NSW Fishing Monthly December 2016 by Fishing Monthly

CRACK THE COD CODE • BEST EVER CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS

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Features

Big cod on swimbaits • Cracking cod on fly • Best Xmas gifts for 2016 • Summer bream luring • Trout tips from NZ •

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December 2016, Vol. 22 No. 5

Contents BYRON COAST The Tweed 24 Ballina 25 Yamba 26 Iluka 28 COFFS COAST Coffs Harbour Coffs Game South West Rocks

30 32 33

MACQUARIE COAST The Hastings 34 Forster 36 HUNTER COAST Harrington-Taree 38 Port Stephens 38 Hunter Coast 39 Swansea 40 Central Coast 41 SYDNEY The Hawkesbury 14 Sydney North 16 Pittwater 17 Sydney Harbour 18 Sydney rock and beach 19 Botany Bay 20 Sydney South 22 ILLAWARRA COAST Illawarra 42 Nowra 43 BATEMANS COAST Merimbula 54 Narooma 55 Batemans Bay 56

From the Editor’s Desk... COD COMING OF AGE I like that I can start writing editorials nowadays and say things like “When I was young”, because in my mid-forties, it’s pretty obvious that I’m not a 20-year-old that can fish for 40 hours a weekend and still turn up to work bright-eyed on the following Monday. When I was 20, however, I spent a lot of time chasing freshwater cod and seeing some wonderful parts of Australia while doing so. You’d be blind to not see the renaissance in cod chasing. It’s cool again. A combination of good fisheries management, prudent stocking and angler ethos swinging to catch-andrelease means that there are more cod to chase now than in most of our lifetimes. Back then, it was still ABU 2500s, nylon monofilament lines and a

handful of locally made deep divers – or a Jitterbug or Baby Torpedo if you had a taste for the imports. Nowadays you need a $100 swimbait and a specialised combo to match. Or if you want to up the ante and make it really challenging, cast a bulky cod fly on bulky tackle. And that’s awesome. To have the MurrayDarling’s iconic predator getting mainstream recognition bodes well for the future of the species. The more eyes on the water, the less chance of nets and set lines getting too greedy. Reflecting that, we have a couple of great cod features to synchronise with the opening of the cod season this month – dealing with fishing swimbaits and fly. We’re not saying that it’s not great to catch a cod on a spinnerbait or deep diving lure, it’s just that those that want to take their cod fishing to the next level can get a

bit of a kickstart from the articles inside. We hope you enjoy them. CHRISTMAS SUBSCRTIPTIONS Every year, we get a massive spike in subscriptions in the lead up to Christmas. And we know why – a Fishing Monthly sub is a gift that keeps on giving all year. The recipient doesn’t miss an issue and contemplates how wonderful the giver is every time one drops into the mailbox. But there are some logistical issues. For instance, if you want a Gift Certificate to present to the recipient, then you’ll need to have the deal done by the 15th December to make sure that Australia Post has enough time to get the horse-and-cart loaded with the mail and have it to you by then. Kym and Marie in the subs department would love to take your call and hook you up.

You can freecall 1800 228 244 during business hours to get the job done. Or, if you’re more of an online shopper, click the ‘Subscribe’ link on www. fishingmonthly.com.au and follow the links. You can do the whole process on your mobile phone if you like! Tight lines and have a great Christmas break. CODFERENCE Remember that this month all freshwater fishers are being invited to Shepparton on Sunday 11 December for the first ever Murray Codference. You will be able to learn all about the health of the fisheries, how to improve your fishing and, most importantly, how you can contribute to the long term sustainability of Murray cod. It’s free registration, contact improving.fishing@ ecodev.vic.gov.au or call 03 8392 6876.

EDEN COAST Bermagui 57 Tathra 58 Eden 60 Mallacoota 60

Sub-Editors: Bob Thornton Nicole Penfold Cordelia Adams Publishers: Steve Morgan Matthew Drinkall

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Rhys Creed caught this thumper 110cm cod on a Dynamic Lures FX Fury soft swimbait.

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DECEMBER 2016

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NEW SOUTH WALES FISHING MONTHLY

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SPECIAL FEATURES Cod on swimbaits Cracking cod on fly Christmas gift ideas Summer bream luring Trout tips from NZ Taming boat ramp terrors

REGULAR FEATURES Back to Basics 52 Boating 101 Dam Levels 64 Fun Page 100 Kayak Fishing 80 Tides 110 Trade Directory 102 Tournaments 82 What’s New Fishing 80 What’s New Boating 101

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FRESHWATER Mildura 65 Robinvale 64 Yarrawonga 64 Canberra 68 Wagga Wagga 70 Jindabyne 66 Batlow 71 Lithgow-Oberon 72 Hunter Valley 74 Tamworth 73 Orange 75 Copeton Dam 76 New England 76

ING TRADE

Clayton Wood was fishing from Yorke Peninsula in South Australia when he caught this great 20lb mulloway. He was using Black Magic KL 8/0 Hooks and Black Magic 50lb Tough Trace.

A Black Magic Squid Snatcher® ‘Brown/Red’ and Black Magic 15lb Fluorocarbon Leader was used by Jarrod Cronin to catch this southern calamari. He was fishing off Portland for kingfish bait.

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The NEW Black Magic DX Point® 4/0 Hooks were being put to the test by Alex Qasabian from The Fishing Station in Monavale, when he caught this nice snapper. He was thrilled with the performance of the new hooks. Alex was also using Black Magic 40lb Fluorocarbon Leader.

Gavin Saxon got this excellent flathead onboard “Castaway Estuary Charters” in Port Macquarie. He was using Black Magic SSP® Fibre Glide 4kg+ Line.

This exceptional cobia weighed 30kg and was caught on Black Magic 60lb Tough Trace and a Black Magic KS 5/0 Hook. Madzmia Hunter was fishing in Coffs Harbour and says he wouldn’t use any other tackle.

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Cod Feature

Swimbaiting Murray cod NEW ENGLAND RIVERS

Adam Townsend

With Murray cod season open for another year after the annual breeding cycle, the yella gear will make its way to the back of the tacklebox as the XL swimbaits come out again to tangle with some big iconic Aussie greenbacks. Seasons have shown that when it comes to Murray cod fishing, you don’t have to be an expert to go out and catch a cod. You just tie on a lure, cast and wind a few times and eventually get a fish, right?

If only it were that easy. A lot goes into catching cod, but the most important thing is appearance. Murray cod aren’t the kind of fish you can go out and catch everyday. Sometimes it can be up to four days straight, even a week before you find one on the end of your line. Along with spending a lot of time on the water, lure choice also plays a big part. One of the biggest things I’ve learnt over the years when fishing for Australian natives is the way they bite. There are two types of bite – a reaction bite and a finesse bite. On any good day,

you could get lucky and end up with 30 or so cod on a reaction bite, as they actively look to hunt at that time. On really slow days when you aren’t finding fish, you’ll have to try a more finesse style of fishing to get that bite. Fish smarter not harder – 100 slow casts can make all the difference in finding the bite, compared to 1000 quick casts. This is where I turn to my confidence lure, the Westin Swim Swimbait. This lure comes in a range of sizes from 65mm, 100mm and my favourite the 120mm, all with different weight and depth preferences to cover

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A cracking white cod caught in the early morning on a 120mm swimbait. most styles of fishing. Swimbaits have recently become very popular for many reasons – they’re easy to work during the retrieve and are successful on most retrieve techniques, they’re more versatile than most other lure types making them easier to fish in a wider variety of conditions, and they’re more life-like than most other lures with more natural swimming movements. They also come in multiple sizes, weights, suspending and intermediate models that can keep them in the strike-

zone longer. This gets me up to one of my most frequently asked questions, “What is the best depth to be fishing when throwing swimbaits for cod?” For me, there’s no favourable depth when throwing swimbaits around the rivers, as they’ve proven to work on fish over the magic metre mark in less than 3ft of water before, plus several other big cod in similar depth levels. When fishing the dams, I’ve never owned a fishfinder, so I never really know what depths I’m casting into. The

120mm swimbait will work anywhere in the depth range of 1-3m, so if I’m in anywhere around 5m or less, then I’ll be in with a good chance of catching one. Cod will be willing to move for food if it looks good enough, so appearance is key. If I feel like I am in a place too deep for that type of lure, I’ll let it suspend or sink in the zone longer to entice the bite. This can count for snagged lures sometimes, but there have been many times where my swimbaits have been fully engulfed

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Cod Feature while suspending and there aren’t many better ways of feeling the explosive hit from a big Murray cod. It’ll stop you in your tracks thinking you’ve wedged your lure into a solid snag just before that first big powerful run. Matching the hatch plays a big part in cod fishing, so learn the area and find what baitfish are around. This will help out a lot and increase your

chances in the end. When fishing the rivers where redfin or carp are abundant, I like to choose a colour that’s similar to those. With the dams, I tend to pick a colour with more silver on it to replicate a perch or bony bream. Murray cod can be pretty lazy at times and don’t often like wasting their energy on food. This is where choosing the right gear comes into place. Any

cheap combo could do the trick, but I recommend a decent rod and reel combo that can handle throwing big lures all day, as it can be pretty tiring on the shoulders after a while. After all, it’s Murray cod we’re talking about – the fish of 1000+ casts. Any reel with a gear ratio like a 6:6:1 or 7:1:1 are perfect for swimbaits. They can withstand big casts and the slower

Michael Geary with a cod on a Mike the Pike swimbait during a Copeton Dam trip.

A 99cm cod caught on a Westin Swimbait in early morning. The author let it sink beside a tree and it was engulfed on the drop.

retrieve helps keep the lure in the strike zone for longer, giving the cod a better chance to hone in and attack it. Spooled with 40-50lb braid and similar sized leader matched on a strong rod, that should be plenty enough to land that fish of a lifetime. Now that the gear is sorted, it’s all about presentation. Huge cod don’t grow so old and get so big for being stupid, so it comes down to how you present your lure – the more natural you can make your lure look, the better To page 10

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Cod Feature From page 9

your chances will be. Another question I tend to get asked a lot is, “What are the best retrieve techniques with swimbaits?” This can be a hard question to answer sometimes, as there’s no proper answer to give. I never do the same retrieve

want to be out in the open, vulnerable to predators. They like to hide, which is why cod love structure. Weed beds, rocky points and even standing or fallen timber are the best places to be looking when searching for an XL cod, as these will most likely be their hiding spot waiting to ambush on

That might seem pretty crazy throwing lures that size for cod, but there have been plenty of videos getting around the internet of big cod up over a metre long that eat other native fish straight off the hook, sometimes fish half their size. Anglers that chase Murray cod on a regular

This massive cod was caught on a Tommy the Trout Swimbait.

A whopper cod being released to be caught again later. style two times in a row, as every cast I do is different. One cast I could pause and twitch rapidly, to mimick a wounded baitfish. The next cast could be a slow roll the whole way back with no pauses at all. I like to play around between casts and this is where I find most of my success. The slower the retrieve, the better the chances. Another tip for success is thinking like a big cod, and thinking like a baitfish as well. Baitfish don’t

DECEMBER 2016

any easy meal. Swimbaiting for Murray cod was almost unheard of a few years ago, but as time has gone by, the cod have been getting smarter. Bigger and stronger lures are brought into the market every year. Big deep diving hardbodies, spinnerbaits and surface walkers will always have their place in the right conditions. Most of my success in past seasons has been on big swimbaits, including baits up to 400mm long.

basis will know they pretty much eat anything, so it never hurts to go big. Now is the best time of the year to be fishing, as the days are getting hotter and making the water warmer. Most fish species become more active at the same time, so grab some big baits and head out to give them a try. You may just surprise yourself with results. Until next time, best of luck for the opening of cod season and fish hard with tight lines.

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Cod Feature

Experience cod chaos on fly BENDIGO

Ross Virt

Australia is a country that has it all: wilderness, dramatic scenery, crystal-clear streams full of Murray cod and the opportunity to take them on the surface with the fly rod! The location options for this pursuit are endless, and the fishing is nothing short of addictive! Anglers who are fortunate enough to head off into the night in pursuit of the mighty Murray cod soon find themselves planning their next trip. While the lake fishing can be pretty hot, you shouldn’t discount the river fishing either. Like fishing in lakes, fishing in

you should be looking for. In more rocky type streams, look for undercut banks, boulders, drop off points under the water and rock walls. These are all spots where Murray cod and golden perch will have a crack at a surface fly. WATER DEPTH The depth of the water is important while surface fishing, and as a general rule you shouldn’t waste your time casting flies of any kind into water over 20ft deep. Ideally, a depth from 1-6ft is ideal to cast a fly at. Once the water starts getting too deep, the fly won’t be in or even near the strike zone. TECHNIQUES Working your fly right to the rod tip, keeping tight and connected to the fly at all times, is imperative when

memorable sessions on cod at night, and one of my trips earlier this year was proof that persistence pays. As I worked my way through the tiny pockets or larger pooled water, I sat the fly in the main current. Before long, in my peripheral vision I saw something huge and green roll though the surface at the bottom of the run. The fly came flickering back across the lie when I experienced that supreme, magical moment that sets Murray cod fishing apart from every other fishing pursuit! I made one more cast and a great table of black, glossy water rose up behind the fly, and suddenly the fly was snatched from the line. Before I could react, the rod buckled over wildly in my hands. An impossible

After I released the fish, I was keen to keep going. I suspected that the action was going to be thick and fast, so I headed down to the next pool and immediately got a reaction. There were a number of swirls behind the fly over a couple of casts, and I persisted, pausing the fly and waiting for the weight on my rod. Nothing happened! I stopped and tried to figure out where the fish had gone. After looking around I noticed some semisubmerged structure to my right, barely visible in the moonlight. I cast 1-2m past the log as I didn’t want to spook the fish. I retrieved and slowly twitched the fly right over the snag, and… BOOF! Game on! My heart rate went up to 180 beats a minute. After a great battle with short, blistering runs, I came out with a Murray cod looking at me reproachfully. My fishing partner bolted over to see a horse of a fish reclining in my net, contemplating its defeat. I took a moment to take some photos (it’s difficult to take good photos at night but I’m working on it), and then released the fish back to the cold depths.

Metre-plus cod are a real possibility when chucking massive flies into snaggy holes, especially at night. Persistence does pay off, and always think outside the square. If you’re fishing techniques don’t work, try something different.

The author took this feisty little cod on one of his own creations walking the banks of a creek at night. rivers isn’t for the fainthearted; in some locations you’ll have to deal with challenging wading and unpredictable conditions. Bear in mind too that the fishing can and will vary greatly from one trip to the next. However, whatever your priorities are, if you endure the elements you should come up tight to some good cod. STRUCTURE Lately, the water I’ve been targeting has been small and skinny with deep holes and a lot of structure. Casting long distance hasn’t been needed, as most of the casting has only been a few metres in front of me. It helps if you know the water you’re casting into before you fish it at night. As for structure, you’re not just looking for timber, as there’s an array of different structure types to aim a fly at. Standing and submerged trees, root balls, logs, small or large branches, overhanging, floating weed, lily pads and cumbungi weed beds are just some of the structures 12

DECEMBER 2016

fishing for cod with the fly. Sometimes it’s like the cod knows that the fly is just about to be lifted off the water, and quite often a huge explosion will occur at your feet and will scare the life out of you. The technique is to cast your fly across the river, creek or out into the dam, landing it as close as possible to any structure. I begin to twitch my fly immediately with a strip-and-rip type retrieve. The action is often instant, and cod boil at the fly surface or sub-surface on landing. Constantly moving the fly will entice more strikes from the fish than not moving it. However, you shouldn’t completely rule out the occasional pause. If you get some interest and a rejection, casting several times in the same location could produce another savage strike. Quite often the same fish will rise, boil and break the surface behind the fly time and time again, so keep casting. PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE I’ve had many

bow-wave ploughed through the water, followed by the frame of a truly huge cod rocketing though the water, heading back to his dungeon. I was filled with a mixture of fear and adrenaline. Not only was the hair on the back of my neck standing up – my whole body was covered with goose bumps. Alone in the darkness, I scooted along the bank, retrieving the backing quickly as possible. As I watched the water, I was amazed to see a huge flank flash by as the cod bolted for home again. As the minutes ticked by, my mind began to fill with ‘what ifs’. Were my knots right? Would the leader hold? Will it spit the hook? Every head shake raised my anxiety a few notches. When I finally landed the fish, the relief was overwhelming. The fight that had seemed to last a lifetime was over. I took a moment to take some photos, because without them it would have felt very much like a dream.

The only thing better than catching this pretty fish is to catch it on fly.

BREATHING Being in the right state of mind for casting is important. You need to relax and not rush the cast, which sounds ridiculous, but you really need to calm yourself down and breath! You need to cast accurately at structure and bully these fish from their haunts. If you don’t, you’ll come out with less fish, if any. These guys need to be provoked. CORRECT OUTFITS Tackle selection can be a matter of trial and error. Anything from an 8-10wt rod loaded with the appropriate fly line will suffice, whether it be floating, intermediate or fast-sinking. It all depends on how you wish to target your cod. A shooting weight forward head will assist you to haul out those huge flies, that we chuck at Murray cod. HOOK-SETTING Hook-setting is manifested by hand with little controlled strip striking. This may not permanently set the hooks, but pulling the rod butt towards the body while stripping works well when the fish hits further from the rod tip, however when the cod detonates over the fly at the rod tip, lifting the rod and pulling the butt towards your body will work better. Hooking up and setting the hooks are different things. Hook up is when the fish has done the job for you and it hits the fly so aggressively that the hook set happens automatically and there isn’t much more to do than fight the fish.

Setting the hooks on the other hand, you need to feel the bite and performthe aforementioned motions at the correct time to hook the fish. If the cod doesn’t stay connected, take the slack up and start retrieving the fly slowly again, and it may entice another quick attack out of sheer aggression. Make sure to continue to work the fly right to the rod tip, and belt out another

cast in the same direction. I tend to repeat cast after an explosion up to 10 times, and if there’s no inquires, I will move on, but I’ll remember that spot and have a cheeky cast or two on the way back. EQUIPMENT While walking the banks night or day, I carry a light weight back pack which contains a camera, fly box, pliers, leader material, water, torch, a measuring

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This little fly caught cod is no monster, but most fly anglers would agree that it’s still worth multiple fish on a lure.

mat and my landing net that I have clipped to the back of the back pack for easy access. It seems a lot, and it can be heavy, but all this stuff comes in handy. Walking distance and the amount of casting you do will vary on each trip, ad it pays to be prepared for any conditions you many come across. A small First Aid kit is

handy, as you never know what may happen while out and about. I like to keep my mobile phone in a water tight case along with the camera. The last thing you don’t need is your prized shot gone if you fall in the drink. Remember to let someone know where you’re going for the night; so if there is any trouble

while out, the right authority can start searching in the right spot! Once hooked into these fish on the long wand, you’ll soon realise what all the fuss about is! Epic fights, blistering short runs and explosive topwater strikes are all part of a cod on fly session. Now’s the time to do it, so what are you waiting for?

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Festive family fishing time THE HAWKESBURY

Dan Selby dan@sydneysportfishing.com.au

Firstly, have a very safe and happy festive season filled with plenty of quality family and, of course, fishing time! Here’s what should be on offer from the ocean heads to the head waters. Kingfish will be starting to make their presence

known around Cowan Creek, Pittwater and the headlands. Live squid and yellowtail are the standout baits fished on the drift at anchor or down rigging. Cast small soft plastics and metals on light spin tackle at surface feeding fish. Wheeling seagulls, turns and rapidly diving cormorants are a dead giveaway for some excellent sportfishing fun ahead. Blue swimmer crabs

and the odd mud crab will be on offer for those setting traps and witches hats. Try the feeder creeks and upper

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Big bream are suckers for many different techniques, using light line for your chosen technique will be a good start to fooling fish of this calibre. reaches towards Wisemans for the muddies and the lower reaches of Broken Bay, Cowan and Berowra for the blue swimmers. Please think about where you set your witches hat nets. Make sure they have enough rope to allow for high and low tide, and are out of the main current flow and high traffic areas. Fresh fish frames or heads from the previous trip make great trap baits. Alternatively, a fresh mullet from your local bait and tackle shop will still get the crabs interested. Bream are abundant on the rock walls and reefs. Fresh pumped live nippers,

approach, small soft plastics and deep crankbaits cast tight to structure and worked with twitches and pauses will bring some great blue nose bruisers undone. They’ll be pushing right up into the upper tidal reaches at this time of year, so don’t be afraid to paddle some skinny water for your bream fix. Flathead will be revelling in the warm bait-rich estuarine waters and can be encountered from Broken Bay to Windsor at this time of year. They’re suckers for many different presentations from soft plastics, vibes, trolled or cast crankbaits to live baits of poddy mullet,

Kingfish will be on many anglers’ Christmas wish lists. This one was caught from a surface bust up on light spin tackle and a soft plastic minnow. tailor, yellowtail and prawns. Let’s not forget frozen prawns and pillies too! The biggest key is finding a nice drop off, creek mouth or reef edge to tempt your quarry. Use your sounder or a good set of polarised lenses to lead you to the most productive spots. Estuary perch will be in the upper tidal water from Wisemans Ferry to North Richmond and holding in the many back eddies on the rock walls, weed beds and reefs.

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Try small 2-3” soft plastic grubs, minnows or paddletails on the run-out tide for best results. You may encounter the odd tidal water bass while targeting perch. Most anglers enjoy the novelty. The main concentration of bass is right up into the sweetwater creeks that house the slower pool water. Trekking into small creeks on a day trip or pushing into the upper Nepean Gorge with a boat or kayak has been productive. You may even encounter the odd surviving trout that came down in the winter dam releases. For an easy, quick family outing, a land-based session in the freshwater reaches from one of the many publicly accessible parks or wharves can yield good results using a simple bread bait fished on light line down a berley trail of bread. Minimal weight, if any, will get you more bites from species like mullet, herring (sprat), eel-tailed catfish and carp. The odd bass has been known to get in on the action at times too. All in all, it’s a great month to wet a line and catch up on quality family and friend time. I’ll catch you in the new year!

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Sydney angler success inshore and offshore SYDNEY NORTH

Darren Thomas

As the summer transition moves in and the weather warms up, good fish are being caught in our estuaries and offshore. Local reefs like Longy and Mugs just off Manly Beach have been firing of late with plenty of kingfish over a metre. Camm Sutherland went to a local inshore reef and landed kingfish over a metre using jigs and working the entire water column during a mid morning session. Andy Young opted for soft plastics and landed snapper to 48cm. On the return trip home, he stopped off at a few headlands to cast

Andy Young with a lure caught kingfish. stickbaits into the washes and found a school of kingfish on the chew. It didn’t take long before an 85cm fish had taken to his lure and was boat side. This pack of fish were in 12m of water and

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Andy said there were bigger fish among them. The current offshore has picked right up, but the inshore reefs are still very fishable, holding good snapper and decent size kings. The Perez family fished and had a great day recently on both species landing kings to a metre and some very tasty snapper

to the surface on poppers, stickbaits and soft plastics. Some good flathead are feeding on the drop offs at Clontarf and Balmoral with rubber vibes and bladed lures being very successful. Pittwater has been hot on the kingfish this month – Chad Flemming had a busy morning session on kings using jigs and live baits. Daniel Crusoe trolled squid from a kayak in the Palm Beach moorings and landed three fish to 79cm. Down rigging on the yak became quite popular over winter and if you need tips on this application, drop into the shop at Brookvale and we’ll fill you in. Often, a good sized sinker on your line is enough to keep your bait down while you’re underway at minimum speed. Narrabeen Lake has the flathead awakening from their winter slumber and they’re hungry, taking baits Ben Petinsky with a nice flathead.

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while fishing baits on the ocean floor. Joe Emmerton worked stickbaits from his IRB over a reef in 20m of water landing fish to 1.05cm. Joe mentioned plenty of fish were sighted on the surface with schools of bait. Finding the birds will help you find the bait and the bigger predators aren’t far behind. Sydney Harbour has been alive with salmon and tailor. Hovering seagulls are on these schools of feeding fish so be on the lookout. Small to medium metal lures (slugs) are working well once cast into these surface bust ups. The kings are also in on the action and are generally deeper, but can still be raised

and lures around the clock. Ben Petinsky landed some great fish using soft plastics on a late evening session this week. Slow rolling smaller plastics was the key to getting more bites. The lake hasn’t had much flow lately, due to its closure for dredging, but it’s still worth fishing. Be sure to move around from spot to spot, as this will up your chances of finding more fish. Decent whiting have been feeding on the various flats out there and the king beachworms in store have been a major hit with anglers chasing these fish. The beaches have a few sharks working beyond the breakers at night with

some whalers being caught. Salmon, tailor and bream are around too. Dee Why, Curl Curl, Mona Vale and Manly beaches have all worked for anglers recently. If you’re looking to try something a little different, grab some lures and head out with your favourite casting gear. Whether it be walking the beach pelting

to the depths from the boat or estuary shoreline, this is a very successful way to fish. There’s an absolute stack of new lures on the market, as well as a lot of old favourites, so try leaving the bait at home and just go fully artificial to step it up a bit. At the very worst, it’s good exercise and who knows? You might just end up with a bag full. Tight

The Perez family holding a nice snapper. slugs out behind the breakers, launching poppers or stickbaits from the stones or sending some plastics or vibes

lines and Merry Christmas from myself and all the staff here at Fish Outta Water Tackle World.

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Here we go again PITTWATER

Peter Le Blang plfishfingers@bigpond.com

With the warmer weather here, things are looking up. Finally, this clean, warm water is starting to liven up the fish along Broken Bay in Pittwater. Most mornings, surface activity can be found along Pittwater or out in Broken Bay.

that can be cast again. For those targeting kingfish, use surface poppers. These lures will not only catch kingfish but a variety of other species as well. If you want to catch salmon, small metal lures are working at the moment. Don’t forget to put out live baits while you’re near the activity. By placing live baits down deeper, especially near the bottom, you may be lucky

You’re never too old to catch kingfish. This 90cm model inhaled a small live squid off the surface. There has been a variety of species mixed in with the melee – tailor, salmon and kingfish on the surface. On the bottom, there have been some flathead and trevally caught. The best way to find activity is to watch for the working seagulls and birds. Approach these schools of fish in stealth mode, as they’re disappearing with too much disturbance on the surface. Of course, there are many ways to target these fish. The most effective is casting lures and soft plastics while they’re feeding aggressively. For those who like to cast soft plastics, the tailor are aggressive. Even though you may be targeting kingfish, not many lures make it back to the boat in a condition

enough to tangle with a big flathead or even a mulloway. Along Pittwater, there are great kingfish to be tangled with, but patience is required. You’ll also need live squid and preferably small ones. Some of the kingfish have been just under the metre mark and all of them inhaled small live squid, even with a live yellowtail offered as well. Unfortunately, these fish seem to be loners. They’re not that easy to find, but once one is flapping on the floor of the boat, all the frustrations just fade away. Over the next month, we’ll see a lot more kingfish come into Pittwater. Not only will we have these larger fish, but we’ll also have the smaller run of kingfish during summer. Once these fish arrive, we

can target kingfish for a short period using live yellowtail instead of spending hours trying to catch squid. The area to try for a kingfish at the moment is along the western side of Pittwater and around Scotland Island. Catching squid can be a frustrating affair right now, but if you can’t find squid in one area, move onto the next patch of weed. You will eventually catch a few. The better squid jig size to use is 2.0g. Any jigs with a patch of orange on it, or natural colours are working. There are also some squid to be caught on the ocean side of Barrenjoey Head. To fish this water, it’s better to find baitfish before throwing over your paternoster rig with two squid jigs on it. Remember not to take more than you need. Flathead are starting the show along the drop offs of Pittwater and sandy patches along the river. Drifting and casting soft plastics is an

Salmon have shown up in Broken Bay and some are in Pittwater too. to use have been pilchards, whitebait, prawns or strips of fish. On soft plastics, cast around the edges of the weed beds and you should find a larger model or two. Careel Bay and Mackerel Beach are awesome areas to cast a

offshore, news is good. Along the coast, there are pockets of kingfish being caught. These fish seem to be moving with the downhill current, giving most headlands a chance of decent fish. If you’re going to target kingfish, Barrenjoey

Plate sized snapper are being caught over the sand and gravel beds. extremely successful way to target flathead. If you like to drag bait, you’ll also do very well. The better baits

soft plastic for flathead, as both areas have drop-offs and thick patches of ribbon weed. For those wishing to head

Head is a great place to start, but if you wish to head further afield, try our West Reef, East Reef, Newport

Reef, Mona Vale bommies and most headlands south all the way to Sydney Heads. Out in the deeper water, there are still snapper being caught as well as morwong, trevally and flathead. Bluespot flathead are being found around the 50-60cm mark and once found are not very hard to catch. The better baits to use have been pilchards or fish strips. Micro-jigs are catching flathead and any snapper that are over the sand. At the moment, squid are favoured by decent kings. I’m sure in the next week or two they’ll start to smash yellowtail again. Down rigging and keeping your eyes on the surface for rising bait schools is easiest way to track a few down. It’s worth grabbing your fishing gear and heading down to the coast. If you don’t have a boat to enjoy, give us a call so we can organise your great day on the water. • Peter Le Blang operates Harbour and Estuary Fishing Charters, phone 02 9999 2574 or 0410 633 351, visit www. estuaryfishingcharters.com.au

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Shore-based options to land some cracking fish SYDNEY HARBOUR

Craig McGill craig@fishabouttours.com.au

The season has kicked off well despite big swells and dodgy currents. The salmon run has been huge, with fish massing around North Head and sometimes up the main harbour around Bradleys Head. The upstream fish seem less focused on spawning and have found larger baitfish than those at North Head. As a result, they’re easier to catch on a range of lures and flies. There’s more fish at North Head, but they’re much harder to catch and focused on small bait.

Kings have made an early appearance with both rats and fish to 8kg common in Middle Harbour. A massive 35kg king was found at the bottom of Garden Island Dry Dock after the water was pumped out. While only one fish was trapped in after the gate closed, I’m sure it wasn’t alone, highlighting the potential of Sydney Harbour to produce truly massive kingfish. Back up Middle Harbour, most of the smaller fish are feeding in small schools on the surface and can be tempted with lure and fly. The bigger fish are taking both fresh squid and live cuttlefish baits. While I mostly write boat-based tips, this month

Salmon are abundant but notoriously hard to tempt with a lure. I thought I’d throw in a few prime shore-based options around the harbour. MIDDLE HEAD Middle Head holds kings on the northern end where the reef hits the sand. They’re best targeted with live squid. It’s also a top squid ground, over the kelp at either end, but watch out for a couple of small bommies that break in over about 1m swell. It’s a great rock fishing spot for kings, tailor and drummer. Middle Head, although an inner harbour spot, is subject to ocean swells, exercise caution.

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CLIFTON GARDENS Clifton Gardens is a great boat and shore spot.The jetty drops into 40ft and produces kings and mulloway and all your usual jetty inhabitants. There’s a restricted zone around the navy jetty, but the white mooring buoy to the north holds good kings. The drop-off towards mid-stream is a renowned night mulloway spot. The rocks to the south offer the shore fisho great deep water access for kings, mulloway and luderick. In fact, an average cast from here will land you in 60ft of water. BRADLEYS HEAD Bradleys Head is a good spot, particularly on the upstream side. It’s more of a shore-based spot due to high commercial traffic making it hard yakka for boats. You’ll pick up bream, luderick, flatties, salmon and tailor. On the downstream side there’s a big kelp bed that’s good for squid. PARSLEY BAY, BOTTLE AND GLASS POINT Parsley Bay Jetty offers good bream and flatties in summer and dory and trevally in winter. We’ve pulled a few mulloway here too. Bottle and Glass offers good shore access and produces kings, bream, blackfish and squid. It’s all good water in a southerly wind. CAMP COVE There’s good squid at both ends of the beach with lots of little cuttlefish on the southern corner. If you take your freshly caught cephalopods to the rocky point at the southern end of the beach, you might catch a big kingfish. In fact, this is the harbour’s best shore-based access to quality kingfish. CANNAE POINT This is one of my favourite harbour spots producing both winter and summer fishing and a mix

of estuary and oceanic fish. It’s the number one Samson fish and morwong spot and has produced great mulloway. It was spotty mackerel central when the historical run was on and has some thumping blue groper. An average cast will put you on the spot. The tip of Cannae marks the end of the penguin zone. FAIRLIGHT POINT This is another of North Harbour’s great spots and will produce pelagics, including Samson fish. It’s a great winter fishery. It’s also a good yakka spot. It fishes well for luderick and

squid and is a good backup spot if you’re having trouble locating southern squid. CRAB TRAP TIPS I recently did a week’s crabbing with the kids over the holidays and picked up a good tip from the SW Rocks locals, which made a huge difference to results. On most commercially available traps, the mesh used to form the funnel at the entrance to the trap is made from the same mesh as the rest of the trap. Over the years, I guess to cut back on costs, the mesh has gotten considerably finer to the point where most crabs would struggle to get in without their spiky appendages getting tangled. To fix this, go to your local hardware store and buy some heavy gauge plastic mesh commonly sold for garden lattice. Cut it to shape and use a few cable ties to secure it into the bottom of the funnel entrance, straight over the top of the existing mesh. This will make it easy for the crabs to get in without getting their legs caught in the fine mesh underneath, resulting in more crabs. NEW CHARTER BOAT FOR SYDNEY Steve Windsor joins the ever-expanding Sydney charter fleet this year with his company, Fishing Sydney Tours. Steve has

Plump kingies are in good numbers up Middle Harbour. surgeonfish but is difficult shore access. A similar spot with good shore-based access can be found on the adjacent point near Fairlight pool. A good cast from here will put you onto sand next to reef. The stretch along the sand from Fairlight Point to Manly Aquarium is great for flatties off the shore. NORTH HARBOUR The sand bank drop off up the back of North Harbour near the Davis Marina offers great shorebased lure options. This is a great flathead spinning spot and is accessible for both boat fishers and waders. It’s also home to some common

been fishing Sydney and surrounds for 40 years and knows the waters pretty well. His specialty is wash fishing for drummer, groper and luderick. He’s a genuine gun on close offshore snapper. He also caters for offshore kings and dollies. Operating out of a 22ft Glass Hooker, Steve offers 4-7 hour charters catering for up to four passengers. Check him out at fishingsydneytours.com.au. • If you are interested in doing a guided fishing trip on Sydney harbour with Craig McGill please call 0412 918 127 or email craig@fishabout.com.au.

Rampage on the rocks SYD ROCK & BEACH

Alex Bellissimo alex@bellissimocharters.com.au

I love and hate December – Christmas is a fiasco and then you have New Year’s Eve. It’s a fantastic month for fishing, but can you find the time? There’s an old saying – quality over quantity. Put in the homework and choose the area – ocean rock, ocean beach or estuary? Estuary just means calmer or enclosed salt or brackish waters, like rivers, bay lakes, or harbour fishing. Find a type, then choose a species. Research what you want to catch and go from that. Pick a practical spot, because this will save time for those who are time strapped. Rather

pillies on a set of three 3/0s, 40g Knights, and 50g Lazer Jigs from SureCatch are good options. There’s good pig fishing this month as well. Even though it’s December, they’re still on the chew. The Hat has good numbers of luderick with some good pigs in amongst them. The luderick and rock blackfish are often found in similar spots, but I recommend that you fish for them in different areas. Choose the boulder or ledge areas for better results on the pigs. The clearer areas are better for luderick. Peeled endeavour or banana prawns, white sliced bread and large cabbage weed baits are the run of the mill baits used for pigs. Try the boulders below the Shelly Headland car park

Sydney Harbour has produced good bream on lures. This one was caught on a Daiwa Rolling Crank 3.2g in rainbow. than say, “I’m not going fishing because I don’t have six hours to spare,” you could say, “I’m going for a fish, because I have 3-4 hours to spare including travel time and it’s practical to have a productive outing!” As a full time guide, I offer the shortcuts to success. The kings are at a lot of locations lately, like the ocean rocks from Barrenjoey Head’s south face point area, North and South Whale headland, North Curl Curl, Bluefish Point and The Hat near the old quarantine wall at Manly. They’re being caught on a vast range of baits and lures. Live yellowtail suspended under a float between 2-6m deep, salted sea gars ganged up, Williamson Popper Pro 180 in the red head and silver/ white body or the blue/white body are working well. You could try the Zerek Zappelin 57g as well. The tailor numbers are increasing. They’re even around through the day, but obviously in larger numbers on the calmer nights. It’s safe enough to fish. Ganged

to the ledges further south. Remember the sanctuary is off limits to any fishing, about halfway westward along the car park. North Curl Curl

boulders below the stairs and Warriewood boulders on the NE face are also good areas to try. Snapper distance casting with 3-5oz sinkers and fishing the frothy white water with light ball sinkers are the go-to methods of catching your snapper of late. Whole and half pilchards, large prawns like the endeavour or banana prawn, bottle squid, strips of squid and salted slimy mackerel are the baits to try. Distance cast around South Avalon rocks from the big gutter, several hundred metres from the swimming pool, Warriewood off the high cliff near the blow hole, and South Curl Curl. These are areas with snags where snapper have been caught. Take note when distance casting around the snags – don’t move your rig around too much. Wash fishing options like North Whale Rocks, Bangally Head and Bluefish Headland in that deep water zone are all good. Tailor action along several Sydney beaches has just become better this month. Fish are coming in various sizes, from live bait, or perfect smoker size fish at 30-38cm to some crackers at 1.3kg. The larger fish are being caught well into the evening. Normally, larger fish are a by-catch of the mulloway fishers. Some salmon are being caught as well. A good run of chopper tailor are biting from three quarters of an hour before dark to half an hour after, at least. Some nights they’ll continue to bite for several hours. If that’s the case, you should find some larger tailor. Beaches to try are Manly, near South Steyne area to Queenscliff, Curl Curl, the pole area at Dee Why, mid to north Narrabeen, Warriewood, and Avalon beaches. Fish for bream if you’re getting a few pecks on your whole ganged

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Chris Hadjisavas with his first ocean rock king. This one was on a ganged salted sea gar. pilchard. It should be worth it. The whiting were a little sporadic in November. There were some beaches that didn’t produce as well as previous years. They’re still there, but in smaller numbers. Other beaches have better or more reliable quantities. Some of the best producers are Narrabeen, mid to north Warriewood, and Avalon. This could change. Have a contingency plan in place when you fish for whiting. If the beach you’re fishing doesn’t produce like it did on a previous outing, pack it in and move to another beach that you’ve checked out. Live beach worms, bloodworms

and pink nippers are a good stand by bait as well. Generally, a lot of beach anglers don’t really consider a beach bream fishing outing. It can be very productive for this species. Fishing near some structure can be a bonus, but not necessarily the only option. Try the deep gutters, as they like deeper water as well as the shallows. In the evenings it is better as a nocturnal species. Manly beach is a good option lately. Dee Why and Collaroy have been producing good numbers as well. Fish baits like half pilchards, fresh garfish fillets, mullet fillets and tailor fillets.

It’s been a great mulloway month! Where the smaller fish are, mulloway and sharks follow closely. Manly, Dee Why, North Narrabeen, Bungan, and Palm beaches are my picks. If you get harassed on your cut baits or butterflied baits are great in some ways. They indicate that you’re in an attractive area for these predators. • 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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The haunts that proved in 2016 BOTANY BAY

Gabe Quercigrosse gabeandgabe@bigpond.com

The festive season is just around the corner and it didn’t arrive quickly. Before we know it, the new year will start. Now’s a good time to reflect on the past – look at the

with a fair bit of water movement. This is necessary for the fish to bait readily. The shallow sand flats are the best option during the big run ins, as the fish have access to more areas. The best times are usually from October to May. The run out tide is excellent for most of the channels, like between

Mark Groll and Diacumis had a good catch from The Moons recently. advantages, disadvantages and if possible, improve on our overall performance. During the past few months, the wet weather hasn’t been congenial. Everpresent winds disrupted many planned outings. I can’t recall so many days ruined by the conditions. Even though there’s a lot of experience behind me, I still fall for the passionate streak and go fishing only to come back early. It’s vital to make sure the tide coincides with the wind, as this will ensure the boat is positioned properly and facing the right direction. Make sure you carry two anchors in your boat, as they should assist in keeping your vessel positioned correctly. Pending on the type of fish you’re seeking I’ve found that Botany Bay fishes the best during the full moon and the new moon periods. The tides are usually high

Towra Point and Dolls Point. Fish where schools of fish are congregated waiting for food. The same tide is also excellent for fishing just outside oyster leases as the fish make their way from the racks into the deeper waters. A sounder is absolute necessity to study bottom formations. These tend to vary from location to location and the slightest variation could mean better catches. Whiting and bream respond well to these changes and provide the most catches in the bay, along with flathead. Reduce the breaking strain of your line to the minimum. I suggest 4kg Sunline Siglon V, as it’s the thinnest monofilament at 205mm diameter, is IGFA rated and can stand a bit of punishment. Use a trace of 2kg, approximately 1.7-2m long. This will enable your bait to move around with the tide.

I like both fluorocarbon and monofilament traces, depending on the water condition. Remember, fluorocarbon absorbs water and will become almost invisible in clear conditions, but it will become brown in discoloured waters. The monofilament leader is good in all conditions. Sometimes you’ll lose a few fish, but you’ll get many more bites. Live bait is almost compulsory. Although expensive, bloodworms have outshone all other baits. Live squirtworms have produced the goods in the upper reaches of the estuaries, like above Lugarno in the Georges, upstream of the road bridge in the Woronora, and west of the Marsh Street Bridge in the Cooks River. Live nippers have been excellent on the sand and mud banks with many good fish accounted for. Make sure you use locally pumped nippers that aren’t imported from any other

fresh garlic and parmesan cheese works a treat and catches more species. Peeled Hawkesbury prawns marinated in sugar and salt also work particularly well. The ever-reliable brined pilchards and whitebait have been reliable for years and can be relied upon for many uses. If using plastics, I’ve found the 65mm Squidgy Grasshopper to be excellent along with the 80mm black and gold paddler. If chasing mulloway, it’s hard to go past the watermelon and motor oil colours. The 120mm white lightening, and the 60mm bloodworm wriggler are fantastic for bream. Jigheads are an absolute necessity and can be used for your bait as well as plastics. Have you ever tried a peeled Hawkesbury prawn on a 3/8oz by 1/0 hook or a live bloodworm on a 1/8oz by size 2 hook? They work! This year has been extremely hard to get a

The results of a squidding session in the Port Hacking. estuary systems, as these work better. Live crabs have shown a remarkable catch rate, particularly with the larger bream population. They just can’t resist them. Locally caught squid and octopus have worked well. It’s surprising how many fish you can catch with the one bait. Marinated chicken with

good bag of fish. I’ve found trevally to be the number one mainstay in the bay, and they’ve always been there to save the day. The size of the trevally has been surprising. Some of them are going over the 2kg mark, but the fact that we’ve caught them all the way to Milperra Bridge intrigues me. The

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Blocker Salter with a nice snapper from Bellambi. Port Botany Reclamation Wall has been the most consistent spot. Anchor up with plenty of berley and cast a lightly weighted bait in the berley trail – sooner or later they’ll find you. The blurters have been scattered throughout the system. The buoys near the old runway have fished well. The eastern side of the Kurnell Oil Wharf and the drop off on Watts Reef have been consistent. Along Silver Beach has been good, but the best possie has been on the southern side of Captain Cook Bridge with the second pylon the standout. Como Bridge has yielded its share of good fish as well as Cranbrook and between the moor boats in Cooks River has proved the real surprise package with large fish on the prowl. Bream catches have been on the decline and are definitely a seasonal proposition. Big catches can be had, but the size of the fish is not what it used to be. Watts Reef from April to June is at its peak and produces the largest size and quantity in the bay. A small split shot placed behind a hook is all you need. A high tide around midnight is ideal and live nippers are your number one bait. Ensure you have a northeasterly wind blowing, as this will position your boat correctly. Bream love artificial structures. There is reef structure, which runs from Kurnell to Kyeemagh, which has provided excellent catches. November to January and May to June are the best bet here, and there’s always scope for a by-catch. Towra Point and the Patches would rank highly in my book for bream, as they offer both deep and shallow contours with reefs, weed patches, cockle beds, shoal patches and oyster leases. The days are gone where we used to bag out in front of Mick Moylan’s pub at Dolls Point, but with patience you can still get a good feed in

this area. I’ve found Primrose House in the middle of the river is the most productive spot during the outgoing tide, close followed by Towra Deep and Towra Wide behind the red channel markers. There are a couple of small inlets near Woolooware Bay which are very interesting and harbour XOS bream – the trick is to get in there a couple of hours before the high tide and stay until an hour after. You won’t get many, because of the structures, but they’ll be big. Towra is good between November and May, with catches declining through winter. Whiting is my favourite fish and I specialise in them. They’re excellent table fish and pound for pound rank amongst the best fighters in the sea. The long weekend in June is the best time to fish for them, as their numbers increase in July, August and September. Then they tend to vanish for better pastures. You’ll find them in the deeper parts of the channels between Oatley Bay and Alfords Point Bridge, with night time often rewarding. The darker hours will yield the bigger fish and I’ve caught them up to 1.05kg, but that’s a very rare specimen. A good run is between 38-42cm, while the average fish is 30-32cm. Around January they tend to move at the entrance to the Georges River. Excellent catches can be had by fishing land-based in the sand and weed corridors on Douglas Park flats. This is also a great spot to pump nippers, take the family for a swim and enjoy a picnic lunch. The sand banks around Martin Isalnd, Towra Beach, Stink Pot and Elephant Trunk will no doubt be peppered with many fishos, but unless you’ve got live worms you’re wasting your time. La Perouse Beach is always very good and sheltered from the northeasterlies, as is Yarra Bay and Frenchmans Beach. Congwong Bay on the eastern side of Bare Island is also

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highly recommended. Tailor catches have been sporadic and although they’re regarded as an all year proposition, June, July and August have been the better months to fish. The artificial reefs in Botany Bay, Bare Island bommies, Watts Reef and the hot water outlet at Kurnell are the better places to try. Kingfish catches

One amazing location which has yielded great squid on a regular basis has been the Foreshore Boat Ramp at Botany. Many hundreds of fishos launch their boats at this boat ramp, but here’s a tip exclusive to Fishing Monthly: they bypass some of the best squidding grounds in Sydney. Next time you’re

The author and Chris Rose got these elbow slappers from the Georges River. have surprised with many hoodlums taken in the bay. The captors have kept their catches relatively quiet and have landed fish in excess of 15kg. I have it on good authority that downrigging live local squid or live yellowtail has been the best method and the eastern side of the Port Botany is the best location. The Drums in the middle of the bay have also fished well for the odd large fish and the best method is to pepper each drum. School kings have been taken along the old and new runway borderline, both on live and strip baits. I’ve also caught a few on the mountain wide off Ramsgate and one right out of the box has been in between the moored boats in Cooks River. Flatties have been consistent all year with the territorial consistency evident. They love big live nippers and also small live poddy mullet, which can be caught under the lights in a trap at the Sylvania Waters Boat Ramp (Hawkesbury Esplanade), the Carinya Road Boat Ramp at Picnic Point, Fitzpatrick Park, and the Kyeemagh Boat Ramp. The best drift has been at the entrance to the Georges River, between Captain Cook and Tom Uglys bridges, Yarra Bay, and from the Kurnell Oil Refinery to Bonna Point, just wide of the sanctuary zone in Quibray Bay. There are plenty of bait and eating prawns available – Coolum Beach is the number one spot to get them. Inside Carra Park Baths is also good, the stretch between Alfords Point Bridge and Mickeys Point is very popular, as is Burrawang and Cattle Duffers Flats. Remember, the bait you catch yourself is always best.

there, spend a half hour or so squidding, both for eating pleasures and bait purposes. The offshore scene

The beaches have been very quiet and, apart from a few salmon and tailor, are best left alone. If you decide to give them a go, try Tamarama Beach, South Maroubra Beach and Green Hills for whiting and bream. Jibbon, Henrys Head and Inscription Point will provide pelagics. On the freshwater scene, near my shop at Narellan, the bass haven’t really started to bite. The river is full of debris from the recent storms and providing obstacles for the water flow. The weirs are clogged with branches and require cleaning attention. There are plenty of carp on the chew. Worms are the best bait and aniseed pellets are perfect as berley. You’ll get plenty of them at Camden Town Farm Lagoon, Eldersue Foot Bridge and DeBurghs Weir. If you’re chasing bass, the number one land-based spot is on Wilton Park Road at Maulden, followed by Douglas Park. I’m told there are good bass at the entrance of the Bellbrook Gorge at Penrith and the weed beds in the middle of the river not far from Tench Reserve. I think it will take another 2-3 weeks

Arthur Kelly with a 68cm flathead from Botany Bay. hasn’t been great for the same old story – weather. On the congenial days, big Chinaman jackets have been taken from the 12 mile reef off Bondi and Southeast Reef and longfin perch have been quiet. Kings to 85cm are showing and can be taken on the new horizontal striped knife jigs from Shimano. Big mahimahi have been taken on the wide FAD. Bluespot flathead are a little wider at this time of year and can be caught on the drift north of Cape Banks with some good fish amongst them. Hargraves Reef and the Plonk Hole have big jackets, mowies and piggies on the chew with decent tiger flathead taken on the mud just outside the reef.

before the bass get serious. Finally, Brickbats to the jet skiers, which destroyed the Eagles Nest at Cranbrook and lack etiquette when driving their personal craft. Maritime has installed infrared cameras on the Georges River to keep their eyes on the situation. For further information, don’t hesitate to contact me on 4647 8755. Enjoy the holidays and your New Year. I look forward to joining you in 2017. • For all your fishing needs, as well as the latest info on what’s biting, drop into Gabe’s Boating and Fishing at Narellan (4/1A Somerset Ave), or Silvania (268/264276 Princes Hwy). You can also call them on (02) 4647 8755 or (02) 9522 5100 respectively, or visit the website at www.gbaf.com.au.

HYDRATESTA16004 FM DECEMBER 2016

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TIDE GUIDE

Many anglers will ask me when the dusky flathead come on the bite. My answer will depend on which estuary system in NSW that you’re going to fish. The NSW Fisheries Resources book I have states that dusky flathead tend to spawn from January to March in NSW, but this may change due to weather cycles and other influences like floods. From the middle of December through to the end of March,

a berley trail. Cast a few poppers, lightly-weighted soft plastics or pilchards and garfish on sets of ganged hooks for kingfish and tailor.

The Port Hacking River can be a very hard waterway to fish and it’s going to take a lot of time on the water to get it right. Learn to catch squid, pump

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for dusky flathead this month while bait fishing at anchor are the end of the second and third runways, the Yarra Bay Fisheries artificial reefs, Towra wide in about 5m, Dolls Point to Brighton-Le-Sands, any of the bridges in the Georges River, Kangaroo Point, Lugarno, Woronora River, the Moons, Alfords Point, Picnic Point, Cattle Duffers and Kogarah Bay. As for the Port Hacking River, anywhere there is a combination of sand and weed beds. If you’re going to use lures, those places are still worth a shot. Just remember to not take any bait with you and just use the lures you have selected.

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Gary Brown

2017

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SYDNEY SOUTH

A great feed of duskies and one lone bream caught at anchor off the third runway.

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November 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017

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The author caught this dusky flathead while fishing Lake Macquarie in December. concentrations of dusky flathead will increase ten-fold down at the lower sections of Botany Bay and the Port Hacking River. Males follow the females that have come from the upper reaches and deeper section of the estuary systems to spawn closer to the ocean. This is why you will often catch a ratio of ten smaller males to one female when targeting dusky flathead at this time of the year. I prefer to keep flathead that are in the range of 45-55cm for a feed and let the rest go. When targeting them, I’ll either use bait or lures, but not both at the same time. This is because I target my flathead at anchor when bait fishing and lure fish while drifting. It may seem strange, but it definitely works for me. Decent baits for flathead include whole or half pilchards, whitebait, whole Hawkesbury River prawns, live nippers, poddy mullet and yellowtail. You could also add chicken breast to the mix. When it comes to lures, I use soft plastics, hardbodies and blades. Soft plastics are the main one I would use, then blades and trolled hardbodies. Places worth a shot

To give you an idea of what types of soft plastics to use, try the Berkley Gulp Jerk Shads, Nemesis and Grub. Also try ZMan Jerk ShadZ, PaddletailZ and GrubZ. What else is happening in the Shire, (other than the Sharkies winning the NRL Grand Final)? There

If the wind has picked up from the south, anchor up in 11m depth just off Sutherland Point on the run-out tide. I have caught tailor, bream, trevally, kingfish, tarwhine, snapper and leatherjackets here. One of the places that doesn’t get a lot of boat traffic is the NSW Fisheries artificial reefs. Either slow drift over them, or anchor and berley. Further upstream at the entrance to the Woronora River, you could try for flathead, bream, whiting, flounder and mulloway. The

nippers and catch poddy mullet, as they would have to be the best baits to use in the Port Hacking River. My next two best baits would be pilchards and Hawkesbury River prawns. December is a great time to get out those metal lures and go fishing for tailor, salmon, bonito and kingfish off the rocks at Kurnell, Wattamolla, Marley, Garie Beach and Coalcliff Point. Early morning and late afternoons will usually get the best results, but don’t forget those overcast and rainy

Lachlan Brown with his first fishing outfit – a Shakespeare Tackle Ratz in blue. have been great reports of bream, trevally, tarwhine and kingfish coming in from anglers fishing the oil wharf and drums on the run-out tides. Remember, you need to be 100m from the oil wharf and you can’t anchor or drift inside the drums in the bay. Try anchoring up current of the drums and put out

run-out tide seems to work better, but as the tide starts to rise, work the flats at the edges of the mangroves. Plenty of land-based spots will start to fire over the warmer months. Try the entrance to the Cook River, Captain Cook, Tom Uglys and Como bridges, Picnic Point and the Georges River National Park.

days. Try pilchards off the beaches in the eastern suburbs and Cronulla for salmon and tailor. Don’t forget, if you or a friend has caught a fish and would like to see it in the NSWFM magazine, just send me an email at gbrown1@iprimus.com.au with a short explanation and I’ll try to get it in the mag.

Pelagics quickly parading into Tweed Coast THE TWEED

Josh Gurney

Spring has promptly sprung to an end. Warmer days, howling northerlies and evening thunderstorms have set the scene for another cliché summer, but it’s not all sunburn and pedestal fans – summer brings with it a host of good fishing. The Tweed area particularly fires up this season. As the mercury rises, we can expect to see good scores of mangrove jack through the river and creeks. In the offshore department, mackerel, marlin, mahimahi, tuna and trevally should all

start to push up the coast as the water temperature rises. These oceanic speedsters respond well to most presentations, whether it’s a frozen pilly or a lively yakka, however, the recent surface lure fishing movement has devoured many anglers – myself included. It’s the most exciting visual form of fishing currently partaken in. To set up for this kind of fishing, use long spinning rods in the 7’6 to 8’3 range to maximise casting distance. Add to that a highgeared spinning reel capable of holding at least 300m of 60lb braid and dealing out a considerable amount of drag (15-30kg).

For lures, there are two main options – poppers and stickbaits. These work in particular conditions. Traditionally, poppers are thrown in slightly rougher conditions to grab attention and bring fish in from further away, while still providing an appealing presentation that many pelagics can’t turn down. In contrast, stickbaits are used in calmer water to provide a more subtle presentation while still alerting fish to their presence. Poppers and stickbaits can be expensive for lures. Many of the best lures come

from Japan, are handcrafted and have paint jobs that leave them looking like they should be preserved in an art gallery, rather than tossed around in search of toothy monsters to steal these $100 timber crafts. Popular affordable stickbaits that are proven performers along the Tweed Coast include the CSP range of stickbaits by FCL, the DUO rough trail Aromosa and the Shimano Orca lures. As far as poppers go, the FCL Ebipop and Reefs Edge poppers are reliable choices and easy to get working along the surface. The most crucial part to

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The warmer water brings in a bunch of new species. offshore surface fishing is the retrieve and this varies from lure to lure. The best thing to do is to go down to a local pond or river with the lures then practice your cast and experiment with different retrieves until you find the sweet spot. Most poppers will work with a blooping method made by a sharp movement in the rod tip, which causes the lure to push through the water splashing from the cup of the popper and creating an enticing bubble trail in its wake. For stickbaits the most common retrieve is a long slow sweep of the rod tip followed by a pickup of the loose line. This

is then repeated throughout the retrieve and can include pauses and speed changes. A straight, fast retrieve works well for fast fish like mackerel and wahoo. It can also trigger other pelagics to feed. Along the Tweed Coast, we’re fortunate enough to have a host of reefs on our doorstep that attract pelagics through the summer months. Anywhere from Kingscliff to the Nine Mile is worth a crack, and often riddled with fish. An alternative to fishing the reefs is finding current lines or feeding schools – these areas may seem obvious, but can really produce in the right situations.

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Boom time for Ballina as predators will fire up will really hot up towards Christmas time and all the way through the end of January. If you haven’t tried this style of fishing for our aggressive freshwater natives, get some poppers and have a crack! You might be surprised at how much fun and how addictive it can be. Look for

BALLINA

Joe Allan

EVANS HEAD DEEP SEA FISHING

Aiden Kane with a cracking mulloway taken from a close reef off South Ballina. As the warm current starts rolling down the hill, we’ll see some mahimahi hanging around the FAD, and we may even get a few early season mackerel showing up around Christmas. From all reports, anglers are having a cracking mackerel run to the north, so it should be another good mackerel season down in Ballina. With reports of mahimahi from Tweed Heads to Byron Bay, they can’t be too far away from hitting our reefs. The odd pearl perch is still hanging around the 42 and 48-fathom lines. Live baits have accounted for some of the larger models, but some of the heavier micro-jigs and bright-coloured plastics have also tempted plenty of the smaller fish. Good numbers of small kingfish have been hammering live baits and knife jigs on the wider grounds. Most of the fish are between 60-90cm, but the odd larger fish has also shown up. A few snapper and small amberjack have also been mixed in among the kingfish, so it has been a bit of a lottery as to what you are going to pull up next. BEACHES While the odd gutter is visible on South Ballina and Angels beaches, the numbers of fish they are producing has been fairly low. Some of the better action has come from Boulders and Seven Mile beaches, with quality dart and

way up the coast. Late in the afternoon it will be worth throwing a pilchard, mullet fillet or bonito strip out in a likely looking gutter. You may not see any large numbers of these razor-toothed eating machines, but the ones that do come into the gutters at night are generally quality fish, so be ready and have wire traces

that when fishing the beach for whiting, they do not need a lot of water, so don’t get caught up with finding the deepest gutter you can, because quite often they are right at your feet in some of the skinniest water imaginable, particularly at night. RIVER FISHING We have still seen quality flathead from Pimlico Island to the mouth of the Richmond. Most of the larger fish have taken live herring and the smaller fish have fallen to dark-coloured soft plastics, prawns and white pilchards. The whiting have shown interest in surface lures in recent weeks, especially in some of the shallow areas such as North Creek and Mobbs Bay. Each day has been different, with the level of aggression towards the lures changing constantly and for no apparent reason. Bassday Sugapens are the lures that have been producing the best, and these can be retro-fitted with either Atomic Trick Bitz assist hooks or Gamakatsu Treble Wide Gap hooks to

the rock walls from Wardell Bridge to the mouth of the river have produced at least a couple of fish in the past month, especially on the run-out tide in the afternoons. I’m not sure if more of these awesome fighting fish are around this year, or more people are targeting them, but either way it’s great to see them in our river system. The best part about most of the jack reports is that the majority of fish are being released to fight another day. The bass are on the chew and are spread out all over the system. With the balmy evenings, the surface bite

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Tayla Egan with a stonker snapper that she caught at Riordans Reef on an Atomic Prong. handy because these larger fish can do serious damage to your rigs. Some of the better-quality whiting have been coming from the beaches rather than the Richmond River of late. As with the dart, pipis and beach worms have been the gun baits for these tasty little critters, but if you can’t get your hands on either of those baits, then you could try strips of squid or peeled prawns. Just remember

improve hook-up rates, so check them out next time you are in your local tackle shop. One fish species that has been surprisingly numerous this season is the mangrove jack. Some good reports have been coming in of quality fish caught on both hardbodied lures and live baits. The Atomic Shiner 75, Lucky Craft Pointer in the 78 and 100mm sizes and ZMan 4” SwimmerZ have all been good options. Most of

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Mulloway save summer bags YAMBA

Dave Gaden

December is here with the promise of warmer water and pelagic fish offshore. Expect mackerel, both spotted and Spanish to have made their normal early run to Shark Bay on the north side of Woody Head, as well as Freeburn Rock to Shelly Headland to the south. Normally, there’s an early arrival around the last week of November to the first week of December. Then they disappear for two weeks and come back in good numbers the week before Christmas. It’s not hard to see when mackerel are on the bite in Shark Bay – the amount of boats is a awn Baround a Prtrolling b la area s” is “Yam dead giveaway. Thisde really well protected from the weather and many can get out

and chase big fish in boats as small as 3m long. The FAD off Yamba was reinstalled in September in the same spot for the fourth year. It should have enough growth now for the first of the mahimahi to show. Small live baits are by far the most productive way to fish the FAD early in the season. It can get a bit busy out there at times, so a bit of etiquette will go a long way to giving everyone a fair crack at the fish. Offshore, the south Evans area has produced lovely mulloway even when other fish are hard to find. Mixed with them have been the odd fantastic snapper to 8kg, but as the water warms these grounds will fill with fish that have been hanging on the wider grounds. Look for the bait shoals deep and close to the reef as the trag and snapper will sit just down

current of these, usually south. Southern grounds from Red Cliff to Sandon River will be holding nice tuskfish and pearlies in 30-40m of water. Drifting this beautiful piece of reef is the most productive. These fish rarely shoal up, so the need to cover a lot of ground is essential. An average day on this reef can produce up to a dozen different species of fish, and with the warmer water, we quite often encounter the odd visitor from the north. In the past, we’ve caught large-mouth nannigai, red

whiting. Don’t forget to throw some dillies in and check them regularly. Try the western end of Whiting Beach in the river for whiting on poppers. It’s great fun if you’ve never tried it before, and very productive once you get it right. Browns Rocks area upstream is always a good spot in December. The reef is only 3m deep on top, but drops to almost 12m on the south side. Top of the reef is a good bream spot, but I like the drop off. If you can anchor the boat right, you can sometimes drop a nice live bait just over

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April from Inverell with a huge snapper. of water has really taken a lot of fish. The shallows from the Big4 Holiday Park boat ramp to the gun club opposite Browns Rocks will not be a waste of time this month. Just slow troll amongst the weed beds and hang on. If you don’t want to travel that far, then trolling the area we call Yamba Bay from the Calypso

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emperor, coral trout and red throat emperor in this area, so you really never know what’s going to hit the icebox. For those who like to venture further offshore, the 50 fathom line is home to some nice pearl perch this time of year. The real drama is the current – check the forecast water temperature charts before you go, as they’ll indicate if the current is boiling down from the north. There are times when you travel 20nm to the grounds and the current is so hard you can’t reach the bottom using a fridge as a sinker – a long drive for no fish. When it’s good, there are yellowtail kingfish, amberjack, samsonfish, pigfish, morwong and snapper to be had in good numbers. The river has fished well lately and signs are it’s going to be a great start to summer. I have fished the entrance to the lake lately for beautiful sand whiting – all great fish with very few throwbacks. These will just get better throughout December. Blue swimmer crabs were thick enough up there for us to catch them on worms while fishing for the

the lip. This is big flathead and mulloway ground. You will only have limited time to fish this area, as the tides really boil here, so planning is a must. Local tide times are for the mouth of the river, but Browns Rocks can change up to an hour and a half later. Just south of this reef in the river, before you get to the caravan park, is a good spot for small mulloway. I usually anchor the boat and flick white plastics just on the start of the run out working them back to the boat. It’s heaps of fun on light gear. For those who only want to catch a feed this may be a waste of time, as most of these fish don’t make 70cm. Flathead have been good lately with a lot of fish around the Broadwater and Harwood areas. The river has a lot of school prawns and these bigger fish are holding in the deeper areas on the run-out tide waiting for the prawn feast. My biggest selling lures for these have been the ZMan StreakZ Curly TailZ in motor oil and the Zerek tango shad in dark brown. Trolling the tango shads in about 1.5-2m

Matt from Inverell caught this great mulloway.

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This summer is Iluka’n good November and a whopping 3.2kg flathead. Both were caught at Browns Rocks. There have been a few nice trevally caught off the Bluff and Woody Head, like Stuart Bower’s 2.7kg fish caught on 31 October. Rhys Franflin caught a 4.86kg kingfish offshore in late October. Lovely snapper have been taken straight off Woody Head headland and close in like Zeke Keleris’ 4kg snapper taken at Woody Head on 29 October. Allan Hepper weighed in a great snapper on 6 October at 6.5kg, caught at Black Rock. Tailor have been quiet this year, unfortunately, but the odd chopper has been taken. Word is that the Spanish

ILUKA

Ross Deakin

Nothing beats the smell of long, hot summer days and afternoon storms, except summer whiting frying in the pan. Great fish have been caught around the sand flats, especially on the Yamba side and local beaches. They’re being caught on poppers and the popular Bassday Sugar Pens in the 70mm 4.3g size. Bream numbers have been a bit quiet, but a few

What a great snapper catch!

WOOLI DEEP SEA TOURS

fish of good size have been taken in the river off the Iluka wall and beaches. Charlie McLiesh weighed in a nice 1kg fish on 1

Bream numbers have been a bit quiet.

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Some nice trevally have been caught recently.

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We’ve come full circle once again – it’s the last month of the year. Snapper have been in relentless form over the last couple of months with no signs of slowing down anytime soon. The

• • • • •

larger fish have been the most common on the deeper reefs, especially those close by the islands. In these same areas, kingfish and samsonfish have been active. They respond well to big live baits swum deep, or sinking stickbaits worked around the bait schools. Both methods bring the possibility of snagging an

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early mackerel. There hasn’t been any news of their arrival yet, but they shouldn’t be far away. The estuaries will be where December really shines. Whiting have been on fire on the surface in all the major estuaries. The lower stretches have been producing the most fish, although small fish are there in plague proportions on some of the flats. This leads to many strikes, but rare hook-ups to larger fish. There have been good flathead throughout all the local estuaries. The lower and central sections are where the bigger fish have been found. As with all summer flathead fishing, if you find a patch of smaller fish (30-50cm), continue fishing that area – there’s likely to be a larger female close by. This is the reason the smaller males are there. Soft plastics continue to be the number one technique

Craig Hanlon getting in some solid pre-fishing before the Urunga Flathead Tournament.

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for a good flathead session, but hardbody lures and the trusty yabbie are responsible for their fair share too. This month is the beginning of the school holidays. There will be great opportunities to fish the local estuaries with the family. Pumping some yabbies and casting a line or two with the kids could be rewarded this month, with flathead, whiting or bream. In the middle to upper estuary, jacks and trevally have continued to dominate. The small jacks that swarmed around the snags last season have grown a little. This last month has seen a lot more medium size fish caught small to medium surface lures and hardbodies. The far upstream stretches of our coastal creeks and rivers have seen plenty of bass action this last month. Surface crawlers have been working morning, noon and night. Larger, noisy baits such as the

Jackall Pompadour Jnr have been a favourite, even in some of the skinnier water. There’s still a place for smaller lures like the Tiemco Soft Shell Cicada, when the fish get a little spooky. With so many freshwater sections to choose from, even the extra crowd of holiday makers will be spread fairly thin on the ground. When planning a bass trip, it’s always worth having a few options in mind, just in case you arrive at the river and find someone else is fishing that section. Obviously, the further from town you go, the less likely you’ll run into other anglers, but even on the popular close rivers there are plenty of sections to enable a backup plan to be implemented on your bass mission. The same can be said for the land-based anglers the month. This next couple of months will see plenty of extra lines in the water on

a whole family fishing in your intended spot. There are many long beaches to the north and south of Coffs Harbour. There are gutters all the way down their length, if you’re happy for a little walking, and you can easily find a gutter that you can have all to yourself. On the beaches there have been building numbers of whiting eager to take a worm or whitebait. The school mulloway have been active in the same areas, although there are many more undersized fish than decent ones. The same baits will be effective on the small mulloway as well as the odd larger fish that may drop by. There’s likely to be plenty of you out for a fish this month, with the family, mates or out on your own. No matter where you choose

Dayne Taylor with a prime example of the typical size fish you’ll see during a good flathead session this month. our beaches and headlands. You may have meticulously planned your Friday evening mulloway session only to find

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Coffs’ gamefishers still on ‘Struggle Street’ COFFS GAME

Glen Booth

And still we wait. This has been without a doubt the crumbiest start to a gamefishing season anyone around here can remember. If it hasn’t been the monotonous procession of northeasterlies every

couple of days, it’s been the cold, insipid water that has been almost totally devoid of bait and therefore predators. It was looking very much like this column would consist of creative white space for the designers to play with this month, before the Solitary Islands Game Fishing Club boat, Better Than Vegas,

went out and saved the day in late spring. While one swallow certainly doesn’t make a summer, an 80kg striped marlin is a good start. Hopefully it’s the spear tip of a lot more. With almost zero reports to base a plan of attack on, the anglers pushed well wide on a scouting mission. They found lovely water up to 24°C directly east of

Coffs, but it was mostly lifeless. The last roll of the dice was a trip home via the FAD looking for an early mahimahi to save the trip. Better water had pushed inshore during the day and heaps of bait began stacking up as they approached the buoy, including some tight balls. Pretty soon it was game on, and after a vigorous fight, Coffs had its first official marlin tag and release for the season. Mark Cunningham was on the rod and had the spangled line tangler knocked over in short order on 24kg stand up. You bewdy! The good news is that bait continues to hold in 40-60 fathoms, with the bottom bashers reporting solid slimy mackerel easy to jig on site. This means

There’s a lot of marlin tucker right there, and in 48 fathoms, it’s well within range of practically everybody. just one species, don’t be surprised if one of the other major players also gets involved. One day last year,

around a single marlin, especially given what we expect at this time of year, but the arrival of bait

Mark Cunningham hooked-up, going old school without a harness.

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Summer species are heating up SOUTH WEST ROCKS

Brent Kirk kempsey@compleatangler.com.au

Summer is here again and with longer, warmer days. It gets easier to find time and motivation to get out and wet a line. The Christmas period will bring droves of fishers to the mid north coast of New South Wales chasing everything from bass to

plenty of flathead patrolling the drop offs adjacent to these shallow areas. There are good sandflats on each side of the Macleay that will produce fish and are easily accessed by all ages. These flats are also great places to launch kayaks and explore a bit further afield. Casting small surface poppers and stickbaits is a great way to cover these sand flats and can draw strikes from all types of unexpected species.

now with a few bigger Spanish mackerel showing up before the insurgence of the spotted variety. Kingfish are around Fish Rock and Black Rock, but the majority of these have been just over the legal limit. The better fish at this time of year come from deeper reefs and wrecks when the current lays off enough. Cobia are starting to appear around the bit reefs and headlands, which is a good sign. These

The areas off Smokey Cape will be a hive of activity when the pelagic species arrive. marlin. With the changing seasons, possibilities are almost endless when it comes to fishing methods and the species available in the Macleay Valley region. For land-based anglers, the headlands and rock ledges are holding decent school mulloway. These fish have been readily available – as long as there’s a good supply of baitfish present, these predators are never far away. Smaller tuna species including striped tuna, bonito and mac tuna are around now and will be an awesome food source for the visiting pelagic species that are soon to hit our shores. Bream and the odd bigger tailor, as well as drummer, are all coming out of the headland washes. The sandflats in the local creeks and the main river system are home to some serious whiting now and there are

The beaches will start to fire as we move towards Christmas with whiting, bream, flathead and dart all in good numbers in the gutters. Four-wheel drive vehicles provide the greatest access to the better spots, but you can usually find a decent gutter in walking distance of a beach access point. For offshore boaties, things really fire up around here in December. Small black marlin and mahimahi are the first pelagic species to arrive in this area. Juvenile marlin can be found on the close grounds from Grassy Head down past the gaol and on towards Smokey Cape. While many mahimahi will be caught around the fisheries FAD, bigger fish can be taken on the troll while targeting marlin and tuna, especially out on the reefs off Hat Head. The first mackerel catches will start any day

numbers generally increase as we progress towards Easter. For estuary boaties, on those days when the weather doesn’t allow safe

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passage offshore, the river holds plenty of options at this time of year. The rock walls are home to bream and mulloway and with plenty of bait around kingfish and trevally are never too far away. Mud crabs are right through the lower system and blue swimmer crabs are down on the sandy areas around the boat shed and up into the start of Clybucca creek. December is the beginning of prime bass season on the Macleay. Hotter days are bringing the insects out in force and the bass are reacting explosively to their presence. Summer bass fishing is all about surface luring and it is awesome when the sound of bass taking bugs from the surface can be heard in every hole. Walk the dog style stickbaits, poppers and cicada imitations are the most common lures used now. A general rule is that bigger is better and you will be amazed at how big a lure even a small bass will take when they are fired up. Canoe fishing is the best way to really get the most out of the river and even at this time of year you can fish large stretches of river without seeing a soul.

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Festive fishing season THE HASTINGS

Mark Saxon castawayestuarycharters@bigpond.com

The Earth’s rotation just keeps on getting faster and we’re at that time of year once more – Christmas is on our doorstep. As always,

we’ll want to mix in a fair bit of angling while enjoying family time and the festivities of the season. Here are some of our holiday options. LAKE CATHIE With the lake open for a good period this season, it promises to be a beauty with nice clean water. Lake

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Cathie is perfect for all fishing activities. Whiting will be a main target and bait and lure fishos will have a ball on these. If you’re taking the kids for a fish, try nippers and beachworms. Rig your line with a small pea size ball sinker running to a number 4 long shank and you’ll be in the game. For the lure fisho, this lake offers second to none surface action on whiting. Very shallow in most parts, a well worked Sugar Pen or popper will do the job. This is a great lake to bring your kayak and open up a few more options for fishing. Other locations where whiting will be on the menu

Mitch Lowe with a 59kg yellowfin. will be the sand flats of Camden Haven and Pelican Island on the Hastings – all of

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Shane Banks with a nice red caught on a lure.

these locations can be fished shore based. For those staying in the area, don’t forget Lake Cathie also has a great population of prawns. Pack your scoop nets and lights for some evening entertainment. HASTINGS RIVER The Hastings and Maria arm looks the best it has for some time – it gets me thinking that barring any major rain event, this Christmas break is going to be a great one for fishing. If you’re bringing your boat to Port, you’ll be able to capitalize on this. The sand flats will hold whiting as mentioned, flatties and bream. Pelican Island,

Blackmans Point and Little Island up river near Dennis Bridge will be worth a try. The deeper sections will be good for school mulloway, especially if it’s a good prawn year. For those dedicated bream and bass anglers, cicadas will hopefully be singing. Casting into tree-lined edges with imitations, you should have some great action. The Maria River should be great for this style of fishing with plenty of overhang. Bass fishers should try the Wilson River, as this area really fires when cicadas are at an unbearable noise level. There have been a lot of mud crabs in the Hastings

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and I can’t see that changing in the near future. Properly marked crab traps should

get you a feed. Try to enjoy. As always, please look after your own traps. Other people

Sam Young with 75kg yellowfin caught aboard Calypso.

like to catch a feed too and believe me, fisheries will be monitoring crabbing this season, as will I. If your trap is illegal or not marked, it will be reported. Fisheries have been doing a great job in this area recently and I’ve seen them on the water removing illegal traps, so if you’re doing the wrong thing, beware. Blue swimmers haven’t really reached the peak they were at last year, but if you’re trying for them, place your nets around the banks from Hibbard Ferry to the Dennis Bridge for prime swimmer areas. OFFSHORE I hope for offshore gamefishers the current run of yellowfin continues. Recently, the crews from the Port Game Club have been getting into fish from 50-75kg. Sam Young caught a cracker fish from the vessel Calypso at 75kg – the biggest so far recorded. That’s a great yellowfin, well done. The fish have been fussy with different techniques needed. Trolling lures and livies as well as cubing all have their moments. These fish have been wide out past the ridge, so specialised vessels are needed. Anglers have also been getting cracking mahimahi, so it’s shaping up nicely for a great summer of game fishing. Other offshore action will get you fired up with consistent

snapper, kingfish and reef fishing we have encountered. The inshore grounds from Plomer Bay to Camden Haven are viable target areas. Those of you who love targeting sand flatties take note, anglers at the ramp have been getting great bags from the northern beach grounds. That’s a wrap for another year – have a very merry and safe Christmas, and get your rod bent!

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Early morning treats FORSTER

David Seaman dseamo@bigpond.com

This time every year I look back and think, “Where has the year gone?” We are back into the summertime crowds and the waterway can get congested with all manner of watercraft.

the waterways it’s fair to say there is plenty of relaxed and unhindered fishing to be had. To make the most of it, you will have to do some early mornings, but who doesn’t like being on the water as the sun appears over the coast? The lower section of the lake around The Paddock is best fished

Flathead are the king of summer flats fishing and are fabulous eating. For the author, fish of 40-55cm make the best table fare. Jetskis buzzing around like blowflies at a BBQ, paddleboarders struggling to stay upright amidst the wash and a flotilla of anglers drifting through the channels and tormenting the fish – such is life on the best part of the NSW Coast. While not everyone loves the crowds that choke

during the morning when the whiting are still on the job and smashing surface lures. The sand whiting at this time of the year are in spawning mode and become aggressive. Drifting live yabbies or worms along the channel edges or casting from the numerous shallow sand banks is the perfect way to spend a few hours

with the kids during the day. Of an evening, good catches of whiting, bream and flathead can be pulled from under the bridge, especially drifting baits or plastics from the lit side on the run-out tide. On the dark of the moon, Breckenridge Channel will be lit like fairy light as the punters jostle for the best prawning spots. While it isn’t the only spot to prawn, it is one of the most popular and the popularity depends on the time of night or morning the tide turns. Remember, you’ll have 2.5-3 hours difference to the published beach tides. The blue swimmers in the lake have had a slower start than last year, but I’m encouraged by the size of the males turning up in the pots. While it isn’t required to return females to the water, unless they are in berry (have eggs) I find it is good sustainable practice to just keep legal males. Males can be distinguished by the narrow tail flap on the underside of their shell, while the females have a broader tail and don’t generally have the vibrant colours of the males. Mud crabs, too, are starting to become more common with reports of big crabs coming from the Pipers area and leases behind Bandicoot Island. If you don’t want the illegal ‘share farming’ of your pots, I suggest you do a late set and early morning pick up, or, set them in the open where they can be seen by everyone. The cowards are too scared of being seen tampering with pots in the open. How do you know if you have been robbed of crab? Generally, the top of the pot is left open. I have marks on the outer ring

Where else would you rather be? of my traps where I hook them shut, if the wire hook is outside these marks or nowhere near them… I know. The bream are well up the tributaries, with good fish turning up along the Coolongolook and Wallamba Rivers. Surface, hardbodies and bait, whatever your preference, will all be worth a shot. The rivers may be a spot to hit if you don’t like crowds. Rack fishing for bream will produce heaps of

size fish and with the big females littering the flats, it is easy to find the males that tag along with them. Hit some of the flooded bay edges at high tide and I think you’ll be surprised at how many flathead sneak up there chasing the developing prawns. One spot that does hold the interest of flathead is the channel near Red Spot boat shed in Breckenridge Channel, especially during

rigged on a light running ball sinker and a metre of leader, you’re in business! Early morning and afternoons on the beaches will produce chopper tailor and maybe the odd mulloway, but it is at least pleasant being out there for a fish anyway. From the rocks, the usual suspects are around and the odd pig is still sniffing around the trough. Even though rock blackfish can,

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small fish, with just enough bigger models to keep you on your toes. The schools of legal male bream create the competition that can trigger feeding in the larger fish, but the smaller fish can be frustratingly common. What I have been waiting for is the flathead to fire up, and there has been plenty of models around 50cm about. Between 40-55cm are the ideal table-

the run-out tide around the dark moon period. The beaches should have a few more fish over the sand, with whiting filtering out of the estuaries to take up their summer gutter haunts. Surprisingly enough, live or preserved nippers are one of the best baits for the foraging fish on the beach. Dart, bream and the odd flathead are all partial to the orangebellied nippers and when

and are, caught year round, their ‘season’ is done for the year. Still, I caught some the other day and they were a real treat on the table. Spinning choppers and bonito is fun, but it’s what chases the bonito that really appeals to me, and kingfish of varying sizes can turn up at anytime. Stay safe over the Christmas break and make the most of it!

DECEMBER 2016

Look forward to holiday Hunter Coast fishing around the Gibber, 21 and Vee reefs as well as a few snapper taken in the same areas. Marlin have turned up in good numbers on the shelf now with most boats getting several bites a day – mainly

PORT STEPHENS

Paul Lennon

Early December is a great time to be a local angler in Port Stephens. The town is still relatively quiet with plenty of great fishing to be had. Make the most of this period – by the end of December, the population will have doubled. Thousands of visitors will hit Port Stephens for summer holidays. If you’re staying here during these peak times and want to get onto quality fish, the trick is to beat the crowds. Fishing super early in the mornings or into the night are a couple of ways to do this. If you have a boat, get up the rivers away from most of the hustle and bustle. Also if you’re visiting Port Stephens and don’t know the area too well, get yourself a marine park map to avoid being caught in a naughty zone. On the estuary scene, Tilligerry Creek recently reopened to fishing again

releasing fish up to 200kg. Inshore, black marlin are still pretty quiet, but it shouldn’t be long before a few start showing up anywhere from Seal Rocks to out the front of Fingal

Striped marlin action will be on the shelf this month. the Tilligerry Creek. If you want to take a few flathead for a feed, head around the Karuah River or North Arm Cove. Those land-based anglers seeking a lizard or two should try flicking plastics on the high tide around Wanda Head, Corlette or Taylors Beach areas. Mulloway will be a big chance for anglers in the bay this month. The break

plenty in the shallows around Shoal Bay, Nelson Bay and Jimmys beaches. Live worms are by far the number one bait to catch whiting – they’re often the difference between catching a stack and catching nothing at all. Both mud crabs and blue swimmers are plentiful right now. Put your traps up the river feeder creeks on a high tide for the muddies, and for

just a matter of fishing around the high tide with live worms. Spinning a 30-50g metal lure or ganged pilchard on day break around Fingal Spit or Box Beach should reap a few tailor as well as the odd salmon, which are still getting around. If you want to have a crack at mulloway, it’s a good time to do it. December always produces a few crackers, particularly along Hawks Nest and Stockton beaches. Fish a gutter on one of these beaches after dark with a live bait or fresh squid and you’ve got a real chance of some silver. Outside the heads, there’s been some big kings taken recently around Broughton Island as well as out the front of Fingal. Trag have been reported in good numbers

The author displaying the calibre of flathead that are on offer inside the Port Stephens estuary. Fish this size should always be released back into the system. striped. A few boats have also been successful pushing wider into 500 fathoms targeting blues and have been

Lighthouse. The FAD hasn’t been out long, but it already holds good numbers of small dollies between 50-90cm.

Tailor time at Christmas HARRINGTON-TAREE

Ian Pereira ianpereira@aapt.net.au

It’s been a great start to the mud crab season. after being closed for over a year, due to the Williamtown RAAF base contamination. Fisheries recommend not eating flathead caught from

walls to Karuah Bridge are worth a shot. Whiting are one fish that doesn’t mind the crowds too much and there should be

blue swimmers try around North Arm Cove, Corlette and Tilligerry. Most of the surf beaches will be holding good whiting right now, it’s

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DECEMBER 2016

The past month has been a steady time for angling in the Harrington area. There have been nasty southerly winds and a bit of rain that’s made fishing very uncomfortable for the land-based fishers, as well as boat anglers. Very little rain has fallen in the freshwater part of the Manning and the river is just running nicely with clear water. The Divisional Freshwater Championships are to be held at the end of November and all the local freshwater anglers have their eyes fixed on the Manning and the water height in the river. The bully mullet are schooling up in the lower reaches of the river at present and it looks to be a great tournament. ESTUARY The flathead were biting extra well early in the month, but have been quiet for the last week. Bream, whiting and luderick have also been

slow. Sometimes, on the drop of the moon and with alternating highs and lows, as we’ve experienced lately, the fish go off the bite. No doubt they’ll be back on when the moon starts to build. Small school mulloway around the 4kg mark have been caught up the river on soft plastics. Kingfish have been in the estuary for a few weeks and have been moving up and down the river wall. Fish to 20kg have been landed on surface poppers, but many have been lost by the braid touching oyster coated rocks of the wall. BEACH AND ROCK Harrington Beach has produced the best results with mulloway to 14kg taken on worm baits. Tailor have been very scarce, as have salmon. A few decent bream have been caught from the southern end of Crowdy Beach on pipis and worm baits. Decent drummer have come from around the rocks at Crowdy Head and the occasional small groper has been bagged. OFFSHORE Snapper have been biting well on soft plastic

lures on both the northern and southern grounds. Fish to 8kg have been landed. Trag to 3kg and small pearl perch have come from the grounds around Mermaid Reef. Flathead can be taken on the drift. Out wide, bar cod have been caught. The current is racing out wide, so it’s hard to catch up to the cod. Some smallish kings have been landed on jigs, but the location has not been divulged. The FAD is back in place off Diamond Head, so that’s good news for the outside boys. December is the time for the big mother flathead to school up in the mouth of the river prior to spawning. It will be interesting to see where these big fish decide to settle now, as the mouth of the Manning has changed so much since last year. The Christmas chopper tailor will show up this month in the river and on the beaches. They provide good sport on bait and lures and make great live bait for mulloway.

The baits are bringing them in HUNTER COAST

Gary Earl earlybird13@optusnet.com.au

The past six weeks have been all about the current screaming down the coast keeping the boats away from the outer grounds and in close to the coastal fringe. Tailor are the talk of the town with catches on the beaches, estuaries and rivers. With a little rain, tailor can move up to brackish water and be caught in drains and all sorts of unusual places around the Hunter. The best shot is off the break walls and beach rocky platforms. A pilchard under a float is all you need – you can troll for them or catch them on shallow and deep reefs. Tailor

It’s great to see kids get in on the action, and with the amount of tailor around at the moment they shouldn’t have too much trouble hooking one up.

If you can, get out just before sunrise or in late afternoon.

are so versatile, if they’re around in numbers, they’ll make themselves known. Look for diving birds in the estuaries and lakes, or a whole lot of fishers lined up with floats out. The Gutters along Stockton Beach hold big greenbacks at this time of year. A weekday is the best time to fish, in the morning or late afternoon. The only downfall is the pilchards you

buy – some are like mush when they thaw out. A visit to a reputable fishing store will be better to get hold of some brined pilchards. These hold to the hooks better and stay on through the cast. Some service stations don’t rotate the bait, so the oldest pilchards are many moons old and just fly off the hooks. Be careful. Whiting are showing up around the Hunter region, but not in great numbers. As this month goes along, they should thicken and prowl along the beaches for worms and pipis. Remember the rules regarding pipis. You can’t take them home or collect them for eating – they have to be used on the spot. Anglers use poppers and small Rapala red lures and do well in the estuaries chasing trumpeter whiting. Small blades work well too. I like any lure with a red colour through it. The fish love red, as it looks like a bloodworm. The sand flats in the Hunter River around Kooragang Island are a great place to throw lures around in 10-15ft. Use good gear, as flathead lay on these flats and can shred through thin traces easily. The edge of the mud just above Stockton Bridge is another spot that holds

Slimy mackerel make great bait. whiting, bream and flathead. Outside has been very flat with some currents that have been fairly strong. They should have slowed a little, so you can get into the action. Bonito have been everywhere – a great bait source and fun to catch. They’re mixed in with big greenback tailor, a

few stripped tuna and small mac tuna. Out wider on the reefs, teraglin, school mulloway and just legal kingfish have been showing in the afternoon. The crystal clear water has been hard to fish, but try to troll around areas of reef with deep divers. Happy Fishing.

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DECEMBER 2016

Scenic Swansea fishing

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year has come too quick. I hope a good year for for the health of

you and your loved ones, but also on the fishing front. I feel blessed, that’s for sure. jayro@hotmail.com.au Living here and enjoying the lifestyle that Lake Macquarie has to offer is fantastic. Every morning when I drive over the Swansea Bridge and look at the turquoise coloured waters, it reminds me why I moved my family to this wonderful part of the world. Not only is it a SERVICING THE HUNTER & CENTRAL COAST REGION spectacular place to live for the scenery, but the fishing is great and the wildlife is incredible. We’ve spent E G For general the past couple of months GREAT RAN + enjoying some truly amazing chandlery & sights of whales that migrate AWESOME E through our waters – sights IC V R E S boating supplies you never get tired of seeing. I feel like every month I comment on how good the fishing is, but it’s been that 638 PACIFIC HWY BELMONT way. Who am I to complain? Let’s roll with it while it’s PH: (02) 4945 2133 www.unclerays.com.au good. Water temperatures are continuing to head in the right direction – not what you would call hot, but certainly warming up. There have been some very nice, rich, warm currents running offshore at times – hopefully a good sign of what is ahead of us for the summer months. The lake water temperatures are also rising nicely and as a result we’re seeing an increase in bait activity and also predatory fish. The shallow waters of the 15 Wallarah Street Watkins Road lake’s edges and flats in many Swansea Wangi Wangi of the bays have warm water 24 Paley Crescent 30 Gommera Street 15 Wallarah Street Watkins Road 24 Paley Crescent 30 Gommera Street 15 Wallarah Street Watkins Road Blacksmiths BelmontBlacksmiths South Swansea Wangi WangiBream activity A spacious tree filled park Nestled between the shores now. 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Rod Austin with a fantastic 107cm mulloway that couldn’t refuse Rod’s lure offering. Rod puts in the time to master the lake and as a result, often scores great fish like this one. less hull slap and allow me to fish tight to where the fish are, without scaring them off with boat noise. Start fishing 2-4ft of water with a mix of surface lures and shallow diving hardbody lures. There are loads on offer these days, but use a reasonable brand with quality trebles that swims straight, right out of the pack. Go with a variety of colours until you find what’s doing the trick on the day then stick to it. Along with bream, you should find no shortage of nice flathead also willing to hit your lures. While it’s important to run light gear for the bream, just go easy when Mr Flathead takes a liking to your lure, or it could get costly. Mulloway are also around in excellent numbers at the moment. Bait anglers who put the effort in to catch fresh live bait are scoring good numbers. Those anglers working hard on lures are also getting their fair share. The fish are in good condition and most are in that 80-100cm size bracket. With fish this big, remember you don’t need to fill the esky for a feed. One fish has plenty on it. If managed correctly, we could see this thriving fishery continue for many years to come. Mulloway are still holding up in the deeper waters, but there have been a few landed in the shallow sections by anglers chasing bream and flathead. Only a couple of weeks back, I pulled a couple of small mulloway down in Chain Valley Bay while working the edges for bream, so be prepared. For anglers who love to chase their summer run of whiting, we might just be in for a good season. We’re already seeing nice fish coming from the sand islands with lure and bait anglers getting a few early season fish. It’s hard to beat a good feed of fresh whiting fillets. Offshore fishing is shaping up for another good season with anglers’ hopes riding high after last season’s cracker. Shark anglers look to be in for a good few months ahead with more reports of

huge fish being caught and lost. One local GFC vessel recently mentioned they lost a big tiger shark boat side that they conservatively called for 500kg. Marlin anglers are keeping a close eye on the SST at the moment and other weather reports. As soon as the currents bring down that warm bank of water, they should also bring good baitfish numbers and that will hopefully mean another great marlin season. Many anglers will chose to slow troll live baits around bait balls off the waters of Port Stephens, but as with every year, there’ll be many good fish taken on trolled skirted game lures. If the currents and bait come close enough inshore, then smaller trailer boats will also get into the thick of it, as most years we see more than a few marlin landed within only a few kilometres of shore. The FADS are now deployed and starting to

work, so mahimahi numbers should start to rise. There have already been a few early season fish landed, which is great to see. If you’re just after numbers and looking for a mahimahi then I suggest fishing the FADS with cut baits like pilchards. Remember, don’t tie off to the FADS and be courteous of other anglers out there as well. If you’re happy to settle for less fish, but a better quality, then you can’t go past live baiting these FADS and other offshore FADS you come across. There are really good fish out there. Be prepared and make sure your tackle is up to scratch. That’s it for another year. Thanks for the support over the past 12 months. I appreciate the pictures that anglers have shared with me and the reports that come my way from our readers. I look forward to the year ahead with you all again, so stay safe.

Bailey Ford from Brisbane with his first snapper.

Steer clear of the crowds CENTRAL COAST

Jamie Robley jrobley@iprimus.com.au

The season that many of us have been waiting for is here. December is like a double-edged with pros and cons. Some of our very best angling action occurs at this time of year, from estuary lure casting, to bluewater game fishing. The weather is warm and it’ll be great to enjoy some time away from work and on the water instead. On the flip side, strong northeasterly winds can hamper our efforts and there are a lot more people on the water, so some places will be crowded. Places like the ramps at Norah Head and Terrigal, as well as the Entrance are the most noticeable when it comes to holiday crowds this month and into early January. It’s particularly important to be at the boat ramps as early as possible, which basically means well before sunrise. Leave it a bit later and you’ll encounter waiting times while others launch, potential parking problems and perhaps miss out on some good fishing during that peak early morning period. For popular places like the Entrance, my best advice is to try your luck further away from the crowds. While it’s common to see anglers fishing shoulder to shoulder down towards the run-out at the sea and around the bridge area, let’s not forget that plenty of fish can also be caught further back inside on the western or lake side of the bridge, and towards the Toukley side of the north channel. As long as you don’t cast right into the thick weed, there’s always a chance of picking up a feed or having

rock or other structure. By shallow, I mean right up into the skinny water in 10-15cm deep. Whiting in particular love these areas, but bream and flathead also get right up into this ankle deep water where they can be caught on surface lures early in the morning or late afternoon.

Bonito should move closer to shore over the coming weeks, so get the high speed spinning gear ready! Fishing late at night with baits in slightly deeper water is another good option. Bream is the target species. The bridges and adjacent shore-based areas at Woy Woy, the Rip, St Huberts Island, the Entrance, Toukley and Budgewoi all house good bream through the dark hours. Aside from good quality bait like fresh local prawns, bloodworms, pink nippers or fish strips, a key to remember is to use little or no sinker weight at all when fishing the Tuggerah Lake spots, while the Brisbane

The odd salmon may still show up along the beaches or around the rocks this month. The author has enjoyed using the little Daiwa Aird X rod and reel on these hard fighting fish. some fun at this time of year. Bream, whiting and flathead are by far the main players at the Entrance and other estuary or lake spots this month. Lure casters should try to concentrate on the shallowest spots, with a sandy bottom adjacent to some weed,

overhead lighting at night. White or pale coloured soft plastics are highly effective on flathead that gather around illuminated places through the night. They’ll also take a variety of other lures and baits. When seeking these nocturnal flathead, cast lures or baits into the shallower, brighter looking

Water spots may require a heavier sinker to hold station in the current flow. Flathead are another common species that can be caught around the same bridges, as well as any other spots like boat ramps or jetties that are illuminated by

areas, rather than further out in deeper or darker water. Beach fishing has been kicking along nicely in recent weeks. We’ve still got a few straggler salmon in the surf zone and some of the sambos encountered at this time of year are bigger models. Small tailor and whiting have increased in numbers with the occasional better-sized specimen showing up. Bream, flathead and mulloway are also very possible at the beach this month and all three have been caught by beach anglers over the past few weeks. Rock fishing can be quite mixed up in December, as we may encounter fingers of colder water one day and warmer currents pushing in the next. As a rough guideline, when strong northeasterlies blow for a few days the inshore water turns cold, but after a southerly pushes through it warms up again. This is more noticeable in close along the rocks and beaches than it is further out to sea, where the east coast current is more dominant. If the water temperature and quality is good, there’s a very high chance of bonito and kingfish in casting range around Avoca, Terrigal, Norah Head and Munmorah. If it’s colder, the best strategy is to stick with baits for bream, tailor and salmon, or fish closer under the washes for drummer or luderick. It’s a great idea to bring two different outfits to the rocks – one for lure casting and the other for bait soaking. Offshore fishing should be a major improvement on

previous months, as the better water moves down the coast. Inshore around the headlands, bommies and shallow reef kings and bonito are highly likely, with a few tailor and salmon amongst them. Live baits can be good to pin a bigger king at this time of year, as the majority of kingfish around now are only small and some are undersize. Of course, the bluewater brigade will be all fired up and constantly checking reports and sea surface temperature charts, waiting for marlin to move down the coast. As with other pelagic fish this month, things can be a touch patchy and it’s not uncommon for action to come in short bursts, followed by a week or two of unfavourable currents or weather. If you’re a small boat owner and feeling keen, perhaps the best bet is a quick trip up to the mid north coast before the holidays begin. Places like South West Rocks or Port Macquarie often have a good, but short run of small beakies and mahimahi during the second half of December.

Flathead are one of our most reliable summer species and soft plastics work brilliantly on them. This one snatched a 5” Gulp, which is a good size to cast for bigger fish.

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DECEMBER 2016

Some are prawn with greatness this summer ILLAWARRA

Greg Clarke clarkey1@westnet.com.au

Who doesn’t mind a feed of prawns for Christmas? Not those frozen things you get at the fish markets, but fresh ones caught and cooked at home and iced ready for a feed the next day, washed down with a cold beer. The best prawning time this month will be right on queue for the Christmas and New Years period, with the new moon on the 29th. The week leading up to Christmas and the week after will be excellent. Since Lake Illawarra was opened to the ocean

to Mount Warrigal, all along the Primbee area and west of the boat ramp at Berkley. There are plenty of other spots if you look around. You may also run into a few blue swimmer crabs, so it pays to keep a small short handled landing net clipped to your belt when scooping, because a big crab in with your prawns is not only hard to get out of the net but makes holes and chomps up your hard earned prawns. On the subject of crabs, it will be almost impossible to navigate in the lake in a straight line due to the massive amount of crab trap cords and floats. When in the boat, keep a good watch to keep them from tangling in your propeller.

soon put them off the bite. Minnamurra is pretty much the same with a few prawns running in the shallows, but nowhere near as many as the lake. You can get plenty for bait and at times a feed. The same areas work in this stretch of water as the lake. On the rocks, decent fish are starting to show for the land-based game anglers. Most of the deep ledges have some solid kingfish travelling along them this month. Early morning and live squid or slimy mackerel fished close to the rocks will bring them undone. A few bonito have fallen to lures and the odd fish on live baits while salmon have been consistent on live baits,

A few schools of striped tuna still move along the coast this month, often they’re really close to shore. permanently a few years ago, the prawns haven’t been as numerous or as big, because they go to sea each year rather than stay in the lake for an extended time to fatten up. They still move in good numbers each dark over summer and provide a tasty feed for those who like chasing them in the shallows after dark. For the serious prawners, a drag net is employed, but it’s hard yakka with two people dragging a big heavy net for hundreds of metres in chest deep water many times for a load of jelly blubbers. For many, a scoop net and light is quite effective in most situations and less tiring. Kids love it and a night out on the prawns is always a memorable occasion. Don’t forget to save a few for bait – used live, they’re the best bait for everything in the lake and just about everywhere else. Some of the better spots are the sand flats at the entrance, the shallows at the southern side of the lake from the bridge all the way 42

DECEMBER 2016

Even with all the traps in the water, there are still plenty of crabs to go around with the odd fat muddy as well. With prawns on the move, flathead and bream move too. You guessed it – prawns are the best bait, or something that looks like prawns in the plastic department. The drop off is so popular you’ll struggle to get a spot and the traffic will be a nightmare. At this time of the year, look a little further afield. It only has to be a few hundred metres and you’ll catch plenty. The main channel will be busy, but a lot of flathead will be there all the way down to the entrance. Bream will be down around the bridge pylons during the evenings. Lightly weighted live prawns drifted into the structure on the run out tide should be deadly. Whiting are on the flats from the bridge to the entrance and up on the flats before the drop off – worms and live prawns are prime baits. If you get up early, poppers will bring a few bigger fish undone, but the boats will

lures and pilchards. It won’t be long before the really good warm water pushes in down around Kiama, with the chance of a marlin very much on the cards. It’ll more likely be next month when that happens, but they’ve been known to be early. You’ll never know if you don’t have a bait in the water. There have been plenty of bream, drummer and trevally in the white water along the coast lately. With the help of a little bread, pilchard and bran berley, you should score a few fish. Good news on the beaches – whiting move along every beach in the Illawarra now. All you need to do is get your hands on some beach worms and work the shallow gutters on the falling tide. This concentrates them into a smaller area, as opposed to the high tide, when they move out over the greater area of shallow sand banks. A few dart are mixed in with them. Flathead are on all the beaches too, taking fish baits

This is about average for the kings at the moment, but there are some much bigger ones around too. and plastics around the 10cm mark in baitfish patterns. If you’re lucky, you might score a school mulloway in the deeper gutters as well. At the end of the month on the big tides, big mulloway will be patrolling the beaches. Big fish come in every year around Christmas and this year should be the same. They’re often caught by the dedicated anglers who fish hard around early mornings. Every year, a few fish fall for baits fished for other species in the middle of the day. If the angler stays connected, it’s usually a headline fish. Salmon are on all the beaches at one time or another grabbing pilchards and fish baits. A few better tailor are being taken just on dark on the northern beaches as well. Offshore, it’s hot and cold this month. The current

find some good water out on the shelf, early indicators suggest you will, there are striped marlin, yellowfin tuna and solid mahimahi. The way the currents have been the last couple of years, anything is possible. Striped tuna are about from the 50 fathom mark to the shelf, but they’re just a shadow of the schools that used to swarm over the ocean at this time of the year, only a few short decades ago. A few snapper have been taken in close, but they seem to be single resident fish. Most snapper have moved out to deeper water of 40-60m, so if the current is running, you’ll struggle a bit to get down to them. If there’s current then kings will be on the chew. A few better fish are about the islands and the deeper rock ledges. A bit of

of bulk and length. There’s plenty of bait about, so they’ll grow fast. With all the bait about, salmon have been up on the surface and into them along with a few bonito, rat kings, trevally and a few barracouta when the water temperatures drop. The frigate mackerel haven’t shown up yet, but they won’t be far away. As soon as the water temperature rises and stays constant, or gets even hotter, they’ll be here along with all the other northern pelagics. Flathead are on the bite with the bottom bouncers scoring well so far – there are plenty of nice fish to 60cm. Leatherjackets have become a pest again, but they’re not everywhere just yet. There are a few nice mowies still hanging about over the gravel, but

A few bonito have started to show. They eat bait as well as lures. is holding us all to ransom with hot blue water one day full of life, and the next, freezing cold and void of any forms except barracouta and leatherjackets. If you

current will get them going over the usual reefs they like to frequent. Many are just over legal length or just under, but next month should see them put on a bit

not too many snapper over the shallow reefs. A few pig fish, trevally and samsonfish are rounding out the bags. Next month will be even better. Merry Christmas.

Busy bays, basin and estuaries NOWRA

Johnny Nolan straydog1974@gmail.com

It’s the festive season! Holiday season is on for you lucky beggers not in the retail game! I’d just like to take this opportunity to say a big Merry Christmas and a happy, fishy New Year to my readers. I hope you all have an awesome and safe break over the holidays – catch plenty of fish.

and calm waters of the basin. For the fishos, an early morning start is probably a good idea to avoid some of this traffic. It’s been a pretty slow lead up in the basin to summer, and the water temperature takes forever to come up. This aside, there’s been some pretty impressive catches. Mulloway and big tailor are mixing it up for anglers. Swan Bay, Jewfish Bay, outside the two islands on the southern drop off and the artificial reefs

produced solid whiting on stickbaits and poppers – the Lucky Craft NW Pencil and Sammy in both sizes are still favourites among the flats flickers. The Saku lures have become popular in both the poppers and stickbaits and are much more affordable, if you’re on a a tight budget. The big flatties are well and truly on the move in the basin and the recent St Georges Basin Flathead Classic showed this. Conditions were tough, but plenty of cracking fish were caught, weighed and released with specimens over 70cm tagged as part of a new tagging program

still around the Shoalhaven Ski Park on the opposite bank and upstream from there. Right through the system and the freshwater reaches, bass fishos have been kicking goals and we haven’t even had a good cicada hatch yet! I know we’re all willing it to happen. If it does, it’s going to be one awesome season with the amount of fish already around and hitting the surface. Downstream through the canal, there have been some nice bream, but extracting them from the oyster encrusted rocks which line this artificial canal is not to be taken

The author with a 65cm flatty from the competition. been a bit of a saviour for many anglers heading out to catch a feed of snapper, only to return snapperless! Don’t get me wrong, there have been a few reds around, but not like Lilly Martin with a solid Shoalhaven River EP. I also ask you to remember that there are a lot more people on our waterways and on the roads, as they flock to our little slice of heaven, so be patient and chill out. Just enjoy your break! Road rage and ramp rage can quickly ruin a planned day out on the water, which should have been relaxing and enjoyable.

have all been frequented by both species and are good places to start. On an early windless morning, the tailor can be seen busting up on the surface through schools of bait. Once they’ve been through and had their feeding frenzy, quite often the dregs are then cleaned up by species such as bream, trevally, snapper

SIZE MATTERS… MEASURE UP!

and even whiting. Blades or soft plastics worked close to the bottom will usually produce a strike and hopefully a hook-up, as a new feeding frenzy unfolds. The shallows have

One metre

long, cut to

desired leng

Clear water proof ruler sticker for your fishin g rod

NEVER BE CAUGHT WITHOUT YOUR RULER AGAIN!

Glenn Godwin with an 80cm flatty from the recent Flathead Classic in the basin.

The author with a brown trout on a recent trip to Buckenderra. ST GEORGES BASIN Over the break, this place becomes the busiest waterway on our coast with fishos, skiers, canoe/ kayakers and sailors alike, all enjoying the sheltered

previous seasons. That pretty well wraps up December and yet another year. Where are they going and why so fast? Be good and stay safe. Johnny out.

for this fishery. SHOALHAVEN RIVER The Shoalhaven’s bass and estuary perch bite has been pretty awesome since the season opened. There have been plenty of fish

lightly. Cranka Crabs and Ecogear VX40s in colour 439 are two of the best lures for this area, but can be very expensive fished in this terrain. They can lighten a wallet pretty quickly! If you’re not into your lure fishing, bait fishos also have success along these rocks with freshly pumped nippers from nearby sandflats fished on a jighead while drifting along the rock walls. Run up tides and the first of the run out are the best times for fishing in this area. When the tide starts running out, it can be doing 4-6 knots and make it hard to hold position for everyone, even those with the strongest electric powered motors. JERVIS BAY The bay has mainly been producing squid, and just recently, the grounds outside the bay have been loaded up with good size sand flatties, which have

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Presents yule love! FMG

Nicole Penfold nicole@fishingmonthly.com.au

If you don’t know what Christmas present to buy the angler in your life, this article will solve all your problems! Ditto if your loved ones are asking you what gift you’d like, and are getting annoyed when you say things like, “I dunno”, “anything I guess” and “how about a spouse who won’t keep asking questions”. Read on to find the perfect gift – one that will make any angler so grateful they’ll forever share their fish with you. Maybe even the palatable ones.

UNIQUE LURES

I wouldn’t normally advise buying lures as a gift. I see them as a personal choice, requiring careful contemplation, like when you’re purchasing a new rod, reel or sandwich. However, the lures listed below are really something special because they’re so different. We anglers love trying something new, and it’s also great to present the fish with something they may not have seen before. Just be sure that

For more info on the Kuttafurra range, look them up on Facebook. Smash Crab The Fish Candy Smash Crab ($19.95) never fails to turn heads. When it was released at the Tackle Trade Show, everyone flocked

well on mulloway and reefies, and as time goes on it’s sure to catch all sorts of species. This lure measures 100mm and weighs 39g. Halco Madeyes Octoskirt The Madeyes Octoskirt ($11.95) would make a good gift for both bait and lure

River2Sea Smash Crab

around it like seagulls on a chip. I had to kick people out of the way so I could get close enough to see it. OK, I might be exaggerating a bit, but there’s no denying this is a great lure that would make a fantastic present. This incredibly lifelike crab is durable and flexible, and it’s easy to use, even for baitfishers. It sinks slowly, with

anglers. I think this wiggly plastic looks pretty weird, but for some reason fish think it looks delicious. It has been designed in Australia by the Halco team, and it’s made of a super-stretchy plastic that can withstand repeated strikes. It’s also enhanced with a natural

Austackle Gizmo HD

you can guarantee the fish haven’t either. The Austackle Gizmo HD Big Fish Edition ($22) looks unusual, but it’s already proven to be effective on mulloway and reefies, and should be a hit with kingfish, big flathead, Murray cod, barra and more. You can retrieve it in a number of ways. You can slow roll it, crawl it along the bottom, hop it, drop it through schooled fish, burn it through structure and more. Use it as you would a jig or bait; look for fish on the sounder, then drop the Gizmo and let it sink through the bait school/fish. Lift and drop the lure and get hit! You can also add a soft plastic trailer. The Gizmo HD Big Fish Edition weighs 1oz and comes in six colours, including UV. Check it out at www.austackle.com.

Repel apparel repels 95% of mosquitoes and other biting insects. Amazingly, it retains 80% efficacy even after 50-70 washes! Bigfish tested the shirts on the flood plains of the Adelaide River in the Northern Territory, where mosquitoes are so thick they actually bite through traditional shirts. During testing, plenty of mozzies landed and bit through traditional fabric, but when they landed on the Repel-

Samaki Barra shirt

Kuttafurra Joe the Rat Bigfish Repel Apparel

the lure you buy matches the species that the giftee usually targets. Joe the Rat Joe the Rat ($39.95) is a collector’s piece that many anglers would rather put in the pool room than fish with, but he can and will catch cod and impoundment barra. This award-winning lure comes from the creative mind of Aaron Young from Kuttafurra, and the paintwork and attention to detail is superb. It has a leather tail and ears, and it effectively mimics a rat or mouse swimming in the water, with a paddling motion that’s enhanced by the tail wiggling along behind it. Joe really is the perfect surprise for a cod angler on Christmas Day. The only problem might come if your kid asks whether a cod would ever eat a real, live mouse. “Um, no buddy, of course not! Hey look, here’s a candy cane…”

its legs and claws vibrating enticingly. When it reaches the bottom it sits with its claws raised, just like a cranky crab. It can be slow rolled, jigged or just left in the rod holder

squid scent. This versatile skirt can be layered on top of metal lures, can be used in conjunction with bait or on a paternoster (dropper) rig, and it can also be rigged with other Madeye plastics to create unique combinations that maximise attraction. It can also be rigged on a standard jighead. You can basically put it pretty much anywhere – possibly even in a Christmas cracker.

CLOTHING Fishing shirts look amazing these days. They have gorgeous print jobs, provide the ultimate in sun protection, and are quick drying. For most adult shirts you’re looking at around

$60-$80. For kids, it’s more like $50 – although I wouldn’t recommend buying clothing for a kid on Christmas Day. It’s not very exciting, and they might think Santa hates them. Insect-Repelling Apparel The new Bigfish Maxflow

Halco Madeyes Octoskirt

where it can drift mid-water or bounce along the bottom. It’s already proven to work

Austackle Gizmo HD If you haven’t seen anything like this before,

Zerek Dry Fit Jersey

infused fabric, they quickly took off again. Checkmate, you blood-sucking scumbags. The Repel range has all the features of Bigfish’s current fabric (soft, cool, lightweight, durable and UPF 50+). And if you don’t need a mozzierepellent shirt, you should still check out the Bigfish range of apparel. Whatever your favourite species is, you’ll find it on a Bigfish shirt. You can browse the range at www.bigfishgear.com. Samaki Barra and Jack shirts Samaki, creators of the Chromed Barra shirt, say it tells a story: “Set amongst the dense dark mangroves, the Chromed Barra lurches out from the structure to engulf a Samaki Vibelicious Thumper Tail. Here is the start of the fight to win the ultimate trophy fish, entice the barra from the structure of the mangroves and watch it lurch from the depths.” Maybe. I just think it looks badass. Other badass shirts from the range include

times while fishing. Available in sizes M-3XL, and with sizing that suits Australian bodies (let’s be honest, we like to eat), the Zerek Dry Fit Longsleeve Jerseys will keep you fishing longer in comfort and style. Zerek distributor Wilsons has a whole range of great shirts, and you can see them at www.wilsonfishing.com. Daiwa fishing shirts For a more traditional

UPF 40+ rated, breathable fishing shirt is manufactured from an anti-bacterial material, and because it has plastic studs rather than buttons it’s very easy to put on and take off. As you’d expect, Daiwa also has a range of modern fishing shirts, all of which come in sizes S-XXL. There’s a wide array of colours, but my favourite is the white Saltist shirt – a must-have

Daiwa Fishing Shirt

a mangrove jack design and a GT design. They have stories too but I’m a little short on space. All Samaki long-sleeve fishing shirts offer superior UV50+ protection and help you stay and cool on the water. They’re available from a size 2 toddlers to a 3XL adults – an excellent size range that’s pretty rare when it comes to fishing shirts. For more info visit www.samaki.com.au.

Zerek Dry Fit Jerseys These shirts are great value at $29.95. Designed to keep you cool and comfortable while you’re fishing, Zerek Dry Fit Jerseys have been released in black and white colours with the distinctive Bluewater Craft logo. The Dry Fit material actively moves sweat away from the body to a separate fabric layer, where it can evaporate away. This leaves you feeling dry at all

Shimano Ocea Fishing Gloves Shimano’s Ocea Fishing Gloves are designed for anglers wanting to protect their hands from the harmful elements that offshore angling can dish up. That’s a classy way of saying they’ll stop your hands getting ripped to mince. These gloves provide extra grip in wet conditions, with a reinforced, non-slip material on the index finger and palm to maximise casting and jigging grip in the wet. And of course, they also provide protection from slicing braid and sharp scales and spikes from fish. An ultra-thin titanium alloy helps keep your hands warm on cold days, while letting your skin breathe on hot days. They also provide sun protection. They’re not cheap, at around $55, but they’ll easily outlast cheaper gloves and protect your hands better. There’s more info at www. shimanofish.com.au.

TACKLE STORAGE

Shimano Ocea Fishing Gloves

style of fishing shirt – one with pockets, button-up studs and a cool mesh liner – there’s the Daiwa Fishing Shirt. This

for anyone who loves these iconic reels. You can see the full range of Daiwa apparel at www.daiwafishing.com.au.

I find sorting tackle to be a lot of fun, which is why I love my tackle boxes and bags. My goal is to have one bag for every species. People tell me that’s too many, but

I don’t care. Here are my picks for 2016. Rapala Urban Classic Sling Bag The Rapala Urban Classic Sling Bag ($100) has a revolutionary, award-winning design. It stays out of the way on your back, giving you freedom of movement when casting and retrieving, yet the bag swings to the front when needed. No more wiggling out of your backpack to get a replacement lure. The bag is comfortable too, with a 3D mesh back panel and an adjustable shoulder strap. Both main compartments hold 3600-sized tackle boxes and open to form a work tray when changing lures. The bag also features a secondary compartment for large accessories and additional pockets for smaller items. A Quick Draw plier holster and retracting tool holder offer fast and easy access to the most used tools. Head to www. rapala.com.au for more info. Black Magic Surf Waist Pack Whether fishing in the surf or from the rocks, any angler can appreciate the idea of having fewer items to carry in their hands. Some

FROM YOUR FAVOURITE SHIRT...

...TO YOUR NEW MASTERPIECE!

AVAILABLE NOW AT

BIGFISHGEAR.COM IN VARIOUS PRINTS & SIZES! DECEMBER 2016

sensible people might suggest you simply take less gear with you, but don’t listen to them. You can have your cake and eat it too with Black Magic’s Surf Waist Pack. Made from high quality materials, it has a number of compartments

so you don’t have to worry about balancing your drink on the ground. The Cooler Bag also includes an Ugly Stik stubby cooler – bonus! It costs around $30 and there’s more info at www. shakespeare.com.au.

without the worry of them tangling. These boxes also make it quick and easy to locate the lure you’re looking for thanks to the clear lids, and they’re also ideal for storing squid jigs. Megabox Multi Minnow boxes are made from heavyduty materials to withstand temperature extremes and impacts. Deep compartments are ideal for lures with heavy-duty or upgraded trebles, and the ‘V’ shape of these compartments keeps the lures secure during transport. Multi Minnow boxes

portable tackle storage unit (approx. $150) allows you to keep everything organised, whether you’re at home or on the road. It comes in a flat pack, making it easy to transport, and can be assembled in a few minutes. Built around a lightweight and super strong aluminium frame, this unit can store eight rods rigged or unrigged, and it also has three storage shelves and a top shelf/work bench. Two removable bags that can fit up to four standard tackle trays are also included. A zippered front flap allows

Rapala Urban Classic Sling Bag

Moncross Multi Minnow Box

and pockets to store your gear. Black Magic has also taken it a step further by creating a ‘ready to go’ waist pack filled with essential tackle and accessories. The pack includes: Velocity Surf line; Tough Trace; Longreach surf rig; hooks and swivels; Wasabi fillet knife; Bait Buddy thread; and fish handling towel. The whole package costs around $90, and you can find out more at www. blackmagictackle.com. Ugly Stik Cooler Ugly Stik have released a cooler bag for ultimate convenience while fishing. It holds six cans and keeps a full day’s worth of food nice and cool. The zippered closure ensures you’re always ready to enjoy a cold drink. The back of the cooler bag also folds down to reveal two drink holders,

Moncross Multi Minnow Box Moncross are known for making quality tackle boxes, and one of their newest ones is the Megabox Multi Minnow box ($15.95-$19.95). It’s double-sided and allows you to secure your hardbodies

are available in three sizes. The first holds 13 lures up to 130mm long, the second holds 13 lures up to 145mm long, and the third holds 17 lures up to 165mm long. Check out the Moncross range at www. tackletactics.com.au. Wilson Tackle Storage Unit Wilson Fishing’s new

the unit to be closed up, keeping pests out. A mesh vent in the rear allows water vapour to escape. The unit measures 105cm x 57cm x 47cm when set up, and folds down to 52cm x 42cm x 20cm. For more Wilson storage solutions visit www. wilsonfishing.com.

SOMETHING DIFFERENT

Here are some unusual gift ideas for those of you who want to raise some eyebrows on Christmas Day. You could

Squid Ezy

probably achieve the same result by wearing nothing but a Santa hat, but some people might not like that. Squid Ezy I like catching squid, but normally I’m not the one to clean them. It uses up valuable time I could otherwise spend on washing the boat, getting dinner started, and other important tasks. And also, I don’t want to. The Squid Ezy is perfect for people like me. This clever tool makes the whole process simpler and the most difficult aspects easier. If you go to www.squidcleaning. com you can see a video on how to do it, and can also buy a set ($22 plus P&H). Geecrack Lurekeeper The Japanese think of everything. First it was the shoe umbrella, and now this – a clever tool created by Japanese company Geecrack. It’s very affordable at just $8.95. And unlike the shoe umbrella, it’s useful. It has been designed so you can secure your lures, squid jigs or hooks to your baitcasting or spin reel. Lurekeepers are made in

Japan and have a patented design. At one end is a thin strip that goes underneath the reel seat. Once you’ve put the reel on top of the strip, the Lurekeeper will be secure, and you can just leave it there. It holds trebles, single hooks and squid jig spikes, so you won’t damage your rods or guides. For more info visit www. dogtoothdistribution.com.au. Boomerang Mid Size Zinger Do you know an angler who keeps losing things? In any group of mates, there’s always someone who is hopeless that way. (If you don’t know anyone like that in your group of mates, it’s you.) Enter the Boomerang Mid Size Zinger ($24.95). It’s ideal for keeping fishing tools handy, securing keys and other important items, and attaching gear to your boat or kayak. It can quickly, easily and securely be attached to almost anything. The Mid Size Zinger is built to survive the elements, featuring a polycarbonate case and a 24” heavy-duty

Ugly Stik Cooler

Black Magic Surf Waist Pack

Wilson Tackle Storage Unit

DECEMBER 2016

Geecrack Lurekeeper

Kevlar cord. It has been proven to last over 1 million pulls. For more info check out the range of Boomerang Tools on www.tackletactics.com.au. Zerek Measuring Tape Most measuring tapes are large and cumbersome

but the Zerek Marsh Slider is different. It fits in a shirt or pants pocket, giving all anglers the chance to measure their fish before lying about it. Constructed using durable PVC and with large numbers for easy reading, it measures fish up to 120cm, and it rolls up to just 13cm high by 7.5cm wide. It’s affordable at under $20, and there’s more info at www.wilsonfishing.com. The Complete Cast DVD The Complete Cast (Applying Principles to Fresh & Saltwater Fly Casting), is a new DVD presented by legendary fishermen Lefty Kreh and Ed Jaworowski. In this DVD, Lefty and Ed

demonstrate, explain, and teach the elements common to all casts with a singlehanded rod. Features of this DVD include: more than 25 casts and techniques; more than three hours of in-depth instruction of principlesbased casting fundamentals; helpful tips and techniques that are simple and easy to apply; practice tutorials and exercises that improve

Garmin Action Cam

The Complete Cast DVD

Zerek Measuring Tape Boomerang Mid Size Zinger

your casting; and analysis of the tailing loop and how to remedy. Anglers of all skill levels will derive useful tips from The Complete Cast. It costs around $70, and more info is available at www. ejtodd.com.au. Garmin action cams And now we come to the most expensive item on our list. If you have $450 to spare, you can’t go past Garmin’s VIRB X and VIRB XE action

cams. They shoot rich, HD footage, are waterproof to 50m, and have loads of sensors and wireless functionality options. Features include image stabilisation, slow-mo, different zoom levels, and sharp still photos (even while recording) up to 12MP. A flat, water-repelling lens stops the

problem of water drops on the lens, and the microphone delivers extremely clear audio, even underwater. For a full (and very long) list of specs, check out www. garmin.com.au. And that’s it for this year! Merry Christmas from all of us at Fishing Monthly. • Remember that the listed prices are suggested retail only. They may vary from store to store.

DECEMBER 2016

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Fishing Fill-its

Sick Sydney shellfish The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) advises that high levels of a harmful algae species, Alexandrium catenella, have recently been detected in the waters of the lower reaches of the Hawkesbury River, downstream of the Pacific Highway bridge. The species of algae detected is known to produce paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins. Eating seafood contaminated with toxins may result in serious illness or death, so as a temporary precautionary measure, shellfish taken recreationally from this area should not be eaten. It is important to remember that boiling will not destroy or remove toxins which might be present. Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning occur between 15 minutes to 12 hours after consuming contaminated shellfish. Symptoms usually begin with tingling and numbness around the mouth and face, progressing to the extremities followed by dizziness, nausea, headache, vomiting, vertigo, a floating sensation, weakness, and muscular unco ordination. In severe cases paralysis, difficulty in breathing leading to respiratory failure, and even death can occur. Anyone

experiencing PSP symptoms after eating wild shellfish from or near the affected area should seek immediate medical attention. Paralytic shellfish poisoning is rare, but it is important that people follow this advice to avoid getting sick. The NSW Food Authority is monitoring the situation and advises to eat only those shellfish harvested under a recognised commercial program. Commercial harvest in the area has ceased, which means that all shellfish currently on sale to the general public are from unaffected areas. If any health effects are experienced from contact with water affected by algal blooms, medical advice should be promptly sought. This media alert only reports algal blooms that have been brought to the attention of NSW DPI. Algal blooms may be present in other areas. Algal blooms can occur anywhere along the coast and are normally the result of the surge of nutrient-rich, deep ocean water onto the continental shelf. They can often be seen after rainfall events in estuaries and in river mouths. Some of these algae produce harmful toxins that can build up in marine shellfish.

Like all fresh food from animals, seafood needs to be handled well to minimise the risk of food poisoning. Important tips for recreationally caught or collected seafood include: keep fresh seafood cold and covered by putting it on ice or a refrigerator straight away; keep equipment clean using uncontaminated water; and make sure that recreational seafood or bait doesn’t drip onto other food. In NSW, commercially harvested shellfish produced by oyster and mussel farmers and fishers collecting shellfish, such as pipis, must comply with a comprehensive food safety program. The industry closely monitors algal levels, tests water and shellfish product, and does not harvest when levels reach alert levels. This program is controlled through the NSW Shellfish Program administered by the NSW Food Authority. This program assists commercial shellfish harvesters to control risks associated with harmful substances in shellfish. For more information go to www.foodauthority.nsw. gov.au/foodsafetyandyou/ special-care-foods. – NSWDPI and NSW Food Authority

NSW shark net trials Legislation has been introduced to the NSW Parliament to fast-track a trial of mesh nets on five beaches on the NSW North Coast, which have been selected following extensive community consultation. The locations where the nets will be trialled are Lighthouse Beach, Sharpes Beach and Shelly Beach at Ballina, Seven Mile Beach at Lennox Head and Evans Head Beach. NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Niall Blair, said the community consultation had demonstrated strong support for these five beaches, and for the six-month trial of the nets. “The NSW Government has consistently said all

options are on the table to deal with the rise in shark attacks on the North Coast –we now know that the local community is in strong support for the trial of nets,” Mr Blair said. “We’ve surveyed the North Coast community through an online survey, and also a targeted phone survey of Evans Head and Ballina residents – and a majority of respondents support a trial of nets. “Our legislation will allow this trial to be fasttracked, so that we can have nets in the water in time for the summer school holidays. The nets will be tested in a number of environments to give the trial the best chance of success before the six month campaign gets underway. This will involve assessing how easily the nets

can be pulled in and out of the water, how they operate in shallow waters and potential enhancements with SMART technologies. “The nets will complement the other measures in place under our $16 million Shark Management Strategy, including smart drumlines, more VR4G stations to identify tagged sharks, increased traditional aerial surveillance and trials of drone surveillance.” The government’s phone poll of 600 Ballina and Evans Head residents had the following results: • 57% were ‘extremely’ or ‘very’ concerned for the community about shark bites; • 54% felt the trial would have a positive impact on the community; • 12% felt it would have a negative impact; and • 63% of surfers felt the trial would have a positive impact. More than 5400 people also participated in an online survey and dropped in to a community stand in Ballina, with those results similarly supportive of the trial, with 61% of surfers believing it would be a positive initiative for the area. – NSWDPI DECEMBER 2016

Bream

Tips for tricking bream CENTRAL COAST

Jamie Robley jrobley@iprimus.com.au

Summer is a fantastic time of year for casting lures in search of the humble bream. Right now, our coastal waterways are warm and full of life such as the prey that bream love to feed on. Consequently, they’re in just the right mood to hit lures.

even change their behaviour from one hour to the next. To be successful, we also need to be aware of these behavioural changes and switch tactics accordingly. It’s not out of the ordinary for bream to become difficult or switch off altogether, while others such as flathead or whiting are still quite catchable in the same waterway. In other words, it may be a better idea to switch target species if bream

barometer (which tends to coincide with northwesterlies along the eastern seaboard), mornings after a clear, bright moonlit night, extremely calm conditions, extra clear water and noise or commotion from lots of boats zooming around. Things that go in the angler’s favour include a small to moderate amount of recent rainfall, periods of hot weather to help warm the water, overcast or drizzly days, some breeze to put a ruffle on

Standard bream tackle of the modern era. As great as it all looks though, success is still largely about angler observation and input. A little luck will always help, but more luck will come to those who put in the effort! side walking. Sure, some fish will be caught when retrieving lures like that, but twice as many can be fooled with some extra angler input. As a starting point, let a lure sit, completely motionless, as soon as it splashes down. Bream are incredibly curious fish and

next. This may be just enough to encourage any fish already considering the bite. Now that the meal is getting away, the bream will hit or at least be a step closer to hitting. During the main part of the retrieve, back to the boat, kayak or shore, bream may be seen following the lure. If

it’s quite shallow, they can’t hide the water movement created as they swim up to a lure, so keep an eye out for it. If bream are seen to be following without hitting, then one of two things needs to happen. The first is simply a matter of stopping the lure. Now the

This nice Lake Macquarie bream took a surface lure cast over shallow flats around 11am. Conditions were overcast, with a gentle puff of breeze ruffling the water’s surface. If it was sunny and the air dead calm, it may have been much harder to entice a fish.

Slowly making your way along, casting as close to the shoreline as possible is the standard way of fishing most lakes or estuaries at this time of year. That doesn’t mean it’s not worth looking for deeper structure further out if fish aren’t coming your way. Try different things until hungry fish are found. On the other hand, bream are notoriously fickle and not easily fooled all the time. Like most species, they have their good and bad days. Little things like changes in water temperature, wind direction, time of day and fishing pressure can mean they’ll 50

DECEMBER 2016

aren’t playing the game. That way it’s still possible to enjoy good fishing and perhaps bring home a feed at the end of the day. Some factors that commonly dampen the enthusiasm of bream are a north \westerly airflow, falling

the water’s surface and a high or rising barometer. Generally speaking, the more of these factors that come together, the easier bream should be to fool with lures. SURFACE During summer, surface or topwater lures are highly effective and quite often the best sort of lure to cast for bream. In fact, it’s reasonably common for bream to ignore other lure types that sink below the surface, as bream can be very focused on looking for prawns, shrimp or insects above them, rather than taking much notice of what’s happening down deeper. It’s possible to catch bream on surface lures at any time of day, but there’s no doubt that the early morning period, just before sunrise to an hour or two after, offers the best fishing. Late afternoon is also good. This is when light levels are lower and most fish are looking for a meal. In other words, bream are more aggressive and likely to smash surface lures with little or no hesitation. Regardless of the exact type or size of the surface lure, more success will come when lures are thoughtfully worked and given extra life rather than simply cast out and wound back in a series of repetitive pops or side to

This fish smashed a surface lure cast towards an undercut riverbank at first light. The surface bite didn’t last long that morning, as it turned out to be a very clear, sunny day with no wind. just the sound of the initial splash is probably enough to attract any bream within a few metres. Competition creates aggression, so if a dozen or more bream are close to the lure, one will zoom in and grab it to beat the others to a potential meal. This is much the same as throwing hot chips to seagulls. If only one seagull is there, it may take its time and casually approach the chip. If a mob of birds is present, a few of the more aggressive gulls are likely to fight to get the chip first. If the lure hasn’t attracted any attention after ten seconds, it’s time to make a move and see what happens

Ideal shallow water bream territory. Large clear sandy patches adjacent to weed beds are generally more productive than open expanses of sand without any other sort of structure. Dense weed beds without clear sandy patches are also less productive.

Bream

Bream find plenty of food and shelter around weedy areas, but they’re more likely to be hooked over clear patches or channels running near weed. fish can get a better look and take time to decide if they want it or not. Once again, if a number of fish are together, one is probably going to be bolder than the others and take a swipe. A lone fish may be more hesitant. If that approach doesn’t work, try the opposite – speed up the retrieve and twitch the rod tip to make the lure splash or dart around a bit more. This sends a message to bream that the prey is panicking and trying to escape attack. Hopefully, this more agitated sort of retrieve stirs a bream into action, resulting in a strike. Every day and every

place is different, so what worked yesterday or earlier in the morning may not work again now. By mixing up these retrieve ideas and perhaps trying a different lure, the angler increases the odds of something working. Before changing a lure, try changing the retrieve. SOFTIES AND VIBES Often seen as cool water or winter bream lures, soft plastics and sinking vibes work well at any time of year. Throughout summer, there are always some cooler patches, particularly the day after a strong southerly has moved through or if heavy rains cause some flooding – this

also drops water temperature considerably. Through the middle of the day, bream can move into deeper water where they’ll respond to a lure that gets down, rather than look for food up on top. A variety of different factors may influence the behaviour of bream and being aware of temperature drops and light levels means you’ll be better equipped to decide what sort of lure to tie on. Surface lures could do well for the first hour after sunrise, but swapping over to sinking types could keep the fish coming. As a rough guideline, the cooler the water, the deeper and slower a lure needs to be in order to score a bite. I’ve experienced good numbers of bream hugging the bottom after heavy rainfall or flooding and they’ll still hit lures, but only when the lure is kept very close to the bottom and worked with subtle movements. Lightly weighted soft plastics also work pretty well around structure ranging from bridge pylons and pontoons through to rockwalls and timber lined riverbanks. Sometimes they can be worked at speed, closer to the surface, while other times a bit more weight in the jig head and a slower approach is better. I’ve generally found plastics to work on fish that

are reluctant to bite other lure types, especially in extra clear water. HARD PLASTIC Many years ago, hardbody lures were the main thing to throw at bream, besides bait. Some of the popular old lures were the Rebel Crawfish, Rebel Crickhoppers, 5cm Nils Masters and the Bomber Model A. While they’re still on the market and still work well, we have a lot more advanced lures to choose from these days. I like to use these mainly

in rivers or creeks, casting around fallen timber, jetties and moored boats. I don’t often use them out in my local lakes, because the lakes are so incredibly weedy around the shallows and a diving hardbody just picks up too much weed. In any case, hardbodies are a versatile type of lure that can be cast or trolled and definitely have their place in the tackle box. There are a few other lure types worth considering, including sinking stickbaits, sinking hardbody divers

and suspending hardbodies. Flyfishing is another option and was quite popular 20 years ago, but has fallen by the wayside in recent years. Regardless of exact lure choice or angling venue, the world’s best lure won’t catch a fish by itself. Pick a good spot, check forecasts, sunrise times, moon phases and tides. Then work out what’s best to tie on the end of the line. From that point on, a mixture of careful observation, thoughtful retrieve techniques and pure persistence will bring success.

The author picked up this solid fish on a Gulp worked in deeper water. Although surface luring is very popular and definitely effective at this time of year, it’s still worth going deeper and slower if the water seems on the cool side.

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A few very basic steps can not only improve your enjoyment of summertime fishing, but also dramatically reduce the likelihood of injury from accidents and mishaps.

a timely opportunity for a gentle reminder about common sense steps and simple precautions that will not only enhance personal comfort and safety on or beside the water, but could actually save a life… maybe even your own! If we’re completely honest, no one really enjoys a safety briefing. Most

difference in the “unlikely event of an emergency.” The same is true with simple safety procedures surrounding fishing and boating activities. Here’s a dozen vital tips you can read and share with others. ANYWHERE AROUND THE WATER Be sun smart – cover up, wear a hat and quality

Rock fishing presents its own special challenges and dangers. Dress appropriately, select the right footwear and never turn your back on the sea.

Wearing an inflatable PFD or life jacket while fishing from a boat or kayak is hardly a major hassle. This simple routine could easily save your life. The summer ‘silly season,’ school holidays and long-awaited annual work vacations are fast approaching for a large percentage of the Australian population – this is perhaps

of us automatically tune out the moment an airline steward launches into a well rehearsed pre-flight briefing. Yet, just a few minutes attention at such times can actually make a huge

sunglasses, regularly apply an SPF 30+ sunscreen lotion to any exposed skin. Know at least basic first aid and resuscitation procedures. Have access to a wellstocked first aid kit. If you

Always carry at least twice as much fuel and drinking water as you expect to need when heading out to sea.

can’t swim, never go fishing alone! Better yet, learn to swim… Tell someone responsible where you’re going, when you expect to return and how you can be contacted. ON THE OCEAN ROCKS Observe your chosen spot for at least 20 minutes from a safe vantage point before venturing out to it. Dress appropriately for that spot – wear shoes or sandals with good grip and loose-fitting, lightweight clothing you can easily swim in. Seriously consider

wearing an approved PFD or floatation vest, even if doing so is not mandated by law. Carry a throw-able floatation aid or buoy attached to a 20m length of light rope. BOAT AND KAYAK FISHING Wear an approved PFD, buoyancy vest or life jacket whenever and wherever mandated by law, but also at any other time of increased risk. Carry at least twice as much drinking water and fuel (in a power boat) as you think you’ll need. Check all your safety gear at the

Following basic safety steps every time you fish can not only prevent injury, but also increase your enjoyment of our wonderful pastime.

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beginning of the season and replace anything that’s damaged or out of date. Know the rules of the water, watch out for others and be easily seen yourself. Operate navigation lights in low light or poor visibility. None of these things are rocket science, but I’m constantly amazed at how many people flout, forget or ignore them on a regular basis. We like all our readers, so please take care out there. Enjoy the silly season, rather than regretting it!

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Anglers are in for a few treats this Christmas MERIMBULA

Stuart Hindson stuart@ausfishing.com.au

The Narooma region is about to get inundated with visiting fishos over coming weeks. If the fishing remains the same, these anglers are in for

season is upon them. There’s already been plenty of sightings with the odd fish lost, so all looks good for a cracking marlin season. The shelf is the place to fish, with the Kink, Tuross Canyons and the second drop all worth a look. A lot will depend on water

be on offer. The canyons up off Tuross have ample bait with slimy mackerel thick. Trolling around the traps might be the go early in the season. Past the shelf, there’s been plenty of albacore and smaller yellowfin tuna to 30kg caught, mainly by fishos trolling skirted pushers.

kings have been good, but the seals are a real pest at present. Almost all methods are working, but jigs are the best right now. Fish are averaging 5kg, which isn’t huge, but still great sport and great on the plate. Local guru Ben Bolton has had exceptional days on the kings with a few sessions where the kings have been up on top. He’s been getting them by casting bigger soft plastics amongst them. They’ve been a little hard to entice, but if you get the right retrieve and lure, you’ll get results like Ben. If you’re after a feed of bottom species, then you’re in for a treat. Sand flathead, snapper, morwong and pigfish can be found on most reefs. The southwest corner of Montague is a good starting point. The flatties have been going

the place is loaded with whitebait and tailor. Bring on the next six weeks, I say. If you’re after a feed, there are ample flatties from 40-50cm and the river section is the place to fish – the four way area is a good start. Many flatties have fallen to soft plastics, but with the water warming, bait fishos will be in for a good time. Fresh strip baits and live poddy mullet should do the trick. At Narooma, whiting have been good in the channels. This will only get better as we head further into the month. The channel on the eastern side of the main highway bridge is a good starting point for the whiting fishos. The main basin is loaded with chopper tailor, sizeable flathead and the odd mulloway.

Expect the odd salmon, tailor and occasional mulloway if fishing low light periods. Gummy sharks are possible too, especially after dark around the full moon. Flathead fishos outside have been getting a few, so there should be a few cruising the beach zone as well. Salmon, tailor and bonito can be expected off the ocean rocks with most rock platforms producing. Mystery Bay to the south of Narooma is the pick of places. You’ll have to get there early, as this is only a small ledge that doesn’t hold many anglers. With the holidays here, you can expect a lot of anglers to fish this ledge. Fresh pillies on ganged 4/0 hooks are the best way to tempt them. Use only a small ball sinker straight

Some solid mulloway are falling victim to the soft plastic brigade, as Mark found out. a great time. The fishing is exceptional at present. Outside sportfishers are getting excited, as marlin

temperature, current and bait activity. If the early signs are anything to go by, seriously good fun will

Last month a few jumbos were caught cubing, so it to may be worth a go. At Montague Island,

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great guns and water depths of 30-35m are ideal for these tasty critters. Fishing further north off Dalmeny has been excellent, but I suspect most haunts will produce the goods. In the estuaries, it’s all systems go. Wagonga Inlet and Tuross are both firing up nicely. These systems have been fishing okay, but will improve even further as the water warms up. While guiding in both systems over recent weeks, we’ve managed solid flatties to 86cm and a handful of mulloway to 93cm –great fish. There’s a few mulloway around and bait anglers get consistent results, especially in Tuross. This is great to see –

The upper reaches have seen bream and whiting respond well to surface walkers. This technique is deadly when conditions suit and a whole stack of fun too. Concentrate on flooding afternoon tides when the sun has been on the water for most of the day – it increases the water temperature and fish will be more active. On the beaches, bream and whiting are what most anglers are targeting. They’re tasty and readily available. Most beaches are holding fish, but Brou and Kianga Main have been the standouts for sure. Better baits to use for whiting are live beach worms, pipis and tuna cubes for the bream.

down to the hook and slowly wind back the pilchard. A few kingfish are caught this way every year, so use slightly heavier tackle to give yourself a fighting chance of landing one. Throw larger chromed lures around 40-50g – it’s worth a go. If you’re after a feed, bream, luderick and trevally are possible opponents in the washes. Fish lightly-weighted baits like fresh prawns or cunjevoi for the best results. A bit of berley will help when chasing these bread and butter fish. If we have a decent swell running, snapper are on the cards. The southern end of the platform is the area to concentrate on.

The usual fish are now on fire MERIMBULA

Stuart Hindson stuart@ausfishing.com.au

It’s hard to believe that summer is here already. The year has flown by and with Christmas around the corner, we’ll see an avalanche of visitors hitting our shores. The Merimbula region will look more like Bourke Street than a sleepy coastal town. It brings anglers – lots of them, so early morning starts will

be the norm before the waterways get too busy with boat traffic, especially in the estuaries. Those anglers putting in the time will be rewarded in both Pambula and Merimbula lakes. Both systems have been nothing short of excellent with most species playing the game. The top lake in Merimbula is red-hot at present and this will continue as the water warms further. Flathead, bream, whiting and luderick have all played the game. Captures of

Jase Naeuman with a solid black bream, which was released. Surface action will be a favoured method of targeting them over coming weeks.

20+ fish have been standard on most outings. This is awesome fishing for this tiny piece of water. Soft plastics and blades account for most captures. The southern end of the lake has fished best with huge schools of whitebait present. Fishing around the dense bait schools is the go, especially when salmon and tailor are gorging themselves. These speedsters have been thick, so anglers will have some fun. Expect this action to continue. I for one can’t wait to get back up there over coming weeks. The ocean rocks will continue to fish well for all the usuals. Anglers casting lures can expect kingfish, tailor, salmon and the chance of a northern bluefin tuna. I’d concentrate my efforts at Tura Head, as it’s the deepest and most productive rock platform we have around here. The main wharf in Merimbula is also worth a look – there’s been the odd kingfish around. If you’re after the bread and butter species like drummer and luderick, you should still manage a few in the wash zones. Persistence will be required with plenty of

berley. Short Point would be the pick of ledges to fish for them. On the beaches, both bream and whiting numbers have really increased over recent weeks. This will continue right through the month. Anglers using a lightly-weighted rod with live beach worms or pipis will catch plenty. Most local beaches hold fish. The better beaches include North Tura, Tura Main and Merimbula’s main beach. Just remember, most of these species will be caught just past the shore dump. A lot of anglers try and cast too far for these species and cast past them. They’re at your feet. If you’re after salmon, they’re in great numbers with the usual haunts all producing. North Tura towards Bournda Island is the pick of the places. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a few gummies caught around this moon too. There’s been a few caught on the sand when anglers are targeting flathead offshore, so they’re definitely a possibility. North Tura is best for gummies. The inshore reefs have been pretty good for

Another cracking kingfish from the Merimbula Wharf – it’s been a great year for them. snapper near Horseshoe and Long Point. Fresh squid and pilchards are the best baits, but leatherjackets are a nuisance at times. A few fishos are getting them on soft plastics, with most fish around that 40-50cm mark perfect for the pan. Mixed in with the reds are morwong, pigfish and some solid kingfish. I know of a few anglers that have

been shredded by the kings, so have the right tackle and target – it’s worth a go. Use live bait or stickbaits when they’re on the surface, as some solid schools of kings are on top. Being there when they feed is the key to getting results. There are big kings amongst them and local fishing legend Bushy is getting stuck into them.

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Santa will be going fishing BATEMANS BAY

Anthony Stokman

It’s that time of the year already where Santa gets to have a fish. School holidays are on soon. Where has this year gone? Looking back at the year of fishing, it started with an amazing run of marlin biting their heads off. It was the second season in a row where marlin showed up in big numbers. We’re hoping for the trend to continue this summer. If we can keep overseas super trawlers out of our waters

then it can be a trend for many years to come. But if the bait stocks keep getting decimated by these floating factories, we’ll eventually experience adverse effects on our region as a whole. We rely on tourism and recreation. We have a beautiful place with an abundance of fish and nature. Let’s keep it that way and sustain an area that keeps giving, because we give back. While the crazy marlin run was continuing into autumn, another run was about to happen. We called it ‘Mulloway Madness’ –

John Hilyear caught this 6kg snapper up the Clyde River chasing mulloway.

DECEMBER 2016

the Batemans Bay Bridge area absolutely loaded up with bait and it was teaming with millions of yakkas. By nightfall and on tide changes, every man and his live bait were getting in on a piece of mulloway madness! Cherries were broken and there were multiple catches each night. This went on for about two months with the most outstanding catch going to John Hilyear, no surprises here, with a fish weighing 38kg. Josh Baddoch got a couple, but the apprentice still can’t beat the master. Most amazing achievement on the mulloway and possibly achievement of the year would have to would have to be Ray Smith’s 13 mulloway in one session on lures off the stones. Perhaps one of the biggest codes in fishing got cracked on the South Coast this year – daytime swords. It’s been done in America and the anglers in Tassie seem to have it wired. This year was the South Coast’s turn and with the likes of Richard Abella, Lee Rayner and George Lirantzis at the helm, bringing their experience and setting their sights on the squid rich canyons off Mallacoota, I don’t think there was ever any doubt. We know there are

swordfish off our coastline and we know they’re in very good numbers. Commercial fishers have lived with their presence for decades and recreational fishers usually have a crack at them overnight in suitable currents, looking for temperature breaks during winter and spring. In the daytime, end of summer into autumn are prime. The rig is the same at night, except you get your whole squid bait deeper by using a breakaway weight method. Here at Compleat Angler Batemans Bay, we have all you need to catch a swordfish, so come in and see me. Not long after the sword commotion, one of our local lakes was in the spotlight for bream fishing. Every autumn, Tuross can be known for its horse bream – Daiwa Presso Brown Suji Shrimp and the Atomic Crank muddy prawn became famous among anglers. If you wanted to pay that bit extra, Nories Laydown Minnow Chigyo was well worth the extra dollars. Craig Coughlan and Liam McNeilly were local standouts and caught fish knocking on 50cm. By winter, the long anticipated bluefin bite was approaching. Like the previous 3-4 years, it didn’t disappoint, and like previous years, they’re coming up the coast out wide. You can put a date on it, but it’s like reading the weather – hard to be exact. This year, as soon as the water changed and a finger of water ran up along the coast, the bluefin stopped right out the front of Batemans Bay and it was on! It was crazy catching big bluefin just over the shelf at the second drop off. Unfortunately, a lot of wind kept boats in for days. The duration of the winter had a fairly consistent tuna bite with yellowfin and albacore of all sizes. Bluefin would keep showing up off Batemans Bay from time to time. The most impressive bluefin off the bay was Dave Scott’s 95kg model. No 100kg+ fish were caught by recreational anglers this year, but they’ve been out there. The deep sea fishing was also a highlight throughout the year also having good catches of trevella and hapuka as more and more anglers equip themselves with electric reels. Shimano have introduced their new electric reel after the successful Plays 9000. This is the more upgraded Forcemaster and we expect to sell quite a few of these guys with the new Shimano Revolution Deep Drop rod with swivel tip. To end an amazing year of fishing, we’re entering the summer months, and at this stage it’s looking very positive for 2017. We’re just coming off a pretty reasonable snapper bite, which wasn’t amazing through winter, but the spring

A cracking catch – this young angler sure looks proud! always makes up for it when you can catch them in most depths – absolutely everybody got amongst the action. You have those odd days where the snapper are just feeding and it doesn’t matter where you are, you’ll catch fish. Snapper fishing will get tougher through December and into January. If you’re keen and persistent, you can find them – they’ll just be very patchy. Kingfish have been swimming down in their schools throughout spring and it’s worth a troll past headlands or live baiting at FADS and buoys this December. Hopefully these guys hold off Moruya or even Durras this summer, as they were a bit thin in previous years. Outside, we should see the start of our marlin season. The last two Decembers were good, particularly towards the end of the month. Again, who knows what real impact this

lure again this summer. Flathead legend Daniel Dowley is also predicting a good summer on the flathead. With the way it’s fishing lately, he could be right. Clyde River and Durras Lake have had some 80-90cm beasts already measured and released. Andrew Turner withhad the most impressive 90cm flathead so far, and with a healthy estuary comes great fishing and great predators. We’re expecting more mulloway madness this summer. Bait has pushed right up passed Nelligen and it’s looking to be fishing great this summer, after a quiet spell over the few years. Further upstream should be a massive season on the bass with a great start and healthy numbers caught by Ray ‘the man’ Smith and Tim Stewart cracking 40-50cm already. There are plenty of insects in the air and it won’t be long

Nathan Forrest and his boys are on the snapper bite. super trawler is going to have for the next season. Let’s just hope our food chain can hold up against bait decimation of the ocean, until the super trawler is removed. Summer is all about estuaries, lakes and beaches here. Our population goes from 15,000 to 150,000 and for good reason. We have the most spectacular beaches and nature. With our roads improving and more building going ahead, we’re becoming the place to be. This year, a large number will be coming to fish our estuaries, beaches and lake systems for bream, flathead and whiting. The bream have been taking lures off the surface since spring and we expect a very good year on these guys. OSP bent minnows will be a very popular surface

until the cicadas start to wake. Anglers have been coming in to buy mud and blue swimmer traps, as they’ve been around since spring. It should be a good summer for crabs and after last summer’s massive prawn run, claiming to be the biggest in 20 years, we’re expecting plenty of prawns this year. It should be a very busy summer on all fronts, so get out there. Play hard and play safe. Merry Christmas from Anthony at Compleat Angler Batemans Bay. • For more up-to-the-minute information on what’s biting where, drop into Compleat Angler Batemans Bay and have a chat to Anthony or one of the other friendly staff. They’re located at 65A Orient St, Batemans Bay (02 4472 2559).

A great place for families choice. For the kids left to their own devices, Bermagui River has its options. The harbour, whether off the jetties or in front of the cleaning tables at the boat ramp, is producing very nice trevally, bream, luderick and flathead through the day. At night around the lights of

BERMAGUI

Darren Redman djsxstreamfishing@bigpond.com

There’s a lot on offer for families who visit the Bermagui area, especially water sports like swimming, surfing, kayaking and

go prawning of a night so you too can enjoy those tasty morsels. The rocks adjacent to the entrance of the harbour and main headland around to the Blue Pools are also seeing action with passing schools of pelagics willing to chase a lure or bait. These schools are consisting mainly of salmon, with the odd kingfish or tailor travelling with them. They’re following the schools of slimy mackerel and yellowtail, which in turn, with some berley added to the suds of the wash surrounding the stones, will provide plenty of action on light tackle, or bait for future outings. Baitfish have the

offshore fishing fired up, both in close and further afield. When these yakkas or slimies go deep, bottom dwelling predators like tiger flathead are in their element. Those who’ve caught tigers will know too well from cleaning them just how furious an appetite they have. These fish are capable of swallowing something half their size, so if you find bait schools in around 30m+, the tigers and other predators won’t be far away. There are still other good reef fish around in the form of snapper and morwong. Kingies are increasing in numbers around Montague Island. If weather conditions are good, try some deep

Wallaga is producing some thumper bream. water reefs like the Twelve Mile where you can drift a live bait out for some bigger predators like marlin or tuna. Speaking of which, the lead up to December has seen plenty of action with the tuna – mostly yellowfin, albacore and those tiny striped tuna speedsters. These tuna have mostly been taken on the troll with a wide variety of skirted and swimming lures. Most of the fish have been out wide from the Twelve Mile through to and beyond the 1000 Fathom drop off. Unsurprisingly, these tuna schools are followed by large predators in the form of sharks or marlin, who like to prey on these tuna or the baitfish they eat. Sharks are best targeted with a berley trail. At present you may see

There’s more than just the fishing to enjoy. especially fishing! Some of these young anglers have the opportunity to go to sea for either game or reef fishing. For most, their options are shore-based but plentiful. Estuary fishing is now at its best and with plenty of them surrounding Bermagui, the only problem anglers have is making the

the harbour, schools of tailor are patrolling. Most of those species and others are throughout just about all the estuaries and can be taken with well presented baits or lures. Most of these fish are feeding on the abundant prawn stocks through the systems, so when you’ve had enough of catching the predators,

There’s a lot on offer for families around Bermagui.

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whalers, hammerheads or makos attracted by the scent. Makos will often take lures used for tuna or marlin, so don’t be surprised when this occurs. For those who pursue marlin, some have already been taken and they increase in numbers daily. Brogo Dam is primed at present and provides plenty of action around the weed beds, as the bass patrol for any food source on offer. Flyfishing of an evening is good with surface flies, while lures will work at most times, although the middle of the day is pretty hot and unproductive. To everyone who follows my columns, I’d like to wish you a very happy and safe holidays, where all your fishing wishes come true.

A place for the kids TATHRA

Darren Redman djsxstreamfishing@bigpond.com

For many decades Tathra Wharf has been the place for young anglers to spend their school holidays chasing and catching fish. This season looks like it will be no different. There are all kinds of baitfish that call Tathra Wharf home, providing hours of entertainment for young

casts to fish the bottom for sand flathead that venture close enough for anglers, where an odd gummy shark or shovelnose shark may also be encountered. Those small baitfish come in handy where you can float them out alive for one of the many predators passing this structure. This season has already seen the passing of many pelagics in the form of kingfish, salmon, bonito or a small whaler shark only too willing to

Plenty of kingfish this season have been taken on the troll, jigs or casting when they come to the surface. It pays to troll the coastline until you locate them, while catching some small tuna in the mean time. Anglers wishing to fill their bags with tasty table fish are scoring offshore on the bottom – tiger flathead are the bulk of the catch. These are caught in and around 40m depth or beyond, where sand flatties and

Luderick are just one species you will encounter around Tathra. Tathra, which you may go to as governed by the weather. Out wide over the Continental Shelf there’s some game action in the

to mix with some very large mako, blue or whaler sharks. If you have the gear, try sending a bait to the bottom for some deep water fish

good fly or lure fishing as they feast on cicadas that fall from overhanging trees. The perch and bream filter down stream and mix

An early morning hook-up, can it get any better? anglers and older ones alike. This month there are plenty of slimy mackerel and yellowtail, which are falling to well presented strips of fish. Silver trevally lurk underneath these schools and take some angling prowess to wrangle away from the pylons. Very nice luderick hang around these sticks closer to shore and can be tempted with some cabbage weed with the odd black drummer sneaking in to make things interesting. Heavy lead is required to make long

snavel a live bait or a well worked lure. On the adjacent rocks, anglers are mixing with those pelagics and lure fishing provides most of the action. There are other species to target as well with drummer, groper, trevally or bream on the short list. Use berley around Kianinny Bay to find schools of garfish, which are just great on the table, as well as bream and trevally. There are all manner of angling options available at sea – light tackle sports fish providing great fishing.

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gummy sharks add variety to the bag. Around the reefs, especially up north out from Goalen Head, morwong are on the chew in very good numbers. Jackass and rubber lips are very willing to bite. Any form of structure located on the sounder around the deep 50-60m water depths is fishing the best. Great snapper are lingering and mixing with the morwong – they add a bit of colour. Not to be outdone, expect the same action on the reefs south and around

There are plenty of tuna hanging about Tathra this summer. form of albacore, striped, yellowfin or the occasional bigeye tuna. These are being taken on the troll on a variety of lures – the wider you go, the better the action. Following these schools are sharks, so if you like to lay a berley trail down, expect

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in with some nice dusky flathead, plenty of whiting, luderick, trevally and tailor. They’re being caught with a variety of methods. Try some live prawns at first light, as there are plenty of prawns in the system for both bait and the table.

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Based in Bermagui Harbour, Esprit Charters bring a relaxed atmosphere to anglers – there’ll be no fighting for space! With the recent retirement of Esprit Charters’ longtime skipper Lloyd, local skipper Cathy has taken the helm. She brings with her extensive local experience and

knowledge, and a passion for fishing and the ocean. Esprit is based in Bermagui Harbour – not as fancy or as big as some, this boat has a particular charm of

her own. With a great sized deck area (larger than that of some of the bigger boats), on deck seating, game chairs, and a maximum passenger number of five, you’ll experience a fishing trip with more space to spread out, or move around the boat while fighting that potential tournament winner. Gamefishing tackle is set up and maintained to IGFA tournament standards. Quality fishing equipment and bait are supplied for all trips, with no fishing licence needed while on board. Esprit has that covered for you. Both Reef and gamefishing are available, and we’re happy to mix the fishing up with a bit of both on a full day trip. Whether you’re an exclusive group of five friends,

couples, a bucks/hens party or a family with kids, all ages and levels of fishing skill are welcome. For more details, visit www.bermaguifishing. com and have a closer look. We’re also on Facebook, as Esprit Gamefishing and Reef Charters. Come fishing with Esprits’ friendly experienced skipper and do as much or as little as you like. Training and information are provided to help you catch that fish of a lifetime! Whale watching trips (in season) and cruises are also available upon request. Your catch is cleaned for you at the end of the trip – all part of the great service you’ll find on Esprit every time. – Esprit Charters Bermagui

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Less wet, better weather ahead MALLACOOTA

Kevin Gleed captainkev@wildernessfishingtours.com

The past month has seen more rainfall, adding to what has already been a long wet season with still plenty of cool days. With summer around the corner, we should start to see hotter weather – it’s well and truly needed to liven up the town. The cold wet weather keeps the visitors moving, looking north for the sun. Fishing wise, there are fish to be caught so long as you’re prepared to put on a raincoat, rug up and have a shot. The offshore fishing is yet to fire up – the weather REVA G.T

L LY . S N A P P E R

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over the past month hasn’t really allowed for boats to get out there and give it a go. When conditions have allowed, a few fish have been caught with gummy sharks out wide on fresh fillet baits. Salmon, tailor and decent tiger flathead have also been caught. In a bit closer to shore, sand flathead haven’t been big, but with a bit of persistence you can come home with a feed. The offshore fishing will improve over the coming months as the water warms up and add options for the fishers heading to Mallacoota. Fishing the local beaches over the colder months means salmon catches near the entrance on the rising tide. Numerous deep gutters along the

beaches on the high tide are the best option. The new break wall and harbour at Bastion Point is great for wetting a line and gives you some protection from the elements – and a good chance of catching a variety of species like bream, luderick, salmon, flathead and more. The recent bad weather has not affected the fishing in the lake. Discoloured water only means you have to look a bit harder to find the fish, but they’re still there to be caught. Salmon have been in the lake. Harrisons Channel and the entrance area are reliable spots to catch fish on the incoming tides. Wonderful silver trevally and yellowfin bream are around in the same area.

MALLACOOTA

FISH WITH A LOCAL AT

Big luderick are being caught around the main wharf. Fresh weed fished under a float is the way to go. Fish are also available in Coulls Inlet with bream, flathead and silver trevally in this area. The inlet often fishes well after a bit of rain. There are several spots in both the Top and Bottom lakes that fish well after rain, if you stay on the move until fish are found. As the days warm along with the water, flathead are starting to fire up. Remember to keep only what you need, as these fish are under a lot of pressure. Give them an extra hand and let a few go – it can’t be a bad thing. Upstream, good numbers of black bream have been caught. These fish will start spreading out through the system as they finish there annual spawning run.

Flathead are starting to wake up as we head into summer.

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The past month has seen a lot less rain in the Eden area than in the Mallacoota area. Warmer days as we head into summer have been the key to fire up the fishing. It’s great news, even though we’ve had warm to hot days, we’re still getting some unusually cold days for this time of year. There were plenty of salmon on all the local beaches and rocky headlands, but their numbers are thinning out. The best chance of encountering fish is around the high tide. With the water warming up for Christmas, there’ll be more species available on the beaches and off the rocks. Yellowfin

bream are about with the odd sand whiting, with big luderick and drummer being caught off the rocks. Things will only improve. As we head into summer, plenty of visitors will holiday in the Eden area. It really caters for the fishers, with good launching facilities, access tracks to rocky headlands and out of the way beaches that make Eden a great destination with a variety of fishing options. This time of year sees the keen gamefishers doing maintenance on their boat and fishing tackle – their season is almost here. Anglers heading out of Twofold Bay chasing a feed of fish have been doing well with good catches of both tiger and sand flathead. Fish have been caught up around the Pinnacles and down

towards Disaster Bay. On the reefs, there’s been little to report on the kingfish scene, but those chasing a feed of snapper have been acing it. Recent big seas have seen few boats venturing offshore making less to report. The fishing in the local estuaries has really come alive with soft plastic lures working a treat on flathead. Along with good catches of black bream, anglers fishing upstream and down closer to the river mouths have caught sand whiting, silver trevally and yellowfin bream. Further upstream in the fresh, bass fishing has come alive. The rivers are flowing well after the recent rains. It’s looking good for the months ahead.

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Trout

Kiwi tactics for Aussie anglers NEW ZEALAND

Chris Firkin

Whether you fish for the table or to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city , or you’re like me – superkeen, chasing big fish that pull string, enjoying the challenge and

are some distinct differences when comparing the countries. Obviously, the diversity of fish species around Australia is massive compared to New Zealand. Mind you, compare the size of both countries and there’s a good reason the diversity is a tad better. There’s no

travelling over to our ‘land of the long white cloud’ – XOS kingfish and big snapper that abound in good numbers. Then there are the big swords caught these days, more commonly during the day than on the original hardcore night excursions. The striped marlin fishing at the right times of the year

Finn Firkin with a nice Lake Rotoiti rainbow caught jigging – jigging is great for the young ones in the family. danger while spending countless hours and dollars pursuing that fish of a lifetime – whatever spins your wheels, have fun and respect what you have on offer. Not catching your limit every time you get out is what really counts. Kiwi fishos are keen conservationists. Fishing in NZ is good if not epic, so we don’t need to have big kill-ups. Just keeping enough to feed family and friends means we have to get out the following weekend to catch another fresh feed – bugger! One thing is for sure, I’m not writing this article to tell you Aussies how to suck eggs. It’s to help you appreciate and learn a few different techniques that provide results for us Kiwis, for when the fishing is a bit tough and a different approach may be required. Being fortunate to fish in both NZ and Australia, there

denying the quality of the trout fishing in NZ, and more importantly, one of the main draw cards for anglers

(late December through to May) is world-class for size, as is the blue marlin bite in February off Waihau Bay.

DECEMBER 2016

Aussie angler Nicole Coffey experienced jigging first hand, NZ style. She caught and released her fish to fight another day. Why such a long rod, you ask, especially when shorter rods are more convenient in a kayak or boat? It’s because the rig is basically 3-4m long and if your top fly or swivel is hitting on your rod tip, and your fish has taken your bottom fly, a shorter rod will mean you have to hand line

your fish when it’s close to the boat. If the drift is slow or there’s no drift and no wind, you can get more action from your flies by moving around your boat. This covers more ground than if you just sat in the same spot not moving. A longer rod is better when

Getting away from it all, trout fishing or any fishing for that matter is good food for the soul.

The first minutes and last few minutes of a fight is when most fish get lost. Not panicking is the key to success. 62

The average size is between 220-260kg, with the chance of a 400kg+ beast to lead you astray or teach you a few lessons in respect! The pacific bluefin tuna fishery off the West Coast of the South Island in August is pretty out there to say the least. Catching huge 220kg+ pacific bluefin with snowcapped mountains around you is truly special, but our estuary fishing is average compared to what Aussies have on their doorstep. There are no whiting, mulloway, flathead, bream or tailor in NZ. The squid fishing doesn’t come close to what I’ve personally experienced in Victoria and NSW. In saying this, where there’s good squid fishing, the size on average is good, but for numbers it doesn’t compare to your fishery in Australia. When it comes to tactics and methods, trout fishing is a good starting point – what do we do differently in New Zealand when it comes to trout? For those of you who enjoy taking your boat or kayak lake fishing, jigging for trout is something we do differently. It firstly provides great results, and secondly teaches you how to use your sounder correctly. Once you understand what

you’re actually seeing on your sounder, and start really using it to hunt for fish with confidence, a whole new world becomes apparent. Like all fishing techniques, once you gain some confidence, you’ll apply yourself to become better at it. The more time you put in, the better and more confident you become. More importantly, the results increase – funny that. Basically, the rig starts with a quality baitcasting reel and a very lightly rated 4-10lb, 7-8ft rod to suit.

Match the flies to what the trout are eating.

Trout trace on the bottom of the rig means that if I snag up on the bottom, I just lose the sinker and not the whole rig. Although, if I snag the bottom, often backing up on the drift will pull the rig and sinker off the snag. Then tie flies below each of the swivels attached to your shock leader. Use a fly appropriate to what the local fish are feeding on.

targeted species. Your branch should be around 9cm of 8lb fluorocarbon, but some like a little longer when drifting and not at anchor. The only reason we anchor with this technique is if it’s too windy to drift. Electric motors have taken this style of trout fishing to another level over recent years – once you’ve found a patch of fish, you can sit

The new Shimano Engetsu bait casting reel has a line counter included, which is very helpful when trout are feeding off the bottom. Put the flies right in front of their noses to increase your success. trying to avoid the prop around your outboard motor, and lastly, the longer rod will always provide more purchase when striking a fish than a shorter rod will. Use 4-6kg metered Rainbow Braid as mainline joined to 5-10m of 10lb fluorocarbon (as a shock leader). Then attach the smallest swivel you can find to the shock leader – we seem to have smaller swivels

Who says trout don’t fight? This great fish was hooked jigging.

available in NZ compared to what I’ve seen in Aus. Attach your first part of what we like to call the ‘backbone’, 1-1.2m of 10lb or 12lb fluorocarbon, to the next extra small swivel, and so on until the fourth swivel, where you attach 1m of 6lb line to the sinker. Determine sinker weight by the depth and wind. Nine times out of ten, I use 1.5-2oz sinkers. A 6lb

Black Magic Jellybeans are deadly – not just on trout, but the trout’s food too. Tie the flies on to the top loop of each of your weeny swivels, keeping the branch as straight as possible, so that the backbone and the branch are sharing the same loop on your weeny swivel. Smaller swivels are better and less noticeable to your

4-6lb Rainbow (or any colour-coded) braid to make gauging depth easier.

5-10m of 10lb fluorocarbon leader.

Branches made using 90mm of 8lb fluorocarbon.

directly above them. Even when the fish aren’t biting, you can continually hang your flies in front of their mouths to encourage a strike. This works especially if you match what they’re keyed in on, whether it’s colour or size. Knowing what the fish eat on the lake you’re fishing helps speed up your catch rate. We tend to use a large olive fly on the bottom of the rig with a smaller second fly. Then the third fly is the smallest, but vary what you use. Also be aware that your local regulations may only allow two flies instead of three on this rig. Jellybean Soft-baits in NZ have really hit a chord after being introduced last

year. For this technique in particular, they’ve proven deadly. In an upcoming article, I will run through a few different tricks and tactics for kingfish and snapper that produce for us and no doubt will increase your knowledge and hopefully results. I look forward to seeing you

out there. Residing in Whakatane on the East Coast of the North Island, Chris is a well-known fishing writer in New Zealand. Chris thought it would be fitting to share some tactics that differ somewhat to the practices that keen fishos in Australia adopt when chasing trout.

Quality electronics do help. The new Simrad NSS evo2 makes identifying fish easy. The author with the help of Insight Genesis makes bathemetrical charts of local lakes, which also helps produce results.

1-1.2m of 10-12lb fluorocarbon between each fly. The last fly to the sinker should be connected with 6lb fluorocarbon.

Drift along the egde of structure, rather than up or down.

Can’t beat getting out there doing it – the author’s little fella doing battle while jigging. DECEMBER 2016

There’s more than just cod to get excited about ROBINVALE

Rod Mackenzie codmac@bigpond.net.au

This season’s big rains have ensured a healthy, vibrant flush in many of our local rivers that have provided the optimum conditions for our native fish stocks to breed.

blanket of probing stingers. All jokes aside, to venture into the bush unprepared is to become an unwilling blood donor—minus the biscuit and tea. Make sure you cover up well and coat bare skin and light clothing in some form of repellent. If you venture out unprepared, believe me, there will be more than

little to excite me. In fact, I begin puffing and break into a sweat each time I look at the shovel. But it’s honest work and as bait goes, few if any are as good for Murray cod as a large fat bardi grub. Other early season baits will include large scrubworms, yabbies and kitchen baits like cheese and chicken. Perch will also bite well early in the season on bait, so you are in for an each way bet, especially when fishing

been tinkered and tuned in readiness and the box is full to overflowing with all manner of cod catching attire. Off the back of last season’s success of cod on fly, a wondrous array of fur and feather clad hooks are ready to tempt a few greens. Many of these creations are huge in comparison to those we have fished in the past and each and every carry an armoury of upsized hooks to pin the prize. Some are true works of art, a

Golden perch will also bite well on bait in the high flows. This lot plus several others were caught on shrimp and worms fished close to the timber.

Digging for bardi grubs is hard work, but they’re the best bait going for Murray cod. Unfortunately, it has also been conducive to mass breeding of other waterborne creatures, not least of all the muchloathed mosquito. Their larvae no doubt feeds a plethora of frogs, fish and other hunters of small aquatic creatures, but once they hatch and take to the air, the tables are turned and anything that moves is on the menu. Mosquito numbers along many sections of the Murray River have exploded to the point where any exposed skin quickly becomes a winged

fish on the bite. Aside from the mozzies, it’s hard not to get a little excited as we once again roll headlong into the open of the Murray cod season. During the three-month closure, high rivers and turbid flows have changed the face of many waters and no doubt shuffled and shifted resident fish. With this in mind, bait will be a major player early season as some waters will continue to run high and dirty. The prospect of chipping a few grubs from beneath the topsoil of the giant red river gums does

Wakebaits caught plenty of giant cod last season and with a number of new models on the market, they will get plenty of water time again. worms, smaller yabbies and shrimp. Yes, there has been much to ponder during the close and the majority of it hinges on this season’s changes and last season’s success. New lures have

DAM LEVELS brought to you by w w w. b a r g a i n b o a t b i t s. c o m . a u

Dam............................... % Full

Dam Sep Oct Nov Blowering 84 50 94 Brogo 101 101 100 Burrendong 121 18 115 Burrinjuck 100 71 97 Carcoar 75 19 100 Chaffey 115 58 170 Clarrie Hall n/a n/a n/a Copeton 36 22 58 Dartmouth 60 63 75 Eucumbene 43 53 52 Glenbawn 89 88 93 Glenlyon 42 30 70

Dam Sep Oct Nov Glennies Creek 87 86 87 Hume 96 47 98 Jindabyne 68 65 72 Keepit 60 17 98 Lostock 100 100 100 Oberon 85 99 100 Pindari 76 34 100 Split Rock 16 7 31 Tantangara 47 18 62 Toonumbar 100 100 96 Windamere 45 43 52 Wyangala 98 61 98

(All levels correct at time of going to press. Dam levels can change at any time, so please check with local authorities to ensure safe boating and fishing.) 64

DECEMBER 2016

testament to the skill and patience painstakingly woven into each creation

by its maker. I cannot wait to give them a swim and hope that somewhere

during the course of the season, one is engulfed by a monster green. Surface cod were another stand out catch last season and the trend for wakebaits to appear has not waned over the closure, with several new makes and models now available. I am sure there will be plenty of good cod caught off the surface as this form of fishing continues to create its own momentum in many of our lakes and rivers. With so much water around, yabbies will be high on the menu at many locations and catching a feed of these tasty crustaceans is nothing short of great fun. All up, it looks set to be a great cod season that will start with higher than normal water levels. While it may be a challenge at first, anglers will adjust and continue to catch good fish on both bait and lures.

Giant Codzilla are back MILDURA

Darcy Sherger

As the rivers are still extremely high and dirty at Mildura and cod opening is now upon us, it’s going to be hard work for the lure anglers amongst us within the Murray River. Not only is the flow going to be a pain to battle though, but the clarity will also be a big problem, which will still take some time to settle. High quantities of debris are currently floating down the river, making the river dangerous to ski on. The conditions have been declared as a minor flood, with Apex Park being completely inaccessible to the public. Apex Park has been lowered through Lock 11 and all its electronics have been removed to save damaging anything during the high river levels. Once the river settles, all the electronics will be put back in and everything return to normal, but this will take time.

Downstream of Euston Weir, which is upstream of Mildura’s Weir, the flow has increased to around 69,000ML per day. The flow at Euston and Mildura is expected to continue to rise but begin to steady around. The beginning of December. At Wentworth Weir, just below the junction of the Murray and the Darling, the flow has been steadily climbing and has now reached 54,500 ML/day. With the high rivers and dirty water, local anglers have been trying a different styles of fishing than the main river and resorting to areas such as billabongs, dams, creeks and impoundments. Recently, many anglers were doing a few miles to get the smiles chasing golden perch on bait in some creeks feeding Lake Victoria above Lock 9 and below Lock 7. Perch thrive on the fast flowing water and push up into it, but once they reach a weir, they can’t climb it unless there is a fish ladder. Anglers understand this and take advantage of the situation as

they goldens pile up below the weirs. This is acceptable if anglers follow the set out rules and regulations and only take what they need or are allowed. Many cod anglers will be itching to get back out onto the water, but right now this is going to be hard. The elusive Murray cod will have had a great breeding season with the increased flow rates, so hopefully this isn’t going to be interrupted by the damaging black water. Black water occurs naturally during high rivers where water is pushed up into flood plains where the leaf litter within the flood plains draws oxygen out of the water, causing it to turn black. This process is damaging to fish stocks of the Murray and is a very bad naturally occurring event that is hard to stop. Small occurrences of this has already occurred in the Wakool River, so we can only hope that with the quantity of water this dilutes the de-oxygenated water and we don’t see the effects of it in the Mildura region.

Thank cod, Murray monsters are back on! YARRAWONGA

Tony Bennett codclassic@bigpond.com

Those itchy twitchy feelings you get this time of year when you hear cod are starting to stir. With a three-month hiatus on cod fishing all but over, it’s time to blow the cob webs off the native gear and plan your assault on the next month or two’s fishing. Unusually high water levels in many places may make things tough, but one thing’s for sure: Lake Mulwala will be at its constant high level producing quality cod day after day after day. Early season water clarity will still be fairly ordinary. Bait fishing will be a standout and results should be impressive. If closed season by-catches are anything to go by, it should be a cracker. Grubs or scrub worms should be your preferred option. Yabbies and cheese are other safe baits. Lure wise, options are endless, but put thought into your choice. Personally, I like lures with either contrasting

fluoro colours, or that emit good noise or vibration. Falling into this category are Colorado bladed spinnerbaits, Jackall style crankbaits and 100mm+ hardbody lures. If water and flow levels remain high, yellas should be going bezerk below the weir. Above and beyond all lures, especially early in the season, surface lures and wake baits will stand alone. They’ve been the trend over the last few seasons, and there have been more quality cod taken off the top than down below. Noisy Ninjas, Mud Eye Snakes, Koolabung wake and surface, Jackall Pompadours and Westin lures are a great starting point. What we need is a talking fish to tell you what they like! Looking back, it was good to have something to be excited about as the yellas fired when floodwaters hit the lake. Fishos had to hide behind trees just to bait their line and avoid it being stolen before it hit the water! Little Eve Sharp had a field day catching numerous 50cm+ specimens. Head burger

flipper from Big Mick’s Diner Mick Montalti was another to get on the board with yellas to 55cms. The best photo I saw came from a group of four high school girls who were each proudly holding a yella taken off the Yarrawonga foreshore after school. The annual Golden Dollars Fishing Tournament proved to be a tough affair. Being a lure-only event, along with wind conditions that made it impossible to fish the lake, captured yellas were going to be worth their weight in gold. Near on 50 dedicated native fishos hit the waters, mainly above Bundalong, in search of the action in fast running dirty water. In total, only 13 yellas were returned to scale for measuring and release. Kyle Dalrymple and Jamie Beer came up trumps and landed fish in both sessions – enough to earn them the Champion Team title. Thomas Pinter and Johnny Papageorgiou were the second team to land a couple and their two fish won second place. Chris Crabb and Steven Fraser were the last team to score the double for the day.

Even though their fish were small, it was enough to land them in third position. Dan Thompson pulled a beauty late on Saturday arvo measuring 496mm that was the largest fish for the weekend took out the arvo session win. Dan certainly deserved the angler of the day title, as he also boated four healthy cod measuring up to 80cm. Cooper Bennett was another to land a welcomed by-catch when he landed a nice 77cm fat pig of a Murray cod. Organisation is well under way for the 2016 Yamaha Cod Classic and it promises to be huge, with something for everybody. Prizes include seven boating packages and plenty more. Until next edition, happy fishing. • If you are visiting town, I urge you to call into Lake Mulwala Fish, Camp & Ski (opposite the post office) in Mulwala and say G’day. We are your largest Murray cod-specific shop in Yarrawonga/ Mulwala and specialise in all things ‘green’! For any information on the upcoming events or fishing reports, give us a hoy on (03) 5744 3133.

Cooper Bennett and 77cm of welcome by-catch Murray cod.

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DECEMBER 2016

Trolling top layer takes tenacious Jindy trout JINDABYNE

Steve Williamson swtrout@airlan.com.au

The fishing has been good over recent months and with Lake Jindabyne’s water level is still quite high, the water

temperatures are still fairly cool for December, and so the surface trout fishing is actually very good with plenty of trout being caught. It was a very cold and wet spring with regular snowfalls, so water temperatures should remain

Gaden Trout Hatchery Come see the new displays at our visitors centre!

about the Snowy’s most important trout hatchery. • Learn • See how four species of trout and salmon are bred. • Find out where and how Gaden’s juvenile fish are released. Learn how trout stocking benefits recreational fishing and • local economies. • Find out about kids fishing workshops. • Enjoy the beautiful picnic-BBQ area.

Guided tours at 10 am and 2 pm. Feed the large fish. Open 10–4 daily. Gaden Rd (off Kosciuszko Rd) Jindabyne P 02 6451 3400 CLOSED DAYS: ANZAC, CHRISTMAS, BOXING. SMALL ENTRY FEE. dpi.nsw.gov.au/ fisheries/info/ gaden

a lot lower this year, unless for some reason we have heatwaves over the next month, which will mean that the rivers and streams will fish the best they have for many seasons. Now that there are more insects, beetles, caddis flies and grasshoppers about, we have had some very good dry flyfishing. On the lake, flyfishing has been good with the best fishing being in the evening. We usually start off with some wet flies like Craigs Nighttime or a black Woolly Bugger, and as the light fades you will see some trout surfacing, so we switch to a dry fly. The pattern will often be different from night to night depending on what is hatching. With the humidity, we have had termite and ant hatches. Those who like throwing lures into rivers and streams, you will need to make certain that your lure is getting close to the bottom in the running water on the days that are bright and sunny, and your best fishing again will be early and late in the day. It’s important to remember that streams will be deeper after

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DECEMBER 2016

the wet winter that we had. The longer you can keep the lure down near the bottom, the better the chance you have of catching a trout. Don’t forget soft plastics in the deep pools,

to use will be darker lures early with the number Y48 yellow wing red-nosed brown bomber or even the Y94 working great. Try the yellow wing Tasmanian Devils a little

up to get the bigger fish. Let’s hope the summer season is a good one. At least we don’t have to worry about water this year! The out of control wet winter took care of

DECEMBER ROUNDUP – THE BEST OF THE BEST! Best method: Lake Trolling with some good stream fly fishing Best depth: Surface lures early and late in the day Best lake lure: Tasmanian Devils with yellow wings like number 111 or holographic early Best lake area: East Jindabyne Islands and Creel Bay Best fly method lake: Hamills Killers, Williamson’s Gold Fish and in dry flies, brown mayfly patterns Best river for fly: Beetle, grasshopper and mayfly patterns Best river for spinners: 5cm Bullet Minnows and Gillies spinners and Strike Tiger plastic nymphs as these can be very effective on trout. The Strike Tiger nymphs have been fantastic. Lures like Wordons Rooster Tails or Gillies spinners and, of course, minnow lures like floating minnows like the 5cm Bullet Lures are all good for river fishing. Lake bait fishing has been nothing but excellent for months now, but I guess that the summer heat has to hit us some time and as the water temperature around the edges of the lake warm up, the best fishing may again be early in the day at sunrise. You may, however, find that it will be worthwhile fishing later in the morning and at some time of the day the fish will come back on the bite, and you just need a line in the water to catch them. Local scrubworms are best for brown trout while artificial baits of various colours are proving action for rainbow trout and salmon. Scrubbies are best fished with a greased line to stop it from sinking into the weed and getting caught up. Mudeyes or the dragon fly nymphs are a popular summer bait, but this year with the cooler conditions and dams full of water, they are harder to collect, and you might find that purchasing local mudeyes may be difficult. When you do find them, they are going to be at a premium price. For boat trollers, the usual techniques of fishing on the surface in shallow water at first light and then moving out into deeper water using lead core with 20-30m of line out will be a good ploy. Fishing deeper when the sun comes up will extend the better fishing well into the late morning. You will do best using minnow lures early, before sunrise, and then switching to Tasmanian Devil lures later in the morning. The best colour Tassies

Joel Fredriksson from Sweden with his first Australian trout. later as the sun is about to rise over the horizon. Number 111 Tasmanian Devil Lure Willys Special Minnow Lures, Bullet Lures or StumpJumpers in brown trout and rainbow trout patterns are also good, but there are many good brands of lures on the market that will do the job if you know what speed to troll to get the best action out of the lures. It is not a good idea to try and mix and match different brands as no two brands of lures will work best the same at the same speed. The best lures to try and catch those trophy brown trout will be small minnows and you need to troll these over the weed beds using longer dropbacks (to 80m) and lighter line or braid to keep the lures at the deepest depth possible. You need to do this well before the sun comes

that, and now we can enjoy the spoils of a good wet. The off season for skiers is a pleasent time to visit the alpine region, so make sure you take the time to enjoy the scenary of the NSW Highlands. It will be hot, but if you persist, find the cooler water there will be plenty of options for you. • If you would like some personal guiding, I will be available over the coming months for fly-fishing tuition and lake trolling trips. Lessons can be booked from 2 hours’ duration, and trolling trips from 3 hours to a full day. If you want to know more about the latest in fishing conditions, just give me a call on (0264) 561 551 or check out my website at www.swtroutfishing.com. au. You can also see our daily Facebookw updates at https://www.facebook. com/LJTFA.

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Bryan Pratt

The weather remains the constant topic of conversation here. Mostly it’s about rain – how much we’ve had, how much more we’re going to get and how much is too much. It’s ironic that in an area where we were always short of rain, we now have more than we need and it looks like there’s more to come. There’s also plenty of snow – and there’s more of to come. The thick mantle of snow on the main range in the Kosciuszko National

stonefly nymph, fished directly into the stronglymoving rapids. The fish put up quite a tussle. Other fish were taken further down at Paddys Corner on small red and black matukas. Some late spawning rainbows were left to finish their breeding ritual in peace. A few nice fish came from the Eucumbene River. Nice-sized browns were caught on brown nymph and Stimulator flies in the section of river near Sawyers Hut. Several rainbows were taken on white moth near Kiandra. Another angler used a Royal Coachman as a sight fly with a drifting nymph

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In Lake Burley Griffin, plenty of prime golden perch are being taken on bait and a few on lures. Nathan Walker caught this one under an overhanging tree on a Berkley black grub. shallows, where water flooding over new ground has brought all the critters to the surface. Fishing has been great in Tantangara. This is not an especially large reservoir, but it carries many browns and rainbows and is a favourite for lure and flyfishers. With nothing on the backcast to inhibit casting, it’s a good location for new chum flyfishers to practice the delicate art. It’s also a good location for loch-style fishing with 5-6m leaders. NATIVES ACTIVE In Lake Burley Griffin, golden perch have sprung into action. Most have been taken on bait, but a few have fallen to Hogbacks, Burrinjuck Specials or Berkley black plastic grubs. Nathan Walker landed a 59cm specimen

angler at Burrinjuck spotted with a big cod tethered at Good Hope was given an ultimatum from other anglers – “Release it right now or else.” He released it. BURRINJUCK MIGRATION The annual golden perch migration up the Murrumbidgee Arm of Burrinjuck to the Murrumbidgee River is now in full blast. Lots of fish have been caught, mostly on bait, at Good Hope, Hume Park, Bloomfields and Taemus Bridge. Yabbies, scrub worms and wood grubs have been the best baits. The fish will spend all summer in the river before returning to the reservoir in autumn. LAKE GEORGE I’ve kept on the pressure to stock Lake

Trout are becoming easier to find. There should be good lure and flyfishing in the coming months if there are no more big rain events.

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DECEMBER 2016

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Park is an enchanting sight for tourists, as they climb up the hills and head out of Cooma. It has special significance for anglers on the way to Eucumbene and Jindabyne, because it means we’ll have water refreshing the streams and lakes for months as the region thaws and snowmelt seeps through the mountain bogs and fens to where the fish live. STREAMS CLEARING After long periods of high water, floodwater and turbid water, all of which made fishing impossible or unproductive, regional trout streams have dropped to a more fishable level and cleared delightfully. Nice fish have been taken on lure and fly. One angler had a good session in the Thredbo River upstream from Gaden Hatchery, landing some nice fat browns and post-spawning rainbows in reasonable condition. The fish were taken on stick caddis and

in the small water at the top of the Murrumbidgee, and landed three browns in a morning session and two more after lunch. The largest fish weighed 1.2kg. It might seem like small pickings, but it’s satisfying just to be able to catch anything given the poor stream conditions we’ve endured since the opening of the season. Lure fishers have reported taking a few fish on Celta, Imp spoons and Mepps spinners. The best fishing was in some of the small creeks, still carrying good heads of water and providing easy passage of fish into and from the main stream. None of the fish were large, but again it was satisfying to catch something. LAKES HIGH Rain and snowmelt have added a lot of water to the big mountain lakes. Jindabyne is sitting on 84% of capacity, Eucumbene 56% and Tantangara 71%. Nice fish have been taken while fossicking in the

Coarse fishers in Lake Burley Griffin are enjoying catching plenty of carp, but are wondering what the fishing will be like after the koi carp virus is released. on a black grub fitted with two flashers. The fish have been taken from dawn until 9pm. The best baits have been scrub worms and small yabbies. A couple of Murray cod have been caught accidentally and immediately released, because the season was closed until 1 December. One angler on Lake Burley Griffin was seen sneaking a big cod into the boot of his car and was reported to Fisheries. He can expect a “Please explain.” Another

George with native fish as soon as possible. There is a lot of water in the lake and it’s a prime time to stock it. The food is there, so what’s holding us back? As far back as 1830 when it supplied food to the Mongarlowe, Majors Creek and Araluen goldfields, it was one of Australia’s greatest native fisheries, with up to nine sail trawlers working the area. With stocking, it could again reach that pinnacle of success, but we have to do it now.

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Go into depth with your cod fishing techniques full casting distance from the bank and cast diagonally forward (the direction in which the boat is traveling). Lift and drop or slow roll the lure back to the boat. If you have a dark night, you have to rely on your depth. Before the sun sets, work out what depth is best and as you fish into the dark, hold yourself in the same or similar depth. If you find

WAGGA WAGGA

Rhys Creed

Continuing on from the theme of many other reports, it’s hard not to get excited about cod opening! Australian anglers have a soft spot for the icon as they are the ultimate predator and prized catch. We all love them, even when they play hard to get – that’s what makes every encounter with a cod so unique. Now’s the time to get back into targeting Murray cod! BLOWERING DAM First cab off the rank is Blowering Dam. That’s probably because this is the best place to be fishing in the region. Early in the season, Murray cod will actively feed, as they haven’t been

Blowering is a picturesque lake and looking brilliant with high water levels. targeted for the past three months. Also, they have their natural breeding cycle. You might be thinking, ‘Hang on, they already had time to breed during spring.’ This is correct, except that we

experienced a very late spring this year with the water still sitting at 15°C at the start of November. This means the cod’s breeding cycle will have happened later and likely carried through into this month. A number of fish will still be aggressive and hungry.

becoming popular lately with lure manufacturers creating 175mm and 200mm+ lures for those super-sized fish. The 150mm AC Invader in the 40ft+ bib is my favourite large hardbody lure. Make sure you keep your lure within a metre of the bottom and fish 4-10m of

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Jack with a slab of turbo charged Murray cod that smashed a Mud Guts Big Guts spinnerbait. your lure is landing on the bank, you’re too close. If you find your lure is taking too long to hit the bottom when you cast, you’re too far away. Steep rocky banks are the best locations to cast and troll during the month of December. For a quality spinnerbait to use in this style of fishing, get yourself a

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Mud Guts Big Guts! They’re a legendary spinnerbait that we trust every time we cast. I have covered a lot on Blowering Dam, because this fishery can be hard to crack. The more I share, the more luck you’ll have if you end up heading for a fish. MURRUMBIDGEE RIVER The Murrumbidgee River is well worth a crack

even in the high flows. Bait fishing in the back of the slow eddies and backwaters will land you some great cod and yellowbelly. Lure fishing will also work if you fish early and late and target the still areas by casting tight against the bank. All the rivers and creeks will fish like they usually do during December.

You can see the teeth marks across this cod’s head. This is from fighting with another fish during the breeding season. Getting in early will be key. The first two weeks of December will fish the best, and spending time on the water in low light conditions will increase your chances. A useful technique is to start fishing in the afternoon as the sun starts to fall. Continue to fish after sunset. Trolling large hardbody lures is a technique commonly employed in Blowering and yields great success. Don’t be scared of using lures in excess of 150mm. They’re

water. My preferred trolling depth is 5-6m, but always be adaptable on the night. Many anglers try casting large spinnerbaits in the dark, I’m not sure why, but it’s our go to technique for night time fishing in Blowering. We love to stand up and cast lures. We take any opportunity to do it, even on the darkest of nights. Under a full moon, the technique is as easy as during the day, because you can see where you’re casting. You hold your boat out a

Rocky points like these are perfect locations to cast and troll for Murray cod.

The author with a chunky cod caught trolling a 150mm AC Invader. 70

DECEMBER 2016

Crazy numbers of cracker cod BATLOW

Wayne Dubois waynedubois@westnet.com.au

It’s time to break out the big lures in hope of that fish of a lifetime. The Murray cod season is officially open and I can hear the codaholics out there saying, “It’s about time.” Every cod closed season feels longer then the last as we anticipate what sort of season is ahead of us. Floods at the right spawning time this year will have helped with natural recruitment this season. Crazy numbers of cracker cod encountered through the closed season show that signs are looking very good at this early stage of the season. The target species over the last few months has been

The best lures for casting at Blowering while targeting the Murray cod are mostly silent, natural looking lures. You’ll still catch the odd one on massive spinnerbaits, but on top of being a highly pressured waterway, it’s super clear with 20ft of visibility as the norm. In saying this, it’s hard to beat large soft plastics rigged by themselves, or on Angel Baits or chatterbaits. These two blinged up jighead styles are far more natural looking than conventional spinnerbaits and have been standouts over the last couple of seasons. They’re also a great way of giving the large fish something to home in on, or to get their attention from a bit further away if you haven’t already. For anglers that have caught Murray cod in every

The dry flyfishing for trout is sensational in December. golden perch. This will all change as anglers switch from small lure presentations to large ones to increase their chances of hooking into a Murray cod. Casting lures rather than trolling them is becoming more popular on the freshwater fishing scene – this is most evident at Blowering Dam where 10-12 years ago you would rarely see someone casting lures. Now it seems every third or fourth boat is giving this casting thing a go. If you have never targeted Murray cod on the cast before, I highly recommend it. The strike from a big Murray cod while retrieving your lure is second to none. It’s hard to explain the feeling, but sometimes it’s like you’ve been shocked. The hits are that violent. If you’re faint hearted, I probably wouldn’t recommend it, as the heart almost always skips a beat or two when a big cod first hits or you first see the true size of the beast you’ve hooked.

conceivable way and are looking for new challenges, something different or new ways of bettering themselves as anglers, try catching a Murray cod on fly this season. Flyfishing for Murray cod is

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A massive plastic blinged up with an Angel bait was this cod’s undoing. Large plastics blinged up or fished naturally will be your best bet at Blowering when targeting XOS cod. not as hard as some will have you believe. You cast the flies into exactly the same places as you would your lures and you retrieve them in a very similar way. Simply cast to your chosen snag, weed bed, drop off or other suitable fish holding structure, allow your fly to sink into the strike zone just like you would with a lure, then slowly and methodically strip the fly back to your feet or the boat. Some days, fast constant strips are needed. More often than not, what’s needed is a slow but steady strip with the odd pause to allow your fly to sink back into the strike zone. It’s worth noting for Murray cod, you only need to cast short distances to cover the small area that you think the fish are holding in. You don’t need to be able to cast a million miles. You can teach yourself, watch an instructional DVD or YouTube clip and learn to cast the short distances required for catching Murray cod on fly in no time at all. Just like the lure casting, once you start this form of fishing, you’ll find it hard to do anything else. COD ALTERNATIVES Many anglers get their fishing fix in December, especially over the Christmas break – not just the diehard fishos, but people who might only wet a line once a year. This makes December one of the busiest times of the year to

be on the water. This isn’t all bad news though, as a lot of fish species are very active at this time of the year. There’s more than enough fish to go around for everyone. It’s not all about the cod this month either. Golden perch will be a viable target and for your best chances at good yella action, focus your efforts super early in the day or late in the afternoon and into night. The sensational trout fishing to be had this month in our lakes and running water is also worth a mention. With the amount of terrestrial insects around already, December could be one of the best dry fly months of the year. Even if you’re not into flyfishing for trout, they’ll be catchable on bait and lures. They make a great target fish this month, especially if you want to avoid the crowds. There’s a massive amount of small streams in the area that hold great numbers of trout and are great places to get away. On top of fishing the small creeks over the busy period this year, I’ve opted to fish a private fishery over the Christmas break. I’ve never done it before, but I’m looking forward to it, especially the chance to hook into a resident albino rainbow trout. No matter where you decide to fish this holiday period, I wish you all luck with your fishing ventures and safe holidays.

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Like us on facebook for automatic updates DECEMBER 2016

Dust off the baitcasters my trousers, hitchhikers to destinations unknown. The track I weave glistens behind me in the grass, it’s a track, a journey I’ve taken many times on this day. But this is not just any day, it’s cod opening day! The click of the thumb

LITHGOW/OBERON

Glen Stewart stewie72@bigpond.com

The predawn glow out to the east has me smiling, the air is cold, my breathing is heavy. Droplets of dew

retrieve be smashed? Gosh, I hope so! Cod waters, specifically smaller rivers and creeks, really amplify my anticipation, you just know where a good fish is going to hold. The flipside is that it is more than likely going

Ben Chifley Dam near Bathurst is well known for its redfin, so go prepared to get some fillets – redfin are the bomb on the plate!

Long walks will hopefully be rewarded with some opening day cod… where will your first cast be? propel forward off my boots with every stride like little glass tracer bullets, grass seeds piggyback

bar will be a nervous one. It’s been three months in the waiting. Will my first cast be on the money? Will my first

to be a one shot pony, so try to get it right the first time (no pressure). Some casting practice in

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the backyard will definitely hold you in good stead. One thing is for sure, once hooked, they will know where home is, whether it be an undercut logjam, or a rock-filled cave no doubt filled with a tangled web of expensive lure bling from seasons past. Larger cod water has its attractions too, and boat-based waters such as Wyangala and Burrendong offer fresh troll runs, pocket casting at bays filled with rocks and pushed up logs. The anticipation is something to behold, and that first bump, that first hit, that first hook up is what we live for. I just hope the season is a good one for you all.

hours of the morning before going a little deeper as light levels increase is the way to go. Pay particular attention to any depth sounder you are running. It’s your eyes underwater and the good ones don’t lie. Adjust your lure depths to suit what fish and bait concentrations you’re seeing. Repeat runs in productive waters are the go. Do a loop, and chances are hookups will be repeated – what’s not to like about that? BEN CHIFLEY LOTTERY DIP It should be a good summer of fishing in Ben Chifley Dam with good flows in late winter and early spring, and the water has had a good opportunity to turn

the upper reaches, possibly pushed down out of stocked waters upstream. Golden perch and cod can also be targeted by casting or trolling the rock walls and weed beds. Standard techniques apply in most circumstances, with a leaning towards anything that looks like a redfin in the late afternoons and early mornings. Native fish tend to use these lowlight periods to move away from structure to prey on the hordes of smaller redfin. Speaking of redfin, larger specimens will also cannibalise on the smaller ones, so if you see bigger arches on the sounder off to the side, chances are that’s

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will come a little easier, and flatline trolling the early

hearing a few whispers of the odd one getting caught in

the water soon. Until then, tight lines!

The fishing is unbelievable! TAMWORTH

FMG

We’ve had unbelievable fishing in all the dams, with the yellowbelly spawning and highly aggressive. Everything has filled up, and Chaffey’s water level is at a new high thanks to the extended dam wall. When it first filled it was a bit of a shock to the fish because the green grass started to rot, removing oxygen from the water. There was a small fish kill, but now things have settled down nicely. There’s heaps of food in the form of baitfish and shrimp, and the fish are spawning all over the newly flooded areas. There is now timber in this dam for the first time, giving fish some great new hiding places. CHAFFEY DAM Chaffey is fishing extremely well. Late afternoon and evening is the best time to catch yellowbelly, and the most effective lures have been lipless crankbaits, such as Jackall TN60s, in any of the darker colours. You can cast them to the edges or structure and just slow roll them back, or if you get over a point you

can vertically jig them. Lately most yellas have ranged anywhere from 40-60cm, and they’re very healthy, fat fish. It’s not surprising, given the amount of food in there for them. KEEPIT AND SPLIT ROCK DAMS Both of these dams are fishing really well. I recommend casting to the edges with lipless crankbaits, or fishing with soft plastics around the trees. We’ve had good results on 3” black Gulp Minnow Grubs, rigged on 1/6oz or 1/4oz jigheads with a 1/0 hook. You can just cast and hop them back to you, but we’ve had the best success using a vertical presentation around the trees. Blades have also been working well lately, particularly Ecogear ZX 40s in black. Both dams produce all day, unlike Chaffey, which fishes best in the afternoon and evening. I’m not sure why, but that’s how it is. RIVERS The rivers have been really pumping. Because of all the dams are so full, all the water coming into the dams has been flowing straight into the rivers. Things have started to settle down now

though. The cod population is really strong, and everyone has been hanging out for the cod season opening on 1 December. In November there were good catches of yellowbelly. The two most productive lure options in the rivers are to cast small spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits. Small hardbodies catch their share as well. THE MONTH AHEAD Everything is set for one of the best openings to the cod season that we’ve seen for a long time. The rivers and dams are going to be fantastic. Everything is looking on the up and up. The surface lure fishing is going to be fantastic for the cod. I recommend big surface lures around 80mm, such as Jackall Pompadours, Custom Craft Moonwalkers and Kingfishers. Big spinnerbaits, such as our AusSpin CodSpin, will also be highly effective. The general rule is darker colours later in the evening and brighter or natural colours through the day. This great fishing should continue all through summer. I can’t wait! This month’s report has been supplied by Steve

from AusSpin Lures and Tamworth Fishing Tackle. For more information on what’s biting and where, drop into the store at 15 Roderick St, Tamworth or phone (02) 6766 7100. The friendly staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have. You can also check out the full range of AusSpin spinnerbaits, which are now manufactured in-store.

The yellowbelly have been taking lipless crankbaits, blades, spinnerbaits and soft plastics.

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Cool fish are shallow HUNTER VALLEY

Peter Phelps

Spring hung around a little longer this year. Both the local impoundments have been running a few weeks behind from where they were last year, with colder

water temperatures. This is great news, because December is usually the transition month into summer deep patterns. If this cooler weather holds up, this should keep the fish shallower for longer. Glenbawn and St Clair will fish similarly this

month. The cicadas and insect numbers will be peaking and the top water bite will be in full swing. The surface bite can be that good this month, it can extend well into the daylight hours. During these times in clear water, it pays to use really long pauses with

Cicadas work well on summer bass, and Daniel Maurer was pleased with this model.

Dan Clancy with a football-class yella he took casting a Bassman spinnerbait.

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occasional tiny, shaking on the spot movements. Pauses over a minute will get the bites instead of a constant retrieve. I’ve seen plenty of bass, especially in the main basin at Glenbawn, slurping insects off the top in the middle of the day at this time of year. The bite will be best in low light. Fishing into the night will also see some big bass caught. In the cover of darkness, try using a nice big surface paddler, wakebait or buzzbait with a constant retrieve to help the fish locate the lure. Don’t be shy to upsize your surface lure size this month. Baits up to 100mm or 4” will get hit. The reaction bite should be still in full swing with the cooler water this month. All your typical reaction baits should get eaten in the early morning and late evening. With water levels increasing so much over spring, this has meant that some weed beds have struggled to keep up. Towards the backs of the dams, water has been running in dirty, creating

IS HERE!

Every Saturday 4.30pm on 74

DECEMBER 2016

less light for the weed to grow, which will kill it off. When the fish are shallow in these areas, they still gravitate to structure, but mainly towards hard structure like wood and rock. Once the hot weather sets in and the surface water temperatures hit above 26°C, fish will retreat to the cool of the deep. Fish can still be caught shallow, but it’ll be mainly under

deep. Looking in around 30-60ft of water should find you some fish. A blade or tail spinner will work through these fish. Also a deep slow rolled grub will catch them when they’re not really active. When these fish get that deep, it’s easier to use a vertical presentation. Sinking a plastic to the bottom and then a nice slow roll back up through the fish works

fishing should be on fire. I love fishing a weedless frog this time of year, whether it’s a hollow belly or weedless hook rigged plastic frog. A lure that can be placed right in the back of snags and deep into cover where you cannot get a trebled lure can catch the wariest bass. The recent high water flows over spring will have assisted the bass to get

Jack Maunder nailed this Glenbawn bass on topwater at night. the cover of darkness or the first hour of light. When these water temperatures hit and you’re fishing during the day, you’ll be better off fishing

really well. In the rivers, big bass should have returned to the upper reaches from their yearly spawn downstream. Similar to the lakes, surface

into the furthest reaches. Hiking or kayaking into skinny water far away from the local holes can find you some good fish to be caught.

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Target yellowbelly feeding around the edges ORANGE

Michael Collison thegurusgear@gmail.com

This time of year, fish move around the edges of the dam to feed. I find that 10ft or 3m is the magic depth that fish are actively feeding at, so I put my boat around that

respond to. If the fish are hard on the bottom, a very slow roll will be the best way to target them. If they’re up off the bottom, a burn and kill will be the best way to make them react. For the weekend fishos, trolling is a great way to target the fish. All you need is some small hardbodies around

the weekend. I won the Dash for Cash on Sunday morning with a 590mm score, and bonus points, which put it up to 622mm for $600. A good weekend was had by all and I can’t wait for next year’s. Thanks to Pat Morris and Ian miller for a great competition.

• For all the latest info on what’s biting and where, drop into Tackle World Orange at 66 Peisley St, Orange or call them on (02) 6361 8924. You can also see the latest specials and catches at www.facebook.com/ TackleWorldOrangeNSW.

CHIFLEY DAM

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Sometimes it can be hard to get the bite. Using the right technique when they’re stubborn will help you get a beauty like this.

Fish can be found feeding on the edges in the warmer weather. 15-20ft mark and target the fish. The hard part is to find the lure they will eat and the technique that the hungry fish will

40-80mm that dive 3m and you’ll be able to catch a few. For fish that are off the bottom, the best way to target them is with a suspending

lure like a Jackall Squirrel. The best lures to target the fish on the bottom must be the TN50 and TN60. Silent lures work well when the fish are shut down. The Windamere Golden Classic was a tough weekend for some anglers. Only a few teams got their bag of ten fish. This was the first time Aaron Andy and I fished the competition, but there were a few people that had fished it for years and years,

like Steve Starling, who said it was a very tough bite and that he’s never seen it as tough. The raffle draw was unreal with so many prizes given away. We had a great weekend with 15 fish hitting the deck of the boat. Our average was 537mm. Aaron was lucky enough to win the lucky door prize – a 4hp Yamaha outboard motor – and the storm picture competition that was run over

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A wonderful time for families at Copeton Waters COPETON DAM

David Allen manager@copeton.com.au

Can you believe December is here and Christmas is only around the corner? The rain has continued through spring and water levels continue to rise at Copeton. The new concrete boat ramp that the park installed over the past two years has gone from not reaching the water to underwater in a couple of months. The early summer can be a wonderful time for all the family at Copeton Waters with warm days and evenings just perfect for sitting around a campfire, roasting marshmallows. If you’re hoping to stay at Copeton Waters Holiday Park during the summer, especially for the school holidays, give the office a call and speak to one of our friendly staff about booking your accommodation. Although our cabins are in limited supply, we have 80 powered sites and unlimited bush camping. The fishing has been very good, with short periods when it’s shut down. Quiet times have been a result of either cold snaps or high inflows into the dam. Yellowbelly are the fish that bring the fishers to

Copeton at this time of year, and with good reason. This year the fish have been biting well and the average size has been in the high 40s. The go to lures have again been Jackall TN50 and 60s,

fish out of water that is 20-40ft deep and as much as 10-15°C cooler than the surface water. The problem for the fish can be twofold, barotrauma and temperature change, which can make successful release

Even the author gets a fish now and then – and what a fish!

Bill and Tammy Bell with Tammy’s birthday cod. small Transams and Gene 55s, Mazzy Vibes in both standard and Ninja Sound and small blades. As the summer progresses and water surface temperatures climb to the high 20s, it becomes very important to think about the welfare of the fish you catch. The problem lies in the fact that during the heat of the summer, we may pull

difficult. The best method of overcoming this problem is the use of a deep water release device. The basic principle is to attach a weight to the fish and lower it back into the cool depths where it came from – this also re-compresses the fish and fixes issues with barotrauma. When the fish get back into their comfort zone,

you’ll feel them revive. It’s then a matter of a quick jerk on the line to release your fish. The Murray cod fishing has been steadily improving as water levels stabilise. All the normal methods are working, but one area that’s been popular over the last six months has been the use of soft plastics. The use of soft plastics for cod requires mainly shad styles that have plenty of tail action and body roll – some of the standouts have been the Zerek Flat Shads in 7” and 9”, Westin ShadTeez and Storm RIP Shads 8”. These can be rigged a number of ways from standard jigheads to weedless to including stinger hooks. There’s still a lot of

experimentation going on to come up with the ultimate rigging method. Keep in mind

that you’re going to require hooks in the 8/0-10/0 size with weights to suit water depth and/or current. Half the fun of fishing is working things like this out. For all your holiday accommodation, contact the Copeton Waters Holiday Park office on (02) 6723 6269. Have a merry Christmas and happy New Years. • Copeton Dam is one of the best lakes in NSW to catch a trophy Murray cod. Dave runs the Copeton Waters Holiday Park and is a great source of up to date, local information on what’s biting. Contact the park on (02) 6723 6269 for information and accommodation bookings.

Josh Usher with an awesome cod caught on plastic.

Get a rush from freshly flushed freshwaters NEW ENGLAND RIVERS

Adam Townsend

Plenty of rain has fallen over the last few months, filling the local dams and clearing out the rivers. They’re headed back to their normal flows just in time for another Murray cod season.

fishing in some areas due to low water levels and weed beds, so for the best chance to catch fish, I recommend trying small spinnerbaits and shallow diving hardbodied lures. The Severn River has had a big flush from minor flooding in recent months and is looking better than it has been in a long time.

recently hit 99%. This has pushed a lot of floating timber and debris around the dam, so be extra careful

in the shallow bays and along the flats. Blades and vibes are great lures when fishing Pindari.

The Severn River is flowing nicely.

This yellowbelly was pulled from Copeton Dam on a slow rolled vibe. The Beardy River is a listed trout water and is currently open to fishing at this time of year, although most of the fishing has to be accessed by private property. It can be hard 76

DECEMBER 2016

Murray cod throughout the river don’t seem too fussed on what they’re eating, so make sure you take a variety of different lures. Pindari rose dramatically after the spring rains and

Plenty of anglers are fishing from private properties. Try to find somewhere this gorgeous during your holiday season.

A great cod caught from Copeton.

when boating these waters. The fishing has picked up a lot now that warmer days are in. Cod and yellowbelly are starting to be found

Copeton is still fishing well with plenty of yellowbelly and cod being caught on most techniques. The dam is rising slowly.

What’s New FISHING

GEECRACK LUREKEEPER

This clever tool is yet another innovative creation by Japanese company Geecrack, and it’s designed so you can secure your lures, squid jigs or hooks to your baitcasting or spin reel. Lurekeepers are made in Japan and have a patented design. At one end of the Lurekeeper is a thin, flexible strip that goes underneath the reel seat. Once you’ve put the reel back over this strip, the Lurekeeper will be snugly secure, and you can just leave it there. Its outer lip will easily hold trebles, single hooks and squid jig spikes, so you don’t have to worry about damaging your rods or guides. There are multiple colours available, and because it’s made by Geecrack you know you’re getting a quality product. Price: SRP $8.95 www.dogtoothdistribution.com.au

SAMAKI ZING GEN II

The extensive Samaki Zing Gen II range offers something for everyone, from light spinning for whiting and bream or heavy plastic fishing for snapper, casting for cod or working vibes amongst structure for beefy barra. Premium, high quality Japanese Toray carbon fibre blanks with X-power construction and unique unsanded RAW finish are lighter, stronger and more rigid then ever. The new XO guide technology consists of high-grade 316 marine grade stainless steel and ZR zirconia inserts. Pressed out of one piece of metal, they provide strength and longevity with no welds or seams that could cause weakness or rust corrosion. Zirconia inserts that are ultra-hard yet smooth, allow your line to slip through easily. The combination of XO guides and lightweight blanks deliver a crisp sensation, greater casting distance and added endurance. Other features include firm EVA camo grips, breakthrough butt detail for premium comfort, and a radical 3D-FX reel seat concept. Price: SRP $139.95 www.samaki.com.au

WESTIN BARRY THE BASS

Barry the Bass is a multi-jointed, slow sinking swimbait with a hard head and a soft, durable body. Perfect for both casting and trolling, this lure has a running depth of 1-3m, and its action starts as soon as it hits the water. Its slim profile and deep, jointed body give it an enticing wiggle and powerful swimming action. Features include lead-free #1 carbon steel hooks, ultra sonic rattle balls inside the head, and full eyelet-to-hook wire construction. The soft body of the lure is made from a durable material, but if it does become damaged you can buy replacement tail pieces. There are two tow points to choose from. The top one has a tighter, S-shaped action, while the front eyelet has a more rolling action. Other features include semi-soft fins and detailed hand-painted colours. There are two sizes, 150mm (59g) and 220mm (80g). Fine details such as semi-soft fins complete the overall feel of this lifelike lure. RRP: $49.99 www.jml.net.au

FISHING PRODUCT GUIDE

ECOODA BLACK HAWK V2

Sporting a sleek black exterior and enhanced cosmetic features, the Black Hawk 2 has a slimline spool design plus new drag knob details. On the inside, there’s a whole lot more to get excited about. Ecooda’s International patent drag system comes to the forefront with the new release of the Black Hawk, delivering the most accurate spinning reel drag available. It’s so precise that each turn of the drag knob adds exactly 200g of drag pressure. This means you’ll never pull a hook, or overload your rod, line or leader again from poor drag performance. The team at Ecooda feel that the two most important features of a reel are a solid drive train and smooth drag when fighting a fish, and the Ecooda Black Hawk 2 delivers both. It also boasts a lightweight aluminium body, carbon fibre drag system, S-shaped slider for perfect line lay, direct drive handle for increased power through the main gear and 10+1 precision stainless steel ball bearings. Price: from SRP $179.95 www.ecooda.com.au

HYPOTEEZ BUZZ ‘N BLADE

If you want something different to throw at your local fish, check out the new HypoTeez Buzz ‘N Blade from Scandinavian company Westin. With a simple retrieve, this lure wiggles its body, buzzes its propeller and flashes its blade for maximum attraction. The Buzz ‘N Blade is made from tearresistant material, is easy to cast and has a fast sink (target depth is 2-10m). Thanks to its balanced weight, in combination with the prop and willow blade which create drag, the Buzz ‘N Blade always sinks at a 45° angle. The prop and blade effectively have two purposes, creating vibrations as well as putting the brakes on the lure, keeping it in strike position. Other features include: realistic eyes, carbon steel #2 treble and #6/0 single stinger hook, full through-wire construction, soft body with internal weight, and hand-painted, detailed colours. RRP: $23.99 www.jml.net.au

ABU GARCIA REVO MGX

Super lightweight spinning reels are in high demand in the modern fishing world, and ABU Garcia are right on the money with the new Revo MGX. The MGX legacy continues with the addition of the MGX spinning reel platform. The lightweight, compact design means it’s built for very astute anglers. To achieve super-lightweight performance, construction starts with a unique X-Mag magnesium alloy one-piece gear box design. The addition of a C6 carbon stem and rotor cut down on weight without sacrificing strength. The flat EVA handle knob provides greater comfort and helps to cut down overall weight, and the K-clutch anti-reverse makes for a very smooth retrieve. Premium aluminium machined gears provide outstanding gear feel, durability and performance. A 10+1 HPCR bearing system delivers exceptional corrosion resistance and super-smooth operation. When only the best will do, look no further than the Revo MGX spinning reel. www.abugarcia-fishing.com.au

Please email contributions to: nicole@fishingmonthly.com.au

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What’s New FISHING

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CHARGE UP WITH GOAL ZERO

REAPER 110 AND REAPER 130

Goal Zero’s Nomad 7 Plus Solar Panel harnesses the power of the sun to charge smartphones, tablets and other USB devices. An LED dial indicates the strength of the sun, and allows you to adjust the positioning of your panels accordingly. It’s also weatherproof, so unexpected rain isn’t an issue. The Nomad 7 Plus can tell the difference between a device that has reached full charge and one that has disconnected due to environmental obstacles i.e. cloud cover or shade. If the panels are affected by the elements, the Nomad 7 Plus will automatically reconnect the device when the sun is shining, meaning you don’t have to keep a constant eye on your solar panels. The Nomad 7 Plus has a sturdy, detachable kickstand that enables you to change the angle of your panels for maximum energy absorption. It will charge most devices in a minimum of 2.5 hours. Price: SRP $159 www.goalzero.com.au

Designed in Australia for Australian fish, the Austackle Reaper is built strong, with straight through, one-piece wire plus upgraded hooks and rings. With a deadly tail shake and body roll, it’s the perfect baitfish imitation for barra, mangrove jack, flathead, mackerel, tailor and other pelagic species. This new lure features UV colours and solid rattle, plus a magnetic cast system. During the cast, steel balls shift to the back of the lure to send it flying. On the retrieve, a magnet in the belly of the lure draws the balls back to the centre of the lure to give it a perfectly balanced action. All of this weight and buoyancy make it especially good for targeting mulloway off the stones. You can cast and slow roll the Reaper, twitch it, troll it, or rip it past structure where ambush predators like jacks and barra lie in wait. The are two sizes: 110mm (27g) and 130mm (38g), and both troll down to around 5m. Trolling with the current will achieve deeper running depths. Price: from SRP $18 www.austackle.com

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FISHING PRODUCT GUIDE

PFLUEGER PATRIARCH XT

The Patriarch XT is one of the lightest spinning reels every made, and it is packed full of innovative and top of the line features. Bream and bass anglers take note, Pflueger take spinning reels to a higher level of craftsmanship, materials and design with the all new 172g Patriarch XT, the lightest reel in its class. Details matter to Pflueger engineers. To accomplish the goals of weight reduction without sacrificing endurance and performance, the team built the reel’s body, rotor and sideplate from a magnesium alloy to keep the reel ultra light. The skeletonized, braid-ready spool is a bold approach for improved skirt design and reduces spool weight. The carbon handle with its lightweight EVA knob and carbon-fibre core makes it 21% lighter than other handles. The stem is ported and the spool drag is inlayed with carbon fibre for additional weight reduction. The Patriarch XT is offered in sizes 30 and 35. www.pfluger.com.au

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BASSDAY SUGAR SLIM 70

With the same attention to design, detail and performance as the Sugar Slim 55, the Sugar Slim 70 is the lure to use when predators are on the prowl for something a little larger. A floating, narrow baitfish profile that imitates a dying baitfish, few slim-line minnow imitators look this good, cast this far, or perform as effectively. The Sugar Slim has a ball bearing weight transfer system that lets it cast incredibly well given its slim profile and light body. Its wide action and slow wobble looks just like a fish on its last legs, making it the perfect baitfish imitation. Slow rolling it across a shallow flat or twitching and pausing it deep in the snags or across a set of oyster racks is sure to see this lure halted in its tracks. Freshwater species should find the Sugar Slim 70 hard to pass up, with big trout in the rivers and streams, and barra and bass in the lakes all top candidates. This suspending lure is 70mm long and weighs 3.5kg. It swims to 1m with a wide, slow wobble action. Price: RRP $28.95 www.frogleysoffshore.com.au

GOPRO HERO5 BLACK

The new GoPro Hero5 Black lets you share immersive 4K perspectives that make you feel like you’re there. This camera makes it easy with its one-button simplicity, convenient touch display and ready-to-go waterproof design. Smooth, stabilized video, crystal-clear audio, and pro-quality photo capture combine with voice control and GPS. And when it’s time to edit and share, Hero5 Black automatically uploads footage to your GoPro Plus cloud account to provide easy access on any device. Then, create amazing videos automatically with Quick, the GoPro mobile editing app. Features include: 4K video and 12MP photos in single, burst and time lapse modes; waterproof to 10m without a housing; preview and playback your shots, change settings and trim your footage on your GoPro; 2” colour touch-screen LCD display; electronic image stabilizer (minimizes shake and vibration distortion to keep footage steady); voice control; built-in stereo microphone with wind noise reduction; MicroSD card slot; and built in wi-fi and Bluetooth. Price: approx. $550 www.gopro.com

MADEYES 8” FLICK STICK

Halco has introduced the newest member of the Madeyes family: the 8” Flick Stick. Like the 3” and 5” versions, the Madeyes 8” Flick Stick can withstand repeated strikes thanks to its durable body incorporating Madeyes’ Rubber Stretch Technology (RST). It features deep belly indentations and subtle side gill slits so additional Halco Catch Scent or other gels can be worked into it. Once emptied, the slits induce more vibration into the lure during the retrieve or on the hop. It also features a distinctive knuckle on the tail section for additional movement and action. The Flick Stick is designed to replicate a darting baitfish, and the colour range is specifically selected to target a wide range of saltwater species. It features an enhanced natural squid scent, and ultimate UV technology. The colour range includes 213 glow chartreuse, 214 fusion fowl, 215 pearl, 216 pink glow, and 217 tequila sunrise. There are three baits per pack. www.halcotackle.com

Please email contributions to: nicole@fishingmonthly.com.au

What’s New FISHING

EMERALDAS NUDE 1.8

BEST TROUT FLIES REVISITED

Developed in Australia, the new Emeraldas Nude 1.8 model is truly unique and features many design innovations. The Emeraldas Nude 1.8 is a visual and action jig. Its unique life-like pattern and smooth body is designed to attract a squid by sight and action. Its smooth body design allows the lure to dart and slide effortlessly through the water, more realistic than any other jig. The Nude is just not another jig it’s a complete eging system that incorporates accessories to broaden the horizons of this unique jig. Featuring attachment points that are designed to use in conjunction with the Agorig Sinker system and the EG-Snap, this allows for changes in sink speed, depth and angle. www.daiwafishing.com.au

Australia’s Best Trout Flies Revisited is a completely new publication which takes a look back over the past 20 years of flyfishing and fly tying through the eyes of 34 contributors, including Phillip Weigall, Lubin Pfeiffer, Trevor Hawkins and Peter Hayes. The contributors include a father and son, two brothers, past and current Australian and international champions, others of Australia’s iconic flyfishers and fly tiers as well as a lady angler with international accreditation. Many of the contributors make available new details on new fly tying materials, new fly patterns and angling tactics gained through extensive experience competing in international fly fishing events. There are three options available: • an unsigned copy of Australia’s Best Flies Revisited ($49.95 plus P&H); • a collector’s copy signed by all contributing writers ($150 incl. P&H); and, • a box set of an unsigned copy of Australia’s Best Trout Flies and a signed copy of Australia’s Best Trout Flies Revisited ($200 incl. P&H). Price: from $49.95 plus P&H australias-best-trout-flies-revisited. myshopify.com

TT HEADLOCKZ EXTREME

The recent growth in larger soft plastics, including ZMan’s 8” Mag SwimZ and 10” HeroZ, has led to requests for jigheads that are both designed to rig effectively in these larger plastics and also capable of handling the serious fish that eat them. Enter the next level in TT Lures’ award-winning HeadlockZ range: the HeadlockZ Extreme. HeadlockZ Extreme jigheads are built on brutally strong Mustad black nickel, chemically sharpened hooks. They are the perfect combination of penetration and stopping power. The jigheads feature the unique ‘head lock’ grub keeper, designed to lock the soft plastic in place to handle big casts, aggressive retrieves and brutal strikes. If you’re looking to put the brakes on big fish, check out TT Lures HeadlockZ Extreme jigheads. They’re available in 9/0 and 10/0 hook sizes and 2oz, 3oz, 4oz and 6oz weights. www.ttlures.com.au

FISHING PRODUCT GUIDE

TWITCHIN’ MULLET

OKUMA METALOID

Perfectly profiling the size and action of a vulnerable baitfish, the Twitchin’ Mullet measures 8cm, weighs 13g and its subtle, relaxed side to side action is designed to perform a wide twitching ‘walk-the-dog’ swimming movement on a steady retrieve. Alternatively, the slow sink rate allows the lure to glide deep into pockets of structure where predators love to ambush their prey. The Twitchin’ Mullet features 3D Holographic eyes, a textured-scaled body as well as an inner flash along both sides to entice the most shut down of fish. As expected, they are a part of the world famous finish that all Rapala lures are renown for. Armed with heavy-duty VMC in-line single hooks for a greater hook up rate, the X-Rap Twitchin’ Mullet will be available in eight great colours and expected to hit the shelves in August 2016. www.rapala.com.au

Okuma specialise in super tough reels, and this new member of the line-up is no exception. The Okuma Metaloid sports a full metal body, and a spool designed for carrying heavy braided lines. The one-piece handle makes the reel easy to use, and it can be changed from left- to right-hand wind and vice versa with ease. With minimal maintenance, the user will get plenty of mileage out of this great machine with its carbon element drag, stainless main gear, and HD bail arm wire. The Okuma Metaloid is tough with the stopping power to match. It has between 14-20kg drag pressure across the range. Smoothness is also a major factor, and 6 ball bearing should keep it rolling without any troubles. This reel is designed to take on the tough customers in the fishing world, and with toughness to match some of the nastiest fish in the world, any serious offshore angler should add this one to the collection. www.okuma.com.au

WILSON MYSTIQUE

The Mystique Combos from Wilson Fishing are super durable combos that includes a rod, reel and line. These combos are built for the everyday angler. Mystique Combos feature a solid glass tip section blended seamlessly into a hollow glass butt section. These two-piece rods are designed to put the fun back into fishing for anglers who are not out there every day. Whether you’re a keen lure chucker, or just a holiday bait soaker, there’s a Mystique Combo out there to suit your needs. From beginner to expert, Wilson always has you covered. Available in different colours and models to suit a number of fishing scenarios, the Mystique Combos will give anglers the chance to get on the water with a reliable outfit that will not let them down. www.wilsonfishing.com

Please email contributions to: nicole@fishingmonthly.com.au

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What’s New FISHING

FISHING PRODUCT GUIDE

TESTED: Wilson tackles storage issues Not having my own boat and owning a lot of fishing gear makes me just about the most annoying person in the world to take fishing. I’ll rock up at the ramp with a forklift load of tackle boxes and a massive binding of rods, as well as all the accessories for a day’s fishing, both necessary and unnecessary. On longer trips, I’ll also bring food, causing the boat to sink further…

The bags are available in a range of colours. This is the reality for a lot of anglers. When you don’t own a boat, you don’t have a vessel to store your tackle in before you get to the water, and what you often end up with is a cluttered mess as you try to find a place for everything to sit in someone else’s boat for the day. This became a real problem for me when I started fishing tournaments, particularly as a non-boater in a few ABT events. As a non-boater, you want to be able to bring

as much tackle as you can to cover a variety of situations without making it inconvenient for yourself or the boater. So when Wilson sent us one of their new Tackle Bags in the large size, I jumped at the opportunity to test it out. Having owned several similar style bags in my time as a young boatless angler, I was dubious, thinking it would just slowly break down due to salt exposure or excessive use. A lot of tackle bags are cheaply made and often don’t actually allow you to store much tackle. UNZIPPING Before I loaded the Wilson Tackle Bag up with my tackle, I had a look at all the compartments. In particular, I took note of the structural integrity and storing capacity. The bag’s measurements are 50cm by 30cm by 28cm, and the main compartment allows for the storing of fourlarge tackle trays that come with the bag. On either end there are small net pockets for storing terminal tackle like leaders, spare hooks, as well as braid scissors and forceps and so on. The large side pocket is for dry storage, and even in fairly steady rain, it will keep small electronics dry, as I found out. On the very top, there is some elastic straps that would help for storing folders, maps, camping permits, small rod tubes, or even more tackle! ON THE WATER A regular tournament at a bass lake would see me packing several boxes, with

one medium sized box each dedicated to jerkbaits, topwater presentations, soft plastics vibes/lipless crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Often I’ll also pack two or three pocket-sized boxes of various jigs as well. On top of this, I’ll have 3-4 small spools of leader material, scissors, forceps, storage for two pairs of glasses, phone, wallet, keys, a big fat old tub of sunscreen and some light snack food. I found that I could fit this all very easily in the bag, and with the shoulder strap, I could walk down to the ramp, meet my boater, and drop the bag with everything I need for the day (apart from rods) in the cockpit. Having a bag like this simply cuts out the dramas of being an insatiable tackle fiend. Despite storing a lot of tackle, it actually fits into the corner of a cockpit or even under a console so it doesn’t get in the way. I’ve been using the tackle bag for over six months now, and haven’t noticed any corrosion, despite use in a salt environment, and all the zips still go like a dream. USES Although I use my tackle bag almost exclusively for fishing out of other peoples’ boats, it would also be extremely be handy for fishing out of small boat, where tackle can’t always be stored in transit. I did fish a few Bass Electric competitions like this and found it to be a very handy and trouble free way to store gear in such small boats. Land-based anglers who like to carry a lot of gear would also love the userfriendly Wilson Tackle Bag. The Wilson make three tackle bags; a

Fishing in small boats with limited storage was made easy with the Wilson Tackle Bag. The bag is sitting on deck after a lure change that resulted in these two nice bass in quick succession. backpack, a small tackle bag, and a large tackle bag (tested). Ranging between around $65-$90, the money spent will well and truly be a great investment. Tackle management it often overlooked, but tidy tackle will mean more time with a line in the water, and ultimately, more fish on the deck. Visit www.wilsonfishing.com to find out more about the Wilson Tackle bag, or to check out Wilson’s great range of tackle. – Bob Thornton

TESTED: Jungle Reef mattress – a comfortable alternative There is no question that many households would know the value and quality that the Techni Ice brand offers in iceboxes, fridge freezers and anything else to keep your catch or food cold.They also stock a range of camping equipment that includes swags, various accessories and self-inflating mattresses. It was one of these Jungle Reef double mattresses that caught my attention. Although camping isn’t something that I do on a regular basis, there are certain fishing locations that are so special, that a Mozzie dome and a mattress are my sleeping arrangements for a few days. Ideally, each needs to compact and take up as little room as possible, so more fishing gear can go in the trip, however small compact mattresses tend to not be very comfortable, so less fishing gear has been the result and a larger, very comfortable, mattress has been borrowed from a mate. Enter the Jungle Reef self-inflating mattress. An ad in the magazine brought my attention to it and at $59 (including delivery) it was worth a gamble. From the day of order to it arriving was five working days and it was time to see what it had to offer. FIRST IMPRESSION There is no doubt that the Jungle Reef double mattress is compact and the bonus was that the $59 also included a couple of self-inflating pillows. As we all know, once camping gear is unpacked it is never quite as compact again. After unclipping the straps and unfolding it, at 2.05m long and 1.2m wide it would fit snuggly into the two-person Mozzie Dome and the 6cm PVC base. It looked like it would SCAN THE QR CODE!

provide enough cushioning with the help of the self-inflating mattress for a good night’s sleep. Two nozzles need to be opened to start the self-inflating process and the longer you leave them open, the more air the foam absorbs. I found that putting it into the sun increased the speed that this happened and after half an hour there was plenty of cushioning on the base. The first time lying on it would be the test and that was a little underwhelming. Half an hour had not been enough and the hard surface under the mattress definitely made its presence felt. More inflating time was required and the best solution I found was to have the nozzles open for as long as you can. The pleasant surprise was rolling it back up again, although nowhere near the small size it originally was, its was still much smaller than the mattress I would normally use, so more fishing gear on the trip was on the cards. THE TRUE TEST With more fishing gear packed, the bullet had been bitten and the Jungle Reef mattress would have its first true test. After arriving, a basic camp was set up and it was left to inflate while some fishing exploring was done. A couple of hours of hiking and fishing, we returned to camp for a few stories and ales around the campfire, and this ensured that a good night’s sleep was required to do it all again the next day. The additional inflating time did make a difference and the mattress was far more comfortable than its first test. I have to admit, it’s not as comfortable as the borrowed mattress I had been using, but with the Jungle Reef costing less than half the price of what it had

This mattress provided comfortable sleeping arrangements for a couple of nights. replaced, it was a comfortable alternative. CONCLUSION After a little bit of investigating since the trip, checking out mattresses at a similar price point to the Jungle Reef has been an eye opener. Spending $59 does not go very far when it comes to a mattress, especially a self-inflating product. There are plenty of mats and blow up mattresses around this price

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that offer very little comfort and the chance of puncturing. It is not until you get too much higher price points that many of features that the Jungle Reef has, come into play. So I believe I have backed a winner. To find out more about the Jungle Reef self-inflating mattress and the other items in the Techni Ice range, go to www.techniice.com – Peter Jung

Please email contributions to: nicole@fishingmonthly.com.au

Talented nine-year-old takes out the big prize The 2016 Leigh Martin Marine Mercury Classic was held on the weekend of 22-23 October. The venue was the Lake Hume Tourist Park on the foreshore of Lake Hume. With the lake at 98% capacity, it provided plenty of opportunity for all anglers. Prior months of consistent fish activity offered equal chance for young and old alike to catch a prize winning fish. Well

These continue to make this annual event a highlight on the competitions calendar. We particularly gained popularity with the efficiency of on-water marshalling to register fish caught, and catch and release fishing in the case of yellowbelly, ensuring all fish swam away healthy to be eligible for recognition. The event was attended by 433 anglers and 183 fish were caught, made up of 74

was 38cm, belonging to Kelly Lock. Best trout went to Nathan Laboyre with a 58cm fish. The best Senior Carp was 67cm belonging to Tycarl Cole. For the juniors, the best yellowbelly was 57cm belonging to Cody Craig. Best junior trout went to Ava Lutter and measured 52cm. The best carp for

and for the girls, Tahalia Alvey. Champion team was Team Austackle. The best represented club was Lake Hume Angling Club – it’s good to see this club up and doing well again. The major prize of the Quintrex boat and Mercury motor, all on a trailer, went to nine year old McKenzie Rayner who was

The junior anglers put up a stunning fight against the seniors this year. For the seniors, the best yellowbelly for the weekend was a nice fish of 62cm.

Second and third place also measured 62cm, belonging to Jan Bast. The best redfin

A 12lb beast of a fish. noted were the many junior anglers that matched their talents with senior anglers, and a strong attendance by family groups who travelled considerable distances to be part of the event. Team competition this year was strong again, as were individual entries.

yellowbelly, 23 trout, 11 redfin and 75 carp. Lower catch numbers this year were a result of low daytime temperatures on the Saturday, and a gusty south easterly came through just after lunch and made fishing a challenge. Sunday saw the weather cooperate with a still fine sunny day.

Michael Evans with a huge 60cm yella.

Nine year old McKenzie Rayner took home the major prize of the Quintrex boat and Mercury motor, all on a trailer.

the juniors was 58cm and belonged to Jeffery Wilson. The mens champion was Adam Leask and the ladies champion was Sarah Reed. Champion junior boys went to Thomas Weeks

the very last competitor to enter the event. A big thankyou to the sponsors of our event, we look forward to seeing you all next year on 14-15 October.

TOURNAMENT CALENDAR 2016 DECEMBER

2-4 Dec

ABT BREAM Grand Final St Georges Basin

www.abt.org.au

10-11 Dec

Central West TackleWorld Fishing Masters GF Wyangala State Park

Ian McLean 0478083066

2017 FEBRUARY

MARCH APRIL

MAY

12-Feb

BASS Electric Major #1 Clarrie Hall

www.abt.org.au

18-19 Feb

South Coast Fishing Clubs Inc. Beach comp Kiama

www.nswfca.com.au

18-19 Feb

Mallacoota BREAM Qualifier #1 Mallacoota

www.abt.org.au

22-23 Feb

Gippsland Lakes BREAM Qualifier #2 Gippsland Lakes

www.abt.org.au

18-19 Mar

South Coast Fishing Clubs Inc. Deep Sea comp Berry

www.nswfca.com.au

18-19 Mar

BASS Electric #1 Lenthals

www.abt.org.au

29-30 Apr

Hawkesbury River BASS Pro Qualifier #1 Hawkesbury River

www.abt.org.au

1-2 Apr

Albany BREAM Qualifier #3 Albany

www.abt.org.au

5-6 Apr

Blackwood BREAM Qualifier #4 Blackwood

www.abt.org.au

8-9 Apr

BASS Electric #2 Toonumbar

www.abt.org.au

20-21 May

South Coast Fishing Clubs Inc. Rock comp Lakeview

www.nswfca.com.au

Add your tournament or competition to this list by emailing jthomas@fishingmonthly.com.au or calling 07 3387 0800 in office hours. Just supply a date, venue, tournament name and a telephone number and contact name. 82

DECEMBER 2016

Mighty Bonanza Fishing Competition was a blast! The 35th Anniversary October Long Weekend Mighty Bonanza Fishing Competition had fantastic attendance this year. Anglers of all sizes headed out from the northern end

in his opinion, the Mighty Bonanza is the largest competition of its kind on the South Coast that focuses on the family unit. It’s become a much more family-oriented fishing

received autographed copies of the brand new book The Complete Fishing Bible, 4th ed. from fishing TV show host Alistair McGlashan with a special message inside reading,

RESULTS Category............................................. Anglers............................. Measurements Senior Male Champion...................... Dave Clark .......................................19.10kg Senior Female Champion................Annette Turner.................................... 10.51kg Junior Male Champion...................... Tom Cargill ...................................... 13.69kg Junior Female Champion ................ Callie Evans........................................ 8.72kg Sub-Junior Champion.................... Dustan Piggott...................................... 5.03kg Champion Club..................... The Tomakin Fishing Club Heaviest Boat Catch..............The Clarke & Barnes show Mystery Flathead weight..................Luka Brogan...................... 685g (target 687g) Heaviest Shark................................ Rohan Rivett..................................... 13.20kg Green Eel...................................... Sophie Nedwich.................................... 1.29kg Longest Flathead........................... Nick Sandilands...................................... 84cm SPECIES CATEGORY CHAMPIONS – SENIORS

Left: Junior Female Champion, Callie Evans with Junior Vice President Justin Evans. Right: Junior Male Champion, Tom Cargill with President Adam Martin. of the Eurobodalla to wet a line for the chance of winning some great cash and fishing prizes. The event drew more than 450 people, including 262 competitors, 99 of which were juniors. The word is getting around about the competition now as the fishing club committee has worked hard to rebuild this tournament over the last few years – back to the level

competition, still with a low entrance fee which parents like to see. It makes for a reasonably priced weekend for the whole family to enjoy. This event caters to families and had a number of juniors competing this year. Every single junior received a competition bag, which contained excellent contents such as an Al McGlashan DVD, Compleat Angler hat, ANSA catch and

“Congratulations on being the Junior Champion of the Mighty Bonanza 2016. Fish Hard. Al McGlashan.” The committee kept the books a secret right until the end when the winners were announced to make it that little bit more special. The real winners were everyone who made the competition possible. In the past, the Tomakin Fishing Club has had to sponsor one

Left: The Sub-Junior champ Dustan Piggott with Vice President Brendan Winnell. Right: Sophie Nedwich and Rohan Rivett who won the Green Eel and Biggest Shark prizes. There were plenty of different species caught on the day! where it used to draw over 500 competitors. The tournament had several special visitors from government departments – DPI Fisheries, RMS Maritime and the Batemans Bay Marine Rescue Unit. On the Saturday, Fisheries Officer Mr Hollywood spoke to the attendees and walked through the crowd having friendly chats and helping those he spoke to, educating them in areas they were unsure of. Officer Hollywood commented that

release mat, DPI Fisheries catch and release kit and more in every bag. It was a quiet start to the event on Saturday, as windy conditions presented a challenge to those casting a line out. However, the weather improved on the Sunday, with competitors treated to sunshine all day and an improved catch rate. The three junior champions received a bonus prize to go with their championship Compleat Angler vouchers. The trio

or two of the categories, but this year they didn’t have to. In fact, over a dozen local businesses asked why they hadn’t approached them to sponsor the great event. The event organisers couldn’t state enough their gratitude to the all the local businesses that have come on board this year. A special mention must be made to Anthony Stokman from Compleat Angler Batemans Bay, and Alistair McGlashan for helping make this year’s event a success.

Species................................................ Angler.....................................Weight (kg) Snapper............................................ Connor Rust............................................4.113 Morwong.........................................Andrew Turner.......................................... 1.829 Flathead.......................................... Tuomo Paperin......................................... 1.365 Tailor................................................. Aaron Oxley........................................... 0.671 Salmon.............................................. Sam Hicks............................................ 1.640 Leather Jacket................................. Sam DeGraaf.......................................... 0.752 Pig Fish.............................................Brett Wallace ......................................... 0.693 Bream................................................Brian Evans........................................... 0.832 Nannygai..................................... Emma Carmichael...................................... 0.547 Drummer...........................................Jem Abbott............................................ 2.436 Whiting.............................................. Dale Evans............................................ 0.337 Silver Trevally....................................Rowan Stelzer......................................... 0.507 Luderick............................................. Dale Evans............................................ 0.525 SPECIES CATEGORY CHAMPIONS – JUNIORS 12-18 YEARS Species................................................ Angler.................................... Weight (g) Snapper............................................Luka Brogan......................................... 2310 Morwong........................................... Tom Cargill.......................................... 1490 Flathead......................................... Noah McCarroll...................................... 1099 Salmon ........................................ Bradley Sweeney....................................... 969 Leather Jacket................................Jacob Beissner......................................... 685 Pig Fish.......................................... Noah McCarroll........................................ 546 Bream............................................ Sam Gschwend...................................... 1088 Nannygai ..................... Brendan Bingley and Brylie Drazevich....................... 458 Drummer .......................................Dean Drazevich........................................ 200 Whiting .........................................Brendan Bingley.......................................... 83 Silver Trevally ............................... Dominic Scicluna....................................... 706 Luderick......................................... Denzel Carriage........................................ 399 That’s not to forget the tireless efforts of the fishing club committee, with months of organising and hard work to make it the success it was. The Tomakin Fishing Club has now become an affiliated club of the Australian National Sportfishing Association, the Underwater Skindivers and Fisherman’s Association and the NSW Recreational Fishing Alliance. It was a privilege to have Stan Konstantaras and Tony Steiner from ANSA NSW visit on the Sunday for support and to catch up with members. The fishing club is hoping to modify the Mighty Bonanza for future years to include a full line-up of Catch and Release categories with the intention of filling

SPECIES CATEGORY CHAMPIONS – SUB-JUNIORS UNDER 12 YEARS Species.....................Angler.................... Weight (g) Bream................... K.D. Evelyns............................279 Flathead..............Noah Milczarek..........................803 Morwong............Noah Milczarek..........................803 Morwong.............Dustin Piggott...........................865 Snapper..............Braydon Cleary..........................921 Salmon................. Levy Abbott............................697 Tailor...................... Jai Dowley.............................389 the month of October in the ANSA NSW Calendar. If you’re looking to rejuvenate your club and find ways to make it fresh and engaging for members, consider these great organisations. This tournament has created many new friendships and contacts that are more than happy to help with the betterment of recreational fishing. The Tomakin Fishing

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Club recently kicked off a spearfishing category for their monthly competitions. Check out the competition results, all gut and gilled weights. The club prides itself on making sure every prize is won even if the species isn’t captured. The prize for any species that was caught was given to an angler randomly drawn from tickets. – Adam Martin

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DECEMBER 2016

Lindsay leapfrogs to victory ABT BASS Electric newcomer Chris Lindsay has stolen the show at the largest event of the year, coming from 9th place overnight to win the 2016 ABT BASS Electric Convention, supported by Bluefin Boats and ePropulsion electric outboards. Fishing his first tournament at the helm, Lindsay showed he’s a standout young angler to watch in years to come. Finishing a mere 20g ahead of local favorite Charles ‘Westy’ West, Lindsay produced a 4/4 limit worth 3.04kg to clinch the most coveted title in BASS Electric tournaments, and the Bluefin/ePropulsion boat/motor package worth over $8000. Linday’s perfect weekend began like most on the official Friday prefish. Lindsay got his start bass fishing from the clear, weedy waters of Lake Maroon, and he relied on this history to put together his tournament game plan. Lindsay started Friday morning at his first choice location. Commonly referred to as ‘The Nursery’, the area features a wide expansive flat ranging from as deep as 20ft, to as shallow as 2ft. The major fish attracting structure is the abundance of aquatic vegetation. Lilypads, weed lines and thick isolated ‘weed towers’ that rise from the depths scatter the area, and it was these pieces of structure that Lindsay exploited for their bass bounty.

THE FUTURE IS HERE Self-contained Electric Outboards

His morning began catching fish quickly and skillfully, confirming his hunch that the area held both the quantity, and the quality of bass that it would take to win the title. Rather than go elsewhere to look for a back up plan, Lindsay stayed put but didn’t fish. Opting to stake out the area with the intent to deter others from moving in on his primary location. Take offs at BASS Electric events may lack the smoke and noise of a BASS Pro tournament, but what they lack in speed and sound, they make up for in tactics and planning. Travelling at 6 knots adds considerable time to travel, so anglers need to think carefully about where they wish to fish, and have plans in place in case their area gets inundated with anglers. Lindsay was worried about others having plans to fish his area, but as it were his fears were unfounded, with only one other angler choosing to start nearby. Lindsay started under the morning light throwing a textbook Lake Maroon technique – the jerkbait. Casting tight to the shallow weedy edges and lilypads, Lindsay would crank the lure down one or two winds, before employing a twitch/pause retrieve, often pausing the bait for as long as 4-6 seconds. He quickly boated his two legal fish, but they lacked size. By this stage, the sun had begun to shine and Lindsay identified that to get bigger bites, he had to take his offering to

Chris Lindsay holds aloft a pair of Convention winning bass. the fish, rather than hope they’d come out chasing. Turning to a Texas rigged

bottom. The Texas rigged plastic allowed Lindsay to fish tighter to the weed,

Ecogear SX48

The calm before the storm. Lindsay waits patiently for the dawn start.

3/8oz Pro’s Factory Motion Jig with Keitech Crazy Flapper trailer

Visit www.abt.org.au for entry forms. For general enquiries phone ABT on (07) 3387 0888. 84

DECEMBER 2016

Ecogear Powershad

Ecogear Powershad soft plastic, Lindsay fished tight to weed in around 10ft of water, dropping his lure as close to the weed as possible, and allowing it to fall vertically down each side of any isolated weed towers he could find. With most fish eating the lure on the initial sink or after one or two slow winds off the

without having to worry about his lure being fouled with weed, which would turn away any curious followers. Lindsay’s last throw of the dice came in the form of a skirted jig, and this new trend in Australian bass fishing is showing no signs of slowing down, especially after Peter

Phelps used the technique to win the 2015 BASS Pro Grand Final. Although new to the technique, Lindsay managed two key upgrades. He fished this presentation similarly to how he approached the texas rigged plastic, pitching it to each side of the isolated weed towers and allowing the bait to fall vertically down each face, drawing fish out from the thick cover. His Saturday bag of 1.4kg didn’t win it for him, but it kept him in the hunt, only 330g behind overnight leader Adrian Wilson. Wi t h S u n d a y ’s inclement weather rolling in and a 180° wind change, anglers were going to have to tame both sides of Lake Maroon to come out on top. Lindsay wasn’t fazed, opting to stick to his original game plan of targeting isolated weed. The first two hours of the session produced only two just legals, but with the gusting wind and changing

conditions, Lindsay was confident he’d still retain a high finish. As the session wore on and more and more anglers started looking for the last ditch effort, Lindsay found himself alone, with free reign of his whole area, allowing him more freedom to expand his milk run and work some fresh ground. After a short move down the bank, Lindsay turned to one of his go-to baits, an Ecogear SX48. Within ten minutes of picking it up, he had the 1.64kg tournament winning bag on board. Despite the late flurry, Lindsay found Sunday much tougher, only boating five fish all session. Weighing in early, Lindsay endured almost the whole field coming to the scales to try and knock him down, as it were, no one would surpass him. For his efforts, Lindsay walked away with arguably the best bass electric rig money can buy, a Bluefin Estuary

BASS Ele Convent ctric ion the 2000 size. His bait of choice was a Keitech Easy Shiner matched with a Fish Arrow J-Spin beetle spin arm for added flash and vibration. Coming to the scales last, West knew it was too close to call, and as the scales locked in 1.4kg, he knew he fell just short of realising his dream. Quick to bounce back though, West surely stamps his name as one of the most consistent and brightest stars of the BASS Electric circuit. The 2016 Bluefin/ ePropulsion BASS Electric series drew anglers from all over the east coast of Australia to take part in one of the longest standing tournament circuits in the country, keep an eye out for the 2017 calendar which will be released soon on www.abt.org.au

Chris Lindsay shows his winning scorecard in front of his Bluefin and ePropulsion prize. Pro hull, equipped with a 3hp ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 electric outboard, valued at over $8000. Westy West a close second Charles ‘Westy’ West was always going to be one to watch when the BASS Electric Convention was slated for Lake Maroon. With multiple wins to his name at this venue, it wasn’t surprising to see his name towards the top of the leaderboard on both sessions. Sitting third overnight, West produced another solid limit of Lake Maroon bass to break the 3kg barrier, but fell a mere 20g short of fulfilling his dream of being crowned BASS Electric Convention champion on his home lake. West fishes with his good friend and number one ranked BASS Electric angler Adrian Wilson at almost every BASS Electric event. The powerhouse duo now ranked one and two work well off each other, a unique situation you won’t find in other tournament fishing circles. After struggling for the first half of Saturday’s

Charles West performed well at Maroon Dam to finish second.

TOP 10 ANGLERS Place Angler

Fish

Weight (kg)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

4/4 4/4 4/4 4/4 4/4 4/4 4/4 4/4 4/4 4/4

3.04 3.02 2.97 2.83 2.81 2.80 2.76 2.65 2.54 2.53

Chris LINDSAY Charles WEST Dean THOMPSON Jordan STODDART Tom REYNOLDS Tim STEENHUIS Rebecca SMITH Jesper NOIESEN Tony THORLEY Brett KLEINSCHMIDT

Payout Bluefin/ePropulsion Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Diamond Deck

For full result listings, see www.abt.org.au

session, West scoured the box off Wilson, who’d been catching fish easily on a Jackall TN60 all morning. West went to work, quickly filling his limit and regaining confidence after a tough morning. “I lost a good fish on a Pro’s Factory jig, and watched Adrian catch a lot of fish on the Jackall and then upgrade a few times on jigs and I just couldn’t catch a break,” he said. It all turned around in the afternoon though, as West managed a number of upgrades on a mix of techniques to scrounge up a very respectable 1.62kg limit, just 110g shy of Wilson, who’d caught 1.73kg right in front of him. The Sunday was a complete turn around, and the change of weather was a blessing in disguise for West, as his approach from the Saturday of using a plastic rigged with a beetle spin produced fish quickly and easily in the testing conditions. The only adjustment was his upsizing from 1/6oz to 1/4oz to deal with the gusty breeze and to keep in contact with the lure. West delivered the beetle spin tight to lilypads on the edge of shallow weed, where the bass were hitting hard and fast after commencing his retrieve. “I was getting almost all of my bites within a few seconds of starting my retrieve, the fish were obviously really tight to the structure,” he said. He delivered his baits on a 13 Fishing ENVY Black 71LM-FG spinning rod, matched with a One 3 Creed GT spinning reel in

WINNING NOTES

Winning Ways

Adjusting to the conditions and picking up the SX48 late on Sunday was what made the difference for Lindsay. A quickfire double upgrade within five minutes was worth almost a kilo to his cumulative weight, and Lindsay needed every gram, only edging out second place by 20g. Lindsay fished tight to structure, and with the challenging conditions, this approach netted him more legal bites than any other in the event.

Winning Tackle

Jerkbait Outfit: JML Sensation ‘All Rounder M’ spinning rod, matched to a 2500 sized spinning reel and an Ecogear SX48. Plastics Outfit: 3-8lb JML Sensation ‘All Rounder L’ spinning rod for a lighter tip to detect subtle bites. Jig Outfit: JML Perfection ‘Lipless Crakbait/Tail Spinner’ baitcast rod paired with a 100 size low profile baitcast reel.

Lures

Ecogear Powershad, 3/8oz Pro’s Factory Motion Jig with Keitech Crazy Flapper trailer, Ecogear SX48

DECEMBER 2016

Hobie Bream Australian Champion is crowned The only true national kayak fishing series in Australia, the Hobie Kayak Bream Series presented by Daiwa, ended with an amazing final day to the Series 8 Australian Championship on the Gold Coast in Queensland.

competitors hit the PowerPole starting line at 7am in absolutely perfect conditions. Many travelled to their successful locations from day one and others sought out new ground in the hope of better luck.

lengths at the structure. He let it sink before a short retrieve. After a few flicks with no luck, he’d withdraw using the reversible MirageDrive 180 to back his way out of the section. At one point, he spotted

This year’s Bream Series was finished at the Gold Coast – looks like fun! Exceptional weather greeted the 53 qualified anglers from across the country, two from China, as they gathered at the Broadwater Parklands event site around 5:30am for breakfast and the 6am registration. During the briefing, tournament director Steve Fields announced that the bag limit for the final day of competition would be increased to five fish, as

my bag and then upgraded my bag a couple of times on the way home. It worked for me, so I stuck with the strategy and did the same again today, and it paid off.” Down south, the other main contenders were Kris Hickson from Port Macquarie NSW who scored second place just 20g short of Somerton, and Glenn Allen from the NSW Central Coast in third place. They worked different areas of the same Marina and were both looking good with two fish by 7:30am. The short hop to the marina gave them a lot more fishing time than Somerton, and while there were plenty

Kris Hickson scored second place, just 20g short of Somerton.

Anglers came from all over Australia, and even China, to attend the final day of the Bream Series. opposed to four for the day before, and the minimum length would be reduced to the state legal size of 25cm, a drop of 1cm from the previous day. At the conclusion of the briefing, a short presentation ceremony took place to award Glenn Allen from NSW, the angler who caught the biggest bream on day one, a $250 prize. The Angler’s Choice Award, chosen by their fellow anglers, was presented to duel winners Neil Carstairs from Victoria and 2016 Angler of the Year Carl Dubois from NSW. A draw was held for all anglers who were unable to catch a bream on day one, and the $100 Donut Dough prize went to Jonathan Chen from the Australian Capital Territory All fired up and eager to get amongst the fish, the 86

DECEMBER 2016

few small fish. When he passed by on day two, he worked the area once again and picked up two good fish – one weighing in at 500g and an excellent 720g kicker. He spent around a half an hour with his line in the water along the way to his planned final destination. Beyond the Sovereign Bridge Somerton, he hit another small patch of mangroves. He threw a few casts, moving slowly along its edges without a hit, and then pedalled his Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 14 kayak into the canal systems he had been aiming for. He sight fished along the edges of the pontoons and boat hulls, and then got in between the pontoons to pitch short casts – one or two kayak

too many good fish to make an impact. His senses turned out to be accurate when his day two bag of 2.06kg fell

WINNING TACKLE Rod....................................... Duffrods 1-4kg HySTIX Reel....................................................Daiwa Certate Line........................................8lb Daiwa Evo 8 braid Leader..................................................................8lb Lure...................................................... Cranka Crab

SOMERTON’S SOVEREIGN SUCCESS Richard Somerton from Victoria, who was leading the tournament after day one, led the charge north, heading 12km to Sovereign Island under the Sovereign Mile Bridge at Paradise Point, stopping to fish in a few locations along the way. On day one, he noticed some shags in amongst a patch of mangroves. He tested the location out and caught quite a

a relative monster (for these waters), which he estimated to weigh-in around 1.2kg, chewing on the rock wall a few metres in front of his kayak. Somerton enticed it to the lure and the fish rushed his presentation, but unfortunately snubbed it at the last moment. Despite missing this double-sized kicker, he filled his bag around 11am and was able to work on upgrades for the rest of the session. On day two, his five fish made a 2.54kg bag, on top of his four for 2.17kg on day one. This won the brilliant Victorian angler the Australian Championship for 2016, adding to his impressive list of achievements including the 2013 World Championship. WINNING WAYS Somerton had never fished the area before, but did his research to formulate the championship winning plan of attack. “I looked at Google Maps and I thought the flats would be a bit busy on the weekend, so I planned to stick with the canals. On day one, I mainly fished the canals at the end of Sovereign Island where I got

The new Hobie Bream Series Champion, Richard Somerton with his award.

of bream to keep them in the same vicinity for most of the day, by-catches were a consistent pest. Despite that, and the presence of many small bream that hit lures faster than larger fish, each bagged out quite early. Although they both considered their bags small, they were sitting in comfortable positions. Nothing was certain until the fish hit the scales at the weigh-in. Hickson wasn’t at all confident with his bag and thought he hadn’t had a great day at all. He felt he’d lost

short of Somerton’s, but it was big enough to maintain his second position. “When it’s your time it’s your time, and it wasn’t for me. This weekend it was definitely Richard’s time. I had a ball. Once I found out the Marinas were open, I just thought I’ll go for broke. You’ll either win it or lose it and I nearly won it.” Hickson fished with a Daiwa Interline rod and Silver Wolf 2000 reel, 10lb Daiwa Evo 8 braid and 4lb Gamma FC leader. His lures of choice were the Ecogear Aqua and 2.5” ZMan Grub. While Glenn Allen

bagged out at 1.52kg, Queenslander Stephen Maas screamed up the leaderboard, from his 15th position on day one, to snatch third place from Allen with his 2.64kg bag that he had built up throughout the day. He caught an incredible 50 fish to make the Australian Championship record books. This year was the eighth Hobie Fishing Series since its inception back in 2009, and it will go into its ninth season next year, even stronger. The program for next year is yet to be released, but Getaway Outdoors executive Matt Williams flew across the country to the Australian Championship site on the Gold Coast to announce that the Hobie Bream Series 9 Australian Championship will be held in Western Australia. SPECIAL THANKS Thanks to all of the anglers who competed in the series this year. Like all of the events in the Hobie Bream Series, the Australian

All fired up and eager to get amongst the fish, the competitors hit the starting line at 7am in absolutely perfect conditions.

Kris Hickson in action.

Championship would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors – Daiwa, Berkley, Atomic, Lowrance, Rhino-Rack, Strike Pro, Austackle, TT Lures, Yamatoyo, Ecogear, Power-Pole, Mortgage Corp, Hog’s Breath Cafe and ABT. Special thanks to Mal, Trish and the crew from Sunstate Hobie, with assistance from Totally Immersed Watersport, for providing dealer support. Also thanks to ABT, and everyone else who helped out over the course of the event. – Hobie Kayak Bream Series

Fishing Fill-its

Honda launches new portable BF4, 5 and 6 After the upgrade of the world famous BF2.3, Honda Marine continues to strengthen its line-up of portable engines with the exciting launch of three new portable outboards: the BF4 (4hp), BF5 (5hp) and BF6 (6hp). These little beauties are packed with the very latest in Honda’s technologies. The BF4, BF5 and BF6 range has been developed specifically to fill a boating niche, and the best thing about this range is that they are incredibly portable, easy to start, and more comfortable to operate and will now go for longer!

The BF4, BF5 and BF6 are now lighter than ever (starting from a low 27kg), and their lightweight nature and new carrying handle design enables the user to easily transport and store away the engines. The tiller handle can be fully folded to make the unit even more compact, making storage even more convenient. The three engines are equipped with Honda’s decompression mechanism. This makes starting the engines a breeze at whatever temperature the engine may be. And if you’re sick of getting a numb or tingly

arm while out on the water from the harsh vibrations resonating from your engine, we’ve got a solution! Honda have specially developed new rubber engine mounts that are integrated into the outboard to absorb practically all vibrations across the rpm range, delivering superior comfort to the operator. This

convenience, making it safer in emergency situations and also making it much easier to turn off the engine when you reach your destination. Each engine has an integrated large capacity fuel tank built in, hidden away under the cowl. This additional 1.5L of fuel gives the operator longer continuous

Editor Steve Morgan enjoyed cutting some hoops out on the Gold Coast Broadwater with the BF4.

A modern, sleek design makes this incredibly efficient little machine all the more appealing to boaties looking to power small tenders.

means that you can travel for longer and go further in complete comfort. All three new engines are equipped with a one-touch engine stop switch for

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running time – the longest running time available in their class – with up to 43 minutes at wide open throttle. Additionally, the BF5 and BF6 can be connected to an

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Steve managed to get the small tender onto the plane with the BF4. additional external fuel tank for those longer journeys. These three engines share the same 1-cylinder, 127cc engine block and benefit from Honda’s industry-leading expertise in four-stroke technologies. To protect the outboards, the BF4, BF5 and BF6 also feature an oil alert system, which will automatically limit the engine’s rpm in case of an oil pressure drop. The new models are available in short shaft (15”/38cm) and long shaft (20”/51cm). Honda has been designing and building outboards for over 50 years, and has only ever produced 4-stroke engines with clean emissions. Honda’s range now consists of 21 4-stroke engines, ranging from 2.3hp up to 250hp.

In addition to all of this, Honda Marine Australia backs all of their outboards with an industry-leading, seven-year domestic warranty and threeyear commercial warranty. To find your local Honda Marine dealer or to check out the engine specifications, go to marine.honda.com. au and follow the links. – Honda Marine

Scan the QR code to see the launch of the new 4,5 and 6hp outboards

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Bargain priced Mahindra Pik-Up ute will surprise BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

Prior to this review, I hadn’t seen many Mahindra Pik-Up utes around the city. In country towns, they’re no rarity. A run to the New England area surprised me, as I saw two in Tenterfield alone. Dirty, unwashed, with tools of trade and drums of chemicals in one, a stock crate in the other, it was

vehicles have followed their 2-4 door Pik-Up light truck like the Genio ute and popular seven seater XUV500, an AWD people mover. A LOOK AT THE PIK-UP I signed the dotted line for the 2 door Pik-Up, but there’s also a four door version as well. The Red Terror, as I called it, had a big steel tray at the rear, 2.45m long and 1.9m wide, which meant I could store the ice box and some other gear with ease. There was a surprisingly large storage

Yes, that’s a gear lever there. The Pik-Up is a five-speed manual. fairly obvious that land owners had seen the great value for money in these Pik-Up utes. It made me feel a bit smug to think we had the Trek camper trailer on the back of my loan car and were heading bush for a couple of days of fishing. MAHINDRA BACKGROUND So what’s the Mahindra story? Manufacturers of vast arrays of industrial and farm machinery, the Indian manufacturer has earned kudos as the number one tractor company in the world. There were also motor vehicles – back in 1947, the first Willys Jeep rolled off their assembly line. It’s hardly surprising that in 2005, Mahindra opened their doors in Brisbane as Mahindra Australia with the first Pik-Up one tonne ute launched in 2007. Other

Main dials on the Pik-Up were clustered neatly together for ease of reference. when I rode my Yamaha 1100cc road bike. There was absolutely nothing to impede side or rear vision, and when punting about the city at times, this was a blessing. Many of today’s utes wagons and SUVs have serious visibility problems, which are par for the course, hence the wide spread of vehicle proximity warning systems on the more upmarket models. By contrast, the humble Mahindra was a refreshing change. For a modest $32,990

You can’t judge a book by its cover and you can’t judge the comfort of these seats unless you sit in them. area behind the driver and passenger seats for rod tubes. Seated on the Mahindra’s well-padded seat, I was amazed at the visibility. This ute is very tall in regard to seating and driving position, but not hard to step into at all. I reckoned that the last time I had this sort of visibility on the road was

comforts to be found inside. PLEASANT SEATING A SURPRISE Creature comforts started with the seats. Yep, all cars have them, but let me advise you confidentially – as I sit on plenty – they’re not always comfortable, despite what makers claim. Short runs are fine, but longer ones can be a true test of design. For the record, the Kampey back has been battered into oblivion by far too much motorcycle riding as a young bloke (with two speeds: stopped or flat out) and by a lot of boating in the last four decades. What starts off as a comfortable drive, often ends up being a real pain in the backside. Even electrically adjusted seating can cause problems, yet the Mahindra treated me to one of the most comfortable driving positions I’ve enjoyed. When I stopped the ute for fuel at Wallangarra, I didn’t need to slide out gently and then slowly stretch to see if my legs were still working. I

I was soon accustomed to. In the vernacular, it was no biggie! The ute cornered and handled surprisingly well, and that upright high seating stance was a treat. ADEQUATE DIESEL ENGINE The Mahindra Pik-Up’s engine, derived in conjunction with well known AVL of Austria (specialists in engine development) is a four cylinder fuel injected 2.2L diesel engine with four valves per cylinder.

A decent radio is part of the Mahindra package. While it can never claim line honours for best of class power, with its modest output of 88kW of power and 280Nm of torque, it still did the job – and fairly easily at that. All Pik-Ups come with manual gearboxes. Yes, I had to change down a gear to climb Cunninghams Gap, but otherwise, it’s easily able to sit on 100km/h while towing with very little engine noise under way, which was surprising given the Mahindra’s budgetbased styling and overall

which included a tow bar, bull bar, powder coated steel tray, snorkel, mag wheels and blue tooth connectivity, the 2 door Mahindra has got to be one of the best value for money utes in Australia. While the interior is hoseit-out standard with plenty of scrub clean plastic in sight, there are still some creature The Mahindra Pik-Up’s dash layout mixes form and function quite well, given its budget price.

The Mahindra Pik-Up at work, camper trailer in tow. 88

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simply moved out and went briskly about the refuelling. Brilliant! On the highway with the camper locked onto the tow bar, the Red Terror was a very friendly critter, with just a few bumps and jiggles finding their way up into the main cabin area – not so much on the really good bitumen surface, but noticeable on neglected sections. Steering, driving position, and general ergonomics were fine. Even though I seemed to be sitting fairly close to the door, it was something

in line and I was surprised to find, later, that it was in the serious off road mode that the Mahindra really shone. There’s four wheel drive and low range capability via a switch operated Borg Warner transfer case with the 4 x 4 system permanently linked to an Eaton diff lock which, unlike other diff locks that need manual engagement, is always ready to react to wheel slip and deliver power to a wheel or wheels needing it.

presentation. Gear changes required some deliberate pauses between cogs, but were soon mastered. The clutch had ample feel about it and was quite light. I calculated a fuel consumption of 10.1L/100km while towing, which is pretty good in my book. A GREAT STRENGTH OFF ROAD On the back roads leading to the fishing areas, the Mahindra really shone with the double wishbone front suspension and rear leaf springs keeping the ute nicely

The diff lock system gave the Mahindra a huge advantage in the rough and rutted going and although the vehicle does not have a huge ground clearance the lack of front or rear over hang makes it superbly capable to climb, clamber or jump over obstacles that would make the going hard for some contemporaries. It always comes down to horses for courses doesn’t it! OVERALL The Mahindra Pik-Up is never going to win a beauty contest, but it’s very functional if somewhat funky looking, due to its tall cabin. It comes with some fruit in the bowl, so to speak, with central locking, electric windows, cruise control, air conditioning, tilt steering adjustment, stereo (with MP3, SD and USB), 12V charging points and load adjustable headlights. Towing capacity is 2.5t braked and 750kg unbraked, so plenty of boat owners or caravan/camper trailer owners will find the ute great at work through the week, and just as useful on the weekend. This ute is not going to appeal to everyone, only those among us who want to save serious money on their work horse and fun time truck, and are willing to accept the Pik-Up for what it is. That’s an honest, no fuss, work horse, that has outstanding off road capability. Don’t forget it comes in four door models as well. Warranty is three years or 100,000km. To locate a Mahindra dealer, ring (07) 3213 1211, or email info@ mahindra.com.au

Tech Tricks

Getting the best hook-up potential with a popper BRISBANE

Gordon Macdonald masterbaitertackle@hotmail.com

No matter whether you’re chasing bass, queenfish, saratoga, trevally, murray cod, tailor, bream or barramundi, fishing with topwater offerings is addictive. The visual aspect of the surface strike will have you trembling at

the knees and the power some species emit as they head for cover will have you buckling at the knees. While there’s now a myriad of surface lures, all imitating a wounded or struggling food source, poppers would have to be one of the more commonly used topwater presentations. During the last decade or so, hardcore anglers have

The single head hook and single rear hook combo (top) is my preferred rigging option and is rapidly gaining popularity among the ranks of seasoned popper fishers. The lure will rarely foul with the leader and the hook-up potential is great on GTs, as they commonly attack the head of the bait to crush and immobilise it. The single hook with flexible rigging is also much less likely to be dislodged during the fight.

renewed interest in targeting giant trevally, kingfish, yellowfin tuna, Spanish mackerel and numerous other bluewater beasts on large poppers and heavy duty tackle. Obviously, tough adversaries require even tougher tackle to withstand the pressures of subduing these critters. Targeting XOS GTs requires the strongest outfits and tough lures rigged with

hardcore terminals. Eliminating weak links will give you a great chance of success when that lure finally gets crunched. As poppers promote a savage smash and grab strike, increased chances of a hook-up are highly desirable and a hotly debated topic. Different lures requiring altered hook setups to maximise swimming action and promote better

Hold the two tag ends against the hook shank and wrap the main portion around the hook shank and down so that it overlaps the start of the tag ends.

Continue to wrap down around the shank and then pass the folded over portion back through the centre, against the hook shank, to complete a clove hitch around the shank.

hook-up potential. Poppers are one of the more commonly used lures for targeting large GTs and other bluewater predators. There are three popular ways of rigging these large cup-faced lures, which can exceed 30cm in length and weigh more than 200gm. Some anglers favour all trebles and while these offer great initial hook-up potential, they’re more

likely to be worked free during the fight, have increased potential to be dangerous to the angler or deckie and can inflict more damage to the fish as well. The single tail hook and back-to-back belly hooks are a better solution, offering great hook-up and holding potential, yet these are likely to foul on the leader if the lure cartwheels during the retrieve.

A small portion of heat shrink can be passed over the knot and then reduced with the cigarette lighter or a paint stripper gun to secure and hold the knot in place and neaten up the rig.

To attach this to your popper, pass the end of the loop through the towing eyelet of the popper and then pass the hook through the loop. I like the loop to be a snug, taut fit over the hook.

To make your own popper head hook, you’re going to need a few things. One of the best, most easily sourced hooks is the Owner Jobu. The Shout Kudako, Owner SJ-41 and numerous other strong hooks can be used. Some 2mm Spectra cord (Spectraspeed 250kg is good) can be sourced for around $2 per metre. A good pair of cutters, a cigarette lighter and some heat shrink, around 15mm.

Pull the knot tight, with the tag ends just protruding out of the knot, and then push the creased centre portion through the hook eye from the rear of the shank and out the gape side.

For this particular popper I’m going to use an 8/0 Owner Jobu, which is the most common size. You’ll need minimum 28cm of Spectra Cord for this size hook, 26cm for 7/0 and 30cm for 9/0. You can always make the rig longer if you wish. Once you’ve cut your Spectra to length, use your cigarette lighter to seal the ends to limit fraying. Fold your Spectra in half with a hard crease in the centre – this section is required to pass through the hook eye in the latter stages. This also gets your tag ends even.

Pull this very tight so the knot snugs up hard to the hook eye. Put the hook bend over a solid structure, such as a boat rail, and then use your finger or a bar hooked through the Spectra loop to apply some serious pressure and lock the knot tightly.

Continue pulling the hook until the loop snugs up tight around the towing eyelet. Your leader will still be attached to the wire towing eyelet, usually utilising a swivel and a split ring, when using a popper head hook. When laid back along the body of the popper, the head hook will be roughly level with the front belly eyelet which does not have a hook of any kind on it. If the head hook wraps the leader during casting or when a popper cartwheels during the retrieve or a missed strike, the hook will easily fall away and back into the desired position. This is usually not possible when a belly rigged single or treble is in play. DECEMBER 2016

2017 Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 14 MELBOURNE

Corey Gallagher

Since the Hobie’s humble beginnings in the 1950s shaping surfboards, the company has been synonymous with innovation and quality. Introducing a range of revolutionary products over the decades, no brand has impacted the kayak angling fraternity more than Hobie with the introduction of its Mirage Drive pedal propulsion system in 1997. Anglers quickly saw the potential of this new technology and in 2001, Hobie released the Mirage Outback, a purpose designed angling kayak that allowed anglers to propel the kayak using leg power, freeing up their hands to cast and retrieve. In 2009, Hobie went bigger and better with the introduction of the first Mirage Pro Angler 14. With its introduction they created a truly remarkable kayak that gave rise to tournament kayak angling across the globe. Over the years, Hobie have continued to upgrade various components, but the hull remains relatively unchanged since its initial release. This year I was fortunate enough to qualify for the Hobie Bream Series Australian Championships, 90

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held on the Gold Coast at the end of October. Each year, Hobie Australia provides all anglers who qualify for the championships with the latest model Pro Angler 14 for the duration of the tournament, so at this year’s event, competing anglers were the first in the country to test the 2017 Hobie Pro Angler 14 featuring the new Mirage Drive 180. The hull itself has remained unchanged from last year’s model. Featuring a sit on top, self-draining design, the hull measures 4.17m from bow to stern. With a 0.97m beam, the kayak is one of the largest single seat hulls on the market, and in this case, size has its advantages. Stability is a key feature of the hull. Anglers can easily stand in the kayak as they fish, giving the Pro Angler 14 a huge advantage over its rivals. It size and weight combined with aggressive bow angles mean the kayak cuts through small waves, chop and boat swell exceptionally well. It keeps the angler free from spray in most conditions. The major upgrade to the 2017 model is the addition of the Mirage Drive 180. The MD180 differs from past Mirage Drive units in its ability to move the kayak in reverse. For many years, this has been the thorn in Hobie’s side with more conventional pedal and

propeller propulsion systems in rival yaks always having this ability, at reduced power. Anglers can pull the reverse shift cable on the MD180 to pivot the fins 180°, allowing the kayak to be propelled in reverse at full power. Simply pull the forward shift cable to return the fins to their original position and continue. After spending three days testing the 2017 model in the Gold Coast Canals, I found this feature to be extremely useful. I could use the reverse feature to negate the effects of tide or winds that pushed me past the pontoon or pylon I wanted to cast at, which kept me in the zone longer. I also found that I could reverse when I was hooked-up to a fish. This allowed me to clear the fish of the structure before any potential bust offs. The new fin design produces more thrust so the angler can reach their spots faster. The second major upgrade on the 2017 model is the new Camo series. Camo Series Pro Angler 14s feature the new camo colour – an olive kayak with gray and black mottling throughout, and camo coloured, non-slip pedal pads and floor matting. These combine to create a striking kayak, both on and off the water. The other key feature that makes the Pro Angler a standout from its rivals is the

Vantage Seat, with three-way adjustment and two seat height adjustments – Hobie have taken comfort to a new level. The Lowrance Ready system remains in the 2017 model and allows anglers to easily mount compatible transducers on a built-in mount with through hull wiring plugs provided. This system can also accommodate Lowrance TotalScan Transducers, which solves the problem of anglers wanting to run side scan in their kayaks. The Hobie H-Rail system’s extruded aluminium dodecagon rail provides anglers with outstanding mounting options, without having to drill into the hull. The kayak also features a large front hatch with liner for even more storage options, six horizontal rod holders, dual steering control, replaceable mounting boards and side mesh pockets. Tournament and recreational kayak anglers worldwide have made Hobie the market leader, due to their continued commitment to quality and innovation. The 2017 Hobie Pro Angler 14 delivers yet again, retaining all of the proven features that have made it such a popular kayak in the past. With the edition of the MD180, their domination of the market is set to continue for years to come.

The major upgrade for 2017 – Hobie’s new Mirage Drive 180 allows anglers to pull one of two shift cables to pivot the fins 180°, instantly moving the drive into reverse and back again. SPECIFICATIONS Length Overall..................................................4.17m Beam ��0.97m Capacity ��272kg Vantage Seat Capacity �� 159kg Fitted Hull Weight ��55kg Fully Rigged Weight ��66kg Hull Construction ��Rotomolded Polyethylene RRP ��$4750 (Camo Series +$200)*

*Please note that the Mirage Pro Angler 14 featured in this article includes the following aftermarket accessories: Hobie XL Livewell, Lowrance Elite 5 Ti, Micro Power Pole and Power Pole mount.

This kayak sits high in the water. With aggressive bow angles, spray is deflected away from the angler, keeping them relatively dry even in choppy conditions.

The Vantage seat features three-way adjustment (base angle, back angle and lumbar support). Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the ultimate in kayak seat comfort. It also has two height adjustments, which allow anglers to lower the kayakâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s centre of gravity in choppy conditions, or give the angler a higher perspective when sight casting. The seating position and angler cockpit is large enough to accommodate any angler and store plenty of extra gear.

Stability is a key feature of the hull. Anglers can easily stand as they fish. This gives the Pro Angler 14 a huge advantage over its rivals.

Six horizontal rod tubes allow anglers to store more than enough rods aboard the kayak. Two additional vertical rod holders are moulded into the hull behind the seat position.

H-Rail is an extruded aluminium dodecagon rail mounting system that allows anglers to mount a plethora of accessories to their kayak, without the dramas associated with drilling into the hull. Available accessories include rod holders, tackle bins, cup holders and sounders.

The rectangular hatch in front of the seating position opens to reveal a pivoting tackle management system that has two Plano tackle trays (included). These provide anglers with quick, easy access to their go to lures.

The large rear cargo area provides anglers with the perfect platform to hold their tournament live wells or the H Crate Storage System. A bungee cord system allows for any added cargo to be secured.

The Camo Series Pro Angler model features camo coloured, non-slip floor mats. These mats provide anglers with a safe place to position their feet when standing in the kayak.

The retractable rudder is stowed with pull cords. The rudder is spring loaded and will simply fold back when it comes into contact with anything solid. This prevents damage and the drop down skeg can be deployed in tricky conditions, to help the kayak run straight. DECEMBER 2016

Aquayak Ranger an Aussie sportfishing kayak FMG

Peter Jung pjung@fishingmonthly.com.au

Aquayak Kayaks are Melbourne-based kayak manufacturers who pride themselves on producing high quality, value for money kayaks, made

As a relatively novice kayak user and angler, I was hoping that Justin could assist me to explain some of the features of the kayak I was using, which was the Aquayak Ranger. The Ranger and Snapper Pro are the two fishing specific kayaks that Aquayak produces. That’s

which is the smallest of the range at 2.7m. He was more than happy with what it had to offer – you can read his review in the October issue of this magazine. FIRST IMPRESSIONS The Ranger is a large kayak, but it can be handled by one person. Weighing in at 25kg, I suggest you

Pumicestone Passage was a great location to test the Aquayak Ranger kayak. A morning glass-out made it a pleasure to go for a paddle. using Australian plastic, which is UV certified and guaranteed not to crack or fade. This guarantee is supported by a fiveyear warranty on all of their kayaks. My first opportunity to try one out was with Justin Wilmer, an experienced kayaker and contributor to Fishing Monthly magazines, on the beautiful waters of the Pumicestone Passage.

not to say they don’t have other kayaks that can be fished from, as every model of their yaks includes two inbuilt flush rod holders. The Snapper Pro (includes the fishing kit) and the Scout (has the option of a fishing kit) are great small to mid sized yaks with plenty of desirable options to get you out fishing. On the day we went out, Justin was using the Snapper Pro,

The hull of the Ranger is a little different to other kayaks. Based on a catamaran hull it provides excellent tracking and stability. 92

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have another person around to load and unload it from your vehicle and to assist with getting it to the water. However, with a bit of care and a trolley, all could be achieved by one person. For me, the most important thing was the layout of the Ranger. The seating was comfortable, with enough legroom for all 6’2” of me. The storage is more than ample with a forward and rear well with luggage stretches. These provide plenty of room for a small esky and any tackle you may want to take. There’s also a central storage hatch with a bag to keep your essentials dry. Aquayak uses Railblaza systems for their rod holders and mounts. The flexibility that Railblaza systems create is exceptional. The miniports in conjunction with the accessory tracks provide multiple positions for your rod holders, sounder and other electronics. They’re easy to use and fail-safe should you happen to have a tumble – they aren’t going anywhere.

I also enjoyed the two in-built rod holders directly behind either side of the seat. I used one to hold a second rod and the other to secure my net, with the rod I used sitting between my feet. This kept everything handy when I needed it. RIDE AND HANDLING The hull of the Ranger is a little different to any other kayak I have seen. Based on a catamaran hull, there is a channel that runs the length of the kayak, with a secondary hull either side of it. It provides additional stability at rest and excellent tracking while paddling and drifting. I definitely tested the stability component of the kayak. While taking a few pictures of one of Justin’s fish, I leaned just that little bit too far. I didn’t end up in the drink, but my sunglasses did. Another novice mistake was leaning out a little too far to net a hooked fish. I’m sure Justin felt he’d be fishing me out of the drink at some point, but he didn’t have to – a fact that I put down to how user friendly the Ranger is. Paddling the kayak was a pleasure. It was reasonably quick across the water and little or no correction was required to track straight. This tracking also translated while drifting and minimal adjustment was required. In fact, it was almost too good, as when I hooked an unstoppable fish, it proceeded to go one way and the kayak the other. Justin again explained that pointing the rod tip to the front of the kayak would have brought the nose around and then the fish could have happily towed me around. Maybe next time! When we started we had a glassed out morning, but when it was time to head

The Aquayak Ranger has plenty of storage space with forward and rear wells that have luggage stretches, plus a waterproof hatch with bag. home, a bit of breeze and a strong run out tide provided a better test for the hull. The Ranger passed this test with flying colours and I got back to our launching point with minimal fuss. FISHABILITY I enjoyed fishing from the Ranger. The majority of my angling is about casting lures or soft plastics and I was able to do this

comfortably. We spent nearly six hours on the water on test day in the kayaks. At no point did I feel that I needed a break from the seat. I felt safe and when I got off the water, I looked forward to the next opportunity to go out again. The practical setup of the Ranger had a lot to do with that. I didn’t have to think too much. I just

FEATURES Comfort seat, double paddle, large rear storage well, forward storage well, anchor well, paddle clip, centre hatch with bag, four heavy duty carry handles, three accessory tracks, two Railblaza miniports, two flush rod holders and two Railblaza rod holder Rs.

SPECIFICATIONS Length �� 3.7m Width �� 0.9m Weight �� 25kg Capacity �� 170kg Price ��$999.00 plus shipping • There are several colour options available.

A bit of friendly advice from Justin had the author pointing the rod tip to the front to make it easier to fight a fish.

The Railblaza systems that Aquayak Kayaks use are exceptional. The versatility they provide means every angler can adjust it to their needs. enjoyed what I was doing and where I was. Many of the areas we fished would have been

accessible by boat, but the ability of the Ranger to access little pockets of deep water on very shallow flats was

really exciting and fruitful. On a couple of occasions I could easily have touched the bottom with my hand,

and yet the Ranger didn’t hit bottom at all. Unfished water is the aim of any angler and this stealth contributed to a great experience on the day. We had dugongs, dolphins and turtles happily playing around us as we fished. CONCLUSION The Aquayak Ranger offers a lot for its price tag of $999.00, plus delivery. It would be ideally suited to any inland waterways, small estuary systems, bays, inlets, lakes and dams. It’s a large kayak with the capacity to hold up to 170kg, so it’s perfect for an average to larger person and all they would need for a longer trip. It’s a pleasure to paddle and is stable enough that anglers of all levels would be comfortable using it. The Railblaza accessories are outstanding and compliment everything that the team at Aquayak is trying to achieve with this kayak. Considering that the Aquayak Ranger comes with everything you need to start your kayak fishing endeavors, for me it represents great value for money. To find out more on the Aquayak Ranger and the other kayaks in their range, you can go to www.aquayak.com or contact them on (03) 9357 9992 to find your nearest retailer.

One very happy author with his first fish caught from the Aquayak Ranger kayak. NEW RELEASE INCLUSIONS AND OPTIONS Since testing the Ranger, Aquayak has made a few changes to the to its design. They are continually striving to improve the performance of their kayaks. Aluminum frame fishing seat.....................optional Rudder and foot control..............................optional Fishing seat recesses............................... inclusion Transducer recess (below hull)................ inclusion Foot brace/ rudder control recess........... inclusion Rudder mount recesses............................ inclusion

Manufactured in Melbourne, Victoria

SNAPPER PRO

599

Access to unfished water is what kayak fishing is all about. A pocket of deeper water on a very shallow bank produced numerous fish. “See our website or call to find a dealer near you.”

LE OPTION AVAILAB

RANGER

999

ALL KAYAKS...

The author was sure Justin felt he would be fishing him out of the drink at some point during the day. It was testament to the kayak’s stability that even while leaning over a little too far to net this fish, he stayed high and dry.

• Stable with great tracking • Quality workmanship • UV certified plastic • A variety of colour options • Fishing/Non fishing models • 10 Year warranty on construction • Guaranteed not to crack or fade • Ability to option up any model

THE SCOUT

OPTION AVAILAB LE

From

699

* Torqeedo Ultralight 403 1HP - Electric Motor Option on some models • Torqeedo Ultralight 403 $ 1HP - Electric motor option on some models Not Fit

2750 ted

21B Randor Street, Cambellfield, Victoria 3061

Ph: (03) 9357 9992 – www.aquayak.com DECEMBER 2016

Torqeedo Ultralight revolutionises kayaking FMG

Peter Jung pjung@fishingmonthly.com.au

Earlier in the year, Fishing Monthly Magazines attended the launch of three of Torqeedo’s electric outboard motors by their Australian distributer, Power Equipment. German manufactured Torqeedo is recognised as a leader in the field of electric motor technology. In particular for their attention to detail when comes to minimizing battery use, while maximizing output. At the time we were impressed by what we saw and looked forward to getting our hands on them to put them through their paces. After catching up with Jason Hodder from Power Equipment and Paul Varasdi from Aquayak Kayak at this year’s Melbourne Boat Show, I organised with them to ship an Aquayak Scout kayak with a Torqeedo Ultralight 403 1hp fitted to be sent to our office. Once it arrived, we quickly organised to go to Hinze Dam in the hinterland of the Gold Coast to see if it would meet our expectations. TORQEEDO ULTRALIGHT 403 IN A NUTSHELL This outboard is designed to be mounted on a kayak. A universal 94

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mounting ball means that it can be attached to most brands of kayaks and the partnerships Torqeedo has with numerous well-known kayak brands overseas is a testament to this. Aquayak, a Melbournebased kayak manufacturer, is their Australian partner. They offer two models, which are ideally suited to having the Ultralight 403 fitted to them, which are the Scout and Ranger kayaks. Weighing in at just 7.3kg including the battery, the Ultralight, as the name suggests, doesn’t add a significant amount of weight to your kayak. In the case of the Scout kayak we tested it with, the total weight still falls well under 30kg, meaning it can still be man handled by one person. Included when you purchase a 403 is the outboard, high performance 320Wh lithium battery with integrated computer and GPS, throttle with display, mounting ball, charger, magnetic kill switch and a bag for it to go in. The cost is $2750. Spare batteries can also be purchased, or you could option of the solar charger, which allows you to charge the battery while you are using the kayak. BATTERY LIFE The million-dollar question when it comes to any electric motor is how long will the battery last?

Jason Hodder provided me with some pretty impressive figures from when the 403 was attached to a similar sized kayak to the Scout. At slow speed (approximately 4km/h) you can get a range of 35km or a battery life of just under 8.5 hours. Half throttle (approximately 6km/h) has a range of 25km or just over 4 hours of use. Full throttle (approximately 9km/h) provides a range of 7km and just under 1 hour of use. During our test at Hinze we were on the water for 4 hours. About 10% of this time would have been at full throttle and the rest was as you would use it in a normal fishing situation, and the unit only used 18% of the battery. That says to me that you could expect to get a couple of days on the water from the battery, as long as you don’t go full noise too often. To fully charge the battery from empty takes around 5 hours. The beauty of lithium batteries, other than how light they are, is the fact that they have no charging memory. This means you can charge them after every use and not worry about diminishing the capacity of the battery. ON THE WATER Hinze Dam was the perfect location to test the 403. It is a picturesque waterway in the hinterland behind the Gold Coast that

has very good bass fishing and watercraft can only be electric or paddle powered. As a ‘crawl before you walk’ type person, I had some reservations prior to launching in the eastern arm of the dam. The biggest being, how many times was I going to end up in the drink while I was getting used having the Ultralight powering the kayak? I needn’t have worried, once I deployed the 403, using a toggle system on the side of the kayak it only took me 5-10 minutes to get a feel for the pulley steering, the throttle, and then you couldn’t stop me after that. In many cases power was your friend. Turning from a stationary position was much easier when you applied a bit more throttle. This turned the nose of the kayak quickly and set you on your way. The steering is simple and I was very quickly negotiating my way around the abundant timber of the east arm of the dam. The motor also has reverse, which was great to position yourself when casting and also to get away from structure when you hooked a fish. I can hear everybody asking about what it performed like at full throttle. The answer is really well. It got up to a fraction under 11km/h (5.8 knots) and still handled and steered beautifully! At the end of

our session on the water, I decided it was time to be a bit more daring and test out what would happen if I lent back or sideways at speed (expecting to end up in the water). Impressively, the kayak either banked left or right , dependending on which way I leant, and was easily corrected once your weight was centred again. No swimming in Hinze Dam for this puppy! Should you have a spill, the magnetic kill switch that you attached to your lifejacket or arm will automatically turn the motor off. CONCLUSION I can think of numerous occasions I would have loved to have an option like the Torqeedo Ultralight 403 for my kayak over the years. The first that comes to mind is Googong Dam just outside my hometown of Canberra. We were very limited with our electric motor options when I was fishing there, and the 403 would have been the ultimate bonus to get us to some amazing fishing, even all the way back then. Extended trips on rivers is another scenario where the Ultralight would provide the icing on the cake so to speak. You have all the stealth a kayak provides, with the bonus of paddling less and returning to areas, knowing that time constraints are less of an issue.

However, I digress. There are many positives the Torqeedo Ultralight 403 provides. The first and foremost outside of the places it can take you is how light the unit and battery is. Matched with the Aquayak Scout, it is a one-person fishing machine. The simplicity of the steering and the deployment of the unit suited the simple person using it and makes using it achievable for any person. It should be noted that there is also the option to have it attached to your existing steering system). I think I would add a solar charger as an option if I were to purchase a unit. I love the thought of the battery charging while I am out on the water. You also couldn’t help but be impressed by how frugal the motor was with its battery use. This just backed up the claim that Torqeedo is at the forefront of electric motor technology. If you are a kayak owner or somebody who would like an electric motor option, you don’t need to look any further than the Torqeedo Ultralight 403. To find out more about the Ultralight 403 and the range of Torqeedo motors you can visit the Power Equipment website www. powerequipment.com.au/ products/torqeedo or through Aquayak kayaks at www. aquayak.com.

Fishing success for the author with a nice little Hinze Dam bass. The Torqeedo Ultralight 403 is a 1hp electric motor that can be attached to most kayaks.

Aquayak kayaks have two kayaks that they fit the Torqeedo onto, the Scout (tested) and the Ranger.

The author found the steering to be very easy to use and ended up negotiating the timbered areas of Hinze with ease.

The lithium battery that comes with the unit is compact and lightweight, which means it is perfect for this kind of application.

The Torqeedo was easily deployed with a simple toggle system.

Simple is always best and the throttle unit is easy to use. It has forward and reverse and provides battery usage information as well as speed.

The universal mounting ball provided with the unit allows the 403 to be fitted easily to a kayak. DECEMBER 2016

Welcoming the weed BRISBANE

Justin Willmer Find me on Facebook at Yaks On

Weed – we curse it, pick it off our baits and lures and avoid locations because of its presence. For fish

sand, rubble patches, fallen timber or deeper sections of the flat. Berley can also bring the fish out of their hiding places in the weed. The berley can be made up of small pieces of your chosen bait, such as fish flesh, mullet gut, chicken

berley – just use small, fairly regular portions to draw the fish into your strike zone. When targeting some species, including gar, a berley bag attached to a rope and floated out the back of the yak can be effective, especially when

Weed and lilies are a part of impoundment fishing, so carry some weedless options when targeting bass, yellowbelly and other freshwater species.

That is some serious weed! Be prepared when visiting new locations. though, weed beds offer shelter, increased warmth and also salinity levels in the salt, along with a home for the creatures that they feed on like prawns, crabs, baitfish and snails. For kayak anglers weed beds are readily available and close to launch points. You’ll often have them to yourself as boat anglers avoid the weed and venture further afield into deeper waters. The question remains, how do we fish this weed effectively without it continually fouling our baits and lures? BAIT FISHING Floats One way to prospect the weed with baits is to use a float and suspend your bait just above the weed. Either

made up of an A-Just-A Bubble Float, a unique float that uses a simple twist of the top cap to twist its internal surgical rubber tube onto the line, locking it in place with no need for stoppers or knots – there’s no damage to your line.

A few weedless jighead options. The top one is unweighted for fishing surface, the second is belly weighted for a slow, natural horizontal sink, and the third is head weighted for a head down and tail up feeding action.

Water can be added to the float to increase casting distance. Split shot can be added to the line below the float if required. This cocks the float to minimise the resistance when a fish attempts to pull the float under. Float fishing can be extremely visible, fun and effective when working the weed. Other Rigging Options Another rigging option

Quality polarised sunnies cut the glare off the water and make it easier to spot fish, bait and structure, such as rubble, logs, drains and depressions in the weed flat.

Two consecutive casts, one with a standard jighead and the other with a weedless jighead. I know which one the fish is more likely to eat! allow the bait to drift across the weed flat or anchor and drift your float out to target specific structure such as 96

DECEMBER 2016

gut, prawns or yabbies, mixed with sand, bread, prawn shells and other scraps. Don’t overdo the

you float your bait back within close proximity to the berley bag. I use a simple float rig

to keep your baits up and out of the weed is a dropper rig, set up with a sinker at the end of your line, and a baited hook or two on dropper loops further up the line. This means your sinker will be down in amongst the weed, while your baits are positioned around the top of the weed, attracting the attention of hungry predators. Fishing unweighted

The buoyancy of the ZMan plastics makes them ideal for weedless rigging. This rig looks like a baitfish feeding nose down in the sand, just waiting for a bream or flathead to pounce.

baits is another option. These unweighted baits slowly sink, often get eaten on the drop and tend to settle on top of the weed, rather than sinking deep amongst the weed. Load the hook up with bait to minimise hook point exposure and fouling. LURES FISHING Surface Lures A sure way to avoid the weed is to fish a surface lure, whether it’s an unweighted soft plastic, popper, walker, paddler, fizzer or other. It’s amazing the variety of species that will eat a surface presentation, especially in shallow water, including obvious targets such as bass, saratoga and barramundi in the fresh, along with bream and pelagic species in the salt. Lighten Up When fishing soft plastics, heavier jigheads

will plummet to the bottom quicker, punching through weed and burying themselves deep in the thick of it. Lighter jigheads allow the soft plastic to flutter down slower and more naturally, to settle on top of the weed rather than punching through to the bottom and fouling heavily. On sandier bottoms I’ll often fish a 1/4oz jighead and fish it faster. It should bump into the bottom to send up puffs of sand and mud to attract the attention of predators. Switch to a weedy bottom

slightly embedding the hook point in the plastic. The downside of this is that

Some anglers would turn around and go home if they were greeted by this at their launch point, but it’s all about being prepared.

Rolling soft plastics across the top of the weed is a deadly technique for targeting bream. The little ZMan 2” CrusteaZ did the job, rolled above the weed with the rod tip up. Bream have only one way to go in shallow water, so it’s long, fast runs across the weed flats before you get them anywhere near the kayak. and I’ll change to a 1/8oz jighead, fish slower and allow the plastic bump the weed or settle on it before imparting a few more hops or twitches. Rip It Depending on the type of weed you fish, a sharp rip of the plastic can dislodge the weed from the lure, attract the attention of predators and imitate a prawn or baitfish that has flicked out of the weed in an attempt to escape. This technique can trigger some brutal strikes, as predators react to the sharply fleeing

you can compromise the hook-up rate. The kayak is the perfect

prey and pounce. Roll With It Another effective technique when fishing soft plastics in weedy areas is to roll them just above the weed, rather than hopping them off the bottom. Predatory species will often lay in the weed and burst out to attack bait that ventures too close. Simply count the plastic down until it hits the weed, and on the next cast, count it down and commence your retrieve before it contacts the weed. In water under a metre deep, you can commence your retrieve immediately.

is revealed and hopefully the fish is hooked. You can increase the snagless properties of this rig – just pinch the back of the plastic a little and pull it up onto the hook point,

Weed is a structure that holds food, shelter, warmth and the predators that search for this. That’s a lot of weed, but it’s also a lot of crabs, prawns, snails, worms and other food items that attract predatory species.

Even this small flounder had no problem shifting the plastic to find the hook point. The hook-up rate is still excellent when using fine gauge weedless jigheads. Keep the pauses short and the plastic moving.

The author with an early morning flathead pinned on a TT SnakelockZ Finesse weedless jighead. A couple of feet of water, a weedy drain and a weedless jighead is a sure fire recipe for a flathead.

If you aren’t catching, mix it up until you find what works. This may include varying retrieve speeds or pausing occasionally to allow the plastic to make contact with the weed. I prefer plastics with plenty of action, such as curltails or paddle-tails when rolling above the weed, as they send out plenty of vibration and alert predators to their approach. WEEDLESS RIGGING When snot weed fills the system or when prospecting weedy areas, the biggest saviour for me has been weedless jigheads. Weedless jigheads allow you to rig your soft plastic so that the barb and hook point are pulled down against the top of the plastic to minimise fouling. This is an extremely effective way to fish timber, weed and other structure. When the fish strikes the soft plastic, the hook point

Blades are another effective option when rolled across the top of the weed, as they create plenty of flash and vibration.

vessel for fishing weed flats flooded by the tide. Combine the low profile and minimal shadow cast by the kayak with the stealth factor and we can cruise these flats in less than a metre of water in search of waiting predators. I’ve had many sessions as the water flows from the flats, fishing in shallow water, and caught bream from slight depressions in the flat and flathead from amongst the sand and rubble patches, while the boats are a hundred metres away fishing the channels. Keep an ear and an eye out for bait movement, fish feeding and other signs of life, along with structure on the flats, such as drains, logs and depressions that can hold bait, create eddies and act as ambush points for predators. Don’t curse the weed, embrace it and welcome the structure, bait and fishing opportunities that it offers us. Be prepared, have a rod rigged for bait or lure fishing the weed, and you could soon find that you have a few new favourite fishing spots, without the crowds.

Fish heaven – a drain, weed, rubble and plenty of food on the weed flat by the look of the birds feeding. Bring on the run-in tide. DECEMBER 2016

Beautiful Barrington River bass CANBERRA

Toby Grundy

I first heard about the Barrington River from my brother-in-law, a dairy farmer who lives just outside the town of Gloucester, an hour from Newcastle. We

the usual amenities including cafes, restaurants, a couple of good supermarkets and a petrol station, along with kayak and canoe hire at Barrington Outdoor Adventures on the outskirts of town. We hired a canoe here and found the process really easy. I also took my own kayak.

A selection of lures with a bit of green works well.

A good pair of polaroids is important, especially when fishing dawn and dusk. were talking about his farm and I asked what kind of fish lived in the local rivers. He said there were mullet, herring and perch. When I pressed him, he explained that locals call them perch but most others call them bass. I have visited Gloucester about a dozen times and fished the Barrington three times. For me, it’s one of the most exciting, challenging and frustrating bass fisheries in NSW. For those who are up for an adventure, it is absolutely sensational when the bass are on the bite. FACILITIES Tackle is hard to come by in Gloucester. In fact, the only indication that you are in a bass town is the wall of Australian timber lures, which sit in a back corner of the general store. You’ll need to bring your own gear and lots of it, as there are heaps

The Barrington River runs right near Gloucester and intersects with the Gloucester River about five minutes from town, meaning there are good launching spots scattered around the local campgrounds and near the main bridges with parking available. Getting the kayak in the water is relatively easy. One of the most exciting things about the river is the white water. The place is packed with kayak enthusiasts when the river is high, because the rapids are a lot of fun. However, they can also be dangerous if you are inexperienced. Make sure you use all necessary safety gear including a life jacket. If you’re unsure, grab a guide for the day and explore the river before you fish it. We hit the rapids in a two-man canoe and didn’t tip. I’ve also run the river in my Native Slayer 13 and it

A small bass caught using an AC Invader. of snags in the river, while the larger mullet and bass bend hooks and sometimes completely destroy lures. That said, the town has all 98

DECEMBER 2016

handled the rapids with ease. It’s important to remember that farmers in the region own properties which extend right up to the centre of the riverbed.

They don’t own the water, but they do own the riverbed. If you decide to get out of your kayak, either do so in a public section of the river or get the landowner’s permission. I’ve heard of some nasty confrontations on the river and the bottom line is that the river represents the farmer’s livelihood and their ownership should be respected at all times. Besides, there are plenty of public areas to stop and rest. SPECIES The Barrington River holds healthy populations of Australian bass, freshwater mullet, herring, catfish and eels.

shimmy, so AC Invaders and other Aussie brands like GR are always my first choice. Give the lure three quick cranks to get it swimming at the right depth and then slow roll the lure back to your yak. Usually the bass hit on the first few winds, especially if you cast your offering close to a good snag. I’ve had two hook-ups on surface and converted neither. In the first instance, I was casting a Jackall Hamakuru in rainbow trout and then slowly winding it back to my position. On the other occasion, I cast out a Tiemco soft shell cicada and was playing with my line

A stunning bass as it’s released. The larger eels don’t seem even remotely frightened of humans. I had one follow my kayak for about 20m and at one stage, he gave my rudder a nudge before swimming away. TECHNIQUES At this point, I want to stress that I’m no expert and am still very much learning to fish this river. I’ve pulled a dozen fish from the Barrington and lost a similar number. These techniques are the ones that have worked for me so far, but there are so many more I can’t wait to try. Soft plastics work well in the 65mm and 80mm sizes. Wrigglers and shads seem to get the most bites, but prawn imitations also get the fish on the chew. Allowing the plastic to sink next to the snag and then twitching the lure on the wind in with a few added pauses along the way can get some good results. Crash divers are also an effective lure, especially ones that dive to around 3m. Bass seem to favour divers with a wide sway rather than a tight

when the bass hit. Locals have told me the surface bite can be incredible, but I’m yet to experience it. HOT TIP: The first time I fished Barrington I came back with a donut and was lamenting my experience to a local farmer who I met on my way home. He asked me what colour lure I was using and when I told him, he laughed and said it should be green or nothing. Since then, I’ve mostly used green coloured lures or slight variations and done quite well. THE KAYAK OR CANOE I use my Native Slayer Propel 13 on the river, but I leave the pedals at home and use a paddle. The large boulders which sit in the middle of the river come close to surface and would destroy the propeller. The kayak was very stable, able to cope with the rapids and also had a lot of storage, which is important as you tend to use a lot of gear and need to pack plenty of food and water. We rented an old Coleman

There are plenty of public areas to take a break and cast from the bank. Canoe and though it was heavy and a bit of a nuisance, I could see its value after the first set of rapids. They’re very sturdy and simple – perfect for this type of fishing. It was great to have one angler casting in the front while the other steered into or away from snags. LOCATIONS If you see a snag, give it a go. Even the smallest, halfsubmerged shrub can hold a fish. Bass seem to favour the slower pools and hold more off the logs than the stones, but don’t go past a snag without trying it out. If you think it looks fishy, it most likely is. Not a lot of people fish Barrington, so many snags remain untouched for months. It pays to try them all. TACKLE The Barrington River is about as unforgiving as it gets. Tight snags, rapids and over hanging trees can destroy rod tips, leader and reels. If you tip, your reel and rod have to be able to survive and have to work as well wet as dry. I recommend using a stiff rod with plenty of power in the butt. It doesn’t have to

Freams 2000, which again, isn’t very expensive but has a smooth drag and can cope with the odd dunking. I use good quality 8lb braid and 10lb fluorocarbon leader. Bring along a good pair of polaroid sunglasses. The water is crystal clear and with a good set of sunnies, it’s possible to see right down into a snag. The visual aspect of fishing the Barrington is one of the reasons why it’s so amazing. Watching a bass charge from under a log and belt a lure is heart stopping stuff. I use Spotters Grit with penetrator lenses. These are great for low light fishing both at dawn and dusk, right when the bass are usually biting. TIMING Barrington fishes well from November through to February with another flurry again in April. Speaking to some of the locals, it became clear that the really big specimens to 45cm+ are usually caught once the water warms up and the river slows, which is after Christmas. Most of my fish have been taken around these times.

The Barrington is one of the clearest, most picturesque and challenging rivers that I have come across. be particularly expensive but should be able to cope with an absolute hammering while still having a bit of finesse for working plastics. I use a Generation Black Pinster by Daiwa because it’s short at 6’4, so it doesn’t clip as many of the branches. It’s as tough as they come and doesn’t have a lot of bend, so I’m able to engage the fish almost instantly – this is important as they can get back into a snag very quickly. I coupled the rod with a Daiwa

CONCLUSION If you’re up for challenge, enjoy fishing in remote locations and are prepared to spend a few days searching for Australia’s best freshwater fighting fish, the Barrington River is for you. I can’t say that it’s easy, but it’s genuinely exciting and the scenery is some of the most beautiful stuff I have come across. This is one of those areas where you take only photos and leave only the wake of water behind you.

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Dynabait worms are an all-natural, freeze-dried bait. Just soak them in water, and within minutes they’re ready to go! As soon as they hit the water, they release a potent mix of hormones and enzymes that fish can’t resist. These worms are dynamite on bream, whiting, bass, flathead, blackfish, cod, yellowbelly, trevally and many more! Dynabait Bloodworms, Tubeworms and Sandworms are available at all good tackle stores.

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What’s New BOATING

BAR CRUSHER C SERIES

Almost every model in Bar Crusher’s popular cuddy cabin (C) series is now built on the company’s industry-leading Gen2 hull. This innovative hull has a wider negative chine running forward, optimised wider chine aft and the distinctive Delta Flare – a complex V-shaped planing plank that starts wider at the transom and narrows as it runs forward. The result is greater hydrodynamic lift for more efficient planing and improved fuel economy, a higher bow attitude and better spray deflection. Testing has shown that the 490C, 535C, 575C and 615C received significant performance benefit from this hull (the larger 670C is built on Bar Crusher’s high-performance deep-V hull). Other recent innovations include: Game Lock coaming (575C, 615C and 670C); a new bowsprit for easier anchoring in unfavourable conditions; upgraded bow rails and grab rails on some models; and a removable livebait tank (490C). Toughened safety glass windscreens are standard across the C series, which fold down – along with the bimini top or gas-strut hard roof – to reduce on-trailer height by up to 1m. www.barcrusher.com.au

BOLD LOOK FOR NEW RACERS

Mercury Racing has released a new look for its 250 XS and 300 XS outboards. By combining high power and torque with ultra-light weight, the 250 XS and 300 XS engines are in high demand around the world. The 250 XS, a low-emissions 2-Stroke, outperforms competitive 250hp engines in a variety of categories including fuel economy, mid-range acceleration and top speed. Its Sport Master gearcase, designed for lighter hulls capable of speeds in excess of 135 km/h, features a crescent, leading-edge housing with low water pickups. This enables the 250 XS to run at elevated transom heights for maximum engine rpm, hydrodynamic efficiency and top-end speeds. Available with 20”, 25” and 30” midsections, the 300 XS isn’t restricted to ski boats. A custom designed exhaust adapter plate – with built-in appendages for mounting after-market steering wing plates – enable the 300 XS to be used safely on high-speed multi-engine catamarans and vee-bottom boats as well. www.mercuryracing.com

BLA BIMINIS

BLA’s premium quality biminis are rated to 40 knots when fully open, have a 100% polyester top and a bimini sock and rear. Support arms are included. When determining what size to order, all you need to do is decide what length top covers the portion of your boat you want covered, e.g. 1.65m or 2.4m. The pivotal mounting point will be approximately at the centre point of the top of each side of the boat. The supplied deck mounts are designed to mount on a relatively flat horizontal surface. Side mounts and instructions are included as well. The next step is to measure the distance between these mounting points to determine the width of top you need. While standing inside the boat, measure from the pivotal mounting point straight up to determine desired height. Once you have all the measurements, go to the BLA website and select one from the sizing chart. Price: from SRP $270 www.bla.com.au

FISHING PRODUCT GUIDE

SIMRAD GO9 XSE

The new Simrad GO9 XSE has multi-touch controls similar to smart devices, and users can view charts, add waypoints and see key information on a large 9” screen. The GO9 XSE is fully compatible with Simrad Broadband 3G/4G radar systems and features an internal 10Hz GPS receiver, StructureScan HD and CHIRP Sonar, autopilot integration, full audio entertainment connectivity with SonicHub2, built-in wireless connectivity, and a Simrad TripIntel trip computer. Fuel range overlaid on charts, current and future tide levels, and a detailed history of previous trips – including the route taken and how the boat performed – are all provided by TripIntel functionality. The GO9 XSE connects to NMEA 2000 compatible equipment, and a wide range of cartography options are available. Anglers can take advantage of the built-in sonar by simply adding a suitable transducer. A scrollable depth history view allows boaters to track back and easily set waypoints. Price: SRP $1899-$2049 www.simrad-yachting.com

SUZUKI DF150AP AND DF175AP

The Haines Group, distributors of Suzuki outboards, has announced the release of Suzuki’s new high performance, 4-cylinder DF150AP/DF175AP 4-strokes. Repackaged with the latest refinements and innovations as seen in the DF200AP (released April 2015), the DF150AP and DF175AP offer the same lightweight and compact design while boasting the largest displacement in their respective classes (2867cm3). Equipped with the same 2.9L ‘Big Block’ in-line 4-cylinder DOHC engine, the new outboards also feature a higher 10.2:1 compression ratio, generating more power to deliver exceptional acceleration and low-end torque. The motors can be configured for either regular or counter-clockwise operation. Options available with the DF150AP/ DF175AP include the new Suzuki Precision Manoeuvring joystick system, which uses Suzuki Precision Control to provide fully integrated electronic throttle, shift, steering and joystick control for a seamless driving experience and greater manoeuvrability, no matter the condition or speed. www.suzukimarine.com.au

SAVAGE RAPTOR PRO

New and improved, the Savage Raptor Pro range includes 405, 425 and 445 models and offers budget-conscious boaties a serious fishing machine. All models have front and rear carpeted casting platforms and two rod holders as standard. The wide chines result in incredible stability at rest and underway, meaning the Raptor Pros will be one of the softest riding tinnies on the water. The vee-nose hull design allows you to venture further into shallow water. The open layout allows for plenty of deck space and storage so you can easily move about when fighting a fish. Savage National Account Manager Jason Draeger said the Raptor Pro range is perfect for any angler whether entry level or pro. “The Raptor Pros come with everything needed for a day out fishing but can be optioned up to suit your exact need and budget with extras such as a live bait tank, rod storage pockets, casting platform storage bins and customisable vinyl wrap,” Jason said. www.savageboats.com.au

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This section in NSW Fishing Monthly consolidates the trades and services in your area that are relevant to your fishing and boating. Whether you’re a local looking for more options or a travelling angler fishing around the state, this guide will direct you to reputable businesses in the area you’re searching.

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Tame those boat ramp terrors BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

In contrast to purchasing a first motorcar, boat ownership seems to involve a bit of stress. First there are new rules to consider. There’s the boat ramp – the place where the boat will enter or leave the water. Who would believe that boats pass each other on opposite sides to cars? Or that a beacon’s shape and colour dictates on which side the boat should pass, when moving towards or

for old hands at the game, but for many of us, there are some minefields to negotiate en route. It’s all a bit daunting, but practice makes perfect that’s for sure. Remember, if a new crewmember is along on the trip, explain what needs to be done as easily as possible so there are no glitches. A study of boat ramps reveals that they are as widely dissimilar as the boats using them. Width and slope varies, which means that some ramps are always easy to use and others are only easy when things are just right. Some are just plain bad, with

Features that make a ramp great can be as simple as neat bits of beach adjoining it and a pontoon where the boat can be held for a spell after launch, or while waiting for the car to back down for retrieval. Varying degrees of user friendliness come from such things as a ramp’s exposure to wind and tide, the degree of slope or if there is a sudden drop off at the end, if the ramp is dangerously slippery or easy going underfoot, and of course, how busy it is at the time. All these variables are common, so the trick is to be forewarned and forearmed.

A pontoon beside a boat ramp adds a very high degree of userfriendliness and also makes it easy to comfortably wait in turn. away from a major port. These scenarios both seem to cause worry, especially for the new boat owners in our ranks, so we’ll look at ways to overcome those concerns.

rock or mud either side, or a thick covering of slick slime to upset the unwary. A well-constructed ramp will allow the boat owner to easily turn around above it to reverse down and will have

LOOK BEFORE YOU LAUNCH A look at the ramp before first launch is a very easy way of assessing the lay of the land. It takes so little to do it. This is easy enough when the

expectations to catch a barra on fly were so high, that if we didn’t catch a big barra, we’d be very disappointed indeed. The lake was down in water level to the extent that a 50m skinny concrete strip had to be negotiated prior to the tinny coming off the trailer. At times like that it sure pays to be able to reverse. More on this tender topic later! Checking out the ramp prior to launch is a brilliant plan. A glance at the rigging area where the boat is made ready out of other people’s way, is wise, as is taking time to see what other people do if the ramp is a tricky devil. Note how wind and tide affect a boat as it comes off the trailer, how deep the area close to the ramp appears to be when someone is walking the boat away to the side just as you or one of your team might do.

It’s not hard to assess that launching at the end of this ramp will involve some teamwork to keep the craft under control when it leaves the trailer. tow hook, it will really gallop back and there are two likely bad outcomes here. The first will see the expensive transducer destroyed by hard contact with the ramp as the craft takes off backwards and the stern dips momentarily under. The second scenario involves the person hanging onto the rope being pulled almost into

can be a far cry from a retrieval with wind and a strong tidal flow, which combine to make things far from easy. CONFIDENT REVERSING REQUIRES PRACTICE With tie down straps removed, the engine freed from it’s locked up transportation position and all bungs in place, and with

This ramp is sheltered by break walls all around, so there should be no issues with launch or retrieve other than keeping the glass off the concrete. THINGS TO THINK ABOUT Let’s face it – tin boats are more friendly around a ramp than a glass boat. I use either style of boats at times and I know which is the carefree option to handle on a ramp. It’s just not smart to grind fibreglass into concrete.

the water or at least having an arm stretched painfully as the strain comes on hard. Beware, if the boat is a large one, takes things gently. It may be better to lower it with the winch, unhook it when it’s just leaving the trailer and if it means the feet get wet, so be it.

the boat lined up straight at the top of the ramp, it’s time to reverse. Reversing boat trailers is not, as far as I can ascertain, an instinctive human skill. Practice is the trick – there’s nothing at all wrong with taking the boat to an appropriate place with plenty

The ramp at Cabbage Tree Point on a very calm day – unfortunately, there’s no guarantee things will be this calm when it’s time to leave the water. When the Kapten Waverider left the ramp at Mooloolaba, it was moved straight onto the adjacent beach. What could be easier? LEAVING THE TRAILER Launching a boat sounds so simple – the boat is backed down the ramp and off she goes. That certainly happens 104

DECEMBER 2016

a gradient, plus sufficient width, that allows the boater to keep an eye on things as the boat is reversed towards the water.

ramp is local! Keen anglers love to travel to new places to fish. This brings to mind some trips to Lake Awoonga, back in the days when our

And on the topic of grinding things into concrete, never let a larger boat whizz back off the trailer on the end of a rope, which it will do if the trailer is a multi roller job. Once the winch strap hook and shackle are released from the boat’s

In fact, the size of the craft comes right into the picture. Once a boat is over 5m in length you need a game plan before you launch, and another for when it comes time to retrieve it. A launch in dead calm full tide conditions

of room, setting up a few old aluminium cans as markers and practice reversing by watching the mirrors. Start with the boat as straight as possible – that’s the clue for beginners – and as soon as the car starts to move

Difficult times are ahead! The Borumba Dam Ramp has large slimy rocks on the edge, so once the boat leaves the trailer, it must be kept under rapid control to avoid damage. back, the idea is to watch the boat intently. When it starts to move to one side, gently turn the steering wheel to correct it. This is surprisingly easy to master, so long as you take it slowly in the beginning. And remember, for the beginner the straighter things are to start with, the better the backing. TIPS FOR THE RETRIEVAL Fishing’s over and it’s time to go back to the ramp, so now we assess exactly what’s happening. A boat

right beside the ramp could also be returning, or the chap could be waiting for the car crew to come down and board before heading off. A short time of assessment will reveal the true situation. Don’t push ahead of any other team, or you’ll cop some very hostile glances, and perhaps some words you’d rather the kids didn’t hear. If there’s a pontoon available, things are very easy. When a pontoon is absent, it can be interesting. The idea

is to get the trailer down into place, once it’s your driver’s turn to do so, and then pull the boat around and line it up on the trailer’s centre for the winching up. On some ramps, this is dead easy, but not all. You’ll see the accompanying photo of our Galey being retrieved at the Cabbage Tree Point ramp. For the record, I don’t mind this ramp. It’s the ‘local’ and I’ve used it for 40 years of boating life. However, it’s easily influenced by tide and wind. On the day of the photo, the tide was going south with a northerly breeze, which meant that short of me walking a fair way into the water to line the boat up, there was no way that big 5.5m craft would be centred so Denise could do the winch bit. And that ramp has a deep drop off it’s extremity. Previously in this situation, we’d hooked the Galey up to the winch cord and I simply tied a rope to the starboard aft cleat and used the rope, from the side, to pull the boat against the current and wind influence so it could be lined up and retrieved. This works every time – it’s handy for a larger craft in unfriendly conditions. LAST THOUGHTS For the absolute beginner, what’s wrong with making a small checklist of items to tick off before the launch or

A tactical retrieve under way –the author has a stern rope on the boat to align it with the trailer, as wind and tide are pushing it away, and his wife, Denise, is ready with the winch. retrieve? Don’t get flustered if things go wrong, just assess and correct as required. As I mentioned, not all ramps are user-friendly. Some have rocks on the side or deep

water around the ramp’s edge. In that situation, it’s vital to have a team member ready to grab the boat and take control. A look before launch sure makes sense in

this situation. Above all, if someone needs assistance at a ramp, freely give them a hand. What goes around comes around – it might be you next time.

A more detailed look at the new Borumba Dam Ramp reveals rocks on the right and a large sign that restricts end-of-ramp movement to the left. While the ramp is very good, have someone hop aboard and drive the boat around to the shingle beach area for all the team to board.

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The world’s #1 aluminium fishing boats! Tracker’s outstanding quality and unique manufacturing process have made them the world’s largest boat builder – producing more than 40,000 aluminium fishing boats per year. Their foam-filled, unsinkable, 3mm plate alloy hulls are robotically welded to deliver superior quality at a lower cost – and are backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty. Tracker’s Pro Guide series is designed with a deep-vee hull for exceptional performance, even in rough waters. Their Diamond Coat finish is a Tracker exclusive that resists oxidation, providing protection and a shine lasting 70% longer. Standard features include a Minn Kota trolling motor and Lowrance colour sounder, plus tournament-ready live well systems and rod lockers.

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www.fishingandleisureboats.com.au DECEMBER 2016

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Streaker Navigator 6100 with 135hp Mercury

FMG

Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

The acquisition of Melbourne based Streaker boats by iconic Brisbane boat builder Cruise Craft hasn’t attracted all that much attention. Maybe that’s a good thing and maybe it isn’t, but from a consumer’s point of view, having the brand under the Cruise Craft roof is nothing but positive. Immediately, all wood has been removed from all Streaker models. They are now built with 100% composite materials. Also, you’ll find that the dealer base is expanding, which led us to Brisbane Marine, Streaker’s newest Queensland dealer. Troy Wood and his Brisbane Marine team have

been growing the Clontarfbased business in leaps and bounds in recent years, moving it from a service centre to a boat dealership with marine chandlery and multiple boat brands. On the test day, major building expansions were underway. It’s good to see dealers expanding after the contraction that the GFC caused since the late noughties. Brisbane Marine and Streaker are a good fit.

Surrounded by Moreton Bay, it makes sense for Brisbane Marine to take on a well-built, family-friendly bay boat. Supplied on a quality, Australian made Easytow trailer, the 6100 Navigator is a good looking rig and a perfect match for the 3.0L, 135hp Mercury 4-stroke which is bolted to the transom. It spun a 17” Enertia propeller. Out on the water, the 6100 jumped on the plane with ease and maxed out at

SPECIFICATIONS Length................................................................6.1m Beam................................................................2.49m Total Length on trailer...................................... 7.2m Deadrise.............................................................. 20° Fuel....................................................................184L Tow weight............................................... 1.6 to 1.8t Max hp.................................................................200 Capacity.......................................................6 adults

The split windscreen and front cabin walk through mean that whoever is tasked with pulling up the anchor can do it in comfort. 106

DECEMBER 2016

Main Pic: The test day was definitely not the best for assessing the rough water capabilities of the biggest Streaker Navigator in the range. Above: All Streaker boats supplied by Brisbane Marine come on customised Easytow trailers, which offer an easy drive-on, drive-off experience. 74km/h with the hammers right down. Of course, not every day is like the test day and the most economical cruising speed was around 3200-3400rpm, where around 2.5km per litre of fuel burned was achieved with judicious trimming. Troy Wood has spent more time than most behind the wheel, and made it his personal challenge to find out the sweetest spot for economy of this rig. And when you think about it, that’s a good figure for a

6m+ cabin boat. I’ve seen much worse in my years in this role. For us, this boat is a pretty good compromise between family and fishing. The cabin is quite spacious and, with the infill fitted, offers sanctuary for those not driven to fish 24/7. Although we tested this boat through Brisbane Marine, we also highly recommend Hastings Marine in Port Macquarie. For more info on their packages, check out their website at

PERFORMANCE RPM SPEED (km/h) ECONOMY (km/L) Idle (700)........................5................................2.4 1000...............................8................................2.4 2000............................. 14................................1.5 3000.............................35................................2.4 4000.............................52................................1.9 5000.............................67................................1.5 WOT (5350).................. 74................................1.5

www.hastingsmarine.com. au, or give them a call on (02) 6583 5511. For in-depth details on the hulls, head to www.streakerboats.com.au. • Quoted performance figures have been supplied by the writer in good faith. Performance of individual boat/motor/ trailer packages may differ due to variations in engine installations, propellers, hull configurations, options, hull loading and trailer specifications. VIDEO

Scan the QR code to see the full boat test with Steve Morgan and Troy Wood

There’s plenty of width in the way for’ard. Most Streakers of this configuration in Melbourne would have an anchor winch. Queensland’s requirements are different.

Once you’ve had a drive-on/drive-off trailer, you’ll never go back. The Easytow/Streaker combination works perfectly.

The passenger dash features a large glove box while the driver side has room to flush-mount a large fishfinder/GPS combo. There’s a Mercury Vessel View at the top of the dash which gives all the necessary engine data. Left: There’s plenty of head room on the cabin of the 6100. Here, Brisbane Marine’s Troy Wood does some of his finest male modelling work. Right: The Navigator has impressive gunwale height and room to jam the feet under the side pockets.

Left: With the corner seats out and stowed in the side pocket, there’s more room available in the back corners. Right: Drop the seats back in and there’s a great place to travel, whatever the weather.

Anglers will be happy with the canopy-mounted rocket launchers. They keep the rods out of harm’s way and the cockpit uncluttered.

When you don’t have budget in your photo shoot for bikini-clad models, here’s how you show the available room in the canopy. Here, the infill has been inserted. Not a bad place to wait for a bite.

Left: Now THAT’S a neat console. Sometimes boats offer a great façade and a mess out back, but not this one. There’s even an access hatch to help keep the salt spray out. Right: The 3.0L Mercury 4-strokes have had wide acclaim in the marketplace since their release. The 135 is the smallest of the platform and is as solid as a rock.

The gunwale height makes the side pockets very roomy.

DECEMBER 2016

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Sea Jay 4.58 Stealth with Yamaha F70 4-stroke

FMG

Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

Of course we don’t do it enough – take fishing rods on a boat test – but when we had the opportunity to test the new Sea Jay 4.58 Stealth and the Moreton Bay forecast was atrocious, it didn’t take long to get the bass gear out and hit the road for a dawn start at Lake Somerset. October is a kick-ass time of year at Somerset and we’d just had the BASS Megabucks event there, where you typically need up to 10kg (between four bass) to top the field. Naturally, the bass didn’t play the game, even with the man who was responsible for most of them

being in there – Garry, a longserving volunteer member of the Somerset Wivenhoe Fish Stocking Association. We got to spend half a day in the Stealth, drive it to its limits and fish in it. Here’s what we found: the Stealth is definitely an upsized vee-nosed punt rather than a downsized ocean going craft. It’s beamy, high sided and its decks are as high above the waterline as any boat of this class I’ve ever been in. This is a huge advantage when you’re casting lures and trying to sight-fish in shallower waters. You get the angles you need to see down and into the water. It also means is that there’s a pretty big step up onto both the front and rear decks – so much than you nearly need a step somewhere to help bridge the gap. It also means that

the storage space under the decks borders on the obscene. The test boat was fitted with a livewell under both the front and the rear decks and there was still ample space to hold all you’d need for a big day out on the water, and half of what you’d need to camp on an extended trip. The rear deck is interesting. It’s called the ‘Fish Deck’ and is missing the standard aluminium transom that extends above the deck SPECIFICATIONS Length...............4.58m Beam.................2.08m Hull.................... 435kg Max hp.................... 70 Fuel....................... 80L Test Weight....... 776kg

Main Pic: Check out how high above the waterline you’re standing in the Stealth! It’s the highest the author has been on a casting deck and it’s great to fish from. Above: Yamaha’s stalwart F70 is the maximum horsepower rated for this hull. It’s miserly on fuel – delivering 3.6km/L at 4000 RPM. level. It’s possible because the rear casting deck is so high. Once you get used to the look you realise there’s many advantages to this layout. Getting in and out of the boat is easier and you can easily sit on the back deck and fish comfortably with your legs over the back onto the PERFORMANCE RPM SPEED KM/L 1000............ 6......... 4.6 2000.......... 10......... 2.5 3000.......... 15......... 1.9 4000.......... 35......... 3.6 5000.......... 46......... 2.9 6000.......... 57......... 2.4 6200.......... 60......... 2.5

The rig gets up to 60km/h in ideal conditions. 108

DECEMBER 2016

*15” Yamaha alloy Prop

duckboards. There is nearly no deadrise in the hull, which is awesome for stability and storage – 100% suitable for rivers and impoundments and calm days on the bay. If you want an offshore capable layout, though, pick a Sea Jay with a deeper vee. It’ll land softer and be more comfortable to drive when things get nasty. Overall, this is a good looking boat with a specific still set. Very fishable and capable of carrying a load, it’s cheap to run and ideal for either local or extended trips. Visit www.seajayboats.com.au for more information. • Quoted performance figures have been supplied

by the writer in good faith. Performance of individual boat/motor/trailer packages may differ due to variations in engine installations, propellers, hull configurations, options, hull loading and trailer specifications. VIDEO

Scan the QR code to see the full boat test with Steve Morgan and Garry Fitzgerald

Fitzy can’t help himself. The test boat was fitted with a MinnKota and Humminbird. They helped us stay on top of and see the fish that we weren’t able to catch. That’s Somerset!

Check out the height of that casting deck. Added to 2m+ beam and there’s a fishing platform that’s second to none.

Left: The 2.08m beam allows plenty of space around the side console. Right: Want to fish two-up off the back deck? No problems.

At WOT, the Stealth reached 60km/h.

The rear hand rails will get a lot of work if you do a lot of trolling. Fitzy’s fitted some rod holder bases to this one.

One of the advantages of the rear ‘fish deck’ is the ease of getting into and out of the boat. The other is the comfortable seating it offers when you want to fish over the back.

Above: Check out that depth in the underfloor storage under the front casting deck. Right: Sea Jay now have their own wrap printing machine and offer a variety of designs and colours to make them an imposing sight on the water and at the ramp.

Top Left: We see plenty of these on our boat tests. Garmin units deliver all the features you need at the right price. This Striker was intuitive to use and accurate. Left: The test boat was fitted with a couple of livewells – one under each casting deck. Full or empty, they made little difference to hole shot in this boat. Right: Little touches, like a weatherproof slot for your keys, wallet and mobile phone, make the boating experience more enjoyable. DECEMBER 2016

109

2016 2016 Local Local Time Time

SYDNEY (FORT DENISON) NEW SOUTH WALES SYDNEY DENISON) – – SOUTH SYDNEY (FORT (FORT – NEW NEW SOUTH WALES WALES LATDENISON) 33° 52’ LONG 151° 13’ SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER Time Time m

Time Time 0132 0132 0736 0132 0736 1331 0736 1331 1950 1331 1950 1950 0213 0213 0820 0213 0820 1420 0820 1420 2037 1420 2037 2037 0255 0255 0906 0255 0906 1511 0906 1511 2125 1511 2125 2125 0339 0339 0953 0339 0953 1603 0953 1603 2215 1603 2215 2215 0424 0424 1043 0424 1043 1700 1043 1700 2309 1700 2309 2309 0512 0512 1134 0512 1134 1800 1134 1800 1800

m m 0.19 0.19 1.56 0.19 1.56 0.27 1.56 0.27 1.82 0.27 1.82 1.82 0.14 0.14 1.65 0.14 1.65 0.21 1.65 0.21 1.82 0.21 1.82 1.82 0.13 0.13 1.71 0.13 1.71 0.19 1.71 0.19 1.77 0.19 1.77 1.77 0.16 0.16 1.75 0.16 1.75 0.20 1.75 0.20 1.68 0.20 1.68 1.68 0.22 0.22 1.75 0.22 1.75 0.25 1.75 0.25 1.55 0.25 1.55 1.55 0.31 0.31 1.72 0.31 1.72 0.32 1.72 0.32 0.32

0006 0006 22 0604 0006 0604 22 1231 TH 1231 TH 0604

1.42 1.42 0.42 1.42 0.42 1.67 0.42 1.67 0.39 1.67 0.39 0.39 1.30 1.30 0.51 1.30 0.51 1.61 0.51 1.61 0.44 1.61 0.44 0.44 1.23 1.23 0.57 1.23 0.57 1.57 0.57 1.57 0.44 1.57 0.44 0.44 1.22 1.22 0.59 1.22 0.59 1.57 0.59 1.57 0.42 1.57 0.42 0.42 1.27 1.27 0.56 1.27 0.56 1.59 0.56 1.59 0.38 1.59 0.38 0.38 1.34 1.34 0.50 1.34 0.50 1.61 0.50 1.61 1.61

Time Time 0209 0209 0812 0209 0812 1401 0812 1401 2020 1401 2020 2020 0245 0245 0849 0245 0849 1442 0849 1442 2058 1442 2058 2058 0317 0317 0926 0317 0926 1521 0926 1521 2133 1521 2133 2133 0348 0348 1000 0348 1000 1600 1000 1600 2208 1600 2208 2208 0419 0419 1036 0419 1036 1640 1036 1640 2245 1640 2245 2245 0452 0452 1113 0452 1113 1723 1113 1723 2323 1723 2323 2323 0527 0527 1154 0527 1154 1812 1154 1812 1812

m m 0.27 0.27 1.46 0.27 1.46 0.38 1.46 0.38 1.73 0.38 1.73 1.73 0.28 0.28 1.48 0.28 1.48 0.38 1.48 0.38 1.68 0.38 1.68 1.68 0.31 0.31 1.49 0.31 1.49 0.41 1.49 0.41 1.61 0.41 1.61 1.61 0.35 0.35 1.49 0.35 1.49 0.44 1.49 0.44 1.53 0.44 1.53 1.53 0.40 0.40 1.48 0.40 1.48 0.49 1.48 0.49 1.45 0.49 1.45 1.45 0.45 0.45 1.47 0.45 1.47 0.54 1.47 0.54 1.36 0.54 1.36 1.36 0.51 0.51 1.44 0.51 1.44 0.59 1.44 0.59 0.59

0007 88 0007 0607 0007 0607 1240 TH 1240 TH 0607

1.27 1.27 0.57 1.27 0.57 1.42 0.57 1.42 0.63 1.42 0.63 0.63 1.19 1.19 0.62 1.19 0.62 1.40 0.62 1.40 0.65 1.40 0.65 0.65 1.14 1.14 0.66 1.14 0.66 1.40 0.66 1.40 0.62 1.40 0.62 0.62 1.13 1.13 0.66 1.13 0.66 1.43 0.66 1.43 0.56 1.43 0.56 0.56 1.18 1.18 0.62 1.18 0.62 1.51 0.62 1.51 0.47 1.51 0.47 0.47 1.25 1.25 0.54 1.25 0.54 1.60 0.54 1.60 1.60

23 23

0.37 0.37 1.35 0.37 1.35 0.45 1.35 0.45 1.70 0.45 1.70 1.70 0.27 0.27 1.45 0.27 1.45 0.35 1.45 0.35 1.78 0.35 1.78 1.78

29 29

TH TH TH

FR FR FR

33 SA SA SA

44 SU SU SU

55 MO MO MO

66 TU TU TU

77 WE WE WE

1908 TH 1240 1908 1908 0100 0100 0657 0100 0657 1334 FR 1334 FR 0657 2015 FR 1334 2015 2015 0205 0205 0757 0205 0757 1437 SA 1437 SA 0757 2129 SA 1437 2129 2129 0320 0320 0904 0320 0904 1544 SU 1544 SU 0904 2233 SU 1544 2233 2233 0429 0429 1009 0429 1009 1643 MO 1643 MO 1009 2326 MO 1643 2326 2326 0524 0524 1105 0524 1105 1734 TU 1734 TU 1105 TU 1734

10 10 11 11 12 12

13 13

0011 0011 14 0610 0011 0610 14 1156 WE 1156 WE 0610

1820 WE 1156 1820 1820 0052 0052 0654 0052 0654 1244 TH 1244 TH 0654 1905 TH 1244 1905 1905

15 15

LAT 33° 52’ LONG 151° 13’ LAT 33° 52’ of High LONG 151° 13’ Times and Heights Times and Heights of High and and Low Low Waters Waters Times and Heights of High and Low Waters NOVEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER OCTOBER m Time m Time TimeNOVEMBER m Time OCTOBER m

16 16 FR FR FR

17 17 SA SA SA

18 18 SU SU SU

19 19 MO MO MO

20 20 TU TU TU

21 21 WE WE WE

1908 TH 1231 1908 1908 0112 0112 0703 0112 0703 1334 FR 1334 FR 0703 2023 FR 1334 2023 2023 0227 0227 0813 0227 0813 1445 SA 1445 SA 0813 2138 SA 1445 2138 2138 0345 0345 0925 0345 0925 1556 SU 1556 SU 0925 2244 SU 1556 2244 2244 0451 0451 1033 0451 1033 1659 MO 1659 MO 1033 2338 MO 1659 2338 2338 0545 0545 1131 0545 1131 1751 TU 1751 TU 1131 TU 1751

24 24 25 25

26 26 27 27

0023 0023 28 0630 0023 0630 28 1222 WE 1222 WE 0630

1837 WE 1222 1837 1837 0102 0102 0709 0102 0709 1306 TH 1306 TH 0709 1917 TH 1306 1917 1917 0136 0136 0745 0136 0745 1346 FR 1346 FR 0745 1955 FR 1346 1955 1955

30 30

0.35 0.35 1.41 0.35 1.41 0.45 1.41 0.45 1.62 0.45 1.62 1.62 0.33 0.33 1.47 0.33 1.47 0.41 1.47 0.41 1.62 0.41 1.62 1.62 0.32 0.32 1.52 0.32 1.52 0.38 1.52 0.38 1.60 0.38 1.60 1.60

Time Time 0208 0208 0819 0208 0819 1424 0819 1424 2030 1424 2030 2030 0338 0338 0952 0338 0952 1600 0952 1600 2205 1600 2205 2205 0407 0407 1025 0407 1025 1638 1025 1638 2241 1638 2241 2241 0438 0438 1059 0438 1059 1716 1059 1716 2317 1716 2317 2317 0510 0510 1133 0510 1133 1758 1133 1758 2357 1758 2357 2357 0545 0545 1213 0545 1213 1843 1213 1843 1843

m m 0.33 0.33 1.55 0.33 1.55 0.38 1.55 0.38 1.56 0.38 1.56 1.56 0.35 0.35 1.57 0.35 1.57 0.38 1.57 0.38 1.51 0.38 1.51 1.51 0.38 0.38 1.58 0.38 1.58 0.40 1.58 0.40 1.45 0.40 1.45 1.45 0.43 0.43 1.58 0.43 1.58 0.43 1.58 0.43 1.39 0.43 1.39 1.39 0.48 0.48 1.56 0.48 1.56 0.47 1.56 0.47 1.32 0.47 1.32 1.32 0.53 0.53 1.53 0.53 1.53 0.51 1.53 0.51 0.51

0041 77 0041 0626 0041 0626 1256 FR 1256 FR 0626

1.25 1.25 0.59 1.25 0.59 1.48 0.59 1.48 0.56 1.48 0.56 0.56 1.19 1.19 0.65 1.19 0.65 1.44 0.65 1.44 0.58 1.44 0.58 0.58 1.15 1.15 0.69 1.15 0.69 1.42 0.69 1.42 0.58 1.42 0.58 0.58 1.16 1.16 0.70 1.16 0.70 1.43 0.70 1.43 0.52 1.43 0.52 0.52 1.21 1.21 0.65 1.21 0.65 1.49 0.65 1.49 0.44 1.49 0.44 0.44 1.31 1.31 0.56 1.31 0.56 1.57 0.56 1.57 1.57

SA SA SA

SU SU SU

33 MO MO MO

44 TU TU TU

55 WE WE WE

66 TH TH TH

1935 FR 1256 1935 1935 0132 0132 0714 0132 0714 1346 SA 1346 SA 0714 2036 SA 1346 2036 2036 0234 0234 0814 0234 0814 1446 SU 1446 SU 0814 2144 SU 1446 2144 2144 0345 0345 0923 0345 0923 1555 MO 1555 MO 0923 2247 MO 1555 2247 2247 0454 0454 1034 0454 1034 1700 TU 1700 TU 1034 2343 TU 1700 2343 2343 0550 0550 1137 0550 1137 1758 WE 1758 WE 1137 WE 1758

10 10

11 11 12 12

0030 0030 13 0639 0030 0639 13 1232 TH 1232 TH 0639

1849 TH 1232 1849 1849 0115 0115 0725 0115 0725 1325 FR 1325 FR 0725 1938 FR 1325 1938 1938 0158 0158 0810 0158 0810 1415 SA 1415 SA 0810 2028 SA 1415 2028 2028

14 14

15 15

0.35 0.35 1.43 0.35 1.43 0.45 1.43 0.45 1.65 0.45 1.65 1.65 0.26 0.26 1.56 0.26 1.56 0.34 1.56 0.34 1.72 0.34 1.72 1.72 0.19 0.19 1.69 0.19 1.69 0.23 1.69 0.23 1.75 0.23 1.75 1.75

Time Time 0241 0241 0855 0241 0855 1507 0855 1507 2117 1507 2117 2117 0325 0325 0942 0325 0942 1600 0942 1600 2209 1600 2209 2209 0411 0411 1030 0411 1030 1654 1030 1654 2302 1654 2302 2302 0459 0459 1121 0459 1121 1751 1121 1751 2359 1751 2359 2359 0549 0549 1214 0549 1214 1851 1214 1851 1851

m m 0.15 0.15 1.79 0.15 1.79 0.16 1.79 0.16 1.74 0.16 1.74 1.74 0.16 0.16 1.87 0.16 1.87 0.12 1.87 0.12 1.68 0.12 1.68 1.68 0.20 0.20 1.90 0.20 1.90 0.13 1.90 0.13 1.59 0.13 1.59 1.59 0.28 0.28 1.88 0.28 1.88 0.18 1.88 0.18 1.48 0.18 1.48 1.48 0.38 0.38 1.83 0.38 1.83 0.26 1.83 0.26 0.26

0058 0058 21 0644 0058 0644 21 1310 FR 1310 FR 0644

1.38 1.38 0.48 1.38 0.48 1.74 0.48 1.74 0.34 1.74 0.34 0.34 1.29 1.29 0.57 1.29 0.57 1.64 0.57 1.64 0.40 1.64 0.40 0.40 1.25 1.25 0.63 1.25 0.63 1.56 0.63 1.56 0.44 1.56 0.44 0.44 1.26 1.26 0.65 1.26 0.65 1.51 0.65 1.51 0.44 1.51 0.44 0.44 1.32 1.32 0.62 1.32 0.62 1.49 0.62 1.49 1.49

16 16 SU SU SU

17 17 MO MO MO

18 18 TU TU TU

19 19 WE WE WE

20 20 TH TH TH

1957 FR 1310 1957 1957 0203 0203 0745 0203 0745 1411 SA 1411 SA 0745 2105 SA 1411 2105 2105 0315 0315 0854 0315 0854 1519 SU 1519 SU 0854 2213 SU 1519 2213 2213 0427 0427 1007 0427 1007 1629 MO 1629 MO 1007 2313 MO 1629 2313 2313 0529 0529 1115 0529 1115 1731 TU 1731 TU 1115 TU 1731

22 22 23 23 24 24 25 25

0004 0004 26 0619 0004 0619 26 1215 WE 1215 WE 0619

1825 WE 1215 1825 1825 0047 0047 0703 0047 0703 1307 TH 1307 TH 0703 1910 TH 1307 1910 1910 0124 0124 0742 0124 0742 1350 FR 1350 FR 0742 1950 FR 1350 1950 1950 0158 0158 0816 0158 0816 1430 SA 1430 SA 0816 2028 SA 1430 2028 2028 0230 0230 0849 0230 0849 1506 SU 1506 SU 0849 2104 SU 1506 2104 2104 0300 0300 0922 0300 0922 1543 MO 1543 MO 0922 2141 MO 1543 2141 2141

27 27 28 28

29 29

30 30 31 31

0.43 0.43 1.39 0.43 1.39 0.57 1.39 0.57 1.49 0.57 1.49 1.49 0.42 0.42 1.46 0.42 1.46 0.51 1.46 0.51 1.49 0.51 1.49 1.49 0.41 0.41 1.53 0.41 1.53 0.46 1.53 0.46 1.49 0.46 1.49 1.49 0.40 0.40 1.58 0.40 1.58 0.42 1.58 0.42 1.48 0.42 1.48 1.48 0.40 0.40 1.62 0.40 1.62 0.39 1.62 0.39 1.46 0.39 1.46 1.46 0.42 0.42 1.66 0.42 1.66 0.38 1.66 0.38 1.43 0.38 1.43 1.43

Time Time 0330 0330 0954 0330 0954 1619 0954 1619 2217 1619 2217 2217 0402 0402 1028 0402 1028 1657 1028 1657 2256 1657 2256 2256 0436 0436 1103 0436 1103 1737 1103 1737 2336 1737 2336 2336 0514 0514 1142 0514 1142 1819 1142 1819 1819

m m 0.44 0.44 1.67 0.44 1.67 0.38 1.67 0.38 1.40 0.38 1.40 1.40 0.47 0.47 1.67 0.47 1.67 0.39 1.67 0.39 1.35 0.39 1.35 1.35 0.51 0.51 1.66 0.51 1.66 0.42 1.66 0.42 1.31 0.42 1.31 1.31 0.56 0.56 1.62 0.56 1.62 0.46 1.62 0.46 0.46

0020 55 0020 0555 0020 0555 1223 SA 1223 SA 0555

1.26 1.26 0.61 1.26 0.61 1.57 0.61 1.57 0.49 1.57 0.49 0.49 1.22 1.22 0.66 1.22 0.66 1.52 0.66 1.52 0.52 1.52 0.52 0.52 1.21 1.21 0.70 1.21 0.70 1.48 0.70 1.48 0.52 1.48 0.52 0.52 1.22 1.22 0.71 1.22 0.71 1.47 0.71 1.47 0.48 1.47 0.48 0.48 1.29 1.29 0.67 1.29 0.67 1.49 0.67 1.49 0.42 1.49 0.42 0.42 1.39 1.39 0.59 1.39 0.59 1.54 0.59 1.54 0.35 1.54 0.35 0.35 1.52 1.52 0.48 1.52 0.48 1.59 0.48 1.59 1.59

TU TU TU

WE WE WE

33 TH TH TH

44 FR FR FR

1907 SA 1223 1907 1907 0110 0110 0643 0110 0643 1310 SU 1310 SU 0643 2001 SU 1310 2001 2001 0207 0207 0739 0207 0739 1405 MO 1405 MO 0739 2100 MO 1405 2100 2100 0311 0311 0846 0311 0846 1509 TU 1509 TU 0846 2201 TU 1509 2201 2201 0415 0415 0959 0415 0959 1616 WE 1616 WE 0959 2258 WE 1616 2258 2258 0515 0515 1107 0515 1107 1721 TH 1721 TH 1107 2349 TH 1721 2349 2349 0607 0607 1210 0607 1210 1818 FR 1818 FR 1210 FR 1818

66 77

88 99

10 10 11 11

0037 0037 12 0656 0037 0656 12 1307 SA 1307 SA 0656

1914 SA 1307 1914 1914 0124 0124 0744 0124 0744 1402 SU 1402 SU 0744 2007 SU 1402 2007 2007 0210 0210 0832 0210 0832 1457 MO 1457 MO 0832 2100 MO 1457 2100 2100 0258 0258 0921 0258 0921 1550 TU 1550 TU 0921 2155 TU 1550 2155 2155

13 13 14 14

15 15

0.28 0.28 1.67 0.28 1.67 0.35 1.67 0.35 1.63 0.35 1.63 1.63 0.23 0.23 1.80 0.23 1.80 0.24 1.80 0.24 1.65 0.24 1.65 1.65 0.21 0.21 1.91 0.21 1.91 0.15 1.91 0.15 1.63 0.15 1.63 1.63 0.23 0.23 1.98 0.23 1.98 0.11 1.98 0.11 1.59 0.11 1.59 1.59

Time Time 0346 0346 1012 0346 1012 1645 1012 1645 2250 1645 2250 2250 0436 0436 1102 0436 1102 1741 1102 1741 2346 1741 2346 2346 0529 0529 1154 0529 1154 1838 1154 1838 1838

m m m 0.27 0.27 2.00 0.27 2.00 0.11 2.00 0.11 1.52 0.11 1.52 1.52 0.34 0.34 1.97 0.34 1.97 0.15 1.97 0.15 1.45 0.15 1.45 1.45 0.42 0.42 1.90 0.42 1.90 0.23 1.90 0.23 0.23

0045 0045 19 0624 0045 0624 19 1248 SA 1248 SA 0624

1.38 1.38 0.51 1.38 0.51 1.79 0.51 1.79 0.32 1.79 0.32 0.32 1.32 1.32 0.60 1.32 0.60 1.66 0.60 1.66 0.40 1.66 0.40 0.40 1.30 1.30 0.66 1.30 0.66 1.54 0.66 1.54 0.45 1.54 0.45 0.45 1.31 1.31 0.69 1.31 0.69 1.45 0.69 1.45 0.49 1.45 0.49 0.49 1.35 1.35 0.69 1.35 0.69 1.40 0.69 1.40 0.50 1.40 0.50 0.50 1.41 1.41 0.65 1.41 0.65 1.37 0.65 1.37 1.37

16 16 WE WE WE

17 17 TH TH TH

18 18 FR FR FR

1937 SA 1248 1937 1937 0145 0145 0723 0145 0723 1345 SU 1345 SU 0723 2036 SU 1345 2036 2036 0249 0249 0828 0249 0828 1445 MO 1445 MO 0828 2135 MO 1445 2135 2135 0353 0353 0936 0353 0936 1548 TU 1548 TU 0936 2230 TU 1548 2230 2230 0452 0452 1045 0452 1045 1650 WE 1650 WE 1045 2318 WE 1650 2318 2318 0544 0544 1149 0544 1149 1746 TH 1746 TH 1149 TH 1746

20 20 21 21

22 22

23 23 24 24

0002 0002 25 0629 0002 0629 25 1244 FR 1244 FR 0629

1836 FR 1244 1836 1836 0042 0042 0709 0042 0709 1330 SA 1330 SA 0709 1920 SA 1330 1920 1920 0117 0117 0746 0117 0746 1412 SU 1412 SU 0746 2001 SU 1412 2001 2001 0152 0152 0821 0152 0821 1449 MO 1449 MO 0821 2041 MO 1449 2041 2041 0226 0226 0855 0226 0855 1526 TU 1526 TU 0855 2118 TU 1526 2118 2118 0300 0300 0930 0300 0930 1602 WE 1602 WE 0930 2157 WE 1602 2157 2157

26 26

27 27 28 28 29 29

30 30

0.49 0.49 1.48 0.49 1.48 0.59 1.48 0.59 1.37 0.59 1.37 1.37 0.48 0.48 1.55 0.48 1.55 0.53 1.55 0.53 1.37 0.53 1.37 1.37 0.47 0.47 1.62 0.47 1.62 0.47 1.62 0.47 1.38 0.47 1.38 1.38 0.47 0.47 1.67 0.47 1.67 0.43 1.67 0.43 1.38 0.43 1.38 1.38 0.47 0.47 1.71 0.47 1.71 0.39 1.71 0.39 1.37 0.39 1.37 1.37 0.48 0.48 1.73 0.48 1.73 0.37 1.73 0.37 1.36 0.37 1.36 1.36

Local Time DECEMBER DECEMBER Time TimeDECEMBER m

Time Time 0334 0334 1004 0334 1004 1640 1004 1640 2236 1640 2236 2236 0411 0411 1041 0411 1041 1718 1041 1718 2316 1718 2316 2316 0450 0450 1119 0450 1119 1800 1119 1800 1800

m m 0.50 0.50 1.74 0.50 1.74 0.37 1.74 0.37 1.34 0.37 1.34 1.34 0.52 0.52 1.74 0.52 1.74 0.38 1.74 0.38 1.32 0.38 1.32 1.32 0.56 0.56 1.71 0.56 1.71 0.40 1.71 0.40 0.40

0000 44 0000 0532 0000 0532 1200 SU 1200 SU 0532

1.30 1.30 0.59 1.30 0.59 1.67 0.59 1.67 0.42 1.67 0.42 0.42 1.28 1.28 0.63 1.28 0.63 1.62 0.63 1.62 0.44 1.62 0.44 0.44 1.28 1.28 0.66 1.28 0.66 1.56 0.66 1.56 0.45 1.56 0.45 0.45 1.31 1.31 0.68 1.31 0.68 1.52 0.68 1.52 0.44 1.52 0.44 0.44 1.37 1.37 0.66 1.37 0.66 1.49 0.66 1.49 0.41 1.49 0.41 0.41 1.47 1.47 0.60 1.47 0.60 1.48 0.60 1.48 0.37 1.48 0.37 0.37 1.59 1.59 0.50 1.59 0.50 1.50 0.50 1.50 1.50

TH TH TH

FR FR FR

33 SA SA SA

1844 SU 1200 1844 1844 0047 0047 0620 0047 0620 1245 MO 1245 MO 0620 1931 MO 1245 1931 1931 0140 0140 0714 0140 0714 1334 TU 1334 TU 0714 2024 TU 1334 2024 2024 0238 0238 0816 0238 0816 1432 WE 1432 WE 0816 2119 WE 1432 2119 2119 0339 0339 0927 0339 0927 1538 TH 1538 TH 0927 2215 TH 1538 2215 2215 0439 0439 1039 0439 1039 1646 FR 1646 FR 1039 2311 FR 1646 2311 2311 0536 0536 1149 0536 1149 1752 SA 1752 SA 1149 SA 1752

77 88

10 10

0003 0003 11 0630 0003 0630 11 1253 SU 1253 SU 0630

1853 SU 1253 1853 1853 0055 0055 0722 0055 0722 1352 MO 1352 MO 0722 1951 MO 1352 1951 1951 0145 0145 0814 0145 0814 1448 TU 1448 TU 0814 2047 TU 1448 2047 2047 0236 0236 0905 0236 0905 1542 WE 1542 WE 0905 2143 WE 1542 2143 2143 0327 0327 0956 0327 0956 1634 TH 1634 TH 0956 2237 TH 1634 2237 2237

12 12

13 13 14 14

15 15

  Copyright Copyright Commonwealth Commonwealth of of Australia Australia 2014, 2014, Bureau Bureau of of Meteorology Meteorology  Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2014, Bureau of Meteorology Datum of Predictions is Lowest Astronomical Tide Datum of Predictions is Lowest Astronomical Tide Datum of Predictions is Lowest Astronomical Tidedaylight savings time (UTC +11:00) when in effect Times Times are are in in local local standard standard time time (UTC (UTC +10:00) +10:00) or or daylight savings time (UTC +11:00) when in effect Times are in local standard time (UTC +10:00) or daylight savings time (UTC +11:00) when in effect New First Moon Full New Moon Moon First Quarter Quarter Moon Phase Phase Symbols Symbols Full Moon Moon New Moon First Quarter Moon Phase Symbols Full Moon

0.33 0.33 1.72 0.33 1.72 0.38 1.72 0.38 1.51 0.38 1.51 1.51 0.30 0.30 1.85 0.30 1.85 0.27 1.85 0.27 1.53 0.27 1.53 1.53 0.29 0.29 1.95 0.29 1.95 0.18 1.95 0.18 1.53 0.18 1.53 1.53 0.29 0.29 2.01 0.29 2.01 0.13 2.01 0.13 1.51 0.13 1.51 1.51 0.32 0.32 2.03 0.32 2.03 0.12 2.03 0.12 1.48 0.12 1.48 1.48

Time Time 0418 0418 1045 0418 1045 1726 1045 1726 2330 1726 2330 2330 0510 0510 1135 0510 1135 1817 1135 1817 1817

m m m 0.37 0.37 2.00 0.37 2.00 0.16 2.00 0.16 1.44 0.16 1.44 1.44 0.43 0.43 1.91 0.43 1.91 0.23 1.91 0.23 0.23

0023 0023 18 0602 0023 0602 18 1225 SU 1225 SU 0602

1.40 1.40 0.50 1.40 0.50 1.80 0.50 1.80 0.32 1.80 0.32 0.32 1.36 1.36 0.58 1.36 0.58 1.66 0.58 1.66 0.40 1.66 0.40 0.40 1.34 1.34 0.66 1.34 0.66 1.52 0.66 1.52 0.48 1.52 0.48 0.48 1.34 1.34 0.71 1.34 0.71 1.40 0.71 1.40 0.53 1.40 0.53 0.53 1.36 1.36 0.73 1.36 0.73 1.32 0.73 1.32 0.55 1.32 0.55 0.55 1.41 1.41 0.71 1.41 0.71 1.28 0.71 1.28 0.56 1.28 0.56 0.56 1.47 1.47 0.66 1.47 0.66 1.26 0.66 1.26 0.55 1.26 0.55 0.55 1.54 1.54 0.59 1.54 0.59 1.28 0.59 1.28 1.28

16 16 FR FR FR

17 17 SA SA SA

1908 SU 1225 1908 1908 0116 0116 0657 0116 0657 1314 MO 1314 MO 0657 1958 MO 1314 1958 1958 0212 0212 0754 0212 0754 1404 TU 1404 TU 0754 2046 TU 1404 2046 2046 0307 0307 0855 0307 0855 1459 WE 1459 WE 0855 2135 WE 1459 2135 2135 0403 0403 1001 0403 1001 1558 TH 1558 TH 1001 2224 TH 1558 2224 2224 0458 0458 1110 0458 1110 1659 FR 1659 FR 1110 2312 FR 1659 2312 2312 0547 0547 1213 0547 1213 1758 SA 1758 SA 1213 2357 SA 1758 2357 2357 0633 0633 1306 0633 1306 1850 SU 1850 SU 1306 SU 1850

19 19 20 20 21 21 22 22

23 23

24 24

25 25

0040 0040 26 0715 0040 0715 26 1351 MO 1351 MO 0715 1936 MO 1351 1936 1936 0120 0120 0754 0120 0754 1431 TU 1431 TU 0754 2019 TU 1431 2019 2019 0158 0158 0831 0158 0831 1509 WE 1509 WE 0831 2059 WE 1509 2059 2059 0235 0235 0908 0235 0908 1545 TH 1545 TH 0908 2137 TH 1545 2137 2137 0313 0313 0945 0313 0945 1621 FR 1621 FR 0945 2216 FR 1621 2216 2216 0352 0352 1022 0352 1022 1659 SA 1659 SA 1022 2257 SA 1659 2257 2257

27 27

28 28 29 29

30 30

31 31

0.54 0.54 1.60 0.54 1.60 0.52 1.60 0.52 1.30 0.52 1.30 1.30 0.52 0.52 1.66 0.52 1.66 0.45 1.66 0.45 1.32 0.45 1.32 1.32 0.51 0.51 1.72 0.51 1.72 0.40 1.72 0.40 1.34 0.40 1.34 1.34 0.49 0.49 1.76 0.49 1.76 0.36 1.76 0.36 1.35 0.36 1.35 1.35 0.49 0.49 1.78 0.49 1.78 0.34 1.78 0.34 1.36 0.34 1.36 1.36 0.49 0.49 1.79 0.49 1.79 0.33 1.79 0.33 1.36 0.33 1.36 1.36

Last Last Quarter Quarter Last Quarter

Tide predictions for Sydney (Fort Denison) have been formatted by the National Tidal Centre, Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Copyright reserved. All material is supplied in good faith and is believed to be correct. It is supplied on the condition that no warranty is given in relation thereto, that no responsibility or liability for errors or omissions is, or will be, accepted and that the recipient will hold MHL and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology Australia free from all such responsibility or liability and from all loss or damage incurred as a consequence of any error or omission. Predictions should not be used for navigational purposes. Use of these tide predictions will be deemed to include acceptance of the above conditions. 110

DECEMBER 2016

SYDNEYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

Check out our awesome specials below. All boats are in stock and are ready to go, so be quick. BRAND

Model

Trailer

Fisherman 429

Dunbier Sport 4.3

Mercury 40hp 2s

$19,600

$18,490

Renegade 440

Dunbier Sport 4.3

Mercury 50hp 4s

$24,000

$22,500

Bowrider 490

Dunbier Sport 4.7

Mercury 75hp 4s

$35,400

$32,990

Getaway 484 Pro

Dunbier Sport 4.7

Mercury 75hp 4s

$35,000

$32,490

Sniper 484 Pro

Dunbier Sport 4.7

Mercury 75hp 4s

$33,600

$30,990

Bandit 514 Pro

Dunbier Sport 5.0

Mercury 90hp 4s

$41,200

$38,990

2 Toorak Ave, Taren Point NSW 2229

Engine

Phone: (02) 9524 6999

Normally

NSW Special Pricing

www.goodtimesmarine.com.au

NOBODY KNOWS YOUR ENGINE LIKE WE DO

PROTECT YOUR BOATING LIFESTYLE WITH MERCURY AUTHORISED SERVICE Keeping your Mercury running 100% has never been easier with a Mercury Authorised Service Centre… you can expect • Courteous, expert service • Fully trained technicians using only genuine Mercury replacement parts and lubricants. • The added peace of mind that all genuine replacement parts come with a full one year warranty. Simply put, no-one else has the knowledge and diagnostic equipment to ensure the best possible service. So why would you trust anyone else...