Fishing Monthly Magazine | March 2023 by Fishing Monthly

• LOTS OF AUTUMN OPTIONS • WILD RIVER BASS • Species Spotlight

Aaron Roddam brings us ‘Return of the wild river bass’

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Features

Testing Booth: 13 Fishing Fate V3 • Starlo’s dressed to kill • Return of the wild river bass • $1.6M fraud: Journey to justice • Fish’n SIPS tagged fish winner •

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CONTENTS

OUR COVER March 2023, Vol. 3 No.11 VIC

TAS

From the Editor’s Desk...

Last month we made a mistake. In the final throes of proofing before we went to print we supplied an incorrect replacement page to the printer. All of you who are looking forward to the content of that page and missed out, we are sorry. We hope it won’t happen again. We can supply the page to those who need it. FRAUD STORY Also in this issue is a story of the

QUEENSLAND Tweed River

Gold Coast

Jumpinpin

Southern Bay

Brisbane

Northern Bay

Noosa

Bundaberg

Mackay

Townsville

King George whiting are in good

Hinchinbrook

numbers this season.

Cairns

A Gerry Morsman image.

Port Douglas

Cooktown

Cape York

Freshwater

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

NEW SOUTH WALES Pittwater

Wangaratta

Sydney Rock

Shepparton

Sydney North

Bendigo

Sydney South

Ballarat

Ballina

Crater Lakes

Coffs Coast

Eildon

Hastings

Gippsland Freshwater

Forster

Port Stephens

Swansea

TASMANIA Hobart Offshore

98 99

Central Coast

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Illawarra

Esperance

104

Batemans Bay

Bunbury

104

Bermagui

Augusta

105

Tathra

Metro

106

Albany/Wodonga

Mandurah

107

Hunter Valley

Kalbarri

109

Batlow

Lancelin

108

New England Rivers

Exmouth

110

Canberra

Karratha

110

Freshwater

112

Warrnambool

REGULAR FEATURES

Portland

VICTORIA 78

Return of the wild river bass

Cobden

Starlo’s: Dressed to kill

Apollo Bay

$1.6M fraud: Journey to justice

Geelong

Fish’n SIPS tagged fish winner

Port Phillip West

What’s New Fishing

Port Phillip East

Testing Booth: Fate V3

Phillip Island

Sheik of the Creek

Gippsland Lakes

Fun page

Port Albert

Tournament Calendar

102

Marlo

Tournaments

100

Bemm River

Trades and Services/Tide page

114

Mallacoota

Boat test: Yellowfin 7000

116

Robinvale

COMPS AND OFFERS

Yarrawonga

Find the logo

6 MARCH 2023

40 62

trials and tribulations that we have been through in the last decade with some internal fraud in the company. The matter is now resolved and we hope that by reading the story inside you can understand the lengths that we went to to get the magazine out every month on time. We are proud that we survived and hope that Robyn Lawrie starts to feel some remorse for her actions while in jail. A MILLION TAGS I was proud to host a celebration of the success of Bill Sawynok’s tagging program that put in its millionth tag late last year. That is 1 million tags, inserted by volunteer anglers and stocking groups. To put it into context, there have only been 4.5 million fish tagged globally by citizen science programs. Ever. It is safe to say that when anglers claim that they are custodians of the resource, they can put their money where their mouth is. Next time a keyboard warrior is attacking you for being an angler, ask them what they have done to further fishing knowledge and community monitoring in their area. I’m pretty sure they will dodge the question. So, to all who have tagged fish or reported a recapture, well done. You’re helping us all understand the fish and the anglers who chase them. Special shout-out to an ageing Michael Dohnt, who personally tagged well over 25,000 fish in his tagging career. Do the maths on that. That’s a lifetime of dedication right there.

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Return of the wild river bass NSW

Aaron Roddam

We have sweated through one of the wettest summers in years, but the bass stayed on the bite and despite all the rain we still managed to catch a lot of solid fish for the season. Australian bass, also known as a ‘golden slab’, are keenly fished for as they are an outstanding sportfish and are extraordinarily powerful for their size. I have spent the better part of the past decade chasing this aggressive freshwater beast in waterways surrounding the Illawarra and NSW South Coast. In this article I will offer answers to the most asked questions about bass fishing. I will also share some tips and tricks that

A late afternoon fishing session, after a heavy downpour of rain, when the barometric pressure was reading 1020hPa.

The author with a 45cm bass pulled out from a very small stretch of water. These hardy fish can be found in surprisingly small bodies of water. have helped me along the way, which will hopefully help you land yourself some mighty Australian bass. WHERE TO TARGET? Australian bass are primarily found in freshwater, along the eastern coast of Australia, all the way from Queensland to Victoria. It is important when targeting bass (or even bream) to always stay within the strike zone. For example, fallen trees or deep pools adjacent to deeper fringes of river, or close to thick vegetation. Locations like these are awesome hiding spots for fish seeking shelter, or lying in wait to ambush their next meal. A lighter weighted line teamed with a slow sinking lure is the ideal set up for this close structure fishing. That is because the suspended lure will hang in the face of the fish longer, thereby enticing a strike. Be ready for it, and hang on! WHAT TO USE? This predatory fish 8 MARCH 2023

loves to eat terrestrial creatures such as crickets, cicadas and spiders, as well as lizards, frogs and even ducklings. Whilst bass can be taken on bait, a more rewarding and enjoyable experience is targeting them on lures. They will strike at pretty much anything,

taking most hardbodies, soft plastics and surface lures. It’s easy to think of all the rainy weather this summer as a hindrance to fishing, but the rain has actually been very beneficial. The extra water has flushed an abundance of bugs, worms, spiders and all other insects into the water system and this, in turn, has created a natural food source that the fish have come flocking to. At times like this, when the fish are busy feeding and taking every opportunity to grab an easy meal, they won’t miss your lure. A strike is pretty much inevitable. Trolling for bass can be effective using big bib diver lures or diving crankbaits on a slow paddle towed behind a kayak, or a slow retrieve from a boat in deep water. This is a sure way to cover a lot of ground in a short time in the hunt for bass in large impoundment dams such as Windemere or Danjera. The big bibs on the lures allow the lure to dive deep, plunging it to its designated

depth. To ensure it keeps its fish-like swaying action, tie the lure to the end of your leader using a non-slip loop knot (also known as a kreh loop knot) as this will allow the lure to swim and move more freely with a natural look. WHAT IS A GOOD CHOICE OF LURE? Small crankbaits can be pricey when fishing for bass, especially if you keep losing them to snags. Despite that though, they are a great investment and there’s a huge range of colours and styles to choose from. The trick is knowing which colours and styles to choose. A great lure hint to help you land that trophy bass is to pick something that mimics their natural food source (e.g. frogs, small baitfish or a lure with a realistic look and action) as this will fool any bass into a strike. A good lure size to stick to is between 35mm and 70mm, though often the bass aren’t too fussy on size. If the fish aren’t striking, try using a lure that creates a lot of noise or action. And finally, always try to keep to natural colours such

A typical habitat for our iconic Australian bass. It also holds the elusive platypus, and is a perfect place to have a refreshing dip. as mottled browns, greens, silver and bronzes. When fishing at dusk or dawn during the summer months, floating lures are by far the best choice of lures for surface hits. Crackerjack’s Wobbler Frog is one of my favourite lures for surface hits because this lure mimics a realistic frog wobbling across the water. The bass just love it!

A perfect 40cm specimen caught on a Crackerjack Lures Vertex 45 in a natural colour.

A great lure for surface fishing is a frog imitation. It has a rapid swaying action that wobbles across the surface and fools bass into striking.

Another great lure for surface fishing is the Jackall Pompadour. The action from its wings creates a waddle-like effect, which looks like an animal skipping across the water, enticing a strike. Summertime also brings on the call of the cicadas – an insect irresistible to bass. Tiemco have a range of Soft Shell Cicadas that are quite effective on these bronze battlers. When you hear the cicadas singing it’s a clear indication of which lure to use. DO SOFT PLASTICS WORK? The simple answer is “yes”, they absolutely do work! Bass can be fussy at

times, but when they are biting they will pretty much take anything in front of them. They can be caught on many types of soft plastic lures, such as curl tails, paddle tails, crayfish and even on spinner blades. There is a huge range of different styles and colours on the market and, when fished properly, the majority of these lures can be extremely productive. When it comes to the size of the soft plastic, I personally don’t use anything over 2” when fishing around structure. I recommend avoiding heavier jigheads where possible. It’s better to stick to around 1/16oz. This weight is important, as the slow descent through the water gives you more chances to get a hook up. You want the lure to be suspended in the water column for as long as possible, increasing your chances of catching a fish. However, remember that if you leave it too long you run the risk of getting snagged or busted off around a snag. WHEN IS A GOOD TIME TO FISH FOR BASS? As with most other fish species, bass will usually feed at dusk and dawn. As a general rule, these are great times to head out. However, it’s also a good idea to keep track of the weather systems in the area, as these too can affect your chances of landing a bite. When fishing I always keep in mind the good old saying “1020, the fish are plenty”. This is, of course, referring to the barometric pressure and the feeding pattern of fish. Bass can sense the impending rise or fall of a pressure system. On a rising pressure system (1020hPa and above) bass can change their feeding patterns and

often feed heavily and act aggressively, but as the pressure reaches its peak they tend to stop feeding. On a low pressure system (anything below 1020hPa), since there is less pressure in the air, their internal air bladder is allowed to expand, therefore putting pressure on their stomachs, which turns them off the bite. FISHING MY LOCAL The Illawarra region is home to many, many keen freshwater and saltwater anglers. I am one such

angler who loves both styles of fishing. Above the 30-million-year-old mountain range of the Illawarra escarpment, you will find the Southern Highlands. This is where the freshwater heads downstream, and around these areas you can find trout (brown and rainbow), as well as the odd river cod. As the running waters head downstream over the escarpment to the foothills of the Illawarra, there are many running rivers to explore, and these rivers

are the places to start your search for bass. In my experience, the harder it is to reach your fishing spot, the better your chances of reaping rewards. It’s great when a waterway is relatively unknown/ unfished, because any bass you find will not be familiar with lures, and this will increase your chances of a catch. As a bonus, you may end up finding a hidden gem to take a refreshing dip in after tackling boulders, tree roots and the many other obstacles you may

Trekking through the foothills through thick bushland to find a pristine natural waterway. Persistent rainfall caused this waterway to carve its way through the rich soil, and it’s home to many freshwater dwellers.

A skinny water bass taken just below a drop-off.

come across in these areas. As the water continues to flow to Lake Illawarra, the place where the fresh meets salt is called brackish water, and this is where the bass travel to spawn. Often anglers targeting bream or flathead have picked up a bycatch of bass in these waters. Some diligent

research on Google Maps can reveal these places to anyone with a keen eye, but before trekking out into unknown landscape, be aware that many of these spots can be on private property. STAY SAFE As always, safety comes first, so you should

always let someone know where you are going. Packing adequate water and food supplies, along with dressing appropriately (layered clothing and walking boots), is essential on any expedition around these areas. Remember to always be aware of flash flooding in and around your local river systems. It might not be raining where you are, but further up the waterway could be receiving torrential rain which won’t take long to reach your fishing spot. Have a plan in place for such an emergency. HARD WORK PAYS OFF Once you start, Australian bass fishing is a sport you will find difficult to give up. You will likely be pushing your limits trekking up muddy rivers, across paddocks and through thick bushland where no one has been before in search of the ultimate fishing spots. Encountering mosquitoes, spiders and snakes – not to mention the leeches – is not everyone’s cup of tea, but once you start reeling in those cracker Australian bass, all this hard work will definitely be worth its weight in gold. Photo credits: Tim Makepeace, Sam Halliday and Michael Huwyler.

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Dress to kill fish, not yourself NSW STH COAST

Steve Starling www.fishotopia.com

As the weather begins to cool in many parts of the country over the next couple of months, the way we dress when heading out fishing can become extremely important — even a matter of life and death! Scottish comedian Billy Connolly once said: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes.” He had a valid point, too. It’s amazing what a difference dressing correctly can make when it comes to taming the worst that Huey can throw at us, allowing us to stay on the water and keep

Over the past couple of years, I’ve come to rely heavily on specialised outdoor clothing from three different manufacturers for all my wading and weatherproofing needs. That trio of makers are Simms, Ridgeline and Fly N Dry. All three produce quality outdoor gear. None of it is cheap, but in this game, you tend to get what you pay for. I’ve got cupboard full of cheap and nasty wet weather gear that simply wasn’t up to the task. There’s a lot to be said for the old adage “buy right, buy once”. I also put a fair bit of thought into the ability of the clothing I wear to break up my outline and help conceal me from the fish I hunt, especially in any sort of “finesse” situation, or around shallow,

Jo is snug and warm on the coldest of days in her Fly N Dry neoprene gear: waders and boat jacket. the Woodland Camo Storm colour: a dark, blue-based pattern that seems especially appropriate in most saltwater environments, but also works in the fresh. The other protective garment I’ve been really enjoying of late is my Infinity Jacket from Ridgeline. It’s not quite as sophisticated (nor as expensive and heavy) as the Simms, but it still does a great job of cutting wind and repelling rain. The “breathability” of the Thinsulate material used in this jacket means that moisture in your sweat quickly “wicks” out, but rain is blocked from passing the other way. I picked mine in

The author with a stunning Tasmanian King George whiting. That Ridgeline Infinity Jacket is great for cutting the wind chill, and you can comfortably wear an inflatable PFD over it. neoprene chest waders from the Hobart-based Fly N Dry company (a subsidiary of Anchor Wetsuits). Neoprene waders might be a bit “old school” compared to the latest high-tech, breathable waders on the market, but they are less expensive, harder wearing and, in my opinion, much warmer when conditions become really icy. They’re not something you’d choose to put

the same company. Wearing that and a pair of their waders, she’s ten feet tall and bulletproof! I also get a lot of use, especially at this time of year, from my extra-high Fly N Dry Launch Boots — effectively extended gum boots or wellies with neoprene uppers… Handy bits of kit! Owning and using the right clothing has definitely changed my fishing in recent

Your columnist definitely rates his Simms Challenger Jacket on the coldest of days, and a Ridgeline beanie keeps his noggin warm, too. fishing long after others have headed for home. Dressing for the conditions obviously becomes more important as autumn rolls into winter, especially in the south of the country. Being improperly dressed can not only make you miserable and ruin your whole day — it can actually put you at serious risk of life-threatening medical conditions such as hypothermia. Wherever you fish — even up north — you really need at least a decent jacket of some sort that’s capable of cutting the wind and repelling rain. I make sure I always have one of these packed somewhere in my gear, no matter how pleasant the conditions are when I leave home. Wet weather pants are also a great idea, but if you don’t have those, at least being able to protect your upper body will keep you reasonably comfortable in most situations. If you wade into the water to go fishing, prawning, crabbing or whatever, you’ll also need to consider owning a pair of waders for prolonged immersion, especially once water temperatures drop below about 18 or 20 degrees. 12 MARCH 2023

clear water. These days I see lots of folks out fishing in their high viz’ work gear. They’re very easy to spot — and not just to human eyes! Seriously, keep the high viz’ gear for work… At the top of my list when dressing to battle the elements is my Simms Challenger Jacket. This is a very classy waterproof and breathable jacket featuring two layers of

Simms’ trade-marked Toray fabric, with fully taped seams. It has a three-point adjustable storm hood that conveniently stows in the collar, dual draw-cord adjustable bottom hem, and those deep, fleecelined pockets are lovely for thawing out frozen hands! This is definitely not a budget jacket, but like I said, you get what you pay for. I went for

You get what you pay for. Jackets like this Simms Challenger are far from cheap, but they can save your bacon on those difficult weather days.

The author places great importance on camouflaged gear in many fishing scenarios to help conceal his presence from the fish he pursues.

Ridgeline’s “Excape Camo” colour, which can best be described as an autumn-like, “real tree” style of muted, brown-and-tan patterns. It works well in most freshwater and estuary settings, very effectively breaking up the wearer’s outline and silhouette. Finally, when it comes to cold weather waders, I’m currently relying on a pair of

on while prawning on a hot summer’s night, but by the time the back end of the trout season rolls around in our high country, they’re exactly what I want to protect me from that icy alpine water. As well, as waders Fly N Dry make a few other interesting neoprene garments. Jo is absolutely in love with her rubberised boat jacket from

years, giving me more time on the water, and extending my “season” at both ends. That’s a big deal for me, and it should be for you, too. What you wear and how well you prepare for your time in the elements can not only spell the difference between success and failure, or pain and comfort — it can literally be a matter of life and death!

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$1.6M fraud: journey to justice QUEENSLAND

Steve Morgan

January finally saw the jailing of a former Fishing Monthly director, Robyn Lawrie, for significant fraud that she committed between 2008 and 2013. At the time, she was General Manager of the company. Her head sentence was 7 years in jail. As you’d expect, the

family. An offer to hand back shares in the company and property was accepted, yet it took her half a year to actually sign the documents. The icing on the cake was finding out that the holding company – Fishing Monthly Group – was under liquidation orders. I had found emails where she had instructed the Australian Government solicitors to do it. I assume that she thought that in the collapse, nobody would look

Fishing Monthly Directors Steve, Robyn and Matt. personal toll of discovering the gutting of the company you’d invested your whole life into was significant. Not just for me but for fellow Director Matthew Drinkall, and for many of the key staff and their families. Through a network of lies and deception, Lawrie withdrew significant amounts of cash from various NAB branches and deposited them in the poker machines of the Treasury Casino, while simultaneously reporting the expenditure to the accountants and bookkeepers as expense reimbursements and building repayments. In a week, my world went from preparing to film another Australian Fishing Championships TV series and being ahead in all of our building, tax and supplier payments, to having a holding company secretly liquidated and the revelation that we had an ATO bill of over $600,000, and that our building loan was over a million dollars behind where it was reported in our financials. It was a shock to the system and I’m grateful for the support of my family to help me through it. It was likely worse for Matthew. He was only a 15% shareholder in the company, but was treated as equally liable for the debts. Basically, the ATO serially bankrupts all company directors until they can recover what they’re owed. Of course, when challenged, Lawrie denied it and hid it from her friends and 14 MARCH 2023

for missing funds. It cost a lot of stress, time and around $50,000 to pay off the liquidators and get the judgement reversed, but we did it. And so the evidence of her fraud remained. WHAT TO DO? In the short term, we were left with a reasonably simple choice. The lawyers advised us to go bankrupt and start again under a spouse’s name, shedding the mountainous debts wherever possible. On paper, this is mathematically the best thing to do, although it disrespects your suppliers, readers, writers, staff and history. I’d always been critical of those taking the ‘soft’ option and folding businesses while running away with the creditors’ cash out the back door. Redcliffe’s Sundown Marine did this to us and plenty of others in the industry years ago. It cost us $23,000 back then and had left a sour taste in the mouth. There was another option – use the solid foundations of the business to trade out of the situation. She had stolen the money but not necessarily destroyed the magazines. With some spreadsheeting skills and some financial numbers that reflected reality instead of fiction, we set upon paying all of our debts in full. It was a process that we estimated would take around three years. To free up the funds needed to make it all work, Matthew, with support of his wife Sharon, sold their house and moved in with

family in Ipswich while I pulled hundreds of thousands of dollars back out of my house mortgage. Historically, I invest my money in the house instead of the pokies, so we had the resources to self-fund the recovery. We sold the company cars and boat and lots of things that weren’t bolted down. I went from my Phoenix bass boat and Ford truck to a pushbike for over a year. While cleaning out Lawrie’s company car, we found an expired Casino Rewards card in the door sill – the highest level they had at the time. High Roller. There was one important part, though, to the process and that was to report the fraud to the police. Without that step, the Australian Taxation Office wouldn’t let us claim the deductions that we would need to make it work. So, with a massive pile of bank statements, some MYOB reports and a couple of calculators, we spent a couple of weeks manually collecting the suspicious looking transactions and quantifying them all before gift-wrapping them and delivering to the local police station at Loganholme. All in all, this took a year, from the discovery of the fraud to the official reporting. For the police to pull all of the cheques, bank records and casino rewards card information took another year, and Lawrie was charged with stealing around $1.6million in mid 2015. We got to claim the tax deductions and had paid off the ATO bill, as well as all of the other creditors by the middle of 2016. I asked the ATO to give me a little trophy to celebrate the payment of the debt. They declined. Those guys have no sense of humour. AT THE MAGAZINE Back at the magazine,

there were obviously human costs of the restructuring. Many staff were made redundant (with full entitlements paid) and those remaining were asked to do much more for much less than they had in the past. Matthew and I thank every single one of them for making the recovery possible. The advertisers were amazing. I won’t name them, but a couple of major backers booked and paid for their whole year of advertising in advance when they heard the story. This was unexpected and encouraging. It told me that they wanted our magazine in the marketplace and would do what they could to make it happen. The writers did what they could. They don’t get paid that much to start with, but they did their part to keep it together. And readers did what they always did: subscribed

The Fishing Monthly and ABT premises in Brisbane. dues and that the Rolexes could be distributed. We never missed an issue. Not one. So from the outside looking in, we hope it presented as business as usual. COVID The next obstacle that we faced was COVID. Of course, you’d have thought that the case would be well and truly wrapped up by 2020, but as we learned, you’re allowed to procrastinate virtually indefinitely in our legal system. I don’t have

Steve’s daily commute vehicle. or purchased the magazine at their newsagents. Begrudgingly, we even paid Australia Post in full. Those who know me know that I dislike Australia Post with a passion. I get better service from a fast food restaurant. We even made sure they were paid their

an exact count, but I think it was in the Magistrates and District courts 18 times. At least 15 before a ‘guilty’ plea was lodged to all of the six charges. It took ‘experts’ years to do the calculations that had taken us two weeks to do on the kitchen table at

work. When it went to court for a ‘mention’ it seemed everyone in the room was more interested in matching calendars than actually doing anything. In the first month of COVID, advertising dropped 70%. Luckily, we were well schooled in company re-structuring and it took only a couple of weeks to morph all four of the state magazines into a single, national magazine that we publish today. Advertising is on the up again and we’re still printing. Currently all of the team still works from home - Jacqui and Nicole P in editorial, Marie and Kym in admin, Matt in production and Peter and Nicole K in advertising sales. I get to be the caretaker at work along with Nicholle S at ABT. I do ride my bike to work occasionally, but it’s definitely recreational now rather than a necessity. We lease our big, old offices to a recruitment company and most of our downstairs offices at Loganholme to Rapala and Infofish Services. And we still publish what we think is the best fishing magazine in Australia – Fishing Monthly magazine. And I think that we’ve done it in the right way. If you would like to support us, just keep reading, keep subscribing and keep fishing and boating.

The FM crew used to be bigger than it is now, but the positive working environment hasn’t changed – even though most meetings are now conducted via Zoom.

Southern

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March morning mulloway continues this month large female Spanish that had remained in Southeast Qld to spawn have now well and truly finished spawning, and are focused on feeding and restocking their energy reserves for the next season. Their

THE TWEED

Leon McClymont

The fishing on the Tweed has been exceptional, from the river to the shelf. The water temperature inside the 50s has been 26-27°C and electric blue one day, and then 23.5°C and a shade of green the next. Finding the right species to target on the day can have a lot to do with these changes. In cooler, greener water it’s good to target bottom fish such as snapper or jew, as they seem to move back onto the shallower reefs with the cooler water push. You will still find mackerel and other pelagics in this water but it can be slow

The author with a nice morning mulloway.

Jimmy Clifton with a school mulloway from an early morning session. going if that is the only species you’re targeting. Rather than trolling around in this water you can drift or anchor up and fish both water columns, having baits on the bottom and a bait/livie sitting on the surface under a float. This will provide much better options for the fish that may be in the area. On those days when you have the electric blue water and that bit warmer current show up, that’s the time to chase pelagics and put your time into trolling around, covering ground. Bait schools of slimies, pillies etc have been pushing south with the cooler water. Catching bait can be a struggle some days as the local reefs are just about a desert for bait when the water temp has been over 26-27°C. Then within a few days or some heavily northerlies, the 16 MARCH 2023

records of super seasons where they can spawn for up to 6 months of the season – which we have just experienced this season. Each Spanish mackerel can dump/spawn several times during the spawning period,

cooler water will push back in and bring the bait back with it. I believe the cool water pushes in from the

deep up into the shallows, bringing the bait with it. The bait tends to want to school up and loiter in the cooler waters. These changes have resulted in Tweed anglers sometimes struggling to find a feed, as they may be targeting the wrong species on the wrong days. In amongst the large schools of bait, there have been good numbers of mulloway (jewfish), with several reports of lucky anglers snagging big size jew as bycatch while slow trolling for mackerel. At this time of year, the mulloway will school up in huge numbers, and they are in the process of spawning on the inshore reefs. All the mulloway I have recently caught have been active fish ready to spawn, or which are already in the process of spawning. The mulloway spawning is timed perfectly to finish up with the annual mullet run, where they will move right in on the beach gutters, break walls and river entrance waiting for schools of mullet to harass.

Reports of great size snapper have been working their way through the local fishing community, with many anglers opting to chase snapper and other reefies on the quieter, deeper reefs, leaving the mackerel for the crowds. From recent reports, the snapper have been frequently found out a little wider in 60-90m of

Blayke Dale with a solid river GT that put up a good fight on light gear.

David McAndrew with a solid greenback tailor taken on cut bait.

A mangrove jack caught and released by the author.

water in large schools. Anglers are still picking up the odd good-size snapper on the shallow inshore reefs, but these fish aren’t in huge numbers. The mackerel have been touch-and-go for the start of the season, but March should deliver good fishing for Spanish mackerel on the Tweed and surrounding areas, in my opinion. The remaining biomasses/very

chosen dining areas are the inshore reefs lining the east coast from the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef to the most southern reaches a mackerel has been caught on the east coast. Some years we have longer spawning periods for Spanish mackerel (and pretty much any species, for that matter). Spanish typically spawn for at least 3-4 months, but there are

with up to 1-5million eggs each dump/spawn. That means a single fish could produce up to 30 million eggs in a single season. Beyond the shelf in the deep blue, anglers have enjoyed an exceptional marlin season so far, with many anglers taking advantage and going well into the double digits of hooked fish for the day. Big blues and striped marlin have made up the majority of catches. By the end of March we should start to see the current slow down a fair bit, and a lot of anglers will switch up the trolling gear and starting bringing out the electrics to target those deep sea tasty creatures. River fishing has been on fire, with huge numbers of mangrove jacks and trevally coming in. The humidity has had them chewing hard, and surface lures and divers are great way to target these species in the river systems. If you’re into sitting back and enjoying a coldie, I can confidently say that soaking cut baits and livies is for you. It has got to be the most relaxing and yet exciting fishing that can be had when that reel suddenly comes alive. It’s been great to see the amount of people enjoying the water of late. Just remember to give other people fair space, and be respectful of the waterways and each other. Until next month, soak ‘em long.

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A great month to head offshore GOLD COAST

David Green

March is a great month to fish the offshore grounds off the Gold Coast. Target species this month include spotted mackerel, wahoo, blue marlin and black marlin. The current is generally quite strong which makes bottom fishing difficult. For the first three weeks of March there is a closed season on Spanish mackerel, a ludicrous management rule in my opinion.

can recommence chasing bigger Spanish mackerel. Hopefully the review into this management paper will take place soon, as it is clear to most anglers that the stock is in excellent shape. There should be increasing numbers of wahoo this month and it is worth a visit to the Tweed Nine Mile reef. Trolling high speed skirted lures, live tuna, jigging metal lures and casting stick baits are all effective methods here. Hard bodied minnows also work well at times. The Nine Mile works best

grounds there should be black marlin on the 80-metre line around Spot X and blue marlin out wider. This season has seen a lot of smaller black marlin on the inshore grounds but these have generally finished their run by March. Most fish are caught on deep drifted live baits dropped down next to the bait schools. Lure trolling and switch baiting are good alternative methods and are a much more exciting way to fish. Personally I’d rather catch one fish on a lure than three on a live bait. The

We can expect to see some good catches of crabs in the coming weeks. So far this season the mackerel run has been quite good, but now is the time to chase spotted mackere3l rather than Spaniards. There have been some good catches of spotted mackerel at Palm Beach and Mermaid Reef but they have been inconsistent. Trolled pilchards, small metal lures and small ‘squid and tinsel’ skirts are a good way to target spotted mackerel. When the closed season is over on 21 March we

when the current is running hard over the main body of the reef, and if wahoo are about you should see a lot of long toms taking to the air and nervous schools of small tuna in the vicinity. Hopefully this will be a good season for Wahoo, and already a number of smaller fish have been caught. The Nine Mile tends to fish well during the week, and weekend crowds tend to scatter the fish. Out on the wider

weather over the last week has been outstanding with virtually no unfishable days, but prior to this it was terrible. In March most of the black marlin activity will be around Spot X. Drifted live baits catch most of the fish. March is generally one of the best months of the year to chase blue marlin. While the black marlin are generally starting to thin out a bit by March the blue marlin should

be increasing in numbers. It has been an excellent season for blue marlin, with exceptional catches of more than six fish a session happening frequently. Most anglers don’t put their lures in until they hit 200 metres but there are good opportunities well inside this line, and I generally set my lures once I’m in about a hundred metres of water. Last Sunday we caught and released a great fish over 200 kilos after a long battle. Targeting blue marlin is best done on 37 kilo tackle and trolling large skirted lures is the commonest successful method used. BROADWATER AND RIVERS In the estuaries there should be some good fishing this month. There have been plenty of mangrove jacks around this season, with a lot in the 50 to 60cm range. Most of these fish have been caught casting hard bodied lures or soft plastics around floating pontoons. The mangrove jack population on the Gold Coast is thriving, with catches improving each season. As well as being in the canals, a lot of big mangrove jacks have been caught in the Seaway on live baits. In the life cycle of mangrove jacks fish move out of the estuaries to the inshore reefs when they reach a certain age. In more northern areas they are generally around 45cm

Catching wahoo is a lot of fun. when they move offshore, but on the Gold Coast they seem to stay in the estuaries for a much longer period. In recent weeks divers have reported large schools of big mangrove jacks around the north wall of the seaway. Whiting are another good target species this month and chasing them on the flats is a fun way to fish.

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It’s a great time of year to fish the offshore grounds for marlin.

Casting unweighted yabbies to fish moving up on the flats on a rising tide is a fun way to get a feed of whiting. Surface poppers and stick baits are also effective at times, particularly if the whiting are feeding on small prawns. I like the Bassday Sugar Pen for whiting and this lure has caught me hundreds of fish. If you are chasing whiting on surface lures make sure you wind fast. If you see the tell-tale small ‘V’ of a whiting chasing your lure keep winding and do not stop. Some big whiting up to around 40cm love to eat surface lures and it is a fun way to fish for them. If you want numbers, bait is the best alternative. There will be a few flathead around this month on the top of the flats on early morning high tides but overall the flathead fishing in March can be a bit slow and most of the fish are quite small. Working big soft plastics will produce the odd crocodile sized lizard this month and trolling is another good method that lets you cover plenty of water. March is an excellent month to chase both mud and sand crabs on the Gold Coast. Coombabah Creek, the Pimpama River and the weed flats in the central part of the Broadwater all produce plenty of crabs, particularly on bigger tides. Overall, March has plenty of good options for Gold Coast Anglers and is an exceptional month to chase blue marlin.

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Southern

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Flathead catches are ramping up JUMPINPIN

Bo Sawyer

Welcome back everyone, I hope you’ve all had a fantastic month. We’ve seen some great bites

time of year to fish for flathead. They have been a little tricky lately thanks to the wind, but I expect them to really ramp up again in the coming weeks. Fishing soft plastics in the 2.5-4” range will get you

in the past month from the Pin bar all the way up to southern Moreton Bay. You’ll need to do some sounding for them if you are using plastics or vibes. Live mullet, pike or legal tailor are the go for bait fishos. I’ve

rather than location with them. Overhanging trees, rocky bottoms and drainage points with heavy structure are all great jack haunts. There are plenty of them around in our area. Plenty of smaller bream are around the system as well, however we should see the size returning over the coming months. Try using whitebait, cut up pillies, mullet flesh, yabbies, worms and prawns. Personally, I’ve been catching them on small 2.5” plastics smeared in scent using 4-6lb fluoro leader. You will also get a lot of Moses perch as bycatch. I’ve sounded up a ton of prawns in the Logan recently but haven’t seen the

The Ellis brothers keep finding the big ones.

Haydn with a solid flathead caught in Jacobs Well. recently, however they’ve been more confined to the morning periods before the wind picks up. Try to fish the dawn/dusk times that line up with a tide change wherever possible. Overall, the water quality in the Pin has been much better. Temperatures should start dropping soon as we get into my favourite time of the year for fishing. The long-term weather forecast looks far more favourable for 2023, but until BOM can predict the correct weather on the same day I’ll remain cautious. Now, let’s look at the fishing! Let’s start off with whiting. Some great catches have been rolling in on live yabbies and worms. The deeper water off the lagoons and Gold Bank all the way through to the Logan have been fishing really well. You can also try Tiger Mullet channel and any sandbanks out from Jacobs Well. As I always say, lightly-weighted baits with 4lb fluoro are the best tools to get the job done. If the bite is slow then feed line out to keep your offering moving with the current. You can also slowly wind your bait on shallow flats. This will usually drive the whiting crazy. Despite what a lot of people say, summer is probably my least favourite 22 MARCH 2023

the numbers, and 5-7” for the big girls. You can also troll for them on small diving lures along sand and weed edges. For bait fishos, live mullet, herring, prawns or cut-up pillies are the go. Try fishing the northern side of Crusoe, lagoons, Gold Bank, Tipplers and the mouth of the Logan. We’ve been landing some nice jewfish on lures

lost some monsters recently, and I think we’ll see some more bigger models lurking around soon. Some of our charter clients have been lucky enough to tangle with some nice mangrove jacks on soft plastics and vibes. Dawn and dusk are definitely the pick for these fish (like most others), and you really want to focus on the structure

A cracker feed of muddies caught by Paul and his mates. cast net army anywhere just yet. There are plenty of mud crabs around throughout the whole system as well guys. Dates for the King Of The Pin comp have been set for the 9-11th of June, and it looks like it’s

Suzanne with some very nice whiting taken on live beach worms.

Benno Pamment with a 96.5cm croc.

going to be a cracker of a competition so make sure you get your entries in. You can find out more at www. kingofthepin.com.au. That’s it for me this month everyone. We’ve got some dates available for charters which you can check out on www.capnscharters.

com.au, we’d love to have you out on the water. Brett from Jacobs Well Bait and Tackle has plenty of fresh bait in stock as well. Tight lines. • To see more of my fishing adventures on Instagram, follow The Bobo Boat (@ thebobo_boat)

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With the prawns will come the predators (snapper) and sweetlip on the edges. At this time of year it pays to fish a little deeper around Harries, the deeper edges along the western and southern sides of Peel as well as the Peel and Coochie artificial reefs. The fish won’t be thick but you should have a better chance of some quality fish. Prawns have been quite patchy from the start of this season in the Southern Bay. There have been reports of isolated catches from the mouth of the Logan and Macleay areas, but at the time of writing they are a little hit and miss. This

SOUTHERN BAY

Nick Whyte

Mangrove jack have been hot to trot in recent weeks, and that should continue this month. There will be good numbers of jacks around in the coming weeks, but the bigger models will be thinking about heading offshore to breed. At this time of year you can find big congregations around the bar and river entrances. The Seaway is a good place to fish this month, and Amity rock wall is worth a look, too. Remember to fish heavy for these guys as you will be targeting the larger fish. They will have no problems taking you back into structure on light tackle. All canal systems and creeks have been producing good numbers, but it seems as though the Coomera has been the pick of the bunch. Work all the main bridges around Sovereign and up through the river. Deep plastics and deep-running hardbodies are the go. Topwater lures can be a great way to target them up tight on the rock walls, especially as a few prawns start to show up. Spotty mackerel have been a bit hard to find in the bottom half of Moreton Bay. Sand Hills have been a regular producer. Most fish are still average size but there is the occasional bigger fish up to a metre. The longtail tuna should heat up this month, with bigger schools pushing down into the bay. There

month should see a great improvement though, and it should only get better moving forward into April. With the prawns will come the predators. Mulloway, flatties, threadfin and bream all love a good feed of prawns. Prawn imitation lures like small vibes, long slender topwater lures or prawn plastics are what should be tied on this month. If you have a great capture from the Southern Bay you would like to share, send me an email at techfishing@hotmail. com. Until next month, Tech-it-easy.

Dave Hall with a Brisbane River mulloway. have been reports of good fish in the northern bay. Areas north of Mud Island and north of Tangalooma have been the most consistent. Summer whiting have still been about throughout the Southern Bay. Reports of large fish have not been uncommon this past month. Most anglers have been targeting these with freshly dug worms. Digging worms yourself will often yield better results. The best spots this month have been in the Logan River at the Lone Pine or the Council Chambers in the Nerang River. Most of the Gold Coast systems have been productive.

Brisbane River has been producing some great fish lately. There has been large numbers of threadfin salmon and jewfish (mulloway) caught from the port area. A lot of the fish have been of better quality, with 115-120cm being common. The good old Zerek Fish Trap is definitely the go-to if you’re looking for a thready. Just remember that these fish suffer from barotrauma when pulled from deep water, and if you are practicing catchand-release try to have a release weight handy to get the fish back to the bottom. Take care when handling them and don’t keep them

out of the water too long. If treated improperly, these awesome sportfish will have very little chance of survival. There have been plenty of school jew around in recent weeks. These guys can usually be found holding tight to structure or harassing the baitfish. Bream will be throughout the Southern Bay around all the shallow rock points this month. It’s a great time of year to target these fish on topwater lures. The rocks around the power lines, the top of Macleay at Pats Point and Lambs Rocks are all great places to have a look. Shallow cranks and larger walk-the-dog topwater lures are the best techniques in this shallow structure. The Bay islands have been fishing a little tough of late. There have been a lot of undersized squire

Dave’s nice threadfin couldn’t resist a slowly hopped Fish Trap.

Byron with a quality threadfin salmon. 24 MARCH 2023

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Southern

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Succulent species on the cards BRISBANE

Gordon Macdonald masterbaitertackle@hotmail.com

As we get towards late summer, anglers will continue to be spoilt for choice fishing Moreton Bay and surrounding waterways. The prominence of some fish species has been unusual over the last few months and I feel many species are a little late this year. Occasional downpours and frequent winds have created somewhat murky conditions for inshore waters. This isn’t always a bad thing however it does minimise activity of many pelagic

and with better water clarity we should see improved numbers. Anchoring around the Measured Mile beacons whilst deploying ganghook rigged pilchards will commonly reward with screaming drags. A pilchard floated aft around the bay islands, artificial reefs or even whilst drifting the bay flats chasing whiting is often a successful ploy. Trolling spoons along the edges of prominent banks in the Rous, Rainbow, Pearl and Small Ships Channels is likely to reward. These same areas can be drifted with pilchards or trolled with deep diving minnow lures especially at the start of the run-in and most of the run-out tide.

any moment. Longtails commonly range from around 8kg to 15kg in Moreton Bay but specimens to over 25kg are caught every season. Longtails are exceptionally hard-fighting fish, and minimum 10kg is recommended when chasing them. Heavier is advisable if you want to shorten the fight and if you want to release any unwanted fish in decent condition. Shortening the fight will often decrease the chance of a shark taking your hooked catch, which is a common occurrence at times. Fly fishing for longtails is a lot of fun and often gives you the upper hand when they are eating small profiles. It

Grunter have become more common in the bay over recent years. Mark caught this solid specimen on a Samaki Thumpertail soft vibe. species such as mackerel and tuna which prefer somewhat cleaner conditions. Many demersal species and predatory estuarine species have flourished in such conditions and great reports have filtered in over recent weeks for species such as mangrove jack, estuary cod, threadfin salmon, mulloway, snapper and sweetlip. There has even been some decent catches of squid, crabs and banana prawns at times. Let’s look at a few species that should be on the catch cards over the coming month. MACKEREL Both mackerel and tuna species should increase in prominence during the coming months. Although it has been a little slower than usual over the warmer months, baitfish presence should increase and inshore water clarity should improve providing we do not have any serious downpours. During February anglers began to notice increased numbers of school mackerel around the shipping channel beacons and vertically spinning these with chromed slugs and slices would often produce a bag limit with a bit of effort. This should continue to improve 26 MARCH 2023

Surface feeding schools are also possible to locate at times but as yet the numbers have been minimal. Both school and spotted mackerel will roam close to the surface looking for bait, often indicated by a V-shaped wake. There were a few reports of spotted mackerel being randomly caught during February. However, I have not heard of any surface busting schools, probably due to lower bait concentrations and water clarity. I feel a lot of species are a little late this year so hopefully March will see some mackerel mayhem. TUNA Longtails have been conspicuous by their absence for most of the summer period, however as we move into cooler times, numbers should hopefully flourish. A few quality fish have been taken on live baits fished around the shipping channel beacons, current lines and artificial reefs, but the surface-busting schools have been limited. However, it is always worth having a rod ready rigged with a chromed slug, pencil popper, stickbait or jighead rigged jerkshad plastic whilst transiting the bay, as schools can pop up at

is easier to cast a minute fly utilising the weight of the fly line than it is to cast a 5g or 10g slug on a spin rod. The 1:1 ratio of a fly reel provides real hand-tohand combat with the fish- a great challenge. The coming months should see an increase in the prevalence of longtails within Moreton Bay but every year is different so we will just have to wait and see. Mac tuna numbers should also be on the increase with larger surface busting schools common in areas such as the Kianga Channel, Pearl Channel, Paddock area, inside the South Passage Bar, Rainbow Channel and possibly the Naval Reserve Banks. They are often harder to hook than longtails, being very profile orientated when feeding on schools of baitfish. Whilst lacking the eating quality of longtails they still give a great fight and are fun to catch. The salted fillets from mac tuna make exceptional baits for reef fish, tailor and even bream when cut into strips or cubed. Even when fresh, mac tuna fillets are excellent bait with plenty of blood and oil to bring fish in from a distance away. Bonito will also be

prevalent during March, often being found in large surface feeding schools. Both Watson’s and Australian bonito can be caught by spinning small chromed slugs to surface feeding schools. Small baitfish profiled flies can also work a treat and you will have a lot of fun on this species with a #5 or #6 weight fly outfit. The Australian bonito have a similar flesh to mac tuna and are mainly suited for bait but the Watson’s bonito have a much whiter flesh and are good when lightly grilled on the barbie or smoked. Let’s hope we see an increase in baitfish and pelagics in the bay during March which results in some exciting surface feeding schools. ESTUARY BRAWLERS Both mangrove jacks and estuary cod should be around in good numbers over the coming months for those who make the effort to specifically target them. The only damper on this action will be flooding rainfall which will greatly lower the salinity in the estuaries and force many species further out into higher salinity areas. Both species are commonly caught around structure such as mangrove snags, rock walls, bridge pylons, pontoons and other submerged structures in the rivers, creeks, estuaries, harbours and canal developments. Both hunt in a predatory manner and will adopt ambush locations where they can dart out to engulf any morsel that passes by. Estuary cod can also be caught out into the bay around the artificial reefs and the retaining walls on the eastern and northern sides

Spotted mackerel have been a rarity in the bay this season, but Jordan managed to score this tasty specimen in February. of mud island. Working lures so that they bang and rattle across the rocks or other structures will quickly get their attention. Jacks will often hold in calmer spots adjacent faster flowing water that will bring forth food items such as baitfish and crustaceans. They are lightning fast in their attack, often hitting the lure on their way back to the snag which gives them the upper hand in escape. It is advisable to use 7kg to 15kg line, have a sturdy drag setting, a good thumb-lock on the spool plus some luck on your side to subdue the better specimens. Any jack over 40cm will give a good account of itself, and the 50cm plus models are a real challenge. Specimens to well over 60cm have been caught recently in the saltwater environs, and even bigger

Chris with a pair of great bay snapper. These fish are always on the cards for those fishing the artificial reefs and bay islands.

have been caught in some of the land-locked lakes. Live baits of mullet, herring, pike, prawns and biddies make great fare for targeting both species. Small rock crabs can also work, especially for estuary cod. Baits are fished close to the structures, generally pinned on a suicide or kahle pattern hook with just enough sinker weight to keep it in the desired location. The action for jacks and cod will taper off a bit as the water temperatures cool so get out and target them now. SQUID During February many begin to notice increased numbers of squid in eastern Moreton Bay locales such as the weed beds north of Tangalooma, Amity Rock Wall, Rous Channel, Comboyuro and Rainbow Channel. Whilst generally not a prime time for squid, the warmer months can still produce for those who search out weed, reef, rubble and rocky areas that have good quality, crystal clear water running over them. There have been a few caught in certain areas on the western foreshore of the bay, but dirtier water conditions have limited opportunity much of the time. If water conditions continue to improve during March, squidding could be rather productive in many areas of the bay. Often at this time of the year the squid are quite large as they are last years hatch (most only live for 12 months to 18 months). If conditions are right, March squidding will definitely pay dividends. PRAWNS At the time of writing we hadn’t seen any decent numbers of quality prawns in the SEQ area. This will likely improve during the coming full moon (February) or even throughout March. The Pine and Caboolture rivers are

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usually the first to produce, however the Brisbane and Logan systems can also hold good schools. Banana prawns are most noticeable on the sounder around the changes of the tide when they lift from the mud and silt to feed and move location. On marine electronics, they will often show as a haze of blue or green (dependant on your colour palette) across the bottom. Large schools can be several feet deep at times. A 12ft drop top pocket only net is the ideal weapon for chasing prawns as it gives maximum legal coverage and the prawns will be trapped in the top pocket where they are easy to extract. The lack of a bottom pocket saves a lot of time as you won’t be stopping after every cast to remove the mud clumps, jelly balls, shells and other debris. The best prawning is yet to come but you should hopefully be able to score a feed or two during March. CRABS Mud crabs and sand crabs (blue swimmers) are all available for those setting a few baited safety pots in the coming months. March can be one of the better months for sandies but every year is different. Setting pots at varied depths will allow you to determine where they are mainly running. Taking note of the depth where the pros

have set theirs will give you some indication but do not set yours in the same area. Find a similar spot to try your luck. Fish heads, frames, chicken carcasses and whole mullet are prime baits. I suggest checking pots every couple of hours, but some will soak them overnight. Mud crabbing in the rivers, creeks and estuaries should also be productive especially if we have a few decent storms to flush crabs

from the upper reaches. Set pots along collapsed mangrove banks, deeper holes and at the mouths of creeks, drains and gutters leading out of the mangrove expanse. Remember that legal requirements exist for floats (size and type) and the labelling of crab pots. Failure to comply can result in your pots being removed and confiscated by fisheries and possibly a fine. Differing sizes, bag limits and methods

of measuring exist for the various crab species so ensure you have a reliable measuring device and know the different crab species that these limits apply to. THREADFIN SALMON The Brisbane and Logan rivers have produced some quality threadfin in recent months with anglers scoring on both baits and lures. Larger schools are often located around the mouth of the Brisbane River, especially

Mason Wessels recently caught this cool whaler shark whilst fishing with his dad Tyler.

around the swing zone, adjacent the International Cruise Ship Terminal, Oil Pipeline and along the mud ledge on the northern side of the river entrance. Anchoring and deploying live baits is a relaxed way to get into the action. Herring, mullet, banana prawns, pike and biddies can all work when fished close to the bottom. Lures such as soft vibes, numerous soft plastics, blades and even micro jigs can be used to tempt threadies. The new Samaki Hardlicious Vibes have been popular with anglers and fish of late. Threadfin salmon can be fickle and will often ignore your attempts, only coming onto the chew at certain times, like around a tide change. If you find them in a cooperative mood then good numbers can be caught in a session. Fish destined for release are best kept in the water whilst the hook is removed to maximise survival rates. BAY DEMERSALS Anglers fishing around the bay islands and wrecks have been catching snapper, sweetlip, mulloway, tuskfish and grunter (javelin fish) over previous months. Both baits and lures have worked, despite often murky conditions. Javelin fish have been getting a lot more prevalent in the bay, which is great as they fight well

and taste awesome. These are sometimes found in schools, and several can be caught in a session. The wrecks out from the Brisbane River and around the leads markers are reliable spots, it seems. Mulloway can also be found in these zones, but the artificial reefs throughout the bay are generally more reliable. Snapper can be caught almost anywhere there is a bit of structure and are great fun to chase on lures such as soft plastics, soft vibes and micro jigs. Sweetlip can be caught on lures but are a more serious proposition on baits such as mullet and gar fillets, salted tuna strips, fresh squid and banana prawn chunks. Fish the edges of the reef and rubble areas where the sand and seagrasses start and you are a shoe-in to score. CONCLUSION A great array of aquatic angling options exist for anglers during March. Whether you fish for sport or to grace the dining table with some quality seafood, March should be a great month for you. Moreton Bay and the adjoining rivers, creeks and canals should all fish well providing we don’t receive any torrential rain. With cooler weather looming over the coming months, get out and enjoy the warmth of SEQ whilst you can.

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Southern

OLD

Bread-and-butter species firing NORTHERN BAY

Tackle World Lawnton

Summer has turned up the heat this month, with hot temperatures and even hotter fishing action. With a few more days of light winds, anglers have made the most of

numbers of black marlin migrate south, starting in the waters of Hervey Bay. They have slowly made their way south, and this last month there have been a large number of fish caught around Cape Moreton. Trolling skirts around schooled-up baitfish has been the

surface poppers/stickbaits around bait schools. Remember that there is a Spanish mackerel closure this month, starting on 1 March and going through until 21 March. More information is available at www.daf.qld.gov.au. BAY Tuna and mackerel have dominated anglers’ captures within Northern Moreton Bay. We have had a brilliant season, with both spotted and school mackerel showing up in numbers. The most effective method when

targeting these toothy critters is casting slugs or stickbaits around shipping channel markers and around bust-ups. Generally speaking, spotty mackerel are generally seen busting up bait on the surface, while school mackerel will congregate around structure where baitfish like to hang. If you aren’t able to find any bust-ups and the shipping markers are bare, drifting with pilchards or live bait is an effective method. This will allow you to cover more ground and find the schools of bait

Mitch with a nice mid-40s jack.

Nixon caught this horse of a whiting. the weather conditions and ventured out into the bay and offshore, making the most of the warmer waters. OFFSHORE This time of year is great to chase pelagics, with large numbers of baitfish congregating in the warmer waters. We have seen good

most effective method. A combination of mahimahi (dolphinfish) and tuna have been a common bycatch. There have also been large numbers of Spanish mackerel caught recently. Slow trolling dead baits has been an effective method, as well as trolling large hardbodies and casting

Emily showing off a healthy Australian bass.

that these predatory fish will hang around. RIVERS This is a great time of year to target the notorious mangrove jack. Warmer waters, humid weather and afternoon storms get these fish fired up and once connected, they put up one hell of a fight. Jacks can be hard to find, so here are a few key tips to increase your chances. Firstly, make sure you are using adequate gear. A 5-10kg rod and 4000 sized spin reel spooled with 30lb line is a good starting point. Using lures that ‘match the hatch’ is also very important. We should start to see the prawns begin to run, so using prawn imitation lures

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Ash with a lovely flathead caught on a soft plastic.

is a great way to get bite from these brutes. The bread-and-butter species have been prevalent through the Passage, Caboolture and Pine rivers. Good numbers of flathead have been caught on the outgoing tide along the Sandgate foreshore and in Hays Inlet. These fish will sit on the drop-offs waiting for an easy meal. It is vital that your lure is hitting the bottom as this is where the flathead are feeding. Bibbed hardbody lures and soft plastics around the 3 inch size are perfect. DAMS AND FRESHWATER The dams have settled after the influx of rain we have had, and the fish are firing! North Pine Dam has produced some awesome saratoga fishing. Casting surface lures towards the edge in the lowlight conditions is an awesome way of targeting these fish. When the sun is a bit higher, sub-surface lures such as chatterbaits and small jerk baits are an effective way of targeting these fish. Lake Kurwongbah has produced some very good bass and saratoga fishing as well. This is an awesome place to launch your kayak and cast lures around the lily pad covered edges. • For more up to date information on fishing in and around Brisbane call into the guys at Tackle World Lawnton and they can point you in the right direction. The friendly staff at Tackle World Lawnton cater to all levels of experience and offer the widest range of brands at the best prices. They are located at 640 Gympie Road Lawnton (07) 3205 7475 or find us on Facebook and Instagram.

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Lots of options offshore NOOSA

Peter Wells

In the river mouths around the Sunshine Coast there have been some great sessions on trevally, with the low light periods fishing the best on the high tide. Surface lures like the G-Splash from Lucky Craft

working the best, with plenty of fish around the Tewantin boat ramp area in the Noosa. In the Maroochy, the flats opposite Oyster Bank Road have been very popular. On the beaches, Noosa’s North Shore has seen some nice jewfish taken late at night with large baits of mullet, squid, tailor and worms. The drone fishing method has

North Shore have been worth the effort at night. Fishing the deep hole just north of Pincushion Island has seen some bigger jewfish, large tailor and even queenfish and larger giant trevally. FRESHWATER The rivers and dams have also allowed us our fishing fix. The Mary has again been a great place

Charter operator Noosa River Fishing Safaris has been getting the runs on the board with quality jacks.

A nice flathead caught on a trip with Noosa River Fishing Safaris. or the Bassday Sugapens are perfect for when the fish are feeding on the surface. Look for those early morning or late afternoon tides for plenty of action. This is also a great time to target mangrove jack in the river systems, with the upper reaches of the Noosa River really starting to fire up. Look for that rough ground, rock ledges and fallen logs where jacks love to hide. The run-out tide always seems to fish better, as the fish lay in wait for a passing prawn or small bait fish brought down on the tide. Suspending lures like the Bassday Sugadeeps are perfect for the job - try and cast those lures hard up into the structure and have the drag set tight as these red rockets will hit and run, trying to get back to their snag. Whiting have been in great numbers lately, especially around the larger tides. If you want to try surface lures, having the wind at your back will help with those longer casts. Make sure you work that lure without pausing. If you stop, a lot of the time the fish will spook. Another good tip is to use trailing hooks like the Ecogear ZX hooks in the small size. The sand banks just inside the Noosa River mouth have been the pick of the spots. Worms and yabbies have been the prime baits, with peeled prawns also picking up some nice fish. Another fish we are seeing good numbers of is flathead. Live baits, dead baits, soft plastics and even micro jigs have claimed some great flatties. Fishing the run-out tide seems to be 30 MARCH 2023

really gained popularity, and seeing as it’s pelagic season, this may be the way to come into contact with a nice mackerel off the beach. The dart have been in plague proportions. Fishing for dart is a great way to keep the kids entertained, with small pieces of pilchard and prawns being the baits of choice. Parents, don’t assume you’ll have the chance to fish yourself; as soon as a bait hits the water it is usually gobbled up and the kids are back with a fish or asking for more bait. Whiting is another species that has improved in size and numbers. Good whiting have come from most beaches, but one of the standouts has been just inside Double Island Point. To the south, the Maroochy and

to wet a line and those in kayaks have been having a field day. Bass numbers have been very strong and the fish have been responding

well to surface lures in the morning and evening while spinnerbaits and soft plastics have worked well as the sun gets a bit higher.

A Spanish mackerel landed by one of the punters on charter vessel Trekka 2.

Troy Whiteman with a solid red after a trip out to reefs off Double Island.

If the kids are just getting into fishing and you just want to see them catch, then earthworms, prawns and red meat have all worked well. OFFSHORE Fishing out of Noosa, the Spanish mackerel are about with some larger fish being landed. February/March is the time of the year where we usually see those bigger models come through. Trolled lures like the Rapala Magnums are perfect for trolling the pressure edges of the reef, these lures can be trolled at speeds up to 12 knot and have a great range of sizes, depths and colours. Remember the fishing windows for Spanish mackerel are limited in the closed season for most of the month. Close in, Sunshine Reef is really firing with some quality grassy sweetlip,

squire and trout taken over the last month. This is usually the first stop for those looking for live baits and while collecting bait anglers will drop one to the bottom quit often coming up with some quality reef species. Tuna are also on the chew with some schools chopping up bait in Laguna Bay. The new Ultra Gar from Pro Lure has just hit the shelves and look fantastic, these stick baits come in floating and sinking and are a great representation of a gar. Hopefully weather conditions will continue to improve and those in larger craft can make there way to the outer reefs like the Barwon Banks, the Hards and the reefs off Double Island. These trips are worth the effort and have produced some outstanding fish. Snapper, pearlies, Moses perch, mulloway, gold spot cod, tuskies, nannygai and red emperor have all been accounted for. The offshore scene out of Mooloolaba has also been good. Mackerel and tuna are in good numbers and if you can get out you should be able to get amongst them without too much trouble. Trolling around Old Woman Island has seen some success with spotted and school mackerel in good numbers. For those of you working the reefs the cod and sweetlip are in good numbers around Coolum and the Gneerings. • Don’t forget to check in to www.fishingnoosa. com.au for all the latest up to date info on fishing and bar crossings. The knowledgeable teams at Tackle World Noosa, North Shore Bait and Tackle at Marcoola and our new store, The Tackle Shop in Gympie, can provide you with the right equipment, bait and advice to ensure success.

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Women in seafood

Although there are many women involved across all areas of the seafood industry, we need to ensure that the representation of women on our committees, boards and working groups reflects this. Within the 13 fishery working groups in Queensland, only six of the 86 positions are held by women. Greater diversity and representation will not only strengthen the seafood industry, but it will also enhance decision making. To help ‘right the ship’, Fisheries Queensland has partnered with Women in Seafood Australasia (WISA) to provide women in Queensland’s seafood industry professional development opportunities. WISA is the only national organisation in Australia representing the women of the seafood industry. It is a unique network connecting all women

Changing seasons

What you need to know

Spanish mackerel CLOSED

East coast south of latitude 22˚S 1 March 2023 to 21 March 2023 For more info go to the Qld Fishing 2.0 app

WISA member Karen Miller from Malanda Seafood on the Atherton Tablelands has been in the seafood industry for almost 25 years. Karen and her partner Mark (a second-generation fisher) proudly showcase over two dozen species of fish they catch themselves from their two vessels based in Karumba and Cairns.

working in the seafood industry from fishing and aquaculture and along the supply chain, as well as women working in research, policy and resource management. We think it’s important to take a moment to acknowledge the huge contribution women make to the seafood industry. Not only for International Women’s Day on 8 March – but every other day too. For more information about Women in Seafood Australasia (WISA) visit womeninseafood.org.au

Faces of Fisheries Meet Meagan…

From the moment eight-year-old Meagan first saw the Great Barrier Reef she was obsessed with all things marine. After completing a bachelor’s degree in marine science, Meagan reached her dream of working on the reef. In 2005 – when an opportunity arose to join the Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) she literally jumped on board. Although this phase of her exciting career started off in the busy waters around Brisbane, her beloved reef was still calling. Meagan moved north to Airlie Beach and hasn’t looked back since. She credits the QBFP team and the training she’s received for giving her confidence in herself and helping her realise what she’s capable of. Meagan loves being out in nature and teaching her kids the importance of looking after our natural environment and ecosystems.

Download the free ‘Qld Fishing 2.0’ app from the App Store or Google Play MARCH 2023 32DAF1894 02/23

Casting for women fishers…

Are you one of the 89? The Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) is responsible for monitoring and investigating fishing activities along 7,000 km of coastline and hundreds of freshwater waterways and impoundments. The vast majority of fishers (around 89%) make it their business to do the right thing. It’s only a small percentage who break the rules. Fisheries laws are in place to ensure fish stocks are sustainable — because we want our children and grandchildren to be able to enjoy fishing as much as we do. Enforcing these laws not only helps protect fish stocks but also the thousands of jobs that rely on them. QBFP promotes voluntary compliance through stakeholder engagement and education, but they also look to deter illegal activity by enforcing compliance with our fisheries laws. With 100 officers located across the State, fishers can expect to be inspected at any time of the day or night — in any location.

We started Women in Recreational Fishing Network (WIRFN) to help Queensland’s women fishers share knowledge, stories and tips and develop leadership skills. The online community invites women of all skill levels to get involved and share their knowledge and passion for fishing. WIRFN leaders recently hosted meet and greets in Brisbane and the Gold Coast. The family friendly events were a great success with informative guest speakers, hands on activities and prizes. Thank you to all who were involved in the event, donated prizes and came along to support the WIRFN program. Keep an eye out for the Cairns and Sunshine Coast meet and greet events coming soon! To join the group, go to Facebook and search for Women in Recreational Fishing Network Qld.

Brisbane WIRFN Leader Rhiannon learning how to fly cast with a Brisbane Fly Fishing Club member.

Patrol officers conduct inspections and investigations and rule breakers can face a range of sanctions including administrative actions, Cautions and Fisheries Infringement Notices, with more serious offending dealt with through the Courts. QBFP also works closely with other state and federal agencies, including Maritime Safety Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority to deliver compliance services. So next time you’re wetting a line with your friends or family – check the rules before we check your catch. And if you see us out and about – make sure you say g’day! For fishing rules at your fingertips – download the free Qld Fishing 2.0 app via the App Store or Google Play.

fisheries.qld.gov.au 13 25 23 FisheriesQueensland FisheriesQld DAFQld MARCH 2023 33

Central OLD

Having to pay the taxman BUNDABERG

Luke Truant

The fish have been biting really well for this time of year, but – and this is a big but – the amount of bottom fish that we’ve been able to get to the surface has been very average. We

the closed season, which has been good, but funnily enough, the Spanish haven’t been the dominant species we’ve been getting. Instead, we have been catching loads of spotted mackerel and school mackerel. We haven’t seen spotties in big numbers in this area since I was 15, and it’s just fantastic. These fish have been really

you cast, to gauge which direction they’re moving in, e.g. if they’re moving east, cast to the east of the school. When I’m casting at a bust-up of spotties, I don’t let the lure sink before I commence a retrieve. For this particular species, it’s better to start winding as soon as the lure hits the water. Keep your rod tip right down at water level; you don’t want the lure jumping, you want it just brushing the surface as it’s coming through. This keeps it in the fish’s face, and maintains a good bubble trail. (Interestingly, that same retrieve works brilliantly for trout in shallow water around the reef.) The school mackerel are everywhere, from the mouth

will make the lure swim better, stop the line from twisting, and provide a slight buffer when the fish overbite the lure. It’s also better than tying mono onto a split ring. The average size of the schoolies is just over 60cm (the minimum legal size is 50cm), with some bigger specimens in the mix. We recently caught one around 3.5kg, which is a good schoolie. We haven’t caught any undersize ones lately, but no doubt there would be some around. Most of our schoolies have been taken trolling large lures, such as my standard setup of two Halco Laser Pros – one that dives to around 2m, and one that dives to around 6m. We have also been catching spotties this way. Flathead are on the chew at the moment.

Remember there’s a closure for Spanish mackerel from 1-21 March (charter operators are exempt). have managed to sneak some trout past the sharks, but not the red emperor. Reds just pull too hard for too long in deeper water. The sharks have been stealing pretty much any hooked fish, even small fish that should be beneath their notice. We have even pulled up just the lips of undersized hussar. As a result, we have changed tactics to avoid the razor gang, so we can bring some good fish to the boat. To this end, we are currently doing a lot more trolling. Charter boats have been allowed to fish for Spanish mackerel through

quite large, upwards from 3kg to around 5kg. Lately the spotties have been out around about 15-18 miles out, in huge schools. They haven’t been near coastal areas like we would have expected 20 years ago. You can get good catches of spotties by throwing chrome slugs/slices at the schools, and retrieve as fast as you can. Cast with the wind, and aim for the empty space ahead of the school, rather than aiming for the middle of the school. If you aim for the middle of the school, it may have moved away by the time your slug hits the water. Watch them before

A nice green jobfish caught as a bycatch when targeting mackerel. of the river or even up the Burnett River all along the coastal reefs, out to 40 miles. If you’re fishing the bottom with a snapper rig, and you get your sinker bitten off while retrieving an empty hook, the culprit is almost certainly a school mackerel. How do I know? Because when a sinker gets snipped off, I drop down a chrome slice and catch a schoolie. A 40g Halco Twisty is a good choice, and I recommend putting a roller swivel onto the split ring at the front of the lure. That swivel

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A word of warning: if you troll slowly, the sharks will follow your lures around, and potentially ruin your day. You need to troll at a speed where they won’t follow you. This is backed up by footage from Fisheries Qld of sharks following people’s baits being trolled around, patiently waiting for a mackerel to get hooked so they can steal it. To beat the sharks, we have been trolling fairly quickly (around 6.5 to 7 knots), and that has been

The slower you troll, the more likely you are to get taxed.

working very well. We’ve had sessions where we caught seven different species in a row in about 25m of water, with none sharked, which is fantastic. The species have included green jobfish, Spanish, schoolies, spotties, trevally species, and sharky mackerel. Moving to the rivers, the fishing has been very good, with good grunter and some big mangrove jack and barramundi caught locally. They have been biting well in recent weeks, and the best bait has been live sprat. Flathead are also on the chew, with some trophy specimens in the mix. On one recent charter we caught and released a cracker oversize flattie on a soft vibe worked around the sand bank edges near the port.

THE MONTH AHEAD When fishing in March, you’ll want to make the most of any weather windows that pop up. If you miss the opportunity, you may not get another for quite a while. There will still be good grunter in the creeks in the coming weeks, and the schoolies won’t go away. March is when the longtail tuna arrive in good numbers, and you can catch them the same way that you’d target spotties, by casting slices at the schools. The only difference would be that I’d let it sink for five seconds before commencing the retrieve. The sharks will still be around this month. If they’re giving you grief in a particular spot, move at least a mile away and have another go. March isn’t a great time for catching big bottom fish like reds, but that’s OK because the grass sweetlip (grass emperor) will really start to fire in the coming weeks. You will start to find them everywhere in good numbers, especially from late March. March and April are my favourite months to chase them. The top bait for grassies is fresh squid, particularly local squid. • Truansea Charters specialise in 10-hour day trips chasing prized reef targets such as coral trout and red emperor, as well as arm-stretching pelagics like Spanish mackerel. The maximum number of anglers is 6, so you’ll never feel crowded. The price is $330pp (or $300 pp if you book the whole boat), which includes all gear, fuel, bait, ice, chilled water/soft drinks and laughs! You’re welcome to bring your own reef fishing gear if you prefer. Other charter options include half-day reef trips, half day river trips and private guiding. To find out more visit www. truansea.com.au, or you can Like them on Facebook or call Luke on 0423 015 490.

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MARCH 2023 35

Central OLD

After the flush-out MACKAY

Cameron Christian

Plenty of rain over the past few months has given our fresh and saltwater systems a good flush-out and a great boost to baitfish stocks. March is typically still the wet season around Mackay, and dealing with the dirty water may still be an issue. Plenty of barra will still be about though, particularly while the weather is still warm. Toward the end of March as we transition into the cooler months, some of

and drains, picking off bait as it flows out with the dirty water. Casting lures or live baits into the flow and letting them drift out into the main creek is a great way to target these fish. Live baits typically work best around Mackay, and the bridges in the Pioneer River can be a great place for barra and jacks. Rigging the best offerings, including several prawns ganged up on a hook, can produce the best results. Meanwhile, the rocks below the Ron Camm bridge are perfect for flogging lures for barra and jacks,

Damien Casey from team ‘Flash Hamish’ smashed the MTA King of the Dams grand final. He slowly worked swimbaits and suspending jerkbaits around weed banks during the Teemburra round. the winter species should become easier to find. With rain about, barra will often sit to the sides and at the mouths of small gullies

particularly on the outgoing tide. Casts can be focused on drains or waterfalls where the bait is left vulnerable as they are flushed out with

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the tide. Casts can also be focused on the shadow lines at night created by the streetlights on the bridge to target the barra patrolling the shadows, picking off bait in the light. All barra lures will work, however weedless soft plastics or floating hardbody divers are sometimes best for avoiding getting snagged. If there is a bit of rain about and the creeks are dirty, snub-nosed dart (permit) can be a good option around spots like the mouth of the Pioneer River or the Harbour and Eimeo beaches. They can be targeted using small flies or soft plastics on light gear, focusing casts on gutters, drains or rock walls and points. As the fresh water clears anglers can expect good action while fishing rocky headlands like those around Seaforth, Shoal Point and Eimeo. Lures or live baits can be cast tight to the rocks in the shallower zones for barra, cod or jacks. Alternatively, deep diving lures can be slowly trolled tight to the bottom for fingermark (golden snapper) in the deeper zones while shallow divers can be worked at the surface for queenfish and trevally. Trevally and queenfish can also be found schooling up and chasing bait around the mouths of systems like the Pioneer River on the last of the outgoing tide, however this will usually only occur when the water is nice and clean. The flats around the Pioneer River, Eimeo and Seaforth are great to fish on the larger tides as predatory fish push bait up into the shallows during the incoming tide. Species like barra and golden trevally can be seen with their backs out of the water as they chase this bait

taken the opportunity to try for another spawning run. Eggs have been successfully produced and are currently hatching. While the extra rain during January was pretty good for the sooties, it has been a disaster for Teemburra as many large barra jumped the wall in their efforts to breed. Some of these escapees would have survived, but the majority would have died, which is pretty tragic considering how healthy the fishery has

larger barra genuinely look old and decrepit (and fight like it too). In addition, the added flow and spike in oxygen and nitrogen from the dump of rainwater triggers baitfish to spawn, ensuring great bait stocks for the new and remaining barra to thrive on. While there may be some silver linings, the dam flowing over has taken a significant toll on MAFSA’s stocking efforts. A Gofundme has been set up to assist with the revitalisation of

Seth Price had a hard time pulling this nice fingermark from a deep but skinny channel on low tide.

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36 MARCH 2023

and can be targeted using lures like poppers, shallow divers or lightly weighted soft plastics. Prawn lures will be a great option during March as anglers should expect good prawn runs if we keep getting rain. Flathead will also be around flats like these, and more catches should be seen around the end of the month. If barra or trevally can’t be seen bashing bait then chasing flathead around the gutters, drains or edges of rubble patches using similar

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lures to those mentioned above is a great option. While hanging around rubble patches, anglers are likely to come across grunter as they forage for crabs and baitfish. Grunter can be best targeted using strip baits like gar and ribbon fish or lures like vibes, prawn imitations or divers worked close to the bottom. Plenty of rain over January has triggered sooties to breed, and MAFSA has

been, and how big and fat the barra were. The dam flowing over means a lot of work and time is required to bring it back to its peak condition. However, some positives may be taken from the event. For example, the clearing of the large, old barra provides a better opportunity for the small, young barra to survive and thrive. Peter Faust is a good example of where this is required; some of the

Teemburra, with funds going directly to purchasing new fingerlings for the dam (see MAFSA’s Facebook page for more details). 1000 barra at an average size of 200mm were recently stocked into the dam, with 100 of these fish tagged. Efforts like these are not cheap, particularly with the added expense of tagging, hence funding is needed. Any contributions are welcome and much appreciated.

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OLD

The benefits of staying flexible TOWNSVILLE

Dave Hodge

While it’s been a tempting few months to cast at the forbidden barra, the restraint shown by

so nobody should be upset by accidental captures. With barra season open now, the gloves are off. Wherever you can find barra they’re fair game, and that may be deep in snags, sitting in open water ledges,

like the Tilsan Barra, the Laser Pro 125mm and then Halco Hamma, the plastics also drag their fair share of fish in these environments. Luckily, on the open flats, weedless presentations don’t matter,

The stormy season can be unpredictable sometimes, but if there’s no lightning then it’s just a bit of rain really. If the drains run with fresh then sink a plastic at the mouth of the drains for big jacks. most anglers has been admirable. Of course, there are a few fishos who think the law doesn’t apply to them, and who think there’s no harm done by catching and releasing barra, but most people know better. There is hard proof that barra re-absorb their eggs

as the hook-up ratio is more consistent. The old, ‘big lure, big fish’ thing doesn’t really ring true with me. We catch the majority of our fish on 4” Atomic Prongs and 5” Halco Paddle Prawns. Usually a 1/4oz or 1/6oz Atomic Seeker Jig head with a 4/0 to 5/0 hook seems about right for bucket mouths. 20lb braid and 30 to 40lb leaders are also right in that sweet spot. Baitcaster or spin doesn’t matter really, but I use spin where extra-long casts are needed to reach distant fish. It’s fair to say that not everyone loves barra, and there are plenty of other options around this neck of the woods. Queenfish are an absolutely fantastic sport fish, and plenty of people eat them also, although they’re not to everyone’s taste. The Halco Roosta Popper is a cracking option for the surface, and can be fast received or slow blooped depending on what the fish are responding to on the day. Sometimes you have to try both techniques

Using brighter colours in dirty water is a pretty wellknown tactic. The colour change in the background had several nice fish sitting in tight against the bank, requiring precise casts to get the bite. or another. a cast or two on the way past is one way of telling. They move heaps of water when they strike, so keep an eye out for that as it’s hard to forget (giant trevally are a

common bycatch with this pursuit). A barra casting combo is about right for the queenies, as long as the drag is nice and smooth. Coral trout are always good on the plate, and we

or up on flats. Regardless of their location, you’re going to need a calculated approach if you’re to be successful. A bit of runoff still exists at the time of writing this, and with the forecast of more to come, who knows where we’ll be hunting them. I love the flats at this

The 105mm Halco Hamma in the lime green colour is a great runoff lure, and can be worked slowly against the current, giving the lure longer in the strike zone. and unless you need the to see which works the best. belly weight to make your River mouths, pylons, lure swim straight, I’d channel markers etc all suggest a J styled jighead hold queenies at one stage

It’s hard to stop cod this size around structure. If you can then you’ve done well on barra baitcasting gear.

Sorting through the colours that may or may not work brought Tannhym to the conclusion that the grey blue Atomic Prong skipped in amongst the spindly timber worked the best. after the physical stress of a fight. Of course, the bycatch factor is just part of fishing, 38 MARCH 2023

time of year, and casting at bow waves is a spectacular way to bend a rod. Apart from the old faithfuls

The Atomic Semi Hardz in the biggest size is a great lure for sinking down the pylons for a range of species, including fingermark and queenfish.

have been targeting them during the barra closed season – just for something different. We have been heading into the bay or up off some shoals to see what we can find, and most times, we accumulate a reasonable feed in a short session. Again, Atomic Prongs and Halco Paddle Prawns are our go-to. My favourite colours are electric chicken, radioactive rooster and rainbow bass. I recommend dipping your jigheads in powder coat paint, such as Protec Powder Coat, to add appeal. 20 to 30lb braid and 30 to 40lb leaders are usually enough to stop most fish, but you can still expect the odd bust-off. Jacks have been down deeper of late under the

OLD

Barra among the storms HINCHINBROOK

Ian Moody info@ianmoodyfishing.com

It’s that time of year again where the rain is very unpredictable and patchy. Some calm weather periods have been enticing anglers to go a little further out, but the incredibly high humidity helps create those isolated squalls that can develop right on top of you. It’s just

another reason to find new spots closer inshore, so if you do have to make a dash for home or to safety, it’s not such a long trip back. A few anglers who have been managing to get out to the reef have been doing rather well on coral trout, emperor and large-mouth nannygai with an average size of around 80cm, with a few nudging just under the metre mark at around 13kg. Now that we are getting some rain, the areas of runoff

are going to be the better spots for barramundi. Depending on how much rainfall we get, it can flow fresh on the surface at the mouths of creeks and rivers, causeways etc., and we will still see good fishing in the backwaters created by the flow of tide and runoff. Now that we are right in the midst of the wet season, it’s very likely that we will see a lot more rain and freshwater runoff. This can restrict options in the short term, but

It’s a good time of year to chase barra. fresh runoff. They like to sit under it in the salt where they’re often more comfortable. A quick ambush into the surface layer to snack on the opportunities that arise is a tactic often used by jacks during this runoff period. I find that many of our fish come from the deeper presentations also, and if I can sink my lure to them, instead of expecting them to rise, I catch more fish. Surface colours are often a different choice to those we use for the

deeper stuff. Greens and naturals usually get used in the surface stuff, while fluoro orange and pinks are more contrasting colours which get used for the deeper fish. I have a Raymarine Element that’s a perfect sounder for me to find deeper fish, but you have to glance at the slider every now and then while casting snags to make the best of the opportunities that arise. Sitting just downstream of located fish and hopping vibes, plastics or cranking deep

divers down to them is a reliable way to capitalise on otherwise unseen opportunities. Being as unpredictable as it is at this time of year, I hope there’s an option that ticks your boxes in this article. Being flexible will be a sure bet to keep you on the water instead of waiting for the perfect alignment of tides, water clarity, moon etc, so stay flexible and enjoy the north. Good luck and hope you all bend a rod this month.

Neil Simpson with a 98cm barramundi. if conditions ease and return to some normality we will see the fish returning to their old haunts and feeding patterns. In times of heavy runoff, fishing out on the headlands around into Missionary Bay is probably a better option until the rains ease off. The mouth to the Cardwell Marina has been fishing well for barra as well as along the Cardwell foreshore beaches, particularly in the building tide phases. Live baiting with mullet or casting swim prawns or hardbody lures usually yields the best results. Fishing any flats with deeper drop-off edges nearby is generally what I look for.

That is because the amount of rainfall we get at any given time will fluctuate the water temperatures, which in turn will dictate where barra will go and feed. If it gets too hot in the shallows, the barra will move out into deeper areas nearby and feed there in slightly cooler water. Anglers should also be careful this time of year during the large high tides, and be aware that any flooding that occurs can result in logs and other debris floating on the surface. These hazards can be a nasty experience to encounter if you’re fishing at night. Also in March if our wet season kicks up a notch, anglers

chasing live baits (particularly mullet) would be better off looking behind the tree lines on the island side of the channel. Finding a clear opening to throw a cast net on the sandy beaches behind the mangroves is usually where I find them, on the top of the larger tides of 3m or more. • If you’re looking to do a barramundi charter with us for this year’s barra season, bookings are filling up quickly, so now is a good time to get in and get your name down on some good dates. You can make a booking by emailing us at info@ianmoodysportfishing. com, or phone me directly on 0402 339 459.

Toby from the USA was happy with this nice 79cm barra.

MARCH 2023 39

OLD

Find the prawns, find the fish CAIRNS

Dan Kaggelis dkaggelis@gmail.com

With the barra season in full swing and the rain setting in, there will be one thing on Net Free Zone

advantage of this explosion in prawn populations and will be stuffing themselves. To make the most of this, your best bet is target the same areas where these prawns will be. Most of the prawns will be up against the banks so it’s a good idea to get those

hard bodies. There are plenty of prawn imitations out there, and the Live Target Fleeing Shrimps are my favourite. The most important thing when considering lure selection is size. You need to match the size of the prawn to your lure to get the best results.

Popular spots include First and Second Beach at the mouth of the Inlet as well as Hills Creek area. In the other creeks, anywhere near the mouth is a good option. Another species that will be feeding on these prawns will be the threadfin salmon. They haven’t been as thick this year compared to last, but they are out there in some numbers. They have been more prevalent around the beaches between Yorkeys Knob and Machans but in isolated schools. I use my Humminbird to side-image up the schools then pinpoint them using my 360. This combination is deadly in this type of fishing. In the creeks the jacks are still biting, though too much

Blue and threadfin salmon love the Fleeing Shrimp, especially when the prawns are thick. rain has made many of the creeks really dirty. This is not ideal for throwing lures, but those persisting are still finding some excellent fish. Next month should follow suit and the fishing will be

determined by the amount of rainfall. If we see a decline in rain the creeks will clean up and the fish will begin to move back, which will make for some excellent snag and bank bashing.

The ZMan PrawnZ is a great lure this time of year, especially in the smaller size. It’s great for jacks. anglers’ minds, and that is barramundi. With the rain comes the prawns, and they will all be flushed out around the mouths and banks of the Inlet, Barron, Thomatis and Moon creeks – not to mention out the front headlands on all the open beaches. The barramundi will be taking

lures hard up on the banks and move them slowly into the shallows. Early mornings around sun-up will give you a good idea where they are, as they will be ‘boofing’ in the shallows. The best results will come from mimicking what they are eating, and that means using prawn baits, soft plastics and

Also, colour is important. Prawns being caught are the greasy, banana variety with lighter colours. Match your lure to this and you will be on your way. I find slow retrieves with very small hops to be the best technique in this shallow water. Too much action and you will spook the fish.

The Fleeing Shrimp is a favourite for barra. They love to eat it off the bottom on the slow retrieve.

Sunshine days and gloomy nights continue PORT DOUGLAS

Lynton Heffer www.fishingportdouglas.com.au

As 2023 has progressed, it has become apparent that we’re in for a good old-fashioned wet season. It may sound a bit gloomy, but it’s actually been pretty good, as most of the rainfall has been at night, leaving us with sunshine during the day and quite reasonable sea conditions. There haven’t been too many obstacles preventing us from completing a good day on the water in the tropics. With tourist numbers dropping during our low season, charters have slowed. However, those charter operators who have headed out have been putting their clients onto some good fish. OUTER REEF Our bottom fishing efforts have seen smallmouth nannygai and coral trout dominate 40 MARCH 2023

the red species in handy numbers. Gold spot and tea-leaf trevally have been providing some extra serious punch into the sessions. A big trevally school bite, with fish averaging around 5kg,

never disappoints. For the average punter, these fish will leave you somewhat bruised and battered. Other than that, some some more exotic species have been turning up, including cattle dog cod and

barramundi cod (remember barramundi cod are a protected species that must be released). Overall, there have been good results coming from your standard reef charter of late. There has been more

Anglers are reporting good catches of Spanish mackerel.

action out wide for the light tackle enthusiasts, with some cracking days on the Spanish mackerel and yellowfin tuna. Anglers travelling to the outer edges of the reef along the shelf have been experiencing some multiple hook-ups from both species. Spanish mackerel to 20kg and yellowfin to 15kg have lit up the scene on occasions. Calmer days on the water have allowed our boats to travel to these greener pastures. The good numbers of Spanish mackerel, especially for this time of year, has been a highlight in particular. Garfish, wogheads and Halco diving lures have been attracting the most attention. There’s even been the stray small black marlin still out there to 250lb, but they have been difficult to catch using these types of lures. INSHORE The heavy rains have turned our main rivers and estuaries into a bit of a slurry. When fishing in discoloured water,

it’s good to revert to old-school tactics using fresh dead baits such as mullet strips, pilchard and squid. These baits have flushed out some popular target species including grunter across the flats, and mangrove jack amongst the snags. A reduction in rainfall will make it easier to target barramundi, and you would expect trevally and queenfish to be cruising in and out with the tides. Mud crabbing has been successful along the coastline. The mangrove flats of these systems have been yielding crabs seeking refuge from the amount of fresh water. Prawns along the beaches will also become a feature this month, with a solid supply of fresh bait distributed along the foreshores. There’s always something to be angling for in Far North Queensland, so get out there and get amongst the action!

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Email: sales@trmarine.com.au Website: www.trmarine.com.au MARCH 2023 41

OLD

March mayhem for local anglers COOKTOWN

Justin Coventry

The wet has continued to bring more rain, and the rivers are flowing with increasing levels of freshwater. The barramundi fishing is improving as well, and many fish have been caught on the bay areas that hold mangroves. The runout tide is best. As the water recedes it brings the fish out on the edges, and the bait moves out as well. The key is

Lots of crabs are on the move. hooks grabbing works the best. There have been some great lures over the years, and one of my favourites was the Richo’s timber lure. It seemed to dance through the mangroves and produced a strike more often than not. Unfortunately, they aren’t made anymore but there are lots of options around, and simple trial and error will get you there. And let’s face it, if you aren’t getting the lure hooked up every now and then, you’re not

keep trying. As the waters start to fall, the big fish will start heading out and will be hungry. So, this will be the prime opportunity to try to catch that metre fish. For best results, focus your efforts on ambush areas. Using live bait at the right spot can be the key to success as the fish move through and are looking for some easy food. If you find some bait, that’s usually the best spot because if the bait is there, the predators will be there as well. Timing is key – when the bait is forced to move, that’s the opportunity that the predators have been waiting for. Sand banks dropping into deep areas can be productive, and so are creek mouths as the tide drops and the bait runs out. Making the most of opportunities, working the tides and being patient will get results. The big fish should be actively moving around and hungry this month, so get amongst it and hopefully you’ll capture that trophy fish. The reef fishing is still firing, with lots of nice coral trout and reds around.

Crabbing has been going well. it’s easy to see direction and changes coming through. It’s been such a useful tool over the years and has been accurate. At the very least, it provides an indication

Mangrove jack are being caught in numbers at the wharf. to place your lure as far up into the mangroves as possible and retrieve the lure through them, enticing a bite from the hungry fish waiting for any escaping bait heading out from cover in the mangroves.

The hardest part is walking your lure out from the mangroves without getting it stuck, and some lures snag up more easily than others. Having a lure with a big bib that hits the roots first without the Plenty of barramundi are moving around the rivers.

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getting it in far enough. The rivers are still fully flowing with freshwater, and I have seen some great fish coming downstream in numbers at the upper reach junctions. The fish have been small but lots of fun. The large number of juveniles is a great sign for future stocks, and the large female fish must be getting up high in the reaches to produce such a lot of young. The conditions at the moment will see the migration produce again, and so the cycle continues. It’s so great to see, and shows how healthy our river systems are at the moment. Hopefully it will be easier to find the big fish in the coming weeks, as this month should see things fire up. You just need to

There have been many calm days lately, and hopefully more to come this month. The storms have been fierce in the late afternoons, with lightning and strong wind fronts, so early morning runs and back early is best. If you do stay overnight, make sure there is a good place to shelter. Once the afternoon weather passes, the calm should return, and during the night and next morning the sea has been dead calm. Once May comes around there will be limited calm days for a few months, so make the most of it while it lasts. Of course, you should regularly check the weather report. I find the BOM marine wind forecast maps great as they show up to 7 days, and with the wind map

the fresh. The crabs have been full, and some nice specimens have been caught. The river mouths have been the areas to hit, and also out in the bay as the crabs look to head to the ocean in search of saltwater. Having lots of reef bait has helped, and it’s easy to go through a lot of it as having fresh bait always works the best. I replace the bait each day. There is always the problem of some small sharks out in the bay that find a fish head an easy meal. Some of the pot strings can be easily cut by these toothy creatures as they poke their head through to get to the bait. I always carry some extra string to do some repairs on the go. As you can see, there are lots of options this month and plenty of great fishing ahead. Get out there and get amongst them. I’m

Jonathan with a nice nannygai. of how the weather will change through the week. The mud crabbing has been great as they move around trying to escape

looking forward to getting my first big barramundi for the year this month, so photos to follow in next issue (hopefully)!

OLD

Predators all set for a feast CAPE YORK

Tim O’Reilly wildrivercompany@gmail.com

At this time of year, everything is on the march. The rivers of Cape York will likely be well above their median flow. All the crustaceans and molluscs are feeding up, rummaging through the undergrowth. Fish eggs spawned near the end of spring and through summer will be hatching in their millions. The shallow bays of Cape York will come alive after a good flush out and regrowth following the wet season. With all the tiny fish, prawns, crabs and shellfish busily cleaning up the scraps

Calm conditions looking towards Icolette. thing progresses. An early end to the wet can see roads passable and access opening up to a whole range of options throughout the Cape. The road north is quickly getting bituminised, and bridges are being built over difficult creeks. That long

This trout couldn’t resist a soft vibe. sought-after trip to The Tip, currently only accessible by 4WD, will soon be at the whim of a Holden Barina.

A striking bluefin trevally and a hard-fighting red bass. of the wet season, predators are in for a feast. Barramundi are perhaps the best at capitalising on the abundance of food created by freshwater discharge. That is why they reign supreme for sports fishers right across the top end of the country. Generally speaking, good rain in the months prior will have barra feeding vigorously come March. But in some years, swollen rivers on the west coast of the Cape will render the fishing almost pointless. Remember that cyclones often drift around erratically in the hotter months.

The point where the river flow is held up by the tide seems to be a trigger for barra to spread out. Finding bait and the push of receding water through channels and gutters becomes very important with the increased water flow. Places devoid of fish late in the dry season might hold good numbers in out of the way channels. The creeks should begin firing with all manner of species, and the offshore scene will also hold huge potential. March will likely have ‘a bit of this and a bit of that’ in terms of wind. Still, productive days

of doldrums are possible, hot and muggy as they are. Are we in for a wet March? Let’s wait and find out. Most of the operators in the far north would like to get cracking this month. Some will have kick-started earlier and the fishing is generally great, dependant on the weather. At the same time, much of inland Cape York can be closed except to local traffic, with high rivers and gouged-out roads. Freedom of travel for visitors to the area can still be severely limited, depending on how the whole

Straight down the hatch.

The tyranny of distance will discourage a lot of would-be travellers, but it’s true to say the Cape will change forever – but hopefully not in negative ways. I am sure the fishing scene will change markedly in Cape York over the next 10 years, as anglers seek to go farther and farther afield. I understand this concept well. The effect on our fisheries will be curtailed by the level of conservation over on the East Coast. The West Coast will likely continue to get more saturated with trailer boats. A lot of things have to go right for fishing to be just as popular in 10 years’ time as it is today. Again, let’s wait and see. Those who love fishing will need to fight for it, and getting out amongst the Cape York wilderness is still on many anglers’ bucket lists, and rightly so. Fishing still holds a great sense of freedom, especially up here.

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Fish’n SIPS Tagged Fish Comp is a winner In mid-December 2022, Queensland’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries launched the Fish’n SIPS tagged fish competition. The competition has a $50,000 prize pool and is open to all SIPS permit holders. Five impoundments in the Wide Bay Burnett, Central and North Queensland regions (see fact box on this page) have

had 20 legal fish tagged and released in each, so anglers have the opportunity to win part of the prize pool if they are one of the first 15 to recapture one of the tagged fish. The competition will run until 31 October 2023, or until all 15 prizes have been claimed. For more details and the terms and conditions you can go to the DAF website at www. daf.qld.gov.au.

Billy receiving his $20,000 cheque from Fisheries Minister Mark Furner (left) and Rod Thompson from FFSAQ (right).

This fishing road trip was all about catching a few iconic northern bucket list species for Billy, including fish like this jungle perch.

FIRST PRIZE, $20,000 HAS BEEN WON No sooner had the Fish’n SIPS competition begun than Maleny angler Billy Perske caught a fish of a lifetime and a $20,000 windfall to go with it. Fishing Tinaroo Dam in North Queensland with good mate Tom Hallam, as part of a trip that had been planned for several years, not only did Billy catch a metre long barramundi, he had also recaptured one of the 20 green tagged fish released in Tinaroo as part of the competition. THE STORY BEHIND THE CAPTURE There is no doubt that

When this photo was taken, Billy had no idea that this fish was worth $20,000 to him in the Fish’n SIPS competition. 44 MARCH 2023

Billy Perske and Tom Hallam will have a fishing story to tell for the rest of their lives. They had COMPETITION LOCATIONS Tinaroo Dam Lake Proserpine (Peter Faust Dam) Kinchant Dam Callide Dam Cania Dam been planning that fishing road trip for many years, with three goals in mind. First, they wanted to catch a metre barramundi, second, a mangrove jack, and lastly, a jungle perch. The final destination was to be Tinaroo Dam (to catch the barra), with the other two species hopefully ticked off along the way as they drove north from Maleny on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. By the time they arrived at Tinaroo, a tick had been placed in the boxes next to the mangrove jack and jungle perch on their list, and they hoped that Tinaroo would also be kind to them. On the first couple of days they had no success, but that just made the boys keener to get their metre barramundi. They decided to fish with live baits at night as a last-ditch effort to put the final tick onto their checklist. This proved to be the winning approach, with Billy bagging a 1.07m barra (the winning tagged fish) at 2am, and Tom getting a 1.14m fish a little later that morning. Neither angler was aware of the Fish’n SIPS

Tom Hallam, who Billy split the winnings with, caught his own metre plus barramundi later that morning. Unfortunately, no tag in this one. competition, but luckily, they did notice a yellow SUNTAG tag on Billy’s fish. Then, just as they were about to release the fish, they spotted the green competition tag as well. The next day the pair made some investigations, and they discovered that Billy may well have caught a fish worth $20,000 in the competition. After several phone calls, they found that

this was indeed the case. Billy was $20,000 richer (he decided to split the money with Tom, $10,000 each). THERE IS STILL TIME Although the second prize has also been claimed (another Tinaroo fish), there is still money up for grabs in the Fish’n SIPS competition, so check the details out on the DAF website and go and give it a try yourself.

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13 FISHING TX3

The only thing tougher in salt than the TX2 is the TX3. This monster has 40lb of drag and an oversized aluminium Power Handle – the ultimate torque tool for dragging noncooperative fish to the boat. The TX3’s corrosion-proof CZB Comp and Black Seal corrosion resistant bearings ensure reliability when it matters. The Alert Clicker tunes you into how the opponent is faring on the other end. Features include: hi-tech Cast Iron carbon fibre frame and side plate, CZB Zero Bearing technology and Black Seal anti-corrosion ball bearings, extra-large spool for larger line capacity, low-friction 6-way brake system (allows optimum distance when casting or added control when dropping jigs into the depths). It comes with a double paddle power handle and single jigging handle. Price: SRP $549 www.rapala.com.au

DAIWA D-BOX

Daiwa’s new range of tackle trays, D-Box, has been developed to perfectly suit the modern angler. Available in a range of sizes and depths, the D-Box range is made from recycled polypropylene. All Daiwa D-Box models feature a 4-sided clasp system to ensure secure latching and to fully compress the water-resistant gasket seal, which is installed 360° around the lid of all D-Box models. Ten models feature in the range in three sizes (small, medium and large), and three depths (shallow, regular and deep). Each box carefully designed to maximise storage and versatility, with features such as spinnerbait storage incorporated into the D-Box MD (Medium Deep) and SD (Small Deep) models. The D-Box LSU (Large Shallow Universal) is a unique box with moulded silicon holders which grab hooks and don’t let go. It’s a perfect jighead, soft vibe or hardbody lure storage box. For more information on the different models in the range, visit the Daiwa Australia website. www.daiwafishing.com.au

DUO REALIS SHINMUSHI

The ultimate cicada lure packing the highest level of customisation, the Realis Shinmushi delivers results like no other cicada imitation. This bug lure will induce bites with its silhouette and pulsation effect. It has incorporated the action of a hard body and soft rubber legs, creating a 3-dimensional pulsation that drives bass crazy. In addition, the rubber legs and feather on the tail hook will also induce bites from the bass. The most important factor for the lure is the sound it makes when falling on the surface of the water, as it plops just like a real bug. The hard body of the Shinmushi will enable any angler to create this effect. The wings work as a forward motion stopper, limiting the lure’s forward travel, while the wings create a freestyle swimming action when retrieving. Shinmushi literally translates as ‘ultimate bug’, and this lure will deliver aggressive bites whether you’re stopping it or moving it. Price: SRP $23.99 www.wilsonfishing.com

ZMAN 2.5” ST GRUBZ

The ZMan 2.5” ST GrubZ has enhanced features that create the ultimate curl tail presentation. The short and stocky body is heavily ribbed to create natural micro vibrations and a softer, more natural feel, while also retaining scent more effectively so fish can locate the lure more easily, eat it more aggressively and hang on for longer, allowing for more positive hook sets. The long, curly tail features a split tail design that creates an irresistible, soft fluttering action, that works effectively on the drop, at very slow speeds and even when rigged on ultralight jigheads. These features combine to create a curl tail that excels in all scenarios, from an aggressive bite to shut down situations. The 2.3” ST GrubZ is available now in 12 popular ZMan single and laminate colours, with 8 per pack. Price: SRP $12.95 www.z-man.com.au

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MARCH 2023 45

TESTING BOOTH

PRODUCT GUIDE BROUGHT TO YOU BY

Continuing the journey with the Fate V3 13 Fishing rods As anglers it is an amazing time to be purchasing anything fishing related, especially fishing rods. There are so many options and that has translated into what I have been testing for the magazine. In the November 2022 issue, I tested the 13 Fishing DEFY Black range, which is the entry level model of the five new models Rapala Australia released (13 Fishing’s Australian distributer) in August last year. They are a great option for those of you looking to transition from a composite to a graphite rod. In this testing booth I jump up a couple of rungs from the DEFY Black range and test the 13 Fishing FATE V3 range of rods. WHAT’S DIFFERENT? The first thing that truly stands out is the cosmetics of the rods. It is all white including the foregrip, which certainly makes it stand out. This may not be to everybody’s liking, however it is something that I have taken to, I really like the visual it offers me. The other notable changes from the DEFY range is the upgrade from a 24-ton blank to a 36-ton blank and the upgrading of the Fuji guides to their Tangle Free option. Both these upgrades provide increased feel through the rod while fishing, one of the biggest reasons to jump from a composite rod to a graphite rod, as mentioned in DEFY rod testing booth. I WAS GIVEN TWO TO TRY There are only 6 models (all spin) in the FATE V3 range. Although only a small range they do cover light to heavy

The 13 Fishing FATE V3 rods are very distinctive in their appearance. They are built on a white 36 ton blank and use quality FUJI and Evolve components.

Logan River. I managed to get a number of quality flathead casting plastic rigged 1/81/4oz jigheads up onto the shallow flats of the river. These fish go hard in shallow water, so this is when you appreciate the stopping power/hook setting ability and shock absorption the FATE V3 rods offer. As mentioned I had distinct plans for the shorter, lighter FATE V3 rod. I spend plenty of time paddling my Aquayak Scout kayak around my local impoundments casting lures for bass (Lake Kurwongbah, Lake Manchester, Enoggera Reservoir and Ewen Maddock dam). When I say local, they are urban waterways with varying levels of access, that provide great fishing options for all levels of angler. Up until this season I have done the majority of this fishing using a baitcast outfit, using larger lures. However likely due to the constant in and outflows (flooding) we have had in recent years, my local bass have changed their habits and smaller profile lures have really come to the fore, in particular for me the 5cm Rapala V-Blade. Although a heavier lure (10g), I prefer to cast it on spin tackle, and being 6’6” the light FATE V3

fishing options and are all two piece. You can go to www.rapala.com.au for more information. I opted to try the FV366L2 and FV370M2 models, with some kayak bass fishing in mind for the 6’6” light model and to focus on some estuary bread and butter lure fishing with the 7’ medium version.

A quality Lake Kurwongbah bass caught using the 13 Fishing FATE V3 6’6” light model. ON THE WATER I will be the first to admit that I wish that I had some more time on my local estuaries while testing the FATE V3 rods. I had few opportunities and when I did, I didn’t always find the fish. I few things I took away from a few fishless trips while using the 7’ medium option was that it offers options in what casting weights you are throwing. The fast taper of the rod allows you to cast weights as small as 1/16oz comfortably, but will also deal with lures up to 1/2oz. Some of this flexibility comes down to reel and line choice (I found a 2000 size reel with 6lb Suffix 832 braid offered the balance I needed). Going too big or heavy (reel and line) will minimise your ability to cast smaller offerings. I also found it was a great rod to throw small hardbody lures with. No power required from the angler, the rod did all the work for you. Not all the fishing sessions were a bust, there was one memorable morning at the A morning on the Logan River casting light plastics onto shallow sand flats produced some quality flathead using the FV370M2 FATE V3 model rod. 46 MARCH 2023

model is a great option to do this from the kayak. I matched the rod with a 1000 sized reel, the same 6lb Suffix 832 braid as the heavier outfit and generally run a 10-15lb leader depending on the waterway and the size of fish in it. This combination in conjunction with using the 5cm V-Blade has been deadly across all waterways. If you haven’t checked out the Rapala 5cm V-blade range out, I think you are missing out. If you do, I suggest replacing the front twin hook with either an inline single or a treble hook, attached via a split ring. It will improve your catch rate out of sight. You will see via the images within this review, just how successful this outfit has proven to be. CONCLUSION First and foremost, the FATE V3 13 Fishing rods are a distinct step up from the

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PRODUCT GUIDE BROUGHT TO YOU BY DEFY Black range I previously tested for the magazine. You definitely feel more of what is happening at the business end of your line, which is one of the main reasons you purchase a graphite fishing rod. The

TESTING BOOTH

forget the 5cm V-Blade). I am sure if you enjoy this style of fishing, whether it is throwing plastics, spoons, hardbody lures or blades, this rod is well worth considering.

At 6’6” the light model in the FATE V3 range is a great option for anglers who like casting lures from their kayak. white cosmetic may turn a few people away, but don’t let that stop you picking them up at your local 13 Fishing tackle stockists. They are well worth the wobble test. I have really enjoyed using the FV366L2 model chasing bass from my kayak (don’t

You can check out the 13 Fishing FATE V3 rod range (as well as the other 13 Fishing rods available) at www.rapala. com.au and while you are there why not check out the 5cm Rapala V-Blades as well.

KEY FEATURES

• Japanese 36 Ton PVG36T Blank Construction • Evolve Snaggle Tooth Hook Keeper • Evolve Soft Touch Custom Reel Seat • Soft Touch Air Foil Carbon Grip • Fuji Tangle Free Concept Slim-line O Guides

Scan the QR code for more information on the Fate V3 fishing rod range.

Above 3 Images: The author has found that his local bass have changed their habits and smaller profile lures like the Rapala 5cm V-Blade have become his go to lures. He prefers to cast them on spin tackle and the 6’6” FATE V3 model was perfect to do this with.

Please email contributions to: nicole@fishingmonthly.com.au MARCH 2023 47

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OLD

Fish respond to cold TOOWOOMBA

Jason Ehrlich fishability1@bigpond.com

With a longer break in the heavy widespread rain, the fishing has improved a lot across most of the dams and rivers. There are now so many options to consider when planning a trip.

The days will start to get cooler and shorter this month, and this will see a few changes. Golden perch numbers will drop off a bit, especially for the lure trollers. More fish will be found in shallower water. You’ll see cod and barra spending more time right up in the skinny water looking for food.

SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND CRESSBROOK CLOSEST TOWN: CROWS NEST There are still very few reports of bass are coming from the lake. Golden perch are more plentiful, and redclaw crayfish are everywhere. Lure trollers stand a good chance of picking up fish out in front of the ramps and in the start of the Beams Creek arm. Medium to deep diving hard bodies should pick off a few suspended fish in the deeper parts of the lake. Trolling can also work on smaller bass around the edges. Here you are more likely to pick up a few golden perch as well. Goldens should remain quite active for the next couple of months. While they will take

a trolled or cast lure at the moment, the best way to get them is to hop ZX style blades vertically or close to the boat. The points are always worth a look as they will hold both goldens and bass. Bass fishers will continue to pull the occasional fish around the lake. The longer points, and the flats they form, are a good place to start looking. The flats between the shallow ramp and the pump tower in Bass Bay are also worth a look. Further up both arms there are also some pretty good flats once you venture out of the deep water of the main creeks. Try searching in 6-10 metres of water. The bass are very hard to find in numbers, and only the

Bass will bite better throughout the day but their habits may start to change, so be prepared to mix up lure selections until you find out what they prefer most. All in all, it’s going to be a cracker of a month on the freshwater. Until next time, buckled rods from the Colonel. committed anglers are likely to find and consistently bang lots of the bigger models. Spoons will be pretty effective if numbers are found. If you’re searching by fishing lots of water, a spinnerbait or chatterbait will be a better option over the next month. Heavier lures around 5/8oz can be fished faster to cover more water while looking for fish. The 5 to 9 metre mark around the edges will be a good place to start when casting. Concentrate wider on the long points and in closer on medium to steep edges. • Fish’n’Bits in Toowoomba has all the gear and tips on how to chase the Cressy fish. They are an excellent store specialising in all freshwater lures and tackle. The access gates to the ramp and day use area will be open from

There have been some quality bass around at Moogerah Dam. This one took a liking to the author’s Spectre Vibration Jig in olive craw colour.

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Dion Branson took advantage of a windy afternoon on Somerset Dam. 6am to 8pm. SOMERSET CLOSEST TOWNS: ESK, KILCOY Somerset has fished reasonably well over the past month. In typical Somerset fashion, the fish are in the mood some days and really tough to entice on others. Smaller bass have been quite common, and the bigger fish are harder to locate and fool. The southern side of Pelican Point has been one of the most reliable areas for better quality fish over 45cm long. The northern ledge at Pelican has also held big numbers of fish at times. There can also be a number of other fishy banks and points within sight of these two areas, as the fish move around quite a bit. When searching for fish, the clutter on the sounder (which is most likely algae or daphnia) has been really thick in places. At times, it almost blacks out the bottom on the main fish-holding areas, and this either forces the fish away from the area or into shallower or deeper water. Usually you will find them above the clutter line, with smaller fish suspending and quality ones sitting tight to the bottom. This sounder clutter will start to fade off and will eventually disappear as we move into the colder months. When you stumble across suspended bass, there is a good chance they will take spoons, blades and tail spinners. They are also pretty keen on Spectre Vibration Jigs, provided you fish them up high enough off the bottom. The better quality bass, which are likely to be in 6-7 metres of water and close to the bottom, are fussier about lure presentation. Spectre Vibration jigs in darker colours or deep diving crankbaits will be the best choices for lure casting. When the boat is stationary, the fish can be too smart and refuse to bite. I love the windy days where the boat drifts quickly over them and the drift can be used

to help drag the lures through fish while winding the reel and dropping back to bottom. On the still days, you can use your electric motor to move the boat along while winding and dropping back the lures. Another option, which works well with crankbaits and chatterbaits, is to long line. When you spot the start of a school, cast the lure over them and then just keep driving until you run out of line or the school stops. When you pull the lure back in over this distance, you can fool the fish into biting. Bear in mind that with so much line out, the vibration of lures transmitting back to the rod and reel is reduced, so it will feel a little different. MAROON CLOSEST TOWNS: BOONAH, RATHDOWNEY The shallow water and topwater bite has been a bit quiet over the last couple of months. With shorter days starting to creep back in, the bite should improve, especially if water surface temperatures drop a bit. Surface lures at first and last light should pull bass of mixed size. Try to fish areas which are protected from the wind. The more affected the water, the noisier/splashier the presentation can be. The edges of the lake will produce bass and the occasional golden perch when using jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, beetle spins and chatterbaits. The edge bite can slow down through the brighter parts of the day, and you will need to move out deeper and work lures through the schooling bass. These fish go crazy for small bladed chatterbaits or the clear bladed Spectre. Casting and trolling are both effective, and hard bodies can also work well when trolled. The bite should continue for the rest of the month before a transition time begins where the fish will prefer less noisy and flashy offerings.

MOOGERAH CLOSEST TOWNS: BOONAH, ARATULA Moogerah has given a taste of the great fishing on offer over the past month. Schools of bass and the occasional golden perch have been chewing well, provided you can find them. The bass have been holding in big schools at times in deeper water. These fish have been very mobile and can take some finding. They will usually sit wide on the major points in 7-10 metres of water. There have been at least a couple of these big schools, and when they bunch up there are hundreds of fish together. There have also been smaller schools, which are less mobile. These fish are also holding around points but in shallower water. Make sure you look in 4-6 metres of water for these fish as at times they can be better quality than the suspending fish out deeper. Despite there being several schools about, you can still dedicate hours to sounding and finding them. Time spent looking will be rewarded with plenty of numbers boated once they are found. I was amazed at how well the schooling fish could be monitored using live sonar to follow their movements and deliver lures to the best numbers. The bass have responded well to a mix of lures, but they do seem to have specific bite times. When they are ready to chew they will take spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, crankbaits and blades. Other lures are getting the bites as well, but they aren’t receiving the same amount of interest. • The lads at Charltons Fishing at Redbank are all over the fish activity at Maroon and Moogerah. Call in and grab your supplies and hit them up for tips on where the fish are biting. It is recommended that camping be booked at least a couple of weeks in advance. You can contact Lake Moogerah Caravan Park on (07) 5540 5600.

OLD

to the bottom. There is still quite a bit of submerged structure in the dam from when it rose and covered the grass and bushes last year. The goldens love this dead vegetation and hide down in it. Vertically jigging or short casts followed by hops along the bottom around the boat with ZX40 blades will get these fish to bite. If you keep your braided main line over 8lb and fish 12-14lb leader, lure losses will be minimal as you can tear them out or break off the dead vegetation. The fish are still spread out through the whole dam, with some areas holding better numbers. You can catch fish close to the boat ramp out in front of the sailing club or be more adventurous if you have the muscles to paddle or the battery power to electric further afield. Cooby is open to paddle and electric motor powered craft. The gates are open

from 6am-8pm until April. Shrimp can be gathered at the dam around the edges near the car park closest to the pontoon, and walking

tracks to the rock wall. Frozen yabbies are also a good bait and can be purchased at Fish’n’Bits in Toowoomba.

LESLIE CLOSEST TOWN: WARWICK It will be another good month for chasing golden

perch at Leslie. The fish will start to slow down a little on trolled offerings, but hopped blades and vibes will continue to produce. The mouth of Sandy Creek has been one of the most fished spots, but reports are coming from all around the dam with plenty of double figure tallies. Murray cod numbers are low at the moment, with only the occasional one being caught. Bait fishers using worms have been scoring silver perch around the shoreline, and also stand a chance of hooking a golden perch. Frozen saltwater yabbies are a good bait for the boat and kayak fishers to drop straight over the side and fish on a tighter line. • The local blokes at Warwick Outdoor and Sport in Palmerin Street can point in you in the right direction and hook you up with the good gear and bait to catch the fish at Leslie.

go searching for them by fishing a lot of likely areas. Punching boats through the weed to find open pockets, or finding weed beds just below the surface with deeper pockets, puts you in the ideal ambush zone. This weed requires a weedless hook setup to fish it effectively. In deeper areas you can run weighted worm hooks in paddle tail plastics and fish them down through the tips of the weed. Where the weed is almost to the surface you may need to go to a weedless rigged soft plastic frog with little or no weight. Probing the weed beds with these setups can be effective during the day. Where you find broken weed edges, a jighead rigged plastic can be used. It is best to go searching for

these areas when the sun is overhead offering the best visibility. A lighter jighead rigged soft plastic around 1/4oz can be fished through these areas without fouling too much. It doesn’t hurt to hop or rip the lure out of the weed as it can trigger a bite. A suspending hard body twitched through the same weed breaks may also get a bite. Your sounder may also find submerged weed beds which are 2-3 metres below the surface. These locations are perfect for heavier swimbaits. Molix 120 and 140 and Zerek 5.5” Live Mullet are ideal for burning over the tops of the weed. Use long casts and fish the lure fast enough to keep it just above the weed tops. If slow retrieves don’t work, increase the lure weight and wind faster. This will cover

more water and hopefully trigger a reaction bite from fish waiting to ambush prey. • Gladstone Fly and Sportfishing (0429 223 550) and Lake Awoonga Barra Charters (0404 151 844) run guided trips on the lake. Both cater to the needs of the angler and can do fly or conventional tackle trips to target the lake’s barramundi. It is hard to beat time on the water and a guided trip is a great way to learn more about this lake and its fish. • 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) 49750033. CALLIDE CLOSEST TOWN: BILOELA The barra fishing at Callide is still hard work. There have been fish caught but big numbers in a session are very rare. Most have been in the 100-110cm size bracket. More fish have moved to the middle of the dam where they roam around and are harder to find and keep track of. The area around Pelican Point has been producing most of the fish. Make sure you sound around in the trees lining the creek edges, and if fish are there work them with hardbodies like Jackall Squirrels and Samiki Redics. There is a good chance of finding deeper fish out in the middle of the creek.

When they are higher (0-3m) in the water column they are more active and likely to take trolled and cast plastics. Trolling diving lures to suit the depth of the fish can also pay off. Again, the shallower fish are more active but if there are none up high you have no choice but to send lures right down to them in the hope of fooling one. • You can stay close to the dam at Lake Callide Retreat. 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 park near the office. Make sure you bring all of your fishing tackle. The kiosk has a limited amount of fishing gear but it is well suited to the lake.

DARLING DOWNS AND GRANITE BELT COOBY CLOSEST TOWNS: HIGHFIELDS, TOOWOOMBA The golden perch action has continued at Cooby Dam. Live shrimp are the most successful, but quite a few fish are falling to lures. A lot of the action has been in 6-9 metres of water where the fish spend most of the time close to the bottom. There have been different areas around the dam where the fish lift up higher, and these are the areas where trolling is most successful. Lure trollers have done well on deep diving lures which can track close to the bottom in 6-9 metres. The Cooby Cobba is a favourite with the locals. At times the fish will lift higher and be positioned midwater where they are suckers for trolled TN60 Jackalls. When trolled lures fail, it is likely the fish are tight CAPRICORN REGION AWOONGA CLOSEST TOWNS: BENARABY, GLADSTONE Awoonga barra have been tough to tempt over the summer months. The fish are hard to find, and I can only guess they are hiding in the weed beds and scattered out in deep water. The nighttime has seen the barra more actively cruising outside the weed beds, and anglers are able to choses a spot and just keep casting. It’s recommended to spend time looking at the weedy points and for weed corridors for the fish to move through. The area around Dingo Island has been quite productive. When the fish are tough to find, it is a good time to try a different approach and

Golden perch may slow down a bit on trolled lures this month. They will still be keen on hopped and jigged offerings.

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INTUITIVE CONTROL Is persistence really the key to fishing success? Skipper and I were out discuss positive results, a few days ago, and for it’s tough to project about the tenth time in forward and discuss what a row, picked up nada. might produce a higher Sometimes it’s difficult In the past, after a dud percentage of positive to continue to be positive trip, we’d settle back in results next time when we about my fishing. In fact, the car on the way home, have no positive results to sometimes it’s difficult and discuss strategies. For be positive about. In other to continue my fishing example, what worked words, we know what at all. The last couple of and didn’t work on recent doesn’t work, and every years have been, in terms trips, what worked and time we go out now, we’re of catching fish, pretty didn’t work this time, and finding out what else barren. Like, ‘the back what we might do to fine doesn’t work. Our bank paddock on the moon tune our approach the next of information about what after a particularly nasty time around. However, doesn’t work would make drought’ barren. And the only discussion on the Albert Einstein pucker. ALBERTON MELBOURNEWhere to from here? I’m wondering whether trip back from the ramp ALBERTON MARINE after our latest trip was MELBOURNE MARINEapproach? CENTRE I’m a massive optimist, A different A or a massive idiot toStreet be Alberton about unimportant issues, pastime?Hwy Perhaps 39 Johnson 393-399different South Gippsland like partners, children still going P:out to as South some of the sport (03)trying 5183 2344 Dandenong catch something. and taxable income. I coaches say, I have to be (03) 5183 2219 P: (03) 9703 What’s F:frustrating is think we were both too less 2003 concerned about the E: info@melbournemarine.com.au that I usedW:toalbertonmarine.com.au be able to slapped to go back and end result of the fishing catch fish. If I took the discuss results. trip, and more concerned W: melbournemarine.com.au BENDIGO boat out there was a pretty Essentially, we have about the process of the even chance I’d MARINE come & plenty of information fishing trip, therefore BENDIGO OUTDOORS MORNINGTON PENINSULA back with 160 some scalesHighway in onEpsom how negative results letting the end result look MY MARINE Midland the boat. Now the only might be best avoided after itself. Which makes Cnr Nepean Highwaywhy & I can’t P:boat (03) 5448 3988 based on recent trips, but scales in the are from me wonder Ponderosa Place Dromana W: bendigomarine.com.au me weighing my chances almost nothing on how just go out and catch a of even getting a bite next positive results might P: be(03) 5987 fish. 0900 When did life become MELBOURNE time around. improved upon. If we can’t so complicated? W: mymarine.com.au BL MARINE MORNINGTON PENINSULA 612- 614 Plenty Road Preston NAUTICAL MARINE P: (03) 9478 1420 141 Hotham Road F: (03) 9470 4638 Sorrento W: blmarine.com.au P: (03) 5984 1666 SHEPPARTON E: info@nauticalmarine.com.au BOATS AND MORE W: nauticalmarine.com.au 207 Numurkah Road Shepparton P: (03) 5822 2108 TOORADIN F: (03) 5821 2908 P&J MARINE SERVICE CENTRE P/L W: boatsandmore.com.au 101 Tooradin Station Road Tooradin P: (03) 5998 3107 MORWELL E: pjmarine_services@bigpond.com CRAWFORD MARINE 71-77 Chickerell Street Morwell P: (03) 5134 6522 MELBOURNE F: (03) 5134 6455 TRIPLE M MARINE W: crawfordmarine.com.au 117 Northgate Drive Thomastown P: (03) 9465 8787 ECHUCA F: (03) 9466 1418 EADES XTREME MARINE W: triplemmarine.com.au 24 Sturt Street Echuca P: (03) 5482 2333 F: (03) 5482 2133 W: xtrememarine.net.au BRISBANE

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Sydney

NSW

Bait is plentiful throughout PITTWATER

Marc Ternen

There’s a lot going on in Pittwater at the moment, including good catches of tailor, bonito and kingfish. These speedsters have been chasing anything small, bright and shiny, because they’re chasing small bait. We’ve been selling a lot of Halco Twisties in the 5-15g size range. Outfits to match that would be 1-3kg, 7ft rods matched to a 1000-2500 size reel for the smaller chrome slices. Most of the guys tend to stick to a 2500 size reel, just in case a kingfish shows up. Anglers fishing the slightly larger slices typically use around 3-6kg with a 4000-size reel for the larger model kingfish. Kingfish are also getting caught on 75-130mm clear Sugapens, cast around the moorings. Moored boats with a lot of growth attract baitfish, and in turn the predators. It’s also good to cast around a drop-off and bring your lure to or from that deeper water. Varying the retrieve is always a good option, to find what the fish want on the day. There have been quite a lot of bonito throughout the whole system. Areas such as the northern end of Scotland Island and Paradise Beach have been excellent early in the morning and late in the

afternoon. We’ve had some stellar afternoons out there. I take my boys and we get bonito from the tinny up around that Sandy Point area and Creel Bay. Then, around sunset, a lot of the schools tend to head over to the western side of Pittwater, perhaps because they can hunt bait easier in that failing sun. The action generally continues until darkness hits. We use small Halcos and topwater lures such as the Daiwa Slippery Dog, which catches bonito, tailor, kingfish and the odd mac tuna. Some of the mac tuna are quite big, around the 3-4kg mark, and put up a great fight on light tackle. Longnose Point has also been good for surface school action, and it can be pretty much an all-day event. The water is warm in there, and the different pelagic species will find bait throughout that whole system. Moving outside, catches have been excellent with the warm currents we’ve had right down from Palm Beach to Long Reef. There have been massive amounts of bait in that region, and guys are getting marlin in close in 30-50m of water. Because of the favourable conditions we’ve had, some anglers have been getting them from 12ft tinnies at Long Reef. One guy got towed for 8nm. Most of the marlin have been caught on slow trolled

live baits or slow trolled dead baits (garfish). When it comes to lures, you can try 4-7” skirts or divers. The dolphinfish (mahimahi) at the FADs have been providing good sport for everyone with the good conditions (provided you have lifejackets and a stable boat). The dollies have been ranging from around 60-80cm, and they have been very active around the Sydney northern FAD and the wave rider at Long Reef. Live baits have been very effective, and you can also get results on a white soft plastic on a light to medium jighead. Other good areas to try this month are around the Glasshouse wreck east of Avalon, and the wrecks off Narrabeen, in about 45-50m of water. We have been seeing good catches of trag there, along with some nice snapper. Some big blue morwong (1-3kg) have also been showing up in quite good numbers. The best baits are bonito, mac tuna and slimy mackerel, which are all in that region at the moment. The Valiant wreck, close to Barrenjoey, has been very good, too. There have been a lot of small to medium size kingfish around there, and it makes for a fun morning or afternoon on light tackle. You’re fishing only 18-25m of water, and you don’t tend to lose a lot of fish there

because there’s not a lot of jagged ground for the kings to bust you off. The council has opened up the lake finally, and we’ve had a lot of water going in and out of there, assisted by some big tides. There have been a fair few reports of jewfish, including a 11.3kg specimen caught by 7yo TJ Motler (with a bit of help from dad). The fish took a whole Hawkesbury River arrow squid in the region of the middle bridge. We’ve seen plenty of small soapy jew (2-3kg) caught, which is a good sign of a healthy fishery. They have been the most plentiful we’ve seen in many years. Some nice bream have been caught around the Middle Creek and Deep Creek areas. The go-to lures at the moment are the 2” Gulp Grub, and small blades (e.g. small Berkley 5-8mm blade) are very effective too, and light line is key – anywhere from 2-6kg. We have had a really good run of prawns in the lake, with prime areas being in the vicinity of Wimbledon Avenue and of course the entrance area. The flats on the eastern side of the ocean bridge have numbers of prawns, too. Some nice garfish have been caught around the deep creek bridge and entrance area on baits fished under floats. You can have a lot of fun doing that and there are some quite large garfish in there. They put

Young TJ Motler with his 11.3kg mulloway. up a great fight on 2kg line. In the front region of the Hawkesbury River, with the fresh combining with the salt, I would place all bets on the jewfish being there. Try areas like Flint and Steel, Hungry Beach, Brisk Bay and Pacific Head. Anchoring on the top or bottom of the tide will give you the best chance of success. The best bait is obviously squid, but don’t discount bonito, live legal tailor, or strip baits. Speaking of tailor, there have been plenty in those regions too, especially in Brisk Bay and around Croppy Point. • If you need fishing gear, quality bait or a chat about

what’s biting, head to Narrabeen Bait and Tackle. Owner Mark, his son Marc and long-time staff member Chris have been local fishermen for 30 years – so there’s not much they don’t know about Pittwater or Northern Beaches fishing, and they are happy to answer any questions you may have. The store stocks an extensive range of tackle, and their live and fresh bait range is renowned as one of the best in Sydney. It is sourced locally and includes live beach worms and nippers. Drop in and see them at 1469 Pittwater Rd, North Narrabeen or phone (02) 9970 6204.

The dreaded taxman strikes SYDNEY NTH

Steve Winser

As the East Australian Current finally kicks in with a vengeance, we see a real rise in water temperatures, and the fishing changes accordingly. A large amount of bait is moving in along the coast, and with it has come a change of species and targets. Snapper have been fishing well along the inshore coastal spots, with numbers of fish to be had in that 8-30m zone on a combination of baits and plastics, mostly fished into a pilly cube trail. Plenty of bonito are falling to trolled shallow running lures in that 150mm range along the cliff fronts also. The harbour has just been on fire! It’s chock full of bait and a variety of species, including some northern species that have come down on the current. Watsons leaping bonito and sweetlip (emperor) are among the northern visitors. 54 MARCH 2023

The summer staples of flathead, whiting and so forth are around in numbers on just about all the shallower sandy areas of the harbour, from Rose Bay though to north harbour. However, the real story has been the long-awaited arrival of the summer run of kings. There are some

absolute crackers in there just now, with fish well over a metre not uncommon, and profusions of smaller fish there also. Once again, the key to catching the kingies is to use fresh squid. The squid have been plentiful, and the arrow squid in particular have been super reliable over the ribbon grass beds. We

Chomp, chomp. Damn!

typically use smaller jigs in the 2.5 size for these. One negative with the arrival of all this bait – and of course, the kingfish – has been the sharks. We have been seeing some sizable sharks, and plenty of them. As you can see from the photos with this article, there are some real big ones prowling around down there. Have a look at the bite mark on the king in the photo – there’s no circular mark, just a straight cut indicating a big shark. Anything that can cleave a 10kg+ king in half in one chop is for real. If life was fair, this shark would have chosen one of our smaller fish to steal. But no, it had to take the best one of the day! Gawd, I hate sharks. The most alarming thing was that this happened near the eastern suburbs shoreline in the harbour – and some guys were diving not 50m away. I have surfed this area my whole life, and I would not swim in this harbour for a bet. Stay cautious, folks! • Fishing Sydney Tours takes pride in tailoring every trip to the customer’s preferred species, style of angling, and level of expertise, all

Nice king! Well, half anyway. within a friendly and relaxed atmosphere at competitive rates. There are some excellent fishing 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.

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The value of good timing on the beaches using metal lures. If you’re fishing tiny metals from 10-20g with a strong wind you will find the casting distance can be reduced significantly. In this scenario it’s good to downsize your outfit to 6kg braid and 15lb leader with a med/fast action 10ft rod. This can help you get the smaller 20g lures out 50m+, and even the 10-15g metals can manage a reasonable distance. Why use such small metals, if they’re a hassle to cast? Simple – it’s because the baitfish the predators

SYD ROCK & BEACH

Alex Bellissimo alex@bellissimocharters.com.au

As we move into autumn, basically everything is on tap, with all manner of species on offer. To maximise your chance of success, my advice is to pursue the seasonal species. I’ll discuss this in more detail below. ROCK FISHING At some of the rock ledges I take my clients to, I can see luderick, rock blackfish and big blue/ brown groper cruising below. At the same time, I may be targeting kingfish and other pelagics. When targeting the pelagics you can take the option of fishing for these other species, but I recommend keeping your focus on kings, bonito, frigate and/ or mac tuna. These species

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are only going be here for a limited time, especially the tuna species, whereas the groper, luderick and rock blackfish can be caught year-round in Sydney. Generally, by mid-May the tuna species will thin out, and you will have the winter/spring period to focus luderick, rock blackfish and groper. That said, as a fishing guide that doesn’t apply

to me because I have to go for the target species that my clients have booked. It’s still enjoyable and I’m happy to do it, but ideally, I want you guys to really get the most out of the warm water species when they’re in season. The smaller pelagics can be targeted in several different ways. Definitely one of the most effective ways to catch them is

Mark Westward with his first king off the ocean rock – a good fish at 75cm. It smashed a whole ganged sea gar. There were other pelagics there too, which is common when fishing for kings.

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to the sabiki hooks. Berley up with bread and pilchard mush to concentrate the baitfish in your area. One you have your live baits, you can get good results suspending them under a float, between 2-10m deep, depending on the water depth you’re fishing. While fishing for pelagics at these deeper water rock spots, you can possibly distance cast for snapper or catch them in the whitewater washes. With the water temperature being pretty hot at this time

James Strefner caught four beach worms during his first beach worming lesson. If you haven’t tried beach worming, you’re missing out on one of the most fun ways to catch bait.

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are eating are as small or smaller than what you’re casting out. At times, if you cast out 40g+ metals you may miss out. It can get pretty frustrating when you see the fish zapping around the surface and refusing your offerings. When fishing the lower ledges you can use as light as 4-6kg gear, and if you hook a sizeable fish you can wash it up. You can punch out 10-15g metal a decent distance on that gear. However, when fishing the higher ledges you need a heavier line class because

you need to lift up your fish. That also means that you may need to up the size/weight of your metals. Casting out tiny metals on heavier line is not practical. Kings and other good fish will be mixed in with the tuna as well, so having a heavier outfit on standby is always a good idea. I like to use a 7” Bait Junkie Jerkshad coupled with a Bait Junkie 6/0 to 7/0 size 1/4 to 3/4oz jighead. Live yellowtail can be a great way to fish for kings off the ocean rocks. If you’re arriving early, at dawn or before sunup, you can catch your yellowtail, sea gars or, on occasion, slimy mackerel. Small pieces of prawn, small pieces of bonito strip, or an oily fish cut into 3-4cm thin strips will catch live baits. A sabiki rig works well, but if you’re not having any luck, try adding the small fish or prawn baits

the year,you can also catch some tropical species. One type caught every year by some rock anglers is the samsonfish. Generally, the juvenile ones are caught in this part of the world. They’re normally between 3/4kg to 1.5kg, and they’re great fighting fish. Superb on the plate, too. You can pick up a bycatch of snapper while fishing the wash zone. Occasionally they are caught distance casting. Snapper can also be caught on plastics. I have had good success fishing the Bait Junkie 5” Jerkshad in pilchard glo and camo UV, or 4” Grubs in demon blood and pilchard glow, matched with a 3/0 jighead ranging from 1/8oz to 3/4oz in rougher conditions. The way the snapper smash the plastics is bloody awesome! Spots to fish off the rocks for the above species include Bluefish Point

NSW

and Little Bluey – the first square ledge both of these spots in the suburb of Manly. Then there is North Curl Curl from the swimming pool approx.

early in the morning or late in the evening, the beach traffic reduces. You should also get more consistent results with your catches. The prime times

This beautiful blue groper went 75cm and is Jeoff Springer’s largest to date. It was caught on a 7” Alvey and 24kg outfit. 90-100m north of North Whale ledge. The ledge can have restricted room to fish and is a popular spot. There is more room to fish there in flatter sea conditions. BEACH FISHING Catches of beach whiting and bream have been variable. The tides and sea conditions have to be right for a better outcome. Beaches that are crowded, especially on a weekend, can be a bit difficult. If you fish

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to fish the beach are at dawn to a couple of hours after sunrise, or a couple of hours before sunset to the twilight period, or after dark. If you want to fish gentleman’s hours and escape the crowds, it’s not as easy. You can look for a spot away from people, but in doing so you may miss out on the better gutters and beach structure, which can be close to areas with more human activity. I usually don’t mind

fishing near the crowds, but I have my limits. When the nippers, SLSC comps or surfing comps are on I tend to give these areas a wide berth. It’s way too chaotic, with literally several hundred people around, and it’s just not practical. It has long been said that you have to fish the right time of the day otherwise you will have poor results. This is not necessarily true. I have YouTube videos where I was fishing the beach for bream and whiting and did quite well fishing that period between 10am to 3pm. There’s also the chance of catching some salmon and flathead, and possibly manage a feed. Of course, I’m not actually recommending that you fish in the middle of the day. I’m just saying that if you aren’t able to fish at dawn or dusk, you shouldn’t give up on fishing altogether. Just get out there and have a go, in the knowledge that you still have a reasonable chance of catching a feed, even if the sun is high in the sky. Bream, whiting and big dart to 40cm are being caught using pipis. There is a limited population of these molluscs off the Sydney beaches. Remember if you’re harvesting pipis, they have be used on-site and not be taken off the beach that you have harvested them. This is in the DPI rules for NSW. Beach worms are a terrific bait for these species. A good alternative is pink nippers, also known as yabbies, which can be pumped on the low tide sand flats in estuaries. The larger tailor are starting this month, more so towards the latter part of March. It’s a great month for jewfish (mulloway) as

Sydney

A nice rock blackfish caught by James Crompton. These fish are hard fighting and hard to land, especially on light gear. This residential species can be found off the ocean rocks in relatively good numbers. well. The dusky whaler sharks are still in pretty large numbers; rigging up 30-40cm of tripe or 7-strand 50lb plastic-coated wire will reduce the loss of rigs from these toothy critters. Manly is a good beach to start. If you want to fish Manly, preferably fish the night or early/late light periods, because this is the most crowded beach in this region. Curl Curl, Dee Why, mid Narrabeen, ‘Cooks Terrace’ at Mona Vale in front of the old Mona Vale hospital, and Newport beaches are worth fishing as well. • 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.

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Sydney

NSW

Action still hot in cooler water SYDNEY SOUTH

Gary Brown gbrown1@iprimus.com.au

By now the weather will have started to cool down a bit and so will have the water temperature. Even though this is happening it shouldn’t stop you from getting out there. Whether it be fishing from the shore in the estuary or out of a boat or casting a few lures and baits off the beach and rocks you should be spending a bit of time fishing, as the month of March in the southern Sydney area will be still going off. As I put this article together the marlin season has been going off and everyone that I have spoken to has been getting a marlin or two. Hopefully they will be still about during March for those who can get out there. Marlin fishing is something that I have never done before and would like to do at least once in my lifetime. I feel that I have learnt so much while working at the BCF shop at Taren Point through our customers that have been clearing the

store out of marlin gear. The rocks from Kurnell and down to the southern end of the Royal National Park are worth a shot for snapper, bream, trevally, salmon, bonito, tailor, luderick and drummer. Places that would be worth a try would be the point at the end of Jibbon Beach, Marley, and Kurnell. Even though you can’t gain

access to Garie beach and Era due to the road closure to traffic, I have had a few mates who have parked at the top and taken the big walk down to fish these spots. You could always park in the carpark at the top of Burning Palms and then take the walk down. But be warn its not an easy walk down and back - especially after you have had a couple of

March will see an increase in the numbers of larger bream in the southern Sydney areas.

Mitch Rofe from the Taren Point BCF store with his first ever whiting that he caught while casting a 2” camo shrimp over the flats. or late afternoon. Whole pilchards or strips of mullet and squid are the go. If you don’t like getting your hands dirty with bait you could cast out a metal slice or work those soft plastics through the gutters. Botany Bay has been a bit of a hit and miss affair over the past few weeks on the bream, whiting, flathead and trevally. If you can’t locate where the main concentrations are you could try drifting until you get a bite, then mark it on your sounder. Once you have landed the fish then come back to where you got the bite, anchor up, start

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58 MARCH 2023

days rain. The beaches in Bate Bay have been producing bream, flathead, dart and whiting. By far the best bait has been beach worms. You can get a few right where you fish or you could give a couple of local bait shop a call to see if they have some in. Tailor, salmon and mulloway are worth a shot either early in the morning

berleying and cast out those lines. The fish should then start to work their way up the berley trail to your baits. Further up in the Georges River around the Lugarno to Picnic Point area there have been bream, whiting, flathead, mullet and garfish caught. Best baits have been live nippers and half pilchards. Try working the same area with soft plastics and soft vibes. There are plenty of landbased spots that you can try fishing from. Get onto Goggle Maps, find out how to get there and then have a fish. If you have no luck then find another spot until you find one that works for you. At times the Port Hacking River can be fairly tough to fish and at other times it doesn’t matter how and what you use you always get something. What I tend to do is when I am bait fishing I will always fish while at

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Scott Pavitt managed his first ever Australian salmon while using a 2.5” ZMan PrawnZ on a 1/16oz, 1/0 TT Headlock jighead.

anchor and I always berley. The main thing that you have to remember is to use live or freshly caught bait and either use a running sinker down onto the bait or a running sinker down onto a swivel and have a leader of at least 90cm long. The only times that I drift is when I am chasing squid or using lures. Starting from this month I am going to share with you some facts that will hopefully help you to get amongst a few more fish. It maybe something a simple as a suggested hook to use, how to put a bait on, what type of technique I use or what rig that I use. What it won’t be is about what spot to go, as much of that has already been covered in the monthly report. A TIP FOR MOORED BOAT KINGIES When targeting either yellowtail kingfish with plastics, poppers or minnows around moored boats the ideal situation is not to have too much wind. This will give you plenty of time to put out a few casts at each of the boats as you drift past them. Not only do the boats themselves attract the fish, so do the mooring ropes and chains. It is the growth that forms on the ropes and chains that in-turn will attract the baitfish, which in turn attracts the larger predators. You can also anchor up near a group of moored boats and lay out a berley trail, while at the same time feed out lightly weighted baits to the underside of the boats and their moorings. Don’t forget to keep those reports and photos coming in to gbrown1@ iprimus.com.au.

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Cleaner water and good consistent catches BALLINA

Joe Allan

The Richmond River has been fishing well through the start of 2023. The water has cleaned up nicely since the mini flood on the Wilson and Richmond at the end of 2022. This summer has seen some of the most consistent mangrove jack fishing for many years. Most feeder creeks have produced quality fish, but the rock walls along the main river, anywhere from Wardell to the mouth at Ballina, have definitely had the bigger sized fish. Early morning on daybreak or late afternoon are the peak times to try to catch these bad boys. Suspending jerkbaits and shallow to mid running slender crankbaits are the best tools to use. Lures that have really produced well are the Atomic Shiner 75 mid and the new Atomic Slim Twitcher 95, both in silver wolf colour. Most lures with some reflective or shiny silver finish with attract the fish. The surface action in the freshwater reaches has been going well of late. Unweighted soft plastics such as small frogs are working well when skipped

The Silver Fox himself, Nige Skyring, putting the Atomic Hardz to work in silver wolf colour. under trees. It’s a really fun way to fish. Using the correct hook can make fishing this style a lot easier and less frustrating, as you’re not having to fix your bait every second cast. I like using the Gamakatsu Skip Gap hook,

you’d brought some ear muffs with you, as they’re just deafening. Spinnerbaits and chatterbaits have also been producing good fish, and dark-coloured Bassman 3/8oz jigs have been accounting for some good catches, too. Pair these with a crawfish-looking trailer bait and you’ve got a good bass-catching combo. If you have not given these a go, they’re definitely worth a try. There are some goodsize flatties still being caught along the Porpoise Wall and in Mobbs Bay. Live baits and heavy plastics on the last half of the run-out are always worth a shot, and small crankbaits and plastics up on the flats in Mobbs are solid performers – especially when the water is dirty towards the bottom half of the run-out. There are some good numbers of bream getting caught off the beaches when the swell isn’t pumping too

hard. The dart and tailor have been a little quiet, but you can start to try the gutters around Boundary Creek along South Ballina for some quality flathead. Blades, slugs and heavy soft plastics will do the trick if you can’t come across some fresh bait. OFFSHORE Lately there have been some quality snapper on the 32s, as well as some goodsize trag. The mahimahi (dolphinfish) have still been very consistent off the FADs. Since mid-December, numbers of mackerel have not been around, although they started to show up more consistently in February. They have been all over place though; one day at Black Head and the next at Riordans Reef. They can be hard to keep track of. However, once you find them, if you have some livies and some wire you are sure to catch yourself a feed. Good luck everyone. Until next month, tight lines.

which is designed to hold the soft plastic/frog up and in position longer than your standard EWG worm hook. Cicada imitations, such as Atomic Cicadas, are still working well on those hot mornings when you wish

Anthony Duff and Rick Gough with a winning bag of fish from the North Coast Bream & Bass Club January round.

ba Prawn Blade s” “Yam A solid mangrove jack caught in the town stretch of river.

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Cohen Nelson recently spent all night fishing and caught this mulloway in Lake Macquarie NSW. The fish was 75cm and he used fresh caught squid for bait.

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NSW

The gift that keeps on giving COFFS COAST

Rob Taylor

It’s hard to write about fishing at present and not have a column consumed by marlin as it really has been one of the best inshore billfish seasons in decades. We usually see black marlin numbers begin to wane around this time, but this year’s fish are the gift that keeps on giving. Little blacks continue to stalk bait schools anywhere from the 40m line out to the shelf and beyond that the usual stripe and blue marlin on offer. We have also kicked off our mackerel run with good numbers of both spotted and Spanish mackerel falling to the usual techniques such as trolling live baits, pulling lures and dead baiting. These fish are being caught off the rocks and all the way out to the islands. Targeting inshore reefs has been a sure-fire

Steve Sanders looking justifiably happy with this donk of a mangrove jack taken on a bait at night. way to find the razor gang. Speaking of teeth, we’ve also had an excellent run of wahoo, and these fish should peak in numbers through March. If you’re a

speed freak then now’s the time to chase one of the fastest fish on fins. It’s not only the offshore scene that has been firing – the rocks and beaches

along with our local creeks and rivers have also been producing some memorable sessions. We’ve had a great run of mangrove jacks, and March is one of the prime

months to chase them. Let’s take a look at one of my favourite months to fish the Coffs Coast. CREEKS AND RIVERS This month is a great time to be on our local creeks and rivers, and if you want to challenge yourself then why not target mangrove jacks! These red brawlers are thick at the moment, and there are rather large models getting about, so make sure you have the tackle to handle them. I’d be using 30lb braid as a minimum, and even then you may still get it handed to you. Try likely-looking snags in any of our creeks and rivers or,

The author with a solid wahoo that ate a fast-trolled lure.

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better yet, drift the deeper holes after dark to find a school of eager jacks to keep you occupied. Now is also a great time to target whiting and flathead off the sand banks and weed edges. Lures and baits are both effective, and now that the summer tourist season is over, fish should be enjoying extended bite times around tide changes and dawn and dusk. There will still be GTs boofing bait schools in the salt, and bass looking to attack surface presentations in the fresh, so get out there and get amongst it as March is truly a fantastic month to be on our local waterways

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with a rod in your hand. Rocks and beaches For land-based fishos, particularly those seeking gamefish, March is the best month on our part of the coast. With mackerel and longtail tuna on offer from most ledges and

break walls during this month, it pays to have a live bait out under a balloon or otherwise cast metal lures or stickbaits. Places such as the north wall, Muttonbird Island, the Quarry and Third Headland will all be worth a look for a gamefish.

FISHING NEWS

Marshall Bye got onto the yellowfin around the islands. They should be thick this month.

Now that the garfish are here, they make a prime live bait for pelagics off the rocks, but you can also use yakkas and slimies if you are lucky enough to find them. Find the bait and you will find fish. Plenty of school-sized mulloway, tailor, bonito, dart and luderick will also be available off the rocks, and the beaches should also produce tailor and mulloway along with dart, whiting and flathead in those low tide gutters. Offshore The offshore scene is dominated by mackerel every March; these fish definitely hit their peak at this time of year. There’s a good reason for that, as there can be some truly hectic sessions on the razor gang if the weather holds. You can also expect wahoo, marlin and yellowfin tuna around the islands, with bigger blue and striped marlin out on the shelf. Current depending, bottom dropping can also produce fish this month. I’d be looking at the 60m-80m reefs for big mulloway, snapper, pearlies and trag. It really is an excellent month for fishing off the Coffs coast, so if you don’t mind me, I’m off fishing and I’ll see you on the water!

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Yabby poachers feel the pinch of the law Fisheries Officers have apprehended two men from Cohuna, Victoria, for multiple offences involving the take of yabbies from Colligen Creek, west of Deniliquin. The men were caught in possession of 796 yabbies, which is a staggering 396 above the combined possession limit for two people. The excess yabbies were seized and returned to the waters of the Colligen Creek alive. In addition, it is also alleged the men used excess yabby nets and opera house traps to take their haul. Both men will receive $3,000 in penalty notices. Fishers are reminded that

the possession limit for yabbies is 200 per person. Fishers are also reminded that opera house style yabby traps are prohibited in all NSW waters. Fishers can use a total of five lift nets or pyramid nets per

person to take yabbies. Each net is to be clearly labelled with the fisher’s first name initial, surname, year of birth and postcode. It is also an offence to be in possession of yabbies carrying ova. Yabbies carrying eggs must be returned to the water alive. These regulations have been designed to ensure that populations remain sustainable into the future. Anyone with information regarding suspected illegal fishing activity should call the DPI Fishers Watch number on 1800 043 536 or report it online at www.dpi.nsw.gov. au/fishing/compliance. NSW DPI Fisheries

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MARCH 2023 63

NSW

Local ladies leading the way THE HASTINGS

Kate Sheldon

What a cracker year the ladies have had so far on light tackle fishing for the inshore black marlin season. One thing that has really stood out to me this year is the fantastic community support for the upcoming junior and seasoned ladies in the game fishing scene. During this year’s Port Macquarie Game Fishing Club Golden Lure tournament,

Coast in Spring. The first fishing location to fire for the inshore black marlin on our coastline is South West Rocks Gaol. From there south the hot spots are off Hat Head, Crescent Head, Delicate Nobby, Plomer Bay, ‘Yabbies’ between Port Macquarie and Lake Cathie, and ‘Old Faithful’ off Bonny Hills. I will generally fish where I can find the bait, between 15-50m of water, and I like to find a minimum of 22°C in water temperature. Inshore black marlin fishing is my absolute

Upcoming future fishing champion Indy Garvey (left) from boat After Hours with her 9th black marlin for the season caught in Plomer Bay. Image courtesy of @afterhoursfishing. ladies champion Cassie Herbert from boat Weekend Detention was tagging plenty of black marlin, and when reported over the radio, the encouragement coming from the other competitive fishing ladies was heart-warming. The inshore black marlin season generally starts around a few weeks before Christmas each year, and ends around April. The local fishos usually listen out for how the season is progressing down the coast from around Fraser Island and the Gold

favourite type of fishing. Catching my first black marlin back in 2015 is still one of my greatest memories. I’ve now lost count of how many I’ve caught over the years, and I feel that I’ve perfected the art of catching inshore black marlin, and you can too. Targeting the fishery doesn’t require heavy game fishing gear – most of these fish are only 10-60kg and you can get away with a basic fishing tackle setup. My reliable tackle setup is a Wilson Venom Overhead 7ft rod (PE 2-5), matched to a Shimano Tiagra 12 (or Tiagra 16), spooled with 10kg main line, 60lb leader and a circle hook. I’ve found the best bait is a live slimy mackerel bridled to the hook, and you want to slow troll at least two separate baits one long and one short closer to the boat. Black marlin can either be very inquisitive or quite shy, using teasers and or dredges can also help. The best bite time usually a few hours before and after the top of the high tide. If you want to know more about targeting black marlin, head into your local tackle store and chat to the knowledgeable staff. As we head into spring and the warm east Australian current continues to push

down our coastline, we should start to see some good catches of spotted and Spanish mackerel in close and wahoo out wider. Make sure you’re using wire rigs and get ready for Bruce to chase down your catch once hooked. RIVERS The fishing is still very productive, and there are bait fish everywhere, including garfish, yakkas and poddy mullet. The Macleay River has been providing anglers with fun flathead sessions on lighter tackle, with some small cobia as by-catch. Lake Cathie and the Camden Haven River have been yielding some quality whiting on surface lures and bait. Anglers have also been picking up a few nice bream on the break walls, with bonito strips being the stand-out bait.

All round fishing guru Harriet Crowley from boat Backed Up II with a black marlin she caught off Delicate Nobby. Image courtesy of @hazza_crow. catches reported from the northern end of Lighthouse in Port Macquarie and near the entrance of Lake Cathie. The best bait has been live

Shark fishing world record holder Amanda Lamond from boat Rare Breed with a striped marlin she caught off Crescent Head. Image courtesy of @lamond.fishing.

Kristy Bateman with the first ever black marlin she caught in Plomer Bay. Image courtesy of @kris_cleb.

BEACHES Bream and whiting are still being caught consistently, with good

beach worms. There are also plenty of tailor and bonito being encountered around

Diamond Head and in Crowdy Bay. ROCKS Land-based game fishers have been reporting the odd longtail tuna, along with Spanish mackerel and cobia. No doubt there will be plenty of interest from the rock fishos over the coming weeks, and your best bet is to fish off the northern headlands, particularly around South West Rocks and Hat Head. Shelly Beach in Port Macquarie has been producing a few good-size tailor at sun-up, along with some bream. Good luck to anyone heading out for a fish over the next month, and keep on encouraging our lady fishos. • Kate Sheldon has extensive experience working on charter boats, and is the proud owner of Bay Explorer Marine Services. She specialises in making deep drop fishing rigs for blue-eye trevalla, bar cod, kingfish and bass groper. For more info look up ‘Bay Explorer Marine Services’ on Facebook and Instagram, or find her store on eBay.

Fluctuating temp and clarity THE HASTINGS

Patrick Linehan

The warmer water ripping past the coast over the last couple of months has slowed down a touch. More frequent north-easterly winds have begun to roll the water in close, with the water temperature and clarity fluctuating from day to day. The marlin bite has shifted along this part of the coast, with the bulk of the small blacks now south of Forster. There has been some crazy billfish action down at Port Stephens recently! Locally, there 64 MARCH 2023

Bonito are along the rocks, walls and even up the river.

have been a few pelagics showing up inshore, but as to be expected, the fish thin out when the water temperature drops. There’s been a decent run of cobia to the north, so there should be a few getting around. At the time of writing this article, there haven’t been any significant numbers of Spanish mackerel or longtail tuna just yet. That said, there are plenty of smaller pelagics like bonito, frigate and mac tuna around if you’re chasing bait or a bit of fun on the light tackle. I’ve still got my fingers crossed that the rain holds off! In the estuary, flathead, bream, tailor

Jariah Knuckey with her first lurecaught mulloway on Castaway.

NSW

Big blue bearing big fruit FORSTER

Luke Austin

This month is one of my absolute favourite months of the year for fishing! There are so many options out there right now, with a huge array of species on offer. The estuary fishing continues to tick along very nicely. Fishing during the run-out tide with soft plastics or vibes will give you the best shot at finding the flathead and bream, and both of these species have been the standout targets by a mile. The better fish are still schooled up in and around any structure sitting to the east of Wallis Island. Bream have been particularly hungry, and just about any lightly-weighted bait offering or small soft plastic has been absolutely smashed when cast into areas such as The Paddock (or just about any other oyster lease) or down along the rock walls. The Tuncurry rock wall has been producing some particularly solid fish, with one angler managing to land a beastly 53cm fish

Chasing snapper in March can be super fun! that fell for a good old strip of mullet! Huge schools of whiting have been spotted sitting on the sand flats downstream from the bridge, and the area in and around the rock pool has been absolutely stacked with really big whiting, which is really cool to see, but remember that this area

Casey with a typical autumn cobia. and trevally are still being caught in good numbers, particularly around the whitebait schools, which seem to be concentrated in the lower half most days. At times there has also been a fair bit of bait upriver. There are even a few bonito in the mix, too. The days with a bit of wind are proving to be the pick for surface action on the flats, with

cicada lures working well for bream under the trees further up the river. There are a few small mulloway in the river at the moment, but the better fish are hard to find. On the beaches, whiting and bream numbers are pretty good along Lighthouse Beach and around Lake Cathie. On the decent days, North Beach has been fishing well for tailor and bream.

is a no fishing zone! In areas where fishing is allowed, fish are nice and active and have been happy to gobble up baits of beachworms, yabbies and even artificial worm baits like the ones from Gulp. The mouth of the estuary has been a popular place for both land-based and boating anglers of late, as they take advantage of healthy numbers of hungry mulloway. There is a real mix of sizes schooled up along the walls at the moment, with most fish ranging from about 40cm through to 120cm or so. When these fish school up in these sorts of numbers, they are often relatively easy to catch and can be caught on live or dead baits, as well as a huge variety of hard and soft lures. If you are going to target these amazing fish, please take the time to learn the regulations around minimum size and bag limits! These fish are very special and if we are to keep enjoying them for generations to come, we need to look after them, and to see anglers keeping undersized fish or more than their one fish limit is absolutely infuriating! Fishing from the rocks can be amazing in autumn, and this year has already proven to be productive for most anglers. Plenty of pelagic action is occurring up and down the coast, but unfortunately the sharks have The crab season remains pretty quiet, and I’ve noticed there haven’t been as many traps being set this month, which is a sign there’s been little reward. • Castaway Estuary Fishing Charters specialises in calm water, guided estuary lure fishing experiences based in Port Macquarie, NSW. For more information visit: www. castawayfishing.com.au.

been very active as well, and will make short work of a fighting longtail tuna! The bit of little swell that we had recently made for perfect conditions to chase some big bream, and there has been the odd early season drummer sneaking about as well. The rocks down south have been worth exploring early and late in the day, and a few dedicated anglers have been landing some very nice land-based snapper up to about 4kg. Our local beaches have been fishing well, which is to be expected during late summer and into autumn, with most stretches of sand holding some nice deep gutters to explore and anglers have been landing some very healthy mixed bags of bream, whiting, flathead and tailor. Those anglers who have put in the time have found the odd mulloway up to about 12kg, however the tailor have been painful for anyone using live or cut fish

Jack with a nice spotted mackerel. All sorts of pelagic species can turn up during March. baits, so it may be worth soaking some beachworms as an alternative. Offshore fishing is well and truly on! The snapper fishing has been amazing, with lots of solid fish getting about. It hasn’t mattered if you are fishing up north, down south or out the front, it seems that just about every reef has been holding fish. The deeper reefs are also producing the odd trag and pearl perch, and if you happen to drift off onto the soft stuff there have been plenty of tasty flathead waiting for you. The pelagic scene is still cruising along beautifully, and Spanish and spotted mackerel are about in good

numbers. Mackerel can be found on just about any inshore reef complex, and with by-catch species including cobia, longtail tuna, snapper, spangled emperor and mulloway, it’s an insanely exciting time to be hitting the shallow reefs! • Luke is the owner of Great Lakes Tackle – your ‘local’ bait and tackle store. We only sell the best brands and offer sound, friendly advice on where you can go to land your next trophy fish while visiting the wonderful Great Lakes region! Open 7 days in the main street of Tuncurry. Ph: (02) 6554 9541 or find us on Facebook to see what we have been up to!

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NSW

A sensational season ahead PORT STEPHENS

Paul Lennon

Inside the estuary it has been an absolute boomer of a flathead season, and it shows no signs of slowing down just yet. Plenty of quality fish are being caught from the Karuah River through to Tilligerry, and all the way down to Shoal Bay and Jimmys beaches. If you fish the shallow flats areas through these parts with soft plastics and hard bodies on the high tide, you should get results. Just remember to cover ground by constantly keeping on the move. If you’re unsure where to start looking for flathead, get out and have a walk around the flats on low tide and you should be able to spot the indentations referred to as ‘lays’ in the sand where the flathead have been sitting.

Mulloway are a great target after dark on the ocean beaches.

The author with a unicorn 100cm flathead taken in Port Stephens.

It’s been a sensational black marlin season inshore. It’s then just a matter of going back to the same areas on the high tide. Whiting are another summertime fish that are still being caught in great

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the Boulders near Yacaaba. All manner of baitfish are pouring into the estuary system right now, from whitebait and frogmouth pilchards to garfish, slimy

mackerel and yellowtail. It won’t be long before surface fish like frigate mackerel, bonito, mac tuna and longtails start finding this smorgasbord of food, so keep your eyes out for any bird activity and fish bust-ups, and have those casting rods ready for action at all times. BEACHES March always provides some fantastic ocean beach fishing opportunities, with big bream starting to move. There are still plenty of big elbow-slapping whiting being caught too. A freshlycaught pipi or a live worm will significantly out-fish other baits when chasing bream and whiting from the beaches. You can also pick up dart and even mulloway as a by-catch. If you are chasing mulloway specifically, you should be fishing late in the afternoon into the night with larger baits like tailor heads squid or mullet fillets – or even better, a live legal tailor or whiting. Dawn and dusk periods are well worth having a spin with some metals around 20-40g, with plenty of tailor to over 1kg coming from Fingal Spit and Box Beach. OCEAN ROCKS Land-based game anglers wait all year for the next three months as pelagic fish such as mac and longtail tuna terrorize baitfish along headlands and rock ledges. Tomaree is one of the best and most popular ledges on the east coast to do this style of fishing. However, there are plenty of other lesser known ledges close by, which can also produce action of

similar calibre. By far the most popular method is to catch yourself a live bait such as a slimy mackerel or yellowtail, and send it back out suspended 2-4m under a float and then play the waiting game. Offshore The epic inshore marlin bite is continuing, with plenty of black marlin still being caught in close. Slow trolling live baits is by far the most effective method for targeting these fish. When it comes to catching these fish, most of the skill comes down to

knowing where to locate them. Sea surface charts like rip charts are well worth consulting, giving you an idea of where the best water will be. Then it’s a matter of focusing your efforts around areas holding the baitfish. Often this will be around reefy areas where bait typically congregates, or the edges of temperature breaks. Live baiting can be a real lucky dip at this time of year, with the chance of marlin, cobia, longtail tuna, mac tuna, kingfish and even a big snapper.

Omar Ashraf was delighted when he caught this mahimahi off the seaway on the Gold Coast. It measured just shy of the metre mark.

NSW

Fish are feeding aggressively CENTRAL COAST

Jamie Robley

Another first-class fishing month is upon us, and it’s possibly the peak of the entire local angling calendar.

aggressively over the coming weeks. This is especially the case with bream, as many of them feed heavily now, prior to heading towards the ocean for spawning in late autumn and winter. So those of you who may

like bridges, wharves and rock walls will definitely yield bream, whiting and flathead, with a chance of a jewie around Brisbane Waters. Prawns, mud crabs and blue swimmer crabs will continue to be active this

The lakes have been full of bream in recent weeks. Although most are tiddlers, there have been plenty of average size fish like this. We can probably expect the same this month. Of course, that may depend on personal preferences, but in reality, nearly all of the species you’re likely to encounter in this part of NSW are really on fire right now. Unlike the previous few years, we’ve had something much closer to a ‘normal’ summer, which means estuary water temperatures and conditions have remained warm and favourable for most species. Our main warm water angling targets are bream, whiting and flathead, and all three have been around in good numbers, taking baits and lures. Unless it floods or some other disaster occurs, these species will be feeding

be thinking about trying lures for bream, this is the month to do it. Surface lures, soft plastics, hardbody crankbaits or vibes will all get smashed. What will I be casting? My bream arsenal over the coming weeks will mainly be Ecogear ZX30 vibes, Ecogear PX55 surface lures, 45 to 50mm surface poppers (a few different models) over the shallow flats and I’ll also be fly casting in the lower reaches of the creeks. I would also highly recommend using top quality baits like local prawns, pink nippers, blood worms and fresh strips of garfish, tailor or mullet. Fishing at night with good bait around structure

month. Tuggerah Lakes have been producing some good muddies in recent years. I don’t doubt that’s a result of a number of floods and all that rain we’ve had, in combination with the more open channel mouth at The Entrance. ROCK AND BEACH As the nights become noticeably cooler, the ocean currents remain very warm at this time of year. One of the best aspects of rock and beach fishing right now is that you’ve still got the warm water currents and species hanging around, but the annoying north easterly winds tend to back off more. This allows us to fish more comfortably and effectively. With the warm water around, sharks and rays have been reasonably common along the beaches in recent weeks. Sure, sometimes it may be fun to hook into these critters, because it gives us a decent battle and may be particularly appealing to young anglers who enjoy the buzz of line being ripped off the spool. However, the more serious anglers after mulloway or tailor generally

Numbers of tailor should increase along the beaches, inshore reef and shallow rocky points this month. see sharks and rays as bait and time wasters. Aside from that, we should be seeing an increase in numbers of tailor and bream in the coming weeks. A few mulloway have been caught on our beaches right through the warmer months, but normally they show up more as water temps just start to cool off a touch. In fact, all three species tend to kick in a bit more as we move into April and May, but I’d definitely be chasing them this month. Bonito, kings, frigate

As the days get shorter and the nights a bit cooler, we should see a few more mulloway turn up in the surf zone. This is only a small schoolie from Budgewoi, but there’s always a chance of a much bigger specimen in autumn.

mackerel and mac tuna should continue to move close in around our headlands and major rock fishing spots. Although each year can be different, I’d rate March pretty much the same as February when it comes to these pelagics along our part of the coastline. OFFSHORE Offshore anglers will also be relieved that the north easterlies are backing off a bit now and they don’t have to be at the ramp quite so early, due to the later sunrise times. This just makes things a whole lot easier, so you can concentrate more on fishing instead of beating the wind or beating into the wind! We have an abundance of species worth chasing this month. Many offshore boats will still be sticking in close, chasing the same pelagics as the rock hoppers. However, there’s always a chance of marlin, close in or out wider. If weather and sea conditions are calm, staying out after sunset can also produce some good mulloway at this time of year, so keep that in mind. All in all, regardless of exactly where you are fishing or what you’re chasing, the next few weeks should produce the goods, so get out there and enjoy the good times.

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NSW

A good time to expect unexpected catches SWANSEA

Jason Nunn

Off our coast here are hundreds of little baby black marlin, ranging from around 10kg to 20kg+. There have been good catches on the inshore reefs in around 20-30m of water. There was a report here just the other day of a little black being caught between Swansea bar and Moon Island. Anglers trolling for bonito around Moon Island have also encountered those small blacks. The standard way to catch them is with a 7/0 circle hook, and a good hard shock leader from 50-70lb (fluoro preferred), and no more. Some guys use wind-ons, but because these are little blacks we’ve been using 10kg line tied to a little crane swivel and the leader attached to that. As well as overheads, you can catch them on a spin reel which can hold around 300m of 10kg because they don’t take heaps of line. People are putting braid on their egg beaters and top-shotting 30m of 10kg mono for a bit of stretch. For consistent success you’ll want to use live bait, either live slimies or live yellowtail if you can’t get slimies. The little blacks have also been caught on floating pilchards meant

There are still some whiting around. Image courtesy of @hook__in. for snapper on the inshore reefs (we should start to see a few more snapper on our inshore reefs this month). The blacks have also been taking live baits fished on the bottom for jewfish. A few people have been keeping their marlin, but the eating quality isn’t particularly good – give me a snapper or tailor any day. There has been a good mixture of species caught over the last month or so. Recently a spotted

Tagging Tales Suntag is a world leading citizen science volunteer fish tagging program that is part of an Australian program that has tagged over 1,000,000 fish and was the first volunteer program in the world to reach that milestone. Data collected through the program is used to improve our knowledge base of recreational fishing by providing near real time information

on the status of coastal estuaries and inland impoundments. Thanks to the fish, we can provide you with some interesting stories that they tell. A CREEK MANGROVE JACK PREFERRED AN ISLAND LIFE This mangrove jack decided enough was enough after being tagged in Repulse creek in North Queensland and found a new home in the waters of

mackerel was caught at Moon Island in amongst the bonito, and there have also been a few Watsons leaping bonito mixed in, plus a few mac tuna. The odd wahoo is being reported as well. The water temperature on the beach is currently 23°C, and the water is aqua blue. It doesn’t get any better than that. If you want to chase bonito, a good way is to anchor up with a berley trail and use floating pilchards

(which will catch snapper as well). Alternatively, you can cast white soft plastics or chrome lures into the schools. You can troll for them as well with little white feathers, pink skirts or deep divers. One deep diver in particular that works very well on these fish is the Yozuri Crystal Minnow. When people tell me they want to catch bonito, I say “this is the lure for you”, and then the person comes back for more.

On the pelagic front, there should be some good fishing ahead in the coming weeks because our water temperature should hold fairly steady. We can expect dolphinfish (mahimahi) catches to improve, with a better class of fish on offer. At the time of writing, most of the dollies are small, but there should be better fish around this month and into April. Areas such as Swansea FAD and the outer trap line will become productive this month, with fish anywhere from 5kg+. Dollies can be caught live baiting, or you can throw dead baits like pilchards or troll little 4-6” white or pink skirts. You can also get results on small, pink tinsel jet head lures. Late February is traditionally when we start to see tailor along our beaches and our coastal rocks, and March is tailor time. In recent weeks we’ve been seeing fish around 40cm+, which bodes well for the month ahead. It’s possible it may be delayed due to the warm water, but it’s more likely that we’ll see quite a few tailor coastally this month. There are still a few whiting and dart around, and quite a few bream now as well. And now that flathead have finished their estuary spawning, we’re starting to see a few flathead move out of the estuary in Lake Macquarie

and Swansea channel. From there they like to spill around the corner and lay on the back of Blacksmiths and Belmont Beach. From there, most of the flatties move out to sea and get in on the back of the inshore reefs, seemly recovering from their exertions. They typically move back to the estuary in May/June, joining the resident flatties that never left the estuary. At the moment there are plenty of kings in Lake Macquarie and Swansea Channel. Good catches are being reported at the dropover, and the cardinal markers are also holding relatively good numbers of kings. There are a lot of fish under 65cm (undersize), but they are still good fun. We are starting to see a slight uptick in squid numbers, but they’re still patchy (it’s possible that the huge influx of freshwater may have killed the larvae). We haven’t heard of any spectacular catches, but there are a few more being caught in the lake and the channel. If it’s ever going to happen it will happen in March, so watch this space. When we do the next report I’ll hopefully have good news on this front. March typically sees bream numbers start to build. It’s when we see travelling bream move along our coastline and start to come into the lake in earnest. We should also

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the Lindeman Island group. Wouldn’t it be amazing to know what its movement were in those 1117 days it was out between captures? WHAT TO DO IF YOU CATCH A TAGGED FISH The information you will need to report your recapture is. The length of the fish and the location it was captured. Get a photo if possible. To report the details of your recapture you have two options: Call 1800 077001 or go to http://crystalbowl. infofishaustralia.com. au/suntag/recaptures/ recapture_form_1. html and fill in the form. In return you will receive a certificate providing the details of the tagging and recapture of your fish, as a thank you for providing the information.

68 MARCH 2023

NSW

Fishing action is red hot as the weather cools ILLAWARRA

Greg Clarke

I love March as the water is still hot, the days are calm and warm, you don’t have to get up too early and there are swarms of fish of every type available, no matter what type of fishing you pursue. Offshore is the place to be, but with so many options available it is hard to make up your mind as to which species to chase first. Most are opting for the mahimahi around the FAD, as it seems to be the main attraction. If fisheries are reading this, another in the local area wouldn’t go astray to alleviate the pressure on the one out there at the moment. Mahimahi from rats of around a kilo to fish over 15kg are providing the bulk of the action, with some larger fish mixing it from time to time. With so many mahimahi about a few marlin have been hanging around the FAD as well, and they can be tempted with a large slimy mackerel slow trolled around the area, that is if a big mahimahi doesn’t get it first. A small mahimahi doesn’t make a bad live bait either! Trolling live slimy or frigate mackerel around reefs like Bandit, Wollongong and the southeast grounds off Shellharbour should produce the odd late marlin, while large lures or live striped tuna (if you can find one) trolled out over the shelf around the Kiama Canyons could produce a big blue marlin or a solid black. On the days when

there is a bit of warm blue current about, wahoo, small yellowfin, striped tuna, mackerel tuna and even a stray sailfish or short billed spearfish is not out of the equation. A few spotty and Spanish mackerel have again been reported around the close in reefs, but many more are missed and passed off as bite-offs from big tailor, so a bit of light wire above the hook after a bite-off may well pay dividends. Live yellowtail or mackerel baits used early in the morning around the islands have been producing some good kingfish action, but there are plenty of undersized rats for every good fish. If you can find some frigate mackerel and

troll them live in the same area, you could hook a big king, but they are hard to land due to the shallow and rough nature of the territory. Knife jigs are a good bet out on the deeper reefs as an alternative, so there are plenty of kingfish options available. Don’t be surprised if you hook a stray cobia or two in among the kings, as they seem to show around this time most years. If you like tossing lures about there is plenty of action all along the coast around the headlands and along the back of the beaches, just keep an eye out for the birds and look for those tell-tale splashes on the water as the big fish chase the baitfish. Schools of salmon,

see the mullet start preparing for their run, which generally occurs in mid to late April. In the lead up to this event, the mullet seek each other out and form big schools in the bays and river systems. A school of 20 might become 80, and before you know it there’ll be a mega school of 10 tonnes. Then they run en masse. I’ve seen schools run out of Swansea channel that have been a kilometre long, tailing and jumping. Sometimes they get to the heads and turn back, other times they stream out and get netted, and other times they just go straight to sea. It’s quite a sight. The mulloway will start to build as well this month because, like many migratory predators, they are tuned into the mullet run. There are already a lot of school mulloway in the lake, and now the bigger mulloway

will start to move into the estuary and ambush the mullet schools. With the mullet packed so tight, it’s an unmissable opportunity for predators. There have been quite a few small snapper in the lake, and it’s likely that will continue. I’ve been getting reports of quite a few fish in the 45-55cm range, with the odd larger specimen in the mix. Over the last couple of seasons there’s been a bit of a resurgence of these lake snapper, which is great to see. There are still a few crabs around, and March isn’t a bad time to have a crack. Remember that any jennies in berry (carrying eggs) must be released. Finally, the Big Fish Bonanza has been run and won. A total of 116 keen anglers descended on the town to vie for a host of great prizes this year. There were over 60 marlin tagged, mostly juvenile blacks, and the majority were caught in the top of the bight

towards Port Stephens. A few striped and a couple of small blues made up the remainder of marlin catches. Other notable captures included a 367kg tiger shark, a 324kg whaler and a 61.5kg yellowfin tuna. Thanks to all the sponsors for supporting this great annual event. • 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 competitively-priced selection of new and secondhand 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.fishermans warehouse.com.au.

When using whole pillies and a little bit of light wire, you may score a stray spotted mackerel this month. bonito, tailor, frigate mackerel, trevally, mackerel tuna and kingfish are all on the top sometimes, churning the water to foam. Small slices, tiny baitfish lures and soft plastics cast into the schools can keep you busy for hours. Putting down the anchor over the shallow inshore reefs and using some of the tuna for berley and bait has been rewarding for those

like pigfish and sweep. The sand all along the coast has heaps of flathead on the bite, with a few gurnard and even some nice flounder, particularly off Port Kembla and Windang sand patches. When drifting for the flatties, try a two-hook rig with bait on the bottom hook and a soft plastic on the second. It is amazing how many trevally, small mulloway, and even bigger flathead you can pick up doing this. On the beaches it is heaven, with warm, still days and heaps of fish. Grab some beachworms for whiting, dart, salmon, flathead and small mulloway and if you add a few pilchards or tuna pieces to the mix, you can expect the same, along with tailor and trevally. Big mulloway are mostly nocturnal, but a few better fish over 10kg have been caught in the daylight hours lately, so anything is possible. The northern beaches have been producing solid mulloway during the evenings, with plenty of small sharks stealing rigs in between fish. Large soft plastics worked in the deeper gutters have also accounted for a few fish just on dusk. Which beach to fish? It doesn’t really matter, as

and even the odd marlin is still possible on live frigate mackerel or big slimies. Lure tossers have reported for bonito, mac tuna, salmon and a few tailor, there are even a few longtails about very early or in the late afternoon. The tuna have been caught using live yellowtail or slimy mackerel for bait, and they will get better later this month and into April. For a bit of fun, head down to the local harbours at Bellambi, Wollongong, Port, Shellharbour and Kiama and join the throng casting tiny slices and baitfish copies for the frigate mackerel as they zoom in and out of the harbours chasing small baitfish. They are great sport and make great bait for bigger fish. Later this month we should see an increase in big bronze luderick along the ocean rocks as they start moving along the coast to spawn. Just about any wash will hold a few, along with some solid drummer to keep you on your toes. Bread berley works well on both species at this time of the year too, with most choosing to use the crust for bait. In the lake and Minnamurra, there are still plenty of flathead taking soft plastics and poddies,

There are plenty of nice flatties over the sand and small reddies on the reefs this month. after snapper, trag and small samsonfish, particularly during the evenings. A few nice mulloway have also been getting in on the act, along with the everpresent hammerheads and whaler sharks that are very active at this time of the year. Drifting over the reefs off the northern suburbs and around Port Kembla and Kiama has seen plenty of action in the form of small snapper, mowies, trag, trevally and samsonfish, along with the regular reefies

all the beaches have been producing over the past few weeks. Off the rocks it’s more of the same, with surface speedsters headlining the news. Bass Point has bonito and salmon schooling, with frigate mackerel and a few kingfish and tailor, while up at Hill 60 there are bonito, salmon, kingfish, frigate mackerel and even a few mackerel tuna. Kiama is the pick, with its deep water providing live baiters with good kingfish

with heaps of whiting at the entrance to both systems. In the backwaters there are mullet and garfish available if you use a bit of bread berley, with some solid bream starting to show in the deeper holes. There were even some decent runs of prawns over summer, so the next dark moon might throw up a few more. That just about covers it, and if you can’t get a few fish this month, give up and take up lawn bowls! MARCH 2023 69

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The best time of the year BATEMANS BAY

Anthony Stokman

Autumn is a great time of year, thanks to a combination of favourable temperatures, wind and good fishing. Now with all the added rain over the last couple of years, leading right up to last summer, we have seen some good spawning going on. The rain slackened off just in time for a great summer, with good fishing and prawns on the run. We had a few cooler days and a bit of rain here and there, which nearly delayed things more, but overall the sun got on top and gave the added ingredients to make a good summer. The bonus is that the good run of fish and prawns could continue into

rock ledge in the dark, with my headlamp on. The first thing was to get as much bait as possible into the rock pool before the sun rose above the horizon. This required preparing berley and rigging a set-up to catch them. Generally, there would be plenty of bait up against the ledge before first light, so this made them easy to catch. You can’t dawdle though – once it gets too light the livies move away from the ledge and out, and then you are left with rubbish fish coming to the berley. Be early! Once there was enough bait in the pools or even before, I would send one out under a balloon to get the party started. At this time the light would be starting to creep above the horizon. Once there were enough livies in the pool and one

out under the balloon, it was time to get out my favourite casting rod and tie on a shiny silver metal with a glow belly, like the old 60g Sea Rock lure. I’d glow up its belly under the light of my headlamp, and watch it launch through the sky as it was still dark enough to see it glowing as it flew through the air. Everything was done meticulously and with precision because that first hour or two before sunrise could make the difference. In this scenario the best outcome is to get the bite before sunrise or just on sunrise. , but if that doesn’t happen it doesn’t matter, because you’ll be prepped and ready for the next few hours or into the next tide change, and you know there’s nothing more you can do than that. Sometimes it’s a waiting game – waiting for a school

Harry Young has been finding the bass. This one was caught on a ZMan FrogZ. autumn. The marlin have been in great numbers up and down the coast, and the mahimahi are frequenting FADs, buoys and anything floating. Kings are kicking around the place, snapper went a bit quiet, estuaries and lakes are red hot and now we wait for the wave of pelagics. In autumn we see the pelagic fish such as bonito, mac tuna, kings, frigate or, if you are lucky, longtails rounding up slimy mackerel and yakkas off our ledges and headlands. It’s one of the highlights of the season. I used to get up before sunrise and drive to a chosen location, armed and ready. It was like a ritual – I would arrive at the location and go through the motions down at the 70 MARCH 2023

to come along, or at least a salmon or tailor. And if worse comes to worst, and the morning goes on with no bite, you can change things up a bit and go for some drummer or bream. Either way, it’s a great way to spend a Saturday or Sunday morning in autumn. Looking ahead, with the way things are building, I’m expecting to see the ledges fire up this March and into April. We had a reasonable run last year and I’m tipping this year to be even better. Get yourself a nice 9’, 9’6” or 10’ to 10’6 rod that casts lures from 20-100g like a rocket, and a rod that has the power to handle a kingie. Match it up with a nice spinning reel like a Stradic SW or Saltist MQ spooled with 40-50lb braid and then you will really enjoy spinning off the ledge this autumn. The other land-based option that will be red-hot this autumn is the estuaries. After such a good summer run it’s a no-brainer that this will continue. The estuaries are full of bait and prawns, and there are plenty of fish on the run. Flathead, bream, estuary perch, trevally, whiting and mulloway will be on most people’s hitlist, and it’s a list that’s very well attainable with the way the numbers are. Then next best landbased option is our beaches, and strangely enough this has been one of the slowest areas. Beach fishing in summer catching whiting is as Aussie as wearing thongs, holding tongs and drinking a VB. However, this summer they started very slow and were a bit late to kick in. On the upside, this means we might see autumn getting some good beach whiting action. The beaches have been

Happy Ending and crew went 7-7-5 on this day. good for night fishing for sharks, and sharks have also been getting caught in the estuaries into the night, which we typically see at this time of the year. Mulloway are also being targeted at night in these locations, and as the mullet start to move up the coast we might see some mulloway action on the beaches. The offshore fishing will continue to be red-hot in the coming weeks, with a great marlin run that’s currently happening, good mahimahi at the FADs, and the odd little yellowfin tuna popping up. Now all we need is the kings

It’s marlin season and they are here in good numbers, just ask Jed Forrest.

to switch on to make an awesome autumn. Plenty of marlin have been captured, tagged and released. Livies, skip baits and even lures have been producing the goods. There have been so many fish that we have seen a bit of a lure comeback. That means there have been tons of fish dropped because of the lure strike rate, but it doesn’t really matter when there are so many fish. The more prickly, lighter gauge lure hook is starting to become more used now, and anglers are finally starting to see it makes a difference with hook-up rates. If you are going to troll lures then using the thinner light gauge hook from VMC or BKK is definitely the go. A tip for offshore fishing when chasing dollies at the FAD is to use 4-6m of leader if you have braid on your reel. Short leaders will pull hooks and drop fish, while long leaders will set hooks. This is a conversation I have been having in the tackle shop lately with customers having this problem. We are entering the best time of the year. Get out and soak it up. Enjoy! • For more up-to-theminute 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).

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Now is the right time to get out on the water BERMAGUI

Darren Redman djsxstreamfishing@bigpond.com

Every fishing location has a time of year when the action is red hot, and right now that’s the case in Bermagui. A range of fish species is on the chew at the moment, presenting sometimes too many options for anglers. Offshore reef and light tackle sports fishing is excellent. Flathead, snapper, mowies and gummy sharks are plentiful,

with most areas producing, and some other species are mixed in as a welcome bonus for bottom fishos. For sportfishing enthusiasts, kingies are in good numbers around Montague and rocky outcrops along the coast, with bonito, salmon, tailor and other small pelagics being encountered either by trolling or casting lures in similar areas. Soft plastic jigging offshore is still very popular for fish such as kingies and snapper, and a host of other species thrown in. Light

spin and baitcaster outfits are all that’s required for an angler to have a lot of fun from this popular form of fishing. There is no doubt in my mind that March is the best month for fishing the rivers and lakes along the South Coast. Fish species are feeding vigorously in order to gain body weight before the onset of the cooler months. Anglers wishing to toss lures will do well on bream and flathead, while the bait fishos are right in their element for most

species. Try using rubber prawn-style lures, because at this time of year the prawns in the estuaries are of good size and plentiful.

and can be used in various ways. Pillies can be cut into small pieces and thrown into the water, as well as being punched through a

life and water temperatures have the bass feeding aggressively. It’s that time of year where black crickets are emerging, and anglers

Flicking nippers will result in multiple hook-ups and mixed species.

Wallaga Lake keeps producing quality bream.

Early morning is the prime time, as predators look for remaining stragglers from the night-time activity. Berleying is a great way to attract fish, and can be done both in the estuaries or off a beach. Striped tuna, mackerel and pilchards are very good for this form of attracting fish,

berley bucket along with the tuna. If you don’t have a bucket, just use a small mesh keeper net and make some cuts into the fish to allow it to break apart. This works very well on the beach in conjunction with the wave force. Lots of fun can be had in Brogo too, as the insect

can take advantage of this by using them as bait, or imitating them with lures and flies. A good time to fish is in the afternoon and into the night, and early mornings can be productive, too. The magnificent beauty of fishing this area at this time of year is the balmy To page 73

Racking up the species TATHRA

Darren Redman djsxstreamfishing@bigpond.com

If you like to chase a variety of fish species, Tathra is the place for you. It’s quite possible to rack up multiple species in a very short time. A good way to accumulate several

different species is by hugging the coastline or doing some rock hopping. Fish encountered may include small tuna species such as stripies, bonito and mac tuna. In addition to this, frigate mackerel, kingfish, salmon and tailor often make their presence felt. Underneath these fish you may find mid-water species in the form of snapper or

trevally, which are only too willing to pounce on an artificial jigged down deep. If you are shore based, the wharf is a good starting point (just be sure to get there early to avoid crowds). Both lures and live baits are producing the goods. Between there and Kianinny Bay boat ramp you’ll find many a good rock platform in which to use similar

Aussie salmon are a favourite and can be caught in many different ways in various locations.

There is whiting on offer in both the estuaries, or on the beaches. 72 MARCH 2023

methods. Here the predators regularly patrol the fringes in search of small baitfish. If surface action is quiet, you can try bait fishing from the rocks. The area is famous for its drummer and groper fishing. Having a boat gives you more scope to go further afield. Once you leave Kianinny, there are many rocky headlands to target, with the best way being to troll. Trolling allows you to cover more water to find where fish are concentrated, which will often be around

bait schools. Once you have located the fish, you have several options at your disposal. You can stay on the troll or try other methods including jigs, lures, or bait. A boat also allows you to go further afield if things are quiet in close. Autumn is a great time for billfish, with the warm currents bringing black and striped marlin in very close to shore as they follow the bait schools. Keep an eye out for showing schools of this bait, as it will often mean there is a predator in the area. You then

can match the hatch with either lures or bait. Moving away from sportfishing, there is good table fare on offer for anglers wishing to target bottom-dwelling species. Snapper have been in good numbers up off Goalen Head and south to White Rock, with some mid-range kingfish mixed in. Flathead are also on the chew, with plenty of sandies out from most beaches, while the tigers are out in the deeper water. The deeper water To page 73

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From page 72 (Bermagui)

clear weather, the multitude of fish and of course the variety of fish on offer. There is action on the high seas at the moment, with most days out of Bermagui at this time of year producing stories of marlin fought, lost, captured, or tagged. Everything is here – blacks, blues and striped – and nothing is more spectacular than a mighty blue carving up the water or a striped greyhounding. And blacks, well they are just spectacular! The Twelve Mile Reef is the prime spot at present, especially for striped marlin, although blacks may be encountered close

to the coast, with those big blues patrolling out around the Canyons. Lure fishing is probably the simplest way to encounter a billfish; many fish are being taken in this form, and a lot more raised. A good spread of lures working the deep water out beyond the Shelf will attract any willing blue, often with spectacular results, plus you have the added bonus of picking up tuna species and shortbilled spear fish. As good as lures are, when marlin congregate around bait schools, live baiting becomes the number one option. Slow trolling live mackerel and small tuna will tempt any

marlin’s taste buds, and there’s always a friendly mako or two only too willing to sample a wellpresented bait. For the most spectacular form of bill fishing, go to switch baiting. This is done by running hook-less lures, often sweetened with a belly flap from a stripy sewn in to taste. Once the marlin come up on the lures, you allow the fish to grab the lure briefly before removing it from the water and replacing it with a bait. It’s really good fun. Not only are the marlin on the chew, so are a lot of other species, and now you can fish for them as you wish.

When there are prawns around it’s obvious what to use on flat fish of all types. From page 72 (Tathra)

is also yielding some nice gummy sharks. Back on shore, the Wharf has plenty to offer the kids, with mackerel schools visiting regularly to keep the kids entertained. Beaches are

also worth a look – there are plenty of salmon, whiting, bream, and the odd jewfish to be targeted on most of the popular beaches. Moving into the estuaries most of the systems within the area are firing particularly well, as fish look to feed in

Flathead are available in the ocean, off the beaches, or in the estuaries.

earnest to condition for the cooler months ahead. This is a great time for anglers to cash in with which ever style of fishing they like to pursue. The Bega River is fishing particularly well for both lure and bait fishos with some excellent bream and duskies being taken throughout the tidal reaches, while up in the brackish to fresh sections bass and estuary perch are making their presences felt. To the north Wapengo Lake is having a great season with most estuarine species being encountered. In the lake drifting with baits or casting some plastics will produce plenty of flathead with the odd flounder thrown in. Over the flats bream are on the prowl while in the channels on the low tides most species will get into the act berleying using striped tuna being a favoured way of finding fish. Down towards the entrance have a look at high tide as salmon schools often take shelter here providing good sport. Adjacent to the entrance of the Bega River along the beach, whiting are plentiful and of very good size. Accompanying them are bream, trevally, mullet, salmon or tailor only too willing to eat a tasty beach worm.

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Tips for more fish in warm water BATLOW

Wayne Dubois waynedubois@westnet.com.au

Blowering Dam has been a very popular spot over the Summer months with many families taking advantage of the free form camping that the lake has

If you’re having no luck off the points try and find some sort of snag or tree. Not just the big obvious clumps of snags that everyone notices, try to find a single solitary tree as more often than not even a small, spindly tree can hold twenty or more fish. Also it is less likely that these types of single snags have

Bait fishing for Murray cod has been quite productive of late. It’s a great way of giving yourself a chance at a trophy-sized fish on those super hot days.

Sight fishing to giant carp with tiny soft plastics on light line is addictive fun. It will be worth a shot this month. to offer. Amongst all the water sports happening on the lake you could find persistent anglers. Dealing with the very warm weather and the non-stop boat activity was quite difficult at times but those that did were rewarded with some very good catches. The main species being caught is the good old redfin but there have also been plenty of natives caught of late as well. Some of the natives being caught are of good to very good size with plenty of golden perch up around 15 pounds being caught so far this season. I have also heard of quite a few Murray cod over the 120cm mark being landed and released as well. The majority of the Murray cod that have been landed of late have been caught by trollers and lure casters at night time. REDFIN Bait anglers chasing redfin are doing well off points on small yabbies, maggots and worms but bigger yabbies in the 8-10 centimetre mark are many anglers’ favourite as they keep the pesky little redfin from stealing your bait, which can be a real problem at this time of the year. Casting small lures like Rooster Tails, Celtas, Bling Spins, small soft plastics, blades and small lipless crankbaits from the bank around points can also be productive. 74 MARCH 2023

already been flogged from other anglers like the more obvious snags. Trolling with almost any small hard bodied lure should see you stumble across a patch of redfin and once you have located a school try to position your boat within casting range and then cast to them until they stop biting. This is the best way to get big numbers. Best lures to troll while searching for redfin are lures that run comfortably at about the 3-5 metre mark, such as the

locally made Stuckeys, size #3 Stump Jumpers, Double Downers, AC Slim Invaders, Viking lures, Ballista lures and the good old lipless crankbaits. Jigging is another popular and super effective way of targeting redfin and can be very rewarding when the right tree or patch of rocky bottom is located. Best lures to jig for redfin include most soft plastics, lipless crankbaits, spoons, redfin jigs, blades, rubber vibes and ice jigs. There have been plenty of jigs made over the years and all have worked and still do work to some degree on redfin but I am yet to see a jig land more fish on a consistent basis then the ever reliable ice jig. These are the greatest jigs ever invented in my opinion and they have caught me thousands of redfin over the last few years alone. I’ve said it before and I will say it again if your tackle box doesn’t already contain a heap of ice jigs then I strongly

recommend adding at least a handful to your arsenal. GOLDEN PERCH Most golden perch at Blowering dam at this time

Young Benny with his first ever fish, a beautifully marked little Murray cod. He is now hooked on fishing and can’t wait to go at any chance.

Casting little lures like this Bling Spin from the bank is a great and cheap way of getting amongst the redfin. of the year are in fairly deep water which can make targeting them fairly difficult at times.

Mud lines or milk lines like this are created from wave, wind or boat activity. This location concentrates food into a small area, and active predatory fish will be found feeding hard there.

When there is a lot of boat activity to add to the stresses of high water temps and dropping water levels a lot of the golden perch seek out cool deep water that has structure of some description. Their favourite structure during the warmer months seems to be standing timber as this provides shade throughout the entire day. These tree hugging fish can be targeted jigging with either bait or lures. Bait anglers using yabbies have been clued onto this phenomenon for years and are normally the only ones consistently catching golden perch during the hottest months of the year. But this need not be the case as more and more people are discovering that these shadehugging yellas will also hit a well presented lure. Slow rolling soft plastics up the sides of standing timber that is either adjacent to a drop off or is in 5-15 metres of water depth will put you in with just as big a chance of landing a yellowbelly as the

bait fishos. There are all types of yabby imitation plastics on the market and all these when rigged and used correctly will catch fish, but minnow style plastics such as the Ecogear Grass Minnows are deadly on shut down golden perch and are my first choice whilst targeting them this way. Slow-rolling spinnerbaits and lipless crank baits in the same areas is also worth a shot. Trolling the banks early and late in the day with small to medium sized lures can also get you in on some golden perch action during March. MURRUMBIDGEE RIVER The Murrumbidgee River above Wagga Wagga has fished sensationally so far this season. There has been a fairly steady, descent flow in the river most of the season which has kept the natives very happy and willing to hit most things cast in their direction. The usual baits like bardis, shrimp, worms, yabbies and cheese have been working all season but it has been the sensational lure fishing action that has made this season so good. Lure fishos have been catching natives on pretty much everything, especially trollers who have been catching them on everything from hard bodies and lipless crankbaits through to spinnerbaits and chatterbaits. Casting lures into snags has also been working really well and the pick of the casting lures has been the spinnerbaits and chatterbaits, but hard bodies and big plastics have been getting amongst them as well.

NSW

Right now it’s time to March ALBURY/WODONGA

Connor Heir

Finally, we’ve seen many of our local creeks and rivers start to return back to normal flows and clarity after a long wait. And with more regular flows and better clarity, naturally comes better

well worth the wait. Over the past few months I’ve been mainly fishing Lake Mulwala in preparation for upcoming competitions held there, however with the small water systems starting to clear up it’s been impossible not to go foot trekking and doing river floats in the kayak and punt. I have been getting

A swimbait-munching clear water cod. fishing opportunities for we Murray cod anglers. As previously mentioned in reports from the past few months, good system flushes are super important and beneficial to a waterway’s health, which improves fishing once these flushes pass through. However, for the past year or so it’s just been rain after rain, keeping our local systems high and dirty. But now, we really do have some excitement brewing, many of our local systems are flowing nicely again, and the fishing is proving to be

some really good numbers of fish from the rivers and creeks locally lately, and I’ve heard reports of other anglers landing over 50 fish for weekend trips around the region. Numbers like this are crazy, and it’s so good to see this happening across many different waterbodies too. March is always a good time to be on the water, especially the rivers and creeks. Typically, the days start to get a bit cooler, making it easier on anglers to spend large amounts of time on the water, and fishing in March on the numbers side of things seems to always be one of the best months to get good numbers. The best thing to do is just explore, find public access points, and plan floats or wander on foot. There are countless places to fish around our region, you just have to get creative and adventurous with it. The recent flows have created some really good opportunities so we might as

well make the most of it! Obviously, some days will be slow, while on other days the fish will be switched on. Patterns become more noticeable with certain weather trends, flow, clarity, and water temperatures for the waterways fed by impoundments. Another factor I’ve always been influenced by is the activity of cicadas. This year we have seen a later than usual cicada hatch, which means these critters will continue to sing in our ears for longer than usual. In my experience, when the cicadas are going mental, much of the time the surface

By-catch yellowbelly are common in the rivers at this time of year.

Rhys Wilson with a small water cod from a recent trek he did with the author covering nearly 10km of water. Bone Focus 130 swimbaits have been a standout on these fish. It’s been so good to be back in the punt doing river floats again. After the systems have had bulk flushes, the fish are in fine shape.

fishing in particular will be more productive. To wrap it all up, I am predicting that March will be

a nice, productive month on the numbers side of things. I’m super excited for what’s to come, and touch wood

there will be no massive dumps of rain to put us back in the waiting queue again. Tight lines.

Waterways and fish in transition HUNTER VALLEY

Nick Price

This month I will discuss transition fishing. As I write this report, the water temperatures have not been as hot as they usually are at this time of year, and the bass are being found on the edge. They can be caught with reaction style lures such as spinnerbaits and square bills, but lipless crankbaits have been the real standout. The trick to catching the fish is finding the fish. This might sound like an obvious statement, but the fish are found in patches at the moment, and seem to be in schools of year classes that are all of similar size. When you find a patch of fish and catch one or two, keep working that bank and you will pick more up. Lately the fish

have been located in steep banks covered with heavy cover in the form of larger trees (not spindly bushes). They seem to be in the deeper water, 10-20m, and I assume that’s because the water temperature is more stable at this depth. The shallows have a wider temperature range with the hot days and cool nights. I have been mainly catching fish on squarebills and TN60s. The squarebills

are very snag-resistant and bounce off the timber. When bouncing off the timber they cause a small sediment explosion, and this excites the fish. Often the fish hit just after the squarebill bounces off a snag. When using a Jackall TN, make sure you trick it up. Put a blade on the TN to give it a bit more flash. This can be in the form of a beetle spin, or you can replace the back treble with a bladed

Trout fishing is one of the best forms of stress relief.

treble. We have plenty in the shop as they really make a difference. Make sure that you use heavy leader; I use 20lb for this type of fishing. The bass are very aggressive, and even a small bass will brick you in the timber. There are many large carp in Glenbawn at the moment, and these fish are very aggressive. They are being caught on everything! Lots of people are targeting them with bait and achieving cricket score numbers, while the lure fishers are catching their share when chasing bass. I like to chase the carp with the fly. They are great practice, there are lots of them and they go really hard. If you have not tried this I recommend you give it a go. The trout are in serious trouble in the more marginal streams in the Upper Hunter, with a distinct lack of rainfall and associated increase in water temperature. To catch trout consistently at the

A fantastic first trout caught on a soft plastic. moment I would recommend moving further up towards the Barrington Tops, where both the ambient temperature and water temperature are cooler. After three La Niña years, the trout have done very well and there are some large specimens in the 2kg range to be found. Here’s praying that the rain continues for not only the farmers’ sake, but also for the trout! April is a month where the fish are moving more to

the edge. Next month I will further explore transition fishing. The fish are not on the winter bite but are getting close. Remember, if you’re heading up to the Barrington, Glenbawn or St Clair, please drop into the shop at the turnoff to Glenbawn in Aberdeen and ask about the different techniques and what they are biting on. We stock all the quality tackle that you need. MARCH 2023 75

NSW

More than one way to catch cod NEW ENGLAND RIVERS

Adam Townsend

The New England area received some solid rainfall at the start of February. This gave the creeks and rivers a well-needed flush, as the water levels were sitting low and the snot weed was starting to build up pretty thick in some spots. With the summer season now over and autumn just kicking off, the fishing conditions will be noticeably different, with both the heat and algae levels sitting a lot lower now. It’s now more comfortable for anglers who want to head outdoors and spend some time on the water.

Swimbaits worked at a slower pace always catch their fair share of big fish this time of year. It is worth having one or two favourites in the tacklebox. bass over the eastern side of the range, all within a short drive of each other in country terms. The local impoundments have been fishing really well in recent weeks, and March should not be any different. Local keen anglers Dino and his son Mitchell Petrie had the experience of a lifetime while out on the water one

Head first down the hatch! Imagine what that yellowbelly thought when it had three big cod chasing it at once.

Mitchell Petrie with a cracking 96cm Murray cod that ate his 45cm golden perch mid-fight! At this time of year, the fishing opportunities amongst the Great Dividing Range are endless. Almost any of the creeks and rivers

from the Queensland border right down south will pretty much all hold some type of fish species, whether it is a stocked species or not.

You can encounter Murray cod, redfin perch, golden perch, silver perch, eel-tailed catfish, trout as well as carp in the odd rivers, and With some snot weed (didymo) still sitting in certain spots, it can be productive to use floating hardbodies or weedless frogs, which can be worked slowly above and through the weed beds.

Father and son duo David and Olly Henry with an awesome catch – a black marlin caught out of a kayak at South West Rocks. 76 MARCH 2023

afternoon. After hooking a 45cm golden perch, they witnessed three big Murray cod attacking the fish that had just been hooked, and within seconds, a chunky mid-90s cod had swallowed the yellowbelly head first. After fighting both fish and successfully landing them, they realised the cod had only been hooked by the yellowbelly’s dorsal fin! After a few quick pictures, both fish were released separately to fight another day. One thing’s for sure, you don’t get to experience something like that by sitting on the couch. The following are the New England dam levels (current at the time of writing): Glen Lyon Dam 94%, Copeton Dam - 88%,

Pindari Dam - 93%, Split Rock Dam - 100%, Keepit Dam - 93% and Chaffey Dam - 100%. With a handful of the local impoundments sitting below 100% capacity now, there are lots of positives as well as a couple of negatives to take out of it. The positives are more camping spots available along the dam’s edge, more structure to catch fish out of, and (if the fish are not biting) looking for lures along the banks in rocks and snags. This can be very fruitful. One of the negatives worth mentioning would be the really soft edges along the dam as the water first drops. This can usually bring a lot of keen anglers unstuck as they try to unload

and load their boat. To avoid this, it can be a good idea to stick to the boat ramps and main tracks for the first few days. With so much bait life around at the moment, and rivers and impoundments in such good condition, there has not been a standout lure amongst the rest, as most methods have been working well. Surface lures, hardbodies, spinnerbaits and swimbaits are all good options, however having a good variety of lures is always helpful for the right situation. The full moon will be above on the 7th of this month with the new moon falling on the 22nd. Goodluck to all getting outdoors this month and Tight-lines.

ACT

Canberra

More anglers ditching the online rat race at present. There are piles of redfin sitting about 5m off the edges along Diddams Close and near the old police jetty, and they are hitting all manner of lures. The fish range in size from 15-40cm, and it is possible to run up a cricket score in a few hours of fishing. I had a lot of success simply drifting my kayak and lifting a ZX blade in a slow arc off the bottom. If the fish didn’t hit on the lift, they hit the lure on the drop. There have also been

CANBERRA

Toby Grundy

I’ve pulled back from the social media fishing scene of late. There was a time when I was building a reasonable presence online, and while I was lucky to dodge the trolls (for the most part), I have witnessed several unsavoury discussions revolving around everything from whether or not a fish was a cod, trout cod or hybrid, through to negative comments on people’s choices related to tackle and tactics. Most of the very best Canberra anglers have long since abandoned social media, and keep their catches on the down low. I know of one Canberra angler who

The dawn surface bite has been excellent of late. fished slow near the bottom. The cod are sitting in the usual spots, with the wharf at the Governor General’s residence and adjacent points proving to be profitable hunting grounds for cod fishos casting from a boat. Lake Tuggeranong has copped a bit of rain recently, but this has been good as the oxygen levels in the lake

Big presentations have been deadly.

Sam Hancox has landed several large fish over the past month. recently landed a 124cm cod from the bank at Googong and followed it up with a river metrey the next day, which took his tally to over 30 metreys landed during his short angling career. When I asked if he was going to post the images online, he laughed and shook his head. I completely understand. Fishing (for me anyway) is about getting away, not competing with anyone or attempting to one-up other anglers. The thrill of the hit is all the rush you need, and the last thing anyone wants is for some online troll to try to bring down other people’s angling experiences. I expect many more anglers will realise this as time goes on. With cod season now well and truly in full swing and all Canberra waterways fishing well, I hope the attention will stay on the fishing rather than the dross that appears in online forums. LOCAL LAKES Lake Burley Griffin is really starting to fire. This is great news as the lake really does offer something for everyone at the present time,

fishing through the night. MURRUMBIDGEE RIVER Despite the rain, the river has continued to fish well. There are lots of small cod around, and these fish are acting aggressive as they are feeding up in preparation for the cooler months. Paddler and winged style surface lures are producing lots of strikes, with many smaller specimens also hitting much larger lures intended for bigger fish. The fast water is the place to start

from the novice through to the experienced angler. There are plenty of small to medium sized redfin holding close to shore along a variety of locations across the lake. I hadn’t fished the entrance to Sullivan’s Creek for some time, but I finally went back last month, and found a great reddie bite. The fish were switched on to wriggler-style plastics, and it was simply a case of casting out near the sunken weed beds and I usually got a hit

on the drop. I also picked up a small yellowbelly. Speaking of yellas, there are some nice fish holding off the points behind Weston Park. There is one particular bay at the back of the park which is fishing really well. The water flows from the park down to the lake via a small waterfall, and the golden perch hold right in close to the flowing water, looking for an easy feed. These fish will readily take a ZX40 or a paddle tail plastic

The author with a small surface crunching cod.

The fast water is the place to start. have improved and the fish have come on the bite. Now is the time to target redfin on surface lures along the margins of the lake, with the wharves behind the college being the best place to flick small poppers at dawn and dusk. There have been a few nice cod caught by boat fishos targeting the drop-off that’s 10 or so metres out from the dam wall. Most cod have been fooled into taking a spinnerbait, but there have also been a couple of crackers caught on surface lures. The golden perch have been a bit quieter around the edges, but there are plenty of small golden perch schooled up in the middle of the dam, and these fish seem to be hitting every lure that is dropped down in front of them. Lake Ginninderra is a boat/kayak fisho’s paradise

if you’re fishing at dawn or dusk, but the traditional snags like half-submerged boulders are also worth several casts, especially if you’re casting spinnerbaits during the day. SURROUNDS As mentioned earlier, there have been some massive fish caught at Googong. Both boat/kayak and land-based anglers have had some serious encounters with big greenfish in recent weeks. Most of the really big metre fish have been landed by those slow rolling large plastics in around big snags, but swim baits are also getting plenty of attention

There are many smaller models around. some stonking golden perch caught by land-based anglers walking the margins near the dam wall, and hopping creature style plastics along the middle of the water column. A few nice cod have also been landed by those

from the resident goodoo. The redfin are feeding in packs and can be caught using blades, vibes and wriggler style plastics, while the golden perch are cruising the shallows and will hit a medium-sized swimbait. MARCH 2023 77

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Anglers enjoying great catches of kingfish numbers of flathead around Bridgewater, and some gummies mixed in. Goodsize snapper, school shark, gummies and macks are being reported back towards

PORTLAND

Nigel Fisher

What a crazy time it’s been in Portland. There has been a big influx of fishos hitting the town, chasing kingfish, school tuna, makos and some great table fish such as whiting, flathead and snapper. In the past month or so we have seen some great kingfish being caught, ranging from rats up to 1.2m. No doubt there are some even bigger models getting around. The main area this year has been out the front of the town’s water tower, and the town reef area in shallow water. This has given most anglers the chance at having a go at this great species. The north shore around the AB arm to Julia Reef has also been a good spot. Most of the kingfish have been caught on live baits such as slimies and yakkas. Slow trolling with cone teasers or daisy chains

Evan with a 55cm snapper caught in the harbour while fishing with his family. experience the opportunity of seeing a white pointer cruising around the boats as it checked out what was

a shark as big as a white pointer. Hopefully we will still get some warm weather and light winds so the kingfish action will continue throughout March. We have still seen good school tuna around the anchorage north shore to Julia Percy Island. Most have fallen to skirted lures and hardbodies. Some anglers have also been throwing stickbaits, soft plastics and even jigs to mix it up a bit. The tuna fishing should only get better through March, and hopefully some bigger fish will be caught in the coming weeks. Pinkie snapper have been good along the north

shore Minerva Reef to Julia Reef. Some good 30-50cm fish have been reported, with plenty of smaller ones in between. Some great whiting, trevally and sharks are also in the mix. The bay and harbour have also been fishing very well for these fish. Land-based fishos have been catching kingfish, salmon, whiting, snapper and the odd gummy off the wall. The guys fishing the beaches have also had some success on sharks, snapper, whiting and trevally, just to name a few. The deep water fishing has also been very good, with excellent

Shane caught this 92kg mako from the deeper waters off Portland. This was a solo effort.

Paul with a couple of cracking kingfish caught off the town reef area. seems to do the trick. Other anglers have anchored up with berley trails, sending out fresh or live baits under floats. This approach has been accounting for some good captures. Some anglers also got to 78 MARCH 2023

Cape Nelson lighthouse. Out at the shelf, when weather permits, you can pick up a great feed of blue-eye, pink ling, gemfish and makos.

on offer. A few of the guys got an even closer look as the pointer showed an interest in their motors. It seemed inquisitive rather than trying to hurt anyone. We must respect these great animals and use common sense when dealing with

A nice catch of kingfish taken on a charter trip with Matty Hunt Fishing Services.

All these species should fish well throughout March and again, hopefully the winds and tides will allow some great deepwater fishing. Remember that Portland also has some great inland fishing areas pretty close at hand. For a start, you have the Fitzroy and Surrey rivers, and then not too far away the Glenelg River system for bream, estuary perch, mulloway and more. There are also some freshwater areas a couple of hours’ drive from Portland, so come on down and check it all out, and catch yourself a fish. Cheers and happy fishing. • For all your bait and fishing needs, call into Portland Compleat Angler and say g’day to the crew. You will find us at 61 Bentinck Street, Portland, or you can contact us on 03 5521 1844. You can also follow us on Facebook.

VIC

Bream and whiting are dominating bags COBDEN

Rod Shepherd

When the winds allow, boaters are getting offshore and getting stuck into some serious fishing. King George whiting have really made their presence felt of late with the odd fish measuring a whopping 55cm. In depths from 4-10m, many boaters are drifting with long shank but sturdy baitholder hooks with a strip of squid topped off with pipi meat. Once a fish has taken the bait, the anchor is dropped and the berley bucket is lowered over the side to sit just off the bottom. Placing the berley bucket off the boat’s nose rather than off the stern allows the berley to flow under the boat and reduces possible tangles with set baits if lowered off the stern. Apparently, there are plenty of undersize pinkie snapper about when chasing the whiting and can be a

Plenty of Hopkins bream about in all sizes taking almost anything on offer at the right time and place on the river.

nuisance but sooner or later the bigger ones will move in closer to shore so it pays to have a sturdy hook when chasing whiting as you never know what might come along and steal your bait. From 35-70m depth over a rubbly bottom or actual reef sees the bigger snapper at the moment along with school and gummy sharks. Again, fresh squid is the number one bait. Speaking of squid there are a few about so don’t forget the jigs. Flathead, morwong, nannygai and leatherjackets are the quality by-catch here. Yellowtail kingfish have made their presence felt with fish to 14kg responding to trolled lures over inshore reefs. Slimy mackerel baits rigged and towed behind a slow moving boat are also taking fish. Often where there is one, the rest of the school won’t be far away so others on the boat can consider casting to following fish once the original fish is boatside of course.

Boaters are launching off Boat Bay at Peterborough, Warrnambool and Port Fairy. The Hopkins continues to produce bream, perch and the odd mulloway as the waters continue to calm down after the rains and the fish remain on the bite. Plenty of bream are up for grabs with most fish averaging from size up to 34cm with the odd fish weighing in over a kilo. Bait remains the number one option, and don’t the bream love it! A recent trip with good mate Bruce Roberts saw us catch at least 30 legal bream in a session and if you want to count the just undersize fish, over 50. All fish released. It was a great day as no matter where we went, we caught fish; as long as it was upstream as these fish want to spawn. Bait such as brown shell, Port Fairy shrimp preserved in sawdust and even packet frozen prawn and pipi worked on the day. So too did scented shrimp patterned soft plastics but to a lesser extent.

Flathead are biting deep all along the coast APOLLO BAY

Craig Rippon

Fishing in Apollo Bay has been red hot over the last few weeks with all species being on the bite right along the coast. There have been some really nice flathead caught, some fish reaching 60cm. The larger fish have been caught in deeper water between the 55-65m mark.

There have been some arrow squid out there also and some small couta as well. Close along the beaches have been some nice schools of salmon with decent sizes averaging around 3lb. There have been a lot of boats trolling for them but they have also been caught off the beaches on bait and casting lures. Whiting have been on the go mainly on the morning change of tide or late arvo tide. I have found it better fishing

the stronger tides with the fish biting really well on fresh squid and pipis. The cost of the pipis is getting up there now, around $17 a kilo – so I cut them in half and put a bit of squid on as well. Moving your bait a bit helps if the whiting are a bit tentative but once they get going, they have been biting fairly hard. I have been using berley to start off with but when they get going, take the berley out of the water. There are a lot

of small pinkies about which love berley, so I put the berley back in if the bite slows down as it usually doesn’t take long for them to get going again. Kingfish are normally around this time of year but so far not many reports of any action. There have been fish caught along the coast a bit, but they are still slow here. The out reefs have been firing with great reports of bag limit catches of snapper with some fish pushing 6kg. Fresh

bait is the go with plenty of squid about and fresh salmon. The fish are well spread, in depths of 30m out to 65m of water. Gummys have been caught in the same areas. For best results, try anchoring either side of the tide change and use fresh salmon fillet on a 8/0circle hook. The new pontoons in the harbour are working well. There is a lot of squid ink on them and it gives you good access to a bit deeper water

down there. It’s been good seeing so many people using them as it also gives us so much more room to launch and retreive the boat. The parking is still a bit of an issue in the busy times of the year but I’m not sure what can be done. Overall the fishing is going strong here at the moment with all species on the go. The weather has been good despite a few eastly winds.

Late summer blooms big WARRNAMBOOL

Mark Gercovich mgercovich@hotmail.com

Things have just started heating up finally in the South West recently, and hopefully the good fishing will continue into March, which is still a great month to target the

summer species locally. The summer run of tuna is back again with fish present right along the coast. It is amazing how close these fish come to the shore, and it’s now common to encounter schools of fish in anything from 5-14m of water. It is a great opportunity for anglers in smaller boats to be able

The Killarney quadrella: tuna, king, salmon and squid.

to target hard fighting game species without the need for long runs out to sea. As always, some days tuna can be very difficult to entice, but keeping moving from school to school is the best option, rather than continually hassling the same school trying to entice a bite. We’ve found smallish poppers that throw plenty of splash to work the best. Occasionally we have caught fish by tossing a soft plastic in behind the popper when there are fish tailing it but not striking it. Kingfish have been a little inconsistent this summer, here one day gone the next. But what they have made up for is their size with plenty of metreplus fish being taken from all the regular locations. As well as the kingfish and tuna, there have been schools of decent sized salmon cruising the coast with both boat anglers, as well as landbased anglers at Killarney, hooking in. Overall it seems a

pretty bad time to be a baitfish at present. For those targeting bottom fish the gummies have been regular captures for those in closer, whilst those journeying towards the shelf on the all too rare super flat days have been taking all manner of tasty critters like blue-eye, gemfish and hapuka. Bream fishing has been okay without being exceptional recently. March can be a great time to chase estuary perch in both the fresh and saltwater sections of the Hopkins River. A warm calm evening can produce some exciting surface action whether using lure, fly or floated cricket baits. The attraction of this style of fishing has an extra incentive with the possibility of tangling with a bass. Bass have never been officially stocked in the Hopkins and don’t occur naturally but a number of fish in a variety of size ranges have been turning up in the past

Will Versace with a quality shorebased Killarney salmon. few seasons. If you are lucky enough to hook a good one you’ll be amazed how hard they go. On an unfortunate note there have been a few

carp encountered throughout the system. If you do catch one of these make sure it doesn’t go back and is disposed of away from the water. MARCH 2023 79

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Old favourites are loving the warm water fantastic with some real whoppers approaching a kilo in size. Chris notes that Portarlington Pier has been fishing well for king

GEELONG

Neil Slater slaterfish@gmail.com

March is a great time to fish the region. The water is at its warmest so kingfish and tuna are getting everyone excited while the old favourites, snapper, flathead and whiting have been going great guns. The region has copped more rain keeping the Barwon River in Geelong less than clear in town. Clarity improves slightly the further upstream you go. The 2018 release of estuary perch have found their way a fair way upstream and some are approaching 28cm. they can be caught in numbers

Manish and his son Aideanna are all smiles with the big gummy they caught on Queenscliff Fishing Charters.

George heaving this gummy caught off Portarlington. on some days and other days they’re very fussy. Small minnow pattern or single tailed soft plastic lures have worked well when they’re in the mood. Redfin to 35cm have

there has been a fair run of silver trevally and King George whiting. The trevally were nudging 50cm last month and lately around the 40cm mark. The whiting have been a little sporadic

as well. Surf Coast anglers have boated quality fish to 4kg drifting in 30 to 55m and the shipping channel inside Corio Bay has also produced fish to a similar size. David Curwood flicked me a message asking what was biting as he had a few nights at Mannerim and was dragging his tinnie down from Melbourne. I figured the whiting and squid had best strike rate at the time but he was keen on snapper so I suggested the shipping channel. Talk about a hot tip! David and his mate hooked six solid fish boating three of them up to 76cm using pilchards! David says they hit the water at the crack of 10am and had the mad session for an hour after using old pilchards with his hands covered in 2-stroke and sunscreen. Preparation is the key here folks. Corio Bay seems to be teeming with pinkie snapper from undersized bait stealers to 35cm fish. Point Henry, Point Wilson, Curlewis and Stingaree Bay Spoil grounds for boaties while land-based anglers should try Limeburners and St Helens rock walls, Cunningham, St Leonards and Portarlington piers

have all produced pinkie snapper on pilchard fillets and soft plastic lures. Rod Beer loves fishing around St Leonards and managed to land a ripper gummy shark that weighed in at 16kg recently. A lot of the big gummies caught on the Bellarine are out deep and love a bit bait of fresh salmon if you can get it. Chris Pitman from the new Drysdale Bait & Tackle says the squid fishing off Clifton Springs has been

80 MARCH 2023

but mostly showing up on the incoming tide in the bottom half of the estuary. Pipis or pilchard fillets will get you in with a good chance at the silvers while squid or pippies puts you in the frame for a feed of whiting. Snapper have been biting well in the region

Dave has done well on the gummies off Barwon Heads this year.

David had a hectic 1-hour session on the snapper off Clifton Springs and kept these two 76cm models.

Rod with a ripper gummy he caught fishing off St Leonards. been caught by anglers using single tailed grub plastics up around Queens Park. The technique here involves keeping the lure as close to the bottom for as long as possible with small movements of the rod tip to entice a bite. Further downstream in the Barwon River estuary,

found on the local jetties and lately has had a crack at drone fishing! Gummy sharks have been fairly busy inside

For the Skurka family, fishing at Princetown wasn’t easy with the easterlies but they made do.

George whiting and a few pinkie snapper to 50cm. Chris has had a few goes at the Clifton Springs whiting and noted they were on the smaller side while the larger fish have been caught closer to Queenscliff. Eleven-year-old George Ross loves fishing out off Clifton Springs with his dad Lenny. On a recent trip, the father-son team boated a pair of solid gummy sharks and a good sack of whiting to round out a fine seafood basket. Lenny says George loves fishing so much that he can often be

Port Phillip Bay, along Bass Strait and down the Surf Coast. Dave Reynolds fished with Grant Greenwood where they boated four solid gummies before 9am fishing the spoil grounds off Breamlea in around 50m of water. At this depth, squid is great bait as it hangs on after those pickers have had a peek at your bait. Manish and his son Aideanna were fishing in 5m of water on board Queenscliff Fishing Charters and Scenic Tours when Aideanna’s rod screamed off. It was going so hard, dad took over for a bit and fought what turned out to be a solid gummy shark right to the boat. As soon as the gummy hit the deck, Aideanna claimed the catch – well done Aideanna! The southern bluefin tuna and kingfish have been hot to trot in the region. Tuna round 15kg have been fairly common but some 40kg models have shown up from Breamlea to Anglesea in around that 30m mark. Green teasers and/or green skirted lures seemed to be doing the most damage out there. Mick Allardyce had a day out off Barwon Heads recently where he found plenty of smaller kingfish in 16m and lots of pike

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over the shallow reef areas. There has been some larger kingfish around the 10kg mark caught by anglers jigging and live baiting in the Rip. Top live baits include calamari

by-catch by anglers trolling for tuna or they can be caught trolling or jigging reef areas. The team at Trelly’s in Geelong suggest Anchoring up in 20-30m with a

continued his good form out at Wurdee Buloc Reservoir near Moriac bagging redfin to 35cm casting vibe lures. The reservoir is still nice and full so well worth a look if you’re chasing a few reddies. Work colleague Michael Helwig hiked up Cumberland River near Lorne in search of trout recently. Michael’s lure was inhaled by a beautifully marked brown around 30cm first cast which made the hike well worth it! The Commodore of Lorne Aquatic and Angling Club says the flathead are jumping in the boat at Lorne with good numbers of tiger flatties amongst

them. Those targeting flathead have also caught a lot of small gummy sharks which is good news for the years ahead. Snapper are also biting well with a fair few over 4kg for those fishing deep. Whiting have also moved in and some quality fish have been caught by boaties fishing around the reef areas. The Lorne Pier is really fishing well with big snapper, whiting, trevally, flathead gummies, calamari and one bloke even landed a 1.3m mako shark by walking it along the pier back to shore so it could be gaffed! I dropped in for a brief spin off the pier after I

First cast Cumberland brown for Michael.

You’re going to love your new Savage. The oldest Wurdee Buloc has produced redfin Hugh. You’re goinginto love for your new Savage. The how oldestto build name Australian boating, knows namestrong, in Australian boating, knows how to buildout on are a workhorse and small, but legal length berleyreliable trail units canthat attract strong, reliable units that are a workhorse out on salmon. Make sure you the them andThey’re dropping back to get you water. built tough where the water. They’re builtsquid toughstrips to get you where have quality tackle as they an unweighted you want to go and then get back to where to go tempt and then back to where have been testing it you out. want should a get kingfish you need to be. With a great day’s fishing Out off Barwon Heads, home George and his dad Lenny with their you need to for be.dinner. With a great day’s fishing and fun in between. kings have been caughtand as fun has Clifton Springs seafood basket. in Hugh between.Hanson Time proven design features offer strength, durability Time proven design features offer strength, durability and safety at prices that seem like ‘mates rates’. and safety at prices that seem like ‘mates rates’.

inhaled a salad roll in town and had one angry salmon attack my lure without hooking up. Other anglers had caught salmon to around 40cm on bait and lures while I was there. Adam Skurka had his yearly trip to Princetown where he found the easterlies making beach fishing difficult. He did manage a few salmon to 50cm though so still had his traditional fish and chips in the campground.

FISH HARD 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 997 348. 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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MARCH 2023 81

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Marching on strong PPB WEST

Alan Bonnici alan@fishingmad.com.au

March should continue to see a trend of good fishing locally around Port Phillip Bay and the surroundings of Melbourne. Whether you are fishing in the bay, estuaries or local lakes there is plenty of great fishing opportunities still, with many species fishing well. We should also see some more enjoyable weather for fishing. Let’s start by talking about whiting, as the whiting fishing has been exceptional lately. Big bags of whiting and often chaotic fishing action have been a feature, especially on evenings around tide changes. I’ve loved being out targeting them and this has been a common theme with many local whiting anglers I chat with regularly.

Areas including Werribee, Corio Bay and the Bellarine Peninsula have been fishing well. I’ve had several bag-out

sessions, chopping and changing between baits and soft plastics. Whiting are being caught in record numbers and perhaps

Whiting fishing is on fire at the moment.

The author with an awesome redfin.

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this is a testament to the commercial netting banning coordinated by fisheries in recent years, which we knew would eventually provide some amazing results for locals. Either way anglers around Melbourne are very happy as the action has been frantic. I’m also noticing a positive pattern of better sized whiting this season in these areas, and certainly finding the bigger ones on soft plastics. Whiting on soft plastics will really surprise many, as they hit and fight hard, much

It’s pretty crazy, so if you can catch whiting using alternative baits that might be a good option. Whiting might just be my favourite thing to eat in Port Phillip Bay, and they are truly underrated fighters, especially if you use appropriate gear, which in my books is nothing heavier than a 1-4kg rod, 2500 size reel and 8lb line. It also makes the experience far more enjoyable. The usual hot spots continue to be places like St Leonards, Clifton Springs, Avalon, Wedge Spit and Point Wilson. That

pace and spent some time this past month land-based fishing for redfin. The humble reddy brings me back to my fishing roots. It was the first species I targeted and caught with soft plastics and I’m still fond of them today. I’ve been mainly fishing the upper reaches of the Werribee River, but also snuck in a few sessions at Melton Reservoir, Pykes Creek, Stoney Creek and Moorabool Reservoir. The redfin bites have been most frequent in the evenings, particularly on balmy days. There have been some quiet

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harder than pinkies and flathead. Worm and crab imitation soft plastics can be irresistible to a local King George whiting. The usual staple baits including pipis, and much cheaper alternatives including freshly caught squid or purchased mussels, also work great. When did pipis get so expensive!?

whole shoreline between Werribee and Bellarine Peninsula is fishing well, so don’t be afraid to avoid the boats and find your own patch. It will often take a few small moves to find them, but when you do you will hopefully enjoy the chaotic whiting action. To keep things interesting, I have changed

sessions and some chaotic moments. I managed to catch several redfin over 40cms in one session after putting in the hard yards without much action. It’s really rewarding when you can work your way through those quiet sessions and end up with a haul of great fish. I’m still yet to crack that

VIC

Variety of species on the chew PORT PHILLIP

Gerry Morsman

March is arguably one of the best months of the year when it comes to being able to catch a bunch of desirable species consistently. The whiting are hard on the chew, snapper are starting to fire back up before leaving the bay, and other species like gummy sharks,

has really started to get going again out wide in the shipping channel in around 20-22m of water, which is to be expected at this time of year. The majority of the reports have been coming from Mornington at first light and late in the evening. Silver whiting seems to be the pick of the baits, while fresh squid and pilchards are getting the job done also. Be sure to get your berley going before

of water over the mud, but these reports are few and far between at this time of year. There are a lot of man-made reefs all the way through the bay, and while these hold a lot of small pinkies you can still get lucky and find a good school of larger feeding snapper on them. You can actually find a lot of the GPS marks for these reefs simply by using Google. Moving down to Avalon

some great reports amongst the broken ground and sand holes in around 3m of water. Pipis and mussels are the go-to baits in these areas, especially if you want your rods to just sit in the rod holders. If you don’t mind being a bit more active, using a squid strip and slowly rolling it over the sand proves to be quite effective when the whiting aren’t so fired up. Bird Rock at Mt Martha has been fishing really well also using the same method. The great part about Bird Rock is you can fish this area land-based also.

Silver whiting at first light has been the key to catching snapper wide off Mornington.

Anthonys Nose at Dromana always produces great whiting around this time of year, and it’s a very good place for land-based fishos because you can park your car and fish right there. If you are going to use pipis while land-based fishing, I strongly suggest putting a squid strip on after you put your pipi on, as this will help to keep your bait on when casting a long distance. Portsea has been fishing really well in between the point and the pier on the run-in tide. You can fish this spot throughout the whole

day. Sorrento in between the moorings has been good, and so has Blairgowrie just outside the harbour near the poles. SOUTHERN CALAMARI The calamari are starting to come back in big numbers, especially around the Safety Beach area and all the way through to Mount Martha. Although these squid aren’t usually very big in size, they are very big in numbers. A 2.5 sized jig has been the better of the sizes, with the red and gold foil jigs doing most of the damage. Green is also a hard colour to go past, especially around the Mornington area.

If you want to chase the bigger models, head straight down to the southern end of the bay where things are much more tidal. The smaller squid generally find it a bit tough in the faster-flowing waters, but the bigger ones have no problem at all. Finding structure is quite easy! You will generally see the bottom in anywhere from 3-6m, and if you can’t then it’s quite easy to just have a look at your sounder to find the ground you are looking for. GUMMY SHARKS The southern end of the bay around Rye in the south channel has been a go-to spot lately for gummy sharks anywhere up to 25kg, and if you are lucky, even bigger! Sitting on the edges of the channel is the go using fresh baits if you can get them. Fresh baits such as Australian salmon, yakka, squid or slimy mackerel are ideal baits. Gummy sharks have a very good nose on them, so getting a fresh bait out in tidal areas such as Rye is crucial to having a successful fishing trip. The rig of choice has been a running sinker rig with an 8/0 circle hook. Make sure to pin your baits with plenty of the hook showing, allowing that ultimate hook up. As you move closer to the entrance near Portsea, the same actions apply just as you would if you were fishing Rye.

fun and I’ve caught many reddies and will continue to target them over the coming month. It was a strange snapper season once again to finish 2022. We had unusual weather patterns and surrounding floods from systems like the Yarra and Maribyrnong made it quite unpredictable at times. Towards the end of March, we should start to see another small run of snapper enter the bay. This is because the water temperatures will start to decline from the current temperature of around 22 degrees back to a temperature that snapper thrive in, which is usually between 15 -18 degrees.

This pattern should continue through to April and be done before May. The fishing during this time can be exceptional, so get out as often as you can and always have your bread-andbutter species like whiting, flathead and squid in the back of your mind if the big reds aren’t playing ball. It’s a great time to be fishing, with so many different local fish species biting, so get out there and enjoy yourself! • Until next time, good fishing everyone. Feel free to contact me directly to share your fishing experiences, photos and catches around Melbourne, Port Phillip Bay and beyond which we can feature in next

month’s article. You can contact me by email at alan@fishingmad.com.au. Please consider becoming a FishingMad member at www.fishingmad.com. au/member for fishing reports, workshops, podcasts, and exciting monthly giveaways. Also, don’t forget to follow my fishing adventures on the FishingMad YouTube channel www.youtube. com/c/fishingmad and social media on Facebook page www.facebook. com/fishingmad.com. au, Instagram page w w w. i n s t a g r a m . c o m / fishingmad.com.au and on Channel 31 Tuesday evenings at 9.30 pm and Saturday afternoons.

Blairgowrie has been fishing very well near the poles on the run-in tide. squid, garfish, kingfish and tuna are still very much on the menu for many anglers. SNAPPER The snapper fishing

first light hits, so when it’s feeding time the snapper get super fired up. There are still reports off Carrum in around 16m

Scott Humbles with a nice school sized snapper off Carrum. 50cm mark, but I’m getting close. Several this past month have been between 45-49cm. Staying on the move and targeting structure has been a key to finding them. Bright coloured curl-tail and paddletail soft plastics rigged on jig spins have been standout choices. At times I’ve also tried to match the bait source and gone with 3” minnows in natural colours. Anything that has good natural movement is good. I work them either slow rolled (painfully slow at times) or hopped off the bottom like I’m targeting bream. It’s been a lot of

in Corio Bay, there have been good reports of snapper being caught not only on bait but also soft plastics. Although fishing at first and last light will give you an advantage, reports say you can still catch them throughout the day. 5-7” jerk minnows have been proving to be deadly on fish up to 5kg. KING GEORGE WHITING If you are fishing in areas that aren’t very tidal, it’s crucial to be fishing either in the dark or first and last light. Port Phillip Bay has a lot of great whiting fishing, but as soon as you get high up the bay starting from around Dromana, the tide really slows down, and as you get into the shallow water there is no tidal flow at all. Mt Eliza has been seeing

These toothy critters are everywhere.

Amy Day with a solid set of whiting fishing Portsea. Squid strips have been the bait of choice.

MARCH 2023 83

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You don’t need a boat for autumn action boats and from all corners of the bay now that people have realized that you can catch calamari in any part of the bay. Gummies and schoolies had been at their biggest we have seen caught in the bay, but they disappeared for a while, with only the odd catch reported last month. We are still seeing gummies around the 4-6kg mark in the bay, but to find the bigger one’s you’ll need to head offshore. Most of the attention will continue to be offshore

PHILLIP ISLAND

Craig Edmonds

With the economy as uncertain as the fishing at the moment, it would appear that a lean 12 months is coming up for the tackle industry. That’s the line the government would prefer anyway. However, the best part of fishing is you don’t need to spend lots of money to get out and enjoy the fresh air. While you might not be able to afford to get the boat out every weekend, there is very little money needed to change it up and start fishing from the land. Land-based fishing can be a challenge and you will need different thought processes, but the rewards can be greater as well. There are so many places to fish from the land around Phillip Island and it would take you weeks to check them all out. There is also every species that you can target from the boat available from the land, you just need to put some thought into it and look. It’s a great way to kick-start your bait collection for next season, when hopefully fuel prices will be more affordable. You should already have all the necessary tackle from your boat, you might just want a few longer rods for land-based fishing. There is always an increase in land-based reports over holiday periods, and this year has been no exception. We have had a lot of quality fish reported and even an increase in numbers of some

Ava was all smiles with this 43cm whiting. of the better eating fish like flathead and whiting. We have even had several reports of kingfish from the jetties, with some customers now starting to target them and keeping very quiet about how they are doing it. I have one customer in particular that has been targeting them on the open side of the island near Kitty Miller Bay by casting poppers and stickbaits. The best he has landed so far has been 8kg, which he was very happy with. Calamari have been the species that, surprisingly, have not turned up like they normally do. Numbers have been low all season from the land, and despite

a couple of excuses with weather and weed there is no real explanation as to why. We have seen flathead and whiting showing up in more places and even a couple of pinkies from the surf at Kilcunda. On the boating front, it’s been tuna, kingfish and more tuna for the last couple of months, with everyone heading offshore when the weather has allowed. It has been a little different this year, with dozens of smaller schools of fish spread over a much larger area, and the bait has also spread out instead of being herded into balls. The kingfish are mixed up with the tuna, and it’s

Chloe with a quality tuna taken offshore. 84 MARCH 2023

either, and can be prepared in many different ways. They are, however, one of the most frustrating and challenging fish to catch. Easter is almost here and that means our Good Friday Appeal Fishing Competition is almost here as well. The comp has been growing over the years and our donation last year was over $4,000, which we hope to better this year! We have many great sponsors that make it all possible and many of our customers and their friends who help us get

no surprise to have a tuna and a king hit lures at the same time. Tuna sizes have ranged from 5-100kg and have been found from 12-70m of water, and between 500m-20km offshore from the western entrance to Inverloch. The lucky or smart anglers were heading out early and had their lures in the water just as they passed the red marker. After that they could fill up on flathead, then a have quick stop at the sand hill on the way in to grab a few calamari and whiting to finish off the trip. It didn’t always happen that way, but we did hear that same story many times over the last few months. Back in the bay and it’s business as usual, with elephants now showing up. The odd bigger snapper is still around, and tiny flathead, pinkies and gummies are steeling baits quicker than you can put them on. Overall, reports have been positive, with plenty of fish coming back for the table. Flathead only made an appearance in the bay in good numbers about five years ago, and they were all tiny, whereas now there is some real quality showing up and customers are reporting that they are catching half a dozen or so around the 40cm mark each session. Whiting have also improved over the last few years, and the condition of them just hasn’t seemed to have dropped off like it used to. While the calamari off the land have been slow, but there hasn’t been too many problems from the

Elyse loves chasing tuna, which have been available in good numbers. as we wait for the expected changeover between school tuna and the barrels that have shown up the last couple of years. The other offshore options won’t slow down, with traditionally settled conditions through to May and June a good time to head out for a feed of flathead, gummies and snapper, or to fill up the bait freezer for next season. If you’ve had enough of tuna or they just aren’t your thing, don’t forget to have a look around for some kingfish. Pound for pound its harder to find a better fighting fish, and they aren’t too bad eating

to the donation target. We designed the competition around the family unit, and no experience needed to get involved. You can fish from a boat, jet ski, kayak or just from the land somewhere with 100% of your donation going directly to the Children’s Hospital Appeal. There are sections for adults, juniors and small fry, with a few extras thrown in over the weekend and our much-anticipated hourly giveaways will be back! Melanie is gathering the sponsors and prizes, putting the prize list together and entry forms will be available via our socials or in the shop.

New horizons for stocked bass and perch We’ve just stocked more than 560,000 Australian bass and estuary perch fingerlings into 30 lakes and rivers, including seven waterways for the first time. It’s all part of our plan to stock another 10 million fish in 2023, like we did in 2022, thanks to your fishing licence fees and the State Government’s $96 million package to further improve fishing, boating, piers and aquaculture. Heyfield Racecourse Lake in Gippsland was stocked with 2,000 bass for the first time, as was Lake Elingamite which received 5,000. They are two of 19 waterways that shared in 319,000 bass. Five new waters welcomed estuary perch, with the Little River receiving 5,000 fingerlings, Lakers Cutting at Point Lonsdale 15,000, Upper Stony Creek Reservoir 30,000, Painkalac Reservoir 10,000 and Rocklands Reservoir 26,000.

For the full list of waters visit www.vfa.vic.gov.au/2022bassandperch

East Coast

VIC

The flatty fishing just keeps getting better GIPPSLAND LAKES

Brett Geddes b.geddes@bigpond.com

It seems that with the passing of each month I’m reporting in with more amazing stories of bigger fish and more of them! With commercial netting gone for nearly three years now, and two years of life-giving floods, I have to tell you the Gippy Lakes really is going from strength to strength, and the standout species this month are the whiting, black bream and especially huge dusky flathead. KING GEORGE ‘TINGS The whiting action has hardly slowed down over the last four months, but the sizes have improved for sure. Even as the coloured floodwater slowly clears from the western parts of this huge estuary system, it doesn’t really stop the whiting bite. Alison and Rod Tatterson make Lakes Entrance their home for about a month over their holiday break and they have got the whiting sorted. Using bits of prawn and pipi for bait, they have been bagging a ripper feed each trip. With her first cast for the holidays Alison wrestled in a cracker 43cm King George slab, and it wasn’t her only big fish for the day. It seems the whiting have yet to push up in towards Paynesville or

Raymond Island like last year, so the best option is to try from Metung down to the entrance. If you don’t get

fish in about 30 minutes, it pays to move until the bites come thick and fast. Often you get short bite windows,

Tyler Metherell released this ripper 77cm dusky then went and caught a heap more.

Sonny Brown is one happy angler as he shows off a PB smile and Gippy Lakes flathead.

so check baits after every enquiry, because there’s nothing worse than wasting valuable time trying to fool finicky fish on bare hooks. BLACK BREAM Slowly but surely the bream action is improving every week, mainly because of the waters clearing up but also due to the increased angler effort. Quite a few reports are coming through, with bait anglers having the best success using plain old frozen prawn. Lure anglers are also now starting to stack up good numbers of bream to 40cm. Most of the best areas are around Paynesville or Raymond Island and mainly up the Nicholson River. The good news is that bream are now showing up around Hollands Landing after nearly 12 months of constant flooding and the muddy water is slowly moving on and mixing with

a bit of cleaner saltwater. DUSKY FLATHEAD I can only describe the flathead fishing as out of control! From in town at Lakes Entrance right up to Loch Sport, which I understand is a huge area, but it shows you just how widespread the duskies are. The average size of these fish is staggering, and I have never received this much feedback from all the 19 years writing this report. Let me start with Justin Brown, who proudly watched his young boy Sonny pull in some whoppers. They had a cracking day with a nice run of flatties all around 50-55cm. They were all caught on soft plastics around the Sperm Whale Head area. Next up we have Gaven and Kerry Metherell, who for the last five years have sent me so many ripper

reports and stunning pics of their boys Brodie and Tyler. They caught 38 flathead over their holiday break, with most of them in the 50cm range. But notably, they also caught them much bigger including five over 60cm and three over 70cm, with the biggest going 77cm. You won’t get better family flathead action than that, and all of them were caught on lures! The big easterly winds played havoc with some outings, and Gav also said the flatty bite will only get better as the water clears in the weeks and months ahead. But the king of the Gippy Lakes flathead is my buddy Justin Dingwall, and I swear this man even thinks like a mega flathead and may even talk to them! He always has a knack of finding the biggest fish of any species and his last

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East Coast

The bluefin tuna have arrived PORT ALBERT

Brett Geddes b.geddes@bigpond.com

The big news that dominates most of the fishing talk here in South Gippsland is about southern bluefin tuna. The snapper are back for surf anglers, and the whiting are still thick at Port Albert, with rock and yank flathead filling bags again. There’s so much to report on! BLUEFIN TUNA Over the last six weeks so much excitement has been shared between anglers, with incredible numbers of tuna being caught from Welshpool right up to Golden Beach. The fish have ranged from 4-35kg so far, but I’m tipping they will only get bigger. They are right in close too, with large schools just 4km offshore and possibly bigger fish are out wider. Guru angler Andrew Simmons is known to all of us locals as Frog, and he has sent me amazing reports and great pictures of these stunning tuna. He says he caught most of his fish on surface lures just a few kilometres out from Port Albert. These tuna have shown up on and off over the last few years, but they have been in small numbers, not very big and not here for any decent length of time. This event is totally different, to three or four trips have proved this once again. He fishes a huge area of the lakes and this is key to his success and why he finds so many big flathead. He also uses big lures that attract the largest fish. Over two trips he landed about 20 flathead, and most of them were between an incredible

the point where you can head out each trip and definitely find them, but catching them may be a little more challenging. The real exciting thing is how far these fish are pushing east along our coast, and I’ve never heard of these huge schools just out from Golden Beach and now even Loch Sport. It’s another

great sign of this recovering fishery and we can only hope they become a regular event as the years roll on. It’s fair to say that there are no barrels of 100kg, and these fish here may not excite those over in the west of the state like in Portland or even out from Port Phillip Bay, but to just have them turn up here is such a significant

win for us locals. I’m also now hearing of big numbers getting caught just out from Welshpool, and I’ll no doubt have more on the tuna next month. SNAPPER ON THE SURF Just like last year at this time, the snapper have arrived and are now pretty thick right along the Ninety Mile Beach. Once again my buddy Frog has been the star of the show and took his two young kids down for a quick look after tea one evening. No drone was needed and over just one hour with a few surf rods they pulled in 12 pinkie snapper between 40-50cm. The trick is to find a few deeper holes along the surf, so you may have to do some searching before you hit the beach. Other anglers are telling me plenty of snapper are also coming in near Golden and Paradise beaches. The big easterly winds will back

The bluefin tuna have arrived in Gippsland big time, and Andrew ‘Frog’ Simmons has caught heaps on surface lures to 35kg. hardly ever put them down or in a rod holder! I see them move around at times to find the better schools, but they only move 30-40m at a time. The sad thing for me is that I can be anchored up quite close to them and at times I hardly catch a fish! It’s one thing to have a slow day hooking fish, but its demoralising when those around you fill bags in a matter of a few hours! I hope to pick their brains one day, but I have a feeling they will remain tight-lipped. At least I get heaps more rock flathead than my swampy old mates, but that’s because I use blade lures and search far and wide. During a five-hour session I will travel well over 5km in search of these delectable flatties and over my last six trips I’ve caught between 10-20 each time. Most of them are around 35-40cm, with the biggest pushing 60cm. I’ve also caught a handful of pinkie snapper, silver trevally and estuary perch while searching with the blades, and also big yank flathead to 70cm.

On this day the author landed over 25 fish at Port Albert, mostly rock flathead, perch to 42cm and a nice pinkie. 60-80cm, with his biggest going 87cm. Dinga told me he also spooked multiple fish, with some of them 90cm and better. His pictures prove that these are the best conditioned flathead we have ever seen from any estuary here in East Gippsland. They have smallish heads but huge

fat bodies, and at 870 odd centimetres they are all pulling like trucks with fast strong runs up to 20m long. Bobby Sproule needs a quick mention, as he has whacked some cracker dino duskies as well, and gets the by-catch of the month award by nailing a 53cm snapper on a huge soft plastic over 6” long! Frog gets the run around from yet another bluefin tuna caught on lure offshore near Port Albert.

The queen of thumper whiting Alison Tatterson with just two of the bigger fish she landed near Metung.

off this month and that will improve conditions for all anglers. The gummies and school sharks are still plentiful, and small hammerheads are also turning up now. WHITING AND FLATHEAD Port Albert is still the hotspot for whiting and on one occasion I watched two swampy old fellas anchor up in a deep channel near the town and land around 60 whiting to 44cm. They kept their bag and released the others, then headed home leaving the fish biting flat out. I see these fellas most times I fish the area and they rarely speak to anyone, but boy they catch the hell out of the King George whiting. I think they pump their own

nippers and those live baits must be deadly, because they use only one rod each and

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Check out hot spots for flathead BEMM RIVER

Robyn Sturgess

At the time of writing, the entrance remains open and the fishing is unbelievable. The channel, just past the storm hut, has been a hot spot for flathead, which have been taking plastics in recent weeks. The bream have also been biting well on frozen prawn in the Siberia and Mahogany area. Please be mindful that the water level is still low. For those who know their way around the inlet, Bobs Bay is producing nice flatties and bream. The river has slowed down but is still producing bream and perch further upstream early in the morning and late in the afternoon. The salmon and tailor are also great fun on the incoming

Good-size flathead have been taking soft plastics and bait.

tide at the entrance. All ocean beaches have been producing salmon, tailor and sea bream on the incoming tide. A warning to all anglers who fish with their creel over the side of their boat – the resident ‘Sammy Seal’ takes pleasure in taking all creels within his reach. As always, make sure your safety gear is up to date, and start thinking about booking your Easter holidays now as the season continues to improve. • 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.

A nice gummy shark and salmon.

Plenty of offshore catches MARLO

Jim McClymont mcclymont@net-tech.com.au

Weather permitting the offshore fishing has been great with anglers reporting good catches of flathead, gurnard, squid, barracoota, salmon, pinkie snapper, morwong and gummy shark, and that’s only the anglers who prefer to use baits. The game fishing brigade are having a great time fishing for kingfish on Marlo and Tamboon reefs, and this year for the first time in years schools of bluefin tuna have appeared in numbers and giving anglers plenty of action. As mentioned last time, the new boat ramp at Cape Conran has been very popular with the ocean-going anglers who have rated a great improvement. I’d also better mention that the entrance at Marlo is still navigable on a good day with a lot of boaters taking advantage

Good catches of bronze whalers are being reported.

MARLO

OCEAN VIEWS CARAVAN & CAMPING PARK

of a good entrance. With the good entrance, the fishing in the estuary is great with plenty of fish throughout the entire system. Most species are in abundance so anglers are having a great season catching plenty of bream and mullet up both rivers and up into Lake Coringle and Lake Curlip. Anglers are using several baits, including frozen prawn, sandworm, black crab, pipis and your secret baits. The anglers who prefer to catch their fish on lures are also having plenty of success using soft plastic and hardbodied lures. Ludericks are in big numbers schooling along the rock groins and mud banks, best results using sandworm. Estuary perch are in good numbers and can be found up both rivers schooling on snags and other structures. Best results using live prawn or lures. Dusky flathead are also in good numbers in the shallows along the sand flats that run from the Marlo Jetty all the way down to French’s Narrows, best results spinning with lures.

Anglers have been enjoying decent catches of gummy shark.

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Plenty of bream are being caught on bait and lures.

The reason the flathead are there is they are waiting for the prawns to move onto the sand flats before the run to the ocean on the right moon and tide. The flathead are not on their lonesome, plenty of anglers (and non-fishers) also are in competition for the succulent prawns for the dinner table. Salmon and tailor are entering the estuary on the incoming tide and giving anglers using lures plenty of action.

VIC

East Coast

Find the fish, find the action MALLACOOTA/EDEN

Kevin Gleed captainkev@wildernessfishingtours.com

The past couple of months have seen the fishing improve, both offshore and in the estuaries. With the water warming, the flathead have spread out, unlike earlier in the year where the fish were concentrated, which is great if you find them. Covering ground, whether you’re

fishing with bait or lures, is the key to coming home with a feed. Fish are being caught from well upstream out into the Top Lake, and plenty of fish are being found in all areas of the Bottom Lake. The black bream fishing has been a bit tough, but experienced locals have been getting amongst a few fish. It’s is not uncommon for the fish to keep moving. You can find them one day and they are gone the next. When searching for fish, once they

have moved on, your best option is to work your way either side of where the fish were found to try to establish whether the fish are travelling clockwise or anticlockwise. Fishing along the rock walls has been a bit slow, and once again, a lot of area needs to be covered to find the fish. Jewfish (mulloway) have been a feature during summer, and the moon around Easter is a great time

Richard Vucic with a nice mulloway. This is around the average size for Mallacoota.

to chase this species, either with lures or bait. Yellowfin bream and sand whiting are being caught in the Bottom Lake, and the entrance area is a great place to wet a line. Fishing the local beaches has produced a bit of variety over the past few months, with yellowfin bream and sand whiting being caught, along with the odd salmon and tailor. The offshore fishing has been good, with tiger flathead and sand flathead being reported in good numbers, along with gummy shark. Once again, finding the fish is the key to a good day on the water, so keep on the move until fish are found. This tactic, along with an early start, should put you in with a good chance of having a great day on the water. The local creeks and rivers have been providing some great fishing for bass over the past few months for those anglers prepared to put in the time and effort. Looking ahead, the Easter holiday period will see the tourists return once again before we head into the quieter winter period. Unlike the far south coast of NSW, the Gippsland region can offer some of the best fishing during winter, so it’s a great time to enjoy some good fishing without the holiday crowds.

A better than average size flathead caught on a soft plastic lure.

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Fishing after the flood ROBINVALE

Rod Mackenzie codmac@bigpond.net.au

With the Murray River returning to what’s considered normal levels, there is a strange quiet among anglings that parallels the last three floods. It seems our mighty Murray River once again swept by black water is all but barren of native fishes in many sections and ruled by an explosion of carp. While our native fish are unable to tolerate these toxic floods, the carp breed en mass and

Yabbies by the truckloads are on the bite in the Darling River.

A good bag of redfin taken from Lake Charm on the Bassman Jighead and soft plastic. with no natural predatory fish to keep their numbers in stock, they are now out of control. Where has this all gone so wrong? Pretending this has been happening forever is not lost on the river residents and anglers that have spent much of their lives seeing what is normal. It is also not lost on the fishing related businesses that have seen tackle sales spiral downwards since the first event in 2010-11. It’s not just the fish that are drowning in this toxic mess! Swan Hill reports from the Murray River this past month have been very mediocre indeed, with a single golden perch caught at Pental Island. Other reports include nothing but carp in the main Murray River. Local anglers are hoping this will change. In the lakes it’s been better news with Charm, Boga and Kangaroo all producing good numbers of redfin and golden perch on bait and lures. The Murray River at 90 MARCH 2023

Robinvale is producing carp, with no reports of perch or cod as yet. Locals are also hoping this will change. The Murray River at Mildura is producing a few small perch on bait and plenty of carp as well. If you slip downstream to Wentworth there are heaps of yabbies all the way along the main Murray River past the junction of the Darling River. The fresh flows of the Darling have been somewhat of a lifeline to much of the aquatic life from where it enters the Murray and flows downstream. There were plenty of reports of big dead cod downstream of these flows earlier on, but smaller fish and yabbies should be about in good number. The Fort Courage area was a great yabby destination after similar events in 2010-11. Some good perch were also caught down that way, as well as good numbers of catfish.

The Darling River has good numbers of perch responding to bait and lures. These were caught on the Bassman Tubby.

The Swan Hill lakes have been fishing well since December. Kelsi Gull with a couple of solid goldens landed on Bassman spinnerbaits. The Darling River continues to be the shining light when it comes to putting a bend in the rod or a feed in the pot. Good numbers of perch are still running in the river and taking bait and lures, and the yabbies are thicker than the hairs on a cat’s back. We

have had several great trips in as many weeks, and each and every time we have caught plenty of perch and more than enough yabbies. When you use the words normal and flood in the same sentence, this is what you get. An explosion of aquatic life that rejuvenates

the rivers and provides a bounty for all. A normal flood is just nature taking care of itself. I hope to have better news in my next report, as in my experience there are always pockets of fish that escaped the black flows. It just takes time to find them.

FISHING NEWS

Illegal fishers fined, and will lose car and boat East Gippsland’s estuaries are special places, and most people do the right thing by fishing responsibly there. However, some individuals don’t care about preserving the fishery, and often find themselves on the wrong side of the law. This was the case when two men and a woman have been fined a combined $24,000 and had their car, boat and trailer forfeited for using a large illegal net to take 100 fish in a remote East Gippsland river last year. In May 2022 Mallacoota Fisheries Officers responded to a report of three people using a long mesh net at Furnell Landing on the Cann River. The officers found hidden in the bushes, a mesh net more than 40 metres long and two coolers - one containing 70 fish and another 30. Most of the fish were bream and mullet, with some estuary perch and flathead.

Director of Education and Enforcement with the Victorian Fisheries Authority Ian Parks said the use of long mesh nets posed significant threats to local ecology. “This type of activity has the potential to impact fish stocks when used indiscriminately, particularly in small estuary systems,” he said. Mr Parks said after being alerted to the matter last year the investigating officers obtained a search warrant for several residential addresses and subsequently seized illegal fish traps, a boat and trailer, and a 2019 model Mercedes dual cab worth more than $60,000 combined. He said all three

offenders were dealt with recently in the Bairnsdale Magistrates Court. “In December, one of the men pleaded guilty to several fisheries offences and was fined $4,000,” he said. “[In February] the second man and woman, who have prior convictions for similar offending, pleaded guilty to several offences too.” Mr Parks said the man was fined $12,000 and the woman $8,000. Convictions were recorded and the pair were banned from fishing for two years. Their Mercedes, boat and trailer were ordered to be forfeited by the magistrate who said it would act as a message to others that if they engage in this type of activity they will be seriously penalised. Mr Parks thanked the members of the community for reporting the suspicious activity. If you see or suspect illegal fishing, you can call the VFA’s 24/7 reporting service, 13FISH (133474), to speak directly to a Fisheries Officer. – Victorian Fisheries Authority

LIGHT, POWERFUL, DURABLE…

Entering prime time INTUITIVE CONTROL YARRAWONGA

Tony Bennett codclassic@bigpond.com

For those in search of a mighty Murray cod or two, we’re entering the prime time of year to be giving Lake Mulwala a working over. From now up until May, all roads should lead to the home of the Murray cod, Lake Mulwala. Slightly cooler temperatures than the past month or two will lead to pleasant and rewarding fishing days. This time of year, casting or trolling any style of lure, be it a crankbait, swimbait, spinnerbait or surface lure, you will be in with a better than average ROCKLEA chance of encountering BRISBANE BOATING & LEISURE some rod-bending action. 1713 Ipswich Road Rocklea P: (07) 3875 1600 E: sales@kareemarine.com.au W: www.kareemarine.com.au

down may have helped seven cod in the 45-60cm kill off the top foot or bracket being landed, all so, but not much more. on lures. Adapting your fishing Mick Winnerton was methods to this is going to another to have success, be the key to success. this time on the fly rod. Looking back, January He has an amazing ability started off firing on all with the wand, this time cylinders and then tapered landing seven in a couple off towards the end of of morning sessions with the month. Dirty water his mates. In the evening he coming in and the masses turned to surface fishing, of ‘doof-doof ’ boats resulting in a few big stirring things up had a bust-offs with straightened lot to do with the lack hooks. Hang in there, Mick! of action. Glen Joyce had his girls The best reports here over the Christmas came from those either period and kept the action fishing above Bundalong going, putting them onto or below the weir in the plenty of cod. Murray River. The most The ‘scopers’ who pleasing report I received hid under the cover of were how many kids were darkness reported their fishing. Below the weir usual encounters of larger there NORTH has been a boom cod, with a fair few going ROCKHAMPTON in carp breeding thanks over the magic metre mark. RIFEN BOATS to the recent floods, and One interesting thing to 6 Dooley Street North Rockhampton P: (07) 4927 9150 E: rifen.boats@bigpond.com W: www.rifenboats.com.au

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LIGHT, POWERFUL, DURABLE…

INTUITIVE CONTROL

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SLACKS CREEK GOLD COAST AUSTRALIAN MARINE CENTRE TR MARINE 3491 Pacific Highway Slacks Creek 167 Currumburra Road Ashmore P: (07) 3808 7333 P: 07 5532 5812 E: sales@amcboats.com.au E: shaun@trmarinegc.com.au W: www.amcboats.com.au W: www.trmarinegoldcoast.com.au Baylee and Ruby Joyce with one of their many Murray cod taken over the holidays. The prime water depths to look for range from 2-5m. Any night or morning with minimal breeze is well worth a look for those keen to get into some surface action. This is by far the most exciting form of cod fishing. For those that haven’t had a crack on the surface, it’s simple: just cast it out and retrieve slowly. The hardest part is keeping your nerve and not striking if you get a hit. Also, for safety’s sake, take a spare pair of jocks with you! One factor anglers are going to need keep in mind is how quick the weed has returned in most places. It seems the recent draw

these proved great fun for all the kids who have been catching cricket score numbers. There a few who pop to mind that deserve a mention, none more than Thomas Pinter. Thomas is the reigning three-time Cod Nationals champion, and someone who has Mulwala figured out… to a degree! On a recent trip out where he was doing a bit of ‘scoping’, he came across and landed a monster that measured 131cm. I had the pleasure of taking out a few guys from Kerang, Mick, Peter and Jack Shepard. We had a great afternoon, with

note was the amount they were seeing that were not interested in taking a lure. Could this be from the overabundance of small carp that are about? • If you are visiting town I urge you to call into Lake Mulwala Fish Camp & Ski, the shop with the big green cod out the front in Mulwala or visit our Yarrawonga store located between Rivers and One Zac in the main street. We’re Yarrawonga/ M u l w a l a ’s fishing specialists and specialize in all things “Green”! For any information on the upcoming events or fishing reports give us a hoy on (03) 5744 3133.

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MARCH 2023 91

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Autumn activity aplenty WANGARATTA

Robbie Alexander

After a wet spring and a cooler than average summer, it is shaping up to be a great autumn to

I went trout fishing just a couple of days before typing up this report and the water is much cooler than normal for this time of the year and the stream flows are very healthy. As a result, the trout fishing was fantastic.

REDFIN March is one of my favourite times of the year to catch redfin at both main lakes in the Ovens River catchment. Lakes William Hovell and Buffalo usually fish quite well for redfin in

Holly Alexander fishing against a spectacular Lake Buffalo sunset.

Both Lake Buffalo and Lake William Hovell usually fish quite well for redfin each year in March. go fishing in North East Victoria. MURRAY COD The Murray cod season got off to a slow start in December thanks to widespread flooding. Once the rivers settled down the Murray cod fishing was amazing. Last month the cod fishing was better than normal for the time of year. I am expecting the cod fishing to be very good this March as the water begins to cool. Cod fishing in March can be a bit hit and miss, and this March will probably be no different, but there should

March is usually the time of year when black crickets are the most prolific. They can be found under streetlights at nighttime, under pot plants, under bark in the garden and so on. They make an excellent bait for trout. If you are bait fishing for trout in March, my number one recommendation is to use live crickets. Grasshoppers are still abundant and great bait in March as well. If you are lure fishing, anything black will be worth trying. A small black soft plastic such as the Strike Tiger Nymph in any of the

redfin anglers, so don’t be surprised if you hook a Murray cod in Lake Buffalo, or a trout in Lake William Hovell, particularly later in March as the water surface temperature starts to cool down.

Authority stock 50,000 yellowbelly into the Ovens River each year, so don’t be afraid to keep one or two for a feed if you are that way inclined, like I am. I love a feed of fresh yellowbelly. The 40-45cm fish are the best

March is a great time to go trout fishing in North East Victoria, as the streams start to cool down and the trout become really active. YELLOWBELLY No doubt there will still be plenty of yellowbelly caught in the Ovens River during March. Bait anglers will probably catch the most

to eat, whereas anything over 50cm is usually very fatty and the taste deteriorates. OTHER SPECIES Usually by March the yabbies have started to slow

during March. There will be plenty of carp still biting. Recent flooding has seen an absolute explosion in the number of carp around. Of the millions of small carp, many will die due to their water hole drying up, along with predation from birds and bigger fish. Many will also survive to provide some fishing fun, and March is a great time to catch them. Carp are a noxious pest, but they do have a positive side. They’re fun to catch, they bite at times of the year when other fish species don’t, and there’s a certain feeling of satisfaction that you get knowing that each time you catch one you’re doing a very tiny favour for the environment. Another species of fish that is gaining popularity in most of Victoria is silver perch. Thanks to the Victorian Fisheries Authority, there are silver perch stocked in many waterways and they provide excellent fishing fun. Stanley Dam, Merriwa Park Lake, Allans Flat Waterhole

Thanks to regular stocking, silver perch are gaining popularity as a bait fishing option in many Victorian waterways. be more hits than misses. I find bait fishing to be the most consistent way to catch cod in March in the Wangaratta area, although I still do have some great cod fishing sessions with lures. Trout As with last March, I am expecting some top-quality trout fishing this March thanks to healthy stream flows all summer. 92 MARCH 2023

black colours is a great place to start. A black Celta, or even a black minnow will be worth tying on as well. The Ovens River upstream of Bright, the Buckland River, upper Buffalo River and King River upstream of Lake William Hovell are all worth a try, as they all have great numbers of trout in them and are fishing very well.

March each year. Both lakes are fishing well now in January, but most of the fish being caught are quite small. In March and throughout most of autumn more and more larger fish, and larger schools of fish, start to turn up and provide some very exciting fishing in both lakes. Both lakes have welcome by-catches for

Carp are a pest, but they’re a lot of fun to catch and are usually biting well in March. yellowbelly, but lure casters targeting Murray cod will likely pick up a few as a welcome by-catch as well. The Victorian Fisheries

down a lot. Each dam is different and some slow down earlier than others, but on the whole the yabbying starts to get a bit tougher

and Eldorado Dredge Hole have each been stocked with thousands of silvers, which should all still be biting well in March.

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Slowing down at Goulburn SHEPPARTON

Nick Brown teamriverrats@hotmail.com

With school holidays now over, the reports have slowed up a little in the Goulburn. But those who still managed to sneak out for a fish in February did have some success. The usual spots like Murchison, Toolamba, Moira Park and rafteries all featured in the reports received. Bait fishing still seems to be a great way to target cod with Trellys chicken baits and Bardi Grubs working best. Casting a single willow spinnerbait, such as the Old Mates or Bassmans has also been reported plenty of times by those casting lures from both the bank and boat. Trolling size 2

StumpJumpers was also a great way to target both cod and yellowbelly this past week, especially round Murchison. BROKEN RIVER The reports have been consistently good for the Broken River lately, especially the top water bite. Just like last month I have been receiving regular reports of a great top water bite. Downstream of the Archer St Bridge, down to the junction has been a standout area, it’s a stretch of river that doesn’t see as much fishing pressure. Balista hunchbacks have been an outstanding lure with the most reports coming from those casting these or Pompadours. If you’re into bait fishing you won’t be disappointed with both yellowbelly and cod chewing on baits. Scrub worms and

shrimp seem to be the best yellowbelly baits with yabbies and cheese best for cod. CRAIGMUIR LAKE There have been a few more reports from the small suburban lake just outside of Mooroopna of late. Kayaking is the best way to fish the lake with plenty of weed around the edges making it tricky at times from the bank. Rigging either 3” Keitech’s or the small strike tiger soft plastics weedless has been a standout way to fish in Craigmuir with redfin and yellowbelly being caught mostly in the evenings. With plenty of weed, bait fishing can be tricky but floating Night Crawlers in the little pockets of clear water can be a great way to chase out bait in the lake. WARANGA BASIN There is still plenty of boats on the water at Waranga

with everyone seeming to be fishing differently and still catching fish. Some boats are opting to anchor near the yellow markers at Harriman’s and bait fish with worms, others are sitting deeper off points. Both ways have produced plenty of redfin and yellowbelly. Targeting fish on lures has been catching redfin. Most success has come from casting in around 5ft of water with small chatterbaits, 2” plastics or small cranks. Trolling the Hide Up 150s in the bone colour has worked well on the banks opposite Harriman’s and along the rock back. Depths between 12-16ft seem to be hot spots but it’s not uncommon for the fish to be caught deeper on The Crazy Deep lures. When the weather is good, the basin is still a great option for the kids with the ability to catch fish on bait or lures off the bank.

Brothers Ayden and Nate Brown with one of many Waranga Basin caught redfin.

Redfin waiting to be caught at Bendigo BENDIGO

Roger Miles codhuntertours@bigpond.com

The good fishing has continued in the Bendigo region. Anglers have a number of great options at the present time and often it can be a difficult choice in which location to target next. We are set for a bumper season and anglers should go out and make the most of the great fishing opportunities while they last. LAKE EPPALOCK The good news is that the boat traffic has reduced over recent weeks. It is still very busy with boat traffic on weekends and public holidays, but on the majority of weekdays the boat traffic is now pretty good. There is currently a blue-green algae warning for Lake Eppalock. If you are keeping a fish for a feed it is recommended that any fillets be thoroughly washed with clean water before eating. The redfin fishing is currently very good. Good concentrations of redfin can be found in depth ranges between 2-4m of water. If you are on the water earlier in the day, you will often find the redfin are feeding in the shallower water early and as the day progresses they are moving out into to deeper water. While the redfin fishing is good it is not always easy to find them. I recommend anglers be prepared to

hunt around in order to find them. Don’t spend too long at one location if you are not catching them. Trolling small hardbody lures that dive to a depth range between 2-4m is an excellent way to find them. Once a school has been located continue to troll back through the school to maximise catch rates or change tactics and start casting soft plastics or soft vibes through the school. This is a great way to maximise your catch rates. The average condition on the redfin being caught is good. The large redfin are not always easy to find but if you persist some very good redfin measuring over 40cm are currently being caught. Fluoro-coloured

hardbody lures and Fluoro coloured soft plastics are working the best. Small numbers of golden perch are still being caught by anglers at this location. Trolling small to medium profile hardbody lures around the rocky shorelines has been productive. Casting spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits around the rocky shorelines and around the edges of submerged saplings has been a good option. Small numbers of Murray cod are still being caught at this location with the occasional very large Murray cod being caught. CAMPASPE RIVER The fishing in the Campaspe River at the present time has been producing mixed results.

The most productive fishing has been by those anglers who are walking the banks and fishing the shallower sections of the river. A wide range of lures has been working in the shallower sections of the river. Hardbody lures, spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits have been working the best. In the period of low light small numbers of Murray cod have been caught on swimbaits and surface lures. The fishing in the boat able sections of the Campaspe River at Elmore and Rochester has been slow. Water clarity is still pretty average in these sections. The river flows are currently only minimal. This will help the water

This quality redfin was caught at Lake Eppalock. A burn-killretrieve proved to be very productive on the redfin this day.

clarity to settle and the productivity in the fishing in these areas should be good again once the water clarity improves. CAIRN CURRAN Redfin are making up the majority of anglers captures at this location. Trolling the drop off around points have been productive areas to concentrate your fishing efforts. Redfin are also being caught around the edges of standing timber. Casting soft plastics in bright colours has been working well. Vertically jigging plastics and soft vibes and blades have been a good option once a good concentration of redfin has been located. Trolling small hardbody lures along the edges of the rocky shorelines has been producing small numbers of golden perch. Casting these rocky banks with lipless crankbaits and fishing them with a slow rolling technique has been working on the golden perch. A burn and kill retrieve and allowing the lipless crankbaits to rest on the bottom for a couple of seconds before repeating, this technique has also been producing some golden perch. Small numbers of Murray cod are still being caught at this location. The majority of the Murray cod have been caught by anglers trolling small to medium profile lures trolling the edges of the lake. The occasional Murray cod has been caught by anglers casting larger lipless crankbaits. Swimbaits and surface lures are a good option during

periods of reduced light. LODDON RIVER The Loddon River has been receiving a fair amount of fishing pressure this season. The fishing remains pretty good, water clarity is varying from week to week. When river flows are reduced the water clarity has improved slowly. When increased flows have been released down the river system the water clarity has reduced. Good numbers of golden perch are being caught at the present time. Hardbody lures and lipless crankbaits seem to be the most productive options for the golden perch. Bright fluoro colours such as pink, orange, chartreuse are all working well. The numbers of Murray cod currently being caught in the Loddon River is good. The majority of the Murray cod being landed by anglers have been between 45-65cm. There still however has been small numbers of larger Murray cod between 80cm to over the 1m mark. A big range of lures have been working on the cod with traditional lure options, spinnerbaits, hardbody lures, lipless crankbaits, swimbaits and surface lures all proving to be good options on their day. We should see the general trend of the water clarity continuing to improve over the next few months. There will still be fluctuations in this water clarity depending on water releases from the Cairn Curran and Laanecoorie. MARCH 2023 93

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Small waters, big results BALLARAT

Shane Stevens

The warmer weather has definitely arrived, so anglers need to change their mindsets and tactics to ensure we give ourselves the best opportunity to snag a fish or two. I mentioned last month that we should be looking at heading out early morning and evenings, in general the coolest parts of the day, this

there are many small dams and reservoir located in our forests, within 20-30 minutes of Ballarat, that have good numbers of mainly redfin and some of them grow to trophy sizes as well. My thoughts are grab some maps or look on Google Maps and head out and do some exploring, the results will speak for themselves. I must also mention, hard yards will still need to be done to catch the good ones, but it’s

like others. Donnie has been catching plenty of smaller models and some excellent sized redfin, some in the high 40s. Many any of us anglers drive past, a lot of these small waters to go fishing elsewhere. Donnie mentioned that time of the day has been influenced his results, as mentioned early morning and evenings have been best, covering as much fishable water as you can, not just having half a dozen casts, and if you

lures or soft plastics, if one doesn’t work try another and so on, vary the speed of your retrieve, try something different mix it up until you find the winning formula. Hayden Wilson has been having a purple patch recently whilst chasing redfin around the Ballarat area, targeting quite a few of the smaller waters also reaping the rewards, catching some rippers nudging the 50cm mark. Hayden has also spent a fair bit of time out at Moorabool Reservoir, hitting it up at the prime times, with results speaking for themselves, nailing some big redfin on ZMan Baby Goat soft plastics with Gold Jig Spinner attached, which has been catching the eye of the local redfin. Hayden said it’s getting harder to fish out at Moorabool with all the weed, “I’ve been casting the plastics over the weed into the clear pockets and working those areas, using a high stick retrieve, which is basically holding your rod upright when winding your lures/plastics in. This keeps them high in

Cohen Bandy, Luke Taylor and Paul Dawson got in amongst the redfin at Tullaroop Reservoir on Vibe lures. Photo courtesy of Cohen Bandy

Angus James nailed a magnificent Lake Wendouree redfin using a ZMan Baby Goat on a jig spinner soft plastic. Photo courtesy of Angus James. could also be expanded to have a look at many of the small waters that are dotted around the Ballarat and Central Highlands Region of Victoria. We are lucky that

worth it in the end. Donnie Rogers is one such angler who does plenty of exploring around the Ballarat and surrounding areas, in search of waters that don’t get heavily fished

don’t get a hit, leave and go somewhere else. Time and effort is the key, look for structure fallen trees or weed beds, the redfin use these for cover to ambush their food, try different

Donnie Rogers has landed some ripper redfin from some of our smaller waters around Ballarat including this beauty from O’Keefe’s Dam near Creswick. Photo courtesy of Donnie Rogers.

Hayden Wilson has been having a purple patch recently catching plenty of big redfin around the district, including this one caught from Moorabool Reservoir. Photo courtesy of Hayden Wilson. 94 MARCH 2023

the water column and less likely chance of them being fouled up with weed.” Redfin are definitely in those clear pockets of water, it can be frustrating hooking up on weed at times and then when you get them on bringing them back through the weed is another challenge, but it’s worth it. There are still some areas that are not choked up with weed, yet it’s a matter of putting in the yards and

walk a fair way to fish the steeper/deeper banks where it hasn’t grown yet, once again it’s worth the effort Hayden said. Darcy Stokell a newcomer to Ballarat, but not a new comer to fishing spending plenty of time fishing the Wimmera area, I’m sure many of us will run into, as Darcy is working at Rehfish & Co one of our local tackle shops. Darcy has been hearing all the

reports, which have been filtering through about Moorabool Reservoir and how good the fishery is and how big some of the trout and redfin are that are out there. Darcy decided that we would head out and find out what all the fuss was about. His plan was to fly fish the evening rise if there was one and hopefully fish after dark for a while, hoping the mud eye feeding

VIC

Quality over quantity The fishing at Lake Purrumbete remains steady, especially if you want to nail a trophy brown trout or Chinook salmon. Now they are not being caught in large numbers and nor should they be. This is partially down to the sunny weather making many fish shy in taking a bait or lure but also because these trout do not get to this size without being a tad crafty. First and last light is the prime time to be on the water and the shallow weedy bay between the boat ramp channel exit and Horan’s point remains the top spot to wet a line but don’t discount the water from Horan’s Point around

to the quarry. Fishing several metres out from the shore hugging weed growth is a great area to concentrate one’s efforts. There are still plenty of small redfin out there ready and willing to steal a bait or three set out for trout. Don’t throw these nuisance fish back alive. Dispatch quickly before disposing in the lake where they will very quickly form part of the food chain. Throwing dead fish into a rubbish bin only creates bad odours plus a definite health hazard. Of course, if they are big enough to fillet, please do so. Schools are also hanging just off the bottom in depths around 15m and can easily be picked on a depth sounder. Jigging lures, plastics and presenting live bait such as minnow hooked through the jaw is working. Don’t

forget to add some berley to the mix to keep the fish fired up. Lake Bullen Merri remains the go to lake despite some blue-green algae present as big tiger trout along with plenty of Chinook salmon are active and ready to take a lure or bait. Trolling Loftys style Cobra lures as well as a variety of medium diving minnow or stick baits has seen plenty of hook ups. 8-10m depth is the go, and so too is bottom bouncing a pilchard along with berley in similar depths. The Mount Emu Creek still has flow and a couple of locally intrepid anglers have scored the odd brown trout to 800g taken on surface lures cast from the bank and worked across the larger pools where the flow is markedly decreased.

trout or redfin would come in close enough to have a crack at. Darcy not being familiar with the water was provided with information on where to go with what wind etc, a little bit of local knowledge that can be easily obtained given where he is employed. Darcy found a small area that was fishable water and started fishing, there was plenty of surface activity he said, with

any trout, and then all of a sudden trout appeared in front of him off the surface, Darcy said it was feeding on whatever it could find it wasn’t fussy, I popped a Shaving Brush fly pattern as I’ve heard of many guys catching trout out there on them, I popped it out where he was feeding, when I saw this snout come out of the water and engulf my fly. I set the fly then all of a sudden all hell broke loose; this fish went ballistic as

The stories and reports that I had listened to were and are true, our tussle continued for what seemed like an eternity, when I eventually got him to the net, my new PB trout and trout on fly a 73cm brown trout estimated around the 9-10lb, some photos were taken and this magnificent brown trout was released to fight another day. All the stories, I’ve heard about Moorabool are true, hopefully this is not my

CRATER LAKES

Rod Shepherd

More reasonable redfin have been taken at depths at Lake Purrumbete using minnow style soft plastics. our very wet 2022 year. Goulburn Murray Water was concerned for the safety of boaters/water users, not only on Tullaraoop but some other waters for the same reason. Anglers have been chaffing at the bit, to get back on the water, especially those who like to chase redfin. We were given the green light for boaters to put boats back on Tullaroop and did the locals hit the water in numbers. There has been plenty of reports filtering through, from word of mouth and social media, with some big bags of redfin being caught. Some work colleagues Luke Taylor, Cohen Bandy and Paul Dawson headed out to see if they could get amongst them and that they did, catching a truckload redfin of all sizes from little guys to excellent table sized fish up

to 40cm, only keeping what they needed. The boys said they took a bit of finding initially, trolling lures in varying depths, then they got onto them in about 3m of water and it was game on fish after fish on vibes. Just jigging up and down underneath the boat, fish after fish, with lots of little guys with some bigger ones in amongst them. The boys reported other anglers catching plenty using jigs, vibes, plastics and baits. I’m sure Tullaroop will see plenty of anglers over the next few months, given the words is out the reservoir is open to boating and the redfin are on the chew. There is plenty of water to fish with a couple of designated boat launching areas, being at the dam wall and Gulloways Bay. Lake Wendouree has certainly quietened down for the guys chasing trout,

this is due to the warmer water temperatures, on the flip side to that, the redfin are on the chew. Angus James has been out getting amongst them, fishing clear pockets of water in amongst the weeds. Angus moves around trying all his favourite haunts until he gets onto them. There’s no rhyme nor reason as to when and where they are going to be, just persistence Angus reckons. When Angus has been able to find them, the redfin have found his ZMan Baby Goat on a jig spinner soft plastic too irresistible not to eat. Angus has put a few Youtube clips up on how he targets redfin around the Ballarat area, well worth checking out. Big Redfin on Soft Plastics - Fishing Tips with Angus James

Darcy Stokell landed his new PB on fly, a 73cm brown trout, which engulfed his Shaving Brush fly pattern whilst fishing Moorabool Reservoir for the first time. Photo courtesy of Darcy Stokell plenty of Caddis, Damsel Flies and Dragonflies buzzing around, plenty of food to entice a fish to move in and feed on them. Darcy tried a few different fly patterns catching a few small redfin, with no sign of

I’m sure I would when all of a sudden I’m on the end of a fishing line, jumping out of the water trying to throw the hook, I got nervous myself with my heart racing at a million beats per second when I saw how big this trout was.

first and last big trout from the Reservoir. Tullaroop Reservoir is once again open to boating; it had been closed for quite a few months due to the high-water levels, as the Reservoir continually spilling over as a result of

Neal Morgan caught his PB dogtooth tuna while trolling off Tydeman Reef, FNQ. This magnificent fish was approximately 35kg and fought hard going down deep. MARCH 2023 95

VIC

Breaking records? EILDON

Peter Burtchell

Will March bring about a change from La Nina, or will it continue for its fourth year breaking previously known records? It’s anybody’s guess. One thing for sure is that Lake Eildon will still be full and the surrounding streams and rivers will be

photo opportunity. On the Lake it was all about surface fishing for Paul Thomas, a great angler who regularly fine tunes his surface fishing skills around Eildon. He recently landed a 112cm Murray cod in quite different circumstances. Tangling his Kingfisher Abela surface paddler on the cast Paul was quite surprised that the 112 took it on a fast to untangle retrieve.

yellowbelly that Paul landed, the first looking timid whilst the second fish looks more aggressive with its dorsal fin fully extended. The fish use their dorsal fin to stabilise themselves against rolling so when taking a photo you can roll the fish slightly and it will instinctively extend its dorsal fin making for a great photo. The fish will also extend their dorsal fin to

Kate Norman has been as successful as ever.

Paul Thomas has been getting good catches off the surface. running, which will provide some amazing angling opportunities. With the rivers running, Craig Parker from Eildon Bait and Tackle recently took some time out from his busy schedule and found that fishing the Goulburn River below the weir resembled fishing in a trout farm! Each cast brought high numbers of following trout all eagerly attempting to eat his lure, and with one succumbing to each cast. Craig finished his session early as he felt that there was no sport with so many fish. Jason the proprietor of Eildon Pondage Guiding Services also took a day off to fish the pondage and, along with his son Noah, they were able to land a nice brown trout for a great

His opponent instinctively dove to the nearest snag with Paul trying to stop it with full weight on his Venom 7’ 8kg baitcaster to no avail. It took over an hour to retrieve the fish from a snag it had retreated to. I was very impressed with Paul as he explained the episode to me with not one expletive used. Kate Norman is again in the spotlight after fishing during a windy evening that would have assisted in unsettling the bait fish. As the wind died down making perfect conditions, Kate was again landing and retrieving another monster Murray cod. Yellowbelly have been fishing well with Paul Thomas spending some time chasing them. I have added two photographs of two

discourage predation and to wedge themselves into rocks and snags using it as an anchor. LAKE EILDON FISHING CHALLENGE If you want to try out your Dorsal extender skills be sure to mark your calendar for the Lake Eildon Fishing Challenge beginning on Friday the 19 May 2pm registration and competition start through to the presentations beginning midday on Sunday the 21st.

Jase and son Noah spending some quality time together.

There are some quality fish on offer at the moment. 96 MARCH 2023

The annual communitybased fishing competition raises much needed funds for Variety, the Children’s Charity, and has been running since 2017. Held on Victoria’s premier inland fishery Lake Eildon, anglers have the freedom to bait or lure fish, with or without a boat non-stop for the two full days and nights of the competition. The event is always a fun action-packed weekend.

Details of the event can be obtained from their website lakeeildonfishingchallenge. com of on Facebook Lake Eildon Fishing Challenge. If you want to know more about anything fishing at Eildon you can contact Craig from Eildon Bait and Tackle for Lake Fishing and Jason who runs the Eildon Pondage Guiding services. Another great resource for all things fishing at Lake Eildon you can contact the Jerusalem Creek Marina & Holiday Park, a friendly, family-orientated annuals cabin park and Houseboat Marina, that makes the perfect home away from home. If visiting Lake Eildon you can opt to stay in one of their floating apartments (Boatels), hire a houseboat or fishing vessel, visit the Megabass Elite Pro Store, or book a Megabass Elite Pro Fishing Tour with one of the many leading Australian Fishing guides operating from Jerusalem Creek. For more information on all of the activities and attractions that Lake Eildon has to offer, visit jerusalemcreek.com. au, give them a call on (03) 5774 2585 or email info@ jerusalemcreek.com.au.

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A good month for local anglers WEST/SOUTH GIPPSLAND

Billy Auldist

Local weather has provided limited opportunities for fishos in our local region over the last few months, and on top of that, the fishing has been somewhat difficult. Heading out of summer traditionally offers some of the best fishing we can experience locally, and local anglers should be keen heading into March. When the weather offers a break in extremes, fishers should be making the most of their chance to get out on the water. Noojee’s main three rivers – the LaTrobe, Loch, and Toorongo – have all fished well once the water level dropped and water cleared. As per usual, the fishing in these rivers mainly relies on finding unpressured water. You want to find those trout that have seen fewer anglers this season. Once you have found yourself in a suitable stretch, any of the basic lures such as spinners, spoons, hardbodies and soft plastics will catch fish. And of course, drifting a bait with always prevail. The Bunyip and Tarago

rivers have gone under the radar over the last few months, not receiving much attention from local fishos. This lack of fishing pressure has rewarded those anglers who have been making the effort to get up there. The water levels are steady and the clarity is prime, which leaves both these rivers in

optimal condition for anyone who takes to their banks. The most success has been found on soft plastics or drifting a bait, as both of these rivers are generally full of timber, making longer cast for other lures like spinners hard to come by. It’s no secret that both of these rivers hold the best

A local redfin that took a liking to this smaller swimbait.

quality fish in our area, and anglers who wet a line there have been reaping rewards. Blackfish have also been a common bycatch whilst drifting baits, and have even been hitting lures in some extraordinary cases. As reported every month, the bass fishing towards the top end of Blue Rock Reservoir has been worthwhile for anyone who can get up there. Most anglers fish from a boat or kayak, however the keen angler would know of some land-based spots right up towards the river. Any regular lures have been taking bass. Soft plastics, hardbodies and various jigs have been doing the most damage. If you can find a humid evening, any smaller surface lure will still get the job done too. Reddies have been a common bycatch and I expect that soon, when heading into the cooler months, the trout will start to show up in bigger numbers too. Some of the local estate dams have been turning up redfin in big numbers, so it will pay to fish a few and find a dam that’s firing. On their day the reddies will take just about anything

Matt Bow with a land-based Blue Rock bass off the surface. you throw at them, the so lure choice doesn’t matter too much. However, when chasing a bigger model I would personally throw a lure with a bigger profile, such as a swimbait or spinnerbait. Creeks and rivers like Hazel and the Little Moe are providing

locals with plenty of action too, with good catches of carp and reddies on worms fished in any hole of significant size. So, despite the odd weather patterns, anglers should be looking forward to the coming months and the fishing it may provide.

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Go Behind the Scenery

Tasmania

Maximising your chances of getting a bite of catching one of these amazing fish. I am really hoping we have a reasonable run of these fish this season. This will let us know the Yellowfin Tuna fish stocks are on the improve. For the best chance of

OFFSHORE

Kelly Hunt

It’s the time to have a last hurrah before we lose daylight savings here in Tasmania, and we are looking to have a big month. The only people happy to see the back of daylight savings are the flounder fishers as they can start earlier and be in bed before 1am. The rest of us love the extra available light on the weekends and after work. This month we look for the broadbill swords to really fire up, and dedicated crews will go wide in search of the powerful beasts. We also hope to build on the yellowfin tuna captures of last year, and we all have our fingers crossed. Let’s look at

You can’t help but smile when you catch bluefin where none have been caught before.

Harry Murfet and Glen Saltmarsh with a yellowfin from last season. Tasmanian yellowfin tuna are the holy grail. these in a bit greater detail. BROADBILL SWORDFISH Danni Suttil and his sons have anglers very keen to get out and chase swordfish again this season. The new owners of Meridian Tackle went to sea to test some new over skirts they have developed. If the result is anything to go by, they have nailed it. They sent a bait into the depths off St Helens utilising their 60kg outfit, and came up tight. The battle was swift and the crew did very well to have the fish boat-side in an hour and a half. The fish pulled the scales down to 297kg, and it fed a great many people. Swordfish yields a great amount of flesh, and it can be utilised in many very nice recipes. The overskirt colour they used was the orange lumo. These overskirts supply two advantages. If the broadbill strikes out at the bait with their big sword-like bill, the 98 MARCH 2023

to rush and do something silly through impatience. Be smooth and get a bit of line each time the fish circles, working the fish up slowly into gaff range. Hopefully the person standing by your side about to gaff the fish

overskirt protects the bait to a certain extent. If the fish manages to destroy the bait, there is also the added advantage of something squid-like still being attached to the hook. So, in theory, if the fish turns and comes back looking for something more to eat, it will see the lumo skirt and think it is a squid, or a piece of the bait it missed. When you are sending baits down to such depths, anything you can do to maximise your chance of getting a bite is well worth it. So, well done lads – this has excited many keen crews to get out and have a try. The Tasmanian Broadbill Championships is held this month and there’s a number of mainland crews looking to make the journey and try their luck. The continental shelf is readily accessible all along the Tasmanian East Coast and it is this drop-off that holds the fish that the swords like to eat. Gemfish and

frostfish are often found in their stomachs, along with all manner of squid. The boat ramps of St Helens and Bicheno are good places to start. The southeast has some very good areas to try your hand, and the ramp at Pirates Bay is a popular with broadbill crews. PARTY PISCATORIAL This was a concept I pitched to a dear friend of mine some time ago now. It was to be a two-man show celebrating all things fishing, the love of life and the amazing fishing we have here in Tasmania. We planned to sprinkle in a few hints and tips to help fishing novices, and those anglers who are new to game fishing. Sadly, my friend passed away, and I felt that was that. Then, a few months ago, I thought, you know what? Bugger it, I will do it in his honour. He was such an awesome man with so many great attributes that I have tweaked the show to include some of his fabulous life lessons and idiosyncrasies that align with fishing,

and fishing success and enjoyment. Before the first show I was uncertain as to how people would relate to it. To my great surprise, it seems people got it and enjoyed it immensely. I am now looking to do a show in Launceston and Hobart in late March or early April. GOLD FEVER “There is gold in them thar’ hills.” Well… not exactly, but there may be some yellow gold in the currents coming down from mainland Australia. Yellowfin tuna are like gold to the Tasmanian game fisher. The big golden sickles cause a great deal of fuss and hysteria when sighted in Tasmanian waters or, even better, when they land on the deck of your boat. They are a spectacular looking fish, they fight hard and dirty, and are a real trophy. These fish also are very good eating. Last season we saw an increase in fish sighted and a few boated, and March is the month we get a little excited about the possibility

The Suttil family with a deep sea monster – 297kg of broadbill swordfish. success, crews need to be on top of their game and gear needs to be inspected and in the best possible order. A 50kg+ yellowfin tuna will find any chinks in your armour very quickly, and your crew will need to be on their toes. The leadering of these fish needs to be done smoothly and with patience. You have done the hard work, now is not the time

The Party Piscatorial was a fun event.

has not seen the gaff for the first time until five minutes ago. Otherwise, this could turn into a major disaster. Ultimately, you all want to work as a team, and maybe have a chat about the roles on the boat well before the reel goes off. BLUEFIN TUNA The bluefin tuna stocks around Tasmania and Australia are nothing short of amazing. The bluefin run is continuing in Bass Strait to the degree that it’s now a phenomenon. There are acres of southern bluefin tuna stretching from the mouth of the Tamar River to the east, along past Devonport and Ulverstone on the central coast, and further west past Burnie and Wynyard. The local fisher folk have been out enjoying great success on these big schools. This is in an area where the fish have just not been caught in previous years. If I was you I might have a talk to your crew and watch the weather. Find a window with favourable weather, and work and get out and enjoy the ripper fishing we are experiencing here in Tasmania in 2023. Good luck and tight lines.

Go Behind the Scenery

Tasmania

Feast and famine HOBART

Andrew Large

All areas are a go with anglers enjoying some of the best fishing Tasmania has had to offer in years. It’s certainly true what they say a drought on land is a drought in water, and vice versa this year! The third wet winter in a row seems

Island at the southern end of Bruny Island. Snapper too have been a surprise package this year in the south with numerous captures being made at Dover, Southport and Port Huon areas. Close to Hobart, Storm Bay has produced good fish on the right tides and fresh squid baits. Snapper have made their way well into the

unusual higher Storm Bay or Tasman Peninsula and Tasman Island, but the River Derwent with two confirmed captures in recent weeks! And on Kingfish 110 Halco Laser Pros and 6” Sluggo soft plastics – more surprisingly, on 3-5kg spin outfits. SBT have also been captured around the more traditional Tasman Peninsula and Bruny Island and wider

David Hegol with a River Derwent southern bluefin tuna caught around Blackmans Bay.

A bag limit of yellowtail kingfish recently caught in the River Derwent. to have fish going ballistic this summer, even after a late December start for nearly all species. In the saltwater we see an amazing run of yellowtail kingfish that started early December. Amazing captures are now being made as far south as Partridge

Derwent estuary and have been caught as far upriver as the Tasman Bridge. What is it about the River Derwent this year? Southern bluefin tuna have also been captured by those chasing kingfish, as far up as Blackmans Bay – not the more slightly

Storm Bay as well. Sand and tiger flathead have been encountered off Marion Bay and further up the East Coast. In the South East, good bags of striped trumpeter have been caught around the Friars and Pedra Blanca. Smaller specimens have

been encountered around the Tasman Peninsula. Soft plastics and other fresh baits have been working well. Black bream continue to take lures and soft plastics in our southern estuaries with better catches being made in the lower more tidal zones of these systems. Southern rock lobster continue to pot well in most regions. Remember only six weeks left of the season. Freshwater anglers have not been disappointed either with nearly all inland waters remaining relatively cool for this part of summer. This is evidenced by the very short mayfly and dun hatches being experienced by dry fly fishers across the state. The heat is just not there to promote terrestrial insect

activity. Wet fly, bait and lure fishers have done well. On hot days at dawn and dusk and breeze cooler days all the way through, with great brown and rainbow trout coming to hand. Good old Great Lake is probably performing the best as the weather cools a tad. Trollers doing particularly well and the same with spin fishers from the shore. Anglers fishing the sticks in Arthurs Lake have landed nice fish on both lure and fly and have found trout to be very eager to strike. The water level in Woods Lake seems static for the moment a good sign at this end of summer. And fishing has reflected this with many fish to nearly

2kg gracing trollers’ bags. Y05 Tasmanian Devil lure a standout as well as an F5 or F7 Rapala in BTR taking fish in the slightly discoloured water. The infamous Tyenna River lives up to its name producing some fantastic evening rises, a simple white moth or caddis pattern turning over fish for flyfishers. Spin fishers doing well with small Vibrax and Mapso Sz 2 spinners. This really is the best summer and early autumn fishing Tasmania has experienced in many years, please don’t delay and potentially miss out, get out there and have a go as you really don’t know what you will turn up on the end of the rod and where!

PRODUCT NEWS

Stacer 359 Proline SE, 379 SE Stacer Australia has announced the launch of its latest offering – the Stacer 359 Proline SE and Stacer Proline 379 SE, perfect for inland fishing enthusiasts. Based off the popular Proline series, the Proline SE has all the benefits of the original whilst incorporating deeper side sheets. This feature makes

it more ideal for larger dams and lakes, and is an added safety feature when the little ones are onboard. Other standard features include two aluminium bench seats (one with a glove box), a transducer bracket and safety rails. Available options include a bimini cover to keep off the worst of the sun, rod holders, carpeted fuel tank

rack and paint/vinyl wrap. Drilling down into the numbers, the 359 Proline SE has a capacity of two people, with 1.6mm aluminium bottoms and a max HP of 15. This is the perfect option for a solo anglers or a couple of mates that want to head into the dam or river. The 379 Proline SE is setup to accommodate three people,

with a max horsepower of 25 and also featuring 1.6mm aluminium bottoms. For those with a small family (or an extra mate) this boat is perfect for exploring Australia’s waterways. “We are thrilled to bring the Stacer 359 and 379 Proline SE models to the market,” said Sam Hayes, General Manager. “We are confident that this boat will exceed the expectations of our customers and provide them with the ultimate fishing experience.” The 359 Proline SE and Proline 379 SE join the existing models in the Proline family, including the original Proline, Proline Angler and Territory Striker. All Stacer’s boats are handmade in the Gold Coast by a team of dedicated local tradesmen. To find out more about the new Proline SE range, head to www. stacer.com.au/aluminiumboat-range/prolines. – Stacer Australia MARCH 2023 99

This is the 15th year Pirtek has hosted Australia’s biggest national fishing competition. It’s open to everyone – mums, dads, kids and grandparents! Registration is $30, plus postage. Everyone who registers receives a limited edition Pirtek Fishing Challenge cap, brag mat and sticker. Plus, each Junior who enters receives a pack of Berkley lures, RRP $9.95. The Pirtek Fishing Challenge is all about raising funds for medical research. We proudly support the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and the Peter Duncan Neurosciences Research Unit.

ON THE WATER PRIZE DRAW

PRIZES

We’ve featured our ‘On the Water’ prize draw since 2012. And this year is our biggest ever, with just over $100k in prizes on offer. All you have to do is register for PFC 2023, and you go into the draw for one of 13 incredible prizes. So not only are you assisting the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia and the Peter Duncan Neuroscience Unit at St Vincent’s Hospital, but you now have even more ways to win fantastic prizes. Even if you don’t catch the biggest fish, (or any fish at all), just by entering you’re in the draw to win one of our ‘On The Water’ prizes.

The 2023 Pirtek Fishing Challenge features incredible prize packs for the longest fish in senior and junior sections with prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

Our ‘On The Water’ prizes are worth over $100,000, and the combined prize pools for this year exceeds $280,000! Entry into the ‘On the Water’ prize draw is free, and included with your Pirtek Fishing Challenge registration. Due to a recent change in South Australian trade promotion lotteries regulations South Australian residents are not eligible to enter the ‘On the Water’ prize draw for 2023.

34 x 6

These prizes are all IN provided by our partners NOT SYSTEM Pirtek Fluid Systems, Berkley, Abu Garcia, BAR Group, Mako Eyeware, Valvoline, Lowrance and BCF.

THESE PRIZES ARE AVAILABLE FOR EACH OF THE 22 TARGET SPECIES ACROSS AUSTRALIA: Mystery Length 1st Prize $2500 cash Mystery Length 2nd Prize $1500 cash 1st Prize $1680 prize pack pack, courtesy of Berkley, Abu Garcia, BAR Group, Mako and Valvoline 2nd Prize $920 prize pack, courtesy of Berkley and Abu Garcia, Mako, and Valvoline 3rd Prize $600 prize pack, courtesy of Lowrance 1st Junior $400 BCF gift voucher 2nd Junior $300 prize pack from Berkley/ABU Garcia 3rd Junior $200 prize pack from Berkley/ABU Garcia The monetary value of prizes from our commercial partners is based on recommended retail pricing and not discounted third party/retailer pricing.

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Remember the idea is to grab the family or a couple of mates for the day, have a great time fishing Cancer Foundation of Australia and the Peter Duncan Neurosciences Research Unit at St Vincent’s Hospital. And hopefully some big prizes for yourself!

Over the years, the Pirtek Fishing Challenge has strived to provide the best opportunities for competitors to fish their local area. The Challenge provides state-based and nonstate-based categories, and this can become a little confusing when boundaries overlap. So here is a summary of where you can fish in each state.

NSW / ACT There are 11 species in total. Five saltwater species: Flathead, Bream, Whiting, Tailor and Luderick. You may also fish for freshwater species in the Murray-Darling Basin, Mountain Trout and East Coast Freshwater categories. Murray-Darling Basin: Golden Perch, Redfin, European Carp, Murray Cod. Murray Cod can only be targeted with artificial lures. Strictly no bait fishing allowed for Murray Cod. Mountain Trout: Rainbow or Brown Trout East Coast Freshwater: Australian Bass

QUEENSLAND There are 10 species in total. Three saltwater species and one salt/fresh species: Whiting, Trevally (all species), Flathead, Barramundi (saltwater/freshwater) You may also fish for freshwater species in the Murray-Darling Basin, Mountain Trout and East Coast Freshwater categories. Murray-Darling Basin: Golden Perch, Redfin, European Carp, Murray Cod. Murray Cod can only be targeted with artificial lures. Strictly no bait fishing allowed for Murray Cod. Mountain Trout: Rainbow or Brown Trout East Coast Freshwater: Australian Bass

NORTHERN TERRITORY There are two target species: Barramundi (saltwater/freshwater), Trevally (all species)

TASMANIA There are two target species in total. One is a saltwater: Australian Salmon The other is part of the Mountain Trout category: Rainbow or Brown Trout

VICTORIA There are eight target species. Saltwater: Bream (all species), Flathead. You may also fish for freshwater species in the Murray-Darling Basin, Mountain Trout and East Coast Freshwater categories. Murray-Darling Basin: Golden Perch, Redfin, European Carp, Murray Cod. Murray Cod can only be targeted with artificial lures. Strictly no bait fishing allowed for Murray Cod. Mountain Trout: Rainbow or Brown Trout East Coast Freshwater: Australian Bass

SOUTH AUSTRALIA There are five species in total. This year we have combined the South Australian saltwater fish with southern Western Australia to form the SASWA (South Australia / South Western Australia) category. Saltwater: Whiting (all species), Bream (Yellowfin, Black and Pikey) You may also fish for freshwater species in the Murray-Darling Basin: Golden Perch, Redfin, European Carp. * – Due to state regulations Murray Cod is excluded for South Australian competitors.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

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Western Australia is divided into two categories. North from Kalbarri is the Top End category which includes two target species, one saltwater and one salt/fresh water: Barramundi, Trevally (all species). South from Kalbarri is the Southern WA / SA category, two saltwater species: Whiting (all species), Bream (Yellowfin, Black and Pikey).

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Tournament Calendar 2022 DATE

Tournament

Location

State

Contact

26 Mar

BASS Electric R2

Clarence River

NSW

abt.org.au

26 Mar

ECBS Bill Macquire Memorial

Sydney Harbour

NSW

wsbb.com.au

22-23 Apr

Rapala BASS Aus Open

Clarence River

NSW

abt.org.au

30 Apr

ECBS Shimano

Lake Macquarie

NSW

wsbb.com.au

2-4 May

Daiwa BREAM Aus Open

Sydney Harbour

NSW

abt.org.au

6-7 May

BREAM R4

Hawkesbury River

NSW

abt.org.au

7 May

BASS Electric R3

Lake Macdonald

QLD

abt.org.au

20-21 May

BASS Pro R3

Boondooma Dam

QLD

abt.org.au

23-24 May

BASS Pro R4

Somerset Dam

QLD

abt.org.au

28 May

ECBS 3rd Round

St Georges Basin

NSW

wsbb.com.au

3-4 Jun

BREAM R5

Lake Macquarie

NSW

abt.org.au

5 Jun

ECBS Tackle Addiction

Hawkesbury River

NSW

wsbb.com.au

17-18 Jun

BREAM R6

Blackwood River

abt.org.au

24-25 Jun

BREAM QLD Open

Moreton Bay/Gold Coast

QLD

abt.org.au

BREAM R7

Gladstone

QLD

abt.org.au

19-20 Aug

BREAM R8

Gold Coast

QLD

abt.org.au

20 Aug

BASS Electric R4

Hinze Dam

QLD

abt.org.au

9-10 Sep

BASS Pro R5

Hunter River

NSW

abt.org.au

12-13 Sep

BASS Pro R6

Lake St Clair

NSW

abt.org.au

24 Sep

ECBS Shimano Round

Botany Bay

NSW

wsbb.com.au

29-30 Sep

BARRA R1

Lake Tinaroo

QLD

abt.org.au

1 Oct

BARRA R2

Lake Tinaroo

QLD

abt.org.au

7-8 Oct

BASS Electric GF

Wyaralong Dam

QLD

abt.org.au

15 Oct

ECBS Grand Final

Sydney Harbour

NSW

wsbb.com.au

28-29 Oct

BASS Pro GF

TBC

QLD

abt.org.au

23 Nov

BARRA R3

Teemburra Dam

QLD

abt.org.au

10-12 Nov

BREAM GF

Port Stephens

NSW

abt.org.au

24 Nov

BARRA R4

Kinchant Dam

QLD

abt.org.au

26 Nov

BARRA R5

Peter Faust Dam

QLD

abt.org.au

28-29 Nov

BARRA R6

Peter Faust Dam

QLD

abt.org.au

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY 22/23 Jul AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

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. 102 MARCH 2023

MARCH 2023 103

South Coast

Angling targets in early autumn ESPERANCE

Murray Johnson

Esperance has been experiencing its normal summer winds, but there have still been plenty of fish caught, including good-size bull herring and salmon. On the local beaches we are also seeing plenty of flathead, smaller skippy, and the occasional bronze whaler and small mulloway. The best local areas to fish are still Salmon Beach and Fourth Beach, with the reef at the first carpark at Fourth producing the best fishing. The best time to fish is late in the afternoon. When targeting salmon off the beach, the standard approach is a 4/0 gang baited with a pilchard, and a reasonably heavy leader. Further out of town, Roses has been producing good numbers of salmon, and more sharks have been sighted there. Anglers have also been encountering the occasional tailor. Munglinup Beach has been super soft to drive on, but when it’s

accessible, or you’re prepared to walk, there are good numbers of salmon on offer, plus herring and smaller mulloway. East of town, there have been good catches of salmon at Duke of Orleans, along with bronze whalers. Alexander Bay has also been producing plenty of salmon and bigger herring. People are also getting nice skippy there, up to around the 0.5kg mark, which is a good eating size. At Israelite Bay there have been catches of smaller mulloway, the occasional gummy shark, and plenty of small bronzies. There’s a lot of side drift there, so bring a wire surf rig (grapnel sinker or breakaway sinker). The most popular rig is your standard nylon paternoster with 60lb leader, and a 5/0 tarpon gang or a 6/0-7/0 snell holding a bigger bait such as a pilchard or strip of herring. Personally, I like to use a 3/0 kahle during the day, and a 5/0 kahle at night. Remember to check your bait every 15 minutes to make sure that the pickers haven’t taken it.

In town itself, the jetty fishing is seeing plenty of good herring being caught, along with the occasional squid, and plenty of garfish at night. Anglers have also been picking up the occasional small tuna off the jetty, mainly bonito. Most have been taken on herring baits fished under a float. Tailor Street jetty has also been producing the occasional King George whiting. The majority have been taken baits of prawns, cockles or bloodworms on a paternoster rig with long shank no 6 hooks. You can also get good results by using pre-made tinsel flash rigs, such as Black Magic Whiting Snatchers or Whiting Whackers, for that bit of extra attraction. These rigs use recurve/ circle hooks, which nearly always hook the fish in the lip, so they’re quicker to remove. At Bandy Creek Boat Harbour there are good numbers of small bream, King George whiting, flounder and flathead. There are numerous herring there as well.

The bream lakes have been producing good numbers of fish up to the 40cm+ mark (approx 1kg). One of the best producing soft plastics has been the 2.5” Bait Junkie Minnow in the blue colour, worked with a slow retrieve. Moving to boat fishing in the bay, we are seeing some smaller bluefin tuna being caught. The best areas have been the back of Charlie and Cull islands, and also out near Lion Island. Good results have been coming on the Halco Laser Pro160 in pilchard colour, and any of your jet head trolling skirts. If you want to try something a bit different, you can try casting stickbaits like the Ocean’s Legacy Keeling. These lures have been producing good fish of late. Closer in there are sand whiting, herring, and snook, and around the closer islands there are still good numbers of queen snapper, smaller breaksea and the occasional samsonfish. Out wide there are plenty of big schools of tuna, and for the bottom fishers there are good

Oli has been getting into the bream. Image supplied by @olistevensonn.

numbers of nannygai up around the 60cm mark, mixed in with your normal breaksea, harlequin and queenies. There are also 20kg+ samsonfish on offer, along with the occasional small yellowtail kingfish. FISHING IN MARCH March is when the salmon will keep coming in closer and schooling in bigger numbers before they start their migration down towards Perth. Off the beaches, along with the salmon you’ll also still get plenty of whalers

who are shadowing the salmon. Tailor should be in bigger numbers as well, and plenty of big bull herring will still be around. • Established in 1986, Southern Sports and Tackle specializes in the supply and servicing of fishing equipment. They have an extensive knowledge of the local area and provide all brands, whether you’re fishing from beach, jetty or boat. Come and chat to the friendly staff at Shop 16, The Boulevard, Esperance or phone 08 9071 3022.

Beach brawlers in Bunbury BUNBURY

Whiteys Tackle and Camping

At this time of year there is nothing better than heading down to the beach after work to chase tailor.

ever-reliable metal slugs for some high-speed spinning action. Slugs in the 10-70g range are great, with the weight determined by what your rod is capable of casting. If you’re unsure about your rod, look for a gram rating on the rod blank.

on a 3/0-4/0 chemicallysharpened gang with little or no weight, tied to the mainline with some 20lb fluorocarbon leader. This technique requires a more hands-on approach. Make sure you include a few pauses in your retrieve, as this

earlier and earlier. The salmon give the shore-based angler a consistent sportfishing target and depending on water temperatures and if it has dropped enough, we should start seeing an increase in numbers over the next month. If I’m planning to chase salmon, I leave the bait at home and flick a lure at the schooled up fish. Schools from the beach will look just like a weed bed, only it will move! Just tie on a lure and start casting. My favourite lure is a pre-rigged soft plastic in the 5-7” range, as this allows me to fish the whole water column and I can sink it down to where the salmon are holding. When a school of salmon is coming your way, don’t cast directly into the middle, try to get your lure landing 5-10m in front of the leading fish

Brendan Stemp caught this mulloway on a soft plastic.

Mitchell Cooper releasing a tiger shark. It’s great to relax with the sand between your toes and the waves lapping at your feet while you enjoy the afternoon sea breeze! These conditions usually get the tailor hungry and aggressive, making them a great target for throwing hardbodied lures and soft plastics. Look for a likely gutter and start casting the 104 MARCH 2023

If flat out non-stop spinning is not your style, try a bibbed minnow. Twitching and pausing the lure during the retrieve will imitate an injured baitfish, sounding the dinner bell to any tailor nearby. When the tailor are being fussy (whether it be from angler pressures or from an overabundance of baitfish), my go-to technique is a mulie

can convert fussy feeders into hook-ups. Belvedere and Buffalo beaches are popular options, but a little bit further north towards Myalup and Preston can turn on some red-hot fishing at times. Salmon are coming! These prolific sportfish are approaching fast, and each year they seem to be arriving

This tailor couldn’t resist a chrome slug.

and watch as the fish that lead the pack peel off and attack your offering. Ideally a 6-10kg graphite rod in the 9ft range (7ft is better in the boat) will suit this style of fishing perfectly. These types of rods are strong enough to cast large lures and put some real grunt on the fish without taking all the fun out of it. A commonly forgotten target from the beach during this time of year is the almighty shark. There are quite a few anglers in the area who target the sharks that are following the schools

South Coast

Locals finding fish between strong gusts channel areas has resulted in tailor, herring, pink snapper and black bream. Targeting the shallow sand flats and narrow channels between them, especially in the Deadwater, Swan Lake and East Augusta, has seen plenty of yellowfin whiting and King George whiting. Small surface lures and baits of cockles,

AUGUSTA

Anthony Gillam

The schools are back in, the crowds have returned to their hometowns, Augusta has draped itself in the sleepy hollow facade that it assumes for most of the year, and the locals are slowly coming out of their hidey holes. There has been plenty of blustery southeasterly winds, which summer in the bottom half of the state is known for. It has probably averaged 20 knots for most of the summer, making those days where it drops off a scramble for all land and boat-based fishers. Luckily there have been a few perfect fishing days to keep the thirst satiated. With the new government mandated fishing bans in place, there was a short period for people to go out and catch the

Jason Morgan was happy to land himself a nice dhufish for Christmas in Flinders Bay using fish bait.

Another meal of King George whiting taken off the rocks in Augusta using squid for bait. of salmon. Quite often the salmon are being sent back with a nice new nose ring intended to be the dinner for our friends in the grey coats. This can definitely be a heartpumping experience! The offshore anglers are smack bang in the

fishing but don’t own a boat, then come and see the friendly staff at Augusta Xtreme Boat Hire. They can sort you out with all manner of watercraft for the experienced operator or novice. Part of Augusta Xtreme Outdoor Sports, you can drop into the shop in the main street or visit Emma who will be working at our

middle of the new demersal ban, so other targets like King George whiting are at the top of the list at the moment. They can be elusive, but I would recommend trying gravelly ground in the 25-30m depths to get results! • Whatever your

sought-after dhufish and pink snapper. Unfortunately, with the weather not playing nice, there were very few demersal fish caught before the next period of closure commenced. Those few who were lucky enough to have time off coinciding with good weather and open season managed some nice dhufish and queen snapper out in Flinders Bay. Soft plastics and jigs took most of the fish, however, baits of squid and mullet were also very well received. Meanwhile those restricted to the land or small watercraft in Hardy Inlet and the Blackwood River have been scoring big time, with an assortment of species working their way through the system right out to the ocean. Trolling small hardbodied lures through any of the preference, get out there and give it a go! The friendly staff down at Whitey’s Tackle and Camping in Treendale live locally and fish locally, so if you have any questions on what you have read, or to just want to pop in and say hi, the crew will always be happy to chat.

Mitchell Cooper with a nighttime giant herring.

A welcome addition, squid make great live bait, cut bait or a succulent meal. This one was captured on a Yo-Zuri squid jig. bloodworms and squid have been successful. The blue swimmer crabs are coming out to play in good numbers now, with mainly big males moving around. Drop netting is currently the best way to target them, but in the next month or so the scoopers will get in on the act. Due to the warmer days, the crabs seem to be sticking to the deeper waters of the inlet, requiring a bit of searching around to narrow down where they are lurking. Black bream fishing remains extremely good all through the system, with catches reported from the freshwater right down to the cut at Colourpatch. The stretch of river from Molloy Island Caravan Park across to Molloy Island has reportedly given up some trophy-sized fish, however, methods of capture, size and actual location have been closely guarded. A couple of long-term local families have been reaping the rewards of years of trial and error, but are keeping very tight-lipped. If you come across some barefoot fishers that look local, it might pay to keep half an eye on what they are using. Soft plastic grubs and hardbodied lures always work and river prawns are great bait. If you want to try boat

Deere Reef and Ringbolt Bay have held good numbers of fish, with bigger fish being located generally at the limit of casting range. Squid tentacles, prawn pieces and sandworms are all taken aggressively. Rock fishing has also been worthwhile for bread-andbutter species, with herring and skippy providing enough for a feed without too much trouble. Add the odd leatherjacket and tarwhine and you have a tasty feast! Berley them up to bring them around and keep them interested. Try the rock walls at the marina, off the granite at Ringbolt Bay and Skippy Rock. Prawns, squid and fish strips will catch all of these fish and any others worth targeting off the rocks. The new regulations mean that although you cannot target demersals from a watercraft for six months of the year, shore-based fishing is allowed all year. It is expected that drone fishing will become the next big thing in targeting big demersals from the shore, as you will be able to drop a bait on lumps of reef quite easily. Stay tuned for developments in that style of fishing! • Rock fishing is dangerous at times and careful consideration of where and when you fish must be practised. Unpredictable weather can quickly affect the fishing conditions and slippery rocks are a recipe for disaster. Please remain vigilant when rock fishing; wear a life jacket and tie off

A thick 40cm King George whiting typical of what can be caught off the rocks or around sand patches. moorings near the Old Town Jetty. No skippers ticket is required to operate most of our boats, and basic instructions will soon get you underway. Beach fishing for whiting throughout the area has been very good, especially for fat sand whiting and some stonker King George whiting. The Cut,

to something solid. You can hire one for free from Augusta Xtreme Outdoor Sports at 66 Blackwood Avenue Augusta, the local tackle shop, boat hire and front of all local fishing knowledge. Look for the big green sign on the roof, it’s right next to the BP Service Station in the centre of town. MARCH 2023 105

West Coast

How to make the best of the current closure ROCK WALLS AND BEACHES There always seems to be some fishing options from our metro rock walls, and that will be true for the month of March. Berley will be your key to success for species like sand whiting, herring, skippy and the occasional King George whiting. Set up a good berley trail and you could have all of these species within easy casting distance of you. Squid are the other great option in March. Their numbers will be up, but sizes may be down a little. The Fremantle

METRO

Jacob Crispe

The powers that be are pushing the message that anglers need to change their habits and seek other options as our demersal fish recover. Whether you agree or disagree with this is a discussion to have over a beverage. As mentioned last month, we are very lucky here in the Perth metro area to have plenty of options available to put a bend in your fishing rod and pick up a feed for your family. SWAN RIVER The main focus in the Swan will continue to be the fishing in and around the shallow flats. Areas like Dalkeith, Pelican Point, Matilda Bay and Point Walter all have large tidal flats dropping into deeper water. Our flathead love frequenting these areas,

Young Luka is no stranger to catching great flathead while wading in the Swan River with his Grandad Ian.

A prime example of the calibre squid you can expect to catch down at the South Mole. This specimen was caught by Ian Moyle. and we love fishing there. The fish could be in ankle deep water or in waist deep water, so any cast could come up tight to a fish. Good black bream reports continue to come in from throughout the system. The fish certainly have spread far and wide this year, and this is great for anyone fishing the Swan. It is nice to see not only seasoned anglers doing well, but families getting out and the next generation of anglers having some success. Their smiles are priceless. Tailor are also ever present in the system at the moment. Averaging 30cm plus, they are great fun to target using small stickbaits or metal lures. 106 MARCH 2023

Swan River Samurai, Han Yeoh, can’t get enough of these ultra light game fish on surface – yellowfin whiting.

They will generally hold in the deeper water off the previously mentioned flats, and hunt in numbers. Birds feeding can give away their locations, something generally only found in open waters. The bonus has been the presence of giant herring amongst the tailor schools. They are a prized capture for any angler. A good area to focus on for tailor and giant herring is the section of river between the Canning and Narrows bridges. There is plenty of good water in this section of the river. Blue swimmer crabs are also a big focus for many people at present, with good numbers being reported, and this should continue in March. The deeper sections in the area between the Canning bridge and the Old Brewery is a great place to start.

The fish tucker man, Mr Dom Magoo, showing off a tasty 5-star treat. There’s not much better than fresh blue swimmer crabs!

The boys at Tackle West have been hitting the FADS and getting into some absolute cracker dollies! Sailing Club rock wall and South Mole generally have good squid fishing (all skill levels), while those anglers with a little more experience can look at North Mole. There is good deep water a little further out that holds good squid at times. Tailor are always an option, with last light being the best time to target them. North Mole and Cottesloe Groyne are great places to try. Tailor will also be a main target species for our beach anglers. Cottesloe, Scarborough, Trigg and Main Beach will all be worth considering. Salmon may also on the cards because surely, they can’t be too far away. For anglers fishing after dark, mulloway will be the main target. A pleasant surprise recently has been some big flathead showing up amongst the mulloway as well. INSHORE Our close-in reefs will be holding good numbers

target them. The area between Fremantle and Mindarie should be alive with activity. Squid and King George whiting will also be options to target. As mentioned in last month’s report, samsonfish push in closer at this time of the year. They can be caught in a real mix of sizes (1kg-30kg) and tend to be around these same structures. The odd yellowtail kingfish may be amongst them too. Drifting the edges of the shipping channel for sand whiting is always an option. Fresh squid or peeled coral prawns are you best baits. Tr o p h y King George whiting anglers will continue to hit the deeper water off Rottnest (20-30m). When I say trophy fish, I mean fish averaging 50-60cm. Certainly well

A great photo with a nice flathead caught on the beach by Nolan Unwin. of skippy and herring in the coming weeks. Setting up a berley trail just off these reefs is a great way to

worth catching. OFFSHORE The FADs remain the main focus for offshore

West Coast

Plenty of options during demersal closed season MANDURAH

Jesse Choy

During the month of March the fishing is bound to produce, no matter where you choose to fish. Though it can take a bit of working

March under new changes. Fortunately, there are a still great fishing options in the form of pelagic fish and whiting, and you are still able to fish from the shore for demersal fish, plus the usual year-round species. Beaches are a favourite

whiting and silver bream on the beaches, from Preston Beach to Secret Harbour. If you are after something a bit bigger, the beach mulloway will still be around, though they can prove quite elusive to people who have only limited time to go and throw a line in the surf. Persistence is the key when chasing these fish. Many anglers often put in a lot of time with minimal action before seeing signs or results. Fishing from the rock walls, or one of the jetties around them, is a great option for those seeking a short, fun trip, as they produce well at the right time, and are easily accessible to all. Whether you are fishing around town or the cut, herring, skipjack trevally and tailor are all on the cards. Fishing a change of light is ideal. However, seeing as these rocky structures act as

Some good tailor will be getting around this month, if you cast at good looking gutters with fresh baits.

Resident salmon are always a pleasure to catch with their acrobatic jumps, especially on light gear. out to achieve your chosen species, much of what you can catch throughout the year is yours for the taking during this month. Results will differ based heavily on what you wish to pursue. Anglers should be reminded that targeting demersal finfish by boat is prohibited until the end of anglers. You can go to the Recfish West website to get their locations. Mahimahi (dolphinfish) love the FADs and are the main target species, however the occasional wahoo, Spanish mackerel and yellowfin tuna can also be found around them. Another option is to troll lures along the 25-30m line for bluefin tuna. The area between Rockingham and Hillaries will be a good place to start. It might be worth having a rig with wire attached ready to go as well, as the odd Spanish mackerel will also be about. Drifting live baits and berleying the edge of the sanctuary zone for yellowtail kingfish is another option worth considering. Keep an eye out for deep structure while you are out there (50m+), because samsons love sitting in this structure and can be targeted using knife jigs and large soft plastics. So that is March fishing

option for many people when it comes to choosing where to go put a line in and hoping to catch a fish. Though the sand can deter some anglers, it is inviting for plenty more who welcome the water washing over their feet and soaking a bait for tailor. Aside from tailor, there are plenty of herring, sand

Dread Man never ceases to catch beautiful looking fish. It’s definitely a result of all the hours he puts in to find them.

Matt Petrillo from AFW is no stranger when it comes to putting big squid on the deck! This one came from a lovely evening out from Fremantle. in a nutshell. Personally, a bit of squid fishing from our rock walls and some wading the flats for flathead sounds

good to me. I hope you all have a chance to get out too, and I will catch you next month.

a highway for species to pass through, they can fish well at any time of the day. Aside from the listed species, you will also find good numbers of resident salmon trout, yellowfin whiting and the usual picker species getting about when fishing from the rocks or jetties. As usual, the river will produce for those looking at a spot of fishing for black bream, and hoping for a mulloway in the process. Most of the river holds fish at this time of the year, though you would generally want to focus your efforts on the mid to low stream sections and change it up when fishing seems slow. Fresh, lightly presented baits are ideal to give yourself the best chance. Lure choice will generally come down to what food source is abundant at the time of fishing. Fishing freshwater during autumn can be a little bit slow when it comes to trout fishing in streams and the surrounding dams. You will still get trout turning up, but

they are generally in thinner numbers and can be a bit more difficult to come across. If you are chasing trout, you will find that the dams are a better option as they hold better numbers and are far more concentrated than a narrow stretch of stream that may hold few fish at the best of times. When it comes to fishing for red-fin perch during this month, you will find that they are quite abundant regardless of whether you are fishing in a stream or dam. You will generally pick your spot based off the backdrop you wish to encounter on the day. Lures are a crowd favourite when fishing out in the shrub, as they offer a lot of versatility with regards to ground coverage, swimming depth, bait imitation and presentation.

Corey with a nice chunk on the ever-trusty motor oil grub – a must have lure for river anglers. MARCH 2023 107

West Coast

New demersal rules are in play LANCELIN

Peter Fullarton

Boat fishers will have to continue looking for alternate options to demersals. On the first of April the season will reopen under the new rules, but I really wonder about the effectiveness of these new rules, and last month I highlighted considerable potential increase in proportional catches of dhufish. It’s been a bit like a gold rush over the last few weeks, with huge amounts of boats heading west to top up the freezer while they still could. The new rules will create three such rushes at the end of each school holiday, will there be a reduction in total effort? Now is time to go through the tackle box, gearing up and getting

Jon came out on a calm day with the author on the Hobie Pro Angler, scoring three nice dhu from shallow water lumps. back of the white bank or even on top of it. If you’re not catching there, start a trolling pattern out to past the 20m line looking for bait schools on the sounder. Sometimes bait will be all along a certain depth, so put the trolling effort in where the baitfish schools are thickest. Mackerel will push up the bait from below, so if the bait is all sitting on the bottom, keep moving on to find some mid-water or surface schools. Tailor are another option the boatie might not normally target, but this is something to do when there is going to be a strong easterly. The best spot to troll is right up tight on the beach behind the surf break. The most effective technique is to troll pilchards dead slow, or pick up the pace a bit to

Steven Toothill with an end of season dhufish. 3-4kn and troll lures like the Dr Hook School Bully. L a n d - b a s e d recreational line fishers can now fish all year round for demersals, including pink snapper. A drone helps to get the bait to the fish, but is not essential. Casting for snapper is a speciality, just like chasing mulloway. During calmer periods baits usually need to be up tight on reef, though when the

swell is bigger and the water is stirred up, snapper can be caught off the sand. Around Lancelin that means fishing in the lee of one of the many offshore reefs to manage the swell enough to be able to keep baits in the water. For snapper, try Fence Reef, the north point of Lancelin Bay, Didie Point and Narrow Neck. Drone fishers who can get the baits out a little further can catch fish

Young Jinry came out for a kayak session and had a great day, landing numerous species, including this 60cm pink snapper. rigs ready to comply with the one bait or lure per line rule. There has been some confusion with what this means. Basically, you can only have one leader, though on the end you can have a single, gang or a flight of hooks snelled together, so long as they only hold a single bait. When I am serious about grabbing a quick fish for the pan, I prefer a paternoster rig with a good quality bait. Paternosters are ideal for our snaggy kelp and coral bottom, as the sinker hangs below the bait, keeping the hooks clear of snags. Traditionally fishers have used two or three baits. I would usually have had one small bait on one of the leaders, as 108 MARCH 2023

baldies will peck at a large bait, often pulling it off the hook before getting hooked. The smaller offering means larger baldies can swallow it in one gulp. I plan to continue using the paternoster with a single bait, though snelling two hooks together with a smaller hook trailing on the thin end of the bait should make it more likely to hook those baldies as they peck. Jigs, plastics and slow pitch metals are the way to go. If you have not already got into the jigging scene, jigs from companies like Vexed or Dhubite are great, and fishing them is like a cross between full artificial jigging and bait fishing, and a good transition for those who might hesitate to move

away from baits totally. They fit the bill perfectly for the new rules and are a good steppingstone into soft plastics or slow pitch metal jigs. So what to do with your time on the water now? I will be putting out my cray pots around the new moon, as there is always a great run of inshore reds this month. While out checking the pots at first light, it’s prime time to troll up a mackerel. Ideally, I would troll first light while the mackerel are most active, then pull the pots on the way back as the sun lifts in the sky, though given enough effort you will pick macks up any time of day. Often mackerel are tight up on the

Casting plastics and vibes along the bay’s clear shallows produces great sessions and numerous species at this time of year.

West Coast

Need for speed is real KALBARRI

Stephen Wiseman

The start of February is the start of the demersal ban on fishing for the major part of the West Coast, a new idea by the minister to improve

fish stocks! And what a start to the ban we’ve had, with boat anglers around Kalbarri being greeted by the arrival of the rat pack slashing at anything in the water. Good-sized yellowfin tuna can be taken on lures anywhere out from the

North Cardinal at the river mouth. Just send the lures out behind the boat and go south, west or north to get stuck into these lovely speedsters. Most of the fish reported by local Rob while working on Reefwalker have been around the 30lb (15kg)

Wahoo are always a welcome catch.

Local angler Rob with a tuna caught on a local charter boat. throughout the day, and dropping baits and berley in a proven spot is the most effective way to maximise the success rate. Fishers have come up with all sorts of ingenious methods to get the berley out to the drop zone. Oannes Dropzone Mesh is favoured for dry pellets, where a dissolving bag is attached to the line. Other people using wet ingredients might use stockings or mesh fruit bags attached to the line. Guitarfish have seen a surge in numbers with the arrival of warmer waters. They are a massive and powerful fish, giving many anglers the fight

size. The fish have been so ferocious that anglers have had some mayhem mornings with multiple hook-ups causing quick lessons in macramé! The toothy brigade have arrived in numbers as well, with mackerel and wahoo smashing shallow diving lures trolled north of Frustration Rock, and again it was the local charter boat that was among the action. Double

and triple hook-ups have been causing onboard panic as reels squeal from the acceleration of wahoo racing off with their new toys. Decent fish have been boated, with the fish often left biting, so there are a few around for all. River action has been quiet, with only a few bream reported by local Brett, but he did say the crabs are improving and he managed to find a few

for a feed. Tailor and mulloway action has been quiet as well, but maybe it’s because everyone is out chasing the speeding teeth to the west, which is where I’m off to now! Remember to check your gear on board, because the DPI will and you don’t want to get cautioned or fined. Stay safe out there this month.

FISHING NEWS

New multilevel fishing platform

Some incredibly calm weather saw out the end of demersal season.

Schools of little jellybean bluefin have been widespread through the depths and are great fun on light gear.

of their life when an encounter happens. The other brutes terrorising the land-based fishers have been samsonfish. Small summer choppers have slowed in the past few months as larger fish have arrived in top breeding condition to release their eggs. Many local anglers have mentioned low tailor numbers in recent seasons compared to the past, so only keep what you need, limiting the catch rather catching the limit. It’s a great time to throw a few smaller baits off the beach for breadand-butter species, with a larger average size in the sand whiting and lots of herring as well.

The Pilbara Ports Authority (PPA) placed fishing considerations at the fore of its ongoing construction of the Spoilbank Marina. Given the difference between the low and high tide mark in Port Hedland is frequently around 6m, PPA constructed two levels on a new fishing platform to allow anglers to wet a line during either the low or high tide mark, with wheelchair accessibility included. The PPA has also deployed six mangrove jack, cod and coral troutattracting reef balls, donated by Rio Tinto, under the smart-design jetty to further enhance fishing opportunities. Drawing on artificial reef expertise, Recfishwest assisted PPA in the configuration of the

six reef balls, to maximise the effectiveness of the modules. The pylons of the jetty themselves will help provide shelter and structure for the settlement of marine flora, algae, crustaceans and baitfish, further encouraging predators to congregate and move between the pylons and individual reef structures. Recfishwest has also advised PPA on deploying additional reef ball modules and other reef structures

parallel to the break wall on the inside of the marina. These other areas of habitat enhancement will help reduce overcrowding on the fishing jetty upon its completion, while also increasing catches of soughtafter species. The ongoing Spoilbank Marina construction is expected to be operational by late 2023, with final completion expected in early 2024. - RW

MARCH 2023 109

North Coast

Better late than never for Karratha barra DAMPIER/KARRATHA

Troy Honey

We had a very slow start to the Karratha barra season in 2023, due to the water temp staying cooler. However, the start of February saw the temperature blast through the 30°C mark, and the result was tight lines in all creeks and multiple barra reports coming in thick and fast. The neap tides of the last weekend in January is when things started to turn, and by the first weekend of February during the full-moon spring tides, the season was well underway. All creek systems to the south of Dampier and north of Karratha are fishing well for barra, as is Balla Balla up at Whim Creek. There are also plenty of queenfish and threadfin in the systems, and no shortage of big mud crabs, especially on the spring tides. The deeper holes around the mouths of the creeks are holding blue swimmer crabs but you need to get your nets right down the bottom of the holes; nearby isn’t good enough, and won’t produce crabs. Mangrove jacks are plentiful now and can be enticed out of their rock holes with surface lures cast

Wet season brings warmer water temps and with it, increased bluebone activity along the shoreline. The author caught quite a few bluebone on fresh rock crabs last month, including this 630mm male on the rising tide of a new moon.

Big mud crabs are plentiful in Karratha. The full moon is the best time to target them because they use the moonlight and big tides to hunt.

as close as you can get to the rocks. Try all around the islands, working each of the rocky outcrops. It is here that an electric motor is essential. Trying to use an anchor is too difficult, and even dangerous at times, likewise with drifting. There are some extremely sharp

and solid rocks that will tear your hull open in seconds, and they’re hidden well by the rising and falling tides. It’s all too easy to become complacent. You must have an electric motor when fishing Karratha. People often ask me how I get so many bluebone, the answer

is simply an electric motor with anchor mode. I would never get a boat without one. Likewise, when chasing GTs around the shoals, an electric motor is an unbeatable tool. There have been quite a few monster GTs landed during February by anglers casting and

Arm stretchers are cruising close to shore EXMOUTH

Barry Taylor

The weather lately been surprisingly nice, with most days being warm but still. There has been the odd really windy day, however the gulf generally gets at least half a day of good, fishable weather

each day. There’s been lots and lots of big GTs on the outside of the reef. A recent report of a man who gets them off his kayak, along with a few red bass as well, has had locals amazed at his dedication. Blue and black marlin are still being caught in fantastic numbers. A customer and marlin novice

Strada Tempest stickbaits and Storm So-Run Minnows are popular lures for the spangos. Fishing in this way has also been producing trout, GTs, red bass, Spaniards

Max soft vibes claiming good numbers of rankin cod, red emperor and coral trout. NEXT MONTH There hasn’t been a lot of news on the

Chris Johnson with a huge Spanish mackerel caught on a 70g jig. Image courtesy of @tackleworldexmouth.

A black marlin caught on a Richter lure. The outfit was a Saltiga LD40 matched to a Saltiga Tournament 8/10. Image courtesy of @indepthangler_josh. 110 MARCH 2023

mentioned getting four billfish from five hook-ups – pretty good for a first timer! Anglers towing lures such as Richter Soft Grassies and Soft Oscars have been doing the best. Great numbers of whiting have been reported with the warmer water on the gulf side. Most of

the better fish have been taken on topwater lures, with poppers and stickbaits such as the Jackson Pygmy Popper doing most of the damage. A few spangled emperor have been caught off the shore, in fact they seem to be more abundant than usual! Nomad Mad Scads,

The elusive permit is on many anglers’ bucket lists. Image courtesy of @indepthangler_josh. and other pelagics close to shore. Those with boat have been finding success fishing vertically over patches of reef, with Nomad Vertrex

crabbing front, however this may improve over the coming weeks. Looking ahead, the weather is likely to stay the way it has been for

LIGHT, POWERFUL, baldchin or dhuie pales DURABLE… in reach them.

retrieving big poppers into the whitewash. In the same vicinity, queenfish, spangled emperor, coral trout and Spanish mackerel have all been caught on lures, both surface and diving. If you are chasing trout and emperors, fish the shoals

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MARCH 2023 111

Cooler, more comfortable weather for trout Wellington Dam A couple of my mates fished this water when they were down there chasing marron in early February, and reported that the redfin

FRESHWATER

Peter Fragomeni

The latter part of March can see some cooler days here in the West, which can result in increased activity around our dams closer to Perth. The trout find it more comfortable and venture closer to shore, where food can be more available. This is not the case in all years, as sometimes this doesn’t occur until well into April. We will have to wait and see how it will unfold this year. Judging by the reports coming through it seems the best activity has come from the Pemberton region compared to areas further north. Redfin have been caught throughout all the regions, with some good catches recorded by a number of anglers that put the time in, chasing these tasty species. AUSSIE NATIVES Not a lot of reports have filtered in, but that’s not to

This section of the Murray River just south of Perth normally has a reasonable flow. A recent fishing trip produced only a few small redfin in the deep pools using soft plastics and small spinners cast close to structure.

Marron can grow large in our dark, cool waters in southern WA. Fisheries WA impose tight restrictions with heavy fines for people caught doing the wrong thing. say there aren’t any fish being caught, just that most anglers are keeping tightlipped about the subject. I managed to venture out in my area and noticed a few silver perch free swimming in very shallow water. MARRON This season has seen 112 MARCH 2023

were very active. They managed to land around 30 in one afternoon using soft plastics on a drop-shot rig in 20m of water. Unfortunately, no trout were spotted that day,

some good catches from both dams and rivers, with the better waters being around Collie and the Pemberton region. The short season ended in early February, and it seems Fisheries WA are happy with the lack of non-compliance cases reported throughout the

fishery. Fisheries officers are still patrolling the waters looking for those few trying to take marron out of season, with heavy fines issued to those that do the wrong thing. DAMS Waroona Dam I paid a visit to this water recently and chose to flick a few plastics and hardbodied lures around the edge. The ski boats were very active, and after catching only a few small redfin, we decided to sit back and sample a few of the cold ales we had in the esky. It’s hoped that a few trout will show up when things cool off in late autumn. Drakesbrook Weir Jonah Chiera reports that a few good redfin are showing up, and even a trout or two are putting in an appearance on occasions. The best bet is to get out on the water via a kayak or small electric-powered boat and fish the deeper water closer to the wall. Dropping soft plastics to the bottom can be deadly, and slow trolling deep diving lures can also be a productive technique. Logue Brook Dam The ever-increasing number of ski boats and jet-skis on this water is alarming. I normally wait until late April or even May before I fish this water, as it can be dangerous throughout the warmer months. Harvey Dam This summer the fishing has been tough on this water as far as the trout fishing goes, with very little action experienced by those who chase them. I can confirm

that all the reports coming in have been by anglers who are extremely disappointed with this water. It seems that a lack of stocking of brood trout has been the main reason why. I will sit on the fence because I haven’t fished this water since 2021. On the other hand, the redfin fishing has been exceptional, with the average size being mainly in the 25-32cm range.

Logan Ohde was excited to see this large 32cm (tip to tail) marron on his bait. He caught it on his family trip to the southwest this marron season.

Murray cod are rarely caught in WA due to the lack of government stocking. Freshwater anglers keep tight-lipped about locations, and obtaining photos is only gained through trust. Young Hunter caught this little beauty fishing with his dad recently.

but other anglers have seen a few chasing their lures whilst they were spinning for redfin. Glen Mervyn Dam Some good redfin have been caught recently. This little water doesn’t get a lot of fishing pressure so there seems to be a few redfin around that have rarely seen a lure. Lake Kepwari This old coal mine just out of Collie holds some reasonable redfin at times. Not a lot of anglers fish this water as it’s out away from closer dams that fish more reliably. I fish it on occasions, and find the fish only sit at certain depths so it’s important to have a decent sounder if you want any success. Big Brook Dam This is by far the best water if you are chasing stillwater action. The fishing has been exceptionally good right up until the hot weather set in during mid-summer. Both browns and rainbow trout have been caught in numbers, no doubt due to the increased stocking by Fisheries WA. This little water should fire again later this month when the water temperatures start to drop.

and downstream of the town of Nannup. Warren River This river is arguably known as a better redfin water these days, but some good trout are still getting caught right through the system. I heard a rumour

with the preference going to soft plastics, as they get the results and don’t hurt the bank budget when lost in the structure that litters this water. Lefroy Brook The water is very low, making the fish very wary

section around Boat Landing. If you have a boat or even a kayak then I would try trolling close to the bank adjacent to the fallen trees. Some good trout sit in this section, and the area is home to some large black bream that are

A few redfin are turning up in our northern dams close to Perth. This one was caught by Jonah Chiera fishing from his kayak at Drakesbrook Weir. RIVERS Murray River I fished here recently and was surprised by the lack of water flowing over the rapids, given that we had a wet winter. We didn’t see a trout, but we managed a few small redfin on small spinners and an array of soft plastics. I tried the fly in the better sections

Hotham Mill is going to be intensely mined by Alcoa. This is sad news as it’s in the water catchment area, and was taken from us when Stirling Dam was placed into the scheme to supply water for Perth. It’s annoying when anglers can’t access drinking water dams or rivers, and yet the authorities are perfectly willing to allow

to fish this section of the river. Some good reports have come through by those who know how to fish there. The secret is to keep an eye out on water flow levels and avoid very high flows. The faster the flow, the heavier the lure or fly. Good rainbow and brown trout have been caught this season. Redfin are widespread throughout southern WA. This one hit a deep diving lure trolled adjacent to a drop-off in 10m of water. Wendy Jane was happy with the result. of a large 8lb trout that was caught here recently, which is encouraging. It’s not known if it was a hatchery ex-brood fish or one of the wild ones that used to be caught regularly. With the cooler weather coming on it should push the trout up into faster water at the head of the pools, making them easier to target. Big redfin are getting caught in the deeper pools by anglers venturing up on their kayaks. Any of the popular lures are working,

in the shallow areas. Look for shaded spots up in the forest, and avoid popular areas that get a flogging. It can be fun chasing small trout with the fly rod up around the hatchery. Alternatively, if you have the legs, a long walk up above the town weir is worth a try, as it holds some nice rainbows and browns on occasions. Donnelly River The upstream section is very low so I would concentrate on the lower

willing to attack a trout lure if it passes close by. As you can see, we have a variety of dams and rivers that can fish reasonably well at times. A Inland Freshwater Licence is required to fish here in WA with juniors not required to purchase a licence and concessions are available for those that hold the appropriate cards. Fire and snakes are still a risk so take care and enjoy our great outdoors. Until next time, stay connected.

A nice brown trout taken from an irrigation dam. Autumn can be an exciting time to explore the freshwater scene. with no luck. Northern Jarrah streams The streams are very low apart from the spring-fed ones that always hold small trout. Harvey River It was brought to my attention that this river around

heavy machinery in to destroy the land, and introduce harmful chemicals and contaminates to pristine areas. Collie River below Wellington Dam Right now is by far the best time of the year

DAM LEVELS Overall storage in our dams that allow public access and recreational activities are currently 61.3%, compared to 69.1% at the same time last year. This is not surprising, as Perth and the southwest received very little rain this summer, placing a huge strain on irrigation needs for our farmers that rely heavily on this water. Waroona Dam 56% Drakesbrook Weir 84% Logue Brook Dam 71% Harvey Dam 69% Wellington Dam 66% Glen Mervyn Dam 63% Big Brook Dam 85%

Collie River above Wellington Dam The section from around the town down to the small weir has been fishing well for redfin recently. The best technique is casting larger soft plastics and mediumsize lures close to structure and letting them sink before applying a slow roll retrieve back to your feet or boat. Blackwood River This largish river receives a huge stocking, but the returns are low compared to the expenditure required to keep it as a freshwater fishing destination. Not many anglers fish this water these days, but for those that do, the rewards can be good at times. The best section is both upstream

Silver perch have been active over the warmer months. This one was caught on a small green marabou fly fished slowly over a weed bed. MARCH 2023 113

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Advertisers wanting to be involved in this directory can FREECALL: 1800 228 244 or email nkelly@fishingmonthly.com.au 114 MARCH 2023

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Fishing Monthly Magazine | March 2023

Articles inside

GEN III

Yellowfin Plate 7000 powered by Mercury 200hp

Cooler, more comfortable weather for trout

Arm stretchers are cruising close to shore

Better late than never for Karratha barra

New multilevel fishing platform

Need for speed is real

New demersal rules are in play

Plenty of options during demersal closed season

How to make the best of the current closure

Locals finding fish between strong gusts

Beach brawlers in Bunbury

Angling targets in early autumn

Stacer 359 Proline SE, 379 SE

Feast and famine

Maximising your chances of getting a bite

A good month for local anglers

Breaking records?

Quality over quantity

Small waters, big results

Redfin waiting to be caught at Bendigo

Slowing down at Goulburn

Autumn activity aplenty

Illegal fishers fined, and will lose car and boat

Fishing after the flood

Railblaza C-Tug R kayak with Kiwi Wheels

Find the fish, find the action

Plenty of offshore catches

Check out hot spots for flathead

The bluefin tuna have arrived

New lures from Daiwa

The flatty fishing just keeps getting better

New horizons for stocked bass and perch

You don’t need a boat for autumn action

Variety of species on the chew

Marching on strong

Old favourites are loving the warm water

Late summer blooms big

are biting deep all along the coast

Bream and whiting are dominating bags

Anglers enjoying great catches of kingfish

More anglers ditching the online rat race

More than one way to catch cod

Waterways and fish in transition

Right now it’s time to March

Tips for more fish in warm water

Racking up the species

Now is the right time to get out on the water

The best time of the year

Fishing action is red hot as the weather cools

Tagging Tales

A good time to expect unexpected catches

Fish are feeding aggressively

A sensational season ahead

Big blue bearing big fruit

Local ladies leading the way

Yabby poachers feel the pinch of the law

The gift that keeps on giving

Cleaner water and good consistent catches

Action still hot in cooler water

The value of good timing on the beaches

The dreaded taxman strikes

Bait is plentiful throughout

Gary’s Marine Centre

Fish respond to cold

Continuing the journey with the Fate V3 13 Fishing rods

Fish’n SIPS Tagged Fish Comp is a winner

Calm conditions looking towards Icolette.

March mayhem for local anglers

Sunshine days and gloomy nights continue

Find the prawns, find the fish

Barra among the storms

The benefits of staying flexible

After the flush-out

Having to pay the taxman

Casting for women fishers…

Are you one of the 89?

Women in seafood