New South Wales Fishing Monthly - June 2015 by Fishing Monthly

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Somerset BASS Pro • Clarence BREAM Event • BETS Lake Macquarie •

Tried and Tested

Clark 395 Predator/Suzuki 20HP • Sea Fox 286/Twin G2 Evinrude 300s • Hat Head Holiday Park •

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DAIWA TECHNOLOGY changing the standard changing the idea changing the norm.

Unrivalled casting performance

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A Black Magic 6/0 Bleeding Pilchard rig with fresh squid for bait was used by Kristy Canavan to catch this 6kg snapper while fishing in Port Phillip Bay.

Neville Dean used Black Magic 15lb Tough Fluorocarbon leader to take this 68cm flathead while fishing in Botany Bay.

Lee Rayner landed this excellent tuna on Black Magic 10kg+ Inferno Braid and Black Magic 40lb Tough Fluorocarbon leader while fishing on the West Coast of Victoria.

This 55kg striped marlin was landed by Adam Camilleri while fishing Browns Mountain using a Black Magic Maggot lure combination No.2 and the Black Magic Equalizer gimbal and harness.

For your nearest retailer and our full range visit our website at

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YOUR PHOTO COULD APPEAR IN OUR ADS! If we use your photo in our advertising you will receive a FREE BLACK MAGIC CAP AND PRIZE! Include your name, address, fish weight, where you caught it and which Black Magic or Wasabi products were used. Send a high resolution image to: photos@blackmagic.co.nz

Black Magic 30lb Tough Fluorocarbon leader and a Black Magic KS 6/0 hook were used by Tristan Rodriguez to catch this estimated 31kg tuna.

ALL IN ONE. The true all in one marine unit! The easy-to-use, easy-to-install 9” echoMAP 95sv (and the 7-inch 75sv) come standard with 77-200 kHz HD-ID, Garmin SideVü™ and DownVü™ scanning sonar. Provides an all in one transducer and comes preloaded with Australia and New Zealand Garmin bluechart g2. Cords plug directly into the mount allowing you to quickly install and remove your device from power and mount. Transom and trolling motor mount included. Only thing it won’t do is bring you your beer!

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June 2015, Vol. 21 No. 11

Contents BYRON COAST The Tweed 52 Ballina 51 The Clarence 50 COFFS COAST Coffs Harbour Coffs Game South West Rocks

49 48 46

MACQUARIE COAST Port Macquarie 43 Forster 42 Harrington 41 Port Stephens 40 HUNTER COAST Hunter Coast 39 Swansea 38 Central Coast 37 SYDNEY The Hawkesbury 12 Pittwater 14 Sydney North 16 Sydney Rocks and Beach 20 Sydney Harbour 18 Sydney South 21 Botany Bay 22 ILLAWARRA COAST Illawarra 26 Nowra 28

From the Editor’s Desk... As recreational anglers, we’re often confronted with policies and decisions that we don’t like. Green zones, compromise of fish nursery habitats, restriction of access or the Super Trawler all trigger reactions – usually negative – amongst anglers. Also as anglers, we have a variety of ways that we can react to the issues. Some of us complain to anyone who will listen. Others complain to people who may be able to do something about it – like your local Member. Others choose to go digital and present their case on social media – there’s nothing like a good old Facebook rant to get nothing done. Well, there is now a real world opportunity to have an input into the direction of future recreational fishing policy and practice. It’s called the 2015 National Recreational Fishing Conference and it’ll be held on the Gold Coast

on Saturday the 25th of July this year. Why is this a better way to contribute than starting a Facebook page called “Fisheries Management Sucks”? A joint initiative of FRDC (Fisheries Research and Development Corporation), ARFF (Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation) and AFTA (Australian Fishing Trades Association), it’s a forum that’s open to ALL recreational anglers who are interested and it’s your

chance to shape the future of recreational fishing policy. Attended by industry members, government representatives, scientists and a mix of local and international speakers, the interactive forums will expose you to the people who make the important decisions that affect YOUR angling experience. The conference is cheap to attend – earlybird registration (by June 30) is $20 and $30 if you miss the first deadline.

But the icing on the cake is that all conference attendees get exclusive access to the AFTA trade show. This is particularly important since the ATFA board decided against its promise last year to incorporate a ‘public day’ that allows everyday anglers to come and preview the latest and greatest gear for the upcoming season. Otherwise, you’ll just have to tune into my YouTube channel to get the daily updates and dozens of new product videos [fishing monthly]. With additional conference activities, Recreational Fishing Awards and a registration fee that allows enough in the budget to travel to the Gold Coast to do it, don’t spend time ranting to people that don’t matter, go to those who can make a difference. For more information visit www.rectreational fishingconference.com.au

BATEMANS COAST Batemans Bay 29 Narooma 30 Bermagui 31

Editorial Manager: Jacqui Thomas Sub-Editors: Glen Booth, Bob Thornton, Simon Goldsmith Publishers: Steve Morgan Matthew Drinkall

Office Manager: Marie Dykstra

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NEW SOUTH WALES FISHING MONTHLY

AUST

SPECIAL FEATURES Cover cod story ABT BREAM and BASS Cleaning squid New Quintrex releases Hat Head Holiday Park

REGULAR FEATURES Back to Basics 7 Boating 74 Dam Levels 54 Fun Page 53 Tides 86 Trade Directory 84 Tournaments 64 What’s New Fishing 8 What’s New Boating 82

FRESHWATER Canberra 58 Jindabyne 57 Yarrawonga 61 Robinvale 61 Batlow 60 Lithgow-Oberon 56 Maitland 54 Tamworth 55

PRO

EDEN COAST Tathra 32 Eden 36 Merimbula 34 Mallacoota 36

ING TRADE

Part III: Picking plastics NSW STH COAST

Steve Starling www.starlofishing.com

In the final installment of his three part series on the basics of fishing with soft plastic lures, I will take a look at the subject of picking the ‘right’ plastic to use on the day. Lots of anglers seem challenged when it comes to selecting that first soft plastic to tie on at a new location, or even to start a

for someone to direct their burning question to: “What should I use?” My advice is simple: if you truly have no idea where to start, take the plunge and make a guess! Tie something on, give it a swim and see if the fish show any interest. If they don’t, then change your lure and try again. In truth, your approach rarely needs to be quite that experimental. You should at least have an idea of what lives in the

off with a 5cm worm or grub imitation! Conversely, if it’s a gin clear alpine trout stream with a good population of aquatic insect nymphs, it will most likely be counterproductive to tie on a 15-20cm fish-shaped plastic swim-bait! Engage your basic common sense and begin by pruning down at least the size selection process. If you’re chasing big fish that you suspect are eating big things, then choose a biggish lure. If you’re

Whiting eat worms, yabbies and other small, natural-coloured prey. It makes sense that a plastic capable of imitating these food sources will catch the odd whiting.

Natural baitfish shapes and colours make a great starting point, especially in clearer water. This spangled emperor smacked a soft shad. new day’s fishing at a wellknown spot. I’m surprised how daunted some people are by the thought of making that initial choice. They open their tackle box, scan its contents with a confused, worried

waterway and what some of the most important food sources are likely to be. This basic knowledge is a big help in fine-tuning your initial selection. If it’s a stocked barra dam renowned for producing

after smaller fish that you think are eating tiny food, pick a little lure… It’s not rocket science! While you’re at it, at least have a think about roughly matching the shape, colour and swimming

If you don’t like the colour of your plastic, grab some marker pens and change it! expression, sit in a silent agony of tangled indecision for several minutes, then turn desperately to look

metre-plus bruisers and boiling with hand-sized bony bream, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to kick

action of those likely food items. Fly fishers call this thought process ‘matching the hatch’ and it’s one of

the most important steps in successful lure selection. Be willing to accept that you might be wrong in your initial selection… It happens! Just occasionally those big barra, surrounded by all of those chunky bony bream and beefy mullet might actually be dining on a prolific year class of juvenile rainbow fish half the size of your little finger. Or the larger trout in that high country stream may actually be cannibalising their smaller cousins. That’s okay. You’ll find this out when they ignore your first choice! If no obvious food sources are present and you’re not sure what the fish are actually eating, look at the water itself. Is it clear or dirty? And if it’s somewhere in between those extremes, is it greentinged, brownish or tanninstained? Whatever it is, the little critters living in it are likely to be wearing a roughly similar hue. So if it’s greenish, go for a green lure. If it’s tea-like, choose a red or brown plastic. Again, this is just a starting point. The tick of approval (or otherwise) will come from the true experts on this issue: the fish themselves. In other words, if your first choice draws a blank, try something else. What I’m trying to tell you is that nothing and no one can give you better feedback on your lure choices than the fish themselves. Let them tell you what they want and, when they do, make damn sure you’re listening! As a final word on the vexing issue of colour selection, there’s a rule of thumb I’ve used for many

years that usually stands me in pretty good stead. It goes something like this: If the water is gin clear, start with very subdued, natural, transparent tones. If it’s a bit dirtier, choose something a little brighter.

If it’s very discoloured, go for vivid, fluorescent tones. If it’s absolutely filthy, try black or purple… or bait… or go home! And finally, if your mate’s catching fish and you’re not, then use exactly what he’s using!

No matter where they live, bream generally prefer relatively small, subtle offerings. JUNE 2015

What’s New FISHING

FEELFREE FISH BAGS

Feelfree Kayaks would like to introduce their new range of insulated fish bags, which are going to be available in both medium and large sizes. The fish bags are designed with a closed cell foam insulation making sure that your catch is going to stay cool while out on the water. The fish bags have a removable liner fitted inside to help with cleaning and keeping your catch separate if you wish to place other items in the insulated bag. Feelfree Kayaks in their design have also placed several clip attachments on the bags, a convenient carry handle and carry strap too. The bags are all fitted with heavy duty zippers to access the top of the bag or the front zipper stops you from getting too much warmth into the bags when accessing it on the water. All the bags are made out of a heavy duty Diamond Ripstop polyester material, they will be available in our most popular camouflage colours. Price: RRP $169 (medium), $205 (large) www.feelfreekayaks.com.au

OKUMA CEYMAR

The all-new Okuma Ceymar spinning reel delivers stunning engineering at a great price. With its ultra-lightweight rotor, aggressively ported spool and red on black styling, the Ceymar makes a statement on the water. Backing up the fierce look is a core of excellence: 8-bearing system including a Quick-Set anti-reverse, machined aluminium spool, blade body design, forged aluminium handle, EVA handle knobs and a drag that generates up to 8kg of drag. The Ceymar is an incredibly affordable lightweight perfect for all inshore applications. Built with quality parts, this reel, like all Okuma reels, is built as tough as nails to ensure your reel a long life. Available in sizes C-25, C-30, C-40 and C-55, the Ceymar takes on all light to heavyduty applications and is backed up with a complete Lifetime Guarantee, so you can fish hard with peace of mind. Price: RRP $119.95 www.rapala.com.au

SX 40F NEW COLOURS

The SX 40F lure from Ecogear is a very well respected light tackle crankbait, which has been making an impact across Australia in all sorts of light tackle sport fishing with its lifelike action and colours, and it’s compact nature, making it’s a perfect casting lure. This year, Ecogear are introducing 2 new colors into the range, 376 and 377. These colours are perfect mimicking prawns, small baitfish, and small trout when you are using them in trout streams or dams. Paired with the irresistible action of the SX 40F, these lures will be taking fish like no tomorrow! These new lifelike colours are a must-have for any keen bream, bass or trout, but the applications could potentially be as wide as the angler’s mind. Available at any good tackle store, these new colours are set to go like hotcakes, so get out and grab your share before they all run out! www.jml.net.au Price: $17.95

FLY FISHING IN 50 FLIES

The History of Fly Fishing in Fifty Flies is a beautiful and practical book on a much-loved pastime. Whitelaw takes us on a journey through the 2000-year history of fly fishing, charting the growth of this fascinating sport and showcasing 50 of the most iconic flies. Among them is the distinctively Australian Nobby Hopper. Not only does Whitelaw show how a host of classic flies are made, but he also introduces us to the people who crafted them, such as Dusan (Dan) Todorivic, who developed the Nobby Hopper while fishing the Murrumbidgee. More than this, the book describes the evolution of rods, flies and everything associated with fly fishing. The author also offers helpful tips on how to make great catches. The History or Fly Fishing is illustrated with specially commissioned watercolour paintings of all 50 flies, with diagrams showing each individual part of the fly. Price: RRP $34.99 www.exilepublishing.com.au

BLACK MAGIC ROCK ‘N’ SURF

Black Magic’s growing range of rigs targeting land-based anglers has gotten even better. This new addition to the range incorporates two flies per rig tied on suicide 3/0 hooks. There are two colours to choose from; the tried and tested ‘bleeding pilchard’ with its red, blue and silver combo, and the ‘blinky’ with its hot pink and blue combo. Each fly is topped with a soft, long-life lumo bead, which is great for fishing at night, or in deeper water giving your hook that added attraction. These rigs are ideal for a range of species including snapper, salmon and flathead. The Rock ‘n’ Surf have been developed for use from the rocks, beach or wharves, but they are also effective fishing ‘straight up and down’ from boats. Just put a small strip of bait on each hook, attach a suitable weight, and you’re ready to cast. Price: RRP $12.95 www.blackmagictackle.com

GEKKABIJIN FAMILY

Daiwa’s Gekkabijin family has a genuine finesse pedigree with roots in the Japanese land-based, light rockfish movement: finesse rods, finesse reels, light lines and lures, and a hell of a lot of fun. Accessible to all, this style of fishing has exploded in Japan, and Daiwa’s Gekkabijin brand has gained popularity and a strong following amongst light tackle and bream enthusiasts in Australia. The Japanese-made, 2015 Gekkabijin range eclipses all others, combining sleek and stylish design accents with unparalleled innovation and performance, features that remain unrivalled by our opposition. Four high-performance, lightweight, technologically rich finesse rods with AGS guides that grace superior rod blanks are matched to a beautiful, feature packed, highly sensitive, Magseal protected reel. Finished with funky, stylish cosmetics, the Gekkabijin Family is about as close to perfection as you will ever feel. www.daiwafishing.com.au

Please email contributions to: nicole@fishingmonthly.com.au JUNE 2015

FISHING PRODUCT GUIDE

visit www.tacklejunkie.fish for the latest tackle news - AS IT HAPPENS!

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What’s New FISHING

FISHING PRODUCT GUIDE

WILSON DELUXE CAMP CHAIRS

SURECATCH IN-LINE SINGLES

PFLUEGER TRION SPIN

EGI OH K LIVE SHALLOW

Camping chairs are always one of those things that just make being out and about that little bit more comfortable. The Wilson Deluxe Camp Chairs are built to withstand 150kg of weight meaning they are built tough and built to last. The build is also extra wide, a gift for anyone using the chair as you no longer feel like you’re flying on a budget airline trying to squeeze yourself into the seat. All materials are double stitched with reinforcement around the rubber eyelets, meaning this chair will go the distance. Other features include a silver-lined cooler bag on the left arm and an insulated cup holder in the right arm to allow you to really take it easy and not move a muscle. A powder coated steel frame reduces rust and damage and the attractive Wilson print in either blue or pink make these chairs as good to look at. Price: RRP $60 www.wilsonfishing.com

9 10

In-Line singles are making a big impact on all forms of lure fishing these days and the SureCatch In-Line Singles will add a cost effective choice to the market. These hooks are chemically sharpened for superior penetration, the SureCatch In-Line Singles are initially available in four sizes: 2, 1, 1/0 and 2/0. Making use of high carbon and using a black nickel finish, these hooks have an eye that is in line with the lure’s tow point and allows anglers to use only one split ring instead of bogging down the lures with more than one split ring and are super strong. Consistent strength, superior sharpness and a size range that will suit most commonly used lures makes these hooks fantastic option for those wanting to retro-fit their lures with stronger hooks. The SureCatch In-Line Singles offer anglers an affordable and reliable option when retro-fitting lures with single hooks. Price: RRP $5 www.wilsonfishing.com

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

TIDE APPAREL LED MEASURE MAT

Tide Apparel is a brand that wants to provide quality products to people who share the same passion as us. Whether you love going fishing or just being on the water, just remember we want this beautiful gift to be appreciated and enjoyed forever. Now, Tide brings you the all-new LED measure mat. This mat is different from all the rest by being 150cm in length, so you’re not caught out when you land that fish of alifetime. It also has a feature that is specific to this mat and the first of its kind, an LED light built into the header, which you can unclip and use as a torch. Simply lay the fish on the mat, switch the light on and the fish will be illuminated for you to see at night for that revered ‘mat shot’! There’s limited stock, and it’s going fast, so jump online or call in at the factory and grab your own today! Price: RRP $50 www.tideapparel.com.au

SAMMY BUG 75MM

The new limited edition Lucky Craft Sammy Bug, is a larger surface walker, perfect for big, angry native predators! It features a loosely mounted front cup, which creates a metallic sound while walking, a fizzer tail and Decoy W-77 trebles. The extra commotion and noise of this lure will make any large predator go nuts! It casts long and will stand up to the punishment of a big fish, especially the mighty Murray cod. The melodic fish calling action and sound will generate explosive surface strikes, and really fire up those aggressive predators. At 75mm and 23g, it’s a perfect snacksized profile for big angry predators, but not too big for smaller species like bass, mangrove jack and sooty grunter. This awesome limited edition surface walker is made with quality hardware in Japan and is a must-have for any topwater enthusiast. Price: RRP $35 www.ejtodd.com.au

The Pflueger Trion spinning reels are the workhorse of the Pflueger reel line-up, offering performance and quality only seen in reels twice its price. The Trion features a 6+1 stainless steel bearing system housed within a lightweight graphite body and rotor for durability and corrosion resistance. It features everything great about modern spin reels, including on/off instant antireverse bearing and convertible left and right hand retrieve and a threaded main gear design eliminating play in the handle. Other features include a smooth multi disc drag system, machined and double anodised aluminium spool, SureClick bail and an aluminium handle with soft touch knob. The Trion series is available in 4 sizes ideal for light to light-medium freshwater and estuary fishing. Match them up with a Pfleuger Trion rod and you’ve got yourself a pairing of some of the most affordable quality on the market. Price: RRP $99.95 www.purefishing.com.au

The new shallow and super shallow squid jigs from Yamashita are now available in size 3.5 and 4.0 in the EGI OH K series. These slow-sinking jigs are available with sink rates of 6 seconds per metre and 10 seconds per metre! But don’t think the slow sink rate means less weight or poor casting distance – Yamashita have added extra weight to the tail of the jig which changes the sinking posture in the water to be more horizontal. This creates more water pressure when sinking and results in a slower sink rate, yet excellent casting distance. Yamashita have also applied a special top coating over the cloth, which is 1.5 times stronger than uncoated cloth. Available now in 12 new colours in the following sizes: 3.5S 20g, with a sink rate of 5.5-6.0sec/m, 4.0S 24g, with a sink rate of 5.5-6.0sec/m, and 3.5SS 19.5g, with a sink rate 8.0-10sec/m. Price: RRP $24 www.ejtodd.com.au

visit www.tacklejunkie.fish for the latest tackle news - AS IT HAPPENS! JUNE 2015

What’s New FISHING

PARAFRAME MINI KNIFE

Pocketknives are designed to be on hand at all times for unexpected uses that often pop up in the most inconvenient of times. With this in mind, Gerber has designed the Paraframe Mini Knife to be your ultimately, highly-effective and compact dayto-day companion. The Paraframe is the smallest of the eight knives in the Paraframe series and is based on the same frame-lock design as its bigger predecessors. The use for a fine-edge blade has never been more profound. Whatever the job, the Paraframe Mini has it all covered. It opens effortlessly and securely locks in place so there’s no danger when carrying it in your pocket. Gerber has long been the leaders in versatile, sturdy knives. As such, they’ve reinforced the Paraframe Mini with a stainless steel handle and a tough pocket clip for secure travel. At a length of 15cm, this small blade is perfect for any job requiring a small blade. Price: RRP $22.95 www.gerbergear.com

REEL CUSTOM SYSTEM (RCS)

Imagine being able to customise your favourite reel so they feel better, looks better and performs better in your hand, and exactly the way you want them to. Well, now you can with Daiwa’s stylish range of upgrade parts. The RCS or Real custom System parts are designed to maximize the performance of specific Daiwa reels to suit the individual angler’s personal requirements. Perfect for retro-fitting Daiwa reels. The individual parts are well made, stylish, and are made to last after plenty of use, making for lots more of time out on the water catching fish, rather than having to repair equipment. Customise your reel into your own unique function and shape and make it ultra cool in appearance. RCS parts individualise your reels setting them apart from the rest of the crowd, to give you that edge out on the water. www.daiwafishing.com.au

BALISTA FIRESTORM 120

The Firestorm 120 Shallow features our LED technology, making this lure dynamite when fishing dirty water. Some of the best conditions to chase barra revolve around dirty water like run-off and drains, this is when the Firestorm comes into its own. The LED technology is scientifically proven to increase strike rates, the light provokes both feeding and aggressive territorial responses from barra. The flashing red LED is water activated and turns off after removing from the water. You’ll get at least 120 hours of battery life, or approximately 5 years of use. The Firestorm is 120mm in length, dives to 3 feet and has a cracking swimming action. Strength is a must for barra, which is why this lure features upgraded wire, split rings and hooks. Also sporting 8 barra specific colours in an ever-growing colour range. You won’t find a barra lure with more strike features than the Firestorm 120 Shallow. Price: RRP $19.90 www.balista.com.au

CRAGHOPPERS NOSILIFE

The collection features Craghoppers world-exclusive NosiLife technology, the only permanent insect repellent clothing on the market, which gives up to 90% protection from biting insects including midges and ticks. Anglers have long recognised the benefits of wearing NosiLife to help keep the midges at bay. The NosiLife Long Sleeved Anglers Shirt offers all the protection from the standard NosiLife range, but has been especially designed for fishing enthusiasts and comes with multiple pockets for all the essential accessories as well as a rod resting loop. Other features include a solar and cooling collar, sunglasses hanger loop and sunglasses wipe, as well as a vented back and underarm gusset. The shirt is also available in a shortsleeved version in provincial blue, parchment and dark khaki colours in sizes S-XXL. The Craghopper NosiLife is perfect for fishers in the Australian sun and will keep the mozzies and ticks off! Price: Various www.plg.com.au

The all-new Presia is the latest flagship spinning reel from iconic Australian fishing brand Silstar, designed by Australians, for Australians. By incorporating 7hp bearings, a lightweight aluminium body you can cast all day and oiled felt drag system into this series, the Presia is an ultra smooth piece of machinery and balances perfectly with a lightweight graphite rod. A braid ready ported spool promotes accurate and long casts, giving you the ability to put your lure into the strike zone every time and hook into that fish of a lifetime. Built tough, this hardy little reel is sure to last you a long time and will handle the rigours of fishing in salt water if looked after properly. Available now in a 20, 30, 40 and 60 size to cover any light tackle situation you find yourself in out on the water. Price: RRP $119.95 www.rapala.com.au

SILSTAR PRESIA

MASTER FIT LUGGAGE BOX

Family road trips are a highlight of every holiday period, but excitement can quickly turn to anguish before you even leave the driveway. The harsh realisation that there just isn’t enough room to take everything you need is a dreadful one. Fortunately with the RhinoRack Master Fit Luggage Box these feelings will never have to resurface again. The Rhino-Rack Master Fit Luggage Box has a hefty interior that allows for 400L, 440L or 550L of additional space and the sleek, aerodynamic design reduces wind drag while driving for an extra smooth ride. Built from tough and durable impact resistant materials, this handy storage unit has a proven and tested 75kg Off-Road load rating and will protect your belongings from all kinds of weather while you’re on the road or in the Outback. Rhino’s unique Master Fit Technology means you can quickly and safely fit the Luggage Box to your vehicle by using a revolutionary ‘Twist to Tighten & Press to Lock’ clamping system. Price: RRP $669 (440L), $839 (550L) www.rhinorack.com.au

Please email contributions to: nicole@fishingmonthly.com.au JUNE 2015

FISHING PRODUCT GUIDE

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What’s New FISHING TESTED:

FISHING PRODUCT GUIDE

TFO BVK Super Large Arbor fly reel

I was after a lightweight fly reel to stick on my medium 8-9wt outfit that wouldn’t make me sore from casting all day and would hold a lot of line, with an ultrasmooth drag. It doesn’t sound like much to ask, but when quality is weighed up against price, you end up looking around pretty extensively. A colleague recommended I try the BVK Super Large Arbor from Temple Fork Out Fitters (imported by EJ Todd), so I did. The reel was definitely one of the most beautifully made fly reels I’d ever seen, and the attractive moss green colour was really pleasing to the eye. I think I even caught Steve Morgan trying to pinch it from under my nose… I spooled the little beauty up with 300m of 30lb Super P.E, and an 8wt WF intermediate line from Scientific Angler. The reel was matched to my 8wt Reddington CPX, and my casting arm was twitching! I was ready to see what all the fuss was about. That was 3 months ago now, and since then I’ve clocked up a fair few different species on that rig, with absolutely no failures or complaints and only good things to say about the reel. Taking the reel offshore, I was lucky enough to be motored around by good mate Kaspar Lenigas, while he laughed at me trying to fight tuna on fly tackle and be seasick simultaneously… The reel performed amazingly when it was stripped well into the backing by a few funsized mac tuna, singing its glorious song, and I can safely say it’s the smoothest drag I’ve ever experienced on a saltwater fly reel. That

TESTED:

large arbor came in handy when I needed to crank those fish back with a big dirty shark up their bum! The BVK also shone in the close-range hand-to-hand type stuff. Fly fishing for threadfin salmon and mulloway in shallow water was another great test for this great machine. While I ended up with smashed-up knuckles, I landed quite a few threadies and mulloway on this reel, and fighting them on the reel was no drama at all – in fact, it was a lot of fun!

Threadfin salmon are a prized fly target, and a good reel with a smooth drag is necessary if you want to stay connected during the stubborn fight. Between madness, I also caught some other species on the side, such as tarpon, flathead, small trevally, queenfish and even a big smelly catfish (which was released). With all the fishing I did, I had no trouble with a jerky drag, which is why I even fight smaller fish on the reel now rather than with the line.

Tuna are known to cause inferior fly reels problems with their ridiculously long and hard runs. The BVK seemed to enjoy the punishment dished out by this little rocket, Another great feature that would appeal to perhaps more than the very seasick angler many fly anglers is that you can turn this reel holding it… from a left-hand to a right-hand wind with a click and turn of the bearing in the reel. Spare spools can be bought separately, rather than coming with the reel and taxing you for something you didn’t want. I haven’t had the need to run any other line yet, and I’m happy I don’t have another spool on the shelf gathering dust. The BVK Super Large Arbor fly reel from Temple Fork Outfitters has become my favourite fly reel that I own and I look forward to seeing what other sort of punishment I can put it through! – Bob Thornton

DUO Realis Grade A Shinmushi

Bass were the predominate target, but fish up north and down south should find these lures irresistible. “Far out! That has to catch fish!” That was my first reaction half way through my first retrieve of the new DUO Realis Shinmushi (slightly watered down version of my initial thoughts). This first reaction was then followed on the second cast by a violent explosion as an Australian bass smashed it and took off for home. Any fish caught on a surface lure is special, but when the take is this explosive, it tends to etch it in the memory banks. Recognised as a maker of quality Japanese fishing lures, DUO International has a strong reputation for their attention to detail and innovation in design. The

Shinmushi is no exception. It is an adult cicada imitation that is 400mm long and weighs 5.7g. The point of difference to other cicada imitations is that this lure can be pulled apart, providing you with the ability to replace key components if damaged or customise it as the angler sees fit. Replacement packs will also be available for all components for when wear and tear takes its toll. I have seen lures where the legs have been pimped using feathers, tinsel and all manner of colour variations of spinnerbait skirts. Forgetting for the moment about the

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

ability to personalise the lure, I think the key feature of the lure is its ease of use. From the packet you can simply attach it to the line with a loop knot, cast it out and wind it in. It is a slow roll and the lure will tell you if you are winding to fast or too slow, as the paddling action will disappear. When you do have it right it has a seductive action as it wobbles across the surface producing a subtle ‘plimp, plimp’ sound and a slight bubble trail to let any fish nearby know that it is there. Continuing on the ease of use track, my bugbear with many of the cicada imitations in the marketplace is the rod angle required for the lure to swim correctly. You have to have the rod angle at 45° or higher otherwise the winged bib wont work. For new people using these types of lures this can prove to be a rookie mistake and turn people away from them. The Shinmushi does not have this issue, no matter what angle you have the rod, as long as you have the speed of retrieve right, it will swim correctly and give you a chance of catching a fish. Chasing bass with them was my initial thought, but I can’t imagine that a sooty grunter, jungle perch, saratoga, trout or even a bream could resist them. I think small variations in your retrieve, whether it be pausing the lure every couple of winds of the handle or having an extended pause (letting the tell-tale rings of the retrieve disappear) would be the downfall of many of these fish. Is this the new ‘must-have’ lure? I don’t believe that is for me to judge. They will

however sit on my list of go to lures and they are definitely worth having a look at them. There are 8 colours available, but I did note that 5 more colours will be available soon. I had better start putting some money aside, because I will need to add them to my collection. You can go to www. swldistributions.com.au for more information on the range of Realis Shinmushi lures and the other DUO lures available in Australia. – Peter Jung

A fish on the second cast is good fishing anywhere, especially when they explode over the lure like this one did!

visit www.tacklejunkie.fish for the latest tackle news - AS IT HAPPENS! JUNE 2015

Look downstream after the recent flooding THE HAWKESBURY

Dan Selby dan@sydneysportfishing.com.au

The Hawkesbury should have recovered significantly by now following the flooding in late April. A severe east

Those to the north on the Hunter River catchments copped the brunt of the rainfall, with it being declared a natural disaster zone with houses being destroyed and several people unfortunately losing their lives in the floodwaters.

waiting for the river to return to some sort of normality. The bulk of the targetable species like bream, flathead, blackfish, flounder, whiting and mulloway have all been pushed down to Broken Bay. This will be the best place to start a trip from at present, as it will allow you to see first-

A beautiful still day in late autumn and a big mulloway — what a great father and son(s) moment. This fish measured 122cm and was tagged and released by young Jack White. coast low decided to wreak havoc to the north and south of Sydney, dumping huge amounts of rain into the catchments and giving them a great big flush out.

My sincere sympathies go out to all those who were adversely affected by this severe weather event. On the fishing front it has been a little quiet while

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hand the water quality and salinity. My advice would be to fish where it starts to turn brackish again; these areas seem to hold the bulk of the bait and the predators won’t be too far behind. Bait fishing after a flood is usually quite rewarding, with fish on the hunt for any wounded or dead prey that didn’t survive the turbulent ride downstream. For mulloway, strips, whole fillets, and butterflied baits of mullet, tailor, pike and squid work well. Live bait, if you can source it, will

also be worth a shot. Yakkas, tailor and pike can be found around the headlands and into Pittwater and Cowan. Pretty much anywhere where you can find clean water should produce bait. Bream should be on the bite as migrating schools drop in for a feed on their way up the coast. Fishing a couple of boat lengths out from rocky shorelines with a berley trail and lightly weighted baits will get you into some great action. I’ve found bread to be a great, mess-free berley over the years, but the addition of some oily scraps of fish or prawns can also be beneficial, especially if the water is still a bit dirty. Flicking soft plastics in the same areas should yield mixed bags of flathead, tailor and bream, along with the odd mulloway. The benefit of this approach is the ability to cover ground and search out those active patches of fish instead of waiting for them to come to you. Blackfish will be found in similar areas along the many rocky foreshores around Broken Bay. Cabbage weed seemed to work better than hair weed this time last year, but a having a selection is key to finding what they want on the day. Weighting your float correctly is crucial, as is selecting an area to get a good drag-free drift that holds fish. There are only a few land based spots for this in the Hawkesbury, so I highly recommend trying it from a boat, as it really opens up the ability to change spots if they aren’t biting or the wind is disturbing the drift. Like most of the other species, flathead will have

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Big blue nose bream will be on offer for those presenting lightly weighted baits in a berley trail.

Some quality flathead will be found in the lower reaches below the road bridge this month.

Tailor will be hunting the washes around Broken Bay and they make great live baits for mulloway. Using soft plastics like this Z-Man allows you to match the hatch and catch multiple toothy critters without damaging the tail. concentrated down in the lower reaches and should bite well before the water temps drop further. Soft plastics and vibes cast and retrieved around major points and dropoffs should produce decent catches. Soft plastics with some action in the tail like curl tail grubs or paddle tails will help them find the offering if the water still has bit of colour to it. Jig heads from ¼-½oz will get you into the zone when fished patiently. A lot of people pack up the fishing gear at this time of year, but the Hawkesbury can still turn on some great winter fishing, with the highlight being big mulloway on soft plastics. This month I usually switch my focus to exclusively throwing lures for these prized estuary predators.

Lures from 3-6” are preferred, with most patterns getting their time to shine as the season progresses. Minnows, curl tails, paddle tails and creature baits have all accounted for fish, with the key being matching the prevalent bait on the day. If you are lucky enough to capture a legal fish and keep it for the table, check the stomach contents for any clues as to what they are feeding on. Keeping a diary of key points like tides, times, season and food sources will all eventually add up over the years and they become a little more predictable, but not much! When navigating the Hawkesbury after a flood, please keep in mind that there is still some debris moving around with the tides, so take care and proceed with caution.

Cooking

Reef fish filleting Lynn shows how to fillet a typical reef fish using a long fillet knife.

BRISBANE

Lynn Bain

1 4 7

When you get to the tail, cut straight across.

Then proceed to run the knifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cutting edge up along the dorsal (above the fin) all the way to the head of the fish. This cut separates the flesh (fillet) from the backbone.

Start with a gutted fish: insert the knife into the vent and run the knifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cutting edge back towards the tail. Make sure your knife is cutting just above the anal fin.

Cut the fillet away from the fishâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s head and gill plate. This cut should go all the way from top (nape) to chin on the fish and be deep enough to go all the way through to the backbone.

Turn the fish over and repeat the process on the other side.

6 Run the knife along the dorsal again, this time cutting deeper, cut all the way to (but not into) the rib cage.

To skin the fillet, place the fillet skin side down and push the knife edge down into the flesh and along, but do not cut into the skin.

Cut from the tail, parallel to the backbone (frame) all the way to the rib cage. Then carefully run the blade of the knife over the top of the rib cage in order to separate the fillet from the bones of the rib cage.

To remove the pin bones cut one stroke on each side of the pin bones and remove the triangular wedge of flesh.

Reef fish in spicy sauce Ingredients 500g o f reef fish fillets; skinned and bones removed 1 cup plain flour 1 cup cornflour 2 egg whites 120mls water Canola oil, for frying To cook the fish (a basic shallow fry): Cut the fish fillets into Sauce Ingredients 1 tablespoon canola oil 2cm fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated 4 cloves garlic, finely grated 60mls tomato puree or passata (use tomato sauce in a pinch) 60mls chilli jam or 100ml chilli sauce

palm-sized pieces. Sift the plain flour and cornflour together into a bowl. Make a well in the centre and add the egg whites and water. Beat until a smooth batter. Heat the canola oil in a heavy-based frying pan until just smoking. Dip each piece of fish into the batter, draining off any excess batter. Place the fish into

the hot oil. Fry until the fish is golden brown on one side (the downward side). Turn and cook on the other side. The frying time will depend on the thickness of the fish. When cooked, remove the fish from the pan and drain on paper towel. To serve, place the golden fish onto a platter of lightly steamed Asian greens and spoon over the spicy sauce.

1 teaspoon sugar (optional) 2 tablespoons Lee Kum Kee soy sauce 1 tablespoon Chinese cooking wine (or dry white wine) 1-2 tablespoons water

and chilli jam in a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for only one minute. Add the sugar (if using), soy sauce, Chinese cooking wine (or alternative) and water. The amount of water that you use is dependent on how thick you like your sauce.

To make the sauce: Put the canola oil, grated ginger, garlic, tomato puree

JUNE 2015

Kings still on the prowl PITTWATER

Peter Le Blang plfishfingers@bigpond.com

Once again this past month has seen some great fishing on Pittwater. Captures of kingfish, mulloway, bonito and big flathead have been common. I have found that drifting the dropoffs and holes towards the mouth of Pittwater is producing the better fishing. The rigs are simple paternosters and the key to success seems to be find the baitfish first, position the boat up-current, and then drift through. Whilst drifting with baits out, grab a micro jig and work the depths. The added action of a working jig can sometimes be a trigger for distant fish to come over and investigate. Last month I was lucky enough to have some very good little anglers aboard. It is amazing to watch children fishing and their wonderful reactions when they pull the Big One. Yo u n g Mason Bylett was one of those youngsters. At the tender age of 8, he managed to catch some great kingfish and announced after his fifth king that he was ‘The

Young Mason ‘The Kingie Master’ holding up one of his many piscatorial achievements for the day.

Jordan with 1 of his 3 big flathead. This one measured 76 cm. Kingie Master’. The delight in his eyes whilst holding up the fish for photos was priceless. The very next charter saw a dad and daughter

team, Grant and Grace, and a grandad and grandson team, David and Jordan. Once again it was the children that came up trumps. The young fella showed that he was ‘The Flathead Master’ with 3 flathead between 68cm and 79cm, as well as kingfish. Grace led the way to start off with, and was able to catch a heap of kingfish to 76cm and a PB flathead of 68cm. Once again, the young ones had the knack of putting the bait in front of hungry fish and reaped the rewards. To specifically target kingfish at present requires a fair amount of ground to

be covered. The kings are moving a fair bit and if they refuse your live squid on the downrigger, you may be better off drifting the area instead. Another thing to do is to slice freshly caught squid into smaller strips and pieces and float it down to them. The gut section is a wonderful bait to use, and pierce the ink sac with the hook for added attraction. This month is normally when the big kings are going into slow mode and their diet preference seems to change to cuttlefish. Cuttlefish are caught along the rocky shoreline and these small ink machines are quite a challenge to land without getting splattered with

jig to be far more effective than the aggressive rip retrieve. Natural colours of blue, green and gold will work the best. Better areas to down-rig while using live cuttlefish are Scotland Island, The Supermarket, and Towlers Bay through to Soldiers Point. For those in Broken Bay, the fishing is still a bit sporadic after the big blow, but there is usually something to catch. Bream are starting to show up around Flint and Steel, as are trevally, tailor and flathead if you fish the edge of the reef. Salmon shouldn’t be far away and they are worth looking for around the change of the tide between

Remember to drift towards the fish on the surface (with the motor off) and respect those already fishing the school. Offshore, the reefs are starting to come to life, with decent morwong, flathead, snapper, nannygai and the odd kingfish. The better depth at the moment seems to be around the 40-50m mark, but when big swells smash our coastline, the snapper are in close in water depths of 20m or less. For something different on the reefs, grab a micro jig and give it a try. There are a variety of weights and styles available, and it is a lot more cost effective than soft plastics fishing if you steer clear of the leatherjackets.

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Grace with a lovely kingfish that was caught on a pilchard piece whilst drifting. goop. Try smaller size 2 squid jigs, but you need to place it a metre or less off the bottom to tempt them. I find that twitching the

Box Head and Lion Island. The best indicators of working salmon schools are the muttonbirds and seagulls working the water.

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Great fishing available despite cooling weather SYDNEY NORTH

Darren Thomas

It’s the time of year when our warm waters retreat north and the current

pushes up from the south, bringing all sorts of species with it. Snapper, teraglin, swordies and big tuna are just a few of the fish we can expect to see in the month of June,

along with mainstays like kings and mulloway. There’s been a bit of action on the inshore reefs lately, with most of them holding fish. Jack Covic fished with his Dad Ivan off

gear with you and put a big livey out, as you just don’t know what’s around. Captain ‘Blackbeard’ Dan Webster, a name synonymous with the Mad Hueys, has been out chasing mulloway and getting a few too. Dan fished Sydney Harbour, landing fish to 78cm, fishing 3 rods at staggered depths and all baited with fresh squid. It

was a mad solo session on the ghosts fishing at night. Surface pelagics are still on the cards at the moment, with a late season run of bonito and mac tuna. Jake Levy headed out chasing schools of surface feeding fish, and by casting small metals in amongst the action he managed to hook a few, including rat kings, salmon and mac

tuna. Lures in the 14-55g range were matching the hatch and worked a treat on all species. When you head out after these winter schools, try and identify which direction they are heading and get in front and cut your motor. Running motors often scares fish and makes them dive, hence the reason some guys can’t get within cooee, often

Jack Covic with a top reddie from Long Reef.

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Long Reef, slow drifting unweighted pillies down the trail, when up came a good snapper and belted Jack’s bait, A great fight ensued, with 8-year-old Jack the victor. As our season progresses, this species will certainly get bigger, so don’t be shy on using big baits like whole butterflied cowanyoung or slimies. Craig Butcher has also been out to Longy and landed a few fish on the bigger baits, with a couple of good teraglin falling to Butch’s whole mullet on a paternoster rig in 35m. Teraglin can be a bit hard to find and quite skittish to keep around, but will often bite aggressively once berleyed up. We’ve still got some late season kings holding on our northernmost reefs, so be prepared to take heavier

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Top: Mad Huey Dan Webster with a Harbour mulloway. Bottom: Jake Levy spun up this nice mack tuna. Some top bottom bait there.

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around most of the lagoon outlets like Queenscliff, North Curly, Dee Why and Narrabeen. These have all produced fish after storms during the runout. Once the

to pick up an easy feed. It’s a good time to spin lures like shallow running hardbodies and big soft plastics in search of a lurecaught mulloway. For those

for main line, as there’s plenty of hungry sharks out there also looking for an easy feed. Fishing these runout tides often means big

There have been some teraglin getting around. Jake Butcher with a classy example. not even close enough to recognise the species or the bait that they’re taking. Pittwater is still holding the odd king and is a good estuary for chasing a lot of our colder water fish. Jett Butcher headed out with his dad and set up a berley trail with pellets and fish frames, hoping

for some trevally to wander upwards picking at the scraps. I bet 3-year-old Jett got a bit of a surprise when a rat king smashed his cuttlefish strip and tore off into the distance. After a bit of instruction from the old man, Jett got on top of this stoush and the king was landed then

released to fight again. Well done young fella, that’s a great fish for a tacker of your age. With the recent flushes we’ve had, the beaches are performing quite well, with reports of trevally, mulloway, bream, tailor and even big flatties coming in. Popular spots to try are

Give us a cuddle. Jett Butcher is very happy about this yellowtail king. fresh starts to head out, so do a lot of fish, hence we get bigger specimens waiting outside the mouths of these waterway looking

wanting a more relaxing trip, setting a big bait will also put you in the zone, but be sure to use at least 10kg mono or 20kg braid

baits with little lead, as the out-flowing water will hopefully take your bait out to where the predators are waiting.

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Mulloway making the most of the mullet run SYDNEY HARBOUR

Craig McGill craig@fishabouttours.com.au

The transitional period of autumn into winter has always stood out for its

for spawning and can be taken on large jigs. They are great eating, with the double whammy of being great mulloway bait. Mulloway come on in good numbers on the tail of the return mullet run,

reaches on squid baits, as well as schoolies in the upper reaches on live baits such as mullet, and lures. Likewise, great bags of flathead can be caught on lures around the boat moorings in the lower

School mulloway have been around in good numbers. great flathead, mulloway and big squid fishing. Massive squid move in over the deep kelp beds

and also to feast on the large squid. It’s the best time of year for a trophy specimen in the lower

reaches, as well as big fish over the mud bottom on live baits. The upper reaches of Middle Harbour and the

magic

Parramatta River also hold some huge flatties at this time of year. In May, the mullet come back from their coastal spawning into the rivers and estuaries. In years gone by, these mullet runs were immense. I’ve seen them in north coast creeks so thick that the water boiled from shore to shore, and if you hurled a stone in you’d kill 6. The shores were lined with dead and dying fish. For predators like big flatties and mulloway, this must have represented an abundant, easy and irresistible food source. I’ll bet that the mulloway and big flatties traditionally followed this run. Of course the pro fishermen have all but decimated the mullet run, but in regards to the mulloway and flatties, millions of years of evolutionary instinct would ensure that they would keep coming back for a look for a long time after the mullet had gone. The aggression with which they hit lures is a good indication they are very much in the mood for chasing baitfish, which

Huge squid move in over the deep kelp beds in June. would be an obvious mindset for a fish who has come this far upstream for the sole purpose of getting a feed of migratory mullet. The fact that the water is only 16 degrees doesn’t seem to be a problem.

Fishing from the shore is a better option on the upper reaches. The early winter days are often very still and calm, and your approach from the bank is much less alarming that that from a boat.

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If you want to catch a mulloway on a lure, I would suggest May or June, during the day, on the turn of a high or low tide, work the last 4 deep holes in the system (15’ plus) and watch for mullet. Fogs are a good indicator, as is a high pressure system. Once you find the fish, don’t move; they tend to hold in big schools. Flathead spend most of their lives buried up to their eyes in sand or mud. To their prey they are virtually undetectable, and

when you combine this with a cavernous, needlelined mouth and lightning fast reflexes, you come up with what could possibly be the ultimate piscatorial predator. This makes them very susceptible to lure fishing. Most lure fishing for flatties is done in 3-15’ of water. Trolling is an option, but the most fun is to be had by casting around the shallow sandbanks and weed beds. A lot of this type of fishing is visual, and

in shallow water, on lures, the flattie’s reputation as a poor fighting fish goes out the window. There are 3 main types of lure that I carry when I chase flatties — stickbaits, soft plastic/ jighead combinations, and diving minnows. To work the weed beds, there is no better lure than the soft plastic stickbait. With the hook point lying flush with the lure, they are virtually weedproof and can be effectively worked over,

around and even through the weed. To fish the dropoffs and deeper channels, soft plastic/jighead combinations are my first choice. The old twin tail Mister Twister in orange or pink is legendary. The main advantage of this type of lure is its ability to be bounced along the bottom, regardless of water depth. This means it can be worked down a dropoff or along a channel bed, meaning that it spends longer in the target species’ strike zone.

Dave McKenzie - Gamakatsu Pro Angler

Early winter is a good time for big flathead.

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JUNE 2015

Cool water fish make their move SYD ROCK & BEACH

Alex Bellissimo alex@bellissimocharters.com

It’s a trevally fest off the ocean rocks, in the harbour and even some beaches at present! Like the Australian salmon, these hard fighting fish were 1 of the first species I became enthralled with as a teenager. Salmon are known for their strength, stamina and spectacular acrobatics. Trevally are also known for their strength and stamina, but they have the ability to damage line on structure like pylons, rock ledges, kelp and anything that is abrasive. They teach you to play fish out well in this sort of country. As a table fish, they are a delight — pan-fried, grilled, barbecued, and wow! What a perfect sashimi fish when they are just around that legal to kilo size. Their flesh is sweet and light at that size range.

Catching the larger models from 1.2kg up to the occasional 3kg fish is a great experience. Their eating qualities diminish greatly with fish over 2kg though. The flesh gets drier, has a stronger flavour, and along the backbone it often gets a honeycombed, potholed look caused by a parasite, which is unsightly to look at and can put diners off. Those sections can be cut out of the flesh though, and as far as I know does not present any health risks. Normally I prefer to release the larger trevally, taking a photo if they warrant it. All the headlands on the ocean rocks, and most rocks and wharves in the harbour, are producing some to lots of trevally. A whippy tipped rod like the 3-6kg Live Fibre from Wilson, or a 10 or 12’ MT4144 coupled with a Daiwa Segate Hyper 3000 or Alvey 625B and 4-6kg line make for great balanced outfits for these fish. Rig with a light ball sinker from 00-1 with a 1/0 Mustad 92554 baited with pilchard

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halves, peeled Endeavour or banana prawns, fished in a wet bread berley off a deep rock ledge with a water depth of at least 3m. Off the ocean rocks, sudsy white water will spread the berley, and in the harbour a wharf or ledge with that depth at least should get you onto some trevally. Please seek the right advice before venturing onto the ocean rocks if you’re a beginner though. The snapper are on the chew at the moment. Distance casting can be better than fishing in the washes with a berley trail, simply because of the abundance of trevally. Squid strips seem to be working best, but I seldom take just 1 bait type. I don’t like to be caught out with these often-fussy feeders. Fish baits like salted striped tuna, salted slimy mackerel and tailor can be added. South and North Curl Curl, Dee Why, Long Reef, and the front of the pool at Mona Vale have some nice plate size and occasional 50cm fish available. June is a good month for big kings, and kings in general. If you can find them, small salmon up around that 1kg size make sensational kingie live baits. Float them out under a balloon or free swim them on 24-37kg tackle. The traditionally used live yellowtail is also getting a few. Extra large sea gars are always a good choice, but will be out of season in the near future, so stock up! Lures like the iCatch 12 stick bait in pink or white works well, and is a longer plastic than the others. It is getting close to matching the length of a large sea gar. Try Bluefish at Manly, South and North Curl Curl, and when you can get there, generally because of crowds, North Whale records some good catches of kings. In Sydney Harbour, there are good fish at North Dobroyd Point, Manly Point and Georges Head. Some big groper are getting around too. A report of an 11kg fish, and a client with his very first groper of just under 9kg was a great introduction to this species. Rock blackfish are present on virtually all headlands. Little Bluey in Manly and Freshwater Pool has a few. Try North Curl Curl boulders, Long Reef has so many spots to choose, Narrabeen Head in flat conditions and south Avalon rocks from 50m past the pool to the big gutter are all worth a throw. The beach for me is relaxing fishing. The high energy of rock fishing

test my senses, wits and concentration levels to the max for safety and, more importantly, for my clients. Fishing the beach allows a more placid approach without the inherent dangers of ocean rock fishing. There are still some dangers involved in ocean beach fishing though. I watched an angler walk down to the water’s edge to maximise his casting distance while wearing waders. Some big sets were on their way towards him. I could see a potentially bad situation about to occur. The sets were big shore dumping waves, as a result of the deep gutter in front of him, and the waves were in excess of 1.2m. He got bowled over, his waders filled up with water, and he could not get up. He was starting to get dragged out to sea and I quickly got rid of my bait bucket and belt, carry bag and rod, and assisted him. This person was in a bad situation and could have easily drowned. If you wear waders (they are great for keeping dry and warm in winter), but they have their dangers. I can give you more comprehensive advice, but just avoid going too close to the water’s edge when wearing them. Besides, a massive cast off the beach in a lot of situations is not necessary. Okay, here’s what’s biting. The tailor are on in the early mornings and late afternoons. The bigger run of 1-2kg fish are busiest in the evenings. Have you ever caught a big tailor in the surf on 6kg

Jack Maitland with a great bag of tailor, salmon, whiting and tarwhine. These species and more are available on the beaches with the right methods and timing. out ganged pilchards you can hold a school of these ferocious feeders. The salmon are becoming more prolific and will become the chief beach predator as the water cools off. They’re being caught on ganged pilchards. If you can get them cheap enough, medium sea gars are the number 1 bait for tailor in my opinion. Some 20-25 to the kilo is what you want, as it makes them practical and affordable. As they are quite thin at this size, I generally drop down to a 3/0 set of 3 to 4 gangs. The bycatch of the odd flathead and stud bream is coming in as well. Manly,

whiting fishos have given up on them! Just keep fishing until the water temperature drops below 19 degrees. The bream have been better in the evenings, using fish baits like half pillies, tailor and mullet strips, and pipis. Bream are a fairly common bycatch when whiting fishing with tubeworms or beachworms, especially in the evenings. My advice for this month is that even if the conditions appear to be mild, have the warm weather gear on hand regardless. If a cooler sou’ west wind springs up, you won’t be caught out. • For rock and beach guided fishing or tuition

Rab Ajami with a couple of nice bream to 1.5kg. On the day there was 2 rock blackfish to 2kg caught as well. This is what you can expect this month. line? It’s an experience you have to try. Savage bite, strong fighting fish and some fast action, because they are generally in fairly large schools, so if you have a few anglers casting

Curl Curl, Dee Why, mid to North Narrabeen, Bilgola Beach, and Avalon beaches are producing. Whiting are still available and will be until about mid-July. Mid July — when 95 per cent of

in the northern Sydney region, visit www. bellissimocharters. com, email alex@ bellissimocharters.com or call Alex Bellissimo on 0408 283 616.

Rug up and get out there early SYDNEY SOUTH

Gary Brown gbrown1@iprimus.com.au

Now that winter has really set in, many anglers will still be curled up in bed waiting for the sun to rise and get warm before they decide to go for a fish. Not me. I am up before the sun and at my selected rock fishing spot ready

stemmed float to target those luderick that can also be feeding in our berley trail. I find that whenever I go fishing off the rocks I have to make sure that I have prepared my gear either the night before or at least a couple of days earlier. I also make sure that I know what I intend to target and take along a number of outfits to suit. All my rock rods are 3.6m in length, as I find that this enables me to be

Locky Sampson managed to catch this 76cm dusky flathead in the Port Hacking River on a live bait. for the sun to appear. The berley trail of mashed up old pilchards and stale bread will have already started to drift out with the current, hopefully to attract bream, trevally, drummer, snapper, tailor and Australian salmon. First bait to hit the water would have been a whole pilchard on a set of 5/0 ganged Mustad hooks for the tailor or salmon. My second fishing buddy would have put on a half pilchard or a strip of mullet on a 1/0 or 2/0 Owner circle, with a small ball sinking running down the bait. This would be for the bream and trevally. Last but by no means least, my third fishing buddy would have put a peeled royal red or blue tailed prawn onto a 1/0 or 2/0 Owner SSW Octopus hook for drummer. Later in the morning session we may change our rigs entirely to either a bobby cork or

able to cast that bit further if needed, and it also gives me an advantage when trying to lift out or wash the fish up onto the rocks. Throughout the eastern suburbs, from South Head to the Royal National Park, there are a number of places that would be worth trying for bream, trevally, salmon, tailor, drummer, luderick and the odd snapper. Places like the northern and southern ends of Bondi, behind the Waverley cemetery, Clovelly Pool, Little Bay, Jolong, Cape Banks, Henry Head, Inscription Point to Big Yena on the Kurnell Peninsula, Tabbagai, Boat Harbour, Shelly Point, Jibbon Point, the Balconies, Marley, Wattamolla, Curracurang, North Garie Beach, North Era and north and south Stanwell Park are options. All will produce good catches, but as always you will need to check out the conditions before venturing onto the rocks. If rock fishing is not your go, then you could try fishing the beaches for salmon, tailor, bream and whiting during the winter months. I find that a half a block of pilchards and a few beachworms and nippers will do the job. Nothing betters watching the sun rise while fishing off one of Sydney’s great beaches. If you have never done it before, you should give it ago. Botany Bay will have its usual run of silver trevally and bream at places like The Sticks, the end of the third runway, the oil wharf, Trevally Alley, Bare Island and the point at Kurnell. I find that the run-out tide works better for me. You could also try the deepwater dropoff at Towra. There will still be the odd dusky flathead, flounder and octopus about as well. I can’t stress enough that to enjoy regular success here

and in Port Hacking that you will need to anchor and berley. Sure, you could drift the bay and get a few fish, but not as many as you will get at anchor. To get away from those small snapper, you will need to have a leader of more than 1m in length. One fish species that I really love targeting during the winter months in the Port Hacking River is the luderick. At the time of writing we have just experienced a heap of rain in the Sutherland Shire, and once the river cleans up after a few flushes, the luderick will be on the chew. You will need to find some nice fresh green weed or cabbage off the rocks at Cronulla. Keep some aside to chop up very finely and mix it in with a bucket of sand and a few slices of white bread as berley. The sand gives it a bit of weight when throwing it into the water, and it takes the green weed/cabbage and bread down to the bottom. For those of you that don’t have a boat, you could try the Captain Cook, Toms Uglys and Como bridges for flathead, bream, mullet and mulloway. They can be caught on both bait and lures. The shoreline from the entrance to Cooks River to Dolls Point will be worth a shot for flathead, bream and whiting a couple of hours either side of the high tide. In Port Hacking, try Gunnamatta, Lilli Pilli and Gymea Baths on both the run-in and run-out tides. Half pilchards, mullet and tuna strips, nippers, bloodworms and strips of fresh squid would be the go. Ok, so it may be cold during the cooler months of the years, but the fishing can be quite hot. If you get up early and put in the effort, you will get a feed of fish.

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Whiting on in earnest BOTANY BAY

Gabe Quercigrosse gabeandgabe@bigpond.com

Well, it has finally arrived! Yes, it’s the time of year to get my whiting gear out and start fishing in earnest. The long weekend in June heralds the muchanticipated whiting run in the middle to upper reaches of the Georges River, with specimens up to 800g not uncommon. The outfit I use is a Crystal Blue 7’ nibble tip rod armed with a size 3000 Baitrunner reel, 4kg monofilament with a 1.7kg fluorocarbon leader, assorted size 1, 2 and 3 ball sinkers, and a size 6 black crane swivel. This combo has worked for me over the years and boasts many outstanding catches. While you’ll get fish during the day, night-time is definitely best, with around

the full moon period the pick. I like to fish both tides and have found a low around 5.00-6.00pm the best, with a peak period around 11.00pm-12.00am ideal. Then it is time to give it away. I like to position the boat in the middle of the channel in relatively deep water over cockle and mussel beds, and look at my sounder for a specific wave type of bottom, as that is where the whiting school during the last couple of hours of the outgoing tide. It’s not uncommon to catch 7-8 good fish in quick time before the tide changes. Once the tide starts its inward run, I have found that moving onto the shallower weed corridors or edge of the sand banks the best. Big whiting tend to move around in schools of a dozen fish and bite at intervals, so do not panic if you don’t get a bite within

15 minutes or so. Whiting can be very finicky biters, especially the larger fish, with only a slight tap registered on your rod tip to indicate any interest, and a quick strike of the rod will usually mean another good fish lost. You need patience and to allow the fish to take the bait. At times you have to allow 20m of line out before lifting your rod, but in most cases the fish will be well hooked and end up in the fish box. Fishing this way means you will lose many hooks, so make sure you have ample supply. I have found the Mustad Aberdeen size 4 to be the ideal choice and excellent for most estuary species. You will need either the magic bloodworm or small live nippers for a top catch, otherwise stay home as you are wasting valuable time. Areas to try include the

Bait or dinner? That is the question.

A nice mixed bag, with whiting dominating. cockle beds at Connells Point, the San Souci Sailing Club sandflats, Caravan Head Channel, the western side of Como Bridge, the entrance to the Woronora River, Cranbrook, The Moons and Fitzpatrick Park Picnic Point. All these possies are in close proximity of boat ramps and are easily accessible. Weather conditions last month were ordinary to say the least, with only the most dedicated fishos trying their luck. Those that ventured out found schools of class bream around Watts Reef, along with trevally and tailor. Better catches were recorded at night on the incoming tide. Bigger bream were taken along the weed corridors between Bonna and Towra Point in shallow water. The best method was to berley with boiled wheat and pollard, and wait for the fish to come around. The southern Cooks River breakwall was the scene of some excellent catches of trevally and tailor, particularly during the outgoing tide, whilst thumper whiting were taken land based just west of the Grand Parade Road Bridge.

Dusky flathead were boated in Yarra Bay between the sailing club and La Perouse, with specimens around 55cm not uncommon. The ever-reliable Georges River never disappoints, with the pylons of Captain Cook Bridge providing stud bream and school mulloway on the high water mark, with local fresh squid the gun bait. Further upstream, small

schools of bream feeding along Silver Beach only a few hundred metres from the renovated boat ramp, but beware, this ramp is suitable for small boats and best half tide up. Otherwise you’ll run aground, but it is in a very good location, being only about 600m west of the Kurnell Oil Wharf. I would suggest the hot water outlet nearby as the hotspot for big tailor at night, with choppers to

REEF CO-ORDINATES Latitude (S) Longitude (E) 33.58.939 151.12.952 33.58.859 151.13.112 33.58.940 151.13.447 ** 33.59.448 151.13.742 *** 33.59.596 151.14.007 * 33.59.654 151.14.136 *** Best ** Very good * Good fish were troublesome, taking baits meant for larger predators and apparently driving fishos home early. It was nice to see squid taken from the Rocky Pont shoreline at night as this is very unusual, but this is prime time for this particular species. During this month, we will find

2kg not uncommon. The trick is to anchor up on the eastern side of the boil and cast unweighted pillies or pencil garfish in the run. If there are any predators around, you will not have long to wait. I’ve found the 3 nights leading up to the full moon and 2 nights after the same

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And that’s why they call them elbow slappers.

best, and the last 2 hours of the rising tide the prime time. If things are a little quiet, move closer to the second or third groynes nearer the wharf and fish for bream with nippers. The artificial reefs fish particularly well this month, with big tailor, salmon, trevally, bream and school mulloway. My suggestion would be to berley up either yellowtail or slimy mackerel and use them as bait. I’ve listed nearby in the fact box the co-ordinates for these reefs. Like many other possies, they have their good and bad days, but for mine they will produce at night during the rising tide with plenty of berley on offer. Another possie that is well worth a try is The Tongue at the

winds give a false sense of security on Botany Bay and a wet trip home. The bay itself is relatively shallow and can rough up very quickly. Listed below are a number of GPS marks, which have worked well for me over many years, and I’m sure they will work well for you.

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 (268/264-276 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.

Frank and mate caught these sand and dusky flathead from Port Kembla. entrance to the Georges River (33.59.764 — 151.09.660). This shallow sand, weed and gravel

stretch is the home of many fish species, with some surprises in the shape of snapper, kingfish, flounder

PRODUCTIVE GPS MARKS Latitude (S) Inscription Point 34.00.050 Watts Reef 33.59.980 Hot Water 34.00.243 Man Made Trenches 33.59.877 Silver Beach 33.59.996 The Patches 34.00.081 The Mountain 33.59.589 Novotel Wide 33.57.563 New Runway 33.58.602 J Hole 33.58.902 Bare Island 33.59.769 Cruwee Cove 34.00.013 Theo Psaras’ Spot 33.59.194 Middle Grounds 33.59.009

Longitude (E) 151.13.257 151.12.969 151.12.566 151.11.784 151.11.460 151.10.561 151.09.606 151.09.841 151.11.672 151.12.575 151.13.830 151.14.732 151.12.064 151.11.277

and thumper whiting. Use live, locally pumped nippers for the best results on either tide, but make sure you are right on the spot otherwise you’ll be pestered by stingrays and banjo sharks. It’s worth remembering if fishing the bay in June, that the first few hours of an incoming tide fish best along the southern shoreline from Sutherland Point at Kurnell to Towra Point, then between Brighton Le-Sands and the old runway for the last few hours of an incoming tide. The third runway to Cape Banks is best on or during the falling, or ebb tide. Remember, westerly

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Club members have logged over 1000 hours of volunteering to restore riverbanks.

other riverbank restoration projects like South Creek, the Grose and Nepean and Lane Cove Rivers. “The members of Bass Sydney Fishing Club are true habitat heroes,” said Charlotte Jenkins, Fisheries Manager, NSW DPI Fisheries. “Their tireless work for improving native fisheries in the greater Sydney region and their dedication to making a real difference is inspiring, not just for other fishers but to natural resource managers and the wider community in general. Congratulations to the Club for meeting this major milestone – what an amazing achievement!” she said. Bass Sydney was the proud recipient of the inaugural “Habitat Heroes Award” at the 2012 Recreational Fishing Conference in Brisbane. To join Bass Sydney and help improve the Bass fishery email info@ basssydney.com.

Murray crayfish season starts 1 June Anglers are reminded that the annual Murray crayfish season commences in specified NSW waters from Monday 1 June 2015. It is prohibited to take Murray crayfish from other NSW waters and strict fishing rules apply to parts of the Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers in south west NSW. Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Senior Inland Fisheries Manager, Cameron Westaway, said significant changes were introduced in 2013 to the Murray crayfish fishing rules, which included shortening the season by one month and changes to bag and size limits to protect this threatened species. “Changing the opening of the fishing season from 1 May to 1 June protects pre-spawning females,” Mr Westaway said. “The restrictions have also seen a reduction in the daily bag limit for Murray crayfish from five to two and the possession limit from 10 to four.”

Fishing restrictions will be in place during the months of June, July and August, and anglers are reminded to make themselves aware of the rules before the season opens. “Murray crayfish may only be taken during the open season in the Murray River between Hume Weir and Tocumwal road bridge including Lake Mulwala and in the Murrumbidgee River between the Gundagai road bridge and Berembed Weir excluding Old Man Creek,” Mr Westaway said. A NSW recreational fishing licence is required to fish in any NSW waters, including catching Murray crayfish or possessing any fishing gear in, on or adjacent to waters. Up to five hoop nets per person may be used to take Murray crayfish where permitted with the letters ‘HN’ and user’s name, year of birth and postcode on the float. The taking of berried

females, or the removal of heads, tails or claws in or adjacent to waters is prohibited. Fisheries officers will be patrolling the Murray and Murrumbidgee Rivers and other closed waterways to ensure these rules are being followed. “If you catch Murray crayfish, either during the closed season or during the open season in unspecified waters, you must immediately return the crayfish to the water unharmed,” Mr Westaway said. Any suspected illegal fishing activity can be reported to the Fishers Watch Phoneline on 1800 043 536. Detailed information on the fishing rules can be found at www.dpi.nsw. gov.au/fisheries or in the NSW Freshwater Fishing Guide which is available from DPI fisheries offices and most bait and tackle stores. – NSWDPI. JUNE 2015

Hard work, but fish are there for the persistent ILLAWARRA

Greg Clarke clarkey1@westnet.com.au

It will be pretty tough going this month, but all is not lost as there are a few options that will get you some fish and a bit of fun into the bargain. The big plus at this time of year is you don’t have to battle the crowds at the local boat ramps that seem to get larger every summer. For most of June you will have the ramps to yourself, unless the yellowfin tuna come through in numbers. These days they tend to be oceanic fish that move on the currents around the Pacific rather than the coastal fish that used to travel up and down along the shelf and the inshore waters on temperature breaks. If they found food in any particular spot, they hung around for a while. Many of the early tag recaptures showed that fish would return

Smaller tuna in the 10-20kg range would be recaptured the next year or up to several years later at the same place within a few weeks of their previous capture time. Some were very much larger. The majority of recaptures outside these local recaptures by rec’ fishos came from commercial longline operators working along the continental shelf, so it doesn’t take much brain power to work out why they disappeared. The Banks, Bandit Reef and The Peak were all prime spots, with many recaptures, but these days it is the shelf and beyond for any decent ’fin when and if they show up. With a bit of luck the currents will be friendly and some fish will appear though. Better can be said for the southern bluefin, which after being pushed to the brink of extinction, have now made a massive comeback and shown up over the past several years off the local coastline. The hordes of anglers, both local

The sheltered bays and inlets along the coast have schools of nice bream holding there at present. Just add berley. to the same reef system at the same time if not each year, but over later years.

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small towns along their route, pumping millions of dollars into their economy at a time when visitor numbers are at their lowest. We may even see a few early arrivals later this month, so be ready as they seem to move very quickly and then be gone. Just be wary though, as this time of year can see the weather change very quickly. With ever-smaller boats with ever more adventurous skippers sometimes heading 80km to sea for a fish, there is an underlying recipe for disaster. In close there should be a few snapper making their way onto the inshore shallow reefs to grab a few of the early cuttlefish, but not really getting active until the middle of next month. They have been fairly consistent over the deeper reefs for a few weeks now, grabbing plastics and bait worked in water 30m plus. Fish to 5kg are becoming more common, along with plenty in the 1-2kg range, so the winter run is already looking pretty good. Some solid bream are about in the shallows of the bays and inlets and around the islands along the coast, but you need calm water if fishing from a boat. Start early, get a good berley stream going, and they will come right up to the transom. Fish light, and 2kg line is best in this shallow water for good results. Throw a few silver trevally into the mix for good measure and if a school of salmon turn up you will have your work cut out getting them on the light tackle, but it is all good fun. There were a few kings around last month and some big bonito grabbing live baits, but they seem to have tapered right off, with only the odd fish being reported around the islands. It doesn’t hurt to put a live bait out when chasing the reds though, as you never know. For the bottom bouncers the snapper will be the main target, with good numbers of fish coming in from the reefs, along with plenty of samsonfish. They have been quite thick over the local reefs this year, with fish up to 4kg coming in. That’s not big for the species, but not too bad for around here. The flatties have switched off for winter, with only a few fish coming in for the diehard flattie chasers. For the rockhoppers it starts to get tough, unless you like chasing drummer that is. Fishing the suds with unweighted peeled prawns or cunje, or use a very small bobby cork for a strike indicator. The results can be excellent this month and throughout the winter months

When you get a bonito at this time of the year they are generally good specimens, and there are a few about out at the islands. for that matter. These baits also hedge your bets and will pick up any bream and trevally that are about. You could also use crabs and that brings any groper into the mix as well. The thing is that drummer fight hard and dirty, but groper fight harder and dirtier than drummer! Hooking them is 1 thing; getting them out is quite another. I use a maximum of 6kg line and 4kg for even more hookups. You can fish heavier, but the bite rate falls dramatically as the line gets heavier. You can use cabbage weed for bait under a float blackfish style, which brings the blackfish into play, and there are some big fish about at the moment. If we get a big blow, hopefully nothing like what we had in mid April that made a mess of the place, the harbours will fish very well as they always do. They were packed during the last weather event, with heaps of blackfish and drummer coming in during the rough weather. They get popular because the harbours are the only place you can fish without being washed in, which is a big plus... If it is calm, the headlands and deeper ledges have plenty of salmon taking pilchards and lures, and a few good-sized tailor during the evenings. A live bait out on the deeper ledges while chasing smaller fish could pick up a late kingie or longtail, as there are still the odd example of each about. On the beaches, June has long been a good month for chasing big mulloway, those fish of 20 kilos and better. It is cold during the evenings and nights, and usually only the diehards stick it out, but with big high tides during the evenings and the lure of that 1 1/2m of silver rolling in the wash at your feet after a solid battle more than warms your cockles. Most of the beaches along

There are plenty of snapper of this size over the reefs chomping on bait and plastics. the coast will hold good fish if there is a decent gutter. Having said this, if the westerlies blow through, there may not even be a gutter with any white water. This is when you get down to the beach during the day and look for the deeper water and fish there. They will come within a few metres of shore on a dark night with the westerlies blowing when there is little or no wash present. Not all the mulloway are monsters, with the majority being under 10 kilos, but still nice fish and there are more of them to go around. Salmon, as always, are on all the beaches this month, along with some very good tailor up to 3kg just on dark, particularly on the northerly beaches. Throw in a few bream to pick away at your big baits and the beaches don’t look too bad, but they will always be cold.

The estuaries are on the quiet side. If you flog the water to foam with plastics you might catch a flathead. You might not too, but if you work the edges of the weed beds and dropoffs in the lake with small plastics and hardbodies, there are a few nice bream ready to tackle your offerings. The pros hit them pretty hard along the edges at Primbee and the back of the van park, so you may get them 1 day and the next they are on their way to the markets. Around the bridge pylons could be worth a shot at slack water for bream, at the bottom of the pylons with plastics for a mulloway, and the entrance wall will hold a few bream and salmon on the top of the tide. Minnamurra should have a few bream around the bridges, but it will be hard work.

News

2015 Recreational Fishing Conference Recreational anglers – mark your calendars and make plans to be at the 2015 National Recreational Fishing Conference on the Gold Coast, 25th of July. The Conference is a joint project of the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC), the Australian Fishing Trade Association (AFTA) and the Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation (ARFF). The theme of the 2015 Conference is ‘Managing Our Fishing Future’ with a focus on the collaboration between anglers, government, science and industry to ensure properly managed recreational fisheries in Australia. Conference sessions include: ‘Australian Fisheries, A Shared Resource’; ‘Improving the Quality of Fishing in Australia’; ‘What is Social License and How do we Maintain it?” and ‘What does the Future of Recreational Fishing in Australia Look Like?”. All Conference sessions feature Q&A/Discussion time so conference attendees can get involved and have say. More than 15 local and international speakers have been confirmed to present at

A BREAM tournament is part of the extra-curricular conference activities. this year’s Conference. A keynote presentation of the day will be delivered by Professor Robert Arlinghaus - Professor for Inland Fisheries at HumboldtUniversity. Professor Arlinghaus recently spoke at the World Recreational Fishing Conference in Brazil and will now be bringing his knowledge and expertise to Australia. His topic, ‘How do Values and Beliefs Influence Fishing’ will provide insights into how changes in social values

affect recreational fisheries drawing on examples of how this has be dealt with in other countries. Other speakers on the day include: • Paul Worsteling, IFish • Steve Morgan, Fishing Monthly Magazines • Jim Harwell, Fishing World Magazine • Richard Louv, US based Author • Dr Daryl McPhee, Bond University • Dr Julian Pepperell, Marine Biologist and Author

For the full list of speakers and program visit the Conference website. The Conference will be hosting the 2015 RecFishing Awards. Nominations are now being called for to recognize achievements of people and projects within the recreational fishing sector in Australia in five categories: • Excellence in Innovation and Leadership • Excellence in Support for Research Outcomes • Project of the Year

• Best Environmental Initiative • Mal Ramsay Lifetime Achievement Award Full awards criteria and details on how to lodge your nomination are available on the conference website. Conference attendees will also have exclusive access to the 2015 AFTA Trade Show on Sunday the 26th of July. This is a chance to go behind the scenes of where Australia’s fishing tackle and outdoors industry does business – see new release products, product demonstrations and talk to industry legends. The 2015 Recreational Fishing Conference will also be taking the time honour an icon of recreational fishing in Australia – John Dunphy – who passed away earlier this year. John Dunphy founded Dunphy Sports / Fishing Imports in 1981 and

a short time later secured the distribution rights for Shimano in Australia and New Zealand. John was a strong advocate for sustainable fishing practices and was heavily involved in activities that supported this such as fish restocking programs. The 2015 John Dunphy Memorial Fishing Tournament will take place on Sunday the 25th of July. For details on how you can take part in this Tournament visit the conference website. Sponsors of the 2015 National Recreational Fishing Conference are: Fisheries Research and Development Coroporation, Australian Fishing Trade Association, Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation, Southern Cross Media, ABT and the Department of Agriculture. recreationalfishing conference.com.au.

QUICK FACTS What: 2015 Recreational Fishing Conference When: Saturday, 25th July 2015 Where: Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre Registration: Earlybird (before June 30) $20 After 1 July $30 Website: www. recreationalfishingconference.com.au

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Paul Worsteling

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Saturday 25th July 2015 Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre Jim Harnwell

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Winter’s here! This means you should be targeting deeper water in St Georges Basin if you want to hook into the schools of bream and snapper that should be stacking up by now. Leastways, this would usually be my advice, but some rippers are still being found in the shallows, so make sure you have a bit of a hunt around through the cockle beds. You probably won’t get the numbers, but they should make up for that in size. If you’re wanting to give this a go, then make sure you’re taking along some Atomic mid divers or Gulp Camo Grubs on lightly weighted jigheads. A slow roll with both of these should see you getting the net out. In the Shoalhaven River, there has been a few mulloway kicking around between the canal and the mouth. Keep an eye on the tides and make sure you’re out there on the change for your best chance of hooking one. Just remember though, that they’re called ghosts for a reason, with reports of the Shoalhaven River having one of the highest commercial catch rates of these amazing estuary species. The rape and pillaging of the river by the netters sucks for us recreational fishos, but it also means that they’re there if you’re willing to put the effort in. If you want to try something different, take a fly rod, as there has been a lot of salmon making their home in the river lately. I’ve caught them at the mouth and in the canal. Keep an eye and ear on the water, and where you see or hear a bust

Did

Nathan with a nice kingfish from the Middle Ground. up, make a cast and hold on tight while these awesome sportfish peel line and fly through the air. Whites and bright colours should bring you success. In and around Jervis Bay, if you don’t have the option of a boat, there has been some great catches from the stones. Drummer, blackfish, tailor and salmon are all hanging about at the moment. If you’re wanting to target the drummer, try a very lightly weighted peeled cooked prawn thrown into the washes, but take some heavier 15-20lb gear as these things will try and bury you in seconds. For the blackies, carry a float and weed rig and slowly drift it along the stones, and some metal slugs for the tailor and salmon. There has also been a lot of good-sized squid in Jervis Bay, with the usual areas of Murrays, Plantation Point and Callala being the best place to target them. As much as I don’t like to see them being used as bait,

t a h t w o you kn

the snapper that have moved in recently are loving fresh squid strips. The kings are hanging around Longnose Bommie, or if you venture around the Heads at the Sideboards, they have really

taken a liking to whole live squid. If you’re like me and love catching fish on lures, than target the snapper on 5” jerkshads using a simple double hop retrieve.

A winter Shoalhaven River bream on a Jackall chubby.

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Over f videos o cts, du new pro es liti persona ing and fish

Here comes the sushi train BATEMANS BAY

Anthony Stokman

That’s right! It’s tuna migration time and the yellowfin are on our doorstep. The weather is going from hot to cold and the fishing can be a bit like that at this time of the year. You can have a really good day or completely luck out, but that’s why they call it fishing and not catching. I swore I would never ever write that. But I swore I would never eat Australian salmon too! So the fishing is a bit on and off, hot and cold as the water temperature starts to drop. It’s the time of year where you can be trolling tuna lures and hook a blue marlin; be casting a metal off the stones for salmon and kingies come and snaffle it; or you can be casting lures at bream and estuary perch are all over the hardbody; or fishing on the beaches for bream and a big whiting comes along and shows that they are still around. These are all typical stories in the shop of late. So don’t be surprised if there are some whiting on the beaches into the colder months, as we found last year. If you thought you saw a pointy marlin fin whilst trolling for tuna, it may not be the half a carton you drank last night… Big kings are getting around at this time of year. Big kings in groups of 2, 4, 6 or so have been swimming around in small groups or with groups of smaller kings. Plenty of fishos have been smoked by these customers from the rocks. There doesn’t seem to be a great number of them, but they are around and they seem to be bigger than previous years. We haven’t seen great numbers, but I was talking to a kingie specialist and he seems to think they are coming back and he is catching bigger ones than previous years. So there are some kingfish about, but you can spend a whole morning or day chasing

these guys and you’ve got to love the process and the chase. And you have to go spend time catching livies. Then you have to find a school and stay on them. A lot of the older blokes can’t resist the chase and then get cranky when they miss them and then also dip out on a snapper bite or fetching some flathead before it gets windy. And when they do get them, they complain about a sore back from the drag pulling runs. One product that looks after your back is the Cush It. I can’t recommend this product enough; it’s by Luna Sea and is by far the most comfortable back protector on the market. The company must be making a fortune. You whack it on your rod butt and throw it in ya guts and wind the fish in. Simple as that. It’s very comfortable and better than gimbal harnesses that still give you lower back pain. So if you have a few kingie haunts in mind, they are worth a visit. Livies are the most productive kingie option, but if that doesn’t work, drop

down jigs. Some days you get a couple on livies, then they stop, then you switch to jigging and they’re on again. Then they stop, and they switch back to livies and you’re on again. If you are married, then you have what it takes to fish for kingies! If you choose not to chase these brawlers, then the snapper fishing seems to be picking up, with some good runs and bustoffs from big fish in close at the moment. It’s not long now until we see the cuttlefish moving in, and snapper fishing in close, in bays, and off the rocks should be rocking! From the stones, we had some longtail tuna action through autumn, which was quite exciting for anglers down here while it lasted. Now rock fishermen will be targeting snapper and drummer, with some salmon and tailor also getting around. The salmon have been massive of late, with 2kg plus tanks pulling drags. The larger yellowfin bream will be available from the stones over winter too, as

they move out to spawn. If you’re in the estuary, it’s that time where you start casting blades and vibes at bream moving through the deeper waters and out to the front, quite often catching flathead in the process — our number 1 all-year-round reliable species. The waters start to become very clear as they cool and you’ll find going as light as you can leader-wise is necessary to get the bite. Another species that has become quite reliable and is present in the estuary is the mulloway. The Clyde can be proud to boast that it has been a very good mulloway fishery over the last couple of years. They have also made a good showing on our beaches and headlands of late. Nice to see such large fish exciting people. But if you want to get ball tearing runs from a big fish this winter, then you can’t go past our south coast ’fin. By June we should be seeing some of those nice big 60-80kg giants hanging around. You need to cover a fair bit of ground and use the best technology to find where there is some likely water, and patrol those areas with lures. If there is any sign of fish, then it’s always a good idea and a nice way to spend a sunny

No, not a yellowfin, but it’s a very big fish. Geoff Alford with a metre-long lure-caught flattie from the Clyde. winter’s day by pulling up and starting a cube trail. The last couple of years saw a few nice yellowfin show up and there was some great surface action off Sydney. I’m getting the feeling, and from what the commercial boats have been catching of late, we could be in for another good season. Then, by the 10th of July at 2:40pm, I’ll be hooked up to an 80kg bluefin barrel. Yes, I have called it, and right down to the hour too! Let’s see how close I am. Going by the last 2 years, June was

yellow and July was blue. And the Julys have been very blue. Let’s hope so once again. Anyway folks, I’m extremely busy getting my boat sorted for the coming tuna months and I better run, tuna run that is — ha ha! 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).

Not to be outdone, Cameron Starr nailed this 83cm fish, also in the Clyde. Both were breeders and obviously released.

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Despite the weather, fishing options remain good Stuart Hindson stuart@ausfishing.com.au

The last few weeks’ weather has been nothing short of abominable, with rain, wind and huge seas meaning fishing’s been non-existent except a few brave souls chancing it in the estuaries. The ocean has been messy, with a huge swell making it impossible to fish offshore, and for those that fish the beaches you may have to wait a little while yet. But for all the negatives, it will soon turn into huge positives as the estuaries will receive a much needed flush out, the beaches will form new, deeper gutters, and offshore the bottom bouncing for snapper will really fire up. Before the blow, the game fishing fraternity were getting a little excited about good reports of yellowfin

tuna. There were some solid models amongst them too, with the best fish l’ve heard of going 86kg. Smaller yellowfin to 35kg are more

extremely popular as you’re covering more ground, with bibbed and trolled skirted pushers getting the desired results. I would expect the

Josh Hollis with the sort of winter black bream that can be expected over the next 4 months. readily available, with the shelf and beyond the place to fish. Trolling has been

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the fish become a little more concentrated. Areas like The Kink, Tuross Canyons, the Six and Twelve Mile Reefs are all know hotspots. If the current, water temperature and bait concentrations are there, expect the yellowfin too. Those anglers after bigger toothy prey won’t be disappointed either, with mako sharks in excess of 200kg on the cards. These brutes will be following the tuna schools and the slightly cooler water conditions are ideal for them. At Montague Island, the kings have been tough all season, with 1 out of 4 days producing. That’s hard in anyone’s books, but if the kings are ever going to fire, this month will be it. The end of autumn-start of winter is prime time for bigger kings, with the north west corner and Fowlhouse Reef the place to fish. Trolling larger bibbed minnows will work, but casting live slimy mackerel into surface bait schools is the gun method. You have to be there at the right time though, with early mornings prime. The last few seasons has seen kings to 25kg caught, so let’s hope this season is the same and the seals stay away too. On the reefs, the recent blow and big seas have done it the world of good. The snapper fishing will be nothing short of exceptional, with reds in excess of 5kg common. I’d expect the inshore reefs to fire nicely, with the cuttlefish run in full swing also. Areas to fish include Potato Point to the north of Narooma, or the close-in reef about halfway along Brou Beach. Both areas will fish well, but try to concentrate your efforts more on the edges of the reef over the gravel patches and not so much on the hard stuff itself. Better baits include squid strips and pilchards, with soft plastics catching fish also. In the estuaries, Wagonga continues to fire, with the

bait very concentrated in the upper reaches near the 4kt area. The place is loaded with tailor, from just legal fish to proper greenbacks of 3kg. These bigger tailor have been caught by deep trolling big hardbodies and live bait fished near the bottom. There’s been ample flathead to be caught, but surprisingly not too many big girls over 70cm. Trevally, bream, snapper and some big salmon have been hammering the bait schools also. Anglers fishing soft plastics on 3-5g jigheads are faring well, with bream responding well to smaller blades fished hard on the bottom. The recent rain has dirtied the water somewhat, but that hasn’t slowed the fishing down at all. The only species that has slowed are the mulloway. They have thinned out somewhat over the last few weeks, but hopefully that will change as the bait is still there. As I’ve mentioned, the swell has been big, but it will drop off eventually, making it an ideal time to fish the beaches. Most will have some deeper gutters close to shore, therefore long casts won’t be needed. I had a

These looked awesome and should be excellent for salmon and tailor, plus bream and bigger winter whiting. I’d be using smaller baits like beachworms and pipis for the bread-and-butter species, with bluebait or pilchards rigged on a paternoster rig incorporating surf poppers ideal for the pelagic species. Don’t be surprised to see a few good gummy sharks and mulloway come from these same gutters. Off the rocks, blackfish, drummer and groper love the rough stuff. When its safe to fish, the Golfie rocks and Dalmeny Headland will fire for sure. I’d be hitting the washes just around the corner from the main headland in both locations, and fishing lightly weighted baits like half crab or cabbage for all species. I wouldn’t bother too much with berley at present and the heavy seas have provided enough l’d think. The front ledges will produce salmon and tailor, with big fish to 5kg quite a possibility. Casting whole pilchards on ganged hooks will work, as will Shiners around the 40g mark. Cast them long, wind fast and

The author with an example of the mulloway that can be found in the Tuross Lake system. This fish fell to a Jackall Transam and was released. quick drive along the coast the other day and almost all had great gutters, with the best at Brou and Kianga.

hang on. Let’s hope we have some more stable weather over coming weeks, but May/ June usually provides it.

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Mission: tuna! BERMAGUI

Darren Redman djsxstreamfishing@bigpond.com

The looming Queens Birthday holiday in June is noted around the country as an excuse to go fishing. Whether it is just recreational or competing in 1 of the many fishing comps held on this weekend, Bermagui is no exception as many an angler descends on the town with a mission to catch the powerful yellowfin tuna. It may be coming close to the end of the yellowfin season, but remember, just around the corner in the months of July and August, southern bluefin tuna are likely to show. For now though, let’s target what is on hand. Areas that have been producing yellowfin are out on the Continental Shelf, with Bunga Canyons, the Kink, or up at the Tuross Canyons. Trolling may be best to locate fish and once done, berley trails with live baits, cubes or strip baits drifted out in them account for a few fish. You may find the fish encountered on the troll are likely to be albacore or striped tuna, but be assured the yellowfin won’t be far away. When trolling, a

good mix of skirted, bibbed or bibless lures will generally work well, plus add a large skirted lure out the back as there has been many a marlin taken in June before and it’s likely many will be in the future. Another species to consider is sharks, makos especially. If you don’t put a shark bait out in a berley trail, at least have 1 at hand because these fish love tuna or tuna scent and are 1 of the best sportfish in the ocean. For those who are not into the big stuff, there is plenty of other fishing to be found in the form of reef dwellers like snapper, morwong, nannygai, kingfish, wrasse, pigfish, or the tasty but dreaded leatherjacket. Areas to consider are north around Montague Island. If quiet, you can always venture back towards Bermagui out off Tilba around The Step to bag some tasty flathead, gurnard or gummy sharks. Heading south will put you on many a reef like the Four or Six Mile, while further south out from Goalen Head offers some of the best reef fishing to be had. If you like to double dip, try the deep water off the Twelve Mile Reef, where you can fish for the tuna while bottom fishing for species like large

Big yellowfin are what we all want to see this month — before the bluefin arrive! Tassie trumpeter. On shore, even though it is a little cool, beaches within the area are offering plenty of Australian salmon, some tailor, or for the brave wishing to fish into the night, a mulloway or gummy sharks are likely. Use berley through the daylight hours and you’ll definitely attract bream, mullet

and trevally for some light tackle action. Drummer and luderick are the go off the rocks. When the shadows of the cliffs start to creep across the water late afternoon, try drifting cunjevoi, cabbage weed or even a peeled prawn out into the wash and hang on, as there are some pretty hefty drummer around.

Fishing the shallow water of Wallaga Lake will produce most species, including lovely luderick. Best areas are below the Blue Pool, the main headland, or the rocks adjacent to the Bermagui Harbour entrance. If it’s estuary fish you desire, Wallaga Lake has some lovely black bream kicking around. Target them with lures around the western shoreline, and you can often sight fish for them here. Narira Creek up the

back is another hot spot, as is around the island. Below the bridge on an incoming tide when the warmer water from the ocean pushes in, fish the flats with nippers or squirtworms. Not only will you find bream, but mixing with them will be luderick, trevally, the odd flattie, mullet or whiting.

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Early winter action TATHRA

Darren Redman djsxstreamfishing@bigpond.com

Yes, winter has now descended upon us and things are cooling down. Not so in the fishing world though, as there is plenty of action to be found. With the colder weather, early starts are not a necessity, so sleep in, as the fish will more often not get active until the sun warms the water. This is especially the case in the Bega River, where species like bream, whiting, luderick, flathead, trevally or mullet will graze the shallow flats where the sun’s rays heat the water quicker, as they search for tasty worms, shrimp or prawns, and the everpresent nippers. This activity creates several options for anglers. Usually associated with the cooler months is crystal clear water. This allows anglers to sight their target before making a cast. Calm conditions are a great time to sit back and soak a bait, like those already mentioned above. Whether you are in a boat or shore based, this style of fishing can be very productive, however, improve your chances by first sighting fish within your intended area. If you are a more active angler who wishes to fish lure or fly, these conditions can be very rewarding, even though sometimes many casts may be needed to achieve a result. This is due to the cooler water and the fish being sluggish, so just persist. This is also the

time any estuary perch in the system will congregate in the deep sections near the rocky shorelines. Here anglers can sound them out, where soft plastics

Other forms of fishing are also pretty good at present. For those who like beach angling, salmon are readily available, with Tathra and Bournda

Bream are just 1 of the many species found in the warmer water over the flats in winter.

Winter gar are a lot of fun. You just have to be extra cute to catch them! or blades jigged will often produce, but again persistence is the key.

beaches being the hot areas. There are also tailor available, quite a lot of nice

bream, or of a night if you are keen, the chance of a mulloway or gummy shark. The local wharf is also a hive of activity, with plenty to keep both the young and old entertained. Slimy mackerel, yellowtail and silver trevally are most sought after, along with those lovely big winter garfish. Of a night, tailor or salmon will patrol the area, and if you like your calamari, squid will often be here in numbers. The rock platforms south of the wharf are home to some very nice black drummer, luderick and blue groper. Cunjevoi or cabbage weed are best for the first 2, while fresh red crabs should account for a groper or 2. Out at sea, those calm

conditions are allowing anglers to pursue the many reef and bottom fish within the area. Snapper are a tasty common catch over the reefs at present, and throw in some morwong, both blue and jackass, pigfish, perch or nannygai, and you have the makings of a seafood banquet. Flathead, mostly sandies, are available over the smoother grounds where gummy sharks and gurnard may also figure in

fish bags. Again the calmer weather is allowing those in the bigger boats to venture further afield out over the Continental Shelf, and with the aid of electronic reels tap into the deepwater dwellers like blue eye trevalla, hapuka, ling, gemfish and ocean perch. There may also be some game fish, like tuna, sharks or marlin in the deeper water, so be prepared.

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Settled conditions, now bring on the fish MERIMBULA

Stuart Hindson stuart@ausfishing.com.au

Well the weather has finally turned the corner after the relentless rain, wind and big seas of late. It’s good to have a blow and flush the estuaries out, but time has come to get amongst them again. What the weather has done for offshore fishos is pretty awesome, with anglers targeting snapper having a field day. The word is the reds are firing on all cylinders, with most inshore reefs and gravel beds producing the goods. They are quality fish too, with a few knobbies upwards of 5kg amongst them. That’s a solid snapper for here and not incidental captures either; there are a few around that size getting captured. The inshore grounds are definitely fishing better, not only because it’s been stirred up, but the cuttlefish run is in full swing, making them snappers hungry. Areas to try include Long Point, Haycock and White Cliffs; they have all produced lately and l can’t see that changing any time soon.

You can expect morwong, John dory, trevally and flatties to make up the rest of the bag, with

jumbos lost, which is great to see early in the season. One visiting crew I talked to told me they saw 15-20

Gemfish are possible opponents when fishing the deep past the shelf. fresh, squid, cuttlefish and pilchards the preferred baits. Anglers casting soft plastics and bigger soft vibes will be rewarded also, especially fishing early around a tide change, preferably the low. Further offshore and it’s tuna time, with yellowfin, southern bluefin and albacore all possible opponents. Before the blow, some cracking yellowfin had been caught and a few

70kg fish jumping around chasing sauries about 10km past the shelf. They only trolled as they didn’t have live bait or berley, but unfortunately they didn’t get a bite. That happens with yellowfin; when they’re tuned in on sauries they won’t respond to anything else most of the time. Sure there’s exceptions, but rules are meant to be broken on occasions.

The next few months will see these fish chew, with their whereabouts anywhere from the 40f line eastwards. It will depend on bait, water temperature and currents. In the estuaries, they have received plenty of fresh over recent weeks and are just starting to clear as I type. The water has been very dirty, especially in Pambula Lake, but give it another week and it will be its usual crystal clear self. The fishing definitely slowed down with the amount of fresh we had as the water dropped a few degrees, but it’s now picked up with flathead still pretty good fun on soft plastics. You can expect trevally, salmon and tailor towards the estuary entrance, with the main basin itself producing trevally, bream and blackfish. Anglers that have done okay are using smaller metal blades fished hard on the bottom in the basin, with soft plastics worked in the fast water towards the entrance. This system will only get better as we head into winter; it’s a very reliable fishery when the cold water arrives, and I can’t wait. On the beaches, the swell has carved out some

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new gutters and closed others in, but most beaches have good solid formations. A quick drive around will soon see you fishing the right ones, but North Tura and Tura Main are the pick. Both salmon and tailor can be found in good numbers, with the usual methods like bait/popper combinations on paternoster rigs the most effective. Anglers after some exercise walking the beach will fare well casting metal Shiners deep into the suds for sizeable salmon. It’s that time of year when big salmon will patrol the gutters, with greenback tailor on the cards as well.

Clear, cool winter days means solid black bream on the flats. l can’t wait for it!

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If the pelagics aren’t for you, then you should be able to get a feed of bream and bigger whiting in the rockier corners on most beaches. Lightly weighted baits like pipis and worm should produce nice fish for the pan. The rockhopper brigade after a feed shouldn’t have any worries, with blackfish and drummer in good numbers on most headlands. I’d be looking at Short or Long Point, as both fish very well after heavy seas. Use lightly weighted baits like cabbage or bread with a little berley for best results.

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Quiet town - busy on the water No crowds! EDEN

Kevin Gleed captainkev@wildernessfishingtours.com

Like all the small towns on the far south coast, Eden has really quietened down after a busy summer and autumn period. The winter months still provide good fishing for the locals and any visiting anglers though. As with the rest of the east coast, the Eden area received its fair share of rain and huge seas as a result of a couple of east coast lows. The water temperature is also dropping fast as we head deeper into winter. Summer saw the water on the local beaches get to around 22 degrees, but it’s about 17 now. Good fishing on the REVA G.T

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beaches was had in the warm water, with sand whiting and yellowfin bream a regular catch, but the falling water temperature has seen the salmon numbers increase, with a few bigger tailor starting to show also. There has been little to report on the game fishing scene. Warm water is out on the shelf and this is a great time of year to be fishing wide. Albacore, yellowfin and even southern bluefin tuna can be caught; the problem has been finding a break in the weather to get out there and get amongst them. This time of year sees a good opportunity for some of the best game fishing possible, but it is only a short window when these fish are moving by, so let’s hope for

some good weather over the coming month. The inshore fishing for flathead and snapper has been good and the water is starting to clear after the recent rains. The coming months are when

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with good success. Once fish are found with the sounder, you need to persist in the area. White lures are the choice of many successful anglers. Fishing in the local rivers has been good, with catches of bream, flathead and whiting taken before all the rain. As the water cleans up, the fishing will improve. All the rivers are flowing and by the looks of things more rain is on its way this winter.

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Kevin Gleed captainkev@wildernessfishingtours.com

The past month has seen plenty of rain, with a good flood flushing through the system, followed by another good river rise a week later. This has turned the ocean brown and with the water temperature dropping as we head into winter, the offshore fishing is all but over for another year. Some good catches of gummy shark and flathead, both sandies and tigers, were taken on the days when the weather would allow the fishermen to get out there before the water turned to mud. The colder water has also seen the salmon turn up on the local beaches, and with plenty of good gutters all along them, the salmon are being caught anywhere from Quarry Beach through to Bastion Point. The salmon are around the kilo mark, with a few twice that size A few salmon have been caught in the lake too, and as the water clears in the weeks ahead, schools will start moving in and out. Those who were fortunate enough to be fishing the lake

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over the past month have been amazed at the way the system has been fishing, particularly for bream. Fishing immediately after the first flood was insane, with 1 group of anglers fishing with me over 2 1/2 days catching more than 150 fish, with 90 per cent of them big bream. This is why I love floods; the best fishing is often when the water is at its dirtiest. All these fish were caught on lures. Those fishing with bait have also done well though, with the best choice being prawns. You don’t need to be to fancy, with packet prawns working a treat. Why, they’ve even been caught on cooked prawns! After the second flush, plenty of good fish were caught around the entrance area and from the jetties in town. The colder water will see the trevally turn up in numbers. There are fish here all year, but the bigger models arrive and more fish are caught over the winter months. The winter is set to produce some great fishing, and with few anglers around, it’s great to have the car park to yourself.

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It’s cold, but the fish don’t care CENTRAL COAST

Jamie Robley jrobley@iprimus.com.au

At last, winter’s grip has taken hold, so let’s hope the good autumn rainfall we had along this part of the coast has our waterways primed for some great fishing this month. The only trouble is that June is also notorious for the strongest east coast lows of the year, so fingers crossed that doesn’t happen. Offshore anglers on the northern part of the Central Coast are rejoicing as the new ramp in Cabbage Tree Bay was completed a while back, with 2 lanes plus a side lane for beach launching. I’m probably not alone in thinking that it could have been a bit more substantial given the lengthy time it took to build, but hey, let’s just be grateful we do have new launching facilities there. Larger vessels heading out from Norah to the wider jigging grounds this winter should find it a little bit easier to launch. The next hurdle is the weather being kind and granting us plenty of calm days to get out there. Hopefully it’s a good season for the kings, with less in the way of leatherjackets, sharks and seals, which all make pests of themselves at times. Of course, there are snapper, morwong and trevally closer in as well. As I always say, don’t be afraid to put in some effort over the shallow grounds from 20-30m or even closer near the headlands or bommies this month. The best fishing isn’t always in deeper water, that’s for sure. There may also be some kings still around the shallower reefs this month, with freshly caught

calamari squid, live pike or garfish being the best bet to entice them. Tailor, a few salmon, and the odd bonito or frigate mackerel, are others that may be worth trolling or lure casting for. Back inside calmer waters, we can expect a mixed bag of bream, blackfish, flathead and whiting this month. Tailor can also become more abundant as we move into winter, and judging by my last few outings in the past

If you’re keen on getting into a few flatties, then go deeper and further into the system at this time of year. The lower to middle sections of creeks such as Erina or Narara are a good example, but deeper channels around Woy Woy or even at The Entrance are all worth a shot this month. As with bream, if you’re using soft plastics, remember to slow down with the retrieve, as fish don’t move with the same

be too hard to find sambos off the rocks or along our beaches right now. In fact, it may even be too easy, especially when throwing whole pilchard baits into the surf. As much as I enjoy catching them, it would be nice if a big bream, tailor or mulloway took the bait instead! Bream, drummer and blackfish should be reasonably easy to come by from the rocks at the moment. So overall, there’s

Flathead won’t be too hard to come by this month. This one snatched a pink Gulp in deeper water, which is where most flatties will be through the colder months.

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Small sinking lures like this modified Daiwa Gekkabijin work well on bream at this time of year. Just remember to keep retrieves slow and closer to the bottom. week there could be a lot of choppers about through June. The bigger models are fun to catch and I like eating them, but the little ones are nothing but a pest when trying to catch other species. Although I haven’t been specifically chasing them, plenty of small whiting have latched onto my bream and flathead lures lately. They do love small blades and I’ve definitely noticed whiting have a soft spot for pumpkinseed Gulps, regardless of the exact size or model.

aggression as when the water is warmer. On the rocks, some big calamari should still be around this month, so whether you want them for food or bait, put in the effort now, as they’ll start thinning out as July approaches. The same applies for fish like bream and luderick, as June is normally a better month than July or August. Love them or loathe them, it’s salmon time again. Although the peak of the season is still a month or 2 away yet, it shouldn’t

a range of species worth chasing both from the rocks and beaches through June. Despite the potential variety, it’s always best to specifically target 1 species, which maximises your chance of success. Exactly which one to go for depends on personal preference, but I would say that bream or salmon are the easier fish to catch, as they’ll take a wider range of baits than blackfish or drummer. This early part of winter can be quite a good time of year for fishing, but as the weeks pass things will get a bit harder, so get stuck into it now!

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Calamari season certainly isn’t over yet. In fact, some of the biggest models lurk over the kelp grounds and inshore reefs in June. JUNE 2015

Fish cunning in winter SWANSEA

Jason Scerri jayro@hotmail.com.au

Well how time flies when you’re having fun, hey. It’s hard to believe that we are halfway through 2015 already. It’s been a good year fishing-wise for most of us here in the Lake Macquarie region, and around the country as a whole we have seen some fantastic results from anglers. Great numbers of bluefin tuna from South Australia, more of the same and some magic swordfish from our friends down in Tassie, and the good news is that locals in our region have also seen their fair share of great fishing. It is by no means easy at this time of year and simply getting out of bed is a mission during these cooler months. As far as I’m concerned though, so long as the rewards are on offer I’ll keep getting up and doing what I

love doing… and that’s going fishing. We have had ample rain in the area in recent times and the lake has certainly received a great flush as a result of this. These flushes are fantastic for the health of our system, as it generally has a very poor water volume turnover due to the narrow passageway to the ocean. This rain helps fix that issue to a degree and the fishing reflects that. The lake continues to produce fantastic fishing. For those anglers like myself who love the challenge of targeting large estuary fish such as mulloway and flathead on lures, now is prime time. There is plenty of bait in the lake in the form of tailor and salmon, and this is great news for anglers who love to chase mulloway. We prove it time and time again every year that you don’t need to sit out there all night long with a live bait out to catch 1. Daytime hours, a good range of soft

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plastics, and you’re in with a better chance than most. During these cool months, the good fish will go deep. For us here on Lake Mac’, that means a water depth of around 7-10m. I suggest lures in the 4-6” size range and just enough lead to get beneath the tailor schools. Work the edges of the schools and under them as this is where you will find the large flathead and mulloway. Don’t go overboard with your tackle, as a 25003000-size reel, 2-5kg rod and 6-8lb braid is more than enough. We don’t have heavy structure that they will reef you on as a rule, so go light and enjoy the fight. As for lure choices, I like the Keitech Swing Impact Fats range and also the Pro Lure Fish Tails. Both have a great paddle tail action that these fish cannot resist. Those looking for some fun on the salmon should be able to find them schooling in areas such as Salts Bay, Belmont Bay, Bolton Point, and popping up here and there throughout the lake. Small stickbait style soft plastics like a 7cm Smash Bait is ideal for this type of fishing. Not great on the table, they ate a fantastic sportfish that will offer hours of entertainment. The bream fishing has been good 1 day and tough the next. We have seen sessions of 5kg bags of 5, and then had others where just getting a few was a challenge in itself. Jayro Tackle had 2 teams in a recent BETS Bream round on the lake and we were fortunate that both our teams managed to secure their bag of 5, but it was not easy, that’s for sure. Myself and fellow Jayro Tackle angler Bryce Oliver managed 28th from 72 boats. We worked a variety of lures, but lately have certainly found the range of Duo lures are proving very effective on the local bream population. As the weather has now cooled and the bite generally slowed, it is important for lure anglers to remember it’s also a good time to slow down the retrieve and you should find the strike rate increasing. Offshore fishing has been fairly good. There has been no shortage of rough weather at times and this has stirred things up for anglers chasing a feed of snapper. There are ample reds on offer in that 2-4kg size, and these are fantastic fish for fun on light gear and also very good on the table. Bait anglers are getting best results with squid and pilchard baits.

I managed this chunky 40+cm bream from very discoloured water after recent rains. Note the bright IMA Tetra lure — perfect for such coloured water. Many reefs from Redhead down to Norah Head are holding good fish and a quality sounder is very handy for those looking for these snapper schools. The kingfish are also on the chew, however, the inshore run is pretty well over until next summer. Those chasing these brutes are best looking at further offshore locations such as Texas Reef and the Perch Grounds off Terrigal, as well as the offshore reefs out from Port Stephens. Deep-set live baits are the number 1 option and the more adventurous anglers will be getting their share with deepwater jigs. Make sure you have a good variety of colours as what works 1 day may not the next. Bluewater fishermen are in luck as it’s tuna time of year for those who love their game fishing. Generally the fish are very

wide off our part of the coast and you are more than likely going to need to head to locations such as Norah Head Canyons and beyond. Basically, the grounds to work start around 25 miles offshore and anglers will work as wide as 40 miles in some cases to find these tuna feeding. The southern waters off Bermagui and down through South Australia into Tassie have all been on fire and we can only sit, wait and hope that we are into for a little of the same for our game anglers. Generally, 15-24kg outfits are sufficient for the fish we see, and lures in the 6-9” range are good skirted options. Weighted heads are generally preferred for tuna fishing, as the weather is often a little choppy out there and these bite well in the water and don’t blow out as much. Rock and beach anglers have some very

nice fish on offer as well. There are ample salmon schools passing by their noses, which are fantastic fun for anglers throwing metal lures off the stones and beaches. There have also been plenty of very nice bream taken by bait anglers, and they have informed me that the key to their success has been a steady berley trail during their rock and beach sessions. Peeled prawns and lightly weighted rigs have been the choice for local rock anglers chasing their bags of bream. I would like to finish off this month by saying that I hope all of our readers and their families and friends have not been too badly impacted by recent storms in our region, and we are thinking of those that were affected. Fingers crossed, all are back on their feet and in their own homes very soon.

Jono Austin caught this Glenbawn bass taken on Wet Dream jig head and Gulp 3” minnow grub in camo colour, fished vertically through schooling fish.

Fish scarce in the flood debris HUNTER COAST

Gary Earl earlybird13@optusnet.com.au

Well if you live on the mid north coast of NSW, you will remember the fierce weather we got back in April, leaving people without power for up to a week and no mobile or

internet service either. So hey, what else was there to do, but to try fishing in a very sheltered corner somewhere. Well that wasn’t such a good idea either, as the dirty water from a massively flooded Hunter River was in control, not us the fishermen. It spewed out pieces of houses, debris of all sorts, and made

the coastline one helluva mess. The wind pumped in swells around 2-5m in height, and as I pen this the water hasn’t backed down and communities are still cut off throughout the Hunter and probably will be for up to another 2 weeks. Consequently, this report, when you’re reading it, will be a hard call, but here goes…

Snapper might be on the cards after the floodwater clears. Outside boat fishing will be the best, if not the only option this month.

Since I have to rely totally on a guess as to what will be happening this month, I am going to get straight to it and say I think drummer, snapper and fish that love to hunt in dirty and wild water will be on the cards. Boating should be okay as you read this, as I am sure the floodwaters will have receded a fair bit, letting you outside to comb over the reefs. I walked the rocks along Nobbys to have a stickybeak and it was more of a beachcombing exercise to see what had been washed up. It looked like half the country was lying along both walls, so they may be out of the question for fishing at the moment. This means outside will be the only option, as the estuary will take some time to come back to life. Sometimes mulloway can be the prize in the murky water when the moon grows, but it will be a good guess as to where they will be holed up. With little chance of live baits you will have to depend on mullet slabs or fresh squid from the co-op. The amount of rubbish that washes down the river in a big flood is amazing. There were blue ring octopus everywhere and bluebottles along most of our beaches, so even walking

A blue ring octopus crawling back to the ocean from well up the beach. These deadly critters were everywhere, mostly dead, which was good. the tide line you needed to be careful. The small beach in front of Stockton Sailing Club was buried 2m high in bamboo, wood, watermelons, kids’ toys, sheets of tin —

you name it, it was in there somewhere. Well I won’t say happy fishing this month, I’ll say careful fishing, and pick a good spot.

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June a great time to fish in Port Stephens PORT STEPHENS

Paul Lennon

Winter is upon us again and while you may need a few more layers on and a bit of extra effort to pull yourself out of a nice warm bed, it will be worth it as June is a great time to be fishing Port Stephens. We’ve had plenty of nasty weather with lots of rain over the past month, so the estuary

HUNTER · P O R T

has had a proper flush out. This is something that will only improve the fishing, especially this month. The Anchorage and Nelson Bay rock walls as well as Little Beach and Tomaree’s torpedo tubes have been producing stacks of action for the luderick fishermen, and the good news is it will only get better over the next couple of months. If you can’t catch a bream in Port Stephens at

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the moment, you’re doing something drastically wrong, as the critters are on just about every chunk of structure between Jimmys Beach and Garden Island. If bait fishing for them, the key is medium sized peeled prawns or live nippers, fish around the high tide with a 6-8lb leader and little or no sinker. For the lure guys chasing bream, all the usual haunts such as the walls around Soldiers Point and the Short Cut will produce this month. Some big mulloway have come from the bay recently, as they always seem to do around this time of year. Young champion Jackson Butler scored a cracker 20kg specimen off Wanda Head that ate a live tailor just after dusk. There were numerous other big ones taken recently too, and the reports should continue to flow throughout June — particularly around the breakwalls and deeper 20-30m holes. The beaches will fish well, as schools of salmon start to become more frequent along Stockton, Samurai and Fingal Bay. These are fantastic sportfish on light gear and it’s always great fun sight casting them in the surf on 20-40g metals.

Dawn and dusk periods will see quality tailor coming from Box Beach and around the Spit area at Fingal, with ganged pilchards or garfish the best thing to throw at them. Another good option this month is to target mulloway from the beach, particularly down Stockton, Samurai and Fingal way. To greatly increase your chances, try live bait such as tailor or even a whiting (legal sized, of course) and

make sure you are fishing the deeper gutters. Off the rocks, and drummer and luderick should be in healthy numbers south of Fingal Bay, all the way down to Boat Harbour. Blue groper will be another popular target from now on through winter, and the best way to catch them is whole crabs cast around the edges of the wash zone. I prefer to let the bigger blues go as they are just so pretty.

If I want a feed, I’ll take a smaller brown. For the diehard LBG anglers, Tomaree will still be a chance for longtail tuna this month. The fish caught this late in the season are often exceptionally big. There are also plenty of tailor and salmon to be spun up from the rocks around Box Beach, the Torpedo Tubes and Sunny Corner. It’s also snapper time and plastics have been accounting for plenty of fish over the shallow reefs and bommies around Broughton Island and Edith Breakers. Bait fishing with unweighted baits down a berley trail will also prove productive for reds around Broughton, and closer in areas such as Big, Little and Fingal islands. As always, if you’re chasing snapper, regardless of whether it’s bait or plastic fishing, prime time will be those low light periods of late afternoon and early morning. Further offshore, plenty of kings to 10kg are lurking on Almark Mountain, with 300-400g jigs or live baits doing the job, and there’s still the odd striped marlin on the shelf.

Snapper will be on the chew this month, and well worth getting up early for.

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The bream are on! HARRINGTON-TAREE

Ian Pereira ianpereira@aapt.net.au

There’s no doubt about it, we have had some interesting weather leading up to the mullet moving out of the river and heading north. First of all there was a big fall of rain — up to 300mm in places. Following this, the southerly winds hit with yet more rain. This put a good fresh in the river and moved the mullet down to the lower parts of the estuary. After that, the winds blew solidly from the west to south west for a week. A few small schools of mullet moved out a couple of days before ANZAC day, but on the afternoon of the 26 th, 1 of the largest schools of mullet seen in the last 20 years or so headed around Crowdy Headland, despite the attention of heaps of dolphins, sharks, mulloway and other predatory fish. It took 2 crews to net the fish and then some evaded the nets and moved on up the beach. There are still a lot of mullet in the river and these will move out over the next couple of weeks. ESTUARY The Manning is very dirty up river around Taree and Cundletown, and only the last couple of kilometres of the river

fish have been taken, with the best going 800-850g. Luderick are moving up and down the wall in large schools and can be caught on green weed during the day and on yabbies at night. Flathead are becoming scarce in the mouth of the estuary, but are more plentiful up-river. Despite the mullet schooling, no big mulloway have been taken. They are probably waiting

Mahimahi and small kings have been trolled and jigged out around the waverider buoy. Photo courtesy of Manning River Marine.

There’ll be some straggler longtails around this month. Photo courtesy of Manning River Marine.

Generally, the rock fishing has been very good. Photo courtesy of Manning River Marine.

holds clear water. Bream numbers are building up in the estuary, with local anglers scoring bags of fish at night on mullet strips and yabbies. No really big

bream fishing. The walls at the mouth of the river and the beaches all produce great catches of fish. The travelling bream come into the river and feed upstream along the wall to the end of the rocks, then turn around and feed their way back out to sea. It may take 8-10 days for the fish to leave the river. Generally speaking, there are several schools present at any 1 time.

at Crowdy Head to ambush the mullet when they go around the headland. BEACH AND ROCK There is no doubt that June is a top month for

The big tailor have moved on and only fish to a kilo are being caught at present. A few salmon have also turned up, but they are not big fish — 1-2kg at best. The southerly weather has destroyed the formations on the beaches and they are now flat, with very few drains and sand bars to produce white water to harbour baitfish. The southern end of Crowdy Beach has fished well for bream on mullet and worms. OFFSHORE Fishing has been good when conditions have allowed the boats to get out. Some small black marlin to 100kg have been boated and released by anglers trolling the tide lines in water of 23 degrees. Spotted mackerel, longtail, mac tuna and bonito have also been taking lures. Snapper have been caught on the hard bottom and up around Mermaid Reef, but most fish have been small, with only the occasional fish of 3kg coming in. Mahimahi and small kings have been trolled and jigged out around the waverider buoy.

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JUNE 2015

Winter brings the bite FORSTER

David Seaman dseamo@bigpond.com

The clear night skies and the cold air scratching at the door in the morning reminds us how good we have it during the warmer months here on the Mid North Coast. The winter months are far less

the offshore, rock and even the beaches producing great eating Species over this time. A late run of cobia may replace the mackerel that have disappeared, but I know the snapper are set to be a favourite for the close offshore anglers. The first few days after any southerly blow will have the reds close to the coast, and a report of a

Cranka Crabs and bream are a great pairing. Fished under racks or the face of the wash boards, they can produce a memorable day’s fishing. comfortable, but the fishing options are fantastic. It is especially good if you fish for a feed, with many of

7kg fish from the breakwall makes you wonder just how close. I managed 2 snapper to 2kg from shallow reef at

Blackhead late last month while fishing for drummer. The pigs have started out big this season, with 4 I landed weighing 2.5-6.1kg and another 4 fish that were unstoppable on 30lb braid and 40lb leader. I can’t wait for more. The rain over the end of summer and autumn has had a positive effect on the coastal fishery and I know this winter season will be a blinder. The spawning run of bream and blackfish is evident from the rocks, with milling fish skirting the wash zone. Big schools of bream have been spotted at Bennetts Head and I imagine the same is occurring right down to Seal Rocks. Another species that not too many anglers target during winter are squid. Try along areas like Bennetts Head from behind the Bull Ring (the ocean pool at Forster) and along The Tanks. Whether you collect them for bait or the plate, it is worth doing when the conditions are right — a low swell and high tide. Twitching a squid jig over the beds of kelp and weed along the areas like Blackhead and Bennetts Head can produce quality squid and they are great bait for the

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Shane Sypher with one of the many stud bream that are still hanging out in the lower end of the lake and leases through winter. kings, snapper and mulloway. Salmon, tailor and mulloway are all good targets from the beaches over the next month, with bream thrown in for a distraction if they don’t play the game. From all reports the tailor have been in reasonable numbers, but not much over the kilo mark. Salmon have been a simple by-catch while targeting tailor, but as the season progresses they should become more common. With all the distractions on the coastal fringe, it’s

and around the bridge and travelling into the lake in search of baitfish. Big bream are a Forster special and that was no better illustrated than a haul Shane Sypher pulled on Cranka Crabs in and around the leases recently. Shane said he had an insane day compiling a 5kg plus bag, including a huge tarwhine. Like many species, not all the fish head out to spawn, so there are always some left behind to target. Another outstanding capture recently was a giant

prawn imitation surface lure. Roberta said the fish didn’t disappoint her with aerial jumps and a wild fight that caused plenty of worrying moments near an oyster lease. Well done Roberta, you can tick that one off the list! The lake and island edges are still producing some good table sized flathead, though you do have to work a little harder for them than usual. Slow rolled plastics at the mouths of the tributaries and rivers or shallow section of river are holding the most

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Roberta Pearce with her amazing giant herring from Wallis Lake. While they can be considered an exotic species this far south, they are reasonably common over the autumn/winter transition. easy to forget the quality bream that are still getting around the leases and flats of the lake. Tailor, too, have been creating some action in

herring caught by Roberta Pearce from her kayak. The fish measured 70cm and about 1.5kg before a quick photo and release, and took a

consistent numbers of fish. I have no doubt the next month will be full of great fishing and much of it will come from rockhopping.

Cool weather producing hot results in June THE HASTINGS

Mark Saxon castawayestuarycharters@bigpond.com

A lot of anglers are probably guilty of backing off on their fishing in the cooler months of winter, and let’s face it, after working all week then having to get up early to the sound of that alarm on Saturday morning, plus leaving the comfort of a warm bed can be difficult. So let’s jump up and get the kettle on, because the fishing at Port Macquarie can be very rewarding and the fish tend not to worry too much about the weather. They still enjoy a feed, just different techniques may be needed to catch your favourite species. HASTINGS RIVER The river has had several flushes over the last couple of months, but every time it started to clear we would get another downpour. This made for difficult fishing up-river. Hopefully when reading this it should be back to normal and we can put in a full effort on the water. A lot of fish will be down towards the mouth this month, with all the walls likely to produce quality yellowfin bream. Those anglers in boats will be predominately using deep plastics and vibration blades. This style of fishing accounts for a lot of bream now. While the rock walls are great areas, it pays to use your sounder and look in some of the deeper sections of river too. There are some holes that produce fish away from more obvious structure, and when you find them you usually have it all to yourself. For the bream fishos that like to bait fish land based, then fishing off the southern and northern walls are worth a try of a night or early morning with mullet strips or nippers. Fishing from your boat along

Tim and Sam with a pair of top duskies.

Danielle Blanch with an absolute beast of a Spaniard at 32kg. Wearing Ugg boots on the boat is a sure sign that winter’s here! the Coal Wall can see you doing the same thing. Flathead will bite all through the year and throwing plastics for them, be it wrigglers or other styles, will be worthwhile. I tend to work my lures a fair bit slower now and the reason is colder water temps definitely make the flathead more likely to only have 1 shot at a lure. Chasing lures and having several goes at them doesn’t seem to be

Dave unhooking an offshore striped. Their presence is a sure sign the water is starting to cool.

on their minds, so slow it down and work the area more thoroughly. There has been quite a few mulloway in the river and they should continue to bite this month. Throwing big plastics and hardbody lures from the walls of a night is the go. As we know, a lot of bait is at the front of the rivers now and a high tide just after dark can equate to the fish of a lifetime. All the deeper holes up to Wauchope and also along the Maria will produce mulloway. The majority will be in the 60-90cm range, but they are great fun on lighter gear. And don’t worry, there are some bigger fish that get into the act as well, so as always, be prepared, check that leaders are not chafed, and make sure hooks are sticky sharp. That way when you hook-up you give yourself every chance of landing the fish. Through the day, both North and South Wall should show ample signs that the blackfish are on, as you will see floats moving along the wall with a small army of anglers chasing these tasty fish. Winter is a great time to pursue them in the river and off the rocks, so grab your green weed or cabbage and get into it. OFFSHORE FISHING Well we’ve had a special season on inshore sportfish

A nice soft plastic scoffing mulloway from up near the road bridge. and recently Danielle Blanch captured a superb Spanish mackerel of 32kg. An excited Danielle said, “This is the biggest fish of my life!” and she’s accounted for some great fish including 1m wild barramundi and 10kg snapper. Well done. Another notable fish came from Dave Wells’ boat Calypso — a cracking striped marlin of well over 100kg, caught by Damien Rafter. The boys raised 4 fish on the day for the 1 hookup. The fish was caught on a skirted lure and was released. I have been mentioning it for a while now, but it is time to get into the snapper inshore. Weather permitting this month may be the 1 that produces the goods. I am so looking forward to the sound of a screaming reel as 1 of those shallow water reds takes my plastic or jig — bring it on! The snapper grounds from Port Macquarie to Camden Haven can produce exceptional fishing, and working from in close to out wider as the morning moves into the afternoon can see you covering a lot of water with pleasing results. ROCK AND BEACH It’s June and we are looking at tailor, drummer, blackfish and bream as the mainstays of our bags off the rocks this month. The local headlands have

some great features, and by sending down a peeled prawn or a piece of cunje on a lightly weighted 1-2/0 hook should see you into some action. I usually fire out either a chrome slice or a ganged pillie at first light. When worked through the wash, you will know pretty quickly if tailor are present. The bite period will

not last long and can be fast and furious. Then, as the sun hits the water, it will be time to try for some drummer and bream. Remember, light pea sized ball sinkers running to the hook are all that’s required. This will keep you mostly away from the wrasse and the snags that are all too common if you go heavier.

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Hat Head Holiday Park – Location is the key

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The creek that runs around the park holds quality fish.

HAT HEAD HOLIDAY PARK Location:............ Straight St, Hat Head, NSW, 2440. Web:...................................mvcholidayparks.com.au Phone:................................................ (02) 6567 7501

Not to scale

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JUNE 2015

and dinner and is located right next to the park. If you’re interested in a great place to take the family and get some quality fishing in at the same time, then I highly recommend this park. I’ve already talked the wife into staying a week here, hopefully early next year!

rocks in NSW. The beach fishing is also world class and the estuary system gives you options for all your bread and

only 10 minutes upstream. Anyhow, back to the park. Here’s my checklist: It’s family-friendly, boat-friendly, and most of importantly fish-friendly! The site itself is managed by Macleay Coast Coastal Holiday Parks, so a high standard of care is given to those who stay there. It’s clean, with great amenities and the service from the managers is excellent. For your stay, there are options to either camp, caravan or you can rent one of the cabins, which range from one bedroom studios to two bedroom family cabins. We stayed in one of the 2 bedroom cabins and it was perfect for what we needed, with plenty of room for all our gear with room to spare. The small town of Hat Head has a couple of shops, which supply all the necessities while on holidays. If the fish don’t cooperate and you come home with your tail between your legs and no fish for the BBQ - the local Bowling Club does a great counter meal during lunch

of the line. If you get a little green in the gills and offshore fishing isn’t your thing then you have plenty of options to consider. Hat Head has excellent rock fishing – infact it’s one of the rare places you can catch Spanish mackerel from the

Most of the anglers we encountered were determined for us to not let out the secret about how good this place really is! some of the best mackerel fishing in NSW! They call it ‘mackerel madness’, and people come from far and wide to the

Thousands of anglers will know about this little secret.

When staying at a new holiday park, or any new destination for that matter, I always judge the place by thinking, “Would I bring my family here, and would they enjoy this place as much as I would?” Well, our recent short stay at Hat Head Holiday Park is a perfect example of this… Infact, during the period of our stay I found myself mentioning on more the one occasion that I need to come back here with the family for a week. Maybe as we get older, we get more picky when it comes to finding a place to holiday. I know if my family are happy and enjoying themselves then this in turn makes me happy – you know what they say: happy wife happy life! But let’s not get all sentimental here, this is a fishing magazine and we want to talk about fishing. And that is what’s so good about Hat Head Holiday Park - not only do you have a great, well-maintained park with varied and well priced accommodation options, but also access to some fantastic and diverse fishing scenarios right on the doorstop. As they say: location, location, location. You can see on the map, this holiday park’s location is sensational. The Macleay Valley region is located about half way between Sydney and the Queensland border and Hat Head is nestled in between other popular holiday towns of Crescent Head and South West Rocks. From the park you have access to the beach, exclusive creek access, and the use of the boat ramp. It’s located inside the park and positioned perfectly to shoot out on your boat to

butter species. If fishing the freshwater is what you do, don’t stress some great bass fishing is

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Macleay Coastal region to hear the sound of those drags screaming away with a toothy critter at the end

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Summer speedsters give way to winter reefies SOUTH WEST ROCKS

Brent Kirk kempsey@compleatangler.com.au

Out come the beanies and warm clothes once again, and with the cold weather a vast range of winter fish species to the Macleay Valley. Winter days, although short, usually bring settled conditions, making offshore fishing quite pleasant once you get past the cold, dark mornings.

Pearl perch, snapper and teraglin are already around in great numbers, with the better fish holding on the deeper reefs of about 70m plus. The current has backed right off and should stay fairly calm throughout winter. Light tackle jigging using Bottom Ship, Lucanus, Pirate and micro jigs is an awesome way to access these fish at these depths, and is easily as productive as using bait or soft plastics. The fact that these jigs are made of

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and pilchards fished down a berley trail. The beaches are alive with runs of spawning bream and mullet at present. Large mulloway, tailor and salmon accompany these schools, and can be found only metres from the shoreline. Metals, minnows and soft plastics will account for plenty of big fish off the beaches over the next few months. Live baits and beachworms are equally productive if they are available. These large predators will also hold up on the headlands whenever bait is present. The rock ledges are

fishing well for groper and drummer. They’re suckers for a good berley trail, so put in the effort and you will be rewarded. Bigger mulloway are present along the walls of the lower Macleay, and thousands of school-sized fish are spread throughout the system up to about Smithtown and the Belmore River. There are plenty of legal sized fish amongst these schoolies, and they put up an awesome fight when targeted on bream gear. Beachworms, live mullet or herring and 5” soft plastics are consistent performers when chasing these fish.

Tas with a solid cobia taken from the rocks.

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School mulloway like this are great fun on light tackle. metal makes them far more durable, especially if there are undesirables about. I find this form of fishing the reefs very enjoyable, as it keeps you more active, and when you catch a fish you are never sure what it is going to be. Like all offshore fishing, the conditions will play an important part in your success when using these methods. Venus tuskfish, pigfish and mulloway will also become regular catches off the local reefs as winter progresses. June is a very popular time for deep dropping once again,

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due to settled conditions and the lack of current. Bar cod, bass groper, blueye and John dory are around, as well as a whole array of bizarre species from the depths. Kingfish also frequent these deeper reefs and wrecks. The pelagics have mostly slowed up now, as the water is beginning to cool down. There has been a few mackerel, however, most have just been by-catch while fishing for snapper. Yellowfin tuna have been around, with some solid schools popping up in different places at times. These fish are falling for bibbed and skirted lures, as well as live baits

Aaron from Trifecta with a late season Spanish mackerel caught off the bottom on a jig aimed at snapper.

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44km by canoe As a group of 8 friends we organised to take on a 44 km journey from Buccarumbi Bridge that crosses the Nymboida River west of Grafton NSW to Jackadgery Bridge crossing the Mann River. The river had a slight rise and a good flow to limit the amount of paddling, however increasing the

Gillies Stump Jumper (a big lure with big trebles). Jaye Yardy was in the front of the canoe and grabbed the line to pull the bass into the canoe, as the fish landed in the canoe it jumped and jagged Jaye in the palm of his hand with one barb on the front treble. With every flip of the fish there was a yelp of pain

from Jaye. With limited supplies this was a big job to handle. First the fish was removed and the lure was dismantled leaving the 1 treble still embedded in the palm. There was much discussion on how we would remove the barb, we decided to push the barb all the way through after about 20mins and one big push the barb

51cm of bass caused plenty of trouble, but was worth it.

Man hooks fish. Fish hooks man. Seems fair. chance of some big rapids. We all travelled in Canadian canoes, 2 per canoe plus enough supplies to last the first leg to Ramornie State Forest campground where more of our supplies would be dropped off. The first leg was not much of a canoeing challenge and gave us plenty of fishing time. Stump Jumpers and Swivel Baits proved the best catches of bass and Eastern cod as by-catch. After camping at Ramornie State Forest for the night we continued the next leg and came across some Grade 4 rapids that our canoes and experience made us port around. Some of the smaller rapids were taken on resulting in some lost fishing gear. Halfway into the second leg I hooked a 51cm bass with a Size 2 GJ

came through the skin and we cut the barb off and backed it out. Medical supplies were low but luckily duct tape was amongst them to strap the area. It was a great fish, the biggest bass of the journey and well worth the pain. We arrived at our second destination to camp the night just below the junction where the Nymboida River joins into the Mann River. A 75cm Eastern cod was the highlight.

The last leg took us through the New Zealand Falls which was ported and we arrived at the Jackadgery Bridge NSW.

It was an awesome 3 day journey we all had some spills and thrills and recommend it to every canoeing enthusiast out there. - Brad Denem.

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Coffs’ harbour of shame COFFS GAME

Glen Booth

In late April, the Coffs Harbour Deep Sea Fishing Club shut its doors for the last time. An institution on the Coffs’ coast for over 50 years, its demise has, sadly, been a long time coming. Myriad financial and

Now the inadequate but horrendously expensive filleting table near the ramp (disparagingly known by the locals as the Wishing Well), and another third world concrete slab at Sawtell Headland are going to carry a lot of traffic. Most people won’t bother, which means stinky bins at home, fish being cleaned and filleted on the

We can expect to see more yellowfin tuna turning up as the water cools, like this one caught by Glenn Aylward during the Solitary Islands GFC’s tournament. administrative reasons have been slated for its closure, but at the end of the day, something as simple as really poor food meant the locals (who were its backbone outside of tourist season), simply stopped coming. If there’s no money in the till, even a million dollar view won’t save you from the creditors. One thing it did have though, was a first class filleting facility, which of course is now locked up. On a calm weekend and when the snapper/mackerel/kingies/ trag or whatever were biting, it was like a fish processing plant, with hundreds of fishos utilising it. With big bins to take the fish frames and guts, a boat washing area (and even beer close by!), it was an awesome setup.

foreshore rocks, or the boat ramp pontoon. The disgraceful boat ramp, work on which was supposed to commence in August 2014 (“substantial commencement!” were the very words the RMS representative used at a meeting in July that year), may

be finally getting under way. Better late than never I suppose, but what are we getting for our $1 million? As the money has been frittered away on the usual ‘consultants fees’ and ‘administration’, we won’t be seeing the extended groyne it so desperately needs to break the swell pattern. It will just be an expanded bay that is going to limit the surge — but only by a third apparently. Anyone with half a brain could see a mil’ was never going to be enough to fix it properly, but this may make the ramp even more inhospitable. Local boat owners are watching developments with resigned interest, and nobody is super confident of it being any kind of real solution to the problem. While we’re in the area, let’s look at the eastern breakwall, the reinforcing of which should never have been given priority over the crumbling north wall. At a cost of around $19 million, the money could have been way better spent. Meanwhile, waves overtopping the northern breakwall that actually protects infrastructure, continue to chew up and spit out bits of the decrepit marina every time a big sea rolls down the coast. It’s hanging in there, but only by its fingernails. And now the NSW Government is going to spend half a million bucks unnecessarily extending the timber boardwalk out to Muttonbird Island. Spare me! Anyone who has a boat in the

Yet more storm damage to the marina, while we wait for a solution to the waves overtopping the northern breakwall… harbour could point in any number of directions where that wad of cash could be much better spent… Yachties, recreational fishos and the commercial fishing fleet are still being held to ransom by the Lands Department’s refusal to allow the slip to be used, even in a limited capacity, on the flimsy premise that the soil is contaminated. Well every other slip in the state that’s been operating since the 1980s is in exactly the same position, so why is Coffs being singled out for special treatment? Maybe that land is just too valuable to be wasted on something as mundane as a slipway… Meanwhile the facility remains firmly closed, despite the then Lands minister Kevin Humphries and local member Andrew Fraser issuing a press release in December last year (pre-election, funnily enough) stating it would remain open. As it’s approaching a year

Who’s a happy camper then! Twelve-year-old Flynn Young with his first marlin, a blue, caught off Better Than Vegas back in March. Pic by Pete English.

since the slip ceased operating, most boats in the marina will need to come out for hull cleaning and maintenance over the next couple of months, but it doesn’t look like that’s going to happen locally. This means Port Macquarie or Yamba, both of which throw up the issue of dangerous bar crossings. It’s bad enough that private and commercial boat owners get jerked around by bureaucrats in this way, but the sight of the brand new Marine Rescue boat having to be craned out onto a makeshift timber trestle for an engine service and maintenance demonstrates just how pathetic Coffs Harbour’s harbour really is. It’s all a pretty sad picture, isn’t it? Unfortunately, the public servants, councillors, and state and federal politicians who are charged with infrastructure projects in Coffs’ woebegone harbour have their priorities arse about. Whatever is done is piecemeal, ill-considered, lacks communication with key stakeholders, and there’s no overall strategic plan — or if there is, nobody’s telling the rest of us about it. BUT HOW’S THE GAME FISHING? Well, it’s actually pretty good for the time of year! Since the Solitary Islands Game Fishing Club’s incredibly successful Heavy Tackle Challenge, the marlin fishing has slowed down somewhat, but not really due

to a lack of fish in the area. As you’ll read elsewhere in these pages this month, practically everyone is struggling with the onset of winter and finding the necessary motivation to go fishing when the bed’s warm and there’s frost on the ground. Morning sou’ westers can make life on the shelf pretty uncomfortable too, but they usually dissipate by mid morning, so it’s really just a case of hanging tough or planning a slightly later start. Those that have made the effort have been rewarded with blues, a few stripes, and the occasional mahimahi. Unfortunately, the blues remain somewhat timid in their approach to lures, but it’s good to be seeing numbers of them this late in the season. It’s fair to expect some yellowfin to start to appear too, as winter is the traditional peak time for them along this part of the coastline. In mid May, the water was still 26 degrees on the shelf and a decent colour for near winter. The current was a bit all over the shop though, running up to three knots one day and then nearly nothing the next. The second east coast low to visit northern NSW in the space of a few weeks really lined Coffs up, bringing torrential rain and subsequent flooding. This put paid to the mackerel fishing for a while and fired out a heap of logs and other rubbish, making offshore navigation tricky. Still, they do make prime real estate for any mahimahi in the area.

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Plenty of winter options about COFFS HARBOUR

Stephen Worley worleybirdfilms@hotmail.com

It’s nearly goodbye to the trout for another winter. The rivers certainly copped a lot of water in the second half of the season, so let’s hope that leads to good numbers next season and a bit of a groundwater buffer to

made the plateau a surreal playground to spend your time fishing in this last month, and has made for some very enjoyable trouting. Remember that you have about a week to enjoy it before the season closes at the end of the long weekend. Another long weekend event that normally occurs on the Coffs coast in June is the Dave Irvine

as the competition had to be postponed/moved to another date. Organisers are looking at running the event in August, hoping for better snapper fishing and more stable weather. The other bump in the road has been the sudden closure of the Coffs Harbour Deep Sea Fishing Club. The club is currently under administration and there are efforts in several directions

Here are 2 pictures of the same Ebor brown. It was first caught on spin gear on the closing weekend in June 2014, and then again on fly on the opening weekend in October! I wonder if I can fool him a third time?

that dumped a lot of rain on the whole coast. This meant the river mouths, rock walls and beaches were being dominated by mulloway and mulloway anglers. Lures with really big profiles and a lot of vibration accounted for many school fish throughout the month. Some scored the odd large specimen, but it was live baits and slab baits that tempted the big fish most consistently, although bull sharks can be a pest when fishing this way in dirty water. The estuaries were quite brown for some of last month, but as we slip further into winter, the conditions will become drier and estuaries move into that winter mode of crisp, clear days both in and out of the water. As the water cools, it’s a great chance to catch big bream down in the lower reaches. This means clear water and therefore finesse fishing. Winter bream can be a quite a challenge to tempt, but it can also be very rewarding fishing. Your best bet will be deeper diving hardbodies and sinking lures like small soft vibes and plastics.

Wayne Wells with a better than average 2015 Spaniard. Arrawarra has certainly been ‘Spot X’ for the kayakers this year. come across a mangrove jack or trevally. With bass and trout off the cards, sometimes the freshwater anglers can feel a little hard done by during winter. This time of year is the perfect time to duck out west and across the range for some winter options. Dumaresq Dam is only 3 hours from Coffs and offers the possibility

CORRECTION Last month, we ran a short editorial on the change of address for Jetty Boating. Although we got the street right, the street number published was wrong. We have no problems admitting our mistake and the correct address for the new Jetty Boating is 22 Hi Tech Drive, Toormina and their number is (02) 6651 4002. Drop in and check it out – one of the few dealerships that we’ve seen with drive-through undercover boat drop-off! – NSWFM.

keep them flowing for the end of the year. The plentiful water has

Memorial Snapper Comp. Unfortunately, we won’t be enjoying it this June,

‘Ace angler’ Steve McEwan with a winter snapper caught under trying conditions. This June weekend will hopefully be wind-free and produce some no pressure snapper fishing.

working towards having it back up and running as soon as possible. Hopefully it can be restored to business shortly, but whatever that form may be, nothing is set in concrete yet. Some of you may have booked holidays prior to the Dave Irvine postponement and will be up here on the long weekend anyway. If that’s the case, then don’t feel like you’re missing out, as this long weekend is sure to be the best weather in a decade and it just means you can get out and not care if you happen to catch a kingie, sambo or a mackerel, which are still around in good numbers. There will be plenty of snapper about and no pressure at all, so enjoy the long weekend and remember the date change is just another excuse to come back in August! The beginning of May was dominated by several massive weather systems

Fish structure in deeper water, especially if there’s some pockets of slightly coloured water. Work slow and patiently. These same spots will produce flathead and whiting, and at this time of year you may still

of fishing for trout in the middle of winter. From Armidale west there are many options for both wild and dam fisheries for natives and trout. So whether you’re offshore enjoying the mild Coffs winter, or venturing out west to the sometimes bitter cold, stay safe and enjoy the plentiful winter fishing we have in this area.

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Rivers clear until the rain turned it to mud BALLINA

John Goodwin

Just as the upper Richmond River was looking good for a fish we saw a low move in over the northern rivers and dump a massive amount of rain causing the Tweed, Richmond and Clarence river to run brown and muddy, bringing with it all

kinds of garbage for weeks. The westerly winds should blow hard and hopefully this will bring the bait fish down to the lower reaches and the predators with them this month. Bream anglers will be out in force this month on the beaches, headlands and river entrances chasing the early run of these guys. The bait fishermen who use fresh cut

baits like mullet or bonito will see more action but the people who fish lures will see quality more than quantity. The plastics and blades will get more of a workout while the surface lures will take a rest as the bream move to deeper water like the walls and deeper holes close to the river mouth to do their thing over the next few months. I like to use as little weight when using jigheads and blades

A kingfish the author jigged up.

Dominic Olsen with a quality pearl perch.

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as possible but the tide will predict what weight you’ll be using. As for plastics, anything from 2” Zman GrubZ, 2” Gulp Prawns or 80mm Squidgie Wrigglers will do, but blades like StrikePro’s Cyber Vibe and Ecogear VXs will always see you in with some action. Luderick fishermen will have dusted off the good old centre pin reels late in May and will be itching for the fish to show in the Richmond around North Creek, but May’s early rain will determine when and where they will show first. Whiting will have slowed down by now but those willing to put in the time and fish deeper water will still gather a feed of these great eating fish. Flathead will have hopefully be found in better numbers and size now the water has cleaned up after the fresh. Live baits like herring and even dead baits like whitebait should see you take

OFFSHORE June will see the current virtually drop out completely so fishing offshore will be more comfortable for those who wish to start fishing in water from 50m of water to right out wide for bar cod and the like. Snapper should have started showing up on the closer reefs like The Patch, Red Hill and Kaos and water this deep makes them a great target on plastics and light jigs, but the mulloway will also play the game on the plastics. Kingfish, morwong, bigger snapper and pearl perch should be in better numbers this month, so it may be a wise decision to stop off at the bait reef before heading wider. If bait fishing isn’t your thing try jigging knife jigs for kingfish and slow jigging butterfly jigs for pearl perch and snapper. Fishing plastics in 70+ metres of water is a little like float lining with bait. Just choosing the right weight for the current and wind your fishing will change from day to day. If I can get away with a 2oz jig head in 100m of water even better, but some days it may be 3-4oz, but the take is the same as float lining so get ready for line to be stripped out of your hands. Pearl perch are also a sucker for a plastic, too. BEACH The beaches and gutters copped a bit of a beating with that big low pressure system, so

most gutters that were looking good have either been filled in or are non existent along south Ballina Beach, so you may have to do some real searching to find a good hole that’s going to produce any quality fish. Brunswick has had a few gutters worth a shot after dark, though. Bream, dart, whiting and flathead will still be found in the shallower gutters, but as for jew and tailor those deeper holes are worth gold. FRESH Bass fishing in the dams has been a little hard with the amount of water they received and the people that have fished them have struggled as well, with only a few fish being caught in their outings. The most successful lures were Imakatsu Piranha Vibes and plastics worked in deep water off the major points, but some still caught fish on surface lures worked slower than normal to get a reaction out of the bass. If you’re after any information about the area give use guys a call at Suffolks Outdoor Sports in Lismore, as we fish the area and can point you in the right direction. • If you’re after any additional information about the area, give us a call at Suffolks Outdoor Sports in Lismore, as we fish regularly and can point you in the right direction.

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home a few for dinner. Areas like Broadwater, Wardell and Pimlico should see the bulk of the fish if we don’t see any more major rain during June. Plastics on flathead are always an easy introduction to any lure fishing as these guys don’t refuse too much, as they’re a opportunist feeder so shape and colour isn’t a big thing. Mulloway fishermen saw some great fish from the end of the breakwalls and headlands halfway through last month when the water stopped running out and started to clean up a little, but the man in the grey suit claimed more fish then were landed. Live baits seem to have caught most fish, but people casting big plastics and hardbodies around scored some good fish on the turn of the tides. The mullet schools have started to make their way to the mouths of rivers as well as the beaches, triggering the mulloway to start showing up. The bigger models making their presence felt in the schools of bait and fresh octopus legal size tailor and luderick heads will do the job on the bait front. Tailor have showed up along Brunswick, Flat Rock the north and south walls of the Richmond and Evans Head for those brave enough to put in the hours after dark, so let’s cross the fingers and hope that this will be a good season.

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JUNE 2015

Tweed River returns to normal fishing cycle THE TWEED

David Solano

The Tweed River has turned a corner after all the rain we’ve had, and it has finally been restored to a fishing Mecca once again. The variety of baitfish present is amazing, so first up it’s a matter of trying to match my soft plastics to the bait I could see through my polarised Tonic sunnies. Typically they were medium size and of a white appearance, while some were smaller with a white belly, but green on top. Interestingly, I had some Z-Man plastics on board that matched the exactly those colours precisely. The Z-Man range is worth a look, as they have just about every colour you’d want. My favourite is the little Z-5 Swimmers. For some reason, regardless of the colour of the baitfish, the Motor Oil colour seems to out-fish the actual real bait colour, so there you go. It’s worth changing your lures constantly until you find 1

Dave with a couple of nice canal bream.

A mate with a nice bream caught where I launch my ’yak.

And the duskies continue to come.

Who’s got the better camouflage here? that works. I have to say it’s all part of the fun of fishing a finicky river like the Tweed. You really have to mix it up to find the bite and keep an open mind. As an example, I might start off with a light 1/40oz jighead teamed with a Gulp Shrimp in the Banana Prawn colour. Now that’s an extremely light rig and has to be fished with patience. I usually count to 10 before working the plastic, but with such a light rig you have to fish it very slow. Here’s a hint though; watch your line for any telltale bites, as with this lure presentation it slowly sinks down through the water in a very realistic way, so not a 52

JUNE 2015

recommended technique on heavy line. I use 6lb Utinka multi-coloured braid and a 4lb fluorocarbon leader, so I can pretty much feel anything, whilst praying a big flathead doesn’t grab it. Inspired by Carl’s Jocumsen’s recent success in the US Bass Elites, this has spurred me on. Not that I’m into comps, but the inspiration of the guy kind made me have a little look in the mirror and ask myself, “What are you doing?” as lately I’ve just been going through the motions... After staying up all night the other week watching Carl kicking butt, something happened in my brain. I was so impressed

with what I saw, it really excited me. I couldn’t wait to go fishing, but now with new vigour and excitement. By the way, I’ve caught a heap more fish following Carl’s example of being patient and persistent, so thanks Carl Jocumsen for the lesson. I used to be inspired by guys like Darren Borg and Tristan Taylor, but Carl Jocumsen has taken it to another level. But back to the Tweed. The mouth seems to be the spot at the moment, whether fishing from a boat or off the rocks. The flathead have turned up in numbers around the coffee rocks behind the hospital, which is okay if you’re on a boat,

but very snaggy from the shore. Shore fishos, head out to the rock walls for some big bream, tailor, GTs and the odd little snapper. The snapper caught recently was on a tailor rig — a three-hook gang with a pillie for bait. Jacks are still around, though the size seems to have dropped. Again, they’ve been caught around Jack Evans Boat Harbour.

If you’re keen, this place is worth putting in an overnighter on, because what happens in that little place sometimes has to be seen to be believed, as it can turn into a fishing frenzy in the blink of an eye. I’ve mentioned it before that I’ve actually had baitfish landing on my feet after being chased by marauding GTs. It doesn’t happen often, but that’s the

only place I’ve seen it — twice now. I’ve also been spending time in the canals surface fishing with a lot of success. The closer you can get your lure to structure, the better. There’s nothing like a surface strike, though I must annoy the homeowners as I have a tendency to scream when I get a fish on! Oh well, as my Dad said, “That’s just you.”

A stormy morning brewing on the Tweed.

Snapper season looms ILUKA

Ben Pilch bjpcdh@gmail.com

The cold weather of winter is definitely upon us, so it’s time to pull those beanies out of hiding. Cold weather means 1 thing for me — snapper. Nothing beats an early start, up and in the water while it is still dark, and back before 9.00am with a tasty feed of reds. A favoured food of the local snapper population is squid — nice little bottle squid for a feed of squire, or a big 1 wafted down the berley trail for a trophy sized knobbie. The boat fishos relish winter, as the water cools and the currents slow up out wide, making

bottom bashing a lot easier. In the river, on the rocks, and off the beaches, everyone will be on the lookout for mullet and what is following behind feeding on them — the mighty Clarence Valley mulloway. Find the mullet and you can guarantee a few big silver slabs won’t be too far behind. Spinning for them has produced some great lure makers in the Clarence Valley, with specialised mulloway lures in their stables. Some of the local favourites are the Jewie Jewels by Croaker Lures and the 80g diver by Get Bent Lures. Spinning these mullet schools with big hardbodies is definitely a great way to connect with an XL Clarence mulloway.

Generally speaking, most use rods from 10-12’ in length, with 50lb main line in mono or braid. For leader, it’s 50-80lb of whatever your favourite brand is. Out on the headlands, there should be some nice sized greenbacks getting around in the washes. Spinners are dependable for a couple of choppers, but if you want to chase a big greenback you can’t go past poppers. They seem to draw a better class of fish and my favourites are the River2Sea Bubble Pop 130, and the Get Bent Pencil Popper, depending on conditions. Beach fishos will be donning their waders in the chase for tailor. Casting out pillies and strips of bonito

Steve Patti with a nice Clarence Valley mulloway on a Jewie Jewel. on a set of gangs should see a few fish hit the sand. We should now encounter some better

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Good fishing to be had, despite the flooding MAITLAND

Dave McLean djfmclean@bigpond.com

Well I didn’t anticipate all the recent rainfall occurring down around the lower Hunter region, so my report for last month was way off the mark and I apologise

for that. It was even worse than in 2007, when the same type of weather system — a big low — anchored off the coast and caused heaps of damage. I think the only use my boat has seen over the past weeks has been to occupy my 2 year old grandson with my vast array of lures!

Before the big wet arrived, the lower systems were just starting to produce some nice bass and all was looking good before the closed season commenced on May 1. It is now 1 month earlier in NSW. The lower Hunter did have some good sections for the spawning bass, but now

Bass holding above the tree tops in very deep water. These can be caught slow rolling plastics across top.

Bass at St Clair holding near the bottom can easily be seen using Lowrance Structure Scan on the right. Target them by dropping ice jigs right into their midst.

The dams will be the only place for a fish and although they did receive some rainfall, they have risen just slightly. It is best to time your trip with a couple of days of constantly high barometer readings. The fishing at this time of year fires from around 8.00am to around 4.00pm (office hours), as this is the warmest part of the day and also the time when the barometer is at its highest. The fish will be very close to structure in winter, as the timber transmits heat into the water and produces good weed growth for the baitfish. ‘Work Slowly’ is the motto for this month, and if using lures, especially jerkbaits, I prefer to use mono as it can delay the strike, which prevents pulled hooks. By working slowly it allows the fish time to react, as bass can be very lethargic with the low water temperatures. The big advantage with using these lures is the ability to plop them precisely into specific zones, or very close to cover without disturbing the fish too much. The fishing has been a bit slow at Lake St Clair, with the bass in particular spread throughout the dam. Up the back of the Fallbrook

Blair Whitney at Glenbawn with some plump winter bass caught on blades. If there has been a few days of westerlies, then head down around the eastern side of the island and along Thunderbolts Run for some deep bass, targeting them with blades, jigs and TN60s. If using TNs or hardbodies, I thoroughly recommend using

channel and adjacent to the timber that lines the river out in the shallower water. There can also be some deep school bass holding off the Dogleg on the southern side and also on the southern side of Pelican Point when the dam is rising. If using plastics

they will be right down the bottom of the rivers and will gradually come back up with the salt line until the correct spawning criteria is met. This month, winter patterns start to kick in, with the water temperature beginning to fall to around 15 ° and usually the westerlies beginning to puff. Some nice fish were coming from lakes Glenbawn and St Clair, with deep plastics and jigs producing, but also on live crickets and yabbies.

DAM LEVELS

Dam

% Full

Dam

% Full

Blowering............................. 26

Glennies Creek....................... 78

Brogo................................ 100

Grahamstown......................... 86

Burrendong........................... 13

Hume.................................. 21

Burrinjuck............................. 37

Jindabyne............................. 59

Carcoar................................ 10

Keepit................................... 4

Chaffey................................ 32

Lostock.............................. 100

Clarrie Hall......................... 100

Pindari................................. 24

Copeton............................... 17

Split Rock.............................. 5

Dartmouth............................. 77

Tantangara............................ 10

Eucumbene........................... 49

Toonumbar.......................... 100

Glenbawn............................. 81

Windamere........................... 43

Glenlyon............................... 27

Wyangala............................. 35

(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.) 54

JUNE 2015

Ross Ferguson at St Clair with a nice bass caught on a plastic dropped alongside timber. Arm there are a few good trees worth targeting for bass and goldens using bait or jigs. Near Eurella Point, whilst trolling along the river, there are also be productive pockets when using fairly deep lures in solid patterns. Down around Andrews Point and Richards Point is a good area to target the banks with spinnerbaits and Jackalls. Carrowbrook Arm is not fishing too well, as it is very open to the wind, but some of the water off the deeper points is worth a cast.

the long line technique, as you can cover a lot of water without upsetting the fish. Lake Glenbawn can be very hot or cold this month, due to the strong winds blowing down from the Barringtons. There has been some decent goldens and bass taken on deep plastics and ice jigs around the Panhandle in 10-15m though. Up the back of the dam from One Tree along the Panhandle and up to the Ruins is good for bobbing worms and yabbies. This area is also great for trolling deep diving Feralcatts and Stuckeys along the river

in this cold water, I like to warm them in warm water first, as it gives them some more action by making them a bit softer. Another good option to use in winter around the timber with plastics is the Bass Spin Jig, which is very similar to the Betts Spin, and I like to work it as close to the bottom as possible as it can resemble a yabby. Around the bottom of the dam, Boat Harbour and the entrances to it are also good areas to target with jigs, lures and spinnerbaits.

Big cod on the prowl TAMWORTH

Adam Mears adam.mears@hotmail.com

What a beautiful time of the year; the icy cold air sharpening the senses of the keenest of anglers, the early morning fog cloaking the banks as we meander down to the water’s edge, leafless willows revealing their hidden pockets that had been blocked in the summer months, ice covered boulders lining the centres of the river, creating eddies that shelter our unseen adversaries. For me though, winter signifies 1 thing — big fish. In summer, you often get a

mixed bag of small to medium sized cod, with the odd big fella mixed in, but winter is time to rug up, bring out the heavy artillery, and try find that magical fish that gets the adrenalin pumping time and time again. Lures like large spinnerbaits from LureStrike, Full Moon Spinnerbaits and Bassmans are all popular, time-proven options that attract plenty of attention. Large shallow runners will be a fantastic option, as most fish are holding in the margins soaking up what little warmth they can gather from the moderate winter temperature. The Peel River is looking good right now. The

Chunky cod love spinnerbaits. Low light periods are key times for our inland natives.

precipitation we have had over the last month was not enough to give the dams a rise, but it did manage to get some flow back into the river. Good reports of Murray cod and golden perch are fairly common. Worms and yabbies are doing the majority of the damage, as well as cheese. Yes, you read correctly, a block of Colby or Bega cheese cut into manageable sized cubes and threaded onto a 4/0 or 6/0 hook is dynamite on cod, and a great alternative if your favourite baits are unavailable. The Namoi is shaping up to be a great fishery this winter. Big lures in the 90-120mm range are the only way to go when chasing the big fish. They don’t come easy, so long mornings and nights on the water might be cold and less than favourable, but those who put in the effort in the right areas will be rewarded with some real lunkers. Lake Keepit has been a little slow. A few reports of golden perch and eel tailed catfish have filtered through, but not in the numbers associated with the summer months. Worms and frozen shrimp have been successful, and it’s around this time every year that the golden perch school up on the rocky points

Buzzbaits and cod go hand-in-hand. This fish struck the topwater lure on a cloudy day. around the dam. Finding them is easy, but getting them to unclench their mouths for a feed can be a little more difficult. Lures like silent lipless crankbaits and soft plastics will be critical in tempting these schooled-up fish. Lake Keepit is also known to hold some cracking Murray cod, and if you have seen any of Dean McFarlane’s DVDs (Luring For Murray Cod or For Cod’s Sake), you will see the boys fishing the weed beds after dark in winter for some very large fish. Make sure you grab a copy and you may learn

a few tips on how to catch these beautiful, iconic fish Sheba Dam, north of Nundle, is starting to fish well. There is plenty of small trout around the 30cm mark keeping anglers happy, but there are a few large brood stock in there as well. These crafty fish are in excess of 3kg and can be hard to fool, but well worth the time and effort. Baits of fresh local worms and grubs are hard to beat, but the artificial baits like Berkley’s PowerBait are always in the mix and often get results. Small spinners and

minnows also work well on these dams, but it pays to stay mobile. Keep moving until you find some active fish, and cover the area thoroughly before moving locations.  Just be mindful that trout can be very clever, so a little stealth goes a long way when chasing these hard-fighting aerial imports. So this winter, wear the appropriate clothing, stay warm, stay safe along the river, and fish hard. The timing couldn’t be better for your chance at finding that dream fish.

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Man up and get out. Winter’s bounty is upon us! The conversation between fishermen varies depending on what time of day you arrive at the car park. It’s about a 1.5km walk up to the dam. The early morning set are as keen as mustard, just out of a nice warm car, full of happiness, vigour and a coffee high. You set off, talking, as you do: “First time, boys?” “Yeah, first time at this time of year.” You just know they are not going to last… Then there’s the early morning set on the return journey. The coffee hit they had on the drive up has worn off, their faces are red raw from wind blast, and I am sure their back teeth are

LITHGOW/OBERON

Glen Stewart stewie72@bigpond.com

It’s easy to say, I know. Your preparation is the key and it starts well before you get to the water’s edge. Quality outdoor clothing is essential, so do your research, shop around, and buy the best you can afford. Gone are the days of feeling like the Michelin tyre man, and traditional fabrics and modern blends all have their place when used in a layering system, so you can now be warm in the coldest of conditions. It’s amazing the difference it makes, which

So with your clothing issue sorted, you are now ready to unleash hell and fury on the TCD trout population. Oh, if it was only so easy. It’s quite a unique fishery at this time of year and I must say not for everyone. Some choose to stay away as repetitive casts to sighted fish that are in full spawning mode is just not their cup of tea, but each to their own. For many, it’s a viable, legal, put-and-take fishery that offers some of the best rainbow trout in the country. Very clear water and big, powerful fish in the shallows throws up its own set of challenges. The balance between a light enough leader to hook the fish and Did I mention it gets cold up here? Think about your layering system before you leave home and your day up at TCD will be longer and hopefully more productive.

The final drive as it were. Easy to see where all that TCD rainbow power comes from. A Murray Stewart photo. has been brought home to me many times when fishing up at Thompsons Creek Dam. It’s quite a popular fishery over winter, with false spawning rainbows up on the shallow gravel beds.

loose from chattering… “Any good, boys?” “No, mate. Bloody hell that place is cold!” We’ve all been there, myself included; I still get caught out from time to time.

done over quite a few times, but better to have loved and lost than not at all… Fluorocarbon leader is good, with its factor of invisibility a plus, but with very little stretch you should take into account your rod, a slower taper (1 that bends almost right through the curve) is much better. It’s no secret among the regular TCD fishos at this time of year that fly fishing can account for the bigger specimens. The ability to be able to present very small offerings on light leader, then have a good fighting tool at hand (a long, forgiving rod) plays a major role in this. IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT TCD One could be forgiven after that blurb that options apart from TCD are limited

— not so. Lake Lyell just down the road (20 minutes, give or take) offers some good trout fishing as well, with the option of being boat based (something you cannot do at TCD). Therefore the opportunities available to anglers are opened up. Trolling is popular, so with a couple of anglers on board you can flat line some spoons, run a small deep diver, cover a few different depths. Getting out of the boat and walking the banks is an option I touched on in last month’s column, and a great way to target the browns. Another option, Lake Wallace (Wang Dam), is even closer to TCD, about 10 minutes away, and offers good access to those who are less mobile. The roadway

around the dam allows anglers to pull up in their car and fish just metres away. The fishery is a bit hit-and-miss, but offers some good bait fishing over the winter months. PowerBait (if you haven’t heard of this stuff you need to get out more) is the key, along with a small, light gauge hook diminutive enough to hide the whole hook within the nugget. This allows the bait to float up off the bottom, but a little word of warning —secure your rod, as the next setup to get pulled in won’t be the last. Hope to see you on the water soon, hopefully on a return walk from TCD, smiling and happy, having unleased hell and fury on some rampaging rainbow trout.

actually being able to land them is a fine line (pardon the pun). Drag settings, rod angles, fighting curves, when to put the hurt on and when to back off all come into it as well. I have been

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Less mobile anglers will find Lake Wallace a blessing. Being able to fish just metres from the car is good, but remember to secure that rod.

Rivers are soon out, but the lake is firing JINDABYNE

Steve Williamson swtrout@airlan.com.au

June is the last of the river fishing season for us until October. Once the June long weekend finishes on the Monday, it’s back to the lake for the rest of winter and that’s not such a bad thing as it’s at its best then. This month you are going to hear about those big Atlantic salmon that get caught in Jindabyne, and brook trout that we never see caught over the summer months. Both these fish love the colder weather. Meanwhile, there will still be plenty of brown trout holding up around Creel Bay at the mouth of the Thredbo River, just waiting for the right moment to head into the river to spawn. Then there are the early spawners just coming back from the river These fish are hungry, so while big lures will catch the aggressive pre-spawners, bait anglers will do okay on the post-spawners. Anyhow, let’s have a look at what I think will happen over the month in more depth. Boat trolling over the last month has been good, with plenty of kilo rainbow trout and some big browns in excellent condition giving the lake trollers a lot of fun. I would expect this pattern to continue as it usually does over winter. As mentioned, those big Atlantic salmon come on the bite this month, and if you troll around in the weedy bays you might just find a school of brook trout. Rapalas and other big lures up to 13cm, mostly

unheard of in trout fishing, will get the big trout for you. Size does not matter when the big browns are spawning, as the bigger, aggressive males will chase anything, no matter how big it is. Other lures to use in

early and late in the day, fished off 3 colours on lead core line. There is still plenty of big fish at Creel Bay and it is not too difficult to fish, given there is so much more water this year. You can downrig some very big brown trout

Vibe 35 BLG, and Cyber Vibe 50JU009. (Some of these look like our lake goldfish, and the trout love to eat little goldfish!) Bait fishing over winter is always a favourite for those that just want to sit by the

NEWS If you would like a bit more information on what trout fishing is available on Lake Jindabyne in winter, please call into my shop at Discovery Holiday Parks Jindabyne, next to the Shell

at Waste Point and the Clay Pits near town. Best fly method: Williamson Gold Fish in the weedy bays. Best river: Rivers are all closed to fishing until October. • If you would like some

Todd Canham with a 55cm buck brown on a colour Y82 Tassie Devil.

Eric Blakers with a 5lb brown on a 111 Tassie Devil. the middle of the day are Tasmanian Devils in pink number 55 or orange number 56 colours. These are aggression colours in winter and the trout will strike these hard. Also keep in mind that a number Y36 Yellow Wing for the sunnier days and Tassie Devil holographic or 48 or Y48 are always worthwhile

Young Charley Burns with a young rainbow.

using bigger minnow lures. If you don’t have a downrigger, then try putting a big Rapala onto your lead core line and put 4 colours of lead into the water and then another 20m of 20lb Dacron backing. This will get you down to where the bigger browns are holding out. Remember, troll slowly at about 2km/h. Lure spinning around the lake margins is the best way to find the fish. Keep moving and don’t stay in one spot too long. I find that in winter smaller 7g Tasmanian Devils are best for the deeper water on still days and the 13g Tassies on the windy days. Another lure that has been worth a throw is the 3” StumpJumper. Pink is a great colour in winter. Orange Minnow Spins are also great off the bank. Soft plastics are worth a try, and the Strike Tigers in Vodka and Orange and Princess Pink colours are good options. The Tasmanian Trout Frogs are also going great guns. Flicking soft plastics out and working them slowly through the snags and above weed beds when the lake is low remains the best way to catch trout. Like bream fishing down the coast, blades are working well on trout, both in the rivers and the lakes, so they’re well worth a try. Some of the better blades are TT Switchblade Golden Boy, Strike Pro Cyber

campfire and keep warm. You can fish all day during winter, but don’t fish too deep as the fish often feed in close to the shore. Bait fishing with scrubworms or artificial bait works well, so long as you don’t mind sitting back and waiting either day or night. Artificial salmon eggs have been very good for bigger trout at the moment. Both the worms and artificial baits are fished off the bottom with a running sinker. Artificial baits are great in winter and you only need to use a small ball of it, about the size of a pea. A size 12 hook will catch more fish than big hooks and big bits of bait. Gamakatsu do a fine wire hook known as a single egg hook, and these are great for PowerBait. You can use a size 8-10 hook for trout in winter. Over the next few months, the areas to catch a trout on bait are Wollondibby Inlet and Creel Bay at Waste Point, and Stinky Bay nearer to town. Just remember, the lake is weedy, but that’s where the fish like to hang out. Fly fishing in June and July on Lake Jindabyne would have to be the hardest and coldest months to attempt it. The best fishing usually occurs when the browns start to return from spawning, however, this year with some of the browns and rainbows spawning as early as March, we might find that the fly fishing will be better this year. With the higher lake levels and fish hanging about the bays, the better areas are Creel Bay, Hayshed and Hatchery Bay, Mill Creek Inlet, Clay Pits, and the Snowy Arm. Well rug up and enjoy your trip to the Snowies, and if coming down for a snow play, don’t forget your fishing rod!

servo, or phone (0264) 561 551. All the best with the fishing over the next couple of months, and remember, I operate guided tours right throughout winter. JUNE ROUNDUP — THE BEST OF THE BEST! Best method: Bait fishing with scrubbies teamed up with artificial baits. Best depth: Bottom fishing. Best lake lure: Tasmanian Devil in pink 55 or Rapala Brook and Perch patterns. Best lake area: Creel Bay

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 Facebook updates at https://www.facebook. com/LJTFA.

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Oh what a Sunday! BATLOW

Wayne Dubois waynedubois@westnet.com.au

As enjoyable as it is, fishing can be a funny thing at times. You can plan a trip for months, right down to the finest of details, do all the research and testing you can, and then struggle to catch a fish when the trip

the boat and head over to Blowering Dam for a few hours’ fishing. Normally we like to put a big day in on Blowering, starting early and finishing late, and on Sundays I normally fly fish for trout in streams and rivers much closer to home, but for some reason we decided we’d head out for a golden perch fix. The sun was shining, there was hardly a cloud

give it half an hour before we went up to my first intended spot. It wasn’t long before we realised we had made the right choice, as my partner Sharon continued to get follow after follow and hit after hit, but unfortunately dropped 2 fish in the process. In the 10 minutes we had fished, we saw a lot of action, so we continued to fish on.

As you can see from this pic, any more drag pressure and the fish would have surely broken the leader. Always err on the side of too light a drag setting when big fish are a possibility.

Wow! Not a bad by catch while targeting golden perch!

were just starting to pick up extra speed with the ‘lecky’ when I noticed a monster fish sitting on the sandy bottom in about 7’ of water. Even though I’d seen countless monster cod sitting or cruising the shallows of Blowering before, it happens to me every time and like a kid that just had his first lolly, I couldn’t contain myself. I squealed to Shaz, “Look at the size of that cod — it must be 120cm at least. Quick, cast at it before it sees us!” Sharon obligingly put a cast in that wasn’t quite on the mark and the fish didn’t notice the lure, so I chucked a quick cast in that landed about 5m away. As the lure started to sink, I noticed the big cod head straight towards it and then right over the top. Unfortunately,

the fish was facing away from me and was over the lure, so I didn’t know if it had eaten it or not, but as I was just thinking about winding in, the rod started to load up and I could see the

fish powering off with my Slap Walker hanging out the side of its mouth. As I was targeting golden perch with lightish lures, I had a light rod To page 59

You don’t always have to use big lures and rods to land big fish.

TIPS FOR LANDING BIG FISH ON LIGHT GEAR

Even with a light drag setting, a light rod will still have some serious curve when a monster fish is on the end. finally comes along. Or the complete opposite can happen, and at the spur of the moment you decide to go for a flick just see what happens and land a fish of a lifetime. That is exactly what happened to me one lazy Sunday, when after a big sleep in and a potter around the yard I realised I pretty much had nothing else to do. Consequently, we decided to load up 58

JUNE 2015

in the sky, very little wind, and it was just about the middle of the day by the time we hit the water. As we were targeting golden perch, our lures of choice were 60mm lipless crankbaits, in particular my own Insanity Tackle Slap Walkers. As we were heading to the bay I wanted to fish, I noticed another bay that was just screaming at me to go and fish it, so I veered off and decided to

Another 10 minutes later we had fished the whole bay without landing a fish, but we could see another fishy looking bay around the long, shallow north-facing point. Rather than power the required 200m, we decided we would use our electric motor to cruise around and quickly fish the bank as we went. We didn’t see any fish for the first 150m of featureless bank, and we

Electric motors No matter where you are going to fish, always pull up a good 100m or more from the intended fishing area, shut off the big motor, then drop the electric in and and stealthily work your way in to increase your chances of not spooking fish. If you happen to hook a large fish, follow it around with the electric and try and keep the distance between you and it to a minimum. This will ensure you have the upper hand throughout the fight, and will also help reduce the amount of time the battle goes for, which is beneficial for a good healthy release. Drag pressure When it comes to drag settings, my thoughts are if you have your drag too tight then the fish will often pop you off, giving you no chance of landing it — a known rookie mistake. If you happen to have your drag too light, the worst that can happen is the fish gets back to its snag. If this does happen, then at least you still have the fish hooked and quite often giving it some slack line might see it swim out of the snag. Or, you can do as we have done many times before; poke a lure retriever pole down into the snag. This might stir the fish up sufficiently for it to take off again, and this will often free the line. So when choosing a drag setting, I’d suggest erring on the side of slightly too loose rather then slightly too tight. Even when targeting big fish with big rods, I still recommend slightly too loose rather then slightly too tight for the abovementioned reasons. Finally, I’ve found with big golden perch and Murray cod that the more curry you give them during the fight, the more curry they give you back. Take it easy with them and you will find that they will too.

Countdown to the spawn run CANBERRA

Bryan Pratt

Anglers are counting down the days until the start of the annual trout spawning run in the mountain streams, as the first of the twitchy browns show in the Eucumbene and Thredbo rivers. Brown trout start their spawning or pre-spawning run in dribs and drabs in April and May, and then develop a major upstream migration during June, July and possibly August. Rainbows move later, mostly in August and September, with latecomers arriving in October. Upstream migration is triggered largely by water flows. Given that we

Eucumbene, and a host of smaller waterways. Anglers’ catches are the best indicator of the pre-spawning movement, with uncharacteristically large fish recently coming from the Denison area, the lower reaches of the river in Eucumbene, and in the Thredbo Arm at Jindabyne. Recent catches include a nice 4.2kg fish on fly in the Eucumbene River and a swag of good browns on fly in the Thredbo. Most have been taken on large Woolly Buggers or small size 14-16 nymphs, especially those fished under a dropper on long, light leaders. Midweek fishing has been the most productive because on weekends the foot traffic puts the fish down and they

In Jindabyne, rainbows have dominated the fishing. They come in 2 sizes, about 30-34cm and a larger group averaging 40-45cm. They have been caught on fly, on PowerBait, and by trolling with Tasmanian Devils and small Halco, Rapala and Strike Pro minnows. A few have been taken flat lining, but some of the better catches have been with lead core line or downriggers. Some nice browns also have been caught, especially around East Jindabyne and Kalkite. Some of the best have been taken by anglers working yabby and goldfish flies and lures along the edges of weedbeds where the fish are patrolling in search of the real thing. Steve

PowerBait have done well at Yens Bay, Seven Gates and Cobrabald Bay. Trollers have found fish in deeper water and lead core line has been highly effective. Frying Pan Arm has been especially productive. The best fish have come from the flooded bed of Frying Pan Creek, on mudeye patterns fished on sinking fly lines, and live mudeyes fished on bubble or waggler floats. Some excellent fish have also been caught on large wet flies fished behind a bubble float, which is cast out wide then retrieved slowly. This technique works surprisingly well both during the day and at night. The ever-reliable Tantangara Reservoir has been worth a visit. The fish are mostly smallish browns, but they provide plenty of fun on lure, bait and fly. The water level has fluctuated greatly this season as stored water is bled off to top up water levels in Eucumbene and Googong. Launching a boat

The McCabe boys again, showing off 1 of the nice rainbows coming out of Lake Eucumbene on bait, lure and fly.

Massive amounts of water were released from Lake Burley Griffin after Canberra received a month’s rain in just 48 hours. have just had a month’s rain in 3 days, there is a strong inducement for the browns to start gathering upstream in Jindabyne and Eucumbene prior to moving into the major spawning streams, the Thredbo and From page 58

loaded with 10lb braid and 10lb fluorocarbon leader, so I knew we had to take our time landing it. I backed the drag off and luckily for me he was sitting on an almost featureless bank, so I had nothing to worry about other than a tree-lined bay about 150m away. As Blowering is crystal clear, we could see almost all of the fight. There was a point where the fish got within 20m or so of the tree-lined bay, but after some sensational chasing with the electric from my other half, we eventually got the big fish into the ‘way too small’ net after a 25 minute battle. Other then the light drag pressure preventing a

stay down. LAKES STILL PRODUCTIVE Despite the early pre-spawning movement of the browns, there is still plenty of activity in the main body of the lakes.

Williamson’s Goldfish fly has been particularly effective. In Eucumbene, there have been good fish in a variety of locations. Shore-based anglers using mudeyes, scrubworms and

bustoff, the other thing that helped to land this large fish on light gear was being able to follow it with the electric. This helped us to keep the upper hand throughout the fight, and ensured it went for the least amount of time possible, which is very important when releasing fish of this size. To say I was happy once the fish hit the pre-dampened Brag Mat would be an understatement, but what I couldn’t believe was Sharon’s excitement, which was double that of mine. Big fish really do have this amazing presence about them that makes even veteran fishos go weak at the knees. As we took a quick measure before release, we

really got to appreciate its size. At 121cm, it is my biggest fish from this lake, and one I will never forget. To not only spot the fish, but to then watch it take my lure and fight it was amazing, but to catch it on super light gear and on a lure that I distribute was the cherry on top. We fished the next bay and bank for 4 yellas in quick succession, and we were both then content to call it a day after only a couple of hours on the water. It will remain one of our most memorable fishing trips ever. So the next time you’re contemplating a spur of the moment trip, just do it. As they say, you’ve got to be in it to win it!

Big cod in Canberra’s urban lakes can be a handful for a canoe or kayak angler. It pays to gently move the fish into the shallows in order to get a decent photograph prior to release. at locations other than the main boat ramp has been difficult in the sticky mud. SMALL STREAMS Recent rain has done wonders for the smaller trout streams in the region. Anglers who can cast accurately in tight, heavily vegetated locations have done well with dry flies such as Hairwing Coachman, Klinkhammer, Iron Blue Dun and March Brown. The browns and rainbows are mostly small, but occasionally reach 40cm and provide great fun on light #3 and #4 weight fly rods. LOCAL LAKES Rain has muddied the urban lakes and with lower temperatures and low barometric pressure, catches of golden perch, Murray cod and even redfin have declined markedly. As

conditions return to normal, the fish should be hungry and come back on the bite, trying to gain condition before winter arrives. REGIONAL WATERWAYS Burrinjuck has dropped to about 30 per cent of capacity and cod and golden perch have become harder to catch. The best chance for a cod is to bounce large deep divers or spinnerbaits along the bottom in deep water. For golden perch the best locations are flooded trees, where soft plastics and other lures can be jigged up and down in about 10-12m of water. Wyangala has been worth fishing, especially with bait from the shore around Grabine. Catches have included some smallish

Murray cod, good-sized golden perch, and some nice silver perch to 42cm — mostly on scrub worms and small live yabbies. SEASON CLOSURE Anglers should note that the trout season will close at midnight on Monday, June 8. The cold weather is well on the way and we have had the first significant snowfalls already. If you are planning a visit to the high country, make sure you are well prepared — warm, waterproof clothing, chains or a good 4WD, and above all make sure you have filled up with Alpine Diesel, not just regular fuel. Last year during a cold snap there were dozens of disabled 4WDs scattered all over the high country, unable to move until the whole region thawed. JUNE 2015

Target trout in the cooler weather this winter BATLOW

Wayne Dubois waynedubois@westnet.com.au

Winter is finally here and although I love it, it can mean different things to different people. Some anglers will say that it is too cold for fishing, but when dressed appropriately and rugged up with thermal clothing and beanies, this ‘problem’ is overcome. Put simply, it is never too cold for fishing! Other people might say that the fishing is too slow in winter, which is why they don’t fish, but this is only true if you are targeting

certain species like golden perch that are extremely hard to catch at times during the cooler months. This problem can be solved by targeting species like trout and redfin that are in their prime during the winter months. Another alternative is to target big Murray cod, which will be making the most of any easy pickings that might swim by their lair. So as you can see, there is no reason to pack the fishing gear away just because it is winter. Winter can be a great time of the year if, like I said, you dress appropriately and target the right species. There are fewer anglers to contend with as well, which is another

great reason to be on or near the water this month. If you are reading this on the first of the month then you have 8 days left in the trout season and although there isn’t much time available, it’s easily the best time of the year to be targeting them in running water. The big trout will be aggressive and competitive and can be easy to catch. The Eucumbene River will be super popular as always and will more then likely be fishing well, but if last season is anything to go, there will be almost as many anglers as there are fish. If you are after an alternative to the busy One of the many trout landed on Insanity Tackle Slap Walkers at Tantangara last trip. Lipless crankbaits are a highly under-rated trout lure. They work sensationally well, are super versatile, and the trout have not seen too many of them.

June is one of the best, if not the best, month of the year to hook a trophy sized trout — no matter where you are fishing. Rug up and go get amongst the monsters.

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Eucumbene, then the Tumut River would be your best bet. There isn’t as many trophy sized fish as the Eucumbene, although they are certainly there, and on top of that there will be far fewer anglers to contend with. If running water isn’t your thing, or you choose not to target the pre-spawn fish, then the lakes will be where you have to get your trout fix. TROUT LAKES Most of the trout lakes will fish well this month, as the water and air temperature drop into the trout’s comfort zone. Jounama, Talbingo and Tantangara dams, and Lake Eucumbene, will all be worth a visit. If you are planning on fishing the top 2 dams, Tantangara and Eucumbene, then it pays to prepare for the absolute worst conditions. It can turn from calm and sunny to a windy, snowy blizzard in no time at all, and temperatures can drop well below freezing, so minus 10 or more degrees is not uncommon. This aside, if you plan for the worst, you should have no

major dramas other than getting sick of catching so many fish — not a bad problem to have! All techniques will work, from bait fishing with worms and/or dough bait, through to fly fishing and lure fishing. If you’re doing some lure fishing up there, try lipless crankbaits for the trout, both on the cast and the troll. I believe this style of lure is highly under-utilised in trout fishing circles. This time last year at Tantangara the other half and I smashed the trout on Insanity Tackle Slap Walkers in both the 60 and 70mm sizes. The reason they work so well is that the fish don’t see that many of them, and not only are they a great size that matches a lot of the baitfish and other fish

to be an effort to scare the competitor away, but as in this case the fish is our lure, so the trout gets hooked and you get a chance to land a fish that wasn’t even hungry. The other lures worth using in the trout lakes are the ever reliable 2-4” paddle tail plastics. There is a host of them on the market these days; they are all very similar and will work. The key to soft plastic success with trout (and most other species) is to match the weight of the jighead to the depth of the water you are fishing. A general all-rounder is a ¼oz head, but if you are fishing super deep you may need to go up to a ½oz jighead to keep the lure swimming down there. Alternatively, if you are fishing shallow edges and

So lipless crankbaits and plastics are my first 2 choices when it comes to targeting trout in the alpine region. They work sensationally and not that many anglers use them, especially when compared to the trusty Tassie style lures that every trout angler seems to use. Sure, winged lures work well, but imagine how many of those things a big old trout has seen? I believe you are far more likely to fool those big, wise and finicky fish with a lure style that they have never been caught on before, rather than with 1 that they have been fooled by previously. Blades are another great lure to use everywhere, but especially up in the trout lakes at places like Eucumbene where a big part

Nathan Foley with one of the first big pre-spawn brown trout from the Eucumbene River in mid April. The Eucumbene will be a super popular place this month, and with good reason too, as anglers grab their last running water trout fix. It just so happens to coincide with their best chance at a true trophy sized trout. species present, but trout are super aggressive and even if they aren’t hungry a lure of this size will often be met with a violent slashing. This slashing is supposed

bays, a 1/8 or even a 1/16oz jighead would be better suited to keep you in the water without digging into the bottom for the whole retrieve.

of the brown trout’s diet is yabbies. The lift and drop action of a blade imitates a fleeing yabby nicely and will trick many a big, wise fish this winter.

Cod fishing cools down ROBINVALE

Rod Mackenzie codmac@bigpond.net.au

With the onset of cooler conditions, anglers have dragged out the thermals and donned beanies in preparation for the cooler months that lay ahead. The ‘true’ cod season is about to begin, where size outclasses numbers every time. In saying that, the fishing along the Murray has been a little slower than that enjoyed

last season, but that’s to be expected as the majority of cod have had all manner of lures dragged across their noses in the past 12 months. Murray cod are far from stupid, especially when they acquire a bit of size, and the big fish are proving harder to persuade, but they are still prone to making the odd mistake. Big lures still remain the key to relaxing this lockjaw attitude and while the action is slow, the rewards are most often at the bigger end of the Brag Mat. Robinvale in the

Justin Rees with another metre-plus cod, this time taken on the cast using a spinnerbait.

pool water has good numbers of smaller cod to 80cm taking both bait and lures depending on the water clarity. Golden perch too, have been biting well, especially on bait. Shrimps or small yabbies bobbed around the timber are working, with most anglers catching their bag in a short session. Upstream around the Nine Mile has fished well, as has the Toll Toll area. The perch have been of quality size, with most above the 45cm range. A few catfish have also been landed in the Robinvale area, especially when fishing baits of worms around the willows. Carp are ever-present and the pesky silver perch are alive and well. A protected species, it’s great to see catfish numbers on the increase. Downstream to Wemen and it’s a similar story, although the cod are quite a bit larger in size. Several cod

This monster Murray cod was caught trolling a 170mm King Mong. Big lures equal big fish as the water cools. over the metre mark have been landed at Wemen on both bait and lures. Generally shallow and fast flowing, most of these larger fish have been caught around the numerous rock bars that are typical of the Murray

Travis Brand with a typical cool water monster Murray. Anglers can expect to encounter more large fish as the water temperature drops.

in this area. As the ghost moths hatched with the autumn break, several good cod were also landed on surface lures. As this form of fish continues to grow in popularity, we are sure to see some honking fish landed from the surface over the next few seasons. I have already had a couple of near misses, with 1 large fish hitting the lure so hard I expected to see nothing but powdered remnants floating on the water. I will be back to annoy this bad boy throughout the season, and with a little luck he will slip up and have another crack. Golden perch have also been on the chew in the Wemen area, with bait proving most effective. Shrimp are starting to become scarce as the water

cools, but are proving to be the best bait, which is always the case when something is hard to source. Hattah Kulkyne has also fished well for cod on lures, the largest reported this past month stretching the tape out to the 121cm mark. Large shallow running lures are working best, but they are hard to find. It’s a common perception among lure makers that to think big is to think deep, when in fact these same giant lures are what’s required to tempt big fish in shallow waters. Perhaps by season’s end we will see a few larger models fitted with shallow bibs. All up, the fishing has been quite good and with the big fish season now underway, we can expect some large cod captures over the coming months.

The plug’s getting pulled YARRAWONGA

Tony Bennett codclassic@bigpond.com

Trying to predict what’s happening in and around Lake Mulwala at present is nigh impossible. As I write, we have a lake that sits at 96 per cent full. Within days, the plug will be pulled, and it will all vanish in a hurry. Not knowing exactly how much it will be drawn down makes it hard to guess about the fishing. If history is anything to go by, best bet is to hook the boat up and get here in a hurry. As the lake recedes, most ramps become un-usable, with the 1 located at the yacht club remaining usable the longest. If you have not been here for a draw down, do yourself a favour and come for a look. It’s an awesome sight to see and will give you a totally new perspective on the place. Looking back to the start of April, not only did the Easter Bunny drop off plenty of goods for the kids, but he helped stir up the cod

for all and sundry. Since I’ve been putting pen to paper over the past 15 years, I’ve never seen a better month for quality and consistent reports, some of them near on unbelievable, but with photos of proof, they are undeniable. The most unbelievable story, report, photo, call it what you wish, came in the form of an amazing pic of a large cod that had attempted to engulf a floating volleyball! Being partially flat, the ball became perfectly wedged in the cod’s mouth and was unable to dislodge it. After some photos for proof, the ball was removed and the cod swam away to fight another day. From the look of the picture, the fish would have measured around the 1m mark. It was found around the Kyffins area. Like spaceships and Martians, if I hadn’t seen the photos (that now adorn the front window of Lake Mulwala Fish Camp and Ski), I would not believe it! Another story about the 1 that didn’t get away came from the first day of the Cod Nationals. Competitors Steve Hogan and Graeme Jarvis were fishing close to the yacht club when they were alerted to

an elderly lady calling “Help me! Help me!” Upon closer inspection they found she was actually hooked up to a beast of a cod she couldn’t land due to not having a landing net and the fish being too big for her to lift! The boys rendered assistance and proceeded to help her land a mighty 110cm monster taken on a small 1/0 hook with a piece of chicken breast for bait. Ben Sharp, a Mulwala regular, had a great run over Easter, guiding friends and family onto some beautiful cod. After calling in to buy a handful of pink/purple Custom Craft lures, he took his mate James Ryan out for his firstever spot of cod fishing. Not 100m in and James was hooked up to a great cod that measured a healthy 92cm. Next day Ben decided it was time to take his 2 daughters for a quick troll. Low and behold, 5-year-old Eve hooked up to a 60cm model, closely followed by a 68cm cracker — a couple of fish any grown man would be happy with. Ben struggled to keep the kids out of the boat for the next few days, and landed some other nice cod in that time.

Another fella who came into the store, Brian Smith, had a smile on him like a cat that had caught the budgie. Producing a photo that weighed 3lb alone, Brian recounted the capture of his mate Keith Sieeber. Again on a piece of chicken, Keith landed a true Murray monster that stretched the tape out to 123cm and looked like it could have been a good 80lb and then some. This cod was taken downstream around the Bourke’s Beach area. The fifth Cod Nationals have just wound up, with Team Venom’s Anthony Pavlou and Stephen Booth taking out the prestigious Champion Team title from Team Bassman’s Jamie Stewart and Bryden Whitfield. Jamie Stewart claimed the Individual Champion title, closely followed by Jamie Beer. While on the Jamies, Jamie Kelly achieved any cod angler’s dream, weighing in 1 that achieved the magical mark of 100.6cm. All up, there were 147 cod, with 64 of legal size, weighed in by 37 competing anglers. Cray season is drawing near, so it is important you are up to speed with the

James Ryan with is first-ever cod. A beauty that measured 92cm. new rules and regs that were implemented last year. The season opens on June 1. If heading out, I urge all to be safe, especially if you are boating at night in shallow waters and observe all limits. If visiting Yarrawonga/ Mulwala, call into Lake Mulwala Fish Camp and Ski, the shop with the big green cod out the front in Mulwala. We are your largest Murray cod-specific shop in the region and specialise in all things green. For any info on

upcoming events or fishing reports, give us a call on (0357) 443 133. • 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. JUNE 2015

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Crompton’s Clarence pole position TER 1ST BOA

Mark Crompton, a 34 year old self employed plumber from the southern highlands of Sydney, has made the best possible start to his 2015 BREAM season by going back-to-back with victory at the JML Alliance Clarence River BREAM Pro. Crompton parlayed his Tweed River event victory by overcoming a class field on day two at the Clarence River event. Crompton’s 10/10, 6.44kg tournament limit saw him take the win by 400grams from his nearest competitor and cement his status as an angler on the rise. Crompton’s event preparation, not unlike the Tweed River event, was limited to analyzing Google Maps and the prefish day. This however didn’t deter Crompton who went about his task methodically, “Google Maps got a few good runs researching the Clarence as well as Insight Genesis, but I was mostly looking for weed flats, etc,

which I didn’t really find. My plan was simply just drive around and get familiar with the system i.e. sand bars, rockwalls structure and the main areas like Middle Wall and Browns Rocks. I also had the BREAM Grand Final in mind so I needed to cover a lot of ground. Finding water hazards was my main aim though”. “The event prefish was polar opposites to the competition day, but my experience taught me the bigger fish needed fast flow and good cover so that’s what I decided to aim for. During the prefish I put 15 or so fish in the boat but all the fish came from different areas, mainly rock walls, but all locations had extremely fast moving current which is what I like fishing. I found fish everywhere, and I thought that’s not good because it allows everyone to do the same, but true to most commercially fished locations the prefish day put some good pressure on the system and allowed me to focus on my key zones confidently.” On the first day Crompton headed out with a plan in mind and went about executing it, “My plan was keep it simple, fish the spots I knew would get pressured hard first

WINNING NOTES

Winning Tackle Rod: ...............Daiwa Battler Water Zombie and Daiwa Generation Black Itchy Twitchy Reel: 2004 Daiwa Sol II and Daiwa Freams Line: ...................................2lb Stren braid Leader: ............. 4/5/6/8lb Sunline FC rock Lures: .................... Cranka Crabs, Berkley Craws in camo colour and Juro Firebaits

Winning Ways Crompton identifying spawning fish holding on poles was significant in his victory at the Clarence River.

Crompton made it two wins from two events with victory at the Clarence. and it paid off. We pulled up to the Yamba Shores Tavern area and immediately started catching fish. I managed to fill my bag quick including a kicker fish. From there I upgraded slightly, but by this time I felt the spot had been punished so we headed to rock walls and Browns Rocks. At these locations I struggled to upgrade which made my initial location seem a perfect call. I used the remainder of the day to prefish unknown areas in case I could find another good kicker fish”. After the first session Crompton sat in 7th place with 5/5, 2.93kg. With a 840gm deficient to overcome he focused on trying to place in the top two, “My big aim was to chase down second place as catching Warren Carter seemed unlikely. I headed back to my key locations but I found it a lot slower on day two as I couldn’t find fish close to structure. After scanning the area closely using my Lowrance sounders I found them deeper on structure out from the pontoons, so I targeted the fish in these areas and had great success filling my bag by 9am. I then headed

to Browns Rocks for an hour catching several fish but with no upgrades I headed back to my original location. From there it was on and I cracked a good pattern and upgraded many times but also unfortunately lost a lot of really big fish. I noticed all the fish I was catching were milking in pre-spawn. In Sydney I find pre-spawn fish hold on poles. I decided to explore this option in the hope that I could successfully target the bigger fish consistently. I managed two kicker upgrades following this pattern, which made a big difference at the end of the day”. Crompton’s second day tournament limit of 5/5, 3.51kg was the largest for the day (second largest for the tournament) and propelled him up the leaderboard. Ultimately Crompton’s combined session weight eclipsed his nearest rival and delivered him his second suc cessive victory. With two events in the bag Crompton clearly has momentum on his side heading into the back half of the season and is definitely one to watch for the PowerPole AOY title race.

Whittam over setback for second CE 2ND PLA

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Cameron Whittam, a 43 year old self employed plumber, finished runner-up at the JML Alliance Clarence River BREAM PRO. Whittam (10/10, 6.04kg) produced consistent limits over both tournament sessions, but was overtaken by Crompton’s final day heroics. Whittam prefished above

Cam Whittam overcame lost fishing time on day one to finish second and book a spot in the Clarence River Grand Final.

Find Upgrades

Structure away from pontoons in deeper water

Fill tournament limit

15 legal fish for the day.” Day two conditions were very different from day one with ultra strong currents and westerly wind combining to make it very

Maclean, but identified larger fish lower in the system. Unfortunately he experienced engine troubles on day one, which significantly shortened his session and immediately

-BOATER 1ST NON Grayson Fong, a 40 year old acupuncturist from Hendra, Brisbane, took out the non-boater division at the JML Alliance Clarence River BREAM Pro. Fong fished with Chris Britton on day one and John Timbrell on day two to compile a 10/10, 5.45kg tournament limit. In doing so Fong was the only non-boater to present a full limit each session to the weighmaster. Fong had the opportunity to prefish for the event and found fish throughout the system. He identified good numbers around Maclean, but the size was lacking compared to fish near the mouth of the river. Fong shares each days experience, “Being fortunate to draw

put him on the backfoot. Whittam explains, “In the end I started fishing the middle wall around 10am. I then moved to the north wall of the entrance at 11am

with 4 fish in the livewell. At this location I finished my 3.16kg tournament limit and lost multiple big fish to the structure and to pulled hooks. In all I caught approximately

Fish around the pontoon poles

hard to stay in contact with the lure. Whittam fished multiple locations between the mouth of the system and Browns Rocks but didn’t find fish. Whittam explains

The field prepared for the 7am start on day two on the Clarence River.

BREA

Presente M SERIES d by JM L Allianc e

his approach on day two and choice of location, “I knew that the bite time on the North Wall was going to be from 12pm on, so I waited patiently and headed there at 12pm with no fish in the well. The first fish came at 12:40 pm and the second followed quickly. A short wait and the 3rd and 4th again came very close together. With only 10 mins until I had to head back to check in, I hooked and landed fish number five to finish my limit, which weighed 2.88kg. I chose to fish deep rock walls 20-40 feet deep with heavy base plated Cranka Crabs in multiple colours, which I would change every drift. I added various flavours of Pro Cure scents on my crabs quite often during both days. I would throw the crabs close to the edge and try to waft them down as close as possible to the taper of the rock wall.” Whittam notes finally, “Patience was the key to my success. Fishing ultra slow for long periods can be tough but very rewarding”.

Fong gets crabby Chris Britton on day one I knew we would be fishing either Browns Rocks or down the Middle Wall as both places proved fruitful last year when we first got the opportunity to fish together. I was fortunate enough to match it with Chris’ renowned deepwater skills and we soon bagged our 5 fish in good time during the last of the run out tide leaving us ample time to search for better upgrades. To fill my bag at Browns Rocks I chose to throw 2.5” Z-Man Grubz in gudgeon colour rigged on a 1/8oz Atomic Seekerz jighead. A crucial factor was the liberal coating I gave them of Pro Cure scent in mullet flavour. After leaving Browns, we ventured down to the infamous Middle Wall where I then used a heavy Cranka Crab in spotted crab colour to score a couple of nice upgrades

with fish coming onboard for Chris and I in a hot bite period lasting about 15 minutes. On Day two I drew Lake Mac’s John Trimbrell who was wonderful in giving me the option of fishing wherever I needed to go in order to win the event. He took me back to Brown’s Rocks where I got the fish the first day and where the population had grown with boats in such a short time. I threw the same Zman Grubz on 1/8thoz jighead,s but this time in Bloodworm colour. This choice wasn’t due to water colour change or sunny conditions, I simply ran out of Gudgeon colour! But the fish didn’t mind as I was able to scratch my bag together finally after sifting through the many small ones that Brown’s is renowned for. After that John took me to where he got fish the first day, a reef outside Oyster Cove,

where the fireworks really started! After switching to a Cranka Crab in Olive colour, in a space of an hour I upgraded my somewhat reasonable Brown’s Rocks bag to a more reasonable one in the order of a 27cm, 34cm, 30cm and 29cm coming onboard in successive drifts. This was where the Cranka Crab came into its element as I picked pontoons and poles to cast at. The big fish would grab the crab and swim out shaking their heads trying to crush it or dislodge it.” Fong used two lures to great effect, the Z-Man GrubZ and Cranka Crab. The technique employed with the Z-Man GrubZ was to use a deadstick method, where he would let the plastic waver around in the current with the occasional twitch to let the bream know of its presence. The Cranka Crab was used predominantly as an upgrade lure. The lure was cast

BOATING RESULTS

QLD’s Grayson Fong was the only non-boater to catch a limit each day, in the process securing the event win at the JML Alliance presented event. up against rockwalls or pylons and slowly retrieved by lifting the rod and staying in touch with the lure at all times. Dissecting each day’s sessions, it was really a tale of two days, as Grayson explains.

“Day one came really quick for me as the tide was flowing at a perfect speed and we had no wind. Day two took me a lot longer but I put my head down as I knew Brown’s had the fish we just needed lures in water.”

NON-BOATERS RESULTS

Angler

Fish

Weight (kg)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Mark CROMPTON Cameron WHITTAM Steve GILL Mark BROWN Kristoffer HICKSON Warren CARTER Jamie MCKEOWN Tom SLATER Matthew FINNEY Peter MACOR

10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 9/10 10/10 10/10 9/10 10/10

6.44 6.04 5.83 5.74 5.72 5.47 5.41 5.31 5.20 5.07

Payout

$3,100 $1500 + ($250) $1,200 $1,100 $950 + ($150) $800 + ($100) + ($300) $700 + ($300) $625 $475 $475

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

Angler

Fish

Weight (kg)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Grayson FONG Brendan HERDEN Darren BORG Michael GEARY Stuart WALKER Jason DISSON James HICKSON Sean WAITE Angus CHANDLER Sean PEARSON

10/10 8/10 7/10 8/10 8/10 8/10 7/10 6/10 6/10 5/10

5.45 3.62 3.59 3.45 3.34 3.25 3.23 3.03 2.53 2.48

Payout Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack

For full result listings, see www.abt.org.au JUNE 2015

Pretty fly for a Young guy CE 1ST PLA

Queensland’s Dave Young broke through for his maiden BASS Pro win with the 31 year old tournament veteran claiming a comprehensive wire-to-wire win to secure the Spotters Sunglasses Lake Somerset BASS Pro title for 2015. Securing the event win by over 3kg Young stood out on a tough Lake Somerset, an event that saw only 35 bass weighed in for the tournament, and many of the big names of the sport failing to deliver a fish to scales for the event. For event winner Young it was a fly blown event with the EJ Todd sponsored tournament pro fishing it old school and opting to fish slow and deep with fly for the event. “With the rain last week and the fishing being incredibly tough during the prefish I thought fly would be the way to go,” said Young. With his technique of choice locked in Young started at Pelican Point, an area that

dialled in on the fish and all ready to pick up where he left off heading into session two. He didn’t have to wait long to add another fish to the well, and 5-6 casts into session two he had his first fish for the session. His second proved a lot tougher to find and it wasn’t until the last half hour of the session that he finally caught his second and final fish for the session. With an extended lead heading into the final session Young was confident, confident that he could eke out just two more bites to complete his 6-from-6 limit for the tournament. Returning to Pelican again ,Young remained focused and committed to the task, but it wasn’t until halfway through the session that he picked up his first fish. “It was a lot tougher. There weren’t as many fish on the sounder as the day before and they were incredibly tight lipped. I missed one other bite and that was it for the session,” said Young. In the end the missed fish didn’t affect the result and Young’s extensive lead heading into the final session was never overcome by any of his challengers. With close to a 3kg winning margin over

Clean cool days dominated the weather at the 2nd stop of the Toray BASS Pro Tour.

STORM VENTAFISH®

Visit www.abt.org.au for entry forms. For general enquiries phone ABT on (07) 3387 0888. 66

JUNE 2015

he had found the fish in the lead-up to the tournament, and began fishing fly to fish that he found in 25-30’ of water. “Fish would regularly come through on the Lowrance but they were far for active and willing to eat with any great regularity. I fished fly and occasionally threw a Jackall Mask Vibe, but it wasn’t until late in the first session that I keyed into exactly where the active fish were holding and what they wanted to eat,” said Young. Moving shallower and into 18’ of water and now positioned right on Pelican Point rather than wide or off it, Young pin-pointed fish holding hard on the bottom and it was these that he began tareget. With 15 minutes left in the session Young picked up his fist fish, and two or three casts later he soon had his second. Weighing in a 2.81kg limit for the session Young was now

Dave Young dominated at Somerset, fishing fly to catch his fish. his nearest challenger, event runner-up Paul Gillespie, Young’s victory can only be described as comprehensive, a win that’s been 16 years in the making, and a win that’s been predated by multiple 2nds, and top tens. Young’s victory is a return to the winner’s for deep fly, a technique that dominated 10 years ago, but in recent years has failed to make the impact it once had. Young’s tournament winning technique was textbook deep flyfishing for bass. A long cast followed by a long wait (60 second) for the fly line and fly to sink to the bottom, followed by a couple of short sharp strip to make the fly dart of the bottom, then and a pause. “It was important to be slow and methodical, and be patient in what you were doing,” said Young.

His patience wasn’t just restricted to the sinking of the fly and its retrieve but also to how he reacted to the fish when he got a bite. “The bites were incredibly tentative. Most came on the pause and often you’d just feel a slight pressure when you went to make the next strip. When this happened I’d just let the fish mouth and play with fly and gave it plenty of time to eat it. In many ways it was like waiting for bream to eat a bait. It was far from electric fishing and was a real test of patience,” said Young. The win finally adds Young’s name to the list of BASS Pro winners, a list that includes many former fly fishing champions, and former winners who I’m sure would be more than pleased to see fly re-emerge as a tournament winning technique.

BOATER RESULTS #

Angler

Fish

Weight (kg)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

David YOUNG Paul GILLESPIE Warren CARTER Craig SIMMONS Dan STEAD Barry REYNOLDS Mark LENNOX Tony THORLEY Joe ALLAN Michael THOMPSON

5/6 3/6 3/6 2/6 1/6 1/6 2/6 1/6 2/6 1/6

7.20 4.23 3.75 2.27 1.93 1.72 1.43 1.40 1.14 0.88

Payout $2,300 $1350, Austackle Big Bass, Spotters Big Bass $950, Duffrods Big Bag, Spotters Big Bass $850 $650 $450, Spotters Big Bass

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

NON-BOATER RESULTS #

Angler

Fish Weight (kg)

1 2 3 4 5

Shaun FALKENHAGEN Brett HYDE Jason MARTIN Luke DRAPER James REID

3/6 1/6 1/6 1/6 1/6

2.80 0.79 0.64 0.56 0.54

Payout

NS Black Hole, Spotters Big Bass 13 Fishing Omen Black rod, Spotters Big Bass Bassman Prize Pack Spotters Sunglasses Prize Pack, Spotters Big Bass Spotters Sunglasses Prize Pack

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

Gillespie gets big bite for second CE 2ND PLA

Standing next to Young on the podium was event runner-up, 52 year old Big River Bait and Tackle employee Paul Gillespie of Hardwood Island, NSW. Fishing his beloved Bassman Spinnerbait for the weekend, Gillespie fished to his strength throwing a 1/2oz white spinnerbait to the edges to catch his fish. “Were found out during the Friday prefish that the fishing was going to be tough, so I thought if I’m only going to get a few bites for the weekend I better try and

make them good ones, and I thought the edges would probably be the best place to get those bites. It’s also what I love to do,” said Gillespie. Fishing a series of locations for the weekend, Gillespie had two standout banks, the first being a location not far from the event start line that he’d fished in the past and the other a bank closer to dam wall that featured laydown timber. With nothing to show for his efforts in session one and with only 15 minutes to go, Paul hit his money bank, and 4-5 casts into fishing his last hurrah bank for the session he came up tight on a fish. “It was a typical spinnerbait retrieve. Cast it tight to the edge, slow roll it out for ten cranks then let it sink back to the bottom, then

WINNING NOTES

Winning Tackle

Lure: ..... Black Wolverine fly (tied by Gavin Dunne) Rod: ..................................... #7wt TFO BVK Reel: ............................ Snowbee Onyx 5-7 Line: ......#7wt Scientific Angler sinking line Leader: .............................. 10lb Sunline FC Rock twisted leader Extras: ............. Lowrance HDS 12 sounder and Insight Genesis Social Map, Tonic Youranium Copper lens glasses

Winning Ways

Young’s key to success was patience. Patience to allow the line and fly to sink to the bottom, and patience in waiting for the limited bites to come.

Austackle Big Bass

Paul Gillespie got the big bite, finishing 2nd in the boater division and picking up the Austackle Big Bass prize.

Wolverine Fly

Slow retrieve

Shaun burns to win Redland Bay’s Shaun Falkenhagen once again showed his talent as a bass angler with the Queensland tournament gun fishing a burn and kill, and deep crank approach to claim another non-boater win on the Toray BASS Pro tour. Fishing with Anthony Thorpe on day one, Falkenhagen, like many anglers in the event, fished Pelican Point to catch his fish. “We fished in about 30’ of water in session one hoping Mask Vibes through the showings of fish we picked up on the sounder. The first session was incredibly hard and unfortunately I caught nothing for my efforts,” said Shaun. Heading into session two

and determined not to go fishless for another session Shaun mixed it up and tried a few things differently. “I added a 1/2oz Jackall Deracoup to the lures I was throwing and started to work them with a burn and kill retrieve in the hope that something a bit more aggressive might fire up the fish that were acting very lethargic,” said Shaun. Having moved shallower and now fishing in 18’ of water Thorpe and Falkenhagen soon found better concentrations of fish, and fish that were actually interested in eating. Using a 10-12 crank and pause retrieve, Falkenhagen soon picked up his first fish, then his second. Delivering a 2.02kg limit to scales Shaun

quickly grabbed the lead and sat in the number one spot heading into the final day. Fishing with Mark Reinbott on day two Shaun used a different approach to catch his fish, using an OSP Blitz DR and long lining in 28’ of water at the bottom end of Pelican Point. With the 200m of line out Falkenhagen would slowly crank his lure back to the boat. An approach that he would repeat over and over throughout the five hour session, the technique paid off with Shaun catching and delivering a fish to the scales to claim the event win. His second BASS Pro win in as many starts, he also won the Toray BASS Pro Grand Final at Lake Wivenhoe last year, Falkenhagen once

Event runner-up Paul Gillespie valued added his 2nd place winnings by picking up the event’s Austackle Big Bass. Caught on a Bassman Spinnerbait in colour 29 (white with blue and black fleck strands) it was Gillespie’s first fish for the tournament and fell to 10-crank-pause retrieve fished on the edge not far from the event start line.

start cranking again,” said Gillespie. While he only caught one fish for the session, what he lacked in numbers he made up for in size, and his lone 2.26kg fish had him sitting in second place. Back hitting his run of banks and throwing his white Bassman spinnerbait again Gillespie was working a steep timbered bank near The Spit when a big fish bit. “This thing nailed the spinnerbait as I was working it out from a laydown, then turned and powered back towards the snag. I had two choices let it go or try and stop it. I muscled it as much as I could and eventually the hook pulled,” said Gillespie. Ruing his missed opportunity and returning

30’

Strip, strip, pause retrieve

BASS PR O

fishless for the session Gillespie was determined to make amends in the final session. Fishing multiple locations on the Sunday morning, including the two banks where he’d hooked fish the day before, it was his big fish bay from session one that once again produced. “I didn’t get the big bites like the day before but I did get the two bites that I needed to catch my limit, and that was what I was looking for,” said Gillespie. On a measly Lake Somerset it was Gillespie’s final session 2/2, 1.97kg limit that held off a strong finishing Warren Carter (3rd) and Craig Simmons (4th), and ultimately booked his ticket for the Toray BASS Pro Grand Final in October.

-BOATER 1ST NON again showed he’s the gun angler at the moment on the non-boater side of BASS Pro angler draw. In claiming another tournament victory Falkenhagen had a few people that he wanted to thank. “I’m fortunate to have some great sponsors that help me out greatly. Barrabass rods, Fish Tec Solutions, and NexGen Lures allow me to use to the best products available and for that I’m incredibly grateful. The next stop of the Toray BASS Pro Series sees the bass tour head south to Hunter Valley’s Lake Glenbawn in July (4/5th). Slated to take place in the heart of winter it’ll be an

Shaun Falkenhagen added another non-boater win to his CV with victory at Somerset. event that’ll test anglers’ ability to handle the cold and handle the challenging cold weather bite that Glenbawn is famous for.

For more information on the Toray BASS Pro Series visit www.abt.org.au or phone ABT during office hours on (07) 3387 0888. JUNE 2015

Coast to Coast with the most BETS cash! Lake Macquarie turned on the numbers for the TT Lures Round of the 2015 BETS series with forty eight of the seventy two teams getting the full five bag. The bag weights might have been a little down but this event had a great atmosphere with smiling anglers clearly having had a fun day and the many spectators enjoying

You know when an event becomes an event when spectators set the chairs up

the biggest smiles? You know something is about to happen when both anglers come to

southerly and a move to the wind blown rocky edges saw instant results.

overly familiar with the Lake the pair used tried and trusted Harbour techniques, fishing

a $250 Austackle Lure Pack and the team the right to lead the away at the next round.

RESULTS Teams.......................................................... Angler 1...................... Angler 2.................F.....W.......BB.......Payout 1 Coast To Coast Boating........................ Mitch Martin............... Kevin Tommerup...5.....4.43...1.26.....$4000 BETS Winners Cash 2 Nitro Marine/Elite Tournament Tackle... Mike Colourtourous... Paul Mazaroli.........5.....3.66...1.08.....$3000 + Engel Spectator Prize Pack 3 Team Windybanks................................. Simon McAlpin........... David Dobson.......5.....3.62...0.92.....Lowrance $1500 Voucher + $500 Bonus Cash 4 Stonka Chaser....................................... Ian Simpson............... Des Owens............5.....3.61...1.2.......Lowrance $1500 Voucher 5 Berkley................................................... Nathan McInnes......... Dean Hammond...5.....3.33...1.03.....Engel Fridge Freezer + $250 BETS Cashback Using bent minnow surface style lures Mitch hooked into a 1.26kg thumper almost the moment the wind came up and the fishing continued at great pace with the pair landing over thirty legal fish. Picking the cream of the crop the team were able to weigh 4.43kg and take first place and a handy $4000 BETS cash payout. The leading bag was good enough to put a decent gap between 1st and 2nd place with Sydney Harbour specialist Mike Colotorous

boat hulls and structure with a hardbody and plastic approach. The techniques translated well to the quite different waterway, the pair securing a solid bag of 3.66kg held up by a kilo sized fish. The bag earns the pair Second Place, $3000 and an Engel Spectator Pack for their effort. As always there’s the Austackle Big Bream Award for the event and this rounds deserving winner was the 1.26kg model Mitch Martin presented as part of the

And as a special bonus teams placed 11 to 20 received a special TT Lures Pack courtesy of Tackle Tactics. More smiles all round! Lake Macquarie is one of our favourite venues, not least because of the local support it attracts. Huge thanks to Chris and Jennie at the Wangi Point Holiday Park for hosting the event and of course the Wangi Lions Club for providing the lunchtime sausage sizzle. The day always kicks off with Ray from Coffee

Mitch Martin’s 1.26kg Austackle Big Bream. the weigh-in and indeed the hospitality of the Wangi Lions Club.

at 11am, happy to wait a few hours in order to get the best view. But who had

the stage to weigh-in and with the bag looking convincing. Even before the fish hit the scales it was obvious the was a story to be told. Team Coast to Coast Boating of Mitch Martin and Kevin Tommerup are a team of quiet achievers, popping up with some good results that last year saw them make the BETS Grand Final at the first attempt. Lake Macquarie was another time to shine for the pair, capitalising on some solid pre-fishing in the weeks prior. Having located good fish their plan was looking to come unstuck midway through the morning when a lack of wind saw fairly glassy conditions and the targeted surface bite was nowhere to be seen. Just as concern was setting in so did the mild

Michael Colotourous and Paul Mazaroli snared $3,000, but fell substantially short of the win.

AUSTRALIA WIDE

CAR & BOAT WRAPS

AND ALL YOUR SIGNAGE NEEDS 0413 113 828 68

JUNE 2015

xfactorsigns@bigpond.com

Here’s part of Coast to Coast Boating’s 4.43kg bag. and teammate Paul Mazaroli of Nitro Marine/Elite Tournament Tackle falling some 800g behind. Not

winning bag. It was in fact the slightly larger of a pair of kilo plus fish – the luxury of choice! The fish earns Mitch

Mondo doing the honours and finishes with a crowd of local spectators keen to join the fun. – The BETS Team

TOURNAMENT CALENDAR JUNE

Jun 6/7

Pottsville Fishing Classic

Beven Wise 0412 810 720

Jun 6/7

Berkley BREAM Series Qualifier #3

Gippsland Lakes

ABT (07) 3387 0888

www.abt.org.au

Jun 9/10

Berkley BREAM Series Qualifier #4

Mallacoota

ABT (07) 3387 0888

www.abt.org.au

Jun 28

Hobie BREAM Kayak Series Round 9

Sydney Harbour

JULY

AUGUST

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

www.hobiefishing.com.au

Jun 28

BETS BREAM Teams #4

Sydney Harbour

BETS

www.betsbream.com.au

Jun 28

SBS Bream

Sydney Harbour

Basin Lure and Fly

www.basinlureandfly.org.au

Jul 3-9

Sussex Inlet Annual Family Fishing Carnival

Sussex Inlet

SIFFC - (02) 4441 2017

www.sussexinlet.nsw.au

Jul 4-5

Toray BASS Pro Series Round #3

Lake Glenbawn

ABT (07) 3387 0888

www.abt.org.au

Jul 12

GTS Bream Mid Round 5

Port Macquarie

AFT

www.fishingcomps.com.au

Jul 31-Aug 2

Atomic B.A.S.S. Australia Nation Series

Lake St Clair Classic

BASS Nation

www.bassaustralia.com.au

Aug 8-9

GTS Bream Elite Round 4

Clarence River (Iluka)

AFT

www.fishingcomps.com.au

Aug 9

SBS Bream

St Georges Basin

Basin Lure and Fly

www.basinlureandfly.org.au

Aug 9

Hobie BREAM Kayak Series Round 11

St Georges Basin

SEPTEMBER

Tweed Coast

www.hobiefishing.com.au

Aug 15-16

Berkley BREAM Series Qualifier #5

Hawkesbury River

ABT (07) 3387 0888

www.abt.org.au

Aug 29-30

Toray BASS Pro Series Round #2

Lake St Clair

ABT (07) 3387 0888

www.abt.org.au

Sep 24-27

North Coast Fishing Bonanza

Ballina

AFT

www.fishingcomps.com.au

Oct 10-11

SBS Bream Grand Final

TBA

Basin Lure and Fly

www.basinlureandfly.org.au

Oct 17-18

Hobie BREAM Kayak Series R14

Georges River

www.hobiefishing.com.au

Oct 24-25

Toray BASS Pro Series Grand Final

Lake St Clair

ABT (07) 3387 0888

www.abt.org.au

Nov 6-8

Berkley BREAM Series Grand Final

Clarence River

ABT (07) 3387 0888

www.abt.org.au

Add your tournament or competition to this list by emailing nsweditor@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. JUNE 2015

Kayak fishing – a handful of handy accessories BRISBANE

Justin Wilmer Find me on Facebook at Yaks On

With limited cockpit space in the kayak, I have spent the last couple of decades refining the gear that I

carry with me. I now have a kit bag that I throw in the car and it contains the tools that make my fishing adventures safer, simpler and more enjoyable. After each trip these are rinsed, allowed to dry and then repacked for the next trip.

On the last couple of trips, I made note of a handful of accessories that I use most frequently, so that I could share these with you and briefly outline why they are included and how they are utilised in my kayak.

The Assault Hand Paddle from Backwater Paddles.

A nice handful of bream on the Swivels Measure.

PROPULSION AND POSITIONING Whether you paddle or pedal, there’s a handy paddle with a difference that is worth including. The Assault Hand Paddle, from US brand Backwater Paddles, is available in Australia and is a great option for propelling and positioning your kayak with stealth, while fighting a fish, positioning for a photo, or making adjustments to your kayak angle and drift. Designed by Edward Halm, a retired US Naval Instructor, master naturalist and kayak eco-guide, this durable polypropylene hand paddle floats and features a foam grip, hook on the end for grabbing ropes, branches or other objects, and ‘teeth’ on 1 edge for pushing off from rocks, oysters, logs and other surfaces. It is available in green or hi-vis orange and doesn’t take up much room, sitting easily between your feet or beside you, within reach when required. www. mlte.com.au

A flathead secure in the net. RIGGING I have no idea how many pairs of braid scissors I have donated to the ocean floor or people fishing with me, but it’s quite a few. I know

Profish “Load & Go” Pods Our Removable Pod system will see you having more time on the water. Rig up the night before and simply load your pods on location and go...

JUNE 2015

snip that has the retractor built inside, the Boomerang Tool Snip. These quality snips feature 420 stainless steel cutters that clean cut braid

A decent flathead under control of the BogaGrip.

Profish Tackle Pod™ • Integrated Sounder, Transducer and Battery pod. • Completely removable in one easy action. • Large internal tackle storage facility. Profish Chill Pod™ • Insulated to keep your catch in perfect condition. Just add ice. • Quick release for ease of loading into your vehicle. • Contains the mess, making clean down a breeze.

FISHING KAYAK SPECIALISTS

www.vikingkayaks.com.au

I should leash them, but it always seems excessive to put a bulky leash on an item that actually costs less than the leash itself! The solution is a cool retractable line

Free call 1800 00 42 40

30 Year Warranty Quality assurance

or mono up to 50lb test, a 36” retractable cord that returns the snip to their home position, and a squeeze design that allows easy one-handed operation even with wet or gloved hands. When not in use, slide it into ‘safe’ mode. I attach mine to the rod holder tab on my shirt, but you might choose to attach yours to your PFD, seat, backpack, or other location within easy reach. www. ttlures.com.au LANDING AND HANDLING FISH When it comes to landing and handling fish, the first thing you need is a short-handled net. I use 1 with a decent sized opening as I often target flathead which can grow quite large. Nets with a rubber mesh or other scale safe mesh are the preferred option as they do minimal damage to the fish’s slime coating. Select a floating net, add an accessory float or leash your net, otherwise it’s guaranteed if you lose it the next hookup will be a PB and you’ll be wishing there was a net on board. Lip grips make handling fish a breeze and safer for both you and the catch. I have fished with loads of anglers over the years, using many different lip grips, and half of them are rubbish. They lock too hard or soft, fish kick and the teeth twist open, and they end up with a spiky flathead in their lap or lost back over the side. The other common scenario is that they have seized up since they were last used. I have had an original BogaGrip for about 6 years now and it is as good as day 1. There are 3 models, rated at 15lb, 30lb and 60lb, and they have a rotating head that makes fish handling easier, and a built-in scale for those working on weight. The bulk of my fishing is freshwater, river and estuary, so I run the 15lb model, which is more compact than many of the bulky, clunky copies that have flooded the market. A quick rinse when you get home will see it lasting a lifetime. The initial outlay of a couple of hundred

bucks may hurt, but is worth every cent when years later your grips are reliable, function perfectly, look slick, and are a pleasure to use. The BogaGrip also has a lifetime warranty. Leash them on! www. strikebacktackle.com.au MEASURING FISH Whether it’s to keep

handed, or hold the fish on the measure with 1 hand and take a photo with the other. If fishing in saltwater, make sure you give the measure a rinse when you get home. I extend the measure fully, give it a rinse, leave it extended in the shed while it dries, and then flick the switch so that

brands. The advantages of an icebox over a cooler or soft cooler include superior refrigeration grade insulation, insulation in the lid, and they are also more durable. I drop 2 large ice bricks in a large Ziploc bag and lay them flat to cover the bottom of the icebox,

The BogaGrip and Swivels Measure in action. track of your PB fish, score some bragging rights, check if a fish is legal to take home for a feed, or just for your own interest, a fish measure will be found in most anglers’ kits. For years I carried a roll up Brag Mat in the kayak, now preferring to carry a Swivels Original Fish Measure. A roll up Brag Mat can be awkward to handle and use, especially if the wind is blowing. Swivels Original Fish Measure, on the other hand, is similar to a builder’s tape measure, allowing it to pack extremely small. It’s lightweight, inexpensive, and you buy the model to suit your region, which includes legal sizes for common species marked along the measure. I land the fish and then simply pull out a bit more tape than I think I require and slide the locking switch to keep it open. I am now able to handle the fish with 1 hand and measure single

it automatically retracts ready to store for next time. www.swivelsoriginal.com FISH STORAGE If you are going to keep a fish or 2 for a feed, it’s important to respect your catch. For years I have strapped an Evakool icebox to my kayak to take a feed out, and maybe bring a feed home. Evakool offer a massive range of iceboxes, including a few of around 20-26l capacity, that fit perfectly in the rear well of most of the popular kayak

throw in a spare bottle of water and my lunch in another Ziploc bag, and I’m ready to go. A couple of eating size flathead or a pan-size snapper or 2 will comfortably fit, keeping them cool and in good condition for later. When you get home you can unload, rinse the icebox, remove the fish-slime-free ice bricks from the bag, give them a rinse and throw them back in the freezer for next time. This is an inexpensive and effective

Take out a feed, bring home a feed. way of keeping your lunch, drink and catch cool and in optimum condition. www. evakool.com.au WRAP UP That’s a high 5 handful of accessories that improve my experience when fishing from the ’yak when it comes to propulsion and

positioning, rigging and also landing, handling, measuring and storing fish. This would be a great list for those looking for gift ideas for the kayak angler in their family, or a shopping list of the good gear for someone getting into kayak fishing

The Boomerang Tool — always handy, never lost. JUNE 2015

Tech Tricks

Processing squid BRISBANE

Gordon Macdonald masterbaitertackle@hotmail.com

As the waters cool over the coming months and westerly winds promote clean, clear conditions inshore, anglers will notice an increase in the number of squid. This will be especially noticeable within Moreton Bay’s channels, around the shallows of the bay islands and the foreshore areas, including Wynnum, Manly, Wellington and Victoria points, Scarborough and numerous other locations. Squid prefer clean, clear water that flows over structure such as reef, rubble, weed beds, rocks and the like. At night they are attracted to areas with lights and the baitfish and prawns, which are drawn in by the illumination. They are highly accessible for landbased anglers and boaties alike and best of all they are delicious. Squid can be caught on both egi (a prawn shaped lure with rows of barbs at the rear) and baited skewers suspended beneath a float.

The areas around the harbours, canals and foreshores are worth prospecting with many anglers plying their trade at night. Highpowered head torches can be used to locate squid prowling close to the surface. From here it is a simple matter of casting your egi and retrieving it with a slow wind or a series of hops and pauses. However, don’t expect instant results as squid can get quite cagey in more heavily fished waters. Often, you will need to keep changing jigs and retrieves until you get a take, or the squid departs. Baited skewers are generally suspended under a just neutral buoyancy float and cast out from the rock wall or jetty or drifted behind the boat. Once the float is pulled down, it is a simple task of slowly winding in your prize. Once you have some tasty squid for the table, the next stage is to process and cook it. Squid are relatively easy to clean and will taste delicious when cooked on a high heat for a short period. The more you cook it, the tougher it will become but it is even very tasty when consumed raw. There are four main ways that I will cook my squid and all are delicious.

The first method is to coat small pieces in a mix of rice flour with cracked pepper and ground salt and then deep fry for 30-45 seconds and consume with an aioli or sweet chilli dipping sauce. The second method is the conventional crumbed calamari: Roll the squid in flour, dip in beaten egg with a splash of milk and then coat with panko crumbs and deep fry for around a minute or so until the panko crisps up. The third method is to split the tube lengthways into four or so strips and then throw these straight on a piping hot BBQ grill for 30-45 seconds. Remove, dip in a mix of olive oil, splash of soy sauce, garlic and limejuice and consume. The final method is to get the wok smoking hot, add some butter and crushed garlic and stir fry small squid pieces for around a minute, flipping them regularly. I am sure you will all have your favourite methods and there are plenty of great squid recipes to be found online but just make sure you don’t spoil the squid by overcooking it. Here is how I process my squid.

Grab the head, slide your forefinger inside the tube (main squid body) and move it around to break away the guts from the tube. Pull the head to remove the head and guts from the tube. Avoid breaking the black ink sack if possible as this will create quite a mess and will require more washing and drying. Also remove the clear backbone that is attached to the inside wall of the tube by pulling it firmly.

Cut the tentacles away from the main head, a little below the eyes. You may need to remove the centre section out of the cut away tentacles if you still have the beak section in it.

Grab the tube in one hand and one of the wings in the other and pull firmly until the two begin to separate.

7 6

Next we have to extract the meat in the two wings away from the skin. To do this, you will need to grip the wing firmly and then peel the skin off. It may take a couple of attempts to get all the skin off, leaving two clean white wings.

The tube should come away clean like this and you will be left with two pieces: the tube as one piece and the skin with the two wings still attached as the other.

You should now have one entire tube, a cluster of tentacles and two wings. The other pieces can be discarded or kept for addition to the berley trail.

With the tube inverted, clean the last of the thin, skin-like remnants away from the inside if the tube (now on the outside). You will just have to pick these bits away with your fingers. Wash and dry the tube and then invert again so it is back to normal.

Next cut the tentacles into smaller pieces, the wings into 2-4 bits (depending on size) and cut across the tube to create calamari rings (if that is what you want). This is how I would prepare it for crumbing with panko. 72

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Wash your whole squid to remove any ink or slime off it. Dry with some kitchen paper. It is best to have chilled down your squid for a while before processing as this will make removal of the skin a lot easier.

On small squid you will be able to get your fingers in to clean the last of the remnants away from the walls. If cutting into strips, you can split the tube to clean it, however if you want calamari rings, you will need to invert larger squid tubes to clean them properly. Use your finger tip, or a long, blunt object pushed on the tip of the tube to turn it inside out.

If stir frying or doing salt and pepper squid, I would pineapple (score or cut) the inside of the entire tube with light pressure applied to a sharp knife. Lay the split tube flat, with the outside in contact with the cutting board and cut less than half way through the flesh on the inside of the tube in a criss-cross pattern. This allows the squid to cook more evenly, absorb the flavours, makes the coating adhere better and also looks appealing.

However you like to cook your squid, cleaning it properly will make a big difference to the final result on the plate. Even if I am going to freeze freshly caught squid, I will clean it first before I cryovac it because this will guarantee a clean, untainted flavour when you defrost and cook it.

Back to Basics

Squid Fishing Obsession FMG

Peter Jung pjung@fishingmonthly.com.au

I must admit I was introduced to squid fishing much later in life than I care to admit. I dabbled with it in my early twenties when I realised that it was squid that were attacking my pilchards, fished under a float, while I was targeting tailor off the rocks on the NSW South Coast. Having twigged as to why the float was slowly disappearing under the water, it wasn’t long before an inexpensive jig was sent out and we had some calamari to go with our fish for dinner. As silly as it sounds now, we never went and just targeted the squid. I must get back there one day and have a crack at them. How times have changed. I now have more squid jigs than I may ever use, their average price would have bought five of the ones I used back then and then you have the accessories that in my case I ‘must have’. Keeping this in mind, you’d think I must go squiding all the time? Well that is not the case. If I am lucky I get away to South Australia a

couple of time a year where the family has a beach house at Port Vincent. I definitely take advantage of the great squiding available there and I have occasionally dabbled at targeting them land based here on the East coast. So am I obsessed? I don’t think I am. However it is something my entire family enjoys, so I would say it’s a passion. STARTING THE PASSION There is a plethora of squid tackle available today. Any tackle store with a decent range of jigs and accessories will have a dedicated section for squid that will take up several metres of floor and wall space. To those starting out this can be a little confusing and I unfortunately don’t have all the answers for you but hopefully some of the below at least provides a light at the end of the tunnel. Rods Although there are specific ‘Egi’ rods (Japanese for ‘squid’) available, they are not a necessity when you are starting off. I am a massive fan of an all graphite rod that has a fast taper. The graphite ensures you can feel what is happening at the end of your line and the fast taper to absorb the lunges of the squid you are going to catch.

Reels Big reels are not required. 1000-2500 sized reels with a slow retrieve ratio are the go. I don’t mind spending a bit of money on a reel. If you consider the number of casts and retrieves you do over time, they pay for themselves. The slow retrieve ratio relates to a couple of things. You are unlikely to need to stop a squid’s blinding run for cover, but more importantly the hopping retrieve used by most squid anglers tends to create a loose loop of line on the spool (wind knot waiting to happen), the slower retrieve ratio tends to reduce this from happening and the frustration that results from it. Line Ideally braid is the best line to use. 6-10lb is all you will need, matched with a similar breaking fluorocarbon leader. The fine diameter provides great castability and the low stretch further enhances how much you can feel at the end of your line. Jigs This is a difficult one as the range of jigs available these days has come a long way from the green, blue, orange and pink jigs in the 4 for $10 bin. I won’t tell you which are best or must haves, as pretty much

every jig will catch squid at one time or another. A few key points are however written on the packaging, weight and sink rate, the base foil (silver, red, gold) and the cloth or no cloth in some cases. It is amazing to look at the research and development that is behind some of the more expensive jigs. As an example the Yamashita brand has teams of people looking at everything from heat absorbing cloths, the ideal pitch of an internal rattle to attract squid to your jig or how to the best use UV attractants. Keep these things in mind next time you are looking at the great wall of squid jigs. Accessories Plenty of things to spend you money on here. My top 5 are Fastach clips; they make it so simple to change your jigs quickly and easily. EGI spike; quick way of dispatching your catch, minimizes mess and improves the taste of the end product. Scents; squid can be amazingly tentative at times and scents can turn a looker into a taker. Mother of pearl targets; these little stickers are stuck onto the back of you jig. It is almost like a target for the squid aim at and improves

Emily Jung loves her squid fishing and cleaning the catch afterwards as well. your hook up rate. Net; can be the difference between being inked and not being inked. Retrieves There are 3-4 popular retrieves (sharp triple hop, double hop, slow wind or do nothing). Vary what you are doing until you find out what switches them on and then repeat. TAKE THE FAMILY I love taking the family squidding; in fact they generally ask me to take them.

My two girls at 14 and 10 not only love catching them, but won’t let me clean them without them or in most cases even let me help clean them, which is a bonus. My last trip to Port Vincent had the whole family casting jigs of the marina wall with varying success, but with plenty of smiles. Could I be obsessed by squiding? Most definitely, but for now I am happy for it to be a guilty pleasure.

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What’s new from Quintrex in 2015 FMG

Will Lee wlee@fishingmonthly.com.au

Quintrex is a household name when it comes to boating and their reputation for being at the forefront of boat design is exceptional. They once again proved that one of the keys to their success is staying in front by continually improving on their designs at a wet and windy media day on the Gold Coast’s Broadwater. HORNETS In 2013 Quintrex introduced a revolutionary new bow design through the 450, 481 and 500 Hornet

front casting deck means more storage below for fishing tackle and safety gear. All of the Hornet Trophy’s have received a carpet upgrade going from the previous looped

from the heavens above. Quintrex are now offering Railblazer accessories with the Hornet Trophy range with some neat rail mounted rod holders and sounder mounting

With its new bow design the 440 Hornet Trophy is an extremely dry ride.

430 through to 510 models but they have also received sheet upgrades to the bottom. Hardcore anglers looking for strength in their boat are really going to appreciate these upgrades. With the popularity in larger sounder and GPS screens and the ability to run your engine data through these screens Quintrex thought it was necessary to increase the space on the dash of the side console. To achieve this they have come up with a space saving console that is broader at the top with a smaller footprint at the deck. There is more storage than ever in the new Top Enders

Quintrex had the 530 Cruiseabout, F420 Hornet, F440 Hornet Trophy, 510 Top Ender (not pictured) and 610 Hard Top Trident on display at the media day. 510 Top Ender include rod holders, a livebait tank in the back deck, sounder, self draining deck with a neat scupper drainage system and a rear boarding ladder. With all of these features anglers will now get more bang for their buck when it comes to buying

Left: A new deluxe rod lock is an option on the Top Ender and Hornet models. Middle: The 610 Trident Hard Top is designed to fish in less than desirable conditions. Right: The new side console design in the Top Ender models will accommodate up to a 10” Screen. Trophy models. The wide ‘forked’ bow aesthetics were debated by Quintrex customers and dealers alike but quickly produced rave reviews and the call was out for the design to be incorporated into smaller models. Quintrex listened and in late 2014 released the F series range of explorers. Hornet fans will be delighted to know that now the successful Fighter Series forked shaped bow is available in the 400, 420 and 440 Hornet models. The Fighter Series Bow has increased the front casting deck space by 11% across the entire range and with the squarer design will facilitate two anglers on the front deck nicely on the smaller Hornet models. More space on the QR CODE

Scan to watch the 440 Hornet Trophy in action.

Scan to watch the 510 Top Ender in action. 74

JUNE 2015

grey carpet to a new deluxe hookless carpet which will prevent trebles on lures getting stuck to the floor while trying to remove them from a fish. Quintrex’s Cameron Wood told us ‘the carpet is aerated making it cooler when tested in warm northern conditions’. The 440 Hornet Trophy that I rode in on the day gave the impression that some serious fishing heads at Quintrex had come together to produce this well thought out fishing rig. With front and rear casting decks there is enough room for three lure casting anglers to work around the boat nicely. The rear casting deck has a built in live bait tank while the front deck featured a nice large livewell big enough to meet the minimum requirements of tournament event organisers around the country. Quintrex listened to their customers and improved the carpeted hatch over the livewell by adding a sheet of aluminium to the underside that will prevent fishy odours and moisture seeping into the carpet and timber from the livewell but also strengthen the hatch. Underneath there has been some changes made to the 440 Hornet Trophy. Quintrex have increased the stemline by 7 degrees giving a much smoother ride and this was noticeable while we did some testing in a choppy Southport Sea Way. The new bow design not only gives the angler more space up top but it also gives more over hang which in turn produces a much dryer ride. The only water that wet us while out testing this boat was the intermittent heavy showers

plates available. TOP ENDERS During the media day I had the opportunity to spend a lot of time on board the new 510 Top Ender. The popular Quintrex Top Ender models have a whole swag of new upgrades for 2015.

and on the 510 there are two underfloor storage bins that could be used for storing safety equipment, as a kill tank or for icing down your catch. Under the front casting deck is even more storage and Quintrex will have Roto moulded tubs to fit in below these hatches as

a new Top Ender. One of the really neat new optional extras for the Top Ender models is the deluxe rod locker. It is a really neat and simple design that is perfect for protecting expensive rods and reels while travelling between fishing spots.

Top Left: The 510 Top Ender is packed with changes including now being rated to a 115hp outboard. Top Right: Quintrex had angler’s comfort in mind when they built the 610 Trident Hard Top. Above: The F series bow is now standard on all of the Hornet models. Structurally the Top Ender range are now stronger and more durable than ever before with the sides being beefed up with thicker sheet sizes across the range. Not only are the side sheets now thicker on the

an option. The new Topender models have a larger anchor well opening and there is enough room for a drum winch to be mounted above it. Standard features on the

The 510 Top Ender is now rated to a 115hp which will be perfect for anglers wanting to travel greater distances. CRUISEABOUTS Quintrex Cruiseabouts are a very popular model

for family boating. The 530 Cruiseabout has 62% more room in the bow area than the previous model and the 570 has an extra 47%. This extra room means that not only can the kids stretch out on the front lounges but Mums and Dads won’t have any problem either. The Cruiseabout range is also getting the deluxe carpet treatment which will be sure to keep the whole family happy! 610 TRIDENT HARD TOP The line up of Quintrex Tridents has been a hit with the offshore fishing fraternity. Quintrex’s newest release in the line up of Tridents is the hotly anticipated 610 Hard Top. The 610 Hard Top offers the customer versatility at an affordable price while still featuring the smartly designed layout of the larger hard top models. With a fully enclosed hardened glass windscreen featuring wipers this boat looks ready to stand up to wet and cold weather conditions and was perfect for keeping journalists and their camera equipment dry while we were all out in the

rain on the Gold Coast. Quintrex have kept the side decks wide enough on the 610HT that you can easily walk around the cabin on the nonslip pads to the bow to access the now larger anchor well opening. The hard top has a really neat built in grab rail for added safety. Despite the wet and at times wild weather conditions we were challenged with during the media day it was actually great to see how well these models went in the rain, wind and waves that were thrown at them. All of these exciting new models and changes are starting to roll through the Quintrex dealers so for more information check out www.quintrex.com.au and contact your local dealer.

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Sea Fox 286 Commander and twin 300 Evinrude E-Tecs BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

This big American import, with its 600 horsepower on the transom, makes a very bold statement. If the buyer wants a no-compromise fibreglass craft with a top quality finish, every conceivable fishing appointment and absolute practicality in their application, plus sizzling performance to match a ride that is simply in a class of its own, then look

Fox have obviously done their utmost to fit out the console/ helm area, along with the rest of the craft, with ample features to provide both comfort and enjoyment for those aboard. Thanks to a very impressive layout and list of appointments, the 286 Commander with its twin 300 E-tecs proved to be 1 of the most enjoyable craft I have ever driven — true testimony to what can be achieved when really good hull design meets modern engine technology. This saw the new second generation (G2) 300 E-Tecs

’glass market. FAULTLESS FITOUT AND FINISH Stepping aboard the big Commander, I was immediately impressed with the overall finish and fitout: exemplary might describe the standard. And that’s from the stainless steel work down to the grippy non-skid floor. Given the sheer size of the craft, everything was, well, massive. Even the console unit with its marine toilet, hand basin and storage area within had over 2m of headroom! Up front, ahead of the console, I saw room for at least 4 There’s hardly a better way of getting a good hard look into the Sea Fox’s interior than this: Jeff McNiven puts the big girl through her paces.

A shot like this gives an insight into just how large this craft really is. no further. The Sea Fox 286 Commander has it all. At 8.75m in length, a 2.9m beam, and a hull weight of 2267kg, the Sea Fox 286 Commander is a purposebuilt offshore craft, yet there’s a whole lot more to it than merely being a big, fast boat. Interestingly, the 286 Commander is a centre console style craft and Sea

linked to a hull design with a 21 degree aft deadrise, massive strakes, and huge amounts of freeboard all coming together as 1 of the softest riding rigs I’ve enjoyed time aboard. The ride, handling, and appointment levels are certainly a great tribute to this US manufacturer of some 2 decades’ experience in the ultra competitive US

A flat wash was a trademark of the Commander’s well-designed hull. The top power 300 E-Tecs perfectly matched the Commander’s brilliant hull design to produce some thrilling performance. 78

JUNE 2015

folk to sit in comfort in the bow rider area, with its plush cushioning and rebated bow rails. Two more well shaped seats adorned the front of the console, so all hands up front could easily have a chat or enjoy the wind in their hair. Ample drained storage space (hatches with struts) was both under the front floor as well as below all front seats. Note that restraint backrests up here were easily removed when necessary. Moreover, there’d be no need to climb up front to lift the pick as a windlass came standard. SIMRAD DOMINATED DASH Naturally, the rear face of the sleekly moulded centre console was set up with the 286 Commander’s dash and I noted some protection from the weather via both a windscreen and a solid T-top, which was somewhat more than just good shade thanks to sound system speakers, mist system for hot days, LED lighting for night fishing comfort, plus rocket launcher rod holders aft. Paired Simrads — 12 and 16” — dominated the dash, with arrays of switches and trim tabs lower, the Evinrude Icon helm unit linked to 300 E-Tecs punching out the ponies aft of the Commander’s full height transom. In the usual US manner, the wheel was set to port, with a very neat Evinrude Icon engine control system allowing wireless control of both throttles, or the option of simply using 1 small lever to effortlessly control both of the powerful

V6s astern. Seating at the console for skipper and mate was again pure luxury, with very comfortable wraparound slide adjustable buckets also offering a handy bolster option with the bottom section tucked out of the way. Paired footrests were par for the course, as were drink holders. The helm module also had a rear extension that contributed to the 286 Commander’s fishing attributes, with a set of rod holders, massive 160l live well, tackle trays, sink, plus both deck wash and freshwater hose and an icebox for bait or tucker tucked to port. REMOTE SOUNDER CONTROL A BONUS Most importantly in my view, was a very neat bit of high tech equipment; the Simrad OP40 unit set up atop the rear module. With its user-friendly keypad, the OP40 effectively transferred many major controls from the dash area — from the radio to the craft’s cruise control system, to complete control of both Simrad units — astern to where fishing action was

taking place. In short, there was no need for anyone to move back to the helm area to address course or sounder function as it could be done via the OP40. Innovation was overhead as well. A set of Taco outrigger poles that could be lowered and positioned via a hand

control system set into the underside of the hardtop were also installed on the reviewed craft. Again, smart technology. WELLEQUIPPED COCKPIT Cockpit comfort complimented innovation in spades. The 286 Commander’s waist-high cockpit featured

Simrad City! Not one but two big units dominate the Sea Fox 286 Commander’s dash area. Note, also that only 1 control lever has been programmed to control both engines.

Left: Note the Sea Fox 286 Commander’s wide decks, side coaming and under floor compartment in this shot of the companionway adjacent to the centre console. Right: A wide door to port allowed access to the craft’s marine toilet within its massive compartment.

plenty of side coaming to facilitate serious work on big fish. Within both of the selfdraining cockpit’s sides were flush mounted rod racks (with rod tips protected), while handy off-floor toe rails were designed to make life easy for the hard working angler. Cockpit flooring sported a pair of mackerel/wahoo-sized macerator-equipped, gas strutaccessed kill tanks. Filled with ice and drinks on the way out and nice fresh fish on return to base, those kill tanks were very businesslike indeed. Completing cockpit features were very wide gunwale tops set up with rod and drink holders, side seating each aft quarter, and a drop down 2-3 person central lounge ahead of another huge live well. Note that the paired quarter seats featured backrests that could be lowered to make welcoming a big billfish aboard an easy matter. Aft of the transom, twin boarding platforms sat each side of the compact 300s 600 HORSES READY TO GO The Gen2 E-Tec 300s were as much a joy as the incredible hull performance I experienced aboard the massive Sea Fox. Redesigned completely, the new Evinrudes with their upright stance and fully integrated digital controls oozed innovation. Gone was the familiar steering

Macerator-equipped in-floor kill tanks adorn each side of the Commander’s cockpit. hardware (tiller arm and ram) that’s been synonymous with many outboards, replaced by an extremely compact rigging tube atop each motor bracket that contained both steering and tilt electric/hydraulic systems. Neat’s the word. There’s a whole article in the innovations BRP have installed within their Gen 2 E-Tecs, but suffice to say that the 3.44l V6 300s packed every bit of 2 stroke punch I might have expected of these direct injection outboards, complete with total lack of smoke and remarkably little noise. Engine response was instant, yet fingertip easy thanks to the Commander’s Evinrude Icon helm system, which among an array of options provided for single lever gearshift and power control of both engines. The Icon’s slick auto trim system

also interfaced trim with RPM, with driver over-ride effective immediately trim controls were touched. In essence, the Icon system was

so effective there was instant response from a single-finger effort on my part. THE RIDE: BEST IN THE BUSINESS The Sea Fox 286 Commander really was outstanding in both performance and handling, even exciting to be truthful. The top powered 300s made the massive 2.2 tonne hull seem like it just wanted to go hard forever. With power applied gently, the Commander’s 21-degree Vee hull lifted up and planed at 2000 rpm for a recorded 10.9kts. 3000rpm saw 26kts, 4000rpm 41kts, 5000rpm 49kts, and 5800rpm 56kts.

The Evinrude Icon system, standard with the V6 300s, made for totally effortless throttle and trim control.

Fast enough? You bet; but the best was to come. Cruising at 27kts, my host for the day, Jeff McNiven from JSW Powersports, spied an oncoming 50’ game rig planing towards us with a wash coming off the bow like an aircraft carrier. “Watch this,” says Jeff as he lined up the curling bow wave

combined fuel consumption of a modest 52l/hr. SUMMING UP If you can afford this craft, you will not — as in not ever — buy a better centre console with such high end fishing cred’. The impeccable standards of finish and feature levels throughout are matched

TECHNICAL INFORMATION Length: ...........................................................8.75m Beam: ..............................................................2. 9m Deadrise: ................................................21 degrees Hull weight: ..................................................2267kg Fuel: ..................................................................757L Engine ratings: . ................... 400-600hp outboards Engines fitted: . ................ Twin 300 Evinrude E-Tec Towing: ............. Large vehicle, LandCruiser, F Truck around 20m from the craft. “Watch nothing,” I thought aloud, “Here goes my back!” Not so; even with a good metre and a half or more of air under us, the massive Commander landed like a cat jumping off a rubbish bin. No bump, no bash, just a graduated feeling of launch and return to water. With a totally flat offshore swell on the day, that was as good as we saw to test the hull, but there’s no doubt that jumping big offshore swells would be just as easy. It’s that sort of boat. Incidentally, cruising at 31.5kts at 3250rpm saw a

only by ride and the best handling in the business. A trailer is available, with a LandCruiser or similar unit required for towing. As the rig, at 2.9m beam, is oversized in Queensland, signs and other equipment would be par for the course when on the road. With twin 200s on the transom, the rig would cost $200,686. With upgrades to twin 300 E-Tecs, $229.000 would be a starting price. JSW Powersports can be contacted via www. jswpowersports.com.au or on phone at (0755) 292 616, fax (0755) 292332.

AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTOR

3 Ereton Drive, Gold Coast

07 5529 2616 www.seafoxboats.com.au

JUNE 2015

Clark 395 Predator BRISBANE

Stephen Booth sbooth@fishingmonthly.com.au

Simple tinnies are a dime a dozen right? Well, yes they are, but finding one that can do what you need it to do is still an important decision. Enter the Clark 395 Predator tinnie, a simple and clean tinnie that will get you and a couple of mates out on the water with ease and at a price that’s hard to beat. And I suppose that’s part of the beauty of simple tinnies, their price is low and there are no whistles and fireworks. They are easy to use, easy to maintain and cheap to buy. They can be bashed around snags, dragged over logs and rock bars and generally be treated reasonably poorly and still they will do the job they were bought for, and that is to

give you access to the water. I think we all started in a simple tinnie. Metal thwart seats, a small tiller steer outboard and a portable fuel tank. Toss in the mandatory safety gear, a cool box with a few drinks and some food, in my day a hessian sack for the catch of reddies and some rods, reels, tackle and bait and off you go. Simplicity in essence. I sometimes miss those days as fishing just seemed so much more simple and to be truthful, I am not sure I catch that many more fish in a fully kitted out boat. I do know that I rely more on technology these days than fishing nous and that is probably to the long-term detriment of my fishing. But I digress; let’s get back to the Clark 395 Predator, a no thrills tinny package put together by the team at Boats and More. The test rig was kitted out

with a 20hp 4-stroke Suzuki with the specific aim of testing the rig out to see how much load it would bare. The aim was for the team at Boats and More to assess how best to sell this rig. They knew that a 20hp tiller would be fantastic two up, but what they really wanted to know was how the rig performed three up. That’s a great philosophy for a boat dealer to have. To actually get on the water and try out the rig before recommending anything about it means the boat dealer really gets to know and understand the limitations of the boat. Our first run around was two up with Peter Jung and I blasting around Mulwala. It was a pleasure to crank up the 4-stroke and let it fly and I can tell you the little 395 got up and boogied. Light to steer and responsive to both extra power and directional changes, the 395 Predator was good old-fashioned fun. The real test though was when we loaded in Simon from Boats and More and took the rig for a spin. Three up the Suzuki pushed us up onto the plane in less than 5 seconds, which was surprising as none of us are lightweights. We shifted bodies around to check out weight distribution and found the best performance in terms of ride and hole shot came

Two up the Clark 395 Predator is a little ripper powered by the 20hp Suzuki 4-stroke. when we had two people on the front seat and only the skipper down back. Once on the plane, the Predator performed equally well with three on board as it did with two on board and that was a very satisfying result. I asked Simon what all this meant and he simply said that they test boats that are essentially two person rigs with three people to ensure the boat will still perform with all the gear in the boat. And that’s an important consideration when you consider all the safety gear needed, tackle and other bits and pieces we take on any boat trip. If you wanted to fish three up most of the time, then an upgrade to a 30hp would be well advised, but as a 2 up rig, the 20hp Suzuki was more than adequate.

Left: Running flat and fast, the 395 Predator is a real waterway opener with two anglers aboard. Right: The v-nose is effective at pushing away short chop generated by the wind and any spray is also pushed away by the chines.

The small side pockets are ideal for storing little things like wallets, keys and phones. They will also fit in tray-style tackle boxes to keep the floor clean. 80

JUNE 2015

THE BOAT The 395 Predator is a no thrills tinnie and that means it has what’s needed and not much else. These days, with all the extras we jam into a boat, that simplicity may seem somewhat of a limitation but the reality is it’s certainly not. With two thwart seats, a carpeted deck floor, side pockets and an anchor well, everything you need is right there. I love that you’re not reaching over the top of electric motors, making sure rod holders don’t snag your line or that the lack of a dash and electronics means you are relying on your skills. It’s a pleasant simplicity. Of course I see this sort of rig being ideal in smaller waters. Waters where you may have to lift or drag it over snags, sand and mud bars and even rocks bars. A case in point is the inland rivers around Shepparton, Boats and More’s home base. The Goulburn River is loaded with snags, shallow sandy stretches and some really nice water to fish. This rig would be sensational in this water as you could get out and manhandle the craft over all these obstacles and continue on your way. To aid in this there are two grab handles on the bow and a further two grab handles on the transom. They are solid and make

it easy to drag around this little beauty. Being a small boat, Clark has also placed some grab rails in the right spots for the skipper and passengers. Tiller steer rigs can, intentionally or otherwise, be forced into a very tight turn and the ability to have a grab rail handy is mandatory. It’s a security thing for those who do not have a suction cup bottom and allows you to stay seated when the skipper gets a little adventurous. All in all, for a simple tinnie, there are enough STANDARD FEATURES • 2 x Rowlocks • 2 x Transom Handles • 2 x Welded Thwart Seats with Flotation • Anchor Gusset with Rope Tie Lug • Back Board • Carpeted Low Floor • Carpeted Fuel Tank Rack • Side Pockets • Side Rails • Bow Rails • Boat Name Decal • Double Bow Eye • Screw in Bung x 1 (35mm) • Solid Transom Corners • Transom Strut • Welded Seat Support Gussets

A V-nose helps cope with short wind chop generated on lakes and estuaries and smooths out the ride for those on board.

SPECIFICATIONS Overall length..................................................3.95m Beam................................................................1.95m Depth...............................................................0.75m Weight (boat only)........................................... 157kg Rec hp...............................................................20hp Max hp...............................................................30hp Bottom sheet....................................................2mm Side Sheet......................................................1.6mm Shaft Size.................................................Long shaft Max People.............................................................4

The front storage area will swallow up the anchor and some safety gear. Keep in mind in Vic you’ll need to wear your lifejackets most of the time in this boat.

I had an absolute ball poking around Mulwala – well actually more like flogging the rig as hard as I could! Responsive to power and steering, the 395 Predator was great fun to play around in.

The grab handles on the bow and transom make manoeuvring this rig over and around obstacles very easy. Great additions.

simple features to keep you safe and get you fishing. OVERALL There’s only a limited amount you can say about a no thrills tinnie. They are what they are and I love them just for that. The Clark 395 Predator, powered by the 20hp Suzuki would be a great first boat for two anglers

looking to get into fishing and boating. It’d be a great rig for those ready to slow it all down, troll some lures, fish some bait or explore small waters. I wouldn’t even chuck an electric on it, instead opting for a lead drop anchor to hold me in place. I would pop a sounder on though, but that is just habit more than anything

and I’d have to have some technology just because… It was great for me to see firsthand the testing Boats and More did with this rig to make sure it could do what they claim. It was thorough, it was hard and the 395 Predator and 20hp Suzuki did exactly what Simon thought it might. That’s reassuring for anyone looking at stepping into one of these boats as the team at Boats and More have some real on water experience with how they perform. I reckon a 30hp one up would be a bit interesting with speed and performance being maxed out! Hmmm, maybe it’s time to see if Simon has done this and if I can get one of these little rippers on the water with a 30!

For more info on the Clark 395 Predator, have a chat to the team at Boats and More in Shepparton (03 5822 2108) or Echuca (03 5482 1992) or log onto their website at www. boatsandmore.com.au. Priced at only $9,490 with all safety gear and riding on a Dunbier single-axle trailer, this rig is great value and easy to use. • 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.

JUNE 2015

What’s New BOATING

EPROPULSION SPIRIT 1.0

Enjoying the ride without pollution. The ePropulsion always takes the social responsibility of environmental protection. Our electric outboards take a solution for zero-emission eco-friendly boating. We aim to develop a sustainable boat power system with energy harvesting system in the future. Innovating in electric power engineering, the ePropulsion specializes in innovation and technology by increasing the stability and efficiency of key components such as motor, controller and propeller. Our well-optimized outboards can achieve a maximum overall efficiency of 55% and provide large thrust power and long operating time. The ePropulsion is dedicated to delivering the best quality electric outboard at a reasonable price and is perfect for anglers with small craft. At ePropulsion, we seek innovative design, fine art refinement, well-constructed details so that each ones can offer an excellent user experience and you can get the most out of this product. – Island Marine

GOFREE ON LOWRANCE

When Anglapro launched into the Aluminium boat market, its hull designs set a new standard for exceptional hull strength and dynamic hull performance. Today we have raised the bar to a new level with our latest engineered hull technology called the Sabre. We have refined our Deep V hull design to incorporate an even deeper deadrise and additional performance enhancing features. Our refinements included the hull support structure, not just the outer skin. The foundation of our industry leading hull strength is in our hull structure and our new X Core construction system gives the strongest possible framework to support the hull. X Core is now used on both our Deep V and V Nose Punt hulls. “We wanted to work towards providing a 5 year warranty for our hull,” said Derek Rodway, director of Anglapro. “From testing refinements to our Deep V hull design, we have been able to deliver excellent performance enhancements with cornering, hole shot and rough water handling.” – Good Times Marine

BRUNSWICK ACQUIRES BLA

Brunswick Corporation have announced that it has acquired BLA, Australia’s largest provider of ‘boating, lifestyle and adventure’ products, to strengthen Brunswick’s marine parts and accessories (P&A) presence in the region. BLA had revenues of approximately AUD$50 million in 2014. “We continue to seek opportunities to strategically grow our marine and fitness operations throughout the world,” said Brunswick Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dustan E. McCoy. “BLA bolsters the distribution arm of our marine P&A business by expanding our reach and customer responsiveness in the important Australian marine marketplace and this region of the world.” Founded in 1974, BLA has an extensive dealer network throughout Australia and New Zealand and also serves original equipment manufacturers. BLA offers more than 15,000 different SKUs, including products from such well-known brands as Attwood, BEP, Cannon, Humminbird, Lewmar, Mastervolt, Minnkota, SeaStar Solutions, Sierra and Whale. BLA will continue to conduct business under its current name and will remain based in Brisbane, Australia. - BLA

Lowrance has added the availability of the newly launched GoFRee Shop and wireless, cloud-enabled features on its full line of HDS Gen3 and HDS Gen2 Touch and multifunction displays. GoFree cloud-enabled technology gives users the capability to receive automatic software update notifications and be able to download and install these updates directly, guaranteeing the most up-to-date operating system with all of the latest features. One of the most exciting new features is access to the GoFree Shop directly from the displays. With the GoFree Shop, users will have the ability to purchase, download and immediately use Insight maps, and other third-party maps from GoFree partners, directly from the home screen of a HDS Gen3 or Gen2 Touch display. The GoFree technology also provides consumers access to crowd-sourced Insight Genesis. An easyto-use, cloud-based tool, Insight Genesis allows boaters to open a free account, upload sonar logs, and download up-to-date, personalised contour maps and contribute to the community-based social map. – Navico

ANGLAPRO 5-YEAR HULL WARRANTY

GEMLUX FRICTION HINGES

The Gemlux Friction Hinge is designed to eliminate the need for gas shocks or hatch springs, and gives you one trouble-free hinge that will last and hold your hatches, lids and boxes open. Friction Hinges are built into the barrel of the hinge using patented technology from Gemlux, putting them in a class of their own. Your hatch will go up, and stay up. Gemlux Friction Hinges will hold open hatches, live well lids, radio boxes, and anything else you can think of. They are available in various shapes and sizes to fit what ever hatch, lid or box that you are working with. Each style is available in four different mounting types, which makes these hinges very versatile and simple to mount. Gemlux hinges are 304G stainless steel. For all the specifications check out www. samallen.com.au. – Sam Allen Wholesale

HAINES HUNTER 565R

Last year’s launch of the 565 Offshore at the Melbourne Boat Show was met with great enthusiasm from dealers and punters alike with sales showing the 565 has filled a big gap in the market. The 565 Offshore performs like a hardcore game boat and doubles as a weekend leisure boat. This has lead Haines Hunter to give the 565 Offshore the “R” treatment. To be presented at this year’s Melbourne Boat Show is the all-new 565R. When Haines Hunter decides to take a boat into the R segment, it’s more than just a paint job and a sticker. Managing Director John Haber comments: “The new 565R has a 200mm lower deck allowing for better garage storage and a lower centre of gravity which improves handling. We increased the cockpit space by 200mm so it’s got more room for fishing and while that has reduced the cabin by 200mm, you can still comfortably sleep two and there is room for a toilet.” – Haines Hunter

Please email contributions to: nicole@fishingmonthly.com.au JUNE 2015

FISHING PRODUCT GUIDE

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What’s New BOATING

7 7

BRP TELWATER PARTNERSHIP

BRP and Telwater have agreed to continue their partnership, producing factory backed and fitted boat motor and trailer (BMT) packages for the Australian market for an additional 3 years. Since 2011, the partnership between Telwater and BRP has provided Australian boat owners with complete boat, motor and trailer packages that offer the highest level of innovation and quality on the market. During this period Evinrude E-Tec engines have been fitted to Quintrex, Stacer, Yellowfin and Savage BMT packages. The extension of the partnership between these two industry heavyweights will allow even more customers to enjoy the many benefits of an Evinrude E-Tec powered Telwater Boat Motor Trailer package. “Evinrude E-Tec technology provides best in class torque, fuel efficiency and emissions. These features, combined with the Evinrude E-Tec power to weight ratio make our boats perform like no other engine can,” said Paul Phelan, Managing Director of Telwater. - Telwater

GX700 VHF MARINE RADIO

GME, the Australian leader in marine and land-based communications equipment, emergency signalling beacons and television signalling equipment has announced a new VHF Marine Radio will be available for sale from May 2015. The GME GX700 VHF Marine Radio is a compact communication and safety device with innovative installation options. Waterproof to IPX7, the GX700 is the ideal communication tool for your boating lifestyle whether you’re sailing inland waters, or heading offshore. Compact design makes installation of the GX700 simple and enables installation in locations where space is limited. The GX700’s innovative rear microphone input socket enables the user to run a 5m or 8m extension cable (this is available as an optional accessory). This can run from the rear input to a convenient location on the vessel where the waterproof flush mount socket can be installed. The waterproof speaker microphone can now be input from this location. By adding the waterproof blanking plug to the front microphone input socket. – GME Marine

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

FISHING PRODUCT GUIDE

TABS 5600 CENTRE CAB

Tough Aussie Boats or TABs for short, means we don’t just build tough boats, we build boats specifically for Aussie conditions In most of this country we exit our waterways through relatively shallow bars not deep fjords, we need a shallow draft vessel for fast acceleration and so we don’t bottom out. We live in a sun-burnt country, we not only need room for the big esky, we need even more room for three to four (or more) people, so big beams and chine to chine measurements are a necessity. The 5600 Hard Top Centre Cab has all of the above features. Furthermore, as of 2015 the latest design called SuperFX has port and starboard 200mm reverse chines so it now offers what can only be described as land-based stability. They’ll be no rocking and rolling if you own one of these. – South Easterly Marine

HYBRIDTOUCH MULTIFUNCTION DISPLAYS

We are pleased to announce the launch of the exciting new eS Series line of HybridTouch multifunction displays from Raymairne. Powered by Raymarine’s advanced LightHouse II user interface, the eS Series includes three high-performance navigation displays that offer unprecedented control and ease-of-use in a sleek, ergonomic design. The eS Series features a choice of 7”, 9” and 12” displays, each with an attractive, glass bridge-style design that blends seamlessly with today’s modern helm stations, allowing for both low profile console and a completely recessed flush mounting option. Easy to use and great to look at, the eS Series of MFDs give you easy access to your controls and can be mounted almost anywhere. The eS Series line of HybridTouch multifunction displays is now available in eS7, eS98 and eS128 MFDs, and eS77, eS97 and eS127 MFDs will be available soon. – Raymarine

LOWRANCE WIRELESS PILOT CONTROLLER

Lowrance has announced the release of the compact Wireless Pilot Controller, providing complete control to anglers, no matter where they are on the boat. The new Wireless Pilot Controller is comprised of a small and lightweight waterproof Bluetooth base station with micro-C connections, pairs with up to four remotes, and is compatible with Lowrance Outboard Pilot systems. The Pilot Controller Wireless Remote is perfectly sized to fit into the user’s palm. The unit has a series of clearly marked keys and an LED status light to allow for fast and accurate autopilot access. A mode button allows anglers to toggle through the available pilot modes, while two dodge keys enable the user to program turns by 1 or 10° increments. There is also a Pilot Standby button for the ultimate in safety and a large Auto key. Easy to install, the remote has a range of up to 30m. – Navico

FEELFREE LURE 13.5

Feelfree Australia is pleased to announce the expansion of the popular Lure series. The Lure 10 and 11.5 are proving to be a great hit with the avid angler, though some have demanded a little more. Now Feelfree fills the gap to satisfy the rest of them - the ones that want it all. New to the Lure 13.5 is the multi-use console, which sits right being the bow hatch. The console lid features an inlaid cutting board, handy for preparing bait or cleaning fish. The lid is also insulated and together with the console cooler insert makes an ideal container to keep your drinks, bait and even fish. The console can also be used as a child’s seat. Other key features unique to the Lure 13.5 are the removable sonar and electronics pod for easy installation of a fisher finder or other devices and a flat wide open deck area. – Feelfree Australia

visit visit www.tacklejunkie.fish www.tacklejunkie.fish for for the the latest latest tackle tackle news news -- AS AS IT IT HAPPENS! HAPPENS! JUNE 2015

Trades, Services, Charter BAIT & TACKLE BYRON COAST Yamba Bait & Tackle (02) 6646 1514

COFFS COAST Compleat Angler Kempsey (02) 6562 5307 Rocks Marine Bait & Tackle South West Rocks (02) 6566 6726

MACQUARIE COAST Graham Barclay Marine (02) 6554 5866 Manning River Marine Taree (02) 6552 2333 Port Macquarie Tackle World (02) 6584 9972

HUNTER COAST

MARINE MECHANICS SYDNEY Penrith Marine (02) 4731 6250 Moby Marine (02) 9153 6506 or www.mobymarine.com.au Aqua Marine 0415 600 301 or www.aquacash.com.au Cohoe Marine Products (Sydney) (02) 9519 3575 Blakes Marine (02) 4577 6699 Watersports Marine (02) 9676 1400 Neken Marine (02) 9979 9649 Family Boats (02) 9622 0222 Boat Assist 24 - On Water Mechanic (02) 9746 6224

Port Stephens Tackle World (02) 4984 2144

SYDNEY Gabes Boating & Fishing Centre Narellan (02) 4647 8755 Gabes Boating & Fishing Centre Sylvania (02) 9522 5100 Windybanks Bait and Tackle (02) 9477 1520

MOBY MARINE

S E R V I C E S

P T Y

L T D

SYDNEY’S Your Outboard and Sterdrive Specialists

YOUR ONE STOP SHOP

FOR OUTBOARD & STERNDRIVE SERVICE OPTIONS

EDENS COAST Bermagui Bait and Tackle (02) 6493 5444

FRESHWATER Loomzys Fish and Fix (Forbes) (02) 6851 1425

BOAT IMPORTS Import USA Boat 0435 476 177

KAYAK DEALERS Hunter Water Sports (02) 4947 7899

MODIFICATIONS & REPAIRS // BOAT & TRAILER Bold Trailers (02) 8544 8114 www.boldtrailers.com.au Salt Away 1800 091 172 www.salt-away.com.au

SYDNEY The Boat Pimpers (Sydney) (02) 9792 7799

SERVICING ALL MAKES AND MODELS MASSIVE RANGE OF SPARE PARTS 44 Barry Ave, Mortdale, NSW

www.mobymarine.com.au

FISH TAXIDERMY Neptune’s Treasures - Your Catch Reproduced 0405 226 282 www.neptunestreasures.com.au Fish Taxidermist 0428 544 841

BREAKDOWN RESPONSE Boat Assist 24 (02) 9746 6224 or www.boatassist24.com.au

CHANDLERY & ACCESSORIES Anchor Right (03) 5968 5014 Korr Lighting www.korrlighting.com.au

Looking for motivated individuals who are serious about spending more time fishing and less time working. Imagine being able to fish any day of the week, travel to great fishing locations and work part-time to support your fishing activities!

www.FamilyFreedomNow.com www.familyfreedomnow.com I info@familyfreedomnow.com I 0421 367 338

HOLIDAY RENTAL NORTH COAST Brooms Head Caravan Park (02) 6646 7144 Calypso Yamba Holiday Park (02) 6646 8847 Iluka Riverside Tourist Park (02) 6646 6060 Wooli Camping & Caravan Park (02) 6649 7671

MACLEAY VALLEY COAST Macleay Valley Coastal Holiday Parks 1300 262 782 Crescent Head Holiday Park: 02 6566 0261 Hat Head Holiday Park: 02 6567 7501 Horse Shoe Bay Holiday Park: 02 6566 6370 Stuarts Point Holiday Park: 02 6563 0616 Grassy Head Holiday Park: 02 6569 0742

• Cabin Accommodation • Caravan and Camping

• Activities for the whole family • Resort pool with deck and wading area

COFFS COAST Jetty Boating (02) 6651 4002

MACQUARIE COAST Graham Barclay Marine (02) 6554 5866 Manning River Marine Taree (02) 6552 2333

FRESHWATER Dubbo Marine and Watersports (02) 6882 2853

ONLINE TACKLE PRODUCTS

www.fishin.com.au ONLINE BREAM TACKLE STORE

BOOK A GREAT GETAWAY TODAY!

1800 666 264

www.southwestrockstourist.com.au South West Rocks Tourist Park: 1800 666 264

HUNTER COAST Wangi Point Lakeside holiday Park (02) 4975 1889 Blacksmiths Holiday Park (02) 4971 2858

CENTRAL COAST Central Coast Holiday Parks 1800 241 342

ILLAWARRA COAST

Jan’s Retreat

St Georges Basin

• The perfect family/fishing holiday location • Renovated 2 bedroom house • Fully furnished • Combustion five & spa • Laundry facilities

3 Transom & floor repairs 312v Electrical installations 4 Aspinall Place, MULGRAVE 02 4577 3482 www.westernboatrepairs.com.au

Create more time to fish, less time for work!

(02) 9153 6506

www.fishin.com.au 0425 230 964

3Gelcoat repairs 3 Insurance repairs

FISHING & TRAVEL OPPORTUNITY

Specialising in “Tournament Quality Lures” 0425 230 964 SHOP 18, 29 KIORA RD MIRANDA NSW 2228

Blue Bottle Fishing www.bluebottlefishing.com info@bluebottlefishing.com Ph: 0409 333 380 Out of the Blue Tackle 0417 608 344 or www.outofthebluetackle.com.au Mo Tackle (02) 6652 4611 or www.motackle.com.au Specialty Fishing Products www.specialtyfishing.com.au U-Make-Em Soft Plastics www.u-make-emsoftplastics.com.au Adrenalin Flies www.adrenalinflies.com.au Techni Ice www.techniice.com J Roc Tackle www.jroctackle.com.au Jayro Tackle www.jayrotackle.com.au

Book today on

(02) 4441 7000

www.jansretreat.com Jan’s Retreat (02) 4441 7000 Currarong Beachside Tourist Park 1300 555 515 Sussex Inlet (LJ Hooker) (02) 4441 2135 Riviera Caravan Park, St George’s Basin (02) 4441 2112 Killalea State Park, Shell Cove (02) 4237 8589 Holiday With Us, Sussex Inlet (02) 4441 2135 Surf Beach Holiday Park (02) 4232 1791 Kendalls on the Beach (02) 4232 1790 Werri Beach Holiday Park (02) 4234 1285Seven Mile Beach Holiday Park (02) 4234 1340 Kiama Harbour Cabins (02) 4232 2707

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.

Boats & Guided Fishing Tours Directory BATEMANS COAST

Ulladulla Headland Tourist Park BOOKINGS: 1300 733 021 14 Did-Dell St, Ulladulla, NSW 2539

• close to boat ramp and Harbour • boat parking for park guests • accommodation for fishing groups • large outdoor areas and BBQs • 27 cabins and 140 powered/ • short walk from Ulladulla town unpowered sites centre

www.holidayhaven.com.au/ Ulladulla

SOUTH COAST NSW

www.holidayhaven.com.au

Ulladulla Headland Tourist Park 1300 733 021

EDEN COAST Fishermans Rest (Eden) (02) 6496 1999

FRESHWATER Burrinjuck Waters State Park (02) 6227 8114 Providence Lodge (Eucumbene) (02) 6454 2200 Winter Keep (Snowy Mountains) www.winterkeep.com.au Grabine Lakeside State Park (02) 4835 2345 Lake Glenbawn State Park (02) 6543 7193 Wyangala Waters State Park (02) 6345 0877 Bass Lodge Macleay River NSW 0433 482 325 Chifley Dam Cabins 1800 68 1000

Top Cat Charters (02) 4472 7340 or 0427 727 340

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Freedom Charters Eden (02) 6496 1209 or www.freedomcharters.com.

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FOR UP TO 10 PEOPLE •Swains Reef •Port Clinton •Stanage Bay •Island Head Creek •Shoalwater Bay •Pearl Bay P: 0419 789 921 www.inyadreamscharters.com

Advertisers wanting to be involved in this directory can call (07) 3387 0800 or email ads@fishingmonthly.com.au

SYDNEY (FORT DENISON) – NEW SOUTH WALES MAY Time 0024 0620 FR 1230 1852

Time

m 0.61 1.50 0.51 1.61

2015

LAT 33° 52’ LONG 151° 13’ Times and Heights of High and Low Waters JULY JUNE

0025 0628 SA 1233 1857

Time

0203 0800 TU 1342 2013

2 0222 0815

17 0311 0910

3 0306 0903

18 0347 0949

4 0352 0953

19 0422 1027

5 0440 1045

20 0457 1105

6 0529 1138

21 0531 1146

7 0619 1233

22 0609 1230

8 0038 0713

23 0023 0650

9 0139 0807

24 0114 0737

2 0200 0752

17 0250 0848

3 0242 0835

18 0334 0934

4 0325 0921

19 0416 1019

5 0410 1010

20 0458 1102

6 0458 1100

21 0538 1145

7 0549 1155

22 0618 1230

8 0643 1253

23 0018 0700

9 0054 0739

24 0106 0745

0.40 1.41 0.47 1.89

0.33 1.44 TH 1356 0.44 2029 1.94

0232 0829 TH 1406 2035

Time

0.34 1.39 0.48 1.83

0245 0844 SA 1430 2057

0.35 1.39 FR 1446 0.50 2113 1.80

2 0330 0933

17 0344 0951

3 0416 1024

18 0415 1027

4 0503 1115

19 0447 1104

5 0552 1209

20 0522 1145

6 0022 0644

21 0600 1229

7 0123 0738

22 0036 0645

8 0231 0837

23 0133 0737

9 0346 0939

24 0243 0839

0.16 1.52 0.30 1.98

0313 0917 SU 1503 2121

2 0104 0700

17 0121 0722

3 0143 0739

18 0214 0815

4 0221 0817

19 0304 0906

5 0300 0857

20 0354 0956

6 0341 0939

21 0442 1045

7 0424 1024

22 0530 1133

8 0512 1113

23 0617 1222

9 0603 1206

24 0015 0705

10 0010 0700

25 0102 0754

10 0157 0835

25 0202 0834

10 0245 0903

25 0214 0829

10 0457 1039

25 0356 0944

11 0110 0801

26 0158 0844

11 0304 0931

26 0303 0924

11 0356 1000

26 0320 0924

11 0002 0556

26 0500 1045

12 0216 0902

27 0258 0932

12 0411 1025

27 0405 1012

12 0503 1055

27 0427 1018

12 0051 0645

27 0000 0557

13 0326 1000

28 0358 1019

13 0514 1116

28 0502 1059

13 0013 0603

28 0526 1111

13 0131 0728

28 0048 0646

14 0431 1054

29 0452 1102

14 0018 0613

29 0010 0554

14 0105 0657

29 0030 0618

14 0208 0806

29 0133 0734

15 0531 1145

30 0541 1143

15 0114 0708

30 0056 0642

15 0151 0745

30 0115 0707

15 0241 0843

30 0218 0822

0.55 1.51 SA 1303 0.50 1926 1.68 0.50 1.51 SU 1336 0.49 2000 1.73 0.46 1.50 MO 1410 0.49 2034 1.78 0.43 1.48 TU 1445 0.51 2110 1.81 0.42 1.46 WE 1522 0.53 2149 1.81 0.43 1.42 TH 1604 0.56 2231 1.80 0.44 1.39 FR 1649 0.61 2318 1.76 0.46 1.36 SA 1742 0.65 1.71 0.48 SU 1306 1.35 1843 0.69

1.67 0.48 MO 1412 1.38 1952 0.70 1.64 0.45 TU 1518 1.44 2107 0.67

1.63 0.42 WE 1619 1.55 2219 0.59 1.64 0.38 TH 1715 1.67 2325 0.50 1.65 0.35 FR 1807 1.78

0.30 1.58 MO 1406 0.40 2031 1.97 0.29 1.53 TU 1451 0.46 2117 1.96

0.32 1.47 WE 1536 0.52 2202 1.91 0.38 1.41 TH 1620 0.60 2245 1.82 0.45 1.36 FR 1705 0.67 2330 1.73

0.52 1.32 SA 1753 0.74

1.63 0.57 SU 1314 1.30 1845 0.79

1.54 0.61 MO 1409 1.31 1945 0.83 1.47 0.62 TU 1506 1.34 2053 0.83

1.42 0.61 WE 1600 1.40 2200 0.79 1.41 0.60 TH 1650 1.48 2301 0.73 1.41 0.57 FR 1734 1.56 2353 0.66

1.42 0.55 SA 1814 1.64

31 0038 0626

0.58 1.43 SU 1220 0.53 1851 1.72

0.45 1.45 TU 1336 0.51 2008 1.85

Time

0.33 1.44 WE 1427 0.50 2056 1.92

0.34 1.62 SU 1320 0.36 1945 1.95

Time 0139 0729 WE 1310 1945

0120 0709 MO 1258 1930

m 0.34 1.46 0.47 1.93

0.41 1.65 0.35 1.88

0.51 1.44 0.52 1.79

Local Time AUGUST

0.40 1.45 WE 1417 0.50 2048 1.89 0.37 1.45 TH 1500 0.51 2131 1.91 0.35 1.44 FR 1547 0.53 2216 1.89 0.36 1.43 SA 1638 0.56 2304 1.85 0.37 1.43 SU 1732 0.60 2357 1.79 0.39 1.44 MO 1833 0.63 1.71 0.41 TU 1354 1.47 1941 0.65 1.63 0.42 WE 1456 1.53 2054 0.64 1.57 0.43 TH 1556 1.61 2208 0.60 1.53 0.43 FR 1654 1.70 2316 0.53

1.50 0.43 SA 1747 1.79

0.45 1.49 SU 1207 0.43 1838 1.87

0.38 1.48 MO 1255 0.44 1927 1.92

0.35 1.41 TH 1510 0.54 2138 1.87 0.39 1.39 FR 1552 0.59 2217 1.80

0.44 1.36 SA 1634 0.64 2257 1.72

0.49 1.34 SU 1718 0.69 2336 1.63

0.53 1.34 MO 1806 0.74 1.54 0.56 TU 1318 1.34 1900 0.78

1.46 0.59 WE 1411 1.37 2002 0.80 1.39 0.60 TH 1506 1.41 2112 0.79 1.34 0.60 FR 1600 1.47 2219 0.74

1.32 0.59 SA 1650 1.54 2319 0.67

1.32 0.57 SU 1736 1.63

0.58 1.34 MO 1143 0.54 1819 1.72 0.49 1.37 TU 1226 0.50 1901 1.81

0.27 1.46 FR 1444 0.43 2115 1.97 0.24 1.48 SA 1534 0.43 2201 1.95 0.24 1.50 SU 1627 0.45 2251 1.89 0.26 1.51 MO 1723 0.49 2343 1.79 0.31 1.52 TU 1824 0.54 1.67 0.36 WE 1331 1.54 1930 0.58 1.55 0.41 TH 1432 1.57 2044 0.60 1.44 0.45 FR 1534 1.62 2200 0.58

1.38 0.48 SA 1634 1.68 2311 0.53

1.35 0.48 SU 1731 1.74

0.46 1.35 MO 1147 0.48 1823 1.80 0.40 1.36 TU 1237 0.48 1911 1.83

0.36 1.38 WE 1323 0.48 1955 1.84

0.37 1.38 SA 1526 0.53 2149 1.74

0.40 1.38 SU 1605 0.56 2225 1.68

0.43 1.37 MO 1646 0.60 2300 1.60 0.47 1.37 TU 1730 0.65 2339 1.51

0.50 1.37 WE 1820 0.69 1.42 0.54 TH 1318 1.38 1917 0.73 1.33 0.57 FR 1412 1.40 2025 0.74

1.26 0.59 SA 1509 1.43 2136 0.71

1.23 0.59 SU 1605 1.50 2244 0.64

1.23 0.57 MO 1659 1.58 2340 0.55 1.27 0.52 TU 1748 1.69

0.43 1.33 WE 1200 0.46 1836 1.79 0.32 1.39 TH 1249 0.40 1922 1.89

0.13 1.56 SU 1522 0.29 2145 1.94 0.14 1.59 MO 1615 0.32 2235 1.86 0.18 1.60 TU 1713 0.36 2327 1.73 0.26 1.60 WE 1813 0.43 1.58 0.34 TH 1306 1.59 1920 0.50 1.43 0.43 FR 1407 1.58 2034 0.54 1.31 0.49 SA 1512 1.58 2151 0.54 1.24 0.53 SU 1617 1.61 2303 0.50 1.24 0.53 MO 1716 1.65 0.45 1.27 TU 1134 0.51 1809 1.69

0.40 1.31 WE 1224 0.48 1854 1.72 0.36 1.35 TH 1308 0.46 1935 1.73 0.34 1.38 FR 1348 0.45 2012 1.73

0.33 1.40 SA 1426 0.44 2047 1.70

31 0200 0756

0.23 1.46 FR 1339 0.34 2010 1.95

 Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2014, Bureau of Meteorology Datum of Predictions is Lowest Astonomical Tide Times are in local standard time (UTC +10:00) or daylight savings time (UTC +11:00) when in effect Full Moon New Moon First Quarter Moon Phase Symbols

m 0.34 1.42 0.45 1.66

0.35 1.43 MO 1541 0.47 2155 1.61 0.38 1.43 TU 1619 0.50 2230 1.54

0.42 1.43 WE 1701 0.54 2307 1.45 0.46 1.42 TH 1747 0.59 2348 1.36 0.51 1.41 FR 1841 0.63

1.28 0.55 SA 1320 1.40 1944 0.66

1.20 0.59 SU 1418 1.41 2056 0.65

1.16 0.60 MO 1521 1.46 2207 0.59 1.18 0.57 TU 1624 1.54 2309 0.49

1.24 0.51 WE 1720 1.65 0.37 1.33 TH 1141 0.42 1812 1.77 0.25 1.43 FR 1233 0.33 1900 1.86

0.15 1.53 SA 1325 0.25 1949 1.92

0.09 1.61 SU 1416 0.19 2038 1.93

31 0303 0911

0.07 1.67 MO 1510 0.18 2129 1.88

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. 86

JUNE 2015

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Sydney North West Watersports Marine 11 Binney Rd Kingspark Phone: (02) 9676 1400 | E:info@watersportmarine.com.au Website: www.watersportsmarine.com.au

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Central Coast Insinc Marine 278 Manns Road, Gosford West Ph: (02) 4324 4300 | E:troy@insincmarine.com.au Website: www.insincmarine.com.au

Sydney West Penrith Marine 4/133 Coreen Ave Penrith Phone: (02) 4731 6250 | E:sales@penrithmarine.com.au Website: www.penrithmarine.com.au

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THE POWER TO GET YOU THERE

THE RELIABILITY TO GET YOU BACK

We’re proud to welcome the new generation of outboards – the mighty FourStroke Verado 350hp. Along with the power, performance and extreme reliability, Verado includes: - Awesome acceleration, superior torque and better fuel economy - The latest in Electro-Hydraulic steering providing car-like precision and feel - Exclusive ‘Fly-by-Wire’ Digital Throttle and Shift as standard for smooth, quiet, instantaneous shifting and throttle response - Compact engine that’s 56kg lighter than its nearest competitor - Maintenance Free Valve train for life, lowering cost of ownership - 3+2=5 Year Recreational Warranty

mercurymarine.com.au