Queensland Fishing Monthly April 2017 by Fishing Monthly

COMPREHENSIVE CRAB COMPARISON

Tried and Tested • • •

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Boating and Kayaking • • •

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Features • • • • •

Comprehensive crab review Get ready for threadies Kiwi kingfish tactics Tackling tackle mistakes DIY: fitting a bilge pump

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Crab Lures

CRANKA ••••••••••••••

NORTHERN NEW SOUTH WALES

PIDERCRAB

TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND

Whitsundays 66 Ayr 67 black magic camo crab Townsville 68 Hinchinbrook 69 Lucinda 69 Cairns 70 RIVER2SEA Cairns NFZ spooky crab motor oil • • • • • • •71 ••••••• Never far from Port Douglas 70 the cutting edge of the latest tackle, Lures Australia - East Gippsland Victoria Cooktown 72 River2Sea have created crab 617 e: sales@hurricanelures.com.au imitations that suit both ends of Cape York 73large Smash the market – the canelures.com.au Crab for inshore and offshore Weipa 73 TNQ Freshwater 74 BOATING AND KAYAK

We’d like a dollar for every big, smart ol’ bream that’s been fooled by a Cranka Crab over the last few years. This one came from Forster, NSW.

From the Editor’s Desk...

presentations and the small – at the very least – keep them Crusty Crab for bream and in a separate compartment in bass size fishing. your tackle box. Both use the robust Nobody likes expensive 10X material, which is near surprises. bulletproof and floats. Internal HURRICANE weights get the CRAB crab down TIME to where it needs to be and the • • • • • • • • • • • • • • It’s a whilePetersince Nord of Lakes model of a been single, upward is the man behind facing hook in the Smash Entrance Fishing Monthly has had Crab will be replicated in the the Hurricane brand. Living in a crabs good, in-depththe look at black bream heart of big smaller in the future. country, it was inevitable that “Current stocks of the an emerging section of the Crusty Crab have the double he’d eventually have a crab we’ve in his extensive hooksmarket. but theseThis will month, be imitation luring range. transitioning to single rustled uphooks allin ofestuary the crab Hurricane’s Spider Crab future production runs,” said imitation have soft plastic fits in between Grainger Mayfield, R2Slures Chief. that and hardbodied crabs. They Interestingly, evolved the in Smash the Australian Crab and the single hook are essentially a 10X soft market over the butlast are marketed with Cranka are the only ones plastic currently fiveavailable years. that are dedicated jigheads and rigging suitable for serious rock systems that allow you to mix was 2012 when baits and match weight and by hooks, fishing andIt offshore use.

that have been either the industry first saw the designed in or modified for prototype of Cranka Lures’ ...the one lesson I’ve Australian conditions. It seems Crab. In the half-decade that we are leading the global learnt from crab fishing since, there have been tens of charge in exploiting this is to fish them SLOW. thousands of fish caught on emerging market. these lures, and also on the More broadly, we’re seeing “Our best crab markets imitations at the depending on the quarry you other filling a swing towards hyper-realistic moment for the Smash Crab are chasing. up the niches in the market. Maybe it’s taking are Queensland and Western If you’re fishing forlures. a fish Australia. Guys are catching that is it’s inclined ato swallow the Looking back, advantage of the adage that plenty of big reef fish on crab whole, you can choose that where it didn’t happen thesewonder lures and that’s the standard jighead ‘lures rigging are designed to catch they’ve found their niche. Red Or ifnot you are fishing for sooner – after all, option. there’s fishermen, not the fish’, or emperor, snapper, tuskfish and quarry that will nip at the crab too many fish that will knock maybe it’s a fact that fish are a whole pile of reef species then the stinger hook kit may that back eat crabs aarefeed loving the be a better option for you. of crab when getting more heavily pressured Smash Crab,” Grainger Hurricane’s YouTube given the chance. The rockier explained. “There’s even been channel demonstrates and riggingare wiser when it comes to somethe barraterrain, reported onthe them.more techniques which deceived with metal and likely– itboth of being “The Crusty Crab is require the use of some Loctite is that a crab will form a part plastic. Or maybe it’s both. a totally different market – Control Gel glue to ensure a we’reoffinding that diet. it’s 50% lasting a fish’s And, forconnection. once, The end game is that bass and 50% bream – that “That Loctite Gel is the local market is dominated there’s now a ‘CRAB’ box means that the east coast the best we have found for

“

through to Tassie is where we sell most of these,” Mayfield continued. “The changes to the Crusty crab are to fix a single hook into the lead and present it in the best position for a hookup. That means that it will be facing forward and not sideways.” When storing any of the crabs made from the 10X material, it’s pretty important to not mix them with regular plastics. If you do, you’ll end up with a runny mess of plastic that will render your hard earned baits useless. The best way is to keep them in the box they came in, or

attaching 10X plastic to our jigheads. You can control it better than liquid super glue products and its applicator is very angler-friendly,” Peter explained. “The crabs are representative of the crabs that bream eat in my local estuaries, so we find that bream have no problems smackin’ em – although anything that eats a crab in your local river will have a go at the Spider Crab.” The Spider Crabs also have a scent added to the plastics to help stimulate bites. You can notice it as soon as you open the packet. The best way to store the

QUEENSLAND FISHING MONTHLY

permanently in my arsenal, and if you fish anywhere between 100m of water and the brackish stretch of your local river, you should consider having one as well. We know there’s probably a list of fish that don’t eat crabs, but I guarantee you the list of fish that do eat crabs is bigger. READER COVERS GOING CRAZY Thank you to all of the readers who have already entered our Front Cover Competition. From day one of the launch of the comp, we have received plenty of high quality entries. It seems that each year that the standard keeps getting

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Without doubt the biggest selling crab imitation in Australia, Cranka Crabs look realistic and have caught dozens of species of fish all over the country. Perhaps the best example of their effectiveness was at the BREAM Grand Final in 2015 on the Clarence River in NSW, where nearly the full field of 100 anglers were fishing this bait. NSW angler Liam Carruthers ultimately walked away with the win on a heavy, olive version of the small Cranka Crab. With the smaller two crabs in the range, Steve Steer says that it’s the unique floating hooks that make all of the difference, and it’s a feature that he’s spent the time and money to protect through the lodgement of patents and registered designs. “The sinking body and floating claws are the key to the success of the smaller crabs. We did years of R&D to see how crabs behaved in the wild to design a lure that would be successful and our patent pending, registered designs have proven to be very successful in the field,” he said. Indeed, the success of these baits caused major supply problems for Cranka over the first few years after release. “Our supply chain is now secure and we have good stocks of all of the crab models available – with the new large, single hook model stocks arriving in store very soon,” Steer said. Tournament bream fishers in particular also like the fact that the bream have a habit of hooking up with a treble hook in each side of the lips. This means that big bream spend most of their time shaking their head and trying to dislodge the bait rather than sprinting for the nearest cover. That’s a big plus when you hook a big bream in heavy cover. Recently, Aussie Richard Somerton took some of the 65mm crabs to the Hobie Fishing Worlds in Lousiana, USA after winning the World Titles in Australia on the 50mm crabs a couple of years before. He finished second there on a species he hadn’t fished for before using the Aussie designed bait that the fish hadn’t seen before. It just goes to show that fish eat crabs worldwide!

Contents

for bait than you would fishing a traditional lure. Save the burn-n-kill or jerky retrieves for your baitfish profiles. Let’s now take a look – manufacturer by manufacturer – at what’s available on the Australian market today.

PRO

often examine a bait works so well. ime before eating it. Ever tried to pick up a mud ugh I’ve hooked a crab you encountered on a river ng on a crab skipping bank? You know what I mean. he surface on a fast Approach them and they’re all ter a cast, the one snapping claws. learned from crab Some predators will $5.95 RRP (GST inc.) o fish them SLOW. intercept a crab on its way to -W. the bottom (like a snapper or Aprilthat2017, Vol. 29butNo. 6 don’t move a mulloway), the majority best of times and of bites will come as the crab atural environment, drops near the bottom or while lly dawdle along it’s near structure. om. Even under Also, you need to bs tend to assume understand the hook ve’ position, rearing configuration when it comes to upwards and slowly how you set the hook. There’s sidestepping away a bit of a difference between er. crabs with hooks in the claws danger response is and crabs with a larger hook ent from a prawn in the body. lick and skip away I find that with a clawtop) or a baitfish hooked crab, you can basically ust run for its life). A wind to set the hook at the first tand its ground and sign of a bite. Fish usually eason a slow retrieve attack the claws first and end up hooking themselves on the trebles or the stinger hooks. The fish doesn’t need to swallow the crab. Crabs with a body-hook are another matter. The predator usually won’t get hooked while nipping at the claws and you need to let the fish swallow the lure a little before setting the hook. On the water, this means that you need to let the fish eat the bait a little before setting the hook – and when you do set the hook you need to maybe swing a little harder than with the finesse versions. It’s horses for courses. Fish may be harder to hook on the bigger single hooks and jigheads, but in tough country and pulling hard with heavy lines, a big hook locked squarely in the jaw may well be a more secure hookup than some trebles in the skin ding a nice of the lips. glers – red In summary: think of her reefies fishing your crabs more like River 2 Sea. the way you’d use a live crab

ING TRADE

go t ALL O o: w ww. F FA M blac kma E WI gict ackleNNER .com /hof

“I’ll never use another hook after using the DX, they are truly amazing.” Rhys Paterman caught this exceptional 17.2kg blue groper when fishing from Port Stephens rocks in Nelson Bay. He was using Black Magic DX Point 5/0 Hooks and Black Magic 40lb Tough Trace.

This stunning photo of a juvenile black marlin which was tagged and released was sent in by Leigh Holtsbaum. He was fishing off the Gold Coast, QLD with Black Magic 100lb Tough Trace and the Black Magic Equalizer Gimbal and Harness. Leigh says, “We always run Black Magic Tough Trace on our lures and Fluorocarbon on our live bait rigs for marlin.”

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“I caught this metre long threadfin salmon using Black Magic 8lb Fluorocarbon Leader while fishing for whiting in the Mary River”, said Jason Dickfos who sent in this great photo.

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Black Magic KS 5/0 Hooks were used by Andy Williams to catch these superb red emperor. He was fishing out from Gladstone and says they are the best hooks ever.

Sean Elliss was fishing with a paternoster rig he tied with Black Magic 100lb Supple Trace and Black Magic KL 7/0 Hooks when he caught this 124cm mulloway.

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Crab Lures

Your complete guide to crabs FMG

Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

Roll back the clock five years and you wouldn’t find many anglers with a crab-style lure in the tackle box. Sure, some companies tried to get a crab imitation right, but a lack of appetite combined with a lack of knowledge meant that these baits seemed destined for the specials bin – usually sooner rather than later. And it didn’t make sense, because crustaceans like crabs and prawns form a major part of the diet of both inshore No. Weight Shell

and offshore species. Prawn imitations have been around in various forms for decades – from the DOA Prawn to the PrawnStar, they’ve carved quite a niche from flathead through to barramundi and other top level estuary and inshore predators. The recent ‘rise of the crab’ was clearly well overdue. For this rise, we can basically blame one guy: Steve Steer from Cranka Lures. Steve is an inventive, obsessive and meticulous lure designer who has more in common with Dr Emmet Brown from Back to The Future than the lab coat wearing designers we used to see in the old Berkley ads. He

Total

was the one who would pick up a handful of crab legs out of a livewell at the end of a bream tournament and think that there was an opportunity to make a better bait. So he did it. The Cranka Crab was released at an AFTA (Australian Fishing Trade Association) Show on the Gold Coast in 2012 and, after some initial supply issues, became an instant favourite amongst bream tournament anglers. There’s always more than one way to skin a cat, and in subsequent years, competitive manufacturers have explored alternative methods to present

a crab profile lure to fish. In this article we have collected all of the commonly available crab lures on the Australian market today. What we quickly noticed was that making a crab imitation isn’t a simple process. Crabs, with their hard exoskeleton, are a complicated organism and in replicating their looks and behaviour, manufacturers have had to use nearly the full spectrum of materials, from hard plastic and metals through to softer plastics. Single, double, treble and double treble hooks have all been used to create a system that effectively catches the

Hurricane’s Spider Crab is a soft plastic bait with a variety of custom-designed heads of different weights that allow for different presentations. predators that try to eat the crabs. Understanding just how each of the lures behaves in the water better educates the angler about which of the crabs will do the best for them. After all, it’s no good

throwing a bait with tiny trebles at a fish weighing over 20lb on heavy line. The corollary is that you shouldn’t target finesse species with the big guns. To page 12 60

Brand

Model

Type

Hooks

Colours

RRP

More information

Width (mm) Width (mm) 1 2

ZMan

CrusteaZ

Soft Plastic (10X)

Fish on a jighead

$9.95 for a 6-pack

www.tackletactics.com.au

ValleyHill

Gulf Bug

Lead head

#4 assist hook

$13.95

www.dogtoothdistribution.com.au

with rubber body

Berkley

Gulp Crabby 2”

Gulp!

Fish on a jighead

$12.95 for a 10-pack

www.berkley-fishing.com.au

Berkley

Gulp Crabby 2.5”

Gulp!

Fish on a jighead

$12.95 for a 8-pack

www.berkley-fishing.com.au

Bait Breath

Rockin’ Crab

Soft Plastic

Fish on a jighead

$13.95 for 6-pack

www.baitbreath.net

3.9g

Cranka

Crab

Hard body, soft legs

2 x trebles

$21.95

www.cranka.com.au

with floating claws

5.9g

Cranka

Crab

Hard body, soft legs

2 x trebles with floating claws

$21.95

www.cranka.com.au

Fish Candy

Crusty Crab

Soft 10X body and legs,

#4 double

$19.95 for 2-pack

www.river2sea.com.au

Soft Plastic

Fish on a jighead

$11.99 for 6-pack

www.jurofishing.com

FlexiTech 10X body

#2 single

$14.95 for 4 crabs,

www.hurricanelures.com.au

internal fixed weight

9 10

Strike Pro

Enticer Finesse Crab

Hurricane

Spider Crab

with 6.5g jighead* 9g

Hurricane

Spider Crab

FlexiTech 10X body

4 jigheads from $11.95 #10 stinger x 2

with 6.5g internal weight* 9.5g

Cranka

Crab

Hard body, soft legs

$14.95 for 4 crabs,

www.hurricanelures.com.au

4 jigheads from $11.95 2 x trebles

$22.95

www.cranka.com.au

with floating claws

ZMan

Scented CrabZ

Soft Plastic (10X)

Fish on a jighead

$11.50 for a 5-pack

www.tackletactics.com.au

21g

Cranka

Crab

Hard body, soft legs

Single 4/0

$23.95

www.cranka.com.au

39g

100

Fish Candy

Smash Crab

Soft 10X body and legs,

Single 5/0

$19.95

www.river2sea.com.au

internal fixed weight * Hurricane weights are available in 6.5g, 3.5g and 1.3g sizes.

EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE

Gulf Bug 4 Sizes – Weights Between 3.5g and 10g – Available in 14 Colour Combinations

FOR YOUR NEAREST STOCKIST

www.dogtoothdistribution.com.au 58 10

APRIL 2017

Dogtooth Distribution

Crab Lures

ZMan CrusteaZ

ValleyHill Gulf Bug

Berkley Gulp Crabby 2

Berkley Gulp Crabby 2.5

Bait Breath Rockinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Crab

10 11

Hurricane Spider Crab

Hurricane Spider Crab Stinger

Fish Candy Crusty Crab

Cranka Crab 3.9g

9 7

Strike Pro Enticer Finesse Crab

Cranka Crab 5.9g

Cranka Crab 9.5g

ZMan Scented CrabZ

14 1

Cranka Crab 21g

Fish Candy Smash Crab

* All lures displayed are approximately to scale

APRIL 2017

11 59

Crab Lures Luckily, there now exists a crab bait for any application you can think of – from drifting around the washes for oceanic crab eaters to plummeting a bigger crab to the bottom on a shallow reef, right through to finesse applications for bream and other estuary scavengers. Also, there’s a crab at a price point to cast into the nastiest of structure. If you don’t want to lob a $20 bait into the nastiest snag on the river, then you can choose a soft plastic/jighead option that’ll come in at a fifth of that price.

FISHING A CRAB ••••••••••••••

Admittedly, I’ve used crab imitations for bream a lot over the past few years. Bream are finicky and especially in clear

Fish Candy’s Smash Crab is finding a nice little niche amongst offshore anglers – red emperor, snapper and many other reefies love a feed of crab. Pic courtesy River 2 Sea.

works so well. Ever tried to pick up a mud crab you encountered on a river bank? You know what I mean. Approach them and they’re all snapping claws. Some predators will intercept a crab on its way to the bottom (like a snapper or a mulloway), but the majority of bites will come as the crab drops near the bottom or while it’s near structure. Also, you need to understand the hook configuration when it comes to how you set the hook. There’s a bit of a difference between crabs with hooks in the claws and crabs with a larger hook in the body. I find that with a clawhooked crab, you can basically wind to set the hook at the first sign of a bite. Fish usually attack the claws first and end up hooking themselves on the trebles or the stinger hooks. The fish doesn’t need to swallow the crab. Crabs with a body-hook are another matter. The predator usually won’t get hooked while nipping at the claws and you need to let the fish swallow the lure a little before setting the hook. On the water, this means that you need to let the fish eat the bait a little before setting the hook – and when you do set the hook you need to maybe swing a little harder than with the finesse versions. It’s horses for courses. Fish may be harder to hook on the bigger single hooks and jigheads, but in tough country and pulling hard with heavy lines, a big hook locked squarely in the jaw may well be a more secure hookup than some trebles in the skin of the lips. In summary: think of fishing your crabs more like the way you’d use a live crab

SPIDERCRAB WITH

10x FlexiTech TOUGH

INCREDIBLY DURABLE NON-TOXIC DESIGN LIFELIKE FLOATING CLAWS! - flexitech plastics are super tough, and 10x more durable than ordinary soft plastic lures. - hurricane flexitech lures are naturally buoyant and will float when rigged without weight.

black magic

camo crab

- UNIQUE FLOATING CLAWS perfectly imitate natural baits. - non-toxic. No pvc, plastisol or phthalates.

FISH LOVE TO

Smack Em! 12 60

APRIL APRIL2017 2017

motor oil

spooky crab

Hurricane Lures Australia - East Gippsland Victoria P: 0438 516 617 e: sales@hurricanelures.com.au

hurricanelures.com.au

CRANKA ••••••••••••••

RIVER2SEA ••••••••••••••

Never far from the cutting edge of the latest tackle, River2Sea have created crab imitations that suit both ends of the market – the large Smash Crab for inshore and offshore

We’d like a dollar for every big, smart ol’ bream that’s been fooled by a Cranka Crab over the last few years. This one came from Forster, NSW. presentations and the small Crusty Crab for bream and bass size fishing. Both use the robust 10X material, which is near bulletproof and floats. Internal weights get the crab down to where it needs to be and the model of a single, upward facing hook in the Smash Crab will be replicated in the smaller crabs in the future. “Current stocks of the Crusty Crab have the double hooks but these will be transitioning to single hooks in future production runs,” said Grainger Mayfield, R2S Chief. Interestingly, the Smash Crab and the single hook Cranka are the only ones currently available that are suitable for serious rock fishing and offshore use.

– at the very least – keep them in a separate compartment in your tackle box. Nobody likes expensive surprises.

HURRICANE ••••••••••••••

Peter Nord of Lakes Entrance is the man behind the Hurricane brand. Living in the heart of big black bream country, it was inevitable that he’d eventually have a crab imitation in his extensive estuary luring range. Hurricane’s Spider Crab fits in between soft plastic and hardbodied crabs. They are essentially a 10X soft plastic but are marketed with dedicated jigheads and rigging systems that allow you to mix and match weight and hooks,

...the one lesson I’ve “learnt from crab fishing is to fish them SLOW. “Our best markets at the moment for the Smash Crab are Queensland and Western Australia. Guys are catching plenty of big reef fish on these lures and that’s where they’ve found their niche. Red emperor, snapper, tuskfish and a whole pile of reef species that eat crabs are loving the Smash Crab,” Grainger explained. “There’s even been some barra reported on them. “The Crusty Crab is a totally different market – we’re finding that it’s 50% bass and 50% bream – that means that the east coast through to Tassie is where we sell most of these,” Mayfield continued. “The changes to the Crusty crab are to fix a single hook into the lead and present it in the best position for a hookup. That means that it will be facing forward and not sideways.” When storing any of the crabs made from the 10X material, it’s pretty important to not mix them with regular plastics. If you do, you’ll end up with a runny mess of plastic that will render your hard earned baits useless. The best way is to keep them in the box they came in, or

“

water, will often examine a bait for a long time before eating it. And although I’ve hooked a giant herring on a crab skipping in along the surface on a fast retrieve after a cast, the one lesson I’ve learned from crab fishing is to fish them SLOW. S-L-O-W. Crabs don’t move that fast at the best of times and in their natural environment, they usually dawdle along the bottom. Even under attack, crabs tend to assume a ‘defensive’ position, rearing their claws upwards and slowly backing or sidestepping away from danger. Their danger response is very different from a prawn (that will flick and skip away across the top) or a baitfish (that will just run for its life). A crab will stand its ground and that’s the reason a slow retrieve

Frompage page10 58 From

depending on the quarry you are chasing. If you’re fishing for a fish that is inclined to swallow the crab whole, you can choose the standard jighead rigging option. Or if you are fishing for quarry that will nip at the crab then the stinger hook kit may be a better option for you. Hurricane’s YouTube channel demonstrates rigging techniques – both of which require the use of some Loctite Control Gel glue to ensure a lasting connection. “That Loctite Gel is the best we have found for attaching 10X plastic to our jigheads. You can control it better than liquid super glue products and its applicator is very angler-friendly,” Peter explained. “The crabs are representative of the crabs that bream eat in my local estuaries, so we find that bream have no problems smackin’ em – although anything that eats a crab in your local river will have a go at the Spider Crab.” The Spider Crabs also have a scent added to the plastics to help stimulate bites. You can notice it as soon as you open the packet. The best way to store the

Crab Lures Hurricane Spider Crab system is in its original packaging – the plastic trays keep the baits nice and neat and away from anything that will react negatively with the material.

ZMAN LURES ••••••••••••••

The brand of soft plastics that Aussies have embraced so heartily has a couple of models which fit the crab profile. Tackle Tactics’ Justin Willmer knows the A-to-Z on ZMan and explains. Made from 10X plastic, both models float without the addition of a jighead and should be stored separately, if not in their original packaging. “The CrusteaZ have developed a strong following among anglers fishing structure, including moored boats, pontoons and natural structure, when chasing species such as bream, as well as when finesse flats fishing for a range of species,” Justin said. The Scented CrabZ are the more realistic of the two ZMan offerings. “This versatile size crab profile has proven effective fished weedless in the mangroves for barramundi and jacks,” Justin continued. “It’s also found a following lightly weighted on the flats for crab-loving species such as bluebone and trevally, or more heavily weighted when prospecting reef edges and

deeper structure for cobia and snapper.”

BERKLEY GULP ••••••••••••••

The Berkley Gulp Crabby is a bait that has 100% been embraced by tournament anglers. Selling literally thousands of packets every year, Pure Fishing’s Chris Gates explains why they are so successful in their niche. “The Gulp Crabby has been a mainstay in the bream fishing arena for some years with tens of thousands of packs being sold,” Chris said. “More recently we have witnessed bass anglers take them up, recognising their similarity not only to a freshwater crustacean but also to a hapless spider or bug that may have dropped from an overhanging tree. Worked slowly across the bottom, they are proving just as deadly in the freshwater as the salt.” Being a bio-bait and not a plastic, all Gulp baits should be stored in their original packets and make sure that they are well sealed. The next ‘Gulp juiced’ tackle box that’s not allowed back into the house – ever – won’t be the first.

STRIKE PRO ••••••••••••••

With the design for the Enticer Finesse Crab done in Australia, Strike Pro used its advanced plastics

manufacturing facility in Asia to get the samples just right. Rick Massie explains. “We got samples in lots of different densities and we found that the stiffest, neutrally buoyant plastic gave the best action,” Rick said. “To me, the best thing about the Strike Pro Crab is the fact that by simply changing the jighead, you can fish all depths in an estuary effectively – from the surface [on a worm hook] to the deepest channels [with a heavy jighead],” he continued. The heartland of the Finesse Crabs has been from the south coast of NSW through Victoria and into Tasmania. “Although there are Enticer jigheads to suit the crab which are made on a #4 hook (1.16oz and 1/20oz are the most popular), you can fish the Finesse Crab on a cobra style jighead to stand it in a defensive position, a HWS style jighead to slow the fall or a Gamakatsu 211 jighead as an all round option – the combinations are endless,” Rick concluded. For me, it’s about creating a bait that costs you a couple of bucks when you cast it into the nastiest cover imaginable. You feel better when three or four bucks disappears in a swirl rather than $20 more than that. All Strike Pro Crabs are impregnated with a crab scent in the manufacturing process.

BAIT BREATH •••••••••••••• A last minute inclusion into the review, I found a couple of packs of these Japanese plastics – imported by Gladiator Tackle – as I was grabbing samples for photography from the garage. Pre-Cranka, these were my go-to baits for crawling down rock walls for crab-eating bream – hence the rigging on a snag-proof jighead. A quick call to Steve Blackmore from Gladiator revealed that these baits are still available and shipping around the country to crab enthusiasts. Requiring the slightest water movement to get the legs fluttering in the water, they’re ideal for light line, finesse situations. Fishing them on straight through 2lb or 3lb fluorocarbon was a favourite in low current areas.

VALLEY HILL ••••••••••••••

The newest kid on the block is Japanese manufacturer Valley Hill. Imported by Dogtooth Distribution in Australia, the Gulf Bug is an interesting little bait that just scraped into the ‘crab imitation’ category. Made of a lead head, a free swinging assist hook and a crustacean profile cut from rubber material,

Strike Pro’s Enticer Finesse Crab is very versatile - you can fish it anywhere between the top and bottom depending on jighead selection. it’s an abstract version of a bottom dwelling crab that’s remarkably fishable. My prediction is that – especially in deeper water – these baits will prove very effective. It doesn’t take much current to get the appendages moving and the hook is in the right position to suck easily into a predator’s mouth. In the test tank they look great and climb over structure with ease. Modern day blades, which are ridiculously popular, came from the same country and from the same lateral thinking fishing minds. Watch this space to see how techniques develop with this bait.

STORAGE ••••••••••••••

Throughout this article, you’ll have noticed me harping on about correct storage for crabs. If you go out and spend $100 on a selection of crabs and proceed to load them all into one tray of your tackle box, you can definitely run into problems. You need to store Crankas flat, 10X plastics separately and Gulp In a watertight container. If you don’t you’ll be faced with a sticky and/or dried out, bent mess when you go to fish them, and none of us want that frustration in our lives. Fishing is supposed to be fun. Crabs can help. Store them right and fish them slow.

APRIL 2017 2017 APRIL

61 13

king threadfin salmon

King threadfin salmon: it’s ready, thready, go! Luke Fitzpatrick

Like most anglers, I love the sound of drag screaming as a fish makes a run for freedom, viciously shaking its head trying to dislodge the hook and using all its might in an effort to pull anglers into the water.

provides the perfect habitat for threadies to thrive. In the months leading up to the New Year and just after, they feature more prominently as regular catches for local anglers. Most specimens measure 60-90cm. With the water temperature nearing its peak, and the increased movement of bait within the waterway, fish breaking

creeks and muddy drains has not occurred, forcing predatory fish species such as threadies to travel further upstream into shallow drains and skinny creeks in search of a feed. These conditions, matched with an early morning low tide, make it an ideal time to sight cast for threadies in shallow water as they tail after bait.

The author with a solid threadfin – almost a metre long!

Whopper threadies have about three runs in them before they become tired and easier to pull in. King threadfin salmon, more commonly referred to as threadies, are one species which never fail

the metre mark are more common with some reaching well past 1.2m. The start of this year

Threadies don’t have teeth and instead are armed with raspy lips which can make short work of

of power, especially when a fish takes an offering and makes a blistering run straight under the boat. When dedicating a session to hunting for threadies, days with a low tide shortly after first light are perfect. One of the prime bite times is just as those first rays of sunshine illuminate the horizon. Colours are muted, shapes seem to shift, and sound seems to be amplified. Predatory fish with their tuned in senses use this confusing period of transition into light to stalk, trap and kill prey. I deliberately target areas within narrow creeks that feature several shallow drains. Using my bowmounted electric motor to maintain stealth, I search

for signs of threadies feeding on jelly prawns, especially as the water amongst the mangroves drain off the mud flats and into the narrow creek. Pushes of water on the surface followed by exposed fins and forked tails are the usual tell-tale signs that threadies are about and actively feeding. Occasionally, I’m confronted with nothing but peacefully still water. Not wanting to risk spooking any fish likely to be holding in the shallows just back from the drain mouth, I use my Deeper Pro+ Sonar – a castable, tennis-ball-sized sonar device. After a couple of casts I generally have a good idea if fish are sitting slightly back from the drains. I tend to discover

this when low tide is about an hour away and the water is still dropping. Ideally, these fish will be situated at the mouth of the drains once the tide has dropped. Threadies on the hunt have a spectacular way of announcing their arrival. It’s awesome to witness spurts of water erupt as a thready chases a tasty meal into the shallows with so much momentum that the entire fish becomes exposed before wriggling itself back into the depths. Threadies are renowned for being fussy eaters with a gentle bite. On some days it appears that they are in a feeding frenzy but you can spend many hours throwing all manner of lures at them and they will not even gift you with a follow.

Barra are a welcome by-catch while hunting threadfin. to provide a couple of solid line ripping runs, testing an angler’s gear at every critical point and ensuring that a reel’s drag washers are never left idle. The Mary River and Great Sandy Straits fishery 14

APRIL 2017

has seen the Fraser Coast Region swelter through rolling heatwaves with very little of the usual deluge of rain that we experience at this time of year. Consequently, the expected flush of bait from the multitude of smaller

light leaders. I use 30lb fluorocarbon leader attached with a double uni knot to a good quality 15lb braid spooled on a 4000sized reel, which is mounted on a 5-7kg rod. This outfit is well suited to landing a 1m+ thready with plenty

Flathead never seem to be far away when fishing drains.

king threadfin salmon Over the years, I have discovered that vibrating lures with a dash of bright colouring (such as chartreuse) tend to result in a higher hook-up rate. This is likely due to the vibrations of the lure mimicking the vibration made by prawns as they move through water. The bright colouring simply makes it easier to grab the fish’s attention and allow it to home in on the lure, especially in dirty water. I use a slow, single hop retrieve after casting as far into a drain as I possibly

can. The aim is to imitate a prawn or small baitfish making a dash from the drain and heading for the safety of deeper water. On some days I can see threadies feeding and it will still take several casts of a lure before I feel weight on the end of the line. Then suddenly, I hear line ripping through shallow water as the hooked fish realises it’s pinned and makes a blistering run for deeper water. As mentioned earlier threadies have very raspy lips, so regardless of your

preference for mono or fluorocarbon leaders, make sure you up your leader size to avoid being cut off mid-fight. I recommend 30lb as a minimum. Although threadies generate immense speed from their large powerful tails, they generally only have two or three solid runs in them before they tire and become easier to bring to the boat. If you have no obvious structure around, don’t be afraid to let them run and tire themselves out. If there is structure around then good luck!

Heading out at first light is a great advantage for thready hunters.

FISHING FILL-ITS

Off-the-shelf Waverider range

The Waverider range of boats are soon to be offered as ‘off-the-shelf’ boats built to survey for commercial buyers. They’ll start at 4.5m long and be available in 500mm increments with no foreseeable end-size to stop at. Can you imagine a 50ft police boat? This means that any customer can order an off-the-shelf Waverider of their chosen size and choose a layout from up to five provided internal configurations: tiller, centre console, side console, bowrider and half cab for 6m and up. The customer doesn’t need to apply for plans, wait for them to be drawn by a naval architect and then for a builder to quote on them, meaning the customer saves thousands of dollars. This seems to be the first time in Australia that a boat manufacturer is building a range of boats approved for commercial use, that customers, either safety-conscious recreational fishers or commercial businesses, can select their boat and order it, knowing the hull is already approved for survey. The builders at AusShips P/L met with Pat, the original

Customers will soon be able to select their boat and order it, knowing the hull is already approved for survey. designer of the boats, to discuss the lack of boats available for commercial use that must have Level Flotation and be built to high NSCV standards, which include the boat to be fully welded and more. Owner and Head Naval Architect at AusShips, Tommy Ericson said, “By drawing the plans to survey for the Waveriders at the same time as the standard plans for non-survey, it allows the price to be comparative.” The Waveriders will be available in both non-survey and survey approved forms

with the surveyed boats slightly more expensive due to the thicker material and longer time to build. AusShips are happy to discuss personalised and customised plans for the internal layouts of the boats, but the high performance hull is to remain untouched and standard. They look forward to helping you shed some light on the differences between surveyed boats and standard boats and outlining the new AMSA laws regarding small commercial boats. – Kapten Boat Collar

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APRIL 2017

The ABCs of squid catching NSW STH COAST

Steve Starling www.starlofishing.com

Catching squid can be either a means to an end, or a fun and fulfilling sport in its own right. Whatever your motivation, here are some basic tips on how to do it more efficiently. For many anglers, hunting squid is simply the first step on a path to

This devotion to squid fishing has gradually spread to other parts of the world including Australia and some Victorian anglers, in particular, now take their squidding very seriously indeed. These devotees think nothing of spending hundreds of dollars buying a dedicated squid-catching outfit, nor of amassing collections of squid jigs that would rival those of the keenest lure fishers in both

squid at all, it was mostly to use as bait. In those days, squid were captured by skewering whole fish such as yellowtail, slimy

understatement to say that these modern squid jigs have revolutionised the sport. Naturally, you don’t

Fresh squid makes great bait!

The author with a better-than-average squid. obtaining either high quality bait, a delicious meal… or possibly both. For others, squidding becomes an addictive passion, just like any other stimulating form of recreational fishing. Japanese anglers – who refer to the capture of squid on lines and jigs as ‘eg-ing’ or ‘egging’ – have helped to elevate this branch of the sport to new heights right across the globe. In Japan and other parts of Asia, there are regular egging tournaments, as well as publications and video channels devoted solely to the pursuit of these tentacled cephalopods.

their numbers and value. Prior to the 1980s, if Aussie fishers pursued

mackerel, mullet or whiting lengthwise on a metal spike or ‘jag’ that carried a collection of sharp, curved points at one end. This was tied to a line (usually a heavy handline) and lobbed in front of a squid. When the cephalopod wrapped its tentacles around the offering, a pull on the line hopefully secured the catch, allowing anglers to unceremoniously haul it in. During the last couple of decades of the 20th century, two important changes occurred. Firstly, more Aussies realised just how good squid are to eat. Secondly, we saw the arrival of increasingly sophisticated squid jigs from Asia. These culminated in the cloth-covered, prawnshaped jigs that nowadays dominate squid fishing globally. It would be an

Arrow squid (top) and southern calamari. Both species respond well to the tactics described here.

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The southern calamari squid is highly prized by anglers and is capable of reaching a couple of kilos in weight.

Your columnist with a brace of calamari pulled from offshore waters.

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need dedicated outfits or dozens of expensive jigs to catch a few squid, although having a handful of jigs in different sizes, weights and colours isn’t a bad idea. What you do need is some basic know-how, including an idea of where and when

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to start looking for squid. That usually boils down to shallower, inshore areas with relatively clean water and a bottom consisting of broken patches of reef, gravel, sand and weed beds, typically within bays, harbours and lower estuaries, but also out to sea and along the coast. Squid have excellent eyesight. As well as being able to detect a wide range of colours, they can also see polarised light, along with parts of the ultraviolet end of the spectrum that remain invisible to us. They hunt primarily by sight and need to visually detect their prey. They can do this in extremely low-light conditions. In fact, dim lighting favours these hunters, which is why they’re often caught in good numbers at dawn, dusk, at night and under heavy cloud cover. In bright conditions, they’ll typically move to deeper water.

Attach your prawnstyle squid jig to a light to medium outfit. Spinning gear or a sidecast is best, but baitcasters work, too.

Cast the jig into likely areas, allowing it to sink well down in the water column. Avoid letting the jig drop right to the bottom in snaggy locations. Begin working your jig with a series of slow to medium paced sweeps of the rod, picking up slack line with your reel between sweeps. Try different actions. You can also suspend jigs beneath bobby corks before casting them out and simply leave them to be worked by the swell and chop. The take of a squid is heralded by a heavy weight coming onto the line, followed by a series of strong pulses as the animal attempts to jet away. Maintain steady pressure and a tight line. Work the squid smoothly towards your boat or the shore and use a landing net to secure larger squid. Oh, and watch out for that final squirt of ink!

Modern, prawn-style jigs – both cloth-covered and uncovered – have revolutionised squidding. Different colours definitely have their day, and even their hour.

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Lots of surface activity WOOLI

Stan Young

The east Australian currents are doing a great job this year by bringing the clear blue water in close, and with it come the pelagics and large

bait schools. There has been plenty of surface activity, with Spaniards and spotties going crazy, and some big wahoo being landed. There are a few longtails being caught as well, mostly on live baits meant for mackerel. Yellowfin ranging from

Spanish mackerel have been smashing the bait schools.

5-20kg have been taking lures at North Solitary Island. They go well on skirts but I like using Halco Laser Pro 190s in the white red head or the red neck. We troll three to four lures at once, and often get multiple hook-ups. All hell breaks loose when that happens, with people running to stop crossovers with lines, as it’s the first few seconds that make or break it. The FAD has been doing well for mahimahi and also wahoo. If you don’t know where it is, look on the FAD website or call into our shop and we’ll help you out. We have two islands off Wooli – North Solitary, which is the bigger island, and North West Rock. They’re about 13km out, and you can see them from the break wall at Wooli. There are a few snapper showing up but it’s still a bit early. Some good fish have been caught while live baiting for mackerel; snapper love a live slimy or yakka. If you’re live baiting for mackerel and you have small slimies, use only one hook just under the dorsal fin and not too deep into the fish. If you have a large slimy or pike, use a double hook rig, with one hook just forward of the dorsal fin and

WOOLI FISHING CHARTERS

Some good snapper are being caught while live baiting for mackerel. the second hook under the rear dorsal fin. When trolling for mackerel we use either 4/0 or 5/0 Black Magic KS hooks, or their Teflon-coated DX hooks. When live baiting we use 44lb Halco single-strand. Don’t set your drags too tight as they will go straight through the wire and you will lose the fish. When trolling for mackerel it’s better to up to

105lb single strand. Put one hook under the bait’s chin and through the clear spot in the top of his nose, and one hook trailing just behind its tail. Some people use a treble in about a 1/0 or 2/0. Catching mackerel with plastics is awesome as well, and we’ve been having fun using 7” ZMans in glow and smokey shad, 7” Gulps in pearl white and anchovy, and 5” Samaki Boom Baits in

“EREBUS” “THE KRAKEN”

Mulloway and cobia isn’t such a bad way to return from a day on Wooli Deep Sea Tours.

ghost bait colour. The Wooli locals have been catching plenty of tailor up to 4kg off the beach and break walls, mostly on spinners. Soon the bream and the blackfish will be running, and plenty will be caught in the river. I recommend trying artificial weed for blackfish, either store-bought or made yourself. I’m happy to show you how to make them. Call into our tackle shop at 43 Riverside Dr, Wooli and we’ll help you with rigs, knots and more. Our charter business has two boats, Erebus (11m Steber) and the Kraken (12m cat), both purpose built for chartering. If you want a fun day out give us a call on (02) 6649 7100 and talk to Stan or Claire. We also provide accommodation overlooking the Wooli River. After having breakfast overlooking the river, you just walk 50m and you’re on the boat. We supply sandwiches, tea, coffee, soft drinks, all tackle including rods and reels, and ice for your fish. All you need to bring is an esky to take home your catch.

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APRIL 2017

Big mulloway often don’t release well from deep water, but that’s no problem, because they’re delicious.

Exciting Easter estuaries and late mackerel run YAMBA

Dave Gaden

Good rains at the end of February and early March should have stirred things up a bit for this month. The continual dry weather and northeasterly winds

most times. Crabs are still sensational throughout the river, with reports of nice muddies upstream to Grafton. Those crabbing between Lawrence and Maclean have had some great success. Remember, if you intend to crab this stretch of the river you are

the luderick are around in reasonable numbers with plenty of fish pushing the 1kg mark. Cabbage seems to be the flavour of the moment, although some anglers are getting fish on weed flies pretty consistently. Mulloway will love this colour change in the river,

There will be a lot more activity on the water with the late arrival of the spotties. will not be missed. The change in weather patterns will bring calmer seas offshore and hopefully a lot of hungry fish. While the estuary gets a nice drink of fresh water upstream, this should push the fish to the lower reaches of the system. The estuary has fished really well this summer, with great bass all the way from the gorge to the mouth of the mighty Clarence. The big dusky flathead just kept coming. A few of my regular customers coming in the shop reported that they released up to three big girls a day and still got a good feed of 50cm fish. It doesn’t get much better than that. Whiting have been around, but not in the numbers they were earlier in the summer. There are still some good fish amongst them but bag limits are rare. The shortcut between Hickey and Dart Islands is always worth a try for these fish; popping late in the afternoon and changing to live nippers as it gets dark gets me a feed

only allowed the use of hoop nets or dillies (no crab traps upstream of the old ferry ramp in Maclean). For those

which brings with it the schools of mullet. Oyster Channel Bridge will hold nice school-size fish. Some

Speaking of our magnificent breakwalls, for those who like the landbased gamefishing, this is a great time to try and crack a big Spanish mackerel or northern longtail tuna off the wall. It’s always amazed me how many of these big ocean predators cruise the seaside of these walls. I have seen cobia, yellowtail kings, mackerel and even manta rays come right up to the wall over the years. Offshore the water will still be nice and hot with the usual suspects out there for the taking. Spanish mackerel are quite often best in April and May, and with the late arrival of the spotties I think the water’s going to be alive with mackerel. The first week of March gave us the hottest bite of the season, with bag limits trolled up by 8am in the morning. I’ve mentioned this before – this is the latest start to mackerel season I can remember and not just here. North and south of Yamba they have been a pain in the neck. That’s now over, thank

Sam with a nice Spaniard weighing in at 11kg. flowing over them. Anchoring in just the right spot is vital. If you don’t get it right, pull the anchor and do it again until you do. Sitting 20m from a good fish is no better than staying at home. Berley heavily at this time of the year and try to float lightly weighted cut baits down the trail. With the water so shallow you will often see snapper right at the boat working up the berley trail. Mutton birds can be your undoing though, as they have their last feast before

the big migration back to the artic. To combat this problem, try berleying with prawns or prawn shells. Snapper love them, for some unexplained reason the mutton birds won’t eat them, and they sink fast. While chasing the snapper in the shallows you are in line to catch a huge range of exotics this month. By-catches will include pearl perch, venus tuskfish, Maori cod and Moses perch to name a few. This shouldn’t cause you much stress.

Dave Gaden’s Yamba • Deep Sea

REEL TIME A good haul of spotted and Spanish mackerel trolled up early. closer to the mouth, Oyster Channel and the run up to the lake will get you a feed. For those anglers out there who like to ‘stick watch’ (and I’m one of them),

nicer mulloway are being taken on the Zerek 70mm Live Shrimp, fished close to the surface. Bigger fish will as always be taken from the breakwalls.

These happy anglers had a ball on the spotty mackerel.

goodness! Along with the macs is the other fun stuff: yellowfin tuna, mahimahi, striped and mackerel tuna. All of the above are fish we take daily on your basic 6” pink squid trolled at around 9 knots at the back of the bubble trail of the boat. That’s cheap tackle that doesn’t break the bank when you get cut off, and it’s easy to make yourself. April also means snapper are moving from the wide grounds to the more accessible grounds closer to shore. I like the grounds off Shelly Headland in about 14-16 fathoms (24-30m) of water. The reef here has no real high pinnacles, but you will find bumps of around 2m and a lot of areas with underwater caves. I quite often find the snapper holding tight on the south side of these rises, with the predominant north current

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Rain events give waterways a welcome boost ILUKA

Ross Deakin

We received some significant downpours a few weeks ago, and these rain events very quickly improved the fishing. We are now seeing some

awesome flathead catches occurring down our end of the river. Bream and whiting have also been around in good numbers, as have school mulloway. The usual hotspots have been around Browns Rocks, the North Arm, Collis Wall and the breakwall. The river

has really needed this rain to flush it out, causing a knockon effect right through to the ocean where there has been plenty of action with tailor, trevally and longtails. There are so many baitfish around it makes it hard to compete. We have seen some great catches of tailor on the open

Recent downpours have really improved the river fishing.

beaches and in the river using lures and ganged pillies. There have also been some crackers up to 4kg taken on poppers from some of the headlands, such as Woody Head and the Bluff. Stuart Bowers from Iluka weighed in a 3.9kg greenback late last month and there have been others. Mulloway catches have been on the improve, with some decent schoolies in the river. Wazza Bell from Brisbane landed a very nice mulloway weighing 23.5kg caught off Iluka Beach. Spotty and barred mackerel are being taken on pink squid skirts, pillies, live bait and hardbodies. It’s best to get out early for them and troll around Woody Head and Shark Bay. There are cobia, snapper and trag close in, with Black Rock seeing some good action. Get out for some tuna action off the wall, tailor off the beaches and headlands, or flathead, whiting and bream in the river. Don’t forget the crab traps as muddies are also in good numbers. Make sure you pop in to us at Iluka Bait and Tackle and weigh in that awesome catch for your chance to win $40 to spend in the shop.

Mulloway are around in good numbers.

Tailor have been chowing down on the plentiful baitfish.

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Crabs start to stir up BALLINA

Joe Allan

The beaches around Ballina and Lennox Head have been fishing 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 Head. There have been good catches recorded of tarwhine and flathead on soft plastics and blades. I recommend 1/4oz for both plastics and blades, but bearing in mind if it’s really windy, this might be a struggle. There are still good numbers of pipis around,

and these little fellas are a 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 decent mangrove jack. While not in good numbers, better size specimens have come out to play in recent times. The breakwalls have been a little quiet for mulloway, but the town stretch of the river has been fishing well for these beauties. Live mullet seem to produce the best catches. Mud crabs are showing up in North Arm and Immigrant Creek. The dirtier water has definitely stirred these guys up. If

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you’re after a feed, get out and get into them. Dans Lane and Pimlico Island flats have been very consistent producers of bream. If you’re into soaking bait, nippers are one of the best baits and are good fun to catch with the kids around. If you’re into throwing lures, small crankbaits and small topwater poppers are always my go-to. You’ll pick up a few whiting too, although dirty water has hurt the numbers of whiting caught. If you’re 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 of the tasty fish. If you’re into throwing hardbody lures, troll some deep diving hardbodies that will get 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 or 4” soft plastic with a 1/4oz jighead and 3/0 hook

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Plenty of crabs are around, like these cool cats. ready to go. The freshwater stretches of the Richmond and Wilsons rivers have been patchy. There have been reports of people catching 15-20 fish one day and then going back the next and getting one or two. The best lures are spinnerbaits with big gold blades, and lipless crankbaits with bright colours. The noise and flash is what’s attracting 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 troutsize crankbaits are what you should look for.

Jake Stewart with a big bream taken while chasing mulloway.

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Something different for the land-based angler THE TWEED INSHORE

Tim Latter

This month’s article focuses on options for the land-based fisho that are by no means a secret, but are often overlooked: tidal suburban lakes. These lakes are dotted around our local area on this side of the border and just to the north, and they are well worth a look.

They can produce some of the best light tackle sportfishing around. I can think of at least six of these waterways within 10 minutes of my house, and they all hold a range of species and a variety of ways in which to target them. Generally they all hold a massive amount of bait, the tidal run is reduced and the water temperature can be 2-3°C warmer than the main river.

All you need to do is adjust your usual game plan to suit the conditions. I spend most of my time working the inlet/outlet pipes where there is tidal flow, as the bait tends to get pushed around here and the predators are usually in waiting. Like a dam, you will also find that the wind will push bait to different sides of the lake, so it pays to take this into consideration too. One of my favourite

A solid jack taken from a small suburban lake just north of the border.

Small bream are in abundance and will readily smack topwater offerings.

things about these lakes is the ability to scale down your main line and leader size, grab a bream weight outfit and a small box of lures and tangle with species such as giant herring and tarpon, trevally and mangrove jack, and your usual bread and butter species as well. Throwing surface stickbaits like Bassday Sugapens or Atomic K9 Bulldogs is a really exciting way to get into some lake dwellers. Small, lightly weighted soft plastics can also be dynamite when the sun’s up. Even the humble slug gets a run from time to time, accounting for plenty of catches over the last ten years or so that I have been

fishing the lakes. A slightly bigger offering such as 4” paddle-tails will get the attention from the red fish. When one belts you on the light line, you will well and truly know about it. Without the structure from their more natural environment, you can take your time and enjoy the fight without locking up and dragging them out like you would in the main river. Twitching suspending minnows can rack up a few catches too, so be sure to have a couple in your tackle box. The bream fishing at times can be insane, so I like to cover ground when targeting bream in the lakes.

Some 2” grub-tails are probably the place to start. If I find the fish are playing the game, I’ll usually try a small Bent Minnow to get them fired up and fighting over my lure. Smaller crankbaits work really well over the flats too, and you can often sight cast to these fish, which is also super exciting. April is a great month for fishing and it’s a bit more comfortable during the day. These lakes can provide some great entertainment, without the jet skis or wake boats. With Easter on this month, they might be just the answer to get away from the crowds. Please be safe and courteous out on the water over Easter.

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Cooler species are wound up by the wind THE TWEED

Anthony Coughran

With predominant northerly winds blowing this month, we’ve had cooler offshore water temperatures. Fewer predators have graced us with their presence. With these northerlies, jacks have been firing, destroying live baits, strip baits and artificial lures. These red dogs are the talk of the town, with good numbers taken over the past month. OFFSHORE With water temperatures sitting at around 25-26°C on the close reefs and 27-28°C on the wider reefs, we still haven’t had the pelagics show in good numbers. Only a handful of mackerel have been caught over the last month, so it’s a very slow mackerel season. Colder water temperatures on close reefs have seen snapper, jobfish and spangled emperor still hitting drift baits and soft plastics, with good numbers of them caught over the last month. Try drifting

Chris Bulter with a cracker red dog caught on live bait around one of the bridge pylons. plastics and baits around the Fidos, 5-Mile, South Reef and 9-Mile. There are mackerel and GTs on the 9-Mile. Look for southerlies and troll swimbaits and big stickbaits for the best results. Mahimahi are around the FAD and on the 24 and 36s. Small black

marlin are around the 36s and on the 50m lines. Trolling 6” skirted lures is producing the goods. There are a few blue

With the water temperature sitting at around 27-30°C, and the lack of bait in the system, jacks are hungry and angry. They have been terrorizing anglers on the Tweed, with good numbers caught all through March. Be prepared to lose tackle on these brutes. If you’re not losing tackle, you’re not in the structure enough. These brutes and their evil tactics have anglers stopping only one out of three. Jacks definitely win the battle more than you do. Boyds Bay Bridge, Highway Bridge, Cobaki Bridge, Barneys Point Bridge, Chindrah Rock Wall, Oxley Cove Rock Walls, Stots Island, Tumbulgum Bridge and Condong Sugar Mill are all worth soaking a live bait or flicking a 3” plastic at for these red devils. There are still a few good size whiting around on the top of the tide over the sand

Chris Butler with a fat old Tweed bass caught off the top on a cicada lure.

The author with a nice 51cm jack caught in shallow structure on half a pike.

marlin out wider and out on the shelf in small numbers. A few packs of mac tuna have been caught around 9-Mile and 5-Mile. It can be really fun flicking metals for these speedsters on light gear. ESTUARY Northerlies mean jacks.

banks around Terronora, Cobaki and the Piggery. Yabbies are still working the best for these ghosts of the flats. GT and bigeyes are around Jack Evans Anchorage and at Boyds Bay Bridge at night. Live bait, small micro-jigs and blades are still doing all the damage. You can find the odd luderick hanging around

Dan Le Mura with a barrel of a mac tuna caught at South Reef. the rock walls and bridges. Try cabbage weed or stringy weed for the best results. Muddies have been moving around with these warm water temperatures. Try a back creek or a hole in one of the Broadwater systems for a big can opener. BEACHES Northerlies aren’t the best winds for our beaches. They normally bring the bluebottles in and give a side wind to our beaches, making it hard to cast. North winds and a big swell have seen good gutters forming right down to Hastings Point. Try one of these gutters on a draining tide. Beach worms and white bait seem to be working the best to get a feed. FRESHWATER There have been good catches of bass around Banora Point and the upper reaches of Duroby and Bilambil creeks recently. Look for running pools

and fish them with cicada lures for some exciting surface action. Clarrie Hall Dam is fishing quite well with a few fat bass taken this season. I haven’t heard of anyone catching a freshwater jack yet, so it could be worth a drive to Clarrie Hall Dam. Cicada lures, deep diving hardbodied lures and jig spins still do the most damage on these opportunistic hunters. NEXT MONTH With more northerlies predicted for the next month, we’ll see more jacks feeding and fattening up for the last months of warm weather before winter. They seem to take more dead baits and strip baits as they try and bulk up for spawning season. Hopefully we will see a bit more southerly wind action in the next month to bring the toothy critters in. Mackerel, marlin, wahoo and mahimahi like warm water brought in by southerlies.

Adrian Butler with another monster Tweed bass. 26

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Ever-reliable mangrove jack are still blazing SOUTHERN GOLD COAST

Danny Sands

April is a great month to fish on the Gold Coast for both outside and estuary systems. With the water temperature dropping a fraction this month and the late summer rains, April will be on fire. Most of the summer species start to migrate and feed hard before winter comes along. Target species for the estuaries this month will be mangrove jack, whiting, trevally and prawns.

It’s been an unbelievable season for prawns with most cast netters getting their bag limit in quick time. Most of the action has been around Macleay and Lamb islands. Good numbers are starting to filter down around Cabbage Tree and the Jacobs Well stretch of water. A good sounder can target prawns very easily. Most of the time you will see plenty of boats targeting prawns. A good 12ft top pocket cast net is a must. With the prawns on the move, this is a great month to target mangrove jack on surface.

Casting cup face poppers and walk-the-dog pattern lures alongside a retaining wall in low light periods should see plenty of action with trevally as a by-catch. Sovereign Islands are a great starting point. Look for good water flow from canal entrances as well. ‘Diving the Gold Coast’ has been putting up some really great posts of late on Facebook with photos of large schools of mulloway, trevally and jacks. Most of these photos of schooling fish are taken around the high tide.

April is a great month to target mangrove jack with topwater lures.

Finally the speedsters have turned up on the Gold Coast.

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Whiting have been in excellent numbers in the Nerang River from the Council Chambers to Monaco Street; fresh baits like bloodworms and yabbies have been working well. If you don’t own a boat you can have just as much success fishing from the shore for whiting. The school by the Nerang River and Coombabah Creek hold plenty of good quality whiting. Locals have been getting into decently sized sand crabs. The western side of Crab Island and the drop-off in the main channel in front on Marina Mirage have been the pick of the places. 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 high tide with a 10ft surf rod and a running ball sinker with a size 6 whiting hook. Some excellent gutters have formed along Tugun and Bilinga beaches. The best baits are from the environment that you are fishing in, so beach worms and pipis are the gun baits. FRESHWATER Tilapia are in plague proportions in the Clear

Island Waters. Jay Cottrell bagged 63 fish in one morning. These fish make great fun for kids, as they are easy to catch and patience is not needed as bites are very regular. Make sure you dispose of these noxious fish correctly. OUTSIDE So far this season, it has been pretty dismal for Spanish and spotted mackerel, but don’t get disheartened. April will see better numbers of these speedsters. I have been one

Prawns are everywhere from Lamb Island to Jacobs Well.

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of the lucky anglers to get a few Spanish this year. I like to get out the day after a southerly blow and troll live bait like slimies, yakkas and my favourite bait (if I can get a few) – legal tailor. I like to troll one live bait down on a downrigger and the other rigged up free swimming near the surface. This technique works well for all mackerel and the odd wahoo that like to turn up in April. Mackerel are a migration fish and will turn up to the same place year after year. Diamond Reef, Burleigh Gravel Patch, Palm Beach and Mermaid Reef will be hotspots in April. Don’t forget over the border places like the Tweed Nine Mile and Fidos Reef. The current should slow down, which will open an opportunity to fish for some bottom species like snapper, tuskfish, pearlies and the odd kingfish or amberjack. The humble two hook paternoster rig will be the way to go if the current is still running out wide. Float lining will produce the better fish. Next month, I like to chase wahoo. Trolling Hex Heads in purple at speed will work well. The places to try are the Tweed Nine Mile, the Mud Hole and the 80m line off the Q1 building.

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The cool weather change is good for mixed bags area. Another great way is looking for birds working and fish busting up. It may be a bit early for tailor, but don’t be dismayed. Over the past couple of years I have got a few early in the season. A few flathead are still hanging around throughout most canal systems and are tricky to find sometimes. Mud and mangrove lined banks are your best spots to hit. Try early in the morning and get there before any other fishos shut down the system – early bird gets the worm! Of course, the run-out tide

GOLD COAST CANALS

Josh Dunn

April is the perfect month and point between seasons for fishing. Mangrove jack, trevally, large bream, flathead and also the odd tailor and mulloway are on the bite from the cool change. Baitfish are plentiful. Your best bet at tailor or mulloway would be to find clearer, deeper water in the Broadwater and work blades and troll hardbodies in the

is the best time for flathead, as baitfish will be pushed out of their inlets, where flathead will lay in wait. Plenty of jacks are around, especially near heavy structure like bridge pylons, moored boats and jetties. I’ve found the best structure for good fish is a moored boat on a jetty close to a bridge pylon, where you can cast along the bridge pylons and at the same time bring it across the moored boat. Jacks tend to strike at the back of moored boats. Big fish can be caught doing this!

TT’s Switch Blades are great on bream at the moment and they’re eating all colours, too. Working blades at night have been very effective on bream. Within the last month I have caught 5-10 bream per session, some of them going mid to high 30s on the mat. Blades of 1/6oz and 1/4oz in most colours work. It’s best to work these lures slow with a high lift up from the bottom. Bream will hit it on the drop or on the way up if they’re really hungry. By-catches around the lights consist

Trevally are one of the hot options this month.

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Cold climate brings on Gold Coast fishing action GOLD COAST

David Green

April is generally the best month of the year to chase big Spanish mackerel, wahoo and blue marlin off the Gold Coast and we hope to see an increase in action this month. OFFSHORE GROUNDS The summer of 2016/17 was not a good season for chasing pelagic species off the Gold Coast. I have been able to catch a few blue marlin, but the by-catch of tuna, wahoo and mahimahi has been almost non- existent. The inshore grounds have often been quite barren and even the best boats are experiencing lots of fish free hours. The mackerel season has been quite patchy so far. When there has been a bit of current over Palm Beach Reef and the water has been clear and blue, there have been a few spotted mackerel and the odd Spanish mackerel caught, but it is very hit and miss. To get the best results you need to refine your techniques. Live baits trolled from a downrigger so that the bait is about 5-10m from the

APRIL 2017

bottom has been the most effective method for bigger Spanish mackerel.Chopped berley and drifted live baits

and pilchards have caught quite a few spotted mackerel. In April, the fish generally increase in size and if you

Rob Payne with a flathead caught on a popper.

find a school of small tuna it is definitely worth trolling a small mackerel tuna, frigate mackerel or striped tuna around the tuna school. Put the front hook through the top lip of the tuna and rig the stinger hook so it sits in the middle of the bait. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t put it too far back. With a bit of luck the wahoo should turn up this month. Trolling high speed lures like Hex Heads at around 10-14 knots often gets strikes early in the morning. The Tweed Nine Mile is usually one of the most reliable spots in April and can produce big Spaniards. The Mud Hole is located 4-5km northwest of the Nine Mile and is an area of flat reef that also holds good numbers of wahoo at times and is well worth a visit if the Nine Mile is crowded. Other areas worth a look include the 24 fathom line east of Southport and all along the 36 fathom line. Out on the continental shelf, this is usually a good month to target blue marlin. There are often a few striped and black marlin mixed in with the blues. I have caught quite a few big wahoo out wide of the continental shelf in April. This year the blue

The author releasing a blue marlin, sitting around 100kg it is on the smaller side. marlin have been relatively small in my experience, with quite a few in the 80-120kg range with the odd bigger fish.

As the current slows a little this month the bottom fishing on the 50 fathom line improves. Pearl perch, parrot fish, teraglin and

snapper all turn up on both the 36 and 50 fathom reefs, with the odd kingfish and amberjack. It is worth a few drifts using deep live baits this month if the trolling is slow. Overall, I hope April sees really improved fishing as it has been an extremely slow season so far. ESTUARIES AND RIVERS The water will cool down a bit this month and that will see the fishing improve. It has been a great season for banana prawns so far. They started very early around Jacobs Well, Russell and Lamb Island in late January. Hopefully the prawns will still be around this month and they should be even bigger! A good cast net with pockets at the top greatly improves catches. It hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been too hard to catch a 10L bucket of prawns this season. As the water gets colder and the days get longer a lot more fish start to move up on the flats. Bream, whiting and flathead are the main target species, and casting poppers and small stick baits can be a great way to spend a morning. I like to fish the middle of a run up tide as the water flows hard over the yabby flats. While you can catch both whiting and bream on poppers on the flats, they need very different

Mark Frendin with a medium sized Spanish mackerel. retrieves. For whiting, wind fast with a few twitches so the lure spits water ahead of it, simulating a fleeing prawn. Bream like a slower more erratic retrieve with quite a few pauses. It is not uncommon to have quite reasonable sized flathead

crash your popper in shallow water, and tailor and small GTs can make for variety. A run-in tide early in the morning with a bit of breeze and nice clean water makes for good fishing. Clearbodied poppers and stick baits tend to produce the best

results. Casting unweighted yabbies across the flats is also very effective. Crabbing is generally pretty good in April but it has been quite a dry year. Mud crabbing has been poor but there have been reasonable numbers of sand crabs around. The weed beds from the Aldershottâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s south to Crab Island have produced plenty of sand crabs. If we get any decent rain the Pimpama River is worth a look for mud crabs this month. Fresh chicken frames make great bait for mud crabs. There should be a few medium-sized mulloway in both the Seaway and Jumpinpin entrances. Deep fished soft plastics and live baits are worth trying, but there are often a lot of tailor in these areas as well that can eat through a lot of live baits and plastics in a short time. Most of the mulloway will be around the minimum legal size of 75cm this month with the odd bigger fish - especially at night. Giant trevally are also commonly caught when targeting mulloway. Overall, April should see improved fishing on the Gold Coast and if we get a bit of rain it will greatly improve the action in both the estuaries and the offshore grounds.

Troy Schumacher scored this bucket of flatties with his mate Scott. They brought in 25 overall, with 10 to take home.

APRIL 2017

Adjust April fishing techniques for success JUMPINPIN

Mick Morris gembait@tpg.com

As the year continues to fly by, our fishing attention focuses back on

the species that the ‘Pin is well known for. Mangrove jack, cod and many pelagics are mostly shut down for the year, but the bread and butter fish like flathead, bream, whiting, tailor and mulloway

should make up the bulk of catches from here on in. Banana prawns have dried up as well after a bumper prawn season, so the fish can no longer gorge themselves on prawns and will be in search of some other food source. Flathead should be around in good numbers, as per usual, and can be caught on a variety of baits and lures. Whitebait, pillies, prawns, froggies and herring are the pick of the baits to use. When choosing soft plastic colours and shapes it is best to pick lures that best mimic these baits and twitch them in a way that best resembles how these fish behave. When using soft plastics in this manner, pay attention to the conditions of the light at the time you are fishing. A mullet in the middle of a bright and sunny day is illuminated and easy to spot, but on overcast days the mullet has dark and dull colouring, making it harder to spot. Taking light into consideration when choosing the colour of your lure may greatly improve you catch rate, because the lures you’re using look just like the baits they are feeding on. For a feed of flatties, try Kalinga Bank, the sand

banks across from Slipping Sands, the Stockyards, Cabbage Tree Point sand banks, Pandannus weed banks, behind Tabby Island and the top of Crusoe Island. Whiting catches tend to slow in the cooler months, but rest assured they are around in good numbers. Target all the usual hotspots like out the front of Couran Cove, the Broadwater, Never Fail Islands, Tipplers Island, the Gold Bank, the Pig Styes, Cobby Passage and Ageston Sands in the Logan River. You can expect to find bream anywhere there is decent structure, rockwalls, drop-offs, snags, jetties and weed beds. These are all great spots to start and you should always be able to get a few hanging around these structures. Bream love a good berley trail. By using a little bit of berley, often you’ll keep the fish interested and stir up a few of the larger ones that come around to see what the smaller fish are feeding on. Have a go around the Pig Styes, Short Island, Cobby Passage, the Five Ways, the Powerlines, Steiglitz and Fishermans Channel. For the lure fishers, small soft vibes and 2” plastic prawns have been working really well. Try to

This flathead was caught on a white Clackin’ Minnow on a bright sunny day in clear water. use as small a weight as the conditions allow to slowly work the lures through the water column. This way you can find where the fish are holding. Small schools of tailor can be expected to cruise into the bar as they start to make their way up the coast

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APRIL 2017

feeding on white pillies, froggies, hardiheads and other small fish they can find. This time of year they are usually just legal chopper tailor. Every now and then a few bigger 2-3kg specimens turn up unexpectedly. If you are chasing mulloway, try to focus on the smaller tides with not much run in them. That is when you will have your best chance at a mulloway. Use big live mullet, herring or pike and be prepared to sit for a long time without a hit, as they can be extremely finicky. Funnily enough, when using 5-9” soft plastics they can absolutely smash a lure and nearly rip the rod out of your hands, so be ready for anything when mulloway fishing. Try in the deep water off Swan Bay and the Pin bar, the eastern point of Short Island, Rocky Point and Flat Rock. • 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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Quality fish can be found in the shallows MORETON BAY

Ryan Smith

It’s crazy to think that a third of the year has already passed. Time flies when you’re having fun. Talking of fun, on a recent trip I was assigned a task to get a good mate, Finley, onto some decent fish and thought, what better way to do it than throw small hardbodies in 2ft of water? The day started out by going to one of my faithful spots. The wind and tide were working the way I wanted them to and I was quite hopeful that we

were going to get onto a few fish. We positioned the boat before the ground that I believed would hold fish and started casting. Third cast in and my mate hooked up whileslow rolling a little Atomic Crank 38. The fish turned out to be his new PB bream of 32cm. In the first drift we both landed numerous bream in the 30s with a few sweetlip thrown in as well. The second drift wasn’t so kind with only the one bream caught fairly early in the drift. I was about to call a move to a different spot when Finley called for one last cast. While I was getting the boat ready

for a move I hear “Ryan I’m hooked up and it’s not stopping!” After a few anxious moments we landed his new PB flathead of 70cm in 3ft of water on a little Atomic Crank 38. We got a few photos with it before releasing it for another

reel with 4lb braid and 4lb fluorocarbon leader, we were both throwing the Atomic Crank 38’s in a variety of colours all day. Other species being caught in the bay include prawns that are running around the southern bay

A close up on a bream from a hot session the author had recently. Finley holding his new PB flathead of 70cm caught in 3ft of water. angler to enjoy. With the tide almost at its peak there was one more spot I wanted to give a shot. A shallow weed bed that was holding lots of bait ended our day with a few more bream on the little hardbodies. The gear we used for this trip were light 7ft rods with a small 2000 size spinning

The author with a bream caught on a slowly rolled hardbody from the Atomic range.

islands from Redland Bay down to Jacobs Well - just look for the swarms of boats in one area throwing cast nets. A good quality sounder is a great tool to have when searching for these tasty crustaceans. Snapper have been found around Peel Island recently by fishing the rubble grounds

and artificial reefs and wrecks using a variety of soft plastics. Whiting have been an awesome target for the land-based angler with live bloodworms and yabbies being the preferred bait. Surface lures such as the Bassday Sugarpen and Storm Gomoku poppers in colours that are clear with small brown or red lines to imitate a prawn have been my favourite for targeting

bream and whiting on the flats recently. April is surely going to be an exciting month for fishing with the summer species at their peak. If you’re after any further information or just want to have a chat come in to Dave’s Bayside Bait and Tackle in Victoria Point to meet me or any of the other staff members. Tight lines and screaming drags!

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Longtails leading the charge SOUTHERN BAY

Nabeel Issa

Snapper and grassy sweetlip have been in good numbers over the shallow reefs around Peel Island and Wellington Point. Look for the reef drop-offs and throw lightly-weighted soft plastics to the edges. ZMan Slim SwimZ and the new 65mm Cranka Crabs have been the stand-outs. There have been intermittent catches of mulloway on the deeper reefs. There have been large schools

The author with a mulloway taken on a 3” ZMan MinnowZ from the Peel Artificial Reef.

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around, but they move through very quickly and are hard to keep on top of. Using the sounder to find the fish is key. Dropping a lure straight on top of them is the tricky part, but nine times out of 10 they will bite if they see the lure in front

The Fishing Club running at the Lucky Star Tavern at Sunnybank Hills, Brisbane was originally formed in 1988. We are looking for new members that will commit to a Friday night raffle roster, which funds our monthly trips; these include deep sea charters, beach, estuary & day fishing plus a fully funded Christmas function.

READER STORY

All enquiries to Allan: 0437 777 347 or Peter: peter_honda32@hotmail.com

The following is a reader story by Alex Crossley, who enjoyed a very memorable trip to Sweers Island. I was on a Western Queensland road trip with my father-in-law, Phil Collins. We met up with Geoff and Leah Darrach who run the butcher and bakery in Burketown, and they took us over to Sweers for a couple of days. We stayed at Sweers Island Resort, which is run by Tex and his partner. We had a great couple of days fishing out around the reefs. We caught a huge array of reef species. Among them were massive goldspot cod, good-size coral trout (the one in my photo came in at 65cm for memory), sweetlip, tuskfish and more. Geoff hooked a particularly massive parrot, so he says, and as Phil was helping him get it in the boat it got away! Geoff would tell you that it was the biggest parrot anyone has ever seen, and wouldn’t let Phil anywhere near his line again after that. For bait we were mainly using baitfish like garfish and even some legal sweetlip and tuskfish to get some of those bigger cod. We also used some lures in and around the reefs and did some trolling, which gave us some fun with 80-90cm gars going nuts! – Alex Crossley

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of their face. Peel Artificial Reef has been the best bet. Longtail tuna have been feeding heavily and there have been plenty of them around. From the Sand Hills and north has been their main area. The run-in tide has been working

Sam Bateman with his first ever longtail tuna. This fish took one of the author’s Sweepshot Stickbaits slowly worked through some aggressively feeding fish. the best, and you’ll find them by looking for birds and surface explosions. Casting stickbaits at the schools and working them slow has been the most productive method for me. Keeping the lure in the strike zone for longer

increases your chances. Autumn has always been my favourite time of year for big snapper, and there have already been some large fish coming through! Fingers crossed it will make up for the quiet summer we’ve had.

Super session up at Sweers

Top Left: Phil Collins with one of many cod caught during the trip. Top Right: A beautiful Sweers Island Resort sunset and the boats ready to go. Below Left and Right: The author’s lovely cod and 65cm coral trout.

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An Easter fishing fiesta BRISBANE

Gordon Macdonald masterbaitertackle@hotmail.com

As the weather begins to cool over the coming month, we will start to see in a gradual increase in the prominence and distribution of many species. Many of the usual summer fare will still be around but won’t be as easy to locate as when the water temperatures were higher. We will see a few new species begin to be caught. April can be an exciting month for those venturing out and offers the chance for some quality time with the family on the water over Easter. Cooler conditions increase angler comfort and it is still warm enough to let the kids have a dip in the middle of the day. With the sun rising a little later

thanks to the efforts of birds in attendance and the surface disturbance. Even the feeding efforts of individual fish will be obvious to the keen eye due to a single bird following overhead, a V-shaped wake or the occasional broken waters as they slurp down baitfish. These individual fish are usually larger specimens that will eat a wide array of baitfish profiles. Pencil poppers, stickbaits, jerkshad plastics, baitfish profile flies, chromed slugs and numerous other offerings can be used. Two new lures I have used recently that are worth checking out are the Nomad Riptide 125 sinking stickbait and the Dartwing 165 pencil popper. Apart from the fact that both of these are longtail lollies, they are rigged ready to fish with quality hardware straight from the packet.

Prawns have been plentiful over the last few months, and getting a 10L limit has not been that difficult most of the time. you don’t have to be up in the middle of the night just to be on the water before dawn for that early morning bite. LONGTAILS Longtail tuna are often around in increased numbers during April. We have seen a decent amount of these throughout the summer months, including larger specimens in excess of 12kg. April commonly sees schools of the smaller specimens of 8kg or more too. Surface busting schools can be sighted from a considerable distance away 40

APRIL 2017

The Madscad 115 is another favourite I have been using successfully on longtails for some time now, especially in the HGS and SAR colours. In addition to these I have been throwing an array of other lures such as the Maria Mucho Lucir 35g, Ocea Pencil, Duel Adagio, Storm So-Run Minnows, Saltiga Over-There and a few others. Natural finishes and pinks seem to do the job on longtails and are my comfort colours, however I am sure anglers have scored results on a broad array of

finishes at times. Good places to search for longies at this time of the year include along the shore-break of Bribie and out a few kays, the NW Channel, NE Channel, Pearl Channel, Rainbow Channel, Middle Bank area, between the Measured Mile and Mud Island, Lucinda Bay, the Paddock (be aware of the Green Zone), Rous Channel and Peel Island surrounds. As they can pop up at any time it pays to have a rod rigged and ready to cast no matter where you are fishing in Moreton Bay. The areas around the prominent shipping channel beacons are also worth attention. Although the occasional fish can be caught on lures jigged or worked around these structures, live baits are a better option. Yakkas, slimey mackerel, pike, cowanyoung and most others caught using bait jigs around these vertical structures can used successfully. I generally pin these baits with a twin snelled hook rig (mainly utilising circle hooks) and put one bait under a balloon and another down deeper. In addition to longtails, these baits can attract cobia, large mac tuna, mackerel and the occasional yellowtail kingfish or snapper. OTHER BAY PELAGICS In addition to longtail tuna, anglers can still expect to locate and catch mac tuna, frigate tuna, spotted mackerel and school mackerel as well as Australian and Watson’s bonito. Surface feeding schools of mackerel may be located however with decreased numbers of these species as the water temperatures drop, it is more likely that you will need to troll lures or float out pilchards and small live baits to achieve results. The artificial reefs (Peel, Harry Atkinson, Curtin, Scarborough and Turner) are all likely to hold a few school and spotted mackerel. The outer margins of the bay islands and edges of major channels are also likely to produce numerous pelagics, especially on the higher stages of the tide. Drifting out a pilchard while targeting snapper and other demersals could add a few bonus fish to the esky. The beacons are also likely to attract a few mackerel. Drifting down a pilchard or small live bait, such as a yakka or slimey mackerel, could produce school mackerel or the occasional spotty. This time last year there were even a few Spanish mackerel taken throughout Moreton Bay, mostly around the artificial reefs by anglers deploying live baits. Trolling lures along the edges of major channels around the start of the falling tide and near mid-tide on the rising tide will often produce mackerel and bonito. Some

April is a great month for longtail tuna. This one was taken on an Ocea stickbait recently from wide of Mud Island. of the deeper bank systems, like those between the Four Beacons and mainland are worth trolling during the higher stages of the tide. Deep diving lures (3-5m) to around 130mm in length will do the trick. Ones that can troll in excess of 6 knots (they will generally have long, yet fairly narrow bibs) in metallic or natural finishes are likely to produce. I commonly use Duel Hardcore 90, Arashi Rattling Minnow Deep, Rapala X-Rap Mag 10, Rapala MaxRap Minnow and Bomber 24A just to name a few. Getting your line as flat to the water as you can will provide you with the ability to troll a bit faster. I like to use 10-15lb braid with a 20lb fluorocarbon leader as this allows the lures to get deeper, troll faster and provide a lot more fun than when using heavier gear. As most strikes happen at the rear of the lure (mackerel commonly nip of the tail of fast moving prey to immobilise it), you won’t require a wire leader. In fact, wire will deter strikes.

SNAPPER AND SWEETLIP As the water temperatures drop, the abundance of both snapper and sweetlip will become noticeable. All the usual areas, such as the bay island surrounds, artificial reefs, wrecks and around the bases of the beacons are likely to produce. Many anglers like to anchor and deploy both dead and live baits in their quest. This can be productive and a great way to fish if you like a ‘kick back and relax’ approach. A more active discipline is casting lures and working micro-jigs. Cast and retrieve offerings such as jighead rigged soft plastics (paddle tails, jerk shads and curltails) and soft vibes are both popular and productive. Long casts upcurrent and slow rolls or subtle hops of the lure will generally produce the goods, especially if you are stealthy in your approach and don’t continually drive over the ground you want to fish. In deeper areas, such as the Curtin, Harry Atkinson and Peel Artificial reefs, micro jigs

can work well and allow you to put your offering right in front of the fish sounding on your electronics. The micro jigs can even be cast out and worked back vertically with satisfying results. If you specifically want to target sweetlip, presenting quality fresh baits around the outer edges of the reef and rubble grounds surrounding the bay islands is likely to produce. Early mornings and evenings generally offer the best opportunity due to lower light and decreased boat traffic. Fillet baits from gar, mullet, pike, slimy mackerel, herring and the like as well as fresh green prawns will work well. Some anglers even use fresh, raw chicken fillets with great success. Keeping your baits lightly weighted will increase your chances, especially with those larger, more wary specimens. CRABS Even though it is starting to get cooler, crabs will still be a serious proposition over the coming month. Sand, blue swimmer and mud crabs will be caught in safety pots baited

Kieran Koczwara had an awesome day on the Great Barrier Reef and hooked up this cracker large-mouth nannygai.

with chicken carcasses, fish frames, whole mullet and other baits. Setting pots around the mouths of rivers and estuaries will likely reward you with one or all species however as you venture further into the bay then it is the blue swimmer and sand crabs which will account for most of the pot’s desirable contents. Setting pots along the edges of banks and contours, the mouth of small channels and drains leading off the sand flats and in deeper holes is likely to reward. For muddies, try further up the creek and estuaries, especially against collapsed mangrove banks, the mouths of drains and gutters leading out of the mangrove expanse and in deeper holes. The hard to reach spots deep in the mangrove wetlands will often produce some of the best quality muddies. PRAWNS This year’s prawning season has been excellent with most anglers being able to fill their 10L limit (which is generally around 6.5kg of prawns) with a few hours of effort on the water. Around the changes of the tide seems to be the best bet in most areas. Good spots to try have included the Pine and Caboolture Rivers, the deeper holes around Macleay, Russel and Lamb islands, the Salt Works near Karragarra Island and the main channel out the front of Jumpinpin.

As the water temperature increases snapper will become more common around the artificial reefs, bay islands and wrecks within Moreton Bay. The quality has mostly been excellent and in addition to banana prawns there have also been quite a few black tigers taken. Most prawners have been using maximum length (12ft) top pocket only

cast nets. The majority of these are locally made and although generally well in excess of $300 they do produce the goods. Standard top and bottom style nets will also do the job but it may

take you a little more effort to fill your bucket. Jarvis Walker recently brought out a good top pocket only net which is now available in tackle stores and retails around the $200 mark. It’s one to check out

if you are in the market for a new prawning net. Prawns will generally show up as a coloured haze (blue on my Lowrance) close to the bottom on your sounder. Sometimes this may extend well up off the bottom if it is a large, condensed school of prawns. Casting your net in the right area whilst taking into consideration the currents effect on the net before it reaches the bottom is vital if you are going to get it over the sounded prawns. This can take a bit of practice, and will make a big difference to your catch when the prawns are scattered. As they say, practice makes perfect, so get out and give it a go. Your taste buds will thank you. BRISBANE RIVER As the water temperatures begin to fall, anglers will notice a change in the dispersion of species throughout the Brisbane River. Threadfin will begin to move a bit further up the system, lured by the prawn schools and their natural instinct. Snapper numbers will increase in the lower reaches and anglers may encounter quality specimens to over 70cm at times. These are commonly taken on plastics and vibration baits presented around the submerged ledges, river basin edges and numerous structures like jetties, wharves and docks that line the banks. Live baits of herring, mullet

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and banana prawns are great offerings that attract snapper, threadfin, mulloway, cod, bream, flathead and numerous other species. Casting lures around lighted areas at night is likely to produce species such as mulloway, threadfin, tailor and occasional others over the coming months. The rock walls at the river mouth, the bases of the beacons leading out of the river and the submerged structures of the wharves will hold decent estuary cod, although their ferocity to hit a lure will wane as the water temperatures drop. The cooler months can produce some pretty special fishing in the Brisbane River and it is quite amazing to think that this fishery is flanked on both sides by Queensland’s capital city. Fishing throughout the Brisbane region will vary during April and it is one of those months where the temperature and any late summer rainfall can have a sizeable effect on the prominence of certain species. Due to the cooler weather as well as school holidays and the Easter break there will be an increased number of people on the water during the month. Whilst this can make the fishing in the shallows and heavily worked areas a little harder there will still be plenty of fish, prawns and crabs to go around.

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Not much has changed with late season runs fishing and we managed to keep them around for a while with a bit of berley. There were only a few bulls amongst them, but most were good solid fish. Half pillies with a well-hidden hook did the damage on the majority but if they got fussy, livies changed their minds.

BRISBANE OFFSHORE

John Gooding

Nothing has changed as far as the pelagics are concerned. They are still playing hardball. There’s been a few Spanish mackerel caught on the coffee rock along Moreton Island, but Point Lookout has been very erratic and the lack of tinnies trolling the area is a giveaway. There’s not a lot happening. During the last week of February and the first couple of weeks of March, a lot of mac tuna showed up and worked bait schools, so you never know – we might yet see

and squire for us on charter and when we’ve spent a bit of time floatlining. The same area we’ve still picking up the odd good snapper around 5-6kg. Shallow Tempest is also well worth the effort at this time of year, mulloway are a real

including mulloway, gold spot cod, cobia, spangle emperor and snapper. Floating a livie outrigged on wire can bring in a Spaniard or two while you are bottom fishing. • Until next month, enjoy your fishing, take care on the coastal bars and if you’d like

A quality snapper caught floatlining in shallow water.

Two happy anglers with a couple of Moari cod.

a late season burst of Spaniards and wahoo. During the same period we had a lot of strong north to south current and even with the sea-anchor out we were drifting at over 4km/h, which made it very hard to bottom fish. Thankfully, the mahimahi turned it on and we had several red hot sessions on them. On a few of the charters we targeted them around the Waverider buoys off Point Lookout, but on a couple of trips they turned up around the boat while we were bottom

A cracker mahimahi that swallowed a livie. On the bottom fishing side of things, the shallow reefs around Point Lookout have been producing mixed bags of tuskfish, pearlies, Moses perch

possibility, especially at night. Anchoring up on bait schools and sending a livie back down on a single hook paternoster rig can tempt plenty of brutes

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Great time to chase flathead NORTHERN BAY

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our heads are all turned to what the rest of the year will bring us climatically. Longing for a little reprieve from constant air conditioning, anglers are hitting the waterways to get some sun on the skin and fresh air in the lungs just to feel alive again. Brief glimpses of southerly winds have bought some joy to inshore anglers in the northern bay as the freshening winds have pushed some bait in our direction contributing to an in increase of predatory action. BREAM Bream have been one species that the climatic factors have very little impact on. Warmer waters often make them feed more actively but these silver scavengers are creatures of habit. Being a roving predator, it’s often hard to predict where and when they will feed but if your fishing ground of choice has a rocky, rubbly surface or the presence of baitfish, you can be sure the humble bream won’t be too far away. Find the right terrain in your local fishing area and you are sure to find bream nearby. This is why certain areas become noted hotspots that keep popping up in many fishing reports. Last month the Pumicestone Passage was on fire in the bream stakes, with the majority of the action coming from the Sandstone Point area around to Cooks Rocks. High tides and light lines have been the right combination for the area, with anglers getting fish on both hardbody lures and soft plastics. Other areas deserving of an honourable mention are the Banksia Beach canals, the upper reaches of Glass Mountain Creek and the mouth of Hussey Creek. Many bream reports have come out of these areas, especially on the last of the run-in tide and the first half of the ebb. Redcliffe Peninsula has been a little hit and miss on the bream over the last month but should start to shape up well before the cooler water temps start. The annual prawn run has been a great injection on the area, but as the netters have collected their keep the bream activity has slowed a little. The lower end of

the peninsula has been the favourable choice, with squire numbers also increasing in the area. The upper reaches of the Pine River have shown good numbers of bream also with size being the only problem, but the top of the tide is reportedly fishing better as bream have been seeking refuge amongst the many mangrove lined edges. FLATHEAD It’s a great time of the year to chase the humble flathead with numbers being good leading into the cooler months. ZMan 3.5” Trick SwimZ have been the go-to soft plastic for many flathead anglers of recent times, with their subtle paddle-tail being quite irresistible to lizards. Soft plastics have definitely dominated catches with many anglers targeting areas of good current flow especially on the receding tide. After a sluggish start, the Pine River is slowly ramping up its flathead productivity with areas around Scarborough foreshore to Deception Bay being the surprise packet of late. The channel leading into the Newport Waterways has

Juvenile flathead are starting to fire in our estuaries. been the most successful approach for anglers, with hopping soft plastics into the drop-offs working well. Deception Bay foreshore has fished well for both flathead and bream on the bigger tides, with fresh baits being the pick with the many land-based anglers in the area.

Josh Gollan with some solid Peninsula bream. been good to many anglers for flathead, with shallow waters either side being prime ambush material. Drifting or using an electric motor has

In the Bribie area the mouth of Elimbah Creek, Lime Pocket and White Patch have been the pick of the areas. Be sure to keep a keen eye open

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Fun in the sun continues for mackerel run CALOUNDRA

Damian Parker dpfishingmonthly@hotmail.com

Our run in the sun continues and it’s only heating up across the coast. Mackerel has been dominating the fishing scene with a consistently strong run of spotted, school and Spanish varieties filling our eskies. Spaniards of 7-10kg seem to be the norm, but there have been reports and pictures of much larger fish. I prefer to keep a Spanish around the 10kg mark. Remember, Spanish in excess of 15kg have a greater chance of carrying the dreaded ciguatera poison, so take a happy snap and return the bigger

hot! Remember to always be on the lookout for birds and busting bait schools. If bait is deeper in the water column, try using deep diving minnows, weighted rigs and – if you’re lucky enough to own one – a downrigger. A downrigger is a useful piece of fishing equipment and can sometimes be the difference between fish or no fish. The initial outlay will hurt the bank account, but believe me, it will pay for itself in no time. Fresh bait is great and live bait is even better. The wider reef areas around the top end of the Barwon Banks are the place to target larger pelagics like yellowtail kingfish and amberjack. Depths in these areas vary from 80-130m, so take strong equipment.

might struggle in closer. Work the reefs on the evening tidal changes and always look around the channel markers and buoys

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Paul with a Spanish mackerel caught off Currimundi Reef.

Andrew with a Spanish mackerel caught from Caloundra wide. specimens back to the water. Mackerel aren’t the only species available at the moment. We can also target wahoo, mahimahi, cobia, marlin, sailfish and a large variety of reef species, proving that the Sunny Coast is a fantastic place to live and fish. We have a problem at the moment battling with the ever-aggressive bullshark. Unfortunately these animals are at the top of the food chain and if they’re hungry we are sure to lose the battle. Let’s hope the mackerel hang around for the next couple of months and we boat more than we lose. There have been quality schools of bait across the coast, which keep the action

Mixed in with them have been good numbers of snapper and pearl perch. The Pinnacles situated in 85m of water in the middle of the banks have schools of mahimahi. When they’re not smashing a livie they’re chasing trolled hardbody lures. Wide Caloundra has enjoyed plenty of wahoo this season and although they have slowed right down now, hopefully the cooler change will bring on the snapper in the next few months. There will still be the opportunity to chase a few late tuna schools this month feeding on the remaining bait schools provided the weather remains warm. Sweetlip are still being

caught around the outer Gneerings and on the small patches around the Mooloolaba beacon. Murphys is the spot to be running out to this month for an early morning or late evening fish on the change of the tide. Emperor, pearl perch, tuskfish and juvenile snapper will all be out there when the conditions are right. The beaches are starting to enjoy a run of bream and early mulloway signs have also been good. Dart, whiting and flathead are all on the cards for those prepared to target the tidal changes and use the local area bait, either worms or pipis. The Wurtulla strip of beach access is a good place to start looking for a hole to fish, so a visit through the day will make things a little easier later on. If you want to sneak further north, check out the accesses between Marcoola and Coolum as there are plenty of spots to choose from there. The main channel around the Caloundra bar entrance has opportunities for bigger flathead and trevally. The boardwalk in Caloundra has been busy with hopeful anglers and a rare few have caught some quality estuary cod and bream on the tide changes. Whiting are taking peeled prawns and

yabbies and at the moment can be caught right along the Pumicestone Passage. Berley is very important to keep the fish interested and fishing without it can make things really tough. The pelagics will remain around and you should look at targeting bigger Spanish mackerel right through April. Mahimahi and wahoo will be worth targeting out wide at Caloundra and the Barwon Banks, but you

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APRIL 2017

A change in season results in great fishing NOOSA

Peter Wells

The changing seasons also mean a change in the fishing as we move into April and the cooler weather starts. The water temperatures also start to drop, so the species we target are different. As the cooler months approach, we tend to move into that more southerly weather pattern that is a little more predictable, giving boat owners more options as the outer reefs become more accessible. This, in turn, brings those cooler water fish. That’s not to say that the mackerel fishing that we have enjoyed over the last

Tom Jones with a nice Spanish caught off Coolum Reef. Early mornings are best for trout, and when teamed with a high tide and live baits like yakkas and slimy mackerel, you’re in with a really good chance. If you can’t get livies, the good old squid and pilchards will also get the job done. Another great option is to give micro-jigging a go. The Colt Snipers from Shimano or the ZetZ Slow Blatts are both outstanding jigs, and have the runs on the board. Simply let them flutter to the bottom, and when you are on the bottom

heavy ball sinker. Try to fish the leading edge of the reef depending on the run, as this is where the bigger fish will be waiting for a passing morsel. Further out on Chardons Reef and North Reef you can expect to find pearl perch and the odd snapper as the water cools over the coming months. Mackerel, tuna, mahimahi and big cobia are also on the chew, which gives you a good variety of species to target. That’s the great thing about this time of year – the options are endless. RIVER AND ESTUARY In the Noosa River there are plenty of larger whiting back on the chew. If you’re using bait, the stand-outs are live sand worms, yabbies and soldier crabs. For those anglers keen to try surface fishing or sight casting, try the Bassday Sugapen, Strada Viral or Jackson Ebi Panic Prawn. Trevally are still in good numbers around the lower reaches. Anglers fishing Woods Bays, the back of the Noosa Sound and Munna Point have had some great results using surface lures in the low light, with micro jigs and soft plastics working well as the sun gets a little higher in the sky. Flesh bait like cut pillies and mullet strips have also worked well for bream,

Outside the mouth of Twin Waters it has been surface action central, with a wide variety of trevally being caught on surface lures such as the Lucky Craft Sammy 65. Inside Twin Waters around the bridges, the aggressive mangrove jack are still taking fresh mullet and bonito fillets. Make sure you fish unweighted baits with 2/0 or 3/0 lightweight octopus-style hooks such as the Mustad Penetrator. If you want to sneak upriver a little further, Coolum Creek and Dunethin Rocks have produced some nice jacks on suspending lures. Goodsized whiting have been taken on the Black banks, Chambers Island and the back of Goat Island. Live yabbies and worms have ben the gun baits on the run-in tide. ROCK AND BEACH On the beaches it’s looking like the start of an early tailor run. Good fish have been taken down on the Gold Coast already, so it won’t be too long before we see those schools make their way up the coast. Good-sized dart and whiting have been taken in the close gutters, with the odd larger rough tailor also taken. Mulloway are still about with the middle of

Davey Quinell with a good-looking jack taken from the upper reaches of the Maroochy River. couple of months is over, we just have a lot more options. In fact, this is the time when the really big Spanish mackerel move

onto the inshore reefs like the Jew Shoals, Sunshine Reef and Little Halls. All are within striking distance for the smaller boats as well

as the seasoned kayaker. April is also a great month to go bottom bouncing for species like coral trout, squire and grassy sweetlip.

E Robert Sandburg caught this monster trout while fishing a charter out of Noosa.

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work them up 4-5m and then open the bail arm and let the jig drop again. Keep a close eye on the line as the jig makes its way to the bottom, as most times they get taken on the drop. Be ready as these fish hit hard, and soon as they feel they are hooked they’ll head for the nearest bit of coral or hidey hole, and the fight will be over before it’s begun. When bait fishing, try using a running sinker rig with the bait on the bottom, and make sure you also use a lumo bead, as this will protect your knots from being bashed by the

flatties and trevally. Make sure you use lighter fluorocarbon leaders to improve you bite rate. Jacks are really on the chew, with some large fish taken over the last few weeks. Live baiting into the night has been the key. The Maroochy River has had a flathead explosion, with good-sized flathead taken in the stretch between the Motorway Bridge and Chambers Island. Most fish are being caught while drifting soft plastics. Try the Squidgy Wriggler or any of your bloodwormcoloured favourites and you should do well.

the moon phase seeming to be the better time. For those fishing the rocks there has been a real mixed bag, with bream, squire and sweetlip all showing up last month. This is sure to improve as the water cools. • For all the latest information log onto www. fishingnoosa.com.au for up to date bar and fishing reports. 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!

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Australia needs more world records SUNTAG

Stefan Sawynok

Before I get into my article, I have a request and a gift. As a nation, we are way underperforming on the world records stage. To help address this I am putting together all the resources I can to help fishers across the country fix that problem. Here is something to consider. The US has around 1150 native species, Australia has somewhere near 5000. Australia has only 3.3% of the All Tackle records, while the US has 33.2%. Japan has around 250 species, yet has 203 All Tackle Records, or around 13.9%. Even New Zealand has 4%! If you want to help Australia correct the record I am here to help you. First, get online to the IGFA website and get a $15US e-membership, it’s a very simple process and will get you a great newsletter for your trouble. There is

world record holder. I’m putting together a listing of world records relevant to Australian species. Go to www.crystalbowl.com. au homepage and click on the ‘Australia Needs More World Records’ Section. It will be available from April 1. However, if you can’t wait – there are plenty of Australian species that don’t have any world records. Please remember that international names can be a huge nightmare to work through. I have searched the database on just about any variant I can think of and all international names for the species, but nonetheless I would double check with IGFA prior to submitting. THE WORLD DATA TOUR COMES TO AUSTRALIA In my last article, I looked at the world fishing scene when it comes to fishers. I have been quietly expanding my list of the best fishers in the world in their fields with a view to doing a much more complete assessment later in the year and I have now

Here’s the top 10 ABT fishers from 2004-2015 ranked by placings. also how our fishing systems are faring relative to the best in the world. The Barra Nationals and

required to be considered up against international systems. I will, however, be looking at them next issue on a different

ROTTEN TOMATOES STYLE SCORE SUMMARY FOR THE THREE SYSTEMS % Records Older Than 5 years % Records Older Than 10 Years % Records Older Than 2000

ANSA 92% 81.7% 67.1%

GFAA 85.9% 77.5% 63.5%

ANSA vs GFAA in the number of records by year last achieved. paperwork and a $50US fee to lodge a world record, so it’s a good idea to read up in advance on the rules, but the good news is anyone can do it, and there is no special barriers to you becoming a ANSA GAME RECORDS Rank Fisher 1 L Grieves 2 Mark Reid 3 W Childs 4 B Deeney 5 B McNamarra 6 Werner Kossmann 7 A Atkin 8 F Jones 9 P Hernitz 10 N Williamson

started separate lists for men and women, though I will do a combined as well. In this article, I am moving a little closer to home to see what the Australian scene tells us about our fishers, but Species Year Shark, tiger 1998 Marlin, black 1993 Marlin, black 1973 Shark, tiger 1989 Shark, mako 1987 Shark, tiger 1974 Shark, mako 1991 Shark, whaler (all) 1986 Shark, mako 1990 Shark, mako 1979

GFAA GAME RECORDS Rank Fisher Species 1 Alfred Dean Shark, white 2 Bob Dyer Shark, white 3 Alfred Dean Shark, white 4 Robert Dyer Shark, white 5 David Rix Shark, white 6 Arthur Prince Shark, white 7 Rolf Czabayski Shark, white 8 Jason Hewitt Shark, tiger 9 Michael Magrath Marlin, black 10 John Robinson Shark, tiger 48

APRIL 2017

Year 1959 1958 1960 1955 1994 1981 1997 2008 1973 1958

for sport the other embracing the full range of fishing options. That however is for smarter people than me.

Barra Classic Time prevented me from looking in depth at the Barra Nationals and Classic. Having said that, while they are important events, I don’t think they have the scale

Weight (kg) Lineclass (kg) 548 15 485 60 481.38 37 416 24 410 24 387.36 37 384 15 360 15 360 15 329 10

Weight (kg) 1208.38 1063.5 1063.38 850.94 840 815 699.5 694.5 654.08 645.01

Lineclass (kg) 60 60 37 24 37 37 15 60 60 60

topic, so I will include stats from both then. ABT The ABT Circuit is the closest thing we have in Australia to a true national circuit and with BREAM series especially. It should be proudly considered the unofficial peak sports body for fishing in Australia. Not that I think Steve Morgan sees it that way, but nonetheless it has played a key role in providing a post ANSA competition circuit standard. On that note though, all our tournament series are just that – tournaments. There are none of the athlete development programs and processes that define true sports (which there are to a larger degree in the US version) and until there are, I don’t see how fishing can claim to be a sport. Not that it’s unachievable, but it means taking a very different view to how people develop as fishers. Personally, I think fishing should take the karate road by separating into two disciplines; one standardised

IGFA 72% 52.9% 33.2%

The bad news is that ABT peaked in the late 2000s and hasn’t yet regained its mojo. I know in part that this is due to competing circuits coming on the scene, but also I suspect that there is an amount of natural turnover as competitors move on to other things. On the flip side, the number of fish per event is on the rise, so maybe it’s time to think about dusting off the rod and having a crack. ABT BASS Series The ABT BASS circuit is our equivalent of the Bass Master Elite series, and having run through the data, it can be evaluated in the same way. One of the ABT fishers, Carl Jocumsen, has competed in the Bass Master series, which shows that the ABT can take an athlete to the next level. Of course, as Carl has discovered, life in the next level up is a challenge of its own but one I think he will master. With 49 tournaments and $100k in winnings in the US, Carl has runs on the board. Economically, the Bassmaster elite series dwarfs the ABT with the current field alone tallying $97M in winnings to the total ABT fields $0.84M. If you compare the two on total available fishing population the US has 40.1M fishers to our estimated 3.5M. If the ABT performed somewhere near the Bassmaster on a population basis, our athletes would have taken home around $7M in winnings. The difference is the funding base. The Bassmaster Elite is syndicated to TV with a sizable audience, which in turn enables Kevin VanDam

to swagger around with his $6M. As any athlete in other sports will tell you, the bigger the audience the more you earn. Thanks to Steve Morgan I have data for the ABT Bass Prod circuit from 2004-2016, though the winnings totals on their website is up to 2015, so my analysis is only on data up to the tournament listed on the winnings page. In that period, competitors have managed 12T of bass. Those are all live weigh-ins and releases, so that’s 12T of bass that have lived to fight another day. As a slightly hilarious aside, one of the bass from Lake Somerset turned up in Melbourne post an ABT event. We know this because there has been tagging in Queensland for 30 years and Bill Sawynok had one of those “you’re joking right?” phone calls when it was reported having migrated across 2 states in a matter of days having set a new Bass speed record. Mathew Mott leads the field on the traditional athlete placings with seven 1st placings with Carl coming in second with three 1st and four 2nd placings. On the money list Carl comes out on top with $56.8k in winnings from 37 events. Carl comes in 3rd on the three measures I used to assess the Bass Master athletes ($/event, $/ kg, kg/event). Carl has a $/ kg ration of $346/kg. To compare, Kevin VanDam earns (converting to AUD) $1580/kg, which is about Carl’s average per event in the ABT. In each case, the first and second placings have been for competitors who have completed twelve events or less, whereas Carl has demonstrated the staying power with 25 top ten placings in 37 events. Carl is my pick for the best of the ABT Bass series and has earned his elevation to the next level, competing in the US. ABT Bream Series When I first heard about

the ABT BREAM series I will confess to being very underwhelmed. Bream was always a food fish, not a sportfish! Having been part of one of the BREAM events in Brisbane though, it’s clear that the BREAM fishers are as hardcore as any going around and I had to change my views. The ABT BREAM series is the equivalent of the AFL, a sport recognisable enough to have common roots to other fishing, yet it’s uniquely Australian. I am warming to the idea of cheering along for the best of our BREAM boys. As with the ABT BASS Series, I am looking at data 2004-2015. The BREAM Series is much larger than the bass series with total winnings of $1.7M. The catch is larger too, with a whopping 32.2T of bream weighed in! As it turns out, the BREAM series is about as easy to pick in terms of competitors as the bounce of an AFL football. Based on placings, Russell Babekuhl comes out on top, though in chatting to Steve, Chris Wright has nine 1st placings, a bunch coming prior to 2004. Steve Morgan comes out on top in terms of winnings with $69k. On the $/kg ratio though, Russell comes in at 17, Chris at 20 and Steve at 21. Ben Godfrey, with 21 events (ranked 17th on the placings rank) comes out on top with $353/kg. While I do consider time in the sport, the top 10 $/kg ranks are all more recent competitors, with Ben having 7 top 10 finishes in 21 events. That is a good ratio, but it’s hardly blowing

everyone away. The older, larger field may well have been harder. This is one instance where I did look at other data and my gut tells me Steve Morgan and Chris Wright are at the top. Steve has a 58% Top 10 finishes ratio, which is second only to Chris with 60%. I don’t have data prior to 2004, which makes it harder to separate the two. AUSTRALIA’S TWO NATIONAL RECORDS SYSTEMS Australia has two major National Records systems managed by ANSA (Australian National Sportfishing Association) and GFAA (Game Fishing Association of Australia). While there is overlap between the two systems in terms of target species and methods, ANSA has a wider range of tackle and species options while GFAA tends to focus on a smaller set of species and tackle. Both have Line Class systems and All Tackle, though ANSA’s All Tackle Length Only records have been much more successful. Rotten Tomatoes Scores for the Systems When you look at the two systems and the IGFA as well, their differences make it challenging to properly compare them without doing a long matrix of how many slots there are. As it happens, ANSA has the most slots available of the three if you exclude the All Tackle Systems which are relatively new. A more useful measure I believe something along

the lines of the ‘freshness’ score that is used by Rotten Tomatoes. In other words, how recently have records been achieved. On this basi,s ANSA scores worst on the tomato meter with over 67.1% of their records older than the arrival of broadband internet compared with the IGFA who have only 33.2% of their records older. There could be an argument that ANSA records ‘stand the test of time’, but that flies in the face of incontrovertible evidence from around the world that technology has enhanced the ability to find fish (while I am leaving that statement stand on its own for the moment, I will expand on it in a later article). This could be an indicator of the fishery but there is a simpler explanation, the records systems have failed to remain relevant in the internet era. The GFAA has managed to turn things around somewhat in the last few years, again thanks to women fishers, but whether that is a temporary or permanent turnaround, only time will tell. There are lessons to be had from the approach of the IGFA, but that isn’t the purpose of this article, so again it will wait for another day. ANSA National Records With that out of the road – back to the fishing achievements. When it comes to big fish, ANSA is no slouch with some serious catches both in weight and length. There is no doubt that in its prime ANSA deserved its reputation as the organisation

where all the best fishers went. As one of the kids that grew up fishing in ANSA I remember just how hard it was to compete even at the local level. In terms of species range and tactics, ANSA fishers genuinely do stand the test of time as the best of the best in the country in pretty much every area and rivalled though never fully matched the GFAA in Gamefishing. Another point worth noting is that game fish are one area where the All Tackle Length Only Division has been doing better than the GFAA who only have a couple of records in their All Tackle Length Only records. That may demonstrate that ANSA members have embraced new options a little faster. Top ANSA Fishers by Records As with the IGFA, two fishers have pulled away at the top and again it’s a male/female combination. Wayne Colling from New South Wales leads the way with 24 National Records followed by Helen Johnson from Queensland with 23. Here I am just looking at the stats, but if you want to know more, there is a complete set of records and analysis on the Crystal Bowl website. In comparing them, Helen has a wider range of tackle and species; Wayne has a bigger range of tactics and sizes. Helen has predominantly inshore species while Wayne has more offshore. Overall, I think that Wayne displays the kind of all-round ability that I think denotes the best fishers but then I do know Helen and she is not someone to go

Graph shows the number of fish per year from 2004-2016.

Graph shows the numbers of ABT competitors per year.

up against unless you bring your A game. GFAA National Records There is only one thing that you can say to a guy that lands 1.2T shark on late 1950s technology and then goes back a year late and repeats the dose with a 1T shark on lighter gear: “It’s my shout!” Alf is no longer with us, but if he was, I’d be buying. If Australia ever gets a fishing hall of fame, and I think it should, Alfred Dean would be one of my picks for sure. Robert Dyer is not far behind him with two sensational fish on 1950s technology. With the top 4 records, the 1950/60s

and reportedly harpooned a 2T Shark in 1964. If that all scares you, the biggest I have found is a 2.5T, 7m monster caught in a net in 1997. If you thought Jaws was made up, guess again. One of the things I love about the GFAA is they are hardcore. When it comes to fly, they are just as serious as when they are game fishing. Ben Knight is a legend, and 100kg of angry fish on a fly is way above my pay grade as a fisher. I think that is the best part of my job, I get to spend so much time getting to see just how many great fishers we have.

ANSA RECORDS (318 SPECIES) Class Sportfishing Gamefishing Lurecasting Fly Fishing Land Based Game All Tackle Length Only All Tackle Handline

Number Awarded 787 342 330 170 166 131 127 91

GFAA RECORDS (63 SPECIES) Class Number Awarded Saltwater 2244 Saltwater Land-based 167 Saltwater Fly 91 Freshwater 90 Freshwater Fly 11 must have been an amazing time in the game fishing scene. What is scary is that in in 2009, Chris Fischer tagged and released what was estimated to be a 2T beast off the coast of Mexico. Frank Mundus, the inspiration for the character Quint in the movie Jaws, landed a 1.5T beast in 1986

Top GFAA Fishers by Records The two top fishers by number of awards are again male/female. In this case Wayne Baldwin and Kim Bain, one of our best women fishers. As the number of records are lower and the data set a little less desriptive, it’s interesting that neither are quite the ‘stereotypical’ Game Fisher. Wayne has most of his records on Fly. Kim has more freshwater records than saltwater, though she does have a couple of notches on that belt. In terms of comparing against the IGFA top anglers, the numbers are much smaller and while both show skill and adaptability, I think the top IGFA fishers have that core focus on achieving records that takes them to the top. Kim may have progressed further if her interests had remained on records, but that didn’t happen. COMPETITIONS CAN DO MORE I will return to discuss more systems from around the world and talking about more amazing fishers, but first I want to look at what competitions can tell us about the fishery. Competitions are a rich source of data, because they are standardised methods of collecting data. They can tell us a lot about the fishery. What I hope to do achieve is to give all those smaller competitions around the country a means to examine how they can use those records sitting in filing cabinets and on spreadsheets for a greater purpose. APRIL 2017

Yellowtail Kingfish

Kiwi kingfish tactics for Aussie anglers NEW ZEALAND

Chris Firkin

In December’s issue I talked about what us kiwis do a little differently as far as trout fishing is concerned. This month we talk about our biggest asset as far as most Australian anglers

exactly that. They grow to 50kg+. Where I’m from (Whakatane) 30kg is classed as a good one and 40kg is a trophy. The largest kingfish ever caught officially in the world has come from this beautiful part of New Zealand at 52kg (two have been caught from here officially at exactly the

Land-based or shallow water rig for livebaiting for kingfish 6-8m shock leader 80lb tough trace Blow biodegradable balloon up to suitable size depending on size of live bait

15-24kg mainline

HD swivel (Not snap swivel)

3-4m of 130-200lb tough trace Important to use correct size hook depending on size of live bait

While fishing one of the Junior competitions in Whakatane, 15 year old Charlotte Knight landed this nice chunky kingy on an original Black Magic Snapper Snatcher rig. are concerned and the reason to travel across the ditch. We call them ‘hoodlums’ and they are

same weight) with fishos losing even bigger beasts every season, as they can prove a little hard to

slow down at 30kg, let alone at 50kg. The largest kingy officially caught off the rocks in NZ weighed in at 42.6kg caught by Richard Baker, while live baiting off Great Barrier Island. Kingfish can be caught consistently anywhere in NZ from the top of the South Island all the way up to the Three Kings Island group where hoodlums abound in big numbers and size. Offshore Islands like White Island in the Bay of Plenty (where the biggest kingfish has officially come from), the Aldermans, Mercury Islands group and Great Barrier off the Coromandel, further north to the Poor Knights Islands and Bay of Islands all hold good numbers of big kingfish. We are definitely spoilt for numbers, size and areas to chase them. It’s how we chase them that should interest you.

Deepwater live bait rig

15-37kg mainline depending on size of fish targeted Ball sinker 4-8oz depending on drift, current and depth Soft lumo bead between HD swivel and sinker

Heavy duty swivel only 1-2m 130lb

Deep structure 60–200m

APRIL 2017

The Coromandel Peninsula is kingy heaven for those fishing land-based or from a boat. With the numbers available, which can get a little out of hand during mid to late summer, they can become a little bit of a pain when trying to target other species like snapper, tarakihi and trevally, which we often chase in shallow water on relatively light line. Hooking a 20kg or 30kg+ king in shallow water on light line is basically a recipe for disaster. Hooking up to 11 or 12 kingies while targeting something different, the loss of gear alone starts adding up. Every once and a while, Lady Luck will be on your side, if you can get your anchor up fast enough and get on top of the fish quickly. Then your chances increase tenfold. One thing I have learnt

while fishing from the rocks for kingies is the harder you pull on them, the harder they pull on you. A smooth drag from your reel is important, as always. Play the fish smoothly and calmly without too much panic. Fighting the fish erratically won’t help your cause. SHALLOW WATER TECHNIQUES To be fair, the methods we use to chase kingfish are similar to what you Aussie anglers use, but in saying this, the bait we use when live baiting differs depending on location. More often than not, when fishing from the rocks we live bait with small kahawai (Australian salmon). They are readily available and kingfish in NZ find them irresistible.

Yellowtail Kingfish Squid are nowhere near as prevalent in NZ as they are in Australia, but we all know kingfish love them and most of the kingy fishing I have done in NSW has been trolling with live squid. When fishing from the rocks or boat in shallower water, live bait with 15-24kg line attached to a 6-8m shock leader of 80lb tough trace. Connect this to a good quality tournament swivel (not a snap swivel), knotted to 3-4m of 130-200lb tough trace or 120lb fluorocarbon preferably with, importantly, the correct size live bait hook, depending on the size of the live bait you are using at the tail section of your rig. Lastly, tie some mintflavoured dental floss to the top ring of your tournament swivel, then tie a blown up biodegradable balloon to the other end of the dental floss. The size of your balloon is dependant on the size of your live bait. You don’t want too small a balloon To page 53

2 2

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Visiting Whakatane for a weekend produced some good results for Ernie Lengyel while trialling the new Black Magic DX point hooks.

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Cast:

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Young Jake Milbank landed this kingy off Whakatane while chasing snapper in 8m of water. He couldn’t put too much drag on the fish and that’s probably the reason he caught it. The harder you pull on them, the harder they pull on you.

REEL SEAT

Check your local Samaki stockist today or visit – samaki.com.au At over 40kg, this fish was weighed on a wet sheet, tagged and released to fight another day – a scrap the author won’t forget in a hurry.

facebook.com/samakiﬁshing

instagram.com/samakiﬁshing APRIL 2017

Get a fisherman’s perspective of the new F25 with Australian fishing legend Steve ‘Starlo’ Starling. Starlo F25

Yellowtail Kingfish From page 51

GOLD COAST (SOUTH) MARINE TUNE

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GOLD COAST (NORTH)

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GOLD COAST (NORTH) STEFAN BOATING WORLD

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BRISBANE (SOUTH)

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BRISBANE (BAYSIDE) WYNNUM MARINE

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BRISBANE (NORTH) NORTHSIDE MARINE

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GLADSTONE

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MACKAY

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BOWEN

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CAIRNS

BILLS MARINE 136-138 Lyons Street, Cairns, 4870 Phone: (07) 4051 6733 Fax: (07) 4031 3080 www.billsmarine.com.au

for a 2-3kg kahawai, as the live bait will continually pull the balloon under the water and not break away as easily when that hoodlum attacks. Your balloon is there for two reasons – one is to keep your livey from tangling up with the bottom. Secondly, it’s an indicator to where your live bait is and when it is being harassed by a predator. The length of the dental floss between your balloon and swivel should be around 4-6”. WHEN FISHING DEEP A very simple and deadly technique we use when drifting live baits over deep structure is to attach a tournament swivel to our main line or shock leader with a 4-8oz ball sinker, depending on current and depth, running up the main line or shock leader. Place a small soft lumo bead between your sinker and swivel as a stopper to prevent your sinker from damaging your knot. Then tie 1.2m of 130lb tough trace to your swivel to your shorter shank live bait hook, once again making sure your hook is the correct size for the size live bait you have chosen to use. Firstly sound out an area looking for prominent signs of bait, then drift through those areas, dropping your livey to the bottom. Then once you have hit the sea floor with your sinker, very slowly wind it up a couple of metres then slowly drop it back down. Believe me when I say that you know when your bait is about to be eaten, as the livey gets a little agitated – funny that! OTHER METHODS Stickbaiting, poppering and technical jigging are all very effective and productive techniques that are no different in NZ than they are in Australia. Live baiting tends to produce bigger fish on average compared to jigging

John Taylforth tagged and released one of many kingfish caught that morning. Keeping only what you need means more for future generations. or stickbaiting. If you’re lucky enough to place your lure in the right place at the right time catching, the big one is still very possible, just not as consistent on bigger models. Why are our kingfish on average much bigger than their Australian cousins? It’s simple really – a good food source, less commercial pressure than Australia and a lot less anglers all contribute to why New Zealand has the numbers and consistently larger fish on average.

Interestingly, the largest kingfish officially caught in Australian waters was caught at Browns Mountain off NSW a long time ago. That fish weighed 52kg, the same weight as our largest ever officially caught. Most keen Australian anglers are fully aware that places like Port Augusta in South Australia also hold consistent numbers of large kingfish, but unfortunately through commercial and recreational pressure, most places class a metre long kingfish as a good one.

KARUMBA

JONES MARINE 30 Yappar Street Karumba, QLD, 4891 Phone: (07) 4745 9159 Fax: (07) 4745 9366 www.jonesmarine.com.au

Kingfish are always curious, especially when you are retrieving what they like to eat to the boat. APRIL 2017

Tackling the issue of tackle PART 2 BRISBANE

Sean Thompson

Tackle choice and preparation is a key area for critical angling success, but can be an area which is both overwhelming and generally misunderstood by many anglers. This month, we will look at what you may be doing wrong in your tackle preparation, and how you can change that to catch more fish. HOOKS One particular area where less experienced anglers have difficulty is hook choice. I’ve seen hooks that would almost catch a shark being used to try and catch whiting off the beach. I have also seen tailor with small long shank hooks and severed line still inside their mouth when I’ve caught them on gang hooks. Even regular anglers can make mistakes such as using hooks that don’t match the size of the bait or lure or the strength of the tackle they are using. The key here is that the size of your hook should match the size of the bait or lure you are using, so the hook point is exposed and not hidden in a glob of bait or lure, which makes hook ups much more difficult. Likewise, very big hooks in small baits will not only look, but also feel unnatural due to the heavier weight. For this reason, I like to use the thinnest gauge hooks possible when fishing light line. However, if fishing heavy tackle and line, small or thin gauge hooks can be straightened or torn from the fish’s mouth, so it is a case of horses for courses.

Another area many anglers don’t pay enough attention to is the condition of the hook. Some anglers will use the same hook on their line until they get broken off or the hook breaks in a fish’s mouth due to its rusty condition. Either that, or saltwater anglers might remove their hook or jighead at the end of the session and put it straight in the tackle box along with their newly purchased hooks and jigheads. Without washing the hooks in freshwater and letting them dry first, the saltwater will soon spread to their other hooks and next time they go to get a hook or jighead out of the tackle box, they will find a brown, rusted mess. Further, anglers can also wonder just why they just can’t hook a fish at times. The fish keeps biting or striking but they just can’t hook up. In this case, the hook is either too big (as noted above) or their hook is too blunt. Anglers should always check the condition of their hooks for any signs of rust or bluntness. If the hook has any signs of rust, it should be thrown away. A few cents thrown away is better than spreading rust to a whole tackle box of hooks, or missing that fish of a lifetime. I prefer to buy chemically sharpened hooks, which are extremely sharp straight out of the packet. In terms of jigheads, I will always check their sharpness by running the point of the hook down my thumbnail. If the point slides down your thumbnail under a gentle pressure, rather than digs in and catches, it means the point of the

hook is blunt and needs a sharpen. I carry a very small portable stone for such purposes, otherwise I replace the hook for a new, sharp one. Finally, an area of frustration for some anglers can be using gang hooks to rig up pilchards or garfish. Using hooks that are simply ganged together without swivels can make them stiff and hard to maneuver in the bait. I much prefer using gangs that I have pre-made with swivels in between them, or bought off the shelf. This makes rigging up pilchards a breeze. Tru-Turn hooks come pre-packaged this way and have the added advantage that the bend in the shank of the hook rotates towards the pressure point to give it a better hold. They also come in smaller hook sizes and varieties, including long shank hooks, and I use these successfully on a range of species. FISHING LINE Fishing line is the vital link between the angler and the fish. Break the link and you lose the fish – simple as that. So it is important you have a good quality line and keep it in good condition. But before you even hook up to a fish, you first need to make sure you are using the right line for your target species and the structure you are fishing. This is where your main line and also your trace are important, too. Types of line As a regular or experienced angler, it is sometimes easy to forget that we have a vocabulary all of our own, and this can make it difficult for newcomers to the sport.

A single hook that’s been in the salt can cause other hooks around it to rust if put straight back in a tackle box without being washed and dried. 54

APRIL 2017

One such area of confusion is types of fishing lines. The choice of monofilament, fluorocarbon, copolymers and braid or fused fishing lines, plus a range of styles and brands of each can make things a bit confusing. One such area is the difference between fluorocarbon leader (often shortened to fluoro leader) and fluorescent coloured line (often referred to as fluoro line). I have heard stories of people being told they need to go out and buy some fluoro leader for shallow water species such as trout and whiting, only to go and buy bright orange fluorescent coloured braid and then tie it straight to the hook. They are not on their own either, less experienced fishing friends of mine have also bought braid and tied it straight to the hook or lure, as they did not know any different. Yet another common misconception is that braided or fused line is the be-all and end-all and should be used in all fishing situations. So what then are the basic differences and uses of the main types of line and what line is best for what species? Monofilament line is made from nylon, meaning that it will stretch, which is an advantage when you want to fish for species like whiting or bream, where you want them to run and not feel too much resistance from the rod. It can also be a better option for new anglers than braid, as the stretch can help prevent a hook tearing a hole in the fish’s mouth if the drag is too tight. Other advantages are that it is cheaper and easier to manage, especially if surf or estuary fishing with Alvey reels. It’s also easier to tie knots with than braid. Copolymer lines have the advantage of a hard outer coating, and are more abrasion-resistant. They also have increased knot strength and thinner diameter. This makes them an excellent choice for fishing around structure such as rocks. Fluorocarbon lines on the other hand are made from high-grade engineering polymer and come close to the light refractive index of water, making it virtually invisible when submerged. This is a big advantage in fishing clear water. Likewise, its clear qualities are why this line should be used as a leader when fishing with braided lines that are easily seen in clear water. In fact, I use fluorocarbon leader for most of my fishing, including bait

With the correct tackle and preparation, results will follow. or lure fishing. The exception is when I’m throwing topwater poppers for fish like whiting, as fluorocarbon tends to sink and thus a heavier nylon leader is better to help these topwater lures track straight. Braided or fused line is often referred to as gel-spun line. Basically, it is a type of plastic polymer braided or fused together to produce line that is of a very thin diameter for its strength. It also has very little stretch. Some of the best applications for this line is bait fishing in deep water, casting lures and trolling lures in estuaries for some species such as flathead. Its lack of stretch means that a bite or hit is triggered straight through the line to the rod and you can react quickly. Fluorescent coloured braid has the added advantage that you can see a subtle hit registered on the line or know when the line has hit the bottom, as it goes slack. This is a huge advantage. As noted above, you then want to add a trace of fluorocarbon leader before you connect the hook or lure (about a rod length is suitable). Line strength Right up there in the biggest and most common fishing mistakes is anglers using fishing lines and traces that are too heavy. In fact, I’ve seen anglers try to catch whiting on line so thick it could almost double as whipper snipper cord! The basic rule is anglers should use the

thinnest diameter line and the lightest breaking strain you can for the style of fishing and type of fish you are targeting. Lighter, thinner lines are less obvious to the fish, and will cast further and create less drag in the surf. Looking after your line Once you have gone to all the trouble and expense of choosing the right line for your style of fishing, you want to look after it. Unfortunately, line maintenance is one area where many anglers don’t pay much attention and don’t realize the consequences until it’s too late. So to avoid these mistakes, you need to make sure of a few things. Before a trip, cut the last metre or so off your line, as it is becomes weakened from casting strain. Never store your spooled reels in the open. Sun damage will considerably reduce the life of your line and make it susceptible to breakage. Replace the line on your reels regularly, the more you fish, the more regularly you should replace the line. TRACES AND RIGS Fishing rigs are essentially your hook(s), trace, swivel(s), sinker and any other accessories like red tubing, surf poppers or flies that go on the business end of your line. They are critical pieces of equipment to not only hook the fish, but keep you attached to it. Traces The trace is a length of line that you tie on to your main line and serves two purposes. It either helps to

avoid you being bitten or broken off, or it serves to make your rig harder for the fish to see, or both, which is why fluorocarbon line is popular for trace materials. All too often I see traces that are either too short, too heavy, too thin, too worn, the wrong colour, or as noted earlier, sometimes non-existent (e.g. braid tied directly to the hook). These mistakes will all cost you fish. I’ve changed the traces on friends and their kids’ rigs when they are struggling to catch a fish and then sat back and watched them have immediate success. I always fish with the longest trace I can cast with (for most purposes), with the thinnest diameter line and strength I can get away with. Rigs One of the many things I love about fishing is going with family or friends, which can result in a few good-natured jibes over who caught the most fish. Many of my mates are very good anglers and use top gear and techniques, but time after time the difference in catch rates will come down to time in the water. At Fraser Island each year, a couple of my mates, when they lose a rig, lure or need to replace their leader on their braided line, will trudge slowly back up the beach to the 4WD, or wade through the water back onto the sand of Fraser’s flats and retie their rig or leader. By doing this, they lose valuable fishing time and it can mean they are not catching fish during a hot bite. With a bit of preparation and a couple of tackle

New anglers can be a bit daunted by the range of fishing lines available these days, but by asking staff at tackle stores, you should be able to find which line suits your needs. accessories, many anglers, could improve their catch rates. This is as simple as being mobile and carrying a number of pre-made rigs and some small tackle boxes. These rigs can be either wrapped around a pool noodle, or coiled in small snap lock bags with aluminum foil wrapped around gang hooks to avoid tangling the rigs. I use the later for my tailor rigs, with each bag marked with the size of the sinker and the strength of the trace in the snap lock bags. The rigs/ noodle then goes inside my Alvey dry pack on my bait belt, or if the noodle is too big, inside a large

snap lock bag to help keep saltwater out. I also carry line snippers for tying on a new rig while out in the water. Likewise, when lure fishing the surf, I carry a small waterproof Plano tackle box in one of the front pockets of my Alvey shoulder bag and carry a range of stickbaits/metal lures or poppers, depending on what I am targeting. Another word of caution with your rigs is don’t make the mistake of leaving the same rig on your rod session after session. They will become stretched and damaged over time and eventually break. Throw away any old rigs, only

Having accessories that allow you to re-rig and re-tie on the water minimizes the time spent mucking around and not fishing.

keeping the swivels and hooks if they are rust-free and washed free of saltwater. For lure fishing the flats, I carry an adjustable over the shoulder Lox shoulder bag that can swing around to your front for easy access. It has a number of compartments to carry spare spools of fluorocarbon trace, braid scissors, a bottle of scent, packets of lures and spare jigheads. I also rig up a few jigheads ready to go so if I lose a lure, or want to change lure. It’s simply a case of tying on the pre-rigged lure, adding some scent and getting straight back in the action! Finally, for all fishing rigs and lures, don’t make the mistake of rushing your knots on the water. I, like many others, have fallen victim to this. Take your time and tie every knot as if the next fish you hook is going to be a fish of a lifetime. Always take the time to test the knot as well. RODS AND REELS Rods When choosing a rod, one of the biggest mistakes anglers can make is purchasing what is misleadingly called a ‘general purpose rod’. Such rods are generally around 8-9ft in length and generally too short for the beach, too rigid for light line fishing in the boat or estuary and generally unsuitable for lure casting. Before you choose a rod, talk to your local tackle shop and explain the type of area you are going to use it from (e.g beach, boat etc) and species you are targeting and techniques you wish to use (lure casting, trolling, bait fishing, etc).

In very simple terms, if fishing from the surf or the shore of a large lake, longer rods are a huge advantage for longer casts. You then need to consider the type of fish you are chasing, as bigger species require heavier tackle, while smaller species require lighter tackle. Basically, without going into detail on rod materials, weight, tapers or action, a good choice is 13ft+ composite material rods for species such as tailor, salmon and mulloway, 10-11ft for whiting, bream and dart (or shorebased freshwater species in big lakes) and a shorter 9-10ft model for rivers and estuaries. However, if you are keen to throw soft plastics, metals or bibbed lures in such locations, somewhat shorter graphite rods are perfect for this task. Boat rods should be a little bit shorter, at around 6-7ft for manageability, although I will use 9-10ft long whippy rods for whiting, but these rods are cast and set in holders, not continually cast in a boat, which would soon get in your friends’ way. One final tip is look after your rod, especially the guides. Don’t make the mistake of storing your hooks or lure trebles inside the rings of the guides when transporting or storing your rods. This can damage the rings and result in abrasion to the line. Always connect your hooks below the rings and onto the metal connection of the guide. Reels An old saying in the fishing industry is that anglers should purchase the best reels they can afford. This is pretty true, although a $2000 spinning reel might not necessarily

catch you more fish than a $120 reel if you are just using it for catching light line species such as whiting, bream, flathead or freshwater trout. Sure, it might last longer and feel better to use, but provided your less expensive reel is well maintained, it won’t necessarily catch you more fish. It is when your reel is subject to continuous casting, say with lures, or the drag is battling big fish, that the better quality reel is going to win out. Either way, if you drop one or the other of these reels in the sand or saltwater, they won’t last very long unless striped down and serviced ASAP. At Fraser Island each year, I see anglers have their spinning reels splashed by waves or dunked in the surf while they lower their rod to get their fish off. This is the advantage of the Alvey reel, which is virtually indestructible in the sand and saltwater environment. If you use spinning reels in the surf (such as for casting lures), make sure you choose a deep gutter close to shore so you don’t have to wade out to deeper water and risk your reel getting soaked. Do the same with overhead reels. Apart from reels getting dunked, three big mistakes anglers can make with their reels includes incorrect drag settings, jerky drags or not having their reels spooled up correctly. It is important that anglers have a correct drag setting on their reel (about 1/3rd of the line strength). If the drag is too tight, the line can break during the fight; or if the drag is too loose, anglers can end up with a tangle or not enough pressure to hook the fish. Fishing reels with jerky drags should be serviced ASAP (or replaced) as otherwise they can and cost you fish with the line snapping under pressure. Spools should be filled to within a couple of mm from the lip of the spool to ensure maximum distance from casts. Spools that are only half-filled will give you much shorter casts due to the friction of the line against the lip of the spool when you cast. It also means you are more at risk of being ‘spooled’ by a big fish that takes all your line. On the other hand, spools that are overfilled (right to the lip or beyond) will cause the line to peel off in loops and tangle. GEAR UP! That’s a wrap for this month, but stay tuned for the final instalment of this series next month. For now, make sure your gear is maintined, looked after, and most importantly, right for the job! APRIL 2017

Consistent bottom fishing RAINBOW BEACH

Ed Falconer

We are continuing to enjoy reasonably good weather, allowing for a

few offshore trips. Bottom fishing continues to be fairly consistent, with snapper and pearl perch making up the majority of catches. We haven’t had to travel too

far to round up a great feed of fish. Large estuary cod and cobia have provided some full-on entertainment and a bit of an arm-stretching. Live bait has tricked

Coral trout start to get active in April.

these guys. Other nice reefies being caught in close are tuskfish, Moses perch and hussar. ON THE BEACH Whiting are still the prominent species being caught off the beach in the shallow drains. Out the back in the deeper water, some quality dart are on offer. GREAT SANDY STRAITS Mangrove jack are still on fire as the weather remains hot and steamy. They are being caught everywhere, from right at the boat ramp all the way into all the main creeks. I’ve had mixed reports on mud crabs, but I reckon things are fairly good considering we have had no rain. All up, April is a great month for fishing and last year we did quite a few trips with great results, especially on pearl perch and coral trout. • To enjoy a day on the water with Keely Rose Fishing Charters phone Ed Falconer 0407 146 151 or visit www. keelyrosefishingcharters .com.au.

Large cobia have provided some great action.

Reefs coming up with the goods in the bay HERVEY BAY

Scott Bradley marlin81@bigpond.com

The Fraser Coast looks extra crispy due to the lack of rain. A stark contrast to the usual lush green surroundings we enjoy at this time of year. As many old timers used to tell me when I was a kid ‘a drought on land means a drought on the water’ and it certainly seems the case with fishing all round being pretty tough lately. Even the pro anglers are

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finding it hard to catch anything and this breaks my heart no end. With little relief in sight let’s hope things change sooner rather than later. IN THE BAY Local reefs have been hit and miss but there are still fish to be caught by targeting the best tide changes with fresh or live baits. Fishing dawn, dusk and big night tide changes are favourable as you’re not baking in the midday sun and it’s far more productive. Refining terminal tackle by using lighter leaders, less lead, sharp hooks and good

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Brett Whaley with a longtail tuna. April is the month these fish shine off Hervey Bay.

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APRIL 2017

it’s a similar story but after the epic threadfin run things had to level out eventually. There are still a few threadfin and grunter getting around and there is always a chance of a barra. This month is one of the best for big longtail tuna and they can be found from Rooney’s Point right down the Sandy Straits. Often in small schools they can be hard to get a cast at when they aren’t actively feeding on bait schools. By blind casting in the area where fish have surfaced it is possible to catch those fish that are sitting deeper using plastics and slugs.

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quality bait will help tip the odds of success in your favour. Recent captures include greasy parrot, coral bream, blackall, golden trevally, juvenile snapper and the ever-reliable gold spot cod at the Arty, Moon Ledge, the Picnics and Bagimba Ledge. Our estuaries are also suffering without the injection of nutrients and bait from our rivers being flushed out and haven’t been the hive of activity we are used to. There are still a few fish kicking around with flathead, bream and whiting making up the bulk of the catch. Up the creeks

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Pelagic action has got the blood pumping HERVEY BAY

Dane Radosevic

For the mad keen pelagic anglers, Platypus Bay is the place to be this time of year and it is teeming with life. Massive congregations of bait have made their way into the bay and the predatory fish have followed suit. Longtail tuna are the main draw card at the moment. Big schools of fish have been seen working the bait balls and driving them to the surface. Paying close attention to the birds and their flight patterns will also help you get a rough idea of where the tuna are going to pop up next. Good numbers of fish have also been seen hooning down the flats on the first of the run-out tide and are very exciting sport to sight cast to in shallow water, as you watch them hone in and demolish your lure. This time of year you can

Local young gun angler Brendan Blackburn got amongst the chaotic tuna action. This fish fell victim to a well-presented ZMan 5” StreakZ in baby bass. often than not there will be less shark pressure. The queenfish population have had a strong presence throughout the entire bay, with good numbers of quality fish being caught off the rocky outcrops and headlands, around the inshore islands

lures out-fishing baits on the day. Good numbers of pelagics have been found within close vicinity of the reef. Mixed trevally, tuna and mackerel species are easy to tempt with a fast paced lure, either cast and retrieved or trolled. Across the bar has been

Logan Cummings bagged this solid 6kg coral trout on a soft plastic on a recent trip with the author. target them with a variety of different lures and techniques, as they are not only eating the smaller profile baitfish but also the big Atlantic longtom schools, which makes them very easy to tempt with a variety of different offerings. Metal slugs have been working a treat with anglers favouring the Gillies Baitfish 40g and Samaki Torpedo 35g. Fly has been another great option with white clousers and surf candies getting the bites. If you really want to get the adrenalin pumping, anglers throwing stickbaits like the Cotton Cordell Pencil Popper have been rewarded with some incredible surface strikes. Sharks are still a continual battle to get your fish past, with their numbers increasing rapidly. If sharks become an issue, rather than donating more fish to the tax man, drive away and try to locate the smaller patches of fish. More

and even the mainland. Fast paced and erratically retrieved lures draw these fish into committing to an eat. Up the island, wide of the Arch Cliffs area, there have been big numbers of fish busting the surface as they continue to gorge themselves on the masses of bait, which has made for some incredible sight fishing. For those with the capacity to venture further afield, the southern and northern gutters area has continued to fish well for the usual demersals with some XOS coral trout, cod, tuskfish, sweetlip and Spanish flag being taken on both fresh cut baits in the form of pencil squid, green prawns or mullet fillets. Live baits have been having great success, especially pike and yakka. Soft plastics and microjigs have continued to account for some great captures with anglers reporting the artificial

fishing well. Anglers deep dropping have been rewarded with full strings of pearl perch, snapper and rosy jobfish. Fresh pencil squid have been the bait of choice with rigs running lumo tubing and squid skirts receiving the greatest attention. If you’re keen on getting your arms stretched, deep water jigging has been rewarding anglers with quality amberjack and some mind blowing bust-offs. Working flutter jigs and knife jigs in the 150-250g range in 80-120m of water has produced quality captures, with the shark numbers dropping off the deeper you move. For the heavy tackle anglers, blue marlin are still around and are being raised in the 100-300m mark. They have been a little tentative, often just billing the lure or tracking it for a while. Moving inshore, the MBS and Fairway beacons have

been quite popular with good numbers of queenfish, golden trevally and school mackerel being caught. Metal spoons like the 35g Flashas or live baits have been rewarding anglers with some line burning action. A little reminder to those anchoring around the beacon, anchor well up current and fish back onto the beacon. This will account for far better results than anchoring right on top of it. The inshore reefs have continued to produce quality table fish. The coral bream are in plague proportions, cod are thick and some quality coral trout are in the mix. Fresh baits have been working best with firmer baits like pencil squid, hardiheads, mullet fillets and cubed pike helping to fill an esky. Trolling hardbody lures has continued to be a very effective technique and the 3-4m mark produces great captures. Lightly weighted soft plastics worked erratically over the shallow reef flats have also been working well. Black-spot tuskfish or ‘blueys’ as the locals call them, have been a semi-regular capture for

those anglers fishing with crab baits. The odd fish up to 20lb has been reported and there are plenty of smaller models. Don’t forget your squid jigs, as pencil squid are still being caught in good numbers over the sand patches in the main channel passages with the deeper water fishing best. The Yamashita 1.5 jigs have been the standout, yielding the greatest numbers. Moving further down the Great Sandy Straits, the various river and creek systems have been fishing well for quality grunter, which have been taken on live yabbies and small river herring. Otherwise, soft plastics like the ZMan 2.5” GrubZ in bloodworm are local favourites worked tight to the bottom. Best numbers of fish have come from deeper holes and gravel patches located on or near bends within the system on the run-out tide. In close proximity, threadfin salmon have been caught working the drains on the last of the run-out tide with small vibes and shallow diving hardbodies like the Bomber 14A being a go-to lure. Lake Lenthalls has been fishing better than ever with

good numbers of bass and barramundi being caught on the cast. Bass over 50cm and barra up to the magic metre have graced anglers’ decks. Topwater has been an exciting option during the low light periods of dawn and dusk with the Bagley Finger Mullet in natural mullet colour received plenty of attention. Once the sun is up anglers have been opting to go sub-surface to weedless rigged paddle-tail soft plastics and shallow diving suspending hardbodies. Wind blown bays and points with structures in the forms of lilies or timber are the main targeted areas. Once again Hervey Bay has turned it on for the month. The bay is full of life and many happy anglers with some awe-inspiring photos and fishing tales. Fingers-crossed we see this incredible fishing roll over into next month. • This report was compiled by the team at Fishermans Corner in Hervey Bay. For more information on what’s biting, where and how to catch them on the fantastic Fraser Coast, drop in and see the crew at Fishermans Corner 59 Torquay Road, Hervey Bay, or give them a call on (07) 4128 1022.

The author with a mid 80s model barra taken on a Bagley Finger Mullet fished parallel to a lilypad bank early in the morning.

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Various trevally species are playing the game FRASER COAST

Phil James p_j_james@bigpond.com

Recently, my wife and I spent a very enjoyable week on Norfolk Island. Just about everyone we know had already been over there, so we thought it better be our turn. In case you’re wondering, I didn’t take any fishing gear, the result of a most prudent decision to do just the tourist things. The week turned out to be jam packed with exploring the island’s beauty, catching up with lots of history and socialising with new friends. This didn’t stop me checking out the fishing scene, even drooling over some of the great looking opportunities around this rocky island. On one of our visits to the Kingston Harbour area, we saw a couple of anglers fishing from the wharf. In the short time there, we saw no action. From what I learned through conversations with locals, fishing from the few accessible beaches and the rocks can be rewarding with tuna, kingfish, reef fish and a range of trevally species. Most of the island’s rocky coastline is inaccessible.

There are stories of keen anglers meeting their deaths at some of the well-known headlands. Had I been able to sneak some fishing gear into my kit I would have loved to have worked some plastics around the rocks from the beach at Cemetery Bay or from the Kingston Wharf. The island’s other wharf at Cascade is currently a busy work site where extensions are being built to improve Norfolk’s accessibility for passengers and freight. Most of Norfolk’s fishing activity is offshore where local boats work the pinnacles several kilometres from the island. Fortunately I was able to check out the catch of such a boat while fish were filleted on the sea wall. I had heard of trumpeter, a delicacy served up at island fish and chip shops and restaurants. At the harbour, the catch of fish turned out to be our red-throat emperor. No wonder it was treated as a delicacy on the island. Enough of that tiny piece of Australia in the middle of the Pacific Ocean! Back at the Fraser Coast, we have been experiencing the hottest and driest couple of months on record. Normally we would have expected to be at the end

This tea leaf trevally was taken on a 30g micro-jig west of Arch Cliff. of our wet season, but it hasn’t even begun. Just how much this affects our fishing is yet to be revealed. The systems that have served up this weather have also been responsible for strong winds from the north, and also most recently, southeasterlies that at least make it possible to visit the northern parts of the bay. In Platypus Bay and further north, the surface action has

To page 59

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Hervey Bay’s inshore reefs have continued to produce good catches, with the shallows out-performing the deeper ledges and holes. Blackall, grass sweetlip, and black-spot tuskfish continue to be cooperative. Coral trout are also falling to live herrings and trolled hardbodies. There has been quite an influx of small sea perches like Moses perch and stripies. We had a bit of

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been frantic with mac tuna, longtails and spotted mackerel searching out the baitfish schools that are moving in. According to local offshore anglers, you don’t need to be too fussy about the metal or plastic chosen, as these fish are hitting just about anything that moves. The scattered low reefs of the northern bay are producing some scarlets, many species of trevally and just a few small snapper.

a scare back in December when the unwelcome salmon catfish put in an appearance at the northern end of Woody Island. Thankfully they appear to have moved on with no catches reported recently. We can now expect to see surface action continuing, depending on the movement of baitfish. The shallow reefs should continue to fish well into early May when water temperatures are expected to start dropping. With their annual spawning season getting closer, bream will now be feeding ravenously. The walls of the Urangan Boat Harbour will be worth checking out. At River Heads and upstream in the Mary and Susan rivers, barramundi anglers have been out in force since the season opened. Reports coming in have not been record breaking. Possibly the drought and heat conditions have contributed to this. Threadfin salmon are still being taken, particularly by anglers using live baits. Jacks have been quiet in the river while the island and mainland creeks south of River Heads have been turning on a few fish.

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Every species is biting well around Bundaberg BUNDABERG

Jason Medcalf topwater@bigpond.com

Last month was still hot and dry, but there was a distinct slight cooling in the early mornings and in the evenings. The water temperature really didn’t drop much, which is supposed to happen in March, but I expect April will see the start of cooler times ahead. The fishing has been on fire with just about every species of fish on the chew. Offshore there have been great catches of coral trout, sweetlip, cod, hussar and tuskfish. These fish have mostly been caught on bait, with fresh flesh baits being the most successful. There has also been a lot of pelagic activity with different species of tuna and mackerel turning up wherever the bait is. There have been nice Spanish mackerel taken on trolled lures and live baits and this should continue this month. In the Burnett we’ve had very little rain, so the river has been clean for a long time. This has meant plenty of fish pushing up into the town

reach. Barramundi, mangrove jack and grunter seem to be on the hit list amongst the keener anglers. Night fishing the river with live baits and big vibes has been producing quality fish. Watching your fish finder looking for those schools of prawns and bait is the key to tangling with better quality fish at night. There have been a few big river whalers hunting at night as well stealing some nice fish and giving anglers a bit of a shock. During April, little will change unless we get some much-needed rain or a dramatic temperature drop. It doesn’t look like that will happen. At the mouth of the river, while it’s so clean, the pelagics have been hunting in close. Now’s a great time for smaller boats to tangle with some big fish. Floating a live bait around the navigational markers can have you hooked up to just about anything at this time of year. Big tuna, trevally, mackerel and some big toothy critters will hunt the mouth in April. If you need live bait, just outside of the boat harbour entrance always has schools of bait hiding from

the current stationed there, just be careful of the rocks on the bottom. THE BAFFLE April on the Baffle is a great month with fish moving up and downstream hunting

mouth has been producing a few barramundi on live baits and spear guns, but I expect there won’t be many left soon to target. There are schools of trevally and queenfish

Rob Howell

It has been a great start to autumn, with our metreplus barra starting to fire up once again. April and May at Lake Monduran typically produce extended and multiple bite times on barra of all sizes. This is because Monduran barra feed more aggressively in autumn to accumulate fat stores to get them through the cooler months. And the bite doesn’t stop there. June, July and August can also provide good bite sessions, depending on the wind and temperature. If we have a mild winter and the wind is stable from one direction, there’s every chance these winter months From page 58

On Fraser Island’s beaches, there hasn’t been much to get excited about. Again, the abnormal conditions might be contributing to this. Dart and a few whiting and bream are being taken, particularly during early morning and very late afternoon. Hopefully this month will see temperatures and conditions easing back to what we might expect. Of course, the first weeks will

vibes or trolling a few lures up and down the rocks. Just remember to hang on – there have been some big jacks caught this time of the year.

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Flathead will start moving more as the water temperature cools. the prawns. There is still a bit of fresh water high up in the creek and this attracts a lot of fish, as they love to transition between the two to get rid of lice and other bugs. The

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Barra putting on condition LAKE MONDURAN

the water should get you into some fun. The mangrove jack will be moving around so check the deeper rock bars and holes and try jigging

will fish just as well as the warmer months. LURES When it comes to soft plastics, the stand-outs have been ZMan 4” and 6” SwimmerZ, Happy Rock Big Willies, Zerek Flat Shads and the Squidgy Pro range plastics worked with a dead slow roll. Soft vibes such as Transams and Zerek Fish Traps have had a great deal of success at Monduran over the past few years. They are best used when you see good numbers of barra on your sounder passing beneath your boat. Just freespool your line and let your vibe hit the bottom (you should be in 2-4m of water) then jig your vibe with one or two upward jerks and let your lure hit the bottom again. Repeat the process and hang on!

A few hardbodies have dominated the scene here over the past six years, and one of them is the Hank Tune Jackall Smash Minnow, and its little brother the Squirrel. They have a very tight, vibrating action when retrieved on a dead slow roll. Rapala X-Raps have been getting outstanding results as well. SPONSOR A BARRA As part of the Sponsor A Barra program, we offer any angler or holidaymaker who visits Monduran the opportunity to purchase their own tagged barra. In March last year, we released 120 tagged barra from 150-180mm, and one has just been re-caught at 590mm long. It’s the first tagged fish on record at this impoundment to be re-caught, which confirms what we had always thought – that these fish when released, given the

right conditions, will reach legal size in a year. If you’d like to purchase your own tagged barra for a small cost of $20, just contact our helpful staff at Lake Monduran Holiday Park, or you can get in touch with Julie Whalley on the Sponsor A Barra Facebook Page. We also offer Brag Mats and customised shirts, with all profits going to restocking the lake. • Our team here at Lake Monduran look forward to seeing you in the near future for some barra action. For Charter, houseboat and accommodation bookings please contact us email info@ lakem.com.au or call us on (07) 4157 3881 or my mobile 0410 599 147. Check out my facebook page for up to date barra info, Lake Monduran Guidelines Fishing Charters.

see an influx of visitors in Hervey Bay and on Fraser Island during the school holidays, and particularly over the Easter period when the island’s beaches experience what is probably their busiest period. Hopefully we don’t see any hoons trying to draw attention to themselves as they drive the beaches and tracks. You can be sure that there will be no shortage of police on the beaches and on the inland tracks. I have had plenty to say about

Fraser Island dingos and I won’t go into that again now, except to encourage visitors to read and observe all the information about them in your permit brochures. Given the weather that we might expect at this time of the year, the beaches should start producing plenty of dart, whiting, bream, tarwhine and flathead. Although the spawning tailor season is still months away, anglers are still likely to see the

odd chopper tailor. On the island’s western beach, there will be plenty of camps at Woralie, Bowarady and Awinya creeks. The only access is now the Woralie and Awinya tracks, leaving the ocean beach north of the Maheno. The Happy Valley to Moon Point track continues to be closed. With predominantly southeasterly winds at this time of the year, these beaches should produce plenty of whiting, bream and flathead.

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Loving the Net Free Zone ROCKHAMPTON

Clayton Nicholls clay94_fishing@live.com.au

This is a great time of year to target every species you could possibly think of finding in Central Queensland. Everything is pretty active. A lot of the freshwater feeder creeks are dried up or running low due to the severe lack of rain in the region over summer. With the heat brings high water temperatures, making predatory fish very active. The longer the water temperature stays a little higher, the easier it will be to fish. FITZROY AND THE NARROWS The river has been fishing well with plenty of 70cm barra being pulled in. There have been many people smashing their first metre-mark barra, and a few reports of 130cm fish. A recent report, marking one year since the net free zones have been in place, has shown that the catch rate for barramundi has improved well over 100%, with the average size of the fish sky rocketing also. These results are a huge win for the region. A lot of the barra have been pulled within the city reaches all the way down

to Devils Elbow, but the bigger ones have been more common down at the Port, Narrows and Thompson Point areas. As usual for this time of year, many barra are being captured moving up into the areas they can’t normally get to on low tide. Some land-based anglers have been choosing to run live perch for their barra, which is a very effective bait. It is not uncommon to pick up threadies and sharks this way too. Unfortunately, it is slim pickings for perch at the moment as the majority of areas they normally reside in have dried up due to the lack of rain. This means there has been no recruitment in the area and there are no fish to be found. The barra and threadfin

are in high numbers, but note that as the months get colder fish will move a little deeper so you might have hunt for them a little more. Anglers are having success landing barra with lures while trolling in 6-8ft of water using natural colours like herring and mullet. Diving sizes that have been working well are anything in the 2-5ft range. Generally, lures work well placed 20-30m behind the boat and trolled at around 4knots. If casting lures is more your style, some great fish have been pulled using hard body vibes cast into structure along the banks. RIVERS AND CREEKS Local creeks leading into the river are still trickling with fresh water runoff. If you can find where

Connor Duffy with a trophy red emperor pinned on two 80 Gamakatsu Octopus hooks snell rigged with a flesh bait.

This average, timber-dwelling barra fell victim to a 75mm Atomic Shiner. this water meets the tidal saltwater you are in for some brilliant fishing. The most predominant fish you’ll find in the rivers are barramundi. Flicking around 5-7cm hardbody lures or live baiting are the more productive ways of fishing these areas. Along with barra, many other saltwater species such as bream and flathead will be sitting up the back of the saltwater creeks readily available to target. FRESHWATER LAGOONS The lack of rain has made fishing freshwater areas a little more difficult but people are still having success, you just need to work a little harder to find good grounds. Common areas such as the bridges in the Woolwash Lagoon have been heavily fished and

are not holding as many fish as normal, but this will change if we get a decent dose of rain. Taking a walk along the bank and having a crack at the lilies and fallen trees is finding success, especially with small plastics and hardbodies. In this case we found the SX-40, Pointer 48 and 3” GrubZ were bringing in the goods as they closely matched the smaller bait hanging in these areas. CRABBING Crabbing has had mixed reports lately. Some people are getting heaps and others getting a few but not many have come into the shop with poor results. The common bait at the moment is still mullet heads in a pack but if you can get a hold of reef frames, these work very, very well.

KEEP THE #LOVINGMYNFZ GOING We all love to post our fishing pictures to social media but did you know you can help keep the nets out once and for all. Every picture you post online from the region make sure you add the tag ‘#lovingmyNFZ’. This helps everyone keep track of the positive impact the net free zones are having, and hopefully we’ll see more put in place along the coast. The NFZs are not just for barra, they keep all commercial nets out of the specified areas. This means that they aren’t taking mullet, mackerel and a whole swag of other species that are normally netted, leaving more fish for recreational anglers.

Stanage Bay is welcoming to autumn visitors STANAGE BAY

Von Ireland

Turtles are just about at the end of their season on the local beaches and islands, thus moving the tiger sharks to deeper water. The tiger sharks like munching on the young defenceless turtles. Usually by April, it is safe to swim again. Not

condition as last month. Once again, the property Couti Outi, which is north of the Shoalwater Bay army training turn off, is full of corrugation and potholes. Please, slow down. While there have been patches of light rain on the road, we have still had nothing at the township of Stanage or in the waterways around Stanage. The muddies made their usual show on the last set

for keen fishers who work the tide changes to their full advantage using live bait, soft plastics and hardbody lures. You can expect to hook barra, golden snapper,

grunter, bream, cod, flathead and whiting in the estuaries at this time of year. I haven’t heard of anybody fishing the grunter hole at low tide this year, which is

Stanage Bay is renowned for monster muddies like these.

Big barra can be caught in the estuaries this month. sure where some people get their information on the shark decline. Obviously they have never visited Stanage waterways to fish. The road has stayed basically in the same 60

APRIL 2017

of tides. Please do what the local pros do and only take full, bigger than legal size muddies. Patience will win, and leave you with the monster muddies that Stanage Bay is renowned for. The estuary is fantastic

The author with a great coral trout.

very strange. Maybe it’s too hot for the tinnies. Last time I fished there was plenty in the water, until we caught them. The Heavy Pro Pots, which were designed and born here at Plumtree, are still available with good crab pot bait. On the islands and reef, keep within the limits of your boat when it comes to weather – safety is always a winner. The worse the weather and the smaller the boat, the closer you should fish. Keep this in mind when you go out. While it may be calm when you leave the boat ramp, a change in the weather can put you in

danger before the return trip, some hours later. Thirsty Sound QF24 Coastguard is one of the most reliable, if not the best regular radio channel operated in Australia. VHF radio, channel 81 is tuned in 365 days a year from 6.30am to 9.30pm, before switching over to emergency channel 16 for the night. Make sure to log in before leaving and don’t forget to log back out upon arrival at the Plumtree Boat Ramp. Bear in mind, 81 one is not a chat channel. Ask the To page 61

Hit and miss weather windows GLADSTONE

Liam Jones

The weather gods finally started to play nice and we had a few decent breaks in the normal constant blow throughout March. Those that were lucky enough to get out were rewarded with great

Stickbaits over the shallows have once again been producing big trout, redthroat, cod, GTs and Spanish mackerel. Westin Swims, Maria Loaded, Shimano Ocea Pencils, Nomad Madscads and Riptides have been doing the damage. Red emperor have been hit and miss recently, which

time when the conditions suit a little better. The highlight of the trip was a solid coral trout and tomato rockcod on slow pitch jigs in 70m of water.

The Calliope and Boyne rivers have been fishing well, with a lot of smaller fish being landed from the both. The Narrows on the neaps has been firing as per usual.

One of the few reds that were landed on a recent trip. It’s the reason the author’s camera now lives on the bottom of the ocean!

Cortney Meiers with his PB 123cm barra landed in the Gladstone marina.

This tomato cod was pulled from an isolated bommie on a slow fall 60g Yakamito Spirit jig. catches of redthroat emperor, which have been in plague proportions over the past few months. Even the closer, more pressured reefs have been producing solid fish in good numbers. The boats that have been heading wider to Habberfield, Broomfield, Sykes and Wistari have been scoring bigger numbers and better size fish with a little more variation thrown into the esky. Trout have been biting hard in all depths of water, from only a couple metres deep right out to the 100m line. Maori cod seem to be everywhere at the moment, with just about everyone I’m speaking to landing a few every trip. Traditionally, if you land a few of these guys you’re on good ground that isn’t very pressured. Lately they seem to be popping up everywhere. From page 60

coastguard radio operator which channel is best from boat to boat. When you are having beers on land, see how good your mates are with the phonetic alphabet, just in case you have to spell your boat name over the radio. Keep those cameras on your phones charged, for the pics will be worth sending at the boat ramp, where 99.9% of the time you will get Telstra service. You might have to walk around a bit to find it though. Your pictures may include beaut legal species of coastal trout, grassy sweetlip, red emperor, nannygai, mackerel, trevally, snapper, parrot and cobia. You can also see the many local fish on www.justfishingstanage. com, if catching them is

isn’t unusual for this time of year. Anglers that did manage good catches were generally in the deeper water around 60-70m and closer to the new moon. On a recent trip out wide we planned to spend the day fishing the deeper water for reds. Unfortunately, a 15 knot westerly and a big run made that a little more difficult than expected. We still managed to bag a few and mark some exciting new ground for next

The low light period would have been when I decided to jump overboard to get some good underwater shots of a nice red only to see my wrist strap break on the camera and watch it plummet 70m to the bottom. So there’s no underwater shot in this month’s write up! In the estuaries, barra are still feeding well. Reports of 10 in a session haven’t been uncommon. There have been some really big fish in amongst those catches. One of the biggest for the season came from the Gladstone Marina. Cortney Meiers landed his PB at 123cm only a stone’s throw from the shop, which is great to see.

Sam Roberts with a nice trout taken in 70m of water on a Yakamito Rager jig. not enough for your appetite. Until next month, take the time to smell the fish and keep those rods wet. • If you need a lure that fishes and crabs well, be sure to call into the tackle shop in the boatyard and talk to Von or Tony. Pub

talk is always good for humour, although not always accurate. Use dead bait, ice, hooks and sinkers from local shops, where you will also get the best local knowledge waiting for you here at Stanage Bay. • Don’t miss out on

Plenty of grunter, jacks, golden snapper and barra have been reported. In the harbour the mulloway are still thick

around 50-60cm. Topwater is fishing extremely well at the moment with the Storm Arashi Topwalkers doing the damage. When the fish are sitting deeper, deep diving hardbodies like the Yakamito Sirens are working well and bigger plastics like Happy Rock Softies, Castaics and Lunker Citys stand out.

Jackson Boric with a Narrows blue salmon that fell to slowly hopped soft vibe. when conditions allow. The top and bottom of the tide when the run slows is the best time. Good fresh squid or cuttlefish seem to be the standout baits, and use good quality gear. The last thing you want when fighting one of these brutes is gear failure. The dam is fishing well for smaller fish. The odd bigger barra is popping up. At the moment the standard seems to be the amazing fishing and crabbing at Stanage Bay! Call us at Stanage Bay Marine & Accommodation on (07) 4937 3145, check out www.stanagebay.com, email stanagebaymarine@ bigpond.com or look us up on Facebook.

The crabs are still very hit and miss. There’s the odd report of a good feed coming back. Most of the time it’s one or two a trip. Until we get some decent rain, don’t expect this to change. Most of the crabs that have been getting around have been pretty poor quality. When they’re not full they taste ordinary and it’s not worth the effort to get the meat out of them. Do yourself a favour and let them go until they full up. • For more information on what’s biting, or to stock up with all the tackle and bait you need, drop into LJ’s Compleat Angler Gladstone at the Gladstone Marina on Bryan Jordan Drive. You can also check out the latest news, photos and specials at Facebook Compleat Angler Gladstone.

Karl Hunter with his first ever golden snapper, taken on a Jackall Transam.

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Barramundi in cool waters MACKAY

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Although officially Autumn began on 1 March, our hot, humid wet season really doesn’t start to cool off until April, and of course that change of seasons and conditions heralds in new angling challenges and opportunities. Barra are still very much on the menu throughout April, despite cooler conditions. There are plenty on the chew both in the saltwater and up in the fresh, whether in our wonderful dams or in the Pioneer River itself. As the month draws to a close, barra will be tougher to catch, particularly in the dams. In past years they have stayed fairly predictable through to June. As the weather cools off, look for barra in the warmer water on days where the wind drops off. Fish in the saltwater over sand bars on a rising tide. This is a good ploy, as the barra will chase baitfish up into the warmer waters, often with barely enough water to cover their backs. Where there is an old log or other snag up on the sand, that’s a good spot for bait to shelter and for barra to go hunting for a feed. An awesome bait in these situations is live whiting. Any lure/fly that is a reasonable imitation has a good chance of getting hammered. These spots are ideal for working shallow divers, unweighted plastics or flies on a floating line. Light colours, some flash and slightly darker topsides will all give a good imitation of a small whiting. Plenty of movement when working the lure or fly will mimic the stop-start darting actions

Mackay’s dams are thick with barra, and Geoff Newby was very pleased with this healthy fish taken slow rolling a black and gold Squidgy out from a small point. of a small whiting and also send out plenty of vibrations for the barra or any other predator to pick up on. Working lures or baits in these areas will also produce plenty of good size flathead lying in wait for prey. Check out some of these spots at low tide and the flathead lies will be plain to see, and a return on the next high tide should see success for the angler. There’s no need to change lures/baits or tactics if targeting the flatties, as they readily take plastics, vibes, minnows and flies as well as any live or fresh bait they can get in their gob. Don’t be at all surprised during April and the cooler months to hook into reasonably sized queenfish mooching around the estuaries and creeks. Throw in some smallish trevally and there is variety for the creek angler. These speedsters and the resident tarpon always give a good account of themselves and

are great fun to catch even as an incidental by-catch. The bread and butter species like bream, whiting and estuary cod are all prominent in our creeks and estuaries, with whiting also common along our many beautiful beaches. Beach worms, fresh yabbies, small prawns or slivers of squid will also produce results on these tasty fish. If fishing the beaches, work the incoming tide and move up with the tide. Most of our beaches are fairly flat with small gutters running through them and with our tidal ranges and flats, there is plenty of walking and fishing to be had. Good places to start for visitors would be the Town and Far beaches and those around Seaforth in the net free zone, and make sure you call into the local tackle stores for the latest info. Through April the mud crabs should also continue the good run we had during the summer. Although the

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A U S T R A L I A

APRIL 2017

Phone: 0410 173 060 basscataustralia@gmail.com

More and more juvenile Maori wrasse like this one Karen Richardson is about to release are showing up around the inshore islands. These fish have to be released as they are a no-take species.

rains have been patchy, there has been enough in most systems to give them a good flush and get the muddies on the move. Watch the sizes though, as there have been plenty of undersize ones around. For anglers from NSW, remember that females are a no take in Queensland. As always, the offshore scene will be very weather dependant. On those calm days there has been a lot of reef fish activity. Coral trout around the islands have been going off, with most action being found in shallow water less than 5m deep. This type of fishing calls for a quiet approach. Roaring up with an outboard and then hurling over an anchor and chain will almost guarantee zero catches. Instead, try either drifting into position or use an electric, and gently lower the anchor over the side to lessen the chances of spooking the fish. A little berley won’t hurt your chances either. Out in the deeper waters like the shipping channel, there have been great numbers of red fish coming aboard. Red emperor, red throats, large and smallmouth nannies have been the main catches, with the odd Maori wrasse and yellow lippers thrown in for good measure. The wrasse seem to be increasing in numbers due to the ban on keeping them. That’s good to see. A large wrasse is one very impressive fish and it must be released. Lately there have been reported catches of smaller wrasse at the close in islands, so hopefully juveniles are more common too. The freshwater scene is also very healthy this month with all three of our dams showing good numbers and sizes of barra. Recently, I heard of two barra from Teemburra Dam going over the 120cm mark. They are impressive fish in anyone’s

book. Teemburra also received a boost of 5000 barra between 260 and 300mm during March and Kinchant had a stocking of 2000 similar size barra. As the water cools off and the winds swing southeasterly, the barra in the dams will be starting to move around looking for comfort zones, which are areas of slightly higher water temperatures. At times they will be right up in the shallows and will look for the baitfish on the windblown side of the dams. The bony bream will be in these areas and the barra won’t be far away. Recent catches in Eungella Dam have shown numbers of fish over 50cm with the most common size range between 40-50cm. These are impressive sooties and combined with Eungella’s heavy timbered areas, they will present plenty of challenges for anglers. Sooties are also in good numbers along the rocky foreshores opposite the camping/MAFSA control area and the old quarry walls. These spots are readily accessible for the smallest of boats. The big news on the freshwater front for April is the running of the Maverick Equipment Hire 12th Annual World Sooty Championship

at Eungella Dam from 29-30 April. Nominations opened in March and the tournament is capped at 100 anglers. Anyone wanting to enter should go online ASAP. You can follow links from MAFSA’s Facebook site.

In the past the competition has attracted anglers from as far afield as Dubbo in NSW and it is renowned as a friendly competition with a very sociable Saturday night. Thanks to Maverick Equipment Hire

be the last of the 2016/2017 successful breeding season. MAFSA members have already released the first of the estimated 250,000 sooty fingerlings bred in the hatchery into Teemburra Dam and further stockings

Luke Barnes worked his lure near a gully mouth and caught this lovely saltwater barra. Check out the gully and snag over his shoulder. The competition is MAFSA’s major fundraiser and gives away cash and prizes in excess of $10,000 to lucky winners. The money raised from the event is used for purchasing fingerlings for further stocking in the Mackay area.

for again signing on as the major sponsor for the event. Remember to support the businesses that have demonstrated their support for recreational fishing. At the event, MAFSA will be releasing more fingerlings into the dam, and they will

will be made into Eungella Dam early this month. Currently, the Mackay area has plenty of options to offer both locals and visitors alike, so why not take advantage of the cooler weather and head up to paradise?

Matthew Wright with an awesome 3kg snapper caught from Mooloolaba.

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Tech Tricks

Fitting a bilge pump will save you loads of effort BRISBANE

Gordon Macdonald masterbaitertackle@hotmail.com

We all know that boats float, unless they are full of water, that is. Water can enter your boat in many different ways. Obviously

if you forget to put your bungs in or they’re not tight enough water will pour or trickle in. During rough conditions, spray and even waves can splash over the side, especially in small tinnies that don’t have much freeboard. Torrential or heavy rain

can put enough water into your small boat to possibly stop it getting onto the plane, which can be annoying and even dangerous, especially if you are on an extended trip. A small leak from a crack in your tinny or the silicone perishing around your bungs could not only ruin your trip,

it could cost you your boat or your life in the wrong situation. Having a bilge pump in your craft makes the exercise of getting water out as simple as flicking a switch. I was cast netting for prawns earlier in the year when I realised I definitely needed a bilge pump in my

For tools, you will require a drill, a 12mm drill bit and a smaller 3-5mm bit, wire strippers (or a small knife to cut the coating off the wire cable), a medium sized flat blade screwdriver, a crimping tool and a lighter or heat gun. To cut the hole for your skin fitting (around 20mm depending on brand) you will need a hole saw attachment for your drill. These are relatively inexpensive, but you could also use a small drill bit to make multiple holes around the edge of your cut-out and then punch the piece out and clean up with a file.

out. Had I not been able to get back to the ramp, the only other option would be to lift up the floor and bail the water out, which would have taken some time. I decided I needed to fit a bilge pump before my next trip. Let’s see how easy it is to install a bilge pump in the average tinny.

You will need a quality bilge pump of at least 250GPH (this is a 500GPH pump with 19mm outlet for faster drainage), two stainless steel hose clamps, around 1.5m of 3/4” spiral bilge hose, some fly screen (enough to cover the pump), a 19mm 90° skin fitting, enough wiring to go from the pump to your battery, two electrical wire joiners (or crimps and heat shrink), some hot-melt glue, an inline switch and a few large zippy ties.

3.95m vee-nose tinny. The amount of water coming in with the net was surprising and one day, in combination with a heavy and sudden storm, water was lapping the false floor. It was a slow trip back to the ramp to put it back on the trailer and drain the litres

Attach your spiral bilge hose to the skin fitting and then secure with a stainless steel hose clamp.

Although not a requirement, covering the bilge pump with fly screen to stop debris getting into the pump is a brilliant plan. Braided line and fine monofilament offcuts are a particular problem and can wrap around the pump impellor, eventually seizing it and causing the pump to burn out. A bilge pump can catch fire, which is not good this close to the fuel tank. Secure the bilge pump in place with just the wires protruding out the top of the mesh. Zip ties work better than screws or bolts, as they allow you to easily remove the pump for cleaning if necessary.

Put the skin fitting in the hole and then tighten the external nut. You can add silicone if you wish, but you might like to be able to remove the pipe easily in case there’s a blockage, so just tighten it if that’s the case.

I chose a simple switch to install in a position reachable from the rear seat. Mounting for this will vary depending on the type of switch and the mounting position. This one is going on the transom corner plates. Drill a hole just big enough for the switch in the edge of the plate.

The bilge pump needs to be at the rear of the tinny, as this is generally the lowest point and where all the water will pool as you propel. Work out where you want your outlet to be. It’s generally at the transom or rear side just below the gunnel. Mark the spot where the hole needs to be cut with a marker.

Run the pipe to the position of your bilge pump. This one fitted flush down the side and along the floor and was perfectly held in place by the support for the rear fuel rack.

The switch goes in-line on the positive wire. Join the positive of the bilge pump wire to one terminal and the positive of the wire going to the battery to the other terminal on the switch. The negative of the switch wire and the negative of the battery wire are joined directly to each other with a wire joiner or with an aluminium crimp, hot melt glue and heat shrink. Hot melt glue around the joins of the terminals and positive wires will prevent corrosion and secure them in place.

Put the hole saw attachment into your drill and then cut the hole for the skin fitting. You can clean up the edges of the hole with a file if you wish. 64

APRIL 2017

Work out exactly where you want your bilge pump to sit (close to your bungs is good). Cut the bilge tube to length, slide your hose clamp on the tube, attach to the pump and then tighten the hose clamp.

Push the switch in from the rear of the hole and secure with the nut. Use zip ties to secure the wire from the switch to the pump into a position where they will not be obtrusive. Run the wire from the switch to the battery and attach the negative and positive wires to the appropriate terminals. Flick the switch to ensure that all is working, but don’t run your pump for more than a few seconds without water flowing through it, as you will eventually burn it out. Do periodic checks on the pump (when you are washing the boat and have some water in it) to ensure it is going to work when needed.

What to do when the spawn is in the boat BRISBANE

The Sheik of the Creek

Just about every fishing magazine I pick up to read through will have a column trying to give me a guilty conscience about how I’ve got to take my kids fishing. If I don’t take my kids fishing, apparently, I should be taken up before the UN Human Rights Commission for breaching their inalienable rights to proper exposure to quality recreational facilities. That’s the kid’s rights, not the UN Human Rights Commission’s rights. Right? Anyway, according to the article, if you don’t take the kids out every time you go fishing they’ll become axe murderers or NSW supporters or something. It’s your duty as a parent to entertain the little buggers. And they make it sound so easy. And to make it even easier, most of these articles will give you lists of the things that you can take along on your fun time. I would like to add some notes to their notes for those of you who are new to taking kids out on trips to make it easier for you to survive. Forget about

having fun. Taking kids is about getting you, and more importantly them, to the end of the day. Take some food, they say. Maybe some fruit and some celery stalks. Yeah right. Fruit will be thrown at something or someone. Probably you, while you’re untangling their line. This is an effort to distract you and call the trip off, so they can go back to their computer. Don’t fall for it. Or do, I don’t care, they’re your kids. As for the celery stalks, just let me say that older kids love their younger siblings’ noses, and celery stalks will fit if inserted with force. The only things they will reliably eat are composed of at least 99% sugar. You can feel the buzz coming off them from the distance of a surf rod cast. I know, I’ve done it with a six ball sinker. Still didn’t slow them down. Take lots of water, they say. Yep, I’ll agree with that. But be prepared for them to have none left within half an hour of arriving no matter how many 44’s you take. Endless university studies have attempted to answer the crucial question of where it goes without success. Most of it will end up on your leg just before

you get back into the car for the trip home. Hats and sunscreen must be taken. Hats are great, because putting them back on heads take up those valuable seconds you have between untangling lines, baiting hooks and removing celery sticks

(see above). Sunscreen serves as a valuable UV protectant on most of the interior of the car. Keep it interesting for them is further advice. Let them hunt for fish like whiting or bream to keep them interested and engaged. Of course, they’ll only be

engaged if they’re catching a fish every twenty seconds and only if that happens to be something toothy or toxic with which they can threaten other members of the family. All of these suggestions are great, but they’re obviously written for kids unlike mine.

From my perspective, crucial equipment is much simpler: take a gurney, a desktop and a 30” monitor. Crank it up beside the water and leave ‘em to it. That way you can get some serious fishing time under your belt. And some sugar lollies too.

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APRIL 2017

Getting the edge with freshly caught squid WHITSUNDAYS

Luke Griffiths

April can be a bit of a funny month as we usually see a noticeable change in the weather. It marks the trend of the temperatures dropping, and weather slowly morphing into our cooler month patterns.

lately, and plenty of locals have been making the most of it. We had regular occasions on trips where the squid were following our bottom fishing baits and trolled baits, and eating them. When we caught large fish and opened their stomachs, the main contents were squid. The norm for most

fishing bait. Using such fresh bait really makes a difference in your catch rates. As the saying goes, fresh is best! If you put it side by side with the frozen stuff, you will see the difference. We find the big nannygai, red emperor and coral trout are really fond of a big, fresh, whole squid, live or dead. Spending some time catching a few squid might just change your luck when you head out for a fish. These big red fish are still available, although good catches are becoming less frequent. You will really have to work your tides and moon phases to get them to bite. That’s where the aforementioned

Shanay Pinchbeck with a solid Whitsundays red emperor.

Mikaila Norman fooled this nice nannygai with a fresh squid bait. We had some good runs of nice weather last month, which saw plenty of anglers out and about. However, the fishing was patchy, with good and bad trips being reported. Some of the best reports were of large numbers of squid. They have been thick

people chasing squid was heading out during the scary hours of the night, armed with a bright light, some jigs and a cast net. The squid are great fun to catch, and can be enjoyed by everybody. They are not only great for meals, but also make excellent bottom

Kyahne Smail with a barred-cheek coral trout – beautiful to eat and beautiful to look at.

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fresh squid comes into play, giving you a bit more of an advantage. When using the whole squid, a two-hook rig is ideal. Snelling two hooks together is our ideal way of presenting a whole squid, with the bottom hook just through one side of the mantle just above the head sitting proud, and the top hook pinned through the whole squid at the top between the fins. Drop it in and hang on! Bear in mind that some of these baits might not make it to the bottom, due to the schools of school and

spotted mackerel hanging around. They have been quite prevalent over the last month so taking some small jigs out with you when you head out this month would be a good idea. Speaking of mackerel, keep an eye out for a cheeky run of Spanish mackerel moving through this month. We often see some quite large schools taking up residence here for a few days during April, so if you get the chance to head out, I would be doing a quick drive by your favourite Spanish haunt. Haunting your local estuaries and impoundments is probably a good idea this month too. Not much longer and the cooler weather will shut the action down like a poo in a pool. The barramundi numbers have been doing

The Normans had a great day out on the nannygai.

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OK, and good numbers of mangrove jack, grunter and salmon have been coming through from the estuaries. Many anglers have been opting for artificials for them, however the old ‘fresh is best’ rule comes into play again. Especially as there have been good numbers of prawns about. There will be a few ‘prawns’ of a different kind on top of the water during the holidays. I’m talking about wild boaties, and there are always a few about during these times. If you’re heading out on the water these holidays, keep an eye out, and don’t be a prawn on the water, as it is very easy to get into trouble. Take it easy over this coming busy period and always be safe, smart and sensible on the water.

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Anglers head for shoals in hot, calm weather AYR

Steve Farmer

Over the past month a number of windows of hot-but-calm summer weather have seen an almost continual line of boats launching at Ocean Creek, headed for the shoals off the Burdekin coast. Jarred Ferguson and Brodyn Casalegno joined Matt Farmer for a quick overnight trip to the 12 Mile Shoals, accompanied by two other boats skippered by Damien Ferguson and Joe Williams. Clearing the creek mouth just before dark, they were home by mid morning the next day with a modest feed in the icebox. They described the weather as ‘good but not glassy’. Their catch consisted of a large-mouth nannygai measuring around 55cm taken by Jarred, two 50cm spangled emperor caught by Matt and a Spanish mackerel a bit short of a metre which Brodyn tempted with a floating pillie. Anglers in the other two boats caught cobia, mackerel, nannygai and grassy sweetlip.

As usual the sharks gave them a bit of trouble and Brodyn was lucky (or should that be unlucky) enough to hook one monster which they estimated at around 2.5 metres in length. The battle raged for a good 30mins on heavy tackle before the shark busted free – much to Brodyn’s relief. Matt said they were also hassled by leatherjackets that came on the bite as the

sun came up and didn’t stop for the rest of the morning making it almost impossible to get baits to the bottom. Reports from other skippers are that smallmouth nannygai were in plague numbers on a few of the shoals, with a number of boats bagging out. They also mentioned that bait schools were breaking the surface everywhere, usually with schools of feeding tuna

under them. It might be a little early to get too excited about Spanish mackerel fishing just yet but it’s certainly good to see quite a few boats scoring one or two of this species. Hopefully we’ve got a good Spaniard season ahead. In the creeks barramundi have certainly been the number one target species, but they have proven to be

Brodyn Casalegno (left) and Matt Farmer did an overnight trip to 12 Mile Shoal with much success.

fussy feeders. One day it is live mullet that will produce the goods while the next it’s only live prawns that will raise a strike. Lure tossers report that prawn lures are fishing well but only if they are rigged weedless and cast right into danger country where the barra (and jacks) are lurking. APRIL ACTION April is a comfortable and exciting month to fish in North Queensland. The temperatures are falling steadily, rainfall is less likely and, in many cases, summer and winter species are blending to produce a range of exciting fishing options in the creeks and out on the shoals and reefs. In the estuaries mangrove jack, golden snapper and barra should still be on the chew, while early winter whiting (the so-called bread and butter species that many anglers enjoy chasing in the cooler months) should also be moving into local waters. Flathead numbers should also be increasing as the temperatures drop and fishing conditions clear as the summer fresh flushes from our estuaries. On the bluewater scene most pelagics should be

firing up over the next 3-4 months. Hard-fighting sporting species such as queenfish, trevally, cobia, mackerel and tuna should be turning up in increasing numbers on the Alva Shoals and in the waters around Cape Upstart and Camp Island. Burdekin anglers can enjoy the best of both summer and winter estuary and bluewater fishing. EASTER GETAWAY With Easter being just weeks away, many Burdekin anglers will be preparing for their annual fishing getaway. For most it will be a welcomed 4-day weekend, while a few lucky ones will be stretching the break to include the school holidays as well. Favourite fishing/ boating destinations will include the many creeks across the Burdekin Delta, as well as Cape Upstart. Those heading further afield can choose from the Whitsundays, Bowen, Lucinda and Cardwell to name a few popular spots within three or four hours towing of home. Whatever your plans, I hope you enjoy the break, do it safely and catch a few fish.

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Golden snapper haul after rains TOWNSVILLE

Dave Hodge

The last month has been the best grunter fishing I’ve seen in the whole time I’ve lived in Townsville, and we are getting consistent results on lures every time we decide to chase them. It’s no coincidence that the rain started the prawns and crabs running and then the golden snapper (fingermark) and grunter came on the bite just a week or two after the run-off disappeared. The lack of

anglers who think that various lure colours catch anglers not fish, and to a certain degree I would go along with this theory, but only sometimes. Grunter seem to react to a certain colour on a certain day better than others. While we can sometimes stumble across the right colour straight up, we can often go through several colour combinations before we nail it. That being said, there are natural indicators that can give you a few hints on where to start. For example, early morning sessions with small tidal

I’m not sure how he does it, but every time young Tannhym pulls out the giggle stick he pulls oversized fish for the gear. rain over the last few years has really taken its toll on fish stocks. That old adage ‘drought in land, drought at sea’ rings true once again. It’s a common theme around Australia and basically refers to the fact that plenty of estuary inhabitants rely on considerable amounts of rain to reproduce, and this in turn draws in the predators. One stint of reasonable rain was the trigger for the current grunter run. I don’t know where they hide during dry spells, but they’ve come out of nowhere over the last few weeks. Small lures are normally the go for these tasty fighters, and they are also one species that has a definite colour preference each and every time you venture out in search for them. The strange thing is with this species that the preferred colour is different almost every time you go out in search for them. For instance, when the young fella and I first found them they went off their heads for the bright white 4” Atomic Prong BUT it was the tail being dipped in the Green Quick Coat Worm Dip that seemed to be the real trigger. This was an early morning stint, and almost every cast got hit once we found the right colour combination. It was one of those times when they definitely had a colour that they hit much better than anything else we threw at them on that given day. There are plenty of 68

APRIL 2017

flows and not much wind are the times when the white with coloured tail works a treat, but throw in a few knots of wind, a bit bigger tide and stirred sediment and all of a sudden the more successful colours are completely different. Less penetrating light in deeper water where the bigger fish hang out calls for something more easily seen in the darker depths, and the fluorescent orange Halco 5” Paddle Prawn becomes my go-to lure. Once you see this particular lure in the water, you’ll see why. It’s not just colour that can get the bite happening; size is another factor that can absolutely have a bearing on success levels. My 9yr

old son Tannhym has an obsession with the ‘giggle stick’. This is our term used for the ultra light gear that we drag out when things either get a bit mundane or the bites are not happening and we decide to have a bit of fun with small GTs etc. It’s no coincidence that when he pulls out the giggle stick he ends up landing the fish of the trip, or stumbles across a bite that was completely lure size orientated. Tiny 3” Prongs or Plazo flick baits jabbed across the bottom on short, sharp rod twitches on his 6lb outfit usually end up with him giggling and losing line at a great rate of knots. It’s truly been a case of the teacher getting taught, and we never hit the water now without a ‘giggle stick’ each. GOLDEN SNAPPER In the 4-8m mark around shelly patches the golden snapper have definitely been a worthwhile target species. Lately our process of seeking them out has involved trolling a couple of 125mm Scorpions at 5m or 8m through likely looking areas at slow speeds while our eyes are glued to the sounder. I use a Lowrance HDS 7 side scan for this dialled in type of luring, and the precision and accuracy that we can get with our presentations on individual fish and smaller schools is extraordinary. As soon as a fish is hooked or a solid bite is detected I instantly hit the spot lock and once the fish has been landed start to throw plastics around that area when there were a few fish holding. It’s amazing how many times we have had great sessions on golden snapper using this exact method of discovering the feeding schools. BARRA Now that the initial barra buzz has subsided a bit since opening, we’ll probably start to chase them a bit more now that the preferred spots will get a

You obviously get a bit of by catch when you’re scanning for golden snapper. This decent gold spot cod was released soon after capture minus the old hook lodged in his top lip from a previous encounter.

little quieter. This month’s tides were quite big and this concentrates barra anglers in quite specific areas. This is one of the reasons we have been targeting the golden snapper and grunter more regularly. Around the city itself, the break walls are fishing very well, and a range of lures from paddle tailed shads, prawn imitations and hardbody shallow and deep divers have worked well. Some cracking fish have been encountered and quite a few metre fish have been landed and released in the flow of the city lights. During the daylight hours there are plenty of fish taking live baits, and not uncommon are quality fish sucking in fresh baitfish fillets meant for other

On those gloomy and windy days when the enthusiasm levels cop a battering, casting surface stuff in the freshwater reaches of the Ross can give you that buzz we all seek. couple of different options for depth and action, and connecting to the actual bib tow point has been the most successful presentation at present. This allows faster troll speeds and a more flat profiled presentation, and

This customised 4” Prong is an early morning special that is a consistent producer when the waters clear. species. Using poppers is a technique that has been bringing legal size barra undone, and around a tide change is the best option. The freshwater reaches of the Ross River have been a great place to cast a lure for barra, particularly on those windy days that have a little cloud cover and drizzle. It is a great place to spend a few hours getting your fishing fix when the weather suggests otherwise. The weed is thick here so weedless is the best approach but the visual bite during daylight hours is worth every cast. MACKEREL COME ON THE CHEW Apart from the big schools of bait that are around at present, no one can really explain the schools of Spanish that have shown up in the last couple of weeks in the warm waters. Dozen-fish sessions are quite common for the guys trolling deep divers, with the average fish being 7-10kg. The slightly smaller Halco 160 Laser Pro has been catching plenty of these safe eating size fish. With dual tow points the 160 Laser gives a

while the bigger fish won’t pass them up, the smaller are more inclined to have a go, so it’s a win-win situation. The smaller species such as schoolies are also about and small slugs and slices like the Halco Twistie and the Outcast are a great choice for those wishing to target them in shallow areas. The technique for this is really as simple as it gets. Either cast into an area that you suspect is holding them, or hold directly above them and

allow your lure to hit the bottom. Jig once, wind up the slack, jig twice and then crank flat knacker to the boat and hang on. We usually target these smaller species on the giggle sticks when the sharks aren’t too bad, but if those buggers are around heavier line will save them being turned into shark poo. OFFSHORE I often talk with Ross from Ultimate Sport Fishing Charters to get an idea of what’s happening offshore and he said that the nannies, reds and trout have been very consistent in 30-40m of water. As far as trends go, the slow jigging phenomenon is in full swing now. Some very parabolic rods have been developed for this technique and apart from that, the only real revolution has been the lure designs themselves that have been fine tuned for this environment. There’s no denying the results, with some massive fish being taken on these relatively tiny lures sporting minuscule hooks. Everything from golden snapper to trout and all sorts of species in between will at times hit these little things. Smooth drags and long leaders are two of the most important things an angler needs to pay attention to when setting up for jigging (apart from the rod selection). All in all there’s plenty to keep you occupied over the coming months.

Trolling 125 8m Scorpions is a great way to scan an area in search of golden snapper schools. This old battle scarred red head is an old favourite for the job in the early morning.

Quality barra being landed on the beaches HINCHINBROOK

Ryan Moody info@ryanmoodyfishing.com

Once again, it doesn’t look like our wet season is going to be too aggressive. From Townsville north, things have been very average, but south of Townsville right down the coast the rainfall has been below average. There was a lot of talk during the lead up to the wet this year as to what was going to happen, with varying opinions among the experts. There has also been the prediction of up to 12 cyclones – they want to hurry up and happen soon before it’s all over. The only area of the country to benefit from above average rainfall this year is the north west, with Darwin and areas to the south receiving the best rains. It has been the best they have had for some years now. Fishing in the past month has seen some reasonable results for most species. Barra

have been fishing well off the beaches with several fish over the metre mark being caught on livies. The biggest so far being a 127cm fish caught by one of my students and another at 126cm by a local woman. It’s great to have a place where people have the chance to land quality fish off the beach. Another one of our local students, Stan, who also works at the local tackle store managed a 108cm and a 112cm fish the month before and regularly catches fish

around the 80cm mark too. Offshore has been pretty good by all reports. When the south easterlies are blowing the fish have been chewing. Some real good trout for this period of the year have been caught a little shallower than normal as well. A few reports of reds have come through but they have been mostly a bit wider. Some of the wonky hole country in our region has been a little inactive too and that’s because of four or more failed wets now. We can always

Greg Willems from Brissy came for a visit and landed this 99cm salty.

look forward to them flowing again during the next wet cycle whenever that comes. There has been some good GTs at Eva Island for the sport anglers, but beware the amount of giant bull and bronze whalers there. I was filming with ET recently and caught some good ones but they were all harassed by the big sharks and one was almost taken from our hands while releasing it. The same sharks mauled a spearfisher a few weeks later and unfortunately he lost his leg and almost his life. These sharks have been aggressive there for some time now, so a word of warning, as they will approach you if you’re swimming. As soon as you pull up they will come up under your boat for a look. During April I would expect a good month for barra and most inshore fish and this is always the case for the early autumn period. Any previous floodwaters have well and truly run off by now, unless we get a late season event, and this should

There are plenty of school sized barra to get into at the moment. bring fishing in the salt back to its best. It can also produce some early winter species such as Spaniards, northern blues and golden trevally. They are a welcome group of species to many inshore anglers with the Spaniards being the top of the list. The Hinchinbrook channel will surprise you with the different species that visit. It’s not uncommon to see giant Spaniards spearing out of the water and also

catch doggie macs and cobia well upstream in mangrove creeks. Giant GTs and queenies also abound in there at times. It can really throw some surprises at you, this place we call home. • If you would like to book a charter or join ouar 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.

Bring on some consistency LUCINDA

Jeff Wilton jeffwilton83@hotmail.com

After a few months of very hot and cold fishing here in Lucinda, April should bring some stability. The last few months have been very heavily dictated by the weather. But April is usually not a bad month, with lighter winds and clear skies – we can always hope.

of mine had a few sessions where over 20 barra were landed between three anglers – that is awesome fishing no matter where you are. If you are thinking of chasing barra using live baits, I would suggest trying to get a rising tide in the evening. Gather lots of varied size mullet and set out a nice spread of baits covering the area your fishing. It’s amazing how quick you can go through baits when there is a hot bite. I prefer to fish in front

spots to try as they normally have undercut banks and snags. The best idea is to push against the current working the snags, this means you are working your lure into their strike zone. Changing up your offering to see what is getting more action is another good tip. Having a few rods rigged up in different ways can mean changing quickly and getting into the action. JETTY, ISLANDS AND THE REEF I always get excited around this time of year, as it marks the beginning of what I like to call the queenie season. The sugar loader jetty at Lucinda is a renowned hotspot to chase queenfish. On the right day when these fish turn it on it is simply mind blowing. With side scan technology now making finding the

schools much easier it’s as simple as staying near the school and finding out what they want to eat. I don’t think queenies are that fussy and will happily hunt down and eat all kinds of offerings. It’s more that when they are not active they just don’t want to play. I have always found the days when there’s a little wind to ruffle the water the best. Hands down the best thing about queenies is their willingness to hit surface lures, I always throw poppers when I first arrive at the spot as I won’t have spooked many fish. Working a Zman 5’ StreakZ with speed from the bottom to the surface is my favourite way to hook numbers of fish. Just be prepared to see several fish chasing your lure to the surface, its adrenalin

ZMan Swimmerz will often land you success. pumping fishing. Reef fishing has been consistent and there have been a few windows to get out if you were lucky enough to take them. Mackerel catches have been good and I’ve seen pictures of horse size cobia from anglers chasing reds in the deep. I love fishing the bluewater here off Lucinda; you just never know what is going to be eating that bait or lure. It’s also about the time to start thinking

Mangrove jack are consistent all year for those chasing them on lures or plastics. The last month has been all about covering plenty of ground trying to locate better schools of fish. The amount of small barra in the 40-60cm range is a great sign that there was enough wet season to freshen the place up a bit. Let’s see what should see rods bending this month. HINCHINBROOK CHANNEL When everything aligned with good tides and weather the barra sessions have been great. A friend

of small creeks that act as a highway for fish to move into with the push of the tide. The best thing about chasing barra is the threadfin salmon by-catch. Threadfin salmon fight hard, taking blistering runs ripping drag and they also taste amazing. Mangrove jack have been consistent all year for those chasing them on lures or plastics. Timing is critical and you want to be fishing the right area as the tide starts to push in. Sharp corners in creeks are always good

Having a few rods rigged up in different ways allows for quick changing to get into the action.

about chasing marlin for those that want to put in the time. If it’s a good season there will plenty of small blacks out there terrorising bait schools. Towing skirted lures around areas with bait is a good way to start. And slow trolling rigged gar is the best method I’ve been told. I still remember the hours of searching I did before stumbling into a minefield of marlin. In three hours I had three boat side and had multiple strikes and lost fish. This was all solo and still goes down as the most hectic fishing day I have had. There’s reports of lots of squid being caught out around the islands at night with plenty of boats bringing home quite a few kilos of calamari to go with their fish dinner. Catching squid while chasing golden snapper or nannygai is the perfect combination – if the fish don’t eat you get more squid. It is very rare that a live squid will survive long on the bottom of the ocean as it is prized bait. Pin them through the end of their body, send them down and then hang on! APRIL 2017

Fishing will warm up as temperatures cool CAIRNS

Garry Smith garrysmith@fishingmonthly.com.au

The temperatures, both air and water, should start to ease this month, bringing much needed relief from the heat. The fish will be as happy about it as the humans, so expect things to start to become more active on the piscatorial front. The best of the fishing will come later in the month and into May, but there will certainly be plenty on offer for those on school holidays and everyone over the Easter long weekend. The only dampener could be the damp itself, with a high likelihood that the full moon over the Easter weekend will coincide with the return of the monsoon trough and associated rain. The fishing recently has been quite productive, while not setting the place alight. Trinity Inlet continues to fish well and there is every indication that the Net Free Zone is proving to be an outstanding success. There hasn’t been a week go by this year where trophy fish have not been recorded from the inlet, mostly aboard the numerous fishing charter boats. Locals have also been getting in on the action though, with quality barra, golden snapper and grunter making it to local dinner plates.

Paul Ulcoq with a trophy metre barra taken along the headlands recently. Barra have been reasonably consistent, both in the inlet and along the headlands to the north and south. During periods of calm and clear weather, the headlands have certainly produced. When the skies have opened up, the rivers and creek mouths, drains and Cairns Inlet have taken main stage. Most barra have been in the 50-80cm range, but there have been a few trophy barra in the milestone metre plus range. The barra have been falling to both lures and live baits, with neither taking a dominant role. Soft plastics fished slow and deep have been a winner, as have soft vibes fished around structure. On the live bait scene, prawns, sardines, mud herring and mullet have all produced the goods at various times. Golden snapper have seemed more interested in live baits than lures of late but that can change at any

time. Add live squid to the aforementioned list of live baits and you have golden snapper favourites covered as well. Golden snapper have been found off most of the same headlands and Trinity Inlet haunts as the barra, while others have been frequenting the inshore reefs, islands, wrecks and rocks. The reef has been surprisingly accessible of late with extended periods of calm weather, though squalls and storms have certainly kept anglers on their toes. Overnighters have been less popular than day trips, mainly due to the uncertainty of the weather. Coral trout have been the staple but there have also been largemouth nannygai and the odd red emperor coming from the deeper gutters and rubble. Reef fishing should continue to improve through April as waters cool and fish start to school up more.

Finding bait schools will be the key to finding any concentration of reefies, otherwise it will just be a fish here and there. It’s worth spending extra time looking for bait holding on good country rather than wasting a lot of time having to move regularly due to a lack of action. Find good bait on good country and be patient waiting for the bite to get going. In the deeper water largemouth nannygai will start to be taken in better numbers. Fish in the 6-9kg range are not uncommon this month, so make sure you have the gear to handle them and get them up in double quick time to try and reduce the shark tax. Sharks will continue to be a liability both inshore and offshore and are persistently pillaging hooked fish Mackerel will become more prevalent as the water cools but will still be holding down deep to avoid the warmer waters. Make sure, whatever method you are using, you are getting your offering down into the bottom third of the water column. Deep trolled gar, mullet and wolf herring will all be worth a tow, as will live baits and deep diving minnows. Down riggers and paravanes are ideal to get your presentation down where the action will be when trolling. Tossing out a pilchard when bottom fishing is surprisingly productive at times. If there is a bit of

current, use a sinker on up to a metre of mono trace to get the bait down deep. Depending on what has fallen from above, the estuaries and rivers will be worth a bait fish for grunter, jacks and trevally. If there has been a fair bit of rain and a flush of fresh in the systems, stick around the mouth. The top of the tide will often see plenty of fish push back into the systems in search of an easy feed. If the streams remain clear, then go looking for jacks upstream around any heavy cover. Fishing a combination of dead and live baits will increase your chances of

nailing a barra, golden snapper, or mangrove jack. Prawns have been around Cairns Inlet and the hospital flats since early February and should continue through April, so always have the castnet handy and be on the lookout for the isolated flicking prawns. A single skipping prawn can often be the only indicator of large schools below. Chasing mud crabs is always a popular Easter pursuit and this year should be no different. They tend to get a pretty big hiding over the Easter long weekend so I’d try and get in early if you are hopeful of success.

Vicky Lockhard was not happy about falling victim to the all too prevalent sharks on a recent trip to the reef off Cairns.

Cooler waters will bring plenty of action PORT DOUGLAS

Lynton Heffer

The foundations have been laid for a good fishing period ahead. As the wet season progressed we saw some heavy rainfalls in Far North Queensland – the catalyst for creating new marine life and rich food sources to enjoyed by our local

fish species both inshore and offshore. This has been evident by the amount of bait life seen along our beaches and foreshore. April is traditionally a crossover time where the summer and winter species all seem to be active as one. Barra, jacks and golden snapper will remain very active in our rivers and creeks and will now be joined by greater numbers of trevally,

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queenfish, grunter and bream to name a few. There should be some rainfall in April and the run off creeks upstream will be prime strike zones. This action will continue right to the river mouths. Knowing that the fishing will be productive right throughout the systems, a good trick is to fish the river mouths at the start of the incoming tide and follow the fish and bait as they move upstream into the deeper holes for your trevally and queenfish. On high tide it is ideal to fish the deep holes on the slack water for golden snapper and any other species that have worked their way up. Once the tide has turned and is running out, this is the time to work over those small feeder creeks for barra and jacks. April is absolutely ideal to fish local beaches for salmon, queenfish, trevally, dart, permit, flathead and barra. There will be a lot of bait in the shallows and this naturally brings in the mentioned predators. Big GTs up to 20kg are also known to cruise the beaches at this time of year, and good luck if you happen

to run into one of those. Early morning rising tides with flat conditions are key ingredients to success along our golden sands. If you happen to strike an overcast morning with flat conditions the action can be even more amplified. With a good spread of bait along the coast our local headlands, will be ideal to chase pelagics in the form of big queenfish up to a metre and more, trevally species, Spanish and grey mackerel and also mac and northern

bluefin tuna. The likes of Snapper Island can light up with all these species at once if the bait supply is thick. Offshore will see a shift in momentum as the water temperatures drop. Fishing has been quite reasonable over the warmer months but there will be a significant increase in fish catches. The nannygai duo will start to warm up again in preparation for the current to switch from the south, coral trout will peck away nicely and our emperor

‘Sharkey’ Shane Down with a rare 2.4m shark ray caught off Four Mile Beach.

species will start to show up in better numbers. Spanish mackerel should be on the cards once again and reef mangrove jack also normally show a bit more attitude as the season changes. One would expect to see some more surface action in the form of mac, skip jack and northern bluefin tuna working the open paddocks rounding up the bait schools. The GT fishing, working the pressure points of some of our outer reef systems, always improves dramatically around the Easter period. There’s a lot to like if you are fishing our local region in the coming month and all cylinders will be firing both inshore and offshore. Local fishing identity ‘Sharky’ Shane Down caught a very rare 2.4m shark ray off Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas recently. It’s estimated weight was between 120-140kg and it took one hour to wind it in. Only a few of these fish have been recorded locally in the past 20 years.

Net Free Zone angling success CAIRNS NFZ

Dan Kaggelis dkaggelis@gmail.com

When the Trinity Bay Net Free Zone was established two years ago, its main objective was to increase recreational fishing opportunities in Cairns, thereby supporting tourism and economic growth. Two years down the track the evidence of its success is overwhelming. Not only have fish numbers increased significantly with the absence of commercial netting, so have the number of recreational anglers who have flocked to the NFZ areas, as the area is seeing a return to what the fishing was like in Cairns decades ago. Stretching from the Trinity Inlet 20km north to the edge of Cook

mid water. The barramundi in this area are typically moving up and down this stretch of water hunting bait, so it pays to put in the time, as they will eventually move through and find your bait. Moving south, Moon Creek has been producing smaller barramundi, mostly from the mouth down to where it begins to branch off and taper into the narrow creek. These smaller fish are holding just off the main snags and are responding best to vibe style lures worked along the bottom. The run-out tide is producing the best results. Moving south of Yorkeys Knob along the Machans and Holloways beaches, plenty of land-based anglers have been targeting the creek mouths of the Barron River and Thomatis Creek with live baits fished into the sandy gutters for excellent catches

of blue salmon, threadfin, queenfish and some very large barramundi. Live baits such as whiting, mullet and herring have been proving deadly on both the incoming and outgoing tides. The salmon run has been outstanding this year and anglers have reported

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Threadfin have seen a major return and are now being regularly encountered along the beaches and creek mouths along the NFZ. massive numbers not seen for decades. For boaties, the shoal, sandy, grit area between Thomatis Creek and the Barron mouth has produced outstanding barramundi and threadfin on baits, lures and vibes. Those taking the time to sound up schools of fish and target

Sportfish like this NFZ queenfish are returning in big numbers and even better quality for both land-based and boating anglers fishing along the NFZ. Bay, Kewarra Beach, the Trinity Bay Net Free Zone is significant, because it caters to all anglers and most styles of recreational fishing. Whether you are fishing land-based along one of the many open beaches or up the Trinity Inlet or Barron River in a boat, the Net Free Zone provides a haven for recreational anglers to enjoy world-class fishing for world-class fish species in a sustainable way. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s being caught in the Net Free Zone and what areas have been firing of late? Starting at the northern end of the zone, the headlands and rocky outcrops from the Taylors Point boundary south to Yorkeys Knob have been producing some excellent catches of barramundi. Fish up to and over the magical metre mark have been falling to anglers fishing in around 3-5m of water close to the headlands. Large live baits, especially mullet, around 20-30cm have been the choice baits for the larger fish. These baits are proving the most effective when suspended by floats in

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them until they bite have had the best results. Clean water also seems to be an important factor when chasing fish in these areas. Moving to the bottom end of the Net Free Zone, the Trinity Inlet has been by far the most improved fishery across the entire zone.

Catches of big barramundi along the hospital flats, Hills Creek Mouth and along the southern flats are regular occurrences this season for both live bait and lure fishers. Barra are not the only fish being caught in big numbers. There have also been some amazing numbers of quality golden snapper up to 70cm being snared from the inlet mouth right through the broadwater, which is a testament to the impact the absence of commercial netting is having in key spawning and aggregation points along the Net Free Zones. While the NFZ has seen some significant recruitment of species such as barramundi and threadfin, other just as important sportfish species that are susceptible to netting such as queenfish and tripletail have also seen a dramatic increase. Numbers of fish are on the rise and so are the quality of fish. Massive fish have been amongst them. If you do catch a fish in the NFZ in Trinity Bay and you want to contribute to promoting its success, post your picture on social media and use #LoveMyNFZ and #ThisIsQueensland. Both link to important fishery and tourism stakeholders who are itching to further promote NFZ.

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Shallow reefs continue to fire up in Cooktown COOKTOWN

Paul Prokopuk

The wet season has well and truly arrived in Cooktown. We have had continuous days of heavy downpours causing flooding in the area and surrounding communities. On days when the rain does ease up, there’s still morning and afternoon storms anglers must contend with, or days so hot and humid it still feels like Christmas time up north. Anglers keen enough to battle the elements have been rewarded with some nice hauls. Those preferring the calmer days have still been blessed with the odd flat sunny day and a good feed. The reefs continue to fire up in the Cooktown

Sarah Williams proudly shows off her first Spanish mackerel. region. There are plenty of opportunities to get out onto the reefs throughout the wet season. Reports of quality coral trout catches have been coming in thick. It has also been worth getting out on the rubble to find the big

reds once you have had your fill of trout. Spanish mackerel continue to put gear to the test with consistent reports of 15kg+ fish being caught. Trolling for mackerel has been the preferred method

fresh hasn’t stopped the fish from biting. With some heavy flow in the rivers and the salinity levels dropping upstream, your best option is to target the river mouths. There have been copious amounts of bait congregating around the local river mouths trying to get to the saltier water. With the freshwater sitting on the surface, try fishing the deeper holes and drop offs. 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. Well-placed baits or lures around these areas should produce some quality fish. For the crabbers out there, the big rains mean that crabs are on the move in search of some saltier water. For those anglers willing to battle the rain, placement of pots closer to the mouths will often result in some nice bucks in your esky. Be warned that with high flowing water the crab pots are often on the move as well. Choose your tides wisely. Keep your eyes peeled as there have been some big crocs sighted. Always be croc-wise in croc country, particularly around local estuaries and creeks. When the seasonal winds do spring up, people

Local spearfishers are reporting some cracking crays like this one caught by Daniel Briffa. will be restricted to the estuaries or exploring creeks further inland. Lakefield National Park remained close during March and its re-opening will depend on

how much more rain we see over the next month or two. Keep an eye on Cook Shires website for the latest in road conditions in Cape York.

Spanish mackerel continue to put gear to the test, like this one the author caught. for luring big mackerel away from transient bait schools. Lately Bibless Minnows have been prevailing over the Qantas coloured divers with respect to hook-up rates. The local spearfishers have had plenty of success when finding the clear water. By spearing neap tides and venturing further away from the fresh you can expect better visibility during the wet season. There have been reports of some cracking crays being caught along with the usual reef species. The big flushes will do wonders for the fishing up here in coming months but for now the amount of

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The dreamy weather is getting our hopes high CAPE YORK

Tim O’Reilly wildrivercompany@gmail.com

Nearing the end of Cape York’s wet season, anglers can only hope for a continuation of the great weather experienced throughout February and March. After a season that was meant to be above average for cyclones, calm conditions offshore have led to some great fishing on both sides of the Cape. Fishers getting out wide on the east coast have scored good captures of reef fish, especially in the form of coral trout and largemouth nannygai over deeper grounds. Spanish and scaly mackerel will be typically thick around reef entrances and smaller yellowfin tuna

The red bass continue biting throughout the night, even in warmer months. will be on the outside edges of outer reefs. The east coast crayfish season got off to a pretty good start and mixed reports were coming in from the Torres Strait region after the opening in March. The crays are an interesting bio-indicator of wider fishery

A beaut female Maori wrasse ready for release.

health up and down the east coast and into the Straits. They feed on shellfish around the medium to shallow reef areas of coral reef, migrating in large numbers under the right conditions. After last year’s nasty coral bleaching event, we all hope there’s no repeat and a dramatic recovery in some of the worst affected areas. Unfortunately devastation in the form of cyclones, coral bleaching and other natural events do not discriminate between marine park zonings. In a magical world, green and yellow zones would protect the reef from such events. In reality, each reef is just as susceptible. Great early season pelagic fishing and shallow reef action have been seen on

the mid-west coast. Reports have been of schooling black jew, awesome golden snapper and the ever-reliable queenfish, trevally and mackerel. Flat conditions will allow anglers to sneak further offshore to chase reds and larger reef species, longtail tuna and good numbers of mackerel on the contour lines. A lack of flood run-off will not have immediate effects on the barra fishing, however these effects will be felt later in the year and in the seasons to come. A return to La Nina and substantial flooding rains are needed to supercharge the mighty west coast rivers and ignite the floodplains into action. Saratoga and barramundi use the floodplains, lagoons and billabongs to grow

April barra fishing at its finest. their young. All the tiny frogs, insects, reptiles and terrestrial critters, which make their way into these areas become potential prey items. Without these nursery areas receiving regular

One angler’s selection of run-off barra poppers.

inflow from floodwaters, they become stagnant and lifeless. Let’s hope for some late season rains and great barra fishing throughout April. This is a month that can really turn it on, especially in the upstream sections where smaller feeder systems converge with the main river. Understanding converging currents, back eddies and the places to cast around large drains are key factors to success in April. • For information on remote charter operations for tailored fishing adventures, please email Tim on wildrivercompany @gmail.com

Big wet aftermath set to fire WEIPA

Mark Bargenquast

With afternoon storms still lingering on and all the creeks and rivers flowing, it looks like we will have a ripper season ahead. Everyone knows drought on the land means drought in the sea and it’s true. The big rains up here in the gulf get everything breeding and feeding. The gulf has a massive commercial prawn fishery with the trawlers working offshore catching tonnes every year. Inshore the

A few black jewies are making a showing! prawn fishery is nothing like down the east coast, banana prawns up here don’t inhabit

the estuaries in numbers or size, you will catch a few ,but it’s nothing compared

It’s not unusual to land a blue salmon on the beaches up here.

to the size or numbers on the eastern side of the Cape. The prawns do breed in the billions and the juvenile prawns (we call them jelly prawns, as they are soft and jelly like) move inshore along the beaches in clouds that can be kilometers long, and everything eats them. It is a great time for shallow water fishing up here, masses of blue salmon, queenfish, golden trevally and every other fish you can think of hunt these prawns in the shallows, which makes for some exciting fishing. We regularly have groups of clients landing over 40 species for a week fishing. Barramundi have been going hard with some nice fish in the 80-90cm range and plenty of 75ish cm fish being taken. A few black jewfish and golden snapper have also been caught by anglers in the know fishing vibes and micro-jigging certain reefs. Offshore there have been a few Spaniards and queenies around the beacons, but bull sharks are close behind. Don’t try and tell me their numbers are decreasing. It seems like the opposite and not just up here, all down the east coast everyone complains about them! I have seen their

There are plenty of barra to be found in the run-off. numbers increase over the past 15 years to plague like quantities in some areas. Reefies have been fishing well over the last few months. I just went for a quick fish for a few reefies and landed four big tuskies, sweetlip and a couple of legal reds over a few hours of fishing and I wasn’t really trying too hard. Fresh eating quality prawns are the gun bait for most reefies up here. Fish heavy to stop tuskies and beat the sharks. We have been using 9/0 octopus

hooks with great results. Just a quick warning for the newcomers visiting this area, I had a quick barra fish off the beach last week and saw 50-60 big box jellyfish along the beach. These are possibly the most venomous creature on the planet and can kill adult humans if you’re unlucky enough to get a big hit from one. Box jellyfish, along with crocodiles and bull sharks mean you do not wade into these waters unless it’s extremely clear. APRIL 2017

Catch a fish without even breaking a sweat love the start of the cooler weather, because it opens up a lot of opportunities for extra effort when putting in the hard yards trekking into remote country, exploring stunning scenery and finding secret honey holes loaded with fish! Jungle perch have been going off lately! I highly

FRESHWATER

Angus James Instagram: @jimmygusjames

It’s that time of the year when the temperature and humidity starts to drop. This makes all of our favourite outdoor activities a lot more enjoyable! I

recommend exploring the jungle and rainforest country if you want to tangle with these majestic beauties. JPs are surface feeders, so using topwater lures is a great way to get into some serious action. Lately I have been using the new TT Lures BuzzlockZ and they have certainly increased my catch rates when it comes

The cooler weather will make it a lot easier to trek to awesome jungle fishing locations. to topwater fishing. Sooty grunter love to smash surface presentations and are known to go extremely hard, making for some exciting light gear fishing. They are tough Aussie natives that can be found in most of the freshwater creeks and rivers up here in the tropical north. When out targeting jungle perch in the rainforest, a few big angry sooty are sure to make an appearance. They often get the upper hand in the battle, resulting in a quick swim to do some underwater untangling. My favourite

presentation to throw at these brutes is the humble spinnerbait, as the flash and vibration are too hard for these guys to resist. They are such a cool fish and certainly test the skills of the angler. With the cooler weather now approaching, the landbased sweetwater jacks will be less active, but definitely not off the list! They are still going to smash your lures, you just have to put it right on there door step. During these cooler times using artificial presentations that resemble that of a small

mangrove jack will encounter a territorial strike! As we all know, mangrove jacks are renowned for being super aggressive and like to hold firm in their domain, so working your lure to resemble an intruding fish will certainly draw the attention of a residential fish and you will eventually get the territorial strike! I hope that everyone gets the opportunity to take advantage of this great time of year to experience some of the adventure that’s out there waiting.

Jungle perch have been going off lately.

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Land-based run-off barra WEIPA

Jackson Bargenquast

At any time of the year, the wild environment of Cape York always produces good numbers of fish. The species you catch and how and where you catch them can vary dramatically. This month I will be focusing on barramundi and the variety of other species that can be caught when chasing them.

spawning, preparing to, or recovering from the ordeal, catch and release should be practiced as often as possible. This is especially important for larger specimens of a species that are most likely filled with spawn or roe. Land-based fishing can get anglers into areas that would be impossible by boat. Although flicking drains can be practiced by boat, there’s nothing better than landing a barra off the bank. While

Night fishing can be successful when chasing these awesome chrome bars. This fish was taken late at night on a Storm soft vibe worked over a mud flat. This is the author’s PB land-based barra at 76cm. At this time of the year, barra fishing can be very successful. With all of the rain, why shouldn’t it be? The wet season can see the whole of the Cape transform from a dry dusty desert into a rich green wetland in just a matter of days. While barra can be targeted in the wetlands and floodplains, in the area around Weipa most fish are in the main river systems. Areas where small freshwater drains and creeks run vigorously into the salt are the perfect environment for ambush predators such as barra and jacks to wait for passing prey like mullet and perch to wash down past their noses. These drains can vary from creeks half as wide as the main river to tiny artificial storm and floodwater drains that would be no more than a foot wide. All of these drains have one thing in common: they all flow freshwater at this time of the year, which is essential when targeting barra. The reason why barra and so many other fish hang around freshwater spill-outs is the freshwater brings food and nutrients down into the salt, such as fish, shrimps, water plants, fruits and algae, which every fish from mullet to queenfish enjoy. Estuarine fish and crustacean species need freshwater to mix with the salt for them to spawn. A year without a wet season would be catastrophic for fish stocks and the following year would see too many species being in poor numbers and condition. As the fish caught at this time of the year are almost certainly

this form of fishing can get you into some pretty tight areas, remember to be crocwise. In the Cape, crocodiles are a common threat and even the tiniest bodies of water, clear or murky, deep or shallow, barren or clotted with structure are potential ambush points for these aggressive reptiles. If you’re fishing landbased and at the same level as the water, stand at least 4-5m from the water, especially if the water is deep and murky

because you can’t see them or haven’t heard any reports in the area, doesn’t mean they aren’t present. Back to catching barra, the next step is working out what gear to use. Firstly, a reel from 1000-5000 may be used for chasing these fish, but a 2500 sized reel equipped with 20-30lb braid and a 10-15lb rod should do the trick, unless the fish are huge in size (over 1m) or around tight structure. If the angler is experienced, going lighter is definitely much more fun and comes with more finesse and a greater challenge. Unless I’m chasing big girls around the rock bars or the pylons, I use the Okuma Ceymar reel (3000) equipped with 12lb braid to land most of my barra. The trick with these fish is to allow them to run at their leisure if possible, to discourage lots of headshakes and jumping, as well as to prevent these powerful fish from bending hooks, popping split rings or simply tearing the hooks loose. Despite their aggressive nature, barra can be surprisingly hard to hook and are known for their tendency to shake hooks loose easier than a mackerel biting through light leader. Sometimes a metre fish can bite as tiny as a simple peck, that would be easily dismissed as a bream bite or a baitfish bumping the lure. At the other end, a tiny rat under 50cm can move a lot of water on a strike. This is why so many anglers are addicted to these fish – they are the unknown. The trick for barra is to use a reasonably heavy and reasonably long leader.

When the drains pour freshwater, the barra can really get fired up. The author and his mate Clay McConochie caught a couple of rats from a session one afternoon. occasion. Vibes are quite good if the fish are hanging deeper and are schooled up (for example, in the mouth of a deep river or creek). Minnows are undeniably the ultimate barra lure for chasing fish in less than 10ft and even in deeper waters trolling deep divers can be very successful, as I have personally discovered with my PB barra (132cm) landed on a deep diving minnow. Flicking minnows is best around rock bars, headlands, drain mouths, mudflats and just about every other occasion. Of course, soft plastics are also very diverse. Stickbaits and poppers can be awesome when the barra are really excited feeding

on popeye mullet and such. Remember, although barra can move quickly, they are an ambush predator and like slow moving prey with lots of twitches and jerks to imitate a wounded baitfish. While some anglers like to use live bait, such as a mullet or bony bream to catch barra, the thrill of the strike on a lure and the sport of lure fishing can’t be compared, even if the fish landed on baits are larger and more numerous. Some very interesting species of fish can be landed as by-catch too when chasing barra in the mouths of freshwater spills, such as good sized queenfish, big pikey bream, the red devil mangrove

jack, juvenile golden snapper and black jewfish, estuarine cod, threadfin and blue salmon. Even more bizarre species can be caught like giant herring and flathead with the occasional river monster landed on a big old live mullet, such as big bull sharks, stingrays, sawfish and massive barramundi. At the end of the day, it’s all about fun, caring for the environment and respecting the diversity of the great Cape York. Anglers need to take care of one of the last places on earth where nature is still at its fullest, and not flogged out like most areas. Remember to practice catch and release and always remember to think like a fish!

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This wicked land-based jack was 55cm of ruby coloured mullet nightmares sight fished on a minnow with 20lb braid and 20lb leader. It was caught around some rubble near the mouth of a small freshwater creek while chasing barramundi. This girl lived to fight another day. with rocky or mangrove-lined ledges where these beasts love to hunt. To a crocodile, you are food, and they see you as a walking snack. They’re patiently waiting for the right moment to strike. If an area is dodgy looking or has fresh croc signs, stay well away. A fish is not worth your life. Remember, just

When using heavier gear, the 55lb Schneider is awesome and even on smaller fish, the barra’s raspy mouth, razor sharp gill rake and tendency to jump and head for the timber is iconic. Use at least 30lb leader even for the rats. As far as lures go there are a variety of lure designs to be used for every different

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1800 336 603 89 Childers Rd, Bundaberg QLD 4670

polycraft.com.au BUNDABERG CAIRNS BURPENGARY GLADSTONE SOUTHPORT CANNONVALE NOOSAVILLE -

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07 4153 1819 07 4033 8800 07 3888 1727 07 4972 0135 07 5532 5812 07 4948 3298 07 5442 4872 APRIL 2017

Find the fish first TOOWOOMBA

Jason Ehrlich fishability1@bigpond.com

I am being faced with a boat dilemma. I just sold my bass boat, which was my pride and joy for the last four years. When I went for a fish in lakes and big rivers, this would be the boat I would take. Bass boats are perfect for this style of fishing; they carry heaps of gear, are comfortable and go very fast. Next to go will be my 4.8m Polycraft, which at the moment caters for just about any fishing scenario within 40km of the coastline and the freshwater. I am on the hunt for a boat that I can

fish offshore in, but still be able to do what I love in the fresh and chase barra, bass and cod. The search for an all-round boat has begun, but I have a feeling an attempt to replace two boats with one may fail and two more will again live in my shed. We all long for the perfect boat but the reality is when it comes to freshwater fishing, there are more important things than the boat being used. Comfort, space and speed are great, but all that is really necessary to get out and reach the fish is safety. Provided your boat can safely handle the freshwater environment, you will be able to get to the fish in it. Look at how many fish are caught from basic watercrafts like kayaks.

SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND CRESSBROOK CLOSEST TOWN: CROWS NEST Plenty of schooling small bass are about at Cressy. The bigger models have been hard to find in good numbers. The smaller fish can be found in the bay

between the boat ramps and pump tower. Working the perimeter of the dam when trolling has also located other schools of small fish, which hold in 4-6m of water. Trolled lures will account for many fish and casting seems to work well

Trolling for bass will be one of the easiest ways to catch them on most of the lakes this month. It’s also a good way to sound over and explore new areas for casting sessions.

DAM LEVELS

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DAMS Atkinson Awoonga Bjelke-Petersen Boondooma Borumba Burdekin Falls Callide Cania Clarendon Cooby Coolmunda

JAN FEB MAR 5 5 5 84 78 75 27 23 20 78 33 31 72 72 67 95 101 105 68 65 62 76 74 71 9 8 7 57 53 51 81 75 70

More important than the style of boat, which takes you to the fish, is the gear used to find them. A quality sounder should be the first thing you look at investing serious dollars in. Forget the cheapies and lower end stuff, aim for middle of the range and upward from there and stick with the big brands like Lowrance, Simrad, Humminbird and Garmin. If you can’t find fish, you certainly can’t catch them. Devote time to learning to read your sounder until you know the difference between thermocline, bait, clutter and fish arches. In my opinion, sounders really are the most important fish-catching tool on a freshwater boat. Until next month, buckled rods from the Colonel! on newly found schools. When casting, keep your distance and try hopping tail spinners or blades through the fish. Smaller profiled spinnerbaits fished with a slow rolling action have also taken their share. While most of the action has been coming from smaller bass, there are still some crackers being caught. Bass to 50cm+ are not uncommon, but they are hard to find and catch consistently. There has also been an increase in the number of golden perch being taken on lures. For all your fishing supplies and the latest reports on Cressbrook and the surrounding dams, call in to see the specialist tackle stores. In Toowoomba, Fish’n’Bits in Alderly Street have a great range of lures and fishing gear. At Highfields you will find Highfields Bait and Tackle at the Coles Shopping Centre. Doug has a top range of freshwater gear and plenty of hand-crafted timber lures. Support these tackle stores, because they will be able

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Copeton Cressbrook Dyer/Bill Gunn Eungella Fairbairn Glenlyon Hinze Julius Kinchant Koombooloomba Leslie Macdonald

14 31

Weipa

Toowoomba

BRISBANE

IMPOUNDMENT DAM

to direct you to where the fish are biting and 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 until 8pm this month. SOMERSET CLOSEST TOWNS: ESK, KILCOY My favourite big bass lake has been producing the goods again. The big bass don’t always come easy, but their size makes up for their stubborn feeding habits. I had several trips last month and

53 47 44 71 70 68 7 7 7 100 101 100 43 44 43 68 64 62 95 94 92 105 100 0 93 94 94 58 65 n/a 16 15 14 61 55 51

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 Mackay

Rockhampton

Emerald

29 7

Highlighted dams are covered in this issue

Gladstone

30 8

Bundaberg 9

Roma

we boated anywhere from 20-35 bass each trip. The biggest fish was well over 3kg in weight and measured 54.5cm to the fork of the tail. There were other monsters caught, too. The biggest I heard of was taken by Colin Singleton. His fish fell for a deeply presented fly on the bottom in 6m of water. The fish measured 59cm to the tip of the tail. That’s a summertime bass well in excess of 3.5kg. That’s why I love Somerset Dam. The bass have been schooling thick around Pelican Point. These schools of fish move about, so to find them follow the contours of the point searching in 8-11m of water. Last month the fish

BRISBANE

loved the 8-9m depth range and when they ventured to deeper water than this, they suspended. Using maps on the sounder has been the trick to finding similar schools further to the north. Searching for humps and drop-offs around that 8-9m mark has paid dividends and we scored bass all over the place from Pelican Point up to the north of Kirkleigh campground. Finding bass hasn’t been a real issue. Catching them while casting lures has proved to be the problem. Somerset bass can get the worst case of lockjaw. They see more lures than any other impoundment fish and I am sure this is why

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

Maroon Monduran/Fred Haigh Moogerah North Pine/Samsonvale Peter Faust/Proserpine Pindari Somerset Teemburra Tinaroo Toonumbar Wivenhoe Wuruma

99 98 97 88 84 81 87 85 87 56 53 51 59 59 58 97 86 81 76 75 74 99 101 101 38 44 48 89 83 77 72 71 68 81 81 76

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 17/03/17

(All levels correct at time of going to press. Dam levels can change at any time, so please check with local authorities to ensure safe boating and fishing.) 76

APRIL 2017

Maryborough

w w w. b a r g a i n b o a t b i t s. c o m . a u

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

brought to you by

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

Gympie

Spoons accounted for four Somerset bass in four casts when they decided to play. In this case, the barred grunter 20g Gang Banger did the damage. they refuse to bite at times. Small triggers can make the difference. A passing storm and barometric pressure change, a change in wind strength or direction can trigger them to drop their guard and feed in small bite windows. All the normal lures will produce a few fish. The Jackall Mask Vibe and Gang Banger 20g spoon have been great options. When fishing the Mask through the schooling fish, use a hopping retrieve. With the spoon, mix it up. On days when the fish are chewing, a slow roll up through the fish will get the most bites and hook-ups. If this fails, we have brought the fish on by hopping the spoon, sometimes

aggressively shaking it off the bottom and at other times with a slow draw. Bites come as the lure lifts off the bottom and as it flutters back down on a semi-slack or tight line. Lure trolling to the schooling bass can be exceptional. We have had days where they refuse to eat a cast and retrieved lure, but you can whack them the second you start trolling. On some days it would have been possible to reach 100 fish if you put in the effort. Lures that reach 7-9m deep are perfect and placing them at the exact depth the fish are holding is very important when they are not spread out through the water column. A fast troll is often best with the boat moving at up to 5km/h. A way to get more

DARLING DOWNS GRANITE BELT REGION COOBY CLOSET TOWNS: HIGHFIELDS, TOOWOOMBA The golden perch have been a bit harder to tempt. Fishing the early mornings and late afternoons seems to produce the best results. Around the buoy line, there are some deeper schooling fish, which can be found in 7-8m of water. If you spot these fish on your sounder, try dropping a dark coloured blade or soft vibe into them. In the afternoons, trolling the edges of the weed beds out from the boat ramp and in front of the sailing club building or along the rock wall has produced a few goldens as well as the occasional small Murray cod. Bait fishing has been slow with only a few goldens caught and more action is coming from the eel-tailed catfish. These fish can be caught from a boat or at the start of the rock wall when fishing from the shore. Cooby D a m ’s proximity to Highfields and Toowoomba makes it a very popular fishery. If you are looking for somewhere close to home to drop the boat or kayak in, Cooby is definitely worth a visit. The dam hours are now 6am until 8pm, which is perfect to fish into the dark for a late arvo cod. Just remember, no outboard

motors are allowed to be used on the dam. The concrete boat ramp is on a shallow angle when the dam is full and can be slippery in places. 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 at the Coles Circle Plaza Shopping Centre in Highfields. Call in and see Doug and check out the great range of fishing gear, kayaks and accessories he has on display.

bites is to knock the boat out of gear when the lure is amongst the fish and allow the vibration to slow before knocking it back in gear to make the lure surge off and vibrate harder again. A couple of proven lures have been the Poltergeist 50mm Crazy Deep, Little Rippa, Blitz Baga and the old faithful Mann’s 15+. For the latest reports, check out Somerset Fishing Tackle online and on Facebook. The store has now closed in Kilcoy and moved to the dam. The trailer can be located in the day use area at Kirkeigh. The opening days could change to include more weekdays. You can expect them to be there Friday, Saturday and Sunday each week, at least. Somerset Tackle has a great range of lures and gear suited to fishing the dam. They also have the knowledge and skills to help steer you in the right direction. Call in and see them or consider doing a phone or internet purchase, as they mail order fishing gear all over the place. MAROON CLOSEST TOWNS: BOONAH, BEAUDESERT Bass have been active around the lake with bait fishers and lure tossers getting into the action. Lure fishers have done well when

flicking to the edges of the weed beds. Small soft plastics will account for plenty of smaller bass. Quality fish can sometimes be enticed by using lipless crankbaits, spinnerbaits and beetle spins. These are common lures to use around the weed edges. Sometimes thinking outside of the box can be the undoing

LESLIE CLOSEST TOWN: WARWICK There are still plenty of golden perch chewing on lures and bait. Fish have been caught all over the dam. Certain techniques seem to produce better in different areas. Up the back of the dam, trolling lures in 4-5m of water will produce quality fish with smaller models mixed in. The rocky outcrops hidden below the water in the same depth tend to hold good numbers of fish and will also be a good place to target Murray cod. In the dam’s main body, smaller fish seem to respond well to cast lures. Tail spinners and blade baits hopped across

the bottom and near the rocky structure have worked well over the last month. These lures should continue to fool the fish in the deeper areas this month, as the lake’s core temperature will take some time to drop. Murray cod can be specifically targeted on bigger spinnerbaits and hardbodies. These fish love the rocky structure and casting and trolling these lures will produce. When there isn’t a lot of boat traffic causing excessive noise on the lake, a stealthy approach using an electric motor to move along the rocky shorelines is a good approach. Casting up into the shallows and exploring the crevices in the granite rocks

of plenty of fish. Spoons have been whacking heaps of fish in the deeper and more open water of other lakes. To use these lures you simply cast them and roll them out along the weed as it drops into deeper water. The light hooks can be ripped out of the weed if they foul up and you can flutter

and hop the lure down the face of the weed bed and along the bottom as you bring it back. Bait fishers have had the most success using live shrimp up in the timber. Try fishing around the trees near the weed edge or target the areas where the bottom is 5-7m deep.

Brett Trueman caught this golden perch trolling a deep diving lure across the Pelican Point flats at Somerset Dam. could produce the monster cod we all long for. Bait fishers have been catching fish all over the dam when using live shrimp and saltwater yabbies. Try fishing in up to 6m of water around the structure if possible. Good numbers of fish have also been landed from the shore along the southern banks of the dam’s main basin. Along with getting a fishing report, stock up on all your gear while at Warwick Outdoor and Sports 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 There isn’t much to report from Coolmunda this month. The Murray cod copped a hiding with quite a few guys scoring good numbers of fish in the timber two months ago. The fact that the reports have To page 78

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Murray cod are best targeted in the early morning and late afternoon. This fat Coolmunda specimen fell for a red and black spinnerbait worked around hidden trees.

Scan for video tour APRIL 2017

From page 77

been slow to filter through doesn’t mean they have stopped biting. The fish have been left alone for a while. This being the case, it would be a good time to go and try your luck. In the dirtier water of Coolmunda, spinnerbaits

are one of the best ways to entice a bite from cod. Cast around the base of the standing timber and always keep an eye on your sounder for any branches and logs, which could be hidden on the bottom. This horizontal timber holds plenty of cod and knowing where to

SUNSHINE COAST REGION MACDONALD CLOSEST TOWNS: TEWANTIN, NOOSA Over the last month, there has been a spike in the number of saratoga caught. Mix one or two of these in with some bass, and you’ll have yourself a good day on the water.

The saratoga have been taking surface lures early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Both Lucky Craft and Megabass surface lures have been performing well. A few nice bass will also fall for surface presentations. Bass fishers will find most action around the

WIDE BAY AND SOUTH BURNETT REGION BOONDOOMA CLOSEST TOWNS: PROSTON, KINGAROY Low lake levels should keep most of the fish in the main basin and closer to the wall end of the lake. Trolling 5/8oz spinnerbaits is a great way to catch these fish, as they tend to suspend in the deeper water. Troll using an electric motor at around 2-2.5km/h to ensure the blades of the spinnerbait are working and adjust the amount of line out to sink

the lure to the same depth as the fish. Most bites will come from bass and golden perch will be mixed in with them. Trolling hardbodies to a similar depth should also get results. Lure casters usually opt to throw downsized baits like small spinnerbaits at these fish. Other options include soft plastics and plastics rigged on beetle spin frames. Up in the Boyne timber, there have been quite a few saratoga caught on

find this can make all the difference. The magic depth seems to be around 2.5m but use this only as a guide. The cooler days can see the cod venture even shallower. I have heard of fish caught on all types of spinnerbaits, but I have always been keen on lures from 5/8oz up to 1oz.

Black and red is my favourite colour combo. I also attach a 5” paddle-tail plastic as a trailer and bury a stinger hook midway down its body when fitting it to the main spinnerbait hook. The Coolmunda Caravan Park is only around 1km away from the lake. The park

is just off the Cunningham Highway and far enough away from the noise of trucks to get a good night’s sleep. It offers camping sites, cabins, caravan facilities, tennis courts, a swimming pool, BBQ shelter and a camp kitchen. The park is wheelchair

friendly. Camping is also 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.

deeper weed edges. Casting Lipless crankbaits, blades and spinnerbaits should see some quality fish landed. Always keep an eye on the sounder while searching the weed edges, as sometimes the fish will be schooled in the open water. BORUMBA CLOSEST TOWNS: IMBIL, NOOSA The dam level is still

low making launching bigger boats more difficult. If you make the effort or have a smaller boat, small bass have been plentiful for bait and lure fishers. The fish can be found schooling in the upper half of the basin and around the start of the timber. The flats between the drowned timbers of the old rainforest with nearby towering figs in the Yabba

Arm are always worth a look for better quality bass. Bait fishers have been doing well on bloodworms and especially live shrimp. Lure anglers have had success with smaller paddle-tail plastics. Lures in the 2.5-3” size are best. Late in the afternoon as the sun sets, surface lures have come into their own. These lures can be fished

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

spinnerbaits. With less water to hide in, these fish are more likely to be encountered and a session specifically chasing them could be rewarding. Boondooma is a great place to camp right near the water and sit by the fire while enjoying 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 an excellent range of proven fishing tackle. For campsites, cabins and bunkhouse rooms, call (07) 4168 9694.

BJELKE-PETERSEN CLOSEST TOWNS: MURGON, GOOMERI Bjelke’s water level is quite low so take care when navigating. There isn’t much point trying to find your way up into the top half of the lake, as most of the action will be taking place within sight of the boat ramps. Bass Point, Lightning Ridge and The Quarry areas have all been holding bass schools. Mixed in will also be some quality golden perch. Trolling spinnerbaits and hardbodies that dive 4-5m should see some action.

Casters will do well on lures like downsized spinnerbaits, beetle spin rigged plastics, blades, plastics, spoons and tail spinners. The low lake level can make the fishing a little more difficult, especially if levels are still falling. The fish should be easy to find now they are confined to a smaller area. Rotating through different lures and toying with techniques will reveal a pattern they are more interested in. For help catching Bjelke and Boondooma fish, call into Bass 2 Barra. The store stocks an awesome range of

gear suited to chasing our freshwater fish and the staff have all the knowledge to guide you on how to use it. You’ll find the store at 119 Youngman Street Kingaroy. Matthew Mott also runs fishing charters on the dams and you can reach him through the store for bookings and enquiries on (07) 4162 7555. 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.

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MACKAY REGION KINCHANT CLOSEST TOWNS: MACKAY, MIRANI The barra fishing in Kinchant has been quite consistent. A few fish are being caught every trip and there hasn’t been any standout action apart from fishing well into the night. The average size of the fish has been 80-90cm long with the bigger models being quite elusive. After rising, the old weed beds have struggled to reach back towards the surface making straggly weed right out into 6-7m of water. This can pose a problem with not having nice defined solid weed edges to fish. These edges will still hold fish, but the sparse weed allows the fish to move through it (where they are hard to reach) very freely. New weed will be taking hold in the

on Harbour Road, North Mackay. Ash works in the store and as a fishing guide on the lakes. Some firsthand information as to where they are biting always goes a long way. Nashy’s has a great range of tackle suited to the dams as well as all the other fishing options the Mackay area is blessed with. You can call the store for more information or to put some gear on hold on (07) 4957 2272. TEEMBURRA CLOSEST TOWNS: PINNACLE, MACKAY Te e mb u rra w as producing a few barra until the water went brown last month. This could only take a matter of weeks to clear, so hopefully things are back to normal next month. When in its normal healthy state, even during lots of rain, the water stays a clear green colour.

store in Proserpine and runs charters on the dam managed to catch fish and was willing to share a few secrets that should continue to produce fish into this month. The fishing past the tree line has been slower with most fish coming from the main basin. Lindsay will often start out by trolling deep diving lures outside the trees while looking for fish on the sounder. The occasional fish is picked up trolling and the real action starts when a tighter school of barra is found. Position the boat near the fish and throw big soft plastics over them, count them down and wind them back in. This method has been successful on most outings with better days producing over 10 fish. While trolling deep divers is a very popular way to hook quality barra in Prossy, with it comes a problem. Barra caught

The first sign of colour as a 1m+ barra emerges from the depths of Peter Faust (Proserpine). This is the kind of encounter you can expect when fishing the deeper water of the main basin outside the tree line. shallower water and this would be a great place to target. Look for the freshest and healthiest weed growth and the barra shouldn’t be too far away. Rolling soft plastics has been the most reliable way to catch the fish. Refexion Swimbaits and Squidgy Slick Rigs are a couple of good options. Hopping a soft vibe like the FLT Transam around the edges of the weed and in deeper water can also be a winner. If you are planning on fishing Kinchant, Teemburra or Eungella, be sure to call in and see Bruce and Ash at Nashy’s Compleat Angler

It would pay to give Ash at Nashy’s Compleat Angler a call to check on the water colour. If all is back to normal, try fishing the shoreline of the lake concentrating on points and bays. Soft plastics, vibes and surface lures can all draw strikes from barra. While most of the fish are under a metre long, there have already been some monsters caught this year. PROSERPINE CLOSEST TOWNS: PROSERPINE, AIRLIE BEACH Recently, anglers reported the fishing was tougher at the lake. Lindsay Dobe who owns the tackle

from the deeper water suffer from barotrauma. The sudden change in air pressure from bringing them from the depths to the surface expands their air bladder. The swollen air bladder becomes so tight it places pressure on other vital organs. Anglers who take too long to release their fish after unhooking, measuring and taking pictures are doing it no favours. The fish simply don’t have the strength to get back down to deeper water on their own where the effects can reverse. There are a few ways to fix this problem. The first is to go for the

Fancy boats might be fast, comfortable and a pleasure to fish from, but fishing success really comes down to being able to locate the fish with sounders. There’s no point fishing where there’s no fish. quick release and allow the fish to make its own way back to a comfortable level. This also gets the fish into cooler water rather than the hot surface water, which can also be a death sentence. Another way is to deflate the air bladder is with a needle. Bass fishers have used this trick for years. There are specialized needles available or alternatively you could call into a vet and ask for a heavier gauge needle that they would use on bigger animals like horses and cattle. These needles have a bigger hole to prevent clogging and allow for easy air escape. There are demos of deflating air bladders online and I suggest taking a look at one of these. The sweet spot is three or four scales behind the pectoral fin. Place the needle in under the scale and stand it up applying pressure to put it through the fish’s side and into the air bladder. The release of air noise will be heard immediately once you hit the right area. Once enough air has been left out, the fish will be stable and balanced in the water when held upright. Tilting the fish on its side so the needle faces up will allow a bit more air out of it so it can then comfortably return to a deeper level. Anglers have also experimented with the use of release weights. These weights or even an anchor if necessary can be used to return the fish to the depth it was caught. They pull the fish down with a downward facing hook. When the weight is lifted up, the hook pulls free leaving the fish at the release depth. If you do see a struggling barra on the surface, which has been caught by another angler, it is the ideal time to try one of these release methods.

If the fish has barotrauma you will see the swelling in its gut and it will feel hard and bloated to touch. To leave them simply die on the surface is cruel. Of course if you are releasing fish and having trouble with them floating back up and can’t do anything for them, it is best to move on and try to find fish in shallower water. These big barra are a dream

for some anglers and are too precious to waste. For all your fishing supplies or a guided trip on the lake, call Lindsay or Dane at Barra World on (07) 4945 4641. Barra World is right on the highway in Proserpine and specializes in barra fishing tackle as well as catering to the needs of anglers fishing the nearby estuaries and offshore.

2 Dams

1de stination H

South Burnett

· Boondooma Dam · Bjelke-Petersen Dam ·

The BEST place in QLD to catch Australian Bass and Yellowbelly

STAY

CATCH

NIGHTS AND

SAVE

of the month BOONDOOMA DAM

WILLIAM SCHLOSS WITH A GAINT BOONDOOMA TOGA

BJELKE-PETERSEN BEN FARO WITH A NICE BP BASS

www.lakeboondooma.com.au www.yallakoolpark.com.au APRIL 2017

Isuzu MU-X Tour Mate ideal for the traveller BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

Isuzu’s MU-X is a favourite amongst the boating/fishing/towing set for good reason. Why has this dedicated 4WD been so well received? Let’s

out with an alloy bull bar, tow bar and both bonnet and side window wind deflectors. For the record, both of these MU-X models are seven seaters and the LS-T offers all the bells and whistles. The LS-U isn’t far behind it. The LS-T comes with leather

certainly no poverty pack vehicle, not with its seven seats, terrain-taming 4WD system, climate control air conditioning, no less than three glove-box-style dash storage compartments and large reversing camera set into the central display section of the dash. All rows of seating

Tour Mate accessories include a big alloy bull bar and wind deflectors on doors – perfect companions for serious touring or towing duties.

Towing a camper trailer is just one of the easy tasks for the MU-X and its strong diesel engine. start with the fact that it’s value for money, move to the excellent levels of comfort and sheer userfriendliness, and then finish off with the vehicle’s off road credentials and

seat trim, sat nav, multiinformation display, an eight speaker audio system and a roof mounted DVD player at the rear along with other goodies. The reviewed LS-U was

offered the essential high and handsome ‘Command’ style of all round visibility, a term coined by Land Rover some years ago. Even the third row passengers get to enjoy the view. Second row seats fold rapidly for easy access to the row at the rear.

with city traffic as well as provide more than adequate offroad capability in the rough stuff. With 130kW of power and 280Nm of torque the MU-X seems to take everything in its stride: 1800rpm at 100km means that this engine, with its extra strength and easy torque, should be a very long lasting performer by any standard. Gear changes from the auto unit were seamless, smooth as silk, and virtually undetectable. Changing from 2H to 4H on the fly via the Isuzu’s Terrain Command drive system was as simple as turning

A handy under floor storage area is a feature of the Isuzu MU-X. more-than-adequate performance from its strong 3L diesel engine mated to a five-speed auto gearbox. As a hot contender for the buyer’s dollar in today’s crowded large 4X4 market, the Isuzu MU-X has more than held it’s own in standard form. As vehicle makers do from time to time, Isuzu sometimes offers special deals or features in their strongest selling vehicles. I had a look at the Tour Mate specifications of the MU-X. Both the LS-U and LS-T 4X4 grades are kitted 80

APRIL 2017

With all rear seating down, there is a 1700mm long cargo area on hand.

A neatly fitted tow bar completes the Tour Mate accessory list for the LS-U model MU-X. Note the ample ground clearance under the spare wheel.

Rear seating could accommodate a pair of adults. It doesn’t have to be the usual grade schoolers sometimes relegated to these often sparse seats. Standard features of the Isuzu MU-X include comfortable and supportive front seating as well as a high degree of head and legroom for those seated in the second row, which

has an array of storage compartments, seat pockets and other comforts. 3L DIESEL ENGINE DOES IT EASY Much of the Isuzu’s strength lies under the bonnet where a fourcylinder 3L turbo diesel engine – a bit on the chattery side until underway – has all the power needed to keep up

a dial on the console. The 4X4 Low Range required a complete stop while the selector was activated. The ride was easy and not at all rough, with a tendency to feel just a little soft in bumpy corners due to the height of the unit. That said, the small degree of pitch was easily accommodated and no bar to a comfortable and

controlled ride. Curiously, the MU-X had fairly heavy steering with a turning circle that made it just that bit tricky to sneak into some of the tighter corners in suburban parking areas. A 4X4 WITH AMPLE CRED With offroad driving a strength, it comes as no

surprise that the MU-X has a 24° approach angle, 25.1° departure and a 19.5° breakover angle. Towing a boat or camper trailer up the beach is a strength of the Isuzu with its very wide tyres and ample power. It’s also quite hard to overlook the very useful amount of space. Luggage

There’s no need to take it easy en route to the fishing spots with true 4WD, ample ground clearance and well-sorted approach and departure angles. The MU-X will get you there in comfort.

Easily maintained climate control air conditioning and a sensible large reversing camera are just some of the desirable features in the MU-X.

or fishing equipment can be packed into the MU-X in both the 2WD or 4WD variant. All variants offer a flat floor from cargo door to the rear of the front seats. With all seats folded down I noted a 1700mm long, 1100mm wide cargo compartment: certainly a winner for those of use that

love to load up and head for a fishing destination. This area amounts to 1830L of cargo space. With just the rear seats down and out of the way, there is still a very useful 838L of load area on hand. The second row of seats offer a 60/40 fold setup (to allow access to the rear array of

the seven seater) while the rear pair come with a 50/50 fold capability. Towing is a handy 3T (braked) and 750kg (unbraked), which certainly caters for a lot of recreational toys in my book. To sum up, the Isuzu MU-X (LS-U model) with the attractive Tour Mate

additions is a strong, reliable, proven off roader with ample interior features matched by value for money exterior extras, which can come home for around $48,990 plus on road costs. Warranty is five years or 130,000km with services on a yearly or 10,000km loop.

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www.tacklejunkie.fish APRIL 2017

Bring on the mackerel madness this Easter The NSW Mackerel Championships will once again be staged in Coffs Harbour over the Easter long weekend this year. Fished over two full days, Good Friday and Saturday, the presentation lunch will be held on Easter Sunday at what is now known as ‘Game Fish HQ’ – the old Deep Sea Fishing Club. Being the only event of it’s kind in NSW to target solely Spanish and spotted mackerel, it’s become popular with anglers. With a $5000 cash prize up for the heaviest Spanish and $2000 for the heaviest spotted the event draws entries from as

far south as Sydney and as far north as Cairns. The nature of this unique event attracts trailer boats of all sizes and anglers of all capabilities. Competitors last year ranged from seasoned anglers through to competitors attending their first tournament, typically fishing from 4-5m trailer boats. Following the overwhelming acceptance of the format last year, organizers are prepared for a large field and have formulated special fishing rules for this event to limit the potential number of fish taken. This year’s launch

boundaries have been extended northwards to allow easier access to the Solitary Islands chain, a popular and productive mackerel area. Already fish touching 30kg have been reported and large schools of both types of fish have been seen in close to Coffs Harbour. There are prizes for both species. Emphasis is on the angler lucky draw with a large prize pool helping keep everyone happy. For more information, go to www.chgfc.com.au to download entry forms and check the rules or contact the Tournament Director on 0428 659 122. – CHGFC

TOURNAMENT CALENDAR 2017

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

1-2 April

Albany BREAM Qualifier #3 Albany

www.abt.org.au

2 April

Round 3 Hobie Polarized Southern Bream Series Batemans Bay

Lynette Kime 0490 762 188

5-6 April

Blackwood BREAM Qualifier #4 Blackwood

www.abt.org.au

8-9 April

BASS Electric #2 Toonumbar

www.abt.org.au

14-16 Apr

CHGFC Mackerel Championships Coffs Harbour

www.chgfc.com.au

15-16 April

Clairview Beach Easter Fishing Competition Clairview Beach

Vic Coleman 0419 724 172

29-30 April

Hawkesbury River BASS Pro Qualifier #1 Hawkesbury River

www.abt.org.au

6-7 May

Round 4 Hobie Polarized Southern Bream Series Mallacoota

Lynette Kime 0490 762 188

20 May

BASS Electric #3 Hinze Dam

www.abt.org.au

20-21 May

Manning River BREAM Qualifier #5 Manning River

www.abt.org.au

16-18 June

Round 5 Hobie Polarized Southern Bream Series St Georges Basin

Lynette Kime 0490 762 188

3-4 June

Cania BASS Pro Qualifier #2 Cania Dam

www.abt.org.au

7-8 June

Boondooma BASS Pro Qualifier #3 Boondooma Dam

www.abt.org.au

17-18 June

BASS Electric #4 Borumba Dam

www.abt.org.au

5-6 July

Lake St Clair BASS Pro Qualifier #4 Lake St Clair

www.abt.org.au

8-9 July

Glenbawn BASS Pro Qualifier #5 Glenbawn Dam

www.abt.org.au

15-16 July

Richmond River BREAM Qualifier #6 Richmond River

www.abt.org.au

30 July

BASS Electric #5 St Clair

www.abt.org.au

6 August

Round 6 Hobie Polarized Southern Bream Series Hawksbury

Lynette Kime 0490 762 188

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

APRIL 2017

THE F Self-co U ntaineTURE IS H d Elec tric OuERE tboard s

Howarth homes in for win

BASS EL ECTR SERIES IC

James Howarth has claimed his maiden bass electric win at the opening round of the 2017 ePropulsion Bass Electric Series at Clarrie Hall with 2/2 fish for 1.95kg. Not to be outdone, bass tournament regular Matt Johnson kicked his season off with a bang taking out second place and the Big Bass for the event with 2/2 fish for 1.92 kg. Howarth used a two-pronged approach to catch his winning fish. He would first cast a Ima Foxy Fry tight to the weed edge before imparting an aggressive and constant jerking retrieve. “I would impart the same action I use for chasing bream around pontoons on the gold coast. The aggressive approach was really firing them up,” said Howarth. If Howarth missed bites

back into the same structure and sink it a little deeper before rolling the lure back.” To fish these baits, Howarth used identical JML Perfection Torz 6’10 rod matched with a 2004 Daiwa Gekkabijin spooled with 10lb braid and 6lb Yamatoyo Chinu Harris leader. With the extreme temperatures during the tournament Howarth knew that he would need to find areas that would allow the fish to retreat to cooler water as the day progressed. “The key areas for us were in the top quarter of the lake, I used a previous tournament and my Insight Genesis maps to locate weed beds adjacent to deeper water and look for shady pockets,” said Howarth. For Howarth it was reward for putting in the homework, “It was great to win the event using Ecogear and Lowrance products and I am really thankful for their James Howarth with the fruits of his victory in the opening round of the ePropulsion BASS Electric Convention. always one to watch on the tournament trail, having another consistent finish with 2/2 fish for 1.92kg, which was anchored by the event Big Bass of 1.14kg. Johnson headed down the lake and targeted fish holding in the small bays in the middle reaches of the lake. “It was all about finding edges with broken weed and pockets for the fish to hold in,” explained Johnson. Once he had located the fish, Johnson targeted them with a Jackall Derabuzz in blue gill. He cast his lure onto the lily pads behind the weed bed before burning the bait back to the boat.

“I really had a short bite window. I had my bag by 8:30 and the bite died off soon after.” Johnson’s rig of choice for this work was a Barra Bass XSB 843 matched with a Quantum EXO 25 spooled with 10lb Unitika braid and 10lb Unitika fluorocarbon. “It was good day fishing with Shaun Falkenhagen and I am looking forward to the Electric season ahead,” explained Johnson. The ePropulsion Bass Electric series heads north to the pristine waters of Lake Lenthalls on 18-19 March. For all the information on an event near you head to abt. org.au. – ABT

THE FUTURE IS HERE Self-contained Electric Outboards

STORM

James Howarth with his Clarrie Hall winning bass. on his jerkbait, he would then cast a cut down Ecogear Power Shad in black and gold into the same spot and slow roll the lure back to the boat. “Once I had them fired up I would cast the plastic

support. I also need to thank Steve Morgan and Tristan Taylor for the loan of the boat and motor.” JOHNSON BUZZES INTO SECOND Matt Johnson showed once again why he is

RESULTS Place Angler

Bag

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

2/2 2/2 2/2 2/2 2/2 2/2 2/2 2/2 2/2 2/2

James Howarth Matt Johnson Tom Pearson Chesley Lennon Stephen Mclean Brady Ellis Tim Currie Jono Bale Nigel Skyring Tim Nangano

Total Weight (kg)

1.95 1.92 1.82 1.79 173 1.63 1.61 1.52 1.43 1.42

Matt Johnson with his second-placewinning bass at Clarrie Hall.

Visit www.abt.org.au for entry forms. For general enquiries phone ABT on (07) 3387 0888. APRIL 2017

Morgan’s Metung Madness

THE FUTURE IS HERE Self-contained Electric Outboards

STORM

Fishing Monthly’s own Steve Morgan has claimed victory at the Mercury Marine Gippsland BREAM Qualifier, the second stop of the 2017 Costa BREAM Series. Morgan has enjoyed his fair share of tough fishing on the Gippsland Lakes in the past, with the Queenslandbased BREAMer struggling to forget three consecutive donuts during the wind-shortened 2013 BREAM Grand Final. 2016 was slightly kinder, with Morgan bagging out the first day, but the plague of tournament fishing crept up, when he could only catch a small limit during day two. “I’ve learnt here in the past that fish at Paynesville don’t last. I learnt that last year and although I caught good fish there during pre-fish this year, I also saw plenty of other boats hitting the spots. I wasn’t going to make that same mistake again, so I looked for similar structure back towards the start at Metung between the pub and Lakes Entrance and hardly saw another boat all tournament.” “I also talked to fellow Queenslander James Howarth, who I shared accommodation with last year. We both caught good bags on day one in 2016 and joked that we had enough fish

Steve Morgan with a pair of his Gippsland Lakes winning bream. between us to win the event.” His plan played out to perfection, with Morgan not only claiming a wire-towire victory, but also taking the Big Bream prize for his 1.55kg kicker from day one. For Morgan, it was a case of fishing to his strengths, and coming from the urban waterways of South East Queensland, fishing artificial structure like jetties, pontoons and oyster encrusted poles is right up his alley. Morgan used the same technique and approach on both tournament days, and relied heavily on one lure to complete his 10/10 9.75kg limit. “A heavy Cranka Crab in olive colour was the standout lure. Even if the water was shallow I’d throw the heavy.

WINNING TACKLE The winning tackle was a Nordic Stage Artis rod paired with a Daiwa Steez 2004 reel, Berkley Nanofil 4lb line and 6lb Yamatoyo Chinu Harris fluorocarbon. Morgan’s lure of choice was a Heavy Cranka Crab in olive colour.

The key with fishing a crab and probably the difference between myself and my non-boaters who struggled with the technique was making sure the crab sunk on a slack line vertically straight down the structure. “It’s a very similar skill to what I learnt throwing stick minnows many years ago. You need to lay the line down to allow the crab to sink straight and not pendulum away from the structure on a semi slack or tight line. If it sinks like that it looks unnatural, and when these bream are this big and this old, they don’t get to that stage without being pretty smart.” Morgan targeted any artificial structure between Metung and Lakes Entrance and put together two consistent bags of thick and heavy Gippsland bream. So confident in the lure was Morgan that he didn’t have anything else rigged up. “I’ve worked out a system now that I probably should have a long time ago.

Pre-fish day I lost five crabs, so that night I spent probably more time rigging up than I ever have before, and I proceeded to tie on heavy crabs to rods ranging from 2lb straight through Yamatoyo spinning fluorocarbon, through to heavy braid and 10lb leader. When I’d approach something like a moored boat, I’d opt for the 2lb or maybe 3lb leader. If I was faced with the nastiest pontoon you’ve ever seen, I would ditch the light tackle and pick up the heavier stick with up to 10lb leader.” Having rods ranging from 2lb, through 3lb, 4lb, 5lb, 6lb, 8lb and 10lb leader let Morgan choose the best chance of first getting the bite, then having the ability to extract the fish once it had been hooked. Once hooked, Morgan would opt not to pump and wind the fish to extract it from the structure. “I always would rather use the electric motor to gently steer the fish out. The harder you go on them, the quicker they bury you in the structure, so it would always be a case of guide the fish out with the electric, then pump and wind once it was clear. If a fish did get me around a rope or pole, I’d immediately back the drag right off, and go in close to try and gently guide the fish back through the maze and into the net.” For his effort, Morgan pocketed the $3300 winner’s cheque, the $500 Big Bream, the 1st place Mercury Bonus cheque and the Duffrods Big Bag for his day one 4.94kg limit.

Carter old school for runner-up Picking up where he left off last year, the 2016 Power Pole BREAM Angler of the Year Warren Carter started strongly with a 3rd place finish at the BKK Mallacoota BREAM Qualifier, and he’s now backed it up with a runner-up at the Mercury Gippsland Lakes BREAM Qualifier to again be sitting joint atop the Power-Pole Angler of the Year race with Mario Vukic after

two rounds. Whenever the Costa BREAM Series visits Victoria, Warren Carter is always a name that pops up as one to watch at the bump tubs. He has a habit of winning and is certainly showing no signs of letting up on his quest for backto-back Angler of the Year trophies. Seeing fish in Gippsland Lakes is never the problem,

Warren Carter continued his good form from 2016 finishing 2nd at the Mercury event.

TOP 10 BOATERS

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

APRIL 2017

Place Angler

Fish Weight (kg)

Payout

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 9

$3300 + $500 Big Bream (1.55kg) + 1st Mercury Bonus ($250) + 1st Pro ($100) $1400 + 2nd Mercury Bonus ($150) $1,100 $1000 + 3rd Mercury Bonus ($100) $875 $700 $575 $500 $500 + Yamaha Bonus ($300)

Steve Morgan Warren Carter Mario Vukic Kristoffer Hickson Stephen Wheeler Steven Pryke Steve Gill Cameron Whittam Tom Slater Andy Parkinson

9.75 9.26 8.7 8.51 8.22 8.12 8.11 7.74 7.73 7.67

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

and after venturing a few hundred metres into the mouth of the Tambo River on pre-fish day, Warren knew there would be enough fish there to grind out a limit both days of the tournament. It was a venture back to the old school for Carter during the two tournament days, as he stuck tight to the rocky banks of the Tambo River and jerkbaited his way to a 10/10 9.26kg limit. “It was a return to Continued over

From previous page

BIG BREAM

what I do best, old school twitching hardbodies on the banks. You really can’t get better than that on the Gippy Lakes.” Carter turned back to an old faithful, the Smith Jade in ayu colour to get quick bags in the Tambo River both mornings. He used an Edge Black Widow 701 rod to cast and impart the

The event Big Bream was joint between boater champion Steve Morgan, and Andy Parkinson for a truly behemoth 1.55kg specimen. Andy Parkinson caught his pig on the Nicholson River flats, while Steve Morgan extracted his from a pontoon not five minutes from the event’s start line at Metung. The tales of the big one that got away haunted many at Gippsland like they always do, which just proves what a special fishery the Gippsland Lakes are for bream.

Steve Morgan’s day one kicker fish (1.55kg) won him in the Big Bream Prize for the event.

perfect action on a seriously lightweight lure. “The Smith Jade is a light lure, but with the right rod it casts just fine. That Edge 701 is perfect; the action I can impart with that soft tip is incredible and second to none in my opinion.” He matched the Edge up to a 2500 size Shimano Stella, which he spooled with 15lb PE0.8 Varivas braid and 4lb Varivas fluorocarbon leader. Both afternoons Carter ventured out of the Tambo River to exploit the afternoon winds for bigger bites on the flats adjacent to the entrance

BREAM

Presente SERIES d by Me rcury

The calm before the storm, Warren Carter and Darren Weda wait patiently for the day one take-off. of the Nicholson River. On day one this approach proved perfect, upgrading with his second biggest fish of the day (1.07kg) on a Smith DD Panish. Unfortunately during the second day, the wind never played the game for Carter’s favoured spots and

the big bite he needed never eventuated. Carter now takes the joint Power-Pole Angler of the Year lead into the next rounds, the Western Australian double-header. Carter is committing wholeheartedly this year, and is

making the journey across our country to back up his win at the Blackwood River in 2015. With the WA double coming up, Carter is going to be a hard man to topple again for the AOY crown in 2017. Only time will tell.

Weedless Weda’s Winning Ways Darren Weda claimed victory by a healthy margin after two days competing on one of the largest and most diverse locations visited every year by the

Costa BREAM Series. Weda’s 10/10 8.14kg limit was more than enough to edge out non-boating veteran Simon Johnson to second place.

Weda started his assault on Gippsland Lakes with none other than Warren Carter, and the pair quickly identified a game plan that would have them both able to be competitive. “Warren was fishing up tight to the bank Heavy Crank Crab

with a hardbody, so I worked out on the initial drop-off and secondary drop-off with plastics and blades,” said Weda. Noticing the abundance of small baitfish in the entrance to the Tambo River, Weda opted to match the hatch as best as possible. He rigged up a ZMan 2.5” Slim SwimZ on a 1/12oz jighead, which he fished slow off the bottom, hopping it back to the boat. Weeding his way through bag fillers, Weda managed a couple of kicker fish throughout the day to end with just over 4kg sitting

Darren Weda claimed his first victory on the ABT BREAM Tour winning the non-boater title at the Mercury presented event. been pretty nervous taking the lead into the final day, but being in third probably made me fish slower and

DUFFRODS BIG BAG Steve Morgan also claimed the Duffrods Big Bag for his day one 4.94kg limit. Catching 12 legals for the day and not losing one fish is going to mean a big bag in Gippsland more times than not. Each Duffrods Big Bag winner receives a personally crafted Duffrod made especially for the venue at which it was won by 2006 ABT BREAM Grand Final Champion Steve Duff.

in third place. “It was probably good for me to not be leading, to be honest. I would have

more relaxed, knowing the pressure was on the guys ahead of me not to falter.” Day two saw Weda paired

TOP 10 NON BOATERS Place Angler

Fish Weight (kg) Payout

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

10 10 10 9 10 9 9 5 8 8

Darren Weda Simon Johnson Clint Voss Nick Penprase Michael Hodges Stuart Walker Shaun Egan Jack Healey Jesse Rotin Allan Murray

8.14 7.35 7.3 6.77 5.92 5.81 5.64 4.55 4.49 4.47

Costa Sunglasses & Prize Pack Costa Sunglasses & Prize Pack + 1st Hobie Bonus ($100) JML Alliance Rod & Prize Pack + 2nd Hobie Bonus ($50) Prize Pack + 3rd Hobie Bonus ($35) Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack

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

Morgan heads to the start line on day two of the Mercury Gippsland Lakes BREAM Qualifier.

with the current number one ranked BREAM angler Mark Crompton and it was going to be a completely different day fishing over 50km away from the previous day’s hotspot. “Crommo had located fish down at Hollands Landing and I knew the big ones lived there, so I rigged up a heavy outfit with a weedless plastic to try and get the fish out of those shallow snaggy edges.” Weda’s outfit consisted of a Daiwa Gen Black Albino rod, matched with a 2506 Daiwa Certate spooled with 12lb braid and 8lb leader. He rigged a ZMan 2.5” GrubZ weedless on a Decoy Nailbomb jighead to throw into the gnarliest country he could find. “I managed three good fish from Holland’s before the bite shut down, then Crommo moved back to the Nicholson flats and I managed to fill my bag with two legals which ended up being plenty enough to leapfrog the guys in front of me.” Darren’s victory saw him walk away with a brand new pair of Costa 580 sunglasses and a stacked prize pack full of the best breaming gear from all of ABT’s sponsors. APRIL 2017

Hayes small boat to big victory

THE FUTURE IS HERE Self-contained Electric Outboards

STORM

Despite owning the smallest boat in the 60-strong field, Victorian breamer and long time ABT angler Mark Hayes brought it home to claim victory in the opening round of the 2017 Costa BREAM Series. The 2017 season kicked off with the BKK Hooks Mallacoota BREAM Qualifier, where anglers were greeted with one of the biggest fields for the past several seasons. A total of 60 of Australia’s best BREAM boaters and 56 non-boaters lined up for their shot at the perfect start to a tournament season. A lot of ABT anglers will tell you this same story. A bad pre-fish almost always equals a good tournament, and a good pre-fish will almost always end in disaster. Call it lucky for Hayes then that his Friday pre-fish featured a sole fish catch – a 39cm fork kicker that he caught on a Bent Minnow fishing an area on the eastern side of the Goodwin Sands. Starting day one on a spot that had been good to Hayes in the past, his intuition told him he needed to go back to where he’d landed his only legal the day before. It was then that his non-boater partner Doug Badrock would make

the discovery that ultimately led Hayes to victory. “There’s no doubt I wouldn’t be sitting here if it wasn’t for my non-boater Doug Badrock on day one,” said Hayes. “We turned up at the eastern side of Goodwin Sands exactly where I’d caught the big fish the day before in pre-fish and I again went to the Bent Minnow right up in the shallows. Doug then began fishing behind me and immediately caught a kilo fish from in the deeper water. It was then I realised I was fishing it all wrong. My first cast out into the deeper water landed me a legal and then I had it worked out. The fish were holding just off the edge of the shallows and were staging there while it was calm.” Hayes quickly went to work and put a limit together. While it wasn’t what we’ve come to expect from Mallacoota in years past, 2017 saw the weights lower than average. So Hayes’ 5/5 3.19kg limit was good enough for third place, only 420g behind overnight leader Mario Vukic. For an overnight leader to improve on their day one bag and still get pipped at the post for the victory usually

WINNING TACKLE R

Hayes’ winning rod was a Samaki Zing 2-4kg rod matched with a Daiwa TD Sol 2000 reel. His lure of choice was a 65mm Smith DD Panish jerkbait.

Mark Hayes fished out of one of the smallest boats in the field to claim the win. requires a pretty special second day bag from someone down the field, and that’s exactly what we witnessed as Mark Hayes dropped 5/5 4.23kg on the scales Sunday afternoon to leapfrog Vukic and take the win by 100g. The only 4kg bag weighed in on an uncharacteristically tough Mallacoota weekend was exactly what was needed, and Hayes delivered in spades. Returning to his primary area after his day one success, Hayes quickly put numbers in the boat. “The wind was up in the morning on day two and the fishing was great. We caught plenty of legals and I thought I was done by 10am.” As the morning winds died off to produce a lake surface slicker than a pane of glass, Hayes began catching the quality of fish that had eluded

most of field all weekend. “We plugged away for hours in the afternoon for not many bites, but the ones we did get were the right ones. I probably caught the tournament winning fish around 1:30pm with less than an hour to go.” Hayes’ lure of choice was one that seems to always do well when the Costa BREAM Series ventures south – the Smith DD Panish. Measuring 65mm and featuring a slim profile body, the DD Panish is a true jerkbait. Fish it with a rip and pause retrieve and watch big black bream climb all over it. This was a win for the tinny brigade and goes to show you don’t need a boat that does 100km/h to win a BREAM tournament. Fishing skill and intuition will always top the flashiest gear and fastest boats!

Mario’s Mallacoota magic Mario Vukic has been quietly going about his business over the last few seasons of the Costa BREAM Series, carving out his space as a serious threat when the tour travels south across the Victorian border. He proved those threats are warranted after dropping two of the biggest bags and the two most consistent bags on the scales to finish with 10/10 7.32kg. There’s generally two ways a tournament is won. On a pattern, or on a hotspot, and there’s no

TOP 10 BOATERS

Visit www.abt.org.au for entry forms. For general enquiries phone ABT on (07) 3387 0888. 86

APRIL 2017

Place Angler

Fish Weight (kg)

Payout

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

10 10 10 10 10 9 10 10 10 9

$3750 + $250 1st Mercury Bonus + Costa Sunglasses + Duffrods Big Bag (4.23kg) $1800 + Costa Sunglasses $1300 + $150 2nd Mercury Bonus $1100 + $300 1st Yamaha Bonus $1000+ $100 3rd Mercury Bonus $1,000 $750 $750 $600 $600

Mark Hayes Mario Vukic Warren Carter Tom Slater Brad Hodges Charlie Saykao Wal Balzan Cameron Whittam Jason Mayberry Ben Phayer

7.42 7.32 6.34 6.03 5.86 5.49 5.46 5.38 5.24 5.18

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

doubting Vukic found a hotspot during the BKK Mallacoota BREAM Qualifier. Of his ten fish, nine were caught from one 300m section of steep rocky bank on the Genoa rockwalls. “I think I would have fished that one section over twenty times during the tournament,” he said. “On Sunday I basically went back and forth for six hours.” It was one of those special places that Continued over

the rock wall out from the bank that seemed to hold the fish. “I think the key to this spot was the ledges. Nowhere else on that rock wall had ledges that ran parallel like that, and that’s where we were getting most of our bites.” Vukic relied on ZMan 2.5” GrubZ in motor oil

From previous page

seemed to hold the quality of fish that were hard to come by elsewhere in the system, and Vukic had them worked out. Sitting 20m off the bank, Vukic would cast straight in to the wall, and work his lure down the face of the steep rock wall, but it was the ledges that ran parallel to

DUFFRODS BIG BAG Mark Hayes claims the Duffrods Big Bag thanks to his hefty day two 4.24kg bag. Hayes now receives a personally crafted Duffrods, custom designed to fish the waters of Mallacoota where it was won. With many of ABT’s top anglers relying on Duffrods as their fishing rod of choice, there’s no doubt we’ll see this stick aboard the tinny on Hayes’ next fishing adventure.

Mark Hayes delivered the tournament’s only 4kg+ bag to the scales on the final day to claim victory at Mallacoota.

colour, and he would vary his jighead weight from 1/12 to 1/16oz depending on the current and the wind to keep contact with the lure as it sank to the bottom. His outfit of choice was a G Loomis GLX SR842-2 rod paired with Daiwa Steez and Exist reels, spooled with 10lb Sunline Castaway and topped with a 4lb Sunline FC Rock fluorocarbon leader. “I was worried I’d fished it too hard on the Saturday for it to hold up going into Sunday, but they seemed to replenish quickly in the deep water,” Vukic commented. “It’s hard to have regrets when your bag weight goes up on day two, and it took

BREAM Presente SERIES d by BKK

something special from Mark Hayes to knock me off first place. I really couldn’t be happier.” Vukic pocketed almost $2000 for the runner-up position as well as a brand new pair of Costa 580 sunglasses. After his success at the Gippsland Lakes BREAM Qualifier the week after Mallacoota, Mario is now also jointly leading the Power Pole BREAM Angler of the Year race after the first two rounds.

Bowen Joiner bides his time You don’t get a much better start than winning your first ever ABT event, and that’s exactly what Bowen Joiner did as he won the non-boater title at the BKK Hooks Mallacoota BREAM Qualifier. “I’ve been wanting to fish tournaments since I can remember, growing

the tournament, he won by almost a kilo to his nearest rival Clint Voss. To make it even more memorable, his day two bag came entirely on unweighted Ecogear Grass Minnows pink grubbing in under 2ft of water. Day one saw Joiner fish the deep water around the

BIG BREAM Brian Everingham made the long journey to Mallacoota from his home in Taree, NSW and was rewarded with the $500 Big Bream. Everingham caught his prize winning fish in the bottom lake on day one on a Austackle Ranger lure, G.Loomis rod and Lews reel.

a 1/12oz jighead. Targeting the same secondary drop as event runner-up Mario

venture upriver with his boating partner, where they located a school of fish in shallow water. This is

65mm Smith Panish DD jerkbait

Bowan Joiner secured the non-boater title in his first ABT event.

Pause

where the pink grub was deployed and just as quickly engulfed, as Joiner went

Twitch

up watching guys like Bushy and Starlo on AFC. I couldn’t wait until I turned 16 and to win my first one is just an awesome feeling.” Joiner didn’t just win

rock walls of Genoa. He opted for arguably the go-to plastic for bream fishing in 2017, the ever-faithful ZMan 2.5” GrubZ in a variety of colours rigged on

Vukic, Joiner was able to quickly put together the second biggest bag for the non-boaters sitting second overnight. Day two saw Joiner

TOP 10 NON BOATERS Place Angler

Fish

Weight (kg) Payout

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

10 8 7 8 7 7 7 8 8 5

5.66 4.88 4.56 4.45 4.42 4.33 4.18 4.09 3.89 3.76

Bowan Joiner Clint Voss Allan Murray Jesse Rotin Ross Lamotte Grayson Fong Scott Wilson Mark Young Joel Corrie Stuart Walker

Costa Sunglasses + Prize Pack + $100 1st Hobie Bonus Costa Sunglasses + Prize Pack + $50 2nd Hobie Bonus JML Alliance Rod & Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack + $35 3rd Hobie Bonus Prize Pack Prize Pack

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

Taree’s Brian Everingham picked up the Big Bream Prize at Mallacoota with his day one kicker fish (1.24kg).

to work in the shallows bagging up a 5/5 2.40kg limit, which on a normal Mallcoota weekend might see you midfield. On a glass calm Sunday it was more than enough to hold off a fast finishing Clint Voss. Joiner is definitely one to watch as he climbs through the ranks of the ABT pathway, and judging by the company he keeps, he’s got a mature head on those young shoulders. Joiner thanked his sponsors Tackleworld Merimbula, Millerods, Humminbird and Minn Kota and his long-time fishing buddy Dean Gamble for the guidance over the last few years. Joiner walked away the proud new owner of a brand new pair of Costa 580 sunglasses and a prize pack bulging with the very best from all of ABT’s sponsors. APRIL 2017

FREE MORETON BAY FROM EXCESSIVE COMMERCIAL NETTING I just spent a week on Moreton Island with my extended family. What we saw never ceases to amaze me. Commercial netters worked the beach from Tangalooma to North Point and did their best to not leave a single whiting. They cruised the shallows in the crystal clear water and targeted every last one they saw. There is no resource sharing and the long-term irreversible impacts they are having on the natural ecosystems are completely unknown. At the last Queensland state election the current government made a policy commitment to

high population areas, and at considerably less expense to the environment. Many p e o p le acknowledge that commercial fishing in one form or another (including aquaculture) is a valid method for providing quality seafood to the non-fishing community. The Sunfish preferred option would be for that to be provided by aquaculture or line caught and provided to a domestic market only. Historically, areas that are fished by both recreational and commercial fishers at high density become confrontational or unfriendly at best. Recently it has become scientifically

been prudent to recognize the recreational fishing contribution to local economies. In Darwin for example, it’s claimed each recreationally caught barramundi is currently worth $3500 to Darwin’s economy. VALUE OF COMMERCIAL FISHING TO THE COMMUNITY Some of the key issues identified in two separate surveys of local retail outlets were: consistency of local product availability was at the best limited to 50% of outlets; and common local fish such as fresh whole whiting, bream, flathead and snapper were stocked only by 20% or less of outlets.

Commercial netters spotting along the shallows. Net Free Areas in areas of high recreational and environmental value. They committed to Cairns, Mackay and Keppel Bay and to then commence an investigation in Moreton Bay. This decision was based on sound economic and environmental indicators and solid support from local communities, recreational fishing and tourism. The three in the north have been done and now Moreton Bay needs to be done. It needs to happen now. The condition of Moreton Bay coastal beach fishing is beyond critical. We can’t afford to wait on a promise for another election. RATIONALE It is now an accepted fact that the economic and social benefits of recreational fishing can exceed the economic value to the community of commercial net fishing in

APRIL 2017

supported that commercial entanglement netting (not tunnel netting) is an activity that should not be in areas that are also high population areas for turtles, dolphins or dugongs. In 2003 the National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey (funded by the Natural Heritage Trust) identified the importance of recreational fishing to regional economies. The survey stated 33% of Queensland households had at least one member who had fished in the last 12 months. The survey stated further that 60% of the catch was sourced from estuaries. Estimates of the direct cost or expenditure for recreational fishers targeting barramundi suggest a value of approximately $51 per recreational fish as opposed to $19 per commercial fish (assuming a weight of 3kg). State governments (in particular the NT) have

The statement that commercial operators supply the public has limited validity as local product availability was low – only 50% of surveyed outlets stocked one or more local fish species. In most cases the cost was well above non-local product – prime fish was very expensive – whiting fillets were $45, snapper fillets $39, scallops $59, flathead fillets $38 and mud crabs $50, making them almost a luxury buy. The bottom line is that very little of the fish gill netted find their way onto local tables. Recreational fishing tourism is for today and tomorrow and the next day. This is all of us, unless you live on a creek and never fish anywhere else. We pay to travel to our favourite spots, whether it is fuel for the car and boat, barge fees or plane tickets. With increasing population densities, Moreton Bay is one of few remaining

www.sunfishqld.com.au

safe areas for families to fish that is reasonably accessible from all of Brisbane and the surrounding regions. Every year hundreds of kids learn to fish in Moreton Bay. Records indicate that Moreton Island alone attracts on average 80% non-residents on any given day. When considering recreational fishing tourism, some of the items to be valued include: fresh fish on the table; healthy activity for any individual irrespective of physical or intellectual capacity, age, sex or socio-economic status; tackle bought, bait, fishing apparatus, boats, fuel; vehicles specific for fishing; accommodation, meals and transport costs to access the island. Because of the limited access and the National Park designation, these commercial enterprises are limited in number and nature on Moreton Island. Many of the purchases are therefore bought in local communities prior to departing for the island. This means that a significant reduction in recreational fishing tourists will not only impact Moreton Island Ferries and local Moreton Island businesses, but businesses throughout the greater catchment area. Currently it is almost impossible to catch a legalsized whiting on Moreton or Bribie islands on beaches open to netting in what is their peak season. In addition, the whiting being netted are not appearing in local markets, but we have reason to believe they’re going directly to Sydney markets. Both of these islands are

National Parks designated for recreational use. Many trips to these national parks include fishing as one activity. At the moment the benefit of this is being denied them. In Moreton Bay, like many other population centres, we are becoming increasingly aware of areas of localized depletion resulting from concentrated, repetitive commercial gill netting. I witnessed this recently and spoke to several groups fishing on the same 500m of beach who indicated that, contrary to previous trips, they had been unable to catch anything of a legal size. Between them they had spent $6000 on their trips that week. Fisheries Queensland do not have a mechanism for either measuring or managing localized depletion at this point in time. We are not asking for access to existing green zones within the area we have highlighted, but just to ensure that in future they will remain clear of commercial fishing should the zonings change. Commercial catch data on the Fisheries Queensland website is quite coarse. As a result, the figures we have been able to extrapolate include the tunnel netters and offshore netters in grids W36, W37 and W38 (Moreton Bay Marine Park) who will not be impacted. As a result the catch estimates we are using will be significantly higher than reality. In 2013 about 1384t was recorded in logbooks in these grids. This equates to about $6.9 million to the fishers. Last financial year the

recreational boat owners in the Moreton Bay catchment area paid over $2 million in the Recreational Use Fee that is included as part of their boat registrations. Given the number of years that these contributions have been coming from the recreational sector, it is certainly fair and reasonable that we see this net-free area sooner rather than later. Now, it would be preposterous to think that recreational fishing policies are significant enough to be a major vote winner in the same class as health, roads or education, but with the changing patterns of how people vote, important local issues like recreational fishing have greater significance. Of all 93 proposed Queensland electorates, there are only four that don’t have a boundary within 100km of the coastline. Of all 93 proposed Queensland electorates, 63 in the 2015 election had margins less than the number of recreational fishers according to Fisheries Queensland’s latest recreational fishing survey data. Any one of those 63 could have changed the outcome of the election. All 63 of those sitting members could have or may indeed have changed with the recreational fishing vote. Please share this information with any local members or candidates. It’s very important that each of us take the time to go and have a chat with and get to know our local members

Anglers at Moreton are struggling to find the legalsized whiting that should be in great numbers.

Email: judylynne@sunfishqld.com.au

of council, state and federal government and explain who we are, what we like to do in our spare time and the part they play in achieving that outcome. You can also share the valuable financial benefit to local communities from recreational fishing. We have recently seen much in local media by fringe commercial fishing groups. In the coming months, I expect there will be more scare mongering. There are 405,000 recreational fishers in the Moreton Bay Catchment. Again, we are not asking for access to existing green zones in this proposal. Fish caught in the proposed net-free area are generally not supplying the local markets. Last year, more than $2 million in Recreational Use Fees was collected from boat owners in the Moreton Bay Catchment. Moreton Bay coastal communities will begin to thrive on the combination of a high value recreationally significant net-free area and some modern, environmentally sound and sustainable commercial fishing businesses. This is a unique opportunity for recreational fishing tourism and all the allied industries. The Queensland recreational fishing sector generates expenditure well in excess of $600 million annually. The best independent economic study was done in 2000, and is reported in the national recreational

fishing survey by Henry and Lyle. The survey estimated the numbers of recreational fishers in each state/ territory, and what these fishers spent annually. The fishing expenditure covered included accommodation, camping gear, bait, boat, clothing, dive gear, fees, fishing gear, travel, and other costs. The average expenditure per QLD angler in 2000 was $407 annually. The total expenditure in 2000 by all QLD resident recreational fishers was estimated as $320 million. The present QLD recreational fishing survey being done by DAF estimates there are more than 600,000 recreational fishers in QLD. The best estimate of expenditure per angler in 2014 is given on an Australian Government website as about $1000 annually. This covers the same items as covered in the 2000 national survey. So a reasonable estimate of current expenditure by the Queensland recreational fishing sector is $600 million annually – almost double the 2000 estimate. This expenditure includes a GST component and none of the expenditure is tax deductible for anglers or subsidized. There is also a non-resident/ tourist component, which is currently unknown, but significant. As mentioned previously, fisheries managers do not have the tools to measure or manage localized depletion. To add salt to the wounds, the whiting netted by the beach gillnetters did not generally appear in the

numbers they should have in local markets. The bulk was sent directly to Sydney markets and what little was to be found here was being sold at up to $48/kg for fillets, well out of reach of the average family. We have been meeting with various sitting and potential Queensland politicians to explain the rationale behind our proposal, and to this date they appear to have been supportive of the reasonable and conservative approach that we are suggesting. We need a significant show of support to demonstrate the importance of recreational fishing and the value to our community of recreational fishing tourism. Please don’t assume that our political representatives either know or acknowledge this. Also please do not assume that it is so obvious a solution that lots of people will raise their voice. We need you and your family to do so for the future of recreational fishing in Moreton Bay for our children and theirs. Please like our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ MoretonBayRereational FishingArea.

FISHING FILL-ITS

Friends of shellfish collaborating

Garry Morris with his personal best – a cracker bass measuring 46.5cm at Hinze Dam on a spinnerbait. It was a very windy winter morning.

After meeting on Bribie Island, initial responses were that it was a very informative, productive and energetic few days. Highlights included the Traditional Ownership workshop on the Wednesday and subsequent presentation to the wider group on the Thursday, the new and very applied research being conducted out of Macquarie University and the ferry trip out to Pumicestone Passage. There were updates from seven restoration sites across all states (except Tasmania) and including NZ. The Network Working Groups – Communication, Research and Development, Policy, Education and Practice – made great

inroads into their respective projects. If you would like to join a working group or hear about what was achieved at the Network meeting, please contact Chris Gillies by email – chris.gillies@tnc.org – and update your working group preference here. There is a new website, plus photo sharing and social media sites. Thanks to the NESP Marine Biodiversity Hub, JCU and Oceanwatch Australia, the Network has developed a new Shellfish Reef Restoration website (www.shellfishrestoration. org.au) and social media pages. These resources are designed to provide you with shared resources including photos, videos, media kits, stories, project updates, education and

project management resources to better manage projects, funding applications and communicate successes. The resources will be reviewed and updated every couple of months, and there will be reminders for network members to send through any relevant news and photos you are happy to share. This information will then be uploaded for publication. For now, please send through any relevant news, photos and your logo for the website to Andy –andy@ oceanwatch.org.au. The next meeting will be held in 10-12 months. Suggestions on locations, themes and activities are welcome, including offers to co-host the meeting.

Please contact Chris Gillies for further discussion. Finally, we also have a new automated network member list. Future correspondences will be made through MailChimp. Check that your contact details and preferences are correct. You are also encouraged to share the sign-up form link with others who might be interested in joining the Network. A big thank you to Susie Chapman and Joel Bolzenius from Healthy Waterways and Catchments, Rob King from Sunfish, Ben Diggles from Digsfish, Ian McLeod from JCU and the volunteers from Volunteer Marine Rescue Bribie for making the meeting a huge success. – Shellfish Reef Restoration Network APRIL 2017

Cooking

Spero’s scrumptious squid and rice paella COOKING

Spero Kartanos

Late one night on TV I saw a recipe for a squid paella, and I’m so glad I did! The recipe has been used by a

family restaurant in Spain for 88 years. I made a few small changes to suit my taste, and added a few spices, and I now cook it nearly every time we catch some fresh squid. Everyone who has tasted it can’t wait to

have it again! This is a fairly easy dish to make, as all the cooking is done in one paella dish. Pre-preparation takes a good half hour (then half an hour in the oven), but it’s time well spent. After all the ingredients

are chopped, the rest is easy. The saffron that you put in, along with lots of paprika, is what gives the dish its wonderful smell and taste. Whatever you, do be generous with the saffron. I know it’s expensive but it really makes

this dish. I enjoy catching squid and cooking it in a variety of ways, such as grilled, baked, stuffed squid tempura and black ink pasta. However, I think the squid paella is our favourite – or maybe equal first

with tempura! So give it a try, enjoy the taste of the sea and remember the fresher the squid the better. And please don’t skin it or throw the wings (flaps) away! The whole fresh squid tastes best with the skin on. Enjoy!

Ingredients • 2-3 medium size squid • 6 cloves garlic chopped finely • 2 medium onion diced • ½ red capsicum, ½ green capsicum • 5 fresh tomatoes skinned and chopped or 1 can chopped tomatoes • 2 sprigs of thyme • 1 hot chilli to taste (optional) • 1 tsp paprika with pinch saffron • 1 cup paella rice • 3 cups fish stock (heated) • 34cm round paella dish • ½ cup olive oil • 4-5 fresh bay leaves • Italian parsley chopped

7 90

APRIL 2017

Add squid and stir continually. Season with salt and pepper and push mixture around the side of the dish (in a circle) leaving a well in the centre. Add the onion and sauté.

Add the rice. Sauté the rice to coat it, and mix it in well with squid mixture.

Preheat oven to 180°C. Dice the vegetables. Cut squid into strips. Leave the skin on, flaps on and use the tentacles as well.

Mix the onion with the squid, and again move to the outer edge. Add the capsicum and sauté.

Add the saffron and paprika, then add hot fish stock. Mix well and keep mixing so rice doesn’t stick. Let it come to the boil and reduce a little (approx. 10-15 minutes).

Sauté garlic and bay leaves in olive oil.

Mix the capsicum with squid mixture and again move to the side, leaving a well in the centre. Repeat the process with the tomatoes and the herbs.

Put the paella into a preheated 180°C oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until rice has softened and the liquid has been completely absorbed. Enjoy!

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WHAT’S NEW FISHING PFLUEGER PRESIDENT XT LP

Pflueger baitcast reels are known to be fishing-ready right out of the box, but more importantly they can be trusted for years of use. With the introduction of the President XT baitcast reel, Pflueger is providing anglers with a durable reel that lasts a lifetime and doesn’t break the bank. Pflueger’s President XT baitcast reel is chock-full of upgrades that deliver the type of performance anglers have come to expect. Side plates have been constructed with durable C30 carbon, and the President XT also features a magnetic braking system. The magnetic braking system is externally adjustable and easily adapts to the lightest presentations. Nine stainless steel ball bearings make this one of the smoothest reels on the market. This 210g reel retrieves 77.5cm of line per crank of the aluminium handle. It’s also equipped with slip-resistant rubber cork knobs, which help when conditions take a turn for the worse and the fight has just begun. Price: SRP $149 www.pflueger.com.au

BIGFISH FLOATING FISH GRIPS

Bigfish Gear Floating Fish Grips are perfect for safely handling fish of all sizes. They are constructed of heavy-duty moulded floating plastic that is lightweight, durable and corrosion resistant. To use the Floating Fish Grips, simply place the easy open grips in the mouth and snap the grip shut, then flick open to release the fish with no harm to you or the fish. Bigfish Gear Fish Grips have an adjustable wrist lanyard and are bright green and black, so they stand out in the boat and are easy to grab in that time of need. They are available in two sizes, 6” and 9”. And, because they’re not as heavy as some other grips, they’re great to keep in your backpack on land-based trips. To see more items in Bigfish Gear’s new range of accessories, check out their website. Price: SRP $13.95- $14.95 www.bigfishgear.com

MATZUO IKARI SHAD

Named for the Japanese word for ‘anger’, the Matzuo Ikari Shad is exactly that: one angry little rattler! This lipless, slowsinking bait is the only shad in the market to feature Matzuo’s signature ‘bloody red’ flared gills and super sharp black nickel treble hooks. The Ikari’s chambered body houses stainless steel rattle bearings which produce a loud and resonating ‘knock’ and ‘ping’ on retrieval, which attracts both salt and freshwater predators. Available in two sizes and 10 colour combinations, there’s an Ikari Shad for most water clarities and light conditions. Ikari is a slow sinker with a tantalizing horizontal fall that lets you get the most out of the water column. Crank it steady with a slow or moderate retrieve or rip it fast – it will engage in a tight, head-down wiggle and move an impressive amount of water with its flared gills. Ideally suited to Australian bass, the Ikari Shad has also proven deadly on bream, yellowbelly and EPs. Price: SRP $16.95 www.dogtoothdistribution.com.au 92

APRIL 2017

NEW 2017 COSTA RANGE

Global eyewear powerhouse Costa Del Mar has launched their highlyanticipated new range of 2017 frames and an extension of new colours in existing frame designs. There’s now an additional six new frame styles available in Australia from Costa dealers, as well as three new colours across the existing Costa range! The six new frame styles are aptly named, with the first new addition ‘Bloke’ perfectly reflecting the humorous Australian lifestyle. The five other new frames include other locally inspired designs, Tasman Sea, Reefton, Kiwa, Cook and White Tip. One of Costa’s biggest qualities is their inherent ability to continue to push the boundaries in frame colour. Their Bio Resin frames now come available in four new colours, including two new brilliant matte teak finishes. Costa has these new frames and colours in their glorious 580 lens technology, effectively blocking the harshest light waves in the visible spectrum and enhancing the portions that help you see more clearly into the water. www.costadelmar.com.au

SHIMANO CHRONARCH MGL

Ultra-lightweight and top level performance is the best way to describe the new freshwater specialist Chronarch MGL baitcaster. In pursuit of effortless casting and smooth winding, Shimano’s new Magnum Light spool design incorporates a unique porting technique that allows for precision cut holes to be inserted into the side of the spool. As a result, casting distance is increased by 15% when compared to the same capacity of a standard spool. To further enhance precision, Micro Module and X-Ship combine to form a powerful yet precise gear system that is available in two ratios, 6.2:1 and 7.1:1. When under load, the Chronarch MGL performs superbly, outputting up to 5kg of max drag pressure and giving you the ultimate confidence in remaining connected to your prized catch. Shimano’s coveted CI4+ body construction further adds to that ultra-lightweight feeling and enables the Chronarch MGL to weigh in at a mere 185g. www.shimanofish.com.au

ARDENT SMART CULL

PRODUCT GUIDE

No more markers or charts to lose or replace, no more reweighing or extra handling and stressing out the fish. The Ardent SmartCull Pro Culling System is the first of its kind and what every tournament angler has been waiting for. The two-stage system in the Ardent Smart Cull allows you to cull by colour and weight, making culling quick and simple for once. A series of six highly buoyant, impact resistant balls equipped with a durable clip and cable keep things manageable. Each culling ball is a different colour for quick selection and also features large, although smart cull balls. Simply use the numbers as the measurement of the fish, for example, 27 for 27cm. The Ardent Smart Cull 6 is compatible with live-well additives and saltwater, and is ready to go when the tournament’s on. So if you’re serious about your tournament fishing, make sure you give this new product a look! Price: RRP $88 www.temptindustries.com.au

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

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PRODUCT GUIDE

WHAT’S NEW FISHING BAGLEY LURES MONSTER SHAD

Tackle Tactics are bringing Australian anglers over 60 years of lure-making expertise with the launch of Bagley hardbodies in Australia. Every Bagley lure is individually hand-tuned and water tested to ensure the legendary action lives on. With Jarmo Rapala, former CEO of the Rapala Group and part of the legendary Rapala family at the helm, Bagley is sure to continue their successful history of lure design and innovation. One of the new arrivals is the Monster Shad, a versatile Bagley classic. It was originally born from balsa and is now finding new life with its heavy-duty ABS construction. It’s already proving effective on barramundi, mulloway, Murray cod and more. Built tough, with a unique locking lip, heavy-duty hooks and HD construction, the Monster Shad is sure to become a favourite, cast and trolled from the bluewater to the inland rivers and impoundments. It measures 5” long, weighs 1 1/4oz and dives to 10-12ft. Price: SRP $26.95 www.tackletactics.com.au

SAMAKI MIGHTY MULLOWAY SHIRT

The Samaki Mighty Mulloway shirt features a mulloway chasing down the Thumpertail amongst some pylons, while mullet, bream and squid lurk in the shadows so as not to draw attention to themselves. The water laps around the pylons with so much detail you’ll feel as though you’re sitting on the jetty yourself! The lightweight fabric boasts UV50+ resistant technology, and the soft touch 100% polyester material is comfortable to wear all day. It also has the added bonus of being breathable, keeping you cool and dry. Samaki designs are brought to you by Australian anglers who love to design Australian species. Mighty Mulloway shirts are available in adult, youth and kids sizes, allowing the whole family to get in on the action and out onto the water. To keep up to date on the latest from Samaki, look them up on Facebook and Instagram. Price: SRP $59.95 (adults), $49.95 (youth and kids) www.samaki.com.au

WINGLET LITTLE BULLET

The Winglet from Fish Inc Lures has been designed following the popularity of the Wing, with the intention of creating a smaller profile of the same bait. This enables you to match the hatch in the area you’re fishing. It’s the same weight of the Wing at 42g, but instead of the ABS construction, is made of solid zinc. It casts like a bullet, so it’s perfect for getting that extra distance, but also assists with the sink rate, so it can be used to fish a variety of depths. It’s perfect for a variety of sportfish, either shore-based or in deeper waters. It also comes fitted ready for action with #6 Owner hooks. The Fish Inc Winglet is available in six colours: pink back, halfbeak, natural, purple back, glow and green glow. For the ultimate in versatility, make sure you give these great new lures a look! Price: RRP $17.95 www.fishlures.com.au

GILLIES LANDING NETS

The new range of Gillies landing nets are constructed from powdercoated aluminium and are strong and lightweight for ease of use. The silicone rubber netting is fish-friendly, knot-free, rot-free and durable. And because it is transparent, it won’t spook the fish when you land them perfect for catch and release! As storage can be an issue with nets, especially in boats, the handles on the medium and large size nets slide forward with the click of a button, to minimise the space required to stow them away. There are three landing nets in the Gillies range, small, medium and large, to cover various types of fishing applications. The small net has a handle length of 17cm, a frame diameter of 30cm and a mesh depth of 25cm. The medium net has an 80cm handle, 40cm frame and a 30cm depth, and the large model has a 110cm handle, 55cm frame and a 40cm depth. www.jmgillies.com.au

AUSTACKLE KING STIK

Austackle has added another versatile lure to its line-up: the King Stik. It has a stickbait profile and can be cast and retrieved at high speed, or presented as a jig. Pre-rigged with twin assist VMC hooks, and constructed using straight-through, one-piece internal wire, the King Stik is built tough and battle-ready. Oversized 3D eyes, UV features and holographic finishes make King Stik a standout. There are easy-to-change assist hooks so you can rig to your liking, or add a treble for different applications. This lure is perfect for battles with tough adversaries such as kingfish, mackerel, tuna, snapper, tailor, barramundi and a variety of pelagic and reef fish. It measures 95mm and weighs 43g, and is available now from all good tackle stores. For more information on this and other new Austackle lures, visit the Austackle website or look them up on Facebook. Price: SRP $16 www.austackle.com

DAIWA LEXA CC 300H

The Daiwa Lexa CC 300H is perfect for casting monster swimbaits and crankbaits for big lure munchers. Bulletproof in construction, it has an open access, low-profile frame that sits comfortably and low in the hand. Rapid side-plate access provides easy access to the spool, while its corrosionresistant alloy frame creates a reel that is lightweight yet highly sensitive and strong. Daiwa’s Ultimate Tournament Drag, featuring a multi-washer carbon drag stack, offers ample stopping power and dishes out a staggering 10kg of drag. Adding to this is something not seen before in a baitcaster of this calibre – a spool ratchet. At 108 decibels it’ll be heard over any boat noise. Perfectly balanced, ultra light, and ultra strong, the machined A7075 aluminium spool is as deep and wide as they come, and Daiwa’s Swept Handle delivers maximum cranking power and feel. For a full list of specs visit the Daiwa website. www.daiwafishing.com.au

Please email contributions to: nicole@fishingmonthly.com.au APRIL 2017

WHAT’S NEW FISHING FUGLIES SUNGLASSES WILSON LURE 13 WALLETS SLABS The newest addition to the Fuglies Sunglasses 2017 range are the PL16 Slabs, a high-coverage wraparound frame with a generous lens area for good vision, and wide side-arms to block peripheral glare. Thanks to the lightweight polycarbonate frame and low curvature side-arms, you can wear your Slabs all day with no rubbing or pinching, and soft rubber nose pads and a snug fit help to keep them in place. For increased wind and dust protection, Fuglies Slabs also have a removable foam gasket. The lightweight tri-acetate lenses are colour-neutral polarised smoke-grey for excellent in-water visibility and provide maximum Category 3 UV protection. The lenses also have a hydrophobic coating to reduce fogging, and a blue revo mirror finish to maximise glare reduction. Price: SRP $39.95 www.fuglies.com.au

LEAVEY LURES T-REX 14 SPINNERBAIT The new T-Rex Spinnerbaits from Leavey lures are everything you’d expect from a hand-made lure from Yamba fisherman and tackle store owner Mick Leavey. While Mick now resides on the coast terrorising local mulloway, he cut his teeth on the big Murray cod of the New England region and has designed these lures to be big enough and tough enough to tackle those monster green fish. Mick has spent endless hours fine-tuning the design, and he even had a special hook made to give the coverage and strength you need! The colour range includes bright colours and more natural bait presentations, so there’s a Leavey Lures T-Rex to suit just about any water colour you may come across. There are two weights, 1 1/4oz and 1 3/4oz. Leavey Lures are distributed exclusively by Yamba Bait & Tackle (mail order available). To place an order, give them a call on (02) 6646 1514. Price: SRP $26.95 www.facebook.com/ yambabaitandtackle

LABORATORIO DANZATORE PAZZO 15 New to the Australian fishing scene, Laboratorio is a brand without compromise. Danzatore Pazzo, the ‘crazy dancer’, is a 6.4cm crankbait that dives to 3.5-4.5m on the cast, and deeper on the troll. It is equipped with a internal weight transfer system that rolls to the rear of the lure on the cast, allowing for extra long casts. It then moves to the front to allow the lure to crash dive to the depths. The long bib is very effective in shallow, snaggy water, allowing it to deflect and not get hung up. This lure will catch fish on a fast retrieve, but is particularly deadly on a dead slow retrieve, where other lures would lose their action. They have already proven themselves as a fish catching machine on Murray cod, golden perch, bass and flathead, and they come in six great fish catching colours. Price: RRP $18 www.weflikinlures.com.au

APRIL 2017

PRODUCT GUIDE

Wilson Lure Wallets are exceptionally functional, allowing anglers to store plastics and spinnerbaits in a convenient and easy to manage way. Striking in their design, these lure wallets are available in two sizes, large and small. The Large Lure Wallet (35cm x 25cm x 6cm) is ideal for larger spinnerbaits and 7-9” long plastics. It features eight zip-lock sleeves that are held in place by three stainless steel rings. The Small Lure Wallet (26cm x 24cm x 8cm) is perfect for 5” and smaller plastics, as well as spinnerbaits up to about 1oz in weight. This wallet features 10 sleeves and two stainless steel rings. Both wallets are double-zippered for convenience and feature a sturdy carry handle for easily transporting them from home to the boat. www.wilsonfishing.com.au

RIVER2SEA SHOGUN 17 ICE LINES The Shogun range of fishing lines has been designed for Australian anglers, and is made from the highest quality Japanese materials. Shogun is a proven player in the fishing line sector. One of the latest lines is Shogun Ice Blue, which offers an impressive balance of high strength, exceptional abrasion resistance and a soft, supple feel. This premium monofilament is a favourite choice of anglers due to its consistent, reliable performance. It’s available in 300m spools (6lb-80lb) and 500m spools (8lb80lb). Shogun has also released a new fluorocarbon leader called Ice Clear. This leader has been designed to maximise the angler’s touch and feel, due to its low memory and high sensitivity. It is invisible to fish, very thin and abrasion-resistant. Available spool sizes are 100m (4lb-20lb), 75m (25lb, 30lb) and 50m (40lb, 50lb). For more information on the Shogun range of line and leader visit the River2Sea website. Price: RRP Ice Blue from $16.10 Ice clear from $20.20 www.river2sea.com.au

LIVELY LURES ZIGGY SD

Expanding on their range of fantastic Australian made lures, Lively Lures are proud to present the newest member of the line up – the Ziggy SD. SD stands for Surface Dancer, which is exactly what these baits are designed to do when worked with short rod movement, creating an irresistible walk-the-dog action. The cupped face allows allows the SD to spit and bubbles as it walks its way across the surface. As it walks, it rolls its body, which will give any lookers below a flash of colour, triggering them to bite. The SD range was developed to mimic distressed prey struggling on the surface, and will attract all species that feed on prey in the water, or that which has fallen from above. The Ziggy SD comes in three sizes – 70, 90 and 110mm, which is perfect for the variety of Australian fish that anglers commonly chase. The 70 and 90 come in seven colours, and the 110 come in the same colours plus two chrome colours as well. RRP: from $12 www.livelylures.com.au

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

SCAN THE QR CODE!

PRODUCT GUIDE

WHAT’S NEW FISHING TESTED

Torqeedo Lithium Battery – the ultimate for 24V users

RE ONLINE MO

CA N T H E Q R

NTENT

-S

FOR EXTR

Yes, it’s true – at Fishing Monthly and tacklejunkie.fish we do get to test the cool new stuff as it hits our shores. And we don’t try to hide the fact that some of this stuff is pretty exciting! Power Equipment launched their Torqeedo distributorship last year, and I was excited about the Torqeedo 26104 battery the moment I saw it in the catalogue. I’ve used lithium batteries in my boat before – a set of Lithionics to power a 24V Minn Kota Fortrex on the Fishing Monthly Phoenix. I loved them even though the system was a little clunky; two 12V cells in series and a separate control box that all had to be installed and tied down separately. By contrast, this Torqeedo system is that it’s an all-in-one package that weighs in at a little over 23kg. Previously, the pair of Full River 110aH batteries that boasted the same capacity weighed in at 38kg. Each! That’s 76kg plus the weight of an on-board charger. By swapping the Full Rivers for the 20-104, you instantly save at least 53kg. In a bass boat, this means several things. It means that the boat travels at 6 knots on a much more level attitude and with a lot less wake. It also means that it pops on to the plane easier, and draws less water so I can fish shallower spots – around 5-7cm shallower. But the best thing is the power curve of

The Torqeedo 26-104 lithium battery fits neatly into the slot where 2 x lead-acid batteries were mounted in the Fishing Monthly bass boat. COST The cost/benefit of lithium batteries versus lead/acid is the most common debate I have with fellow anglers. The fact is that at around $5000 for the system, it’s around four times the price. For me, the benefits are worth it. On paper, the system will last through a few sets of regular batteries, but the real advantages come through the weight savings. The reduction in weight gives better performance that would only be achieved otherwise through repowering the boat, modifying your outboard or

blueprinting a propeller. Plus, you can get your boat in shallower water. Naturally, this system isn’t ever going to make it back to Torqeedo. I’m keeping it! For the full video review, scan the QR code hereabouts. - Steve Morgan

PRICING Battery ...................................$4200 Charger ....................................$715 On/Off switch ...........................$187

The small step in the bilge area was filled with some nylon blocks, and webbing straps hold the battery in place. lithium batteries. All day, the electric motor feels like it’s come straight off the charger. Lithium batteries retain a high charge, while lead-acid batteries drop voltage through their cycle. You can actually feel the voltage drop through the unit during a day’s fishing. I wasn’t brave enough to fish for more than three days on this battery before charging it. That wasn’t using it on an electric-only dam where it was the sole means of propulsion – just standard correcting and controlling a drift with the current. SETUP For those of us who currently run 2 x 24v batteries, the good news is that the Torqeedo fits neatly into the space that these batteries take up. In the Fishing Monthly bass boat we needed to build up the platform a little with some nylon boards, but once this was

done, two webbing straps held the battery very securely in place. Accessories-wise, all you need to run this battery with any 24V trolling motor is an on/off switch. This plugs into the two data ports that would usually be filled by plugs from the proprietary Torqeedo electric motor like the Cruise. Push the button for a couple of seconds and the system turns on. It’ll turn itself off after 48h if not used. The only other piece of equipment you’ll need is a charger. Torqeedo’s 10A equivalent charger is waterproof, but I prefer to not mount it in the boat; I just carry it around with the extension cords in a milk crate. It’s rigged to clip on with an Anderson clip and after a day’s fishing, I plug it in when I get home and then remove it before I go to bed. It usually only takes a couple of hours to get the battery back to 100%.

The proprietary Torqeedo charger is waterproof, but I chose to not mount it in the boat.

APRIL 2017

Trades, Services, Charter BOAT MODIFICATIONS & REPAIRS

BAIT & TACKLE

CUSTOM ALLOY FABRICATION

GOLD COAST

BEST LURE RANGE ON THE Fishing GOLD COAST

• Boat repairs & fitouts • Bait tanks • Transom rebuilds • Fuel tanks • Consoles OVER 20 YEARS FABRICATING AND WELDING ALUMINIUM

Silver Service Marine

TOP BRANDS • TOP SERVICE • GREAT PRICES

INSIDE SPORTY’S WAREHOUSE

07 5526 2786

MAIL ORDERS

WELCOME

32 Strathaird Rd BUNDALL 4217 QLD

SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND Tackle Warehouse Brisbane (07) 3398 6500

CUSTOM TRANSOMS 20-75hp $750 75-150hp $890 150-225hp $980 Freight can be arranged Australia wide

PROFISH BOATS – Phone Peter 0417 782 114

BCF www.bcf.com.au

Email: peter@profishboats.com www.profishboats.com

Davo’s Tackleworld Noosaville (07) 5449 8099 Davo’s Tackleworld Marcoola (07) 5448 8244

SAMPLE AD - BUSINESS NAME This is where your copy will appear. You will have approximately 50 words within a 5x2 ad size. $320 + GST for 6 months Email mfox@fishingmonthly.com.au

FIBREGLASS Repairs

Brisbane South and Gold Coas t

• Modifications • Detailing • Repairs JOE BONNICI

0410 480 203

Salt-Away www.salt-away.com.au

SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND

BOAT HIRE // HOUSE

CUSTOM MARINE WELDING & ELECTRICAL

GOLD COAST

Marine and Auto Electricial n All types of Welding n Stainless Steel n Aluminium n Mild Steel n Boats Repaired n Fuel & Water Tanks n Canopies n Bow and Stern Rails n Custom Vehicle Tool Boxes

Great family and fishing boats! + 50km of sheltered waterways on the Gold Coast’s Broadwater + No Licence required CALL FOR A + Boats from $795 DEAL + 2-12 berth

Shed 1 281 Jacobs Well Road

Phone 3807 7846

TINNIE HIRE AVAILABLE

FRASER COAST Rainbow Beach Houseboats (07) 5486 3146 Lake Monduran House Boat www.lakemonduranhouseboathire.com.au

BOAT HIRE // TRAILER GOLD COAST

www.custommarinewelding.com.au 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 Iconic Boats Brisbane 0475 311 447

MARINE MECHANICS

BOAT PAINTING BRISBANE Brisbane Boat Painting 0433 356 620

MOBILE SERVICE AVAILABLE

TRADES AND SERVICES ADVERTISING Line listing from $90 + gst 6 months* 2cm x 2 from $195 + gst 6 months* 5cm x 2 from $320 + gst 6 months* 8cm x 2 from $590 + gst 6 months* Rates exclusive to Trades and Services Directory *Conditions apply Call (07) 3387 0834 or email: mfox@fishingmonthly.com.au

If you have any other trades or services that you would like to see in this section please don’t hesitate to give us a call

MARINE

• Mobile Service Available • Servicing All Makes & Models • Outboard Repairs • Boat Detailing • Diagnostic Equipment • Boat Fitouts • Wheel Bearings • Trailer Repairs

07 5499 3555 MOBILE: 0408 785 819

Whitewater Marine (07) 5532 4402 T&S Marine (07) 5546 2599

GOLD COAST

SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND

Boab Boat Hire - 1300 002 622

Advertise here - $195 + GST for 6 months Email: mfox@fishingmonthly.com.au

Phone 07 5522 1933

CABOOLTURE

Mob 0427 142 201 Fax 3807 2468

+ 07 5502 6200 + www.coomerahouseboats.com.au

4/26 TAREE ST, BURLEIGH HEADS www.ssmarine.com.au

Email: mfox@fishingmonthly.com.au

Behind GEM Service Station, Alberton 4207

NEW

Call us for the... BEST PRICE on Garmin Electronics All your Honda sales and service needs

• Sales • Service • Spare Parts • Warranty and Insurance work * REPOWER SPECIALISTS *

www.runawaybaymarineservice.com.au

2/247 Bayview St Runaway Bay GEOFF NEWMAN PH 55774411

QLD HONDA DEALER OF THE YEAR 2011/2012

Stones Corner Marine (07) 3397 9766 Brisbane Yamaha (07) 3888 1727 Northside Marine (07) 3265 8029 Coorparoo Marine (07) 3397 4141 Capalaba Boat Centre 04011 728 379 Holt Marine (07) 3353 1928 Cunningham Marine Centre (07) 3284 8805 Caloundra Marine (07) 5491 1944 Bribie Boat Sales (07) 3408 0055

NORTH QUEENSLAND Reef Marine Mackay (07) 4957 3521

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 MECHANICS // MOBILE WYNUMM MANLY-BAYSIDE

WONDALL RD

marine hanic

Mec Mobile Marine FEE!” “NO CALL OUT

• Servicing all makes and models • Specialising in Mercury & 20 + y rs Mercruiser technical work Experience

MARINE ELECTRONICS

SALES • REPAIRS • INSTALLATIONS

ONSITE AND MOBILE INSTALLATIONS

• Sounders • GPS • Electric Motors • Marine Radios and accessories • Stereos • Televisions • Radar Units • Autopilots Unit 4/1440 New Cleveland Road Capalaba www.trymax.com.au PHONE: 07 3245 3633

BONUS EXCLUSIVE NEO PROTECTIVE COVER!

MARINE OUTBOARD WRECKERS TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND North Queensland Outboard Wreckers Townsville 1800 812 748

SAMPLE AD - BUSINESS NAME • Repower specialists • Antifoul, detailing and electrical work • All servicing, repair, maintenance - fully guaranteed • Parts • Insurance • Finance

HORIZON SHORES MARINA

www.tsboatsales.com.au admin@tsboatsales.com.au Phone: (07)

This is where your copy will appear. You will have approximately 50 words within a 8x2 ad size.

$590 + GST for 6 Months

3396 5633 OR (07) 5546 2599

Striker 5cv ClearVüTM Fishfinder with GPS

Whitewater Blue Bimini 1.3 - 1.5M FROM

Wondall Rd Marine (07) 3396 5633

Gary’s Marine Centre

395

MORE SIZES AVAILABLE!

299

BONUS ROCKET LAUNCHER KIT!

mfox@fishingmonthly.com.au

3201 6232

217 Pine Mountain Road, BRASSALL

WARRANTY!

1249

VIPER MICRO 1000 Winch Bundle •VIPER PRO 1000 Winch Bundle $1379 •VIPER PRO 1500 Winch Bundle $1989

MARINE TRAILERS Oceanic Boat Trailers (07) 5597 0577 Spitfire Trailers (07) 0400 866 323 Tinnie Tosser (07) 5498 7339 Sea-Link Special Trailers (07) 3881 3568

5 YEAR

MARINE TRANSPORT

BOAT TRANSPORT AUSTRALIA WIDE FROM A TINNY TO 50 FEET WEEKLY SERVICE TO ALL MAJOR CAPITALS

DJ Freight Marine Transport 0418 793 357 0427 341 076 contact@djfreight.com.au DESIGNED FOR LIFE....BUILT FOR LIFE

WE OFFER QUALITY AND AFFORDABILITY ALUMINIUM BOAT TRAILER SPECIALIST AUSTRALIAN CERTIFIED WARRANTY REPAIRS

FISH TAXIDERMY Fish Taxidermist www.fishtaxidermy.net.au or 0428 544 841

FISHING GUIDES SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND

55W 12V Halogen Deck Lamp

99 EACH

OR 2 FOR

STORES

CELEBRATING

WIDE

YEARS

AUSTRALIA

Suncoast Barra Fishing Park www.suncoastbarrafishing.com

CENTRAL QUEENSLAND

www.bargainboatbits.com.au

Lake Monduran Barra Charters 0407 434 446 SPITFIRE TRAILERS SUNSHINE COAST P/L 593 BESTMANN ROAD, NINGI sunshine@spitfiretrailers.com.au Ph: 0400866323 ( IAN )

0407000636 ( ROB )

O407874163 ( LYNDA)

TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND Hooked On Hinchinbrook www.hookedonhinchinbrook.com

Advertisers wanting to be involved in this directory can call (07) 3387 0834 or email mfox@fishingmonthly.com.au

Trades, Services, Charter Boats & Guided Fishing Tours Directory MARINE TRIMMERS

BEL AIR MOTEL, MACKAY - PLENTY OF ROOM FOR BOATS AND TRAILERS.............PH: 07 4957 3658

GOLD COAST

Runaway Bay

MARINE COVERS

SERVICING ALL AREAS & ALL BUDGETS

Quality Boat Covers • Flybridge Enclosures • Bimini Tops etc.

MACKAY

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

Upholstery & Carpets • Bunk Cushions • Custom Interiors etc.

5529 6277 – 0417 173 257

www.rbmarinecovers.com.au Factory 3 & 8 Runaway Bay Marina SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND

Rainbow Beach Fishing Charters (07) 5486 8666 or 0408 767 930 Smithy’s Fishing Charters Sunshine Coast 0407 574 868 Top Catch Charters Sunshine Coast 0429 013 012 Fish n Crab Charters Mooloolaba 0412 155 814 Offshore Reef and Game Fishing 0413 485 402 Sunshine Coast Fishing Charters (07) 5500 0671 Fishing Offshore Noosa 0418 889 956 Noosa Fishing Charters (07) 5665 8170 Hervey Bay Fishing Charters (07) 4125 3958 Incredible Charters 1300 655 818

HERVEY BAY

Fully Guided Lure & Fly Fishing

NORTHERN NSW

•

Wooli Fishing Charter (02) 6649 7100

BORN AND BRED LOCAL GUIDE

• 5.5m Custom sportsfishing Vessel • 4.4m Estuary Sportsfishing Vessel • Quality Fishing Gear Supplied

WOOLI DEEP SEA TOURS

Rowland Street Boat Trimmers Springwood (07) 3208 9511 Brisbane Yamaha (07) 3888 1727 Rays Canvas & Marine Caboolture (07) 5499 4911 Affordable Boat Covers Gold Coast 0419 424 587 www.herveybaysportfishing.com.au

ROD & REEL REPAIRS NORTH QUEENSLAND

D&H REEL REPAIRS

Let us show you

REEF FISHING at its best

We are only a one hour drive north of Coffs Harbour or one hour drive south of Yamba.

Contact Stan or Clair Young

ce Reel Performan

02 66497100 or 02 66497748 AH

e parts needs repairs and spar For all your reel 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

1/2 day or full day charters. All bait & tackle provided.

www.woolifishingcharters.com.au fish@woolifishingcharters.com.au

Evans Head Deep Sea Fishing Charters 0428 828 835 Reel Time Fishing Charters Yamba 0428 231 962

Dave Gaden’s Yamba • Deep Sea

REEL TIME

www.reelrepairs.com.au 110 Sherbrooke Rd, Willawong Qld 4110

FISHING CHARTERS

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND The Islander Retreat, South Stradbroke Island 0420 967 557

FRASER ISLAND

FRASER ISLAND FISHING UNITS Indian Head I Fraser Island

• 6am to 2pm $150pp • 2 boats – holds up to 18 people • All fishing gear and bait is supplied • No fishing licence req. • Pickup from Yamba Marina or Iluka ferry wharf

Phone Dave today: www.fishingyamba.com.au 0428 231 962

For bookings or enquiries contact: Cliff Andreassen 0428 712 283 or 07 5449 9346 bearfish@bigpond.com • www.fraserislandfishingunits.com.au Apurla Island Retreat 0437 739 121 Waddy Lodge on Fraser 0414 516 364 Cathedrals on Fraser (07) 4127 9177 Fraser Island Beach Houses 1800 626 230 Yidney Rocks (07) 4127 9167 Eurong Beach Resort 1800 111 808

CENTRAL QUEENSLAND Baffle Creek Holiday House 0419 624 833

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION COOKTOWN River of Gold Motel Plenty of room for boats and trailers PH: 4069 5222

CENTRAL QUEENSLAND 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 Cairns Charter Boat 0427 533 081 Cairns Fishing Charters 0427 400 027

FISHING ON TV

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 • Ice & Gas Coastal Sports Fishing Charters Gold Coast 0412 691 929 s le a S at • BoCoast arts Gone h Fishing Charters Gold (07) s & P7833 andlery ale5529

AT &

0407 627 852

OPEN 7 DAYS

EASY

GOLD PARKINGCOAST

A FISHO’S DREAM

Andrew Chorley

IDEAL GIFT!

A MBA MARIN A Y , E L K C A T E

ST T TACKLE S E G R A L YAMBA’S MARINA BO

Ph: 6646 1994 • Trailers S or 0428 231 962 okings arter BoBrisbane Email: • ChCharters Frenzy (07) 3209 4576 dave@gaden.com.au •C

kle BRISBANE • Bait & Tac

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

SUNSHINE COAST Keely Rose Deep Sea Fishing Charters 0407 146 151 Odyssey Charters Deep Sea Fishing (07) 5478 1109

DVD’S -

Series 3 through 9

$9.95 each GST INC. - with FREE P&H

1800 228 244

Advertisers wanting to be involved in this directory can call (07) 3387 0834 or email mfox@fishingmonthly.com.au

boats & kayaks

In the skipper’s seat

BONITO SPORTSFISHING BOATS AUSTRALIA

Inside story...

Bonito Boats originated in New Zealand in 1973. Designed by Frank Pellen, the original hull was 4.85m long. Hundreds of these boats were made before the moulds came to the Gold Coast in the mid ‘90s. It didn’t take long for the commercial fishers of Moreton Bay to realise this hull suited them perfectly. Constant demand for a larger version kick-started the development of a 5.6m hull in 2012. In 2013 they extended their range further with a specific centre console deck.

Made for... Bonito’s focus is to build the best quality tiller steer, side and centre console boats available to both recreational and commercial fishers.

This month...

This month editor Steve Morgan takes a run in the new Bonito 500 tiller steer.

101 Brisbane Marine’s new additions to range

Simon Goldsmith chats to the guys at Brisbane Marine to get the scoop on what’s new in their boat yard.

103 New Yamaha models Steve Morgan takes a look at Yamaha’s fantastic new 25 and 90h models.

108 Deeper in the yak Justin Willmer has a look at the newest Deeper model and applies it to his kayak fishing.

110 The right rig for you Wayne Kampe explains how you can find the right boat for your fishing needs.

114 Bar Crusher 670HT Steve Morgan puts this rig through its paces on a very choppy day on Port Phillip Bay.

APRIL 2017

WHAT’S NEW BOATING NEW SUZUKI OUTBOARD RANGE

The Haines Group, distributors of Suzuki outboards, have announced the arrival of the sleek, new 2017 range of outboard models to the Australian market. The range has been given a sophisticated and stylish overhaul. Aside from the popular Cool White option, the new range is now available in Pearl Nebular Black, which is inlaid with blue micro-metal flakes which absorb light and sparkle in the sun. As well as the colour update, the new models also feature renewed graphics with decals that provide a more modern and polished look. Suzuki’s drive by wire series (DF150AP, DF175AP, DF200AP, DF250AP, DF300AP), are distinguished by 3D monochromatic graphics and a solid emblem. National Marketing Manager, Mr Sean Allen, says the range still offers the same features and innovations Suzuki is known for. “Our award winning products provide more value with unique features, such as Lean Burn fuel technology, offset driveshaft and maintenance-free timing chains, just to name a few,” said Mr Allen.

www.suzukimarine.com.au

HDS GEN3 AND ELITE-TI UPDATE

Software updates for Lowrance’s HDS Gen3, Elite-5 Ti and 7 Ti displays include significant sonar enhancements, new Navionics functionality and general improvements. Surface Clarity functionality has been significantly enhanced to remove clutter without affecting targets, allowing anglers to reveal fish near the surface without filtering all sonar returns. Live Network Sonar allows HDS Gen3 users to view and control two independent, live sonar sources from a single display. SonarChart Live lets you create 0.5m HD bathymetric maps in real time on HDS Gen3 and Elite-Ti series displays, and Navionics Dock-toDock Autorouting creates intelligent, detailed routes for navigating through cramped, narrow channels (both features require a Navionics card with an active chart updates subscription). Plotter Sync lets you easily download the latest Navionics chart data and transfer waypoints and routes between the Navionics app and a mapping card via the wireless connectivity of HDS Gen3 and Elite-Ti displays. Plotter Sync requires a subscription to the Navionics app and a Navionics mapping card with active daily updates. www.lowrance.com/en.au

GARMIN VHF 110 AND 210

Garmin’s powerful VHF 110 and VHF 210 AIS marine radios complement the latest GPSMAP multi-function displays and offer full integration with Garmin systems. The VHF 110 offers 25W of transmit power and Class D Digital Selective Calling (DSC) compatibility, and NOAA weather alerts and Position Tracking, which lets you locate and keep tabs on up to three boats that use a Garmin system. Offering the same features as the VHF 110, the VHF 210 AIS also incorporates a built-in AIS receiver for improved situational awareness, and comes with a two-way hailer system that can be connected to a hailer horn or external speaker on the deck or tower for on-board communication. The VHF 210 AIS also provides DSC functionality, including distress calling and direct calling with Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI). Price: SRP $429 - $899 www.garmin.com/en-AU 100

APRIL 2017

NEW WHITTLEY ON-BOARD OS

PRODUCT GUIDE

Using technology from Garmin, Fusion, C-Zone and Volvo, Whittley has created the next-gen fishing station for its SL range and cruising helms on its range of CR models: the Whittley Pulse. Volvo offers car-like integration – everything is operated by the one waterproof ‘eKey’. The eKey runs the battery management system and features battery protection and automatic start aid, borrowing energy from the auxiliary battery to ensure there’s always power to start the engine. The system is connected to a Garmin or Volvo Penta glass cockpit display, which provides a clear visual on everything in 7’’, 12’’ and 16” options. It’s clean and minimalist with no gauges. It is also connected to FUSION-Link, which talks to a concealed unit and can be operated via Bluetooth or by the Garmin Helm app. All functions of the boat can be operated through this app, including a second screen. Additionally, all the Volvo Penta engine data is displayed digitally on the Volvo Penta glass cockpit or Garmin screens. Visit the Whittley website to find out more. www.whittleymarinegroup.com.au

HONDA’S NEW CONCEPT OUTBOARD 5 Honda Marine broke the mould for marine engines at the 2017 Miami International Boat Show with a bold, new concept engine. For exceptional aerodynamics, the tailored packaging of the Honda Marine concept engine includes a sculpted centre channel inlaid with a honeycomb mesh trim. The heat ducts feature an interwoven design with black honeycomb mesh reminiscent of the intakes on the 2017 Honda NSX. The most striking part of this innovative outboard, however, is the floating winged blade, inspired by the 2017 Honda NSX Supercar. There is currently no production intent for this specific design concept, but it will be interesting to see what design variations it may inspire in the future. www.marine.honda.com.au

RAYMARINE AXIOM 6 MFDS The new Raymarine Axiom MFDs feature lifelike imagery via Raymarine’s RealVision 3D for superior fish and structure identification. The new glass touch screens are available in 7”, 9”, and 12.1” sizes and come installed with the new LightHouse 3 operating system. Combined with a fast quad core processor, LightHouse 3 delivers a powerful navigation experience that is quick to learn and easy to personalise. RealVision 3D Sonar lets you see what’s below, behind, and to the sides of the boat, all at once and in 3D. It reveals structure and fish in stunning detail. You can easily pan, tilt and zoom the 3D image to examine from any angle, even from unique POVs like looking up to the boat. A tap on the point-of-interest anywhere in the 3D space allows easy waypointing. RealVision 3D transducers combine CHIRP DownVision, CHIRP SideVision, High Frequency CHIRP, and RealVision 3D in one housing, and gyro-stabilized sonar technology compensates for boat movement. Price: SRP $1199-$4999 www.raymarine.com.au

4 5

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

SCAN THE QR CODE!

Brisbane Marine is a growing boat bonanza Brisbane Marine is a business on the rise with a growing stable of brands, service and sales second to none, to now offer boaties a one-stop shop for all their boating needs. A committed group with a passion for the brands they sell and represent, Brisbane Marine have come a long way in three short years. Starting out as a serviceonly business, Brisbane Marine took their experience in building, running, and servicing Mercury race engines and evolved it into an outboard service business that provided unrivalled experience and expertise. Today Brisbane Marine is far more than just a service house. With brands such as Mercury, Savage, Streaker Boats, Anglapro, Harris Pontoon Boats, MotorGuide and Profile Boats gracing

As a Premier Mercury Dealer, Brisbane Marine have the experience and technical skills to handle all your Mercury servicing needs. Mercruiser, Diesel Mercury, or Mercury Racing motor, we can take care of it for you,” says Brisbane Marine’s Dave Robinson. Providing a perfect accompaniment to Brisbane Marine’s service and parts

With items ranging from things as small as a replacement bung for a tinny through to a new deck winch for your 30ft cruiser, Brisbane Marine’s chandlery is a place that’s likely to have just what you’re looking

safety. And they’re made with the serious fisher very much in mind. The safety and stability of their pontoon design, combined with the innovative wide deck floor, giving true toe space and sure footing, is a feature unique of Profile boats and helps them standout in their class. The newest team member to join the Brisbane Marine family is Danny Nichols, a name many may know from Bribie Boats Sales. With eyes for the future and new opportunities, Danny wound up at Brisbane Marine, bringing with him the flagship Savage boat brand and his 40 year experience in the boating industry. “We’d reached the limits of what we could do at Bribie, and the opportunity to join Brisbane Marine and bring Savage boats with me was a win-win for all involved,” explained Danny. Savage Boats stands out from the crowd on the boat manufacture scene and as part of the famous Telwater company (their other boat brands include Quintrex and Stacer), they offer Brisbane Marine customers more

Looking for a new Mercury? Brisbane Marine has you covered. in mind,” explained Danny. Never content to rest on their laurels Brisbane Marine has their sights surely set on the future. “We’re always on the hunt for new brands, products and services

Brisbane Marine are now Queensland’s only distributor of Profile Boats from New Zealand. their yard and showroom floor, Brisbane Marine is the place to go to scratch your boating itch. With over 100 years of sale and service experience combined under one roof, Brisbane Marine are a Premier Mercury Dealer, an accreditation that means they have the technical skills to work on anything that bares the Mercury name. “You name it, we can work on it. Whether it’s a 5hp outboard, 250hp Verado,

department is the store’s large chandlery section. Dave Robinson explains. “A diverse well-stocked chandlery is essential in all quality boating shops and at Brisbane Marine we’re very conscious of this. We try and cover the needs of boaties, from the weekend family fisher through to the commercial boater and hardcore angler. We want to make sure when they come in for something that we have it for them.”

Savage Boats is one of the newest brands to hit the sales room floor.

for. Brisbane Marine isn’t just about servicing and chandlery though and they are distributors for a range of boat brands. Brisbane Marine started with two boat brands – Streaker and Anglapro – and more recently have expanded their range to include Harris Pontoon Boats, Profile Boats from New Zealand, and Savage Boats from the Telwater stable. “If you’re looking for a go anywhere rock solid in an aluminium boat, it’s hard to go past an Anglapro, while if you’re looking to step into a glass boat that allows you to go a little wider afield and fish places like Moreton Bay, Hervey Bay and the Fraser Coast, then one of the wellbuilt, stylish Streaker boats has your name all over it,” explains Robinson. Fresh off the boat and new to Brisbane Marine is the Profile brand of boat from New Zealand. Designed to not just handle, but revel in harsh conditions, the Profile range of boats are the perfect combination of strength, comfort and

100, and when you combine that with our large, fully air conditioned, service, parts, sales, and chandlery departments you’re looking at a one-stop boat shop that’s hard to go past,” explains Brisbane Marine’s Troy Wood. To find out more about the Savage range of boats and all the products and services that Brisbane Marine have to offer you can visit them at 306 Duffield Road, Clontarf or visit them online as www.brismarine. com.au or on their Facebook page www.facebook.com/ BrisbaneMarine/. – Simon Goldsmith, FMG VIDEO

It’s not just boats and motors, Brisbane Marine has a large chandlery section as well. choice and options than ever before. “Savage have a long and rich history on the Australian boating scene, and manufacture both aluminium and fibreglass boats made to exacting standards squarely with the Australian consumer

to help take Brisbane Marine to the next level. Our goal is to make it the region’s largest and best boating outlet. We’re just about to expand the size of yard to 2000 sq/m, and will increase the number of boats we have on site by

Scan the QR code to see the full interview with the boys at Brisbane Marine.

Strong, reliable and stylish, Brisbane Marine have a huge range of Anglapro boats to look at. APRIL 2017

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Business Profile

The building of a tackle shop from scratch During the 80s, Bruce Davidson was a passionate angler, living the idyllic life in beautiful Noosa. Realising the need for a bait and tackle store along the Noosa River foreshore after travelling around Australia and visiting dozens of tackle stores, Bruce took the plunge and established Davo’s Bait and Tackle in 1984. The journey began. The original premises are long gone, overtaken by the extensive commercial development of the region. A popular restaurant now sits

in itself. However, he did have help and his team of staff members and family pitched in. The result was a small, thriving business that provided the angling public with all their bait and tackle needs. Bruce was an active member of the community and engaged with locals and tourists on a daily basis. This led to a desire to take on a more formal public role and eventually he became a state member of parliament in 1992. Around this time the decision was made to sell the now iconic tackle store and

work in the business to this day! The business grew and in time there was a need for a bigger, newer premises. The move was made to the corner of Thomas Street and Gympie Terrace, appropriately across the road from the boat ramp! Again, the business experienced growth and the amount and range of stock steadily increased. The location was ideal – anglers could park at the ramp and stroll across the street to collect bait and any lastminute tackle requirements. The view from the front

Inside Davo’s Boating and Outdoors. on the site once frequented by local anglers and a steady flow of hopeful visitors. The early days weren’t easy, Bruce recalls. Turning an old timber cottage, previously a newsagent and supermarket, into a tackle store was a mission

the new owners made the move from Melbourne over Easter of 1993. The Lacey and Pertot families were then in command of the ship. They surrounded themselves with a dedicated team of local anglers, some of whom still

door was spectacular and overlooked the Noosa River. Watercraft of all shapes and sizes whizzed back and forth, the ramp was a mere stones throw away; business and life in Noosa was good. However, once again development was to see the

The completed project – Davo’s Tackle World and Davo’s Boating and Outdoors, side by side in beautiful Noosa. location change – this time to the Noosa Homemaker Centre on Mary Street. The old premises were to be demolished and shiny new shops with accommodation above would eventually replace the iconic bait and tackle store on the corner. A dedicated bunch of employees and friends assisted and the move was made in a couple of days. The new premises was considerably larger, still close to the boat ramp and there was plenty of parking right out the front. The centre had a couple of dozen other shops and this provided plenty of foot traffic and walk ins. While Davo’s Bait and Tackle was then known as the largest independent tackle retailer in Queensland, the decision was made to join a buying group and the

with Davo’s for years and they stayed on, ensuring a smooth transition. Peter had an extensive angling background and settled into the business with ease. He ran a tight ship, possibly due to his Royal Australian Navy days. During 2012, Peter stumbled across a small tackle store at Pacific Paradise with the doors well and truly shut. Peter saw an opportunity there and reopened the shop as Davo’s North Shore Bait and Tackle. This shopfront was relocated to bigger premises a year or so later and is thriving. Look for the giant Alvey reel on the roof along David Low Way at Marcoola! Once again, the business prospered. During 2013 Peter made the decision to move to the expanding Tackle World group with

The opportunity to expand was perfect and realised plans Peter had been considering for some time. The dramatic expansion effectively doubled the retail footprint. The new shop was to become Davo’s Boating and Outdoors. Specialising in boating chandlery, sounders, electric motors, trailer parts, outdoor clothing, snorkelling equipment, kayaks and a selection of camping gear, the new shop opened for business just in time to capture the busy holiday trading period over Christmas. It was a great start. The grand opening celebration was delayed until the busy trading period was complete and the new shop fully stocked. This was to be a major retail event! A radio station broadcast live from the premises, the shop had

The second premises were bigger and conveniently right in front of the boat ramp. Photo courtesy of Bill Watson.

The original Davo’s Bait and Tackle in its humble beginnings. Photo courtesy of Cheryl Lacey.

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APRIL 2017

Compleat Angler chain was the choice. Again, business was good. However, there were disruptions on the way. Other tackle stores were being established in the region and a couple of large retailers were coming. A few years down the track the decision was made by the current owners to move on and pursue other opportunities. Jolly giant Peter Wells and his wife Annette took over in February 2011. Many of the staff had been

headquarters not far away in Maroochydore, and subsequently Coolum. This proved to be a successful change and Davo’s Tackle World was born. It remains as such today. Next door to the now very large tackle shop in Noosaville a major automotive retailer announced plans to relocate. Peter once again seized the opportunity and secured the lease on the new premises, occupying them in late 2016 after a refurb and paint job.

plenty of great giveaways, thanks to their generous suppliers, and the Viking kayak crew were set up on the river for everyone to enjoy a free paddle. And, of course, the obligatory sausage sizzle made the day a huge success. The transformation from a small timber cottage along the river to a huge superstore is now complete! All three stores trade seven days, so drop in the next time you are nearby! – Dominic Fry, Davo’s Boating and Outdoors

Yamaha launches new 25 and 90hp models FMG

Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

At the recent Yamaha Dealer Conference and Media Launch at Couran Cove on Queensland’s Gold Coast, Yamaha proudly announced a suite of new products, but the highlight for media and dealers

If you thought this 90 looks like a 115 mated with a 70, then you’d be right. The 90 borrows from the 115B’s four-cylinder power unit and also the valve train technology of the uberpopular F70. In technical speak, it’s a single overhead cam (SOHC), 16 valve, 1.8L, four-cylinder engine. Yamaha says, “The F90 is compatible with

good economy – and well over 4km/L for larger and heavier craft. Console-steer and tiller steer models are available to suit whatever fitout you need and pricing starts at under $5,000. ON THE WATER On the water, dealers are treated to a variety of Australian-made and imported boats to take

Fuel economy for the new 25 was fantastic – this Stessco Catcher delivered 5.2km/L burned. System (VTS) – a switch on the tiller that increases or decreases rpm between 750 and 1050. Battery-less EFI ensures that pull-starting the motor is as easy as possible. Initial testing reveals that the new F25 delivers up to 6.5km/L of fuel burned – ridiculously

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outboard with a 25hp sticker on it. Currently, it’s the lightest 25hp fourstroke on the market today, weighing it at between 57-64kg depending on the configuration and clever design ensures that this motor outshines even Yamaha’s own two-stroke version in all aspects – economy, acceleration and ease of use. It’s a single overhead cam (SOHC), two-cylinder outboard that displaces 432cc. And unlike previous 25s, the F25 allows the user to control the throttle at idle with its Variable Throttle

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SPECIFICATIONS - F90B Shaft Lengths.......................L, XL Dry weight............................from 162kg Operating range...................5000-6000rpm Idling Speed.........................700-800rpm VTS adjustment...................550-1000rpm Engine Type..........................four-stroke, SOHC, ..............................................L4, 16 valve Displacement.......................1832cc Lubrication...........................Wet Sump Engine oil capacity..............3.2L Alternator.............................35A Cooling.................................Raw water Exhaust.................................Through propeller Emission Rating...................three star Fuel.......................................Regular unleaded

AN THE

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You could be thinking that a F70 mated with a F115 to make the F90, and it’s pretty true. The 90 shares technology from both platforms.

Yamaha’s comprehensive range of Command Link digital gauges, with options of both basic back-lit LCD and premium full colour displays. The engine is also NMEA2000 compatible, allowing the F90 to share information with third party multi-function displays, GPS and fish finders.” “The F90 shares the same mounting holes as other outboards of similar sizes making for an easy switch from a two-stroke, or other brands to a latest generation Yamaha 4-stroke engine. F25 Although only a small outboard, the new 25hp wasn’t outshone by its bigger brother at the dealer launch. Noticeably smaller and lighter than its predecessor, it seriously looks like a 15hp

- SC

alike was the unveiling of their new 25hp and 90hp models. These outboards effectively complete their four-stroke range, which now offers everything from 2hp to 350hp. F90 The 90hp Yamaha will really hit a sweet spot, especially with locally built boats. Many manufacturers have models that are rated to 90hp. Surprisingly, Yamaha’s previous line-up only had an 80 and 100hp options. The new F90 comes in with 300 more cc (1.8L displacement compared with the previous 1.5L models) and it’s also 10kg lighter that the 80/100 platform. Understandably, this equates to better performance and economy at nearly all levels of operation. Yamaha quotes 10% better efficiency that the previous platform.

RE ONLINE MO TENT -

There’s a pile of Aussie boat manufacturers that have a maximum rating of 90hp on their hulls. The new Yamaha F90 will broaden the powerplant options for these users.

electronics packages in the small trailer boats,” he said. Stones Corner Marine’s James Cullen was just as excited about the new aluminium K-series propellers that provide

Brisbane Marine’s Aaron Goodchild was also excited, mainly because he’ll have a pile of the new outboards bigger than you could jump over, as well as the remaining stocks of the older models. Overall, the Yamaha staff were justifiably proud Not only is the Yamaha F25 lighter than its predecessor, but it’s only a two-cylinder and has a substantially smaller physical size.

SPECIFICATIONS - F25 Shaft Lengths.......................S, L Dry weight............................from 57kg Operating range...................5000-6000rpm Idling Speed.........................850-950rpm VTS adjustment...................750-1050rpm Engine Type..........................four-stroke, SOHC, ..............................................L2, four valve Displacement.......................432cc Lubrication...........................Wet Sump Engine oil capacity..............1.1L Alternator.............................16A Cooling.................................Raw water Exhaust.................................Through propeller Emission Rating...................three stars Fuel.......................................Regular unleaded these motors for a test drive. Fishing Monthly took the opportunity to chat to a few of the dealers as they departed the marina to get their initial impressions. You can see these in the extended video coverage of the launch by scanning the QR codes on this page. Can’t do it? Hand your phone to the nearest teenager and get them to set up the app for you. Yamaha’s Glenn Gibson was revved about the batteryless EFI of the 25. “What does this mean? It means you get to the water, you turn the key or pull the rope, and it starts first pull, every time. That’s the advantage of battery-less EFI,” he said. Likewise, Stuart Smith loved the [electronic] power output of the new F90. “These motors are a lighter weight and have a big alternator – 35 amps – and they produce 28 amps at 1000rpm, so they’re great for those guys with their big

brilliant performance at a fraction of the cost of a stainless steel propeller. “It’s been a gap in the market for sure and it’s great to have a propeller that gives great performance for not a lot of coin,” he said when departing the dock.

of finally completing their range of modern four-stroke outboards and the dealers mirrored their enthusiasm. Both models are available now, so you can check them out at your nearest Yamaha dealer or visit www.yamahamotor.com.au.

Big Willie Lee used to work for Fishing Monthly, but he seems at home here demonstrating the new F90 to Yamaha dealers. Good work, Big Willie! APRIL 2017

103

UNBEATABLE

75-115HP FOURSTROKE

See your authorised Mercury Marine Dealer today. See your authorised Mercury Marine Dealer today. MERIDIAN MARINA HORIZON SHORES ONSHORE MARINE

BRISBANE SOUTH COORPAROO MARINE

BRISBANE BAYSIDE MIKES MARINE

TOOWOOMBA WATERSKIERS WAREHOUSE

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IPSWICH IPSWICH MARINE

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SUNSHINE COAST NORTHCOAST BOATING CENTRE

Cabbage Tree Point Road Woongoolba Phone: (07) 5546 2480 | Fax: (07) 5546 1362 Email: onshoremarine@ozemail.com.au Website: www.onshoremarine.com.au

91-93 Neil Street Toowoomba Phone: (07) 4637 9511 | Fax: (07) 4637 9513 Email: rod@waterskierswarehouse.com.au Website: www.waterskierswarehouse.com.au

45 Huxham Street Raceview Phone: (07) 3294 3944 | Fax: (07) 3294 5320 Email: enquiries@ipswichmarine.com.au Website: www.ipswichmarine.com.au

1776 Ipswich Road Rocklea Phone: (07) 3875 1600 | Fax: (07) 3875 1622 Email: sales@kareemarine.com.au Website: www.kareemarine.com.au

57 Cavendish Road Coorparoo Phone: (07) 3397 4141 | Fax: (07) 3397 6339 Email: info@coorparoomarine.com.au Website: www.coorparoomarine.com.au

570 Royal Esplanade Manly Phone: (07) 3893 2199 | Fax: (07) 3893 2188 Email: info@manlyharbourmarine.com.au Website: www.manlyharbourmarine.com.au

3475 Pacific Highway Springwood Phone: (07) 3297 8200 | Fax: (07) 3297 8290 Email: sales@springwoodmarine.com.au Website: www.springwoodmarine.com.au

25 Queens Road Everton Park Phone: (07) 3353 1928 | Fax: (07) 3353 4548 Email: info@holtmarine.com.au Website: www.holtmarine.com.au

9 Smith Street Capalaba Phone: (07) 3390 3418 | Fax: (07) 3823 5856 Email: sales@mikesmarine.com.au Website: www.mikesmarine.com.au

306 Duffield Road Clontarf Phone: (07) 3889 3033 | Fax: (07) 3889 5390 Email: info@brismarine.com.au Website: www.brismarine.com.au

23-25 Snook Street Clontarf Phone: (07) 3284 8805 | Fax: (07) 3284 8813 Email: sales@cunninghammarinecentre.com.au Website: www.cunninghammarinecentre.com.au

264 Nicklin Way Warana Phone: (07) 5493 9376 | Fax: (07) 5437 6144 Email: mail@northcoastboatingcentre.com.au Website: www.northcoastboating.com.au

Unbridled power, unexpectedly compact, uncompromising reliability, unbelievably fuel efficient. Mercury’s all new 75-115hp FourStroke Range. Unlike anything the world has ever seen.

BETTER FUEL EFFICIENCY AND MORE RANGE THAN EVER BEFORE 115HP CRUISE SPEED FUEL EFFICIENCY VS. CURRENT FOURSTROKE AND OPTIMAX

115HP FOURSTROKE FUEL EFFICIENCY VS. 115HP OPTIMAX 5.10

340 330

4.25

310

km/l

g/kWh

320

300 290

3.40 2.55 1.70

280 0.85

270

115HP OPTIMAX

MERCURY’S NEW 115HP FOURSTROKE DELIVERS UP TO 63% BETTER FUEL EFFICIENCY AT CRUISE VS. THE 115HP OPTIMAX WITH A SLIGHT TOP SPEED ADVANTAGE. Test conducted on a 1775 Lund aluminium boat.

MARYBOROUGH FRASER COAST BOATING

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ROCKHAMPTON RIFEN BOATS

INGHAM J&B MARINE

120 Richmond Street Maryborough Phone: (07) 4122 1770 Email: sales@frasercoastboating.com.au Website: www.frasercoastboating.com.au

55 Islander Road Pialba Phone: (07) 4128 9944 | Fax: (07) 4125 2350 Email: sales@baycitymarine.com.au Website: www.baycitymarine.com.au

28 Ritchie Street Norville Phone: (07) 4153 1819 | Fax: (07) 4154 4808 Email: adriansmarinecentre@bigpond.com Website: www.adriansmarinecentre.com.au

6 Dooley Street North Rockhampton Phone: (07) 4927 9150 | Fax: (07) 4921 3502 Email: rifen.boats@bigpond.com Website: www.rifenboats.com.au

11 Victoria Street Mackay Phone: (07) 4951 4711 | Fax: (07) 4957 6034 Email: goboating@sugarcitymarine.com.au Website: www.sugarcitymarine.com.au

34 Don Street Bowen Phone: (07) 4786 2944 Fax: (07) 4786 6606 Email: remarine@bigpond.net.au

17 William Murray Drive Cannonvale Phone: (07) 4946 7286 Fax: (07) 4946 7848 Email: woc@whitsundayoutboardcentre.com.au Website: www.whitsundayoutboardcentre.com.au

79 Herbert Street Ingham Phone: (07) 4776 1188 | Fax: (07) 4776 1288 Email: jbmarine@bigpond.com Website: www.jandbmarine.com

178 Edith Street Innisfail Phone: (07) 4061 8272 | Fax: (07) 4061 7718 Email: joel@coastalmarine.com.au Website: www.coastalmarine.com.au

5 Hannam Street Bungalow Phone: (07) 4033 8800 Email: sales@aussiemarine.com.au Website: www. aussiemarine.com.au

38 Yappar Street Karumba Phone: (07) 4745 9159 Email: jonglo@bigpond.com Website: www.jonesmarine.com.au

80.47

72.42

64.37

56.33

48.28

40.23

32.19

24.14

NEW MERCURY 115HP FOURSTROKE

MERCURY’S NEW 115HP FOURSTROKE DELIVERS UP TO 14% BETTER CRUISE SPEED ECONOMY BSFC dyno testing; data is an average of 60%-80% rated engine speed based on standard ICOMIA emissions test.

km/h

0.0

NEW MERCURY 2.1L 115hp

16.09

MERCURY OPTIMAX 115hp

8.05

PREVIOUS MERCURY FOURSTROKE 1.7L

0.0

260

FUN PAGE AND COMPETITIONS GREAT NAMES FOR A BOAT

RED HERRING

CARP DIEM

ON SAIL

DEBAITABLE

GOODNESS STRAKES

ANCHORMAN

DRIFTWOOD

IRON MAST

BANK LOAN

ABOAT TIME

INCREDIBLE HULL

STERN ANGLEFISH

SURLY MERMAID

REELAXED

RIGHT TERN

UNWINDER

Name: Address:

P/Code:

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

QLD APRIL 2017

Phone (day):

FINS SCALES & TALES by A. Both

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

SPOT THE

10 DIFFERENCES

GEORGE & NEV by Michael Hardy

ORIGINAL

SUBSCRIBER PRIZE

The subscriber prize winner for February was C Jordan of The Gap, who won an Raymarine WI-FISH – Wi-Fi CHIRP DownVision Sonar valued at $299SRP. All subscribers are entered in the monthly subscriber prize draws. Prize delivery takes up to 8 weeks. – QFM

FIND THE DX POINT LOGO

The answers to Find the DX Point Logo for February were: 12, 18, 28, 31, 40, 42, 48, 85, 90, 97, 102, 113, 120, 125, 129. – QFM The Find the DX Point logo prize winners for February were: B Tieman of Buxton, G English of Bowen, P Fels of Cushnie, J McQuaigue of Currumbin Waters, J Wogandt of Urangan, R Fichera of Hawkins Creek, G Watter of Ripley, R Saunders of Penrith, P Fielder of Everton Hills, J Nock of Kallangur, R Taskis

of Ashmore, J Bowyer of Blackall, K Liston of Surat, A Bragl of Mount Isa, J Routledge of Kepnock, B Rossetti of Proserpine, R Davis of Sarina, D Deppeler of Burpengary East, B Stephen of Donnybrook, B Nicholson of Bundamba, J Goody of Mount Berryman, T Prowse of Oxenford, K Martin of Dalby, A Hewlett of Mothar Mountain, K Goodman of Mount Morgan, B Halberstater of Yeppoon, E DiBella of Bushland Beach, R Elworthy of

North Bundaberg, N Tretiakov of Springwood, R Randall of Oakhurst, J Buddle of Torquay, A Svaikauskas of Alligator Creek, M Hinton of Yarraman, C Couper of Chinchilla, R Kelly of Miriam Vale, P Martin of Narangba, R Kunde of Beerwah, K Frankel of Pottsville, N Kempthorne of River Heads, K Van Dalen of Prosperpine. Prize delivery takes up to 8 weeks. – QFM

LAST MONTHS ANSWERS

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE LOCATIONS IN NEXT ISSUE

Guess the Fish Answer: Blue Groper

FIND-A-WORD

Congratulations to Richard Wright from Urangan, who was last month’s winner of the Find-a-Word Competition! Monthly winners receive a sponsor prize. Prize delivery can take 8 weeks. – QFM

GUESS THE FISH?

Answer:

Product Profile

Getting Deeper into kayaking BRISBANE

Justin Willmer Find me on Facebook at Yaks On

Whether it’s a lake, river or the open ocean, the surface of the water hides many secrets below, including changes in water depth, holes, drains and depressions in the bottom, along with structure such as weed, rock, oysters and timber.

sneak peek at what is below the surface. A depth sounder or Fishfinder is what truly opens your eyes to the world beneath the kayak. For the many anglers that love the simplicity of kayak fishing, a sounder can seem a complicated option with its transducer and transducer cable, head unit, power cable and a battery requiring installation and management. For others, it’s not worth the

weight and lack of portability when accessing hard to get at launch points or portaging from pool to pool. When I stumbled upon the Deeper wireless Fishfinder for smartphones at one of the annual fishing expos, I got chatting with the guys from Deeper and was blown away with how far this portable technology had evolved. Needless to say, being the gadget freak

or even fish land-based. I effectively have a highpowered Fishfinder that I can hold in one hand. The setup was simple and I soon had my charged Deeper and a fully charged smartphone, in its Lifeproof waterproof case, ready to hit the water. I was looking for a quick and easy location on the kayak to clamp my flexible arm mount and the Railblaza Camera Mount, mounted on the kayak using the Railblaza StarPort system, was the perfect option. I use this camera mount for taking photos using the timer while holding fish. With a little effort it can be rotated, allowing me to swing the flexible arm and Deeper in and out of the kayak as required. This is handy as the Deeper has two contacts on the bottom that power the unit

The Deeper, carry pouch and box – is that a sounder in your pocket?

The Flexible Arm Mount allows the Deeper to be swung back into the kayak when not in use. It also conceals bait and schools of fish that are often attracted to this structure, as it offers shelter, food and a break from the current where there is flow. Polarised sunglasses cut the glare off the surface of the water, allowing you a

IN THE BOX • Deeper Smart Fishfinder • 2 Attachment Bolts • Carry Pouch • USB Cable • Instructions

The smartphone in a Lifeproof case, connected to a Deeper. 108

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that I am, I soon had one in my arsenal and was keen to get out on the water and put it to the test. Out of the box the Deeper wireless Fishfinder fits in the palm of your hand with its 6.5cm diameter. It only weighs 100g. It floats, allowing you attach your line to one of its screw in attachment points to cast it and map an area if you are land-based, or simply attach a cord and allow it to float beside the boat or kayak. I opted to grab their flexible arm mount that simply clamps onto the kayak. The Deeper then has a thread which screws quickly and easily into the other end of the arm. Then you bend the arm so the Deeper is positioned in the water. I plugged the included cord into my home computer and unscrewed the two halves of the Deeper, allowing it to be plugged in to charge. It was then time to grab my smartphone and load the Deeper app. My smartphone was about to get even smarter, becoming the head unit of my sounder as it connects to the Deeper via Bluetooth. It’s a smart, simple and extremely portable system. I can fit the Deeper unit in one pocket and my phone in the other if I’m heading on a fishing adventure. I can throw it in my luggage when travelling to locations where there’s a chance I can get my hands on a boat or kayak,

Drop off into the drain located and bream are on!

up when placed in water. By lifting the unit out of the water when travelling between fishing spots, having lunch or at other periods when it’s not required, you can extend the run time of the unit and also switch off your Bluetooth to conserve phone power. In saying that, I fished for a few hours each session on the water without flattening the battery. Remember when mounting your flexible arm to ensure it is clear of your paddle stroke before fixing it in position. For performance, I was impressed with the detail and accuracy, as well as the operating speed of the Deeper. Within a few minutes I had worked out the basics of the app and it felt to me like I was looking at the head unit of a traditional hard mounted sounder. It was time to find some fish. On my maiden voyage with the Deeper, the plan was to locate a boat that had sunk in recent months during a violent storm. Find the structure, find the fish. I soon located the sunken vessel,

Without a sounder it’s just a big flat expanse. The sounder opens your eyes to what’s below.

Product Profile positioned the kayak to cast up current, past the structure and retrieve my small paddletail plastic naturally back past the structure with the water flow.

bottom dropped away and I was in the drain. I then repositioned the kayak to fire my casts up the drain and retrieved the little paddle-tail back with

and locating my drain, and catching the bream, I headed over to fish for flathead on a large weed flat. My plan here was to use the Deeper to locate a sandy drain that

A bream landed from the sunken vessel located using Deeper.

The Deeper is a simple and effective sounder option for kayak anglers. On the first cast I got a tap. Second cast, I was hooked up to a reasonable bream. After six solid bream and two smaller ones in an hour I was convinced that the Deeper was going to find me plenty of structure, bait schools and fish. The plan for my second session with the Deeper was to really put it to the test, with an hour on the water to find a bream and a flathead

a few hops, followed by a slow roll with the occasional twitch. My second cast got a solid take from a fish that bolted out of the drain and into deeper water. There was plenty of current as the tide built toward a big high and this fish was giving a good account of itself. A couple more runs and I was surprised to see a cracker bream come up yakside. A quick photo

runs through the weed flat, allowing me to cast plastics up the length of the drain without fouling in the weed. At first I attempted to position the kayak without the sounder, simply using landmarks to try and locate the gutter. I found weed, weed and more weed. I then used the Deeper to locate where the weed gave way to clean, sandy bottom and it’s surprising that even when

start shaking it like crazy and wear through your leader in seconds. Finally the flathead was in the net and unfortunately it had been hooked deep in the gills and was bleeding heavily, so I opted to take it home for dinner. I would normally release a fish in the high 50s, preferring to keep the smaller fish from

minutes the alarm sounded to signal the end of my fishing time, mission successful. Having a depth sounder on the kayak had definitely improved my chances of finding fish and allowed me to locate the structure and bait that often leads to a successful session. I enjoyed the portability and simplicity of the Deeper, but also the

and an excellent sounder option for kayak anglers. Now I think I’ll pull out the instruction manual so that I can learn about all of the other features of the Deeper, including calendar, camera, weather, notes, maps and sharing. Whether you keep it simple and find a few fish or explore all of the features this unit

Quick and simple, the Deeper is mounted with no cables and no heavy battery.

Water depth can change dramatically over a short distance. Deeper keeps you fishing the right areas. for this article. It was half tide in, far from my favourite tide and I would use the Deeper to locate a drain that crosscuts a large flat that I fish, with the hope of throwing a few casts up the drain in search of a bream. With the Deeper as my eyes, I drifted the flat until the

and the 34cm fork length fish was returned to the water for someone else to catch. I was all smiles and the first half of the plan had come together. With only an hour on the water available before I had to be somewhere else and almost half of it gone pedalling to

FEATURES Diameter....................... 6.5cm Weight........................... 100g Connectivity................. Bluetooth Compatible................... Android & iOS Range........................... Up to 40-50m away from phone Depth............................ 40m Battery Life................... Six hours Sonar ........................... DualBeam Frequency..................... 290 kHz (15°) / 90 kHz (55°) Find more at: ............... www.buydeeper.com

using landmarks you can be a good couple of casts away from where you need to be. After half a dozen casts and no touches in the drain, I was beginning to second guess my choice of location and then on the eighth cast – clunk. I love that feeling of a flathead nailing the plastic as it is paused, after a couple of hops up off the bottom. The flathead took off across the weed and as it came to the surface I noticed it had swallowed the plastic right down. This creates a lot of tense moments as the flathead plays up close to the kayak and the leader begins to wear. Just keep its head under water so that it doesn’t

45-55cm and leave the larger breeders to their business, but there was a high chance that this fish would not survive a release. I began my paddle home and within a few

speed, power, display and effectiveness of the unit when combined with a smartphone. This is a legitimate, DualBeam sounder option

has to offer, it’s worth looking… Deeper. For more information, check out the Deeper website at www.deepersonar.com/en/ deeper-smart-fishfinder/.

The author’s second challenge required the Deeper to find the sandy channel through the weed, producing this nice flathead. APRIL 2017

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How to select the right boat for the task BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

Boat selection sounds simple enough, although it would take pages and pages to cover all the variables involved! Instead, I will confine my comments to cover some of the more important things involved with finding the right fishing boat for the job!

and water conditions that the owner expects to deal with for the majority of his or her fishing (and how many people they expect to have on board). Note that very important word, ‘majority.’ A wise boat owner selects a rig that will be ideal for the majority of the fishing in mind, with or without crew aboard. These conditions should govern the choice of boat, with perhaps three main criteria to consider in the

conditions in line with the design parameters of the rig – really come into their own. In essence, it’s the combination of both of these qualities that make a boat great to own. FREEBOARD Freeboard must be adequate for the conditions you expect to encounter. It must also be adequate to cater for what can amount to the worst situation on the day. Clearly, a craft to be used in smooth waters such as rivers

The Iconic 5.5m is a fabulous offshore or wide bay rig but would be hard to justify in the stealthy corners of a barra dam.

Tailored Marine’s half cabin rig would be just the ticket for offshore work with fishing confined to the cockpit’s work area. When most people choose a fishing boat, they look at how suitable it is for the kind of fishing they usually do and the places they go, whether it’s smooth water such as impoundments or rivers, the not-quite-so-smooth going estuaries and bays, or far out into the bluewater environment. Such a diverse range of fishing environments will cover all manner of watercraft, from kayaks to specialised boats set up for far offshore travel, with everything from manual power right up to very serious horsepower involved in their propulsion. In between there are many options, each specifically tailored to suit the fishing

selection of that elusive right boat for the job. RIDE QUALITY AND SEA KEEPING Firstly, ride quality and sea keeping capability are very important. We go fishing for enjoyment, not for punishment. Nobody wants to be driving a wet boat or one that it so rough riding that it’s a relief to finally get out of the thing at the end of the day. Water conditions will always vary so much that what might start out to be a lovely calm morning at the boat ramp can turn very nasty when a breeze kicks in and chop develops. This is exactly when ride quality and sea keeping – the ability to handle sea or other water

and impoundments might not need as much freeboard as one heading out into the bay or over a bar crossing on a regular basis. It’s smart to remember that we boat owners are notorious for biting off more than we can chew, so to speak, and when things have turned from nice to nasty, a boat that has plenty of freeboard in regard to length will always be an asset. Combining excellent sea keeping and ride quality with ample freeboard is an art form, and most major boat manufacturers have this well in hand these days. FISHING ROOM Fishing room is the one element that seems to cause the most teeth gnashing and

Light weight, easy performance from the Suzuki and room for a couple to fish in comfort makes the Cross Country ideal for rivers, lakes and the like. 110

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hand wringing. We all seem to want a fishing boat of just the right size – not too big, not too small – but one question always arises: is there enough fishing room? Looking again at the broad spectrum of boats available, there’s no question that an open tiller-steer craft has all the fishing room. However, no one is very happy to be out on the bay or offshore (or even on a windswept and choppy impoundment for that matter) in an entirely open boat. Where’s the waterproof gear? It’s far better to keep the tiller steer jobs for the smooth water, the centre or side console rig for the bay along with rivers and dams, and a full or half cabin craft as the offshore option. Fishing room then comes down to maximum use of the space available, even if it might be a bit of a compromise given the other features aboard the rig. Centre and side consoles take up room, but they provide ample convenience while full or half cabins confine fishing room to the cockpit area aft of the cabin. MAKING THE SELECTION With those criteria in mind, it’s pretty obvious that the selection of the right fishing boat – putting aside things such as glass vs alloy and cost issues for now – will come down to ticking as many boxes as possible. Remember that all boats are a compromise. They always have been and always will be. Anglers live with those compromises and work around them. The clue is to sit down at the desk and make some headings, setting out just what the craft will be mainly used for, and what will be involved in getting it to the chosen fishing location. Power selection is very important. It’s wise to always select the power needed for the main situations, taking into account the number of

people who will usually be aboard the rig, and the sort of fishing in mind. Look at what would make the rig just that little bit better for the selected tasks, and how things can be brought together to make it happen. Other important criteria to consider are the overall size, trailerability, ease of launching and retrieving along with comfort aboard, both when travelling on the water and when fishing. The end result will hopefully be the ideal combination of all of these things. The fact is that it’s difficult, but not impossible, to get a one-boat-fits-all craft. Think about the waterways you like to fish, and the different kinds of fishing you like to do. If they aren’t drastically different, you’re

sweet. If not, you’ll have to make concessions. Common sense dictates that an extra fast, low-freeboard bass boat that can scoot to the far corner of most of our impoundments within minutes won’t be much use heading out through the Southport Seaway on a sloppy day with a bit of swell about. Likewise, a fabulous 7m offshore rig will be a pain to use in confined shallow water sections of places like Monduran or Kinchant dams in search of barra. Still, it might well be possible to combine freeboard, excellent sea keeping, ride quality and fishing room in one craft suited to a wide variety of fishing pursuits, if you go about things correctly. Next month we will take a closer look at ways of going about this.

A lot of impoundment barra are taken from small boats, where low profile craft are in their element.

The perfect boats The perfect boats for barra, bass or bream for barra, bass or bream

Fishing with Nitro is a blast! Whether you’re a tournament pro or a weekend warrior, Nitro boats will ignite your passion and pack more fun into your day. Just getting there is half the fun! For more than 20 years, Nitro have continually refined and delivered serious fishing boats for serious anglers.

The world’s #1 aluminium fishing boats! Tracker’s outstanding quality and unique manufacturing process have made them the world’s largest boat builder – producing more than 40,000 aluminium fishing boats per year. Their foam-filled, unsinkable, 3mm plate alloy hulls are robotically welded to deliver superior quality at a lower cost – and are backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty.

Nitro boats are foam-filled to exceed US Coast Guard survey requirements. This gives you the safety of level floatation, security and comfort – and additional fishing stealth – all backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty.

Tracker’s Pro Guide series is designed with a deep-vee hull for exceptional performance, even in rough waters. Their Diamond Coat finish is a Tracker exclusive that resists oxidation, providing protection and a shine lasting 70% longer. Standard features include a Minn Kota trolling motor and Lowrance colour sounder, plus tournament-ready live well systems and rod lockers.

Call Tim Stessl now on 0429 680 504 to arrange a test drive or em:tim@flboats.com.au Hopefully it will be rough, as you’ll be stunned by the performance of these boats when the weather gets challenging!

Fishing and Leisure Boats, 167 Currumburra Road, Ashmore, QLD 4214

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Bonito’s new 5m tiller steer with 90hp Suzuki - SC

TENT -

RE ONLINE MO

Check out that room! Load up the family, the tents, water, eskies and the kitchen sink. It’ll all fit! 112

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DE FOR EX

Built on the banks of Queensland’s famous Jumpinpin, fibreglass Bonito boats have carved a nice little niche for themselves in both the commercial and recreational fishing markets. There’s a handful of crabbers that put serious miles on their Bonitos in their local area – running 150hp tiller steer outboards. That’s on the 5.6m version, which we’ve tested over the years at Fishing Monthly, and you can Google “5.6m Bonito” to see the article and videos. The latest Bonito to grace their range is the 5m (or 500). It’s not necessarily brand new, but this is the first opportunity

s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

that we have had to get one out on the water for a test. To do so, Roger and Martin from Bonito Boats talked local Bonito owner Adam Webb into going out for a morning on the water. Adam is a Jacobs Well local and knows the ‘Pin like the back of his hand. He spends a lot of time fishing, crabbing, prawning and camping in the area and needed a boat that could do all of those things – both with the family and without. His Bonito 500 is perfectly set up and versatile enough to do all of these things and more. Hand laid with high quality glass, a self-draining floor and an attention to detail, let’s examine how this Bonito ticks all of Adam’s boxes. FISHING AND CAMPING If Adam is in ‘sportfishing’

Steve Morgan

CON

AN THE

FMG

mode, there’s a small, front casting deck that he can stand on and use his Minn Kota iPilot, which is located frontleft. Also a keen whiting angler, it’s a simple transition to move the seats to the front bases, add the bimini top and you’re hanging a couple of Alveys and sloppy joe rods over the transom, waiting for a whiting to load up. Adam’s tip SPECIFICATIONS Length.................. 5.0m Beam.................. 2.05m Weight................ 510kg Max hp....................115 Fuel (underfloor)....110L Freeboard........600mm Internal beam.... 1.65m PERFORMANCE RPM..............SPEED 700.......................... 3 1000........................ 4 2000........................ 9 3000...................... 15 4000...................... 36 5000...................... 48 6000...................... 60 6400...................... 64 was that you have to dig your own bloodworms to get the best whiting. Adam’s a big fan of camping locally on Straddie, and you don’t need to stretch the imagination very far to see that the space on this boat would swallow up the camping gear for the bulkiest of packers. CRABBING AND PRAWNING Adam also explained that while crabbing, there’s the beam on board to carry

Top: Adam Webb knows the ‘Pin like the back of his hand, and took the opportunity to show us around on the test day. Above: The soft ride of glass made it comfortable up front sitting on the casting deck while traveling. his large, hand-made crab pots, and the boat draws little enough water to get up into the shallowest creeks that often yield the best crabs. Adam has two daughters, who are 8 and 9 years old. They can cast their own nets and, understandably, after a solid session on the crustaceans, the boat can be a bit of a mess. “I love that no matter how dirty the boat gets, you can hose it out, give it a quick scrub and it comes back gleaming,” Adam said. “One polish a year and she is back to near-showroom condition.” ON THE WATER Not surprisingly, the 90hp Suzuki on the transom shoots this boat up and onto the plane. With both seats back, I expected this boat to be a little bum-heavy, but the Bonito jumped up onto the plane and maintained an efficient attitude in the water. Hitting 6400rpm at wide open throttle, the Bonito

skipped along at 64km/h and cruised comfortably at 4000rpm where it sat on 36km/h. No fuel usage gauge was available to test economy. As with most Bonitos I’ve been in, I loved the swingaway sounder arm. Adam’s was fitted with a Garmin 95CV, which has a 9” colour screen and gives you great bang for your buck. The Bonito is simple in

its layout, simple to drive and simple to fish out of. There’s a reason why Bonito boats are becoming increasingly popular, and their simplicity (and a nice finish) definitely has something to do with it. If you want to go and check out the Bonito factory or talk about their range, talk to Martin Slennett on 0416 099 908 or visit www. bonitoboats.com.au.

The Bonito will turn heads at the ramp and on the water. The bow is low enough to board the boat from the front reasonably easily.

You can see the scupper balls for the self draining deck under the duckboards. There’s enough vee in this hull to make the ride very comfortable – and it continues through to the bow.

On paper, a 90HP tiller would be brutal to handle. In practice, it’s well balanced and responsive.

Some people call them side pockets, but Adam Webb calls it a footrest. He’s very comfortable in the Captain’s Chair!

While not holding live bait, this live bait tank holds the earmuffs for the outboard.

Prime real estate on the transom is taken up by a transducer (L) and a venturi pickup (R) for the live bait tank.

Little luxuries like a deck wash make it easy to clean up after a session on the cast nets in south east Queensland.

Adam keeps his valuables in the plastic box and inside the under-seat hatch. Safe as houses.

Trim, throttle, a gear lever and a tachometer are all located in the tiller. The gear change lever is ergonomically spot-on.

This might look like a standard anchor well, but you may not notice the home-made stainless-steel anchor. There’d have to be a few cartons’ worth of work in that!

The Garmin 95SV is mounted on a stainless steel swing arm. Awesome idea and available on all tiller-steer Bonitos.

The front casting deck isn’t huge, but it’s totally suitable for one-up fishing. APRIL 2017

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Bar Crusher’s 670HT – same great hull, new topsides

FMG

Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

If Bar Crusher were to order an ideal day for testing a couple of their revamped hard top models, then Port Phillip Bay delivered it in spades. Solid westerly winds turned the bay into a washing machine that only the brave dare venture into. We met Warren Cleland and Matt Urzia at the ramp at the Patto. They were chomping at the bit to show us the new improvements to the design, and also to get busy on the waves. They did both with style. Their ads don’t lie – the Bar Crusher team sure like testing their hulls to the limits when conditions get nasty.

Bar Crusher’s Sales Manager, Matt Urzia, has done plenty of time in these boats and proudly took us through the tweaks that make one of their most popular boats even better. “We’ve kept the 670 hull exactly the same – if it’s not broken, don’t fix it, but there are a few changes we’ve made above the waterline

that help make the 670 an even better fishing machine,” Matt said. Firstly, there’s a major redesign on the dash, where you can now see the flushmounted helm electronics from the cockpit of the boat and, in particular, the rear workstation. With the size of the units people run nowadays, this makes a lot of

SPECIFICATIONS Length.......................................................... 6.7m Beam.......................................................... 2.35m Internal Freeboard.................................. 800mm Bottom sheet.............................................. 5mm Side sheet.................................................... 4mm Fuel...............................................................190L Tow Weight...............................................1880kg Max hp........................................................... 200 Length on trailer......................................... 8.1m Height on trailer.......................................... 3.2m

Very few boats were game enough to be out on the water on the testing day. Those that were, of course, were in a Bar Crusher. Left to right, uber-keen anglers Bilal, Ibrahim, Hillz and Ahmed. 114

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Main Pic: When you instruct Bar Crusher’s Matt Urzia to “get a little air under the hull,” this is the result. Above: Although Port Phillip Bay was less than ideal for boating on the testing day, the 670HT ensured we were comfortable and safe. sense. You want to be able to see when the fish are coming through without having to leave your fishing position or by relaying the data. Next, the diameter of the handrails has been increased to 32mm. It doesn’t sound like a major change, but they look better, are easier to hold onto and are more practical, especially the ones on the hard top that you use to move around the cabin. The hard top has also been improved, with a design that externally keeps the standing passengers drier while running on wet days. Internally, there’s now plenty of real estate to mount your radios and stereo systems above the windscreen. It’s a neat solution. The side sliding windows are in the right place and open the right way for best ventilation and user comfort. Another small improvement is the rounding on the internal

gunwale edges with a 45° angle taking the sting out of the thighs. Bar Crusher calls it the Game Lock coaming. It’s these small things that improve the experience on the water. Out on the water, the day proved as nasty as promised, with a proper breaking bar on the Patterson River mouth and some rolling chop that made the process of deriving performance stats impossible. Taking the pictures and video was exciting if not impossible. Driven right, the Bar Crusher handles the punishment. Land with the vee level and a tail-down attitude and there’s a softness that feels more like glass than alloy. Amazingly, we had company on the test day. A boatload of uber-keen anglers rolled past and of course, they were in a Bar Crusher. We asked Matt if he’d organised this as a publicity stunt, but he denied all

knowledge. Last we saw of them, they bounced over the horizon with aspirations of snapper glory… The new lightweight 4-cylinder Suzuki 200hp, this provided ample power. The test rig came in just under $100,000 as tested. Package prices start in the mid $80,000. For more info contact Stones Corner Marine on 07 3397 9766 or visit www. stonescornermarine.com.au. VIDEO

Watch the full boat test video along with some rough water boat driving tips by scanning this QR code with your smartphone.

Quality hard tops have lots of visibility and efficient use of space. The 670HT’s lid looks the goods. You can see the Quickflow water ballast system that fills when the hull is at rest, increasing stability. The custom built Easytow trailer makes this rig launchable by one person.

Left: There’s plenty of cockpit space and four persons could comfortably go out for a fish. Small improvements, like thicker, 32mm grab rails and a more rounded internal gunwale (Game Lock coaming) are derived from dealer and customer feedback. Right: Improvements have been made on both sides of the hard top. Externally, the new design will keep passengers drier, while internally it allows for better mounting of radios and stereos above the windscreen.

Stowed, the bench seat offers easy access to the workstation.

Deployed, the rear bench seat can fit three adults across.

Bar Crusher’s latest iteration of their popular 670HT keeps their proven hull design identical and makes improvements above the waterline.

Above: Spacious under floor kill tanks and easy clean floors hint to the practicality of this boat. Right: The 670HT is a true fishing boat with plenty of rod storage and fishing space.

Top Left: Bar Crusher pioneered the auto-catching winch posts with the Bar Catch system. Their famous video shows that it only takes 20 seconds to launch or retrieve a Bar Crusher with a custom-designed trailer and this system. Left: The 670HT boasts a dashboard that is more visible from the back of the boat. Modern electronics have big enough screens to make this a real design-plus. Right: Powered by the light weight, 200hp Suzuki 4-stroke, the rig pushes 72km/h on calm conditions according to Bar Crusher. APRIL 2017

115

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