Queensland Fishing Monthly - February 2014 by Fishing Monthly

BARRA ARE BACK IN BUSINESS

Features Gamefishing’s gadgets • A bit on baitcasters • Keeping your cool •

Find the

hook competition

Tried and Tested Clark 545 with 150hp Mercury • Whittley SL22 • Hyundai Santa Fe •

Tips and Techniques Deveining prawns • Bream on top • Make your own mini assist hooks •

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Luke Bubb landed this 58cm mangrove jack while fishing at Coochin Creek. Luke used Black Magic 30lb Tough Fluorocarbon leader.

Black Magic 80lb Supple Trace was used to catch this 70lb GT. Banjamin Arnold was fishing off Port Douglas.

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Paul Mcfarlane caught this 5.3kg snapper in the Rous Channel, Moreton Bay. Paul used Black Magic 40lb Supple Trace.

A Black Magic KL 6/0 hook was used by Rob Jones to catch this 15kg Port Jackson shark. Rob was fishing near Low Head, Tasmania.

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February 2014, Vol. 26, No. 4

Contents SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND Tweed Heads 12 Gold Coast Canals 14 Southern Gold Coast 36 Gold Coast 15 Jumpinpin 18 Southern Bay 20 Brisbane Offshore 22 Brisbane 24 Northern Bay 26 Southern Pumicestone 27 Noosa 30 Caloundra 31 CENTRAL QUEENSLAND Fraser Coast 38 Rainbow Beach 40 Hervey Bay 40 Burrum Heads 42 Stanage Bay 42 Bundaberg 43 Lake Monduran 44 Rockhampton 46 Yeppoon 48 Mackay 50 TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND Bowen 52 Ayr 54 Townsville 56 Lucinda 57 Hinchinbrook 59 Cairns 60 Port Douglas 62 Cooktown 64 Karumba 64 Weipa 65 The Cape 65

From the Editor’s Desk... The madness of school holidays is over for another year and our waterways become places of escape again. Hopefully we don’t get flooding rains in the next few weeks like the last few years, but geez we need some decent rain. It is the wet season after all! I have 4 days leave in late February and I am throwing away the rulebook on my normal trips. These four days will be a fly by the seat of my pants trip. If I have to drive to Faust, then here I come. If Bundy jacks are going off, look out Rum City. If the western lakes are firing for cod and goldens, then pen me in. It’s actually quite refreshing not having a set plan as it means I can just go where the action is. The flexibility to do that is something I don’t normally have the luxury of, but this year I will be making sure I do this. With the boat in tow the world is almost my oyster and four days gives you enough

time to get somewhere and not be too rushed. Ideally I will be throwing a lure at a big barra somewhere or slowly working a spinnerbait or big hardbody for a monster Murray cod, but if these options are not going to pan out, then the fishing will be what it will be. Good fishing, good company and getting away from all the electronic wizardry that is every day life is the aim, so bring it on fish. FOLLOW THE RULES Over the January holiday period plenty of bad news came out of the compliance department in Fisheries with people exceeding bag limits, and not by just a few but by plenty, and keeping fish that were outside the legal ranges. While we may not agree with some of the regulations, they are the rules and we have to trust that these rules are designed to ensure sustainable take. On our Facebook page the overwhelming sentiment and our most popular posts are of

Fisheries busts and the most vociferous replies are on these posts. It’s a display of the passion you all hold for your recreation/ sport/pastime and that’s great. It’s a pity some can’t control themselves, or are unwilling to. I’m a stickler for following the rules. I reckon it’d be pretty funny for all the other fishing mags if I got busted doing the wrong thing. I follow the rules because the scientist in my past tells me the science is usually right. Sadly the realist in me says this science is manipulated for a cause these days rather than just telling its story. Whoever pays the bill gets the result they want and if that result does not stack up, reports are ‘shelved’ until policy changes. Anyway, getting off that high horse and onto the rule following soap box I believe that those caught doing the wrong thing in an excessive way need to be punished far more heavily. I’m not talking about grandad and grandson accidentally fishing in

a green zone or the group of mates coming in from the reef 2 fish heavy, but rather the crab pot thieves and share farmers, the 100 fish over the limit with plenty undersized kept people and the Wallies who have previous history and clearly have not learnt their lesson. Take everything from them – anything used in the pursuit of their illegal activities. Boost the fines and give them convictions. I really hate seeing press releases about repeat offenders with the comments at the end by Fisheries saying compliance is a serious matter and these fines indicate just how seriously the issue is taken. Crap! Most of the fines are a business expense they happily pay. So with that rant over for now, I’m looking forward to a break at the end of February and I hope you all find some quiet time on the water filled with bent rods, great mates and good times.

NORTHERN NEW SOUTH WALES

Field Editors: Garry Smith, Jason Ehrlich, Wayne Kampe

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An image by Chris Henry

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The Fitzroy River will have plenty of barra like this one caught by Andrew Mckinstray when barra season opens Feb 1.

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The long and the short of baitcaster rods FEATURE

Dan Kaggelis dkaggelis@gmail.com

When it comes to fishing, having the right gear for the right species and environment goes a long way to achieving success. It can be as simple as using the right line, leader, or lure, but on the other side it can prove far more complex, especially when choosing what rod or reel will ensure the best results. Focusing on baitcaster gear in particular, overhead

baitcast lure fishing rods have subtle differences that can mean big differences in terms of your lure fishing capability. When choosing an overhead baitcasting rod most anglers look for brand, line class, weight and construction material and, while all these contribute to enhancing fishing capability, one of the most important variables to consider is length. The old adage that ‘size does matter’ is important when choosing a baitcast rod, as a few inches longer or shorter can have a major impact on your fishing

One of my favourite jack rods and at 5’ 6” it is perfect for fishing up the tightest creeks and cramped conditions.

NFEroW m

capability. Ranging from as short as 5’ in length and pushing beyond the 6’ 6” mark it’s important to realise that subtle differences in lengths are tailored to specialised fishing environments, even specific species, and understanding where they all fit is key. THE SHORT OF IT Starting at the shorter end of the scale are your 5’-5’6” baitcast overhead rods. The 5’6” sized rod is commonly regarded by most overhead lure anglers as the most popular rod length for a variety of reasons. Firstly, it is short enough to throw lures in tight confined spaces, such as small creeks where space to flick casts are limited by both boat space and natural features, like mangroves and trees. Anglers fishing these tighter confined areas don’t require long winded casts and predominately cast only 3-4m maximum, so the longer rod lengths to achieve longer casting distance are not required. This is where the really short 5’ baitcast rods dominate as they could be fished quite comfortably

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When chasing fish like jacks in tight cramped conditions having a short rod under 6’ is essential. and accurately in even the most cramped of fishing spots. Overhead baitcast anglers mostly fish larger hardbody and soft plastic lures, which also help achieve better casting distance so this also eliminates the need for extra length. These shorter rods also pack a lot of punch and with less give, especially at the tip, you get plenty of torque, which is what is needed when you are fishing tight areas. When you are fishing only 3-4m of water and success or failure is measured in the first 30cm of the fight on fish like jacks and barra, having some pulling power is essential. It’s important to remember this can also go the other way at times with the lack of

space-constricted areas and only require shorter casting lengths, these sized rods are a preferred option. THE MIDDLE OF IT Moving up in length is the 6’ range of overhead rods with the most commonly built size being 6’1”. This sized rod has quickly gained popularity with anglers in the last five years, especially as baitcast fishing has diversified away from just snag bashing with big hardbody lures to include finesse style fishing for species such as bream and bass. The 601, as it is commonly known, is a favourite for many as it provides a lot more flexibility to the angler. While an extra 5” may not seem a lot, it can actually have a huge effect on all

very clear. The 601 can still be fished in relatively cramped conditions with control, however it opens up more options into open water snag bashing or when you are fishing areas such as drains. It also allows for fishing lighter lures and this is helpful when fishing smaller soft plastics or lighter hardbody lures. The 601 sized baitcasters really allow for a lot more flexibility and is a good middle-of-theroad sized baitcast rod. Its action can be a little light sometimes when needing to bully a fish out of structure, however most have plenty of power to these days with the development of newer and better composites. THE LONG OF IT Finally we begin getting

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The author and Ken Elliot with a cracking jack taken from relatively open country, which really suited the Daiwa 601 Black Label rods. flex proving to pull hooks on fish, especially when anglers bully fish to the boat. If anglers find this is a common occurrence than it’s a good idea to consider finding a rod a couple of inches longer to help stem the directness of the fight. Basically, if you are fishing

aspects of fishing. The extra length makes it a lot easier to cast longer distances and to throw underhand casts, as the longer taper does most of the work. If you have ever fished a 5’6” rod in tandem with a 601 then the difference becomes

up into the longer end of the baitcasters, which can push the tape beyond the 6’6” mark. Many of these longer baitcast rods originated from the States where the extra length suited the longer casts required by anglers for fish such as largemouth bass.

These length rods have become popular amongst anglers in recent years, especially with the boom in impoundment fishing where anglers want to

fish large lures from an overhead and still achieve long winded casts across structure like weed beds. These longer rods are actually better suited

When targeting barra it’s important to get your rod length suited to the area you are going to fish if you are going to have success.

to impoundment fishing, especially for big barra, as their long length allows for a less direct fight between the angler and fish that can see hooks pulled. This is where technological advances in rod design, action and strength have come a long way as these longer rods are still able to cast heavy lures a long way and still produce plenty of power when you need it. Similarly saltwater anglers fishing open flats and even drains, which require long casts to not spook fish, are finding these longer rods to be excellent. For many anglers this has been the domain of the spin combo but these

Ken Elliot with a solid flathead on the long baitcast gear. The introduction of 7’ baitcast rods means open flats are no longer just the domain of spin gear.

Here the longer 6’ 6” baitcaster rod was essential to this great barra capture. The longer rod allowed for those long casts that meant we didn’t spook the fish.

extra length baitcasters have really opened up options for those anglers who love to fish overhead along the flats. Fish species like queenfish, trevally and even croc-sized flatties are great to target on overheads as well. The longer rods are perfect for this style of fishing and with the introduction of carbon, the extra length is barely registered in terms of added weight. The extra length in the rod really opens overhead fishing and begins to share some of the key features that anglers

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Smack the red devil jack THE TWEED

David Solano

February fishing on the Tweed is all about the jacks, and boy it’s been a good season so far; well, maybe not for me, but my mates having been smashing them! The weather is really warming up so it’s only going to get better. The best time to catch these red devils of the Tweed is very early morning or in the middle of the night, but you must be patient as it’s a hit and miss affair. For instance,

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a mate picked me up at 1am and we headed to Tumbulgum Bridge. We jigged some livies and also had a couple of spinning rods rigged with 1/2oz TT jighead and a Z-Man Swimmerz. We fished until an hour after daybreak but all we could manage were a couple of little schoolies. However, my mate Craig Costigan went back the next morning, same time, same place using the Z-Mans and he managed 3 fish in an hour, one 57cm and the other 45cm jacks. Why did I sleep in? Another time my brother Anthony rang me up to invite me for a jack fish, this time from the shore right next to the Ivory Hotel. As it was a weekday and I was pretty tired from work I said no, you guessed it, I got a photo from him with a 52cm jack. He rang me up the next night with jack fever, said he was going again, same thing only this time the fish went 57cm! ARRRR! My brother caught these fish with an old egg beater

School mulloway are also on the chew this month. You begin to get to know the local jack hunters because there are a few popular spots where we bump into each other. One spot that’s becoming very well known is called The Jew Hole; it’s in between the oyster leases near Seagulls. I’ve never heard of

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The jack fishing has been a bit of a hit and miss affair. But this specimen is a definite hit! he caught in Hinze Dam complete with a cane rod, so it just goes to show you don’t need the fancy gear, no lures, caught with a gang hook and pillies.

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any being caught in the day but it’s a different story at night. You don’t need a boat to get there as there’s a track leading from the back car park at Seagulls.

Another interesting spot, I call it The Car Wrecks, is just past the Maritime Museum on Kennedy Drive. Over the Bridge to the Piggabean Road and you’ll find a park where I once saw a guy landing a massive jack at 10.30am. I know there are cars under there as I’ve seen them on my sounder. Another good spot and you’ll need a boat for this one, is the Condong Sugar Mill. You will know you’re in the right spot when you see the sign THIS IS MY JACK SPOT GO AWAY. At all these spots I’ve mentioned you can find yourself catching school mulloway, especially at the appropriately named Jew Hole. Condong’s known for its bull sharks and schoolies and you’ll find the marauding trevally everywhere. I spent a lot of my holidays popping for whiting, which I love. My favourite lure is a Berkley Pop Dog in the hooch colour. They are not too dear, which is a good thing, as I had a few problems with little queenies in a canal, but that’s fishing!

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Everything on the chew GOLD COAST

Josh Dunn

Out of all the seasons my favourite is summer, because as the water temperatures rise throughout our local canals we see a lot of fish getting on the bite. We’ve already seen some magnificent catches of mangrove jack and large flathead, and even the

queenfish and tailor have turned up! In the heat of summer I’ve found I catch a fair few bream and flathead on the high tide around midday. The Runaway Bay canal really fires up in summer. I’ve found that in the afternoons on the high tide the big-eye trevally have been pushing baitfish to the surface and feeding (busting up), though only for few seconds. You’ll

A healthy cod. You will see a lot of these fellas when jack fishing.

notice that trevally will hit the surface along the rock walls at all times of the day around both bridges in that main channel out the back of the shops. If you like chasing whiting, try fishing the Nerang River around the Council Chambers. This should see you hook up to a quality fish, with the best bait being bloodworms and jelly prawns. Nerang River can hold large mangrove jacks, thick schools of trevally, quality bream, whiting and a lot more species. A lot of bream hit the canals at this time of year, that’s why you see a lot of expensive boats fishing throughout the canals in search of a tournamentwinning bag of bream. Last year from February to April I had my best few months on bream fishing – I landed exactly 60 bream, all on lures. Most mouths of the canals from Southport to Coomera are pretty deep. In these depths, you should find school sized mulloway, flathead, bream and trevally. The most productive baits in most situations are heavily weighed pilchards,

A quality big-eye trevally I caught from the Runaway Bay canal on a soft plastic lure. whitebait and live bait. Lures to use are 3-5” plastics with a 1/4oz jighead with a 3/0 hook size. The best times are early in the morning at 5-6am and late afternoon from around 5-7pm. In the next month or two we should see a lot more GTs coming on the bite and queenfish hitting the surface on tiny jelly prawns. Matching the bait is critical, and I’ve caught most of my fish on 2” plastics. March is a prime time

to target mangrove jacks on the surface. If you walk the dog with a surface stickbait or make big bloops with a popper you should see some topwater action. The water temps should decrease a little as the slightly cooler months set in. This is a great time to target moses perch, painted sweetlip (slatey bream), flathead and trevally. This time last year I landed my PB whiting at 46cm, and already I’ve seen some quality whiting coming in at around 40cm

by other anglers, so this year I reckon we will see loads more elbow slappers getting caught. Places to fish for quality whiting are Biggera Waters, Coombabah, Coomera and Nerang River, also well up to Jacobs Well. Overall, February (and March) is a great time of year for most of our local estuarine species, from Southport (Main Beach) up to Coomera and Ormeau. Until next time, tight lines and I’ll see you out on the water!

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Big blues abound GOLD COAST

David Green

It has been quite an erratic season so far for those chasing pelagics off the Gold Coast. Out wide of the 50 fathom line the water quality has been quite good and there has been a mix of blue, black and the odd striped marlin, with quite an overlap of small and medium blacks mixed with some big blues. I recently watched local boat Barcoe battle a monster blue for nearly 4 hours on 60kg tackle in a chair. Unfortunately the fish came up dead; it later weighed 405kg, giving an indication of the size of some of the monsters out there. February is the prime month of the year on the wider grounds and there should be some good heavy tackle marlin fishing over the next few weeks. On my boat Gemma 3, a 6m aluminium centre cabin, we’ve caught some good ones this season and the best had a short length (tip of lower jaw to fork of tail) of 287cm making it somewhere around the 220-230kg mark. That one took an hour and 20

back and forth on this contour looking for birds, bait and dolphins. This season quite a few blue marlin have been caught just wide of the 50 Fathom Reef, which is quite close in for this species. On the inshore grounds there should be black marlin and mahi mahi, a few wahoo and some tuna. A cold patch of dirty water has shrouded the close in grounds for almost a month now and the fishing has been slow. It hasn’t been a good season so far for small black marlin off the Gold Coast on the normally productive inshore grounds with only a few fish taken, and the mackerel fishing has also been quite poor. When the current starts to run-in close this month there should be good fishing on the gravel patch off Burleigh for mackerel and marlin. This area holds a lot of bait and also attracts good numbers of wahoo. Trolling and live baiting are productive on these grounds. The Tweed Nine Mile is another good option in February. High speed trolling lures, such as Hex Heads, can be very productive at times, and slow trolling live tuna also works very well when

Mark Frendin with a decent blue on board the author’s boat Gemma 3. minutes on stand up 37kg. For those interested in chasing big blues I’d suggest putting the lures in on the 100m line, trolling out to 200, then working

targeting wahoo. Big poppers cast in this area can also produce a big GT in February. For the bottom fisher most of the activity will be

dictated by current. When it runs hard it is almost impossible to fish, but there can still be a few juvenile snapper, pearl perch, rosy jobfish and kingies around. There are still a few mulloway on the chew at night as well on live baits. ESTUARIES AND RIVERS Summer has been relatively dry so far and a lot of the activity has been well up the rivers. It has been an excellent season for mangrove jack and most are being caught by casting soft plastics parallel to floating pontoons and then quickly working them back just under the level of the bottom of the pontoon. The

Mitch Calcutt with a mahi mahi. The fishing has been a bit slow on the inshore grounds as a cold patch of dirty water has shrouded the area. the flats are another option that’ss worth trying this month when there are small jelly prawns around. It is amazing how savage a whiting becomes when it is chasing a popper. Fishing the deeper sections of the Seaway and around Jumpinpin is another good option this month, although bull sharks can be a big problem eating a lot of the mulloway hooked. The worms inside mulloway are actually the juvenile form of a bull

This jack was caught on a Z-Man SwimmerZ. The most popular colour has been white in the estuaries. upper Nerang and Coomera have both fished well. The most popular lure has been the 3” and 4”Z-Man Swimmerz in white. This type of fishing can cause a bit of consternation with the owners of the pontoons and it is important to remember that fishing inside Sanctuary Cove is out of bounds unless you are a resident there. Bridges and rock walls also fish well and poppers are another good option this month. The Lucky Craft G Splash is a very effective popper to try. This will also produce trevally and tarpon. There have been a lot of nice tarpon in the Coomera lately with 60cm fish common. They jump high and go hard and are difficult to keep a hook in. The flathead just seem to go on and on this season, and while February is generally the worst month of the year for them, so far a lot of nice ones are still being caught around Jumpinpin and this may well continue next month. Most are being caught on small soft plastics up on the flats early in the morning when it is a bit cool. They have been around 40-55cm long with the odd bigger fish. Trolling is another option using small Lively

Lures Micro Mullets or Piggy Lures. Whiting are a good target this month and if it stays dry, the Upper Nerang should fish well. This is an unusual whiting river in that it has a distinct lack of flats and intertidal zones, and the main food in this river for whiting is small shrimps. In February some of the best whiting fishing is at night using worm baits, with quite a few fish going over 40cm. Other good places to try include the Pimpama River and Coombabah Creek. Poppers worked over

shark tapeworm, so clearly this predation has occurred for centuries. February is a bad month for bull sharks, but there are quite a few medium mulloway around in the deep entrances that can be caught on live baits and deep soft plastics. Overall, February is generally one of the best months of the year to catch pelagic, and if we get the blue water in close it should fire up for the month ahead. At least so far this year, we don’t have a flood!

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Catch a flat in February JUMPINPIN

Mick Morris gembait@tpg.com

Fishing Jumpinpin in February should provide a mixed bag of fish that call

these waters their home. The school holidays are behind us, which means less traffic on the water and more freedom to find yourself a fishing spot. Whiting will be at the top of most fishos’ lists as

they are a top table fish and great fun to catch. Bloodworms and beach worms are always the best bait, but yabbies, squid or prawns will also do the job. Some of the best spots that have been producing some good fish of late are the sand banks from Slipping Sands, Cobby Passage, Squire Island, the Pigsties, the Gold Bank, Whalleys Gutter, the Pandannus Banks, Never Fail Islands and the Bottom of Kangaroo Island to name just a few. If you like fishing in the Logan, then head to the Junction, Ageston Sands and around those small islands in front of the prawn farm. A lot of small to medium bream are on offer at this time of year. The larger fish have been coming at night mainly from rocky outcrops like Giants Grave, the Powerlines, Flat Rock and Rocky Point. Using baits like mullet fillets,

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squid, gut and any bait that holds onto the hook will give you a better chance of a fish; baits like prawns and yabbies are great but they are easily picked off by a hungry bream. The flathead stocks just keep improving. You will notice there are a lot more juvenile lizards out there at the moment. That is great for the future of flathead fishing at the Pin as it is one of the biggest breeding areas in South East Queensland. When using bait, stick to small fish like whitebait, hardiheads, small gar, pillies, froggies and mullet. When using soft plastics try to use ones that mimic these baits. All hardbodies getting trolled already look

There are a lot of juvenile lizards out there at the moment. you shouldn’t go wrong. Try around the bottom of Kangaroo, Pandannus weed banks, the Stockyards, the Dead Trees at the bottom

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Whiting will be at the top of most anglers’ list this month.

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like these baits and the secret is to just find the areas where the fish are and

of North Straddie and Cobby Passage. There is also a fair bit

of by-catch on offer too, which is great fun as you’re never too sure what will come to the surface: sharks, shovel-nose rays, stingrays, catfish, toadfish and anything else the Pin can throw at you will always add an interesting story to any fishing trip. It’s a great time of the year for those wishing to head out chasing a feed of the brutes and speedsters that frequent our coastline and just inside the bar at this time of year. Mackerel, tuna and small black marlin will be on offer with the chance of mahi mahi, bonito, cobia or mulloway off the close reefs or bait schools. Tailor too should start to show up off the beaches just inside the bar chasing schools of whitebait. Thanks for all reports and if you have any questions on conditions or what’s biting drop us a line at Gem Bait & Tackle on 07 3287 3868 or email gembait@ tpg.com.au. • 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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Suckers for surface lures SOUTHERN BAY

Troy Wegner twegner@tpg.com.au

Over the last month there have been limited opportunities to get out on the bay, thanks to the southeasterly winds which kicked in around New Years. When the weather is like that it’s a good option to get into

the creeks and dams and target the likes of bass and jacks. They hit hard and pull hard also. I’ve been on holidays for 3 weeks so I haven’t been out in the bay for a while, but I have heard reports of scattered schools of spotties getting around. These speedsters are a lot of fun if you can find a school to yourself or only 1 or 2 boats around you.

Kieron McCartney with a 58cm squire taken on a Lucky Craft Sammy 65 in impact yellow.

The important thing to remember when approaching a school of mackerel is to do so in idle; there is no race to get in amongst the school. There are no prizes for getting your boat into the middle of the school, either. You only need to get within casting distance, and if your boat drifts into the school then that is a bonus. On the snapper front there have been some reasonable squire caught along the drop-offs around Peel and Coochie. The good fish that I have heard of have been taken on hardbodies worked along the reef edges. More fish are being taken on surface lures, and rigging your plastics unweighted will allow you to work them on the surface. This way of targeting squire has been a viable option on every trip of late. Like anyone who has taken up fishing with surface lures, it’s definitely one of my favourite techniques

on any species. There is no better feeling than working a lure back along the top and sighting a fish stalking your lure, waiting for the opportune moment to attack. There are numerous species in the bay that you are can target on the surface during the warmer months. These include bream, flathead, kingfish, whiting and mackerel. When it comes to tackle, my choice really comes down to the species I’m targeting. Obviously if I’m targeting some of the bigger species I’ll use bigger lures around 80-100mm and slightly heavier tackle. Moreton bay is well known in SEQ as one of the best big bream fisheries around. It is not uncommon to get numerous bream over 30cm in a session. Most of the islands in the bay have

Kingfish climb all over poppers and stickbaits. The trick is matching your lure size to the size of the bait the fish are feeding on. some areas of shallow rocks or reef, and on the incoming tide the bream love to push up onto the flats and feed on crabs, baitfish and so forth.

Flathead are always a possibility when you’re up in the shallows targeting big bay bream. This one fell victim to a Lucky Craft Sammy 65.

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In these areas there’s only 1-2ft of water, so the option of throwing a surface lure around is high on my list of lure options. There are many good bream topwater lures on the market, but I have my favourites that I always go to. Lucky Craft has a great range of small bream topwaters with both small poppers and stickbaits to choose from. Models like the Sammy which is a 65mm stickbait, the NW Pencil which is a 55mm stickbait and the Bevy Pop which is a 55mm popper. The reason I like these lures so much is because of the action you can impart on the lure with minimal effort. If you have never targeted bream with this technique I highly recommend that you try it out for yourself. I hope that you get out over the next month and catch a few fish.

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The pelagics have arrived OFFSHORE

John Gooding

We had a good run of weather up until Christmas and managed to get out on plenty of charters, with good squire and the occasional bigger snapper dominating the catches. In February I normally live bait for kingfish, amberjack and trag (teraglin), but with the squire still around in good numbers it’s hard to drive past them. We’ve

been pulling our fish from 85-90m of water northeast of the South Passage bar, but I’ve also heard of some quality snapper coming from the 35 Fathom line and also from the Shallow Tempest area. The snapper have been caught right along the 35 Fathom line starting from the southern end just north of Flat Rock, through to the northern 35s. There is no secret to the technique anglers are using: Most fish are falling to floatlined pillies with as light a lead as possible.

There is a Green Zone at the bottom end of the 35s, so make sure you know where it is and keep clear. Anglers fishing east of the South Passage Bar at present are being spoiled for choice with the pelagics having arrived. There have been good numbers of Spanish mackerel and wahoo caught in the Point Lookout area, plus school and Spanish mackerel from the shallow coffee rock along the front of Moreton Island. Around Point Lookout, well rigged

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dead baits such as gar, bonito or slimy mackerel, plus slow trolled livies are accounting for plenty of Spanish mackerel. Most of the wahoo are whacking lures trolled at high speed like Halco Laser Pros and skirted lures. As I’ve stated many times before, make sure your hooks are razor sharp to penetrate the wahoo’s tough mouth. Along with the wahoo there have been a few yellowfin tuna and the ever present mac tuna. There have also been reasonable numbers of mahi mahi around the buoys off Point Lookout, but boat traffic has been an issue. I’ve just had a couple of weeks off and the weather since has been pretty ordinary, so let’s hope for a decent run of weather so we can get a crack at the quality fish that are out there right now. For those unaware, I have been working on a new 9m boat for the last few months. It’s a Performance Plate boat built locally at Brendale and I have again gone with Honda outboards, bolting a pair of the new 250hp outboards on the back. After years of chartering I’ve got the layout the way I want

There have been plenty of schoolsized amberjack keen to eat jigs. it and there is plenty of room to fish the 8 anglers I take out fishing. Like any new boat I had a few teething problems, but once we got the engine height and prop size and style right the boat ran incredibly smoothly. It impresses me every time I take it on the seas. The new 250hp Hondas are just amazing with their fuel economy, quietness and their overall ease of operation. Capping the number of

Juvenile snapper in the 40-50cm size bracket are still around in good numbers.

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anglers at 8 still lets me fish the same way I fished on the smaller boat with 5 anglers, allowing me to maintain that personal touch. I’ve decked the boat out with Garmin and Furuno electronics and fishing equipment is all the latest Penn reels and Live Fibre rods. This means the clients can experience fishing using quality tackle, exactly the same as I would use to fish with. So come and join me on Outlaw Charters, I’m sure you’ll enjoy your day on the water. On another note it’s sad to see Radio 4BC axe The Fishin’ Show with Dave Downie after 10 years. Dave has been a wealth of knowledge to anglers and his weekend reports will be missed by all. I’d like to thank Dave for the time he took with me and the exposure he gave Outlaw Charters over the years. I am sure he’ll pop up somewhere soon. Enjoy your fishing, take care on the coastal bars and if you’d like to join me on charter (max 8 persons), give me a call on 07 3822 9527 or 0418 738 750.

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A feast in February BRISBANE

Gordon Macdonald masterbaitertackle@hotmail.com

Anglers venturing out throughout February can expect a mixed bag of species throughout Moreton Bay and the surrounding estuarine waters. Even those heading wider to the grounds off Moreton and Stradbroke islands can expect a broad array of pelagic and demersal species to pit their wits against. In February the days are generally humid with infrequent storms and

showers, which really seems to stir things up in the piscatorial world. Those willing to tolerate these conditions are often rewarded with good captures. Let’s look at a few of the possible targets this month. PRAWNS With the full moon in the middle of the month, it is quite possible that we will get a run of banana prawns in the next few weeks, but this will depend on how much rain we have had beforehand. Historically, prawns generally make their way into the estuaries on the full moon in February or March. However, the huge amount of rain we

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have experienced over the last few years has altered this run, with the better numbers of prawns often coming in March and April. Still, it always pays to be ready so check your cast net for rips, tears and other damage so you can get amongst these tasty crustaceans when their numbers flourish. Those with a boat have a lot more scope for locations to target prawns, with popular areas being the flats out from Nudgee and Cleveland, the mouth of the Logan River and most river and creek systems. For those without watercraft there’s a host of good locations to try including Deepwater Bend on the Pine River, Colmslie Jetty, Colmslie Pontoon, Newstead Jetty and the Boat Passage Pontoon in the Brisbane River, as well as anywhere else you can access fairly deep water from the shore. Cast nets vary a lot in quality and size. There are standard bottom pocketonly nets, top-pocket nets, drawstring nets, monofilament, nylon and chain-mesh lead bottom nets to consider in sizes from 6ft drop to 12ft drop. Generally most keen prawners will opt for a 10ft or 12ft top-pocket monofilament cast net as these cover a good area, sink fast and the prawns are secured in the top pocket where they are easy to remove. There is a limit of a 10L bucket of prawns per person, which is plenty. With quality banana prawns regularly more than $20 per kilo, a few hours spent cast netting will save your hip pocket and reward your taste buds. Anglers with side imaging sounders can often locate prominent prawn schools with ease, making the task a lot easier. Hopefully the prawns will run on time this year, but don’t despair if they don’t. It’s just a matter of time until they do. CRABS All the warmer months are generally good for those chasing mud and sand crabs

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Some cracking jacks have been caught in recent weeks, including this solid specimen taken by Matt Mundy. but February is usually exceptionally good for sandies. Setting a few pots around the fringes of the bay islands in depths of 5m to 9m, or along any prominent underwater ledges or structure, is generally a successful ploy. Good numbers of healthy bucks can be taken in a few strategically placed pots within a few hours. Leaving your pots to soak overnight will often heighten the results but I advise checking them early in the morning before some dishonest grub does it for you. Mud crab numbers can also be very good, especially after good rainfall which flushes them out of all the little drains, creeks and gutters and into the more accessible areas of the estuary. Otherwise, anglers who set their pots in the more hard to access locations are most likely to reap the best rewards. Good baits include whole mullet, fish frames, chicken carcasses, tuna heads or even a few pillies in a mesh bag. Before you head out, check the regulations regarding crabbing apparatus and labelling, as well as the size and bag limits for each crab species. The fines are fairly stiff for non-compliance. BRISBANE RIVER The Brisbane River has fished well in recent months with good numbers of threadfin, snapper, bream, flathead, estuary cod and others being caught. With increased numbers of baitfish and prawns throughout the system, good results should be forthcoming during February. Threadfin will generally only hold in one spot for a short period so you will often need to move around a bit until you find the better concentrations. Once located, these fish can be caught on a broad array of lures and baits. For those who like to cast, try blades, soft plastics, vibration baits and various small jigs. Hop or work them slowly through the zone to elicit a strike. The threadies will often hold along prominent ledges or the drop-offs into the main riverbed. For this reason, a

sounder with Side Imaging (or similar) can make locating them a lot easier. They show up prominently due to their proportionally large air bladders which produce a strong return on quality sounders. These fish commonly school which means several fish may be caught from one area. I generally find that the top and the start of the run-out tide produces the best results, but they can surprise you by feeding prominently at any stage of the tide. There will also be a decent amount of snapper taken throughout the Brisbane River, mainly on lures such as vibration baits and plastics. Trolling hardbody minnows is also successful in some areas. Try along the Caltex Reach, Clara’s Rocks, the retaining wall at the mouth and around the bases of any wharf pylons. Bream, estuary cod, flathead and occasional other species will also be caught in these zones.

Mulloway are still caught on occasion at this time of the year on both plastics and baits, especially live offerings such as mullet, prawns and herring. The drop-off adjacent to the eastern end of the oil pipeline and the Sunken Wall are popular spots for anglers fishing live baits. Both these spots can produce good captures of threadies, mulloway, flathead, bream and snapper. Setting a few crab pots whilst you are fishing is often rewarding, with anglers getting both sand and mud crabs in the lower reaches of the river. HARRY ATKINSON One of the more heavily fished areas in Moreton Bay, the Harry Atkinson Artificial Reef readily produces good captures for switched-on anglers. Both lures and baits are used to produce results on snapper, mulloway, school mackerel, juvenile yellowtail kingfish, longtail tuna, sharks, bream and occasionally other species such as cobia, yellow

There should be plenty of succulent sand crabs on offer this month for those setting pots throughout Moreton Bay.

sweetlip (spangled emperor) and golden trevally. There are several key spots that anglers fish but many of these species roam throughout the area so you don’t have to be Johnnyon-the-Spot to get amongst the action. Anchoring and fishing the bottom with baits such as pilchards, squid, gar, pike fillets and mullet fillets plus any decent live baits will put you in with a good chance. However, boat traffic can hamper results so the best action will come to those who are there during times of less favourable conditions, or at night. Avoid shifting and re-anchoring when fishing here as this will quickly shut down the bite for almost an hour or so. Lure fishing with plastics, vibration baits, blades and the like is both popular and productive, with some fairly good results being obtained by savvy anglers with an intimate knowledge of the area. Pelagics such as longtail tuna and mackerel are also often visible in the general area and further away as they bust on bait on the surface. It is advisable to have a spin rod ready rigged with a chrome slice or jerkshad plastic when fishing this area (or transiting anywhere in the bay) as action can erupt at any time. BAY PELAGICS Moreton Bay anglers

will find healthy schools of pelagic species throughout the bay during February. Key areas can include the Rainbow Channel, Rous Channel, Pearl Channel, the shipping lanes, the Sand Hills area and the zone between Mud Island, the Four Beacons and the Measured Mile. Surface explosions may be sighted from some distance away, often signposted by birds feeding overhead. However, don’t forget to scan the water close to you as a V-shaped wake can alert you to the presence of a mackerel or tuna cruising by. A quick cast ahead of the aquatic missile will often reward you with a strike and a screaming run. Successful lures can include metal slugs and slices, jerkshad plastics, stickbaits and even poppers. Jigging around the beacons with metal offerings such as slugs, slices, blades and micro-jigs can also produce good results for species such as mackerel, trevally, tuna and kingfish. Trolling the channels with spoons towed behind paravanes or bibbed minnow lures can be a good approach for those targeting mackerel, especially schoolies. Pilchards rigged on ganged hooks can be deployed around the beacons or drifted throughout the channels (especially Rous Channel and Brown’s Gutter) to entice mackerel and at times bonito. Large live baits, such

as whiptails, yakkas and slimy mackerel can be fished along submerged ledges (Cowan, Comboyuro etc.) or around prominent wrecks to entice cobia and other species. ESTUARY ACTION The estuaries, creeks and rivers throughout Southern Queensland will be fishing fairly well throughout February, especially if the prawns have run. Many anglers will have their heart set on tangling with a mangrove jack but will also encounter trevally, tarpon, estuary cod,

bream, flathead and others. Jacks have been around in decent numbers throughout the summer months. Knowledgeable anglers have been getting some quality specimens, with several reports and confirmations of fish exceeding the 60cm barrier. Any specimen over 45cm is a nice one and can give you the run around on the average 15lb to 20lb spin and baitcasting tackle that anglers use to target this species. Casting around prominent structure is the general

Quality flathead can be taken in the estuaries year round and Paul was rapt with this solid specimen.

technique and what stands some anglers apart from others is their keen eye. An ability to locate the exact spot where a fish is likely to be holding or feeding and their skill to cast accurately to that spot and retrieve the lure correctly can make a huge difference. Even once the hooks are set, there is a good degree of skill involved in fighting the fish and achieving the capture. A healthy portion of luck doesn’t go astray either. Jack numbers will begin to taper off over the coming month or so, so now is a good time to try your luck and hone your skills on this species. Flathead will also be fairly consistent captures throughout the estuarine systems; they can be found pretty much anywhere. Working the edges of the prominent banks on a falling tide will generally produce results. This can be done by trolling small minnow lures or by casting and retrieving plastics, blades and other sinking lures. Drifting the main channels with baits, especially during the lower stages of the tide when the banks are dry, is a highly successful technique. I find this is an easy way to catch a few flathead, bream, whiting, sole and other species when fishing with junior anglers and inexperienced fishers. Generally I use small whole fish baits, such as whitebait,

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frogmouth pilchards or herring. Pilchards, fillet baits and squid strips will also suffice. These are all rigged on a snelled hook rig and just enough lead to keep the bait occasionally banging the bottom. There’s a multitude of awesome spots to explore in the Pumicestone Passage and Jumpinpin areas as well as around the mouth of many larger river or creek systems where you can employ this technique. This sort of fishing can really produce a mixed bag of quality tablefish and is a relaxing way to fish. CONCLUSION February fishing options are numerous and varied with a good array of quality tablefish and sporting targets on offer. Hopefully too much rain will not hamper this action. In addition you have some awesome crustaceans including crabs and prawns to enhance your seafood feast. A broad array of techniques and approaches can be used to target these species, and smart anglers are forever coming up with new ways to tempt their quarry. The cooler weather will be upon us before we know it so now is an awesome time to get out into the warm summer sun and enjoy the great outdoors. Returning home at the end of the day with a feed of quality seafood will be an added bonus after a great day on the water.

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It’s not all about jack NOTHERN BAY

Grayson Fong graysonfong@optusnet.com.au

If you aren’t outside enjoying our beautiful summer, then you are not really living. With beautiful hot days and cooling storms in the afternoon, anglers have been rewarded for their early morning starts and late night jaunts maximizing exposure to the best bite periods in the day.

While most are harping on about the infamous mangrove jack that is around at this time of year, I’m going to start with what other species are biting and where. Good-sized flathead around the 55cm-60cm mark are being nabbed during these summer months with flooding tides and sandy terrain being the key clues to finding a feed. Both long slender hardbody lures and fresh mullet strips have been the favourites amongst

anglers with long wind drifts working for the lure fanatics. Reefy areas like Redcliffe and Scarborough have been quiet on the flathead front, but good reports have come out of Cooks and Tiger Rocks at Sandstone Point, White Patch and Turners Creek Road through the passage, Hays Inlet and the mouth of the Pine River from Bald Hills Creek to the Hornibrook Bridge. Reports have also come out of Shorncliffe between

Jesse Gough gets amongst Redcliffe’s finest bream.

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the mouth of Cabbage Tree Creek and Shorncliffe Pier. Summer whiting numbers have also been steady as anglers have been getting good catches up the Pine, just past the highway bridge. Bloodworms have been the best bait but be quick as tackle stores are finding it hard to keep up with demand. Other areas showing good form of late are Red Beach, Coochin Creek and Skirmish Point at Bribie; numbers have been down but quality is good. Anglers have also had success with fresh yabbies, with the incoming tide being the prime fishing time. Bream numbers have been good throughout this summer so far and are set to continue through next month. Water temperatures and the presence of bait have kept the bream around. High tide spots like the mouth of the Brisbane River, Dohles Rocks, Cooks Rocks at Sandstone Point, Donnybrook Flats, the mouth of Ningi Creek and North Reef have worked well lately with bream around the 26-29cm fork length being the staple. On the receding tide, remember that bream like to

retreat and head for deeper areas, feeding in the safety of the deep. Low tide areas have been working well lately, including the Bribie Bridge and mouth of Spinnaker Sound, the deeper reefs off Scarborough, outer Woody Point and The Wells. Also worth a try on the run-out tide is the mouth of the Pine River, as over the last month it has been holding good bait that has been moving with the tide, flooding Bramble Bay on the ebbing tides. Lightly weighted baits like prawns, chicken and mullet have been working well for the baitos, as for the lure fanatics deeper cranks like Ecogear CX40HS and SX43, Atomic Shiner 45, Jackall Chubby Minnow Deep and OSP Dunk 48 are the pick. Surface lures have also worked to great effect with warmer waters present in all corners of the bay. OSP Bent Minnows, Berkley Scum Dogs, Bassday Sugarpens and Atomic K9 Walkers are the pick of the lures with clearer colours doing the trick. River bass junkies have also had fun of late with increased water temperatures firing up the bass for kayak-

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Michael Thompson with a decent Cooks Rock’s grunter.

equipped and land-based anglers. Hardbodies and spinnerbaits have been successful with anglers hitting the upper reaches of the Pine River to great success. For the adventurous, the upper reaches of the Brisbane River near College’s Crossing has also been fishing well for bass, but be sure to stay out of the water if you’re thinking of swimming for snagged lures as the warmer weather has increased the presence of bull sharks. Now back to the northern bay, night anglers have been catching legal sized mulloway over the last month with the standout areas being the Bribie Bridge and the Brisbane River. As baitfish are attracted to light, mulloway have been stalking these areas waiting for an opportune time to pounce. Live baiting, large soft plastics and large vibration baits have been the weapon of choice for these eager night fishers with subtle retrieves working well with the artificial baits. Extra caution is needed when fishing the night hours as land-based anglers find navigating a challenge. Be sure to have adequate lighting when both landbased and on a boat as safety should be your number one aim (besides catching a big mulloway, of course!). Sand crabs have been reported in decent numbers with Deception and Bramble bays showing good results over the last month. Outside Woody Point and the Bribie end of Deception Bay have produced the best numbers with anglers leaving their pots longer for greater rewards. Remember to keep sun safe over the remaining months as summer looks like it may be a little long in the tooth. Fresh drinking water is also a must, to eliminate the chance of dehydration. Carbonated drinks unfortunately won’t cut the hydration mustard so be sure to have at least 2L per angler on board when you head out next.

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FEBRUARY 2014

The Passage provides plenty STH PUMICESTONE

Jason Wallis

February should be a cracker, from whiting to jacks and everything in between. Those chasing the whiting have been having an absolute ball; these fish have been impressive from 400g+. When you put a half dozen of these little rippers in the icebox you don’t need too

much else, you can go home a very happy camper. Red Beach has been firing on all four cylinders with great hauls coming from the entire stretch of beach. The mouth of Elimbah has been a great target spot for whiting with most guys opting to run with worms to get the best results, but keep a bucket of yabbies on hand for back up bait. If you have a bit of extra time up your sleeve head to the middle reaches of

Brad with a hefty flathead taken from a deep gutter at the southern end of the Passage. This fish was taken on a Z-Man SwimmerZ.

the passage up around Hussy Creek as it always holds good elbow-slappers. Sometimes it is well worth the extra travel time, especially if you can coincide with a large incoming tide early in the morning. Also, this is a great area to hide from our strong summer breezes as it is fairly protected. The duskies can still be targeted with great success. There are no huge numbers at the moment but there are still some good fun fish around ranging from 40-65cm. They have mainly been taken on soft plastics, although hardbodies and bait are still working fine. The plastics are a much more versatile tool to use, not to mention cheap and no mess, it’s a win-win really. We have been hitting the deeper gutters in the southern end of the passage. Word on the street has it that the lock on Bribie is producing some great jacks. This is a good land-based option if you wish to leave the vessel at home. Lures and bait are great in this area. Fresh bait can be caught in close proximity, within a couple of hundred metres, of the target area which makes it a simple no fuss fishing location for the whole family.

The passage is still producing some very decent bream and grunter bream. These guys are some of our most popular fish to target in the passage. Fresh mullet, gar or chock guts is a sure fire way of scoring a good feed. For the sport fisher, flicking small soft plastics or vibes will get great results, and the canals are the hot spot. A few boys ducked out to the shipping channels to hit a few cobia and came home very happy anglers with one fish going well over 1m. It was landed on 20lb line and apparently it was a real handful. Nice work boys, keep it up. Big cobia and 5 knot winds, now that’s a day you’ll remember. The crabs have been hit and miss with mixed results. Some guys have been bagging a dozen sandies, some snagging a few muddies. No matter what you want to chase you need to keep an eye on your pots with a lot of share farmers getting around. No matter what area of the passage you like to target for a feed of crabs the low-lives are never far away. There are a lot of bull sharks around at present. They are a lot of fun if you want to target a fish that can

A 1.4m cobia taken by Trevor Wells from the shipping channel, which is only a 30 minute boat cruise from Bribie. pull large amounts of line; they range from 2-5ft. If you do hook one it is easy to tell what it is as they tend to have a very erratic fight – ranging from running across the surface diving deep to

turning back on themselves and running directly back towards the boat. All you can do is sit back and enjoy the ride. Have fun out there and enjoy.

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Sunny Coast continues to shine NOOSA

Peter Wells

With temperatures reaching the 30s and hot fishing to boot, it’s not hard to see why the Sunshine Coast is one of the best and most popular destinations in Queensland! Currently, we’re experiencing a great run of offshore fishing, with

everything from Spanish mackerel to coral trout giving the budding offshore angler plenty of variety. The warm water and reef edges are perfect for a wide range of pelagic species, such as Spanish and spotted mackerel, various tuna species, cobia, trevally and much more. On the mackerel scene, there have been stacks of

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these speedsters cruising around bait schools and reef edges lately, making them an easy target for a bit of light tackle fun! Some of the best locations for the mackerel have been the northern end of Sunshine Reef as well as the ‘Blinker’ located just off Mooloolaba. These fish respond well to a jigged metal slug or jig wound at high speed around bait schools, although if you are after the large trophy fish, large baits slow-trolled on a Davo’s Spanish Special will give you the best chance of catching one of these speedsters! Mixed in with the mackerel have been some big schools of mac tuna, long tails and even some nice yellowfin tuna, which love nothing more than a highspeed metal or soft plastic. Laguna Bay is a great place to target tuna as schools of small baitfish seek refuge in the clean, sheltered waters this area has to offer. On the reef scene, coral trout are in great numbers around most of the major reef systems with Sunshine Reef (off Noosa) and Murphys Reef (off Mooloolaba) being two of the most popular reefs for catching a trout or two. These greedy fish can easily

be compared to a mangrove jack and the reefs they live in will really push your tackle to the extreme. One of the most popular methods of targeting trout is to jig a large, heavy weighted soft plastic, such as Z-Man 7” Jerk ShadZ and 8” GrubZ around coral bommies and drop-offs. Another point to remember is to make sure your drag is done up tight, and your leader is up to the task of being run in and out of the reef. In the Noosa and Maroochy rivers, mangrove jack are a prime target for those who fish with lures and with bait, and their aggressive nature keeps you coming back for more. If you’re planning on fishing the Noosa River, try fishing places like

Dave Leonard got onto a good size school of spotted mackerel a few kilometres off the headland. stretches of the Upper Maroochy, such as the waters around Dunethin Rock. The country up that far is very snaggy, with plenty of rock bars and fallen timber making great ambush spots for jacks to hide. Some popular lures for this location include any 4” soft plastic with a decent

cracking whiting, and the shallow water is perfectly suits to surface luring. Some popular lures for these areas include the Zip Baits Skinny Pop, Bassday Sugapen and the Berkley Scum Dog, and the ‘walk-the-dog’ action these lures produce just can’t be resisted!

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Patrick Lawson won the $50 Davo’s Fish of the Week prize with this 62cm flathead from Weyba Creek. the stretch of water between Lake Cooroibah and Lake Cootharabah. In this stretch fondly known as ‘between the lakes’, you’ll find mangroves, fallen trees, deep undercut banks, rock bars and plenty of other structure that holds fish. Because of all this structure, jacks are drawn here in good numbers and it makes for a great place to spend a hot, humid afternoon. In the Maroochy, jacks are found around the deeper

action rigged weedless and slowly ‘hopped’ around the structure. Another species of fish in good numbers during this time of the year is whiting. While not a common lure target, the art of catching these speedy shallow water fish on lures is certainly taking off. The waters around the Black Banks in the Maroochy and both the Frying Pan and Weyba Creek in Noosa hold some

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Mitchell Fredericks from Davo’s Compleat Angler caught and released this 42cm bass at Lake MacDonald.

Mud crabs will be on the move with the slightest bit of rain, and it’s well worth putting your pots out before a decent downpour. As far as choosing the right bait for mud crabs, it’s often thought smelly, rotten old baits are the only way to go, but lately there’s been a definite trend to using whole baits such as whole mullet. It’s unsure why this is the case, but it might have something to do with the fact that smaller fish have trouble ripping these whole baits apart, which gives the crabs more time to find them. Next time you’re visiting Noosa, or you’re a local who wants to know more about fishing, drop by either Davo’s Marcoola or Davo’s Noosa for the best local advice on where, when and how! Another thing worth keeping an eye out for is our website www.fishingnoosa. com.au which is loaded with up-to-date fishing and bar reports with some great photos and tips! We hope you have a great new year, and that this one is just as fishy, tight lines and bent spines!

Take a wild ride this summer CALOUNDRA

Brad McKendrick fishingcaloundra@yahoo.com.au

It has been a wild ride this summer with strong winds making it important to choose your fishing spot well. When the weather allows it, the fishing has been absolutely ‘on’ in every sense of the word. The big runs have been with the pelagics and tuna schools chasing bait balls around close in reef areas like Bray’s Rock out from Caloundra and Currimundi Reef. These areas have produced mackerel and tuna in good numbers with the best methods being floating baits out and waiting for a strike. Sight casting to the schools is also a great method but remember there may be others that are doing the same thing, so stay ahead of the school and when you are catching them, go around the outside so they don’t dive deep. The area around Wide Caloundra has been alive with wahoo ranging from 8kg through to 20kg with a few XXOS fish being caught. Trolling is one of the best

methods of getting amongst these speedstars but be sure your equipment is up to the task because any weakness will mean the difference between a catch or a loss. Bigger mackerel will be up for the taking this month and mixed in with them will be mahi mahi, wahoo and small game varieties. The reefs are worth a look on the tide change and there are still strong reports of good quality pearl perch and snapper being taken along with tuskfish and pelagics. Coral trout are best targeted around Sunshine Reef to the north or there are areas around the Gneerings and Murphies that hold these brilliant table fish. If you want to target them you will need to put in the time and be prepared to lose a few soft plastics or rigs. They frequent rocky reefs and just love to pull you straight into it breaking your line and leaving you sharing a few choice words with your mates. The other end of the scale is that everything goes well and you land one of the best table fish around, which is just the way I like it. So this month’s targets should include Spanish mackerel and other pelagics

on the reefs and around Wide Caloundra and the Barwon Banks. Wahoo and tuna will be out there working the bait schools so look around for the signs. On the inner areas there will still be mackerel but stay away from the crowds for best results. I urge you all this year to spend some time finding new areas. There are many spots still not discovered out there that could become your spot X. The estuaries are full of bream and whiting at the moment making it fun and rewarding for anglers. There have also been good numbers of flathead within the Pumicestone Passage and canal areas that are connected. Military Jetty at the southern end of Golden Beach has been popular over the recent holiday period and has now settled down and can produce a feed in the early mornings or into the evening. Just around the corner is the Pelican Water Bridge and this is a spot worth looking over for a few hours just to see the size of species that come into have a feed. There are always herring, mullet and gar about but you need to be there at exactly the right time of the tide to see them. It is a beautiful area to fish

and you can bring the family down for a BBQ or throw out a rug and relax for the day with a good book. The Boardwalk in Caloundra is another popular fishing hole and small bream have been the order of the day. Pike and herring are being caught by the kids and they make excellent bait for big flathead, trevally and mulloway. Walking the sand flats along the Esplanade is the first spot you should try for whiting but if you have a boat head down beyond Bells Creek and fish the weed beds. Once the tides have changed target the mangroves for some jack and flatties. Currimundi Lake has whiting and small bream and I would recommend trying your soft plastics to target flathead in the same area. Take the time and look for flathead lies on the low tide and work the area immediately to the front covering a 180º zone with your casting and move on. It is important to always stand back from the edge when you arrive and let some casts out because flatties come up to very shallow water and you could spook them. The canals around Kawana and Wurtulla have

Wahoo will be out there working the bait schools so look around for the signs. some nice crabs, and mullet strips are one of the best baits to attract them to your pots. Obviously there are some terrific spots to drop your pots in the Pumicestone Passage but never be gone too long because they will either disappear completely or will be very light on your return. Yes other people steal them which is a shame but mostly they will help themselves to your crabs leaving you with nothing, so take care. This month, it is worth searching the deeper water areas for bream and trevally and target the pontoons in the canal areas with hardbodied lures or soft plastics when the wind is blowing hard.

Small drop-offs throughout the passage are targets for flathead and whiting and fresh bait is something you should always look at using if it is available. Peeled prawns, yabbies and herring all make great baits for the bread and butter species. Try the deeper water around the mouth of the Caloundra Bar area for trevally and mulloway in the evenings. I keep telling you there are some monster fish swimming in the main channel but they are well fed so fresh bait is a must. Lots of opportunities this month on the Sunshine Coast so plan your trips and make the most of the good weather conditions. Have Fun!

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Over the past couple of issues we’ve looked closely at the critically important senses of sight and smell in fish, and examined how these senses impact upon our success (or otherwise) as anglers. Before leaving this fascinating area, it’s worth considering one more fishy sense: hearing. Hearing is definitely a significant sense in the fish world although, like sight and smell, it’s importance varies between species and habitats. A quick look at the way fish detect and translate sound waves travelling through the water (in other words, how they ‘hear’) is helpful in understanding the importance of this sense. Fish’s bodies have roughly the same density as water, so any sound waves moving through the water also tend to travel right through their bodies. It’s reasonable to assume that fish can therefore ‘feel’ at least some sounds, much as we actually ‘feel’ the thump coming from a big bank of amplifiers at a rock concert.

Fish with large swim bladders (gas sacs located near the gut cavity) are likely to be able to ‘feel’ sound much more readily than those without, as these hollow, low density organs will be momentarily compressed by the passing sound waves. Even more importantly, fish also have an inner ear mechanism specifically designed to detect sound waves. There are small bones called ‘otoliths’ suspended in jelly within the inner ear of most fish, and these are considerably denser than either water or the rest of the fish’s body. As a result, these ear bones move more slowly in response to sound waves than the rest of the fish. The difference between the motion of the fish’s body and the otoliths bends little hairs or ‘cilia’ on the wall of the fish’s inner ear. That movement is interpreted by the animal’s brain as sound. Most fish also have lateral lines, used to detect vibration and water flow. One source of vibration is obviously sound waves. It’s thought that fish’s lateral lines are mostly used to detect and analyse low frequency sound waves generated fairly close to the fish, typically

within a few metres. This sense is particularly useful for maintaining a tight school formation, but probably also aids in detecting both prey and potential predators. It’s also worth thinking about the way sound travels in water. For starters, did you know that sound travels more than four times faster in water than it does in air? Under specific conditions, sound waves can also travel a lot further underwater than they can through the air. But what about the old story that sound can’t travel from air into water, so you can scream your lungs out up above and the fish won’t hear a thing down below? Well, remember when you were a kid swimming at the busy local pool, diving down to the bottom of the deep end and still being able to hear your mates shouting, yelling and skylarking above? The sound was garbled and subdued, for sure, but it still reached your brain, even via ears that had evolved purely for above water applications. Certainly, when any wave reaches an interface between two media with different properties, it splits. Much of the wave is reflected back into the original medium

Mulloway have a particularly keen sense of hearing. by the interface, while the remainder is transmitted across the interface into the second medium. This is exactly what happens with sound waves at the air/water interface. Interestingly, the waves that make it into the water begin to travel much more readily, because of their increased speed. So, what’s the bottom line? For me, the answer seems obvious: fish can definitely hear and react to sounds, whether they’re generated beneath or above the surface. Furthermore, fish with larger otoliths (ear bones), big gas bladders, linkages between the two

and well-defined lateral lines obviously have extremely keen hearing. One such species that springs to mind as ticking all those boxes is the mulloway. And, as if to confirm the importance of sound in the mulloway’s world, these are also highly ‘vocal’ fish, capable of producing a distinctive drumming or croaking sound, no doubt as a form of school communication. It seems to be a lot more than coincidental that most of my more memorable mulloway luring sessions have occurred when there was very little boat traffic in the area and I approached as quietly as

possible, using a fortuitous wind drift or an electric motor operating at low revs. In fact, I’ve even been known to switch my depth sounders off for ‘silent running’ when hunting these fish. I’m a great believer in stealth when fishing for any species in any environment. I heartily dislike (and avoid) rattling anchor chains, booming doof-doof music, heavy-footed companions and even shouted conversations from boat to boat. While there may be plenty of exceptions to such rules of thumb, I believe that you’ll generally catch more and better fish by turning the volume down.

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Karee Marine turns 10 Growing up has its trials and tribulations, and Karee Marine has certainly had some of those. There was the change of ownership in 2007, the big move in 2010, the great floods of 2011, and in 2012 the addition of MV Marine Upholstery. This year sees Karee Marine become one of the most up-to-date service centres in the region, with the latest Dyno Tune equipment that allows all outboards and sterndrives up to 300hp to be tested and tuned in their service area. While Karee has been through some difficult times, this thriving dealership has come through with flying

colours, overcoming the trials and meeting every challenge to become one of the premier boat dealerships in Queensland. Let’s take a walk down memory lane and have a look at what Karee Marine offers today’s customers as we celebrate their 10th Anniversary in style. THE JOURNEY Starting literally across the road, Karee Marine provided service and access to some well priced secondhand and new boats. The premises were small and a bit rough around the edges, and after the first couple of years Karee had easily outgrown its initial site. Still, trading was good and Karee built a reputation for

being a very reliable service agent as well as offering the right advice to customers. In 2007 Karee was bought out by the current owners and front man Trevor Rowe quickly assessed the need for more space. He went looking for ways to solve his problems, and it took him a little while to discover that what he needed was right across the road. Mind you, we’re not talking about a small road – it was the main freeway from Brisbane to the western suburbs! Making the big move in 2010, Karee now had access to 1200m2 of undercover area to house all their new boats and still have space for a workshop/service area, as well as a chandlery section. The new digs allowed Karee to showcase their wares in a customerfriendly environment in all

The premises are spacious, undercover and, more importantly, filled with quality product and quality staff. weather conditions, but in the next 12 months it would be the weather that would present one of Karee’s biggest challenges. We all remember the 2011 floods. Karee was

totally inundated, and Trevor tells stories of him and his staff walking boats and trailers out of the shed to waiting cars as the water rose. It was a terrible blow for the business as over

2m of brown sludge poured through the premises. However, with a persistence that is the trademark of Karee Marine, Trevor, the team and a band of volunteers got stuck into the muck after the devastation. As Trevor said, “We simply got on with it.” Not content with simply recovering from the floods, Karee Marine acquired MV Marine Upholstery, bringing the business in-house. This gave Karee access to custom-built Continued page 34

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From page 33

bimini covers, travel covers, storage covers and a range of refurbishment options that are the envy of many. It gave Karee the ability to build a custom bimini for a

new or second-hand boat, refurbish an entire boat, customise colours to suit customers’ needs and more. It was, and continues to be, a vital part of the overall customer satisfaction that

Karee always strives for. This desire to offer customers the full service has led Karee to recently purchase their own Dyno Tune diagnostic machine. This incredible piece of machinery allows the team to stress test outboards and inboards up to an incredible 300hp. This is not the simple run-of-the-mill motor tank, but a very complex piece of machinery that links directly to the motor’s electronics to give all of the nitty gritty information needed to diagnose virtually any motor problem. A very serious piece of kit, the

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The right advice first time and every time – that is what the team at Karee Marine bring to the industry. Dyno Tune can be used to test any brand of outboard or inboard on the market, giving the best results and ultimately complete customer satisfaction. For me this typifies the lengths Karee are prepared to go to ensure customers get the right advice first time, every time. 10 YEARS ON And so we come to today, when a 10-year-old business celebrates with its customers to say thanks for the support. Karee Marine has a range of services and brands that will allow customers a diversity of choice that is not found in many places. Karee stocks Clarke Aluminium Boats and Extreme Boats, and both brands are well regarded

and competitively priced. This marine dealership has been a long time Mercury stockist and, with Karee’s growth and willingness to help, it is now one of the leading Mercury agents in Australia. New boats are supplied on quality Dunbier trailers that are tweaked to provide the perfect blend of durability, transportability and support for their cargo. Of course, Karee also offers a range of chandlery products to get you out of a tough spot when you need to replace something simple and easy. And if you have a more complicated issue, their service department has the latest technology to make sure your big problem is sorted out quickly and efficiently.

Add to this on-site finance and insurance, and Karee really is set up to help you get into the right boat at the right price. It’s a great achievement for a 10-year-old company that has built its reputation on customer service and great pricing. You can check out their website at www. kareemarine.com.au or drop into the premises at 1776 Ipswich Rd, Rocklea and have a chat to the team about the right boat for you. It may be a Clarke, it may be an Extreme or it may even be one of the secondhand boats that are on site. When it comes to boating you want to get it right the first time, and Karee Marine will make sure you do. - FMG

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The annual juvenile black marlin season has ramped up over the past month but I’d say there is plenty of good fishing still to come! Spot X, Deep Trag and right through to Deep Southern off of the Tweed should hold a few nice size billfish. The billfish will more likely be in their second or third year of patrolling our coastlines and may range anywhere from 40-140kg. I prefer to run a slightly larger profiled lure when this class of fish is around; lure sizes ranging from 7-10” in length should do the trick. As always, the bait masses are present so live baiting is often the most effective way of getting big numbers. There will be a fair bit of by-catch around too, including mahi mahi and wahoo. For those willing to venture further afield there should be a few decent blue marlin showing their faces. These fish aren’t for the fainthearted, their explosive runs are enough to get even the most experienced angler’s adrenaline racing! For these fish you’ll find yourself

FEBRUARY 2014

venturing beyond the Continental Shelf and any of our local wide grounds will hold these spectacular game fish from time to time. These areas may at times appear barren but often subtle changes, such as temperature or current lines can make a huge difference to the day’s result. Leave your light rods at home when you’re venturing to these areas for blue marlin; 24kg gear is often too light for these fish. The fish average between 250-350lb and will eat lures from 7” to as big as you can imagine. I run a pattern of lures with varying sizes when fishing for blues and I find a small light coloured lure 7-9” long furthest from the boat being a real performer at times. February is still a good month to target mackerel of all species on our close reefs and spots like Mermaid and Palm Beach reefs, as well as the Gravel Patch and Fidos, are all good places to start. As always anchoring, setting out a berley trail and float lining pilchards back into the trail is my most successful way to target these fish. Two rules to guide your mackerel onslaught: use light, either single strand or nyloncoated, multi strand wire

(around 20lb is suitable); and, keep the berley flow constant at all times. Even when fighting fish keep the berley going because the majority of the time with mackerel where there’s one there’s more. When looking to anchor, first sound around for a while and try to find some bait or a standout pinnacle that may set your position on the reef apart from the rest of the crowd. Later in the month there should be a few decent snapper and mulloway starting to show their faces on our close reefs. Lightly weighted pilchards and deep set live baits, such as yellowtail and slimy mackerel, are both methods that are hard to beat. These fish are great on the table but remember when you’re taking a feed of fish to look after your catch – it’s always best practise to have an esky on board with an ice slurry. This prevents your fish going off in the heat and also makes your fish taste much nicer. INSHORE February is always a good month to target mud crabs so if you’re heading up the river to wet a line why not throw in a few pots. Any banks with a nice drop-off and a bit of structure will hold a few crabs. I’ve always had good success

with the rectangular collapsible style pots, as they are easily stored, quite inexpensive, and they work pretty well. Always remember to clearly label your pots and floats with your name and address. The rivers will still be holding a few jacks, cod, trevally and tarpon throughout this month. A run-out tide in the late afternoon until early evening is prime time to chase these fish. Casting and trolling around any rocky banks or outcrops is a good way to target all of these fish. I generally run by the rule that if you’re not regularly coming in contact with the bottom and occasionally getting snagged you’re either not in the right spot or you perhaps need a deeper lure. Down towards the river mouths, don’t be surprised if you run into a few schools of tailor. This month usually holds a fair bit of bait around our local entrances and on a run-in tide. That first push of clean water will generally bring in a few chopper tailor with it. Keep a close lookout for any diving birds or fish breaking the surface – these are key signs that a school of ravenous tailor are present. Once you’ve located these schools, casting small metal lures towards

February is still a good month to target wahoo. them with a moderate retrieve will rarely see you without a hook up. Any small metal lure around 15-25g will do the trick just nicely. There should still be good numbers of whiting in the mid reaches of the local rivers particularly the Nerang River. But the sand banks towards the mouth of Tallebudgera and Currumbin creeks are great areas to target a few whiting on poppers. This method is surprisingly effective when chasing whiting and even a less experienced fisher person can achieve good results. I try to stick with lures that are transparent or lightly coloured and anything about 50mm in length should do the trick. Try using a slow but constant retrieve and don’t bloop your

popper too hard. A leader of around 4lb and around a rod 2m long and 4lb mainline is probably maximum. This is simply to get the most action out of your lure. FRESHWATER There should be a few bass on the chew this month and, with the sudden water level rise, the Hinze Dam should be firing! Lately I’ve been getting good results rolling lightly weighted paddle-tailed plastics around the weed beds and points. I like 2.5-3” grass minnows made by Ecogear for this application. I mainly use natural colours, greens, golds and, when the water is a bit dirty or it’s overcast, I like white. Until next month be safe on the water and good fishing.

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Urangan Pier produces the goods FRASER COAST

Phil James p_j_james@bigpond.com

At this time of the year, it’s a good idea to do most of the serious fishing over dawn or dusk, or during the night. This applies particularly along the beaches of Fraser Island. Given reasonable weather conditions I like to locate a wide shallow gutter during the day, then return to it later at night. A rising tide is probably best but not essential. This is when most of the beach species are keen to move in searching for the bounty of worms and crustaceans that thrive in the inshore waters. Many anglers associate dart with deep gutters and white water, but at night they can be taken almost at your feet. My own records reveal that my best sand whiting, including my PB, were taken in one of these gutters. Other visitors to the shallow gutters at night often include bream, tarwhine, permit and mulloway. Looking at Hervey Bay’s land-based opportunities we have worked our way south from Toogoom through Craignish, Dundowran, Point Vernon and the City beaches. This month we look at what must be one of Queensland’s

most popular spots for the angler without a boat. The iconic Urangan Pier is Hervey Bay’s most popular land-based fishing location. The original pier, complete with railway and storage sheds, was built between 1913 and 1917 and until 1985 when the last ship, MV Leonard, called with its load of petroleum products, the pier served the district in the export of coal, sugar and oil. Almost as soon as shipping activity ceased, the outer 250m, including the wharf structure, were removed in very controversial circumstances. Apart from the times ships were tied up, some fantastic fishing was enjoyed amongst the pylons of the outer pier.

Thanks to the ‘Save the Pier Association’, and the local council, the remaining 870m survived and has continued to be a magnet not only to fish but to local and visiting anglers. Since its truncation, considerable maintenance has been ongoing. At this present time a large scale operation is under way that will see the replacement of pylons and decking. It is good to report that during this huge undertaking, a portable gangway has been provided to give access around the sections under repair. It is great that Fraser Coast Regional Council recognized the value of the pier to locals and visitors, many, of course, being anglers. As it extends seaward, the pier crosses four distinct zones,

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FEBRUARY 2014

the inshore beach, the inner gutter, Dayman Spit and the outer gutter, and for the angler, each can be productive in the right conditions. On the lowest tides all but the outer gutter are almost dry. Particularly during late August, September and early October and on an early morning high tide, it is common to see dozens of anglers fishing from the inner part of the pier over the beach. This is the red hot time for big sand whiting. Fishing up to the top of the tide and early ebb is the best plan. Whiting here can be particularly fussy about what they eat. Local worms or small yabbies are almost mandatory. This inner section also attracts a following of gar anglers who allow float rigs baited with small yabbies, prawn meat or dough to drift out with the current. The inner gutter also fishes well for whiting, particularly at lower stages of the tide, and along the edge of the spit while masses of baitfish, mostly herrings and hardiheads seek shelter amongst the piles and it is not unusual for predatory golden trevally to be taken. On the higher tides and particularly during winter months, there are plenty of bream around the piles of the inner gutter. Flathead are also common right along the pier where they hide amongst the structure waiting for opportunities. Dayman Spit, when covered, can produce good whiting fishing. Along with the inner gutter it often hosts schools of huge diamondscaled mullet, much to the frustration of visiting anglers who try all sorts of tricks to get them to bite. The outer gutter is where most of the serious action takes place. Here, baitfish congregate around the jetty structures at all stages of the tide in the deeper water. Just about any of Hervey Bay’s predators are likely to show up as they make forays into the schools of herrings and hardiheads. They include Spanish, broadbarred and Queensland school mackerel, queenfish, golden trevally, GT, mac and longtail tuna, and barramundi. Although there are a number of anglers using their favourite artificials for particular species, the favoured method is to catch herrings or yellowtail pike on bait jigs keeping them alive in aerated buckets, then sending them out live on floating lines. The use of balloons has become particularly popular in recent times. The furious activity that often develops has become something of a spectator sport as many non-fishers turn up to watch the action. Barramundi are not a particularly common catch on the pier but most are taken on live bait in the early months of the year after the closed season. Many of the serious local

The restoration work continues on the Urangan Pier. This photo shows the beach, inner gutter, Dayman Spit and outer gutter. fishers have purpose built trolleys, sometimes bicycle propelled, to carry their collection of rods, buckets and rope gaffs. Some even erect temporary shelters for protection from unkind conditions. The gaffs are essential for bringing large fish onto the jetty deck after they have been played out. With all the structure under the pier it is not surprising that many a battle is lost as big fish dart under the pier. Apart from those already mentioned, reef species such as grass sweetlip, juvenile snapper and Moses perch are sometimes taken. At just about any time of the year, squid can be taken

on jigs. Most are taken around lanterns that have been lowered on ropes to just above the water level at night. If you have come to the conclusion, after reading this, that fishing the pier comes with guaranteed success, then you would be disappointed. Like anywhere else you need to be prepared to talk to and watch the experienced local anglers, see what baits and methods are being used, and be prepared to fish at the best times, which are usually early morning, evening or during the night. Next month we will look at what the walls of the Urangan boat harbour and surrounding beaches have to offer.

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Inner Gutter

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FEBRUARY 2014

Rainbow Beach shines RAINBOW BEACH

Ed Falconer

What a great run of weather we have had for the summer.

The author’s daughter Ruby (on right) and her mate Annie like to play with different types of dollies up here!

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OFFSHORE It has been awesome to see calm seas, sunny days and to enjoy very consistent fishing. On the close reefs, sweetlip, snapper and pearl perch are biting well and there have also been big cod on the menu. A few Spanish mackerel have been taken around Double Island Point. I try to avoid this area during summer as large sharks become a real issue and all you seem to be doing is serving dinner up to them on a silver platter. In January, spotted mackerel numbers are quite patchy, which is odd as at this time of year you can usually walk across them. They might just be extra late this season. Out wide, red emperor have been falling for live baits with quite a few around the 10kg mark. Parrot, hussar and Moses perch are making up a big part of the day’s catches and, with the warm water temperatures, mahi mahi are in big numbers. ON THE BEACH Probably the best action

Snapper like this one are quite common during February. has been at Inskip Point with big golden trevally in decent numbers right at the camping area. Live bait is a must to have success at catching these guys. Whiting are being caught just north of the swimming area at Rainbow Beach with sand worms and yabbies working well.

GREAT SANDY STRAITS Great news for the crabbers – the muddies are on fire and they are big and full. From what I have been told, Kauri Creek is the hot spot. Good flathead are on the chew around Bullock Point and at the old logging ramp on Fraser Island. Both soft and hardbodied lures are doing the damage.

February is another surface action month. In the past I have caught huge amounts of spotted and Spanish mackerel and we have also done well on quality snapper in close. • To enjoy a day on the water with Keely Rose Fishing Charters phone Ed Falconer on 0407 146 151 or visit www.keelyrosefishing charters.com.au.

Praying to the weather gods HERVEY BAY

Scott Bradley marlin81@bigpond.com

The howling winds from north and south shut down fishing up the island and out wide for most of January. The most frustrating thing about this time of year is knowing the fish are there and not being able to get out and catch them! However, when the wind has eased there have been plenty of species on offer on the Fraser Coast. UP THE CREEKS Mud crabs were potting in good numbers before Christmas but copped a

flogging over the holidays. Some stretches of river had that many pots along the bank you could nearly walk across them. The crabbing has improved over the past few weeks but you have to sift through the females to get some keeper bucks. Prawns have started to move but most have been in the small to medium size range, so let’s hope they improve in the coming months. Jacks, flathead, salmon and cod are taking hardbodies and plastics cast and trolled and have kept locals sane during the big winds when everything else has been a write-off.

ON THE FLATS Golden trevally, queenfish, GT, flathead and shovelies can be seen stalking baitfish at the moment. Look for bait schools like whiting, hardiheads and suchlike around the creeks and ledges. You’ll get the best results fishing prawn and baitfish imitations or live baits. PLATYPUS BAY The bay fired up around the Christmas break and the action hasn’t let up, with spotted and Spanish mackerel, longtail tuna, mac tuna, cobia and many species of trevally featuring in catches. All of these fish

have been taking metals and plastics sight-cast in close and around the bait schools. Black marlin have maintained their presence and will be here in numbers for the next couple of months at least. Live baiting, sight casting and trolling a spread of lures will get you amongst them before the water temperature drops and they move on for another year. All up, if the weather gods are kind there is plenty of good fishing ahead for Hervey Bay anglers this month.

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Nev ‘The Pom’ with his first black marlin caught off Fraser Island. 40

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FEBRUARY 2014

Best all round fishing BURRUM HEADS

Brad Dyason

In looking forward, there are plenty of possibilities for 2014. The Burrum River system has some of the best all-round fishing on the East Coast. We are certain Burrum Heads will provide you with some great fishing tales while you catch up on some well-earned R&R. OFFSHORE Bait: live bait with an accompaniment of mullet strips, whiting frames, and squid will be the order of the day. Species: coral trout, red emperor, grunter, snapper, tuna, grassy sweetlip, mackerel, golden trevally (for sport), hussar, nannygai, cobia, parrot/tusk fish, cod, just to name a few. Tides: early mornings

just before sun-up historically have been great on the incoming tide along with the turn for the start of the run-out. RIVER ACTION Bait: live bait herring, poddy mullet, and yabbies remain the staples with an accompaniment of mullet and squid strips should be the order of the day. Species: bream (yellow, black, tarwhine), whiting (summer/winter), flathead (dusky and sandy), grunter (spotted and barred), mulloway, mangrove jack, sickle and batfish, golden trevally, just to name a few. Tides: the incoming tide along with the turn for the start of the run-out, late afternoons/early evenings are quite productive. Locals love a chat so ask for some local knowledge. Local Burrum traders are well supplied

with bait, tackle and all the fishing essentials to help all members of the family to have a great time. FAREWELL I have been offered employment in Katherine, which has not been forthcoming here in our patch of Qld. So, over a few coldies we have made the decision to undertake a new chapter in our life. As such I would like to express my thanks to my (long suffering) partner Amanda Willoby and QFM editor Stephen Booth for their support that has made the stories possible. I would like to thank Ron Henderson, John JB

Brown, Luke Nolan, Eric Davey, the Burrum Heads Amateur Fishing Club, and the many great fishos I have come to know and love for the laughs, the pics, and the wonderful memories of our fishing trips – and boy don’t we have some tall tales to tell!

A big thank you to all who have contributed to the stories and pics as it has been my honour to have made my small contribution to the Fishing Monthly Group. I hope you have a wonderful 2014. Be safe and take care, goodbye fishos!

REEF AND ISLANDS In between the wind, northerlies, and the huge tides. Outside has been on fire with good catches of red throat emperor, grassy sweetlip, and red emperor, with only small quantities of red jew and coral trout being pulled in and kept. Come on fellas I know you were outside fishing and catching, not releasing too much, so share your pics with me not just Facebook them.

Remember Stanage Bay Marine & Accommodation NEEDS YOU to keep us here, so buy your bait, ice and tackle including crab pots from me next time you visit – don’t carry the excess load there really is no need. SBMA have exceptional bait, ice and tackle prices and real value for money accommodation. No sales = no income = no Von at Stanage.

Road ahead is clear STANAGE BAY

Von Ireland

The Stanage Road is in fairly good condition at the moment with no major holes, corrugation or washouts. However, there is a lot of dust, so if travelling with mates or following another vehicle, be sure to hold back until you have clear vision in front of you. BOAT RAMP AND PARKING Some people think the ramp is only for one boat at a time – wrong. It’s two lane and one holding spot to the side for experienced boaties. Be considerate and let others in front of you if you need more time to launch your boat. The parking is on an angle and off the two lane dirt road. Reverse your trailer towards the 42

FEBRUARY 2014

mangroves at a 45o angle if possible. Bigger rigs can parallel park just down below and beside the Coast Guard headquarters. Speaking of the Coast Guard, the new 2014 Info Tide, Calendars are now available for a donation of $5. So when you come up, don’t forget the $66 joining fee per annum for the free assist tow, as well as $5 for the tides. MUD CRABS It’s been a good start to the season. The mighty monster muddies are doing what they should – shedding their carapaces/ shells to become even bigger (approximately 20mm per shed) then breeding, then potting. Please throw back the empty ones. If you can push in any part of a muddy, they will not be full of meat and a waste. Give it time and the muddies will fill their shell.

My new pots (I am proud to have been part of in their creation) are now available. They have 12mm bottom rings and 10mm top rings and are hot dip galvanised, unlike the cheaper counter parts, with heavier gauge mesh. Don’t be fooled like some and think the more pots you have the more crabs you catch, it’s simply not true. The more pots you have the less time to set them properly with the best bait. Don’t forget to move your crab pots around, whether you catch a muddie or not. ESTUARY The estuaries have been awesome with huge mulloway returning, just like in 2002 and 2003 era. Luckily there is a bag limit! Where else can you stand at the boat ramp and watch one small boat pull in twelve 80cm-1m fish. The usual has also been

pulled in, like cod, bream, golden snapper and barra. On the ‘oops’ side of the barra catches, old mate, no names, holidaying from Childers with his family hooked a 1m or so long barra only to use a faulty landing net. Needless to say, the $35 landing net he was too tight to purchase off me was soon bought by his son (dad was too embarrassed to come over).

Bundy barra open BUNDABERG

Jason Medcalf topwater@bigpond.com

Hot, windy and dry has been a feature of our weather patterns over the last month or so with an apparent lack of wet season so far. I am sure by the time you have this report in your hand Bundaberg will have had a least a few storms to wet the ground. The big news this month of course is it’s barra season. This will mean it’s game on and I am sure all those who held out to target these great fish will have a great time. The down side to open season is of course the commercial fishers will also be setting their nets and catching every fish they can without a thought of future stocks. I have been witness to this so I didn’t make this statement unqualified. Fortunately for us after last year’s big flood there are barramundi literally in every water hole, lagoon and weir just waiting to move down to the salt when the next wet arrives. The amount of barra caught over the closed season on live baits and lures while

targeting other species was astonishing compared to the last 20 years. Most systems had reports of barra being caught and released and as 1 February rolls around I am sure all the secret spots will have numbers of keen anglers chucking plastics, soaking live baits and casting or trolling lures around trying to get a prized barramundi. My tips for the season opener would be to look for the deeper water in our bigger systems as February’s water temps in the shallows can get pretty high. The larger fish will be hanging in deep water drop-offs, rocky ledges and at the deepest end of any large snags or structure. This is only a guide of course as they will also move into the shallows at times to feed and this can be during the night or even in the middle of the day, depending on what their food source is doing. There are a number of rivers that will see the most pressure; the Burnett will probably be the most pressured of the lot. This being said, it is a big waterway with plenty of deep water and great barra holding structure. The rock walls around the mouth should still have a few fish hanging

around but the pros will target them pretty heavily. There are some nice deep holes around the ferry crossing and some deep structure that will hold fish. Trolling along the front of these big snags should produce; casting to them rarely gets your lures down deep enough to get in front of the fish. Further upstream the fish will move around so look for drop-offs into the deep water and if there is a bit of structure on the drop-off, even better. Between the town bridges there have been barra caught over the closed season by anglers targeting salmon on live baits, so this would also be a good place to look. Further afield the Baffle has had its share of closed season fish inadvertently landed as well, and I am sure they will get a work over in season. The fish where mainly caught around the mouth but as the year progresses the barra will spread throughout the system. As the Baffle is a very large waterway, finding barra can be a bit of a struggle, so if you do raise a barra in an area, stick around and explore all you’re angling options

It’s game on for the barra season. before you move on looking for more fish. By this I mean if you’re casting hardbodies along a bank and you catch or raise a barra, don’t give up if you don’t get any more interest on your hardbody lure. I like to switch around between different types of lures and keep fishing as barra tend to be in an area for a reason mostly because there is food there.

Switching between soft plastics and hardbodied lures and varying the retrieves is a good way of working out what they will bite on. Sometimes anglers get set in their ways and just cast and retrieve in an almost automatic ‘at work’ mode and when the fish respond to that it’s great but more often than not if you stick to just that pattern you’re missing

out on bites. Switched-on anglers will be looking for what the fish want, rather than the latest trend in ‘secret squirrel’ lure fishing. Don’t try to get the fish to eat what you want them to eat, work out what they want and you will catch more fish, have more fun and best of all you will have a great excuse to buy more lures.

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Monduran barra getting bigger LAKE MONDURAN

Rob Howell

The past three months of fishing at Monduran have been very encouraging to say the least. Once again good numbers of barra are being caught regularly on windward points and in bays.

Most of the barra caught are ranging in size from around 75-85cm with an odd 90cm+ fish mixed in with them. These fish are hitting hard, running fast and packing plenty of punch. Angler’s that have had the experience of fighting a metre-plus barra know how hard they can be on your

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equipment. They test every aspect of your rig from line, leader, hooks, split rings and actual lure strength as well as your rods and reels. We definitely have to take all these things into account again, don’t be caught out. We tend to get a little complacent when fighting smaller barra but the bigger barra will test you and your equipment to the maximum so make sure everything is up to scratch. Upgrade hooks and split rings where needed and don’t use anything less than 30lb braid and 60lb leader. Make sure you are confident in your knots and the drag on your reels are running smoothly, it’s not worth the heartache of getting stitched up due to equipment failure. There is no better feeling than boating a hard earned barra. The latest hotspots in Monduran have been SDA Bay, Bird Bay, Rainforest Bay, island area’s between north and south arm of B, also points and bays between J and I.

Jackall Squirrels in the pink eye suji, boney and the snub nose colours, Halco Hammas, Tilsan Barra’s and RMG Scorpions have been working best on a slow twitching retrieve with a 3-4 second pause every metre or so. Soft plastics like the Z-Man 4” Swimmerz have also been working well on a slow steady retrieve or bouncing them along the bottom in areas that will allow you to. As a guide I often get asked when is the best time to target barra at Lake Monduran? In my 8 years of fishing on this lake I have found that any month from late August to May can fish just as good as any other depending on weather, however stable constant wind from the south east or from the north provide your best fishing possibilities. My favourite months are late August, Sept and October then March, April and May. The reason is that the fishing is comfortable due to the

Russel Misingham with a solid 87cm barra. cool mornings, mild days and the barra are still very active. November, December, January and February can get stifling hot, which has been typical of our recent summer season. The only way to combat this heat is to fish the early mornings for 3-5 hours, which means you have to be

at the ramp ready to go just before sunrise. The team and I at Lake Monduran wish you all the best for the New Year and we look forward to seeing you for the remainder of the barra season. Please don’t hesitate to contact us for anymore fishing info.

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FEBRUARY 2014

breeze in the face while travelling in the boat but I find that even with sunscreen applied it’s an unacceptable risk, so I upgrade my sun protection by covering my face as much as possible to simply exclude sun exposure. The problem is that some sun protection caps or wraps I’ve used were somewhat restrictive and caused annoyance from feeling too tight, or with crinkly or scratchy material causing other discomfort. The breakthrough in my sun management came when I tried on an Adapt A Cap Ultimate. I was amazed at the feeling of freedom I experienced from the outset and these days Denise and I have one each. The Ultimate features

side vents plus an adjustable band on the cap. There’s a very wide visor to offer best shading of the face plus it’s made from lightweight, antibacterial, yet quite breathable fabric with a UPF of 50+. In essence it’s a cap, visor, and lower face cover section that can be moved up to cover the face and neck, or eased back over the upper cap section if not required for face cover. On a trip up north in September I used the Ultimate extensively, enjoying total face protection by drawing up the face cover (lower) section and holding it comfortably in place - and enjoying plenty of air flow through it - with the cap’s

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as cured. Since that time I have excluded, as much as possible, any sun exposure from around 7am until after 5pm of an afternoon. This has been an enduring and uncomfortable at times commitment. I’ve always used sunscreen, naturally, but my sun protection regime involves long sleeved shirts, long trousers, footwear and socks. Footwear? Yes, as the skin is an organ, sun damage in one area might lead to a skin cancer elsewhere. STAY COOL WITH THE ADAPT A CAP ULTIMATE Most sun conscious anglers do find that the face is the most difficult part of our bodies to protect. It’s so tempting to enjoy some

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will be there for future generations. As always, the Rockhampton city reaches of the Fitzroy River will be fishing well, especially with the active and large amount of bait from the mid-January rains. FITZROY AND THE NARROWS After a lot of heat then some patches of heavy rain

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last month, February is predicted to be a great fishing month for species such as barra, salmon and golden snapper. Small deep diving hardbody lures appear to be doing the trick, with lightly weighted prawn plastics still getting the salmon. As always, a collection of fresh baits can’t go wrong in this river – especially when they’re well-presented out the front of a bit of structure. A little hint when picking up some lures this month – there’s an exceptional amount of bait so natural colours are going to be the winner. Anything that looks like a spangled perch or mullet or even hardbody lures in the shape of a bony bream will be your best bet. RIVERS, CREEKS AND THE BEACHES The salt is fishing well, especially in the harbour. Many fish are being taken on little hardbody lures and plastics. The long-range forecast predicted that the heat would pick back up, and if so the burst of bait from the rain and the activity from the predators from the heat will make fishing the flats brilliant. The most likely species you’ll catch include trevally, queenfish, bream

Andrew looking quietly happy with this big saltwater barra. and salmon. If the rain continues into early February, the turbidity in most of the harbour and little creeks will pick up. That’s when it would be best to stick it out and fish in some of the bigger creeks right up against the structure. Either way, late February should be a cracker of a month for fishing! FRESHWATER LAGOONS The lagoons have been fishing very differently of late.

Although fish are still being taken on surface there have been many more captured on plastics, which points to a larger amount of baitfish and the predators having to rely less on insects and other surface animals like frogs. If the rain continues with steady weekly showers, the lagoons should fire up more on surface lures, shallow divers and baits. This is because the fish will move up the water column to get into

Peter Mills showing off one of his recent catches.

the cool water provided by rain and run-off. CRABBING Crabbing is a relatively cheap fishing activity to get into. All you need to start out are some basic pots, floats and ropes. Just write your name on the pots and the floats and you are good to go. The limit of pots is 4 per person but most crabbing packages from stores are 4-pot deals so there’s no worries there. Why not pick up a few pots on your next trip to get some tackle, and give crabbing a go? The crabs are going extremely well with many large bucks bagged around the port. Obviously the further from other people you put your pots the more success you will have. Most people have been coming into work and saying they are getting 8-10 legal crabs a trip, with most crabs being full of meat. Grab a bag of mullet heads and some bait clips before your next crabbing trip!

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draw string and toggle. In that situation the Adapt A Cap Ultimate was much more comfortable than any previous garment I’d used on my face. Half day stints were no problem even when the temperature was in the low 30ºs. To enjoy a drink or meal, and maybe photograph a fish the draw string was slackened, the face cover section eased downwards, and with mission accomplished, I covered my face again by tightening the draw string. With its inherent comfort and coolness, total protection for neck face and lips, the Adapt A Cap Ultimate is an asset for anglers wanting to protect themselves against skin cancer. And isn’t that all of us these days? Sun Protection Australia also market, along with other clothing items of course, excellent 50+ UPF Sports Gloves that provide full sun

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or very hard on others. We are lucky that this region has an exceptionally good stocking team who have kept us supplied with barra for a while. The wet seasons have contributed by helping the smaller fish get upstream to the dams and smaller creeks to grow without too many predators, and also letting the fish that have grown in the fresh to get down to the salt for the next year’s breeding cycle. Then add the Awoonga overflow where hundreds have come over the wall, spreading up and down the central Queensland coast. This all leads to us having another pretty decent year. The future may not be quite as rosy, however. At present we are going through a reasonably dry start to the year (only 200mm so far compared to the usual 1m+) and it may affect coming years unless things change in the near future. The town reaches have produced the biggest number of fish in past years. This should remain true this year as the fish move upstream, waiting for the fresh to start running. The rocky lumps between and under the bridges will be the best spots, while the land-based guys should get a shot at the barra at spots like the flat rock bar in front of The Pilbeam Theatre, the many rock perches and along the back of the racecourse or the mouth of Moores Creek up to the no-go zone. Reports are already coming in of plenty of barra being sighted down towards Port Alma, and one guy crabbing recently said his sounder screen showed

big fish on most structures in Reedys and Little Oaky. Casuarina and Thompsons Point will also be well worth checking out, particularly if there are lots of boats in the other spots. From Gavial down to Nerimbera there’s some great country, the bank from Devils Elbows to the meatworks on the north side is loaded with big trees and old machinery, and barra like to hide behind this structure out of the main current. These days many more anglers are using soft vibes like Transams, Threadybusters and similar copies, which means that lots of fish are taken on these instead of the hardbodies we grew up with. Both lure types have their place and they should share equal space in the tackle box to increase your chances of a feed. The river is well suited to plastic vibes, as other lures are impossible to get down all the deeper holes and steep rocky structures. Most of the better anglers rely on their sounder to locate the fish and then they work that area heavily, placing each cast right in front of the fish until one grabs the lure. I still have trouble with them in tight around submerged trees and the like, and always go back to basics and pull out my stash of deep diving Richo’s lures. Bibbed lures worked right can bounce their way through the trees and rocks without getting caught up if you can feel the progress. That is why I only use braid for lures – no give in the line gives you the ability to stop the instant you feel a stick or a rock. Then you can negotiate the next pull to climb over the object. The barra in the river always bite better when there is movement in the water, and the town reaches seem to be better running to low and the early run-in. GRUNTER AND BLACK JEW Right off Devil’s Elbow is the city grunter hole. Over the last couple of months while the river has had no fresh flow,

John Saunders with a Rocky barramundi. big black jew have been taken almost regularly there during the day, which is very unusual. Anglers have been using the same tactics as they would for grunter. The fish like to hide below the deeper ridges out of the flow, where tasty morsels like prawns or small mullet wash downstream with the current and drop in on them. Some of the grunter taken there are almost the size of small black jew so it is no shock that they are there. Whether they are in the estuary or offshore, these fish love squid – the fresher the better. Whole squid on an 8/0 hook under a running ball sinker is the best rig option. Live or butterfly mullet are another black jew delicacy. The trick is to cast upstream of your boat and let the current sweep your bait into the holes. It pays to move dead bait regularly enough to attract the attention of the fish, but not so much that you put them off. Over the years we’ve seen the odd black jew caught this far up the river, especially in dry times (in the wet they go back out to the saltier parts). Corio Bay and Coorooman Creek get the odd black jew as well, and again the fish will turn up at any of the grunter spots with the tides. Unlike the offshore black jew, they can’t be relied upon to show over the full or new moons, although lately bigger tides have been the constant.

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On Lachlan Campbell’s first trip offshore he caught this 7.5kg yellowfin tuna at Perforated.

PRAWNS AND CRABS Prawns are in full flow at all of the local creeks with just enough rain to fatten them and not flush them out into the bay. The Fitzroy River, Corio Bay/ Waterpark and Coorooman Creek are all going well. The best time to prawn the creeks is that middle to low period in the tide when they have to move away from the mangroves and group in the little muddy wash-outs and creek mouths. There is always a chance of a big king salmon as a welcome by-catch. Once the rain starts they will move into the bay and that’s when spots like Statue Bay come into their own. High tide is best in that scenario. Muddies are continuing to show even after the hammering they copped over Christmas. They normally drop off and take a few weeks to recover. It won’t take long for catches to improve if all the ‘just unders’ are anything to go by. BREAD AND BUTTER Flathead, whiting and king salmon have been the average catch for the estuary guys lately, and Farnborough Beach has had enough keeper whiting between the little blokes to keep the kids happy. OFFSHORE The offshore guys have been doing really well in most of the regulars, catching everything from nannygai (saddletail snapper) to red emperor, cod and coral trout. The nannygai will move a bit closer to the coast in the coming weeks and the local wrecks should be the prime spots. As the prawns start to come out of the river into the bay, spots like Liza Jane, The Pinnacles and Findlays will all have small to midsized nannies. Grassy sweetlip have come on in recent weeks around the Keppels. Over the past year or so nearly all the fish taken in close were the little fellas, with only the occasional decent fish. However, over the last month we have seen some quite good fish taken at Greasy Alley and the closer rubble patches. Schools of small yellowfin tuna have been travelling just outside the bay in recent weeks taking small, shiny lures and bright slugs. Tuna are always welcome as sushi to go with the summer salads.

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Barra top the hit list MACKAY

Keith Day habdays@bigpond.net.au

February in Mackay means two great things: the barra season opens and the wet season proper starts up. The rivers and creeks get a good flushing, renewing stocks of prawns and other bait.

Barra are on everyone’s ‘hit list’ this month – not only in the salt but also in the dams and weirs on the Pioneer River system. In the dams, Kinchant has been fishing reliably over the closed season (which ended on 1 February) and I reckon this summer might just see a barra over the 50kg mark landed in Kinchant Dam.

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Kinchant’s reputation for big fish just keeps growing along with the size of the fish, and is an outstanding tribute to the efforts of MAFSA members in creating one of the best barra dams in the country. Kinchant Dam is often pretty crowded of a weekend as it is a popular water ski/jet ski area, but anglers can still duck away from the crowds up towards the top end of the dam. Here there are several small inlets and points that are well worth an hour or two. Most of the crowds are in the main dam basin and avoid areas near the weeds or the wall, and that is the best spot to try your luck. Continued page 51

Barra will be the main target during February and anglers can look forward to tangling with beaut chrome-sided salties like this one caught by Clinton Hassan.

FISHING FILL-ITS

Reeling in the right-sized fish Fishers are reminded of the need to brush up on their fish identification knowledge when hitting the water in 2014. Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) District Officer Trevor Thomson said species misidentification and lack of knowledge of the rules had been an issue over the Christmas break. “During recent patrols

we have found a number of people keeping undersize mulloway (commonly known as jew fish),” he said. “If you catch a fish and you’re not sure what species it is, you might unknowingly be doing the wrong thing.” Mr Thomson said size and possession limits were important to protect fish species from overfishing and ensure the sustainability

of Queensland’s waterways. “By misidentifying your catch, you are risking an on-the-spot fine from $440 to a maximum penalty of $110,000,” he said. “Fishers can view the rules online at www. fisheries.qld.gov.au and can always pick up a species identification guide and fish ruler from their local bait and tackle store. “Make sure you use

A major surveillance operation by QBFP has resulted in a $19,500 fine for a Bundaberg commercial fisher for equipment offences and selling illegal fisheries products. Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) district manager Geoff Fergusson said the prosecution was the result of an intensive 12-month black market operation. “Our investigation found the commercial fisher sold 14 female mud crabs, 5 undersize

male mud crabs, and 15 undersize fish to a Bundaberg resident,” Mr Fergusson said. “Evidence suggests that this supply was for a large– scale black market operation at a residential address. “The Bundaberg resident was fined $12,500 earlier this year for his role in the case, and the prosecution of the commercial fisher now wraps up the investigation.” Mr Fergusson said the commercial fisher was also prosecuted for netting offences as part of a separate investigation. “A QBFP general patrol in the Kolan River caught the man breaching a number of commercial gear rules, including failure to mark nets

QBFP officer Aaron McAdam inspects illegal crabs at Bundaberg resident. with floats and lights, and using fishing nets greater than a nautical mile apart,” he said. “In addition to the fine, the man’s nets, anchors and ropes were forfeited to the state. “A conviction was recorded for both incidents,

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these handy identification tools to ensure you fish within the limits and avoid the risk of a hefty fine.” For more information on Queensland fishing rules, visit www. fisheries.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23. Follow Fisheries Queensland on Facebook and Twitter (@ FisheriesQld). – Fisheries

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and his commercial fishing licence suspended for four months. “This was an excellent result for both the commercial and recreational fishing industry by stopping two individuals who were damaging our fisheries. “Fishing rules are in place so that we can share and protect our fisheries resources for future generations. “If anyone suspects illegal fishing, we urge you to immediately report it to the Fishwatch hotline 1800 017 116 so that it can be investigated.” For more information on Queensland fishing rules, visit www.fisheries.qld.gov. au or call 13 25 23. Follow Fisheries Queensland on Facebook and Twitter (@ FisheriesQld). – Fisheries

From page 50

At night there are no problems as the whole dam is available to anglers, and around the full moon there will be plenty of boats on the dam chasing the ‘biggie’. Trolling and casting lures from the Reidy’s, RMG, Halco, Lively Lures, Koolabung, Rapala and Tropic Angler ranges will get you in the action. Look for lures that get down at least 2m and troll in waters up to about 5m deep. That scene gives plenty of areas to fish right around the dam. For surface work, use standard blooping type poppers or better yet get hold of some C’ultiva Tango Dancers and use them up near the weed beds. Surface luring at night is dynamite when a big barra slams the lure near the boat, without any warning. Great stuff! Plastics also work well; the Z-Man, Squidgies, Tsunami, Tropic Angler, Storm and Berkley ranges all catch their share of fish. When choosing a plastic, go for one with a really supple tail wrist to give the lure plenty of movement to attract the barra’s attention. Both paddle-tails and curly tails work well, although the paddle-tails are the most popular. Your hooks need to be at least 5/0 and strongly made (I use Gamakatsu).

Your jighead should be just heavy enough for casting and to get the tail working as it should. The other dams and weirs can all be fished with the same types of lures. Teemburra has had a fair amount of fresh run-in and the water up the top ends of the 3 creeks has been pretty dirty and cold. The barra are down in the main dam basin and the bigger catches have been coming from the eastern side of the dam, which is a little unusual. Perhaps the unseasonal northerly winds during January have pushed the bait towards that (ramp) side of the dam. Teemburra is down about 1.5m below full supply level, although this may change by the time you read this. Eungella is fishing well for big sooties, with plenty of people taking great delight in telling me all about their 50cm+ sooties caught in the dam. One of these days I will crack that magic 50cm sooty mark! There will be sooties in Eungella Dam now that are over 60cm, but these big old fish don’t grow to that size by being dumb. They are hard to get to bite and harder still to land among the heavy timber that they favour. If you’re visiting our area and want info on the dams, I suggest calling in

to the local tackle shops and have a talk to the staff. They will have the best up-to-theminute info on what’s going on, lures that are in favour with the fish and so on. ESTUARY For the estuary/creek angler, barra will be the number one target and the usual spots will cop a hammering. Places like the Pioneer River in the town reaches are close, handy and good for a ‘quickie’ trip.

The rocks around the Ron Camm highway bridge are always popular, and plenty of big barra come from here and nearer the bridge pylons. The main town bridge also has barra in residence, but it is hard to fish with the tide ripping through there. Down towards the mouth of the river, the V is a renowned hot spot and the breaks in the trainer walls along the south side are also worth investing a

Dave Fraser was rapt to haul up this great golden snapper on spin tackle just offshore from Mackay. Dave used a full squid head as bait.

little time in. Smaller barra are often caught in and around Bassett Basin, which is a large mangrove/creek complex on the northern side of the river. Watch the tides in here though as it is easy to get caught and it is a long wait until the next tide reaches you. Being stranded in the basin is not my idea of a fun outing! Every creek and river system around Mackay has barra in residence, and again the local tackle outlets will know where the fish are and what they are taking. Avoid the really big tides as the run can make fishing pretty difficult, although the holes at the bottom of the tides are always worth checking out. The best spots for February barra (apart from the Pioneer) include creeks like Reliance, Constant, and those in the Seaforth and St Helens areas. To the south, check out Bakers, Alligator and Sandy creeks and Sarina inlet. Further south, Rocky Dam is a good spot with a concrete ramp, and the creeks around Cape Palmerston are all worth a go. Some of these spots have ramps that are only functional at half tide up, and others may have just mud banks, so check with the local tackle shops if you’re new to the area.

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OFFSHORE Offshore fishing, both close in and at the reef, will be weather dependant this month. Recent results have been pretty good, however. Golden snapper to 75cm have been regularly caught offshore, particularly around isolated rocks/bommies in 10m+ of water. They are top fish, top sport and are absolutely magic on the plate. Best of all they will take a variety of baits (squid being the best) and lures/ jigs as long as you can get it down to them. Smaller models are in all the creeks, and again seem to favour rocky areas with a decent depth of water. In the creeks this may be only 2-3m. Surprisingly, during January there was a limited run of both Spanish and grey mackerel reasonably close inshore, and certainly in reach of the tinnie brigade. Once the wet starts in earnest, however, I expect pelagic catches to drop off quickly – except well offshore where only the very large trailer boats will be able to access them. Looking ahead, it’s possible that heavy rains may put a dampener on the fishing during February. Still, with the abundant and varied habitats in our area, there is always somewhere to wet a line. See you at the ramp.

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Let the bounty begin BOWEN

Dan Kaggelis dkaggelis@gmail.com

On 1 February the holiday was over for the barra. Bowen anglers have been dusting off the heavy baitcasters and large hardbodies and soft plastics in anticipation of catching a big barra. I will be first in line, very keen to scratch the barra itch. I have to say, I think it’s a bad idea to have a fixed barra season (as opposed to

the flexible season in the Gulf) because it’s pointless if we don’t receive enough run-off for the bigger fish to spawn. Last year we witnessed this very problem in Bowen waters with the flooding rains not arriving until mid-February, which meant the fish didn’t have a chance to spawn before commercial nets were set. This saw many of the big breeders, which were full of roe, lost to the nets before they had a chance to spawn. Hopefully Fisheries will look at providing flexible open

Big barra like this one are high on the list after a 3 month holiday.

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dates to suit each wet season as it comes. If you’re after a big barra in Bowen this month, I recommend targeting the open headlands and mouths of creeks. This is where the cleaner water will be, and these areas will attract baitfish and eventually the bigger barra. Barra in Bowen love lots of water, so fishing around the outgoing tide with large livebaits set on the bottom will be a productive strategy. If you’re like myself and would rather go to the fish than wait for them to come to you, lure fishing is the best strategy. Luring for barra is all about finding where the fish will be feeding, and the best way to find these spots is time on the water. Hunting around or prospecting for barra is a top way to enjoy consistent barra fishing, as these fish are creatures of habit. Once you find a few spots they will consistently produce the fish you are looking for. If you are going to be flicking hardbodies, it’s hard to go past the Lucky Craft Pointer 100 SP. These suspending lures are perfect for enticing a big barra, and they come out of the

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Big jacks and barra will be climbing all over suspending lures in February. packet with terminal tackle ready to go toe-to-toe with a metre salty. They come standard with heavy-duty split rings and heavy-duty Decoy wide gape trebles for a solid hook-up. The key to targeting barra using both hardbody and soft plastic lures is a slow retrieve with plenty of pauses and twitches. Try suspending your lure through the water column, especially around laydowns. Barra love to strike a lure from below, so if you can work a lure down around structure and then let it rise or suspend slowly you are doing everything you can to attract a strike. The other key component is rigging. Barra are notorious for wearing through leader with their abrasive mouths and knife-like gill rakers. If I’m specifically targeting large barra I use either a twisted leader or heavy Sunline fluorocarbon up to 50lb. I know this sounds a little extreme but a metre salty pushing 15kg can really give you a hiding, and big gear can sometimes be essential. When using these heavier leaders you really need to be using either a PR or FG knot to join your main line as they provide the

smallest yet strongest join. This is particularly important if you are casting lures. Barra aren’t the only target up the creeks – jacks are also out in force. It’s been a cracker build-up already and I have landed quality fish whose size more resembles reef jacks than creek jacks. Once again, hardbody lures and soft plastics used for barra will also do the trick, so you can really double your chances in February up the creeks. OFFSHORE The offshore fishing will be firing this month, with the extra heat in the water stirring up the reds. The large-mouth and small-mouth nannygai will also be on the chew around the inshore wrecks and offshore shoal grounds east of Holbourne Island. These spots can be tricky to fish as the action can be very hot and cold. Your best bet is to plan your trips around the changes in tide and use your sounder on bottom lock to try to find where the fish are feeding on these large shoal areas. Once you find them it’s a matter of getting your drift right and the fish should come. Small-mouth nannygai (scarlet sea perch) are more

prevalent during the day than their tastier large-mouth cousins (saddletail snapper). Small-mouths over 70cm are not that good chewing unless you bleed them straight away and cook them fresh. Large-mouth nannygai are more commonly caught during the darker hours and are best targeted using large baits. While you can snare them on pilchard and squid baits, large fillet baits of hussar and mullet on a ganged hooked set up will allow the bigger fish to find the bait amongst the pickers. With the hot weather around it’s not uncommon to encounter reef jacks out this way as well, so make sure your tackle is up to the challenge. Next month should see much the same as February but expect wetter and windier conditions to prevail. There will be calm spells of weather now and then, and you’d do well to make the most of these stable conditions because this is when the fish really do bite. Fish like barra and jacks love consistent conditions at this time of year, and if you can get on the water during those times you’ll find the fishing is simply superb.

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Burdekin set for the wet AYR

Steve Farmer

Burdekin estuary fishing has been in idle mode over the past month with fairly average catches of fairly average sized fish. Many anglers put this lacklustre performance down to a lack of rain. The positive side of the extended dry is that the lack of muddy floodwaters in the river means fishing conditions in the district’s creeks have been excellent. The clear water has been giving lure fishers in particular a good chance of luring up a feed. Mangrove jack have continued to bite throughout the hot, dry months, but the 50cm fish that were being taken back in November have been scarce in recent weeks. However, smaller fish have still been about in good numbers and are falling for fresh slab baits or wellplaced lures. Flathead also appear to be about in good numbers, but the frequent sandy swirls you might see as you walk along the water’s edge are often smaller fish. The 60-70cm fish have been few and far between, but lizards around the 50cm mark have often been the mainstay of the estuary catch of late. One fish Burdekin anglers can rely on at this time of the year is the school grunter. While they aren’t as big as those that were taken in the bays and along the beaches late last year, they’re still a worthwhile catch. Remember that there are 2 species of grunter with legal sizes of 30 and 40cm, and it can be hard to tell which fish is which. To avoid a fine you can either teach yourself to recognise them or just apply the 40cm size to all grunter that you take for the table. A 30cm grunter doesn’t produce much fillet and is probably not worth taking anyway. Burdekin estuary anglers can enjoy a little lively sportfishing at this time of the year as the doggie mackerel and trevally move into our

creek mouths, especially if the water continues to be clear and salty. A high tide in the early morning or late afternoon is the ideal time to troll a few small lures around the sandbars and channels near the creek mouths. Keep an eye out for working sea birds and surface feeding fish. A luring session on the flats at the mouth of Phillips Camp recently was interrupted by a queenfish

Matt Farmer trolled up this mac tuna at Abbot Point. 80-90cm long blasting baitfish in the shallows just metres from our rod tips. Fortunately it didn’t connect with our lures because I’m sure we wouldn’t have stopped it on our lightweight flathead tackle. Bluewater sportfishers have been enjoying themselves lately with schools of mackerel tuna providing some line-burning action. The tuna schools have been spread along the Burdekin coast from Abbot Point to Cape Bowling Green and are often not far offshore. Almost any lure will get a response, although small, metal slugs retrieved as quickly as possible are often the best bet. For spectacular surface strikes try a small popper. FEBRUARY FISHING ACTION The fishing in the coming month will greatly depend

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FEBRUARY 2014

on the weather conditions. If we do eventually get a decent wet season, anglers can expect a quiet month although it will be worth it in the long run. If the rains don’t arrive it will be more of the same. Hopefully at least a few showers will fall to fire up the fishing and, in particular, the prawning. Of course, the big news item this month is the opening of the barra season

The waters around the Abbot Point jetty are producing tuna and trevally.

on February 1. The end of last year’s open season was pretty quiet (thanks to the drought) and most barra anglers will be hitting the water with high hopes of a better start this year. If the river doesn’t flood it could be worthwhile heading upstream to flick a few lures in the freshwater. The river is pretty low and clear at the moment, so work the top of the deeper holes where the water should be cooler and more oxygenated. The same approach will probably be best in the estuaries as well. Concentrate on the deep holes during the day and fish the flats or edges of the channels after dark. CHECK IT BEFORE YOU NEED IT I recently discovered that it pays to check the expiry date on your safety gear well before any long weekend holidays. Between Christmas and New Year I discovered my flares were just out of date – and so did half the boaters in the district. The 2 marine dealers in the Burdekin were closed for the extended holiday break and About Town Bait and Tackle had sold out of flares due to the holiday rush. Phone calls to a number of Townsville shops produced the same sad story, but eventually BCF came up with the goods. Please check the date on your flares and EPIRB well before you plan to hit the water. It can save a lot of hassle!

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Brisbane South Springwood Marine 3366 Pacific Hwy Springwood Phone: (07) 3297 8200 | Fax: (07) 3297 8290 Email: michaelb@springwoodmarine.com.au Website: www.springwoodmarine.com.au Brisbane South Coorparoo Marine 57 Cavendish Rd Coorparoo Phone: (07) 3397 4141 | Fax: (07) 3397 6339 Email: info@coorparoomarine.com.au Website: www.coorparoomarine.com.au Brisbane West Karee Marine 1851 Ipswich Rd Rocklea Phone: (07) 3875 1600 | Fax: (07) 3875 1622 Email: sales@kareemarine.com.au Website: www.kareemarine.com.au Brisbane Holt Marine 25 Queens Rd Everton Park Phone: (07) 3353 1928 | Fax: (07) 3353 4548 Email: info@holtmarine.com.au Website: www.holtmarine.com.au Brisbane North Cunninghams Marine 23-25 Snook St Clontarf Phone: (07) 3284 8805 | Fax: (07) 3284 8813 Email: ian@cunninghammarinecentre.com.au Website: www.cunninghammarinecentre.com.au

Sunshine Coast Northcoast Boating Centre 264 Nicklin Way Warana Phone: (07) 5493 9376 | Fax: (07) 5437 6144 Email: mail@northcoastboatingcentre.com.au Website: www.northcoastboating.com.au Bundaberg Adrians Marine Centre 28 Ritchie St Bundaberg Phone: (07) 4153 1819 | Fax: (07) 4153 1819 Email: adriansmarinecentre@bigpond.com Website: www.adriansmarinecentre.com.au

Whitsunday Cannonvale Whitsunday Outboard Centre 1 William Murray Dr Cannonvale Phone: (07) 4946 7286 | Fax: (07) 4946 7848 Email: woc@whitsundayoutboardcentre.com.au Bowen Reibel Marine 34 Don St Bowen Phone: (07) 4786 2944 | Fax: (07) 4786 6606 Email: remarine@bigpond.net.au Ingham J&B Marine 79 Herbert St, Ingham Phone: (07) 4776 1188 | Fax: (07) 4776 1288 Email: jbmarine@bigpond.com Website: www.jandbmarine.com Cairns Aussie Marine 5 Wellington St, Cairns Phone: (07) 4033 8800 | Fax: (07) 4033 8810 Email: sales@aussiemarine.com.au www.aussiemarine.com.au

Gladstone Curtis Coast Marine 40 Chapple St Gladstone Phone: (07) 4972 0135 | Fax: (07) 4972 0136 Email: curtismarine@netscape.net.au Website: www.curtiscoastmarine.com.au Rockhampton Rifen Boats Unit 11-12, 10 Dooley St, North Rockhampton Phone: (07) 4927 9150 | Fax: (07) 4921 3502 Email:rifen.boats@bigpond.com www.rifenboats.com.au Yeppoon Seabreeze Marine 150 Scenic Hwy Yeppoon Phone: (07) 4933 6366 | Fax: (07) 4933 7590 Email: info@seabreezemarine.com.au Website: www.seabreezemarine.com.au

FEBRUARY 2014

Great weather and fishing TOWNSVILLE

Karim De Ridder

Stable weather patterns and ridiculously hot, still days have seen boats of all shapes and sizes exploring our pristine oceans to sample the delights of nearby reefs and shoals. Reports of hot surface temperatures has seen those anglers targeting top table fish, such as trout and red throat, faring better in

deeper waters, with isolated shoals producing some nice specimens by dropping assortments of jigs, plastics and fresh baits. Areas such as Maggie and Shark Shoals as well as Keeper and Lodestone reefs have received their fair share of pressure in recent times, with most success generally for those anglers willing to push the envelope and travel further. With this month hopefully providing some

much need rainfall, take heed of floating debris, these can and have destroyed many trips and vessels of anglers in the past. If you do happen to stumble across these mini ecosystems, take your time and place some casts with any small plastic or hardbodied lures. You might just be lucky enough to tangle with the less common tripletail or jumping cod, something which local gun angler Peter Robinson had the pleasure

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of recently. A brilliant sports fish in their own right and a top table fish to boot. The open barra season – what keen angler’s dream of and your day job dreads, it’s game on! As attention is turned towards what some anglers refer to as chrome perfection, a reflection of what has passed can not be forgotten. Fantastic reports of golden snapper and mangrove jack continue to flood in, with the Haughton, Morrisseys and further a field Hinchinbrook accounting for a lot of captures. Most techniques appear to focus on weedless plastics in exposed snags, with a lot of golden snapper on FLT Transams in deep water, with ledges and sunken snags holding a majority of the fish. With the barra season now gaining acceleration, anglers should have their plan of attack in full swing, tides and moon phases mapped, ready to tangle with our premier sports fish. A couple of set ups, including 6-7’ baitcaster,

Peter Robinson with a huge tripletail caught during a recent inshore trip. includes Lucky Craft Flash minnows and 100 Pointer XDs for shallow and deep water applications with a variety of plastics, soft and hard vibes and lipless cranks providing the spice needed for hard bites. My tips for success this open season is to focus on deep bends and exposed snags, which provide a

will help in locating fish and bait, however visual concentrations of bait, deflections of current, transitions of structure and depth variations are observations that cannot be ignored. With these tips in mind, I hope you all get amongst the fish. If you do happen to land a trophy fish, remember

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With the barra season in full swing, solid fish such as this will be targeted by keen anglers.

Silver assassins assault LUCINDA

Jeff Wilton jeffwilton83@hotmail.com

As I looked at the packed boat ramp I noticed everyone was constantly staring at their watches. There is constant chatter and everyone seems excited to get out on the water, baitcasters and spinning rods matched with Gold Bombers and paddletail plastics are rigged and ready. At exactly 11.45am boats slide into the water and take off up the channel and at midday the first casts of the barra open season are fired out into the snags or drains in hope of that silver assassin, the mighty barramundi. It has been a very uneventful wet season so far, which comes as no surprise, so the barra breeding season has really not happened. The closed season needs modifications to suite the usual late wet season we get here in FNQ. HINCHINBROOK CHANNEL Barra are on top of the list and plenty of hours will be spent in chasing this iconic fish.

The Hinchinbrook Channel has so much water that it is hard to decide where to start fishing, for visitors it is important to not get overwhelmed and instead concentrate your efforts in a particular spot. I can assure you that there are barra to be caught in every creek, sand flat or mud bank. What is important is to plan your day so less time is spent looking for fish and more time fishing. Barra can be a frustrating fish and what works one day will not get a look the next. The amount of times we have had amazing sessions and then the very next day using the same technique in the same spot you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see a fish. But for those wanting to have the best chance of catching a barra just put together the essential pieces of the puzzle: tide/time and baitfish. All good barra spots will have structure in the form of snags such as fallen trees and rocks or abnormalities in sand or mud banks such as drains. Find these areas that are holding baitfish and you are in with a good chance of getting barra. For lure fishing the last half of the run-out tide is normally the best and for bait fishing I find the first few

hours of the run-in tide sees better bites. As barra take the spotlight it is easy to forget that the mighty mangrove jack will be chomping their way through anything that moves. Do yourself a favour and head up the creeks on a humid night and be prepared to do battle. I can still hear the snapping of jaws from last year echoing in my mind, along with shaking arms as I cast the little popper into the blackness. Golden snapper will also be about. Fishing the holes in creeks and the rock-lined edges of Hinchinbrook Island with live herring should get you some action. JETTY, ISLANDS AND REEF Getting out in the afternoon for a jetty session is a smart option and will lighten your tackle box and stretch your arms at the same time. The big thug GT are waiting for an easy meal and lobbing poppers into the maze of pylons always gets the heart beating and the arms shaking. There are also some big golden snapper down there ready and willing to smash your bait or plastic. The Gulp Nemesis is a deadly plastic for golden snapper; fish the jetty as the sun rises matched

Nathanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arms will be a little longer after battling this cracking GT. with an incoming tide using this plastic. The reef is hit or miss lately and plenty of people are being left frustrated after long sessions in the intense heat yielding few results. The best results are coming from the deep and trout spots in 40m+ are the go. Some good red emperor are being caught, mostly at night and by those who know the spots. Nannygai are about in numbers and plenty of bigger models are being caught in the closer spots.

The summer months are great for cobia and reef points, such as Bramble and Britomart, will be hot spots. Cobia will eat nearly anything when in the mood but for best results live bait will rarely be ignored. Fish a livie under a float or with a small sinker, and a little berley should see them come up and swim around the boat. When this happens it is easy to sneak a plastic into the berley trail and watch it get engulfed. Cobia are very easily mistaken for sharks so have a good look before you cut your line.

Around the Palm Islands the fishing can be tough for reef fish but the northern blue (longtail) tuna and the GT can provide plenty of fun and games for those wanting sportsfishing at its best. Feeding live hussar to GT schooled up under the boat is always a spectacular sight and trying to survive the power run back to the bottom will leave the back sore to say the least. February should see the real start of the wet here in FNQ so letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s see what Mother Nature brings us. As always, stay keen...mad keen!

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Sharkey helps the author’s son Jordy with his big queenfish. showing up around the islands and headlands, plus one crew getting onto a few good golden snapper near Eva Island one night. The boys caught 6 nice fish before a bad northerly rocked up and they decided to make for home. Live squid did the damage that night. The main thing I have been hearing is how bad the box jellyfish have been.

once again become a thriving metropolis. It’s amazing how many people go out to chase barra because when the season shuts you hardly see any boats out at all. Lucky for the other species I say! It’s always a good idea to get your gear in order well before the opening. A lot of people leave it until the last minute so the tackle shops get

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‘Fishing in a sauna’ is the only way to describe conditions over the past month. It looks like we are slipping back into the hot, dry years again, and the possibility of a good wet is just about out the window, but crickey I hope I’m wrong! Lately the only reports have been of a few grunter

a bit overwhelmed with a rush of reel services and the like. Something to remember for next year. If you’re into lure fishing, Hinchinbrook offers some of the best country in Australia with a multitude of gutters, rock bars and backwaters. Fish the falling tide, starting off with the smallest drains because they will drain first, and leave the bigger gutters or small creek mouths until later in the tide. The barra like to sit in the dirty water draining

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I don’t have to be reminded about them though, after a few minor stings already this season. The area has seen these conditions before – we had really hot summers with poor wet seasons some 15 years ago. Everything is cyclic so we just have to put up with these hot conditions for a few more years and things will change again for sure. They always do. In February we see the start of the barra season, and our ghost town waterways will

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Jordy with one of a few nice grunter on a session at Gould Island.

from the gutters, picking off whatever takes their fancy. Fishing gutters at the right time will often come after plenty of practise and getting to know the area. As with everything to do with fishing, the key to consistent results is simply to accumulate more hours on the water. That’s about the best way to understand your local area, so keep putting the time in. As for the live bait fishers, the availability of bait will depend on if we get much rain. If it floods, bait will become scarce for a few weeks and would be best targeted on the beaches to the north and south of Hinchinbrook. Getting away from the fresh has always been the trick to getting decent bait. If all goes to plan there should be plenty of good dirty water lines and ledges to drop your livies in. The best times to fish will be around 3 hours either side of low tide, so make sure you have got yourself sorted and be ready to fish these prime periods. • If you have no luck you can always give us a call and try to get in on a charter, but unless we have a cancellation we usually can’t take people on short notice. If you’re planning on coming up for a charter this year your best bet is to book well in advance, and you can find out more at www. hookedonhinchinbrook.com. FEBRUARY 2014

Quality wins out over quantity CAIRNS

Garry Smith garrysmith@fishingmonthly.com.au

Noon on February 1 is red letter day for barramundi fever. The poor things haven’t had much of a chance to spawn in the Cairns area during the closed season, due to lack of rain. Unless there is a rapid weather development between writing and publication it will be a difficult recruitment season for barramundi. The nets will be waiting when the skies open and a large chunk of breeding stock will be obliterated. There is a definite need for a flexible end to the closed season, so barra can be allowed to spawn before the season opens. The weather over the past month has been mild, with the occasional hot spell but not enough for a true wet season build up. Tinaroo Dam is more than 6m below the spillway and Copperlode Dam over 2m. If we don’t get enough rain to at least fill these 2 dams in the next few months, it will be a real problem for the area across the board. The one plus with the lack of a wet is the large number

of ideal boating and fishing opportunities over the festive season. While sea conditions have been ideal, the fishing has been patchy, with most reef trips returning pretty light on for spoils. The estuaries and inshore have been similar, with the odd good trip interspersed with plenty of ordinary ones. The upside is that incidental catches and reports from divers indicate that barra numbers are promising. The opening of the barra season has all the planets lining up this year, with opening day being noon on Saturday 1 February and the first 3 days of the season are black (best) days according to the Angler’s Almanac. There is also a Minor Bite Time and the first of the rising tide coinciding with dawn and dusk on these 3 days. All that remains is for Huey to provide fishable weather conditions and barra fever will go into meltdown. Around the river and creek mouths and along the headlands to the north and south of Cairns will be the best places to cure your fever. Soft plastics, prawn imitations and deep diving hardbody lures will all produce the goods. If you are not making regular contact with structure, you are

not in the strike zone. When observing inexperienced anglers casting lures the most common mistakes I see are: • Failing to work the lure with small twitches and flicks of the rod tip. The aim is to induce a barra to strike, and erratic lure actions are often the most effective. • Retrieving the lure too fast, so the lure doesn’t sink and stay near the bottom. Barra spend most of their time on the bottom, so that’s where your lure needs to spend most of its time. Deep divers also need to be retrieved slowly and erratically once they are cranked down to the bottom. The live bait brigade will be working from boats, beaches and banks, with prawns, sardines, mud herring and mullet the pick of livies. Headlands are a bit more of a challenge for live baiting but are very effective for those willing to put in the effort. It often requires catching livies at one location, transporting them to a headland and setting up so they can be kept alive. A lot of hassle but very effective just the same. As a consequence, the large majority of headland barra fishers are luring. While barra fever will be

the main scourge this month, don’t forget about jacks, golden snapper (fingermark) and grunter, which will also be around in good numbers. Golden snapper have continued to be active along the headlands and in some of the deeper sections of streams. Live sardines, mud herring, mullet and prawns, as well as soft plastics, have all been effective in enticing these premier sport and table fish. Time and patience are the major ingredients when chasing golden snapper, as they tend to bite in well spaced, brief flurries. You can be sitting/luring for hours with no luck, then suddenly there will be a frenzied period of activity that ends as abruptly as it started. Golden snapper often spring into action on dawn and dusk with a change of tide and around the major and minor bite times, as indicated in the Angler’s Almanac. The strange thing is that they consistently bite 1 hour before the indicated bite time. This has happened on so many occasions that I have no doubt about the theory but absolutely no idea as to why. Hopefully the heavens will open some time this

Ryan Tivey from Cairns caught and released this estimated 14kg blue-spot coral trout at Linden Bank. month and the flush of bait out of the systems will liven up the fish and bring some consistency to the fishing. A fresh will also flush out the prawns and mud crabs, so be ready to take advantage of these opportunities. A flush of bait out of the systems will do wonders for fishing the inshore bommies, wonky holes, reefs, islands and wrecks, which can all be very productive at this time of year. Spanish mackerel, golden snapper, grassy sweetlip, large and small mouth nannygai and gold-spot cod can all be caught at the right locations. Reef fishing has been pretty patchy and sharks have been taking more than their fair share. Some anglers have reported losing more than 75% of hooked fish to the men in grey suits. When they move

in, all you can do is move out and try another location. What the fish have lacked in numbers has been made up with quality. Quality fish making it to the boat include coral trout, nannygai, red emperor, reef jacks, Moses perch and spangled emperor. Of course, every form of vermin, like trevally, Chinaman, red bass, barracuda and slatey bream always seem to make it through the razor gang. I, along with many other anglers, am convinced that sharks are selective in what they like to steal off the line. Bluewater sport fishers will find enough action from the inshore reefs to the Continental Shelf on giant trevally, mac tuna, Spanish mackerel, scaly mackerel and longtail tuna to keep the arms and shoulders aching.

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Wet season due to strike PORT DOUGLAS

Lynton Heffer

After a solid trouncing of rain in the tropics during the early stages of December last year, we got no significant rain until the middle stages of January, which suggests the best part of the wet season is still in front of us. For the most of the Christmas and New Year period it was a sweltering affair, offering plenty of calm days to hit the ocean but very hot under the collar. In soaring temperatures many anglers opted to hit the blue highway for their fishing action. They found the fishing to be quite reasonable considering our hottest hours can be challenging. There was an array of reef species on the chew during January, including the old coral trout. They weren’t prolific at any stage but there’d always be a smattering of red flesh amongst a day’s catch. The large-mouth nannygai (saddletail snapper) struck on a few occasions but for the most they remained elusive in big numbers which is typical for this

time of year. There was the Across the vast open RIVER AND ESTUARY odd decent red emperor on waters between the reefs Our rivers and creeks the go but the vast majority there has been a sea of mac will receive a bit more have been juveniles. Charter tuna at times, busily busting attention this month, operators reported catching up the hordes of small bait especially with the opening and releasing undersized fry. When in serious feeding of the barramundi season. red emperor by the dozens. mode these tuna have been I suspect that a fair amount Annoying, but at least it partial to small skirted lures of breeding may have taken indicates that the local stocks trolled at speed or metal slices place in December when we are healthy. cast and retrieved through received good lashings of As per usual, anglers the school. Although they rain and the process fully have been catching a are not considered a tablefish completed with a bit more plethora of sweetlip, moses they have provided plenty of rain during the latter stages of perch and stripies. On days angling fun in recent times. January. During the hot and when the fishing is tough, Across the top of the dry spells it was tough going these fish can be the saviour reefs we’ve seen a lot of though, with the mangrove of a trip. bait pushed to the surface, jack the most consistent Size: 600mm(w) x 900mm(h) + 3 Job Name: Over the last month or followed by good numbers of fish caught amongst the Print: UV Digital Press D/Sided so there has been a surge giant trevally. The calm days mangrove snags. Job species Number:being No. have 1 J014546 in trevally at sea provided the perfect Proof: There been a Material: 5mm Coreflute caught, mostly few trevally queenfish Sales gold-spot, Rep: Troy opportunity 8 Octand 2013 Meade to sight these Date: tea-leaf and bludger trevally. bait schools (mainly fusiliers) patrolling the main parts of Finish: Half Cut Velcro Designer: Parmar The bludger are no good Neetish on and to present a blooping the systems with really good the plate but the other two popper amongst the action. numbers of tarpon working taste alright, and when they The average size of these the deeper holes. Golden Despatch: Client collect FB 6100 FB 7600 XP 2750 SEIKO came on the Machine: bite the action fish has been 10-15kg with snapper (fingermark) have was fast and furious. the odd bruiser exceeding the remained active in a couple Terry Murphy aboard Saltaire Charters with a piece Pelagic species have 20kg mark. of our bigger systems such as of the mahi mahi action caught on the shelf. very much been on the On the shelf the light the Daintree. agenda in recent times, tackle fishing continued With a bit more rain clarity will be the key. potential deluge there will with reasonable numbers of to fire beyond the New anticipated from this Sometimes it may take a few be some good fishing on Spanish mackerel aroundBOAT Year with several small point, fish should be found days to recover butBOAT this is offer but you’ll have to SHOW BOAT SHOW SHOW B reef pressure points. They black marlin registered, throughout our creeks and the time to strike when the use all your angling nous BONUS OFFER!! BONUS OFFER!! BONUS OFFER!! BON have also been patrolling good numbers of Spanish estuaries. The small run-off water turns back to some to take advantage of the the very deep pinnacles in mackerel and still quite a creeks that enter the main normality. right conditions. There will open ground where bait few yellowfin tuna and mahi water body will be the hot From this point on be plenty of obstacles and schools muster. Considering mahi (dolphinfish) on offer. spots to target barra and we will be at the mercy challenges ahead in the the time of year, this has The action will diminish in mangrove jack. If we do of the weather gods as next couple of months butBonus O Bonus Offer Includes: Bonus Offer Includes: Bonus Offer Includes: definitely been a bonus for this department as the wet receive- Deluxe decent dumpings to when we’ll be- Deluxe able Bimini to there’s also the opportunity Bimini Canopy - Deluxe Bimini Canopy with - De many anglers. season progresses. of rain,- Front searching for water wet a line. In between to source some classic fish. & Side Clears Rocket Launcher - Front &the Side Clears with Rear Awning Ro

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Fever pitch fun unfolds KARUMBA

Alan Gurney awes0me@bigpond.net.au

The start of February marks the opening of the barramundi season and the excitement was at fever pitch up until midday when we could then catch them. Last month was a real fizzer with consistent strong winds combining with the big tides to make fishing very hard. We have just started our monsoon season with some good rain starting to fall. This will hopefully turn the fishing around and fire up the barramundi and with good numbers around it should be an awesome time to be out on the water. When the water flows over the road is the time to use soft plastics and Ron at the Point Garage has a good supply of them in nice

colours. Sight casting is the go as you can see the fin making a wave as they feed in the shallows. Placing your lure within a foot of them usually gets a strike and the adrenalin rush from seeing them jump all over the place is awesome. Most will be small rats but there will always be the exception. A bloke driving through a culvert with water flowing over it was able to get out and pick up a 94cm barramundi that had jumped the wrong way and beached itself. The mouth of the river will be firing and the beach is a good place to start. Work your lures just off the beach as the tide builds for some great action. There are plenty of rocks to snag your lures so be careful. We have a 13ft saltwater crocodile that cruises the beach at this time of year so going in

to retrieve your lure is not advisable. We always get a visitor called Phil who has caught great numbers of fish off the beach using live bait. He is willing to help as long as you do not camp right beside him and he has great advice. Mud crabs will be around and the best place to look will be out along the front. Please have plenty of rope on them, I suggest you tie the float to a tree as the big tides can move pots when the wind stirs it up. Please do the right thing and not check pots that are not your own. A professional crabber was caught checking the wrong pots and the $2,200 fine did not go away when he stated that everyone else did it. We have some great charter businesses up here to help you and you will not go wrong in using their

Most barra caught will be small rats but there will always be the exception like this one. services. Kerry D charters does day and half day trips in an 8.5m vessel set up for comfortable fishing (07 4745 9275) and Gavin New (Groover) trading as Carpentaria Barramundi and Sport Fishing Charters caught over 40m+

barramundi last season (0408 796 705). We also have a new hunting charter business starting up and I will provide details soon. Please make sure to contact the Normanton police (07 4745 1133) before travelling up as the

road can get cut off by water for up to a month. The State Government has been working to fix the problem and have raised the Cordoroy Creek section by 0.9m, which should help shorten the cut off due to floods.

The barra buzz returns COOKTOWN

Nick Stock

February and March are my two favourite months to target barra around Cooktown as it usually means that there are prawns around every headland and creek mouth and that there is a plethora of species gorging themselves on the prawns.

This time of year also sees anglers getting the chance to target beautiful yellow-tailed, silver sided barra from my favourite barra spot, Walker Bay. Whilst there are fish holding on all of the river mouths and rocky foreshores in the immediate Cooktown area, there is something spectacular about Walker Bay. I first fished it with my old man when I was 7 years old, and I was

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mesmerised by a nice barra that he caught on one of his homemade red cedar barra lures. 21 years later I still get a buzz from seeing a Headland barra get pulled from a weed bed in gin clear water, surrounded by coral. The multitude of coraldwelling reef species there would look equally at home in an exclusive hotel foyer aquarium. February is also a great month to stock up the freezer with reef fish fillets, and it can often be the last decent weather that Cooktown will see for a while. The slight drop in water temperature also sees your catch rates improve as the shark numbers offshore seem to thin out a bit. This is a prime time

Colin Jackson with a good barra taken on a 135mm Twin River Pike in colour #1. to chase red emperor and large-mouth nannygai (saddle-tail sea perch) on

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FEBRUARY 2014

Tom Nevins with a good red emperor taken from the rubble in 32m of water.

the more exposed rubble grounds near Two Isles, Forrester Reef and also out towards Big Uncharted Reef. The water depths are a lot shallower than red fishermen further south are used to, and a good spot to start looking during daylight hours is the 36m line. At night you can push closer in around the 24m depth and still catch good fish. The owner of Cooktown Barra Charters, Thomas Nevins, is the most fanatical reef fisherman that I know of in Cooktown, and he has put me onto countless bag limit trips of red emperor and nannygai. We usually started fishing his rubble marks in 32m. Not only did we nearly always come home with a full esky of reef fish, we lost half as many fish to sharks as when fishing the wider Ribbon Reef areas of 50m+. One downside (if you can call

it that), when fishing the 30m lines are the hordes of 12-15kg gold trevally that sit off the wrecks and rubble! The first few are good fun but they will literally nail every plastic or bait you put down before the reds can get a crack. The month ahead should see the rivers continue to produce good fish for the bream, jack and grunter bait fishos. The upper reaches will offer some great light tackle options for the 4lb anglers with plenty of tarpon, barra and jacks smashing the bait in the run-off. Small plastics are the go and a 3â&#x20AC;? Swimming Mullet in pumpkinseed is a sure thing! Until next month, stay safe on the water and be sure to check out the range of handmade timber barra lures I make. Check us out and hit the Like button on Facebook by searching Twin River Lures.

Finding wet season barra CAPE YORK

Tim O’Reilly aggott88@gmail.com

February is typically the wettest month of the year in the Cape, so it’s not really known for its devotees or red hot fishing. However, the chances of hot, smooth conditions do exist, as does that chance to once again grapple with our most iconic sportfish, the barramundi. This year the Gulf season opened on 1 February, the same as the east coast.

There will be quite a few knowledgeable fishos all the way from Townsville up to the tip and back down into the Gulf who know where to snare a few wet season barra. Depending on whether this year’s wet actually fires up and delivers some muchneeded rain, the spread and succession of barramundi up rivers and into creeks, marshes, lagoons and billabongs should really kick start in February. On many of the west coast waterways of the Cape, swollen rivers can see juvenile barra spending

Finally the barra season has reopened! It’s time to make up for lost time.

their early days right up in the marshes, swamps and backwaters where they will remain until the floodwaters recede. On the east coast in places such as Princess Charlotte Bay, the fish will pretty much have this time to themselves. Even large, hungry barra feeding around natural barrages and feeder creeks will be doing it alone around most of Cape York in early February. Barramundi still living in the turbulent and steadily browning waters of the Cape’s creeks and rivers will more than likely be holed up in eddies, behind structure and quite often near the surface. Luring throughout this tumultuous time is still worthwhile; it is just a little harder to track down the fish. I have seen plenty of smaller barra over the years holed up in floodwater, tucked in behind mangrove banks or out on the muddy flats amongst the sunken timber and mangrove spikes. Fish already a year old will be somewhere between 30-40cm long and 2 years between 40-50cm. Although these aren’t your target barra

sizes, they can sure turn a slow day into a fun day when you hit a hot patch of them. These moments are like Barra Fishing 101 for the angler, when he or she discovers the retrieves and techniques needed to fool a barra into striking. Anyone who says it is not worth catching smaller barra, or has never done so, will be missing some valuable lessons needed to fool the larger fish – especially during sight fishing conditions. Just watching a shallow diving lure dart down and float up repeatedly is mesmerising stuff, especially when any moment can bring a set of gleaming orange eyes and a bucket mouth in hot pursuit. Catching and releasing smaller barramundi at this time of year can be the most productive form of fishing you’ll ever do, and you only need one fish that’s a little larger to give you a meal to take home. Shallow diving lures and poppers will be very productive in the dirty, shallow bays and inlets during February. Anywhere adjacent to a little feeder

Drizzly and rainy days are common in February, but don’t let that put you off. creek entering a river or a swamp draining into a bay will be worth giving special attention to at this time of year. I have fond memories of fishing a run-out tide late in the afternoon around the shallow basins at the mouth of the Archer River. A small colour change pushed its way out into the main river as it meandered past a shallow bank. Mullet and prawns were skipping in and out of the current and the occasional surface boof gave away the presence of barra. It’s natural to start with shallow diving lures and

work your way to poppers as the bite progresses. However, after the first cast was inhaled on the surface during a pause, I switched to small poppers and spent the next hour getting kneeknocking strikes from excitable barra. Summing up, in February you really need to focus on your target species and plan around the weather accordingly. It is a month where a thousand shades of grey and the odd bit of rain can really liven up your day or dampen your spirits, so let’s hope a few fish are on the chew.

Switched-on summer salmon WEIPA

Josh Lyons thesportfisher@gmail.com

Hopefully by the time you read this the monsoon will be in full swing on Cape York. Shower and storm activity picked up in recent weeks, which indicates the monsoon trough isn’t far away. What happens at this time of year sets the tone for the rest of the fishing year. A good wet thoroughly cleanses the whole area, both land and water. Billabongs and waterholes get flushed and refilled, small creeks that

larvae. Large areas of rain also recharge the land and keep vital permanent springs and watercourses running throughout the dry season. The only downside is that the rain and floodwater can make fishing tough in the weeks that follow. Bait can be hard to find and most species of fish spread throughout the vast river and estuaries. Some fish become easier to catch but many seem to go into hiding until the wet is over. If you plan to chase barra this month, the key is finding clear water in amongst the brown. This applies both down in the salt and in the freshwater run-offs at the tops of the rivers. While the

Reds are suckers for shad-style soft plastics. Even small, isolated rubble patches can hold good numbers of fish. have been dry for months come to life and in no time fill with small native fish, shrimp and insect

barra can be found feeding in this nice water and on the subsequent colour changes, they don’t mind

the dirty water. Fishing the water adjacent to these clear run-offs and eddies can be extremely productive. In fast flowing areas, it’s hard to beat artificials (both soft plastics and hardbodies) worked as slowly as possible. Around the banks and areas out of the current, a live or fresh slab bait should tempt anything predatory in the area. During breaks in the wet some nice fish can be found out around the rocky headlands and along the beaches between these and the river mouths. With the light southeasterlies blowing during the last few weeks I spent a few cracking days sight fishing along the beaches to all manner of species with the fly rod. While there were a few barra out there, our main targets were king threadfin salmon and blue salmon. My mate Simon Richardson and I spent the last few hours of the run-in tide walking the beach, landing fish after fish. Blue salmon were in plague proportions and made up the bulk of the catch. In schools of 30 or more they could quite often be worked into a frenzy, and at times they almost beached themselves in their frantic efforts to eat the fly. As the tide rose, however, a few king salmon started to appear. While they did prove far harder to get a bite out

of than their blue cousins, we did land some nice specimens up to 1m with a bit of persistence and a change of fly to a shrimp pattern. The presence of big afternoon storm clouds put a stop to the sight fishing and chased us home, lightning cracking at our heels. With nice weather predicted for the next day we put in some time out wide looking for a billfish, all the while watching the sounder to find suitable ground to drop some Gulps for a few reefies. Fishing an area to the north of Weipa we managed to raise only 1 small black marlin that couldn’t be tempted to

This quality king threadfin salmon couldn’t resist a shrimp fly. bite. However, the small, isolated rubble patches we found made for a couple of monumental jigging sessions on the plastics. Some lovely coral trout were taken as well

as red emperor, sweetlip, cobia and Spaniards. For now though it’s time for a bit of a break on the fishing front, and send it down Huey.

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STORM KNOCK’R MINNOW

BUGSAWAY APPAREL

When you check out the new Storm Knock’R Minnow you’ll instantly notice the shiny external disks on its sides. As well as providing added flash, these disks form the walls of the Knock’R Minnow’s through-body rattle chamber, which generates a loud, knockin’ sound. A pronounced lateral line and realistic fins add to this lure, creating additional vibration in unison with the cadence of the rattle chamber, producing an orchestral underwater experience that makes fish home in. ‘Big’ is an understatement when trying to describe the paddle tail of the Knock’R Minnow. The kickin’ action produced from it, together with the natural strong body roll of the bait combine to create a soft lure that’s truly irresistible. At 18cm long and weighing 67g, the Storm Knock’R Minnow is built for big gobs. It comes complete with a VMC single hook and belly treble for an increased hookup rate. Price: approx. $17 www.rapala.com.au

ExOfficio has created a clothing line for men and women that will repel bugs without odour or irritation. The boffins at ExOfficio have infused the line with Insect Shield technology, while the designers have maintained that classic ExOfficio style. By treating the garments with permethrin, ExOfficio has ensured that when you wear BugsAway clothes the mosquitos, ticks, ants, flies and midges will be sick at the sight of you! Highlights of the range include the Halo Long-Sleeve Shirt, a button-up shirt crafted from lightweight, sun protective nylon. It incorporates a ventilation system to keep you cool. The Ziwa Convertible Pant zips off to become a stylish pair of shorts and has a partially elastic waist to keep your movements free and easy. They are also quick-dry and have deep cargo pockets, making them perfect for use in the bush. Any item of ExOfficio clothing that bears the BugsAway seal will repel bugs for a whopping 70 washes. Price: RRP $99.00 www.outdooragencies.com.au

ZMAN – NUKED CHICKEN GLOW

After the initial release of ZMan’s Nuked Chicken Glow in the 5” and 7” Scented Jerk ShadZ, angler requests have flooded in for the colour to be added to other favourites in the range. Nuked Chicken has proven very popular for those chasing everything from flathead and mulloway in the rivers and estuaries, to those targeting snapper and other reefies offshore, so it makes sense to add some new members to the Nuked Chicken Glow family. Models that are now available in Nuked Chicken Glow include the 3” MinnowZ, 3.75” StreakZ, 4” StreakZ Curly TailZ and 4” DieZel MinnowZ, along with the 8” StreakZ XL for those chasing reefies and offshore speedsters. Price: SRP $8.95 / 8” StreakZ XL $9.95 www.z-man.com.au

SALTIST ROD RANGE

IFINDFISH APP

The Saltist reel range has become one of Daiwa’s most popular saltwater offshore reels, and now you can complement them with Daiwa’s latest Saltist rod range. Whether you are jigging for snapper on the reefs, popping for GTs, or casting from rocky headlands, the Saltist rod range has it covered. Using the latest graphites and specialised composites, combined with advanced design and construction techniques, the Saltist rod range provides the optimum combination of strength, power, sensitivity and most importantly price. Built ultra-tough, these rods feature Fuji Hardloy guides, Fuji reel seats, gimbals on selected models, tough EVA grips, and a graphite butt weave for maximum power. The superior strength and increased lifting power allow you to tackle the denizens of the deep like never before. There are 15 rods in the series, including standard overhead and spin models plus specialist jigging and poppering models. Line ratings range from PE 1-2 through to a beefy 24kg. More detailed information on each of the models is available on the Daiwa website. Price: from RRP $169.95 www.daiwafishing.com.au

The iFindfish app has one goal in mind: to help you catch the fish you want to catch. Developed by Adam Royter, iFindFish is a must have for anglers. It gives anglers ‘to the minute’ knowledge of where the fish are, what’s being caught, who’s catching them along with tips and tricks of how to put together a successful day. One of the cool features is the Share feature, which lets you share catches with your friends and the world for bragging rights. You can also use the Hot Spots feature to find the most popular fishing spots in your local area or around the country. You can opt to hide your catch location if you don’t want to share your secret spots. And the Logbook function allows you to keep a logbook history of all the fish you’ve caught with photos and details. For the time, cost and effort of organizing your fishing trip, iFindFish will help you achieve a better result and improve your chances of catching the fish you want. It’s available now from the iTunes app store. Price: Free for a limited time ifindfish.com

BLACK MAGIC KL RANGE EXPANDS

Black Magic has increased the size options in their legendary KL hook range. The original range ran from a size 1/0 up to a size 8/0, but now there are four smaller sizes available. The KL is of course a recurve circle hook and is designed to ‘self hook’ the fish, usually in the corner of the mouth. This makes it easier to de-hook fish, and is also better for fish intended for release. The new sizes are 01, 02, 04 and 06 and are great for a number of Australian species like sand whiting, garfish, luderick and bream. The new hooks are available in Black Magic’s economy-sized packets and, like the existing hook range, they are chemically sharpened and made in Japan from premium grade high carbon steel. Price: RRP $11.95 www.blackmagictackle.com

Please send contributions to: The Editor, Fishing Monthly Group PO BOX 3172 LOGANHOLME, QLD. 4129

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The next generation of C-12 is here, bringing a whole new Samaki experience to your fingertips. Now designed with a stealth-like X weave cosmetic finish, it features AAA grade cork grips for ultimate comfort, as well as a rubber cork butt inlaid with Samaki butt cap detail. It also boasts Fuji K SiC guides and Fuji reel seats. This sleek design looks as crisp as each and every model’s action, designed specifically for Australian conditions using only premium 40 tonne Toray carbon fibre blanks. The C-12 Gen II range consists of 7’0” spin models and 6’0” and 6’4” baitcast models, from extra light to heavy, so there’s an action for every angler. Price: RRP $299.95 www.samaki.com.au

SAMAKI C-12 GEN 11

ZEREK HOOKS AND JIGHEADS

Wilson Fishing has released a new Zerek range of weighted worm hook and jighead packs. These specially designed weighted hooks perfectly match the popular Zerek Live Shrimp and Zerek Live Cherabin Lures. Anglers can choose from an assortment of weight styles and shapes on each pack of hook sizes. The same reliable super strong chemically-sharpened hook that comes with Zerek Lures are featured in the Zerek hook packs, giving you the option to fish many presentations and depths with the same Zerek lure body. Zerek Live Shrimp lures come in 2”, 3.5” and 5” models, and the matching hooks are available in the following sizes: 1g and 3g weights for the 2” model; 2g, 4.5g and 7g for the 3.5” model; 4g, 8g and 11g weights for the 5” model. The Zerek Live Cherabin is 4” long, and its hooks come with 3g, 7g and 9g weights. More sizes will be coming out soon, so keep an eye out at your local tackle store. Price: RRP from $8.50 www.wilsonfishing.com

FISHING THE CAPE

There aren’t too many anglers out there who have not visited or are not planning to visit Cape York and with very good reason – the fishing is world class! Two guys who are better known for the skills at catching big green fish in tough country have made the trek after years of planning and, as luck would have it, filmed the expedition to inspire others to take up the challenge. Josh and Jamie’s Fishing The Cape is a travelogue DVD from Horn Island that showcases some of the most amazing fishing Cape York has to offer. Pristine and wild rivers, uncluttered beaches, seclusion and weather changes that only the Cape can muster. Through the vision you get to witness barramundi in all their headshaking, gill-flaring brilliance as they strike at lures, get hooked jump and cavort around all over the place and throw lures back at the anglers. Some compelling viewing that will certainly get the casting arm twitching. With a running time of around 70 minutes, Fishing The Cape gives a realistic view of the awe-inspiring beauty and amazing fishing found in this remote part of Australia. Price: $35 www.joshandjamiefishing.com.au

NEW FROM JACKALL

Jackall has released 2 new lures onto the Australian market. The Chubby Pencil 55 is 55mm long and weighs 3.1g, and has been designed by Jackall for bream, whiting and bass. As usual it has the perfection attitude of all Jackall products, and it walks from the first twitch of the rod. It’s available in 5 colours. The Chubby Vibe 40 is 42mm long and weighs 4.8g. It’s a proven slow sinking, vibrating fish catcher already in fresh- and saltwater. Both lures are available now from all good tackle stores. Price: SRP $22 www.jackall.com.au

WILSON UV HEADSCARVES

DAIWA LATEO

Wilson Fishing has announced the release of the new Wilson and Venom headscarves. Wilsons had the material tested by ARPANSA (Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency) to ensure their headscarves 100% complied with Australian Sun Safety Standards. The UPF Rating came in at 15+, providing Good Protection, which means that 93.3% of UV rays are blocked from reaching your skin. The Wilson & Venom Multifunctional Headscarves are made from 100% Polyester microfiber. The seamless design makes them comfortable, and with the moisture wicking properties as well as the high sun and wind protection they are the perfect cool and comfortable outdoor wear. One size fits most, and there are many versatile ways to wear them. There are currently 2 designs to choose from: Wilson blue and yellow camo (HSW) and black and red smear (HSV). Price: RRP $15.95 www.wilsonfishing.com

Designed as the ultimate rocky shore and beach lure fishing rod series, the Lateo’s unique design delivers unparalleled casting performance. Daiwa’s latest design innovation – X45 – delivers ultimate strength, power, and weightlessness, resulting in an ultra-slim blank that eliminates blank twist and massively increases torque, and blank recoil. The blank returns to its straight form quickly, delivering faster acceleration and longer, more responsive casting. By combining HVF (High Volume Fibre) carbon with X45 construction, Daiwa has created a powerful lightweight blank with more responsiveness and sensitivity than ever before. The Lateo range features Fuji’s epochmaking guide system, and Alconite ‘K’ guides to dramatically reduce line wrap and improve line speed for faster, more accurate casting. Lateo rods also feature customized oval reel seats for ultimate comfort and sensitivity, custom alloy componentry, and minimalist ultra-tough EVA grips to reduce weight for high speed casting acceleration. There are 7 models, all 2-piece, ranging from the L 76MH (2.29m, medium heavy action, 10-30g cast weight, 5-9kg line rating) through to the L 110XH (3.35m, extra heavy action, 60-150g cast weight and 10-20kg line rating). Price: RRP $349 www.daiwafishing.com.au

Please send contributions to: The Editor, Fishing Monthly Group PO BOX 3172 LOGANHOLME, QLD. 4129

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GARY HOWARD EXTREME

Metal jiggers, trollers and live baiters alike will appreciate the Japanese carbon fibre blank, Alps stainless steel guides and a touch of class in the new Gary Howard Offshore Extreme jig/troll rods, designed by master rod builder Gary Howard. When you first hold one of these rods you’ll find it hard to believe that something so light can be so strong and have such lifting power. That’s thanks to the Japanese nano technology and a sophisticated blank design that results in incredible low-down power and a superb tip action. There are 4 models, all 6’ and one-piece, with a 24kg and 37kg in both spin and overhead, the latter doubling as an excellent multi-purpose rod equally good at jigging metal, or trolling baits and lures. All 4 models make light work of live baiting and bottom fishing reefs and wrecks, too. Durable high-quality EVA grips and a gimbal butt complete the design, which is attractive, robust and well-priced. Price: from $129 garyhowardfishing.com.au

GULP FLOATING SHRIMP

The Gulp Floating Shrimp has arrived! Impregnated with micro balloons of air, Floating Gulp can be fished unweighted as a floating bait or lightly rigged for a slower sink rate. When fished on a heavier jighead floating Gulp has enough bouyancy to ‘stand up’ off the bottom, enticing fish to strike. The Gulp 2” Shrimp is arguably the most popular tournament bream soft bait in Australia. The reason for this is simple: they work. Floating Gulp in the Shrimp shape has been designed to give seasoned anglers the edge! You can check out the full range of Gulps at berkley-fishing.com.au. To see the Floating Shrimp in action, visit www.youtube.com and type in ‘Gulp Floating Shrimp’, or scan the QR code hereabouts. Price: RRP $9.95 www.berkley-fishing.com.au

OCEA SWITCH BAIT RODS

An approach originally developed to tease marlin, sailfish and the like into range for a saltwater fly rod shot, switch baiting is about the most exciting, visual, in-your-face gamefishing method ever developed. Smart anglers have been using it with conventional tackle of course, and last year Shimano released a series of technique-specific rods to cater for the special demands of switch and pitch. This year, the Ocea Switch Bait series has been expanded to include 2 new rods in spin or overhead options for lighter 10-15kg line classes (or 20-40lb braid if you prefer). This makes them perfect for small blacks, sailfish, larger striped marlin if you want to have a crack, and any other species prepared to come up and monster a teaser. No expense has been spared to make these rods absolute standouts; the fittings include Fuji K Series ‘Tangle Free’ guides with SiC inserts, marine-grade aluminium Alps reel seats with Delrin inserts, tubular graphite Slick Butts, and all based around an advanced TCurve TC4 blank designed by The Australian Rod Builder, Ian Miller. Price: from approx. $425 www.shimanofish.com.au

FIN-NOR BISCAYNE

Fin-Nor Biscayne spin reels have been the benchmark for tough, affordable saltwater spin reels and now, more choice in large sizes adds another advantage. With the introduction of the FS100, the 7-size range has you covered for all saltwater fishing. The FS100 is packed with all the great Biscayne features, including the strong aluminium body and side plate, matched with a computer balanced rotor and aluminium spool. This tough foundation is made even more durable with an electrostatic multi-layer corrosion protection. The heavy-duty carbon fibre drag is considered a leader in this class, with a multistack of impressive oversized washers that dissipate intense heat and deliver smooth power for when big fish run hard. Other features include 4 stainless steel ball bearings, a heavyduty instant anti-reverse bearing, a tough metal handle and large rubberised grip for comfort and control. The Biscayne FS100 holds 430 yards of 20lb mono and has a 4.9:1 gear ratio. The large line capacity, extra-strong build and powerful drag provide superior quality and performance at an affordable price. Price: RRP $189 finnorfishing.com.au

WILSON SLICK BACK

The Aussie-designed Slick Back Lures from Wilson Fishing have been created to target Australian native fish like cod, golden perch and bass. These lures are available in multiple depths and sizes and come in an extensive range of colours, giving you a variety of options to suit any fishing conditions. Slick Backs feature super-strong, specifically-sized trebles, so these lures fish reliably straight out of the box. Other features include a stainless steel anchored tow point, durable polycarbonate bib, Laser Eyes and rattle. The unique scalloped belly allows the point of the trebles to be exposed at all times, providing a greater hook-up rate. These lures are tank tested and tuned to ensure you get the best action. There are 3 models available: the Slick Back 50 (50mm with a 4m+ diving depth), Slick Back 80 (80mm with 6m diving depth) and Slick Back 100 (100mm with an 8m+ diving depth). Price: from RRP $10.95 for the 50mm model www.wilsonfishing.com

TIAGRA ULTRA LINE

Game fishers demand a lot from their lines, as do the fish they chase, so they’ll be extremely pleased with Shimano’s new Tiagra Ultra game fishing line. A light blue in colour, Tiagra Ultra is easy to see above the water, but harder to see under the water. This makes it great for bait fishing when cubing for sharp-eyed albacore, yellowfin and bluefin tuna. The line has low stretch, is IGFA rated and is available in 8, 10, 15, 24 and 37kg breaking strains on 1000m spools. It is also quite thin in comparison to other brands. This means you can squeeze a bit more on a reel spool, and it’s also less affected by water pressure when a hot runner gets a lot of line out in a hurry. Price: from approx. $45 www.shimanofish.com.au

Please send contributions to: The Editor, Fishing Monthly Group PO BOX 3172 LOGANHOLME, QLD. 4129

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FEATURE PRODUCT Improved FireLines from Berkley Smoother than ever, right out of the package and tougher too is what you can expect from the recently released FireLine Tournament Exceed from Berkley. FireLine from Berkley has been a leader in the superline category for years. FireLine was always smooth and now it is even smoother. FireLine was always tough and now it is even tougher. Just about every characteristic for the line is now improved. New FireLine, thermally fused with Dyneema, performs best on spinning tackle with longer casts, up to 17% longer, and it is quieter through the guides due to the new smoother coating formula. The smooth finish is noticeable right out of the package and combined with the line’s thin diameter FireLine allows lures to dive deeper, getting the lure where the fish are. The abrasion resistance is improved resulting in less fraying. It also has 3% greater strength retention after wear; standing up to rocks, timber and even mussels and oysters better. With FireLine anglers can cast farther in open water to reach those sensitive fish or present the lure into the thickest cover knowing the line will hold up. These are all great advantages for flats fishers and those chasing tough quarry in tight cover. With the new FireLine anglers discover improved casting with more accuracy and smoother handling. The line also has better colour retention. The colour retention is vital in allowing the user to see those subtle bites that register as no more than a little ‘tick’ on the line. Seeing is believing in this case, and the more you can see, the more you’ll believe.

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FEATURE PRODUCT Rigrap – Fishing rig storage systems

I spend a lot of time preparing for a fishing trip to ensure that when I’m fishing, I spend the maximum amount of time with my bait or lure in the water. Much of this preparation is ensuring that I have ample back up of any rigs I may need, to replace a set up after the big one has got away or if my casting accuracy wasn’t quite up to scratch. This prep work can become null and void when the rigs you have tied or purchased end up in a tangled mess on the bottom of your tackle box. Rigrap tackle cases from Tacspo are a very simple and effective way to avoid this. Available in six sizes, you can store everything from your Sabiki bait rigs to you large offshore set ups knowing that the next time you go to use them, you will only be moments away from fishing. The larger models also offer the ability to store multiple rigs separately in one box - great if you want to use different breaking strain lines or have different hook styles for the same type of fishing. It is simply a matter of choosing the

correct size case for your rig, opening the case, winding the rig around the slotted spool (using the slots to hold any hooks, swivels in the centre of the spool), closing it and locking it in place using the locking clasp. Your rig is secure, can easily be identified and ready for use when required. The benefits don’t stop there. They store easily in your tackle box, protect your rigs, can be stored in a tackle vest, protect your fingers from loose hooks, they float and most importantly your used rigs can be stored ready to be used again. The added benefit for the saltwater angler is that the cases have drainage holes allowing you to rinse and dry everything in the case, after you have been fishing. If you want to remove the frustration of having to untangle your premade or purchased rigs, avoid finding those same rigs rusted or caught in every nook and cranny in your tackle box, I believe these cases are a great solution. – Peter Jung Price: from $7.95 www.rigrapoline.com

TESTED:

Bassman’s Yellaman Spinnerbaits – more than just goldens I have been fishing spinnerbaits a bit lately, something I wouldn’t normally do as I am really average at using them. The spinnerbait of choice has been the Bassman Yellaman, a compact little spinnerbait designed for golden perch but which is certainly suitable for other species like bass, cod and saratoga. The Yellaman comes in 2 weights (3/8oz and 1/2oz) and has been designed around the popular Carl’s Compact series from Bassman. This means the Yellaman is a compact spinnerbait that doesn’t have a large profile like those spinnerbaits designed exclusively for cod. The blade configuration sees a gold mag-willow blade teamed up with a silver Colorado blade. This combination has been shown over the years to be very attractive to golden perch in other spinnerbaits, so it seemed sensible to incorporate this feature into a spinnerbait designed for goldens. Colour-wise, designer Glen Casey has incorporated the requests of the best anglers into the range. The basic range sees 10 colours, from attractor colours through to more natural shades. To add spice, Bassman has also built in a pre-rigged stinger hook loaded up with a small paddle-tailed plastic that is colour matched to the head and skirt colours. Many anglers believe the trailer plastic is an important contributing factor to the success of a native fish spinnerbait. I’m not so convinced that a trailer is essential, but I don’t see it as a deterrent to fish either. However, I do think that the stinger hook is essential, and wrapping that stinger hook in a plastic is a good way to hide the hook. I

have caught good fish with the plastic attached, but I have also had good success without it – after some angry Brisbane River bass ripped the plastic off one of my lures. The first time I used these lures in the field was while chasing bass in the Brisbane River. I used a bright fire tiger pattern and a more subtle purple pattern over the course of the day. The fire tiger pattern was first up and it caught 3 bass fished off a threadline outfit. After this initial success I changed to the purple spinnerbait fished on a baitcasting outfit and landed a further 6 fish for the day. This was all river work, casting towards

snags and laydowns and using the current to my advantage. I found the lures were easy to cast (fire tiger was 3/8oz and the purple was 1/2oz) and simple to fish. There was the odd foul-up on the cast where the spinnerbait spun on the cast, but with blades, skirts and trailers all making this a not so aerodynamic casting lure, you

would expect some fouling. In the water the lures swam true and handled a bit of pace before rolling over onto their sides. I made most of my casts tight to structure, allowed the lure to sink a metre or so and then retrieved it slowly back to the kayak. The Yellaman spinnerbaits were perfect for this work. The blades bit easily and once they were spinning you could really slow the lure down and keep the blades ticking over. While I didn’t get the chance to test the running depths (the Brissie River section we fished was generally shallow), all spinnerbaits can be fished at virtually any depth so the point

is probably a bit moot. Just let it sink a little longer if you need more depth or you can wind a little slower – easy! The next trip out for the Yellaman was chasing saratoga at Borumba Dam. This was stillwater casting to structure where the idea was to keep the lure up high as saratoga generally feed close to the surface. Casting

to sticks and trees was great fun and the Yellaman walked over a lot of snags easily. The first toga to smash the purple Yellaman took me totally by surprise, but I was one happy camper as the fish came from one of those casts where you say, “That has to get a bite!” And it did. Needless to say I am pretty impressed by the Yellaman spinnerbaits from Bassman and I can hardly wait to actually chuck them at some golden perch – the intended quarry. Yellamans retail for around $15 and are widely available at all Bassman stockists. To find your nearest stockist log onto the Bassman website at www. bassmanspinnerbaits.com.au or look them up on Facebook. Trust me, if I can catch fish on them they have to be good because I am a very average spinnerbait fisher. – Stephen Booth

Please send contributions to: The Editor, Fishing Monthly Group PO BOX 3172 LOGANHOLME, QLD. 4129

Quality whiting this month BALLINA

Tristan Sloan

December and January are traditionally the months when I set my sights on the small black marlin that follow the warm water down the coast. This last month has been a real hit-and-miss affair when it comes to offshore fishing. On some days the current has been running a warm 24ºC with plenty of bait and associated pelagics, while on other days it has been cold and lifeless. On the good days anglers have had a chance to tangle with marlin, wahoo and mahi mahi either trolling

live baits or skirts and hardbodies such as Halco Laser Pros (surprisingly these are actually a great marlin lure when retrofitted with single hooks). Off Ballina the 32 and 42 fathom reefs are the place to be, as the inshore reefs haven’t received enough of that warm water to make them a viable fishing proposition yet. So far this year we have had several strikes but we just can’t seem to get a hook to stick in those hard bony marlin mouths. With a bit of luck this situation will change and I will have a some photos to show readers next month. In between trolling we have been amusing ourselves catching the small

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mahi mahi (dolphinfish) and rat kingfish that have taken up residence on the FAD off Ballina. The usual suspects of snapper and teraglin have also been turning up for the bottom bouncers and we have often marked some good schools of these fish on the sounder in mid water while trolling around bait schools. BEACH AND ROCK Due to the cold water lingering in close, the traditional summer species of whiting and dart are yet to make a solid showing off the beaches. This also applies to one of my favourite summer activities, spinning off the rocks for giant trevally. While we don’t get barn door sized GTs around here, there are enough numbers of this hard-pulling sportfish averaging 3-4kg and up to around 8kg to make them an exciting proposition on 6kg spinning gear. I use a 9’ Shimano Shore Spin and one of the new Penn Spinfishers 4500 filled with 20lb braid. If you’re keen to do a bit of this style of fishing, the recipe for success involves spinning the local rocky headlands and pulling a variety of

metal and surface lures through the white water. The tide doesn’t seem to make a huge amount of difference; rather it’s all about the change of light, warm water and baitfish. GTs love to ambush baitfish from under the whitewater and you will often catch bonito, tailor and small mulloway (school jewfish) as well. When the water warms up in the coming months and the inshore run of garfish begins you may be unlucky (or lucky) enough to hook a longtail tuna and you will need every metre of line to land one of these speedsters. The rocks around Cape Byron, the Iron Peg at Skennars Head and Lennox Point are some of my favourite spots for throwing metals. ESTUARY While the water off the rocks and beaches remains a chilly 22ºC, the same can’t be said for the estuaries. The cold water is pushing into the lower reaches and making the fishing a bit slower than normal, but on a recent mission in the Richmond River up to the sand flats around Pimlico Island I was amazed to see it was 26ºC. This is certainly good news for estuary anglers and those prepared to get up early and fish the big morning tides pushing up the river. Most anglers fishing poppers or baits of pink nippers having been suitably rewarded with excellent catches of whiting mixed in with bream and flathead. If you’re in the mood

There are plenty of tasty whiting in the Richmond River. This one took a lure meant for school mulloway. smart enough to drop a few crab traps amongst the mangroves on the way to your fishing spot you should be in line for a scrumptious seafood lunch later in the day. When not out chasing marlin or whiting, I have been devoting quite a bit of time to chasing the local mangrove jacks. The Richmond River holds quite a good population of these fish, though the Brunswick is arguably the best jack fishing river around here. Over the years I have experienced some monumental bricking while fishing the Boat Harbour there; I vividly remember live baiting there one night and not even being able to stop fish on 50lb braid and 80lb leader. Locally in the Richmond River I spend quite a bit of time spinning and trolling the rock bars of Emigrant Creek. I tend to use hardbodies predominately as I believe the constant contact with the lure gives me a split second more

An example of the rig used to live bait for mackerel this month. for a monster flathead, I’ll share a trick with you that I learnt years ago from a canny old whiting fisherman. Simply put the first legal whiting you catch straight back out with a 4/0 in its back and keep fishing for whiting with another rod. If a big flathead doesn’t take your whiting you’ll still be able to have whiting for dinner! As well as good whiting numbers, there has been an abundance of mud crabs lately. If you’re 70

FEBRUARY 2014

warning and control before I get driven into the snags by a rampaging jack. Any type of deep diving barra-style lure that can bang the bottom in 2.5m-3m of water will catch jacks. Personally, I prefer using Mad Mullets and Jackall Squirrels. Using 30lb braid and 60lb leader on an outfit that has a drag of at least 5kg will give you fighting chance. THE MONTH AHEAD February will see all the traditional summer species

still hanging around in the estuaries, and with a bit of rain (though not too much!) we should finally start to see the bass fishing improve above Lismore. Once that warm water pushes in close to the beaches the whiting will make their presence felt. South Ballina Beach is without a doubt the best local beach to catch some elbow-slapper whiting and I firmly believe that this is due to the abundance of beachworms. If you’re like me and struggle to catch more than a few beachworms I suggest you arrive at low tide near your chosen fishing spot to give you enough time to catch some bait before the tide starts to rise. If you fail miserably at least you can do the ‘Pipi Shuffle’ and collect enough pipis for the session. While they’re not as good as beachworms they are still great bait. The first week of February is traditionally when the locals start to dust off their mackerel gear. The shallow reefs at Lennox Point, Black Head and the Riodan Shoals will all produce fish, providing the water is warm and running from the North. This should bring the slimy mackerel that these predators seem to crave above all other baitfish. While trolling lures and dead baits does work, the most effective technique used by most locals is to anchor up over a prominent pinnacle and to fish live baits a few meters under a balloon in a sparse berley trail of pilchards and tuna oil. Most people rig their live bait on a stinger rig consisting of a short (30cm) length of 42lb single-strand wire attached to 4/0 octopus hook and a 3/0 treble. Remember to arrive at your chosen fishing location as early as possible to secure enough live bait for the session, and adjust your bait to sit deeper in the water column as the sun rises. This will ensure more strikes from these light-sensitive fish.

Calm after the chaos THE CLARENCE

Ben Pilch bjpcdh@gmail.com

January is usually pretty busy in Iluka, as it’s smack bang in the middle of the holidays. With the increase in recreational

boat traffic through the day, early starts have been essential to get some peace and quiet at your favourite shallow water spot. But February should see things calm down somewhat. There has been plenty of quality eating flatties,

There are still some nice snapper out and about.

with most people throwing around any soft plastics that have a bit of white or yellow in it or a blade. The machete blades have been working a treat of late with their shiny chrome flashy finish, triggering very aggressive takes. If bait is more your style, drifting the weed beds with sandy drop-offs in places like the North Arm, Goodwood Island and Oyster Channel using white bait with a set of small gang hooks will still see you get among a few flatties. These same spots can also be great spots to chase a couple of whiting with fresh yabbies or live worms. The beach fishing will start to heat up at this time of year. The main summer species running along our beaches are whiting, dart, tarwhine and flathead. One of my favourite things to do is go for a quick drive up the beach with the plastic rod and hit a few gutters chasing some flatties, it is such a nice easy way to pass a sunny afternoon away. The key is to keep moving, don’t just stay in one gutter and flog it to death, work it over and

February has some great beach fishing with decent bream like this on offer. move on to the next one, hunt out the fish don’t just sit there and hope the fish will find you. The same applies to bait fishing. So many times I have talked to people back at the cleaning table that didn’t do that great. I ask where they fished and they sat in the same gutter for three hours and caught hardly anything. If you’re not getting fish, move and find them.

On the rocks there have been some good size tarwhine and bream on cunje and pipis. There have still been quite a few school mulloway around with baits like strip squid and beach worms doing very well. If you’re looking for a bit more size hardbody lures like the locally made Croaker Lures, Jewie Jewels in colour shadow have been doing better than most of late in pulling a bit

better quality fish. Up in the hills, the bass should be firing, with early morning and late afternoon best for surface bites. In the morning, work your lure a bit slower to see more bites, as the water hasn’t warmed up yet until the sun comes up. You will have to put in better casts closer to the structure with a sub-surface offering, like a spinnerbait or diving lure, to draw bites.

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FEBRUARY 2014

30/12/13 1:29 PM

Keeping your cool FMG

Stephen Booth sbooth@fishingmonthly.com.au

Whether you’re on your annual pilgrimage or just heading out for the day, keeping things like drinks, food and your catch cold are important considerations. I have traditionally grabbed a bag of party ice and dumped it over my drinks in the cool box, then used the same box to keep the catch, but is this good enough? There is a right way and a right type of ice for different situations, plus there is the modern version of plugging in a portable fridge/freezer

to consider. To find out what the best options and the best methods are for different situations we took the time to chat to Tony Mee from Ithaca Iceworks, a company that produces a variety of ice products for different purposes. Let’s take a look at some common fishing, camping and boating situations and solve the icy issues. KEEPING THE CATCH The first step to keeping your catch fresh is actually in the treatment of the fish on capture. To achieve the very best results for the table you have to ensure that the fish is killed quickly and humanely and then placed in an appropriate storage device

A fish bag that is filled with party ice is a bare minimum for keeping your catch in the best condition possible.

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that keeps the fish fresh and slows or halts the breakdown of the flesh and the flourishing of bacteria. So what is the best way to despatch a fish? There are two ways that are currently considered the ‘best’ ways to despatch fish. The first is with a sharp knock to the brain with a priest or fish bat. This kills the fish’s brain instantly. The other way is with an iki jime spike, essentially a brain spike that again kills the fish instantly. By killing the fish instantly you stop stress from building up in the fish and a general toughening of the flesh. After the despatching of the fish, the flesh needs to be cooled, and quickly. The best option is an ice slurry as the water and ice mix completely wraps around the fish and cools it very quickly. However this is not always available so packing them in party ice comes a close second. It’s also important, if you can’t chill the fish quickly, to remove internal organs as they quickly deteriorate and spoil the flesh. In fact any time you are legally allowed to remove the internals, do so at your earliest convenience as most of the problems start in this area.

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days without some ice in a cool box and/or fish bag. The simplest way to deal with a day trip is to prepare two cool boxes, or a cool box and a fish bag. Tony suggested that anglers should avoid cooling down food and drinks in a container used for keeping fish as the possibility of cross contamination is real. So let’s assume we are taking a cool box and a fish bag. The best ice in this situation is party ice as it has a list of advantages that make it ideal. Firstly it will cool your drinks quickly as

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A quick summary: despatch humanely immediately, remove internal organs and chill as quickly as possible. Then all you need do is enjoy some of the best fish in the world that you have caught. DAY TRIPPING Most day trips involve keeping drinks and food cool, while also requiring your catch to be cooled down to preserve its eating qualities. Most go without ice, however adding it to your day’s list of things to remember will make everything just that little better. I rarely go out fishing these

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Techniice Australia has just released their long awaited 2014 Re-Usable dry ice packs. The new 2014 model features a new micro perforation technology that enables the product to hydrate faster and easier than ever before, and is powered by a new FDA approved polymer, which not only

you can literally wrap your drinks in party ice. Basically more ice surface is touching the drinks and therefore it cools quicker. Party ice is also great in the fish bag or bin as it creates the perfect ice slurry (a mix of saltwater and ice) or can be placed inside the gut cavity of kept fish and wrapped all around the fish to cool it quickly. In summary, day-trippers should look to be using 2 storage devices (an esky or a smaller powered fridge for food) and party ice (keeping fish in the best condition) for ideal results.

outperforms previous polymers, but does it without any of the slippery residue normally associated with partially hydrated commercial ice packs. The 2014 model Techniice Reusable Dry Ice Packs are still manufactured in Australia and live up to the company’s motto ‘Coldest Longest’ and are powered by the latest cross linked post treated, active P.A.P., food-grade, non-toxic polymer, and one of the few ice packs in the world to carry full F.D.A. approval. Price: 3 pack $24.95 www.techniice.com

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Developing the Signature Series has been one of the most ambitious projects the Techniice Company has undertaken since the company was established. The plan was to celebrate the company’s 30th birthday with an ice box that can keep ice longer than any other production ice box in the world, size for size. After a 3 year research and development phase, Techniice presented their Techniice Signature Series icebox to the world. Having recently won New Zealand and Australia’s leading consumer testing organisation’s No. 1 ice keeping award, it is now on its way to America where it has already caused a storm of excitement as it takes on America’s best. The Techniice Signature Series is a genuine game changer which can outperform fibreglass iceboxes and have the robustness of poly ice boxes. The range includes sizes from 35 litres through to 125 litres and even the smallest has 7cm thick walls! They certainly live up to Techniice’s ‘Coldest Longest’ motto.. Price: 35L $159 www.techniice.com

WEEKEND CAMPING The traditional Aussie weekend camping trip is a great institution and a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Being that these trips generally take in 2 nights and 2 full days, the need to keep things cold becomes even more important than on a day trip. Depending on the size of the crew, food requirements are magnified and keeping steak, chicken, pork, ham and other meats cold is essential. The same applies for products like milk, butter/margarine, yogurt and other perishables. All of these products do not take long to spoil and no one wants to get seriously ill from eating dodgy food.

Then you add to the above the need to keep caught fish cool until you can get them home and the ice requirements take on a very important part of any trip planning. Again this leads to 2 storage devices. There are two effective ways to keep things cool over a weekend. The first is to use block ice and layer the bottom of the cool bin with it, then place party ice on top of that. The party ice allows things to be cooled quickly, while the block ice keeps things cool for longer. Both storage devices would do well with this style of set up. For a more effective method it is suggested that you use dry ice on the bottom of the esky, then party ice still

Party ice is perfect for making an ice slurry – the ideal method of keeping your catch in tip top condition on a day trip.

in its bag, and then put your food/drinks on top of that. This method will allow you to keep everything, including the party ice, pretty well solid until it’s time to go home. The beauty of this system is that a 5kg dry ice block will last for around 48 hours, and the excess party ice can be transferred over to your fish bag if you’re lucky enough to catch a fish or two to take home – brilliant system! WEEK LONG FISHING TOUR In Australia, especially in our northern or inland regions, a week-long trip presents all sorts of perishable food problems. While a weekend trip will need careful planning, a week-long trip is 3-4 times longer and requires at least double the thought and planning to pull it off successfully. Sure we can all eat out of cans and use powdered milk, but seriously, who really wants to unless you have to? Luckily there are strategies to maintain a cool food supply and even store fish properly. At the heart of the system is the use of dry ice. Dry ice in 10kg blocks will last around 4 days in a modern cool box. If your main cool box is packed with dry ice on the bottom, then frozen foods (in their own airtight containers), then party ice, then drinks and perishables, you will find your cool box maintains itself for a long time. As the dry ice evaporates

off, the party ice (which was kept frozen by the -78ºC dry ice) takes over the cooling job. Another option is to take several cool boxes for food and a further cool box for fish to take home. The preparation of the two food cool boxes will allow for a camp of 5 days to operate without fear of food spoiling and still allow you to take home a fish or two for a feed as the party ice can be used in the fish box when needed. FRIDGE/FREEZERS These days many anglers make use of portable fridges that have an ability to also act as a freezer. Clearly this is one of the best ways to deal with keeping food, drinks and your catch cold, but they do have limitations. I am a big fan of a portable fridge for keeping food cool when and if I have the space. By this I mean most of these units are reasonably large (especially if you are talking a week-long sojourn) and you will need some way to power them. I have tried several different forms of power supply and all work; it’s simply a matter of how much hardware you want to take away. Car-based camping is ideal for a portable fridge. You can plug it into the car and it can all be as simple as that (assuming your car’s battery set up is capable of course).

A powered fridge/freezer is a wonderful option for car-based camping. This 80L Engel was ideal for a week long trip along the Murray, ably powered by solar panels keeping the charge in the 120Ah battery I was using for power. Other options include gas powered fridges, offsite power from batteries and generators and the growing trend to keep everything running with the aid of solar power, either by direct feed (a little unreliable!) or by keeping the power feed batteries charged. The advantages of a fridge/freezer are obvious. No water, no mess and everything kept at the perfect temperature. The disadvantages include space, hardware and convenience. From day trips, through to weekenders and to the yearly week away with mates or the family, a portable fridge is a fantastic option and one that may just be the best option for you. It is my preferred

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option when I can manage the logistics of it as it’s just like being at home. GET COOL Hopefully the above information will help you to choose the right cooling options for your needs and ensure your food and fish are kept in the best possible condition, regardless of your trip details. Good luck keeping your cool over Easter. • This article was written with the help of Tony Mee from Ithaca Iceworks. Thanks again to the team at Ithaca Iceworks for their help with some information. Contact them on 07 3348 7855 or visit their store at 121 Gosport St, Hemmant for all your ice needs.

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The new IceKool Buddy is a drink dispenser, icebox, wine cooler, lunch box and seat in one. It has a 17L capacity and can hold ice for 3-4 days. This multi-use drink dispenser/icebox is made of tough, fully insulated polyethylene which is UV resistant and won’t rust or corrode. The Buddy is lightweight at only 3.7kg, and it’s easy to carry with handles and a shoulder strap. It has a user-friendly tap and an easy to pack square shape. It’s tall enough to stand wine or 2L soft drink bottles. The standard colour is blue, but other colours are available on request (minimum order quantities apply for other colours). The external dimensions are 410mm (H), 275mm (L) and 380mm (W), and it comes with a 5-year warranty for peace of mind. Price: RRP $99 www.evakool.com

Techniice Cooler bags

Another product from Techniice are these Techniice soft cooler bags. Anyone who has used regular cooler bags would know they generally have very thin walls and thin lids and are not all that great at keeping things cold. This new cooler bag from Techniice has addressed all that and actually has a very thick lid, and very thick walls, which are far more durable enabling them to keep ice much longer than regular cooler bags. They also have a pocket on the inside of the lid so you can cut up one of the Techniice

FEBRUARY 2014

Reusable Dry icepacks to keep your food and drinks colder. Techniice cooler bags come with an adjustable carry strap and carry handle. On the bottom, they have a protective base and rubber feet. It’s a great cooler bag if someone wants to get a cooler bag that actually works. Price: 5L $15 www.techniice.com

6 Techniice

Portable Fridge Freezers

The Techniice portable car fridge freezers are built with an Italian designed Domus compressor, engineered for high efficiency. These car fridge freezers are covered by a 2 Year warranty with a nationalised service network. Available in three sizes, 30L, 45L and 60L these fridge/freezers are fully insulated with high density PU insulation, in addition to which you will get a an insulated cover. The fridge/ freezers are able to run off 12v or 24v for use in cars, trucks and 4WDs as well as for boating requirements. In addition to this, you also get a 240v mains power adaptor. This is great for when you have reached your destination and would like to keep everything in your fridge cold or frozen without running the vehicle battery down. A feature of these fridges are their power management facilities. The start-up of the fridge is withheld by 3 minutes preventing surges and overloads. Once up and running, the 3-stage battery protection assures you your vehicle battery won’t run dry. Standout features such as tamperproof controls and full digital memory function add to the value on offer. Price: 30L $449 www.techniice.com

5 6

Zerek Tango Shad 40mm 2.5g

HT SLIG ING AT FLO

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AVAILABLE IN 40MM 2.5G, 50MM 4G AVAILABLE IN 2 LENGTHS, 40MM & 50MM THE TANGO SHAD IS CAPABLE OF DIVING TO 2M AND HAS A TIGHT WIGGLE ACTION. GREAT BUOYANCY ENSURES MINIMUM SNAGS. INCORPORATING PAUSES WHEN WORKING THE LURE ALLOWS THE BAIT TO RISE QUICKLY EMULATING THE ACTION OF STRUGGLING BAITFISH AND ATTRACTS NEARBY PREDATORS.

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6 Locking clips on edges for secure tie down

Masses of mahi mahi CALOUNDRA

Rob Smith

The juvenile blacks have finally hit town and everyone is rejoicing. If you venture further out you’ll find that blues are still on the shelf and some little blacks and the odd striped marlin are with them. This year has seen a massive run of mahi mahi, far more than we normally get. There was no run of early ones in October like some years, but by mid-November, out in the cobalt blue water, they were about in droves. Two tournaments were conducted during this period. Ross McCubbin skippering his 34’ Black

37 boat field Gold Coast Tournament. Ross and crew of Elliot along with his charter of Dave McCallum and mates went 11-10-9 over the 3 days. One fish lost was a good black but they did get the tag into a nice striped marlin around the 100kg mark. That is the problem with fishing the Spot X area of the Gold Coast – in those depths, one minute you’re tagging a 15kg black marlin and the next you’re fighting a 70kg specimen which really makes you work on 8kg breaking strain line. Matt and John Stehman’s Hydrofield Murphy’s Law won the small boat category and came third overall which was a good effort. Bribie Island postponed

This striped marlin couldn’t resist a Wright lure. Watch charter boat Lucky Strike, owned by Mark Moreland, gave everyone a fishing lesson during the

their tournament from the first weekend of January to the same weekend as the Gold Coast comp. A

few fish were tagged there, mostly from the trench. That weekend saw the fish fire for anglers on the Sunshine Coast. Reel Capture kept up their form from last year with 4 fish tagged followed by Jubilado on 3 on the Saturday. A host of boats tagged 2 that weekend, including One Way, Reel Hunter, Luna, Bring It On, Misty, Compromise and Double Haul, the 4.45m Haines Hunter with the Lamarees aboard who were 2 from 6. A host of us were on 1 each including Ruff N Tuff, Walk The Line, Fish Fingers, Filthy, Dragon Lady and Reel Action. The weekend before that was a better one for the MGFC with Big Wave Dave, Tim Starling’s Barcrusher going 4 from 7 on the Sunday live baiting and trolling, then Luna went 5 from 7 on the troll on the Monday. During the Christmas holidays Matt Wallace’s Fish Whisperer was seeing 3 a day on average at the shelf, he was just having trouble keeping the hooks in. Around the same time a couple of SCGFC boats were getting the odd sail, Double Trouble and White Horse amongst them, and Reel Capture got the monkey off their back for a bit of a quiet spell with a black marlin for Brent Higgins. At the Gold Coast it was more heavy tackle action than light. Their green water hung in for longer and further out. There was a mix of species with blues, blacks and stripes all

WE MAKE A BOAT TO SUIT YOU

This big mahi mahi was caught out wide off the Cape. It tipped the scales at 24.4kg. being encountered as soon as their boats hit the blue water around Spot X or slightly wider. One weekend read like this for their boats: Num Nuts went out light tackle, 3-1-1 on little blacks, Vince on Barco 6-4-0 heavy, Murphy’s Law 6-4-0, Ross on Lucky Strike 2-2-0, Matt Caelli on Jugs 5-3-3, Chris Thirkettle’s Kevlacat 2400 Viking 6-2-0, Glen Whitehead’s Boston Whaler 1-1-1, Ryan Goding’s Trophy God’s Hands 1-1-1 and Barry Alty’s custom Mistress 3-2-1. The big talk from there just before that action was the 896lb blue marlin that Barco caught on 60kg chair tackle and died on them after a 4 hour fight. It was not claimed as a Queensland record but a super impressive fish all the same. A grander blue is

due for Australia soon! That same weekend off of Cape Moreton Liquid Assets, Peter Distel’s Riviera went 12-6-2 then on the Sunday Dave Trask and his 51’ Riviera Big Business went 11-5-4, comprising 3 blue marlin and 1 mahi mahi. Around that same time I snuck out myself over 3 days out wide off the Cape in around 150m for 3 from 5 on billfish 2 of the days. The first day we got a 24.4kg mahi mahi, a 13.8kg yellowfin tuna as well as a couple of other smaller fish of the same

variety and missed a blue that hit the teaser. Another day fishing with Peter Wright of Wright Lures we got a blue on 24kg on a Pakula then a stripy on one of his lures. The next day we had a shot at a grand slam missing a stripy early, jumping a blue off then getting a 50kg black on 37kg gear. We got the slam but over 2 days instead. Give me a call at Smithy’s Fishing Charters on 0407 574 868 or check out my website (www. smithysfishing.com.au) to get out there and get into some action!

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FEBRUARY 2014

Nicholas Willet was very happy with this 62cm flathead caught in the North Pine River. Nicholas caught the fish on a Zerek 3.5” live shrimp retro-fitted with a 3/8oz PML jighead.

Cooking with jamo

Smoked salmon and apple salad with blue cheese COOKING

Jamison Godfrey

There are many varieties of pre-sliced smoked Tasmanian salmon available state wide, but I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go past Mures. It is really good quality, definitely not frozen, which is a sin from where I stand. Make sure that you have some fresh new season green apples that are not as sweet and a nice medium strength blue cheese to really make this dish stand out.

METHOD 1. Cut 6 discs of smoked salmon and put aside. 2. Core the apple and INGREDIENTS 8-9cm cookie cutter and a mandolin for slicing apples Pre sliced smoked salmon Green apples Blue cheese Walnuts Borage flowers Sprigs of fennel Prepared horseradish Cream Lemon juice ( fresh )

cut 6 even slices of apple on the mandolin and put aside. 3. Mix equal quantities of horseradish and cream together, put a squeeze of lemon juice in and combine. 4. To build the salad, stack the apple and smoked salmon together to form a small tower and place in the middle of your plate. 5. Spoon some horseradish dressing around the plate and then with your fingers crumble some blue cheese around, now place the other ingredients on the plate and serve.

Freshly opened walnuts.

Slice the apple on the mandolin for even pieces.

Core the apple. Make sure itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not too sweet.

Use only premium smoked salmon, not one that has been frozen.

Perfectly presented and delicious.

FEBRUARY 2014

ABT Calendar 2014 ABT takes the success of its past and merges it with its desires for the future to launch the most dynamic and advanced tournament circuit Australia has to offer. Grounded, influential, ever-changing and industry leading, ABT delivers plenty of angler opportunities that opens doors, creates pathways, and leads to personal, professional and industry benefits. Applying this proven and successful ethos and adding a less-is-more approach in 2014, ABT is adopting a quality over quantity approach, with a reduction in the number of events. This will enable bigger and better tournaments to be created. 2014 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE While the exact dates for all the 2014 events is still being finalised we have a draft schedule and dates for many of our events. Below is what we have scheduled for the year. BREAM SERIES 4 x qualifying rounds (Sydney Harbour 15-16 March, Mallacoota 17-18 May, Clarence River 26-27 July and Gold Coast 27-28 September) 1 x BREAM Grand Final (Hawkesbury River 14-16 November) 1 x BREAM Classic Championship (Sydney Harbour 11-12 November) 1 x Queensland BREAM Open (QLD – TBA) • Entry Fee: $250 boaters, $125 non-boaters, with 70% payback • All events to be livestreamed, and double page post event write-up in FMG publications • Angler of the Year: best 3-from-3 events • GF Qualification: top four from each event (12) plus top 28 from AOY

BREAM CLASSIC SERIES Multiple events run under the ABT umbrella. Season ends with the ABT run BREAM Classic Open, which is open to all competitors regardless of whether they have fished an ABT affiliated series. Calendar and details to be released soon. BASS PRO SERIES ABT and B.A.S.S. Australia Nation are proud to announce one of the biggest developments in tournament bass fishing in Australia for many years. Tournament season 2014 will see the two parties join forces to run Australia’s largest and most comprehensive collection of bass tournaments, a relationship that will see tournament bassers with more tournaments and opportunities than ever before. Combined they will make the ABT/B.A.S.S. Australia Nation 2014 season the biggest

joint Grand Final scheduled to be the icing on the bass fishing cake. The pathway to AFC Outdoors will be via an AFC Points Race of the two ABT rounds, while the winner of the Grand Final will be heading stateside to fish the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship event in October. The Angler of the Year remains one of the most coveted titles on offer and will be awarded to the angler with the best four points tally from the six events held throughout the year. So get practicing, get rigging and get ready for bass season 2014! 2 x Toray BASS Pro Qualifiers (Glenbawn 8-9 March, Boondooma 5-6 July) 1 x BASS Grand Final (TBA 13-14 September) 1 x BASS Megabucks (Somerset 16-17 September) 4 x BASS Nation events

total from 2 x ABT BASS Pro Qualifiers (the winner will get into AFC) • GF Qualification: will be a combined ABT and BASS Nation Grand Final. Will feature top two from each ABT BASS Pro and BASS Nation event (12), plus top 18 from AOY, making it a 30 boat Grand Final. BASS ELECTRIC SERIES 10 x BASS Electric Qualifiers (NSW and QLD)

BREAM EVENTS BREAM qualifier................................. 15-16 March................. Sydney Harbour BREAM qualifier................................. 17-18 May..................... Mallacoota BREAM qualifier................................. 26-27 July..................... Clarence River BREAM qualifier................................. 27-28 September.......... Gold Coast BREAM Grand Final........................... 14-16 November........... Hawkesbury River BREAM Classic Championship.......... 11-12 November............ Sydney Harbour Queensland BREAM Open................. TBA............................... QLD and best ever. AFC Outdoors qualification (via ABT events) and qualification (via the B.A.S.S. Australia Nation events) to fish the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship event in the USA and potentially qualify for the biggest bass tournament in the world, the BASSMASTER Classic, combined to make next year’s bass season the season to beat. Two Toray BASS Pro events, and four B.A.S.S. Australia Nation events will make up the season, with a

(the events will not be run or organized by ABT, but will be run in conjunction with ABT) • ABT BASS Pro Entry Fee: $250 boaters, $125 non-boaters, with 70% payback • BASS Pro events to feature final day staged weigh-in, with streamed weigh-in when phone signal permits • Double page post event write-up in FMG publications • Angler of the Year: best four results from the 2 x ABT BASS Pro and 4 x BASS Nation events • AFC Points Race: combined

2 x BASS Electric Majors (QLD) 1 x BASS Electric Convention (QLD) • Entry Fee: $30 (single day event), $60 (two-day events), $100 BASS Electric Major • BASS Electric Majors to be run by ABT and to feature

staged weigh-in, increased prizes, ranking points and GF spots. • Post event write-up in FMG publications for BASS Electric Major events • GF Qualification: TBA • Calendar to be released soon BARRA TOUR 3 x BARRA Tour events • Calendar and series details to be released soon DAIWA-HOBIE KAYAK BREAM SERIES 4 x State Title events (SA, VIC, N.S.W and QLD) 3 x Worlds Qualifiers 5 x Qualifiers 1 x WA BREAM Kayak Round 2 x GTS events 1 x Grand Final • Entry Fee: $100 pre-entry or $140 on the day (2 day events) • Angler of the Year: The BREAM Kayak Angler of the Year will be awarded to the angler with the highest collation of points from their best five events at the end of the Qualifying events. • Qualification for the Grand Final will be done on a per round basis and will be as follows: State Qualifiers (4

spots), Regular Qualifiers (2), WORLDS qualifiers (2), WA Bream Kayak Grand Final (2), SBS Grand Final (2), GTS Kayak North Grand Final (2), 2013 Kayak BREAM Grand Final winner (1), 2013 BREAM Non Boater Grand Final winner (1) and Wild Cards as per ABT and Hobie (TBA) DAIWA HOBIE KAYAK BASS SERIES 4 x Qualifiers (N.S.W (2), VIC (1), QLD (1) 1 x Grand Final • Entry Fee: $50pre-entry or $90 on the day • Angler of the Year: The BASS Kayak Angler of the Year will be awarded to the angler with the highest collation of points from their best three events at the end of the Qualifying events. • GF Qualification: Qualification for the Grand Final will be done on a per round basis and will be as follows: Qualifiers (3 spots), 2013 Kayak Bass Grand Final winner (1), 2013 BASS Non Boater Grand Final winner (1) and Wild Cards as per ABT and Hobie (TBA).

BASS PRO SERIES Toray BASS Pro Qualifier................... 8-9 March.............................. Glenbawn Toray BASS Pro Qualifier................... 5-6 July.................................. Boondooma BASS Grand Final............................. 13-14 September................... TBA BASS Megabucks............................. 16-17 September................... Somerset BASS Nation (x4)............................... TBA........................................ TBA

TOURNAMENT CALENDAR 2014 DATE DETAILS

CONTACT

FEBRUARY

Feb 1-2

MTA Barra Summer League Rd 5 Teemburra

Geoff Newby 0430 344 485

Feb 1-2

ABBT X-Factor Australian Team Series Somerset

Russell Nowland 07 4167 8183

Feb 8-9

Boondooma Dam Yellowbelly Fishing Competition Boondooma Dam

Terry Allwood 0400 860 122

Feb 15-16

ABBT Basstastic Bass Fishing Qualifying Monduran Dam

Russell Nowland 07 4167 8183

MARCH

Mar 1-2

MTA Barra Summer League Rd 6 Teemburra

Geoff Newby 0430 344 485

Mar 1-2

ABBT Basstasstic Bass Qualifying Rd 1 Borumba Dam

Russell Nowland 07 4167 8183

Mar 2

Bluefin Boats BASS Electric Series Clarrie Hall Dam

ABT 07 3387 0888

For listings please email sbooth@fishingmonthly.com.au 78

FEBRUARY 2014

Annual VMR Hervey Bay Family Fishing comp The Annual VMR Hervey Bay Family Fishing Competition organised by the Hervey Bay Boat Club Fishing and Social Club Inc. will be held from Thursday, March 6 to Sunday, March 9 2014 at Dayman Park PRIZE MONEY $10,000 Cash $5,000 Super Draw $1,000 Daily Draw $1,000 for the best fish Hundreds of prizes

in Pulgul Street Urangan, Hervey Bay. Now in its 22nd year there are hundreds of prizes to be won and you don’t even have to catch a fish to be in the running for most of them. Many entrants don’t fish at all and simply go along to enjoy the atmosphere at the presentations, partake in the food and refreshments, perhaps win the $5,000 cash super draw, a computer, one of the hundreds of prizes in the lucky draws or the $1,000 cash

drawn every day sponsored by the Boat Club. There will be a licensed bar and the catering will be done again, by members of the Rotary Club of Hervey Bay Sunrise with plenty of hot food for everyone. Draws and presentation times are Thursday, Friday and Saturday 6pm to 8pm and Sunday noon to about 3pm. Entry fees are seniors $30 and juniors $10. Our judge and weigh master have decided to weigh

Moogerah Kids Clinic

Steve Franz and Emma Taylor holding a 47cm bass. On 3 November, 2013 the Maroon Moogerah Fish Management Association (MMFMA) ran the second stage of their annual Kids Fishing Clinic at Lake Moogerah. A total of 20 children aged 8-15 years were taken out on boats by Association President Steve Franz, Vice President Brian Prickett, Robert Lawrence and Laurie Wendt, for an hour at a time. These fishing clinics, held in 2 stages, have been run by the MMFMA for over 5 years. Last year’s was just as successful as ever, with 25 children attending the first stage of the clinic on 15 August at Haig Park, Lake Moogerah. The children were supplied with fishing rods and tackle for them to keep, and after a short talk on safety and fishing regulations they were split into 5 groups to learn the basics. This included learning how to rig up their rods, casting and baiting the hooks. They then went on to make some great catches in the recreation grounds down past the Moogerah Spillway. The second clinic gave the keen young anglers a chance to put their skills to the test in boats, hoping to catch some Australian bass and golden perch. They certainly weren’t disappointed, with Mr Prickett’s group catching 4 legal bass in just minutes. Not to be outdone, young

Emma Taylor reeled in an impressive 47cm bass aboard Steve Franz’s boat within seconds of casting her line. Steve brought his crew to shore and took in another boatload of excited young anglers. It was then that 5-year-old Maddie Spencer claimed the next trophy with the help of Freddie Schneider: another 47cm bass caught in almost the exact same place Emma had caught hers hours before. But more importantly, this was Maddie’s first fish. For Ms Suzanne Blaik, Secretary of the Association, it is the children’s joy and excitement that makes the day so worthwhile. “If you look at their little

Maddie Spencer with her first bass at 47cm. faces, their mouths are open and their eyes are staring intently. They’re focused, so totally focused,” Ms Blaik said. “And of course, there are too many kids indoors

these days so it’s good to have them outdoors.” Ms Blaik said the goal of the clinics was to see the next generation of anglers continue to take part in the sport. “The clinic is something that we came up with 6 years ago because we wanted people to keep fishing,” she explained. “It was no good continuing to put the fish in the dam without having future anglers to catch them.” While MMFMA does receive funding from the SIPS programme, this money is used only for stocking fish. To run the kids clinics, the association raises its own funds. The MMFMA plays a large role in the management of the local water catchments, and not only stocks fish, but works to improve the local fishing experience. Their latest project is to establish more signage around the dams regarding fish types, bag and size limits and so on. They also continue to run kids clinics and other educational programs. As the day wrapped up, the children and parents all helped themselves to the free sausage sizzle provided, while Jappy Lawrence provided information on how to keep and clean fish in top condition and how to release fish if desired. In spite of being hot and tired, each child stopped by the Association marquee to give their thanks to the volunteers. The MMFMA is very thankful to all the volunteers who contributed, as well as the Scenic Rim Council and Ben Mason and family for allowing use of AG Muller Park. They also wish to thank SEQ Water for allowing access to the dam. All are welcome to attend the MMFMA meetings every third Wednesday at 7pm in Simons Tavern, Boonah. - Sherry Harvey

both dead and live fish at the same time this year and weigh in will be open all day Friday and Saturday 8.30am to 6pm and Sunday 8.30am to noon. The live weigh-in will again be sponsored by Fishermans Corner Hervey Bay with eligible species being flathead, bream and whiting. Species of fish eligible for the dead weigh-in are whiting, blackall, bream, golden trevally and coral bream and also for the seniors and ‘any other species category’ (excluding

flathead, cod, Spanish mackerel, shark and ray). The entrant with the best fish over 5kg in the any other species category will receive $1,000 and there will be daily bonus prizes. This prize structure will encourage entrants with bigger boats to venture to the gutters and to waters off the Eastern side of Fraser Island after bigger, quality fish. There are heaps of tackle prizes and iceboxes to win for catching fish so enter the

comp, get out and catch one and be sure to weigh in a fish. This event has received financial assistance from the Fraser Coast Regional Council’s Community and Events Support Scheme and thanks to the excellent support and generosity of council and local business houses the competition has been a huge success each year. Entry forms are available at www.fishingcompherveybay. org.au. Enquiries phone 0407 663 578.

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VMR Hervey Bay Family Fishing Competition 2014

FISHING AND SOCIAL CLUB INC

March 6–9 Seniors $30 – Juniors $10 Dayman Park, Urangan

Lucky draws for hundreds of prizes!

$10,000 IN CASH TO WIN

• $5,000 Lucky Super Draw • $1,000 Lucky Draw Every Day • $1,000 For the Best Fish

JUNIORS LAPTOP COMPUTER GREAT FISHING PRIZES TO WIN IN THE DEAD AND LIVE WEIGH-INS • Water Snake Electric Motor • Heaps of Tackle and Ice Boxes Enq. 0407 663 578 - www.fishingcompherveybay.org.au FEBRUARY 2014

THE RECREATIONAL ANGLER’S LINK

What was – the flensing station at Tangalooma whaling station.

FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW AND THE NEXT DAY •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Every year hundreds of kids learn to fish on Moreton Island. With increasing population densities it is one of few remaining safe beaches for families to fish that is reasonably accessible from all of Brisbane and the surrounding regions. Records indicate that Moreton Island is 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

What can be – tourists and families fish the Tangalooma Beach. recreational fishing tourists will not only impact Moreton Island Ferries and local Moreton Island businesses but businesses throughout the greater catchment area. 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 sign the petition. We need you and your family to do so for the future of recreational fishing on Moreton Island for our children and theirs. Please support your local fishing community and sign our petition to remove commercial netting from Moreton Island. Either scan this QR code

or visit http://www. parliament.qld.gov. au/work-of-assembly/ petitions/e-petitions.

We need a significant show of support to demonstrate the importance of recreational fishing and the value to our community of recreational fishing tourism.

VALUE OF COMMERCIAL FISHING TO COMMUNITY ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Some of the key issues identified in 2 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 only stocked by 20% or less of outlets; • 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 $35, snapper fillets $31, scallops $49, flathead fillets $30, mud crabs $40, which makes them almost a luxury buy. The bottom line is that very little of the fish netted on the western beach of Moreton Island finds its way onto local tables.

www.sunfishqld.com.au

Very little of the fish netted on the western beach of Moreton Island finds its way onto local tables.

Email: judylynne@sunfishqld.com.au

Brisbane Tinnie and Tackle Show April 4-6 will see Brisbane’s RNA Showgrounds play host to the state’s biggest outdoors event, the Brisbane Tinnie and Tackle Show & National 4x4 and Outdoors Show, showcasing products from the most diverse range of exhibitors ever seen. “In its ninth year, the co-location of two of Queensland’s most popular shows, the Brisbane Tinnie and Tackle Show and the National 4x4 & Outdoors Show will be a

fantastic event and must for any outdoor enthusiast,” said Kiri Ngarotata, Brisbane Tinnie and Tackle Show Event Manager. The tantalising aroma of the Club Marine Cooking Stage will be a must-visit feature of the show. WHAT:.................. 2014 Brisbane Tinnie and Tackle Show & National 4x4 & Outdoors Show WHEN:................ 4 – 6 April 2014 WHERE: ............. RNA Showgrounds, Brisbane WEB:................... www.tinnieandtackle.com.au OR www.4x4show.com.au Bart Beek will be demonstrating his culinary cooking skills and visitors will have the chance to sample the finished product after his presentations, which will run hourly during each day of the event. The Fishing Expo Stage and Yamaha Supertank

will also return, while Paul Worsteling, renowned angler and host of television’s iFish program, is again the official ambassador of the Show. The hugely popular Kids Marine Zone will again be a drawcard feature of the event with a range of FREE activities for kids aged 2 to 12.

These interactive workshops are designed to entertain and educate tomorrow’s anglers. Kids will learn how tie knots, cast fishing rods and nets, pump for yabbies and identify different species of fish in touch and feel tanks. At the National 4x4 & Outdoors Show some of

the best known names in the industry will exhibit from categories including 4WD Vehicles and Accessories, ATV’s and dirt bikes, automotive accessories, safety and recovery gear, GPS and electronics, kayaks, camping equipment, tents and a vast array of camper trailers and off-road caravans. Visitors to the Shows can enjoy a free travel option provided for ticketholders only, with a free train loop service running between Brisbane’s Central, Roma Street, Fortitude Valley and Exhibition Grounds Stations across all three days. Additional information on the 2014 Brisbane Tinnie and Tackle Show and National 4x4 & Outdoors Show is available at www.tinnieandtackle.com.au or www.4x4show.com.au.

Does your boat have a Capacity Label? Selling your boat? It’s time to sell your boat. Circumstances may have changed or you’ve decided to upgrade to a bigger one. Now you have to decide which method you want to use to find your beloved boat a new home. With such a variety of options available to us now – online classifieds websites, dedicated boat sales websites, newspapers ads, marine brokers and consignment dealers, how do you know which offers you, as a seller, the most protection during the sales process? When selling privately you need to be aware that you may be opening yourself to a variety of risk. Often time you are dealing with complete strangers so you will want to take appropriate precautionary measures to avoid fraud, scams or theft. When selling privately: • Thoroughly screen callers claiming to be interested in your vessel. Be particularly weary of anyone offering to purchase your boat long distance as the risk of fraud in these circumstances is great. • Meet any potential buyers in daylight and a safe location. Ideally have a

relative of friend with you as an added safety measure. • When it comes time to arrange payment for your boat, ensure you have 100% of the fund cleared in your account before you hand over the keys. Another option to sell your boat is to put it under consignment through a reputable marine dealership. When selling through a dealer: • You can have peace of mind that your boat is being stored securely and is being maintained to showroom standards. • Dealer will contact you when a genuine offer is made on your vessel taking away the hassle of screening calls and handling enquiries. Marine Queensland in conjunction with boat dealers and legal representatives has developed a thorough system of checks and documentation that protect both the seller and the buyer through the entire boat sales process under the consignment arrangement. For more information on how one of Marine Queensland’s boat dealers can help you sell your boat please contact Marine Queensland on 07 3240 0170.

Overloading is dangerous and one of the easiest ways to capsize your boat. When preparing for a trip, the boat operator is responsible for assessing the load on board, both people and objects. For example: • Heavy items should be stowed in a low and central place where they cannot move around • Weight, including passengers, should be distributed evenly through the boat • The weight of extra fuel and water should be taken into account. By applying a capacity label you will have a constant reminder of how many people can be safely on board your boat in smooth waters and good conditions.

All registrable recreational boats, with the exception of sailing ships, must have one or more capacity labels attached. Capacity labels should be placed near the boat’s control area/s where they can be seen by the operator at all times. A penalty could apply if a capacity label is not attached, unreadable or located in the wrong position on the boat. There are three different capacity labels available: • Powered boats under six metres • Powered boats six metres and over • Powered boats with a flybridge. The operator must keep in mind that the label indicates the number of

people the boat can safely carry in good conditions and smooth waters. When using the boat in partially smooth or open waters or in rough conditions the operator should consider

reducing the number of people taken on the trip. To purchase a capacity label for your boat visit your local Marine Queensland Member Boat Dealership.

Practical tips for better boat security Boats are often targeted by thieves because they appear to have little or no security. Thieves will either try to make off with the whole boat, or target items left inside; such as radios, fish finders or depth sounders. These items are usually portable and easy to trade or sell. Most marine theft and vandalism isn’t reported as it is under the insurance policy’s excess or hassle level. Some tips to secure your boat: • Install a boat lock or trailer wheel lock

• If you trailer your boat, try to park behind a lockable gate and fit a locking device to the wheels • Securely fasten or remove valuable items from your boat when unattended • Don’t leave any items in your boat if it is unattended for long periods • Nano Tag or Data Dot DNA the boat and its equipment • Engrave your licence number on motors and portable equipment and keep a record of model and

serial numbers • All life jackets and equipment should have boats rego and name on them makes them worthless to anyone stealing • Keep a record of all serial numbers or Hull Identification numbers secured safely away from your boat • Keep all receipts in the event of a claim to expedite the process • Name your boat – this

will make it slightly more unattractive to thieves or engrave its name in an area hard to find to assist with identification. • If your boat is on a mooring, check it regularly during the winter months, or arrange for a friend to do this for you • Make your boat look hard to steal in well-lit areas with trailer hitch locks or wheel clamps or behind a fence if at all possible.

Office: National Retailers Association Building, 6 Overend St, East Brisbane QLD 4169 Post: PO Box 7061, East Brisbane, QLD, 4163 I Tel: 07 3240 0170 I Fax: 07 3891 5293 I Email: info@marineqld.com.au | www.marineqld.com.au

Troll for the big ones TOOWOOMBA

Jason Ehrlich fishability1@bigpond.com

As we move into the last month of summer, the closed barra season will reopen as of midday 1 February. I’ve been feeling the barra bug biting hard and provided there aren’t any big rain events to move fish on, I know where there are some waiting in the freshwater. The Boyne and Kolan rivers below Awoonga and Monduran dams have plenty of barra throughout. A little homework will see you finding several launch sites on these rivers. Just because you head to the same spot as everybody else doesn’t mean you’ll be in for the best fishing, as sometimes the less pressured fish will provide the best action. A lot of my focus this year has been on chasing fish in the saltwater. I’m planning a trip to Mackay to bring my Polycraft 4.1 Challenger back home to South East Queensland so I can do even more of this fishing. This of course will mean a session or two on the barra up around Faust and Kinchant so next month’s northern reports should be much more detailed. Whenever I head away on a planned trip, a lot of

research goes into the fishing. Phone calls, Facebook and reading fishing reports and competition results can all help prepare you for what lies ahead. To know what the fish are biting on helps when it comes to packing the right gear and forming some kind of game plan. My motto is leave nothing to chance. The more you can do in preparation prior to a trip the better – and it is not uncommon for me to spend a full day respooling, tying knots, changing hooks and packing tackle and supplies. On the game plan side of things I learned a valuable lesson last year on the same trip. I headed away for a boys’ week with my son Blake, Jason Medcalf and his son Hayden. I did the research on how and where the fish were being caught prior to our trip, but over the course of a week or so things had changed. Where barra were being caught shallow, the bulk had moved out into deeper water. With little time to fish and work out the pattern we plodded away in the shallows, missing a lot of action that was taking place out in deeper water. This just goes to show how things can change in a short period and if your mind isn’t on the ball and prepared to adapt when necessary, you can miss out on some action. That’s fishing!

SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND CRESSBROOK CLOSEST TOWNS: TOOWOOMBA, CROWS NEST Last month, the trolling action out in the middle of the dam slowed down. The heat seemed to play havoc with the thermoclines and some kind of rollover effect took place out in the deep areas of the dam. I fished the dam in mid-January and the thermoclines were already coming back so it won’t take long for everything to return to normal. The bass should resume

their previous behaviour and will be found out in the deep areas of the dam over 12m. Trolling is the best option to catch these spread-out fish. The buoy line that runs over to Deer Island has been a good area to troll, especially around Bass Bay below the picnic area. Between the third and fourth red marker buoy is a nice drop-off that seems to hold better numbers of fish. Up near the Eagles Nest rock wall is another good spot to troll. In this area, work through the deep water and across the tip of

Recently, I decided to unpack some big boxes and tidy up my shed since we have now been in our house for over a year. Inside one of the boxes I found a selection of hard, jointed swimbaits, about 30 in total. I had played and experimented a little with these lures in the past but since we now have a swimming pool (a.k.a. lure testing facility) I took one of each for a test swim to see how they looked in the water. The difference between these lures was amazing. Most had a life-like action when retrieved, some twitched really well but the standout sinking ones swam like beauties on the drop. I can’t wait to use these models on the barra up north around weed beds. Next time I visit Kinchant I think I’ll give them a run. I can’t think of anything else that looks as good in the water so I hope the fish have the same opinion. I just hope their jointed sections can stand up to the brutal punishment. This experiment at home certainly helps you work out how to best fish your lures. If you, the neighbour or mate has a pool, be sure to give new lures a run to see how to work them in the clear water. You’ll be surprised at how different lures respond best to subtle changes in speed and rod work. Until next month, buckled rods from the Colonel! the point that extends out from the toilet point on the opposite side of the dam. When trolling, deeper lures seem to work well most of the time. Poltergeist 8m Crazy Deep, 1/4oz Hot Lips, Blitz Baga and Kezza Freak are just some of the lure styles that will get down and boogie at over 7m deep. It also pays to run a shallower offering in the mornings and afternoons, in case there are some fish sitting shallow. The fish may be spread-out and hard to tempt but the quality should be pretty good with heaps over 40cm in length. Uncle Trev had

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FEBRUARY 2014

14 31

Weipa

Toowoomba

BRISBANE 27

23 Impoundment Dams 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

25 Cairns 1

19 20

Townsville 2

3 4

Proserpine 6 Mackay

Rockhampton

Emerald

Gladstone

29 7

Bundaberg 9 11

Highlighted dams are covered in this issue

Maryborough

Roma

BRISBANE

Somerset and Wivenhoe have been producing bulk amounts of golden perch. This smaller one was caught jigging a blade in the submerged trees at Queen Street, Somerset. a good session last month landing 8 bass to 48cm on the Kezza Mud Mouse early

Gold Coast

in the morning. Schooling fish are most likely to be found on the

DAM LEVEL Report DAMS SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN Atkinson 96 89 84 84 75 Awoonga 97 95 95 94 92 Bjelke-Petersen 97 94 91 89 81 Boondooma 93 92 90 88 85 Borumba 100 99 96 95 90 Burdekin Falls 91 85 77 75 64 Callide 79 76 73 73 69 Cania 99 98 97 98 95 Clarendon 96 91 86 88 82 Clarrie Hall 100 97 96 61 97 Cooby 98 97 95 95 94 Coolmunda 90 85 81 67 59 Copeton 74 n/a 70 65 50 Cressbrook 97 96 95 95 94 Dyer/Bill Gunn 99 96 90 78 87 Eungella 99 98 96 95 94 Fairbairn 73 68 66 61 55 Glenlyon 92 n/a 91 n/a n/a Hinze 98 96 94 93 92

Gympie

points. Deer Island, the toilet points at both ends and the ones just west of the campground are all worth a look. Soft plastics and blade baits could entice these fish. Sometimes a plastic rigged with a beetle spin blade can make all the difference during the summer months. Redclaw have been caught but mostly overnight. The day seems to draw a blank but campers have been rewarded when working their pots late in the afternoon and first thing in the morning. The entry fee at the boom gate has been removed but the 8 knot speed limit is still in place. Hours for boating and day use of the recreation Continued page 83

For fortnightly updates Julius 80 80 80 80 62  Kinchant 94 82 71 72 62 Koombooloomba 61 43 26 17 15  Leslie 75 74 72 69 52  Macdonald 98 98 87 83 68  Maroon 99 98 96 95 93  Monduran/Fred Haigh 98 93 93 91 87  Moogerah 99 95 93 92 88  North Pine/Samsonvale 87 84 82 81 78  Peter Faust/Proserpine 95 93 90 90 86 Pindari 63 63 63 60 33  Somerset 100 99 98 99 97  Storm King n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a  Teemburra 99 97 93 92 93  Tinaroo 73 68 63 62 56 Toonumbar 100 99 96 96 95  Wivenhoe 100 97 95 94 91  Wuruma 100 96 94 95 92

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 22/1/14

From page 82

area are 6am to 8pm until they shorten in May. For all your supplies, expert advice and to check on the boating restriction, call in at Fish’n’Bits in Alderley Street, Toowoomba, or give them a ring on (07) 4636 6850. The boys at the store all compete in bass tournaments and really know their stuff. SOMERSET CLOSEST TOWNS: ESK, KILCOY The golden perch have been the standout fish over the last month. These fish seem to be coming from all over the dam with the best areas being around Queen Street and the start of the timber north of Kirkleigh. A good way to find the goldens is to toss out a deep diving lure and troll. We have had a lot of success in deeper water where the fish have been suspending. If you manage to pull your lure over a drowned tree in this deep water throw a mark on the GPS and give it a thorough working over. We had a snag on a tree about 5m deep in 12m of water. When getting the lure off the tops of the branches, the sounder lit up with goldens, which suspended about 5-7m deep. Every drop with a blade scored a fish for the next 10 minutes. Similar stories of bulk

numbers of goldens have been coming in. Even out on the flats, bass anglers have been catching heaps. The bass have been a little harder to catch. Good numbers are holding around the flats south of Kirkleigh and the Queen Street wide flats. Look for these fish in over 9m of water by sounding around or trolling a diving hardbody. At this time of year, a lot of the fish will be suspended, which makes trolling a lure at the right depth one of the best options. Lure casters will need to present their lure to the fish, which can be tricky out in the deep water when the bass aren’t holding near the bottom. Spinnerbaits fished on light spin tackle are one of the preferred offerings. Try using heavier downsized models that weigh 5/8oz. The light spin gear gets the lure down deeper with less resistance on the fishing line due to its thin diameter. Trolling these lures can also work well if you can work out the correct boat speed and amount of line out to sink the lure to the right depth to pull it through the suspended fish. WIVENHOE CLOSEST TOWNS: ESK, FERNVALE Anglers have been taking advantage of the new restricted use of outboard

DARLING DOWNS GRANITE BELT REGION COOBY CLOSET TOWNS: HIGHFIELDS, TOOWOOMBA The golden perch have steadied up at Cooby Dam. Bait fishers are having the best luck fishing live shrimp and sometimes saltwater yabbies. Where fish were coming from all over the lake a couple of months ago, it seems only a few of the better spots continue to produce. An area worth trying has been in 7m of water out from the bank on the right in the start of the northern arm.

Cooby is an electric motor only dam and is well suited to kayaks and canoes. The concrete boat ramp is on a shallow angle when the dam is full and can be slippery in places but a big electric-powered boat can still be launched with care. Outboard motors can be left on the boat but must not be used. The boom gate entry fee has been removed so you can keep your change for an ice block or stubbie on the way home. Live shrimp and saltwater yabbies can be purchased from Highfields Bait and Tackle on the

motors on Wivenhoe. The allowance for 4-stroke and fuel injected 2-stroke motors to be used at under 6 knots has allowed more anglers the chance to experience the lake’s great fishing. With outboards, anglers are able to explore the lake without the fear of running out of battery power and can feel safer knowing they have the grunt to get them home. I have heard the points about 15 minutes run NNE of Logans Inlet are firing well for golden perch. Like Lake Somerset, the goldens are going off. Anglers have trolled medium running lures like the Smak Golden Child and Brolga and Oar-Gee Pee-Wee in 4-6m of water with great success. Most of the yellowbelly being caught are over 40cm in length with the occasional one going well over 50cm. If good numbers are found to be schooling in a particular area, try jigging blade baits in them. Small blades like the Berkley Powerblade 35 and 40 or Ecogear VX35 and ZX40 are ideal and can really produce big numbers of fish when they are on the job. If bass are mixed in with the goldens, these small blades are likely to tempt them as well. Another method slaying the goldens has been to hop soft vibes. Colours can make a difference so it

pays to have a natural one and a dark one in your box of tricks. I haven’t heard of any bass reports apart from the few being taken mixed in with the bulk numbers of yellas. I would imagine they can be located around the flats between Billies Bay and Platypus Cliffs. Trolling is a great way to locate these fish and once found try hopping small blades and lipless crankbaits through them. These same lures can also be slow trolled on the electric when the fish are scattered throughout an area and you are trying to pinpoint the best location to pull up and attack them. HINZE CLOSEST TOWN: NERANG, GOLD COAST Hinze Dam has been going off over the last month. Bass are whacking topwater lures. Toga are turning up on a regular basis and golden perch numbers have increased. Bait fishers have whacked plenty of eel-tailed catfish so it seems everyone is happy. Go Camping at Nerang has sold out of all the hottest lures but should have more stock by the time you are reading this. Lipless baits like the Cultiva Mira Vibe and Jackall TN50 and TN60 have been whacking the golden perch. Spinnerbaits in 1/4oz

and 3/8oz have whacked the bass and occasional saratoga. Topwater lures in all styles have been drawing plenty of interest from bass in the early morning. The pick of the spots has been the shaded banks in the morning. Along the eastern

side of the dam at Sticks Point and Sapplings Point anglers have fared well. When launching from the western side, try heading to Des’ Bend and Allens Alley for some shaded banks to fish your topwater lures early. As the sun rises, the fish move deeper and this is when to

motors can be taken on the dam so it is electric motors only or paddle power if you want to tangle with the Gold Coast’s fiery little bass. For all the latest information and best lures for the job call in and see the guys at Go Camping, 10 Spencer Street, Nerang.

New England Highway in Highfields. Call in and see Doug and check out the great range of kayaks and accessories he has on display. COOLMUNDA CLOSEST TOWN: INGLEWOOD The golden perch continue to bite well and an increase in Murray cod encounters has taken place over the last month. Trolling lures at the start of the timber and in the deeper holes inside the timber has been fooling these fish. The good old Aussie made timber lures have been excelling. I guess it is the stronger action of these lures which attracts more bites from the

stained water of Coolmunda. Lures like the Taylor Mades, Wilson’s Slick Backs and Kezza Lures have been selling fast at Fish’n’Bits Toowoomba. If you struggle finding good timber lures, you can settle for one of the closest things in the plastic hard body department and that is one of the Smak models. At Coolmunda I’d be opting for something like a Smak 16 or Golden Child. Black and gold and green and gold have been the standout colours. Casting lipless crankbaits has also been scoring cod and golden perch. The TN60 Jackall seems to stand out above all the rest when it

comes to making these fish bite. Despite their small size, the Coolmunda cod just seem to love them. My biggest to date went 111cm so you never know if the next one you hook will be undersized or a beast. The Coolmunda Caravan Park is only around 1km away from the lake. The park is just off the Cunningham Highway but far enough away from the noise of trucks to get a good night’s sleep. It offers camping sites, cabins, caravan facilities, tennis courts, a swimming pool, BBQ shelter and a camp kitchen. 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. LESLIE CLOSEST TOWN: WARWICK There have been some changes to where the fish are being caught over the last month. Possibly due to the heat and extra boat activity over December/January, goldens and even cod have ventured out into the deep water of the main basin. A trolling run working parallel with the bank out from the boat ramp in roughly 16m has been the spot where the action is taking place. Despite the water being so deep, the fish

pull out the spinnerbaits and lipless baits to keep the action flowing. A permit is required to fish Hinze Dam and these are only $5/week or $40/ year. These are available through Go Camping at Nerang. No outboard

Leigh Hansen nailed a string of Wivenhoe goldens trolling a rocky shoreline opposite the mouth of Logans Inlet.

Continued page 84

STAY ALL WEEKEND AND CATCH FISH

THROW A LINE IN THE WATER * TELL CAMPFIRE STORIES UNDER THE STARS *PITCH A TENT OR STAY IN A CABIN

Bjelke-Petersen Dam

Lake Boondooma

Only 8km from Murgon and a short 2 1/2 hours from Brisbane is Bjelke-Petersen Dam.

Lake Boondooma is located near Proston, is only 3 1/2 hours from Brisbane. Stay at Lake Boondooma Caravan & Recreation Park.

Stay at award winning Yallakool Park on BP Dam

villa & cabin accommodation ensuited caravan sites powered & unpowered sites. swimming pool camp kitchen tennis court

Yallakool Caravan Park on Bjelke-Petersen Dam (07) 4168 4746 yallakool@southburnett.qld.gov.au www.yallakoolpark.com.au

self contained cabins powered & unpowered sites kiosk camp kitchen refuelling facilities walking tracks

Lake Boondooma Caravan and Recreation Park (07) 4168 9694 lakeboondooma@skymesh.com.au www.lakeboondooma.com.au

In the South Burnett, it’s only 1 hour between Freshwater dams FEBRUARY 2014

From page 83

are suspending shallow in the mornings and afternoons. You could try trolling deeper in the middle of the day but

they just seem to slow right down. Lures that dive 3-4m have been ideal. Trolling lipless crankbaits is very effective as they swim nicely

WIDE BAY AND BURNETT REGION BOONDOOMA CLOSEST TOWNS: PROSTON, KINGAROY The fishing action has gone ballistic over the summer months. With the main basin now clear, lure fishers have been nailing bass and golden perch all over the place. Trolling has been the most successful method. Even though bait will pick up fish, most of the bait fishos have turned their hand to trolling as it is just so easy at the moment. Suspended fish can be found around 7-10m deep so working deep diving lures like the Blitz Baga and Golden Child will see you in the middle of them. Purple or blue have been

the gun colours. Trolling heavier spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits on lighter tackle will also see these fish climbing over your lure. The fish out in the deeper water have been of good quality. Most points in the main body of the dam are holding fish. The majority of these are golden perch and can be caught by casting spinnerbaits into the edge and working them down the contour of the bank. While a reliable place to try, the bigger models just seem to keep coming from the deeper water. And with bass over 50cm and goldens 2.5-3kg caught in the last few weeks, who can argue with that?

GREAT FO R A D AY EV E N B E T T E R W H E N Y O U S TAY

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

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FEBRUARY 2014

at this depth when pulled along with an electric motor or slow trolled with the outboard at around 3km/h. One lucky angler scored BJELKE-PETERSEN CLOSEST TOWNS: MURGON, GOOMERI The bass and golden perch have moved deeper but continue to play the game. Fishing guide and tackle store owner, Matthew Mott says it is the best the dam has fished for numbers of fish for the last 10 years. Big goldens are being caught but the bass are smaller between 30-40cm in length. Casting blade baits and hopping them back to the boat along the bottom is working well for the lure casters. Where fish were mainly in the timber a month ago, they are now being caught all over the dam with fish being taken from the wall to the timber. Of course there are still the hot spots so look around focusing on points, underwater humps and drop-offs. Lure trollers are the ones having most success. The Smak 16 has been smashing them in the darker colours. Try the purple or black ones and you can’t go wrong. For help catching Bjelke and Boondooma fish, call into your local Bass 2 Barra store. You can see Matthew at Kingaroy or Dylan in Dalby and the boys will have you all geared up and ready for action in no time. MONDURAN CLOSEST TOWN: GIN GIN The barra fishing at Monduran has picked up again. Even with the hot water temperatures, fish keep coming from relatively

a metre long cod on a TN60 Jackall using this approach. In the clear open water you couldn’t ask for a safer spot to hook a fish of this size.

Palmerin Street Warwick. The store stocks a great range of freshwater gear that is well suited to catching our Australian natives.

With the barra season open again, anglers will be able to enjoy the action in the freshwater stretches of the Boyne and Kolan below Awoonga and Monduran dams. shallow water. Jamie Bein, one of the local fishing guides has been rather generous this month and has shared not only his favourite lures but directions to some of the best action in the dam. While most of the barra are still of a smaller size, the best fish on one of his charters recently went 78cm and there is sure to be bigger models out there. The bulk of fish are being caught on smaller hardbody lures. The Yo Zuri Crystal Minnow and Jackall Squirrel have been the standouts for Jamie’s clients. Points and weed banks with heaps of lilies are producing well, especially if they pop up to the surface in the middle of nowhere out in more open water.

The gun tip this month has been to head right up the dam to fish a mass of lilies between F and H. Here the lilies are littered along a corner where the bottom is between 1-2m deep. When casting into these lilies, the boat is out over a drop-off and at times can be in 13m of water. The key is to work your lure right up to the ledge giving it heaps of pauses and twitches as you go. The tackle store in Gin Gin, Foxies, stocks a range of effective barra lures. The store will mail order and you can check it out online at www.barratackle. com.au. Be sure to call in and get directions to some of the best barra fishing in the area or pick up one of the detailed maps.

Accommodation can be booked through Lake Monduran Kiosk and Tackle Shop. They look after all the cabins, houses, powered and unpowered camp sites, as well as house boats and boat hire. You can also make bookings for Guide Lines fishing charters through the kiosk, on (07) 4157 3881. Jamie Bein runs Lake Monduran Barra Charters and fishes that dam more than anyone I know. His regular visits ensure he has a good understanding of what’s going on. Contact Jamie on his mobile, 0407 434 446, or through his website www.lakemonduran barracharters.com.

than the Hank Tunes so will reach the barra holding that little bit deeper. It pays to

mix it up with the different depth lures. Adding weight to floating lures is another trick. A floater can be made to suspend by adding weight

strips or dots. These selfadhesive lead weights can be purchased from most good tackle shops. When the lure is weighted to almost suspend, it can stay in the zone a lot longer on the pause. Crank the lure down deep and then pause it, giving it a few twitches before more winds. The barra caught in Awoonga have been cranky fish. When found, they have been going off and trying to destroy the lures put in front of them. Powerful fights have followed on fish that just don’t want to give up and seem to have more energy than other barra their size. Most models have been around 70cm in length with the odd one up to 90cm. If you are keen to try to tackle some fish in the dam, give Lyn and Mark from Awoonga Gateway a call on (07) 4975 0033. At Awoonga Gateway you’ll find clean, modern cabins and your hosts will be full of useful advice to help you try to land that barra of a lifetime.

CAPRICORNIA REGION AWOONGA CLOSEST TOWNS: BENARABY, GLADSTONE For a while I’ve been hearing unconfirmed reports of barra action at Lake Awoonga. I can now say it is definitely true. Guests at Awoonga Gateway Lodge have been heading out and provided they put the time in the right areas have fared well. The barra are spread-out and when found are living in numbers. It takes time to find these fish so don’t expect to stumble upon them straight away. Try looking in deeper trees over 6m deep. Hardbody lures have been doing the damage. Jackall Squirrels in the Hank Tune model have scored plenty of the fish, along with the deeper Aussie-made lures like Scorpion 90, RMG Poltergeists and DK. These lures dive a little deeper

For any tips and gear for fishing Leslie Dam or the Warwick area, call in and see the guys at Warwick Outdoor and Sports in

Young Phoebe, 13 years old, has twin brothers that are also very keen barra fishermen. Her barra went 68cm, which is enough to make her brothers envious.

WHITSUNDAY REGION PROSERPINE CLOSEST TOWNS: PROSERPINE, AIRLIE BEACH The barra fishing up the back of the dam has still been a bit touch and go. The deep trees and major points have been producing a few fish on occasions but the numbers still seem to be out in the main basin. In the main basin, trolling

is a great way to hook these big brutes. The average fish is over a metre long and out in the open water, they are much easier to fight and land. If you have never caught a big barra and want a good chance now is the time to take advantage of these easier fish and have a go at it. Trolling deeper diving lures like Poltergeists and RMG Crazy Deep Scorpions

Lacey and Blake got stuck into the Cressbrook bass trolling 20’ divers along the buoy line and in Bass Bay.

during the day will fool the barra when they are holding deeper. At night, the barra rise higher in the water column with the baitfish and can be caught on 3m lures like Scorpion 3m, Laser Pro 190 and Barra Bait 12+. Mix up the troll speed to see what the fish want. A faster troll of 6km/h is often most successful but don’t be afraid to slow it right down. Trolling a plastic or vibe at a slower speed using an electric motor or paddling a kayak could be just the trick to getting stubborn fish to bite. If you are in the area call in and see the boys in town at Proserpine Bait and Tackle. Lindsay Dobe has spent years running charters on the lake and has a good idea where the barra will be and how best to catch them. If you are interested in a charter make sure you get in early with your booking. Lindsay can be reached through the store on (07) 4945 4641. KINCHANT CLOSEST TOWN: MACKAY With the hot, dry conditions, the water level has been falling fast. At this time of year, releases are made to ensure farmers can keep their sugar cane crops happy. A fair bit of rain fell mid-January so this may help slow the fall of the dam level. The falling level has

dropped the dam fast enough to kill off a lot of the weed beds. The tops of the thick weed are now lying over on top of the water and it is harder to find those areas where the weed is just below the surface. Some fish can still be caught where there are pockets of open water with weed below and in some areas casts can be made all the way to the bank. Here shallow lures like surface walkers, soft plastic frogs and weedless plastics will provoke a few strikes. More action is likely to come from the well-defined weed edge that can extend well out from the bank on the thickest weed beds. Casting soft plastics into this edge and fishing them down the face before retrieving is a good option. Hardbody lures like Halco Hammas and Rapala X-Raps are also ideal to pause along the face of the weed as you work them back to the boat. Stickbaits are another lure worth experimenting with and are rarely used. Hard stickbaits aren’t readily available in Australia but one model that is locally designed and easier to find is the Stiffy Bony Bream. When retrieved slowly, these lures have a slow side-toside shimmy. This retrieve style is ideal over the tops of drowned weed. On the edge of the weed you’ll need to keep your bait in the zone

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longer and a twitching style retrieve is best. Another model stickbait that you may find locally in our stores is the Rapala Sub-Walk. I have even caught barra on the old style Halco Hamma 85 Suspender with the bib removed. These

lures are definitely worth having in your box and there are many options available from overseas where they are more popular. For accommodation at the lake give Kinchant Waters a call on (07) 49541453.

Troy Cowcher with a 14kg Spanish mackerel caught on a live fusilier on a shoal off Cooktown.

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FEBRUARY 2014

Smack a mack with a fly BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

We all know just how good mackerel are to eat. We also know what great sport they are with their slashing strikes and lightning fast runs. What you might not know is how readily they will take a fly if you go about things the right way. Sound good? Then let’s look into it. EXPLOITING THEIR HABITS Mackerel on fly is a surface fishing business, with the main quarry being spotted mackerel. Spanish mackerel (if you’re lucky enough to be able to fish regularly for these blokes) are a trophy species for fly anglers, but you shouldn’t forget about schoolies. School mackerel (doggies) tend to hold deep but if you find them slashing at surface bait they will take a fly readily enough. Spotted mackerel are one fish that likes to feed from first light of the day, but they often don’t stay hungry for long. With their small gullets rapidly filling with hapless baitfish, they go off the boil as the day lengthens. That’s why early starts are essential; being on the water at 4.30am at this time of year is par for the course. That time of morning is usually when you’ll get the best sea conditions of the day, which is a bonus when you’re hunting around for surface action. To take macks on fly gear you need to find fish feeding on the surface, and this raises an interesting point. When uninitiated pelagic anglers see finned predators slashing the surface, the assumption is

that these fish are mackerel. They may well be, but quite often they aren’t. It could well be tuna creating the commotion. So how can you tell? Approaching the action at slow speed will reveal all. Tuna usually show their backs or silvery sides as they feed, whereas mackerel tend to slash rather than broach. Macks stir up only small amounts of white water and maybe a glimpse of a back or head to betray their presence. Another difference between tuna and mackerel is that tuna often spook and disappear when you motor

FEBRUARY 2014

Macks on the job. Note the slashing foray into the bait school.

Even small spotties like the one taken by the author give a good account of themselves on fly tackle. close to them. Mackerel, on the other hand, can be relatively unconcerned about a boat’s close proximity. This is great from the flyfisher’s point of view, because long casts from a moving boat are hard to make. Either way, if the fish will allow the boat near them my advice is to get that fly into the action and see what happens. Whether it’s a tuna or mackerel that takes your fly, it’s definitely game on!

A great mackerel combo, the TFO 375 Large Arbor Reel and a couple of flies tied on long shank hooks. 86

TACKLING UP You’ll catch a lot of barely legal fish at times (min. 50cm for schoolies, 60cm for spotties and 75cm for Spaniards), but there are some real horses among them. A good spotty can easily go to 90cm and 5kg or more in weight. These are solid fish and hard to stop on that initial run so it’s best to overdo rather than underestimate tackle requirements. A quality 9wt rod should be set up with a saltwater quality large arbor reel with a capacity of at least 200m of 50lb braid backing. You can use the same tackle for tuna,

but I wouldn’t recommend it for Spanish mackerel. If Spaniards are about, you’re better off upsizing to a 10wt outfit. A weight forward intermediate sink rate, clear fly line will allow excellent fly presentation, with the fly staying in the near surface strike zone for just the right amount of time. A rod’s length leader is ideal, either

store bought or homemade. The final tippet is tricky. Mackerel have great eyesight and often shy away from wire traces, but they can easily bite through fluorocarbon and standard monofilament. Unfortunately, upgrading tippet size can have the same effect as putting on wire, with the frustrating sight of fish following the

fly but refusing to take it. The best compromise is to opt for 50cm of 8-10kg fluoro tippet and – here’s where you get cunning – cast to the edge of the action, stripping the fly back as soon as it lands. This often sees fish hooked in the side of the mouth rather than taking it deeply and biting it off. Unfortunately, you can only minimise snipoffs, not eliminate them. They’re a fact of life when mackerel fishing. Flies for mackerel are simple: as long as your fly resembles a small baitfish it’s good to go. On some days the mackerel can be a little choosy however, so you should make or buy a few flies of different sizes to match the size of the baitfish on any given day. Think 1/0 and 2/0 and the sizes should be right. The use of longshank hooks is something I caught onto right from my first attempts at macks on fly gear. The trick is to finish the head of the fly well back on the hook’s shank,

leaving a fair amount of the shank clear up front to minimise bite-offs. This style of tying won’t put the mackerel off one iota. The fact that there’s a hook shank just ahead of the small baitfish profile seems to go unnoticed. PLAYING MACKEREL ON THE LONG ROD Casting to the edge of the school and ripping the fly back quickly will see a jolting strike instantly followed by a rapidly revolving fly reel. Letting the fish run is the only option at this point. You can expect a very quick first run, the fish being winched back to the boat after said run, then another sizzling run as the boat looms into view. This second run is the one watch out for; this is when the fish is most likely to break free. After that second run it’s usually not hard to get the fish boatside for the net or gaff. Just remember to check the leader tippet for nicks afterwards or your fly might change ownership at the next bite.

FISHING FILL-ITS

Lake Wivenhoe allows restricted power boats Mark McArdle MP, the Minister for Energy and Water Supply has officially launched the introduction of restricted motorized craft on Lake Wivenhoe in SouthEast Queensland. The announcement was made at a Seqwater function held at Logan’s Inlet on Wivenhoe Dam. The allowing of restricted power boat usage on Lake Wivenhoe has long been sought after by recreational fishers. Until now, Lake Wivenhoe has been underutilized as a recreational fishing facility because of access conditions, but now it will be enjoyed by many thousands. Freshwater Fishing

& Stocking Association of Queensland (FFSAQ) Executive Officer Les Kowitz said allowing restricted use of power boats on Wivenhoe was

strongly supported by the region’s fishing community. “This is a fantastic initiative and one that has been warmly welcomed by recreational fishers,” he

said. “It not only allows for greater access to the dam but will improve the safety aspect immeasurably whilst fishing on Lake Wivenhoe.” - FFSAQ

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FEBRUARY 2014

DIY kayak cradle AYR

Steve Farmer

I knew I needed a better way of transporting my Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 kayak the day I picked it up from the retailer. Unloading it at home a couple of hours later highlighted two problems that needed addressing if I was going to enjoy kayaking and kayak fishing. Firstly, despite being firmly tied upside down on the roof bars when I left the shop, the kayak wasn’t

was now warped where it had been lashed firmly to the roof bars. The heat of a hot shed soon saw the hull return to its correct shape, but I knew I needed a better way of getting my yak to the water. Ideally I needed something that would make loading and tying down the 26kg craft easier and more secure. I could have just purchased a set of kayak saddles, but these have their problems and limitations and I believed I could come up with something better and easier to use. The final product is a cradle which

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drops onto the roof bars, the kayak is then positioned in the cradle and finally both the kayak and cradle are strapped or tied down to the roof bars. The specially shaped cradle positions and supports the kayak, allowing it to be strapped down

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The kayak travels up the right way in the cradle.

Half templates of the hull shapes where the two cradles will fit.

Transferring the hull shape to the cardboard. as secure as I would have liked by the time I got home. It wouldn’t have come adrift, but it had worked itself lose, despite a web of tie-down ropes. Secondly, (and probably the cause of the first problem) the plastic hull

firmly without warping. I began by positioning the roof bars about 1300mm apart. This, I believed, was a good spacing to support my kayak in its mid-section. Obviously this spacing will vary with different kayaks. You should also try to position the bars so that there is minimal kayak overhanging at the front or rear of your vehicle. I then built a frame from 25mm RHS or box section steel which would sit on the roof bars and to which the cradle supports could be bolted. I made this frame about 50mm wider than my

kayak’s beam, making for a stable base but not taking up any more of the roof bar space than was necessary. The length of the long sides was the distance between the outside faces of the roof bars plus about 100mm at each end. These overhangs on the longer sides are simply to reduce the risk of inadvertently missing the roof bars and dropping the frame onto the roof of your vehicle when fitting it. The narrow sides of the frame (the front and rear sides) were butt welded to the longer side rails so that when the frame was placed on the roof bars the narrow sides were positioned on the top of the roof bars. Short tabs of 25x6mm

flat steel were then butt welded at right angles to the long sides so as to locate the frame on the roof bars and prevent it from sliding forward or backwards. Allow a clearance of about 5mm between the locating tabs and the forward and rear faces of the roof bars. At this stage I also welded a single chain link to the frame above one of the roof bars. This allows me to easily secure the frame to the roof bar with a short length of light chain and a padlock, meaning I don’t have to store the cradle inside the vehicle for security reasons while I’m away paddling. The next step was to create the two cradles which would hold the

The cradle positioned on the roof bars. kayak. Firstly I had to get a template of the shape of the kayak hull at the spots where I wanted to position the cradle. Once I had those spots marked I transferred the shape of the hull onto a sheet of cardboard. This was done by clamping the cardboard to a piece of light plywood which acted as a backing. The same clamp also secured a short piece of timber which braced the plywood against the hull, making it easier to hold the plywood and cardboard stable and at right angles to the hull while the shape was traced. Transferring the shape was done by taping a pencil to a short piece of timber. The timber and pencil were

then moved across the hull with the pencil tracing the shape onto the cardboard. It is important to hold the timber vertical to the hull shape to get a reasonably true reflection on the cardboard. Cut the shape out with scissors and check it against the hull, trimming it as necessary to ensure a neat fit. Assuming your hull is symmetrical (and you would certainly expect this) it might be easier to create half templates and flip them over when transferring the hull shape to the timber cradles. I made the actual cradles by gluing and screwing two pieces of 20mm plywood together and marking the hull shape with the templates. It’s important to keep the

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The kayak and the cradle are both tied or strapped to the roof bars.

kayak as low as possible on the roof bars, so make the distance from the bottom of the kayak cradle to the bottom of the curve where the centreline of the kayak will sit about 50mm. The width of the cradle timbers should be a neat fit between the long sides of the frame, allowing for the thickness of the carpet to be fitted later. Round the corners where the vertical sides of the cradle join the hull shape. This will eliminate sharp corners which can mark your yak and will also make it easier to slide your kayak up and into the cradle. When you’re happy with the shape of the cradle pieces, use a jigsaw to cut them out and then smooth off any rough surfaces with sandpaper. Now is a good time to paint the frame and the timber cradle pieces. Wire brush and grind the welds to eliminate any blobs of splatter before painting. Apply an undercoat or primer and at least one top coat of oil-based, gloss paint. Next I cut strips of indoor/outdoor carpet to cushion the kayak hull against the timber cradle. These strips were then glued in place with contact cement. Finally I drilled the

cradle pieces and the frame so they could be bolted together with 6mm bolts. Use spring washers or nylon lock nuts so they don’t vibrate lose while travelling.

may not be suitable for your kayak, vehicle or personal abilities or requirements. Carefully assess your own situation and requirements to decide if this design is safe and suitable for your needs.

Small tabs of flat steel welded to the long sides prevent the cradle from moving forwards or backwards. The kayak cradle is now complete and you could lift your kayak into place and head for your favourite fishing hotspot. However that can be a bit of a struggle, especially when lifting some of the heavier yaks onto high 4x4s or vans alone. To overcome that problem I built a loading arm which makes it relatively easy to load my Prowler 13 by myself. Details on that next month. By the way, while my cradle suits my situation, it

Ready to go. The cradle is padlocked to the roof bars.

Tying down both the kayak and the cradle.

The cradle is easily lifted on and off the roof bars.

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www.tinnieandtackle.com.au | www.4x4show.com.au FEBRUARY 2014

Tech Tricks

Micro-jig assist rig BRISBANE

Gordon Macdonald masterbaitertackle@hotmail.com

Although some anglers have been into micro-jigging for many years, a recent surge in the popularity of this technique has created an increased demand for jigs, specific rods and rigging. Many of the jigs currently available have light grade hooks and some do not come rigged at all. Obviously, anglers will occasionally need to replace the hook rigs on their jigs due to abrasion or the effects of the razor gang, who will often sever the light cord attaching the hooks to the jig. This month I will show you how to make double hook rigs, sometimes referred to as butterfly rigs, which you will need when micro-jigging. THE GEAR For making your own hook rigs, you will need a fairly simple list of materials. There are several good hooks around for this application

with the most readily available being the Mustad Hoodlum, generally in a 1/0 size. These are exceptionally strong and sharp and you should have no trouble setting them into the mouth of common microjigging targets such as snapper, mulloway, king threadfin salmon, trevally and the like. This rigging will work with many hooks and I am sure you will find a favoured pattern before long. Hooks are generally inline patterns (no offset), although I do know some anglers who prefer and have successfully used offset patterns. Locating cord for this micro-jig rigging may be a little difficult for some. I commonly use heavy braid such as Sunline Monster Battle 100lb and 130lb as well as Daiwa Tournament Braid 100lb and 150lb. While these are relatively easy to find at a good tackle store, you will generally need to purchase a large length, probably 300m minimum, which can be rather expensive. You could split a

spool with a friend, or you may know someone who has some leftover heavy braid or have a mate who is willing to take a few metres off their reel for you. Any colour will do and you can use various brands between 80lb and 200lb, depending on thickness. There are some purpose specific micro-jigging cords available but these can be a little hard to find on the local scene as yet. Brands of these include Varivas, YGK and Owner if you want to hunt some down. For this project you will also need some small solid rings and some quality split rings. I have opted for Owner #5 solid rings and Owner #4 Hyper Wire split rings. You will also need some good scissors and a split ring plier or pincette as well as some flexible glue (e.g. vinyl cement, flex-cement, Storm Sure or Zap-A-Gap). Once you have all of this stuff ready, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to get started.

Pass the tag end of the cord around the hook shank and through the loop several times.

Pass the cord through the eye of the hook and then make a loop as shown. NOTE: The knot we are going to use is a uni knot (snell version) which will attach the cord securely to the hook shank. You do not have to put the cord through the eye if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to, however I prefer to.

Do between 5 and 10 wraps around the hook shank and through the loop (more wraps in thinner cord and fewer in thicker cord) and then hold the tag end while you tension the cord, exiting the hook eye to tighten the knot around the shank.

5 4

Once the knot is secure, pull the main portion of cord extremely hard to bed down the knot tightly against the hook eye. Trim the tag end short and then apply a little vinyl cement to the knot to make it more durable. 90

FEBRUARY 2014

Pass the opposite end of your cord through your second hook and again form a loop. How much distance you have between the hook eyes and how large the loop is will depend on how long the completed rig becomes. After you have made a couple you will work out how long you need for your particular jigs.

Tech Tricks

6 previously.

Pull the rig taught to tighten the uni knot on the second hook. I often put each hook over a bar or something similar so I can apply maximum pressure to get the knots tight without risking injury. Add a little vinyl cement to the second knot.

Do 6 to 8 wraps with your tag end through the loop and around the hook shank, the same as

Do a basic clove hitch around the solid ring as shown. Generally you will want one side shorter than the other so that one hook will sit higher than the other when the rig is completed. However, some anglers like each hook at the same length, similar to a classic butterfly rig.

Pull your clove tight around the solid ring. If the longer side of your rig is a little long for your liking then you can do another half hitch around the ring, as shown, to shorten it.

With the knotting of your rig now completed, it is time to attach the new rig to the micro-jig. You will need a small pair of split ring pliers or pincettes to make the task easier. It is advisable to use a decent quality split ring although this is only used to attach the rig to the lure and wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t bear much tension.

With the solid ring and hook rig now attached to the jig via the split ring and your main line attached to the solid ring, your jig is ready to be put into action. Attaching the main line to the solid ring and not the jig eyelet will increase the fluttering action of the jig and eliminate a possible weak spot (the split ring) from coming into play. It also creates a more direct pull on the hooked fish.

CONCLUSION Micro jigs are yet another method that can be employed to target quality fish species, both demersal and pelagic. It is a great method when fishing faster currents as you can sink the jig into the exact strike

zone easily. However, it is just one more technique that can be employed on any given day. Having the correct rigging, rods, reels, jigs and braid can definitely improve your success. It can be tried at a basic, cruder level with

many different outfits, but fine tuning your tackle, rigs and techniques will definitely increase your fishing pleasure and results. Get a few jigs, rig them up and then get a little jiggy on your next angling outing. FEBRUARY 2014

Bush bashing bass basics BRISBANE

Bob Thornton

Queenslanders are almost spoilt when it comes to freshwater fishing options, but when the cicadas start ringing, most freshwater fishers know it’s time to fish for bass! For those wishing to avoid the crowds, new to bass fishing or who simply can’t afford a boat or kayak, you should try fishing small streams from the bank. While many bass are caught in stocked impoundments and in our larger rivers in boats

and kayaks, there is also sensational bass water that is beyond the reach of any vessel. These small creeks or upper sections of rivers can only be fished on foot. These waterways may be small, but some very big bass can be extracted from pools you can almost step over! This kind of fishing is accessible, great fun and can also be extremely rewarding. FINDING WATER The difficulty of this task depends on where you live, but as a general rule, any freshwater stream from the Burnett River in Bundaberg to Wilson’s Promontory in

Iain Thornton works over a snaggy pool with a small diver. Younger anglers really enjoy this highly mobile style of fishing.

Victoria is worth a look. By using maps on the Internet and even topographical maps you should be able to close in on a likely looking stream. Then comes a bit of research. The stream will need to have some water all year round and must have access to the saltwater, because bass use the salt to breed during the cooler months. You should also check to see if there are any weirs, culverts or low bridges that may impede fish migration, but don’t be surprised if bass have found a way around these obstacles; they are amazingly agile little fish. There’s only so much the Internet and maps will do for you, so getting out and looking at the stream for yourself beats any form of theory when sussing out likely bass habitat. I have a few tests I like to do when checking to see if the creek is bass-able. Firstly, I stick my arm in the water up to my elbow and if I can still see my fingers in the water, it’s definitely clear enough to use lures. Secondly, I like to walk along the bank to see if there’s any pools where I can’t see the bottom. These will be your main fish holding areas. The presence of mullet,

eels, turtles and eel-tail catfish in these pools are also very good signs. Thirdly, select out likely fish holding structure within these pools in the form of logs, large rocks, under cut banks and thick vegetation, which bass can hide under. If your creek has all these things and your casting arm is twitching, it’s time to get your gear together! PREPARATION In terms of clothing, you will want something that won’t cause you to overheat, but enough to provide you with some protection from the shrubs, spikey vines and other things we love about the bush. You should have enclosed shoes that will give you protection; I usually opt for light hiking style boots but

Wading in small creeks can be very rewarding when the bank is too steep. The author took this creek bass on a Heddon Tiny Torpedo from waist deep water! powerful enough to handle angry bass, because small water bass often need a bit more than gentle persuasion to pull out! A threadline or spinning reel is much more suited to

Tom Gordon loves fishing skinny creeks for bass and pulled this one out a very rocky pool on a shallow diver.

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sand shoes will do just fine. A backpack or bum bag that you can carry your lures, spare leader material, hook removing pliers, a snake bite kit and water is a must for any one wanting to bush bash. I usually carry my phone and camera in a dry bag that fits into my main bag in case I decide to wade or make any unexpected plunges into the drink! All of these things should be easy to carry and shouldn’t weigh you down, because you might have to walk some distance! SET UP Your outfit is a personal thing, but for those new to bass fishing, here are a few guidelines to get you rolling. A rod weight ranging from 1-5kg is perfect, with shorter rods proving to be less trouble when fishing under thick foliage. A length of 5-6’ is perfect, but this can vary due to your height, the creek you fish and the rods you have available. As a general rule, you want something that’s tippy enough to throw a longer cast, but

this small water fishing and anything between a 1000-3000 size range will do the trick, so long as it feels comfortable on your rod. As for line, I like to use braid for castability. Anything from 4-10lb will do for your mainline, and between 8-12lb for your leader. For those who don’t use braid, straight low-stretch monofilament

between 8-12lb will handle any bass swimming. LURES While this is again a personal choice, certain lure types really shine in this tight country. You should keep your presentations small. My first choice is surface lures, because bass in small waterways are very switched on and are often feeding on insects and a surface lure will fall into the pool like an insect falling out of a tree. Some great surface lures to try are the 5cm Rebel Pop R, Heddon Tiny Torpedo and Teeny Torpedo, Predatek Spaddler in both 40 and 50mm, Sammy 65, Kokoda Bat and any other insect imitating surface lure that will fit in the palm of your hand. Subsurface presentations are good for when the sun is right up, or when you come to a pool that is a bit deeper. Spinnerbaits and beetle spin type lures are good for deeper water, although they are snag magnets! A snagless beetle spin can be made from a plastic grub, a weighted weedless hook and a spinner arm to curb this problem, and they are deadly on bass! Diving plugs such as the Manns 5+, Atomic Hardz Crank 38, Cotton Cordell Big O and the Rebel Deep R are all known bass catchers. Buoyancy is the key to keeping your lures from snagging and letting them float up a few inches when you feel them hit a snag will save you some bucks. Rigging your crankbaits up with W style hooks also prevents the loss of lures or impromptu swimming.

Fishing small streams for bass is full of surprises. This endangered Mary River cod was taken from a shady pool on a surface lure and was handled with care before it was released.

A perfect pool, with deep banks and plenty of shade and bank side structure, this pool has bass written all over it! If soft plastics are your thing, then there’s plenty of plastics that work well on creek dwelling bass. Anything that fits in the palm of your hand rigged with lightweight and preferably a weedless hook is dynamite for covering the depths of the pools. Squidgy, Atomic, Z-Man, Zerek and Gulp all make small soft plastics that lend themselves to this sort of fishing. FISHING Something known to most bass fishers is that bass bite the best at either end of the day when the sun is low. In small water though, time of day matters less, especially if there is ample shade and there is no one other than you fishing for them. Fishing these tiny waterways requires a certain

Larger pools are usually best worked with subsurface lures. Kaspar Lenigas took this better than average creek bass on a 1/4oz spinnerbait in broad daylight.

level of stealth; crashing through the bush and casting your shadow over the pool won’t catch you many bass. There’s two ways to approach small stream fishing. Either you can walk along the bank and find places to poke through and have a few casts, or you can jump in the creek and wade, casting well ahead of yourself at likely looking structure. By using the latter method, you’ll tend to cover more water, however when the water gets too deep you may have to revert back to the bank. Each pool should be covered thoroughly; remembering that some structure may be in the middle of deep pools, so a few casts into the middle of each pool may pay off. I generally work

upstream, so if anything spooks, they will tend to flee downstream and not upstream where you intend to fish. Something you’ll learn quickly in small stream bass fishing is the importance of working your lure all the way back to your feet! I’ve lost count of the amount of times my lure has been snaffled at my feet in plain sight. Another misconception about bass is how comfortable

they are in shallow water. Even though fishing deeper pools are preferred, a few exploratory casts into shallow pools when you’re on the move can improve your catch rates. A rule to remember with creek bass is they will live in water of any depth, so long as they have something over their head. When water gets a bit skinny and you think the fish-able limit may have been

FRESHWATER Mako recommends a brown lens. They are ideally suited to freshwater fishing and estuary fishing as this tint will often highlight the colours of fish against their background making them more visible. They provide the best compromise between true color and contrast. These are a perfect choice for medium to bright light conditions.

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reached, you should trek further upstream. You’d be surprised at how often deep dark pools are found upstream of insignificant stretches that barely trickle! Lastly, make sure where you’re fishing is legal. Sometimes fishing below dams, weirs and on private land can get you mixed up with the authorities and ignorance to the law won’t help you. Do some research or ask people about the legality of your chosen location and if your creek passes through private land, ask the owner for permission to fish it; they’ll probably have no issues if you present yourself in a respectable way. TRY IT YOURSELF! While this fishing can be challenging, it’s important to

remember that this is one of the key reasons we like to fish for bass! In a few trips you will start to notice patterns with your chosen water and this will help you to understand it so you can catch more bass and become a better angler. These techniques can be taken south in search of trout, north for jungle perch and sooty grunter, and around the world for any creekdwelling predatory fish! This sort of fishing will set you up if you’re new to lure fishing and you will experience some exciting fishing and some awesome serenity without a boat or kayak! So get yourself out of the air-conditioned rooms to where the cicada’s ringing is almost deafening so you can tangle with one of Australia’s premier sportfish.

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The author’s homemade snagless beetle spin, made using a Slider Grub, a TT spinner arm and a Nitro wide gape weedless worm hook with added weight. This little contraption catches bass and doesn’t snag.

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FEBRUARY 2014

Preparing and cooking green prawns with Lynn Bain

2 Hold the prawn by the body with the thumb and forefinger of one hand. With the thumb and forefinger of the other hand, gently pull back the head from the body and twist until the head is removed.

1 Green prawns ready to process. The knife is the small blade from the 7-pce Buffalo River butchery kit.

3 Break off the legs using your thumbnail. Get the thumbnail between the legs and the body flesh and pry the legs away. Once you have the legs separated from the body keep using your fingernail(s) to continue peeling the shell segments away from the prawn’s body. The shell may come away from the body in segments. Once you get the hang of it the main body shell will come away in one piece.

4 Gently squeeze the tail on the prawn to ‘pop’ it from the body. Alternatively you could leave the tail attached for presentation purposes, especially if your prawns are going to be served finger food style. Leaving the tail on does make the cooked prawn easy to pick up. USING THE SHELLS AND HEADS TO MAKE STOCK Rather than discarding the heads and shells, why not make a prawn stock. To make the stock. Heat about 1tbsp of canola or vegetable oil in a large frypan over medium-low heat. Add the prawn shells and heads to the frypan and toss them in the oil. Cook the prawn shells and heads for 2-3 minutes, stirring as they cook. Add about a cup of water to the shells. Bring to a simmer, pressing own on the shells with a spatula or the back of a large spoon to extract maximum flavour. Continue to simmer for 5-7 minutes. Pour the stock through a fine sieve into a bowl, pressing down on the shells until all liquid is extracted. You now have a prawn stock ready to use. This stock can be frozen for up to a month. 94

FEBRUARY 2014

5 Cut into the centreline of the back of the prawn.

GARLIC PRAWNS

6 Carefully cutting along the back of the prawn will expose the vein.

7 Use the tip of the knife to lift the vein from the prawn. Continue to remove all of the STA13434Dealer1-2_STA11838NewCamp 18/07/12 10:37 AM Page 1 recipe. vein with your fingers. Once the vein is removed your prawn is ready for your

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Ingredients 500g green prawns, peeled and deveined 2tbsp olive oil 1tbsp butter 2 cloves garlic, peeled and finely grated 1/2 cup prawn stock 1tbsp Worcestershire sauce 1 cup cream Finely chopped flat leaf parsley Method In a heavy based frypan, heat the oil and butter over a medium low heat. Add the garlic to the pan and stirfry until the garlic has softened. Pour in the prawn stock and continue to cook until the liquid has reduced by half. Pop the deveined green prawns into the liquid in the pan and continue to cook until the prawns have just turned pink. Add the Worcestershire sauce to the pan, stir well and then add the cream. Stir together well to ensure that the prawns are well coated with the sauce. Serve the garlic prawns on a bed of steamed rice. Sprinkle with finely chopped flat leaf parsley.

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FEBRUARY 2014

Game boats, gadgets and gizmos BRISBANE

Kim Bain

Gamefishing is ideally suited to gadget lovers. They say that you can tell a game boat from a cruiser by the little accessories that the game boat has been fitted out with by its owner. I’ve been fortunate to have been game fishing all my life. The excitement of pursuing big fish is accentuated by the build-up to each trip as you prepare your tackle and boat. Let’s take a look at the gadgets and gizmos that move anglers closer to success on often elusive fish. that typically have a good chance of becoming a ‘the one that got away’ story.

Taxidermy It is common to tag and release your gamefish these days – but even so you can still get a mount of the fish. Many taxidermists have fibreglass moulds from which you can order a replica of your fish. Outriggers From afar you can tell if a boat is fitted out for trolling by the outrigger poles that point skywards at various angles. Outriggers, and their release clips, give your lines greater spread (width/ separation) when trolling and may also offer drop-back to allow a fish to eat a big bait.

Game Chairs Big fish require big tackle and big tackle will overpower many of the rod holders and fish fighting equipment fitted to turn-key boats. The properly set-up chair is typically bolted through to the keel and becomes the centre of the boat’s angling effort. One of the big advantages is that rods can be fished on strike drag out of the chair. Anglers can also use the chair, its footrest and a seat harness to exert pressure on their quarry during the fight. Rods are often placed in the rod holders in the chair when the lines are trolled or fished from the outriggers.

Targa Tops Targa Tops go on half cabin boats and have largely replaced the old-style bimini tops. Queensland boat builders lead the way in combining sun protection and targa top storage options. 96

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Handles Heavy tackle game outfits are big, heavy and fancy looking. These handles behind the reel offer a better balance point that makes handling the outfits much easier.

Mosquito Fleet In parts of the world were the deep currents run in close to volcanic islands and barrier reefs, such as in the Pacific Ocean, small boats get out and amongst the biggest of game fish. This isn’t so typical in Queensland. However the Great Barrier Reef does provide opportunities for small boats to be based from islands and super large black marlin have been caught from small trailer boats out from Cairns and Cooktown. In Southern Queensland larger trailer boats get amongst the blue marlin from time to time in good weather.

Cockpit Levers Throttles and gear levers in the cockpit are ideal for short-handed crews, especially families. When the big fish is close and the skipper needs to be close to the action (down in the cockpit rather than up on the bridge) to lend a hand, then he can still drive the boat from beside the angler.

T-Tops While trailer boats are not suited to towers with driving stations, the concept of a mini-tower, targa top or T-Tops (such as on this centre console) on which to mount aerials, lights and rod holders to get your rods up and out of the way is a great space multiplier on any craft. These smaller superstructures can also provide mounting points for shade covers and bimini tops, which is great in summer. Small, ‘junior’ model outriggers may be mounted in conjunction with or on T-Tops and Targa Tops.

Chartering You may not want to invest in a gameboat, but you can still go gamefishing. A group of mates can take a booking on a gameboat and chase the big ones a couple of times per year. It’s much cheaper doing it that way than owning your own boat. Also, when chartering you will get to learn all about how to employ all the equipment that has been covered in this article. Chartering is also a great day trip option when you are travelling on holidays. In some island locations a family charter trip (with the works) compares favourably to a family theme park pass with the works. One of the best ways to select a holiday day-charter is to go for a walk around the commercial side of the gamefishing marina and look for the advertising boards. This way you can get to meet the crew and get a look at the boat before you make your booking. Bent Butts Bent butts on rods enable the angler to obtain leverage advantage with their tackle when using it from the chair. The bent butt rod in this photo was made in 1974 by Australia tackle legend and family friend, the late Jack Erskine. The Aftco butt in the photo is the modern storable hollow aluminium butt. These days most chair rods are of the bent butt style.

Towers Big boats and big ‘tuna’ towers are part of the gamefishing scene. The towers have driving stations ‘upstairs’ and are used for spotting birds, fish and peering into the water to see underwater structure. Towers are typically the mounting point for electronic equipment, rod holders and sometimes outriggers.

Workstations The chair isn’t always used just for sitting in and/ or trolling rods. Because the chair is in the centre of the cockpit it becomes a perfect storage spot (for tackle and equipment), as well as a bait rigging workstation and rod rack. Note the rocket launcher mounted on to the back of this chair in the photo for upright storage of light tackle rods.

Trolling Lures Up until the mid 1980s, the Queensland gamefishing scene was all about either livebaiting or trolling dead baits that were carefully rigged to swim through the water when towed behind the boat. Crews had to be pretty experienced bait riggers in order for constant success to be achieved. It was one of the factors that set the pro crews apart from the rest. However the development of the blue marlin trolling scene out from Brisbane saw many Hawaiian lurefishing techniques and equipment adopted by Queenslanders. The advent of easy to run lures as well as the availability of professional standard pre-rigged trolling lures enabled everybody to take a short cut (if they wanted to) in this one area. Lures are trolled from both flat lines and outriggers. The collection of lures is called a pattern or a spread.

FISHING FILL-ITS

Know where to spearfish People looking to enjoy a spot of spear fishing in the Noosa area are reminded to familiarise themselves with rules around where they can and can’t spearfish. Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol (QBFP) District Officer Trevor Thomson said recently there had been an increase in the number of reports of illegal spear fishing in the mouth of the Noosa River. “Officers conduct regular patrols of this area and those found spear fishing in closed waters are risking a maximum fine of $110, 000,” he said.

“A number of offenders were issued Infringement notices over the Christmas holidays. Some of these people were not local and may not have been familiar with the local restrictions.” Possessing or using spears or spearguns is prohibited in: Lake Weyba, Noosa River and waterways joining the lake and river. This includes all waters downstream from a line crossing from Goat Island to Parkyn’s Jetty (near the entrance to Donnella Lake) right to the mouth of The Noosa River. The only place you can spear in the

Noosa River is upstream of the line from Goat Island to Parkyn’s Jetty. It is also prohibited within 100m of the public jetties in or south of the Noosa River. Spear fishing is prohibited in a number of other tidal areas and in all fresh waters. Spear fishers need to check for any closures when they go to a new area to fish. For more information on Queensland fishing rules, visit www.fisheries.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23. Follow Fisheries Queensland on Facebook and Twitter (@FisheriesQld). – Fisheries

Get your kids hooked on fishing Taking the kids fishing over the holidays is a great way to spend time together, but it’s important to teach them to fish by the rules to ensure they have a positive experience. Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol district manager Rob McDonald said family fishing can be a positive and rewarding experience provided it’s done the right way. “Families are often new to fishing or only fish once or twice a year and may be unfamiliar with the current rules.

“It’s important people check the rules before taking their families out to ensure their fishing experience is a positive one.” Mr McDonald said the same fishing rules apply to children as adults. “Individual fishing gear requirements, and size and possession limits apply to children the same way they do adults. Care needs to be taken, however, to ensure the child is able to manage their fishing apparatus independently or it could be counted towards the adult’s individual limit. “Knowing how to identify

and measure correctly is also very important. Good fish identification guides and fish measuring rulers are available to purchase from bait and tackle stores. “They are invaluable tools to have to ensure the fish you catch is within regulations and could help you avoid landing a fine.” For the most up-to-date information on recreational fishing rules in Queensland, visit www.fisheries.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23. Follow on Facebook and Twitter (@FisheriesQld). – Fisheries

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Enjoy an upgraded Lake Somerset Holiday Park BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

The Lake Somerset Holiday Park campgrounds are located at 78 Kirkleigh Road in Hazeldean, around half an hour’s drive west of the town of Kilcoy. When you turn into the Kilcoy/ Esk Road just out of Kilcoy you’ll soon see the Kirkleigh Road turnoff on the left, and towards the end of Kirkleigh Road you can see the well set out and spacious campgrounds ahead. If you’re coming from the town of Esk to the south, turn right into the Esk/Kilcoy Road just out of town and follow that road to the Kirkleigh Road turnoff on the right. This drive will give you an excellent panoramic view of Lake Somerset, where the campgrounds are located. This Holiday Park was known as Kirkleigh for many years. While the name has changed and quite a few improvements made (including the day use area being cordoned off from the main camping area) the very laid-back atmosphere still gives the place a charm of its own. And of course, the lake at the doorstep is still a huge drawcard. The camping area is located on a long point of land extending out onto Lake Somerset. The size is around 45ha, and the topography is mainly flat with just a couple of gentle slopes. It’s fairly well grassed and neatly maintained. There are lake views on either side and boat ramps on both sides as well. This is a quite informal camping ground with many sites not really delineated, so it’s often a case of first in best dressed. There’s certainly room for all though. Caravan owners have powered sites at their disposal, as do campers should they require them. PLANNING YOUR STAY The Lake Somerset Holiday Park Office is located

Lake Somerset is deservedly one of South Queensland’s most popular fishing destinations. on Kirkleigh Road and office hours are from 8am to 6pm Monday to Thursday, and 7.30am to 7.30pm Friday to Sunday. The camp office has a kiosk with basic food, ice, gas refills and even bait. Staff can supply a Stocked Impoundment Permit (SIP) for anglers, and from my experience they also do their best to ensure visitors have an enjoyable stay. There’s a boom gate barrier at the camp office with an individual code allocated

The holiday park’s BBQ facilities are there for the enjoyment of campers.

Camping is available on grassed areas with a view of the lake on either side of the main access road. at the office for Park users to enter and leave the park for the duration of their stay. If you’re after only day use, call the office during business hours before the planned day and they will give you a day use code to allow entry. PLENTY OF FACILITIES The revamped Holiday Park is well laid out. These days there’s a cordoned off

area for day use with its own facilities (including a boat ramp) for the use of anglers, or visitors wanting a picnic by the water or a swim. Campers have the use of a cricket oval, mini golf area, a basketball court, plenty of picnic tables scattered through the park, quite well set out amenities plus their own boat ramp. A camp kitchen is also a

The park office is hard to miss. This is where you can obtain a code to lift the boom gate. Fires are permitted in drums or braziers and are a very welcome aspect of Lake Somerset camping during colder months. Swimming is popular during summer in this very clean body of water. Boating is permitted, and you can easily get a boating permit at the Office. THE FISHING For many people, a holiday here is all about the fishing. That’s certainly true for me! The kids might like the

The view from Lake Somerset Holiday Park’s safari tents is a treat for visitors. welcome addition, as is a fish cleaning table. Children have a great time with the playground facilities provided, and cycling is allowed provided helmets are worn. For those without camping gear there are several lakeside villas for hire. There are also safari tents and a rustic log cabin that is very popular with groups.

“Tinnie Tosser”

possums and the odd koala, plus the hares around the grassed areas at night, but I’m always there for the fishing. Lake Somerset has always been renowned for its great bass fishing. I started bass fishing there 4 boats back! Other natives such as eel-tailed catfish (freshwater jew), golden perch, the odd eastern cod and a few saratoga are also present but it’s Australian bass that are the buzz.

Anglers do catch fish from the shore around the campgrounds, with mainly golden perch, catties and tilapia taken. In reality though, this is a boat angler’s lake with a lot of possibilities to explore. For instance, the timbered area on the old Stanley River bed and adjoining flats north of the camping area are a haven for bass and golden perch. There’s also the chance of a saratoga at the top of the lake if you’re lucky. A lot of anglers catch their mega bass in the lake at this time of year by trolling deep diving lures, and it makes so much sense. The fish are much more scattered than during winter so they’re hard to locate in numbers, but trolling just off points or other obvious land incursions often sees some big fish hooked up. Bait anglers can take their share of goldens by sticking to the timbered bays and standing sticks around edges. Sometimes a big bass will join the fun, which is always exciting. There are plenty of redclaw crayfish in this impoundment, and most anglers drop in a line of pots before heading out for a serious fish. The redclaw in this dam will readily go for cat food or leftover meat scraps from last night’s dinner. They also like a feed of blue pillies. However, if you prefer rockmelon or parboiled spuds for redclaw trapping, go for it!

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Bass are the lake’s main drawcard. This top shelf fish was taken by expert fly angler Al McGrath.

Boat ramps are located on each side of the Park. This is the southern one.

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Hyundai’s Santa Fe BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

Hyundai is fast gaining the market share held by many long-standing auto manufacturers, and its Santa Fe is regarded as a benchmark among the current range of SUVs on the market. The Santa Fe has come a long way since its introduction a few years ago. Good has been made much better; the current model is extremely attractive vehicle, and even the base model is kitted out with virtually everything a family buyer might want. Southern Californian styling has seen the 2013 Santa Fe graced with sweeping lines along the exterior, giving it a sporty yet aerodynamic look that is very easy on the eye. The fluid styling continues in the interior, where a mix of ergonomics, features and practicality offer a decent level of understated luxury and sophistication. A soft touch dash area linked to well matched panels and subtle highlights with brushed metal finish are quietly dominated by the central ‘command’ area with its intuitive sat-nav system that doubles as a reversing camera. Both share the same 7” screen. While classified as a ‘large’ SUV – along with main rivals Holden Captiva, Ford Territory and Toyota Kluger – the 7-seat Santa Fe is not really that large. On the outside, that is! Within the Santa Fe’s interior it’s another story. There’s a lot of room to spare for both front and mid seat travellers, and at the rear you get 516L of cargo space with the third row of seats stowed flat within the floor. With the second row of seats down the rear cargo area extends to 1615L. Access to the rearmost seats, which have air conditioning, is not difficult when one of the second seat’s outer sections (there’s

a 40-20-40 fold down capability) is slid forward and folded down. 3 MODELS Santa Fe buyers are offered the choice of 3 variants: the Active, Elite and plush Highlander. All come with high specification levels, in many respects considered as segment leaders. There are 2 engines, both being 4s. The 2.4L petrol variant outputs 141kW, 242Nm and has earned deserved acclaim. However, the most praise is deservedly reserved for the 2. 2L common rail direct-injection diesel with its variable geometry intercooled turbo power plant, which provides 145kW of power matched with 436Nm of torque. SANTA FE ELITE REVIEWED The Elite has plenty of upmarket features and is fully specced. Starting under the bonnet there’s the 2.2 CRDi diesel,

linked to a 6-speed auto unit. Pleasingly, this is Hyundai’s own. A seamlessly slick shifter means the auto can be manually operated if you are in a sporty mood. The 2.2 diesel is slightly rattly at idle yet virtually unheard at normal driving speed, and it’s certainly no slouch. When the right foot asks the question, the CRDi answers decisively whether in traffic or at highway speeds. It’s a very under-stressed unit with great reserves of power. Hyundai claim fuel consumption of 7.3L per 100km and I achieved 7.7L per 100km on a decent country run. A full tank offers a range of around 770km, which is a decent touring range. The tow capacity of the auto is 2000kg for a braked trailer, which will haul a plethora of boats. And should a boat ramp be slippery, there’s differential lock available to direct power 50/50 to front and rear 18” wheels of the Elite.

With 185mm ground clearance the Santa Fe will handle some water crossings with aplomb.

Reversing in the Santa Fe is made easy thanks to a decent camera and parking sensors.

A plush eight way adjustable seat spoils the Santa Fe Elite’s driver.

Note the small park brake button set up on the console.

Second seat passengers have ample leg room in the Santa Fe.

Even the rear of the Santa Fe is dressed up with flowing, yet dynamic, lines. 100

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LUXURY INTERIOR Slipping behind the rake and reach adjustable wheel of the Santa Fe Elite, the driver can enjoy power adjustment of the leatherette seat, adjust the steering wheel for reach and rake, and enjoy the general ambience of the subtle highlights within the wide dash area. The feature list here is extensive. The generous screen

for the sat-nav rear camera system is a focal point within the dash, with a dual climate control air system standard. Most controls are located on the wheel, including cruise control, where they should be. Bluetooth with audio streaming is standard and a touch screen activates the Hyundai’s MP3 player and CD player linked to a quality 6-speaker audio system.

Virtually all major items are electrically operated, even the side mirrors, and there’s a neat push button hand brake that releases as soon as you select a gear. Glovebox cooling is also standard on the Elite. ENJOY THE DRIVE With McPherson Strut suspension up front and a multi link set-up at the rear, the Santa Fe will spoil the driver with its capability and willingness. Hyundai claims to have spent considerable effort on tuning the vehicle’s suspension to our local conditions, and it shows. On a mix of country back roads, where pot holes could swallow an echidna, and outright unmade gravel tracks, the ride ranged from good to excellent. Passengers are well insulated from bumps and thumps and it takes a lot to upset the quality of the wagon’s ride. The powerful diesel engine made easy work of anything asked of it, and overall it seemed to punch well above its weight. Driver and passengers alike will love the lack of noise, vibration, harshness (NVH) from the Santa Fe thanks to the general feeling of solidness and unfussed performance. In the city, the rear parking sensors are a big plus. Safety items include electronic stability control, traction control system ABS with EBD, hill start assist and downhill brake control, plus vehicle stability management. SUMMING UP There’s a lot to like about the Santa Fe Elite, from the full size spare to the sheer luxury of the interior. Hyundai have put a lot of work into the Santa Fe’s dynamics, with the result being that it excels in every department. It will tow a decent boat, caravan or camper, yet store a lot of gear for those who like camping. Travel at highway speeds is in utmost comfort, near total silence, and there’s a feeling of solidness and balance that is very reassuring. A 5-star ANCAP rating is standard, while the warranty is very generous at 5-years and unlimited km. The price for the Elite is $51,501 drive away.

Pelagics in the bay! SUNSHINE COAST

Lane Hoffman lane_h_96@hotmail.com

Right down the length of the Sunshine Coast in the summer months you can enjoy good action on pelagics, including mackerel and tuna, and many other species. Though this summer season hasn’t been spectacular (both the fishing and the weather), boats are still heading out in the windows of calmer conditions. Getting out in the early mornings has been the best bet, before the boat ramps become full. Early morning conditions tend to be calmer as well; you get to avoid the build-up to the afternoon summer thunderstorms. Out in Laguna Bay off Noosa, quite a few anglers over the past month have been heading out over the bar to search for active schools. There have been reports of spotted and Spanish mackerel, and longtail and yellowfin tuna showing up here and there. Hopefully over the next few months, while the water is still warm and with a continued good amount of bait in the bay, the pelagic numbers will increase to provide some

excellent fishing. When you’re chasing these fish, whether you’re casting or trolling, remember that it can sometimes take persistence to get results. In Laguna Bay it can really just be the luck of the day. Sometimes it may seem the conditions are perfect when the bay is glassed out, with a lot of bait balls showing up on the sounder, but no pelagic action. Usually it’s the northerly winds that cause a lot of anglers to have a difficult time finding any fish. However, there are times when anglers will just go out over the bar, not knowing what the reports have been like, and catch fish! There have been little fun-size tuna smashing bait at times. I recently went out with a mate to flick plastics over the shallow reefs, and in the distance a little further out in the bay we saw active flocks of birds. We raced over to check it out, and saw these tuna busting up on the bait schools below the birds. We rigged up slugs and cast countless times at the schools, even downsizing to the smallest slugs we had, without any hits. We then rigged up small profile Berkley Gulp 3” Minnows rigged on 1/6oz jigheads. First

cast, double hook-up! These fish fight extremely hard on very light gear. My mate lost his fish at the boat while I was still hooked onto mine. After an hour’s fight, I finally got my 4kg fish in the boat! Because the bait that they were feeding on was quite small, downsizing to a small plastic rigged on a light jighead was clearly the way to go. With these fish you really have to match the hatch. Casting slugs and small plastics into surface feeding tuna and mackerel is great fun. When approaching these fish, don’t drive straight through them. This will spook the fish and they will disappear for a while, appearing on the surface again somewhere else. The best approach is to position your boat just within casting distance of the fish. You want a rod that will cast a slug or a lightweight plastic a fair way, and a good choice is a 7’ threadline outfit capable of fishing 6kg mono. You should use the gear that you feel most comfortable with though. If you prefer using lighter gear, rods of 2-4kg or 5-10kg, and reels of 2500-3500 size are great fun to use while chasing these fish. Using 12-16lb braid and 16-20lb leaders will do the job.

This yellowfin tuna took a small, lightly weighted Berkley Gulp. This fish fought extremely hard on light gear. The best lures are smaller sized 15g slugs and plastics rigged on light jigheads. The aim is to cast into the feeding fish as close as possible, and wind back to the boat as fast as possible. These fish sometimes cut through the water, smash your lure and then turn around and peel line off your reel! If this technique isn’t working, try casting in, let the lure sink for a little while, then start winding with speed. Sometimes some larger fish will sit under the balls of bait, and once your lure is in their strike zone they will smash it! If you’re using very light gear and you’re worried that

the fish will spool you, have someone else on the boat start the motor and chase it. This will allow you to gain all the line back on the fish. If you know there are larger mackerel or tuna about, it’s best to increase your gear size to prevent a lot of lost lures. With mackerel being very toothy fish, upgrading your leader size is important to stay connected to them. If you’re trolling for these fish using heavier overhead setups, there are many deep diving lures on the market that work great. Lures such as Rio’s Lethal Action and Halco Laser Pros work effectively on

these pelagic fish. Trolling at a relatively slow speed will keep the lures swimming down in the water column correctly. While the weather is still warm, have a shot at chasing these pelagic fish in the bay – just remember to make sure your gear is up to scratch and your knots are tied well. You also want to fish in the right conditions when the weather is calm. If you’re fishing in the Noosa area, drop into Hooked On Angling and Outdoors in Tewantin and the team will provide you with great advice on how to target these pelagics out in the bay!

n o e b o t Want f o r e v o C the ? y l h t n o M g Fishin

INSER T YOUR FACE HERE!

Do you love your monthly issue of Fishing Monthly? Do you think it’s about time you were on the cover of it? Well, we think that too and are offering readers the chance to do just that. The June, July and August issues of Queensland, NSW and Victoria/Tasmania FMs will all feature readers’ pics on the front covers. And there’s no reason why it can’t be you... Entry is simple. Email us your cover-worthy pic. Remember, though, that it needs to be the right composition and resolution to work. After that, it just needs to get through the Grumpy Old Men committee (of Steve Booth and Steve Morgan) and then BOOM, you’re the latest cover model.

Be creative - we like images that aren’t just ‘person holding fish’. • • • • • •

Other parameters of which you need to take note: Portrait format (turn camera on its side). Leave enough room for a magazine masthead at the top of the image. Shoot in the highest resolution your camera can take. Use fill-in flash to help remove any shadows under caps or biminis. Live fish look way better than dead ones. Any fish must be legally captured (within season/size limits).

Head not too high in the shot to allow for Masthead Portrait format showing focus area

And then email your image to: frontcovercomp@fishingmonthly.com.au with a description of the what/when/where/how of the capture. Be sure to include your details, too, because we’ll post out a framed copy of the winning covers to the entrant.

THAT will be going straight to the Pool Room, we bet.

For full terms and conditions, please refer to www.fishingmonthly.com.au/frontcovercomp FEBRUARY 2014

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HAWK FISHING • FIND-A-WORD COMPETITION

Places to wet a line, but shouldn’t

CHURCH

GRAVY

SOUP

COFFEE

KETTLE

SPA

DOGBOWL

MILK

SWAMP

DOWNPIPE

PUDDING

TOILET

DRAIN

PUDDLE

VASE

FONT

RUM

WETDOG

FRESHPAINT

SEWER

WINDEX

FRIDGE

SHOWER

ZIMBABWE

FRUITSALAD

SINK

Name Address

P/Code Phone (day):

The first correct entry at the end of each month will win a Hawk Fishing cap, Hawk Fishing line, Hawk HB Lure, assorted Panther Martin lures and 3 packets of Youvella chemically sharpened hooks. SEND ENTRIES TO: QFM Hawk Tournament Competition

PO box 3172, Loganholme Qld 4129 QFM FEBRUARY 2014

FINS SCALES & TAILS by A. Both

SUBSCRIBER PRIZE The subscriber prize winners for December were S Connor of Lismore, T Perkins of Nanango, D Muller of Yamanto, T Bruncker of Chermside West, R Freeman of Wellington Point, G Foley of Currimundi, D Jensen of Biloela, T Cater of Runaway Bay, T Watts of Mango Hill, M Sugden of Bundamba, who each won a Island Tribe Sunscreen pack valued at $35. All subscribers are entered in the monthly subscriber prize draws. Prize delivery takes up to 8 weeks. – QFM

BARRA COUNTRY by Brett Currie

BITE ME by Trisha Mason

FIND THE BLACK MAGIC C-POINT WINNERS The Find the Black Magic C-Point Hook prize winners for December were J Lowik of Churchill, J Walker of Forest Lake, J Elsley of Goondiwindi, W O’Connor of South Bingera, T Grice of Caboolture, G English of Bowen, B Gant of Millaa Millaa, V Brown of Chinchilla, B Adams of Bongaree, W Brown of Maryborough, M Henderson of Edens Landing, K Quirk of Capella, G Watter of Ripley, G Phillips of Cotswold Hills, D Richter of Toogoolawah, C Snow of Warwick, P Baker of Cungulla, H Jensen of Alstonville, B Evans of River Heads, J Higgins of Bracken Ridge, I Mackellar of Maryborough, R Dowden of Goondiwindi, D Roll of Burnett Heads, P Wills of Agnes Water, L Stevenson of Runaway Bay, R Bignell of Roma, B Mackey of Parkwood, A Remfrey of Rothwell, J Wilson of Nanango, I Wogandt of River Heads, I Boneham of Maryborough, G Noy of Gladstone, P Neilsen of Petrie, N Oakley of Toowoomba, L Garton of Gladstone, B Botting of Nanago, M Gosp of Cleveland, G Poor of Taromeo, M Fergus of Tanby, D Clarke of Taroomball, R Whittaker of Calliope, M Kempthorne of Cooloola Cove, S Elliott of Wynnum, J Smith of Wynnum West, L Betts of Kendall, D Shaw of Mackay, R Grossi of Trebonne, J Fourro of Bundaberg, A Grulke of Karalee, E Griffiths of Charters Towers, who each won a packet of Black Magic C-Point Hooks valued at $5.95! Prize delivery takes up to 8 weeks. – QFM

RAPALA GOMOKU OUTFIT WINNER!

G & N by Michael Hardy

Congratulations to T Balzer of Ballina, who was the winner of the Rapala Gomoku outfit competition! Winners receive a Gomoku outfit consisting of rod, reel, line, and lures. Prize delivery can take 8 weeks. – QFM

FIND-A-WORD WINNER Congratulations to Sam Fergus of Yeppoon, who was last month’s winner of the Hawk Tournament Find-a-Word Competition! Monthly winners receive Hawk Tournament Tested Bayer Perlon IGFA line, assorted Panther Martin lures, Youvella hooks and a keyring. Prize delivery can take 8 weeks. – QFM 76

• DECEMBER 2010

Skim the bream on surface lures GOLD COAST

Mitchell Trethowan

As we come out of the cooler months and the water starts to heat up once again, bream become more active and tend to sit higher in the water column searching for food. It’s not uncommon to see bream rounding up schools of shrimp and attacking them off the surface. Once I see this, one particular technique comes to mind – surface lures. Whether it’s on top of sand flats or right up against a bank in the canals, bream find it very hard to resist a surface lure walking across the top. Finesse surface fishing is one of my favourite techniques to target good numbers of bream in the canals and rivers. What separates surface lures from all the rest is the fact that you get to watch the fish follow your lure out from its home and hopefully slurp it in. The intense moments when there are 5 or more bream circling under the lure always excites me the most and makes fishing with surface lures an incredibly fun pastime. FINDING BREAM In the warmer months bream will be sitting up in relatively shallow water and that’s why surface lures are a must-have. There is no point casting in the middle of a canal and hoping a bream will come up from 15ft down to eat your lure. When fishing canals I cast either at the bank where it’s shallow then work the lure into the deeper water or cast right along the whole bank to cover a lot of ground. Structure worth casting at includes rock bars, overhanging trees, boat ramps, moored boats, jetties and any other form of structure available in canals and rivers.

Casting at pontoons is also a great way to use a surface lure. Often bream will come out from under a pontoon and smash a surface lure without any hesitation. When fishing other shallow areas such as sand flats, bream tend to sit on the edges of drop-offs and weed beds. Knowing this makes it easier to cast

smash anything you cast at them, then other days they will sit under your lure and just watch it. How they react to your lures on the day will determine how heavy your leader will be. As a starting point 4lb Toray Upgrade is perfect – it’s super tough and can withstand bream without any difficulty; 6lb leader and

middle of a retrieve. However, in most cases it’s more visible underwater than fluorocarbon, which means fish may spot the leader. Alternatively, fluorocarbon fishing line sinks, this is great for other kinds of lures such as soft plastics and hardbodies. Fluorocarbon can still be used for surface lures but it has potential to become a problem when using leaders over 6lb. I find that after a long pause, the fluorocarbon leader has sunk and tends to drag the lure under for a short period of time once the retrieval begins. Thankfully, fluorocarbon leaders with a rating of 4lb or less don’t have much effect on the action of small surface lures. It is also very abrasive resistant and is almost impossible to see underwater. For these reasons I usually tie on fluorocarbon over mono in most light line situations. For mainline, any good quality braid will do.

Imakatsu Dilemma Popper producing some good quality bream from the canals. many kinds of surface lures available, such as poppers and walkers that sometimes have the advantage of doubling as a sub surface lure. I find that walkers or (walk-the-dog lures) are the most productive in canals because of their natural appearance and action.

O.S.P Bent Minnow worked slightly under the surface was enough to convince some finicky land-locked bream. accurately at spots where fish are lying. This way you’re not wasting time casting at fishless areas. TACKLE When finesse surface fishing it is vital to have the correct gear. Having the right lure is often not enough to trick a bream into eating your surface offering. When a fish comes up to the surface they become wary of what’s around them. A lot of the time if you’re using heavy leader or sitting too close to the fish they won’t bother having a go. That’s why you must use a long light leader and big casts. Each day a bream’s mood will change. Some days they

upwards is fine when the water is murky and the fish aren’t too disturbed by heavier leaders or when fishing around sharp structure such as rocks and oysters. If you find that fish are following the lure but not tempted to strike then try to downsize your leader. A rod length of light leader under 4lb may become necessary on these days. There are two main types of leaders available: monofilament fishing line and fluorocarbon. Monofilament floats on water so it can be useful when using small surface lures so that the line won’t drag the lure underwater while in the

Always make multiple casts at pontoons and the areas beside them while fishing in canals.

Overcast conditions are perfect for surface fishing because the cloud cover gives fish more confidence to come up to the surface. Something like Toray Radius Super Pe is great and well worth spending that little bit extra money. If you want something more cost effective then green Sunline Super Pe is a popular choice. It comes in 150m or 300m spools so you can easily get two uses out of the one packet. When it comes to choosing an outfit for surface fishing you need a rod with a suitable action. A quick and responsive rod tip is required to get the best action out of your lures. I also prefer a slightly longer rod around the 7ft mark as it makes casting further a lot easier. At the moment I use a Daiwa Black Label MLFS matched with a Daiwa Sol. This rod is rated at 2-3kg and combined with a fast taper means that it’s capable of throwing ultra light surface lures a mile. Lure choice is just as important when it comes to surface fishing. There are

Poppers are also effective especially when trying to attract fish from further away. Popular brands that produce these lures include O.S.P, Imakatsu, DUO, Atomic, Lucky Craft, Ecogear and Berkley. By far my favourite two surface lures would be the O.S.P Bent Minnow 76 and Imakatsu Dilemma Popper. The O.S.P Bent Minnow can be walked across the surface plus it has the option of being drawn under for when the fish are a little hesitant. The Dilemma Popper is purely a walk-the-dog lure but has a small-cupped face that creates more disturbances in the water than any regular walker. Other lures that have produced in the past include Berkley Scum Dog, Lucky Craft NW Pencil and Ecogear PX45. It’s best to have a collection of surface lures and trial each one to decide what you like most.

RETRIEVES AND LURE ACTIONS Each type of lure has a different action and works best using unique shakes of the rod. For poppers it can be as simple as casting to the lure at a bank, and giving the rod a couple quick flicks then pausing the lure. Poppers have a large cupped face and once you give the rod a sharp flick downwards it pulls the lure forward, which creates a small splash around the lure. This can alert fish from close by to come in and investigate. Walk-the-dog lures when worked correctly zigzag from side to side imitating a baitfish or shrimp. To get the lure walking you have to continuously shake the rod tip and combine it with a slow roll. Once you get the shakes in time with the zigzag action the lure will dart from side to side and look perfectly natural to nearby fish. Walkthe-dog lures are one of my favourites purely because of their versatility. They can be worked extremely slow or very erratic across the surface to intrigue fish. As stated earlier, some lures, such as the Bent Minnow, can be worked under the surface by slowly drawing the rod tip downwards. Once the lure is under the water, start a slow retrieve with plenty of smaller downward shakes of the rod so the lure doesn’t rise back up to the top. Once you have a bream’s attention let the lure pause and most of the time they will take this as an opportunity to strike. Wait for any movements in your line or for the lure to go under the surface before you strike back. A lot of the time a bream will hit and miss the lure so it’s imperative not to pull it away because the lure will no longer be in the strike zone and this can frighten the fish. In recent sessions when a fish has hit and missed, I have given the lure one or two more twitches directly after the hit. This makes the fish super agitated because their meal seems to be escaping and often the next hit will be super aggressive. FEBRUARY 2014

103

Clark 545 Challenger Cuddy BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

Clark Boats have been around for about several decades and have earned a reputation for toughness and reliability that has gained this alloy manufacturer a strong following. And the recent release of the 2014 Clark 545 Challenger Cuddy Cab is sure to gain interest from the public and industry. Currently these well-finished craft are manufactured at Arundel, South Queensland. The 545 is the largest of the Challenger line up, with 4.85 and 5.15m models also on offer at selected marine dealers. Although Clark make plenty of serious fishing craft, the 4mm plate alloy Challengers are cuddy cab style craft, which are always popular with family anglers for the extra comfort and shelter. The cuddy also forms a great bulwark against water when travelling in adverse conditions; consequently cuddy cabin craft are very popular with offshore anglers as well.

Up front, the Challenger’s wide anchor well could be easily accessed via the cabin’s side opening hatch. Standing to lift the pick would be no real chore, as the deckie could brace against the rounded edge of the cabin’s overhead shelving. Sitting in plenty of comfort within the windowequipped cuddy cab I noted plush roof lining and a deep floor well. An open entry area under the dash allowed

easy entry. The well padded bunks – best for sitting, a bit short for sleeping on unless curled up a bit – had useful storage under them while the shelves offered room for smaller items. BOLSTER STYLE SEATS Clark earned full marks from me in regard to their forward seating. Very strong and comfortable swivelling pedestal style seats mounted on open-sided storage boxes that featured height

adjustability. These deluxe seats were also equipped with bolstered front sections that could be dropped down to facilitate standing while under way. A passenger grab handle, side shelving, as well as a footrest located at the end of the bunks were also featured. Another really handy item was the large storage box set into the rear of the mate’s seat box. Equipped with a cushion on its lid the

A hull design with plenty of heritage sees displaced water flowing easily away from the Challenger’s bow.

PUT THE

RIGHT

TRAILER

The Clark 545 Challenger is a very stylish craft with performance to match those eye-catching lines. well-made and usefully large box also served as a seat for an adult-sized passenger. A two-piece wrap around style windscreen gave the Clark a sporty look and in conjunction with the craft’s well made bimini (clears were standard) provided excellent weather protection. I also noticed sufficient room on the flat area aft of the windscreen to install as many large navigation aids or sounders as you might desire. Clark have taken a minimal approach to their 545 Challenger’s dash layout. The steering wheel linked to hydraulic steering was set into the large vertical panel ahead of the skipper with gauges for various instruments alongside the wheel, a switch panel

SPECIFICATIONS Length:............................................................5.60m Beam:..............................................................2.42m Length on trailer:...............................................6.7m Height on trailer:................................................2.6m Hull construction:.......4mm plate bottom and sides. Weight of hull:.................................................. 730kg Hull deadrise:.......................................................19º Fuel:................................................................... 140L Engines:....................................................100-140hp Engine fitted:........150hp Mercury Optimax 2-stroke Persons:...................................................................6 Towing:.............................Family 6, sedan or wagon

UNDER YOUR BOAT...

A useful amount of Vee aft plus large reversed outer chines saw the Clark 545 Challenger riding well, very stable at rest.

QUALITY WITHOUT COMPROMISE

PHONE: (07)

3881 3568

Check our website for your nearest dealer

sealinktrailers.com.au 104

FEBRUARY 2014

Anglers will enjoy using the Challenger’s plumbed live well, easily accessed in the starboard transom corner.

also neatly fitted as well. Easily read, easily sorted, and functional rather than fancy is how I saw the layout while seated in the skipper’s seat. The forward controls for the 150 Mercury Optimax were by my right arm. A fair bit of thought has been put into the layout of the Challenger’s large cockpit. A metre-long underfloor storage compartment was located between seat boxes and was ideal for clothing, safety gear and similar. Naturally, the catch could also be stored there. Further cockpit storage was in the form of 900mm long side pockets; wide and deep enough to hold a gaff, or additional tackle or whatever the day’s activities might demand for a family boating team. The pockets were off floor too, ensuring that toe holds when working hard on the reel. The 545 Challenger’s cockpit featured a degree of versatility, that saw it great for fishing and just as useful to the family boater wanting to do some occasional angling. A three-person drop down seat was situated aft, to starboard, while an inwards opening, lockable, boarding gate and a sturdy retractable ladder were set to port. The Clark’s carpeted floor was a nice touch, as was the padded bolstering, which formed both a back rest for the aft seat as well as a padded brace point if playing a fish when the aft seat was lowered down and folded inwards. Dropping the seat would also allow easy access to the Challenger’s plumbed live bait well situated in the starboard corner of the transom. Rod holders, a fuel filler to port, sturdy cleats and aft side rails on the 645mm high gunwales complete the cockpit features. Paired boarding platforms aft would make it easy for a swimmer to aboard, although the full height transom dictated that the ladder and cockpit gate to port would be the way to go. EXCELLENT RIDE Clark have been in the business so long that I couldn’t anticipate the slightest issue with ride or handling, and I was not disappointed. The ride was

Top: Entry to the cuddy cab couldn’t be easier – just step straight in. Above: The Challenger’s top shelf pedestal seats earned full marks for their excellent design and useful features. spot on, the Challenger handling waves and chop in the Jumpinpin area with ease. The hull’s well formed entry and flared bow softened wave impact beautifully while the 19º Vee section aft mated to wide reversed chines pushed spray and chop down and away so effectively that no water came into the cockpit even when powering through the nasty stuff. Handling was spot on. Hard turns in either direction saw the big cuddy rig turn virtually on its own length with the engine trimmed in, responding rapidly back to a totally level ride in seconds, and at all times feeling light and well balanced at hand. The craft’s Sea Star hydraulic steering gave the wheel fingertip control and there was virtually no feed

The 545 Challenger has plenty of storage areas.

back from the steering at any time. Stability at rest was impressive, thanks to the large reversed chines the craft hardly leaned at all at rest even with two persons on one wide gunwale. EASY PERFORMANCE The 150hp Mercury Optimax was slightly over the maximum recommended power of 140hp but as the test craft was to be used chiefly for tow sports the 150 Opti made sense. As the engine was straight from the box it also made sense not to abuse it so it was steady, steady, for an hour of playing in the ‘Pin bar area and surrounding channels before heading to sheltered water for GPS runs. With three persons aboard, the 545 Challenger was quick off the mark and very nippy underway with a recorded

speed of 34 knots (64.5km/h) at 5000rpm, 4000rpm saw 29 knots (54.6km/h), 3000rpm 18 knots (33.4km/h) and 2600rpm saw the rig planing

cleanly at 9 knots (16.8km/h). The 150hp direct injection 6-cylinder Optimax, same as other direct injection 2-strokes on the market, had

The 545 Challenger’s open anchor well is easily accessed from the cuddy cabin’s hatch.

Top: Driving the Challenger onto its trailer was simplified by the Dunbier trailer’s excellent design. Above: The 545 Challenger’s bunks are perfect to curl up for a snooze and have plenty of storage area under them. terrific pick up and saw the rig planing in a little over its own length when hard power was applied. HIGHLIGHTS AND SUMMING UP With its very high standard of finish and seafaring qualities, the good looking Clark 545 Challenger impressed me as a very good all rounder for fishing and family fun. No doubt its versatility would be a very important feature to a prospective buyer. The 650mm high interior sides assured safety for family groups with children on board while the exterior freeboard of 1190mm ensured ample sea keeping with bay estuary or offshore work. A massive 140L of fuel under the floor assured terrific cruising capability and, with

an infill for the bunks, a bit of overnighting when cruising would be possible. A gas canister stove, ice in the floor storage box and all is well in the world! With registrations and safety gear and on a Dunbier trailer (with mag wheels) the reviewed craft would come home, as supplied by Karee Marine of Rocklea, for a very competitive $42,790. Contacts for Karee: phone (07) 38751600, fax (07) 38751622. Quoted performance figures have been supplied by the writer in good faith. Performance of individual boat/motor/trailer packages may differ due to variations in engine installations, propellers, hull configurations, options, hull loading and trailer specifications.

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DEALER ENQUIRIES WELCOME FEBRUARY 2014

105

Whittley’s impressive SL22 with Volvo Penta 200 Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

The Whittley heritage goes back 6 decades. Timber construction in the early 1950s gave way to fibreglass, and with the company’s emphasis on best possible finish and presentation it didn’t take long for the Whittley name to become synonymous with quality boating. Today there’s a large range of well appointed Whittley fibreglass boats. The Sea Legend series alone has 6 models, ranging from the SL21 through to the massive SL28 hard top. The reviewed cuddy cab SL22 with Volvo Penta inboard engine seamlessly combines comfort and useful features from stem to stern with decent shelter from the elements. Power options are interesting – you can choose either an outboard or inboard engine. While many trailer craft these days are equipped with outboard motors there’s no denying the cost savings and other benefits of the inboard Volvo Penta 4.3L petrol V6. The Volvo unit costs around the same as a modern 70hp 4-stroke outboard. LAYOUT The SL22’s layout was a combination of comfort and practicality. Reviewing the craft out from Scarborough on Brisbane’s north side, I soon noticed that no space was wasted. Every appointment and feature made a lot of sense in the best Whittley tradition. The Sea Legend’s sleek design emphasized modern styling highlighted by an exemplary standard of finish. Up front the wide anchor well came equipped with a provision for an electric winch, although manual anchor tending is no trouble thanks to the large cabin hatch. The Whittley’s cabin featured full-length bunks over large storage boxes, was neatly lined and had overhead shelving plus a marine toilet. An infill is

available to convert the bunks into a large double bed. Entry into the cabin was direct, with a door another factory option. A heavy-duty set of clears were part of the SL22’s package. Featuring zip open front sections, they were linked to a solid stainless steel hard top frame equipped with a bimini. This extended both forward and backwards (the latter section is an option) to cover some of the cockpit work area. Sensibly, the bimini’s rear section had a zippered opening section to allow access to the 6 rod holders mounted on the hard top frame along with paired LED cockpit lights. These were also an option on the test boat. Aft of the craft’s 5-section windscreen (the section in front of the skipper was equipped with a wiper) the Whittley’s helm seating was strong, comfortable, and very practical. The skipper’s and mate’s wraparound slide adjustable seats were set on the front of quite substantial storage boxes equipped with aft facing seats. Up front, to starboard, the helm/dash layout was purposeful but practical. A compass was tucked highest, just aft of the windscreen. Just below was a rounded off dash section with gauges; a speedometer to port, then came trim, temperature, oil pressure, RPM, fuel, a voltmeter, with tachometer to starboard. On the next level were the engine’s ignition key,

Top: The Whittley SL22 features handsome looks with a high degree of practicality. Above Left: The Whittley’s stern drive unit had ample power for the solid glass craft and offered great stability at rest. Above Right: This stern view of the SL22 gives an insight into the amount of fishing room available. a Raymarine Hybrid Touch 7” unit, with winch controls and QL trim tabs to starboard, next to a 12V outlet. The classy 3-spoke steering wheel had arrays of switches set each side, while forward controls for the inboard engine were set into

The V6 Volvo inboard offers easy service capability with all important items easily reached.

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FEBRUARY 2014

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Boat

the craft’s side, handy to the skipper. A VHF radio was also part of the kit. In all, an ergonomically pleasing helm set-up and very Whittley. BIG COCKPIT WORK AREA The carpet-lined cockpit was 1200mm long and 1720mm wide, and with only 30cm intrusion from the 200hp inboard engine at the stern there was no shortage of fishing room. Extended seating options involved 2 removable seats each side at the transom area. As I saw it, the Whittley’s 770mm deep cockpit, from its underfloor storage area aft to the arrays of upright rod holders in each stern quarter, virtually had the lot! Large off floor side pockets with toe holds underneath were equipped with recessed (horizontal) rod holders that saw both butts and tips protected behind the hull liner. Gunwale top sections were well padded and featured another 2 stainless rod holders per side. A freshwater deck wash unit was set up in the port side pocket, and a raw water wash down to starboard. Rounding off the cockpit features were a plumbed bait tank atop the engine cover plus a moulded bait board complete with storage area and 2 more rod holders, In total there were 20 stainless steel holders available. Interestingly, there’s no transom door; you just step over the transom sections each side of the engine when boarding from astern (a ladder was set to starboard). Dual batteries were located to port in the transom area, with an isolator of course. ENGINE PERFORMANCE Thanks to the grunt from the fuel-injected 4.3L 200hp V6 Volvo inboard, the SL22 was no slouch underway. The low centre of gravity of this smooth-running petrol V6 added terrific stability to the craft, especially at rest. The engine was also quiet. Even when working hard it had minimal noise

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intrusion into the cockpit. And it was so willing to go! A push of the throttle lever saw the craft – with 2 aboard – planing at 20km/h, at just under 2000rpm. 3000rpm saw 34.6km/h, 4000rpm 48.3km/h, and 4500rpm (WOT ) saw 57.4km/h. The 200hp Volvo Penta stern drive has a CARB 4-star rating and comes with a QL Neutra Flush engine flushing system as a bonus. The Whittley SL22’s engine ratings are from 150-225hp (for both inboard and outboard) which saw the 200 Volvo towards the top of the tree. In my view it provided all the power required for easy performance. The Volvo was very responsive, with only slight throttle lever movements required to increase speed

Top Left: The Whittley’s seating, on storage boxes, offers a handy mix of practicality and high levels of comfort. Top Right: Comfortable full-length bunks were par for the course on the Whittley Sea Legend 22. rapidly. Steering was very sweet, too, thanks to hydraulic steering. It was fun to throw the Whittley’s 23 degree deep V hull into fast turns to watch how quickly the hull recovered to a level aspect. QL trim tabs are standard and make sense on a large hull like this one.

FISHABILITY Overall, the ride was very good. The hull was extremely quiet, responsive to trim and seemingly without any vice whatsoever. The slick entry section up front, paired bottom strakes each side, central planing plank and outer reversed chines ironed out

small waves and chop east of Scarborough with ease. It was easy to see that the Whittley would make just as great an offshore rig as a boat for a day on the bay with the family or a group of friends. The Whittley’s useful array of fishing features were backed up with a great touring

Above Left: The Whittley’s bait tank and bait station are adjacent for easy angler use. Above Right: Optional rear seating immediately sees the SL22 as a 6-seater rig.

range thanks to its 210L fuel capacity. This boat would easily take 4, perhaps 5 anglers well offshore for some bluewater work. A cockpit freeboard of 900mm would ensure confident sea keeping and minimal spray intrusion into the cockpit’s interior. The Whittley’s cuddy cab, of course, would also offer great shelter for occupants or for tackle storage. In all the SL22 was a great craft for serious fishing or for enjoyable family use where

fishing is mixed with tow sports or just enjoying some cruising. It came on a well built tandem wheel Mackay/ Whittley trailer which was quite suited to the drive off/drive on style of launch and retrieval that larger craft demand. The test rig was supplied by Northside Marine of Boondall. With the extras of deck wash units, paired rear seats, LED lights, extra rod holders, VHF radio,and Raymarine unit, the test rig was priced at $85,839. A more basic boat-motortrailer package is available for $74,599. To find out more you can contact Northside on (07) 3265 8000 or check them out on the net at www. nsmarine.com.au. Quoted performance figures have been supplied by the writer in good faith. Performance of individual boat/motor/trailer packages may differ due to variations in engine installations, propellers, hull configurations, options, hull loading and trailer specifications.

SPECIFICATIONS Length of hull............................................ 6.50m Length on trailer........................................7.64m Height on trailer........................................ 2.90m Beam.......................................................... 2.26m Fuel capacity............................................... 210L Engine ratings....................................150-225hp Engine fitted...........200hp 4.3L Volvo V6 inboard Persons rating.................................................. 7 Towing..................... Large 4WD, family 6 wagon

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107

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.

Boat Licencing

Boat Hire – Trailer GOLD COAST

Advertisers wanting to be involved in this directory can call (07) 3387 0830 or email ads@fishingmonthly.com.au

GOLD COAST

Walk on/off, or tow away Fish finder/gps, marine radio, all safety gear Half day, full day, and overnight rates True locals with great advice

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SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND

Tackle Warehouse Brisbane (07) 3398 6500

Victoria Point Bait and Tackle (07) 3820 9581 Spinnaker Sound Chandlery Ningi (07) 5497 6007

To book call Alan on 0428 729 355 BRISBANE

SUNSHINE COAST

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Promote your Sunny Coast boat hire business here! For as little as $15 per month. Phone Shayne (07) 3387 0831 Email shayne@fishingmonthly.com.au

Boat Hire – House GOLD COAST

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CAPE YORK, QLD

Boab Boat Hire - 1300 002 622

Holt Marine (07) 3353 1928 Cunninghams Marine (07) 3284 8805 Caloundra Marine (07) 5491 1944 Bribie Boat Sales (07) 3408 0055

WANT IN? EMAIL : ads@fishingmonthly.com.au 108

FEBRUARY 2014

MACKAY / WHITSUNDAYS

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We Service all Motor Brands!

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Bluewater Windscreens Brisbane (07) 3382 7883 ASM Mobile Welding Brisbane 0409 624 402 Marine Windows and Doors Brisbane (07) 3284 5088 Small Craft Electrics (mobile) 0408 063 064 Boat Collar (07) 5441 3636 CMC Marine Sales 0409 910 808

Marine Detailing

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Boat Modifications and Repairs

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109

Specialty Products

Propellers

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Suncoast Barra Fishing Park www.suncoastbarrafishing.com

CENTRAL QUEENSLAND

Cardwell Beach Motel - www.cardwellbeachmotel.net (07) 4066 8776 or info.cbmotel@bigpond.com

Lake Monduran Barra Charters 0407 434 446

TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND

FRESHWATER

Hooked On Hinchinbrook www.hookedonhinchinbrook.com

Yallakool Caravan Park on Bjelke-Petersen Dam (07) 4168 4746 Lake Boondooma Caravan Park (07) 4168 9694

Fish Taxidermy

O N

7 DAYS Snacks and drinks supplied!

O PP YE

Lake Cressbrook Regional Council 131 872

Neptune’s Treasures - Your Catch Reproduced 0405 226 282 www.neptunestreasures.com.au

Not just a day... but an experience!

Yallakool Park and Kiosk on Bjelke-Petersen Dam (07) 4168 4746

• Group and share charters (maximum 6 people) • Rods, reels, bait and tackle supplied • BYO! (cans only) • Experienced skipper and crew

Charter Boats NORTHERN NSW

Evans Head Deep Sea Fishing Charters 0428 828 835

Fish Taxiderist www.fishtaxidery.net.au or 0428 544 841

Fishing on TV

0419 029 397

Reel Time Fishing Charters 0428 231 962

GOLD COAST

Rosslyn Bar Harbour, Yeppoon, Queensland www.bitememarlincharters.com.au • bitemefishingcharters@hotmail.com

Bite Me Fishing Charters Yeppoon 0419 029 397

SAMPLE AD - BUSINESS NAME

Ultimate Sportfishing Charters 0450 753 726

This is where your copy will appear. You will have approximately 80 words within a 8 x2 ad size.

MV Capricorn Star 0408 755 201

Ideal Xmas gift!

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

CAMPINGGROUND AND FISHING LODGE

ads@fishingmonthly.com.au 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 G old Coast 0427 026 519 Fish The Deep Charters 0416 224 412 Paradise Fishing Charters 0403 531 428 Gold Coast Fishing Charters 0411 605 090 Hooker 1 Charters Gold Coast (07) 5528 6469 Sea Probe Fishing Charters 0400 312 330 Coastal Sports Fishing Charters Gold Coast 0412 691 929 Gone Fishing Charters Gold Coast (07) 5529 7833

BRISBANE Frenzy Charters Brisbane (07) 3209 4576 Tom Cat Charters (07) 3820 8794 Moreton Island Fishing Charters 0413 128 056 Brisbane Fishing Charters 0427 026 510

Grassed Beachfront Camping • Air-conditioned Lodge Rooms Self-contained beach house • Licenced dinning facilities 4WD Cape York tours • Fishing charters • Boat Hire Booking agents for Peddells T.I Tours, gateway Horn Is tours, Brazakkas Helicoters & More.

Ph: 4069 3372 Fax: 4069 3770 Patsy: (07) 4069 3808 fishcapeyork@bigpond.com www.loyaltybeach.com P.O Box 49, Bamaga QLD 4876

TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND Eclipse FNQ Weipa Charters 0488 058 668 Action Charters Mackay 0417 452 346 Fishing Charters Townsville 0403 386 722

BURDEKIN JC’S FISHING CHARTERS Sportfishing the Burdekin and Bowen district for barramundi in the rivers to juvenile black marlin offshore, or sightfishing for permit with fly on the flats. Contact John 0438 753 382

www.jcsfishing.com.au

Fairdinkum Fishing Charters Townsville (07) 4751 5324

WANT IN? EMAIL : ads@fishingmonthly.com.au

DVD’S Series 2 through 8

$19.95 each GST INC. - with FREE P&H

1800 228 244

TRADES AND SERVICES ADVERTISING Line listing from $90 + gst 6 months* 2cm x 2 from $195 + gst 6 months* 4cm 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 0830 or email ads@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 Email: ads@fishingmonthly.com.au

NEWS

FROM THE BOATING WORLD

NEW DESIGN FOR QUINTREX

The new Hornet range including the F450, F481 and F500 models have received a brand new design that’s sure to impress. The new F- Hornet features a new bow design which sees the front casting deck expanded with improved storage space and stability. With a wide beam of 2.1m, the F500 Hornet offers great stability at rest and underway. As a member of the renowned Quintrex Hornet Range, the new F500 is set up for the serious angler, with rod holders, fishfinder and a 95L fuel tank as standard. Quintrex National Account Manager Cameron Wood said the F500 Hornet had received a lot of attention after being officially released at the recent Sydney International Boat Show. “ It is a significant design change that has really increased the storage, stability and size of the casting deck,” he said. “And being rated up to 115hp, there is plenty of power behind the F500 so you can load her up with your fishing gear without a problem. The F500 Hornet is available to option up with a bimini and envelope, bow mount thruster plate, live bait tank, rear ladder, rod storage pocket and berley bucket. It is available as a Quintrex Instant Boating Package including a boat, Quintrex trailer and Evinrude E-Tec engine complete with a 3-year factory warranty. For more information on the F500 Hornet or the entire Quintrex range head to www. quintrex.com.au. - Telwater

NEW LOWRANCES Lowrance has 2 new additions to its Elite and Mark family of compact fishfinder and chartplotter products: the Elite-4 and Mark4 Hybrid Dual Imaging (HDI) series. The new HDI units feature a built-in GPS antenna, high-definition mapping options, and the Lowrance exclusive Hybrid Dual Imaging technology that combines Broadband Sounder and Downscan Imaging for the best possible view beneath your boat.

Replacing previous Lowrance Elite-4 and Mark-4 models, the larger and super-bright Elite 4.3-inch colour and Mark grayscale displays have 70%t more pixels and 36% more useable screen area. Built into the HDI Skimmer transducer design, Broadband Sounder technology is ideal for marking fish arches and tracking lure action, while Downscan Imaging provides easy-to-understand, picture-like views of structure and bottom detail.

Advanced Signal Processing (ASP) reducing the need to manually adjust settings to see fish, structure and bottom detail more clearly. TrackBack functionality allows anglers to scroll back in recorded sonar history to review structure, transitions and fish targets, and pinpoint locations with a waypoint. The Elite-4 HDI line has Elite-4x HDI fishfinder-only, Elite-4m HD chartplotteronly and Elite-4 HDI combination models. The Mark-4 HDI is available as a fishfinder/ chartplotter combo unit only. Elite-4 and Mark-4 HDI models with chartplotter capability feature a highly accurate built-in GPS antenna. A C-Map bundle model is also available. Lowrance Elite-4 HDI combo models are priced from RRP $449 and the Mark-4 HDI fishfinder/chartplotter from RRP $279, and both have a limited 1-year warranty. For more info or to find your nearest dealer visit www.lowrance.com. - Lowrance

AQUASEAL MARINE WIPES

Aquaseal Marine Wipes (#262690) come in a pack of 75 convenient wipes containing a powerful anti-bacterial additive, ideal for use on all cleaning and maintenance jobs. These wipes are formulated to clean hands, tools and surfaces from engine oil, bilge grime, semi-cured paint, sealant, adhesive, grease, mildew stains, scuff marks, waterline scum and exhaust stains. They’re supplied in plastic re-sealable dispenser bottle and have a RRP of $22.40. The Aquaseal Marine range also includes a variety of sealants to suit almost any application, electrical insulation tapes, self amalgamating repair tapes, timber primer, bonding tape and PTFE thread tape. These products have been specially developed for the demanding marine environment and formulated to provide outstanding protection against severe weather exposure, resistance to saltwater and extreme UV light. They also offer superior adhesive characteristics to most marine substrates such as GRP (glass reinforced plastic), gelcoats, aluminium, glass, chrome, wood and stainless steel. For more information on the Aquaseal range visit www.bla.com.au. - BLA

GME HANDHELD VHF RADIOS

GME’s GX800 and GX850 VHF radios have Digital Selective Calling and inbuilt GPS, making them an essential safety device for boat owners.

Built to withstand the harsh marine environment, the GX800 and GX850 are waterproof to the IP67 standard. Both models feature a large backlit LCD display, making the screen easy to read in bright sunlight. If either model is dropped overboard, it will float to the surface with the bright LCD flashing to make it easy to find and retrieve. 5/1W switchable transmission power enables users to reduce battery consumption by selecting the low power setting when using the radio at close range, or at full 5W power for communicating over longer distances. The GX850 features Digital Selective Calling (DSC) and a 48 channel GPS receiver. With a registered MMSI number, users are able to transmit important information direct to another radio. In times of an emergency, DSC can be used to alert all radios within range of the distress, even when a listening watch is not being maintained. The built-in GPS receiver means that any distress call will automatically include current position and time. And the GX850 features 2 receivers, one of which is dedicated to DSC so users will never miss a DSC call. The GX850 also has a Man Over Board (MOB) feature. You simply press and hold the MOB key to gain an accurate location of the point at which the incident occurred. The GX800 is priced at RRP $229, and the GX850 at RRP $329, and both models can be used worldwide. For stockist info visit www.gme.net.au. - GME

BRAVO TWO PROPS BACK

Responding to popular demand, Mercury Marine has reintroduced a full line of aluminium propellers for that legendary workhorse, the Bravo Two sterndrive. Mercury has brought back the 11, 13, 15, 17 and 25 pitch 3-bladed Bravo Two aluminium propellers in both right- and lefthand rotation. These join the 19, 21 and 23 pitch aluminium propellers, to provide boatowners with a full range to choose from. “At Mercury, we’re in the business of providing what our customers want,’ said John Temple, Mercury Marine’s General Manager, Australia, NZ and South Pacific (ANZP). “These propellers really enhance mid- to top-end performance, and our customers told us loud and clear they wanted that option.” Bravo Two propellers offer a large blade area for maximum thrust and a beefy design for excellent manoeuvrability and better holding during turns. To maintain high quality, the Bravo Two propellers are cast in-house at Mercury’s casting facility in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. They feature MercAlloy, Mercury’s patented aluminium alloy for superior strength. Aluminium and stainless steel Bravo Two propellers fit all Bravo Two drives and are now available in 11 to 25 pitch in right-hand and left-hand rotations. For more information, including Mercury’s 5-Step Guide to the perfect propeller, visit mercurymarine.com.au. Mercury

MARINE POLISHING SET

Fein’s Marine Polishing Set is the latest product to join the elite fleet of power tools. An unpolished boat can mean much more than a dirty surface. Wax polish replenishes the gel coat on fibreglass boats, which protects the hull from fading and erosion. A wax polish on a painted boat renews the emollients and oils from the initial coat of paint, restoring the fresh, bright look and extending the life of the surface. Fein’s 750W, carbon brush motor combined with variable speed control boasts speed settings between 500-1500rpm for surface machining on all marine vehicles. The polisher’s design has been developed with a superior ventilation system to ensure that it doesn’t heat up under use, as well as maximum speed stability at any load over the full setting range. It’s priced at RRP $1090, and you can find out more at www.fein.com.au or by calling Fein on 1300 798 688. - Fein

PLATINUM APOLLO PFD

The Platinum Apollo PFD Level 100 lifejackets in child’s and adult sizes have been designed to meet AS4758.1 safety rating. These lifejackets offer value and comfort in a feature-packed child’s PFD in sizes XXS, 5-15kg; XS, 10-15kg; S, 15-25kg; and M, 25-40kg. The bright yellow nylon Oxford 420D material offers high visibility, as do the SOLAS-approved retro-reflective material strips. The WKK zip front, the large adjustable webbing strap with synthetic nylon closure and adjustable padded crotch strap work together to ensure your child has the perfect fit. The Apollo Child PFDs also feature an elastic waist band, a grab strap atop, and a whistle. Adult sizes include S, 40-50kg; M, 50-60kg; L, 60-70kg; and XL and XXL for adults over 70kg. The adult sizes offer a level of comfort expected from PFDs of a higher price. They are also made with bright yellow nylon Oxford 420D material, SOLAS-approved retro-reflective material strips and a whistle. The WKK zip front and large adjustable waist webbing and synthetic nylon closure combine for the perfect fit. Apollo Child and Adult PFDs are selfrighting to ensure the user’s mouth is kept clear of the water. Prices start from $39.95, and more info is available at platinummarine.com.au. – JM

Please send contributions to: The Editor, Fishing Monthly Group PO BOX 3172 LOGANHOLME, QLD. 4129

OFF

ALL

THESE BIG BRANDS

FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2014

ANACONDA.COM.AU

Excludes clearance & already reduced lines.

NEXT GENERATION ENGEL Announcing the latest in the Engel fridge freezer range

The new MT45FCP Combi It’s a freezer! It’s a fridge!

The new MT45FCP is a fridge and freezer in one and has different options for use!

Option 1

Freezer 16 litres and Fridge 23 litres (total 39 litres)

Option 2

Freezer 23 litres and Fridge 16 litres (total 39 litres)

The new MT45FCP Combi is part of the Next Generation digital range, which have all new features plus the same Engel reliability.

Option 3

Refrigerator Only (divider removed total 39 litres)

· · · · · · · · ·

User friendly LED Digital control, with built in battery protection The famous Sawafuji swing motor with only one moving part Lowest maximum power draw Rugged steel cabinet LED interior light Tri-voltage Removable wire baskets and divider Easy clean interior 3 year warranty and Australia wide service network

For stockists call 1300 302 653 www.engelaustralia.com.au

INCLUDES

OFFER ENDS 31 MARCH 2014 > Stainless Steel Propeller > DTS (Digital Throttle & Shift) > Electro-Hydraulic Power Steering (On all 6 cylinder Models)

PARTICIPATING DEALERS ONLY. FOR DETAILS VISIT

www.mercurymarine.com.au *Terms and conditions apply.

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FEBRUARY 2014