Queensland Fishing Monthly - April 2016 by Fishing Monthly

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Shallow tactics for Moreton Bay snapper • Surface tips and tricks • Build your bream tacklebox • Looking for luderick •

NEW SECTION Tips for the novice boater • Inflatable kayak option • New boating products • Quintrex relaunches Yellowfin range • Stessco Renegade 480 • Baysports 600 Offshore • Yellowfin 6700 •

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April 2016, Vol. 28 No. 6

Contents NORTHERN NEW SOUTH WALES Iluka 20 Ballina 22

QUEENSLAND FISHING MONTHLY

Editorial Manager: Jacqui Thomas Sub-Editors: Bob Thornton Nicole Penfold Georgia Williams Field Editors: Jason Ehrlich Wayne Kampe Publishers: Steve Morgan Matthew Drinkall

Production: Jenna Milburn Karen Millward Keith Hawley Website: www.fishingmonthly.com.au Distribution: Gordon & Gotch Pty Ltd Subscriptions: Kym Rowbotham

Warwick Lyndon with a cracking 56cm mangrove jack caught on the Gold Coast. A Warwick Lyndon photo.

TO SUBSCRIBE SEE PAGE 35 FIND THE ZEREK LOGO COMPETITION PAGE 33 Queensland Fishing Monthly magazine goes on sale the first week of each month (latest sale date 7th of the month).

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of posting a heads-up to our readers (which was shared over 500 times), I was getting calls about where the car was. One good Samaritan even sent

APRIL 2016

10 14 19 54 67 92

acceptable form of behaviour. Thieves exist, I get that, but it was the response of the fishing community that blew us away. Within three hours

me images of the wreckage. We’ve had offers of costprice vehicles to replace the car, vehicle wrapping and endless offers of help with the logistics of getting the remaining equipment and staff back to home base. We thank you all for this help. As a side note, if you’re offered any cheap fishing tackle, Canon camera gear, Engel generators or top-end Daiwa reels in the Hunter Valley area, give us a call. We’re sure that they didn’t steal the gear because they wanted to run fishing events. Not even thieves are that stupid! We’ve had some pretty bad luck over the last few years. As a company, I officially request whoever is in charge of karma needs to re-boot the system. I’m eagerly awaiting a break. Or a 130cm threadfin salmon on fly. I’m good with either.

AUST

I never cease to be amazed at how the fishing community gets together to help each other out. Actually, that’s not right. I’ve seen it enough times in my lifetime to not be amazed, but grateful that when difficult situations arise, the community pulls together to get things done. You’ll see the image here – before and after – of one of our Fishing Monthly vehicles that we made the mistake of parking in a hotel parking lot at Singleton, NSW. We’d loaned it to Fishing Monthly’s sister company, ABT, who were running a bass tournament at nearby Lake St Clair in the Hunter Valley. During the night, some low-lifes decided that breaking into the car, stealing it, stealing all of the tournament prizes and gear and finally torching it at a local river crossing was an

REGULAR FEATURES Back to Basics 56 Camping and 4WD 72 Cooking 85 Dam Levels 68 Freshwater 68 Fun Page 90 Junior Page 57 Sheik of the Creek 74 Sunfish 76 Suntag 43 Tournament News 77 Tech Tricks 18 Trades and Services 106 What’s New in Boating 96 What’s New in Fishing 86 SPECIAL FEATURES Shallow tactics for bay snapper Surface tips and tricks Double overhand loop knot Build your bream tacklebox Fish handling III Tips for the novice boater

From the Editor’s Desk...

BOATING AND KAYAK

TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND Whitsundays 58 Ayr 59 Townsville 60 Hinchinbrook 61 Lucinda 62 Cairns 63 Port Douglas 63 Cooktown 64 Cape York 65 TNQ Freshwater 66

CENTRAL QUEENSLAND Hervey Bay 46 Rainbow Beach 46 Fraser Coast 47 Rockhampton 48 Lake Monduran 49 Bundaberg 51 Gladstone 50 Yeppoon 52 Mackay 53

PRO

SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND Tweed Heads 24 Southern Gold Coast 26 Gold Coast Canals 28 Gold Coast 30 Jumpinpin 32 Southern Bay 34 Brisbane 36 Brisbane Offshore 38 Northern Bay 39 Caloundra 40 Noosa 42

ING TRADE

“Last weekend I went fishing for snapper. Before I could work out what “Lastonweekend I went fishing forjumping snapper.everywhere Before I could was going work out what there was a black marlin on my line”, was going on there was a black marlin jumping everywhere says Billy in on my line”, Gillon who caught his first marlin on Black Magic 30lb Tough Nick Kuhnert was out for a mid morning fish at his “secret location” says Billy in Gillon whoMagic location”Fluorocarbo caught5/0 “secret hisusing hisCfirst marlin on Black morning fish mid snapper. Magic out for 30lb n and a Black a Black was Nick Kuhnert He at Point Hook. thisa nice The fight caught lasted when hewas 40 Tough Queensland Fluorocarbo Black n a and a using Black was Magic He 5/0 snapper. C Point nice Hook. this minutes The caught fight he in 60 lasted 40 meters of water off the coast of Queensland. 5/0 KL Hook.when Magic Queensland minutes in 60 meters of water off the coast of Queensland. Hook. Magic 5/0 KL

Sam Toner and his crew had a successful time in the NZ Game Fishing Nationals last month fishing Sam TonerBay. andThey his crew hadaa70.1kg successful timetuna in the Game Fishing Nationals last month Fishing out of Coffs Harbour, NSW, Gerrad out from Waihau caught yellowfin onNZ a Black Magic Pursuit Jellybean Lure, fishing out from Waihau Bay. They caught a 70.1kg yellowfin tuna on a Black Magic Pursuit Jellybean Lure, Coffs Harbour, NSW, Gerrad BillingsFishing and tagged an estimated 110kg striped marlin caught on a Black Magic Freedom Grand Slammer caughtout andof released this estimated and tagged anJellybean estimatedand 110kg striped marlinare caught on a Black Magic Slammer caught released estimated 160kg Billings Blue Marlin. Lure. Sam says, “the Grand Slammer permanent fixtures in ourFreedom spread”. Grand Both fish He and was using Blackthis Magic 160kg Blue Lure. using Sam says, “the Jellybean and Grand Slammer are permanent fixtures in our spread”. Both fish Marlin. He was using Black Magic 400lb Tough were caught the Black Magic Equalizer Gimbal and Harness. Top work! Trace. 400lb Tough Trace. were caught using the Black Magic Equalizer Gimbal and Harness. Top work!

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Snapper

Shallow tactics for Moreton Bay snapper BRISBANE

Reece Thomas

Living in Brisbane has given me some great opportunities to fish a wide area of South East Queensland and take advantage of the species that call the waters home. But for me, it doesn’t get any better than arriving at the boat ramp pre-dawn on

a calm morning and setting off to target snapper on lures in the shallow waters of Moreton Bay. I started to focus on fishing for snapper around seven years ago and it didn’t take long before I was addicted. I use the term ‘shallow water’ to describe the water that I fish as it is not often I find myself casting a lure for snapper any deeper than 5m. There are a lot of suitable

shallow areas throughout Moreton Bay that can be easily accessed by small boats and kayaks. This style of fishing is focused on depths of 1.5-4m. In these areas, low light hours (sunrise and sunset) will always yield the best results as the snapper take full advantage of the low light and move into these areas to feed among the structure.

This snapper was recaptured just six days after being tagged.

Big snapper on light line is always fun.

APRIL 2016

Fishing in the shallows can provide some exciting sessions, as you never know what size fish you may encounter. Hooking juvenile snapper and 80cm+ beasts can easily happen in the same session, but numerous other species also call these areas home. Other species can include yellowfin bream, grass emperor, estuary cod and mulloway just to list a few. Snapper can be targeted year round within the bay, however, from June through to September sees the numbers increase, coinciding with cool water and schools of bait. I am a strong believer that they feed around particular moon phases and tides throughout different areas of the bay and have been able to prove it. This has been achieved by spending time on the water and recording catch details and observations. Snapper are a forage feeder but can also be an aggressive hunter. When using lures, you are actively targeting the fish. Therefore, finding the structure is the first step. This can consist of anything from reefs, ledges, dropoffs and gravel beds to artificial rock walls, pylons and artificial wrecks. Most of this is visual, however, having a sounder can be helpful in these areas to locate any unseen structure and bait. Fishing in shallow water requires a lot of stealth, keeping any noise to a minimum. Using an electric motor to position the boat into these areas without spooking feeding fish is a great advantage. This approach can also be achieved without the aid of one by setting a drift. Just remember to take into consideration wind speed, direction and current.

Once in position pepper the area, making long casts downwind and hard up against the structure. Move along at a slow pace covering ground until fish

are located. If fish are in the area feeding, it normally won’t take long before you have attracted their attention. Snapper love to hit a lure on the drop when

Josh King with an early morning snapper release.

Early morning starts pay off and make for a great photo.

using sinking lures. Take notice of any line coming off the spool faster than normal as your lure sinks. GEAR CHOICE I will generally have rigged 3-4 rods ready to go, as it is always handy to have

entice wary fish in clear water. However, a general starting point would be 12-14lb fluorocarbon leader. This will also give you a little more confidence when you’re hooked into that big fish.

present in the area and to match lure size and colour accordingly. For example, this could mean fishing a small jerk bait style plastic if hardiheads or small pike are present. Alternatively, a prawn style plastic will be

There’s plenty of excellent by-catch on offer in the bay. another rod at your disposal. Normally, this comes into play after a bust off or snag and this saves valuable time re-rigging. My approach to targeting snapper is to fish as light as possible. I prefer rods ranging from 2-4kg and 3-6kg, matched with 2000, 2500 and 3000 sized spin reels. I look for a fast to medium action style rod, around 7ft in length. This gives you enough power to set a hook into their hardboned jaw, but still enough finesse to fish light braided lines and fluorocarbon leaders. It will also allow for casting of lightly weighted lures. Reels are spooled with various brands of braid from

Fishing for larger snapper around structure is relatable to walking an untrained dog – the harder you pull, the harder they will pull back. Now you have the gear selection, it’s time to decide on which lure to tie on. SOFT PLASTICS Tackle shop walls are flooded with multiple brands of plastics that will catch snapper. For most anglers new to soft plastic fishing, this can be an overwhelming task. When selecting a soft plastic for snapper, keep two things in mind. Firstly, tail action. They love a slow wafting lure with a good tail action. Secondly, match this on a light jighead to allow

effective if fleeing prawns are being chased down. Generally, soft plastics from 2.5-4” in size will cover most bases. Fishing in the early hours of the morning is a great time to select a darker, more naturally coloured plastic. Dark shades of green, brown or red help create a distinct silhouette. As the sunrises and visibility increases within these shallow waters, lures with UV colours or more transparency can be a good switch. Jighead selection needs to be kept as light as possible and this can vary depending on water depth and tidal flow. A 1/8-1/6oz jighead with a good quality, strong hook is generally a good

Catch, tag and release plays a big part in the author’s snapper fishing. 8-12lb. Selecting a leader to tie to the braid can vary depending on location and water quality. Some days a 6-8lb leader is needed to

for a slow sink and you have the perfect combination. Likewise, match the hatch – it’s important to take notice of any bait

starting point. A snapper’s powerful jaw structure will make quick work of any light gauge hook. To page 12

APRIL 2016

Snapper From page 11

There are various techniques for working soft plastic lures. One option is a slow retrieve with long lifts of the rod, allowing the lure to rest on the bottom for 10-15 seconds. Another is a faster paced approach with multiple short lifts of the rod, allowing the lure to dart or hop across the structure. It is important to remember that you control every part of the lure’s movement with the rod and reel. In doing this, your aim is to regulate how it imitates a baitfish. Ultimately, try different

variations of retrieval to key into one that triggers a reaction. HARDBODIED CRANKBAITS Hardbodied lures can be a really effective and enjoyable method for catching snapper. The two simple techniques for using these are casting and trolling. Smaller crankbaits in the 40-70mm size and diving depths of 2-3.5m are best suited to the casting approach. An effective method is aiming a cast along a reef edge, rock wall or similar

structure and retrieving with a slow wind. I prefer to use a floating or suspending lure and crank it down into the structure before letting it rise for a few seconds and repeating. This will see your lure presented in the zone ready to be ambushed. It’s a good idea to upgrade the factory trebles and split rings on most of these smaller lures if you plan to target snapper. Trolling is a good method to use in areas that you haven’t fished before as a lot of ground can be covered. Keeping a close

This 61cm snapper was caught on a 40mm hardbody cast tight against structure.

eye on the sounder, while having rods secure in the holders, will help you locate any deeper reef drop-offs and ledges along the way. Lures with a larger profile of 60-100mm and diving depths of around 3.5-5m are ideal for this method. VIBRATION LURES Vibration lures are a more suited approach to present to schooling fish in deeper water. This includes areas like the Brisbane River and deeper artificial wrecks and reefs located throughout Moreton Bay. Using soft vibes up to 20g or small metal vibes in 1/4-3/8oz will ensure your lure is kept in the zone. Attach these to the leader with a loop knot, enabling the lure to perform at its maximum action. When using small, subtle hops along the bottom, these lures put off a strong vibration and can draw the attention of an aggressive snapper. When fishing a vibe in deeper water, I like to feather the spool on the drop to control the line for a slower sink rate. SUNTAG AND SNAPPER Around 18 months ago, I joined Suntag and began to tag my fish through this organization. I am a passionate catch and release angler and like most, I was curious to know the movements and growth of

the fish, particularly snapper in Moreton Bay. It’s only early stages and with the help of a few keen mates

Bay or new areas, make sure to familiarize yourself with Marine Parks as there are numerous zones throughout

Kyle McNamara with a Brisbane River snapper on a 20g soft vibe. we have managed to tag over 220 snapper, with a few recaptures being reported. By far the most interesting was a fish that I tagged recently, which was recaptured just 6 days later in the same spot. If you happen to catch a tagged fish, it’s a small process to record the tag number, size, location, date and report these details via phone or the website. By doing this you can help contribute to the research. GO SHALLOW Before fishing in Moreton

the Bay. Also be aware of legal size and possession limits if you intend on keeping any for the table. I hope this information has helped you on the quest for shallow water snapper, they’re out there waiting for you, and in the next few months their numbers should increase. Whether you have a tournament boat, tinny, or even a kayak, you’ll easily be able to reach Brisbane’s shallow snapper grounds, it’s just a matter of getting out there.

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Surface fishing tips and tricks CAIRNS

Dan Kaggelis dkaggelis@gmail.com

Many creek anglers shy away from fishing surface lures because of the misguided belief that it’s just too hard. In actual fact, surface fishing

for species like mangrove jacks, barramundi and even bread and butter species like bream and flathead is not as hard as it seems and can actually be a go-to method when the variables are right. When fishing surface, you need to have a mix of the right conditions to be

successful. Like any form of fishing, you need to be strategic about what you are doing and choose when conditions suit to launch your attack. CLOSE UP AND PERSONAL To begin with, like all forms of lure fishing,

proximity is the number one factor that must be considered. Proximity refers to the distance your lure is from the face of the fish – also known as the strike zone. While most species will travel to snare a feed, they are more likely to attack when the lure is in close proximity. With sub-surface lures, you have a degree of control with this in that you can swim and suspend lures down to different depths depending on the rig. However, with surface lures, this isn’t an option so you need to think about how to use your popper or walker to capitalise on proximity. Anglers have two options with this – first, you can wait for the tide to be at just the right level where there isn’t too much water above the structure you

Unweighted plastics make an awesome surface lure.

A barramundi caught on surface – it doesn’t get any better than when a big bucket-mouth boofs your popper off the top!

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RIGHT

TRAILER UNDER YOUR BOAT...

Baitfish love to hang on the surface – if you notice this in your system then it is definitely worth a go on surface.

are fishing. This way your surface offerings can walk or bloop not too far away from where potential fish may be hiding or laying in wait. For fish like jacks and barra, snags that have water rising on them with the tide is perfect for this. LOOK TO THE SNAGS For fish like flathead you can wait until the tide begins to spill over flats and then work your surface offering while the water is not too deep. Bream can be similarly targeted this way by fishing against rock walls and ledges as the water level rises. Water depth can be your biggest enemy in terms of proximity and while your popper and walker does make plenty of noise to attract fish from afar, too much water between the two can make surface fishing tough. For this reason, fishing around the

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Big jacks can be a handful when popped in the middle of a snag, so be ready to thumb that spool.

bottom of the tide around snags is essential. Try and pick out snags that still have some water covering them all tide but during the low tides are relatively shallow. This way the fish will group on the snag. When you are fishing snags on surface you really need to have a bit of courage and send you popper or walker in deep and work it over and through the timber. Due to low water levels fish will

be tight and hard inside the structure, so you need to get right in there – fishing surface allows for this. This is why fishing surface can bring more hits, strikes and success as with the right conditions you can work the lure closer to structure than any other type of lure. Just be mindful of your drag and leave the 4lb at home because you will need to put the brakes on fast and everything that hits a lure off the surface only knows

one way and that’s down! Barramundi will give you less grief than jacks as they tend to roll more and slurp or boof your lure, whereas jacks will destroy it in seconds leaving you thumbing the reel in desperation. Quality fluorocarbons like Sunline FC100 is my pick to help deal with this scenario, as you need something that is strong, will walk your surface lure nicely and also take plenty of punishment.

There are no hard and fast rules for popping or walking speed around snags, however I do recommend that you use the current and flow to drift your surface lures as close to and across lay-down structure as much as possible. Popping straight back to the boat can be pointless, so make sure you concentrate the action of the lure when it is in the best spot on the snag. FLATS FISHING At the opposite end of

Small thin snaggy creeks are often shallow and unfishable. Large blooping poppers are perfect as you can work them down the middle and attract fish from the edges.

Whiting are a tonne of fun on poppers, especially over the flats.

Jacks love a surface popper early in the morning.

the spectrum, if you are fishing over flats for species such as flathead, whiting, bream and trevally, then the top of the tide when there is water covering the flats is ideal. A big long cast working long stretches of relatively shallow flats is ideal with a popper or walker as the proximity level is perfect to attract fish. I prefer to use short sharp pops or retrieves as this will often get the fish’s attention and then pause it to give them time to swim over and check it out. It’s often on the next

quick burst that the lure will get smacked. Flathead are notorious for this and will often jump clear of the water on the take when hooked on surface. Whiting and bream prefer a more aggressive retrieve – don’t stop popping or moving the lure until they hook up. Whiting in particular can be very aggressive and smash your popper multiple times before hooking up. You don’t need to have as heavy hardware across the flats as in the snags, but you still want To page 16

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an abrasive leader that can handle being rubbed across coarse sand. My pick is Sunline FC Rock as it is a little subtler than the FC100 and will swim your lure better. Fishing artificial structure is possible, and canals and jetties make for some excellent surface

fishing structure. Try to work lures as close to the edges as possible and around areas where bait is present for the best results. Early mornings and late afternoons are the best times to fish these areas, as this is when they are quietest. LURE 101 When it comes to surface lures, you have too

main options – the first is your standard popperlike lure, with a cup face designed to spray water when ripped. There are subtle differences in poppers, some will splash a lot of water but make little sound, whereas others will throw less water but make a big blooping noise. I always prefer a noisy

Bass and cod style twister surface lures like this angel bait can make a tonne of commotion on the surface and can really fire up the jacks and barra.

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r Mounts 3 Electric Moto Consoles e tr n e 3 C s p 3 Rear Ste 3 Bow Rails s k n a T it 3 Live Ba e! 3 And much mor

popper, and the Lucky Craft G Splash is one of my go-to lures for this very reason. Some poppers have small slits at the end of the cup face designed to create a string of bubbles below the water when popped. This extra bit of attraction is fantastic. Next you have your walkers and sliders. These work better in scenarios where you don’t want too much noise and disturbance. The side-to-side action of these lures is awesome and so much fun to fish. The Lucky Craft Sammy is one of my favourite walkers for jacks, barra and flathead, as the action on these can really get them biting hard. The final and uncommon approach is to fish soft plastics unweighted on worm hooks and work them ever so slowly on the surface. This is absolutely dynamite on all creek species and is an underrated technique. Fishing surface lures is something all anglers need to do a lot more. It is visually exciting and is not as hard as most think! Next time you are on the water and the conditions are right, put down the sub-surface options and scratch the surface with a popper or walker. The results will speak for themselves.

Just submerged lay-down snags like this one are perfect for running a popper across.

Tarpon are a common by-catch when fishing surface and are a great fish to learn on.

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he dumbell shape is famous in Australian Popping. Previously only in big sizes for big fish, they are now available in 75mm and 50mm. These smaller sizes will be perfect for estuaries, dams and canals. These little lures cast a mile and they always cast tail first, which eliminates the hooks fowling on the line while in the air. The distinctive cup face gives off a great noise and water push without skipping out of the water. The 75mm is perfect for chasing Trevally, Bass, Tailor, Tarpon, Jacks & small GTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in the Estuaries, while the 50mm will be great for Bass, Bream, Whiting, Flathead or any of your smaller species. A great range of colours is available to fulfil the needs of both fresh and saltwater anglers. They are definitely the lure you need in your tackle box for your next fishing trip!

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Tech Tricks

How to make an effective release weight device BRISBANE

Gordon Macdonald masterbaitertackle@hotmail.com

Barotrauma is a condition that affects fish brought to the surface too quickly. The fish’s swim bladder controls its buoyancy and is inflated and deflated by gas from the blood. However, when an angler brings a fish to the surface too quickly, this gas can’t be reabsorbed fast enough and the swim bladder expands way past its normal limits. The consequence of this is that

the fish’s internal organs are crushed, causing the eyes to pop from their sockets and extending the swim bladder out of the fish’s mouth. This can be life-threatening for the fish, but not always. Studies have shown that these effects will fade and the fish’s organs will return to their normal state when returned back to the depths. Generally, if a released fish can get to deeper water it will survive. Releasing a barotraumaaffected fish back into the upper layers of the water column will rarely see it survive. Hampered by its

inflated swim bladder, the fish can’t dive. Instead, it will float off across the surface to die a slow death or be picked off by birds or other predators. Reef fish species, especially cods, gropers, groupers and sweetlip, are particularly susceptible to barotrauma, even from water as shallow as 15m. We get many of these species locally on our reefs and rubble grounds, however threadfin salmon is the species that is more commonly encountered and known to suffer these effects. Threadfin are a common catch in the Brisbane

River and many other systems. I have witnessed bloated threadfin drifting down the river several times, even though the angler had the best intention to release the fish in a healthy state. We all want our released fish to survive, to protect the health of the fishery, and there are several ways to do this. Numerous devices (some quite elaborate) have been used to drag fish back into the depths and then release them. Surprisingly, it is rare to find a release device for sale in a tackle store, as there are very few commercially-made

You will only need a small selection of materials and tools for this project. A large snapper lead (12-24oz), a stainless steel crab bait hook, an empty hand caster, 10m or more of 1-3mm diameter cord (or some heavy monofilament), a hammer, a file, pliers, a drill and a drill bit which is just slightly narrower than the wire of your crab bait hook.

Around the same distance down on the other arm, bend it in at a right angle with your pliers. Pass this arm through the eye of the snapper lead as shown.

Using a drill bit, which is slightly smaller in diameter than the stainless steel wire, drill through the snapper lead on a slight angle. Note that the lead will quickly clog up and bind with your drill bit (probably snapping it) so don’t attempt to drill straight through. Instead continually remove the drill bit for cleaning after you have drilled every few millimetres. 18

APRIL 2016

release weights on the market [the only one I know of is made by Sunset Sinker Supplies in WA – Ed]. Therefore, most angler’s fashion their own crude, yet effective, deeprelease devices made from all manner of materials. Some anglers use springloaded lip-grip devices. One of the simplest release tools is a large hook attached upside down to a weight. However, most large, wide gape hooks are made from fairly thick steel; as this needs to go through the lower jaw of the fish, I prefer to use something of thinner diameter

to minimise the impact on the fish. Some years ago I made a simple release device for my own purpose. After seeing Wayne Kampe’s segment on releasing threadfin in the last issue of the magazine, I have decided to share my version of a release weight with you. This was made from some bits I had lying around the shed, but the materials will be easy to source from any half decent tackle outlet if you don’t have them at hand. Hopefully you will want to make one to allow you to release more barotraumaaffected fish safely back into the depths.

Fold out the crab bait hook, leaving the loop in it, until it is roughly this shape with one side higher than the other. The loop is where we will attach our cord later.

Cut this arm off so that it is just slightly shorter than the width of the snapper lead. Again you can round off the end into a dull point to make it easier to punch through the lead.

Once you have drilled right through, place the snapper lead on a hard, firm surface, like the edge of your workbench. Insert the end of the stainless wire into the hole and bang it through the lead with the hammer. This will require repeated blows but persevere until the wire is flat against the side of the snapper lead.

Cut the higher side arm off at around 8-10cm of length and then sharpen the end slightly with the file. This will make it easier to insert into the fish’s jaw. If you have a decent pair of pliers then they should have a wire cutter on them. Otherwise use a hacksaw, side cutters or other cutting tool.

Establish where the end of the wire coincides with the side of your snapper lead. You can just scratch the lead with the end of the wire to mark this point.

Wind the cord onto your hand caster and attach the end to the wire loop with a sliding uni knot (or similar). Once inserted through the lower jaw, the release weight will drag a fish to the depths where it will return to its normal state, free of barotrauma. When you feel it kick, simply give the cord a sharp pull to eject the wire from its mouth and set it free. Such a simple device can go a long way to ensuring the health of our fishery!

Double overhand loop BRISBANE

Kim Bain

The Double Overhand Loop Knot is a very handy loop knot for creating a largish loop at the end of your leader – in the case of a paternoster rig being used for ‘bottom bashing’ or reef fishing, the loop is passed through the eye of a sinker of the type commonly referred to as a snapper lead. The hooks are then attached\presented above the sinker via either a dropper knot or twisted dropper knot that is tied in the same leader as the double-overhandloop knot.

The Double Overhand Loop Knot has poor knot strength, often quoted at about 50% of the breaking strain of the line that it is tied in, depending on the variation of the sinker loop knot that is tied. However, in the case of its use to attach a sinker, it is plenty strong enough, in fact, quite a few anglers prefer the sinker knot to fail if a sinker gets wedged in the reef; this is preferable to breaking off higher up, especially if one of your hooks further up the leader has a fish attached. Please note that as far as nomenclature goes, it is important to including the term ‘loop’ when referring to this knot as

Firstly, double the line to make a single loop, then tie a ‘single’ overhand loop.

there are other knots known as double overhands. It is also confusing to refer to any of the sinker loops as a dropper knot, although some older Australian texts do so. VIDEO

For a more detailed discussion on paternoster rigs, see my series online at www. fishingmonthly.com.au

Pass the running loop end through the knot one more time to achieve the double overhand loop knot.

Moisten before tightening the knot and make sure it fits snug.

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Get a massive crab in your pot! ILUKA

Ben Pilch bjpcdh@gmail.com

April and May is our pelagic season, where better quality fish come out to play and rip line off our reels. If you want to tick a big Spanish mackerel or longtail tuna off the bucket list now is the time to put in the maximum amount of effort. The best way to get among them is to slow troll lives. Slimy mackerel is the pick of the bunch, but if you can’t get hold of any slimies others will work such as tailor or yellowtail. A 30lb outfit is the best way to get among the action. A double hook rig on single

strand wire in the 40-60lb range is best when dealing with pelagics like Spanish mackerel that like to slash at tails when attacking. Those same pelagics will be caught off the stones as well. The wall will be the most popular spot with the crowds, but if you don’t mind a bit of adventure there are spots to the north and south that produce just as many fish and the chances of seeing anyone else is slim to none. The same technique mentioned before will work off the rocks except you should have your livie out under a float on the edge of the wash line. On the flathead side of things the action will be starting to move upriver. Bright coloured plastics

and blades are your best bet and chartreuse is my favourite colour to tie on when chasing a feed of flatties. There are still muddies around if you’re up for a feed of crabs. Remember to keep an eye on your pots as there are plenty of light fingered people getting around that are not happy with just taking all your crabs but who will also steal your pots. Upriver the bass fishing has been a little tough of late. The highlight has been the night surface bites. Larger lures in the 70-90mm range attract better quality fish. My favourite has been the Bills Bugs Fizzers, closely followed by Croaker Lure’s Paddlers; both lures have

worked well in these night sessions. Slow rolling 4” plastics rigged weedless out of snags, as well as the ever-faithful spinnerbait have worked a treat as the sun gets overhead in the sky. Getting deep in the cover of the snag has been the key to maximising catch rates of late. Upping the leader size is a must when fishing this close to structure where it is just a matter of time until you get snagged! It is also time to start stocking up on some mulloway lures in preparation for the mullet run. We are all hoping we will have a bit better one than last season, which unfortunately turned out to be a bit of a fizzer!

Ben Rampling with a monster mud crab.

The Rampling ‘grommets’ Noah and Riley have learnt a thing or two about crab handling while out checking the pots with dad. Noah’s jenny was taken in NSW waters, but remember that it is prohibited to take female crabs from Queensland waters.

APRIL 2016

Monster mangrove jack off the rocks in April ILUKA

Ross Deakin

There have been some great fish caught in the Iluka area of late but wind and swell conditions have made fishing a challenge, especially offshore. Spotty mackerel are the flavour of the month and have taken a liking to pink squid skirts. The odd Spanish mack has

turned up along with a few reports of big fish taken on the Iluka break wall. When conditions have allowed there have been some nice tailor picked up on lures and pilchard off the Bluff, Wall, marine rescue and beaches. Nice tarwhine, bream and dart have also been taken on the open beaches, especially in Shark Bay, which is more sheltered from prevailing winds and swell.

There have been some nice black tip sharks and cobia caught in this area also. Ray Simpson weighed in a cracking 15.5kg cobia recently. There are definitely more fish like this one hanging about! Mulloway action has been steady and Chris Berkley recently weighed in a nice 11kg fish. Most mulloway have been caught in the river this month with two fish taken around midday at Browns

Mathew Hayden with an enormous mangrove jack.

Ian Johns and Ray Simpson had some fun with this cobia.

Rocks on live bait. Whiting have been around in good numbers, but many are just undersize. Look for good fish around Freeburn Island with nippers and worms. On the crab front, blue swimmers have been in good numbers and improving, with muddy numbers still doing better further up the river.

The catch of the month goes to Mathew Hayden and Bruno for their mangrove jack catches (3kg and 2.5kg respectively), taken at Browns Rocks on Wednesday on live bait. Hopefully we can start to enjoy the long tails running and get outside with calmer days forecasted. Don’t forget to check

out the Iluka wall, which has finally been sealed and finished after months of restoration work. There are some fantastic spots to fish with the family that don’t involve long treks or rock walls such as Moriarty Beach down the Marine Rescue turn-off. Happy fishing everyone!

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APRIL 2016

Get out there and get jacked! BALLINA

Joe Allan

With a cyclone around the East Coast of Australia at the start of March, the swell bashing the coast has been nothing short of impressive. In turn, the fishing has certainly been stirred up in the wake. The beaches around Ballina and Lennox Head have fished really well and should continue to get better. Look for gutters on Patches Beach and back to South Ballina as well as the beaches along Seven Mile Beach north of Lennox

Skinny water, in the upper reaches of the Wilsons River is worth exploring. Head. There have been reports of good catches of tarwhine and flathead on soft plastics and blades – try in 1/4oz size for both types of lure. If it’s too windy this might be a struggle. There are still good numbers of pipis around, and these little blokes are great fresh bait for most bread and butter species. Just remember you’re not allowed to take these from the beach as per NSW DPI rules. The rock walls have produced some good size mangrove jacks. While not in good numbers, the bettersized specimens have come out to play in recent times. The break walls have been a little quiet for mulloway though the town stretch of the river has fished well for these beauties. Live mullet seem to produce the best catches. Mud crabs have shown up in North Arm and Immigrant Creek thanks to

Anthony Melchior continues to catch numbers of bass on Bassman spinnerbaits. the dirtier water. Dans Lane and Pimlico Island flats have been consistent bream producers. If you’re into soaking bait, nippers are one of the best and good fun to catch with the kids around. If you’re into throwing lures, small crankbaits and small top water poppers are always my go-to. You’ll pick up a few whiting although the dirty water has decreased the numbers of these fish

Aiden Kane with a beautiful jack caught on an Atomic Fat Grub.

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Matt Gibson with a cracking jack caught on a Lucky Craft Pointer.

being caught. If you are after a feed of flathead, try the stretches between Pimlico Island and Broadwater. Whitebait and fresh prawns are the go, if you can get them. The prawns are on the move at the moment so if you can find them, you’ll find great numbers. If you like to throw hardbody lures, try trolling some Atomic Shiner 75s down to 3.5m in the holes around the Wardell Bridge and areas close by. Bright colours are best. Once you’ve found the drop-offs, it’s always a good idea to have a 3-4” soft plastic with a 1/4oz jighead with a 3/0 hook ready to go. The freshwater stretches of the Richmond and Wilsons rivers have been patchy. Reports have commonly been of people catching 15-20 fish one day and then going back the next and getting only a couple at best. The most effective lures are spinnerbaits; big gold blades and lipless crankbaits with bright colours are the best. The noise and flash is what attracts these fish in this dirty water. The creeks around Bangalow and Corndale are worth a cast now that they’ve cleaned up a little. Downsize everything that you’d normally throw in the main river. You’d be surprised how big the fish that live in these small creeks can get. Small 2” plastics and bream or trout size crankbaits are what you should look for.

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All sorts of species hitting hard on The Tweed Around seven weeks ago, Pete Kyvetos (a mate of mine), bought a sea going boat and hasn’t been able

THE TWEED

David Solano

to take it outside as every weekend it’s been blowing a gale. I can tell it’s getting to him as he is dying to get out with me and get into some awesome Tweed fishing. Now we wait patiently for the weather to play the game! The only good thing to come out of this is that we ended up testing the new boat in the river. Anchoring up and throwing livies

to our fishing spots, where I’m free to roam around the place. Which brings me to the bite. I mentioned last month that a couple of guys lost a massive mulloway off the end of Fingal Wall – well the fish are still here and in numbers. I know this because a mate of mine (Craig) is the captain of one of the local dive boats that regularly goes out to

The author caught in the swell near the hospital!

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Craig Costigan with a fantastic flathead. and baits over the side is not exactly my style of fishing. We dropped anchor under Boyds Bay Bridge around midnight and I can’t remember the rest because, being on a big cosy boat, I was asleep within five minutes! To combat this, Pete’s been towing my yak

Cook Island to take tourists for awesome experiences on the reef. When it’s too rough out there they enter the water at Jack Evans Boat Harbour at high tide

and float down the wall past the hospital. This particular time Craig couldn’t believe what he was looking at, he was right off the hospital staring at over 50m long mulloway all sitting on top of one another, not moving much, just enough to stay steady. I have been told they are a lazy fish! To catch one, try behind the hospital, however the bridges put up a good bite as well. Beach fishing at night is effective, if you’re up for it, and the beaches from Tweed to Pottsville are mulloway heaven. The rough conditions outside have made the river a little crowded, and I’ve noticed a lot of folks in big boats in the river fishing with way too heavy gear but at least having fun. The Tweed jack hunters are also enjoying themselves; one mate caught his first jack on the surface from a yak at the oyster lease to the left of Seagulls. I’ve been stung by them there, I kept losing

my lure to what I thought were bream, until I upgraded my leader to 15lb and skull dragged a red bream in. You’ll find them in there; it’s a challenging but fun place to fish. The trawlers, Chinderah Wall, and Boyds Bay Bridge have all accounted for some nice fish in the last month. Flathead are still avoiding me, but they’re around. Cobaki and Terranora Broadwaters are good hunting grounds for lizards. If you’re out there take a popper with you as there are some awesome spots to cast a surface lure on the high tide, particularly off a yak as you can go where boats can’t to some of the sweetest whiting hot spots you’ll come across. Check out behind the airport – with all the little rocks and crannies, it’s a great place to explore. The tailor are off the walls, but are out there with the swell. Just remember that rockfishing is the world’s most dangerous sport.

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The author with a nice little whiting caught on the sand banks.

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Inshore, offshore, be sure with any shore! SOUTHERN GOLD COAST

Danny Sands

Most anglers have had a bout of cabin fever over the past couple of months

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Tommy with a healthy mangrove jack that could not resist the new Boom Bait from Samaki.

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and wahoo, Spanish and spotted mackerel on the closer reefs. With the water temperature dropping, the bottom fishing will start to improve this month. It’s been a tough year so far for anglers targeting Spanish mackerel on the Gold Coast, and most of the numbers have been caught down on the New South Wales coastline. The good news is there are large numbers still around the Sunshine Coast, so hopefully these speedsters will show up off the Gold Coast. With mackerel numbers not as numerous as in previous years, the best way to get at them is to slow troll big dead baits like tailor, pike, bonito and saury. Mackerel will find it hard to resist these temptations over a hardbody lure. Slow trolling big baits around the Tweed Nine Mile has worked well with consistent numbers of Spanish and wahoo up to the 20kg mark. Another great spot to have a look is Diamond Reef off Southport. April is a better month to chase big spotted mackerel, especially on Mermaid Reef. Half cut pilchards floatlining down in the berley trail is the number one producer of large spotted mackerel. Berley is a key factor to keep spotted mackerel close to your boat. I would use between 3-5kg of berley in a morning fish. With the water temperature dropping a fraction, this can fire up the snapper on the close reefs of the 24 and 26 fathom off Southport. Down south, places like the Fidos, and the Mud Hole are great spots to have a go at these tasty table fish. Floatline pilchards and slimy mackerel rigged on a set of gang hooks like Mustad 7766 or SL 12. For the larger trailer boats and game boats, blue marlin have been stripping line on the outer grounds. Trolling 8-16” skirts from the 70-fathom line, as far out to the 400-fathom line will see some blue marlin and the odd big yellowfin tuna action. Always keep a keen eye out for working birds, current lines and bait as you troll. INSHORE With not much rain, the river systems are fairly clean

Rob See with a sunrise Spanish mackerel. and most of the fish have dispersed evenly throughout. April would have to be one of the better months to chase mangrove jack as they get super aggressive and like to put a lot of condition on before the winter months. Any offering, from small lures to big barra lures will work this month. Try casting surface lures in low light times. Banging big lures trolled deep on a rock bar, like the Atomic Hardz Shiner, Jonesy Lures and Tilsan Barra will work well this month. Deep bends in the Nerang River are great places to look, like the Bundall Bridge, the Cotton Trees, the Council Chambers and the deep hole behind the old Titanium Bar. To cut costs, always carry a tackle back to get your lure back if snagged. The whiting fishing has been excellent so far and this will continue in April. The Nerang River still produces large numbers of whiting, especially around the full moon and new moon. Fishing bloodworms and canal wrigglers will do the damage. Trevally will make an appearance in the seaway with schools of both big eye and giant trevally hanging around the pipeline waiting for white pilchards schools to be pushed in on the big high tides. Most of the feeding frenzy happens around the high tide. Casting 25-40g slugs will do the trick. Big yellowtail kingfish

like to get into the fray, so it pays to go a bit heavier on tackle. The beach fishing has been excellent for a number of species like whiting, bream, dart, tarwhine and the odd flathead. I like to fish the shallow gutters at low tide with a 10ft surf rod and a running ball sinker with a size 6 whiting hook. The best baits are from the environment that you are fishing in, so beach worms

Steve Barrett shows off this beautiful mahimahi.

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and pipis are the gun baits. Any fish from the surf are clean and taste great. Some excellent gutters to look for are from Main Beach all the way up to The Spit. Overall, April is going to be a busy month of fishing off the Gold Coast. Expect big spotted mackerel on Mermaid Reef to keep anglers’ happy and plenty of prawns and crabs on the move. How good is the Gold Coast?

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Perfect weather, perfect fishing! GOLD COAST CANALS

Josh Dunn

There is so much red-hot fishing to come this month! Flathead are firing just about everywhere, as well as solid bream, jacks, whiting, trevally and prawns. Trevally have been caught mainly in the early morning and late afternoon, with the best results achieved on high

tides. Early morning and late afternoon is when the bait fires; try and find a canal with retaining or rock walls where the bait normally hold to take advantage of this. Flathead are seriously going off! Late afternoons with a run-out ride around 4pm are the most successful periods. For example, if the low tide is at 6pm, fish from 5pm up until the low tide. Find drains in the

mangrove-lined banks where the flathead will lay waiting for anything to swim over, coming out of the drain or little side creek. Cast to the drain and retrieve it back. Some big fish have been caught lately, ranging from 50-80cm. Bull sharks have been hunting around, smashing bait on the surface at random through the river systems. They have been spotted spiralling and even getting

Flathead are seriously going off! Late afternoons with a runout tide around 4pm are the most successful periods.

some airtime. If you’re interested in catching one try fishing with small, live poddy mullet on 60-80lb+ mono leader with 50lb braid mainline. Using a float about 1.5m from the hook is a good option as well. The mouth of the Logan River and the early parts of Jumpinpin are prawn hot-spots. Just last month and late February we had a crazy amount of prawns caught, with fishers filling their bag limits (10L) within a short period of time. Basically, if you find the boats, you find the prawns. A mate tells me it’s like a war on the water to get the prawns. If you aren’t so keen on prawning, Peter’s fish market isn’t a bad spot either! GT and big eye trevally smash up bait in the early hours of the morning along retaining walls. Shaded areas where the bait is more likely to sit are the areas where you will find the most action. Bridges are the main structure I use to target these pelagics. With the increased number of prawns in the canals it would be smart to use a prawn type lure, including Zerek, Prawnstar, etc. Keep the lure size quite small to match the bait, I would

Darby Joelle Lawrence with a nice Moses perch! These fish are a good sign, as the larger fish won’t be too far away. recommend something around 40-60mm – a 2” ZMan GrubZ in hardy head is a perfect jelly prawn imitation. Overall, April is good month for getting out there and ‘wetting a line.’ The weather will be mostly good with the odd thunderstorm

and rainfall about. Make the most of this heat before the cool sets in, and I hope you get into some fish! If you would like to be featured in my article with a nice fish shot, flick me an email at joshdunnsfishing1@ gmail.com.

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APRIL 2016

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APRIL 2016

Dreaming of marlin? Get out and catch one! So far this season, most of the action has been in depths of 200-300m just on the edge of the continental

GOLD COAST

David Green

April is a good month to chase mackerel, wahoo and blue marlin off the Gold Coast. As the current slows a bit and the water temperature drops a few degrees the bottom fishing also improves on the 36 and 50 fathom line. This season has been a very erratic one for game fishers in this area. Strong southeasterlies have made it difficult to get out, and a lot of the fish headed south and missed the Gold Coast grounds. Despite this, there have been patches of really good fishing when conditions allowed. The wide grounds are a good option this month for anglers chasing blue marlin. If you look at the Sea Surface temperature charts, you will notice that the East Australian Current generally starts to slow down a bit and large circular eddies of warm water develop along the continental shelf. The edges of these eddies are excellent spots to chase big marlin.

marlin strikes a day. These fish are predominately blue marlin, but there have been quite a few striped marlin

It’s always awesome to witness an aerial show performed by a big marlin!

The wide grounds are a good option this month for anglers who want to chase a blue marlin.

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Tornado lures. It is a very challenging way to fish, and nothing empties a reel faster than a blue marlin on its initial run. Wahoo are another good target species this month and there have been quite a few caught already this season. Try trolling fast metal headed lures like Hex Heads at around 12 knots, live-baiting with live tuna or trolling high speed minnows. The Tweed Nine Mile, the Mud Hole and the 36-fathom line are all good spots to chase wahoo. These speedsters tend to bite well when the current is flowing hard, and they are very active around the edges of any schools of small tuna. In closer to shore there should be some big Spanish mackerel on Palm Beach and Mermaid Reefs this month, as well as spotted mackerel. Trolling large dead baits such as tailer, bonito or big slimies is extremely effective. High speed spinning with metal lures also works well, particularly when you locate the fish on the sounder. A good spot to try this is on the high pinnacles at the southern end of the 24-fathom reef east of Southport. Bottom fishing improves a lot this month and can be quite productive

on the 50-fathom line. There should be a few pearl perch, snapper, amberjack and pigfish around this

month – if the current slows. The 36-fathom line produces juvenile snapper, pearl perch and teraglin. A

This is the kind of welcome bycatch April delivers – wahoo!

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few mulloway also show up on the inshore grounds. Most of these are caught on live-baits fished at night. RIVERS AND ESTUARIES April is a transition month in the estuaries as the water cools off and the first westerlies start to blow. At this time of year a lot of bigger mangrove jacks start to move to the Seaway area prior to moving offshore. These fish are generally 50-60cm long. At times there are quite big schools of jacks in the area around the end of the north wall of the Seaway. These fish are hard to target, as they don’t stray far from the rocks. Small live-baits are often effective but don’t let the fish run far with the bait and strike hard when they take. There should also be quite a few small to medium sized mulloway in the Seaway and Jumpinpin entrances with the odd bigger fish emerging. Live pike are one of the deadliest baits to try and account for most of the bigger fish. Deep jigged soft plastics are also effective. The best time to work these areas for mulloway is on the first hour and last hour of the run-in tide. On smaller tides the drift is generally easier to manage. Catching

live pike can be a bit of a challenge. I recommend looking for areas of weed beds surrounded by clean sand in depths of 2-3m, and work small soft plastics or hardbodied minnows around the edges of the weed. Whiting are another good option and it has been a very good season this year. The Pimpama and Nerang rivers have fished well for whiting and worms – yabbies and surface poppers have been effective. If you are after whiting on surface lures, wait for a windy day. This creates a bit of chop and slop in the shallows and small shrimp and prawns have to move away from the wavy edges when the wind is up. At these times the whiting can be quite ferocious. I like to use small stick baits like the

SugaPen and wind the lure quite quickly with a jerky retrieve. This method also catches bream, pike, tailor and trevally. The first of a run-in tide seems to be the best time in the Broadwater, and the top half of the tide works well up the rivers where you can work the mangrove fringes. Mud crabs and sand crabs should be active this month, particularly if we get good rainfall. For sand crabs, work the area between Crab Island and the Aldershots; for mud crabs, it’s hard to go past the Pimpama River or Coombabah Creek. The run-in tide is the best time to try. Overall, April is a great month to fish the Gold Coast and there are plenty of good options to try both in the estuaries and on the offshore grounds.

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April is a fantastic fishing time of year at the Pin with cooler weather, dropping water temperatures, and plenty of fish on offer. There should still be some banana prawns around in the main channel between Jacobs Well and Cabbage Tree Point, the Logan River, and all the way to the top of Macleay Island. These prawns will attract bigger fish like snapper into the Pin area which makes now a great time of year to catch a few. Snapper up to 6kg can be caught using live banana prawns around Karragarra, Rocky Point, Cabbage Tree, Steglietz and Jacobs Well. There is usually the odd threadfin salmon lurking about as well in the mouth of the Logan River to Marks Rocks as they absolutely love a feed of prawns as well. Some of these threadfin are well in excess of 1m and over 10kg so be sure to use the appropriate gear. Bream will be in the thick of it, and as the water temperature

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starts to drop off, the bigger fish will start to feed up in preparation for breeding season. Targeting bream is a fun and relatively easy way to get into fishing and the calm protected waters of the Pin provide a haven for them. This is why they are the most caught fish species – hands down. If you are chasing bream then prawns, squid, worms, yabbies, gut and flesh are the best baits and will almost guarantee a feed. Deeper holes, especially those with structure should hold good schools of bream, and berleying up will improve your chances. Try chasing mulloway on the smaller tides with live mullet, pike or large flesh baits around the deep water of the Pin bar, the Grave or in the Logan. They are not easy to catch and put up a great fight so don’t be discouraged as the fish of a lifetime could be just one more cast away. The flathead season continues to roll on with thumpers to 80cm caught. April should be no exception. I’m mad on trolling for flatties, and there is nothing better than that first hit of the day. Trolling allows me to cover a lot of area in a small space of time and by doing this you can learn where they congregate. I use lures that dive 2-6ft and only work the areas where there is weed and the lure is in contact with the bottom. Try around the back of Mosquito Island, the flats near the Powerlines and the Pandannus weed banks – it won’t be long until you’re hooked on trolling too. If you love a feed of whiting, then arm yourself with some bloodworms, beach worms or yabbies and head out to the sand banks off Rocky Point, Tabby Island, Fishermans Channel, Slipping Sands, the Gold Bank or the Never Fail Islands. There should be tailor about at the Pin bar, with

Piepa Griffiths caught this elbow slapper near Slipping Sands. small schools chasing baitfish. Try using small slugs if you can see the fish feeding or try feeding out an unweighted pilchard into the current and see if they will come to you. Muddies should still be around in good numbers, so try for them around the mangrove lined banks and drop-offs around the top

of the tide. Be sure to keep an eye on your pots and be respectful of other peoples’ property. • Thanks for all your reports and keep those fish coming in. If you’d like any advice or up to date fishing information drop us a line at Gem Bait & Tackle on (07) 3287 3868 or email gembait@tpg.com.au.

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Small to medium snapper should be on the bite wherever the banana prawns are running.

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Longies storm through SOUTHERN BAY

Nabeel Issa

The weather has started to cool down but the fishing remains hot! Apart from all the wind we’ve had, the fishing has been great with plenty to go around. The dreaded southeasterlies have caused havoc – it seems every weekend the winds would pick up to 20 knots. Luckily there have been some breaks lately and anglers have made the most of it with some trophy fish!

SNAPPER Autumn is a great time to target big snapper. A quick look at my fishing log, the majority of my bigger snapper have come from April and May while fishing the deeper artificial reefs. Chase some snapper over the next few months, trust me – it will definitely be worth the time and effort. Anchoring up or drifting close to the structure at Harry Atkinson Artificial Reef is a good way to hook a big red. These areas always fish better when there is less

boat traffic around, so try to get to your spot early or even try for an afternoon/evening trip while everyone else is heading home. If you are unfamiliar with the area, a quick Google search of Harry Atkinson Artificial Reef will put you onto the Department of National Parks website which has all the GPS marks and some good information about the reef itself. There have been hordes of baitfish around lately, so throw a bait jig over the side to get a few live-baits. You will see the bait on your sounder as you drift near the structure, livebaits for snapper can produce some big fish! If you prefer

A perfect example of a bait ball in Moreton Bay. This is what the fish will be carving through – quite often you will see the dark shadows near the surface, just before the water erupts!

Irfan Mohammed with a great sized mulloway caught on a Shads soft plastic. This fish was one of many in a quick session at Peel Island.

Tuna around the 10-15kg size are a lot of fun! Just make sure you leave the light tackle at home, long fights equal sharks!

lures, the 5” ZMan StreakZ in baby bass colour has been a consistent performer in Moreton Bay and I always make sure to keep a packet in the boat! MULLOWAY The mulloway have been around, but unfortunately not in any great numbers. Here

one day and gone the next seems to be the common track! My top tip is to keep a close eye on your sounder to ensure you get your lures down to them. Peel Island Artificial Reef has produced the odd fish for anglers willing to put in the time. Lure selection isn’t critical,

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these are the best giveaway of tuna in the area. The tuna will ball the bait up and then push it to the surface before they feed. The birds have a good view of this so pay close attention to their movements. Always make sure you approach the fish slowly, too fast and you will scare them off. If you take your time, the fish will stay around longer and you will give yourself a better chance of landing a cast among the mayhem. Stickbaits, soft plastics and slugs are all viable options for lures. Some days they prefer one over the other, so mix it up if you are struggling to get the bites. If you get a chance, get out there and look for the tuna! Watching barrel-sized fish chase down a lure sure is exciting! If you catch one, send me a photo through to nabs12@gmail.com and I will do my best to get it into the magazine!

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just be sure to get your lure down to them. Adding a bit of scent to the lure can help entice a bite when they are being stubborn. TUNA I have been having a lot of fun lately chasing these big speedsters around the bay. They are hard to pass up when you see the massive surface strikes, water splashing everywhere and baitfish fleeing for their lives! It’s pure chaos but gets the heart racing! They have slowly worked their way into the southern bay and big schools were around the Tangalooma and Mud Island area but have now moved further south towards Peel Island. The downside to chasing these fish is that they can be frustrating. Some days they will spook very easy and as soon as you get within casting range, they are gone. So what’s the best approach to catch one? Keep an eye out for diving birds,

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Get active this autumn BRISBANE

Gordon Macdonald masterbaitertackle@hotmail.com

After an awesome summer of fishing, crabbing and prawning, it’s sad to see the warmer months behind us. Although the warm, balmy days have declined, April still has plenty on offer for keen anglers. In the coming weeks we will begin to see a change in the prominence of the various species we are lucky enough to have on our angling agendas. Many new species will increase in prominence and become more active within our waters. April still gives anglers a great opportunity to score a feed of crabs and prawns, plus there’s plenty of piscatorial possibilities in the estuaries, rivers and bay. Let’s check out a few of the options to hopefully encourage you to get active and get amongst them. PRAWNS The prawning season kicked off early this year and was in top gear by the full moon in February. My first trip was to the Caboolture River where a mate and I scored a full limit of 20L between us for a few hours of casting. I haven’t done a huge amount of prawning in Southern Queensland and I learnt quite a bit that day on the way the prawns school at various times of the tide, mainly around the changes, and the best ways to locate them using your sounder. We only worked a small area, along with eight or so other boats, but most anglers managed to get their limit of tasty banana prawns in a few hours. Those using the hand-made nets with galvanised chain bottoms seemed to do the best. I was using a 12ft store-bought net and still managed to get plenty of prawns but noticed how much easier and less effort these locally-made nets were to throw. They were a lot lighter than mine and sunk evenly and fairly flat. Most only possessed a top pocket as they were specifically designed for prawns. Although these locally-made (by several different guys) nets are exceptionally good they are generally between $350 and $400, so are only purchased by serious prawners with a good knowledge of the areas they are working. Around the changes of the tide seems to be the best times to locate prawns, however they can be caught at any stage of the tide in some areas. During the periods with smaller tides 36

APRIL 2016

(around the neaps) it seems to be easier to locate and catch prawns in most areas. Good spots to check out during March will include the Pine, Brisbane and Logan rivers as well as the flats out the front of Nudgee, Cleveland and Redland Bay. However, even the smaller systems such as Tingalpa Creek and the various creeks filtering into the Pumicestone Passage and Jumpinpin are worth checking out. Although it is somewhat easier, you do not need a boat to score a good feed of prawns. There are numerous land-based spots along the Brisbane River (such as the Colmslie and Newstead jetties) where you can get a decent haul for your efforts. The numbers of prawns will begin to taper off over the coming weeks so get in now if a feed of these succulent crustaceans is on your mind. SNAPPER Although snapper have been caught in reasonable numbers (and some pretty impressive sizes) right throughout the warmer months, we generally see

areas such as The Harry Atkinson, Mud Island and Peel Island although there’s a huge array of areas that are well worth trying. Green Island, numerous deeper areas around Coochiemudlo and Macleay Islands, the Peel Artificial Reef, Comboyuro Ledge, the Benowa Track grounds plus the numerous wrecks and rubble grounds scattered throughout the bay can all produce some spectacular results. There’s a huge array of lures that work. I believe it is more important to put your offering in the zone and fish it well than it is to have a particular style, colour or brand of lure on the end of your line. Snapper are fairly opportunistic feeders and will pounce on most food items they come across. Obviously this also rings true in relation to baits, with most quality offerings producing results. Although the popular frozen pilchard and squid can produce quality snapper, you’ll have a better chance of bigger fish when using fresh or live offerings. A small live yakka, slimy

Prawns have been thick over the last few months. Jeff scored well over 1kg of these succulent bananas in a single cast. an increase in their numbers as the water temperature starts to drop. Last April was kind to me with decent numbers of quality snapper being caught within the bay on almost every occasion I chased them. Mostly, soft plastics and vibration baits were used, mainly ZMan DieZel MinnowZ, Atomic Prongs and Samaki Thumpertails. These were worked around prominent

mackerel, squid or pike will afford you the best chance, but you can also get good results using fresh strip or fillet baits from pike, mullet, tuna, tailor and the like. Fresh squid, octopus, garfish, prawns and numerous other baits are prime fare. Fish your baits as lightly as possible and rig them straight so that they don’t spin in the current.

If you haven’t got a few spotties in the bay over the last few months you are in the minority of bay anglers, as the fish have been in good numbers. There should still be a few around during April for a last-ditch effort. Many anglers will present a whole banana prawn on a jighead and drift it through likely areas, just off the bottom. At this time of year we generally see a sizeable increase in the amount of juvenile snapper (squire) at various areas of the bay. While these can be annoying, treat these fish with respect and release them quickly as they are the likely to be the big knobbies we will be targeting in years to come. SWEETLIP While targeting snapper you may pick up a few sweetlip, but you’ll improve your catch rates if you specifically target them. Sweetlip like the broken areas of reef and rubble with patches of sand dispersed between them. Also the outer margins of the reef and rubble grounds which have sand and sea grasses fringing them will offer great areas to target sweetlip, mainly grassies. There are many areas that possess this type of ground with the outer margins of Mud, Peel and Green being some of the more popular. Sweetlip will take numerous lures but the larger specimens are much more common on baits. Again, fresh is best, especially as far as fillet baits are concerned. Fish these very lightly weighted with a running ball sinker rig to maximise your chances. Bites can sometimes be timid, especially during the day so be prepared to give these fish a little line as they initially mouth the bait. However, sweetlip are exceptionally strong fighters so be ready to go hard once you strike to set the hook. Being on your chosen spot and anchored at least an hour before dawn is advisable. Often there will be a flurry of activity right around dawn, and then

things will quieten down somewhat with just the occasional looker. A rising tide is generally best for sweetlip in these areas from my experience. BAY PELAGICS Although the mackerel will probably have slowed down a bit by now, there will still be a few about. The surface feeding schools will most likely be broken up by now with the only occasional bust-up sighted. Most mackerel (both school and spotted) will probably be caught on baits and lures meant for other species during April, however specific targeting is still worthwhile. This can include jigging the beacons with chromed slugs and micro jigs, drifting out a pilchard while fishing locations such as the bay islands, the Harry Atkinson and Peel Artificial or trolling deep diving minnow lures along the edges of major flats and channels. Areas where currents converge are also worth targeting. If there are a couple of anglers on board and you hook a mackerel on a floating pilchard, try casting around the same area with chromed slugs and slices while the first fish is being fought, as additional mackerel are often nearby. There should be plenty of mack tuna to be caught during April. Even in early March good numbers were schooling up at locations in the northern bay. However at that time they were very profile-orientated and would eat only tiny offerings, similar to the juvenile frogmouths and whitebait on which they were feeding. By now the bait should be a little larger and the tuna should be more likely to eat a 20-35g chromed slug or even a jerkbait plastic. Mack tuna make great bait, especially when salted

in strips for reef fishing or inshore bream fishing. The smaller mack tuna, frigates and bonito are ideal to rig for offshore troll baits. Sometimes they are just a lot of fun to catch and release on lighter line. Longtail tuna have been abundant so far this year (one of the best seasons for nearly a decade I reckon) but so have the sharks during the warmer months. Although I have managed a few nice longtails to almost 18kg, the sharks have engulfed numerous fish after 20 minutes or so. This is quite annoying, especially when you lose the lure as well. Mostly the sharks have been big bull sharks between 2m and a bit over 3m in length, but the occasional tiger shark has also had a free feed at an angler’s expense. Longtails have been found in all corners of the bay, however areas such as the zone between Mud Island, the Measured Mile and Four Beacons, as well as the northern side of ‘The Paddock’ green zone and Lucinda Bay has been where I have encountered most of mine. The area to the north of Harry Atkinson, Naval Reserve Banks, Hope Banks, Banana Banks and fringes of Peel Island are other spots worth looking. Often there will be only a couple of longtails feeding together, so some thoughtful boat driving and observation of any birds following overhead is often needed to ensure you are on the spot when the money cast needs to be made. Although chromed slugs and slices will tempt longtails (my favourites are the Maria Mucho Lucir 25g and 35g) more anglers are finding success on the larger fish while using stickbaits, jerkshad plastics, poppers and sliders. Hopefully by now

the cooling waters have decreased the abundance and aggressiveness of the shark population to some degree, so we may be able to get a few more of these sashimi torpedoes to the boat. On lighter tackle (6-10kg) longtails are an extremely tough adversary. Many anglers fish 15kg or heavier to give themselves the best chance of landing larger fish. Generally these tuna are in good enough condition for release, which they often aren’t after prolonged (generally more than an hour) fights on lighter tackle. Live baiting around the beacons and areas where currents converge (like Shark Spit) will often reward with a trophy longtail better than 15kg. Slimy mackerel, yakkas, pike and numerous other live baits will produce the goods when fished mid water or closer to the surface suspended beneath a float. Circle hooks on 50-80lb fluorocarbon leaders are recommended. Mack tuna, mackerel, cobia and several others are likely to smash live baits in many areas. BRISBANE RIVER Already some quality snapper have been taken in the Brisbane River. These have engulfed small live baits (poddy mullet, herring

and prawns) and smashed numerous lures including plastics, vibration baits,

blades and occasionally trolled minnow lures. Good places to try include Claras

There should be increasing numbers of decent quality snapper around over the next few months. Josie subdued this nice table fish on her little pink rod and a strip of salted mac tuna recently.

Rocks, the Sunken Wall, rock retaining wall at the river mouth, the Caltex reach, the front of most prominent jetties and along the edges of the declines into the main river basin, especially around the Oil Pipeline. A few have even been taken by land-based anglers, mainly on small soft plastics and numerous baits fished along the rock walls and jetties. With the increase in prawn numbers within the river over the last few months, threadfin have been fairly active, often moving up and down the river with the tidal movement, following the prawn schools. Anglers fishing from the shore have been regularly scoring on these amazing sportfish, especially those fishing live baits. These have been caught right along the river’s length, however because a large proportion of anglers are fishing locations such as the Colmslie Jetty, Newstead jetty and beneath the Gateway Bridge, most of the land-based reports have come from these locations. If you own a cast net, bait is generally fairly easy to obtain on-site at these locations. Boating anglers have had a greater array of locations to soak baits

and work lures. Most have fished the lower reaches downriver from the Gateway Bridge, generally using side imaging sounders to locate their target species before casting. Threadies will generally inhabit the same locations as snapper, however large schools can often be found mid-water or amongst the pylons of the larger jetties. In addition, species such as estuary cod, flathead, bream, sharks and mulloway will be caught within the Brisbane River during April. CONCLUSION April offers plenty of opportunities for anglers and it is one of those months where a surprising array

of species can be taken. The prominent warmer water species can still be hanging around, and the cooler water species such as mulloway, tailor and snapper are already making their presence known. A good array of both pelagics and demersal species abound in both the bay and offshore waters. Cooler water and air temperatures, a good array of options and school holidays make April an amazing month to get the family out on the water in the boat or to a good land-based location to soak a line. A broad array of species will be active in April and you should be too.

Longtails are tough adversaries on lighter tackle, especially when foul hooked!

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Offshore Brisbane pelagic options are swell BRISBANE OFFSHORE

John Gooding

The past four to five weeks have again served up fairly average weather here in the South East corner with some big seas coming off the pair of cyclones out in the Coral Sea. We’d manage to sneak a few charters in, we has good solid catches of squire and mahimahi. The last few trips we did, we saw some nice quality squire in the 2-5kg range get boated. Squire numbers have eased a little out in the deeper water after the New Year, but it looks like their numbers are on the rise heading into the cooler months. From all reports, Spanish mackerel have been very hit and miss, but it’s still not too late to have a solid run just after Easter and into May. I’ll be doing a bit of mackerel fishing down off the Gold Coast in the next few weeks, so I’m hoping their numbers pick up. We’ve had a couple of

short sessions trolling highspeeds in the Point Lookout area, and both mac tuna and sharks were plentiful and losing gear and coming in with heads was common. Late March and early

April usually sees large wahoo move into the Point Lookout area, so it’s well worth dragging some hardbodies or skirted lures around, especially on the tide changes.

Slow trolling live baits such as large slimy mackerel or small mac tuna can also be very effective on large wahoo, usually in excess of 20kg. When you chase this size fish, make

sure your gear is in good shape, as smooth drags are paramount. As I mentioned last month, the shallow reefs around Point Lookout fish well for mixed reefies at this time of year, and fresh strip bait such as mullet, tailor or squid will do the trick. The channels on the South Passage Bar have changed around a lot lately, so have a good look before

you go charging out. The middle channels have moved around a little and the northern entrance is virtually right on the beach, so take plenty of care. • Until next month, enjoy your fishing, take care on the coastal bars and if you’d like to join me on charter (max. 8 persons) give me a call on 07 3822 9527 or 0418 738 750 or visit my new website www. outlawcharters.com.au.

A nice mahimahi all lit up after it came aboard.

Darcy Milburn caught this juvenile snapper in Moreton Bay. It was originally mistaken for a small bream!

A quality snapper that couldn’t resist a strip of tailor.

APRIL 2016

A solid amberjack that gave this angler a workout!

Bream play a numbers game NORTHERN BAY

Grayson Fong graysonfong@bigpond.com

What a weather rollercoaster we have had over the last month! The weather gods have thrown the full works at all anglers over the South East region. I would like to say we get some reprieve in the northern bay but being an east-facing fishery, we have little to no protection from the southerly onslaught we have encountered.

been chomping at the bit to take advantage of any breaks in the weather. BREAM With the abundance of prawns through the Pine and Caboolture rivers, bream catches have been plentiful but many anglers have come to the consensus that finding sized fish has been the issue. During the last month, QFM’s own Will Lee and I took the time out to tag some small bream through the Deception Bay and Scarborough area to help research the growth

Will Lee with a tidy Scarborough foreshore flathead. There is some joy though, as the southerly winds we have been experiencing have kept good numbers of bait schools around the Redcliffe Peninsula and at the mouths of our major rivers, the Pine, Caboolture and Pumicestone. Combined with the dregs of our annual prawn run, fishing has been quite fruitful for the over-eager anglers that have

and travel of bream in the area and therefore help keep our waterways abundant with good stocks. During our session we tagged over a dozen small bream around the 25-28cm tip length caught on a combination of ZMan Slim SwimZ and Daiwa Presso Mid Cranks. Hopefully many anglers will get the chance to catch

these tagged fish and provide us with vital information on the behaviour of bream on the peninsula. With water temperatures slowly getting cooler, bream have been found in shallower waters over the last month using lightly weighted soft plastics, shallow running hardbody lures or unweighted baits around open structure. Areas of interest include Cooks Rocks, the mouth of Burpengary Creek, North Reef, Queens Beach, The Wells, lower reaches of the Pine River around Bald Hills Creek and Brighton foreshore. FLATHEAD Flathead numbers have steadily climbed and all signs are pointing to a nice flathead season. Soft plastics and slender shad style lures have been the recipe for success with bright or UV embellished colours attracting more than a few bites, especially in darker waters. ZMan 3.5” GrubZ, 2.5” Slim SwimZ, Daiwa Silver Wolf Shad 40SP and Atomic Shiner 45s have been successful combatants recently with a hop-hoppause retrieve working well with soft plastics and in contrast a slow roll with the occasional pause works wonders with hardbody lures. Areas of interest include Donnybrook Flats, drop-offs between Bribie Bridge and Sylvan Beach, Scarborough foreshore, beneath the Ted Smout Bridge and at the mouth of the Cabbage Tree Creek. JUVENILE SNAPPER Southerly winds have helped juvenile snapper numbers, due to the presence of baitfish schools around the northern end of the Redcliffe Peninsula and the mouth of the Brisbane River. Fresh baits and soft plastics have been the popular choice among anglers, with pre-dawn hours accounting for many of the catches in these areas. Having a good sounder with GPS on your boat is imperative to catch snapper as not only can keep an eye out for bait schools and schooling fish, but you can also follow drift tracks via GPS – especially when you have a successful drift. SAND AND MUD CRABS Good numbers have still

been rolling in for each of these crustaceans, and short doses of rain have been very beneficial to the cause. Sand crab catches are still reported in the Pumicestone, with the main passage showing the most success. Deception Bay has worked well due to the southeasterly winds sweeping around the Peninsula with Bramble Bay being better during the cooler westerly winds. The flushing rains have helped mud crab catches with many anglers targeting little freshwater run offs and tiny creek mouths to great success. Both the Caboolture and the Pine rivers have been working better for muddies in the upper reaches. TIP OF THE MONTH As the cooler weather slowly begins, it’s often a great time to do a spot of night fishing in your local estuary or inshore waters. Before you venture out, be sure to take a little time to check the working order of your navigation (red and green) and anchor light (white). Not only is it for your own safety when anchored up or drifting through your favourite spot, it helps fellow anglers when navigating through tighter waterways to avoid unnecessary collisions on the water. Happy fishing!

David Simmons enjoying the spoils of the good weather!

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Seize the moment now CALOUNDRA

Damian Parker dpfishingmonthly@hotmail.com

The Sunshine Coast weather turned it up for a blowy end to summer but this unfortunately limits our ability to venture offshore. The few days we actually did manage proved highly successful. The fish were hungry and on the chew hitting just about any lure or bait we submerged. Spanish and spotted mackerel are in plague proportion through the Caloundra reefs and up to and beyond the Barwon Banks.

tuna and billfish out on the wider reefs off the Barwon Banks, Caloundra and Hutchinson Shoals. Pinnacles and wrecks hold good supplies of baitfish and these locations are a haven for large pelagics, such as yellowtail kingfish and amberjack. Don’t go to battle with light tackle as these brutes will fight until they’re in the boat. My outfit consists of a Shimano T-Curve deep jig with Shimano 12000D baitrunner loaded with 80lb braid and 100lb leader (no less). For bait there are plenty of other reef species about, such as snapper, pearl perch, parrot and sweetlip across the reefs.

around after dark you will definitely improve your chance of nailing a hardhitting mangrove jack. Chopper tailor should be about over the next couple of months, and the Caloundra Boardwalk is a productive spot to fish from. Casting 20-30g metal slugs across the inlet and bar area is a proven method for a chopper hit. Just be careful as to who is behind or beside you when casting any type of fishing rig as accidents can occur. There have been a few flathead landed about the coast on yabbies and fresh prawns. Always choose your bait carefully if buying from tackle stores or service

Dave with a ripper wahoo caught at Barwon Banks. help you identify the gutters and channels so you can cast your offering right in front of the fish’s nose. Whole ganged pilchards, pipis, prawns or strip baits are proven winners on the surf scene, but the odd metal slug or lure casted way beyond the wave break and retrieved at high speed will prove rewarding also. As always, be very careful when fishing anywhere near

surf or rock ledges and never turn your back of the ocean. Beach fishing is a great way to involve your family and teach your children the basics of fishing. This month try and organise your offshore fishing trips in the cooler parts of the day, mornings are always best for pelagic fishing or if reef fishing, sunrise and sunset combined with tide changes will

be the most productive combination. The weather should start to cool down through the day in April so we may be able to get a few more hours out of our fishing trips. Sun cancer is a serious concern to us all so please remember to ‘slip, slop, slap.’ Check your almanac for best fishing times – but hey, if the stars don’t align get out there regardless and seize the moment!

Phil with a yellowtail kingfish caught at Caloundra wide. Good catches have been recorded at the Gneering Shoals and Murphys Reef on a mixture of dead baits and hardbodies. Our not-so-friendly resident sharks are still proving a nuisance. My advice is to up your line class, lock the drag and wind like mad! Water temperature is well above 26ºC and will continue for the next month or two. Most of my Spanish have weighed in around 10-15kg, but as we move into April/May expect to hook up to larger models. The best times to target mackerel is first light and around the new and full moon phases. There are still plenty of wahoo, mahimahi,

So if they’re not biting on the troll, hit the bottom. Offshore is really firing – seize the moment! The estuaries house quality bream, mangrove jack and mullet at the moment. Over the last month I have targeted the canal systems from Kawana through to Mooloolaba and my efforts have been well rewarded. As with any type of fishing, tidal and moon times are paramount whether you’re fishing 50km offshore or in your local estuaries. Military Jetty and around the Pelican Waters Bridge are absolute hot spots around the tide changes, and most effective at first light or sunset. If you’re keen enough to hang

stations, and make sure the bait is fresh. Get yourself a yabby pump and cast net and take the time to gather as much live bait as you can. Once you get the hang of bait collecting you’ll reap the rewards. If bait is not your thing, then there are thousands of soft plastics and lures to choose from and if fished correctly can prove just as well, if not better than bait. At the end of the day do whatever works best for you. The beach scene has been far more productive with quality flathead, bream, whiting and dart working through the wave breaks. Invest in a good pair of polarised glasses to

Isaac with a night mangrove jack.

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Reef it up offshore! NOOSA

Peter Wells

Pelagics has been high on the agenda for most offshore anglers. One particular reef that has been fishing extremely well lately is North Reef off Noosa. With a great variety of fish like yellowfin tuna, big Spanish mackerel and wahoo hanging around, it’s not hard to understand why! REEFS On the bottom, snapper, mulloway, pearl perch, cobia and many more have emerged. If you’re chasing a feed of mackerel, the best way to find them is with a trolled hardbody

to be worried about when fishing wide of Double Island. Firstly, the currents can be a bit relentless and secondly, the taxman has been more than willing to take a few red fish off the end of your line! The Banks is another area that anglers have done well at over the past couple of weeks with gold band snapper, cobia, Moses perch, pearl perch and amberjack all on the chew. For the angler that isn’t comfortable heading out wide, Sunshine Reef has fished well for coral trout, juvenile snapper, sweetlip and Maori cod. Live baits or a well-presented pilchard allowed to drift down onto the reef is your best chance to get a trout or two.

just out of the current line waiting to devour passing baitfish. There’s usually a nice common gutter along the start of Noosa’s north shore just near the river mouth. Take the first beach exit onto Northshore Beach and drive back towards the mouth. Tailor should be making their way north and that particular spot has been good to fish in the past. RIVERS Noosa River has produced great results in the early morning sessions. Trevally have been hot on the bite, and anglers get among the action in Woods Bays. Surface poppers have worked well on sun up, in particular the River2Sea Baby Bell. Tailor have come into the river system,

Chris Walter, Gavin Watts and Bruce Waldron with a few of the Spanish mackerel they boated on their latest trip to Chardons Reef. lure. Mix up the colours to see what’s working on the day. Usually the old red and pilchard colours are the first to go over the side. Trolling around 6-8 knots is ideal and allows you to cover ground. Make sure you keep an eye on your sounder for anything that looks promising on the bottom to come back and fish. Fishing the wide grounds of Double Island Point has been very rewarding for anglers, with anything on the cards with mackerel, mahimahi, big pearl perch, snapper, mulloway, amberjack, red emperor and many more coming out to play. There are only a couple of things

BEACHES On the beaches, the Easter holidays are a great time of the year to dust off the camping gear, give the old tackle box a once over, and head up the beach. Noosa north shore is a great option to take the family, even if you don’t own a 4WD there’s still a nice place to camp without having to drive out onto the beach. One spot that fishes well year in year out is the stretch along Teewah Beach. Try and spot gutters with a good entry point and exit as this will bring the better quality fish in. Spend some time throwing out on those entry and exit points as the fish tend to hang around these areas

and the mouth is the place to be. Pilchards rigged on a set of gangs are one of the most effective ways to target them. Further upriver, the Gympie Terrace stretch has fished well for good legal-size bream on prawns and worms. Tarpon have been active at night around the Harbor Town Marina and the Squidgy Prawn soft plastics have been effective. In the Maroochy River, trevally have been in good numbers around the motorway bridge with anglers getting good success on live baits. Prawns have been relatively thick in the river over the last month – head to the Bli-Bli Islands for your best shot.

Daniel Penny won the $50 Davo’s Fish of the Week prize with this mangrove jack that he caught and released on a Noosa River Fishing Safari. The stretch from Coolum Creek to Dunethin Rock has fished well for flathead and mulloway on the run-out tide. When fishing this stretch, concentrate your fishing out the front of drain and creek mouths. April is probably your last chance to get a good feed of muddies and blue swimmers. Put your pots in up towards the mouth and the front of Petrie and Eudlo creeks. The Mooloolah River has fished very well for trevally, bream, mangrove jack and queenfish. Concentrate around the change of the tides, in particular the last of the run-out to the start of the run-in. Spend a little time searching for bait shows on your sounder before

fishing a well-worked surface walker or popper to produce a vast array of fish. Early morning and late in the evening is definitely the key to success when targeting fish on the surface – always change up your retrieve until you find what works. Bream have been on the bite and have started to gather among the bridge pylons. Light leaders and smaller size hooks and sinkers are needed to fool the fish into a bite; a little bit of berley never goes astray. In the fresh water, Lake Borumba is the perfect place to chase some saratoga before water temperatures drop and they become less active. Walkthe-dog surface lures like

the Cultiva Zip’n Ziggy or Megabass Dog X Junior are great surface options in the early morning and can result in some very exciting visual hook-ups. Most of the bass seem to come from the timber and slow rolling soft plastics or hopping blades have produced the goods. Tail spinners are another good option and can sometimes entice the fish when they won’t bite on anything else. • For all the latest information log onto www. fishingnoosa.com.au. Drop into Davo’s Tackle world Noosa or Davo’s Northshore Bait & Tackle at Marcoola to find out where the fish are biting, and remember tight lines and bent spines!

Molly Harvey from Mudjimba with a nice mahimahi from a recent Trekka 2 charter to Double Island Point.

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News

How many bass are in lake Samsonvale? SUNTAG

Stefan Sawynok

If that sounds like the kind of philosophical question asked by fishers forever, you would be right. Most of the time it’s the question that gets asked when things aren’t going well and often with swear words. Still, it’s an important question when you are stocking fish. This is a question that has vexed me ever since I first attended a meeting of the Pine Rivers Fish Management Association (PRFMA) to talk tagging data. At that first meeting, it was clear that the tagging data told a story without being clear on exactly what that story was. I felt as though we should be able to have a much better idea of what the state of the fishery was with the data we had. It seemed like the kind of problem that would be particularly difficult to attack. That would prove to be the case, as a number of key stumbling blocks lay in the road, not least the lack of a method to assess the data. A bit over 12 months later and with a bit of creative thinking we came up with the method and once that hurdle was overcome we realised we were pretty close to be able to give a reasonable answer that will get better in the coming years. More than that, we can predict what the effect will be of different stocking levels over time and even what the likely actual costs of stocked fish are. Before that we are best off starting at the beginning. BACKGROUND ON LAKE SAMSONVALE Lake Samsonvale is located around an hour north of Brisbane, it’s around 22 square kilometers in surface area and has probably the most complicated access rules going. Fishing is generally

restricted to the remnants of the North Pine River and access requires a permit from the Pine Rivers Fish Management Association (PRFMA). There are periodic monitoring events in the main impoundment as well and the PRFMA have conducted tagging over a long period of time. Like many impoundments, the water levels have been variable over the past decade from lows in the mid 2000s to regularly near full in recent years. While most recaptured fish are recaptured in the impoundment, in 2010 the impoundment overtopped and for a time the fishing was pretty special in the North and South Pine rivers. Catch rates in the impoundment are excellent, with taggers getting between 10-14 fish per day per person in the past three years. That is pretty consistent with the results reported by the general fishing community. Between 0.5-1 fish per fisher is kept, so the harvest rate is low, but still significant. Thanks to the PRFMA, the catch data in the impoundment is among the best in the state. In September last year, there was a monitoring event sponsored by Insight Genesis. With nearly 1000 fish caught on the first day and less than 40 people fishing, it was pretty amazing stuff. It also shows that while the catch rate is great in the area available to fishers, there are still plenty more Australian Bass available in the main part of the impoundment. HOW LONG DO FISH LIVE IN IMPOUNDMENTS? This might seem like an unconnected question, but as it turns out, it’s the figure that makes it possible to calculate how many fish are in the impoundment. One of the advantages of long term tagging programs is you can

see things that happen in a fishery over a long period of time. When that is applied to bodies of water that are for the most part land locked you can get a sense of the dynamics of a population. As it turns out, Lake Samsonvale is not ideal to determine this question, as tagging has been interrupted by drought and times where the water levels were too low to fish. There are three other impoundments for bass where we do have really good data. As fish are not tagged when they are stocked (they are too small) we don’t have an actual age of fish but we can detect how long fish are in the system. We can still calculate an approximate upper age based on the data we have. While there are likely individuals that live longer than the standard age, they represent such a small percentage of the population as to be near enough to zero. This opens up some interesting questions, such as should brood stock for the impoundment be taken from longer living fish? HOW FAST DO BASS GROW? This is not required to answer the question of how many fish are in the impoundment, but it does play a part in the story. What we find in Lake Samsonvale is that growth is highly variable. This could well be indicative of the variable conditions we see in terms of impoundment levels, but there could be other factors. Growth rates do affect fingerlings though, the faster they grow, the more likely they are to avoid predation. Equally, the faster they grow, the more likely they are to be able to compete for food. There were 307 recaptured where the fish were out for 90 days or more and had positive growth. Growth appears to have been highly variable with a wide

range of growth, however figure research indicates that most growth rates were between 0-60mm/year.

10% per year higher than in Lake Somerset (20%) and the environment at Lake Samsonvale is closer to

This, however, is only part of the equation. Not all fish released survive. In fact, in wild populations, the survival

Catch Rates in Lake Samsonvale. HOW DOES KNOWING HOW LONG FISH LIVE HELP? In the process of working out how long fish live, we also calculated an annual

Lake Moogerah. As such the rate of decline in numbers is around 30% per year, that is each year 30% of the stocks for a given stocking year are lost to the system.

rates on spawned fish can be less than one percent, which is why some species breed in huge numbers. In the case of an impoundment, the

SURVIVAL ESTIMATIONS SCENARIO Fingerling survival year 1 Annual reduction in tags Escapees (dam overtopped) mortality rate. This is the rate at which fish exit the system, through natural mortality, disease, predation or harvest. In the case of all three sites, this data was remarkably consistent and while we can’t say for sure just how many fish are harvested for example, we know as they age how many survive year on year from stocking events. The rate of decline in Lake Moogerah and Lake Boondooma were around

WORST MIDDLE BEST 6% 12% 15% 50% 30% 20% 75% 50% 30% SURVIVAL ESTIMATION: MIDDLE SCENARIO IF 100,000 bass are stocked 12% SURVIVE = 12,000 YEAR 1 30% DIE PER YEAR SO YEAR 2 = 8,400 YEAR 5 = 2,880 YEAR 10 = 480

HOW MANY FISH ARE STOCKED EACH YEAR? PRFMA keep really good records, so we know how many fish are stocked. The number stocked is variable depending on the amount of SIP funding available.

fingerlings released have one big advantage over wild born bass in that they are grown out to 50mm at the hatchery. This means they can look after themselves to some degree. Having said To page 44

11-50 Fish 51-99 Fish 100-999 Fish 1000+ Fish <10 Fish Key: Left: Tagging effort in Lake Samsonvale. Right: Australian bass caught in the North and South Pine rivers in 2010. APRIL 2016

News From page 43

that, the survival rate of bass on release plays a pretty big role. This is because the first year is the one where there is the highest rate of mortality. Experimental work undertaken by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries estimated an adjusted mean recapture rate of 6% for bass released into a number of impoundments. The real world data in terms of catch rates, however, indicates that the survival rate may be higher in Lake Samsonvale. Analysis of fishing records also shows a spike in the catch rates of bass in the region of release sites around release times, which has increased over time since 2010. This indicates that bass are not averse to snacking on the kids. Add to that other species such as spangled perch and even tilapia that are quite aggressive and found near sites where fingerlings will find shelter, and there are good reasons why the survival rate is not high. Here is a simple scenario that demonstrates how many bass survive from a stocking using a middle of the road set of assumptions but also assuming no loss due to overtopping of the impoundment.

SO HOW MANY BASS IN LAKE SAMSONVALE? This is the first time an assessment has been made of the number of Bass in the lake based on stocking and tagging records. With each stocking, there were three estimates made of the survival rate of stocked bass. In terms of the results from monitoring and events like the Insight Genesis 1000, we believe it’s likely the actual numbers of bass in Samsonvale are somewhere between middle and best case scenario. Further monitoring work will refine our understanding. HOW MUCH DOES A BASS COST? While we can’t publish the specifics of spend by PRFMA, we have done calculations based on their internal costs and given that fishers target and successfully catch mostly fish around the 5-year-old mark, that is the benchmark used. In this case, each bass that survive to that age work out at around $5-8. To understand that calculation, using an assumed fingerling price of around $30c/fingerling and using the scenario from above, the cost for all fingerlings from the hatchery (100,000) = $30,000. The actual cost =

GOLD COAST (SOUTH) 12% (survival rate year 1) = $2.5 per fish that survives. Year 2 (8,400 survive) = $3.57 per fish that survive. Year 5 (2,880 survive) = $10.41 per fish that survive. In reality, that figure is high as these are just basic assumptions, but this makes the calculation easy enough to understand. This process is in its early days and there is a bunch more work to do, but we have a lot of thanks to give to those groups that made this possible. A big thank you to the PRFMA, whose efforts in collecting data have been second to none and they have been very willing to share data and. Lake Sommerset is a great place to fish and is very attractive as well. For more details on fishing Lake Samsonvale, go to the PRFMA website – www.prfma.com.au. A big thank you to Insight Genesis as well who made the monitoring event in 2015 possible. Thank you also to Hanwood Hatchery for providing a lot of insights on the process of supplying bass fingerlings. The people out there were very patient and put up with endless questions. WHAT DO YOU THINK? You can provide your thoughts on bass in

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Growth of bass in Lake Samsonvale.

Annual growth (mm) of bass in Lake Samsonvale. 44

APRIL 2016

Impoundments. Is there a question or issue that you would like us to look at? Send questions to suntag@ info-fish.net and we will do our best to provide an answer. DATA SOURCES USED IN THIS ARTICLE Tag and catch records from http://qld.info-fish.net 1985 to 2015. Fishing records provided courtesy of PRFMA. “Impoundment stocking strategies for Australian native Australia: With an assessment of the value of scales as tags for stocked Barramundi” Michael Hutchison, Thomas Gallagher, Keith Chilcott, Robert Simpson, Glynn Aland and Michelle Sellin – FRDC Project No 98/221 (2006).

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Fingers-crossed for settled conditions in April barramundi has been enticed from some of the local creeks through the straits. Flathead have been caught in good numbers around the mouth of Teebar Creek – soft plastics and unweighted pilchards have been their undoing. Although the month of April has a reputation for

RAINBOW BEACH

Ed Falconer

The weather gods haven’t been too kind in the past month with strong winds and swell dominating reports. We managed only a couple of offshore trips and I don’t believe many other boats got wet either. OFFSHORE We fished a couple of windows in the weather last month and the reef fishing is still very good. The main species that were on the chew were pearl perch, Maori cod and lots of parrot, hussar and Moses perch. Some quality spangled emperor and amberjack also made a welcome appearance. The

being unsettled, last year the weather was really good and the fishing was on fire. Fingers crossed! • To enjoy a day on the water with Keely Rose Fishing Charters phone Ed Falconer 0407 146 151 or visit www. keelyrosefishingcharters .com.au.

Some big spangles came to the party last month.

It has almost been too easy to get a box full of tuskfish lately!

spotted mackerel are still proving fairly patchy and only randomly popping up among surface bait balls. Spanish mackerel have been a little more consistent, hanging on certain reef structure and hitting live yakkas and trolled garfish baits. ON THE BEACH Middle Rock has produced some nice big sea bream and some cracking dart. There have been good whiting catches around the lagoon, and down at Double Island Point. The rest of the beach heading north is quite flat due to persistent winds that have lashed the stretch of coast, and not many gutters have formed as a result. This should all improve as we head into the cooler months. GREAT SANDY STRAITS Mangrove jack have been an excellent target with perfect conditions of hot, steamy weather. Even the odd

Josh Hultgren caught these black spot tuskies (8kg and 11kg) at Hervey Bay on crabs using a handline.

Put some grunt into it! HERVEY BAY

Scott Bradley marlin81@bigpond.com

With such a hot and sticky start to the year, let’s hope the weather starts to cool down a bit soon! The fishing has been as hot as the weather, and our local reefs, creeks and estuaries have fired up. IN THE BAY The Arty, Bagimba, Moon Ledge, McKenzies and the many scattered shallow reefs inside Moon Point will continue to fish well for a host of reef fish as we head into autumn. Mixed bags of parrot, cod, blackall, squire, coral bream and coral trout have made up the bulk of the catch on a mixture of live and cut baits, plastics and jigs. 46

APRIL 2016

You don’t have to fish deep water for success, and finding patches of ground not often fished is a better option than fishing among all the other boats at betterknown locations. UP THE CREEKS The creeks have been a better option with all the wind we have had recently and anglers in the know have had plenty to keep them entertained with good numbers of threadfin salmon, cod, grunter and barra on plastics and hardbodies. Baitfishing in the lower reaches adds more species to the list with good catches of flathead, bream and whiting and the occasional catfish to keep anglers busy. Crabs are still about in decent numbers, and there have been a few prawns on the move so don’t forget the cast net!

ON THE FLATS The flats just keep getting better with some truly amazing flathead sessions over the past month. Fish in the 45-65cm range have been found all over. Small hardbodies fished around structure on the incoming tide has worked wonders. During a 20 minute hot bite the other day I couldn’t get a lure back to my feet without getting a strike – this is truly amazing fishing. Among all the flathead there has been bream, tarwhine, cod, trevally, queenfish and grunter hitting lures, which makes for some epic flats sessions. My go-to lure is the shallow Predateck MinMins in natural colours with the rainbow trout profile a star performer. Fish them over rock bars and weed beds and work the edges of bait schools to get into the action.

Grunter have been a common catch on the flats lately.

A guide to Hervey Bay baits FRASER COAST

Phil James p_j_james@bigpond.com

It’s no secret that the most dramatic development in angling over a number of decades has been the creation of a seemingly endless variety of artificials. This should not be news to any of our readers as they are most likely ardent users of at least some lures. Successful as they might be, there are still lots of situations where fresh baits just can’t be beaten. This month I’d like to take a look at baits that are easily collected or caught by the angler. The time spent collecting can be as enjoyable as the fishing itself. In this column I will restrict myself to the beaches of Fraser Island and the sheltered waters

most successful baits are pipis and beach worms. The only island fish that isn’t partial to either of these is tailor. Along the

hole at one end, and a crack with the pipi near the surface. When pipi mounds are spotted it is easy to dig them out by hand or with a

A sea worm emerges to eat the bait, now is the time to strike!

A pipi mound with a small collection of pipis. These are fantastic baits!

Fish slurp up sea worms like kids eat Allens snakes! of Hervey Bay and Sandy Straits. PIPIS When selecting bait for a particular fish, the best plan is to look to match the natural food source as far as possible. This applies particularly to the beaches of the island (Wongs or Eugarie), where the two

regularly. One my pet hates is to see buckets of pipis going rotten for want of proper attention. There is a bag limit of 50 for pipis.

eastern beach, pipis may be either buried in the damp sand at about half-tide level, or lower down in the wash of the waves. As vehicles travel along the firm, half-tide beach, pipis respond to the stimulus and move towards the surface. You will see a pipi mound emerge, often with a small

piece of PVC pipe cut at an angle to simulate a shovel. If they cannot be spotted on the high beach there is a fair chance that they will be down in the wash. Pipis can be kept for a few days in buckets or shallow trays of seawater. They must be kept cool, out of the sun, and have the water changed

SEA WORMS Sea worms are plentiful along Fraser’s eastern beach and sections of the western beach. Catching them is a skill that not everyone develops to a high degree. Even with the basics explained, eventual success takes hours of practice with little reward. The best plan is to find people worming and ask if you can watch what they are doing. Most will be happy to oblige and most will explain what is going on. However don’t waste time with someone who knows little about what they are doing. You will only be led up the garden path. The most common mistake that learners make is not putting their fingers down far enough, away from the very sensitive nerves around

the worm’s head, before securely putting pressure on its body. Good wormers have their own individual methods. I have had the pleasure of teaching many of the younger members of our family my own particular method. Now their techniques bear not the slightest resemblance to mine, and they catch more worms! Sea worms have

a bag limit of 30 whole worms or parts thereof. Occasionally schools of anchovy, white and blue pilchards come in close enough to be cast netted. Often in their attempts to escape predators they will wash up onto the beach. These are the easy pickings. These baitfish are great to target bream and flathead on the ocean beach.

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Barra are still boofing ROCKHAMPTON

Clayton Nicholls clay94_fishing@live.com.au

All the rain and run-off events, although less than previous years, have significantly helped the newly recruited fish stocks to move up into the freshwater and there has been a massive boom in bait. A lot of this rain did come late February to mid-March from the monsoonal low,

at the city reaches all the way down to the Devil’s Elbow, but the bigger ones have been more common down the Port, Narrows and Thomsons Point areas. As is usual at this time of year, a lot of the barra are captured moving up into the areas they can’t normally get to on low. Many of the land-based anglers have choosen to run live mullet for their barra which is a very effective bait. They commonly pick up threadies and sharks

trolled in 6-8ft of water. The diving sizes that have worked are anything between 2-5ft. Generally the lures are placed 20-30m behind the boat and trolled at around 4 knots. If there are two people in a boat while trolling the second person can be up on the casting deck if they desire, casting lures into the structure on the banks. Some very good fish have been pulled using this technique with hardbody vibes.

James ‘Fishguts’ Cornish smacked this nice jack out of his Mantra Kayak.

The author took his first flathead on fly! ex-cyclone, and it was a welcome relief not to be belted by one this year! FITZROY AND THE NARROWS The river has fished well with plenty of barra in the 70cm+ range pulled in, and many anglers smashing meter mark barra. There were even reports of a few 130cm+ fish! A lot of the fish have been pulled in

with this method. The barra and threadfin are certainly high in population at the moment and this will continue, however you will find them in different areas once the weather get colder, as the fish move a little deeper and get a bit doughy. Barra have taken vibrant coloured lures such as yellow and chartreuse

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RIVERS, CREEKS AND THE BEACHES The local creeks leading into the river are still trickling with fresh water run-off, and finding the areas where this water meets the tidal saltwater makes for brilliant fishing. A variety of species can be found in these areas but the most common is barramundi. Flick around smaller 5-7cm hardbody lures and live bait to productively fish these areas. Many of the fish are smaller barra trying to push up into the fresh to get to the plentiful supply of baitfish and grow, however there are quite a few large specimens around that can be gone as quick as they hit the lure. Along with all the barra trying to push up, many other saltwater species such as bream and flathead will still be readily available to target at the back of the saltwater creeks. FRESHWATER LAGOONS The recent rains have been fantastic for the freshwater lagoons and creeks like the Wool Wash, Frogmore and Headlow areas, however the most common areas such as the

Trent McKinlay pulled in this nice 112cm barra. bridges have been heavily fished and are not holding as many fish as is normal after rains. Take a walk along the sides and have a crack at the lilies and fallen

trees, especially with small plastics and hardbodies. I found sx-40s, Pointer 48s and 3” ZMan Grubz do a great amount of damage as they closely matched

the smaller bait hanging in these areas. The fish have been more open to taking poppers this year than in previous years, which is likely due to the increase in moths and other insects around the area. Use a slow continuous twitch to work these lures effectively. The amount of bugs is likely due to the rain kickstarting all the vegetation. Some viable options for this kind of fishing include Lucky Craft G-Splash, R2S Bubble Pop and Kato Karnage micro poppers. CRABBING Crabbing is pretty good at the moment with lots of anglers catching a heap of bucks at the Port, Narrows and Coorooman with many reports of at least six crabs a trip per person on the boat. A good old pack of tweed mullet heads will do the trick. The crabs are predicted to be active like this for at least the next month, especially if the little patches of rain continue and the trickles of fresh keep coming into the river. Remember – fish light, get the bite!

Connor Duffy with a big boofer of a barramundi.

Monduran barra give you bang for your buck! LAKE MONDURAN

Rob Howell

March brought on typical wet season weather patterns and a significant amount of rainfall throughout the region. As a result the water level on the lake has gone from 90% up to 98%, with a total rise of about 1.2m in height. The recent rise in water level has created a section of water among the weed where barra can now roam and hunt baitfish, which in turn has opened up opportunities for some exciting top water fishing options. The ZMan range of soft plastics is perfect for this situation. The Hard

Leg FrogZ, Pop FrogZ and Pop ShadZ rigged with TT 6/0 Chinlock weedless jigheads should prove to be successful in the coming months. April and May are traditionally some of the most exciting and successful months throughout the season to target barramundi. As the weather cools down leading into winter, barra tend to feed more aggressively to gain much needed weight and see them through the colder months. As they get feistier it’s essential to have appropriate mainline and leader. As a minimum you need 30-40lb braid for your mainline and 60-80lb monofilament for your leader. If you fish

lighter you are putting yourself at risk of a lost fish. Impoundment barra are not leader shy, so you are better off going a little bit heavier in line class to maximise your chance of boating a fish. Over the next couple of months we normally see winds from the southwest, south and southeast. These are good wind directions, and as long as they stay consistent, these barra will bite. Spots to keep an eye on will be Insane Bay, Jacks Bay, Heart Bay and the point opposite White Rock, to name a few. LURES Jackall Squirrels and Smash Minnows in the Boney, Uroko Ghost minnow and Pink Eye Suji

colours have been without a doubt a standout performer. ZMan 6” SwimmerZ, and the ever-reliable Pro Range Slick Rigs have been working well. All of these lures have worked best with a simple slow roll back to the boat, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to mix it up with an aggressive twitch or fast retrieve every now and then. SPONSOR A BARRA Through the ‘Sponsor A Barra’ programme, barra were released at around 180mm and tagged numbers were allocated to the individuals that purchased them. The team at Lake Monduran look forward to seeing you over the next couple of months for some

barra action. Please contact us for info on fishing and accommodation on

(07) 4157 3881, email info@ lakem.com.au or give me a call on 0410 599 147.

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Fish firing after the big seasonal flush out GLADSTONE

Eve Malone eve.dave42@gmail.com

April is highly anticipated and welcomed with open arms by the Gladstone fishing community. The wind starts to back off and we get to target new species not necessarily prevalent through the summer months. The days are still warm, which makes fishing more inviting on every level.

Creeks are slowly flushing out from the March rains, albeit much needed, it has provided a challenge to the fishos in the area. Jewfish are on many target lists, and they are showing in numbers in the deeper holes throughout both the Boyne and Calliope, in and around the Harbour and the Pylons at South Trees. Night is the best time to target them, the bottom of the tide and the first of the incoming works best. Live mullet will get some good

action, as will fresh strips of mullet on heavily weighted line. Legal size is 75cm, however they grow much, much larger than this, so take this into consideration when choosing your line weight and leader. South Trees continues to fish very well, with great catches of barramundi, king threadfin salmon and goodsized bream. Live baiting is the preferred method, but don’t discount prawn style plastics, as schools of juvenile prawns are moving

David Malone with a South Trees flathead caught on plastics.

Joe McGuire and his winning 25kg mackerel from last year’s comp.

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about in the area. Fishing around creek mouths in shallow waters and drains is also delivering good, pan-sized flathead on soft plastics. Threadfin salmon have not come off the chew in The Narrows, with reports of up to six decent sized fish around the metre range caught in one session. Barramundi are being caught just about everywhere through our systems, and anywhere that holds structure, which in turn will hold bait is a good area to target.

Freshwater fishing for barra is excellent around Pikes Crossing, and from social media reports this area is very popular with the Kayak fishing community. Awoonga Dam has been hard work for fishos thus far. Mangrove jack just keep giving, and Calliope has seen some fairly cracking catches of fish up to 58cm. Soft plastics with a paddletail and live mullet are seeing equally good results. BOYNE TANNUM HOOK UP With April comes the Hook Up, a highly anticipated event in the area, with leave forms handed in, whispers of target areas and species tossed around the traps in the hopes of becoming the overall winner and all the accolades that come with it. The fishing competition is not taken lightly amongst the hopeful contenders, with some trial fishing weeks out from the opening of weigh-ins in hopes to get the upper hand on everyone else. This year marks the 21st birthday of the

Hook Up and let’s say the prizes are nothing short of impressive, with over $250,000 in promotional giveaways up for grabs! The event attracts around 4000 entrants a year, many coming from all over Queensland and Australia to compete, so stakes are high. The competition is held the weekend of 29 April-1 May at Bray Park, Boyne Island. You can register through their website at www. boynetannumhookup.com.

au Registrations closes at 3.00pm on 29 April. In the lead up to the competition, the committee is giving one young angler the opportunity to win a fishing charter with local guru Johnny Mitchell. It’s a trip of a lifetime for one young person to win and gain invaluable knowledge from someone who knows this area like the back of his hand. To enter, just head along to the website and click on the news tab for more information.

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Geoff King with a beauty threadfin going 97cm taken from up at Port Alma.

Carol Rowe caught this blue spot tusky at Gatcombe Heads on a prawn bait. It was 70cm long (8.14kg) and was taken on 15lb nylon on a small overhead.

Beaches turn it on Jason Medcalf topwater@bigpond.com

So much for autumn starting! March was hot and wet in Bundaberg, so let’s hope April cools down a bit and gives us a chance to get out on the water. April is traditionally the cooling down month of the year, with shorter days and clearer nights, which marks the onset of more stable weather patterns. As we all know, March really delivered some heat and rain more synonymous January than a March. This prolonged summer pattern should help out those guys keen on getting into the barramundi and mangrove jacks around Bundaberg, as the heat will keep the fish active for longer. THE BURNETT RIVER The recent heavy rain will help the Burnett River fish well throughout the rest of the year, as those regular flushes are great for moving fish and food around. There have been some great captures in the river lately, with barramundi, grunter and bream around for those keen on targeting each species separately. The barramundi seem to be the fish flushed out of the Kolan, as they are still very black from time in the fresh. They would have had to run the gauntlet of nets to get out, but luckily enough, quite a few have managed to escape and spread out. One lucky angler Jimmy Wilkinson managed to get his first barramundi recently, a fish of 84cm, while trolling the river. Well done Jimmy, all those hours of fishing have paid off. If you’re keen to have a crack at a barra in the Burnett over April, I would

be looking for the deeper holes to troll or sink down some vibes or blades. I would also have a look upstream wherever the bait are schooled, as barra usually aren’t far from where the food hangs out. Spots like Toft Rocks and around the town bridge pylons are great starting points. The grunter have been very consistent, with most anglers targeting them managing to put a few good ones in the boat. Again, the key is to target them and not just drift and hope for a bite. Fresh bait is the key to getting into those bigger specimens of grunter, and they can turn up in 25ft of water or just 10ft of water. You just have to look for them. They do like gravely rocky bottoms at times, so keep an eye out at low tide for shale or rocky bottoms and then go back there on the incoming tides with nice fresh bait like prawns or yabbies and you should find a few grunter. The bream have been a little more predictable with bream hanging out just about everywhere, even being a nuisance when targeting grunter. There are a lot of small bream around, but the larger ones can be found and larger baits will usually bring those better quality fish out from hiding. BEACHES Recently, with the constant battering of the southeasterlies the beaches have started to turn up some great catches of dart and bream. Sandy beaches like Coonar and Woodgate are usually calm for most of the year, protected from big swells by Fraser Island, but when the southeasterlies just keep blowing the beaches finally start to move and the fish move in closer for a feed.

Dart are probably the easiest beach fish to get into and fishing with the kids off the beach for dart is just great family fun. A simple rig with a running sinker with a bit of prawn for bait and the kids and adults can have some great fun and get a feed as well. Over April this shouldn’t change too much as the dart, bream and whiting will continue to hunt around the shore looking for a feed, just look for gutters and deeper water in close as this is where you will find most of the fish.

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Young Sam Kenny holding up a dart from the beach around Woodgate. APRIL 2016 9080-QXQFMTF001-QldFishMonthly-TalkFish.indd 1

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Fluctuating seasons have slowed summer exit YEPPOON

Scott Lynch ifishcq2@bigpond.com

The seasons this year have been all over the place. The relatively cool recent summer was forgotten as the weather became ridiculously hot. Even March had more than its fair share of 30°C+ days, which in turn has slowed the exit of the summer species. A late cyclone, rain events and the river still running fresh, and a Spanish mackerel season that won’t quit has really capped off the year so far. The fishing is improving from the wide grounds right up to the estuaries and into the fresh. The late run of floodwater is giving all systems a boost and everything in them, including our prawn stocks, has come on better than expected. Prawns and muddies have grown well in the nutrient rich flows of late and there have been no

filling a bucket in a very short time. While the river hasn’t even been much of an option lately, the prawns are in some numbers down in the delta creeks. Low tide is best in every one of our creeks although up to high tide will go well at The Rosslyn Bay Harbour, and Statue Bay. The mouths of the creeks and little tributaries have worked the best and the coming weeks should be much the same. Try working the mud banks and small drains along the main creeks. The better catches of crab have been in the saltier channels and these crustaceans will move to the back of the creeks as the salt levels rise again. The catches haven’t been big but there were plenty of chocolate bucks that were quite full. The Narrows, Coorooman Creek, The Causeway Lake, Pumpkin Creek, Ross Creek and Corio Bay/Waterpark Creek and Stanage Bay are all worth trying while the bottom end of the river is picking up. Queenies, steelback, bream,

Barra have been in spots where the creek pushes run-off waters into the river and bigger systems. They move into these spots to nail bony bream, spotty perch and crayfish washed out of the dams and freshwater creeks around the area. The Woolwash and Scrubby Creek have looked like Indian Head in tailor season as anglers line up almost shoulder to shoulder to chase the barra that are feeding actively on the offerings moving down with the flow. Most of these fish are tagged and released back into the creeks to grow up. The opportunity to score a big barra is optimum this month. The bays, the creek and river mouths are the spots. These warm days will have them on the chew and getting fat before the temperatures drop into the cooler period of the year. Eddies, pressure points, structures and channels can hold barra, and these days with structure scan you can survey an area to find the fish before working it over.

Angie Cullen with a fine local mud crab.

David Plant landed this schoolsized Spanish at Keppel. complaints from the locals in that department. Statue Bay, Solero, Greenslopes, Coorooman Creek and the Causeway are some of the local prawn hotspots. Last week I saw families lined up along the pontoon at Coory 52

APRIL 2016

whiting, golden snapper, mangrove jack, threadfin and flathead are all on the menu this month and if you subscribe to the match the hatch theory, then prawns or prawn coloured lures will be the top choice.

As more styles of plastics come on the scene, there has been a movement away from hardbodies so that we now have three distinct classes instead of the previous two. The live bait guys are set in their ways and stake out a spot to wait for the arrival of the fish. The hard lure crew work every structure they can see or that their lures will reach. The softy throwers have a range from paddle-tails to vibes that suit just about every condition likely to be fished. They are without doubt the most successful method of catching the majority of estuary predators. The ability to place a plastic right where the fish are gives the soft plastic guys a huge advantage over the others. Grunter have started to show up again in The Causeway Lake, Coorooman

Billie Thorn caught this spangled emperor at Keppel Bay. Creek and Waterpark Creek. The common feature in the grunter spots is a rubble/cockle bed, a deep hole, or a greatly undulating bottom. Grunters are the laziest of fish and will sit anywhere out of the current and wait for a feed to come to them. Drifting while bouncing a lightly weighted prawn is one of the most successful methods but in recent times through trial and error using plastics and other lures I have found that grunter are extremely susceptible to vibes. Funnily enough, to date my lure of choice is a 40mm gold metal vibe. It seems to work on all size grunter from brag quality down to throwbacks, so it always stays rigged and ready. I have lost a few of them when fishing too light and either black jew or big golden snapper have taken a liking to the vibe. Fishing for grunter has the side effect of picking up serious by-catch. All the species that live in the deeper parts of the bay are moving in to the extra feed being pushed through by the river. Grunter, nannygai, black jew, sweetlip and cod have come into closer spots like The Barge, The Rama, The Pinnacles, Forty Acre Paddock, Conical, Findlays, Quartz and Liza Jane, which are all performing pretty well on the lower end tides. Black jew are on the increase, as temperatures drop they will move into the jew holes around various headlands and closer islands in the area. They are a favourite of Capricorn Coast anglers starting in April and through the cooler months. Jewies are a hard fighting big fish that can really test your gear out in the shallow waters of Keppel Bay. They congregate to spawn in a few locations around Yeppoon within easy access for nearly everybody.

The majority of our jew are caught at night. Fresh is best for bait, with cuttlefish, squid, pilchards and flesh strips all doing the job. I like to keep the belly flaps from doggies or Spaniards caught during the day to use as strip baits at night. The best times are four days either side of a full or new moon.

out wide species like red-throat emperor, grassy sweetlip, nannygai, cod, parrot and big red emperor are everywhere. Any of the rubble patches behind the islands have fish, as do most of the usual reef patches heading away from the main islands. Coral trout are always in good supply around the islands and shoal

John Boon from Extreme Angling Solutions with a top local red emperor. Stanage Bay, Corio Heads, Findlays, Iron Pot, Double Heads, The Pinnacles, Ritamada, Quartz and most of the islands in the south end of the bay all hold large numbers of black jew from now on. Reefies are definitely in quantity this month, providing the weather does the right thing. Around the islands and

areas. Spanish mackerel must have forgotten to move on this year, as the regular anglers continually get a decent feed without a big travel. With that in mind, spotties and greys will also be around when the water clears up. The month ahead is shaping up to be a beauty if the conditions are right.

Rain pours down over Mackay MACKAY

Keith Day habdays@bigpond.net.au

It may have been a bit of a slow start to the wet season, but it has been pouring down over the last couple of weeks. We have had over 300mm rain with

Reliance creeks and the good flush out will see them improve even more. The rains will bring a run of prawns and every angler understands the attraction prawns have for predators. In fact, there probably isn’t a fish in our creek systems that won’t hammer a (preferably live) prawn. The old traditional

prawns and can be fixated on these and ignore strip baits or live fish baits. They can be a very frustrating fish, but when hooked up the angler instantly forgets any frustration as that big fork tail gets moving and the fish hits the power button. Barra and threadies are often found mixed together, but threadies are not usually

Working large soft plastic shads over inshore rocks and reef is a great way to catch golden snapper like this solid fish Jock Craig recently boated. plenty of localised flooding in all the usual spots and more to come. While this rain is inconvenient for local motorists, it is just what our fisheries have needed after a really dry 2015, which from my records had only about 50% of our usual rainfall. So into April, we can all look forward to a continuation of a great barra season, as since the opening in February, there have been excellent catches of barra from systems both north and south of Mackay. In the saltwater creeks and estuaries, the Seaforth area has fished really well and anecdotal reports indicate that the NFZ centred on Seaforth is already seeing improved catches. One sure improvement will be the fact that anglers can look forward later in the year to some really good grunter, as it has been noticeable for many years that these creeks are full of grunter just under legal size and coincidentally, just a bit too small to mesh in a net. Some of the better catches of barra have come from Murray, Constant and

method of suspending prawns under a float and drifting it into snags or onto rock bars is still as effective as ever. Best to use stout tackle though, as there have been some absolute horse barra around. The other fish that will put in a welcome appearance after the rains will be the king threadfin salmon. Threadies, or kingies as they are known locally, just love juvenile

snag-orientated like barra are. Look for them on sloping mud banks or around the edges of deep holes. An electric outboard and a quiet approach will often give anglers the chance to actually see the threadies up in the shallows and they can be sight-casted with success, provided they aren’t spooked by noise. The plastic vibe revolution continues unabated and they

Rob Sabage used a Zerek Prawn flicked close to the bottom to hook up to this beaut 112cm barra. After a quick photo, the fish was released.

are probably the best lure for both of these species at the moment, particularly in the more open waters. However, the weight and two sets of trebles will mean bad news around rocks or other snags. Effective they are, but it can be an expensive exercise. I use the cheaper models and find they work well, and I am much happier losing a $10 or $15 lure rather than a $30 one. For threadies, work them in a very slow lift and drop fashion the lift only needs to be 10-20cm. Barra will respond to more aggressive use of the lure. The usual creek bread and butter species like whiting, flathead and bream have all fished reasonably consistently, but none of these species appreciate the dirty freshwater, so I expect they will be hard to catch for the next 3-4 weeks. My recommendation is to chase barra, threadies and jacks for the moment. Before the rain set in, the weather was hot, still and humid and the close inshore islands and rocky reef areas were firing well for a variety of fish including golden snapper (fingermark), grassy lippers, cod and the occasional coral trout. The run-off of dirty freshwater has put paid to that fishery for a few weeks, and if the rain continues it may be well into April before the waters clear up enough to give up good catches. The deep water offshore scene will also settle down after a few weeks and once the winds die down a bit the bigger trailer boats will be out chasing big reds. I expect the Overfall Rocks will fish well as soon as the water clears up and areas such as the shipping channel will also fire up. Access is the issue with these areas as they involve a fair run from the harbour. For visitors, I suggest checking with the local tackle stores before trying to venture out to any of these areas. Beach fishing is surprisingly not that popular around Mackay, probably because of our high percentage of small boat ownership. But around March and April, a couple of spots really turn on. The beach either side of the Pioneer River and the beaches in the Eimeo and Bucasia areas are local hotspots for golden trevally and oyster crackers

Samantha Mercer continues her love of barra fishing on lures with another nice Constant Creek specimen caught on a slow worked soft vibe. (snub-nose dart or permit). Mostly, they are fished for with either live small fish baits or a bunch of live yabbies on a large circle hook. Both species will often move right in along the beach in shallow water, and they also don’t seem to mind if the water is relatively dirty. Lamberts Beach up near the north wall of the harbour is also a fairly consistent producer of these great sporting fish. Bled promptly and iced down, they also make more than acceptable tucker! The freshwater scene has also been affected by the rains, with plenty of water going into our dams. The Pioneer River last month was running 1-2m over the walls of the three weirs and will take a while to settle down. One great by-product of the rains has been the tag returns that have been reported. MAFSA tagged 1000 barra, which were released into the three weirs in September 2015 and there have so far been about 10 returns, with one fish having travelled 26km downstream and over Dumbleton Weir. Last year Reef Catchments tagged and released 1000 barra into the Gooseponds in North Mackay and it will

be very interesting to see just where these barra and the river tagged barra get to after the floods. I urge every angler to be on the look out for these tags, and if you catch a tagged fish record the length, the tag number and where you caught the fish. Phone these details through to the number on the tag so we can get as much data on the Pioneer River system barra as possible. MAFSA members have also been busy spawning sooty grunter since the last issue of QFM. At the present time, there is about 100,000 baby sooties in the hatchery and barring mishaps, most of these should be able to be grown out to release size. Hatchery co-ordinator Kieron Galletly is looking at doing another spawning run as soon as the weather settles down a bit. He also plans to hold some of the sooties in the hatchery to be released at the 11th World Sooty Championship event to be held at Eungella Dam the first weekend in May As always, the Mackay region offers a multitude of fishing options whatever the weather, so why not come up to paradise and join us? See you at the ramp.

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Build a great bream tacklebox! CENTRAL COAST

Jamie Robley jrobley@iprimus.com.au

Lure casting for bream sits right at the top of the Aussie-angling list. This branch of the sport has grown from humble and experimental beginnings four decades ago into a multimillion-dollar growing industry. Consequently, the volume of bream lures available to us seems limitless, with newer and advanced types constantly hitting the market. They range from intricately crafted works of art through to bizarre oddities that you’d think would scare the fish away! Some come and go, while others go on to become classics that earn a reputation of excellence among serious bream anglers. With such an enormous array of lures on the market, does it make sense to own as many as possible? Aside from verging on the impossible and draining the bank balance, it’s probably not practical to spend a lot of time and money buying up and then giving each lure a run to see how it goes. That’s where feedback from different anglers helps determine which types do well and are worth a try. Angling publications, websites, forums, TV shows and DVDs all spread

real world performance. Perhaps the best approach to buying lures with the aim of using them on bream is to partly take in the gospel from fishing media and big name tournament anglers and do the rest purely by experimentation, seeing what works for you on your home turf. Even around my

remember Steve and Tim Morgan enthusiastically casting the new translucent Rebel Crawfish around Brunswick Heads during that period, which is a classic example of the type of lure that heralded the bream angling boom. Small hardbody lures, with a bib that makes them dive and swim with

bream by leaving them sitting motionless on the surface, small bass style poppers and even flies tied to resemble insects proved more successful and so surface lure breaming was born. Eventually a new type of lure changed everything. Soft plastics, often referred to as ‘squidgies’ by a

This fish snatched a small sinking vibe worked down deep in winter. As a rough guideline, try sinking lure types through the cooler months and shallower or surface types when things heat up again.

With such an enormous variety of small lures on the market these days, it’s not always easy to make the best choice. The simple tips outlined in this article should set a few things straight though. local waterways on the Central Coast, some lures will work fantastically in one spot and be almost useless at another spot. Time on the water, and

a wobbling action soon became the standard bream lure around the country. Most of the early favourites were American types, but a few local manufacturers

couple of South Coast bream anglers, made an entrance into the market. The softy boom ended up taking anglers by storm, and within the space of a few years hardbody luring for bream had faded substantially. Perhaps the biggest hit among these newer softies was Berkley’s 3” Powerbait Minnow, in the incredibly effective

pearl/watermelon colour. Things keep evolving and despite the popularity of soft plastics, the earlier style hardbodies have had resurgence, this time with a distinctly Japanese flavour. Around 2007 anglers started to use little metal lures, commonly called blades or vibs. This form of lure ended up being one of the deadliest of all. Now the bream luring world is filled with all forms of lure, soft, hard, deep, surface and everything in between. Each type has a time and place when it will probably outfish the rest of the pack. Overall it’s a good idea to have at least a few different styles, sizes and colours in the kit.

TRADITIONAL DIVING HARDBODIES The fatter models are generally referred to as crankbaits or simply ‘cranks’ these days, whereas the narrower profile designs are sometimes called minnows or jerkbaits. Some of these are specifically designed to dive down and then suspend at that depth in the water column – they’re called ‘suspenders.’ Just like back in the early days, diving hardbodies can be used in a very wide range of places, at different times of year and they work equally well on southern black bream or warmer water yellowfin bream.

The author picked up this solid Lake Macquarie fish just before sunrise. Choosing the right lure is a large part of success, but other factors such as getting out of bed super early are equally important. knowledge and it doesn’t take long before a hot performer becomes well known. Of course, some lures that are probably very good can easily fly under the radar and fade into obscurity, while others end up more popular due to hype and marketing over 54

APRIL 2016

trying different techniques is the only way to see what’s hot or not. LURE CATEGORIES During the late 1980s this style of fishing was starting to become more popular largely due to smaller hardbody lures arriving on our shores. I still

came up with some excellent lures as well. As the style of fishing advanced, it became quite obvious that bream also hit lures on the surface, particularly through the warmer months. While any of those diving hardbodies could effectively catch

This fish smashed a surface lure right in the guts of winter. It goes against the trend, but we should always remember that regardless of how much we think we know, fish don’t read the rulebooks!

Some good examples of places to use such lures are among fallen timber in creeks, along oyster racks, around moored boats and pontoons as well as along rockwalls and bridge or jetty pylons. They don’t go so well in very strong currents or when trying

are, it could be better to use a hardbody as a searching lure and then swap over to a softy if numbers of fish are located. Smaller, scented or heavily flavoured softies like Berkley Gulps are particularly good for hesitant bream in very clear or cold water.

take some experimentation to see what’s working or not. Generally these lures are better cast earlier or late in the day, when light levels are low. VIBES There are basically three types of vibe or ‘vib’ on the market and they all

Bream are a widespread and adaptable species, so it makes sense that they’ll take interest in different lure types. While most lures work, some are simply a lot better than others.

Most coastal creeks house plenty of bream, but not all lures are ideal for this sort of environment. The author favours surface lures most of the time, as they attract the fish’s attention and are the least likely types to snag up on bank-side timber. to get down towards the bottom in deep water. A lot of experienced bream anglers prefer the fat or rounded body models, although I like the thin profile jerkbait or minnow types a lot more. SOFT PLASTICS A softy can be adaptable, depending on the size or

TOPWATER It’s possible to catch both black and yellowfin bream on a surface lure during any month of the year, including the very depths of winter. However, these lures are at their best through the warmer months, when bream look for a meal in the form of

work very well. The smaller metal blades sink quickly and are normally the best choice for deep water or where the current has a bit of push to it. Middle or lightweight plastic versions are reasonably adaptable, but tend to work well in average depths, with minimal current flow, such

floating hardbodies or soft plastics. They’ll catch bream at any time of year, in a variety of places, but are particularly successful during winter and are possibly more popular in the southern states for black bream. From my experience though, warm water yellowfin bream really love them too!

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It’s always good when you hook a solid fish on the very first cast. This fish snaffled up a hardbody diving lure just after it landed. weight of the jighead that it’s matched with. So one plastic could be cast over shallow flats with an ultralight HWS type of jighead or be worked down on the bottom in 5m of water when threaded onto an 8g jighead. As a general rule, soft plastics need to be fished slowly and more precisely than most other styles of lure, so if you’re unsure of exactly where the bream

prawns, shrimp or insects ranging from moths and cicadas, through to flying termites. Casting surface lures over shallow flats, adjacent to rocky points or similar shallow structure is normally the best approach, but sometimes they’ll entice bream over much deeper water. There’s no real right or wrong way to use surface lures for bream and each day is different, so it can

as lakes or bays. A later variation of these is the soft vibe, which is similar with a soft plastic tail section. An important aspect of vibes, particularly the metal blades are that they are probably the most likely form of lure to get snagged on the bottom or among bankside structure. Fitting them with single or upwards facing W hooks may improve this, but they still snag up more than

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Looking for luderick NSW STH COAST

Steve Starling www.starlofishing.com

Luderick or blackfish are widespread and prolific. They occur in good numbers close to many major population centres. Yet, relatively few anglers specifically target these wily, hard-fighting and

and seems to have lost favour among the younger generation of sport fishers. To my mind, this is a shame, as they’re truly great fish! Luderick are classed as ‘omnivores’, and will eat a wide variety of both animal and vegetable matter. A large part of their diet typically consists of various marine algae or weeds, especially the long, filamentous

Once hooked, blackfish or luderick fight hard, all the way to the landing net. Fine leaders and small hooks are the go. tasty saltwater fish, which seems a little odd. Luderick or blackfish range right around our southeastern seaboard, from about the bottom end of Fraser Island in Queensland to the eastern and northern coasts of Tasmania. Most commonly encountered in tidal estuaries, bays and harbours, they’ll also push upstream into near-fresh water at times, as well as frequenting the wash zones adjacent to ocean headlands, or even further out, around inshore islands. Luderick commonly run from 400g-1kg+, and very occasionally reach twice that weight. They are handsome, hard-fighting fish that cook up beautifully if properly processed (bled, filleted and skinned within a few hours of capture). However, surprisingly few fishers regularly chase luderick or blackfish, especially in waters outside of NSW. Even in the Premier State, blackfishing is nowadays seen as rather ‘old school’

APRIL 2016

varieties known to anglers simply as “green weed”, as well as the shorter, crinkled stuff that grows in little bunches or rosettes in the inter-tidal zone along ocean rock ledges – commonly referred to as ‘cabbage weed’ or ‘sea lettuce’. In addition to marine algae, blackfish will happily consume worms, small crustaceans and even tiny fish at times. Perhaps that’s why we occasionally catch them on both hard and soft lures intended for bream, flathead or estuary perch. There are also areas and times of the year that produce excellent bags of blackfish on baits such as squirt worms, bass yabbies (nippers), cunjevoi, bread and even peeled prawn tails. However, to consistently score luderick across the calendar and throughout their range, it’s necessary to offer them their favourite food – weed! Weed baits are best presented on small (No. 10- No. 6) hooks tied to fine (2–4kg) mono leaders and suspended beneath light floats. Traditional blackfish specialists often use long

Luderick or blackfish tick all the boxes necessary to qualify as a top notch angling target: they’re attractive, hard-fighting, readily available, good to eat and require just enough specialisation and skill to make the entire process of catching them extremely satisfying – and highly addictive! (3–4m), soft or slowtapered rods and simple centrepin reels for this task, although spinning reels and light sidecasts will certainly do the job. Floats (whether of the stemmed variety or bobby corks) should be

There are plenty of great video clips on YouTube and elsewhere that detail highly effective rigging, baiting and berleying techniques to catch luderick. If you’re interested in exploring this topic further, seek out a few

and availability, and will quickly become a favourite target with many anglers if given half a chance. They’re certainly well up on my personal list. If you haven’t given the humble luderick a try, you really should!

A hooked blackfish doggedly resists capture.

Fish for the future and carefully put the little ones back to do some more growing.

weighted or ballasted so that the softest bite easily pulls them underwater. Baits are usually set to hang in mid-water or deeper, often several metres beneath the surface, and floats may be rigged either fixed to the main line or running freely below a stopper of some sort. There are almost as many ways to rig up for blackfish as there are luderick specialists!

of these clips. The QR code will take you directly to one that I presented a few years ago about catching blackfish from the ocean rocks, but there are also plenty of others on offer. However, be warned: blackfishing has a way of getting into your blood and dominating your daydreams. These fish offer just the right mix of challenge, willingness

VIDEO

My advice on catching a few luderick from the ocean rocks.

Post rain-event freshwater fishing knowledge HERVEY BAY

Jackson Bargenquast

Many freshwater rivers in South East Queensland are split into sections by manmade barrages and concrete walls that divide fresh from salt water and high country from low. While it is illegal to fish at many barrages these days (as they are areas where breeding fish congregate

the hooked fish managed to get the line tangled around a snag and still must have spooked the other bass and they unfortunately went off the bite. Some unusual by-catch has been caught around the freshwater reaches lately. Species from saratoga to yellowbelly, sooty grunter, jungle perch and even the odd barramundi, as well as some less than welcome catches of salmon and eel-tailed

are not only muddy and foul tasting, but taking too many fish in a small creek or river would result in their numbers dramatically decreasing. Dawn and dusk are, in theory, the best time to fish freshwater as this is when predators like bass and barra are hunting. The baitfish cannot see them and the predatory fish feel safe in the darker conditions, with just enough light to see their prey. In the tropical north,

Such a gorgeous and rarely seen fish, this small Mary River cod was released after a quick picture.

A 75cm barra caught about 600m downstream from an overflowing barrage. in large numbers), those that are fishable have seen some extraordinary captures. Bass are not native to many of these rivers, but due to stocked fish getting washed downstream after rains, many creeks and streams now teem with large healthy bass populations just waiting to have a lure casted into them. Dad and I recently had a good session of bass fishing upstream, and many of the fish were between 35-50cm in length and healthy. They bit savagely on one particular day and a total of 25 bass were landed between Dad, a couple of friends, and myself in about half an hour. One of

catfish. On top of all this, the occasional Mary River cod has been caught, which shows that their population is doing well. These rarely seen fish have been released quickly so as to protect them from harm. As far as lures go, small soft plastics in fluorescent colours, shallow running hardbodies, and miniature surface poppers and stickbaits work in calm patches of water or around the timber. While I haven’t tried it before, apparently a live shrimp casted into a likely position and held just off the bottom works well. As with almost all freshwater fishing, carefully releasing the catch is important as freshwater fish

this kind of fishing can be successfully practiced year round, however in the colder south the fishing is generally only good in summer when water temperatures are higher and the fish aren’t sluggish or hibernating. Summer is generally when rain events occur, but they can occasionally occur in winter or early spring. If the angler is in the cold southern

Mark Bargenquast with a chunky fresh bass.

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SPECIALISTS

region these occurrences are generally not as successful when it comes to fishing, but persistence pays off. Make sure to pack plenty of lures and/or hooks when fishing small freshwater streams, as snagging lures is an all too common event and un-snagging them requires a lot of skill, otherwise on light gear you will most likely never see your lost tackle

again. It might not be a bad idea to pack a lure retriever or a long stick with a piece of wire on the end, or just something to help you when you snag a line. Don’t forget to seek local knowledge on whether or not the local barrages and weirs in your region are fishable by law, and if they are not, find out what distance you have to stay to be safe.

Jack Jones with a fresh run-off bass.

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Tackle a GT – mouthguards are mandatory! WHITSUNDAYS

Luke Griffiths

Finally some decent rain has fallen this month giving our farmers a little relief and putting a smile on the local barra fishers’ faces. We saw some minor flooding, which resulted in pockets of fresh run-off, luring many of the local fishers out of the pub, and hooking straight into some great barra fishing.

There are many places where the mighty chrome warriors like to hang out. Good places to start looking are the small drains of running water that feed the main creeks and rivers, right up in the upper reaches of the estuary systems, especially during times of heavy rainfall and flooding. A well-placed bait or lure around the mouth (where the drain/ gutter meets the main system) of the aforementioned drains should grace you with the presence of a head shaking

A gorgeous goldband snapper – gotta be happy with that! Trying your hand for a leaping barramundi this month should see you rewarded. I can hear you saying, “Griffo you lunatic! I’m new to barra fishing. Where can I find one?”

leap and punishing fight with a barramundi. But don’t get disheartened if you lose a few, as they are renowned for launching clear of the water, shaking those hooks free,

Hannah with a lovely red!

and leaving a bad taste in your mouth. That rain I mentioned earlier has increased mudcrab activity, resulting in pretty much everyone bagging a few delicious crustaceous. Drop in a few pots while you’re lurking around hunting down that barra. Even as I write this article, I am enjoying for some sweet sweet mudcrab goodness – lucky me! Some good fish have been caught throughout the islands. We are seeing sweetlip, largemouth nannygai to 10kg, small-mouth nannygai, along with red emperor. The deeper waters to around 70m have been holding the larger fish, while the shallower shoals seem to be holding the more average-sized models. Goldband snapper are around in patches as well, which is a welcome sight to our eyes as they fight very hard for their size and are an incredibly tasty fish to boot! You will usually find them in among those red fish on the deeper shoals over 60m, more toward the Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef has fished well, producing great numbers of quality fish. Coral trout, red-throat emperor and red emperor have really been on the bite, to the delight of those who enjoy a fresh feed of fish. If you are lucky enough to venture out this month, get these three species on your hit list. Some large bait schools have been present around the reefs, which has encouraged many to start dragging around lures and baits, and others to start hurling around artificials. These large bait schools have been holding a wide variety of fish including longtail tuna, mac tuna, Spanish mackerel, GT and marlin, to name a few usual suspects. Finding large bait schools out at the reef this month should see you in a tussle with at least one of these species. The GT have fired up on the reef edges and have really put the punters and the gear to the test. Large fish to

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The reward at the end of a GT battle. Smiles all round.

A chunky bluefin will make your day out wide. 40kg have been boated, with many larger fish destroying gear, egos and wallets. To find these brutes is quite simple, just look for some nice fast moving water on a pressure point of the reef, and look for bait schools holding up in the backwater. A common baitfish found here are fusiliers. This is a great place to start if you see them hanging tightly together in a large group. Cast large poppers and stickbaits at the reef edge where the bait is holding. Make sure you are ready, as once you hook-up they will try to pull your arms out of their sockets with powerful surges and due to the immense drag pressure required to stop them busting you up on the sharp coral as they head for home! Battling them to deep water as soon as physically possible is the key, keeping them away from the sharp structures in the shallows. This will give you the best chance of landing that fish of a lifetime – if you aren’t already lying on the floor, veins blown out your forehead, waving your white flag above your head in agony. I often get a first hand look

at a lot of people who seriously underestimate the sheer power of these fish. They usually have a little chuckle when they see the size of the terminal tackle we use for them. Then it’s us that get to have the last laugh watching them fight a runaway GT. I know a lot of people who actually have a workout program at the gym before going on trips chasing GT – even anglers who wear mouthguards to stop their teeth

from chipping! Gluttons for punishment I say. Speaking of gluttonous, I’m off to eat the rest of my mud crabs. Good luck if you are heading out this month to enjoy the paradise we call home! • If you’re interested in a game, sport or reef fishing charters around the Whitsundays, give Luke a call on 0429 724 822 or email info@ renegadecharters.com.au.

Look at that barramundi magic.

Inshore shoals producing a mixture of species AYR

Steve Farmer

Burdekin anglers have so far dodged the worst of a fair dinkum northern wet season, with only a slight rise in the river impacting briefly on estuary and inshore fishing. Fishing was affected for just a few weeks with muddy water and weed from the freshwater reaches of the river. Compared to a ‘normal’ wet, when floodwaters can wipe out the estuary scene for months on end, we got out of it pretty lightly. Unfortunately, the downside of a lean wet is that the fishing can suffer in the long term, because many species (including barra) rely on a decent flood event each year to breed. The inshore shoals have produced some reasonable fish recently, with a mixture of species taken whenever weather conditions allow anglers to hit the open water. Chris Perry and Charlie Cole made the most of a promising forecast, although sea conditions didn’t start out so well. Chris said they had a slow trip out as they pounded into borderline seas,

but these abated and glassed out within an hour or two. Throughout the morning they landed a cobia around 1m and a total of nine small-mouth nannygai off the bottom. They also lost more fish to both sharks and what they believe was a groper on the bottom. Even with heavy handlines locked up they could only get their unseen assailant a few metres off the bottom before it straightened the hook or casually busted the line. Charlie lost the final fish to the monster-from-the-deep, declaring dejectedly, “It’s just not my day.” It was then that they decided to call it quits and set a deadline of midday to head for home. But Charlie had one last chance. At 11.50am, the pilchard he was floating out on a heavy rod and reel was hit hard and Charlie saddled up for what turned out to be a long, exhausting fight. What had actually happened was that the mackerel was foul hooked, meaning Charlie had to work extra hard to get the shiny speedster to the boat. In fact, he had to work so hard that he was worried about being able to swing the club in his planned golf game the next day. Just for the record, Charlie

actually scored an eagle next day which, apparently, is like catching 1m+ barra in golfing parlance. But he wasn’t soaring like an eagle by the time he brought a 155cm Spaniard to the boat. The fight lasted half an hour and Charlie was exhausted – but elated. “I got the anchor for him,” Chris said, “and we headed for home at 12.30.” In the creeks barra have been the number one target, with a flotilla of tinnies hitting the water each weekend in the hope of nailing a few. However, results have been hot and cold with some estuaries producing bag limit catches and others not a scale. The Burdekin River and Groper, Hell Hole and Phillips Camp creeks have fished well, with quite a few metreys challenging anglers. Further, the creeks and inshore waters of Bowling Green Bay have also been running hot. Barra guru Goofy Cornford has been getting plenty of good fish averaging in the 80s and 90s, and even ‘ordinary’ anglers have been scoring some respectable catches. One problem for bait fishers has been that live bait has been difficult to find, with many anglers complaining that

at one stage small mullet just a few inches long was all they could get. Land-based anglers have also scored a few decent barra at Alva Beach, with one

50-60cm range have been landed, especially in the bay and estuarine waters of Bowling Green Bay. Prime baits have been slabbed mullet or whole greenback herring.

The annual Spanish mackerel migration is a highlight for many Burdekin fishers and it seemed to start a little early this year with schools

Charlie Cole (left) and Chris Perry with part of a morning’s catch from the Alva Shoals. successful fisher working a popper late in the afternoon. With eyes on the top of their head and an upward-looking gaze, the old barra is a prime candidate for surface lures. Grunter seem to have been on the bite all year, and last month was no exception. The occasional specimen over 70cm and plenty in the

APRIL FORECAST I’m tipping anglers will be very pleased to see April this year. The torrid summer temperatures should be behind us and there should be a smorgasbord of species to choose from. April is often a transitional month with both summer and winter species frequenting local waters.

on the shoals in February. With that in mind, many anglers are tipping a hot Spanish season. There have also been occasional reports of large whiting in Burdekin creeks towards the end of summer, so hopefully the estuaries will also fire up this month.

APRIL 2016

Big barra hitting the Towns-ville TOWNSVILLE

Dave Hodge

The first couple of months of barra season have been hectic. The tides for the opening were spot on, the water clarity was awesome, and the fish bit well. Plenty of 1m+ monsters were caught, and while plenty were taken for the table, the majority that I have heard of have been released, which is awesome news. After three hard years of trying, my son has achieved his goal to break the magic meter mark and proud doesn’t even begin to describe how he felt. He found his fish in a deep hole on the turn of the tide, and as his Atomic Prong hit the bottom he got one twitch out of it. He fought perfectly, keeping the rod at the angles necessary to be successful at every surge, and pumped and wound at exactly the right times to achieve his dream fish. Many people ask if young Tannhym casts, hooks and lands fish on his own, and this has been the case for the last few years. The satisfaction and increased confidence he gets from every capture has been worth the countless tangles, snags, me being hooked, etc. I honestly can’t imagine a better bonding pastime. SEASON START For the lure fishers, many decent-sized fish have been up high in the water column, making them an easier target for hardbody casters. The deeper diving lures have been getting the most attention, and when the water clears you can see almost every hook-up and the flashes from fish making a rush at the lure, but pulling out at the last second. Mostly, the second cast gets smashed and the hook-up is usually a good one, as they don’t want to miss a second opportunity. It’s this reason that a good pair of Polarised sunnies is a

must, as so many fish would be missed if we didn’t see the first flash. I think I’ve put it in these pages before, but barra seem to be a definite preference between lure types depending on the water clarity and temperatures. With the temperature sitting between 30-33°C, it’s warm enough to get them going. Clarity has been the biggest

APRIL 2016

for me. Current design variations have become more suitable to the way I fish, and arealmost indispensable in some scenarios. Similarly, the hooks and tackle have been refined to fish the best possible way in the environments that I frequent. It probably has a lot to do with the fact that we can reach deep-water fish in

I’m not sure what gave Tannhym the biggest buzz, catching this great barra, or letting her go.

This 110cm was taken in the Ross River as you can tell by the colouration. consideration around the Townsville area, but these issues aren’t present both north and south of us, as most areas around the Whitsundays and Hinchinbrook seem to be clearer than the local waters. These dirty times call for a lure that has a lot of ‘thump’ or vibration, to make it more of an easy target for a predator to detect, and the 105 Halco Hamma has been designed to do exactly that. The smaller profiled Laser Pro 120 is more of your traditional ‘tweakin’ type lure, and with lots of twitching and tapping of the rod tip, this lure can be made to dance then sit very close to a piece of structure

Brendan Lowe with a nice barra taken frogging the flats. This trend is really kicking off, even for the saltwater jacks and barra. 60

and be allowed to float over branches and structure before being worked again. The deeper bib is great for the 90° vertical mangrove roots and laying down timber where you want the lure to dive and tap the snag and then float back up luring out whatever may be present. The Hamma is more for when you come up onto one of those spots

that just looks like it should hold a big fish. I’m hopeless, and have two rods at least rigged with hardbodies, and it’s almost always the two lures mentioned that are swinging from the rod tip. Colours vary depending on the water. GOING SOFT IN MY OLD AGE If you told me fifteen years ago that I would be using soft baits for barra on a regular basis, I’d have laughed in your face. I suppose that’s because I’ve always done well on hardbodies and never found the need to make a change. Up until recent developments in plastic designs, there wasn’t that much on the market that proved more effective

areas that were really only a live bait option previously. So make that three outfits that I take along on every trip. Let’s not forget the times when the barra only take tiny offerings, which can only be fished on light line and smaller jigheads. This situation calls for more of a delicate approach, so better make that four outfits! I fish with my son most of the time, and he want to use that same as Dad, and he’s learning when and where are the best times to use each of these. So between us that’s eight outfits. Sheesh, that sounds excessive doesn’t it? But there is no situation that we can’t adapt a lure type to, so in our eyes it’s worth it!

Flicking the flats for barra at high tide is great fun. The Halco Laser Pro 120 in both shallow and deep are spot on for ‘tweaking’ the drains.

Well-known radio celebrity Gary Powers recently caught this beautiful chopper in deep water. OFFSHORE It seems that the mackerel never left this year, and varied species have been showing periodically. It’s the Spanish that are the biggest drawcard for anglers, and the big fellas are showing up again already, with fish up to 23-24kg taken over the last couple of weeks. One of our regulars in at Akwa Pro Tackle was saying that he ran out of Wolfies in an hour, so he thought he’d try a couple of lures to see the barra reaction to hard plastic. With wire traces connected to the lures they lost several in quick time, as competing fish snapped at the swivel on the trace and snipped them off. It may be worth learning and perfecting the albright version of connecting the wire to your leader, as this is very slim and gives no profile for the competing fish to target. Bottom fishing has been successful, and on many

occasions the lures and jigs have out-fished baits. Chopper (golden snapper) schools have been thick in the usual haunts at times, and when they’re on the chew you’ll know all about it. The best producing plastics at the moment are the 120 QuickCatch vibes, Berkley Squidvicious and the Atomic Prong. I haven’t had a chance to get out wider and chase the choppers, but I’m thinking that the Mad Eye 5” Paddletailed Prawn with the additional skirt is going to connect you to these guys. All in all, it’s been pretty good fishing for most anglers and definitely worth the effort to get out on the water, even though the wind has been pretty ordinary. The typical early morning start should have you among them and usually back home before the wind picks up too bad. Just keep an eye on that all-important weather chart!

Grab some large Hinchy chrome good year on the barra so far, especially considering another failed wet for not just our region but most of northern Australia. The reef fishing has been surprisingly good as well, with some quality captures of coral trout coming from the deeper reefs wide of Mission beach. Fishing on the deeper shoals between the reefs at this time of year is your best bet. Shallow reef waters and hot days don’t really combine, so keep your efforts deep for a while longer yet. One group of anglers also ran into a nice patch of rosy jobfish on the

HINCHINBROOK

Ryan Moody info@ryanmoodyfishing.com

The past month has seen some extremely hot conditions for this time of year. Even the Northern Territory has been way hotter than normal. These kind of conditions have made fishing the shallows a little difficult, but when the odd bout of southeasterly winds come through, some reasonable barra have been caught in shallows again. Overall it has been a pretty

shelf near Armistice Reef. They are good eating fish and predominately come from deeper waters near the shelf. Mission Beach is a great destination to access the outer reef, with it being relatively close when compared to areas further south. Anglers fishing the outer headlands and islands off Cardwell have seen some very large giant trevally, with some as big as 40kg eating bottom fish on their way up. GTs seem to have a fondness for small nannygai, as my brother can attest. While on a recent charter his clients

Troy Watson and friends caught over 20 barra on charter with me, most over 90cm.

were treated four times to some monster GT inhaling their catches. Cape Sandwich in particular is overrun with these big silver bullets, and they could be found there again this month. Some very large queenfish and good schools of northern bluefin tuna have also been rampant in the area. Further inshore, the golden snapper (fingermark) and threadfin salmon have been unpredictable, showing up here and there. There have been no routines for these species lately, which has made them a bit hard to target on the day. I have noticed this before when waters get extremely hot; these fish must not be as heat tolerant as barra. In saying that, most of my barra captures are coming from deep water too, and we have certainly seen an absence of the larger fish feeding on the shallow water lines. Maybe the coming months will see them rise up a bit as we get right into autumn. THE MONTH AHEAD As far as the fishing in April is concerned, it will all depend on whether we get some last-minute rain, which can occur late in the season. This is often the case

Troy with another one of many monster barra caught and released. during hot years and bad wet seasons. If history is any guide and we get some late rain, I don’t expect it to stir things up too badly, as late rains usually aren’t enough to cause major river flooding. April is also one of my most favourite months for barra, with a lot of big 1m fish landed over the years. We also don’t really see any crossover species until the following month, so I don’t expect to see any inshore Spanish macks just yet. In the meantime, those massive GT will make a great opponent for any of you pelagic junkies out there. My brother Ian has joined me again running

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s hard to argue with the benefits of a Pickle Fork bow when you’re going fishing. pecially with a few mates. The design allows more storage and more It’s hard to argue with the benefits of a forward Pickle Fork bow when you’re going fishing. sting space. Simply put...more room for mates gear! The But the Pickleallows Fork also Especially with a fewand mates. design more storage and more forward ds tremendous lateral stability which is important when there’s more people

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our second boat, and is now available for charter in Hinchinbrook as well as Townsville. Alternatively, if you would like to learn more about our upcoming courses head to www. ryanmoodyfishing.com. I am currently only four barra away from achieving our 2000th barra over a metre, a milestone I have always wanted to reach before I retire from charters! • If you would like to book a charter or join our fishing community for some great fishing competitions etc, head on over to www. ryanmoodyfishing.com. And you could also win a free charter drawn twice a year.

Reefs raging with reds LUCINDA

Jeff Wilton jeffwilton83@hotmail.com

What a pitiful wet season we have had so far in North Queensland, and once again it’s sunshine and blue skies for the foreseeable future. I don’t want to sound like a broken record but we need rain and lots of it. It has been stinking hot, and even some of the battledhardened locals have been heard complaining about the heat and humidity! On the fishing front, there have been plenty caught, but some days have been a very hot slog with plenty of fishless hours, kilometres travelled and cast after cast without a

bump. This sorts the keen anglers from the regular because when the humidity is thick and the sun beats down it can be tempting to put the boat back on the trailer and head home for a cold shower and a colder beer. Let’s talk about what should be bending rods during April in the amazing Lucinda NQ. HINCHINBROOK CHANNEL April is normally a consistent month in terms of catch rates as the water is still warm and normally has had some kind of run-off to spark the food chain. What I like most about fishing in April is the fact that the barra and jacks seem to be super aggressive as they feed up before the water cools down which slows

them down as well. This can produce insane sessions! A low tide in the afternoon with the first couple of hours of the incoming around sunset will result in one thing – boof! The barra will be swimming with their mouths open, as they’ve finished up with their breeding cycles and put on a few pounds to get through winter. If you are chasing bigger barra during April then find big mud banks or sand banks with bait and a distinct drop-off and slow roll big plastics to put you in the mix. The Zman 6” Swimmerz are perfect for this situation as the big paddle-tail beats along nicely on a slow retrieve. Big lifts of the rod tip which hop the plastic along the bottom

Jacks will be feeding up before cooler water slows them down. works well. As always, try and keep quiet and make long casts – big barra are smart fish and it doesn’t take much to switch them off feeding. Snag bashing up the creeks is my favourite way to fish, and although you may not get bigger fish, the numbers will make up for that. Tossing lures and plastics at the snags isn’t easy and I don’t recommend it for beginners, as it can get costly with gear loss and it’s frustrating to have to retrieve gear from inside structure. No matter your skill level, the new jigheads from TT lures are worth their weight in gold. TT Snakelockz allow you to rig plastics to almost near snag proof, which means you can really get your offering deep into structure where the fish are holding. They also make changing weights simpler as it just means changing the weight of the jig without re-rigging your plastic. If you have someone who wants to get into snag 62

APRIL 2016

Sean proving little lures can catch big fish. This ZMan 3” Minnowz pulled out a 103cm barra. bashing or fishing structure then I highly recommend these jigheads, they will change the way you fish and will produce better results. Lob them into the structure, let them sink for a second and slowly twitch them out – hang on, as I can guarantee you will wake fish up! The mighty mangrove jack have been consistent for the last few months and should continue to be so for another month before they slow down like the barra. My preference to catch jacks is on tides with 1-2m difference, which normally keeps the water looking greener. Big tides dirty the water and although you still catch jacks I have definitely noticed better results when the water remains clearer and greener. In most cases you normally see the jack come out and smash you! Golden snapper have been quiet for the last few months in the channel with very few captures. Anglers have found some off the ocean headlands on the rubble patches using live squid, but even those results have been patchy. Not sure if it’s a breeding cycle or the warmth of the water over summer (which was very hot), that has hindered results. Grunter captures have been quite slow as well. JETTY, ISLANDS AND REEF The weather has been kind and there have been some awesome windows of flat conditions with plenty of boats getting out and braving the heat. April should see similar conditions, and the onset of those persistent southerlies that plague Queensland during the cooler months hopefully won’t arrive too soon. There have been terrific captures of red emperor off the small isolated rocks on the way to the reefs. These rocks are tiny and finding them can take a lot of luck, but if

you do they should produce a shot at a cracker red fish. The bigger emperor and nannygai always seem to take up residence in these areas. You might only pull one or two fish from them but they will be big. The reefs will fish consistently and April can see awesome captures of coral trout and red throat

a troll while searching for spots or flick out a floating pilchard while bottom bashing to get your line burning off the reel. Cobia will patrol the reef edges as well and provide loads of fun with their never give up fighting approach. Lobbing big poppers over the reef edge is always enjoyable and watching

GT will stretch the arms and the back – always fun! emperor in the mid depths of 10-20m. As the water is in a transitional period, the fish will be biting madly, so hopefully putting some fresh fillets in the freezer should come easy. The odd early Spanish mackerel is always on the cards, so have

GT, red bass and every other aggressive reef fish come swiping at your lure is heart-stopping stuff. It’s so highly addictive that I can just do that all day and not worry about dropping bait into the depths – I know I’m not the only one!

Hopefully more rain to come CAIRNS

Garry Smith garrysmith@fishingmonthly.com.au

It’s looking like there will be a late finish to the wet this year, so hopefully more rain will come this month. The start to the year has been particularly dry, so we certainly need more rain to really give the streams a solid flush out. The lack of rain has kept the barra pretty quiet except in Trinity Inlet, which has fished pretty well. The dry weather has coincided with very hot conditions, which really pushed the water temperature up. This made the deep water in the Inlet particularly attractive to barra, and to those anglers who have figured out how to target the barra in deep-water. Live baits and soft vibes have accounted for most of the Inlet barra. The best investment you can make is to spend time looking for fish sitting on deep structure. It’s a bit early to expect any significant drop in water temperature, so the tropical trophy trio of barra, jacks and golden snapper will continue to offer estuary and inshore anglers plenty to get excited about this month.

The headlands have continued to give up the odd quality barra for those prepared to put in the time, early and late. The best results have been at first and last light, when the water has been just a little off clear and there is bait in the vicinity. When the water has been crystal clear or too murky the barra have been hard to come by. Mangrove jack continued to bite through the hot weather and will remain active through April and, for some time, when the cooler weather arrives. Mangrove jack have been taken using a wide range of techniques, with plenty caught when targeting barra. The odd trophy jack to 50cm will really test your gear, so make sure you are rigged to handle them that big. Small to medium giant trevally will also be gate crashing the barra fishing this month, along with the odd quality golden trevally. If you hook one of these brutes when flicking lures for jacks and barra you are in for one hell of a battle. They are one of the toughest fighters pound for pound, and unlike barra they don’t give up without letting your arms and fingers know they have been in a serious scrap.

Golden snapper have been taken in deep sections of the Cairns Inlet and around the headlands and inshore islands, reefs and wrecks. Live squid has been the best bait, and they have been plentiful. If you can’t nail a few live squid, then live sardines, mud herring, mullet or prawns are your next best bet. Work deep structure with soft vibes, prawn imitations, jerk shads and paddle-tail soft plastics is another very productive and exciting way to chase golden snapper. It’s sudden death right from the initial bulldozing run, and it often ends in victory to the fish. Quality gear, braid upwards of 30lb and fluorocarbon leader from 40lb up will see you in with a fighting chance. Baitfishers will find a few grunter on the hospital flats and on the shale and rubble patches in Cains Inlet, especially on the 3m+ high tides in the lead-up to and after the new moon on 7 April. The tides aren’t near that big on the full moon, but it will still be worth another look around the full moon if they show up on the big new moon tides. The reef fishing has been hit-and-miss lately. Some anglers have been hitting the

jackpot, while many others have struggled for a feed. Bottom fishing the reef should continue to improve as the water temperatures decline, with red fishing only getting better as temperatures drop. You probably won’t land big numbers of large-mouth nannygai and red emperor this month, but you may well get the odd quality fish to really light up the esky. With the cooling weather, the trout should become more common in the shallows, after spending the summer in cooler, deeper water. Sharks have continued to haunt anglers, and it’s a rare trip that doesn’t see more fish lost to the grey suits than landed. Spanish mackerel will continue to appear here and there at the reef, with a couple taken on most trips on a floating pilchards or live bait. The odd cobia may give anglers a real work over, and just because most of your bottom fish have fallen to sharks you shouldn’t assume that bull-headed, dark shape is yet another one. Have a good look at anything that takes a floating pilchard or live bait before putting on the hurt and busting it off. On the subject of hurt, for those who enjoy a bit of

There will be the odd quality large-mouth nannygai coming aboard, like this one caught by Pauline Wedrat. pain with their fishing, there will be plenty of monster giant trevally patrolling the reef edges, drop-offs, current lines and pressure points. Poppers worked at a frantic pace are one of the best ways to increase the heart rate even further, with explosions all around the lure before it’s finally engulfed and the real work begins. Brutes in excess of

30kg will be lurking for those with enough energy, fitness and a touch of masochism to take on the fight. The more laid-back anglers will be able to add prawns to the menu if there is enough rain to flush them out of the creeks. If there is plenty of fresh, mud crabs will be on the move, so it won’t be all hard slog this month.

Changing tactics in the heat PORT DOUGLAS

Lynton Heffer

It has been a summer to remember up in the tropics for a couple of reasons. We’ve had well under average rainfall to date, making it a very mild wet season. We have also experienced unprecedented weeks on end of oppressive heat and high humidity, associated with a predominantly northerly wind factor. For weeks at a time, spending time out on the water has been a searing affair. The first couple of months of 2016 barely resembled a wet season at all, and long-term locals can’t recall a period like this. There is still a month or so of potential wet season to run though, and it will be interesting to see whether the shackles can be broken. On the fishing front, the lack of significant wet season has had an effect on our river systems. Traditionally, at this time of year decent flushes of rain rejuvenate the systems and the fishing in turn fires up. However what we’ve seen is the occasional flush activating some good fishing, followed by extended periods of hot and

dry conditions making the fishing a lot tougher. It hasn’t been all doom and gloom though; anglers who have adjusted their tactics have been enjoying success. With conditions so still, a lot of fish have been holding deep in the snags under the shade

the rivers and estuaries there have been some big nomadic queenfish wandering in on certain tides and have been partial to a big, juicy live bait sitting in their direct path as they travel. Golden snapper have remained pretty much the only consistent fish in the

through but not necessarily staying for very long. The lack of bait at times certainly dried up this scene but there were still swallowtail dart, flathead and big sand whiting prepared to tough it out in the barren, shallow conditions. The beaches did however

Young gun Julian Weimer has been changing tactics to catch jacks and other predators in the densest part of the mangroves on hot days.

James Gould caught this 115cm queenfish using a big live mullet as bait. of the mangroves. Mangrove jack and barra in particular have been doing this, and the best catches have occurred right up the side creeks in the dense, shady mangroves. Hardbodies and soft plastics cast deep into dangerous territory have been rewarded with some hair-raising catches. In the main parts of

main parts of the systems, and have been found sitting down low in the deepest of holes holding some structure. Fishing along the beaches has seen some nice barra caught, but not in significant numbers. Additionally, there has been the odd school of giant or golden trevally moving

fire up nicely at the start of March following a localised low pressure system, which provided some much-needed rain. This flush-out from the break through the creeks was exactly what was needed to bring back the schools of bait and prawns to entice the likes of queenfish, trevally, barra, tarpon, permit and salmon.

It just goes to show how a drop of rain can change the landscape overnight. Coastal wrecks and reefs have fared quite well with plenty of brassy and bludger trevally around to put a bend in the rod, as well as consistent numbers of cobia which have taken a liking to these areas. Isolated patches and wonky holes have accounted for large-mouth nannygai and big gold-spot cod. On the reef there has been ample opportunity to travel out wide due to the hot, calm conditions but, as to be expected in these conditions, the fishing has been up and down. Moderate northerly winds have been the toughest to fish, but when it has been more settled the deeper haunts in excess of 35m have been producing red emperor,

large-mouth and smallmouth nannygai, trevally, big cod and a few Spanish mackerel. Coral trout have been coming from a range of depths, including up in the shallows which you wouldn’t necessarily expect. However, catches have been inconsistent; some days have produced winter-like numbers of fish, while other days have turned up very poor numbers. The turn of the tide has had a significant impact on catch rates, and should be part of your planning process if you’re heading to the reef. Overall, a bit of rain is needed to keep our waters viable for the coming months ahead. We humans also need some cool weather, after withering under the intense sun for months! APRIL 2016

Spotlight on rampaging reefies COOKTOWN

Ben Stack

Where is the rain? Everyone is asking the same question throughout Far North Queensland and the Cape. The Bureau of Meteorology’s statistics state that our

we found a flooded drain spilling dirty water and leaving a distinctive colour change in the water along the edge of the bank. My children had an absolute ball catching and releasing a huge variety of small estuary species on their little fishing rods. I was so busy baiting and unhooking

off the best looking dish as it rolls by. Bloomfield River has lots of freshwater coming down that short river system at this time of year, therefore, the bait will most likely congregate down in the salt near the mouth of the river. Fishing the river mouth area would be most

rivers because the rest are taking full advantage of the perfect weather and hitting the reefs. As I mentioned earlier, February has not had rain and it has been very hot but no one’s complaining, because the winds have been pretty much non-existent too. The South East trade winds will be beginning to make their mark by now, so make the most of the good weather on the reefs now as it won’t be long before Cooktown’s breeze begins to increase to a constant blow throughout the winter. When the seasonal winds do spring up, people will be restricted to the estuaries or exploring creeks further inland.

Shaun Parki with his PB nanny from the Pink Boat.

The author with a tasty coral trout. most consistent rainfall is through February, March and April. February has been a fizzer except for a few very active summer storms that usually hit much earlier in our summer season, so here’s hoping we’ve had some good rain by the time this QFM magazine hits the shelf. Fortunately, the few flushes of freshwater from storms has kept the fish biting. Once you find the bait in the estuaries, it won’t be long before you find the predators following them. Last week, I took my little family up the river and

fish that I had become their personal deckie for the trip and I did not get a chance to fish myself! It was well worth it to see their smiles. But without doubt, I will be back at that location very soon on the same tide and fishing with large live baits or lures, as there will be some big fish stalking those drains. All estuaries have drains that flood out fresh water at this time of year and usually there is a lot of disorientated bait flushing out too. For the large predators, this is like sitting at a sushi train restaurant simply picking

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productive, but it doesn’t take much to work the whole system. The Bloomfield River fishes well and the sealed road all the way in makes it easy towing for boaties and there are some great places to camp as well. The McIvor River is a slightly longer system than the Bloomfield and it carries lots of fresh too. McIvor is for people that are a little more adventurous. It is an easy drive on dirt and most people camp at Elim Beach, which is a very nice location. Annan River catchment is quite large, which means plenty of fresh will be flushing through it but this river cleans up very quickly. If it’s dirty, stay down near the mouth and if it’s clearing, work your way up the river. The upriver side of the bridge is hazardous to navigate with shallow rock bars everywhere, but it all fishes well. The Endeavour River Wharf continues to produce quality fish, as does Martons Stonewall. It’s also worth trying around the boat ramp or a little further out the front around the granite boulders. The reefs continue to fire in Cooktown’s region. To be honest, there has only been a few mad keen estuary anglers hitting the

Tim Kries took this lovely mahimahi from the Ribbon Reefs. Lakefield National Park remains closed, and will depend on the amount of rain we get before it opens. Keep an eye on Cook Shires website for the latest in road conditions in Cape York. For current information

while visiting or planning a trip into Cooktown or the South Cape York region, simply ‘like’ my Facebook page titled ‘Stacky’s Fishing Adventures’ and send me a message. • If you’d like any current information while

you’re visiting Cooktown’s region or more information about a particular place in the neighbourhood to fish, then simply ‘like’ my FaceBook page titled ‘Stacky’s Fishing Adventures’ or send me a message.

Graham proudly displaying his 88cm large-mouth nannygai.

Hit them hard on the surface! CAPE YORK

Tim O’Reilly wildrivercompany@gmail.com

The El Nino has created a desperate lack of activity along the monsoonal trough, with not a single cyclone crossing our coast so far. This can lead to some awesome localised fishing early in the season, especially along the Gulf Coast. However, it does not bode well for later in the dry season, and for the years following. Easter comes early this year and odds are that access to the Cape should be well and truly open. Lets hope there is a late wet-season-kick and good rains before the long weekend to allow fish such as sooty grunter, coal bream, saratoga, barramundi, tarpon, archer fish and mangrove jack to reach some of those upstream pools. A close inspection of the Cape York map will reveal a massive block of land, dissected by streams, creeks and rivers. There is barely a pond of water that won’t hold fish at some stage or another. It is amazing where black bream can be found during the wet season, often in spots that were dry, desertlooking rock pools only months before. Some of the iconic species of the Cape like to transition between the fresh, salt and brackish waters. Saratoga are a classic example of this. Found only in the western draining systems, these fish will show up around the fresh-salt transition zone following each wet season, often leaving anglers a little mystified they have caught them so far downstream. Medium bodied, brightly coloured lures fitted with super sharp hooks will account for plenty of toga at this time of year. Look for large logjams at creek bends in areas adjacent to lily pads or shady structure nearby. The strike is often visual,

Big barra will swallow your lure whole if you are out at the right time!

make it suspend as it travels past the outside twigs. Telltale signs that barra are holding in a spot is a silver flash, followed by a boil behind your lure. Repeated casts may be necessary to get them fired up. Quite often, anglers will drift past an area holding heaps of barra when they fail to hook shy fish on the first pass. Gently placing an anchor over the side just upstream of the structure and making repeated casts in this fashion will yield a better catch tally at the end of the day. Inexperienced anglers don’t often see the value in catching small rat-barra. These days with the huge impoundment fish filling the social media annals, anglers can be forgiven

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Fishing structure like this will see you hooked up to a barra or a toga in no time! being either on the surface as the lure crashes down, or very close as the lure dips just under water. Some great soft plastic frog-imitations will also catch togas during fresh-water run-off time. Bronze-tinged barra that have been holding in far-upstream and landlocked waterholes will also fill these brackish waters during the run-off. Anglers will have a great time

catching 35-55cm fish on shallow divers, fishing the areas just upstream from the salt. These fish are suckers for a suspended lure twitched ever-so-slowly past structure. Look for green bushes that have fallen into the system during the last few months and have a little bit of current ripping past them. Cast upstream of these spots and twitch the lure down about a foot below the surface, to

for downplaying their own small-scale captures. But keep this firmly in mind – a wild caught barramundi, even a small one caught twitching your lure seductively near the surface will count for a huge amount when it comes time to tussle with that reclusive big girl. Knowing when to pause, when to twitch and when to strike are valuable lessons best learnt on smaller fish!

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$31,500 Anglers attempt to compose themselves as they approach predators smashing bait.

Recent rains have inundated flood plains, which in turn has switched the barra into feeding mode.

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Another cracker month to get the rod bent FRESHWATER

Angus James

April is going to be another cracker month to get the rod bent and land a few fish! Its a great time of year up here in the tropical north. The weather has started to cool right down and the humidity has finally subsided. It really is the perfect time to get

the land-based gear out, and start exploring the many sweetwater systems available to the keen angler! The cooler conditions mean the sweetwater jacks will be harder to tempt to smack your lure, but if you put those casts right on their doorstep you will still be able to land a few red devils. Remember these guys love to sit right back in the structure, so getting your presentation

as hard as you can into the timber will give you the best chance. The reaction bite is what you’re chasing, so make that extra effort to position yourself to get the perfect cast. Remember to have that drag tight! As always, the freshwater rivers and creeks produce plenty of entertainment on the sooty grunter front. These tough Aussie locals sure know how to get an

Jacks will become a bit harder to catch this month, but you should still be able to tempt a few. angler’s adrenalin pumping! They can be targeted in many different styles, but I personally believe you can’t beat a good surface strike. Don’t be afraid to use a big frog lure, as these fish will hit just about anything that lands in their strike zone. Using light braid around 2-5lb, with 6-8lb fluorocarbon leader, will keep you out of trouble for most assaults. However, every now and then the

This spot could not look any fishier!

bigger bush pig soots will feel unstoppable. My favourite species, the jungle perch (Kuhlia rupestris) will certainly be on the target list this month and with the Easter holidays approaching it is the perfect time to take the family and kids out to enjoy the scenery where this magical species live. Most of the systems north of Townsville hold good populations of this iconic

freshwater gem. Jungle perch fishing is something you don’t do just once! It truly is a breathtaking way to go fishing. Catching them really is a bonus. I hope everyone has a great month and catches a few fish. I know I will be having the best month of my life because I get to marry my fiancée. Guess where I met her… in a fishing tackle shop! Until next month, fish on!

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Brain spiking – ike jime PART 3 FORSTER

Blake Hudson

So far in this series, we have looked at a couple of easy ways to look after fish for the table or for release. One way is to use a simple piece of saturated sponge as a landing surface, to support and calm the fish. To further eliminate the uncontrolled flipping of fish, equipment such as a cotton glove worn on your bait hand will give you more effective control of your catch. Welcome to the third installment of this series, where we’ll discuss a brilliant fish-killing technique that has been used for centuries. There’s no doubt that most anglers have heard of it, although comparatively few have ever tried it – and even fewer can do it correctly and easily. Ike jime, often called I.J., is quite simply the technique of lethal brain spiking. Brain spiking has many benefits, and these include but are not limited to: • It is an extremely fast way to deal with kept catch; • It is humane – death being immediate without prolonged cruelty to the animal; • It results in a far superior eating product at the table; and • It provides for a superior shelf life and freshness of the product. Performed correctly, the results from this method are immediate. Just seconds after you perform the final blow, you will see a change in the appearance of the fish. For example, a snapper’s skin will turn bright crimson while their blue spots almost illuminate (see photo). Bream and whiting turn a brilliant pewter colour with pronounced yellow, while reef fish like coral trout or red emperor turn magically scarlet. The transformation is immediate and amazing. Pelagic species also produce the same outstanding results, although the

technique is slightly different and requires a little more attention and care. I won’t discuss the pelagic killing technique, other than to mention an interesting factor. If you brain spike a pelagic and then ice brine it, but don’t handle it with cotton gloves, the fish will emerge from the brine with obvious hand prints on its skin where the heat from your hands has burnt the animal. This illustrates the high sensitivity of a fish’s scales and skin, which is why you should wear a damp cotton glove. The art of ike jime can be performed on any fish, be it freshwater, an estuarine species or a pelagic or bottom fish. There are many ways to kill a fish for the table, some better than others. These include but are not limited to: • Slitting the throat; • Repeated blow to the head with a blunt instrument; • Putting fish into an ice slurry while live; and • Leaving the fish die in an

eating product. One alternative that avoids this problem is to completely remove the head while live. However, this practice creates a different problem: it exposes the flesh to gut and gill contaminants during rigor mortis, once again resulting in an inferior tablefish. Finally, contrary to popular belief, allowing a fish to survive temporarily in a live well greatly increases stress and thus increased cortisol levels (Pankhurst and Sharples 1992), and ultimately produces an inferior eating product. Most anglers would have seen pale bands appear along the sides of a fish as it awaits its fate. These stripes mean the fish is distressed, which means poorer eating qualities, and a reduced chance of survival if it’s returned to the water. This stress and suffering is unnecessary. That’s why responsible anglers use the brain spike method.

You will know you have located the brain because the fish will make a shuddering movement. For now though, let’s start with the basics. When it comes to the spike itself, the authentic Japanese version is called a hukka, but comparatively few tackle stores stock them. That’s OK though because a small

2. Holding the fish around its belly (palm facing up) very firmly with your glove hand, hold your spike with your opposing hand with the tip of the spike resting on the fish’s temple. Follow the line from the false gill

IKE-JIME Insert tool here Brain

Insert tool here

Enter

Brain

exposed dry bucket, which is particularly barbaric. As well as being inhumane, all of the above methods have a common flaw: the fish keeps firing electrical impulses from the brain, which pumps lactate and cortisol (stress chemicals) into the flesh. These chemicals are actually poisonous and result in contamination of the flesh, which results in an inferior

While becoming proficient at brain spiking requires commitment, concentration and practice, it’s certainly not rocket science. Practice makes perfect, and I’ve been able to teach many anglers the technique – including my 10-year-old daughter, who is now proficient. Once you have the fundamentals sorted, and have some practice under your belt, you’ll find you can hit the mark quickly and easily.

After some practice, it should take a little over 10 seconds to efficiently kill and bleed your catch.

Phillips head screwdriver is all that’s required for recreational fishing. Once you have your spike or screwdriver, it’s time to look at the technique. If you follow the wet sponge landing technique from Part II of this series, the fish will be lying quite still, making it easy to handle. This simplifies the process significantly. Now you need to locate the brain cavity. On a just legal size reef fish, the size of the brain cavity may be as small as a frozen pea. This might sound bad, but it’s still relatively easy to locate. That’s because nearly all fish have a similar anatomy, making locating the direction of the brain cavity relatively easy. Let’s look at the steps to find it. 1. For right-handed anglers, brain spiking is always performed on the right side – that is, the fish is left side down on the foam. With your gloved hand, lay the fish on the foam (preferably as soon as the fish is landed) so its right side is facing up. Also, have the fish in front of you lengthways so that the tail is furthest away from your body.

plate and the true gill plate so the two lines meet in a point. There will be a soft muscular indentation on the fish’s head. This is the entry point for the spike. 3. Imagine the point of your spike is the center of a clock face. The spike is the small hand and the tail of the fish is the big hand. You want the big hand, the tail, to be at 12 o’clock. The small hand, the spike, should be held at 4 o’clock. Angle the spike at downward at 45°. 4. Now confidently and with good pressure, thrust the spike, continuing on this same angle and direction. You will feel it penetrate the skull and you have to push firmly until you ‘crunch’ through the top of the brain bone. Be careful not to push straight through the other side. You also want to avoid spiking directly from the side because the bone is thicker there and you’re less likely to kill the fish in one go. 5. You will know you have located the brain because the fish will make a shuddering movement. With the spike now in the brain cavity, wiggle the spike

gently from side to side in a scraping motion (the animal may contort a couple more times as you do this). This will ensure the fish is dead and that no further electrical stress impulses can be fired from the brain, contaminating the flesh. 6. Without further delay, lash under the gills near the spine and bleed the fish out. You can use the spike for this. After some practice, it should take a little over 10 seconds to efficiently kill and bleed your catch. While you’re learning, however, it will obviously take a bit longer. If the procedure has been performed incorrectly (which is likely while you’re learning the technique), the obvious change in colour will not have occurred and the fish may still flip about in the ice box. If this happens, go through the process again until you’re sure the fish is dead. Now remember, the whole time you’ve been doing this you have actually gained time from not fumbling, struggling and attempting to cleanly wrangle your catch from your hook to then deal with it. As soon as you’ve landed the fish you’ve calmed it by laying it on a supportive, wet sponge, carefully avoiding contact with anything hard, dry or hot, which would stress the fish. Then you have handled it with a gloved hand for sizing and positioning right side up, and dispatched the fish swiftly and humanely using the brain spike technique. That’s the long and the short of it. Swift, smart and safe. Once you begin doing it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t start years ago. Be sure to tune in next month for the fourth and final part of this series, where you’ll find out the chilling details of how to guarantee you’ll be taking the absolute best possible eating product home to your dinner table – every time. APRIL 2016

Choosing a sounder TOOWOOMBA

Jason Ehrlich fishability1@bigpond.com

Late last year, I introduced the Jets 18g tail-spinner to bass anglers. The lure was so effective it created a huge demand and I could no longer keep up supply. It’s likely that there won’t be too many hanging on tackle store shelves. The good news is, I have finally sourced more lure bodies and placed a massive order. The next batch should arrive this month and I will fit the blades and hooks before distributing them to tackle stores. Keep an eye out for them at your local tackle sound or for more information shoot me an email to the address above or a message me on the Hot Bite Fishing Facebook page. CHOOSING A SOUNDER I often talk about looking for fish and spending plenty of time reading your sounder to locate them. Let’s face it, there’s a lot of water out there and the fish will only be in a small percentage of it. There’s no point fishing when the fish aren’t there. One of the questions I often get asked is how much do I need to spend on a fish finder? Models vary from company to company but I’d suggest forking out

around $500-$1000 if you only fish occasionally. For this money you can expect to pick up a quality unit. At the lower end of the scale, you may have a sounder with only normal 2D sonar and/or down imaging. At the upper end of that price bracket, you can expect to see side imaging and full GPS capabilities. If you have a bulging wallet or fish more regularly, don’t hold back. Bigger really is better when it comes to sounder screen size. Bigger screens allow you to split the sounder, side image and GPS into individual screens while still giving enough detail without needing a magnifying glass to read it. I love the extra detail on a big screen in side image mode too where the shadows of fish are much bigger, making them easier to identify. With the bigger-sized screens comes a bigger price tag. For 10” and 12” screens you will be forking out $2500+. For freshwater fishing, a combo unit is certainly the way to go and the GPS and sounder working together will see you catch a lot more fish. I recall the days of lining up a tree with the hill behind and at right angles to that windmill and the spotted cow. This way of pinpointing a spot is surprisingly accurate – provided you remember your landmarks. This is almost a forgotten skill now, with the

SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND CRESSBROOK CLOSEST TOWN: CROWS NEST The best action at Cressbrook seems to take place early in the morning. Bass are taking lures around the lake’s edges. Casting spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits to the edges of the weed is likely to produce some quality fish before they head for deeper water. During the day, the fishing has been tougher. The bass are scattered and

have been suspending out in the deeper water. Spend plenty of time with your eyes glued to the sounder to locate the better patches of fish. Once found in reasonable numbers, they should take blades, tail spinners or soft plastics. Lure trolling with deeper hardbody lures like the Golden Child, Blitz Baga, Poltergeist Crazy Deep and locally made Little Rippa should produce a few fish. Trolling is a good way to locate

GPS doing all the work and dozens of waypoints doing the same job. The next question is what brand to buy. There are certainly a few to choose from and the ones I recommend for freshwater use are Humminbird, Lowrance and Garmin. Sounder technology is improving all the time. With this in mind, a fiveyear-old sounder is still an awesome piece of fish finding equipment. Nothing beats technology and the new age sounders boast better side and down imaging capabilities and some of the new ones even produce a 3D image of the bottom. Currently, I run a Humminbird 1198 and a 998 on my boats. These have done a great job over the last five years. With newer technology available, it’s time to upgrade. The sounders that have caught my eye are the new Humminbird Helix range. They come in widescreen display sizes from 5” right up to a whopping 12”. These units can be purchased with all the built-in features including GPS antenna and mapping. With up to $200 cash back and a three-year warranty when purchased through a Humminbird Pro Store, you can’t go wrong. Until next month, buckled rods from The Colonel! the better patches of fish. Bass can usually be found in deeper water out from the boat ramps, around Deer Island and up towards Eagles Nest. Put out a good selection of lures in a range of colours to see what the fish prefer. When they are fussy, one particular lure style and colour can be a standout. Due to the fish being spread out, bait fishing will be slow. If you can pinpoint a school of fish, live shrimp will certainly get plenty of bites. For all your fishing supplies, and the latest

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APRIL 2016

FEB MAR 6 6 95 91 46 44 59 57 96 96 89 93 91 89 94 94 23 22 100 100 69 67 41 37 17 16 85 83 12 9 88 100 45 43 29 28

14 31

Weipa

Toowoomba

BRISBANE

IMPOUNDMENT DAM

Gold Coast

24 1 Tinaroo Falls Dam 2 Peter Faust Dam 3 Burdekin Falls Dam 4 Eungella Dam 5 Teemburra Dam 6 Kinchant Dam 7 Cania Dam 8 Lake Monduran 9 Isis Balancing Storage 10 Wuruma Dam 11 Lenthalls Dam 12 Boondooma Dam 13 Bjelke-Petersen Dam 14 Lake MacDonald 15 Gordonbrook Dam 16 Borumba Dam 17 Somerset Dam 18 Wivenhoe Dam 19 Pindari Dam 20 Copeton Dam 21 Moogerah Dam 22 Maroon Dam 23 Leslie Dam 24 Connolly Dam 25 Coolmunda Dam 26 Clarrie Hall Dam (NSW) 27 Hinze Dam 28 Lake Cressbrook 29 Callide Dam 30 Lake Awoonga 31 Lake Samsonvale 32 Fairbairn Dam 33 Koombooloomba Dam 34 Cooby Dam

23 25

Cairns 1

Townsville 2

3 4

Proserpine 6 5

Mackay

Rockhampton

Emerald 29 7

Highlighted dams are covered in this issue

Showing pressured bass something that’s a little different but ticks all the right boxes can pay off. This lure is something I’ve been working on over the last couple years.

Hinze 96 95 94 Julius 79 77 100  Kinchant 57 52 41 Koombooloomba 34 31 29  Leslie 20 20 19  Macdonald 104 98 92  Maroon 99 98 97  Monduran/Fred Haigh 93 92 88  Moogerah 91 90 89  North Pine/Samsonvale 79 77 75  Peter Faust/Proserpine 70 68 66 Pindari 36 37 40  Somerset 100 99 99  Teemburra 85 76 72  Tinaroo 70 65 64 Toonumbar 102 100 104  Wivenhoe 93 92 90  Wuruma 94 94 90

94 94 100 106 51 72 21 23 17 16 99 98 97 97 98 98 92 87 73 71 65 65 41 37 80 79 76 87 62 61 100 100 90 89 98 9

Gladstone

QUEENSLAND DAM LEVELS DAMS NOV DEC JAN Atkinson 16 13 8 Awoonga 89 89 87 Bjelke-Petersen 45 46 45 Boondooma 61 60 59 Borumba 102 100 98 Burdekin Falls 51 46 42 Callide 79 78 74 Cania 93 91 88 Clarendon 28 26 24 Clarrie Hall n/a 100 100 Cooby 71 71 69 Coolmunda 51 49 43 Copeton 22 22 19 Cressbrook 86 86 86 Dyer/Bill Gunn 28 36 21 Eungella 85 84 81 Fairbairn 38 32 32 Glenlyon 30 30 30

Gympie

Bundaberg 9

Maryborough

Roma BRISBANE

reports on Cressbrook and the surrounding dams, call in to see the specialist tackle stores in Toowoomba. Tackleworld Toowoomba in Ruthven Street on the north side, and Fish’n Bits in Alderly Street closer to the south side have a great range of lures and fishing gear. Support these tackle stores because they will be able to offer invaluable advice. Just remember, there is a speed limit of 8 knots and a restricted area at Cressbrook Dam. Check out the signage to ensure you stay out of trouble and abide by the rules. The gate hours for the boat ramps and day use area are 6am-8pm. SOMERSET CLOSEST TOWNS: ESK, KILCOY Somerset fishing remains much the same. To page 69

For fortnightly updates on Sunwater dams visit www. sunwater.com.au This symbol indicates that a Stocked Impoundment Permit is required to fish these dams. All figures are % readings Current as of 15/03/2016

From page 68

The schooling bass are easy to find and will bite well some days and on other days prove hard to tempt. Plenty of anglers have headed to the lake over the last month to report the same findings. The bass chew like crazy one day, while other days are ridiculously tough. It’s amazing what makes these fish tick. The bass have been holding in good numbers around Pelican Point, Bay 13 and the bay adjacent to Eagles Nest. On my last trip, the best patch I found was at Spot X, which is on the southwestern side of Pelican Point. These fish have been a bit mobile but can usually be found if you put in a bit of time. Once found,

they can be targeted with cast lure offerings. Lures like Jackall Masks, blade baits, tail-spinners and soft plastics will get the bites. When it’s tough, mix it up to see if they prefer one lure style over another. On the tough days, it will come down to picking the right lure and then refining the presentation to get more bites. A lot of success comes down to boat positioning around the schooling fish. If you sit on top of a school for too long, they become tougher to catch. If the boat is moving on the electric motor or with a wind assisted drift, you will often catch more fish. Troll the same lures you would use for casting. The moving boat draws the fish in but they are left bunched up behind the

DARLING DOWNS GRANITE BELT REGION COOBY CLOSEST TOWNS: HIGHFIELDS, TOOWOOMBA Cooby Dam still produces a few golden perch, but they require a bit of work. Fish are falling to baits as well as trolled, cast and jigged lures. There hasn’t really been a standout approach. Some of the expert blade jiggers are able to rack up a good score on the fish but most anglers won’t reach their bag limit. It seems the fish are scattered around the dam and holding in different depths. This probably explains why they are being caught on a mix of

The dam hours are 7am-8pm. Cooby is an electric motor only dam and is well suited to kayaks and canoes. The concrete boat ramp is on a shallow angle when the dam is full and can be slippery in places, but a big electric powered boat can still be launched with care. Outboard motors can be left on the boat but must not be used. Tackle, lures and saltwater yabbies can be purchased from Highfields Bait and Tackle on the New England Highway in Highfields. Call in and see Doug and check out the great range of fishing gear, kayaks and accessories he has on display. The action could

boat and still somewhat active as the lure comes to them. My favourite way to fool Somerset fish is to troll at around 2km/h (or drift with the wind on a windy day) and hop tailspinners behind the boat. Usually I’d hop the lure on the bottom for better quality fish, but if they are suspended I try to position it off the bottom using the same hopping method. This technique is deadly. Trolling hardbodies has been very effective to catch schooling bass. Look for fish in 10-15m of water and run the lure at the depth they are holding. This is usually around 10m deep. Lures like the Blitz Baga, Poltergeist Crazy Deep and Little Rippa are perfect for the job. It is amazing how tough fish can be when you sit in one

spot and cast – only to troll through similar areas and nail them one after another. MAROON CLOSEST TOWNS: BOONAH, BEAUDESERT Maroon will continue to fish well for bass this month. Target the edges of the weed formations during the day with spinnerbaits. Small profile spinnerbaits around 1/2oz in weight are ideal to work down the faces of the weed beds and into deeper pockets. A soft plastic shad or T-tail rigged on a jighead fitted to a beetle spin frame is another great option for fishing Maroon’s weed. The vibration of the blade lets you know if the lure is fouled with weed. A few good rips will usually free the weed and have the lure

trolled lures but most of the action has been on live shrimp or saltwater yabbies. There have been a few cod whacking trolled lures. One of the best lures to troll has been lipless crankbaits. These lures are best towed behind a kayak or boat using an electric motor. Warwick Outdoor and Sports is located at 115 Palmerin Street Warwick. For a small store, it carries a great range at a very competitive price. Warwick is only a ten-minute drive from the dam and you can pick up any supplies you might need. COOLMUNDA CLOSEST TOWN: INGLEWOOD The golden perch action is slow at Coolmunda,

you stand a good chance. Cod will be found close to submerged tree stumps on the drop-off when they are inactive. When they are out roaming, it isn’t uncommon to jag one well away from any form of structure. The Poltergeist 80 is an excellent cod lure in this dam and will also account for quite a few golden perch – should they decide to fire up. This is how the fish feed when they are tough to entice. There will be a brief period where they fire up and feed and you will catch several in quick succession. It just goes to show you need to have a lure in the water at all times if you expect to catch fish. Casting up in the timber may still be worth a shot. The falling lake level makes the timber a tougher place to fish. Stick to the old creek bed, as the cod aren’t likely to be too far away from the comfort of this deeper water. Big spinnerbaits like the Bassman Codman cast to the structure will put you in with a good chance. Night fishing is also worth a go. I have heard that massive cod explosions have been taking place when fishers brave the darkness and use surface lures at night. The Coolmunda Caravan Park is only around 1km from the lake. The park is just off the Cunningham Highway but far enough away from the noise of trucks to get a good night sleep. It offers camping sites, cabins, caravan facilities, tennis courts, a swimming pool, BBQ shelter and a camp kitchen. Camping is available near the boat ramp with toilets and hot showers to make your stay more comfortable. To take advantage of this and the great fishing opportunities in the lake and the river below, give the park a call on (07) 4652 4171.

Kayaks are a great way to get into the fishing action on the lakes. Here Blake Ehrlich battles a chunky golden perch. presentations. Baitfishers will achieve the best results using a combination of live shrimp and saltwater yabbies. If the boat is anchored well and not moving, it makes sense to crunch up some bait into mushy small pieces and throw in for berley.

pick up suddenly so drop in to any of the local tackle stores in the area to check how the fishing is going. LESLIE CLOSEST TOWN: WARWICK The golden perch have still been quiet at Leslie Dam. A few have taken

which has kept quite a few anglers away. The lake is still worth a visit, with Murray cod a worthy opponent to make a trip worthwhile. You can expect to find cod in the main basin of the lake. Trolling 5m divers close to the old creek beds will ensure

working again. Early in the morning and late in the afternoon is the time to break out surface lures. Poppers and walk-the-dog style stickbaits are perfect for Maroon. It pays to cover a bit of water between pauses. Move the lure 1-2m before each pause. If the spot looks fishy, slow it down and pause the lure more often. If fish strike the topwater bait and miss, don‘t strike but leave the lure sitting there until the fish has had time to spin back around and line it up for another go. If you move it too far from the zone after a strike, the fish may have trouble finding it again. There’s no better way to catch a bass than on a surface lure so make sure you give it a go.

MOOGERAH CLOSEST TOWNS: BOONAH, BEAUDESERT Schooling bass have been holding in the dam’s basin and up in the timber. These fish can be located in around 8m of water. The schooling fish should take soft plastics, soft vibes and tail-spinners. When the schooling fish are hard to entice, there are other options. The edges can produce a few bass early in the morning. Cast spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits to the shallows and work them back following the contour of the bottom. During the day, the trees fish well on cast spinnerbaits. Heavier spinnerbaits around 5/8oz are ideal to work deeper into the tree tops where the bass are most likely to be holding.

GREAT FO R A DAY EVEN BETTER WHEN YOU STAY

• Great fishing, bass, yellowbelly, cod, saratoga, garfish… • Windsurfing, boating, beach volleyball, playground, BBQ’s. • Level tent sites, showers, toilets, hot and cold water. Only 50 kms from Toowoomba For more information on camping or fees: Call Toowoomba Regional Council on 131 872 during office hours or visit www.toowoombaRC.qld.gov.au

2 Dams

1de stination H

South Burnett

· Boondooma Dam · Bjelke Petersen Dam ·

The BEST place in QLD to catch Australian Bass and Yellowbelly

STAY

NIGHTS AND

SAVE CATCH of the month

YALLAKOOL

BOONDOOMA DAM

Tanya Luck with a massive Boondooma Yella.

Peter Lloyd caught this very nice BP Bass.

www.lakeboondooma.com.au www.yallakoolpark.com.au APRIL 2016

run. The outboard has the lure cruising along quite quickly, so to send it deeper, Mott opts for light, thin line. The reels are spooled with 4lb Fireline with an 8lb leader. The thin diameter of this setup gets the lure deep enough (on a long cast) to where it needs to be. Casting is a bit slower, but the fish should start taking soft plastics, blades and tail-spinners this month. The fish in the timber should also improve once they are rested from fishing pressure for a while. These bass and golden perch nailed spinnerbaits worked in around 5m of water in both the Boyne and Stuart arms. Boondooma is a great place to camp. It’s right near the water and you can sit by the fire and enjoy the view. You could also stay in more style and comfort by booking into one of the cabins overlooking the dam. The kiosk at the main office does hot food and other basic items including fishing tackle. For campsites, cabins and bunkhouse rooms call

Corey and Niki on (07) 4168 9694. BJELKE CLOSEST TOWNS: MURGON, GOOMERI The fishing has been patchy at Bjelke. Most anglers have found it tough, with only a few guys nailing fish on a regular basis. The majority of fish can be found between the dam wall and the islands. These fish are schooling in smaller bunches and there doesn’t seem to be any big schools in one particular place. Provided you can find them on the sounder, you should be able to catch them. Sit on the fish and try your luck with different options. Blades, spoons, vibes, soft plastics and spinnerbaits fished on the bottom can all produce fish at times. Sometimes it’s a case of trying a few different presentations to see what the fish want to eat most. Trolling will also pull a few fish. Every now and then you are likely to drag the lures through one of the tight schools of fish. If you are able to, mark the spot and try to work the same area repeatedly. Hardbodies work at the right depth for Bjelke.

Purple is a favourite colour for many but don’t dismiss other natural and dark colours as they can perform better at times. Trolling 5/8oz spinnerbaits and 1/2oz blades will also get the bites and will usually produce better results than using hardbodied lures. Baitfishing with live shrimp will produce a mixed bag of bass and goldens. Try different spots in the lower half of the dam until you stumble upon a school if you don’t have a good fish finder. For help catching Bjelke and Boondooma fish, call into your local Bass 2 Barra store. Bass 2 Barra stores stock an awesome range of gear suited to chasing our freshwater fish and the boys have all the knowledge to guide you on how to use it. The Yallakool Kiosk is all set up with a great range of tackle if you don’t happen to have the right lure or lose one. Be sure to call in and check it out. Give them a call for accommodation and camping bookings on (07) 4168 4746.

produced some better quality barra up to around a metre in length. Soft plastics and vibes are perfect for tossing to fish spotted on the sounder.

Lure trolling is also an option, especially if you choose to use an electric motor or stealth of a kayak. If you are keen to try and tackle some fish in the river or dam, give Lyn and Mark from Awoonga Gateway a call on

(07) 4975 0033. At Awoonga Gateway you’ll find clean, modern cabins and your hosts will be full of useful advice to help you try to land that barra of a lifetime. Make sure you tell Mark I sent you and pump him for the secret spot.

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BOONDOOMA CLOSEST TOWNS: PROSTON, KINGAROY Most of the action should take place in the first two basins of the lake. There are still fish up in the timber but they are a lot tougher after copping a flogging over the past couple of months. The schooling fish are made up of bass and golden perch and they are much more cooperative. These fish are found out in the deeper areas where they suspend at 7-8m deep. Trolling hardbodied lures for them has been a bit hit and miss. The most reliable method is to troll spinnerbaits. The 5/8oz Smak trolled on ultra light tackle using the outboard has enticed the fish. Matthew Mott has put his clients onto ridiculous numbers of bass and golden perch using this approach. The secret is to put the lure in front of the bass, which requires a combination of factors. Speed will alter the depth of the spinnerbait – the faster the boat goes, the shallower the lure will CAPRICORN REGION AWOONGA DAM CLOSEST TOWNS: BENARABY, GLADSTONE The barra fishing has been slow in the dam. I’m thinking about biting the bullet and stepping up to the challenge to see if we can put a few in the boat this month. Mark from Awoonga Gateway managed a couple of fish recently in his favourite spot up the back of New Zealand Gully. The fish were caught just on dark with one taking the lure right beside the boat. When this happens, it makes you wonder how many fish actually follow your lure without eating it. The dam is still looking healthy and the fish are showing up on the sounder, so if you put in the time, you stand a chance. A release of dam water cleaned out some of the weed below the wall in the Pikes Crossing area. These fish have taken all sorts of lures. When the weed was thicker, frogging was a good option. Soft plastics and surface lures have also scored smaller class barra. The upper side of Pikes crossing seems to fish well throughout the day and night while the lower section produces fish better late in the afternoon and at night. This less fished section of water is more open and is well suited to trolling with hardbodies once the sun goes down. The water around Benaraby Bridge has been quite fresh, even after the bigger tides. This section has

The sinker gave the lure extra depth so we could place big soft plastics in front of barra suspended at 5m while trolling between 4-5km/h.

MACKAY REGION TEEMBURRA AND KINCHANT CLOSEST TOWNS: MARIAN, MACKAY Ash Sims has reported some awesome fishing over the last month. Big rain fell in the area making the dam levels rise and flood new

ground. This water should still be healthy this month before any grass dies off and who’s to say the dams don’t continue to rise if the rain continues. The ground is wet now and can hold no more water, so a good downpour will make the creeks run.

Working weedless rigged frogs like the Zoom Horny Toad and Reflexion Frogs through the flooded areas has enticed plenty of barramundi during the day. These fish chase the frogs when they are fished fast across the surface of the water in the warmer hours. In the mornings and afternoons, topwater lures will still work, but you

Weedless rigged plastics should produce on the northern dams around the freshly flooded vegetation. Barra were the target species but this sooty grunter wanted in on the action.

may need to slow down to suit the mood of the fish. Walk-the-dog baits like the Cultiva Tango Dancer are ideal for this time of day. Soft plastics in the 5-7” size range score a few barra around the flooded edges but it’s the hard baits that get the more aggressive bites and bigger fish. Lures like Reidy’s Big B52 and the Rapala X-Rap 14 have produced the quality specimens. At Kinchant Dam, there are still plenty of barra holding out in the deeper areas where they are suspending at 4-6m deep. Try trolling soft plastics at 4-5km/h with stacks of

line out to keep the lures down. Heavy plastics are the go, or try running a sinker in front of the lure as the barra don’t seem to mind the odd add-on. On heavy barra tackle, you may need to place the lure 50-70m behind the boat just to get it tracking at the right depth. It pays to run through some shallower water at the same depth the fish are holding just to feel your lures touch the bottom and adjust them to get them swimming exactly at the depth you want. Jigging FLT Transams in the deeper water is also scoring well. Ash reports the black coloured Transams as a

A combination of side image and GPS is deadly in open water. The sounder has scanned a fish on the left side of the boat. The bright line is the barra and you can see its shadow to the left of its return.

standout – possibly due to the noticeable increase in the redclaw crayfish population. When the water is running in, the sooty grunter will be going off. If the water is pouring into the lakes and is quite clear, the sooties will be there in bulk numbers. For smaller fish these guys are tough customers, so lures need to be tough enough to handle the abuse. Lipless crankbaits will score plenty of bites. Try upsizing and you shouldn’t have any problems staying connected. Some good colours over the last month have been SC black red and blue gill. The edges can also fish well for sooties, especially around any smaller feeder creeks. It could pay to upsize leader size as barra will also find the same lures irresistible. Ash Sims works at Nashys Compleat Angler in Mackay. You can call in to see him for tips or make a booking with his fishing charters. Ash operates on all four lakes in the Mackay area and his charter business is called Fishin’ Magician. Look him up on Facebook or try his mobile on 0478 720 781.

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Revival of the Hyundai Tucson creates a stir BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

A few years back, Hyundai Motor Company had a family-orientated SUV wagon named the Tucson complementing their range of family sedans. The Tucson was fairly popular, if somewhat oddly styled, and was in essence a cheap and cheerful people mover. A diesel engine option ensured frugal running, while a decent ride offered comfort along with the economy. In 2010, however, the Tucson was dropped to be replaced by the very successful iX35, which was destined to become a very significant player in the small SUV category – the second best seller in the country, in fact. From the outset the ix35 was a whole new ball game for Hyundai, with refinement, styling, and performance right out of the earlier Tucson’s league. Now the wheel has now turned a full circle. Last year saw the release of a new and highly refined Tucson SUV wagon

actually replacing the ix35. Hyundai claim that the new Tucson is a bigger, better, and more sophisticated unit than the ix35 it’s replacing, and these are big claims indeed given the success of the former vehicle. Still, one portion of this claim

is very easy to verify – the new size. Looking like a smaller version of the top-shelf Santa Fe SUV, the new Tucson is 65mm longer and 25mm wider than the ix35, and rides on a 30mm longer wheel base. These larger

Looking like a mini Santa Fe, the new Tucson carries Hyundai into 2016 and beyond with considerable road presence.

It’s hard to beat the convenience of a top loading rear cargo area when it’s time to pack the gear for a trip.

A host of controls are centred around the Tucson’s wheel.

The Tucson’s rear seat passengers will note extra room over that of the ix35.

dimensions are somewhat disguised though, thanks to the svelte external design. Within the Tucson the extra room is instantly apparent. There’s more room up front, and the rear seat passengers are particularly well catered for with ample leg and head room, and plenty of comfort including their own air-conditioning system. NINE MODELS ACROSS THE BOARD Hyundai offer some

excellent engine choices with no less than three petrol versions (one turbo charged) available as well as a 2.0L turbo diesel. The drive trains include both manual and auto transmissions plus front or AWD across the range, which commences with the base Active, to ActiveX, Elite and the top-shelf Highlander. The four-cylinder 2.0L turbo diesel was the engine powering the reviewed

Tucson Elite with its six-speed auto gear box. The direct-injection diesel with its 136kW of power and 400Nm of torque was as smooth as silk throughout, amply powerful for any task required of it and had both power and torque to spare. The road manners were top shelf and within the cabin, in the Hyundai tradition, there were plenty of features. Hyundai make a point of providing modern as

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APRIL 2016

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tomorrow autos, and the Elite sported an electric driver’s seat, dual climate air (naturally), electric park brake, 8” multi-function touch screen, an autoopening power tailgate, side mirror indicators, a brilliant rear view camera, rear park sensors, Bluetooth phone and audio, projector beam headlights, multifunction steering wheel with audio controls and cruise control buttons, rain sensing wipers and alloy wheels keeping the rubber on the road. The Tucson’s interior has its share of plastic, like many of its kind, but sported nicely contrasting colour tonings with a dash layout that blended simplicity and a high degrees of functionality very smoothly. It’s a shift forward from the ix35, which was certainly not lacking in features or finish by any standard. ON THE ROAD Likely aimed at family drivers, the wagon has that elusive ‘just right’ feel about it, which a lot of vehicles don’t achieve. SUVs offer high seating, ample all round visibility and great luggage space without without rear seating folded, and the Tucson stays within the concept. The rear cargo area is 488L

minimum with the rear seat upright, and 1478L when the rear seat is folded flat. I found the Tucson’s driving position decently high yet surprisingly car-like. Hyundai went to considerable trouble to fine tune the Tucson’s MacPherson strut front suspension, rear multilink assembly to cope with our less than perfect road systems, and trialled over 100 different suspension tunings to come up with the final set-up. Consequently, it takes a considerable pot hole or series of

corrugations to affect the Tucson’s occupants. And thanks to the ultra-smooth turbo diesel, it’s certainly no slouch on the bitumen or picking its way along a rough, unmade road. SAFETY AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS Tucsons come with safety features such as hill start and descent controls, traction and stability control, brake force distribution, six air bags, and seat belt pre-tensioners. The fuel consumption is rated around the 6.5L per 100km mark (I achieved

7.8 in a country/city four-day session), and the warranty is five-year unlimited kilometres while towing ratings are listed as 1600kg braked and 750kg unbraked. That’s plenty for a lot of boat or camper tailer owners. With the upsizing from the ix35, the extra refinement and features along with a near-perfect engine/gear box/suspension set-up, the Tucson is going to give rivals such as the Mazda CX5, Toyota Rav 4, Kia Sportage, and Nissan X-Trail a run for their money.

An impressive 8” screen dominated the Tucson’s well set out dash area.

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APRIL 2016

Incompetence 101 BRISBANE

The Sheik of the Creek

Applying yourself to your hobby to try to achieve a result is a nice feeling. It’s even better when you manage to get to where you wanted to go despite setbacks. Not that I’d call fishing a hobby. Maybe a sickness, a passion, an infatuation, a love affair, a sordid secret, a sad addiction or a problem depending on whether you’re talking to me, my significant other, or members of my extended family. Or the Dudds, in which case, fishing is a distraction. It allows the Dudds to get away from their ordinary lives and into a cycle of early mornings, late nights, late mornings, early nights, talking over past trips, arguing the relative merits of Bobby Lindner v Gary Larson v Dallas Johnson, cut hands, sunstroke, heat stroke, hangovers, lost fish, snagged lines, busted

gear, broken boats, and sheer incompetence. Sometimes when you’re least expecting it that incompetence gives way to something else. Recently, I ran across a few examples of prawns caught around the place on social media. Even given that a fair percentage are from trollers trying to muddy the waters by posting false reports, it became obvious over the course of a couple of days that there were a good number of these tasty little crustaceans being netted by amateurs in the creeks and rivers around the local area. Intriguingly, although I’d done a heap of prawning in the past, I’d never tried to find them on a sounder before. Now, throwing a cast net can be tough work, especially when you’re getting one prawn every five casts, and your bag limit is maybe a couple of hundred, depending on their size. The strain quickly adds up, and you find that 5kg net feeling more like a 44 gallon drum of sump oil until you

eventually give up. How good would it be to find the prawnies schooled up, so I’d get my bag limit in ten throws? All I had to do was learn how to find them on the sounder. A sounder isn’t like a television. It’s basically like a doctor’s ultrasound machine, so it can be hard to identify what it is you’re seeing on the screen. As these little contraptions become more complicated, they get harder and harder to interpret. Even my little unit, plain and low powered as it is, would have given Mr Squiggle a migraine. “Yes Miss Jane. Yes Miss Jane. I can see, oooohh wait, no I can’t…. and that line over there could, Bill, if you say Hurry Up once more I’m going to jam this pencil up your smokestack… no… wait a minute, that could be a …no it can’t. Oh f*#@ it, Miss Jane, I’m going back to the moon.” But I stuck at my task, and some very kind people put up pictures of what I could expect to see on my

sounder if prawns were around, and over a period of a week or so, I became pretty confident that I could pick them up if they were there. Now, to some people, that might not be a big deal, but to me it’s a real achievement, and I set off down the river to where there had apparently been reports of some decent

catches. It was my day off work, so there were very few boats around, the wind was down, and tide was right. Things were looking good. I was confident. Until I slid the boat off the trailer onto a shallow rock and broke the transducer off. Several hundred clams worth of damage, and no sounder. Absolutely no way to watch

that screen for prawnies. Five hours of throwing a cast net for eight or nine prawns (depending on whether you count the one I caught that jumped out of the tank). No crabs. One undersized fish. Repair bill when I got home. Life just continues to trow those curveballs. Stupid, stupid hobby. Addiction. Whatever…

FISHING FILL-ITS

Introducing Lecky Leg CAIRNS

Dan Kaggelis dkaggelis@gmail.com

Any angler with an electric bow mount motor will tell you just how valuable a fishing tool they are. With the ability to counter act current, stealthily manoeuvre the boat to provide perfect positioning and silently fix the position without the need for a noisy anchor, the bow mount electric is the unseen deck hand that makes wetting a line so much easier. If you have ever found yourself in rough weather or faced with a very short savage chop, you will understand the pounding your electric bow mount motor can take. Being right at the bow of the boat, they take the worst of the punishment from wave impact, which can not only jar the motor but also cause the head unit to bounce with extreme force. When you add to the equation a composite shaft which is designed to bend and flex, the fact that there is no support can be worrying. This is further heightened with the development of spot locking and integrated GPS locking technology, which are embedded in the heads of these units and can be very costly to fix. 74

APRIL 2016

From this situation the idea for the ‘Lecky Leg’ arose after Townsville angler Peter Agapiou imported his first flats boat in 2005, which came with a bow mounted hand control motor. He found the constant pounding and vibration would shake

the motor so much that the screws would fall out and sometimes even vibrate loose from the mount. Peter has been perfecting the Lecky Leg design from 2005 to not only make it easy to use, but also to suit all boats no matter what the

Peter has been perfecting the Lecky Leg design from 2005 to not only make it easy to use, but also to suit all boats no matter what the make, model or type.

The brilliance of the Lecky Leg is the simple yet highly effective design, and most importantly the necessity to protect such a valuable fishing tool.

make, model or type. Peter has spent countless hours on the water ensuring that the design is streamline, easy to use, simple to install and most importantly will stand the test of time in what we boaties all know are some of the harshest conditions out there. The ‘Lecky Leg’ is effectively designed to support the head and shaft of your bow mount electric motor without the need to fix a stabiliser to your boat. Fixing a bracket to the side of your boat to support your electric can be a real pain and can really get in the way. The Lecky Leg, in contrast, is fitted to the shaft of your electric motor through a clamp construction. From this clamp comes an adjustable custom fitted leg, which with the help of a few simple turns of an

ergo dynamic screw knob can be released to sit flush with the side of your boat or floor to support the motor travel. When you want to deploy your motor, all you need to do is unscrew the adjustable leg until it slides up adjacent to the shaft and out of the way and you are ready to fish. There is no need for bolts or screws and the whole process takes less than a few seconds. Made from marine grade plastic, which is UV stable, all the components are tough as nails and the plastic mouldings are thick set so there will be no danger of cracking or splitting. All the metal components are stainless steel, including the setting grub screws and Allen key clamp screws. This will ensure your Lecky Leg doesn’t move once placed in perfect position.

To ensure that your Lecky Leg has the perfect height to match your boat, Peter cuts all Lecky Legs to custom length, based on the measurements you provide to him on order. This way the Lecky Leg can be fitted to almost any boat, as the leg can be cut to any length required and is simply screwed onto the end of the adjustable bracket. As anglers we all spend plenty of our hard earned cash protecting our rods, reels, tackle and boats – so why not one of our most expensive pieces of fishing gear? If you are interested in looking at a Lecky leg to support your electric bow mount then check them out on the Lecky Leg Australia Facebook page. They retail for $65 for a custom hand made Lecky Leg.

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THE RECREATIONAL ANGLER’S LINK MOR ETON BAY N ET FR E E ZON E DIS CUS SIONS CONTI N U E • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • I have been lucky enough to enjoy the last three weeks on Moreton Island. The weather has been excellent on average with most of our days and nights proving to have very fishable conditions. This month is historically a prime period over the full and dark moons for flathead and whiting along the western shores of Moreton Island. Sadly, many campers and tourists visiting with the high hopes of catching a feed were disappointed unless they had significant skills and were prepared to spend very long hours on the beach. At this time of year (off peak) cabin style accommodation will cost about $1500 per week. If you bring a vehicle over that is another $200, if you walk on/walk off you will pay $15 per day for parking back at Whyte Island in addition to your $50 return ticket. You need to bring everything with you for your visit, as there are no supermarkets on the island. Supplementing your supplies with a feed of fish is valuable! At the one store that is available on the north of the island, two loaves of bread, 2L of milk and a 1.25L bottle of soda water will set you back nearly $30. Vi s i t o r s spend

significant sums of money in their own communities (bringing supplies) and on facilities on Moreton Island, so it is very important that there are fish to be caught or they will stop coming. Hopefully, the Moreton Bay Net Free Area will help the current situation of localized depletions along the foreshores of Moreton Bay and ensure recreational shore-based access to local fish. Since the consultations commenced in the three northern net free areas, it has become apparent that we need to consider the difficulties that may face compliance officers in the management of net free areas. To that end we have revisited the goals and intentions of the Moreton Net Free Area. The intention was to provide a benefit to shorebased fishers. This is by far the bulk of South East Queensland recreational fishers – the mums and dads who drop in a line along their local beach or when they go on holidays. Fisheries Queensland estimate there are at least 350,000 recreational fishers in South East Queensland – these are people who identify as recreational fishers. In reality there are probably a lot more. Try asking a co-worker

or neighbour if they are a recreational fisher. If they say ‘no,’ ask them if they throw in a line at Christmas or when they are on holidays and I guarantee a lot will say, ‘well, ok, of course I do.’ These people who don’t identify themselves as recreational fishers would swell the numbers considerably. Recreational fishers as a whole took a significant hit during the East Coast Inshore Finfish Review Stage 1. This was where extensive bag and size limit additions were made. Inshore Finfish Stage 2 was supposed to review and address controls in the commercial sector. Stage 2 never eventuated. During the Moreton Bay Marine Park process the commercial sector received significant financial compensation. Boat fishers received $1 million in an artificial reef program. To this date there has been nothing for the greater portion of recreational fishers, those who fish from the shore. The goal of the Moreton Bay Net Free Area has been to remove gillnetting from Moreton Bay and thereby have a positive benefit on significant localised depletions caused by this apparatus. Gillnets, unlike other forms of commercial fishing apparatus are non-selective in the

PAR ROTFISH OR TUSKFISH? • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • A regular question I groups however have have a mouth structure am asked is the difference between parrotfish and tuskfish. There are quite a few species in both groups that have similar appearances. The two

different bag and size limits, so it’s important for you to be able to tell them apart. The easiest way to distinguish between them is by their mouth. Parrotfish

species they entangle and drown. As a result, significant impacts occur on undersized fish and crustaceans, as well as other species of conservation interest. In addition, the product has not been found to appear significantly in local supermarkets or seafood retail outlets. What local product appears in South East Queensland fish and chip shops tends to be sourced from the generally better quality tunnel net product. So the goal was to remove gillnetting while not negatively impacting on trawl fishing, line fishing, crabbing or tunnel netting. Since the entire gillnetting in Moreton Bay occurs along the foreshores and beaches, there is no significant difference between closing the area up to 400m offshore and the whole of the bay. Closing Moreton Bay to gillnetting will still achieve the same goal. The map is a rough draft that gives an indication of how this will work. These are the reporting grids of Queensland commercial fishers. This would mean that no one could be in possession of a gillnet in Moreton Bay. Community and stakeholder discussions will occur in the next few weeks. – Judy Lynne.

The map shows the reporting grids of Queensland commercial fishers. This would mean that no one could be in possession of gillnets in Moreton Bay.

NAME THAT FISH • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

that resembles a beak, and tuskfish have individual front incisors, regardless of the colour variations of individual species within these groups.

This fish was caught off Cairns by Guy Lugton in about 60m of water in the middle of December. Find the answer on this month’s Fun Page. SPECIES.....MINIMUM LENGTH..................BAG LIMIT Parrotfish.....25cm................................. Five per species Tuskfish........30cm...........................Combined limit of six

A beautiful example of a parrotfish!

Here is a tuskfish for comparison.

Photo courtesy of Scott Lynch

Photo courtesy of Nicole Penfold

www.sunfishqld.com.au

Note: In addition to individual possession limits for each coral reef fin-fish species, when catching multiple species, reef fin-fish have a combined possession limit of 20.

Email: judylynne@sunfishqld.com.au

TOURNAMENT CALENDAR 2016 APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

Apr 9-10

BASS Pro Qualifier #3 Richmond River

ABT abt.org.au or 07 3387 0888

Apr 9-10

ABT BREAM Qualifier #3 Mandurah

ABT abt.org.au or 07 3387 0888

Apr 17

BASS Electric #2 Isis Balancing Storage

Les Barber 0428 726 857

Apr 22-23

Rnd 5 Hobie Kayak BREAM series Scamander River

www.hobiefishing.com.au

Apr 25-26

BREAM Qualifier #4 St Helens

ABT abt.org.au or 07 3387 0888

Apr 27-28

Rnd 6 Hobie Kayak BREAM series

www.hobiefishing.com.au

Apr 29-31

Boyne Tannum Hook-Up Gladstone

enquiries@boynetannumhookup.com.au

Apr 30-1 May

BREAM Qualifier #5 Derwent River

ABT abt.org.au or 07 3387 0888

May 7-8

BASS Electric #3 Toonumbar Dam

Adrian Melchior 0415 587 900

May 15

Rnd 7 Hobie Kayak BREAM series St Georges Basin

www.hobiefishing.com.au

May 27-29

King of the Pin Jumpinpin

Don Vogel www.sundownersfishing.com

Jun 3-5

Wilson Moreton Bay Fishing Challenge Redlands

Peter Balkin 0402794748 or peter.balkin@hotmail.com

Jun 5

Rnd 8 Hobie Kayak BREAM series Gold Coast

www.hobiefishing.com.au

Jun 11-12

BREAM Qualifier #6 Forster

ABT abt.org.au or 07 3387 0888

Jun 16-17

BASS Pro Qualifier #4 Boondooma

ABT abt.org.au or 07 3387 0888

Jun 26

Rnd 9 Hobie Kayak BREAM series Port Macquarie

www.hobiefishing.com.au

Jul 2-3

Rnd 10 Hobie Kayak BREAM series Mandurah

www.hobiefishing.com.au

Jul 10

BASS Electric #4 Hinze Dam

Justin Thompson 0421 476 392

Jul 23-24

Rnd 11 Hobie Kayak BREAM series Lake Macquarie

www.hobiefishing.com.au

Aug 20-21

BREAM Qualifier #7 Clarence River

ABT abt.org.au or 07 3387 0888

Aug 24-25

BREAM Qualifier #8 Gold Coast

ABT abt.org.au or 07 3387 0888

Aug 24-25

BREAM Qualifier #8 Gold Coast

ABT abt.org.au or 07 3387 0888

Aug 27-28

Rnd 12 Hobie Kayak BREAM series Wallis Lake

www.hobiefishing.com.au

Aug 27-28

BASS Electric #5 Borumba Dam

Steve Noble 0409 239 065

Sept 10-11

Rnd 13 Hobie Kayak BREAM series

Nelson www.hobiefishing.com.au

Sept 10-11

Rnd 13 Hobie Kayak BREAM series

Nelson www.hobiefishing.com.au

Sept 25

BASS Electric #6 Lake St Clair

Daniel Clancy 0419 690 418

Add your tournament or competition to this list by emailing jthomas@fishingmonthly.com.au or calling 07 3387 0800 in office hours. Just supply a date, venue, tournament name and a telephone number and contact name. APRIL 2016

Moreton Bay and Offshore Family Challenge The Redland Bay Amateur Fishing Club is again hosting the Wilson Moreton Bay and Offshore Family Fishing Challenge. This year is the 25th anniversary, but will be a shortened event due to the loss of the Queen’s Birthday long weekend on Friday 3 June until Sunday 5 June. Accordingly, the entry fee has been reduced by $20 to $100 for Seniors, Juniors will remain at $30 and we are going to introduce a family entry fee package of $200 for Mum, Dad and two kids, which is excellent value. The major sponsors Wilson Fishing Tackle, Stones Corner Marine, Events in Tents, and Toll NQX are again backing the Challenge. Although a shorter event, the fish prizes will remain the same, and so will the Pick of The Board daily event. The Major Lucky Draw prize is a Sea Jay 4.25 Magnum boat and Yamaha 30hp motor supplied by Stones Corner Marine and stunningly wrapped by Bonzagraphics, along with two kayaks for the Junior lucky draw.

2016 will be the Wilson Moreton Bay and Offshore Family Fishing Challenge’s 25th Anniversary.

You’re never too young to enter! This year will also have a swag of prizes for the younger anglers.

There will be categories for Senior, Ladies and Juniors as well as the Kilo Bream Club, Whiting 40cm Club and Big Nobby Club. There will also be a Catch and Release Largest Flathead competition. The Challenge has become a calendar event over the years and is eagerly awaited by local Redlands residents and anglers further afield. Over

the last 24 years the club has given away thousands of dollars in prizes, including numerous boats. It is a community event, not just as a fundraiser. We hope to make this year something special to celebrate our 25th consecutive year of bringing people together for a fun-filled weekend in the Redlands. Thanks to all of our

sponsors including Alvey Reels Australia, Bay FM, Bush n Beach, Redland City Council, Freezetec, Hays Crab Pots, BCF Capalaba, Switchbait, IT Refills, Feel Free Kayaks, J D Sound, Kennards Cleveland, Boatcatch, Wedderburn, Statewide Survey Group and Stradbroke Ferries who help make this event possible. – Peter Balkin

Who will win the Big Nobby Club at this year’s event?

Winners are grinners, last year’s major prize was a big hit with the competitors. 78

APRIL 2016

Team Starlo and Jo win Freshwater Masters The third and final round of the hard-fought Australian Freshwater Masters tournament series was staged in mid-February this year on the waters of Lake Mulwala, a picturesque impoundment straddling the NSW/Victorian border, an hour or so west of Albury.

on Lake Windamere, near the NSW regional town of Mudgee, and was devoted to the pursuit of golden perch or yellowbelly. A few days later, round two was staged on Glenbawn Dam, in the Hunter Valley, with Australian bass as the nominated target species. Finally, almost three months

its field of two-person teams to measure, photograph and release up to 10 legal specimens of each target species at each arena over the course of two days’ of intensive fishing. Cumulative point scores (one point per millimeter) carry forward from round to round, ultimately deciding the outcome of the event. This year, the eventual winners were Team Starlo’s Squidgies, consisting of high profile fishing communicator, Steve ‘Starlo’ Starling, and his wife Jo. Consistent performances in rounds two and three allowed Starlo and Jo to hold onto the significant lead they’d amassed on

Windamere’s goldens in round one (where Jo was also the individual champion angler), finally giving them an 800 point break over the second-placed Jigheads Team of Mitchell Skeers and Brad Gardiner. A further 1,300 points behind in third place was Team Windybanks, made up of Simon McAlpine and David Dobson. Overall Champion Angler for the Masters was Mitchell Skeers, nearly 1,000 points ahead of Starlo in second, with Simon McAlpine finishing third and Jo Starling fourth. This series also saw the biggest fish ever recorded in the event, with Scott Hartley releasing a

In the opening round of The Australian Freshwater Masters, competitors targeted the aptly-named golden perch or yellowbelly of Lake Windamere.

One-way traffic: the cavernous maw of Scott Hartley’s monster Mulwala cod. This unique, three-stage challenge targets a trio of iconic Australian native species at three very different venues. The first round of the latest Freshwater Masters took place last November

later, competitors gathered at Lake Mulwala to hunt the elusive Murray cod. A catch-and-release series devoted entirely to lure and fly fishing, The Australian Freshwater Masters challenges

Jo Starling with one of the hefty Windamere golden perch that clinched her the champion angler title in round one and helped elevate Starlo’s Squidgies to a lead that ultimately proved to be unassailable.

Starlo with a Glenbawn bass from the second round of The Australian Freshwater Masters.

Scott Hartley broke all previous Freshwater Masters records by catching and releasing this massive 110cm Murray cod on a Gangster Lures Mother Frogger spinnerbait during the Mulwala round of the event.

stunning 110cm cod during the Mulwala round. First conceived almost two decades ago by lure-making legend, Wayne Lennon and later run by Dave Silva and then Dave Shelton, The Australian Freshwater Masters is today a well sponsored and superbly organised invitational series with a field strictly capped at 40 teams. Anglers wishing to lodge an expression of interest to be considered for an invitation to the next Masters should send an email to the current chief organiser, Matt Cunneen of Gangster Lures, at mcunneen@dodo.com.au, or give him a call on 0418 653 822. – The Australian Freshwater Masters

Winners are grinners! The three top scoring teams in this year’s Australian Freshwater Masters collect their awards.

Aussie cricketing legend and keen Freshwater Masters’ competitor, Merv Hughes, leads some of the field in his trademark warm-up exercises before the Lake Glenbawn bass round. APRIL 2016

Whittam takes top honours CE 1ST PLA Cameron Whittam has taken out the Costa Mallacoota BREAM Qualifier with a 10/10 fish limit weighing 8.56kg. The Victorian stalwart of the BREAM series took home $3,400, plus a new pair of Costa sunglasses and the $250 Yamaha owner’s bonus. Whittam started day two in 7th place and made a strong move throughout the session, weighing in the biggest limit of the second session by a considerable margin. Whittam targeted the shallow flats of Mallacoota where he looked for rock or weed. “Mallacoota has changed a lot over the past few years, a lot of the weed has died off and subsequently the areas the fish hang out have changed. You need to find a rocky or weedy substrate where the bait has somewhere to live, and once there’s bait in an area the bream won’t be far behind.” Whittam was on the fish all weekend, and caught 30 legal-sized fish on day one where he predominantly spothopped and ‘junk fished’ his way to 3.85kg. “If I was in America I would have said I was junk fishing,” said Whittam. “Essentially, I had a large milk run of spots on day one and I fished what was in front of me. If I came to a spot that I thought looked promising I would give it six casts and then continue to move.” Whittam narrowed down

THE FUTURE IS HERE Self-contained Electric Outboards

his productive areas on the second day, and locked in to produce a hefty 5/5 limit at 4.71kg, enough to take the win by 190g. “The first day I predominantly caught yellowfin bream,” said Whittam. Whitam’s day two bag almost entirely consisted of black bream, which contributed to the heavier

Whittam relied on his old trout fishing days to identify his key location, noting the wind was hitting the bank on an angle and swirling down and along. Whittam and his non-boater combined to catch ten legal fish off that one stretch of bank. Every fish of Whittam’s 10/10 limit was caught from the bottom lake of Mallacoota Inlet, on a variety of baits.

thinner line,” said Whittam. Whittam fished with 20ft of 4lb leader when throwing the Mira Shad or Jackall Chubby (Brown Suji). He would shorten that leader length to 10ft when throwing blades or plastics. This marks Whittam’s fourth win in the ABT BREAM Qualifiers, a feat that only a select few can match. “I think some people

Cam Whittam was all smiles after claiming victory at the Costa Mallacoota BREAM Qualifier. weight of his bag. Whittam noted that a tip off from his non-boater catching two fish behind him keyed him into an early lure change to guarantee success. “My non-boater actually caught two fish in my dirty water on a Luckycraft Tango, so I threw on the Cultiva Mira Shad and caught a bag quickly, one of those remained in my final 5/5 limit.”

“I fished everything from blades, plastics and all sorts of hardbodied lures. The ever-popular OSP Dunk 48 produced fish early for Whittam, who used a long 20ft, 3lb leader purely to get his lure as deep as possible. “I don’t think I really needed the 3lb to get bites in a sense of the fish being line shy, it was purely to get the lure running deeper with

think that when you win a tournament it was with some secret tactic or lure, realistically though you don’t need to re-write the book on how to catch bream. Winning one of these events is about doing what you know works and what you’re comfortable with, and making the right decisions. For me this weekend, I made the right decisions and it paid off.”

Jackall Chubby Smith Panish R

Wind

Cultiva Mira Shad

Current

Visit www.abt.org.au for entry forms. For general enquiries phone ABT on (07) 3387 0888. 80

APRIL 2016

McKeown stays consistent for runner-up the way to the surface, then recommence the retrieve just before the lure broke the surface. The fish reacted and

CE 2ND PLA Runner-up Jamie McKeown travelled all the way from Queensland to experience the fishing that only Mallacoota can offer. He managed a 10/10 tournament limit that weighed in at 8.37kg. McKeown quickly found the pattern during pre-fish day catching key fish on a topwater pattern and throwing a small diving crankbait. McKeown started day one fishing a flat around Cape Horn. The day started about as good as he could have hoped upgrading above 30cm forkers by cast number 12. The pattern McKeown filled his bag with was a slight tweak on a regular BREAM tour favourite, fishing topwater with the OSP Bent Minnow. McKeown quickly found the fish responded to a subsurface lure technique, and twitched the lure between the surface and 12” underwater. After working the lure, McKeown allowed the lure to float almost all

used here was typical flats fishing – he threw the new Mimix Jelly Prawn crankbait on 2lb Famell spinning fluoro. His first

around Cape Horn, however a recreational fisher was parked right on the top of the flat he’d been fishing. With only two fish in the

was not there so he returned to the Goodwin Sands area but couldn’t put that last upgrade in the live well. He returned to the stage with 3.69kg. McKeown’s preferred rod for both topwater and crankbaits was the new JML Perfection rod paired with a Shimano reel. He spooled his topwater setup with 11lb Yamatoyo Resin Sheller PE and topped it with a short 2ft section of

Blake O’Grady took home top honours in the non-boater division of the Costa Mallacoota BREAM Qualifier. Fishing with Steve Morgan on day one, Blake used Bassday Sugar Deeps and OSP Dunk 48s to catch 15 legal-sized fish on the first day. The pair fished shallow early, and Blake capitalised with a couple of nice fish in the well early in the session. When the sun rose the pair moved deeper

Costa

Yamatoyo Monofilament leader. McKeown prefers a s t ra i g h t -t h ro u g h fluorocarbon to fish crankbaits, and his choice for the Mimix Jelly Prawn was 2lb Yamatoyo Famell spinning fluorocarbon. McKeown took home $1,600 for his efforts and will be one to look out for when the BREAM tour heads north later in the year.

Jamie McKeown travelled all the way from the Gold Coast to claim second in the boater division. McKeown quickly had a competitive limit in the well. Not wanting to pressure the fish for day two, McKeown chose to leave the area and look for upgrades at a location in the bottom lake known as Goodwin Sands. The technique he

drift over the area produced five fish but no upgrades, however the first cast of the second drift produced a nice upgrade and a 4.69kg bag saw McKeown sit in second position overnight. Day two saw McKeown return to his productive flat

well by 10am, McKeown moved around slowly and filled his limit fishing rocky banks. The wind picked up and McKeown retuned to his productive flat and the fish responded with a number of small upgrades. McKeown knew the size

Craig Coughlan cashed in at Coota picking up $500 for the Austackle Big Bream for the event.

O’Grady kneels’n’reels to victory -BOATER 1ST NON

BREAM Presente SERIES d by

and Blake used a technique popular in Mallcoota. “I’d stick my rod tip into the water, sometimes almost up to the reel to gain maximum depth, I also slowed my retrieve down so it was dredging the bottom on the slowest of slow rolls,” said Blake. His efforts achieved 3.89kg on the scale and saw Blake sitting in third position overnight. Blake was paired with Darren Evans on day two, and he again turned to a deep cranking pattern to weigh 3.36kg and take out the title. O’Grady relied on Samurai Reaction 201 and 101 rods, paired with Shimano 1000s, spooled with 10lb Unitika braid.

Austackle Big Bream

Craig Coughlan captured the $500 Austackle Big Bream Prize, securing the award on day two with a 1.54kg fish caught in the lower lake on the edge on a BR74 coloured Nories Laydown Minnow.

Winning Tackle

Rod: G Loomis TSR 862 Line: 10 and 12lb Sunline Castaway Braid Leader: 3 and 4lb Sunline FC Rock Bream Special fluorocarbon leader Lure: ZMan Grubz in bloodworm colour, OSP Dunk 48 in Z-37 brown craw, Jackall Chubby in brown suji and the Cultiva Mira Shad 50SP in ghost pearl ayu.

Winning Ways

Whittam identified the best bream holding locations as the areas with wind, weed, and structure, and he focused on these locations throughout the tournament. Blake O’Grady shone in the nonboater division to secure victory.

TOP 10 BOATERS

TOP 10 NON-BOATERS

Place Angler

Fish

Weight (kg)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10

8.56 8.37 7.91 7.81 7.73 7.70 7.59 7.56 7.29 7.13

Cameron WHITTAM Jamie McKeown Declan BETTS Brad HODGES Charlie SAYKAO Chris SEETO Warren CARTER Paul CONN Jason HARLOCK Brad ROBERTS

WINNING NOTES

Payout

$3400 + Costa Sunglasses $1,600 $1,200 $1,100 $950 $800 + $200 1st Pro $650 $650 $475 $450

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

Place Angler

Fish

Weight (kg)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10

7.25 7.15 6.99 6.93 6.82 6.77 6.72 6.70 6.65 6.63

Blake O’GRADY Grayson FONG Ben SHUEY Clint NORTHCOTT Trent WEST Matt CUMMINS Kevin TORMEY Justin CONN Michael HODGES Alex FRANCHUK

Payout

Costa Sunglasses Samurai Reaction Rod Berkley Pack Austackle Featherlight Rod Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack

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

APRIL 2016

Hodges hammers home victory CE 1ST PLA

Gippsland Lakes North Arm specialist Brad Hodges has taken out the Mercury Marine

the shallow banks inside the North Arm on both day one and two. His technique was highsticking a Berkley Puppy Dog minnow. “I’d throw it into really skinny water and high-stick my rod to keep it up, then as the lure went over that first little drop-off, I’d lower the rod tip and allow it to dive a little,” Hodges commented.

This technique produced plenty of bites both days with Hodges landing a couple of key bites on day one that saw him weigh 4.06kg to sit in

eighth position overnight. Day two was when everything came together for Hodges to weigh his largest ever limit in an ABT tournament.

WINNING NOTES

Austackle Big Bream

Shaun Clancy claimed the Austackle Big Bream at Gippsland Lakes, catching the prize-winning fish on a Jackall Chubby in amongst the snags at Hollands Landing on day one.

Winning Tackle

Rod: ABU Garcia Salty Stage KR-X Light Casting SSKRSXLC 6101XL Reel: ABU Revo MGX 20 Line: 6lb Berkley Nanofil Leader: 4lb Berkley Sensei flurocarbon Lure: Berkley Puppy Dog, Cultiva Selection 55 Minnow

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Winning Ways

Hodges went against the pack and fish the less pressured, less known North Arm at Lakes Entrance to catch his fish. Event winner Brad Hodges cashed in at Gippsland courtesy of Mercury. presented BREAM Qualifier, relegating WA native Charlie Saykao to runner-up. With overnight leader Shaun Clancy failing to catch a full limit on day two, the door was open and Hodges made sure he was the first in line to take advantage. Storming home with the biggest bag of the tournament to pile on an impressive 10/10 limit weighing 9.46kg. This isn’t Hodges’ first taste of success at Gippsland Lakes, he also won the event back in 2010. Just like he does almost every time the tour visits Gippsland, Hodge ventures to the North Arm of Lakes Entrance, the opposite way to the majority of the field. Hodges chose to fish

Brad Hodges found the biggest at Lake Entrance to claim another Gippsland Lakes win.

Berkley Puppy Dog

Wind

Visit www.abt.org.au for entry forms. For general enquiries phone ABT on (07) 3387 0888. 82

APRIL 2016

Cultiva Minnow

“It all just came together for me on that second day,” said Hodges, who by 9am had a limit to rival his overnight weight. A couple of late upgrades pushed Hodges over the magic 5kg mark and onto the top position on the podium. Hodges chose to target shallow sandy banks, but

keyed in on those featuring scattered weed and timber. “There wasn’t a lot of timber, no full trees or large laydowns. It was more the scattered logs lying on the bottom that would provide a bit of cover for the fish in shallow water,” said Hodges. His lures of choice were predominantly the

Berkley Puppy Dog, which accounted for most of his tournament limit. Hodges also caught fish on a Cultiva Selection 55 minnow. The retrieve was textbook black bream fishing, twitching and pausing the lure with the fish predominantly eating it on the pause. Hodges turned to the

new ABU Garcia Salty Stage KR-X Light Casting SSKRSXLC 6101XL. “They are the perfect rod for bream twitching, they have a fast recovery but still have a forgiving mid-section, which stops me from pulling hooks.” He paired the rod to another new product from ABU Garcia, the MGX 20

spinning reel. “The MGX is just the perfect reel for what I do, it’s light enough to use and cast all day. It balances perfectly with the rods and the drags are just insanely smooth.” Hodges thanked his long-time sponsors Pure Fishing Australia, which under them have the household brands like

BREAM

Presente SERIES d by Me rcury

Berkley and ABU Garcia. He credited Lowrance for their continued support and Savage Trailers for the newly built cradle for his beloved Savage.

Saykao snag bashes for second CE 2ND PLA The WA native that now calls Victoria home, Charlie Saykao showed he is definitely one to watch for the future. After a brilliant fifth place finish at Mallacoota, Saykao backed it up finishing second to the fast finishing Hodge. Saykao found his fish on the pre-fish day not by actually fishing for them, but by simply driving through the area and visually looking for the fish. “I drove through

the area known as ‘The Cut,’ which is the second entrance to the Mitchell River,” said Saykao. The first day started and Saykao actually missed his preferred two areas, as other boats had beaten him to them. So he returned to the cut and started fishing through the snags that litter the entrance to the river. Saykao targeted the snags with a popular lure on the ABT BREAM Tour, a 2.5” ZMan GrubZ rigged on a Decoy Nailbomb 1/32oz jighead. The light, weedless jighead allowed Saykao to fish the lure slowly through the snags, keeping the lure in the strike zone for the longest time possible.

His catches came steadily and it was a case of slowly upgrading as the day wore on. Finishing the day with 5/5 for 4.35kg would put him in fourth position overnight. Returning to the same area on day two, Saykao again fished the snags around The Cut with the same successful technique from day one. Fortunately for Saykao, it all went to plan on day two. His third and fourth fish in his 5/5 limit both came off the same snag and both pushed over the 1kg mark. Saykao had the area to himself, which he said was key to his success. “I think the reason I did so well was because I was the only boat in the area, occasionally a boat

would come into the inside of the cut and fish some snags but they luckily wouldn’t stray too far into where I was seeing the fish.” The hard and fast ‘white knuckle’ fishing style Saykao employed required some hefty tackle, and his equipment choice reflected that. Saykao relied on a Millerods Bream Buster Brawler rods to get the fish out of the snag, and to also present the plastic accurately and quietly. He paired the short powerful stick with a Daiwa Luvias 2004 reel, spooled with 6lb braid and 6lb Yamatoyo leader. “There is no better leader out there than Yamatoyo as far as I’m concerned,” said Saykao.

Charlie Saykao fished the snags light to secure a podium finish. With the second place finish Saykao secures himself a start in the Costa BREAM Grand Final to be held on St Georges Basin in early

December of this year. Here the winner will take home a brand new BassCat/Mercury package valued at well over $50,000.

Walker backs up AOY with qualifier win -BOATER 1ST NON 2015 non-boater AOY champion Stuart Walker won the Mercury presented round of the Costa BREAM series with a 9/10 limit weighing 5.45kg. Starting day one fishing with Chris Gates, Walker found himself at the mouth of the Tambo River to start the morning. With only one fish in the well after two hours the pair decided to move around and try some flats, but that move proved fruitless and the pair eventually returned to the wharfs and jetties around Metung. Walker turned to the ever-reliable Cranka Crab to catch three extra keepers to compile his 4/5 day-one limit.

Day two Walker fished with Grant Kime, and found him-self fishing the mouth of the Mitchell River for the entirety of the tournament session. “We motored in probably 200m from the mouth and deployed the electric, Grant spot-locked

us there and we didn’t really move all day,” said Walker. The fish turned on from 10am until 11am where it was almost a fish every cast for the pair. It was a process of slowly upgrading in small increments until eventually he had amassed a 5/5 2.81kg limit.

Champion non-boater Stuart Walker received the Costa treatment for his win.

Walker relied on fishing a 2.5” ZMan GrubZ in motor oil colour rigged on a 1/12oz jighead that he slowly hopped off the bottom to produce his bites. After sitting in 7th position overnight, a kilo behind leader Nathan Leicht, Walker assumed he was out of the running to take the win, but was surprised at the challenging day a lot of the overnight leaders seemed to have. Walker relied on the new Daiwa Silver Wolf rods and reels to bring his fish into the net over the weekend. Noting the sensitivity of the rods allowed him to feel every little bump and bite. He spooled the reels with 6lb braid and 4lb or 5lb leader. After the heartbreak of losing good fish on day one around the wharfs and jetties of Metung, Walker upped his leader to 5lb for day two and landed every fish he hooked.

TOP 10 BOATERS Place Angler 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Fish

Brad HODGES 10/10 Charlie SAYKAO 10/10 Steve GILL 10/10 Braddley YOUNG 10/10 Daniel MACKRELL 10/10 Chris GATES 10/10 Warren CARTER 10/10 Daryl BAIRD 10/10 Kristoffer HICKSON 10/10 Mario VUKIC 10/10

Walker now is in the hot seat to defend his PowerPole Angler of the Year title

and go back-to-back in 2016 as he sits in 11th place after the first two rounds.

TOP 10 NON-BOATERS

Weight (kg) 9.46 8.73 8.57 7.96 7.55 7.35 7.11 6.96 6.90 6.85

2015 Power-Pole BREAM AOY Stuart Walker picked up where he left off last year by claiming victory at Gippsland Lakes.

Payout

$2270 + $250 Mercury Bonus $1520 + $ 150 Mercury Bonus $970 $870 + OSP Toray rookie $750 + Yamaha bonus $650 $550 +$100 Mercury Bonus

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

Place Angler

Fish

Weight (kg)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

9/10 9/10 9/10 7/10 7/10 8/10 6/10 8/10 4/10 5/10

5.45 5.24 4.72 4.66 4.17 4.15 3.86 3.84 3.54 3.39

Stuart WALKER Clint VOSS Jesse ROTIN Nathan LEICHT Jim BARRIE Ben DODMAN Michael HODGES Clint NORTHCOTT Mick THOMPSON Tomas MCINTOSH

Payout

Prize Pack + $35 Hobie bonus Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack + $25 Hobie bonus Prize Pack + $15 Hobie bonus Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack

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

APRIL 2016

yak Hobie Ka ries Se BREAteMd by Daiwa Presen

Engel Round 2 of the Hobie Kayak Bream Series

Engel Round 2 of the 2016 Hobie Kayak Bream Series was located on the mighty Blackwood River and kicked off in near perfect

not uncommon for the Blackwood River. Finding himself at the top of the leader board on day one was Massimo Salomone with a great bag of 3 bream for 2.090kg; Massimo targeted the deep snags that line the river

with water. So with a small crowd in attendance and all his fellow anglers still on the water, Greg brought up to the weigh master the biggest bag of the weekend with 3 bream for 2.720kg, his bag also included a contender for Big

conditions for the 44 competing anglers. Come the 10am start and anglers were greeted with plenty of sunshine and a rising tide, the only obstacle was going to be the possibility of an increasing wind throughout each day’s session. Most of the anglers had made the trek down to the Blackwood River the day before to take advantage of the navigation only day. This allowed anglers to get out on the water and have a look at the conditions in the areas they were hoping to fish and make a plan if they had not already done so. Come 5pm and, whilst a fantastic crowd watched the completion of day one, most of the stories had a common theme amongst the returning anglers, and this was of big bust offs and ‘what ifs’, which is certainly

around the ski area to compile his bag of keepers, although not getting big numbers of fish, he had one 39cm bream that held the overnight lead for big bream coming in at 905g. Sitting in second place overnight was Barry Brownrigg who compiled a nice bag of 3 bream for 1.925kg; Barry went with a different plan and chased a surface bite on some of the numerous flats that surround Molloy Island. Holding down third spot and putting himself in pretty good position for day two was Brett Ozanne with 3 bream for 1.730kg; Brett also targeted the flats and snags around Molloy Island and the lower reaches of the river. Presenting himself to the weigh station at least three hours early at 11am was Greg Cooper, who was experiencing a few issues with his live well and also his kayak filling

Bream with his biggest bream weighing in at 960g. Sitting in 10th spot overnight with 3 bream for 1.225kg, Greg’s day two bag of 2.720kg gave him a combined total of 6 bream for 3.945kg, and put him right in the thick of things for top honours. He just had to wait three hours before watching every angler fall short of the mark he had set (at 11am). And fall short they did, Greg stormed from 10th spot on day one, to win by over a kilo. When asked how his weekend had gone and whether he had followed a plan, Greg replied, “I did a pre fish a while ago out of my tinny, so I got to have a good look at a lot of the ground, which certainly helped me plan my weekend. On the first day I headed upriver and fished around the ski area, I pulled

my first keeper at 11am on an OSP Dunk in gold, I was just working the deep snags with a constant slow roll trying to stay near the bottom. But to have a 32cm in the well after an hour I was pretty happy with my start to the day. After

different plan, because I was fishing out of a Malibu Kayak. It meant I was restricted to paddle power but also meant I could get up on the flats and fish a fair bit shallower than the Hobie kayaks. I wanted to target the flats around the back of Molloy Island as it would also have been out of the wind (which gave me plenty of grief on day one). It was pretty early, roughly about 7.30am when I pinned my first keeper on and OSP Bent Minnow in the G76 colour. “I was retrieving it with some slow twitches and plenty of pauses but I was happy to have one the boat early and just moved around targeting the sand patches amongst the shallow weed. I filled my bag with two more quite early and added four or five upgrades before 10.30 when I noticed

to the weigh in, which I only just managed without sinking. “So to come in at 11am while leaving them biting I didn’t think I had much of a chance, especially sitting in 10th, but after weighing in 2.720kg I would have been very happy just to make it into the top 3 or 5, but to take the win and qualify for the Hobie Kayak Bream Series Australian Championships I’m very happy.” Greg used a Protactic Copper Head 5kg Rod and an Edge ISR 703 Rod, each of these were matched to a Daiwa Certate 2500 that was loaded with Varivas 14lb Egging braid. At the business end was 8lb Bream special leader. Greg also used an FG and loop knot as his go to knots for the weekend.

RESULTS Place

Angler

Fish

Weight(kg)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Greg Cooper Robert Sgambelluri Barry Brownrigg Alex Greisdorf Brett Ozanne Steve Owens Andy Mitchell Massimo Salomone Jake Gill Mitch Vane

6/6 6/6 5/6 6/6 5/6 6/6 6/6 4/6 6/6 6/6

3.945 2.925 2.915 2.915 2.795 2.775 2.650 2.465 2.240 2.155

Womens Division winner: Michelle Pardini 1/6 Junior Division winner:Mirek Soucek 4/6 Grand Master winner:Steve Owens 6/6

that it was slim pickings for me, but I managed to boat two small keepers to give me a bag. To be sitting in 10th place after day onw, I was pretty happy with that.” “Day two I had a bit of a

I was having dramas with my live well. When I was monitoring that I noticed my yak had also filled with plenty of water. So the decision was made to leave them biting and try to make a mad dash back

0.240kg 1.895kg 2.775kg

When asked if he had anyone to thank, besides the organisers he made special mention of his superannuation which has given him the most freedom to chase bream.

Newcomer takes out second

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

APRIL 2016

In second place and becoming a regular at the Hobie Kayak Bream Series Australian Championships was Rob Sgambelluri weighing in 6 bream for 2.925kg. One of the very few anglers who had never fished the river before he really didn’t come down with much of a plan, he was quite wary of the angry bream after stories he had heard, but didn’t suffer the same problems as many of the other anglers. Rob found himself sitting just outside the top 10 after day one and when asked how his day had gone he replied “I pulled my first keeper about 30 minutes into the session, I’d only ventured up river to just before the ski area and was throwing an OSP Dunk. I was just working it deep with a real slow twitch before hooking what

ended up being a 28cm, I was expecting a better fight after some of the stories but I didn’t have any issues boating my keepers”. “Within 30 minutes I picked up another two keepers in the same area all around the same size, it was pretty slow for the rest of the day before I got my only upgrade in the late afternoon, this came on a darker colour OSP Dunk. I was happy to have 3 in the well when I headed back, and quite content to be around the top 10 for a river I had never seen before.” When asked how day two went, Rob replied “I thought I would just head back to the same area I had fished the day before, hitting a few likely spot on the way. Probably about 7.30am and about 300m from the start I hooked my first keeper on the first cast of the day, I was

surprised to get one so early and it certainly helped with the confidence. “It was probably another hour before I pinned my next keeper, this was on an Ecogear SX 48 whilst I was casting parallel to a reed bank, I was working the lure back a lot faster than I had been and a nice bream couldn’t resist it. It was probably another 30 minutes before I secured my third keeper, which was back on the OSP Dunk, it was a good fight and I really thought he would be bigger than what he actually was”. Robert used a 4kg Catana rod, matched to a Shimano Stradic 2500, this was loaded 10lb Daiwa braid and finished off with 7lb Fluorocarbon leader attached with a FG knot. Rob thanked Getaway Camping for sponsoring the event as well as the organisers for

their efforts. The Getaway $250 Big Bream was taken out by the eventual winner Greg Cooper with a very nice bream of 960g, this was part of his day two bag and fell victim to the OSP Bent Minnow. Taking out the Womens division and making it two on the trot was Michelle Pardini, whilst the Junior division was taken out by Mirek Soucek and last but not least was the Senior division that was taken out by Steve Owens, who actually missed the top 5 by 20g. A big thanks goes to all the anglers for making the effort to head to the Blackwood River for this round, as well as the Sponsors for this round, Getaway Outdoors. Their support of the kayak events is very appreciated.

Cooking

Perfect chilli mud crab BRISBANE

Lynn Bain

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s taken 20 years of experimenting to create and refine this recipe for chilli mud crab.

1 2 3 4

Ingredients 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar 3 tbsp soy sauce Chilli jam Spicy tomato sauce 2 onions, chopped Red chillies, finely chopped

Ingredients

Garlic, grated Fresh ginger, grated Cooking oil Flour 3 tbsp brown sugar 2 cleaned green (uncooked) mud crabs

Coat the crab pieces with flour.

Combine the spicy tomato sauce to the wok and a spoonful of the chilli jam.

Heat a little canola oil into the wok. Cook the crab one piece at a time, as cooking times will differ according to each pieceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s size.

Once all the crab pieces are cooked, place to one side. Add the onion, chillies, ginger and garlic and cook until soft.

Add the soy sauce and rice wine.

Mix in the brown sugar and one cup of water and heat through.

Return the crabs to the wok and cook with the lid on. Serve buffet style. APRIL 2016

What’s New FISHING

PFLUEGER ILLUSION TACKLE BAG

The Pflueger Illusion Camo Tackle Bag features a heavy-duty nylon material with urban camo styling. This bag is packed with cool features including corrosion-resistant zippers, so they won’t jam up at the first hint of salt. It also has zipper-free front access, so you can quickly and easily change your lures or grab another jighead. For easy transport the Illusion Camo Bag has ergonomic carry handles and an adjustable, padded shoulder strap. Need more storage? The Camo Tackle Bag also has two external pockets with side pockets, and includes five tackle boxes to store all the tackle you could possibly want for a day out. The bag measures 34 x 20 x 20cm, and weighs 1.85kg. It contains four large tackle trays (27 x 17.8 x 4cm) and one small tackle tray (19 x 13.5 x 4cm). It matches the Pflueger Illusion rod series, so it’s a great gift idea for someone who owns an Illusion rod. Price: SRP $79.95 www.pflueger.com.au

SILVER WOLF SLIPPERY DOG 65F

KIDS HASSLE FREE COMBOS

At only 65mm long, the Slippery Dog is the perfect choice for topwater bream, flats whiting, smelting trout or ultra spooky bass. Representing an irresistible, darting baitfish or prawn, it can be fished with a walk-the-dog action or ripped across the surface, and features a small face that spits water on the retrieve. At rest the Slippery Dog sits at a 70° angle, and with the slightest twitch it walks-the-dog like a well trained pooch. This finesse topwater lure has a slimline, slanted body and features Daiwa’s ultra sharp DTreble Saq Sas trebles that allow for easy hook-ups from even the wariest of fish. Bringing together the best of both worlds, the new Silver Wolf blends a popper with a walking stickbait to deliver anglers a truly hybrid multi-purpose surface lure. www.daiwafishing.com.au

Wilson Fishing has released six new Hassle Free combos for the kids. There’s one pink Hassle Free and one blue Hassle Free combo to get you and the kids on the water and catching fish. These combos were designed simply to be the easiest of outfits to use. The reels feature less moving parts to ensure there are fewer hassles with the reel. In fact, these reels can take a fair amount of abuse and still keep fishing. The rods, which come in 5’6” length, are constructed from lightweight E-glass composite materials that are tough and durable – just what you need for the punishment our kids dish out to fishing tackle. With a retail price under $30, the Hassle Free combos in pink and red are great value for money and allow you to have fun on the water without breaking the bank. Check them out at your nearest tackle store today. www.wilsonfishing.com Price: under $30

FISHING PRODUCT GUIDE

STRIKE PRO HOT DOG 65

The Strike Pro Hot Dog 65 has been designed by the Strike Pro Australia Pro Tournament team in conjunction with Strike Pro. The Hot Dog 65 is a walk-the-dog style topwater lure that has a superb action and sits perfectly at rest. This lure is smaller in size and is thinner in diameter than its contemporaries so it imitates a prawn perfectly. Also, because it’s a smaller bite-size lure it improves the strike and hook-up rate on popular species like bream and Australian bass. The Hot Dog 65 is 6.5cm long, weighs 4g and is currently available in six natural colours. As well as being deadly on bream and bass, it has also proven its effectiveness on species such as estuary perch, saratoga and trout. These lures are a must have when the prawns are running. Price: SRP $16.99 www.jurofishing.com

MEGABASS DYING FISH

LIVE SEARCH 490 GLOW

Dying Fish is a topwater lure designed to imitate a dying baitfish on the surface. Unlike traditional lures, the Dying Fish is able to swim sideways, allowing for the angler to target new, nearly impossible structure where those trophy fish may be hiding. Equipped with three tow points, Dying Fish has a few tricks up its sleeve. You can tie to the centre eye for shaking roll-action, or the left/right location for side-sliding action towards the left or right side. Can’t reach the back of an overhanging branch? Tie to the right, cast, and slowly work your Dying Fish underneath the structure. The fact that Dying Fish can travel sideways also makes it easier to target productive rock walls without your boat getting in the way. Advanced castability allows long approaches from tight shoreline quarters, or long casts from the boat without spooking fish. This floating lure measures 76mm and weighs 5.3g. Distributor Frogleys Offshore has released six specifically chosen colours to suit Australian waterways. www.megabass.com.au

The popular Live Search 490 Glow series is now available in deep and shallow models in size 3.5. The deep jigs sink at 1.8-2.2 seconds per metre which allows you to target squid in deeper water much more efficiently. They are also ideal when you have a fast drift or strong current. The Shallow jigs sink at 5.5-6 seconds per metre yet maintain an excellent casting distance. The shallow jigs are ideal for use in shallow water or when the squid are very sensitive, as the slower sink rate is often more appealing in these circumstances. Yamashita’s R&D team have discovered that the best sound for squid to detect is 600Hz and the best light for the squid’s eye to detect is 490nm. The LIVE Search 490 Glow series are equipped with both, making them the most attractive jig for the squid to detect. Price: approx. $20-24 www.ejtodd.com.au

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

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

What’s New FISHING

FISHING PRODUCT GUIDE

SAMAKI CHROMED BARRA SHIRT

BOMBER FLOATING EYEWEAR BI-FOCALS

RIVER2SEA BABY BELL POPPER

The Samaki Chromed Barra shirt reflects what we each see and dream of in a barramundi. Beautiful lines, enhanced features and stunning chrome colour, a signature of these iconic fish. Set amongst the dense dark mangroves, the chromed barra lurches out from the structure to engulf the Samaki Vibelicious Thumper Tail. Here is the start of the fight to win the ultimate trophy fish, entice the barra from the structure of the mangroves and watch it lurch from the depths. Samaki long sleeve fishing shirts offer superior UV50+ protection, keeping you protected from harsh ultra violet rays and cool whilst out on the water. Samaki shirts are available from a size 2 toddlers to a 3XL adults. For more information and stockists visit the Samaki website or like them on Instagram and Facebook. Price: SRP $59.95 (adults), $49.95 (kids) www.samaki.com.au

Founded in 1997, by World Champion Jet Ski Racer Tommy ‘The Bomber’ Bonacci, Bomber Eyewear has created a new segment/category in the eyewear industry through its patented foam lining technology. For years Tommy was frustrated with his old, traditional sunglasses bouncing around, slipping off, or disappearing into the watery depths. This led Tommy to develop an eyewear line with a solution to these problems: a patented foam lining that provides both floatation and a snug, ‘Soft Fit’. All glasses in the range are polarized, perfect for cutting out the glare during on-water activities. New to the range are the new Bi-Focal sunglasses which come in two models and three types of magnification (1.5x, 2.0x and 2.5x magnification). These sunnies are a great asset to have in the boat, especially when you’re tying knots! You can check out these and other models at the Bomber Eyewear website. Price: SRP $99.95 bombereyewear.com.au

SCAN THE QR CODE!

BOOMERANG MID SIZE ZINGER

Zingers are a great way to keep tools handy, but sometimes the small Zingers aren’t enough and this is where the Mid Size Zinger with carabiner from the Boomerang Tool stable will excel. This new tool is ideal for keeping fishing tools handy, securing keys and other important items, and attaching gear to your boat or kayak. The Mid Size Zinger’s lightweight zinc carabiner means it can quickly, easily and securely be attached to almost anything. This Zinger is built to survive the elements, featuring a polycarbonate case and a 24” heavy-duty Kevlar cord. It has been manufactured in the USA to a high standard, and it has been proven to last over 1 million pulls! If you are looking to secure items to yourself, your vessel or your vehicle, check out the range of Boomerang Tool and T-Reign products at the Tackle Tactics website. Price: SRP: $24.95 www.tackletactics.com.au

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

THE COMPLETE CAST DVD

The Complete Cast (Applying Principles to Fresh & Saltwater Fly Casting), is a new DVD presented by legendary fishermen Lefty Kreh and Ed Jaworowski. The tackle used and the manner of delivering an artificial lure to gamefish separates flyfishing from every other fishing method. In this DVD, Lefty and Ed will demonstrate, explain, and teach the elements common to all casts with a singlehanded rod. Features of this comprehensive DVD include: more than 25 casts and techniques; more than three hours of in-depth instruction of principles-based casting fundamentals; helpful tips and techniques that are simple and easy to apply; practice tutorials and exercises that improve your casting; and analysis of the tailing loop and how to remedy. Anglers of all skill levels will derive useful tips from The Complete Cast. Price: SRP approx. $70 www.ejtodd.com.au

The dumbell shape is famous in Australian popping. Previously available only in big sizes for big fish, River2Sea has released two Baby Bell models in 75mm and 50mm sizes – perfect for targeting fish living in estuaries, dams and canals. The greatest benefit is the ability to cast these little lures a mile, and they always cast tail-first to eliminate the hooks fouling on the line while in the air. Also, the distinctive cup face gives off a great noise and water push without skipping out of the water. The 75mm Baby Bell is perfect for chasing the likes of trevally, Australian bass, tailor, tarpon, mangrove jacks and small GTs in the estuaries. The 50mm model is great for bass, bream, whiting, flathead or any of your smaller species. A great colour range is provided to fulfil the needs of both fresh and saltwater fishing. These new Baby Bells are definitely the lures you need in your tackle box for your next trip. Price: SRP $17.99 (50mm), $19.99 (75mm) www.river2sea.com.au

DAIWA TATULA BAITCASTER

Daiwa’s Tatula rods incorporate the latest, cutting edge rod technology to take full advantage of the advanced performance standards set by Tatula reels. With state-of-the art materials and pimped out with Daiwa’s latest technology, these rods deliver ultimate casting performance with ultimate value. For the Tatula a new blank was designed, featuring Daiwa’s highest quality carbon, SVF, the most sensitive carbon ever manufactured. SVF (Super Volume Fibre) results in a blank that is hyper sensitive, delivering incredible connectivity between angler and fish, with feather light precision. Sensitivity is transferred into the reel via Daiwa’s ergonomically-designed skeleton reel seat, and the entire range features ultra-light Fuji Alconite guides that are highly sensitive, super strong and designed to maximise rod performance and sensitivity. www.daiwafishing.com.au

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

What’s New FISHING TESTED: Bassman Spinnerbaits are now an integral part of an Australian native fish angler’s arsenal, and it’s not hard to see why. For starters, there’s the sheer versatility of how they can be fished – shallow, deep, fast and slow. The other main advantage spinnerbaits have is their tendency not to snag up. In fact, you can cast them into some gnarly places and have them bump, vibrate and flash their way out, the whole time letting the fish know they’re there. Compact versions of spinnerbaits are not new, but what the Bassman Shorty range has

TW4 was the first colour I chose, and this beautiful bass was the first fish of the trip.

FISHING PRODUCT GUIDE

Shorty – taking compact to a new level

My favourite spinnerbait colour is purple, and colour #55 has quickly become my go-to colour. in its favour is Glen and Sue Casey’s insistence on quality – as well as a pretty good angler in Carl Jocumsen to help develop them. My first look at Shorty Spinnerbaits was at the 2015 AFTA Tackle Trade Show, and they were quite a change from any Bassmans I had seen before. They had a smaller and finer wire configuration, smaller blades with a head shape change, a larger quantity of skirt material and a finish that was second to none. Glen explained that the objective was to create maximum flash and vibration in a compact format, to not only catch fish in Australia, but to also give Carl an edge in the US Bassmaster Elite series. I would have loved to have bought some right then and there, but I had to wait like everybody else! It was early November when I ventured to one of our western district rivers to give the Shortys a try. The waterway I found was not the usual pristine piece of water I had come to expect, because storms the previous

weekend had not only knocked down plenty of trees and turned the river into a less than ideal shade of brown. I knew it would be a true test of my newly acquired Shortys. I had purchased eight of the available 16 colours, and chose colour TW4 as the first to try out. My theory was that this darker colour would provide a strong silhouette in the discoloured water and, coupled with the flash and vibration Glen had spoken about, would get me a few fish. The first thing I noticed was that although the blades were quite small, I could really feel them rotate and thump through the water. I had removed the supplied stinger hooks, as I find this further reduces the chances of the lure hooking up on something under the water I can’t see, and after a little bit of exploring a bass took a liking to my spinnerbait. This is always a great feeling on a trip away, and the feeling was even better on this occasion because it was my first fish on a new lure. Colour TW4 didn’t last much longer than that, as my knot tying skills had slipped that morning and the next fish hit me like a freight train and parted my leader from my braid. Colour #55 had to be next (purple is my favourite spinnerbait colour) and it proved to be an inspired, if not lucky change. The next two hours provided plenty of entertainment as I managed to extract bass out of the rapids and deep pools of the river. My success wasn’t mirrored by all of my fellow anglers; my mate Brett did the hard yards but managed only one fish. I exchanged the spinnerbait he was using for a Shorty (colour #51) and it took very little time for his luck to change. He now is a firm believer

that it’s worth spending a little more and purchasing a quality spinnerbait. By the end of the weekend the Bassman Shortys had proven themselves. The lighter wires had gotten knocked around and the skirts were thinner than they were at the start, but not to the point that that you couldn’t use them. I have enjoyed plenty of success since then in our local Queensland impoundments, with plenty of golden perch also taking a liking to them. I have topped up my stocks since my initial purchase and have added a number of the other colours to my collection. With a RRP of $14.50 the Bassman Shorty is a quality, Australian-made and affordable spinnerbait that showcases the skills and knowledge that Glen, Sue and Carl bring to the table. The range is well worth a look. To find out more about the Bassman Shorty or the other spinnerbaits in the Bassman range, go to www.bassmanspinnerbaits. com.au. – Peter Jung

Look for these in your local tackle store.

TESTED: Chiller Fish Bags When you’re out fishing or boating, space can sometimes become an issue when you’re carrying all your gear from one place to another. For me one of my biggest gripes is packing a esky on my already space-limited boat. I have a larger esky, which is great for fish such as mackerel, but it’s large and takes up a huge amount of room – especially on my little 4.3 Bluefin. It limits the amount of space for rods and seems to get in the road when travelling. I have a smaller esky as well, but it’s too small for taking home a feed of fish and is only really good for taking a feed for the trip. I could spend the money and build in an esky under the casting deck, but this would cost me a fair bit of coin. It’s for this reason I was attracted to the Chiller Fish Bags, which are designed, manufactured and imported by Spiro from Bluebottle Fishing (Demop Holdings). These bags are very durable,

practical and convenient, and I found them to be perfect for my needs. Chiller Fish Bags come in five different sizes, from the Micro through to the Maxi. They are insulated with 0.5” dense foam, are mould- and mildew-resistant, have a UV protective outer, are easy to clean and wash down, and have drainage and filler spouts on four of the five sizes. The carry handles

Great storage for your feed of flatties.

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

The soft flared bottom means the bags can sit on many surfaces. These bags store on the boat easily and out of the way. The drainage port, perfect for cleaning out the Chiller Bags. on the bags make it easy to move them around with a full load, and they can be easily stored in different parts of your boat without getting in the way. The bottom of each bag is also flared to make sure it’s always stored in an upright position. And finally, at the end of the day once you have cleaned out your Fish Bag you can easily fold it up and store it away. As with any esky, you can create a nice ice slurry and bleed your fish in the bags with no concern about it leaking through your boat – and you can transfer your catch/feed. It’s obvious these bags are designed to store your catch in a hygienic environment while keeping the fish in good condition ready for the table, fridge or freezer. Now that I have a young family, I like products that crossover and can be used in other aspects of my life besides fishing. I’ve

DIMENSIONS • Micro - 75(L) x 40(H) x 25 (base) (no bung) • Mini - 100(L) x 40(H) x 25 (base) • Midi - 150(L) x 40(H) x 25 (base) • Midi+ - 150(L) x 55(H) x 30 (base) • Maxi - 200(L) x 60(H) x 40 (base) found that the Chiller Fish Bags are great for camping as they can store ice for two to three days. They’re also great for family days out at the beach or heading to the park for a picnic. I’m also a keen hunter, and these bags are perfect for storing fresh game. Spiro has even introduced a new range for the hunting fraternity, with the Chiller Bag also available in camouflage. Prices for the bags start at $129 plus postage. For more information and to view the full range of Chiller Bags head to www. bluebottlefishing.com or call Spiro on 02 9651 3380. – Ryan Limpus

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

Product Profile

Zerek Fish Trap review BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

There are so many fantastic lures in the Wilson Zerek range that it’s hard to predict what’s going to be next! Some time back I became enthused about the Zerek Live Shrimp and Live Shrimp Hot Legs. I just could not believe how efficiently these snagless lures managed to trick barra and jacks up north, then proved so good on flatties at Jumpinpin, as well as snapper around the Bay reef areas. The new Zerek Fish Trap is the latest

The Fish Trap is a very well made lipless crankbait (soft vibe) with a very lifelike appearance and a single curly tail that seems to have a life of its own. The slightest movement and that tail starts to wriggle! The Fish Trap comes with extra strong split rings, ultra sharp Mustad 4x Saltism trebles and in 15 colours for virtually every application from fresh to saltwater and areas in between. With an impressive three size range (65, 95 and 110mm), there seems to be a Fish Trap for all sorts of applications, from straight out casting and retrieving through to trolling. The Fish Trap responds

slight rod tip movements seem to make vibes so very effective. If you haven’t used a vibe – either a hard or softbodied job – it’s very tempting to cast one out or drop it over the side into some deep water then jig it ambitiously up and down with considerable movement. Unfortunately, that sort of action is not the one that’s going to attract a fish. The clue with vibes is to work them subtly, so that the vibe flutters briefly into life then subsides in action. In fact, it’s often on the way back down from a small lift – when used directly under the boat, or in between small lifts of the rod tip on a slow retrieve back to the rod – that the vibe tends to get hit. The clue is to keep all slack out of the equation and watch the line. A sudden movement equates to a fish.

The Zerek Fish Trap brought this trevally undone near South Queensland’s Amity Beach. Our success so far with the Zerek Fish Trap has been diverse. From threadies

in the Brisbane River, to a mulloway at the Pin, a decent trevally for Denise over in the Rainbow Channel near Amity, with Scott the lad scoring some excellent fish

up north as well. With the weather cooling I’m looking forward to a whole lot more fun with the Zerek Fish Trap during autumn and into winter.

Scott Kampe with a Dunk Island trevally taken on a Fish Trap. lure from the Zerek range and will hopefully echo the versatility of its brethren – it’s certainly doing the job for the Kampe fishing team.

to the slightest rod tip movement, which translates to strong, fish attracting vibrations that fish just can’t seem to ignore. Those very

Ultra sharp Mustad trebles are a feature of these great vibes.

The author ‘Fish Trapped’ this mulloway at Jumpinpin.

Halco’s new soft plastics range After years of hardbody lure design and manufacturing, Halco has forged a new path into the soft plastic industry. Marketing Manager Tim Carter said the new Madeye soft plastic range incorporated new Rubber Stretch Technology (RST), which is more durable than traditional plastic. “This ensures that the Halco Madeyes range encompasses our ethos of a high quality, strike-effective product,” Tim said. “We

are determined to push the boundaries of traditional soft plastic colours and shapes.” Madeye’s Rubber Stretch Technology is a unique rubber copolymer that possesses two advantages over standard soft plastics. RST is up to five times more durable than standard plastic, and is buoyant, which enables the lure to float and wriggle when sitting on the bottom. “Additionally, all baits are enhanced with natural squid scent to get those bites

Halco Madeyes are coming to a tackle shop near you!

more frequently and from more species,” Tim said. Here is the lowdown on the current range. 2.5” FLUTTER SHRIMP The 2.5” Flutter Shrimp has a thin, lightweight and durable tail for a lifelike swimming action. It is designed as a finesse presentation for when the bite is shut down, or in ultraclear water. The thin curl-tail flutters with the slightest movement, making this the ideal plastic for bream, estuary perch or bass. With a small profile, this lure is dynamite on tentative fish. WHIPPY WORM The Whippy Worm replicates a sand worm, and dominates on the flats. The tail floats in the current when the lure is dead sticked. Bream, bass, and flathead are all fans of the Whippy Worm, and it can be trimmed to size as necessary. 3” FLICK STICK Short, sharp twitches give the Flick Stick an erratic action. As it sinks, the 3” Flick Stick resembles a dying baitfish that a whole manner

of species can’t resist. The 3” smaller variety is ideal for targeting freshwater species. 5” FLICK STICK An ultra-realistic baitfish imitation, the 5” Flick Stick has already accounted for salmon, snapper, kingfish, mangrove jack, trevally and many more. If your target eats baitfish, the 5” Flick Stick will catch it. This version also

The Paddle Prawn in amber oil will undo anything that chews on baitfish! features a lifelike eye, and the RST ensures it can withstand repeated strikes.

Top: The Octoskirt in junebug. Bottom: The Whippy Worm dominates on the flats.

3” PADDLE PRAWN The Paddle Prawn is the ultimate all-rounder, with a paddle-tail that transmits small vibrations through the water column. Thin and lightweight, the Paddle Prawn has durable legs and feelers that add to the realism of this presentation. It works like dynamite on bream, bass, jack and smaller northern species. 5” PADDLE PRAWN Big brother to the 3” Paddle Prawn, the 5” version has proven to be effortlessly effective on snapper and other demersals. Rigged weedless, the Paddle Prawn can be worked along the surface for large barra. The RST ensures the lures can out-fish and outlast due to their incredible flexibility and ‘stretch.’ – FM APRIL 2016

SURF LIFE SAVING FUN PAGE FISHING OBJECTS THAT CAUSE INJURIES

HOOKS

LINE

RAIL

WIRE

FISH SPIKE

GUNNEL

SCALER

BUCKET

BOLT

KNIFE

LIP GRIP

TILLER

PLIERS

GAFF

HATCH

SINKERS

CLEAT

ESKY

DONGER

ANCHOR

STEERING WHEEL

ROD HOLDER

CHAIN

Win a prize pack from Surf Life Saving Sunscreen. Save your skin and save the fish…so there are more for you to catch!

Name: Address:

P/Code:

The first correct entry at the end of each month will win the prize pack. SEND ENTRIES TO: QLD Find-a-word Competition, PO box 3172, Loganholme Qld 4129

FINS SCALES & TALES by A. Both

QLD APRIL 2016

Phone (day):

FIND-A-WORD

Congratulations to Meg Robinson from Raceview, who was last month’s winner of the Find-a-Word Competition! Monthly winners receive a Surf Lifesaving prize pack. Prize delivery can take 8 weeks. – QFM

BARRA COUNTRY by Brett Currie

SUBSCRIBER PRIZE

BITE ME by Trisha Mason

GEORGE & NEV by Michael Hardy

The subscriber prize winner for February was M Edwards of Walloon, who won an Ultimate Sportfishing pack from Tackle Tactics valued at $300. All subscribers are entered in the monthly subscriber prize draws. Prize delivery takes up to 8 weeks. – QFM

FIND THE ZEREK LOGO

February locations: 10, 13, 22, 24, 26, 38, 42, 49, 83, 86, 89, 91, 94, 109, 116. – QFM The Find the Zerek logo prize winners for February were: Noffke of Kulangoor, J Fisher of Bowen, B Freier of Ningi, B Hardwick of Kewarra Beach, R Ramsay of Taylors Beach, R Peake of Gympie, P Fels of Cushnie, L Betts of Kendall, F Heiniger of Woombye, J Buddle of Torquay, B Brown of Maryborough, G Watter of Ripley, M Fergus of Yeppoon, A Jorgensen of KippaRing, G Leverton of Taylors Beach, K Martin of Dalby, R Henderson of Cornubia, R Kelly of Woombye, B Herrmann of Churchill, J McCulloch of Nambour, N Kempthorne of Ripley, K Frankel of Pottsville, L Taylor of Millmerran, D Sologinkin of Rural View, D Newton of Rangeville, D Oehlman of Oakey, G Illman of Mt Gambier , N Hunn of Urangan, E Lezuchowski of Darra, B Lacey of Cannonvale, A Scott of Proserpine, M Grice of Hope Island, S Whitfield of Broadbeach, B Harris of Ingham, C Carmont of Lennox Head, C Groszmann of Innes Park, A Hewlett of Mothar Mountain, W Robinson of Raceview, E & V Jackson of Long Flat, K Ripley of Mudgeeraba. Prize delivery takes up to 8 weeks. – QFM

WHAT FISH IS THIS ANSWER • New

This fish is a midnight snapper or Macolor macularis. products • Videos Midnight snapper are nocturnal zooplankton feeders, • Indepth so you wouldn’t see many caught! (Answer courtesy Reviews of Dr. Julian Pepperell)

check out! 90

APRIL 2016

boats & kayaks

In the skipper’s seat 92 Tips and Tricks Inside story...

Just bought your first boat? Read our feature on boating tips and you’ll be a pro in no time!

Re-launched by Telwater in August 2009, the Yellowfin range is for serious offshore fishers looking to land that perfect catch.

94 The Inflatable Option

Yellowfin is the new brand of offshore plate fishing boats creating waves on the world’s oceans and inspiring those who hunt there.

Made for...

These legendary models were first launched in 1980, and held a strong reputation for being tough and well-built. Yellowfin Boats were able to take serious fishos out on the water faster and take them further, while maintaining strength to withstand the harsh conditions of the ocean.

This month...

Sink your teeth into our exclusive coverage of Yellowfin Boats. We’ve tested them in all sorts of conditions and have found them to be practical with a side of awesome! Head to page 98 to read more!

Inflatable kayaks – fun, practical, economic, awesome. Trust us, you’re going to love ‘em!

100 Stessco Renegade 480 Steve Morgan give us his two cents on the Stessco Renegade 480 with Yamaha F70!

102 Baysports 600 Offshore Wayne Kampe gives an in-depth walk-through on the deck of a Baysports 600 Offshore.

APRIL 2016

Tips for the novice boater BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

So, you have finally landed the big one: a boat of your own! The first move is to get to know the new boat, whether it’s a small tinny towed behind a four-cylinder family sedan or a larger vessel that sits sedately behind a big 4x4. Either way, that boat is going to be a part of your life, and take up a surprising amount of time

it’s vital to keep all rollers in correct touch with the hull to avoid damaging it. Remember, a roller that’s too high will actually dent the keel or hull over time. Next, take a look at the winch cable. If it’s metal and obviously brand new there’s a fair amount of useful life in it so long as it’s washed around the tow hook after each trip to the ramp. If it’s somewhat aged or rusted and there are tiny breaks in it, causing small bits to dig into your hands or fingers, it would

boat trailer are out of sight but should never be out of mind as they work hard, cop abuse from saltwater and need to be adjusted correctly and protected from that briny stuff. A lot of boat owners rely on the protection of Bearing Buddys which are good so long as you don’t go overboard with the grease gun and pump the grease in until it pours out the back seal (thus rendering the seal useless). A useful alternative to Bearing Buddys are Dura

An experienced skipper driving his boat onto the trailer. He is standing to help himself visually line up the boat’s trajectory. saltwater. Dura Hubs are most easily fitted to a new hub, but with professional expertise during installation they can also be fitted to older hubs once any corrosion is removed to ensure correct alignment of the rear seal. Assessing correct

bearing adjustment is easy with an unbraked trailer; it only involves jacking a wheel up and giving it a spin to see if it makes any sound other than a very faint whirring noise as the wheel revolves. Grumbles, rumbles or squeals mean you have a failed bearing, which requires a close

at things. AT HOME WITH THE ENGINE Outboard engines are in the vast majority these days and don’t need much more than a good flush after use and a wash-down to keep them in good nick. A bit of water repellent spray under the cowl is wise, and most

A craft has just left the trailer at a busy ramp. Getting right out of the way ensures others aren’t inconvenienced by the boat that’s just launched. out of the water. It will reward TLC handsomely, and pay back any neglect just as thoroughly! AT HOME: THE TRAILER First things first: most boats are on a trailer and it’s a pretty smart idea to make sure all nuts and bolts are properly tightened from the outset. This is especially important if the unit has seen some prior use. Remember, that galvanised bolts can strip their thread if over-tightened, so nipped up is tight enough. A 30cm ring spanner swinging hard on a galvanised nut is going to see the thread stripped in short order. While you are checking things, duck in behind the trailer wheels and ensure the nuts on the U-bolts holding the spring sets in place aren’t loose. Why not treat the springs with a corrosion inhibitor spray while you’re at it? While you’re there, it’s also a good idea to wriggle right under the trailer and ensure all rollers are actually in contact with the hull. Try to turn them by hand. Any loose ones certainly need re-alignment but do ensure they’re not loose as the result of another roller nearby being too high. With alloy boats 92

APRIL 2016

pay to replace it with a Dyneema cable. Dyneema winch cables are brilliant. They cannot rust, pack down onto themselves or develop those nasty ‘bities’ from the tiny breaks as do metal ones. Straps on winches work OK but can bind down on themselves or possibly work loose when travelling (I have seen this) even after being tightened up quite firmly at the ramp. Wheel bearings on a

Hubs. I’ve used them under three of my boats, and they’re very effective and easy to use. The Dura Hub system sees the bearings revolving in an oil bath while the hub is effectively sealed both front and rear against grime or water intrusion. There’s also a polycarbonate window on each Dura Hub that lets you check the oil level and see that the oil is not contaminated with

A pontoon is handy after launching but always makes sure the boat is held right at the end of it while waiting for the rest of the team.

For an expert it’s almost easy but for the beginner this cuddy cab will take a bit of practice to drive onto its trailer. It might be best to use the winch a few times until all proportions and alignments become familiar.

look inside that hub. This should never be an issue in a new trailer but sometimes even new trailers can have bearings adjusted too tightly, and while the wheel spins it does not do so as freely as it should. The idea is to check on the hubs after about 20 minutes travel time and see if they are any more than slightly warm. If they are actually hot, those bearings need some slackening in adjustment or they will be damaged. Note that if the trailer is a braked model it’s best to have bearings professionally checked, adjusted and the brake system serviced at the same time. The more frequently the whole lot goes into saltwater, the more frequent the need for a serious look

manufacturers have their own brands of spray for this purpose. Flushing boat engines is vital because even freshwater can have stuff in it that’s not good to leave in the engine for an extended period. Most boat owners use earmuffs to flush their smaller outboards, but unless the muffs are properly fitting onto the lower unit a lot of water can bypass the inlet grille, leading to possible engine overheating. It’s a good idea to assess how strongly the water flow is from the engine when being flushed in comparison to the normal on-water flow. If the flushing outflow looks weak it would be best to replace the muffs, or try using a bungy cord to hold

the muffs in closer contact while flushing the engine. Never, ever, set up muffs to flush a running engine and move out of sight of proceedings. If a hose connection pops or the water flow is somehow disrupted, that engine will cook very rapidly. If you have to leave the area, stop the engine and turn off the hose. These days many electric start outboards have a rope-start system as a fallback against loss of power – perish the thought – to crank the engine into life, but to use the rope to turn the engine’s fly wheel there’s usually a couple of bits of pieces to be removed. Have a look

Out she comes: the Galey’s loaded and about to move off to make room for another boat to use the ramp. it’s likely to be. You can help ease the tension by taking a pre-launch look at the ramp, its parking, and general access prior to the big event. You’ll want to have a game plan, taking into account things that might go bit pear-shaped and how to best avoid them. Prior to launch you’ll need to stop at the area next

trailer at full speed at a ramp as this is a sure way of dropping the transducer onto something hard and damaging it. Backing a trailer requires practice and there’s nothing wrong with having someone walk along beside the driver to provide a situation report on how things are going. Once the boat’s off the trailer it should be moved to the side of the ramp or onto the outer section of any adjacent pontoon while waiting for the car crew to return. At this time always be conscious of other boat owners wanting to launch or retrieve. Make sure they get a fair go at things. It might mean you have to move the boat a bit, but that’s no big deal. ON THE WATER When it comes to water travel, remember the old rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. You’ll need to get the feel of the new boat, but confidence builds rapidly in boating. Remember, if you must pass close by another craft, slow down and pass

pontoon or jetty beside the ramp there’s plenty of wriggle room to move or relocate, but a boat sitting just beside a ramp poses a question: is it going out or being retrieved? A gap between the craft and the ramp can indicate the team is departing, but the only way to be sure is to either hover nearby or gently approach shore on the side away from the previous craft and the ramp, and with the bow pulled up on the sand wait and see what develops. Moving in turn makes sense, and while common sense is not common it does go a long way around boat ramps. Once your trailer is in position, one option is to get the boat aligned and drive it onto the trailer. This takes practice. Approach things carefully and stand up to assess the correct alignment on the trailer. The alternative option is to hold the craft onto the lead roller and in place while it’s winched up onto the trailer. Again, get that boat well away from the main launch/retrieve area prior to

Launching is always a lot easier as a team effort. The crew here have things well under control. at the engine manual and assess what’s required to remove these items and then store the appropriate tools somewhere in the boat. Those are the easy, ‘at home’ hints covered, so now let’s take a look at actual use. AT THE RAMP With the boat properly

secured it’s off to the ramp – and this is where a lot of first time boaters come to grief. Boat ramps can be a source of stress, and things that compound that stress are the owner’s inexperience, adverse tide or weather conditions plus other boat owners making things difficult by jumping

a queue, blocking access to the ramp or being rude. While we have no control over others, we do make our own choices. For the new boater, things to consider are the state of the tide at the chosen ramp, how likely it is that the prevailing wind will affect it, and how busy

There’s no stress about this launch: the SeaJay team in action at Bundaberg.

Courtesy in action! The Galey was being backed down the ramp just as a tinny came in. With nowhere to leave the small tinny out of the way at ramp’s end, we moved the Galey forward to allow the crabbing team to retrieve their boat. to the ramp to get things ready. If you attempt to perform this task on the ramp itself, rather than next to it, you will be very unpopular! Other ramp users may dish up some colourful language telling you what they think of you. Other users want to launch, too, and holding them up is a no-no. With the engine lifted up, all gear loaded, bungs in, rear tie-downs removed and with both the shackle up front and the trailer hook free to be removed, the boat is ready to come off the trailer. A hint: when you have a rope attached to a heavier boat to release it into the water, never allow the boat to whizz off the

off the plane so your wash doesn’t knock them about. Also, if someone seems to be catching more fish than you are, don’t immediately assume that you should move right to that spot, or head over to seek advice. You’ll get advice all right but it won’t be what you wanted to hear! THE RETRIEVAL So your adventure is over and it’s time to retrieve the boat. At this point it’s wise to assess what others are doing as your craft approaches the ramp at a reduced speed. You don’t want to cause wash issues for people attempting to get a boat onto a trailer against current or wind. Where there’s a

stowing gear and preparing for the drive home. If another party is in difficulties ahead of you, consider offering to help them. As well as being the decent thing to do, it’s also practical – because the sooner they are on their way, the sooner you can get your craft out! I hope these hints help to make your boating more enjoyable. They have definitely made my boating life easier. And for those anonymous folk who have helped me retrieve the 5.5m Galey in somewhat dodgy conditions over the years at that mongrel ramp at Cabbage Tree Point, many thanks mates! I hope to return the favour. APRIL 2016

The inflatable option BRISBANE

Justin Wilmer Find me on Facebook at Yaks On

About fifteen years ago a few mates and I bought cheap inflatable boats so that we could dodge the crowds around the local jetty and surrounding riverbank, launch our simple craft and paddle to the opposite bank. Although it was only twice the distance of a good cast away, we had the bank to

was something about the simplicity, portability and adventure element of our blow up craft, along with the ability to store it in a car boot in case the tides were right when we knocked off work – and so began my fascination with inflatable watercraft. Since these early sessions I have followed the development of inflatable watercraft, from drift boats and float tubes, to an impressive new wave of inflatable kayaks that are making the most of

old inflatable boat from back in the day, except that there is no way I would take that $49.95 boat down the rapids that these guys ride! A little while ago the subject of inflatable kayaks came up at the dinner table and a couple of weeks later our two-person Sportek KK2 kayak was being unpacked on the lounge room floor. We have other kayaks, so why did we buy an inflatable kayak? Our original plans were to use this vessel when we travel as it can be stored

The inflatable is ideal for accessing fishy water. flatties of New South Wales and the coastline of WA. I just need to read up on the local regulations about cleaning fishing gear and watercraft, so as not to transfer any weed or pests from one waterway to another.

PROS AND CONS There are positives and negatives associated with anything, and inflatable watercraft are no exception. In terms of negatives the inflatable option does come with the responsibility of

care in terms of handling, usage and storage that avoids puncture or damage to the material. They are not as durable as their solid cousins however developments in materials have made them more durable than the

A few minutes with the pump and we’re ready for action. in a large plastic crate in the back of our vehicle when we travel locally and is quickly and easily unpacked and inflated should we be greeted by good weather or fishable water. It also weighs under 20kg and fits in a standard large suitcase, allowing it to accompany us on interstate adventures via plane. This has me dreaming about big Tassie bream, trout in the southern waters, the monster

This tandem also paddles well as a solo option.

Under 20kg and fits neatly in a large suitcase for your fishing missions. ourselves and were fishing water that wasn’t anywhere near as pressured as the easily accessed side of the river. The result was a few fun and memorable trips, with plenty of nice flathead landed on soft plastics. At the time I had a boat and a kayak, but there 94

APRIL 2016

developments in lightweight, durable and technical fibres and materials. There is a growing scene called pack rafting, combining hiking and exploration with inflatable craft that pack small enough to be added to your hiking pack and weigh as little as half a kilo! Kind of like my

Quality inflatable crafts are stable and comfortable.

simple pool toys of old. Performance wise, inflatable craft are generally not as fast through the water and don’t track as well either, although quality inflatable models have greatly bridged this gap in terms of both speed and tracking. Inflatable craft often have a reduced payload for their size, but this will encourage you to keep it simple and leave some of that excess baggage at home. Attaching accessories such as sounders and rod holders can also be a little trickier, with Railblaza offering a solution via their RIBPort mount, designed for mounting accessories on inflatable craft. It’s not all negative though. If you have limited space for storage then an inflatable kayak could be ideal. All you need is an area to wash it down and

let it dry, and then it can be folded back into its bag and stored in a cupboard. Some models can even pack small enough to fit in a backpack. Your inflatable kayak also fits in a car boot, allowing it to tag along on your adventures… just in case an opportunity arises to wet a line. You don’t need to worry about roof racks, tying the kayak down or leaving it unattended on your vehicle. There’s also the opportunity to book an extra bag, load it in a suitcase and take it further afield. Inflatable kayaks are generally lighter, with one-person models often weighing around 11kg, making them easy to throw on the shoulder and carry from pool to pool when exploring rivers and gorge country that can be difficult or even impossible to explore on foot or in larger craft, which makes them ideal if there is rugged terrain between you and your proposed launch site. I was also impressed with how quickly and easily inflatable craft set up and pack up. Our KK2 set up in ten minutes, with forty or so pumps of the dual action hand pump per side chamber, a few more for

the floor chamber and we were away. When it came to packing up, we simply opened the three valves and within seconds the kayak was deflated and ready to be folded up, loaded in the plastic crate and loaded back into the car. We were packed up and on our way home in minutes. GEARING UP It’s a good idea to inflate your kayak at home first, giving you the opportunity to decide where you will be storing and attaching the

gear you want to carry with you. Take the time to think about landing and handling fish also. Will you release them beside the kayak, bring them in with a net or lip grips, does the kayak have a skirt or front work area to rest them on or do you need a towel or container to put them in, and finally where will you store them if taking home a feed. Along with your usual kit and safety gear, it is worth taking your repair kit with you just in case, along with The inflatable option is an awesome one!

Not the ideal way to christen the KK2, a yellowtail pike, but better than no bites!

a few zip ties, cloth tape and a couple of occy straps, items that I carry with me in any yak that I am travelling in. WHICH KAYAK? Kayak selection is a personal choice and only you can decide which kayak best suits your needs. Many kayak anglers have found that they need a few kayaks in their fleet to cover different applications and environments, such as small creek work, estuary fishing and long distance offshore missions, or perhaps even camping and touring adventures. If you decide that an inflatable kayak might suit your needs, make

sure you do your research as there are a wide range of models available to suit many different applications, from white water to touring, designed for solo and tandem paddlers. Paddle a friends if you have the opportunity or keep an eye out for demo days, and stick with a quality, reputable brand such as Hobie, Sportek, Bic, Sevylor, Sea Eagle and AdvancedFrame, to name a few. Our Sportek KK2 is perfect for flat-water paddling and was quick and easy to set up and pack up, stable, tracked and paddled

well, and comfortable. Over time I will customise our storage and fit out to further suit our requirements. With a little co-ordination we had our tandem paddling down pat, but the KK2 also handled well when paddled solo from the rear seat with additional gear and an Evakool 20L icebox stored in the front seating area. I look forward to future inflatable adventures and am now thinking that I need to keep an eye out for the next Hobie demo day to give their new pedal inflatable options a test drive… See you on the water!

FISHING FILL-ITS

Telwater now Australia’s Evinrude distributor Big boating news from the Gold Coast in March. Telwater, who is the manufacturer of the iconic Quintrex, Savage, Stacer and Yellowfin brands have officially taken over the distribution of Evinrude Outboards in Australia. With the rumours confirmed in mid-March,

Telwater staff were very excited about the opportunities that the deal offered to their companies. “We’ve already been supplying boat/motor/trailer packages to our existing dealers for four years now with Evinrude Outboards, so this is a natural progression for us,” said Telwater Marketing

Chief, Damien Duncan. But what will it mean to consumers and readers of Fishing Monthly? “For a start, it’ll mean that all Evinrude dealers – not just the ones that do our boat brands – will get better service and tracking of their orders. The dealer, and therefore the customer, will be able to know exactly where their ordered outboard is at any time of the delivery process,” said Jason Draeger, the newly appointed National Sales Manager for Evinrude. “We’re very excited about the deal and the opportunities it presents,” said Nick Phelan, who was heavily involved in the creation of the deal, “we’re totally sold on the new G2 technology, the fuel

Telwater’s Yellowfin brand will immediately enjoy the benefits of the G2 (second generation) E-TEC outboard. savings are amazing and they’re just fantastic motors,” he continued. Although Telwater wouldn’t commit to a

timeline, they hinted strongly that the G2 technology would be applied to smaller horsepower motors sooner rather than later. Not soon

enough for Evinrude fans that have motors in the middle horsepower ranges. All existing Evinrude dealers will still be Evinrude dealers, and for these guys it will be business as usual, but if Telwater’s history is anything to go by, expect big things from the brand in coming years! – FMG VIDEO

It’s just a matter of time before the G2 technology moves down the line to the mid range.

Current Telwater boat brands will be available predelivered to your dealer with Evinrude outboards.

Steve Morgan interviews Jason Draeger about Evinrude’s transition to Telwater. Scan the QR Code to watch. APRIL 2016

What’s New BOATING

GME GX750 BLACK BOX VHF

FISHING PRODUCT GUIDE

GARMIN ECHOMAP CHIRP COMBOS

The GX750 Black Box VHF Marine Radio is an entirely new design concept from GME. This unit provides all the functionality of a conventional fixed-mount VHF marine radio in the palm of your hand with the supplied full-function LCD Controller Microphone. This allows the compact Black Box radio unit to be mounted almost anywhere in the vessel, making it the perfect choice for installations where dash space is at a premium. The GX750 has been designed with the same stylish white/grey colour scheme as the recently launched GR300 Marine Entertainment product. The unified design and colour scheme ensures these products blend seamlessly into the dash. The GX750 will also be available with a Black LCD Controller Microphone to suit contemporary vessel interiors. Built to withstand the harsh marine environment, the GX750 chassis is waterproof to the IPX7 standard and the unit is UV stabilised. Price: SRP $329 www.gme.net.au

Garmin’s echoMAP CHIRP series features built-in CHIRP traditional sonar, CHIRP DownVü and CHIRP SideVü scanning sonar, is preloaded with BlueChart g2 Australia coastal charts, and has Quickdraw Contours as standard. Selected models also support Panoptix LiveVü all-seeing sonar and are NMEA compatible. The echoMAP CHIRP series comes in sunlight readable 4”, 5”, 7” and 9” colour displays with an intuitive, keyed interface. A high-sensitivity 5Hz GPS antenna is built in. High-wide CHIRP sonar creates crisp fish arches with incredible target separation. If you want to see objects and structure below the boat, CHIRP DownVü provides a near photographic view, while the 75sv and 95sv also incorporate CHIRP SideVü scanning sonar. With an optional Panoptix transducer (75sv and 95sv models), you can see real-time sonar imagery at video-like speed of fish swimming toward or away from the boat, as well as lures and baits. This lets you adjust your technique according to fish behaviour. Price: SRP $599-$1999 www.garmin.com

WATER COLLECTION SMART BOWL

MERCURY 115 PRO XS FOURSTROKE

The Smart Bowl utilises a sophisticated, built-in electronic circuit and sensors for diagnosis of water contamination in fuel in petrol-operated engines. As soon as the water trap reaches approximately 70%, the sensors will cause the beeper to activate. As soon as the sensor buzzes, simply turn off both the engine and fuel sensor, and extract the trapped water via the bung. Then firmly tighten it again and you are ready to go. The Smart Bowl is designed to work in synergy with fuel filters. It is the perfect choice for users who wish to take their existing fuel filtration to a whole new level of protection. The Kit comes with everything needed for a hassle-free simple installation. Included in the kit is: Aluminium Water Collecting Smart Bowl with a built-in electronic sensor device; connecting cable 4.30m (14ft) with beeper; and a manual. www.samallen.com.au

HUMMINBIRD HELIX 9, 10 AND 12

Humminbird AutoChart Live is now built in to the new Helix 9, 10 and 12 Series units. AutoChart Live enables you to create richly detailed maps of your favourite fishing spots in real time live on the unit. Map the water as you drive the boat, with eight hours of built-in recording time. Once your map is live, layer it with Side Imaging detail—or use it with i-Pilot Link’s Follow the Contour and other Humminbird Autochart Live features. There are no added fees. There’s no need to upload your data for the world to see. The units have eight hours of recording memory built in. For years of recording memory, switch to an AutoChart ZeroLine SD Card (BLA Code 103645), which also lets you export and share your secret fishing spots with a buddy. Prices start from SRP $1559 (Helix 9 Series), and you can receive up to $200 cash back until 30 April, 2016. Terms and conditions apply and more information available at blapromotions.com.au Price: from SRP $1599 www.bla.com.au

APRIL 2016

With the design based on the Mercury 115 FourStroke, the 115 Pro XS is 4% lighter than its nearest competitor, and has been tested mercilessly to ensure reliability. The engine’s 2.1L displacement is also one of the highest in its class. Exclusive options include: Charging System; 25” shaft available in addition to the standard 20” shaft; and Command Thrust gearcase (makes the 115 Pro XS compatible with Mercury’s larger-diameter props). The 115 Pro XS is up to 4.8km/h faster than its nearest competitor. Its higher rpm range delivers improved performance out of an already powerful engine, and it also has the quickest acceleration. Idle Charge provides up to 48% more battery charging at idle speed, and the engine rpm has been increased from 6000 to 6300. The 115 Pro XS delivers easy maintenance, has superior corrosion protection and is backed by Mercury’s 3+2=5 warranty. www.mercurymarine.com.au

DRAGONFLY 7 PRO

Dragonfly’s superior wide spectrum CHIRP DownVision and wireless mobile device integration is now available with a super bright 7” display. The new Dragonfly 7 PRO is Raymarine’s most feature-rich sonar/GPS combo yet. Offering the same features as the awardwinning Dragonfly 5 PRO, it’s equipped with a 7” display for maximum visibility. The display is optically-bonded for all-weather performance, and is guaranteed to never fog up. Unlike conventional imaging sonars, Dragonfly 7 PRO’s DownVision sonar uses wide spectrum CHIRP technology to transmit across multiple sonar frequencies simultaneously. The result is higher resolution, photo-like images. This unit has great deepwater performance to 180m and reliable high-speed bottom tracking. It also has conventional highfrequency CHIRP sonar channel for targeting fish and bottom tracking down to 277m. There’s fast acquisition 10Hz GPS sensor and mapping, while the Wi-Fish mobile app lets you stream CHIRP DownVision to your smartphone or tablet. The built-in Wi-Fi also syncs with the Navionics Boating app. Price: RRP from $1065 www.raymarine.com.au

Please email contributions to: nicole@fishingmonthly.com.au 96

SCAN THE QR CODE!

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

WARRANTY 2 YEAR (24MTH) STANDARD WARRANTY OR 3 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY ON STESSCO BOAT/ TRAILER FACTORY FITTED PACKAGE

HULL DESIGN

Renegade 480

with features to enhance your boating experience!

The Stessco Renegade range represents a boat packed with plenty of premium features. With the sleek look and performance of the reverse chine Softride Hull this serious fishing vessel comes standard with features such as a plumbed live bait tank, plumbed kill/keeper tank plus the added luxury of side console, deluxe pedestal seats and the impressive swim platform transom. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Plumbed and drained kill/keeper tank Deluxe side console Non-Feedback Steering 4 x Seat positions Wide side decks Anchoring bollard Splash well Side pockets

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

10 3

Live bait tank 2 x Deluxe pedestal seats 80l Underfloor fuel tank Storage hatch with sub floor Drained anchor well Stainless steel bow roller Navigation lights Rear step & grab rails (x2)

15 1

12 6 13

For more information or to find your nearest Stessco dealer visit www.stessco.com.au GOLD COAST SOUTH MARINE TUNE 64 Kortum Drive, Burleigh Heads 07 5576 7388

NORTH BRISBANE MOTORSPORT MARINE 11 Brewers Street, Burpengary 07 3888 0555

HERVEY BAY HERVEY BAY MARINE SERVICES 2 Driftwood Court, Urangan 07 4124 9955

BOWEN REIBEL MARINE 34 Don Street, Bowen 07 4786 2944

GOLD COAST NORTH BUNDALL MARINE CENTRE 1 Ashmore Road, Bundall 07 5504 7446

SUNSHINE COAST LAGUNA BOATING CENTRE 16 Project Avenue, Noosaville 07 5442 4872

ROCKHAMPTON ROCKHAMPTON MARINE 289 Campbell Street, Rockhampton 07 4819 1181

HOME HILL PETO MARINE 15 7th Avenue, Home Hill 07 4782 1182

IPSWICH IPSWICH MARINE CENTRE 45 Huxham Street, Raceview 07 3294 3944

GYMPIE THE BOAT PLACE 1872 Tin Can Bay Road, Goomboorian 07 5486 5865

MACKAY PHOENIX POWERSPORTS 165 Paradise Street, Mackay 07 4952 2436

INGHAM JB MARINE 102 Cartwright Street, Ingham 07 4776 1188

SOUTH BRISBANE COORPAROO MARINE 57 Cavendish Road, Coorparoo 07 3397 4141

MARYBOROUGH BOATIES WAREHOUSE 21 Ellena Street, Maryborough 07 4122 4819

WHITSUNDAYS WHITSUNDAY MARINE 4/11 Shute Harbour Road, Cannonvale 07 4948 3298 APRIL 2016

Quintrex relaunches fabulous Yellowfin range FMG

underneath with roto tub storage. A hardened glass cabin hatch finishes the cabin off nicely and ensures a dry and secure cabin. At the helm you will find Simrad electronics as standard and hydraulic steering to make the

Will Lee wlee@fishingmonthly.com.au

Telwater are recognised as the leading boat manufacturer in Australia and have just relaunched their Yellowfin brand through the Quintrex dealer network. The Yellowfin offshore plate boats have had a revamp, and at a recent media day held on the Sunshine Coast I had the opportunity to step aboard and run my eyes over the entire range to see what Yellowfin has to offer. There are four sizes across the Yellowfin range that include the 5800, 6200, 6700 and 7400 sizes; both models come in either hard or soft top versions. The boats are built stronger than ever with the 6200, 6700 and 7400

The new hull design makes these Yellowfin boats super stable at rest. bottom sheet and the selfdraining deck you will find Yellowfin’s ‘Marine Core’ construction – a sub frame

a smoother and softer ride. The freeboard has been lifted to 730mm making you feel more secure while out on the

The self draining deck features a unique no return scupper drainage system in partnership with a rear catchment area that guides the water out to a lower chamber and out through the scuppers. Yellowfin plate boats have undergone a face-lift with a new modern look featuring a cool new logo, decals and stripe design. All of the range is available in metallic grey, navy blue, burgundy, and black and white. With anglers in the research and development team’s mind, you will find

The solid grab rail on the new hard top design will be a deckie’s best friend.

The 6200 hard top was put through the paces at the media day. featuring 6mm plate bottom sheets (5mm for the 5800), 5mm transom material and 4mm sides. Adding to the strength is a fully welded checker plate self-draining deck with a box section floor frame. Between the

rib structure of longitudinal and latitudinal ribs made of 6mm vertical stringers and 5mm horizontal ribs. With a complete overhaul to the hull design you will now find a variable deadrise to 19° at the transom for

big blue. Another noticeable change is the full transom that extends to the waterline giving the boat more lift, stability and buoyancy. The transom has also been beefed up to allow for more horsepower and weight on the back.

The 7400 is an absolute offshore fishing machine.

The new Yellowfin range will protect you from the elements – rain, hail or shine! 98

APRIL 2016

skipper’s job easier. The new concealed control box design gives more room and presents neatly. Launch and retrieval of the new Yellowfin boats is a breeze with the Catch N Release mechanism. The new hardtop cabin

sixteen rod holders, a berley bucket, 110L kill tank and a live bait tank design that incorporates a viewing window and external pick up. All of these features make the offshore fishing experience even better. Other smart features in the new Yellowfin range include water deflectors on the side deck, a fully welded anchor well and a discreet deck wash system. The new comfortable cabin layout features bunks from 1.7-2m in length and makes smart use of the space

design features a hardened 6mm glass windscreen, a sliding side window to keep you cool and pantograph windscreen wipers as standard. Specifically built for offshore boating, the new hard top has a solid grab rail on the roof for safety and a smart dash layout with drink holders and a fiddle rail to stop things sliding away. All the models can be personalised and optioned up with extras like a drum winch, LED lights, an icebox, storage seat options and bunk infill. This impressive line up of Yellowfin plate boats will be found at all the major boat shows this year and will no doubt make waves as they start rolling into Quintrex boat yards across the country.

The new transom design is a lot stronger and caters for heavier and more powerful engines.

THE outboard of the FUTURE Evinrude E-TEC G2 The outboard of the future. AVAILABLE TODAY Introducing a revolutionary concept in outboards – a choice. Now, choose cutting-edge over commonplace. Choose more torque over more talk. Choose more time on the water over more time in the shop. Choose the outboard that performs, and looks like no other outboard in the world.

Contact your local dealer today TOOWOOMBA

Waterskiers Warehouse

TOWNSVILLE

91-93 Neil St, Toowoomba 07 4637 9511 www.waterskierswarehouse.com.au • rod@waterskierswarehouse.com.au

BRISBANE SOUTH

SUNSHINE COAST

Springwood Marine

BUNDABERG

White Water Marine

TULLY

Steve Fleetwood Marine

10 Morgan St, Gladstone 07 4972 9463 sfmarine@tpg.com.au

Adrians Marine Centre

28 Ritchie St, Bundaberg 07 4153 1819 www.adriansmarinecentre.com.au • adriansmarinecentre@bigpond.com.au

10 Hinde St, Ashmore 07 5532 4402 www.whitewatermarine.com.au • sales@whitewatermarine.com.au

GLADSTONE

Caloundra Marine

8 Baldwin St, Caloundra 07 5491 1944 www.caloundramarine.com.au • sales@caloundramarine.com.au

3475 Pacific Hwy, Springwood 07 3297 8200 www.springwoodmarine.com.au • gyulav@springwoodmarine.com.au

GOLD COAST

Angus Smith Marine

6 Plume St, South Townsville 07 4771 4046 www.angussmithmarine.com.au • boats@angussmithmarine.com.au

Hunts Outboards

13 Watkins St, Tully 07 4068 2222 www.huntsoutboards.com.au • hos3@westnet.com.au

Stessco’s new Renegade 480 with Yamaha F70

FMG

Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

As a boat company, Stessco seems to be on a bit of a roll at the moment. The factory is busy, there’s some keen, young managers in there getting things done, and they are kicking out some great product. This was no more evident than at the most recent Stessco boat test we completed – the launch of the Renegade 480. We were met at the ramp in Caloundra by Stessco’s Adrian Beil. Adrian was very enthusiastic about the boat, and with good reason. For starters, the Renegade 480 is a good-looking boat. The test boat was fitted with a tasteful vinyl wrap, a bow mounted Minn Kota, a flash Humminbird Helix and Yamaha’s swanky digital all-in-one gauge. Boarding over the transom, we noticed the polished rails. All the rails 100

APRIL 2016

on the boat are polished alloy and add a classy touch. The next thing you notice is how beamy this boat is. The Renegade carries the 2.2m beam nearly all the way to the bow, giving you a mountain of cockpit space, and the simple deck layout lets you use nearly all of it effectively, no matter what your intended purpose of use is for this boat. Powered by Yamaha’s superlative F70, this is one of the most frugal boats I’ve been in recently. One-up, I cruised at between 3-3.5km/L of fuel burned, giving a cruising speed range of well over 200km for the

80L underfloor fuel tank. That’s more than enough for nearly every weekend trip I’ve ever done. The design of this hull reflects a modern trend of pressed aluminium boats with pressed bottom and sides, and smooth top sides. They look the goods and perform just as well. This Renegade used 3mm thick marine grade aluminium for all of the outer sheets – pressed or not. Reverse chines help with stability at rest, lift when you put the hammers down and are a virtual necessity on modern boats. At the bow, there’s a

PERFORMANCE RPM.................. Speed (km/h)............... Fuel (km/L) Idle................................6........................................ 0.8 1000........................... 7.5...................................... 1.4 2000............................12....................................... 4.0 3000............................17....................................... 8.0 4000............................32......................................11.6 5000............................44......................................18.2 5700............................53..................................... 21.8 Note: Figures with three adults on board.

substantial anchor well with a chain-silencing rotomolded liner and beside this is the optional electric motor bracket. The front deck is as wide as it is long and offers plenty of space for the lure-casting angler. Under that deck is a 109L livewell/kill-well and more storage. The console is as well designed as I’ve seen on local boats of this type – with room for bracket mounted large sounders and in-dash controls from any motor manufacturer. Yamaha’s colour screen Command Link gauge is fantastic, but possibly a luxury for a boat this size. The rear deck conceals a smaller live-well (30L) and the cranking battery and fuel filters. Performance wise, this rig was set up for economy rather than blistering speed. Quick out of the hole, it cruised nicely at anything over 3500rpm with fuel economy bordering on the ridiculous.

Stessco build their own trailers and this hull was matched neatly to one of their single axle models. With only a moderate level

by the writer in good faith. Performance of individual boat/motor/ trailer packages may differ due to variations in engine

SPECIFICATIONS LOA....................................................................5.2m Beam..................................................................2.2m Depth.................................................................1.1m Max HP..............................................................80kg Max Transom weight....................................... 180kg Capacity....................................................5 persons Hull only weight..............................................438kg of skill, drive-on retrieval should be achievable. In short, if you’re looking for an all-purpose boat that’ll be just at home drifting over an estuary flat as it is chasing mackerel on a calm day, then you should definitely have the Renegade 480 on your list of hulls to check out. BMT packages start from $28,000, and the test boat package was from $35,000. More info is available at www.stessco.com.au. • Quoted performance figures have been supplied

installations, propellers, hull configurations, options, hull loading and trailer specifications. VIDEO

Scan this QR code with your smart phone to see the Renegade 480 in action.

The Renegade carries the beam well forward and you can see this on the front casting deck.

Left: Yamaha’s F70 is a reliable and economical power plant that gets 3.23.5km/L of fuel burned at standard cruising speeds (one-up). Just calculate the range with the 80L underfloor fuel tank – ridiculous! Right: Yamaha’s all-in-one digital gauge fits perfectly into the helm. Between the Helix and the Yamaha gauge there’s a mountain of information to help you boat and fish economically.

The aerial shot shows just how beamy the Renegade 480 really is, and how far for’ard the beam carries.

Supplied on a Stessco trailer, which is built in-house, the Renegade will certainly turn heads at the ramp as well as down the highway.

The cranking battery and fuel filter lives in a small hatch in front of the motor well.

Adrian Beil is at the helm and you can see the polished aluminium grab rail around the windscreen. All of the rails on the Renegade are finished like this and it looks great.

The big livewell (109L) lives under the front casting deck. Replace the standpipe with a plug and you can use it as a kill-well as well.

The small live bait tank (30L) in the rear casting deck comes with a standpipe that you can cut to suit the height of water you want in the well. APRIL 2016

101

Baysports 600 Offshore with 150 Yamaha 4-stroke

BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

The Baysports 600, turned out in a wellfinished package by Glen Grams of Noosa in South Queensland, has every hallmark of a rig built to last. There’s 28 years of boat manufacturing experience behind each hull, while modern glass crafting techniques, the use of solid fibreglass mouldings throughout linked to a complete fibreglass under-floor stringer system, plus a complete absence of timber within the transom and centre board flooring on Baysports ensure longevity. And this hull is solid. Brick like, actually. In a sneaky test I like to do now and then, I gave a few sections of it a good, hard thump with a clenched hand to see if the glass was as strong as it looked. All I did was hurt my hand as there was not the slightest vibration from those very thick and solid fibreglass panels. The Baysports can certainly handle chop; I can attest to that with ease. The reviewed 600 Offshore was launched at Bribie Island 102

APRIL 2016

on a miserable, windy southeasterly morning that gave every indication of testing the Baysports’ hull to the fullest. Dodging showers, Paul McNaught (from Brisbane Yamaha of Burpengary) and I made the best of things, and although the weather didn’t shine, the boat’s capability and practical features certainly made me smile. AMPLE STANDARD FEATURES A look at the Baysports’ lines reveals a well proportioned cuddy cab with lines blending neatly, and a high standard of finish. A walkaround facility allows anchor access in easy weather. There’s plenty of room in the cuddy cabin with its big anchor access hatch up front, large bunks, very long side pockets plus under bunk storage and space set aside for a marine toilet. A bimini on a very strong frame came standard, offering ample shade while we sat on the high-backed bucket seats on moulded storage boxes. The passenger’s seat is set up with an 80L ice box under it, and there’s also a seat to the rear. At the helm, Yamaha digital gauges updated the engine data while a

compass marine radio and switches were also handy. Also standard was a Garmin 751XS colour GPS/sounder touch screen combo. The driving position from the skipper’s seat benefitted from a handy foot rest, and I enjoyed a full 360° view when at the Sea Star hydraulicallyassisted helm. Within the main, carpeted, fishing area aft, there are 700mm high cockpit sides, a big live well to starboard, boarding gate to port, collapsible three-person bench seat, deck wash, four rod holders in gunwales, underfloor storage, and 2.4m long side pockets. A DIFFERENT HULL DESIGN A glance at the Baysports on its tandem Sea Link trailer reveals a 21° vee hull with reversed outer chines and decent full-length strakes. In many respects it’s similar to other cuddy cabs around that size – that’s until you see the large concave, central, tunnellike section that takes the place of a flat planing plank that’s so often featured in this style of hull. The concave central section starts well forward along the hull and terminates at the stern, where it’s around 35cm wide.

HULL DESIGN PAYS DIVIDENDS Baysports Boats claim several benefits from their unique hull design, which they refer to as a Hydralift Tunnel Hull. Firstly, the compression of water caused by the downward curving surface sees the propeller working in less aerated water. Secondly, the set-up virtually gives the Baysports a pair of keel lines right on the central planing surface, which is larger than normal due to the curvature. Another bonus is the high degree of inherent stability from the twin keels amidships. Brisbane Yamaha, who supplied the Baysports 600 for review, said they haven’t seen the need to fit trim tabs to any Baysport, even those models larger than the 600 Offshore reviewed. The stability of the craft at rest was excellent, and I have no doubt the overall hull design, including both the other reversed chines plus the central hollowed section, had generous input there. It’s an unusual, if not radical, departure from the norm but the system seemed to work very well. The Baysports rose gently onto the plane rather than jumping forward with its bow in the air, as we might expect from a 6m long, 2.48m wide hull topping 1000kg in weight,

when moving off in choppy conditions with a powerful 150hp outboard pushing it. Another aspect I noted was that the Baysports 600 Offshore seemed to require only minimum revs to keep running smoothly. Certainly, there was ample input from the Yamaha 150, but a good example of efficiency was a planing speed of under 20km/h in those quite choppy conditions, and a sweet cruising speed of around 46.5km/h at 4000rpm. Fuel capacity was 165L, very good for this size of boat. SUMMING UP The four-cylinder, 2.6L, 150hp Yamaha four-stroke was ideal power for the craft. With a top speed recorded of over 64km/h in those quite choppy conditions, this engine should be well suited to long distance travel and tow sports. In summing up, this well-built and attractively finished seven-person craft would be ideal for either family boating or offshore work. The hull handled

Pumicestone Passage chop well, with very little spray coming up when belting hard into nasty 1m high breakers courtesy of wind against strong tide. One important point is that the rig, including braked trailer, weighs less than 2 tonnes, so it can be towed by many family cars. With standard features including the bimini, Garmin unit, tandem trailer and more, I regarded the Baysports as very well equipped and good value for money at $66,990 as supplied by Brisbane Yamaha. You can find out more on their website at w w w. b r i s b a n e y a m a h a . com.au, or call them on (07) 3888 1727. • 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.

SPECIFICATIONS Length Hull...........................................................6m Beam................................................................2.48m Engine...................................150 Yamaha four-stroke Fuel....................................................................165L People......................................................................7 Towing............................................ family four or six

Good hull design sees the Baysports 600 travelling at speed with very little wash or fuss in choppy conditions.

Seating and other features show up easily here. Note the ice box under the first mate’s seat.

Another useful feature: the Baysports’ bimini is foldable.

The one item that really sets this craft apart is the Hydralift hull design. Note the large tunnel section with its pair of keels.

Although a power winch is an option, standard anchor well access is via the Baysports’ large cabin hatch.

Sensibly packaged with a tandem Sea Link trailer, the Baysports 600 Offshore is a well set up all-rounder able to be towed by most family sedans or wagons.

In the cabin there are big bunks, with long upper pockets to complement additional storage areas under the bunks.

A collapsible rear seat makes a lot of sense in a fishing boat. When folded down for serious work the back rest makes a handy bolster as well. APRIL 2016

103

Yellowfin 6700 kicks goals in rough conditions

FMG

Will Lee wlee@fishingmonthly.com.au

What do you do on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast when the forecast is 20 knots of southeasterlies and seas of 2.5m+? Most of the time you’d swap the fishing rods out for the golf clubs or rack up some brownie points with your better half, however if the opportunity presents itself to step on board one of the newly released Yellowfin Plate boats and put it through its paces you grab the bull by the horns and hang on! With the choice of five Yellowfin boats to test I went for the middle of the size range in the form of the 6700. Powered by an Evinrude Etec Gen 2 engine, at first glance this was a serious offshore fishing vessel but moments QR CODE

Scan the QR code to see the Yellowfin in action and hear from Nathan Shaw about the new range and how they perform with the new G2 Evinrude 104

APRIL 2016

before we hit the entrance of the Mooloolah River I felt a few butterflies given the sloppy conditions I knew we were about to encounter. I had the pleasure of being joined by Telwater’s Damien Duncan (Director of Sales and Marketing) and his first mate, Jenna Cue (Marketing and Social Media Co-ordinator) and their reassurance that the boat was designed to tackle rough water helped to ease my nerves. At first glance the layout looked somewhat industrial with the fully welded checker plate floor but as I made my way toward the cabin to stow my equipment, the strength of the construction of this fishing rig became apparent. The new 6700 hull design is truly different to any of the previous Yellowfin models. The variable deadrise to 19° at the transom gave a great cushioning effect as we launched the boat between waves. The bottom sheets are constructed using 6mm sheet while the sides are 4mm. I was particularly impressed with the higher free board which measures 730mm. Underneath the welded checker plate floor you will find a sub-frame rib structure of longitude and latitude ribs made of 6mm vertical stringers and 5mm horizontal ribs that really beef this boat up. With lumpy seas and 20 knots of breeze, it was inevitable that at some point during the test we would cop a little bit of spray. While we didn’t get much, the water that

did enter the cockpit drained toward the back of the boat across the welded checker plate floor and into the cleverly designed rear catchment area which steps down from the floor level and through the non-return scuppers. This design would also come into its own when using the deck wash to clean up. While access to the bow is made easy by the wide gunwales, non-slip pads and a solid handrail incorporated into the hardtop, this 6700 was fitted with a drum winch that makes anchoring nice and easy for the crew. The anchor well is a solid welded plate construction and the rear plate does not require any additional strength to install a drum winch at a later date. Access to the anchor well is also available through the large cabin hatch that is constructed using hardened glass. Powered by an Evinrude Etec Gen 2 225HO, the boat had more than adequate horsepower. While idling out from the harbour at Mooloolaba, the V6 direct injection engine was whisper quiet but there was no doubting the serious torque of this machine as we were met by some serious swell at the entrance of the river. Complete with Evinrude’s Remote Dynamic Power Steering system, turning the wheel was feather light and made negotiating the rough stuff a breeze. Damian explained, “The difference between the Gen 1 and Gen

2 engine is 17% better fuel efficiency with up to 40% more torque.” During our test we travelled some distance north of our starting point in search of schools of tuna to no avail, but the boat comfortably cruised nicely at around 25 knots through the middle rev ranges in a side on sea. With no luck in close we

or simply set on auto, which takes all of the work out of having to level the boat. It is refreshing to see that they are a standard feature and I’m sure future Yellowfin owners will reap the benefits. Launching and retrieving the Yellowfin 6700 was made easy with the ‘Catch N Release’ system that comes standard on all Yellowfin

SPECIFICATIONS Length overall................................................7.05m Length bow-transom.................................... 6.75m Beam................................................................ 2.4m Depth............................................................. 1.25m Length on trailer........................................... 8.23m Height on trailer............................................ 2.47m Bottomsides.................................................... 6mm Topsides.......................................................... 4mm Transom material............................................ 5mm Weight (boat only)....................................... 1050kg Recommended HP...................................... 150HP Maximum HP................................................ 225HP Number of people................................................. 7 pointed the bow to the east to focus our attention a little wider, being mindful of the conditions, we easily went up and over the head on seas (2.5m +) at around 8-10 knots. After searching for birds and surface activity for a while it was time to head back to the Marina. This time we took a south westerly direction and the Yellowfin ate up the sea and felt very solid coming down the waves. Adding to the ride and performance of the hull is the Volvo BTS trim tab system that can be used manually

boats and Yellowfin aluminum trailers. Fishing from this boat is great with plenty of room to move around and after testing it out I could personally see myself heading offshore for the day with three mates and nobody missing out on the action. There are 16 rod holders including the rocket launcher, a serious bait and rigging station, a large live bait tank with a viewing window to keep an eye on those precious livies and a transom door for bringing on board those larger fish.

The 6700 that we tested was navy blue and looked super sharp on the water, but is also available in four other colour options – metallic grey, burgundy, and black and white. Although we were not lucky enough to sink the hooks into any fish while out testing this boat my mind is made up that this is a serious offshore fishing rig that is designed to take anglers a considerable distance. The layout is smart with both comfort and practicality in mind. There is adequate space in the cabin and shade provided under the hardtop, while the transom door and boarding ladder would make it easy for activities like swimming and snorkelling. This sees this rig double up as a family boat. Given the opportunity to fish offshore aboard a Yellowfin 6700 in sub-average weather, would I go? Absolutely – the people at Quintrex have definitely got this one right! The starting price for the Yellowfin 6700 HT BMT drive away package with inshore safety pack is $89,990 For more information call Surf Coast Marine on 07 5563 7733 or visit www. surfcoastmarine.com.au. • Quoted performance figures have been supplied by the writer in good faith. Performance of individual boat/motor/trailer packages may differ due to variations in engine installations, propellers, hull configurations, options, hull loading and trailer specifications.

The Evinrude Icon Touch digital gauge gave super clear readings and with different page options gives the skipper the ability to quickly and easily view detailed readings of fuel/fluid levels, trip logs, engine data and more.

The Evinrude GEN 2 performed flawlessly with plenty of torque at the ready for the big sets of waves that we encountered.

Every Yellowfin 6700 comes with a standard nononsense bait and rigging station. The station has a handy shelf below for tackle storage, five rod holders, two drink holders, a solid cutting board and a nice large drain for cleaning up.

While a clumsy deckhand may stub his or her toe on the spray deflectors on the side decks, they certainly do a great job of redirecting water over the side instead of into the cockpit.

The hardtop gives great protection from the elements when things turn nasty but on a hot sunny day the forward sliding side windows let a beautiful cool breeze in.

The rod holders on the gunwales are welded in including a solid gimbal at the base to give you plenty of confidence that your expensive rod and reel is going nowhere!

The last thing a lot of large fish are likely to see is a 110L kill tank on a Yellowfin 6700! APRIL 2016

105

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0422 198 651

MARINE TRAILERS Oceanic Boat Trailers (07) 5597 0577 Seatrail Trailers www.seatrailqld.com.au Tinnie Tosser (07) 5498 7339 Sea-Link Special Trailers (07) 3881 3568

This section in QLD 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 MARINE ELECTRONICS

FIBREGLASS

Repairs

MARINE ELECTRONICS

SALES • REPAIRS • INSTALLATIONS

ONSITE AND MOBILE INSTALLATIONS

• Sounders • GPS • Electric Motors • Marine Radios and accessories • Stereos • Televisions • Radar Units • Autopilots

BRISBANE SOUTH AND GOLD COAST

Repairs • Detailing • Modifications

Unit 4/1440 New Cleveland Road Capalaba www.trymax.com.au PHONE: 07 3245 3633

JOE BONNICI 0410 480 203

GOLD COAST BOAT COVERS & CANOPIES • Biminis • Canopies • Storm Covers • Camper Covers

• Boat Carpet • Pontoon Carpet • Jetty Fenders • Clears

www.advanceupholstery.com.au

BRISBANE

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BOAT MODIFICATIONS & REPAIRS

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Bluewater Windscreens Brisbane (07) 3382 7883 ASM Mobile Welding Brisbane 0409 624 402 Marine Windows and Doors Brisbane (07) 3284 5088 Small Craft Electrics (mobile) 0408 063 064 Boat Collar (07) 5441 3636 CMC Marine Sales 0409 910 808

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MARINE TRANSPORT

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ROD & REEL REPAIRS NORTH QUEENSLAND

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rts needs irs and spare pa pa re el re ur yo l For al Servicin Phone/Fax: 07 3372 2740 or major b g all call Duncan on 0439 717 839 rands Email: dhreelrepairs@bigpond.com Drag upgrades available • Rod repairs • Mail orders welcome www.reelrepairs.com.au 110 Sherbrooke Rd, Willawong Qld 4110

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bearfish@bigpond.com www.fraserislandfishingunits.com.au

Waddy Lodge on Fraser 0414 516 364 Cathedrals on Fraser (07) 4127 9177

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

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FISHING GUIDES SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND Suncoast Barra Fishing Park www.suncoastbarrafishing.com

CENTRAL QUEENSLAND Lake Monduran Barra Charters 0407 434 446

TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND Hooked On Hinchinbrook www.hookedonhinchinbrook.com

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CENTRAL QUEENSLAND

IDEAL GIFT!

Bite Me Fishing Charters Yeppoon 0419 029 397 Ultimate Sportfishing Charters 0450 753 726 MV Capricorn Star 0408 755 201 Mikat Cruises Fishing Charters 0427 125 727 Bundaberg Fishing Charters 0429 017 217 Sport Fish 1770 (07) 4974 9686 Coral Coast Game Fishing 0447 347 437 MV James Cook (1770) (07) 4974 9422 Norval Reef Charters 1800 771 234 Iluka Fishing Charters Gladstone 0414 940 911 Kanimbla Charters Gladstone1800 677 202

TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND Eclipse FNQ Weipa Charters 0488 058 668 Fish’s Fly & Sportsfishing Weipa (07) 4069 9957 Action Charters Mackay 0417 452 346 Fishing Charters Townsville 0403 386 722 JC’s Fishing Charters 0438 753 382 Fairdinkum Fishing Charters Townsville (07) 4751 5324 Cairns Reef Charter Services 1800 119 044

DVD’S -

Series 2 through 8

$19.95 each GST INC. - with FREE P&H

1800 228 244

BEL AIR MOTEL, MACKAY - PLENTY OF ROOM FOR BOATS AND TRAILERS.............PH: 07 4957 3658 FRESHWATER Yallakool Caravan Park on Bjelke-Petersen Dam (07) 4168 4746 Lake Boondooma Caravan Park (07) 4168 9694 Lake Cressbrook Regional Council 131 872 Yallakool Park and Kiosk on Bjelke-Petersen Dam (07) 4168 4746

CHARTER BOATS NORTHERN NSW Evans Head Deep Sea Fishing Charters 0428 828 835 Reel Time Fishing Charters 0428 231 962

GOLD COAST True Blue Fishing Gold Coast (07) 5510 9622 BK’s Gold Coast Fishing Charters 0414 293 034 My Charter Boat Tweed Heads 0407 347 446 RU4 Reel Tweed Heads 0449 903 366 Discovery Fishing Charters Gold Coast 0427 026 519 Fish The Deep Charters 0416 224 412 Paradise Fishing Charters 0403 531 428 Gold Coast Fishing Charters 0411 605 090 Hooker 1 Charters Gold Coast (07) 5528 6469 Sea Probe Fishing Charters 0400 312 330 Coastal Sports Fishing Charters Gold Coast 0412 691 929 Gone Fishing Charters Gold Coast (07) 5529 7833

BRISBANE Frenzy Charters Brisbane (07) 3209 4576 Tom Cat Charters (07) 3820 8794 Moreton Island Fishing Charters 0413 128 056 Brisbane Fishing Charters 0427 026 510 Bucket List Fishing Charters 0428 368 316 John Gooding Outlaw Charters 0418 738 750

Ben Deneen caught this Murray cod on a surface lure while on a recent trip to the Severn River.

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

Built to perform. Built to last.

More Power, Performance and Reliability â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Insist on Mercury MerCruiser.

BRISBANE SOUTH SPRINGWOOD MARINE

BRISBANE HOLT MARINE

3475 Pacific Hwy Springwood

25 Queens Rd Everton Park

Phone: (07) 3297 8200 | Fax: (07) 3297 8290

Phone: (07) 3353 1928 | Fax: (07) 3353 4548

Email: michaelb@springwoodmarine.com.au

Email: info@holtmarine.com.au

Website: www.mercury@motosport.net.au

Website: www.holtmarine.com.au

BRISBANE SOUTH MANLY HARBOUR MARINE

HERVEY BAY BAY CITY MARINE

570 Royal Esplanade Manly

82 Dayman Street Urangan Hervey Bay

Phone: (07) 3893 2199

Phone: (07) 4128 9944

Fax: (07) 3893 2188

Fax: (07) 4125 2350

Email: info@manlyharbourmarine.com.au

Email: sales@baycitymarine.com.au

Website: www.manlyharbourmarine.com.au

Website: www.baycitymarine.com.au

BRISBANE SOUTH COORPAROO MARINE

AIRLIE BEACH / WHITSUNDAY WHITSUNDAY OUTBOARD CENTRE

57 Cavendish Rd Coorparoo

1 William Murray Dr Cannonvale

Phone: (07) 3397 4141

Phone: (07) 4946 7286

Fax: (07) 3397 6339

Fax: (07) 4946 7848

Email: info@coorparoomarine.com.au

Email: woc@whitsundayoutboardcentre.com.au

Website: www.coorparoomarine.com.au

BRISBANE NORTH BRISBANE MARINE 306 Duffield Road Clontarf Phone: (07) 3889 3033 Fax: (07) 3889 5390 Email: info@brismarine.com.au Website: www.brismarine.com.au

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See your authorised Mercury Marine Dealer today. BRISBANE SOUTH See your authorised Mercury Dealer today. MANLYMarine HARBOUR MARINE

NORTHERN NSW / GOLD COAST TWEED COAST MARINE 32 Machinery Drive, Tweed Heads South Phone: (07) 5524 8877 | Fax: (07) 5524 3324 Email: dan@tweedcoastmarine.com.au Website: www.tweedcoastmarine.com.au

570 Royal Esplanade Manly Phone: (07) 3893 2199 | Fax: (07) 3893 2188 Email: info@manlyharbourmarine.com.au Website: www.manlyharbourmarine.com.au

BRISBANE NORTH CUNNINGHAMS MARINE 23-25 Snook St Clontarf Phone: (07) 3284 8805 | Fax: (07) 3284 8813 Email: sales@cunninghammarinecentre.com.au Website: www.cunninghammarinecentre.com.au

MERIDIAN MARINA HORIZON SHORES ONSHORE MARINE Cabbage Tree Point Rd,Woongoolba Phone: (07) 5546 2480 | Fax: (07) 5546 1362 Email: onshoremarine@ozemail.com.au Website: www.onshoremarine.com.au

BRISBANE BAYSIDE MIKES MARINE 9 Smith Street Capalaba Phone: (07) 3390 3418 | Fax: (07) 3823 5856 Email: sales@mikesmarine.com.au Website: www.mikesmarine.com.au

BRISBANE NORTH BRISBANE MARINE 306 Duffield Road Clontarf Phone: (07) 3889 3033 | Fax: (07) 3889 5390 Email: info@brismarine.com.au Website: www.brismarine.com.au

BRISBANE SOUTH SPRINGWOOD MARINE 3475 Pacific Hwy Springwood Phone: (07) 3297 8200 | Fax: (07) 3297 8290 Email: mercury@motosport.net.au Website: www.springwoodmarine.com.au

BRISBANE WEST KAREE MARINE 1776 Ipswich Rd Rocklea Phone: (07) 3875 1600 | Fax: (07) 3875 1622 Email: sales@kareemarine.com.au Website: www.kareemarine.com.au

TOOWOOMBA WATERSKIERS WAREHOUSE 91-93 Neil St Toowoomba Phone: (07) 4637 9511 | Fax: (07) 4637 9513 Email: rod@waterskierswarehouse.com.au Website: www.waterskierswarehouse.com.au

BRISBANE SOUTH COORPAROO MARINE 57 Cavendish Rd Coorparoo Phone: (07) 3397 4141 | Fax: (07) 3397 6339 Email: info@coorparoomarine.com.au Website: www.coorparoomarine.com.au

BRISBANE HOLT MARINE 25 Queens Rd Everton Park Phone: (07) 3353 1928 | Fax: (07) 3353 4548 Email: info@holtmarine.com.au Website: www.holtmarine.com.au

SUNSHINE COAST NORTHCOAST BOATING CENTRE 264 Nicklin Way Warana Phone: (07) 5493 9376 | Fax: (07) 5437 6144 Email: mail@northcoastboatingcentre.com.au Website: www.northcoastboating.com.au

Pro XS FourStroke Performance Redefined Built Built on on the the legendary legendary Pro Pro XS XS reputation reputation for for superior superior hole hole shot, shot, top top end end speed speed and and durability. durability. Mercury’s Mercury’s new new 115HP 115HP Pro Pro XS XS FourStroke FourStroke redefines redefines outboard outboard performance. performance.

WIDE BAY THE BOAT PLACE 1872 Tin Can Bay Rd Goomboorian Phone: (07) 5486 5865 Email: yaltacraft@live.com.au Website: www.theboatplace.com.au

ROCKHAMPTON RIFEN BOATS 6 Dooley St, North Rockhampton Phone: (07) 4927 9150 | Fax: (07) 4921 3502 Email: rifen.boats@bigpond.com Website: www.rifenboats.com.au

INGHAM J&B MARINE 79 Herbert St, Ingham Phone: (07) 4776 1188 | Fax: (07) 4776 1288 Email: jbmarine@bigpond.com Website: www.jandbmarine.com

HERVEY BAY BAY CITY MARINE 82 Dayman Street Urangan Hervey Bay Phone: (07) 4128 9944 | Fax: (07) 4125 2350 Email: sales@baycitymarine.com.au Website: www.baycitymarine.com.au

WHITSUNDAY – CANNONVALE WHITSUNDAY OUTBOARD CENTRE 1 William Murray Dr Cannonvale Phone: (07) 4946 7286 | Fax: (07) 4946 7848 Email: woc@whitsundayoutboardcentre.com.au

KARUMBA JONES MARINE 38 Yappar Street, Karumba Phone: (07) 4745 9159 Email: jonglo@bigpond.com Web: www.jonesmarine.com.au

BUNDABERG ADRIANS MARINE CENTRE 28 Ritchie St Norville Phone: (07) 4153 1819 | Fax: (07) 4154 4808 Email: adriansmarinecentre@bigpond.com Website: www.adriansmarinecentre.com.au GLADSTONE B.A.S MARINE 3 Pitt St, Gladstone Phone: (07) 4976 9672 Email: basmarine@live.com.au Website: www.basmarine.com.au

INNISFAIL COASTAL MARINE & OUTDOORS 178 Edith Street Innisfail Phone: (07) 4061 8272 | Fax: (07) 4061 7718 Email: joel@coastalmarine.com.au Website: www.coastalmarine.com.au BOWEN REIBEL MARINE 34 Don St Bowen Phone: (07) 4786 2944 Fax: (07) 4786 6606 Email: remarine@bigpond.net.au

CAIRNS AUSSIE MARINE 5 Hannam St, Bungalow Phone: (07) 4033 8800 Email: sales@aussiemarine.com.au Web: www. aussiemarine.com.au MARYBOROUGH FRASER COAST BOATING 120 Richmond Street Phone: (07) 4122 1770 Email: sales@frasercoastboating.com.au Web: www.frasercoastboating.com.au

MERCURY

DEALER SALE SAVE UP TO $750 ON THE 40-75HP FOURSTROKE RANGE *

LOW 3.99%

COMPARISON RATE

NO DEPOSIT

PLUS FREE STAINLESS PROP UPGRADE ^

Visit mercurymarine.com.au to find your local participating dealer HURRY OFFER ENDS 23RD MAY, 2016. *Terms & conditions apply. Savings are based on RRP including recommended Accessories Kit and subject to change without notice. Prices exclude local freight charges, fit up and local statutory charges. Offer available on selected new consumer FourStroke outboards from 40 to 75hp FourStroke purchased from participating dealers from 21st March to 23rd May 2016. Ask your participating dealer for full list of models in the program. Offer is subject to availability and engines must be 2014 build onwards and installed and registered by no later than July 29, 2016. Offer not to be used in conjunction with any other offer or rebates. **Terms, conditions and credit criteria apply, offer available over a maximum 36 month term on Motor and Repower only. The comparison rate is based on a secured loan of $30,000 for a term of 5 years at an annual percentage rate of 3.22%. WARNING: The comparison rate only applies to the example given. Different amounts and terms will result in a different comparison rate. Finance is provided by Mercury Finance Pty Ltd ABN 28 156 248 092. Australian Credit Licence Number 421347. ^Terms & conditions apply 40-60hp Standard gearcase models upgrade to Vengeance 3 blade or Trophy Plus 4 blade. 40-60hp Command Thrust models upgrade to Vengeance 3 blade or a Trophy Plus or a Spitfire X7 4 blade. The 75hp Standard gearcase upgrades to a Trophy Plus or a Spitfire X7 4 blade and the 75hp Command Thrust model upgrades to an Enertia 3 blade or a Trophy Plus 4 blade.

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