Queensland Fishing Monthly June 2017 by Fishing Monthly

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Trouble with tilapia Exploring SEQ dams Fishing light on winter nights Brisbane waterway polluted BARRA Tournament Guide 2017

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June 2017, Vol. 29 No. 8

Contents NORTHERN NEW SOUTH WALES

Ayr 78 Townsville 79 Hinchinbrook 80 Lucinda 80 Cairns 81 Cairns NFZ 82 Port Douglas 83 Cooktown 83 Cape York 84 Weipa 84 TNQ Freshwater 85 BOATING AND KAYAK

117

REGULAR FEATURES Back to Basics 16 Camping and 4WD 100 Cooking 104 Dam Levels 94 Freshwater 94 Fun Page 105 Junior Northern 86 Junior Southern 37 Sheik of the Creek 107 Sunfish 106 Tech Tricks 18 Tournament News 107 Track my fish 102 Trades and Services 114 What’s New Fishing 88 What’s New Boating 120 SPECIAL FEATURES

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mundane tasks of everyday life? After all, the Open was held on weekdays. Whatever the reason, there’s clearly an appetite for it. We’re now working on addressing the technical side of delivering live audio and video coverage from a moving boat in a saltwater environment with dodgy mobile coverage. All of a sudden, catching the fish has become the easy part! If you want to check out the action from the Open, there are Live Highlights videos available on the Fishing Monthly YouTube channel. Finally, if you love chasing barra, or if you’ve ever dreamed of doing so, check out our bumper BARRA Tournament Angler Guide in this issue. As well as giving you tips about chasing these iconic fish, it also provides an insight into the experiences of top ABT BARRA tournament anglers. Check it out and see what it’s like to live the dream!

10 14 59 75 98

as much as he could of his tournament day to his audience. And they love it. I’ve had the gear to do it for a while, but I didn’t believe people would want to watch a bream angler in a bream tournament for hours on end. Bass Cat Boats’ Craig Simmons persuaded me to do otherwise and try it out. I was wrong and he was right. There, I said it! Over three days, the sporadic stream, plagued with technical problems, reached over 60,000 people, and the videos were viewed over 40,000 times in 72 hours. Yikes! It’s clear that Aussies love watching live, raw fishing. Maybe it’s because it’s not staged, not done with placed sponsors’ products and not scripted? Maybe it’s because it’s comforting to know that EVERYONE experiences long periods without a bite? And maybe watching fishing can take you away from the

AUST

Fishing light on winter nights Ongoing effects of chemical spill BARRA Tournament Guide 2017 Trouble with tilapia Exploring SEQ dams

computers, phones and tablets. Carl Jocumsen is to blame. Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last six years, you’ll know Carl as Australia’s most popular export in the world of professional bass fishing in the USA. Carl has massive social media followings and is possibly the most likeable angler on the planet. Carl’s fans have always loved watching him fish, tuning into the limited live coverage in the Bassmaster Elite series. We’d all wake up early and click on the live weigh-in, enduring hundreds of other anglers presenting the fish to the weighmaster so we could catch the moment when Aussie Carl could have his 60 seconds of fame. Last year, with permission from FLW Tour organisers, Carl started to live stream his days on the boat. With just a phone, bracket and solid data plan, he set about delivering

ION

Toxic chemicals released into the Brisbane River are nothing to worry about, according to Qld Health. However, doctors say otherwise. Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA) recommends that anglers stop eating fish and crustaceans from around the Brisbane River mouth, as the toxins are linked with cancer, thyroid disease and more. The problem is that these chemicals are bio-accumulants, which means that they become more concentrated at each step of the food chain. To read more about this controversial issue, check out our feature on the chemical spill. On a more positive note, a cool thing happened last month while I was fishing the BREAM Australian Open. My eyes were opened to how much people like watching people fishing – live – on

TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND

From the Editor’s Desk...

Rainbow Beach 50 Hervey Bay 50 Fraser Coast 52 Bundaberg 53 Lake Monduran 53 Rockhampton 54 Yeppoon 54 Gladstone 55 Stanage Bay 57 Mackay 58

CENTRAL QUEENSLAND

Tweed Heads inshore 26 The Tweed 28 Southern Gold Coast 30 Gold Coast Canals 32 Gold Coast 34 Jumpinpin 36 Southern Bay 38 Brisbane 40 Brisbane Offshore 42 Northern Bay 44 Caloundra 44 Noosa 46

SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND

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Wooli 20 Yamba 22 Iluka 24 Ballina 25

ING TRADE

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“They had my 6lb Fluorocarbon around trees “They had Fluorocarbon trees “They had my my 6lb Fluorocarbon around trees and weed but I6lb still managed to around catch five all and managed to catch and weed weed but II still still managed toleader!” catch five five all all over but 50cm with the same over over 50cm 50cm with with the the same same leader!” leader!” “We run Tough Trace on our “We run Tough Trace “We run Tough Trace on on our our lures and Fluorocarbon on lures and Fluorocarbon lures and Fluorocarbon on our live baits for marlin. on You our live for You our live baits baits for marlin. marlin. You would be surprised at the would surprised would be surprised at the the size we be have caught at on light size we have caught on size weand have caught on light light 60lb 80lb. A 250kg 60lb and AA 250kg 60lb and 80lb. 250kg beast is80lb. the biggest.” beast beast is is the the biggest.” biggest.”

“Black Magic 60lb Tough “Black 60lb Tough “Black Magic 60lbfailed Tough TraceMagic has never Trace has never failed Trace has never failed me in tough beach me me in in tough tough beach beach conditions.” conditions.” conditions.”

CHOOSING YOUR LEADER? TAKE THEIR WORD FOR IT... QUALITY EVERY TIME. CHOOSING CHOOSING YOUR YOUR LEADER? LEADER? TAKE TAKE THEIR THEIR WORD WORD FOR FOR IT... IT... QUALITY QUALITY EVERY EVERY TIME. TIME. “I thought you “I“Iwould thought thought you likeyou to would like to would like to know your 60lb know your know your 60lb 60lb fluorocarbon fluorocarbon fluorocarbon leader stood leader leader stood up to thestood job. I up the up to toimpressed the job. job. II was was impressed was impressed after feeling how after feeling how after feeling how coarse the beak coarse the coarse the beak beak and mouth was.” and and mouth mouth was.” was.”

“I fought the fish for about ten minutes and “I“Ithe fought the fish for ten minutes and fought thehad fishbarely for about about ten minutesThis and leader been chaffed. the had barely chaffed. This the leader leader had barely been chaffed. This separates the good andbeen bad quality leaders.” separates separates the the good good and and bad bad quality quality leaders.” leaders.”

“Definitely “Definitely “Definitelythe recommend recommend the recommend the Black Magic Black Magic Black Magic leader for leader for leader for in snapper fishing snapper fishing snapper fishing in in Port Welshpool. Port Welshpool. Portalways Welshpool. It’s good It’s good It’s always good toalways have good to good to have havegear good reliable on reliable gear reliable gear on on board.” board.” board.”

“The fight lasted around 50 minutes “The fight lasted around “The fight lasted around 50 minutes and I was stoked that 50 theminutes 20lb and II was 20lb and Magic was stoked stoked that the the 20lbthe Black Tough that Trace went Black Magic Tough the Black Magic Tough Trace went the distance and didn’tTrace let mewent down.” distance distance and and didn’t didn’t let let me me down.” down.”

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Find the light on winter nights BRISBANE

Reece Thomas

As the warmth of the summer nights slowly fades into the arrival of cool winter evenings it can make a few anglers question their motivation for those early morning or night time missions.

Every year as winter approaches I get excited thinking of the many late nights I will spend in the cover of darkness searching for fish. Suiting up in fleecelined jackets with long tracksuits, beanies, buffs and gloves may seem a bit excessive, but when the temperature drops to single digits and the wind chill

factor sets in you won’t be left thinking of retreating to a nice warm bed. The best thing about this style of fishing is that many locations around Brisbane can be accessed easily by foot or boat. As the summer rains decrease, the water clarity improves and pushes further into the river systems to bring on some great

Snapper are a welcome by-catch when chasing mulloway at night.

fishing. Over the duration of winter I generally cover waterways ranging from the Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast targeting species like mulloway, threadfin salmon, tailor, tarpon, dusky flathead and bream. Thinking outside of the box will open up plenty of opportunities, as many locations that may be too shallow or see heavy boat traffic during the day can turn into a hive of activity at night. Fish take advantage of the lull in boat traffic and the cover of darkness and move in to feast on baitfish holding in these areas. One of the biggest attractions to any night time lure fisher will be artificial light; lights attract baitfish and prawns, which are easy pickings for predators. There is no doubt Google Earth has given fishers a great advantage when it comes to researching new water and finding structure to fish. From a home computer or smartphone Google Earth can be accessed with the click of a button. Studying a river beforehand means you can get a general idea of the structure and are able to generate a game plan. Find boat ramps and a location to start, and then find others to fish as the tide moves into a system, similar to a ‘run-and-gun’ approach. LAND-BASED Land-based fishing can be a rewarding experience when quality fish are landed from the bank. Most of the structure that can be fished by a boat can still be accessed by land-based anglers.

Mark Masters with a flathead that he caught working a canal rockwall. This style of fishing normally means packing light. Have a backpack with a tackle tray loaded with lures like shallow running hardbodies, surface lures, vibes and soft plastics with appropriate jigheads, a couple of spools of leader and a quality pair of scissors and pliers. A pair of lip grippers can be a handy tool

to assist in landing a fish solo. It’s also a good idea to carry an LED headlamp or torch and a can of insect repellent. Walking the banks I will only take one combo. A 2500-4000 size spin reel on a suited rod will cover most of the situations you will encounter and deliver a long cast when needed.

This thready was caught while fishing land-based with a swimbait. It was tagged and released. 10

JUNE 2017

A pair of old sneakers are a perfect and comfortable footwear solution as some locations may have mud and slippery rocks, or you might be wading knee deep into water. It pays to play it safe and think about that next step when fishing around areas like this. When arriving at a spot, land-based or in a boat, it can be beneficial to study the area for a few minutes before making a cast. Take notice of the structure, tide flow and direction and any eddies may

be created. Also keep a sharp eye out for any baitfish and predators like pelicans. Each spot may differ with what techniques or lures work best. It can take multiple sessions before you produce a fish. Keep persisting as it can be extremely rewarding to work out a location after putting a lot of research and time into it. THE BOAT APPROACH The boat approach covers ground and opens up a lot of opportunities to fish a number of locations.

Exploring canal systems and the numerous bridges and deep holes throughout South East Queensland rivers can unlock some great night time fishing. When boating at night always make sure your boat has the required safety gear and navigation lighting before you head out. I really enjoy fishing at night from the boat, as there is considerably less boat traffic present on the waterways. Finding a ramp close to your destination means a shorter

A big bream taken on a soft plastic lure. boat ride in those cold temperatures. Another advantage of boat fishing is having the ability to carry multiple rods on board rigged with different lures and line classes. The Brisbane River has been a popular draw card for many anglers and is loaded with suitable structure for both day and night fishing. The Port of Brisbane is a busy, high-traffic hub that runs 24/7 all year round and still

Josh King caught this mulloway while land-based fishing with plastics.

produces some great fishing. Sounding around the ledges and drop-offs at the mouth and around the wharves and rock walls to locate fish is the norm for fishing the river. Once fish are located, try dropping down 20g soft vibes or 3/8-1/2oz metal vibes. Work these with slow hops along the bottom. Making sure to keep in contact with your lure to feel the take is important. Large paddle-

tail or prawn style plastics covered in some extra scent are commonly used to target threadfin, snapper and mulloway. Remember to keep in mind the exclusion zones when fishing the Port of Brisbane. The Gold Coast is home to vast canal systems that stem from the Coomera River right down to the Nerang River. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an absolute haven To page 12

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for lure fishos providing everything from natural structure to artificial rock walls, pontoons, bridges and marinas. These hold fish throughout the day and can be fished successfully during the night by adapting your approach and technique slightly. Structure is a key factor

to locating fish. Great places to start at night are bridges and the entrances to canals. Bridges house multiple species from the silver ghost of the estuary (mulloway) to threadfin salmon, mangrove jack, flathead, estuary cod, tailor, tarpon and yellowfin bream, depending on the location. Using a sounder with

side imaging can show you in great detail on what is happening below the waterline. Sound around the pylons and drop-offs looking for fish and baitfish. Once located, spot locking with an electric motor or drifting while vertical jigging with a vibration lure or large paddle-tail soft plastic is a proven successful method.

A great threadfin taken on a soft vibe from the Port of Brisbane.

It’s all smiles when one of these silver ghosts is boated.

JUNE 2017

Other species like tailor, tarpon and trevally regularly ambush the baitfish that gather around bridge pylons at night taking shelter in the eddies. Pay close attention to any surface movement or feeding fish. Casting small hardbodies, plastics or surface lures can provide great sportfishing fun on these species. Setting hooks into a tarpon and having it spend more time in the air than in the water can be a challenge to keep the hooks set.

Another method is to focus on the entrance to canals and the surrounding rock walls and pontoons. As the tide moves through these systems, larger fish hold around this structure and ambush any stray baitfish making their exit. Working plastics in the 3-4” range or casting hardbodies in different diving depths along the rock walls, pontoons and moored boats is a great way to encounter species like trevally, mulloway and cod. Last year’s winter night fishing provided some

great sessions in our local waterways. Putting the time into various locations saw some great winter fishing with mulloway eating shallow crankbaits and angry tailor chasing down surface lures. In one session, my mate Josh and I landed over 20 flathead and two mulloway in four hours of fishing. Grab a hoodie, rig the rods and set out for a night time adventure in our South East Queensland waterways. You just may be surprised at what is on offer.

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News

Qantas chemical spill may affect Brisbane fishery BRISBANE

Fishing Monthly

On the evening of 10 April, a hose in the Qantas hangar at Brisbane Airport leaked approximately 5,000L of the 22,000L spilt of firefighting chemicals into nearby

north to Nudgee Beach and Shorncliffe dispersed by the tides and wind. On 28 April, Toxfree a company that cleans spills, then spilt another 850L of a similar chemical substance and 500L went off site into a neighboring public reserve and local waterways.

over 50 times the recreational water quality limit, and PFOS more than double. Dr Andrew Jeremijenko from The National Toxic Network believes these poisons persist in the environment and will bio-accumulate up the food chain for decades. He states, “Dr Jeanette Young

Nudgee Beach

! H ! H Kedron Brook

Brisbane Airport

! H ! H ! H

Brisbane River

! H

The chemicals PFOA and PFOS could potentially bio-accululate their way up the food chain to large fish species for decades to come.

Boggy Creek

Bulimba Creek

The map shows the area investigated after the spill. Map courtesy of Queensland Health.

waterways. The foamy spill made its way from the airport to the nearby Boggy Creek via a drain, then to the lower reaches of the Brisbane River and

Testing of nearby Boggy Creek on 11 April over 12 hours after the spill revealed the presence of two dangerous toxins, PFOA and PFOS. PFOA was found at

from Queensland Health is reported as saying that ‘… there is currently no consistent evidence that PFOA exposure causes adverse health harm in humans’.

“This assertion is simply not true. PFOS/PFOA are bad chemicals and that is why Queensland has banned them. “PFOA meets the criteria for a PBT substance, that is one that is persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic, according to Article 57 (d) of REACH, the key chemical control regulation in the European Union.” Visions of dead fish floating in the foam followed by fish and prawns with higher levels of PFOA and PFOS are just the beginning. Many forms of life including marine animals, birds and humans may be affected by this spill in the long term. Nudgee Beach, a popular nearby bayside suburb

and the Boondall wetlands – a RAMSAR listed bird sanctuary were both impacted by this spill. “The German Human Biomonitoring Commission advises that effects on fertility, pregnancy, gestational diabetes, lipid metabolism, immunity after vaccination, immunological development and thyroid metabolism are well proven, relevant and significantly associated with exposure to PFOA and/or PFOS,” Dr Andrew Jeremijenko said. The QLD Health Department’s response has been suggested as negligent. The media statement was released four days after the event on Good Friday – not a good day for public

health messages. As waters were contaminated during school holidays, people were swimming and eating fish and prawns for four days before the notification and continued to do so over the Easter long weekend. QLD Health recommended to not eat the fish, but then mixed the message by stating there was no consistent evidence of health effects from these chemicals. QLD Health did not state: • PFOS was identified (they only told the public about PFOA); • Both PFOA and PFOS were above the recreational water quality limit; • These chemicals are significantly associated with

Legend

Km 6

AFFF Investigation

onitoring Points

Investigation Area

! H

Sample Points (Water)

Big king threadfin are a popular target for both recreational and commercial fishers in the affected area. 14

JUNE 2017

Snapper are another potentially affected species that are soughtafter by both recreational and commercial fishers.

News testicular cancer, kidney cancer, thyroid disease, ulcerative colitis amongst other health effects; • The name of the chemical spilt to GPs, despite advising the public to call 13Health or see their GPs if they were concerned about their exposure. In the US, there have been patients with kidney cancers and testicular cancers awarded millions of dollars in compensation from companies that polluted water with PFOA.

This year, a class action was settled in the US for $671 million due to PFOA contamination. The health department should not minimise the risks of health effects due to concerns about corporate or government liability. At Oakey in Queensland, and Williamstown in New South Wales, there are now class actions against the government due to firefighting foam spills and the persistence of these chemicals in the water.

Indeed, high PFOA and PFOS levels have now been found near military bases and a number of commercial airports around Australia. Commercial fishing in the affected area will be severely impacted by the spill, and it’s likely that the chemicals could bio-accumulate up the food chain and be persistent in the river for decades. This could mean that eating fish from this area may not be safe for many years. The Brisbane River mouth area has a high

The graph shows how king threadfin netting has increased in the affected area in the last decade. Commercial fishing has been severely impacted by the spill, and commercial fishers are currently considering legal action. Graph courtesy of Infofish.

output of several estuarine species, including king threadfin, mulloway, bream, snapper and prawns, which are also popular targets for recreational anglers as well. Consumption of these species may be harmful. While the commercial fishing boats are considering legal action over this man-made environmental disaster, the public are still being misled by the Health department. They continue to state that there is no consistent evidence despite Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA) publicly highlighting the dangers of these chemicals and the scientific research linking these persistent organic pollutants (POPs) with severe health effects in multiple species including humans. DEA have recommended: • The Commonwealth ban these chemicals as Queensland has done; • Qantas stop using these chemicals and replace them with safer alternatives; • Qantas pays compensation or is fined for the damage that can’t be fixed. We can’t undo the Qantas spill, but we can change what happens in the future to protect the public and our precious natural resources and marine life from further environmental disasters.

Hugh Ciereszko caught and released this 87cm beaut flathead from Jumpinpin.

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JUNE 2017

Which electric motor is the right one for you? NSW STH COAST

Steve Starling www.starlofishing.com

Last month we looked at the benefits of using an electric motor. Now it’s time to examine the choices on offer and decide which make, model and configuration might best suit your particular fishing needs.

If you watch footage of any of the top-flight bass tournaments out of the United States, you’ll quickly notice that almost every American bass pro opts for a cable-steer electric. Many Aussie bass and bream tournament fishers have followed this lead. Their reasons for choosing cable steer are two-pronged: Firstly, cable-steer electrics

either wireless or connected to the motor via cables (most modern units are wireless). This more complex setup results in slower response times from the head unit. However, the advantages are that these electronic controls can be operated from anywhere on the boat (or even a short distance away outside of the boat!) and many also offer

The author with a handsome javelin grunter taken with the help of a modern, sophisticated electric motor.

Bow-mounted electric motors allow pinpoint placement of your boat for accurate, effective casting. Electric motors are available in a range of styles and configurations, making it potentially tricky for first time buyers to work out exactly which setup is best for them. It really pays to do your homework, talk to more experienced anglers and shop around before laying down your hard-earned cash for a ‘lecky. The first decision to be made is an important choice between a bow-mounted or transom-mounted unit. Transom-mounted electrics are considerably cheaper and easier to fit than quality bow-mounts and are generally only available in 12V versions with reasonably modest power outputs or thrust ratings. They’re a good choice for kayaks, canoes, car-toppers and little tinnies, but rather limited in their functionality on larger craft. A transom-mounted electric works quite well for trolling, but its usefulness when manoeuvring a vessel to cast lures or flies at specific targets is rather marginal. That’s why most serious users opt for a bow-mounted unit on their larger trailer boats. Once we move our attentions to the pointy end of the boat, we still have some vital choices to make when picking a bow-mounted electric. The most significant decision is whether to go with a cable-steer or electronicallycontrolled version. 16

JUNE 2017

employ a rugged, relatively simple mechanical steering mechanism. There’s not a lot to go wrong. Secondly, the steering response of these units is extremely fast; tilt your foot one way on the control and the head, shaft and prop of the motor rotate immediately in that chosen direction. Tip your foot back the other way and the motor rotates in the opposite direction. This process becomes highly intuitive over time, and is extremely useful when manoeuvring in tight spaces (such as between oyster racks) or dealing with fast, powerful fish hooked close to cover. By contrast, electronically controlled motors have a remote hand or foot control (or both) that is

integrated GPS-controlled functions such as ‘Spot Lock’ or ‘Anchor,’ as well as the ability to maintain a compass heading and a set speed, to track along a

designated or pre-programed course, or go directly to various stored waypoints. These sophisticated, electronically-controlled units are by far the biggest

Today’s bow-mounted electric motors offer a host of really handy features and can even be integrated with your sounder and plotter unit for increased functionality.

Smaller trailer boats are well served by 12V electric motor systems with 40-60lb of rated thrust.

sellers in Australia today. Once you’ve decided between stern or bow mounting and cable or electronic control, you’ll need to pick a power and thrust rating, a brand and a model. Electrics come in 12, 24, 36 and (rarely) 48V versions, and their power output at the propeller is generally rated in pounds of thrust from about 15 or 18lb in small transom units to more than 100lb in the biggest bow-mounts. For most trailer boats up to about 5.2m in length and with an all-up weight of half a tonne or less, a 12V unit with 40-60lb of thrust is fine. Larger vessels or

those operating in areas with consistently strong tides or winds will be better served by a 24V system with at least 75lb of thrust. Some makers offer a choice between saltwater and freshwater versions, with the major differences being related to the powder coatings or paints used, the metals selected, and whether or not sacrificial zinc anodes are fitted as standard. Not surprisingly, saltwater models are greatly favoured by Australian anglers. Finally, there’s the matter of choosing a brand and a model. The range of choice in this area expands each year. As a rule of thumb, you get what you pay for, and cheaper units may not last as long or perform as well out of the box as top-line offerings. They’re also likely to have less built-in features. The two big brands in electric motors have been in this business a long time and have the runs on the board, as well as established dealer networks and aftersales service records. As with fishing tackle, buying something significantly cheaper from a lesser-known maker can potentially end in tears. My advice is to buy the best you can afford, look after it really well, and don’t be afraid to contact the Australian distributor immediately if you experience any operating issues. If you’ve been contemplating going electric and have put it off, I strongly urge you to bite the bullet this year. No other single piece of kit will have a greater positive impact on your lure and flyfishing results than a quality, bow-mounted electric motor.

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Tech Tricks

Seasoned technique for salting pilchards BRISBANE

Gordon Macdonald masterbaitertackle@hotmail.com

Bait is rather expensive these days and can take up a decent portion of your fishing trip budget. Pilchards are an extremely popular bait and are nearly always acquired in a frozen state. IQF (individual quick frozen) baits are handy, as you can just defrost the pilchards a few at a time as required, which helps to minimise waste. Block pilchards require that you defrost the entire

amount (generally around 2kg) so that you can use them. If you don’t use all of them soon after defrosting, the remainder are only good for berley. They will be mushy and commonly break apart after refreezing and then defrosting again. One way to toughen these baits and render them useful for future trips is to salt them down. Apart from making pilchards tougher, salting can also make them last a lot longer without freezing, or even refrigeration. This is ideal when going on extended trips either offshore, or beach fishing where refrigeration

access can be limited. The process of salting sucks a lot of the fluids out of the fish and also draws moisture out of the bacteria in the flesh, killing it or making it go dormant. This means the flesh won’t decay or smell badly. Salting fish is extremely easy and relatively quick. If you have the salt at hand, it only takes a few minutes to do after returning home from a day’s fishing. There are several ways to salt pilchards and other fish. These are all relatively similar. The longer you salt the fish, the firmer it will

be and longer it will last. Salted fish can even be stored without refrigeration. The pilchards or other fish can simply be put in a large sealed container or bucket with plenty of salt and a few taken out as required. To stop the long-term salted pilchards going too hard, adding some borax (sodium borate, sodium tetraborate or disodium tetraborate) to your salt (about one cup to each 1-1.5kg) will help to keep pilchards fairly soft and pliable. It is advised not to use iodised (table) salt to preserve your pilchards, as

For making great baits you will need some pilchards, newspaper or absorbent kitchen paper, a container with a sealable, preferably airtight lid or a large tray and some swimming pool salt. If you have some damaged pilchards, you will also require a knife and a small tray or bag to put them in.

it is believed that the iodine repels fish. Iodised salt is also a little too expensive to use for this process anyway. Anglers commonly use coarse salt or swimming pool salt. A 10kg bag of pool salt can be purchased for around $5 from Woolworths or a 25kg bag of slightly coarser swimming pool salt is around $8 at Bunnings. Basically, if you want salted pilchards that last a long time and don’t require any form of cooling, you can just put them in a sealed bucket with loads of salt and leave them. However, unless you add some borax, they can

become a little too firm to be pinned on the hooks and used effectively for species like tailor. Lighter (shorter term) salting will firm pilchards enough to make them great baits, but they’ll probably need to be kept cool to last for longer periods. I often salt and freeze leftover pilchards for the long term. Keeping them in the fridge or esky would be sufficient to preserve them for several weeks until your next trip. If heading away to somewhere with limited refrigeration, you may want to salt some pilchards a week or two before your trip.

Put a few layers of kitchen paper on a tray or in the sealed container. Put 1-2cm of salt in an even bed on the paper.

Any distorted pilchards should be straightened so that they will lay flat. They are much easy to straighten now than after they are salted. If you put them on the hook while distorted, they will spin in the current, creating line twist. Put aside any badly damaged pilchards.

Lay the pilchards on the bed of salt in your container or on the tray in with a few millimetres between each one so that the salt can totally cover them.

Put at least a centimetre of salt all over the pilchards and spread evenly. Make sure salt gets down between each pilchard. Give the tray or container a little shake to ensure salt gets into all the grooves.

Put on more layers of pilchards and cover each with a good coating of salt and stow in a cool area or the refrigerator, preferably overnight. If you are storing the pilchards for a very long time, or want them extra firm, then simply put them in the container with a sealable lid. Apply a heap of salt on top and then store in a cool place for use when needed.

Badly damaged pilchards can be chopped into bait size pieces, either cubes or half pillies. Put a layer of salt in the bottom of a small container or clip seal bag and then place the pieces in. 18

JUNE 2017

Fill the rest of the container or bag with salt, give it a shake to make sure all the pilchards are covered and then seal. Leave at room temperature for at least six hours and then put in the refrigerator or freezer.

After the pilchards have been in the salt for at least six hours (preferably overnight), take them out and layer them in a container or seal them in a clip seal bag or Cryovac. Leave the salt that is clinging to each pilchard on them. The longer they are in the salt, the firmer they will be and the longer they will last without cooling. If leaving them totally in salt in the clip seal container, drain off the excess juice after a few days. Your old soft pillies are once again prime baits that will last a long time with minimal or no cooling.

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Big fish coming in to feed WOOLI

Stan Young

The mackerel season was a good one with plenty fish being caught, mainly schoolsize fish. As the season starts to slow down the big fish will come in close to feed on the massive schools of baitfish.

Longtail tuna and cobia will be with the Spanish competing for the baitfish. North Solitary Island has produced good catches of mackerel and kingfish. Even a fair few snapper have been showing up with trag, pearl perch and tuskfish being caught. This year should be a good snapper season with all

the rain we’ve had in the last couple of months. Whenever we have big rainfalls we always have a good snapper season. We’ve been catching decent fish on the charters. Snapper will get thicker in the coming months as the weather cools down. I like to anchor and berley and use floaters to catch the

bigger fish, sometimes letting out a couple hundred metres of line to catch the big ones. I find if you can let out a lot of rope on the anchor you have a much wider berley trail so your berley covers a lot more country. You need a run of current to take the berley down the trail for the maximum results. The bream are now in full swing on the beach and at the breakwall a lot of luderick are also being caught. A few keen fishos have been catching mulloway on the beach, but you have to be prepared to fish into the dark for top results. The tailor have been feeding on the close beaches and the breakwall. There have been a lot of choppers and some bigger fish around the 3kg mark have been caught on spinners. This is good sport and productive. The rains have chased the mangrove jack to the mouth of the river. A couple of the locals have been catching them on plastics. They are not an easy fish to stop when they are running so be prepared to get smoked or busted up when they hit the rocks. Locals use the 7” ZMan in smoky shad colour or the pink 16g

Snapper will turn up more as the weather cools. Trollcraft Fork Tail in the 98mm size. Wooli has a bar to cross when venturing to sea so make sure you have a life jacket on when going out and coming back in. Remember when putting a life jacket on it must be tight otherwise you could be in trouble. If you go over on the bar and it’s not tight enough it can slip up around your neck and make it difficult if there are waves coming in at you. Always wait for the lull in the waves before venturing out. If you’re in doubt, don’t go out. You can always fish another day and it’s better to be safe than sorry. • Call into our tackle shop at 43 Riverside Drive, Wooli and we’ll help you with

rigs, knots and more. Our charter business has two boats, both purpose-built for chartering. If you want a fun day out give us a call on (02) 6649 7100 and talk to Stan or Claire. We also provide accommodation overlooking the Wooli River. We supply food, drinks, all tackle including rods and reels and ice for your fish. All you need to bring is an esky to take home your catch. If you don’t have a boat and want to go to sea, call into the tackle shop and put your name down on a charter. Or if you’re not sure about conditions, give me a ring on 0266 497 100 and I’ll let you know about conditions.

This year should produce good snapper.

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JUNE 2017

Whenever there are big rainfalls, there is always a good snapper season.

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Easier seas and plenty of species YAMBA

Dave Gaden

Cold morning winds and the water temperature dropping don’t sound very inviting, but for fishers it means that things are about to heat up (hungry fish-wise). I never look forward to the 4:30am starts setting up the charter boats in the winter. I hate the cold. The flipside is I know during this time of the year it’s easier to find a really good feed of quality fish for my customers. You can tuck in close to the headland at One Man and Red Cliff to the south of Yamba and get nice fish in less than 10m of water most mornings, with a little bit

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of protection from those freezing southwest winds blowing off the frost in Armidale.

To the north I like to get in tight around Black Rocks. Where we fish you can nearly count the

fish do as well. Another reason for this is with that early morning breeze the slop coming from the beach

Alex with a whopper spotted mackerel.

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black rocks on the beach. Any of these shallow reefs and around the numerous bommies on that north ground hold quality fish early in the day. Another bonus is that the ocean seems a little

out is absolutely horrible to fish in; waves coming from the land out to sea is not a natural thing. This is an interesting month as the whales will well and truly be here, and with them the cobia

Margaret from Holland with a Moses perch. spotties and Spaniards right through until 20 June. This can be a problem as well because you really need a wire to get macs, but you don’t want one for the cobia. Although I spent a fair bit of my time fishing the South Evans Reef during the year I really prefer the south grounds in winter. Even the closest ground to Yamba just past Angourie can hold a heap of fish at this time of the year. The grounds from Plumbago to Sandon in 25-35m of water

are my favourite. Many times you can put an anchor down before 7am and not have to lift it until you go home, where the fish just keep coming to you. Winter really is the time of the year for float baiting bigger fish, no matter what the depth. Have a good berley trail and big soft baits (mullet fillet or pillies) and just keep feeding line until you’re feeding fish. The other bonus is the shearwaters (mutton birds) should have left for the Northern Hemisphere

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Bernie with a good longtail tuna.

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JUNE 2017

kinder at this time of the year. Obviously the offshore breeze every morning flattens it off for you, but those late morning and early afternoons are quite often a beautiful slick sea. We fish close most mornings and wait for the sun to climb high enough to penetrate the water, 9:30am or so then move into the deeper water, as I think the

on the surface. Blacktip sharks will be around in really good numbers, and although they can be a nuisance to some with their tangling of every line on the boat, they are great eating and easy to clean. There is still a real chance of catching good numbers of mackerel as they make their way north. Last year we caught good

Helen with her first mackerel.

where they belong and you can actually get a bait down to the fish. For those wanting to head wide to the 50 fathom line, the current should have backed off making fishing easier. Pearl perch, blue morwong and pigfish should be the trophies of the day. Take a bit of heavier gear as the kingfish, samsonfish and amberjack will all be there. Do as much of this as you can this month. I have just spent some time down on the south coast and the boys there tell me the leatherjackets are as thick as they have ever seen them. They will be on us in July, making the trip out wide a lot more expensive with loss of gear. In the estuary this month

CREATE YOUR ADVENTURES Toby smashes it again with a great pearl perch. Kids catch all the fish!

Aiden with a decent Spanish mackerel. is the spawn of the bream. You can expect places like the middle wall to be covered in predominately male fish waiting for the full moon to run to sea and have their fun. I find night fishing the most fun and productive. Mix up a good berley using either berley pellets or standard chook food with some wheat and soak it for two days in tuna oil. I flick a teaspoon of this over the side with every new bait and they just go crazy. Luderick (blackfish) are usually a winter target. Signs are pretty good as they never really stopped biting all year and a lot of fish have shown up early. The fresh from all the bad weather before Easter cleaned or killed most of the good river weed they like and the rough seas belted all the cabbage off, but that will be back to normal again this month and fish should be hungry. Once again the Iluka side of the east section of the middle wall should be a

real hotspot all day long. With the run of the sea mullet this month the main breakwalls on both Yamba and Iluka sides will be the places to chase that big mulloway. It’s worth braving the cold to raise these beautiful and very tasty fish from the salt. Try to avoid going alone, not just for the safety factor but also to have a good gaff man to help with the inevitable. • Please call into Marina Boat & Tackle if you have just arrived and need any advice or supplies, as we are more than happy to help. If you are planning a charter, give me a call and book early. I have just purchased two new big charter boats (giving us four) so if you are looking at group or fishing club bookings for a large numbers of fishers, I’m sure I can accommodate you.

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Toby looking cool with a snapper. JUNE 2017

Awesome winter fishing ahead ILUKA

Ross Deakin

The mighty Clarence River is finally cleaning up after the ridiculous amount of rain we received in March. Some of the fishing we experienced around that time was incredible, with flathead, bream and mulloway caught down our end after having

been washed down. Mud crab numbers were also very good. We are now settling down into cooler weather, and everything is looking like we are going to have an awesome winter’s fishing season. There have been some nice tailor around off the headlands and beaches, with good-size fish up to 2kg. Anglers have also been

picking up trevally to 5kg. The water close in has been dirty with the northerly sweep, so many anglers have been heading south to the Angourie grounds. There they have been picking up some nice snapper and teraglin, and have also been picking up the odd spotted mackerel and tuna. Black Rock to the north has seen some excellent fishing as

A wicked 6.5kg snapper Wil Woods caught at Black Rock.

well, with many anglers bagging out on mulloway. Here’s a few fish we have had weighed in over the last couple of weeks: 6.5kg snapper from Black Rock (Wil Woods); 3.2kg teraglin from Woody Head (Paul Barry); 1.22kg bream from Woody Head (Jason Barry); 6kg snapper from Woody Head (Dan Pianta); 5.5kg samsonfish from Black Rock (John Lawson); 4.5kg longtail tuna from Black Rock (Steve Espinoza), 5kg snapper from Black Rock (Burt Edwards). There have been some nice catches of luderick off the Bluff in recent weeks, and a few being taken in the river as well. There have also been great garfish numbers around the break wall and north arm. Have an awesome start to winter, and happy fishing everyone. • For all your fishing needs and up-to-date information and tips for spots and fish, drop into the shop for a chat. Iluka Bait and Tackle is located at 3 Owen Street, Iluka NSW 2466. Give us a call on (02) 6646 5217 or 0402 997 572. We are available online at www.ilukabait.com.au, or you can visit our Facebook page.

Lilly Kennedy caught this kilo bream off Iluka Wall.

John Lawson with his 5.5kg samsonfish and Steve Espinoza with a great 4.5kg tuna caught at Black Rock.

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JUNE 2017

Good quality fish are moving with the fresh BALLINA

Joe Allan

After a crazy period, where we saw more water come into the system than

the river on the run in tide and is getting up around the RSL. By the start of this month, the whole system’s water quality should have returned to normal.

ferry and into the lower reaches of Emigrant Creek. Most of the bream are still hugging the rock walls and the odd one can be found out on some of the sand flats during the run in tides. There seem to be some

would float an unweighted soft plastic down a wall. A few bass and estuary perch are showing up in the upper reaches of Emigrant Creek and are taking hardbody lures and soft plastics in darker colours.

They have been patchy recently and they should be really firing soon. You can get 30 one day and not boat a single one the next. Offshore has been okay with decent catches of snapper off the close in reef likes Reardons and do up towards Lennox Point. The beaches will be a little tough, but there have been a few whiting and

bream around Flat Rock. Some chopper tailor have come from some of the rock platforms towards Lennox as well. The south wall has produced a few mulloway and Patchs Beach will be worth a look for a few chopper tailor and bream. Try metal slugs for the tailor and a few pipis from the beach for the bream. Tight lines.

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$ Jarrah Fitzgibbon with a couple of beautiful pearl perch wide from Ballina. we’d normally see in a few years, the river is really starting to fire. The ocean water is pushing back into

Currently, this fresh seawater has meant that the flathead and bream have been pushing up past the

Anthony Melchior with a solid bream from the Porpoise wall.

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good quality fish amongst them. With the water starting to drop in temperature, the big snows can’t be far off. A lot of the flathead have been in fairly shallow water due to the recent cooler weather as well, so North Creek, Mobbs Bay and some of the sand flats above the ferry will be the likely spots to try. Brightly coloured soft plastics, as well as pilchards, prawns and mullet have all attracted them this week. Bright is definitely key for plastics and smelly is the go for the bait. The run in tide has also produced some luderick along the walls on cabbage during the incoming tide. Peeled prawns or yabbies work well on the run out. If you can find any weed flies it’s worth giving them a crack too. Try these either under a float or fished on a very light weight like you

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The start of winter equals big bream and more THE TWEED INSHORE

Tim Latter

The mercury will be dropping and so will the water temperature in the Tweed this month. Generally the days are clear, barometers read high and the river runs nice and clear.

During this time the big run of sea bream into the estuary for their breeding season provides some great entertainment on light tackle. This can mean cricket scores of fish, and the sea run fish are plump and well-conditioned. I’m not usually sold on the humble bream as table fare, but these fish have a

nice clean flesh and thick fillets – great to take home for lunch! As a lure fisher, I’ll be focussing this month on bream on lures. I prefer to fish the clean water in the lower reaches around this time of year, sometimes sitting on schooling fish drifting upstream along rockwalls with them on

Surface fishing the canals can be very productive for bream, and surprise by-catches are always welcomed.

A nice bream taken off a bridge on a soft plastic.

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the last two hours of the run-in tide. Hopping Ecogear blades or small jerkbait style plastics can be dynamite. You will often find that the bite comes on the drop. If you aren’t sounding fish or can’t see them in the clear water it is best to try and keep your lures close to where the rocks meet the sand. When the tide slows try dead-sticking Cranka Crabs with the odd slight hop to get the claws going. After the turn of the tide, I will focus my time on bridge pylons. Up your leader size here to 6lb fluorocarbon for a little more abrasion resistance. Look out for fish stacked

in the eddies and try mixing up your presentations with 2” grubs and small blades as well. By-catches of trevally can often have you wondering what just happened as you get buried in the pylons. It’s great fun. Crankbaiting the draining flats and weedbeds can also be super productive. Loose schools of bream will hang on the edges of these flats and hunt throughout

the seagrasses and weed. Stealth and long casts can be the trick to fooling these fish. In lower light periods a small surface lure that imitates a fleeing prawn is probably the most exciting way to target winter bream. The start of the run-in tide is a great time to hit the oyster racks. Use slightly heavier leader again with unweighted grubs worked through the racks, and

suspending jerkbaits around the edges. Topwater lures like stickbaits or Bent Minnows are also a sound option here when conditions permit. There you have my game plan for a few hours chasing winter bream in the Tweed. Tight lines everyone and remember to be safe and courteous on the water. It’s just lovely being out there!

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Migration of whales, slowing of currents THE TWEED

Anthony Coughran

The slowing of currents off our coastlines will trigger the annual humpback whale migration and with the whales come the winter species. Cobia and kingfish will shadow these giants of the sea and it is always worth having a rod set up with a stickbait or a metal for a quick cast around the back of these beasts, which can often lead to good hook-ups. Keep in mind there is a 100m no-approach zone around the whales.

and octo-jigs in 20-80g also work well on the close reefs and can be very productive while drift baiting too. It can never hurt having a rod set ready in case the plastics aren’t working. Fidos, 5-Mile, South Reef, Cook Island, Mud Hole, 9-Mile Reef and Kingscliff Reef have all produced good fish recently. Kingfish, GTs, cobia and longtail tuna are frequent visitors to 9-Mile Reef this month. Anglers are having a ball with large stickbaits, poppers, metals, jigs, plastics, hardbodied lures and live baits set on a downrigger.

Reef, Snapper Reef and Kirra Reef, if you need bait. ESTUARY It’s all about the mulloway, bream, GTs and flathead this month, with good numbers of big fish taken. Bridges and rock walls are the go for a

Byron Bay. These areas are holding good numbers of dart, tailor, bream, flathead and mulloway. Soaking a whole pilly on a set of gang hooks is still the best way to catch a greenback. Big plastics worked around river mouths

Luke Coe with a cracker cobia caught on 9-Mile Reef.

Adrian Butler with a big flathead caught in Terronora.

Nick Dillion with a pigeon pair of kingfish caught on the 9-Mile Reef. The winter reef species are starting to gather on close reefs to spawn and the rivers are filling with winter estuary species. OFFSHORE Snapper are the go-to species of the month with good numbers taken on most of the close reefs. Drift baiting half pilchards or strip baits is one of your best bets for a feed. Fishing 3-5” plastics on a 1/4oz jighead can be really irresistible to these pink crushers and it’s a great way to fill in time while drift baiting. Small micro

With the slowing of the currents we are able to bottom bash and fish the 24, 36 and 50 fathoms with baits, jigs and plastics, which are producing some quality eating fish like pearl perch, Venus tuskfish, leatherjackets and snapper. Use 100-200g jigs, 1-2oz jigheads and a 5-7” plastic with 4-12oz of lead for bottom bashing as this will put you in the right zone and onto fish. Reports of frigate mackerel, mac tuna, slimy mackerel, tailor, pike, yakkas and bonito have come from the Bait Ground, Point

Dan Le Mar with a great eating-size snapper caught at Fidos Reef. 28

JUNE 2017

good mulloway or bream. Big sand flats, weed beds and rock walls are producing large flathead. Large 7” plastics and live baits will catch mulloway this month. Try the breakwalls at the mouth, Boyds Bay Bridge, Tumbulgum Bridge, Barneys Point Bridge, the Piggery and the tide marker hole out in Terronora for the best results on a mulloway. Bream are thick around the bridges, rock walls, holes and boat harbours. Try an unweighted bait or light weighted plastic on 6lb line around the trawlers for a bit of fun. Decent flathead will be around this month. Try the banks in the Terronora, Cobaki, Ukerebagh Island, the Piggery and Chinderah Bay. Using 3” plastics is still the go for a big girl, but remember most flathead are female over 55cm. Treat these big girls with respect and let them go to reproduce. GTs and big-eyes have been caught around the mouth of Jack Evans Boat Harbour, Boyds Bay Bridge, Barneys Point Bridge and Cobaki Bridge. Live herring and bladed lures at night are working best for these speedsters. A few little chopper tailor are starting to show up now. A small metal or plastic worked in the river current lines and fast across the top can be really productive and really fun. BEACH Lots of good gutters have formed right down the coast and around most of the rock walls and headlands from Currumbin beachfront to

are catching good mulloway and flathead. Try 20-60g metals for dart and tailor. Try a half pilly on a single hook if you are having problems setting hooks. FRESHWATER It’s now closed season for bass in NSW. This means a no-take policy on bass and perch anywhere in NSW, but all isn’t lost. It’s actually a good time to target bass while they are schooling up and headed downstream to the salt to spawn. Try rocky points near holes, areas where saltwater and freshwater meet, and weir walls. Dams will still fish well right through the month. Try baits such as worms, bugs and maggots with a small weight in deep water instead of artificial lures for your best chance of a winter bass. Try

finding the school on your sounder before you fish. It makes life so much easier. As the month moves on we’ll see even more snapper, pearlies, tuskies, kings and cobia. These fish will thicken and come to the close reefs and headlands. Mulloway and bream will be in better

numbers around the rock walls, close reefs, holes, bridges and beach gutters. Tailor will start to run in better numbers up the coast. Keep an eye out for the running schools of mullet. Tailor sit off the back of these pods. The whales will also get more frequent in the coming months.

Kane Rosell with a solid mulloway caught at Boyds Bay Bridge.

Tom Staff caught this solid river GT at Boyds Bay Bridge.

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Welcome wonderful winter weather conditions SOUTHERN GOLD COAST

Danny Sands

The Gold Coast is a great place to be in winter. The westerly winds start to blow, glassing out the ocean. We have crisp blue skies and the water temperature will start to fall. The early rains in April also paved the way for good fishing for winter. All these factors will start the spawning run of many species of fish. Mullet, tailor, bream, luderick and gar, just to name a few, will call the Gold Coast home. The water temperature in the estuaries will drop to around 17-20°C and flathead fishing is at its best around the midday lows. Expect big numbers of flathead between 40-60cm. The best techniques are to cast 3-4” soft plastics and troll hardbody lures like Micro Mullets, Pig Lures and Zerek Tango Shads. Drop your leader size to around 10lb in clear water to improve your catch rates this month as well.

Look for shallow weedy flats on the high tide. When the water starts to run out, look for any shallow drain that runs off from the high tide flats. The bream have been in good numbers and have been nailing everything in sight, from plastics to 30cm pike intended for mulloway. Fishing around the full moon with flesh baits like herring, gar and mullet will get the bigger fish. If you’re getting your kids into fishing, grab a packet of prawns, a quill float and a heap of berley and go gar fishing. There have been big numbers of gar around the weed flats just north of Wavebreak Island and the bottom end of Crab Island. Gar are excellent eating and they are a fantastic bait. With the clean water the tiger squid have been in excellent numbers over the last couple of weeks. More numbers of squid have been caught at night time. The Grand Hotel and Bayview Harbour and both Sovereign and Ephraim Bridge on

Fishing the shallow banks will see plenty of school-size flathead this month.

Steve Ward caught this trophy-size mulloway on a micro-jig off the Gold Coast. a high tide are great landbased fishing spots. If you are fishing from a boat, try putting some overhanging lights on your boat. This will improve your catch during the night while drifting over the weed beds around Wavebreak Island. Another fish I like to target that tastes great when looked after is the luderick. Fresh bait is the key. Cabbage and black cane weed work well in the Tweed area. Green weed works well in the Broadwater and rivers. Green weed can be picked up from the drains at the crab farm near Helensvale. To keep your bait fresh for weeks wrap it up in a wet hessian sack and put it in the bottom crisper in the fridge. Don’t forget to keep it a secret, too! Try fishing the rock walls around Boyds Bay Bridge and behind Twin Towns and both walls in the Seaway. OUTSIDE After a pretty poor mackerel season most anglers

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are keen to get amongst a few reef fish. The winter westerlies will start to settle in this month and flatten out the ocean. This will make June one of the better months to chase reef fish off the coast. Snapper will start to push into the close inshore reefs. Probably the most effective way to catch snapper on the close reefs is to float line pillies in a constant berley trail. A tide change on dawn and dusk is generally the best bite time for snapper. The berley will also attract a few cobia while snapper fishing on the close reefs. Cobia are fast growers and need a lot of food and are suckers for deep live baits and big soft plastics. There have been good numbers of mulloway on both the blocks and the close inshore reefs. Dropping live baits and artificial baits like 7” Jerk Shads and the Koika jigs from Gomoku has been working extremely well. Chasing longtail tuna and mac tuna behind the breakers

will be worth a look this month. There have been good numbers of both bait and tuna near the artificial blocks off South Stradbroke Island. Casting 20 and 40g slugs into feeding tuna always gets the heart racing. The current should have

slowed right down this month, making fishing a lot easier on the wider grounds. Pearl perch, snapper and tuskfish will make up the bulk of fish on the outside reefs. A simple paternoster rig with two droppers is a really good way to target reef fish on the wider grounds, and by using multiple droppers you can use various baits and bait sizes at the same time. A mixture of baits like pillies, squid, bonito and slimies will work well this month. With the current slowing down, June is also a great month to chase a few arm-pulling kingfish and amberjack on both the Gold Coast and Tweed Coast. Both live baits and jigging will be very effective. Overall, it’s great to chase a few different species this month. There are plenty of bread and butter species to chase in the estuaries. If you are heading outside, please keep a watchful eye out for the migrating whales along the coastline. Rug up and take care.

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Dropping blades and soft plastics for June GOLD COAST CANALS

Josh Dunn

As winter is underway there is already a great amount of action throughout the canals, Broadwater and Jumpinpin. Baitfish have

inundated patches of the canals including the Logan River, Tipplers Channel, Coomera River and Nerang River. Look for corners where the current would first hit. The baitfish will circle in the whirlpool on the other side.

A great mid 50s flathead caught in the Broadwater on a ZMan 4” Curly TailZ.

This is where the predatory fish will be searching, and occasionally busting up. All sorts of trevally, jacks, bream and mulloway will be caught in these areas, on bait, hardbodies and soft plastics. A few flathead have been getting around, although not in great numbers or size. The odd big flathead can be caught throughout the Jumpinpin region and Tipplers Channel. The odd mulloway is also getting around. Some fish have a good size to them! Your best bet would be deep holes or inlets with a great amount of bait. Mulloway and flathead will lay here waiting to snatch up a feed on the run-out. Within the next month or two we will see air temperatures drop dramatically, although the water temperatures won’t be affected too much. Winter is prime time for big bream, due to this being their spawning season. Deep holes are where you’re most likely to find the larger specimens. Some fish are easily over a kilo and 40cm. There are plenty of ways to catch these fish, although my favourites are blades and small soft plastics. Sound up the school of bream or

Andy Sparnon from CoastfishTV caught this impressive landbased Queensland groper on the Gold Coast. cast into a potential area. Carrying both of these lures is a good idea. I find purple, brown or pink blades work best. Blades around 1/121/4oz work in some parts of main river systems. Even up to 3/8oz will work when fishing in the Seaway or Jumpinpin on big tides. Don’t be afraid to use it! With the cool weather comes tailor. Plenty of tailor are being caught in the white wash around the Seaway.

By casting surface lures or spoons into the area, you should find yourself hooked up. You should catch these fish all throughout the day, although dawn and dusk always produce the most fish. By putting in the extra effort to wake up at 4am (yes, I know how hard it is in winter, leaving a warm bed!) you will potentially score a feed before you know it. If you’re looking to take a couple home, remember

to bleed them as soon as you catch them, simply by cutting their throat. Please only take what you need, so you can save some of the fun for the rest of us! June is a perfect month for fishing. The canals and estuaries are producing. The Broadwater, Jumpinpin and Seaway are showing great signs of bait and decent fish. Like I said earlier, putting in the extra effort should see greater results!

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Cracking cool water cobia and mulloway GOLD COAST

David Green

Out on the continental shelf, the water temperature drops to around 23°C and the current slows down. Despite this, June can be a great month to chase blue and striped marlin. In past decades, many tournaments were held around June. Striped marlin tend to be more

berley and work the berley trail using live baits and big soft plastics. A deep live bait and one set mid-water are both effective. Cobia love big baits, and species such as tarwhine, goatfish and tailor are all very effective. Cobia are one of the hardest fighting species encountered off the Gold Coast, and a big one on light tackle can take well in excess of an hour to land. When fishing for cobia

as some thumper yellowtail kingfish. June is very much a period of transition between summer and winter species, and there are plenty of offshore options to try. RIVERS AND ESTUARIES The water cools and the fishing improves in June in the rivers and estuaries. This is the first month of the year to get really serious when it comes to your flathead fishing. While most of the

A great Jumpinpin flathead.

An awesome pair of whopper cobia. common and some monster blue marlin have been hooked in June. Out further, on the thousand metre line, big schools of yellowfin tuna, some over 60kg, can turn up. There is also the odd wahoo and mahimahi. The days are often calm and now is definitely a good month to have a troll. In closer to shore the bottom fishing improves as the water cools. Snapper and pearl perch increase in numbers on the 36 and 50 fathom reefs, and there are some big amberjacks and kingfish as well. Deep fished live baits can be a very effective option this month. The high pinnacles at the northern end of the 50 fathom line can fish very well in June, and also produce some big cod. Cobia are another target this month on the closer reefs. The 18 and 20 fathom reefs east of the Seaway produce a lot of quality cobia in June, with quite a few 30kg monsters turning up. The secret is to constantly

it pays to be patient. At times they move around in schools and they often turn up after several hours of constant berleying. Mulloway are another option this month. The inshore reefs off the Seaway have produced increasing numbers of mulloway in recent years, and the best feed time is usually in the first hours of darkness. Live slimy mackerel and live pike are the best baits to use. Mulloway don’t seem to like yellowtail nearly as much. Tailor are another excellent bait, both live and as fresh fillets. The secret is to get well set up in your spot before dark, berley with chopped pilchards and be patient. Most bites come after sunset. While the mackerel season drops off a lot in June, the remaining fish are generally big females, and there are still a few wahoo around as well. If you can catch small tuna or bonito, try slow trolling them over reef. The Tweed Nine Mile can produce some huge mackerel and wahoo in June, as well

fish are smaller specimens around 40-60cm long, there is the odd bigger fish. It will be interesting to see how fishing stickbaits up on the flats works this winter. This method produces a lot of big

fish over 70cm in shallow water and may be the key to catching big winter flathead. In general, casting plastics, vibes and metal blades will produce most of the fish. Trolling hardbodies is also very effective. Calm, clear days with light winds usually produce the best results. Trolling the flats on an early morning high tide can be particularly effective in June. A lot of mullet start to move through the estuaries this month in preparation for spawning. These attract the attention of big mulloway. It’s a good month to start

fishing high tide changes at night in the Seaway. Live mullet are the timehonoured reliable bait, and can generally be caught with a cast net along the Seaway walls. Live pike are another deadly option. Use around 15kg leader and position your bait so it sits in the eddy. It is a waiting game, but most of the mulloway caught at night are over a metre long. Every year a few in the 25kg bracket turn up. The best times are generally towards the end of the month into July. Both the dark and full moons are fine, but on the dark moon

The author caught this bream on a plastic.

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phosphorescence can be a problem as it lights up your line and the fish can be very shy. When you get a run, let the fish have a bit of line before striking hard. I generally use two 7/0 Octopus pattern hooks in my mullet. Some of our best spots are in the middle of daytime high traffic boat areas. Keep noise to a minimum, minimise lights and be quiet. These fish can be extremely cautious. Large schools of bream turn up in the river entrances, the Seaway and Jumpinpin this month prior to the spawning run. These fall to soft plastics, small hardbodies and small vibes. Small live herring are often the best way to catch really big bream, with the odd fish over a kilo turning up. The area around the pipeline in the Seaway produces a lot of bream in June on both baits and deep fished plastics. Sand crabs should still be around in good numbers, especially after the flood waters in early April. By June the effects of this fresh should have replenished the estuary quite well, and I think the fishing this month should be excellent. Tailor should also start to show in good numbers in the Broadwater this month on the run-in tides. Overall, June is an excellent time to fish the Gold Coast. There are plenty of options and the weather is great.

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Watch out for winter mulloway JUMPINPIN

Mick Morris gembait@tpg.com

If you like the colder weather then June is a great time to fish the Pin. The water clarity is usually good and the weather is mostly spot-on right through the month. June has many cold, still nights with small tides – great to

head out for a mulloway fishing session. Livies are the best bait, whether you’re using mullet, herring or sand worms. The fish will take strip baits of bonito, tailor and mullet, too. They are a very cunning predator known for being finicky. They play with the bait for ages before swallowing it. Patience is the key when mulloway fishing. Some people still don’t know

the size and bag limits for a mulloway. They must be over 75cm with a bag limit of only two per angler. The best spots to try for a mulloway are the deep water off the bottom of North Straddie and the hole in Cobby Passage. Winter is bream time when fishing around Jumpinpin, and that will be the focus of most anglers this month. The bream should be around in bumper numbers

The size limit for mulloway is 75cm. Even though this was a great catch, it was only 74cm and had to go back.

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for the breeding season, and will be on the lookout for an easy meal. Make sure you use enough weight to get to the bottom and that you can stay there as long as possible to give yourself the best chance at a bite. Using berley is another great option to stir them up and get them biting. It’s best to berley with the kind of bait you’re fishing with. Some good spots to try are Kalinga Bank to the Pigsties, the deep water off the bottom of North Straddie, the mangroves south of Slipping Sands, around the base of the power lines, the northern entrance to Cobby Passage or Short Island’s eastern tip. The baits that have been catching the best fish are peeled banana prawns, whitebait, pipis, pillies, mullet and chook gut. I prefer to use a size 1 or 1/0 long shank baitholder hook when chasing bream, because the bait tends to stay on longer and I find I get more hook-ups. Flathead catches should start to improve, with the water quality coming good around the Pin and starting to clear up in the Logan River as well. This will help the lure fishers as their lures should be easier for the fish to locate. If you are trolling, try working the lure to get as much vibration as possible. I’ve found the harder the lure is worked the more attention it receives. For plastics it’s the same. Work the lure hard upwards to get the flatties’ attention and you’ll get hit on the drop. The pick spots to try this month are the sandy weed banks and mud flats between Cabbage Tree and the power lines around the three green beacons, on the flats near Slipping Sands,

In June there are always a lot of good quality school flathead getting around. Kalinga Bank, the drains on the western side of Short Island, Cobby Passage and around Tipplers Island. Good quality prawns, small pillies, yabbies and whitebait are the best baits. Then hopefully it will be flathead for dinner. When fishing for whiting in winter try to pick the bigger, faster running tides. Whiting become more active in the chilly waters. They will feed more on these faster running tides, and this will be your best chance for a feed of whiting. Winter whiting should be around in good numbers as well, easily distinguishable from their summer whiting cousins. Winter whiting are usually smaller, they can get to 30cm, and they have dark

spots at the base of their pectoral fins. There is no size limit, but they have a bag limit of 50 per person. Whiting can be found on the sandy flats of Moreton Bay right down to the Broadwater of the Gold Coast. These fish 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 Never Fail Islands. • Thanks for all your reports and keep those fish coming in. If you’d like any advice or up to date fishing information drop us a line at Gem Bait & Tackle on (07) 3287 3868 or email gembait@tpg.com.au.

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Levi and Ella out-fished dad again with a great lizard.

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Fish heading deeper for winter MORETON BAY

Ryan Smith

Winter is starting to set in, which means cool westerly winds and crisp mornings are becoming the norm. Most fish will go deeper as it gets colder, so that means you have to change your tactics to suit the movement of the fish. Blades and plastics are great go-to lures for when fish go deeper because they can be used in all depths

of water. Bream will move deeper to spawn during winter so that means using a sounder to find where they are. Dropping plastics or blades on top of them will achieve the most success. Small 2-3” plastics with a jighead to suit the current and depth you’re fishing are all you need. Blades are another great option as the vibration the blades give out make the bream go crazy. I find that slow, small hops off the bottom will work well with the plastics, but blades

need a small to medium lift of the rod to get the vibration running through the water. CHASING SQUIRE Squire will be a prime target over winter, with every man and his dog out there to catch a feed. Chasing these fish on lures is something unique and very effective. Squire love a well-presented soft plastic and with so many on the market, your choices are endless. When you walk

to look around the 5m mark to start with, and then change depending on the conditions. Finding either some structure or bait is key for squire, and a good quality sounder is a great asset. Once you are in the right spot, throw a plastic out and just hop it off the bottom. SQUID TIME Another great winter species that everyone loves is squid. Chasing squid can

Jack Burling caught this juvenile snapper while hopping a soft plastic off the bottom.

A close-up of one of the author’s bream, it was caught using a small hardbody.

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into a tackle shop and are confronted with a large wall of lures it can be quite daunting at first, but any soft plastic around the 4” mark is a good starting point. Natural colours are my favourite. The depth of water can vary in the southern section of the bay, but I always like

be both as simple as it gets but oh so technical at the same time. If you are keen to get your hands on these tasty cephalopods you need to know a few basic things on how to catch them. Squid inhabit weedy and rocky areas with local jetties being a hot spot. Using a squid jig,

The author with a bream caught on an Atomic Crank 38. cast it out and then slowly hop it back to your feet. The key is to let the jig fall but not reach the bottom, depending on where you are fishing. Light drags are used when chasing squid because the barbs on the jigs can pull out very easily. Squid are a great species to target because they taste so good, or you can catch them for

bait as every fish eats them. I hope you all get a chance to get out on the water and throw a line in. If you want to know any more info or ask me any questions come into Dave’s Bayside Bait and Tackle in Victoria Point. We are always happy to have a chat. Until next month, tight lines and screaming drags.

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Clear, calm catching conditions SOUTHERN BAY

Nick Whyte

This month the water should clear considerably. When combined with lighter winds, this should make the southern bay a pleasant place to fish.

We should see good bream numbers around the Pin, and snapper around the bay shallows. The longtail tuna should move further south and winter whiting should be in big numbers. The top end of the bay along with the Brisbane River has cleaned up nicely. There

have been a few threadfin and the odd mulloway showing up towards the lower reaches. There have also been some good fish caught upstream at night. There are still a few longtail around north of Harrys. There have been a few caught south of there

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too, and they should become more prevalent around Peel this coming month. When chasing the longies, try not to drive straight in on top of the school. Always be wary of other anglers chasing them, and try not to cut them off. A lot of people get the adrenaline running when fish are busting up, but sometimes a slower, more stealthy approach will achieve better results, especially on weekends. Sit back and watch which direction the school is heading, and try to position the boat so they are feeding toward you. Prawns are going off in the southern bay at the moment, with reports of bag-outs in under an hour once the schools have been located. Make sure you use your sounder to locate the prawns first. A little searching will save those sore shoulders from casting all day. A lot of the better numbers have been coming from areas within sight of the mouth of the Logan River, and the deeper water around Lamb Island. The crabs have also been thick in recent weeks, with plenty of muddies around the southern Moreton Bay islands after the floods. Further north there have been good reports of sand crabs off Point Halloran and Wellington Point. Please remember the boundaries for taking uncooked crustaceans if you plan to transport them a long distance. Bream should start to congregate closer to the Pin bar over the next month. The schools can be huge, and cricket score catches of fish can be expected when located. Bream will hold in all the deeper holes and even the deep sand flats in the undulations. The best

Longtail tuna will be around the southern bay this month. baits are live nippers or worms fished with the tide. Alternatively, try using small metal blades like the 1/12oz Ghost Blades and 1/8oz Switch Blades. Small mulloway have been prevalent throughout the southern bay. They have been around the Peel Artificial, Hanlon Light, Harrys, the rocky ground at the red buoy at Coochie and on any of the wrecks that are holding large numbers of baitfish. These mulloway gorge the bait, and are best targeted with either live baits or 4-5” plastics to match the bait profile they are feeding on. Quite often these fish can be found in large schools. You can catch multiple fish as they move through, or by finding them with your sounder. From all reports the winter whiting have been in great numbers throughout

the southern bay. These tasty little fish offer a great target for the kids for a great family day on the water. The best reports have come from the Pelican and Banana banks, with a few along the Redland Bay foreshores. It’s best to drift with baits until you find a few fish, and then anchor on the school. The best baits are worms or thin strips of squid. This should see a nice tasty feed in the esky. If you have a great capture from the Southern Bay you would like to share, email them through to techfishing@hotmail. com. Until next month, tech-it-easy. • If you would like on-water sounder or fishing tuition, please call Nick on 0422 213 669 to customize a session to suit your needs or check out the Tech Fishing Facebook page. Your boat – my knowledge – more fish!

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Brave the winter chill BRISBANE

Gordon Macdonald masterbaitertackle@hotmail.com

The cold weather has well and truly arrived and anglers will need a little more incentive to brave the chill. Luckily there are some pretty exciting angling targets to encourage anglers to don a beanie, throw on a coat and tracky daks and then pour a flask of coffee before heading out. Early mornings, evenings and night time sojourns will produce some of the coolest conditions and offer some of the hottest fishing action. No matter whether you are targeting snapper, squid, mulloway, luderick or tailor, June has numbers of these on offer as well as plenty more piscatorial possibilities. Let’s check them out. TAILOR Good rains early in April gave a healthy flush to many of the estuarine systems. This nutrient input promotes healthy baitfish populations, which in turn attracts larger predators. If previous years are worth basing assumptions on, the

Brisbane River and many estuarine areas should produce some quality tailor during June. These will be taken from along the retaining wall at the mouth, around the Gateway Bridge, and adjacent to any lighted areas at night. The size of these fish is often surprising and specimens to over 60cm can be encountered. However I find they are commonly between 40cm and 45cm, which are still quality fish. Tailor are ravenous feeders and will attack a decent array of whole fish baits and a broad array of lures. Casting lures around lighted areas such as bridges, jetties and other structures during the darkened hours will produce some of the best opportunities. Soft plastic shads, vibration baits (hard and soft), metal blades, minnow lures and a broad array of others will be attacked with gusto. If they are hesitant to strike, an increase in retrieve speed will generally excite them into attacking. Throughout the estuarine system, tailor can be located in a broad array of locations from the shallow flats to the deep channels. Find the

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bait conglomerations and the tailor will not be far away. We may see some action on the beaches, however this is more likely towards the latter part of winter. SNAPPER Everyone’s favourite cold weather target, snapper will increase in numbers and average size over the coming weeks. Although they are around in reasonable numbers all year, it has been a decent start to the main snapper season with an increased number of quality specimens taken. Many of the larger specimens taken in the bay have come inshore from deeper water and are often a little darker and more nuggetty in structure than the resident bay fish. These are often a little easier to tempt as well and will respond to all the usual techniques employed in the bay. Quality baits rarely go unnoticed by good snapper. Fresh offerings such as tuna strips, fillets of bonito, mullet, pike, gar and yakkas, large banana prawns, whole winter whiting, herring and squid will all tempt even the most fussy snapper. The humble frozen pillie and other thawed offerings are still worth using if you can’t source any fresh bait. Salted pilchards and salted fillet strips are well worth using as the salting will toughen the bait and seal in the flavour. Baits should always be fished with a minimum of lead and hooks well placed so they are not too obvious with the points exposed to find their mark when you strike. Suicide pattern and circle hooks are popular with anglers targeting snapper and can be used singularly or in a twin or treble hook snelled rig. Lures have been popular for targeting Moreton Bay snapper for over a decade now. Initially anglers mainly used plastics such as jerk shads, paddle-tails, T-tails, prawn profiles, curl-tails and even creature baits. These

Casting around the lit areas at night can produce mulloway, tailor and threadfin salmon. are still used a lot these days however anglers have also found numerous other offerings that will produce when worked well. These include vibration baits (both hard and soft), minnow lures, topwater offerings, flies, micro-jigs and numerous others. While these will all catch snapper, using these well in the right areas goes a long way to increasing results. You can read all you like about techniques, retrieves and snapper habits to help you, but there is no substitute for time spent on the water plying your trade and getting an instinct for what to do when and where. Popular areas for snapper within Moreton Bay include the margins of the bay islands, the artificial reefs (Harry Atkinson, Peel, Curtain, Scarborough and Turner), submerged ledges, wrecks and numerous rubble grounds throughout the bay. Occasionally larger snapper are even found beneath feeding schools of pelagic fish, cruising around slurping up any wounded

baitfish. Some areas will require a different approach to achieve the best results. A stealthy approach in shallower waters will go a long way to improving results. Drifting well past the desired fishing zone before starting your motor is a wise ploy. Skirting wide of the fishing zone while travelling back up to begin a new drift (instead of driving over your fishing zone) will greatly increase chances by not spooking the snapper and other species. LUDERICK Last year was the first in many where luderick numbers were good throughout Southern Queensland. I had several good sessions at areas along the Brisbane River and others scored results in the canals and other creeks along the coastline. Luderick will eat an array of weed types including cabbage, string, black and purple weeds. All but the cabbage can be hard to find. Cabbage commonly grows on anything that is floating or in contact with the

water including pontoons, navigation buoys, rocks and jetty pylons. You can gather it a day or so before use and store in the fridge submerged in seawater. You won’t need much for a decent session on the luderick – half a cupful will generally do. Specific rigging is required for a good approach when targeting luderick. Baits are usually fished with a size #6 to #10 hook on a fluorocarbon leader suspended beneath a near neutral buoyancy float so that the luderick can pull the float down with the slightest touch. Baits are generally drifted along rock walls or adjacent to deep, collapsed mangrove banks. When the float dips or rises simply strike to set the hook. Centrepin reels plus long, slow actioned rods are desirable as they permit the float to drift unimpeded, allow you to set the hook promptly and absorb the lunges of a powerful luderick as it makes its bid to escape. One of the great parts about luderick fishing is that many of the better spots are

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A nice mixed bag of snapper and squid from the Harry Atkinson and Rous Channel.

fishable shore-based. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not a form of fishing that too many people partake in. Although occasionally caught on baits such as small live shrimps and yabbies and even occasionally on lures, luderick are mainly only caught with weed baits and specific targeting in limited areas. MULLOWAY During early autumn, plenty of quality mulloway were taken at numerous areas around the southeast. The artificial reefs, Brisbane River, Jumpinpin area, Pumicestone Passage and most of the major rivers all produced quality mulloway for those who targeted them. They have been steadily hitting decks ever since, with plenty of quality specimens taken on baits and lures. Live baits are extremely productive for those who like the more relaxed approach. Quality live offerings including squid, banana prawns, herring, mullet, yakkas, pike, slimy mackerel and many others will tempt mulloway. A wide array of dead offerings will also entice but live baits are virtually guaranteed to work if there are mulloway in the area. These baits are best fished on a twin-hook snelled rig with just enough lead to put them in the strike zone.

Deep holes, ledges, deeper channels and other submerged structure are all likely to hold a few mulloway in the rivers and estuaries. Out in the bay the artificial reefs, wrecks and margins surrounding the bay islands are good places to target mulloway. Many mulloway are taken on baits by anglers targeting snapper and they are always a welcome by-catch. Mulloway will also respond well to lures with soft plastics, especially shads, jerkshads and crustacean profiles, vibration baits, micro-jigs and minnow lures are all used successfully to target mulloway. Mulloway possess a minimum size limit of 75cm and a bag limit of two per person. Undersized fish should be handled carefully and released quickly to guarantee we have some quality mulloway to catch in years to come. SQUID One of the favoured targets for many during the cooler months is squid. Over the past decade targeting squid, especially land-based, has become especially popular. Any foreshore area with fairly clean water can have good numbers of quality squid to be caught. Anglers patrol the shoreline with rods in hand

Large tiger squid are fun to catch on light tackle and are exceptionally yummy when processed and lightly cooked. and high powered torches to spot the squid. Once the squid is sighted, an egi (squid jig) is cast to the general area of the squid. Work it with a slow wind or small hops until the squid hopefully grabs it and the rod if lifted briskly so the rows of barbs penetrate the tentacles. Keeping constant pressure as you slowly wind in the squid is the key to staying connected, no matter where you are fishing. Areas around Wynnum, Manly, Wellington Point, Victoria Point, Scarborough, Amity

Point, Dunwich and many others are all accessible to those on Shankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pony (land-based). Numerous tasty tiger and arrow squid can be subdued in a leisurely evening patrol of these areas. Out within Moreton Bay there is a myriad of good areas to chase squid. The shallows around the numerous bay islands (even the small ones like King, Goat and Bird) are highly likely to hold numbers of squid, especially if there is nice clean water flowing over reef, rock, rubble or

weed beds. Weed beds along the western side of Moreton Island and the discoloured bottom along the edges of the deeper channels such as the Rous, Rainbow and the numerous gutters can all hold cephalopods. Casting egi is the main way to work the shallows. In the deeper areas egi can even be drifted behind the boat with good results. Another approach is to drift with a squid skewer baited with a whole pilchard. This should be suspended a few metres

beneath a near neutral buoyancy float. When the squid grabs the baited skewer it will pull the float under. Lift the rod tip abruptly and wind in your tasty prize. Always be careful when the squid nears the boat and try to keep the head facing away from you as it will generally propel an inky blast as it hits the surface. A fine meshed landing net is advisable to secure the squid until it stops inking and is ready to come aboard. CONCLUSION Anglers will additionally be treated to a lot of other species during June. Sweetlip, tuskfish and several other species will be encountered by anglers fishing the edges of the bay islands and other snapper zones. In the Brisbane River and other estuarine precincts, anglers will be treated to threadfin, bream, flathead, whiting, cod and a few other desirables. There should still be a few longtails knocking around the bay and perhaps even a school mackerel or two. Bonito schools will probably be located along the edges of major banks systems and in the larger channels. The fishing should be good throughout June so don the winter woollies, fill up a flask and get out amongst it.

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Good signs for snapper numbers BRISBANE OFFSHORE

John Gooding

With the water temperatures dropping a little more this month, snapper will become the main focus of anglers fishing east of the South Passage Bar. As I mentioned last month, there had already

been encouraging signs with solid catches coming from the 33 and 35 fathom reefs. Snapper numbers will continue to rise over the coming months and most lines of reef off Moreton and North Stradbroke islands should start holding solid fish schools. Areas off Moreton Island such as Shallow Tempest, the 29,

A nice pearly from the shallows.

33 and 35 fathom lines of reef and Deep Tempest will all be worth spending some time float lining baits. North Straddie, the Cathedrals and the Snapper Grounds to the south in 50-60m of water will also be well worth the effort. Looking at my catch records on charter during this period over the last couple of years we’ve pulled plenty of numbers out on the wider grounds. Most of our quality fish up to 7kg have been caught out on the wider grounds. Although the average fish is 40-50cm, they can be ravenous and you can get your bag limit quickly. This time last year we caught a lot of mahimahi as a bonus when we were fishing the wider grounds, as they would just turn up around the boat. If you’re fishing out wide it might pay to have a spare rod handy, rigged with a single hook and also some cut berley to keep them around a while. A good plan of attack at this time of year when targeting snapper is to fish the closer more accessible reefs as soon after first light as you can. Then move out to the wider ground if they go off the chew or don’t chew at all.

Along with snapper, mulloway will also be worth targeting on the closer inshore reefs such as Shallow Tempest, the 29s and 50m line to the south of the Cathedrals. Anywhere along these stretches of reef you will find bait schools. It’s well worth the effort to drop a livie down amongst them. Mulloway, snapper, cobia and yellowtail kingfish are all likely to smack your bait. The last couple of years have also seen good numbers of school sized amberjack and yellowtail kingfish active on the wider grounds and isolated wrecks during the colder months. Both live baits and jigs will account for their share of fish.

A great mahimahi that nailed a livie. For those who want to chase pelagics, June is a good month to target both XOS Spanish mackerel and wahoo and 20kg+ models can be quite common. Slow trolling

The boys with a couple of solid tuskies.

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for large slimy mackerel or a small mac tuna is the go in areas such as the Sevens Reef, north of Flat Rock and Flinders Reef north of Cape Moreton. On charter recently we’ve found the shallow reefs around Point Lookout to be productive for mixed bags of Venus tuskfish, pearl perch, Moses perch and others, but the average weather has limited our trips, so let’s hope we see plenty of settled weather in the coming months. • Until next month, enjoy your fishing, take care on the coastal bars and if you’d like to join me on charter max. eight persons give me a call on (07) 3822 9527 or 0418 738 750 or visit my website outlawcharters.com.au.

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Good days for diehard fishers NORTHERN BAY

Grayson Fong graysonfong@bigpond.com

The weather has hit the hiatus of comfort. The coolness of these winter mornings is enough to fire all senses up when you inhale that beautiful air

up super early like in warmer months, making it a win-win situation. Juvenile snapper are the species of the month, as expected. Early winter is the beginning of their time to shine. Floods from earlier in the year have brought good baitfish into the northern bay with their presence bolstered

southern and northern ends of the green zone has been fishing really well with many anglers anchored up. This can make it hard for those who like to drift. Many kayak fishers are relishing the recent southwest winds with the wind coming off the land and giving them pristine conditions to hunt delectable reds. Flathead and bream have been the other winter staples that have been firing with the Pumicestone Passage leading the charge at the start of

our winter. The Passage has started to show signs of its annual weed infestation. This has only put a minor dent in the good fishing recently with most of the mouths of the smaller feeder creeks fishing wonderfully. Smaller tides and dusk times have worked well for the locals. The mouth of Elimbah, Donnybrook and Hussey is the pick of the areas for lizards. On the bream side the Pacific Harbour canals and Cooks Rocks have been

Mick Thompson with some healthy bream. the best spots, especially at the top of the tide. Caboolture River has been a surprise packet recently. Bakers Flat is producing nice flathead in both incoming and outgoing tides. Bream are being caught along the mangrove-lined edges further upriver with the start of the run-out being the prime time. Lightly weighted plastics and small hardbody cranks have been the main diet of the local bream and flathead with fresh mullet also working a treat. Redcliffe Peninsula has had an early weed bloom this winter, which has populated many of the bommies both close and afar. This has brought about clearer waters in the area. Only the southerly winds stir thing up and provide ample cover for bream to hide.

By-catch is common at Redcliffe. on the water. Some say it’s living. I tend to agree, as you would be hard up to find a diehard fisher who doesn’t love this time of year. With this cool weather we often start to think about chasing the winter species like juvenile snapper, mulloway and winter whiting, along with changing our tact for chasing our bread and butter of the waterways – bream and flathead. I especially love this time of the year for two reasons: you can spend longer days on the water because the sun isn’t frying you like an egg and you can sleep in a little. The sun doesn’t get

by the constant stream of southerly winds. This has fired the usual areas like the Redcliffe Peninsula. The surprise is the early presence of juvenile snapper in the Pumicestone Passage. The Ripples have been the pick of the Bribie spots with reports also coming out of the 112s. Cooks Rocks has also produced some juvenile snapper, but finding a legalsize fish is a problem. On the Peninsula, North Reef has had its usual traffic with many anglers finding staying wide off the reef more advantageous. Woody Point at the

Fly boxes are a great storage idea.

More bream have been caught in the deep water by using popular breaming plastics. Use heavier weights (1/8 or 1/6) on a fast retrieve to ensure your plastic stays off the weedy bottom. Flathead numbers have started to flourish around the mouth of the Pine River with anglers finding good numbers under and around the Ted Smout Bridge. Soft plastics and fresh baits have been the main recipe for targeting good lizards in the Pine with many locals favouring the ebbing tide. TIP OF THE MONTH When land-based fishing, a great way to carry hooks, jigheads and small lures is using a small fly storage box. Many stores both online and local carry these boxes, which can be very handy when space is at a premium.

Options galore for the small boat brigade CALOUNDRA

Andrew Amsler

Pumicestone Passage is fishing well at the moment, with anglers

picking up bream and whiting off the sand banks in front of Bells Creek on the run-out tide. There are plenty of yabbies and soldier crabs there to use for bait, or if you don’t want

to collect your own bait you can use live bloodworms from our shop. Locals are catching flathead on the run-in tide at the entrance to Bells Creek on a variety of soft

Caloundra Fishing World owner Lauren Marsh with one of many mac tuna caught off Caloundra in May. 44

JUNE 2017

plastics. With the current water quality, one of the best plastics lately has been the 4” Samaki Boom Bait Bomb Shad in pearl white. Plenty of flathead are falling to hardbodies too, such as the ever-reliable Lively Lures Micro Mullet and the Atomic Hardz Shiner 60 in blood red. The Military Jetty has been fishing well for queenfish and trevally on surface lures at first and last light. The standout lures have been the 60mm Lucky Craft G Splash and the 80mm Atomic K9 Bulldog, in a variety of colours. Amongst those fish, the guys fishing with live pike have also been catching a few mulloway as well, in the 60-90cm size range. Middle Banks in front of the power boat club been providing good catches of whiting. There’s also the odd little golden trevally being To page 45

Jay Cold with a mackerel from Currimundi Reef caught on a 40g slug.

News FISHING FILL-ITS

Seeking LNP stance on NFZ

Lauren Marsh with a Pelican Waters queenfish caught using an Ecooda popper. From page 44

caught there on live yabbies. The boardwalk has been fishing well for bream, flathead and just-legal grassy sweetlip. The stand-out baits have been herring, prawns and small pilchards. Around the entrance to Currimundi Lake you can pick up bream, whiting and flathead. Anglers are also catching mulloway and small tailor at the beach side of the lake in front of the lifeguard

tower. There’s still the odd mangrove jack being caught on live bait in the upper reaches of Currimundi Creek. Southwesterly winds mean the bar should be calming down a lot compared to recent months, which will let the smaller boats get out to the inner reefs to target small snapper, longtail tuna and sweetlip. Out wide, the lower end of the Barwon Banks has been yielding good catches

of pearlies to 60cm, some nice-size snapper around that 3-6kg mark, some great catches of tuskfish (parrot). Schools of mackerel and mac tuna are still around, and good spots to try are around Currimundi Reef and Brays Rocks. For all the latest info on what’s biting and where, drop into Caloundra Fishing World at 7/8 Yay Ave, Caloundra or give them a call on (07) 5491 4566.

CAREFISH (CAirns REcreational Fishing Industry StakeHolders) has been engaged in discussions with politicians regarding the LNP’s position on Net Free Zones. There has been plenty of talk that the Qld LNP would rescind or dismantle our Net Free Zones if elected at the next state election, which is tipped to be in November. This has prompted a flurry of emails all over the state, and you can be sure there’s plenty of concern and alarm over this everywhere. CAREFISH is in constant contact with all the advocacy groups, and they are fuming. This issue all stems from the failed Disallowance Motion the LNP put up to derail the process back in 2015, and their refusal to consult with us both then and since, but there’s a lot more to the story. I attended the public gallery when the debate and vote was conducted in parliament back then, and to be frank, I was pretty disgusted at the level of disdain I believed was directed at the recreational fishers by a number of LNP MPs. There appears to be an old connection between LNP and

the commercial fishing lobby; we heard those MPs repeating almost word-for-word various propaganda that some in the commercial fishing lobby had produced during the process. Everyone else who’d bothered to check the accuracy of those claims knew they were false. In any case, the motion was fortunately defeated by Labor with the help of the independents. Before the NFZ were implemented, we all suffered a gill netting war on our doorstep for over a decade, where the local netters fought amongst themselves, trying to out-fish each other to gain dominance of Trinity Bay. This war was detrimental to the entire community, themselves included, and fishing businesses closed because of it. Cairns had zero barramundi credentials, and fishing tourism simply shifted to NT where they had protected their fishery. Even Cairns locals went there to catch a fish – a ridiculous situation. I was a captain for the largest fishing club in Cairns and can show you multiple abysmal competition catch results, year after year. That vibrant, family-oriented

club failed as a result, as did others in the region. Our community suffered greatly, all thanks to a few nets, and the same story can be heard up and down the coast. Now we’re facing a possible return to this destructive state of affairs, and of course CAREFISH has jumped into the fray. From our correspondence with the LNP, it’s clear they are playing their cards close to their chest. All they needed to do was promise they would leave the NFZs alone – or even a less committal statement, such as saying they support the NFZ. But they haven’t said anything along those lines. They have refused to state their position on the issue and, if history is any guide, that is a bad sign. If you want to let politicians know how you feel about all this, now’s the time. LNP have three candidates for our region and they ought to be interested in how their constituents feel. If you email me at paul@bogout.com, I’ll copy them for you. We welcome their response. – Paul Aubin, CAREFISH

STOP Commercial Netting in the Great Sandy Marine Park ! Go On-line NOW and sign the petition @ www.frasercoastfishingalliance.com.au Or

www.facebook.com/FraserCoastFishingAlliance

If you fish the following areas and want to see commercial NETTING removed from these waters we NEED YOUR Support NOW ! · · · · ·

Baffle Creek & tributaries The Elliott River & tributaries The Burrum River & tributaries The Mary River & tributaries The Great Sandy Strait to Tin Can Bay Inlet & tributaries

Sign this PETITION to request Dr Steven Miles - Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection and Minister for National Parks and the Great Barrier Reef and the Palaszczuk State Government to commit to ending destructive commercial netting operations in the Great Sandy Marine Park and adjacent waterways under the current full term 10 year review to restore fish stocks and help protect the Queensland urban coast’s largest dugong population.

Scan QR CODE to go directly to the petition.

Go On-Line NOW and sign @ https://www.change.org/p/dr-steven-miles-stop-commercial-netting-in-the-great-sandy-marine-park JUNE 2017

It’s time for snapper to take centre stage NOOSA

Peter Wells

The Noosa River has to be one of the best systems on the coast if you love chasing trevally. Good sized giant trevally have been coming from around the Coast Guard boats near Munna Point as well as the Inner

throughout the river nailing 3” plastics and small vibes. Bream will be in good numbers in the river as the water temperatures drops. Small grub pattern soft plastics or lightly weighted flesh baits have been fishing well around structure like bridge pylons and pontoons. Jacks are still feeding and are taking mainly live baits with the night anglers having the

sustainability of the fishery so take a quick pick for the brag wall and release the fish as quickly as possible. 75cm is the upper limit on dusky or mud flathead however most anglers release fish of 60cm or better to promote the species and guarantee a great longterm fishery. Flathead are a fish that lend themselves to plastics

Snapper are on the menu during the cooler months like this one caught by Jeremy Hoover. Woods Bay. Surface presentations have been the way to go with smaller walkers and surface poppers doing the job. When fishing these smaller surface lures it is a good idea to upgrade the trebles to cope with the bigger fish. Smaller golden and tea leaf trevally have been found

most success. Tailor are also taking live baits throughout the river with the river mouth in the low light periods your best bet. Flathead are also in great numbers with many fish well over the legal limit succumbing to live baits and slowly worked plastics. The big breeding females are protected and are vital to the

fishing as they tend to lay in wait and as such it is not hard to find an area that is their ideal feeding ground. Fishing the run out tide and working the drop-offs near mud and sand banks will most likely see a result. If you are in a boat drifting slowly down the edge of the bank fishing prawn profile plastics is a winning

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tactic. ZMan ShrimpZ have become my favourite with many of the range having a chartreuse tail which flathead seem to love. The brighter colours are working a treat. In the Maroochy River winter bream and diver whiting revel in the cooler waters. Structure, such as bridge pylons and jetties, are great places to start when chasing the larger bream. Whiting have been in good numbers on baits like worms, yabbies and soldier crabs. You can also target these fish with lures - poppers are great fun and when worked across the surface can deliver amazing results and fantastic visual angling. Areas like Chambers Island, Black Banks and Cotton Tree have all produced nice fish on the incoming tide. Trevally are also in good numbers in the river with the most common being giant trevally. We are however seeing more and more of the stunningly beautiful diamond trevally in the system. Queenfish and tailor are also in good numbers with some good quality fish taken on the run-in tide. Fishing areas around Goat Island and the Jet Ski run has seen some good results. OFFSHORE Anglers out of Noosa have still seen the odd mackerel even though the water temperature has started to drop. Halls Reef has seen some quality Spanish mackerel with most caught on live yakkas. North Reef has also seen Spanish and spotted mackerel on pilchard and live bait floating presentations. On the bottom at North Reef snapper, pearl perch, cod and spangled emperor have also been caught. Snapper have to be the most soughtafter target in the cooler months with many anglers chasing these fantastic table fish. Snapper can be targeted in a number of ways but my favourite has to be with soft plastics. Pink is by far the most productive colour for me and fishing some of the closer reefs has historically been very fruitful. For those of you venturing to the deeper

Karla Rickwood with a mangrove jack. reefs with more run try using Elevator Heads for your plastics from Berkley. These heads come in a couple of colours with different weights and sizes and are perfect for those deeper reefs. Sunshine Reef has been the spot for coral trout. Live baits fished hard on the bottom has been the best approach. Further north the reefs east of Double Island Point have seen some great fish hitting the decks including amberjack, cod, snapper, pearl perch and cobia. Offshore out of Mooloolaba the wind has been a little unpredictable so most anglers have been fishing the closer reefs. As the water cools we will see a definite improvement in catch rates. Snapper, sweetlip, cod and trout have all been accounted for over the last month. Further afield the deeper reefs have been holding some nice jew and cobia. Pilchard floaters have been working well as have live baits. Schools of tuna are still about but are very flighty and need to be approached in stealth mode. Try cutting your motor upwind and drifting within casting range. BEACHES On the beaches we are starting to see some good schools of tailor moving up the eastern beaches with the low light periods prime time. Good sized bream and dart have been taken on live worm baits around the Peregian Beach area. Tailor and dart have been in good numbers south of the first cutting on

Noosa’s North Shore. On some beaches, gutters have been a little hard to come by so you really have to rethink the way you approach beach fishing. With no gutters berley is the key. Small pieces of prawn, pilchard or whatever bait you are using dropped into the wash will help to attract fish within casting distance. Another great trick to enhance your chances is to fill a mesh bag with Big John’s Berley Mix and let it roll around in the white water, perhaps tied to a stake or rod holder. The resulting aromas drifting around in the water will bring the fish from far and wide. FRESHWATER Bass have been congregating around the weed packed edges of Lake Macdonald. These fish will become a little more lethargic as the water cools and tend to school in thermoclines in the deeper water. Fishing early morning and late afternoon should still see a result. Give deep diving lures a troll in the main basin or along the old creek bed. Dark green and gold chrome have long been great colours for bass in Lake Macdonald. • For all the latest information log onto www.fishingnoosa. com.au for up to date bar and fishing reports and don’t forget to drop into Davo’s Tackle World in Noosa or Davo’s Northshore Bait & Tackle at Marcoola to find out where the fish are biting. All your boating needs can be met at the new Superstore in Noosa so check it out the next time you are in town!

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JUNE 2017

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Shane Thomas had lots of fun offshore catching this beautiful trout.

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It is not a very harsh winter in Hervey Bay HERVEY BAY

Scott Bradley marlin81@bigpond.com

June is a magical month of the year when you live on the Fraser Coast. With an average winter temperature of 23°C it’s hardly a harsh winter experience, but we still get the odd cold snap! In the bay our creeks and estuaries have had something for everyone with plenty of mud crabs about, decent sized prawns being caught by the kilo and good numbers of bread and butter species keeping anglers busy. Squid have also been prevalent everywhere from the flats to our local reefs, jetties and rock walls and they should improve as they move in to feed and spawn during June and July. Our local reefs will see an influx of baitfish during the

winter months predominantly made up of yakkas and herring. This aggregation of bait coincides with many fish species’ spawning cycles, including our annual run of snapper in the bay. Local hotspots for snapper include the Artificial Reef, Moon Ledge, Arch Cliffs and Wathumba and further afield at the coral patch off Rooneys and the Southern Gutters. Fish the tide changes with plastics, livies and fresh baits that can handle all the little picker fish without falling apart. Try local squid, pike, whiting, yakkas and tailor for the best results. You can also expect cod, blackall, trout, coral bream, nannygai and tuskies with the same approach, as they feed on the same bait schools. Our local channel markers and beacons fish well through the cooler months for trevally, mackerel, tuna,

tailor, cobia and the odd reef fish on micro-jigs and plastics worked vertically around the bait holding tight to the structure. Alternatively, a pilly on a gang or a live bait works fine as well. Up at the island we had a good run of big longtails and a heap of mac tuna throughout the bay during autumn. There have been some big schoolies and spotties caught as well. As the water temperature drops the tuna slow down. There are still plenty of fish about, you just have to work harder for them. Trolling known tuna grounds has worked well for me in the past and having a live bait free swimming out the back while bottom bashing has accounted for some big longtails over the years. There are still plenty of reasons to brave the cold mornings and chilly nights to wet a line this month in Hervey Bay.

Pearl perch are still coming in

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The business end of a Hervey Bay mac tuna.

The weather has been a bit up and down lately, but the fishing has been brilliant. Offshore has been nearly a repeat of the month before, again with fantastic fishing. There have been even more bag outs on pearl perch on quite a few trips. It’s still early for these fish, but we’ll take that. Snapper have also turned up early in good numbers. We could be in for a great run of these magnificent fish too. Other fish on the chew are sweetlip, cobia, tuskfish and lots of big cod. For the Great Sandy Straits, the standout has been

squid. It has been easy to round up a bucket of these guys and orange prawn jigs are the choice weapon. Flathead have been the dominant species again in the straits. Also, an early show of winter whiting has turned up. Crabs are still being potted. More of these are sand crabs than muddies. June is also the prime winter fishing month. In the past, June has produced the best pearl perch fishing for the year. Red emperor and snapper also go well this month. • To enjoy a day on the water with Keely Rose Fishing Charters phone Ed Falconer 0407 146 151 or visit www. keelyrosefishingcharters .com.au.

Regular fisho Geoff ‘Peg’ with two beautiful Rainbow Beach pearl perch.

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JUNE 2017

Terry Vince with a whopping 91cm snapper.

Four seasons in one bay HERVEY BAY

Dane Radosevic

We currently find ourselves in a transition period with the change of seasons. Due to our location, Hervey Bay is one of the only destinations that experiences a distinct overlap of both summer and winter species. With more consistent southeasterly and southwesterly winds starting to blow, our water temperatures have started to drop quite dramatically to around 20-21°C. This has brought on the transition of species with snapper, grunter, mulloway, flathead, school mackerel and bream making their way into the bay. The word from the beaches is that whiting have

paddle or curl-tail will be very effective. School mackerel have turned up in very large numbers and have been taken on both Flasha metal spoons and/or live herring fished on the bottom and free swimming. Make sure you know the correct size limits, as there have been a lot of smaller fish caught. Bream are also currently a target species off the Urangan Pier and their numbers will only continue to grow thicker as water temperatures drop. Fresh cubes of herring or a crab imitation lure fished tight to the pylons have proved effective and fishing for them at night usually produces the bigger fish. While fishing the night time periods, mulloway are currently appearing in good numbers,

Fishermans Corner regular Paul Mares with a quality lizard taken from one of the creek mouths on the western side of Fraser on a recent trip with the author. been a little hard to come by. However, fishing around the high tide coinciding with the full moon period will see greatest results if you’re chasing a feed. Baits such as yabbies, prawns and sand worms will work a treat fished on a light running ball sinker rig. Good numbers of flathead have been taken from the gutters along the beach front and off the Urangan Pier in the first and second channel. Fresh or live hardyheads and herring work best for the flatties and for the lure addicts a 3-4”

hiding in the shadows of the down lights and readily taking an unweighted live herring or pike. The inshore and artificial reefs have started to produce snapper to 60cm and are taking well-presented soft plastics and slow trolled hardbodies. A few proven lures to try are the ZMan 5” StreakZ Curly Tailz fished as lightly as the conditions will permit. Allow your presentation to slowly waft down the water column. Hardbodies that can get down to around 7-8m have been incredibly successful on the snapper.

This slow trolling technique is a very effective way for covering ground or when searching for fish. Fresh bait will also produce good results with the everfaithful pilchard, pencil squid and mullet strips being great options. The best results have occurred when the high tide coincides with either dawn or dusk, when the wrecks have a greater amount of water over them. While fishing these areas and using these techniques, cod, coral trout and sweetlip are still being caught, but their numbers have declined. School mackerel numbers are in plague proportions with good numbers of quality fish being taken from the inshore beacons and the Burrum Eight-Mile and Six-Mile areas. Spinning with spoons is a very effective technique with the 35g and 50g Flasha spoons working best. Whole pilchards and live herring are working well with anglers catching quality fish on these baits. Vary your spread with a few baits down on the bottom and a few free swimming or under a biodegradable balloon, as this allows you to cover the whole water column. This technique during the night will also produce numbers of juvenile snapper and grunter. The flats and adjacent creek mouths on the western side of Fraser Island are a great option at this time of year and can make for some awesome sight fishing to bream and flathead in the gin clear waters. These areas are very tidal and you can find yourself trapped on the flats or up a creek for a very long time if you’re not keeping an eye on the tide. Roughly two hours either side of the high tide is a good safety measure when fishing in these areas. Fishing with soft plastics is a very effective technique and allows you to cover a large area of water quickly. For the avid lure and fly sportfishers good numbers of mixed trevally species and queenfish are still being sight fished and caught. Down the Straits the main attraction at the moment is the large number of quality grunter being caught. Deeper holes and gravel banks are producing the best catches. The run-out tide is always a good time to target grunter as they recede from among the vast flats systems amongst the mangroves and congregate in open waters in good numbers. This makes them quite an easy target for lure anglers. Fishing these same areas is also producing good numbers of flathead and bream. Heading up the Island there are still reports of tuna hanging around, however the longtail tuna numbers have decreased dramatically making them a little harder

The author with a pocket-rocket-size golden trevally taken off an inshore wreck, tempted with a ZMan 3” MinnowZ in green lantern while searching for a snapper. to locate and target. The fish that are still hanging around are of a very good size, nudging 15-20kg. Golden trevally are in abundance over the rubble patches and artificial reefs, with most fish falling to soft plastics and micro-jigs. Juvenile snapper are also appearing in these same areas with the bigger fish not too far away now. They will be well worth targeting in the lead up to the full moon. It is well worth the time and effort to take a few pots and set them for sand crabs while you spend the day fishing, as anglers are being rewarded with some good quality crabs. Allow a good

shallow reef areas and the wider wrecks have been a jig fisher’s playground. Be prepared to donate some jigs to the unstoppable brutes. As water temperatures drop and the fish migrate deeper and the large bait balls start to congregate and stack up along the shelf, this will make for some incredible fishing, either deep dropping for snapper and pearlies or jigging for big amberjack, green jobfish and kingfish. The southern and northern gutters systems are continuing to fire with large numbers of coral trout being caught on either live pike or soft plastics. Targeting the face of the ledge country

around the 30-40m mark has seen greatest results. In these same areas cod, tuskfish, Spanish flag, nannygai and juvenile red emperor have all been caught on fresh cut baits. There are still good numbers of pelagics out this way as well. Tuna and numerous species of mackerel and trevally are hanging around the bait balls often found up on the flat country. As we move into yet another season with our water temperatures starting to drop, we will experience some very exciting fishing here on the Fraser Coast. If weather permits then the wider reefs are going to fire for a host of different species, so buckle in.

The author had a cracking session on the grunter with curltail soft plastics being the go-to lure presentation. length of rope for the depth and weighting the pot down with a brick or short length of chain will help to hold them in place. Due to the weather there have been limited opportunities for anglers to venture across the Breaksea spit. Anglers that have braved the conditions or caught a good day have been rewarded. Topwater enthusiasts have been catching large GTs and Spanish mackerel over the

59 Torquay Rd, Hervey Bay QLD 4655 Ph: (07) 4128 1022 www.fishermanscorner.com.au JUNE 2017

Prime bream season mangrove forests suitable for the development of the fertilised larvae. While in their diverse habitats, fish feed quite ravenously and build up food reserves for the mid-winter spawning. However, not all mature bream, maybe about half, make the journey. These are seen as the representatives of the local population. They are fish whose hormones have kicked in, promoting not only the need to travel, but also the development of reproductive tissues. For many bream, these journeys are long and may take months to complete. On the way, they need to keep feeding in order to provide for their own mechanical energy as well as continuing to build up eggs and sperm. During this pre-spawning season good catches of these transient fish are taken by anglers, often in the middle or lower reaches of rivers. Although many of the bream arriving in the spawning area might be well endowed with eggs, sperm and stored fat, they still need food for energy production and completing the spawning

FRASER COAST

Phil James p_j_james@bigpond.com

This month will certainly see the so-called bream season in full swing – the months of winter when the spawning of the species takes place. There’s no argument about this but let’s take a look at a whole year in the life of Acanthopagrus australis. For most of the year, bream are dispersed through a wide variety of habitats. We find them in the brackish, almost freshwaters of our upper river systems. They are at ease around the shallow reefs of Hervey Bay and the boisterous headlands of Fraser Island. Open surf beaches, mangrove lined flats and just about every other inshore marine habitat is a happy bream’s territory. For bream to be able to reproduce successfully it is necessary for them to move into waters where conditions are ideal. Certainly one of the most successful spawning areas in South Queensland, Jumpinpin includes an active surf bar as well as shallow flats, eelgrass beds and

process. Competition for food would be great and, as fishing records confirm, bream are ready to accept just about any offering. In the spawning process, the female deposits the ripe eggs into the water and the males deposit sperm into the same area. The fertilised eggs develop into larvae, and eventually juvenile bream in the shallows, particularly amongst eel grass. There is plenty of debate around the timing of spawn and the best time to fish for bream during this peak season. Many suggest that the spawning takes place right on, or just after, the full moon. How romantic is that? The same commentators suggest that the increasing tides from first quarter to full moon are the optimum period to fish for bream. Having taken a look into the life of a bream and its behaviour throughout the year, you might now ask, “How does all this apply to our local Hervey Bay and Mary River systems?” Less defined than those further south, there are wide areas of shallows providing food for spawning

HERVEY BAY F

Moon Point

The Mary River at North Head (D) has good rock face that is fished best at night on a falling tide. fish as well as nurseries for larvae and young fish. We don’t have boisterous surf bars topping up the dissolved oxygen content of the water. However, strong tidal currents running over shallow rock ledges such as those at the points of our bay islands, Point Vernon and at River Heads cause enough disturbance and contact with the air to enhance oxygen absorption. BREAM SPOTS TO TRY With the wide variety of other species available in Hervey Bay waters, bream specialists form a minority group. Those who put the time in are rewarded with excellent catches including fish of outstanding quality. Depending on the chosen location, a variety of plastics, vibes, poppers and other artificials see plenty of use. Location is also important if bait is used. The humble yabby is out on his own here provided there is a relative absence of nuisance species like butter bream and happy moments. Other much-used

inner gutter can fish well over the high tide. C: The boat harbour walls are worth a crack. The northern wall can be accessed from the beach along a pathway in front of the units. The trawler access road is used to reach the southern wall. There are plenty of options here, particularly on the inside of the northern wall and the outside of the low end of the southern wall. D: Try the River Heads northern rock ledges either side of green lateral beacon. It has strong currents and associated eddies and backwaters. It’s a great land-based alternative. The rock face is fished best at night on a falling tide. Fishing the eddies upstream from the beacon on the flood tide is worth checking out. Mulloway, threadfin salmon and javelin also likely catches. E: The River Heads rocks extend for several hundred metres along South Head, east of the green beacon. There are lots of ledges, points, eddies and holes. This area fishes well on both tides depending on the location of

G: Moon Creek, Fraser Island, can be fished only over the high tide. It has some interesting snags up the creek and near the mouth. Flathead are always likely here too. H: The Moon Point flats, Fraser Island, have shallows complete with low coffee rocks, sea grass and yabby flats. This is a great area to work with poppers and plastics. There are almost always flathead here too. J: Woody Island’s northern rock ledges fish well over the high tides. Bream like to lurk in the shallow gullies between ledges. Note that the outer ledges are close to a green zone. K: Woody Island’s eastern and southern shores have numerous rocky features along the entire shore. The southern tip fished on the flood tide is the best option. L: At Picnic Island (Little Picnic) bream are a likely catch right around the island. Testern side is reliable on both flood and ebb tides. This area receives a lot of attention from bream fishers at night.

A Point Vernon

B Urangan Pier

Hervey Bay City

Big Woody Island

C Round Island

Little Woody Island

N K Booral

Picnic Island Duck Island

Mangrove Islands

Tandora

Shell Island

Power Island Ma

Kangaroo Island

Str

ait

River Heads

Kingfisher Kingfisher Bay Resort Bay Resort

FRASER ISLAND

Riv

Walsh Island

Turkey Island

Booker Island

Not to scale 5 km

Map of bream fishing hotspots. 52

JUNE 2017

Moon Creek, Fraser Island, can be fished only over the high tide. It has some interesting snags up the creek and near the mouth. baits include hardiheads, halfpilchards, white pilchards, herring fillets and cutlets as well as mullet gut and prawns. A: Point Vernon rocks is an excellent land-based option. It is best at night on a flooding tide around the full or new moon. B: Urangan Pier has fished extremely well over the last two seasons. It’s best over a tide change, day or night, working around the pylons. The favoured baits are fresh herring fillets or cutlets and hardyheads. It’s easy to jig herrings here. The outer gutter is the best option while the

strong currents and eddies. Flathead and barramundi are also likely. It’s worth noting that further upstream in the Mary River there are more great rocky areas to target bream. These include Beaver Rock, the Gridiron and Lower Rocky, all of which, except in times of flood run-off, fish particularly well in the early part of the season. F: Check out Coongul Creek, Fraser Island. Depending on the state of the beach and creek mouth, the snags both inside and outside can turn on some great bream fishing.

M: At Duck Island (Big Picnic), fishing in the rips and eddies at both ends of the island is most productive. The northern end borders on a green zone. N: Little Woody Island is good. The red lateral beacon is the northern boundary of a large green zone that includes the entire western coast. Fishing is permitted around the rocks at the extreme end of the island, and through the shallows along its eastern shore. This area is always dependable for a few good bream.

All signs point to a great winter barra season LAKE MONDURAN

Rob Howell

A month and a half on from the flooding and the lake’s level has finally stabilised. After this significant rain event, who would have thought that our good old Monduran winter bite sessions would prove to be nothing short of amazing. We have learnt over the years that barra love to feed through the cooler months, but this season has been ridiculous so far with literally 10-20

barra being boated by some anglers over the course of a day’s outing. Numbers like 30-40 are coming up for other anglers staying with us for a longer term on their annual barra pilgrimage. TOPWATER ACTION Recently the lake’s level was sitting at 100%. The water rise covered old weed beds and lily pads creating fish lanes, alleyways and broken weed on popular points and bays. These areas will have any topwater fishing enthusiast salivating and are perfect for surface action. The best bites have

The lake is massive, covering over 5500ha in surface area, giving barra free range without having to compete amongst themselves. Structure and weed beds throughout the lake create cover if needed – this is crucial for survival.

been in the early mornings and late afternoons. Surface lures, poppers and stickbaits have had proven results. These barra will also run up and down these old weed edges, which have been covered in deeper water much further out from the existing shoreline. These edges are easy to find with side imaging sounders. Once you find barra moving along these edges it’s best to start slow rolling suspending minnows and lightly weighted soft plastics. Lures that have been working well are the Jackall Squirrels and Smash Minnows, Lucky Craft Pointers, ZMan 4” and 6” SwimmerZ, Pro Range Squidgys and Happy Rock Softies. STOCKING SUCCESS There’s no doubt the stocking of fingerlings well up in the higher reaches of the lake’s vast rivers and creek systems amongst healthy weed beds has had proven results. Baby barra thrive at Monduran for a number of reasons; the first is the sheer size of the lake. The lake is massive covering over 5500ha in surface area, giving barra free range without having to

We have learned over the years that barra love to feed through the cooler months, but this season has been ridiculous so far with literally 10-20 barra being boated by some anglers over the course of a day’s outing. compete amongst themselves. Secondly the lake is filled with an abundance of baitfish that would seemingly never run out. Thirdly, structure and weed beds throughout the lake create cover if needed – this is crucial for survival. All in all, these contributing factors make Monduran a success story

for anglers and wildlife enthusiasts alike. As long as we keep stocking fingerlings, we will preserve this lake’s angling future for generations to come. Monduran is alive and well. • For fishing info you can contact me through

Good weather opens offshore BUNDABERG

Jason Medcalf topwater@bigpond.com

June is when the cool westerlies start, and the offshore bug hits the region. We were lucky in May with some great weather, which gave us a few opportunities to get offshore. It is amazing to see the amount of big boats in Bundaberg, and when the forecast is for variable winds the boat ramp at Burnett Heads is full, even on a weekday. The lighter winds in June will mean the smaller boats can get out there as well, and hopefully get some good fish from the inner reefs. Mackerel will slow down over the coming months, but acres of tuna will make up for the lack of mackerel. We can expect a mixture of mac and bluefin tuna, with a few yellowfin mixed in, which will make great sashimi. You can mostly catch tuna casting high speed metal slugs. Slugs also work well on mackerel and other pelagics. On recent trips I have caught school, shark and Spanish mackerel ripping up a slug from the bottom at high speed. RIVER, ESTUARY AND BEACH The Burnett River has been yielding really big whiting in the town reach, mostly on fresh green

prawns but also live yabbies, if you can get them. Flathead are showing up in pretty good numbers for those trolling smaller deep diving lures around the sand bars. The grunter, which had earlier been in big numbers, have slowed down and their average size has dropped. They’re still around though. Off the beaches, anglers are picking up plenty of dart out the front of Coonar. We catch them on pipis, and the kids love it. You can also get a few flathead and big bream at the mouths of the creeks. As winter approaches the water gets clearer, and the fish move to the mouths. LURES VS BAIT Years ago, offshore fishing was all about heavy outfits, big sinkers and multiple hooks. Now we are seeing lighter

outfits with jigs attached, and even the bait fishing rigs are lighter, with chemically sharpened hooks and long, lighter leaders. With fishing pressure getting higher, you’ll find that scaling down will see your catches improve. I have had a few trips offshore of late, and my number one outfit has been a 6kg spin rod with a 6000 size reel loaded with 30lb braid and topped off with 50lb leader. I use this rig for jigging and casting. It is very versatile and has handled just about everything I have thrown a lure at. On a recent trip I alternated between my old go-to, the 40g Halco Twisty and 60g, 4” blade I got out of a drop bin at my local tackle shop for $7.95. We were fishing the Warragoes, which is around 40 miles

Golden trevally are great fun on light spin tackle. This one ate a jigged Halco Twisty.

north of Bundaberg, and the bottom ranges between 60ft and 130ft. I drifted with my fishing partner, who was fishing bait. Over the deeper water I would cast the Twisty ahead of the boat, let it sink and then jig it up before letting it flutter back to the bottom. This technique imitates a dying fish, and the flutter of the Twisty flashes and attracts pretty much every predator there is. I put some very nice parrot, trout, hussar, cod and red-throat emperor in the esky. When fishing the deeper water I would switch to the heavier blade and again cast away from the boat, letting the blade sink all the way down. I then varied my retrieve from hops up off the bottom to just a quick stopstart retrieve just above the bottom. This technique had the coral trout fired up, but I also caught cod, parrot and of course the mackerel just loved it as well. My mate prefers to fish bait, and on that trip he used mostly fresh pilchard and cuttlefish heads. The bait certainly worked, and he caught some quality specimens, but he was constantly pestered by undersized fish. Most of the catch that made it to the esky was caught on lures, which tend to eliminate the smaller pesky fish. So if you’re going to take advantage of our winter months offshore and want to try something different, try doing some luring.

my Facebook page, Lake Monduran Guidelines Fishing Charters. For camping and accommodation you can contact any of our helpful staff on 1800 228 754, or (07) 4157 3881 or email us at info@lakem.com.au.

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It was a quick snap-start to the cold season ROCKHAMPTON

Clayton Nicholls clay94_fishing@live.com.au

Winter is upon us. We really got a volatile jump between summer and winter this year – one day it was hot and the next we didn’t even break 30°C. The Fitzroy River has been going well with a number of people catching large barra. These fish are being pulled in the Rockhampton vicinity with many people having luck off the rocks between the two bridges on low tide. It is fair to note that most of the success in the town reaches has been on live bait. Threadfin salmon have been a good and viable target for many anglers and the majority of these fish have been caught near the mouth of the river. As the water temperature continually drops, the fish will move into the deeper holes along the river along

with the deeper gravel and rubble patches. With the lure market full of wild and interesting lures, sometimes it pays dividends to try some you haven’t used before. There are a lot of great crab imitations out there and these can be very successful fished along rock bars and rocky banks. RIVERS, CREEKS AND THE BEACHES Many of the local creeks and beaches have been fishing well. Coorooman has been holding many large grunter, good-sized salmon and decent bream. There have been a great amount of prawns in the systems which many fishos have been using as live bait. The most common way of rigging these prawns is a 2/0 circle hook with a lightly weighted sinker. This lets the prawns waft around more. Using the lightest sinkers lets the bait look more natural in the water and gives less pressure when the fish tries

Michael McQuarrie with a nice threadfin salmon. to take the bait, so it’s more likely to stay on. On the lure side of things, casting into the drains and gutters has

worked surprisingly well. Little 3” minnows in green and white have proved very good for grunter and bream.

FRESHWATER LAGOONS With the weather cooling down, the freshwater areas are slowly getting harder and harder to induce bites. Lately the Woolwash and Frogmore lagoons have filled up more with recent rains. This is certainly helping them give out a few last good fishing sessions before the cold finally shuts it down. Hedlow has had some great last sessions, always around 2pm in the afternoon and always using big gold deep diving lures like YoZuri Hydro Magnums. The afternoon surface bite in the freshwater has become less productive for barra, but you can certainly still get a high catch count with the tarpon. CRABBING Crabbing is pretty good

at the moment with many people catching a heap of bucks at Corio Bay and Coorooman. Whole mullet is still doing the trick like last month. Thankfully we are still getting patches of rain, enough to stir the crabs and keep them active and feeding on all the stuff coming out of the creeks after the rain. The crabs will eventually slow down. For now they are still in good numbers. As winter sets in and we get calmer weather, many anglers will head towards Kepple Island to get stuck into some fish. It might be time to brush up on the regulations, as the minimum safety requirements at the Kepples are very different to the minimum in the river. Life jacket levels are just one example.

Winter is about the big Bs YEPPOON

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Mark Sheen nailed this fine barra in the town reaches of the Fitzroy. salmon found in our area, but they are a fish available to everyone without having to spend a fortune on equipment. Most of us have done our time with bream and learned much of what we needed to progress our fishing careers on the back of the bream. They will take a wide variety of baits or lures and make a tasty feed when cooked fresh. Blue salmon have featured again in a few captures recently after a quiet spell. In the cooler months they school up and hit plenty of places along the coast. Ritamada, Coorooman Creek, Ross Creek and Farnborough Beach are known for fine catches of blues. There have been some stonker muddies about in the last week or two. The rain events have sparked up the creeks, bringing crab and prawn catches up considerably. Everyone wants to catch a metre barramundi. As much as I have tried to remain neutral on the net free zones, I can’t refute the difference they have made in the very short time they have been in place. I have seen more quality barra in the last 12 months than ever

before. It’s becoming regular to see someone holding up their first big barra and the capture of a lifetime. Most of these fish are released to fight and contribute to the system’s growth. We have also benefited from the floods and the overflow of Awoonga adding hundreds of massive fish into the region that will be breeders in coming seasons. I have said this in the past: we have the potential to be the Queensland barramundi capital and rank up there with any system in the world.

The floods came right in the middle of a barra boom and dispersed many of the fish that had congregated in the town area. Catches are coming from all around the Capricorn Coast and every local system. The drop in temperatures might slow them a little, but they still have to eat. This means that your lure or bait will have to be placed right near the fish and they may bite for shorter periods. So far the fish keep turning up. Live baits and lures have been working equally well.

Mark Simkins with his PB red emperor caught on Reel Naughti.

To page 55

Plenty of winter options GLADSTONE

Dylan Christie

In recent weeks we finally got a break in the weather, so the offshore brigade were able to get their fix. They were rewarded with some large Spanish mackerel, which have been taking fresh trolled baits such as doggy mackerel and garfish. If you prefer lures, two of the best producers have been Samaki Pacemakers and Yo-Zuri Hydro Magnums. Bottom fishers have been doing well too, with some great captures of largemouth nannygai, red emperor, red-throat sweetlip and

trout. As well as the usual baits, anglers have had good success with plastics like 7” Gulp Jerk Shads and 7” Z-Man Jerk ShadZ, and also micro-jigs such as the Entice Flop an Entice Juicer. There was also great fishing at the Boyne Tannum Hookup, which attracted a great turnout. A lot of fish were weighted in both the live and dead categories, with one of the most notable captures being a huge red emperor that weighed 14kg – cleaned! People fishing the wrecks have been having a lot of fun as well, catching golden trevally, cobia, nannygai, tealeaf trevally and grunter. The wrecks are best fished

Daniel Farrow with a solid red emperor caught on fillet bait in glassed-out conditions. From page 54

After a late flood season, which turned the Fitzroy River and Keppel Bay completely around, the benefits of the flood time are coming on. The bay and the estuaries are clearing up and are producing some fantastic fishing. All the species in the bay and around the fringes have benefited from the extra feed flushed down by the floods. As per usual, grunter, largemouth and smallmouth nannygai are the first fish to move into the bay in numbers to feast on the additional prawns, crabs and other morsels flushed out to them. Grunter are showing up in very good numbers at places like the Pinnacles, the Rama, Manifold, the Barge, Findlays, Quartz and various other little spots quite close to Yeppoon. The optimum times are a few days either side of the full or new moons. Many times they will be ready to chew when the conditions are settled. Most of these spots hold big black jew at the same time and usually we set one large bait and one small bait each. This goes to plan except when a black jew grabs your light gear instead of the heavy rig. These guys show no mercy

in shallow water and will test your equipment to the max. Both grunter and black jew will take lures if presented the right way. Estuary grunter love small chrome or gold metal vibes and many times recently they have out-fished the baits. Offshore they’re a little less fussy and will take anything from a Squid Vicious to a prong and various other plastic styles. I like to use vibes in seminatural colours for the fish up to 20m deep. Grunter and black jew will take the same bait. As long as it’s fresh there is a good chance of a decent catch. Squid, pilchards, flesh strips and prawns are the most favoured baits.

on neap tides with either live baits or soft plastics and jigs. RIVER AND ESTUARY The mangrove jacks have been firing in some of the local creeks, with some beautiful fish in the mid 50s making an appearance. I have spent a lot of time chasing them on surface lures, including walk-the-dogs, fizzers and even poppers. The best times are early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Once the sun comes up it’s worth throwing a suspending jerkbait around 80mm long or a 4” soft plastic rigged weedless, and fishing tight into the structure. Grunter fishing is good at the moment, and the best baits are live prawns and live herring, followed by strips of mullet or gar. Toolooa Bends and Grahams Creek are good spots to try, and I like to fish for them on the smaller tides. These tides concentrate the fish in the deeper holes, making it easier to target them with soft vibes and Gulp Shrimps. Things to look for while chasing grunter include gravel bottom and deep bends in the creek, as they provide perfect ambush points. There are still plenty of barra being caught throughout the Boyne River region and Gladstone Harbour. Blue salmon are in the harbour as well, and are starting to move into the mouths of estuaries and up into the Narrows.

Vibes are good for salmon and barra, particularly the Samaki Vibelicious, Jackson Quiet Beats and Zerek Fish Traps. On the neap tides, concentrate your efforts in the deeper holes around the estuaries. On larger tides, you’ll find the fish up over the flats, gravel bars, sand bars and mangrove-lined banks. And since the rain the mud crabs have started to move, so its worth dropping a few pots in. Anglers are catching plenty of golden snapper (fingermark) and black jew at the moment in Gladstone Harbour. They’ve been taking live herring, fresh squid (preferably live if you can get it), and fresh mullet fillets. It’s best to chase them

We cut pillies into thirds with a small piece of squid on each hook so that the broken up pilly berleys the immediate area and the squid hangs in long enough for another grunter to grab if the first fish doesn’t hook up. For grunter, we usually have a running ball sinker right down to a 4/0 octopus or circle hook. Black jew baits are quite a bit larger than grunter baits. The favourite method is a whole pilly or a whole squid on each hook. Some anglers like to use a squid and pilly cocktail, which works very well too. For black jew, I prefer a paternoster or ‘snapper rig,’ as most people call it.

I have the minimum size snapper lead required to hold the bait at the bottom and two droppers coming of the leader at approximately 300mm and 600mm with 8/0 or 9/0 circle hooks. Black jew fiddle with the bait sometimes and fishers who are prone to strike at a nibble can turn the fish off quickly in shallow water. These are the advantages of using circle hooks: the fish is hooked in the corner of the mouth for easy release and the fish hooks itself. When black jew and grunter are on the chew it can be very easy to get greedy and slay too many fish. The fish caught in the shallow water are easily

The author with a typical estuary-caught Gladstone barra. These fish will slow down in June, but they can still be caught.

Riley Bust scored this great barra locally.

around rocky outcrops and deep gravel bars, and even in some of the deeper creeks in the Narrows. Large queenfish have been giving anglers a lot of fun around North Entrance and Gatcombe Head, taking poppers, soft plastics and stickbaits. Queenfish tend to like an erratic retrieve around current lines and dirty water lines. They can also be found around deeper rock bars. THE MONTH AHEAD Fingers crossed the good weather will continue through June so we can keep heading offshore to chase pelagics and bottom fish. With the dropping temperatures, the Spanish mackerel fishing should keep getting better. Longtail and mac tuna are also more

common in the cooler months, as are salmon and grunter. The barra will start to slow down in June, but they still have to eat. Some canny anglers only target them in winter, because of the lack of fishing pressure. If you like a challenge, you can try targeting these sluggish barra with live mullet, or keep an annoying vibe in front of their nose until they finally decide to hit it. For all the latest information on what’s biting and where, drop in and see Dylan and the team at Pat’s Tackle World Gladstone on 23 Lord St, or give them a call on (07) 4972 3692. They’re also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Pats TackleworldGladstone.

Even small grunter will take a large vibe when it’s put right down into the school. released but the deeper water fish are prone to barotrauma. Reefies and pelagics are both going strong at present around the islands and the wide areas. Some of the recent catches of red emperor, largemouth nannies and coral trout have been epic. We have stopped going to any grounds we have fished before and the results are starting to mount. Lots of times Joe Average will hit the same old spots every time they go out. Catches decrease and they start complaining that the fishing is terrible. To have consistency you need to spend as much time searching as you do fishing. Watch your sounder and investigate changes or lumps that you see. On a trip last month, we found ten new spots, fished five of them for a drop each and landed half a dozen trophy-sized

red emperor. The skipper caught his first wahoo, a 10kg spotted mackerel and some serious redthroat emperor. We could have been greedy and stayed longer at each spot if we really needed the fish. We left each spot while the fish were chewing. This gives us some solid locations to try in the future while taking home a great feed. Spanish mackerel have slowed from the bigger schools to the residents. This means that the average catches will be a bit fewer and the fish are usually slimmer. Bait schools are starting to come around the islands, particularly rainbow runners and bonito. When these schools come through it is time to score some bait for the future. Fish around them as the predators are usually in attendance. JUNE 2017

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Glassy weather windows STANAGE BAY

Von Ireland

Welcome to the latest news from Stanage Bay, Shoalwater Bay, Percy Isles and surrounding islands. As per usual we will begin with the Stanage Bay Road, our big driveway. At the time of writing, it’s fair travelling. The first half of the road has a good smattering of large pot holes, but you can see them before you feel them if you are driving sensibly. From the Army turnoff to the Stanage grid, especially the cattle property Couti-Outi, the corrugation is consistent, small but rigid. Make sure your mudguards and wheel bearing maintenance is up to scratch before leaving home. The estuary, Thirsty Sound has once again been a challenge to the visitors. There have been a few blue salmon on the northern side of Quail Island, and big bream in closer. Cod, flathead, tuskfish and parrotfish of all sizes have been caught near the wall off Quail Island and Pier Head. (History lesson: Pier Head was named by Captain Cook because, from the distance, the rock wall from Pier Head to Quail Island looked like a pier.) The muddies, whilst big and full, have been on the slow side, and it will be interesting to see what happens during the winter months here at Stanage. There is a lot of hopeful anticipation for a big winter crab and barra season. Good winter seasons tend to happen every second year; we’ll get a slow summer followed by a good winter. When it comes to offshore fishing, anglers have been making the most of the weather windows. We’ve had to suffer through a lot of wind, with the odd window of rippled glass for opportunistic anglers – and fingers crossed things will be better in June. There have been reports of good catches of grass sweetlip caught on squid, with

Now is a good time to try your luck at a black jew. mackerel and trevally taking lures. Unfortunately, the ocean has been very dirty since the cyclone, so everything living in it has been suffering, which causes anglers to suffer also! As per usual we have huge catfish, which I believe to be the giant salmon catfish, going by Grant’s Guide to Fishes. They’re a table fish in some countries, but not Australia as we are too spoilt. There is usually great fishing here in the winter months, both inside the estuary and offshore. At Shield Island you can expect to catch cobia (black kingfish), coral trout and Spanish mackerel. To the southeast, the neighbouring islands should yield an abundance of grassy sweetlip and nannygai, with a scattering of red-throat. Out a little further, off the Percys, it’s worth having a troll for mackerel. In closer at the northwestern side of Geoffrey, try for snapper and big black jew, grunter and threadfin salmon on the northern beach of Marble Island.

Lastly, please put aside a little extra cash to donate to the Stanage Bay QF24 Coastguard, in the small chance you may need them whilst visiting Stanage or surrounding islands and the Coral Sea. The VHF radio is manned from 6.35am until 9.30pm, seven days a week, so give them a call when you depart from the Plumtree boat ramp, and again when you return. You can also join as a free tow member for $66 per annum. • Don’t miss out on the amazing fishing and crabbing at Stanage Bay! Call us at Stanage Bay Marine & Accommodation on (07) 4937 3145, check out www.stanagebay.com, email stanagebaymarine@ bigpond.com or chat to likeminded Stanage Bay anglers at www.facebook.com/ stanagebaymarine. We have good, affordable bait, ice, tackle, angler accommodation, boat and caravan storage (accommodation availability dates can change).

KARUMBA

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

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Despite decreasing water temperatures, Brendan still managed to pull in an impressive 86cm barra. JUNE 2017

Mackay makes up for the cold MACKAY

Keith Day habdays@bigpond.net.au

At last the weather patterns seem to be settling into ‘normal’ conditions for this time of year. The aftermath of cyclone Debbie is still being felt throughout the area but gradually life returns to normal. Debbie certainly livened up the fishing around Mackay. The massive flooding of our creeks and estuaries has seen an explosion of bait species including a good run of prawns. As every angler knows, the best fishing is had when the food chain is

This fish was stocked by MAFSA on 27/09/2015 and grew 58.2cm in 559 days. The barra was caught 6km downstream of the stocking site and had gone over the Dumbleton Weir during flood times. This barra is the largest barra out of the 1000 stocked and tagged by MAFSA in September 2015 to be recovered and was again released by the angler, so it will be interesting to see where it turns up next. Barra will be much harder to catch during June. On those rare calm days with higher water and air temperatures they will still be active and can be harassed into hitting a lure

With the onset of the cooler weather we are also likely to get more threadfin and blue salmon in our creeks. While the big threadies are usually lone fish or in small schools, the blues will often school up in large numbers and a couple of anglers can rapidly catch plenty. Blues need to be well looked after if being kept for the table and should be bled and iced down immediately on capture. With a hot bite going it can be difficult to stop fishing and take care of the catch, but the end result on the plate is worth taking the little bit of extra time with the catch.

Early season snapper like this ripper held by Tom Capewell are now being caught around the Hay Point area south of Mackay. in good shape and that is surely the situation now in our systems. Even though we’ve had a couple of cold snaps (below 10°C), there has been a surprising number of good barra caught in the creeks, both north and south of the city, and also in the Pioneer River in the city reaches. These barra have stayed on the chew with the increase in bait and the extended summer/autumn temperatures. I expect the barra fishing to drop back during June as our real winter sets in. One recent notable barra capture was an 84.8cm fish caught by A. Caruso in the Pioneer River bearing the tag number V90338.

with persistent working of a snag or drain/channel. Live bait anglers will find barra in the usual haunts in Constant Creek down towards the mouth at the barra hole and around the rock bars in the Seaforth/St Helens areas. The NFZ appears to be working well with reports of better than average size fish coming from the St Helens area in particular. South of Mackay the best bet for a salty barra is probably going to be Rocky Dam Creek near Koumala, which is serviced by a concrete ramp. It gets fairly muddy so be careful. Visitors should also heed the crocodile warning signs as there are several resident crocs in the system.

Threadies like live baits such as prawns and small mullet, but don’t discount fresh live yabbies either. At times they will ignore fresh live baits and take slab baits. With several lines out, a variety of baits can be employed. Blues have a preference for small prawns or yabbies. For the lure angler, both species will smash prawn imitations and the clear Fuze 55mm is a good all rounder. Others like the Prawnstar and Zerek soft prawns also work well. Soft vibes and small metal vibes will catch both species, as will many of the grub type lures. Your best bet is to check in with the local tackle shops for the good oil on what is

working and where the fish are being caught. Winter time also sees pikey bream featuring more in the creek anglers’ catches. Towards the end of winter the fish will spawn. Calm winter weather will let the alert angler spot the pikeys milling around mangrove roots and among the leaves of any freshly fallen mangrove lying in the water. A small lure or bait presented to them will often have four or five fish competing for the offering. Watch the legal length of these – many of them are undersize. During June we should also see winter whiting moving around our estuaries and creeks and locals will keep an eye on activity on the Forgan Bridge in the heart of Mackay as this is a sure sign that the whiting are biting. Lots of anglers fishing from the bridge on a night time run up tide is a good sign there are whiting about. Some genuine elbow-slappers are caught each year in the river with worms and yabbies or small strips of squid being the preferred baits. June also brings the Mackay Show and snapper. Anglers have already started to catch the odd snapper. Initially the snapper will be caught further south offshore from Cape Palmerston and the islands in that general area. Over the next few weeks they’ll start showing up around Hay Point and the islands out from the river mouth. The odd fish is also

Chilly weather in Mackay did not stop Clinton Hassan scoring these two threadies on live prawns worked along a sloping bank. caught from the harbour walls. Generally the snapper are a boaties’ fish. The local tackle shop staff will know when the main migration of snapper arrive in our local waters and will also advise you on bait and lures that work. Snapper are being targeted more and more with soft plastics and soft vibes in the larger sizes. It’s best to have a variety of sizes and colours on hand. The other essential element for success is to have a quality sounder to pick up bait and snapper close to the bottom. As a rule, snapper will be in a fairly small area. By watching for other boats at anchor, you have a fair idea of the spots to start fishing. A good sounder is invaluable. My picks for fish to chase during June would be snapper if the weather is kind, or threadies and

Aaron Sturdy took advantage of the masses of small prawns in Constant Creek to score this beaut barra on a 55mm Fuze Prawn drifted down onto a small rock bar.

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blue salmon in the creeks. As always, Mackay offers plenty of options. We have mild winters here in paradise, so why not join us? In the freshwater, the Maverick World Sooty Championship has been another great success at Eungella Dam with local tournament angler Dan Grech recording his third win with consistent high scoring fish. See the full article in the tournament news section and full results are posted on MAFSA’s Facebook site. For June the sooties will be the mainstay on the freshwater front, as they stay active in both the dams and the river. Eungella dam has been topped up with just over 80,000 sooties that MAFSA bred in the hatchery. Congratulations to hatchery supervisor Kieron Galletly and his team of workers on an outstanding result.

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2017 zerek barra tour calendar Get your barra fix in 2017 with the Zerek BARRA Tour. Returning to the barra filled lakes of Kinchant, Teemburra and Peter Faust Dams, the Zerek BARRA Tour will hit the north on the peak barra bite, the full moon in November. Having emerged from their winter slumber and in full spring bite mode the barra should be primed to wreak havoc and deliver anglers the ultimate BARRA Tour experience. The Tour kicks off at Kinchant Dam, home to some of the biggest and fattest barra in the north. Teemburra Dam is the next challenge for anglers, with the influx of water early in the year set to test anglers

both old and new. Peter Faust is the third and final location, with the 3rd and 4th event of the tour sure to see anglers battle the XOS fish of Faust. Rookie teams are in for a treat on the 2017 Zerek BARRA Tour with

a Rookie Pack presented to each team at their first event of the tour. To find out all the details on the Zerek BARRA Tour visit www. abt.org.au. BARRA Tour Entry Fee $250 (per event)

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Getting into the Zerek BARRA Tour experience SYDNEY

Tom Slater

Since its inception almost fifteen years ago, the Zerek BARRA Tour has been on the bucket lists of keen anglers all across the country. The allure of giant barramundi charging through the weed and timber-filled bays of some of Australia’s best impoundments is too strong for many to ignore. Every year we see an increasing number of newcomers to the tour who are met with open arms, plenty of stories and most importantly, a buckled over rod and braid screeching off their reels. With the tour again set for the waters of Kinchant, Teemburra and Peter Faust Dam this year, let’s dive in and take a look at the benefits of immersion into the Zerek BARRA Tour! Barramundi can be a tricky species to capture at the best of times, and figuring this species out on your own at locations as large and diverse as Peter Faust can have you quickly buckled at

the knees begging for a sign of life. Luckily for those now adopting this foetal position of angling horror, there’s an experience like the Zerek BARRA Tour. You won’t find a more full on, thorough and rewarding experience than learning the intricacies of angling barramundi, and I’ve experienced this firsthand when I went on tour in 2015. WHAT TO EXPECT Barra, boats, beers, bustoffs and bragging! That pretty much sums up the time you’ll spend on the BARRA Tour. The atmosphere is brilliant and perfectly climaxes as the tour winds up with the last two events at Peter Faust. This venue allows all the anglers to be in one place, centralized at Kipara Tropical Rainforest Retreat. It’s a perfect time to talk strategy, what has and hasn’t worked throughout the tour, maybe learn a new knot or two and harass Craig Griffiths for how he modifies almost every lure under the sun to catch barramundi better than the next one. In my experience as a southerner travelling to the

BARRA Tour for the first time, I was blown away with how welcome I felt when I backed the boat into Teemburra for the first event of the 2015 tour. Everyone was quick to say g’day and offer some words of encouragement. For a guy like me who hadn’t chased a barra since I was a spritely little kid on the verge of becoming a teenager, it was a nice way to get rid of the pre-tournament nerves. With the intense weather patterns northern Australia has experienced so far this year, the dam levels have risen dramatically. Both Teemburra and Kinchant are full to the brim and Peter Faust rose to 78% recently. That’s a stark contrast to the water levels we’ve faced over the last few seasons. In some ways 2017 will be a new experience for even some of the experienced anglers who have been getting used to the lower water levels of the past few years. The increase in water levels should definitely help the fishing, as a higher water level gives us even more space to explore. BARRA

Another happy customer. Tour veteran Steve Morgan recalls one of the first tours where Teemburra Dam was at capacity and saw some of the most insane closequarters barra fishing he’s experienced in all his years attending. “It was maybe the first year or possibly even the WEB LINK

Scan the QR code to view the 2016 BARRA Tour Guide

Big fish and night time fishing are the name of the game on the Zerek BARRA Tour.

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first trial event, the dam was full and myself and Kerry Symes were catching barra pitching soft plastics into flooded lantana bushes with rods more typically seen in US bass tournaments at that stage. I remember breaking one off on straight braid that might have been 60 or 80lb breaking strain and it was like a gun shot going off in your ear.” While we may not be lucky enough to be able to flip up a few metre fish like Morgo did way back

then, a full dam means more opportunities and more places they can hide, and that’s only a good thing. LET’S TALK TACKLE A common misconception is the successful barra angler has more tackle than one could dare dream. The fact is over the history of the tour, the list of everyday smokers isn’t that long. In fact, I could happily grab a small duffel bag with three Bait Coffins, a binder of soft baits, some terminal tackle and leader and be content with my options. We spoke about lures in more detail in last year’s BARRA TAG, which you can read by scanning the QR code on this page. The short and sweet version is this, use deep and shallow jerkbaits from 80-120mm. Think Zerek Barra-X and Tango Shad 89, Rapala X-Rap 10-14cm, Jackall Squirrel or Smash Minnow and Lucky Craft Pointers. Grab yourself some soft vibes like the Zerek Fish Trap, Jackall Transam or Storm SX Vibe. Squidgy Slick Rigs, either 110 or 130mm in black and gold are always hard to beat. Then for some more niche stuff pick up something you can fish weedless, like the Zerek Flat

Shad or another large profile soft body swimbait. Arm yourself with the right terminals like VMC 8527s and some weighted worm hooks, like the VMC 7346WT and you’re good to go. Connect your baits with 40-80lb fluorocarbon leaders. To ease the wallet you can get quality monofilament leaders, but up the poundage to 60-100lb as mono is softer and less abrasion-resistant than fluorocarbon. That’s the short and sweet. Scan the QR code for a more in depth guide to filling your tacklebox. The long and short of it is you’re going to need at least a couple of rods. Two rods would be the minimum I’d suggest arming yourself with: one baitcast rod if you’re comfortable casting one, or two spin outfits if you prefer the underslung spinning reel thing. Have one outfit geared towards close quarter fishing. Both Teemburra and Peter Faust are littered with standing timber, so a shorter rod is going to allow for more accurate casting and more manoeuvrability in confined spaces. Look for something 6’6” to 7ft in length and capable of fishing 30-40lb braid to its limit. Your next rod is

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what you’ll use if the fish are holding on those long tapering points and long casts are the norm. You really want 7ft or more in these instances. I’d recommend something around 7’6” in length to maximise casting distance. This rod doesn’t need to be as powerful as your short stroker, so feel free to bring along that snapper plastics setup that you got from Auntie Judie back in

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abt.org.au the Christmas of ‘05. As long as it can handle having around 4kg of drag over it you’ll be laughing and cuddling barramundi for a photo in no time. Now the tackle’s been sorted, we should look at what you’re actually going to fish out of! BARRAMUNDI BOAT BLING The Zerek BARRA Tour is unique in a lot of ways, but one of the hardest things to

get used to for someone like me, someone used to fishing the BREAM and BASS tournament series, is the session times. The BARRA Tour is timed to perfection to take advantage of peak bite periods and that means fishing under the cover of darkness. Night fishing is exhilarating and nervewracking. There’s something about not being able to see so well that makes the jolt of a barramundi inhaling your

Peter Faust has delivered the goods for many years and 2017 should be no different.

It can be hard work on the BARRA Tour, but the rewards are definately worth it.

lure 3ft from the rod tip even more awesome. Outfitting your vessel for the purpose of night fishing is well worth the time and effort and will save you lots of headaches and probably a few choice words with your fishing partner over the course of the tour. A well-lit boat hides nothing when it comes time to deal with a thrashing barramundi in the net. You don’t want to be fumbling in the dark for that pair of pliers you know are in there somewhere. Cheap 12V LED strip lighting is a wallet-friendly option, or if you’re more inclined

to splash out, waterproof, colour changing LEDs like those from KORR Lighting will have you decked out in style. The other thing to think about is how you’re going to set up your anchoring system. It’s quite common during BARRA Tour events to spend long hours concentrating on a particular spot or point in the dam. Fish tend to roam freely under the cover of darkness and these points act as highways for big barramundi. Anchoring yourself on these spots is often the winning technique and the ticket for filling a

scoresheet and memory card. One of the more advanced and convenient ways of anchoring is something like a Minn Kota Talon. These electric anchor spikes mount to the transom of your boat and propel downwards into the bottom in up to 12ft of water, quickly and silently securing your boat right on the spot. Trust me when I say that once you’ve had either a Power Pole or Talon, there’s no going back. For the BARRA Tour on a budget, a quick-release system on a traditional anchor is perfect. Take five To page 6

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Tournament Angler Guide

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minutes to set your anchor properly the first time and then simply clip your boat onto a rope equipped with a crab pot float. If you hook up and need to chase the fish into and around timber, you can simply unclip and the float will remain on the surface with the clip ready to reattach once the capture is complete. While more time consuming to set up and re-deploy should you want to change spots, it is a lot friendlier on the hip pocket.

But I think you’ll find enough uses for this in everyday fishing, so a shallow water anchor will quickly become one of the best purchases you’ve ever made. GOAL! Nope, we’re not here to debate whether it’s called soccer or football. We’re here to talk about some realistic goals for a new Zerek BARRA Tour angler. ABT rolled out the BARRA Tour Rookie Team of the Year as the perfect goal for new anglers to aspire to. Last year’s Rookie Team of the

Year of Omar Hamid and Chase Bursnall were thrilled to receive the rewards in the form of a tackle pack worth hundreds of dollars from tour sponsor Zerek/ Wilson Fishing. While the Rookie Team of the Year was brought on for new anglers to aspire to, growth and learning should really be the number one thing you take out of a trip north on the tour. There is absolutely no doubt that the Zerek BARRA Tour offers the best opportunity to learn tricks of the trade from some

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of Australia’s best and most accomplished barramundi fishers, not to mention some of our best BREAM and BASS anglers too! People quite often think that tournaments are reserved for only the best and brightest anglers, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. There’s a reason ABT’s motto is ‘Who shares wins.’ Spending almost two weeks travelling with this great bunch of anglers is a sure-fire way to speed up the learning process for not just barramundi fishing, but

sportfishing in general. Whether you’re a southerner looking to experience barramundi for the first time, or a local angler looking to unlock the secrets of these often perplexing lakes on your doorstep, the Zerek BARRA Tour offers you that opportunity. Where else could you share a beer with Australia’s best and have them show you the best lure or the best knot? You wouldn’t find Jason Day at the local range helping you sink those three footers, but you’ll definitely find

Craig Griffiths and Karim De’Ridder hunched over their tackle boxes fiddling at the BARRA Tour and that’s often the best part! WE’LL SEE YOU THERE! If you’ve successfully scoured this BARRA TAG and aren’t frothing at the bit to jump online and send in your entry then maybe go take a look at some of the pictures from last year’s event on the Australian Bass Tournaments Facebook page. Maybe those will help make your decision a little easier!

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Impoundment barra are a fish for all seasons BRISBANE

Bob Thornton

In the last decade, our understanding of how impoundment barramundi behave throughout the seasons has improved immensely. These days, we see anglers reliably able to

fish for them all year round, but it’s not just a matter of going to a dam full of barra and chucking a lure in. Sometimes, it’s not even enough to be throwing the most popular bait in the number one spot! There are a lot of subtleties to these magnificent slabs of chrome that seldom go hungry, and

sometimes, something so small can be the difference between success and failure. Tournaments have pushed anglers to learn more about these fish. Hours spent on the lake, as well as trial and error, have seen some incredible techniques pioneered. I had a chat to two of the top impoundment barra

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guys in the country to find out how their angling changes throughout the year with the different seasons, and how they make sure they’re always maximising their time on the water. SWEET SUMMER CHILD The summer months at the very beginning of the year in North and Central Queensland can quite literally see some of the hottest temperatures on Earth, and this can make finding active fish difficult. On top of this, it also sees some of the biggest weather changes, with cyclones and monsoonal rain events all part of life up north. Impoundment barra fishing always demands the angler to be versatile and flexible, and in summer what needs to be flexible more than any other factor is your timing. Sudden weather changes along with rises and falls in water level can turn the fish on and off like a switch. Anglers need to be ready when an opportunity arises. Bite windows may only last a few hours, and time on the water is the best way to familiarise yourself with these times.

Jono Clark from Mackay knows this well, and his home waters of Lakes Kinchant and Teemburra are both very affected by the constantly changing summer weather. “The wetter months see a lot of fast rises and falls in dams, particularly Kinchant, so it makes the bite specific from week to week,” Jono said. “If Kinchant is rising, they’ll usually be up in the flooded grass. It’s then just a matter of finding them and fishing that area.” Lindsay Dobe runs charters on Lake Proserpine, and his understanding of weather patterns and seasons has to be almost perfect. “I like to break summer up into two parts – the build-up and the run-off,” Lindsay said. “The build-up tends to start in late October and goes through usually until late December and sometimes January, and then we tend to get run-off until autumn.” “A lot of fish school up in the main basin during the day as if they were going to spawn, which they can’t,” Lindsay explained. “Full and dark moons tend to see them moving up into shallow water to feed at night.

“I also find that any tide change in the salt gives you a short bite window for some reason. “With tide changes, it’s not a case of ‘is it’s true or not’ anymore, I know they get the fish firing. “At the very hottest parts of the year, these bite windows don’t seem to have as much effect as they do at other times of the year.” While Jono tends to fish the way he wants to catch them, which is in shallow water, Lindsay prioritises putting numbers of fish into the boat for his clients. “We usually find them sitting in or on the edge of the old river bed during the day, and we only go shallow at night during summer, so we tend to troll when the sun’s up,” he said. “Once we find some, we sit on them, and during the day they’re not usually moving a lot, so it’s easy to stay on top. “Big plastic swimbaits and paddle-tails sunk down and rolled slowly through the school get us consistent bites, but some days you have to wait for a bite window.” But there are more subtle changes rain can bring,

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Timber and weed lined banks are happy hunting grounds regardless of the time of year.

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Tournament Angler Guide

abt.org.au and anglers who’ve fished for impoundment barra in summer will understand this. “A major influx can change the water temperature, so this can mean fish that were sitting shallow may now be sitting deep, and vice versa, so it really pays to be open to anything,” Jono explained. Lindsay finds that rain activity causes fish to scatter in his home waters of Lake Proserpine as well. “The second half of summer sees large floods and the fish often scatter, with some staying deep and some moving up shallow,” he said. “Some will push into feeder creeks, so casting to the mouths of these areas

with paddle-tails gets us a lot of bites.” “Sometimes they will sit on the edge of timber lines, and this is where I’ll prefer to use floating hardbodies, particularly ones that rise slowly, so they will bounce over the timber, but also stay in their faces on the pause.” In an environment where fish are constantly moving around, it pays to own a good sounder, preferably with sidescan capabilities, and know how to use it. SHE COMES IN THE FALL Autumn will usually see temperatures dropping to a more comfortable temperature, and there’s usually more stability in the

weather. Even so, the wind remains a constant factor for success, and Jono always makes sure he knows which way the wind is blowing. “Stable weather and a northerly breeze are favourite conditions for my local waters, as northerlies are usually a warm breeze,” Jono said. “Southwesterlies can turn the fishing off, as they’re generally a cool breeze.” Lindsay agrees that finding warmer water is the key to finding the barra in autumn. “It’s always a bit tough in autumn and the fish can be very fickle,” Lindsay explained. “Light winds are good for autumn at [Lake Proserpine], and you want

those days where the sun is warming the water. “A change to overcast weather and southerly winds will make it tough, as this will drop the temperature. “If the wind picks up, you just have to slog it out and rely on your sounder to find fish. “I tend to think of it like Glen McGrath’s bowling – just line and length, line and length – keep casting and you’ll be rewarded.” As far as finding fish goes, our anglers look for different things, as their priorities are again different.

“I find myself targeting trees that line the main river bed, creeks and gullies, sometimes trees in as much as 40, 50 and even 60ft!” Lindsay said. “But I tend to target the tops of these trees, where the sun is warming the top few metres of the water column, and this works best once the sun is up, and even better if you’ve got a calm day.” Jono prefers to fish for maximum excitement, and chooses to target weeded areas where the fish are likely to be actively hunting. “In early autumn

particularly, [Teemburra and Kinchant] can have lots of leftover run-off, and this can get the fish feeding in areas where the water is running into the dams,” Jono explained. “In the run-off I like to throw 120mm swimbaits, hard and soft, as well as the ever-faithful 5-7” paddle-tail plastics. “Fishing surface around the weed is also very deadly in autumn, particularly at low light, and there’s nothing like watching a metre barra boof your offering off the top!” Some years can also see To page 10

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Tournament Angler Guide

From page 9

storm activity hold off until autumn, like we had this year with cyclone Debbie. In this instance, it pays to fish around newly flooded areas, like you would in summer, before fishing the run-off areas as the water recedes. COLD WEATHER BLUES Winter will normally see the least amount of action in terms of anglers on the lake, but this doesn’t necessarily mean the fish aren’t catchable when the temperatures drop. Anglers have learnt to refine their search in winter, and knowing where the fish tend to hang out with the thermometer drops is the key to finding fish. Lindsay will continue to guide on the dam during winter, and despite the sometimes testing conditions, he regularly finds fish. “Winter can be similar to autumn, as you’re always trying to find the warmest water in the dam,” Lindsay explained. “Like always, they’ll usually arc up around full moons, but one difference I’ve noticed with winter is that overcast weather during the day seems to bring on a bite! “You always have to find the fish in winter, that’s a must, and once you find fish on the sounder, it pays to stay in that area until they decide to bite.”

Like most anglers, Jono tends to fish the dams less during winter, but when the itch is too strong, he needs to put together a plan before going out. Jono has also discovered the need to find the warmest water possible. “During the day, those fish will always be in the warmest water they can find, and in winter, that’s usually a windblown, sun-warmed shallow bank,” Jono explained. “When the sun isn’t on the water, they tend to go deeper where I fish, and then it’s just a matter of finding them with your sounder. “When there’s no sun, I like to troll around the edges looking for bait, and when I find some bait, either with barra eating it or hanging out close by, I like to start dropping lures into them. “Sometimes it can be like bass fishing, where you’re just cycling through lures in your box, trying to find something they’ll eat. “Soft vibes in the 100mm range are a good starting point when targeting these shut down fish.” IT MIGHT AS WELL BE SPRING Spring is undoubtedly the pick of the seasons for most impoundment barra tragics. Even then, they can be far from easy to fool. Just like any other time of the year, there are things to factor in

An assortment of different baits will keep you in the game regardless of the season. when planning a trip. Angling pressure is one thing anglers need to take into consideration, and Jono knows his local waters are popular locations for anglers from all over the country. “[Spring is] definitely the best time for me, and I always try to put in some solid trips in over August and September to try and get a few ideas as to what’s going on before the masses,” Jono explained. “The fish are coming back online, and they usually aren’t as fussy about what they eat.” “They’re hungry, and they even can look a bit gaunt after the winter.” Lindsay favours spring as well and finds some of the most exciting fishing is available at this time of year. “Spring is when the dam comes good, and it’s when

I do most of my topwater fishing,” Lindsay explained. “Nice still mornings are good for topwater, and early starts are very important. “You can also fish topwater in the afternoon, but I often find the wind can get up by the afternoon, and this can make topwater fishing harder.” Spring can give an angler a bit of freedom with what they want to fish with, but again, this doesn’t mean it’s easy work. “I like big aggressive presentations in spring,” Jono said. “I like throwing 9” soft swimbaits, surface walkers, 110mm vibes, and slow hardbodies too, particularly on the edges of weed and around those weedy points. “When it’s go time, it doesn’t really matter what

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you throw, as long as you’re fishing in an area where you know fish are, and you fish to them until you come across a bite window.” Lindsay also likes to mix up his presentations a bit in the springtime. “Apart from throwing topwater in the morning, I also like fishing tree lines like I do in autumn, and again, I like to use slow rising hardbodies that go through timber fairly well,” he said. “Sun-warmed bays also attract fish in spring, and if you find fish in a bay, stick to it like glue. “Channels in and along the weed beds are great for casting at, and these are areas where I’ll throw surface and subsurface.” As far as presentation goes, both anglers like to mix it up as much as possible. Having multiple anglers fishing in different ways is a great way to find out what the fish want, and this can be applied to just about any fishing situation. “Retrievals are important in spring, so it pays to vary your retrieve,” Jono said. “Trial and error is the best way approach it, and it helps to have a range of lures, setups, and different spots you want to fish.” Lindsay agrees with Jono, and is always willing to change up what he’s doing to

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find what the fish want. “It’s definitely a game of trial and error with retrieves,” he said. “With clients, I like to get them doing different stuff; one might try a burn and kill type retrieve while the other will fish super slow with plenty of pauses. “A good example is with plastics, as some days they’ll only eat them if they’re moving really slowly, and other days they’ll chase them and eat them when wound really quickly.” GET YOUR CASTING ARM READY As you can see, the dynamics of an impoundment barra fishery change, quite literally, like the weather. By hearing it from the guys who’ve produced consistently good results, I hope this info gives you more confidence when you pull up at the ramp of a barra impoundment. Fishing our barra impoundments can get challenging, but it doesn’t have to be something to put in the ‘too hard’ basket. The hours spent searching, casting and retrieving are all worth it when a metre long silver slab is lying on the brag mat in your boat. Good luck to anyone looking to target impoundment barramundi this year, and we hope to see you at this year’s Zerek BARRA Tour!

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Hooked-up – an insight into rigging barra plastics TOOWOOMBA

Jason Ehrlich

Seasoned impoundment barra anglers are known to suffer from an addiction. Rarely will you find a stockstandard, store bought soft plastic tied to one of their rods. Modification to create the ultimate fish enticing morsel with an enhanced ability to hook barramundi is their goal. It is no easy mission. Impoundment barra can be frustratingly fussy. They’re also good at dislodging hooks and finding any weakness in the system as they carry on with their aerial antics and demonstrate bursts of sheer power. On arriving at a barra dam, getting lures into the water as fast as possible and casting like a madman may seem like a good idea. Putting that first fish in the boat is the goal. Before we rush into the fishing, let’s take a few steps back and make sure we are as prepared as we possibly can be. Unless you’ve already done this preparation, the odds are in the fishes’ favour. Time spent tricking up your

soft plastics prior to making the first cast can make all the difference. Barra gurus have experimented with all types of lure modifications. Plastics can be made to swim better by cutting, burning and even boiling. What about the pointy parts which make the bites stick? FALLING FOR THE TRAP A couple of years ago I was told about a congregation of bigger Monduran barra. The fish were in around 3m of water and the bottom had a coating of slimy snot weed. If you drag a hook through this rubbish, the only way to remove it is to pull it off with your fingers. So annoying! Rather than taking the time to experiment and learn how to keep our lures just above this weed, we opted to remove our belly stinger hooks, which were responsible for hooking most of this slimy vegetation. Big mistake! That night, we had a run of bad luck. At the same time we could have improved our hook-up rate by sticking with stingers and adapting our retrieve. All up we had eight hook-ups and boated only two fish. This is not to mention the other

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The black and gold Slick Rig 130 is a proven performer. Using a DIY jighead with so much hook exposure, the odds were in my favour once this barra was hooked. dozen or so half-hearted taps, which we didn’t convert into hooked fish. Running a stinger can make a huge difference and I can now only wonder how well we would have went that night if we did. MAKING THE BITES COUNT Few are the days when barra come easy. Missed

bites and jump offs are the frustrating part about chasing these creatures. Knowing you’ve done enough to get them interested but not enough to catch them always leaves an angler wondering what else could have been done. Fancy rod work or tweaks in the retrieve can help the cause a lot, but let’s take a look at some soft plastic enhancements that can make the difference. ADDING SOME STING The use of stinger hooks is no secret. Barra anglers love them because they catch more fish. A treble placed under the belly of a soft plastic accounts for many more fish and often picks up barra, which nose bump or head swipe at the lure without the intention of eating it. There are a few ways to rig a treble under a plastic. A solid swivel or linked split rings can be pushed through the belly of the lure. With some manipulation, one end of this can be passed over the main hook point and pulled back through the belly while working it around the hook bend and onto the shank. I like to use a pointy nosed pair of pliers to reach through the plastic and grab the swivel or ring to thread it back through the soft plastic. The stinger hook can then be added below the belly of the plastic and a plastic keeper (piece of old drink bottle) or glow bead can be placed on the main hook to keep the rig intact. This style of rigging is the neatest and produces the most hook-ups. It’s hard on soft plastics as most tear quite easily. When you want to make the bites stick, it is the way to go. If you are tossing and destroying $8+ plastics, there are other rigging options. A fast way to attach a stinger to your jighead is to use a short piece of

multistrand wire. One end is looped through the jighead eye and crimped. The other end is measured, looped and crimped before adding a split ring and treble. Once installed, one point of the treble can be tucked into the bottom of the plastic to hold it in place. Hard to find jigheads are available and these sport a second eyelet on the underside of the head or along the hook shank just before the bend. Split rings can be used to attach a treble to the underside of the lure. From this position, the hook can be left free swinging or have one point tucked into the bottom of the plastic. STINGER HOOK SIZE AND TYPE The stinger hook is so beneficial most serious anglers prefer to lose a few lures to snags rather than miss bites. Not just any hook will do the job either. Most fishers have their own opinion on which hooks work best. There are now more choices of hooks available that are up to the

task of handling big strong fish. Brands like Owner, Decoy, BKK, Gamakatsu and VMC all make heavy-duty hooks, which provide a better chance of landing fish. I asked Craig Griffiths which hook he likes to use and what advice he could offer. He responded, “If you pick a hook that looks right for the size of the lure, go up one size from that.” The big hook theory seems to work for him. Barra have big mouths and you can’t beat that extra gape and hook exposure when it comes to producing a more secure connection to the fish. Craig likes to use Decoy Y-S21 hooks. For Slick Rig 130 plastics he’d be attaching a size 1/0 hook. It pays to carry a range of hook sizes to suit different soft plastic sizes. THE NEXT LEVEL Bigger paddle-tails (or swimbaits) are growing in popularity. These lures are heavy and require specialized tackle to throw them. Rigging these bigger lures or even custom rigging smaller ones is also a growing trend. To develop a homemade jighead or weight system requires quite a bit of planning and preparation before the making and testing phases. While not simple to make, they are very worthwhile and can be fashioned to suit different plastic styles. With attention payed to the finer details like hook exposure, strength and gauge, you can feel comfortable knowing more bites will stick and the hook will be up to the task. DIY JIGHEADS CHOOSING WEIGHT Study an existing jighead or sinker to calculate how much lead will be needed to achieve the desired weight. Using this as a guide, make the same size and shape out of modelling polymer clay or epoxy putty. Polymer clay like Fimo or Sculpey is available from art and craft

A selection of rigged plastic ready for barra action. The top two plastics have been rigged by using two split rings to attach the treble. The Powerbait Mullet (second from bottom) is rigged using the swivel through the belly method for a strong connection. The Big Willy on the bottom has the stinger attached to a piece of solid stainless rigging wire. This is a fast fix if you are struggling to find parts to rig any other way. The treble swings free on hook-up and prolongs the life of the soft plastic.

stores. Epoxy putty can be purchased from a hardware store. These materials are suitable and can be sanded and drilled for further shaping once hardened. Polymer clay needs to be baked in an oven to make it harden. Epoxy putty cures once the two parts are mixed together. It is a great product allowing plenty of working time before it starts to get too firm to continue moulding into shape. Once the original head is finished being moulded onto your selected hook with eyelets added, it’s time to make a mould from it. SELECTING HOOK TYPES Barra demand big strong hooks. I like heaps of gape

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Tournament Angler Guide

abt.org.au to ensure they protrude well from the plastic. Barra have bucket mouths so a bigger hook isn’t a problem and will often produce a more solid hook-up. DIY jig hooks are available. It’s hard to find one exactly the right shape, strong enough and with enough gape. I prefer a straight shank pattern hook like those used for rigging skirted lures for gamefish. While ideal for use, this style of hook isn’t made for jighead moulding and lacks the right angle bend near the eye. To compensate for this minor setback, you will need to form stainless wire to the shape of the mould around the hook or incorporate figure eight

HOW TO RIG A STINGER ON A PRE-RIGGED SOFT PLASTIC • You need a plastic to be rigged, a suitable swivel, split ring, treble and tools. • Insert pointy nose pliers through the belly to where the hook exits the plastic. • Place a swivel over the hook point and work it back through the plastic by pulling it with the pliers. • The swivel should sit right at the belly of the plastic. If it’s too short, add an extra split ring. • Holding the swivel in place, add the split ring and treble. • When rigged, a small piece of plastic or big glow bead holds the swivel onto the hook and prevents it from coming back off past the barb.

eyelets into the mould. Such eyelets are available from lure making suppliers. I use size 12-14 eyelets from Fishing Unlimited who are based on the Sunshine Coast. These eyelets can be added to the original hook from which the mould will be made by cutting them down and then drilling and glueing to secure them. MAKING THE MOULD Silicone moulding rubber is perfect for the job. For a quality two-piece mould, high-temperature silicone is the go. It’s stiff and made for pouring low melt alloys into and therefore reproduces a high quality finish. A more flexible silicone like Pinysil is a fast-setting product, which can be used to create a one-piece mould. The article is suspended in a container and the Pinksil is poured around it and allowed to cure. It is then cut out to remove it from the mould. For a fast alternative to hi-temp silicone, this is the product I recommend if low scale production is your aim. If I am in a really big hurry I have even made two part moulds from car bog and poured lead into that. There are plenty of instructional videos available online for making silicone moulds. While they won’t be specifically for

jigheads, some extra thought and planning should see you on the right track. Search ‘How to make a silicone mould’ in the YouTube search bar and you’ll soon be in business. POURING JIGHEADS – ALWAYS WEAR PROTECTION! If you have ever made sinkers before, you’ll already have a head start. Making a complex jighead like those used for barra is a bit fiddlier and time-consuming though. You’ll need some way to melt the lead in a well ventilated area. A fast and effective way is to use an old ladle to hold it while applying the flame from a handheld propane burner. The lead needs to be hot to ensure the heat isn’t lost once it makes contact with the hook shank and figure eight eyelets. I prefer the Propane torch method as it allows me to directly heat the hook shank and eyelets with a few quick passes of the direct flame over them before I pour the lead. This heat will help the molten lead form a neater and stronger finish around them. Pure lead can do the job, but it is quite soft and this will allow the moulded components to move and weaken over time. Try melting old tyre weights

Parts ready to start making a jighead (propane torch, Pinkysil mould, ladle and lead, hooks and eyelets. as they contain antimony and low amounts of other metals, which make your moulded parts much stronger. Don’t confuse the lighter, shiny zinc weights for lead ones though. I have never seen any other fish make anglers tinker with tackle the way impoundment barra do. Perfecting lures and hook combinations may help better the bite to landed fish ratio. In my opinion, it is time well spent. In a tournament situation, every bite counts. For the average fisher, the next bite that sticks could be a new PB or the fish of

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a lifetime. If nothing else, presenting what you believe is the perfect offering will see you fishing with more confidence and we all know a confident angler catches more fish. TRIM IT AND SWIM IT Once moulded, the finished product can be removed from the mould. Trim off the excess around the pour point. It is now ready for rigging and swimming. While DIY jigheads may not be for everyone, handy fishers can put their talents to good use. A well-made jighead can be fashioned exactly the way you want it.

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TAG 2017

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Tournament Angler Guide

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The man behind the metres BRISBANE

Elliot Fooks

Barra are known as a species that comes in metres, but to master these metres it all comes down to millimetre details, and one angler who has mastered the millimetres to catch more metres, is Rolleston’s Craig Griffiths. Most anglers will associate Craig Griffiths with trophy barra and tournament victories, but his knowledge and results are the outcome of what can be described as a hundred-thousand-hour apprenticeship and not an overnight success. While as a whole Griffiths’ growth as an angler looks like a mammoth journey, he believes every angler can master his domain. It’s just a matter of being prepared to make the time and being able to accept the failure that comes with trying to master any sportfish. BEFORE THE BITE Griffiths’ love for barra started from his first fish and persists to this day, but it was not his first foray into fishing. The signs of his dedication were evident even from his first trips on the Murray River

in Victoria. Griffiths spent his early holidays fishing for cod with his father. While most kids would be ready to head to bed early after a big day of fishing, Griffiths’ dedication was on show even from day one. His family would go to sleep in the cabin, but Craig couldn’t sleep and would stay out on the boat to keep fishing through the night. “Once I could drive the boat, I would stay out while dad would sleep in the cabin. I would occasionally sleep on the boat, but I really just couldn’t sleep when I could be fishing,” said Griffiths. While these early trips

to the Murray River were an introduction to fishing, it wasn’t until 1993 when Griffiths got his first taste of barra fishing and really got hooked. Having moved north to Rollestone in 1992, it wasn’t until a year later when he decided to head out for a fishing trip to catch his first barra. Craig recalls the story like it was yesterday. “We went on a trip for two weeks of fishing in the Northern Territory. I fished for nine days before I got my first barra,” explained Griffiths. “I caught my first barra on a 70mm RMG Scorpion and it measured 82cm. I went on

Many of Craig’s formative early years were spent chasing Murray cod in Victoria.

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to catch two more fish for the trip.” This extraordinary memory is one of the keys to Craig’s success, and his ability to remember events has allowed him to remember both successful and unsuccessful patterns, thus allowing him to make key changes and stay on the fish. Now living in an area that gave him access to these trophy fish, Griffiths was hooked on barra fishing and began to expand on those early trips. During the early days, Griffith focused on trolling. “I would look for what I thought was a good bank and if I caught fish I would work out why they were on a particular section of the bank and then try and repeat the process,” said Griffiths. In 1997 Craig’s style of fishing and attention to detail stepped up a gear when he started focusing on casting and retrieving. Having refined his ability to catch fish trolling, moving to this new method of fishing birthed Griffiths’ core goal of being able to catch barra at any time of the tide, on any day, on any body of water. While it’s an easy thing to say, it is an incredible task for anyone to complete, and as Griffiths says, you need to put in the time to make it happen. EARLY TOURNAMENT DAYS In 2003 Craig stepped out of the shadows and decided to try his hand at the Rocky Barra Bounty. Having never fished the system before, Craig looked left, then right from the boat ramp and started looking for familiar structure and situations that had been successful on other waterways. While most anglers on new waterways tend to focus on what the local anglers are doing or saying, Griffith focused on what he had stored in his memory bank and used his accumulated knowledge to take the win. While many anglers have come to a river and taken a win on their first visit to the waterway, Griffith was able to repeat his success in 2005, having not fished the system since his 2003 victory. He then went on to return to the top step of the podium in 2008! While early victories in tournaments confirmed that he was on the path to achieving his core goal, he still felt some of the parts of the puzzle were missing. Living in Rollestone provided Craig with the opportunity to fish for both fresh and saltwater barramundi. “I believe, to be the best angler, you can be much better off learning how to catch saltwater barra. They will teach you much more than barra in the fresh. To

Craig discovered barramundi in the early 1990’s and has been transfixed by them ever since. be successful on both types of water, you need to know how to adapt to their specific feeding habits,” explained Griffiths. In 2005, ABT had built on its barra trial event and expanded to a two week BARRA Tour, encompassing some of the best impoundment barra fishing on offer. While success didn’t come during his early entries into BARRA Tour events, it did allow him to build on his archives of stored knowledge and give him motivation seeing where he could get to. “It was really eye-opening to see the Taylor brothers dominate the scene. They put in the time, they were focussed and they caught fish in all conditions,” said Griffiths. THE SECOND COMING For most anglers, Griffiths’ string of top tens and podium places from 20092010 would be a successful career in tournament fishing, but feeling he was on the cusp of more, Griffiths knew he needed to keep refining his skills for better results to come. In 2011, his persistence and eye for detail started to show, with strong tournament results, winning the BARRA Tour Season opener at Peter Faust Dam, and he also returned to his winning ways at the Rocky Barra Bounty, which he has won every year since 2011! Having taken numerous event wins in the saltwater, by the end of 2012 the only event win missing for Griffiths was a ABT BARRA Tour victory, and at the season opening event of the 2012 BARRA Tour, Griffiths took his first win at an ABT event. Griffiths had again stepped up to a new level over the tour and remarked that he had his boat set up perfectly and was beginning to refine his tackle. Despite this, he still failed to have a consistent finish and failed to win the AOY. With the tour changing to a teams format for 2013, and the disappointment of inconsistent finishes still fresh in his mind, Griffiths knew he needed to change his strategy and find a partner that he could work with. Partnering with Trent Short was the perfect choice and he was able to win his first Team of the Year title. “Even before the

tournaments were scored as a teams event, you have always needed a partner you could trust on the boat, and someone that was willing to fish different techniques and help to unlock what the fish wanted. It was an easy fit to fish with Trent in 2013. We could work together and we got the win,” Griffiths said. With a first, third and a fourth place finish for the pair, it was a successful week of fishing. With Trent Short unable to return for the 2014 Barra Tour, Griffiths was on the hunt for a new partner and was looking for someone he could fish a range of events with across the year. “Craig fishes hard all the time, and it takes a strong angler to keep up with him. Karrim De Ridder was the perfect match for him,” explained long time friend John Millard. The first season was below par for anglers’ expectations and both anglers walked away feeling they had missed their opportunities in the tournament. “It takes time to build trust on the boat and to know how the other angler works, whether that’s catching barra in a social environment or tournament. It’s all about teamwork and we just had not clicked yet,” said De Ridder. The following season, the pair clicked and almost had the perfect season, accumulating 299 out of a possible 300 points for the Team of the Year, with event wins at Teemburra and Peter Faust dams. “It was a great way to return to the BARRA Tour and a good way to cement our partnership,” said Griffiths. After the 2015 win, the partnership has gone from strength to strength, with the team winning events across both fresh and saltwater. They are currently are on track for a hat trick of TOY wins, but they are not done yet. “I still have a few events that I would really like to win, and winning three TOY in a row would be a special achievement,” Griffith said. INSIDE THE MIND While the story and results of Craig Griffiths are awe-inspiring, the keys to his success come down to his attention to detail, commitment and his

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abt.org.au willingness to grow and adapt. “Barra are a tough fish and you need to put all the pieces together to work them out, and Craig works harder than anyone else out there,” explained Millard. As we all know, if you want to get good at something it takes time, and in Griffiths’ mind it’s all about making time. Working seven days on then seven days off, Griffiths sets aside four days during his down time to go barra fishing. “I can’t sleep much before I go fishing,” he said. “My mind races and I just want to get out there, so I leave home around 1-2am in the morning

and try to get back home by 5pm when I go fishing.” While for most anglers that is an unrealistic amount of time, Griffith believes it is about making time, not developing a mindset that you don’t have the time. “Regardless of whether it’s fishing or anything else in life, it’s about structuring your time. I also have a great wife and family, and they understand my passion,” says Griffiths. Even when he’s not on the water, Griffiths has barra on the mind, and both Karrim and John regularly talk to Griffiths about techniques and

tackle selection on an almost a daily basis. “When Craig’s off work we would talk both morning and night about techniques, things we have seen or how we can improve our fishing,” explained Karrim. While it may seem like a lot of talking, the pair don’t get much face time to fish together, and this understanding has been the key to their success on the tournament trail. “I have a good group of guys that I can bounce ideas off and we all challenge each other to keep learning,” said Griffiths. While the group are able to keep challenging

each other to learn, Griffiths’ commitment to fishing has also helped push the other anglers to keep growing at a faster rate. “He’s hard to keep up with, and when you have to fish against him in a tournament you know he is working his arse off, so you need to commit the time or he’ll kick yours!” said Millard. “To give you an idea on the speed he can learn at, he started fly fishing a year ago, and now he is out there catching 5-10 barra on fly every trip, so he just doesn’t stop pushing his understanding of these fish.”

While wins are great, Griffiths always reminds anglers that it is not about wins. It’s about catching barra anytime, anywhere. “Tournaments are a great way to push yourself as an angler, but six hours goes quickly and you really feel the reward when you catch fish in those high-pressure events,” said Griffiths. He went on to explain that lots of anglers seem to get fixated with sponsors and notoriety, forgetting that it’s about catching fish. When asked about how they would sum up

Griffiths as an angler, both De Ridder and Millard remarked about his ability to set up both his boat and tackle perfectly, willingness to learn and steel-like focus when on the boat. These skills have allowed him to remain at the top of tournament barra fishing for over 15 years now, which is unprecedented in Australian fishing tournament history. With the 2017 BARRA Tour fast approaching, it will be interesting to see whether Griffiths will be able to dominate another tour.

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The man of metres, Craig has set the standard in recent years when it comes to chasing impoundment barra.

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TAG 2017

TILAPIA

The trouble with tilapia COASTAL RIVERS

Charlie Carruthers

Do you ever look at photos in old fishing magazines and books and think you were born too late, or wonder what the fishing would have been like 70 years ago? Many of us have never experienced fishing in the inland waterways of the Murray-Darling Basin without introduced fish such as carp, which really took hold in the 1960s and 70s. You could say we have been left a legacy of the past that we would rather not have inherited. For the first time in Australian history, effective

highly tolerant of harsh conditions and poor water quality. In approximately 40 years, tilapia have spread throughout many coastal catchments in Queensland, from Cairns in the north all the way to the NSW border and beyond. In some places, they are found within 3km of the Murray-Darling Basin. The most widespread species of tilapia in eastern Queensland is Oreochromis mossambiccus, an aggressive fish that grows to 40cm and varies in colour from dark olive to silver-grey, depending on their age and environment. Breeding males often have red tips on their fins. They are generally deep-bodied fish with a thin

impoundment it is extremely difficult, if not impossible to eradicate them. Tilapia are a restricted noxious fish in QLD. This means that it is illegal to: • Bring tilapia into QLD • Possess, rear, sell or buy tilapia • Release tilapia into waterways These rules also apply to fish that are dead, or parts of a fish (e.g. fillets). Therefore, the use of tilapia as bait is also illegal. Any person that comes into possession of tilapia are legally required to humanely kill the fish and dispose of it by burying it away from the water or placing it into a bin. Tilapia must not be returned to the water dead or alive.

Tilapia build crater-like nests in shallow water and soft sediments. Photo courtesy of DAF. control is reliant on early detection and rapid reporting. If you catch a tilapia, observe any nests or see people moving them, report it! Unless we want our kids to grow up wondering what fishing for Murray cod and golden perch used to be like before the tilapia invasion, we all have a duty of care to do the right thing and not move tilapia between waterways.

With carp management looking more promising than it ever has, it would be a tragedy for native fish of the Murray-Darling Basin and recreational fishing if the carp gap was filled by tilapia. To help stop the spread of tilapia: • Don’t throw caught tilapia back into a waterway—kill the fish humanely, take a photo and either bury them or put them

The one continuous and pointed dorsal fin and pointed anal fin are distinguishing tilapia identification features. Photo courtesy of NSW Department of Primary Industries. carp control is looking promising in the MurrayDarling Basin, thanks to the carp herpes virus. Despite carp, it has been a cracker of a season in the northern inland. This magazine has been chocka-block full of big cod and golden perch from rivers and impoundments, almost reminiscent of those old fishing magazine photos you might say. In the coastal rivers and impoundments it’s also apparent another introduced fish, tilapia, are becoming a more common by-catch for anglers chasing bass, barramundi and saratoga. Tilapia are extremely efficient breeders, and are

profile and one continuous and pointed dorsal (top) fin and pointed anal fin. Females protect their eggs and young fry in their mouths. This technique, known as ‘mouth brooding,’ ensures high rates of survival. Even if the mother is not living, any eggs in the mouth have the potential to survive if released into a waterway. Tilapia impact our native fish through predation, habitat destruction, and competition for habitat and food. Like all introduced fish, tilapia also pose a risk of spreading diseases and parasites. Once they become established in a flowing waterway or large

in a bin and report it as soon as possible. • Don’t use tilapia as bait (dead or alive). • Don’t stock dams or ponds with tilapia—stock native local fish instead. To report tilapia in QLD call 13 25 23 or visit www.daf.qld.gov.au. The Keep Tilapia Out project is supported through funds from the Murray-Darling Basin Authority.

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Despite these regulations, tilapia infestations are most commonly caused by people moving them between waterways. With more and more people travelling long distances to fish, there is a very real risk of a tilapia incursion in the MurrayDarling Basin. While it looks like we will have to put up with tilapia in the coastal catchments for the time being, we can prevent them from getting into the Murray-Darling Basin. The recreational fishing community has a role to play in stopping the spread of tilapia. If there is an incursion in the Murray-Darling Basin, any chance of effective

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TILAPIA

Help nature, catch a cichlid BRISBANE

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Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

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Cichlid is a strange word. Let’s try tilapia. Now we’re talking about a pest fish that seems to be in every South East Queensland waterway and many others north and south as well. First identified in our coastal waterways over a two decades ago after an introduction as ornamental aquarium fish, tilapia (from the Cichlidae family) are well and truly loathed these days due to their ability to spread far and wide. TWO STRAINS OF TILAPIA The main offender is the Mozambique strain of tilapia, easily identified by its dull grey, deep body and long dorsal and anal fins. There’s also the smaller spotted tilapia which can have dark bars or blotches on its side. Both fish seem to have dorsal and anal fins that are almost symmetrical in appearance, whereas our native fish have a break in the dorsal fin that readily sets them apart. Incidentally, the Mozambique strain of fish grow to 40cm and well over a kilogram and are a powerful adversary on light tackle. This is exactly what this article is all about – catching tilapia and then removing them from our waterways and impoundments. HABITAT First, let’s look at some information. Under Queensland law tilapia are classified as a noxious fish. They have the wellproven ability to take over an environment and make it very hard for other fish to survive alongside them. As mouthbreeders they can successfully outbreed and out-populate established

Tilapia are handy for introducing youngsters to fishing. Gabby North looks very happy with her fish. native fish and can live in virtually any waterway: fresh, brackish or whatever. If things don’t suit them in the local stream or creek, they can nip down to the salt water for a while to regroup and travel to fresh destinations. Although they carry their young in their mouths they also build shallow

scooped-out nests up to 50cm wide on stream edges for their eggs to hatch in. This dirties the water and disrupts weed beds. Worst of all is the spread of Queensland’s tilapia. First flooding moved them into fresh habitats, now cyclone Debbie has washed them far and wide. It won’t be hard to find a

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population of tilapia to fish for. The idea is to check out slower moving creeks, lagoons and backwaters on fresher sections of rivers, especially if some weed growth is present. These fish are omnivorous and will eat weed quite willingly. They tend to school up where they can sometimes be easily

A typical Mozambique tilapia. Note the full-length dorsal and anal fins and the slate grey colour.

seen, not moving much at all, just hovering quietly while contemplating their next move. GROCERY STORE BAIT Few fish can be caught as easily as tilapia in shallow water. Yes, they are present in most South East Queensland impoundments, but deeper water makes them harder to catch. It’s the creek, lagoon and pond fish that are the easiest to find and catch. Therefore these fish provide great sport. Earth worms will catch tilapia, as will flies that resemble worms. Turtles and native fish also live alongside tilapia in the creeks and ponds and we don’t want to be giving

TILAPIA them a hard time as well, so exploit the tilapia’s liking for weed and similar materials to keep the turtles, spangled perch and catties out of the picture. Cichlids have a great liking for tinned tucker. It’s a trait that they share with carp, another highly invasive and noxious fish. Corn and peas can be their undoing and a small hook baited with mixed peas and corn is a top notch bait. To

reduce time between bites the clue is to whip the fish into a frenzied state before putting the corn and peas out under a light float on a size 6 hook. Berley seems to bring tilapia into a near suicidal feeding frenzy, with one fish after the other competing for the bait and coming out of the water on the hook. A mix of finely squashed wet bread, some rolled oats and even plain bran mixed up

with plenty of water will see swirls and chops on the surface. This indicates that the tilapia are now looking for more tucker. Remember, like other fish, tilapia don’t want to see a human standing on the bank like a windmill and will quietly move elsewhere. Keep a very low profile and drop a fine float loaded with bait right into the action. Three corn kernels and a green

A few splashes like these are a sure indication that the tilapia are going to bite.

The Wardlaw lads enjoy catching tilapia: just look at those grins.

pea are ideal and the hook should be set up around 50cm under the float for the best results. It’s common to see the float land, straighten up, and go immediately under the surface when tilapia are really on the job. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that they will excuse heavy tackle or rough tactics. They won’t. The best idea is to use a fine rod, reel and line. Bream tackle is ideal. Go

about things gently. A large tilapia will give a very good account of itself and a net to prevent break-offs is useful. After capture, a bucket or bag to keep the fish in is a good idea. The DPI website specifies that the fish should be euthanized humanely and then disposed of away from the water. Their website explains suitable methods of dealing with tilapia, but the main issue is returning them to the water – simply don’t. It’s a very serious

offence to do so. For the record, tilapia – with their fine and very white flesh – are one of the most popular eating fish in the US, where I enjoyed some, but we legally can’t possess them. Our law prohibits filleting or eating them after capture. We sure can catch them, so take along the youngsters and get stuck into some tilapia. They are easy fishing fun, less spikey to handle and undoubtedly plentiful.

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Winter in North Qld – where else would you be? AYR

Steve Farmer

Barramundi fishing in the area has been relatively quiet since the season opened on 1 February. However, numbers taken have been down, there have been some outstanding catches of 1m+ fish and even a few up around the maximum legal size limit of 120cm. The estuarine reaches of the Burdekin River and Phillips Camp have been fishing well for larger fish, but anglers live baiting or luring any of the district’s creeks have been in with a chance of more modestsized barra. Cherry Paine was one of the lucky ones, scoring her first barramundi measuring 67cm. Living in Nebo, inland from Mackay, Cherry and partner Matt Paine don’t get the chance to wet a line in the salt too often so they were quick to jump aboard with Russell Sutcliffe on a recent visit to the Burdekin. Russell was keen to get his friends onto a barra so they headed to his regular stomping grounds of Plantation Creek. Live

prawn and mullet baits were set and it was Cherry who took the first and only strike of the afternoon. Matt said Cherry’s barra didn’t jump and despite a lack of experience Cherry did a great job and had it boatside in what seemed like a few minutes. WINTER FISHING Grunter have been fishing well across Burdekin estuaries. There are reports of plenty of school grunter being taken in the estuaries, but a few creek fishers have been scoring fish of 70cm in length. These larger fish are usually taken in the more open waters of Upstart and Bowling Green bays. Ideal baits for these big grunter are fresh or live greenback herring or small mullet, but even frozen offerings are being scoffed down when the grunter are hungry and feeding. Whiting have been a welcome arrival over the past month, with visiting grey nomads and locals alike targeting this tasty little fish. Most anglers report that the whiting fishing is still a little patchy but modest catches of fish up to 28cm are being made at Alva Beach and Groper

A live bait produced this 67cm barra for Cherry Paine at Plantation Creek recently.

Creek. Whiting have an in possession bag limit of 30 fish per angler and a minimum size limit of 23cm. Winter in North Queensland – would you want to be anywhere else? Cool days, clear skies and calm winds make for perfect days on the water, whether you’re an estuary or bluewater angler. Of course, we all know that calm winds aren’t guaranteed during the winter months, but when conditions are glassed out it makes for memorable boating and fishing. Unfortunately, summer species such as barra and mangrove jack are becoming scarcer as the temperatures drop steadily. However, compensation comes in the form of the winter bread and butter species that should fish well during June. Whiting, bream and flathead are great fun and are usually more easily taken by the less-experienced and family fishers. They can be an easy target for shore-based anglers (Alva Beach and Wunjunga are popular spots during the winter months) and tackle is cheap and simple. All you’ll need is a basic handline or a light spinning

outfit and a few hooks and sinkers. For those chasing whiting in particular, a good investment is a yabby pump for pumping the best and freshest of baits for these hard-fighting little fish. Burdekin bluewater fishers also look forward to this time of the year, with schools of Spanish mackerel moving through local inshore waters. Camp Island, Cape Upstart and the shoals off Alva Beach can all be productive spots for the Spaniards. Many of the fish are school-sized between 5-10kg meaning they are easier to handle and less likely to carry ciguatera than the larger specimens. They will still turn on a spirited fight and yield plenty of fillets. Pilchards on gang hooks drifted out astern are certainly the easiest way to catch a few. Lure fishers can troll or cast large minnows or poppers. A wire trace is a wise insurance measure but can put the mackerel off the bite as they are a bit finicky. Other pelagics likely to liven up a session on the bluewater at this time of the year include trevally, tuna and queenfish.

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Chasing jacks around Townsville TOWNSVILLE

Dave Hodge

For the last couple of weeks the young bloke and I have been out of service as my faithful old Mercury fourstroke has packed it in after 15 years. The last four and a half years have been

fillets – with lots of emphasis being on ‘fresh’. Lure-wise, it is the smaller 3-4” lures that will usually get smashed by some surprisingly large fish. Since the opening of barra season, Tannhym and I have ended up chasing different species, and the jacks in the less frequented drains and tiny

to get the most action. A skill that only comes from using soft tipped rods and lots of practice is skipping plastics into the otherwise unreachable pockets that hold some of the best snags and fish. The use of weedless rigs is very important in the thick cover, and hook-up rates on jacks are great, as these fish smash a plastic hard enough to expose just about any hook point. The only thing you have to worry is getting them out, and that’s the most exciting bit. Unlike in southern

better numbers recently than I’ve seen for some time. These hard pulling fish have an exceptional following around Townsville. The majority of grunter are taken on baits of squid, peeled prawn or fresh fillets of bait such as gar, herring and the reliable old mullet. Fresh is best though, a rule that applies no matter what bait you’re using. SPANISH MACKEREL Spanish have been taken throughout the year, and they are starting to kick into gear in bigger numbers as we head into winter.

have more action, and my favourite is the 7” MadEye Paddle Prawn. Almost every angler who is using the Paddle Prawns in deeper water now believes the additional Madeye Octo Skirt to be a big benefit in maximising catch rates. I don’t get out wide all that often these days so it’s awesome to hear about how offshore deepwater lure fishing is being developed over a very short time. Golden snapper (fingermark) are still going

While not monsters, the small fish of around 60cm are great fun in tight timber when skipping lures. very hard on her, and she’s delivered us many years of hard work and loyalty. Motors can’t last for ever I suppose, but this one certainly gave it a go. Hopefully I’ll be able to get something sorted in the near future and we’ll be mobile once again. The old Polycraft is still going as hard as ever and some fresh power should keep her happy for another 15 years. BARRAMUNDI AND JACKS Towards the beginning of the month there were some nice barra getting around as the fresh water got away slowly, and the deeper holes and areas held good numbers of fish. Live baits have been very easy to acquire in the form of prawns and mullet, but the prawns will become the number one bait as the water cools down. In winter plenty of barra get taken on fresh mullet and herring

creeks have provided us with plenty of entertainment. The main reasons for our shift in focus have included the need to escape the congested traffic on some of the local waterways, and also simply because mangrove jacks are so much fun to catch on lighter baitcasting tackle. The concentration and attention to your surroundings is an aspect of tight water casting that has its own appeal. Scanning for and spotting a fish through a tiny window of light penetrating the thick mangrove-lined banks on its own elevates the hunting aspect for jacks. That loud ‘crack’ from deep in the vegetation is enough to get any lure caster’s pulse racing. Jacks have been pretty consistent, and will readily take hardbodies or soft plastics. The water is cooling quite quickly and this will make accurate casting as important as ever if you’re

The new coloured Halco 120 Laser Pro is a great lure for the more tannin stained waters.

Jungle perch fishing isn’t always about the size of the fish, but more about achieving the goal of actually catching one. This aggressive little specimen took a 35mm Scorpion. the boat. The most common ways to capture squid are obviously with squid jigs, cast nets or scoop nets that can be swept quickly through the water. Squid are undeniably the pinnacle of baits for golden snapper, and if these tasty cephalopods are around then you’re in with a great chance of landing some decent fish, even in waters less than 3m deep. It’s a beautiful time of year in the north, and a

Mangrove jack often smash a lure so hard they dislodge the plastic from the hook. This jack ate a 5” Paddle Prawn skipped underneath some overhanging foliage along a small creek. QLD and northern NSW waters, your average jack here is relatively small in comparison. This is more than offset by the sheer numbers in the more northern creeks and rivers. A big jack up north is 50cm, and after countless jack sessions around Townsville over the last four and a half years, I’ve only taken a handful over this benchmark measurement. I must be getting a bit softer in my old age as nowadays we release just about all of our jacks, but I’m the first to acknowledge their eating quality. The day you have to feel guilty about killing a fish for the table is the day that we’re all in trouble. As the water cools, one tip that may help you connect to some jacks is to downsize your lures a little bit. GRUNTER Grunter have been in

Traditional deep divers in the 160-200mm range work well. Speaking with some of the Spanish fanatics, it’s the smaller 40-50cm wolf herring that are the go if you’re after eating-sized fish 14kg and under. Trophy sized monsters are understandably too risky for many, myself included, to eat. REDS AND DEEPER SPECIES One of the best verification devices that anglers have these days are the smart phones that are always by our side. These devices take pretty high resolution photos of those all-important fish that we all love to document. Some stonking big nannygai have been the hero subject of many of the photos I’ve seen popping up for weeks now, and the spots seem to be pretty specific. Largemouth nannygai have a tendency to hit large soft plastics that

One of Tannhym’s favourite dirty water colour schemes is a stark white body with a tail dipped in red. The results speak for themselves. hard, and plenty of fish over the 80cm mark are being landed on all the usual stuff. Big catches of squid have been swarming boats of a night, and a squid light won’t take too long to pay for itself as it draws those big fish to

transitional period for fish species. The waters clear a bit more, and the days are very pleasant, so trialling some techniques and doing something different could just pay off in a big way over the next month or two. JUNE 2017

Cooler weather means hot offshore action HINCHINBROOK

Ryan Moody info@ryanmoodyfishing.com

Water temperatures have dropped early this year and while its thrown a spanner in the works for some species, others have been firing earlier. Spaniards have shown up in reasonable numbers along inshore areas but barra have been very sporadic with their bite periods, which has made fishing for them a little frustrating of late. Steady catches of fingermark and golden grunter have been keeping a lot of anglers occupied. The fingermark at present are 2-3kg in size, which is

common for this time of year in the channel. We had an awesome night session at the Missionary Bay headlands recently and encountered a few fish we could not stop. I have a feeling there might have been a few big black jew in amongst the fingermark. The golden grunter have been quality fish from 2-3kg. It’s been good to see the bigger grunters again as they have been absent in numbers for some time now. OFFSHORE Very soon northern bluefin tuna will make their appearance into the main channel and will be easily seen breaking the surface amongst the small white terns diving on the herring schools that the tuna are feeding on.

There have been some great fingermark sessions during the evening lately.

They sometimes surprise you while you’re barra fishing. If a school ever pops up in front of you they will take barra lures and vibes if you can cast one quick enough into the feeding school. The most important trick with tuna is to get the lure into the feeding school while they are breaking the surface. Always be ready for the strike as sometimes they will take you by surprise. They are without a doubt one of the most fun fish to catch as their stamina is amazing. With the winter approaching I’m looking forward to getting offshore to chase a few sailfish and little marlin. I hope there will be plenty of bait schools coming through this year because of the predators that will follow. Catching a sail or marlin on fly is on our to-do list this year and I am looking forward to that too. The reef fishing has been great recently. I stopped at many offshore locations along the reef while bringing our boat back from Cairns and we found great numbers of demersal species and some sensational spots to revisit one day. Most areas had good populations of large mouth nannygai. They are very popular up here as their flesh is stunning and very similar to

Barra basics student Brad out getting a one-on-one Masterclass with the author resulting in a nice 95cm barra. that of the fingermark. During June I think the pelagic fishing will only get better and this is the month when I start to find some great GT fishing action closer in around the islands. They are a popular sportfish as they provide some great battles and it’s good to see clients worn out early in the day. We catch GTs with poppers, metal slices and vibes when they are deep on the sounder. REEF FISHING Reef fishing this month

should be outstanding – we just need the weather on our side to get out there. Those that are towing their own boats up to the area for the first time should know that the closest reef is Kennedy Shoal and is around a 28 mile run. There are good alternatives, such as Eva Island that you can get to in most conditions because of the protected headlands. This isn’t any good for boats that are too small. When the weather is more pleasant

there are wonky holes seaward of the islands but they are tricky to find if you know nothing about them. We have an online course about the tricks to find wonky holes over at our site www.fishsmarter.com.au. • If you would like to book a charter or join our fishing community for some great fishing competitions etc, head on over to www. ryanmoodyfishing.com. And you could also win a free charter drawn twice a year.

Mid year at Hinchy LUCINDA

Jeff Wilton jeffwilton83@hotmail.com

Cold waters and hot fishing are here in the tropics as June comes around signalling we’re halfway through another year already. It’s been a year of mixed fishing in Lucinda the last few months. There have been some great sessions followed by slow

frustrating trips where you’re left scratching your head trying to work out why the fish are not cooperating. But that’s fishing! If it was always easy everyone would be doing it and the fun and excitement would be gone. Don’t be fooled and think it doesn’t get cold up here in NQ because it does. Early morning pre-dawn launches and evening runs, especially in fast open boats, will have you reaching for

Jacks are still causing havoc amongst the snags for lure anglers. 80

JUNE 2017

jumpers and jackets. But it won’t take long until you’re ripping it all off as bending rods and screaming drags tend to heat things up quickly. Here’s what should be heating you up during June in Lucinda. HINCHINBROOK CHANNEL The biggest thing that changes in the channel during winter is the water clarity. You will be greeted with very clear water that has amazing visibility – this looks great but makes fishing very tough. Barramundi are one species that dislike the cold clear water and targeting them during the cooler months is very difficult. They become very slow and unwilling to feed as often or with much aggression. If you want to chase barra I would suggest picking your sessions very carefully. Choose days of little wind and bigger tides that create dirty water for them to hide and hunt. Pay plenty of attention to your sounder and finding spots with warmer water temps can make a lot of difference. Shallow muddy banks that have a big drain and lots of bait are prime locations for barramundi. Deploying some live

Winter is the time to get into tasty reef fish. baits and sitting back and relaxing while you wait for the rod to bend is a very enjoyable way to spend a few hours. You should also throw a rod or two out with a fresh bait of squid or prawns in hope of snaring some delicious grunter or fingermark. Mangrove jack will still be causing some chaos in

amongst the snags for those that love to throw lures and plastics about. The first few hours of the run-in tide are normally the best as the tide starts to push bait into the fronts of the snags. The jacks will be sitting facing the current waiting for something to come close enough to their lair. Make sure your casts are on the money, near enough isn’t

good enough. Small ZMan 3’ MinnowZ rigged on TT SnakelockZ are the easiest and most effective way to use soft plastics for these brutes. They allow the angler to cast without too much worry about getting snagged, which means your plastic will be landing in the strike zone more often. This combo is perfect for To page 81

Waters have finally cooled CAIRNS

Garry Smith garrysmith@fishingmonthly.com.au

The waters off Cairns have cooled significantly over the past two months with the arrival of consistent southeasters. They are now getting down to their seasonal average, allowing fishing to return

the north. Some years we seem to get a run of calm periods coinciding with weekends and there are lots of smiling anglers. Far too often it blows all weekend and calms off mid-week. Anglers with a more flexible work schedule revel in the conditions, while most just get more frustrated as the weeks slip away. When anglers have

coming from all depths and the 25-40m range has generally been the most productive. Largemouth nannygai have been coming from deeper water. As waters continue to cool, fish should move up shallower, so work the full range of depths until you locate feeding fish. Don’t discount destinations closer to shore as the waters cool. They

Quality coral trout, like this one caught by Ian Clarke, have been coming aboard off Cairns recently. to a more settled pattern. Southeasterly winds are showing indications of moving from consistent to persistent, which has the flipside of restricting fishing, especially at the reef. Taking advantage of calm periods, when they arise, is the secret to successful winter fishing in From page 80

kids and beginners, as well as angers that know what they’re doing. Having confidence in your casts is the key to improving your chances of getting mangrove jack. JETTY, ISLANDS AND REEF This time of year is when things really start happen in the blue water. The pelagic fish will be in full swing and the baitfish schools are going to get a real working over. Spanish mackerel are the top of everyone’s list as they fight well and offer plenty of delicious meat for your freezer (and also the freezers of your neighbours and friends). Spanish mackerel can be found off the sugar loader jetty, islands, wrecks, shoals and the reef itself. Anywhere that offer strong current lines and bait schools will have

managed to get to the reef there have been some good to great catches coming home. Quality coral trout and trophy-sized largemouth nannygai have been the main attraction, with a sprinkling of most other reef species including red emperor, reef mangrove jack and spangled emperor. Coral trout have been

can often be extremely productive over the winter months. The big advantage of inshore reefs, islands, wrecks, rocks and wonky holes is they are much more accessible when winds are borderline. Slipping out for a dawn raid and then turning tail for home a few hours later, while not the ideal scenario, at least quietens

mackerel in residence. There are so many ways to target mackerel but slow trolling garfish has proven to be the most effective. You can buy specially made Wog Head trolling systems that allow you to attach your bait and also has a head with other attractants to get bites. These rigs always have a wire trace attached as mackerel have serious teeth and will bite you off the majority of the time. The cooler months mean the big red fish creep in closer and take up residence on small isolated rocks in the more shallow waters of the shipping lane. It is always worth stopping and drifting a bait over these small areas. The sounder doesn’t have to light up like a Christmas tree for it to have good fish in residence. These small areas normally offer the chance at one big fish – normally a nannygai or red emperor.

Now is the time to start chasing the small black marlin that hang around the shipping lane. Hopefully there are plenty of bait schools this year and heaps of marlin feeding up on the travels. Normally the fish are in the 15-40kg bracket, but I have seen one follow a trolled lure for a mackerel that would have easily been 150kg+. Small marlin are so much fun and using lighter gear offers a fight that won’t be forgotten quickly. Trolling skirted lures around bait schools and current lines is a great way to spend a few hours. Marlin fishing can be the most boring type of fishing until something happens and then it becomes the most adrenalin pumping situation on the water. Having a plan of action for when there is a hook up is important. Clearing the teaser line and other rods needs to be done quickly while the boat is still always

the angling itch until a more extended foray can be achieved. The calmer period, from pre-dawn until a couple of hours after sun up, is also a very productive bite time and a particularly fruitful time slot for chasing mackerel species, which have gradually been hitting their straps over the past couple of months. Mackerel fishing, particularly for doggies and Spaniards, should continue to improve this month, while spotties and grey mackerel are a bit more hit and miss. Micro-jigs are gaining quite a following in the Cairns area and are a very active and effective way to fish for mackerel. The big advantage of micro-jigs is you can work the full range of the water column, making it easier to locate feeding fish. Mackerel are sight feeders and focus on silver, so using as much black as possible for terminal gear, other than the micro-jig itself, helps improve catches. Use a fine, dark, single strand wire, no more than 20cm in length, with a small black swivel and black hooks and you will increase your strike rate. Keep the breaking strain of the trace as light as possible, around the 27lb mark, if possible. Just replace it with any sign of kinks and it will be more than adequate. The big plus for mackerel fishing this month is there has been plenty of bait around, especially in the Net Free Zone between False Cape and Taylors Point, which also has a very positive spill over effect. The Net Free Zone in Cairns is continuing to improve catches. Any threat

to the continuation of these highly effective Net Free Zones in Cairns, Mackay and Rockhampton should be fiercely opposed at the voting booth, by anglers from all areas and not just those already enjoying the improved fishing in their area. Estuary fishing has been switching to the winter species of bream, whiting, cod and flathead. There are still the odd barra, mangrove jack and golden snapper being caught by those willing to put in the time and effort. One of the keys to catching this tropical trophy trio, yearround, is to look for areas of slightly warmer water or bait concentrations. Even better

is to find a combination of both. Obviously the warmest time of the day is in the middle, so don’t discount fishing gentlemen’s hours in the cooler months. The biggest barra I caught last winter were taken mid to late morning. Fine, calm and sunny days don’t just lift your spirits after a run of dirty weather; they do the same for fish. Mud crabs should be on the move this month, so don’t forget to drop a few pots on the way to your favourite fishing location. There is nothing like adding a feed of muddies to the dinner menu just before returning to the boat ramp after a successful day on the water.

on the move. Marlin are so quick and keeping tight to them is not just up to the angler, the skipper needs to be on the ball. I’ve been lucky enough to get all my marlin solo, which was chaotic and a lot of fun. I

am just a beginner when it comes to marlin fishing but finding the right bait school seems very important. A few seasons ago I spent over 30 hours working a particular area with abundant bait schools but saw no strikes

but a small move found a smaller school of bait that had marlin all over it. This area produced five marlin boat side and several missed fish. Hope everyone has had a great first half of the year

Rob Moore with his PB 87cm barra taken on a recent trip to Mapoon.

with plenty of fish and fun. Bring on the cold water and fast fish.

Barra are harder to find but can still be caught in winter. JUNE 2017

Best NFZ headland fishing trail CAIRNS

Dan Kaggelis dkaggelis@gmail.com

The Cairns Net Free Zone is blessed with many naturally occurring fish aggregation formations like the rocky headlands between Yorkies Knob and Taylors Point. These areas are the perfect places to begin your NFZ fishing adventures.

the ever-popular Yorkeys Knob and Trinity tourist beaches and the marina. You also don’t need to be a mountain goat to fish them, as they are moderately sloped and easy to walk and fish from. Access for boaties is best from either the Half Moon Creek Boat Ramp or Yorkies Knob Boat Ramp and the distance between all headlands is less than a 5km run. When launching a

lead up to the full and new moon. The bigger tides over 2.7m bring more depth to the rocky headlands. All three headlands are fed by nearby creeks and on these bigger tides baitfish are often flushed out of creek mouths. This bait tends to take up residence around the headlands, which in turn attracts fish such as barramundi and mangrove jack. Lure fishing is best with shallow running hardbody minnows, vibes and paddle-tail plastics for barramundi. Topwater options such as poppers are better suited for those pelagics such as trevally or queenfish. Live baits are your best bet and the larger the better. Mullet around 20cm in size suspended by floats make

the perfect rig, especially if you’re chasing big barramundi. When beginning this fishing trail it’s best to start at the more southern end at the Yorkeys Knob headland during the last two hours of the run-in tide. The Yorkeys Knob headland comprises of a natural rocky groyne before sweeping into a large rounded headland. The rocky groyne is your best place to start your fishing trail. Fishing north towards Trinity Beach is ideal. The sweeping tide moving down the beach creates an eddy of water behind the rocky groyne that captures bait and also schools of barramundi, salmon and jacks. Fishing live baits or lures into these swirling areas is a good

Big trevally are a real possibility on the headlands on both lures and baits. The three main headland locations within the NFZ are at the northern end of Yorkies Knob Beach and the start and end of Trinity Beach. All three locations are suited to both landbased fishers and boaties. Land-based access is easy and all three headlands have ample parking nearby, toilet facilities and are only a short walking distance from

boat to fish these locations it’s important to understand they are exposed to the wind and swell so wind strengths below 15 knots are recommended for smaller boats. Whether you’re fishing the headlands land-based or by boat, the same principles apply. These areas always fish best over the larger tides, especially on the

Mangrove jack love to cruise the edges of the headlands and hunt the backwaters.

Looking south to north you can see the many headland options of the Cairns NFZ.

idea. Don’t be in a rush to get your lure in and wind right to your feet, as this is where most barra strikes occur. They often hunt close to the rocks or follow your lure right in. It’s best to give this spot a good hour and a half before pulling stumps and moving north to the next headland and the second part of your headland fishing trail – the Half Moon Bay Marina rock wall. At the northern end of Yorkeys Knob you will find the Yorkeys Knob Boat Club, which is bordered by a natural rounded rocky headland and artificial rock marina rock wall. The rock wall faces out to sea and is the perfect place for boaties

Paddle-tail soft plastics thrown into the white wash can be very effective on barramundi. to anchor and fish or for land-based anglers to fish from the rocks. The rock wall extends for around 50m. Closer to the northern end is always better. This area fishes really well over the top of the tide when the water level is the highest, so fish this over the main part of the high tide before moving onto the third part of your headland fishing trail – the headlands of Trinity Beach. Bordering north and south of Trinity Beach are two large rocky headlands protruding out to sea. Both are big barramundi and salmon magnets with lots of broken submerged rocks and wash-ridden caves. The northern end fishes better and is the very northern

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border of the NFZ known by locals as Taylors Point. This spot fishes the best on the first of the run out tide. It’s the perfect place to end your headland fishing trail. Like the other headlands, big live baits, shallow running hardbody minnows, vibes and paddletail plastics are ideal cast in and around the submerged and semi-submerged rocky structure. This fishing trail is a terrific option and allows you to fish multiple locations using the same techniques and rigs over a single tide, both land-based and from a boat. Don’t forget, if you catch a fish in the Cairns NFZ and post it online, add #lovemyNFZ and #thisisqueensland.

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Plenty of action found not far from the shore PORT DOUGLAS

Lynton Heffer

The seasons have changed. Days are getting shorter, water temperatures have dropped, currents have altered, the southeast trade winds are with us and we are into the next stage of winter fishing. There is a lot to look forward to despite some of our more popular species (such as barra) taking a back seat for a while. THE REEFS Focus will turn to the reef where bottom dwelling species are already fully engaged and the pelagic fishing will turn up a notch for some light tackle game fishing. Spanish mackerel will lead the list along with its cousins, the spotted, school and doggie varieties. To date the mackerel numbers have been steadily increasing and the next 2-3 months will see them peak. How good a mackerel season it is going to be is yet to be determined but there are positive indicators it will be solid. Interestingly, small black marlin started bobbing

up periodically a couple of months ago and they are now due to hit their straps. The grounds south of Port Douglas extending down to Fitzroy Island will see a fair bit of traffic especially if word spreads that they are there in numbers. The key to success when light tackle fishing for these species, is having lots of baitfish around. If bait schools are healthy then pelagic activity will follow suit. The change in current from the south has triggered coral trout, emperors, nannygai, reef jack, trevally and a host of other top-notch table eating fish. You don’t need to travel as far as you think with locations inside the reef and between the mainland fishing extremely well. The action is pretty wide spread with handy numbers of fish coming up from the shallows right out to the deep water where the bigger models are found. Dodging the southeasterly winds is the only concern and they can linger around for days on end. The days following the quarter moon into the full moon seem to attract the stronger winds.

Inshore reefs, rubble patches and wrecks will also fish well in the coming month for both bottom and surface species. INSHORE Our rivers and creeks have seen the water temperature drop quite low putting the likes of barra into a slumber and slowing down the metabolism of the mangrove jack and fingermark. Species such as bream, grunter, trevally and queenfish will remain mostly active, especially when water clarity is at a premium. Live bait is around in good numbers and should always be a priority choice but lures and soft plastics will work well in the clear water. If the winds whip up and the water turns to ‘coffee’ switching to dead baits such as mullet strips, squid and prawns will keep your reel turning. In harder conditions it is imperative to fish with the wind and tide going in the same direction. If they are working against each other the calmer waters turn into a washing machine and it’s extremely hard to produce anything significant.

Visiting client Doug Coppernoll from the US enjoyed some good queenfish action on the Daintree River. If you are still keen to entice a barra, small lures are best for fishing pockets of water that have the most sunlight during the day. If you can source live prawns suspending them under a

float will work even better. Even a slight increase in water temperature will attract barra and the shallow back eddies with a bit of structure and sunlight are worth working over.

In a nutshell, calm days with calm water is the only green light you need to hit the water and go out and enjoy a spot of fishing with the anticipation you’ll reap the rewards.

Cooktown winds mean rivers are the place to go COOKTOWN

Paul Prokopuk

As we push into winter, the long hot days are starting to subside marking the arrival of the consistently strong southeast trade winds. The Far North will be flooded with tourists during June and July taking advantage of the drop in temperature for some Cape York adventures. THE REEFS This time of year, the winds are up and the opportunities to get out on the reefs are limited. Those fortunate enough to get out have been reaping the rewards of some

Damien Lingard landed this barra during an evening fishing session. quality fish. Nannygai and spangled emperor have been abundant and for

Trent Kirk was pleased with this spangled emperor.

anglers willing to battle the conditions to get a bit wider there’s been some nice red emperor. Mackerel are around the usual spots and those targeting them have been getting good catches. Best bait is anything live and caught on location. Cobia have been plentiful in recent times on most of our local reefs and wrecks and have been testing gear to its limits with their powerful runs. Cobias are being caught by those targeting mackerel and by anglers targeting reds and trout. RIVERS With the Cooktown winds in full swing the rivers have been the go-to location for

a dose of fishing adventure. The estuaries will be relatively clear but we have been experiencing some late seasonal rain. This means plenty of estuary action. Local reports have been coming in about rat barra being caught in the upper reaches of tidal flow estuaries and the odd larger fish caught from suspending a live bait under a float. Clear water usually has big trevally and queenfish chasing the bait right up into the brackish waters. Lots of surface action usually happens and it can be a bucket load of fun throwing small poppers into the schooling fish and watching them chase them down.

Grunter is another common species to target at this time of year. Try the deeper holes on clear days and up on the sand flats during a making tide on overcast days or at night. Grunter can spook easily so stealth fishing is the key. Estuary cod will also be biting so try around the snags for some nice by-catch. Don’t forget to soak some pots during your day on the river, with plenty of mud crabs being caught from both the Annan and Endeavour rivers. LAKEFIELD NATIONAL PARK Lakefield National Park is open (central and south end of the park only). This

has been a long waiting period for all those who are keen for more adventurous fishing. Barra will be in all the waterholes throughout the park. Flicking lures for barra while walking the banks is the most common method. Another method is to use a small tinnie allowing you to cover more of the waterholes with ease. Whichever method you use, remember to be croc wise because some big crocs call the park home. While the trade winds blow many locals will hit the park. From Cooktown, you can fish some Lakefield destinations and still make it home for dinner.

Cameron Neil caught this barra from the banks. JUNE 2017

Great time for fishing the flats CAPE YORK

Tim O’Reilly wildrivercompany@gmail.com

Cape York is a traveller’s paradise in June. The days are cool in the mornings, cool in the evenings and warm throughout the day. Topped off with some great fishing, who could ask for anything more! Anglers on the west coast

will be taking advantage of the offshore winds this time of year. The predictable southeast trades have begun, blowing things flat calm on any shore facing northwest. Flats fishing down the western coast of Cape York is a truly memorable experience with the sun rising across your shoulders, out over bays and creek mouths and long, long stretches of sandy beach.

Anglers armed with either fly gear or light spin gear are in for a treat. A concentration of rivers on the northwest coast is world famous for the flats fishing on offer. Crystal clear creeks and river mouths make polarizing easy for iconic sportfish such as queenfish, permit, giant herring, milkfish, barramundi, tarpon and a host of trevally species. Fly fishers relish this type of fishing because it’s a great opportunity to stretch the arms right out, casting long loops with a gentle breeze from behind. Making casts at often grey, indistinguishable ghosts as

of predators back into the estuarine system from the gulf. Anglers can position themselves in clear, shallow water, looking for cruisers – just remember to be crocodile smart. Predators take advantage of the low light conditions to push further up on the flats. Dawn, dusk and overcast skies can actually be productive periods up on the flats, although conditions make sight fishing more tricky. For the spin fisher, something loaded with 15lb braid and ready to cast a mile is what’s required. Small metal slices, poppers, soft plastics, vibes and shallow divers all have

A big milkfish taken during a June worm hatch.

The many shades of blue on Cape York’s east coast.

The big queenies will be around in June.

Cape York’s east coast from the air.

the cruise past, hoping to get a turn once your crab, prawn or baitfish imitation touches down. When the fish are hungry, they get a whole lot less picky. Fishing a gentle incoming tide in this part of the Cape will bring a host

their moment in the sun. Leaders should be kept as light as the fishing and conditions allow. Further down the west coast, south of Mapoon and north of Aurukun are many more flats, beaches and red-cliff hotspots. All

the same species are down in this area, and barramundi become more prolific and threadfin salmon will also come into the mix. Manta-rays will be active in the clear waters just off the beaches along this northwest coast. There’s great success each year from anglers casting behind these huge black creatures, picking up cobia and golden trevally hanging off the back. Some thick bait balls will be gathering down the

inshore areas of the west coast. Sporadic feeding frenzies of longtail tuna, mackerel, queenfish and trevally can be seen busting up all over the place on calm June mornings. Those who are out and about at the crack of dawn will be rewarded for their efforts. • For information on remote charter operations for tailored fishing adventures, please email Tim on wildrivercompany @gmail.com

In a Weipa winter wonderland WEIPA

Mark Bargenquast

Finally the southeast trade winds have arrived in force. This means beach fishing, rivers and inshore areas will be our focus for the next few months with fly anglers having an absolute ball. With such a good wet season behind us the mass of jelly prawns along the inshore areas is thick. Everything eats jellys. Queenies, barra, blue and threadfin salmon, giant herring, tarpon and all the

trevally species – you name it, it’s here. Walking the beaches with a light fly rod and a handful of clousers is a great way to spend a morning. Find the right spot and tides and you will have hours of non-stop action. Some clients have 70 fish days, no joking. It can be full on. A light 7-9wt rod is ideal with a sink tip line. Barramundi have all but left the beaches and moved into the estuaries leaving a few rats around rocky outcrops. Recently I had some Japanese fly clients and they had a ball casting surface flies over drains for

small barra. Fish averaging 60cm were great fun and kept them excited for the whole afternoon. Offshore the deeper reefs

in numbers wherever you find a few frigate birds out wide. I lived and guided in Hervey Bay for years and it has a good longtail fishery

The author with a grey mackerel on the 1516h Zillion Baitcaster.

Greg Livingston with an offshore queeny on a micro-jig.

Alan ‘Fish’ Philliskirk with a big black jew. 84

JUNE 2017

towards Pera Head and Thud Point to the south have been fishing well for trout, golden snapper, sweetlip, emperors and a few black jew. The ever-present bull sharks are a real pest as usual. Spanish mackerel are thin on the ground. Big offshore queenies and plenty of longtail tuna are

for a few months of the year. These gulf longtails are far more aggressive and easier to catch by a long shot! We have even hooked them off the beach at times. The next month should see an increase of tourists from the south. Most are here for a good time, catching a few fish and relaxing. We still

see plenty just wanting to fill freezers with fillets, which is sad. I have even seen people filleting juvenile Queensland groupers and undersized pikey bream – the locals don’t like these practices at all. I’m not against tourists, they are my bread and butter with guiding, but I’m against greedy ones sucking the place dry. The top ends of the rivers are still a bit fresh and quiet. As the salt pushes upstream they will fire for jacks, golden snapper, grunter and a few barra. Every snag has a cod

from tiny to uncontrollable. Be wary if you have your favourite lure in there – you might not see it again. Further north the Wenlock River has plenty of barra and the mud crabs have been thick there for a few months now. Down towards the mouth, offshore around Kerr Reef, nannygai, trout, red emperor, golden snapper and sweetlip are biting. A few blackspot tuskies are taking prawns as well. Until next month, tight lines.

Plenty to explore in the tropical north waters FRESHWATER

Angus James Instagram: @jimmygusjames

One of the many great things about fishing would have to be witnessing a mate catch a new species for the very first time! Recently I had the opportunity to fish with a fellow keen angler who is based down in NSW. He had been wanting

to tick jungle perch off the list for a very long time and I was more than happy to help! We explored a stunning creek that led us deep into the rainforest. It didn’t take long and he had his first beautiful JP! We were as happy as each other. Up here in the tropical north we are extremely privileged to have this beautiful species right at our doorsteps. They take you into some of the

most incredible landscapes and are a true freshwater sportfish on the light finesse gear. The cooler weather at this time of year is perfect for exploring the many freshwater streams that the tropical north has to offer. The wildlife along the way can be just as good as the fishing in most cases, so make sure you take your camera to capture some of nature’s finer moments.

The author recently explored a stunning creek with his mate looking for jungle perch like this beaut.

Make sure you take your camera to capture some of nature’s finer moments.

The cooler weather at this time of year is perfect for exploring the many freshwater streams that the tropical north has to offer.

JPs are a true freshwater sportfish on the light finesse gear.

SEASON

IS HERE!

Every Saturday 4.30pm on

One of our toughest native freshwater species, sooty grunter are a real line-peeling brute when land-based fishing. A nice little 1000 size spin reel fitted to a light flicking rod is the perfect weapon when out-luring this little beast of a species! Casting spinnerbaits deep into structure will certainly get the strikes from these little football-shaped critters.

Remember, these fish pull hard. Have a nice tight drag and be ready for some serious finesse action! Even though the temperature has dropped there have still been plenty of sweet water jacks hitting lures when those casts are landing right in their faces! Mangrove jack are one of my favourite species to target and require patience and some fancy rod work to

land them. That’s all part of the fun! A truly intelligent hunting machine, these guys sure know how to fight dirty. I hope everyone has the chance to get out and explore what this great country has to offer. Remember, a fisher will never remember every fish they catch, but they will always remember the places it takes them.

OUTDOOR & FISHING SHOW

Listen on 5am-6am Every Saturday JUNE 2017

BOATS FOR SALE Every TNQ fish at its fullest on Northern Junior

WEIPA

Jackson Bargenquast

SKEETER ZX190 Location: NSW

$30,000 SKEETER SX180 Location: QLD

The tropical waters of TNQ are one of the best examples of nature ‘on steroids.’ Everything alive is at its fullest. These fishrich waters contain many different ecosystems that contain their own fish stocks and have their own successful ways of fishing. Out wide the pelagic action has to be seen to be believed. Massive bait schools are attracting tuna, queenfish, cobia, trevally and more. Casting out big poppers and stickbaits often results in a 1m+ queenfish or a big GT if you are lucky. Deep diving minnows that dive 10-12ft equipped with strong hooks and a sturdy wire trace are the best way to pick off big Spanish mackerel. Varied by-catches such as sailfish and barracuda are regularly encountered.

A great freshwater fishery exists up here and fish like this little saratoga are great fun to chase on 10lb gear.

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Georgie Bargenquast got amongst the pelagic action landing her first golden trevally and a metre queenfish.

$32,500 HAINES HUNTER PRO STRIKE Location: NSW

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JUNE 2017

Despite it all, the most effective method by far is simply to cast small metal or lead jigs into bait schools to pick off tuna and queenies with ease. This fishery is also available to fly anglers hoping to land a longtail or any of the numerous other species on fly. The reef fishing is more varied yet again with most locals using baits of squid and prawns to apparently clean up on species such as blackspot tuskfish, golden snapper and big black jewfish. While bait can be effective, bouncing vibes and micro-jigs around the reef edges can also have some incredible effects and catch a wide variety of reef species such as cod, tuskfish, golden snapper,

legal coral trout, wrasse, reef jacks and more all day long. While most fish rarely exceed 40cm, the odd larger fish can be hooked, but not necessarily landed. On most occasions this kind of fishing can mean a fish every couple of casts. The freshwater fishing up here is also in a world of its own. Casting lures around crystal clear streams and lakes results in big sooty grunter, freshwater barra, coal grunter and the mythical saratoga also being a common catch. These fish are great fun. Remember to go light. Heavy gear will not only discourage the fish but also remove the enjoyment factor from fishing, as instead of fighting the

fish to a stop they are simply skull dragged in. Remember these fish are

very delicate and catch and release must be practiced with care. Land-based fishing can also have its times for those without a boat or transport to go fishing elsewhere. Evans Landing Jetty is a great place to chase big queenfish and trevally on slugs and jigs. Dropping bait down off the jetty has seen anglers land species such as big barra and black jew, as I have experienced for myself when I landed my PB black jewfish of 114cm here. The Mission River Bridge has also got a large concrete slab underneath the bridge where grunter and salmon can be caught quite regularly. Remember the varied waters of the Cape need a large variety of methods to be fished effectively, Don’t be afraid to try out new methods and chase different species for a change. Good luck to all anglers over the upcoming weeks and remember to think like a fish!

The author’s 114cm PB black jew caught landbased around some heavy structure – what a fish!

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Find the Logo and page number, fill in the entry form and go in the draw to win! The first 40 correct entries drawn at the end of the month will win a PACKET OF PREMIUM VMC HOOKS. All entries will go into the major prize draw (NOVEMBER 30, 2017). *Prize may vary month to month depending on availability

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WHAT’S NEW FISHING EUREKA DEEP SEA JIGS

Eureka Lures’ quality range of deep sea jigs have unique designs and actions for different depths and conditions. The fast sinking Riot Jig is rigged centre balanced with a scalloped-out reverse side to increase the flutter on the drop. It is available in 180g and 240g sizes and six colours. The Ambush Jig is a long, thin jig that dances in the water and is rigged centre balanced. It comes in 150g and 220g sizes and six colours. The Pirate Jig has a scalloped out back that creates an amazing flutter throughout the water column to create a unique swimming action. It weighs 220g and comes in four colours. The Diamond Bait Jig is a real baitfish profile with the weight on the tail, and its sliced opposite reverse side maximises the sliding action. It comes in 130g and 200g weights and six colours. All Eureka Jigs feature glow belly sections and come pre-rigged with Mustad assist hooks that feature 200lb Kevlar that is heat shrink rubber coated. www.jurofishing.com

SHIMANO TRANX

The Shimano Tranx is designed to go toeto-toe with the toughest predators. This series of baitcasting reels have been resized and spec’d up, and are perfectly suited to trolling for barra, micro jigging reefies or swimbaiting a Murray cod. The Hagane Body provides a rigid yet highly durable outer shell that’s free from body flexing. Additionally, High Efficiency Gearing (HEG) leverages an enlarged drive and pinion gear that is further supported by X-Ship for the ultimate in smooth operation. Providing unrivalled saltwater protection is Shimano’s CoreProtect technology, ensuring bulletproof performance in all conditions. Available in both a 300 (5.8:1 and 7.6:1) and 400 (7.6:1) size, the Tranx features 5+1 bearings and outputs 10kg to 8kg respectively. Despite being larger in size, the Tranx keeps a low profile design and still remains extremely ergonomic. Appealing to a range of fishing styles, the AHG models come fitted with a Power Knob, and the A model comes fitted with a double paddle handle. www.shimanofish.com.au

BAITCLOUD ATTRACTANT

BaitCloud originated in Canada, after the inventor saw a need for an attractant to switch on fish activity. This product has now become much sought-after for anglers in Canada and the USA, and has started expanding into Europe. BaitCloud activates the five fish senses – sight, smell, taste, feel and hearing. It’s ideal for when the action is quiet, or when you want to entice fish out from under rocks, banks, mangroves or snags. You just throw the ball, and as soon as it hits the water it starts fizzing. This noise is what first attracts the fish, and then the all-natural, biodegradable ball scents the water and activates the fish’s other senses. BaitCloud attracts baitfish first, which draw out the predators. Then all you need to do is cast your lure or bait around the cloud. It lasts for 1-2 hours, depending on the current. There are seven varieties to choose from. Price: SRP $10.99 www.baitcloudaustralia.com 88

JUNE 2017

HURRICANE STING 37

PRODUCT PRODUCT GUIDE GUIDE

Hurricane has been extensively testing and tweaking the Sting 37 vibration shrimp-style blade, and the finished result has been dynamite on bream, bass, perch, yellowbelly, flathead and more. Hurricane designer Peter Nord said his goal was to provide anglers with the fastest and most solid vibration possible out of a 37mm blade of this type and shape. “When anglers try this lure for the first time, their first words are along the lines of, ‘Wow – I can feel the lure vibrating really strong and fast with the smallest rod lift’. This vibration is what drags the fish over to the lure and entices the bite.” The Sting 37 Blade features super-short stinger hooks, which greatly increase the hook-up rate. It measures 37mm long, weighs 5.7g, and comes in eight natural colours. Price: SRP $14.95 www.hurricanelures.com.au

STARLO’S FINESSE FISHING WEAR

Well-known fishing writer and presenter, Steve ‘Starlo’ Starling, has joined forces with clothing manufacturer Mad Keen Australia to launch his own line of highquality apparel: Starlo’s Finesse Fishing Wear. The current range consists of vented, long-sleeved, button-up fishing shirts and baseball-style caps in unique camouflage colours, each featuring a distinctive water ripple pattern. The two colours currently available are Cobalt (blue) and Sweetwater (brown), with a third colour not far away. Shorts, long pants, buffs, fleeces and accessories are also in the pipeline. “The concept of finesse lies at the core of my fishing philosophy,” Starlo explains. “My aim is always to reduce my visibility to fish while maximizing comfort, protection from the elements and freedom of movement.” A great deal of thought has gone into limiting the opportunities for lines, lures or ropes to snag on the clothing, and the fabrics all carry high UPF ratings. This gear is also extremely comfortable to wear and looks great! You can purchase Starlo’s Finesse Fishing Wear at tackle stores and on the Mad Keen website. Price: SRP $24.99 (cap), $89.99 (shirt) www.madkeen.com.au

FISH INC. LOCK

The Lock jerkbait from Fish Inc imitates a long, slender baitfish. This versatile lure can be used to target a wide variety of species including kingfish, salmon, mackerel and more. The Lock has a built-in weight transfer system that assists with casting distance and provides an erratic action to attract predators. This lure comes out of the pack already fitted with #4 Owner hooks, ready to go. The Fish Inc Lock measures 160mm, weighs 29g and comes in six colours: pearl red head, pink belly shad, rainbow, smelt, blue shad and ayu. For more info head to the Fish Lures website, or look them up on Facebook. Price: RRP $18.95 www.fishlures.com.au

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PRODUCT GUIDE 7

WHAT’S NEW FISHING SAMAKI MURRAY COD SHIRT

Samaki’s latest fishing shirt puts a new twist on the iconic Murray cod. The Samaki Murray cod shirt features this gorgeous species in all its glory, with an electric blue design detail that enhances each and every feature – from the sharpness of the fins to the depths of the mouth. You can really see the detail in the flesh, and the extensive layers of teeth inside that bucket mouth. Like all Samaki fishing shirts, this lightweight, long-sleeve shirt is UPF50+ rated, and the soft-touch 100% polyester material is comfortable to wear all day. It also has the added bonus of being breathable, keeping you cool and dry. Adult sizes range from S to 3XL, and youth/kids sizes range from 2-14. Other species in the range include barramundi, snapper, giant trevally, coral trout, marlin, mulloway, mud crab and more. Price: SRP $59.95 (adults), $49.95 (youth and kids) www.samaki.com.au

HURRICANE SLAM 47

STRIKE PRO TINY BUSTER JNR

The Strike Pro Tiny Buster Jnr is the smallest model in the famous Strike Pro range of Buster Jerk lures. These highly popular baits have sold over 1,000,000 units throughout the world in the past 10 years. The Tiny Buster Jnr is a slide bait that has an amazing action that many fish find appealing. The Tiny Buster Jnr’s enticing gliding and darting action has proven to be extremely effective on species such as bass, sooty grunter, barramundi, mangrove jack, mulloway, tuna and more. The Tiny Buster Jnr is 6.8cm long, weighs 10.3g and is a sinking lure that dives to approximately 6ft. It is available in four proven, realistic colours, and since its launch last year it is fast becoming a hit throughout Australia, as it has been throughout the rest of the world. www.jurofishing.com

MUSTAD KAIJU ALUMINIUM PLIERS 11

The Hurricane Slam 47 is a very versatile lure. With a working range of 0.5-4m, it can be worked over and through many different and demanding scenarios, such as rock banks, shallow to deep drop-offs, deep water, shallowish water, structure and timber. The Slam 47 is also very snag-resistant, due to the bib of the lure hitting most obstacles first. This lure will sit bib down in the water column, so with a little care you can work it in the kinds of gnarly areas that most other lures would snag up in. This 47mm, 5.7g lure can be slow rolled or twitched, and it is suspending in freshwater and has a slow float in saltwater. It’s currently available in 18 fish-catching colours, and suits bream, bass, perch, flathead, jacks and more. Price: SRP $18.95 www.hurricanelures.com.au

Mustad has introduced a new range of precision made, high quality stainless steel bearing swivels. These little pieces of machinery are designed to last, and nothing escapes as these swivels are world leaders in terms of start up inertia and ease of movement. Made from the strongest stainless steel possible, in a factory owned by Mustad to ensure the strictest quality control, these swivels are assembled with surgical precision and have undergone intensive testing by machine and during heavy fishing. Mustad claims these items have unmatched strength, reliability and performance – something game fishers demand. Mustad Stainless Steel Ball Bearing Swivels come in nine poundages ranging from 110lb all the way through to 880lb, so these swivels are built for heavy game. www.wilsonfishing.com

DAIWA 16 CERTATE 9 LOW SPEED

GEECRACK ORENTA

In 2004 Daiwa introduced the Real Four Concept in the original Certate, and since then the Certate has continued to evolve. The 16 Certate HD models introduced a Monocoque Body design – a symmetrical, one-piece structure. The gears of the new 3500 and 4000 Certate HD models are embedded in the Monocoque body construction, providing more rigidity and a better sealing mechanism. Now, by popular demand, Daiwa has reintroduced a low-speed 4000 model to the 16 Certate HD range. The longawaited, low-speed 16 Certate 4000 HD boasts a 4.9:1 (86cm) gear ratio and will only be available in Australia, giving Aussie anglers opportunities for more powerful fishing styles with lighter tackle. The HD 4000 has 8+1 ball bearings, weighs 405g, pulls 8kg of drag, and has a capacity of PE 2.5/300m or 3/250m. Other features include: Mag Seal, Mag Sealed line roller, Magseal bearings, Airbail (one piece construction), ABS II, Zaion Air Rotor, Rotor Brake, silent oscillation, Real Stopper and ATD (Automatic Tournament Drag). www.daiwafishing.com.au

The concept of the trusty metal vibe has been redefined with the arrival of the Geecrack Orenta, made in Japan and now available in Australia through Dogtooth Distribution. With an incredible swimming action, designed to maximise predator attraction, coupled with a 12 highly detailed colour combinations, this lure is a must for every serious fresh and saltwater angler. Japanese lure manufacturer Geecrack is becoming renowned in Australia for high quality and attention to detail. The Orenta is no exception to this. Tried and tested in a number of Australian states, the Orenta has been highly successful in our freshwater fisheries (predominantly on Australian bass) however many of the colour combinations lend themselves well to saltwater environments as well. High grade manufacturing materials ensure durability in all Australian conditions. Available in three sizes (50mm, 60mm, and 70mm), with weights ranging between 7g and 14g, the Orenta will be available in all good tackle stores soon. Price: SRP $19.95 www.dogtoothdistribution.com.au

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

WHAT’S NEW FISHING BAGLEY LURES MINNOW B 05

GEECRACK DAISY 13 SPIN

The Bagley Minnow B 05 is a 5” floating jerk minnow with Bagley’s trademark action and rattle chambers that call fish to the lure. Twitch it and pause it to attract brutal surface strikes, or punch, roll and pause it sub-surface to draw fish out of the snags or across the flats. Easy to cast and versatile, the Minnow B 05 is at home in the northern rivers and estuaries chasing barra and jacks around snags, drains and prop roots, casting and trolling the flats for flathead, or fishing the creeks, rivers and estuaries for a wide range of species, from salmon and tailor, to trevally and a mixed bag of other baitfish eating predators. Built from durable, quality components and fitted with chemically sharpened, black nickel hooks, the Bagley Minnow B 05 is ready to swim straight out of the packet. It measures 5” long, weighs 3/8oz, dives to 3ft and comes in six colours. Price: SRP $16.95 www.tackletactics.com.au

SALTIST DEMON BLOOD 2017

With a ‘more muscle and less fat’ attitude at the core of its design, the Saltist Demon Blood 17 combines the reputation of the famous Saltist name with contemporary styling, features and the latest design concepts. At the heart of the Demon Blood’s blank design is HVF – High Volume Fibre, producing a blank with maximum graphite density. Cross directional wrapping eliminates twist and distortion to increase rod strength and sensitivity. 3DX ensures power is distributed evenly in all directions, allowing the rod’s power to be located at the lower section for more power and less angler fatigue. The Bias Wrap construction in Demon Blood’s V-Joints allows the rod ferrule to flex with the rod to eliminate weak spots, ensuring that multi-piece blanks match the performance of one-piece blanks in flex, power and responsiveness. Other features include Fuji Alconite K guides, heavy-duty Fuji reel seats with locking rings, and ultra-tough EVA grips. www.daiwafishing.com.au

SUDDEN IN-PACT BAITS

Loaded For Bass Sudden In-Pact Baits are handmade jig/spinnerbait trailers designed to hold a large amount of catch scent and to keep releasing it for longer. Made from a synthetic and natural blend of biodegradable materials, these supple trailers are extremely durable, won’t tear off, dry out or become distorted. Being super absorbent, the attractant won’t be washed away after a few casts. That means fewer scent applications throughout the day. There are nine models in the range: the Classic Frog, Jumbo Frog, Finesse Frog, Classic Craw, CrenCraw, Striper Viper, Split Tail, Beaver Tail and Pact Strip. Sizes range from 2.25” (6cm) to 5.25” (13cm), and colours include brown, red, green, yellow, blue, black and white. Custom colours can also be ordered. To view the range or place an order, visit the Loaded For Bass website. Price: USD $5.99 (approx. AUD $8) www.loadedforbass.com 90

JUNE 2017

PRODUCT GUIDE

Small but deadly, the Geecrack Daisy Spin is a highly effective metal vibe, with the added attraction of a built-in spinning Colorado blade. Designed and manufactured by leading Japanese tackle provider Geecrack, the Daisy Spin is now available in Australia through Dogtooth Distribution. The Daisy Spin features a solid lead body which sharply descends to the desired target range. Upon retrieval, freshwater predators can’t resist the swimming movement and attractiveness of the spinning blade. This same body weight ensures excellent casting ability and additionally produces a strong vibration up through the line and into the rod, which is easily felt when retrieving the lure. Well suited to a lift-and-fall technique, in addition to a cast-and-retrieve technique, the Daisy Spin has been highly successful in landing many Australian freshwater species including bass and estuary perch. The Daisy Spin comes in eight eye catching colour combinations, and two sizes (60mm – 1/4oz, and 70mm – 3.8oz). Price: SRP $12.95 www.dogtoothdistribution.com.au

PRIMAL SPINNERBAITS

Primal Spinnerbaits are a new Australian spinnerbait maker taking the industry head-on. This range of handmade spinnerbaits features various weight and colour heads ranging from 1/2oz to 4oz, and heaps of different coloured skirts to keep the Murray cod guessing. The introduction to the twin spin set-up has taken off in the past few years, and the keen fishos that get amongst it on Lake Eildon have done well with these spinnerbaits. They have strong Mustad long shank 6/0 hooks with a big hook gape for that big fish waiting to latch on. Grub tail and paddle tail soft plastic trailers are made in-house. The full range is available at Eildon Bait & Tackle in the Eildon township, and they also do mail orders (ph. 03 5774 2348). If you’re after a custom colour, weights or blades, contact designer Daniel Piazza via the Primal Spinnerbaits Facebook page. www.facebook.com/Primalspinbaits

SUFIX 832 METERED 18 BRAID Sufix’s famous 832 braided line featuring Gore performance fibre is now available in a multicolour metered option suitable for jigging, deep dropping and more. Sufix 832 has proven over a long time to be one of the toughest braided lines on the market. Its combination of seven Dyneema fibres combined with a Gore performance fibre is woven together 32 times every inch, resulting in a smooth and round profile, and unmatched abrasion resistance. You can find the new Sufix 832 metered braid in both 300 and 3500m spools in 20lb, 30lb, 50lb and 80lb breaking strains. The new addition of metered multicolour options adds to the existing neon lime and low-vis green colours. For more information on Sufix 832, check out the Sufix website. www.sufix.com.au

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PRODUCT GUIDE

WHAT’S NEW FISHING TESTED

Alvey 625BRRT Rip Fighter Fresh from the production line of the Alvey factory in Brisbane, the Alvey 625BRRT Rip Fighter is packed with features, and I was lucky enough to be able to test one recently. The slim design, handsome looks and smooth feel of the Alvey Rip Fighter reel are sure to appeal to long-term as well as potential new Alvey fans. This reel is suited to chasing whiting, trevally, flathead and chopper tailor in the surf, and would be suitable for all native species in the fresh. It has a line capacity of 300m of 5kg line, or about 500m of 6lb line. FEATURES The Rip Fighter is an Alvey 625 series. For those not familiar with the Alvey model numbering, this means the reel has a spool diameter of 6.25” (160mm). By way of comparison, the 650 series reels (popular with tailor anglers) have a diameter of 6.5” (150mm). This is only the second model of

means, compared to the deeper spools on the 600 and 650 series, you require much less line to spool up effectively. The other big advantage is weight. The Rip Fighter weighs in at 585g compared to the 600BT which is 50g heavier. The difference is even more significant when compared to the 650BRR, which is 866g. Another new feature is the Rip Fighter has a thinner spindle (compared to the 600B) which means it will spin faster, and have a smoother and more free running spool. The spindle is also supported by a quality long-life stainless steel bush. A ‘bush’ is the circular support or alignment mechanism for the spindle, which is fitted inside the spool. The Rip Fighter includes a dual handle with an outer direct 1:1 wind handle and an inner rapid retrieve knob, which can give you around 30% increase in recovery rate when required. The Rip Fighter also incorporates the new

The dark design of the Alvey Rip Fighter makes it stand out from the pack.

The thin spindle and stainless steel bush make casting and retrieving baits a pleasure.

First cast, and a nice whiting!

Close up of the Rip Fighter loaded with 6lb line and yet another fish.

If you’re using two rods, you can set the star drag on the Rip Fighter and set the rod with confidence of catching most fish that take the bait. reel Alvey have released in the 625 range, with the other being the 625B which has fewer features than the Rip Fighter. Another point of difference is its narrow, shallow spool. While this means the reel has a smaller line capacity, it also has a few advantages – including the fact that the shallower spool means it has the same recovery rate as a 650 model. When you’re targeting the likes of tailor or whiting, it’s unlikely that you’ll hook anything that will peel off a couple of hundred metres of line. That

Turbo Cast system. This means the reel is positioned slightly further off the rod, giving longer casts. An added benefit is the Turbo Cast system more easily enables the reel to fit in a normal bull bar style rod holder. It only took a few casts to train my brain to the push lever rather than the lever turning mechanism (which can become stiff at times). Other features include a lightweight graphite back and a metal star nut that allows you to add drag or tension to the spool, which is very handy during transport.

One final point is the attractive black, smooth finish of the Rip Fighter. This is a great looking reel that stands out from the pack. PUTTING IT TO THE TEST I spooled my Rip Fighter with 6lb line for a recent holiday to Evans Head, NSW. On the very first cast I threw out a large yabby. I was enjoying the incredibly smooth turn of the reel, thinking that it would be giving a very natural look to my yabby bait, when after about five turns the rod buckled over and I was on! The reel was a pure delight to use during the fight and before long I’d landed a 29cm whiting. Turning to my mate I said, “Well, it looks like it works!” I then proceeded to catch and release another 20 or so legal whiting to 40cm, and a bunch of small and medium size bream that session, so I was able to give the reel a good workout. The reel cast exceptionally well, had a

finesse-like feel when turning the handle slowly, and when I wanted to get a smaller fish in fast, or check my bait, the rapid retrieve knob was a bonus. It was also noticeably lighter to use than the 600B series I have. I also tested it out by setting the rod in the holder. I was able to adjust the star nut accordingly, and soon had a number of big whiting and bream catching themselves due to the smooth, consistent turn of the reel and my soft rod tip. While I used the 12’ Alvey 625L rod with it, I preferred using a lighter 10’6” rod in the river. However, I will revert to the slightly heavier Alvey 625L rod or the 650 rod if throwing heavier lures or baits when chasing tailor with it. WEIGHING IT ALL UP All in all I was pleasantly surprised by the looks, feel and features of the Rip Fighter. I’m already thinking I want a second, so I can spool one with 6lb line and one with thin diameter 7kg line for Tailor. – Sean Thompson

JUNE 2017

PRODUCT GUIDE

WHAT’S NEW FISHING

Tatula Swimbait TAT76H-SB and HD 200H combo Swimbaiting as a fishing technique is nothing new. What is new is the amount of coverage it’s had, and more importantly the amount of specialised gear that has been made available to Aussie anglers through local wholesalers and retailers. Daiwa, a company with a rich history in swimbaiting in the US and Japanese markets (where this technique really evolved from) have been supplying international anglers with quality gear for decades. Now they have brought it to Australia.

certainly nothing with a ‘HD’ attached to the end of it. As soon as I opened the box I liked what I saw. The 200 size did scare me a little, as I like my reels nice and compact, but to my surprise they’ve engineered this much like modern cars – they’ve fit a lot into a shell that’s not actually that big. The aircraft-grade aluminium spool offers as much space as you’re likely to find without going to an old school barrel-style baitcaster, and that’s just the start of the fun. The 200H features an impressive 6kg of drag, which I found to be quite smooth during

The first fish tamed was this 85cm king threadfin salmon from the Brisbane River. Not a bad way to christen a new rod! GOOD NEWS FOR US! Being a gen Y dude born in the 80s, with an attention span no longer than my arm, I’m a sucker for new trends. When Cranka Crabs came out, I had to have a dozen, even though I don’t fish for bream much. iPhones? I’ve had ‘em all. I did manage to avoid having a man bun, so points to me on that occasion, but once the big bait craze hit our shores it was only a matter of time before I called Daiwa HQ in Sydney asking them to invoice me for a swimbaiting combo. Boy, did they deliver. THE ROD The Tatula Swimbait TAT76H-SB is a 7’6”, 5-9kg beast with a fast taper and a split butt built to launch big lures a long way without you having to spend more at the chiropractors than you did on the rod. Built on Daiwa’s SVF carbon blanks with tough EVA grips, it surprised me just how light it was in the hand. I have literally cast all night on this thing without ending up feeling like I’d gone 12 rounds with Mike Tyson. While working a lure you can feel every thump of its tail or bump on structure, thanks to the minimalist skeleton reel seat which keeps the reel low and out of the way, and once you hook up the fun really begins. “The tug is the drug” as they say, and even a smaller fish will put a smile on your face. The fast taper not only helps with extra inertia transfer when casting, but also means you can have plenty of fun when hooked up. That’s true whether you’re connected to a run-of-the-mill sized fish or a real giant of the species, and there’s still plenty of balls in the back end to keep you ahead in the fight. THE REEL My Tatula HD 200H is the first larger (200 size) Daiwa baitcaster I’ve owned. I’ve had smaller models from the Pixy and Alphas range for throwing light lures at bass, but

JUNE 2017

TESTED

a fight. Some of the older Daiwa baitcasters had a reputation for being a bit stop/start and biting too hard at times, but that has improved out of sight. Daiwa’s patented T-Wing System allows for extra casting distance and line control not found in any of my other baitcast reels. My only tip when using a T-Winged reel is to practice and perfect your knots so they pass through without hassle. Another improvement on models I’d used 5-8 years ago was the cast controls. I took the time to throw a casting plug a few times in the front yard, and once it was set it stayed how I like it and made for very few bird’s nests. The ones I did get were from my own overexcitement and lost concentration. No fault of the reel. You’ll notice I did make some changes to the reel with the help of Daiwa’s Reel Custom series of bits and pieces. This goes back to my need for trendy new things, and I’ll talk about those bits later. THE LINE Having spent much of my life working in a tackle industry, fondling every braid that came through the door – from bulkier, traditional American fibres right through to the thinnest of Japanese offerings – J-Braid 4 would probably not have been my first choice. Being a 4-strand construction, it’s a little coarser and thicker than I’d normally go for – even on a baitcaster, where a slick profile isn’t as necessary as on a spin reel (the physical turning of the spool does lots of work for you on the cast). I was still excited to try it though. The price is certainly right – you can pick up a 135m spool for around $23! If I’m to be honest with you, the loyal readers of Fishing Monthly, my first few casts I wasn’t completely sold on the J-Braid 4. It was holding some water and felt waxy. It took

The Tatula combo is equally at home in the salt as in the fresh, as evidenced by this nice flathead taken working large plastics along a break wall. probably 50 decent casts before it properly softened up and ran smoothly. Well and truly worth the $23, but not as nice as I’ve used in the past. Since that point though, it has been really nice to use. The knot strength is great, abrasion resistance is above average and it’s held colour quite well. It’s now accounted for some nice king threadfin salmon, flathead and Murray cod, all of which tested its limits on various types of structure in both the fresh and the salt. CUSTOM PROJECT Anything that allows me to be me is a winner. Weird coloured shoes? I’m in. Offensive punk music? YEP! So it’s hardy surprising that I identified with the endless possibilities that the Daiwa Custom Project offers me as a fisherman. Spools, handles, knobs, caps and accessories let me express myself anywhere I am on the water.

Aside from the aesthetics, they also offer functionality by way of different constructions and sizes. You can add or drop weight, have longer or shorter handles and in just about every colour of the rainbow. It’s a winner. I chose a swept aluminium handle and a couple of Zaion handle knobs, and couldn’t be happier. AS A WHOLE COMBO Love it. I’ve thrown everything from little 7cm stickbaits and soft plastic jerkshads right up to 6oz+ swimbaits and wakebaits without thinking twice. I’ve had friends on the boat with combos twice the price who haven’t been able to match the capabilities of the Tatula. It’s a weapon. Weather you’re fishing the surface or working a sinking swimbait down deep, it’s got everything you need and is tough as nails. Sexy, 7’6” black nails with Fuji guides. - Rupe

The Tatula combo: a perfect storm of performance and beauty.

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Finding a winter winner TOOWOOMBA

Jason Ehrlich fishability1@bigpond.com

Like it or not, winter is here and with it, changes will occur on the freshwater scene. Water temperatures will already be cool, but expect even colder frosty mornings to drop the temperatures more. It’s not all doom and gloom. Bait fishers will be able to keep catching fish and lure tossers will still be able to get into some action. Keep in mind that some species slow down over winter. Golden perch are one fish that become harder to tempt on a lure. Barra have always been considered tough to catch over the coldest months, but anglers are proving this theory

wrong. Just last year, some exceptional barra fishing was experienced in Monduran Dam. The key seems to be fishing those warmer days where the weather pattern is stable. When a cold snap is upon us, you may as well forget it. Bass will be a bit tougher. Adapting techniques to suit them when the action is slow will see the bites keep coming. Reaction lures like tail spinners worked well for most of last year and when the fish were really tough, ice jigs were a standout. If you like waving the long wand, deep water fly techniques can also be deadly. For some, the standout fish over the winter months will be the mottled green monster. Murray cod seem to tolerate the colder

SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND

Rug up for some bass action over the winter months. The fishing will be tougher, but the fish are still there to be caught. CRESSBROOK CLOSEST TOWN: CROWS NEST Cressbrook will be a harder lake to predict this month. With bass coming

from deeper schools closer to the edges last month, are we starting to see the fish moving to shallower water? I don’t think so. This is pretty typical of Cressbrook fish.

DAM LEVELS

        

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

MAR APR MAY 5 9 7 75 102 98 20 24 23 31 52 50 67 82 82 105 103 98 62 92 92 71 100 100 7 11 10 51 54 53 70 100 98

         

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

14 17

Toowoomba

BRISBANE

IMPOUNDMENT DAM

vertically below the boat can sometimes be the only way to get the bites. Bait fishers will be able to score bass and eel-tailed catfish on live shrimp. Another bait worth using is a peeled crayfish tail. In years past, we had awesome bites late in the afternoon from catfish in the big bay to the north of the boat ramps. These catfish like the shallower water, so try fishing in 3-5m just as the sun sets. A live shrimp dangling below the boat is still worthwhile, as a bass may be cruising the same area. For all your fishing supplies and the latest reports

44 46 47 68 69 68 7 18 10 100 101 100 43 45 44 62 76 75 92 102 100 0 0 94 94 99 97 n/a 50 n/a 14 17 17 51 101 99

Gold Coast

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

23 25

Cairns 1

Townsville 2

3 4

Proserpine 6 Mackay

Rockhampton

Emerald

29 7

Highlighted dams are covered in this issue

Gladstone

30 8

Bundaberg 9

Roma

on Cressbrook and the surrounding dams, call in to see the specialist tackle stores. In Toowoomba, Fish’n’Bits in Alderly Street have a great range of lures and fishing gear. At Highfields you will find Highfields Bait and Tackle at the Coles shopping centre. Doug has a top range of freshwater gear and plenty of hand-crafted timber lures. Support these tackle stores because they will be able to direct you to where the fish are biting and offer invaluable advice. Just remember there is a speed limit of 8 knots and a restricted area at Cressbrook Dam. Check out the signage

BRISBANE

to ensure you stay out of trouble and abide by the rules. The gate hours for the boat ramps and day use area are 7am-6pm over the winter months. SOMERSET CLOSEST TOWNS: ESK, KILCOY The hot bass bite seems to have finally slowed down. Good numbers of fish are still being found in the schools around Pelican Point. These fish were whacking tail spinners and blades, but the fishing is now tougher. It’s hard to pick the most successful lure when this To page 95

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

Maroon 97 100 99 Monduran/Fred Haigh 81 103 101 Moogerah 87 98 97 North Pine/Samsonvale 51 73 72 Peter Faust/Proserpine 58 78 77 Pindari 81 100 100 Somerset 74 76 75 Teemburra 101 100 100 Tinaroo 48 51 50 Toonumbar 77 100 101 Wivenhoe 68 74 73 Wuruma 76 100 99

For fortnightly updates on Sunwater dams visit www.sunwater.com.au This symbol indicates that a Stocked Impoundment Permit is required to fish these dams. All figures are % readings Current as of 17/05/17

(All levels correct at time of going to press. Dam levels can change at any time, so please check with local authorities to ensure safe boating and fishing.) 94

JUNE 2017

Maryborough

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

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

Weipa

brought to you by

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

conditions well and will not hesitate to grab a lure. There has been a growing trend to throw big lures and anglers have now armed themselves with the gear to present these offerings. Expect to see plenty of big green fish this year. Copeton has been the standout destination. As more people learn how to fish big for big fish, we will see these bigger cod coming from many more locations. Like dozens of other fishos, I have been playing with big lures and working on my own wakebait. It’s a little different to the others, but is still a handcrafted piece that ticks all the boxes. I can’t wait to see them hanging from the lip of a 1m+ cod! Until next month, buckled rods from the Colonel! The main schools will stay together and can be very hard to entice over the cold months. The nearby edges are often the place to hit, as more active fish venture up into the shallows to feed. With this in mind, it pays to have at least a couple of rods rigged to cover the fish in deep and shallow water and quickly make a switch at each spot you try. Approaching a new spot, I would opt to fish the edges first. Lures like spinnerbaits and deep diving suspending jerkbaits are ideal for this. Just like the deeper schools, as the boat gets close, the fish tend to move out and sit below it. This only gives you a few casts at each new area before the bass move back out into the deeper water underneath you. Once in over 5m, switch to lures like tail spinners, and soft plastics. Spoons and blades can also work, but the bites will be less aggressive. Ice jigs fished

Gympie

From page 95

is the case. The lack of bites as you rotate through your offerings doesn’t help piece together any pattern. In previous years, a couple of methods have been standouts. Sitting on top of the schooling bass and jigging ice jigs to fish sitting close to the bottom is sometimes the only way to tempt a bite. Deep water flyfishing with fast sinking lines and clouser patterns or the old faithful Bass Vampire is also a good way to switch on the reluctant fish. The other option is to persist with reaction style lures. As frustrating as it can be to fish to heaps of fish without a nibble, persistence with the one lure will see it in front of their faces more often, and eventually, the bite will come. Last year, the same approach with tail spinners was also a winner. There were already reports of bass and golden perch being caught around the lake’s edges last month. The slightly coloured water is ideal for an early shallow water bite. This style of fishing is usually at its best in July. I’m tipping the coloured water could see these fish happily feeding up in the shallows all day.

Aaron Kemp nailed some nice bass fishing the flooded edges at Borumba Dam last month. This quality model fell for a C’ultiva Zip’n Ziggy fished across the surface early in the morning. I had a mate who had a good run trolling and casting hardbodies on the steep banks south of Pelican Point over a month ago. The fish he targeted were shallow, so it seems a lot of these fish may have stayed in this shallow water. For lure casters, spinnerbaits will be worth tossing. Some anglers like to mix it up and fish a hybrid bait. A beetle spin frame fitted to a lipless crankbait or blade bait can be a standout lure when fished to the edges. For the latest reports, check out Somerset Fishing Tackle online and on

SUNSHINE COAST REGION MACDONALD CLOSEST TOWNS: TEWANTIN, NOOSA Early in the morning, there have been bass caught around the bubble trail and in the bay at the Botanic Gardens. The higher water level is allowing access right up into the back reaches of the lake. This area is a great place to explore with surface lures like the Jackall Pompadour Junior and Storm 60mm Floating Pencil. Unlike a lot of other lakes where the surface bite slows

down, MacDonald should produce fish well all winter on topwater offerings. Get your lures in amongst the weed and any fallen timber and hold on. Davos in Noosaville is just a short drive away and they carry all the right lures to use on the toga and bass. BORUMBA CLOSEST TOWNS: IMBIL, NOOSA Some schooling fish seem to be forming around the start of the Kingham Arm in the deep trees. Here they

DARLING DOWNS GRANITE BELT REGION COOBY CLOSEST TOWNS: IELDS, TOOWOOMBA Last month, a few

goldens were still being taken on lures. Hopping blades in the deeper sections was the way to produce

Facebook. The store has now closed in Kilcoy and moved to the dam. The trailer can be located in the day use area at Kirkleagh. The opening days could change to include more weekdays and you can expect them to be there Friday, Saturday and Sunday each week. Somerset Tackle has a great range of lures and gear suited to fishing the dam. They also have the knowledge and skills to help steer you in the right direction. Call in and see them or consider doing a phone or internet purchase, as they mail order fishing gear all over the

place. For some of the most competitive prices around, visit the website www. somersetfishing.com.au. HINZE CLOSEST TOWNS: NERANG, GOLD COAST Despite pouring over the spillway only a couple of months ago, the fishing is still pretty good at Hinze. The coloured water is fishing best around the edges of the lake. Exploring this area with spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits will see you in with a good chance of nailing some fish. Barry Oxford had some success on a Bassman Spinnerbait and found rolling

can be caught by fishing the structure with soft plastics. As the water temperature gets colder, these fish may relocate. Sound around the Junction and the first kilometre of the Kingham Arm to see if you can locate them. In the main basin of the lake, bass have been caught around the edges of the lake. Spinnerbaits have been a standout lure. Further up the lake in the back sections of the arms, saratoga should still be a realistic option. Get into them now before the cold water makes the fishing even tougher. Surface

lures, plastics, beetle spins, spinnerbaits and small hardbodies can all deliver. The important thing is to explore heaps of water and place the lure in front of them. Keep in mind that toga love structure. Lilies, weed, snags and overhanging trees are all drawcards that attract these great sportfish. Davos at Noosaville has all the gear you’ll need to tackle the fish at Borumba and Lake MacDonald. The store caters well for fresh and saltwater anglers. They can be found in the Homemaker Centre on the corner of Mary and Thomas streets.

numbers. With even colder water this month, the blade bite will be tougher. Expect bait to produce some fish. Live shrimp are usually the prime bait during the

colder months. A pack of frozen saltwater yabbies is all you’ll need. The yabbies are soft and the goldens love to come in and gently suck and pick at them. It’s a bit like me and a box of KFC chicken nuggets – they can’t stop until they’re all gone. They are too hard to resist. When using saltwater yabbies, use the correct hook. They are a soft bait so a sharp baitholder style hook is perfect. Murray cod have been on most of the local fishers’ radars. Cooby has been producing a few smaller models and also holds a few metre plus giants. There have been a couple of whoppers caught over the last two

Sam Dierke caught this 92cm Coolmunda cod on a 28g Austackle Gizmo HD spinnerbait.

To page 96

the lure out from the edge and then dropping it to the bottom before retrieving again was the trick. Most bites came as the lure started to work after coming off the bottom. There have been quality bass mixed in with the smaller ones too. As the water clears over winter, keep an eye out for schooling fish, especially around the main lake points. Until then, enjoy the fishing on the lake’s edges. Sporty’s Fishing at 32 Strathaird Road, Bundall has one of the best ranges of lures on the Gold Coast. The staff specialise in lure fishing, so they know all about the products they sell. Call in to see the cool stuff they stock. While you’re there, pump some fishing information and secrets out of them. MAROON CLOSEST TOWNS: BOONAH, BEAUDESERT The cooler months will see a bit of change at Maroon. Rather than tossing your favourite spinnerbait at the weed edge, tie on a suspending jerkbait and venture right up on top of the weed or closer to the steep weed edges. The mood of the fish will see them hunting more slowly. Quality fish will still be found in around the weed. A more subtle approach and slower presentation should

be the answer. Try starting the day off on top of the weeds with shallow diving jerkbaits. As the day brightens, switch to deeper diving models or a lightly weighted soft plastic. MOOGERAH CLOSEST TOWNS: RATHDOWNEY, BOONAH The dam is coloured after the rise a couple of months ago, but the fishing has been good in the upper part of the lake. Inside the timber, bass have been schooling across the flats. Rather than looking in the deep water, concentrate your efforts in 3-6m. If you’re running Insight Genesis maps on your Lowrance or Simrad, it will be worthwhile doing an update. Barry Oxford has been at it again and is working on delivering even better detail in this area. These contour maps are very valuable and help to locate the most likely areas. The bass are taking lipless crankbaits, blade baits and spinnerbaits rolled slowly through the schools. If trolling is your cup of tea, try slow trolling a TN60 Jackall across the flats with the electric motor to help locate active fish. Trolling shallow diving lures is also worth a shot.

2 Dams

1de stination H

South Burnett

· Boondooma Dam · Bjelke-Petersen Dam ·

The BEST place in QLD to catch Australian Bass and Yellowbelly

STAY

CATCH

NIGHTS AND

SAVE

of the month BOONDOOMA DAM

HARRY GOLDIE WITH A NICE BP BASS

BJELKE-PETERSEN BRENDEN FLYNN WITH A HEALTHY BOONDOOMA YELLA

www.lakeboondooma.com.au www.yallakoolpark.com.au JUNE 2017

From page 95

months. As more anglers target them, we should see even more of these monsters landed. They don’t come easy, so be prepared to work hard for them. Cooby D a m ’s proximity to Highfields and Toowoomba makes it a very popular fishery. If you are looking for somewhere close to home to drop the boat or kayak in, Cooby is definitely worth a visit. The dam hours are 7am until 6pm during the winter months. Just remember no outboard motors are allowed to be used on the dam. The concrete boat ramp is on a shallow angle when the dam is full and can be slippery in places. A big electric powered boat can still be launched with care. Outboard motors can be left on the boat and must not be used. Tackle, lures and saltwater yabbies can be purchased from Highfields Bait and Tackle at the Coles Circle Plaza Shopping Centre in Highfields. Call in and see Doug and check out the great range of fishing gear, kayaks and accessories he has on display.

LESLIE CLOSEST TOWN: WARWICK One of the best golden perch winter fisheries, Leslie should continue to produce on bait and lures this month. Rather than trolling, switch to hopping lures like blades, lipless crankbaits and soft vibes. This presents the lures right in the fish’s face and gets way more bites than a trolled lure, which is there one second and gone the next. Hopping was already producing some better quality golden perch last month. Bait fishers will score reasonable numbers when using live shrimp and saltwater yabbies. Fishing in 3-7m of water and moving every half hour until fish are found is the trick. Keep baits fresh and change shrimp often to ensure you stand the best chance. Murray cod will still be suckers for lures. Trolling hardbodies and lipless crankbaits is a good way to tempt them during the day. If casting, work bigger spinnerbaits in around the rocky granite areas. At night

WIDE BAY AND SOUTH BURNETT REGION BOONDOOMA CLOSEST TOWNS: PROSTON, KINGAROY The dirty water is starting to show signs of clearing up and the cooler water temperature should only help this. The fishing has been a bit tough, but those putting in the time are finding fish and getting some to bite. Up the back of the dam in the timbered arms, bass and golden perch should respond well to spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits. Lure trollers have also produced a mixed bag of bass and goldens in the timber. Expect to get snagged, so keep a lure retriever handy. Bait fishing in the same area has been slow. If you put in the time, you should get some action.

Hopping soft vibes and blade baits through schooling bass has produced a few fish. Slowing down is the key. Smaller hops with aggression will see more bites. Look to the points in the main basin for bass schools and keep the lure close to the bottom. Boondooma is a great place to camp right near the water and sit by the fire while enjoying the view. You could also stay in more style and comfort by booking into one of the cabins overlooking the dam. The kiosk at the main office does hot food and other basic items including an excellent range of proven fishing tackle. For campsites, cabins and bunkhouse rooms, call (07) 4168 9694. For the latest information, jump onto Facebook and

Golden perch action will be slower this month. Jigging lures will catch more than trolling. Bait fishers will still fare well. and during the low light hours, try bigger lures like swimbaits and wakebaits fished around the granite structure. Along with getting a fishing report, stock up on all your gear while at Warwick Outdoor and Sports at 115 Palmerin Street, Warwick. For a

small store, it carries a great range at a very competitive price. Warwick is only a ten minute drive from the dam and you can pick up any supplies you might need. COOLMUNDA CLOSEST TOWN: INGLEWOOD Despite being dirty with fairly poor visibility,

check out Matthew Mott Sport Fishing for Motty’s latest fishing reports. BJELKE CLOSEST TOWNS: MURGON, GOOMERI The fishing has been a

bit steady. Bass and golden perch are still being caught. Smaller fish have been common. If you persist, a bigger model could be the reward. Slow winding blade baits and keeping them close

Modern sounders are great fish finding tools. The down image in the Simrad is great for marking barra. The returns even have the barra shape, so there’s no mistaking what they are.

Coolmunda has been producing a few Murray cod. Plenty of anglers have visited and left emptyhanded, while some seem to be picking up more than one or two fish a session. What is the secret? Having faith in your lure and persisting is part of it, but knowing where to place those lures and not giving up plays an even bigger role. Coolmunda has heaps of standing timber. When the cod are on the prowl they will take lures all over the surrounding flats. With limited visibility, casting accuracy needs to be spot on and positioning the lure next to structure so the fish can easily find it is important. Much of the structure in this lake lies below the surface. Old stumps and fallen branches and even whole trees are hidden below the surface. There isn’t much of this type of fish-holding habitat. Locate what you can and mark it on your sounder. I run 3D Structure Scan on my Simrad and set it to scan 80ft either side of the boat. If I see a tree I can place a cursor on it and create a

GPS mark right on top of it. This is how we have found a lot of the productive spots we fish. While the water is dirty, big spinnerbaits with big soft plastic trailers will make their presence felt. Bright colours, coloured blades and scented plastics can all help the fish find your lure and commit to striking at it. The Coolmunda Caravan Park is only 1km away from the lake. The park is just off the Cunningham Highway and far enough away from the noise of trucks to get a good night’s sleep. It offers camping sites, cabins, caravan facilities, tennis courts, a swimming pool, BBQ shelter and a camp kitchen. The park now has an extra two new wheelchair friendly cabins to add to their older ones. Camping is also available near the boat ramp with toilets and hot showers to make your stay more comfortable. To take advantage of this and the great fishing opportunities in the lake and the river below, give the park a call on (07) 4652 4171.

to the bottom is the way to get the bites. You could also try a slow retrieve with a tail spinner. Use less of the big lifts and hops associated with these lures and just keep them working slow and steady to suit the mood of the fish. Look for schooling fish in the lower half of the dam around Bass Point, Lightning Ridge and in front of the wineries. For help catching Bjelke and Boondooma fish, call into Bass 2 Barra. The store stocks an awesome range of gear suited to chasing our freshwater fish. The staff have all the knowledge to guide you on how to use it. You’ll find the stores at 119 Youngman Street Kingaroy. Matthew Mott also runs fishing charters on the dams and you can reach him through the store for

bookings and enquiries on (07) 4162 7555. The Yallakool kiosk is all set up with a great range of tackle. If you don’t happen to have the right lure or lose one, call in and check it out. Give them a call for accommodation and camping bookings on (07) 4168 4746. CANIA CLOSEST TOWN: MONTO Up the back of the lake, the water is clearer and the action has been good for lure casters chasing bass. These fish have responded well to a mixture of lures with lipless crankbaits, small blades and downsized spinnerbaits all producing. Cania can experience some very cold snaps in To page 97

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the weather and when this is the case, reaction lures can almost be a waste of time. If this is the case, make a switch to a slowly wound soft plastic or an ice jig. WURUMA CLOSEST TOWNS: EIDSVOLD, MONTO A few anglers have headed to Wuruma and experienced some great edge fishing with big bass and monster golden perch. Motty went there for a couple of trips and managed bass over 50cm. Wuruma is one of those lakes where the bass just seem to be supercharged. For some reason they peel line and pull harder than fish of similar size in other dams. If you are fishing the

edges, don’t be surprised if you get busted off by a chunky winter fish. MONDURAN CLOSEST TOWN: GIN GIN Keep an eye out for Rob Howell’s regular reports in this magazine. Last year Monduran fished well over the winter months. Provided the days were warm and quite still, the fish fired up. If you can get a run of good weather this action only seems to improve. Once you locate some active fish, they become more predictable from day to day. Soft plastics have scored well over the warmer months. Now that it’s cooler, make sure you have all your hardbody boxes packed. A suspended hardbody is

hard to beat during the winter months. The escaped fish below the dam wall in the first section before the first weir will be subject to some cooler weather over the coming months. They too will bite if the weather and water stays warm. The first cold snap will change this and could actually see some die due to the drop in temperature. Let’s hope that isn’t the case and they are still there to chase after winter is over. For all your barra fishing supplies and tips on the lake, call into Barra Havoc at 26 Mulgrave Street, Gin Gin. If you are after specialized tackle for impoundment barramundi, this is the store for you.

fish the Boyne River above Pikes Crossing. There were hundreds of barra caught in this section of river after the last flood. These fish will still be there if you are willing to have a crack in the cooler weather. They should continue to bite well this month or at least until the next really cold snap. This will be a hotspot again as soon as things start to warm up in spring.

For accommodation when fishing the dam or river below, book into Awoonga Gateway. The Gateway Lodge is on the way to the dam after turning off at Benaraby. The accommodation is great with plenty of boat parking space right beside the comfortable air-conditioned, selfcontained cabins – each with its own veranda. To book in a stay give Mark or Lyn a call on (07) 4975 0033.

GLADSTONE REGION AWOONGA DAM CLOSEST TOWN: BANARABY After the dam ran over a few months back, reports have filtered through of smaller barra being caught in the dam. The action has been slow, but this is good news for spring, once things warm up again. With the dam no longer pouring water over the spillway, anglers have stopped flooding in to

Evan Speer made the most of the escaped barra in the Boyne and had some sensational sessions. The fish are still there, you just need to work them out in the cooler conditions.

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MACKAY REGION TEEMBURRA CLOSEST TOWNS: PINNACLE, MACKAY After the big rain the dam has again started to produce. Ash Simms went for a sooty grunter session and managed several sooties as well as five barra throwing a TN70 Jackall and Arashi crankbait. I’ve heard similar reports and all anglers have encountered smaller barra with most under 80cm with only the occasional larger fish. With this in mind, I would be fishing slowly with smaller lures to get the bites, especially while it’s cooling down. Transam soft vibes were dominating barra catches when it was warmer. They might not get the same response now. Work the edges rather than staking out a point and keep on flogging the water until you find fish. If you are planning on fishing Kinchant, Teemburra or Eungella, be sure to call in and see Bruce and Ash at Nashy’s Compleat Angler on Harbour Road, North Mackay. Ash works in the store and also as a fishing guide on the lakes. Some firsthand information as to where they are biting always goes a long way. Nashy’s has a great range of tackle suited to the dams as well as all the other fishing options the Mackay area is blessed with. You can call the store for more information or to put some gear on hold on (07) 4957 2272. EUNGELLA CLOSEST TOWNS: EUNGELLA, FINCH HATTON Known for its sooty grunter fishing, Eungella Dam is a great winter option for Mackay-based freshwater anglers. The sooties continue to bite all winter and tend to move a bit higher in the water column for warmth. Here they are easier to catch. It’s as simple as dropping in the electric motor and firing casts around the shoreline or shoreline structure. Just like bass, the sooties love lipless crankbaits, spinnerbaits and

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soft plastics. Sooty grunter feel fishing pressure. When they are hit hard, they tend to shut down. Eungella is a fair drive away from Mackay in the hinterland, which makes it remote enough to keep all but the most dedicated away. For a sneaky spot to fish in the winter, pack a jumper and head up to experience this gem of a lake.

western side of the dam will fish well. Clear sunny days with little wind are the best during winter. If you can string several together, you’ll improve your chances even more. The cooler water will call for the typical winter tricks. Look for areas of warmer water. Work edges that lead into the gullies with the boat in up to 5m of water and rotate between surface lures, hardbodies and soft plastics.

The dams around Mackay can still fish well for sooty grunter. Bass techniques work well on them. This one stole a lure intended for a barra. PETER FAUST CLOSEST TOWNS: PROSERPINE, AIRLIE BEACH For the last month, the fishing has been hard due to the relentless wind. Lake Proserpine is a big open lake and fishing the basin in an unprotected area in anything over 15 knots becomes hard work. Fish have been holding up in the river and they have been hard to tempt. Use your sounder to your advantage to locate schooling fish or areas that have better numbers rolling through. Stake it out while the fish are there and keep casting. The barra were feeding in very small windows last month. Lindsay Dobe had a charter where they threw everything in the box at the fish until they woke up midmorning and bit surface lures out in 6m of water. As it gets colder, the

Out in the deeper water, the old creek and river bed tree tops will be worth exploring. Cranking down hardbodies and floating them back up in the trees is a good way to wake up fish and make them rise to the lure. There were still scattered barra down towards the dam wall out in the middle. These fish were eating deep trolled hardbodies like the Halco Scorpion Crazy Deep. With quality fish finders, you should soon be able to see just how many of these fish are still there and if it is worthwhile putting in the time on them. For all your fishing supplies or a guided trip on the lake, call Lindsay or Dane at Barra World on (07) 4945 4641. Barra World is right on the highway in Proserpine and specializes in barra fishing tackle as well as catering to the needs of anglers fishing the nearby estuaries and offshore.

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JUNE 2017

BASS

Get ready for SEQ dam bass BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

Cooling weather and shorter days means that bass are following their age-old breeding patterns and getting together in big numbers to do what comes naturally. Being totally freshwater though, these fish won’t actually be able to breed. This means that right until spring, we can expect to find big schools of bass in our stocked impoundments. While bass are found in quite a few impoundments and water storages between Bundaberg and the border (as well as in good quality rivers and

Bass like this one from Wivenhoe Dam eat plenty of boney bream. WIVENHOE DAM Looking at what these southern dams offer, from largest to smallest, we should naturally start with good old Wivenhoe Dam. Following the easing of

cools the catties tend to tame down their attacks on lures and flies. It’s just a matter of moving to another area if the catties are on the job. Many anglers launch at Logan Inlet, which is an

The author smiling fondly at a stonker Somerset bass in one hand and a regular sized redclaw in the other. area at the same time of day has developed lockjaw. The fish are on the sounder, why won’t they bite? It’s because they are native fish. Sometimes there are few things more fickle.

Anglers are at their action stations at Somerset Dam. There’s pretty obviously a good school of bass biting right there! creeks) it’s the big bass in South East Queensland’s larger impoundments that are the major attraction. In impoundments where

better from now on. The main dams of interest to the bass angler living around this region are Wivenhoe, Somerset,

With firetail gudgeons the main diet of fish in Maroon Dam, fly anglers should remember that a successful fly will have some red about it. bony bream are prevalent, these feisty fish just seem to grow larger and stronger each year. Following the recent lift in water levels from early autumn rain, the fishing should just become 98

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Moogerah and Maroon. Yes, I know there are plenty of bass in Boondooma and Bjelke Petersen dams as well, but this article will focus on the impoundments I’ve mentioned.

The fog’s lifting at Somerset Dam and fish are showing on the sounder. power craft restrictions – boats are still limited to low emission direct injection or four-stroke engines and a speed of 6 knots – there has been a major increase in fishing activity on this huge waterway. Wivenhoe is something of an enigma. Sometimes the bass are in a specific location, say off White Cliffs out from Logan Inlet, other times the sounder will just show a nice clear bottom section, devoid of fish. these can cometimes be big areas unfortunately. The clue is to maintain a careful track and have the sounder searching in the 10-12m mark. Wherever possible, maintain a course along the old Brisbane River bed. Bass have a penchant for hanging together just off the riverbed in this dam much the same as they do in Somerset Dam. Be warned, sometimes the bass on the sounder in Wivenhoe Dam are of the fork-tailed croaking variety – big catfish, in other words! Fortunately, as the water

excellent central area with a lot of easily found flats within reach. A boat can cover a lot of water at 6 knots and it’s so easy to move from one area to the next to search for fish. One saving grace about fishing Wivenhoe dam is the sheer beauty of the area. It really is a wonderful dam in many respects and there certainly are some massive bass in this impoundment thanks to the huge schools of bony bream that these great sportfish feed on. Wivenhoe Dam has excellent camping facilities, but its popularity means you’ll need a prior booking for a stay. SOMERSET DAM Renowned for both XOS bass and exciting catches from the mid 1980s, this dam has been fishing reasonably well in the past month. Reasonably well means that the fish are easily found and on the job hitting virtually any item attached to a leader that is offered for their perusal – on one day. On the very next day the same school in the same

The good news is that, much the same as last autumn and winter, the more active schools seem to be in the Kirkleigh area. Fish are holding on the flats out off the northern side of the camping area just before the timber (adjacent to the Stanley River bed) or anywhere close to the riverbed within the big flats area to the south between Kirkleigh and Queen Street. Schools of bass holding in the magical 7-10m depth seem to be the ones most likely to please an angler. If a few birds (gulls) are hanging about the schools of fish, it’s a good bet that the hapless bony bream below are getting a good hiding from the bass. Birds swooping, circling or hovering just above the water are a really good indication of fishy

Maroon’s fish are smaller, but they have the numbers. Denise Kampe caught this pair on fly.

BASS ramp there are massive weed beds to the north and fish are often located schooling just off these weed beds (in the usual 7-10m depth). A plastic or fly worked against the edge of the weed, especially where a bay in the growth has formed, will often be slammed by a hungry bass. Other great areas to fish are easy to locate. It all comes down to watching the sounder to locate the schools. In this dam in particular

of timber in the main creek arm, points that drop off into deeper water – this one has the lot. Yet it’s a very small body of water in comparison to the other dams I have mentioned. What’s more there are no schools of bony bream in this impoundment. Instead the fish have a steady diet of surface tucker at times of low light. If they’re feeding deeper, the preference is for the small firetail gudgeons

Bass like this are pretty common in Somerset and Wivenhoe dams. It comes down to whether or not they are biting on the day.

Two for the price of one: a pair of Maroon Dam fish taken on fly from an active school. action far below. Wounded bony bream often make their way to the surface. As they circle aimlessly, those birds don’t miss the chance to enjoy an easy feed. A plastic around the size of bony bream (or a fly of a similar size) will usually be snapped up when brought through the school in small stop-start jerks and twitches.

camping areas both at the town of Somerset Dam to the south (ten minutes from the Spit) and Kirkleigh to the north so anglers can easily select a camping area as a base. MOOGERAH DAM Again, this is a great dam to visit and enjoy some camping. It’s very easy to camp close to the water, with

Redclaw become abundant with the rising water, so make sure the pots are packed in the boat. Note that there are no weed beds adjacent to the main fishing areas (similar to Lake Wivenhoe) so a sounder is vital to help locate schooled fish. Somerset Dam is always an enjoyable outing and anglers often like to put a couple of days into a crack at the fish. Luckily there are

the boat perhaps left handy for next fishing session, when the dam level is right up. While this impoundment is not as large as Somerset or Wivenhoe, it is unique in that it offers flats, timbered areas, cliffs and some massive weed beds all within a short boat ride of each other. Starting from the main

A picture of tranquillity, this is Moogerah Dam on a clear morning. Note the anglers working around the timber, a favoured haunt for the dam’s bass.

One of the great things about camping at Lake Moogerah is being able to camp right by the water. It’s something that a lot of folk enjoy.

the clue is to fish deeper and maintain contact with the weed beds. The fish will still be there, going about their business of eating for a living. Like the other dams the bass schools will be often found holding deeper. The depth can be as little as 6m or less. Camp Lake Fire or Pointro offer good camping

so a look at the Seqwater site on the net will be wise. SUMMING UP Things are looking up in our popular bass dams. There is still some question as to the final rainfall tally for this autumn, so dams might be quite high. This won’t stop you from having a good time at all. Lastly, don’t forget the redclaw

Maroon at dawn is becoming just too light for successful surface fishing. the fish seem to enjoy schooling to adjacent standing timber. That’s not to say that they will be right in the timber, but likely just on the outer edge of it. Interestingly, Moogerah’s bass seem to fight very hard. There are 55cm fish in the mix, but even a 48-50cm fish seems to give a very good account of itself. Once again, bony bream are the main food source, hence these bass like larger offerings if you use a plastic or lure. Bony bream imitations are also very good for the fly angler. Have a look at Seqwater to ascertain some new speed limits on this impoundment. MAROON DAM Of all the South Queensland impoundments this has to be the most productive. Summer, autumn, winter and spring, this is a four seasons fishery. Making the effort will usually see fish caught on any chosen method. Weed beds, a bit

that inhabit the weed beds by the millions. Accordingly, these bass are somewhat smaller and certainly have the numbers. There are two main fishing methods, depending on the time. The pre-dawn and evening or after dark fishing will see surface offerings taken readily. Remember to slow things down and not make too splashy a retrieve, which can put fish off. Nothing a bass eats in Maroon Dam will make a big surface commotion. Likely, the opposite is the case. Any critter suddenly hitting the drink will often sit for a spell in a state of shock before tentatively moving. This is why a surface offering worked carefully can be the best way to go. Note that once the sun hits the water of a morning or it becomes really dark, things get a bit quiet. A late night session with surface lures can be an exciting time. Once it’s full daylight

opportunities for anglers wanting extended times on the water. There are also new speed restrictions on this dam

pots. All four dams feature them and these crustaceans proliferate when dam levels are high.

The author with a great fish from Somerset Dam. A steady diet of bony bream certainly puts condition on this impoundment’s fish. JUNE 2017

Great Wall 4x4 Steed BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

Great Wall cars are proudly made in China and are now being sold by numerous distributors in Australia. They provide vital backup of parts and spares, provide roadside assist, handle warranty claims and all other issues, just like other major car makers. The Steed stable includes a 4x2 petrol dual cab, a 4x2 diesel dual cab and the 4x4 diesel dual cab reviewed here. Obviously, Great Wall are casting the net fairly wide to secure their customers and they do have one advantage in that the Marque is well-established. In fact, with 45,000 of their V series utes sold in past years, and a revamp and upgrades all-round, the newly designed (and larger) Steed is out and galloping. One thing worth remembering is that trade utes now account for around one-fifth of motor car sales in our country – who’d believe the Hilux ute would be our top selling car last year? You can rest

assured that this massive Chinese manufacturer is after a goodly slice of this pie, especially in the more affordable market segments where Fotun, Mahindra, JMC Vigus, and SsangYong have been steadily nibbling corners off the cut price trade ute/SUV section of retail sales for some time. There is no denying that our market is well serviced with mainstream brands. While these newcomers perhaps don’t have as much on or off road presence as the big players, they are happily offering some big cash savings. The big difference is that putting a name-brand dual cab ute in the carport or garage with as many features as the Steed offers can easily see $40-50k or more out of the pocket. On the other hand the Great Wall one tonner will see less than $30k missing from the bank balance. Those sorts of savings could see plans for a couple of trips to Weipa, Exmouth or NZ being made and a big smile on the dial! WHAT IS THE STEED? Put simply, the Steed is a good looking, proportionate, large four door ute made to high standards. The paint

job appeared very deep and lustrous. The panels had a very solid feel about them and the weighty doors closed with a nice sound. The finish was quite good for a vehicle at this price point. The diesel 4x4 as reviewed had a ground clearance at 170mm, a high driving position, was quite wide, and was even – dare I suggest it – handsome. Currently available only in manual transmission mode, the six-shifter sported very easily managed gear changes and a light clutch with plenty of feel about it. The pedals were widely spaced and made for positive gear work. The Steed also sported roof rails, side steps to prevent offroad damage, LED daylight driving lights, 16” alloy wheels with road tyres and a stainless steel bar setup in the tray which gave it a distinctly sporty look. The large rear tray was equipped with a full liner, brilliant for loading up with gear and going to work for the day (or the beach for the weekend) and had external side rails to secure the ubiquitous flexible tie down cover so important to keep gear in place. A decent side protector strip

Looking every bit the part of a serious work vehicle, there are no design faults about this ute. position. Rear seating was fairly upright in styling but still comfortable with ample room. The transmission tunnel hump in the rear area was quite discreet and did not intrude on legroom to a great degree. Within the cabin the main colour scheming was predominately dark, with lots of piano black (which is all the rage these days) with some silver highlighting around the radio, the controls for the climate control air conditioning, and the interior door handles. Interestingly, the large centre screen on the reviewed Steed was not set up with navigation or reversing camera, this costs an additional $1000, but a move to reverse gear quickly brought a loud serious of warning pips upon approach to any obstacle behind the vehicle. A leather bound steering wheel, auto dimming mirror,

electric windows and steering wheel cruise control were standard, as was hill start assist – a vital feature for a manual diesel vehicle. The Steed’s six speaker sound system was enjoyable and

powerful enough to work well away from local towns with the Bluetooth/USB phone and audio streaming an additional handy feature. Safety features included tyre pressure monitoring,

The trusty Steed took the author and his wife in and out of cod country quite easily. For a change, the fish even cooperated.

The camping gear ready to go – bulky items are neatly packed into the Steed’s tray ready for the cargo net to be secured to the side rails.

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also graced the Steed’s side panelling to ward off bangs and bumps from shopping centre encounters. WELL-APPOINTED INTERIOR There’s a lot to like about the Steed’s interior. The seating is faux leather but without any annoying odours and featured very neat stitching. With decent cushioning and support the front seats are very good. A four hour long highway trip saw no back or backside discomfort. The driver has electric forward and seatback rake adjustment and both front seats are heated. The steering column had rake but not reach adjustment. It’s a comfortable driving

The Steed’s bold grille makes a statement: this car means business.

Interior colour tonings of the Great Wall feature plenty of piano black with some silver highlights providing a neat contrast. six air bags, including side curtain air bags, a Bosch stability control setup, EBD and Brake Assist. 4X4 GEARING HANDY The Steed’s driving mode buttons are located in a slim row immediately under the radio controls. With 2WD, AWD and low range all available at the touch of a button, it was very easy to dial in 4x4 or even low range when we needed it, which we certainly did. This came about when we moved from a great fishing spot on one of the New England Rivers

ute with a double wishbone suspension up front and fiveleaf springs at the rear. To be frank, I have experienced more bounce to the ounce with a couple of the more costly dual cab 4x4s that are prominent today. With our load of camping gear aboard, the ride was very good. The overall handling was quite laidback and without excess body roll on corners. The steering was light and with a lot of turns from lock to lock. It certainly won’t excite an outright enthusiast with its lack

Front seating in this ute was very comfortable. The driver can enjoy the electric adjustment. following overnight rain. In case you were wondering, the cod were on. I suspect they must have known it would rain overnight! Daylight saw more rain on the way, so we packed up and moved. With a good load of camping gear aboard the tray and the interior rear packed with tucker boxes, bedding, bags of clothing – the New England is cold – the Steed was faced with a fairly steep climb out on some slippery going. At the press of the low range tab a slight jar indicated the Borg Warner transfer case was doing its job (as did the on-dash indicator). The Steed easily moved up and out much to my relief. DECENT ROAD MANNERS I was surprised at the overall ride quality of the Steed on both bitumen and gravel surfaces. Sure, unloaded it tends to bounce and jiggle somewhat as expected of a one tonne

of road feel, but let’s not forget the price point. You get what you pay for. The price point also governs the engine, which was a 2L fourcylinder turbo diesel turning out 110kW of power and 310Nm of torque. While Euro 5 compliant it was adequate rather than awe-inspiring. With six ratios on hand with the

manual shifter, so long as 1500-1800 revs were maintained, the engine was able to do its job smoothly and quietly. At 2000rpm the speedo hit 100km/h with virtually no engine noise whatsoever. There are, for the record, some far noisier diesel engines in some of today’s crop of work utes than the Steed’s. Fuel use over the New England trip was 9.1L/100km – right on the money for mine. The tow rating is 2t for a braked trailer. SUMMING UP There’s no denying that the Steed is a very useful work truck with enough comfort features and overall room to make it also suited to a fair amount of play time on weekends. The suite of extra features, running even to tyre pressure monitoring, moves the ute’s spec level to high, no question about it. With Great Wall’s established credibility in our market the Steed has lots to offer a potential owner. Ground clearance might restrict it in some of the more rugged off road scenarios, but the 4x4 system certainly won my praise when push turned to shove down on the river. My view is that once an auto version is released there will be no stopping the Steed. It’s out of the stable now. With an auto offering it’s going to be a real winner. The warranty is three years/100,000km with 24/7 roadside assistance as part of the package and the price is $29,990.

Tough, comfortable and purpose-built for our hardworking tradesmen & farmers, the new Great Wall Steed is built work. With a choice of 4x2 Petrol or diesel or Borg Warner 4x4 Diesel, its fully loaded with Bosch ESP, 6 airbags, Hill Hold, stainless sports bar, side steps and a bed liner. Not to mention electric driver’s seat, leather steering wheel, climate control and even heated front seats. Check out the PERFROMAX GREAT new Great Wall Steed with 3 WALL year/100,000 km warranty and 3 year of roadside assist today.

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PERFORMAX The Steed’s dash setup was neat with major controls easily identified and used. Note the sensible spacing between the foot pedals.

*Petrol 4x2 JUNE 2017

101

Looking at fishing competitions: ABT SUNTAG

Stefan Sawynok

I planned to cover a whole bunch of competitions in one hit, but as I started to dig through the ABT data more closely, I realised that I would be doing a disservice to the ABT and other events if I explore the results in a superficial way. In this article, I am focusing just on the ABT BASS Pro series and next article I will swap over to the BREAM. I will also introduce an 18th century mathematician that can make you a better angler.

are measures of fishing experience (how good/bad) not stock assessment (how many fish are left). I am using fishing experience measures as for one, I am not trying to make any judgement on the level of harvesting, and two, I think fishers can relate to it more. As an example, if I said that better fishers in an area averaged one legal fish a day for flathead for example, that would be meaningful. Those people who enjoy fishing for fishing’s sake (like me) may not be too worried by that, but then those who want to catch more might go looking for a better result. If you are in the 1% of fishers that can catch fish in a dry bathtub, then

AFL and Rugby League are good examples, where skilled teams will crush weak opponents, thus the importance of skill, but when two teams are closely matched and the scores are tight, luck in the form of the roll of the ball or an umpire’s decision can swing the result. I say this because there is a difference in the balance between luck and skill between the BASS and BREAM formats. For the most part, the BASS events have had a bag limit of two, which evens out the skills in terms of ability to catch fish, but then sharpens it when it comes to catching the biggest fish. In the BREAM events, with a bag

Figure 2 – Catch Rates at Lake Somerset. I am especially fond of the ABT as it has a consistent format over a wide range of locations, which makes it possible to provide comparison of areas, and in the interests of fostering local tribalism, and that is what I will focus on here. If there is one thing I would love, it’s more ABT events in the same place year on year. That would make it a much better data source overall. The alternative would be combining ABT data with similar events that can fill the gaps. OPENING DISCLAIMER I want to make one thing crystal clear. All the measures I am looking at

you probably don’t care either way. My point is that the information I am providing over the next couple of articles does not directly tell us what fish stocks are like, but how successful fishers are at catching fish. Stock Assessment judgments require other measures and a lot more mind-bending mathematics, and I am going to be introducing enough mind-bending mathematics as it is. With that out of the way, let’s have some fun with data and mathematics. ABT BASS PRO A good competition balances skill and luck.

of five, one big fish is less likely to swing things your way, and it’s consistency that wins the day. How does that stack up when you look at the data though? While I am sure that there are some random results, the overall results show that the best fishers win most often. In some ways, the constraint maximises their chances of winning, as the larger the constraints, the bigger the effect of any advantage. I want to dig more into the two bass limit, and see if it tells us anything useful about the fishery and what is going on. We can use two good reference sites to

Figure 3 – ABT Results at Lake Somerset. 102

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Figure 1 – Catch Mix at Lake Somerset. see how that limit plays out – Lake Somerset and Lake Boondooma. Tagging has been conducted in Somerset and Boondooma for over 25 years, which provides us with a good comparison, partly because many of the taggers have also competed in the ABT. Taggers are not constrained by bag limits, as they release their catch straight away, so they are essentially the fishing bestcase scenario. A look at figure 1 shows that the catch mix experienced by taggers stable as you would expect in an impoundment. I don’t have access to the stocking records, but I suspect the two periods where the undersize fish represented a larger proportion of the

that the two sets of data are seeing the same things (though the taggers detected the improvement in catch rates a year earlier). There is also a similar decline from 2005-2008. Moving onto Lake Boondooma. Once again, looking over time, the impoundment has had greater than 60% of fish reported by taggers being legal fish. I have included a look at the larger experience with impoundment bass towards the end of the article, but it’s safe to say that both Boondooma and Somerset fit the profile of stable long-term fishing outcomes. The catch rates profile over time is a little different to Lake Somerset, which

fish) and the sorts of results we see supports that to some degree. I think that the fact that the number of completed bags go up in the good times is supportive of the notion that skills affect the outcome. If the fisher won’t go to the fish, sometimes the fisher is lucky and they come to the them. What it highlights is the gap between stocks and fishing experience. If conditions and fishing skills are both stable, then you would expect similar results year on year. In a system like an impoundment, I just can’t conceive of wild fluctuations in stocks outside of key events such as an overtopping, disease or a large stocking event, which I think the tagging

Figure 4 – Catch Mix at Boondooma over time. catch would post larger stocking periods. Looking at the catch rates for taggers of both legal fish and all fish other than a period in the mid 2000s, the legal catch rate has been above two fish, which means the fishery is able to deliver a two bag in the best circumstances. How does that compare to the ABT results? Note that I am excluding 2016 as format change influences the data. Looking from 2004-2015, the percentage of zero bags (no fish reported) has been between 40-80% for most of the time. Given that the tagging average is above two legal fish per trip – what gives? The most exciting thing about the comparison is the way the big spike in catch rate in 2011/12 appears in both sets of data. That gives me first some confidence

you would expect, as it’s a smaller impoundment and is more sensitive to changes in water level and other factors. Having said that, it’s been stable for around 10 years, oscillating around the two mark. Looking at the ABT data, while the swings are not as wild as the tagging data, again the zero bag count follows a similar pattern of being lower in the times when tagging results are good, and higher when the tagging is not so good. So why is it so hard to get legal fish in a competition? I assume, for example, that ABT schedule their events in times that are good for fishing and that most of the fishers know how to catch bass. A figure of >80% zero bags certainly indicates tough going. In part, I think the 80/20 rule applies (the top 20% catch most of the

data shows. While drought will also play a role, most Australian natives have a range of drought-surviving tactics, as they have had to deal with Australian weather cycles much longer than we have. If I were a betting man, I would put my money on weather patterns (by that I mean longer term weather, not just on the day) influencing the behavior of fish and water levels year on year as having a greater impact than stocks changing. Variable weather influence would, to some degree, explain the skill differences as the best fishers will have the widest range of tactics to work with, thus the greater chance of success when things change. That said, a bunch more work would need to be done to establish if that is the

Figure 5 – Catch rates over time at Boondooma. case. I am sure there would be many competitors in the ABT that would be keen on knowing the answer to that though. I do think that the ABT fishing experience is probably closer to the overall fishing experience than the taggers, as there is a wider range of skill levels in the fishers, but I am basing that on anecdotal discussions, not a formal study of ABT fishers. ABT BASS IN NSW While I don’t have an extra dataset to compare with in NSW, the fact that ABT is consistent in its format gives me confidence that it is a reasonable representation of the overall fishing experience at least in trend. Lake Glenbawn follows the trend in Queensland up until 2012, and then does a sharp left turn. I don’t know anything about the stocking records, but given there is a drop in the largest size of fish, which could indicate a larger stocking event working its way into the system. The interesting thing though, is because we have calibrated ABT to a degree, we can say that something has changed and that is important. The fact that I can even ask the question about what changed, is a huge step in fisheries. Once you know something has changed, you can go seeking reasons. The fact that the change is repeated for several years makes me feel like it’s not a weather change, which is why I think it’s stocking. If anyone knows the real reason – let me know. Just to make things a little spicier, the results at St Clair look similar to the results at Glenbawn, in that things change in 2012. I am going to go out on a limb and suggest the reasons are going to be similar. While many of you will be looking at the largest bass size (and you should) the thing that excites me most about ABT is the way it covers such a range of locations with a similar format, so we can see changes in the fishing experiences. WHICH ONE WOULD I PICK? What if I only had one impoundment to fish

at which would I pick? For me, it comes down to Lake Glenbawn and Lake Somerset, as the data is better for them, thus the results are more reliable. After that though, Glenbawn is in the positive in terms of catching a two bag of legal bass, and given that I am at best an average Joe when it comes to bass, that is all I need to know. I don’t care if I catch the biggest, a bass in the boat is a bass in the boat in my books! The real question is, which one would you pick? And why? Why is the impoundment bass fishery different to almost any other fishery? While this article is on competitions and fishing, I am going to stray slightly, though it is a relevant deviation. I think it’s important to understand that the underlying dynamics of the impoundment bass fishery are so different to almost any other fishery in Australia. This also highlights the value and importance of longterm data, as without it, I couldn’t easily say that. On those days where we must fight to keep the tagging program going, this is why we do it. Figure 9 is a chart that shows how the catch mix has changed over time when you add up all the impoundments in Queensland that have Bass together. It follows a similar story to stocking overall with the early days being heavy with undersize fish then as stocks matured the catch mix stabilizes. Why is it that most bass caught are legal size in impoundments for better fishers? First things first, let’s look at supply of bass. I have spent quite a bit of time in bass hatcheries, and as it turns out bass are one of the easier fish to grow out. This is reflected in the supply and the price, at around 25-35c a fingerling for larger purchases. One of the stocking groups I am a member of put in over 200,000 of them a couple of years back, so getting large numbers is not a problem. Impoundment bass are one of the huge success stories of stocking. They

have been stocked in many impoundments, funded almost exclusively by recreational fishers either by direct fund raising or via some form of license fee. The stocking program is so successful in Queensland that it’s been expanded to include an array of non-impoundment situations On the harvest side of the equation, bass have a bag limit of two across the eastern seaboard. This has had the effect of making them a catch and release species. This pattern has been born out in recreational surveys. Which is to say that impoundment bass do not follow the standard rules of a fishery. Their early life cycle is mostly based on farming, as their natural

This also makes impoundment bass an interesting experiment in fish behaviour. If the fish aren’t being harvested and live a substantial time (>10 years), are they learning the tactics of fishers? The long-term recapture rate is around 7.9%, which is comparable to other species, but I would need to look more closely at the data to see if it indicates anything of that nature. None the less, it would be interesting to see if there is evidence that the fish are getting wise to fishers. HOW TO BE A BETTER ANGLER WITH MATHEMATICS On the subject of not being that guy that gets a 0 bass bag, I can offer some help with maths. You may have heard the term “fortune favours the brave.” It turns out there is a stream of mathematics that supports this term called Bayes Theorem. The difference between a Carl Jocumsen for example and the guy who’s having a great time watching the scenery all comes down to Bayes Theorem and chances are, if you are good at poker, very intuitive or a good angler, then you’re a Bayesian wiz (though you probably don’t know it). Thomas Bayes was an

the probability of observing event A given that B is true. P(B | A) is the probability of observing event B given that A is true. Now to be fair, a second mathematician Richard Price refined Bayes Theorem and another guy called Nate Silver put the icing on the cake in using it, but if you Google Bayes Theorem, you will find what I am talking about. So how does this gobbledygook relate to fishing? Bayes Theorem is a way of linking probabilities in a chain in a way that improves your understanding of likely success. You might be going fishing one day for a barramundi. Let’s say you know nothing much about barramundi, so you go casting around at anything that looks like it might be fishable, but you don’t catch anything. Do you conclude a) there are no barramundi or b) you are crap at this and need to sharpen your game. Both are valid answers, depending on how you see the world, but only one is likely to be true. In response, you talk to a mate who tells you that fishing at the top of the tide around a wall with a drop-off with a specific

Figure 6 – ABT Results at Lake Boondooma. recruitment cycles have been seriously disrupted by man-made structures. The chance of bass surviving spawning is very high, because we helpfully give them optimal conditions to grow – it doesn’t pay to kill stocks you are selling. Most impoundments have an adequate food supply to support a stable population, and it’s cheap to top up populations. On the other hand, harvest is constricted to nearly zero. Beyond the odd overtopping of the impoundment and extreme drought, there isn’t a lot to disrupt the population. This makes impoundment bass as close to an unfished stock as you are going to get.

18th century mathematician. I have no idea if he fished or not, history books for some reason focus on his more boring habits, like publishing papers and getting into arguments rather than important things like did he fish. He did, however, come up with the most important equation in fishing that you have never heard of, and it goes something like this: P(A | B) = P(B | A) P (A) P(B) Where A and B are events that might happen P(B) ≠ 0. P(A) and P(B) are the probabilities of observing A and B without regard to each other. P(A | B), a conditional probability, is

lure will do that trick. How do you respond? First, you buy him a six pack for the great advice, then you compliment him on being a great mathematician. What he has done is narrowed down the field of probability of success by adding some variables that are more likely to be successful. I know you don’t want to see the maths, but here is a quick example. Let’s say your two options are, take his advice, or try to jag a fish out of desperation. For simplicity, you are successful 10% normally and his advice will see you fishing at a time which is 60% successful and you jag a

fish 1% of the time (which is high, but bare with me). Now, using the Nate Silver method of calculation, you are 89% more likely to catch a fish. But of course, it’s not that simple, which is where cascading Baysean maths comes in. You can feed in that probability into the next variable, so let’s say the method catches fish 50% of the time, you are still 84% more likely to catch fish. Let’s add a negative variable. Let’s say if you don’t catch a fish in three casts, then the chance of fish responding is around 5%. The chances of you catching a fish now drops down to 23%. Let’s then say the probability of you landing a good cast in three is 20% and now your chances of success are down to 6%. Even if you pick a good method, poor execution will find you out. The difference between Carl Jocumsen and the ordinary fisher (and the difference between Kevin VanDamm and Carl) is the ability to first, know what those variables are, and second, to know how likely they are to affect things. Going back to the example above, if you know that the highest chances of success are in the first three casts, you will be much more likely to be successful casting three times in 20 locations than 60 times in one. That is not to say Carl is a maths whiz, but the brain has a kind of odds calculator built in. Call it instinct or intuition, the brain learns from successful and unsuccessful events and tries to make sense of it. Good fishers know the odds and play them well. The good news is, even if you can’t add one and one, your brain is good at Baysean Mathematics. In the distant past, it was the difference between life and death. The moral of the story, for those that don’t like maths is this – if you want to be a better fisher, narrowing down the variables by knowing how much they impact the outcome will improve your chances of success dramatically. Doing that is as simple as keeping a diary. Even if you don’t consciously see the patterns, your unconscious mind will kick things along. Keeping a diary tells the unconscious mind that this info is important and your built-in maths brain will start sorting it out for you. See? You are a maths genius after all. All this, of course, is what all the good fishing teachers will tell you. You will get better results – the odds (even if you aren’t Carl Jocumsen) are in your favour. JUNE 2017

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Cooking

Delicious air fried Thai prawn spring rolls BRISBANE

Lynn Bain

Air frying is one of the latest things in cooking techniques and as

appliances go, air fryers have come to the fore in the last five years or so. In recent times, there has been a quest to reduce the amount of deep fried foods in the everyday diet

of western civilisation. Frying in an air fryer instead of a deep fryer is the answer. You get the crunch without the oil. Air fryers quickly find favour with those

who use them. They seem a little quicker than the oven (possibly because the compartment is smaller and the fact that air fryers seldom need to be preheated for as long as an oven).

As well, pretty much anything that you deep fry, oven bake, microwave and or stove top grill can be cooked in an air fryer. I love spring rolls, so I set out to develop an air-fried

version and it worked. There really insâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t that much to it, and you should be able to knock it all together in a matter of just under half an hour or so! Here it is!

Ingredients 250g cooked prawns 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1cm piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated 1 red chilli, de-seeded and very finely chopped 1tsp sesame oil 1 packet vermicelli or glass noodles, broken into two or three pieces 3-4 green shallots A handful of coriander leaves, roughly chopped 1 packet of spring roll wrappers Cooking oil spray

6 104

In another bowl, pour sufficient boiling water (from a jug or kettle) over the vermicelli noodles to cover them. As the noodles start to soften in the boiling water, loosen them with a fork to help the softening process along.

Fold the bottom edge of the wrapper up over the filling. Do the same with the top edge and then one side. Continue to roll up the spring rolls from the side into a roll.

JUNE 2017

The ingredients. Handy hint: you can substitute very finely shredded and blanched cabbage for the vermicelli noodles.

Add the chopped green shallots and the roughly chopped coriander leaves to the prawn mixture. Mix together well.

Place your rolls into the air fryer in a single layer in the basket of your fryer and cook for about 10 minutes at 180C. Cooking time will vary depending on the model of air fryer that you are using. You may like to turn the spring rolls over at the five minute mark. You can also spray or brush the spring rolls with cooking oil â&#x20AC;&#x201C; this will help them brown a little.

Cut the prawns into small pieces and add them to a bowl. Combine the prawn pieces, garlic, ginger, chilli and sesame oil. Mix together well to coat the prawn thoroughly in the mixture. Allow to marinade for about ten minutes.

When the noodles are completely soft, drain them well to avoid soggy spring rolls. Lay out a spring roll wrapper. For a large spring roll, place two heaped tablespoons of the prawn filling in the middle of the wrapper. Spread the filling out slightly.

Serve with a dipping sauce, such as a mixture of soy sauce and chilli sauce or one of each.

FUN PAGE AND COMPETITIONS BAD NAMES FOR A CHARTER BOAT

MV ANNOYING CATCH NOUGHT CLUELESS CRUSTY BAIT DONUT FISHED OUT GREEN ZONE HUNG UP OH WELL THE JOSTLER NO REFUNDS

NAUSEA SHONKY SAILOR SINKY SLIMY DECK OUTTA LUCK STICKY DRAGS TAKE ME HOME THE TANGLER TOAD FISH UNDERSIZE

Name: Address:

P/Code:

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

QLD JUNE 2017

Phone (day):

FINS SCALES AND TALES by A. Both

Dynabait worms are an all-natural, freeze-dried bait. Just soak them in water, and within minutes they’re ready to go! As soon as they hit the water, they release a potent mix of hormones and enzymes that fish can’t resist. These worms are dynamite on bream, whiting, bass, flathead, blackfish, cod, yellowbelly, trevally and many more! Dynabait Bloodworms, Tubeworms and Sandworms are available at all good tackle stores.

SPOT THE

10 DIFFERENCES

GEORGE & NEV by Michael Hardy

ORIGINAL

FIND-A-WORD

Congratulations to Michael Kras from Goodna, who was last month’s winner of the Find-a-Word Competition! Monthly winners receive a sponsor prize. Prize delivery can take 8 weeks. – QFM

SUBSCRIBER PRIZE

The subscriber prize winner for April is R Pack of Townsville, who won a pair of Tonic Torquay Green Mirror lens sunglasses. All subscribers are entered in the monthly subscriber prize draws. Prize delivery takes up to 8 weeks. – QFM

Fig Tree Pocket, B Mackey of Parkwood, R Taskis of Ashmore, D Cosgrove of Frenchville, O Noffke of Kulangoor, G McArdell of Point Vernon, R Pitt of Gatton, B Crust of Booval, I Graham of The Palms, I Mackenzie of Minyama, B Roebuck of Pomona, L Grant of Roma, L Harness of Ayr, R Whillans of Bellara, S Williams of Aspley, J Higgins of Caboolture, N Humble of Rockhampton,

A Hewlett of Mothar Mountain, G Green of Currumbin Waters, R Saunders of Penrith, P Sheedy of Farleigh, S Davies of Emerald, N Hogbin of Coominya, N Tretiakov of Springwood, C Wright of Mapleton, K Van Dalen of Prosperpine, J Boneham of Eight Mile Plains, D Newton of Rangeville. Prize delivery takes up to 8 weeks. – QFM

LAST MONTH’S ANSWERS

FIND THE DX POINT LOGO

The answers to Find the DX Point Logo for April were: 14, 18, 22, 28, 36, 42, 45, 53, 67, 70, 82, 88, 97,102, 115. – QFM

GUESS THE FISH?

Guess the Fish Answer: Spanish Mackerel

The Find the DX Point logo prize winners for April were: D Tremaine of Cloncurry, M Gillett of Boonah, R Brown of Edmonton, P Carrington of Deception Bay, J Bowyer of Blackall, G Englart of Blackriver, E Heathwood of Mission Beach, G Roberts of White Rock, K Edwards of Innisfail, J Paul of Inverell, J Aremur of Morayfield, M Hinton of Yarraman, D McCristal of

Answer:

FRIGHTENING FUTURE FOR MORETON BAY FISHERY The recent issues in Moreton Bay have had me thinking I was in some sort of bad dream. Once upon a time a federal bureaucrat discovered a monster

the prawn aquaculture ponds on the Logan River and the bureaucrat tried to glamour his way out of it. That story was scary enough, but it was then followed in close succession

the centre and Stapylton in the south. All these issues have rightfully been newsworthy and sadly they have also cost a lot in both financial support to clean up and departmental hours to manage. This has taken the focus from getting the destructive gillnets out of Moreton Bay. Recreational fishers have every reason to have grave concerns in this – a probable election year. Historically, recreational fishing has had an uphill battle with legislation. In the 1960s and ‘70s, commercial fishing licences and fishery endorsements were handed out left, right and centre. This was during an electoral period that was driven by the primary production No one can say with any real certainty focused Country Party. They how much is harvested annually. may have tried to glamour their presentation through hiding. He didn’t want by not one, not two, but three changing their name to the to frighten everyone by toxic chemical spills into the National Party and now telling them about it or get waterways of Moreton Bay. the LNP, but their archaic offside with the importers Anyone with a paranoid beliefs are still front and under whose house the nature would be seeing all centre. Like many other ‘flatmonster was hiding, so he sorts of conspiracy theories Earthers’, they believe that kept it a big secret until, given that these three were the oceans provide a neveras you would expect, the spread the length of Moreton ending source of seafood, no monster got out. White spot Bay from Narangba in the matter how much you net, syndrome White virus ravaged north, Response: Brisbane Airport in trawl, trap orArea

suck out of it. Spot Disease Movement Control Eudlo

Conondale Maleny

Caloundra Road

Ewen Maddock Dam

Mooloolah

Caloundra

Landsborough

Beerwah

S U N S H I N E C O A S T

Woodford

Kilcoy

Beerburrum

Villeneuve Neurum Lake

Somerset

Donnybrook

Comboyuro Point

Toorbul Mount Mee

Skirmish Point

Ningi

Bulwer

Caboolture Somerset Dam

Dayboro Esk

Cowan Cowan

Beachmere

Narangba

M O R E T O N

Lake Wivenhoe

B A Y

Redcliffe

S O M E R S E T Kooringal Samford Coominya

Amity

Lake

Atkinson

Seven Mile Lagoon

Enoggera

Gold Ck Reservoir

Reservoir

Fernvale

Lowood

Schlects Lagoon

Lake Manchester

B R I S B A N E

Glamorgan Vale

Lake Clarendon

Minden

L O C K Y E R

V A L L E Y

Marburg

Chuwar

Rosewood Grandchester

Dunwich Capalaba

Walloon

Laidley

Point Lookout

R E D L A N D

Brisbane

Coochie Macleay Island

Ipswich

Lamb Island

Karragarra Island

I P S W I C H

Calvert

Russell Island Beenleigh

L O G A N

Steiglitz

Logan Village Ormeau

Harrisville

Warrill View

Jimboomba

Munbilla

Sanctuary Cove Coomera

Tamborine Eagle Heights

Kalbar Aratula

S C E N I C

R I M

Mount Tamborine

Beaudesert

Dugandan

Main Beach Gold Coast

Canungra

Lake

Moogerah

Mount Alford

Mudgeeraba Beechmont

G O L D Lake Maroon

S O U T H E R N D O W N S

North Burleigh Burleigh

C O A S T

Springbrook Rathdowney

Hillview

NSW

Tweed Heads

The movement control area implemented to control the spread Motorway / Highway Uncooked crustaceans (including, but not limited to prawns, crabs and yabbies), as well as Secondary Road of white spot syndrome virus. Courtesy of DAF QLD.

Date: 22/03/2017

Co-ord Sys: GCS GDA 1994 marine worms, must not be removed from the movement control area. Datum: GDA 1994 Units: Degree

0 2.5 5

10 Kilometres

106

JUNE 2017

Movement Control Area

± www.sunfishqld.com.au The state of Queensland does not warrant the accuracy of this map and disclaims any liability or loss arising from the use of this map beyond its intended purpose. Acknowledgements © State of Queensland (Department of Agriculture and Fisheries) 2017; © State of Queensland (Department of Natural Resources and Mines) 2017

The Moreton Bay fishery is seriously at risk. If it’s left for much longer without help, it may be too late to save our Moreton Bay Fishery. D e p a r t m e n t a l bureaucrats and their associated fisheries policies have been fashioned by their political leaders over a long period. Over 30 years, the DPI was tasked with ensuring profitable primary industries and to that end fisheries stocks were monitored to ensure that the maximum yield was allowed to be taken each year, as long as there was still some for them to catch the ensuing year. There was no requirement within their protocols to ensure stocks for the recreational catch. We now have a government that recognizes the high community value placed on recreational fishing in addition to the other intrinsic benefits to the Queensland economy through individual health outcomes, social value outcomes and family relationship outcomes. In addition, as a result of the decimated front line staffing by Campbell Newman, we have less solidarity of focus within the department towards outdated policies and directions. If you combine a supportive government with some departmental leaders within Fisheries QLD, who are looking to manage the fishery as whole for all sectors and rebalance the playing field to create equity and consciously provide for an ongoing productive fishery, we should be content. Sadly, the legacies of Joh Bjelke Petersen and Campbell Newman will take a lot more time to recover from. I have been unable to find a single document that speaks favourably about the accuracy of the commercial logbook data collection system. This means that no one can say with any real certainty how much is harvested annually. It has been many years since stock assessments were done that weren’t modelled

extrapolations of old data upsized by logbook data. That means that no one can say for sure how many fish are in the sea or how many are being taken out. This is why all of a sudden, late last year, Fisheries QLD undertook an assessment of the scallop fishery and found it was down to about 6% of what it was in 1977 – 6% and no one noticed! How many other fisheries have been fished down to critical levels without any measures in place to notice? Back to scary concerns in Moreton Bay, recreational fishers have been trying to ring alarm bells since the ‘70s with respect to the seriously declining

therefore no triggers to be activated. Are our iconic inshore species in the same condition as the scallop fishery and no one knows yet? All governments in the current and foreseeable future will be cash limited. We have recently seen the Queensland Government have to fund emergency activities with respect to white spot and chemical spills. I implore Minister Byrne and the Queensland Government to consider funding a Moreton Bay net free area under emergency provisions, given that there is a clear and present danger to the stock levels of inshore finfish

There is a clear and present danger to the stock levels of inshore finfish in Moreton Bay, not to mention the significant and internationally recognized danger to whales, turtles and dugongs by gillnets in Moreton Bay. recreational catch rates that they believed were indicators of excessive pressure from commercial netting. In its heyday, the Moreton Bay net fishery was primarily a mullet fishery. When there weren’t enough mullet being caught to maintain catch levels by all the netters in this fishery they transitioned to inshore finfish. We are now seeing some of the netters that have previously been targeting inshore finfish diversify into hardiheads and other baitfish. This is an alarming trend and there is no funding to measure stock levels and

in Moreton Bay, not to mention the significant and internationally recognized danger to whales, turtles and dugongs by gillnets in Moreton Bay. Leaving it to the next electoral cycle may be too late to save our Moreton Bay Fishery.

Local Government Area Dams and Lakes

Email: judylynne@sunfishqld.com.au

High and dry – how the tide tables turn BRISBANE

The Sheik of the Creek

It’s not that I don’t trust Skipper, it’s just that I might not necessarily trust him in certain situations. Like, for instance, being stuck on a small boat in cold weather with him is one of those times I wouldn’t trust him, mostly with my raincoat. The last time I trusted him, at Awoonga in about 1950, he stole my raincoat from the wet bag before I could get it myself. This time around, it was him with the wet bag, due to the rain that fell on us, and the fact that I had put the raincoat on the day before I left my place to go to his place and hadn’t taken it off, even in the shower. And, okay, so I felt wetter than something that was really, really wet while I was cast netting in 30°C weather, but it was all worth it at 3am. Given that my boat had broken down and we were stuck on the river, and I had a raincoat on, and Skipper didn’t. It’s a funny thing, but you feel so much drier if the people around you are wetter. And I know it’s hard to believe that a snafu like this really happened, but it did. Who’d have believed it? Speaking of which, I’d rather not. I’d rather assign it to those deep dark halls of recollections that lurk in the lost and cobwebbed corners of my memory. But speak of it I must, or write about it at least. In some small way it’s

good to air out my fishing failings. Goodness knows I’d have nothing to write about unless I write about failings. It’s not as if a plethora of successful trips springs to mind every month. Fortunately for me, it’s often a case of deciding which snafu I write about. This one was a clear winner. Your boat breaking down and an overnight stay combined with several hours of paddling, rain and catfish is a hard one to beat, even in our range of duddliness. Mind you, a boat breaking down is not uncommon. Plenty of people get stuck in that situation. It’s not unique. What’s unique is how we, as Dudds, tend to so elegantly and frequently get into these pickles, and how we keep doing it, getting worse and worse as time goes by. I’m not sure why the common denominator in these dramas is me. Go figure. Anyway, in this case the batteries both gave out after dark. Luckily for me and Skipper, we were right at the end of the run-in tide, so we got a good three or four minutes of slack water before the tide changed. That three or four minutes allowed us to get a good 20m closer to the ramp before the water rushed back downstream. By throwing out the anchor we managed to end up 2m closer to the ramp than when we started. Bonus. We sat back and planned our course of action. It was only 1km or so to the ramp. Easy. When the tide changed, and provided the wind stayed

low, we could make it back with the tide with a strong 30 minute paddle. What could go wrong? The tricky part was the six or seven hours waiting until the tide changed back. Luckily for me and Skipper, that waiting was made easy because my boat has plenty of room to lie down to sleep, provided you’re the size of something that’s not very sizeable. At least the weather was holding… until the rain appeared. Like I said, it was around 3am and it wasn’t that cold –

for me, anyway. Not only did I have the only good raincoat in the boat, but I had plenty of exercise wrapping a cord cut from the rope of my cast net around the flywheel of my 90hp four-stroke. I knew that if I could just crank the engine over it would kick off, and get us going. Which I couldn’t, and it didn’t. Even Boobies would have had trouble with that pull, but it did take my mind off waiting and Skipper whining about the rain, and the cold, and not being a hobbit. Eventually after a couple

of months, the tide changed and gave us the chance to paddle back to the ramp before dawn, and spare us the embarrassment of being stuck on the river. Which is when the wind began to blow. After four hours of paddling we came to the understanding that we weren’t going to make the ramp. We actually moved about 100m as the crow flies in that four hours. And when I say ‘as the crow flies,’ a crow flying in that wind would have covered 100m quicker than Clive Palmer with a sausage

roll voucher. Admittedly, there was considerable wind resistance with Skipper and I standing up and paddling, but we couldn’t seem to make any headway. I haven’t mentioned this to Skipper yet, but as the dawn broke, I realised we were on a mud bank in about 2ft of water, which would probably account for our lack of progress. I turned off the sounder before he could see. I might wait until after his double shoulder reconstruction before I tell him. Ah, such is life being a Dudd.

TOURNAMENT CALENDAR 2017 JUNE

JULY

16-18 Jun

Round 5 Hobie Polarized Southern Bream Series St Georges Basin

Lynette Kime 0490 762 188

3-4 Jun

Cania BASS Pro Qualifier #2 Cania Dam

www.abt.org.au

7-8 Jun

Boondooma BASS Pro Qualifier #3 Boondooma Dam

www.abt.org.au

10-11 Jun

Round 8 Hobie Kayak Bream Series 9 Port Macquarie

www.hobiefishing.com.au

17-18 Jun

BASS Electric #4 Borumba Dam

www.abt.org.au

5-6 Jul

Lake St Clair BASS Pro Qualifier #4 Lake St Clair

www.abt.org.au

8-9 Jul

Glenbawn BASS Pro Qualifier #5 Glenbawn Dam

www.abt.org.au

7-14 Jul

Evans Head Fishing Classic Evans Head

www.fishingcomps.com.au

15-16 Jul

Richmond River BREAM Qualifier #6 Richmond River

www.abt.org.au

22-23 Jul

Round 9 Hobie Kayak Bream Series 9 Gold Coast

www.hobiefishing.com.au

Add your tournament or competition to this list by emailing jthomas@fishingmonthly.com.au or calling 07 3387 0800 in office hours. Just supply a date, venue, tournament name and a telephone number and contact name. JUNE 2017

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Revamped 2017 Evans Head Fishing Classic The Evans Head Fishing Classic has been transformed, with Australian Fishing Tournaments (AFT) bringing the traditional event into the 21st century.

Australian Fishing Tournaments has taken over management of the Evans Head Fishing Classic, adding extra competitions, champion categories and a new weigh-in process called catch ‘n snap. Weigh-ins are now based on fish-friendly photographs. Anglers will photograph their competitive catch on brag mats, and they then have the option to keep the fish or release it back into waters as

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desired, keeping those larger breeding fish in population – all while anglers compete for the big fish prize. The new process might sound daunting but it’s all pretty simple, and Australian

Fishing Tournaments has all angler anxieties covered. Full briefings and an education process will be offered, so nobody will be caught out wondering what to do. The all-new 2017 Evans Head Fishing Classic will run from 7 July to 14 July. Australian Fishing Tournaments has introduced a slew of random prizes and a whole new schedule, and its new competition

guidelines will improve this beloved annual week of serious fishing and serious socializing. These days, there is a lot of movement towards more sustainable practices and being fish friendly, all while allowing anglers to take home a feed, and this is reflected in the Evans Head Fishing Classic. Australian Fishing Tournaments has also broadened competition fishing zones; you can launch this year from Byron to Yamba and fish both estuary and offshore. This lends flexibility for unfavourable weather conditions, and opens up more fishing opportunities for competitors. It also takes the pressure off the local stock of fish. This year, adults will

compete in a variety of fish categories, including snapper, pearl perch, mulloway, tailor, king/cobia, amberjack/ samsonfish, whiting, bream, blackfish and flathead. For cadets, there are the usual estuary suspects of flathead, whiting and bream. Australian Fishing Tournaments has also

introduced new overall champion categories. Winners will be announced for the Overall Champion Male, Overall Champion Women and Overall Fishing Team. While adult competitors will dominate the weekdays, the weekend invites the little ones in for the new Cadet Competition on Saturday

and Sunday. This two-day junior competition has prize pools which are open to all buddling anglers under the age of 16. Champions, competitors and all attendees will be in the running for a total prize pool of over $80,000. All seven-day competitors have the chance to win a boat motor trailer package sponsored by Evinrude ETEC, Lowrance sounders, Hobie Kayak and a host of other respected brands. The Evans Head Classic will be held on the river banks outside the Woodburn Evans Head RSL Club. If you would like more information, or want to book a place in the competition line-up, visit www.fishingcomps.com. au/ehfc or phone 0459 401 612. - AFT

2017 Maverick World Sooty Championship results With a forecast of cold weather and 15-20 knot southeasterly winds, the 73 competitors in the Maverick World Sooty Championship event held by MAFSA at Eungella Dam on 29-30 April were pleasantly surprised when the reality turned out to be winds of less than 5 knots

his first-ever sooty in his first-ever tournament, but the hooks came out just as the fish was being led to the landing net. That’s fishing! After lunch the afternoon session started off slowly. As expected, the bite got hotter later on with several anglers returning early with their two fish then heading back

The winners – Maverick World Sooty Champion Angler Daniel Grech, Largest Fish winner Geoff Newby and Champion Junior Bryce Purdy. on day one and less than 10 on day two. This weather made for very comfortable boating and fishing conditions. After the briefing, competitors lined up for the start at 8:30am and boats were soon powering up the dam towards the timbered areas. The Saturday morning session proved to be hard work for the anglers and while many fish were hooked, the bite was not whole-hearted. Many fish were dropped or failed to hook up properly. Session one finished at midday and 31 fish had been presented for measuring and scoring. Points were allocated on a point per 1mm of overall length basis. Michael Slade topped the tally with four fish, two at 440mm, a 425mm and a 330mm fish rounding out his bag. Other notable catches included Nicholas Moore’s two fish for 803 points and the two biggest sooties from session one – a beaut 489mm fish for Geoff Newby and a solid 470mm fish for Ash Sims. During this session, 29 fish were caught by seniors and two by junior anglers. The average size for the senior anglers was 397.4mm and juniors managed a very healthy 409mm average. A hard luck story came from Geoff Newby’s boat when his nine-year-old grandson Finn Gee hooked

out to upgrade. By close of fishing for session two at 5:30pm, the control tent was kept busy measuring and recording fish, with the scoreboard showing plenty of anglers staying in touch with the leaders. Session two saw a total of 57 fish presented with several anglers relating that they had caught fish under 300mm, which is a pleasing

sign for the future. At the tally up, the total length of fish for seniors had gone from 11527mm to 31774mm, but the average size dropped slightly to 382.8mm. Three juniors had point scoring fish in this session to take the total length to 1875mm with their average dropping to 375mm overall. After the hard luck story from session one, Finn Gee broke through and presented his first-ever sooty grunter, a 304mm fish. Saturday night saw some great fellowship around the campfire with MAFSA providing a threecourse meal and many tales of fish hooked and lost entertaining all. After a hearty breakfast the boats shot off at 7am and within 30 minutes, wellknown angler Daniel Grech was back at the control point with two nice fish. Both fish came from fairly shallow water on a silver and purple Berkley Grub, fished on 10lb line with 8lb leader. The technique was to locate fish with the sounder and then work the plastic super slowly. Nick Moore came in with a really solid 472mm

Mackay Regional Councillor Justin Englert presents Bryce Purdy with his trophy and prizes. fish that would have easily weighed 3-3.5kg, as it was very wide across the shoulders and quite a deep fish. Nick reported that the fish put up a great fight all the way to the landing net. Other notable captures from session three included Chris Williams’ 453mm sooty, Craig Birkett’s 449mm fish, and Paul Butler’s 402mm fish. Many anglers upgraded including Daniel

RESULTS SENIORS Place Angler Points 1st Daniel Grech........................2529 2nd Michael Slade......................2527 3rd Ash Sims.............................2519 4th Nick Moore..........................2492 5th Craig Birkett........................2484 JUNIORS Place Angler Points 1st Bryce Purdy.........................443 2nd Brendan Vella.......................382 3rd Cooper Slade......................377 4th Cody Wagstaff . ..................376 5th Jake Christian......................370

Junior Angler Cooper Slade with his 377mm sooty that netted him third place in the junior section.

MAFSA’s stocking program and hatchery, which released over 80,000 sooty fingerlings into Eungella Dam the week before the event. Daniel Grech has now registered his third World Sooty Champion title and used the AMC Custom Handcrafted Rod which he won in the 2008 event as part of his armoury for this year’s event. Daniel used Berkley Gulps in the shallows and a Daiwa hardbody vibe for fish in the deeper water between 10-25m. In the heavy timber areas, Daniel ran 20lb line with a 15lb leader and in the shallows he dropped down to 8lb mainline. Geoff Newby caught the largest sooty, a 489mm fish, using a black and gold Piranha fished in about 6m of water along a slight drop-off. Geoff found this little spot in some standing

timber and lost several other fish in the same area. For the seniors the total length of sooties measured was 48836mm with an average just under 370mm. The juniors averaged 375.3mm over a total length of 2252mm. This is good fishing by anyone’s standards, particularly with the heavy timber that Eungella Dam is renowned for. Daniel’s six winning fish had an average length of 421.5mm Tim Galletly thanked all the sponsors, competitors and volunteers and wished everyone a safe return journey. Every competitor has indicated a wish to return for next year’s event. The full results for the Maverick Equipment Hire World Sooty Championship for 2017 can be seen on MAFSA’s Facebook page.

Grech, Ash Sims and Dan Curry. Most fish were caught early on with plastics and later with lipless crankbaits like Jackalls and Piranhas. Traditionally, the scores from the last session are not shown until the presentation and everyone knew there were four or five anglers in with a shot at taking out the world champion title, so there was a fair bit of anticipation prior to the announcements. As it turned out, there were only 45 points between the scores for fifth and first place with the juniors scoring separately. Only two points separated first and second place. Tournament director Tim Galletly orchestrated the proceedings with Mackay Regional Councillor Justin Englert presenting prizes and awards to the successful anglers. Justin was also very positive about the event and its ability to attract anglers to the region and the importance of supporting JUNE 2017

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Morgan wins Franklins Open Australia’s BREAM tournament calendar has been missing one very prestigious event in years past. This year saw that event return in spectacular fashion both on the water and online, streamed to tens of thousands of keen observers. The Franklins BREAM Australian Open paid tribute to its fallen mate and fellow angler Greg Lee, with Steve Morgan from Queensland taking home the Greg Lee Memorial Trophy after the three competition days. The BREAM Australian Open is easily the toughest test of BREAM tournament fishing ABT can serve up. Three days across two venues and fishing with no co-angler in the boat means it’s all down to the angler, the fish, the venue and the decisions.

THE FUTURE IS HERE Self-contained Electric Outboards

This year’s event saw a multi-venue format implemented, testing anglers across the perplexing waterways of both Sydney Harbour and the Hawkesbury River. Anglers fished the first and third days on the harbour, mixing it up with a day on the Hawkesbury in between. The prizes on offer were fitting for a tournament of such stature with $5000 rewarded for first place, $3000 for second and paying down to fifth spot. In the end it was in-form BREAMer Steve Morgan who stormed home on the final day, weighing the biggest bag of the day to jump from seventh to first to hoist the Greg Lee Memorial Trophy. “I started fishing the open back in 2004 and I realised pretty quickly that to be successful over three days you needed

The highly coveted Greg Lee Memorial Trophy. to fish new ground,” he said. “If you hit the same spots each day, you definitely wore the fish out.” With favourable weather

STORM

Morgan prepares to head off on day two of the Franklins Australia BREAM Australian Open.

Kris Hickson with a brace of bream from the Hawkesbury that helped him secure second place.

RESULTS

Visit www.abt.org.au for entry forms. For general enquiries phone ABT on (07) 3387 0888. 110

JUNE 2017

Place

Angler

TW (kg)

Payout

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Steve Morgan Kristoffer Hickson Mark Healey Ross Cannizzaro Tim Vickers Mark Crompton Richard Potter Brad Biddleston Daniel Scott Denis Metzdorf

15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 14

10.96 10.95 10.94 10.62 10.01 9.92 9.82 9.76 8.94 8.81

$5,000 $3,000 $2,000 $1,500 $1,500

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

during the first day of the event, Morgan concentrated on fishing the tightest structure he could find. Beginning his day throwing a crankbait at the Iron Cove Bridge, Morgan paid no attention to the myth that catching a fish on the first cast is bad luck, bagging a solid fish straight away. From there it was structure fishing 101 from The Open champ, as Morgan rotated through moored boats, pylons, jetties and any other tight structure to put together a 3.6kg limit. Morgan targeted the structure with a two-prong approach of a Heavy Cranka Crab in olive colour, and an Ecogearaqua Bream Prawn 50mm in salt and pepper colour. “The crab is good for when the fish are sitting deeper on the structure, like underneath a large boat hull or on the base of pylons. The Aqua really excels when the fish are suspended or sitting up high and you don’t want the lure to sink past them too quickly. It’s also the ideal lure to skip into places you might not be able to get to with a crab.” The second day on the Hawkesbury River began at a much slower pace, and it wasn’t until the last few hours of the session that Morgan began to put a bag together. After having spent the morning fishing outside of Pittwater, Morgan returned to catch the rising tide and went to work winding back the clock to a time when Stick Minnows dominated tournaments all over Australia. “It was old-school Stick Minnow fishing, back to 2lb straight through fluorocarbon line, my old G Loomis SR842-2 ultra light rods and a Tiemco Stick Minnow or Austackle Shinku fitted with #16 barbless trebles.” Morgan is probably the best proponent of this technique on the BREAM tournament scene and it all revolves around line management. “The Stick Minnow’s

Close friends and a close finish, only 10g separated Morgan and Hickson. action is all to do with the sink. That subtle shimmy is what the bream love, but you’ve got to be careful of any pressure being applied to the nose of the lure through your line. If you pull the lure away from the structure it’s not going to shimmy properly, and you’re less likely to have a fish follow it,” Morgan commented.

Atomic Crank

“You need to mend your line much like a stream fisher mends his fly line as it floats down the river. I do this by moving my rod to straighten the line at just the right moment so as to avoid moving the lure away from the structure at the same time.” Once the lure reached its target, Morgan would let

Tiemco Stick Minnow

Wind

the lure sink until it hit the bottom before commencing a series of 3-4 sharp rips off the bottom to make the lure dart up in the water column so it could begin its seductive shimmy all over again. “Every bite will come on the drop. Sometimes you feel it and other times you’d go to rip it up again and there would be weight on the line,”

explained Morgan. Salvaging the day with an over 3kg bag had Morgan within striking distance moving back to Sydney Harbour for the final day. “The third day is when you win or lose the Open; you can lose it on the first two days but today’s the day you can win the whole thing.” That was the quote at the beginning of Morgan’s day three livestream video and it rang true as viewers were taken through a crash course of topwater bream fishing in Middle Harbour. With a forecast of increasing gusty winds rolling through Morgan knew it would be prime conditions for a consistent topwater bite. Making the run to Middle Harbour Morgan concentrated on natural banks lined with rocks and boulders. The fish were up high and active as he tempted them with a combination of OSP Bent Minnow 76 and OSP Bent Minnow 86 topwater lures. “The final day was nothing like the first two.

Ecogearaqua Bream Prawn Cranka Crab

The spoils of victory went to Steve Morgan in the Franklins Australian sponsored event. The fish really responded to the topwater on the final day, and there’s no better way to catch a big bag and run down the leaders than on surface in Middle Harbour.” Morgan’s topwater approach was one suitable for the masses, turning to the cheapest outfit on board his boat a Daiwa Spellbinder rod matched with a Daiwa Sweepfire reel spooled with 15lb braid and 10lb leader. In the end it turned out

to be the closest weigh-in in ABT history, with Morgan claiming honours by the smallest measureable margin of 10g over Kris Hickson, who beat out Mark Healey also by 10g. To have the top three anglers only separated by 20g over 15 bream and three days of intense tournament fishing just goes to show the quality of the anglers the ABT tournament system is producing year-in, year-out.

OSP Bent Minnow White

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Weedy bottom

DE FOR EX

Hickson relegated to runner-up What weighs 10g and costs $2000? That’s the margin between Kris Hickson’s three-day total at the Franklin’s BREAM Australian Open and event champion Steve Morgan’s. When Hickson presented 3.38kg to the scales on the final day it was the opening Morgan needed to swoop home to victory. For Hickson, it was not his first close call on Sydney Harbour or the Hawkesbury River and in the end it came down to a few key lost fish

that would have turned the tables on the last day. “Lost fish will always hurt, but they hurt a whole lot more when you end up losing by such a small margin. I left a few fish out there today that would have helped my cause no doubt, but that’s fishing and it’s hard to win big tournaments with this calibre of field when you’re plagued by lost fish.” Hickson’s tournament pattern revolved around a number of different outfits, baits and tactics. But his go-to technique was fishing a

Cranka Crab on tight structure during the first and third days, and fishing flats in the Hawkesbury River on day two. He presented the lure on a combination of Daiwa outfits. It was mainly a Luvias and Black Label V2 combo spooled with Evo 8 braid and 4 and 6lb fluorocarbon leaders. Watch out for Kris Hickson’s full Franklins Australian Open coverage on an upcoming episode of The Next Level broadcast on Channel 7 later this year. Steve Morgan’s live videos were viewed

by over 50,000 people come tournament’s end, broadcasting tournament fishing to more people in Australia than ever before. To watch each day’s highlight videos, you can head to the Fishing Monthly YouTube channel. Attention now turns to the upcoming BASS Australian Open, which will be held for the first time in Queensland later this year. For all the information on upcoming ABT tournaments you can head to www.abt. org.au. – ABT

Morgan weighed in 4kg on the final day to secure the win.

WINNING TACKLE Bent Minnow Outfit Daiwa Spellbinder rod matched with a Daiwa Sweepfire reel spooled with 15lb braid and 10lb leader. Stick Minnow Outfit GLoomis SR842-2 and 2lb straight-through fluorocarbon. Lures Atomic Crank 38 Deep in GGB colour, Cranka Heavy Cranka Crab in olive colour, Ecogearaqua Bream Prawn 50mm in salt and pepper, Tiemco Stick Minnow or Austackle Shinku fitted with #16 barbless trebles, OSP Bent Minnow 76 and OSP Bent Minnow 86. JUNE 2017

111

Cannizzaro conquers the river THE FUTURE IS HERE Self-contained Electric Outboards

STORM

Ross Cannizzaro has claimed victory at the ABT BASS Pro Series round presented by BassCat Boats on the banks of the upper Hawkesbury River. This event marked the first time an ABT BASS Pro event has been run on the Hawkesbury River and a keen group of almost 50 anglers registered to have their shot at taming the tides of the mighty Hawkesbury. For most of the regular anglers on the BassCat BASS Pro Series, tidal fisheries are totally new. Usually confined to the stocked impoundments of the Hunter Valley and South Burnett, wild bass fishing in rivers is a new challenge and brings with it a wealth of new opposition. Anglers familiar with the Costa BREAM Series have been fishing rivers and systems like the Hawkesbury River since ABT’s inception in 1999. To them, tides and the perplexities of river fishing are never far from their minds, and it was indeed an angler with a background in bream that came out on top after the final bag was weighed. The other important thing to note with this tournament was the inclusion of estuary perch to the allowable species. estuary perch and Australian bass co-inhabit the Hawkesbury River, and would both play a part in making this a truly unique event. Cannizzaro has left his mark on the ABT BREAM

Series, winning multiple events and stamping his name as one of the sport’s best. His entry into the Hawkesbury River BASS Pro was his first dive into the deep end that is bass tournaments, and his victory was a testament to his angling talent and the transference of skills learnt over years of tournament bream fishing. His 10/12 6.41kg limit was more than enough to secure victory, claiming the win by over a kilo from his nearest rival Jason Harlock. Cannizzaro targeted predominantly estuary perch within 2km of the start at Wisemans Ferry and looked to find fish sitting wide off the bank in 15-20ft of water tucked in behind boulders or drop-offs that sheltered them from the strong currents. For all sessions Cannizzaro started at his primary location, a rock wall upstream of Wisemans Ferry where he had found a congregation of estuary perch sitting just behind a drop where the wall plummeted from 10ft down to 20ft. The estuary perch were using this straight drop as a current break, where they could conserve energy out of the strong current, and also wait for any baitfish to be washed over their heads past the drop-off. Cannizzaro used his extensive repertoire of bream techniques and modified the specific lure to target the fish to put them in the boat. A 1/8oz Nitro Dam deep jighead

Ross Cannizzaro dominated on the Hawkesbury, targeting estuary perch rather than bass to claim the win. fitted with a new Berkley Tournament Series T-Tail minnow in pumpkinseed fleck was the lure of choice. Cannizzaro commented it perfectly replicated the small prawns and baitfish that were prevalent in the area. He’d cast the offering up into the shallower water of the tapering rock wall, paying

His outfit of choice was an Abu Garcia Salty Stage light spinning rod, paired with the newly released Abu Garcia Revo ALX spinning reel. “Abu Garcia have been supporting me for a long time and this outfit is the best I’ve ever used. Light in the hand with power to burn – it’s my go-to outfit for

WINNING WAYS “It was a matter of metres in converting one of the fish to react. If I didn’t quite hit the mark, I wouldn’t get bit.” close attention to hit the ‘sweet spot’ of the drop-off where he was getting all of his fish. “It was a matter of metres in converting one of the fish to react. If I didn’t quite hit the mark, I wouldn’t get bit. I had one boulder that if I could feel it and hop my bait off the back edge, I knew it was in the zone and a bite was likely.”

Ross with the spoils of his BASS Pro victory.

TOP 10 BOATERS Place Angler

Visit www.abt.org.au for entry forms. For general enquiries phone ABT on (07) 3387 0888. 112

JUNE 2017

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Fish

Weight (kg)

Payout

Ross Cannizzaro 10/12 6.41 $2,000 Jason Harlock 8/12 5.39 $1,300 Daniel Bonaccorso 8/12 4.75 $850 Greg Beattie 6/12 3.81 $500 Kristoffer Hickson 5/12 3.75 Duffrods Big Bag (3.19kg) Brian Everingham 5/12 3.73 Tom Slater 5/12 3.69 Warren Carter 4/12 3.49 Peter Phelps 4/12 3.08 Steve Morgan 4/12 2.83 For full result listings, see www.abt.org.au

both bream and bass fishing and I couldn’t imagine using anything else.” Cannizzaro spooled the ALX with Berkley Fireline Exceed 4.4lb and topped it with a 4lb fluorocarbon leader, much lighter than what most of the field was using. It was Cannizzaro’s strong morning sessions on both Saturday and Sunday that ultimately proved the turning point in winning him the title. A tougher afternoon session on Saturday produced only two fish, but it was still enough to stem the charges from down the field and claim his first ABT BASS Pro Victory. Now Cannizzaro’s attention turns to his new Bass Cat Sabre FTD and Evinrude G2 boat and motor package that just landed in the country and to the remainder of the Costa BREAM Series for 2017.

BASSCA BASS PR T PRESEN O TED BY

Harlock Holds On For Second Another BREAM Series regular Jason Harlock finished runner-up after leading for the first two sessions. It was again a case of the BREAM techniques being adapted to a new species as Harlock proved the foray into rivers for the Bass Cat BASS Pro Series is opening plenty of doors for growth. “It was my first-ever BASS tournament,” said Harlock. “I just approached it exactly how I’d approach a bream tournament. I imagined I was fishing for bream and it was just a matter of taking the lure and making a small adjustment to really

trigger those bites from the estuary perch and bass.” Harlock’s pre-fish began slow and he struggled to find consistent bites. The turbid water conditions sparked an idea to add some vibration and flash to the small soft plastic he had been throwing all morning. It was then that Harlock added a beetle-spin arm to his soft plastic and enjoyed almost immediate success with estuary perch and bass hammering his offering. “After I had confidence in the beetle-spin and soft plastic combo it was just a matter of finding a few key areas and to do that I looked

WINNING TACKLE Rod: 6’10 Abu Garcia Salty Stage light spinning rod Reel: Abu Garcia Revo ALX Line: 4.4lb Berkley Fireline Tournament Exceed Leader: 4lb flurocarbon Lure: Berkley Tournament Series T-Tail minnow (pumpkinseed fleck) rigged on a 1/8oz Berkley Nitro Dam Deep jighead

for eddies and areas those fish could relax out of the strong currents.” Harlock keyed in on a rockwall upstream of Wisemans Ferry that was located on a bend in the river. The sharp bend of the river swirled the current, and the backside of the rockwall had far less current pushing over it and featured plenty of sunken boulders for fish to hide behind in ambush. “I would cast my lure close the edge of the rock wall. I was getting the odd fish up shallow, but most of my bites would come in water deeper than 10ft. I’d slowly work my bait down the face of the wall, trying to keep the bait banging the boulders that protrude out into the current. I’d find almost all of my bites would come just after my bait had struck a rock, so those fish were definitely using those rocks as a hideaway from the current and to ambush the prey.”

Shake

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

Fish

Weight (kg)

Jason Harlock showed his angling prowess, finishing second in his first-ever BASS Pro event.

BIG BASS James Reid claimed the Big Bass Prize at the Hawkesbury BASS Pro, with the bass junky picking up the $500 fish on day one fishing with Warren Carter.

Pryce Has Perfect Start

Berkley T-Tail on Dam Deep Jig Head

Place Angler

Harlock relied on a Millerods Control Freak spin rod fitted with a Daiwa Caldia reel spooled with 6lb J-Braid and finished with a combination of 4 and 6lb leaders. The specifics of his lure shared similarities with tournament champion Ross Cannizzaro, as the pair both relied on a Berkley Tournament T-Tail minnow as their go-to bait of choice. Harlock heaped praise on the river’s fishery and shared weight format of the ABT BASS Pro events. His day one non-boater Dane Pryce took top honours for the event, winning the non-boater section in a tightly fought race. Harlock thanked his sponsors Costa Sunglasses and Hobie Fishing Australia for the support over the last few seasons. Harlock now qualifies for the season ending BASS Pro Grand Final, which is also slated for a tidal river fisher,y the Richmond River at Coraki in NSW in September.

Payout

Dane Pryce 7/12 4.57 Bassman Prize Pack Peter Morgan 6/12 4.49 Prize Pack James Reid 5/12 4.37 Prize Pack + Big Bass (1.16kg) Keeghan Painter 6/12 4.22 Prize Pack Lochie Rutherford 7/12 4.01 Prize Pack Eathan Martin 6/12 3.81 Prize Pack Rebecca Fazio 5/12 3.77 Prize Pack Tony Khouri 5/12 3.41 Prize Pack Orton Marchant 5/12 3.28 Prize Pack James Hickson 4/12 3.08 Prize Pack For full result listings, see www.abt.org.au

Dane Pryce couldn’t have wished for a better first taste of tournament fishing, taking top honours at the Bass Cat BASS Pro event on the Hawkesbury River in his first-ever tournament. Fishing day one with Jason Harlock and day two with Wayne Robinson, Pryce was treated to the dream start, leading after sessions one and two thanks to his and his partner Jason Harlock’s fantastic day one bags. The non-boater section was tightly contested, with first to fifth separated by just over 500g, a stark contrast to the boater division. In the end Pryce’s 1/4 0.53kg fish bag on Sunday’s final session was just enough to hold off a fast-finishing Peter Morgan. Fishing Saturday with Jason Harlock, Pryce also relied on a beetlespin rigged soft plastic presentation to tame both the local estuary perch and Australian bass. A 1/8oz jighead was the preferred weight to sink the bait down in the strong current to the desired depth of 20ft where they’d located the majority of the fish. A simple slow roll retrieve was all that was needed, just fast enough to ensure the blade was spinning and creating turbulence and flash in the dirty post-flood conditions. Sunday’s morning session was a lot tougher on the newcomer, weighing only a single fish for the

Dane Pryce tapped into his river bassing experience to claim the Champion Non-boater title at the BassCat presented event. session, but it was enough to claim the victory and qualify Pryce for the season ending BassCat BASS Pro Grand Final on the Richmond River later this year. Pryce was full of praise for his two boating partners over the weekend saying the shared weight format promoted teamwork and the sharing of knowledge perfectly fit ABT’s motto, ‘Who shares, wins.’ Pryce walked away with a prize pack jam-packed with ABT sponsor products and a beautiful trophy courtesy of Joseph Urquhart at Casino Outdoors and Disposal.

The Bass Cat BASS Pro Series now turns it attention north to the picturesque impoundments of Cania Dam and Boondooma Dam for the Queensland doubleheader bass road trip in June. If you’re looking to get a taste of tournament bass fishing then there’s arguably no two dams better to give you a taste than these two. Trophysized bass and plenty of rod-bending action are sure to await anglers when they hit the water in a few weeks. To keep up with the tour, head to www. abt.org.au.

DUFFRODS BIG BAG Kris Hickson secured the Duffrods Big Bag at the opening round of the 2017 BASS Pro Series, with the current BASS Pro Angler of the Year bouncing back in session two after a quiet session one, weighing in the heaviest limit for the tournament (3.19kg) to head home from the event with a new Duffrod to his name. – ABT JUNE 2017

113

Trades, Services, Charter BOAT MODIFICATIONS & REPAIRS

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NORTH QUEENSLAND Reef Marine Mackay (07) 4957 3521

This section in QLD Fishing Monthly consolidates the trades and services in your area that are relevant to your fishing and boating. Whether you’re a local looking for more options or a travelling angler fishing around the state, this guide will direct you to reputable businesses in the area you’re searching. 114

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Boats & Guided Fishing Tours Directory MARINE MECHANICS // MOBILE WYNUMM MANLY-BAYSIDE

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115

Trades, Services, Charter Boats & Guided Fishing Tours Directory MARINE TRIMMERS SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND Rowland Street Boat Trimmers Springwood (07) 3208 9511 Brisbane Yamaha (07) 3888 1727 Rays Canvas & Marine Caboolture (07) 5499 4911 Affordable Boat Covers Gold Coast 0419 424 587

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boats & kayaks

In the skipper’s seat 118 Tuna from the yak

Ryan Lee shares his experiences chasing tuna from his Viking kayak.

Inside story...

Something of an Aussie icon, Clark Aluminium Boats has earned this enviable status by serving generations of commercial and recreational boaters. In the boating world, Clark Aluminium Boats is a name synonymous with strength, durability and safety. Combine these features with class leading levels of performance, a quality finish and modern fit-outs and it’s easy to see why for nearly four decades, Clark have been the first choice of many boaters.

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This month...

V&TFM’s Peter Jung has a run with the Clark 435 Kakadu Pro.

122 Winter yakking fun

Winter is a great time to look for a seafood basket, and Justin Willmer has everything you need to get into this caper in the kayak.

124 Lowrance HDS Carbon technology

Nabeel Issa tests out this latest innovation from fish-finding technology giant Lowrance.

126 A look into glass

Wayne Kampe looks into some reasons why you may want to invest in a fibreglass boat.

128 Cruise Craft EX 685 HT

Steve Morgan jumps in the skipper’s seat of this brilliant offshore-ready rig.

JUNE 2017

117

Adrenaline-fuelled kayaking – tackling tuna BRISBANE

Ryan Lee instagram @lightbrekkie

If you’ve been watching this space, you’ll know that after a little bit of research, I bit the bullet and decided to get myself a fishing kayak. In the time since, I’ve put my Viking Profish 400 through its paces, from the calm and picturesque waters of Lake Borumba and Hinze Dam, to waters off the Sunshine Coast on a few good days and a couple of questionable days. The satisfaction of the overall experience has been immense though – between landing decent fish from a small craft, doing something a little bit outside of the norm, getting

GO7 XSE with Navionics, dropped the transducer off the side, and put in a few star ports for accessories like GoPros, a visibility flag and so on. I also ensured I had my essential safety items – a decent life jacket, an inshore flare kit, an Icom IC-M25EURO waterproof handheld VHF radio, and more recently, a KTI SA2G personal locator beacon (PLB). I’d taken the kayak out once off Caloundra to see how I’d go launching into surf, and it was manageable. The conditions weren’t the best, so I barely managed five casts before I decided to paddle back in, the lesson being that you need to know how to interpret forecasts like swell height, swell duration, swell direction, wind speed, wind direction and tides.

Tuna silhouettes at sunrise. a Majorcraft Crostage with a Daiwa Saltiga Surf 30 overhead spooled with 45lb Daiwa SW8 braid. The plan was to have the overhead troll a skirted slimy mackerel, while the 20lb kit

was a small shore dump, and for me, this was the most nerve-wracking part of the day. A couple of waves over the bow later, I was thigh deep, made a satisfactory transition onto the kayak,

one of the other boys. What I did see on my way out though, was the silhouette of a tuna flying out of a boil against an orange sunrise. I heard a holler and before I knew it, it was a mad sprint

Kitted up! The author’s 4.1m Viking Profish 400, Simrad GO7 XSE with Berleypro visor, and plenty of sun protection. a bit of exercise, and feeling the visceral reward of being in and amongst the elements. To recap, just after

My window finally arrived. At 5-10 knots SE and a 1.5m E swell, Sunday looked like it was going to

On some days conditions are less than ideal. This day was a bit hectic and didn’t result in much fishing! getting my kayak, it spent a few weeks at home dry while I configured it. I managed to install the sounder, a brilliantly bright Simrad

be manageable on the kayak. If I didn’t have the kayak, a similar forecast would usually mean my little old 1979 4m Quintrex runabout

would be staying home very dry. Something has to be said about how much of a relief it is to be able to glide up and over a passing wave without so much as a second thought. I stayed up late tying, cutting and crimping some experimental rigs. The general trend to entice the arriving tuna and mackerel seemed to be trolling skirted gar and pilchards, so I went through a mountain of tackle I had accumulated over the years to see what I could come up with. I decided to head out with two rods, shelving my more frequently used 6lb gear in favour of a Berkley Tournament Pro Dropshot IM7 6-10kg Spin/Jig Barra rod mated to a Stradic Ci4+ 4000 with 20lb Daiwa J-Braid. My second rig was

This is the best case scenario weather wise, and made for an easy return to Moffat Beach later in the morning with minimal shore break. would be at the ready to cast slugs or lures into any boils, or dance and flick micro-jigs on the edges of any reefs I came across. An hour from home, I arrived at Moffat Beach at around 5.15am, which is quite a late start considering the boys were all on the beach with their craft ready to head out. I was given 10 minutes to join the group launch and a mad scramble later, I was ready to go. There

and paddled into the sunrise. My sounder stayed on and it looked like all my gear was still on board, so that was a victory in itself, really. It was a lovely morning on the water. There was some swell, but the gaps between the waves were wide and relatively calm. Gut feeling? It was going to be a good day! At which point I might mention I was glad I did not see the 3m shark which passed under

to get to it. One of the other kayaks got there before I did, but unfortunately did not get a hook-up despite the action being directly under him. I didnot get close enough in time, and my trolled slimy didn’t get any love either. We recovered from that detour and headed back toward reef edges. I consulted my chartplotter and spotted a line I thought a troll might be productive through, however I suspect I

When the tuna wants to go, the tuna wants to go! When this one finally came up to the surface it was still doing circles. 118

JUNE 2017

The tail grab and the author’s first tuna welcomed aboard. even more. Being in the middle of a tuna bust-up under purple morning clouds, with birds diving all around you and tuna silhouettes straight ahead flying through an orange sun is something

flipped it with all his gear in it. Apparently that incident broke a rod and sounder, drowned his electric motor and he lost a battery. I felt sorry for him, as that would have been a terrible way to

TENT -

RE ONLINE MO

CON

DE FOR EX

the most beautiful fish I have ever caught onto my lap. After that, everything was a bit of a blur. I somehow managed to get the fish on ice, untangle my second line, have a drink, and begin the long paddle back. I got it weighed on the way home at 88cm and 8.6kg. Not the biggest or heaviest fish I’ve caught, but on relatively light gear, and on the kayak, it was by far the most memorable. There’s a video on YouTube, and you should be able to find it if you search for ‘Fishkeen’. I’ll need to

AN THE

nerve-wracking. I had a short gaff, but decided not to use it as it felt like a recipe for disaster – a large silver bullet thrashing wildly on a kayak with a sharp gaff spike in it isn’t good. I could picture the spike ending up in my arm, and decided I had to wear the fish out. As much as I was feeling it, I knew that the fish was feeling it too. I felt some progress as the fish’s 10-20m retaliations shortened to 5-10m, and I was able to tighten the drag incrementally with waning pace. Around half an hour

should you get into a sticky situation. In addition, you’ll want to ensure everything’s leashed down to your kayak like your paddle, your rods and so on. To take things further, a spare paddle stored in the hull would be handy. Some kayakers even fill the insides of their sit-on-top kayaks with pool noodles to increase buoyancy should you spring a leak. If you are still interested in giving it a go, please feel free to get in touch with Phoenix or Richard at That Fishing Shop in Jindalee. They carry a nice selection of kayak options, including the Viking Profish 400, which I ended up with, and the even more capable Viking Profish Reload. I might add that amongst other things,

- SC

needed a bit more weight on my rig to get it further down the water column. At this point I had paddled around 4km out, but it didn’t feel like much of a slog; I was enjoying every minute. Toward the beacon, I saw some bait schooling, and so I sent a skirted 35g Samaki Flash down into it. Approximately 20m deep, with current and drift, it took around 40 seconds for my lure to get to depth. Then I was on! A few big tugs and I was convinced it felt like a snapper’s headshake! Not what I’d usually expect on a Flash, but I would have been happy to put a snapper on board. I loaded the rod and off I went. The drag accelerated to a high-pitched scream and I quickly adjusted it to slow it down – this was no snapper. The next thing I knew, it slackened off. The fish was coming back toward me full speed. I recovered a bit of line, and got stuck into the fight proper, with the nose of my yak swinging between east and west depending on what the fish wanted to do. To further complicate

The most beautiful fish the author has ever landed: a northern bluefin tuna, also referred to as longtail tuna.

Three in the bag, measuring 74cm, 75cm and 82cm. things, my trolled pilly was still out and with the fish doing circles, I couldn’t reel that line in without risking the terminal tackle getting tangled, or giving the fish an opportunity to spit or swallow the lure. I carried on, and half an hour into it, I had colour and confirmed it was indeed a tuna. By this time, the fish had also wrapped my second line around my rudder, and on several occasions I had to move the second line up and over me. I wasn’t looking forward to undoing the mess, but was glad it largely stayed clear of the active line. The second stage of the fight was much more interesting, and much more frustrating. The fish was now close to the surface and whenever he came close, a few tail wags and he’d pull 10-20m of line. He would thrash the surface and show his attitude, and each time it was as thrilling as it was

later, I attempted a few tail grabs. I have to admit I was worried a shark would have been attracted by the commotion and would pick that moment to have a good chomp. On my fifth or sixth attempt, I finally got a good grip of its tail, and heaved

get some better cameras, improve my camera angles and video editing skills, but hopefully it’s the start of something. I’ve done a few more trips since then, and have seen things that made me love taking my kayak out

pretty special. The best day fish-wise, I came back with three gorgeous tuna at 74cm, 75cm and 82cm. That being said though, I have also seen some people have horrendous days. One morning I witnessed a guy who made a bad decision in relation to timing his surf-launch, and his kayak got hit by the shore dump. The chunky wave pushed it sideways, he didn’t correct it in time, and the next wave

start the day. But like with a lot of things, you want to maximise your learning and minimise getting schooled! As for offshore kayak

they brew a mean coffee. To get in touch with me to talk kayaking, fishing or photography, or clarify anything I’ve mentioned,

Back on dry land, ready for a wash down.

The author’s very first longtail was 88cm, weighed 8.6kg and was caught on 20lb line.

fishing, it might not be for everyone, but if you are contemplating getting into it you will have to assess the associated risks and manage them accordingly. I have to stress that you cannot be too prepared when it comes to safety. As previously mentioned, you will need a decent life jacket, a fully charged waterproof handheld VHF, and a personal locator beacon (PLB) to ensure a good chance of getting rescued

feel free to follow me on Instagram by searching for @Lightbrekkie. I’m also on Facebook under the same handle, though I check that slightly less regularly. I hope you enjoyed this write-up, and perhaps we’ll catch up on the water as the cooler temperatures bring in the snapper and other bottom dwellers! • You can follow Ryan’s photography on Instagram @lightbrekkie. JUNE 2017

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WHAT’S NEW BOATING MACRIS MIU-L10 UNDERWATER LED

For boat owners requiring a small light with big performance, AMI have announced the brand new MIU-L10 underwater LED light from Macris Industries. An ultra-bright 1500+ fixture lumen display means the L10 can enhance night time entertaining, or light up the water and wake, attracting fish. It’s ideally suited to vessels from 5-8m. Made in the USA, and with the same ultra-low profile and impact resistant PMMA acrylic composite design that the rest of the Macris range is known for, the L10 is a mere 200mm long, yet is powerful enough to rival larger competitor models. It’s rated IP68 as standard. The light is available in ice blue, royal blue and white. Price: SRP $353 www.amisales.com.au

BENNETT AUTOTRIM PRO

The new Bennett AutoTrim Pro is an all-in-one trim tab control system for boats of all sizes. It packs a stack of essential features into an easy-to-use, space-saving keypad. AutoTrim Pro automatically levels the pitch and roll of your boat, adjusting your trim tabs to changes in vessel speed, sea conditions and shifting weight. Auto Mode allows you to store and access your preferences, and you can shift to manual mode at any time. ‘All Up’ and ‘All Down’ buttons allow for one-touch manual adjustments, and Automatic Tab Retraction protects tabs during storage and trailering. AutoTrim Pro can be added to all existing Bennett electric and hydraulic systems (with minor modifications in some applications), and most others as well. It is both 12V and 24V capable. With plug and play waterproof snapon connectors, assembly is easy; you just connect the helm display and the control unit. Price: SRP $1135 (hydraulic or electric kit) www.harroldmarine.com.au

STAR TRON CARBON 3 ELIMINATOR+ Star Brite Star Tron Carbon Eliminator+ has been formulated for quick, DIY removal of engine deposits. It’s easy to use – you just spray directly into the carburettor or air intake – and it’s suitable for use in all petrol and diesel engines. Star Tron Carbon Eliminator is formulated with the latest technology deposit control compounds, plus a proprietary enzyme package specifically developed to remove even the toughest carbon, gum and varnish deposits. It comes with free sticky rings to improve performance, reduce fuel consumption, restore power and extend engine life. Star Brite recommends that you use Star Tron Carbon Eliminator+ at the beginning of each season and every 100 hours of operation. Price: SRP $27.30 (355mL) www.bla.com.au 120

JUNE 2017

LOWRANCE LINK-6 VHF

PRODUCT GUIDE

Lowrance has announced the new Link6, a Class D DSC Approved VHF marine radio. The Link-6 features a dot white matrix LCD screen with inverted light mode, four backlit mic buttons and an easier front-mount installation with snap on edge bezels. A replacement for the Link-5 VHF Radio, the Link-6 has a new Startup Wizard for easier radio set-up, improved scanning features, a Favourites shortcut for customising your favourite settings, and a My Channels list, enabling users to only scan desired channels. Link-6 controls are designed for left-hand operation, allowing for right-hand control of the helm. Key features include: intuitive rotary and keypad controls; four-button fist microphone; dedicated channel 16 keys; tri-channel watch function; multiple scan modes; easy bracket or flush-mount installation; and IPX7 waterproof. Available from mid-2017, it has a 2-year warranty and comes in black or white. Price: SRP $279 www.lowrance.com/en-au

VESSELVIEW MOBILE

Mercury Marine has announced the Australian release of VesselView Mobile, providing boaters with SmartCraft engine data on their smartphones and tablets. VesselView Mobile operates via a module which is connected into the SmartCraft harness, and transmits SmartCraft engine info, using Bluetooth, to iOS or Android mobile devices via the VesselView Mobile app. VesselView Mobile can be used on any SmartCraft-capable engine – 40hp and up – built from 2003 onwards, and can handle single to quad engine applications. VesselView Mobile lets users perform a range of functions, including: connecting to the SmartCraft data network in your boat via BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy 4.0); seeing SmartCraft engine parameters like engine hours, fuel burn, water temperature, battery voltage, RPM, etc. (parameters are specific to each engine family); getting fault code diagnostic info so you know if a fault is urgent, or whether it can wait until you get home; monitoring fuel management for accurate fuel usage data; seeing points of interest for your body of water, and more. To receive the data, just download the free VesselView Mobile app. www.mercurymarine.com.au.com.au

GARMIN PANOPTIX PS51-TH

The Panoptix PS51-TH transducer brings Garmin’s revolutionary Panoptix technology to an even greater range of boats. This new phased-array multi-beam through-hull transducer delivers premium Panoptix FrontVü sonar. FrontVü is a narrow beam, forward-looking sonar that focuses on the bottom in front of the boat, which displays the bottom up to nearly 100m ahead of the boat at 8-10 times the current depth. The PS51-TH also delivers LiveVü Forward, which shows targets moving toward or away from the boat, even while stationary, in real time. It is also compatible with a wide range of Garmin units. Price: SRP $2399 www.garmin.com/en-AU

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

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Seafood basket from a kayak BRISBANE

Justin Willmer Find me on Facebook at Yaks On

With the chill of winter in the air some anglers opt to put their kayaks away in the garage or shed until

the table, by bleeding fish, getting them straight into the ice or cleaning it soon after capture. Shorter daylight hours, cooler temperatures and chilly winds often make winter kayak fishing less attractive. However, there

Crab pots held on with occy straps and ready to be dropped for the night high tide. the weather warms again. Others make the most of stable weather patterns and glassy days, the influx of bait into the rivers and estuaries and the cool weather species coming on the chew. Winter is a favourite time of year for my family of anglers. We are already enjoying the plentiful bait and the snapper, bream, yellowtail pike, tailor and other species this influx of bait attracts. There are also still a few crabs around along with other seafood options including prawns and squid. Winter in my local waters is seafood basket time with the mix of tasty treats on offer. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for ‘limit your catch, don’t catch your limit’ and ‘fish for the future.’ I also enjoy a tasty feed of freshly caught seafood and we have some of the best seafood in the world. We don’t abuse the resource, in terms of seasonal species or spawning seasons. We release the larger breeding fish, including larger flathead, and we also respect our catch so that it is kept in optimum condition for

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and peace of mind when using battery headlamps. Railblaza also offer some excellent lighting options for kayak anglers, covering both visibility to others and visibility for the angler. SCUPPER PLUGS A simple thing that can make your fishing much more comfortable in winter is the addition of scupper plugs to your kayak. Scupper holes in your sit-on-top kayaks are designed to allow excess water from waves to escape from the cockpit of the kayak. Some kayaks however, especially for larger paddlers, allow water to enter the cockpit through these scupper holes when paddling and fishing, making the cockpit area wetter and colder. On those calm winter days scupper plugs can be inserted to stop water

The gold rush colour in ZMan 3” MinnowZ proved effective in the dirtier water.

from entering the cockpit area, leaving it dryer and in turn warmer. Sit inside kayaks offer excellent protection from the elements in winter. It’s important to do more investigating to see if a sit inside suits your applications. CLOTHING Appropriate clothing can also make your winter fishing more enjoyable, comfortable and safer. This can include neoprene booties and even SealSkinz waterproof socks, gloves or beanies. Dry pants that include neoprene waist and ankle cuffs can keep the bottom half dry and they are available in lightweight materials for warmer parts of the country. Head scarves are not just for sun protection and can offer excellent warmth and wind resistance in cooler months. When it comes to the top half, consider layering as a means of better regulating your body temperature. Rather than wearing one heavy layer that may see you snug for the early morning start and then overheating when the sun gets higher in the sky, consider three or four layers that can be removed or swapped as required and stored in a dry bag when not required. Again, a dry top is a good option as an outer layer, with lightweight options available for warmer

Top: Sheri with a quality winter flathead on a soft plastic. Above: Flathead filleting. We release plenty, but it’s hard to beat a feed of fresh seafood.

are a few things you can do to make your experiences safer, more comfortable and more productive. LIGHTING Early starts can produce some red-hot sessions. With less daylight hours, a quality waterproof LED headlamp will make gearing up, rigging up and handling fish much simpler and safer. Avoid rechargeable lights or at least ensure they have an adequate run-time for your adventure at full power. A spare set of batteries in a dry bag or waterproof box ensures plenty of run-time

The author with a flathead from a cool early start.

A handful of winter bream.

climates. Another aspect to consider is visibility, with some excellent high-vis clothing options available. CRABBING We have been making the most of the end of the sand crab (blue swimmer crab) season, with plenty of sand crab sangas, seafood pizzas and seafood mornay. Don’t forget the crabs, crays, craws and other crustaceans that are available from the kayak in your region. Whether it’s sneaking up a mangrove drain in search of mud crabs, chasing sandies on the channel edges or going in search of freshwater

yabbies or shrimp, it’s all achievable from the kayak, and dropping a few traps on the paddle to your favourite fishing spots may be your ticket to a seafood basket of your own. Recently we discovered smaller, 50cm diameter versions of the crab pots that we use for chasing sand crabs and these are perfect for the kayak angler. We have had them out on some reasonably large tides without them drifting. Although we christened them with a female crab (that couldn’t be kept), we

Gearing up for squid.

soon recovered with a crab sandwich model. We’re definitely looking forward to picking up a few more of these and it will make kayak crabbing simpler and more manageable. Check out what tasty crustaceans are available in your region and how to catch them. Remember to check the local regulations. FISHING There have been plenty of flathead hitting the decks for us, as always, while throwing soft plastics. Winter has also seen a few snapper, quality bream and a few tailor, swallowtail dart, flounder and plenty of yellowtail pike turning up. Make the most of the

Left: The C-Tug Kayak Trolley makes transporting the kayak to and from the water a breeze. Right: The C-Tug Kayak Trolley disassembles for storage in a kayak hatch. again recently when some of our favourite natural, lighter colours couldn’t switch on a bite. A quick change to black and gold and a better silhouette colour in the dirtier water produced plenty of fish. The theory

depths and you can lift the top cap to add water to cock the float, increase casting distance or add a chemical light for night fishing. It’s early days in our squid fishing, however we are starting to nut them out

The first crab from the smaller crab pots. Unfortunately, it was a female that had to go back. advantages the kayak offers you and get up on those flats, work those mangrove edges and push up into those drains where the influx of bait is trying to feed and find protection from predators. The shallow draft, low profile and low shadow of

large numbers and it’s worth investigating other preparation techniques such as fish smoking to get the most out of these winter species. This includes salmon, tailor, swallowtail dart and even yellowtail pike. One tip for anglers

This flathead coughed up a large squid and inspired another adventure. the kayak allows you to sneak into some shallow, warmer water that often produces the goods in the cooler months. Some winter species are often considered less desirable than others on the table, however they are readily available in

fishing soft plastics during the cooler months is to ensure you have a variety of colours. The winter winds can stir up the water occasionally, or make it super clear when the westerly blows. The colour of your plastic can directly impact on your results. This was reinforced

can bring you some more tips for kayak squidding in a future issue. NEW KIT After using a C-Tug Kayak Trolley for many years we finally added the solid wheel version to our kit. The original pneumatic tyre version was the best kayak trolley I had owned until purchasing this newer version. We now don’t have to worry about ensuring our tyres are inflated or worry about getting a flat. The solid wheels have

that won’t corrode in the salt and a design that allows it to be dismantled and stored in a reasonable sized kayak hatch. If you are looking for a kayak trolley, make sure you check out the C-Tug option. Even though the days are shorter and the weather is cooler, it doesn’t mean that you have to put the kayak in storage for a few months. In fact, winter can produce some of the best fishing, along with a range of other tasty morsels to catch, that can see you put together your own seafood

Only one claw, but this legal blue swimmer crab is still a keeper. that generally works for us is this: in clearer water on brighter days fish a natural, lighter colour and in dirtier water fish a darker colour with glitter in the plastic. This should also catch the available light and trigger a bite. If neither of these are working, throw something with fluoro colours in it, such as pink or chartreuse. SQUID After catching a flathead that coughed up a large squid and then investigating our local boat ramp pontoon for stains of ink left by successful squid fishos, we decided to try our luck at catching a few. We set ourselves up with a few smaller squid jigs that were recommended for our region in size 2, 2.5 and 3 sizes and a variety of colours. We also had some small chemical lights and a few A-Just-A Bubble Floats in case we wanted to suspend the jigs under a float. These floats are an excellent option for squid fishing or fishing with baits, as they feature internal surgical rubber that twists and locks onto the line when you twist the top cap. No knots or stoppers are required. There’s no line damage. It’s quick and easy to adjust your dropper

and the squid fishing will get better as we move further into winter. The kayak is a great craft for targeting squid. The edges of the shadows surrounding boat ramps, bridges and other areas with artificial lights are a prime area to target, along with the weed beds where they hunt and feed. All of this is within easy access of paddle craft and you can beat the crowds that sometimes occur when land-based fishing. Stay tuned and we

A seafood basket of fresh sand crab, panko crumbed flathead and salt and pepper squid. a rubber grip on them that we have taken on and off road without issue, and the trolley still has the same great design that includes tool free assembly, quality materials

basket. Get your kayak fitted out, lighting and clothing in order and you can get out there and make the most of our Aussie winter wonderland. See you on the water.

Winter can produce some glassy days that are perfect for kayak anglers. JUNE 2017

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Product Profile

Lowrance HDS Carbon: an impressive innovation SOUTHERN BAY

Nabeel Issa

It’s no surprise that marine technology is constantly changing. In the past when it came to fish finder technology we would have to wait years before anything new hit the market. Now we don’t have to wait long at all! Some anglers like the fast advances and some don’t. Either way, it means

water. I have only briefly had my hands on the unit, but in that time I gave it a fair work over for this review. WHAT IT IS The HDS Carbon is a touchscreen fish finder/ GPS unit. If you’re out of the loop with what’s currently available, touchscreen sounders have basically dominated the market over the past few years. They make it very easy to navigate around a sounder. If you are familiar

of fishing and buying the right transducer to suit. The transducer connects you to the water and is extremely important! WHAT IT CAN DO Internally this sounder has had some major upgrades over its predecessors. One of the first things you will notice with the HDS Carbon is the clarity and brightness of the new Solarmax screen. Colours are far more vibrant and images are clearer. The greatest benefit The HDS Carbon units come in four different sizes: 7”, 9”, 12” and the new 16”. capable. Running split screens with Structure Scan 3D, GPS and Radar is now possible. To give you context, if you have recently upgraded to a new cell phone, one of the first things you notice is how fast and responsive the new one is. This is exactly how the new HDS Carbon feels.

the ability to network dual sonar views. For example, if you have two transducers set up on your boat (one at the transom and one on the bow mount electric motor), you can view both sonar readings at the same time. This is great for running different frequency transducers or

3 like myself, no changes are needed. I used the same bracket and cables as were already installed. Just plug and play, it’s that simple. The HDS Carbon units come in four different sizes: 7”, 9”, 12” and the new 16”. This is the largest unit available in its class and for

Structure Scan is a must-have. Being able to scan massive distances makes fishing easy! the consumer is getting access to bigger and better things, which I am all for. A few months ago, Lowrance announced the upcoming release of its latest and greatest fish finder, the HDS Carbon. An upgrade on the previous Gen 3 model, the Carbon boasts some handy additions that will make it that much easier for anglers on the

with using a smart phone, using a touchscreen Lowrance becomes second nature. Straight out of the box you can expect to get the sounder itself, mounting bracket, power cable and instructions. Also depending on the bundle you bought you may also get a transducer and mapping card. I recommend having a good think about your type

of the Solarmax screen is that in full sunlight, even while wearing polarised sunglasses, you can easily see what’s on the screen. Gone are the days of having to use your hand to shade the screen to see what’s on the sounder. It now runs a dual-core processor and the ram has been doubled. This means that the unit is faster and far more

$199

The home screen layout makes it very easy to navigate the sounder. My favourite Lowrance feature of all time is Structure Scan. The upgraded Solarmax screen and processor make Structure Scan on the HDS Carbon a treat to use. The clarity is mind-boggling. I tested this sounder with a Structure Scan 3D transducer and was able to scan over 100m either side of my boat! That’s covering a 200m span while still being able to pick out structure and fish. Another handy addition is

running high, medium or low chirp. INSTALLATION Installation with these units is simple. There are complete instructions that come with the sounder but it is a straightforward task. However, it is important that transducer setup is done correctly, so it always pays to do a bit of prior research or get the helping hand of a professional. If you are upgrading from a HDS Gen

those that have the space to fit it on their boat, it will be a very welcome addition. I have already been measuring up my console to work out how to fit one in! Prices start at $1999 (RRP). These are rolling out to stores now. With the upgrades to what was an already impressive machine, these units are a worthy investment if you are in the market to upgrade or to purchase a new sounder.

The new Solarmax screen makes it easy to read the unit in full sun and glare. 124

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The perfect boats The perfect boats for barra, bass or bream for barra, bass or bream

Fishing with Nitro is a blast! Whether you’re a tournament pro or a weekend warrior, Nitro boats will ignite your passion and pack more fun into your day. Just getting there is half the fun! For more than 20 years, Nitro have continually refined and delivered serious fishing boats for serious anglers.

The world’s #1 aluminium fishing boats! Tracker’s outstanding quality and unique manufacturing process have made them the world’s largest boat builder – producing more than 40,000 aluminium fishing boats per year. Their foam-filled, unsinkable, 3mm plate alloy hulls are robotically welded to deliver superior quality at a lower cost – and are backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty.

Nitro boats are foam-filled to exceed US Coast Guard survey requirements. This gives you the safety of level floatation, security and comfort – and additional fishing stealth – all backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty.

Tracker’s Pro Guide series is designed with a deep-vee hull for exceptional performance, even in rough waters. Their Diamond Coat finish is a Tracker exclusive that resists oxidation, providing protection and a shine lasting 70% longer. Standard features include a Minn Kota trolling motor and Lowrance colour sounder, plus tournament-ready live well systems and rod lockers.

Call Tim Stessl now on 0429 680 504 to arrange a test drive or em:tim@flboats.com.au Hopefully it will be rough, as you’ll be stunned by the performance of these boats when the weather gets challenging!

Fishing and Leisure Boats, 167 Currumburra Road, Ashmore, QLD 4214

www.fishingandleisureboats.com.au

Selecting the right boat for the job: Fibreglass PART 3 BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

In the last couple of issues I’ve cast the net pretty wide in regards to selecting the correct fishing craft for the job. Initially I covered vital issues such as freeboard, sea keeping capability, ride quality and fishing room, as these are essential

well as some of the downsides of the deal. FOR THE RIDE, GO GLASS Let’s face it: glass boats have been around for a very long time so they must have something pretty good going for them! First is the ride. There can be no denying it – these hulls are formed into shapes that enhance ride quality and sea keeping as well other important features of a good boat.

hours to form and set up once they are completed the basic hull and other important bits and pieces can be turned out when needed. The glass manufacturer has a lot of latitude with hull forming. Keeping the fibreglass to the minimum (while still maintaining adequate strength) will reduce weight. Add more glass in layers and the hull will be thicker, stronger and heavier, either way the beautiful eye catching lines

The complex hull shape of the Pioneer centre console is exclusive to fibreglass construction. Here it’s displacing water very cleanly in a turn to starboard.

The Keel Shield on the author’s 5.5m glass hull allows the craft to be drawn onto ramps or other rough areas with impunity. considerations in selecting a just-right rig for most fishing activities an angler might have in mind. I also pointed out that all boats will involve some compromises that the owner will need to work around. That aside, the smart angler doesn’t go out and just buy a boat. The idea is to work out what sort of fishing lifestyle you want and then select the craft. In last month’s issue I highlighted one of the most important decisions you might make – whether to opt for alloy or fibreglass in the final cut. While emphasizing the fact that I would not be making an alloy versus glass debate, I did point out quite a few benefits (plus a couple of drawbacks) of owning an alloy – pressed sheet or plate – craft covering everything from carefree operation through to more bang for the buck, as

Here’s why: fibreglass hulls are laid up within a mould (actually there areseveral moulds) to form all sorts of complex curves and shapes purpose-designed to offer what the manufacturer considers the ultimate in ride, handling attributes and interior features. So while the hull’s moulds might take a lot of

will always be there! Aluminium, on the other hand, has limits regarding shaping, forming and stretching. While computer designing, programming and new manufacturing techniques have lifted alloy craft to new levels today, the material itself has limits for forming angles and final shaping that

glass doesn’t, as aluminium is formed in a fluid state. The major result of the two differing manufacturing processes comes down to glass hulls having softer and more pronounced lines depending upon what the manufacturer wants. The reality is that any shape, angle or curve is possible with glass construction. Denser material also means more weight. Fibreglass craft will usually be heavier, which is no drawback as a heavier hull will tend to slice through waves easier, and offer much less hull slap and noise when underway. Far less bounce to the ounce, so to speak! The overall result will usually be more stability both underway and at rest, and a

With ultra light glass the Cross Country car topper combines rigidity, strength and a very user-friendly weight.

The ultra light weight of infused glass craft makes them ideal for car top travel. How many craft of this size are so easily loaded by one person! JUNE 2017

Glass can be worked with just as easily as any other material with the added bonus that there is no issue whatsoever with electrolysis, which is the one big concern with alloy craft where stray electrical currents and water are always a cause for worry. It starts with bubbling paint and ends with tiny pinholes in the material – nasty indeed.

Function follows fine form: note the very well designed bow and upper sections of this glass half cabin rig.

quieter and better ride because the hull is not being pushed around by wind or waves but is tracking more true under all conditions. The glass hull will rarely have to slow down in conditions that would see you reducing the throttle setting of the same sized alloy hull.

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Sharp handling – cornering ability – is also a big plus with glass rigs where the hull can be thrown into hard turns without dislodging passengers. Would a more advanced design and perhaps heavier hull require more power? This is not so. Many glass hulls – thanks to their very sleek design parameters – require astonishingly little power to perform well.

ALL STYLES IN GLASS RIGS Just like alloy rigs, all styles of boat are available. From lightweight tiller steer infused glass car toppers (the Cross Country range comes to mind) to tiller steer sub-5m outfits right through to larger centre consoles and cabin craft, every design is on hand. The ease of installing fittings, equipment and items to make fishing that bit better becomes a non-event.

AT THE RAMP Much is made of the fragile nature of glass boats but this is somewhat of a furphy. Fibreglass is less forgiving around very hard surfaces, but as most of any boat’s life will be spent on the water, it’s only at launch or retrieve time that the owner needs to be careful. A hard belt on an alloy hull will cause at least a dent. The same impact on glass will usually cause only a scuff mark. I’ve been there and done this!

When it comes to complex hull shapes for specialized performance work, fibreglass is in a realm of its own.

Let’s be real; if you’re launching on an ocean ramp where surge and wave action is prominent, glass is not the best choice for a rough day launch. It’s far better to have selected plate alloy, but for most glass launching and retrieve work there are ways of protecting the product. A Keel Guard, Keel Shield or an inbuilt rubbing strake on the bow will take all the worry out of allowing the fibreglass to contact the concrete or other hard surface. I used a Keel Shield on my 5.5 glass Galeforce centre console for a long time and really enjoyed the protection it gave the bow section of the hull. Pulling the hull onto gravel or a ramp was suddenly no problem; it

was just that good. Repairs to fibreglass aren’t the problem you might think. If you’re far from home and a tinny gets a rip in it or starts to come asunder through weld failure, there is no option but to head for a specialized alloy welder for repairs. Use the welder that’s back at camp? Not likely! With a glass boat a simple fibreglass repair kit with its matting and catalyst will save the day nicely. While it might not look as good as the original section, it sure won’t be leaking once the glass and resin cures. It’s time to go fishing again! THE OUTCOME Those are just some of the things to consider in enjoying the ownership

and fishing from a fibreglass fishing craft. True, the advanced performance and ride quality come at a price. The expertise involved in crafting a quality glass hull will usually see it costing more than a similar sized alloy craft. Many anglers will shrug the price point issue aside as a trade-off for superior ride quality if most of their fishing involves less than smooth water. In that situation glass is very hard to beat, even if the mass of a larger rig might involve a larger towing vehicle to move it about. At the end of these alloy/ glass discussions – with those ever-important parameters of seaworthiness, ride quality, stability and suitability for

A lesson in hull design, the fibreglass Pioneer sports a hull shape that cannot be achieved with alloy. Note that prominent reversed waterline chine.

Fibreglass hulls have a smooth ride. A look at the bow section of this craft certainly shows the complexity of design that contributes to this fact. fishing requirements – it’s easy to work out that glass has the glam ride while alloy corners the convenience. A SMALLER FIBREGLASS RIG The one major factor with alloy is the availability of small – sub 5m – rigs that are ideal for use in sheltered water such as lakes, rivers, estuaries and even quieter sections of the bay. Fibreglass boat manufacturers largely leave these smaller craft to the alloy builders, which is why for several years I owned a 5.5m Galeforce glass rig for

bay and offshore work with an aluminium 4.3m TABS Bullshark punt alongside it for bass, barra, and river or estuary fishing. Both performed well within their allocated roles. I always reflected that if a Galeforce rig with the freeboard and overall performance of the 5.5 was available in sub-5m configuration I would jump at the chance of owning one! As luck would have it, Galeforce Boats of Maryborough are now turning out a 4.5m craft and I’ve ordered one.

This newby is likely going to cause a lot of hard decision making for anglers looking for an all-round rig that will be just as useful in impoundments and other sheltered water as out in the bay. The reality is that instead of alloy, here’s a smaller glass rig with the ride, the handling and freeboard – the works. In the next issue we will have a very close look at this craft and see exactly what it offers. Ours is going to be a centre console and will be fulfilling a host of roles as our only boat.

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127

Cruise Craft EX 685 HT FMG

Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

Streaker Marine – a Melbourne dealer for iconic Cruise Craft Australianmade trailer boats – had a fairly simple goal with this EX 685 HT. To set up the ultimate snapper fishing boat and display it at the 2016 Melbourne Boat Show. With Sean Savage from Streaker Marine at the helm of this project, there was zero chance that it’d be done half heartedly, so it was with excitement that Fishing Monthly met him at the ramp in the Patterson River. To be honest, it was with a little disappointment, too, as Port Phillip Bay had turned

on a glass-out for us. There wasn’t going to be any whiteknuckled wave jumping. But that wasn’t really the focus of the day. This test is about taking a well-established and popular hull, paired with the industry-leading naturally aspirated 4-stroke in Yamaha’s F300 and doing what you’d do to it if you were left with the options list and someone else’s chequebook. So this is what the finished product looks like and what you’d get if you plonked around $200K on the front counter of Streaker Marine and told them to ‘go nuts’! There’s a couple of videos we’ve compiled in tandem with this test (scan the QR codes to watch them, or visit the Fishing Monthly YouTube channel) – one is

SPECIFICATIONS Hull Length..................6.95m Length (with bow sprit). ...... 7.2m Length (overall on trailer).....8.7m Weight BMT...............2850kg Beam..............................2.5m Deadrise transom........... 20° Transom height............ Extra Maximum hp.............. 300hp Recommended hp......250hp Max persons.......................7 Fuel capacity................. 310L 128

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Scan to see the full boat test video.

a detailed walk-through with Sean Savage and the other is our standard Boat Test compilation. They’re well worth the watch – even if only to dream. For me, it’s no use having the best looking and fitted out boat in the world if it’s not practical. And it’s evident that this package has evolved to a point where everything is done for a reason. Let me explain further. I love the fact that the battery management system is accessible, well-labelled and addresses the most common problems boaties encounter – a flat cranking battery. The fact that you only need to take a few seconds to remove the rear bench seat and you have access to all of the pumps and stopcocks you need to deal with a problem at sea is reassuring. Little things – like the snapper rod racks being built with a hinge to allow access through the transom door. Mint. And both fresh and salt running water? There shouldn’t be a boat of this size without it. The 310L of fuel underfloor gives this boat a range of around 300km at cruising speeds – ample for

Unfortunately on the test day, Port Phillip Bay was as flat as the Patterson River. Still, the Cruise Craft provided superior levels of comfort and convenience. the biggest of day trips. If you like being informed at the helm, you can be supplied with everything you need via the two screens – one on the Simrad NSS12 (sonar, GPS, radar) and the Yamaha colour screen engine gauge. The helm is remarkably simple and well organised with nothing getting between you and your wast windscreen. Supplied on the top-ofthe-line alloy Easytow twin axled trailer, this rig comes in at just under three tonnes. Although I could technically tow this with my twin cab Triton, but I’d feel safer doing it with a larger 4WD. Do yourself a favour and make sure that you drop in and see this rig at the Melbourne

Boat Show in 2016! Yamaha/Cruise Craft packages with the EX685 HT start from approximately $165,000. For a package similar to the one we tested, you’re looking at around $196,000. Visit www. cruisecraft.com.au for more details.

• 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.

PERFORMANCE RPM 600 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 5600

Speed Economy (km/h) (km/L) 6......................... 3.8 8.5...................... 2.3 13.3.................... 1.2 23.......................... 1 52....................... 1.1 70....................... 0.8 78....................... 0.7

Scan to see the full walkthrough with Sean Savage.

Yamaha’s F300 has always been a strong motor. You don’t need a 300hp on the back of this boat, but given the level of fitout in this rig, there was no way that this Cruise Craft was going to leave the fitout bay with anything less.

From this angle, you can see the vast amount of fishing room in the cockpit. Got some mates you want to take for a fish? No worries. We’ve seen more switches in a 14-foot tinnie. The helm dash layout is super clean and practical. The enormous Simrad takes pride of place and nothing occludes the visibility through the windscreens.

Top: The rear bench seat folds flat in about 10 seconds. Nothing protrudes to get in the way of your activities at the bait board. Above: Deployed, the rear seat fits a couple of passengers comfortably. It takes only a couple of seconds to remove it and gain access to the stopcocks in the bilge.

The Cruisecraft was kitted out for snapper fishing. Keeping live baits fresh can be the key at times. The plumbed livewell was large enough to hold the largest of live baits.

Clever design here – a stay-free shade system slides out under the rocket launcher. “I don’t like the look of that deck,” said nobody. Ever. The dual cooler/fridge system is practical and bordering on luxurious for longer trips.

There are a couple of options when it comes to closing the side door – you can use a Teflon panel or fill it with the original piece of cut-out gunwale. The Teflon option would suit most anglers and divers, as it’s small and easily stowed.

This is the bit that lands you softly when conditions get nasty. The trim tabs level out an uneven load, the Simrad side scanning transducer gives you imagery like you’ve never seen before and the Yamaha gets you where you want to be – quickly. JUNE 2017

129

Clark 435 Kakadu Pro – an inland specialist

FMG

Peter Jung pjung@fishingmonthly.com.au

Queensland boat manufacturer Clark Boats has been producing quality aluminium boats for many years. They have a fantastic reputation for producing tough and reliable boats for the commercial and recreational markets. Bonnie Doon and Lake Eildon are places that many anglers would know about due to their fantastic fishing, however it is most probably known by more people due to it being the holiday destination of the Kerrigan family in the movie ‘The Castle’. In the film, the characters enjoyed the serenity of the area and this was where we tested the Clark 435 Kakadu Pro with Simon Ryan of Boats and More in Shepparton and Echuca (which they renamed the 435 Cod Catcher). The 435 Kakadu Pro sits squarely in the medium-sized sportsfishing boat market and has many of the features anglers who are looking to target our freshwater native fish or estuary sportfish using lures or baits. WHAT YOU GET About this time last year we tested the Clarke 410 Cod 130

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Catcher, which was born due to customers feedback and their desire to have a small side console boat that has the sportsfishing capabilities of the larger boats in the marketplace. The 435 is actually quite a big step up from the 410 in that the physical length of the boat 4.45m. The main

Catcher and a third from the rear of the boat. The Pro Console is also a big upgrade. At 6’2” I’m not the smallest person going around and I found the seating and console very comfortable to drive the boat from. There is also plenty of room for any electronics, even up to the largest sounder out there.

SPECIFICATIONS Overall Length.................................................4.45m Beam................................................................1.95m Depth...............................................................0.75m Max HP..............................................................50hp Bottom Sheet....................................................3mm Side Sheet.........................................................3mm Max people..............................................................4 Hole Shot..............................................7.02 seconds difference this additional length provides is an increase in the maximum motor size to 50hp, the extension of the forward casting deck, the inclusion of a live well under this deck and a larger pro console. All things that people looking at this style of boat would want to have. The front casting deck is massive. It was the first thing I noticed when I saw the boat and the additional storage this provides under it as well as the live well is reason in itself to buy the 435. You would have absolutely no issue fishing two up front from the Cod

SUZUKI 40HP 4-STROKE The 4-stroke range of Suzuki outboards is recognised for their fuel efficiency. After doing the numbers on the 40hp 4-stroke that was on the test boat, it also had plenty of grunt as

well. The maximum speed we got to was 47km/h, with the sweet spot for power and performance falling between 3500 and 4500 revs. This had you running at around 25km/h, and using a little over 6L of fuel per hour. Those numbers would see you easily getting more than a days fishing out of a tank of fuel. TOWING, LAUNCHING AND RETRIEVING Fundamentally, a boat of this size should be easy to tow and should be easily launched and retrieved by one person. The 435 Kakadu Pro meets these criteria. Although we towed it behind a large 4WD to Bonnie Doon, a family sedan would easily tow it and it was certainly simple to launch and retrieve. We drove it on and off the trailer, however it was just as easy to wind it on. It was not difficult at all. HANDLING AND RIDE The hull configuration of the Cod Catcher is a little different to most of the boats

PERFORMANCE Revs.................Speed (km/h)..... Fuel usage (litres/hour) Idle (800)..........2.5...................................................... 0.4 1000.................5......................................................... 0.7 2000.................8......................................................... 1.9 3000.................10.5.................................................... 4.3 4000.................22....................................................... 6.2 5000.................36..................................................... 10.8 WOT (5800).....47..................................................... 14.5

this size that I have tested. There is not a huge V in the hull and big strakes to catch the water. It therefore handles a little differently as well. You drift a little more on the turn at speed, which takes a little getting used to, but at lower speeds it allows you to turn the nose more sharply with a quick burst from the motor. Certainly a bonus in certain situations and I had a ball running around the lake, fishing became a second thought. Maybe the serenity of Bonnie Doon was taking over. Although ride and handling is important, stability at rest is the key to any sportsfishing boat and the Cod Catcher is a very stable platform. I used it as a camera platform for the other test we did and was very comfortable standing on the front deck, so fishing from it would be a breeze. FINAL THOUGHTS The package tested was in its basic format, ready for a customer to come along and fit it out with what they wanted. I have to say that other than putting an electric motor on the front (a bracket is in place to attached it) and a sounder, it is ready to go. I think I would go the 50hp motor. I am a firm believer of having the maximum horsepower on the back of a boat. Having said

that, the Suzuki 40hp 4-stroke certainly was well matched to the boat. The test boat, which was supplied by Victorian dealership Boats and More, was priced at $26,990, or from $23,990 with a 2-stroke motor. The full range of Clark Boats is also available at Coorparoo Marine in Brisbane, located on 57 Cavendish Road, Coorparoo (ph. 07 3397 4141). For more information on the 435 Kadadu Pro, or any of the other boats in the Clark range, visit www. coorparoomarine.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. VIDEO

Scan the QR code to see the full boat test with Peter Jung and Simon Ryan.

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ample space for the driver behind the Pro console as well as your electronics and switches.

There is plenty of room on the front casting deck for two people to fish.

The front casting deck of the 435 Cod Catcher Pro is huge and has plenty of storage under it for all of your gear.

The 435 can easily be launched and retrieved by one person.

The Cod Catcher standard with a bow mount plate to attach your bow mount electric motor.

The 435 Cod Catcher doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a huge V, so it handles a little differently. Once you get used to it, it is great fun to drive.

The Suzuki 40hp 4-stroke provided plenty of power to get the Cod Catcher humming along. We got it up to 47kph.

Another feature of the front casting deck is the plumbed livewell. JUNE 2017

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NOT ALL FISH STORIES ARE EXAGGERATED.

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve all heard one. But the fact is, once in a while, life hands you a set of circumstances so astoundingly awesome, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard to believe. And with the power and reliability of the Mercury 40 - 60hp FourStroke behind you, this might happen more often than you think. Learn more at mercurymarine.com.au