splendour for only a few minutes before driving off in a cloud of dust.

Mid-morning Saturday I spied a boat – the first and last I would see for the weekend. It was making straight for me, and as it got close, I could see it was an official looking boat.

The driver turned out to be a Fisheries officer no less.

He was happy to see me, and after we got the important stuff out of the way we got to talking.

What are you doing out here?” he asked. An odd question because he’d just checked my fishing licence. “That’s a big lure, are you fishing for cod? No one does that at this time of year out here.”

His line of questioning was a little confronting, but I guess that’s how Fisheries officers are trained. They are digging for a reply that may reveal any ill intent.

He got over that line of questioning pretty quickly, and my swimbait again drew his attention.

“I’ve not seen that before.

What brand are they? Where do you get them from?” The questioning went on and on.

Finally, he drove off with a head full of southern winter greenfish impoundment swimbait knowledge.

The waves from swimbaits and big surface lures cast at Copeton Dam have certainly begun to reach southern shores, and the uptake has been nothing short of a sensation. Times are changing.

I’ve not fished Wyangala for winter Murray cod for three seasons now because I no longer own a proper boat. A step backwards? I think not. Those big fish are learning fast, and fishing pressure combined with technology saturation

is already affecting their behaviour, both onboard and under the water.

BIG BROWN TROUT The crossover between big greenfish (Murray cod) and big brown trout is something I’m looking forward to exploring.

Most big impoundment brown trout in Australia die of natural causes, never having seen or felt the wrath of an angler’s hook.

In most cases we just don’t fish for them.

There are some notable exceptions amongst our known fishing identities though. Nigel Webster has been catching big trout on swimbaits for years, and Andrew McGovern is another regular on the scene who has caught some big fish on what most of us would consider bigger

alternative techniques.

And no doubt there are other trout anglers, shadow lurkers not willing to divulge happenings of things that go bump in the night. Kudos to you, I totally get it.

I am blessed to live in an area with such potential to catch massive brown trout. I and others have seen them lurking, and ‘brown submarines’ is the only way to describe them.

The untapped potential of Lake Lyell, Thompsons Creek Dam and to a lesser extent Lake Wallace is something that only a one-tracked mind will discover. If there’s a better time of year to get things underway then I’ll eat my beanie!

Hope to see you on the water soon. Until then, tight lines.

Matt King caught this impressive mahmahi from the FAD off Eden in NSW.

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May the big cod be in abundance this winter ALBURY/WODONGA

Connor Heir

If you’re a keen cod angler and are looking to upsize your personal best cod, from now on until season close is the time of year to do it. If you don’t mind stacking on some warmer clothes and toughing it out, your chances of catching a big fish are already halfway there.

By this time of year, the style of fishing I love doing has started to become physically more difficult to do. I usually like to wade, and do stacks of crossing through water that can be up to chest-deep at times.

With the cooler weather approaching, this can be far too cold to do. However, it doesn’t stop me from

Fishing just above weed beds can be a deadly technique for actively feeding fish. fishing and camping, so why not mix the two together and enjoy what makes it so special?

Being able to fish the prime times isn’t possible for everyone, but you can still catch fish during the day at this time of year. It’s just that sometimes it can be tough to get the same action as you would in summer time when it comes to numbers.

Still, if you really do put the effort in, the results are there BIG time. Fish hard on structure, concentrate on shade pockets and think about where a fish would be sitting and why. Often it can blow you away where you will pull cod from, but if you take the time to really think about it, it often makes sense!

When it comes to targeting bigger fish, your tackle choices can be a huge factor when it comes to success or failure.

Generally, using bigger lures will entice a bigger class of fish to eat during this time. Yes, any lure can catch fish, but a big lure will increase your chances

to pull fish from snags, Lighter line just isn’t good enough if you find yourself very snagged up and in a messy situation.

It’s also vital that you tie the best knots possible.

If you have a weak knot, this will be the first thing that gives in the rope, and you can say goodbye to your prized fish and lure.

If you’re unsure on what knots are the best to use, YouTube is a fantastic learning resource, and it will teach you in under 15 minutes how to tie a strong knot. Personally, for my leader knots I use an FG knot or an Albright knot.

When it comes to terminal tackle (treble hooks, lure clips, split rings and so on) I cannot stress enough how important it is to use good quality, strong, purpose-built terminal tackle. Inspect all the terminal tackle on lures, and upgrade the hooks and split rings if you think they

Using big surface lures as it gets cooler can stir up those fish taking the chance for a decent meal. fishing, and it shouldn’t stop you either. The places you go may change, or your approach to it may be a little different. You have to weigh up risks and keep in mind your physical wellbeing.

If you are lucky enough to own or have access to a boat, it can be a huge advantage for this time of year. However, if you don’t, that’s OK. You can still catch good fish when you’re limited to walking banks.

Recent flows around the area have been superb lately. With low and clear rivers flowing beautifully it screams only one thing to us die-hard cod fishos!

This time of year is fantastic for being out on the water, not just for fishing but for camping too. The beauty of being able to camp on the water means that if you are a keen fisho, you can fish the prime times whenever you want to without having to travel far. Being on the water at a golden time 72

MAY 2021

can sometimes be a huge factor to fishing in general, no matter the time of year.

And being surrounded by

the outdoors and the water is a big motivation to hit the water and fish hard. We live in a beautiful area for

Fishing after dark will still give fantastic results as it cools off.

of landing a big one.

Line class and terminal tackle is very important too.

Big fish are smart, and they will find any weakness you have during the fight to put themselves in front. Line class is something that’s debated in cod fishing, but I suggest, especially for this time of year, at least 30lb braid with stronger leader.

During the cooler months, I use 40lb and upwards to 60lb. This gives you enough strength to hold the weight of a big fish, and allows you to give the fish some curry if you find yourself snagged up, as cod do.

They will take you straight into structure in attempt to break free. That’s where a strong line and leader comes into its own, because you need some allowance Subsurface fishing can be effective on fish that don’t quite want to break the surface. and resistance in your line

aren’t up to the task. This may save you from losing that beast you’ve been waiting for.

If you are someone who likes to use lure clips, I suggest using Mustad Fastach Snaps. These clips are strong, easy to use and are purpose built.

My personal favourite split rings to use would be Decoy or Mustad split rings.

And hook speaking, my favourites include Shouts, Mustads and Owners. Be sure the hooks are strong gaged too; most hook companies offer a range of different gaged hooks to accommodate different lures’ needs.

So sharpen those hooks, cast until you can’t cast anymore, and most importantly love what you are doing!

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Canberra

ACT

Rig up and rug up this autumn CANBERRA

Toby Grundy

Despite the recent rain and less than ideal conditions, it is hard not to get excited about the fishing

fish cruise along the bottom in search of an easy meal.

So this May, I recommend placing high importance on lure profile and action and be prepared to try a number of different lures.

variety of locations from the rowing lanes right up to the Governor Generals Wharf and also off the points leading to Weston Park. For those fishing from the bank, try behind the museum and cast beetle

The author with a solid Bidgee greenfish. in May. Traditionally, May is the time for big cod in the Capital. The more serious fishos retie leaders, double check knots and rig up lures as long as my forearm.

Most anglers will have to deal with low water clarity as we head towards winter and so mixing things up and using lures that a hungry native could find from a mile away is key to success. Spinnerbaits and big soft plastics provide

a lure for the photos that end up on social media.

The lure fishing has been solid for this time of year with the local redfin population responding well to deep divers, vibes and blades fished around the half submerged reeds that lead up the dog park.

The pontoons behind the college are also worth a look if you are after a trophy red or big yella.

Lake Ginninderra is proving to be a good spot to cast for natives despite the ever-present weed along the edges. The Native Cup, a local fishing competition was switched from Burley Griffin to Lake Ginninderra due to algae and anglers were rewarded with plenty of big natives and medium to large redfin. Most fish were taken on Jackall TN50s and 60s along with spinnerbaits fished close to the edges.

Lake Ginninderra is a family friendly fishing spot and it is possible to stop at a variety of different picnic spots along the edges and cast a line. These areas provide good action as the

The surface action is improving. dawn or dusk. These areas are also worth a crack with a medium-sized spinnerbait throughout the day.

LOCAL LAKES Lake Burley Griffin is still riddled with algae and this problem has kept large numbers of anglers off the lake for several weeks now. It is even possible to spot the algal bloom from space and the massive flush from recent rains hasn’t cleared the problem.

That said, those few anglers who have braved the conditions over the course of the algae issue have been rewarded with

Plenty of yellas are on the chew at Googong.

Dirty water means mixing things up. the profile and vibration needed to tempt a strike, as will big vibes and blades.

Jigs coupled with large creature baits will also come into their own in the coming weeks as the big 74

MAY 2021

some excellent captures, including plenty of redfin and golden perch.

There have also been a few small to medium sized cod caught by fishos jigging deep in a

spins attached to a paddletail plastic in amongst the overhanging willows. Big yellas hang around this area and so do reddies.

Lake Tuggeranong is fishing particularly well. This lake always benefits from a lot of rain and recently some of the captures have been truly spectacular with bait fishos landing plenty of medium to large cod using small blocks of cheese and Macdonald’s chips of all things!

A few sneaky bait anglers have tried to keep the action on the quiet even going so far as to swap the bait rig out of the fish’s mouth and replacing it with

water often receives a lot of berley from families feeding the ducks. If after a really big cod, your best bet is to head on into the middle of the lake, use your sounder and jig large blades near the reddie schools.

The Murrumbidgee River is very hit and miss. This is because the river has still not settled after the recent floods.

Although the water level has dropped significantly, it is running hard and there is still a lot of debris racing down the rapids. That said, it is possible to get a hit or two by focusing on the slower pools with surface offerings like the Evergreen Timber Flash at

SURROUNDS Googong Dam is fishing very well. There have been so many yellas caught there in recent weeks from both the bank and boat/kayak.

Googong is known as a big yella fishery but the size of some of these fish have to be seen to be believed with several high 60cm models coming to the net. Most fish have been landed by anglers taking advantage of livescope technology and jigging vibes near the submerged trees. However, shore based anglers have also caught yellas by slow rolling small spinnerbaits a few metres out from the bank.

There have also been some great cod caught to the metre mark by boat fishos slow rolling swimbaits and spinnerbaits parallel to the points near the middle of the dam. The action should continue right through May with the redfin still feeding up, which is firing the natives.

The humble deep diver is proving deadly on the resident reds.

Go Behind the Scenery

Tasmania

Autumn set to be a ripper HOBART

Andrew Large

Many fishers have enjoyed early autumn action in both the fresh and salt. March saw our water temperatures at their hottest for the year, nudging 19.5°C on the shelf. April promises to be a ripper, with yellowfin tuna to 80kg turning up off the Peninsula in recent weeks.

Saltwater continues to amaze anglers, with some crazy action through March continuing into April.

Albacore along the east

coast have slowed a little but Cape Pillar, Cape Roule and Tasman Island have fish to 30kg still being caught, and smaller 8-10kg fish are in the vicinity of The Hippolytes.

Further up around Bicheno the action remains hot, with water temperatures just shy of 20°C. Warm water saw striped tuna arrive in force during early autumn around Bicheno Peninsula, and over the last month they have headed south, being caught off the Tasman Peninsula.

Surprisingly, southern bluefin in the 80-100kg

A Storm Bay jumbo SBT was hooked at 5pm and landed at 9pm towards Dart Bank.

This fishery is in sight of the CBD!

bracket have still been caught at The Monkeys at Tasman Island in recent weeks. These may be the same fish from Storm Bay during late summer.

Yellowfin tuna first appeared during the St Helens Game Fishing Classic in March, but are now being caught at Tasman Island and Peninsula waters, mixing it with jumbo SBT.

Storm Bay and Channel area have been seeing healthy runs of snapper running lately, with anglers picking reefy structure for a berley session. The average size seems to be around 40cm or 2.5kg. These fish were late to leave inshore areas, and anglers are hoping for an extended autumn fishing session.

North West Bay is still producing numbers of yellowtail kingfish, with nearly all the coastline from the northwest tip around Stanley through to the southeast around Dover producing fish. The River Derwent suffered from an influx of freshwater for a few days in March, but this did not affect the kingfish for long.

Sand flathead are still biting well in the Mercury Passage near Maria Island.

Anglers continue to do well in the estuaries and coastal lagoons around the state, with sea trout making an appearance in the Derwent and Huon rivers. These fish are being taken spinning and trolling, mainly in the lower reaches around Cradoc and Old Beach.

Surprisingly, Atlantic salmon are still available in the Huon estuary, mainly higher up around the rapids.

Black bream continue to

fire in the lower Derwent estuary. Numerous fly anglers have been trying their luck on black bream this year, and these guys have been doing really well of late with small smelt pattern flies.

Sand whiting are around in numbers, and are being caught off nearly every jetty in Southern Tasmania. South Arm and Lewisham area are fishing well for the moment.

Calamari are returning for their autumn spawn.

Betsy Island, Tiger Head and Fortescue Bays are good places to try.

Small to medium sized barracouta are prevalent around the southeast coastline, and trolling and spinning are accounting for most fish. Mature fish are available in the south.

April so far has seen makos biting well in general.

The average size has been around 80-100kg, with the odd bigger specimen mixed in.

The brown trout season ends on May 2 this year, with 95% of our lakes and nearly 100% of our rivers closing for three months, allowing our trout to spawn.

Get in quick as only a few days remain, and post spawn angling can be exceptional!

Open 12 months of the year, Great Lake is still producing nice browns and rainbow trout to 2kg. April fishing on this water is often incredible before trout begin to spawn in May. Troll and spin fishers seem to be getting the best results. Fly is a quietening off a tad.

Lake Leake is a waterway that started the season well in August, and it begun to fish well again just in time to see some good

Keen local gamefisher Harry Ross with an 80kg yellowfin tuna taken out of Eaglehawk Neck recently. The lure used was a Halco 190XDD in H70 king brown colour. fishing to finish the season.

Again, spin and troll have been working well.

Small in size, Bronte Lagoon has produced fish to the fly during this past

month, with a few of the days being textbook for jassid beetle fishing. Troll and spin fishers have been taking fish as well on Cobra and bib style lures.

FISHING NEWS

Tropical fish invasion Warming waters are leading to the ‘tropicalisation’ of temperate reefs: gone are the kelp forests, and local fish populations are responding unexpectedly.

Scientists studying the effects of tropical fish from the north intruding into reefs off the NSW coast have identified the first victims of ‘tropicalisation’ of temperate waters. But surprisingly, the scientists also found greater diversity and more abundance of fish overall, indicating there are both winners and losers in this global phenomenon attributed to climate change.

In the study published in Global Change Biology, scientists from UNSW, University of Sydney and the NSW Department of Primary Industries looked at the diversity of

fish populations on the reefs surrounding the Solitary Islands Marine Park off the coast of Coffs Harbour.

They used data from baited underwater video surveys collected over a period of 17 years – between 2002 and 2018 – to analyse changes in the diversity and abundance of marine fishes on the reefs.

Lead author of the study Shannen Smith is a PhD candidate with UNSW’s School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences.

She says that as the sea temperatures have warmed, there has been a steady increase of tropical fish venturing into these waters.

“One of the problems with these fish arriving in temperate waters is that they eat a lot of the seaweed,” she says. “In fact, by 2009, we observed complete kelp loss in this

ecosystem, and we weren’t sure what that would mean for the broader fish community.”

“When we looked at these reefs where extensive kelp loss has been documented, we found that the overall abundance and diversity of fish actually increased.

This really surprised us.

We expected to see coldwater fish species that typically live in kelp forests to decline. We expected too that perhaps tropical invader numbers might plateau, but their abundance continues to increase.”

So is this a bright spot to emerge from the gloomy record of ecosystems affected by climate change? The scientists think not, as the raw numbers hide a more complicated story.

While more species of fish were counted on the

Left: Scientists are unsure whether the kelp forests will return to the reefs of the Solitary Islands. Right: The senator wrasse fish is one of the losers of the tropicalisation of the Solitary Islands. Images courtesy of Adriana Vergés/UNSW reefs over the 17 years, three species of local fish native to temperate reefs have substantially declined following the disappearance of the kelp forests.

“What we’re seeing in our oceans is that everything’s starting to look the same. With the tropical fish coming south, there are less stark differences between the tropical and temperate regions.”

Ms Smith adds some

species will be more affected by tropicalisation than others and that they will respond over different time frames.

“Some fishes might be found across more of our coastline while others will become less abundant. So while we see more fish here overall, our study shows that the loss of kelp has negative effects on temperate species.”

Armed with this data, it might be possible to change current fish management strategies to suit the warming trend. Ms Smith suggests that since the invasive tropical fish have been shown to increase in number, new rules and regulations may be needed that focus fishing efforts on these species as a way to protect kelp forest habitat. - UNSW MAY 2021

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Whether it’s fish habitat, water security and quality, fishing access and infrastructure or best practice, we aim to work in partnership to make sure Victoria’s fishing experiences continue to improve, be sustainable and more enjoyable for all generations of Victorians.To get the job done, we leverage the skills and passion of our membership and employ a small team of professional staff.

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Threats to fishing are becoming more complex than ever before as we strive to look after the environment that our fish depend on and tackle issues such as pollution, water management, industrial development, diminishing fishing access, litter and illegal fishing.

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www.vrfish.com.au #makefishingbetter 76

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77

VIC

Cracking the code WEST COAST

Brett Carson

Mulloway are the fish that set the Glenelg River apart from the other rivers in Victoria. People come from a long way to crack their first mulloway, while experienced locals wonder what the fuss is about.

Late summer and early autumn usually sees a slowdown in catches, and this year has been no different. People start chasing the perch amongst the snags higher in the

system at this time, and while the bream fishing is slower there is always a feed to find somewhere.

The reason mulloway thin out in summer/early autumn is due to their life cycle. It’s thought that they leave the system to breed at sea in summer and then return in late autumn. The bays around the creeks just over the border into South Australia are full of mulloway schools in late summer, where the baitfish are plentiful, as the silver ghosts do their thing. There are stories of lucky people who have witnessed thick

lines of fish swimming into the system at the estuary as they enter en masse. Some anglers have been lucky enough to sight cast plastics to the fish in once-in-alifetime sessions. Those fish will become the larger fish that are traditionally caught in winter.

Perch have been a go-to species lately, and they will continue to fish well in the lead up to their breeding season in winter. Lures are a great option, or you can use live baits. Perch prefer a live bait over a dead bait every time. Small livies under a float wafted over a

Steve with a bream from higher up in the system.

Mulloway love a vibe during the cooler months.

snag will bring results, but maybe up the leader size closer to the snags. Surface lures are still a thing on the right evening but they are losing effectiveness as winter nears.

Bream have been OK without being awesome, but the larger day tides are changing that. From Easter onwards there are higher, fast running day tides that stir the sand in the estuary and fill the river with blue water. The podworms are slurped up by the bream digging in the shallows.

I have watched bream sucking the sand up and spitting it sideways as they dig a hole looking for tasty morsels, it’s actually pretty

impressive how much they can move with no hands.

Worm-style plastics always work well in the estuary but now is as good as any time. I think that camo or natural Gulp worms match the estuary podworm more than any other soft bait does, but to each his own.

Gummy and school shark are fishing well from the beaches, as well as the aforementioned mulloway.

Piccaninny Beach is a great place to target all species, with the heavier surf beaches to the east of Nelson holding fewer mulloway. Salmon numbers always start to increase on the beaches as winter approaches, and these fish

make the best surf bait. I recommend taking the time to downsize your hooks early for the sake of the best possible bait later in the night.

• Good luck and feel free to come and see us at Nelson Boat Hire for the latest info, we have the local ‘live bait licence’ meaning we stock live mullet, crabs and podworms along with all the frozen bait, tackle and lures you need for the area.

We’ll do our best to give you some local knowledge and get you on the fish quicker. Remember you can hire any of our boats without a boat licence, including our very popular houseboat.

Fish hard while you can APOLLO BAY

Craig Rippon

Jason Mifsud with a cracker of a Mornington Peninsula snapper.

78

MAY 2021

The fishing has been great in Apollo Bay and the weather has been fantastic, with nice warm days with no wind, which is a huge bonus in our neck of the woods.

There have been some nice kingfish caught of late, with live bait drifted along the reefs getting some great results. Many of the fish coming in have been around the 8-10kg mark, with some bigger fish lost.

The snapper on the reefs have been very good with consistent catches of fish to 3kg. Fresh bait is still the best. There have been plenty of gummy shark around in 38-55m of water, and fresh salmon has been the go-to bait.

Tuna have been a bit quiet so far; there have been some sightings but

they haven’t really moved in yet. There’s plenty of bait in the water at the moment, so I find it hard to believe that the tuna aren’t here considering that Portland and Barwon Heads have had plenty of fish about.

There have been consistent catches of whiting by anglers who have put the time in, with some reaching their bag limits at times. The change of tide has been the best.

Whiting usually like the water moving, so always fish around your tides if you can plan it.

A friend has been doing a lot of micro jigging under Cape Patton, getting some great catches of good size nannygai and snapper, and also good flathead.

It takes a bit to work it out, but I recommend that you give it a go. It’s fun and something you can do while drifting with

baits. Depending on the tide, jigs from 80-120g are perfect.

At the moment we are getting two rock groynes built so the water along the beach is a little murky. However, the salmon are still having a go on dark and at first light. There are some nice gutters to fish so it’s well worth a try.

There have been some nice bream taken at the back of the footy ground, with scrub worms and crabs being the best baits.

This month we have to fish hard while the good weather lasts.

Winter is quickly approaching so get down to the bay and enjoy the great fishing. The town is now fully open with a range of accommodation options available, and there are plenty of attractions in the region for the whole family.

VIC

Lots of time to fish before the cold sets in COBDEN

Rod Shepherd

Autumnal weather is well and truly with us. The nights are getting cooler although the days remain warm, and the weather has finally become more stable for the most part.

This is the prime time for local anglers to really concentrate our efforts before the cold of winter engulfs us.

Small southern bluefin tuna schools are becoming more common, and these fish are moving closer to shore as they follow the bait schools that begin to gather along our coast in autumn.

Around 30-40m depth (just a few kilometres offshore) is where you can begin to look for surface-feeding birds or, if it’s calm enough, surface water tension that has been clearly disturbed by schools of baitfish trying to escape marauding tuna. Trolling and casting a variety of skirted lures in

A reasonable Hopkins River bream taken on a soft plastic fished shallow over the reef next to Mahoneys Road boat ramp.

blues and whites has done the trick for some. Larger medium hardbodied lures from 130-190mm in length cast or trolled around schools has also worked.

Fish have varied between 6-16kg in weight, and this will only improve as the season progresses.

Those bottom bouncing out wide in depths exceeding 70m are scoring well, with some solid blue grenadier and pink ling along with school shark exceeding 20kg. The distinct lack of Tasmanian trumpeter has some boaters concerned.

The odd knifejaw is also being picked up, especially around any reefy bottom.

Whole squid connected to a sliding snell rig and held in shape with hosiery elastic has worked for many.

The Hopkins River has been fishing extremely well for sizeable bream that are responding readily to both lures and bait. The mud flats and shallows found in the lower reaches are where many anglers

are trying their luck.

Live shrimp, cut crab and brown shell are gun baits to try. Scented shrimp and worm-styled soft plastics along with shallow diving hard bodied minnow lures are also accounting for plenty of fish.

I’ve heard reports of schools of Australian salmon turning up along many of our beaches and the question arises: are they the fish that arrived very late into the season last year, or are they the early birds for this season?

The salmon were almost non-existent last year until late October, when some fish were picked up just beyond the breakers. My guess is that these schools are just more late arrivals to our shores (Australian salmon are pelagic), but nobody really knows for sure.

They are here in patches and taking squid and pilchard baits on double paternoster rigs cast out into any gutter of still water adjacent to forming waves.

Making the most of the mulloway this May WARRNAMBOOL

Mark Gercovich mgercovich@hotmail.com

Despite being not a huge system running right through a significantly sized re g i o n a l / tourist destination of Warrnambool, the Hopkins always seems to produce some great fishing. Evidence of

it being such a popular location was three major fishing events in consecutive weekends recently. A national kayak competition was followed by a Vic bream tournament, then followed by the local Easter competition.

Despite all this pressure, good fish have continued to show up. During the Vic bream competition, the winning bag of bream was

10 fish for 8.26kg taken by team ‘Reel Steel’, Garry Caruthers and Greg Rooke.

However, perhaps the most meritorious capture during the event was a mulloway of just over 1m long taken

by Mike Hunt. The fact that the fish was taken on a small bream lure and subdued on 3lb line, in very shallow water, makes for one sensational and memorable catch.

Mike Hunt with a monster mulloway taken on 3lb line.

Mick Mahoney with a quality beach-caught gummy.

A couple of other mulloway were also taken as by-catch during the comp, and this species should still be a chance in May before the rivers freshen up too much.

May is often a great time to fish for bream in the Hopkins as they feed up and begin to school up before winter spawning runs/gatherings. Using your sounder to search through the middle sections of the river can show the gathering schools that are far more inclined to bite later into the colder months.

Finally, some decent autumnal weather allowed for some excellent catches

for both offshore and beach anglers. Dreaded easterlies and weed along many beaches finally cleared and allowed for anglers to make the most of the pleasant evenings. Mick Mahoney managed his PB gummy shark in this manner with a fish of approximately 20kg, then he smashed that PB a mere 30 minutes later with an even bigger fish.

May can often throw up some calm flat seas, which are perfect for chasing tuna or bottom bashing for gummy shark, and hopefully this year is no exception.

Whiting have been turning it on lately for inshore anglers and May represents probably

the last chance to target these sweet tasting fish in decent numbers before next spring.

Trout fishing locally really starts to kick into gear with the cooler weather of May. One benefit of a cooler and damper than usual summer is that the local trout should have maintained condition/survived that warmer period and be primed ready to fire this winter. The new Daiwa Presso 95 lure is a good replacement for the old TD Minnow, which was such a popular trout lure locally, and has already put runs on the board this season.

MAY 2021

79

Bay welcomes more reefs Two reef projects near Geelong are now complete, creating more homes for fish and more opportunities for recreational fishers to catch them!

The reefs are part the State Government’s $35 million Target One Million plan, which includes $2.5 million for extra reefs in Port Phillip, and brought an end to commercial net fishing in Corio Bay in 2018.

The first reef project has delivered: • Merv’s Reef at St Helens (38° 07.228’ 144° 21.658’) • Moolap Reef at Outer Harbour (38° 06.374’ 144° 28.581’) • Wilson’s Reef at Kirk Point (38° 03.436’ 144° 36.588’)

These reefs were constructed with 2,000 tonnes of basalt as a base, sourced from the Cherry Creek juvenile justice facility with help from VRFish. This was topped with 100 tonnes of limestone, providing the perfect substrate upon which to seed 400,000 flat oysters and 10 tonnes of mussels.

Oysters and mussels improve water quality, create diversity in sea floor fish habitats and boost productivity for fish including snapper, calamari and King George whiting.

The second project was led by The Nature Conservancy with a $500,000 contribution from Target One Million. It has restored reefs at 9ft Bank in the Geelong Arm by deploying 100 cubic metres of recycled shells from restaurants and the seafood industry. This project also included new reefs at Wilson Spit in Geelong Arm, Margaret’s Reef near St Kilda, and Dromana Bay. Learn more at www.vfa.vic.gov.au/rockyreefs

Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

VIC

Great land-based catches GEELONG

Neil Slater slaterfish@gmail.com

At this time last year, fishing was classed as a non-essential activity in Victoria and banned! Let’s hope that never happens again.

Wangim Walk near the Royal Geelong Yacht Club on the Geelong waterfront has been a massive hit with anglers. Fishos have been landing pinkie snapper, flathead and salmon using baits and lures. A word of warning, there have been a few rods lost over the

took some time out on the way down to Portarlington from Melbourne to throw a line in off Wangim Walk recently. Dale sent out a salted pilchard riding on a 5/0 hook with his surf rod in hopes of a feed of fish. A tentative bite came around 1.5 hours into the session, then a solid hook-up and some line peeling noises.

A crowd gathered as Dale called it for a banjo but after a flash of colour and a splash, he could see it wasn’t. The crowd let out a collective gasp as he hauled in his PB snapper of 64.5cm!

Celebrity status followed, with everyone wanting a photo as they walked past.

They finished the day with Dale’s mate’s 5yo daughter Lily hooking a few salmon and flathead as well.

Salmon have popped up inside Corio Bay and along the Geelong waterfront,

providing great sport to those throwing a lure into the commotion as the salmon attacked baitfish on the surface. Pinkie snapper to 60cm have been caught by anglers slowly moving soft plastics along the bottom and soaking baits in 5-7m of water from Point Henry to Clifton Springs. The same area has been consistent for whiting for a while now, and is definitely worth a look. Try depths of 4-6m until you find a school.

Whiting anglers have enjoyed solid captures of fish from legal length to 40cm out off St Leonards and Indented Head. The whiting are quite scattered so moving about and berleying really helps.

Calamari have been a little hard to pin down but drifting over larger weed beds often will see you with a few. St Leonards and

Cats player Jeremy Cameron says the tuna were very fussy on a recent trip, but he managed to boat one trolling away from the crowds.

Ashton and his dad Michael surprised everyone with a gummy from the Barwon estuary.

May is often settled with a few more calm but cool days. Whiting can continue to bite well into May inside Corio Bay and around the Bellarine Peninsula. Your best chance at a kidneyslapping 50cm whiting is from late April to early May along the Surf Coast.

Southern bluefin tuna were a no-show in April 2018 but judging by this year’s schools, we should see a few fish continue into May in 2021.

As the water cools rapidly, freshwater fishos should be hitting up Stoney Creek Reservoir near Ballan, West Barwon Dam near Forrest, or Wurdee Boluc Reservoir near Moriac for redfin and trout.

The Barwon River in Geelong copped a bit of rain in April, making lure fishing a tad difficult. However, Kelvin Baldwin has been catching a few estuary perch stocked by VFA, and redfin before the water discoloured.

Kelvin says the estuary perch have outnumbered the redfin on occasion in his catch, which is a good sign for the future. Kelvin notes that most EPs hit the lure on the drop, with lightly weighted jigheads allowing maximum fall time. Kelvin has also grassed a couple of solid redfin pushing 35cm which is a good size for the Barwon.

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side at both Cunningham Pier and Wangim Walk due to the influx of pinkie snapper along the Geelong waterfront. Even small pinkies have enough power in their initial hit to haul a rod in the drink.

Dale Lewis-Hamilton

Fishing topwater is the most exciting way to tackle tuna, as Taylor can attest.

Dale had a queue forming to take photos of the snapper he caught from Wangim Walk.

Indented Head have been the best locations.

This time of year can see big schools of small salmon hang around St Leonards and Portarlington piers.

Take the kids and throw out a few pilchard pieces – it can be great fun if they’re about.

Michael Vella fished the Ozone jetty in the Barwon River estuary with his son Ashton recently and they had a great day out. Sending out bluebait, their first capture was a solid silver trevally at 50cm and then a surprise capture of a gummy shark that measured in at 60cm from gill to tail.

Tuna have been exceptional offshore with schools of fish from 12-25kg visible milling about the surface on calm days from the Rip and all along the Surf Coast. If there is a bit of a breeze, they can be harder to spot so just drag a few lures around and keep an eye out for birds diving into the water. They make for exciting but frustrating fishing as they can be super fussy. Taylor Hunt found

a few schools off Barwon Heads recently and managed to boat one around the 25kg mark casting surface lures into the school!

Spearfishing is something not often covered here in fishing mags and it’s high time we saw some spearos! Aaron Edwards and his mates at 2fresh_productions have been having a crack at spearing tuna off Barwon Heads using jetskis to get in close to the school. Aaron says their tactic has been to find their own school so as not to get in anyone’s way.

Most often, those schools all by themselves are less spooked, so spearos can get up close to them. Once a school is located, the boys get in as close as possible, jump in and attempt to spear one!

Aaron and his mates found them in 30m where they took three fish in about two hours between three of them. Aaron says he dove down about 5m where the school approached from the right with about 30 other

fish giving him a good shot.

Aaron landed a perfect shot through both lateral lines, killing the tuna instantly.

The fish sank straight away and Aaron swam to his float which, thankfully, was holding on the surface OK. From there, he was able to take up the line and retrieve his fish. Aaron says it is a potential spearfishing record so there is a fair level of excitement!

Geelong Cats recruit Jeremy Cameron is a keen fisherman, and has also been into the tuna off Barwon Heads in between footy commitments. Jeremy says the fish were extremely fussy and with about 30 boats in the area, it was hard to find a school willing to stay on the surface. He says they had best results by breaking away from the main group of boats and finding their own school, where they managed to catch some trolling using a small skirted lure behind a Bangers teaser. Jeremy noted that poppers and small stickbaits were catching fish at first and last light, and his fish was full of whitebait about 75mm long.

Mixed amongst the tuna has been the odd school of salmon from 2-3kg, so expect this year’s beach and rock fishing to be red hot.

• Catch a few around Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula or Surf Coast to Lorne recently? Send in a report to slaterfish@ gmail.com with ‘FMG’ in the subject field or give me a call on 0408 997348.

Please include where (without giving away your secret spot!), when, what on and who caught the fish.

Pictures are always great, but please make sure they are at least 1MB (file size).

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83

VIC

The whiting are still on fire PORT PHILLIP WEST

Alan Bonnici

May is always an interesting time for fishing. We’re heading towards the end

of autumn and the temperature outside is dropping. This also means the water temperature is steadily dropping, and we begin to see a shift in fishing patterns. Being nimble and adjusting to

the conditions is key to having successful days out on the water.

The whiting fishing in recent times has been nothing short of exceptional. I’ve had more bag-out sessions

A PB EP from the Brodribb River for the author.

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over the past month than I can remember. It’s been quite frantic, and I have been travelling far and wide around Port Phillip Bay following the bite.

One day at Werribee, the next at Point Wilson, the next at Clifton Springs and even around Mornington.

The whiting in patches have been great sizes; I’ve been landing many fish between 40-50cm which is amazing for this side of Port Phillip Bay. The recent sessions have continued to highlight some key things about whiting fishing. Overcast days with cloudy water clarity have been the bestproducing conditions, generally fishing around 4m deep. That frantic bite comes through in waves, which are generally right on the peak of tide change or on the change of dawn and dusk. Quite often there are hours of slow activity and then a burst of frantic action.

Moving around is essential. The bite windows may only be 15 minutes or so, and then you have to decide whether to move or stay depending on the catch rate. Quite often I’ll make many small moves before settling into a spot that’s consistently producing.

This is much easier if you have an electric winch, which I don’t have.

On my small runabout I have to continually climb onto the bow and manually lift the anchor.

It’s painfully annoying, but it’s a necessary evil to consistently find the fish.

Bycatch is one of the fascinating things about whiting fishing, especially if you choose to berley.

My motto is to always be prepared.

As an example, I had an amazing encounter

Good size whiting are around. around Corio last month. I was pulling in a very good size whiting, and as I was about to lift it out of the water a giant squid came out of nowhere and latched onto the whiting. I found myself playing tug-of-war with the giant squid over my whiting. After some time, the squid let go and I brought the whiting on board. The whiting had scuff marks on it which is very typical of what you see on squid jigs after a good session.

I quickly ran to the front of the boat, cut off the whiting rig, and rigged up a Yamashita Egi Oh Live squid jig in bright pink. To be honest, I didn’t worry too much about the colour – I just grabbed the first squid jig in sight. I rushed back over to where I was fishing and cast the squid jig out. Literally, within five seconds the same

squid very aggressively latched onto the squid jig.

By this stage, I was a bit animated with excitement, and nervous that I would drop the squid. A squid of this size isn’t that common on this part of Port Phillip Bay. After a few nervous moments, I landed it, which was an epic minute of fishing.

When it comes to other bycatch there has been no shortage of leatherjackets, pinkies and flathead, which are all very welcome in my book – aside from the barrage of pinkies under 25cm, which seems to be a regular occurrence.

Further out of town, Lee Brickell recently competed in the Central Vic Lure Casters Super Series for 2021 hosted at Lake Eppalock. It’s a great event that helps bring anglers from all around into this local community. Central

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Series promotes a relaxed gruelling, but I managed to reach out to me directly fishing competition around to land a PB estuary perch to share your fishing Victoria with an emphasis which annihilated a Daiwa experiences and catches on catch and release fishing Double Clutch, and many around Melbourne, Port with lures. Lee had a great small tailor.

Phillip Bay and beyond, weekend, ultimately taking I moved on to Lake which we can feature in out the event after landing a beautiful 70cm cod which won the biggest target species of the day.

Lee caught this beautiful fish on a fluoro green Bespoke hardbody lure casting deep into the structure, and doing his best to pull this big fish out of the heavy timber. He also caught his fair share of redfin and carp as bycatch.

There were 106 entrants (94 seniors and 12 juniors) and two cod caught along with many yellowbelly, redfin and carp. Water levels around the lake are a little low but it’s great to see Lake Eppalock flourishing ROCKLEA NORTH ROCKHAMPTON once again.

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I then moved on to Marlo and was greeted with 60km/h winds. It forced me to fish in the sheltered Brodribb and Snowy rivers as opposed to the main channels we had intended to fish. The fishing was tough,

Tyers, a beautiful place that is home to epic flathead and bream fishing.

Again, fishing in gusty conditions things were tough and we managed a few flathead, bream and a large poddy mullet which buggered my new Daiwa Luvias 2000 reel. If you would like to follow these fishing sessions in more detail, I have uploaded them to the FishingMad YouTube channel.

Until next time, good

next month’s article. You can contact me by email at alan@fishingmad.com.au.

Also don’t forget to follow my fishing adventures at w w w. f i s h i n g m a d . c o m . au, and to subscribe to the FishingMad YouTube channel (www.youtube. com/c/fishingmad).

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MAY 2021

85

VIC

Good autumn fishing set to continue this May PORT PHILLIP NE

Wayne Friebe wfriebe@bigpond.net.au

Warmer and more settled weather has been the feature over the early part of the Easter school holidays. We Victorians have enjoyed a restriction-free holiday period as well, which is in stark contrast to the same time last year.

The great news is that the excellent fishing over the past couple of months has continued. In fact, in many ways it has probably even got better, with a wider range of species and fishing options on offer.

Fishing for species normally enjoyed over the summer months has continued into the autumn months as well.

Although the cold mornings have arrived, and water temperatures are beginning to cool down, I would expect this good fishing to continue for some time.

Amy Day has been enjoying some great fishing for calamari around Mornington, and has been consistently out-fishing her hapless partner and boat driver Gerry.

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MAY 2021

planning your missions during times of low light early and late in the day will always provide the best fishing.

This is also when you are more likely to catch the bigger, more predatory models.

And while the water remains clear on the inshore reefs, using natural coloured jigs in green, brown and red will produce the best results.

The consistency of the whiting fishing right along the eastern side of the bay over the past month has been welcome news to many anglers.

I’ve had reports coming in from right down south at Sorrento all the way to St Kilda which is great to see.

Much like other trends this year it seems to be a little late, so we can expect this to continue for a while yet.

Fresh squid, mussels and pipis are the best baits, and Bass yabbies if you can get hold of them.

Amazingly, the southern bluefin tuna bite that has been so consistent this year is continuing, which is a great sign for the future.

Kingfish are also still being taken in the southern reaches of the bay. The fishing trends of this year, and the craziness of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has taught me to appreciate the great fishery and resource that we must explore in PPB. Hopefully, this great fishing will continue for some time yet.

While the most of the action seems to be shared by the same dedicated groups of anglers, another feature of last month’s fishing in PPB has been the size and quality of snapper on offer out from the wider marks.

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reef and bait schools.

Typically, most of the pinkies have been around the 1kg mark and smaller, but there have been enough 2-3kg fish around to keep things interesting.

These fish will respond well to a variety of baits and lures, and will also bite for longer periods of time with the use of a good berley trail.

They are also a great fish for novice and young anglers to learn the finer points of fishing, and make pretty good tucker as well.

The little keyringsized pinkies can be annoying at times, but care needs to be taken to return undersized fish to the water, and to stick to your bag limits. Mornington has been a real hotspot over the past month.

The calamari fishing took a while to get going this season, just like last year, but the good old cephalopods have certainly made up for it over the past few months, with ridiculous numbers

Due to so many other angling and species options on offer throughout the bay, many of these anglers have had the action all to themselves.

While this is nothing unusual, the size and quality of the fish has been exceptional, with plenty of reports coming in of snapper to 6-8kg being landed, which is great news for the bay’s anglers.

And again, like last year, smaller school-sized and pinkie snapper have been keeping anglers busy out from various areas closer to shore, particularly those near substantial areas of

right along the eastern seaboard.

Both land-based and boating anglers have really been cashing in lately, anywhere from Frankston to Safety Beach.

The real honey holes at the moment for the boating anglers seem to be the inshore reefs around Mount Eliza and Frankston, and Mount Martha.

For land-based anglers, Mornington Pier has been a mecca of late, and it’s practically black with squid ink.

Even though the squid have been in big numbers,

Boat and land-based anglers have all been getting amongst the action, but much like the squid fishing, the best success will come during times of low light, especially on the right tides.

I would expect to see more reports coming in from Patterson River over the coming months, following the substantial rain events earlier in the year.

Many of the dedicated crew of anglers that target this system for mulloway with live baits are gearing up for a big season, so stay tuned.

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East Coast

VIC

Finding what works this May PHILLIP ISLAND

Craig Edmonds

While we all catch our breath from the last few months it’s time to look back over the last 12

us their colour/size was the only one to use, and that nothing else worked… until they went out next time!

Then the person beside them would say that a completely different lure was the only one that worked. It shows

Hailey with a flatty she caught herself. Sometimes it’s not the size of the fish that makes it special. months and the crazy season that we have had.

Pinkies by the thousands in August, more 1kg whiting in three months than we have seen in 15 years, and tuna everywhere from December to April.

There are many expert fishers, mainly customers, who tell us they have it all worked out and understand exactly where and when and how to go to catch plenty – and then you get a season like the one we’ve had, and in reality, none of us have much idea at all.

As I often say to customers, especially those new to fishing, there is no wrong way to fish, just different ways and different opinions, which all work eventually. There are always discussions in the shop about the best bait to use, rig to tie and the only colour squid jig that works, but the truth is that if you stand behind the counter for long enough there is always a counter view.

This was of course the case with the tuna lures this year. Everybody was telling 88

MAY 2021

that nothing is ‘wrong’, just different.

Easter has come and gone and turned out to be not only one of the best Easters for weather, but one of the best stretches of weather we have had all year. It’s typical of what autumn should be, and it’s something that hopefully will continue for the next couple of months.

Being Easter it was also the time of the year we run our charity fishing competition for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday appeal. We must say a huge thanks to our very generous sponsors and also the competitors, who together helped us raise $3400 which was donated to the appeal. A total of 70 teams competed, 49 of which were families. There were plenty of personal bests and just as many people catching their first fish, with anglers of all ages and levels of experience having fun over the weekend. There were hourly lucky entry prizes, with over 90 people winning something. We are already planning for next year, with a few new ideas and a target of over $4000 to donate.

Calamari aren’t even worth mentioning this year, with very little changing all season. It’s not that none are being caught, it’s just they are very inconsistent and impossible to predict. Even the offshore arrow squid didn’t really come in, and only a handful were reported.

We did get a couple of reports from the commercial guys on their way back from down south who found a lot of arrows, but they were a

long way out to sea and past the average trailer boat. My advice would be to not give up entirely, just lower your expectations, treat them as a bonus and still drop a jig over the side wherever you are fishing in the bay.

Those anglers who weren’t chasing tuna started looking for a feed of flathead, and if you were lucky you’d end up with a couple of kilos of tails in your freezer. Unfortunately, they haven’t been easy to find; reports have been very scattered and many anglers haven’t found them. The best approach has been to do plenty of prospecting, with short drifts in a bit of grid type search, and once you have found them just keep going back over them to catch a feed. We did see a handful over 1.5kg but the majority have been around the 40cm mark, and many undersize ones, as usual. In with the flathead have been millions of very small couta that turned up through April.

They were part of the reason that anglers couldn’t find the flathead, because the couta would steal the bait before it reached the bottom.

In the bay the whiting have started to shrink, and the bags of 40cm+ fish we had been used to over the Christmas period are more rare now. They are still showing up in the odd esky but there are a lot of smaller fish amongst them, and all anglers have a story of throwing a few undersized ones back.

Rhyll overall has been better for consistency of numbers, both deep and shallow, with only a couple of moves needed to find a

We see catches every now and again that surprise us. Brodie’s 4kg cray would have to be one of the better ones. decent number. San Remo side/Newhaven has been a different story, with plenty of moves needed to find good numbers. You’ll get two from one spot, move 50m then get another couple and so on. The only advantage has been that the size on this side has been much better.

With the shortage of pipis people are now being forced to use other baits and are finding it isn’t changing the numbers of whiting they are catching. However, it is changing their wallet, with the alternative baits much cheaper than pipis.

Those anglers who headed offshore found the better of the gummies.

Problem was, everyone was fixated on the tuna and not a lot were really putting in much time on anything else. The gummies that

were being caught in the bay weren’t too bad, and once you got through the very small ones or fished during the night, 6kg models showed up making it worth the effort.

We will soon be getting to the weather where extra layers of clothes are needed, but there’s usually still plenty around and plenty of variety to catch at this time of year.

Some of the colder species will head into the bay, including draughtboards, cod and plenty of rays. You will also find that the fish will come on and off a little quicker, and your sessions will be a bit shorter which suits the colder conditions.

You will also notice a change in the flavour of the fish; the fish naturally increase their fat layer, making them far better to eat.

TOURNAMENT NEWS

2,500 anglers wet their lines at GoFish Nagambie

Riley with a quality offshore gummy.

Wind the clock back 12 months and GoFish Nagambie 2020 was cancelled due to the Covid19 pandemic. Fast forward to now, and we can celebrate a return to the tournament with more than 2,500 anglers wetting their lines at GoFish Nagambie 2021 over the weekend.

After a tough year in 2020, the excitement of the return of the tournament to Nagambie and bringing the fishing community back together was evident with anglers arriving midweek to set up camp in anticipation of the weekend ahead. The Nagambie Lakes Regatta Centre was transformed into a pop up campground with hundreds of anglers setting up for the three-day tournament.

The competition was

capped at 1,000 boat entries, with fishers keen to try their luck from the riverbanks or kayaks. It was a boost to tourism and a welcome return to big events in the region.

With the $80,000 lure to catch the biggest Murray cod, not to mention all the other prizes, it comes as no surprise that the 1000 boating entries on offer were sold out two weeks prior to the start of the tournament. The competition has an unprecedented cash and prize offering, but the festival was terrific and the fireworks a crowd pleaser.

The GoFish Nagambie Jayco Festival Hub, included the North East Emergency Expo, both open across the weekend at the festival hub.

The bucking bull was a favourite as were the free VFA kids fishing clinics. MS is the

proud official charity partner of GoFish Nagambie and $84,120 was raised in their boat raffle. The major prizewinner went home with a tinny package valued at over $21,000.

It was Graham Fletcher from Diamond Creek who landed the whopping $80,000 prize for the largest Murray cod snagged over the weekend, measuring in at 100.7cm.

Graham works in Seymour and for ten years has stayed at the Nagambie Lakes Leisure Park where he owns a cabin.

“I stay at the park during the week and enjoy getting out on the river fishing,” said Graham.

Graham knows the river well and has caught some To page 89

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Big but fussy bream It will be very interesting to see when our flathead catch starts to improve over the next few years.

WIND AND CRANKY BREAM I can’t remember a month in autumn where easterly winds hounded Gippsland for so long. I’m talking howling blows of 30km/h and even up to 50km/h that persisted day after day, and many times the wind kept blowing overnight.

For me, that is very rare indeed.

Then we had some of that terrible flooding rain come down from the north, but thankfully not as much fell here.

The unrelenting blustery weather caused many cancelled fishing trips but there was even worse to come.

On the rare calm mornings when anglers eagerly raced out and started fishing they were met with some of the most stubborn bream I’ve ever encountered. To give you an idea of how challenging the fishing was, here’s a rundown on the last bream comp.

NICHOLSON RIVER COMP The most recent comp here in the Gippy Lakes was the much anticipated Nicholson River Hobie event that was held after the incredible ABT comp results just a few weeks prior. On that occasion boat anglers weighed in thumping bags of heavy bream and everyone seemed to catch a lot of fish. The results were stunning.

Things were not quite the same for the kayak contingent, who were confronted with some of the most shut-down bream any of us have had to endure.

I joined the boys on the pre-fish Friday and looked forward to tackling those big bream the Nicho River is renowned for. Most of the anglers, as expected, headed out into Lake Victoria where some of the biggest ABT bags were caught recently. Can you believe the lake was glassed out nearly to lunchtime and it was a rare day the easterly blow didn’t arrive! The bream

big fish in the waterways.

He caught a 1.23m fish not so long ago and said that you need patience to hook the big one.

“I caught a few fish on

and the fish took the line deep into the water shaking his head fiercely before taking off to the other side of the river.

“It came up to the surface and passing boaters were excited to witness what was

be enough to take home the 2021 GoFish Nagambie cash haul.

“I knew I was in the lead on Saturday evening but anything can happen. I’m still a bit shocked, it’s a bloody

Friday but Saturday they went off the bite. I’d been fishing for 5 1/2 hours with no luck at all,” said Graham.

“I went back upstream towards Tahbilk Winery, where I’d had a few nibbles on Friday. I sat there for one and a half hours with not even a bite. It was 2:30pm and I was sitting at the front of the boat when the rod took off. I scrambled to grab it before it went into the river. I thought I was in trouble. The boat was surrounded by logs

occurring. They stopped and filmed the catch. The fish took one look at the boat and off it went again. ‘Don’t let him go, that’s the winning fish,’ yelled the angler in the boat.”

Graham said it took 10 minutes to land the cod and it certainly put up a good fight.

“I was lucky the other boat came along because they took a photograph. I was on my own and that would’ve been very difficult,” said Graham.

Graham had a nervous wait to see if his catch would

good prize”.

The topic of bait came up and I asked Graham what he used to entice the winning cod.

“It was a bardi grub that I bought from ‘Nagambie Outdoors. It was one bite only and I was lucky enough to hook him,” said Graham.

The moral of the story is that if you want to catch the big one, you must have patience, be committed and it does indeed help to Shop Local! – GoFish Nagambie

GIPPSLAND LAKES

Brett Geddes b.geddes@bigpond.com

It’s been challenging times here in the Gippy Lakes.

After weeks of severe winds from the east we had plenty of rain, then the calm weather eventually arrived in time for the Easter break.

But even then the fishing was very tough. Hopefully my tips for the month ahead will result in a lot more fish caught!

First up though, here’s some great re-stocking news.

42,000 REASONS TO SMILE Back in March there was a big load of dusky flathead fingerlings released into the Gippy Lakes as the ongoing program to restore our huge estuary system rolls on. Even if just half of those flatties survive that will not only provide excellent angling sport but those flathead will also one day reproduce to further bolster local stocks.

From page 88

Approximately 42,000 dusky flathead have been stocked into the Gippy Lakes, and hopefully they’ll get to the size of this fish caught at Newlands Arm. only fire up in the lake when it’s quite choppy, and most of the field hardly hooked a fish and at best a few bream were landed.

A handful of us stuck to the river and eventually explored the upper reaches about 4km from the launch site. We all saw hundreds of big bream in very shallow water, and we sight cast to dozens of very large fish every hour.

It was all for nothing! The fish spooked whenever a lure or a kayak went near them so we extended light leaders and made extra-long casts into likely spots. Still nothing!

In the end I just peddled over shallow edges and looked at the huge bream charging off around me, knowing they were too spooky to catch anyway.

At least it was fun looking at so many bream between 35-45cm. By about 2pm I’d landed just three small bream

between 24-29cm, a 43cm flathead and a few small tailor.

A couple of anglers eventually landed a few good bream out in the lake when the wind finally arrived, and a few bream were caught way upstream, but I knew then it was going to be a big challenge for the comp days ahead. Of the 53 entrants during the two-day event, 20 anglers didn’t get to the weigh in. The other 33 anglers presented a total of about 80 fish with an average of about 900g. For a big team of gun anglers that is very demanding fishing with so many getting zero or only a few fish.

LOOKING AHEAD OK, fingers crossed now for better times ahead.

The situation has already improved and just a few days before sending in this report anglers have sent me pics and stories of finally

scoring some great bream to 44cm, especially on prawn and shrimp baits. Lure fishers have also been winning the battle, with Hollands Landing and the Mitchell River once again firing up. In fact, scores of up to 30 bream a trip have been achieved by some anglers, and I’ve had two outings with about 10 bream each trip, with most fish around 34-42cm taking hardbody lures.

This action should continue in the weeks ahead, and even more bream should move into the rivers for winter.

The recent rainfall should also get the bream fired up further as the local rivers settle down.

Last of all don’t forget the new bream slot limits are now in force for the Gippy Lakes. Legal-sized bream are now 28-38cm in total length and the bag limit remains at ten fish.

Some of the bigger bream have been very keen to hit hardbody lures.

The new Gippy Lakes slot limits for keeping bream are now 28-38cm.

MAY 2021

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Time to chase bream and tailor LAKES ENTRANCE

Steven Pryke

The fishing at Gippsland Lakes has been on the improve over the last 12 months, with catches

steadily increasing, which has begun to attract anglers back to the region.

Plans to further improve the health of our lake system include the new bream slot size. Anglers are allowed to keep fish from 28-38cm, and

anglers. Areas such as Rigby Island and Barrier Landing have been popular spots, but anglers have caught whiting all the way up to Loch Sport.

They’re not just little ones either – regular 40cm+ whiting have been caught far

A quality bream taken on a Silver Wolf Atomic Shiner.

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upstream. The same old bait patterns have produced the goods with pipi and mussel being the most popular baits for anglers.

Large schools of silver trevally have been making their way around many of the local wharfs. Kalimna Jetty has been a popular spot for many land-based anglers, and small grub-style soft plastics have done the damage when worked tight

BEMM RIVER

Robyn Sturgess

Autumn has certainly not disappointed and the quality of fish just keeps getting better.

The lake level is high, at time of writing, which is allowing anglers to access locations such as the mouth of Mud Lake, the edges of Bobs Bay, Siberia and Pelican

Point. These areas are all producing excellent catches of dusky flathead and bream.

For anglers wanting to do some sportfishing, the channel has been awesome for targeting tailor, with reports of fish up to 70cm being taken. Some anglers have also reported catches of perch around the edges of the lake whilst targeting bream and flathead. It is excellent to see the amount of lure

MAY 2021

lately. The flooded tea tree and many of the fallen snags have offered up ideal areas for anglers to target bream.

Lightly weighted grubs are an ideal option for throwing hard up against these snaggy edges.

The shallow mud bays have offered up some great surface breaming, and small topwater walkers like the Bassday Sugapen have been ideal. Early and late in the day have been the best times for fishing these shallow banks, and good casting

makes a big difference to catch rates. Being able to put your lure up in the little laneways between the tea tree is a deadly approach, and will trick those less confident fish.

HAVE YOU BEEN FISHING? If you have been out for fish lately and have a good pic, please send it to stevenprykefishing@gmail. com with short description and you could be featured in an upcoming edition of Fishing Monthly.

anglers who catch and release, taking the pressure off this amazing estuary. Anglers who have persisted with bait have been rewarded just as well as the lure anglers. Peeled prawn is the bait of choice at the moment.

Last week another tagged fish was caught in the wonderful Bemm – this was a perch and the 100th recorded tagged fish across the state.

Weather permitting, the

Both lure and bait anglers have been getting into the action.

Anglers have been reporting tailor up to 70cm.

90

Lucas Smith hooked up to a bronze whaler.

Awesome tailor fishing

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www.tournamentboats.com.au

GOPRO not included

all other bream need to be released. This will help the lake to maintain a healthy breeding stock, protecting the population for the future.

LAKES ENTRANCE The town has been busy, which is welcome sight after the hard times we’ve had to go through. The health of our lake system is definitely improving, with good catches of King George whiting attracting visiting

to cover. Smart planning has been the key to success, and using the start of the run-in tide has been the easiest and most productive time for anglers to fish.

Schools of Australian salmon have been making their way up and down the local surf beaches, and small metal lures are a popular approach for anglers targeting these aggressive hunters.

The local shark scene has been reasonably busy, with the recent Coringle Cup coming to its end.

Lake Tyers Beach has been a popular spot for many anglers targeting sharks, with a dozen or more sharks being landed here over the past month.

LAKE TYERS The lake has risen slightly with the recent rains, yet remained clear. The main lake basin is popular spot for many anglers, and with the water cooling the monster tailor that call the lake home have begun to make their presence known.

Trolling metal lures around the main lake basin and up the arms is a great way to locate schools of tailor.

These large greenbacks are generally solitary in the lake, so covering ground trolling is the best way to locate these 70cm+ fish.

Heading upstream the Nowa Nowa arm has offered up some great bream fishing

surf has been a hot spot for a variety of fish, including shark, salmon and tailor. All anglers have been getting good results. The river has been slow due to the discoloured water coming down from the hills from the last lot of heavy rain. Please note if you are heading to the Bemm make sure you check the dates on your flares and

check your wheel bearings on your trailer.

• For on the spot and up to date fishing reports check out Robyn’s website: www. bemmaccommodation.com. au or ‘like’ us on Facebook – Bemm River Holiday Accommodation Phone: (03) 5158 4233/Mob. 0427 584 233 Email: bemmaccomm@ bigpond.com.

VIC

East Coast

Lake and rivers come alive MALLACOOTA/EDEN

Kevin Gleed captainkev@wildernessfishingtours.com

The past month has seen good rainfall in Mallacoota and along the far south coast, which has kept all the rivers flowing. That should be good for the fishing over the coming months.

The water temperature at present along the local beaches is just under 20°C, and the coming weeks will see the temperature drop as we head towards winter.

Out wide, the warm water current is around 22°C, and is still pushing along the shelf. Before the arrival of colder water we should see some good fishing, first with yellowfin tuna and then southern bluefin tuna.

The local beaches have seen plenty of Australian salmon being caught, and as usual the rising tide has been the best time to fish, particularly when it coincides with dawn or dusk. Some good

yellowfin bream are being caught along with the odd big tailor.

Offshore the fishing has been good, with this time of

year seeing some of the best fishing for sand flathead and tiger flathead. Gummy shark are still being caught, and around the back of

A great black bream caught on a soft plastic from the back of Goodwin Sands.

Gabo is a reliable spot.

Some great fishing has been had in the lake and rivers. After a slow start to the fishing over summer, things have come alive with a variety of species being caught. From all reports the Bottom Lake has seen the most reliable fishing, but fish are also being caught in the Top Lake and upstream towards Gypsy Point. The entrance area around Harrisons Channel has seen good catches of dusky flathead and sand whiting along with the odd yellowfin bream.

Out around the back of Goodwin Sands there has been some good fishing reported, with anglers catching fish on a variety of lures. Soft plastic lures and blades are working particularly well. Silver trevally, flathead and bream (both black and yellowfin) are being caught, along with some good-sized sand whiting. The key to this style of fishing is to look for deeper water and use a sounder to locate

Greg McEachren with a thumping silver trevally caught in the Bottom Lake on a blade. the schools of baitfish.

The bigger fish won’t be far behind.

Those fishing with bait have done well using fresh

local prawn. You can either buy them or catch enough in the dark period and freeze them ready to use when needed.

Getting sharks from the shore MARLO

Jim McClymont mcclymont@net-tech.com.au

The fishing is still great, and with the now popular big shark shore fishing, some of the locals have got together and organised a

fishing competition – the Corringle Cup LandBased Fishing Challenge (catch and release). The comp is sponsored by local businesses, and so far, many big captures have been entered. You can find out more at www. sharkfishingcomp.com.

Brendon Fielden with a nice estuary perch.

Thanks must go to one of the main instigators of the event, Corringle resident Andrew French and his family. At the time of writing this report, local angler Peter Farley was leading with a beautiful bronze whaler measuring 10’6”. Peter caught the catch and release on video, showing the excitement of the release and the way the bronzy churned up the water, leaving a splashing wake upon its release.

The land-based shark fishing fraternity are not the only ones to be catching good fish from the beach – plenty of old-style anglers have been getting good catches of salmon and tailor accompanied with some flathead, lots of crabs, banjo rays and some gummy shark.

Fishing offshore, the boaties are still enjoying plenty of action with kingfish being taken from Marlo Reef in good numbers. Although most of them are rats, with few fish over a metre, there are enough legal size kingfish for most anglers to get a good feed for the table. Tamboon Reef is also producing plenty of kingfish.

Anglers who prefer to bottom bash have also been getting their share for the table. Reports have been coming in of most boats getting plenty of flathead, gurnard, squid, barracoota, pinkie snapper, morwong, salmon, and gummy shark.

The estuary is still fishing well with plenty

of prawns still about, but with an east coast low on its way and some sort of flood imminent it will be the last of the prawns for this season. With the prawns still here, the fishing has been great with plenty of estuary flathead being taken from the sandflats that run all the way from the Marlo jetty down to Frenchs Narrows. The reason they are there is because the prawns are still massing there before they run to sea.

Anglers have reported getting plenty of bream throughout the whole system using prawn, sandworm, and lures. Luderick are still in good numbers schooling along the rock groynes, taking sandworm baits.

Estuary perch are still being taken from both rivers using live prawn and lures. Anglers have also reported getting plenty of salmon and tailor down near the entrance spinning and trolling metal lures.

Peter Farley with a hefty bronze whaler.

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VIC

Autumn bite back on top ROBINVALE

Rod Mackenzie codmac@bigpond.net.au

As predicted in our last report, the Murray cod bite in our local waters has continued to escalate with numerous metre plus fish

The surface bite has been terrific, with most sessions accompanying a rising barometer producing the goods. It’s a big fish method, with the average topwater blow up stretching the tape out over the 90cm mark. Pental Island on the Murray River has been a

that include grubs, cheese, yabbies and chicken.

Perch have slowed down a little over recent weeks, with just the odd fish coming on baits and smaller lures.

The cod bite has continued in most sections of the Murray River as you meander your way downstream. Wood Wood, Tooleybuc and the Junction have all seen good numbers of cod caught on bait and lures. Once again, most of the larger fish have been taken on surface lures.

The Murray River at Boundary Bend through to Belsar Island has been yielding good numbers of smaller Murray cod to 65cm

on bait. Some good sized perch have also been landed in these areas, also on bait.

Fresh river shrimp has been the pick of the baits, with worms and small yabbies also working well. Robinvale has delivered a few Murray cod up to 85cm on trolled lures.

The perch bite has slowed a little, but those encountered have been of quality size.

There have been some good reports from the Murray River at Wemen, with Murray cod up to and over a metre landed on lures.

There are good numbers of small to size Murray cod on bait in this area also, plus a few perch in the mix. Fishing in the Murray River around

The Captain, Donna Mac, with a night time bait-scoffing cod. Some sections of the Murray have good numbers of fish this size.

The surface bite has been very good, and this should continue over the next few months. This cod boofed the Bassman Aussie Crawler right down. landed on both bait and lures. The bardi hatch is well underway, with numerous giant moths ending up in the drink thanks to their erratic flying behaviour. No doubt nature thought it would be humorous to leave out the radar system on these giant moths.

productive section of river for topwater action, with several good-sized fish landed over recent weeks up to 107cm.

Even first-time surface fishos are finding the mark with some good sized cod off the bank. Bait anglers too are catching some nice sized cod in this area on a mix of baits

Clinton Hann with a chunky cod taken on a StumpJumper lure.

Mildura has been somewhat like the river heights: a little up and down. Murray cod are not keen on falling water and it’s been hard to pick the best bite times of late.

A few good perch have been landed on trolled lures intended for cod but in most cases the green fish remain elusive in the unfavourable conditions. Hopefully the river will get back to a little normality, with periods of stable water switching the cod back on.

There are still some good fish coming from most sections of the Murray, and as we roll towards the cooler weather we can expect more big fish captures in our local waters.

It’s finally time for a big fish BENDIGO

Roger Miles codhuntertours@bigpond.com

The next two months are a great time to land some quality fish. Autumn weather patterns are often favourable, with good fishing conditions.

The large, slow moving high pressure systems during autumn provide many days with reduced wind conditions as well as the occasional day with significant barometer movement.

These conditions can present some great angling opportunities for those anglers who are willing to put the time in.

LAKE EPPALOCK The redfin fishing at Lake Eppalock has continued to be consistent, although finding a good concentration of redfin has not been easy. Trolling deep diving hardbody lures around the edges of the lake is a great technique to locate a concentration of redfin. Some great lure options for the deep water trolling are Australian 92

MAY 2021

Crafted Invaders and Custom Crafted Bass Hunters.

Good numbers of redfin are also being caught on a range of soft plastic lures, particularly 3” paddle tails.

Soft vibes such as the Jackall Mask Vibes and Mask Gene as well as the new Nomad Vertex vibes in both the Max Vibe and Swim Vibe models are working well.

The best concentrations of redfin have moved a little deeper in recent weeks, and currently the most productive depth range is around 10m.

The productivity in the golden perch fishing has remained good, and casting around the edges of the standing timber is currently the most productive technique. Casting lipless crankbaits and medium sized hardbody lures has been working well. Small numbers of golden perch are also being caught by anglers trolling the edges of the lake.

Small numbers of Murray cod have also been caught. The majority of these have been taken by anglers trolling the edges of the lake or casting the laydown timber around the edges.

CAMPASPE RIVER The unpredictability of the Campaspe River has continued. The river slowly clears then we either get a good rain event or a significant flush is let down the systems and water clarity quickly deteriorates again.

Hopefully with some more stable weather patterns, combined with the end of the irrigation season, the water clarity should significantly improve for a month or two.

When the water clarity has improved, the productivity in the fishing has been reasonable.

Golden perch have been making up the majority of anglers’ captures, with the occasional Murray cod also being caught. The best lure options for the golden perch have been lipless crankbaits in dark colours and 1/2oz spinnerbaits with single willow copper blades. Good options for the Murray cod have been spinnerbaits and surface lures.

CAIRN CURRAN Good numbers of golden perch are still being caught at Cairn Curran. The most productive fishing for the golden perch has been

around the standing timber.

Bait fishing with shrimp and worms around the standing trees has been working well. Casting around the tree tops with brightly coloured spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits has also been producing some quality golden perch.

Trolling the edges of the lake has been producing some reasonable captures of redfin. There continues to be some good captures of Murray cod at this location as well. Most of the Murray cod have been a bycatch when targeting redfin or golden perch. As the water temperatures start to cool and the larger Murray cod start to feed up, it will be a good tactic to start trolling some large deep diving hardbody lures at this location. You may be surprised what you catch!

LODDON RIVER The fishing conditions in the Loddon River have been similar to the Campaspe River, where the conditions have been very variable.

Water clarity has been good at times, then a large rainfall event or flush is let down the river and water clarity

This golden perch was caught on a slow rolled lipless crankbait in the Campaspe River by Tallis Miles. deteriorates for weeks.

Because of these variable conditions, productivity has varied greatly. With the more stable weather patterns combined with the end of the irrigation season this month, we should hopefully see a significant improvement in water clarity.

The Loddon River always produces some quality Murray cod and golden perch at this time of year. The productivity in

the fishing in the shallower sections of river will reduce in the next month as the water temperatures start to cool. Good options for anglers targeting a quality Murray cod in the Loddon River at this time of the year are surface lures, swimbaits, and large lipless crankbaits.

For those anglers trolling, large hardbody lures and heavy spinnerbaits are good options at this time of the year.

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Favourite time of the year BALLARAT

Shane Stevens

Last month I said that autumn is one of my favourite times of the year to fish around the Ballarat and Central Highlands Region.

Well, I can say since then the fishing has been totally awesome, not only for me but other anglers as well. It’s

my lure and striking.

Now to my fly fishing session. On this day I met up with my mate Geoff Cramer, and I had an area in particular that I wanted to target because I had seen fish feeding on smelt in very shallow water a few days earlier. I started fishing a couple of flies, a Hammill’s Killer and a smelt pattern. There was much action initially when we first walked

Killer and took off like a steam train. I saw my fly line backing suddenly appear, and after a tug of war I landed an absolute ripper of a rainbow weighing just over 2kg. After a few pictures he was released.

Other anglers have been catching some of these magnificently conditioned rainbows as well, both on flies and lures. Hopefully the fishing will continue for the next few months.

I did mention earlier that the water level has dropped to expose the weed. Moorabool is now sitting at 50% capacity, and hopefully it doesn’t drop

Lake Wendouree has certainly fired up over the last month, with anglers catching some excellent sized rainbow and brown trout as well as redfin. They have been caught on a variety of methods including fly fishing, casting lures and bait fishing with mudeyes.

Ballarat Fly Fishers Club recently held the Jim Thomas Lake Wendouree Two Fly Competition, sponsored by Hurley’s Fly Fishing. All competitors submit two flies each which are then placed into a barrel and drawn out by competitors, and they

Rick Maes with a 4.5lb rainbow trout caught while trolling for redfin at Tullaroop Reservoir. Image courtesy of Jason Andriske. as if someone flicked a switch and told the fish they should start biting. Hopefully the bite will continue for quite a bit longer.

Last month I mentioned Moorabool Reservoir as one of the waters that should really start to fire up as the water temperatures cool down.

Given the shallow nature of most of Moorabool, you would expect the fish to move into the shallows to feed in the cooler conditions. Just like clockwork, this has happened – water temperatures have dropped, and the fish have moved in. I have had many trips out to Moorabool in the past month, and one day I even ventured out there twice, the fishing has been that good. I have had a couple of memorable sessions I will not forget, one casting lures and the other fly fishing. There is a lot of exposed weed at Moorabool and you will need to find the clear pockets where there is none or very little weed, and focus on those areas.

Now back to the fishing.

On my ripper day casting lures, I only managed to land one fish for the session, which was an absolute brute of a brown trout weighing in over 3kg. However, I did put hooks into another six fish for the session, which included some lovely rainbows that I dropped off at my feet. I also had a quite a few other follows.

Everywhere I cast my OSP T26 Bent Minnow surface lure, the trout seemed to either look at it or try to eat it. You might say that landing only one fish doesn’t constitute a memorable session, but I loved seeing so many fish following

down to the water’s edge.

The fishing conditions were ideal for Moorabool, with overcast skies and a gentle breeze, then I saw a fish move in front of me chasing smelt. I covered the fish a

A rare daytime Moorabool mudeye hatch. are the only two flies they can fish with throughout the competition. If an angler loses their flies whilst fighting a fish, they can purchase more flies with a maximum purchase of two flies. This year’s Two Fly attracted 50 fly fishers from all over the state. Ballarat Fly Fishers Club member Gerard Richard land the longest fish, a brown trout of 58.5cm. Other noticeable catches include Matt Mitchell with a 56cm rainbow trout and myself with a 55cm brown trout. A total of

Ezra Dowling landed this ripper from Newlyn Reservoir whilst casting a Bob N Spoon. Image courtesy of Ezra Dowling.

21 trout were landed, which included a mixture of rainbow and brown trout at a very healthy average of 44cm.

I have been out on Wendouree a few times over the past month, fishing with some guys from work who have never chased trout before.

They were blown away by how good the fishing is in Lake Wendouree. I took David Hastings out firstly casting lures, with only one trout looking at the lures. We then decided to fish mudeye and that proved to be the right decision, with David landing his first trout, a small brown around the 35cm mark. He then upsized to a 47cm brown trout as well as a few more around the mid 30s.

In all, we managed to land nine trout varying in size from mid 30cm to a lovely 50cm brown, in approximately 2.5 hours of fishing. We also lost a few.

I’m expecting the excellent fishing in Wendouree to continue over the next month or so. The mayfly should have started to hatch and the trout will be feeding on them, I and others have witnessed a few hatching with the odd fish feeding on them, and this should increase in the coming weeks when the

The author landing one of two brown trout in consecutive casts at Tullaroop Reservoir on an OSP T26 Bent Minnow. couple of times for no joy, then a fish moved to my left. I covered that fish, and bang – it latched onto my smelt pattern.

After a tug of war, I landed a very fat rainbow trout of approximately 2.75lb. After a few pictures, off he went.

I then cast my flies back in the general area where the first fish rose, and bang – on again. This time it was a very feisty brown trout of 1.5lb.

Once again, a photo and he was on his way. I was on a roll.

I then started prospecting again in the shallows, waiting for a fish to chase smelt again.

I didn’t have to wait long.

There wasn’t a fish chasing smelt in the area, but a rainbow trout did nail my Hammill’s

any further.

Part of the reason the trout are in magnificent condition is due to the amount of mudeyes in the reservoir.

The big brown trout I caught had approximately 30 bug/ spider mudeyes in it. I have also looked under quite a few rocks and found lots of mudeyes under them, and I witnessed a mudeye hatch like I’ve never seen before with literally hundreds of mudeyes hatching throughout the day.

They were even crawling out of the water during the day. I have witnessed big hatches at Eucumbene in its heyday but I’ve never seen anything like this. No wonder the fish are doing well.

Winner of the Jim Thomas Wendouree Two Fly Competition, Gerard Richmond, with a 58.5cm trout. Image courtesy of Rason Rothe.

trout focus their attention to feeding on them.

At Newlyn Reservoir the water level is the highest it’s been at this time of the year for a few years. Anglers have been reaping the rewards of the high water levels, catching some quality brown trout. Ezra Dowling is one such angler who recently nailed an absolute ripper from Newlyn of 6lb whilst casting a Bob N Spoon lure.

Newlyn fishing should be very good throughout the autumn months, with trout feeding on smelt and mayflies for the fly fishers, and mudeyes for the bait anglers.

Tullaroop Reservoir is as one of the waters to fish over the autumn months, and I recently ventured up with my son Maxi to see how the water level was, and to see if any fish were poking around. Our plan was to cast a few lures around and hopefully come across a feeding trout. We fished one area with no luck, so we moved to another bay.

The water looked magnificent, crystal clear, with excellent weed beds around the edges.

We cast our lures around the bay with no luck, then our luck changed all at once.

I was casting my OSP Bent Minnow in the T26 pattern (a surface lure that tracks around 6” under the surface). A fish nailed it and off he went. After a ripper fight, I landed and released a well-conditioned brown trout of 50cm.

I cast my lure out again and as soon as it hit the water, I noticed a boil at the lure. I continued my retrieve when all of a sudden another trout nailed the Bent. After a good tussle I landed another brown of 45cm. Time to call it a day.

I spoke to a couple of guys at the boat ramp, Jason Andriske and Rick Maes, who had been out chasing a feed of redfin. They said they caught plenty of small redfin trolling lures, plus a ripper rainbow trout of 4-5lb.

Jason said they have been catching quite a few reddies over the past month, but nothing of any noticeable size. Hopefully we’ll get onto the bigger ones soon.

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It’s time to take it slow WANGARATTA

Robbie Alexander

May is the start of the toughest time of the year for a fishing journalist in the Wangaratta area.

It’s not the end of the

will bite, and May is known as a good time to catch Murray cod.

Back in the 1980s when I was a kid, there was a lot of poaching along the Ovens River. Set lines, springers etc… Many, if not most, of the offenders are now long

These days, those illegal fishing techniques are not seen nearly as often, possibly due to the larger volume of keen anglers walking the banks or floating down the river in kayaks. Springers have made way for surface lures

Kayak fishing Lake Buffalo at sunset. What a wonderful way to end an afternoon of redfin fishing.

TROUT May can become quite hit and miss when trout fishing. Spawning usually starts for brown trout in

coloured lures. Fluorescent coloured soft plastics and bladed spinners often work well. There are a couple of theories as to why this

orange in colour, so bright colours will work.

• Trout become aggressive building up to spawning and bright colours may be

The cod fishing will likely slow down in the Wangaratta region, however it will still be worth targeting them. fishing, but things have usually slowed down a lot in many areas. There are, however, still some great fishing options around the region.

MURRAY COD The Murray cod fishing

passed away. I knew many of them personally through family members.

These poachers always liked the cold weather leading up to winter. I remember one old timer telling me that “Mother’s

that cover a lot more water, yet the Murray cod habits remain the same.

So surely walking the banks casting surface lures in May has to work every bit as well as the less conventional methods

Fluorescent coloured lures, such as this Strike Tiger nymph, can be very effective when targeting trout during autumn. late May, however it varies so much from stream to stream and year to year.

I like to use brightly

works well: • Trout often feed on eggs during the spawning season, which are bright

seen as more intrusive and less natural.

For whatever reason, To page 95

Terry Alexander caught this Murray cod at Lake Buffalo recently while targeting redfin. It is worth targeting both species in the lake this month. can be quite slow in May. It can be very hit and miss.

With that said, it is always worth the effort to go fishing for them because there are times when they 94

MAY 2021

day weekend is the best time to catch Murray cod”.

While it may not be the best time for me, these guys certainly did well at that time of the year.

of the 1980s?

One thing I do know is that I will be out there giving it a go this May, casting surface lures around on the cold mornings.

May can be a very good time to target redfin in any waterway that has them.

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Perseverance is the key SHEPPARTON

Nick Brown teamriverrats@hotmail.com

May is now the time many locals start shifting the focus to chasing big fish elsewhere, but I think if you put in the time and effort with big fish gear you will be surprised.

I go back a couple of years when we had the fish kill in the Goulburn and there were dozens of the fish killed in that time and it came as a shock to many. But just as we saw over Christmas there is still plenty of metre-plus fish all over our area.

The Broken River, Goulburn River, Channel System and even 90cm+ fish in Shepparton Lake so before you plan your trips away I

would be giving our local region a go. More people are targeting these bigger fish with lures, such as the Ballista Tremors, Big Bassman Codman Spinnerbaits and even new lures like the Bigger Square bills by Jollip Lures.

You maybe fishing for 8-10 hours for one or two bites but if you’re using the bigger gear those bites will either make memories that last a lifetime or give you a story about the one that got away.

Leading into this article there were some reports around Easter time of cod being caught up to 80cm out towards Toolamba and still some smaller models being caught mostly trolling or on worms.

It was a hotter start to April then I have remembered

Ayden and Nate Brown with one of 25 redfin caught while trolling at Waranga Basin.

From page 94

I love to use bright fluorescent colours when trout fishing in May. Another great option is to use long shallow diving skinny minnows.

Trout will hit minnow lures at any time of the year, however during the build up to the spawn they may start to become territorial and will strike at anything that poses a threat.

Don’t be scared to try a really long skinny minnow, even something 10-12cm long will work.

Remember, the trout most likely isn’t after a feed, it wants to attack the other fish that is being replicated by your minnow.

REDFIN May can produce

some really good redfin fishing in the local lakes.

Both Lake William Hovell and Lake Buffalo are definitely worth fishing for redfin in May. The key in both lakes is to make sure that you move around a lot trying to locate schools of redfin.

You may fish several areas and catch nothing for hours, but then if you find a school your fishless day could turn into a bonanza.

Soft plastics, small diving lures and bait will all work.

Small yabbies and live shrimp are excellent bait, but can be hard to source in May. In Lake William Hovell, if you are fishing for redfin in May, later in the afternoon you may see

previously so this may have seen the shrimp and yabbies available for bait, so if you’re lucky to have access to these baits give them a go for as long as you possibly can.

Remembering a lot of local fish migrate to our area I would be putting plenty of time in just behind the Shepparton Lake as that’s the one area where many big cod have been caught and also where some were found in the fish kill years ago and there has to be a reason why they hold in those areas.

The Broken River seems to quiet off a bit more in the cooler months but I think if you have the mindset of one or maybe two bites a day and use big lures you again may have a memorable time.

I understand it can be tough getting doughnuts but if you key your mindset into what you’re actually targeting it can still be rewarding fishing new water and always have that anticipation of a monster bite up until that last cast.

If you’re looking for higher numbers of fish and not just the one big bite, the following locations are for you.

SHEPPARTON LAKE It’s trout time in the lake and there should be plenty on offer in the cooler months, get there early or late for the best results I have always found half an hour either side of sunrise or sunset it best.

Casting lightly weighted 2” Keitech Easy Shiners or floating some worms or Powerbaits is the best methods.

There has been a clean-up of weed in the lake so there should be a lot easier access points to cast your lures and, if you can run your lures on the weed edges or high rise the rod a little to keep the plastic just above the weed, you should get smoked by a trout.

There is still plenty of redfin on offer and the odd yellowbelly will eat the smaller lures as well. Bait fishing during the day can result in trout and silver perch but it a few trout starting to rise.

It’d be worth changing to a dedicated trout lure like a Tassie Devil for the last hour or two of the day and targeting trout.

YELLOWBELLY

I expect any yellowbelly catches in the Wangaratta area during May to be quite few and far between. I find that the yellowbelly really slow down in the cooler months.

You may pick up one or two as a by-catch while targeting other species in Lake Sambell, Lake Buffalo or the Ovens River, however I am not expecting to see too many turn up.

The warmer months definitely seem to be conducive to better yellowbelly fishing.

The author with a 50cm yellowbelly from the Main Eastern Channel on a Jollip Lure’s Square Bill. does get harder in the direct sunlight hours.

WARANGA BASIN May can be a great month at the basin with plenty of redfin still on the chew all over the lake. I managed to take my boys out in the school holidays and they enjoyed a morning session trolling small Codgers or the white and orange Trelly’s RMGs. We caught over 25 fish all in the 20-25cm range trolling in about 15-18ft of water opposite Harrimans Point Ramp.

There were also reports of bigger fish being caught trolling along the wall and also out the front of the boat club ramp in 15ft.

Those bait fishing have reported huge numbers of tiny fish on worms and yabbies and the odd 30cm fish coming along but it’s mostly been smaller fish on the bait.

KIALLA LAKES The lake should still fish okay in May, simply because

of the heat we had in April should keep the water temp higher than the previous year.

Slow rolling lipless crankbaits or spinnerbaits is always the go-to at the lake, and bait wise floating worms around the willows in a deadly technique. Over recent winters there has been a few more redfin being reported and also a cat fish or two. If you get either, please send through a photo or two as I would love to see some more photos from Kialla Lakes.

LOCAL CHANNELS Now I am not 100% sure if the channels have been dropped for the winter but I am pretty sure it’s usually late April early May but I could be wrong.

My mindset doesn’t change a lot come winter I like to fish the bridges still and just slow my retrieves down a little. As I said at the start of the report there is some big fish in this region

and the local channels can hold some metre-plus fish so don’t be scared to throw on a big lure and fish around the Bridge and Syphons.

A lot of us fish small in the channels and get good numbers of 30-60cm fish, but it would be great to see some big fish in the channels and crack a 70-100cm fish this winter.

I am going to throw some Jollip Square bills like I did in April but also I will give some bigger Codgers and Old Mates a go in the shallows. Casting bigger spinnerbaits into the syphon openings may just entice a big fish to come out for a feed. I am also hoping to throw plenty of Bassman this winter.

Bait fishing I would be either floating or lightly weighting baits and fishing them around structure as this is where the deeper water will be.

Dan Penman caught this ripper of a snapper out wide in Frankston in about 17m of water using pilchard bait.

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Redfin down deep CRATER LAKES

Rod Shepherd

A couple of local lads from Warrnambool whose fathers are well known in the fishing industry have been doing exceptionally well on trout lately. They have been concentrating their efforts in the upper sweetwater reaches of two local rivers where particular stretches of water are surrounded by native bushland and therefore running clean.

The pair have been using a variety of lures, both hardbodied and soft, and have been prepared to get wet and wade in after their prey. The browns they have caught have been exceptional fish to say the least, as they were taken in the wild as opposed to a stocked lake.

If you know where to

go in the upper reaches of the Merri or (even better) the Hopkins you too can be rewarded with some excellent fish. The boys release most if not all fish after a photo or three, and if you want to keep these stretches of river pristine, do the same.

More trophy trout continue to be caught at Lake Purrumbete by not only local anglers but visiting ones as well.

Here is yet another typical scenario. This time, out-oftown angler and father Jake along with his young son Ryda travelled down to Purrumbete to fish and stay at the park, as many do. They were tempting redfin off the bottom at depth using scrub worm when something much larger took the bait. Father and son both took turns in playing the fish, with dad taking the net shot.

A plump brown trout weighing 7lb, 5oz and measuring 68cm is what came on board, and it was a personal best brown for young Ryda.

The redfin are schooled up and at depth and it’s just a matter of finding a school close to or on the bottom just beyond the weed line (12m) and hold station with an electric or carefully lower the anchor.

Dispersing some sinking berley will help keep the fish within reach and on the bite. Then bottom bouncing live baits such as minnow and worm or pilchard fillets and the like will also work. Many anglers, including myself, jig lures and soft plastics in minnow patterns in either 3” or 4” in length.

A bit of added scent to the lure or plastic doesn’t go astray either.

Lake Bullen Merri

This redfin represents the average size fish being caught down deep at present.

This one (of many) ate a jigged minnow soft plastic on a 1/2oz jighead. remains quiet with a distinct lack of reports coming to the fore. The water quality here is currently variable,

with blue green algal plumes apparently still present. I’ve heard some bank anglers have caught

a few rainbow trout and the odd Chinook salmon using PowerBait presented under a float.

Anglers are having some fun on light gear the shoreline along the walking trail east of the Tanjil Arm boat ramp. Fly fishing from the shoreline or out in the boat is also a productive method to get amongst the lake trout action.

Bass are still active at this time of the year, and are generally found schooling out

WST/STH GIPPSLAND

Steve Haughton

steve@habitatcreations.com.au

The month of May is our last full month of stream trout fishing before the trout season comes to an end in early June. The 2021 trout closed season on rivers and streams is from 12:01am on Tuesday 15 June until 11:59pm on Friday 3 September. Now is a good time for anglers to catch and release stream trout, as the streams and rivers of the West and South Gippsland region are not stocked with trout and rely solely on natural spawning.

Rivers and streams are flowing well but it was a dry start to autumn so some more rainfall in the region would be welcomed. Trout may start moving upstream this month if they haven’t started already. The migration run is usually triggered by the first decent rainfall topping up the catchments, which is a signal for trout to make their journey upstream.

It is likely as the month ends, stream trout will become more difficult to entice with lures as their focus shifts from feeding to making the spawning run. Many catches late in the season tend to be trout aggressively protecting their territory rather than needing to eat. Well-presented live baits and natural fly patterns or nymphs will out-fish traditional spinner blade or hardbody lures. If you’re an angler who appreciates trout for more than just the sport, stumbling across a spawning 96

MAY 2021

in the lake on the points and are targeted with jigs and baits.

Feel free to send me a report or photo, particularly if you have any success stories fishing over the Easter break, and email me any questions you may have. Happy fishing!

Wally Ronalds sent in this photo of his nephew Matthew Hobbs with a ripper blackfish caught on a soft plastic and released to fight another day. You don’t see many caught on lures. ground is exciting, as you can watch these fish in action.

There are other options for stream fishing too. Eel and blackfish are still good targets in the streams around West and South Gippsland. They provide a lot of fun for anglers of all ages using light gear, similar to what you would use trout fishing. Blackfish are an exciting winter target species in streams and can be caught using the same techniques for targeting eel. Target slow moving or still ponds and use a

rig that presents the bait at the bottom of the streambed. Eel and blackfish like in-stream structure like fallen timber, large rocks and bank cut-outs, so ensure your bait is presented within their feed zone.

Eel in these streams commonly grow to up to 2-3ft.

Blackfish vary in size greatly depending on their habitat, but don’t be surprised if you pull a big one out of a small stream.

Both species are best targeted from late in the afternoon into the evening. The best bait by

far for both species is the trusty garden worm.

Blue Rock Lake turns on the trout action in May. The lake level is near capacity and has been since last year.

Stream trout may start shutting up shop as they shift their attention from feeding to spawning, but the lake fish are still on the prowl. Trolling by boat or yak is by far the most popular method on the lake for targeting trout. Flicking a lure from the bank is also very popular, with anglers working

Brendan is always keen on a bit of urban bass fishing. He was rewarded for his efforts with this 46cm bass.

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Fish feeding up for winter EILDON

Peter Burtchell

Autumn is always a great time to fish Eildon. Food becomes scarcer for the native fish and they become much easier to catch as all sizes of Murray cod and yellowbelly feed up for the coming colder weather.

great fish whilst fishing the shallows around the marina.

Peter Isle took some time out from his busy schedule at Ambulance Victoria to take possession of his new Alvey baitcaster combo and to try his luck on a 2-hour tour with Jack Harder (@ fishingwithjackharder). The combo featured a 2-4kg 2-piece rod, but from this

pressure he started to retrieve line, however the weight was greater and it soon became apparent that a much larger Murray cod had ambushed his catch. The poaching cod had bitten off a lot more than it could chew.

As the two fish began to surface you could see the dorsal fins of Peter’s Murray cod protruding through the face of the poaching cod. The fishing guide was very happy to see the lighter rod handle the pressure as the poacher awoke from his shock and went on a sustained run only to have Peter’s fish extracted from the poacher’s mouth, albeit missing some of its dorsal fin.

Tim took some time out from his busy schedule in Geelong for some R&R on the Boatels at Jerusalem

the flowing water traversing to the lake during low lake levels several years ago, and are home to large schools of redfin. Noah tried his luck across the grass beds with many redfin catches and a nice yellowbelly. Noah’s tactic was to flick large divers, chasing the Murray cod that regularly patrol the grass beds, and bringing his lure back to his waiting baited line.

Another punter who fished the low lying banks from her hired houseboat was Jane. A first time angler to the lake, Jane was very excited to see her first Murray cod whilst on a guided fishing tour. The fish took the bait within the first five minutes of the tour right at the back of her hired houseboat, with her family Tim looks like he’s in Boatel Heaven.

Lake Eildon Cod Masters scheduled to run from 17-20 June where Victoria’s competitive anglers will battle it out for cash and other prizes. To find out more, look up ‘Lake Eildon Fishing Challenge’ and ‘Lake Eildon Cod Masters’ on Facebook.

• Jerusalem Creek Marina & Holiday Park is a friendly, family-orientated caravan park, and makes the perfect

Noah with a nice yellowbelly.

Aaron McHarry spends many weekends at Eildon enjoying the fishing from the rear deck of his houseboat and is regularly rewarded with some quality fish, whether it be bait fishing or flicking lures. Aaron is able to observe many of the low lying banks from his houseboat’s vantage point and he sure does enjoy the regular excitement experienced by keen anglers who have hooked into a

month you’d be better off with the 9-12kg model more suited for larger Murray cod.

Peter was using a smaller lure, and 15 minutes into the trip he hooked up. The rod was handling the weight of the fish well until the rod bend increased dramatically and then stopped. It seemed that the fish had lodged itself under a snag, and the skipper began to reverse the vessel, ready to dislodge the crafty fish. With Peter holding the

Jane was very happy with this Murray cod.

Relax and enjoy delicious food and warm hospitality.

Peter Isle with one scared Murray cod.

Creek. Traversing the lake to no avail, he caught up with the local fishing guide who suggested that he try the low lying banks around Jerusalem Creek. Upon returning from another reconnoitre around the lake, and with his boat moored to the deck of the Boatel, Tim was busy cooking his BBQ dinner and was soon alerted to regular beeps from his sounder. A quick look and it was action stations as Tim viewed a multitude of large fish in front of his Boatel. After three Murray cod catch and releases, Tim was all smiles as he discussed the magnificent fishing he had experienced whilst cooking his BBQ. Murray cod are regularly landed from the Boatels due to the low lying banks where baitfish are often pushed, and also from the bullrushes that extend past the Boatels into the depths of the lake. The grass beds are a result of

home away from home.

While there you can opt to hire one of their Boatel floating apartments, hire a boat or book a fishing guide at competitive prices.

For more information on all of these services and other attractions in the area, visit jerusalemcreek. com.au, or give them a call on (03) 5774 2585 or email info@jerusalemcreek. com.au.

and friends looking on.

Anglers are eagerly awaiting the first run of the migrating moths that will stir up the surface fishing action through April and May. The lake is holding higher than normal water levels, and there are some great fishing competitions to coming up. The first major fishing event of the year is the Lake Eildon Fishing Challenge from 14-16 May followed by the Scan QR code to see them in action!

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Membership numbers are growing strong WIRF

Cara Cummings

Our network has exploded, and we are celebrating! We have gained over 200 new members in the last month alone and these numbers are growing every day.

The momentum for women in recreational fishing is strong. We are successfully seeing more

difference to the way tuna tastes and keeps. One tuna around 15-20kg will yield 8-10 meals.”.

More information can be found at www. tunachampions.com.au CHASING TUNA WIRF Leader Izzy Sesto shares her tips to help you land a tuna.

“My favourite location is Portland and find the best time to target tuna is April

very helpful to encourage the tuna to the surface. Try trolling at a speed of 5-8 knots. Tuna tend to come on the bite around tide change and sunrise/sunset.”

TUNA TALES You’re never too old to chase your fishing bucket list dreams! WIRF member Amanda Keilar from San Remo is a passionate female angler mostly in Westernport Bay and Bass Strait

GoFish Nagambie is a fantastic event for the whole family.

Young ‘WIRFling’ Maddy with Lee Rayner holding the rainbow trout she caught. women out on the water and the banks, whether fishing solo, with partners or kids.

The movement is happening, and Victorian women should be proud. Our newsfeed is spilling with amazing photos sent in by our members.

The fish are biting, and the fishing game is strong.

We are seeing decent size whiting, tuna and kingfish on the salt waterfront. The yellowbelly, redfin and Murray cod are all causing a stir in the freshwater scene.

TUNA TRIUMPH Tuna fishing has been a standout within our network and the catches we are seeing are sensational.

It’s a great time to refresh our knowledge on these amazing fish and treat them with proper respect. Sadly, it would seem some anglers are not fully aware of how crucial it is to dispatch (kill and bleed) tuna correctly.

Tuna Champions is a wonderful resource and covers everything you need to know. Tuna Champions ambassador and WIRF member Lydia Cahill says, “We only dispatch the Tuna Champions way now. It makes a massive 98

MAY 2021

through to November. I find trolling 3” skirts with lumo daisy chains up the leader works well for schoolies. If the tuna are on the surface and are not taking the lures, you can try using pilchards.

“Trolling teasers is also

fishing with her partner Terry. Amanda is all about promoting women in fishing and socialising with other female anglers, so much so she organises ladies fishing charters out of San Remo, which have been a big hit.

Women from as far a field as Ballarat, Daylesford and Bendigo have travelled down to join in the fun on the water.

Amanda’s good friend Anne (a sprightly 65yo and also a keen angler) had never caught a tuna and usually gets very sick in the ocean so avoids it. However, with seasick tablets and determination, Anne conquered the swell and reeled in her bucket list tuna.

“Know good fortune and share it with others,” is an old adage Amanda embraces, revelling in her good friends dream come true. It took all day from dawn to dusk to find the birds finally working bait schools with the tuna under them. It just goes to show sometimes you have to do the miles to get the smiles

Lou Cooney with her tuna.

Rhonda Frankling with her prize winning yellowbelly.

and you are never too old to chase that long soughtafter species.

WIRF member Lou Cooney shares with us her tuna tale.

“My husband and I slept on our boat in the Hastings Marina so we could launch early morning. We had done this quite a few times before trying to chase the illusive bluefin tuna. I had almost resigned myself to not catching anything that day, once again, but it was relatively nice weather, so we were just happy to get out and spend some time on the water.

“The charter boats had reported people were catching tuna off Pyramid Rock (Phillip Island) around the 40m mark, so we made our way through the heads and tried our luck. We trolled for several hours with no result but continued to persist. I had a small pink jellybean lure on my rod amongst several other rods all with different rigs.

“Over 3 hours passed when all of a sudden my rod made that indistinguishable sound of reeling line. Hubby quickly attached the gimble belt around my waist and the fight was on. My adrenaline

RECIPES THAT ARE ‘WIRF’ IT

Prawn and ginger dumplings INGREDIENTS

(SERVES 4) 500g raw prawns 2-3 bunches spring onion 2-3cm piece fresh ginger 125g bean shoots 1 tsp Tamari (soy sauce) 1 tbsp oyster sauce Salt and pepper Packet wonton wrappers

METHOD

1. De-shell and de-vein the prawns and set aside.

2. Into a blender, add the onions, ginger and bean shoots. Blitz for 30 sec.

Add to the blender the prawns, Tamari, oyster sauce, season with salt and pepper and pulse until well combined. Do not puree, leave with a course consistency.

3. To fold the dumplings, take on of the

Anne with her first tuna. was pumping, and I was praying I wouldn’t drop my catch as I knew it was a decent size tuna. After 15 minutes of strenuous hard work, I finally landed the fish. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. I have tried for many years in locations such as Bermagui, Port Fairy, Bass Strait, Port Welshpool and everywhere in between with no luck. My day had finally come!

our members, Rhonda Frankling, travelled a couple of hours to compete in the competition and was rewarded with a prize for her winning yellowbelly catch!

Given there were over 2,000 competitors and with only 11% being female, it was fabulous to see so many women receiving prizes for fish they had caught! I guess that just goes to show who the superior fishers are!

wrappers and lay on a flat bench in a diamond position, brush all sides of the wrapper with a little water.

4. Place a teaspoon of the filling in the centre of the wrapper and bring the bottom corner up and over the filling to meet the top corner of the wrapper to form a triangle. Press the seams together well, gently pushing out any excess air pockets.

Now fold the bottom left triangle corner across the base of the dumpling and repeat with the right-hand corner to overlap. Press to seal the joins.

5. Steam the dumplings in a steam basket for 5-8 minutes or until cooked through.

VARIATIONS/TIPS

• Dumplings can be deep fried, pan fried, pan steamed or boiled.

• Add a whole fresh red chilli in step two for a tasty kick.

Leader Kelly Derks and myself were present and it was lovely to meet and chat with some current members and also invite new women to join our network.

The Vic Kids fishing clinic, run by the VFA was a load of fun. The kids were engaged in fun learning activities, taught how to identify fish, size and bag limits. They then headed to the water and were shown the

Amanda Keilar with one of her tuna.

“We used some really old scales to weigh my catch, which stated it was 20kg, but I’d put money on it being more than that – it certainly felt like it when I was reeling it in!”

GOFISH NAGAMBIE It would seem a wonderful weekend was had by all at the GoFish Nagambie event. We have received great reports from our WIRF members who attended. One of

The WIRF event – a ‘Celebration of Women in Fishing’ was a great success with 250 guests is attendance.

WIRF mentor Karen Rees (and GoFish ambassador) led the talk and had the opportunity to share with all who attended not only her passion but also what WIRF is all about. There were fantastic prizes, giveaways, nibbles, mocktails and of course mingling with likeminded women. WIRF

skills to catch their own fish!

Lee Rayner was on board, teaching the kids some great casting skills.

• To stay up to date and see what else has been happening within the network and for upcoming events, please head to our Facebook group www.facebook.com/groups/ womenrecfishing/ or via the VFA website/Facebook page.

Are you a WIRF member? If not, we’d love to have you on board! Join us on FB today.

MAY 2021

99

2021 Lake Mulwala Cod Nationals results While this all sounds complicated, when you’re living the tournament it all makes sense and the good teams take advantage of every point scoring opportunity.

This year I was fishing with Shane Banks again as Fat Betty. The form guide had us at 5:1 favourites, a position that was probably a little flattering seeing how we had not fished the lake in 12

BRISBANE

Stephen Booth

The 2021 Lake Mulwala Cod Nationals will go down in history as the closest run Cod Nationals of all time!

The winners, Team Black Widow (Thomas and Steve Pinter), went back-to-back in an epic effort submitting one final legal sized Murray cod with one minute to go on the final day that was only 1mm over the 55cm minimum size!

That 1mm pushed Thomas to Champion Angler for the comp and pushed Black Widow from second to first in the overall team’s race!

To Thomas and Steve,

MAY 2021

Lures and Gidgee Lures Day 3 Morning: Swimbait Dash for Cash Session 1 sponsored by Zerek and Bone lures Day 3 Afternoon: Any Sponsor Lure Dash for Cash Session 2 sponsored by all sponsors Day 4: Any Lure Day sponsored by Zerek and Kingfisher Lures The importance of using the sponsor of the day lure is clear with bonus points awarded to legal fish caught on their lures – an important addition to a team’s score, especially when it was so close up the top.

To complicate matters, on the briefing night, teams must choose a bonus multiplier day.

This bonus multiplier means any team points scored on that day are multiplied by 1.5.

If you get this right, you’re pushed right into contention.

If you get it wrong, you very well may have thrown the tournament away!

KD Blow (Derek and Kade Blow) won the Venom Rods Dash for Cash on Day 3 where the two Dash sessions are combined to give an overall winner. months and neither of us had fished for cod over the same period thanks to Covid!

DAY 1 Spinnerbait Day (131 cod landed, 50 legal) The traditional first day of the comp, spinnerbait day is eagerly anticipated as anglers love throwing these lures for Murray cod.

It was a fantastic day for Team Venom, who had their bonus multiplier day and landed two legal fish on the sponsor’s lures as well as scoring the big fish bonus of 1.75 points. The team finished

multiplier to finish with an impressive 15.675 points!

Fat Betty had a good day too, finishing up in sixth place for the day catching three legal

Points 3688.1 3382.1 3343.8 3010.8 2514.8 2431.5 2187.7 2126.2 2029.5 1973.9

Clubhouse that evening.

Team Venom again dominated the field finishing on top of the heap in terms of fish caught with 5 legal cod taken on sponsor lures.

Unfortunately for them, they had already used their bonus multiplier day and KD Blow team hadn’t. After the bonuses were added on, KD Blow finished with more team points for the day than any other team.

Fat Betty landed a couple of legal cod, but the fish weren’t big enough to push the teams into the big points at the top end of the daily scoring.

All said and done, at the end of Day 2 Team Venom maintained their lead at the top of the heap with 31.495 points and Black Widow held onto second place with 23.115 points.

Steve Pinter with another fish for Black Widow – the father and son team are absolute guns on the lake!

One of three legal fish the author caught on Bassman spinnerbaits on Day 1.

TOP 10 TEAMS Place Team 1 Black Widow 2 Venom 3 KD Blow 4 Jones Doyle Plumbing 5 Wilson 6 Fat Betty 7 Swamp Donkies 8 All About Fishing Natives 9 Deni Doers 10 Team Steez 100

CHAMPION ANGLERS Angler Thomas Pinter Matt Rogers Rick Doyle Derek Blow Michael Haley Sunny Martins Kyle Dalrymple Shane Banks Lance Curry Stephen Booth

Champion Team Black Widow. Thomas and Steve Pinter went back-to-back to win the 2021 Lake Mulwala Cod Nationals.

A 55.1cm cod for Black Widow, taken on a Buzzer Beater. It showed everyone just how important sponsor lure caught fish are and that you need to fish right to the every end of each session! a massive congratulations becoming only the second team in the history of the comp to go back-to-back – an incredibly difficult thing to do.

THE COD NATS This competition is all about anglers being versatile and skilled in many facets of lure fishing for Murray cod.

It rewards well-rounded skill sets and anglers who can use a variety of lure types, make good decisions and fish to the final moments each day.

This year, over the five session, we had: Day 1: Spinnerbait Day sponsored by Bassman Spinnerbaits Day 2: Hardbody Day sponsored by Pimped Up

TOP 10 Place 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Anglers Thomas Pinter/Steve Pinter Anthony Pavlou/Michael Haley Derek Blow/Kade Blow Rick Doyle/Kyle Dalrymple Ian Rogers/Matt Rogers Stephen Booth/Shane Banks Sunny Martins/Mick Beale Troy Flazon/Aaron Farrugia Billy Danckert/Kim Danckert Lance Curry/Zac Jury

Points 42.735 40.965 40.560 35.800 35.130 24.410 24.435 18.665 16.160 14.156

on top of the leader board with a massive 19.095 points for the day. The standout performance was from Michael Haley who nailed an 84cm cod on a spinnerbait fished off his trusty Venom Crankbait PE 2-4.

Black Widow (Thomas and Steve Pinter) also had a great start to the comp landing five legal fish on the sponsor lures and using their bonus

fish on sponsor lures fished off the Bone Voyage BVC684XH rod. Our biggest issue was not connecting to the fish! Out of 15 strikes for the day, we only managed five fish – at one point I had five missed strikes in a row, which saw me curled up in the foetal position on the back deck of the boat sucking my thumb!

DAY 2 Hardbody Day (170 cod landed, 51 legal) Everyone was enjoying the prospect of throwing hardbody lures at the flats cod and hardbody day didn’t disappoint! A record 170 cod were landed by the field over the course of the day and it was a very happy Mulwala Football/Netball

DAY 3 Session 1 Swimbait Dash for Cash (37 cod landed, 12 legal) The Dash for Cash is a hectic shot gun start where anglers are charged with catching fish as quickly as possible and returning to the start venue with their photos to score bonus points for fish caught earlier in the session.

This session belonged to Fat Betty and more specifically to Shane Banks.

While most of the field roared off to chase their fish on the flats, Fat Betty motored 200m from the start line to fish in front of the houses near the start line at Mulwala Fish Camp & Ski. First cast and I landed a sub-legal, two casts

later Shane landed a slightly smaller fish and a further five casts later, Shane locked into a good fish.

This fish smacked a Bone Focus 130 lure and after a few tense moments at the boat, was measured, photographed and back in the drink within 20 minutes of the start of the session. That fish went 93.9cm and secured Fat Betty the 10 points on offer for the morning session.

Team Venom didn’t miss out either, landing a couple of fish on Bone Focus lures also and giving them a second place for the session and a valuable 9 points.

DAY 3 Session 2 Any Sponsor Lure Dash for Cash (99 cod landed, 22 legal) The Afternoon Session of the Dash for Cash restricts the anglers to only using sponsor

secure the win.

Coming from back in the field, local guns Rick Doyle and Kyle Dalrymple smashed the fish on the final day, had their bonus multiplier day and used sponsor lures to amass an amazing 18.96 points for the day. Zerek Infinity blades were the choice lure for the crew but the gap to the top

The Tonic Big Fish was caught by Fat Betty’s Shane Banks on a Bone Focus 130 during the Dash for Cash session.

35.240 points!

We were sitting in fifth place, out of the race for first, but right in amongst a number of talented teams.

Day 4 was going to be a very close race for the top 3 teams.

DAY 4 Any Lure (136 cod landed, 46 legal) Day 4 was a race between three teams. At the top of the field was Team Venom and nipping right at their heels was Black Widow and KD Blow. The teams from fourth down to eighth were also in a race for final positioning, but all the interest was squarely placed on the top three teams.

Any lure day means

Fat Betty’s Shane Banks with a good scoring fish of 65cm taken on a Gidgee Lure on Day 2 of the comp.

Michael Haley’s big fish on Day 1 pushed the tape out to 84cm and helped Team Venom into a strong position on Day 1. lures. It doesn’t matter the type or style, just so long as the lures used are from the sponsor’s stable.

This opens up the fishing with spinnerbaits, hardbodies, swimbaits, surface lures, soft plastics and everything in between being used by the field and this leads to far more fish being caught.

This session belonged to Black Widow who piled on the fish in a stunning display of Mulwala angling and a further five legal fish on sponsor lures in the short afternoon session!

After both sessions, the Venom Rods Dash for Cash Champion Team is awarded two beautiful Venom rods and get to hold up the perpetual trophy and in another very tight race, KD Blow (Derek and Kade Blow) edged out Fat Betty by one fish to take out the title!

After the Venom Rods Dash for Cash day Team Venom was clinging onto first place overall with 40.965 points and Black Widow sitting on 35.415 and KD Blow right in it with

at 3:59pm – 1 minute before stop fishing! This just legal cod tipped the scales wildly putting Black Widow in front of Team Venom by a mere 2.5 points, or 1 legal fish.

As heartbreaking as it was for Team Venom, it was an amazing effort by Black Widow to go back-to-back in this incredible tournament.

Wilson’s Matt ‘Spider’ Rogers with a fantastic flats fish taken on Day 4. His team finished in fifth place overall with a very consistent performance.

Anthony Pavlou with a typical flats fish caught on hardbody day on one of his very own Pimp Daddy lures.

anglers can use whatever they want, but in a tight contest like this was turning out to be, using sponsor’s lures was going to be the edge needed to get over the line.

Sponsors of the day were Zerek and Kingfisher Lures and over the course of the day heaps of different Zerek Lures and Kingfisher lures were thrown at Mulwala’s cod.

This was the day that Fat Betty had their bonus multiplier day, so a good performance was going to be essential to their final standing and Team Venom just needed to get a couple of legal fish and finish in the points to

three was just too big and they climbed up the ladder to finish in fourth. We scored points on the final day, but not enough to keep our noses in front of Kyle and Rick and Fat Betty held onto sixth place overall.

KD Blow didn’t have their best day on the water, but still put 5.32 points in the bin and then it was down to Team Venom and Black Widow.

As no one knew the result, the entire crowd was hushed as MC Tony Bennett talked through the final minutes of the day. Black Widow landed and photographed a 55.1cm Murray cod and had the photos in to the weigh master

OTHER RESULTS Across the tournament there are other awards handed out that anglers love to receive and the Big Fish of the Day award is one of those, Michael Haley from Team Venom won this on Day 1 and Shane Banks from Fat Betty won this on Day 3. Shane’s fish also held onto to be the Tonic Eyewear Big Fish of the Comp as well.

Interestingly only three of the top 10 teams added points to their totals every day with Fat Betty, KD Blow and Swamp Donkeys being those teams. It’s unusual for the top teams to have a donut point day as this usually spells disaster, but with the exceptional bonus multiplier day scoring, it didn’t hinder the top two team’s performance in the end.

All in all, it was a wildly successful tournament with an incredible 573 Murray cod landed by the 36 teams (72 anglers) across the five fishing sessions. Of these cod, 181 were of legal size or better with the two biggest fish being Shane’s 93.9cm fish on Day 3 and Mike’s 84cm on Day 1.

Thank you to all the organises, helpers, cooks, competitors and families.

The 2021 Lake Mulwala Cod Nationals will go down in the books as the closest event ever with amazing numbers of fish.

MAY 2021

101

BASS ELECTRIC Series presented by

BASS Electric Round One at Toonumbar The first round of the ABT BASS Electric round sponsored by BKK hooks was held at Toonumbar Dam, in northern New South Wales.

This tournament was almost not going to go ahead due to the local flooding in New South Wales and South East Queensland, where some areas received an immense amount of rain.

We knew it was going to be an interesting competition

and there was a lot of talk about undersized bass being caught. Still, it showed that there were fish to be caught; you just needed to be in the right area for the legal size.

There was one angler who stood out from the rest: Peter Bostock, who led the field overnight.

Sunday morning saw the 21 anglers take off to do it all again, to see whether it would be another day of sorting through small fish.

for not even a touch. On Saturday he headed up the creek where he managed one good fish on a ZMan Slim SwimZ, and this was the bass that would end up being the Big Bass for the weekend. At 1.350kg, it was in great health.

Peter spent the rest of the evening throwing Chubbys to the edge, hooking up fairly consistently.

Sunday saw Peter head back up the creek and he caught a few undersized fish. With 30 minutes to go Peter lost a good fish at the net. This was to be second keeper, but finally on the last cast of the day he hooked and landed his second legal.

Peter finished the weekend with a winning weight of 3.4kg for four out of four.

“A massive shout-out to our new tournament director Adrian Wilson, the ABT team and Col Linton from BKK for their support,” Peter said.

In second place was Charles ‘Westy’ West. Westy fished the top part of the

Winner Peter Bostock was one of only three competitors who caught their bag limit on both days.

Event winner Peter Bostock also took out the Big Bass prize. for the weekend because the water was chocolate brown and had floating debris.

The 21 anglers took off on Saturday at 12:30pm and finished the session at 7pm. The second session was Sunday morning from 6:00am until 12 noon. After Session 1’s weigh in, it was clear that it was going to be a tough event. Small fish were hit the scales,

After the session was finished, the weigh in revealed a few bags with single fish and only a couple of bags with two.

After the weighing of the second session, Toonumbar had produced only three anglers that had a four-fromfour bag limit.

The winner of this round led the event wire-to-wire: Peter Bostock. Peter had a prefish on Friday afternoon

Runner-up Charles ‘Westy’ West caught most of his fish on plastics in pumpkinseed colour.

lake, casting the edges that had any sign of weed on them, and lily pads. He caught most of his legal fish on a 1/6oz jighead-rigged plastic in pumpkinseed colour, very close to the colour of the lake’s water.

He managed an upgrade on a Siglett topwater lure.

On the second session Westy stayed on the same pattern as the day before, casting the plastic and focusing three quarters of the session on a 100m stretch of bank. Westy managed three legals with this technique.

All in all it was a tough but great weekend for everyone. See you at the next round. - ABT Bass Electric Series

FISHING NEWS

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102

MAY 2021

The NSW DPI Fisheries has released a new video showing the seasonal movements of white (great white) sharks, bull sharks and tiger sharks.

These three species are referred to as ‘target sharks’, because they are the three species that are most frequently involved in shark bites in NSW. For this reason, they are the focus of the NSW Government’s tagging and tracking programs. NSW DPI has tagged over 700 white, bull and tiger sharks to learn about their movements, and put their findings in a new video on the NSW DPI Fisheries YouTube channel.

The videos show the typical movement patterns these three species at different times of the year.

Other recent DPI

Fisheries videos outline the latest shark tagging results, plus an overview of the Shark Management Strategy to date. The program has trialled measures such as Surf Life Savers using

drones that can talk to you when you’re in the surf; listening stations that detect tagged sharks, linked to a realtime app; deploying smart drumlines for tagging and relocating sharks; and

working with experts to test new ideas like bite-proof wetsuits for surfers.

To check them out, search for ‘NSW DPI Fisheries’ on YouTube. – FMG

Tournament Calendar 2021 DATE

Tournament

Location

State

Contact

MAY 1-2 May 1-2 May 15-16 May 16 May 16 May 22-23 May 29-30 May

2021 Daiwa BREAM R3 Glenelg Hopkins CMA Bream Classic R4 Hobie Fishing Worlds 2021 BKK Hooks BASS Electric R3 East Coast Bream Series R3 East Coast Sport Fishing Flathead Pro R4 2021 Daiwa BREAM R4

Forster,NSW Nelson Forster Clarrie Hall Dam Hawkesbury River Port Macquarie Ballina

NSW VIC NSW NSW NSW NSW NSW

abt.org.au www.vicbreamclassics.com.au hobiefishing.com.au abt.org.au www.wsbb.com.au Kris Banks 0407 996 135 abt.org.au

JUNE 5-6 June 5-6 June 12-13 June 12-13 June 13 June 13 June 19-20 June 19-20 June 19-20 June

R5 Hobie Fishing Worlds 2021 13Fishing BASS Pro R4 R6 Hobie Fishing Worlds 2021 Pottsville Beach Sports Greenback 2021 BKK Hooks BASS Electric R4 East Coast Bream Series R1 R7 Hobie Fishing Worlds East Coast Sport Fishing Flathead Pro R5 Daiwa East Gippsland Bream Classic

Mallacoota Cania Dam Blackwood River Pottsville Maroon Dam St Georges Basin Swan River Nambucca River Mallacoota

VIC QLD WA NSW QLD NSW WA NSW VIC

hobiefishing.com.au abt.org.au hobiefishing.com.au lionsgreenback.com abt.org.au www.wsbb.com.au hobiefishing.com.au Kris Banks 0407 996 135 www.vicbreamclassics.com.au

JULY 11 July 17-18 July 24-25 July

2021 BKK Hooks BASS Electric R5 Hinze Dam R8 Hobie Fishing Worlds Gold Coast East Coast Sport Fishing Flathead Pro R6 Macleay River

QLD QLD NSW

abt.org.au hobiefishing.com.au Kris Banks 0407 996 135

AUGUST 7-8 Aug 11-12 Aug 14-15 Aug 14-15 Aug 15 Aug 21-22 Aug 21-22 Aug

2021 13Fishing BASS Pro R5 BREAM Queensland Open 2021 Daiwa BREAM R5 East Coast Sport Fishing Flathead Pro GF East Coast Bream Series R4 2021 BKK Hooks BASS Electric R6 Atomic East Gippsland Bream Classic

Somerset Dam Moreton Bay Gold Coast Nambucca River Botany Bay Borumba Dam Marlo

QLD QLD QLD NSW NSW QLD VIC

abt.org.au abt.org.au abt.org.au Kris Banks 0407 996 135 www.wsbb.com.au abt.org.au www.vicbreamclassics.com.au

SEPTEMBER 11-12 Sept 11-12 Sept 12 Sept 13-17 Sept 18-19 Sept

R9 Hobie Fishing Worlds 2021 Daiwa BREAM R6 East Coast Bream Series R5 Venom BARRA Australian Open 2021 BKK Hooks BASS Electric GF

Georges River Gladstone Sydney Harbour Awoonga/Monduran Lake Lenthalls

NSW QLD NSW QLD QLD

hobiefishing.com.au abt.org.au www.wsbb.com.au abt.org.au abt.org.au

OCTOBER 2-3 Oct 9-10 Oct 9-10 Oct 15-16 Oct 17 Oct 17 Oct 26-27 Oct 30-31 Oct

Humminbird BASS Electric Aus Open R10 Hobie Fishing Worlds Club Marine East Gippsland Bream Classic 2021 Zerek BARRA R1 2021 Zerek BARRA R2 East Coast Bream Series GF Rapala BASS Australian Open 2021 13Fishing BASS Pro GF

Wyaralong Dam Burrill Lake Metung Lake Tinaroo Lake Tinaroo Hawkesbury River Clarence River Richmond River

QLD NSW VIC QLD QLD NSW NSW NSW

abt.org.au hobiefishing.com.au www.vicbreamclassics.com.au abt.org.au abt.org.au www.wsbb.com.au abt.org.au abt.org.au

NOVEMBER 15 Nov 16 Nov 18 Nov 20-21 Nov 27-28 Nov

2021 Zerek BARRA R3 2021 Zerek BARRA R4 2021 Zerek BARRA R5 2021 Zerek BARRA R6 NS Rods Sunline Bream Classic GF

Teemburra Dam Kinchant Dam Peter Faust Dam Peter Faust Dam Marlo

QLD QLD QLD QLD VIC

abt.org.au abt.org.au abt.org.au abt.org.au www.vicbreamclassics.com.au

DECEMBER 3-5 Dec

2021 Daiwa BREAM GF

Port Stephens

NSW

abt.org.au

Add your tournament or competition to this list by emailing jthomas@fishingmonthly.com.au Just supply a date, venue, tournament name, telephone number and contact name.

MAY 2021

103

recfishwest Another great GAMEX, as science bolsters research to make WA fishing better The 53rd GAMEX once again did not disappoint – 164 tag-and-released billfish, including 110 black marlin, 13 blue marlin, 5.85kg queenfish on 1kg line and much, much more.

Joining a healthy contingent of local fishers, WA’s premier game and sportfishing comp drew avid fishers to Exmouth from across the state for the week-long competition, with Recfishwest researchers also in attendance to collect vital species data, from 12-20 March.

USING SCIENCE TO MAKE FISHING BETTER Through the Fishing for Science program, Recfishwest Operations Officer Mike Minutillo and intern John Dempsey collected data from 56

said. “It shows WA is home to many passionate fishers who are always striving to be better stewards of our marine resources. It truly was fantastic to have the support of the EGFC and everyone who competed in GAMEX – there was a real interest in Fishing for Science and the

the champion female angler title from Jesse Sutton, while Corey Heal edged out Ryan Caporn for the champion male angler gong.

Among the many fantastic fish caught, Jesse reeled in a 5.85kg queenfish on 1kg line to narrowly beat Anna who

There were some great captures recorded at the competition, like this impressive queenfish.

“At GAMEX, competitors were mad-keen to bring their fish to the weigh station as part of Fishing for Science,” he

Recfishwest’s Mike Minutillo and John Dempsey talking to some eager on-lookers about Fishing for Science at GAMEX.

The Innkeeper team accepting their spoils. fish during the Exmouth Game Fishing Club-held (EGFC) comp.

From Spanish mackerel, to spangled emperor, golden trevally, queenfish and mahimahi, participating fishers brought 19 different highly-valued recreational fishing species to the weigh station during the event.

Data collected included weight, length, condition, sex and maturity stage, and tissue samples from each fish’s belly were taken for future research.

Mike said the data, which is set to be available via the Otlet website, was invaluable to further understanding important recreationally-valuable fishing species.

“Fishing for Science is a tournament monitoring and community engagement program run by Recfishwest,” 104

MAY 2021

Mike said.

“The samples will contribute to developing a better knowledge base of recreational fishing species, which are prized among WA recfishers, but don’t have much scientific data gathered on them.”

MORE FISH, MORE DATA The data collected

through Fishing for Science at major fishing tournaments, including GAMEX, can be used to educate the fishing community further about prized fish.

In addition, Mike said Fishing for Science encouraged increased custodianship of their fisheries and fish resources by recfishers.

Jesse Sutton with a beautiful mahimahi at GAMEX.

Fish weight, length, condition, sex and maturity stage was among data taken.

benefit it brings.”

EXCELLENT FISHING AT EXMOUTH Once again, there was fantastic fishing and fierce competition across the 53rd annual GAMEX. Innkeeper Sportfishing Charters’ team enjoyed a fantastic tournament, winning a range of categories including the tag-and-release marlin champion boat.

Anna Passmore claimed

caught a 5.25kg queenie on 1kg line.

“Thanks again to the EGFC and its weigh-in committee for the help throughout this year’s GAMEX and supporting Fishing for Science,” Mike said.

“And, a big shout-out to all fishers who let us sample the fish that they caught – you’ve helped play a major role in better understanding a number of species.”

LIGHT, POWERFUL, DURABLE…

No boat, no problem INTUITIVE CONTROL ESPERANCE

Murray Johnson

The Esperance coast has been enjoying some great autumn weather, with low winds and plenty of opportunities to get out fishing.

The grand opening of the new rebuilt tanker jetty has seen thousands of people rediscover the wonders of bay fishing.

They have been catching plenty of herring, squid and garfish. The keenest land-based fishos have been chasing tuna and samsonfish off the end.

Old style fishing has made a comeback, with anglers chasing squid using ALBERTON jags rigged with a herring ALBERTON under a float.MARINE A popular rig for39herring a lumo rig, JohnsonisStreet Alberton consisting of a2344 no. 2 berley P: (03) 5183 blob, a metre of line, no. 4 F: (03) 5183 2219 longshank hook with 3mm W: albertonmarine.com.au

to chase mulloway and and mulloway getting gummies have had great caught as they move closer success at Alexander and to the shoreline. Choice Israelite Bay. Flathead up beaches to target them are to 85cm are also in the mix. 14 Mile, Thomas River Duke of Orleans has and Israelite, with good been another prime spot fish also being caught at lately, with anglers Alexander Bay. catching plenty of herring, We should start seeing mixed in with skippy. A the return of the schools of fairly big school of salmon salmon later in the month, has also been sitting there. along with skippy, which It’s a great spot to fish can reach up to 8kg off the if the southeasterlies beach as the temperature start to blow. cools down.

Back in town, Bandy In the coming months Creek Boat Harbour has there is also an increased still been producing good chance of samsonfish and King George whiting in big other pelagics as they come numbers, with fish up to in closer to the shore.

35cm being caught. Mixed Good jetty fishing will in are some flatties going continue in May, with 50cm, flounder, and the more garfish being caught. occasional garfish.

To catch a feed of garfish, When it MELBOURNE comes to use a pencil float, a no. 10 MELBOURNE boat fishing in the bay, MARINE hook,CENTRE and small baits such bluefin tuna have still been gents (maggots), small 92 Hallam South as Road Hallam hanging around, can2003bits of prawn or chicken.

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MORWELL Tailor Street Jetty has GEELONG continued to provide good CRAWFORD PORTSIDE MARINE CENTRE fishing, with MARINE numbers of 71-77 Chickerell Morwell garfish and KingStreet George 36-38 Geelong Road Portarlington whiting addition If you haven’t Esperance P: (03) in 5134 6522 to the P: visited (03) 5259 1110 for a while, come usual herring and squid. and check out the new purpose-built fishing jetty, F: (03) 5134 6455 E: info@portsidemarinecentre.com.au Beach fishing in the which has replaced the crumbling old tanker jetty.

W: crawfordmarine.com.au W: portsidemarinecentre.com.au town area has gone quieter in terms of salmon, as water temperatures change. closer. Late in the season ECHUCA those fish have continued There are MELBOURNE still good you can spotlight them and to EADES move XTREME towards MARINE Perth on numbers of squid being SHOP scoop net them in the bay.

THE MARINE their annual caught, and sand whiting Garfish are excellent 24 Sturt Streetpilgrimage.

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South Coast

LIGHT, POWERFUL, DURABLE…

INTUITIVE CONTROL

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Waiting, waiting, waiting…

AUGUSTA

Anthony Gillam

So the salmon run decided that it would be late in 2021, much to the chagrin of those of us who count down the months, weeks

they were actively feeding.

The number of people fishing the schools was well up on previous years but most were having to work hard for the occasional strike at a bait or lure during the middle of the day. The schools were obviously feeding well on

Blake Gillam adds to his tally of fish while trolling a reliable old Halco Laser Pro Redhead to pick up an arm stretching sampson fish at Black Point. and then days for the fish to arrive! This year became a sit and wait experience, with plenty of the waiting part. The fish were still just hitting Albany in March when they are usually solidly running up the coast through Augusta on the way to the Perth metro area at this time.

With water temperatures remaining above 20ºC well into March it was not looking good for the salmon even bothering to come in close to shore. With schools staying out in the deeper, cooler waters there were fears that the run would be inaccessible to most shorebased fishers. Luckily, as March came to a close the water temperatures began to drop and the schools got much more frequent and closer to shore.

Beach fishing from Flinders Bay through to Boranup as Easter approached became much more exciting with schools dotting the coastline in regular intervals chasing anything that looked like a meal. Although the schools were showing up all through the day it was pretty obvious that early morning and late afternoon were the times 106

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the abundant garfish and herring schools and it was imperative to get to them before they had their fill.

Early risers definitely had the most successful days fishing.

As the schools of salmon came through it was obvious that matching what they were feeding on gave the best results with lures of all types 125mm and bigger being preferred over the smaller lures. They certainly showed much more aggression towards those lures and baits mimicking what they were feeding on.

With Easter passing and the run still more of a trickle it looks to be a late finisher this year.

While the salmon were slow to get their act together, the demersal fishing in Flinders Bay and Hamelin Bay continued to be pretty hot. The amount of pink snapper and dhufish around seemed to be well up on previous years with the copious amounts of juvenile fish just under the size limit a really good sign for the future. The shallower waters around the 20m and shallower range were teeming with life, which meant that although many undersized fish were landed, they released very well without too much issue with barotrauma. Soft plastics, (white, glow or pink paddle-tails work) Vexed bottom meat and SloMo jigs all did very well when fished close to the bottom. Baits of mulies, mullet and squid also

made a very good showing.

There are also big numbers of squid in Flinders Bay and up into Hardy Inlet, most are not monsters of the deep but they are sufficiently sized to make it onto the dinner table. They are also a favourite meal for sampson and kingfish, especially if live baited around lumps of reef or wrecks. Any of the prawn style jigs will work but they have shown a penchant for orange, red, blue and green 3.0 size being a good starting place with smaller sized jigs necessary if the average size squid is reasonably small.

The Blackwood River has been subject to some heavy fishing activity and numbers of whiting have decreased and the tailor seem to have deserted all together.

The herring numbers continue to increase as the salmon run chases them up the coast. Some really nice specimens have shown up early mornings and late afternoons, especially around the jetties. They are taking any sort of flashy 30-40g lure, soft plastics or baits. A

Ash well and truly scored a win with this very solid dhufish while jet-ski fishing in Flinders Bay.

David was another happy charter customer after scoring this 10kg dhufish on a day trip with Leeuwin Marine Charters.

The diminutive but tenacious Nana Fish scored the first salmon of the run through Augusta with a 5.5kg specimen off the beach near Flat Rock (near the marina).

lazy troll along the channels in a kayak or dinghy have picked up the best fish.

The blue swimmer crab numbers have been increasing for several months and it is expected that once there is a big flush of rainwater down the river they should make another bold showing. Drop netting around West Bay to North Bay have so far given the

best results. Watch out for stingrays eating your baits and destroying nets. Spleen or chicken necks should fix that issue but if you are determined to use fish then I would put it in a bait basket.

Beach fishing at Deepdene, Cosy Corner, Elephant Rock, Hamelin Bay and Boranup has remained strong with plenty of skippy, herring and tarwhine being

caught. Salmon will remain on the agenda for a while and with them the numbers of bronze whalers will definitely be up. Known for the great eating they make, small bronzies will make for an excellent addition to the bag and can be quite easily targeted by leaving a slide bait sitting in the depths while you target the salmon on lures. Bleed and fin them immediately to get the best out of them.

Fishing off the rocks in autumn is the best fishing weather for Augusta and the chances of getting not only bread and butter species but demersals, sharks and pelagics are always on the cards. It is one of my favourite ways to get away for the day; to sit and cogitate on all manner of things with the chance to come home with an unusual catch. I have frequently been surprised with the variety of fish that turns up. Try berleying up the skippy and herring while leaving a live herring sitting in the deeper water on a slide bait rig and you are just as likely to pick up a few good meals from a kingfish, dhufish or shark. Try the rocks at Ringbolt, Dead Finish or Skippy Rock where there are deep channels, reef and sea grasses providing the perfect piscatorial environment.

Rock fishing can be very productive in Augusta but it can also be deadly. Choose a spot that allows you the chance to seek refuge from any king waves and don’t let calm conditions fool you into thinking you are safe. Rogue waves are just that and can To page 107

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Pink snapper bloom as weather cools down numbers. The rough weather presents a good opportunity for the pink snapper to forage for food that gets bashed around and dislodged during and following the numerous cold fronts that will be coming through over the next few months. Due to the fact that they move around a lot looking for their next meal, the best results usually come in the form of setting the pick and getting a solid berley trail going, bringing the fish to you. Some days it will only take minutes for them to appear and once they come up in the berley trail the fishing is generally hot with fish coming one after the other.

A berley that consists of fish frames, old bait and scraps works a treat but can be a messy job to do at home.

Nowadays though, there are lots of quality frozen berley options available in good

BUNBURY

Whiteys Tackle and Camping

Black bream are a popular target over winter with the Collie and Brunswick rivers always holding a few.

While they can be tough to find sometimes the quality makes up for it.

With the cooler freshwater flowing into the river, the winter bream do get sluggish, which means it’s time to get out the soft plastics and vibes. Slow retrieves down using long pauses and small movements is the key to targeting winter bream. There are certain plastics on the market that have a large amount of scent built into them to provide the bream a smelly scent-filled target in the dirty water. In this situation some of the most successful plastics would be the Berkley Gulp Crabbies and Worms and the Ecogear Aqua Prawns.

Generally you will need a little bit more weight on the jighead to counteract the harder flowing water, so look at using between 1/16-1/8oz jigheads with a hook size to suit your plastic choice.

In regards to vibes the River2Sea Baby Vibes are an absolute killer with either the darker colours or baitfish From page 106

quickly result in being thrown into the water. People have died here after being washed off by king waves.

• Unpredictable weather can quickly affect the fishing

David Moore with a decent sized salmon. colours that give off a bit of flash doing the damage.

Rigged with a solitary treble hanging off the rear end, these bream magnets will bring the fish from far and wide, and with such a small profile lure the hook rate is exceptional! Cast in close to the timber let it sink down but be ready to strike and engage the bream because

he will race out and nail it and be back to his lair given the chance.

If you are in the mood for sitting back on the river bank and chilling out, a small ball sinker running down to a baitholder or shiner hook laced with a fresh strip of mullet will usually fool these cunning fish. Look for creeks or run-offs feeding

conditions and slippery rocks are a recipe for disaster.

Please remain vigilant when rock fishing; wear a life jacket and tie off to something solid.

You can hire one for free from Augusta Xtreme Outdoor

Sports at 66 Blackwood Avenue Augusta the local tackle shop and font of all local fishing knowledge. Look for the big green sign on the roof, it’s right next to the Better Choice Fuels Service Station.

There will be plenty of quality bream on offer this month. into the main branch of the river because there is a good chance bream will be waiting to pounce on any offering flowing into the river.

With winter rapidly approaching, thoughts turn to the inshore pink snapper fishery as they are coming in close to shore in great

Brian with a nice dhufish landed while on a charter in Flinders Bay with Leeuwin Marine Charters.

I have found occasionally they will go off the bite (usually when you drop a fish!) and then it is a good idea to change it up to get them switched on again. By that I mean put the baits away and try a couple of lures.

Good results are coming on soft plastics with the vibes being especially deadly, they can change the mood of the fussy pink snapper. With lures, they will hit it out of aggression and can get them feeding freely again.

Another technique to get them biting is to drop down a micro jig in the 5-20g range. This smaller offering flicking and darting of the bottom will replicate a small baitfish, you also could get a bonus by-catch of any skippy that are milling around the berley trail.

• As always, call into the store to get the latest info on where they are biting! And

tackle shops, which are perfect for the job.

Once the berley trail is established all you need to do is present an unweighted or lightly weighted mulie/scalie on a gang or snelled hooks with hook size determined by the bait used, 4/0 to 6/0 sizes are the most common.

the crew at Whiteys Tackle and Camping in Treendale are always more than happy to share their knowledge of the southwest and fishing techniques so don’t be shy, come on in and say hi, show off your catch and ask any questions you may have.

Tight lines! – Grant Teede

As the weather cools, pink snapper will be heading to the shores in great numbers.

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Bounties for the brave MANDURAH

Jesse Choy

As we transition further into our cooler winter months, the typical fish being caught around Mandurah is definitely

from estuary to offshore, dependent on the lengths you wish to go to and how much of the weather you are able to endure.

Pink snapper fishing is definitely beginning to heat up out on the blue and is quickly becoming a focus

us by churning up a lot of otherwise inaccessible food, which results in more fish venturing out and hunting for an easy meal.

If you are chasing pinks, fishing depths of around 5-40m is ideal, and if you are chasing dhu going to

Small mulloway like this are littered throughout the river systems, providing a fun fight and hopes for the future.

If you get to your spot and suspect it may be unfishable due to the weed, try casting out just a sinker to see what it is like further out. beginning to change.

Warm water species such as estuary yellowfin are reducing in numbers, and tailor are largely gone from most of our beaches, we now have to look to new horizons. There are options for everyone

around the area. These fish are quite opportunistic, opting to hunt crabs and other food sources, which are knocked out of their homes by the surging ocean. So while the weather can be detrimental to our mission, it benefits

depths of around 15-60m will be best. A standard paternoster is great for both species, with the best baits to try being octopus, squid, mullet and herring.

Fishing from the beaches

will begin to get difficult, with seaweed rolling in as a result of increased amounts of turbulent water being shifted around. If you’re opting to persist with fishing on the sand, there is definitely plenty of bread and butter available, with the odd pink snapper or mulloway occasionally in the mix. Using baits such as pilchard, squid or mullet will do the trick in most cases and the fish will also find it quite hard to pass up some fresh herring or whiting. Taking the time to properly present your bait will ensure that it sits well in the water and is appealing to the fish when it passes by.

If heading to the local rock walls or beaches, it is worth noting that catching Australian salmon is very

viable and worth considering at this time of the year. If aiming to target these fish, casting metal lures or plugs is a great option and will often turn up results. These salmon schools can be

it is worth prospecting your way through the system and seeing what you will turn up along the way. Although some fish will get washed down by the currents, some will take to deeper holes and

Catching sambos is always on the cards when fishing the reefs off Mandurah and boy do they fight hard!

Joel Orchard had a fantastic day off the rocks at Naturaliste, close to Dunsborough, thanks to Justin from Access Fishing who gave him the best spots to try. It took him 25 minutes to reel in this huge kingfish that ate his live skippy bait he caught earlier that day.

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Watching salmon launch at stick baits? Yes please!

quite condensed, sporadic and difficult to keep up with. Fishing lures is often preferred by many anglers for such reasons, as you are able to follow schools and have multiple chances at the one school. If bait fishing, fresh herring, mullet or pilchard is ideal when paired up with a single or ganged hook and definitely tempt the less active fish at times.

Rivers are often a great fishing option at this time of the year as the abundance of trees offer great cover from the winds and rain all around. Anywhere along the river will hold fish, so

sections of the river where the flow is not heavily influencing their living way or making it difficult for them to hunt around.

If heading out, fresh river prawns or mullet cubes are ideal snacks when fishing baits and an artificial will often turn up aggressive fish when they do not want to eat.

June promises a continuation of miserable weather, but a great opportunity to go with it.

Although we can anticipate the arrival of rain, there is no telling what the weather will do to the water and bring in terms of catching.

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Target the staples for May deeper water, away from the fresh flush, and a feed can be yours.

ROCK WALLS, JETTIES AND BEACHES May is an excellent month for cephalopods, and many land-based locations will have anglers lined up casting squid jigs to catch them. Size 3.0 or 3.5 jigs will be the most popular. Colours don’t seem to matter too much, and most people seem to have their own favourite. However, one tip I

METRO

Jacob Crispe

The Swan and Canning systems have both had a good flush, and this means the most productive fishing will be towards the mouths of these waterways. The month of May will see most anglers focusing their efforts in these lower reaches, targeting some of our winter staples.

SWAN RIVER The Swan River bream are always the first fish to take advantage of freshwater flushes, sitting themselves in areas like the Heirisson Island Causeway and the Narrows Bridge, waiting to gorge

Gregor Crum is all smiles with this steam train of a blue groper!

The master Jeff Webber keeping up his consistent rep with a lovely Swan River mulloway. themselves on the baitfish and other goodies that the fresh pushes down the system. Bait anglers should focus on trying

A lovely clean looking pink snapper caught in 20m by Tom Fraser!

so fishing them as the tide drops will see the tailor lining up for a feed as the water recedes. Small stickbaits and metal lures are the perfect lures to search these areas. Don’t be afraid to have a cast over the flats as well. It is not unusual to catch a flathead or two on the flats as they wait for the same food to swim past.

Mulloway reports have slowed for the first time in over 12 months. However, the mulloway that have been caught are ABSOLUTE quality, so it is still well worth

James Riddick has been getting a few of these monster flounder lately in metro waters. very accessible spots. Port Beach, Floreat and City Beach have all been fishing well.

Metro anglers will also be starting to get excited, as the annual salmon run isn’t too far away. It has been a few seasons now since we have really experienced good run here in Perth, but all indicators are pointing to this year being

look for deep water drop-offs with shallow water nearby. The tailor love ambushing baitfish as they swim off these flats,

trail for them. I know I say this every month, but berley is the key to successfully fishing our inshore reefs. Activity breeds activity, and that is definitely the case when you berley while fishing these areas.

Like our rock walls and jetties, the inshore grounds have been fishing well for squid. It is definitely the time of year when the squid you catch seem to get bigger and bigger. This is a win-win situation as many anglers are grabbing a feed as well as picking up a few fresh baits.

Cockburn Sound, Fremantle, Carnac and Garden Island are all worth trying, but I would suggest you have a squid outfit rigged and ready to go when fishing our inshore waters, becauase the squid seem to be everywhere at the moment.

Another plentiful species in May is the sand whiting.

Drifting the area around the Windmills and the shipping channel will always produce a whiting or three this month.

DEEP DROP Our weather patterns haven’t settled as they normally do, but May should see this happen, and the opportunity

Alex Pettet with an awesome LB metro mack he caught in Cockburn Sound.

Callan Gaunt showing off a trophy capture.

A double header of dhueys will make anyone’s day! to match the hatch (prawn, worm or flesh baits), while lures anglers will generally use 2-4” soft plastics or hardbody lures of a similar size to entice a bite from the bream.

Tailor will also be prolific in May. We are not talking about big fish; most are in the 30-40cm size range. However, they are great fun on light gear and scratch that fishing itch.

The best way to find where the tailor might be is to keep an eye out for bird activity.

When the tailor are feeding on baitfish, the birds in the area tend to get pretty excited.

If you can’t find active birds,

the effort. Live baits or large fresh baits will be your best options. Larger paddle tail soft plastics and hardbodies will also work, but the key will be patience, as finding the fish may take a little bit of time.

Crabs have been plentiful in the system. The key is

Jarrad Prieto with a nice little tiger shark from Woods – it’s a great catch on light line!

would give you is when you do go and buy jigs, check the sink rates of the jigs (they vary quite a bit between brands and styles) and buy ones that have different rates of drop. It can make a big difference if you have a jig that sinks slower in shallow areas, and another one that sinks faster in deeper locations.

Good starting points to get yourself a feed of squid are the North and South Moles rock walls, Woodmans Point and the Claremont Jetty. All produce well at this time of year. First and last light are the prime times, however plenty of squid can be caught in the middle of the day. I believe fishing the last two hours of the run-in tide and the first two of the run-out tide are more important than the time of day.

Our metro beaches have been fishing well, with tailor, herring and whiting all in good numbers and available from

Aaron Towers caught this lovely little mulloway on light gear up stream in the Swan on a soft plastic. better than it has been. I know I will be stocking up on a few lures just in case.

INSHORE WATERS I am very happy to report that our inshore grounds are going off. Good numbers of silver trevally, samsonfish, King George whiting and pinkies have been holding on all our inshore reefs. The pinkies tend to be in better numbers after a bit of a bad weather. The food-rich dirty water is like one big berley

to head out wide will become more doable. Check out my fishing report in the April issue for a few tips, as the fish that come from the 150-500m deep areas off Perth are some of the best eating fish you will find, and are really worth chasing.

I hope everybody has an opportunity to wet a line during the month of May. Some squid and salmon fishing is definitely on the cards for me this month. I hope to see you out there.

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Big blows change beaches LANCELIN

Peter Fullarton

The first big blow each year often occurs during May, this is when we start to see some significant changes in the beach structure. Deep near shore holes can be scoured out, well within casting range to efficiently work lures from

north to warmer waters.

Blue swimmer crabs can be caught using drop nets along the bay’s near shore or from the jetty. Fish heads make great bait, take some extras as the stingrays are good at stealing them!

The past several new moons have been providing a bumper haul of red crayfish from potters fishing the nearshore grounds. This

seen in quite some years, lots under size or just over.

A great sign for the next few seasons, so be sure to bring any smaller fish up slowly from the depths for the best chance of a healthy release.

Cuttles are in good numbers, often taking baits and soft plastics intended for demersal fish. Best depths to find them are 26-35m. A tell-tale couple of long pulse

to fillet the first one, cutting the fillets to small cubes on size 9 long shank hooks.

Fishing from a boat, bigger sandies can be reliably caught in 18-22m several mile offshore, smaller boats and kayaks can find a few sand holes in 6m just north of the bay that produce some good sandies too.

Tarwhine catches are becoming more frequent.

They like reef or weed beds, there is plenty through the bay. Often caught from the jetty or near reefs along the surf beaches. Tarwhine are nocturnal feeders and night fishing can be very productive for them as they move to the shallows.

Tailor can act strangely this time of year, often the best bite can be mid-afternoon or morning and then sunset and rise they may be hard to find. There

Dave with a nice greenback taken on a stick bait cast to a beach gutter.

Find the bait schools and the mackies will be close by. This was one of several fish that came from an area holding bait. the sand for mulloway and big tailor.

Driving the beach will also become a challenge, big swells fluff up the sand so it is steep and soft to drive on, take care and use the back tracks if unsure.

Waters are starting to cool and the whale migration is in full swing, although there will still be some pelagics passing as they head back

month should prove equally well, so set up pots near a good ledge.

Dropping baits for demersal fish in 35-45m has been scoring the regular mix of dhufish, breaksea cod, pink snapper and baldchin groper. Gummy and whiskery sharks have been a common by-catch. There have been the best numbers of small dhufish that we have

Tarwhine will add to the bag during the cooler months.

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MAY 2021

pulls on the line will indicate when one is at the bait. Bring them gently to the surface to avoid pulling the hooks, and backing off the drag so it can slip each time the boat is lifted by a swell.

Spanish mackerel have been caught trolling the back edge of the white bank in 15-20m of water. Red head, white body lures have been getting the most hits and deep diving lures have been scoring bonus pink snapper.

Further out at direction bank there has been some good mackerel caught along with yellowfin tuna to 35kg.

Snook have been active in the bay over some of the deeper weed beds. They are a great fish to target from the small boat or kayak on light fishing gear. They will aggressively take wellpresented lures.

Plenty of herring have been in the bay and along the beaches. There are stacks at the jetty each night, or if you like to fish off the beach they can be caught at Edwards Island Point or North Point of the bay. Baits like prawn or squid work well, especially if you use a berley cage.

Dinghy and kayak fishers have been cleaning up trolling or casting small lures over the sand holes along the southern half of the bay.

This time of year an excellent size sand whiting can be caught from beach and jetty. Heading north of town always finds the bigger sandies. One of the best baits to catch them, is

Tom and Adam had a great night at Didie Bay landing a few guitarfish, and even hooking a few unstoppable mystery fish. is a great average size fish along the beaches. Casting stick baits and poppers to where the waves break over deeper water from a gutter or reef has been finding the big greenbacks.

It is still a prime time to target beach mulloway fish on the run up to full moon early evening and into the night, new moon target them at sunset and sunrise through to mid-morning.

If the mullet schools are running big fish are likely to be just on the back of the wave wash. Prime bait to use would be fresh mullet, otherwise fresh tailor or sand whiting a close second.

At Lancelin the bigger pink snapper tend to be caught from the middle grounds between the beach and the white bank, further out in deeper water most of the pinkies are smaller fish. Anchor along a good reef to sand edge and set up a berley trail at dawn or at sunset. Float pilchards

at places like, Didie point, Narrow Neck, Mile Reef and even at the north point of Lancelin Bay. Lately there has been more people dropping baits via drones from the beach, snapper is the main target species and they have been doing very well.

Skippy school up on the inshore reefs at this time of year, there often the first species to turn up in the burly when chasing snapper. Great fun on light gear, for there size one of the hardest pulling fish there is. Fish to 60cm are not uncommon at this time of year along the middle grounds. Inside the bay there are plenty of smaller skippy to 45cm.

Drifting the bay casting soft plastics can find the

A recent Lancelin Angling Club event saw many dhufish in the 7-10kg range weighed in. or squid down the berley trail, you might need to add a little lead to get the bait down near the bottom if there is some current.

There have been some great catches of pink snapper off the beach. Some have been caught beach casting

schools or offshore try some micro jigs.

The bruisers of the bay are the marauding sampson fish, they chase schools of herring, squid and hardiheads. They can turn up any time at the jetty or at the back of the dinghy.

WA

West Coast

The great clean out!

GERALDTON

Graham Maunder & Michael Triantopoulos

Early season storms brought heavy rain to the inland catchments that supply our local rivers, most of which have not had a flow for a few years.

had an annual aggregation of mulloway, as it is a local river with continuous water flow. However, when we get a big rain event the fish congregate in big numbers and locals and visitors do the same to hopefully take home the fish of a lifetime.

Between Kalbarri and

best, so being able to be in the best spots at the right time usually depends on how you can organise your commitments. But don’t despair if you miss the peak of the run as there are still plenty of mulloway that will remain in the beach channels and gutters for a month or two after the initial flood.

In the recent weeks there have been good numbers of mulloway landed in the 10-25kg range and the continuation of the mullet migration and plenty of chopper sized tailor and bait fish will mean the mulloway

Barry Fisher with a nice mulloway caught south of Geraldton Good Friday evening.

Kyle Simmons with a nice coral trout and WA dhufish.

Even though mulloway are a reasonably consistent catch in the midwest, the sudden flush of freshwater cleans out the rivers and provides a big boost to the food supply of all the costal predators.

The Murchison River mouth at Kalbarri has always

Port Denison the rivers only get a flow when the inland areas get major rain falls every three or four years, and therefore don’t have the regular congregations of fish.

The Chapman, Greenough and Irwin rivers don’t usually stay open for more than a few weeks at

Jim Sweetman with a decent mulloway caught from the Greenough River mouth, this fish was released.

will not have to leave the area to find a feed for quite a while yet.

BOAT With the run off magic weather we’ve had it’s given anglers the opportunities to get out.

The sea surface temperatures around town have been up around 28ºC therefore the bottom fishing closer to town has been extremely difficult.

Spanish mackerel have been fairly consistent conditions permitting as there has been lots of floating weed around making trolling very difficult. Striped tuna schools have been providing anglers great fun on light tackle, throwing small lures to match the hatch into the surface eruptions.

Dhufish captures from around the African Reef area have been fairly consistent with fish up to 10kg, pink snapper, baldchin groper and coral trout have also been reported with the occasional Spanish mackerel to 20kg.

South West from the Batavia Marina 15-20nm aggregations of sampson fish, amberjack and yellowtail king fish have

been stretching anglers arms, unfortunately the sharks have been very friendly as well. Dhufish, bald chin groper, pink snapper, coral trout and spangled emperor have been in reasonable numbers.

The lumps out from Coronation Beach has had good numbers off Spanish mackerel and the occasional cobia, bottom fishing has been tough going due to the strong northerly current.

Billfish numbers from the Abrolhos have been in good numbers, mainly blue marlin but there has been a few black marlin, yellow fin tuna to 80kg, mahi mahi and wahoo from Southern Group to the Wallabies.

The FAD out from the Wallabies has had good numbers of large mahimahi on it, as well as a few wahoo.

• Geraldton Sports Centre is the Mid Wests specialist Fishing tackle store. Drop in and see the friendly professional staff for local advise and knowledge and browse the extensive range of Fishing equipment on show at 204-208 Marine Terrace Geraldton WA, Phone: 08 9921 3664.

Action around bust-ups EXMOUTH

Barry Taylor

A few black marlin have been caught in close in recent weeks, along with a few sailfish. I was out recently and saw plenty of bait balls with predators working them. These have usually consisted of shark mackerel and Spanish mackerel, with a few tuna mixed in.

On a recent trip we got a few shark mackerel, longtail tuna and mac tuna, with the majority caught on small stickbaits from around 100-150mm. I caught my fish on the Daiwa Breakthrough 120S, and small 5” white soft

plastic jerk shads.

Lately the tuna have been really fussy, usually because they have been hyper focused on eating tiny whitebait. At times like these you want a really small presentation, such as a small soft plastic or metal slice. You should downsize your lure as much as you can while still being able to punch out a decent cast. If you’re using a soft plastic, let it sink down underneath the birds and make quite a quick retrieve.

When approaching a bust-up, maintain an even speed and stop as far away as you can while still being able to get a cast within the school.

A couple of staff members have been getting mackerel around

the islands trolling lures, and we heard of a sailfish getting caught on a Laser Pro in 14m as a bycatch while targeting mackerel.

Over the school holidays there were plenty of kids down the marina targeting mangrove jacks and bream. It seemed that everything was feeding up as the cyclone approached.

If you’re fishing in the marina, I recommend using a bit of prawn on a running sinker rig for bream, or a salted mulie for jacks. With both species, you should keep the weight as low as you can (unweighted if possible) and let it drift down in the current. If you prefer using lures, a good option is a 3” paddletail plastic.

To page 112

This tuna fell to a Richter Sea Iron lure. Image courtesy of On Strike Charters.

MAY 2021

111

North Coast

WA

A threadfin salmon haven BROOME

Troy Honey

In late 2013 the WA Liberal Government purchased the only two commercial fishing licences covering about 100km of coastline, from Roebuck Bay in Broome, south to Eighty Mile Beach. It was a decision that cost a small handful of local jobs, but boosted Broome’s economy by bolstering tourism, and it has now led to a big upstream of employment.

Besides the monetary benefits, the largest benefit has been the explosion of the threadfin

salmon population. The commercial fishers were using gill nets to fish for barramundi and threadfin, which heavily impacted stocks on not only these species, but other species such as tripletail and northern jewfish. There is still gillnet fishing going on in the Kimberley in places such as the Fitzroy River in Derby by commercial, illegal, and indigenous fishers, which is having a massive impact on the barramundi stocks.

With the learnings from Roebuck Bay, we certainly hope the current and future governments work towards stamping this out altogether in the Kimberley,

especially in high-impact zones close to town centres that rely heavily on tourism, and keeping residential numbers up.

Without good fish stocks, the tourists will not come and the residents will not stay, and money flowing into the towns will be lost and everyone suffers.

Numbers of threadfin salmon in Roebuck Bay are now almost at plague proportions.

However, don’t expect to cast out any old line and think you will land a fish. Threadfin salmon are an intelligent, hard-fighting fish who fossick for crustaceans with their long and slender feelers in the muddy

Rob Saunders has being enjoying the best of Roebuck Bay by targeting and landing quite a few solid threadfin salmon.

From page 111

In recent weeks the bream and jacks have been caught at all times

of day, but to maximise your chances it’s often best to fish the low light periods when there is a bit less

Smiles all round with this nice sail caught aboard On Strike Charters. Image courtesy of On Strike Charters.

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boat traffic.

There are still queenies and trevally in close, providing a lot of fun on surface lures.

Looking ahead, the wind tends to drop out at this time of year, giving anglers plenty of opportunities to get in on the action. The water is also still warm, so you have the freedom to target a wide range of species.

[Report supplied by Josh Cheong.]

• For all the latest news on what’s biting and where, drop in to Tackle World Exmouth at 3 Maley St, Exmouth or give them a call on (08) 9949 1315. You can also view the range at www. tackleworldexmouth.com. au, and see the latest catch photos on their Facebook page. This family business stocks a large range of tackle, from light spin to big game. The staff have a wealth of local knowledge and expertise, and are always happy to help.

shallows. With reduced visibility and often fastrunning tides, the bait or lure needs to be presented in ways to attract a strike.

Threadfin love prawns, whether fresh, frozen or artificial. For that reason, prawns and prawn lures are the go-to for most anglers in the Broome region.

Bright colours work best when there’s low visibility, with the best being fluoro green or pink. Cooked prawns work exceptionally well but it’s strongly recommended to use only native West Australian prawns to reduce the risk of disease. A disease outbreak could bring a fishery like Roebuck Bay to its knees.

There are also lots of lure manufacturers now producing lifelike prawn lures which are mostly soft or semi-soft plastics. These all work great, and playing around with different colours and trolling or casting along the flats from Broome right around to 80 Mile Beach is a sure way to encourage a thready to bite.

Working creek mouths, shallow flats, colour change lines and tide changes (preferably the lead up to the high tide change) will put you on the right path to being amongst the many anglers who have enjoyed the blossoming Broome threadfin fishery.

There are plenty more species to target in Broome during May, with demersals being the best option. For land-based and near shore fishers, you can’t go past a few hours of chasing bluebone. There have been quite a few good catches

Salmon numbers in Roebuck Bay are almost at plague proportions. of monster bluebone from the Broome jetty lately. For this you will need heavy gear with strong line and enough weight to get you down to the bottom in the strong running tide. Fish the last couple of hours before high tide when the bluebone come in searching for rocks crabs.

Further out there are reports of good-sized blueline emperor and coral trout being caught, both on jigs and bait. The low tide change has been more productive than the high tide change, but the latter is still producing some good fish.

Sharks have become a real problem in Broome.

You need to move after you have landed a couple of fish or the sharks will move in and hit any fish on its way to the surface.

If you can fish the waters in the 50m depth or more, you’ll increase your chance

of escaping the sharks and finding red emperor, Rankin cod and large saddle-tails.

It’s a long boat out so pick your days weather wise, and fish the neap tides over the springs because they’re generally quieter days for sharks and it’s much easier to hold bottom.

Mud crabs, mangrove jack and golden snapper are being caught in the creeks and mangrove-lined coastal areas right around the top of Cape Leveque.

This fishery region of the Buccaneer Archipelago is largely untouched due to its remoteness, and would have to be one of the most fish-abundant regions of the whole of Australia.

With everyone sticking to Fisheries size and bag limits, the area is being well protected and will remain that way for future generations to enjoy. Please respect the rules and enjoy this fishing paradise.

Plenty of solid golden trevally have been caught in recent weeks. Image courtesy of On Strike Charters.

WA

North Coast

Dry season diversity DAMPIER/KARRATHA

Troy Honey

The annual dry season is well and truly upon us but not without the remnants of a couple of cyclones and tropical lows still leaving their mark. There’s been

as well as Bare Rock are all perfect locations to target large trevally species on poppers and stickbaits. By fishing the tide changes you will have the best chance of a strike. The trevally fire up during the change and it’s not uncommon to see them feeding and darting

is exciting and frustrating at the same time, as it usually ends up in a bust-off, but it is still a good problem to have.

Heading deeper, the demersal scene is as hot as it gets for those fishing around the oil rigs for big red emperor, saddletail

Reuben Buften got onto a solid Chinamanfish on light gear using squid for bait on a paternoster rig in 20m at sunrise off Dampier.

Rankin cod would have to be one of the best table fish in WA, especially the specimens around 450-600mm such as this one caught by the author in only 10m of water over a coral bottom. an abundance of seaweed still drifting in the nearshore and offshore current which has been causing despair for those trolling for Spaniards or sailfish.

We should see the last of the weed be dragged out to sea over the next month, and although it has been challenging when trolling, it has also brought a couple of species to the fore. Squid and tripletail have been scattered amongst the weed and have been caught right through the archipelago islands. Large northern diamond can be found in a variety of depths, with the 2-10m range of reef and weed beds being the most common locations.

While we were recently fishing for coral trout south of the archipelago in 8m of water, the exceptionally large diamond squid were following our fish up and attacking them before we could get the fish into the boat. Tripletail love to use drifting seaweed to hide under and pounce on baitfish so it is well worth flicking small lures or drifting baits past larger clumps of seaweed while it is still hanging around.

Golden trevally and GTs are also in abundance in areas such as this, and when you include reefs that break the surface on low tide and create plenty of whitewash you’ll be sure to find them. Islands such as Eaglehawk and Legendre

about in the clear water.

If you are not seeing any action either visually or on the structure scan, move on to another location. The fish will be around, it’s just a matter of finding where they are feeding.

Staying on the surface, the sailfish are in full flight right now with multiple boats getting amongst the sportfishing action in recent weeks.

The numbers are definitely up, and it’s looking to be another bumper year for the Karratha region.

Trolled lures and lives are both working well. Even those anglers fishing for demersals are having their jigs taken on the drop or retrieve by the sails. This

snapper and Rankin cod.

Bite windows have been finicky at times, especially when the moon is in the sky during the day. However, those anglers who hang around waiting for the moon to set have found the bite comes on strong around an hour after. Sharks are still the toughest challenge. As I have mentioned before, fishing in areas that see fewer boats is the key to sharkless days.

fishing for smaller vessels at this time of year, and reaching bag limits of 40 per boat or enough for a couple of feeds is currently taking less than an hour or just a couple of pulls of their nets. The crabs are starting to gain in size as well, with the average being 140-160mm across the carapace.

The water temperature is dropping fast, and so is the barra and threadfin action. There are still fish to be caught but they have slowed down, so the skill and technique of the angler needs to rise in order to encourage strikes.

creeks. Try different size lures and different speeds of troll and retrieve, or even better, live baits of mullet or prawns. These are irresistible even in the cooler water.

Divers are finding the tropical crays all throughout the archipelago and adjacent reefs. It’s perfect timing as we come into the cooler part of the year, with less risk of the deadly irukandji jellyfish and the slowing in shark activity.

Bronze whalers and bull sharks are significantly feistier in warmer water but become more docile in cooler water, which leads

Author Troy Honey with a Chinamanfish caught on PE2 gear only a short boat out from Dampier.

Chinaman are a fantastic challenge when you’re fishing with exceptionally light gear.

Coral trout are one of the best trophy demersals in the North West, and there are plenty of them around Karratha. The author finds them in 10-30m of water by drifting down 60g jigs over reef structure.

Coral trout, blueline emperor and Chinamanfish are coming from waters closer to the islands in depths of 10-30m with a lot of golden trevally and the odd Spanish amongst them.

Slow drifting very lightly weighed soft plastics and jigs that take a while to sink has been doing the trick when it comes to hooking larger trout. Trout really enjoy the chase, and using lighter jigs (around 60g) which drag well behind the boat a few metres off the bottom is the perfect method to entice them to follow and strike.

Netting blue swimmer crabs in the bays around Karratha and Point Samson is the preferred day of

Brock Crowhurst with a hard fighting blue bastard caught on fly over the flats near Dampier. Blue bastard (Plectorhinchus caeruleonothus) is the actual name, and these fish have 12 dorsal spines, as opposed to painted sweetlips which have 9 or 10.

Mud crabs and mangrove jacks are plentiful in the same areas, so the opportunities are still there when fishing the

to the next few months of May to September being the preferred time to enjoy a dive in this stunning part of the world.

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WA

Better fishing in cooler water FRESHWATER

Peter Fragomeni

May can be one of the best months to be out freshwater fishing. The waters have well and truly cooled down, allowing the trout to move close to shore and feed on any available food that was previously off limits in the warmer months. The rivers are

fantastic presentation

by Fisheries WA on trout production, with photos of egg stages over the summer, and sizes from fry to yearlings over different months.

A fresh new approach has been implemented down at the hatchery in Pemberton, with the trend of moving away from small fry stocking by cutting numbers by half to around 350,000. This enables the fry to grow bigger, to

Some of the yearlings being grown at the Pemberton Trout Hatchery. It’s hoped that larger numbers available this year will improve the fishery in our state. also cool and in all but the dry autumns, have some reasonable flow, allowing for better presentation of lures and flies in the faster runs. Redfin are very active too, with nice pre-spawning schools well established in our dams. It’s easy to target them if you happen to have a sounder on your boat or kayak.

On the news front, there was a meeting at the Recfishwest office recently, where FFRG met to make recommendations to Fisheries on trout stocking numbers and locations that the Pemberton Hatchery produce. Present at the meeting were a senior research scientist from Pemberton Hatchery, a Fisheries biosecurity officer, staff from Recfishwest, WA Trout and Freshwater Angling Association, Trout Foundation WA and independent freshwater anglers including myself.

A number of topics were discussed including a

give them a better survival rate in the wild. A record number of yearlings have been grown this year, with 40,000 available. That’s over double the number that were grown in recent years.

Unfortunately, there

Advanced yearlings like this one stocked in early winter 2018 offered excellent fishing on light gear.

WA Fisheries is working hard to produce trout like this on a larger scale. Our climate with limited water can be challenging, but hopefully a number of these will be available later in the year. don’t seem to be any early advance yearlings available this year like the fat, 30cm hard-fighting rainbows that

Overall storage in our public dams that allow recreational activities are at 32.1% compared to 32.8% last year. As can be seen Wellington, Glen Mervyn and Harvey dams are extremely low, so better than average rain will be needed to boost supply.

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pursue their sportfishing in our marginal freshwater fishing state. Also a couple of new stocking locations are on the cards, with one to potentially change trout fishing in this state.

Watch this space for more information in later issues.

AUSSIE NATIVES Unfortunately, the same enthusiasm that Fisheries WA have for trout is not shared with bass, golden perch, Murray cod and silver perch. Fisheries WA made it clear that they believe these natives pose a big risk to our pristine inland waterways. I find this strange because I can only think of a couple of waterways that fit this description, with most having heavy populations of redfin and are also stocked annually with a Californian rainbow trout and European brown trout.

I can see how Fisheries are concerned about

Petrol motors are not allowed on Drakesbrook Weir, Harvey Dam and most parts of Wellington Dam. This Minn Kota Alterra electric motor is fitted with twin batteries and a solar panel, so you can fish all day without recharging. The added benefit of spotlock keeps you anchored on the redfin schools.

A beautiful rainbow from a southwest stream.

Reporting on such a large area would not be possible without the help of keen, experienced anglers like Simon Holland.

PREDICTED DAM LEVELS

WAROONA DAM DRAKESBROOK WEIR LOGUE BROOK DAM HARVEY DAM WELLINGTON DAM GLEN MERVYN DAM BIG BROOK DAM

they stocked in early winter back in 2018 and 2019.

Apparently some will be available later in the year. The usual 2500 x brood rainbows and around 500 browns from 2-3 years old will also be available. It’s great to see so much enthusiasm go into our Pemberton Trout Hatchery with the likes I haven’t seen in my 43 years I’ve been on the scene. With all these trout going in, it will offer the eastern state tourists more reasons to wet a line in our dams and rivers, not to mention the 9000 anglers that already currently buy a licence.

Other items discussed were looking at the one rod limit; the landing net handle size of 500mm (which is currently making it hard to land big fish from bigger boats); and a day or month licence for visitors to the state, or once-only licences, which are currently available in other states.

What the majority of keen trout anglers are asking for is a catch-and-release policy on trophy brown trout implemented to protect the large browns they release annually. The main reason, I’m told, is we have limited trout fishing in our dams that are overrun by redfin perch.

It’s felt that these large browns predate on small redfin, thereby helping to reduce their numbers which results in larger fish, as is the case in other states, and

42% 84% 57% 23% 35% 22% 75%

apparently also in Europe.

It also seems the browns are doing better than the rainbows over our harsh summers in our northern dams, so if they are returned, they would not only predate on the juvenile redfin but would also provide great sport in autumn when not much is on offer for keen anglers. I tabled this last year and again this year, but it was rejected as Recfishwest seems to view it in a different light to many out there in the field. I will continue to campaign on this subject, as I believe this policy will benefit all but the belly fishers that spend big to

the marron (freshwater crayfish), however marron are not native to the area north of Collie River, and it’s also debated whether they were introduced to

the Collie River in the first place. I believe redfin pose a bigger threat to marron, and an even greater threat is the ever-increasing amount of yabbies that are turning

Modern 4-stroke outboards are super quiet and a must for freshwater fishing. This Mercury model has a feature called Troll Control, which allows you to adjust the trolling speed by pushing a button on the handle.

up in our northern irrigation dams, which just happen to be the only place that stocking of eastern natives species would take place.

A hefty penalty to anglers who try to move them to other waters would deter offenders if a government stocking program ever did take place. Still, there’s an increasing amount turning up at all kinds of waters by frustrated anglers. It’s a practice that I don’t endorse, although I can understand their feelings.

DAMS Waroona Dam Some nice redfin have shown up on occasion but some anglers have come away empty-handed in recent times. Trout have been harder to locate, with only a few turning up in the open water by those on boats and kayaks. This is sad considering around 2000 yearlings were placed in this dam last year, and a few hundred x brood rainbows as well. I believe the reduction in yearling size is to blame, as 2018 and 2019 was a bumper time after the advanced yearlings went in. It was common to get up to 10 fish early morning and late evening. With the number of redfin in this water, small yearlings are easy prey if they are stocked too small.

Drakesbrook Weir A few browns have turned up recently, but it seems the rainbows have not fared so well. Tossing lures off the bank is a great way to entice a trout, with fly fishing not as productive at this time of the year in this waterway. If you can get onto the water, you will still find redfin willing to play the game.

WA

Golden perch are rare in WA and are often confused with the more common silver perch. This one has been doing well feeding on the large schools of redfin that once inhabited this dam, and apparently they have not affected the marron stocks.

Logue Brook Dam Unfortunately, heavy boat traffic and the ever-increasing use of jet skis has made this dam hard to fish. A couple of well-known WATFAA fly fishers hit the back area after dark and caught some nice rainbows on big dark patterns fished slowly in the creek channel.

Harvey Dam It’s seems a few rainbows have been showing their nose recently. These are definitely stocks from last year as no stocking has taken place at the time of writing.

Unfortunately, no brown trout have been reported but this could be because quite a few were killed last season. The water is extremely low so it has concentrated the few trout that did make it through the summer. A good stocking of yearlings will be put into this water with possibly 6000 on the cards. I hope they are of decent size because large redfin lurk in this dam, and the flocks of cormorants on occasions have to be seen to be believed.

Glen Mervyn Dam The dam is very low but some nice redfin have been caught by those using deep diving lures, with red being the favourite. Trout have been slow.

Wellington Dam Not much has changed, with the water level being very low and redfin hard to come by. Covering lots of ground is the key, but numbers are low.

Norilup Dam Just west of Greenbushes, this small dam is stocked annually with rainbow trout and also has redfin available. It has quite a large food supply, unlike most redfin dams. Just be careful of the large drop-off if you are wading.

Big Brook Dam My mate Simon has reported that some nice condition rainbows have been active with the cooling water, mostly early morning and late

small rainbows turned up in the rapids once the water settled. A few small redfin are still being caught by campers and kayakers in the bigger pools.

Northern Jarrah streams Those same early rains boosted levels but that was short lived. A few dead trout were spotted in some streams, which is a concern.

Collie River below Wellington Dam With the end of the irrigation season upon us, this river can shut down.

If there is minimal flow, I would suggest fishing elsewhere.

Collie River above Wellington Dam No reports but redfin are widespread throughout this system.

Blackwood River above Bridgetown Mostly redfin are found

nice-size models coming from the deeper pools.

There’s no doubt the better success has come to those using kayaks and flicking soft plastics or hardbody lures around the structure.

There was one report of a dozen fish caught in an afternoon out of a pool well upstream, however others report they are right through the system. Things will change with heavy rain in winter.

Trout have been harder to locate, with low water levels making it difficult with a few turning up downstream in the national park.

Lefroy Brook A few mixed reports have come through, with most people saying the trout have been hard to entice in the slow, clear water.

Simon Holland suggests using a dry fly with a nymph on a dropper, but a good presentation is required and a stealthy approach is also advisable. Others have had success on small soft plastics, and very small lures are getting results

too. A few large redfin are turning up, but these can be hard as well. With good rain in May, things will change for the better with better flows.

GL. Go to the Save the Donnelly Facebook group for more details.

The fishing has been slow, with low water upstream, so I would

A superb autumn rainbow from last year’s stocking.

It reminds me of the days back in the early 80s when trout like this were very common in our dams and rivers, prior to the redfin infestation.

Adrian Spacey was very happy with his catch.

A Recfishwest FFRG meeting was held recently to discuss stocking locations and available numbers. afternoon. The browns are still around but are playing hard to get, with even the most wellplaced fly being rejected.

Large numbers of tiny redfin are more common than they were in other years so this is a concern. All the favourite lures and flies seem to be working, with persistence being more important than lure/fly choice.

RIVERS Murray River Good rains in early March fired trout up in this marginal river. Only

here but they can be hard to locate. Keep moving until you find where they are holding. Using cheap plastics and jigheads is the better option in the snaggy water.

Blackwood River below Bridgetown Reports have been slow, however trout are occasionally caught in the vicinity of Nannup at this time of the year.

Warren River It’s been an excellent year for redfin, with some

Hatchery manager Terry Cabassi holding one of the 500 brood brown trout that will be released after they are stripped of eggs. WA has very tough conditions to operate a trout hatchery, with temps in the high 30s in summer and near freezing in winter.

Our strain of rainbows can withstand up to 2°C higher water temps than others can.

Early rain in March improved the fishing in the Murray River near Dwellingup south of Perth. Some nice little rainbows took up station in the rapids after the increase in flow.

Donnelly River The Record Brook Dam saga continues with the CSIRO being called in by the state government to investigate climate and catchment modelling use by SFIS, which is apparently out of date. Also, DPIRD is working with CSIRO to come up with a better understanding of the situation.

I’ve seen the figures, and although I am remaining neutral, I question where all the water will come from because the future predictions are for a further reduction in rainfall in the next 20 years. We are talking a dam with the capacity of only 15 GL, which is a far cry from some of the eastern state storages that range from 1000-3000

suggest a visit down to Boat Landing. As the name suggests, a boat or kayak is required because access is hard on foot. Trolling hard up against the timber with lures that only run down to around 2m will keep you out of the snags, and will also entice any large black bream that inhabit this river.

So that’s another rap up of the fishing available in our great southwest of the state. With low fire risk it’s great to sit around a campfire anticipating the next day’s fishing with family or friends. Remember that you require an inland freshwater licence to fish in southwest waters, and please consider releasing those large brown trout for others to enjoy the rare experience that they offer.

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Part II: Stocking, to keep or not to keep SUNTAG

Stefan Sawynok

In my last article I looked at how fishing allocations are tracked verses how fishing populations actually work. In summary, I discussed how allocations and monitoring is based on outputs (take) but if that is done without a reliable baseline of input (new fish recruits) then things can and do go pear-shaped.

This month I want to flip to the other side of the equation, that being outputs or recreational take. As with the last part, I am not going to look so much at what the numbers say right now but rather focus on how things work and the holes we have in the current ways of assessing take.

THE AVERAGE FISHER There are a lot of reasonable datasets out there on the demographics and even the demographic shifts of fishers. Demographic data is reasonably easy to collect via survey methods and by and large surveys ensure their samples are as representative of the population at large as possible. This is good practice as sampling methodologies go

survey, are trying to get as close as they can to a random sample that is representative of the population. They do this because it’s a time-tested methodology that is very effective for a lot of problems particularly proportions.

Imagine you have a jar of jelly-beans with 100 beans broken up into two colours. Draw ten beans out say five times, average out the results and you will get close to five of each colour.

If you double the number of colours, say to four colours of equal proportions and repeat you will end up with an average of around 2.5 per colour in each sample. In other words, multiply up and your smaller sample reflects the larger. Similarly let’s say you skew the sample, so maybe go with two colours and a 60/40 proportion and repeat and again on average you will end up with the right proportion on average.

This is good examples of normal distributions and demographics generally fits well into this category.

All good so far.

However let’s go with a more extreme example, say there’s just one or two beans that is of a different colour and you do random sampling.

All of sudden things start to break down because the sample is unlikely to

coloured bean is a good thing, because that bean is very valuable. Another version of the lottery though, is the poisoned jar. From time to time, there is some crazy who will contaminate a random jar of baby food or Panadol or the like. In this case the solution is to not take a chance and recall everything despite the fact that the overwhelming majority of the product is good, nobody is willing to accept the very low risk that they will be the unlucky one.

In both cases, colour is not a particularly good predictor for if the bean is a winner or a poisoned chalice.

WHAT’S IT HAVE TO DO WITH FISHING AND HARVEST? Every type of survey is designed to return results based on the survey design.

In the case of population surveys, you want a good random sample that reflects the population. The problem is, what happens if the thing you are looking for is the second type of sample I mentioned above, in that case random sampling starts to return erratic results.

This is exactly what happens in recreational fishing.

The problem with fishing is that fishing outcomes, be it success or failure, have very little to do with demographics

Fig.2 Australian Fisheries and Aquaculture production value 2005/6-2025/6 (Source: ABARES). but not always useful in terms of assessing recreational fishing beyond participation metrics. Much of this article will be spent on breaking down why this method is less useful when it comes to assessing recreational take.

RANDOM SAMPLING (AND WHY IT’S A PROBLEM) Survey designs, be it boat ramp survey or diary

reproduce accurately what the population looks like unless you oversample. This is an example of a non-normal distribution and we have real world examples that exemplify how much trickier they are. In this kind of distribution, how we perceive risk is key to how we approach it.

This kind of distribution is akin to the lottery. In that case, the scarcity of the odd

TABLE.1.COMPARISON OF RESULTS Event Total Fish Entrants 4LB 2018 1117 120 4LB 2019 1249 120 SCF 2019 1069 249 SCF 2020 1105 241 LUREMASTERS 2019 1089 400 LUREMASTERS 2020 4029 500 Average %

and they are not good predictors. As pretty much all fishers know, skill, attitude and time on the water play the largest role in determining outcome. With this in mind three things have a harvest impact on the individual: • Fishing Power – a measure of your ability to catch fish • Disposable time – how often can you get out on the water • Attitude – how likely are

Top 5% results 18% (231) 20% (255) 24% (317) 28% (333) 20% (223) 21% (864) 21.8%

Top 10% results 32% (375) 35% (413) 39% (497) 45% (518) 34% (371) 32% (1311) 36.2%

you to keep fish Of these three, creel/boat ramp surveys tend to only capture one if that (disposable time). Diary surveys can capture all three but are rarely looked at in the context of modelling.

Diary and creel surveys use good practice in generating a population sample which leaves them vulnerable because these key factors are not the focus of the survey or modelling.

ISSUES WITH DIARY/ CREEL SURVEYS I will give you some real numbers on why diary surveys and creel surveys are an issue, but there was a good example of this in British Columbia Canada. In this case, the Fisheries authorities were looking to replace creel surveys with diary surveys. They ran parallel versions of both with good sampling practice but kept getting different results from the two samples. In order to standardise the results you had to put in a correction factor, worse that correction factor changed year on year.

Why would that be?

In this case, the target was salmon and trout. As high take species, we can assume that the attitudes of the two groups were the same, they standardised for demographics and time on the water. So if there is a difference then it had to be in the combined fishing power recorded by each of the two methods.

FISHING POWER There is a simple way of explaining fishing power and that it does influence the outcomes. If fishing power wasn’t important, why use nets? Or in a recreational context, why the increasing use of echosounders?

Technologies such as nets for commercial fishers and echosounders for recreational fishers increase fishing power (ie. the chance you will catch fish). That said, even these technologies do not provide an equal and universal lift for all fishers. It’s not the case that add an echosounder and everyone catches three more fish a trip. Ability to use the technology and other knowledge will influence success rates.

Shockingly, not all fishers are equal, and I can demonstrate with data.

Table.1 compares six ‘free for all’ events where Top 20% results 47% (529) 68% (657) 59% (750) 54% (765) 54% (587) 48% (2087) 55%

Table.1. Comparison of contribution to total catch of highest performing fishers in open result tournaments 116

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Fig.1 Average number of maximum bags per fisher over 10 years (two fishing days per event). there are essentially no restrictions on the number of fish that can be caught.

All of the events are over 2 days (with the exception of Luremasters 2019 which is one day) and require some level of skill to enter as they are lure-only or lure-preferred.

In total, the six events reported 9,658 fish so supply of fish was not an issue. Geographically, two events are in Far North Queensland (regional fishers dominant), two on the Sunshine Coast (Greater Brisbane fishers), two in New Zealand (Auckland fishers) and all have quite different demographic mixes in terms of participation. In essence, if the ability to catch fish was going to have an influence on the final result, it should show up.

As you can see, there is a remarkable consistency regardless of field size between the contributions of the Top 5%, Top 10% and Top 20%, event when the catch really goes crazy. The contribution of the top 20% was between 47%-68% of the catch. It’s almost as if the best fishers have an unfair advantage.

BAG LIMITS AND TIME As can been seen in the results from the six events, in a free for all situation the best fishers can have a big impact.

If this was translated into the real fishery with no other constraints then the potential is there to have an impact.

Note, I said ‘potential’ as there are a number of other factors that need to be considered even in those extreme circumstances: • What type of species/what sort of recruitment pattern do they have • What are the attitudes to take vs release • What is the post release survival rate • What is the available disposable time Fishing power is reason bag limits exist, to reduce the ability of one fisher to overharvest. Do bag limits work? In general, yes, but the problem with bag limits as with all ‘one size fits all’ approaches, it’s never

that simple.

A couple of years ago, I did work on the ABT (Australian Bass Tournaments), where there was a daily bag limit for competitors (5 for Bream and 2 for Bass). In that assessment I was looking at quite a different problem – the impact of the ‘Who Shares Wins’ philosophy, but the raw results are instructive to the question of effect of bag limits. In that case I did a comparison of the top 1% of fishers by results vs the next 19%, then the remaining 80% over a ten-year block.

The final results show that over time, the top 1% (T1) outperformed the next 19% (T20) and the rest (T80) and the more events there were (ie. the more time available), the larger that gap.

See Fig.1.

This result is important to understanding that even amongst skilled and motivated fishers, there is a gap in results, whereby Bag limits alone do not bring the best fishers back to the field.

In fact, it took a major drop off in events 2014-2016 to reduce the gap.

This demonstrates why disposable fishing time is important and overly important to the best fishers.

With the same amount of the disposable time available to all fishers, the best fishers widen the success gap.

I have stated in prior articles that if you are serious on restricting catch then you need to reduce the bag limit to as close to zero as possible or add a time limit and even a slot limit on top. This is the case for snook in Florida where there is a bag limit (1), slot limit (28-32”) and a time limit (1 September to December 15). This hasn’t made me popular, but it’s just the reality of mathematics.

It’s probably been the biggest point of debate I have had with folks in the industry and I get some serious pushback.

In my defense, I am just highlighting the mathematical realities – not a justification for the action. I am an evidence-based person in as much as I can be, if you are going to go that road, there better be a solid case for it.

On the other hand, if the case justifies such action and you don’t take those steps then chances are things won’t get better. Snapper in Queensland is a good example of fisher pressure acting against their own longer-term interests.

If a species is under stress, recreational fishers should do their part to minimise the impact, even if the commercial sector does not have such restraints. Let the commercial sector bear the responsibility for their own actions.

ATTITUDES The third factor in

salmon for three months of the year.

Projects like the Released Fish Survival Strategy, changes in equipment, handling practices and even marketing have influenced changes in fisher habits over time. The decision to harvest fish can be based on time of year, target species, location and even method of fishing.

In other words, if you are building a model and aren’t somehow capturing this complexity, the raw data alone is unlikely to provide an accurate picture of harvest.

Aquaculture. It’s hard for the three most populous states (NSW, Victoria, Queensland) to make a strong economic case for commercial fishing as combined they make up less than 20% of production overall. See Fig.3.

My view of commercial fishing is that if they aren’t in the big-ticket production species, or working on adding value to their harvest they have almost no economic argument to fall back on.

There may be a local social license argument (ie. they provide the local community

Fig.3 Shares of fisheries and aquaculture production by Jurisdiction (Source: ABARES). predicting harvest outcomes is attitudes to keeping fish and again, this factor is not a simple yes/no toggle switch. In a simplistic world, fishers would either be for or against keeping fish but in my experience increasingly that is a much more contextual decision. For example, amongst gamefishers there has been a seachange over the past few decades with marlin and sharks once commonly kept and now are majority tagged and released. In fact the move to tagging has been driven by social factors with a vocal component of the community against the targeting of such species. The same fishers though, have no problem taking mahimahi, mackerel, tuna or trevally, common pelagic alternatives that inhabit similar territory.

In the fresh, Australian bass have for decades been considered a catch and release species but thanks to stocking, the only reason to enforce a bag limit being to protect the small wild stocks available.

On a more localised level, Gladstone for example has an excellent bream fishery, driven largely by the fact that locals rarely see bream as anything but a by-catch favouring alternatives such as reef species. On the other hand, on the Sunshine Coast/Moreton Bay, bream are a heavy harvest species particularly amongst the over 60s.

Over in WA at the moment, the Salmon Slam is on celebrating the salmon run that brings hundreds of fishers in to target Australian

COMMERCIAL FISHING If fishing power and attitudes are not well accounted for in recreational modelling, commercial fishing is well understood and has always been prioritised on the basis of economic return to the community. My view is in the longer-term commercial fishers face the same social license issues as the recreational fishers do only more so. If you are going to use commercial return to the community as your justification, you better demonstrate it.

With that in mind, let’s have a look at the reality of commercial fishing. Fig.2 is taken from the Australian Fisheries and Aquaculture Outlook 2021 and it’s very instructive. This combines two sectors (wild harvest and aquaculture) but the list of key economic species looks very global – salmonids, lobster, prawns, abalone and tuna. The remainder of the fish component is listed as ‘Other fish’. The other fish component is steady over time at around 0.5B GVP but that is all species. In reality it’s salmonids that are the big-ticket item in terms of fisheries contribution.

If you take out things like barramundi and coral trout from the other category you get a lot of small ticket species in the cosmic economic scheme.

That picture gets even more interesting when state contribution is taken into account as over time Tasmania produces a larger proportion of the overall production through

with fresh fish) but again, this should be based on hard evidence, not just emotional outbursts in the local media.

This is not a farm, as they are putting little in and just extracting what is a community resource.

In other words, the majority of commercial fishers should receive no priority vs recreational fishers and be expected to make all the same sacrifices, proportionate to their demonstrated share of the catch, even if that makes their activity uneconomical.

If they are willing to change their approach, extract more value from smaller catches then they should be given more leeway.

The simple question is, could we generate 0.5B GVP by other means (eg tourism) if we stopped that catch altogether or shifted to mix of Aquaculture and recreational alternatives?

Or alternatively, what if we reduced the social license to direct fish markets and local community? Would the economy collapse? The answer to that question should make commercial fishers shuffle their feet nervously.

CATCH AND RELEASE Catch and release has over time gained a strong social license amongst fishers, particularly in fishing events where competitions since the 1970s where they were nearly all weigh in are down to less than 20% of the total mix. Catch and release however is not the same as ‘all fish survive’.

A lot of work was done in the mid 2000s on released fish survival rates and a lot

of industry changes resulted, from moves to knotless landing nets, use of circle hooks and so on. Survival rates are one element reasonably well understood and the good news is a lot of species do survive well on release.

Reef species are example of fish that have post release survival issues, as typically they live in water depths that make them more susceptible to the effects of barotrauma thus. Evidence of this can been seen at the Suntag store, where the largest selling item, purchased from around the country are venting needles.

The Suntag store has recently added a release weight option and it’s expected sales will increase through that channel as people become aware of its availability.

DEPREDATION The last big unknown, and this applies particularly to offshore, is depredation.

While there are many views on shark depredation as a measure of increasing shark populations, I think there is a simpler explanation – behaviour.

Most animals over time will develop some level of training based on a food reward, even goldfish have been able to be trained this way. Humans make very specific mechanical noises on the water that are not replicated by any natural phenomenon. If there is a food reward in the form of an easy meal, it’s not complicated to work out that sharks have learned to put two and two together. For this reason, while I get the concern over shark numbers, I am not as quick to jump on the immediate answer

IS FISHING POWER INCREASING? There aren’t a lot of long-term studies on fishing power to make absolute statements on that front but if I went on the evidence of changes in spending habits, particularly on technology, yes would be the answer.

Further, the whole reason for the existence of things like echosounders and the evolution to ‘livescope’ real-time imagery of fish is definitely intended to improve fishing results. Of course, ‘intended to improve’ and ‘has improved’ are not the same thing.

A first step in answering the question though is, can you improve fishing outcomes? As it happens, the article I did a few years ago on the ‘Who Shares Wins’ philosophy is instructive. As a backdrop, Steve Morgan introduced the ‘Who Shares Wins’ philosophy, particularly in the bream events, as a way of improving the results for the field as a whole.

As a way of assessing if that was indeed the case, I looked at the ratio of full bags to zero bags (ie. caught nothing). From 2008 onwards, the bottom 80% of the field improved this ratio, noting that the drop off of events 2014-2016 affected all cohorts. What this shows is that for the bulk of the field, zeros became less common and full bags became more common. Bag weight wise they were still behind the game but this is strong evidence that with a concerted effort you can improve fishing power.

See Fig.4.

If you can improve

an even way within the population, nor are they predicted by demographics alone. As a result, the current sampling techniques may either over or under sample these parts of the population if these factors are not considered.

If the modelling used to project the recreational harvest does not make an effort to address these elements – the strongest predictors of harvest then – the recreational fishing community should take any estimates of take with a very healthy dose of salt.

Given that there are stocks that fishers may well be impacting, getting this part right is important.

TO TAKE OR NOT TO TAKE – THAT IS THE QUESTION So to take or not to take?

If this couple of articles has communicated anything – it’s that these questions are not simple and a glib couple of lines at the end really won’t cut it. What should be clear is that current models do not really support good assessment of what is going on in the recreational space, don’t have the kind of early warning to see problems before critical action is needed and don’t offer an informed choice in the take decision. Staying within regulations is not always the same as keeping our fish stocks in good shape.

As fishers, we should take the proactive approach to fishing always as that helps ensure the rest of community views fishers as responsible custodians.

Having said that, I hate people who pick holes in things and don’t offer

Fig.4 Ratio of full bags to zero bags ABT. of sharks are out of control population wise. It’s just as possible that sharks are getting better at working out when a free meal is on offer.

What is clear is that the interactions with sharks are a problem and their impact on catches of pelagic, demersal and reef species is not zero and in some cases higher than human take.

fishing power, chances are there has been an industry focus since the invention of the lure.

BACK TO SAMPLING Circling back to the discussion on sampling, fishing harvest by the recreational sector is determined by a complex set of very human factors that are not distributed in

alternatives – so that is what I aim to do next.

I do have an alternative approach that does use existing datasets to act as a guide to fishers on their harvest decisions using a simple risk and social license assessment approach rather than bag limits as a central guide. That will have to wait for part III. MAY 2021

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TESTED

NEXTGEN

BIG BORE FULLY INTEGRATED V6 OFFSHORE OUTBOARD RANGE

Specs 4.2L 300HP XSB DES • 24 valve DOHC 60° V6 • 4169cc • Max rpm: 5000-6000 • Electronic fuel injection • Wet sump lubrication • 70A alternator • 1.75:1 gear ratio • Electric start • DES and Digital Electric Controls • Helm Master EX ready • Total Tilt Top: Here she is – the great white Yammy in action. Since then, Yamaha have released outboards in white down to 115hp.

It might seem like there’s a focus on this boat and outboard in this month’s magazine. There’s a good reason for that – we got to be one of the first to test the new version of Yamaha’s proven 4.2L V6 platforms that’s had a digital makeover.

Swinging off the back of a Cruise Craft EX720 Hard Top, it’s an impressive test rig and it definitely takes advantage of the new white colour available.

Diehard Yamaha fans will be happy to know that it’s also available in signature Yamaha grey.

When we caught up with Yamaha’s Will Lee on the test day, he was pretty quick to point out that this new iteration is all about integration, and that it borrows heavily from the 425hp Yamaha XTO that was released a couple of years earlier.

“We’ve stuck with the block that Australian boaties and fishers have become so familiar with for its legendary reliability, and then we’ve added a whole swag of features traditionally only found in our flagship model, the XTO425” Will said.

“If we really look at the model today that we’ve got here, one of the really big benefits that we’ve now got is DES. It stands for Digital Electric Steering.

“ To improve this already class leading engine platform, Yamaha has introduced a range of new features designed to satisfy skippers who crave advanced control and further integration into modern boating systems. “ It means that you don’t have hydraulic lines in your boat anymore for your steering, hydraulic pumps or even electric hydraulic assisted steering. This is pure electric steering which means it is simpler to install and it gives the user a brand new experience with very fast and precise steering,” he explained further.

Looking back at the rigged motor, we could see what he meant. There were a couple of electrical cables and a fuel line rigged to the motor through the transom. The install was clean and simple.

Left: Clean rigging is a feature of the DES motors. Right: Here’s the DES steering barrel. No hydraulic fluids in there.

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We particularly liked the ability for these engines to be set to either hold a speed or hold a set rpm without any driver input on the stick. This alone makes traversing rough water less laborious for the skipper.

But the improvements borrowed from the XTO continue.

“We saw it first in the 425 – a reverse thrust enhancing exhaust,” Will said. “In reverse, up to 2500rpm, your bubbles and [exhaust] ventilation are now coming out above the cav plate.

“When reversing using the digital throttle or using our joystick and HelmMaster EX system, you now have super clean water. There’s no ventilation that the prop is trying to work its way through. You’ve got 100% clean water which gives you a much quicker response when you’re in reverse.”

Like most claims presented to us at Fishing Monthly we wanted to test this, so it was over the back of the transom with a camera to see it in action. The footage speaks for itself, and you can see it in action in the Motor Test Video by scanning the QR code hereby. You can also find it on the Fishing Monthly YouTube channel (Fishing Monthly Magazines).

There’s an optional flashing light in the mid section that illuminates when using any of the Helm Master EX point modes.

Top speeds on a similar hull were very similar between the older and new 4.2L iterations of the 300HP 4-stroke.

Some of the feedback Yamaha dealers are giving through the workshops right now is that these engines are easier to install than a 50 horsepower, which means time saving through the workshop and boat builders and dealers are really loving it.

At its most basic form, the boat builder bolts the engine on, rigs the fuel and wiring connections and does the pre-deliver checks. That’s it. Nathan Nagy from Cruise Craft says that it helps get everything right from the factory.

Yamaha stresses that this motor is all about integration. It’s about a seamless and turn-key connection between the outboard, helm, joystick, autopilot and accessories.

At the helm, this means that the motor directly plugs into the Helm Master EX ecosystem, which includes Yamaha’s joystick and autopilot functions as well as the digital helm and gauge options.

It’s still a 300hp outboard and gets 800m per litre at wide open throttle.

So... how did it go compared to the previous model?

We had data from the F300 on the Cruise Craft 685 (same hull as the 720, it’s a measurement standardisation thing). Top speeds were apples for apples, and overall economy per revs were slightly lower than the older motor, though you’d need to pay keen attention to the gauges to notice this in a real world environment.

This platform is available to boaties in various horsepower classes.

You have an option in the V6 range of a 225, a 250 and a 300HP and if you’re repowering your boat and you have it set up with hydraulic steering you’ll have that ability to strap the bullhorn to it.

“But if you’re looking at a new boat, I strongly recommend that you check out this range - the XSB range - that has the DES steering built in (available in 250 and 300hp only). It’s well worth the investment,” Will concluded. And we agree.

Call your local Yamaha dealer or check out www.yamaha-motor.com.au for more information.

The new design vents exhaust above the cavitation plate at rpm lower than 2500, giving clean water for more grip when in reverse.

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Cruise Craft EX720HT and Yamaha are all class - SC

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SCAN THE QR CODE FOR EXTRA CONTENT

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Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

It’s not every day that you get to jump in a brand new $250,000 class boat, fitted with a brand new release outboard (the first one in the country) and get

Tested:.NEW. Yamaha.4.2L. 300HP.DES. Outboard

It’s also the day we got to meet Cruise Craft’s Nathan Nagy. He’s a boatbuilder turned marketer for Cruise Craft and it’s great to see that the guy making their marketing decisions knows how to make the product he’s selling.

You can see Nathan in the video of this boat test, which

this boat was powered by the first white, 300hp 4.2L DES Yamaha 4-stroke in the country. That’s a fair mouthful, but apart from a coat of white paint, there’s some key differences between this engine and its 4.2L F-series predecessor that shares the same block.

The DES is an acronym for Digital Electric Steering.

It’s housed in the cylindrical barrel where regular hydraulic steering is usually fitted, but it’s not some sort of electric/hydraulic hybrid, it’s 100% fluid free and plugs seamlessly into Yamaha’s Helm Master EX system that they launched in 2020.

More about that later, but from an aesthetic point of view, the white motor definitely looks like it belongs on the white Cruise Craft hull.

It arrived at the shoot

Main: There’s a lot of ‘right’ about the top-of-the-line Cruise Craft model.

Looks good with a white Yammy, too. Never thought I’d see the day …..

Above: And yes, we know that the test day was glamorous.

Sometimes you just don’t get the 25knots you’re hoping for. on an alloy EasyTow trailer, towed by the popular Ford Ranger. As rigged, it just falls under the 3.5 tonne

limit allowed on the Rangers, although you’d have to watch this when fully fuelled and packed

for a trip. The weight can creep up when you don’t rationalise your gear.

At 300hp, the test boat

At 300hp, the new model V6 with Digital Electric Steering (DES) is maxed out for the hull. let loose on Moreton Bay. Actually, it sort of happens every week…but not with a rig with a price tag like this. Rest assured, the fenders were well secured before dropping this rig in at Manly on Queensland’s Moreton Bay. 122

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you can watch by scanning the QR code hereby. Or you can just subscribe to the Fishing Monthly Magazines YouTube channel and get notified each time we put up the video versions of the boat tests.

Starting at the back,

There was no shortage of power into the turns. The steep deadrise at the bow is doing what it’s supposed to.

was rigged with maximum horsepower, although the specifications sheet recommends 250hp for this hull.

Launching was a simple drive-off, easy with a couple of people and plenty smooth with the digital controls.

Yamaha’s Will Lee demonstrated some of the digital features, like push button starting and fob proximity security as well as double-tap trimming, but it was the integration of the rest of the Helm Master EX features that piques our

That’s what $240,000 worth of Brisbane-made boat looks like - sitting on an EasyTow Alloy trailer.

SPECIFICATIONS Length.........................................................7.2m Beam..........................................................2.5m Transom.deadrise ....................................... 20° Maximum.HP...........................................300hp Recommended.HP .................................250hp Capacity ............................................ 7 persons Fuel ............................................................ 310L Opt..Extra.Fuel ..........................................370L On.Std.trailer ................................ GTM 3450kg

This is what the incorporated DES (Digital Electric Steering) looks like. It’s quiet! interest, and this Cruise Craft was fitted with them all.

I’m the first to admit that I haven’t driven many boats with autopilot. And after a minute of training, it was easy to set a course and adjust the sensitivity of the corrections. Although this seemed intuitive, Glen Gibson reminded me that it hasn’t always been this easy.

“It used to be a bit of an art to get an autopilot set just right and it hasn’t always been as simple as a couple of touches on a touch screen to tweak it on the run,” he said.

I liked that you could set a speed to fix to RPMs or to GPS speed and, as expected, the fly-by-wire

less aeration while driving on the joystick or while holding position.

The helm itself seemed custom-built to hold the EX controls. Considering that you can only buy Cruise Craft boats with factoryfitted Yamaha outboards nowadays, then this makes sense. There was Cruise Craft’s own, comfortable seating (with cold box storage underneath) and plenty of room to flush mount the biggest of Garmins you’d want in this rig.

A roomy cabin up front was separated by a lockable, sliding door and features a toilet to keep the family happy and plenty of length to stretch out.

There’s a similar amount of room down the back, with a spacious cockpit that’ll hold all of your fishing mates. In fact, the back of this boat is very fishable indeed.

There’s a removable bait

You can tell this fishing boat has evolved over the years to a point where everything is in the right place.

Speaking of history of this hull, you’ll see it described as a 685 in previous iterations. It’s the same hull, just rebadged to fit current measurement and naming conventions.

Are you a fan of the new white Yamahas? Drop a comment on the video boat test on the Fishing Monthly Magazines YouTube channel.

Cruise Craft have always found clever ways to incorporate storage - both seats in this rig have coolers underneath tailored for use in the rack. hatch and by walking around, it’s definitely not a ‘walkaround’ design. You need to hold on with every appendage while shuffling

around the outside.

“We like to fit everything possible at the factory,” Nathan said, “It means that we have ultimate control over how everything is rigged and that means less problems down the track for the owner.”

We think that Cruise Craft dealers will like this a lot – just add a battery, do your pre-delivery and go and water test it. There are eight Cruise Craft dealers nationally and the factory is also happy to guide you through the purchase process.

You can do more research at www.cruisecraft. com.au. And, of course, we mentioned the price.

As tested, no change from $240,000.

PERFORMANCE

We see more and more of these creeping onto Aussie hard tops. Extra shade is always welcome - no matter what latitude you’re using the rig in. was smooth and quiet.

Traction while manoeuvring on the joystick has been helped by direction of exhaust gases to above the cavitation plate. It gives the prop more to grip and

The main battery switch and circuit breakers are well out of the way, but accessible without opening any doors.

station across the transom, a transom door and live bait tank on the opposite side.

Gunwales are understandably deep and it’s soft underfoot on the custom SeaDek. There’s plenty of storage for gear and fish underfloor and a pair of long kill boxes that’ll hold most mackerel.

And as a bonus, you can order the optional sunshade extension to keep more of you out of the weather. We think that this retractable bit of shade is a must on any hard top boat!

The hard top itself is solid. It holds the radio gear along the front edge and can rig a radar dome on top with ease. The rocket launcher will hold 10 rods up there and the optional floodlights are great for a night session.

And although you can access the front of the boat through the front

RPM................... km/h.................... km/L Idle ..........................6 ....................... 2.5 1000 ....................... 10 ....................... 2.0 2000....................... 15 ....................... 1.0 3000....................... 23 ....................... 0.9 3500 ....................... 42 ....................... 1.3 4000....................... 52 ....................... 1.2 4500 ....................... 59 ....................... 1.0 5000....................... 69 ....................... 0.9 5800 ....................... 79 ....................... 0.8

The transom door makes getting in and out of the boat - on the water or the trailer - easy. But hold on when you’re walking around the outside of the cabin.

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There’s a fold-up boat board on the rigging tray and the whole setup lifts up and out if it’s not needed.

It’s almost like the helm is built for Helm Master EX … and there’s plenty of space for flush mounting of large electronics, too.

There’s a pair of mackerel-length kill boxes under the floor in the cockpit.

Check out the visibility under that hard top. And there’s plenty of places to hang on if you don’t score a seat.

There’s plenty of visibility under the mother of all hard tops and plenty of room for a radar installation.

Let’s face it - nobody who bought a quartermillion dollar boat is going to be pulling up the anchor. And with this windlass, the crew don’t have to do it either.

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When you’re out in the big water it’s all about cockpit space and room to fish with your mates. Check this real estate out!

It’s rare to see a big Cruise Craft without a custom routered SeaDek deck. And you can see why here. Easy on the feet, easy to keep clean and definitely looks the part.

The side pockets are great for items you use frequently. For me, rods are better stashed up in the launchers.

There’s some serious cabin space in behind the sliding door. And a toilet will keep the family happy.

The fold down ladder recesses into the duckboard molding and there’s plenty of SeaDek back here, too.

One final look at the new Yamaha. You can see a full engine review at the embedded QR code.

WHAT’S NEW SAMAKI MEGA BOMB SHAD

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This new Samaki 7” Mega Bomb Shad paddle-tail is the new big brute of the Boom Bait family. It’s an all new design concept for Samaki with painted detail, UV attributes and jighead accessory included in the packet. This Boom Bait is ready to go straight off the rack and into the water.

The paddle-tail shape of the Bomb Shad is soft and pliable, giving it a great swimming action. This lure has a swaying roll and paddletail thump which releases a vibration through the water, enticing the bite. The long tail is perfect for applying scent due to its ribbed design, and anglers also have the option to insert additional scent into the underbelly compartment or add a rattle for greater effect. The three-point rigging system allows anglers to rig their plastic with ease.

Mega Bomb Shads are available in six proven colours, and each pack comes with a colour matched jighead. www.samaki.com.au

C-MAP DISCOVER AND REVEAL

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Replacing the MAX-N+ range, C-MAP Reveal charts boast stunning seafloor and inland Shaded Relief along with all the core features of C-MAP Discover, including full-featured Vector Charts.

The 3D-rendered land and underwater elevation includes areas of ultra hi-res bathymetric imagery.

C-MAP Reveal’s Dynamic Raster Charts bring a traditional paper chart look and feel, with easy access to all objects on the chart, and aerial photography of marinas, harbours, inlets and other navigational features. The Satellite Overlay delivers real-world reference and enhances situational awareness for coastal navigation.

C-MAP Discover has full-featured Vector Charts along with the best of C-MAP hi-res bathymetry, including integrated Genesis social maps data. Discover charts include Custom Depth Shading. Shade contours display the highest level of info about underwater pinnacles, ledges and canyons.

You can set a clear safety depth, or create your own custom shading.

The Tides & Currents feature shows projections of water level and direction of tides. Subscription-free Easy Routing helps you automatically plot the shortest, safest route based on chart data and your personalized vessel info.

Price: from SRP $185-$399 www.c-map.com

INFEET ROLLIN’ CRANK

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The Infeet Rollin’ Crank is the ultimate finesse crank and was developed to give anglers a bite-size option to tie on when the bite is tough. Available in two depths and measuring 32mm, the Rollin’ Crank is the perfect lure for Australia’s diverse estuaries.

The MR model will reach a depth of 1.3m and is the ideal bait for flats and shallow/floating structure. It gets down to depth quickly with a tight wobble, and has the ability to swim at slow speeds, which makes it ideal for a slow roll style retrieve.

The DR model is tailor-made for fishing deeper areas of the estuary such as rubble and rock walls. A careful weight placement creates instant traction on the retrieve, getting the DR Crank to its maximum (2m) depth quickly. The bib shape creates a ‘searching’ style action and deflects off structure with ease, a key factor in triggering bites from predators. www.daiwafishing.com.au

PRODUCT GUIDE

SHIMANO GRAPPLER BB

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

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The new Grappler BB series from Shimano is an affordable saltwater series that expands the existing Grappler family. Features include Hi-Power X blank technology, Shimano custom reel and CI4 reel seats, as well as Fuji K Stainless Alconite guides.

Incorporating Shimano’s exclusive carbonwrapped Hi-Power X blank technology ensures blank twist and rotation is reduced when the rod is in motion, giving you increased casting performance, better fight control and a crisper feel when working your lures.

The range consists of 13 diverse models, all featuring a 2-piece butt join concept. There are casting models from 8’0” to 8’2” with ratings from PE5 to PE8, for all things topwater. Then there are the pin and overhead jigging models weighted from PE3 to PE6 that will have you covered when the bite is deep. Additionally, the Grappler BB series integrates two overhead slow jig models at 6’8” from PE2 to PE 3, and two LJ models at 6’3”.

Price: SRP $319 www.shimanofish.com.au

HOBIE MIRAGE ITREK 9

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The Mirage iTrek 9 Ultralight inflatable is Hobie’s lightest, fastest, most manoeuvrable pedal kayak. It packs away in a convenient roller/backpack bag that allows you to store it in smaller spaces like a caravan or boat. You can even take it on a plane to your favourite travel destination.

The Mirage iTrek 9 Ultralight is designed to help you reach remote waters with minimal hassle. Its diagonal dropstitch construction inflates to 10PSI, delivering the same rugged rigidity and nimble performance as our other platforms, but in an unbelievably lightweight package. It comes with a high-pressure hand pump and high-volume electric pump.

Featuring the MirageDrive GT with Kick-Up Fins and intuitive rudder control, the iTrek 9 Ultralight can turn on its axis and navigate tight waterways with ease.

The adjustable elevated seat is lined with breathable nano-mesh fabric to keep you comfortable and cool.

As well as being fast, agile, and easily transportable, this kayak is versatile, too.

Simply remove the MirageDrive and grab the supplied 3-piece SUP paddle, and your iTrek 9 is ready to be used as a stand-up platform. www.hobie.com.au

DELUXE ZMAN TACKLE BLOCK

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The latest release in the Tackle Tactics tackle storage range is the TT Deluxe ZMan Tackle Block, a rugged, structured soft case that is ideal for storing ZMan soft plastics, small tackle trays and fishing accessories, such as leader, scent and snips.

The Deluxe ZMan Tackle Block Holds up to 30 packets of standard size ZMan 10X Tough ElaZtech soft plastic packs, or you can switch up the adjustable internal dividers to hold a mix of larger and smaller pack sizes, small tackle trays, leader, scent and snips.

Features of this quality bag include a sturdy carry handle, tough and durable, water resistant outer shell with a reinforced base, heavy-duty corrosion-resistant SBS brand zips, external rear mesh pocket with SBS zip, and an internal clear pocket with Velcro closure.

Price: SRP $59.95 www.tackletactics.com.au

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visit www.tacklejunkie.fish for the latest tackle news - AS IT HAPPENS!

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New South Wales Tide Times

Victorian Tide Times

2021

POINT LONSDALE – VICTORIA DNEY (FORT DENISON) – NEW SOUTH WALES (FORT – NEW SOUTH LAT WALES POINT LONSDALE – VICTORI 38° 18’ S LONG 144° 37’ E LAT 33°SYDNEY 51’ S LONG 151° DENISON) 14’ E Time

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LAT 33°Waters 51’ S LONG 151° 14’ E LAT Low 38° 18’ S LONG 144° 37’ E Times and Heights of High and Low Local Time of High and Times and Heights Waters POINT LONSDALE – Low VICTORIA Times and Heights of HighMAY and Waters TimesLocal and Time Heights of High and Low Water JULY JUNE AUGUSTJUNE JULY 18’ S LONG 144° 37’ E Time m m Time m LAT 38° Time m Time m Time MAY m Time m JUNE JUNE MAYm Time m JULY Time Time AUGUST m Time m Time m Time m Time m0145 m 0.53 Time mand Low Time1.34 m Time m 0049 0.58 Time m 0.51 Time m 0452 Time Time Time m0034 Time Time m Local Time Time m 1.40 Times and0057 Heights High0006 Waters 1.68 0.58 0150 1.26 0037m 1.78 Time0633 1.60of 0557 1.36m 0046 0.69 1.41 0623 0646 0.43 1.28 0750 0807 0.62 0740 0.49 05191238 0.54 0633 1148 0.55 0735 1.30 1041 0.380.53 1158 0.58 0735 0006 0.58 1.30 0037 0744 02280.51 1.47 0319 1.45 0748 1.35 1.34 1.47 0150 1.26 0554 0.36 1.78 0057 1.60 0226 1.60 1.68 0339 0145 1.56 0419 FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL JANUARY 1303 1.43 1804 0.76 0.75 1430 1.59 1446 1.43 1345 1.33 1358 1.38

1 1 16 16 1 16 1 1 16 16 1 16 TH 0.49 FR WE SU MO 1 16 16 1 16 16 1 1 16 1TU11551911 1 16 1900 1.50 1245 0.80 1748 1.58 1904 1.54 0831 1245 0.75 0646 0.43 1117 1.28 1238 1.30 0.38 0909 0.44 0750 0.51 0807 0.62 1.39 0740 0744 0.54 0825 0.15 0943 0.32 1013 FRm SA MO TU WE TH 12571 0.87 Time m Time m Time m Time m Time m Time Time m Time 0.79 m 1848 0.66 1358 1.38 2110 0.56 2114 0.76 1940 0.78 1804 1935 1.44 0.740.76 1928 1615 1.70 1922 1.59 1446 1.43 1.87 1.43 1.76 1714 TH FR 1303 TU 1345 1.33 2319 WE SU 1522 SU 1.73 TU 1653 WE1.54 TH 1.42 SA 1725 0.65 SU 1640 0.75 SA 1532 MO 1430 04150100 1.59 1.58 1940 0230 0.56 1.482152 0.77 03090.66 1.51 0315 0.76 1.592215 2110 0238 1.60 23140319 0337 02270.78 1.52 1848 1.711.67 21051.25 0.75 2114 2359 1.881.66 1911 0.791.62 2059 0.65 0.69 2254 0030 1.68 0.61 0255 1.18 0138 0148 1.47 0301 1 16 1 1 10835 0.74 0135 0133 0.57 0534 1.38 0043 0.65 0130 1007 0.42 0023 0.340.47 0850 0.62 0901 0.43 0906 0.68 0.22 16 0832 0818 0.75 16 0917 0.56 0808 0.59 16 17 2 20700 2 17 17 0724 0.52 1.25 0858 0.65 0.54 0828 0.58 0733 0.45 0853 0.56 17 171.64 21.4317 21.47 21.51 0030 1.68 0400 17 1.44 0848 1.37 0.611.43 1.47 0255 0138 1.66 1.47 0100 0301 1.25 0515 0.431.33 0608 0311 1.59 1.29 0842 1.32 1121 0.42 0735 1.40 0849 1624 1.46 0656 1516 1.671.50 15301.58 1.500303 1600 1.18 1.760430 1413 1530 1430 TH FR1447 SA 1457 TU 1335 1.342MO 0.80 2WE 1542 1451 1.41TU 1359 1.49 1538 2 TH 2100 MO0.58 FR SA 0.52 TU 17 17 1207 17 17FRTH 2MO0148 21.43 17 2 1030 0724 0942 0.47 1.250.21 0.39 0858 0835 0.54 0828 0733 0.45 0853 0.41 0.56 1056 1300 1.311.35 0914 0.16 2211 0.38 2058 0.640.85 2115 0.460905 2134 0.65 0.51 2016 0.26 2119 0.27 2019 0.36 1231 0.65 1336 0.89 1836 1.52 1256 0.68 1345 SU 0.67 WE FR 13472 0.95 SA TU0.72 1906 0.77 2227 2019 0.82 2045 0.81 1957 2230 0.50 1651 1.67 2009 1542 1.47 1.41 1359 1.69 1.64 1753 1.82 1.49 1947 1.44 2019 1.40 1.51 2023 TH1.50 MO 1557 MO 1.71 WE 1447 1.35 TH 1335 1.34 FR 1451 SA 1959 WE 1740 TU 1538 FR 1.38 SU 1825 0.74 MO 1726 0.80 SU 1620 0404 1.67 0446 1.57 03400.67 1.522139 0.75 0356 0.72 1.602305 2230 0300 0.50 1.482228 0.74 0318 1.64 0415 03090.81 1.58 1906 0.77 2227 2019 0.821.64 2045 1957 0.69 2340 2144 0.66 1.66 0406 1.16 0422 1.22 0239 1.56 0126 1.63 0245 1.37 0200 1.48 17 2 17 17 17 2 2 2 1043 0.37 0116 0852 0936 0.37 0952 0.65 0.15 0905 0.330.43 0858 0.69 18 0940 0.55 0959 0.46 0.45 0.75 0230 0223 0.55 0001 0.75 0144 0.59 0230 3 30100 3 18 18 0925 0.57 0815 0.50 0911 0.61 0825 0.47 0.62 0953 0.66 1001 0.57 1704 1.46 0808 16081.48 1.540340 1647 1.16 1.790524 1547 1.671.55 1458 1617 1522 1.661.43 1.45 0406 0239 1.56 1.37 0200 0422 1.22 1.771.37 0000 0126 1.63 0356 1.57 0443 18 1.42 0949 1.40 18 1831.72 31.48 31.52 31.44 SU 1546 WE FR SA1544 1.26 0945 1.36 0628 0858 1.44 0958 1.40 1433 0.25 1.413 TUSA 1543 1.46WE 1.34 1458 1.57 1.24 3 TH 1637 1645 TU0.61 WE FR 2146 SU 18 0702 18 3TU0245 18 3 1117 18SAFR 3 0615 18 31.54 18 2246 0.43 2150 0.49 2219 0.66 0.53 2130 0.650.92 2202 0.30 2106 0.35 0.62 0936 0.41 0953 0925 0.57 0911 0825 0.47 1001 0.52 0.57 1137 08092054 0.490.25 0815 0.50 1001 0.22 1020 0.52 1321 0.75 1438 0.96 1209 0.48 1402 0.78 1453 MO 0.64 TH SA 1449 1.01 SU WE0.65 2129 0.81 2015 0.75 2155 0.79 2114 0.83 2330 2341 0.41 1637 1.52 1.46 1458 1.61 1.72 1830 1.41 1.74 1.57 1728 1.63 2102 TU 1633 TU 1.67 TH 1544 1.40 1930 SA 1543 SU 2058 TH 1827 WE 1645 SA 1.35 MO 1414 1.28 TU 1303 1.24 FR 1433 MO 1709 FR1.47 2036 1.38 2108 1.37 1.47 1.48 2124 0514 1.54 04080.64 1.512213 0.76 0435 0.65 1.602357 2341 0332 0.41 1.472306 0.70 0357 1.66 18220444 0451 03480.79 1.61 2129 0.811.64 2155 2114 0.68 1934 0.801.49 2015 0.75 2229 0.67 0.831.65 2330 1.62 0513 1.17 0534 1.25 0339 0228 1.59 0344 1.31 0310 1.41 18 0.74 30329 3 103909540.370052 3 0.75 1115 0.34 1037 0.12 18 0938 0.34 0936 0.63 18 1025 0.49 0.33 18 1009 0.33 0220 0935 0.61 0320 0.53 0252 0.51 0338 0.39 4 19 4SU31009 1106 0.54 0.59 19 1634 0905 0.48 WE4 0.62TH19 0919 0.61 1046 0.66 1741 1.45 0.49 1735 1.17 1.760630 1619 1.25 1.650531 19 1643 1.56 1542 1704 1.51 1611 1.61 TH SA SU0534 WE 0056 1.621.42 0417 1.42 0513 0339 1.49 0344 1.31 0310 1.41 1.38 0209 1.681.39 MO 0228 1.59 0443 1.51 1.41 1050 1.46 19 19 4 4 4 0922 1.27 1044 1.42 0735 1.33 1014 1.53 1103 1.61 1746 1.80 1.47 1530 1.52 1632 1.52 1558 1.66 1.26 4 FR 1633 1728 1.58 WE TH SA SU MO 2320 0.49 4 0954 2302 0.66 0.56 2204 0.54 0.671104 0.59 22230.49 0.52 2245 21510.62 19 08002228 19 4 0.44 19 4 19 1106 4 0023 19 40.381048 19 0.610.31 4 1009 1046 0.590.35 0919 0.63 0718 09142131 0.530.25 0905 0.48 0.31 1422 0.83 1550 1.001202 SA 1600 1.02 1307 1517 0.85 1007 1608 0.94 2234 0.78 2128 0.70 2300 0.74 0.572230 0.56 0.84 TU FR SU MO TH 1711 1728 1.58 1.80 1.47 2031 1.52 1558 1.54 1219 1.30 WE 1407 1.26 1.52 1759 1.65 1.66 1807 1.59 2203 WE WE 1.63 TH 1746 FR 1633 SU 1632 MO 2200 FR 1913 SU 1.34 TU 15250435 SA 1530 TU SA1.46 2126 1.35 2200 1.36 1.44 1.48 2229 0542 1.50 0406 1.45 0519 1.61 0436 1.50 1.66 0527 1.61 0426 1.62 0416 1.57 19290333 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1814FR1.65 2331 0.73 2357 0.68 0.662342 0.46 1842 SA 1.87 2240 0.61 0.81 1539 0.89 1701 1.00 1709 0.99 1418 1636 0.88 1720 0.92 WE MO TU SU 1136 0.49 1.541.58SU 1626 1.64 1717 1.59 1658 0.74 1850 1.55 1305 1.361.64TH 15120550 1.331.56 SA 1718 1851 1.56 TH 1.58 FR 1206 TU 2300 SA 1250 SU1.47 MO 1.35 WE 16260512 WE TH 05051.77 1.481751 0502 1.61 0459 0.63 1.52 0602 0611 1.46 MO 0441 1.41 2215 1.35 2255 1.37 2308 2137 1.43 1.50 2331 2203 0.791.42 20431145 0.810.42 23220.25 0.77 1814 1842 0.730.24 2240 0.61 2357 2342 1.48 1945 0102 0.49 0522 0536 1.27 0531 0129 0438 1.54 2331 1.62 5 5 5 20 20 11120.46 0.31 1053 0.52 20 11010.68 0.17 20 1107 1.65 0.211959 1203 1219 0.33 1.355 1039 1.87 0.38 6 60423 6 21 21 21 0652 1.24 1127 0.59 1121 0.62 1115 0.49 0724 1.37 1046 0.44 0.52 1804 1.37 1746 1.55 1709 1.41 1746 1.65 1814 1.60 1845 1.50 1856 1.41 1733 1.56 0432 0.64 0507 0.34 0542MO 0516 0.500147 0545 WE SA TU 1.59 FR SA 0.621.54 TU0129 0102 0.49 0.25 0.33 0522 1800 1.42 0313 0536 1.27 0531 0.68 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SU 1815 1.59 FR 1324 0.84 ommonwealth of Australia 2020, Bureau 2037 0.27of Meteorology 2048 0.50 2351 0.69 1954 1.47 ctions is Lowest Astronomical Tide © Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2020, Bureau of Meteorology © Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2020, Bureau of Meteorolog ©(UTC Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2020, Bureau of Meteorology cal standard time +10:00) orisdaylight savings time (UTC +11:00) when in effect Datum of Predictions Lowest Astronomical Tide Datum of Predictions Lowest of Astronomical Tide © Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2019,isBureau Meteorology Datum of Predictions is Lowest Astronomical Tide New are Moon First (UTC Quarter Last Quarter ymbols Full Moon Times in local standard time +10:00) or daylight savings time Times (UTC +11:00) are in local when standard in effect time (UTC +10:00) or daylight savings tim Datum of Predictions is Lowest Astronomical Tide Times are in local standard time (UTC +10:00) or daylight savings time (UTC +11:00) when in effect New Moon Times are inFirst Quarter New Last Moon Quartertime (UTC First Quarter Moon Phase Symbols Phase Full Moon Symbols or daylight local standardMoon time (UTC +10:00) savings +11:00) wh New Moon First Quarter Last Quarter Moon Phase Symbols Full Moon New Moon First Quarter Moon Phase Symbols Full Moon Tide predictions for Port Phillip Heads have been formatted by the National Tidal Centre, Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Copyright reserved. All material is supplied in good faith and is believed to be correct. It is supplied on the condition that no warranty is given in relation thereto, that no responsibility or liability for errors or omissions is, or will be, accepted and that the recipient will hold MHL and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology Australia free from all such responsibility or liability and from all loss or damage incurred as a consequence of any error or omission. Predictions should not be used for navigational purposes. Use of these tide predictions will be deemed to include acceptance of the above conditions.

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