Queensland Fishing Monthly - May 2016 by Fishing Monthly

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Night fishing basics • Cool water options at Hervey Bay • Whiting on worms • Land-based shallow luring •

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May 2016, Vol. 28 No. 7

Contents NORTHERN NEW SOUTH WALES Iluka 25 Ballina 24

– above approximately 110 of the best bass anglers on the planet – then the system goes into meltdown. Why? Because he’s living his dream. And it happens to be a dream that Aussies, anglers and sportsman all share. To be kicking goals on the world stage.

40 QUEENSLAND FISHING MONTHLY

Managing Editor: Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au Editorial Manager: Jacqui Thomas Sub-Editors: Bob Thornton Nicole Penfold Georgia Williams Field Editors: Jason Ehrlich Wayne Kampe Publishers: Steve Morgan Matthew Drinkall

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Brandon Dietrich caught this blue Maori cod off 1770. A Garry Dietrich image.

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recorded, relayed and displayed in virtual real-time. Whenever Carl catches a keeper bass, the fans light up. If Carl approaches the top of the (estimated) leaderboard, Social Media lights up – even though it’s 3am. And if Carl is placed at the top of the heap

But there’s more. If Carl’s sitting in the top five on the second, third or fourth day of competition, then he gets a live-streaming camera that runs for six hours of the fishing day – complete with a commentary team. That’s when the web goes into meltdown. For the first time in history, an Aussie, Carl, led a Bassmaster Elite event in April. From humble roots in Toowoomba, Queensland, he followed the ABT pathway and is now only a couple of steps away from the pinnacle of the sport. Of course, those last few steps are the hardest, but rest assured, Carl has the most vocal, protective, supportive, patriotic fans on the planet supporting him. And, of course, Fishing Monthly is a proud sponsor. We look forward to reporting on his first Bassmaster Elite win Stateside. We think it may be sooner rather than later.

SPECIAL FEATURES

If I’m ever writing this column sleep-deprived, it’s usually one of two reasons. It could be the mulloway down the river. When the bait runs and they start chopping on the surface, I can’t help myself. I find myself fishing like a troll – under a bridge at all hours of the night. I mean, is there anything more exciting than a silver river predator blasting a topwater bait? Maybe there is. Whenever Australian bass fishing pro Carl Jocumsen excels in a Bassmaster Elite event in the USA, I get insomnia. You see, even from Australia, fishing is rapidly becoming a spectator sport. When Carl fishes on the other side of the world, his Aussie fans – and there are many – are hunched around computers, tablets, mobile phones. They’re basically watching a spreadsheet. A couple of numbers. Each time Carl catches a bass, it’s

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REGULAR FEATURES Back to Basics 55 Camping and 4WD 90 Cooking 100 Dam Levels 86 Freshwater 86 Fun Page 94 Junior Page 97 Sheik of the Creek 96 Sunfish 54 Suntag 44 Tournament News 101 Trades and Services 110 What’s New in Boating 115 What’s New in Fishing 92 Night fishing basics Cool water options at Hervey Bay Whiting on worms Gear for land-based shallow luring Fish handling IV Double overhand loop knot Agnes Water/1770

From the Editor’s Desk...

BOATING AND KAYAK

TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND Whitsundays 75 Ayr 77 Townsville 78 Hinchinbrook 81 Lucinda 82 Cairns 83 Port Douglas 81 Cooktown 84 Cape York 82 TNQ Freshwater 85

CENTRAL QUEENSLAND Hervey Bay 46 Rainbow Beach 46 Fraser Coast 47 Rockhampton 48 Lake Monduran 49 1770 49 Gladstone 50 Yeppoon 52 Mackay 53 Stanage Bay 53

PRO

SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND Tweed Offshore 22 Tweed Heads 23 Southern Gold Coast 26 Gold Coast Canals 28 Gold Coast 30 Jumpinpin 32 Southern Bay 34 Brisbane 36 Brisbane Offshore 38 Northern Bay 39 Caloundra 40 Noosa 42

ING TRADE

Nick Kuhnert was out for a mid morning fish at his “secret location” in Queensland when he caught this nice snapper. He was using a Black Magic 5/0 KL Hook.

“Last weekend I went fishing for snapper. Before I could work out what was going on there was a black marlin jumping everywhere on my line”, says Billy Gillon who caught his first marlin on Black Magic 30lb Tough Fluorocarbon and a Black Magic 5/0 C Point Hook. The fight lasted 40 minutes in 60 meters of water off the coast of Queensland.

Sam Toner and his crew had a successful time in the NZ Game Fishing Nationals last month fishing out from Waihau Bay. They caught a 70.1kg yellowfin tuna on a Black Magic Pursuit Jellybean Lure, and tagged an estimated 110kg striped marlin caught on a Black Magic Freedom Grand Slammer Lure. Sam says, “the Jellybean and Grand Slammer are permanent fixtures in our spread”. Both fish were caught using the Black Magic Equalizer Gimbal and Harness. Top work!

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Fishing out of Coffs Harbour, NSW, Gerrad Billings caught and released this estimated 160kg Blue Marlin. He was using Black Magic 400lb Tough Trace.

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Night fishing basics BRISBANE

Sean Thompson

Night fishing creates a sense of mystique among anglers and is loved as much for its old-fashioned charm, as its exciting adventure and possibility. Spots that might otherwise offer only average returns during the day can turn on hot action during the night. Likewise, a spot that might be riddled with

tiddlers during the day can, under the cover of darkness, see monsters suddenly lurk beneath the surface. With good planning (and a bit of good luck), those monsters might even grab your bait or lure! Apart from the chance of scoring ‘the big one’, one of the other great benefits of night fishing is to escape the crowds. Even in heavily fished locations, or during peak holiday season, most of

Fishing with the moon rising over the water is a special moment.

the crowd on the water or on the beach, will pack up and go home by dusk. This leaves you to enjoy your fishing rather than focus on distractions like jet skis running over your drift or anglers crowding you out in a gutter, which you might have found yourself. For me, there is nothing quite like the camaraderie of fishing with close mates at night in a boat or off the beach and watching the moon rise over the water in front of you. Nevertheless, fishing at night commands some inherent risks, and all anglers should be aware of and prepared for these, and should take the relevant safety precautions. Don’t ignore these dangers, as no fish is worth risking your life over. All in all, the magic of night fishing and the chance of landing a leviathan, is what makes it one of life’s simple pleasures and why anglers come back to it time after time. FISH BEHAVIOUR: NIGHT VS DAY There are two key influences that lead fish to hunt and feed during low light conditions rather than the middle of the day. Firstly, fish react to the external environment such as weather, water clarity, and human influence. Secondly for biological reasons such as survival instincts, eyesight and other natural advantages they might hold over their food source at this time. In terms of the external environment, boat traffic or

Fishing at dusk is a magical time to be by the water. even 4WD traffic on the beach can spook fish during daylight hours. Similarly, concerns about attack from above by birds of prey can lead fish to be hesitant to enter the shallows or really clear water during the day. Likewise, if there are glassy conditions on the water, sparse cloud cover or the water is too clear, the fish will become cautious during the day and head to deeper water or more protection under cover. With most of these negative influences out of play at night, it can mean that even hard fished areas suddenly become productive. Biological design also guides fish to hunt at night, some fish have large eyes or eyes nocturnally suited to search for prey under the cover of darkness. These include, but are not limited to, fish such as mulloway, tailor, barramundi, and pearl perch. For an authoritative insight into this topic, check out Steve Starling’s articles ‘A fish eye view – Parts I and II’ from the October and November 2013 editions

of QFM, available online. Broadly, Starlo points out that fish differentiate between colours by using cells in their eye called cones. Other sets of cells called rods are responsible for detecting black and white images (especially in low light conditions). Fish that hunt more at night, in dirty water or at great depth will typically have more rods than cones. Some species also have a special reflective layer at the back of the eye called a tapetum. This mirror-like membrane reflects light that has already passed through the eye back into the retina, which greatly enhances the fish’s ability to see in very low light or murky water. This feature is what gives barramundi and mulloway eyes a distinctive red or pink glow in flash photos. Both species are therefore perfectly equipped to find prey in low light conditions. PLANNING AND STORAGE When the fish are ‘on’ after dark, you can maximise

NIGHT-TIME BEACH/ESTUARY SAFETY TIPS

A group of mates show off the results of a good night session on tailor at Fraser Island.

• Do not wade out too deep off the beach or in the estuary due to risk of sharks, being hit by a rogue wave or stepping in a deep melon hole (especially in waders). • On thin beaches, beware of waves in a big swell that can sweep up past and behind you and hit you with force on the way back. • The Alvey Deluxe wading bag is a good option on 4WD beaches, due to the reflective strip. Turn the strip side towards approaching 4WDs if you are standing on the beach at night. • Carry a mobile phone in a dry pack or in your car for emergencies, as well as spare water. • When driving on the beach at night, slow down as it is difficult to see with no streetlights and often thick sea mist, risk of wash-outs, trees and branches washed up, and exposed rocks.

your success with preparation. The last thing you want to be doing is fumbling around in the dark making a new rig, banging around on the bottom of your boat searching for gear, or turning your headlamp on continuously and ruining your night vision. Try to go pre-prepared – pinpoint your location, prepare your rigs and tackle boxes, and have everything you need sorted nicely in your boat, the back of your 4WD or on your person. PLANNING YOUR NIGHT SESSION Like most things in life, planning ahead will lead to better returns. From a fishing perspective this can mean doing your research at home before you arrive at your spot, either via a Google Earth search, reviewing your previous fishing diary entries, or entering a mark and route on your boat’s GPS so you are ready to hit the water pre-dawn or before dusk. If beach fishing, check the wind and swell so you are prepared for the conditions when you arrive. EASY ACCESS TO YOUR GEAR The other key aspect to prepare for a night fishing session is to organise your rigs and gear. In a boat, you want to maximise floor space to cast and fight a fish. While some purpose-built boats might come with their own tackle tray compartments, most don’t, so it is a case of using the space you have at your disposal to your advantage. Rather than just toss your gear in a backpack or two in your underfloor or above-floor storage, take the time to organise it into specialised tackle boxes,

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lure wallets and clear storage boxes clearly marked with a purpose. For a very small investment, I bought some Oates storage stacker drawers from Bunnings, added some elastic loop lockers, and placed them under my centre console to have easy access to key tackle and safety items. For 4WD beach anglers, there are also a couple of good storage options for your gear. Firstly, there is the permanent option of storage drawers made to fit most makes and models of 4WDs. These are fantastic, but will set you back a couple of thousand dollars. A much cheaper, temporary option is to use individual storage crates for your waders, shoulder bag and belt and another for your tackle. Another solution I have been pleased with is the XTM car boot organiser for as little as $33. These come with three large compartments and are collapsible. They are very handy to sort gear into for quick and easy access at night. Finally, while most 4WDs have a light for the boot or canopy tray, a great handy addition at night is to carry a magnetic portable LED light. I use an ARB re-chargeable mini-adventure light, which is perfect as you can hang it by a hook or attach it magnetically. You can use it for added light in the back of the vehicle, to cut up bait or fillet on the beach after your session. It could also come in handy in an emergency like getting

a snap lock bag and write the strength of the trace and target species. Alternatively, you can store heavier traces in small snap lock bags by carefully wrapping the trace in a circle and covering the hook(s) with alfoil to stop the rig tangling. Mark the bags with a permanent pen noting the strength and length of the trace plus sinker size if included. Having these rigs ready will be a godsend if you get broken off, or your rig is chaffed during your session. Every minute your line and rig is out of the water is time you

Likewise, if you plan to fish pre-dawn, allow yourself some time to find the fish and/or bait first rather than just arriving right on the peak change of tide or dawn period. I also like to have my rods rigged up ready to go so you can start to fish straight away. If you decide to move spots during the night, keep noise to a minimum and lights off the water as much as possible. Don’t expect to catch fish if you roar off to a spot and come to a skidding stop by tossing the anchor out at speed. Slow right down

Mulloway are at the top of the target list for beach anglers at night. can’t catch a fish. BOAT FISHING AT NIGHT If you have gone to all the trouble of planning your trip, organising your tackle and storage and making some rigs in advance, the last thing you want to do is waste all your hard work by making mistakes on the water. To make your life easier it is best to arrive to a night

before you arrive at your spot and drop the anchor over as quietly as possibly. Avoid banging the bottom or side of the boat, as this noise will amplify underwater. Keep any light off the water except for your compulsory all-round light when at anchor and navigation lights when underway. It is also advisable to run LEDs under the gunwale in case you

NIGHT BOAT SAFETY TIPS • Become familiar with the waterway before tackling it at night. • Do not fish without lights, as other boats may not see you. • Reduce your speed at night due to possible floating objects like crab pot floats, rocks or boats without lights! • If you intend to do a lot of night fishing consider purchasing a marine radar. These will pick up just about everything above the water’s surface. • Make use of GPS route tracker and your sounder but in ‘night mode’ to keep backlighting to a minimum for your night vision. • Take note of land marks to navigate (in case the GPS fails) and be aware that beacons can be hard to spot with background city lights. • Keep your deck lighting to a minimum, and try to keep your radio down, so that you have the best chance to see and hear any approaching vessels. • Use your night vision to see and only use a blue spotlight sparingly to locate or identify a nearby object such as an unlit boat, marker, the shore or a jetty. • Carry a spare battery and spare spotlight in case of failure. • When at anchor or on the drift, have the boat ready to start quickly with the keys in the ignition and motor down ready to go. • Wear a lifejacket, especially on your own. • Attach an emergency stop lanyard securely to yourself so the boat will stop if you hit something and you are tossed from the steering wheel. bogged or a flat tyre at night on the beach. PRE-MADE RIGS A final piece of planning and storage advice is to make some rigs before your trip and have them in readily available storage containers or devices. While there are a few commercial rig holders on the market, one of the best rig holders is also one of the cheapest and easiest to make. Pool noodles, that cost only a dollar or two, can be cut into small sizes of about 20cm, and enable you to wrap a number of rigs around and hold them in place with coloured head pins. I then place these within

session before dark to find a likely spot, anchor up (or start your drift), and if necessary, catch your live bait or start your berley trail (if anchored). While many anglers will go straight to a previous mark and anchor up for the night, with the advent of structure scan or side imaging technology you can choose where to start for the night when you arrive. You can pinpoint within a radius of 80-100m either side of the boat where a school of fish or a concentration of bait might be located. In the case of the bait school you might choose to anchor up on top of it and berley to bring the fish to you.

need to access your gear while at the same time keeping the light of the water. Lights on the water, with the exception of permanent light sources, will spook the fish. TECHNIQUES AT NIGHT If baitfishing at night, use set rods whether you are chasing snapper, mulloway or big whiting. There are plenty of rod holders for this purpose, but a good trick taught to me by an old whiting fisher is to run a knotted rope across your boat near the stern or the bow and lay your rod low against the rope with the knots preventing it slipping To page 12

MAY 2016

From page 11

sideways. This keeps your rod down low to the water helping to minimise the resistance a big whiting will feel when it picks up your bait. When doing so, a good idea is to use light or glow sticks and/or bells on the tip of your rods to help you detect bites or takes. Lures are an under-used option at night by anglers. You can try one of two types. Charging up fluorescent or luminous lures like Gulps with a torch has worked for me on snapper in Moreton Bay. You can also use dark coloured lures, as these provide a silhouette against the night sky. For example, you can keep trolling for flathead after dusk if you use dark lures, especially on a full moon night. There are also a variety of lures on the market with LED lights that will automatically activate when the lure is submerged under water. These could work on squid. LOCATIONS Great spots to try in an estuary or river during the night are areas lit up by

light so they don’t spook the fish. In fact the lights attract baitfish, which in turn attracts the big predators nearby. The best method is to cast your bait or lure right along the shadow lines on the water. I have found this to be particularly effective for tailor and flathead, the latter a fish many anglers view as a daytimeonly target. The king of the estuary, and the source of so much of the mystique of night fishing is the mighty mulloway. Mulloway should be targeted in deep estuary holes and around bridges where they will sit just inside eddies caused by the current running into the bridge pylons. This occurs both sides of the bridge, up current and down current. Great night whiting haunts are the shallow flats over yabby or worm banks, where they will comfortably feed in just inches of water on a rising tide. However, they can also be targeted in the melon holes and undulations of deeper sand banks in renowned whiting

Big tailor come out under the cover of darkness. artificial light. This includes the type of light found on bridges and roads fringing the water’s edge. These are permanent sources of light and not short flashes of

spots like the Pimpama River and upstream in the Maroochydore River near Bli Bli. Finally, oyster leases will also turn on great fishing for

bream at night, just make sure you up your trace a bit in these areas. BEACH FISHING AFTER DARK When and where? Beach fishing after dark is one of the best ways that casual anglers can put the odds in their favour to catch ‘the big one.’ Gone are the annoying pickers like tiny dart, and in their place are XOS models of most fish from bream to tailor to sharks and giant mulloway. There are a few simple tactics and rules for success at night that have been around for decades and will continue to be for many more. The best places to fish the beach at night should be pinpointed during the day. Scout around from headlands, or climb on top of the sand dunes to spot your intended spot using the sun to your advantage to make out the formations during the middle of the day. Use a quality pair of Polaroid sunglasses and look for darker green water and waves forming but not breaking as a sign of deeper water. Look for gutters with two entry points, one to the north and one to the south. Remember that you will be back about six hours later so factor that in, in terms of being able to cast to the deeper water at that time. Close in gutters that might be shallow at low tide will fill and bring the big feeders in close to you at high tide at night. Note exactly where the gutters are with landmarks or by distance (use your ODO or a portable GPS in the 4WD) to return to just before dark. If you don’t have time to check the beach during the day, don’t despair. If you arrive after dark you can simply look for steeply shelving sand into the water as a sign of deep water in front of you. As your eyes adapt to the dark you should begin to make out whether waves are forming but not breaking as yet another sign of deep water. Once you arrive, don’t make the mistake I see year after year at places like Fraser Island where anglers

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turn their headlights on high beam onto the water. Don’t even use your headlamp to look at the water, as flashes of light are a sure fire ways to spook the fish and you will be waiting quite a while

bead, charged up by your headlamp. This should sit just above your hook/bait. These things really make a difference and I learned this the hard way before trying it myself. One of my fishing

approach the area with finesse. Pull up well back from the water in your car or 4WD and don’t go stomping down too close to water as you will spook the fish that feed right in close in the shallows

The author prepares for another night session on the beach. for a bite. Don’t do it to other anglers either. When you need to re-rig or check your bait, always turn your headlamp away from the water but try to limit use of your headlamp to retain your night vision. Headlamps used this way are a much better option than a torch, as they leave your hands free. In terms of headlamps, the best I’ve come across in terms of value for money (under $50) for a high quality product is the Korr 10w headlamp. It has a good waterproof rating, a zoom-able beam, three light settings, and a huge range (up to 150m). Bait and rigs Baits with higher natural oil content are a good option to attract fish at night. Baits like slimy mackerel, bonito and tailor fillets are good, as are pilchards – especially if you cut the tail off to help release more oils. Mulloway will pick up the scent of a bunch of beach worms from a distance as well. A great addition to your rig at night is the addition of a small green glow

mates at Fraser caught three mulloway to 110cm over two nights while the rest of us didn’t get a hit. The only difference in rig, bait or location was the green glow bead he used above his hook. I’ve used them ever since at night. Smaller glow beads are also worth a try for whiting, simpley substitute the red tubing used during the day for a couple of glow beads above the hook at night. Finally, sand tracks off the beach can look the same at night, whether you are on foot or in a 4WD. A ttach a glow stick or reflective tape to a tree or long stick and place it in the sand at the entrance of your track to find your way home after the session. However, be sure to take it with you when you leave as we don’t want anglers associated with littering our beautiful Queensland beaches. OTHER SHORE-BASED LOCATIONS If you plan to fish from the shore in estuaries, creeks or freshwater lakes at night

at night. Stand 10-15m back from the edge and throw your first few casts within 5-10m of the edge with very lightly weighted baits. If you don’t have any luck, throw parallel to the shore before fanning casts out deeper. At estuary mouths, or places such as Brisbane’s Moreton Bay foreshores, use live or fresh peeled green prawns at night, as these will be high on the menu for bread and butter fish over summer through to May. SAFETY AT NIGHT As relaxing as night fishing is, it does require a few extra precautions to ensure your session is a safe and enjoyable one. Please take note of the safety factboxes and enjoy your time on or near the water after dark, take in the serenity, and may you land that big one you’ve always wanted! If you’d like to read more unique fishing tips and reports from all around Australia, check out my family friendly fishing page – www.facebook. com.au/ontourfishingaustralia. Until next time, bag your mates – not your limit!

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Cool water options are varied in Hervey Bay HERVEY BAY

Mark Bargenquast

It’s that time of the year again when the mornings have a cool crisp feel to them. For me, it used to be a frustrating time of the year as I was a barra nut and back then I knew it was ending for the season. I must admit, I do love my barra, and salty barra were once thought hard to catch when the temperatures drop. Fast forward quite a few years and it is no longer an issue. Cooler water defnitely makes them harder to catch but certainly not impossible, and when you finally do catch one in cooler water you really earn that fish. Water temperatures as low as 18°C have yielded metre barra, which is quite out of normal for North Queensland and the territory, but down here in South East Queensland, the mid-winter temperatures can drop right down. ESTUARY PREDATORS This time of year water temperatures have only dropped a degree or so, and it’s not so much of an issue. On top of this, the annual run of banana prawns is in full swing, so the big threadies and barra will be close by as prawns are there number one food source. Try sounding through the

drop prawn imitation lures in and work them slowly. The bite is usually quite subtle, so strike at anything. Some of the smallest taps that could be a bream have turned out to be metre-plus threadies and barra for us! OFFSHORE OPTIONS Offshore, longtail tuna are at their best from February to May as the water cools off. Pre-Christmas fish are usually big but lack the numbers, but in autumn we see massive schools and some unbelievable fishing

MAY 2016

is no fun! Leader is also important, and I’ll use around 1m of 30lb fluorocarbon for offshore work. Remember, it’s a depth thing, so maximise everything to help get that lure down. The less drag there is in the system with heavy line, the better your lure or bait will get down. INSHORE BATTLERS Inshore the fishing can really shine, as bream start to school and spawn. Flathead also do a similar thing, but this usually happens in late

little prawns. Another species that can turn it on as we transition

of the island and in the river mouth, and they can really put up a good fight and they

Although not usually found inshore in the cooler months, this GT was caught in the river in mild weather.

Kip Sayers with a big autumn thready taken from a reliable prawn hangout!

Jacko with a nice pikey bream taken while hiding up a creek from southerly winds. deeper holes and banks in the Straits and look for schooled fish. Once you find them,

gar, making them a viable target on stickbaits, which is a spectacular way to catch them. Look for birds hovering and watch their flight path it will surprise you how quick they will fly following a school of tuna, cast in front of their flight path and try to create an intercept as the fish will be right below them, watch where the birds are looking as they will be watching the fish. Another species that will start to appear as the temperatures drop will be

can be had. At this time of year, the tuna and mackerel will chase flying fish and

snapper. Usually April will see the odd specimen appear, mostly smaller 2-4kg fish at first, then by late May the bigger specimens will show, with fish up to 6-7kg being noteworthy in Hervey Bay. The usual baits of pilchards, mullet and any fish flesh will work, but soft plastics also take their fair share of fish too. Trolling deep diving hardbodies in the right circumstance will out fish both of these techniques at time, as this way you can cover more ground, especially if the fish are scattered. I use 20lb braid exclusively on my snapper outfits. Sure, you can use lighter braid, but beware of XOS longtails and cobia around bait schools in late summer and sometimes in early winter. Believe me, 25kg of tuna on 12lb braid

winter. Whiting can come on strong as well, especially on the spring tides and the shallow flats can produce some good popper fishing, as they’re up on the flats chasing

into winter is the grunter. We started catching them on barra lures late season quite a few years ago, and once again the influx of prawns has really fired them up! Soft vibes are deadly, particularly when worked slow and deep. Some big ones over 70cm have been taken along the western side

Snapper of this size are a staple for Hervey Bay in autumn.

taste great. WEATHER WONDERS Autumn sees a slight change in wind direction from pretty much constant southeasterly winds to more southerly, and then as winter sets in the westerlies take over, which I absolutely dislike. I’m definitely a warm weather person. In Hervey Bay southerlies, especially 15 knots and more, the fishing can be tough. Southerlies are a hard wind to escape from unless you go down the Straits somewhere and into a secluded creek, but getting there can be tough in small boats. Strong westerlies aren’t much better in this part of the world. Lastly, at this time of the year it pays to have a spare coat or sweater in the boat, as you never know when you will get a cold southerly breeze. Be prepared for all and you’ll stay comfortable. Tight lines.

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Throw garden worms to catch a feed of whiting BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

The whiting of Moreton Bay are tasty, plentiful, easily caught and much sought after. I’ve fished for these hard fighting little scrappers since I was a lad. All I needed to fish off the beach at Victoria Point was

a hand line (line on a Coke bottle) and some garden worms, and I’d come home with a feed for my three siblings and parents. When Denise and I decided to organise a feed of whiting off the northern end of Peel Island recently, I cheekily dug a few worms from the dear lady’s best garden bed. These worms were very lively, and just the right size to attract

a fish (so I thought), and were slipped into the rear hatch of the Galey in a small bucket. They were still there (live and kicking) when I stopped to buy some squid on the way to the Raby Bay ramp. Twenty minutes after launch we were onto whiting and Denise laughed as I picked through the mess of straw and soil the worms were in and threaded one of the lively little fellows

Three of the best whiting from the day laid out on the kitchen cutting board.

Garden worms work a treat on whiting. Once I proved the worth of the garden worms, Denise quickly started to use them as well.

onto a hook. She soon stopped laughing when I latched straight onto the best fish for the morning almost as soon as the slack went out of the 3kg mono. Making a long session of fishing short, I can safely say that garden worms will catch whiting. I’m not saying that they will out-fish bloodworms, but they will catch fish. My suggestion is to catch a few on squid or marine worms for a start then switch to garden worms to test them out. I picked up some clues in that session. I caught all

the larger fish by casting in the direction the boat was heading, the same as if working a plastic. It’s easy to drift for whiting and just leave the rod sit, or jig a hand line up and down under the boat as it moves along but by casting ahead, and working the bait vigorously back towards me I certainly caught the larger fish of those we kept. Second clue is that if you are heading out for whiting don’t go overboard with the lightness of the line. Whiting are not the least bit wary or line shy and fight so

stubbornly when hooked, that ultra light line soon becomes somewhat degraded or kinked from the incessant strain. Use 3kg to get the job done, and this will also take care of a lizard if one comes along. So there you have it. Give the garden worms a go next time you are out fishing for whiting. It is best to pack them into a quantity of bran from a produce outlet to minimise the mess and make it easier to find them, rather than having them in soil. Like most livies, no one wants to go next!

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Gearing up for land-based shallow luring BRISBANE

Gordon Macdonald masterbaitertackle@hotmail.com

I often enjoy simple fishing like wading the flats and casting a few lures. I am lucky to live close to the bay, as the foreshores of Moreton Bay, the numerous canals, and a multitude of creek and river systems provide ample opportunity for anglers to target species such as bream, whiting, flathead, squid and a host of other species. The quality of fish that can

broad area of water, often 100m or more from shore. At times you will wade in water up to waist deep to gain access to the shallow weed beds, rubble banks and sandy gutters where numerous species hunt and take up residence. Therefore you need to have everything at hand as you don’t want to be wading back to the shore every time you want to change lures or de-hook a fish. Let’s look at a few of the items that you may require if you are to make the most of land-based luring opportunities.

your rod is physically light yet possesses the ability to cast small lures (generally 2.5-6g in weight), yet still possess the power to subdue a decent fish. While high quality outfits offer the best casting and fish fighting capabilities, you can still get good performance from a basic graphite rod and reel combination, and a suitable outfit can start from as little as $100. Add a spool of quality, light braided line for as little as $35 and your casting needs are met. Transporting all your tackle can be a dilemma.

Luckily there are many suitable tackle storage solutions available from quality tackle stores. Many

baits in the shallows. While lures can be attached with a simple loop knot without hindering

that dive to less than 1m. This is especially the case in areas with weed beds or shallow rock or reef that

Crankbaits and hardbodies are especially effective for bream.

Blades and other vibration lures can be cast further in windy conditions. They sink to any depth and can be worked with a slow wind (roll) or a more erratic hop and pause retrieve. be taken on little lures and jigs cast into shallow water is surprising. Being organised can make a big difference, as having everything with you, while remaining mobile is extremely important if you wish to explore a

GEAR The small, light lures required for this type of fishing need a suitable outfit to cast them on. Rods in the 1-3kg, 2-4kg and 3-5kg line classes should be suitable. A graphite composition will guarantee

Backpacks are not that suitable if you are wading as you have to take them off to access most items. Holding the backpack and retrieving gear while juggling a rod will often result in one or all items ending up in the water.

Don’t forget the essentials! Sun protection is incredibly important as are a good pair of shoes to avoid underwater hazards. 18

MAY 2016

of these are designed to be strapped around your waist. This is fine if you are only wading in the shallows, however, I prefer a bag that sits higher on my body, opting for a Rapala Sling Bag. This spends most of its time on my back out of the way, yet can be slung onto my chest to access various compartments. It opens 90° so you have a small tray on your chest, allowing your tackle box to sit flat to carry out various tasks. There are a few items that you will need to have at hand for this style of fishing. A small pair of pliers are necessary to de-hook fish or straighten slightly distorted treble hooks. It is also useful to quickly remove a hook from yourself if you have a mishap. A pair of scissors is necessary for cutting leader material, trimming knots and similar tasks. A lip gripper device allows you to secure hard to handle species such as flathead. Mine is a basic plastic device, I like this type because it is light to carry and will not rust. Additionally, the wide, flat jaws don’t tear the mouth of a struggling fish and it easily clips onto the strap of my sling bag and is easily accessible. You will require at least two types of leader material. Monofilament leader of 3-6kg for when you are surface fishing, as it floats and allows the lure to exhibit the desired action. Fluorocarbon leader is refuted to neither attract nor deflect light – therefore it is close to invisible underwater. Generally 3-6kg breaking strains are used to cast sub-surface lures such as soft plastics, minnow lures and vibration

There are plenty of tackle storage options to choose from for wading land-based adventures. their decisive action, constant lure changes will quickly shorten your leader. This can be a little fiddly, especially when you are in waist deep water and trying to keep your reel out of the water, hold two lures, and retrieve scissors when you tie a knot. As such, I prefer to use a small snap. There are many different types available that will suffice, I like to use the Decoy Spiral Snaps as they are simple to use, with no clip to open, and are nice and light. Fast lure changes can be important to maximise you fishing opportunities LURES Different locations require numerous lures to work them over effectively. Shallow areas require lures

protrude from the bottom. These lures can be worked over the structure without fouling. I prefer floating lures as I generally find they have better actions at a slow retrieve speed. However, suspending models do have their advantages in the fact that they can be suspended over prominent structure (often a catalyst for a strike) and they are generally slightly heavier than floating lures, which aids in casting. Most of the shallow diving lures I commonly use are generally neutral or fairly natural finishes. For those areas between 1-2.5m depth, use slightly deeper diving lures, especially when fishing the canals and edges of

deeper channels. Species such as flathead, sole, estuary cod and flounder spend the majority of their time close to the bottom, therefore lures that track near the bottom, preferably banging and rattling across it, are most likely to score a strike. Floating lures can be walked across structure (ideal to chase estuary cod along the rock walls in the canals) and then paused and allowed to float up over obstructions, which limits snags and lost lures. Some of my deeper lures are bright colours, making them more prominent in the depths, especially in muddy or stained waters. Blades and other vibration lures can be cast further in windy conditions.

lure arsenal. Popular lures include poppers and stickbaits, although fizzers, wakebaits and paddlers may also be included in this group. These are exciting to fish and provide a surface disturbance similar to a fleeing prawn or baitfish. The strikes can be exhilarating with a follow from a fish often witnessed for several seconds before the strike. I love working topwater offerings over weed beds and shallow reef and rubble. Dawn and dusk, as well as cloudy days, offer the prime time for these presentations, as predators are often higher in the water column and in shallower water during these periods. The surface disturbance

repeatedly until they hookup. Exciting stuff! Soft plastics are extremely effective and moderately priced lures. When rigged on a weighted jighead, soft plastics can be worked across or close to the bottom. This makes them ideal presentations for flathead and other bottom lurking predators. Plastics can be worked in almost any depth of water, provided the appropriate jighead weight is chosen. Small paddle-tails and curl-tails are especially productive as they can be slow rolled and require minimal effort to fish. However, prawn profiles, jerk shads and T-tails plus some worm and small crab profiles can also be used to

generally direction and then slowly wind or work the egi in a series of small hops and pauses. When the

others. A folding fillet knife to process any fish caught before you head home. A tape measure (this one is a

flats. There are a lot of underwater hazards to avoid when wading including stonefish, sharp rocks,

Soft plastics are an affordable and easy way to get started into the world of luring.

Topwater presentations deliver awesome, heart-stopping surface action on the flats. TACKLE STORAGE OPTIONS Waist packs • Versus VS-B6070 • Versus VS-B6069 • Plano 4456 Belt • Plano Lumbar Pack • Daiwa Waist Bag • Rapala Hip Pack • Rapala Sportsman 10 Belt Over-the-shoulder • Rapala Sling Bag (3600 and 3700 sizes) • Berkley Shoulder Bag • Daiwa Trout Shoulder Bag • Berkly FG Walk-n-Wade Backpacks • Wilson Backpack • Shimano Backpack • Rapala Tactical Bag • Rapala 3-in-1 Backpack Chest packs • Vision Mega-Bra • Vision Minni- Bra • Fispond Savage Creek Chest Pack • Fishpond Medicine Bow Chest Pack They sink to any depth and can be worked with a slow wind (roll) or a more erratic hop and pause retrieve. The vibrations these lures emit often draw predators from some distance away, as it is a similar vibe to a struggling baitfish. SURFACE Topwater offerings are a great addition to your

of topwater lures will excite fish lurking nearby into predatory mode. To increase the hookup rate for surface lures, many anglers add a stinger hook such as the Ecogear ZX Spares or the Decoy DJ-54s. Large whiting can be tempted with a topwater lure worked constantly across the sand flats. Often they will strike

good effect. For newbies, soft plastics offer an easy transition into the exciting world of lure fishing. If you fish the shallows keep your soft plastics small (maximum 3”), use the lightest jighead as you can get away with, and work them very slowly. SQUID JIGS Although not a necessity, having a few squid jigs can find rewards with a feed of tasty cephalopods for the evening meal. The cooler months in particular, offer great squid fishing in the shallows of Moreton Bay. Squid often follow or attack conventional lures, but the hook-up rate is fairly poor. Having a couple of egi (squid jigs) will tempt any squid you come across during your fishing session. Usually jigs between 1.2-2.5 sizes will suffice. Have at least two or three at your disposal with a couple of neutral colours and perhaps one or two brighter colours. Small taps or a slight resistance on your lure during the retrieve might indicate a squid is attacking your lure. Tie on the egi and cast in the same

strike comes, simply lift the rod tip into a fighting curve and slowly wind in the succulent squid. EXTRA ITEMS There are quite a few extra items that can be carried in your pack. While these are not necessities, they can useful. As light gauge, chemically sharpened treble hooks become dulled from hitting rocks or get bent and distorted while prying from a fish, they often need to be replaced. I keep an old school film canister with a selection of small trebles and some micro split rings. A pair of split ring tweezers is also required and I use a rubber band to secure this to the film canister. A few other items I carry that come in handy are as follows. A couple of plastic bags if you decide to keep a fish or a squid or to collect and remove rubbish left by

dressmakers tape measure which is cheap and easy to store) is handy to ascertain whether your catch is legal. Spare sunscreen for extended sessions. Scent to apply to your soft plastics – I do believe it can increase the strike rate. You may even decide to take a small camera with you, although many just use their phones to capture images these days. SAFETY Sun protection is extremely important to avoid short-term sunburn and long-term skin cancer. Apart from wearing an SPF rated long sleeve shirt, I also wear a high UV buff plus a cap/hat and apply plenty of sunscreen. Sunglasses are not only handy for reducing the glare on your eyes but you can see into the water effectively and recognise underwater structures and spot fish cruising the

broken shells and coral, glass, oysters and other flesh tearing obstacles. Wear a good pair of shoes that cover the entire foot and have a thick sole. Once you gather all these items, you are ready for a serious assault on the shallows and flats around Moreton Bay. In most areas, I generally work the last hour of the run-in tide and the first few hours of the run-out, although this may be different depending on location. The more you go the better you will understand how that particular area of the ecosystem works. Sometimes I am able to hand catch a sand crab or two, although this would be easier with a small landing net. The shallow waterways lining Moreton Bay are an extremely healthy fishery, so get out and check them out.

Make sure you pack a couple of squid jigs and get yourself a tasty feed of calamari. MAY 2016

Fish handling how-to: importance of ice brining PART IV FORSTER

Blake Hudson

Welcome to the fourth and final part of the fish handling series. This month we take you through the critical and concluding step to sophisticated handling. I guarantee you will take home premium product for the dinner table! Experts have identified that there is an inexpensive and easier way to handle fish and avoid damaging them. These include; selecting an appropriate landing surface to eliminate flipping, wearing a cotton glove to your bait hand to control your catch, and using ike jime (lethal brain

maintain our procedures. The next phase of the process that was taught was the ice brine – the technique of bringing the temperature of the fish down to around freezing point, without actually freezing the flesh. Although any reasonablysized ice box is suitable for the task of ice brining, in the main ice box aboard the wet liner, underneath the lids (that doubled as sponge covered kill tables) were insulated compartments (nine compartments at 110L each) that were used to contain a slurry of ice and salt water. This slurry was mixed at a ratio of approximately equal parts premium flake ice and salt water, and strictly adjusted throughout the day as fish were added – according to

quality and negates the necessity of immediate gut and gill removal. All the fish we exported had the gut and gills intact, and I was amazed that they could keep this way after being ‘set’ in the slurry, simply refrigerated for up to two weeks. Once we had returned to the harbour, we began to remove fish from the brine before packing carefully (to avoid scaling) into bins in a deliberate sideby-side, head-tail fashion. When removed from the brine, a ‘set’ fish was more stunning than when first caught, the colours of snapper, emperor and coral trout were dazzling. I have yet to find a fish for sale at the supermarket or seafood outlet that compares. A fillet taken from a fish treated in this manner of soft land, spike and brine, will be as firm as a chicken breast and the polar opposite in appearance, texture and flavor to a fillet taken from a fish caught and dispatched using any other method. Like many of us, I’ve been an angler my whole life. However, my entire fishing perspective was changed significantly once I worked professionally. In just two seasons fishing for

Correct brining – this is the perfect ratio of ice and saltwater. The fish remain fully submerged and don’t touch. careful and sophisticated fish handling techniques. Techniques that don’t require expensive equipment – a piece of wet sponge foam, a sharpened screwdriver and a few bags of ice won’t break the bank! This made the

implement and the least we can do to acknowledge the magnificence of the bounty we harvest. Ultimately, if you implement these techniques you will engage in responsible fishing practice and contribute to the

Premium flake ice may be harder to source than cube ice from the servo, but either are suitable. fishing far more productive and will certainly allow you much more time with your bait in the water! These techniques are easy to

longevity of our oceans. So get out there and be willing to change to a better way. Contrary to popular belief, an old dog

is never too old to learn new tricks – think back to the introduction of soft plastics and the skepticism that surrounded it. Learn how to adopt these simple changes into your fishing routine and you will be stunned at the results. I know I was! That’s why I have kept them up, whether I’m fishing from a beach, a bank, or a boat. We can all make a significant contribution to sustaining a healthy future of fishing for generations to come, and it is our responsibility to employ correct fish handling practice. Once you have mastered the art of handling, killing and brining, you will be eating the best fish you have ever experienced in your life, putting everything else to shame. Make it your duty to share these techniques, so that all anglers and all fish can benefit, and you’ll certainly be doing your bit ito put some certainty back into an uncertain fishing future. Until then, see you in the soup!

Top: Here’s an example of incorrect brining – these fish are touching and not fully submerged. Above: Another incorrect technique is a disproportionate ratio of seawater to ice, with far too much ice. spike) as a killing method. In this series, I have shared techniques I learned during seasons working aboard a professional wet liner off the west coast of Australia. At the time, we were being paid more money per kilo for our catch on the Tokyo fish market auction floors than any other boat in Australia and New Zealand. This ongoing result can only be attributed to the diligent and respectful way the skipper insisted we 20

MAY 2016

both the warmth of their body melting the ice, and the temperature of the water added. Once the fish had been killed, we would carefully lower the fish into the ice brine and assemble them to ensure that no part of the body touched another fish in the brine. Bringing the temperature of the fish down to such a low thermal reading simply preserves the fish. This optimises

snapper off the coast of Carnarvon, and calculating what we returned to the ocean (around 4/5th) and what was kept for export, plus the addition of an abundance of mixed reef fish catch, it was averaged that my share of the haul alone was a staggering amount of well over 200,000 fish. It would have been absolutely impossible to manage such sheer volume of living fish, had we not implemented some

A pan-sized snapper in rigor mortis, freshly removed from the ice brine post expedition.

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Make a run to the close reefs has a big sand build up on the north side of the bar, so if you are going to head out proceed with extreme precaution. Work with the tides, and the making tide is preferred if there is a slight swell on… safety is paramount. All local offshore reefs have been producing quality fish for this time of the year, with good catches of wahoo and Spaniards on the Tweed Nine Mile.

TWEED OFFSHORE

Jason Patane

The past month has been a great start of some productive fishing, and we live in a great part of the world for inshore and offshore fishing. After February, northeasterlies followed by a tropical low usually generates big swells. The Tweed Bar

Resident yellowtail kingfish are always there with the odd black kingfish or (cobia) thrown in. The 8” hexheads in bonito colour towed around 10-25km/h seem to get the wahoo going. For the Spanish mackerel, I like to tow dead and live baits such as a whole bonito, slimies or yakka rigged on a Predapro Fish Rig, these are the best thing since sliced bread!

Some great kingies have come aboard over the close-in reefs.

The weighted jig slots into the mouth of the baitfish, then pins the mouth closed. The other two pins are used to lock the gill closed. They give a great swimming action for all dead baits, and it’s always worth swimming a dead garfish in your spread. Small black marlin are still feeding close on the inshore reefs, and just recently I had my first sailfish sighting for the year. The FAD is still there and so are the mahimahi. They are only small but great fun on light gear. These fish can be very touchy when it comes to lures, but I have found that ZMan DieZel MinnowZ in pearl works a treat. If that fails, try using cubed pillies and place an unweighted hook in one of the cubes. I like to use Black Magic KS 3/0 as it hooks in the jaw and reduces mortality rate. Bulls sit deeper in the water column, so if you can get a livey past the rats you are in for a chance. The 50-fathom line east of the bar has had great water temperatures over the past 4 months with bull mahimahi in numbers and plenty of yellowfin as

Cobia have also been in good numbers in close. well. Surface stickbaits will usually being these guys aboard. My favourite is the Rapala X-Rap Long Cast Shallow in baby wahoo. It’s a great form of fishing and the surface strikes can be an amazing sight with fish leaping 3-4ft out of the water after hitting your lure. With cooler water temperatures moving in, the snapper will be about on the 18, 36s, 42s, and The Mudhole just east of

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s hard to argue with the benefits of a Pickle Fork bow when you’re going fishing. 22 aMAY pecially with few 2016 mates. The design allows more storage and more It’s hard to argue with the benefits of a forward Pickle Fork bow when you’re going fishing. sting space. Simply put...more room for mates gear! The But the Pickleallows Fork also Especially with a fewand mates. design more storage and more forward ds tremendous lateral stability which is important when there’s more people

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the bar producing. The occasional pearl perch and tuskfish should also turn up, which are great additions for the table. With the current flow (gentle and running south) try using some blade jigs or 7”soft plastics 1/2oz 6/0 jigheads for these bottom dwellers. There’s some great fun to be had this month, so why not get out and enjoy it? Fish on!

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Fresh flush shuts down the bite THE TWEED

David Solano

If you’re a midnight trevally stalker like me, you are going to love the Tweed at the moment, as those big bruising bandits are running amok throughout the river system. As I have previously suggested, it seems that regardless of tide they are a nighttime predator, and in my experience you seem to catch bigger fish in the

even caught them from my back yard while trying out different lures (I live on the water halfway up the Terranora arm of the river). Although they’re mostly only small fish, they are very aggressive and seem to scare the other fish, which consequently shuts the bite down, a little like the dolphins do when they go on a binge. The big ones are often found moving through Jack Evans Boat Harbour, in fact I think that’s usually my first port of call. What’s

sized metal slug as far as I can, aimed at the distinct water channel where shallow meets deep, then ripping it back as fast as I can seems to work most times. Sometimes it can get frustrating with cast after cast after cast with no results, and your arms start to tire and your concentration goes. You have to hang in there, because when one hits you, it’s on. These bruisers go off, and they try and out run you, smash straight into pylons whilst going

A local family beach fishing, with the author’s kayak in background. wee hours. At the moment they’re pretty much all over the shop, and I’ve

better, is that you don’t even need a boat to fish it! Casting a medium

full bore, and try anything to bust you off. But it’s so much fun!

I use a custom built rod, only 6ft and with an American rating of 20lb. Spooled on my reel is Diawa Tournament multicoloured braid, which is the thinnest 40lb braid I have ever seen. The leader is 25lb Sunline Shock Leader, and so far all these have proven the goods. When chasing the midnight trevs, make sure your knots are good as you won’t get a second chance. Chinderah, Kennedy Drive, Tumbulgum and the Highway bridge all seem to attract the big fish, particularly on the end of an incoming tide. Fishing bridges might seem daunting at first, but if you do it properly it’s easy and a lot of fun. As I fish from a yak 90% of the time, I find myself on the west side of Boyds Bay Bridge, often sitting perfectly still in an eddy and casting parallel to the pylons and pretty much imagining what my Z-Man paddle-tail is doing, loaded with a 3/4oz TT jighead. That’s a pretty scary concept, as you would think you’d snag up with a jighead of that weight, but no, for some reason it seems to avoid the rock. A point to remember is that a few meters behind me is an underwater cable, which is unrelenting to lures. In the past, I’ve seen people fighting the cable and thinking it was a fish! I think it must move a little… There’s been a lot of fresh up my end of the river, and it’s all coming from Cobaki and Terranora, which has turned the water

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Dave with a nice flathead taken in the Tweed River. tea coloured and slowed the bite down. The other arm of the river is cleaner, but the seaway area on the incoming is the pick if you’re on a boat. Sometimes there are some cowboys out there who dive the wall parallel to the hospital with no flags, buoys or anything! The only way you know they are there is by all the bubbles coming to the surface. On one occasion the diver must have been able to see our lures dropping straight on top of him, not on purpose, and it was only after we started to hit the bottom did we spot the bubbles. I asked my mate Ricardo what’s a legal size diver fish, with that we both pulled our lines in quickly as there were that many bubbles it looked like the boat was having a spa. If you’re fishing the river, I highly recommend live or fresh bait to snap the fish out of their shut down state. As I mentioned

earlier, there’s a lot of fresh water coming through the system. On the positive side of that is the seaway, the beaches and the rocks. Just be careful when rock hopping, and if you don’t have balance and a degree of fitness stick to the beach, which is full of fun at the moment with plenty of tailor action with the odd massive mulloway thrown in. If you’ve got a day off and are keen on catching a trophy mulloway, start out at Pottsville and slowly make your way north. This place is God’s country, and there’s so many good fishing spots between Potty and the Tweed. Definitely well worth a weekend of exploring. My brother’s going to kill me for this… but the great mulloway and tailor Hell Hole is situated out on the headland, only a short walk from the Broken Head Caravan Park down Byron Way! That’s all I’m allowed to say!

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MAY 2016

Brilliant Ballina bream biting BALLINA

Joe Allan

The beaches around Ballina have had some great activity over the last month. Tailor have been showing up in very consistent numbers with the best spots being out the front of Boundary Creek and along the front of the Broadwater Rocks. The tried and tested blue pilchards and metal slugs have been great during the day. In between the tailor, some quality big beach bream have been showing up. Offshore has been going off for mackerel and there’s no sign of these guys slowing down anytime soon. Trolling 100mm divers like the Atomic Shiners in silver wolf, ghost pearl tiger and purple shadow seem to be working

very well. Once you’ve found the active fish, try casting lures for them. Out the front of Lennox Head, the 32-fathom line have seen good numbers squire and surprisingly, good numbers of flathead around the edges of the reefs. Out wider, there are also great numbers of quality amberjack being taken. North and south walls of the Richmond have been fishing well for bream. The pick has been the south wall on the run-out tide. Try fishing surface lures and crankbaits over the porpoise wall when the water is flowing over. There can be some great visual action as the fish come from the depths to hit your lures. As the tide gets lower and you can’t fish over the wall anymore, try hopping blades and prawn imitation soft plastics down the rock face.

Aaron Sharp with a bream caught on a Crank 38 Mid from the Porpoise Wall. flathead will come along as by-catch. These guys are in the holes chasing anything that comes in front of their faces. Just remember, the big girls are the breeders, so please, please, please put them back. Once they get big, they’re not that nice to eat anyway. Take a couple of snaps and quickly get them back into the

Aiden Kane with a bream caught on an Atomic paddle-tail Plazo 2”. water. It’s great watching a big crocodile swimming back down to the depths. Crabs have been around in really good numbers. The dirty water around the Easter break has definitely stirred things up a bit and this should continue over the next month or so.

Try mostly up river from Pimlico towards Wardell. The best baits have been whole mullet or mullet frames. One little secret from an old local crabber is save your luderick frames and use them for crab baits. The oily frames seem to bring good numbers in.

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The bigger holes behind the town have been producing good numbers of mulloway and this should continue as the water starts to cool down. Live mullet have definitely been the best bait, but you will get them on big soft plastics during the day. If you chasing these beasts, the best fish have come on the making tide during the night time. You will find some big

Tayla Egan with a beautiful Spanish mackerel.

Offshore pelagics still on fire ILUKA

Ross Deakin

The Iluka region has experienced excellent weather over the last month, with an accompaniment of fantastic fishing – especially offshore, on the beaches and headlands. The Easter weekend and school holidays saw a busy tourist influx, with very kind weather conditions and many happy anglers. Catches included spotty and Spanish mackerel north and south of Iluka taking pink trolled squid skirts, live bait and lures. Longtail have been taken outside and off the main wall and prefer live bait especially live garfish on floats. There have been some incredible stories of fish hook-ups with sharks getting in on the action and depriving fishers of some awesome fish. Marlin were caught and released only a few kilometres offshore over the Easter weekend. Black rock has seen excellent cobia, snapper and teraglin, as has the fishing grounds of Angourie and the FAD. The main wall and

headlands have recorded trevally, awesome-sized tailor, snapper, bream and tarwhine. There have also been some very nice-sized dart and whiting caught in gutters at Shark Bay on worms and nippers. Great results this month include Kurt Murphy’s

Black Rock, and Gordon Collins took a 15kg longtail tuna at Black Rock. The river has experienced nice catches of school mulloway, bream, flathead and whiting. Better-sized fish and numbers are a bit further up the Clarence around

some nice size down the river. Epic catches of the month go to Bob Gutteridge for his 4.82kg flathead caught at Browns Rocks (released), Brian Sullivan’s 405g whiting caught up past Harwood, and Ralf Cutter’s 1.34kg blackfish. Please remember to take

This nice bream caught by Mal Butchart weighed in at 1.19kg.

An awesome morning of fishing for Ralf Karstens at Black Rock resulted in this 7.5kg ripper snapper. 5.1kg trevally caught at the Bluff, Ralf Karstens took a 7.5kg snapper taken at

the Harwood bridge and Maclean. This also goes for mudcrabs, but there are still

care if fishing the headlands and walls in Iluka, and to take your rubbish home with

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MAY 2016

Winter species on their way SOUTHERN GOLD COAST

Danny Sands

The Gold Coast has finally seen a great run of weather, with plenty of fishing action both offshore and in the estuaries. May is one of the better months to fish on the Gold Coast, with the water temperature still warm enough for good pelagic fishing. May will kick off the start of the first run of winter species along the Coast. The southerly winds have really turned on the mackerel along

Spanish mackerel have not been around in the same numbers as their little brothers, but what they lack in quantity, they’ve made up for in quality. We’ve seen some excellent condition, with most fish weighing in around the 10-14kg mark with a rogue fish around the 20kg mark. Troll live yakkas, or a legal tailor on downriggers or snapper leads to get yourself one of these great fish. Last month, the Gold Coast Sports Fishing Club hosted its first mackerel competition. Our team trolled a combination of live and

Another speedster I like to chase in May is wahoo. Trolling Hex Heads in purple at speed will work well this month. Places like the Tweed Nine Mile, the Mud Hole and the 80m line off the Q1 building were effective in April. This method really turns them on, but the downside is that you will burn dollars worth of fuel! Try slow trolling large dead bait like bonito, tailor and large slimies. The current should slow down this month, and the first blow of westerlies should flatten out the seas and make excellent conditions. The 30 fathom line off the Tweed and the 36 fathom are producing good numbers of snapper, tuskfish, pearlies and the odd kingfish or amberjack. The humble two hook paternoster rig will be the way to go if the current is still running out wide, however, floatlining will produce better fish. INSIDE As the days start to get shorter and the westerly winds begin to roll in, the run of winter species like tailor, bream, luderick and mullet will follow. This attracts predatory fish like mulloway

and yellowtail kingfish that follow these schools of fish into our estuary systems. The Seaway usually fishes very well in May with large schools of trevally and mulloway able to be targeted around the pipeline on the slack tides. The ever reliable 7” Gulp Jerk Shads in white will still be the number one plastic for mulloway fishing in the Seaway. When fishing with plastics for mulloway l like a rod tip retrieve with a long pause in between each lift. Micro-jigging small jigs around the 30g mark is also a deadly technique in the Seaway, as most fish love a small lure offering. Plenty of yellowfin bream will be on offer, as they like to feed hard before their spawning run. Fish at night around the full moon and use flesh baits like herring, gar and mullet around the Tweed Bar and the Seaway to find better quality bream. If you like to fish with lures try using the Berkley Gulp 2” Prawn and Cranka Crabs around the many channel markers from the Gold Coast seaway to Marina Mirage. In the last couple of

This Seaway mangrove jack could not resist a live bait offering. the inshore reefs. Big numbers of spotty mackerel have shown up on local reefs such as Mermaid, Palm Beach and the Gravel Patch off Burleigh. Anchor up on sunrise and floatline half cut pilchards in a berley trail for some great success. This is a very easy way to get your bag limit before work! If you don’t like crowds, spin 40g metal on the dirty water line behind the Jumpinpin Bar on a run-out tide to catch spotty mackerel around the 1m mark.

dead baits at certain water depths that we marked on the sounder. We caught four Spanish mackerel up to 13kg, all of which fell to live yakkas, so when heading out take the time and cover all your bait options. The Spanish mack have been erratic, and difficult to locate in the last month, so it may take some time to find them. Places like Diamond reef off Southport, Focus Reef, and Burleigh have had the numbers in recent times.

This trevally was caught on the Seaway Pipe Line.

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George Sands caught this Spanish mackerel in the Mackerel Classic. months I have been doing a lot more lure fishing for mangrove jacks from the bank and have had good results. I concentrate on fishing drains that feed from man-made drains and lakes from the Carrara area to the northern end of the Coast. Fishing early morning and late afternoons using poppers like Lucky Craft G Splash and Yo Zuri 3D Minnows have had a lot of success lately. Most of the bigger jacks end up in the seaway before they disperse offshore. Mangrove jacks love to school at the north wall of the Seaway on the bottom of the tide, and when it starts to run-in they disperse to caves until it

stops running. Using live pike, herring and slimy mackerel will get you more bites then any lure presentation. BEACH FISHING May is a good month to chase a few tailor along our beaches. This time last year saw plenty of chopper tailor, with the odd green back mixed in. Pilchards and gar work well on gang hooks. Narrow neck sand bags, 19th Avenue and the sand pumping jetty are worth a look this month. Overall, May is very much a transitional month on the Gold Coast, with cold nights, less traffic on the waterways, and large amounts of spawning fish.

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Transition season offers up some hot fishing GOLD COAST CANALS

Josh Dunn

May can be a tricky month to get your head around because it’s the change of seasons from hot to cold. Some days can be a successful, but some days you’ll go home with nothing but the bites from a mosquito! Once you work out the water temperature, weather and tides you can start to

warm day can produce a better chance of mangrove jack. Another consideration to make is the lure colour. Make sure it suits the water clarity. Flathead are still on the bite, although numbers are reducing due to the cooler weather and less signs of bait in various spots. ZMan 2.5” Slim SwimZ in bloodworm have been working well in the dirty water of the run out. Shallow diving hardbodied

Flathead aren’t the only thing that will hit a hardbodied lure either, and jacks, bream and trevally are all partial to a wellpresented hardbody. Natural structure will be worth a shot for jacks at this time of year due to the cooler weather. Fishing right up the creeks of main river systems including the Nerang, Coomera and Logan will be the best option. Look on Google Maps for some likely spots.

them, getting your lure as close as possible. Logs, mangroves and rock bars are all great structure. Local Gold Coast canal angler Will Smedley reports that the very southern canal systems like Tallebudgera

keep on prospecting the area to create a competition bite among them. There’s been a few whiting getting around lately, so try using surface walkers and little poppers around 40-50mm. If

confident to feed on the surface. This time last year I got into quite a lot of GT in the canals on the run-out tide around 4pm, mainly on the corners and mouths of the canals. Retaining and rock walls worked best.

Mulloway are a viable target as the weather starts to cool off.

Trevally will begin smashing bait as more come through the canal systems. figure out what the fish are doing. For example, a high tide, morning and overcast

lures including Lively Lures Assassin, Halco and Lucky Craft are all worth a shot.

Look for old dead trees coming from the bank and put many casts around

and Currumbin on the Gold Coast are alive this month. Coming off the end of a very hot jack season, the trevally have kept the action going, which anglers are finding schooled around bridges and pontoons. Small plastics will help find these trevally, and once you have caught one,

you’re a bait angler, try bloodworms. Lures work best around the sand flats in the Broadwater around Crab Island and parts of our canal systems. In the next month we will hopefully see more rain, overcast skies and cooler weather, and with that will bring fish more

In conclusion, May is definitely a great month for fishing where you still get a taste of summer species and the winter are starting to come through. Persist and learn from your experiences, because you’ll never stop learning in fishing! See you on the water!

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Wahoo-ing off the coast GOLD COAST

David Green

May is a very productive month to fish the offshore grounds east of the Gold Coast. As the water temperature starts to drop there is a transition between summer and winter species. The current decreases on the 36 and 50 fathom reefs, which also makes bottom fishing much more productive. OFFSHORE Out wider, on the continental shelf, there should be some great blue marlin fishing this month. The season for these big fish has been erratic this year, with good days followed by long periods without a bite. In May the East Australian Current drops down in speed, and big offshore eddies form. If you look at the sea surface temperature graphs prior to heading offshore you can pick up the rough GPS coordinates of where the temperature breaks and current eddies are located. This information helps to plan your trips safely and more effectively. A massive

blue estimated at 1100lb was caught and released recently by Lorraine Golightly onboard Merlen, skippered by legendary

marlin skipper Bob Jones. This was probably the biggest fish ever caught off the Gold Coast. In May quite a few

A pigeon pair of gorgeous snapper.

Breanna Malone with a great flathead.

monster blues over 200kg turn up in the slightly cooler water. This season quite a few blue marlin have been caught in relatively shallow water in the band between 90 and 150m. This area is only a few miles east of the 50 fathom reef. In closer to shore there should be mackerel and wahoo. This season the most successful method to catch mackerel has been trolling live baits and rigged dead baits from a downrigger. This has worked well on the 24

fathom and 18 fathom reefs and is a deadly method that has out-fished every other technique most days. Spinning with metal lures is also a good easy method to try when the fish are deep. For wahoo, the Tweed Nine Mile is generally the best place to try. Troll minnows, high speed Hex Heads and live tuna to produce some good results. If the current is running across the reef and there are showering bait, there will generally be a few wahoo about. In the past, this area produced

a lot of big mackerel tuna, but over the past few seasons they have greatly reduced in numbers. Snapper fishing will pick up this month as the water cools. While it is still a few months before they spawn, a lot of fish start to move into the 36, 42 and 50 fathom reefs in the cooler conditions and can be caught on metal ‘slow’ jigs, floating baits and soft plastics. This will also produce pearl perch, parrotfish, teraglin and a few amberjack and

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yellowtail kingfish. These reefs fish quite well through May as they have had very little fishing pressure in the

preceding months with currents making fishing difficult. Mulloway and cobia will

This autumn weather has got us saying ‘wahoo.’

increase in numbers on the inshore grounds, and live baiting with tailor, big live slimy mackerel and yellowtail all work well. Berley makes a big difference when targeting cobia. Every season quite a few cobia over 30kg are caught in May on the reefs close to Southport. ESTUARIES AND RIVERS As the first winter westerlies start to blow and the water cools, a lot of fish start to move towards the entrances of Jumpinpin and the Seaway in preparation for spawning. Mullet start to school up in numbers and this attracts a wide range of predators. Mulloway and yellowtail kingfish are good targets in the Seaway this month. In daylight hours the most successful bait is live pike. Catching pike is generally pretty easy. Work small hardbodies and soft plastics around the edges of weed beds on a run-in tide in clean water. While pike are not overly active bait, they are very effective on mulloway and kingfish. When targeting mulloway in the Seaway in the day, use a ball sinker about 40cm above your bait and fish the edges of the rock walls, the hole at the end of the north wall of the Seaway and the down current side of the pipeline. Rig your pike on two hooks. I like 7/0 octopus patterns. For kingies drift your live pike through

the Seaway channel and work around the marker buoys. The yellow marker off the end of the north wall of Wavebreak Island is a good spot to find a kingie. Some of these are quite big fish, the best I’ve seen caught from my boat a few years back weighed 17kg. Flathead fishing greatly improves this month, and the fish are active and aggressive. There are often quite big schools of white pilchards in the estuary in May and when these are around the flathead will chase a lure all the way to the boat. Soft vibes, blades and soft plastics are all effective,

and trolling with hardbodies is a reliable go-to method. The water is generally quite clear and it is a good time to chase flatties, with most fish between 40-60cm at this time of year. This season has been good for whiting, which should continue through May. If conditions are windy, try to target the whiting on poppers and small stick baits. The first of a run-in tide is often a good time to try as the water moves up onto the flats. My best whiting lure is the Bassday Sugapen in clear and purple. Catching whiting on surface

lures is great fun, and their aggression seems quite out of character for a small bottom feeding fish. There should be some good mulloway fishing at night in the last week of May at both Jumpinpin and the Seaway. Use live mullet and fish them on the change of high tide. Overall, May is very much a month of transition between summer and winter species on the Gold Coast. Cool mornings and calm days make it a great month to chase everything from blue marlin to whiting.

FISHING FILL-ITS

Cunninghams take on SmartWave The SmartWave range of boats have certainly gained serious traction in the boating sector in Australia and especially Queensland since entering the scene six years ago. Advantage Plastics in New Zealand manufacture these high quality polyethylene SmartWave boats and are delighted to have appointed Cunningham Marine Centre as a new SmartWave dealer. There are already six dealers in Queensland. SmartWave will prove a perfect fit for the range

of boats the Cunninghams already sell. The Cunningham range includes Brooker Revival, Blue Fin, and Mercury. Ian Cunningham operates a very proactive dealership with high attention to customer satisfaction with a friendly

sales and service team. We welcome you to call in and see our range including our chandlery shop at 23-25 Snook Street, Clontarf 4019, QLD. Or visit www. cunninghammarinecentre. com.au. – Cunningham Marine Centre

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Flatties are thick in Jumpinpin JUMPINPIN

Mick Morris gembait@tpg.com

I can’t believe that it’s May already and the bream season is upon us yet again. This means that the cooler weather is here and the water temperature is dropping. This change will see bigger bream moving in and the quality of your catch start to improve. Troll small deep diving lures around the edges of rock walls or snags until you get a hook-up or try to use small blades or plastics in the deeper water where you know snags are located. The best and most effective way to catch bream is, and always will be, with bait. They will attack prawns,

squid, fillets, yabbies, worms, and pretty much anything else you stick in front of them. Try to present your bait as best as possible with the aid of a berley trail and you will attract the larger fish. The best spots for bream will be the dead trees off the bottom of North Stradbroke, the point of Short Island, Cobby hole, Giants Grave, Steglietz and Rocky Point. Flathead are around in good numbers too, and you can expect them to be caught right through May. I find lizards can be caught at any time of the tide but they will bite better as the tide first starts to run out and the last hour before low tide. I have been successful with large banana prawns, pilchards and whitebait bouncing them along the bottom as I drift over

the mud and sand banks. You cover more territory when you drift, and you will effectively take the bait to the flathead as they lay in wait to ambush their prey. Use plastics and soft vibes on the drift, or an electric motor to hold you in place is a great way to target them as well. Try along the southern entrance to Cobby Passage, the sandy patches of the Pandannus banks, the mud flats north of Cabbage Tree boat ramp, Kalinga Bank, behind Tabby Tabby and along the Never Fail Islands. Local fisher Heath Edmondson did the fishery proud winning the Pirtek Fishing Challenge with a cracking 88cm flathead from near the powerlines. He told me he’d had no luck with heavier gear and used lighter line to try to get a bite. Using a 5” white Jerk Shad he hooked the flathead and quickly realised it was a monster. Thinking that his light 6lb leader would not hold the fish, he had to angle it until the fish was tired enough to be netted. A quick photo and the fish was released unharmed. He won himself some top prizes, and it’s great

to see that trophy fish like this can be caught locally. Whiting should still be about in good numbers along the sand flats and drop-offs across from Slipping Sands, Fishermans Channel, behind Tabby Island and near Mosquito Island. Winter whiting should be on the chew and heavily targeted on the sand flats north of Cabbage Tree Pt, Tiger Mullet Channel, the Bedrooms, Never Fail Islands and Diner Island. These whiting are easily distinguishable by the black spots along their flanks. Use small yabbies and pieces of worm on small No 6,8,10 long shank hooks along a berley trail and you should have no trouble getting a feed of these sweet tasting fish. Plan mulloway-fishing trips around the smaller tides, as they prefer the slower water movements and feed more aggressively. Jig big plastics and livebait with pike or mullet in the deep water off Swan Bay and you should hopefully catch a big fish. Giants Grave, the point of Short Island and Marks Rocks in the Logan should hold a few mulloway as well.

Heath Edmondson with his prize winning 88cm monster flatty caught near the powerlines. The King of the Pin fishing competition is on again this month, so be sure to set aside the 27-29 of May weekend as there are some great prizes on offer and a top time is to be had at the Gem Hotel where the weigh-in and presentations are

held on the Sunday. • 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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FISHING FILL-ITS

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Leading trailerboat manufacturer Horizon Aluminium Boats has announced it has added iconic Aussie brand and long-time rival, Stessl Boats to its stable. Horizon has secured the rights to manufacture the full range of Stessl boats from retiring Stessl Managing Director, Rod Sloane. Horizon’s General Manager, Scott James, is looking forward to the new undertaking. “When we heard that Rod was looking to wind back the production of Stessl Boats and to ease into retirement, we saw an opportunity to take on the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of Stessl boats alongside our Horizon brand,” Scott said. “Rod was looking to step back from day to day manufacturing operations so we came to an agreement to move the construction of the full range of Stessl models

to our Horizon Boats facility in Currumbin Waters on the Gold Coast. “Stessl is a house-hold name with Aussie boating families, the brand having been part of the Australian boating landscape since the late 1970s. “In that time Stessl has produced some very innovative craft, including the Edgetracker v-nose boats, and the Platerix Series heavy duty plate alloy boats. “We look forward to manufacturing these timeproven craft and building on the Stessl reputation for innovation in design, layout and construction.

“We believe the addition of Stessl Boats to our model line-up will grow our business and compliment our Horizon boat range. “Our customers will benefit as we will now be able to offer them everything from light weight car topper dinghies through to heavy duty plate alloy offshore fishing boats.” Horizon Aluminium Boats will be manufacturing the full range of Stessl models, including the popular Edgetracker open boats, Bluewater runabouts, Trophy centre consoles, Funseeker bowriders, Seahawk half cabins and Coastrunner centre cabins.

The Stessl boat range will continue to be available through the existing Stessl dealer network and welcome new dealer enquiries. Horizon Aluminium Boats is one of Australia’s leading manufacturers of recreational alloy boats. The company was established in 1992 and is now approaching its 25th anniversary of continuous boat manufacturing. Based on the Gold Coast throughout this period, this family owned and run business prides itself on building strong, durable and well designed aluminium craft with an emphasis on giving customers great value for money. For further information and the location of your nearest Stessl dealer, please contact Scott James at Horizon Aluminium Boats. Phone (07) 5598 1033 – or visit the Stessl Boats website at www.stessl.com.au – Horizon Boats

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Happy snaps in the bay SOUTHERN BAY

Nabeel Issa

Snapper, snapper and more snapper! In the past month, Moreton Bay has put on some awesome snapper fishing! This time of the year certainly puts

on some great weather and most weekends have been calm and have enabled us all to get out! Autumn is a great time to be out on the water, mild temperatures and low winds makes for some nice sessions out on the bay! The Tuna are still out

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in force and are another option for anglers to target and it’s business as usual on the many mulloway that call our bay home. There really are plenty of options at this time of the year! MULLOWAY There have been a few mulloway showing up in the usual locations over the past month. So far, there hasn’t been any great big numbers, and they certainly haven’t been in large schools, but there have been some big fish around! Anglers that have been having success are concentrating on watching the fish finder for signs of fish before casting in. Peel Island Artificial Reef and the House Boat Wreck have been producing mulloway. They can be there one day and gone the next, so it is hit and miss at the moment. Most trips I will have a quick sound around the likely areas and if they aren’t there, I just move on. Drifting with soft plastics over the sounded fish has been the best technique. TUNA The tuna have still been prevalent in Moreton Bay

Luke Goody with a mac tuna caught casting at a surface bust up. These fish are built for speed and can really pull some drag! with more fish moving south into the Southern Bay region. Both longtail and

been from the Sand Hills at Moreton Island and all the way up to Tangalooma.

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Danh Duong with his personal best snapper. This fish fell victim to a 4” ZMan Curly Tail smeared with Pro-Cure scent.

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mac tuna have been around, but both have been quite tricky to tempt at times. The main reason for this is the small baitfish they have been feeding on. The fish can be intent on just chasing micro-sized bait, and no matter what lure you throw, unless it’s the same size they will never bite! It can be extremely frustrating, so downsize your lures if you find that they are shying away. A popular option is the 3.5” soft plastics. You can also trim the soft plastic a fraction to make it smaller. The tuna have been showing up in a lot of different areas, but the best bets so far this season have

Around Harry Atkinson Artificial Reef and towards the eastern side of Peel Island is also worth a look. Run-out tide has been the ideal tide for them as the tide helps congregate the baitfish together. SNAPPER March and April proved to be great months for snapper fishing in Moreton Bay, with some monster fish being caught! Some fish close to the 10kg mark have been showing up, with plenty of fish in the 4-5kg range around to have fun with. Without a doubt the most popular and productive spot has been Harry Atkinson Artificial

Reef. As much pressure as it does cop, it still produces some trophy fish! The anglers that have been having the most success have found that getting there when there’s less boat traffic has been key. Whether that means getting there early or staying longer than most others, once the masses leave it tends to fish better and the fish come on the bite. Using lightly-weighted soft plastics and allowing them plenty of time to sink and waft in the current has been the stand out technique. This allows for a natural presentation, which the fish find hard to resist! BREAM If bream is your preferred species, there has been plenty about all around the islands. I have been hearing reports of large numbers being caught with some big fish amongst them! Fish pushing the 1kg mark have not been uncommon, so it’s well worth a shot as those big ones sure pull some line! Surface lures are the best bet and make for some great visual fishing. Just look for some rocky or weedy structure in less than 1m of water, use long casts and a slow retrieve and the fish won’t be far away! Hopefully this great weather hangs around a bit longer! Moreton Bay is in great shape and fishing well, get out there and give it a crack! If you have any success or a story you would like to share, send it through to nabs12@gmail. com and I will do my best to get it in the magazine!

Fishing Fill-its

River fish going with the flow Fish are confined to isolated waterholes for much of the year in many intermittent, dryland rivers. It is only during these rivers’ brief flow events that fish are able to move between waterholes and explore surrounding habitat. Researchers recently studied how and where golden perch, eel-tailed catfish and bony bream move in response to brief flow events. The focus of the study (‘Go with the flow’ by Marshall et al, which appeared in Freshwater

Biology) by was the Moonie River, which is part of the Murray-Darling Basin in Queensland. Over three years, the researchers tagged 215 fish and they found that when flow events occurred, individuals from each species moved from their waterhole but showed no preference for upstream and downstream. Most travelled up to 20km in a few days, while others ranged over 70km. Many fish later returned to their starting waterhole. The timing of the flow was more important than

how big it was, with most fish movement occurring in response to the first post-winter flow event, independent of its magnitude and duration. Many of the fish later returned to their starting waterhole either by the end of a flow event or on subsequent events. This indicates that they have the ability to remember their route through the waterway, and also that they prefer more permanent refuge pools. GOLDEN PERCH SPAWNING A different study has been carried out on the

Golden perch eggs collected during monitoring in the Goulburn River. Photo courtesy of Jim Castles, Goulburn-Broken CMA.

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fish habitat of more than 1100km of the BarwonDarling Rivers between Walgett and Wilcannia, NSW, mapping this whole area. The river bank shape and depth, vegetation and river snags were all noted because these affect how different species of fish use various areas of the river. It also shows how the fish respond to flows. Some native fish need deeper, faster flowing water to breed, while others prefer to lay their eggs on vegetation in the calmer waters of a wetland. Golden perch exhibited a strong spawning response to increased flows from the delivery of environmental water. In fact, the planned spring 2014 flow pulse induced golden perch spawning in numbers not previously seen, other than following the 2010 floods, and so can be regarded as an excellent example of managed flows achieving their aim. Silver perch also spawned in association with increased flows. However, although golden perch and silver perch spawned in the Goulburn River in 2014, no fish of that year class

Golden perch have shown a strong spawning response to increased flows from environmental water in the Goulburn River. were collected in the 2015 fish monitoring surveys. Therefore, while increased flows can promote spawning of these species in the Goulburn River, it appears that the hatchlings may not colonise the spawning area. Given that golden perch and silver perch lay semi-buoyant eggs that drift downstream on river currents, potentially over large distances, it is

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Chasing ghosts during autumn BRISBANE

Gordon Macdonald masterbaitertackle@hotmail.com

The warmth of summer is a distant memory as we prepare for winter. I dislike the cooler weather, however the one positive is the abundance of new species to target. Increasing numbers of mulloway, tailor, bream, snapper, squid and numerous other species are on offer for anglers during May. While early mornings can be chilly, anglers who get out early can get into some hot fishing action. Let’s explore a few possibilities for the coming month. MULLOWAY Often referred to as ‘ghosts of the estuary’ due to their elusive nature, mulloway have become a common capture through Southern Queensland since the 2011 floods. Quality mulloway to over a metre in length can be caught in most of the major rivers, estuary systems and within Moreton Bay. Mulloway are commonly taken on both lures and baits. While live offerings can achieve some satisfying results, lures allow you to cover a lot more water. Skilled anglers locate a school of mulloway with their electronics and present their favourite offering right to them. Common offerings are jighead-rigged soft plastics (especially paddle-tails, curltails and crustacean profiles) and vibration baits (hard, soft and blades). However, other lures such as micro-jigs, and diving minnows will produce. Mulloway can be opportunistic feeders at times, but they can also be pedantic, only coming on the chew around the tide changes. Being in the right place at the right time is key, no matter what baits or lures you present. Live baits generally beat dead offerings and are definitely the key to secure larger specimens over 10kg. Banana prawns, herring, slimy mackerel, yakkas, cowanyoung, mullet, pike

and diver whiting offer great choices as live offerings. The Brisbane River, Caboolture River, Logan River, Jumpinpin and Pumicestone Passage are prime locations. In the Brisbane River, mulloway are often found along the edges of the decline into the main riverbed, especially around the front of the major jetties where baitfish hold. Deeper holes and ledges are worth probing along with any lighted areas where baitfish congregate at night, such as the Bribie Island Bridge. Threadfin respond to the same baits and techniques, so you will possibly encounter them while chasing mulloway in the Brisbane River. SQUID We should see a further increase in squid numbers as the water begin to cool during May, especially in the shallows and around the bay foreshore. Land-based squidding opportunities exist at Manly, Wynnum, Wellington Point, Scarborough, Victoria Point

and many other locations. Anywhere that clean water flows over weed beds, reef, rubble grounds or other structure, is a likely spot to catch squid. Night is the best time to target them, and the best opportunities occur around more heavily populated areas, especially on the higher stages of the tide. Anglers commonly scour these areas using highpowered LED head torches. Once a squid is located cast an egi (squid jig). Obviously the resident squid get to see a lot of jigs in the more heavily populated areas and they can become hard to tempt at times. Anglers commonly use smaller egi from size 1.2-2.5 around the foreshores. Out in the bay the squid fishing can be quite easy with cephalopods pouncing on any jig in their vicinity. Squid can commonly be located around the Bay Island shallows, the weed beds along the western side of Moreton Island, Amity

Another victim of the Samaki 100mm Thumpertail – a quality Moreton Bay snapper.

Rock Wall, the Rous Channel, Browns Gutter, the edges of the Rainbow Channel opposite Amity, and numerous other locales. Egi from size 2.0-4.0 are commonly used within the bay to tempt squid (mostly arrows and tigers). Quality egi (generally Japanese-made) will produce better results than cheaper offerings, because they have more controlled sink rates, better action and more realistic coating. The squid will hold on for longer, which increases the chance of hooking them. The rows of spikes at the rear of the egi are generally chemically sharpened, and penetrate a squid tentacle at the lightest touch. Some of the better egi brands include Yamashita, Yo-Zuri, Daiwa and Gancraft, however there are plenty of quality brands available. It definitely pays to have several egi in a variety of colours, as squid can be particular. In deeper water it pays to allow the egi to sink before ripping it upwards with a solid strike of the rod. Allow it to sink before repeating. This will imitate the real action of a prawn – the squid will generally pounce upon the jig as it sinks. In shallower water you often have little choice but to slowly wind the jig and pause occasionally. Both retrieves work well for either species of squid. Arrows will sometimes snub egi and prefer real bait. A whole pilchard, yakka, slimy mackerel or other dead fish is generally pinned on a squid skewer and either floated behind the boat, beneath a float or just allowed to drift mid-water. The Yamashita KTISFB Skewer is the best I have seen, and the only one I can find with chemically sharpened barbs. Floating out a baited skewer is a great way to secure a few squid when fishing around the Bay Islands, in the channels (such as the Rous), or while fishing for whiting in areas such as the Sand Hills. The squid will grab the bait and then the razor sharp tentacles will penetrate

you are mainly catching smaller specimens. Although sometimes annoying, these smaller snapper need to be handled with care and released quickly to optimise the chance of them growing into a big red. The areas surrounding the Bay Islands, the artificial reefs, ledges and wrecks are key areas to try. All snapper respond favourably to quality bait, however I have caught a lot more quality snapper on lures over the last decade then I ever did when fishing with baits. However, I do know many anglers successfully target snapper on bait. Small live yakkas, pike, squid and slimy mackerel are awesome offerings for quality snapper, however any fresh fillet baits, squid, whole fish or quality pilchards make ideal bait. Present your bait as naturally as possible with a 20-50lb fluorocarbon leader and the minimum of lead and you are well on your way to scoring a quality snapper. Cast baits up current and allow them to drift down with

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the tentacles as it tries to drag the bait away. Because the spikes on egi and skewers do not have a barb on them like a hook, you are best to just employ an upwards motion to set the spikes more securely into the squid after a take, then simply wind the reel handle slowly to secure your prize back to the boat or shore. The rod tip will absorb the lunges of the squid to avoid tearing out the spikes. A fine meshed landing net is handy to get the squid out of the water however you can easily grasp a squid behind the head with your hand. Ensure to point the tentacles away from you to avoid an inky blast. SNAPPER Snapper numbers will have increased noticeably in most areas throughout Moreton Bay. While there are a lot of juveniles under the 35cm minimum legal length caught, the larger specimens are generally lurking on the fringes. It is just a matter of time before that larger knobby comes calling, so don’t be disillusioned if

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the tidal flow while anchored. Drift with lightly weighted baits close to the bottom allows you to present offerings naturally and also cover a good degree of ground. In some of the reefy and rubble areas this may not be possible, especially when using too much lead. Soft plastics seem to be the choice of many lure anglers who target snapper; I prefer to use soft vibration baits. The Samaki Thumper Tail has become my favourite due to the results have had on it over the last two seasons. Previously I scored on Trans Am, River2Sea Fish Candy, Samaki Vibelicious and several others. Blades are worthwhile presentations when hopped or slowly rolled close to the bottom. In the plastics department I use ZMan Diezel Minnowz and Curltailz, Atomic Prongs and numerous jerk-shad style plastics. I have taken snapper on a huge array of plastics over the years and seriously believe it is more important to present and work the offering well than it is to have any particular style, brand or colour. Snapper respond favourably to most offerings put before them. TAILOR Although the best is yet to come, anglers will find some decent tailor through the area over the coming weeks. The Brisbane River has already produced some good numbers

of quality tailor with plenty of decent specimens over 45cm. Many of these have been caught on lures worked around the lights in the Brisbane River, especially around the docks, by anglers fishing at night. However, even those fishing the daylight hours have caught a few tailor along the retaining wall at the mouth, from around the current lines produced by the Gateway Bridge pylon bases, the numerous jetties and along the sunken wall. Many of these have fallen to live baits, pilchards or numerous lures targeted at threadfin, mulloway and snapper. Some anglers trolled diving minnow lures along the retaining wall at the mouth, the edge of the main channel leading eastwards from the sewerage shute, or the rock wall in the Caltex Reach with satisfying results. Tailor often school between the mainland and Mud, the Koopa Channel and across the flats on the northern side up to Nudgee (beware of green zones in this area). However, they are also encountered on the artificial reefs, the shallows of the bay islands, Rous Channel, Brown’s Gutter, the Amity area, many other spots through Moreton Bay and up in the estuaries and rivers. Some land-based opportunities exist from the Amity Rock Wall, Manly

Harbour Rock Walls, Woody Point, Shorncliffe Pier (now re-opened), Redcliffe Jetty, around the Bribie Island Bridge, Hornibrook Highway Bridge and numerous other spots. If there are lights shining onto the water at night, which attract baitfish, then there is a high possibility of a few tailor lurking nearby. Tailor are voracious feeders and will

engulf most lures and a broad array of baits, especially whole fish baits such as hardiheads, whitebait, pilchards, gar and herring. OTHER OPTIONS There should still be a few prawns around during May, especially at locations such as ‘The Saltworks’ (between Karragarra and Macleay Islands), the Logan River, flats

Mulloway will increase in numbers through the estuaries as the water temperatures drop. This one nailed a Magic Swimmer rolled around a lighted jetty at night.

off Nudgee, Cleveland Bay and a few other spots. School mackerel will still be lurking around the bay, most likely along the edges of the reef at Peel, around the beacons in the northern bay, the artificial reefs and the Rous Channel. Float out a pilchard while you target snapper in these areas to produce a mackerel or tailor. Jigging the beacons with chromed slices and slugs will often reward anglers with a schoolie or two. Numbers of bream will be on the increase during May and these will be encountered almost anywhere in the estuaries, Bay Island shallows, canals and creeks. The deeper scoured out areas adjacent to the jetties and pylons in the Brisbane River as well as Claras Rocks often hold some stud bream. Quality fresh bait will generally reward anglers with better quality bream. Small soft plastics and blades are also productive in the hands of skilled anglers. It has been a great year for longtail tuna in Moreton bay and we have been blessed with both quality and quantity. There have been heaps of 15kg+ specimens and even a few well over 20kg hitting the decks. Anglers have predominately cast metal slices, jerk-shad plastics and stick baits to tempt these sashimi barrels. A few have been taken on live baits from

around the beacons and along the ledges in the northern bay. Crabs will thin out over the next few weeks, however this will depend on water temperatures. Set a few pots for both mud and sand crabs, but you will need to check to ensure the crabs are full enough to be worth keeping. Any light crabs should be returned to the water pronto. If the last few seasons are anything to go by then there will be a few Spanish mackerel caught within Moreton Bay during May. These have shown up randomly around the beacons, the channel on the south-eastern side of Peel, the Harry Atkinson, Curtain Artificial, the dog-leg in the Rous Channel and Mud Island. Have quality live bait out under a balloon especially around first light. Cooling temperatures will change up the piscatorial line-up this month, however there are still plenty of worthwhile targets in the bay, rivers, estuaries and canals. Many anglers will be excited to know that snapper numbers in the bay are on the increase. May is one of those months where that next hit could be a tailor or mangrove jack. Cooler mornings may require an extra layer of clothes and a second warming coffee, but the piscatorial rewards are out there for the taking. May the fish be with you!

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A late run of Spanish BRISBANE OFFSHORE

John Gooding

I spent Easter on the Gold Coast with my family and managed to sneak in a few mackerel sessions out on Palm Beach and the gravel patch. The Spanish mackerel weren’t thick but we did manage a couple of fish every time we went out. Our best fish went close to 20kg, and my daughter Kirsten got her personal

best Spaniard at around 12kg. This time last year there were more mackerel getting caught in the South East corner of the state, but from all reports coming in, Northern NSW is having a bumper season. There’ve been plenty of good Spaniards caught from Ballina through to Coffs Harbour. A heavy band of warm water around 30°C in the area explains why the fish and bait are down so far, compared to the water temperature where

I was fishing, which was around 25-26°C. The bait and the mackerel have come back this way, so we could still be in for a good late run, if the fish don’t bypass us out wide. On another note, the Gold Coast City Council needs to spend a few bucks and dredge the mouths of both Tallebudgera and Currumbin creeks, as you can nearly walk across them a couple of hours either side of low tide. A lot of people spend a lot of money holidaying in the area at both Christmas and Easter to chase the seasonal

This explains why the mackerel are down south. The red indicates temperatures of 30°C and the white indicates above 30°C temperatures.

Anglers on charter achieved this nice mixed bag of juvenile snapper and mahimahi.

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The author and his daughter Kirsten with two quality Spanish mackerel caught on Palm Beach Reef. mackerel runs, so the least the council could do is make these areas safer. A few years back a good mate of mine let me borrow his 4.9m Stessco tinny to chase mackerel off the Gold Coast and I was so impressed with the ride for a small boat, I went out and purchased one myself. I’ve now had my Stessco Tornado SFX 490 for around 12 months and it’s a pleasure to handle and fish from. The only difference between my boat to a standard model is I took the option of a 4mm bottom over the standard 3mm. If you’re looking for

a quality aluminium boat, have a look at Stessco; I’m sure you’ll like what you see! On charter there have been good solid juvenile snapper and the odd snapper dominating catches. We’ve been working the wider grounds in 70-90m of water and all fish were caught floatlining. Along with the juvenile snapper, we found the odd rosy jobfish and pearl perch. This month will see snapper numbers continue to improve as water temperatures drop a little. Most lines of reef will hold fish, so it’s just

a matter of sounding them out. This time last year saw yellowtail kingfish and amberjack become fairly active, so it might pay to have a jig or drop in a few lines! Let’s hope the return run of Spanish mackerel don’t bypass us and we could still be in for some good late season pelagic fishing. • Until next month, enjoy your fishing, take care on the coastal bars and if you’d like to join me on charter (max. 8 persons) give me a call on 07 3822 9527 or 0418 738 750 or visit my new website www. outlawcharters.com.au.

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MAY 2016

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Happy anglers all over the bay NORTHERN BAY

Grayson Fong graysonfong@bigpond.com

Some of us are glad to see the end of the long humid summer we experienced at the start of this year, but to look back is to realise the positive influence this late summer has had on the northern bay fishery. The consistency of southerly and southeasterly winds through the summer was quite unusual and hasn’t been experienced since 2010. That year we had an especially fruitful following winter period, and fishing was solid in all corners of the bay. I believe this was due to

mouth of Coochin Creek, especially on the receding tides, and many anglers using yabbies and bloodworms have experienced great success. The Pumicestone is another area that has really profited from last month’s banana prawn run in the northern bay, with many of the creeks still producing scattered prawn catches giving any able predators ample excuse to stay in the area. Flathead numbers have been great, with many of the prominent gutters like Tonys and Gallaghers producing decent 45-55cm specimens. PINE RIVER The Pine has been the pick of the places in the northern bay due to last

Highway Bridge, with success coming on both bait and large minnow style soft plastics. Sand whiting have been caught around the Hays Inlet area on the run-out tide, alongside diver whiting, which have started to grow in numbers in Bramble Bay – this indicates that cooler weather is just around the corner.

been the authority bait in the area, but anglers have also achieved good fish on plastics in the lower lit hours. The southern end of the peninsula has kept up with its northern counterpart (the North Reef) in the fishing stakes with the southern end of Scotts Point Green Zone a very popular area, especially in the early hours.

month’s prawn run, which generated the best fishing activity in this area in the last six months. During the run, prawn schools accumulated outside of Nudgee Beach, Cabbage Tree Creek and Clontarf with movement dependent on wind and tides. The lower reaches of the Pine have fished well off this movement, especially for bream, flathead and whiting. Hardbody lures with transparent shrimp patterns have worked well to catch bream, especially on fuller tides when casting up among the mangroves. Places like Dohles Rocks and Bald Hills Creek have also been good breaming areas, and anglers have been rewarded while fishing mangrove edges up the southern arm. Flathead numbers have still been good under the Houghton

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WINTER (TRUMPETER) WHITING • The anal fin has 19-20 soft rays (sand whiting have 15-16) • Their lateral line is distinctly marked and easy to see • Their scales are smaller with a more pearlescent colour, and are easy to dislodge the winds pushing a stable supply of baitfish schools into the northern bay from down south, giving predators the pleasure of a plethora of food sources. This feeding trough combined with periods of decreased winds and cloudy weather, provided anglers with a foolproof recipe for fishing that continued through winter. Let’s cross our fingers for a repeat performance this season and great fishing over the next month. Now I’ll bring you up to date on the goings on in the northern bay. PUMICESTONE PASSAGE After a quiet back end of summer, autumn has been kind to the Bribie area and whiting and flathead are the flavours of the month as the weather cooled. Sand whiting have been present around Lime Pocket and the

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Yar-Craft 1785BT 2016 Quality flathead are roaming the bay. REDCLIFFE PENINSULA The Peninsula has seen plenty of snapper activity over the last month, with good reports of models around the 70-80cm mark pulled just before the last full moon. Fresh bait has

Bream numbers have been good lately with a consistency in size (27-28cm fork length), which indicates that bream are on the move for their annual spawn over the months of June and July. Less than favourable winds and rough weather are the best times to chase bream on the peninsula, granted you survive the flagellating boat ride to the outer bommies. Fish are less spooky in these conditions on account of the increased surface commotion. Hardbody lures like Daiwa Presso Cranks, Cranka Cranks, Jackall Chubbies and Berkley Fat Dogs have worked well, especially when used with a slow rolling retrieve. MONTHLY TIP Be sure to check whether the whiting you catch over the cooler months are trumpeter (winter) or sand whiting. Check the factbox to know the difference. These steps will protect you from getting in trouble with the law as winter whiting have no size limit and a bag limit of 50, whereas sand whiting have a size limit of 23cm and a bag limit of only 30. So take the time to identify your catch!

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A U S T R A L I A

Phone: 0410 173 060 basscataustralia@gmail.com MAY 2016

If you have to measure it, it’s not worth keeping! CALOUNDRA

Damian Parker dpfishingmonthly@hotmail.com

April saw the water temperature reach above 26°C, and even higher in some areas across our coast. Consistent catches of Spanish and spotted mackerel have

been recorded, an array of tuna species including yellowfin, longtail and mac are also in strong numbers. We have noticed a reduction in live bait supplies, due to the pelagic species taking their fair share. Although I do emphasise live bait as a great method, you will definitely entice

your target species with fresh cut or flesh baits. Snapper have started to move in a little closer and hopefully it’s only a matter of time until the water temperatures decline so we can all save a few bucks on the fuel bill and fish the closer reefs of Caloundra and Mooloolaba. The Barwon Banks has been

Godfrey with a nice longtail tuna.

a little hot and cold lately, but some quality sought after species such as tuskfish, pearl perch, hussar and a variety of the emperor family have been caught around the full and new moon phases. May almost always allows the opportunity to venture out in the afternoon. We are blessed with sunset, high tide change combinations to improve the chance to land a trophy snapper or pearl perch. Take the time to set up anchor on your hot spot and give yourself plenty of time to establish a good berley trail well before the sun disappears to improve your chances for that catch of a lifetime. It may take some time for a berley trail to work, so be patient, and if the time is right, the switch will flick. My favourite bait to catch snapper on is squid, and although many of the tackle shops across the Sunshine Coast have fresh squid you cannot beat catching you own. It’s not difficult to catch squid, work around moon phases and tide changes in much the same fashion as you would if you were chasing a feed of fish. I like to fish for squid in the afternoon into sunset for best results. I try an assortment of jigs; it is always interesting to try different sizes and colours. Don’t keep all of your squid for bait though, as they are also very tasty on the dinner plate! I have had reports on the local known wrecks across the Sunshine Coast and know that good catches of snapper, pearl perch, kingfish and amberjack have been welcomed aboard by happy boaties. When approaching a boatie fishing a wreck, it’s considerate to ask if it’s alright to join the queue? Most of the time you’ll get the all clear, just make sure to give each other bubble space and your turn will come. Wide Caloundra has fished considerably well for reef species, which will only improve through May. There are a number of isolated bommies and pinnacles in this area, along with a couple of well-known wrecks to try your luck. May is a good time of year around wide Caloundra to find large pearl perch, otherwise known as the chicken of the sea. They

generally school up, so once you find a patch it doesn’t take long to bag your limit. Please remember to check all sizes and limits of your catch. My philosophy is if you have to measure it, it’s not worth keeping. Moving out of the deep blue and into the estuaries of the beautiful Sunshine Coast we’ve had reports of big quality bream in numbers caught recently. The canal systems from Pelican Waters, Kawana and right through to Noosa are the best places to start. A lot of people lucky enough to live on the canals have jetties and feed their local bream regularly. I’m sure if you cast a soft plastic or hardbody around these areas you would be sure to get a bend in the rod! Chopper tailor are also caught around jetties and pontoons, as they feed on herring and mullet that call these areas home. The Pelican Waters Bridge and military jetty are very productive spots around tide changes and dynamite at night. The Caloundra Boardwalk is definitely worth a try and is best fished on tide changes as it can have a very strong tidal flow and it

Lily with her first bream she caught off a jetty.

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can be quite difficult to hold bottom when fished between the tides. The Pumicestone Passage has a lot of shallow sand banks that hold quality whiting and flathead so use those polarised sunglasses and identify the shallow hot spots. Another tip is take the time to look around at low tide and remember where the sand banks are when you happen to fish a high tide. A cast net is a very useful piece of fishing equipment to own and master. I know I ramble on about fresh is best, but fresh is best! There are plenty of yabbies and prawns around at the moment, which make amazing bream baits. There have been reports of dart, flathead, and whiting caught on the beaches. Again apply fresh baits, yabbies or prawns to your hooks for best results. As the water cools down in May, the mulloway and tailor will start to cruise the gutters and night is the best time to target these species. I’m getting excited and so should you because it’s May and the snapper are not far away. Stay safe and bend those rods!

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Quality whiting abound NOOSA

Peter Wells

May seems to be the time of the year when the prevailing southeasterly winds start to ease a little and anglers are able to head offshore and be rewarded with good numbers of mixed pelagic and reef species. It’s a magic time as you’re blessed with the best that pelagics have to offer as well as the start of the snapper run. Double Island Point has produced some incredible

catches of reef species including snapper, Maori cod, venus tuskfish, coral bream, Moses perch, and pearl perch as well as the odd big red emperor in the mix. Most anglers fishing the reefs are filling their live bait tanks full of yakkas and slimy mackerel to catch a great number of quality fish. Fresh mullet fillets, bonito fillets, whole squid and pilchards have been the dead baits of choice. Soft plastics have been a great option to fish the reefs. The ZMan 7” Jerk Shadz have been a proven performer in

various colours. Coco ice is my favourite, weighted with elevator heads to complement the tidal movement. Micro-jigs have also produced the goods, and the TT Vector and Palms Slow Blatts in oval shape have had success. On the North Reef, grass sweetlip, venus tuskfish, gold spot wrasse, snapper, Maori cod, scarlet sea perch and pearl perch are all available to catch. A standard running ball sinker rig to a snelled set of octopus hooks is the most effective rig around the tide changes when there is minimal current.

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Katie, Taylor and Bella Lower fished the Tewantin stretch with their Dad for estuary cod and golden trevally. When the run increases, switch to a paternoster rig to keep the baits on the bottom. For those who fish lures, downsize to either the Gulp or ZMan 5” Jerk Shadz. Chardons Reef has been pelagic central with Spanish mackerel, wahoo and mixed tuna species terrorising bait balls on the surface and subsurface. Floating pilchards or live baits on a set of gangs has seen many anglers hooked up and landing quality fish. Trolling big hardbody deep diving lures has been seen some great action, and the X-Rap 30s and the Samaki Pacemakers in 140mm and 180mm have been the standout lures. Trolling allows anglers to cover larger areas of water, which simply presents your offering to more fish. Sunshine Reef has seen its best run of coral trout in over a decade, with quality fish to 6kg caught and in numbers. A well-presented pilchard, or preferably live bait have undone these fish. Mixed catches of reefies, Spanish and spotted mackerel, yellowfin and bluefin tuna have been in good numbers around Sunshine Reef as well. Work the birds and cast 30-70g metal slugs, or 5-7” flick bait soft

schools of trevally (GT, big eye, tea leaf and diamond) that respond well to Blue Blue micro-jigs, Ecogear ZX blades and prawn-style soft plastics. There have also been good-sized bream on small pilchards and strips of mullet and bonito. Around the Frying Pan, whiting have been the main target with good numbers and quality fish caught on live worms, yabbies, surface lures and even small crab profile soft plastics. Crusty Crabs from River2Sea perfectly imitate a small crab, and the whiting can’t resist. Bream, flathead and tailor have also been caught while luring for whiting. As we move into the cooler months, you should see a number of larger mangrove jack taken in the river systems. Jacks will prowl the river systems looking for food and become aggressive, as they want to put on condition before making their way out to the reefs to spawn. This time of year is one of the best to target mangrove jack particularly with live baits like poddy mullet and herring, as this is high on the jack menu at this time of year. Fishing the last two hours of the run-out tide and the first two hours of the incoming

nice sized school mulloway. The Samaki Vibelicious Thumper Tails have been a real hit with anglers targeting river mulloway. Apart from the realistic colours, the larger tail vibrates and puts out a strong message down the fish’s lateral line. May is a great time to target mulloway from the beaches. The new moon is the best time to target them – coincide this with a late evening tide for the best chance of tangling with a 1m+ mulloway. Mulloway are an ambush predator and like to feed on the darker nights. One of the most important things to keep in mind when targeting these fish is to keep any light off the water. Fishing the incoming tide as well as good gutter selection will greatly increase your chances. Bait is the other key factor, and fresh mullet, fresh tailor, a big clump of beach worms or local squid are all on the menu for mulloway. This time of the year is usually the start of the winter bream run, and pulling 35cm+ bream from the surf is not uncommon – if last year is anything to go by we should see a great season. • For all the latest information log onto www.fishingnoosa.

Mark, Kade and Ben with three excellent coral trout, boated on a Wild Thing 2 charter to Sunshine Reef. plastic lures and expect some excellent results. In the river we have seen some great fishing for bread and butter species well along the Gympie Terrace stretch. Woods Bays has had mixed

tide around structure and holes should achieve success. A standard snelled rig using two 4/0 octopus hooks and a 22-30lb trace line is the rig of choice. A little further upriver the deeper holes hold some

com.au for up to date bar and fishing reports. 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.

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News

DAF Long Term Monitoring Program and Suntag SUNTAG

Stefan Sawynok

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries run a long term monitoring program (LTMP), which monitors the status of key species. The program uses a combination of techniques such as age collection from otoliths as well as the collection of length data from harvested fish in both the recreational and commercial sectors. Length data is recorded from surveying the catch by DAF staff. In contrast community data is collected at point of catch by the fisher as a part of their normal fishing activity. Fish are aged by extracting a pair of bones called otoliths (ear bones),

then examining them under a microsope and counting what are the equivalent of tree rings on the bones. Otoliths are made up of calcium carbonate and a protein that is laid down at different rates during a fish’s life. This process creates alternating opaque and translucent bands. DUSKY FLATHEAD AND THE LTMP Dusky flathead is an important recreational species. There are a number of reasons for that, they are great eating, easily found, targeted from land or boat and there are a lot of techniques that work to catch them. In the last Statewide Recreational survey, flathead was the number 4 reported fish after yellowfin bream, sand whiting and trumpeter whiting. Suntag has records

on around 57,300 flathead making it also number 4 on our all time list after barramundi, bass and bream. The differences between LMTP and Suntag in terms of species is due to Suntag fishers using lure fishing most often as their catch method, where as the Statewide Survey and LTMP report a much broader mix of techniques overall with more bait anglers. The LTMP has produced a really good Age-Length curve for dusky flathead, and I will be using that in the discussion. Please note that age-length varies from state to state. A number of fish species in Queensland seem to grow faster than their southern cousins, which may be due to the more tropical/energy rich waters providing more food overall. Or it could

The otolith is the ear bone of a fish that is used to determine the fish’s age.

Length proportion of the catch for Suntag in 20122014 for Queensland yellowfin bream.

Suntag length profile of undersized snapper. 44

MAY 2016

just be the fish know we make everything better in the Sunshine State. Are dusky flathead protandrous? Some species of Flathead are protandrous hermaphrodites, that is they change sex from male to female and it has been put forward that dusky flathead are also, based on the fact that all large flathead are female. A recent report by Barry Pollock has addressed this issue. The reality is that male dusky flathead are smaller, grow slower and live shorter lives than the females. Males grow to around 50cm as a typical maximum length and live around 6 years. Females can grow to 1.3m and can live longer than 15 years. Why this is the case isn’t well understood, but it’s a naturally evolved adaptation, so it must have given flathead an advantage at some point. Dusky flathead status The LTMP reports that the majority of fish harvested are 3 years in age and that overall the harvest consists of fish of ages 3-5 years (40-60cm). At 5 years of age fish are getting close

to the upper 75cm slot limit. Interestingly, most of the fish in this size range are females, so most of the fish harvested are female. Out of interest, I looked at the Suntag data to see what we have. I used a chart to cross match fish recorded against the median age provided by the LTMP. In terms of method of capture, 21,400 have been caught on lure and 4,900 on bait showing a preference for lure. I looked at data over 20 years (55,000 fish) and a couple of recent time periods (2004-5, 2014-5) and the results were similar, suggesting that there hasn’t been a lot of change. Conclusion The LTMP program is very robust in its design and execution. The current assessment of the dusky flathead fishery is that it’s sustainably fished. Flathead are heavily harvested particularly by the recreational sector, with an estimated catch of 150 tonnes, which shows in the fact that not a lot of Year 6 and beyond fish are recorded in either the Suntag data or the LTMP harvest, though with an

upper slot limit that plays a big role in the harvest data. It is good though that the Suntag data gets similar results as this suggests the fishing experiences reported for all fishers surveyed – commercial, recreational and taggers are the similar. YELLOWFIN BREAM AND THE LTMP Yellowfin bream is the most highly harvested recreational species with around 1,156,000 the estimate in the most recent Statewide Recreational survey. They are a good eating fish and reasonably easy to catch on a variety of bait. In more recent years, a large sportfishing scene has built up around bream with a range of specialist lures now available. Steve Morgan recently did a video showing how simple it was to pick up bream on lures. Suntag has records on around 61,000 fish making it our third most reported fish species after barramundi and bass. The LTMP has produced a really good age-length curve for yellowfin bream and I will be using that in the discussion. Please note that age-length varies from state to state

News and bream from southern waters have slower growth rates particularly as they get older. The 2010 change in size limit Up until march 2010 the size limit for yellowfin bream was 23cm and that was then raised to 25cm in order to give bream more opportunities to spawn before they are harvested. The effect of raising that limit was to 25cm was to have an immediate reduction in fish harvested at 23cm and over time the proportion of fish harvested at 25cm increased in both the recreational sector and the professional sector. In 2010 around 35% of commercial and 27% of recreational yellowfin bream harvested were in the 25cm class. That grew steadily until in 2013 around 51% of commercial and 30% of recreational yellowfin bream harvested were in the 25cm class. The interesting thing is the Suntag data tells a similar story. Taking 2 years immediately prior 20072009 (8000 fish) and then two years after the bag limits should have had an effect 2012-2014 (4100 fish) there is a definite shift. The difference is that the Suntag data contains a much more even proportion of sizes. For example, there is not as big a spike in the 25cm class of fish but there is more fish >32cm being reported. The same population dynamics are detected but the spread of fish reported are quite different. Yellowfin bream status The LTMP reports that the majority of fish harvested are 5-6 years in age and that overall the harvest consists

why. Most suspect it is an environment factor, so I did a rough plot of the Sea Surface Temperature Anomaly vs Catch Rate for Juveniles just for interest. While I am not drawing any conclusive links, it does seem to indicate there could be an environmental component. The larger the juvenile catch the better fishing conditions will be in the future. That is certainly the experience we have in the barramundi fishery where variable recruitment is also a factor. I also did a plot of the undersized catch rate vs the commercial catch. We don’t have reliable data on the recreational harvest, beyond knowing that it’s at least as large as the commercial catch. The interesting point of

Age-length curve for Queensland dusky flathead. of fish of ages 4-10 years (25-40cm). Figure 10 shows the typical age profile of yellowfin bream harvested in Queensland. In comparing the LTMP with Suntag, I used a chart to cross match fish recorded against the median age provided by the LTMP. In terms of method of capture, 6400 have been caught on lure and 24500 on bait, showing a preference for bait, which is consistent with harvest fishers. Conclusion The current assessment of the yellowfin bream fishery is that it’s sustainably fished. An interesting fact from the LTMP is that recreational fishers seem to be more successful at targeting Bream >27cm and the Suntag data supports this. This suggests that larger bream are found in different areas to those targeted by commercials. It’s

also possible larger bream are more randomly found in the fishery. SNAPPER AND THE LTMP Snapper is a popular recreational species with an estimated catch of around 203,000 fish in the most recent Statewide Recreational Survey. They are a good eating fish and reasonably easy to catch on a variety of bait. In more recent years a inshore kayak fishery has sprung up particularly in Moreton Bay using soft plastics, hardbodied lures and hard vibes. Suntag has records on around 21,300 snapper. Snapper is a long living species with slow growth rates. The LTMP has produced a really good age-length curve for snapper and I will be using that in the discussion. Suntag and LTMP on snapper

Length/age as a proportion of catch for Suntag Data 2014/15 for Queensland snapper.

as strong in harvest length snapper that is almost certainly right. There hasn’t been a sustained period of above average undersized snapper since 2006 and in the past decade the Suntag detected level of undersized snapper has been well under the long term average. The LTMP detected a 34 year old snapper (75cm) in 2012 and a pair of snapper at 26 years (71cm and 90cm), which highlights that snapper have very variable growth rates. The combination of variable recruitment and variable growth does make them somewhat susceptible to harvest pressure relative to yellowfin bream and dusky flathead, which both seem to have consistent replenishment of the stocks relative to harvest.

Age-length curve for Queensland yellowfin bream. While for bream and flathead there is quite a bit of overlap with the LTMP in terms of fish recorded when it comes to snapper Suntag is seeing quite a different part of the picture. Of the 21,332 recorded 18,116 are <35cm, so 84.9% of the fish recorded are below legal length. The LTMP by contrast sees fish that are above legal length as they are harvested fish. We are seeing variations in catch rates of undersized fish over time. The detail of that requires quite a bit more work but what we do know is the more juvenile fish we pick up in monitoring programs the better we can predict the future fishing conditions. I did quite a lot of reading on the causes of variability of recruitment from both Australian and New Zealand researchers, and I can summarise as ‘it happens’. There is quite a sophisticated program in Victoria that monitors very small juveniles but they look at quantity of variation more than the

note is there was a spike in the juvenile catch rate in 1994-95 and then a spike 10 years later in the commercial catch. We know that snapper live long and are slow growing, that there might be as big a gap as 10 years before they are picked up is interesting. Snapper status The LTMP reports that the majority of fish harvested are 4-5 years in age and that overall the harvest consists of fish of ages 4-11 years (35-80cm). Unfortunately, we don’t have a baseline age profile from the LTMP to compare with for snapper. In comparing the LTMP with Suntag, I used a chart to cross match fish recorded against the median age provided by the LTMP. In terms of method of capture 2,800 have been caught on lure and 7,800 on bait showing a preference for bait, which is consistent with harvest fishers. Conclusion Snapper are currently assessed as overfished and while our data isn’t

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Is there a question or issue that you would like us to look at? Send questions to suntag@info-fish.net and we will do our best to provide an answer. DATA SOURCES USED IN THIS ARTICLE Tag and catch records from http://qld.info-fish.net 1985 to 2015. DAF Monitoring for snapper, yellowfin bream, and dusky flathead can be found through the Queensland Fisheries website. Follow the links through ‘Monitoring our fisheries’ – ‘species specific programs’ for more information. Other sources include, • The annual spawning aggregation of dusky flathead platycephalus fuscus at jumpinpin, Queensland Pollock, b.r. 2015. • http://fish.gov.au/reports/ finfish/flatheads/Pages/ dusky_flathead.aspx. • Migratory dynamics and recruitment of snapper, Pagrus auratus, in Victorian waters Paul A. Hamer and Gregory P. Jenkins MAY 2016

Having a pearler of a month RAINBOW BEACH

Ed Falconer

We’ve finally got a bit of a break in the weather, which has delivered a few trips offshore and some awesome fishing.

extremely thick and it has been easy to obtain a bag limit in a very short time. Pearlies go very well on the plate, so nobody is complaining about how thick they are. All baits and different rigs have been working, but the soft

Once they’re in the trail and feeding hard, floating down whole pilchards has been a sure fire way to hook-up. Red emperor have also made an appearance but at the moment the only bait that seems to fire them up is live yakkas.

they have been a little hot and cold, when they are hot on the bite, they really are red hot! ON THE BEACH Beach fishing has been a little bit limited, as the notorious Mudlo Rocks have been exposed and hindered beach access to Double Island Point. There have however, been some good catches of whiting around the Oaks. The highlight of the beach fishing scene have been massive schools of longtail tuna, which have come in close enough to be caught on surf fishing gear near both sides of the swimming area. May is another of my favourite months. In past years it’s proven to be one of the best pearl perch

Red emperor and pearl perch have been thick, and getting a feed of either hasn’t been too hard. and coral trout months, so we’re keeping our fingers crossed. • To enjoy a day on the water with Keely Rose

Fishing Charters phone Ed Falconer 0407 146 151 or visit www. keelyrosefishingcharters .com.au.

Impressive bags of red emperor have been a standout in the past few weeks. OFFSHORE The fishing offshore has been outstanding, with big patches of all species on offer, and this is typical of this time of year. Pearl perch have been

plastics have been picking out the bigger models. We have had a couple of good runs of snapper and we’ve found that berleying up on gravelly bottom has gotten them interested.

Out wide, the bommies are chock-a-block full of hussar, tuskies and Maori cod. We have had good catches of Spanish mackerel and although

Mackerel have been a bit hot and cold, but when they’re hot, they are red hot!

Get the kids out fishing HERVEY BAY

Scott Bradley marlin81@bigpond.com

Since the cracker weather over Easter, the winds have settled down, giving anglers plenty of opportunity to hit the water. There have

been plenty caught too with catches ranging from reef and estuarine species to late season marlin action. IN THE BAY Our local reefs usually fish well through autumn. Expect plenty of cod, coral bream, blackall, juvenile snapper, greasy parrot

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MAY 2016

and coral trout at the Arty, Moon Ledge, Bagimba and McKenzies ledges. Out wider, the Southern Gutters and 25 fathom hole produces scarlets, hussar, spangled emperor, cod, coral bream and snapper. Numbers will increase as the water temperature drops. Bashing the beacons and buoys with plastics and metal jigs will get you among trevally, mackerel, cobia, grunter and a host of reef species that call these structures home. ON THE FLATS The exceptional flathead and bream fishing has continued. Small hardbodies and plastics are the best way to get among the action, and as winter approaches the bream will only get bigger and more numerous as they prepare to spawn. Switch to poppers around areas too hard like rock bars and between the mangrove roots, and fish with sinking and diving lures. This will get the bream excited, and you can expect by-catch of whiting, trevally and flathead all keen to suck down a surface lure.

Liam Bradley with his first tarpon! HOLIDAY BLUES When the kids are itching to go fishing and the weather is terrible, having a Plan B can make all the difference.

You only need to fill a couple of hours, and sourcing local water holes that you can fish any time is all you need. Spangled perch, tarpon, even

gudgeons and guppies will get the kids outside and away from the television – and they love it. Truth be told, I don’t mind it either!

Bream time at Hervey month we see the transition into the spawning season, which will last through to September. For pikey bream, the season starts a little later and continues into October. We can expect to see a general movement of mature bream into their preferred spawning grounds. Further south, the biggest concentrations of spawning bream are associated with coastal bars of rivers and estuaries between the Sunshine Coast and the border. The mouths of the Noosa, Maroochy and Tweed rivers, as well as Amity Point, Jumpinpin and the Southport Broadwater are well known for their winter bream seasons. From my own experience of these, Jumpinpin, adjacent to the surf bar between North and South Stradbroke islands, plays host to huge numbers of spawning fish each year. Not only does it have a huge ‘bream catchment area,’ it ticks all the boxes for the ideal winter spawning ground. Proximity to the turbulent bar ensures a continual supply of clean, well-oxygenated ocean water. The many shallow banks provide food for the hungry fish and the same shallows and mangrove areas are needed for the protection of young fish. With the absence of surf bars in Hervey Bay, bream must seek out areas where most of these factors can be fulfilled. Fast running tidal water running over shallow ledges produces enough turbulence to enhance the oxygen content of the water. The lower reaches of the Mary and Burrum rivers provide this, and of course tidal movements ensure supply of clean salt water. The rock ledges at the ends of the Bay’s

islands provide the same requirements. There are adequate shallows to provide food and protection for young fish close to all of these locations. Putting aside all the theory for now, we should identify some of the best spots to target bream this winter. I would put River Heads right at the top of the list. South Head, the ‘Frying Pan’ beacon at North Head, and a little further upstream at Beaver Rock should all fish well. The ends of Picnic islands and the northern end of Little Woody Island can produce excellent catches but have been disappointing some seasons. The ledges at the northern end of Woody Island, and the rocks at Round Island are also worth adding to the list. At Burrum Heads, the black bank opposite the township produces good catches every year. For the land-based angler, the accessible rocks at Point Vernon and Gatakers Bay and the rock walls of the Urangan boat harbour can fish well. Last winter, the Urangan pier had an exceptional run of big bream, and there is no reason to expect otherwise this year. No doubt some might be wondering – what about Fraser Island? I must admit that I haven’t really figured bream out as far as the eastern beach is concerned. Bream are widely distributed along the ocean beaches, and certainly around the headlands, for most of the year. If there is some migration of these bream into spawning areas, I am not at all certain. Maybe some use the Wide Bay Bar, maybe inside Sandy Cape. Maybe they spawn anywhere

along the beach. There is certainly no shortage of well-oxygenated water. The absence of sheltered waters for their offspring is a problem. Perhaps there is a much bigger exchange of bream populations than we might imagine. I have made some good catches of bream on the beach, but not at any particular time of the year. On the western beaches north of Moon Point, the story could be a different one. The Wathumba Creek estuary in some ways resembles the surf bar situation mentioned earlier. Significant surf develops along the entrance to the creek, particularly when seasonal winter winds from the west and northwest blow. The shallow estuary not only provides a good food supply but the numerous small creeks and feeder drains provide shelter for the young. I have always been amazed by the sheer numbers of bream seen moving in and out of the estuary during the winter months. The value of the Wathumba estuary

as a spawning and nursery area has been recognised by it classification as a yellow zone in the Great Sandy Marine Park. Further south along the Western Beach, at Coongul and Moon creeks, we see much the same but on a smaller scale. The flats and creeks south and east of Moon Creek also produce plenty of food and cover for small bream. The numbers of bream anglers using artificials is increasing each season, however the majority still prefer bait. Without any hesitation, I would put the humble yabby at the top of the list. Of course when pickers become a nuisance, there may be a need to call on hardiheads, half pilchards, prawns or cut baits. This month sees the start of the season but in some of the locations mentioned it might not be until June that bream arrive in numbers. July and August will probably be the top months, but September should be as productive, particularly for pikey bream.

If you have already glanced at the photo included, you might be thinking that your correspondent has finally gone round the bend, or he doesn’t know what a bream looks like. On the first count you might be right – I have suspected this for a while, but on the second count – well, read on. I didn’t think we needed yet another photo of one of our local bream species, but yes, the illustrated fish is a true bream, one of the twenty or more species, members of the genus Acanthopagrus. I couldn’t help imagining how colourful our bream catches would be if the two-bar bream illustrated were as common here as they are in their own territory, in the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea and along the north eastern coast of Africa. From my understanding they occupy much the same niche as our bream do in Queensland. Members of the family are found throughout the world but few can match the colours and markings of the two-bar.

FRASER REPORT CONTINUED FROM APRIL’S ISSUE Last month Phil James full of yabbies, more are I need to say that they have wrote an excellent feature now using a variety of not been as prolific as other piece on bait collection and plastics and surface poppers. periods. The most reliable use. Much to our dismay, It is no wonder these are banks for a bucket of good we accidentally only getting the results as they yabbies are at the mouth published half the article. almost perfectly mimic of Eli Creek. From the With great apologies to Phil the natural food source of Esplanade at Point Vernon, and the readers we have whiting. So, the humble follow Martin Street, North included the second half of yabby has experienced a Street and Eli Creek Road the article this month. slight reprieve, so much so to the site of the old dump, that some popular banks and then work around the In the past I’ve mentioned that were being hit hard are creek mouth or the flats that sea worms can be now making a comeback. just outside. Other reliable caught on the western Whether you are land- banks are off Dundowran beach, but there are based or use a boat, yabby Beach and inside O’Regans no pipis. Nevertheless, banks are easy to find. Creek. Yabbies are in a class baitfish, particularly On the western shores of of their own when chasing hardiheads can be netted Fraser Island, you can easily whiting and bream as well as on this beach. pump yabbies within the blackall and other reef fish YABBIES Wathumba estuary, Coongul of the shallows. The humble yabby Creek and reliable banks HERRING is undoubtedly the most from Moon Creek right Live herrings are almost famous live bait of the through Sandy Straits. For mandatory for success when rivers, creeks and estuaries. land-based anglers at Hervey fishing the Urangan Pier. Where once most whiting Bay, the best-known yabby Fished live under floats anglers wouldn’t consider banks are just south of the for mackerel and trevally going without a bait creel Urangan Boat Harbour, but species, or as dead or live

baits for monster flathead around the jetty pylons, herrings get the job done. Herring cutlets account for excellent catches of bream at the jetty during the winter months. Fortunately herrings are usually found in dense schools under the pier and are easily captured using bait jigs. They are also great bait on the reef, particularly for snapper and large grass sweetlip. Hardiheads can be netted on some of the beaches, but netting is prohibited from the Urangan Boat Harbour to Point Vernon. This includes the Urangan Pier so cast netting or hoop netting for any baitfish is not allowed here. Hardiheads are plentiful along the beaches of the western shore of Fraser Island and can be taken using cast or legal haul nets.

SQUID Squid are plentiful for most of the year, but the cooler weather is most productive. At the Urangan Pier, bright gaslights are lowered down towards the water surface. Pencil squid are attracted to the light and are easily hooked on small jigs. Around the reefs of the bay and islands, the larger local squid are either taken on jigs or speared. On the reefs, squid are one of the most versatile fresh baits. Of course, not all make their way into the bait freezer. They are just too good for another purpose! Black spot tuskfish, locally known as blueys, are particularly partial to crustacean baits. Both yabbies and soldier crabs will account for blueys, but these are susceptible to

being taken by small reef fish. Anglers who target blueys rarely venture out without a supply of rock crabs. For the very large fish, whole sand crabs or the feisty blue claw crabs are favoured. For smaller blueys, any of the small baits such as sleepy crabs or black runners are the way to go. Small rock crabs and the larger blue claw can be collected around the rocky foreshores of the mainland and islands. Other do-it-yourself baits include yellowtail pike and gar, both of which can be caught on light gear throughout the bay. Whether you like to use bait regularly or just occasionally, make the collecting process at least part of the total package of your sport and enjoy.

FRASER COAST

Phil James p_j_james@bigpond.com

In Queensland we are treated to two bream species – everybody’s favourite, the yellowfin bream, and the dominant relative of the north, pikey bream. Of course we have two other species in Australia, rarely encountered in Queensland, the southern black bream, and the West Australian black bream. In Hervey Bay we have the luxury of both yellowfin, and pikey bream. The latter is more abundant in some systems, particularly the Susan River. With the warming of the coastal waters there is no doubt that pikey bream, and other typical northern species have become more abundant in our local waters. For the late spring, summer and early autumn periods of the year, bream hang out in their preferred habitats, ranging from the ocean headlands and beaches, to the inshore reefs, estuaries, and up to the brackish, even the fresh water reaches of our rivers. It is not uncommon to find that in late spring, bream are not particularly active, and become difficult to entice. After this time of apparent resting, they get serious about the coming winter spawning, and feed ravenously in order to build up energy reserves as well as reproductive tissues. This has occurred in the Fraser Coast rivers and estuaries over the last month. From recent reports, bream have continued to be mostly widespread but feeding with intent. From this

Here’s an example of an international bream. A lovely little twobar bream, commonly found in the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea and along the north eastern coast of Africa.

MAY 2016

Barra back on track ROCKHAMPTON

Clayton Nicholls clay94_fishing@live.com.au

The rain and cooler nights have worked wonders for many species in the region, and with the nets now gone, the larger predatory species from threadfin to jacks and barra will be in greater numbers in all the systems. This month’s report will cover the fantastic crabbing the river is offering up, along with the bread and butter species around the creeks and some inshore pelagic species just out of the mouth of the port. FRESHWATER LAGOONS The recent run-offs from a few large downpours in recent months have kicked the freshwater up with some good fishing reported for the last month. The warmer than average nights for this month have also helped keep fish fired up too.

Barramundi and tarpon in lagoons and creeks have been commonly encountered around the 600-400m mark. The

influx of water has created a mass of food from all the small aquatic life and bugs coming off the flood plain, making the lagoons

Patrick with another healthy barra to add to the tally this season.

John with a healthy chrome slab. This sort of fish is a very common size for feeder creeks.

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and creeks full of healthy baitfish. FITZROY AND THE NARROWS The port and river mouth have been fishing well with many of the bigger fish moving to this location from the recent flooding. The islands just out from the mouth have been fishing extremely well, with lots of bait in the area. Trolling for mackerel is made easy with a chin guard for your bait. The weight keeps the bait straight and sinks it down into the water, and a slow speed will allow the bait to swim. The large ganged hooks on the back of the rig will allow for optimal hook up.

As far as baiting for the region’s most iconic fish, the barramundi, a cast net is an easy tool to gather the baits required. In this case, the prawns and mullet around the flats and banks of the river are the prime bait. The prawns have been in massive numbers, and anglers have been out getting into some prawning action. A simple running rig for both baits is an easy way get to set up. All you need is a sinker, swivel, leader and a 6/0 circle hook. The optimal sinker size is just large enough the flow will move it very slowly, letting the bait cover ground. For hooking the baits, pin the mullet through the shoulders and hook the prawns through the back section of the tail, this will give both baits optimal movement. On the lure side of things, deep diving lures and mid-weighted vibes sent down into the pockets of deeper water are the go. Some of the key picks are the Fish Candy vibes, the Lucky Craft Pointer 78XD and the Storm Thunder

Patrick releasing a quality fish, and there is no better feeling than letting these large beasts swim back to depths!

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MAY 2016

John showing off another healthy barra taken during the Pirtek Comp.

Barra Deeps. The slow roll from these deep diving hardbodies and the paddletail vibes are getting the strikes lately, with many people coming back into work showing me their new personal bests for a variety of species. CRABBING The mud crabs have certainly been kicked into gear with all the stuff coming down in the river run spillage. Many pots have been coming up winners with little to no females and some of the biggest bucks to date. Reefy frames have been doing the trick this month and pots placed adjacent to mangrove spill out creeks have been the best option. Generally the pots are put in a straight run with 20-30m between them.

Weather fires barra up LAKE MONDURAN

Rob Howell

The lake has finally settled after a huge rise through February. This and favourable weather patterns through April have fired the barra up. The wind direction has predominately been from the south, making areas like Jacks Bay, Insane Bay, Heart Bay and Two Mile Creek the pick of the spots.

While the majority of barra being caught are around 90-100cm, it has been encouraging to see plenty of smaller barra being boated as well. These little barra were part of December’s fingerling release and are now being caught at around 35-40cm long, which is a huge growth rate. We expect to see some good fishing through May as the weather cools and the barra feed harder before winter arrives.

Top Water Action

LURES Jackall Squirrels and DD Smash Minnows have accounted for the majority of barra being caught at Monduran. The Squirrels are 79mm long and have a really tight vibrating action at a slow retrieve rate. The reason they work so well is that there is a huge amount of bony bream in that size bracket, and when you catch a barra they often spew several of these little fish out.

Surface lures: Zman Pop Frogz Zman Hard Leg Frogs Zman Pop Shadz

Recent water rise has created a column of clear water above existing weed

PLASMA ION TECHNOLOGY

Geoff Hodge with a fat 97cm barra he caught after the sudden rise in the lake. Also, soft plastics that have been working well are the 6” ZMan SwimmerZ and Squidgy Pro Range Slick Rigs. RESTOCKING Vigilant stocking of fingerlings after the floods has ensured that our barra stocks are increasing every year. Monduran Anglers and Stocking Association (MASA) do a great job in raising extra funds by running the WIN Family fishing comp. The next competition will be held on the 14-15 October. The MASA team do a great

job in running this event with plenty of great prizes on offer. The major prize for biggest Barra is $1000 and the major lucky door prize is a boat, motor and trailer package, and to win this prize, all you have to do is enter the comp. Be sure to mark this on your calendar, it’s a great family weekend away. SPONSOR A BARRA Sponsor a Barra is another way to raise funds to restock our awesome lake. We do this by running raffles here at the holiday Park. We also accept

donations and you can buy your own tagged barra. You can also buy fishing shirts and Brag Mats through the Sponsor a Barra Facebook page, or alternatively you can purchase these through the Lake Monduran Holiday Park’s Tackleshop or Tackleworld Bundy with all profits going to restocking. It’s a great cause to ensure the barra fishing future is here for generations to come. The team here at Lake Monduran look forward to seeing you up here for barra action before winter arrives.

MADE IN JAPAN

CHANGING THE CONCEPT OF FISHING LINE

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Make a run to the reef GLADSTONE

Eve Malone eve.dave42@gmail.com

Saying I am impressed with the fishing lately doesn’t even cut it, as we’ve had a huge number of quality fish caught through April and into early May. We have had much better weather windows to head out

not seen in some time with many catching their share of barra, and some have exceeded 120cm! QUEENIES They seem to be everywhere at the moment and what a bag of fun they are to catch! Facing Island has been producing good fish both in the north and south entrances. The best catches are coming mostly through

Nathan Hingston landed this nice trout on squid and his face says it all. to the reefs and mouths of the rivers. The freshwater rivers and impoundments have been producing good quality fish, which I have

best lures. For those who don’t like to troll, floated baits and jigging has also good numbers around Rundle Island, Hummocky Island and Bass Shoals. MACKEREL Right along the front of Facing Island and toward the mouth of North Entrance, we have seen some good catches of school, spotted and grey mackerel. Again, a deeper lure that dives to around 3-7m has been working the best. Some days there is a lot of bird activity and they are feeding on the surface, but most of the time they seem to be a little deeper. Northwest, Masthead, Lamont and around the southern side of Rockcod have seen good numbers of Spanish for those floating pilchard baits, and this is also a good place to have a jig. RED EMPEROR Boult Reef, Northwest and Fitzroy would be my target areas for reds, as they are sticking to around 38m and deeper. Whole cuttlefish would be my pick for bait. There have also been some sporadic reports of good catches off Masthead

A nice trout caught off Rundle Island using pilchard for bait by Christopher Kells. in and around 20-30m of water and at Rockcod in 17m of water. CORAL TROUT Trout have arguably been the most common reef catch throughout the past few weeks, and all outer reefs are fishing well for them, as well as some of inshore areas such as Rundle, the outside of Facing, and in an around Rat Island.

Trolling diving lures to around 7-10m of water saw some quality fish brought into the boat north of Facing Island along the coastline a few weeks ago We also saw some good trout bottom bouncing shallower waters, and a few of the deeper areas past Masthead and Sykes. At the moment, you could target them around any structure you see fly up on

the southern entrance around the shipping channels around the beacons. Trolling diving lures that dive anywhere between 2-7m seem to be the

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your sounder. BARRAMUNDI AND MANGROVE JACK The Boyne and Calliope are fishing well for both species, and the rivers have drained very well. Pikes Crossing is showing good numbers of both species and the upper reaches of both systems are fishing well. Big tides have created some overflow around Callemondah, which is producing great sized barra for those flicking lures on the fresh side. Both plastics and hardbodied lures are giving up the goods. Night fishing for jack along the banks of both systems and in and around the bridges is also bring anglers joy, live baits and plastics have been the best offerings. Well that’s all from me this month. I hope everyone had a great time at the Hook Up and it was fantastic to see so many kids getting involved in our great sport. The huge turnout was brilliant to see, we need to support these events as they are too important for our community to lose. Happy fishing and stay safe on the water.

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www.mikat.com.au 50

MAY 2016

Des Carnell

I remember writing for Queensland Fishing Monthly in the 90s and never found myself short on inspiration! After arriving in the town of 1770 to manage 1770 Camping Ground in 1989, I was blown away by the huge diversity of fishing areas and the species of fish caught here. It was not unusual to head for the reef and return over 50% of your catch to the water (yes, we were conservationists back then too). We could To page 51

The offshore options are plentiful – check out Neil Moore’s lovely trout.

From page 50

afford to pick and choose only the best quality fish for the table, knowing they would still be there for the catching tomorrow. I remember fishing in the Boyne Tannum Fishing Competition and targeting the $600 best sweetlip prize. We put back a few sweetlip in eight hours, to keep one 7.5kg beauty, and some for a feed, all in the process of scoring the top prize. It was that easy! Well here I am again, 27 years later and now leasing 1770 Camping Ground, which puts me in an ideal position to once again write for QFM. Local knowledge and keen regular campground visiting anglers offer me a wealth of information each month to report. I know what you’re thinking – what has changed about fishing around 1770 in those years? The answer – not much! Fish are not as plentiful, that’s a fact of life, but fishing has certainly modernised, with new techniques, live bait, state of the art sounders and more importantly GPS. Right, let’s cut to the chase and stop boring you with nostalgia. THE WET SEASON Our normal wet season didn’t eventuate, with less than average rainfall, but good rain came four days before Good Friday (thankfully), with 300mm firing up the estuaries. This got the muddies moving in time for Easter with good catches reported, if you were smarter than the crab pot thieves. Blue and threadfin salmon along with some quality barra were caught from Round Hill Creek and Eurimbula Creek. Live prawns have been the gun bait. Not only the best live bait going, fresh caught prawns will beat any shop bought prawn for sweetness and flavour. Put them in a pot of boiling salt water and pull them out the minute they float and straight into a salt water ice slurry. Yum! With the persistent and

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Gav and Keith with an amazing bar cod. strong southeasterlies of February and March gone, the reef produced some great catches over Easter with an abundance of quality coral trout, red emperor, sweet lip, parrot, hussar and Spanish mackerel. Keith Lecke and crew fished the shelf south of the Bunker Group and scored some huge bar cod, flame snapper, red emperor and other deep water ooglies. There have also been plenty of trevally on the 6-mile Cetacea wreck. You can also catch big grunter at night on squid. OFFSHORE ACTION Huge schools of mac tuna have been found all the way from 1770 to the islands and a quick stop to cast into them will set you up with one of the best bottom baits going. Use small metal slugs and a fast retrieve to have lots of fun on light gear. Lighter winds at around 10-15 knots saw over 100 trailers at the boat ramp over the Easter weekend. The best bait to use was live yakka from the bait grounds a couple of kilometres off 1770 Headland. Spotty macs were thick from the catwalk over Easter on 1770 Headland with two local fishers bagging out in two hours after dawn. Blue pilchards did the job.

Shaun Bloodworth with a big slab of red.

Well the weather is getting cooler and the light is changing. Winter is coming and that means snapper on the close reefs. May is the start of the inshore snapper season. Fish a floating rig with a whole pilchard or cuttlefish head and snapper should be on the menu. May is traditionally good offshore weather with lighter winds before the big highs in in June. Coral trout, sweetlip, hussar, parrot, and red emperor will be on the close reefs and gutters with red emperor best fished for at night. Live yakkas, squid, pilchard, and mullet are the best baits. Try a whole hussar fillet with the tail on for better fish. Trust me, this is the best trout bait going. Yellowtail kingfish will move onto the deep-water wrecks Shannon and Barcoola in winter. Knife jigs worked above the wrecks will find fish. Our local creeks will produce some elbow slapping whiting on the run-in tide over the yabby banks. Pump your yabbies on the low tide and find a bank where the tide runs in over the bank into deeper water. Good flathead can also be targeted during the cooler months. Soft plastics on a slow drift should bring one or two aboard around the weed banks outside Toms. Salmon are still around and are partial to a cast and slow retrieve. Use a pink soft plastic at the outlet of a creek drain to find fish. This is where the jelly prawns mass, and while salmon are usually preoccupied with the prawn feast a cast lure into this swirling muddy water will sometimes grab their attention. For the land-based fisher, longtail tuna and mackerel will be off the Round Hill headland catwalk dawn and dusk as the weather cools down. Mulloway can be caught at night on a hook baited with a bunch of beach worms from the Deepwater National Park Beaches. If you’re looking for a place to camp with easy access to your boat and a safe mooring you can’t go past 1770 Camping Ground. Absolute beachfront campsites with all amenities included and beachfront campfires are available, if you book ahead. To book phone (07) 4974 9286. Cheers and tight lines!

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Reds, whiting and threadies and are more regularly caught on patches close to the shore in this area. We

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This time of year is grey mackerel time. They have moved into the bay again in some quantity after being a little hit and miss in previous years. In the last few years they’ve only made a short appearance and nothing worth noting. Broad-barred Spanish mackerel as they are known as in other parts of the country look like a deep-sided school or doggie mackerel with a similar black front dorsal and faint bars instead of round splotches. The local hotspots are Rosslyn Bay Harbour (outside wall and the southern point), Farnborough Reef, Bangalee, Ironpot, Rita Mada, Corio Heads, Quartz Rock, The Barge and Findlays Reef. Other places such as inside the mouths of Corio Bay and Coorooman Creek get greys in lesser numbers and not quite as often either, though local fishers do score them occasionally at a couple of slightly wider spots. Grey mackerel are coastal fish

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small. It pays to take notice and measure any that could be undersized. Wahoo are going strong at several of the wider mackerel spots. Several of the passes at the shoals have produced quality fish in the early mornings. My favourite Spanish lures are just as effective on wahoo. When I troll for Spaniards I sit on 10km/h, which does the trick nicely. When we fish the same spots that wahoo and mackerel both school at, I nudge the throttle up a couple of km/h to 12-13km/h and the wahoo often take the place of the Spanish. TECHNIQUES The introduction of slow jigging has taken off among mackerel fishers, especially younger guys using the latest gear. I don’t think it makes a lot of difference on a normal day, but when things are quiet and you know the fish are there persistent jigging can bring on a bite. Fast or slow jigging often draws the fish closer to the boat where floating pilchards come into play. When fast jigging I always cast as far as I can past where the main schools hold. I let the chromie sink until it hits bottom over sand or make a judgement call on reef patches before I rip it back as fast as I can. This allows the lure to cover a bigger area and gives the fish more time to sight the chromie. If you aren’t getting hits, change your pace or make erratic movements, this could be the trigger. You should always have a floating pilchard hanging out the side of the boat. Most mackerel will follow the hooked fish or investigate the commotion, moving closer to see what is going on. The other fish will often smash the pilchard while you are playing the original hook-up. The rig can be changed depending on current by adding a running pea sinker just above the gangs. Spanish, doggies, sharky and spotted mackerel are all about at present and the expected drop in wind this month lets them stay in the bay longer. BLACK JEW Black jew have kicked off the season, schooling in the known holes along The Capricorn Coast. Black jew tend to circle the feature and will grab baits in a fast flurry, stopping for a period before passing again on their circuit. Black jew are pretty clean fighters that will test your equipment and tackle. Jewies normally fire up just before dark for an hour or two and in the morning starting just before Squid and pilchards 11:54 dawn. am are the usual standard, while

Beau Cossart’s first ever thready. Champion effort, mate! fresh flesh baits take some beating. The usual set ups work, and it doesn’t make a lot of difference whether you use a snapper rig or a running ball sinker down to the hook. I prefer a bit of movement of the baits so I use the paternoster mostly. Big hooks are the go from size 6-8/0. The Pinnacles, Findlays, Corio Heads, Double Heads, Ironpot, Rita Mada, Quartz, Divide, Cape Manifold and Cape Capricorn are all popular spots at this time of year. Many of the local jew holes will have grunter too, so it pays to have a few prawns among the bigger baits. REEFIES Red e m p e r o r, largemouth nannygai, grassy sweetlip, and red throat emperor have continued to be caught in great form over recent weeks. They usually head back out to deeper waters as the temperatures drop, but this year they have remained in quantity over the mid-depth grounds from 30-45m. Reds don’t tend to hang right on the structure, more often than not they cruise over the lower fern and rubble reef patches. Lately some of our best reds have been taken right at the spot we call lines up and ready to go back to the start of the drift line. Drifting can be good or bad depending on the country you are fishing and the speed. I have found that you can spread a school out to the point that they stop feeding in some cases. When they are concentrated it pays to use a drogue or drop your pick well up current and let your lines come back to the fish. Once you drop a red or release an undersize fish they will go off the bite for some time. They will come back on the chew sooner or later; most guys pack up and

move on when they might have done better waiting for a bit longer when the bite stops. Big baits are the rule for reds. This gives any pickers and baitfish a chance to create a berley trail and still leave substantial bait for the big fish. ESTUARIES The estuaries have been in good shape, with muddies and prawns leading the way. Whiting, bream, and blue salmon have increased through the general area, providing the creek fishers with lots of options now that barramundi, golden snapper and mangrove jack have started to slow down a little. The Fitzroy River is still a great choice for a day’s fishing. Salmon range throughout the river and can be taken from shore or boat depending on your preference. Down towards Port Alma and the Connors Rocks end, the grunter and snodger bream of last season are returning. Fish up to 1kg are almost the standard. Prawns, poddy mullet, mullet strips, yabbies or pilchards are the top baits, although the majority of keepers these days are caught on either vibes or soft plastics. Coorooman Creek, the Causeway Lake, Corio Bay and Ross Creek have healthy populations of yellowfin, silver, and pikey bream. Even the Rosslyn Bay Harbour is a prime spot, and the prospect of landing a keeper bream are high. Whiting have been moving and congregate around the local inlets and beaches. Five Rocks, Nine Mile Beach, Farnborough, Mulambin, Kinka, Fishermans, Keppel Sands main beach, Long Beach and Rundels are all worth a shot in the coming weeks.

Jacks and golden snapper still in good numbers MACKAY

Keith Day habdays@bigpond.net.au

May is the month the tropical north begins to cool off fairly quickly, which indicates changes in the patterns of species that are available to anglers. It also means we get a large influx of southern visitors who come to paradise to enjoy our beautiful weather and great fishing. We have had a great year so far for barra in both the freshwater and the creeks and estuaries. Recently the barra have still made up angler catches in both the Pioneer River and most of our creek systems. These fish feed on prawns, which are in plentiful supply – a good feed of prawns is not hard to come by with a cast net. As the weather cools off, look for barra in shallow warmer water and in the creeks that become sandbanks at the top of the tide, and around rocks that retain some heat. Even 1-2°C difference in temperature can trigger a good bite. The warmer water in the dams is usually quite shallow and where the water gets most of the sunlight. This behaviour will continue on into winter. Mackay is not only about barra, we have plenty of other great fish available to anglers. One very popular fish that seems to be on the

increase in the NFZ is the king threadfin salmon, and what a great sporting option they are. Use fairly light line with a solid mono trace around 20kg and get ready for plenty of sport. Threadies will take bait, lures and flies, but they can be frustrating at times, particularly on bait when they will fiddle around with bait and not take it properly. Patience is the key here, and baitrunner type reels are very useful. Keep feeding line and eventually the fish will knock off your bait and hopefully reward your patience with a solid hook-up. Threadies, like barra, will move right up into the shallows and can often be seen with their backs out of the water feeding on jelly prawns. When faced with this situation, an electric motor will work wonders, as it allows a stealthy approach. Come roaring up on a petrol motor and the fish will scatter. Look for threadies anywhere there are signs of prawns. This can be up under overhanging mangroves, in gutters, along gentle sloping banks or in deep holes. One of their favourite haunts is around the edges of prominent holes such as those in Constant Creek known locally as ‘the King Holes’. Live prawns, a bunch of yabbies, or soft vibes will all catch them. They are suckers for small plastics, but need a good solid hook to hold them, and once that big fork tail gets traction in the

shallows they can really motor. Great stuff, it’s just a pity they are a pain to fillet! Often there will be schools of blue salmon in the same areas, and while generally they don’t grow as big as threadies, an 80-90cm blue will go pretty well on light gear. Blues get stuck into the same baits and lures listed above, but also have a hankering for very small metal vibes worked down current. Blues generally aren’t a shy fish and will school around boats and numbers can be caught quickly. Remember to limit your catch as blues don’t freeze well and are best eaten fresh. Jacks and golden snapper are still in good numbers with some really nice golden snapper coming in off the close inshore rocks/reef areas. Plenty have been caught on the harbour walls and down around the Hay Point area too. Live squid, plastic squids, soft vibes and plastics account for most of them, but with our strong tidal runs, a fairly heavy jighead is needed. If in doubt, have a chat to the guys in our local tackle shops. We also have plenty of the ‘bread and butter’ species like bream, flathead, whiting, and grunter. All of these species provide top quality tucker if looked after properly upon capture. I am a big believer in bleeding fish quickly and packing them in ice, rather than just throwing them in an esky to die slowly. If you go

to the trouble and expense to catch a feed, then it’s logical to take the best care of it and enjoy the results. Sooties are like freshwater jacks – they hang heavy in cover and hit like trains, which is why we love them so much. They don’t slow up

on and a tonne of great fun! The only preference I have noticed from sooties over the last 20 years or so, is that gold lures and those with black or red, or a combo of any of these three colours, seems to work well. Mind you, plenty of other anglers have found different

them, will have been released. The majority are going into Eungella Dam. MAFSA will also hold the annual World Sooty Championship competition at Eungella early in May. All funds raised go toward buying barra fingerlings to stock into the

Clinton Hassan from Tackleworld Mackay used a very lightly weighted live prawn to lure this jack from the mangroves in the background. during the cooler months and can be readily caught in the dams and upstream creeks and rivers. Sooties don’t really play favourites with lures – if it gets in their face they can’t resist hammering it. A smashing strike and a full steam dash back into cover leaves a white knuckled angler trying to hang

colours that work for them, so make sure you have a good variety. If in doubt, talk to the tackle shop guys. MAFSA has had a great year breeding sooties, and over 90,000 have been spawned and reared in the hatchery. By the time this edition hits the streets, most, if not all of

Pioneer River. The Association is truly living up to their motto – ‘For a better fishing future’, with barra and sooty stocking going full steam ahead. In May the weather will be beaut and the fish co-operative, so why not come up and join us here in paradise? See you at the ramp!

Cooler weather brings visitors to Stanage Bay STANAGE BAY

Von Ireland

Recently the wind has been the biggest hurdle for our fishers and boating crews. If you can call it Blowin’ Bowen, what can we nickname Stanage? Although the road into Stanage is always a challenge for first-time visitors, you soon learn to slow down and take in the beauty Queensland really offers. The council road crew have copped a lot of criticism from contract

road crews. However, it is what it is, simply slow down for everyone’s sake. Repeat visitors, such as Pacific Villa renters, who drove over the road towing sizeable boats have commented that corrugation is pretty full one with some huge potholes. At the beginning of the Stanage Road, right at the turn off, is a small sign with the property names and distances listed. It’s a good idea to stop off the side of the road and take note, and then you will have no dramas. Thirsty Sound (which includes Quail Island and

This beautiful barra is a sign of a healthy future fishery.

Long Island), has been uncooperative with sharing the monster muddies and estuary caught fish. Maybe we are simply too spoilt up here and expect too much. Berty and his crew, who stayed in Pacific Oasis, have caught a feed of crabs with a lot of hard work, along with some nice size grunter. It does help if you can get your sounder working correctly! Steve, Jen and Ethan did well as per usual in their fishing spots. They pulled in some nice, barra, grunter, golden snapper and jacks. While the Pacific Villa crew, Trent, Greg and Imran did battle with the Coral Sea, to pull in a couple of nice brag fish, with a standout 16kg mackerel. All fishers should know that it’s almost a waste of time to fish in the estuary when the tidal waters are in the mangroves. This is where the bait will be, followed by the bigger fish. Always take two different types of bait along with an assortment of lures and jigs. The tides have been a bit of a hit in the backs of the mangrove and creek ends to get your pots set, even though we haven’t had any run-off

rain, the bigger tides generally cause movement at the tops of the gutters and creeks with the lazy muddies. I love exploring crab places as I usually can

set of small tides mixed in with some grassy sweetlip, red emperor and nannygai. Stanage Bay Marine & Accommodation (in the

on this last fishing frontier, give me a call on (07) 4937 3145, or send an email to stanagebaymarine@ bigpond.com.

Mangrove jack are still a great option through May. never get to with the smaller average tides. With the 6-7m tides on the drop, and hopefully the wind, it will be time to hit the islands for some reefies. The coastal trout was a popular target, get them on the last

boatyard) sells quality fresh frozen Australian pilchards, prawns, mullet, yorkies, herring, squid and roo, along with the popular squid, cuttlefish, gar, slimy mackerel and ribbonfish. Still need extra information

Until next time, enjoy the pictures! • Remember the latest fishing reports are on www. fishingmonthly.com.au and for queries on Stanage Bay fishing, call me on (07) 4937 3145. MAY 2016

THE R ECR EATIONAL ANGLER’S LINK WATE RWAY TR AWLE R R AG E • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Water safety must be taken more seriously. Recently a trawler had his nets in the water and steamed from Woody Point towards Nudgee over a distance of several kilometres straight at a cluster of about 50 recreational fishers casting for

to move out of the way. Surprisingly, in spite of this dangerous, aggressive and stupid behaviour we struggled to get authorities to act. Fisheries Queensland advised us to go to the water police or MSQ, the water police advised us to go to Fisheries and MSQ finally agreed to let

still little action. Over the years rumours suggest that commercial fishing vessels have absolute right of way. After a thorough look at the legislation this is in fact not true. Any vessel underway must give way to a vessel fishing or to a trawler with its nets deployed. In the

International Maritime Law. The trawler in question has demonstrated dangerous behaviour on more than one occasion and these actions threaten the safety of other boaties. Take care for your safety, take photos of dangerous activities if it is safe to do so and report the incident.

Here the trawler ploughs through the active fishing grounds with no consideration for the safety of others. The little boat in the front barely got out of the way in time. banana prawns. He trawled straight through the edge of the group and then turned at right angles and forced his way through them. These boats had been sitting as a group for at least half an hour. One of the boats barely got his motor started in time

us lodge a case and they would consider whether to act or not. Apparently, until someone actually gets hurt, the water police have a policy to file a report to MSQ only but not take any further action. We had photographic evidence and a police officer in one of the boats as a witness but

current case even though the trawler had its nets deployed and was prawning, the other vessels were not underway and visibility was clear. This means that the trawler who was under power should have avoided the recreational vessels fishing who were not under power at the time. This is

CHANGING POLITICAL LANDSCAPE • • • • • • • • • • • • • It has now become very difficult for community recreational fishing groups to remain apolitical since commercial netters have now placed one of their own

NAME THAT FISH • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • This fish was caught out off Tempest by Gary Kraut who was snapper fishing with Jeff Ahchay in April. Answer on page 83

into local government. In March the LNP clearly demonstrated their position with regards to commercial and recreational fishing, especially inshore gill netting. The LNP party machinery were out in full force during the local government elections in Moreton Bay. Their candidate in Division 1 who didn’t openly declare their support on her advertising was showcased in the preceding weeks by LNP powerbroker Lisa France. Lisa France has previously made her lack of support for recreational fishers very clear. The LNP even brought party members from Hervey Bay to the shores of Bribie Island to help campaign including handing out her how to vote materials. Mrs Savige was not even prepared to acknowledge her commercial fishing background until we provided the number of the commercial fishing licenses that has her name on it. S a d l y, local recreational fishers now have a member of a prominent gillnetting family as their local representative. It was not possible to match the financial might of the LNP.

FISHER IES PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION • • • • • • • • • • • • Member of the C o m m o n w e a l t h Productivity Commission into Australian Fisheries were recently in Queensland for a series of meetings with all sectors of the fishing community – recreational, commercial, charter, marketing and indigenous. The only facet outside their reach is freshwater fishing. The committee had many items already identified as requiring further information with respect to recreational fishing.

INFOR MATION R EQUEST • • • • • • • • • • • •

the same regulatory objectives? How well is recreational fishing recognised in current fisheries management and regulatory arrangements (including in relation to access rights)? How does the regulation of commercial fisheries affect recreational fishers? What are the main sources of tension between recreational fishers and other fishery users? What, if any, tensions exist between the controls on recreational fishing across jurisdictions and fisheries? Given the services provided by state and territory governments to support recreational fishing, do recreational fishers get good value from licence fees? You can still provide feedback to these questions at www.pc.gov. au/inquiries/current/ fisheries-aquaculture/ recreational-fishershave-your-say. Just remember that not all recreational fishing license programs are called that. Our recreational use fee has just gone up to $20 per recreational vessel. So, if you are like us and have a tinny and a glass boat you pay $40. In NSW a recreational fishing license is only $35 per year. Our $40 returns more to Fisheries each year than commercial fishing licences and the money we pay is handed over free and clear. Yet in NSW and other states there are committees that partner with Fisheries in determining how that money is spent. Most also run small grants programs for recreational fishing, fund their peak body and invest in developing their recreational fishery. I certainly wouldn’t want us to pay more and receive less than we currently do. We need to pose the question to the review as to why other states can manage this but Queensland can’t seem to.

Are controls such as licences, bag limits and size limits effective? Is there scope to reduce the burden (time or monetary costs) of fishing rules on recreational fishers while achieving

MAY 2016

www.sunfishqld.com.au

Email: judylynne@sunfishqld.com.au

Learn to overcome your fear of fly fishing today! NSW STH COAST

Steve Starling www.starlofishing.com

Flyfishing has a reputation for being a mysterious and difficult art, mostly practiced by crusty, pipe-

Flies are just artificial baits, like any other lure. However, being made from fur, fibres, tinsel and feathers lashed to a hook with thread, they’re virtually weightless. This presents a challenge from the casting perspective. That challenge

that this is the real crux of flyfishing – not the generations of tradition, nor the reams of literature surrounding this branch of the sport. While this description may offend some ‘purists’, flyfishing is no more or less than

Carp were made for the fly rod. It’s also a great way to ‘cull’ these pest fish.

Hey, you can even catch trout on fly if you want to! smoking old toffs in tweed jackets resplendent with leather elbow patches… But the times have indeed changed! These days, flyfishing has largely been demystified, and it’s

has been overcome down through the centuries by incorporating the necessary casting weight into the line instead of the lure. So, a fly line is effectively no more or less than a long,

lure fishing with ultralight lures! And while flyfishing originally developed in the Old World to catch trout and salmon, it’s equally applicable to any other

Flathead love a fly, especially one presented close to the bottom. no longer solely about catching trout! The biggest trick to breaking down any remaining misconceptions around flyfishing is to accept that it’s no more than a specialised form of lure fishing in which the lure is too light or too wind resistant to be cast any serious distance using conventional spinning or baitcaster tackle. Simple as that!

skinny sinker or float! It’s weight or mass is used to deliver that lightweight lure to a fish. The best way to throw such a long, skinny casting weight is to swish it back and forth through the air in order to form a travelling loop that can be extended and then unfurled onto the water, presenting the fly at the end of a leader that’s attached to the fly line. Get it into your head

fish — in fresh or salt water — that will eat a lure. I’ve literally targeted everything from mullet to marlin on fly! Granted, the gear needed is a little different to our standard lure casting tackle. Fly rods are generally long (2.53.5m) and have a slow, progressive taper. And that fat fly line along with some backing (in case you hook a whopper) is best stored on a simple, centrepin reel

with either a drag or at least a clicker to stop it spinning too freely and spewing out line. Fly lines come in varying weights (designated from 0-20 weight) and rods are made to match them, just as our spin rods are best suited to a specific range of lure or sinker weights. Heavier fly lines are best for casting large, bulky flies, especially on windy days. But the majority of fishing you’re likely to do (in fresh or salt water) will be easily covered by an outfit in the 4-weight to 9-weight range. Fly lines also have differing densities so they either float, or sink at varying rates. An ‘intermediate’ line (which sinks quite slowly) is a great all-rounder for anything other than dry flyfishing for trout. With a 6 or 7-weight outfit carrying an intermediate line you could happily target trout, bass, redfin, carp, bream, flathead, whiting, trevally, mullet, luderick, tailor, Australian salmon, garfish, pike and a whole bunch of other common targets.

4x4

SPECIALISTS

So, if you’ve been put off having a crack at flyfishing because of all the hype surrounding it, think

again! It’s no more than another way of skinning the same old catfish… and it’s great fun!

Catching big bream on flies is challenging, but also incredibly rewarding!

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A reel good service FMG

Will Lee wlee@fishingmonthly.com.au

As we all know, fishing reels aren’t cheap and they play an integral role in the fish catching process but more often than not we overlook the maintenance and servicing side of things. D&H Reel Repairs is owned and operated by Duncan Chowns and after catching up with Duncan recently I quickly worked out that there is not much that this guy doesn’t know about pulling apart, repairing, servicing and improving a fishing reel in any shape, size or form. Duncan services all of the major brands including Okuma, Abu, Daiwa, Penn, Shimano, Pflueger, Alvey and Quantum. While he does service a lot of high end reels, such as Stellas and Saltigas, he services just as many lower to mid-end reels. Duncan advises getting a reel serviced every 1-2 years a general rule but for a reel that is seldom used and stored more often than not, he suggests getting a service before storing it away so that the moving mechanical parts do not seize up. As well as general servicing, Duncan sees many repairs come through his workshop and this is a result of poor maintenance. I was very impressed with the large amount of parts and components that he carries in stock. For example, he has 63 sizes of miniature bearings on hand ready to go. This ensures

that Duncan can deliver his services on time and does not get held up waiting on a supplier to get a part in. 56

MAY 2016

When I asked Duncan if he has a favourite brand of reel he told me, ‘‘there’s a whole swag of good products on the market and it would be hard

purchasing a new reel is to add more oil and lube straight out of the box. The more you can protect your investment from corrosion the longevity it will

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to say that one is better than the other but the key is regular maintenance to keep any reel going.” It was interesting to note that he is a massive supporter of buying local and warns against buying from overseas or non-branded reels online as they may work fine

out of the box but more often than not, getting parts is a nightmare! Some of the best advice Duncan can give after

deliver. If you’re not confident to do it yourself, Duncan offers a corrosion proofing service and in recent times it has been a hit with the kayak fishing fraternity especially. As we got chatting about all things fishing, I did discover that he has a soft spot for Abu Garcia Ambassadeurs and has spent tireless hours through the years perfecting the art of tricking these things up for competition casting, and custom building them for anglers wanting an extra heavy drag setting for XOS barramundi and black bass in PNG. He has the stock and ability to pimp any reel with components such as carbontex drag washers, bearings such as the ceramic hybrid type and lapped and ground drag plates. On a recent trip to New Zealand with a couple of Aussie mates, Duncan and his crew hooked nine striped marlin, boated four (two tagged, two unable to be revived) and lost another two at the back of the boat. He said the trip was epic and not something he would forget any time soon. I checked out the gear that they used on the trip, most of which was 37kg and you wouldn’t know it but the majority of reels were around 25 years old but felt as good as new. It just goes to show the importance of proper maintenance. To find out more about D&H Reel Repairs visit reelrepairs.com.au or give Duncan a call on 07 3372 2740.

31 Fox Street Wynnum, QLD, 4178 Phone: (07) 3396 9777 Fax: (07) 3893 2046 www.wynnummarineyamaha.com.au

BRISBANE (NORTH) NORTHSIDE MARINE

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HERVEY BAY BUCCANEERS

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BUNDABERG

BUNDABERG MARINELAND 95 Targo Street, Bundaberg, QLD, 4670 Phone: (07) 4130 0500 Fax: (07) 4152 4754 www.bundabergmarineland.com.au

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MACKAY

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BOWEN

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TULLY

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CAIRNS

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

KARUMBA

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

MAY 2016

Sea to Summit bags Sea to Summit has added more sleeping bags to its popular range, and two of the latest models are the Latitude and Basecamp. LATITUDE The versatile Latitude

(from RRP $479) has a tapered rectangular shape and suits a range of temperatures. It is filled with 750+ Loft Ultra-Dry Down and protected by 2D NanoShell fabric.

This bag is similar in weight to Sea to Summit’s traditional mummy bags, while offering additional internal wriggle room for increased comfort. The tapered rectangular shape

Double overhand loop knot BRISBANE

Kim Bain

The double overhand loop knot is a very handy loop knot for creating a large loop at the end of your leader. In the case of a paternoster rig used for bottom bashing/reef fishing, the loop is passed

through the eye of a sinker of the type commonly referred to as a snapper lead. The hooks are then attached/presented above the sinker via either a dropper knot or twisted dropper knot that is tied in the same leader as the double overhand loop knot. We will look at an

alternative sinker loop next month and after that the dropper knots. For more detailed discussion on paternoster rigs, see my series that commenced in the June 2012 edition of QFM. The double overhand loop knot has poor knot strength, often quoted at about 50% of the breaking strain of the line that it is tied in,

3. depending on the variation of the sinker loop knot that is tied. However, it is strong enough to attach a sinker, in fact quite a few anglers prefer the sinker knot to fail if a sinker gets wedged in the reef. This can be preferable to breaking off higher up, especially if one of your hooks further up the leader

has a fish attached to it! Please note that as far as nomenclature goes, it is important to including the term ‘loop’ when referring to this knot, as there are other knots known as double overhands. It is also confusing to refer to any of the sinker loops as a dropper knot, although some older Australian texts do. The double overhand

4. loop is quick and easy to tie – firstly, tie a ‘single’ overhand loop, and then pass the running loop end through the knot one more time to achieve the double overhand loop knot. Then snug tight as in the accompanying diagrams. Next month I will be giving you more loop knot options for the paternoster rig.

is cut with a larger hood, broader shoulders, large chest area and a wider foot box to provide maximum comfort while keeping your warm. The oversized zipper draft tube is fitted with the anti-snag material, and a security pocket located inside the bag is easily accessible.

which have been designed to work with Sea to Summit’s sleeping mats and Aeros pillows to create a comprehensive sleep system. Slide your mat into the small pocket at the foot of the bag and then use the strap and loop set-up to secure the upper section. Then inflate your Aeros Pillow to

the perfect pressure before securing it with the elastic strap underneath the hood. The Basecamp bag can be modified to suit weather changes. Zip yourself in and pull the internal draw-cords tight to combat the cold. If the weather warms you can vent the feet, or unzip one or both sides. The dual zipper design means the Basecamp can transform from a sleeping bag into a quilt. The bottom of the quilt holds its shape as a roomy foot-box, and a series of attachment loops lets you secure your quilt onto your mat for maximum warmth. The Basecamp I has a compressed size of 7.8L and a bag weight of 1045g. It’s rated to 1°C (Basecamp models II and III are rated to -9°C and -15°C). For more info visit www. seatosummit.com.au. - FM

The lining fabric is down proof and highly breathable for a comfortable sleep, and a full-length side and foot zip allow for conversion from a warm winter bag to a blanket. The Latitude I has a compressed size of 6.1L and a bag weight of 880g. It’s rated to -4°C (the Latitude II and III are rated to -9°C and -17°C). BASECAMP The Basecamp (from RRP $449) is ideal for people who find a mummy bag restrictive, and who prefer more room to stretch out. It is also a godsend for restless sleepers who can now toss and turn in comfort, without being restricted. The Basecamp is available in three 750+ loft Ultra-Dry Down models,

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a C p t a y b Y 1770 in Coo

A d M h t 4 e 2 r e v o Disc

AGNES WATER • 1770 The Birthplace of Queensland

o l p Ex

s a t o C re the Discovery

WHERE TO...

Brought to you by

• PLAY • STAY • FISH • RELAX • AGNES WATER • 1770

MAY 2016

AGNES WATER •1770

Discovery Coast

Discovering beautiful 1770 and Agnes Water QFM

Jacqui Thomas

The historical towns of 1770 and Agnes Water are discreetly nestled along the Discovery Coast, just north of Fraser Island and

south of The Whitsundays. The neighbouring sistertowns boast Queensland’s northern-most surf beach, rugged National Parks alongside an unspoilt shoreline, and an unusual East Coast feature – a sunset over the ocean.

1770 Marina boat ramp.

Famous for being the only town in the world with a number as its name, the town of 1770 was named after the landing of Lieutenant James Cook and his crew from the Endeavour (24 May, 1770). The town hosts the Captain Cook 1770 Festival every year

1770 Marina is a hub of activity during peak times.

Rest easy knowing your boat & car are right next to your cabin.

Book:[07] 4974 9219 384 CAPTAIN COOK DRIVE, TOWN OF 1770 2

AGNES WATER • 1770

most of the services and main infrastructure. That’s not to say it doesn’t have its own charms though, with beautiful walks, quaint cafes and 6km of pristine, untouched, natural coastline. Well known to backpackers and grey nomads, these towns

provide so much more to a wide range of travellers. There are surprisingly so many things to do: 4WDing across national parks, relaxing at the beach, cruising in the bay, visiting local landmarks, and numerous local attractions to cater for any member of the

Looking towards Bustard Head from Joseph Banks Conservation Park.

Villas sleep up to 6 people Villas - air conditioned Swimming Pool Undercover BBQ Communal kitchen Fish cleaning station Bait & Ice Eatery / Takeaway Kiosk Gas Refills

www.1770holidayvillage.com.au MAY 2016

in May to commemorate this visit. In spite of the drawcard of its amazing location, 1770 has largely resisted the ‘tourist trap’ feel you get elsewhere, maintaining that small coastal town appeal. Agnes Water is the larger of the two towns and provides

• 4.5 Star Resort Accommodation • Plantation Bar & Restaurant • Anjea Day Spa • Swim Out Patios • Private Patio Spa Baths • Pool Side Bar Cnr Captain Cook Drive & Beaches Village Circuit, Anges Water – 07 4902 1600 – www.lagoons1770.com.au

AGNES WATER •1770 family. This pristine piece of country really does have it all. And, of course, there’s the magnificent fishing on offer. There aren’t many places along the Queensland Coast that can provide such diversity; from land-based gamefishing to offshore pelagics, to big estuary reds. Jump on board a half or full day fishing charter, fish the deep water and offshore reefs, and come home with a prized coral trout or red emperor. Whether you want to wet a line between family outings, or are in town for a serious fishing holiday, the region is a goldmine for anglers. HOW TO GET THERE If it’s been a while since you visited, then you’ll be happy to hear they’ve now sealed the roads to provide easy access to travellers, especially for caravan and trailerboat owners. The town of 1770 is approximately five and a half hours drive from Brisbane, with an easy drive up the M1 and a turn onto the Isis Hwy/State Route 3, and then eventually Route 16 will take you straight to town. For shorter distances, it’s about an hour and half from Gladstone heading south along the A1 to Miriam Vale, then follow Route 16. In the opposite direction, it’s roughly the same distance from Bundaberg straight up Route 16. If you don’t have your own transport, you can also catch a train to Gladstone, Miriamvale or Bundaberg, or fly to Gladstone, Bundaberg or Hervey Bay airports, where you can hire a car, charter a flight or catch a bus into town. ATTRACTIONS The most noticeable attraction in 1770 would have to be the LARC. The amphibious vehicle is a familiar sight on the beach landscape and offers full day tours to the historical Lighthouse at Bustard Head, as well as smaller trips throughout the day. Likewise, Lady Musgrave Cruises also do full day tours on board the Spirit of 1770, a 22m high-speed catamaran,

to Lady Musgrave Island. Passengers get the chance to visit some of the most pristine parts of the southern Great Barrier Reef – a tropical paradise of 3000 acres of living reef including a deep water coral lagoon. Here you will come face-to-face with a variety of reef fish, along with manta rays and turtles. For a cost-free afternoon, visit the Captain Cook

Discovery Coast

tiger butterfly is between March and June. There are several other inspiring walks in and around 1770. The Round Hill Headland at the end of the peninsula is where you can see the anchor from the MV Countess Russell, which was wrecked to the south in 1873. The headland provides spectacular views and is one of the few places

Relax while enjoying beautiful sunsets

Joseph Banks Conservation Park. Monument. Located on Captain Cook Drive on the way to Round Hill Headland, it commemorates the first landing of the Endeavour in Queensland at Bustard Bay. The rock monument was built on the site where one of Cook’s crew carved the date on a nearby tree where they came ashore. From here, there is an easy walking trail that is known as the Butterfly Walk; it is overwhelmed with thousands of beautiful butterflies. For budding lepidopterologists, the best time to view the blue

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in Queensland where the sun sets over the water. There is also the Discovery Trail that starts at the museum along Springs Road. It works its way along the front of Agnes Water Beach and Workmans Beach and passes underneath the lookout. A longer version would be to start further up the Agnes Water Beach and walk over the headland. Agnes Water Beach is 6km of soft sand. It’s the most northern surf beach that is safe

Fishing, boating & kayaking from your camp

l Absolute beachfront Campground situated at the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef l 100 powered sites with 27 absolute beachfront sites with fireplaces l Some fully serviced caravan sites with power, water and sullage l FREE Wi Fi l On site Restaurant serving Seafood, steaks, pizza and other fare l 2 modern amenities blocks, camp kitchen and laundry l Kiosk with Ice, Gas, Drinks, groceries & news agency l Safe swimming with our own white sandy beach l Excellent small boat mooring in front of the Campground l Easy access to great Reef & Estuary Fishing and Mud Crabbing l Catch Coral Trout, Red Emperor, Sweetlip etc within an hours boat trip from the Campground l Departure point for Lady Musgrave Barrier Reef Cruises l Have a fun day or afternoon trip on the Larc [Amphibious vessel] l Hire a Tinny and explore Round Hill Creek l Local attractions include stand up paddle board and kayak hire l Golf Course, Tennis courts, Bowls Club and Tavern with bottle shop l Modern Foodstore in Agnes Water with all supplies, Butcher and Fruit & Veg l Banks, ATM’s and Post Office

To page 4

• 100m to the beach • 5 minutes from boat ramp • Twin to family rooms • Kitchenette with cooking facilities • Air conditioned • Private ensuites • Queen beds • Large screen TV (Foxtel)

Michael & Fiona

Ph: 07 4974 9132 7 Agnes St, Agnes Water Qld 4677

Safe for the kids to swim and play

On site seafood, steak, pizza and other fare

Short trip to the Great Barrier Reef

Experience an afternoon on the Larc

Bookings please phone 0749 749286 Website: 1770campingground.com.au Email: camping1770@tpg.com.au Bookings essential weekends and school holidays. AGNES WATER • 1770

MAY 2016

AGNES WATER •1770

Discovery Coast From page 3

from stingers and crocodiles and, when conditions are right, the point break produces excellent surf. Even at peak holiday periods, with surfers, walkers and bathers sharing the beach, it rarely feels crowded. It is patrolled by lifeguards during weekends, holidays and peak times. However, 1770/Agnes Water is not just about the beaches. The National Parks have their own charms. The Paperbark Forest Walk at the Reedy Creek Reserve is a haven of beauty. The unique bollards provide artificial stepping stones at the start of the trail. Nestled among the ragged paperbark trees, the walk takes approximately 45 minutes. For the more advanced hiker, there are more challenging walks, such as Red Rock and Mt Larcom. These offer superb views, which are well worth the extra effort. If you’re keen to view the natural environment but don’t want the blisters from trekking half the day, there are some fantastic 4WD tracks. The pristine National Parks of Deepwater and Eurimbula are teeming with a diverse range of flora and fauna, with camping and basic facilities available. Voted one of the top five things to do on the East Coast, Scooteroo is another way of seeing the local sights without having to haul on your hiking boots. You can ride a mini Harley-style chopper on a three-hour guided tour around Agnes Water/1770. You don’t

Eurimbula Creek Camping ground. need a bike licence, just a Learners/Provisional Car licence, and a great sense of adventure. Training and safety equipment are provided. To learn more about the history of the area, there is a local museum where you can learn about European settlement, marine history and read the extracts from Lieutenant Cook’s diary. There are also numerous tours about local indigenous culture and Captain Cook’s first landing in Queensland. There is a kangaroo feeding tour, mad nursery and even a micro-distillery making homemade liqueurs to while away an afternoon. SERVICES The little marina of 1770 is a hub of activity. It has a multilane boat ramp with lighting, toilets, water and picnic area, and reasonable parking. It’s accessible in all tides, and

has a small bait and tackle shop with local personality Poppy Bob always eager with helpful advice. Unfortunately, the town does not have a fish cleaning area/bin and not all campsites provide this facility. Bear this in mind when booking accommodation, and check if they have amenities for anglers.

The LARC and Lady Musgrave Cruises both leave from the marina and there is a local gem of a café that serves hot and cold food for waiting seafarers. Just further up the road is a watersports hire facility directly on the beach. Most afternoons, and mornings, there are guided groups paddling up and down

the coastline. Alternatively, you can also hire a stand up paddle board and see if you can spot dolphins, turtles and the abundant birdlife while exploring. Agnes Water is more built up than the town of 1770. Here, you can find supermarkets, variety shops, police, petrol station, pharmacy, takeaway, real estate, butcher, bakery, tourist information, liquor shop, pub, and more. Both towns have a plethora of eateries to cater to everyone’s budget. From coffee shops, cafes to awardwinning restaurants, the towns can boast an impressive selection of Australian cuisine. The iconic pub at 1770 that overlooks the bay is a popular hangout for backpackers and tourists. The view is beautiful but the pub gets crowded quickly at sunset. The Sea Grapes Wine Bar and Bistro got a huge rap from locals and was constantly referred to as the ‘best’ in town. However, I suggest booking early as, despite our efforts, we couldn’t

Middle Creek Camping ground.

get a table as it is fully booked weeks ahead. The Agnes Water Tavern was quite a surprise. What it lacks in bay views it certainly makes up for in superb food. Much larger than the 1770 pub, it offers all the normal services: bottle shop, bar, pool tables, bistro and even a courtesy bus. It has a very friendly atmosphere and its décor is modern and clean (it’s obviously quite a new building). It offers all the usual ‘pub grub’, from BLTs to chicken parmigana, and steaks as big as your head, all of which were reasonably priced. We ate there several times and it was superb. For a quick bite during the day, the 1770 Marina Café was great – quality cheap food. It’s only open for breakfast and lunch and is in the perfect spot to tempt early morning boaters heading out onto the water. For the visiting angler/ boater, the two main services are in Agnes Water: a petrol station and tackle store. There is only one petrol station in the town, so you’ll have to fill up before heading to 1770. It’s located along Captain Cook Drive on the main drag heading into town. Agnes Water/1770 Bait & Tackle is located at the main shopping centre on Round Hill Road. Tony and Sandi are a fountain of local knowledge and have a ‘brag’ album on the front desk to show the versatility of the local catches. They carry a huge range of gear as they have to accommodate a diverse range of species, such as mackerel, tuna, GT, jacks,

Having a good LARC been on the LARC yet?” It seems these iconic vessels are attracting as much attention as the fishing in the area. It’s No matter who we spoke hard to miss the bright pink to in 1770, the question vessels traversing the sand was the same, “Have you and sea, and its popularity QFM

Jacqui Thomas

MAY 2016

AGNES WATER • 1770

with tourists (and locals) had us eager to give it a try. It wasn’t hard to convince the crew we needed a trip out on the LARC. A quick visit to the office had us booked on to the Afternoon Cruise departing at 4pm. The LARC stands for Lighter Amphibious Resupply Cargo. Being ex-military, its versatility and reliability are ideal for transporting passengers up and down the Bustard Bay coastline. The premium excursion, Paradise Tour, consists of a full day’s adventure to the historical lighthouse at Bustard Head. Along the way, there are

VIDEO

various stops for morning tea, wildlife spotting, picnic lunches, fishing and, for the adventurous, sand-boarding down a towering 35m sand dune. This all culminates in a visit inside the historical Bustard Head Lightstation,

Queensland’s only open operating lighthouse. Other options include a shorter ‘LARC and Lunch’ tour; a ‘Walkabout Tour’ (learning about local indigenous culture of hunting, gathering

Scan this QR code to see a sneak peek of the fun we had on our tour.

AGNES WATER •1770

Discovery Coast

Captain Cook 1770 Festival

Top: Heading towards Eurimbula Creek. Below: Arriving at Eurimbula via 15km of unsealed road. queenies, barra, coral trout, red emperor, snapper, sweetlip and everything in between. It’s definitely worth a visit to find out what’s been biting. Despite its varied fishing opportunities, 1770/Agnes Water is famous for its ‘reds on the reef’ – coral trout and red emperor are the prized mainstays. If you don’t have the boat with you but still want to experience fishing on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef, you can book a spot on a charter boat. They provide everything you need, from tackle, gear, food and water – and a guided bushwalk), and the Afternoon Cruise. Boarding the LARC, we were greeted by Blake, our skipper/tour guide for the trip. His warm and friendly demeanour was welcoming, and his ‘Aussie’ appearance of khaki clothing and akubra hat were lapped up by the foreign tourists (and, let’s be honest, domestic tourists as well). The tour began with a safety spiel and introductions. Sitting in rows of four, the plastic chairs were modest but comfortable and, more importantly, everyone was afforded a view. We were warned that ‘some’ of us may get a spray of sea water, which instigated squeals of anticipation from the kids on board. Bumping along the soft sand, Blake entertained us with stories from the past

just bring sunscreen, a hat and a camera. Charters can cost as little as $170 per person for half a day, and will happily cater to whatever fishing/ species you want. If you ever find yourself in need of further inspiration of what to do in the area, there is a very helpful Visitor Information Centre located along Springs Road in Agnes Water. It has a wide range of maps, brochures and itineraries to help you decide. The staff are friendly and very knowledgeable and will point you in the right direction.

and recent local happenings. There was plenty to see with beautiful scenery set behind a stunning sunset backdrop. Along the way, Blake pointed

The Captain Cook 1770 Festival commemorates the landing of Lt James Cook and his crew on board the Endeavour on 24 May 1770 in Bustard Bay at the Town of 1770. This landing was their second during the historic voyage, after Botany Bay, and the Town of 1770 is therefore labelled ‘the Birthplace of Queensland.’ The Captain Cook 1770 Festival combines the fun aspect of a five-day local festival of entertainment and activities, whilst commemorating and celebrating the historical significance of Cook’s landing in 1770. The traditional owners the Gooreng Gooreng people explain the dreamtime stories of the area and perform traditional dances to the sound of didgeridoos, in addition to the re-enactment of Cook’s landing at the Town of 1770 foreshore with actors in period costumes. The 2016 Captain Cook 1770 Festival is gearing up

out the wildlife and provided knowledgeable information including some interesting historical facts of 1770 and Bustard Head Lightstation. I

to be a visual sensation with the theme of circus! The 1770 Art Show opens on Wednesday 18 May 2016 and continues through until Sunday 22 May at the Agnes Water Community WHAT’S ON • An onshore re-enactment • Well-loved Street Parade of floats • Local and visiting acts on stage • Art Show • A huge array of kids amusement rides and activities • Market stalls, food vendors and a bar • Spectacular fireworks display. Centre and for the fourth year running the guest judge is a representative from GOMA. This year Kyla McFarlane, Acting Curatorial Manager, Australian Art at Queensland Art Gallery, Gallery of Modern

recommend you pay attention as it’ll come in handy later… The LARC’s first dip in the water was surprisingly smooth, and it transformed a

Art (GOMA) will be present to do the honours. On Friday 20 May, the focus is on the beautiful 1770 Foreshore late in the afternoon with a live re-enactment by the Discovery Coast Theatre Group and local entertainment. This is a free event with some food and beverages available for purchase. Saturday 21 May begins with the colourful and wellloved Street Parade from 1770 Marina to the SES Grounds. All local community groups and businesses are invited to join in the parade with a circus-themed float, costumes and actions, so it is sure to be a visual sensation. Following the parade, the fun continues and the main festival gates open at 10am. Entry for adults is $11, kids $5.50 and under 12yo are free. Entertainment includes the popular Asa Broomhall Band with their powerful guitar driven songs, Sun Salute who hale from the Whitsundays, Agnes Blue, a brother and

sister band with homegrown roots in the 1770 area and local acts like the AWSUM ukulele Club (Agnes Water & surrounds ukulele musicians) on stage day and night. The huge array of kids amusement rides and activities, artistic market stalls of treasures, food vendors and bar means each and every taste is catered for. The spectacular fireworks display overhead and live entertainment make for a fun and fantastic Festival, with the ease of buses available for transport. On Sunday 22 May all the Captain Cook 1770 Festival entertainment and markets continue at the SES Grounds from 9am-4pm, with entry by gold coin donation on this day. For further info on all things Festival email events@dctc.com.au or phone 07 4974 7570 or check out www.1770festival. com.au. – Discovery Coast Tourism and Commerce

sand buggy ride into a boat cruise in the bay. Despite its cumbersome appearance, Blake had full control and manoeuvrability over the vehicle, which is reassuring for the elderly and parents with young children. We had plenty of opportunities to stop, take photos and get our feet wet on the sand. Heading home was what the littlies were really waiting for – the chance of getting sprayed! Spirits were high as we sped up and launched into the sea. It was a lot of fun, and not just for the kids – everyone on board had a fit of the giggles. A few deft sharp turns from Blake, and encouraging cheers from the passengers, and we were back on land for another go. A few more dips and sprays into the ocean and then we finally headed

home. On the way back, Blake decided to hold a pop quiz on what we’d learnt on the tour – I told you to pay attention! Naturally, the kids out-smarted the adults, but I was pleased that I got a few right. Overall the experience was light-hearted and fun; a perfect end to a busy day. The Afternoon Cruise was just a ‘taster’ of the tours on offer, but it certainly whet my appetite to try the full day Paradise Tour next time I visit 1770. Tour prices start from $38 for an adult, and children under 4 go for free. For more information you can visit www.1770larctours.com.au and book online, or take your chances of availability and book at the office located at the marina.

AGNES WATER • 1770

MAY 2016

AGNES WATER •1770

Discovery Coast

Get your game on the Catwalk at sunset Experience the...LARC! “The best aerial view you’ll ever see from a boat!”

3 Qld’s only guided tour INSIDE an operating lighthouse tower

3 Visit Bustard Head Lightstation’s cottage museum and cemetery

3 Sandboard down towering 35 metre dunes!

07 4974 9422 www.1770larctours.com.au

AGNES WATER / 1770

Josh Lunn

1770 is fast becoming known as the home of one of the best land-based game fishing locations on the Central Queensland Coast. The spot known locally as the ‘Catwalk’ is aptly named due to the narrow access trail that snakes its way around and over the cliffs of Round Hill Headland to the rock ledges below. The Catwalk offers anglers a high vantage point from which shoals of bait and feeding birdlife can be spotted approaching the stones, often shadowed by all manner of pelagic species taking advantage of an easy feed. As with many pelagic situations, peak feeding times generally coincide with sunrise and sunset. Combine this with the high tide, plenty

OPEN 7 DAYS FOR BREAKFAST & LUNCH

535 Captain Cook Dr, 1770 Qld 6

MAY 2016

AGNES WATER • 1770

07 4974 9227

of baitfish and an influx of clean ocean water you have a recipe for a feeding frenzy of epic proportions! Although the early morning and late evening periods of lower light are usually the best, there’s plenty of bait and clean water conditions to encourage fish to feed throughout the day. I have had the privilege of living here and fishing these waters for the last 16 years, and the list of species I have seen caught from the stones continues to grow annually. You just never know what that next big strike and screaming run will produce; Spanish mackerel, northern longtail tuna, yellowfin tuna, mac tuna, bonito, giant trevally, golden trevally, bludger trevally, tea leaf trevally, diamond trevally, queenfish, school and spotted mackerel, barracuda, cobia, yellowtail kingfish, sailfish, and even black marlin have all been caught from the stones. These species can be targeted in a variety of ways; one of the most popular methods is sight casting. Anglers perch themselves high on the ledge to gain a clear view of the surrounding conditions. High quality spin outfits with large line capacity and 8-10ft rods are the regular weapon of choice. With the aid of some high quality polarised sunglasses and a keen eye, schools of longtail tuna and Spanish mackerel can be spotted approaching

the ledge. A well-placed cast and fast retrieve usually results in a solid hook-up. Lure choice varies widely but the ever-faithful metal slugs from 40-85g are a good place to start. Flasha Spoons in the 50g size are my favourite with a slower flutter action while sinking, 65-85g Spanyid Raiders being

the pick for longer casts and speedy retrieves when you really need to get ahead of the fastest schools of tuna and mackerel. Often the most vital part of lure selection is simply matching the size and profile of the baitfish that your target species is feeding on. This is most evident when chasing

Main picture: Early morning and late evening periods of low light are usually the best, however there’s plenty of bait and clean water conditions to encourage fish to feed throughout the day. Insert picture: When the trevally schools are thick, big soft plastics worked across the bottom on medium to heavy jigheads will produce the goods. Above: The Catwalk offers anglers a high vantage point from which shoals of bait and feeding birdlife can be spotted. A well-placed cast and fast retrieve usually results in a solid hook-up.

AGNES WATER •1770 tuna, fussy fish will pass up lure after lure until you get the profile size just right. Other equally popular lure choices include heavy shallow running minnows and bibless varieties such as the Rapala X-Rap long cast and Storm So-Run minnows. When the trevally schools are thick, big soft plastics, such as ZMan 6” Grubz or 7” jerkbaits, worked across the bottom on medium to heavy jigheads will produce the most hook ups. Surface popping is one of the most visual and exciting methods of fishing from the stones. Large poppers and stickbaits worked vigorously across the top water can produce all manner of different species from XL GT, tuna, and, if you’re lucky, a big Spanish mackerel that will launch itself clear of the water. When conditions allow, live baiting can also be a very productive method. A variety of baitfish species can be caught here. Working Sabiki bait jigs in front of the ledge can at times produce yakka, garfish and large herring. A light spin outfit and small 5-10g slugs can be used for spinning up Watson’s bonito and pike, perfect baits for big mackerel, kingfish and tuna. When the wind direction is favourable these live baits can be drifted out into the current lines using balloons or foam floats. I highly recommend using a small weight above the bait to keep it low enough beneath the surface to avoid sea birds stealing or damaging hard earned baits. Peak times of year to fish vary, as no two seasons are the same, pelagic fish migration is based largely upon appropriate water temperatures that influence the influx of baitfish moving in towards the coast. Other major factors include moon cycles and tides, as well as water clarity, which can be affected by local rainfall and run-off. SAFETY Even in the best of conditions land-based game fishing is a dangerous sport.

Even in the best of conditions land-based game fishing is a dangerous sport. Due care must always be taken to ensure safe and successful adventures on the stones. One of the most important rules is to never turn your back on the sea. As calm as things may seem there is always a possibility of a rogue wave or unpredictably large swell, any situation can turn bad fast if an angler is swept from the ledge. Just a little mental preparation and safety equipment can eliminate much of the risk. Avoid fishing alone. Taking a mate not only gives you somebody to watch your back when conditions are rough, but also ensures there is somebody on hand to help, or get help, if things take a turn for the worse. Landing big fish safely from the stones is at times a hard task; this is where an experienced fishing partner proves invaluable. The bottom end of the ledge has a handy wash zone that allows you to get down close to the water’s edge to land fish, just don’t forget the gaff! Longer is better for the rougher days, I like to use a two-piece 14ft model. You don’t always have to use its full length, but

it’s good to have on hand if you need it. Quality footwear is a must. Not only is the track leading to the stones slippery and potentially dangerous, as you get close to the water’s edge in the tidal zone much of the rocks are covered in algae and barnacles. Wearing sturdy boots will help you maintain footing and protect your feet from cuts and abrasions. I highly recommend a pair of neoprene rock boots, they are

designed for use in the water and the best models have small steel pins in the sole providing excellent grip in this harsh marine environment. For those who like to be as safe as possible or perhaps just not the strongest swimmers there are an excellent range of compact, easy-to-wear personal floatation devices available on the market today. These vests and jackets have been purpose built with rock fishers in mind, so

Discovery Coast and the fish keep coming, so do the UV rays. Luckily there are a variety of tools at your disposal to minimise sun damage and make your adventure as comfortable as possible. There’s nothing worse than sitting out day two of an epic fishing session due to sunburn or sunstroke. Sunscreen, zinc, a long sleeve shirt and a quality hat are a good start, I recommend the Frillneck sun hats as they are easily adjustable and provide excellent sun protection. They’re wrap around style also helps to block light penetration around your glasses, improving vision. Another good option is the wide range of Head buffs on the market. These tubular scarfs can be pulled up over the nose and ears providing good coverage and come in a range of stylish patterns and colours. Another area often overlooked by anglers, is your

hands. Quality casting gloves serve several purposes. They can save the back of your hands from nasty sun burn, and also help protect you from the occasional whiplash caused by casting thin braids and heavy lures long distance. There are a range of styles available, I favour a pair without fingertips so you don’t lose any sensitivity or contact with lines. Above all, have fun and look after your mates and fellow anglers. We are all brought together here to enjoy an amazing natural resource and ensure its sustainability for generations to come. The little things count the most, minimise rubbish, don’t leave smelly bait scraps or fish frames behind and ensure anything you bring to the ledge leaves with you. If you can make the effort to carry it in, you most certainly have the ability to carry it out.

REEF FISHING CHARTERS James Brown – 0428 749 686 www.1770fishing.com | info@1770fishing.com

The stones are a popular spot with a variety of species on offer; you can even catch a black marlin in the right conditions. are comfortable and allow freedom of movement. The harsh Australian sun should also be a big consideration before any LBG adventure. While it’s easy to forget in the early morning light, as the day wears on

When fishing off the rocks, high visibility is important, especially if you take a tumble in rough weather. AGNES WATER • 1770

MAY 2016

AGNES WATER •1770

Discovery Coast

Hill Island

Taragoola

MAP 1

Iveragh

Diglum

Foreshores

Seventeen Seventy

Eurimbula National Park A1

Boynedale

Agnes Water

Bororen

Round Hill Captain Creek

See enlarged map 2

Miriam Vale

Colosseum Deepwater

Taunton

Boyne Valley

Rules Beach Baffle Creek

Mount Maria A1

Lowmead Winfield

Monal

Gindoran

Dalga

Mullett Creek

Rosedale

Watalgan Miara

Kalpowar A1

Yandaran Avondale

Kolan Moonford

Mungungo

Waterloo

Gaeta

Bukali

Bargara

Lake Monduran

Bucca Monduran

Monto

Bundaberg

Takilberan

Mulgildie

Elliott Heads A1

Moolboolaman Dalysford

Yarrol

Kapaido

South Bingera

Gin Gin

Kinkuna Delan Burrum Coast National Park

MAP 2

Eurimbula Recreation Reserve

VIDEO Joseph Banks Conservation Park

Scan this QR code to see the FMG crew tackle Eurimbula and Middle Creek Roads.

Eurimbula National Park

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MAY 2016

AGNES WATER • 1770

AGNES WATER •1770 MAP 3

14 Scale

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LOCATION KEY

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ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS A Sandcastles Resort

11 LARC tours

2 1770 turn off

12 1770 Marina boat ramp

3 Eurimbula Creek

13 Chinamans Beach

4 Joseph Banks Park

14 Joseph Banks Park

5 Middle Creek campground

15 1770 Marina

6 Middle Creek warning sign

16 1770 Camp ground

7 Junction sign

17 Agnes Water main beach

8 Paperbark forest walk

18 Visitor Centre

9 1770 Boat storage

19 Agnes Water Bait & Tackle

10 1770 Camp ground

20 Agnes Water Tavern

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B 1770 Camp ground

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C Lagoons 1770 Resort

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1 Kolan River crossing

Captain Cook Holiday Village

Surf Club

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E Agnes Water Beach Caravan Park

F Agnes Water Beach Club G Mango Tree Motel

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Deepwater National AGNES WATER • 1770 MAY 2016 9 Park 10 kms

AGNES WATER •1770

Discovery Coast

Red emperor – the ultimate prize catch of 1770 AGNES WATER / 1770

Eve Malone

1770/Agnes Waters is famous for its fishing, and one of the biggest drawcards here is the glamorous red emperor. These fish can grow to over 1m and over 20kg, but the average size in this area is 6-8kg. A 10kg+ fish is a trophy catch. The minimum size for red emperor is 55cm, and there’s a bag limit of five. Here’s how to catch them. CATCHING THE MIGHTY RED A simple paternoster rig or running sinker rig accounts for most captures, with 8/0 or 9/0 hooks and a snapper lead that suits the depth and current. Many novice red anglers use small hooks and small baits in the hope that they’ll jag a fish, but

this is a mistake. You’ll end up getting tons of smaller reef fish such as undersize sweetlip, iodine bream and other undesirables. Another mistake people make is thinking they can drop a line anywhere on the reefs and shoals, assuming the reds are everywhere. Yes, reds are widespread, but you need to find favourable spots or you’ll strike out. Let’s say you heard of good reds recently caught at the Boult Reef. Don’t just head to Boult and expect to catch one. Sure – it’s a great starting point, but after you arrive you should really take the time to hunt for structure in depths of around 25-100m. Once you have found structure and some nice arches, you’re in with a better chance. Reds tend to like the run, so fishing the turn of the tides should increase your catch rates, as will fishing the new or full moon. Most reds

PATERNOSTER RIG FOR REDS 50-80lb braid

Swivel

approx. 1.2m

80lb mono leader

15 to 20cm

Spider Hitch

Sinker to suit drift

are caught at night. BAIT The old saying ‘big bait, big fish’ is definitely true! I like to use whole fish such as live yellowtail, scads and mullet rigged through the mouth or around the eyes so they swim freer. Good dead baits include whole cuttlefish, whole squid or good oily fish such as skinned tuna fillets and the like. Try to keep your bait close to the bottom, keeping an eye on your sounder for structure you might get snagged on. Rig your baits on a gang or paternoster rig with two heavy gauge 8/0 to 9/0 hooks (or 12/0 circles). To add extra visual appeal, you may also like to try a flasher rig like a Striker Hook, which has reflective tinsel at the top of the hook. LURES Lures rarely work better than fresh bait, but they’re a lot of fun. The most successful artificials seem to be soft plastics and octo jigs. When you’re using lures for reds, keep it slow. Jig and wind a few times and then drop back down, keeping the lure within a few metres of the bottom. If you’re using plastics, you can either use a jighead or simply pop your plastic on one of the hooks in your paternoster rig and let it waft in the current. Put a bait on the other hook, and wait and see what the fish prefer that day. DRIFT OR ANCHOR? To drift or not to drift… it’s a divisive issue. Drift fishing lets you cover more ground so it’s good for sussing out an area. However, I prefer to anchor as I want to get to the bottom of the structure where they are using the current to get to where I want to be. Red emperor

STAY IN THE HEART OF AGNES WATER

Damian Hickey got this quality red from the deep water bommies around Fitzroy. rarely move up to hit baits so if you’re drifting you need to use heavy enough lead to keep you there, and keep feeding out line to account for the drop-offs. I would also suggest using a sea anchor (drogue) to help slow you down, as the turn of the tide will produce more run. On our last trip we forgot

Either way, once hooked they fight more cleanly than other reefies such as coral trout, although they can still sometimes bust you off on the coral. These fish put up a good fight, like their cousins the mangrove jack and golden snapper. Adult reds have some serious weight to

Reds are easy to spot on the sounder. the sea anchor, and my bait was travelling faster than a mac tuna in a bait ball, not to mention I couldn’t keep it on the bottom. FIGHT At times red emperor can bite tentatively, while at other times they can snatch and grab aggressively.

them, and will fight all the way to the boat. Once at the surface, juvenile reds can be bought to the boat by quickly hoisting the leader. Larger reds can be guided into a good size net. TACKLE When targeting reds I recommend a short,

powerful 15-24kg rod (or a heavy landline if that’s your thing). Reel choice comes down to personal preference; some anglers like an Alvey deck winch but most go for an overhead reel, such as the ubiquitous Shimano TLD 25. When it comes to line, I recommend 50-80lb braid with 80lb mono leader. LOCATIONS Reds are most commonly caught in depths of 40-120m. They like to hang around coral reefs and adjacent sand flats, as well as deep, isolated bommies, or areas with a rubbly bottom. If you want to catch red emperor in these parts you have a wealth of options to choose from. There’s 15 Mile, 20 Mile, Boult Reef, Lady Musgrave, Sykes, North West, Fitzroy and all that’s in between, just to name a few! Banana Gutter (S 24 06.949, E 152 03.811) South from the entrance of 1770, the gutter is quite large and as you sound out the area you’ll find good gravel ground and bommies to explore. I recommend fishing this area on the drift; recently I got onto some great drifts of 500m+

• 1 & 2 Bedroom Fully Self-Contained Apartments • 350m to Local Agnes Water Main Beach • 5 Minute drive to 1770 Boat Ramp • Cook up your catch on your very own balcony BBQ • Fully Air Conditioned Luxurious Rooms • Austar • Heated Pool

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Ph: 1300 731 667

reservations@agneswaterbeachclub.com.au – www.agneswaterbeachclub.com.au 10

MAY 2016

AGNES WATER • 1770

Big red emperor fight all the way to the boat.

90km

AGNES WATER •1770 Offshore 1770

Discovery Coast KEY

Sykes Reef

Marine National Park Zone

Heron Reef

Scientific Research Zone

80km

Wistari Reef

Conservation Park Zone

One Tree Island Reef

Irving Reef Mast Head Reef

10km

70km

Polmaise Reef

Not to scale

Lamont Reef Rock Cod Shoal

60km

Fitzroy Reef

40km

50km

Llewellyn Reef

Scan QR code for detailed downloadable zoning maps REF: MAP 18

Boult Reef

Hoskyn Islands Reef

Fairfax Islands Reef

20km

30km

Lady Musgrave Reef

10km

Turkey Beach

Eurimbula

Seventeen Seventy

Lady Elliot Island

Herald Patches

Agnes Water Round Hill

Most red emperor are caught at night. full of structure. 20 Mile (S 24 04.147, E 152 13.279) This has reasonably flat terrain with small rises that hold good bait. Most will head NW from the mark above to find good reds. It’s an area where you may need to try different baits or try jigging, but it does produce. Boult Reef (S 23 50.065, S 152 07.064) Known for its consistency. Look for deep water around 50m holding

good bait and structure. It’s rocky and the rocks are what hold the fish. Some work and exploration will bring rewards. Sykes (S 23 25.000, E 152 04.000) Travelling to the right on the eastern side in the deeper water produces great fish here; anything from 38m+ and you should find fish. Masthead and Erskine Island can produce fish even in 192m of water. If you find good arches in

this amount of water give it a shot. At worst you should get some good by-catches. Fitzroy Bommies (S 23 42.809, E 152 03.032) This area holds fish on the edges of the bommies. In and around the area there are good gutters to fish, but don’t drive past any fish showings or structure – drop a line down and see what happens. Broomfield (S 23 16.000, E 151 55 000) If you are equipped to get to Broomfield it’s a fantastic option, not only for reds but marlin and sailfish. YOUR VISIT The tackle store staff in 1770/Agnes Waters are always happy to give advice to increase your catches, as are any of the accommodation providers – and even some locals you meet at the boat ramp. Two of the red gurus in the area are Dan Robson and Damian Hickey, and I’ve learned some valuable information from them. Never be afraid to ask for advice, and get yourself a trophy red!

SANDCASTLES 1770 BEACH HOMES DIRECT ACCESS TO THE BEACH

Sandcastles 1770 Motel & Resort offers a variety of accommodation including two and three bedroom fully self-contained beach homes. So why not bring the family along for a great week of fishing and crabbing! Sandcastles is located in the heart of Agnes Water we are right on the beach and right in town. Family friendly Variety of accommodation Two on-site swimming pools Five minute walk to shops Direct beach access Beach fishing

Creek & estuary fishing Plenty of boat parking Crabbing rock fishing Offshore fishing Crabbing

40 CAPTAIN COOK DRIVE AGNES WATER PH: 07 4974 9428

www.sandcastles1770.com.au e:info@sandcastles1770.com.au AGNES WATER • 1770

MAY 2016

AGNES WATER •1770

Discovery Coast

1770 rediscovered BUNDABERG

Jason Medcalf topwater@bigpond.com

For many years 1770 has been the jewel in the crown of the Coral Coast, with its beautiful scenery and piscatorial diversity. The area has much to offer the traveling angler, from amazing reef fishing for coral trout, mackerel and everything in between to a maze of rivers and secret creeks that hold iconic sportfish like barramundi and mangrove jack. In this article I’ll take you through the productive rivers and creeks in the area, and give you a guide on where, when and how to catch a fish in this great location.

ROUND HILL CREEK The closest system to the main area of accommodation is Round Hill Creek. This system has an all tide boat ramp located on Captain Cook Drive in 1770. When I say it’s an all tide ramp I’m talking about small craft that would be fishing the creek rather than heading offshore, as on the big low tides there’s not a lot of water in the channel around the ramp. There is a large car park across the road from the ramp, which is very safe to leave your car and trailer. Just be aware that when the weather is good the locals in their bigger boats heading offshore can fill the car park pretty quickly. There is a marina with a small shop that sells hot food and fresh seafood there, which is handy if you don’t catch

anything and still want a feed of fresh fish or prawns. The boat ramp is located around 1km or so from the mouth of the creek. You can travel 5km upstream on the high tides in a small boat so it’s not a huge system, but it’s still very productive. The main target species in this system are bream, whiting and flathead, with of course mud crabs being a mainstay as well. The large sand flats in this system make it ideal whiting and flathead country, and fresh yabbies pumped locally in the creek at low tide are the gun bait. Flathead often hunt whiting too and fall victim to a well presented soft plastic or trolled small hardbodied lure. Round Hill Creek is famous for throwing in big surprises when it comes to

“ Tony, Sandi & Josh are more than happy to tell you where the fish are biting.”

WE’VE GOT IT ALL! • Bait & Tackle • Camping Gear • Snorkeling & Spear Fishing • Boating Accessories • Local Maps & Info www.1770baitntackle.com Ph: 07 4974 9304 12

MAY 2016

AGNES WATER • 1770

Shop 7 - 9 Agnes Water Shopping Centre, Agnes Water Q 4677

Top: Mangrove jack love a well-presented surface lure. Above: Barramundi are well worth the effort, even at this size. fish species as well. The creek runs out into some pretty deep water so there are a lot of pelagic species that come in and hunt the shallows and the deeper holes as well. Queenfish, mackerel and giant trevally chase the schools of baitfish that come into the creek at different times of the year. These predators can be very large, with metre long queenfish and 10kg trevally common when gathering baitfish are in the creek. The main places you will encounter these rampaging pelagics are around the deeper holes near the rocks heading to the mouth, on the flats at high tide chasing baitfish and up the creek in the deeper holes and against the edges of the mangrove channel. If you come across these fish feeding (usually you find that out when you see baitfish jumping out of the water trying to escape), it’s

a good time to tie on a surface popper or high speed slug. The surface popper imitates the baitfish jumping out of the water, and queenfish and trevally just love surface lures. If you’re using a high speed slug, just cast it in their TIME OF THE YEAR September-April Best time for mangrove jack, barramundi and fingermark All year round Whiting, flathead, bream, trevally, cod, Moses perch general direction, let it sink for a few seconds and then wind like crazy. The slug moving through the water at high speed excites the fish and can get them to chase and then eat your offering, usually at high speed themselves. It makes for

a great hook-up and fight. Further up the creek system, the sand flats slowly give way to mud flats. Here the species mix changes a little, with bream, cod, Moses perch and grunter that like to eat fresh yabby or prawn offerings. The creek meanders its way inland for 10km or so, and as you make your way upstream you really need to keep your eyes open. There are a few rock bars and shallow sand bars so be careful not to get stuck on an outgoing tide. Sitting and waiting for the tide to come back in with the company of thousands of sandflies is nobody’s idea of fun! If you are keen to target mangrove jack and barramundi, the last of the outgoing tide and the first of the incoming has proven to be the best for me in this creek. There are several creeks that run into the main creek, and

AGNES WATER •1770 it also splits in two right up the top of the system. I like to fish the junctions where these small creeks meet the main creek because the junctions are like roundabouts, where fish travelling up and down the system like to hang around and hunt. When you’re specifically targeting mangrove jack, look out for those fallen mangroves that are left in the water during the last of the tide. Also, when

Discovery Coast

LURES Hardbodied Surface lures Soft Plastics Live Baits

Tilsan Barra, Halco laser pro 120, Sebile Koolie Minnow, Flicker Shad. Cultiva Tango Dancer, Berkley 70mm Frenzy Popper, Halco Rooster Popper. Berkley Ripple Shads, Gulp Nemeses, Gulp Shrimp. Poddy mullet for your larger fish, sprat for everthing else and of course live yabbies for your whiting.

you see rock make sure you fish it, as mangrove jack really should be called ‘rock bar jack’ in our region. They just love hanging around rock and

Grunter can be taken on bait and soft plastics.

ambushing their prey as the baitfish try to sneak over and around the rocks. Roundhill Creek is a great creek for those travelling anglers who like a fairly safe area that can be fished year round, and can give up a feed on most trips. Whiting and flathead are the most available species, and targeting them doesn’t require too much homework. And with every type of accommodation, from a 5-star resort to caravan park tent sites only minutes away from the boat ramp, this creek is a great option. EURIMBULA CREEK Eurimbula Creek is located north of 1770 and is reached by a dirt road through Eurimbula National Park (just follow the signs). The road can be impassable during the wet season but will usually be close by the rangers if it is dangerous. The creek is a small, shallow system that winds its way inland and has some nice lagoons that hold small barramundi and mangrove

jack. You cannot take crab pots into this creek as it’s closed to crabbing, which works well as the surrounding creeks do crab very well. This creek has a small boat ramp and, because it can be very shallow, a small boat or kayak is mandatory. You can camp at the mouth of the creek but you will need to book and pay for your stay with National Parks, which is easy to do online. There are toilet amenities in the camping area and it’s a great site with plenty of shade and a beautiful breeze off the ocean. The creek itself can produce some great fishing, and the sand flats produce whiting and flathead and the main creek offers up bream, cod, mangrove jack and grunter. Low tide will have you sticking to the main channel, and that can be very shallow, but as the tide drops the fish move into what water is left so finding spots to fish is relatively easy. All in all, if you’re a keen kayaker who likes to troll a few lures while you paddle, this is

a great creek. I have caught all sorts of species while paddling up the creek trolling small lures. So far I’ve caught small trevally, queenfish, grunter, cod and of course mangrove jack in the more permanent water upstream. MIDDLE CREEK Further north of Eurimbula along the same track is Middle Creek. This is one of my all-time favourite areas and I fish it very regularly. It produces fish pretty much year round and has a diverse range of species in a challenging environment. Middle Creek is pretty much a maze of rock bars and sand bars mixed with only a few deep water areas. The camping area here needs a permit, and you can go online for that. You just print out the permit and place it on your tents. There is a long drop toilet there for those brave souls who feel the need, but it is kept very clean and tidy by the local ranger patrol. There’s a limited number of camp sites at Middle Creek itself, and during busy holiday periods it

can get a bit crowded. Alternatively you can throw your camping gear in your boat and head through the creek into Pancake Creek and camp on Rhodes Peninsula (north side) or Bustard Head (south side). Both spots have no amenities so it’s selfsufficient camping with world class views. Back in Middle Creek, the rock bars dominate the fishing and boating, and low tide can mean sitting where you are until the tide rises again. I have found out over the years this can be a great way to fish as the small channels left certainly hold plenty of fish. The mouth of the creek at high tide can be dangerous in a small boat when the southeasterlies are blowing hard, so it’s best not to venture that way while its windy. Alternatively, when the weather is calm and the tide is right you can quickly cross the bar and head out to fish Bustard Head from here. As we are talking creek fishing I will have to leave the awesome fishing around Inner and Outer rocks for another article. Middle Creek produces many species including your bread-and-butter bream, whiting and flathead year round. However, it’s the mighty mangrove jack that To page 14

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AGNES WATER •1770

Discovery Coast From page 13

fires me up to fish this area. I highly recommend spending some time studying the Google Map of this area if you’re planning a trip. When you zoom into the creek you’ll find that pretty much everything that doesn’t look like sand is rock. This is not meant to scare you off, just to prepare you for some of the unseen hazards of this area. The many rock bars all but disappear at high tide and the place looks awesome and safe, but as that tide drops you need to take care. The jacks just love the rock in this creek. There are two main areas of rock; the one which we call The Gates is on the Middle Island side of the creek, and the other is the Cut Through which is where the back creek cuts back into the main creek. The Gates has changed over the years. It used to be very deep (around 50ft) years ago and it held coral trout, sweetlip and other juvenile reef fish. Nowadays it maintains a depth of around 20ft at low tide and can hold some big barramundi, schools of mangrove jack and at times some voracious pelagics. At times the bank heading towards the mouth on the northern side can be alive with hardiheads, and when they are in giant trevally and queenfish will hunt in the creek, which

can’t get to by boat through the shallow water. These holes hold fingermark, mangrove jack, barramundi and some big estuary cod, and at that time of the tide they are very hungry and take hardbody and soft plastic lures with vigour. There are also some sneaky spots that are perfect for kayakers at low tide, and can put you in some great fishing country. DEEPWATER CREEK In my many years of writing I have never even mentioned Deepwater Creek because I wanted to keep this gorgeous little creek to myself. Nowadays however, it’s no longer a secret and I feel after 20 years of fishing it I am ready to share! If you head south along the national park from 1770 you will venture into Deepwater National Park. It’s

Middle Creek golden snapper (fingermark) are great sport and even better eating. makes for some great fun on estuary fishing tackle. The rock bar that runs down the middle of the creek that joins the back creek with the main creek can be a mission to fish, but if you put some time into it you can catch just about everything that swims in this neck of the woods. The rock bar has a various ledges running along it and I like to fish surface lures for mangrove jack as the tide pushes over the ledge. I also like to sink soft

jack, and in the many years I’ve fished it I haven’t caught much else there. It’s a very natural creek with deep water, overhanging trees and submerged logs and snags which all hold mangrove jack. It’s the kind of creek you slip the boat in and start casting lures around straight away, and you do that all day and not fish the whole creek. My go-to lure in this creek has to be a Tilsan Barra in the pink herring colour. It has probably caught hundreds of jacks in this creek over the years. Its also an awesome surface fishing creek with the jack more than will to hit surface lures most of the day especially in under the abundant cover. Deepwater is another great kayak destination and has provided me with some

plastics down into the dark crevices, searching out those aggressive red fish. PANCAKE CREEK To get to Pancake Creek you can travel by boat through Middle Creek or you can drive to the crossing through the Turkey Beach road and launch when the tide is right. Pancake is a very beautiful creek with lots going for it, with a shallow reef system in the mouth and deep water access to some great reef fishing. Again I

Agnes Water / 1770 RSL Sub Branch

POKIES Looking out at the mouth of Middle Creek from one of the elevated campsites. It’s a short walk to the creek and fishing areas and it’s possible to launch small boats from this camping area. Inset: Bonus! - composting toilet facilities.

Live Entertainment • Gaming Lounge • Bingo & Raffles • Courtesy Bus • Bottleshop • Bistro

1 Tavern Road – Agnes Water Phone: 4974 9469 Fax: 4974 9476 Email: admin@agnestavern.com.au Facebook: www.facebook.com/AgnesWaterTavern

could write a whole feature just on this system but for now I will give you just a teaser. Pancake Creek has vast sand flats that at high tide can hold schools of golden trevally, queenfish and permit for those mad keen sportfishers. At low tide the creek can become impassable and you will find yourself stranded if you have ventured too far up the creek. I do like to lock myself in in this creek as you can walk and fish the many holes you

a sandy track that requires a 4x4 to traverse it. You will cross Deepwater Creek over a causeway and see a magical freshwater creek that hits the salt on a weir just a few hundred meters downstream of the causeway. The creek pretty much meanders its way to the sea, staying relatively the same size all the way until the mouth where it opens up and heads out to sea. The creek for me is just a great spot to chase mangrove

great sessions on the yak. PREPARATION The Creek systems around 1770 offer a diverse range of species, locations and challenges and if you decide to venture here on a fishing adventure you won’t be disappointed. I suggest doing a bit of homework check maps and tides access and accommodation, it’s a wonderful area but be careful once you have been here you will be very tempted to stay.

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PHONE 07 4974 7047 | 42 BICENTENNIAL DRIVE, AGNES WATER 14

MAY 2016

AGNES WATER • 1770

AGNES WATER •1770

Discovery Coast

1770 Agnes Water accommodation guide There are a multitude of options for accommodation, from backpackers to luxury resorts. There is a surprising variety for all travellers in these sleepy coastal towns. The region offers so much more than just camping and motel stays. For top end visitors, there are plenty of options. There are hundreds of beautiful beachfront and hill top luxury accommodation for rent – short term and long. Alternatively, if you want the

full 5 star treatment, there are several luxury resorts that will cater to your ever whim, with full spa menus, gourmet restaurants and 24 hour room service. At the other end of the spectrum, for the budget traveller there is a very popular backpackers and countless camping options throughout the National Parks - early bookings are essential during the peak periods. For everyone in between, from family weekend

breakers to hardcore fishing groups, there is a sliding scale of camping sites, motels and hotels each with their own unique feature to target their market. Some campsites offer cabinside boat parking and fish cleaning tables, while others have beachfront campfires and full catering amenities. There are even ‘Glamping’ options on the beach. Whatever you requirements, they’ll be a residence to suit your needs. If you are bringing your

ACCOMMODATION AND CAMPING Lagoons 1770 Resort Cnr Captain Cook Drive and Beaches Village Circuit, Agnes Water P: 07 4902 1600

boat to the area but your accommodation has limited parking facilities, or even if you just want to make sure your pride and joy is extra secure, there is a boat storage facility that offers overnight parking for trailerable boats for as little as $5. It also has boat washing and modest overnight accommodation. Peak times in the region cause a high demand for accommodation, so make sure you book well ahead during school holidays and long weekends. Refer to map for location

PRD 1770

Shop 20, Endeavour Plaza Captain Cook Dr, Agnes Water

P: 07 4974 9470

Refer to map for location

LARC 1770 Marina 535 Captain Cook Drive Town of 1770 P: 07 4974 9422

E: info@1770larctours.com.au W: www.1770larctours.com.au

Price: from $38

Lady Musgrave Cruises 1770 Marina 535 Captain Cook Drive Town of 1770 P: 1800 631 770

E: info@lmcruises.com.au W: www.lmcruises.com.au

Price: from $185 full day

1770 Distillery and Mad Nursery 220 Bicentennial Drive Agnes Water P: 07 4974 9996

E: sales@prd1770.com.au W: www.prdnationwide.com.au/agneswater

E: bookings@lagoons1770.com Price: from $209 studio

ATTRACTIONS

E: sales1770distillery@ bigpond.com W: www.1770distillery.com.au

Price: Free tastings

Mango Tree Motel 7 Agnes St, Agnes Water P: 07 4974 9132

E: info@mangotreemotel.com.au W: www.mangotreemotel.com.au

Price: from $100 off peak

Agnes Water Beach Club 3 Agnes St, Agnes Water P: 07 4974 7355

Price: from $205 studio

Captain Cook Holiday Park 384 Captain Cook Dr, Town of 1770 P: 07 4974 9219

Price: from $32 camping site, $78 Bungalow

Price: from $110 (conditions apply)

1770 Camping Ground Captain Cook Drive, Town of 1770 P: 07 4974 9286

E: camping1770@tpg.com.au W: www.1770campingground.com.au

Price: from $40 powered site, $150 studio

Price: from $35 off peak

W: www.1770beachaccommodation.com.au

Price: from $86 (conditions apply)

Refer to map for location

1770 Boat Shed Storage 42 Bicentennial Drive Agnes Water P: 07 4974 7047 M: Russel 0428 573 046

Price: from $5 outside parking

W: www.agneswaterbeach.com.au

H 1770 Beach Accommodation Loka Santi Building, 27 North Break Drive, Agnes Water P: 07 4974 9990

SERVICES Agnes Water/1770 Bait and Tackle Agnes Water Shopping Centre 7-8/2955 Round Hill Road Agnes Water P: 07 4974 9304

W: sandcastles1770.com.au

E: info@1770holidayvillage.com.au W: www.1770holidayvillage.com.au

E: reservations@agneswaterbeachclub.com.au W: www.agneswaterbeachclub.com.au

Agnes Water Beach Caravan Park Jeffery Ct, Agnes Water P: 07 4974 7279

Sandcastles 1770 Resort 40 Captain Cook Drive, Agnes Water P: 07 4974 9428

Eurimbula National Park 3 5 • Eurimbula Creek • Middle Creek • Rodds Peninsula • Bustard Head (see map for areas) W: www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/eurimbula/camping.html

Price: $5.95 pp per night, or $23.80 per family per night

Fishing Offshore 1770 Fishing Charters Agnes Water P: 07 4974 9686 M: 0428 749 686 E: info@1770fishing.com W: www.1770fishing.com

Price: from $170 pp

1770 Marina Café 1770 Marina 535 Captain Cook Drive Town of 1770 P: 07 4974 9227

Agnes Water Tavern 1 Tavern Rd Agnes Water P: 07 4974 9469 Tavern and bottleshop open 7 days

AGNES WATER • 1770

MAY 2016

Discovery Coast

ach at e b e h t n o Fire pits amp ground the 1770 c

Glamping at the Agnes Water Beach Caravan Park

Fishing at Chinamans Beach

Sandcas tles suit plenty of rooes offer for the fami m ly

AGNES WATER â&#x20AC;˘1770

1770 boutique dis ti ller uses locally grown fr y uits

the t a s l a e Great m ter Tavern a Agnes W

Spoil yourself at Lagoons 1770 Resort

it the s i v o t t ge Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; t for tion Centre infor ma

at the f f a t s y l d n Super frie arina Cafe 1770 M

Camp right on the beach at 1770 camp ground

ARC L e l b a orgett tour f n u e Th bious i h p m a

s Water Sunrise at Agne main beach

Poolside at Captain Cook Holiday Village

1770 Boat s what a gr torage eat idea !

Explore the paperpark trail walk

View from Joseph Ban the Conservat ks ion Park

Norval spots filling fast!

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Fishing for pelagics and reef fish in virtually untouched waters – that’s what you get with Norval’s 9-day charter to the Coral Sea’s outer reefs.The MV Norval specialises in pelagics like dogtooth tuna, and it’s the only charter boat that fishes so far out. As well as stretching your arms on doggies and other pelagics, you can catch a variety of tasty reefies which the crew will freeze and pack in poly boxes for you to take home.

The 9-day charter, departing from Airlie Beach, costs just $3500. The primary destination is Marion Reef, but in unfavourable weather the back-up location is the Diamond Islets, which fish just as well as Marion. Here’s what you can expect on a typical 9-day trip: DAY 1: On the Friday night of departure you’ll be served a light meal and invited to partake in a cold beer with fellow passengers (canned beer is free on all Norval charters). The mothership will arrive at the first reef by 10pm, and anchor in a lagoon. You can then fish through the night, chasing reefies like red emperor and sweetlip or put out a livie for a GT. DAY 2: On the Saturday customers will fish their way through reefs at the northern end of the Swains up to the hydrographic channel. Then the boat will travel to Marion during the night, arriving early in the morning. Lures will be put out for a troll while you have breakfast. The crew will then deploy the 3 dories, including the 4.5m centre console fast boat (with sounder and 70hp motor) to get to the trolling gutters quickly. The other dories are stable 4.2m poly boats, fitted with safety gear and 150L eskies. Alternatively, you can bottom bash on the mothership. At 3pm trolling will resume, or you can stay in the fast boat or a dory until 5pm. Then the mothership will anchor for dinner and a night fish while the crew

5am while the boat trolls until 8am. At 8am there’ll be a hearty breakfast, and customers will enjoy the same unreal fishing from the day before. The reef is 24 miles long and 16 miles wide, with two cays and a long breaker reef. This reef has some incredible gutters and run-offs, and the snorkelling is amazing. All the reef fish available on the Swains are caught here, but in larger sizes. Large pelagics prowl the outside of the reef, including tuna, mackerel, wahoo and sailfish, and this is also one of the best places in Australia to catch dogtooth tuna. Down deep there are big reds, jobfish and longnose emperor.

great dane! ie - that’s a g g o d a t o n That’s

Not to scale

Marion Reef

Carola Cay

Lihou Reef and Cays

North Flinders Reef

Abington Reef

Diamond Islets Alternate route Marion Reef

Primary route

Airlie Beach Proserpine

NORVAL REEF CHARTERS

Mackay

Swain Reefs

DAYS 4-7: From Tuesday to Friday you’ll experience more unforgettable fishing at Marion. The mothership will then depart on Friday evening and travel south through the night. DAY 8: On Saturday the MV Norval will reach the reefs north of the Swains around mid-morning or early afternoon, with more good fishing en route to Shute Harbour. DAY 9: On Sunday morning there’s more fishing as the Norval continues back to Shute Harbour, arriving around 8pm. After a good night’s sleep you can grab your bags and your frozen catch and fly home. Everyone’s catch is packed in poly boxes ready to go! REVAMPED WEBSITE Norval has upgraded their website with an online booking facility, making the booking process simple. The form lets you select exactly what options you want, including the brand of free beer you want on-board! There’s also a stack of info on the different trips available, plus photos and videos including a 48kg dogtooth being wrestled to the boat! You can check out this and more at www. norvalcharters.com.au, or call 1800 771 234. – Nicole Penfold

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Paget Cay

Marion Reef (large circular atoll composed of three main units on the Eastern side: Marion, Long and Wansfell; and smaller reefs on the west. Three small sand cays are located on the eastern side of Marion Reef: Paget Cay, on Long Reef, Carola Cay, south of Long Reef, and Brodie Cay, on Wansfell Reef. Saumarez Reefs

Contact Ron Murphy

0413 148 554

IMONIALS “I’ve done charters ou t from Glad from Airlie, stone and N and the latt orval trips er just kills an overall b out it! There’s b etter exper etter fishing ience. I’ve going back and done it thre in Decemb e times an er. “I love b d I’m ein reef fish, an g able to catch such a variety o d the social f p atmospher big mother e on the bo elagics and ship has co at is great. T mfortable around like he bed some other boats. The s and doesn’t bounce son loves to meals are g go out on t ood, too. M he boat, trollin y g or bottom dories but I like to sta y b o the choice. ouncing. It ’s great that n the main you’re giv “I had en been thinki ng of buyi waters aro n g a boat to und Melbo fish my h urne, but spend the ome my son sa money on t ys we sho hat – we sh every year!” uldn’t ould just go - Ian Kitso on a Norval n trip hard to Norval trip. It’s ipating my next tic charter. an s al rv ay lw No a “I am m your first fro t ge u yo that ng bu eli r charters, t describe the fe er Reef on othe ter rri ou Ba e e th th n to t o I’ve been nture you ge ve ad e th n to he ing . W th best spots experience is no es you to all the ak op r t I h pe g kip tin s es he er Coral Sea. T rticularly int g; the ay that looks pa llin r c o ke or on sn go o la g a I see imes I also ss it out. Somet in a dory and su l. this once in their visibility is unrea go on a trip like ld u ou yo w ff, dy o bo all ry it “I wish eve der. And to top this natural won m Li y lifetime and see rr La - catch home!” get to take your

Photos: Greg Reynolds

Reef red-emption after rain WHITSUNDAYS

Luke Griffiths

If I had to think of a way to describe the past month it would be wet and windy. Some ordinary weather during April tried its best to put the handbrake on fishing and trapped people inside their forts, noticeably, with a rise in keyboard warriors trying to spread their bad attitudes throughout

reports of barramundi and jacks are still coming through from the local estuaries, as well as reports of solid mud crabs scouring about in numbers. So it’s definitely worth the effort if you intend on heading down the creeks or rivers this month. For the few days that we got to the reef, we were greeted with excellent numbers of coral trout, red-throat emperor, spangled emperor, red emperor and gold-spot

been around as well, and some big fish have been caught. Jigging up live bait and floating it or banging in a quick trolling session should be on the to do list if you’re heading to the reef for a hunt in the coming weeks. Hunting in around the islands should see you rewarded this month, with good numbers of coral trout, grassy sweetlip, nannygai and mackerel being caught. That is, of course, if this plague

thinking that you’ve found the structure and no fish, however, I can tell you, you have to travel farther afield. You may have to head into new salty realms and find some more! Over time we have found many cracking marks where large fish are holding. It is really about getting to know your sounder, what to look for, and of course, trial and error. Keeping an eye on your sounder while trolling and travelling is a must. Over time, we have found many places where large fish are holding just by doing this. It can be a large pinnacle, or a small rubbly blip on the screen. Either way, it’s worth a try. Not every one will hold fish, but when you find one that does, look out! The deeper water closer to the Great Barrier Reef seems to be hiding most of the secret

Tony Cox holds up two red emperor caught on a recent charter with Renegade.

The author displaying a fine example of a red emperor.

An example of some good fishing country found while trolling. It pays to keep an eye on your sounder! cyberspace. However, it didn’t deter the keen anglers from venturing out. For the brave souls who did decide to buckle up and battle the inclement weather, they were rewarded with some quality fish. Good

cod. Yes, as mentioned in a previous article, I still rate the cod as a fantastic eating fish. I reckon I have converted a few of you, but I’m sure I still have some non-believers out there. Do it! Eat a gold-spot! Spanish mackerel have

of sharks we have been experiencing leave you alone! I’m not going to start my rant on them, as it would take up this whole magazine. The outer islands and shoals have been fishing well with nannygai and red emperor on the chew. These fish are pretty much a staple out wider and produce some fine quality eating. I get a lot of questions about these particular fish, one of which is how to find them. I can see a lot of you now reading this, licking your lips in anticipation for what I’m about to tell you, screaming at the QFM “Griffo! Tell me more!” It’s really quite easy. It comes down to the age-old saying, ‘find the structure, find the fish.’ You might be

Renegade deckie Jordan holding his PB nannygai! little gems, but I’m sure that there are thousands more yet to be excitedly discovered. I have even found several shipping containers, which I might add, hold some ripper numbers of fish. You may ask how I know these marks are shipping containers. I know because I use a Go Pro, it’s a handy tool I use for lots of reasons, including studying fish eating habits.

Once discovered, the usual indications that it is a mark which has had little, or in most cases no fishing pressure, besides the arm stretching big red fish, is the presence of big grassy sweetlip. These delicious brown demersals like to hang around those aforementioned red fish, and models to 70cm aren’t uncommon. So this driving and trolling around aimlessly I speak of,

boring for some, can actually be quite beneficial for your stomach and your endorphin levels in the long term. Fingers crossed for better weather this month and good luck if you wet a line! • If you’re interested in a game, sport or reef fishing charters around the Whitsundays, give Luke a call on 0429 724 822 or email info@ renegadecharters.com.au.

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0429 724 822 info@renegadecharters.com.au www.renegadecharters.com.au 76

MAY 2016

Cain with a genuine 10kg large-mouth nannygai, which was pulled from a pinnacle that popped up on the sounder.

Burdekin skippers enjoy reef opportunities AYR

Steve Farmer

Burdekin bluewater anglers have enjoyed a few welcome weather windows over the past month or two, which saw many heading to the reef and shoals while conditions allowed. Paul Brett grabbed the opportunity to do a little exploring out wide. The crew for the day trip was local angler Steve McAuliffe and Matt Le Masurier, a Brisbane-ite working on a project at one of the local sugar mills. Mac said that when they tried to fish one of the reefs in the area the sharks zeroed in, leaving them with just the heads of some quality coral trout. Their answer was to head out beyond the reefs and explore some deep-water marks where they found more fish and fewer sharks. At one spot the sounder lit up with fish and they quickly backtracked and anchored up. Baits were immediately sent down and all rods loaded up in unison. They had to work hard for the quality fish they landed. Mac reckoned

they had to fight and land ten trevally for every nannygai. Matt had the painful honour of landing the biggest trevally, which they estimated at more than 12kg. All the trevally were released. The nannygai certainly weren’t released and averaged around 5kg. In the estuaries, fishers are still catching quality grunter to 70cm+, and many creeks along the Burdekin coastline are fishing well. Whiting have moved into Burdekin waters a little earlier than usual, with good catches of quality fish coming from Phillips Landing. Grey nomads are also streaming into caravan parks and camping spots across the district. Most are here to enjoy the winter weather and fishing. Many of the visitors are whiting specialists and could teach local anglers a thing or two about catching these tasty little fish. Conditions recently haven’t been ideal for estuary fishing, with many creeks still slightly discoloured by the modest run in the river. However, by the time you read this, estuarine conditions should be close to perfect and the winter species biting well.

Flathead have been quiet lately, but hopefully the winter month will see more return to our beach and estuarine waters. THE MONTH OF MAY May is usually the start of the wonderful winter weather that locals and visitors to North Queensland look forward to all year. It’s those four or five cool, clear months that reward us for living in the heat and humidity of a tropical wet season. Of course, both the wet and dry seasons have their fishing highlights (think barramundi, mangrove jack and grunter to name a few in late spring, summer and early autumn) but winter is often the favourite of bluewater, pelagic fishers. A large part of the appeal is the weather. Winter can produce howling, persistent southeasters, but when the winds do drop, conditions can be magic with glassy seas for much of the day. Combine those perfect conditions with the annual run of Spanish mackerel and you’ll understand why keen bluewater anglers love this time of year. In Burdekin waters you’re likely to find schools

of Spaniards around Camp Island, Cape Upstart or on the shoals scattered between the shoreline and the reef. Access to these (or any) fishing grounds in the Burdekin area is via

tidal dependent estuaries so know how much tide height you’ll need to reach open water from your launching point among the mangroves. Successful tactics for Spaniards can

Matt Le Masurier had the painful honour of landing the biggest trevally.

be almost anything. They can be finicky but when they’re in a feeding mood most lures, cast, jigged or trolled can do the trick. Try large trolled minnows or cast poppers or metal slugs to start with. For baitfishers the number one bait is a pilchard rigged on a ganged hook and fished under a float or drifting in the current. Live bait would probably be more effective, but pilchards are readily available at most tackle stores and service stations and are easily rigged and fished. If pilchards aren’t available, most small fish species probably feature on the Spaniards dietary notes. Even slabs threaded onto a set of three or four ganged hooks can look pretty enticing drifting in the current. Winter conditions are also fairly appealing in the estuaries. Cool, cloudless days and waters that are clearer than usual make it great to simply be out casting a line. Likely winter catches in the creeks include whiting, flathead, salmon and, in some estuaries, the smaller species of trevally.

MAY 2016

Get past those macks for a great bottom bash TOWNSVILLE

Dave Hodge

We all know how much work goes into crabbing, and the rewards are usually a nice feed of otherwise unaffordable seafood gathered personally, which makes it even better. Then, there comes the element of thievery, those who think they should be able to reap the rewards of someone else’s hard work, expense and planning and straight out steal crabs from others pots, and often the pots as well. One gentleman in particular had enough, and set a motion sensor activated game camera in the nearby foliage. This switched on individual didn’t only film the pots being raided once or twice but three times in one day by the same man. The footage was handed onto the authorities, which could lead to exceptionally serious repercussions, as the thief in question is a licensed Commercial Crabber. Another pot thief got caught by the owner coming out of a drain with his pots, name tags clearly visible all nice and neatly stacked on the floor, and you can imagine the outcome of this one. It’s obvious that things are getting out of hand here, and I just cannot believe

how many people have such little moral backbone that they think it is alright to commit this crime. People have had enough, and are now setting pots more as traps than anything else. If you suspect that someone may be pot robbing, take footage, photos or even just details of boats and registrations if possible and report it. It’s a daily

story we hear at Akwa Pro Tackle, as angry customers walk through the door to spend more hard earned money to replace stolen pots. Have a look on Facebook etc for name and shame crab robbery footage and photos, because apparently there are some pages about to kick into gear to name and shame the thieves – and it’s going

What a great time of day. This fish was just one of many taken in the last hour of light. As soon as the Paddle Prawn from Madeye was rigged on the weedless hook the action kicked off with the lure flicked just under the surface. Seven bites in seven casts proved their effectiveness!

Young Tannhym confiscated my beloved Samurai Refraction as I drank from a bottle of water, as he couldn’t reach the fish with his outfit. The extra distance allowed him to cast to the fish with ease and prove that he can mix it with the big boys.

The Madeyes are still surprising us as to what they will catch and where they pull fish.

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MAY 2016

to be a popular one. ESTUARIES Now for some good stuff, and the barra have put smiles on many faces smashing lures and baits fished at the right time in the right place. On the bigger tides the flats have been a great place to start the search, and some pretty big fish are getting involved. Both hardbodies and soft plastics are taking fish, and the bigger specimens seem

to like the larger profiled noisier hardbodies as they are twitched alongside horizontal structure. It still amazes me how they find lures in the filthy water, but there is no denying the results, and more and more anglers are fine tuning their assault based on the tidal influences. There have been several boats stranded high and dry on the falling tides, which can be dangerous without enough water on board in the stinking heat on a day with no breeze. On many of the flats you’ll end up sinking to your knees in mud if you try to attempt to trek the couple of hundred meters to the shade of the mangroves. You’ll also end up battling the swarms of mosquitoes and sandflies, and that would send anyone insane. Since the majority of the flow has eased from the fresh we had recently, there have been a lot of fish caught in the upper reaches of systems as well, and considering shrimp are high on the dietary rating of barra in these spots, it makes sense to use prawn imitations, even in the fresh at times. We experienced this recently on a bit of a walk-in session and while I couldn’t use my hardbodies that I usually use (due to the weed), we caught plenty of fish using weedless presentations. Strong weedless hooks had to be used in order to lift and slide the fish over the thick weed before releasing them, and as usual, the bite was best around the onset of darkness. Weedless presentations have become more and more

established, and anglers’ rigging techniques much more finetuned to get the best hook-up ratio. Colour wise, iridescent and white colours have been the most consistent base colour, but the more pedantic anglers

out in a couple of days. I tend to use it more on the active type plastics that have flappy bits waving around in the water as they’re worked, and the contrast and attention they attract is obvious

Some stonking big queenies are getting in on the action as well. This one ate Ryan Tully’s tiny plastic on a light outfit, tying him up for just over an hour before being released. are now using the Quick Coat Worm Dip to customise their plastics as conditions dictate. For example, we got two orders of this stuff in recently and they both sold

once you look at it in the water. Just remember that not all plastic materials are suitable for the Dip, and it will destroy some, while it To page 80

Townsville’s Annual Fishing & Outdoor Expo Townsville’s Annual Fishing & Outdoor Expo is a Mecca for boaties, fishers and lovers of the great outdoors. The Expo has now become the largest fishing, boating and outdoor recreation expo in North Queensland. The Townsville Annual Fishing & Outdoor Expo has strong support from the local boat dealers who have supported the show wholeheartedly for the past three years and have been the catalyst for the growth of the show. Over the past few years the growing

numbers of campervans, motor homes and camper trailers has seen demand for space at the show grow.

how tight the budget is, wetting a line with the kids or mates is still a popular pastime and the growing

Fishing and outdoor pursuits are really some of the cheapest forms of family entertainment and no matter

number of recreational fishers is proof of that. The event draws 10,000 fishing, boating and outdoor

enthusiasts each year. Attractions include the very popular Yamaha Super Tank and the Townsville Sportfishing Club will again be manning its club display as well as giving talks on rigging lures, throwing a cast net, targeting specific species of fish and other interesting topics. This year’s Fishing & Outdoor Expo will be held on the 28-29 May at the AFL Grounds, Murray Sports Complex. For more information email expo@ townsvillesportfishing.org. FISHING MONTHLY GIVEAWAY The team from Queensland Fishing Monthly will also be attending the show – it’s one of our best opportunities to catch up

with our readers and offer you a little incentive to subscribe.

$189.95, so it’s excellent value for money. Likewise, if you’re after a new reel, then

This year, anyone who takes a 2-year subscription will take home a free gift! You can choose from either a free rod or a free reel. If you need a new rod, then the 13 Fishing OMEN Black Baitcaster rod is the perfect option. The subscription costs $130 and the rod has a RRP of

grab a 2-year subsciption for only $99 and receive a Silstar Presia valued at $119.95 – that’s a better deal than buying it from the shops and you get 24 issues of QFM to boot! You’ll catch Steve and Michael behind the BlueFin JonBoat that’s used as a front counter of the stand.

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From page 78

just won’t penetrate other materials such as the ZMan rubbers. Stick to dipping your standard plastics. Jacks are a little slower in the rivers but still hang around the river mouths, but I’d think that unless we get a heap of rain (not likely) they should start to work their way back towards the upper reaches again by the time you read this. Some decent flathead

inside river mouths, and small prawn imitations account for many of these captures. While I’m not a fan of the blue salmon on the table, they are one of the most exciting fish to catch on light lines, and well worth casting at when you see them coming. If you do intend to keep one or two for a feed, make sure you have a good esky full of ice, as the flesh on the salmon can go soft quickly if it’s not cooled

are in plague proportions in some spots. Good mate Karl Ramano went searching for some reds the other day and from the first bait that hit the bottom, the macks made their presence felt snipping off every offering, even when rigged on wire. It’s hard to know how long wire should be when they are thick like this, and it’s a fine line between too long and too short for me. Long traces stand out away from the mouth once a fish

Even though many people think trevally are less than desirable, anything that pulls as hard as these things is worthy of a great deal of respect as a sporting fish. are sitting in drains and ledges at the lower stages of the tide, and often intercept lures intended for barra. Salmon also school

and also on slugs and slices if you can’t avoid needing wire. Lighter wire seems to draw less attention too, and 20-30lb single strand is good for most fish. Whole pilchards aren’t needed on a gang of three or four hooks when they’re smashing everything, and the extra hooks on their own give other macks something to swipe at if they protrude from the jaw, whereas the double hook is usually inside the mouth and less of a target. BOTTOM FISHING If you can find a deeper spot that’s not smothered in spotties and school macks, you should do well on table fish like large-mouth nannygai and reds. A few big cobia have shown up, and have taken baits meant for reds both day and night. Bigger baits such as the squid and cuttlefish produce the best results, and we have a handful of specialists now ordering the 6kg boxes of cuttlefish for their offshore escapades. Because of their thick fleshy type body, several fish can often be caught on the one bait before it’s gone or needs to be replaced. What you target depends on the way you rig cuttlefish, and if you’re doing the standard paternoster rig with say an 8/0 suicide or circle hook, you can usually get three baits from one small to medium cuttlefish. The head

The mosquitoes of the north seem to love the taste of personal insecticides. No amount of spray seemed to make a difference, but the fishing was just great fun. but spooks softer mouthed species like red emperor if they feel it, hence the soft mono for the baits. ENOUGH GEAR TO SINK A BOAT I have always been guilty of packing too many outfits, lures, and so on when I head out, so the other

sufficiently. OFFSHORE. Mackerel numbers gradually increased over the last few weeks, and they

All of the weed beds near shallow reef presently hold good numbers of solid grassy sweetlip. These things pull like a runaway truck and are great tucker.

Ryan Tully releasing the big queenie to fight another day. 80

MAY 2016

is hooked and give the rest of the school something to snap at while they compete and try to grab food items from each other’s mouths. Going shorter can have the bait taken too deeply and then snipped off by the first attacker. Around 100-150mm is a happy medium for me, and this goes for half pilchards rigged on a gang,

is the prime part, and if you remove the cuttle and slice the bait from the tip of the hood to the bottom of the hood you get two more thick baits. Once it gets dark, I use them whole rigged on a two hook snelled rig and soft 80lb leader for bigger red fish. The stiffer fluorocarbon is great for lure fishing

day I decided that enough was enough – I was to take four outfits and no more. The aim of the game was to do some offshore soft plastic-ing, baitfishing, and maybe a little trolling. After a good hour of travel, we arrived at a mark that had a massive school of small macks on it and just couldn’t get bait past them so we

looked at some other marks. These marks had all the usual less than desirable species on them, like little wire netting cod and pickers, so this didn’t work out either. The sun was getting higher now, and we decided to go and look for some shallower stuff to flick for trout and nannygai. You guessed it: I had nothing light enough and sat there thinking how much I could have done with another couple of rigs to fish properly. Struggling through with stuff that was meant for deeper water and heavy jigheads made it hard, but we did manage some fish for the table in the form of trout, nannies and grassies hopping the Atomic Prongs on 1/2oz heads around any little bumps and lumps we could find. SPORTFISHING If you don’t need a feed and you’re more interested in chasing stuff that fights like hell, then the queenfish and trevally should keep you occupied. Both species are common by-catch when chasing bottom fish, and are an absolute handful on the lighter stuff. These encounters are sometimes long drawn out battles though, and can last over an hour, which does get a little tiring when you want to target other fish. Still, the challenge is real and greatly satisfying when you land a big fish on the light stuff. WRAP UP Even though things aren’t going ballistic, there is enough going on to keep you busy. It may be a good time to check one of the spots you’ve been planning on getting around to, or a technique that you’ve wanted to try. Cheers and good luck.

Barramundi return after post-flush spawning HINCHINBROOK

Ryan Moody info@ryanmoodyfishing.com

Just after I wrote last month’s column, our region finally received a very welcome drenching. Over 600mm in 10 days was enough to get the flood plains running and our lagoons full. It also gave our barra the much-needed trigger to go and spawn, and we can tell because all the big girls disappeared from their usual haunts and took some time to return. While we have been having a ball catching smaller fish on lures, the bigger fish are only just starting to show up again. The few we have caught have been long and skinny, showing that they

did finally drop their eggs. Hopefully they have given the recruitment cycle a good kickstart once again. Casting hardbodies around the rivers that have freshwater catchments has been productive, with around 10-20 barra in the 55-80cm bracket per session. While they aren’t monsters, they are certainly a lot of fun. Having a good barra smash a hardbody lure on the retrieve always gets the adrenalin going. Our barra should start to settle down and get back to their normal routines over the coming weeks. Mangrove jacks have been in plague proportions. Chasing jacks is not something I normally do with our charters these days, seeing as the barra demand is so high, but recently I got

a chance to go have some fun on these little brutes. I can’t remember how many we caught but was well over 20 for the session, and sometimes up to 10 fish would follow our surface lures out. It’s an exciting way to fish for them, as opposed to the old fashioned mullet strips and pillies. Golden snapper (fingermark) virtually disappeared when we got the big inundation of freshwater, which is what they normally do in this situation. They have returned slowly during the past few weeks and should be back to normal as soon as more salty water returns. If you are going to target them you should try small soft vibes and live herring for the best results. They will still mostly be in deeper waters

for another month or two. Missionary Bay has been producing the better results so far, especially while the channel has been cleaning up after the rains. While we have been targeting school-sized barra

THE MONTH AHEAD Fishing during May should be much the same, but we may see some early Spaniards arrive in the channel and inshore islands, and the northern bluefin tuna should come in closer to the

out of the water while they forage for small crabs and the like. This is a great time to target them on fly. Keep an eye out for our new site coming soon. Fishsmarter.com has some awesome online master

Tom from Rockhampton had a ball with mates casting hardbodies. This fish measured 93cm.

We’ve had some really good sessions on shallow divers lately, scoring plenty of average sized fish.

on the flats of late we have noticed an abundance of tripletail working the dirty water edges. They are normally found hanging around floating structure or pylons, and are an easy target with a hardbody lure as they are suckers for them. Tripletails are popular with flyfishers too as they are great fighters and pull as hard as any fish twice their size. Some people might think they look a little ugly, but they are certainly unique and very tasty on the dinner table.

coast. Metal slices are the way to go for both species, however large slices are better for Spaniards and small slices better for the blues. Another species that may arrive just as the water starts to cool a little is the golden trevally. They are a versatile sportfish and can be targeted off deeper headlands with vibes and plastics as well as trolling the reef edges around the islands. They will also be seen up on the shallow reef flats with their tails waving

classes to help you take your fishing to the next level. You get these courses for life and get to join Fish Smarter private forums for further learning. We will also have some free content on there with valuable tips for anglers. • 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.

Lovely weather ahead PORT DOUGLAS

Lynton Heffer

It is safe to assume now that the wet season has played itself out, and what a mediocre wet season it was. Rainfall levels remained well under the average in the past few months and the next phase in the tropics is now moving into the dry season. Looking back I can’t remember a wet season when there was no serious threat of a cyclone. There was occasional handy rainfall in the region in recent times and this when we probably saw the best inshore action along the coast. The beaches in particular had some grand moments when the bait supply was healthy and there were jelly prawn hatches. These triggered frenetic behaviour by particular

predators including trevally, queenfish, barramundi, permit, giant herring and tarpon. Kilometres of water along the foreshore were lit up like a Christmas tree, as the hapless bait supply was hounded mercilessly on the early morning rising tides. It was a sight to behold. At the same time, catch rates were also healthy around our major river and creek mouths with good numbers of barra and queenfish caught, especially when conditions were calm and the water clarity was premium. Meanwhile further upstream, the mangrove jack and golden snapper brigade also remained fairly consistent. With a cooler change in temperature imminent at some point this month I suspect the likes of barra will have a longer shelf life this season as the water temperatures have been so high for so long this year. Expect the inshore scene to

remain fairly productive for a little while to come. It is also a great time of year to target some mud crabs in our local estuaries. OFFSHORE The reef fishing has definitely become patchy after such a long hot summer. The fishing was still reasonable, but has probably reached a low point for the year. Mixed bags of fish became the norm, with no particular species dominating catch rates. Ice coolers resembled a fruit salad with coral trout, nannygai, trevally, spangled emperor, red emperor, sweetlip and stripeys all thrown into one. The mackerel catches definitely tapered off as the days went on. The upside is the reef fishing traditionally reignites during May with a change in the currents bringing up cooler water from the south. If you get your timing right you can experience blow out days when fish will keep

Local ‘Sharky’ Shane Down tapped into the rich supply of fish including this barra, along the Four Mile Beach when it fired up. coming over the side. The nannygai in particular can come on the bite like there is no tomorrow. The winds tend to settle into a regular southeasterly pattern, and with the current

coming from the same direction anchoring up on schools of fish becomes a lot easier. With the cooler water change, Spanish mackerel catches will also gradually increase.

The month of May is a bit of a crossover period where the winter and summer species are all still having a go and the fishing overall is generally productive. MAY 2016

Change is in the air LUCINDA

Jeff Wilton jeffwilton83@hotmail.com

It’s May in Tropical North Queensland and the spray jackets and jumpers should definitely be stowed in the boat for those early morning sessions or those late night journeys. In comparison to the rest of Queensland, Lucinda doesn’t get real cold but flying along in a boat around sunrise or sunset will chill you to the bone, so it pays to layer up. The good thing is that it will only take an hour or so after that sun rises and temperatures will be tropical perfection again. Add to this the fact that the fishing should be going off and you will be sweating in no time. We ended up getting some decent rain in Lucinda and this has meant the upper catchments and rivers have had a flush, which in turn should equal epic fishing. There is still a chance of a late rain event so fingers crossed. The bigger the wet season the better the fishing for the following years. HINCHINBROOK CHANNEL Fishing the channel in May can be difficult as water temperatures have started to drop and the water is clearing up. The southerly trade winds have normally started to kick in and they can switch the fish off very quickly.

Barramundi will still be on the cards, but can prove very moody with very short bite windows. I find live baiting, especially around the late afternoon tide change, normally the best method of getting fish into the boat. Finding a small feeder creek or big drain and anchoring across it with some live mullet swimming about as the tide starts to push in should see rods getting bent. For those wanting to target barra on lures, trolling big hardbodies around the edges of the channel or dropoffs in front of creeks is a good way to pass a few hours and find some fish. The best thing about trolling in Lucinda is the scenery is always breathtaking and makes the time between fish pass quicker. A handy hint for effective trolling is choosing the right lure in terms of diving depths. In most cases, you will want your lure to be running around a meter off the bottom, as most of the time the barra will be sitting down deep. Obviously, if you are finding fish on your sounder that are sitting shallower, then using a lure to swim at that depth is needed. Pay attention to your sounder and make changes when necessary, it is near pointless if your lure is ploughing through the bottom

most of the time (unless you want flathead) or if your lure is swimming on the surface in 8m of water. And when you find solid fish shows, give them several passes, as you will often get a hit if you annoy them enough. For the anglers wanting to throw lures and plastics about, then the mighty mangrove jack should still be on the prowl and feeding up before the water drops too much and they go into hibernation. At this time of year, the water is always a little clearer and it is quite possible to use stealth and sight cast to jacks in the snags. Using poppers or unweighted plastics rigged weedless is an awesome way to get the adrenalin pumping. Witnessing that flash of red before they hit is not easily forgotten. Picking any of the creeks up the channel and working your way upstream with the tide will see you tangle with these aggressive brawlers. Small to mid-size hardbodied lures and soft plastics rigged weedless are all perfect for jacks. You just want to be able to land casts right in the structure, and as a rule if you are not getting snagged occasionally, you are not getting close enough. Mangrove jacks live right in tight to their chosen ambush spots and although they are aggressive feeders,

May is an awesome time for mangrove jack. they tend to not stray too far from their home to feed. Both silver and golden grunter have been gracing the eskies of those out fishing bait in the rubble areas and creek mouths. These fish are always about in better numbers after we get some rain and run off. Anyone who wants a great chance of getting into these hard-fighting and tasty fish should look no further than the Lucinda service jetty. The hours around the tide changes fish best and tides with only 1-1.5m difference means you can fish all day or night. Any bigger tides and you will need several house bricks as sinkers to stay on bottom as the tide screams through this area. Squid or sardines is the better baits and as always fresh is best.

JETTY, ISLANDS AND REEFS The jetty will be starting to provide hours of entertainment with big schools of queenies moving in. They can be caught all day, but the afternoon bite is by far the best. Queenies can be caught using a variety of methods, but when they’re in the mood, catching them on surface is by far the best. If fishing with a few people from the boat and someone hooks up, it should be as easy as the other angers casting or dropping down near the hooked fish and they should be on as well. It’s not uncommon to be unhooking a queenie beside the boat and there be several of its friends just free swimming around it. Spanish mackerel should now be congregating on the

reef points and off the Palm Islands, so heading out for a morning troll while the sun rises is a relaxing and most of the time very rewarding way to put a few tasty Spaniards in the boat. Deep divers that can be trolled around the 6-8km/h mark or slow trolled gar will see action. It is most important to find the baitfish, which will have mackerel in the area at some stage. Just strolling in circles around this bait will see rods getting bent. This time of year the southeast trades will be consistent and they can be quite nasty, as they will normally whip up bigger seas than the northerlies in summer. So as always, watch the weather and pay attention to what’s happening around you. Good luck and see you on the water.

Upstream sections supercharge CAPE YORK

Tim O’Reilly wildrivercompany@gmail.com

All in all, a mediocre kind of wet season is now behind us. And sadly, a mass coral bleaching has been one of the defining factors of the past few months. This is such a huge moment in the life of the world’s greatest organism. Hopefully the reef can recover.

coast. Being that little farther north, Cape York generally remains a little warmer for longer. Fishing for barramundi in particular is a real pleasure right throughout May. Most of the larger river systems have quite a substantial upstream section, which begins at the limit of tidal influence and continues on through heavily timbered freshwater sections. It is these places that are accessed in the dry season

Let’s take a look at some of the fish and ways to catch them up in the tangled timber. Bends and tiny offshoots of the main river will often have steep banks and a shallow section with lily pads close by. These spots can be dynamite, especially when a little structure in the form of a sunken log or fallen tree sits out in the current. Barramundi and saratoga in particular love these locations and the

Big queenies will happily smash a popper at this time of year. May is a hugely productive month in the far north, especially in the more sheltered bays and rivers of the west 82

MAY 2016

by campers and travellers. Some of the most isolated and undisturbed places in Australia exist in these wet and watery riverbeds.

first accurate lure to touch down will usually be the lucky one. Occasionally, barramundi will show up to a likely looking snag

from the surrounding areas. Fighting one out of the sticks, simply brings more fish into the same area. At times, the fish will be a little cagey, requiring either a change in presentation or a period of calm before they switch back to feeding mode. Quietly leaving a productive looking spot before returning an hour later can be worthwhile, especially if you rolled some quality fish on the first few presentations. Some of the lively little predators living in these upstream sections include pikey bream, mangrove jack and archer fish. All these culprits will usually charge out on the first sign of something worth eating and make up their mind to pounce in a split second. Repeated presentations are usually a waste of time, unless switching to bait. May is a great time of year to be fishing colour changes and spots where converging currents and bodies of water meet. Even the tiniest of drains can attract fish at this time of year. Almost all fresh water

This lucky angler captured a massive GT in shallow water. streams and backwaters will flow a slightly different colour and clarity than another. Anchoring adjacent to these spots and firing casts just upstream from the intersection can be a productive method. Pelagics will be moving into most of the shallow bays and gulf areas of Cape York by May. A smorgasbord of tiny baitfish will be pushing into

the mouth areas of most major river systems giving queenfish and various trevally species a chance to pack on weight quickly. Whatever type of fishing rings your bell, May will hold something for you. • For information on remote charter operations for tailored fishing adventures, please email Tim on wildrivercompany @gmail.com.

The trifecta: trout, red emperor and nannygai CAIRNS

Garry Smith garrysmith@fishingmonthly.com.au

If the weather cooperates, May can produce awesome fishing, especially offshore. On the flip side, it can be frustrating at times, if the southeasters set in and the month is marred by rain and wind. Typically the fishing matches the weather, so here’s hoping for a super sunny May. Irrespective, barring major flooding the estuaries will be fishable. Barra, golden snapper, mangrove jack, grunter, cod, bream and small trevally will be the main players, with the added bonus of large queenfish and golden trevally starting to show if the water is clear. Water temperature will be the key this month. If the temperatures hold up, which seems to have become the norm in recent years, then the summer species, especially barra will continue to be active. Like the offshore, the better the conditions, the better the fishing will be in the estuaries. The traffic in the estuaries is relatively quiet when the weather is good, as most anglers head offshore. When the wind sets in, it can get

and wrecks in search of mackerel, and the odd trout and nannygai. School mackerel can start to appear this month and often sit down deep. Metal slices worked off the bottom or fishing pilchards and live sardines in the bottom half of the water column is the best method to target fish early in the season. Most anglers will be looking further east this month, as May is generally considered the start of the better reef fishing, as the water cools. Large-mouth nannygai, red emperor and coral trout will be the main players at the reef, with a wide range of support species adding variety to the esky. Red fishing will be high on the agenda for larger boat owners, with large-mouth nannygai starting to school up in the deeper water, along with red emperor and coral trout biting shallow. Overnighters are generally the more productive trips when chasing reds in the deep water and the only downside is the shark problem. If anglers can get onto a good school of nannies that isn’t patrolled by sharks then 10-20 quality fish can make it to the esky. Most reds will be in the 3-5kg range, but there will be a few trophy nannygai and red emperor

target up shallow during the day, and the big advantage to chase trout is that you are more likely to beat the sharks to the boat in shallower water. If the sharks are just too quick or thick in the deep water then try moving into less than 20m of water to improve your odds of boating your catch. While most reef anglers will be hoping for a haul of the big three; large-mouth nannygai, red emperor and coral trout, there will be plenty of other reef fish on the chew. Reef mangrove jack, spangled emperor, large stripeys, tea-leaf trevally, Moses perch and cod of all shapes and sizes are just some of the other species trying to get in on the action and will make a welcome addition to the esky. Spanish mackerel will be staring to increase in numbers, so always have a pilchard, gar or mullet floating out the back in the current if there is any or under a float if the run is poor. An even better option is a live bait like a fusilier, hussar or small trevally caught on site and quickly returned to the water on a mackerel rig. The serious Spaniard chasers will source their livies on the way to the reef and focus their efforts along steep

Magnus Rotnes, an international student from Norway, went fishing with his father and host John Wedrat before returning home. The trio got among some quality trout and nannygai. in the 6-8kg range but there will be the odd 20kg+ brute out there ready to give your tackle a real work over. Giant trevally will be partial to poppers worked off the reef edge, especially on the falling tide when the tides are big. They love patrolling the drop-off

feeding on baitfish as they are forced off the top of the reef with the falling tide. Light tackle anglers will be hoping for an early start to the small black marlin season and will be trolling around the wide grounds and off Fitzroy Island in the hope of an early encounter.

All up, May offers a wide range of angling options and is certainly one of the more pleasant months to be on the water. Here’s hoping for clears skies, cool days and even cooler nights, as there is a good chance the fishing will be red hot.

NAME THAT FISH – ANSWER • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Long finned perch (Caprodon longimanis). It’s called pink maomao in New Zealand and is apparently good eating. Thanks again to Dr Julian Pepperell for his identification. Identification (Australian Museum Data) Standard Common Name: Longfin Perch Alternative Name/s: Pink Maomao

Identification: The Longfin Perch has a long-based dorsal fin, an emarginate caudal fin. Its pointed pectoral fins are longer than the head. Females are pink to red. Males are pinkish with yellow spots and a large dark blotch on the dorsal fin. Size range: Up to 58cm in length. Distribution: The longfin perch occurs in Australia, New Zealand and the Kermadec Islands. In Australia it is known from southern Queensland to southern New South Wales. Source: http://www.ala.org.au/

Oyvind Rotnes had a taste of reef fishing, which was one of the many experiences his son Magnus enjoyed while attending Smithfield SHS. pretty busy in the rivers and inlets, while the fishing is generally anything but busy. So, if you are partial to meandering through the mangroves, go against the trend and stick to the estuaries when the weather shines, for best results. Smaller boat owners should look to access inshore islands, reefs

on the chew for those lucky or skilled enough to find them. Generally the bigger fish will be in the deeper water, so start out in 60m+ and then work your way back into shallower water. If the fish aren’t biting out deep, or the sharks are taking too big a toll then keep moving up shallower. Trout will be the main

drop-offs, pressure points and current lines, mostly trolling but sometimes drifting, depending on conditions. Trolling a combination of swimming gar or mullet, along with deep diving lures is another productive way to target Spaniards if live baits are hard to come by. Most Spanish mackerel will be

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MAY 2016

Trade winds blowing in the southern tourists COOKTOWN

Ben Stack

As predicted for this time of year in Cooktown, the nights have cooled, the rains have dissipated (not that there was much) and the trade winds are in full swing. The day temperatures have also dropped a couple of degrees. These seasonal changes mark the start of our southern cousins touring north in droves to explore our beautiful lands and waterways. It’s a great time to come to the Cape. The grass is still green and the rivers are running. There is still a good chance of having rain in May and June, but this only keeps the dust and heat down, making camping much more pleasurable. The Endeavour River will begin to clear up as we move later into the months

Elim Beach campsite is still calm at 25-knot winds from the southeast. What a gorgeous spot. of May and June. The barra will be scattered through the entire estuary system by now. This means a little more work to find the fish, and then hopefully timing it well for them to bite, as they can get a little sluggish as the water

cools. However, the barra will be there and you will get them if you put in the effort. Jacks can still be caught in cooler water too. The best method will be to anchor by a snag and berley small cut up fish bits into it. This will bring the jacks and other species on the bite. Simply float a bait into the snag with a hook set into it and you’ll get a good strike in no time. The Annan River clears a little quicker than the Endeavour. During the months of May and June, big queenies and trevally move through the Annan River with the movement of the tides. It is not unusual to see the old Annan River Bridge lined up with people chasing these fish as they move through. If you are in a boat, try to troll surface lures simply for the show. Watching a big queen or trevally smash the surface for your lure is awesome. Try fishing the North and South arms of the river near the mouth for barra and jacks. The Annan is definitely worth sinking a few crab pots into while you’re out chasing fish too. This river is probably the most consistent at producing mud crabs all year round in our region. The Bloomfield River has similar features to the Annan,

Author with one of a few barra caught off a single snag. only it is a smaller system. Use the fishing methods I mentioned above to catch fish in this river. If the other rivers mentioned have too much boat traffic and aren’t fishing well, then it is an easy day trip to Bloomfield River from Cooktown. The road is scenic and sealed for the trip down and back. You could even time it well for a stop in at the Lions Den for dinner on the way back home to Cooktown. If there is a hot bite on while at Bloomfield River, try some of the excellent camping options available there so you can continue fishing in that area over a few days. Elim Beach camp is another great option at this time of year when the trade winds are blowing. The camp and bay is generally protected from the winds, which means you can still fish on the lee side of Cape Bedford for reef fish or the mangroves for the estuary species. If the trade winds taper off for a bit while you’re at Elim Beach then it is an easy trip by boat

Ramon with an Elim Beach flathead.

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MAY 2016

Graham with a cracking Spaniard!

It’s not always fish that get boated when you’re tucked in tight to the mangroves. Damien found this cute little tree snake. further north to access the McIvor estuary system. The McIvor River is a little more remote, which means it gets less impact from people and the fishing can be amazing. Take care to time your tides to ensure you can get in and out of the McIvor River system and allow enough time to get back into the bay at Elim Beach too. Send me a message if you would like more specific detail on fishing this area. • If you’d like any current information while you’re visiting Cooktown’s region or more information about a particular place in the neighbourhood to fish, then simply ‘like’ my Facebook page titled ‘Stacky’s Fishing Adventures’ or send me a message.

What a gorgeous place to fish FRESHWATER

Angus James

It’s amazing how a little extra flow in the rivers can really fire up the fish. The steady flow of clean water pushing downstream sends many of our favourite target species into overdrive! Work your artificial presentations with the natural flowing water to get your rod bent and your drags screaming! I have spent most of my time recently targeting the sweet water jacks. I just can’t get enough of these little red devils. The best part about targeting them in the fresh is that you get to witness everything! Every time I see a jack race out from the snag my adrenaline starts pumping! They are such an amazing species. This is a good time of the year to get out there and have a crack at landing a few red pups, they will be stocking up on as many goodies as they can as the temperature starts to cool

down. When targeting these fish keep a sharp eye out for ambush areas. They will be holding back in the dark waiting to smash your

are already heading back to the darkness. If you’re looking to get into some jungle perch action this month, then

have experienced this style of fishing know just how amazing and beautiful this part of the world is. Jungle perch are an absolutely

Cool yourself down with a wade in the shallows, you might even find a friend to swim with!

The Herbert Gorge is a delightful spot to throw a line in. lure if you can land it in the strike zone! Remember to have you drag set right because when they hit they

are some real trophy fish out there waiting for your lures, so get your hiking boots on and explore some spectacular country and catch a few fish in the process.

highly recommend using spinnerbaits when targeting sooties. They can be worked deep in the snags, and their strong flash and vibration will get the attention you are looking

head up to the rainforests of the tropical north. The jungle fishing in FNQ is special, and those who

Mangrove jack are ready to sneak out from a snag and grab your lure.

Put a bit of focus and determination into your fishing and the results will speak for themselves.

stunning fish and offer freshwater fishers some exciting opportunities to test their angling skills. When you target this beautiful fish, use your hunting and stalking skills to get results. They are very aggressive hunters, and often when you come across a goodlooking hole you will have a pack of them fighting for your presentation. There

A drive out west in search of a few sooty grunter will be worth the mission in May. There are a plenty of great spots along the Burdekin River that produce endless amounts of line peeling fun! These fish are little pocket rockets and will get you working that wand like Harry Potter to get them out of the snags they are headed for. I

for. Sooty grunter also love a surface presentation! Work any style of surface lure in the low light times of the day and expect some amazing surface explosions! Remember to hang on tight because these fish like to fight dirty! I hope everyone gets out to enjoy this beautiful country and catch a few fish in the process. Fish on!

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Some mixed lake action It seems a few of the lakes are firing up just before the colder weather kicks in. The days get noticeably shorter around this time of year so it only makes sense that fish feed more aggressively in the shorter period of daylight they have. If you hate the South East Queensland cold, now is the time to get out and try your luck before the icy weather arrives. This is a transition time of year where fish move about to the most comfortable water and can change their feeding habits. For deeper schooling fish like bass and

golden perch, these changes take place quite slowly as the core temperature of the water is enough to slow the variation in air temperature. Up in the shallows, barramundi are more likely to feel the effects once they set in. Barra will soon be looking for the warmer water and may move even shallower to find it. This is the time where it pays to have a sounder, which shows water temperature. In big lakes like Proserpine and Awoonga, or those like Teemburra and Monduran with heaps of creek fingers, there can be significant temperature differences from

SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND CRESSBROOK CLOSEST TOWN: CROWS NEST While the fishing has been quite steady, quite a few anglers have landed quality bass at the lake. Big

ramp in 7-10m of water. Many of these fish are undersized, but you may find the occasional legal fish amongst them. Scattered fish can also be found all the way through Bass Bay on

one spot to another. These more comfortable waters are likely to attract barra and concentrate their numbers, making it easier to find and hopefully catch them. Hot Bite Fishing is back! It has been a while since the last 18g Jets tail spinners were stocked into stores. Most were sold out back around Christmas but I have managed to get my hands onto heaps more. I was caught out by how popular these lures were. For more information, check out the Facebook page – Hot Bite Fishing. Until next month, buckled rods from The Colonel! Up around The Eagles Nest rock wall in Cressbrook Creek and the Toilet Point up Beams Creek is where most of the better quality bass have been coming from. These bass are pretty scattered most of the time which is

Somerset bass have been loving reaction style lures like the Jets 18g tail spinner. fat bass well over 45cm in length have been taking trolled lures around the dam. Some of the better fish have topped 50cm to the fork of the tail so if you are able to find them, you’re in for some good action. Bunches of smaller bass are holding straight out from the shallow boat

the way across to the buoy line near the pump tower. These bass will be holding in 6-10m of water. Trolling has been picking out the bigger fish from these schooling fish. They have also been very responsive to tail spinners, but most of the bites are coming from tiny fish.

why trolling lures has been so effective. Medium to deep divers will get the hits with purples, browns and black being some of the better colours. When better patches of bass are found, reaction style presentations are getting the best response. Tail spinners

Gympie

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MAY 2016

DEC JAN FEB 13 8 6 89 87 95 46 45 46 60 59 59 100 98 96 46 42 89 78 74 91 91 88 94 26 24 23 100 100 100 71 69 69 49 43 41 22 19 17 86 86 85 36 21 12 84 81 88 32 32 45 30 30 29

MAR APR 6 6 91 90 44 43 57 54 96 94 93 100 89 87 94 92 22 20 100 n/a 67 65 37 33 16 16 83 82 9 7 100 100 43 41 28 27

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14 31

Weipa

Toowoomba

BRISBANE

IMPOUNDMENT DAM

are drawing most bites but it is definitely worth casting a spinnerbait or blade bait into the same schools of fish. Early in the morning, the edges are worth a cast with spinnerbaits. Not all the lake edges will hold good numbers of bass, so cover water quickly to try and find where there are a few bass holding in shallower water. The two bays either side of the Toilet Point up Beams Creek end of the dam certainly look the goods. They have been holding stacks of bait and scattered fish. I’m guessing these fish may feed around the shallower water early as they can be found in as little as 4 and 5m during the middle of the day. For all your fishing supplies and the latest reports on Cressbrook and the surrounding dams, call in to see the specialist tackle stores

Hinze Julius Kinchant Koombooloomba Leslie Macdonald Maroon Monduran/Fred Haigh Moogerah North Pine/Samsonvale Peter Faust/Proserpine Pindari Somerset Storm King Teemburra Tinaroo Toonumbar Wivenhoe Wuruma

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

Proserpine 6

Mackay

Rockhampton

Emerald 29 7

Highlighted dams are covered in this issue

94 94 106 97 72 89 23 44 16 15 98 100 97 96 98 97 87 86 71 68 65 64 37 36 79 78 n/a n/a 87 89 61 59 100 100 89 86 97 95

Bundaberg 9

Maryborough

Roma

in Toowoomba. Tackleworld Toowoomba in Ruthven Street on the north side and Fish’n Bits in Alderly Street closer to the south side have a great range of lures and fishing gear. Support these tackle stores because they will be able to direct you to where the fish are biting and offer invaluable advice. Just remember there is a speed limit of 8 knots and a restricted area at Cressbrook Dam. Check out the signage to ensure you stay out of trouble and abide by the rules. The gate hours for the boat ramps and day use area change this month and will be 7am until 6pm. SOMERSET CLOSEST TOWNS: ESK, KILCOY Somerset Dam fired up last month with plenty of bass and golden perch taking trolled and cast lures.

95 94 94 77 100 100 52 41 51 31 29 21 20 19 17 98 92 99 98 97 97 92 88 98 90 89 92 77 75 73 68 66 65 37 40 41 99 99 80 n/a n/a n/a 76 72 76 65 64 62 100 104 100 92 90 90 994 90 98

Gladstone

QUEENSLAND DAM LEVELS DAMS Atkinson Awoonga Bjelke-Petersen Boondooma Borumba Burdekin Falls Callide Cania Clarendon Clarrie Hall Cooby Coolmunda Copeton Cressbrook Dyer/Bill Gunn Eungella Fairbairn Glenlyon

BRISBANE

Hopefully this action will continue into this month as well. Pelican Point has been one of the best spots to fish with a few other schools also being found around the lake’s middle reaches. Falling water levels from a couple of months ago seems to have concentrated fish numbers in this area. Look for the schooling bass in 8-13m of water around the perimeter of the flats. Often the fish will be close to the drop off ledge of the old riverbed and once found in big numbers, get ready for action. Trolling deep diving lures has been producing plenty of fish. Bass are the main species encountered but a few golden perch have also been getting in on the action. Small lures can To page 87

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 21/04/16

From page 86

be very effective at times with the Poltergeist 50mm Crazy Deep a standout.

Other medium profile deep diving lures that have also shone have been the Golden Child and Blitz Baga. Troll

these lures through the bass schools at 4-6km/h for best results. While moving on the troll, the bass are less

Tail spinners at Somerset are still a winner when targeting deeper schooled fish. DARLING DOWNS GRANITE BELT REGION COOBY CLOSET TOWNS: HIGHFIELDS, TOOWOOMBA There has been mixed action at Cooby. Some days it is very tough to put a fish in the boat while others they seem to be more willing to bite. Golden perch have been falling to trolled lures around the lake’s weed edges. Try working along the weed edge or just outside it in 4-6m of water with medium diving

Try anchoring the boat in around 7m of water. If you can find fish on the sounder, that is where you want to try your luck. If the sounder isn’t revealing too much be prepared to move about every 10 minutes until you start getting bites. Some of the best action is likely to take place just before sunset. Cooby D a m ’s proximity to Highfields and Toowoomba make it a very popular fishery. If you

with care. Outboard motors can be left on the boat but must not be used. Tackle, lures and saltwater yabbies can be purchased from Highfields Bait and Tackle on the New England Highway in Highfields. Call in and see Doug and check out the great range of fishing gear, kayaks and accessories he has on display. LESLIE CLOSEST TOWN: WARWICK There are still quite a few golden perch being caught on bait and lures.

likely to follow the boat and become harder to catch as they do when casting. Lure casters have also been having success but you may find that once you have been on a school for a while, you may need to move away until they spread out and become more active again. Reaction lures have been enticing the bites with some exceptional bass around 50cm in length on offer. The biggest bass I heard of last month was a ripper of 58.5cm fork length. Tr y casting spinnerbaits, tail spinners and vibes into the schooling fish. Hopping retrieves work well with tail spinners and vibes, but stick to a slow rolling retrieve off the bottom of up to 15 winds before sinking again with the spinnerbaits. For the latest reports, check out Somerset Fishing

Tackle online and on Facebook. The store is in Kilcoy but they mail order fishing gear all over the place. For some of the most competitive prices around visit the website www. somersetfishing.com.au. MOOGERAH CLOSEST TOWNS: BOONAH, ARATULA The fishing at Moogerah was tougher toward the end of last month but there were still a few fish being caught. Bass are making up the bulk of catches. The main basin of the lake is holding a few fish where they are being fooled with soft plastics and ice jigs worked close to the bottom. The timbered area will be worth a look for lure casters as well. Search the flats for schooling fish, and once found, rotate through the proven lures. Powerbait 7cm Ripple Shad plastics

month and started tossing a TN60 Jackall around the boat while bait fishing. He was lucky enough to score half a dozen goldens casting, so it just goes to show it pays to be able to present different offerings. Lure trollers are also taking a few fish. A mixture of hardbodies and lipless

crankbaits are getting results. Jigging the bottom with soft lipless crankbaits and blade baits like the Ecogear ZX40 is always worth a shot. To increase your chances, find fish or structure on the sounder. Boat launching is still a problem due to the falling water level. Cars often get

rigged on 1/2oz heads, Jackall Mask Vibes, Jets 18g tail spinners and 3/8oz Little Max blades would all get a run if I were prospecting a newly found school. The bait anglers have been nailing bass and golden perch in the timber on live shrimp, but not in huge numbers. The margins of the lake are worth a cast with spinnerbaits. Last month a few bass were coming from this area early in the day. I’d expect with the cooling water the fish may continue to bite in this shallower are for a longer period. The TN50 Jackall is another great lure option for casting to the edges of the lake. There are plenty of banks to explore, not all of which hold fish, so keep moving. Once you find a patch of fish, they are likely to be in the same area on consecutive trips. bogged if they don’t choose their launching spot wisely. It is a 2-person job to get boats off with one in the boat and the other in the car. Giving the car a bit of a push with the outboard can also help and ensure it doesn’t lose traction on the way out. To page 88

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Another autumn bass slides up beside the boat. lures. The 3m Poltergeist and size 3 StumpJumper in the darker colours are perfect for this lake. Slow trolling TN60 Jackalls can also produce a few goldens as well and they have been known to fool the occasional Murray cod. Bait anglers can expect to fool a few goldens and eel-tailed catfish when fishing with live shrimp and saltwater yabbies.

are looking for somewhere close to home to drop the boat or kayak in, Cooby is definitely worth a visit. The dam hours are now 7am until 6pm. 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 but a big electric powered boat can still be launched

The cod have been a bit quiet but there were a few reported last month. One of the better Murray cod went 90cm and was taken out in front of The Washpool near the old creek bed on a trolled hardbody. Bait anglers have been doing quite well on live shrimp fished in 5-8m of water. Try fishing the main basin of the lake. One angler mixed it up last

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Big bass boats and ski boats are still being floated off the trailer in places. You will need to have the water lapping your doors to do this. On the dam wall side of the high and dry concrete ramps is a sandy spit which is solid enough to back cars right out in the water. Take care as there are plenty of muddy traps around. A 4WD is certainly recommended. 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 The fishing action has been slow at Coolmunda. The lake’s regulars are still managing to score fish on trolled and cast lures. These anglers spend a lot of time fishing the drop offs and any structure around it. The drop off in the main basin of the lake is likely to produce a few fish but the areas where the creeks narrow up before the timber are still deep enough and tend to fish better. These creeks can take a bit to learn as they duck and weave their way through the otherwise barren flats of shallow water. A sounder and GPS combo is perfect for plotting your way through the creek and marking any hidden structure below.

Trolling hardbodies and big spinnerbaits will see you in with a good chance of scoring a cod or golden perch in this country. With the cooler weather approaching, the Murray cod may start to move a little more and dominate catches. With big fish well over a metre in length a possibility, Coolmunda is definitely worth exploring. The Coolmunda Caravan Park is only around 1km away from the lake. The park is just off the Cunningham Highway but far enough away from the noise of trucks to get a good night’s sleep. It offers camping sites, cabins, caravan facilities, tennis courts, a swimming pool, BBQ shelter and a camp kitchen. 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.

Golden perch will still be taking lures this month. Get in now before the cooler conditions slow them down.

WIDE BAY AND BURNETT REGION

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

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

2 Dams

1de stination H

South Burnett

· Boondooma Dam · Bjelke-Petersen Dam ·

The BEST place in QLD to catch Australian Bass and Yellowbelly

STAY

NIGHTS AND

SAVE CATCH of the month

BJELKE-PETERSEN

BOONDOOMA DAM

Nathan Palmer with a cracking Golden caught on a spinnerbait.

BOONDOOMA CLOSEST TOWNS: PROSTON, KINGAROY As we move into a transition time of year, the fish may start to change a little. The deep schooling bass and goldens, which have been found in the main basin suspending midwater in deep areas of the lake are likely to make a move closer to the shore. Here these fish will take up residence in 8-10m of water and hold closer to the bottom. They have been quite responsive to a range of lures over the last few months and the fishing is likely to continue to be good once they make the move. Many anglers find fishing to these bottom hugging fish much easier. When casting sinking lures, the angler has a reference point (the bottom) to let you know when to start working the lure. Fill the tackle box because soft vibes, blades, soft plastics, tail spinners and spinnerbaits will all be worth a try. Trolling lures may slow down a little as the fish tend to bunch up more into tighter schools rather than spreading out. In the timbered arms, the bass and golden perch may also move to shallower areas. Casting 1/2 and 5/8oz spinnerbaits around the weedy edges or trees closer to the shore will be the best approach. Bait anglers can try their luck in the timber using

live shrimp. Try out in the normal areas where water depth is 7-9m deep, but if that fails, move closer to the edges in 4-6m of water. Boondooma is a great place to camp right near the water and sit by the fire while enjoying the view. Pack some warmer clothes, as the nights will be starting to get rather chilly. 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

Shallow divers like the Laser Pro 120 will fool shallow water barra. This fish came from less than a metre of water while the boat was stuck on the bottom. hot food and other basic items including fishing tackle. For campsites, cabins and bunkhouse rooms call Corey and Niki on (07) 4168 9694.

Casting spinnerbaits, lipless crankbaits and blade baits will entice bites from these fish. There is plenty of shoreline to explore and only certain areas will hold

the barra should concentrate more around the edges of the lake making them easier to catch once found. Try working along the major weed beds on the western side of the main basin either

side of the entrance to New Zealand Gully. Up the back of New Zealand Gully, Gold Mine Point area and the mouth of Iveragh arm will also be worth a shot. If you do manage a barra bite (and not a catfish), spend plenty of time exploring the area

CAPRICORN REGION

Lane Ferling caught this nice bass on a spoon at BP.

www.lakeboondooma.com.au www.yallakoolpark.com.au 88

MAY 2016

AWOONGA DAM CLOSEST TOWNS: BENARABY, GLADSTONE There hasn’t been a lot to report from Awoonga. Either this month or next,

BJELKE CLOSEST TOWNS: MURGON, GOOMERI The fishing has been steady at Bjelke, which is possibly due to the continued falling water level. With the cooler water temperatures a few changes are likely to take place. Bass and golden perch will move from the deeper water and head in closer to the edges. There isn’t a lot of healthy weed about due to the falling level, but the fish will still school up on the shallow and medium tapering banks.

good numbers of fish. Move about until you find them concentrating on the dam’s middle reaches without venturing too far from the deeper creek beds. At the start of the timber, there have been quite a few golden perch. Try casting to these fish with spinnerbaits worked through the standing timber. Bait fishing with live shrimp is also worth a try. While bait fishing, don’t be afraid to jig some small blades off the bottom at the same time. Bait and blade jigging make a good combination. The smell of the bait and vibration and commotion of the blades seem to complement each other and increase catches on both. For help catching Bjelke and Boondooma fish, call into your local Bass 2 Barra store. Bass 2 Barra stores stock an awesome range of gear suited to chasing our freshwater fish and the boys have all the knowledge to guide you on how to use it. You’ll find the stores in Kingaroy and Dalby. Matthew Mott also runs fishing charters on the dams and you can reach him through the Kingaroy store for bookings and enquiries on (07) 4162 7555. The Yallakool kiosk is all set up with a great range of tackle if you don’t happen to have the right lure or lose one. Be sure to call in and check it out. Give them a call for accommodation and camping bookings on (07) 4168 4746. and the barra movements through it, as the fish are seldom loners. The dam has received a huge boost in fish stocks. Many of these fish will still be small but some of the first to go in after the floods are now around a To page 89

From page 88

metre long. With hundreds of thousands going in, we can only hope they have had a good survival rate with predators in the form of birds and other fish making daily life a struggle. It won’t be too far down the track that Awoonga brings back the

crowds. If the water level is kind, expect big things from this lake in the next few years. Barra grow fast. The freshwater reaches below the dam either side of Pikes Crossing will be worth a shot. Trolling hardbodies and soft plastics down the middle at night can produce some

quality barra. Casting the edges with soft plastics is definitely the preferred approach. If the thicker weed beds have returned, buzzing a soft plastic frog over the top might get an explosive response. If you are keen to try to tackle some fish in the river or dam, give Lyn and Mark

grass and shoreline. The vegetation growth wasn’t out of control prior to the rise, so as it dies off and new weed beds form, there shouldn’t be too much effect on the barra. The margins of the lake have fished quite well for barra with anglers

catching fish from the shore and boats. Lightly weighted soft plastics and shallow diving hardbodies and stickbaits have scored plenty of fish over the past month. The action may slow a little but fishing smarter rather than harder will keep the bites coming. If the oxygen level drops with dying vegetation,

MACKAY REGION KINCHANT CLOSEST TOWNS: MARIAN, MACKAY The dam is still looking quite healthy after the water level rising. Water was pumped in from the Pioneer River to raise the level by around 40%, which flooded plenty of

from Awoonga Gateway a call on (07) 4975 0033. At Awoonga Gateway you’ll find clean, modern cabins and your hosts will be full of useful advice to help you try to land that barra of a lifetime. Make sure you tell Mark I sent you and pump him for the secret spot. look for influences which counteract this. Fresh growing weed will be pumping in the oxygen during the day but you can’t beat a wind-blown bank. Head to these areas that receive the wind and try fishing the dirty water line or right up in the shallows where there is flooded grass.

WHITSUNDAY REGION PROSERPINE CLOSEST TOWNS: PROSERPINE, AIRLIE BEACH So far, the barra have started a weird transition. The cooling weather has seen the deeper holding fish more active than those in the shallows. Trolling in the basin was still producing pretty good numbers last month. Lures like the 20ft Barra Bait and Halco Scorpion Crazy Deep were getting the job done. This month the transition phase should see the fish move more away from the main basin. There will be a migration of fish to the western side of the dam where the water temperature is warmer. In this tree-filled area once you find a fish keep in mind there will be others nearby. To steal Lindsay Dobe’s phrase, they position themselves on “good real estate” for a reason and at this time of year they tend to hang together more. On a clear sunny morning, head to the edges of the lake or shallows where the barra will be actively roaming until midmorning. Here try casting hardbodies and soft plastics over the fish as they pass through. Keeping an eye on the side image on the sounder will let you see the procession.

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As the day warms up or on those more overcast and windy days, try fishing the tree tops, which border the creeks running through the timber. These creeks are hidden and need to be found on the sounder or by picking the old creek line running through the trees. The barra will hold out in deep water of over 13m but will be found shallow in the top of the water column. Casting floating hardbody lures with big bibs allows you to walk the lure over the timber. The BTD General and Halco Scorpion 5m are perfect for this style of fishing. Crank the lure down into the tree and allow it to pause and float back up. This pause is crucial to getting the bites. Staging barra will also be found in deeper water on the edges of the creeks. These fish prefer 3-5m of water to take a rest. These fish are often in good numbers and will be spotted on the side image of the sounder while exploring the timber. Hopping vibes and rolling soft plastics through them will draw a response. You may need to work these fish hard though until a bite window opens. Persistence is the key with barra fishing. If you are heading out to the dam make sure you call in at Proserpine Bait and Tackle. The store is right

beside the Bruce Highway in Proserpine and stocks all the barra gear you could possibly need. Store owner, Lindsay Dobe, runs charters on the lake and bookings

changes disrupting normal activity. Spinnerbaits have been consistently effective during early morning and late afternoon, and shallow and deep divers are working well throughout the day casting at snags. Brighter coloured hardbodies in green and yellow have been working well but darker lures are becoming increasingly favoured by both cod and yellowbelly. Working snags

over a bit longer has been the key to success recently. The cooler weather is creeping up meaning big Murray cod will be moving about more freely. This time of year will also increase chances of surface catches. Bait has been working well with live worms and frozen saltwater yabbies being the favourite. Spangled perch have been the main catch on bait, however reports of good sized yellowbelly are also wide spread.

WESTERN RIVERS CLOSEST TOWNS: DALBY, CHINCHILLA The Condamine River is quite low at the moment with the dry weather and cotton season upon us. The water is crystal clear in most places and is still producing good catches; however there is some water around Cecil Plains and Condamine yet to clear up. The fishing has proved to be a bit difficult with the weather and water level

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Don’t be afraid to fish the windy areas for barra. Wind blown banks mean more oxygenrich water attaching bait and predators. can be made through the store on (07) 4945 4641. The guys will be able send you in the right direction and help with nailing the lake’s big fish. Cod have been consistently caught around the beginning of the river in the Warwick and Killarney area and also further west around Dalby and Chinchilla. The yellowbelly have been particularly fiery in recent weeks taking large spinnerbaits and lures intended for cod and putting up a great fight. Persistence is key this month. Work the snags hard and you will be rewarded. – Olivia McKenna

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Suzuki Vitara revisited BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

A few issues back I reviewed the excellent Suzuki Vitara wagon in top-shelf AWD specification, complete with sun roof and 6-speed auto shifter. As good as the auto All Grip drive was, I was also quite impressed with the five-speed

manual 2WD Vitara. During the test drive it provided quite high comfort levels along with great fuel economy on a mix of city driving and some prolonged country runs. The 2WD Vitara might be a base vehicle within the range but it’s a long way from being a basic motor vehicle. For the record, it’s fair to say that Suzuki’s Vitara range of wagons

offer the highest levels of interior specifications ever offered on a Suzuki in our country. Across the board there are trip computers measuring the distance to empty, current and average fuel consumption, average speed and outside temperature. There’s a big rear view camera within the 7” four quadrant multitouch display centre, satellite navigation system

The manual Vitara easily saw the author and his wife enjoying some high country cod fishing.

The Vitara features a very high, comfortable driver’s seat in the best SUV tradition.

with voice input, privacy glass, headlight levelling adjustment, cruise control, steering wheel mounted audio, hands-free phone, shift paddles on auto models, vanity illumination on sun visors, floor lighting on door opening, climate air plus seven air bags. Also on the stylish dash, which admittedly does feature a fair amount of hard plastic, are USB and 12V ports. On the exterior there’s

some smart stying, LED running lights, 17” wheels, halogen headlights and a distinctive Suzuki clam shell style bonnet. Taking these features into one package sees the Vitara outspeccing a lot of potential rivals in the smaller SUV market niche. A ROOMY UNIT Sitting within the Vitara you quickly notice that this wagon is quite spacious for its class. With a tilt and

telescopically adjustable steering wheel and plenty of seat adjustment, I found it easy to get very comfortable behind the wheel. There’s also ample head room all round with reasonable leg room in the rear. Within the rear seat area with its 60/40 fold down capability were two Isofix points and three tether points. The rear cargo capacity is a very generous 375L

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with rear seat up, and 710L with the rear seat folded down. The cargo area has a two tiered loading floor with a space saver spare stashed lowest. While on the topic of capacities the fuel tank holds 47L. With my consumption figures of 6.8L per 100km, this ensures there’s a decent touring range of about 650-700km. THE DRIVE The five speed manual, with its 16-valve, 4-cylinder 1.6L 86kW, 156Nm petrol engine

driving the front wheels did an entirely adequate job of punting the 1730kg Vitara through suburban traffic due to a favourable powerto-weight ratio of 80W/ kg. The 5-speed manual gear box was very slick, the clutch light yet entirely predictable in its take up, and the gear selector movement was slick. I did find the manual 5-speed unit brought back memories of the early Vitaras of quite a few years back with their go-anywhere attitude; they were definitely fun

to drive. Bush or beach, nothing stopped those little terrier-like Suzukis, but in the newest Vitara – in two wheel guise mode – we have car that’s more refined, more civilized and highly suited to city work, country runs, and formed gravel roads. The déjà vu experience of sweetly changing gears at just the right engine revs was something that was perhaps lacking in the Vitara auto, which was very smooth, very nice, but maybe too civilized if that makes sense.

Funky, modern, styling complements the many features that bring the Vitara to the fore front of today’s small SUV market.

Gravel roads are no obstacle to the Vitara thanks to ample ground clearance.

The new Vitara is a mix of driving experiences. The electric steering is very direct, yet the wagon holds the road very well with just some influence strong cross winds at times. Overall, the driving feeling is one of nimbleness, with any body lean being minimal, and cornering predictable. The main noise intrusion comes from the tyres, which is always always on the cards

with big wheels on small cars, and certainly nothing much from the engine. It ticked away happily at idle, and made an entertaining growl when pushed hard between gear changes. SUMMING UP There’s lots to like about the 5-speed manual Suzuki Vitara, not the least being the competitive pricing of $21,990 sans on roads. The well styled wagon

offers the standard SUV high driving/high seating experience, and sufficient room all round. For families with youngsters it’s a real value for money package given the huge list of standard features, plus the enjoyment of driving the funky-styled vehicle. For anglers like you and I, the unbraked trailer weight of 400kg will see it ahead of plenty of small boats.

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What’s New FISHING

DAIWA BALLISTIC X

Rocketing onto the scene is Daiwa’s latest weapon – Ballistic X. Combining cutting-edge blank design with unmatched value, the Ballistic-X series is undeniably impressive and built to perform. Light, powerful and designed for ultimate strength and performance, this is the rod series that delivers unrivalled value. Featuring HVF graphite combined with Daiwa’s X45 and Bias Wrap construction, Fuji lightweight O Ring guides and reel seats, Ballistic X delivers performance, sensitivity and strength. If you’re looking for a great value for money baitcaster or spin rod, without compromising on quality, then the Ballistic-X series is well worth a look. www.daiwafishing.com.au

PILLO GRUB PONTOON 21

Pontoon 21 has updated the traditional grub design with the release of the 2.25” Pillo Grub. A series of ribs varying in width, diameter and number offer a unique presentation to fish, while complementing the curl tail. The Pillo Grub also features an entry/exit point for your hook of choice, enabling you to thread your plastic onto your hook dead centre, which is important when it comes to your lure swimming naturally and straight. Most commonly the Pillo Grub is fished on a jighead. It can be fished very lightly, still retaining its important tail action while managing to stay in the optimal strike zone for longer. A mixture of pauses, slow winding, single, double or triple hops have all been catching fish. Just chop and change your technique to find the best retrieve on the day. The Pillo Grub is available in eight colours and is great for most inshore/estuarine species such as bream, bass, mulloway, perch, whiting, tailor and more. To see a number of ways to rig these soft plastics, visit the Searing website. Price: SRP $11.99 www.searingtackle.com.au

BERKLEY WALK N WADE BAG

The Berkley Fishin’ Gear Tackle Management range offers a variety of storage solutions to suit every angler. The range features heavy-duty fabrics for style and durability, comfortable handles and corrosion-resistant zips and fittings. The FG Walk N Wade is for anglers on the move! It doesn’t matter if you’re walking the banks of a stream stalking trout, wading the sand flats of an estuary for flathead, or rock hopping with metal slugs for pelagics, the Walk N Wade is going to give you mobility and easy access to your gear for a great day on the water. You can wear this bag as a shoulder bag or around your waist, thanks to its adaptable straps. The front and top tackle compartments have been designed for fast access, so it’s easy to quickly grab a lure or jighead. The bag also has accessories holders and two tackle boxes – everything a landbased angler needs. Price: RRP $69.95 berkley-fishing.com.au

FISHING PRODUCT GUIDE

DAIWA FREAMS Z

The original Freams set a new standard for light tackle spinning reels, introducing Zaion technology to the everyday anglers. Zaion is a material that is incredibly strong and corrosion resistant. Now in 2016 Daiwa is upping the ante, introducing the Freams Z with Zaion and Magseal. Daiwa’s Real Four is where it all begins when it comes to what’s inside, with Real Engine, Real Control, Real Endurance and Real Custom. Featuring a plethora of innovations like Magseal, Zaion, Air Rotor, ABS II and Airbail, Freams Z brings high end technology to the mid-range prices, and is now lighter, stronger, and more sensitive and feature-packed than ever before. Other features include UTD (Ultimate Tournament Drag) and Twist Buster II. Check out the Freams Z at your favourite tackle store. www.daiwafishing.com.au

MONSTER PENCIL NEW COLOURS

Originally designed for targeting big tuna, the heavy-duty Monster Pencil from NS Black Hole has also proven to be deadly on mackerel, kingfish and giant trevally. Now the range been expanded with the addition of five new colours. Four of the new colours are natural baitfish imitations – flying fish, mackerel, mahi mahi and pilchard. The fifth is a zebra glow stripe pattern. You can troll these lures, retrieve them with twitches and pauses to make them dive and shimmy, or burn them across the surface to make them skip along like a fleeing baitfish. If you work them with a sweep they will snake enticingly through the water. Available in both 182mm (75g) and 200mm (110g) versions, these floating stickbaits feature a strong wire through construction and #8 split rings. They are unrigged so you have your choice of fitting singles or trebles. With a retail price of under $40 they are a quality lure that will stand up to the harshest punishment without breaking the bank. www.ejtodd.com.au

2 3

STRIKE PRO FINESSE GRUBS

Designed and developed in Australia by Strike Pro’s Pro Tournament Team, Strike Pro Finesse Grubs produce a truly tantalising action. Finesse Grubs feature a powerful secret shellfish formula infused into the plastic so there is no messy liquid in the bag. This potent scent attracts fish and triggers them to strike. The smooth body has ribbing added to increase vibration, and if you want to add extra catch scent the ribs will help retain it for longer. The tail has been designed so you don’t need to trim it for modern jigheads, and they feature a top rigging slot so they’ll be rigged perfectly each time. The 2” Finesse Grub’s ultra-fine tail will work on the lift and drop using ultra light jigheads, even 1/32oz or lighter, and are superb for finesse fishing for ultra flighty fish in shallow water and around structure. The 3” Finesse Grub can be rigged on a standard jighead or on a worm hook as it has neutral buoyancy for use across the top of oyster racks or for surface fishing. These lures come packed in a tray, and they’re ideal for bream, bass, EPs, flathead, whiting, snapper, trevally, trout and redfin. Price: SRP $11.99 www.jurofishing.com

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

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

What’s New FISHING

8 9

NEW COLOURS FOR FAT DOGS

WILSON OCTOPUS SKIRTS

A classic fat slow roller or twitch bait, the 3B Fat Dog now comes in four new colours: redeye express, 12 gauge, toxic sushi and linch pin. This lure comes in deep and shallow versions. The Deep Fat Dog is a gun rock wall and tree snag specialist. With a crazy deep bib to smash into the structure and wake the fish up letting you know when you’re right in the mix, this fast diving HB will serve you well when you have a deep short strike zone. The Shallow Fat Dog is an excellent lure for fishing the flats or over weed beds, targeting everything from trout to bream. The 3B Fat Dog series comes with Owner #14 ST36BC trebles and an #0 P04 ring. The 3B Shallow Fat Dog is 38mm long, weighs 3.5g and dives to 1m. The Deep Fat Dog is 38mm, weighs 4g and dives to 2.5m. berkley-fishing.com.au

For those chasing the ocean’s predators, trolling baits has always been a fantastic way to make the most of your time on the water, and the Wilson Octopus skirts will enhance any trolled offering. Made from durable materials and coming in a range of colours to suit different applications, the Wilson Octopus skirts are available in six colours that include green lumo, pink, blue, pearl, pink/white and red blue. The size range also allows anglers the option to fish small to large baits, with sizes including 3”, 4”, 5”, 6”, 6.5” and 7”. If you’re keen on trolling baits, whether you’re chasing salmon and kingfish down south or mackerel and billfish up north, the Wilson Octopus skirts are worth a serious look. www.wilsonfishing.com

12 SCAN THE QR CODE!

FISHING PRODUCT GUIDE

SIENNA FE AND SOCORRO SW

Shimano have revolutionised two of their spin reels, delivering more performance without compromise. The Sienna and Socorro are two spin reels that have played an essential part in the Shimano line-up for years, and now they have received an upgrade. With substantial improvements over their predecessors, the Sienna FE and Socorro SW have you covered for all the big fish applications from inshore to offshore, surf to pier, kayak to boat and saltwater to freshwater. Punching out 4kg of drag, the Sienna FE’s AR-C die-cast aluminium spools hold a generous amount of mono and a lot more braid. The Sienna FE range is super smooth thanks to Shimano’s Dyna-Balance technology. The Sienna FE range is ideal for novice anglers who want something more sophisticated than the basic spin reel. The new centre of gravity (M-Compact Body) has increased balance by moving the oscillation gear closer to the rod, gifting you more comfort while fishing. The versatile Socorro SW reels are great for inshore and offshore fishing for multiple species, whether you’re using bait, hardbody lures or jigs. Available in four sizes ranging from 5000 to 10,000, the Socorro has a waterproof cross carbon drag so you can maintain complete control, even when battling the strongest of fish. The series incorporates Shimano’s highend technologies such as Hagane, their waterresistant drag, and X-Ship. Price: from $64 (Sienna), from $129 (Socorro) www.shimanofish.com.au

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

KUTTAFURRA REDFIN

Aaron Young from Kuttafurra lures is recognised as one of Australia’s premier lure makers. He has won numerous awards acknowledging his skills as a lure designer, for his artistic flair and his attention to detail. The Kuttafurra Redfin is another feather in his cap. The lure is 90mm long and dives to 3m. Aaron has cleverly painted each colour with a focus on mimicking the redfin that are in our waterways. With an enticing action that appeals to our native species, the Redfin can be fished in many situations. Slow rolled or retrieved with small sweeps of the rod tip see this lure come alive. And like all good Australian native lures, the Kuttafurra Redfin can be thrown in the thickest structure and retrieved back through without hanging up as it bumps and bounces its way through letting the fish know it’s there. Kuttafurra Lures are available at selected quality tackle outlets. kuttafurralures@outlook.com

ZEREK MEASURING TAPE

Most measuring tapes are large and cumbersome but the Zerek Marsh Slider Measuring Tape is not. It’s a pocket-sized measuring tape that will go anywhere and fit anywhere, giving all anglers the chance to measure their fish in any situation. Constructed using durable PVC and with large numbers for easy reading, the Zerek Measuring Tape measures fish up to 120cm, and it rolls up to a very compact 13cm high by 7.5cm wide. Conveniently small, easy to use and easier to store, including in your pocket while you’re walking and fishing from the bank, the Zerek Marsh Slider Measuring Tape is a handy and simple tool to help you know the length of your catch anywhere at any time. www.wilsonfishing.com

SHAD

RAPALA SHADOW RAP

Big fish can’t resist the tantalizing, slowrising action of new Shadow Rap Shad from Rapala. Swimming with the infamous horizontal struggle with a vertical ‘rise’ on pause, they perfectly mimic a shad in trouble. The larger profile presents more flash and the option to fish from a finesse to more aggressive retrieve. Kicking almost 180° right then left, with very little forward travel, the Shadow Rap Shad stays in the strike zone. With its head up and ready to rise, the fixed weight system allows lure to rise slowly like a dying shad. After a sharp snap and generous slack line, it will actually spin around and look backwards. Features include: textured scale body; translucent and frosted colours; sharp left to right turns; slow rising on pause; and premium VMC thin wire black nickel round bend hooks. Weighing 12g and measuring 9cm in length, the Shadow Rap Shad is available in a shallow and deep model that dives to 3-4ft and 5-6ft respectively. www.rapala.com.au

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

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FIND THE ZEREK LOGO

GEORGE & NEV by Michael Hardy

March locations: 11, 15, 16, 22, 24, 26, 34, 40, 44, 50, 54, 68, 76, 85, 86, 87. – QFM The Find the Zerek logo prize winners for March were: M Chadwick of Gladstone, W Fishburn of Bundaberg, O Noffke of Kulangoor, J Handley of Pacific Haven, G Yarrow of Miriam Vale, J Wogandt of Urangun, R Henderson of Cornubia, D Smith of Sunnybank, K Ludeke of Buderim, A Hewlett of Mothar Mountain, L Green of Kairi, P Kinbacher of Maryborough, J Luckman of Southbrook, R Saunders of Penrith, D Cauchi of Bundaberg, N Flor of Ormeau, B Pratt of Bundaberg, L Davis of Pacific Pines, J Schofield of Kawana, K Ripley of Mudgeeraba, S Whitfield of Broadbeach, K Walden of Wurtulla, K Esser of Kent Town, D Croaker of Shailer Park, C Bull of Coombabah, C Daniel of Brightview , K Edwards of Innisfail, M Wilson of Murgon, T Forrest of Rockhampton, P Crust of Booval, J Willmann of Windaroo, S Cummings of Mareeba, D Leciej of Hervey Bay, R Linkvist of Queenbeyan, P Fels of Cushnie, B Chappell of Miriam Vale, K Cook of • New Sunshine Coast MC, S Staatsproducts of Yamanto, A Graeff of • Videos The Gap, D Male of Bongaree. • Indepth Reviews Prize delivery takes up to 8 weeks. – QFM

check out! 94

MAY 2016

E B I R C S SUB + WIN!

S R E IB R C S B U S Y K C U L 3 HAVE THE CHANCE

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UFI THIS SILSTAR/OKUMA/S PACKAGE

Silstar Mega Bag

Featuring a water resistant shell and a waterproof EVA base, the Mega Bag ensures your gear stays dry all day long. The true test of a good fishing bag always lies in the quality of the zips, this is why nylon zippers have been utilized to prevent any unwanted corrosion.

Okuma Inspira other products To view these and many C visit... available from Rapala VM

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Buyer beware of Boobies’ homemade rum... BRISBANE

The Sheik of the Creek

When I was younger, I thought I had all the answers to fishing, but now I know I don’t even have some of the answers. And that small amount of answers I have are only to some of the questions. Combine those two facts and it’s apparent that being on the water involves a state of constant learning if you don’t want things to go completely pear shaped. This is especially true of my trips with fellow Dudds when my learning experience was accelerated. When I’m reading stuff in this mag and the occasional others I get insights, but it’s on field trips that I can really stash away some intellectual gold. For example, here are some of the things I learnt on my last trip. • Plenty of bait = bugger all bites. Bugger all bait = plenty of bites. • Crab pot bait comes out of the pot much more easily when you’re trying to shake a crab out compared to when you’re trying to pack up at the end of the trip. At that point, bait will become

MAY 2016

lodged like a fat dog in a cat cage, and require being torn into many pieces to get it out. These pieces fling juice into your face, then fall into the boat and lodge in inaccessible places, waiting to be found at the end of a trail of maggots in several days’ time. • The reason you have the old cast net in the boat is so you can throw into those areas you’re not familiar with. Use the old cast net. • Oysters are sharp. See above. • You always have less fuel than you think. • Keep a towrope in your boat, for when you need help getting back to the ramp. • It’s always rougher than it looks from the beach. • Fish shrink in the esky. • Small crabs still have strong claws. • Compare the quality of bait put on Skipper’s hooks with mine. Check under containers around his side where the fresher, meatier pieces tend to ‘get lost’ until Skipper needs to rebait. • The water is always shallower than you think. • The rocks are always higher than you think. • Shallow water and high rocks do not a propeller make.

• Don’t agree to sample Boobies’ new smoky flavoured rum. Especially don’t do this just before

going to sleep. Or the time you would have liked to go to sleep. • Fishing residences should

have more than one toilet. • Always bring your own bog rolls. Gladwrap does not good toilet paper make.

For those who missed it, the last three points are all linked together. Ignore these lessons at your peril.

The fish are long when the currents are strong HERVEY BAY

Jackson Bargenquast

Currents play a major part in fishing, whether you are dropping jigs or plastics onto offshore reefs, casting lures around inshore structure or even soaking some baits upstream – the way we fish and the success we have is all dependent on the winds of the ocean.

where they are out of the current and where they are safe from predators. Deep holes and eddies behind rock bars or sand banks serve a similar purpose, and schools of fish are often observed on the sounder performing these activities at different stages of the tide. When the fish hug the bottom or against their shelter they are often very hard to get a bite from. At this stage they become shut down

returned at low tide and the fish where still there, but now they were swimming high in the water column and were actively swimming around. Grandad dropped a Gold Bomber behind the boat and within seconds he hooked up to a 1.2m monster. It had been a while since he had caught a decent fish and it sure gave him a workout! This just goes to show that the stage of the tide, the

This big queenie ate a soft plastic worked over an inshore reef on the slack tide.

Livo with a 15kg river giant trevally caught in a hole, while the current was strong. Predatory fish love to wait in ambush locations where there is shelter, snags and other underwater obstacles. These spots are perfect as they can not only stalk their prey and stay hidden from sharks or larger fish, but also stay sheltered from the raging currents that would otherwise sweep them away. At different stages of the tides currents can flow faster, harder, and in different directions. This affects the way fish use their cover. On the slack tide, fish will often venture out of their oasis and forage for food in the surrounding area but when the tide begins to push they will position themselves

and are primarily focused on holding their position. When they arise from the seabed or leave their snag they are hunting, and this is when they will be interested in your lure or bait. An example of this is when Dad, Grandad, and I headed out on the Mary one afternoon to fish the drains and gutters. It didn’t take us long to find a large school of threadfin hugging the bottom in the mouth of a large deep gutter, but it was high tide and the currents were raging, the fish were clearly not in the mood to bite, so we spent a good hour for nothing, before moving on to fish elsewhere. Later that afternoon, we

Pelagic species like mac tuna may only feed on the surface at certain stages of the tide when the bait is schooled up. A Gomoku jig rigged like a slug worked well on this particular day; it matched to the small hardiheads exactly.

depth or clarity of the water and of course the strength of the flowing currents greatly affects the feeding patterns and behaviours of fish. When fish show up on the sounder but aren’t showing the right signs, or if you are struggling to get a hook-up it is best to leave the fish and return on the slack tide when they begin to feed, otherwise you could spend frustrated hours when the fish aren’t even interested. tThis explains how reef and river fish often behave, but pelagic fish are another story. THE PELAGIC STORY Ocean-going fish like tuna and mackerel aren’t as affected by the tides in the sense that they don’t require shelter. They’ve evolved to

Grandad displays his cracker threadie caught in a deep gutter. The fish were showing good signs when viewed on the sounder, such as swimming high in the water column. keep swimming and don’t need to rest in calm water. While this is true, they may hang deep near the bottom or not be as aggressive feeders at different stages of the tide, and you may have to vary the lures and baits you use when this occurs. Oceanic currents are essential for the spawning of many fish species, and affects when and where

Black marlin may only turn up in areas like Hervey Bay if the oceanic currents funnel them in the right direction.

pelagics swim. For example, the famous run of juvenile black marlin in Hervey Bay doesn’t occur every year, and when it does the number of fish around, the depth they prefer to swim in and even how long the season lasts can vary. This all depends on where the currents take them. Other species like tuna, queenfish and trevally can be affected in similar ways. Inshore rock bars, deep holes and snaggy country should be fished at different times of the tide and different levels of light, and you should commit to a thorough experiment to determine what lures or bait are the most effective for the target species. It is wise to scan the area with a sounder to see if the structure holds fish and how they are behaving before you start fishing. For offshore activity, local knowledge of the fish behaviour, and an examination of what they are feeding on will help, but the only real way to figure out pelagic fish is through trial and error. Inshore

species targeted around current-affected areas include queenfish, barramundi, threadfin salmon, tailor, flathead and even giant trevally. Using the currents to your advantage when working lures and positioning baits can catch these species. Use the currents in a similar way to target tuna, mackerel, trevally, cobia, marlin and of course the abundance of reef fish. Another tip with this kind of fishing is to find the schools of bait to, in turn, find the fish. The match the hatch policy is particularly important in this situation. Baitfishing is much more effective in running water, where the scent of the bait will be washed with the current. In still water it will take much longer for the scent to waft out into the surrounding body of water. Remember this kind of fishing can be pretty high tech and complicated and could take years of practice to figure out, so don’t be worried if you fail the first few times, persistence pays off. Best of luck to all anglers! MAY 2016

FIND THE

LOGO COMPETITION There are 15

MAJOR PRIZES

MONTHLY PRIZES

Logos hidden throughout the pages of Fishing Monthly.

PLACE

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 Shrimp Hook Pack. All entries will go into the major prize draw. (Drawn MAY 31, 2016)

VALUE OF WILSON PRODUCTS

400

$ ND

2 6

PLACE

VALUE OF WILSON PRODUCTS

200

$ RD

• Zerek 2” Live Shrimp Hook Pack • 1gm and 3 gm weighted worm hook/jig head • Value RRP: $11.95 each

www.wilsonfishing.com PAGE NO: 1

600

$ ST

Find the

PLACE

VALUE OF WILSON PRODUCTS

NAME ............................................................................................................ ADDRESS .......................................................................................................

Original entries only. No photocopies. Images for illustration purposes only.

SUBURB .................................................................P/CODE ........................... PHONE ..................................................................MOB ............................... EMAIL ............................................................................................................

QFM MAY 2016

MAIL ENTRIES TO:

QFM Find the Zerek Logo Competition, PO BOX 3172, Loganholme QLD 4129 Entries must be received by 31ST MAY 2016

100 years of experience Goes inTo every hook

Cooking

BBQ skewered prawns are simply delicious BRISBANE

Lynn Bain

7 100

MAY 2016

Skewered prawns are a simple affair, yet they can be enhanced by a little creative presentation.

Ingredients Various sizes of prawns Oil with citrus zest, garlic and parsley

I like the visual effect of three different sized pawns on the skewers, which means I buy tiger prawns and banana prawns to go with my own catch.

Thread each type of prawn on to the skewer, starting with the biggest to the smallest.

Prepare the garlic oil: in a jar, combine citrus zest, garlic clove (either finely grated or crushed), tablespoon of finely chopped flat leaf parsley, 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.

Place the skewered prawns on a hot BBQ and give them a brush with oil while cooking. Cook for approximately a minute each side.

Shell, de-head and de-vein all the prawns and then split the batch in two â&#x20AC;&#x201C; half with the tail on; the other half have the tail removed.

Repeat the process in two batches â&#x20AC;&#x201C; tail on and tail removed. Once prepped, keep the prawns in the fridge until you are ready cook them on the BBQ.

Half an hour before cooking, brush the garlic oil onto the prawns. Give the prawns another brush just before cooking.

Skewered prawns are a great afternoon finger food for the family.

TOURNAMENT CALENDAR 2016 MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

May 7-8

BASS Electric #3 Toonumbar Dam

Adrian Melchior 0415 587 900

May 15

Rnd 7 Hobie Kayak BREAM series St Georges Basin

www.hobiefishing.com.au

May 27-29

King of the Pin Jumpinpin

Don Vogel www.sundownersfishing.com

Jun 3-5 Wilson Moreton Bay Fishing Challenge Redlands

Peter Balkin 0402794748 peter.balkin@hotmail.com

Jun 5

www.hobiefishing.com.au

Rnd 8 Hobie Kayak BREAM series Gold Coast

Jun 11-12 BREAM Qualifier #6 Forster

ABT 07 3387 0888 abt.org.au

Jun 16-17

BASS Pro Qualifier #4 Boondooma

www.abt.org.au

Jun 26

Rnd 9 Hobie Kayak BREAM series Port Macquarie

www.hobiefishing.com.au

Jul 2-3

Rnd 10 Hobie Kayak BREAM series Mandurah

www.hobiefishing.com.au

Jul 10

BASS Electric #4 Hinze Dam

Justin Thompson 0421 476 392

Jul 23-24

Rnd 11 Hobie Kayak BREAM series Lake Macquarie

www.hobiefishing.com.au

Jul 23-24

MBTBC Fishing Classic Moreton Bay

(07) 3396 8161

Aug 20-21

BREAM Qualifier #7 Clarence River

ABT 07 3387 0888 abt.org.au

Aug 24-25

BREAM Qualifier #8 Gold Coast

ABT 07 3387 0888 abt.org.au

Aug 27-28

Rnd 12 Hobie Kayak BREAM series Wallis Lake

www.hobiefishing.com.au

Aug 27-28

BASS Electric #5 Borumba Dam

Steve Noble 0409 239 065

Sept 10-11

Rnd 13 Hobie Kayak BREAM series Nelson

www.hobiefishing.com.au

Sept 10-11

Rnd 13 Hobie Kayak BREAM series Nelson

www.hobiefishing.com.au

Sept 17-18 Bowen Family Fishing Classic Bowen

Russ McCabbin 4786 3899 www.bowenfamilyfishingclassic.com

Sept 25

BASS Electric #6 Lake St Clair

Daniel Clancy 0419 690 418

Oct 8-9

Rnd 14 Hobie Kayak BREAM series Bribie Island

www.hobiefishing.com.au

Oct 22-23

BASS Electric Convention Maroon Dam

www.abt.org.au

Oct 28-30

Hobie Kayak BREAM Aus Championship Queensland

www.hobiefishing.com.au

Nov 11-13 BREAM Grand Final St Georges Basin

ABT 07 3387 0888 abt.org.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. MAY 2016

101

yak Hobie Ka ries Se BREAteMd by Daiwa Presen

Sunday 20 March saw the numbers of the Sydney round doubled from the 2015 season, with 66 kayak anglers from New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and

Chin stays up in testing conditions ‘One Day Wonder’ of the 2016 season. There were 27 anglers in Atomic round four who hauled aboard full bags, which was four bream on the day. A total of 149 fish with a combined weight of 78.32kg

Winning Tackle Line: Unitika Bream Super PE Jr 8lb Leader: Unitika Silver Thread FC 4lb Rod: Samurai Reaction RE181-70 7ft 3-6lb Reel: Shimano Stradic CI4 1000F Lure/s: Atomic Hardz Metalz 35 1/8oz in ‘hay u’ colour, and Hardz Bream Crank 38 Double Deep in ghost brown shad

Brad Chin with his belter 1.43kg bream, which took out the Boss Hog Big Bream for the day. Victoria. Anglers blasted through the Power-Pole starting gates and out onto the head waters of the Georges River and the southwestern reaches of Botany Bay in the first

were brought to the scales after a day of fishing. Tough conditions tested anglers’ kayak handling skills with strong winds and driving rain coming in around midday, adding an extra unpleasant

condition that lasted until the end of the day. Anglers were chasing the round win and a place in the Australian Championship, Angler of the Year and rankings points as they headed to their preferred starting locations at 7am. The vast majority headed to Woolooware Bay with its oyster racks, mangrove, flats and derelict boat hulls. Others split in small numbers heading under the Captain Cook Bridge to fish boat hulls around a number of mooring sites and a small group headed into the edge of Botany Bay itself. At the end of one of the toughest days on the water this season, the Lowrance Leaderboard was headed by Brad Chin from Heathcote in New South Wales with an impressive four bream bag weighing 3.28kg, taking home $1100. Chin also picked up a bonus $100, taking out the Hogs Breath Cafe Boss Hog Big Bream (the biggest fish of the tournament), the monster weighed in at 1.43kg, the heaviest bream caught at any round so far in 2016. At the end of the day, Chin held a 350g weight advantage over second place finisher Simon Morley, from Bulli in New South Wales, who bagged four bream for 2.93kg and round three winner Carl Dubois from Sydney continued a successful run of performances, netting a four bream bag at 2.86kg and third place, his second podium finish in the last two rounds of the series.

RESULTS Place

Angler

Fish

Weight (kg)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Brad Chin Simon Morely Carl Dubois Jim Barrie Luke Key Chris Seeto Terry Grima Mark Muggleton Jason Meech James Rogan

4/4 4/4 4/4 4/4 4/4 4/4 4/4 4/4 4/4 4/4

3.28 2.93 2.86 2.73 2.69 2.69 2.65 2.47 2.28 2.23

Women: Grand Masters: Youth: First Timer:

Tracey Wright Brian Rutledge James Morgan Allen Delaney

CHIN’S ATOMIC EXPLOSION Decked out in Atomic gear, it was a touch of irony that Chin blasted his way to win the Atomic round, his first time ever to compete in the bream series. Chin said that he went into the one day tournament with a well thought out game plan in mind. “I was always going to fish Kogarah Bay, blading around the boat hulls and hitting their anchor blocks and using deep cranks along the edges,” he said. “I stuck to my plan and for most of the day and I was basically there by myself, I only ever saw a couple of other competitors. The plan worked well, but the wind was a bit of a factor because I was using the Hobie MirageDrive the whole time when I was facing into the wind, casting into the bow of the boats and

Payout $1100 $570 $370 $170 $140 $130 $110 $100 $90 $70

1.37kg 1.84kg 0.87kg 1.49kg

bringing the blades back. I couldn’t have done it without the MirageDrive. “When I moved from the boats, the edges I found today were pretty bouldery, so I was throwing the hardbodies at them and slow rolling over the boulders waiting for the hit to come on. “I had a few mishaps during the day, my home made livewell broke while I was out there. I overcame the problem by emptying out my drinking water bottle and continually topping up the water with it. It was a homemade livewell and so now I’ve won, I’ve got myself a bit of money to buy myself a new Hobie Livewell XL… a proper one. Despite the draw backs, I ended up getting some good fish, so overall I had a cracker of a day. “I got back early because there were a couple of fish I was a bit worried about so I

ended up standing out in the water for an hour and a half swimming a couple of fish in a net to keep them healthy. I was happy to see them swim away strongly after the weigh-in. “What a great event this was despite the weather, Hobie has the reputation of putting on great kayak events, and I mainly do boating events, but I reckon this would have to be one of the best events going around, a great production. I’ll definitely be having a go at a few more. “If I get permission from my wife I might have a go at the Hobie Fishing Worlds rounds next year!” WINNING WAYS. “I think the blade gave me the edge today. The Atomic blades are my go to lures and seem to work really well, especially in that ‘hay u’ colour, it’s definitely one of my favourites.”

Morley monsters opposition to claim second 2015 Australian kayak Angler of the Year Simon Morley worked the magic that won him many podium finishes last year, landing him into the top three for the first time in the current series. “I was pretty happy really with how I went, I got a fair few fish. I caught two legal fish early and a lot of small fish and I jagged my big one at about a quarter to nine, which was really good,” Morely said. “It took a bit longer to get my fourth legal to fill my bag. From then on, I slowly upgraded all day and overall I probably caught 10 legals and maybe 15 smaller fish.

“From the start I headed straight over from the event site to the Woolooware oyster racks and I stayed there the whole day. I fished using a Daiwa Steez 2560 reel on 13 Fish Envy Black rods and I caught most of my fish on Atomic Hardz. That combination really worked for me today, just slow rolling the Atomic hardbodies. “The weather was fantastic, everybody loves a bit of rain, right? There was plenty of wind too, but I actually like the wind because it makes the fish feel safe and lets them come out and play a bit better. It can be a bit painful in heavy wind and because of it I had to keep pedalling

Mortgage Corp Monster Mover The ‘One Dayer’ Mortgage Corp Door Prize for round 4, went to Justine Belobraydich who was able to finish her first Hobie tournament, a day that was a real struggle, on a high note taking away the Mortgage Corp Picnic Pack. 102

MAY 2016

The top ‘First Timer’ at the end of the tournament taking home a Hobie Fishing Jersey and a Hobie Cap was Allen Delaney from NSW. SPECIAL THANKS As with all of the events in the Hobie Kayak Bream Series, this round could not have gone ahead without the generous support of our

sponsors Daiwa, Berkley, Atomic, Lowrance, RhinoRack, Strike Pro, TT Lures, Power-Pole, Mortgage Corp, Hog’s Breath Cafe and ABT. Thanks also to the team from Sailing Scene in Mona Vale who sat through a day of wind and rain to provide Hobie dealer support. – Hobie

HOG’S BREATH BOSS HOG

Anglers were met with testing conditions, however most still managed to catch fish. non-stop all day. But I used the wind to my advantage and I think the fish were more interested when I threw low trajectory casts into the wind and worked it back slowly with the wind and waves. I reckon without that technique, I wouldn’t have caught nearly as many fish”. FIRST TIMERS This year, Hobie Fishing have been encouraging

‘First Timer’ competitors to enter tournament kayak fishing with free entry into the Hobie Kayak Bream Series events. The Atomic round over the weekend saw the largest number of new entries this season with seven new anglers joining the old hands. Well done on a really hard day on the water to the whole group and Hobie Fishing hopes to see you all back in future rounds.

BIG BREAM AWARD Round winner Brad Chin TOP 10 NON-BOATERS pigged out this round and weighed in the tournament’s biggest fish, a 1.43kg BASS ELECTRIC SERIES bream, taking another $100 home for his efforts with the Hog’s Breath Cafe Boss Hog Big Bream cheque. He caught the Boss Hog using an Atomic Hardz Metalz 35 1/8oz in ‘hay u’ colour. HOGS BREATH BOSS HOG PAY TO:

Hogs Breath Boss Hog

FOR THE SUM OF:

One Hundred Dollars Fishing Tournaments bass • bream • barra

DATE:

$ 100

25th Moreton Bay and Offshore Family Challenge Preparations for the 25th anniversary of the Challenge are well under way. Prizes are being organized and allocated to various categories and final planning is in place. Our major sponsor Wilson is providing a prize for every junior entrant as well some excellent prizes for the event. The comp will be held on 3-5th June. There will also be lots of great prizes donated by

our other sponsors. Now in its 25th year, the Challenge continues to provide a competition for competitor’s whether they are serious hard core fishos or novices just having a bit of fun and hoping to win one of the many prizes available. The major prize for seniors is a Sea Jay 4.25 Magnum 2 boat supplied by Stones Corner Marin and wrapped by Bonzagrafics. Junior’s prize is two

kayaks and a $500 gift card donated by BCF Capalaba. Competitors don’t even have to weigh in a fish to be eligible to win, as both prizes are lucky draws. There are also lots of prizes up for grabs for the daily pick of the board, daily magazine draw, business card draw and one for the most distance travelled to attend the event. There are categories catering for Senior’s, Ladies’, Junior’s, catch and release

Last year saw a great turn out over the weekend. Photo courtesy of AW Images.

Anglers of all ages will be flocking to Challenge. Photo courtesy of AW Images.

Flathead, Secret Weight and a Grand Slam competition for both Inshore and Offshore. Several raffles will be held over the week end including a 110L Waeco esky full of prizes drawn on the last day. The Challenge bar will be opened for drinks after a hard days fishing and entertainment will be available for the kids. There will be a variety of food available including a sausage sizzle and coffee stall.

25 th Anniversary FISHING TACKLE SPECIALISTS

Capalaba, Bay Fm, Redland City Bulletin, Bayside Suzuki Marine, BCF Capalaba, Boatcatch, Bonzagraphics, Bush’n Beach, Fraser View Holiday Letting, Greenscene Landscapes, Hays Crab Pots, Mark Robinson M L A, P & A Bricklaying, Queensland Trailer Spares, Queensland Fishing Monthly, Secure Steel, Stradbroke Ferries, Redland Bay Garage, and Wedderburn Scales. – Peter Balkin

ENTRY FORM Name: ................................................................................... Email: .................................................................................... Address: ............................................................................... ..............................................................................................

WILSON MORETON BAY & OFFSHORE FAMILY FISHING CHALLENGE

3rd – 5th JUNE 2016 – 247 The Esplanade, Redland Bay • Major Prize – Sea Jay 4.25m Magnum with Yamaha 30hp. • Cash and prizes worth tens of thousands of dollars to give away. • Lucky draws and raffles daily – business card draw and more. • Rides and activities for the kids daily – you don’t have to fish to enjoy the day and win prizes. Big Knobby Club – Kilo Bream Club – 40cm Whiting Club – Snapper – Pearl Perch – Jew – Pelagic - Sweet Lip – Tusk Fish – Tailor – Cobia – Flathead (Max 60cm)

If you are looking for a fun filled week end come along and join us in celebrate our 25th year of providing a great event for the Redlands community. Thanks to all of our sponsors who have supported us and help make this event possible. We wish to thank Wilson fishing tackle, Events in Tents, Stones Corner Marine, Toll, Alvey, Artic Ice Works, Victoria Point Auto Works, Battery World

Phone: .................................................................................. Boat Name/Call Sign: ........................................................... Boat Type: ............................................................................ One Entry Form Per Person ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: I have read and accepted the rules and conditions* as indicated by my signature below, laid down by the Moreton Bay and Offshore Family Fishing Challenge. A contract in the terms set out below between Redland Bay Amateur Fishing Club Inc, and the intending competitor/entrants application to complete. In consideration of and as a condition of acceptance of my entry in the Moreton Bay Challenge (of whatever is the correct name of the event: hereinafter referred to as the competition.

Download entry forms from u www.rbafc.org.a

3 Major Categories GRANDSLAM: SECRET WEIGHT:

Inshore & Offshore Seniors (Snapper) Juniors (Bream) CATCH AND RELEASE LARGEST FLATHEAD: Seniors Ladies Juniors

$500 cash & $500 prizes $450 cash & $500 prizes $200 cash & $500 prizes $300 cash & $300 prizes $200 cash & $200 prizes $400 prizes

I, myself, and heirs, my executors and administrators hereby waive and release all and claim, right or cause for action which I or they might otherwise have for arising out of loss of life or injury, loss or damage of any description whatsoever which I may suffer or sustain in the course of, or consequent upon, my entry or participation in the competition. I hereby acknowledge that I have sole responsibility of my personal possessions and equipment during the competition and it’s relevant activities and functions. I hereby consent to receive such medical treatment that may be deemed advisable in the event of injury, accident and/or illness during the competition. I agree to comply with the rules and directions of the competition officials and their servants and/or agents. I hereby allow the free use of my name and picture in broadcasts telecasts and press of the competition as they pertain to the competition, pre and post event. I hereby acknowledge this waiver, release and discharge shall operate separately in favour of all persons, corporations, associations and bodies involved or otherwise engaged in promoting or staging the competition and their servants, agents, representatives and officers and includes but is not limited to the various committees and members of the Redland Bay Amateur Fishing Club and all sponsors, and shall operate whether or not the loss, injury or damage is attributed to the act or neglect of one of any more of them. Payment in favour of the Redland Bay Amateur Fishing Club Inc is enclosed.

Entry fees:

$200 Family Package (2 x seniors 2 x juniors) $100 Senior (Ladies and Men) $30 Junior under the age of 16 years as at 3rd June 2016-04-18

Signed: ....................................................................................... Please place X in appropriate box: SENIOR

JUNIOR

LADIES

FAMILY

Amount Enclosed:$ .................................................................... Send entry form & cheque or money order to RBAFC Inc, PO Box 7098, Redland Bay, Qld 4165. OFFICE USE ONLY ENTRANT REGO No: ................................................................. MAY 2016

103

Be the King Pin at the King of the Pin competition There are several iconic fishing competitions held in our wonderful state, but the annual King of the

Pin competition (run by the Sundowners Amateur Fishing Club) stands out as one of the most popular

and longest running. Not only does it open up the opportunity to win cash and prizes donated by some very generous sponsors – it’s also a great excuse to get away for the weekend with your mates or family and do some serious fishing. This year there is a new ‘catch and release’ section running alongside the weigh-in section of the competition, for those interested in returning their catch after a quick photo on the Brag Mat. Fishing wholesaler Austackle is proud to be sponsoring and presenting this new and exciting division of the competition. There is a cash prize of $2000 for a random species draw and plenty of prizes as well. All you have to do is enter the completion and you are eligible to win a boat, motor and trailer package. Entry is $35 for adults and $15 for juniors (under 15). For more information and access to the tournament handbook check out the website www. sundownersfishing.com or visit the Facebook page ‘King of the Pin’. Entry forms are available at several local businesses. – FMG

Top: Many junior anglers are encouraged to participate each year, and they have a ball! Bottom: The King of the Pin competition draws a healthy crowd each year for the popular weigh-in segment. This year introduces an exciting catch and release competition.

Inaugural SCIBS comp

Sundowners AMATEUR FISHING CLUB INC

COMPETITION 2016

SENIORS RANDOM SPECIES DRAW

JUNIORS - Anaconda Prize Pack Everton

Park

... PETITION WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO WIN ALL PERSONS ENTERING THE COM

A BOAT PACKAGE A HOUSEBOAT HOLIDAY

TICKET ENTRY PRIZES

Prizes will be drawn at the conclusion of the weigh-in Winner must be present with receipt or prize will be redrawn

27th, 28th & 29th May 2016 WEIGH-IN GEM HOTEL CNR ROTARY RD & JACOBS WELL RD ALBERTON SUNDAY 29th MAY 11.00am - 1.00pm (Beenleigh Special School will be a beneficiary of the function)

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MAY 2016

Family favourite fishing and boating guru Paul Burt has signed on as SCIBS Ambassador for the third year running, and is heading up the inaugural 2016 SCIBS Live Bream Shoot Out. The 7 News weather, beach, boating and fishing expert is one of Queensland’s most popular TV presenters, and said he was thrilled that a fishing tournament was being introduced as a Boat Show fixture. “This year’s SCIBS will feature The Boatyard, a dedicated area featuring a vast array of trailer boats, sports and angling crafts,” Paul said. “The Shimano Super Tank will be there too with daily live demonstrations and fishing tips. The addition of the fishing tournament brings a competitive aspect to the show which will be both entertaining and educational for many visitors.” The 2016 SCIBS Live Bream Shoot Out will be a family-friendly, winner takes all contest, held over

the Saturday and Sunday of SCIBS, from May 21-22. All entrants must have their own boat – this can be a tinny, RIB or any kind of registered boat – and each team must consist of two people. Entry fees are $50 per person, with competitors heading out at 6am anywhere from Jumpinpin to the Nerang River (bearing in mind the exclusion zones). Entrants are able to bring back a maximum of 10 fish per team in line with Fisheries Queensland daily catch limits. Paul said the format of the tournament meant all amateur anglers were able to register, while the broader public could enjoy the spectacle of the weigh-in and release of the day’s catch. “Competitors will return for a 1pm weigh-in each day and their fish will be released into the Shimano Super Tank so everybody can see them,” Paul said. “Then the winning team will receive the $3000 prize pool on the Sunday before the fish are released back to the water.”

The 2016 SCIBS Live Bream Shoot Out will add another element to an already diverse program of events at this year’s Show, said Paul. “The boating lifestyle goes beyond the biggest and newest boats. It’s accessible to everybody. All around Australia, from dams and rivers to the Gold Coast canals, broadwater and ocean, it can be enjoyed with a rod and reel, or just sitting with a nice meal and a water view.” Paul said he was thrilled to continue his involvement with SCIBS as Ambassador and host of the 2016 SCIBS Live Bream Shoot Out. “Anybody who has a love for boating, fishing or the marine lifestyle knows SCIBS is the show to visit when it comes to seeing the most innovative products and enjoying a great day’s entertainment,” Paul said. Places are limited with team participation being capped at 50. For full details visit www.sanctuarycove boatshow.com.au. – SCIBS

S TRIC SERIE C E L E S S BA Competitors were greeted with cloudy skies for the first round of the 2016 Bluefin/ePropulsion BASS Electric Series. Throughout the session anglers were subjected to numerous squalls, but this did nothing to dampen the mood of what was a fantastic event. Anglers that adapted to these conditions reaped the rewards, with 41 bass brought to the scales with an average weight of 705g â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a fantastic average for this fishery.

Thorley throws onetwo punch for victory

Taking out top honours amongst was ABT veteran Tony Thorley with a 2/2 limit for 1.77kg. Thorley targeted fish in the back of a weedchoked bay, where he used the overcast conditions to his advantage. Throwing a top-water presentation of a Jackall Mask Frog, Thorley would cast the lure deep into the water lilies and work the lure slowly, waiting for a bass to explode from underneath the vegetation. Once his surface bite had slowed, Thorley moved to the

THE FUTURE IS HERE Self-contained Electric Outboards

Tony Thorley took out top honours on what was a rainy and overcast day at Clarrie Hall Dam. edge of the weed and worked a small jerkbait, namely an Imakatsu RipRizer, which helped him capture a few late upgrades, one of which was the events big bass of 950g. Thorley relied on a Daiwa Zero rod, paired with a Daiwa Luvias spooled with Toray Light Jigging PE to present his offerings to the hungry bass.

2015 Clarrie Hall champion, Chesley Lennon, took out second place, missing out on the top spot by the smallest measureable margin, a mere 10g. Weighing a 2/2 limit for 1.76kg, Chesley targeted a small area in the middle reaches of the lake were he worked a small section of bank with two techniques.

ABT veteran Jack Gold finished in third place.

WINNING NOTES

Winning Tackle

Rod: Daiwa Zero Reel: Daiwa Luvias 2000 Line: Toray Light Jigging PE Lure: Jackall Mask Frog, Imakatsu RipRizer 60

Winning Ways

Thorley identified the surface bite was only active when the clouds and rain were present, as soon as this ended, he quickly switched to the subsurface jerk bait presentation to secure a few late upgrades.

Sue Barber claimed fifth place out of a field of 45 anglers.

RESULTS Place

Angler

Fish Weight Big Bass

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Tony Thorley Chez Lennon Jack Gold Ben Biggs Sue Barber Chris Osley Matt Johnson Alex Roy Dean Thompson Trent Jepson

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

1.77 1.76 1.70 1.67 1.49 1.46 1.45 1.43 1.42 1.40

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

0.95 0.92 0.94

He opted to fish a OSP I-Waver when the clouds would come over and then switched to a deep Jackall Chubby when the sun would burn through the clouds. Jack Gold took out third place with 2/2 for 1.70kg. Jack fished the upper reaches of the lake to find his limit. Jack positioned his boat so he could target the small weed pockets with his Mazzy Popper, catching plenty of fish off the surface to great success.

Visit www.abt.org.au for entry forms. For general enquiries phone ABT on (07) 3387 0888. MAY 2016

105

Cone grubs his way to victory CE 1ST PLA For Willow Tree’s Mitchell Cone, October last year at Glenbawn was both a day of heartbreak and joy. Joy that his long-time friend and camping partner Peter Phelps had just punched his ticket to the USA as the 2015 ABT BASS Pro Grand Final winner, and heartbreak as he relinquished his overnight lead, struggling to find the big bites that had come so easily in sessions one and two. Fast forward to March 2016, and Cone has taken one back, coming from second place to dethrone Phelps and claim his maiden ABT BASS Pro victory as champion of the BassCat Lake Glenbawn BASS Pro round. Weighing a full 12/12, 11.65kg limit in

THE FUTURE IS HERE Self-contained Electric Outboards

the new shared-weight format, Cone’s margin of victory was over 300g. Cone rode the deep bite all the way to the top of the podium, by targeting fish staging in 45-55ft of water inside Glenbawn’s timber ridden main basin. Cone relied on the vertical presentation of a single tail grub plastic slowly wound off the bottom to trigger active fish to bite. A 2.25” Pontoon 21 Pillo Grub and a 3” Berkley Minnow Grub were his lures of choice, matched to Bassman jigheads in 1/4oz and 1/8oz. Cone is a big believer in finding new fish for every session, especially after his fish eluded him in the final session of the 2015 BASS Pro Grand Final. Rather than staying stationary, Cone prefers to move very slowly along the depth line he is targeting, pitching his lure ahead of his boat 20-30ft and moving over the top of the lure by the time it has sunk to the bottom.

This was Mitchell Cone’s first ABT BASS Pro victory, and he was understandably excited.

“I think finding fresh fish was the key this weekend,” said Cone. “I’ve been caught out in the past and even a few weeks ago trying to make fish bite, when I should have kept moving and found active fish.” Contrary to the popular

The moment of victory! theory ‘fish light – get the bite,’ Cone prefers to fish heavier to ensure every bass he hooks has maximum chance of landing into the livewell. “I don’t think you need to go down to 3-4lb leaders to make these fish bite. I think if you were sitting over the same fish constantly it may make a difference but with the way I fish, I’m constantly over new fish, so I prefer to fish heavier to make sure I don’t lose them in the trees.”

Slow roll retrieve

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MAY 2016

opts to spool the reel with 4lb Fireline Crystal braided line and finishes it with a 6lb Gamma fluorocarbon leader. “The key is to find fish sitting close to the bottom in 45-55ft,” said Cone, adding that getting fish to follow his lure to the bottom was usually a good indication that the fish were active and he would be able to make them bite. The technique to turn follows into bites was fairly simple, a dead slow roll off the bottom, just

Damiki and Berkley Grubs ruled for Cone at Glenbawn.

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

Cone’s preferred outfit for the technique is a Millerods Finesse Freak spin rod, paired with a small 1000 size Shimano Rarenium spinning reel. “I like the smaller 1000 size reel because it forces me to slow down,” Cone said. He

fast enough to make the curl tail of the plastic swim. “The Pillo Grub swims straight out of the packet,” Cone said. “It’s got a super thin tail and it works great, the Gulp on the other hand needs a bit of work.” Mitch trims his Gulp Minnow Grubs just behind the eyes, then thins the tail out by cutting a crescent moon shape out of the inside of the curl, this allows the plastic to swim at much slower speeds, which entices more bites. Mitchell was a fan of the new shared-weight format, saying it was rewarding to share information with his non-boaters and together maximise their chance of the biggest bag possible. He credits his non-boaters Cameron Ley and Brenden Pieschel for their assistance over the weekend. Mitchell would like to thank Searing Tackle and McKnight Signs for their support.

Phelps relegated to runner-up position CE 2ND PLA 2015 BASS Pro Grand Final champion Peter Phelps was relegated to runner-up position after taking the lead into the

final session. For Phelps, second place was as good as a win, watching good friend Mitchell Cone take the title. Capturing a full 12/12 limit for 11.34kg Phelps took home $1,100 and continued his unbelievable record in ABT events at Glenbawn, having finished 1st, 1st, 3rd, 4th, 1st and now a 2nd in his last six ABT BASS Pro outings on the dam.

Phelps employed the same pattern as event champion Mitchell Cone, targeting fish holding close to the bottom in 50ft of water. Again like Mitchell, Phelps chose to stay in the main basin where he found the majority of his fish. “Most of the fish seemed to be in the basin in that 50ft depth, so I just knuckled down and focused all my attention there,” said Phelps. He relied on a Berkley 3” Minnow Grub in black colour, paired with a black 1/4oz Bassman jighead, which he pitched ahead of the boat to try to maximise his chances of being bit on the drop. “The idea behind pitching the lure ahead of the boat is to try and stop the lure spiralling as much as possible on the way down,” said Phelps. “The drag of the line on the surface pulling from the reel helps prevent the lure from spiralling. Combined with the shape of the Bassman head, it’s the perfect way to get bit on the drop.”

Peter Phelps finished runner-up and continued his hot run at ABT events on Lake Glenbawn.

It also means Phelps is constantly presenting his lure to new fish, a trait he had in common with event winner Cone. Phelps’ equipment consisted of a 2000 size Daiwa spinning reel, matched to a 13 Fishing ENVY Black 71LM rod. He spooled the reel with 8lb Amigo Plus braid and topped it with a long 6lb Gamma Fluorocarbon leader. “I like a long leader length when I’m fishing like this,” Phelps explained, “I also like to colour the first 20ft or so of my braid from bright orange to black with a permanent marker, just to help it disappear.” Phelps was paired with non-boater champion Joshua Higgs on day one, and fished with long time ABT BREAM Series non-boater Rebecca Fazio on day two. The new format is definitely indicative of the ‘Who Shares Wins’ motto of ABT, and Phelps proved that at the opening round by giving both his non-boaters a crash course in deep grubbing to help them all towards the

biggest four fish bag possible each session. “I definitely wouldn’t be in this position without the help of Rebecca and Joshua, and to see Josh come away

with the win after our first day is just as rewarding for me as my second place finish,” said Phelps.

Tim Oakley claimed the Austackle Big Bass award in his first ABT BASS Pro event as a boater.

Higgs takes out non-boater title

WINNING NOTES

Austackle Big Bass

Another ABT newcomer Tim Oakley bagged the Austackle Big Bass of the event with a 1.4kg brute. Oakley caught the Big Bass on a Berkley Minnow Grub rigged on a 1/4oz Bassman jighead in 50ft of water on a main basin rock wall. Oakley lent on the bass with a 13 Fishing ENVY Black 71LM rod paired with a Daiwa 2500 Freams. Oakley took home $500 cash for his efforts and ended the event in 10th place.

-BOATER 1ST NON Joshua Higgs from Dubbo, NSW took out the non-boater title with the largest 12/12 fish limit of the whole tournament weighing an impressive 11.82kg. Fishing with Peter Phelps on day one and Brian Everingham on day two, Higgs knuckled down on the deep grub bite for the entire tournament to take home the win and an impressive bundle of swag courtesy of ABT sponsors. “I had prepared to fish the deep grub bite coming down to Glenbawn, so I was ready when Peter and Brian said that would be our main tactic over the course of the weekend,” said Higgs. He

BASS

Presente SERIES d by Bas sCat

Winning Tackle

Rod: Millerod FinesseFreak Reel: Shimano Rarenium 1000 Line: 4lb Fireline Crystal Leader: 6lb Gamma Fluorocarbon Leader Lure: Pontoon 21 Pillo Grub, Berkley Gulp Minnow Grub

Winning Ways

Cone was always on the move, looking for active fish and fish that hadn’t been pressured. Slowly working along the 50ft contour line, Cone would pitch cast his plastic out in front of the boat allowing his boat to slowly move so that it was directly over his lure by the time it reached the bottom.

Non-boater champion Joshua Higgs (left) bagged some great fish over the course of the weekend. Like these specimens for session three with Brian Everingham. used the ever-popular Berkley Minnow Grub (again in black) to catch fish between 45-65ft of water. “I really committed to fishing vertical all weekend,

and trying to get those fish to follow my grub to the bottom was the key, if I could do that, I knew I had a good chance of getting a bite.” There was no better start

to his ABT career, winning the first event he attended. With the win, Higgs secures himself a start in the BassCat BASS Pro Grand Final slated for 10-11 September.

TOP 10 BOATERS

TOP 10 NON-BOATERS

Place

Angler

Fish

Weight (kg)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Mitchell CONE Peter PHELPS Mark FERGUSON Craig SIMMONS Simon MARCHANT Malcolm STEWART Daniel CLANCY Tom SLATER Kristoffer HICKSON Tim OAKLEY

12/12 12/12 11/12 12/12 11/12 10/12 11/12 12/12 10/12 9/12

11.65 11.34 10.17 9.90 9.76 9.74 9.70 9.32 9.06 8.01

Payout

$2,000 $1,100 $900 $700 $500+ Duffrods Big Bag

Austackle Big Bass

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

Place

Angler

Fish

Weight (kg)

Payout

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Joshua HIGGS Cameron LEY Paul ALDOUS Ben RANDELL Robert TILLEY Ryan JONES Brett HYDE Luke DRAPER Simon JOHNSON Brian BOCHOW

12/12 12/12 11/12 12/12 11/12 11/12 11/12 9/12 10/12 10/12

11.82 Bassman Prize Pack 10.95 Samurai Prize Pack 10.43 Spotters Prize + OSP Rookie 10.33 Spotters Prize Pack 9.47 Berkley Prize Pack 9.46 Austackle Prize Pack 8.60 Prize Pack 8.55 Prize Pack 8.05 Prize Pack 7.54 Prize Pack

For full result listings, see www.abt.org.au MAY 2016

107

Lennox second win at St Clair CE 1ST PLA

beetle spin arm, and was lucky not to lose it as he only had one! Once the sun rose high and the clear waters of St Clair became apparent, Lennox employed the

ABT stalwart Mark Lennox has claimed his second victory at Lake St Clair, taking out the Haswing Lake St Clair BASS Pro event, the second stop on the BassCat BASS Pro Series 2016. Lennox stormed home from fourth position on day two to dethrone overnight leader Tom Slater with an astonishing 4/4 limit that weighed in at 3.71kg, besting the next heaviest bag by almost half a kilo. For Lennox, the victory is a special one. His fatherin-law owned the land used to build Lake St Clair and he has family who live on the dam. Lennox is no stranger to success, having won the ABT BASS Pro Grand Final in 2012 on St Clair. He’s also won ABT BREAM qualifiers, and he’s featured on the Australian Fishing Championships.

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Visit www.abt.org.au for entry forms. For general enquiries phone ABT on (07) 3387 0888. 108

MAY 2016

“The fish were biting timidly, which is not too uncommon for a deep summer bite, so the stinger hooks worked well to convert those timid bites to solid hook-ups.”

Mark Lennox and Tony Neal took top honours at the second event of the BassCat BASS Pro Series.

Lennox relied on these two baits to take the title. A Yamba Blade dressed with a beetle spin, and a Berkley Minnow Grub. Lennox started the tournament fishing the Carrowbrook Arm of the dam. He threw a dressed Yamba Prawn Blade to the weed edges to catch his early limits. From there, Mark and his non-boater changed tactics and opted for a Berkley Gulp Minnow Grub slow rolled as the sun rose higher. It turned out to be the perfect one-two punch for Lennox, who delivered a full 12/12 limit for the tournament and the Duffrods Big Bag for his final day heroics. “I started with the dressed blade because you tend to catch a lot of fish on them at this time of year,” said Lennox. “You don’t necessarily get the bigger bites, but it was a good option to fill the bag before looking for upgrades.” Lennox chose to use a black coloured fluted Indiana blade on his

popular tactic of slowrolling a grub style plastic on the outside of the weed. “The weed stops growing once you get to around 25ft of water,” Lennox said. “I would

Sink and slow wind

find the outside edge and just work my way around, casting the grub out, allowing it to sink and then slowly winding it back through the fish.” Most of the fish Lennox targeted were holding mid-water, around 15-20ft down. The slow wind off the bottom with a 1/4oz jighead meant the plastic would hang in the strike zone for the longest period of time possible. Lennox also rigged his grubs with a stinger hook, a modification that many NSW BASSers swear by for this time of year.

Mark relied on a Duffrods Kustom TBS72114 rod matched with a Megabass Luvito 256 reel for his plastics outfit. The connection to his plastic was 6lb Unitika PE with an 8lb Toray LEX fluorocarbon leader. For the dressed blade, Lennox upped the class of his rod, opting for a Duffrods Kustom X-851SP rod, he upped his braid to 8lb Unitika to match and continued with the 8lb Toray LEX leader. With the win, Lennox secures his place in this year’s BassCat BASS Pro Grand Final for his shot at winning the big-show twice.

Everingham consistent for runner-up CE 2ND PLA NSW’s Brian Everingham held second place over the two days, weighing some very consistent bags to finish the tournament with a 9.05kg 12/12 limit.

Coming off the back of a solid final day bag in the opening round of the NSW BASS Pro double-header, Everingham had all the momentum he needed to carry him to a podium finish at the Haswing Lake St Clair BASS Pro. Everingham focused on one particular pattern more so than a particular spot or area to produce his bag weight.

“There were thousands of fish throughout the dam holding in 15-25ft,” said Everingham. He chose to target the fish with a Berkley Gulp Minnow Grub, which he pitched 20ft ahead of the boat. This technique ensured Everingham always moved slowly along the bank, and targeted new fish to maximise his chances of finding the active fish that would follow and bite

his presentation. Once his bait sank to the bottom, he began a slow retrieve to allow the lure to pendulum from the bottom ahead of his boat, to underneath his trolling motor. Covering water was the name of the game for Everingham, who left his trolling motor on

BASS

low and mooched along the bank with every pitch. “Paralleling the bank in around 30ft of water was the key for me this weekend, I was really stoked to work out the pattern on the pre-fish day, and execute my plan into a second place finish.”

Presente SERIES d by Has wing

Everingham chose to use an Austackle Featherlight 1-3kg rod, paired with the matching Austackle Verto 2000 reel spooled with 4lb Krypto braid to convince the timid fish into biting.

Neal nails big victory -BOATER 1ST NON ABT veteran, Tony Neal took the non-boater title at the Haswing Lake St Clair BASS Pro event, by accumulating a 12/12, 9.23kg limit to best his nearest competitor by 360g. Fishing with Brian Everingham on day one, and local guru Peter Phelps on day two; Tony had the perfect pairing for success on Lake St Clair. “Day one was all about the Berkley Gulp Minnow Grub, that’s how Brian was catching them and that’s what I relied on all day,” said Tony. “On day two, Peter had me fishing a little differently to the day before. But when I saw the opportunity, I picked up the grub and started catching fish again.” Like Everingham, Tony targeted the fish that suspended off the bottom in 20-30ft of water. The slow roll presentation with the Gulp Grub proved to be the perfect method for getting the fussy fish to bite. “On day one I casted wider than Brian, to present my lure to the odd fish hanging outside of the key depth zone. It was a team effort and we covered all options,” said Tony. Tony opted to rig his Gulp Grub on a 1/4oz jighead, a staple piece of tackle for NSW impoundment

Simon Johnson and Tom Slater hold up their four biggest fish that had them leading after two sessions. bass. His rod and reel set up consisted of an Elite Industries rod by Gladiator Tackle, he preferred the 1-3kg model to feel the bites. Neal paired the rod with a Psyborg Reel, which he spooled with 4lb

braid and 4lb leaders. For his efforts, Tony will take home a huge assortment of product from Angler of the Year naming sponsor Bassman, making sure he is fully equipped for the

Brian Everingham occupied second position for the entire tournament, taking home $1,000 for his efforts. remaining two regular season events and the Grand Final later in the year.

Austackle Big Bass

Non-boater Cameron Ley took home the $500 Austackle Big Bass Award, along with a respectable ninth place finish. Ley currently also holds down first position in the coveted non-boater Angler of the Year race after starting the year with a second place and ninth place finish.

Winning Tackle

Rod: Duffrods TBS72114 Reel: Megabass Luvito 256 Line: 6lb Unitika PE Leader: 8lb Toray LEX Fluorocarbon Leader Lure: Berkley Gulp Minnow Grub (Camo) Yamba Blade with Beetle Spin arm.

Winning Ways Lennox equipped his soft plastic with a trailing stinger hook, which was the difference in converting timid bites to solid hook-ups.

Non-boater champion Tony Neal shared a boat with Brian Everingham on his way to victory.

TOP 10 BOATERS

TOP 10 NON-BOATERS

Place Angler

Fish

Weight (kg)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

12/12 12/12 12/12 12/12 12/12 12/12 11/12 12/12 10/12 11/12

9.33 9.05 8.65 8.38 8.32 8.20 8.15 7.46 6.86 6.66

Mark LENNOX Brian EVERINGHAM Tom SLATER Peter JENKINS Mitchell CONE Craig SIMMONS Peter PHELPS Owen MCPAUL Kristoffer HICKSON Simon MARCHANT

WINNING NOTES

Payout

$1900 + Duffrods Big Bag $1,000 $850 $650 $500

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

Place Angler

Fish

Weight (kg)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

12/12 12/12 12/12 12/12 11/12 12/12 12/12 12/12 12/12 12/12

9.23 Bassman Prize Pack 8.87 13 Fishing rod & OSP Rookie Award 8.83 Spotters Prize Pack 8.56 Spotters Prize Pack 7.97 Berkley Prize Pack 7.94 Austackle Rod & Prize Pack 7.69 Prize Pack 7.48 Prize Pack 7.42 Prize Pack + Austackle Big Bass 7.08 Prize Pack

Tony NEAL Simon JOHNSON Jason MARTIN Mark KING Aimee THOMPSON Luke DRAPER Rod THOMPSON Robert TILLEY Cameron LEY James REID

Payout

For full result listings, see www.abt.org.au MAY 2016

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This section in QLD Fishing Monthly consolidates the trades and services in your area that are relevant to your fishing and boating. Whether you’re a local looking for more options or a travelling angler fishing around the state, this guide will direct you to reputable businesses in the area you’re searching.

Boats & Guided Fishing Tours Directory MARINE ELECTRONICS

FIBREGLASS

Repairs

MARINE ELECTRONICS

SALES • REPAIRS • INSTALLATIONS

ONSITE AND MOBILE INSTALLATIONS

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

BRISBANE SOUTH AND GOLD COAST

Repairs • Detailing • Modifications

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JOE BONNICI 0410 480 203

GOLD COAST BOAT COVERS & CANOPIES • Biminis • Canopies • Storm Covers • Camper Covers

• Boat Carpet • Pontoon Carpet • Jetty Fenders • Clears

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BRISBANE

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

BOAT MODIFICATIONS & REPAIRS

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

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• Fibreglass repairs & fabrication • Stringers, floors, transoms • Gelcoat polishing & repairs • 2 pac paint & repairs • Jet Ski repairs • Trailer repairs & spares • Outboard Servicing

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PROFISH BOATS – Phone Peter 0417 782 114 Email: peter@profishboats.com www.profishboats.com

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

FLUSH YOUR ENGINE WITH

Iconic Boats Brisbane 0475 311 447

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BOAT PAINTING

FREECALL

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

SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND

ENGINE FLUSHING JETSKIS TRAILERS

MARINE TRIMMERS

U-Make-Em Sort Plastics www.u-make-emsoftplastics.com.au J-Roc Tackle www.jroctackle.com.au

MARINE TRANSPORT

Quality Boat Covers

Upholstery & Carpets

• Flybridge Enclosures • Bimini Tops etc.

• Bunk Cushions • Custom Interiors etc.

5529 6277 – 0417 173 257

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

ROD & REEL REPAIRS NORTH QUEENSLAND

D&H REEL REPAIRS ce Reel Performan

rts needs irs and spare pa pa re el re ur yo l For al Servicin Phone/Fax: 07 3372 2740 or major b g all call Duncan on 0439 717 839 rands Email: dhreelrepairs@bigpond.com Drag upgrades available • Rod repairs • Mail orders welcome www.reelrepairs.com.au 110 Sherbrooke Rd, Willawong Qld 4110

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

FRASER ISLAND

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

bearfish@bigpond.com www.fraserislandfishingunits.com.au

Waddy Lodge on Fraser 0414 516 364 Cathedrals on Fraser (07) 4127 9177

Advertisers wanting to be involved in this directory can call (07) 3387 0800 or email ads@fishingmonthly.com.au

Trades, Services, Charter Boats & Guided Fishing Tours Directory Why Camp? Book APURLA Holiday House • Eurong Fraser Island • FRASER IS L AN

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Brisbane Fishing Charters 0427 026 510 Bucket List Fishing Charters 0428 368 316

CENTRAL QUEENSLAND

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BEL AIR MOTEL, MACKAY - PLENTY OF ROOM FOR BOATS AND TRAILERS.............PH: 07 4957 3658 FRESHWATER Yallakool Caravan Park on Bjelke-Petersen Dam (07) 4168 4746 Lake Boondooma Caravan Park (07) 4168 9694 Lake Cressbrook Regional Council 131 872 Yallakool Park and Kiosk on Bjelke-Petersen Dam (07) 4168 4746

CHARTER BOATS NORTHERN NSW Evans Head Deep Sea Fishing Charters 0428 828 835 Reel Time Fishing Charters 0428 231 962

GOLD COAST

Coral Coast Game Fishing 0447 347 437 MV James Cook (1770) (07) 4974 9422 Norval Reef Charters 1800 771 234 Iluka Fishing Charters Gladstone 0414 940 911 Kanimbla Charters Gladstone1800 677 202

TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND Eclipse FNQ Weipa Charters 0488 058 668 Fish’s Fly & Sportsfishing Weipa (07) 4069 9957 Action Charters Mackay 0417 452 346 Fishing Charters Townsville 0403 386 722 JC’s Fishing Charters 0438 753 382

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

Fairdinkum Fishing Charters Townsville (07) 4751 5324

Discovery Fishing Charters Gold Coast 0427 026 519

Cairns Fishing Charters 0427 400 027

Cairns Reef Charter Services 1800 119 044 Cairns Charter Boat 0427 533 081

Tait Thomas-Matthews was over the moon to catch his first whiting, and what a catch it was! He caught his fish from the beach on frozen prawns. Great job little buddy!

Advertisers wanting to be involved in this directory can call (07) 3387 0800 or email ads@fishingmonthly.com.au

boats & kayaks

In the skipper’s seat 114 Snag a Big Cod Inside story...

Olivia Mckenna takes us snag bashing along the Condamine River armed with spinnerbaits.

Fishing Monthly’s Will Lee recently attended the Stacer media day to check out their new range of boats that build on their current label. We’ve got the inside scoop on what makes these boats some of Australia’s most well-loved vessels.

118 Deeper Fishfinder

Made for...

A smaller boat doesn’t confine you to the estuaries! Learn how to go offshore with confidence in small crafts.

Stacer have a reputation for producing aluminium boats of an excellent standard. Stacer boats are destined to dominate all sorts of waterways. These boats thrive offshore, in the bay and in freshwater fishing locations. What’s more, Stacer took onboard client suggestions and have made changes to cater for the family enthusiasts as well as the serious fishers.

This month...

We’re giving you the exclusive wrap-up of how Stacer has evolved as a brand, and what to expect from their new range.

Finally a fish finder for the land-based fisher! Steve Morgan tests out this innovative tech to catch you a fish.

120 A Boat of Confidence

122 G2 Tournament 2000

A fantastic allrounder, the G2 Tournament 2000 ticks all family fun and recreational angling boxes.

126 Buying a Boat?

This month Wayne Kampe delivers the ultimate guide to buying an offshore vessel.

128 Evolution 552X

Fishing Monthly investigated the new hull recently launched across the Evolution range. MAY 2016

113

Snag a big cod along the Condamine River DALBY

Olivia McKenna

The snag infested holes of the Condamine River harbour some of the best Murray cod and yellowbelly fishing in Queensland, and the best way to catch these beauties is to pilot a kayak and cast a spinnerbait right under their nose. Kayaks have become increasingly popular with anglers young and old. These people-powered machines have opened up waters that have previously been inaccessible. This is especially true of inland rivers and tributaries such as the Condamine River system where cod and yellowbelly hide in waterlogged caves and sunken timber. The Condamine River is a part of the Murray Darling Basin in Southern Queensland and is vital to the survival of the Murray cod in the northern reaches of its domain. First of all, simplicity is the key. I’ve seen kayaks with more gadgets than an ocean liner cruising around the coasts and estuaries. This is the opposite of what the inland native hunter requires to succeed. Too many rods and unnecessary equipment will weigh you down. If you target 1m long cod or soccer ballsized yellowbelly you have to trek through the most difficult terrain you can physically drag a kayak through. And, when I say drag, I mean drag! Get yourself a quality ‘yak

Once you locate a prosperous looking hole, you need to choose a weapon of mass fish extraction. SPINNERBAITS Spinnerbaits are arguably the best choice to try and coax a green or golden trophy out of the snags. As territorial creatures, fish find the flash and vibration of a spinnerbait blade and skirt irresistible. A reaction bite is perhaps the best take on a lure an angler

114

MAY 2016

spinnerbaits and kayaks are unrivalled when targeting native fish in our inland rivers. The combination allows access to waterways the majority of fishers never dare to go. After hours of practice, and trial and error you can become very successful using kayaks and spinnerbaits to reap the rewards of freshwater reaches. Grab a kayak and get out there!

Jess caught this monster on a Ninja Spinnerbait on a beautiful day out kayaking. can experience. The pure aggression from an angry territorial fish is sensational and exhilarating after casting into snag after snag to finally snare that fuming brute. Kayak fishing makes retrieval of stuck lures much easier and often more successful than

The author caught this little yella on a spinnerbait in the Condamine River. leash’ to tow your kayak over the many sand islands and rocky sections that need to be tackled, or to help you lower your craft down the notoriously steep banks without tumbling or falling.

with the wind. This is when using spinnerbaits can be effective. The weight of a spinnerbait allows for more accurate casting in difficult, windy conditions than a lighter timber or plasticmoulded lure. Spinnerbaits can be fished at any depth and at any speed simply by changing the lure weight and blade combination to suit any imaginable water column. Partnered together,

off the bank. Once snagged, a kayak can be floated directly over the snagged lure and, more often than not, popped off in no time. However, one of the trials of kayak fishing is dealing

You’d be crazy not to give this a go! Jed nailed this big brute on a Ninja Spinnerbait.

FISHING FILL-ITS

Stacer congratulates Whitewater Marine Whitewater Marine, located on the Gold Coast, was announced Stacer National Dealer of The Year for 2016 at a recent Stacer conference held on the Gold Coast. Whitewater Marine is a family run business that opened in 1998 and specialises in motor sales and servicing as well as selling complete boat, motor and trailer packages. The business was originally opened as a service centre and over the years has gone from strength to strength and successfully expanded in business. Whitewater Marine are ‘committed to offering great value boat packages and the best service to keep our customers on the water.’ Dealer Principal David White, an outboard technician with over 25 years of industry knowledge and experience, runs the business alongside Kim White who has a background in retail administration and Clinton White, a qualified marine technician who has previously worked in the Service Department at Suzuki. Whitewater Marine have been a committed Stacer dealer for five years and previously won the Stacer Queensland Dealer of the year award over 2013-2014. The Stacer Dealer

of the Year award is based on multiple criteria including sales, customer satisfaction index, dealership presentation, website, market activity, staff training and marketing. Whitewater Marine excelled in many areas of the criteria and have experienced great success over the past year. “We pride ourselves on a high level of customer service and after sales service.We stock a large range of Stacer Boats from 309 Stinga to the 679 SeaRanger so we have a boat to suit every lifestyle. We have had an amazing year due to great staff and great support and we are very excited to be the Stacer National Dealer of the Year,” Clinton said. Whitewater Marine are also enthusiastic about supporting their local community and continue to sponsor the Coomera Magpies AFL Club. The team at Whitewater Marine regularly attend the Marine Expo on the Gold Coast and Brisbane Boat show to showcase their latest products and deals. Stacer Account Manager Drew Jackson said the team at Whitewater Marine deserves to win the award for their passion for the boating industry, excellent service and sales. Drew Jackson, the Stacer National Account Manager

said that, “Whitewater Marine have had consistent wholesale and retail results through the last year and I am continually impressed by their commitment to progressing their dealership and the Stacer brand. They are committed to every aspect of their business from maintaining an excellent website to the impressive presentation of their showroom. Whitewater Marine stock and sell a full range of Stacer models to keep all boaties happy. We

look forward to working with Whitewater Marine in the future, and on behalf of the Stacer team I would like to congratulate Whitewater Marine on the win.’ Whitewater Marine is located at 10 Hinde Street, Ashmore QLD 4214, visit their friendly team to check out the latest Stacer models, or visit their website at http:// whitewatermarine.com. au/. For more information on the entire Stacer range visit http://www.stacer.com. au/. – Stacer

From left to right: Damien Duncan (Stacer Director of Sales and Marketing), Clinton White, Kim White, David White, and Drew Jackson (Stacer National Account Manager).

What’s New BOATING

STACER PROLINE STRIKER

Stacer has updated its Proline range with the release of the new Proline Striker Series, which features Proline models 399-429. These tinnies are budget friendly, and have new and improved features. Stacer National Account Manager Drew Jackson said Stacer have widened the chines for excellent stability at rest and underway. “The new hull also provides a deeper entry point to ensure a soft ride and improved spray deflection to make sure passengers stay dry,” he said. “Additionally, the innovative arrow-shaped bow design has effectively increased the cockpit size by 11%.” Standard features include a glove box, fitted drink holder, bow and transom handles and bench seat flotation, with the option of a bimini. Models 399-429 have enough room for five people with front and rear bench seats. Prolines are available as a boat, motor and trailer package, and come with 3-year warranty. www.stacer.com.au

SOLVENT-FREE FLUID FILM

Fluid Film corrosion control and lubrication products were originally developed for the US Navy, who were concerned about the use of solvents in confined spaces. This lanolin/wool wax base product line works where other products don’t last or don’t work at all. These are non-toxic, long lasting, thixotropic liquids (they liquefy when shaken, and then solidify when left standing). They have been used for over 50 years in the highly corrosive environment of ships and offshore drilling rigs. Because Fluid Film products have no added solvents, except for a small amount of propellant in the aerosol, they are safer for users and the environment. Additionally, they won’t dry out or stop working, they have a higher flash point (less chance of a fire), won’t evaporate, and won’t go tacky and gummy. Fluid Film is available in various grades of thickness (six plus an aerosol can) to suit different application methods and environmental conditions. www.stottind.com.au

IHOUND GPS TRACKERS

iHound GPS devices are small, waterproof and discreetly concealed on your trailer. iHound will report to you once a day on your PC, tablet or smartphone with a status and location report (can be more frequent if you require). If your equipment is moved or leaves its digital ‘geofence’ it will instantly let you know by an SMS message to your phone, an email, an alert on your iHound user interface or all three. If the equipment is moving it will send regular updates to tell you where it is so you can chase it down or notify the authorities. The battery will last up to six months reporting once per day, and will recharge itself when your trailer lights are connected to your vehicle. When connected to the vehicle the device will report its location every three minutes. Another potential benefit of fitting an iHound is that it may greatly reduce your insurance premiums, so it’s worth checking with your insurance company. Price: SRP $249 + $15 per month maintenance www.ihound.com.au

FISHING PRODUCT GUIDE

GARMIN QUATIX 3 SMARTWATCH

The Garmin Quatix 3 streams NMEA 2000 data – including speed, depth and wind data – from compatible Garmin marine electronics. Users can also start and stop recording video or take still images with a Garmin VIRB camera, control their FUSION stereo, and there’s also a dedicated MOB hotkey. Other features include a 3-axis electronic compass, barometer, auto-calibrating altimeter, anchor alarm, alarm clock, anchor rope calculator, a fishing tournament timer and fish catch log. You can also receive tide data through a smartphone. The Quatix 3 is water resistant to 100m, and has a tough lens with reinforced housing. It has an omni-directional EXO antenna and high-sensitivity GPS with GLONASS support, and its colour display is sunlight readable with an LED backlight. The battery life ranges from 20 hours to six weeks, depending on settings. You can customise your Quatix 3 with sport functions, daily activity tracking and more, which can be synced with your phone. The watch can also deliver notifications for calls, texts and emails, and is Connect IQ compatible. Price: RP $899 w w w. g a r m i n . c o m / e n - AU / e x p l o re / onthewater/

MINN KOTA DRIFT SOCK

The Minn Kota Drift Sock is a great addon product for electric motor users. “A device similar to the offshore sea anchor or drogue, the Drift Sock is a helpful tool to use when shallow water fishing for estuary or impoundment species,” advises Justin Welsh, Brand Manager. “For example, you could use it while drifting over an area of shallow saltwater flats, maybe fishing for bream or flathead. As the wind pushes you, you can start to go quite quickly, particularly in a light aluminium boat. The Drift Sock allows you to slow that drift down. You can position yourself with the Minn Kota, and tied off mid-ship you can have the Drift Sock out to slow you down.” The Drift Sock is built to last, with 210 denier ripstop nylon and heavy duty strips. Price: SRP $72.90 minnkota.com.au

MERCURY VESSELVIEW LINK MODULE

In partnership with Mercury, the full lineup of Lowrance HDS Gen3 and HDS Gen2 Touch multifunction displays, as well as all Simrad GO, NSS evo2 and NSO evo2 multifunction displays, will receive a software upgrade that adds powerful functionality with the new Mercury VesselView Link module. This will provide boaters with fully integrated Mercury engine data combined with their chartplotter, sounder or radar display. The touch-friendly interface will offer quick access to data like RPM, speed, fuel remaining, battery voltage and trim tabs. The VesselView Link control bar also provides quick access to Mercury smart modes including: Eco, Smart Tow, Troll Control and Cruise Control, and a quick-access bar displays clear warnings and alerts such as fault notification, identifying the affected engine on multi-engine boats, descriptive fault text, and maintenance reminders. To maximise the combination of engine data with sounder, chartplotter or radar displays, users can also enable split-screen functionality with automatic panel adjustment. VesselView Link will be available in June 2016. www.lowrance.com

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

6 SCAN THE QR CODE!

visit www.tacklejunkie.fish for the latest tackle news - AS IT HAPPENS! MAY 2016

115

Yakking about flathead BRISBANE

Justin Wilmer Find me on Facebook at Yaks On

If there was one species that has been designed with kayak anglers in mind, it would have to

rates and make the most of the glassy winter days. The size may not be there when compared to the spring breeding period, however, if you go looking for flathead in winter you will find them. Although flathead are often caught in deeper water in

the drift and almost onto the bank, and then hop the plastic down the drop off. Hits will often come within the first 5m of the retrieve and depending on the speed of the drift and steepness of the bank, you may wish to wind the second half of

Get up on the flats when the tide is high!

A landing net and lip grips make handling fish safer and easier. be the humble flathead. They are easily accessed by kayak anglers, inhabiting rivers, creeks, estuaries and bays, and they love to get up and feed in the shallows. They respond well to all types of lures and are easily handled in the kayak with a landing net and lip grips. As a bonus, for those that like a feed of fish, they are also a favourite table fish for many. One of my favourite techniques for targeting flathead from the kayak is fishing soft plastics and in this article, I hope to pass on some of the tips that I have picked up over the last 20 years in the kayak seat. Flathead are a year round option, with many anglers choosing to chase other species in winter, while I still record some of my best catch

southern parts of Australia, I have successfully used these shallow water soft plastic techniques from Townsville in North Queensland all the way down the coast to Coffin Bay in South Australia. WHERE AND WHEN Low Tide The prime time to target flathead is around the last two hours of the run-out tide and first hour of the run-in. At this stage of the tide flathead are concentrated on the edges of channels, drop offs and sand bars. Here they lay in ambush, waiting for the bait to be forced off the flats and banks with the last of the falling tide. There are a few options for the kayak angler when targeting these fish. Firstly, you can position the kayak a cast distance from the bank. Cast slightly ahead of

Downsizing your plastic will see bream by-catch increase. 116

MAY 2016

the retrieve in quickly and cast again. In saying that, persistence in hopping the lure into deeper water can often lead to a mixed bag of other species, including mulloway, snapper and trevally. A second successful technique is to position your kayak on the edge of the drop off, in a metre or so of

water and cast up current, bringing your lure back with the current, so that it presents more naturally. You can fan your casts from the shallows to the deeper side of the drop off, effectively covering that first 5m where many of your strikes come when sitting a cast distance out and casting toward the bank. The downside of this technique is that you are

Jaki with a pocket rocket flathead. Remember, when you catch one, give the area a good work over.

drifting over the water that you are fishing and when the water is clear, you can spook a few fish. If you notice a few puffs of sand and flathead heading for deeper water, revert to the first technique. Finally, if you are in a pedal kayak then you have the advantage of being able to slowly work your way into the current while using the second technique. This means that you are hopping the plastic back with the current, covering that key section of water, with the advantage of fishing water that you havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t drifted over. High Tide When the tide is higher, I have still had success chasing flathead and the key has been to get up on the flats, targeting areas that hold bait as the flathead that are here have moved up with the tide to hunt. Casting to the edge of the mangroves and retrieving with a few quick hops and winds, keeping the lure above the spiky and snaggy mangrove roots, before allowing the lure to sink to the bottom near the edge of these roots and then hopping it back will produce a range of species.

Having a few rods on board makes switching lures easy.

Some big flathead patrol the edges of these mangrove roots in search of baitfish, crabs and prawns that stray too far from cover. Other prime high tide structure includes the edges of rock bars, drains

your kayak along a fishy looking edge or near a sandy patch on the flats. I use an anchor running rig (anchor trolley), so that I can swing the anchor to the front of your kayak and fan casts in front of

gets swept down current and I l lose touch with it. After I have covered an area, I usually take 10 steps and fan my casts again. This methodical approach will produce results and your kayak allows you to reach

If it’s not working, change it up! Here the author is downsizing his plastic.

Sheri works a flat, hopping her plastic back with the current in search of flathead. depressions on the flats, and the sandy sections that can be found dotting broken weed and rubble flats. The kayak holds advantages over other vessels as it allows you to traverse extremely shallow flats to reach drains and deeper sections of water, while also accessing the flats first and remaining on the flats

the kayak. This helps with hopping the lure back with the current and covering the area thoroughly. If you land a fish, then give the area more of a work over before upping the anchor and moving a cast distance further along the bank. Dropping and retrieving the anchor can be a little tedious, however

banks that aren’t pressured by shore-based anglers. GEARING UP Rods of 6’6”-7’ in length and 2-4kg rated are a popular option, fitted with a 2500 size spin reel, loaded with 6-10lb braided line. Leaders vary from 6lb when the fish and plastics are smaller and the bite is tougher, through to 10-12lb when larger

When the bait is small or the bite finicky, I downsize to a smaller paddle tail in the 2.5” size range. This also produces a lot more bream by-catch than the larger plastic. Paddletails have proven deadly in both Queensland and NSW waters. I have found a jerkbait profile in the 3.75” size range comes into its own further south, especially when twitched across the top of weed beds. Colour can also make a difference. Try fishing natural, lighter colours when the water is clear, and change to a darker colour that offers a better silhouette when the water is dirty. If neither of these

colours are working, a switch to a fluro colour like chartreuse or pink may save the day. Adding scent can make a difference when the bite is tough. It seems to create a more aggressive bite and encourages the fish to hold on a little longer, in turn giving you more time to set the hook. JIGHEAD SELECTION A 3/0 jighead is popular for 3” plastics, and I usually downsize to a 2/0 or 1/0 as I decrease the size of my soft plastic. A 1/8-1/6oz is a good starting point for the shallow flats and mouths of drains, and you can step the weight up to 1/4oz for fishing the edges and 3/8

or even 1/2oz when fishing down the drop off into the channels. LAUNCH THE YAK If you haven’t given lure fishing a go, flathead on soft plastics is a great place to start and once you catch a few, it all clicks and it becomes easier to locate them. If you’re a lure and flathead fishing tragic like me, I hope I have given you something to try next time you’re out on the water. On those days when the wind is blowing or the tides aren’t great and you’re still keen for a fish, don’t forget the fish that has been designed for the kayak angler, the humble flathead. See you on the water!

Drains like this funnel the bait to awaiting predators. longer than the boat anglers. A few things to remember include, giving the area additional attention once a flathead is landed, as they commonly school. Something else to try is to mix up your retrieve until you find what the fish want, while still ensuring your lure is on or near the bottom. Finally, keep an ear and eye out for baitfish flicking in the shallows as this often signals that there is a predator in the area. ANCHORING AND WALKING If the wind is blowing or the current I too strong to position your kayak, don’t be afraid to anchor

this systematic approach can produce plenty of fish in tough conditions. A drift chute is another option for slowing your drift in the wind. Another option is to slide your kayak up on a good-looking bank on a dropping tide. Make sure you anchor it securely, and then can walk the bank flicking soft plastics. Again, it is important to cast up current and hop the plastic back with the current, with strikes often occurring right at your feet. I usually fan 4-5 casts, slowly casting further out from the bank without going beyond about 60° to the bank, or my lure

fish are more common and structure is likely to be a factor in the fight. A landing net is a good idea, as flathead have raspy mouths that can wear through leaders and spikes on each side and the top of their head that should be avoided… you don’t want them in your lap in the kayak. Lip grips are handy for handling fish for photos. SOFT PLASTIC SELECTION My go-to plastic is 3” paddle-tails rigged on a 3/0 jighead. Most realistic baitfish profiles with a lively paddle-tail action have proven themselves on flathead of all sizes. MAY 2016

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Product Profile

Features of the Deeper castable fishfinder Traditionally fish finders have been available only for anglers who own boats, but land-based anglers can now enjoy the advantage of seeing what’s hidden below the surface. If you’ve ever wondered what’s really going on down there, the compact Deeper castable fishfinder is for you. To use the Deeper, you just screw an attachment bolt, tie it on your line and cast it to any spot you like. It will display its readings on your smartphone or tablet in real time. This portable, wireless sonar is compatible with over 7000 Apple and

Android devices. As well as displaying the fish and structure, it also displays depth (up to 40m), water temperature, bottom contour and more. Innovative Smart Imaging technology provides detailed and crystal clear information. The Deeper app also helps you mark all the good fishing spots and spend less time wondering and looking for the right place to cast. This little sonar is the size of a cricket ball and weighs only 100g. That means it fits in any size tackle box, making it easy to carry it anywhere. Developed in Europe

and distributed in Australia by Rapala VMC, this clever product has won several

SPECIFICATIONS Size.............................................. 2.6”/ 6.5 cm diameter Compatibility............................... From iOS 8.0 and Android 4.0 to the latest iOS and Android devices Construction............................... ABS Weight.......................................... 100g Connection.................................. Wireless Bluetooth Bluetooth range.......................... Up to ~50m, depending on the OS and smartphone model Depth range max/min................ 40m/wide angle - 1.3m; narrow angle - 0.5m Temperature................................ water temperature sensor Temperature unit........................ Celsius / Fahrenheit Operational temperature........... -20°C to 40°C Battery......................................... Lithium polymer, 3.7V rechargeable; lasts for six hours of non-stop usage; takes two hours to fully charge Power adapter............................ compatible with 110V/240V. Micro USB Sonar type................................... Dual beam Frequency.................................... 290 kHz (15°) / 90 kHz (55°) Colour.......................................... Black

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awards, including Best Boating Accessory at the 2015 AFTA Trade Show. SMARTPHONE APP Before purchasing a Deeper sounder, it’s worth downloading the free Deeper app to get a better idea of what this fishfinder’s features are and how to use it. After you download the app you can run the sonar simulation to see how everything works and what the display will look like. This all-in-one mobile application provides owners with unique content and the latest features which can be accessed anytime, anywhere. It’s compatible with Apple, Samsung, LG, Sony, HTC, Sony Ericsson, Motorola, Huawei and over 7000 other smartphone models and tablets. Boat Mode 4.0 is the name of the latest app update, available for both iOS and Android users. This update has two longawaited features: mapping and unlimited history. This means you can create personal bathymetric maps which allow you to monitor bottom contour and depths, therefore helping you find the best fishing spots in the

area. Unlimited data history means you can store the maps and sonar readings so they can be accessed at any time. The Boat Mode 4.0 app update is free and is compatible with all Deeper sonar versions. Here are the other main features of the Deeper app. Know when to fish A primary feature is a a detailed fishing calendar based on lunar phases for your chosen location, along with the best biting times by hour. This means you’ll always know the best fishing time. Be prepared for any weather Up-to-date weather reports based on your favourite locations provide accurate 5-day forecasts, including air temperature, cloud cover, wind speed and direction, humidity, pressure and even the position of the sun and moon. Save the best spots With Smart Fish Finder you get an integrated map function complete with fish location saving option, so you always know exactly where you should be fishing next time. Track data history Review your recent

sonar history by simply moving the screen or the cursor to the left until the screen starts to move in reverse. Share your catch Smart Fish Finder is fully integrated within social media networks so you can share your fishing stories and pictures quickly and easily at the touch of a button. ACCESSORIES There are two handy accessories available, catering to anglers who fish at night, and those who fish from kayaks. The flexible arm accessory is perfect for yakkers; a universal 1/4 20” male screw makes it compatible with RAM mounts and most paddle sport gear. And if you’re fishing at night, you can swap out the original cover case for a night fishing transparent one. Select ‘night fishing mode’ on the mobile application, and your Deeper will light up so you can clearly see it. WHERE TO BUY The Deeper fishfinder has a recommended retail price of $339.95. For more information or to find the Deeper stockist nearest you, visit www.buydeeper.com.

Product Review

Using a Deeper for the first time FMG

Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

It’s always a good test of how intuitive a new piece of gear is when you can crank it up and use it effectively without the instruction manual. That’s exactly the position I found myself in on a hectic day of tagging on North Pine Dam, just north of Brisbane.

it sounds. Volunteers tagged over 1000 fish on the first day with all of the data contributing to better knowledge of the population dynamics of the fishery. It’s tough work, but someone has to do it. After nearly exhausting our tag supply, I opened the little black bag that contained a spherical transducer. My brother Tim, who had supplied the test

installed the free Deeper app from Apple’s App Store. The process was trouble free. After that, Bluetooth pairing to the unit completed the setup and we were ready to go. And by that, I mean we were ready to drag around the little floating ball on the VB cord. Since then, I’ve found that there’s a variety of mounting options that are suitable for basically anything that floats. Immediately, we were able to get an accurate depth on the Deeper. I know this because I was

checking the reading with a Humminbird 1198 running right next to it. It didn’t take long to find some fish, and because they probably hadn’t ever seen a lure before, it took even less time to hook one up for the camera. You can see the sequence on the video review we produced by scanning the QR code hereby. In practice, fish showed up exactly the same on the Deeper as they did on the Humminbird, and although it’s probably not as powerful a solution as the ‘bird provided, it

The Deeper fishfinder uses the processing power and Bluetooth connection of your smartphone to display an accurate image of what’s under your transducer. Now and then, keen taggers get a small window of access to the hyper stocked bass lake where the bass are big and greedy. And yes, it is as good as

unit, also kindly provided a length of venetian blind cord to tow around this little ball of technology. When I picked up the unit, I’d searched for and

For a $300 price tag, you can turn your smartphone into a fully capable fish finder.

Once you download the app and pair the device, you can start sounding straight away. Admittedly it’s not too hard to find and catch bass in North Pine Dam, but the unit was still pretty impressive. sure is a convenient and economical one. It’s literally a sounder in your pocket. So, with only half an hour of testing, I can say that we’re looking forward to more time on the water with the Deeper products. You can see the options and extended capabilities of the latest versions of these units in the article on the opposite page. The next time you’ll hear from us about it, we’ll have given the Deeper sounders a serious flogging.

Check out the range at www.buydeeper.com. Trade enquiries locally to Rapala Australia. VIDEO

To see the full video review, scan the QR code on your smartphone.

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A boat of confidence BRISBANE

Mathew Scholz

There is a certain time in every angler’s life when they decide to push a little further in pursuit of trophy fish and explore the expanse of bluewater beyond the bays and estuaries. For me, chasing longtail tuna and spotted mackerel in the Moreton Bay region was the call I had to answer.

I had always wondered what other pelagics patrolled the waters of the deep blue but I never knew if my boat was large enough to be capable of getting out there. I’ve always fished from a 5m boat, which has proved to be extremely manageable and comfortable in my experience. Rest assured, any boat from 4.5m upwards is capable of experiencing offshore conditions. It all comes down to understanding your boat, how it rides,

and taking into account the weather and tides. SAFETY Safety is key; it’s the most important thing you need to consider before you start your offshore adventure. Flares and EPIRB are essential, but ensuring that your boat is seaworthy takes precedence over anything else. Take your boat in for a service or check-up regularly. Keep in mind that something as simple as an automatic bilge is a must

The author with a stunning amberjack caught from a 5m boat offshore. How good is that? (Photo courtesy of Andrew Mckinstray)

The Tide boys whipping up some pelagics offshore with a solid kingie and another wicked amberjack. (Photo courtesy of Andrew Mckinstray)

Having a smaller boat only means you have to be more strategic about fishing offshore. (Photo courtesy of Andrew Mckinstray)

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on any offshore tour. Once you’re confident using your boat and motor, you can start to plan your trip. I run the same routine every time, to guard against any unwelcome surprises. Use the run-in tide so the swell isn’t standing up, ensure you only come up against low swell under 2m, and don’t speed. The ocean is unpredictable, and can turn on you in an instant – make sure you don’t do more than 15knots. If I can’t expect or achieve these conditions, I stick to the Bay. No fish is worth risking your life – or even your boat. Most fishers will have a friend who regularly fishes offshore. Follow the more experienced boaties out through the bar to gain an understanding of the speed and path that is safe and reliable to head out along. As you head out place a mark on your GPS every 50m. This will leave you a bread trail for the way home. WHERE TO START? Once you’re out, the big question is, where do I start fishing? The ocean is a huge place, and can overwhelm and discourage newcomers if they can’t put fish in the boat. To

combat this you need to have a game plan. Fish to the season by understanding what species are firing at the time. For example, if you want to chase

Spanish mackerel, winter is the perfect time as the really big models are hanging around. Know what time peak bites occur – midway

A 5m boat is just as capable of getting to the area you need to be to catch and release a big kingfish. (Photo courtesy of Andrew Mckinstray)

through the tides when the bait is most concentrated on pressure edges. GET YOUR THRILL ON Look to your sounders to find defined edges or alternatively, areas that hold

34L to get me through the morning. The worst thing you can do is leave yourself with just the right amount of fuel. I’ve learnt a few hard lessons over the years, leaving fish on the chew

yellowfin busting the surface. I have a 180L fuel tank and will never have less than 150L when I head out. You never know what you are going to come across.

fishing the bay. For snapper, early morning flicking plastics around shallow structure is effective. As the morning goes on, work your way out deeper, and always keep an eye on your sounder to find the bait to lead you to the fish. When chasing pelagics, look for pinnacles or ledges that hold bait and always keep an eye out for birds as they are looking for the same thing as you. You need to keep pushing the boundaries in your boat and fishing the

Australian coastline, as it is home to some of the world’s best fishing. There is no reason why a 5m boat isn’t capable of getting amongst it. Plan your trips in local open waters and estimate how far you think you might travel and how much fuel you might use – before you leave home. A handy tip is to fill your boat up before you head out and fill it up when you get home to see how close your fuel consumption was to what you estimated. The Bunker group out

of 1770 is only 70km out, which will give you a round trip of 160km. With all this considered, you really only need around 70L to fish some of the most amazing waters you could ever dream of and only a few hours north of Brisbane. Be confident in your fishing and ability to try new things. Keep an eye on weather patterns and know when the sea breeze is expected to kick in so you’re not travelling home in 15 knots.

Give the estuaries a break, get offshore and into some tuna action. (Photo courtesy of Andrew Mckinstray) bait. An example of this is Boat Rock off Stradbroke Island. It’s roughly 35km from Cleveland boat ramp, which will give you a round trip of around 85km including fishing. I know my boat – a Signature 543SF with a 140 Suzuki – runs on 2.5km/L. This means I will need at least

because I didn’t put in enough fuel for my day. The excitement of fishing open water is not knowing what the day will bring, whether you are casting stickbaits for mackerel and instead encountering rogue marlin, or starting your journey home to find a school of

GET CONFIDENT Having a small boat shouldn’t limit you, it just means you have to be a little bit smarter about where you fish and the conditions you are fishing. You really don’t have to travel far to catch quality fish offshore. Ensure you stick to the same principles as if you were

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G2 Tournament 2000 Bluewater with Suzuki 200 BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

The second generation 2000 Bluewater sits mid range in the Tournament range of pleasure craft manufactured by the busy Haines Group. At 6.29m in length and with a 2.34m in beam it’s a lot of boat, sure to be appreciated by many people – especially those who need to have a great all rounder suited just as well for family pursuits as for dedicated fishing. The addition of an optional hard top, built on a very strong framework, is one of the distinguishing characteristics of the new G2 Tournament 2000 Bluewater range. Next comes extra cockpit fishing room – some 22cm – plus substantial redesign of the transom area to incorporate a locking door, live bait tank, fold down rear lounge plus hatches that provide access to both batteries and bilge for utmost end user convenience. Up front, there’s provision for a drum winch 122

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to handle ground tackle although the option of walking around the hard top via the cuddy’s wide side decks is certainly viable in calm conditions. I used the walkaround to exit the craft onto a beach and it was quite satisfactory. Tucked below the massive hard top, the skipper and mate’s seats, on their massive hinged storage boxes, are far enough apart to allow easy cabin access via a sliding door. Bunks within the cabin are large enough to sleep on, an infill is available, and useful storage under bunks is sure to be appreciated, as is be the cabin’s full-length side shelving. A Porta Potti is also available. At the helm the skipper and mate will appreciate the comfort and support of the Bluewater’s slideadjustable bucket seats. The sliding windows on each side of the craft’s four-piece, wiper-equipped windscreen will be great in hot weather or in times of bad visibility. Whether seated or standing, the visibility from the helm area is perfect. The

Tournament’s 3m long, full-length cockpit side pockets, of very generous capacity, extend right up to the cuddy cab so both skipper and mate can easily access the storage area by their sides. Very handy indeed. The Tournament’s raised dash layout is as modern as tomorrow, with state-of-the-art dedicated Suzuki gauges that provide every possible piece of information, from engine revs to helm positioning, even exact global position! Suzuki certainly packed a lot of usefulness in those gauges! The pride of place on the dash went to the craft’s big Garmin GPS map 7407XSV unit. It was located above the wheel with banks of switches somewhat lower. Up to four anglers could work in the large, 800mm high cockpit of the G2 Tournament Blue Water (the boat’s rating is for six people). Highlights of the cockpit include generous amounts of side padding, stainless foot rests atop the long side pockets, two rod

holders per side in gunwale tops, along with large hand rails, a non-skid cockpit floor plus a boarding gate to port. The Tournament’s livewell was to starboard within the redesigned transom, while a drop down three-person aft seat provided comfort underway, yet could be lowered when fishing to form a brace point. Incidentally, the Tournament 2000 Bluewater’s 960kg hull

Plenty of rod storage there! Engines range from 130-200hp and power was courtesy of a Suzuki’s new four cylinder DF200A. Interestingly, the new 2.9L four weighs 30kg less than its six cylinder 200 counterpart, and on the transom of the Tournament it certainly proved its worth. Planing occurred at 2800 rpm, travelling at 17.8km/h. I saw a sensible cruising speed of 38.5km/h (3500rpm) with the Suzuki

SPECIFICATIONS Length: ......................................................................6.29m Length overall (including bowsprit):........................6.5m Height on trailer:........................................... approx. 2.4m Height on trailer with hardtop:...............................2.85m Beam:.........................................................................2.34m Hull weight: .............................................................. 960kg Power rating: . .................................................. 130-200hp Max persons: ................................................................... 6 proved very stable at rest, well suited to all manner of fishing or family pursuits. A large bait board aft was also equipped with rod holders. Adding those to the six mounted on the rear of the fibreglass hard top and those in the gunwales brought the total of rod holders aboard to 12.

200 sipping 16.75L per hour. Full throttle application saw 76.4km/h recorded, 6300rpm on the Suzuki gauge. The Tournament was a pleasure to drive thanks to electric/hydraulic steering, which was extremely direct yet fingertip light. Ride and handling were spot on,

as expected of a 21° vee hull with plenty of grip on the water. This boat is well suited to bay, estuary and offshore fishing as well as all manner of family boating. The finish, as per usual with Haines Group products, was up with the very best on offer anywhere, and the hull’s 10-year structural warranty should please owners as well. The displayed price for the 2000 Bluewater is $104,500. If you’re interested in one of these deals go to Australian Marine Centre in Slacks Creek, Brisbane, off the Pacific Highway. Give them a call on (07) 3808 7300. More info is also available at www.tournament pleasureboats.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.

Angler-friendly features abound in the Tournament 2000 Bluewater Gen 2, including massive side pockets with footrest, cockpit side coaming and handy grab rail.

Strong under-hull strakes, visible here where they start at the bow section, serve to keep the Tournament level and stable at rest, and right on track underway. Here you can see the Tournament’s clean lines, large work area for anglers plus the very tidy arrangements around the transom.

A drop down seat in the cockpit serves to provide a more spacious area. This will greatly aid fishing, and provides seats for up to three people underway. In this photo you can also see the boarding gate, bait board and bait tank to starboard within the full height transom.

There’s room to spare on the dash area for even larger sounders or nav aids. The test boat’s layout featured state-of-the-art Suzuki gauges and the Garmin 7407XSV unit, on upper levels wheel and switches lower down.

Standing to drive is easy when you have a sliding helm seat with a drop down bolster section. Note the size of the seat storage boxes, strength of the hard top supports and the neat fitment of the sliding cabin door.

A cavernous under seat storage box is a handy feature of the G2 Tournament 2000.

The cabin offers somewhere to have a spell out of the weather, or can be used for gear storage underway. There’s ample lighting, big side pockets and enough floor depth for a Porta Potti to be installed. MAY 2016

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Stacer boats go forward in leaps and bounds FMG

Will Lee wlee@fishingmonthly.com.au

Stacer Boats have long been established as one of Australia’s favourite boat brands. With a reputation for producing aluminium boats of excellent performance standard that are equally as comfortable, I was excited to see what was new from Stacer at a recent media day held opposite the Stacer factory at the Gold Coast City Marina. ASSAULT PRO The Stacer Assault Pro is a popular option for sportsfishers, whether they are competing on a tournament circuit or simply enjoying their time on the water with mates. With some cool new standard

storage locker. The 519 Assault Pro now comes standard with 4mm bottoms and the 489 can be beefed up to 4mm for those that are looking for extra strength. NOMAD One of the most versatile fishing boats that Stacer produces is the Nomad series. The current Nomad line up (489, 509, 539 and 579) sees two new additions to the family in the form of the 449 and 469 Nomad. With the extended range, customers now have more variety and options to suit every lifestyle and budget. Just like the Assault Pro, the Nomad series has been improved with Stacer’s new Sports Side Console. A new extra seat spigot located on the front casting deck adds an extra seating position with

some time now with bluewater fishing enthusiasts. While both the soft top and hard top models have been popular, Stacer recognised customer demand for smaller hard top models and have launched the 589 Ocean Ranger hard top and the 619 Ocean Ranger hard top models that now offer a more budget friendly option that is still packed with power and strength. An accessory that is largely overlooked by most boat manufacturers is a set of trim tabs, and it is refreshing to see that Stacer are fitting these as standard across the Stacer Ocean Ranger series. With trim tabs fitted, the Ocean Rangers will make travelling easier and will save on fuel costs. There are now two options with seating arrangements. The first is

The Assault Pro is a great looking sportsfishing rig and the Evo Advance Hull cuts the water superbly.

The 589 Ocean Ranger hard top will tickle the fancy of most offshore anglers. and optional upgrades, the on-water experience aboard these boats will be greater. Without doubt, the most noticeable change is the Stacer Sports Side Console that comes as standard in the 459, 489 and 519 models. The team at Stacer received consumer feedback that anglers needed more room to mount bigger sounders and they listened. The smart new console design has enough real estate to house a 10” sonar/GPS screen comfortably. You will find newly designed Stacer pop-up cleats on the Assault Pro models, which are a great benefit and protect not only little toes when sitting flush but also prevent tangled fishing lines. There is more than enough storage room up the front of this boat for all of your fishing gear and accessories, as well as an optional rod 124

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enough spots to seat four anglers. With other standard features in the Nomad range including carpeted floors, a bimini with storage envelope and rod holders, customers can expect to get bang for their buck. RUNABOUT Stacer’s number one selling boat in their range is the 429 Seaway, so it is no surprise that the Runabout range, which includes the Baymaster and Seaway models, received some tweaking. While not much has changed you will find Stacer’s new Shark carpet to be softer under foot and the dark grey colouring is aesthetically pleasing. You will also find a larger anchor well big enough to mount a drum winch in the Runabout models. OCEAN RANGER The Ocean Ranger series has been making waves for

the standard Stacer seat box that offers ample amounts of storage below and the second is the newly designed seat frame that includes an icebox that neatly positions below the seat and keeps your lunch, drinks and catch ice cold. The seats have also been upgraded to the Stacer Ocean Pro seats with standard armrests for the ultimate in comfort. The 619, 679 and 739 Ocean Ranger Hard Tops now all come with hardened glass windscreens that feature sliding side windows, which keeps you both cool and dry. SEA RANGER Stacer have released one of their most fishing focused boats to date in the form of the Sea Ranger series. These hard-core fishing boats have a real sporty looking centre console with a stylish T-Top and tonnes of room for fishing. The hull reaps all the

The Cross Fire is a great option for boaties who are after a serious fishing boat that is equally capable of a fun family day out enjoying water sports. rewards of Stacer’s renowned EVO advanced hull. With a 5mm bottom and 4mm sides, this is a boat built tough to take on the roughest offshore conditions. You will find two models in the Sea Ranger series – the 619 and the 679. The 619 Sea Ranger is rated to a 200hp outboard with a massive 168L fuel tank, while the 679 will take 225hp and a whopping 215L of fuel. Both models have the option of a second 80L fuel tank for those who want to push further afield. The Sea Ranger models feature a fully sealed chequer plate front casting platform that contains a huge amount of storage below for tackle, camping equipment and any other precious cargo that may be on board. With all the standard options you’d expect to find on a serious fishing boat such as a berley bucket, cutting board, kill tank, live bait tank and six welded rod holders, this is a boat that will impress the most serious of anglers. CROSS FIRE What do you do when you’re torn between a fishing boat and a family water-sports oriented boat? From now on, you go for the Stacer Cross Fire. This, without doubt, is the most versatile boat in the Stacer range to date and caters not only for the die-hard lure casters, but also for the family wanting a fun day on

There’s no denying it, the Cross Fire is a fun boat.

the water. The Cross Fire features a fully functional casting platform at the front of the boat for a fishing adventure. The beauty of this unique set-up is that you can remove the centre piece of the casting deck and with optional cushions, this can transform the space into a ready-made

While the Cross Fire is packed with standard options such as a bimini cover, four rod holders, VHF radio, and Stacer Elite Pro seats, there are other options available to trick it up even more with a Mega Chopper Cutting Board, berley bucket, ski pole, ski hooks, transom ladder, hydraulic steering,

The new Stacer Sports Side Console is one of the smartest side consoles we have seen. bow rider complete with sun lounge. With a sharper bow entry and a deeper V, the Evo Advance Hull performs flawlessly with a smooth, dry ride and plenty of stability at rest. The Cross Fire comes standard with a single side console, but there is an option of getting a passenger side console, which your first mate will definitely appreciate on a chilly morning out on the water.

and of course, the essential drink holders. OVERVIEW After having played in and with all of these great boats from Stacer at the media day, it’s great to see that the folk at Stacer are never resting and continue to innovate and improve their Australian made product year in year out. To find out more about any of the Stacer boats mentioned in this article, head to www. stacer.com.au.

We put the 679 Sea Ranger through its paces on the Jumpinpin Bar and it performed beautifully.

The perfect boats for barra, bass or bream

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And all the offshore fish that roam our vast coastline

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!

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1 9 - 2 2 M AY 2 0 16 ON MASTHEAD W AY

What to know when buying a boat: offshore craft BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

This article is the first in a series designed to make things easy for the angler keen to own a boat for a particular style of fishing:

day to ensure those specs are not exceeded. The next move is to give some thought to where the boat will be kept. Boats don’t do well if left out in the weather for prolonged periods, so undercover storage for an item involving a significant

the amount of freeboard of an offshore craft and tend to be mainly open boats. A large centre console can satisfy both estuary and offshore work, but with entirely open boats there can be issues with rain or bad seas. The only option is to break out the wet gear and grin and bear it. By and large the most favoured offshore rigs are larger boats because they can combine freeboard, interior space and cockpit work area in harmony. Accordingly, to see these features melded seamlessly off shore rigs are at least 5m in length, and while most are either centre cab or cuddy cab

A Haines Signature 650 F, powered by a 250 Suzuki in its element. At 6.5m in length this cuddy cab rig offers many desirable features.

An Offshore Marine Master plate alloy rig going through the Caloundra Bar. With a centre cab or cuddy cab craft, protection from water and the elements is a big advantage. in this case, heading offshore for a crack at the big stuff. Obviously, an offshore rig needs to have very specific features for work out on the ocean and we’ll look at them in detail shortly, but let’s first start with tow and stow. TOW AND STOW Safe towing is vital and it’s important to have a favourable margin between the weight of the chosen craft and the tow capacity of a vehicle. While it’s pretty easy to tow anything, stopping becomes the issue. Car manufacturers provide tow capacities and boaters should always consider full fuel loads, topped up eskies, and everything else carried in the boat on the

capital outlay is important and a fold down T top, bimini or other over head frame work is a blessing if overhead storage room is going to be tight. Tow and stow are minor considerations, but can have a big impact on the degree a boat is used from my experience. If transportation away from or a return to home is awkward or difficult, the boat won’t get much use. BASIC OFFSHORE REQUIREMENTS There’s a vast difference between a craft that’s suited to offshore fishing to one that is best used in the bay or estuary. Estuary or bay craft slot into the smaller side of the ledger and do not require

Bunks, or even full beds, are featured in all cuddy cabs, and offer shelter plus storage space as well.

among us. There’s a trade off in overall fishing room due to the cabin’s intrusion, but the comfort and protection offered by that cabin plus the bimini usually associated with it is a huge bonus. DESIRABLE FEATURES FOR OFFSHORE WORK Moreover, the cabin will feature bunks where you can enjoy a sheltered rest or sleep, make use of the storage under them and that of overhead shelving if it’s provided. Again, a toilet may be an option as

well and this combination of features is what makes a cuddy cabin style of craft so favoured by off shore anglers. The dash area should be large enough for anticipated navigation aids and sounders with all instruments and gauges easily read. Forward and side visibility should be unobstructed from the helm seat. Within the cockpit work area, a live bait tank, an aft seat that can be folded down when fishing to compliment the seats for

styles of craft I’ve reviewed a couple of really large bow riders that easily doubled as offshore fishing craft. Larger boats of all styles can readily double as a bay or estuary craft suited to family boating due to the combination of comfort levels, protection from the elements and the capability to readily store expensive tackle when on prolonged runs out to sea. CENTRE CAB OR CUDDY? Centre cabs are a step

An exception to the rule; the big Sea Fox is a bow rider. It’s a fun craft, but the sheer size, ample freeboard and overall comfort levels would see it do well offshore with ease.

Plate alloy offshore perfection. Sea Jay’s great 618 Pursuit flying along in fine style. Every desirable offshore feature is packed into the big Sea Jay, which has a dedicated following among boaties who love their offshore fishing. 126

MAY 2016

up from the standard centre console rig as they offer a mini cab amidships. They also offer walkaround areas from front to rear and when the craft is a larger one there can be quite reasonable storage within the centre cab. Some even feature a toilet! But when it comes to overall protection from the elements, it’s near impossible to beat a cuddy cab craft. Size is everything in these craft and it’s no surprise that few manufacturers offer models under 5m, and many offer craft right up to 7m for the dedicated offshore anglers

Some of the necessary features for offshore work are on hand here: there’s a livewell to starboard, a bait station with rod holders amidships, a full height transom, side pockets, folding rear seat and decent side padding.

skipper and mate, a deck wash and maybe in floor storage for ice and drinks or the day’s catch will also be desirable features. Most manufacturers offer all or at least some of these features in their cuddy cab models and with the certain knowledge that a lot of these rigs will be used offshore, they ensure that cockpit and transom heights (the overall freeboard as it’s called) are sufficient to inspire confidence in an owner. The higher those sides, within reason, the less chance of water or spray intrusion. THE RIDE IS EVERYTHING As mentioned, cuddy cab

The Evolution 552 is another cuddy cab that combines plenty of excellent offshore fishing features with a compact size.

Some of the main features of a well-designed offshore rig are outstanding. Note the high sides of the OMM 610 centre cab, the full height transom, twin livewells aft, ample rod holders and the shelter provided by the centre cab amidships.

craft are usually on the larger side, which in turn – whether the craft is a plate alloy or fibre glass rig – equates to some serious mass. On the water, mass is not a bad thing at all as it softens the ride, adds stability both at rest and underway and gives a great feeling of solidarity in that the boat is travelling in rather than just on the water. What’s more, today’s boat owners also have the benefit of many years of competitive hull development and current hull styles in both alloy and glass ensure that ride quality is everything it should be. That’s not to say that the

boat owner can just head straight into metre and a half swells with the throttle lever down and the tacho showing 5000rpm! After the first couple of impacts that throttle lever will come back very quickly! The key is to drive the boat sensibly according to conditions with faster travel in calmer sea conditions, less pace equating to a more comfy ride when things are rough. Sufficient power for the job is vital, which is why many manufacturers are recommending top engine power for their larger craft. When a wave is coming astern there are times when a rapid engine response

provides peace of mind and this is never more important than when a bar crossing is being undertaken. CONCLUSION When selecting a suitable boat for offshore work it’s pretty obvious that some hard and fast rules are involved and over riding all is the dollar factor. Larger craft do involve more expense but the enjoyment when offshore fishing on a great day is hard to beat. My advice is to shop around, looking for as many features as possible in a rig from a well-established manufacturer and make sure the chosen boat fits as many of your requirements as possible.

The Tournament 2000 is a 6m cuddy rig with the lot, and is ideal for offshore fishing in every respect.

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127

Evolution 552X with 150 Mercury four-stroke BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

The 552 Evolution is the sort of boat every angler would be happy to own. Made in Bayswater, Victoria, it’s exactly right for Australian conditions. With an extensive legacy of fibreglass construction behind each hand-laid craft, the Evolution series of boats offer an outstanding ride, great stability, and a real sense of value for the dollar. They also come with a seven year structural hull warranty. With an opportunity to review the 552X Evolution (in Silver class trim level) in and around the Jumpinpin area recently, I was able to re-familiarise myself with the new 552 which took the place of the acclaimed 550 – a craft I had previously enjoyed time aboard. NEW HULL, FULL STOP Evolution’s Paul Junginger went the hard yards with the 552, manufacturing a different hull this time. It’s offered in three levels of trim, with the 552X Silver offering most items a serious angler would want while still remaining what Paul calls ‘an entry level craft’. Entry level seemed an understatement to me, given that the 552X came with two under floor storages areas, 50L ice box, adjustable seating up 128

MAY 2016

front, full sized grab rail above the four piece windscreen, moulded and well-padded bunks with storage under them, hydraulic steering linked to the 150 Mercury astern, four stainless steel rod holders, plus a rod holder rack in the starboard side pocket. Slipping off its Dunbier trailer with ease, the Evolution 552X immediately impressed me with its stability as I boarded the craft at Jacobs Well. The Evo sports one of the widest hulls for its length in the business, at 2.49m against its 5.5m length. The stability this imparts was obvious as I stood to drive in the 6 knot area where there seemed to be a flotilla of kayak anglers wetting their backsides. When you’re standing to drive you’ll appreciate the handy brace point at the front of the height-adjustable bucket skipper’s seat, but while seated at the helm I found the visibility to be just as good as I poured on the power from the 3L 150 Mercury 4-stroke, as Springwood Marine’s Gyula Vari and I headed for the ‘Pin bar to play.

LOTS TO LIKE ABOUT THE 552 Several things impressed me about the Evolution during the test drive. The seating was as good as it gets; I had plenty of leg room and a foot rest to boot, and 100% visibility. The passenger had a similar seat set-up, but with an ice box under it. The wide dash area aft of the big screen with its full grab rail provided handy storage for personal items. There is easy access into the cuddy cab area (a locking door is an option) that allowed me to tuck my camera case in there with full confidence that it would stay put. The wiring loom aft of the main instrument area in the cuddy cab has a hatch cover and is easy to access. Side windows and moulded step to allow anchor well access via the big cabin hatch were cuddy features, but I reckon most owners of this offshore-orientated craft would opt for a power winch from the outset. Another good option is the well-made and strongly framed bimini that I was very glad to see on the test boat on

SPECIFICATIONS Length overall...................................................6.2m Length on trailer............................................... 7.4m Height on trailer.................................................2.15 Beam...................................................................2.49 Deadrise.............................................................. 21° Hull weight......................................................820kg HP.................................................................100-150 Max persons...........................................................6

such a hot, sunny day. The Evolution’s instrument layout was as modern as tomorrow. The 7” Mercury Vessel View unit provided every detail of true engine management in a clear, bold, digital array in a very efficient touch screen. As a bonus, it’s designed to interface with a Simrad or Lowrance sounder/ GPS units. Space is no issue, there is ample room above the VesselView screen for a large sounder to be installed with ease. As a serious offshore fishing craft, the Evolution Silver’s cockpit was designed to maximise fishing pleasure. As well as the features already mentioned, it had a thoughtful layout which saw 800mm high cockpit sides topped with stainless grab rails for additional security; full cockpit length side pockets for gear storage; an optional 3-person, drop-down padded seat aft to cater for passengers when heading out for a fish; plus the additions of further options such as a clear sided bait well, deck wash and a well set up bait station. Another feature I like is the craft’s full height locking transom door, which swings inwards to help you land extra large fish. The cockpit transom width was a full 2.1m, and with a length of around 2.5m I can see four anglers working there with ease. The Evolution’s immense stability comes courtesy

of a 21° deadrise deep vee hull, plus it has massive reversed chines, well formed under hull strakes and a not inconsiderable weight of some 820kg dry weight. I’d experienced the Evolution ride previously and the new 552X Silver continued the tradition in fine style. A fine entry and big strakes to break up underwater surfaces and get some air into the mix provided the sort of ride that serious offshore fishing demands, and the 4-stroke Mercury 3L 150 was in many respects the perfect choice of engines. Although the 150 was listed as top power, factors such as crew capacity (the craft is rated for up to six people) and the beaminess of the solid hull must be taken into consideration, which is why I consider the smooth running 150 as ideal power. During test runs the Evolution planed sweetly at 20.1km/h at 2650rpm, cruised at 3000rpm at 34.2km/h, started to boogy at 4000rpm at 48.5km/h recorded while 5000rpm and 5600rpm recorded 67.2 and 74.4km/h respectively. What I could not adequately record was just how good the ride was in the Jumpinpin bar area with the hull taking incoming crests fair on its shoulders and just pushing them out of the way. Offshore work? Count on it being easy in this rig with 150L of fuel under the floor for maximum range.

SUMMING UP The Evolution 550 Silver, looks good, rides well and is a great boat all round. It’s surprisingly small on the trailer but very large when you’re aboard. The standard features fulfil a lot of offshore fishing requirements, and that’s not mentioning the many options available. Three grades of finish are offered: Silver, Gold and Platinum. With a Dunbier roller trailer, the reviewed craft would come home for a very reasonable $72,309 which includes a VHF radio, coloured hull, Simrad G07 GPS sounder combo, rear lounge, live bait tank, deck wash, bow rails, rocket launcher, bimini, fibreglass bait station with rod holders, rear steps with rail and ladder. Included is full and comprehensive safety equipment as standard. A base price of $69,517 would also be worth discussing with MotoSport Industries, which incorporates Springwood Marine. For more information give them a call on (07) 3297 8200 or check out their website at motosport.net.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.

This boat has well made and supportive bucket seats sitting on solid framework, and strong bimini supports come as standard. It’s easy to access the cabin thanks to a generous sized door.

Looking at the Evolution’s interior it’s not hard to understand how I made the call that this craft is quite large when one is aboard, and on the water.

A look at the Evolution’s underwater configuration reveals massive strakes and really well formed reversed outer chines.

A large part of this boat’s great ride comes courtesy of the hull’s fine entry and very well formed under hull strakes.

Although engine ratings start at 100hp, the easy performance of the 150 Mercury 4-stroke make it the optimal choice – especially when you consider that this rig is rated to six people.

Side pockets large enough for a landing net are not all that common on trailer craft of this size, nor is the standard fitting of a 50L ice box.

I liked the padding at the transom, pop the rear seat down for exponential fishing room.

The mock up instrument up top gives an idea of the amount of space available on the Evolution’s dash area for a big sounder unit. MAY 2016

129

See your authorised Mercury Marine Dealer today. BRISBANE SOUTH See your authorised Mercury Dealer today. MANLYMarine HARBOUR MARINE

NORTHERN NSW / GOLD COAST TWEED COAST MARINE 32 Machinery Drive, Tweed Heads South Phone: (07) 5524 8877 | Fax: (07) 5524 3324 Email: dan@tweedcoastmarine.com.au Website: www.tweedcoastmarine.com.au

570 Royal Esplanade Manly Phone: (07) 3893 2199 | Fax: (07) 3893 2188 Email: info@manlyharbourmarine.com.au Website: www.manlyharbourmarine.com.au

BRISBANE NORTH CUNNINGHAMS MARINE 23-25 Snook St Clontarf Phone: (07) 3284 8805 | Fax: (07) 3284 8813 Email: sales@cunninghammarinecentre.com.au Website: www.cunninghammarinecentre.com.au

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BRISBANE BAYSIDE MIKES MARINE 9 Smith Street Capalaba Phone: (07) 3390 3418 | Fax: (07) 3823 5856 Email: sales@mikesmarine.com.au Website: www.mikesmarine.com.au

BRISBANE NORTH BRISBANE MARINE 306 Duffield Road Clontarf Phone: (07) 3889 3033 | Fax: (07) 3889 5390 Email: info@brismarine.com.au Website: www.brismarine.com.au

BRISBANE SOUTH SPRINGWOOD MARINE 3475 Pacific Hwy Springwood Phone: (07) 3297 8200 | Fax: (07) 3297 8290 Email: mercury@motosport.net.au Website: www.springwoodmarine.com.au

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TOOWOOMBA WATERSKIERS WAREHOUSE 91-93 Neil St Toowoomba Phone: (07) 4637 9511 | Fax: (07) 4637 9513 Email: rod@waterskierswarehouse.com.au Website: www.waterskierswarehouse.com.au

BRISBANE SOUTH COORPAROO MARINE 57 Cavendish Rd Coorparoo Phone: (07) 3397 4141 | Fax: (07) 3397 6339 Email: info@coorparoomarine.com.au Website: www.coorparoomarine.com.au

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SUNSHINE COAST NORTHCOAST BOATING CENTRE 264 Nicklin Way Warana Phone: (07) 5493 9376 | Fax: (07) 5437 6144 Email: mail@northcoastboatingcentre.com.au Website: www.northcoastboating.com.au

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WIDE BAY THE BOAT PLACE 1872 Tin Can Bay Rd Goomboorian Phone: (07) 5486 5865 Email: yaltacraft@live.com.au Website: www.theboatplace.com.au

ROCKHAMPTON RIFEN BOATS 6 Dooley St, North Rockhampton Phone: (07) 4927 9150 | Fax: (07) 4921 3502 Email: rifen.boats@bigpond.com Website: www.rifenboats.com.au

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HERVEY BAY BAY CITY MARINE 82 Dayman Street Urangan Hervey Bay Phone: (07) 4128 9944 | Fax: (07) 4125 2350 Email: sales@baycitymarine.com.au Website: www.baycitymarine.com.au

WHITSUNDAY – CANNONVALE WHITSUNDAY OUTBOARD CENTRE 1 William Murray Dr Cannonvale Phone: (07) 4946 7286 | Fax: (07) 4946 7848 Email: woc@whitsundayoutboardcentre.com.au

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INNISFAIL COASTAL MARINE & OUTDOORS 178 Edith Street Innisfail Phone: (07) 4061 8272 | Fax: (07) 4061 7718 Email: joel@coastalmarine.com.au Website: www.coastalmarine.com.au BOWEN REIBEL MARINE 34 Don St Bowen Phone: (07) 4786 2944 Fax: (07) 4786 6606 Email: remarine@bigpond.net.au

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Visit mercurymarine.com.au to find your local participating dealer HURRY OFFER ENDS 23RD MAY, 2016. *Terms & conditions apply. Savings are based on RRP including recommended Accessories Kit and subject to change without notice. Prices exclude local freight charges, fit up and local statutory charges. Offer available on selected new consumer FourStroke outboards from 40 to 75hp FourStroke purchased from participating dealers from 21st March to 23rd May 2016. Ask your participating dealer for full list of models in the program. Offer is subject to availability and engines must be 2014 build onwards and installed and registered by no later than July 29, 2016. Offer not to be used in conjunction with any other offer or rebates. **Terms, conditions and credit criteria apply, offer available over a maximum 36 month term on Motor and Repower only. The comparison rate is based on a secured loan of $30,000 for a term of 5 years at an annual percentage rate of 3.22%. WARNING: The comparison rate only applies to the example given. Different amounts and terms will result in a different comparison rate. Finance is provided by Mercury Finance Pty Ltd ABN 28 156 248 092. Australian Credit Licence Number 421347. ^Terms & conditions apply 40-60hp Standard gearcase models upgrade to Vengeance 3 blade or Trophy Plus 4 blade. 40-60hp Command Thrust models upgrade to Vengeance 3 blade or a Trophy Plus or a Spitfire X7 4 blade. The 75hp Standard gearcase upgrades to a Trophy Plus or a Spitfire X7 4 blade and the 75hp Command Thrust model upgrades to an Enertia 3 blade or a Trophy Plus 4 blade.