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Nick Lake landed this spanish mackerel while fishing near Yeppoon, QLD. Nick used Black Magic 60lb Supple Trace.

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June 2014, Vol. 28 No. 8

Contents SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND Tweed Heads 12 Southern Gold Coast 14 Gold Coast Canals 16 Gold Coast 18 Jumpinpin 20 Southern Bay 22 Logan River 24 Brisbane 26 Brisbane Offshore 28 Northern Bay 30 Southern Pumicestone 31 Caloundra 32 Noosa 36 CENTRAL QUEENSLAND Hervey Bay 38 Rainbow Beach 38 Fraser Coast 39 Bundaberg 40 Rockhampton 41 Yeppoon 44 Mackay 45 TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND Bowen 48 Ayr 50 Townsville 52 Lucinda 54 Hinchinbrook 56 Cairns 58 Port Douglas 60 Cooktown 62 Weipa 62 Karumba 63 The Cape 63

From the Editor’s Desk... Holidays are pretty awesome I have to say. Being away from the grind of the day-to-day is refreshing and I am writing this editorial while I am sitting on the banks of my much loved Murray River and it’s so cold I keep stopping my typing to warm my hands on the bacon and eggs Ainsy is cooking me for breakfast! There are a few things happening on the fishing scene that have been exciting over the last few months and a few things coming up that are exciting for me. Front and centre in all this is the flatty season. It’s starting up and this year I can’t wait to get into it again. Last year was hugely disappointing as I fished about half as much as usual – maybe less and that will not happen this year. I’ll start a little north

this year and then move down to my home waters chasing these tasty brown flat things. I’m also going to try my hand at trolling for snapper. I’ve spoken to a few people who do it quite regularly and their success rates are good, so good I am starting to buy lures specifically for snapper trolling. This will be fun I reckon and so strange to a boy who grew up only ever bait fishing for really small snapper in Port Phillip Bay. Exciting winter times. I’ve spoken to a few mates who have been targeting the bigger Spaniards and wahoo offshore down south in the last few weeks and big baits of small tuna of about 2-3kg. It’s a mighty bait and the rewards have been some very impressive mackerel and wahoo. Keep

in mind the numbers are down when doing this style of fishing, but the rewards are more than enough to keep you going at it. And I suppose that’s the thing with trophy-sized fish. You have to put in the time and as I am about to go out on the Murray chasing a big cod, I am mentally preparing myself to chuck around massive lures for the next 6-8 hours without maybe even getting a strike. But when it comes, it’s going to be good I can guarantee it. The winter bass fishing will start very soon with the biggest bass of the year on offer to anglers fishing in the lakes. Make sure you are aware of the bass closed

season dates, as even though a lot of the river bass are from the lakes, they are still regarded as part of the closed season, so do the right thing and concentrate on those big, angry lake fish. Well that’s me for this issue. I have a date with a cod – hopefully and a big one at that. I’ve watched with great joy Pete Jung get a few very nice fish over the last week or so and now it’s time for me to embarrass him with a true trophy fish. Here’s to good fortune and I look forward to being back in the seat next issue. Thanks Jac, you’re a legend for looking after things while I was away.

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Shallow water flathead SUNSHINE COAST

Mitchell Fredericks

The reason I like chasing flathead in shallow water is because, being in my teens and with no access to a car, I can walk or even ride my bike to some shallow sand flats near home and have a great time fishing. Many healthy estuary systems with nice flowing current and sand flats make perfect habitats for flathead.

ferociousness. I have found they will not just hit your lure once or twice – they can strike it up to five times before you are right to set the hooks. I don’t really know why they do it. Some anglers think flathead are a lazy fish because they are always sitting on the bottom. That’s not true. Flathead are an ambush predator; burying themselves in the sand camouflages them so they can make a surprise attack on any small prey that swims past.

The author’s personal best flathead over the flats – a 65cm fish. Walking the flats to find the fish can take up a full day’s fishing pretty easily. There are many reasons to like flathead fishing. With nearly a certain chance on most days, this simple bottom-dweller species is a great sportfish. And if you hook one flathead and you cast back to that same spot you have a chance of hooking another one because flathead hang in tight packs. One of the great things about fishing in shallow water is that you can actually see a flathead rise on your lure. It’s cool to see a hooked flathead break the surface in its efforts to shake the lure out of its mouth, but sometimes it’s too late for them as you’ve already got a perfect hook-up. Another key factor which makes chasing flathead in the shallows so much fun is their 10

JUNE 2014

FINDING THOSE CROCS There are a few key factors to look out for when chasing flathead on the flats. Firstly, you want to place yourself side-on to the way the tide will be going, and also want to look out for any structure like weed, branches and fallen bushes. Secondly, look for any gutters and flathead lays. Thirdly, look for drop-offs as flathead usually sit on the edge of the drop-offs waiting for bait to drift past. And last but not least, if you end up getting a small flathead it pays to keep casting around the same area as those little guys tend to hang around a big female. If you persist in that area, you may just hook her. Remember that at times weed can hold some nice flathead, both around and on top of the weed. The best way to approach is to

firstly stay around 15-20m from the structure. Next you want to cast your lure on each side and slowly twitch the lure about five times with a pause. The main things I find really effective in flatty fishing though are persistence and patience. One day the flathead will be feeding then the next day they might not be. To maximise your chances, remember that flathead tend to feed on a run-out when all the baby whiting and other small baitfish get washed off the sand banks. These tasty morsels get swept into the deeper water where the flathead lie in wait. PRIME CONDITIONS When flats fishing for

Flathead like to lie still and wait for their food to come close.

Releasing a big female dusky flathead. flathead and other species like bream and whiting, you need to pick a nice day. What’s a nice day for flats fishing, you ask? A good day to be fishing the flats is when there is very little to no wind, because it is vital you keep in contact with your lure at all times. The tiniest tap could result in a massive flathead. Another thing to remember is to cast with the wind if it is blowing, and try to cast low so you don’t end up with a big bow in your line at the end of your cast. Before you set out, time your trip so you get there on the right tide. I find the best time for fishing the flats is on the run-out tide and also dead low tide. That’s because flathead will create a lay in the sand and stay there until the tide starts to run again and the baitfish start passing by. Only then will the flattie swim off. I also like fishing the

start of the run-in tide because the bait will start moving onto the flats as the tide starts to rise. The flats can get deep at a high tide in some areas. The last tip is when the tide is reaching high it pays to keep fishing for 30 minutes or so, because the flathead will follow the baitfish onto the flats, which is what you want. TACKLE Heavy tackle is not needed when fishing the flats. I’ve looked around asked myself, “Where can a big flathead dust me off?” and the answer is nowhere. Light gear is a must when fishing the shallow water because you want to be able to punch long casts using both heavy and light lures. You also want to minimise the chances of the fish spotting your line. The key to success is the further you cast the more chance you have at catching a fish like a flathead.

Whiting are a great surface by-catch.

A nice set-up to use would be a 1000 or 2500 sized reel matched up with a 1-3kg rod loaded with 4lb or 6lb braid, and an 8lb leader depending on the size of the flathead. If they are decent sized flathead I normally run a 12lb bite leader joined directly to my 8lb leader using a uni to uni knot. When choosing the right rod and reel you want a fast

tapered rod with a nice soft tip so you can feel those small bites. You want a nice smooth reel that has the ability to cast lures a fair way out without creating wind knots. LURE SELECTION At times picking a lure that matches the hatch correctly can be difficult, frustrating and time consuming. For that reason I

normally take a small tackle box filled with soft plastics, jigheads, hardbodies and of course some surface lures. Some of my favourite flathead plastics are the 80mm and 100mm Squidgy Wrigglers in bloodworm, Gladiator Smash Bait Prawns and Berkley 3” Powerbaits. When it comes to jighead selection I tend to use no heavier than a 1/4oz

These fish are very well camouflaged.

and no lighter than a 1/8oz. This is because when in the shallow water you want your plastic (or hardbody) to kick up sand so the fish switch on and come to investigate the area you’re fishing. Some of my favourite hardbodies are the Ecogear SX 60, Zipbait 70mm Trick Shad, 16g Thready Buster and 68mm Lucky Craft Pointers. My preferred

surface lures are Berkley Scum Dogs, Jackall Chubby Pencils, River2Sea Rovers and O.S.P 76mm Bent Minnows. When it comes to colour choice, I tend to pick it on the day I arrive at my destination. You can’t tell ahead of time whether the water will be clean or dirty, or whether the fish will be feeding on prawns or

mullet, by sitting in your lounge room. CONCLUSION I hope this article has helped you guys out on the basics of how to chase flathead in shallow water and improved your ability to catch them more often. Also buying the right rod/ reel combo and the right type of lure will increase your chances.

Bream can provide great fun on surface lures while you’re waiting for the flathead to bite.

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Frosty weather flathead THE TWEED

David Solano

June, and it’s getting cold. Heck, it is cold. The time is 4.30am and I’ve just finished getting dressed. Last weekend I was able to wear my normal fishing clothes (normally one layer) but this morning I’ve got three sets of thermals on, my normal fishing gear and two heavy jackets over that and I’m feeling nice and toasty. My mate Richard Creighton is on his way down with his Bull Shark (boat) and today our plan is to hit all our flathead spots with the aim of a few legals for lunch. Ric turned up right on time at daybreak, a good mate. He put the boat in at Kennedy Drive boat ramp by himself then headed around to my place to pick me up as I live right on the water. I grabbed my gear, made two coffees and headed down to the boat for a quick discussion on where we would fish and what lures we would use. After much talk and a sausage roll we decided to take two rods each, one with a soft plastic and the other with a hardbody. I chose an Atomic Hardz shallow diver in the muddy prawn colour and a

Gulp Shrimp in the speckled pink colour. Ric used a Diawa Double Clutch deep diver and a Z-man Curly TailZ in the motor oil colour. We decided to start down near Seagulls, actually right next to Seagulls as there’s a lot of weed and sand there and it’s normally a pretty awesome place to find lizards. Straight away we were smiling, as we were getting a lot of fish.

However, a legal flathead is 40cm and do you think we could get one over 40? We did eventually but it took at least 30 fish before we landed a 46cm flatty. I lost count of the number of 38cm fish we caught. I kept looking at their mouths to see if we’d already caught them before, as that’s happened to me in the past, but there were no tell tale signs. Clearly the place

Richard rugged up heading out for the right spot.

Richard Creighton with a flathead that was released.

CAN'T GET IT UP?

is full of miniature flatties. Sometimes that can mean there could be a big female around somewhere and we tried very hard to find her but

to no avail. We could only get that one legal fish which we kept alive in the live well, eventually letting him go but he will never know how lucky he was! If we had caught three more of his brothers he would have been lunch. While we were fishing I noticed two old salts in a little tinny fishing for luderick in the middle of the river. I’d never seen this before as all the rock walls around the bridges are the usual haunts for the black bream hunters. Then I noticed they were nailing fish after fish. I said to Ric, “Mate, we’re chasing the wrong fish!” Ric shook his head. “Nah, luderick fishing is like lawn bowls, we’ll do it when we get older, then we can reminisce about all this stuff we’re doing now.” It sounded like a pretty good retirement plan.

Getting back to the flathead hunt, we tried the banks, mangroves, spent five hours with hundreds of casts all for one legal fish. It was a great morning even so, as it’s not all about catching your limit. It’s cool to hang out with your best mate, talking about life, work and stuff while secretly trying to cast a bit better and catch more fish than him. WHAT’S BITING OK, so what’s biting in the river? Well I can tell you there are a lot of little flathead around Seagulls and if those chaps were getting luderick where I saw them (i.e. the middle of river) I think those fish should start showing up at all the usual spots. These include down the end of Dry Dock Road at the rock wall near the boat ramp, and also

at the maritime cadet school and around Boyds Bay Bridge, particularly on the south side. How you catch these fish? I don’t know. I’d try to learn, but apparently I have to wait till I’m older. I’d give Cobaki Lakes a try for flathead and you don’t have to have a boat to fish this area; if you Google it you can see that you can walk a good section of this part of the river almost right up to the back of the airport. Lastly, bream and tailor are being landed in numbers off Fingal around both rock walls at the river mouth. Jack Evans Boat Harbour is always worth a cast as well. Oh, and at honey hole, it doesn’t look fishable but tie on a heavy sinker and try behind the hospital as some queenies have been caught there recently.

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New species to target STH GOLD COAST

Ben Job

As things start to cool down and the days start becoming shorter there will be plenty of new species to target. You will find that the offshore reefs will become easier to fish as the current starts to slow and the sea will start to get calmer. OFFSHORE This month there will still be a few blue marlin showing their faces wide off the coast for anglers who are willing to put in the time. These fish are a real thrill to catch and any gear that is not up to scratch will soon succumb to an explosive fate. Due to the expansive area in which to chase blue marlin, lures are usually the most effective option because you can cover more ground. Blue marlin will eat a wide range of lures, and all will work on a given day. However, if you stick to quality lures such as Meridian, Pula Kai or Black Bart lures you will rarely miss out on a bite when the fish are around. I run a wind-on leader of around 15ft and anywhere from 250lb to 400lb, if fine, attach to an 8ft leader in front of the lure. The leader must be heavy because you never know when that big one will jump on. I think two hooks is the best option. Although I’ve had success on singles, I think hook-ups are more consistent with blues on two hooks. For slice head lures try to keep your hooks at 180º and for cup-faced lures your hooks should be run at 60º. The 42 and 50 fathom reefs will be starting to fish well this month with pearl

perch, kings, snapper and parrotfish (tuskfish) starting to come on the chew more and more. A paternoster rig with two or three droppers is a really good way to target reefies, and by using multiple droppers you can use various baits and bait sizes at the same time. With this rig, leader of around 60lb is more than suitable, and you should vary your hook sizes to match the bait. Baits such as pillies, squid and most flesh baits will usually entice a bite. On the closer reefs, such as the 18 and 24 fathom reefs, float lining baits such as pilchards is a more likely way to get a better class of fish. Fish such as snapper, cobia and mulloway can be regularly expected in these areas. When float lining I use ganged 7766 Mustad 5/0 hooks. I like the gangs because if there are a few tailor or mackerel in the area you are far less likely to be bitten off. When fishing the offshore reefs don’t hesitate

to use live bait, as livies can often provoke a real quality fish into biting. A simple rig to use for live baiting is a fairly large sinker down to a swivel with a trace of around 1m and then either a snelled double hook rig or a large single hook, depending on the size of the live bait. It’s a bit like a really big whiting rig. Make sure your sinker is heavy enough (something around 8oz is good) because a lighter sinker may allow your live bait to swim around and tangle other lines. THE SURF If you’re keen to get your toes wet this month, beach fishing may be for you. There should be plenty of tailor and maybe a few mulloway lurking in the surf gutters around the pumping jetties, both Southport and the Tweed, Narrow Neck and around Burleigh headland. Fishing in the surf is a bit of an art, but one of the biggest tricks is to use the correct sinker shape and

Jigging up amberjack is always a recipe for big smiles.

Snapper take a variety of artificials. This one was caught on an octopus imitation. weight. As far as shape goes, the ‘flying saucer’ shape is my most preferred as it is less likely to roll and you may be able to get away with slightly lighter weight. Tailor are suckers for a pilchard but you may find that casting 50-80g metal lures can be an effective and hassle-free way of fishing. INSHORE Tailor will also be on offer inshore this month. Chase the first push of clean water on a run-in tide and if there are tailor present it won’t take you long to find them. You could also try anchoring on dusk and into the early evening on the run-in tide and berleying and using pilchards for bait. Try to use a fairly light weight as you want the bait to waft around a bit. Places like Crab Island or the southern drop-off behind the hospital in the Tweed are top spots for this but anywhere closer to the mouths is worth a try. There will be a few

school flathead around, but you may find better numbers upriver a bit from their normal locations as it is still early in the season. Places like the Cotton Trees and around Carrara Stadium in the Nerang and around Chinderah in the Tweed are where you will be most likely to find the masses. Try using lures that are a bit smaller than what you may be used to using. Blades will work well but if plastics are more your style I recommend 2-3” tails. There’s a million different brands and styles out there and most of them work fine. I’m a big fan of McArthy tails and also I think it’s pretty hard to beat Gulp on most occasions. Bream should be around in full force and these fish can be caught on a wide variety of baits and lures. As far as baits go, yabbies are probably the best general bait for all sizes. If you want to target a bigger class of fish, mullet gut and flesh baits

such as gar, mullet or tuna are more suitable. A simple running sinker rig will suit most bream applications but if you’re fishing in a really snaggy area just run your sinker right down on top if the hook. By doing this, when snagged with this rig, give the line a few short jerks. The sinker will have a tendency to bounce the hook off the snag. You will find good numbers of bream around the Piggery and Chinderah as well as the drop-off on the northern side of the channel in the mouth of the Tallebudgera Creek. A feed of winter whiting will be available for those who are keen to give them a go. If you use live yabbies or sand worms on top of the sand banks at the top of the tide around the mouth of Currumbin and Tallebudgera creeks, as well as around the Piggery in the Tweed, I’d be surprised if you go short of a feed.

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Flush out flourishes canals caught at the mouths of the canals, where there is more flow and bait. I find the tailor are mostly biting between 3-8am and 5-8pm. I caught some big tailor last season when they were thick at Paradise Point on hardbodies in a blue/silver, and bright colours when trolling through the schools. The fish will stay around for a bit, but will slow down around August. Match the hatch with lures using slugs,

GOLD COAST CANALS

Josh Dunn

As the cooler weather sets in, along with the rain that flushed out the waterways a few months ago, it’s a good time to head out into our canals. Big bream, whiting, tailor, trevally, plenty of mullet and the odd flathead will fill our bags this month. Right now is bream spawning season. As the water temperature cools, the bream will go into spawning mode and feed up, which will make them easier to catch. The fish will have plenty of size about them as well, and the best spot to target them is the middle on the bottom. Large fish can be caught in June, such as 40cm+ specimens – just in time for the winter rounds of the Gold Coast Bream Series! I’ve found the Z-Man 2” GrubZ in motor oil and bloodworm natural colours on a light TT Jighead on the surface is one of the best set ups for bream in the canals! Just persist and spend time on the water and the fish will come. Tailor season is here and large fish will be

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plastics or hardbodies, and the top baits will be white bait and pilchards. The cooler weather and water temps will set in and hopefully the rain will calm down, although the odd shower is still good. Fishing these conditions a week after the rain is great for the canals, as it will flush them out and bring the fish on the bite. Bait fishing has proved productive in dirty water.

Bream guru Scott Butler with a fine Gold Coast bream. We are already seeing more fish like this in the canals!

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lure for this situation, and one I highly recommend, is the TT Lures 1/12oz and 1/8oz Switchblade HD in a natural or brown colour! Overall, winter can offer the same amount of fun as in summer with a range of popular species, including big bream in the canals and big GT in the Seaway. Tight lines and make sure you check out my new website at www. joshdunnsfishing.com.

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trevally, bream, flathead, tailor, the odd luderick, and lots more species, will smash a blade. It is as simple as casting, letting it hit the bottom, slow lift, pause and repeat. Most of these species can be easily fooled when using this technique, but it does require some skill. You will pick up a quality fish nearly anywhere at almost anytime in the canals with a wellpresented lure. A perfect

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The jacks will still be around although harder to catch in winter and decrease in numbers. If you can catch a lot of jacks in summer, you should get a few in winter if you put time onto it. Vibes, more commonly known as blades should work well this month. With the slight lift of your rod tip, the lure will erratically vibrate through the water column. Fish, including

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David Green

The water temperature has remained high throughout autumn and as things slowly cool and the East Australian Current slows down, there should be some great fishing off the Gold Coast. There will be a mix of winter and summer fishing for both pelagic and bottom fish. This season has been an excellent one for mackerel fishing on the close reefs off Southport, and as the water cools the fish should be fewer but bigger. Already in May, quite a few bigger mackerel from 15-20kg are starting to show up. This month it is worth targeting these bigger fish. Most of the mackerel have been holding close to the bottom where they feed on yakkas, grinners and other bottom dwelling baitfish. For this reason trolling live or dead baits from a downrigger or spinning deep lures has been

effective. I generally sound out my favourite mackerel pinnacles and locate the fish. They show as distinctive lines generally stacked vertically above a pinnacle. By casting lures, like 60-70g Spanyid Snipers and using a high speed reel it has been pretty easy to get a feed, although on mono the bite offs can be common. However, using wire greatly reduces the number of strikes. I modify my metal lures by using triple or even 4 split rings at the back and an inline single hook to be very effective and most days this reduces the number of bite offs. On the wider grounds there should still be good numbers of blue marlin this month on the 200m line and increased numbers of striped marlin as well. Stand up 80lb outfits are the best weapon against big blues. Lately we have done well on blue and silver skirts, which are a good imitation of flying fish. There should be quite a few wahoo around this month

on the Tweed Nine Mile if the current is running. It has been a fairly slow season for wahoo so far but the big numbers of Spaniards have made up for it. Try trolling high speed weighted skirts, such as Hex Heads or trolling small live tuna around the drop-off at the southern face of the Nine Mile Reef. The Mud Hole, a few miles to the north, is also worth a look in June. Some really good 30kg wahoo are generally caught this month. As the current slows the snapper fishing on the 36 fathom line should start to improve and pearl perch should also be in good numbers out on the 50 fathom line. There are also some good pearl perch spots out around 95m that commonly produce bigger fish. Pearlies love small jigs and big soft plastics as well as the usual squid and pilchards menu and fish of over 2kg should be common. On the closer reefs live baiting for mulloway and cobia is worth a look. The mulloway

A good mackerel caught spinning on the 24 fathom. This season has been excellent for mackerel fishing on the close reefs.

The author with a mulloway caught on a Gulp from the Pin.

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bite is generally at dawn or after sunset and reefy ledges with overhangs or shallow wrecks produce the most fish. If you can get live slimies you are generally in with a good chance. Cobia respond to heavy berleying and generally the big fish over 25kg start to show as the mackerel begin to thin out a bit. RIVERS AND ESTUARIES As things cool down there is a lot of fish movement in the estuaries. Mullet start to school up around the entrances and bream move to deeper water in preparation for spawning. This attracts big mulloway, sharks, big tailor and kingfish into the estuary mouths. Deep jigging using soft plastics can be very effective during the day and live baiting using mullet, pike, slimies or yellowtail is also productive. At night a live tiger mullet fished in the current eddies is very effective for the bigger mulloway. There should be some good spinning for tailor and

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Ben Job with a decent blue marlin. trevally in the Seaway and Jumpinpin entrances and metals, poppers, stickbaits and soft plastics are all producing. The wash at the end of the north wall of the Seaway is a great place to spin early in the morning on a run-in tide and sometimes produces quite a few Queensland school mackerel as well as tailor, trevally, tarpon and the odd mackerel tuna. Large schools of white pilchards and frog mouthed pillies sometimes show up in June and attract a lot of predators. Flathead fishing should improve greatly this month as the water cools. Clear water up on the flats seas a lot of fish in the shallows, and trolling small lures like Lively Lures Micro Mullets in pink or Pig Lures can be deadly. Soft plastics, vibes and blades are also deadly on lizards in June. The central Broadwater from Crab Island through to the area north of Tipplers Passage is generally reliable and productive. If the morning is cold they often don’t bite

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well until after about 8.30am, so for flathead fishing ‘office hours’ works best. Most of the fish will be in the 40-60cm range with the odd bigger one and plenty of small fish as well. Bream fishing will improve greatly this month in the Seaway as the adult fish school up prior to spawning. Deep soft plastics, blades and small vibes are all effective. They are also the commonest by-catch when flathead fishing. Surface lures are another good option on the high tide flats. I like Lucky Craft Sammys for bream and they also catch whiting, tailor, pike and flathead. It is a fun way to fish early in the morning before the flathead wake up. Overall, June is a very good month to fish the Gold coast. It has been quite a good year so far in both the estuaries and offshore with plenty of crabs, prawns, loads of mackerel and good numbers of blue marlin. This month should be chilly but still have some great fishing. Tight lines.

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Bumper breeding bream JUMPINPIN

Mick Morris gembait@tpg.com

Big bream will be the most targeted species this month. They move into the sheltered waters of the Pin to feed up for their breeding season and you will notice the quality and size of the fish you catch will improve. We’ve already seen some bream over 1kg caught and, like the crab and prawn season, I expect this bream season to be a bumper one!

When fishing for these larger bream the best way to go is upsize your tackle, as these fish don’t mess around. They can usually be found around heavy snags and rocks that they will use to bust you up; 12-20lb line should be enough with a heavier leader line to a 1/0-3/0 baitholder hook and a sinker to fit the conditions to make sure you get to the bottom. Up size your baits as well to tempt the larger fish, such as larger banana prawns, bigger clumps of mullet and chicken gut, larger mullet and bonito

strips, and set up a good berley trail to get the fish feeding. Night fishing has always proved more fruitful around the last few hours of the run-in tide. Try hitting the beaches along North or South Straddie in good gutters where tailor and dart are usually found for the big sea bream as well. Other great spots to try are the deep water off North Straddie, Kalinga Bank, the Stockyards, Short Island, Karragarra, Jacksons, the Powerlines, the north wall of the Seaway and Tabby Tabby Island. Wi n t e r whiting should be around in good numbers. They are easily

Trevally are a great by-catch while fishing Jumpinpin. and the first of the run-out tide will be the best time to catch a feed. Trolling in the shallows is another great way to chase flathead, as it allows you to cover heaps of ground and locate more of them. The best part is that you can usually pick up more than just flathead with bream, tailor, trevally and whiting ready to hit your lure as well. Tailor should be around early in the mornings just inside the bar and at the top of

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The crabs and prawns have gone a bit quiet, however there is still good cause to throw a few pots out during winter as there are still some good muddies and sandies about. Lots of small mulloway are being caught to about 90cm, but as the cool nights kick in we should be expecting some larger 20kg fish to be on the chew in the deep water off Swan Bay, Kalinga Bank, Short Island and in the river near Marks Rocks.

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smaller (although they can get to 30cm). There is no size limit but they do have a bag limit of 50 per person. The whiting are found on the sandy flats of Moreton Bay right down to the Broadwater of the Gold Coast. They are great for family fishing outings as they are easily caught on worms, squid, pipis and small yabbies. At the Pin you can find them at Slipping Sands, Tiger Mullet Channel, The Bedrooms, Tipplers and the Neverfail Islands. Flathead should still be around in good numbers at the top of Crusoe Island, Cobby Passage, Pandannus weed banks, the Pig Styes, bottom of Kangaroo Island and the mouth of the Logan River. Pillies, prawns, mullet, herring and soft plastics are the best baits

We can hope for more cracking grunter like this one in the cooler months. Crusoe Island. Try the beach across from South Straddie for better quality fish and the odd dart and bream thrown in as well. There have also been a few on dusk at the top of South Straddie in the rough water just inside the bar.

• Thanks for all your reports and fish weighed in. if you’d like any up to date information of what’s biting drop us a line at Gem Bait & Tackle on 3287 3868 or email gembait@tpg.com.au. I’ll catch you next month.

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Countless options in June SOUTHERN BAY

Troy Wegner twegner@tpg.com.au

So the cooler weather has arrived and along with that comes countless opportunities. Southern Moreton Bay really comes into its own throughout winter with a range of species, such as snapper, mulloway, tailor, bream, squid and cuttlefish, being the main targets. To have all of this right on our doorstep, who would live anywhere else? All of my articles so far have been on fishing Moreton Bay from a boat; that is because it’s 99% of what I do! However, I need an alternative option when

I’m limited for time and don’t want to hook up the boat. This is when a landbased option is definitely on the cards. The biggest misconception about fishing is that you need a boat to catch big fish and it’s simply not true. But you just need to put some time and effort into landbased fishing. When fishing out of a boat you can’t just go anywhere and expect to catch a feed of fish or that one prize winning fish. You have to put in time and research into the areas in which you are fishing. The same applies to when fishing landbased spots. First you need to decide on your target species, then

the kind of areas in which the target species lives. For the purpose of this article I will focus my attention on targeting bream. The second thing that needs to be decided on is an area to fish. I like to use Google Maps to sus out potential spots to fish. Moreton Bay bream generally like broken rocky/ gravelly bottom, so this is the kind of foreshores you want to look for. One other thing that I take into consideration when looking for a new land-based spot is tidal flow. In my experience most people will look for deep water to fish in, however I will look for areas that drain off dry. The reason for this is when the tide starts to move in, the fish are sitting and waiting

until there is enough water that they can swim up onto new ground looking for crabs and small baitfish. Quite often you will see the backs of the bream just out of the water as they move up into the shallow water. Bream are not the only species that move up into these shallow areas. You will also encounter flathead, tailor and squid so it is important to take a few different lures in your tackle bag. In this shallow water there is no better form of fishing than surface lures. Popular lures like Lucky Craft NW Pencil and Maria Wise Dog are a very versatile lure that will work on a number of species. If you are going to use surface lures then you need good conditions with minimal wind so the fish can see the lure clearly.

Plastics on a light jighead work well when walking the foreshore for shallow water bream.

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The best advice anyone can give you is to actually get out into the water. It is important so you can get out to where the fish are and walk in as the tide comes in. You will see your numbers increase because this is exactly what the fish are doing. They come in shallow with the tide. As soon as you notice that you are not getting any hits/fish it pays to walk in a bit to where it is shallower. When walking these areas it is important to wear adequate footwear, whether it is a pair of waders or a pair of old shoes with a hard sole, you need them because you don’t want to be standing on a stonefish or getting something else sharp stuck in your foot. That’s the quickest way to ruin a great day on the water. I hope this has given you an insight into land-based fishing in Moreton Bay. Until then I hope you get out amongst the fish.

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Tempting mulloway on livies LOGAN RIVER

Warwick Roberts

Live baiting is probably my most favourite approach to fishing local rivers and estuary systems. There are several types and methods and this month I’ll be looking at the best way to catch mulloway. WHERE A normal day of fishing usually starts off by choosing where I want to fish: look at the tides and wind and where I’ll catch my live bait. Different days and conditions will often dictate different species and locations, but for mulloway fishing I prefer mullet. Most days I get my live bait from close to where I want to fish, that way you can use the most prolific size bait in a particular area. It’s not always about ‘big fish, big bait’ but rather the most common bait will fool the local. Once you’ve caught your livies keep them alive by using a large lidded bucket with holes drilled from every angle and then hung over the side of the boat. This not only keeps them alive, but actually keeps fish in the area due to them struggling beside the boat – they stay much

more lively due to the same temperature water flowing through their gills. WHAT AND HOW For mulloway I always use 25lb mainline and a sinker that should be no heavier than needed to slowly take the bait towards the bottom. You shouldn’t need any bigger than a size 2 as this species is targeted at a tide change or when minimal run is available. Trace is important – 50lb at 1.5m is a minimum, as the

my approach is to pin the bait (usually a mullet) between the dorsal fin and top caudal fin. This approach tends to make the bait swim towards the bottom, as mulloway are regularly encountered near the bottom of the water column. You can also cut off the bottom caudal fin, which will help it swim downwards as well. To catch mulloway, or any species, you need to understand their habits. I’ve found that they prefer areas

Pin the bait (usually a mullet) between the dorsal fin and top caudal fin. live bait needs to swim freely behind your sinker and swivel. Attach your bait so it gives you the best chance of a hook up. Mulloway tend to approach bait tail first, so

near a ledge or drop-off, with a nearby bait source. During the tides they usually reside under these ledges resting until the tide slows. Then, when the tide slows, they move around

in search of prey. Areas to look for have a deep hole quite close to a ledge, but also have an open bottom as they can use their power to ambush unsuspecting prey. Their power enables them to run down their food source, so having a livie in these areas puts you in with the best chance of capture. Baitrunners are recommended as mulloway can sometimes be hesitant if they feel resistance from the rod, which can result in takes but not hook ups. Preferably have your rod positioned with minimal angle to the water, possibly resting over the gunwale. Once you get a run, don’t strike immediately! You can end up with a scaled bait as they tend to mouth the bait, then remove the scales before swallowing. Once the fish moves off with your bait, then you should engage the reel by winding and engage your drag. Once hooked don’t give them a chance to find their lair. While fighting a mulloway let it run when needed but don’t go too softly. After a couple of runs they will usually slog it out to the boat but once on the surface they usually give up and roll onto their side; it makes landing

quite easy by lifting from the gills or using a landing net. Hopefully this will provide some handy tips on catching that big slab of silver and once you’ve caught one you’ll be hooked for life. Seeing a mulloway coming

up through the water column is so rewarding. Next month I’ll look at some tips and techniques on where and how to capture king threadfin salmon. Until then, hope reels are screamin’!

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The boom in June BRISBANE

Gordon Macdonald masterbaitertackle@hotmail.com

Anglers will find plenty of opportunity in June to get amongst some prime table and sports fish throughout the Moreton Bay area. We are well into the chilly part of the year and to tolerate a trip out, especially at night, you will generally need a beanie, warm clothing and a flask of soup or coffee to make the trip more enjoyable. Nevertheless, as the fishing in June is so good you’ll probably get up a sweat just catching them! I am sure that many fish will be begging to hop into the warm frying pan to escape the elements of winter. Let’s look at a few of the possibilities and prime targets for anglers to concentrate on when getting out during the next few weeks. BREAM One of the more heavily targeted species by the recreational anglers, bream can be caught in good numbers throughout most creek, river, estuary and canal systems. They respond to a broad array of techniques from simple baits such as bread dough to carefully worked topwater lures and flies. On occasion they can be simple to tempt and overly aggressive, yet at other times bream can be exceptionally fickle in their diet and shy by nature.

Larger numbers of bream enter the estuarine waters during the cooler months (often via an en masse migration around the full moon) as they congregate to breed. Many of these larger silvery fish (often called snowies) are aggressive eaters and the fishing can be exceptionally good with an increase in numbers and average size. For the average angler this can be an exciting time as the fishing is generally fairly easy. Good baits can include prawns, yabbies, fillet strips, mullet gut, fowl gut, raw chicken fillet, pilchard cubes, whitebait and a host of others. Fish these baits on a running sinker rig with a size #4 to #1/0 hook and you should be in with a great chance. Obviously some areas can often hold better numbers of quality bream than others but this will vary from system to system so it pays to try different spots until you get it sorted. Try along the edges of rock walls, the down current side of prominent banks, mouths of creeks, deep channels and other areas where baitfish and other food sources are likely to congregate. Lure fishing is rapidly gaining popularity as a way to target bream. A broad array can be employed including blades, soft plastics, topwater offerings (such as poppers, stick baits, bent minnows and paddlers), small vibration baits, minnow lures and

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micro jigs. Which is the best to use, where and when is rather hard to work out at times. However it is something you will figure out as you spend more time on the water increasing your knowledge of the bream’s habits and the best techniques for presenting and working each lure. Basically, getting off your butt and getting out there doing it is the best way to gain experience, however you can initially get a few pointers by doing some research via online and print media. SNAPPER One of the more heavily targeted species for Moreton Bay anglers during the cooler months is snapper. While they can be caught to good sizes within the bay right throughout the year, larger numbers are on offer during the cooler months as many fish come inshore for spawning purposes. Often the hard part is avoiding the hordes of smaller fish as you target that trophy knobby. Generally, however there are plenty of table quality fish in the 45-60cm range to make the effort worthwhile. I target my snapper on soft plastics, vibration baits and occasionally trolled minnow lures, however soaking baits is the preferred method for many anglers. Pilchards, squid, fillet strips, small whole winter whiting and numerous other offerings can be put to good use when targeting snapper. Keep your rigs simple with a running ball sinker rig or a paternoster setup using the minimum amount of lead that you require to just keep the bait in position. Fluorocarbon leaders, quality baits, subtle rigging and the ability to be quiet can greatly increase your chances in any heavily fished waters. Casting baits up current and letting them drift down with the current can also be a great way to tempt those better fish. Baits do not have to be fished on the bottom to tempt snapper as many of the better fish will feed higher up in the water column, therefore a slowly sinking bait (generally called floatlining) will often produce great results. The added bonus can be a big tailor, school mackerel, longtail or numerous other species. Around the bay islands and the artificial reefs, many anglers use lures to target snapper. Drifting through an area and casting offerings is generally the best way to produce results. Snapper commonly roam throughout these areas so don’t think you have to be on some secret spot to achieve results. Drifting and blind

Bream are a great target species for the whole family and will take a broad array of baits and lures. casting can work extremely well however paying attention to working your lures around prominent bait can be rewarding. Some of the best snapper I have caught have been well wide of the bay islands in more than 10m of water. After seeing a few hardiheads flick on the surface I have cast to the general area and had my plastic smashed right on the surface because snapper will commonly rise through

MULLOWAY This slab-sided silver species has come to prominence for SEQ anglers over the last three years. Mulloway are now common captures in the rivers and many areas of the bay. They will respond to fairly much the same lures, techniques and baits as snapper but really have a liking for live baits, especially mullet, pike, large prawns, herring and small whiting. Legal specimens are fairly

We should see some quality snapper captures over the next few months. Rob more than doubled his previous PB with this solid specimen taken on a Z-Man Diezel Minnow in the pinfish colour from the Harry Atkinson. the water column to target surface baitfish activity. Trolling minnow lures is gaining popularity and many quality snapper have been taken by anglers working these offerings around the bay island margins and over the artificial reefs or wreck areas. Deep diving offerings up to 130mm in length are generally preferred. Early mornings and late afternoons generally fish the best on the more heavily worked areas, regardless of tidal movement.

common captures now and plenty of anglers are catching specimens better than 1m in length. Casting lures around lit up areas within the Brisbane River, canals and other systems at night can be an exciting and rewarding way to fish. In this situation I have a preference for paddle-tail shad and crustacean profiled plastics, vibration baits such as Fish Candies, Trans Am, Mask Vibe and Samaki Shadaliscious as well as Sebile Magic Swimmers

plus some minnow lures can work well. You sometimes find that mulloway will eat anything you throw in front of them. Due to the Brisbane River’s water being slightly discoloured and the fast current flow, mulloway will generally feed aggressively, grabbing whatever they see before they miss just out. For the angler this is positive because most lures work well, generally get the mulloway’s attention and generating a strike. By-catch when working your lures around the lights of the Brisbane River during the cooler months can include king threadfin salmon, tailor and occasionally estuary cod, bream and flathead, depending on the location. They was even a 90cm barramundi caught and released recently from a land-based position by a very experienced Brisbane River angler, so you never know what may grab your offering! Plenty of mulloway have been taken within Moreton Bay over recent years. The Harry Atkinson, Peel Artificial and various deeper holes around Macleay, Coochiemudlo and other areas have been productive. At times the mulloway have been schooling up and some anglers have caught more than a dozen legal specimens (over 75cm) in a session. Micro jigging has become a highly successful technique for bay mulloway with some anglers having mastered the art of finding and catching mulloway at a host of locations throughout the bay. Other successful offerings are blades, vibration baits, soft plastics of numerous kinds and deep diving minnow lures. Most of the areas where you catch snapper can produce mulloway and other species, which just adds to the excitement of hooking up. Handle any fish destined for release with care to

ensure they are healthy when you get them back in the water. SQUID Good numbers of squid should be around during June, especially around the shallows of the bay islands and the mainland foreshores. Clean water flowing over reef, rubble or weed beds or around other prominent structure such as rock walls, pontoons and jetties is likely to hold squid. Lit up areas are prime water during the darkened hours as they attract baitfish, shrimps and other morsels that the squid commonly prey on. Casting an egi (slow sinking prawn-profile lure) around these areas is one of the best ways to get amongst a few, although they will occasionally attack all manner of baits especially whole fish. Rigging a skewer with a pilchard or other baitfish and suspending it beneath a float can be a great way to get amongst a few quality squid. The next few months should be prime for targeting cephalopods, which are a tasty seafood. TAILOR Another highly popular recreational species, especially for those who frequent the surf beaches, tailor can be caught in good numbers and to respectable

sizes. Their prevalence in any area is directly related to baitfish activity as they commonly follow and herd species, such as frogmouths, herring, pilchards and whitebait but will also attack mullet, garfish, prawns, squid and most other bait sources. The estuaries and larger rivers can often hold some respectable specimens and we commonly catch them in the Brisbane River while targeting mulloway and snapper. Some good landbased spots can include the Manly Harbour rock walls, Woody Point Jetty, Scarborough Jetty, Victoria Point Jetty and Cleveland Point. They will take a broad array of baits, especially whole fish baits (either dead or alive), and also respond well to a wide range of lures such as blades, vibration baits, minnow lures, soft plastics, poppers and stickbaits. Anglers spinning the surf gutters will generally use whole pilchards, metal slugs and slices or pencil poppers and stickbaits. Walking a beach and spinning lures can be a very relaxing and enjoyable way to get a few tailor fillets for the table. Early morning and late afternoon rising tides can provide some prime conditions for this pursuit. Kayakers often get amongst

them around the Cleveland Point area, the ledges out from Wellington Point and Scarborough Reef although trolling a few lures around any shallow reef or rubble areas or in the residential canals can be worthwhile. BAY PELAGICS Pelagic activity in Moreton Bay during June can include bonito (Watsons leaping and Australian), mac tuna, school mackerel and the prized longtails although I will not be surprised if there are still a few Spanish mackerel about, as quite a few have been caught of late at numerous areas throughout the bay. Trolling mid-diving lures across the prominent sand flats, such as those out from Tangalooma and the Sand Hills and also Middle Bank, can be rewarding for school mackerel and bonito. Jigging the beacons with slugs and slices will most likely produce school mackerel but all manner of pelagics, including cobia, can be caught. Surface bust ups can be found anywhere at any time and anglers commonly cast metal slugs and slices, sinking stickbaits (such as Yozuri Adagio, Maria Blues Code and Slim, Sebile 114 Sinking Stick Shads and numerous others) as well as surface poppers (both

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bloopers and pencil poppers). Soft plastic jerkshad style plastics can also work exceptionally well. Trolling deep diving minnow lures around the outer fringes of the bay islands and the artificial reefs can be highly successful and is a good way to check out an area on your sounder for future snapper fishing sessions. Jigging the artificial reefs with either high speed

slices or micro jigs can produce an array of pelagic species. It can also pay to have a pilchard out under a float while drifting around casting plastics for snapper, as school, spotted and Spanish mackerel as well as bonito and tuna species can be caught. CONCLUSION With such a broad array of species on offer to tempt your angling skills during

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June, you should be busting to get out onto the water. The fishing has been awesome over the last few winters and this year shouldn’t be any different. The reward of a nice hot meal of scrumptious seafood is just rewards for braving the elements. Slip on a coat, slop some coffee into the thermos and slap on a beanie and you will be ready to enjoy the piscatorial boom of June.

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Snapper on the rise! OFFSHORE

John Gooding

If you’ve complained about the mackerel season we’ve just experienced, you’re certainly hard to please as there were plenty caught right along the coast. As I mentioned in an earlier report, there were lots of

models coming past our part of the coast over the next couple of years. During early May we were still picking up a few Spanish, both on the troll and spinning around the bait schools. However, by early June, like most offshore anglers, we changed our focus to bottom fish, mainly snapper. The past couple of seasons have been

A happy young angler with a hard-fighting cobia. smaller fish caught and that’s probably the result of a couple of good spawning seasons. The end result will be continuing good stock numbers and some solid

very good ones for snapper, especially on the wider reefs, and at the end of last season we were still catching our bag limit on the wider grounds right up to Christmas.

Although we had a recent cold snap, the water temperature has still not dropped that much and along with the amount of bait, this relative warmth has been the reason the mackerel hung in so long. However, once that water temp starts to fall we will see snapper schools starting to invade all their usual haunts. As I’ve stated many times before, flat lining is the only way to consistently pull quality and numbers of snapper, especially during the day, but not trying to knock them out using a no. 8 or 10 ball. Try a no. 5 or 6 ball or if you’re fishing in shallow, and try a 2, 3 or 4 ball depending on conditions but fish as light as possible and don’t be afraid of having an angle on the line away from the boat. Your line doesn’t have to go straight down beside the boat. The use of a sea anchor will definitely help and get you drifting more with the current than the wind. East of the South Passage Bar we have a lot of reefs in close proximity to each other, starting with the 295, 335, 355 and 42 fathom line, the north-east deep Tempest and the 90m line just to the south. You don’t have to travel too far to another reef if where

Two quality longtail tuna that ate baits meant for Spanish mackerel. you are isn’t firing. Most of our reef structures run northsouth, so if you can get a drift along the reef or its edges you will definitely pull more fish. Although you can catch fish when there’s not a lot of run in the water, snapper definitely feed better with a flow in the water. Down south of Point Lookout, The Cathedrals can fish very well for snapper but again, it fishes best with a nice current taking you south along the reef. Most of the snapper we catch are taken on

pillies and the fact that they self-berley can help keep the school feeding. The next few months will see snapper numbers increasing to their peak in around August/September, and we’re all hoping this season will be like the last couple. With a bag limit of four snapper including one over 70cm, it pays to have a plan B and C because you can sometimes bag out quickly. On charter, if we’ve had a good session and bagged quickly, we go and have a

jig out around the 42s or on some of the deeper wrecks. Amberjack and yellowtail kingfish numbers have been reasonable through the last couple of winters, but let’s hope the sharks aren’t as thick as they have been. • Until next month, enjoy your fishing, take care on the coastal bars and if you’d like to join me on charters (maximum 8 persons), give me a call at Outlaw Charters on 07 3822 9527 or 0418 738 750 or visit my new website www. outlawcharters.com.au.

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What’s that sound? Oh yes, it’s my teeth chattering! Call me dramatic but you could easily mistake South East Queensland as the North Pole with this sudden onset of cold weather that has left Brisbanites diving into cupboards for their winter woolies. Nevertheless for us diehard anglers, we see the sunshine amongst the clouds, knowing that this cool weather is brought on by brisk westerly winds, letting anglers who like to fish inshore and estuaries to get out to their favourite

like the mouth of the Pine River, Redcliffe Peninsula, Cooks Rocks and Red Beach accessible for fishos even in smaller boats. So this time of year there is definitely no excuse not to be on the water! FLATHEAD Flathead numbers are on the rise as the onset of cooler weather has started to bring the larger spawners into our rivers. These are closely accompanied by smaller males giving anglers a field day when fishing tide lines, run-offs and creek mouths, as often 3-4 flathead are pulled from one area. Anglers are having equal success with baits and soft plastics. Those that are choosing to anchor up at the

electric motors are finding soft plastics more effective. Places with good reports lately have been, mouth of Nudgee Beach, Clontarf foreshore near boat ramp, Queens Beach, mouth of Caboolture River, Tiger Rocks at Bribie, mouth of the Ningi and Glasshouse Creek. BREAM Bream activity has been really good of late with anglers being rewarded in shallow and deeper waters. Numbers have become less widespread but more concentrated as bream start to look at spawning times in these cooler months. Bream quality has been exceptional over the past month with the increase bait schools fattening the bream Nathan Newton caught this cracking mulloway off the shores of Redcliffe.

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up giving them a good lead into their annual spawn. There has been good reports coming from all corners of the bay with fishing being more electric on the flooded tides at dusk and dawn. The Pumicestone Passage has reported good healthy bream around the Ningi Flats, the mouth of Poverty and Glasshouse Creek, Cooks Rocks and Tiger Rock. Anglers are finding the higher tides during the moon phases produce the better fish. At the Peninsula, try Drury and Osbourne Points, The Wells on the ebb, North Reef, pylons

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of the Ted Smout Bridge and eastern side of Woody Point Jetty. Cranks have been the recipe for a good time for the lure fanatics with lures worth a throw being Atomic Crank 38 (in the clearer colours), Cranka Crabs, Ecogear CX35, Pontoon 21 Crack Jack 48SP and OSP Power Dunks 48SP. For the plastics throwers, Z-Man GrubZ, Plazos, 2 3/4” Jerk Minnows and Squidgy 80mm Wrigglers and Z-Man 4” curly tail StreakZ on light jigheads. MULLOWAY Numbers of mulloway are growing as the cooler months set in with fruitful anglers braving the cold to chase these river beasts in the darker hours. Brisbane River has been the stalwart this year, with good specimens being pulled from deeper waters during the daylight hours around the mouth of the river and numbers being caught up river in shallower waters at night. Numbers are slow but there are signs of mulloway being caught in the deeper waters of the Pine and Caboolture rivers. The use of a good sounder helps in locating bait schools in these rivers where the bigger predators are often found lurking waiting to pounce on any stray or injured bait. Bribie Bridge has still also been producing the odd mulloway at night with fishos finding success when bait schools are more abundant and holding tight to the structure. SNAPPER Good juvenile snapper are still being caught through Scarborough and the Redcliffe Peninsula with areas resembling Chermside Shopping Centre carpark on the weekends as both boaties and kayakers compete to get their slice of the pie. Bait and soft plastics have both been working well with bait fishers finding fresh, lightly weighted baits working

really well. For the lure rats, not getting your hands dirty and choosing the soft plastic option has also worked well with popularity swinging towards shad and minnow style plastics. Ones like Atomic 3 3/4” jerk minnows, Z-Man 5” StreakZ, Fish Arrow 4” J Splits and Castaic 5” Jerky J Swimmers have been topping the popularity ranks with the old faithfuls like Atomic 4” Prongs and Gulp 4” Minnows being also hard to pass. SQUID With water temperatures on the slide, this is one of my favourite times of the

year to chase the dinner table favourite tiger squid. Usually found around the shallower reefs on the Redcliffe Peninsula this month has definitely seen an increase in numbers with these cephalopods feeding both on flooding and receding tides. Slow rolling squid jigs has been the preferred technique of late but ensure line tension is kept at all times. Squid are often lost when swimming in after their initial few lunges as most squid jigs on the market are only fitted with barbless hooks for quick removal.

Matthew Bocking with a shovel nose shark caught on live poddy mullet from the Pinkenba rock wall.

Pumicestone Passage winter wonderland STH PUMICESTONE

Jason Wallis

The great drop in temperature will bring on some of the greatest the Passage has to offer: mulloway, flathead, tailor and bream. There have been some cracker bream coming out of the Passage and this should continue throughout June and beyond. Any rubble patches throughout the Passage will be a hot spot for these guys and will continue to yield great results. The bream are scavengers so they love feeding in these areas. Elimbah Creek and Glasshouse Mountain Creek have been the go-to creeks for a lot of anglers in the area. Bait is the best option, and I recommend yabbies or pilchards. Use the flesh of the pilchards as I find that always works a treat. Whiting have been a popular catch in recent weeks. You will need to fish the high tide, and try to fish in the shallows up on a yabby bank and

move around quietly until you get onto a few. I have found recently they’ve been biting better just before the turn of the tide. The majority of the fish have been small, but in saying that there have been some good elbow-slappers amongst them up to around 40cm. A good day on the water catching the humble whiting and bream will give you one of the best feeds the Passage has to offer. These fish are great on the plate. As always, when the weather cools off we will see anglers starting to get amongst the winter whiting. Head to the Cockle Banks out from the mouth of the Passage as this is without a doubt the best spot for whiting. The easiest way to find the Cockle Banks is to head towards all the other boats as there’s usually quite a number of anglers making the most of this popular fishing spot. Snapper are taking both baits and plastics at the southern end of the Passage. They’re not in any big numbers or size

Simon with a healthy mulloway taken from a secret location - apparently!

the deeper channels on the southern end of the Passage. You might get onto some muddies if you’re keen but you will need to watch your pots. Glassy and Bullock creeks have been producing some very respectable crabs.

The tailor should start to come in during June, with July normally being the cracker time for tailor in the Passage. Keep an eye out for any surface action and have a line rigged up with a slug ready to go just in case.

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Young Jack Bechly is a newcomer to fishing, and by the look of his smile he won’t be giving it up any time soon. but they are still worth the hunt. You should also get onto the mulloway in this area. I suggest the ripples or under the Bribie Bridge. I fish around the turn of the tide around 45 minutes either side of the turn. Fish with plastics or live bait and you’re sure to get onto a great fish. Very early mornings and after dark are the best times in these areas as this is when boat traffic is at a minimum. The larger flathead have slowly started to show themselves and this will only get better through winter and into spring, with September being the best month for this species. You can get onto some great flatties by

trolling hardbodies as you can cover a lot of country and find the results you’re after. Try heading to any of the gutters or drop-offs throughout the Passage that hold weed and bait. If you prefer bait I suggest pilchards or live herring. The most recent catches have been mostly small, with sizes varying from 35cm through to 60cm. The bag and size limits are five fish per person with a 40-75cm slot limit. Please take good care of the larger fish as once they get to 75cm the chances are they will be females full of eggs. If you’re after a feed of crabs, I suggest chasing sandies. Put your pots in

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Snap back on track CALOUNDRA

Brad McKendrick fishingcaloundra@yahoo.com.au

The winter species are in full swing with some amazing reports of quality snapper and other reefies being caught right across the many reefs on the Sunshine Coast. The weather came on with a cold front that nearly froze everyone and, with that, everything changed around the area. The good news is that the fish are in close at the moment so long trips in the cool night air can be avoided if you know the spots to target. Winter is always the time to concentrate on using berley, as when you are fishing without it

you may go home emptyhanded. Berley can consist of last tripâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s left-over bait or a combination of tuna oil, chook pellets and fish pieces. Nearly every fisho I have met enjoy their own recipes, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ok as long as you use it! There are a mixture of other reef species taking baits and they include sweetlip, red throat emperor, morwong and tuskfish. The deeper areas around the Barwon Banks and Wide Caloundra are producing big catches but you will need to work on tide changes and watch your moon phase for best results. There are still longtail tuna schools working the shallow waters in the bay around Mooloolaba so if you have a little spare time

in the afternoon or before work head out to get into a few fighters. Chrome slugs are still the best option for catching them while they are in a feeding frenzy and 30g is one of the best weights. Murphys Reef and the Gneerings are an easy target and not too far out for an evening fish at the moment. Start your berley trail about 45 minutes before dusk and the fish should hit you hard as the sun disappears over the horizon. Squid can be caught to use as fresh or live bait around Old Womens Island so pack a squid jig every time you head offshore this month. If you cannot get out in a boat then fish along the rock wall at Mooloolaba harbour off the rocks in the evenings for mulloway, bream and hairtail. The

Jamie Carrol with a sweetlip. They will be on the bite in June. great target on the full moon and so far the season has been rewarding, especially

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Craig Grecian with an average snapper. Now is the time to target them. hairtail have been really showing up in big numbers lately and although they are not as big as our southern counterparts they are fun to catch. Another good spot is to fish the pontoons and jetties around the trawlers and longliners as they hold plenty of fish. Prawns are another

in the Pumicestone Passage around the many weed beds. The boardwalk in Caloundra is the spot for bream and tailor and by fishing around Happy Valley you can catch whiting, flathead and a number of surf species, including dart and mulloway. Winter brings in the bigger bream and many larger predators to the estuaries. Mulloway are a big target and will take a live mullet or a hook filled with juicy bloodworms. Fishing for mulloway is much more productive in the evenings or into the wee hours of the morning when things are quiet and there are plenty of bait around like herring and poddy mullet. Target areas like the Pelican Waters Bridge and Military Jetty will reward you if you are persistent. Try small hardbodied lures like the Mini Micro Mullet or any blades for catching bream and chopper tailor. The early mornings see chopper tailor smashing

the smooth surface water as they feed on the bait schools. A small popper is terrific for catching them or try a smaller metal slug around 10g. The whiting have slowly started to swim in larger schools and I would be targeting the weed beds that run south along Bells Creek working just off the channel. Yabbies, peeled prawns or worms are the number one baits to use to get a feed of whiting. Other areas like the deeper waters over near the Blue Hole are good whiting spots particularly during the ebb tide period. The beaches are the target for this month and if the cool weather continues tailor, mulloway and bream are all going to be on the bite. A trip to Noosa North

Shore will be right on the cards if you have the time during June and July. The Wurtulla Strip of beaches are also worth a look during the low tide of the day. You will need to work out where the best holes are to fish prior to the evening tide. At present there are no real gutters running along there, not like up at Noosa. So this month is the time to target snapper offshore and to fish the estuaries for mulloway and bream. For my money I will be getting into the snapper but also chasing tailor in the evenings with pilchards and fresh mullet strips on my gang hooks. As mentioned, fresh baits or live baits are best for the bigger fish so take the time and catch your own livies this month.

Offshore will be going off with snapper.

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Cold water fishing NOOSA

Peter Wells

Water temperatures are at perfect levels at the moment for reef fishing and this means we can expect to see some great snapper catches! The middle and outer reefs have been the best for these fantastic tablefish with North Reef producing some great catches. Berleying up is the perfect way to attract the fish. Small chunks of pillies dropped over the side at regular intervals will help to bring the fish on. Sweetlip and pearlies are also on the

bite and are a great by-catch (if you want to call it that) when targeting snapper. Another way to capture a great reef species is to try hopping a soft plastic around the coral structure. For this type of fishing you want the soft plastic to look as natural as possible, so chose the lightest jighead you can get away with. Lots of plastics work well but the 5” Z-Man Scented Jerk ShadZ in the coconut ice colour are a favourite of mine. For more information about the best colours and styles of soft plastics to use, pop into Davo’s for a chat with the team and we will give you the good info on what is

working where. Tuna are still on the bite with some nice longtails and yellowfin being caught just off the coast and the inner reefs. A trolled lure is perfect for chasing tuna. The Live Target lure is one such lure; it can be trolled at higher speeds of up to 10 knots which is perfect for tuna and mackerel. A well cast soft plastic with a high speed jigging motion is also a great way to target these speedy fish. It pays to keep an eye on the horizon as the best way to find these fish is by looking for the flocks of birds that follow the tuna around. You may also see the odd spotted or Spanish mackerel,

Duran Jacquelin won the $50 Davo’s Fish of the Week prize with this 35kg Spaniard that he caught from his kayak in Laguna Bay.

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There are lots of flathead in the system at the moment. Kimba Rowland’s 65cm specimen came from around the back of Weyba Creek. yellowfin tuna and mac tuna while chasing these schools. BEACHES Winter means large bream and big tailor. The Noosa North Shore is one of the best places to target tailor, with larger fish being caught up past Teewah. A great way to fish for tailor is at night with large pillies or fresh mullet cast to the back of a gutter with good water movement.

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The larger fish like to feed at night or the low light times of early morning and late afternoon. There is always the chance of a nice mulloway then as well, and through the day there have been good catches of dart and bream. Around the rocks and headlands snapper and sweetlip are also being caught. Flat Rock in the Noosa National Park has been a favourite spot for the locals. You will need to pack light as this is a fair walk from the car park and, as with all rock fishing, never turn your back on the sea. These fish are often just around the edge of the rocks, so short, accurate casts right at your feet will give you the best chance to catch a snapper or two. Snapper also love lures, and a soft vibe such as the new Fish Candy Paddle Vibe hopped across the rocks and structure will put you in with a great chance of catching some nice specimens. RIVER Noosa Sound and the Woods Bays area have been going off with big trevally feeding on the surface on the bait schools brought in on the tide. A great way to target these fish is with surface poppers like the River2Sea Bubble Pops and Halco Roostas. Poppers make for a really exciting way to spend

an early morning’s fishing. Flathead are in good numbers at the moment, with the upper reaches of the river proving to be the best location to find a feed. Don’t forget your size and bag limits – there’s a minimum size of

Prawn). Flathead are ambush predators and will explode out of the sand to catch a baitfish or shrimp. If you maintain contact with the bottom as you retrieve your lure, you will give yourself the best chance to tangle with a big flathead. Big bream are a great species to target during the cooler months. These fish can be very finicky about eating a lure so light line is a must. I reckon 3lb to 4lb line is about as heavy as you want to go. And something worth a look if you intend to do deep water breaming is a spool of straight-through fluorocarbon. Because fluorocarbon has low light refraction properties and excellent abrasion resistance, it’s perfect for this kind of application. As far as lures go, soft plastics such as Squidgy Wrigglers in blood worm or Z-Man GrubZ in motor oil work well. Another great lure for this type of fishing

Local angler Adam Murray boated this quality red emperor at Double Island Point. 40cm, a maximum size of 75cm and a big limit of five per person. The second ski run has been where the majority of flathead have been caught, with trolled hardbodies a very effective method of catching these fish. Another great way to catch flathead is a cast-andretrieved soft plastic (lately we’ve been using the Davo’s custom-rigged Gladiator

is blades vibes. These small lures are made of metal or plastic and give off a very strong vibration when worked. • Until next month, feel free to call in and see the team here at Davo’s Tackle World in Noosa or Davo’s Northshore Bait and Tackle in Marcoola for all the latest on what’s biting and where. And, as always, tight lines and bent spines!

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Offshore insanity RAINBOW BEACH

Ed Falconer

Another pretty good run of weather allowed us quite a few trips offshore. OFFSHORE Offshore has produced very good fishing with both bottom fish and some huge sessions on the Spanish and spotted mackerel. It is definitely the most Spaniards I have seen in a single season. They have been ‘off the chain’, slamming anything that moves - even bare hooks! Insane fishing! The reef fish have also had a good go. We have had some big catches of parrot, sweetlip, Moses perch,

hussar and some huge reds. We have also picked up some quality pearl perch and scarlet perch from in on the very close grounds. ON THE BEACH Whiting are still being caught around the Oaks at Inskip Point and they have been nice big fish. There have also been some good reports of quite a few chopper tailor at night in the deeper gutters also around the Oaks. GREAT SANDY STRAITS Diver whiting have been thick, particularly in the vicinity between the Bluff on Fraser Island through to Tinnanbar. The straits have also been producing quality spotted and school mackerel

around Big Mick Beacon. In the past, June has been one of my favourite times for catching pearl perch, but the way the fishing has been lately there is a good chance all species will be on fire. The annual Rainbow Beach Fishing Classic is on this year from 4-12 July. I get pretty booked out through June/July so get in early if you want to experience the fishing classic or just get offshore for some brilliant winter fishing. • To enjoy a day on the water with Keely Rose Fishing Charters phone Ed Falconer on (07) 5486 3150 or 0407 146 151 or visit www.keelyrosefishing charters.com.au.

There should be plenty of pearlies around in June, like this one recently caught by a young lad on the Keely Rose.

The weather turns our way at long last HERVEY BAY

Scott Bradley marlin81@aapt.net.au

With the water temperature finally dropping, the winter species we look forward to every year are on the increase. The weather has taken a turn for the better ever since Easter’s amazing spell of calm seas. With a glassed out ocean and only a slight run in the tide, the fishing was

tough for a lot of anglers over the Easter period. And with the sheer number of boats on the water it made it even harder for everyone. Some good fish were still caught and with the weather that good, it’s just nice to be on the water. IN THE BAY Our local reefs including Moon Ledge, the Arty and Bagimba have produced trevally, small to medium cod, blackall, Moses perch, coral bream and juvenile snapper.

Sharks have been an issue at most spots and I had a tiger about 7ft in the old scale wreaking havoc the last time I fished the Arty. Out wider the 25 fathom, Gutters and the Rooneys 6 Mile it’s a worse scenario with the sharks but the fishing is worth it with scarlets, hussar, trout, cod, coral bream and snapper making up the bulk of the catch. ON THE FLATS The calmer weather has allowed the water to clear

Ian Garret with a 105cm scarlet caught over the hoidays.

and the drop in temp has kicked the flathead in to overdrive. On the build up to spawn they chase bait schools in the shallows more like pelagics than the docile estuary fish they are thought to be. Stalking the flats flicking plastics and hardbodies and working

the bait schools has had me in disbelief as multiple hook ups and several fish competing for your lure have become common place on many a flats session. Most fish have been in the 45-65cm range with a few nudging 75 being lost or released on most days. There have also been

some cracker bream amongst the by-catch and switching to poppers usually tempts a few whiting into striking. So whether you’re heading out wide, walking the flats or shooting out close for a quick fish there is plenty happening on the Fraser Coast at the moment.

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Fraser holiday safety FRASER COAST

Phil James p_j_james@bigpond.com

In one of the year’s busiest periods, island visitors were keen to make the most of the long weekend with many extending through the following week to the next long weekend. At Inskip Point, long queues of vehicles waited for barges for the short trip to the island while at River Heads extra barges were needed to cope with the demand for transport to the western coast of the island. This is a main road like none other. There are no centre lines, no lanes, no traffic lights and thankfully no roundabouts. The speed limit is set at 80km/h with 40km/h restrictions, mostly in front of townships and at tourist attractions. Apart from the expectation of keeping left, the driver is left to make his own decisions, hopefully based on sensible beach driving experience, as to which part of the beach he uses. Ideal driving conditions usually involve low tide when there is a hard surface close to near the bottom of the beach slope. Of course this is with due respect to creek crossings, washouts and melon holes along the edges of shallow gutters. These stretches of beach produce easy travelling with most drivers following the expectation of keeping left. Unfortunately there is often the clown, travelling north, who believes he has the right to travel closer to the water than anyone else. There are other situations where there may be uncertainty as to the intentions of an approaching vehicle. Although left indicating may not be mandatory, it makes sense to hit that left indicator on approaching other vehicles.

This is something that was drummed into me by my island mentors decades ago. For many years I was disappointed in the number of motorists that did not indicate. During the last months, however, I have been encouraged to see many more drivers following this procedure. As well as its use in approaching oncoming traffic, the indicator also needs to be used when leaving the traffic lane to enter a campsite or just to park prior to fishing. Another concern can arise when a vehicle overtakes another. When sensing he is about to be overtaken, the driver should hold his course and speed and allow the overtaking driver to pass in the safest way that only he (the overtaking driver) can see. Another concern comes about when vehicles simply stop in the main traffic flow. The main offenders here are usually parties stopping to dig pipis out of the beach. It is the pressure of vehicles on the beach that stimulate the buried shellfish to move closer to the surface to produce the familiar pipi mounds. Whenever it is desired to stop for pipi hunting or simply stopping to fish, the best plan is to reverse off the current traffic path onto sand further up the beach, so that the orientation of the vehicle is at right angles to the traffic flow, immediately identifying it as being stationary. Although beach travel is best done near low water there are times when it is necessary to use softer sand closer to the dunes. Often much used tracks develop and these can make travelling easier when vehicles are prepared to stay in the tracks made by other vehicles. Unfortunately travelling Fraser Island’s eastern coast is not all plain sailing as various rock outcrops

need to be negotiated. As I write, the Poyungan Rocks bypass needs to be used except at the lowest tide. It is particularly rough at its northern end and not at all friendly to low clearance vehicles. Likewise, Yidney can be passed at low water, otherwise its bypass needs to used. Both Poyungan and Yidney bypasses are single lane. Currently Chard and McLaughlins rocks, between Happy Valley and Eli Creek, are nowhere to be seen thanks to a thick sand coverage. The Indian Head bypass track is in reasonable condition thanks to recent rainfall. The bypass of Middle Rocks and Waddy Point is mostly dual tracks as far as Orchid Beach. Further north, the single lane Ngkala Rocks bypass needs to be used at all stages of the tide and its approach from the north is challenging to say the least. I need to stress that what I have written reflects how things are as I write this report. Fraser Island’s beach is continually in a state of flux with massive amounts of sand on the move at the whim of the sea. I wish I could be enthusiastic about the island’s beach fishing in recent weeks. Possibly due to some very indifferent weather conditions, catches have been poor. Regular readers will be aware of my concern for the whiting fishery on both eastern and western beaches, and how I was just starting to be optimistic about their return. During months when I would expect good catches, particularly along the ocean beach, whiting have been almost non-existent. I don’t need to elaborate on my thoughts on the commercial overfishing of this resource in Great Sandy Strait. Once again it has been the humble dart that has come to the rescue along

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Juvenile potato cod continue to be caught around the coffee rocks. the eastern beach. The better fish have shown reluctance to come into the inner gutters during the day, preferring to hold just outside the first break. A few tarwhine have been taken around the coffee rocks, but the quality has been disappointing for this time of the year. Juvenile potato cod continue to be caught around the coffee rocks. These beautiful fish are better known as the huge cod seen in many Barrier Reef movies. From the numbers that are taken here, it could well be an important nursery area. The fish photographed, and immediately released, is by far the largest taken by your correspondent at Poyungan Rocks. Both Moon Point and Woralie tracks to the western beach are open, and mostly quite firm thanks to autumn rain. Fishing has not been too exciting with

a few flathead taken around the creek mouths and just legal bream around the coffee rocks. Inside Hervey Bay the excellent run of longtails appears to be winding down, but continues to be worth the run up to Platypus Bay. On talking to some of the boys who have been getting into the tuna, I asked which particular artificials they were finding successful. Knowing that the gut contents of the longtails comprised almost entirely of tiny rain fish, or ‘eyes’ as these tiny fish are known as locally, I expected the answer to include small metals, plastics or flies, matching the size of the baitfish. However the universal reply was that it didn’t matter. From 85g Raiders to 5” Z-Man jerk shads, all were attacked enthusiastically. Hervey Bay reefs have been producing mixed bags of grass sweetlip, blackall

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and blue parrot, but with cooler weather this month, the better reef fishing will be on the deeper reefs. With lower water temperatures and the changing seasonal habits of species, we can expect to see snapper moving in over both wide and inshore reefs as well as bream moving into feeding and spawning areas. The last two bream seasons, particularly that of 2013, have been very disappointing at River Heads and around the bay islands. I suspect that the floods in the Mary River may have disrupted these last seasons. Following this dry season, bream anglers are hoping bream will be returning to their usual haunts. Next month should see the start of Fraser Island’s annual tailor season, and I hope to bring you some good news in that department.

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Wake to winter glory BUNDABERG

Jason Medcalf topwater@bigpond.com

It’s time to get ready for winter and as we live in paradise that really isn’t such a big ask is it? In fact, I can’t remember the last time I wore a pair of long pants to work during the day, and even on the water in Bundaberg you have to strip of any warm layers you have on by 8am anyway. So now we have established we really live in a great part of the world what can we expect this month? The Burnett River has been really firing up with some great king threadfin salmon, mangrove jack and even some barramundi being caught despite the dropping water temp. The deeper holes in the river have been producing the goods and the keen sports fisher have been catching fish on blades, soft vibes and soft plastics. The technique can vary depending on the tide and depth but the general rule is get your offering if front of the fish and jig it, it really is that simple. Of course the

JUNE 2014

variables are making sure you are where the fish are and you are keeping your lure right in front of them so when they do bite it’s your lure they eat. If you have found the fish and you’re confident your lure has been in their face and it’s still not being eaten try different colours and different types of lures until you get some interest. The famous Burnett River bream run should start this month and we will have the mad keen night bream anglers out chasing the big bream the river is famous for. Last year I caught some cracker specimens on small blades working around the north wall and would expect the June full moon should see some big schools moving along the wall. BAFFLE CREEK The Baffle has seen some good fishing of late but as the water temperature has been dropping the fishing has been slowing. I would expect it won’t be long before the flathead and grunter move in numbers, which should be this month. The mangrove jack will slow down but they will still be around for those still

keen to chase a few, try the lower reaches closer to the mouth as they will school up this time of year. The grunter have been around all year but the cooler water can bring some of the bigger specimens out to play; fresh live yabbies and prawns are the best bait. If you’re keen to try soft plastics, I have caught a fair few grunter on brown Gulp minnows fished slowly just like a bait. There will also be a few pelagic species moving into and around the mouth at high tide so with the calmer weather there’s a great chance for small boats to get amongst a few mackerel, tuna, trevally and queenfish. Trolling lures is a great way to find fish and make sure you keep an eye out for diving birds, as they will be feeding on baitfish that has been forced to the surface by feeding fish. If you find birds diving and fish splashing around feeding on the baitfish, this is when a steel bait profile lure is a must. Cast your lure into the feeding fish let it sink for a few seconds and then wind as fast as you can. The fish will chase it down, so the

The author with Michael Guest filming for the TV show Reel Action. And they certainly got into some action! faster the better. If you’re lucky enough to come across a feeding queenfish then surface poppers are the go, my favourite is the Halco Rooster popper in gold. You just cast these poppers as far as you can around the feeding fish then wind a bit of line back and then drive the rod down pulling the lure through the water creating a big splash; this is what attracts the fish.

OFFSHORE There has been a few good days of late and the fishing offshore has been pretty good. I even managed a trip out with Michael Guest recently filming for his TV show Reel Action. We headed out to the Five Degree patch and managed to troll up bluefin tuna, yellowfin tuna, mac tuna and some big Spanish mackerel. We also jigged a few up on some of the micro jigging

gear that was new to me but really worked a treat. I will be doing some more micro jigging in the future so when I have a bit better handle on it I’ll let you know more. We finished the session off with three triple hook ups on surface lures late in the afternoon on tuna and mackerel which should come up a treat on camera. So look out for his show Reel Action because there certainly will be some action to watch!

Cold snap, good fishing! ROCKHAMPTON

Clayton Nicholls clay94_fishing@live.com.au

Predominately sunny weather and fairly calm conditions in the Rockhampton area made for great fishing over the past month, especially after the cold snaps. This trend should continue for the month to come. Saltwater areas are firing up with many catches of grunter, trevally, bream, flathead and even some nice school mulloway. The Fitzroy River has not been fishing as well as usual though, with most reports coming through about grunter, mulloway and salmon around the mouth. The semi-regular doses of freshwater run-off and the cold snaps are part of the cause. The islands have been teeming with fish. The colder weather has brought with it fairly calm days and clearer water, and many of the reports have been of mackerel and tuna caught around the Keppel group. FRESHWATER The freshwater areas around Rocky had been

fishing well for barra and tarpon because of all the fresh. However, during the end of the month when the cold really set in the barra become more timid, with only a few captures here and there. The tarpon are still running well though, and on light gear they’re heaps of fun.

THE RIVER The river had been going well but now mainly smaller barra are being pulled in the Rockhampton vicinity, with many people having luck off the rocks between the two bridges on low, and all the pontoons along the river. Towards the

This cod was taken running an Atomic minnow over the reef.

end of the month the same happened to the river as happened in the freshwater: the cold snaps turned the barra a little timid and off the chew. All is not lost though, because persistence can pay off. The good news is there is quite a large amount of salmon in the river at the moment once you find the salty areas. At present this is more towards the mouth of the river as the barrage still has a fair bit of water coming out. INSHORE I don’t normally comment on the inshore areas such as the Keppel group with barra fishing. However, with the river the way it is at the moment, myself and many other fishos have headed out to the islands more frequently to take full advantage of the cold, clear weather. Just walking the rocks and foreshores of the different islands can produce many species, from cod and queenies to the ideal reef captures like coral trout and grassy sweetlip. Heading for a troll or casting around rocky structures have been pulling many fish from

Trent Deen took this trout while flicking a Zerek over shallow reef on 6lb line. doggie, spotted and grey mackerel through to tuna and queenfish. The most ideal lures have for the mackerel and tuna have been found to be flashers, small metals and the H79 and R21 coloured Halcos. For walking the rocks we have been using 6lb braid, 15lb fluorocarbon and predominately Zereks and 4” Gulp jigging grubs. CRABBING Although the river has been slow for barra fishing

due to the fresh and cold, many people are still pulling ripper crabs out around the port and Thompsons Point. Mullet heads and heavyduty pots have been selling like crazy and the feedback from people and the photos have been insane. Anyone who likes a crabbing session should definitely get down and get some crabs while they are going hard. If you’re new to the process crab pot kits are readily available.

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Principal, Greg Nickerson’s family for generations, offering customers expert knowledge of the local marine and boating industry. “We dedicate our success to the people we have working in the business, for example our Stacer Brand Captain Jason Comino isan avid fishermen, loves boating and has a passion for the product and the lifestyle. Combine that with the right systems and structure and that gives people confidence to buy from our dealership again and again,” Greg said. “The team is really excited about the new Stacer Range and with further expansion of the dealership planned for later

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The Capricorn Coast is fishing as well as ever at present. Because of the drop in rainfall from the big wets of previous years and the Fitzroy not pumping massive quantities of freshwater into the bay, it has given the bay the opportunity to clean up a bit. This has brought back the big bait schools that travelled wide avoiding the almost fresh dirty water. When bait returns the predators follow. We are getting huge quantities of grey, doggy and Spanish mackerel at almost all the bay’s reefy rubble patches. Some of the closer patches have been producing consistently whenever conditions allow them to be fished. All the regular methods have proven successful, from floating pillies to trolling baits or lures and jigging chromies. Stevensons Rocks, Double Heads, Claytons, Forty Acre Paddock, Ross Reef, Iron Pot, Rita Mada, Pelican, Wedge, Quartz, Farnborough, Findlays and Conical are great starting points for anyone fishing inside the bay. Past the islands and right offshore there have been schools of mackerel and tuna passing very regularly. We always have diving lures rigged on one pair of rods and a couple of Taipans or Flashas

Justin Blairs caught his first Spanish mackerel on the troll out from Yeppoon. on another pair. Trolling past the travelling fish has been proving successful, with either Spanish or yellowfin tuna caught at nearly all attempts. We set the troll lines a fair way back so we don’t scare the fish into sounding, and troll past their direction of travel. There seem to be more schools of everything passing through than I can recall seeing for many years. Mahi mahi are a regular species in our area all the time. These much soughtafter fish will hang off floating objects as they drift up the coast. We always look out for large debris such as containers and fuel drums or anything that may hold dollies. A few weeks ago a friend of mine saw a big danbuoy tied off several lengths of bamboo (probably Jordon Wills with a very nice permit caught at the mouth of a local creek.

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There are stacks of mahi mahi around at the moment, shadowing any floating structure they can find. from an Indo fishing set) drifting past his boat. Under the structure was a fair size school of mahi mahi keeping pace with the drift. The guys threw all sorts of lures at the dollies to find that the old chromies did the trick. They said there were loads of fish there and it appeared there was more than one school, with several large bulls in attendance. Mahi mahi are quality eating fish that can be cooked in any way you like, or even as a firm texture sushi. It is a very family friendly eating fish with no little bones to worry about in the fillets.

JUNE 2014

BLACK JEW Winter time is black jew time (although technically we get them pretty much most of the year around the area from up in the Fitzroy, Corio Bay and offshore spots like The Pinnacles and Manifold). The cold months are the time they school up around the shallow jew holes at Ironpot, Corio Heads, Double Heads and Quartz Rock. They sometimes school up along the outside rock wall at Fishermans Beach Emu Park, where I watched one fellow score half a dozen from a little tinny during the day. These guys are tough fighting fish, especially in our shallow holes. They fight dirty and will often break you off on any structure below the water line. The can be released when caught in water under about 14m but studies have proven that almost all big black jew caught in water deeper than 15m die from barotrauma. It doesn’t matter if you swim them or lower them on a weight or even spike the air bladder – they will die not long after release. For this reason, once you have caught

your dinner it’s time to move somewhere else. Black jew aren’t good sportfish unless you’re keeping them to eat. Jewies like fresh cut slabs of mullet, mackerel, bonito, gar or bream. Their favourite food is school mackerel strips, especially when the doggies are around. They will also take pilchards and squid, the fresher the better. Most local guys use a standard paternoster rig but in the spots like Corio Heads some guys use a number 10 ball straight over an 8/0. Jew will circle the bommies or jew holes, making it seem like they have gone off the bite, and then they’ll suddenly show up, catching anglers off guard. UNDERWATER DISCOVERIES One of my regular offsiders recently started using big plastic vibes, Transam style, for mackerel after some recent trials. He also purchased an underwater camera with a long cable and a viewing monitor in the boat to check out the areas we fish. The first thing I noticed was how different the bottom Continued page 45

Snapper here and on the job MACKAY

Keith Day habdays@bigpond.net.au

With the cold weather, Mackay anglers can look forward to some great fishing if the weather cooperates. Mackay’s winters are fairly mild, with temps usually in the low teens and the odd night down into single figures. Days can be either very windy or, all too rarely, simply glassed out, providing ideal conditions for fishing. Those glassed out days give small boat anglers plenty of chances to tangle with migrating snapper as they come close inshore to breed. SNAPPER Snapper are usually said to arrive in early June, but a few make their way into our waters in April, while the main migration starts in May. By the time this issue arrives, they will be here and on the job. A 4m tinnie with a reliable outboard can easily access snapper around Flat and Round Top islands out from the river mouth, while various ‘secret’ spots around Hay Point, Grasstree and Sarina beaches are also easily reached in a 4m tinnie. In our waters, snapper can be found around heavy rock areas as well as areas of low gravel/rubble bottom, and show up well on a quality sounder. Most often they will also be with or near bait schools, so they are not that hard to find. A number of small boats at anchor in a particular area is also a pretty reliable indicator that snapper are around, particularly if those boats seem to be in the middle of nowhere. Mackay snapper respond to all the usual methods, but bait of squid, pilchards or other fish fillets is the preferred method, and accounts for most fish. Snapper like everything else From page 44

looked on the camera than it did on our sounder screens. It was reassuring to see though that when our sounders showed fish there were actually fish there, even though the sounders didn’t show everything. The surprising thing for my friend was how many quality fish were at spots virtually abandoned by the locals, who had given them names like ‘Starvation Reef’. The other thing he learned was how huge the bait schools are that hang around them. He found there was so much bait at these spots that the well-fed predators were not interested in baits or lures most of the time.

in the sea won’t knock back a large prawn bait either, but oily fish baits are hard to beat. Plastics are making inroads into the snapper fishing here and large stickbaits on heavy jigheads work well, as do the more conventional paddle tail plastics. Remember though we have very strong tidal runs so big jigheads are the order of the day. If you’re a visitor to the area, I suggest having a chat with the staff at our local tackle stores. They can advise you on tides, locations, the best baits, rigs and so on. QUEENFISH AND TREVALLY Sticking with the close offshore scene, June sees the queenfish still predominant around the islands around Seaforth/St Helens and right through down to the islands out from Sarina Inlet. These silver rockets can be found from water knee deep out to 20m+, and will take a wide range of live baits. They also take a variety of artificials – everything from plastics to hardbodies, metal jigs, poppers and flies. They’re such a versatile fish and great fun to catch. Golden trevally and big diamond trevally are also on the chew around the close offshore areas and will often be encountered with snapper. Goldens in particular are very good eating; if you bleed them quickly and ice them down they make first class tucker. Diamonds fight really well. They like to manoeuvre their flat bodies side-on, fooling you into thinking you’ve hooked a much larger fish. Again, both species respond well to baits and lures. MACKEREL AND TUNA Winter weather also sees the start of the Spanish mackerel run, as these fish are fairly common here through the winter to spring months. Big Spaniards can be found off the harbour wall and as close as Slade Island

just out from the mouth of the harbour. Further afield you will find them in the deeper water around Round Top Island and then further out to the fringing reef islands up into the Whitsundays. Places around the Goldsmiths and Wigton Island are legendary spots for big Spanish macks. The preferred method here is to troll baits like garfish, pike and wolf herring on big gang hook rigs, with a suitable chin weight to get the bait down in the water column. These rigs can be bought ready made but most anglers like to ‘tweak’ them and make their own. One tip is to use swivels between the hooks in the gang as that allows the bait to swim just that little a bit better, which can make all the difference on hard days. Razor sharp hooks are mandatory, and many anglers also like to add a plastic squid or other skirt to the head of the rig to give a bit more movement and attraction. There has also been a bit of a run of early season small mackerel and tuna on the good days since Easter. Most of the small macks (doggies and spotties) have been undersized and have come from down around the Hay Point area so far. However, as June progresses the size should improve and more legal fish should be caught. Both northern bluefin (longtails) and mac tuna have been caught around bait schools off the harbour and out to the ‘patches’, and if you are lucky you will find them herding bait to the surface where they charge through them, scattering bait every which way. This is the time to have a good spin stick with a fairly high speed reel ready with a slug or big jighead and small plastic ready to cast quickly around the feeding fish. Great fun on hook-up and a really solid work-out for angler and tackle.

This discovery led us to experiment with techniques out of the ordinary, as well as trying different times of the tide and so forth. That’s why we tried big vibes for Spaniards. The plastics are remarkably resilient to the toothy critters. It does pay to keep a pack of cheap super glue in the tackle box to do on-the-spot lure repairs though, just in case. Plastics can be repaired or modified with super glue and they’re back to as good as new very easily. CREEK AND ESTUARY Barramundi might have slowed a little due to the cold, but there are still plenty being taken around our area. From the middle of town all the way down to Port Alma decent

fish have been caught lately. Coorooman Creek has been the quiet achiever, turning out some of the best barra of the year after the cold snap. Lures and live baits have both been doing the job, depending on where you want to fish. We went looking for barra recently and every shallow spot we hit with a lure yielded quality flathead. From rocky points to sandy and muddy run-off gutters we scored decent flatties. If you have never caught a flatty on lures or plastics, now is the time to give it a shot. Big bream, steelback, whiting trevally, queenfish and lots of salmon are on the chew at present as well, making this June one of the best for a long time.

ESTUARY In the creeks and estuaries, whiting, bream and flathead will be the mainstays with a few oddballs like queenfish and trevally thrown in. golden snapper are around in the creeks, as are jacks, but they are not as willing to bite as they are during the summer months. Careful sussing of areas with fresh live baits or well presented lures is the go for jacks and golden snapper. Barra are also by now getting well into hibernation mode. They are still around and will take baits and lures, but the going is hard and slow. Look for those days when there has been a series of calm days, bright sunshine and smaller tides, and fish areas where the water temp is higher. Places like sand flats are good starters as the sand usually retains heat from the sun and the old barra will be looking for a few degrees higher water temp to get more comfortable. If you persist with a well thought out approach you’ll find that barra are far from impossible to catch in winter. FRESHWATER Freshwater barra are the same as their salty cousins and will be hard in the dams

Even though it wasn’t a barra, Karen Richardson was pretty chuffed with this great blue salmon caught drifting a live prawn onto the edge of a hole. This was the first of several caught on both bait and lures. but not impossible. Kinchant Dam has plenty of shallow water with good weed beds and the barra will be around these spots. I find late in the day to be the best for winter barra in the dams and I concentrate on areas that have had sunlight most of the day. These spots will produce winter barra in both Teemburra and Kinchant dams and I suggest weedless rigged plastics are the go to lure for these conditions as the fish are way up in the shallows where there is plenty of weed and lilies. Z-Man Pop FrogZ have been really successful for me in these conditions, worked super slow with plenty of

pauses. Great fun! Sooties are the saviour in freshwater during winter. While they aren’t quite as aggressive as they are in summer they will still hammer the daylights out of a lure. The recent World Sooty Championship at Eungella Dam turned up absolute horse fish even in the most trying conditions and with overnight temps down to around 2-3ºC (see the tournament report for more details). So winter in Mackay is pretty good and not very cold at all compared to areas further south. And, as always, Mackay throws up plenty of fishing options, so see you at the ramp.

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Working the angles BUNDABERG

Mark Ward barra09@live.com.au

I have a complaint to make about modern fishing tackle. There is no doubt that a new spin reel that has multiple

Big fish, light tackle and kids are a great combination but it still takes work and a little skill to land fish like this on light tackle.

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drag washers attached to a high modulus graphite rod and packed with fine braided line is an awesome piece of kit, and I’m proud to say that I have a number of them in my collection, but it has created one small issue. Most of us have forgotten how to play a big fish on fragile tackle. I learnt how to fish by catching mulloway on sidecast tackle. The rods we were using couldn’t even pass as tomato stakes these days, and the fishing line we had to choose from is now being sold as whipper snipper cord. There was no way that you could go too heavy on the line, otherwise the old fibreglass rod was not going to cast that bait anywhere near where you wanted to be. Soapies (small mulloway) I could handle, and school size mulloway were also no big deal. However, after losing a few monsters I soon learnt how to bring a fish into the boat or beach with as little fuss as possible. My old Alvey had no drag system and the 12’ glass rod had no ‘feel’ in it at all compared to today’s works of art. It really was angler vs fish back then. By the time I joined a fishing club, I was learning

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Cody Ward doing battle with a queenfish on 4lb braid while big brother Jacob works the net. how to catch big fish on pre-test monofilament line. For those who don’t know, the only difference between pre-test line and standard monofilament is that the pre-test stuff is guaranteed to break at, or just below, its rated strength. That’s in complete contrast to today’s modern lines which are often twice as strong as their rating. It wasn’t long before I was chasing mangrove jack and kingfish on 2kg pre-test in order to win points for club competitions. Drag washers were some of my most serviced pieces of equipment and I spent hours rubbing my washers on very fine wet and dry sandpaper laid over a small sheet of glass. The smoother these washers were, the more fish I landed. It was back then that I attended a talk by Peter Pakula, who was ‘the man’ when it came to game fishing. I was expecting Peter to talk about

his range of lures and how to troll or rig them for best results but he actually spent a lot of time talking about how to play a fish in so that it could be released to live another day. The best way to bring a fish to the boat was not to exhaust it completely so you could just drag its dead weight to the tag pole or gaff, but to be smart and use angles as well as the boat to land your catch. It was all about how to angle fish in and becoming a master angler instead of a casual dangler. A fish that has been fought to the point of complete exhaustion has a very small chance of survival, so if we intend to release these fish it’s vital that we take care of them. Having said that, there is a problem with bringing big fish into a boat when they are still full of energy or ‘green’. I’m not just talking about fish with bills or sharp teeth, either. Any fish that’s franticly

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Weipa local Tim Shannon trying to pull up a big fish from straight under the boat and not getting very far. This is the time to move the boat to get an angle on the fish, especially with that light bream gear in the tropics.

jumping all over a hard and often hot deck of a boat is going to do itself more harm than we would have done by keeping it in the water until it started to fatigue. There’s a big difference between fatigue and exhaustion. I’m not much of a game fisherman – I prefer the calmer water – but the principles are the same. And let’s face it, we need to know what to do when that metre long barra or monster mulloway decides to eat what is attached to our light tackle. I still chase wild river barra on bream spinning gear, not so much for the challenge but when these fish are shut down nothing will get them to eat except a tiny prawn which requires light tackle to work it. ANGLER VS FISH When I talk about working the angles I try never to play a fish from directly under the boat. I want a fish to be either pulling line from the drag or be coming to the surface from at least a 45º angle. The reason for this is simply pressure. The weight of the fish when it is under the boat means that we have to pull that weight up through the water, and if the fish weighs 20kg and my line breaks at 4kg, this is going to put a lot a pressure on that line. I may not have the entire weight of the fish on the line but if it decides it doesn’t like the look of the boat as it gets closer to the surface, the fish can very easily dive deeper, expending very little energy in doing so – and I am back where I started. Playing the angles means that the fish needs to swim against my drag pressure and also, as soon as it stops to rest, I am gaining line on it without having to lift it vertically through the water. It also forces the fish towards the surface, which in a lot of cases is where we want it to be. A word a caution here: know your prey well. For example, a barramundi coming to the surface will want to jump which can throw the hooks. If a big flathead breaks the surface, it starts throwing its head from side

Massive cobia are tough no matter what the tackle but this fish was landed during a tailor spinning session on tailor gear. to side which runs those big buck teeth over the leader, and that can also end in tears. So while you want to get the fish up and away from the boat, try to keep it under the surface if possible. OFFSHORE ANGLES When fishing for mackerel from anchor, I use a buoy that is attached to the anchor rope via a large stainless steel clip. If I hook a good fish, I unclip the rope from the buoy and move around with no rope for the fish to run

under. Additionally, I have a bow-mounted electric motor (all my boats have had one) so if it’s not too rough I can steer the boat around, keeping the fish away from the boat in order to have that angle. Living in Weipa for a few years meant having to beat the sharks to any mackerel that I hooked so I became good at landing mackerel in record time. The added benefit of the floating buoy was that once I landed the fish I just clipped back onto the buoy and I was

anchored back on my mark. The game fishermen from my fishing club did a similar thing on big marlin by driving away from the fish to bring it up, then backing into it as the angler started to gain line. As soon as the fish went deep, it was time to drive away again, forcing it back towards to surface where the backing up process would begin again. Being on board when a big marlin is hooked is an experience. Everyone is involved in landing that fish, especially the skipper. INSHORE ANGLES Inshore fishing is a little different because we can’t always let the fish run. Mangrove jack, barramundi and even bream will head back into cover and at times it’s a case of pulling them up or being cut off on the structure. A few years back I found a set of oyster leases that had a lot of big mangrove jack living amongst the structure and it was more of a case of learning how to rig up and tie knots than learning how to play them in. Rigging up and setting up the drag are vital if you’re going to land big fish from around structure. Learning to tie doubles and good leader knots are crucial but even terminal tackle can be tested here so do your homework. Bent hooks or that tell-tale ‘pig tail’ on the end of the line

indicating that the knot has slipped and let go can be very frustrating. Drag pressure should never exceed a third of the actual breaking strain of your line, so if you’re using braid that is rated to 10kg, test it with some quality fish weighing scales to see what it actually breaks at. Attach a good length of it to something solid and, in a smooth and steady motion, pull on the line until it snaps. Yes, you can always just run off the line’s rating as a guide, but when it comes to fighting fish around structure the more pressure you have on the fish before everything gives, the better your chances.

Once you know your breaking strain, set the drag to a third of that number. If my 10kg braid breaks at 15kg, I will set up my drag at 5kg by doing the same things as I did when testing its strength. Attach the scales to the end of the line while in a rod holder and in a very smooth and steady motion, pull back a metre or so to pull drag and check the scales to see what the reading is. That all sounds simple enough, but if you have never done this before you’re about to find out why game fishing tackle is so expensive! Putting a smooth 5kg of drag into a reel requires some top quality

A 120cm barra landed from a narrow channel between two weed beds. Knowing your leader and knots are up for the job is half the battle.

equipment. Big drum-style offshore reels are built for it and when it comes to inshore fishing, baitcasters are usually better than spinning reels for this. However, if it’s a light lure you’re casting or a little soft plastic, this is not always your best option. Technically speaking, any spin reel in the 2500 size or greater should be able to handle 5kg of drag. However, the cheaper reels with a single washer will fail and become sticky a lot quicker than, say, a Shimano Stella or new Saragosa reel, as well as my favourite old Daiwa Certate which has never let me down. I’m not recommending one brand over another though, because brand choice is less important than just buying the best you can afford. Fellow FM writer Jason Medcalf tells me that he has been using Abu Revo reels which are very well priced and the drags have been holding up to the monster jacks and barra with no problems at all, so there’s another great option. Drag washers can also be upgraded but setting drags is an article in itself, so stick with the best you can afford. Learning as much as you can about rigging and being able to work the angles will not only put you ahead of the pack with it comes to landing big fish on light tackle, but will give your released fish the best chance of survival.

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Pelagic power play BOWEN

Dan Kaggelis dkaggelis@gmail.com

The signs of a cracking pelagic season have been extremely positive leading up to June with the Spanish mackerel showing up in big numbers already out wide. These fish have been thin on the ground around the closer haunts such as the Bowen Mackerel Patches and Abbott Point. However, those who have searched further afield have found plenty of hungry fish around Holbourne Island and the shoal grounds and pinnacles nearby. This can mostly be attributed to the much cleaner water out around these spots, with many of the inshore spots still very murky from the bigger tides and river run-off. The quantity has been excellent and so has the quality, with many of these offshore Spanish mackerel pushing the scales beyond the 20kg mark which is a terrific sign. Typically early on in the season the majority of Spanish mackerel caught out wide are usually the smaller male fish which tend to be around that 6-8kg size – great eating fish that are easily targeted using trolled lures and gar baits. This year, however, it seems there are plenty of bigger fish amongst them already which is pleasantly surprising. This is great news for Spanish mackerel anglers, especially those who chase them within inshore waters around Bowen, as it signals a very good season ahead with plenty of trophy fish on offer.

Queenfish will be turning up in big numbers in June and are great fun on surface lures.

This is what your sounder should look like when trying to locate pelagics in Bowen waters. Plenty of bait means plenty of fish. June should signal the start of the migration of these fish towards inshore waters as the tides slacken off and the clean water moves into

the bay. The other good news is there is no shortage of bait throughout inshore waters, with plenty of gar and wolf herring already taking up

Jacks are still on the table in June although lighter leaders and soft vibes are the way to go.

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residence around the inshore islands, reefs, and shoals. The key to targeting Spanish mackerel is to find the bait as this is where these fish will be feeding. The bait in Bowen tends to congregate around the natural shoals like the mackerel patches whilst manmade structures like Abbott Point and the various inshore wrecks are also hot spots. I cannot stress enough that even iconic spots like Abbott Point will fish very

hard without the presence of bait so if you don’t mark any on your sounder it’s time to move on. Spanish mackerel are not the only pelagic fish which moves into inshore waters in big numbers during June – the smaller mack species are also coming on the bite. Typically the early runs are dominated by grey and doggie mackerel with the spotties usually turning up later towards July and August. Sadly the dominance of these fish will be once again determined by the level of commercial pressure placed on these fish. Two years ago we had a bumper season which was quickly brought to an end by a ridiculous number of commercial netters who virtually wiped out the breeding stock over a period of a week. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen this year. I don’t begrudge the commercial boys their fair share but we do need some fish left behind to breed. Like the Spanish mackerel the smaller macks will be drawn in by the

clearer water as well. The other fish which will be jumping all over jigs and lures will be queenfish. Queenies are a very underrated sportfish and when they get over a metre long they are terrific to chase, especially off the surface. Typically a bycatch when chasing Spanish mackerel jigging or GT on the surface, queenfish are easily targeted by scaling down your surface lure size to around 100mm and jigs down to around 60g. The good news is when you locate a school you can catch them until your back gives out. CREEKS In the creeks the action will begin to slacken off, especially on the jacks and barra front. The first couple of cold snaps will fire them up though so don’t let these opportunities go to waste. When targeting these fish during the colder months you will need to use lures which sit in the strike zone for much longer periods. For this application it’s hard to go past soft vibe style lures as they fish tight to structure, can be jigged slowly across the bottom and are more prone to be eaten by fish which are sulking on the bottom. Another important tip is to spend more time covering structure. Where you may have put in three or four casts try increasing that to eight or nine, as the fish will need more convincing.

The most important tip, however, is to scale down your line class. I run right down to a 10lb Sunline Sniper fluorocarbon leader in the cooler months and this sees a big improvement in catch rates. The cleaner water will make heavy leaders really stand out so stealth is a major factor which needs to be considered. Going light means you will need to consider the quality of your leader material so make sure you are using good gear or you’ll be wasting your time and your lures. WINTER FORECAST Next month Bowen anglers will find themselves knee deep in pelagic action, with July usually being one of the real hot bite times for a big Spanish mackerel. The larger fish will be moving into the bay in greater numbers which will be excellent for those smaller boat owners chasing a trophy fish. The smaller macks should also begin to dominate the patches, especially if this bait sticks around. July has also been proving a top time to chase a sailfish and small black marlin in the waters from Holbourne Island to Cape Upstart. Whilst not much is known about this fishery I’d dare to say it’s pretty much untouched so if you’re keen for some exploring then don’t be surprised if you come up tight on some terrific beakies.

Big Spanish mackerel like this ripper caught by Ken Elliot will be high on the target list in June.

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Winter fishing ramping up Flathead have been mangrove jack – one just a little on the quiet side, legal at 37cm and a nice possibly because of the fish measuring 47cm. The late-season fresh which better fish came from a tight In last month’s Burdekin has dirtied the water in spot literally surrounded by report I mentioned that most estuaries. That said, timber and struck the lure May was usually the start there was one report of as I bounced it over the of our marvellous winter a couple of mega lizards barely submerged logs. If weather and, right on caught at Plantation Creek it had struck a few seconds cue, a southerly change recently and catches should earlier I would have been in moved up the coast within definitely increase as the real trouble. the first week, sending creeks clear. Other anglers have temperatures plummeting The third species in reported reasonable overnight. the winter estuary trilogy jack and barra fishing at That first chilly taste is bream, but this species Plantation, Ocean and of winter always reminds usually arrives later in the Morrisseys creeks. Modest me of the fishing and the cooler months. However, sized barra have also been occasional, magical boating it’s worth prospecting for on the chew along the inside weather we can look bream anytime you’re of Cape Upstart and I’m forward to over the next fishing the estuaries over sure the creeks in the bay few months. I would have to the next few months. Light must be yielding a few to say that while it can be a bit line and terminal tackle and persistent anglers. hard to roll out of a warm fresh baits of peeled prawn Bluewater fishers have bed for an early start on the or slabbed mullet will ensure been coming home with water, this is definitely my you are in with a chance if mixed bags whenever favourite time of year in there are bream about. weather conditions allow North Queensland. While winter estuary them to hit the water. But what’s been species are all the talk, some Catches often include tasty happening over the past of the summer stalwarts are critters such as Spanish month? No real surprises still on the chew. mackerel, red emperor, I would suggest – just My daughter, Aimee, coral trout, large-mouth and the steady ramping up of and I fished Phillips Camp small-mouth nannygai, as the winter fishing. More recently with live mullet well as the speedsters like catches of good, early- and prawns, but couldn’t trevally and cobia. Many season whiting have been raise a scale. When Aimee boats aren’t going any reported from estuaries as offered to drive the electric further than the Alva shoals widespread as Morrisseys motor so I could lure, I or Morinda for a good Creek and the Burdekin jumped at the chance. And feed of fish. River and plenty of spots it paid off. Within half an FISHING FORECAST STA13434Dealer1-2_STA11838NewCamp 18/07/12 AM estuary Page 1 anglers, in between. hour we had boated two 10:37 For AYR

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June should be all about whiting, flathead and maybe bream. Salmon and grunter are also a possibility and some of the cleaner creeks might also hold trevally and queenfish, especially if you fish close to the mouth. Out on the bluewater the Spanish mackerel will be the main species targeted, especially if calm, winter weather allows even the smaller boats to safely fish the Alva shoals. While the Spaniards often feed voraciously when they school up on the shoals, they can be finicky at times and it pays to have a wide repertoire of baits and lures on hand. Baits that will work at least some days include whole pilchards, mullet and garfish, usually fished under a float or simply drifted out in the current. Fresh or live fish jigged up using bait jigs can be very effective, especially on the larger fish. Just remember that it is illegal to use an undersized fish as bait, so make sure you know which species have a legal minimum size. If you prefer trolling or casting lures for the mackerel, choose a range of different sized hard-bodied

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Aimee Farmer with a 47cm mangrove jack lured up at Phillips Camp when live mullet and prawns couldn’t produce a scale. minnows (especially the larger ones) and include a selection of deep and shallow divers. Poppers can also be effective, as well as a very spectacular way to fish. A handful of metal slugs will allow you to ‘match the hatch’ when the macks are feeding on small baitfish. Finally, you can’t hit the water these days without a tackle box full of soft plastics, although they don’t last too long when the mackerel are on the chew. By the way, if you haven’t used your boat for

a while check your safety gear is still in-date and good to go and top up and charge your batteries. Consider replacing any stale fuel and run the outboard in the backyard (either in a drum or on the earmuffs) before you tow your rig all the way to the ramp. Finally, while the winter weather is great it can result in long queues at the local boat ramps. Be patient and considerate and make sure you’re ready to launch or retrieve when it is your turn.

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Options far and wide TOWNSVILLE

Karim DeRidder

Townsville has embraced the coming of winter this year, which has brought on some great fishing around

our city’s waterways. Cleveland Bay has again provided excellent reports of threadfin salmon, barramundi and jacks in its creeks. The healthy condition of these fish indicates that the latefinishing wet provided the

Peter Robinson with another solid barramundi.

essential nutrients to keep the food chain healthy. Moving out of the creeks towards the headlands, the water has become clear and cool, with the bait schools balling en masse. Predators such as queenfish, GT and school-size mackerel are showing their pleasure in the smorgasbord available. Anglers throwing slices such as Bumpa-Bars, large flick baits and the like have been hooking up with ease. This is a perfect opportunity to get the kids out and have a ball on a weekend as it is likely to continue through the winter. The reefs have also been producing some great captures of large coral trout. The use of knife jigs worked at high speed and plastics wafted off bait-filled ledges

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The Laspina boys with a good barramundi caught 10 minutes from town. and bommies wide of the reef edges have been the undoing of these bluewater brawlers. If bait fishing is your cup of tea, I have heard good reports coming from anglers using fresh strip baits and livies to fool these super sized specimens. Remember most of these larger trout are bluespot trout, which have a size limit of 80cm in our waters. Few anglers would feel safe eating a XOS trout anyway; the thought of ciguatera is enough for most anglers to release bigger fish with no hesitation. The shoals have been vibrant, producing the school sized mackerel with a mixture of species including spotted, Spanish and shark showing up. The inshore weed beds and channel markers are starting to produce some good doggie mackerel, satisfying the small boat brigade. The usual methods of trolling hard bodies, baits rigged on lead heads and fast spinning slices are the undoing of all species of mackerel at present. Try the Live Target Spanish mackerel, these lures have a finish like no other, and the macks just love them! And don’t underestimate the use of berley to attract these fish when the bite is tough. Berley has turned the day around many times when fish have been spread out over a large area. Fishing a tide change and current lines is a basic tactic also. Hot spots looking north

and south of our city include West Point, Burdekin Rock and Paluma Shoals, with southern landmarks such as the multitude of ‘foot’ rocks off Cape Cleveland a sure bet. The Bowling Green Bay creeks of Haughton and Morrissey have again been producing a lot of quality fish, with plenty of trophy meterplus barramundi hitting the decks for the switched-on anglers. Cool weather requires a delicate touch for feeling the slightest of bites. These can result in a frantic slab of chrome erupting from

John Munro with a solid GT plucked off a bait ball.

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white water. Focus on snags with balled-up green back herring. These are sure to produce a quality fish or two. Although the trade winds seem relentless, don’t despair on forecasts continually showing steady southeasterly winds. Sufficient gaps can be found when observing weather patterns and timing runs around it. As is usual for our winter months, the winds have a habit of increasing as the morning develops. By starting ultra early and returning home by mid morning, you can enjoy fishing in comfortable

Alicia and Jack were stoked with this oversized coral trout.

conditions for a multitude of species. Mackerel around Cape Cleveland are one such option, and if you feel like mixing in some bottom bashing, the bar-cheek trout and golden snapper fishing can also be red hot. My tip this month is to embrace your inner Livio Regano [a local Townsville weather reporter – Ed] and keep tabs on the weather closely for your own escape. There is nothing like turning up to work after a solid session on your favourite target with the rest of the day to dream of returning!

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Tropical winter smorgasbord LUCINDA

Jeff Wilton jeffwilton83@hotmail.com

We recently made the mistake of going for a fish in the afternoon, and due to a hot bite we stayed out a few hours longer than anticipated (how do you leave a hungry pack of golden snapper biting?) By the time we got to the boat ramp we were freezing cold and had well and truly learnt our lesson – winter is here so pack several jumpers in the boat. This is the end of the transition period and water temps are now considerably lower and the water is very clear. The fishing will be still great but different approaches need to be used to get results. HINCHINBROOK CHANNEL Cruising up the channel in the cooler months is a treat with the clear water and rippling bait schools. Anything is possible in the channel at this time of year, and along with the usual species you can have fun sight casting to tuna and mackerel around the bait schools. Just keep an eye out for splashing and birds, especially in the early hours around sunrise. There are plenty of opportunities on

fly gear during winter, as the pelagic fish can really go into a frenzy if you’re there at the right place and right time. Barra are now becoming very moody and unpredictable as the cold water puts them into a shutdown. If you are stealthy it’s not uncommon to see barra head down and tail up sulking in areas. At times like this, even the best presented bait or lure will go unnoticed. The secret for getting the barra to bite I have found is fishing the peak times of the day. If I’m really serious in landing a barra I find the late afternoon tide changes are the best as the water has had time to warm a little. Also fishing

flats on the rising tide works well as the shallower water will be a few degrees warmer. The temperature gauge on the sounder can be used to good effect during winter to find pockets of warmer water and more active fish. Trolling is another effective way to catch a barra. It’s not as simple as lobbing lures out the back and driving around for a while; you need to choose a troll run that has a good bottom and be prepared to troll back and forth for hours. Make sure your lures are running close to the bottom, and every now and again brushing against it. And work your lures with the rod by dropping the rod tip back, causing slack line.

A custom 30kg stick loaded up. Winter brings big and powerful fish!

There are days you will get hit on your first few runs but normally it takes a few hours to aggravate a barra into smacking your lure. Also it pays to monitor the sounder closely, as one run the sounder may be lifeless and the next you’ll see big blobs and arches everywhere. That’s the time to grip your rod tightly! Golden snapper also become a regular catch when trolling for barra, and on some of my banks I won’t see a golden snapper all summer and then catch several in a session during winter. Keep this in mind when bait fishing also, as the fingers will be sitting in the snags in deeper holes and at the mouth of most creeks. At the time of writing there have been very few reports of king threadfin salmon, but they should (hopefully) turn up soon. The blue salmon, on the other hand, are turning up in good numbers and if you’re lucky it is possible for every rod in the boat to be hooked up to these speedsters as they normally hunt in huge packs. Sight casting for them when they are on the surface is brilliant fun. It really gets the heart pumping as they attack your offerings with speed and aggression.

School sized Spaniards offer great fun and games. JETTY, ISLANDS AND REEF Cruising out into the blue water in the early morning is cold but when the drag screams off your reel as a big Spaniard heads for the horizon, you instantly forget the cold. The Palm Islands will be holding plenty of mackerel and it is normally as easy as locating the bait and having a troll or floating out a few pilchards on ganged hooks. Mackerel will bite all day but the few hours after sunrise and before sunset will have them higher in the water and in a feeding mood. The Lucinda jetty will also have mackerel hanging about in good numbers. School and barred mackerel love to feed around the jetty pylons, and dropping a slug to the bottom and ripping it up with speed will have you hooked up or bitten off. The reefs such as Bramble, Britomart and Rib will hold

macks on the points that cop lots of strong currents, which balls the baitfish up. Using wire will reduce the amount of hits you get, so only use wire if bite-offs are getting ridiculous, and use the finest wire possible. Mackerel also smash poppers in the early morning light, and trust me when I say there are few better sights then a completely airborne mackerel with your popper in its mouth. Just a word of warning as I have had a few near misses of macks landing in the boat very green. That’s a scary prospect for your toes and fingers. I could go on to write about the insane GT and queenie action that the bays of Hinchinbrook and the jetty hold at this time of the year, but my arms are sore from twitching 5” Z-Man StreakZ through ravenous schools that are fighting each other for the chance to eat it!

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From fizzer to fantastic HINCHINBROOK

Ryan Moody www.hookedonhinchinbrook.com

It has been an interesting wet season this year as many of you would know. We were supposed to get rain in January and February but we didn’t. We thought we were in for a fizzer, which would have been bad for the fishing, but then we got some late downpours in March and April. This saw our rainfall creep up to just above average, which was great. Now we have a good year to look forward to and hopefully our big threadfin salmon will show

up again now that salinity levels have decreased from last year. Fishing over past month has been good overall with some healthy barra fishing starting to come back. The Spaniards and tuna are thick as well, which is great to see. The three main wrecks on the outside of Hinchinbrook Island have been the best place for the Spaniards lately as they are right in the macks’ migratory path. The mackerel are starting to take over the inshore headlands now and there will be a whole heap of baitfish that aren’t going to like that. Floating pilchards in the current while it’s running

Bill with his PB barra at 108cm caught live baiting.

onto a pressure point is a good way to start chasing Spaniards, but when the run-in tide stops look for the schools on your sounder and drop some metal slices on their nose. These fish usually can’t resist the temptation to eat slices pulled vertically past their face. Just remember that Spaniards have a bag limit of three per angler and their minimum size is 75cm. Golden snapper have been slower to come on this year but I think that’s mainly because of the deluge we experienced from cyclone Ita. We don’t usually see that much rainfall so late in the season and the golden snapper won’t come back on properly until all the waters clean up and are back to normal. I’m thinking June will be a big month for them and they will be a popular target among our jigging clients this winter. With all the late rain this year we have seen a burst in the mangrove jack numbers. I don’t normally target them but we are catching quite a few while fishing for other species. Many other recreational anglers are also saying they haven’t seen jacks like this for many years. Whatever it is that has

NOW IN STOC K

www.motackle.com.au 56

JUNE 2014

Jeff with his first 1m+ barra (106cm) caught while lure casting. spurred them on, is a big welcome to the fishery. With a better wet season under our belt there has been a huge increase in the mud crab numbers already and many anglers have reaped the rewards, recently catching their bag limits. This trend should keep up for most of the remaining year. They may go a bit slow when the neaper tides are against them, and during winter they may go slow in the shallow gutters, but they can generally be caught in the deep holes when this occurs. In June we will see a

huge improvement in the pelagics and the light tackle marlin fishing should start getting underway. The reports from the bait grounds have been good and there is no shortage of baitfish so it’s only a matter of time before it’s game on for the billfish. We should also see golden trevally back on the scene and they can be found in the holes around headlands and deep water gutters around islands. They are also a shallow water fish at times and can be seen up on the reef flats foraging for crabs and suchlike. When they do

this they are easily spotted with their tails flapping out of the water, and this is a good time to go and present a fly or cast a shallow diving minnow on their nose. They pull hard in the shallows and you need to have your tackle up to scratch. If you’re coming up and want to do a charter please contact us in advance to get onto a good tide. You can contact us through the website at www.ryanmoodyfishing. com where you can join our free fishing community and go in the draw to win a charter for two.

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A stabilising experience Andrew Taylor is a keen fisherman from Noosa, Queensland. A few years ago, Andrew was enjoying a picturesque afternoon of solo fishing in the Noosa River and decided to cross the bar and head north to the long and often deserted Teewah Beach. In his highsided 4.8m Stacer with a 50hp Yamaha tiller steer, he was drift-fishing behind the breakwater, enjoying the sunset, when a large wave took him by surprise. “It was a relatively calm day and I hadn’t thought to tell anyone I was going fishing. I go fishing all the time by myself,” explained Andrew. But this time, he wished he had told someone. “A wave crashed over the transom, flooded the boat, and the boat just flipped upside down. I scrambled to hang onto the hull, but it wasn’t long before I realised the boat was being taken out to sea. I swam under the boat and found the EPIRB had fallen out of its bracket. So I deployed my reef anchor, which took a while to snag due to the sandy bottom, but it eventually pulled me up about 4 miles offshore.” What came next for

Andrew was over 12 hours of soggy solitude. He’d lost all of his safety gear except a torch and a Vee sheet. He tried to light up the Vee-sheet for the few boats he saw, but no one stopped. He said, “It got dark quick and the boats were pretty far away, so they couldn’t see my boat had capsized.” With only the bow of his boat above water, Andrew had little to hang onto. It was warmer in the water, so he spent the night clinging to the hull, trying not to think about the large sharks that were reported in the area only two weeks earlier.

When he got too tired to hang on, Andrew used the Vee sheet like a hammock and tied it off to the boat to support his weight in the water. When the sky started to get bright, he expected to be rescued now that he could be seen. But a helicopter and several other boats still didn’t see him, despite his frantic waving. “At about 11am I’d had enough,” Andrew said. “I was tired, but I’m a good swimmer, so I took my time and swam ashore. No one was on the beach, so I walked over an hour to the ferry, caught the ferry across to Noosaville, then a bus to the

boat ramp. When I realised my electronic key (that was still in my pocket) wouldn’t open my car, I caught a taxi home. That’s when I rang the Coast Guard and told them where my boat was, and asked if they could kindly go get it for me, which they did, while I got ready for work.” Not wanting the same thing to happen again, Andrew researched boat stabilisers and flotation solutions, but nothing grabbed him. Until a friend recommended he check out the Kapten Boat Collar. “I watched the website videos of Pat surfing his dinghy at Maroochydore bar,” Andrew said. “And I thought, ‘yep, I want my boat to be able to do that.” Andrew had his Collar

fitted by Pat in the Nambour Factory shortly afterwards, and has been enjoying his ‘bigger boat’ ever since. “I was a little apprehensive about putting holes in my boat,” he said, “but I needed the extra flotation, and I knew it would add value to my boat in the long run, which it has. “I never thought I had a stability problem with my tinnie - being 4.8m it’s not small - but with the Boat Collar fitted, it’s like I’ve got a different boat altogether. It’s so steady on the water now. Compared to standard flotation that just sits under the floor and does nothing, the Collar actually improves my boat’s performance every time I’m on the water. I’m

not drenched by spray when I drive anymore because of the Collar’s big reverse chine, and my partner feels safer and more confident on the water with me. Before the Collar, the boat used to struggle to get onto plane, but now, my boat shoots straight onto plane. Everything’s a plus. The stability and performance of my boat is now fantastic. In the two years I’ve had it, I can’t fault it. The Collar has a lot of safety features, which is worth every cent. I highly recommend it to everyone.” For prices, videos and more information go to www.kaptenboatcollar.com or phone 07) 5441 3636. – Kapten Boat Collar

n o e b o t t Wan f o r e v o C the ? y l h t n o M Fishing

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 JUNE 2014

A winner in winter CAIRNS

Garry Smith garrysmith@fishingmonthly.com.au

The first of the cool weather arrived in early May but didn’t last long. It was enough, however, to put the brakes on the fishing, in the short term at least. June should see a continued drop in water temperatures, with winter species becoming dominant and the likes of barra, jacks and golden snapper slowing down. Don’t discount these species though, as they can be caught year round with the right approach. REEF SPECIES The reality of June is that the best fishing is offshore but the winds can severely restrict access a lot of the time. When the winds allow, the fishing can be dynamic for both reef and pelagic species. The main target fish for bottom bashers this month will be reds, with largemouth nannygai (saddletail snapper) and red emperor at the top of the wish list. Coral trout will also be around in good numbers in the shallower water but it will be the more concentrated schools of reds that will be the main focus of angling effort at the reef. Most reds will be in the 3-5kg range but there will be some real trophy fish over 8kg on the chew as well. The usual deep water, over 40m, will produce plenty of action but reds will also be found in some spots under 30m this month. It’s not uncommon to pick up quality reds off what would normally be considered a trout bommie, especially if it’s an isolated bommie

surrounded by deep water. Quality trout in the 3-4kg range will be on the chew in the shallower water. A whole pilchard on an 8/0 long shank hook, with a running pea sinker just big enough to get the bait to the bottom, can be a killer presentation. You tend to go through a fair quantity of bait when you’re fishing this way, so go well stocked with quality, small pilchards. There will also be some bruiser reef red bream on the prowl, along with a sprinkling of Moses perch, spangled emperor, cod and odds and sods of other species. The other fish in good numbers (or should I say bad numbers?) will be sharks. In the last few years sharks have been a real problem off Cairns in the cooler months. A few techniques can reduce their impact, however. Never throw fish scraps over the side until you are about to move. Keep bait scraps and fish frames in a bucket until you are about to pull anchor. Work hard to get fish to the boat as fast as possible. Fish a little heavier than normal, with a heavy drag. The odd bust-off is preferable to constant bite-offs. Finally, if you’re losing the majority of fish to sharks, it’s time to move. When you move, make it a good distance at as high a speed as it is safe to travel. PELAGICS Pelagics of all sizes and shapes will be into the action from the rivers to the continental shelf, with mackerel of most interest to anglers. For fishos who prefer some serious arm-stretching, chasing GT along the reef edges and

pressure points with large poppers will see plenty of action. Chasing car bonnet sized GT at the reef is becoming a bit of an art form for those who love to work up a real sweat when fishing. Other anglers will be happy to get their jollies hunting mackerel, with Spaniards at the top of the wish list. These fish will be found from close inshore to the deep blue and will vary from lone monsters to schools of rat Spaniards in the 6-8kg range. A wide variety of techniques and depths will work on their day, so it’s worth heading out with a few different options up your sleeve. Try a few different techniques until you find one that gets their attention, then narrow your focus. Some days they will be feeding shallow and others deep, but as a general rule mackerel tend to feed shallow early and late in the day and deeper through the middle of the day. Mackerel often bite better when it’s rough, so don’t be afraid to have a go when the wind’s up (provided it’s safe). It also gives you more fishing days, especially in winter. Inshore mackerel fishos will find a sprinkling of Spaniards amongst the school and spotty mackerel on inshore reefs, wrecks, channel markers and current lines. When the macks are on the bite inshore you don’t need a GPS to find your favourite location, as it will be smothered in small boats. A bit of angling courtesy and consideration for other boats and anglers will go a long way towards making it a pleasant day on the water in these situations.

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Chasing trevally along the reef edges will produce the likes of this beauty caught aboard Blackout Sportfishing Charters. ESTUARIES The reality of June fishing in the north is the majority of time anglers will be restricted to the estuaries and inlets. If salinity is high through lack of rain, the big queenies should be on the hunt around the mouths and sandbars slightly upstream. Drifting the sand banks and casting small poppers with a high speed retrieve is great fun, though taxing on the arms if you’re not used to it. Work the deeper edges close to mangroves, drop-offs and current lines and don’t be surprised if occasionally you get monstered by a big GT feeding amongst the queenies. A lot of people turn their nose up at the eating quality of queenfish, but if bled immediately and

put on ice or in an ice slurry, they eat pretty well when fresh. Being a stronger flavoured fish, they are great on barbecues and in curries. They are even quite edible when crumbed if you cut them into really thin fillets, less than 5mm thick. Barra, jacks and golden snapper are still around but it’s a matter of changing techniques and approaches to have success. Go smaller and slower when luring, and deeper and slower when trolling. These fish are less active in cooler weather, so the lure has to bang them on the nose to get a strike. When live baiting, use smaller baits like prawns, sardines, mud herring and little mullet, as they tend to chase smaller quarry in cooler weather.

Barra in particular will move up shallow to feed in warmer water. Look for areas of warm water with your sounder or learn to read prevailing weather conditions and terrain to locate warmer water. Rising tides over mud, rock or rubble areas in the mid to late afternoon will often have slightly warmer water, especially if the area is also out of the wind. Bait soakers will find plenty of bream on the chew, along with flathead, grunter and cod. Provided there hasn’t been some seriously cold weather, mud crabs should still be moving around as well. Be prepared to fish the estuaries in June but be geared up to take advantage of calm conditions and this month can turn out to be a real winner.

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JUNE 2014

A new chapter begins PORT DOUGLAS

Lynton Heffer

After a lengthy but healthy wet season we’re now settling into our beautiful tropical winter stretch. The days are generally very appealing and it’s a fantastic time to head to the reef if the wind allows. Ocean currents by now have swung to the north and the ocean temperature has dropped significantly, igniting our reef species into serious action. To date there’s already been a big shift in catch rates and that first swing of the ocean current from the south sparked a chain reaction across the board. All manner of reef species came on the bite in fantastic fashion, and the variety of fish caught on any given day has been staggering. There’s been plenty of your preferred target species such as coral trout and large-mouth nannygai being caught which has been awesome, but there’s also been a mixed bag of other species as well. Tea-leaf trevally, reef mangrove jack, spangled emperor, tomato cod, tuskfish, golden trevally,

gold spot trevally, cobia, stripies and Moses perch are just a small sample of the extra variety out there. Top this up with a sprinkling of Spanish mackerel, whether they are caught on the troll or on a floating pilchard, and you have a sensational blend of fish for the table. One particular species which has shown up more often late has been the tough nut reef mangrove jack. They go like the clappers on the end of a line and are big suckers for a live bait such as fusilier suspended under a float halfway down the water column. While targeting nannygai on isolated deep bommies there have been plenty of jack caught on the side as well using this floating method. The added bonus is that if you don’t have a reef jack on the end of the line it will most likely be a Spanish mackerel instead, which simply cannot resist a live fusilier dangled in front of its face. There’s also been some great fishing closer to home along the coastline. Our Snapper Island region has seen some 1m queenfish cruising these waters, and more and more Spanish

mackerel are patrolling the area as well. The queenfish have been enjoying a healthy supply of baitfish thanks to the solid wet season we received. Queenies are very partial to a big popper splashed across the surface or, if you can source them, they will devour a live sardine trolled at a very, very slow pace with the aid of a very light sinker placed on top of the hook – this method is dynamite. To add to this coastal scene there have been quite a few school mackerel starting to gather in numbers in the general area. Additionally, isolated reef patches, wonky holes and wrecks are consistently producing quality numbers and sizes of large-mouth nannygai. RIVERS AND CREEKS Our rivers and creeks are now going through a bit of a transitional change as water temperatures start to drop. We’ve had a good extended run on the barra this year and this has just recently started to taper off. In saying this, stretches of shallower water which receive plenty of sunlight and warmth during the day are still producing fish. Now we’ll start to see

It’s time for some quality reef fishing to be enjoyed in the tropics. quite a few more trevally and queenfish moving in on those run-in tides and there will be plenty of quality grunter, flathead and blue salmon cruising the flats when covered in water. There still will be value amongst the snags for mangrove jack and the deeper holes will still produce golden snapper on the top of the tide. For the bread and butter anglers, the next few months will be red hot with a run of good sized bream kicking about as well.

BEACHES Our glorious beaches will also be worth a look on those calm days with flathead, whiting, blue salmon, queenfish and golden trevally likely to be cruising through with the making tide. It’s worth making note on a very low tide where the gutters lie and return to those spots as the water rises. The fish will use these contours of the land as a way of navigating along the

beaches and you’ll want to be in that path when they cruise by. June marks a new chapter in the fishing stakes and when one section dries up another door quickly opens. The only deterrent at this time of year can be the trademark southeasterly C winds which can block days of activity on end. M Other than that though, it’s a sensational time to be Y wetting a line in Far North Queensland. CM

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Open for business COOKTOWN

Nick Stock

Cooktown residents came out of the recent cyclone Ita pretty much unscathed. While the town was affected by gale force winds and a massive deluge of rain, the great effort from locals has ensured that Cooktown is well and truly open for business. The media often puts out so much negativity and makes

out that all is doom and gloom in these areas after a cyclone event. As a result the general public tends to stay away for months after an event as they think the town is in ruins. Cooktown, like many other small FNQ towns, relies on tourists to keep afloat so please disregard the alarmist media and get up here and explore the iconic town! Mark Privett from Gone Fishing illustrated this recovery on his businesses Facebook page when two days after Ita hit, he was out in

glassed-out conditions nailing 15kg+ Spaniards! While the winds are here the rivers are fishing a treat. There have been some great barra up to 900mm caught up around the Marton stone wall with small 90mm shad style lures and big greenback herring nailing most fish. The water around Marton holds a great amount of species and everything from queenfish to cod can be targeted here. There are some great sunken snags just before the southern end of the wall that always hold good jacks and golden snapper. The recent fresh has flushed the crabs back out to the creek mouths and there have been good reports from the mouths of both Leprosy and Four Mile creeks. There have been plenty of small barra and jacks caught on the flats out the front of Leprosy Creek and once again smaller lures are

Plenty of jacks are being caught at the moment. rewarding anglers. The smaller Threadybusters are nailing most fish and neutral colours are proving hard to beat. The Annan is also producing top hauls of muddies around the mouth and the cooler months ahead will see the odd

king threadfin salmon turning up. A local mate from Wujal Wujal reckons that whenever the wattles are in flower the threadfin are a real chance. Until next month stay safe on the water and make sure you jump onto Facebook and

search Twin River Lures to view the range of handmade timber lures that I make. When in Cooktown, call into The Lure Shop to purchase lures as Russell and Monique carry the biggest range of my lures in Australia.

Outwitting the sharks in June WEIPA

Another jack caught on Twin River Lures 90mm Sard in bleeding mullet colour (#16).

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The fishing in May has been nothing short of spectacular and going by current weather patterns it looks like June will be the same. Offshore, quite mild southeasterlies have made for generally nice conditions for trips to both the north and south of Weipa. Steady nutrientrich currents have been pushing into Albatross Bay, bringing all manner of baitfish and prawns along with them. The amount of marine life sighted during a trip along the coastline has to be seen to be believed. Of course, there have been plenty of voracious predators homing in on this food source and some of the fishing I have encountered

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has been nothing short of ridiculous. While tuna and queenfish have been by far the most prevalent it’s the consistent captures of a wide variety of species, both reef and pelagic, that’s made for some of the best days’ fishing. The downside to this is the huge influx of bull sharks that have followed this action into the bay. These sharks would have to be some of the boldest and fearless animals getting around and they really do have their hunting technique out from Weipa down pat. They hang around the boat until a tuna is hooked and fought to within about 30m of the boat, and then they proceed to climb all over each other to annihilate it. These bull sharks are all 3m+ long and their speed, power and manoeuvrability has to be seen to be believed. The only way to have a chance of landing a fish once the sharks are on is the old freespool method. Pretty much as soon as you see the shark on your fish or your fish finds a new lease of life and proceeds to tear off randomly at 100 miles an hour, you need to open your bail arm and let the fish swim off as fast as it can. While it’s steaming off into the Gulf, clear all the other lines, get your crew seated, engine going then engage the reel and chase after the hopefully still hooked fish at about 10 knots, or as fast as the hooked-up angler can wind. Once up on the fish, a quick wrap of the leader and swipe of the net should

declare you the winner. It is fast and furious action that really gets the heart racing. It also pays to go 100m at full noise before you let

not only finding a place to fish out of the wind, but also finding a place to fish out of the wind with fish in it. The smaller

Queenfish have been on fire this year. This is the biggest the author has ever seen at 14kg/129cm, caught right on dusk by Nicole Clegg. the fish go to give them a chance of swimming off and recovering. FISHING IN JUNE Water temps in the rivers have just started to drop and will obviously drop more throughout June. The spring tides have fished best while the neaps have produced the quieter days. This will be the case more and more as we head into winter, with ‘no run, no fun’ becoming a common occurrence in the cooler water. Wind will also dictate how June and the following months fish. No doubt we will get our usual share of strong wind warnings and it will really be a case of

creeks are an obvious answer here, as well as making sure you fish the sheltered banks at the right stage of the tide. The fish rarely feed all day so it’s a matter of being in the places they feed at just the right time before moving on to the next spot. With some big run-out tides during June, barra anglers should look to put plenty of time in on the gutters at the bottom half of the tide. Live baits will fish well, as will gold Bombers, small shad style plastics and topwater lures in the form of fizzers, poppers and walk-the-dog style stickbaits.

Mind-blowing action CAPE YORK

Tim O’Reilly aggott88@gmail.com

Winter in Cape York is a mild by almost anyone’s standards and a light spray jacket with a pair of thongs will get you through the most treacherous weather this time of year. There certainly are a few brisk mornings, but the days are typically picture-perfect, with patchy blue skies and an endless, unspoilt horizon. Down the west coast of the Cape, good catches of pelagic species are making their presence felt in schools of tuna, mackerel and trevally racing after baitfish just offshore. Small trailer boats will be getting anglers ever keen on a bent rod into some mind-blowing action in June. Finding the dark clouds of bait shimmering the surface on a brisk winter’s morning will be foremost on the minds of the offshore brigade. The Cape is a huge piece of land and to summarise the barramundi fishing is difficult to do without accounting for locational and seasonal fluctuations in rainfall. Different parts of the Cape received a non-uniform amount of rainfall between January and April. A quick look at the three-month rainfall totals for Queensland on the www. bom.gov.au site will tell you the places that had a good ‘late kick’ to their wet season.

This is hugely important in discovering weather lagoon, billabong and upstream-pool residing barra have had a chance to get back into the main river systems where anglers like to target them. You will notice in the threemonth rainfall map included that the west coast of Cape York between Mapoon and Kowanyama received a very

good flush over that period. Interestingly, the bottom of the Gulf received comparatively little rainfall, which will have a direct impact on the barra fishing throughout the winter months. Early June can still see some estuarine fishing and expect the rivers all the way from the Wenlock River in the north, down to the Mitchell River in the south to be firing.

Big golden snapper caught with fresh whole squid in 30m of water on the Barrier Reef.

A nice green jobfish and trout caught drifting baits back on a shallow reef edge.

It is about this time of year that thousands of travellers begin to fit out camper trailers and 4WDs to tackle to harsh roads of Cape York in an effort to reach the tip. The number of people heading off on the June-July school holidays and right into September will be significant. But despite this, efforts by local government and development committees to turn Cape York into a tourist wonderland have had no significant impact. Resorts, camping areas, safari camps and charter operations have come and gone, just like they have always done. Every year there are think tanks and a plethora of government sponsored bodies with acronyms as long as your

arm, trying to come up with ways to conquer, sponsor and develop the Cape. But besides the stretches of bitumen growing longer, very little changes in Cape York and in many respects there are less people exploring the place then there were 30 years ago. This is in many ways is due to people being less adventurous, less hardcore, less willing to take the time out of their busy lives to give remote areas their just deserve. And most importantly, travellers are far more discerning with their cash and increasingly more aware of different opportunities around the world. All the way from the Kimberley, throughout the Territory and into Cape York,

generally less remote places are being reached by rugged off-road travellers. While charter operations are offering exclusive trips to far away places, it gives the perception to your average Joe-Bloe, that these rugged frontiers have been conquered. Quite the opposite, these operators are treading already well-trodden paths to less fishy locations. I guess the point I am trying to make is that Cape York is crying out to be an adventurers paradise and anglers are only limited by their own imaginations and ability to use the increasing amount of Aboriginal Land, parks and other areas to their strategic advantage. June is the time to get out there and get amongst it!

May turned out to be a great month for Spaniards KARUMBA

Alan Gurney awes0me@bigpond.net.au

We had our Karumba Community Anglers Classic fishing competition in May and the event was awesome, as always. The number of people was down, and that showed in the number of fish caught, but the enjoyment was still up there as fewer people meant more chances for those who participated to win prizes in the event. Nice weather has allowed me to take my kids for some fish stock research at Sweers Island and we had a great time. I spent plenty of time releasing good fish including golden snapper and parrotfish. One hour at the Jew Hole was enough to land four black jew up to 98cm, and we did take some nice reef fish home. The sad point was I was not allowed

to drop a line until after I had helped the kids release their fish! The problem was they kept pulling up fish and not giving me time to drop a line until right at the end when on one drop I finally caught a fish. I will have to own up here and say that they caught golden snapper up to 72cm while mine was only 28cm. I am still copping flak from them about it but at least only my family knows. Oh wait… Anyway, get to Sweers Island if you can as they were really going off and June is a great month to catch Spanish mackerel as well. If you want to catch some Spanish in June, head out to the northwestern side of the sand island and anchor up. Set up a berley trail on the outgoing tide and send out some pillies on ganged hooks attached to a wire trace. This should get the job done. Remember that they have soft mouths so always keep tension on the line but do not overdo

it or they will say good bye before the boat. If you have a bigger boat then you have an opportunity to go chase some longtail tuna out wider. Look for birds feeding on the surface and head upwind of them. Cast your metal jig or soft plastic into the fish

then wait for around five seconds before starting your retrieve. Please catch only the fish you want to take home as tuna can overheat in their efforts to get away (they have a higher body temperature than other fish), which can result in death after release.

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JUNE 2014

Westerlies kick start fishing BALLINA

Tristan Sloan

Following a very mild autumn, the chilling westerly winds that arrived at end of last month sent many local anglers scurrying to pull out the winter beanies and tracksuits. I got the shock of my life when I rose early one morning to chase some mackerel off the rocks to discover it was 6ºC outside. This was several mornings after I had arrived back from a trout fishing trip to the North Island of New Zealand, and I had to rub my eyes several times to convince myself that I still wasn’t in the land of the Long White Cloud. The temperature definitely felt the same! While these winter temperatures may require anglers to put on a few extra layers it doesn’t stop the fishing from hotting up. Old salts refer to this time of the year as the ‘travelling season’ as several species all congregate to spawn in the lower reaches of the estuaries and off the rocks and beaches. This predominantly includes mullet, blackfish and bream in the Richmond River and off the rocky headlands and beaches, as well as tailor migrating towards Fraser Island to spawn and big knobby headed snapper as they head towards the inshore reefs. SNAPPER Targeting these spawning snapper has to be one of my favourite forms of fishing as I am not a big fan of bottom fishing with heavy leads and winching up snapper from deep water. Using a 6-8kg spin stick on a fast tapered 7’ graphite rod really allows

you to get the best out of these great sportfish. Strangely enough, while throwing soft plastics like the popular 7” Berkley Gulp is a popular technique, it seems to have decreased in effectiveness over the last few years on the local snapper population – especially the bigger older fish. We’ve gone back to basics these last few seasons and our regular technique now is to anchor up on a prominent pinnacle or around bait schools and floatline fresh baits down a berley trail. We regularly use pilchards in the berley trail but prefer fresh squid or a piece of slimy mackerel at the end of our hooks. The trick is to weight the bait so

it floats at the same speed as the pilchard berley, so the snapper don’t smell a rat. We still prefer to use braided line for this type of fishing as the smaller diameter helps with the sink rate in strong current. To fool

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mangrove jacks and to a lesser extent trevally will throw caution to the wind and feed voraciously before the cold water really arrives. That’s not to say there won’t be a few monster jacks pulled from the south wall by anglers fishing live mullet for mulloway this winter, but now is the time to really get out and try to catch a few on lures before they develop a case of winter lockjaw. Speaking of mulloway, while there have been a few small fish caught in the river over the past month they haven’t really entered the system yet. The mullet are certainly starting to build up in the lower reaches but not in the numbers that will

Daniel Sloan with a squid caught school mulloway from the beach.

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the wary snapper we simply use a long trace, generally at least 3m of 6-10kg fluorocarbon. Constant berleying is an integral part of this method’s success as you aim to draw fish out from structure and across the reef to your bait. This means arriving at your chosen location close to dawn and preferably berleying for at least an hour and a half before calling it quits. While you may get a fish as soon as you throw a bait in the water, it often takes quite a bit of time for the berley to work, especially if the water is dirty or if there is a bit of current running. It also pays to have a big live bait sitting on the bottom as well as this

often results in the form of a decent mulloway or cobia. The effectiveness of this technique means that if used correctly you will see some thumping big snapper landed this winter. Please bear in mind that these fish are breeding future of the species so keep the smaller ones and let the big breeders go with just a photo to prove the capture to your mates. OTHER SPECIES As well as species intent on spawning, this month also sees a last ditch effort of our tropical estuary and offshore pelagic species feeding up big before either shutting down over winter or migrating towards warmer waters. For boaties this means not discounting mackerel, especially if the water manages to hover around the 23ºC mark for the next few weeks. If you can get your hands on a big chopper tailor you very likely will be rewarded with a big mackerel as this is the time of year when the average size is 15-20kg. We should also see an increase in mangrove jack activity over the next month. While the water in the river remains fairly warm

Patrick Sloan with a typical winter snapper from Lennox Head. a live tailor if you can get it. I generally pick up some fresh squid from the local co-op the morning before a fishing trip and plan to arrive at my chosen gutter about an hour before sunset to try to secure a few live tailor. These are normally kept alive in a large wading pool and even if I don’t get any I’m not too concerned as fresh squid is still an excellent bait, especially if you can smear the ink sac all over your squid strips. This acts as berley and sometimes the bait is taken as soon as it hits the water. I tend to look for a gutter that preferably runs out to sea instead of running parallel to the shore. These gutters act as a big fish highway and under the cover of darkness and a big high tide mulloway will travel through them to feed on beachworms on the sandbanks on either side of the gutter, and any unfortunate fish that they can find. Bearing this in mind always cast your baits

scores of young children pumping nippers and fishing for whiting and flathead in the Richmond River but they tend to drastically thin out over winter. With a bit of rugging up and careful planning this doesn’t need to be the case. There are still plenty of fish to be caught, especially some of the thumping big aggressive bream at this time of year. A trip in the Richmond River armed with a herring jig can keep the kids occupied and having fun for hours. A lightly weighted herring fillet in a bread and tuna oil berley trail was the undoing of countless big bream for me when I was younger, and it still works today. As an added bonus, if the bite is slow the kids can keep themselves entertained jigging herring and you might even manage to snag a school mulloway on one of those herring fished live on a long trace to fool those wary fish during the daytime. Good children-friendly

Matt Bowie with a fat silver drummer caught on a popper. You don’t see that very often! attract the big mulloway yet. It seems to take time for the big models to travel from the offshore reefs and headlands into the river, and while they will be a viable option next month this coming month I like to target them from the beaches, intercepting them as they travel into the river. For my money you can’t beat a strip of fresh squid on two 8/0s as dead bait or

to the shallow water on the side of the gutter as this is where the baitfish, and hence mulloway, will be found. You often just seem to catch sharks and rays if you fish the deepest sections. THE COMING MONTHS Before I sign off this month I want to encourage you to take your children out fishing over the coming months. Summer often sees

spots from the bank include the RSL Jetty, Riverside Park and the section just up from the swimming pool. Bring some snacks, drinks and rod holders in case the kids get bored, and remember to convince your better half that you’re not technically going fishing, you just want to spend time with the kids. Good luck, and until next time tight lines.

Magnificent mulloway THE CLARENCE

Josh Anderson

Outside the snapper have just started to come on. A few good snapper are being taken bottom bashing with baits, 5-7” plastics and jigs as well. Good spots to try include up towards Black Rock off Evans Head and off Shelly Headland and Brooms Head. There have still been a few mackerel about but they’re starting to slow down a fair bit, and they’re out a bit wider rather than in close. Guys out wide are getting them trolling hardbodied divers like Rapala Magnums here and there. There’s the odd tuna about as well but they’re slowing down. Off the headlands locals have been getting a fair few mulloway and some good size tailor. There are plenty of blackfish and drummer on the headlands too. The Iluka break wall and Yamba break wall are both very popular for mulloway and tailor at the moment. Yamba Point on Yamba side and also on Iluka side off The Bluff and

off Woody Head are top spots as well. For the mulloway the best bait has been live mullet, and lurefishers have been throwing bigger jew lures like Bill’s Bugs and the locally-made Leavey Lures. Guys using live mullet have been rigging them on a size 8/0 or 10/0 hook pinned through the

back, with a 50-60lb leader. If you’re after tailor it’s recommended to use a 30lb mainline to a short piece of wire trace, with a pilly rigged on 4/0 gangs. A fair few tailor are also being taken on chrome slugs and poppers. The most popular poppers at the moment are Halco Roostas and Cotton Cordell Pencil Poppers.

Mark Pirie caught this 16kg mulloway off the Yamba break wall on a Leavey Lure in the colour whitey.

The author with a 15kg mulloway caught off the Yamba break wall on an Ando Lure in the mullet colour.

In the river there are some solid bream and still some good size flathead, along with plenty of blackfish. The bream have been biting well on blades and plastics. Some of the most popular bream lures at the moment are Yamba Prawn Blades, TTs Switchblades, 2” Gulp Shrimps and Squidgy Critters. Blackfish are being caught on basic green and black weed, which most of the tackle shops have been stocking. Crabs are slowing down now as it gets colder,

particularly the mud crabs, but there’s still a fair bit of movement with the blue swimmers. We’re coming to the end of prawn season in the river but there haven’t been all that many anyway. THE MONTH AHEAD As the mullet run goes on a bit more the mulloway will get more active, and as it gets colder we should start to get bigger bream featuring in captures. The blackfish should also start to come on a lot more as the season progresses. As the temperatures offshore drop we should start to see some bigger snapper, and

the action overall should start to pick up a lot more. • To get all your fishing gear drop into Yamba Bait & Tackle and say hello to Mick Leavey, Josh Anderson and the crew. They stock a wide range including the popular Leavey Lures which Tony makes himself. You can give the friendly team a call on (02) 6646 1514, or drop into the premises at 3/8 Yamba St, Yamba. You can also look up ‘Yamba Bait & Tackle’ on Facebook and join the hundreds of people following the page to see the latest developments, special offers and photos.

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JUNE 2014

Wacko for schmicko BRISBANE

The Sheik of the Creek

As anyone who has owned or owns a boat knows, they are a constant drain on finances. A lot of the problem relates to getting things ‘schmicko’. What do I mean by schmicko? Well that changes with each boat owner and that’s where the trouble starts. What is ideal for one is a constant nightmare for another. And it’s why chandlery shops love seeing boat owners come through the door. I was reminded of this recently when Stuffer took a look at my new boat. My new second-hand boat. He didn’t even try to lie. Just came straight out with it. Can’t remember what the actual comment was but it basically amounted to, “You paid how much for that?” Now that’s a little insulting given that you judge a Dudd by the length of his boat. Also by what is in his boat, how it is organised, how practical it is, and how many of the things that are in it actually work. I don’t have a very good track record in this last department. Many of the things that I install in my boat, sounders, chart plotters,

lights, motors tend to stop functioning within a few hours of being stuck in there. Basically these are items that don’t react well to a rough trip over some short sharp chop, to exposure to some heavy rain or hail or lead sinkers (don’t ask), or by sudden deceleration after vessel being driven into sandbank/rock/jetty/charter boat/Pommers. It becomes like an electronic graveyard, with the scattered bones of old kit lying around the floor. Unfortunately, it’s not often helped by me putting on the tool belt and trying to fix things. A successful fixing session with me is when the number of things that work at the end of my working bee is equal to or more than the number of things that worked at the beginning of my working bee. Perhaps they should be called not-working bees. Part of the problem is because I’m impatient. Instead of trying to fix something with the correct tool, I tend to adopt the Dudd’s favourite saying – ‘I’ll sort it out later – when fixing things in the boat. For example, I will try to unscrew a Phillips head with a hammer rather than stand up, hit my head on the garage roof, fall off the trailer mudguard, stumble over the metal toolbox on the floor, get

W L E N DE O M

the screwdriver, fall back into the boat, squash something important on the floor of the boat, etc… Another problem is that I forget where things are supposed to go. Is that wire supposed to go onto the black or onto the red? Let’s try red (smell of burning). Okay so we’ll try black (more burning). So that’s not a wire, it’s something else. What else can it be? I’m going inside now. Despite me trying this approach many times over the years, I’ve found that going inside and ‘having a rest’ doesn’t make me more likely to remember where something is meant to go. Strangely enough, or not, it means when I get back I forget where I left the hammer/screwdriver/drill bits until, having forgot to put any crocs on, I find them with my feet. Then I usually find the garage roof again. Anyone would think that after the above menu of disasters, I would hate boats. But I don’t. I love planning how to fit them out, where I’m going to add bits and pieces and then enjoying the result. Too bad I can’t call it a hobby. I think a hobby is something that you do for enjoyment, like model trains. Having a boat is a commitment. Or, as my wife

might put it, a curse. But she should look on the positive side of me owning a boat.

No, not going out for trips with me. She has more brains than that. More like that I’m

spending much less money on my fishing gear now that I own a boat. Now that’s a positive!

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Fishing Trip Essentials

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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: QLD Hawk Tournament Competition

PO box 3172, Loganholme Qld 4129 QLD JUNE 2014

FINS SCALES & TAILS by A. Both

SUBSCRIBER PRIZE The subscriber prize winner for April was N Duncan of Curimundi, who won a Mako Eyewear package valued at $390. All subscribers are entered in the monthly subscriber prize draws. Prize delivery takes up to 8 weeks. – QFM

FIND THE BLACK MAGIC C-POINT WINNERS

BARRA COUNTRY by Brett Currie

BITE ME by Trisha Mason

The Find the Black Magic C-Point Hook prize winners for April were S Theofanes of Home Hill, B Jones of Dalby, R Davis of Sarina, B Jago of McDowall, C Graham of Mackay, T Hodges of Ballina, J Lowik of Churchill, P McGuane of Veteran, R Hilton of Goondiwindi, M Schaumburg of Goondiwindi, G Watter of Ripley, P Cauchi of Bundaberg, L Culey of Bundaberg, D Stewart of Hermit Park, B Hardwick of Kewarra Beach, D McLean of Shailer Park, M Harrison of Newport, T Vincent of Red Hill, C Hilas of Sunnybank Hills, G Stewart of Palmwoods, D Deppeler of Burpengary East, R Tendolle of Burnsurgen, L Rojahn of Banyo, G Poor of Taromeo, B Herrmann of Churchill, G Sinclair of Flinders View, E Lezuchowski of Darra, W Russell of Birkdale, J Webb of Jimboomba, D Drabsch of Bluewater, W Glynn of Upper Coomera, A Sullivan of Prosperpine, J Boneham of Maryborough, F Heiniger of Woombye, A Dowden of Toowoomba, J Rodsted of Walloon, J Nock of Kallangur, M Granzien of Gatton , B Stephan of Helidon Spa, C Mayes of Toowoomba, R Wardrop of Glamorgan Vale, B Robertson of Redbank, L Pearce of Cooroy, R Rasmussen of Frazerview , P thompson of Murwillumbah, B Evans of River Heads, C Johnson of Peregian Springs, J Conrad of Pelican Waters, R Chapman of Gladstone, J Higgins of Bracken Ridge, who each won a packet of Black Magic C-Point Hooks valued at $5.95! Prize delivery takes up to 8 weeks. – QFM

FIND THE C-POINT APRIL LOCATIONS

The answers to Find the Black Magic C-Point Hook for April were: 11, 18, 28, 29, 30, 46, 50, 58, 60, 70, 77, 79, 98, 104, 111. – QFM

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The Major prize winners were: 1st J Nock of Kallangur who won $600 of Black Magic products, 2nd J Wogandt of Urangan who won $400 of Black Magic products, 3rd L McNellie of Greenbank who won $200 of Black Magic products. – QFM

FIND-A-WORD WINNER

Congratulations to Denise Hendry of Imbil, 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 3

• DECEMBER 2010

JUNE 2014

Centre riggers and WWB BRISBANE

Kim Bain

With the purchase of my new 58’ game boat I’ve finally got into using a centre rigger on a regular basis. It is nice not to have to put a 50 wide outfit on strike drag in the t-top rod holder and then having to try to pull it out while a wahoo is screaming drag after hooking up. In the previous two articles we covered outriggers, those poles that lay outwards from the sides of your boat to increase your trolling spread, and how to rig them. Most boats that use them will have two outriggers, one each side. Centre riggers offer a third option.

A centre rigger is essentially a third outrigger that is different in that it is mounted in the middle of the boat between the two outriggers. The outriggers point out to the side and the centre-rigger points upwards and aft. As far as rigging goes, the centre rigger is set up and rigged just like an outrigger. The centre rigger has eyelets through which a lanyard is run and a release clip is tied into the lanyard. BASE Centre riggers are commonly mounted on either hardtops, targa tops, or from flybridge mounted rod holder rocket launcher set ups. The base can be a specifically designed adjustable angle base that looks just like an outrigger base, or it can simply be the

A hardtop based centre rigger – note that the lanyard runs down to a point accessible from the cockpit.

placing of a lanyard rigged ‘rod-blank’ into one of the rod holders in your targa rail rocket launcher. Some of the simpler shorter setups don’t even have a lanyard; just a clip at the tip and the pole is removed each time that the centre line is reset. ANGLE The whole idea with centre riggers is that they provide the opportunity to raise the towing point of the troll outfit that is in the centre of your trolling spread. If the base of the centre rigger is at head height (such as on a targa top) then the centre rigger may run aft from its base at an angle skywards at about 45º. If the base of the outrigger is higher, then the centre rigger may be angled backwards much closer to horizontal. I think you don’t need to worry as much about the angle in relation to your deck as you do the height above your deck. Where you are going to mount the pole is your most important consideration. You want to still be able to reach the rigger and its lanyard. If you run a pole off the hard top of either a centre console or half cabin boat, you may want a centre rigger that points upwards (at an angle somewhere between 45º to a straight-up vertical green stick bird-trolling style pole). If you run a centre rigger pole from high up off a tower or a flybridge hardtop, you might opt for a shallower angle closer to horizontal. The critical factor is nearly always the height of the base. One common setup is to have the tip of your centre rigger higher than the tips of your outrigger poles. This way the outrigger lures won’t get tangled with the WWB (way-way-back) shotgun

A centre rigger based from a hardtop. lure when making a tight turn. Also the centre rigger keeps the shotgun line well out of the way of the short ‘corner’ lines for turns. The centre rigger gets the line up above and out of the way of your surface baits that are closer to your boat’s transom and you can execute turns with less risk of a tangle. Also, the centre rigger’s higher angle into the water means less main line in the water and more life in your lure. I mention surface baits because we also run downriggers as well, one off each corner. A negative of the centre rigger can be slack line tip wrapping the fishing rod on release (if the clip is not positioned past\aft of the rod tip). Most flybridge boats have long 16’ centre riggers to prevent this problem. USING A CENTRE RIGGER As already mentioned, the centre rigger is often the highest outrigger in comparison to the others when they are all deployed in the fishing position.

Its line runs straight down the middle with its bait\lure often being the farthest back. To use a centre rigger: For example, in a lure trolling spread the crew runs a lure back, way way back, known as the WWB or shotgun. Once the shotgun lure is in position, the main fishing line is then placed into\through an outrigger clip, often an Aftco Roller Release Clip in the case of a centre rigger. Then the clip is run out to the end of the centre rigger pole by running out the lanyard by hand. The centre rigger set-up keeps your fishing line high and out of the way of other lines in the trolling spread. It allows you to place the outfit into a rod holder in the cockpit that is easy to get to. When the fish strikes and hooks up, your fishing line pops out of the centre rigger’s release clip and, down in the cockpit, you can then remove the rod from its rod holder and fight the fish direct from your rod tip. In small trailerable

craft, it is common not to bolt the centre rigger pole into the mount\base (or rod holder tube) because having it easy to remove allows you to stow it when trailering or going under a low bridge. On my big boat I use a ring at the tip end of the centre rigger, and either a pulley or glass ring near the base and another pulley that I tie off to the tower leg. This creates a triangle. I put it about head high on the tower leg. Low enough to reach easily but high enough that you don’t walk into it. You run it up and down, in and out, just like the lanyards on the outriggers. IDEAL LURE A straight pull type lure is standard fare to be pulled from a centre rigger. If I’m trolling slower, a garfish with a weighted skirt head is ideal on the shotgun from the centre rigger. LIVE BAIT DROPBACK All riggers, including centre riggers, can be set up to provide dropback and to change the angle

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at which your line enters the water. Dropback is not as necessary a factor when pulling lures – although some crews do run dropback on their softheaded lures. However drop back is almost universally used when slow trolling live baits. Either there is a belly of main fishing line between the rod tip and the pin type release clip; or the line runs through a rollertroller release. With the roller-troller approach, the angler gets themselves quickly to the rod in order to freespool the reel in a controlled fashion, and lets line out without backlashing and the bait (dead or alive) is feed back to the big fish. Dropback is very commonly used with dead baits. It’s used almost 100% of the time with single hook live baits that have been rigged on mono-type leaders. Using a centre-rigger keeps the shotgun rod in the cockpit and within reaching distance so you can access it easily in order to free spool to drop back to a fish that either misses the lure or is playing with the bait. This set up also allows you to wind the lure

forward a few cranks of the reel handle and this often incites a fish into aggressively striking and hooking up. ALTERNATIVES In my 36’ tripleoutboard 130km/h centre console, we often forgo the centre riggers because it is difficult to manage it at such high running speeds.

Therefore, I run the shotgun outfit from the t-top rocket launcher (which gives the WWB both elevation and spread separation). The only hiccup with this setup is that it can be difficult for short anglers to grab the rod and reel outfit and lift it out of the holder. I’m just on the taller side of too short, and I have to

step up onto the icebox on tippy-toes to get up to the rod. With heavy tackle blue water gear and the reel set with a heavy strike drag of say around 7kg; it can be hard to get the outfit out of the t-top rod holder once it’s hooked up and dumping line to a fleeing pelagic. Also running a heavy outfit on strike drag will not be

A centre rigger is often run from very high up on boats with towers, the idea is often to have the centre rigger clip higher than the outrigger clips when all the lines are in their fishing position.

too beneficial to the welds in a t-top rocket launcher – I’ve seen a few crack and break. LURE\BAIT SIZE (TIME SAVING) In practise the centre rigger is more useful for smaller lures or baits. Smaller offerings create less drag in the water and are therefore less likely to keep pulling the line out of the rigger clip. When big baits, teasers or lures keep pulling out of clip repeatedly, then a lot of time is spent being side tracked while resetting the line. When pulling bigger baits it can be more time efficient to forgo the centre-rigger and to run the line direct from the rod in the game chair’s rocket launcher. Another option is to pull the WWB bait on wire (and two hooks) back there so that you don’t have to check it more than a few times a day. MULTIPLES Some sporties (aka sportfishers, gameboats) have two different pulley systems on their centre rigger: one running from the port side and the other on the starboard side of the flybridge. Each pulley may have a different clip – one side could be a roller troller clip (allowing the oufit to

be free spooled until the angler wants to lock up on fish and it pulls out of the clip) and the other side a Blacks clips (which is set up so that the line just pops free on strike). It is not uncommon to run two lines off a centre rigger, one shotgun in the usual WWB spot and a bird, daisy chain or teaser off the other lanyard. RULES The use of centre riggers occurs more often in tournament fishing versus social fishing. Social fishing allows for more flexibility on how the rod is handled. During tournaments, only the angler can engage the reel and strike the fish for a legal capture. Consideration, depending on the scenario, can be given to giving an angler ready access to the rod in the cockpit to prevent hiccups with multiple anglers touching the rod and\or eliminating the risk of something happening while the outfit is being passed down from flybridge. On heavy tackle it also allows an angler to position themselves in the chair with the rod before locking up. A centre rigger is a lot of fun, they increase your options and they look pretty cool too.

JUNE 2014

Tech Tricks

Big jig rig BRISBANE

Gordon Macdonald masterbaitertackle@hotmail.com

Deepwater jigging has been very popular with offshore anglers for many years now. Whilst there are many well-made assist hook rigs available to anglers, being able to make your own allows you greater control over the hook style and rigging method. After showing you how to make an assist hook rig for micro jigs back in the February issue, several anglers asked me about rigs for their larger offshore jigs. While the finished product looks similar, the knot, hooks and assist cord used to make rigs for these larger jigs is quite different. Being able to make your own assist hook rigs allows you customise rigs for certain styles of jigs and for targeting particular species in a variety of terrains. In more heavily structured areas, such as when jigging wrecks, a single hook rig is often utilised. For general use however, anglers often use a twin hook assist rig but there are many opinions and theories on which is best for certain situations. The rigging technique explained here is very simple yet exceptionally strong and has been used by jigging anglers for many years after initially being developed by the Japanese, who are at the leading edge and pioneers of deepwater jigging. Let’s look at what you will need to make your own assist rigs. MATERIALS There are several different styles of hooks that anglers commonly use for making their own assist rigs. Some of the more commonly used hooks are Mustad Hoodlum, Owner SJ-41 and SJ-51, Shogun Assassin, Decoy JS-1 and numerous others. Shout make two awesome hooks, the Ijika and Kudako, but these are a little

harder to locate on the local scene. Many anglers favour one hook pattern over others but the general consensus is always to use a hook size that is slightly wider than the jig is at the point at which it will hang. Assist cord comes in numerous sizes but most rigs are made with breaking strains between 200lb and 350lb. Shogun assist cord in 200lb and 250lb is probably the easiest to locate and is relatively inexpensive. Varivas also have a great product which ranges from size #20 (100lb) to #80 (330lb). I have used the Varivas #50 (240lb) and #60 (260lb) on my jigs for many years now and find these breaking strains suit most jigs I use from 170g to 400g. Additionally for your assist rig you will need solid rings and some split rings. You’re best off having the breaking strain of your solid ring quite a degree heavier than that of the assist cord you are using. It is better for the assist cord to break before the ring does. If the assist cord breaks you lose the fish, whereas when the ring breaks you lose both the fish and your jig. The main sizes of Owner solid rings that you will use are the #6.5 (300lb), #7.5 (450lb) and #9 (900lb). If you’re using assist cord around 200lb then use a solid ring of 300lb or greater. The breaking strain of the split ring is less important as it only attaches the jig to the rig and doesn’t take any major strain when you have your leader attached to the solid ring. However, a decent quality ring with a relatively high breaking strain is still advised. I commonly use Decoy or Owner rings in size #7 to #9 for attaching my assist rigs. Most good tackle stores will have these materials on hand or will be able to source them for you as they are readily available through Australian agents.

Here is the kind gear you need to make your own big jig rigs.

For most jigs I generally start with around 20cm of assist cord when making a double hook (often called a butterfly) rig. Pass the cord through the eye of the hook and then tie a simple overhand knot around the main portion with the tag end, which should be a few centimetres long at this stage.

In the tag end above the overhand knot, tie another overhand knot right in the end of the assist cord and pull this knot tight.

Generally the solid ring is attached at this stage. However, if the eye of your hook passes through your solid ring then you could attach it later. We will attach the solid ring now by passing the cord through the eye and do a simple clove hitch around the ring.

4 70

Pull the main portion of cord tightly so the knot slides down and the remaining loop closes tight around the hook eye and locks in place.

JUNE 2014

Tighten the first overhand knot so that the overhand knot in the tag end is locked against it as shown.

Repeat Step 1 on the second hook by passing the cord through the hook eye and then do an overhand knot around the main section of cord.

Tech Tricks Pull the knot tight as in steps 3 and 4. Grab the bend of each hook with a finger off each hand, or pliers, and pull as tight as you can to really lock each knot tight. Adding a little heat shrink around the eye of each hook will make your rig look neat and more professional and will decrease wear and fatigue around the knot. You can adjust the comparative length of each hook but I generally have mine like this with the top hook straight below the solid ring.

Repeat Step 2 and put the secondary overhand knot in the tag end.

Use a pair of quality split ring pliers to attach the split ring to the eyelet at the top of the jig.

Attach the solid ring of your assist rig onto the split ring. Tie your leader to the solid ring using a uni knot. When hooked up you will be connected directly to the fish via the hook rig and the jig will hang free with minimal stress on the split ring.

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When making a single hook rig just use the same knot to connect the solid ring as you used to connect the assist cord to the hook.

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JUNE 2014

Winter takes effect TOOWOOMBA

Jason Ehrlich fishability1@bigpond.com

Just because the weather has turned cold, it doesn’t mean the fish will stop biting. Things may be tougher, especially with some species, but others are still easy enough to catch right through winter. We have had a good year in the lead up to winter, with less flooding through the dams, so the

stable conditions should see a better season than the last few years. It’s been a while since I’ve used my big bass boat and since I’ve just sold my smaller Polycraft 4.1 Challenger, I’ll be into some freshwater fish before I take delivery of the new Polycraft and taste the salt later in the year. I’m keen to get back into some freshwater action having only done a dozen or so trips. This is a great time of

SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND CRESSBROOK CLOSEST TOWNS: TOOWOOMBA, CROWS NEST There have been some reasonable weed beds developing in the shallower areas of Cressbrook. The edges of these may be worth a flick with shallow to medium diving suspending lures. Lightly weighted soft plastics with jigheads from 1/8-1/4oz will also be worth tossing into the edge to prospect the area. There haven’t been many reports yet of fish coming from these areas but chances are they

could fire up over the colder winter months. Schooling bass can still be found in the usual areas. The suspended fish in the basin around the yellow buoys have thinned out but there has been an increase in numbers around Bass Bay, the point at Deer Island and the point opposite the Eagles Nest rock wall up Cressbrook Creek. I’ve spent a bit of time looking around for other schools of bass but they seem very hard to find. If you have a secret spot holding fish up your sleeve, you a guaranteed to catch more fish as they

year for the impoundment bass anglers. Fish start to school up in numbers and if you follow their movements until spring, you’ll be rewarded with huge fish in big numbers. The same goes for those willing to locate the spots in the dams that are holding barramundi. If you pick your day, there are few better places to be than basking outside in the sun with a bent rod and screaming drag. Until next month, buckled rods from the Colonel! quickly shut down in Cressbrook when subjected to fishing pressure. In the schools, the bass have been keen on smaller blades to 3/8oz wound up off the bottom and dropped back again before repeating. Hopping just doesn’t seem to do as well in this dam. Soft plastics rigged on 3/8oz and 1/2oz heads can be slowly wound along the bottom to entice bites. At times the bites are soft and timid and don’t result in a hook-up. If it becomes a recurring problem either add a treble stinger in the tail of the plastic attached to the main hook with a braid loop or switch to a blade

Subtle approaches may be needed to tempt shut down bass at this time of year. Ice jigs are certainly worth having in your kit.

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JUNE 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

bait and refine the technique until you get them to bite. Live shrimp should attract plenty of bites when they are fished right into the schools. There is a lot of water between fish so careful boat placement is critical. Drop the shrimp into the school straight below the boat and try to accurately reach the depth the fish are holding. This is particularly important if the bass are suspending well off the bottom. 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 area are 7am to 6pm from May until August. For all your supplies, expert advice and to check on the

Gold Coast

24 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

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 Schooled bass will be one of the main targets through the winter months. There have been some schooling bass on the flats south of Kirkleigh, wide of Queen Street and at Pelican Point. These schools usually become tighter over winter, especially just prior to spring. This can make them a bit harder to locate initially but once you find them they should be thick.

DAM LEVEL Report DAMS JAN FEB MAR APR MAY Atkinson 75 70 64 70 68 Awoonga 92 91 87 99 98 Bjelke-Petersen 81 78 72 68 68 Boondooma 85 84 80 78 77 Borumba 90 84 77 100 100 Burdekin Falls 64 63 100 101 100 Callide 69 68 64 66 64 Cania 95 94 90 92 92 Clarendon 82 80 74 78 75 Clarrie Hall 97 61 94 91 n/a Cooby 94 93 92 85 83 Coolmunda 59 55 47 51 51 Copeton 50 37 33 33 33 Cressbrook 94 94 93 98 98 Dyer/Bill Gunn 87 80 73 78 77 Eungella 94 100 100 100 100 Fairbairn 55 54 54 53 51 Glenlyon n/a 43 39 38 37 Hinze 92 90 88 95 93

Gympie

Reaction lures like blade baits, soft vibes, tailspinners and spinnerbaits were the go to options last month but things are likely to change. While the fish may still eat these lures on occasions, soft plastics, ice jigs and deeply presented flies will produce better results. Bait fishers will find the action slower but can still pick up a few. Fishing the bass schools with live shrimp will usually see them tapping away as soon as the shrimp is in their midst. Up in the timber, the golden perch are worth chasing on the western and eastern sides of Rabbit Island just after the start of the timber. Drop live shrimp or saltwater

For fortnightly updates Julius 62 62 85 80 76  Kinchant 62 69 93 99 98 Koombooloomba 15 28 60 70 92  Leslie 52 48 40 38 38  Macdonald 68 60 54 104 103  Maroon 93 90 88 96 95  Monduran/Fred Haigh 87 86 81 87 87  Moogerah 88 85 82 92 91  North Pine/Samsonvale 78 76 74 78 76  Peter Faust/Proserpine 86 88 89 89 96 Pindari 33 20 16 17 17  Somerset 97 96 95 100 99  Storm King n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a  Teemburra 93 93 98 101 101  Tinaroo 56 58 67 77 91 Toonumbar 95 92 89 100 100  Wivenhoe 91 90 87 91 91  Wuruma 92 89 84 83 81

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 20/5/14

yabbies to the bottom and wait for the fish to mooch through. If you don’t have any action, move every 10 minutes. Trees can be used to tie the boat up or, if you are lucky enough to own a Minn Kota i-Pilot, use the anchor lock button. This beats using an anchor over and over again and getting wet hands on the cold days. WIVENHOE CLOSEST TOWNS: ESK, FERNVALE There haven’t been a lot of reports from Wivenhoe but this is set to change as more anglers flood to this great winter fishery. Schooling bass may be tricky to find but there should be good fish holding on the edges of the dam in shallower water from Logans Inlet right up to the no-go zone closer to the dam wall. All of this

water is now much more accessible from Logans Inlet due to the outboard restrictions being changed. Boats can use 4 stroke or fuel injected 2 stroke motors to cruise around at up to 6 knots. Casting spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits to the edges and slowly winding them back should see some cracking bass latching on. Numbers won’t be huge but the quality is usually exceptional. The lower part of the dam between Billies Bay and Platypus Cliffs is worth a troll or sound around across the flats, to try and locate schooling fish. Wivenhoe bass don’t receive as much pressure as other lakes so when found they can really turn on the action. Hopping blades and lipless crankbaits over schools should see them fighting for the lure.

DARLING DOWNS GRANITE BELT REGION COOBY CLOSET TOWNS: HIGHFIELDS, TOOWOOMBA Cooby has been really hit and miss leading into winter. There were reports of 80 goldens caught per boat on some days but on others they were either tiddlers or few and far between. This is likely to be due to the seasonal change. The action should be fairly steady now with only a few fish being caught. Bait fishing with saltwater yabbies will be one of the best ways to get the fish to bite. It also pays to carry a few live shrimp as the fish can prefer one over the other and having both makes all the difference. The deeper water in the northern arm will be worth a look. Try between Cooby Creek and the gully leading into it where the water rises up to less than 10 metres deep. This area is all totally submerged and

can be found on the sounder if you head a couple of hundred metres up the northern arm and then cross from one side to the other. 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. Live shrimp and saltwater yabbies can be purchased from Highfields Bait and Tackle on the New England Highway in Highfields. Call in and see Doug and check out the great range of kayaks and accessories he has on display. COOLMUNDA CLOSEST TOWN: INGLEWOOD Golden perch have slowed right down. Leave the lures at home unless you want to target

If for some reason they fail, opt for a 1/2oz jighead rigged soft plastic. MOOGERAH CLOSEST TOWN: BOONAH There have been some quality bass coming from the shallow edges. These fish are likely to be caught right through winter. Casting lipless crankbaits into less than 3m of water has been rewarded. It is best to fish the shoreline fast under electric motor power until you locate some fish, either having a bite or catching one. Once one fish is caught, slow down and fish the area more thoroughly. Suspending lures have also worked well around the edges but are a much slower presentation so you need to know the fish are there to have confidence in them. As the day wears on, the shallow fish have been

dropping back to deeper water. Often they will concentrate off the points and can be caught on a slow

a cod and bring out the bait to put the goldens in the boat. Live shrimp, saltwater yabbies and worms will be the best bet. Golden perch can be caught in the timber and along the creek bed drop-off and adjacent flats between the boat ramp and dam wall. For a shot at the big Murray cod, it’s worth tossing some lures in the Macintyre Brook below the dam. There are plenty of metre-plus cod in these waters and they can be caught in some really shallow areas when the water is cold. 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 The luring of golden perch has slowed right down at Leslie Dam. There were a few cod caught on lures just before winter and for those keen enough to persist, the cod will continue to take artificial offerings right through the cold months. The best action will be on live shrimp and saltwater yabbies. The back areas of the dam should still be holding some of the best fish. Golden perch have been spread out though and are turning up all over the place. During winter, they can move into shallower water and are often taken off the bank as well. 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 Palmerin Street Warwick. The store stocks a great range of freshwater gear that is well suited to catching our Australian natives.

There’s plenty of fun to have when you’re out fishing with the family. Blake and Jason Ehrlich nailed these Cressbrook bass in deep water. rolled lipless crankbait or spinnerbait. A better option is to move out even wider and search the flats and humps in the timber or the point out from the eastern boat ramp. The schooling fish have been responding

well to different types of lures including blades and soft plastics. Plastics will probably start to stand out better over winter but smaller blades are still worth a try. MAROON CLOSEST TOWNS: BOONAH, BEAUDESERT There are quite a few bass holding on the outside of the weed edge. These fish are most likely to provide the best action over the next couple of months. Bigger specimens will be closer to the weed while smaller models can be right out in the open. Hopping 1/4oz or even lighter blades along the weed edge should get some response. Try rolling 1/4oz rigged plastics deep along the weed edge as well. In broken weed try rigging even lighter and twitching the lure through the weed while continuing with a slow wind.

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WIDE BAY AND BURNETT REGION BOONDOOMA CLOSEST TOWNS: PROSTON, KINGAROY Trolling hardbodies that have worked so well at the start of the year will have slowed right down. The scattered fish earlier in the year were perfect targets for trolled lures that covered heaps of water. The colder weather will have the fish bunched up in schools in the middle and upper parts of the main basin and for this reason locating the hot spot and casting into it is the way to go. Sounding in 6-10m of water should reveal good shows of fish. Sinking lures that drop right into the school will be rewarded with quality bass and the occasional golden perch. Blade baits have been working well but it is the smaller model blades hopped along the bottom drawing most attention. Try using blades around the 1/4oz size as they will easily reach the fish holding depth, hop

nicely and won’t fall too fast for the fish to strike between hops. Soft vibes also perform well when hopped across the bottom. These lures are great when the fish are hugging close to the bottom on the sounder and look like they don’t want to play. Soft plastics can also work extremely well. Try different weight heads to suit the depth the fish are holding. Usually 3/8oz and 1/2oz jigheads will get the job done. I love the Powerbait 7cm Ripple Shad in lighter colours like ayu, copper minnow and cappuccino. Boondooma is a great place to camp right near the water and sit by the fire when it’s cold. You could also do it in more style and book into one of the cabins overlooking the dam. The kiosk at the main office does hot food and other basic items. For campsites, cabins and bunkhouse rooms call Corey and Niki on (07) 4168 9694.

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JUNE 2014

Matt from 1770 nailed this 81cm Monduran barra on a shallow diving hardbody fished behind a popper being used to tease the fish up on a Monduran Barra Charter with Jamie Bein. BJELKE CLOSEST TOWNS: MURGON, GOOMERI Bjelke tends to get a bit tougher over the winter months. There were heaps of fish caught leading up to winter with big golden perch and small bass being common. The golden perch action will slow down due to the cold but bass should still continue to bite. Sound around the middle reaches of the dam, paying particular attention to the points south of the boat ramps and Bass Island. The edges of the creek bed and surrounding flats on the last few kilometres on the way to the timber can also be worth investigating. When bass are found, try jigging with ice jigs, hopping blades and rolling soft plastics. The fish are likely to be small but should provide plenty of fun once they are found. Further up in the timber try bouncing blades down the banks for bass and golden perch. Dropping live shrimp and saltwater yabbies to the bottom in 6-8m of water in this area can also be rewarding. The golden perch won’t be as willing to take lures but find it hard to knock back a bait dropped right on their nose. 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. ISIS BALANCING STORAGE CLOSEST TOWN: BUNDABERG Lake Gregory, or the Isis, has shown signs of change in the lead up to the colder months. There has been a significant increase in the number of bass holding in deeper water. The quality of these fish has also improved. While the dam is known for its great edge bite and action around the shallower weed beds, the deep water action has been on the rise over the last

few years. Schools of bass have taken residence in the middle of the dam around the area where the three arms meet. Most of the time, these fish will cruise around in the shallower sections out in the middle so sound the area over looking in 6-8m of water. With so many options to try on deep schooling bass, it can be a bit tricky. Regulars at the dam have a lot of success on hopped lures. Mask Vibes or 1/4oz blades hopped along the bottom seem to get the job done. Hopping works much better than slow rolling but if you hop with the odd few rolls of the lure here and there and change the way it acts, the fish will usually respond better. Lure colour can make a little difference but just about any blade around the 1/4oz size will fool the bass when fished in the right fashion. There are still smaller fish below 40cm in the schools but mixed in are quite a few quality bass to over 50cm. Back in the shallower areas around the weed edge, there are still fish to be caught. The response to surface offerings will have slowed down but it is still possible to draw some interest on topwater lures early and late in the day when light levels are lower. The fish will be less willing to chase these lures down, so ensure you are fishing close to submerged weed beds where the fish will be waiting to ambush a feed. Smaller soft plastics rigged on lighter jigheads will be a good choice for the weed dwelling bass. Shortened 3” plastics rigged on 1/6oz jigheads can be slowly wound down the weed edges and ripped out when they foul up. The key is keeping the lure close and occasionally touching, without fouling to the point where weed can’t be twitched or ripped off. An electric motor to manoeuvre the boat along the weed face, combined with a sounder

to show the depth, are the necessary tools to get this job done. With much of the weed edge hidden below the surface, it is a hard task to try and fish it blind and at the mercy of the wind. Accuracy is important if you want to succeed at this style of fishing. The boys at Bundaberg’s Saltys Tackleworld fish the dam on a regular basis. Being so passionate about their bass fishing, they are the ones to talk to if you are heading to the lake for a fish. Saltys stocks a great range of lures for both fresh and saltwater fishing and the Bundaberg area has plenty to offer. CANIA CLOSEST TOWNS: MONTO, BILOELA There have been quite a few reports of fish coming from the upper reaches of the dam. A lot of action has taken place around the second set of cattle yards up in the timber. The bass have been schooled and sitting in around 4m of water. Not much is likely to change over the coming months and the bass should be located in similar areas. The better results were coming on blades hopped along the bottom but be prepared to mix it up as the water cools. Over the cold months at Cania, the

fish can respond better to 1/4oz jighead rigged soft plastics. Widen your search if the fish aren’t in 4 metres of water as they may venture deeper or even into the shallows to find more suitable conditions. To find out more about the lake or to book some great accommodation nearby, call the Cania Gorge Caravan and Tourist Park on (07) 4167 8188. There are excellent facilities including camp sites, cabins, a playground and swimming pools. It’s worth a visit to the park just to see some of the rare and beautiful wildlife that regularly drop in and live in the area. With bush walking through the gorge a must, there is plenty to do when you’re not wetting a line. MONDURAN CLOSEST TOWN: GIN GIN The dam has been fishing tough with the barra hard to find. Just before winter, there was some better action but now we will be relying on better weather conditions to produce better fishing. The barra will liven up around periods of stable weather. Ideally for us as anglers, this means calm, warm days. The fish will love this too but several days of colder, blowy weather can still fish well provided the weather has been constant. Fish tend to adjust after a few days and the changes can be what throw them off at this time of year. Fishing later in the day will be more rewarding. Launching the boat around lunch time and fishing until after dark will see you working your lures during the warmest part of the day. Head for the shallow wind-blown bays and points and don’t dismiss some of the more sheltered areas, which receive plenty of sun. Hardbody lures are hard to beat. Lures

Hopping blades in the deeper water bass schools will see plenty of action at lakes like Isis.

FISHING FILL-ITS that either suspend or are almost neutral in their buoyancy seem to perform well and stay right in front of the fish. The 100mm Yo Zuri Crystal Minnow, Arafura 100mm, Jackall Squirrel and Halco Hamma are all good selections and proven in this dam. Fishing guide Jamie Bein, resorted to teasing the barra up to excite them into striking on a charter last month. They threw a big popper a few times in the area to draw interest and bring the fish in. The popping noise and surface commotion must have been enough to wake some fish up as after that, they started having bites and then boated an 81cm fish from the area. The Kolan River to the north of Bundaberg has slowed down since the flooding a few months ago. A few fish went over the last weir wall but reports suggest there are

still plenty of fish living in the freshwater section of the river. High catch rates closer to the top of the system and in the middle reaches suggest the fish didn’t follow the flow and vacate into the salt. Winter fishing for barra will certainly be worth a go and for those who put in the time to find where the barra are holding, the rewards will come. Protected bays where the water is warmer than the main river would be my first point of call. The areas which receive plenty of sun and have some weed beds to help retain that warmth should be loaded with fish looking for the most comfortable water. Despite holding plenty of barra, the fish will be tough to catch so slow things down. Very light soft plastics and slowly fished hardbody lures should turn their heads. Remember to keep it in their face. The tackle store in Gin Gin, Foxies, stocks a range

WHITSUNDAY REGION PETER FAUST CLOSEST TOWNS: PROSERPINE, AIRLIE BEACH Things will start to get harder on the barra scene

but they can still be caught. Picking the calmer days is the secret to success. Fishing guide, Lindsay Dobe, shared some of his secrets to catching winter

Cranking lures like this 5m Scorpion 125 down into Proserpine’s tree tops can attract big barramundi.

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 campsites, 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.lakemonduranbarra charters.com. barramundi at Proserpine, “Cast hardbodies to the tops of the deep trees lining the edge of creek beds in the timber. There’s no need to start early as the best action usually happens between 9am and late afternoon. Lures like the 5m Scorpion and 12 or 20ft Barra Bait are ideal. I like to upgrade my hooks and rings to make the lure float up more slowly. In winter, you want it to stay right in front of their face. Crank it down into the tree top and let it float up slow. If you come across any schools of barra drop a plastic down into them. Have a play around with them to get them to bite. I’m keen to give some soft vibes a go this year.” Anglers willing to put in the time and search heaps of water may be lucky enough to find a shallow bay where the barra are holding in good numbers. These fish can be fished with shallow diving hardbodies, hard stick baits or lightly weighted plastics. I have even heard of guys sight casting to fish in the weed in Proserpine during winter. A stealthy approach and a 7” Gulp Jerk Shad rigged weedless and unweighted is the way to go if you are lucky enough to get into some sight casting action. 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.

AMEC applauds progress The Australian Marine Engine Council (AMEC) applauds the statement from Environment Minister Greg Hunt of 29 April 2014 on Ministers’ agreement to review environmental regulation, and in particular the call from both Federal and State Environment Ministers for the Department of Environment to complete its impact statement and recommendations on potential emission control options for marine engines by September this year. Regulations could follow that, perhaps as early as the first half of 2015. Such regulations will mean no further imports of high emission outboards, that means no more carbureted and EFI 2-stroke outboards with emissions 10-20 times the levels of four stroke outboards and modern direct injection 2-strokes like E-TEC technology. “Australian Marine Engine Council has been committed to cooperate with the Government on

practical actions that will achieve tangible results for a healthy environment and clean air. But boaters have nothing to fear. These standards will only apply to new outboards imported after the laws are passed. Nothing they own now will be affected or banned,” said David Heyes, Chairman of Australian Marine Engine Council. Industry can now move forward with confidence. As Heyes explains, “We have been living with uncertainly since the authorities updated the Australian Boat Building standards for heavier four strokes in 2009. “I’m glad now we can move forward with certainty.” The Government and Industry began work on emissions standards in 2006. Public Consultation was held in 2010. “Since then, the final report has stalled. The fact that this report has been called by the Ministers, led by Greg Hunt, by September 2014 is an important progress. “The shape of the

regulations we foresee is pretty clear,” according to Australian Marine Engine Council Industry Analyst, Gary Fooks. “Since 2006 Australian Marine Engine Council has worked to ensure that a balanced approach to reflect the USA EPA standard is applied. This is not only the world’s best standard, but governs the biggest market for outboards, which means more and better choices for Australian consumers.” Small engine emissions standards are not just focused on the marine industry. Off-road engines from lawn mowers to petrol generators will also have to meet the new standards. Australian Marine Engine Council is an Australian industrybased membership council that shares a common interest of sustainable practices to provide efficient, environmentally-friendly products to consumers. – Australian Marine Engine Council

The South Burnett Experience www.southburnett.qld.gov.au

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Lake Boondooma Caravan and Recreation Park self contained cabins powered & unpowered sites kiosk camp kitchen refuelling facilities walking tracks dump point Book your Boondooma stay today on (07) 4168 9694 JUNE 2014

Turning old into new BOWEN

Dan Kaggelis dkaggelis@gmail.com

Many offshore anglers believe in the saying that offshore fishers are only as good as their fishing spots. As a result, it’s often the fishing spot or the skipper’s collection of secret marks which get the credit for a sensational catch. However, more often than not these sensational catches don’t come from utopian honey holes filled to the brim with fish but from commonly known reefs, shoals and islands. The real secret is sometimes not where you are fishing but how you are fishing and, most importantly, what sets you apart from the other anglers fishing the same piece of ground. One important thing to remember is that fish systems don’t necessarily become devoid of life because they have been ‘fished out’. Often there are still plenty of fish on these spots, they just become a little harder to catch because of the pressure placed upon them. Many offshore anglers prep for a trip by grabbing the characteristic slab of pillies and squid, and on some occasions that’s enough to bag a few fish. However, when the majority of people are doing the same thing, the fish can get used to it and wise up. It’s at times like these that you need to think outside the box. It’s amazing how often

plastics. On recent trip I was drift fishing a well known wreck using a Berkley Squid Vicious while the boys around me were using standard baits of cuttlefish, slabbed yakka and pilchards. The first drift saw not a single bite on the bait but the plastic snared a beautiful 4kg coral trout. Resetting the drift again, the baits once again failed to hook up, but the plastic this time was inhaled by another coral trout, much to the disgust of the boys around me. We continued this process for six more drifts which produced a few small nannygai for the bait boys while the plastic snared a golden snapper and finally a personal best 7kg bar-cheek trout. One of the guys on board had been fishing this

further offshore marks, has been consistently producing trophy fish. The reason is a simple one: many of these older spots have seen little exposure to soft plastics compared to bait-filled hooks, so plastics are more likely to snare wary fish. While you could also say that soft plastics resemble live bait, I also believe that the plastics’ uniqueness grabs the fish’s attention. This is especially the case with coral trout, golden snapper, and even reds which are very inquisitive and territorial and will always come out to investigate something new and different. Soft plastics give you plenty of variety as well. If you know your local fish feed on small baitfish or

Having a selection of soft plastics, soft vibes and an array of different weighted jigheads provides buckets of opportunity to turn old ground into new.

Big reds like this one often hang amongst smaller fish. Trying something different is often what it takes to entice the larger fish from the pack. discarded old grounds or marks can be transformed into new productive ground with the application of a different technique. SOFT PLASTICS The easiest way to step it up and move away from the mainstream is to jig soft plastics. You would be amazed at what fish you can pull off a mark using soft 76

JUNE 2014

spot for over 10 years and had never pulled a trout off it. When I tell bait fishers where we caught the fish, most refuse to believe me as this ‘old ground’ produces little to nothing using traditional techniques. This has not been a once-off event either. Much of the older discarded ground, often driven over in the pursuit of

slimies then use a large jerk shad pattern, or for fish that prefer squid you can use something which has dangling appendages. The key to fishing soft plastics is persistence. It’s hard to sit back and watch anglers around you getting a bite or pulling in a fish while your soft plastic remains untouched. However, you

The author with one of many big trout taken from what other anglers saw as ‘old ground’. can rest assured that when it goes you will be the envy of everyone on board. Metal jigs are also very effective and you would be shocked at some of the species of fish that will slam a worked metal. JIGHEADS The soft plastic itself is not just the only adjustment you can make to separate yourself from the rest. The weight of the jighead is also important. Weight will dictate the way the plastic is fished and the action it brings. For trout, a heavy weight is preferable as you want to bang the plastic on the bottom to stir them up and get them out to investigate. For snapper, however, most anglers prefer as light as possible to get the softy dancing in the water. Finding the right weight is as easy as recognising the speed of your sink. If you are hitting the bottom with pace and can really feel the jighead thump down, you are fishing heavy. Alternatively, if the connection to the bottom is mild and hard to register, you are fishing light. When chasing fish which prefer light weights you don’t really want to be on the bottom anyway, as you will get the majority of your fish as the plastic drifts down or is suspended a couple of metres off the bottom. Once again it’s about persistence and finding the pattern of where your fish feed and what type of weight they prefer. Once you get this sorted out you will be amazed at the rewards. FLY HOOKS If you just can’t get yourself into soft plastics fishing, the best way to spice it up is to add more attraction to your baits. The best way to do this is to use fly-style hooks which provide plenty of flash to

a bait. Some of the best examples of these come from the guys from PE Tackle which incorporate some awesome fly patterns on heavy-duty hooks which are perfectly suited for snapper, grunter, reds and trout. The fly style designs provide the best of both worlds and really do make baits stand out from the rest. DRIFTING Anchoring can be effective, especially if you find a school of fish or get your hang perfect over a single structure, but you also run the risk of limiting your fishing ground. I like drifting, but the decision is often determined by the structure being fished. I prefer to drift even on the smallest of lumps or wrecks as you cover more ground and more often than not the larger trophy fish are holed up on smaller rocks or reef away from the structure. This is because these bigger structures can be dominated by big groper, cobia and cod which will just as readily eat a 60cm snapper or trout as a yakka.

Drifting really suits soft plastic fishing, as the movement helps with the action of the plastic. Plastics rigged on jigheads are much less prone to snags, especially over the reef, compared to paternosters and other hook/ sinker combos. If you are drifting and not getting results, think about how you are presenting your baits and whether they are finding the pressure points or the front of bommies and into the strike zone. Try mixing up your drift directions until you get results. You never know when currents are sweeping your soft plastics out of the zone, even though the sounder may be showing the perfect drift, especially when fishing light. You should try to take something away from every drift and try something new until it works. LINE It’s surprising how something as simple as the width and strength of your leader and line can affect finicky fish on heavily fished spots. How often

Soft plastics are terrific for stirring up big trout which have become wary of bait-filled hooks.

have you stood next to someone who has pulled in fish after fish and you can’t figure out what’s going on? It’s quite possible they are fishing lighter leader and line, which affects the way the bait or soft plastic is being presented, and most importantly how visible it is to the fish. For example, at one of my favourite golden snapper spots you can fish all day using 30lb+ leader and not catch a thing. Drop down to 15lb and you will be in the thick of it! When

fishing old ground you have to give a bit and going as light as possible is really important. A good starting point is to halve the leader you would normally use. If you’re worried about getting busted up, invest in some quality leader which will give you plenty of strength and abrasiveness even at the lower ends of the spectrum. Good examples of this include Sunline FC100 and FC Rock, which are light enough but strong enough to withstand plenty of power. The reality facing all

offshore anglers is that there are more and more of us every year. Where you used to see three or four boats on a good day you might now see 15 or more – and with the invention of GPS, radar and loose lips, it’s hard to find any new ground anymore. Finding a way to fish around this pressure is essential if you want to enjoy success. You may even be surprised at just what you can pull off that discarded piece of reef or shoal that people thought was fished out.

Above: You’ll be amazed at what you will pull off older ground when fusing soft plastics, light lines and a drift pattern. This solid grunter was taken on a spot which had never produced grunter before. Left: Joe with a healthy snapper landed using PE Tackle fly gear. If you can’t make the transition to plastics, spicing up your baits can make a huge difference and can give you that edge over your fellow anglers. The author with a solid black jew taken on soft plastic. This species is often picked up on the drift as anchors can scare them off the bite.

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What’s new fishing Powered by

DUO REALIS ROZANTE 63SP

The Realis Rozante 63SP is one of the latest models to be added to the expanding range of quality lures from Japanese manufacturer DUO. The Rozante is essentially a smaller version of the popular 120SP. At 63mm in size the Rozante is perfect for bream, bass and trout, and it comes in a host of colours. Action wise, the first thing you notice when throwing the Rozante is how wide the action is. This bait has an incredibly wide wobble, and this becomes even more pronounced with action imparted from the rod tip. With a few downward stabs of the rod tip you can get the Rozante to dart side to side with heaps of lateral movement, which is key for triggering reaction strikes from nearby fish. Try twitching the Rozante around a weed edge for bass or around shallow structure for southern black bream. Price: RRP $24.95 www.swldistributions.com.au

LOW-LIGHT TONIC NEON

Australian company Tonic Polarised Eyewear has released a Neon lens formulated for bright, reflection-free vision in lowlight conditions. The ideal ‘winter lens’, it’s available in Tonic’s Rush and Shimmer styles. Neon has been developed by Tonic founder Doug Phillips for sight fishing in shadows, fog, and dawn and dusk. Doug said people were amazed by Neon’s ability to seemingly act as a light source. “People say Neon lenses actually light up what they look at, and yet the coatings also set a new standard for reducing glare and increasing colour separation,” he said. “[You get] a clear view of the fish when the ambient light is limited but there’s still glare to be cut through. “Our unique VistaView lens gives distortionfree viewing at any angle, and our scratch resistant UltraOptic lenses are 30% lighter. “Combined with our MultiCut fullspectrum anti-reflective coating and lightweight frames, this delivers fatigue-free vision in even the fiercest glare.” Price: RRP $259 www.toniceyewear.com.au

ZEREK THANNATUS RODS

The new Zerek Thannatus is not only a beautiful looking rod but is perfect for lure fishing. The new Xtreme Control Quattro X Loop blank technology delivers a very strong yet durable blank, with a sensitive tip for a lovely feel and finesse. The intelligent technology of the rods is paired with beautiful craftsmanship using a custom painted colour, Maziora Andromeda, which gives the rod a motor oil type slick finish over a smoke coloured Quattro X Loop blank. The Fuji reel seat and the carbon fibre butt cap adds to the custom feel and unique character. Only the best components have been used, with the Fuji K-Guides giving trouble-free casting. Every Zerek Thannatus rod comes in a custom neoprene feel protective rod bag. Available models (all two-piece) are: RZTH532C (5’3”, 10-17lb line rating, 1/4-5/8oz lure weight); RZTH562C (5’6”, 10-20lb, 3/8-1oz); RZTH602C (6’, 8-14lb, 3/8-3/4oz); RZTH602S (6’, 6-12lb, 1/2-1/2oz); RZTH702S (7’, 10-20lb, 3/8-1oz. Price: from RRP $210 www.wilsonfishing.com

DAIWA COMMANDER SPIN

Daiwa’s Commander spin series rods feature Daiwa’s legendary HVF blank technology. Refined and rugged, these blanks have maximum graphite density, are incredibly sensitive and are light and responsive. Megatop and V Joint technology combine with HVF to make the Commander’s design and function second to none. The AGS (Air Guide System) guides have a unique graphite frame that’s more sensitive, lighter, and stronger than metal, and more rigid than any other guide. This means faster casts, increased casting distance and accuracy, decreased rod vibration, and increased sensitivity. Light, refined and offering unparalleled comfort, the new Commander series features Daiwa surround reel seats made famous by the Black Label range. Daiwa’s cork grips and Air Foam grips come together to deliver lightness, style and comfort. There are seven models, ranging from the Bayonet Division (198cm, 1.5 section, 0.5-4g casting weight, 1-2kg line rating) to the Hell Kat (218cm, 1.5 section, 7-21g, 4-8kg). Price: Too new www.daiwafishing.com.au

STORM IN A PACK-UP-CUP

Pioneers of the outdoor dining world, Light My Fire, have pushed the envelope yet again with their latest flourish of creativity. The Pack-up-Cup is a set to sit alongside other LMF classics like the Spork, and the FireKnife as an essential bit of kit for outdoor lovers. Light My Fire operates by a simple ethos: ‘Think wild, eat civilised’, and the Pack-up-Cup is the embodiment of this. However, it isn’t limited to outdoor use alone; A Pack-up-Cup is just as handy in the office as it is on the boat or at the campsite. A hard plastic lid and grip section will spare you of any spills, while a collapsible rubber body is a highly effective space saver when packing light is a priority. The Pack-up-Cup is also dishwasher and microwave friendly, and comes in a variety of colours, so your entire family can discover the joys of collapsible cup living! Price: RRP: $9.95 www.outdooragencies.com.au

SHIMANO CURADO I BAITCASTER

The latest Curado release, the I series, sees this evergreen reel tricked up even further. X-Ship is a big inclusion. Supporting the pinion gear at both ends with two of the five SA-RB bearings the reel comes with, a bigger drive gear and increased gearing efficiency results in ultra light rotation of the swept aluminium handle — even when hooked up. Another new feature is the Stable Spool Design or S3D, whereby balanced and uniformly thin wall construction throughout significantly reduces spool vibration. This delivers an incredibly smooth feeling when casting or retrieving. An Escape Hatch sideplate grants easy access to the SVS Infinity Braking System for making adjustments when lure sizes and fishing conditions change. The Cross Carbon drag, easily adjustable via the aluminium star drag wheel, remains smooth under a range of settings, and can be pushed as high as 5.5kg, which is a lot of

Please send contributions to: The Editor, Fishing Monthly Group PO BOX 3172 LOGANHOLME, QLD. 4129 nicole@fishingmonthly.com.au

JUNE 2014

What’s new fishing Powered by stopping power for a small baitcaster. There is a choice of high or performance gearing in right or left-hand wind. Price: RRP $229 www.shimanofish.com.au

9 10

OKUMA OZMODO

TONIC BLUE MIRROR

NEW ZMAN COLOURS

SUFIX NANOBRAID

The baitholder pattern is a freshwater standard, but also is incredibly popular in saltwater for estuary species such as bream. Thanks to the use of high quality steel (like all Gamakatsu hooks) the Gamakatsu Baitholder is pin sharp due to the unique chemical sharpening process. Key to its success is the addition of two barbs on the shank, which secure baits to the hook making for a realistic presentation. Traditionally available only in a bronze finish, the new black nickel finish pictured will increase this hook pattern’s durability in saltwater use. Gamakatsu Baitholder Black hooks are available in 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, 1 and 1/0 to 4/0 in pre-packs, 25 packs and 50 boxes. Price: from $7.25 www.gamakatsu.com.au

The Megabass Gaus 20X and 30X saltwater spinning reels are perfect for estuary to light offshore use for bream, flathead, kingfish and snapper and other reef species. They also excel at other types of fishing courtesy of their high compression carbon composite body, offering unparalleled rigidity with an ultra light feel. Both sizes feature the magnetic fluid shield system used in the Lin258HM which not only keeps the gear unit clean, but also eliminates the contact points between the body and rotor resulting in an ultra-smooth wind in all conditions. The rotor is made of X Graphite composite which increases the rotation response of the reel, spreads the load evenly and adds to the sensitivity. The design elements include a light spool and ergonomic handles for all-day comfort. The M drag system pumps out a massive amount of pressure, with the 30X capable of producing 7kg of drag. Both reels include a high powered gear system. Price: RRP $736 for 20X and $854 for 30X www.megabass.com.au

GAMAKATSU BAITHOLDER BLACK

MEGABASS GAUS SW

Designed to combat Australia’s harsh saltwater conditions, the Ozmodo steps out with a full aluminium gearing system that is incredibly strong and exceptionally lightweight. With ABEC5 spool bearings making up the bearing system, the Ozmodo delivers lasting power and performance. The low-profile design of the reel and soft touch handle grips make the Ozmodo extremely ergonomic as it sits comfortably in the angler’s hand. As a result of this, the angler’s casting accuracy and lure control is increased considerably when pitching lures close into snags. As with all Okuma reels, the Ozmodo comes complete with a Lifetime Guarantee. Price: from RRP $259.95 www.okuma.com.au

The ZMan 4” StreakZ Curly TailZ features a large curl tail and baitfish body, with belly slot for weedless rigging or adding scent. It appeals to a range of species, from flathead to bass and jewies to big snapper. It is constructed from ElaZtech, which has 10X Tough construction, is super-soft and flexible, and has built-in buoyancy that sees its tail raised and wafting when on the bottom. There are two new additions to the 4” StreakZ Curly TailZ range: mood ring and pinfish. Mood ring has a dark violet back and translucent, pearlescent purple belly with micro glitter. Pinfish is a superrealistic baitfish imitation with a pumpkin back and translucent, pearlescent belly, both of which contain black fleck and blue, green and gold glitter. Both of these new colours have been a big hit in the 3” MinnowZ and will be just as deadly in the Curly TailZ. Curly TailZ are available in 16 colours, with five per pack. Price: SRP $8.95 www.z-man.com.au

Tonic Polarised Eyewear, the new leader in high quality fishing sunglasses, has released a special Blue Mirror Limited Edition. Available in Tonic’s popular Evo and Shimmer frame styles, the Limited Edition is a stylish solution for high-glare conditions. The Blue Mirror lenses were developed for Australian anglers and outdoor enthusiasts, and share their high-tech optics with all of Tonic’s growing range of lightweight polarised optical glass lenses. To create Tonic, founder Doug Phillips adopted Japan’s two big optical breakthroughs of the past decade: unprecedented wrap-around clarity and exceptionally lightweight glass lenses. VistaView gives distortion-free viewing at any angle, and the scratch resistant UltraOptic lenses are 30% lighter than other glass lenses. Tonic polarised sunglasses are now available in eight wraparound styles, including the Evo and Rush with ClikStrap removable and adjustable safety strap. Prescription lenses are also available. Price: $259 for glass, $149 for polycarbonate www.toniceyewear.com.au

Get ready for the new level of Nano line feel and performance with Sufix NanoBraid. By utilising their innovative Wide Angle Braiding Technology, Sufix has been able to produce a tighter braiding weave that is super strong and silky smooth. Four densely braided Dyneema fibres have combined expertly to deliver a high pitchcount that produces consistent quality, a uniform diameter and increased abrasion resistance, significantly enhancing the line’s performance and longevity. Sufix NanoBraid is up to 3x stronger than other lines in its category and features superior knot and shock strength. The silky soft feel of NanoBraid line is extremely sensitive, enabling the angler to detect the slightest of bites, whilst its ultrathin diameter promotes pinpoint casts and remains silent as it runs through the guides. Sufix NanoBraid is available in pink in

Please send contributions to: The Editor, Fishing Monthly Group PO BOX 3172 LOGANHOLME, QLD. 4129 nicole@fishingmonthly.com.au

JUNE 2014

What’s new fishing Powered by breaking strains of 6lb, 7lb, 8lb, 11lb and 16lb, and comes in 125 yard spools. Price: from RRP $39.95 www.rapala.com.au

COMMANDER BAITCASTER

The new Commander series features Daiwa’s legendary HVF graphite blank technology. HVF (High Volume Fibre) combines precise resin control with unidirectional graphite fibre to produce a blank that is incredibly sensitive, light and responsive. AGS (Air Guide System) features a unique graphite frame that’s more sensitive, lighter, and stronger than metal, and more rigid than any other guide ever made. AGS allows for faster casts, greater distance, increased accuracy, decreased rod vibration and a massive increase in sensitivity. The Commander series carries the pedigree of the Zillion name, utilizing their low profile, indestructible reel seat design. Daiwa’s cork grips and Air Foam grips offer comfort, lightness and unmatchable style. There are three models. The Tough Ombre is ideal for throwing spinnerbaits and dishing out discipline close to cover for barra, bass, sooties and cod. The Wild Cat is suited to small to medium sized hardbodies, and the Liberator is an all-rounder that’s equally at home liberating bass as it is dominating barra. Price: Too new www.daiwafishing.com.au

BEARDY’S SHRIMP

Beardy’s Lures are the brainchild of Daniel Beard. His new Beardy’s Shrimp is a handmade timber lure he produces in Beaconsfield, Melbourne, Victoria. This very distinctive looking lure is a must have for any native freshwater angler and wouldn’t be out of place in the salt as well. Designed around the characteristics of a real prawn, the Shrimp is 70mm long and runs at 2m+. Its coffee colour has proven to be deadly on cod and yellowbelly, especially in discoloured water. The lure is very buoyant and is a favourite of people who enjoy casting and retrieving lures around snags and structure. For more information the Beardy’s range or to order some lures, contact Daniel Beard on 0448 907 091 or look up Beardy’s Lures on Facebook. Price: $15 w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / p a g e s / B e a r d y s Lures

FISH ARROW SPINE HOOK

The Spine Hook from Decoy Fishing Arrow was born as a new way of rigging the flash J plastics. It is the reaction of this ultimate rig that can turn finicky fish into feeding fish. Simply twitching the rod tip causes an unpredictable spiral fall to imitate a baitfish dying! The Fish Arrow Spine Hook comes in two sizes (hook size 2 and 3) and there are five hooks per pack. Price: RRP $6.99 www.searingtackle.com.au

SHIMANO EXAGE MONO

Shimano Exage monofilament is an extra strong, high quality Japanese line, which is perfect for many Aussie fishing conditions and species as well. A clear blue in colour, it features low memory so it lies on reel spools neatly, and exhibits high knot strength. It is perfect for anything from fine line breaming with bait, float fishing for blackfish, but also more robust situations such as floater fishing for snapper and other offshore species where using a tough, supple line is an advantage. Exage is available in 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, 30 and 35lb breaking strains on handy 300m spools. Price: from RRP $34.95 www.shimanofish.com.au

LOX HYBRID TECHNOLOGY

Following extensive research and development, renowned rod manufacturer Lox has developed a revolutionary new carbon wrap process that delivers dramatic performance gains. It’s called Hybrid Wrap Technology. The secret is the manual wrapping of alternate densities and shapes of pre-preg within the blank, producing a blank with a noticeably different texture and pattern. “The process is very labour intensive, and it’s doubtful that any factory outside the Lox plant has either the experience or the technicians required to produce the Hybrid wrap,” said Ran Feng from Australian distributor Viva. “Lox Hybrid jigging blanks have a similar circumference to our opposition’s bream sticks! The identifying characteristics of the Hybrid wrap are extraordinarily small cross sections and unparalleled strength to weight ratios. “Just as carbon rods were a quantum shift from glass rods, Lox Hybrid rods are a quantum shift from carbon.” Keep an eye out for these new rods at your favourite tackle store. Price: Varies www.vivafishing.com.au

HELPFUL POINTERS

Two of the latest lures from Lucky Craft are the LL Pointer 180 and LL Pointer 200. The 180 is a jointed sinking jerkbait with excellent swimming action. This 180mm, 52g lure combines a nice, slender profile with an excellent swimming action. The line tie is on the lure’s nose but pointed downward at a 45º angle, which produces a slightly more erratic swimming action and a more nose-down posture in the water. Fitted with quality SW hooks, it comes in five colours. The 200 is weighted so it falls horizontally with a wiggling vibration that produces an excellent flash to attract fish from deep water. Count it down and fish it throughout the water column. With a few jerks, it will produce an excellent side-toside slashing and gliding action. The LL Pointer 200 fitted with XOS hooks and is ideal for mackerel, barramundi, mulloway and kingfish. It comes in eight colours. Price: approx. $40 www.ejtodd.com.au

Please send contributions to: The Editor, Fishing Monthly Group PO BOX 3172 LOGANHOLME, QLD. 4129 nicole@fishingmonthly.com.au

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NEW FROM C’ULTIVA

Two of the latest releases from C’ultiva are the SSF-41 Short Assist and JD-22 Jigger Light Assist. Ideal for light and micro jigging, the SSF-41 Short assist allows anglers to rig micro jigs with a short assist rig. Forged for strength with spade end to reduce hook weight SSF-41 short assists feature a needle point for excellent hook up rates. It’s available in sizes 1, 1/0, and 2/0. C’ultiva has also developed a range of ultra light and ultra strong twin assist rigs developed for light jigging. JD-22 Light Jigger assist rigs are forged with spade end and feature TAFF-WIRE construction. TAFF-WIRE helps create hooks that are smaller in diameter, yet stronger and harder than ever before. TAFF-WIRE hooks are stronger per wire diameter than any hook on the market. JD-22 Light Jigger assist rigs are available in sizes 1/0, 2/0, 3/0, 4/0 and 5/0. Price: Varies www.owner-fishing.com.au

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Big lures catch big fish, so Lucky Craft and Skeet Reese have teamed up to create the Lucky Craft SKT Magnum for what Skeet calls, “crankbait fishing on steroids”! These lures are fitted with a precisely designed bib to produce less pull, so you can burn them back to the boat all day without wearing out your arm. The tight wobbling action draws reaction bites around mid-depth rock piles, ledges, and points. Non-rattling, the big profile of the Lucky Craft SKT Magnum is easy for predators to locate in stained or muddy waters. It’s ideally suited for casting or trolling for cod and big barra. There are two models, the MR (110mm, 56g, floating, dives 15ft) and the DR (120mm, 91g, floating, dives 25ft). Both are made in Japan and come in four colours. Scan the QR code hereabouts to see an interview with distributor Bryan Todd on these and other new Lucky Craft lures. Price: approx. $40 www.ejtodd.com.au

SKT MAGNUM

EVAKOOL PLATINUM

Evakool celebrates its 20th Anniversary with the launch of its new range of 12V upright fridge-freezers. Platinum fridge-freezers maintain freezer temperatures of up to -15ºC in ambient temperatures in excess of 45ºC. That level of performance has earned the Platinum series the maximum climate class rating of Tropical +. Powered by a 12V compressor, with insulated walls up to 100mm thick, these fridge-freezers have been designed to withstand the rigours of off-road travelling and are suited for most camper and mobile home applications. They offer operational efficiency and are ideal for homes and rural properties relying on 12V and solar generated power. The Platinum range is available in

four sizes and boasts stylish, modern designed cabinets with separate fridge and freezer compartments. There’s also a two-year warranty. Price: RRP $1399-$1999 www.evakool.com

FLASHING GANG HOOKS

ALVEY ROD HOLDERS

HEADLOCKZ HD NOW IN 4/0

Designed in Australia and the first of its kind, Flashing Gang Hooks combine innovation and design to create a unique hook system that is sure to attract any fish’s attention. Flashing Gang Hooks combine the traditional ganged hooks with tied flashing material. The flashing material grabs the fish’s eye as it glitters in the water, while the smell of the bait ensures the fish bites. Any fish that likes a ganged pilly will love the Flashing Gang Hooks; the flash plus the smell delivers a two-punch combo that gets results. Price: RRP $7.50 www.elkatfishing.com.au

Carrying rods in a bull bar style rod holder can be distracting to the driver of the vehicle. The new Alvey Rod Holders are different. They attach to the ends of your cross bar roof rack system and keep your rod and reel combos rigged ready to fish on the side of the vehicle. The rod holders can be fitted to roof rack crossbars in minutes. The wider holder goes on the back crossbar and the smaller holder goes on the front crossbar. They’re also handy for transporting pipes or long timber lengths. “This is the way that my dad used to carry his rigged rods up the beach. It was a great way to do it then and nothing has changed today,” said Bruce Alvey. Two styles are available, one to suit the heavy-duty crossbar and one to suit the sports style crossbar. To see a video of the racks scan the QR code hereabouts or search for ‘Alvey Roof Rack Carrier’ on YouTube. Price: RRP $59.25 per pair www.alvey.com.au

TT Lures HeadlockZ HD Jigheads are renowned for their brutally strong, Mustad chemically sharpened, black nickel hook and unique locking grub keeper. This grub keeper has been designed to lock all soft plastic brands, including the 10X Tough ZMan plastics, securely in place. Now the AFTA award winning TT Lures HeadlockZ HD jigheads are available in a 4/0 hook size. The 4/0 will be a perfect fit for many 3”-5” soft plastics, and the addition to the range was again driven by angler requests. The 4/0 HeadlockZ HD is available in 1/8, 1/6, 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2oz, to cover everything from estuary to shallow reef and pelagic species. There are five jigheads per pack. Price: SRP $8.95 www.ttlures.com.au

Please send contributions to: The Editor, Fishing Monthly Group PO BOX 3172 LOGANHOLME, QLD. 4129 nicole@fishingmonthly.com.au

Cooking

Hot smoked reef fish fillet BRISBANE

Lynn Bain

It is often said that hot smoking may be man’s oldest method of flavouring

meat and fish. Not so vintage but time proven nonetheless, I’ve been using a smoke oven for the best part of 20 years. The following process is the simplest and easiest way

to smoke fish. Hot-smoking as discussed here is a cooking process, not a preserving process. I use a Togar Oven in the following steps. Oily fish (such as salmon, tailor and mullet)

can be smoked without any initial preparation, just put them in the hot smoker oven and start smoking. However non-oily fish are typically brined then dried before they are smoked.

Take a skinned fillet of reef fish and just cover it with water in a plastic container. Add 2 tablespoons of salt plus a tablespoon of sugar. Let the fish brine in this solution for a couple of hours. Then take the fish fillets out of the brine and pat them dry. As an option, rub the fish with your choice of either flavoured oil or herbs, spices, citrus rind or garlic prior to smoking.

2 3

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Drop in the grid and place the brined fish on top.

Remove the fish from the smoker, then serve.

Seal the oven up with its lid. Now let the oven cook and smoke the fish until all the metho is burned up and the flame goes out. The heat generated from below the oven will cause the sawdust to smoulder and this smoke wafts around the fish to flavour it. Meanwhile the heat will slowly cook the fish. For subsequent fillets of about the same size you can adjust the cooking time that best suits the thickness and quantity of fish. Take care to not overcook the fillets.

I complement the smoked fish with thin onion slices, capers and crusty bread.

To set up the oven, place a dish of about 100ml of methylated spirits into the windbreak ring. Then light with a match. A 100ml of methylated spirits will give you about 10 minutes of cooking time (perfect for an average fillet size).

Place the lower half of the oven and its inner liner onto the windbreak ring. Then sprinkle at least a heapedtablespoon of food grade sawdust over the liner. This amount will give you a subtle smoked flavour – two tablespoons will give a richer taste. You can add a favourite herb, spice or tea to the smoke to tweak the taste – popular options include rosemary or star anise or even paprika.

They’re sinkers, not anchors! NSW STH COAST

Steve Starling www.starlofishing.me

Correct sinker selection can be critical to success in many forms of fishing. It’s important to lighten up wherever possible. Sinkers are weights made from lead, lead-alloys or other heavy materials. Most sinkers include either a hole or channel through the middle, or an eyelet or ring on the end to hold the line. Shot or split shot are generally smaller versions with a slot or split on one side, allowing the line to be inserted before the shot is squeezed shut to grip the line (and please use pliers for this task, not your teeth!). We add sinkers or shot to our fishing lines and terminal rigs for a number of important reasons. The most obvious uses for sinkers are to provide additional weight to aid in casting, to carry a rigged line and bait (or lure) down towards the bottom and then hold our rig at a desired level in the water column, and also to balance or ballast a float so that its movement clearly indicates bites without scaring away timidly nibbling fish. In almost all fishing scenarios, it’s really, really important to avoid thinking of sinkers as mini anchors! Too many anglers still incorrectly believe that a

sinker is designed to hold their rig and bait firmly in one place (usually right on the seabed) and to keep their line nice and tight, so that bites can be easily

conditions (depth, current and required casting distance) is far and away the best choice for the job at hand. In other words, this is one area of life

Lots of charter operations wrap their heavy snapperstyle leads or bombs in tape or rubber tubing to reduce damage to boat fittings as these projectiles swing around. In very deep water you may need a hefty sinker like this one to get your bait to the bottom.

following two styles have useful applications in certain forms of fishing: Snapper lead This type of sinker (also known as a bomb sinker) is designed to sink fast, straight and without spinning, or to travel through the air with little wind resistance, making the snapper lead extremely suited to deep-water bottom fishing or long-distance, shore-based casting. Star and helmet sinkers These are designed to have excellent grip on sandy sea beds, especially when strong cross currents are flowing, making these styles useful for surf fishing, especially on rougher days. Other specialist sinkers that were quite popular in years gone by seem to have less relevance to modern angling and have slowly faded from use. Spoon sinkers, for example, have largely gone out of favour with modern anglers, despite the fact that this

Sinkers have a role to play in lure fishing, too. Note the ball sinker rigged in the leader loop knot on this weedless soft plastic, used to tempt a good barra.

felt. The fact is, most bites are registered just as readily when the line is slightly slack, and far fewer fish will shy away from a bait that’s allowed to move a bit and waft about in a natural way, at the whim of the current and tide. In nearly every fishing scenario you might care to nominate, the smallest sinker you can practically use under the prevailing

A ball sinker running freely right down to the hook is a really useful and simple rig and will account for far more desirable captures than this unwanted kelpfish.

A cunjevoi bait rigged on a 1/0 hook for drummer, with the relatively small ball sinker running freely on the line right down to the knot. This is a killer rig!

where smaller is almost always better! The actual shape and design of the sinker you choose is generally much less important than its weight. A sinker’s shape merely allows you to finetune your rig. However, a couple of shapes are designed for quite specialised functions and can definitely improve the performance of your rigs in these specific situations. For most of our day-to-day fishing needs ball, bean, bug and barrel sinkers are ideal. The performance of each of these common styles of sinker is so similar that you can pick whichever shape appeals the most to you on a personal level. They’ll all do the job admirably. As well as these common sinkers, the

design is quite useful for use over snaggy bottoms, simply because the sinker rides up over obstructions when retrieved quickly. Other unusual designs such as the channel sinker or so-called ‘picker’s doom’ have also declined in popularity, and are mostly only found in museum collections or pictured in old books these days. Rather than focussing too much on obscure sinker shapes, concentrate instead on reducing your sinker weight whenever and wherever you can. Your catch rate will definitely improve as a result. In future instalments, we’ll look at rigging, and the relative merits of running versus fixed sinker rigs. Until then… lighten up!

Kevin Muirhead caught his first wahoo on the Barwon Banks. The fish was captured while trolling and put up an awesome fight! JUNE 2014

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

Claiming a world first, Mitsubishi has released its 2014 Outlander PHEV as the first plug-in hybrid SUV. Smart marketing has seen the new Outlander PHEV introduced to a market that’s clamouring for SUVs yet with the added bonus of electric power to minimise fossil fuel usage. It’s a great concept and has the potential to make the Outlander PHEV ideal for a lot of families living and working in the city. For the record, PHEV (pronounced as the letters of P-H-E-V rather than the word ‘fev’) stands for Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicle.

include a standard model plus a top-shelf Aspire. The standard PHEV is like the regular Outlander LS with cloth trim, dual zone air, 7” multimedia screen with sat nav and reversing camera, Bluetooth phone and audio, proximity key plus auto headlights and wipers. There’s also hill hold assist, active stability control and seven air bags. The Aspire has leather trim, heated front seats, a power driver’s seat, power sunroof and tail gate, adaptive cruise control and a WiFi based smartphone app that controls a host of the vehicle’s functions. The PHEVs have a towing capacity of 1500kg for a braked trailer (500kg less than the Outlander diesel models and 100kg less than standard petrol

across the dash area, and an eye-pleasing trim. However, the PHEV’s main gauges were supplemented by a monitor for the battery system and distribution of electrical power. Likewise, the multimedia screen also offered a lot of information including power usage and total driving range available. The usual features, such as electric windows and cruise control, were naturally standard. Rear seat room was typical Outlander – plenty for three adults. PERFORMANCE The PHEV’s main propulsion is via twin front and rear 60kW output electric motors. Working continuously, they are linked to a four cylinder 2.0L petrol engine which has both charging and motive power duties. When

The Outlander PHEV’s AWD on demand system sees the vehicle very capable around boat ramps. TWO MODELS There’s not much to distinguish this hybrid from the conventional petrol or diesel powered models, aside from a chrome grille, 18” wheels and appropriate badges. PHEV variants

units). Unbraked trailers are limited to 750kg. The standard model reviewed featured an interior virtually identical to other Outlander models thanks to a decent blend of soft and hard surfaces

batteries need charging or the driver demands hard acceleration, the petrol engine will be humming quietly up front. Pure electric output sees a range of 52km with absolutely minimal

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fossil fuel usage, hence Mitsubishi’s claim for a staggering 1.9L per 100km. However, this will only be achievable when driven in electric mode and not exceeding that 52km range. On an extended highway run of 600km where the petrol engine was also sharing the load, I averaged 7.8L per 100km which, although not class leading, was still very good by many modern SUV’s standard. The Outlander relies on the two electric engines for main motive force with gear boxes providing direct drive through a series of automated clutches. Trust me, it’s no slouch off the mark. There are three distinct automatically selected drive modes. With EV mode selected there’s ample power to cruise at 110km/h. ‘Series’ mode kicks in when batteries are in need of a charge and the petrol engine does its stuff to rejuvenate them. When there’s extended cruising at highway speeds or maximum power required, the petrol engine is involved (‘Parallel’ mode) to drive the front wheels with the electric motors still assisting. All round performance is very good. The electric motors have ample power and with both the electric and petrol engines working together the Outlander feels very similar, power wise, to the vehicle’s previous 2.6L petrol V6. Driving the Outlander PHEV is as easy as driving any other auto wagon. There’s a joystick-style gear selector, two pedals and a steering wheel with interesting paddles. You can easily monitor power usage via the display gauge system or via the battery symbol within the main dash. CHARGING SYSTEMS The PHEV can be charged on the move by using the steering column’s left side paddles to bring in regenerative charging via the braking system. It’s similar to changing down gears, with retardation felt when braking or coasting. There’s also a console operated ‘Charge’ button which kicks in the petrol engine to charge the battery when the vehicle is either on the move or when stationary if a dedicated power point is not handy. At-home charging of the PHEV’s under floor 12kW/h lithium ion battery pack is via the supplied charging cable. It takes up to five hours. OFF ROAD Both PHEV variants feature AWD on demand – activated by a switch on

Top: A large rear cargo area remains a big selling point with the hybrid Outlander. Note the cargo blind up top. Middle: Each PHEV comes with a charging kit so you can hook it up to mains power. Bottom: Easily monitored dash gauges keep the driver informed as to the battery’s status. Here I have activated the petrol motor to charge the battery. the centre console – via an advanced torque vectoring system which effectively splits drive equally front to rear for optimum traction. In either electric or petrol assist mode, the system works very well. I gave the PHEV some work on rough fire trails in purely electric mode and found it certainly didn’t lag in power. The brilliant torque vectoring AWD set-up made wheel slip a near impossibility and gives the Outlander serious credentials as an off-road capable SUV. It’s pretty eerie traversing ruts and washouts with only a hum from the electric engine and its sophisticated transmission to break the silence! ON ROAD The PHEV was a delight to drive and I merely kept an eye on the battery state indicator on the dash and activated the petrol engine when power was getting

low. The car won’t stop if the battery is depleted of course; the petrol engine simply takes over to drive the front wheels while topping up the battery system. The run up the Tollbar Range to Toowoomba saw the gearing getting a work out and the petrol engine working pretty hard, but once on the Darling Downs the run to Dalby saw both engines taking it easy. SUMMING UP For families that rarely travel long distances, the new Outlander PHEV is hard to beat. True, the technology comes at a price ($47,490 for the standard model reviewed). However, seeing as there are tremendous fuel savings to be had for the driver who takes full advantage of the electric power system, the owner would soon be smiling, even while the car was still within its 5-year warranty period.

Maroochy Palms Holiday Village Nestled on the banks of the Maroochy River in Maroochydore, right in the heart of the Sunshine Coast, is the fabulous Maroochy Palms Holiday Village. At a mere 5km from the Maroochydore CBD and very handy to the Sunshine Coast airport, Maroochy Palms blends old fashioned customer service with some of the best modern facilities to be found within any holiday park on our coastal strip. A 4.5 star rating will come as no surprise to anyone staying there. Guests are pampered right from the outset. Visitors can be transported from the Sunshine Coast Airport, Nambour Rail Station, or the Maroochydore Bus Terminal via courtesy bus and taken to the Park with its entrance on Bradman Avenue. The Maroochy River is right across the road. GETTING THERE If you have your own vehicle it’s best to take the Sunshine Motorway exit on the east side of the Bruce Highway. This exit is close to the Ettamogah Pub (on the opposite side) which is a landmark that’s hard to miss.

Once you’re on the Sunshine Motorway, take the first Maroochydore exit and stay on the road until you see the Bradman Avenue, Bli Bli exit. Turn left at the first T junction into Bradsman Avenue, and from there it’s only around 500m to the Maroochy Palms Holiday Village. The welcoming signs are hard to miss, including the sign proclaiming this park as a member of the BIG 4 group, which has over 30 holiday parks in Queensland alone. ACCOMMODATION Maroochy Palms is a modern resort style park which caters for campers, caravan owners and people wanting to enjoy luxury cabin-style accommodation. There are almost 200 caravan and camping sites along with villas offering various levels of appointment. The villas are classified as Luxury Spa style, Deluxe and Ensuite, plus open plan Riverside Villas. There are also en suite sites for caravan owners which offer both the convenience of power as well as their own toilet and shower facilities. Concrete slabs for caravans are also on hand, naturally.

All the park’s tent sites are well laid out and are on grassed, level areas with both camp kitchens and BBQs close by. Same as the caravan sites, power is on hand for those that require it. Roads within the park are wide enough to make travel easy, while boat parking at most sites is also stress free. MAIN ATTRACTIONS Within the park and not far from the entrance is a kiosk and store, where a large range of small goods and other

Well equipped villas offer various levels of luxury at Maroochy Palms. The nearby markets and sidewalk cafes of Noosa and Mooloolaba are high on the list of must-do activities, as is a walk through the beautiful

The park’s swim centre caters for all comers, from adults through to small children, with separate pools for each to enjoy.

planning centre offer useful information regarding many local attractions, and can even book visits for you where necessary. The locally owned Storyline Tours are always popular, and prominent nearby attractions include Underwater World at Maroochydore and Australia Zoo.

Above: There’s a free BBQ for guests enjoying a stay in their tents. Above Right: There’s a BBQ and a well set up kitchen overlooking the park’s lake, which is home to some well-fed fish. Right: A boat ramp virtually opposite the Maroochy Palms Holiday Park allows easy boat access to the Maroochy River.

Being well sheltered, the Maroochy River is a great place for small boat owners to enjoy fishing for whiting and bream at this time of year.

attractions such as the pool, lake and golf course. NEARBY INFRASTRUCTURE Located in the heart of the Sunshine Coast, the park is very well placed for visitors seeking that bit of extra enjoyment during their stay. Nearby are several extensive shopping centres, and there are also world class golf courses and other sporting facilities handy, along with theme park attractions and some fabulous surfing beaches. Staff at the park’s reception and

Noosa National Park. If you’re a seafood aficionado, Maroochy Palms reception can arrange transport for you to the renowned Terrace seafood restaurant. Exploring the Noosa River’s upper reaches and wetlands is a rewarding way to spend time thanks to the Everglades Water Bus Company. There are also river tours of the Maroochy River with Maroochy Eco Tours providing half or full days on the water. FISHING THE MAROOCHY RIVER Anglers are going to be drawn to this river, which is clean, pristine and unspoiled. Best of all there’s a boat ramp virtually opposite the Park’s entrance. The Maroochy is a mainly shallow body of water, perfect for anglers with small boats, with the main

fish caught being those that family anglers in particular like to catch and eat. Whiting, flathead and bream are the mainstays with occasional catches of trevally tailor, or mulloway also creating excitement. While there’s great fishing from bank areas there are also wide sandy beaches where yabbies (nippers) can be pumped for bait – and don’t the youngsters just love that sort of activity! On a recent trip to the area I noted several anglers fishing from shore areas, others by boat, and yet in amongst all this activity there were a few sporting types enjoying some kite boarding, the odd jet ski and even a few swimmers. Yet the river fishes consistently well simply because the outflow to the ocean is so very close, with fish able to leave and enter as they please. At this time of year I’d be looking to mainly target bream, and I’d also fish for whiting should there be a fresh present, and give the flatties a go as well. Some people think of flatties as a warm weather fish but a lot are taken through winter as well. Offshore anglers will find the boat ramp at Mooloolaba is only a short drive away and allows easy access to the Sunshine Coast’s prolific reef fishing grounds. In all, Maroochy Palms is a great place for a winter holiday. For more information or to make a booking you can free call 1800 623 316 or phone direct on 07 5443 8611. The email address is enquiries@ maroochypalms.com.au and the web address is www. maroochypalms.com.au.

GLIND CAPE YORKER items are on hand. The kiosk offers tasty meals, is open to 7pm and can deliver meals to a site or villa. Alternatively you can eat them at the BYO courtyard adjoining. There’s also a large swimming pool complex with a special kids’ pool, a large recreation room with table tennis, video games, TV and other attractions, along with half court tennis, mini golf and a gym. A bonus attraction is the large lake at the rear with its bird life and shady ambience. There are also camp kitchens and BBQs to enjoy near the main

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JUNE 2014

Records broken at 9th Sooty Championship Mackay Area Fish Stocking Association (MAFSA) successfully hosted the M Group Tyre and Mechanical 9th World Sooty Championship on Eungella Dam on 3-4 May with a full complement of 100 anglers participating. The event is a major fundraiser for MAFSA, and attracts anglers from far and wide. The tournament is held over 3 sessions starting 1:30pm Saturday and despite very blustery windy conditions, Dean Coghill chose not to work the timbered areas, but instead worked the banks opposite the camp ground and presented 2 sooties to the weigh master within 15 minutes. Dean kept returning to the same area and managed 10 sooties for the afternoon session. As the session closed, all boats returned to log off and present fish for measuring. The Championship is decided on a length overall (LOA) measurement calculated at 1 point per mm, and the 2 best fish for the session are scored to determine the champion angler. A total of 76 fish come in despite the challenging conditions, with fish being caught both in the timber and around the lake margins. The previous largest sooty

record of 487mm was shattered with Daniel Grech presenting a 495mm LOA fish to take the best fish for the session. Steve Lill was the session winner with 945 points and runner-up was Geoff Busbridge with 901 points. Sunday morning dawned chilly and windy. The overnight wind change was not conducive to good fishing and anglers had to work hard during the 6:3010:30pm session. Interest was again on the points. At the end of the weigh-in, Roderick Walmsley from Gladstone arrived with a new record that measured 510mm. With a back-up fish of 489mm, he won the session win with 999 points – another record for the tournament. He was also in the lead overall, with a 2 session total of 1869 points. The final session got underway at 1:30pm and blustery conditions chopped up the surface and made fishing difficult under electric power.

Champion Angler Roderick Walmsley with one of his winning fish. Only 54 fish were presented. ‘Mule’ Parmenter won the best fish of the session with a beaut 490mm fish, while the final session was won by Nicholas Moore with 898 points and

RESULTS Place Angler Points 1................... Roderick Walmsley..................2766 2................... Adrian Pilgrim..........................2483 3................... Blake Hughes...........................2326 4................... Brad Roberts...........................2109 5................... Aaron McKell............................2085

runner-up was the consistent Roderick Walmsley at 897. Roderick Walmsley was awarded the M Group Tyre and Mechanical World Sooty Championship Champion Angler by GM Barry Vella, along with the Best Fish award. The full results can be seen on MAFSA Facebook. WINNER’S REPORT Roderick Walmsley I hadn’t fished the dam before, and my fishing partner Ben Biggs and I were keen to see it and get a feel for its layout. During the pre-fish we found several areas that held fish and also found a standout lure: the Imakatsu Piranha Vibe 60 in the loud full tungsten rattle version. The rest of our gear consisted of the new Gary Loomis Edge MB 664, a 6’6” baitcaster that is extremely sensitive and ultra light. The sensitivity allowed us to feel the instant the lure picked up a bit of weed. I was using a Daiwa Alphas and Benny was casting a Daiwa Steez, both spooled with Toray Jigging braid in 20lb, with 20lb Toray super Hard Natural leader. This probably sounds a bit heavy but the fine diameter of braid and leader made casting easy with very little wind effect.

Session 1 We drove directly to one of the areas that had held a lot of fish. Several other boats had the same idea, and after 20 minutes of peppering the trees none of us had had a bite. We pulled the pin and went to our go-to spot, casting the Piranha 60 to the edge of the weed beds and steadily cranking it out. We both put two fish in the well in less than 45 minutes and immediately left the bank. We didn’t want to overfish it. We headed off to another likely looking bank with a good weed edge which delivered a decent upgrade for me and a 40cm fish for Benny. Session 2 We drove straight to our go-to bay and again had it all to ourselves. We filled our bag casting the Piranhas and the average fish size was larger. A few other boats moved into the bay and it looked like the strong westerly wasn’t helping things in the main basin. We headed back to the point that had produced the upgrade the session before and it did the same again. I pinned a very good upgrade. We didn’t want to catch any more fish as we wanted to give ourselves a fighting chance in the historically tough final session, so we headed in early. We measured our fish and discovered that one was over 50cm – the biggest ever weighed in the event. We then replaced our leaders were once again, and inspected our lures and hooks are checked. We didn’t want to leave anything to chance. Session 3 We left in the second last group of boats and when we arrived we found another boat sitting on our bank. What to do? I decided to leave the bank to him as he was there first, and I drove to the opposite bank which we hadn’t been on since pre-fish. Karma was with us as I hooked a fish on the very first cast! I soon filled my bag, and after getting a good upgrade gave the front

of the boat up to Benny to see if he could get his bag filled. Once again all our fish were caught on the Piranhas. This time we used a faster retrieve and relied on a reaction bite. We did mix it up in the session with several other lures to try to show the fish something different, but the Piranha kept getting the bites. With 5 minutes to go Benny dropped a good fish trying to keep it away from the weed, the only fish he lost all comp, which was real blow. We headed back to the weigh in. The two fish in the well were enough to consolidate my win. Benny ended up with a very credible 7th place, and we both took home a few great prizes. Keys to success Key to our success was the productive pre fish. We relied heavily on my Humminbird 898 Side Imaging sounder to locate the fish-holding structure. The key to picking the right weed was bait. If you could make out patches of bait on the edge of the weed then the sooties weren’t far behind. Secondly I had mounted a Humminbird 698 SI DI unit on the bow to give me Side Imaging and Down Imaging as an option on the bow rather than just having standard sonar. This game me a better view as to what I was casting at, giving me an edge over my competitors. The smaller, isolated clumps of weed seemed to hold most of the fish and we moved fast under electric power till we marked these sparse areas and then slowed down and fished them thoroughly. Once we landed a fish we used the iPilot’s ‘Spot Lock’ to anchor us, ensuring that the strong winds didn’t push the boat over the areas we wanted to fish. I would just like to say a big thank you to all the organisers of the World Sooty Grunter Championships. It was a great experience and I’ll be back next year. - Keith Day, Roderick Walmsley

CONTACT YOUR NEAREST DEALER Bundaberg Cairns Mackay

Adrians Marine Centre P 07 4153 1819 E adriansmarinecentre@bigpond.com Aussie Marine P 07 4033 8800 E sales@aussiemarine.com.au Shane Morrison Marine P 07 4951 1991 E sales@shanemorrisonmarine.com.au

For more boats visit:

JUNE 2014

www.polycraft.com.au

The event attracted anglers from far and wide, with some entrants travelling from as far away as the Gold Coast and even NSW.

Isisford Annual Fishing Comp The Isisford Barcoo Recreational Fishing Club invites you to their annual fishing competition, on the banks of the Barcoo River at the good old ‘Oma Waterhole’. It will be held on the weekend of 27-28 July, 2014. The competition starts at 10am Saturday and finishes 11am Sunday, and competitors can fish all day and all night if they wish. The only requirement is that the fish have to be measured alive. Nominations are taken on

Friday afternoon at the Control Point from 1pm to 6pm and then start again on Saturday morning around 7.30am. Friday night entertainment will be Friday night football televised on the big screen at the control point, and bar will be open plus raffles. Categories are adult and junior, and eligible species are yellowbelly, black bream and cat fish. nomination fees are $20 for adults and $5 for juniors. You don’t have to catch a fish to be in the draws; your name automatically goes

A proud catch for the Cape locals.

Wiz and Freddy show off their results from the 2013 Isisford Comp.

in the draw for both majors and smaller draws. The Barcoo River Rats have included a team competition for fun, which involves teams of five. The team has to be registered and each team member registers his/her fish (one fish only). Once measured that team member cannot enter any other fish. The winning team is the total length of the five fish measured. It all starts happening on Saturday with nominations,

displays, raffles and merchandise. The fishing comp will be catering for food over the weekend with a spit roast on Saturday night. The bar will be open all weekend, and there will be novelty events on Saturday afternoon at 2pm (wool bale rolling, foot racing, children’s sack racing, women’s horse shoe throwing and children’s bobbing competition and golf chipping competition). Saturday night will feature The Boys, a live band from Toowoomba.

Kylie Dows with her catch at last year’s comp. Portable toilets will be available along the river bank and little Oma, and toilets and showers are available at the control point. Firewood is limited this year due to availability so please bring your own. Prizes and presentation will take place on Sunday at

12pm, and competitors need to be present for the major prize draws. There are great prizes to be won, both cash and random draws, thanks to the generous sponsors. For more information visit www.isisfordfishingcomp. com.au or phone 0427 588 113. - IBRFC

ISISFORD BARCOO RECRECREATIONAL FISHING ASSOC. INC, WELCOMES YOU TO COME ALONG TO

SOUTHERN CROSS TELEVISION & ISISFORD

FISHING COMPETITION

at the Oma Waterhole 16km S/W of Isisford SATURDAY 26TH & SUNDAY 27TH JULY , 2014 STARTING 10AM SATURDAY & FINISHING 11AM SUNDAY STARTING 10AM SATURDAY & FINISHING 11AM Main Categories Include for both Junior & Adults: LONGEST YELLOWBELLY, LONGEST CATFISH & LONGEST BLACK BREAM – See website for more details for prizes Cash Prizes for (1ST, 2ND & 3RD) for Adult & Juniors Longest Yellowbelly- Adult - 1st Prize $1200.00 Cash (Ernie Dagan Memorial Shield) & Engel fridge Mystery Catch for the Juniors- Prize is a Viking Kayak to the value of $400.00 Mystery Length for the Adults - $300 (Between ? to ?) To be announced at the start of the comp.

Prizes for Best Team Events: Best Named & Best Theme Team Catch – Yellowbelly Comp

“OMA WATTA A MAD MOB”

O’Dell Plumbing David Bell Electrical, Wild Game Meats, BCF Emerald, Caltex Petroleum Australia, Longreach Outdoor Centre, Traffic Control Signs, Dale & Chris Bignell, Dean & Kate Shearing Ilfracombe, Outback Qld Internet, Longreach Freighters, Smith Bros Longreach, Qld Fishing Monthly, Hart’s Family Grocery Store, SA & A Hollowood Builders, George Bourne & Assoc, Schluter’s Bakery, Barcoo Butchery, Tiverton Horse Spelling Complex, The Bailey Family, The Ogden Family, The Bignell Family, Lisa & Tom Littlewood, Jan Taylor, Barcoo Spares, Amalgamated Pest Control Longreach (at time of printing)

MEET & GREET FRIDAY NIGHT (TELEVISED FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTY), GREAT CASH PRIZES AND $1500 CASH ADULT MAJOR DRAW, RANDOM DRAWS TO BE WON, NOVELTIES, FISHING DISPLAYS, RAFFLES (Viking Kayak), ENTERTAINMENT with Live Band “The Boys”, BAR, FOOD AND GOOD COMPANY (NO BOATS OR ANYTYPE OF WATERCRAFT) PORTALOOS SITUATED ALONG RIVER & LIMITED FIREWOOD FOR FURTHER INFORMATION VISIT OUR WEBSITE ON www.isisfordfishingcomp.com.au or email catch1@isisfordfishingcomp.com.au or contact Secretary 0427588069 JUNE 2014

Moondarra Classic The Lake Moondarra Fishing Classic, one of Outback Queensland’s most iconic annual events, is undergoing an overhaul in 2014. Now in its 16th year, the much-loved event will see organisers the Mount Isa Fish Stocking Group face adversity head-on in the form of drought and

forecast low water levels for Lake Moondarra. Having never been cancelled in its long running history, organisers decided to take a positive spin on the forecast, reformatting the event to allow for any water level. The man tasked with driving the event to success is new Event Manager

Steve Farnsworth. “I have been involved with the Fishing Classic as Weigh Master since the comp’s inception in 1999, and with the Fish Stocking Group for even longer,” Steve said. “The Classic is a hugely important event for Mount Isa and the northwest, and to simply cancel it due to forecasted

Happy competitors pose for a photo at the 2013 Classic.

Last year’s Lucky Angler cash prize presentation.

low water levels just wasn’t something we [Mount Isa Fish Stocking Group] were willing to do. “The Classic is a major fundraising platform for community organisations and a major event on the annual tourism and recreational calendar, so we just had to get creative with our program.” With further details to be released over the coming weeks, Steve went on to reveal that the 2014 Lake Moondarra

Fishing Classic would be hosted over a revised two-day format: 6pm Friday October 24 through to 5pm Saturday October 25, with Saturday evening when fishing concludes to include the presentations, live entertainment and (all going well) the popular fireworks spectacular. Still boasting aspects such as camping, beach volleyball, bars, food and of course fishing with thousands of dollars in prizes up for grabs, Steve

also hinted that with records showing the majority of fish traditionally being weighed in between Friday night and Saturday morning, 2014 could just be a record year no matter what the fishing format. More information on the 2014 Lake Moondarra Fishing Classic is available at www.lakemoondarrafishing classic.com.au and social media pages. Competitors, spectators and fans are encouraged to stay tuned for more news as it is released. - MIFSG

TOURNAMENT CALENDAR 2014 DATE DETAILS

CONTACT

Jun 6-9

Wilson Moreton Bay Offshore Family Fishing Challenge Moreton Bay

Matt Savas 0415 149 350

Jun 7-8

Cabarita Greenback Tailor Competition Cabarita

John O’Donnel 0400 042 192

Jun 8

Bluefin Boats BASS Electric Series Maroon Dam

ABT 07 3387 0888

Jun 21-22

2014 Daiwa-Hobie Kayak Bream R10 Redcliffe

Hobie Fishing www.hobiefishing.com.au

Jun 21-22

ABBT Basstasstic Bass Qualifying Rd 4 Boondooma Dam

Russell Nowland 07 4167 8183

Jul 5-6

Toray BASS Pro Series Lake Boondooma

ABT 07 3387 0888

Jul 13

Bluefin Boats BASS Electric Series Wivenhoe Dam

ABT 07 3387 0888

July 19-20

2014 Daiwa-Hobie Kayak Bream R10 Gold Coast

Hobie Fishing www.hobiefishing.com.au

July 19-20

ABBT X-Factor Australian Teams Rd 2 Cania Dam

Russell Nowland 07 4167 8183

Jul 26-27

ABT BREAM Series Clarence River

ABT 07 3387 0888

AUGUST

Aug 16-17

2014 Daiwa-Hobie Kayak Bream R10 Mooloolabah

Hobie Fishing www.hobiefishing.com.au

Aug 16-17

ABBT Basstasstic Bass Qualifying Rd 5 Moogerah

Russell Nowland 07 4167 8183

Aug 23-24

Bluefin Boats BASS Electric Series (Major) Moogerah Dam

ABT 07 3387 0888

Aug 31

Daiwa-Hobie Kayak BASS Series Moogerah Dam

ABT 07 3387 0888

JUNE

JULY

For listings please email sbooth@fishingmonthly.com.au 88

JUNE 2014

Impoundment bass on fly BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

Without the customary summer floods, our South Queensland impoundment bass have been confined to quarters. There’s been none of that ducking over the dam wall to take a look at what lies beyond! Populations remain stable, impoundment edges remain much unchanged so flyfishing for these great fighting fish isn’t too difficult. A boat is pretty much essential of course, and so is a sounder that you’re familiar with. To catch bass you have to find them but, because the fish like to gather in big schools during winter, a sounder makes this pretty easy. More on that later. First let’s look at the best gear for chasing bass. TACKLE SELECTION Flyfishing demands that you use the correct tackle for the job, and there are two main styles of fishing to consider. Scenario one: there’s soft structure such as weeds or lilies around edges, which is ideal for surface fishing at times of low light. This special time sees bass actively searching close to the margins for their next feed. In impoundments such as Borumba and Maroon dams with their prolific weed beds, it’s sheer magic.

It’s hard to go past one of the Gurgler series of dry flies for working weedy edges in bass impoundments. dams do. Again, a sinking fly line will a great asset. With line selection complete the next consideration is the weight of the fly outfit. The larger impoundments turn out bass between 40-55cm, while Maroon has a smaller class of fish (but plenty of them) with a big one measuring around 38-40cm. A 6wt outfit fills all requirements. It might be a tad over-gunned for Maroon fish but it’s definitely not for some of the horses that will be caught in lakes Moogerah, Somerset and Wivenhoe this winter. FINDING BASS Being on the water at dawn or dusk with the floating gear in use should see the occasional rise around weed

A showing of bass on the sounder like this one means that a fish on the fly line won’t be far off. Scenario two: you’re in Lake Somerset, Wivenhoe or Moogerah. These dams are largely devoid of soft structure so there’s little incentive for bass to work shore areas. As a result, all flyfishing involves a fast sinking fly line with the angler using the sounder to locate fish in depths up to 15m. On this basis a sinking line is important for impoundments without weed beds and a floating line used where weed beds are a feature. Keep in mind that when the fish in Maroon and Borumba have finished their morning patrol of the weed beds they will school up in deeper water like their mates in the other

edges, so casting into a small bay, an opening in a weed bed, or next to lily pads will usually bear fruit, even if you haven’t seen much surface activity. Let your fly (a Grabhams Gurgler or Gartside Gurgler) sit until a fish finds it, and perhaps give it just a tiny twitch now and again. When fishing deep water it’s entirely different. The sounder comes into its own and there’s a need to thoroughly understand what’s on the screen. Schooled fish are what we are looking for, and handy starting points to locate them are deep water close to the ends of points or areas of river flats next to submerged river or creek beds. The clue is to simply cover likely areas until you

Lily pads and weed beds are made for surface fly work on bass.

This big Lake Somerset bass was taken on a Bony Bream fly, visible near the angler’s thumb.

Boats quickly congregate when a school of bass is found, as we see here on Lake Somerset.

There are virtually no limits to colours for the ubiquitous Vampires. They all work on deep holding bass.

spot fish in good numbers. If the fish on the sounder are bass it’s common to see them moving up, down and across a sonar screen (or appearing as a host of dots on a side scan unit). Dropping a marker or establishing a GPS waypoint is important as it allows you to work out what direction the fish are moving. And trust me on this – they always seem to move as they feed. CATCHING BASS You’ve found the fish, now you need to catch them. The main flies used these days are still the ubiquitous Vampire patterns and bony bream imitations, both in size 2. Purple and black Vampires

are much favoured but bass will also take red and purple or black and red Vampires. The smart move is to change a fly for another colour if it’s not taken after a few passes through a school. Bony bream flies are great simply because the predominant baitfish in the big dams is the bony bream. Successful deep fly work involves getting the fly down into the schooled fish and then bringing it back through them in very small tweaks and twitches. If you can master the technique of only a 20cm or 30cm strip each time, with a one or two second pause between each, you should feel a bite pretty quickly. Remember though, you can’t just lower the fly into the school of fish like a vibe or similar reaction lure. You should cast your fly as far away as possible, then allow it to sink almost to the bottom (counting it down as per the fly line manufacturer’s specs will make it easier). Then bring it back through the feeding fish for as long as possible. Sometimes it might pay to retrieve it halfway before dropping it back, especially if you feel a small pick. Remember that it’s important to keep the retrieve going right to the boat before you make your next cast; fish will often follow the fly right up and whack it in the last few metres of travel. LAST THOUGHTS When fishing impoundments it’s good to make an early start as the schooled up fish seem to feed early then taper off towards mid morning. It might be cold and foggy but the fishing is usually worth it. Interestingly, evenings in the big dams are usually pretty quiet for some reason. Remember that fishing most Queensland impoundments requires a Stocked Impoundment Permit, while Lakes Somerset and Wivenhoe also require boating permits. And don’t forget the red claw pots. Most impoundments have these tasty crustaceans and they are still catchable in winter. JUNE 2014

DIY kayak wheels AYR

Steve Farmer

Fishing kayaks seem to be getting larger, more extensively fitted out and, as a result, heavier, these days. Craft, which were once thought of as portable and minimalistic, are now decked out with all the bells and whistles and, combined with their unwieldy bulk, they can be a struggle to move single-handed. Unless you own a basic, ultra lightweight yak, chances are you won’t be carrying your fishing machine very far unassisted. Assistance can be in the form of another angler (fine if you are fishing with a mate every time you hit the water) or in the form of a set of kayak wheels. This accessory is almost essential for the larger kayaks and can make child’s play of

shifting your boat from the shed to the car or from the car to the water. There are plenty of commercial models available that range from $50-$160, but I reckoned I had enough bits and pieces lying about in the shed (stuff my wife refers to as ‘junk’! Can you believe?) to knock up a set of wheels at next to no cost. The design I will detail below is suitable only for sit-on-top kayaks with vertical scupper holes through the hull. Before you begin construction of your kayak wheels consider where the wheels will best fit under the kayak. Ideally you’ll want a slightly bow-heavy rig for ease of movement, so the position of the wheels is important. Of course, with this type of trolley wheel assembly the position of your wheels is limited to the position of your scupper holes.

When determining the best position for your wheels remember to include any standard load you may carry. For example, if you carry an icebox in the rear cargo bay you may have to move your wheels further astern to obtain the balance you want. Fortunately the load most fishing kayakers carry is minimal and shouldn’t be a problem. I began construction of my yak wheels by cutting two pieces of 30mm 2 hardwood at around 40cm long. These were for the legs, which would fit through the scupper holes in the cargo bay of the kayak. This length allowed around 5cm excess on both ends for later trimming to the exact, desired length. I chose hardwood rather than pine for the strength it provided. The 30mm2 timber was actually a little oversize for the scupper holes, but by

but not excessively sloppy, is the go. With the two legs fitted into the scupper holes of the

width of the gussets you will now cut from 10mm plywood. The height of the gusset should be around

stern the more weight you will have to lift when you move the yak. The next step is to assemble the undercarriage by screwing the two gussets to one of the legs, flush with the outside edge. The position of the gusset on the leg should be such that the leg just protrudes out the top of the scupper hole when the gusset is resting on the hull. You can then slide the second leg between the two gussets and G-clamp it in position. The clamp allows you to make minor adjustments until the legs drop easily into the scupper holes. Once you’re happy with the positioning of the legs, screw the gussets to the second leg, remove

rounding the edges on the top 15cm of the hardwood with a file and sandpaper, I was able to achieve a loose fit. This was to allow the legs to easily fit into the scupper holes. You may have to vary the size of the timber or the amount of rounding required to suit the size of your scupper holes. Don’t make them fit too neatly or you’ll have trouble fitting the completed wheels. Loose,

upturned kayak, measure the distance between their outside edges. The loose fit of the legs will result in a range of measurements, but try to settle on an average so that the final product will slip easily into place without being tight in the scupper holes. Add another 30mm to this measurement as excess to be trimmed when the legs are eventually fitted and screwed together. This measurement is the

12cm, depending on the height you want your kayak to be above the ground when it’s sitting on the trolley. Too high and it may be unstable and too low and the kayak may drag on the ground. The ideal height will depend on where the wheels are fitted – close to the stern with minimal rear overhang means the trolley height can be less. Just remember that the closer the wheels are to the

the clamp and cut off the excess plywood that is overhanging. I then transferred the shape of the hull to the gussets and used a jigsaw to cut a curved section out of the top of the gussets. This allowed the kayak to sit snugly in the undercarriage, making it more stable both at rest and on the move. The final bit of woodwork on the undercarriage was to cut the legs off flush with

The kayak wheels fit into the rear cargo bay of my Prowler 13.

Top Left: A stainless steel split pin attaches the wheels to the axles. Top Right: The axles are bolted to the timber legs with a stainless steel Nyloc nut. Bottom Left: The axles for the golf bag trolley wheels were made from 1/2” stainless steel round and attached through the timber legs of the undercarriage. Bottom Right: The legs are cut flush with the floor of the cargo bay. Note the clearance between the hardwood leg and the scupper hole.

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5 Hobie Mirage Drive Pro Anglers and 1 Hobie Double Oasis in the fleet all fishing gear provided.

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JUNE 2014

which was then passed through a 1/2” hole drilled in the hardwood leg. A stainless steel washer and a Nyloc locking nut then secured the axle to the leg before the excess threaded section was hacksawed off just clear of the locking nut. The wheel was then fitted to the axle, followed by a flat washer. Next a 3mm hole was drilled through the axle to take a split pin that held the wheel in place. Finally any excess shaft was cut off and the edges filed smooth. With the wheels finished I fitted them to the Prowler 13 and took it for a test run around the

The trolley fitted and ready to roll.

backyard. They performed perfectly, allowing me to almost effortlessly move the kayak, especially on the concrete driveway. I have since put them through the ultimate test across soft sand and they performed better than I had expected. If I’m launching at a boat ramp the wheels allow me to park well clear of the ramp, unload the kayak from the roof cradle and then trundle it effortlessly to the water without holding up other ramp users. With the initial test run complete I disassembled the wheel trolley, glued (with epoxy glue) and re-screwed the gussets and painted all timberwork for both protection and looks. My kayak wheels have proven themselves over the past three or four years. They are lightweight, cheap, simple, easy to build, maintenance-free and very effective. They are also just small enough to fit into the rear cargo bay of the Prowler, avoiding the need for me to run them back to the car when I get the yak to the water’s edge. If you’ve got a sit-on-top kayak and a shed full of ‘junk’ you too could take the struggle out of your day on the water by building your own kayak wheels at next to no cost.

Above Left: The completed kayak trolley. The curved section cut out of the top of the gussets fits the shape of the kayak hull. Above Right: The kayak is rolled onto its beam and the trolley is slotted into the scupper holes. the floor of the cargo bay so they wouldn’t interfere with the load-carrying ability of the Prowler. The next consideration was the wheels and this is potentially the most expensive part of the accessory. Fortunately I had an old golf bag trolley amongst my junk…I mean treasures…and I was able to rob the wheels off that. Actually the wheels were ideal as kayak trolley

wheels. They were plastic or nylon (meaning they wouldn’t corrode in the salty environment) and they were flat, around 75mm wide and 240mm in diameter (meaning they should travel fairly well across soft sand). They were designed to run on a 1/2” axle in simple nylon bushes, meaning they should be maintenance-free. I made the axles from 1/2” diameter stainless

steel round rod, threaded on one end where it passed through the hardwood legs. You may be able to buy a long, 1/2” stainless steel bolt with sufficiently long threaded and unthreaded sections to make the axle. Failing that you’ll have to buy the rod and have the thread cut at your local engineering workshop. A stainless steel nut and a flat washer were fitted onto the threaded section,

WIN

A POWER-POLE MICRO ANCHOR FROM

COMPETITION Fishing Monthly Magazines in partnership with Power-Pole and Hobie Cat® Australasia have created a competition where you can win one of these fantastic Micro Anchors for your kayak or tinnie. It’s easy to win, just collect the three “code words” from the Power-Pole Micro Anchor ads in the May, June and July Issues of the magazine. Enter the code words on this entry form and send it in for your chance to be in the draw. First correct entry drawn wins the prize. Entries close July 31, 2014. Winners published September issue. May code word: June code word: July code word: Name: Address: Phone [Day]: Email:

State:

P/C:

Send your entries to Micro Anchor Competition P O Box 3172 Loganholme, Qld, 4129 With the rear mounted trolley the kayak is slightly bow heavy, but still easy to move around.

If you miss an issue of the magazine you can find previous issues archived digitally for free at www.issuu.com JUNE 2014

Testing Booth

Ecogearaqua Bream Prawns in the right areas and usually attract the attention of the bream before they’ll even swim over to look at it. If anything a bream will hold on to a bio-bait longer than a plastic bait, giving you a better opportunity to set the single hook into the fish’s mouth. Bio-baits need to be looked after once the packet is opened. At the very

FMG

Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

Fishing Monthly is proud of the fact that these Testing Booth articles are only completed after the author has had a thorough test of the product. I can definitely say that I’ve put my time in using Ecogearaqua and feel confident that I can give you some tips on how to get the best from it when you put some on. BACKGROUND Ecogearaqua is a Japanese made ‘bio-bait’ – a manufactured, bio-degradable ‘bait’ that’s shaped and meant to be fished like a soft plastic lure. A bio-bait usually dries out when left in the open air. If you leave any of these baits on a jighead overnight, you’ll come back to a shriveled, hard little miniature of your bait the next day. One thing I’ll guarantee is that if you turn up to a bream tournament and start asking questions about Berkley Gulp, Strike Pro Reaction Baits and Ecogearaqua, you’ll start a debate about whether these manufactured ‘bio-baits’ are actually a ‘lure’ or a ‘bait’ as in the ‘bait fishing’ context of the word. A lot of research goes into bio-baits from big tackle manufacturers and the results are obvious. Bream have no problems

looking like one. It won the AFTA Best Soft Lure award in 2011. In their natural environment, prawns tend to swim horizontally and rigging these baits so that they do the same will have you catching plenty of bream. This can be achieved easily with either a weightless or a HWS rigging. This quality black bream scoffed an unweighted Bream Prawn in a foot of water.

Specialised containers and solvents are available to keep your baits in top condition. picking these offerings up off the bottom and eating them based on their inherent taste. Some anglers argue that it shouldn’t be allowed in a lure-fishing tournament because you can catch a fish by simply casting it out and leaving it sit there. Obviously, those who argue that have never fished a topwater or stickbait and have had one of these eaten on a slack line after the cast. In reality, though, fishing a bio-bait isn’t the panacea that it may seem. You still need to fish them

There’s an “International” version of the 50mm Bream Prawn called a “Swim Shrimp”.

This product won the AFTA Best Soft Lure award in 2011. 92

JUNE 2014

least, you need to re-seal the original pack with the ‘juice’ that came with them to prevent the baits drying out. Plenty of anglers choose to consolidate their opened bio-baits in a waterproof container filled with additional solvents. Ecogearaqua offers tubs and solvents as part of their product line and there should be available from the same tackle stores that stock the Ecogearaqua product. THE BREAM PRAWN The Bream Prawn is one particular shape of Ecogearaqua that’s available in the Australian market. Available in two sizes (40mm and 50mm), it vaguely resembles an estuary prawn to look at. I believe that the action of the lure much more resembles the swimming action of a prawn rather than the bait

Both allow an Ecogearaqua to glide naturally through the water and sink relatively horizontally after you lift it off the bottom. ‘Weightless’ rigging tends to work well while targeting structure or sight casting to free swimming fish. It also skip-casts exceptionally well, so you’ll end up thinking you’re a casting genius as the baits skip into corners and under ledges that you wouldn’t reach with other boats. This style of presentation works well with a braid and light leader combination. As the bait free-falls, you need to watch the line for evidence of a fish taking the presentation and the line-leader join offers an excellent strike-indicator. A variation on this technique involves fishing the Aqua like a topwater – cast and immediately start a medium retrieve – swimming the Aqua along the surface. If you see a fish following or get to the point of the retrieve where you can’t see the bottom under the lure, stop and let the lure freefall. Following bream have difficulty resisting the presentation – especially once they get close to the Aqua and get a taste of the scent.

SPECIFICATIONS Ecogearaqua is sold in re-sealable packs of 8 baits. There are 8 colours in the range which consists on 40mm and 50mm sizes. In my experience the 40mm version is best for jighead rigging and the 50 is best used for unweighted presentations.

With both HWS and weightless, worm-hook rigging, it’s pretty important to strike hard enough to set the hook into the mouth. When you come up tight on a big strike, it’s a great, visual experience. THE JIGHEAD RETRIEVE An Ecogearaqua rigged on a jighead tends to ‘glide’ quite well. The guys I’ve fished with that catch the most on Ecogearaqua usually replace a ‘hop’ off the bottom with a long lift and draw, feeling for takes as the bait ‘swims’ back to the bottom on a tight line with your rod still high in the air. In this prawn genre, you can really see the difference between the Ecogearaqua and regular plastic baits. I use a very different retrieve for the Ecogearaqua than a plastic bait. Let me explain. If you fed a hungry bream a plastic bait and a bio-bait, the fish would eventually spit the plastic bait out. Therefore, when fishing a plastic bait, it’s quite important to detect the bite early and set the hooks before this happens. On the other hand, as the bream is more likely to hold onto and eat an Ecogearaqua, I can fish the same area with straight through fluorocarbon line. The bream is more likely to eat, rather than grab the bait, which puts the hook in exactly the right position for a more solid hookup. Naturally, the chances of tearing the hook free on the stretchier fluorocarbon are much smaller. And in my experience that’s exactly how it plays out. Braid will give you a quicker, but less reliable hookup. Fluorocarbon will give you a slower hookup but much less chance of it falling out. You need to work out what gives you and your angling style the best results. But the most important thing to remember is to ‘glide’ the bait and not ‘hop’ it. Ecogearaqua smells good to the fish and they eat it. Give them the chance to.

TABS Bullshark 430 BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

Back in 2000 we took delivery of a 4.2 TABS Bullshark (P420) powered by a 25hp electric start power trim/tilt Evinrude E-Tec. Moving up from a 3.65m tinny to the puntstyle Bullshark opened up a lot of fishing opportunities everywhere from southern Queensland to Weipa. We loved everything about our original Bullshark. Stylish flat sides set her apart from many other craft and we enjoyed the terrific stability, great storage space and the amazingly soft ride that the Bullsharks all share. TABS have incorporated just the right amount of bow entry shape and flare along with well formed under-hull strakes to give these boats an exceptional ride. Like most anglers I enjoy upgrading my boats from time to time, and this was to be a serious upgrade – a new hull, larger motor, new electric and new sounder. I stayed with the old trailer as it had received a heavyduty after-market upgrade to handle rough road travel. Rough road travel also makes demands on a hull which is where the Bullshark shines. These are very solidly built craft with a massive under floor stringer and cross

carpet re-gluing on a deck hatch plus a few tiny areas of pitting around a couple of the two dozen press studs I screwed into the top of the sides in order to attach a cover while travelling. I should have treated these studs with anti-corrosive material prior to their being fixed to the boat! STAYED WITH TABS So why stick with TABS when there are so many similar punt-style craft on the market? Well, I’ve driven and ridden in a lot of boats over the years and I understand what features combine to make a really good boat. Build quality is paramount, and I knew the Bullshark could last the distance in the salt. A ride that is a soft and dry as possible is also paramount. Note the proviso ‘as possible’ . You can’t expect to travel side-on across wind-driven chop without getting wet to some extent. That’s impossible in a small open boat. But if you’re heading into (or with) chop or wave action it’s a bonus to see all spray and displaced water being pushed off to the side rather than up into the boat. Finish and value for money are also important factors. A boat that is properly finished stays that way for a lot of hard use. Value for money is there with TABS craft, as well.

gutsy direct fuel-injected 25hp two stroke but with four adults aboard the engine was working pretty hard at times, especially in rougher conditions. Not surprisingly, the 40hp, 863cc, twin-cylinder E-Tec has proved very powerful, but more on this later. OPEN LAYOUT The 4300’s general layout sees the craft very suited to any sort of estuary, river, impoundment or even bay conditions. It rides well, there’s a lot of work room, plenty of sheltered storage, a big catch well and unbelievable stability courtesy of the punt’s design. We love our flyfishing when we can do it and it’s a huge bonus to walk around all over the boat while casting or playing a fish without noticing any leaning. The 4300 is constructed from 3mm alloy bottom and sides. Overall dimensions are 4.3m long, 1.85m wide, side height is 600mm and that’s quite ideal. High sides might look nice but they do create windage issues when drifting a bank in stealth mode and casting ahead. Twin casting platforms aft sit atop compartments for the battery and fuel tank. The 4300’s cockpit is noticeably larger at 1800mm long and 1700mm wide. The off floor side pocket to port is full cockpit length.

Whiting time at Jumpinpin with wife Denise onto a fat fish. beam system to maintain utmost rigidity and internal support throughout the entire hull. Such strength in construction means the boat is no light weight; the 4300’s hull weighs nearly 250kg, which adds to the ride quality. Four years of ownership revealed very few imperfections in Bullshark No. 1. The only issues were a few small dents caused by our rough treatment, some 94

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So when TABS announced the release of the slightly larger 4300 model I saw the opportunity to re-power a new craft with more sting in the stern area and ordered a power trim/tilt 40 hp E-Tec to take care of those four-aboard days. In fairness the original 25 E-Tec was a brilliant motor given its modest size. With two up or three up the craft was easily powered by the

We opted for another mini side console set in the helm area to starboard for the new craft, with all switches plus a RAM bracket for the sounder being established on the console. We also ordered twin rod holders aft for offshore trolling. Flexibility in seating arrangements is a handy feature thanks to two seat spigots aft, another forward in the main cockpit area

It’s all about the ride, the 4300 Bullshark making easy work of chop in the Jumpinpin area. to port, another up on the 400mm high casting platform up front. TABS are using new seats these days and they are very well padded. The front platform is 1560mm wide, 1530mm long and 400mm high, and it’s a great place for two of us to fly fish or cast lures in comfort and total safety. A 65L plumbed catch well up front is very useful, as are paired hatches to

in the previous rig so I opted for Lowrance again. This time it was the HDS7 to be mounted on the RAM bracket attached to the Bullshark’s mini console. Other items of significance were the Minn Kota 65 Riptide i-Pilot with its very useful Spot Lock and other features, a set of Korr internal lights plus a six LED Korr spotlight mounted under the electric motor

is a 17kg difference in engine weight on the transom which doubtlessly contributes to ride quality. 40HP EVINRUDE E-TEC The 40hp E-Tec has amazed me with both its smoothness and sheer grunt. Starting first revolution of the engine once the key is turned, the 863cc twin (the 50 and 60 E-Tecs share the same block) planes the rig at 12.6km/h with two aboard.

Immense stability is one of the strengths of the Bullshark’s design. access the flat based storage area below the deck. Generous hatch size means we can stow another 25L tote tank of fuel up front when undertaking really long runs. A pad for an electric motor sits to port at the bow, with the lidded anchor well beside it. ADDITIONS A sounder upgrade was a no brainer. I’d had a great run with the Lowrance unit

bracket for confident boating in Borumba and other dams at night. GPS systems are good but I’ve got a fixation about actually seeing what’s there as well. It was a big upgrade but time on the water has proven it was the right choice. I believe wholeheartedly that the hull, despite having only 100mm difference in length, is softer riding than its predecessor. Of course, there

Three aboard still sees the rig planing at the same speed; it seems there’s no replacement for displacement! Speed runs also proved the worth of the big block engine. With two people aboard with a combined weight of 160kg, the HDS7 recorded 54.8km/h. With an extra passenger (a big bloke) aboard, combined passenger weight was 290kg but the GPS still recorded 49.6km/h.

Another satisfactory facet of the 40 E-Tec is the seeming lack of expensive XD100 oil consumption. At the modest speeds I prefer it just doesn’t consume the stuff. Fuel use is also very favourable so long as I don’t opt to go flat chat everywhere; 45km/h is a great cruising speed. LOWRANCE HDS7 The Lowrance HDS7 Gen2 Touch Screen unit is one of the best investments in fishing pleasure I’ve ever made. Tutored by Tech Fishing’s Nick Whyte I quickly grasped the features that make it so different from my previous Lowrance units where I relied solely on sonar imaging to find features and fish. Structure Scan side imaging does take some practice and time on the water to become accustomed to, but once you’ve mastered

Our 4300 Bullshark on her maiden voyage - destination Baffle Creek.

Almost ready for the stringers, the 4300’s hull takes shape. Build quality of this order ensures that the craft retains a long working life. the system and have become familiar with identifying fish, it’s an awesome fishing tool. The HDS7 also provides the option of total sonar imaging if you require it. Screens can be customised. I’ve utilised a Lowrance screen option to set up one half of the screen to sonar scan, the other to Structure Scan. I also have the same set up with the addition of a GPS track in a top corner so if I see something that warrants investigation by means of fly, lure or plastic it’s dead simple to whip back to the spot and see what’s doing. Fishing the Brisbane River lately has seen the Structure Scan in use virtually all the time, with some pretty satisfying results on threadies, snapper and mulloway. LOWRANCE SONIC HUB Topping the HDS7 cake is some delicious icing: a Lowrance Sonic Hub unit. I can listen to any of 200 of my favourite songs via a USB connection. With its many options for sound, including good old-fashioned radio or

iPod, the Sonic Hub is a very versatile option for some light entertainment when fishing. IPILOT, ILOVE The Minn Kota iPilot with its hand control unit has also been a big winner for us. In situations where it’s necessary to keep the boat steady on a given spot, or to maintain a predetermined but slow course – perhaps to keep us above a school of fish when there’s wind or current at play – the iPilot has been a huge asset. I also purchased an additional foot control for times when it’s vital to keep both hands and mind on the rod when a fish is playing up. I’ve seen some really frustrated anglers who lost fish through concentrating on a hand control unit instead of their line. PROS AND CONS Those are the big pluses in the package but, because all boats have compromises you need to be happy to live with, there must be some minuses as well. In truth, about the only thing that tended to annoy me (at least at first) was the 40’s longer tiller arm in comparison

to that of the 25. It extends a lot further beside my seat. Realistically though, the 40 E-Tec has a lot of torque and it’s necessary to have a longer tiller arm for proper control. Nor is there any fault with the seat: it’s a well padded Relaxyn job with a strong back rest. It’s also in the correct position to both maximise cockpit space and be ideally placed to cater for longer, or shorter, tiller arms. However, in order to turn sharply to port I need to lift the 40’s tiller arm vertically upwards (which it does easily enough) and the somewhat reduced leverage makes it harder to turn. At any rate I’m accustomed to it so these days it’s no biggie. In all, the new Bullshark has proven a very satisfactory package for our style of fishing whether it’s fly, lure or bait.

Mick Chelepy caught this monster king threadfin salmon in the Fitzroy system in Rockhampton. It’s not a common catch in these waters and this specimen went an impressive 1460mm long.

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Australian o

There’s no better way to stay in control of the whole process than getting to know your local boat manufacturer and working with them to create a hull that suits your local needs.

With all of the talk about tough budgets and increasing costs of living, I know that a lot of us want to leave all of that behind and just go fishing and boating. After all, the money you buy your boat with is technically called your ‘fun money’ and it’s an unwritten rule that while we all have the God-given right to bitch and moan every time the power bill or Telstra bill goes up, any time a boat goes over budget and we go a little crazy on the ‘necessary’ options then we can deal with that with the calm and poise of a Buddhist monk. And when it comes to boats, there’s no better way to stay in control of the whole process than getting to know your local boat manufacturer and working with them to create a hull that suits your local needs. That’s apart from the feel-good of keeping your business local. When it comes down to it, there’s plenty of advantages buying and building locally, as sometimes the ‘boating internet bargain of the century’ ends up being a beat-up hurricanedamaged clunker that some happy E-Bayer has offloaded to the other side of the globe. LOCAL TRAILERS You can be sure that the trailer that you buy your local boat on with be 100% compliant with local regulations. It won’t be too wide, it won’t rust away in a year and it’ll definitely be easier to source spare parts when a spring wears out half way to Cape York. BUILT WITH LOCAL EXPERIENCE Local builders originally build all of their hulls to suit local conditions and then customise the fit-out for the purpose specific to the target market. The beneficiary of the evolution of a manufacturer’s hull is the local buyer. If you buy a fishing boat from your local fishing boat manufacturer, you can be sure that the fishing you do locally will be catered for by the build. This is one of the bonuses of buying locally. Why would you spend your hard-earned on a craft that may only be marginally suited to your needs? COMMUNICATE WITH THE BUILDER Most of the time, you’re able to talk directly with the boat builder or designer when you buy a local boat. And they’re also the one you need to talk to make any customisation you want. Usually a local builder will be happy to customise – within reason. Remember that fibreglass makers are often bound by the shapes of the moulds that they have. Aluminium guys can be a little more creative when it comes to fabricating exactly what you want when you’re describing – for instance – the ultimate kill box for the two-metre Spaniards you’re going to be catching. EASY WARRANTY If you do have any issues with your new pride-and-joy, it’s MUCH easier to get warranty claims and repairs sorted out locally rather than trying to communicate with an overseas vendor. It’s pretty easy for them to put a busted boat in Australia in the ‘too hard’ basket. And that counts for outboards, too. Buy a local motor and you’ll never be arguing the fine print with an outboard dealership. CHEAPER DELIVERY Domestic delivery costs for boats are dirt-cheap compared with the expense of shipping a hull half way around the world. Talk to anyone who has imported a boat and you’ll find out about all of the ‘other’ costs that pop up. Post costs, customs costs, handling costs, GST – they all add up and can be scary. NO SURPRISES We all love surprises – unless it’s to do with a non-local boat. And it’s bad. You can rest assured that there’s virtually nothing a local boat builder can’t predict and deal with. They’ve all done it before – many times – and will do it again. They’re the ones in touch with the regulations on Australian Builders’ Plates, Capacity Labelling, flotation standards and the myriad other complexities of getting a boat built, certified and on the water smoothly. And there’s no better time to get shopping than right now – you’ll find the following manufacturers are local, reputable and will bend over backwards to make you a happy customer.

Australian boat builders SEAJAY BOATS

SEAJAY PLATE BOATS Sea Jay Boats on the move

Sea Jay Boats on the move

The Sea Jay range features high sides and wide beams providing excellent performance, stability and safety in boats from 2.45-6.1m. Sea Jay uses 3D design and computerized cutting processes to deliver cost effective products.

BOATSTATS BRAND Sea Jay Boats HULL TYPE Aluminium SIZE 2.45-6.1m CUSTOM Yes WARRANTY 2yr (Sea Jay)

COMPANYBACKGROUND YEARS IN BUSINESS 25 Years OWNER Col, Janelle and Troy Glass SPECIAL FEATURES • High sides • Wide beam • Large model range • Customise

SALES Dealer Network

The Sea Jay range features high sides and wide beams providing excellent performance, stability and safety in boats from 5.1-7.6m. Sea Jay uses 3D design and computerized cutting processes to deliver cost effective products.

BOATSTATS BRAND Sea Jay Plate Boats HULL TYPE Plate SIZE 5.1-7.6m CUSTOM Yes WARRANTY 5yr (Plate Xtreme)

COMPANYBACKGROUND YEARS IN BUSINESS 25 Years OWNER Col, Janelle and Troy Glass SPECIAL FEATURES • High sides • Wide beam • Large model range • Customise

SALES Direct

P 07 4152 2111 A 2 Maddison Ct, Bundaberg Qld 4670 W www.seajayboats.com.au E info@seajayboats.com.au

ALUVAN MARINE DESIGN BOATS

P 07 4152 2111 A 2 Maddison Ct, Bundaberg Qld 4670 W www.seajayboats.com.au E info@seajayboats.com.au

FORMOSA BOATS

Superior, Efficient, Revolutionary

The Aluvan Range is based on the Pro-X Hull, possessing high performance, high efficiency, stability, safety and above all superior ride. Models range from 4.1 to 6.3m and often dwarf competitors in their class with their wide chine and beams, yet requiring lesser horsepower to achieve similar performance.

BOATSTATS BRAND Aluvan Marine HULL TYPE Aluminium and Plate SIZE 4.1-6.3m CUSTOM No WARRANTY 3yr

COMPANYBACKGROUND YEARS IN BUSINESS 10 Years OWNER Terry Allen SPECIAL FEATURES • Wide beam • Superior ride • Advanced hull • Dedicated to the customer

SALES Dealer Network

Manufacturers of plate aluminium boats under the Formosa Classic, Tomahawk and Sea-Rod brands. Established in 1998, Formosa have a diverse range of models and styles to suit all boating needs and budgets. All boats have longitudinal stringers and 4mm bottoms (5mm in 6m+) and are designed to handle bay or offshore conditions.

BOATSTATS BRAND Formosa Boats HULL TYPE Aluminium SIZE 4.3-6.6m CUSTOM Yes WARRANTY 3yr

COMPANYBACKGROUND YEARS IN BUSINESS 16 Years OWNER Ross Stevens and Duncan Blakley SPECIAL FEATURES • Plate built in all sizes and models • Built and designed for performance, strength and value

SALES Dealer Network

W www.aluvan.com.au

info@aluvan.com.au

P 07 3393 9825 A 188 New Cleveland Rd, Tingalpa Qld 4173 W www.formosamarineboats.com.au E admin@formosamarineboats.com.au

Australian boat builders HAMMERHEAD BOATS

Hammerhead boats is a Townsville based true custom plate aluminium boat builder. Building high quality monohulls and power catamarans from 4.5 to 10m. We build boats with the highest quality materials, design and build processes with safety, ride, and stability in mind using one of Australia’s finest Naval architects. While many of our boats are built for the recreational fishing enthusiast, we also build commercial survey approved vessels. As all Hammerhead boats are sold direct to the public without a dealer mark up we can sell you superior boats at a lower price. Give us a call to see why you should be in a Hammerhead Boat. Our boats are built to last.

BOATSTATS BRAND Hammerhead Boats HULL TYPE Plate aluminium monohulls and powercats SIZE 4.5-10m CUSTOM Yes WARRANTY 5yr SALES Direct

COMPANYBACKGROUND YEARS IN BUSINESS 5 Years OWNER Gerard Land SPECIAL FEATURES • Tiller steer to hard top boats • All models can be tailored to suit client’s requirements • Hulls built from ABS approved 5083 Marine grade aluminium • Australian owned and made

HOOKER BOATS Built to suit YOU

Hooker Boats, a brand that offers high quality craftsmanship, superior performance, safety in boating and a service that offers customers to be able to have a choice. Hooker Boats custom build boats to suit you. Modern construction, no timber, superior rough water performance, over 20 models to choose from in ski, center consoles, tillers and cabins. Hooker has a boat for you.

BOATSTATS BRAND Hooker Boats HULL TYPE Fibreglass SIZE 5-8m CUSTOM Yes WARRANTY 10yr SALES Direct and dealer network

HULL TYPE Aluminium SIZE 2.4-6m CUSTOM Yes

No Timber construction High quality construction High quality finish Soft and dry riding Custom built to suit you Home Safely Every-time

P 07 4041 7171 A 31 Muir Street, Cairns Qld 4870 W www.hookerboats.com E info@hookerboats.com

If you can dream it we can build it

Horizon Aluminium Boats is a family owned company committed to delivering high quality and preforming trailerable boats. Be it from a 2.4m tender to the SportFisher Centre Cabin, Horizon boats is building your family dreams today.

BRAND Horizon Boats

• • • • • •

MODA CUSTOM BOATS

Building family dreams today

BOATSTATS

YEARS IN BUSINESS 16 Years OWNER John Margetts SPECIAL FEATURES

P 0418 183 391 A Townsville, North Qld W www.hammerheadboats.com.au E hammerheadboats@gmail.com

HORIZON BOATS

COMPANYBACKGROUND

COMPANYBACKGROUND YEARS IN BUSINESS 22 Years OWNER Bob James SPECIAL FEATURES • Wide Beams • High sides • 70+ Models to choose from

Queensland’s Moda Marine have a reputation for hand crafting high quality custom plate aluminium boats that combine strength and functionality with style. Situated on the Northside of Brisbane, Moda Marine create and construct innovative designs, taking aluminium boat building to the next level.

BOATSTATS BRAND Moda HULL TYPE Plate Aluminium SIZE 4.4-10m CUSTOM Yes

WARRANTY Up to 3yr

WARRANTY 5yr hull warranty

SALES Dealer network

SALES Factory Direct

P 07 5598 1033 W www.horizonboats.com.au E sales@horizonboats.com.au

COMPANYBACKGROUND YEARS IN BUSINESS 6 Years OWNER Shane Darlington SPECIAL FEATURES Bringing style, strength and function to quality locally made plate alloy boats

P07 3283 8537 A Unit 1, 6 Filmer St, Clontarf Qld 4019 W www.modamarine.com E modaindustries@bigpond.com

Australian boat builders MOJO BOATS

OFFSHORE MARINE MASTER BOATS Ultimate Riding Plate Boats

Beaut Bespoke Boats

We aspire to produce boats that posses the practicality of alloy, with the style and features of fibreglass. We have no standard features - each boat is hand crafted to meet our clients needs. We have two hull designs throughout the entire range. Economy lift - takes your fuel dollar further. And go hard - great ride for the high performance minded.

BOATSTATS BRAND Mojoboats HULL TYPE Plate Alloy 5083 SIZE 3.6-8m CUSTOM Yes WARRANTY 10yr structural SALES Direct

COMPANYBACKGROUND YEARS IN BUSINESS 5 Years OWNER Capalaba Boat Centre SPECIAL FEATURES • Specialising in custom built boats Bespoke. • In house designers and craftsman and tailored design your boat to to suit your needs • Highest quality materials

P 0411 728 379 A Shed 1/100 Beveridge Road, Thornlands W www.mojoboats.com E info@mojoboats.com

RIFEN PLATE BOATS We can build the boat you want

BRAND Rifen Plate Boats HULL TYPE Plate SIZE 4.8-8m CUSTOM Yes WARRANTY 5yr (hull)

BOATSTATS

COMPANYBACKGROUND

BRAND Offshore Marine Master YEARS IN BUSINESS 13 Years OWNER Jason and Karen Norup HULL TYPE Plate SPECIAL FEATURES • Mono hulls from 4.8-8m SIZE 4.8-9m • Range of Power Cats CUSTOM Yes from 5.5-9m WARRANTY 5yr SALES Direct

P 07 5492 6555 A 151 Mark Road East, Caloundra West Qld 4551 W www.offshoremarinemaster.com.au E jasonomm@bigpond.net.au

VINDICATOR BOATS Bluewater tinnies don’t get any better than these!

For the best in plate boats from 4.8-8m. Whether you are after a sports fishing boat or cabin boat Rifen have what you want in our range.

BOATSTATS

Offshore Marine Master offer you the highest quality, ultimate riding plate boats on the market today, and also one of the safest as all of our boats are foam filled using survey approved closed cell buoyancy foam.

COMPANYBACKGROUND YEARS IN BUSINESS 8 Years OWNER Brent and Mandy Riley SPECIAL FEATURES • Custom plate boats • From 4.8-8m • We can work with you to build the boat you want

Vindicator Quality Aluminium Boats & Trailers are custom built to suit you and your needs, Half Cabins, Centre Consoles, or Side Console versions. Built with Pride & Passion, delivering incredible products with great service!

BOATSTATS BRAND Vindicator Quality Aluminium Boats and Trailers HULL TYPE 5083 Plate SIZE 5.5-7.2m Survey Length CUSTOM Yes WARRANTY Up to 5yr

SALES Direct

P 07 4927 9150 A Unit 11-12, 10 Dooley St, North Rockhampton W www.rifenboats.com.au E rifen.boats@bigpond.com

COMPANYBACKGROUND YEARS IN BUSINESS 45 Years OWNER Frank, Denise and Glenn Watson SPECIAL FEATURES • Safe and Strong Quality Products • Dedicated Country Family Business • Open Factory Door Policy • Finance and Trade ins • Renowned After Sales Service • Safety First for Family, Crew and Yourself

P 07 5482 2135 A 52 Wickham St, Gympie Qld 4570 W www.watsonsmarine.com.au E sales@watsonmarine.com.au

The Ultimate Test BUNDABERG

Mark Ward barra09@live.com.au

Bundaberg based Sea Jay boats have long had the reputation of being bulletproof, but when Jason and Simon from All 4 Adventure decided to do the entire top end of Australia by

both vehicle and boat, even these boys were impressed with the durability of the Sea Jay 6.8 Pursuit. There is no better way to test the Pursuit than to send it over the top of Oz from Cooktown to Broome. The top of Oz isn’t renowned for huge seas, but that’s not what this hull is all about anyway. Their goal is to get to where no one

SPECIFICATIONS Length.....................................................7.1m overall Beam............................................................... 2.49m Deadrise............................................................... 19º Weight................................................Dry weight hull only 1290kg Towing weight........................ Boat, motor and trailer fuelled can be up to 2500kg Sides.................................................................. 4mm Bottom............................................................... 5mm Transom............................................................. 5mm Max. power...................................................... 230hp Power as tested............................................... 225hp

else has been and get back safely and trouble free. Having spent some time in Torres Strait and the Top End myself, the ocean currents collide and the ground swell can see beautiful clear, calm days produce seas that resemble a washing machine. They were conditions that were perfect for putting the 6.8 Sea Jay Pursuit to the ultimate test. Sea Jay also built the trailer that was used to haul the hull over some of the most inhospitable terrain in the country, another testament to the engineering expertise of the manufacturer. I’m not allowed to say too much about the upcoming fifth season of All 4 Adventure but you won’t want to miss it. It will be broadcast on 7 TWO, or you check out the series which will be available on DVD. CONSTRUCTION AND LAYOUT Not a lot has been changed from the standard 6.8 Pursuit,

Jason and Simon from All 4 Adventure were impressed with the durability of the Sea Jay 6.8 Pursuit. which proves that every customer who buys the Pursuit is getting one very tough and reliable hull. The main change was replacing the standard 360L tank with a massive 500L one. This was at the

was one hell of a good looking machine. If I didn’t have a wife and bank manager to answer to, I would have taken this one home with me. While the Pursuit is designed to get you there, once

full length storage under the gunwales, one of the best bait boards in the business which has its own live bait tank and a neat little hard top that houses everything from deck lighting to speakers. With the

Left: The anchor well is big enough to allow for a good sized anchor as well as the option to fit a winch and . tube for a reef pick. Top right: The dash is well laid out, with everything easily visible and close to hand.. Bottom right: The cabin is roomy enough for overnight trips, and the comfortable bucket seats are great for long trips. expense of some freshwater storage but when you’re in the middle of nowhere, fuel and water are both vital. Also added to the Sea Jay were two big Waeco fridge/freezers and solar panels on the roof. All this is sitting on a beefed up trailer but the rest of it is all standard Pursuit. The build is 5mm plate bottom and transom with 4mm sides. It’s a very sexy looking half cabin setup that can certainly be used for overnight trips but is more suited to day trips for both family and fishing. Its flared hull, sporty looks and eye-catching graphics give this hull plenty of appeal, and when I first spotted it sitting on that over-engineered trailer, it 100

JUNE 2014

Top: The big, heavy hull has a very sharp entry point to the bow with a 19º deadrise. Midship, the hull is still running over 30º of deadrise. Bottom: A great option for anglers is this bait board with live bait tank and rocket launcher. Batteries are stored underneath. you arrive, it’s nice to know that it doubles nicely as a very versatile fishing boat. There is plenty of open deck space,

rocket launcher, gunwales and bait board, I counted 20 rod holders so rod storage won’t be an issue. The gunwales

were also that nice height to allow some stability when bottom bashing or landing a fish, with added stability from the side pockets that allow you to get your feet underneath. While not a true walk-around, getting around the cabin to the bow is a relatively simple affair. The anchor well is big enough to allow for a good sized anchor as well as the option to fit a winch and tube for a reef pick. Little luxuries such as a toilet and freshwater wash-down are all available but overall, the fishability of the Pursuit is excellent for everything from trolling to bottom bashing. RIDE AND HANDLING The 225 Honda proved more than adequate at

launching the hull out of the hole and pushing the Pursuit through some moderate chop. This is the upper end of the power range for the hull but big savings can be had by optioning for a 175hp outboard. Yes, a 175 will come at the expense of being a little sluggish out of the hole at full loads, but it will still plane and perform very well. This is a big, heavy hull that has a very sharp entry point to the bow and finished with a 19º deadrise. Midship, the hull is still running over 30º of deadrise which, when combined with design and weight, makes the Pursuit a dream to operate in a swell. We had a nice swell rolling in on the morning of the review and were able

There are two big Waeco fridge/freezers under the seats, powered with the help of solar panels on the roof.

to set a good cruise speed and see how well the Pursuit handled the swell. I didn’t go home disappointed. It’s like comparing a La-Z-Boy recliner to a park bench. I missed out on getting accurate speeds due to too much playing around in the swell, but it’s hard to concentrate on numbers when you’re having that much fun. In smooth water, top speed is an impressive 70kph and cruising on around 400 revs still achieves just under 50kph. However, ploughing through chop dramatically slows a boat down so sorry about just a couple of ballpark figures here. As mentioned, the only changes made to the All 4 Adventure Sea Jay are the long-range tanks, two fridges

and the solar panels. The rest of the hull is standard, including hydraulic steering, bucket seats, transom door and boarding platform, scuppers as well as all standard electronics such as lights and bilges. The only extras that I think are a must for anglers include the bait board with live bait tank and rocket launcher. A kill tank is another option. The standard tank is 360L and the kill tank will reduce that slightly so it’s a case of weighing up your priorities. The dry weight of the hull is almost 1300kg so loaded with outboard you will be well in excess of two tonnes. This is no problem on the water, giving the Pursuit its stability and lovely soft ride, but add a

The hard top houses everything from deck lighting to speakers and rocket launchers. The boat has 20 rod holders in total.

trailer and towing weights can be as high as 2500kg. This rules out the family sedan but all the large 4x4s and utilities will do the job easily. All in all, the Sea Jay Pursuit is a very neat, extremely well built half cab that doubles nicely as a serious fishing boat or a weekend escape with the family. And just in case you were wondering, it is very capable of taking a couple of mad anglers across the top of Oz and back. Prices start from under $90,000, with the test boat coming in at $110,000. Check out this season’s All 4 Adventure as well as a short clip of the Pursuit in action on the Fishing Monthly website. For more information please contact 07 4152 2111

or email info@seajayboats. com.au or visit www. seajayboats.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.

To see this boat in action scan this QR Code.

There is plenty of storage space in the Sea Jay 6.8 Pursuit, and the gunwales are a good height.

NEW RELEASE

AVENGER SPORTS • 6 model lengths 4.25 to 5.35m • Designed to handle the “tuff stuff” • Plate 3mm Bottom and Sides • Sure trac hull featuring reverse chine • Heaps of storage • Plenty of Rod Holders

For further information visit www.seajayboats.com.au To like us on Facebook visit www.facebook.com/SeaJayBoats

JUNE 2014

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Formosa’s 500 Barra FMG

Greg Livingstone

I love the ingenuity that North Queenslanders display. They have to deal with a lot of interesting situations, not the least being cyclones and rain that will swell rivers in hours. But the crazy anglers up that way still manage to get out fishing more often than not and the team at The Tinnie Shack in Mission Beach is a case in point. The Tinnie Shack is the north’s only Formosa dealer and when Carla wanted to get a new barra boat, it was no great surprise that she and husband Dean approached Formosa to help them build their ideal barra buggy. But this barra boat needed to have the ability to head offshore to chase mackerel and reefies, as well as sneak around in creeks at low tide without getting stranded. A tall order, but one that Formosa jumped at the opportunity to fill. The design started with a standard v-nosed punt and it grew from there with extra length added, some internal design changes and whole

lot of hull modifications to make this boat ride and handle as Carla and Dean wanted. The boat also had to carry a lot of horsepower, and I mean a lot, and it had to be tiller steer in configuration to leave a heap of fishing room. A lot of work and development went into this rig and I have to say, after having a fish and a spin in it, the Formosa 500 Barra is a great boat that will meet many, many needs. Let’s start out with the internal layout and get a feel for why Carla went for the design she did. After all, Dean told me this is Carla’s boat, so I’d better not upset her and get it wrong! CLEVER DESIGN Like many anglers you always take way more fishing gear than needed, so storage solutions were a main priority with the new set up. Rods needed to be stored securely and out of the way while punching out wide or running around the decks trying to stop one of the many North Queensland silver bullets. The rod locker is positioned well, running down the port side. This is large enough to house offshore outfits as well

as your spinning and bait casting gear with ease. There is an 80L under floor fuel tank fitted, so coupled with the power and unbelievable fuel economy of the 90hp Honda, long trips are not an issue. The filler cap has been positioned on the port side and the filler hose is well out of the way and does not intrude into the space of the large locker. The rear deck has two hatches that are easily removed. The crank battery is secured behind the skipper’s seat, leaving the other for general storage. The skipper’s seat and location has been well thought out and everything is within close reach. There is a side pocket fitted beside the driver’s seat to store anything that you may need – like sunscreen, leader and tackle trays. Positioned off this pocket on a heavy-duty bracket is an Humminbird 898 CX SI combo. Again, this can be reached while in the normal driving position with ease. Behind the skipper’s seat on the rear bulkhead is the electronic control panel, the Fusion sound system and the fuel gauge. In the centre is the control for the live bait tank and wash down kit.

The business end of the rig. The Honda BF90HP 4-stroke matches up perfectly and is a pleasure to drive. Being a fisherman I don’t think much has been missed, making this a very smart and easy boat to operate. UP FORWARD The front deck houses a large live bait tank (a well designed system with a removable centre divider), two large hatches – and I mean large – are perfect to store life jackets and gear needed for extended trips. There is a battery tray situated in the hatch for the two, deep-cycle batteries

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Top Left: A well-designed and sizable rod locker will keep your rods safe and out of the way. Top Right: The 898 CX SI Humminbird is easy to reach from the skipper’s seat. Middle Left: The control hub is easy to reach but neatly out of the way. Middle Right: A solid battery rack keeps the two deep cycles from bouncing around. Right: Every angler needs a large front casting deck with huge storage and a suitable live well.

keeping the weight well distributed at speed or rest. An aluminium-carpeted anchor well sits at the front of the deck. The deck is very large and is ideal for casting all day without anything to trip over or catch your line, if flyfishing is your poison. To finish off the pointy end of this fishing machine is a bracket designed to house the Minn Kota electric motor, an 82lb i-Pilot is perfect match and manoeuvres this rig quietly around the snags with ease.

POWER PLANT My first thoughts when putting this rig on the car was, “Look at the size of that motor!” A 90hp 4-stroke tiller steer barra boat and I laughed with joy. Yes, I have speed in my veins, so to say I was excited to take this for a spin was an understatement. This rig launches out of the water. It has a hole-shot of around 3-4 seconds – trim it out and hold on. But at no point was it scatty or unsafe. I found that running at quarter throttle with a

little trim was quiet and very comfortable to drive. The BF 90hp Honda is a very smooth and quiet motor. Fitted with an alloy prop and having a 5 year warranty, it makes for a stress-free boat to own. A Racor fuel filter prevents any foreign particles from

entering the fuel system. The trim and tilt is located on the tiller arm, but I would add a remote trim and tilt switch on the side deck for rough conditions, keeping a firm grip with my right hand. RIDE HIGH I was impressed by the quality of the ride. The spray

SPECIFICATIONS Length:................................................................. 5m Length on trailer:............................................... 5.9m Height on trailer:................................................ 1.7m Beam:................................................................ 2.2m Hull weight:...................................................... 430kg Fuel:..................................................................... 80L Horsepower:............................................... 90-115hp Maximum persons:.................................................. 4 Towing:.................................... Family sedan or 4WD

chines worked superbly and the re-entry was extremely soft for a barra-style boat. Manoeuvrability was also great; it cornered like it was on rails. I get to ride in a lot of different boats and I’d have to say the 500 Barra’s hull provided top comfort and performance. It didn’t take much revving to get onto the plane quickly, and a lot less to keep it there. The Honda gave an impressive 36knots for 5000rpm with a fuel consumption of 13.6L/h at cruising speed. THE HULL The hull is rated to a max 115hp, but the 90hp 4-stroke is well and truly

The Formosa 500 Barra opening up. This great riding hull is dry and sits well in the water.

quick enough and offers fuel economy and speed. The hull is made well and the welding and craftsmanship is first class. It has a beam of 2.2m so it is stable at rest and really suits any form of fishing. The hull is 4mm and side sheets are 3mm thick. The hull has an approximate weight of 430kg. Fully welded side decks, raised and reversed spray chines, foam-filled buoyancy, a custom 2-pack paint job with an awesome graphic design really finishes off this well designed outfit. There are 5 seating positions and two padded, folding seats are supplied, though you can purchase more if needed. Fitted with navigation lights as well as two LED strip lights for the night fisherman and a fusion stereo system, there is not much that you will have to add to get out on the water. This package is well designed and fitted out by Dean and the crew and I am pretty confident to say that you could be on the water within half an hour of purchasing this boat and be fishing with without any stress. Getting to the water is via a Dunbier GP 5.3M14B braked, galvanised trailer. The usual safety gear and

Designed by an angler, this clean and tidy layout has everything in its place with plenty of room to move. registrations are supplied including a digital EPIRB. The package as tested sits at $37,200, which is great value when you have the electronics and extras added. Give Carla or Dean a call at The Tinnie Shack on (07) 4088 6125 or visit www. thetinnieshack.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.

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103

What’s new boating

Humminbird ION Series

Humminbird ION Series MultiFunction Displays offer a multitude of modular technological possibilities. From Humminbird’s complete arsenal of leading-edge sonar to their highdefinition radar and full slate of cartography solutions, the choice is yours. The ION10 Multi-Touch dominates the competition with high-speed ethernet networking, wireless connectivity and full NMEA 0183/2000 support. From black box sonar and powerful radar to AutoPilot integration and even IP cameras, you can assemble the ultimate angling system. You can take command of your display like never before with Cross Touch, exclusive to the ION and ONIX Series. Everything you can do with the touchscreen, you can also do with the touchpad—so rough conditions will never compromise your control. There’s also a browser built-in so you can surf the web, monitor weather and stay connected—from the dock, offshore waters and everywhere in between thanks to the exclusive Humminbird Internet Browser, standard on the ION Series. To find out more about the ION10 and ION12 visit humminbird.com.au. - BLA

Lone Star G31000SD

Lone Star Marine’s new G3-1000SD winch boasts 3200kg of holding power for vessels to 8m. This compact unit (featuring a 250mm drum) has been designed for larger boats with a smaller mounting area. It offers a fast drop and retrieve rate of up to 130ft per minute on the smaller frame, without any loss of working load. The capacity is 70m of 10mm rope or 90m of 8mm rope plus 7m of 8mm short link chain. The 1000SD (small drum) still has all the great features LSM is known for – robust construction (more stainless steel and less alloy), application rated purpose built motors featuring the highest Lab Tested IP ratings, and Lifetime Warranty against damage due to water ingress, as well as a 3 Year Unconditional Warranty on all components. It weighs 23kg and features 6mm and 7mm SS construction throughout. The RRP is $1399 including fitting hardware and deck roller. Check out www.lonestarmarine.com.au for your nearest retailer. – LSM

Mercury Verado 200hp Pro

The new Verado 200hp Pro FourStroke delivers the incredible acceleration and top speed of all the Mercury Pro series outboards along with the quiet and smooth operation of the Mercury Verado. The 200hp Pro is built on the reliable sixcylinder Verado platform. It also features Mercury Marine’s 4.8” Verado gearcase with a smaller hydrodynamic profile, to ensure top performance. This gearcase is available exclusively in right-hand rotation on 20-inch (L) and 25-inch (XL) driveshafts. Delivering an outstanding hole shot, amazing torque and punchy mid-range acceleration, the 200hp Pro’s supercharge technology allows precise, programmable control over the fuel and air intake. As well, the 104

JUNE 2014

Verado 200hp Pro FourStroke comes standard with the Advanced Mid Section (AMS), Digital Throttle and Shift (DTS) and electro-hydraulic power steering. The Verado 200hp Pro is backed by Mercury Marine’s 3+2=5 year warranty and a 3-year corrosion warranty. - MM

Lowrance Elite

Lowrance has announced the next-generation of Elite fishfinder/ chartplotters, the Elite-7 and Elite-5 CHIRP series. The new affordable series adds CHIRP sonar to its builtin Broadband Sounder and DownScan Imaging fishfinder technologies. CHIRP sonar produces greater sensitivity, improved target resolution and superior noise rejection. The Elite CHIRP line-up includes 5” and widescreen 7” fishfinder/chartplotter models as well as standalone fishfinders with CHIRP sonar performance using affordable Lowrance HDI Skimmer transducer options — including the capabilities to produce low, medium and high CHIRP sonar ranges and display two user-selected ranges simultaneously. All models are protected by a oneyear limited warranty and the Lowrance Advantage Service program. Retail prices range from $599 to $999 for the Elite-5x and Elite-7x CHIRP fishfinder, and $1099 to $1329 for the Elite-5 and Elite-7 CHIRP fishfinder/chartplotter models bundled with Navionics Gold cartography. For a full list of specs log onto www.lowrance. com. – Lowrance

White Verado 300

In addition to standard Phantom Black, Mercury Marine will now offer 300hp Verado outboards in two shades of white – Cold Fusion and Warm Fusion. Of course, boat owners have always had the ability to customise their engine or boat, but now they have the choice of buying a factory manufactured colour, which is a much better option. Mercury’s advanced Paint System is engineered and designed specifically for the marine environment. Multiple base and clear coatings provide a long-lasting finish in even the harshest of marine environments. This means that white Verados, just like the blacks, enjoy Mercury’s outstanding 3+2=5 year warranty for recreational use. These new white Verado 300hp models are initially special factory order only models and attract a price premium to the current standard model. The white option is available for all 300hp Verado outboards variants, except for the Pro FourStroke and CCT models. To find out more visit www. mercurymarine.com.au. – Mercury

Club Marine helps AVCG

Club Marine, Australia’s largest provider of recreational boat insurance, is now an official sponsor of the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard (AVCG). In addition to its overall sponsorship of the national marine rescue organisation, Club Marine has also thrown its support behind the AVCG’s forthcoming ‘MAYDAY’ campaign. “We are proud to be partnering with Club

What’s new boating Marine, an official sponsor,” said AVCG National Commodore Ray Campbell. “We look forward to the community support through donations to the Club Marine MAYDAY campaign. Donations can be made at www.mycause.com.au/events/ mayday. All donations over $2 are fully tax deductible.” The Club Marine AVCG MAYDAY Appeal will continue throughout May and June to raise awareness about the organisation, recruit volunteers and raise funds towards operations through its flotillas in six states and territories. – Club Marine

Catch a deal with Lowrance

Starting from May 1, Lowrance customers will receive a free 83/200 skimmer and StructureScan transducer with all HDS Gen2 Touch models, and a free 83/200 skimmer transducer and StructureScan kit with HDS-8 and HDS-10 Gen2 models (HDS-7 Gen2 units come with a free 83/200 skimmer transducer only). This is up to $900 RRP of extras free. HDS Gen2 units include extensive mapping options including Insight Genesis personalised map options, are GoFree Wireless ready, offer optional video camera input (HDS-9 and 12 Touch models only), built-in awardwinning Broadband Sounder, and builtin StructureScan for Touch models (StructureScan support for non-touch models). All Lowrance products are covered by the Lowrance Advantage Service program. The offer is available in Australia from participating independent stores, and runs from May 1 until August 31, 2014. To find your nearest dealer visit www. lowrance.com. - Lowrance

Fuel-saving Enertia props

Developed by Mercury to maximise fuel economy at cruising speeds, the new Enertia ECO propellers have shown in testing to cut fuel use by 10%. Available in three pitches (19, 21, and 23), all Enertia ECO propellers have a 16” diameter, compared to normal propeller designs which decrease in diameter as the pitch increases. Enertia ECO propellers have a higher degree of progressive rake, up to 65% more, which means the blade area ratio can be increased, which is ideal for cruising fuel efficiency. This additional rake and maximum diameter results in additional bow lift, decreasing the wetted area, and ultimately reducing the boat’s drag. An added benefit of the reduced drag is improved holeshot and top speed performance, with the ECOs matching the performance of four-blade props. Enertia ECO propellers are made from Mercury’s patented X7 alloy, which is 30% stronger and four times more durable than standard stainless steel. – MM

Talon Electric Anchor Spike

The Minn Kota Talon quickly and quietly stops and positions your boat in depths down to 12ft. Operating from the boat’s existing battery setup, the Talon vertically deploys its three stage telescopic spike with the wireless remote and

without the fish-spooking noise of a traditional anchor. When not in use, the lightweight Talon can be taken off the boat thanks to its standard release bracket, or folded away for garaging with the optional tilt bracket. Its electromechanical, cable-driven design is easy to install with minimal wiring and rigging. Made of marine-grade extruded anodised aluminium, the Talon can withstand a harsh saltwater environment, and the indestructible spike, made with fibreglass reinforced composite material, is guaranteed for life. An auto up/down feature means just a quick press of a button is all you need for automatic deployment and retraction, and each unit comes with two wireless remotes. The 12ft Talon deploys in three stages, giving ultimate anchoring depth whilst keeping the overall height of the Talon to 145cm on the transom. Built in suspension allows the boat to move up and down without affecting the anchor. Available in blue/black or black/black, the Talon has a RRP of $3549. For more info scan the QR code on this page or visit www. minnkota.com.au. - BLA

Avenger Sports

New to the Sea Jay range is the Avenger Sports side console series. Available in both painted and non-painted versions, it features plate 3mm bottom and sides (aside from the 4.25 model, which has 3.0mm bottom and 2.5mm sides). There are six Avengers available: the 4.25, 4.4, 4.55, 4.85, 5.0 and 5.35. Fitted with plenty of storage, these boats have front and rear casting platforms with hatches built in. An electric motor plate is fitted off the front gunwale, together with a bowsprit and roller on the front deck. A sounder mount and switch panel plate is fitted, and there are heaps of rod holders. There are two full upholstered folding seats with five socket positions. The 4.4 and 4.55 models have 65L under floor tanks, the 4.85 is fitted with a 85L tank, the 5.0 a 100L, and the 5.35 a 120L tank. The Sure Trac hull has an external keel for easy tracking. For more information visit www.seajayboats.com.au. – Sea Jay

Humminbird Onix

The new Onix series GPS/fishfinders feature high end, super high resolution multi-functional displays. The touchscreens have a gesture based interface called Cross Touch, which allows you to perform functions by making swiping gestures, like you would with a smartphone or tablet. The displays are ultra sharp XGA LCD. Both the 8SI (8.4” screen) and 10SI (10.4” screen) models have Down Imaging, Side Imaging, and DualBeam PLUS with Switchfire Sonar. They have DSP (Digital Signal Processing) DualBeam PLUS sonar w/SwitchFire Sporting up to 8000W PTP power output. GPS Chartplotting with Humminbird TriFuel Cartography gives you access to world background maps from Navionics, C-MAP and Humminbird Autochart. ‘Combo’ in the title ensures that it’s equipped with an internal precision GPS antenna and capable of operating as a chartplotter for maximum versatility. Unit cover is included. To view a video outlining the features of the new Onix, scan the QR code hereabouts. - BLA JUNE 2014

105

535 Bluefin Stormcat BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

The 535 Bluefin Stormcat is another of the ‘Cat’ series of tournament-orientated punts from the Bluefin stable. These are powerful, well appointed boats combining a neat blend of luxury and fishing features with raft-like stability in a well finished alloy hull. And with a 150 Mercury fourstroke on the back, let me tell you that this cat can really storm! LAYOUT At 5.35m long and 2.34m wide this big punt is a dedicated tournament craft. The entire layout and presentation is virtually an angler’s wish list come true: all floors are (hookless) carpeted and there’s a fulllength soft-lined rod locker, plenty of storage under the floor, a 90L catch well, very comfortable seating and a neat sound system. And it’s all pushed along nicely at

Up front on the craft’s 400mm high casting deck there were six hatches, all with storage under them. There was ample anchor room in the front one, in the next set of hatches there was provision for a battery (or two) for the Minn Kota electric motor up front, then came paired hatches for general storage, tackle trays and the like. Paired hatches also accessed the dividerequipped 90L Flowrite Tournament live well designed to keep the catch in the best shape for the weigh in. A bicycle-style seat up front was removable while the Stormcat’s clear and

up front, the Stormcat’s side console being set to starboard next to a side pocket. As the console was fixed to the side of the craft rather than onto the floor, the arrangement provided ample leg room for the skipper while driving from the plush wrap around bucket style helm seat. The console came set up with a grab rail plus a tinted windscreen, the latter of which is great when travelling at 80 clicks on a winter’s morning. The Bluefin’s dash layout centred around a Lowrance HDS9 sounder uppermost, with a timer for the catch well and an array of eight rocker switches lower. To

Under power the Blue Fin’s hull shows its ability to shed water well away from the hull and its occupants.

SPECIFICATIONS Length.............................................................. 5.35m Length on trailer............................................... 6.60m Beam................................................................ 2.24m Construction................................. Bottom 4mm alloy, . .............................top sides 3mm alloy Weight hull........................................................ 680kg Deadrise................................................................15º Fuel......................................................................110L Persons..................................................................... 5 Towing................................ family six wagon or 4 x 4

Drive on and off launching is easy with the Dunbier trailer set-up.

The Stormcat running hard displays a very clean and flat wash. around 80km/h by that 3L Mercury 150 four stroke on the transom. You want to get there first? This rig sure will give it a good go!

uncluttered front deck would allow up to three anglers to fish at a given time. The cockpit work area featured another seat spigot

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the side of the sports style wheel (linked to hydraulic steering) were the ignition key and marine radio. Engine controls were side mounted in the usual manner. A Fusion sound system was featured with speakers at the rear of the 400mm high forward deck and a big fat sub woofer between skipper’s and mate’s high backed seats. I’d see two, maybe three, anglers working within the cockpit with it’s 460mm depth. The passenger had easy access to the Stormcat’s 2.25m long rod locker set into the cockpit’s port side. Featuring soft lining, the locker would swallow up quite a few ready-to-use rods. Further hatches, the central available for storage, were located aft of the helm and seating area. An angler could also work here of course. Rod holder equipped grab rails were mounted near

the transom area with a ski pole central; handy for some bare footing from the Bluefin team on weekends I’m told. Completing aft details were a full width, non-skid equipped pod, and a boarding ladder to port. STABILITY One thing I did notice while aboard the Stormcat was the immense

stability. This is, of course, important for the style of fishing usually undertaken in these tournament or sports orientated boats where anglers usually stand to fish. The degree of inherent stability was not confined to the craft at rest either. When I was seated very comfortably in the skipper’s seat and

driving the Stormcat, she had a running-on-rails like ability to turn, go-kart style, and then recover to a level attitude just as smartly. Hull configuration consists of a fairly shallow vee at 15 degrees, some pronounced strakes under the hull, a quite large keel, plus a hull weight of 680kg which all combine to enhance stability.

The Mercury 150 was top power for the rig.

Construction is 4mm alloy on the bottom, 3mm topsides and with a solid layout of under floor stringers and a

dedicated cross bracing system the Stormcat’s hull was very rigid and vibration free at all times.

I was quite impressed with the ride of the Stormcat. Even powering very hard into chop produced very little

in the way of noise or hard bumping, and I feel sure that the ride and handling aspects of this craft are going to be

The Stormcat’s clean, uncluttered cockpit work area allows a few more anglers to work in comfort.

The Stormcat’s dash layout, dominated by the HDS9, looks pretty impressive.

With its level surface and extra seat option, the high casting deck up front of the Stormcat makes a great place for a team of anglers to work.

The Bluefin’s Flowrite-equipped live well is a big plus for anglers wanting to keep the catch alive for a weigh-in.

abt

strong selling points for the Bluefin dealers. Spray was also pushed well away from the hull but one must expect some water about the place if heading across waves or chop with the breeze on the quarter, same as in any other open boat. 150 MECURY TOP POWER Engine ratings for the 535 Bluefin Stormcat are from 115 to 150hp. No surprise, then, that the 150 Mercury four-stroke did such a remarkably easy job of powering the craft. Mind you, this style of tournament rig usually sports near maximum horsepower. It’s a tradition among tournament anglers to get to a hot spot without delay so there was nothing unusual in the choice of a maximum horsepower engine. The 150 Mercury purred into life at first turn of the key and lifted the craft gently onto the plane at 2000rpm at 19.7km/h. 3000rpm saw 31.2km/h, 4000rpm saw 41.8km/h, 5000rpm a smooth 54.8km/h and 6000rpm a speed of 81.3km/h. Good speeds, undoubtedly, but what impressed me was the sheer urge of the 3L four cylinder Mercury. Even at 5000 rpm a push of the throttle lever saw instant response and a quick surge forward. Speeds were checked with two persons aboard the craft.

SUMMING UP After testing this powerful and very useful tournament style rig I was impressed with many aspects, not the least being that it is an Australianmade craft. The layout, the features, ride and handling plus the performance of the Mercury 150 all were big pluses. The craft would also perform well with a smaller motor if your focus was on pleasure rather than tournament fishing. With an external side height of 500mm the rig would be suited to work in impoundments, rivers, bays or most other sheltered water situations. The rig as reviewed with its many extras (including sound system, Minn Kota and Lowrance sounder) carried on a Dunbier trailer and with registrations would come home for $57,178 as supplied by Nitro Marine of the Gold Coast. A 115hp motor in lieu would entail a cost of $53,878. You can contact Nitro on (07) 5532 5812 or view the range online at www. nitromarine.com. • 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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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.

Northside Marine (07) 3265 8029

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

Bait & Tackle GOLD COAST

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NORTH BRISBANE Reef Marine Mackay (07) 4957 3521

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Tackle Warehouse Brisbane (07) 3398 6500 BCF www.bcf.com.au Victoria Point Bait and Tackle (07) 3820 9581 Spinnaker Sound Chandlery Ningi (07) 5497 6007 FTO Tackle Outlet Brisbane 0416 017 094

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CENTRAL QUEENSLAND Lake Monduran House Boat www.lakemonduranhouseboathire.com.au

Whitewater Marine (07) 5532 4402

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

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

MACKAY / WHITSUNDAYS

W h ui ttsbuOnadrady O entre C

BRISBANE

•

We Service all Motor Brands! 1 William Murray Drive Cannonvale Qld

07·4946 7286

Marine Transport

Boat Painting

•

Authorised Mercury Outboard and Mercruiser Motor Sale and Service Centre

• • • • • • •

www.whitsundayoutboardcentre.com.au

Spray painting Re-sprays Fairing Paint protection Touch ups Repairs New or old Anti-fouling Fiberglass repairs

Professional paint jobs made to last.

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

all!

No job too big or too sm

0433 356 620

Marine Trailers

BOAT TRANSPORT AUSTRALIA WIDE FROM A TINNY TO 50 FEET WEEKLY SERVICE BRISBANE TO CAIRNS

Shed 3 Redland City Marina 100 Beveridge Road Thornlands 4146 Qld

WWW.BRISBANEBOATPAINTING.COM.AU

Marine Trimmers

Oceanic Boat Trailers (07) 5597 0577 Seatrail Trailers www.seatrailqld.com.au Tinnie Tosser (07) 5498 7339 Sea-Link Special Trailers (07) 3881 3568

BRISBANE

SAMPLE AD -BUSINESS NAME

MOBILE MARINE CANOPIES

This is where your copy will appear. You will have approximately 50 words within a 5x2 ad size. Email ads@fishingmonthly.com.au

Marine Electronics

MARINE ELECTRONICS

SALES • REPAIRS • INSTALLATIONS

ONSITE AND MOBILE INSTALLATIONS

Canopies Bimini tops Cockpit covers Front and side clears Full boat covers Upholstery Pontoon carpet ... and more!

• Sounders • GPS • Electric Motors • Marine Radios and accessories • Stereos • Televisions • Radar Units • Autopilots

OVER 15 YEARS EXPERIENCE

Martin Costello 0434 615 936 www.mobilemarinecanopies.com

Unit 4/1440 New Cleveland Road Capalaba www.trymax.com.au PHONE: 07 3245 3633

SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND

Fiberglass Repair

Rowland Street Boat Trimmers Springwood (07) 3208 9511

REGLASS REP FIB REFIT AND PAINT WO AIR T BO A

Boat Modifications and Repairs

RKS

Brisbane Yamaha (07) 3888 1727 Rays Canvas & Marine Caboolture (07) 5499 4911 Affordable Boat Covers Gold Coast 0419 424 587

Rod and Reel Repair Before

After

D&H REEL REPAIRS ce Reel Performan

PH: 5519 4674 4/71 SHIPPER DRIVE, COOMERA

07 5529 2292 20 Wrights Place Labrador Qld 4215 website www.brumbsmarine.com.au email brumbsmarine@bigpond.com

e parts needs repairs and spar For all your reel Servicin Phone/Fax: 07 3372 2740 or major b g all call Duncan on 0439 717 839 rands Email: dhreelrepairs@bigpond.com Drag upgrades available • Rod repairs • Mail orders welcome

Marine Outboard Wreckers

Aluminium fabrication • Steel fabrication • Boat repairs Boat modifications • Aluminium sales

SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND

SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND

CUSTOM MARINE WELDING & ELECTRICAL

www.reelrepairs.com.au North Queensland 110 Sherbrooke Rd, Willawong Qld 4110 JT Reel Repairs, Mackay 0427 552 485 or (07) 4955 2485

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

SAMPLE AD - BUSINESS NAME

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

Shed 1 281 Jacobs Well Road

Behind GEM Service Station, Alberton 4207

Phone 38077846 Mob 0427142201 Fax 3807 2468

www.custommarinewelding.com.au Bluewater Windscreens Brisbane (07) 3382 7883

Boat Modifications and Repairs 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

TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND North Queensland Outboard Wreckers Townsville 1800 812 748

Online Tackle Products Continued She Left Camera Sunglasses www.hdvcs.com.au U-Make-Em Sort Plastics www.u-make-emsoftplastics.com.au

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

ads@fishingmonthly.com.au

CENTRAL QUEENSLAND

LAKE SOMERSET

Holiday Accommodation

BACKING ONTO

SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND Hemingways on Tin Can Bay (07) 3219 9376

LAKE SOMERSET

900 acres with dam frontage

Bribie Island Real Estate (07) 3408 1006

Bite Me Fishing Charters Yeppoon 0419 029 397 Ultimate Sportfishing Charters 0450 753 726 MV Capricorn Star 0408 755 201 Mikat Cruises Fishing Charters 0427 125 727 Bundaberg Fishing Charters 0429 017 217

MORETON ISLAND

Twin share SAFARI TENTS & Van Sites

Moreton Beach House Kooringal

✦ Beachfront accommodation ✦ Sleeps up to 12 ✦ Self contained ✦ BBQ ✦ TV ✦ Foxtel ✦ Walk to “Gutter Bar”

0403 704 555

Sport Fish 1770 (07) 4974 9686 Coral Coast Game Fishing 0447 347 437

4 BEDROOM LODGE with Lake Views Secluded Camp for up to 12 people Hot Showers/Camp Kitchen/Fire Pit

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

LEOPARD TREE LODGE Email desleylaycock@bigpond.com

www.leopardtreelodge.com

07·5422 0700

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

TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND

BURDEKIN

moretonbeachhouse@bigpond.com

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 or www.jcsfishing.com.au

CAMPINGGROUND AND FISHING LODGE

FRASER ISLAND

Fraser Island Fishing Units INDIAN HEAD

For bookings or enquiries contact: Cliff Andreassen 07 5449 9346 or 0428 712 283 A FISHO’S DREAM

bearfish@bigpond.com Waddy Lodge on Fraser 0414 516 364

BAFFLE CREEK / 1770

Baffle Creek Retreat

Fairdinkum Fishing Charters Townsville (07) 4751 5324 Cairns Reef Charter Services 1800 119 044 Cairns Charter Boat 0427 533 081 Cairns Fishing Charters 0427 400 027

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

Fishing Guides

FRESHWATER Yallakool Caravan Park on Bjelke-Petersen Dam (07) 4168 4746 Lake Boondooma Caravan Park (07) 4168 9694 Lake Cressbrook Regional Council 131 872 Yallakool Park and Kiosk on Bjelke-Petersen Dam (07) 4168 4746

SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND Suncoast Barra Fishing Park www.suncoastbarrafishing.com

CENTRAL QUEENSLAND Lake Monduran Barra Charters 0407 434 446

TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND Charter Boats

Hooked On Hinchinbrook www.hookedonhinchinbrook.com

NORTHERN NSW

WATERFRONT HOLIDAY RENTAL

sleeps up to 8

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 and more.

Four bedroom lowset ranch style house set back 50 metres from water’s edge high above the river with uninterrupted water views.

•

Private jetty, boat ramp, deep water access to the ocean and the Great Barrier Reef

•

Natural and man-made wetlands, with walking tracks and bird watching

• •

Bitumen road to front gate, motorhomes welcome

•

6km from Rules Beach with 4-wheel-drive access to the beach

Pet and horse friendly with fenced house yard — No pets allowed in house

07 4156 6606 • 0412 312 085 www.bafflecreekretreat.com.au • Kenton@bafflecreekretreat.com.au

CENTRAL QUEENSLAND

ge Bay?

t Stana Looking to stay a

Fully setup fishing accommodation

Call Von 07 4937 3145 Stanage Bay Marine and Accommodation w w w.stan a g eb ay. co m COOKTOWN River of Gold Motel Plenty of room for boats and trailers PH: 4069 5222 HINCHINBROOK Cardwell Beach Motel - www.cardwellbeachmotel.net (07) 4066 8776 or info.cbmotel@bigpond.com

Fish Taxidermy

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

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

GOLD COAST True Blue Fishing Gold Coast (07) 5510 9622 BK’s Gold Coast Fishing Charters 0414 293 034 My Charter Boat Tweed Heads 0407 347 446 RU4 Reel Tweed Heads 0449 903 366 Discovery Fishing Charters 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

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

Fishing on TV

BRISBANE Frenzy Charters Brisbane (07) 3209 4576 Tom Cat Charters (07) 3820 8794 Moreton Island Fishing Charters 0413 128 056 Brisbane Fishing Charters 0427 026 510 Bucket List Fishing Charters 0428 368 316 John Gooding Outlaw Charters 0418 738 750

IDEAL GIFT!

SUNSHINE COAST Keely Rose Deep Sea Fishing Charters 0407 146 151 Odyssey Charters Deep Sea Fishing (07) 5478 1109 Smithy’s Fishing Charters Sunshine Coast 0407 574 868 Top Catch Charters Sunshine Coast 0429 013 012 Fish n Crab Charters Mooloolaba 0412 155 814 Offshore Reef and Game Fishing 0413 485 402 Sunshine Coast Fishing Charters (07) 5500 0671 Fishing Offshore Noosa 0418 889 956 Noosa Fishing Charters (07) 5665 8170 Hervey Bay Fishing Charters (07) 4125 3958 Incredible Charters 1300 655 818

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

THE RECREATIONAL ANGLER’S LINK We have certainly had a sudden change in the weather, warm and windless to cold, clear and windy. In the southeast we are seeing less prawns, crabs and red claw but the bream are certainly overtaking whiting in the estuary catches. There is also a lot happening across the recreational fishing scene at the moment.

••••••••••••••••••• CORAL REEF CLOSURES

I have been advised that the Coral Reef Closures will be gazetted in May or June. I don’t have the exact details but they will be based on the same approach as for the last few years – around the moon phases. They will be circulated as soon as we know them.

••••••••••••••••••• QUEENSLAND FISHERY REVIEW

At present the applications for members of the Ministerial Advisory Committee and for the Consultant have closed. Hopefully, we will soon have an announcement regarding the makeup of the committee, the terms of reference and the anticipated time frame.

••••••••••••••••••• COMMONWEALTH MARINE RESERVES NETWORK

In the very near future we are expecting the review committees to be named. The Commonwealth has committed to a full review of the Marine Reserves Network. There will be an overseeing Scientific Review Panel and each region will have a Bioregional Advisory Panel with a common chair that will provide an avenue for feedback from the community. Once the announcement has been made, there will follow some clearer details about when community engagement will commence.

BALANCE FOR THE BAY ••••••••••••••••••• ••••••••••••••••••• ••••••••••••••••••• ••••••••••••••••••• ••••••••••••••••••• •••••••••••• Recreational fishers will have a new place to drop their lines, with the creation of a 20ha artificial reef off Scarborough in the Moreton Bay Marine Park. National Parks Minister Steve Dickson said it was part of the Government’s $50 million Marine Infrastructure Fund and would boost tourism and the local economy as promised at the election. “This truly is a top spot for fishing, and a new artificial reef will enhance this wonderful recreational activity and tourism opportunity,” Mr Dickson said. “We’ve dedicated $250,000 towards the project on the Western side of the bay, where local anglers said there was a real need. “It will be made of environmentally suitable, stable and long lasting materials, and support a variety of activities from spear fishing to game fishing.” Mr Dickson made the announcement after the Government decided not to proceed with a proposal to allow limited recreational fishing in the existing Scotts Point ‘green zone’ area. “Under the proposal,

well-deserved memorial for someone who has done so much for recreational fishing in Redcliffe and in particular for disabled access for recreational fishers,” Ms Lynne said. “Recreational fishing tourism is a very important social and economic contributor to local and state economies, and it’s great to see this activity further improved.” Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Allan Sutherland also applauded the move. “Most of the reefs are on the Southern or Eastern side, so this new artificial reef is a commonsense approach which will improve safety by allowing single-line recreational fishing would have been allowed from the shoreline,” he said. “We began seeking feedback from the community and asked the local MP to continue this consultation. “However the proposal was not supported by Yvette D’Ath and therefore won’t proceed. “Anglers told us there was a chance to create a top class fishing spot that would bring people to the area and build the

local industry. “This new announcement assures recreational fishers that while the local member may have forgotten them, we haven’t. “700,000 recreational fishers across the state generate in the vicinity of $450 million in economic activity annually to the economy and we are excited to give them this new opportunity.” Mr Dickson said the reef would be named after former Sunfish

Moreton Branch chairman Bill Turner. “Mr Turner lobbied to have an artificial reef in the area for 24 years, and it’s wonderful to see his legacy continued with the creation of Turner Reef,” he said. Sunfish Queensland Executive Officer Judy Lynne said recreational fishers from Redcliffe and Moreton Bay welcomed the new reef. “Bill led the campaign for this reef for more than 20 years, and this is a

••••••••••••••••••• WANT TO HELP?

Great fishing is about the prospect of lots of quality fish while spending time enjoying the outdoors. Quality fish come from healthy populations enjoying good water, plenty of food and access to habitat. When we have dams, denuded riverbanks, culverts, dredged gravel beds and poor water quality we don’t have healthy fish and we certainly don’t have great fishing experiences. That is why Sunfish

Queensland is working to improve fish habitats. It’s a simple equation: the more quality fish habitat, the more quality fishing you will be able to enjoy. Improving fish habitats involves all of us and we need your help. To improve what we do,

we would like to know more about you, what you know and what you think about habitat. We are taking part in an international survey with counterparts in the USA, Ireland and the United Kingdom. The survey should take no

more than 5 minutes and is available by accessing this link https://www. surveymonkey.com/s/ FishersandHabitat. All the information is anonymous and not related to your email address. We are pleased to offer 50 prizes of rods, reels,

www.sunfishqld.com.au

anglers to be closer to refuges and boat ramps,” Mr Sutherland said. “The reef will be a fitting tribute to someone that virtually dedicated his life to recreational fishing on behalf of all Queenslanders.” Mr Dickson said there were no current plans to change any other green zone boundaries. – Minister for National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing The Honourable Steve Dickson.

lures and clothing valued at over $4000 thanks to the support of the Australian Fishing Trade Association and Pure Fishing. There’s a link at the end of the survey that takes you a separate, unlinked page where you can enter the draw for these great prizes. – Judy Lynne

Email: judylynne@sunfishqld.com.au

Mark your calendar for the 2014 Mackay Boat Show The 4th annual Mackay Boat Show is on this month. Make tracks to Mackay Marina on the 21 and 22 June 2014. The FREE weekend-long event will feature everything from sailing boats, offshore fishing boats, tinnies, fibreglass boats and PWCs to marine electronics and accessories. Visitors to this year’s Festival can expect to see

boat displays both on and off the water with new release products from some of the biggest names in the marine industry. Marine Queensland Events’ Manager Kiri Ngarotata said Mackay was bursting with boats - the region boasting one of the state’s highest per capita boat ownership ratios with one boat registered for every 9 residents.

“Outside of the Gold Coast - Mackay has the highest number of boats per resident in Queensland,” Ms Ngarotata said. “The figure of 12% boat ownership in the region also makes it the highest in the state with 95% of these boats being trailer boats 8m and under. Adding to this year’s event will be heaps of FREE kids entertainment at the Kids Marine. The Kids Marine

Zone is designed to educate and inspire tomorrow’s anglers with plenty of hands on activities to keep the kids busy. Mackay Marina is the place to be for this FREE family event. The 2014 Mackay Marine Festival is proudly brought to you by Marine Queensland, Mackay Marina (Port Binnli) and Events and Tourism Queensland.

Australian builders plate makes boating safer for the public The Australian Builders Plate for Recreational Boats (ABP) gives you key safety information at a glance, whether you’re buying a boat, going out boating, or taking a mate’s boat out. Even though most new recreational boats

will need an ABP, some boats, such as second hand boats, sailing boats and small personal watercraft are exempt from carrying an ABP. To help clarify things, here is a list of vessels that do not need an ABP • aquatic toys • amphibious vehicles •

paddle powered boats such as a canoe, kayak or surf ski • hydrofoils or hovercraft • pedal powered boats • personal watercraft carrying no more than two people • racing boats • rowing shells used for racing or rowing training • sailboards • sailing boats •

submersibles • second hand boats • surf row boats. An ABP Helps you: Buy a Boat The plate helps you to compare boats so you can buy one to best suit your needs. It also tells you how many people can safely fit on board

The 54th annual Brisbane Boat Show This year the Brisbane Boat Show will celebrate 54 years of showcasing the best of Queensland’s Marine Industry! Marine Queensland is excited to be returning to the newly redeveloped Brisbane Showgrounds

(RNA Showgrounds) for the 2014 Brisbane Boat Show. From the 12-15 September 2014 the Brisbane Boat Show will be the perfect place to search, compare and choose from hundreds of

boats, marine accessories and services. Attractions already confirmed for this year’s show include FREE kids’ fishing clinics, cooking demonstrations, plenty of expert talks and demonstrations and of

course - lots of boats! Mark your calendar and keep an eye out as more attractions are confirmed! Want to exhibit? Contact Marine Queensland today on 07 3240 0170 or email events@marineqld.com.au.

DETAILS What ............................... 54th Brisbane Boat Show When .................................12 – 15 September 2014 Where ................ Brisbane Showgrounds, Brisbane Web ...................... www.brisbaneboatshow.com.au

Choose an Outboard Motor The ABP details a boat’s maximum outboard engine power rating, so you can choose a motor that the boat can safely handle. Avoid Overloading You don’t need to rely on guesswork when planning

your trip, as the ABP tells you the maximum load that the boat can carry when out on the water. Maximum load includes: the weight of people; outboard engines; and carry on equipment such as safety gear, eskies, fishing tackle, spare parts, portable tanks etc.

Know how to respond to marine incidents In the unfortunate event of being involved in a marine incidents, it’s important to know your legal obligations and also the requirements of your insurance company in case you need to make a claim. Marine incidents must be reported to a shipping inspector (Marine Safety Officers, Water Police or QLD Boating and Fisheries Patrol) within 48 hours of the incident occurring. If you are unable to access an inspector you can contact them by phone. It is an offence not to report a marine incident and can result in fines of up to $3000. A ‘marine incident’ report must be completed - these forms are available for MSQ’s website at www.msq.qld.gov.au. A reportable marine incident may include: • The loss of a person from a boat; • A collision with a boat or pwc; • The stranding of a boat; • Material damage to a boat, or caused by boat’s operations; • Danger to a person, boat or structure caused by a boat’s operations. If in doubt as to whether an incident is reportable or not, contact a shipping inspector. Most insurance companies will require a copy of the marine incident report and may not honour your claim if an official report has not been filed. If you are involved in a marine incident with another vessel, you are legal required to: • Provide assistance to any injured parties where possible, without endangering yourself; • Stay at the scene of the incident to provide assistance to all parties involved; • Give your, and where applicable, the boat owner’s contact details to the operator of the other vessel/s involved; • Assist the other vessel/s owner with any damaged property. If you are in the vicinity of where an incident has occurred, you are legally required to render assistance to the parties involved so long as there is no risk of danger to yourself or those on the other vessels.

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 112

JUNE 2014

Northern NSW / Gold Coast Tweed Coast Marine 147 Pacific Hwy Tweed Heads South Ph: (07) 5524 8877 Fax: (07) 5524 3324 Email: dan@tweedcoastmarine.com.au Website: www.tweedcoastmarine.com.au Meridian Marina Horizon Shores Onshore Marine Cabbage Tree Point Rd,Woongoolba Phone: (07) 5546 2480 | Fax: (07) 5546 1362 Email: onshoremarine@ozemail.com.au Website: www.onshoremarine.com.au Brisbane 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

Mercury Portables. Lightweight and built to last. Mercuryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Portables range provide the power that you can carry, run and depend on. With eleven horsepower options ranging from 2.5hp to 30hp, these compact units punch well above their weight.

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 Brisbane North Brisbane Marine 306 Duffield Road Clontarf, Q. 4019 Phone: (07) 3889 3033 | Fax: (07) 3889 5390 Email:info@brismarine.com.au Website: www.brismarine.com.au Toowoomba Waterskiers Warehouse 91-93 Neil St Toowoomba Phone: (07) 4637 9511 | Fax: (07) 4637 9513 Email: rod@waterskierswarehouse.com.au Website: www.waterskierswarehouse.com.au Bribie Island Bribie Boat Sales 217 First Ave Bribie Island Phone: (07) 3408 0055 | Fax: (07) 3408 0805 Email: danny@bribieboatsales.com.au Website: www.bribieboatsales.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 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 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

Engel Spotters are exactly what you need when you’re out fishing! - Paul Worsteling

They’re not just for guys, the whole family can wear Spotters and stay cool! - Cristy Worsteling

If you want to stay cool, you need to be seen in Spotters. Thanks to Engel they can be yours. - Ernie Dingo

FREE ENGEL SPOTTERS PACK! VALUED AT ALMOST $350!

GET YOUR FREE ENGEL SPOTTERS PACK THIS WINTER! There’s never been a better time to get yourself a new Engel fridge-freezer. During May, June and July 2014, when you buy any fridge-freezer from the Engel MT series, you get a free Engel Spotters Pack!* Valued at almost $350, the pack contains an Engel backpack plus your very own pair of Engel branded Spotters Fury sunglasses and a Spotters cap! *While stocks last. Engel reserves the right to substitute products with those of similar value if the need arises. All promotional items must be redeemed at time and place of purchase and are only available with purchases from participating Engel retailers within Australia.

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

The Torque of the Town. The 150hp Mercury FourStroke. We could continue to talk up its strengths. Instead it has spoken for itself. And now, Australia’s leading marine reviewers can’t stop talking about it. Clearly the most compact and durable, lowest weight and highest displacement 150hp FourStroke outboard the world has ever seen. Visit www.mercurymarine.com.au

“This engine was so good it actually made me rethink my love of direct fuel injection two-strokes.” Andrew Norton - Tradeaboat

“It takes the recent trend of making four-strokes smaller, lighter and more responsive to the next level.” Jim Harnwell - Fishing World

“I walked away impressed with the performance, technology, passion and insane amount of R&D... squeezed under the cowling of 150hp four-stroke.” Matt Jones - Tradeaboat

“The large cubic capacity 3.0L block means the engine’s more chilled out than a Buddhist monk, but with plenty of torque.” Matt Jones - Tradeaboat

Image courtesy of Shane Chalker, www.shanechalkerphotography.com