Queensland Fishing Monthly October 2017 by Fishing Monthly

BORUMBA DAM POINTERS • 8-PAGE QLD DAMS GUIDE

Features • • • • • •

Catching up at Cania DIY: Doc’s Stickbait Beautiful Borumba Dam tips Finding your own honey hole Queensland dams guide Adding stinger hooks three ways

Boating and Kayaking • • • • •

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October 2017, Vol. 29 No. 12

Contents NORTHERN NEW SOUTH WALES

Yamba 22 Ballina 24

107

REGULAR FEATURES Back to Basics 20 Camping and 4WD 82 Cooking 90 Dam Levels 76 Freshwater 76 Fun Page 97 Junior Northern 75 Junior Southern 36 Sheik of the Creek 95 Tech Tricks 18 Tournament News 96 Track my fish 94 Trades and Services 104 What’s New Fishing 86 What’s New Boating 109 SPECIAL FEATURES

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Jake Newmarch took this slab of a saratoga while fishing Borumba Dam.

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AUST

Beautiful Borumba Finding your own honey hole Lure Making: Doc’s Stickbait Queensland dams guide

Queensland Fisheries reform that we are currently undergoing was started by the LNP and has been continued by the ALP, so there’s a confidence that this process will be ongoing, no matter what the result of the election.

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BOATING AND KAYAK

broad awareness that the power of the recreational fishing vote is strong. With both major parties having very similar policy, why not vote on the way they treat your fishery? One thing is certain, though, the process of

Ayr 66 Townsville 67 Hinchinbrook 69 Lucinda 68 Cairns 70 Cairns NFZ 71 Port Douglas 70 Cooktown 72 Cape York 72 Weipa 73 TNQ Freshwater 74

decisions about fisheries, areas and environments that affect our passion. QUEENSLAND ELECTION COMING We all know that there’s a state election headed our way. At the time of printing the timing is still undecided, however behind the scenes, the battle lines are being drawn. One of the priorities of all of the Queensland recreational fishing representative groups is to get the political parties to commit to a recreational fishing policy before we go to the polls - and for that to be ready when the election date is launched. So we hope that in the next issue of QFM, we will run a comprehensive summary of where the parties stand when it comes to how they treat your passion. Last election, the ALP offered the three Net Free Zones and they narrowly removed the LNP from power, so there’s a

TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND

2016’s inaugural Gone Fishing Day was a great success at so many levels. At one end of the spectrum, it was mentioned in Parliament by federal Fisheries Minister Anne Ruston, and at the user end, it saw thousands of anglers out on the water, going fishing, enjoying the great Australian outdoors and sharing time with mates and loved ones. Plenty of you also shared the experience on social media with the hashtag #gonefishingday. We encourage you to do this again in 2017 on the 15th October, because it is on again. Make sure you like the Gone Fishing Day page on Facebook and share the heck out of it. The more of us get on the water and show others that we love what we do, the more powerful our voice is when it comes to making sure that anglers are included in

Rainbow Beach 51 Hervey Bay 50 Fraser Island 51 Bundaberg 52 Lake Monduran 52 Stanage Bay 55 Yeppoon 54 Gladstone 53 Mackay 56

From the Editor’s Desk...

CENTRAL QUEENSLAND

The Tweed inshore 26 The Tweed 27 Southern Gold Coast 28 Gold Coast Canals 29 Gold Coast 32 Jumpinpin 30 Southern Bay 34 Brisbane 38 Brisbane Offshore 40 Northern Bay 42 Noosa 44

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There’s more than just beauty in Borumba BRISBANE

Chris Lindsay

Picturesque Lake Borumba is located in the Wide Bay–Burnett region of Queensland and is roughly 170km north of Brisbane’s CBD. Its primary purpose is to provide water to the Mary Valley irrigation scheme, but it’s also used for recreational purposes such as fishing, skiing and kayaking. Lake Borumba has been stocked with Australian bass, silver perch, golden perch and saratoga in the past. As you may know, most of our Australian native species will not breed or reproduce in our impoundments, and this is mostly due to their not being able to follow their natural migration patterns. For example, during winter bass need to be able to migrate downstream into their spawning grounds in saltwater estuaries to breed. Weirs, dams and floodgates prevent the bass from doing this. Saratoga, however, can happily breed in impoundments and lakes. BORUMBA’S TOGA The initial stocking

Saratoga are usually more active during the warmer months, but the author proves here that jackets and saratoga can sometimes mix! that makes them the perfect predator. Saratoga can grow up to around 90cm and have even been rumoured to reach 1m in length, but are more commonly caught between 40cm-75cm in Lake Borumba. Saratoga are a species known as ‘mouth brooders’, which means they carry their eggs in their mouth until they have hatched. From personal experience and discussions with other anglers about their breeding cycle, I believe their

food resources comes from bugs, crickets, frogs and grass hoppers, which all live in these surroundings. Lake Borumba has a main basin that stretches over 3km and has two main arms that turn into their own little river systems, called the Kingaham Creek Arm and the Yabba Creek Arm. Both hold great numbers of saratoga, bass and golden perch. Fishing a new location or targeting a new species can be very daunting at the

Few freshwater species in Australia are as striking as the southern saratoga.

OCTOBER 2017

spawning season is around late August through to early September. During this time they have been known to congregate into large numbers around timber and lily pad arms and bays throughout the lake to breed, and will generally be less active. FINDING PREDATORS Lake Borumba is surrounded by national parks and state forests. The amount of structure this lake holds is absolutely amazing, and it has everything an angler could ask for, with steep rocky banks, weed and lily pad riddled bays and points, sunken timber, endless clustered dead trees, shallow flats, overhanging trees and shrubs to name a few. Around 40-50% of saratoga and bass

best of times, especially in a lake as big as Borumba. A lot of questions could be going through your mind, like what structure type should I target first? What lure should I be using and when should I be using it? You can increase your chances of landing that prized saratoga by simply putting in a few extra hours before your next trip and reading a few articles just like this one. In this article, I hope by focusing on these kind of topics that I will help with decision making on the water. As anglers we thrive on confidence, which can come in many forms such as a favourite lure, favourite technique or even

we all need to experience a surface strike from a saratoga or bass at least once in our lives. Poppers and paddlers are my go-to surface lures and I will generally have them tied on to start the morning. These two lures in my eyes cover both types of retrieves you will want to focus on. With poppers, I like to make long casts towards weed and lily structure and get it as close as possible by either casting parallel or casting towards it. With this lure I like to use two short pops or twitches followed by a lengthy pause of around 4-6 seconds. For this type of fishing, don’t be afraid to leave the lure there motionless, as sometimes all it takes is a pause in your retrieve to trigger the fish to bite. I have had this happen to me more times

Pure tranquillity as the author works a beautiful piece of water over with a surface lure. than I can remember, and this technique works great on saratoga and bass. Of late the paddler surface lures have become my favourite by far, mainly because of versatility in the sense of the different ways you can retrieve it. Slow rolling, twitching and popping are the different types of retrieve techniques this lure is capable of without needing to alter or change anything prior to use. Like the popper, I will take the same casting approach, but the retrieves will be different, as this lure works great with a slow rolling retrieve. This

on the surface, and this is where a quality set of polarised sunglasses are essential. I personally use Costa sunglasses for a few reasons, one being that they are 20% thinner and 22% lighter than your average polarised glasses, which makes wearing them for long periods of time more comfortable, plus they look great. The lures I like to use on this type of structure all comes down to the time of day. During early morning from about 5:30-7:30am I use a combination of surface lures, because let’s face it,

x x

Lily pad edge

Make long casts parallel to the lily pad edge

*Note: This is not always practical when fishing with a friend

Working the edges of lilies could not be simpler!

numbers of saratoga in Lake Borumba were small, but these fish have been able to maintain a selfsustaining population within the lake. Over the years they have been recorded in increasing numbers. Saratoga are a beautiful prehistoric-looking fish that have had very little study conducted on them compared to our other native species. Saratoga are a great sporting species, with exploding surface strikes and acrobatic leaps – what’s not to like about them! Saratoga generally spend most of the time roaming around in the top 20% of the water column. Their eyes are on the top of their head and they have a streamlined body

a type of structure. But occasionally this can be our biggest downfall. Having the confidence to switch lures or techniques at the right time, fishing to the current weather conditions or choosing the correct structure at the right time of day can very well determine how successful your fishing trip is going to be. Generally when I start a day fishing for saratoga and bass, I start early in the morning and often make my way up the main basin before sunrise to maximise my chances of getting a surface bite from a saratoga. STALKING THE PREY Weed and lily pads While the sun is still rising I take the opportunity to fish structure along weed edges that hold vast numbers of lily pads. This type of structure may be inside bays or along points, which can be found in either arm of Lake Borumba. I find that the bass will hold near structure like weed and lily pads in the morning, mainly because they hold a fair bit of warmth during the early morning chill. Bass will hold super tight to this structure, feeding on baitfish and insects until the sun has risen enough for them to push into slightly deeper water, or bury themselves in

this type of structure. This movement will usually depend on the weather conditions on the day. If you have an overcast and cloudy day you will tend to find that bass will hold around this shallow structure for a longer period then on a bright and clear type of day. Saratoga, on the other hand, will not hold in weed and lily pad structures as tight as the bass do. They are quite territorial fish and will roam up and down a certain stretch of water, patrolling for fleeing or injured baitfish and insects on the surface, and sometimes feed by themselves. As the sun rises, these fish, unlike bass, do not retreat into the depths, and do not appear to be as disturbed by the rising sun. It’s not uncommon to see saratoga roaming

style of retrieve is intended for creating a reaction bite, and as saratoga and bass are natural predators and quite aggressive. When you’re consistently slow to medium rolling your lure past these areas, they simply cannot resist having a go. Another retrieve I like to use is twitching. I will twitch the lure consecutively several times and then pause again for 4-6 seconds. I try to keep the lure in the strike zone for as long as possible, this way it gives the saratoga or bass every possible chance to grab your lure. If I were to approach the

weed and lily pad structure from 7:30am onwards on a sunny day, I would be more inclined to throw a sub-surface lure, as the sun can affect the way bass and sometimes saratoga are feeding. On a cloudy and overcast day, the surface lure bite can stretch out for much longer. This is something that you will have to assess on the day. When it comes to choosing a sub-surface lure during this time of the year I like to use jerkbaits and chatterbaits. With the jerkbaits I like to make long casts towards

weed and lily structure and get the lure as close as possible by either casting parallel or casting towards the structure. I then start my retrieve by cranking the reel a few times to get the lure down to my desired depth, which is usually only about 2-3 cranks. At this stage I will pause the lure for 4-6 seconds and will then give the lure two aggressive jerks with my rod. By doing this, the jerkbait will be darting left to right at almost 180°, which will be imitating an injured baitfish. I will then repeat this process for the entire retrieve.

x x

Cast into pockets Lily pad edge Cast tight to front edge

Fishing tight to the lily edges is a good move when fish are hiding under the lilies during the day.

Borumba’s bass are often overshadowed by the saratoga, but there are plenty of big bad-tempered bass in these waters! A chatterbait is similar to a spinnerbait, but has a few different features. A chatterbait is a lot more compact in size and only has one blade that gives off a lot of vibration at the front of the weighted head of the lure. I like to use this chatterbait in 3/4-1/2oz sizes and will retrieve them exactly the same as I would a spinnerbait – by casting towards or parallel to weed and lily structure and slow rolling it back. Try to find gaps and breaks in the lily pads when making your cast during this time of the day, as the bass will use this type of structure as cover.

Overhanging trees and shrubs As the day goes on and the sun rises, shade coverage is less prominent throughout most locations in Lake Borumba. This is the time to target the last bit of shade underneath overhanging trees and shrubs. Bass will hold tight in these pockets with the last bit of shade before moving into deeper water. They use this structure for protection from other predators. Saratoga will also use this structure for feeding purposes, preying on bugs and insects that fall from these overhanging trees.

It may be difficult to get a lure into some of these places, but it will come down to the accuracy of your casting. Take your time and make the cast count, as sometimes inches can be the difference between getting that bite or not. In these situations I like to use a variety of lures but the ones I have the most success on are jerkbaits and Texas rigged finesse plastics. The technique with jerkbaits for weed and lily pads can be replicated exactly the same way for overhanging trees and shrubbery. When using Texas rigged finesse plastics with this type To page 12

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OCTOBER 2017

From page 11

of structure I like to use a lightweight bullet sinker with a 1/0 worm hook. I also like to use a float stopper above the sinker to stop it sliding up and down the line while casting, as this can damage your knot to your hook. Rigging your plastic up this way can sometimes decrease your hook up rate, but I believe it makes up for it by being 100% weedless. There is nothing worse than having to retrieve your lure from a snag and spooking a quality fish holding in this structure! If you are new to the Texas rigged technique, this could be a game changer for you. Using a bullet weight between 1/6–1/8oz will be fine in this situation,

just remember that you want to slow the sinking rate of your plastic down. By slowing the sinking rate down, this will help you stay in the strike zone for longer and hopefully let the fish get a clean take on the lure. I like to cast these plastics as deep as I possibly can underneath overhanging trees. I start the retrieve by letting it sink down for a few seconds into the structure below, and then starting a slow roll back while at the same time twitching the rod tip to get the plastic looking like an injured baitfish. This works great on saratoga and bass. Dead tree clusters During mid-morning to the middle of the day I

will usually finish off the session by targeting steep rocky banks that have an abundance of dead tree clusters adjacent to them. This type of structure is renowned for holding decent numbers of saratoga that will still be roaming around these areas in the top 5ft of the water column. As mentioned before, this is where quality polarised Sunglasses will come into play. During this time of the day, the fishing becomes quite visual and requires a level of stealth. With the sun at its highest, I like to move along this structure, making my way through all the timber and searching for any movement around the surface.

Little toga often get to the lures before their bigger brothers and sisters, but they’re still good fun!

This fantastic lily pad edge is just waiting to be peppered with casts! Once you have spotted one, make a long cast past where the saratoga is holding and in the same direction it is swimming towards. You want to intercept this fish with your lure as it swims right in front of his face. If you cast directly onto the saratoga, you risk the chance of spooking it when the lure hits the water. The type of lure I have had the most success on around this type of structure are spinnerbaits. Generally I will use between a 3/4-1/2oz weighted spinnerbait in this situation, as well as running an extra stinger/trailer hook to try and increase my hook up rate even further. Saratoga have very bony mouths and are masters of throwing hooks at the best

of times. It is therefore important that you look after your terminal gear when chasing this species, either by replacing the trebles or sharpening them. If you need to replace your hooks, I recommend going with a finer gauge, as this will help set your hooks into areas of the saratoga’s mouth that most thickly gauged hooks would not. When using spinnerbaits this high in the water column, a simple retrieve and a slow to medium roll will generally do the trick, as all you are trying to do is create a reaction bite from this fish as the lure swims past. And when you see this happen right before your eyes there is no bigger thrill!

BEST TIMES Typically saratoga and bass are most active around summer time and this would be the more traditional time of the year to chase these species. However, that’s not to say they won’t be feeding during the cooler months, which I hope I have demonstrated in this article. During this time of the year the bass and golden perch in particular will be in a very healthy condition and will be fattening up over winter. Just remember to always assess the conditions on the day and choose the structure type accordingly. I hope this article gives you the confidence to tackle Lake Borumba and have a better understanding of our Australian native species!

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Tips and tricks for finding your own spots TOWNSVILLE

Dave Hodge

There’s no doubt in the world that the population of lure fishers in the north is on the rise, and if you’re anything like me then sitting in the middle of a heap of boats is not your idea of fun. Fortunately, it’s not always hard to find your own locations for a variety of species, so here are a few hints to help you start the search. For me, offshore fishing is mostly reserved for when I go with mates who own bigger boats, so the distant reefs are not an option for the young fella and I. When looking for areas in our range, the number one tool for me is good old Google Earth. Apart from finding launching spots, it often shows inshore reefs, contours, creeks and rivers

offs, snags, reefs and so on, where current lines may hold bait and ultimately attract predators. I pick out several potential areas, and bring a range of lures appropriate for a few different species including barra, golden snapper (fingermark), grunter, jacks, trout, GTs, queenfish and more. TROLLING LURES OUTSIDE THE RIVERS Luckily it only takes a few different lures to cover all of these species, and it’s more a matter of what size tackle and jigheads will be used to catch whatever’s available. Trolling hardbodies is one very effective way to explore the depths for golden snapper, trout and big barra. If you’re fishing 8-10m, having a lure like the 8m Halco Scorpion pulsing away out the back will be a great way to cover water and find out what’s happening.

one such species, and with a relatively small mouth in comparison to their body, these fish are best targeted with smaller prawn or squid lures. If you’re a bait fisher, real prawns or squid will do the job. If you’re on a shoal type of bottom or shell beds, light line and leaders will get you more bites without the need to stop fish as quickly, as you often would with structure or reefs. If you’re really prepared you’ll have some livies in the tank, and these won’t last long if there are fish about. One of our fall-back techniques is to use a light 6’6 to 7ft spin rod in around the 8-16lb rating, a 2000-3000 sized spin reel spooled with line of 6-10lb breaking strain and a fluorocarbon leader of 15-30lb. If the water’s clear – as is the often case in winter – then long leaders of around 2-3m work best. If

Golden snapper are one species surrounded by ‘secret squirrel’ tactics – and with good reason. An easy way to find your own spots is to use the Navionics app on your phone or iPad.

This fish came from an area that the author had his eye on for a while, but hadn’t been able to access at the right time. Clear water helps you to find and mark channels for future reference. and how long the system is. Some creeks are only 1-2km long, while others go much, much further. It also shows me which river mouths have sand bars to access the open water. I only have a small boat – a Polycraft Challenger 4.1 with a 50 Honda 4-stroke on it, so calm weather is a prerequisite for anything outside of the rivers. Once I have found an interesting looking area and the nearest launch site, I use the Navionics app on my phone to research a potential area in more detail. At the first opportunity I put those coordinates into the GPS, then I head out and use the side scan on my sounder to methodically scan and mark any drop14

OCTOBER 2017

I find early morning is the best time to do this, as the wind is usually at its weakest then. You may be surprised at how big a fish will be close to shore. If the water’s a little shallower then a Poltergeist 80mm 5m diver is a good one, particularly if there is rock, reef or snags around, because they jump structure very well. Due to the potentially big fish you can intercept doing this, a minimum of 20-30lb braid is best with around 2m of 40lb leader. VERSATILE SOFT PLASTICS Some species don’t like to eat bigger food items, and typically these species aren’t equipped to tear things apart into bite-sized pieces. The highly regarded grunter are

it’s murky, 1.5-2m will do. Jighead choice depends on water depth and flow speed. Once you’ve marked a likely spot or a school of fish, position yourself down current of the target and cast back past the spot, allowing the lure to sink to the bottom. Then hop the lure through the strike zone keeping in contact with the bottom for the duration of the retrieve. Bites from grunter can range from gentle little tapping sensations through the rod, to slamming strikes pulling line instantly. Regardless, you need to set that hook and a soft tipped rod won’t straighten or pull the hooks, so don’t be afraid to ‘give it some’ on the strike. You also don’t want a fish to eject it if they feel wary, so

the sharpest possible hooks are the go. The 3” Atomic Prongs or Plazo paddle-tails work well matched with a 1/4oz Atomic Seeker head and a no. 1 or 2 hook size. Another proven producer is the 5” Madeyes Paddle Prawn, and the best head I have found for these in the shallower scenarios is the 1/3oz Atomic Seeker with a 2/0 to 4/0 hook. Another benefit of the Seeker is the retaining collars that hold the plastic in place when considerable effort is put into a cast, and during the retrieve. This is very important with any of the new age RST constructed lures, as they can slip down the hook during the cast or after a bite with a less defined collar. The colours we generally use in dirty or deeper waters are bright pink and orange with black stripes. In the clearer waters, the pearl white or brown colours cover most of your likely scenarios. The additional Madeyes Octoskirt can sometimes make a difference, particularly in deeper water. When using these additional Octoskirts the head weights need to be increased to counteract the increased water pressure imparted by the frilly skirt. GOLDEN SNAPPER You’ll often find that golden snapper and grunter are holding in the same area, so hook quality needs to be top notch and your knots

spot on. If the fish look like they have the potential to be golden snapper, use bigger plastics of 4-7” in length. Golden snapper are real powerhouses and require some serious drag to stop, so lines need to be at least 20lb and leaders 30lb. We often have to go to 50lb braid and matching leader if there is

structure around, and even then we still get dusted quite regularly. ARTIFICIAL STRUCTURES AND JETTIES Every port and population centre has artificial structures and these all attract and hold fish, and the species can be very diverse. In the

While casting for barra the author stumbled across an area that held good grunter. Taking notice of tides that have yielded unusual captures can lead to future success. It also alerts you to what areas you may need to look for in future.

northern waters some of the more renowned locations are legendary for golden snapper, black jewfish, GTs and queenfish, and they’re just dream locations. Sadly, some ports don’t allow access to these structures, and exclusion distances vary from 30-200m. It’s worth checking out the laws for each location before attempting to fish them. Other artificial structures that hold fish are marina mouths, channel markers

and break walls that hold bait, which in turn draws predators. Land-based lure casting from these sorts of locations can be even more effective than casting from a boat, so keep an open mind. If the northern tourism industry was serious about catering for travelling fishers, they would take a leaf out of some of the more switched-on destinations’ books and put in place artificial Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) that draw

fish to within casting distance of the shore-based anglers, and turn them into viable options for tourists wishing to stay and fish for a bit longer. The beaches and he a dlands around Townsville are prime examples of areas that need these sorts of attractants for fishers, as most of the main port area is illegal to fish. Incentive for fish to move from these jetty structures and disperse along the

Light line experimentation is a great way to find out what lives in a particular area. Grunter and golden snapper can often be found in the same areas on the dark of the moon.

Channel markers aren’t secret at all, but are great places to check every time you go past. Queenfish, trevally, mackerel and many species find these sorts of structures irresistible.

beaches and headlands just makes sense and will dilute the number of anglers along the shoreline with more options per angler. Artificial reefs will also aid in holding travelling fish along the coastline for longer. With social media being what it is these days, an area will very quickly become a standout in a sea of locations, and therefore increase the tourist turnover

and lengthen the time that individuals spend at an area. FADs have been used with great success in other areas and would absolutely be an inexpensive benefit for both travelling and local anglers in areas appropriate for their development. RIVERS, CREEKS AND DRAINS Obviously two of the biggest drawcards for North Queensland are the

barramundi and mangrove jack that are flashed up on TV screens and on magazine pages across the country weekly. You’d be mistaken if you thought it was as easy as it looks all the time, and times, tides, bait movement and a range of other considerations are all important to get results worth filming. Seasonal fluctuations To page 16

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and the unpredictability of wet season rains can make it difficult to estimate for those planning a trip, and they can make the difference between an unforgettable trip or a complete failure. Winter in the north can be one of the most glorious times to be on or near the water and the fishing can be hectic. Respectable barra can be caught from the beaches in a few locations, and casting lures or baits for ravenous jacks can be absolutely insane sometimes. Some areas that are drained completely during the low of the tidal run – usually near river mouths – can be highways for feeding fish as the tide moves back in over the flats. All year round these spots can be incredibly successful areas to fish with light line. The regular runs of jelly prawns are a good indicator for where you’ll find success, depending on your timing. Try low light periods with the tide pushing in. Early mornings and late afternoons are also consistent times to try your luck during these high tide times, and we generally use extremely light outfits for casting tiny lures that imitate the jelly prawns. Line classes of 4-6lb are fine, and leaders of around 20lb fluorocarbon and tiny jigheads about 1/6-1/4oz with a no. 1 or no. 2 hook size are ample, as you can let the barra run and not straighten that little hook. Natural colours with a slight amount of contrast added to either the tail or the jighead will make a difference, too. Almost all of our softies go out with some sort of colour contrast added these days and it has made a very noticeable difference to our results. The Quick Coat Worm Dip is coloured dip that changes the applied area for the life of the plastic, and is perfect for latex or rubberbased materials. For the

Walking the bank at low tide looking for snags, rubble, rocks and so on is a great way to find spots that may just hold fish on high tides, or incoming tides. RST-based materials, I use the Protech Powder Coat to change the head colour to get that all-important contrast. WRAP UP If you’re planning a trip to the north and wish to be as prepared as possible for your fishing focussed trip, I’d suggest spending as much time as possible researching the waterways around the areas that you’ll be spending most of your time. Have printed maps with GPS coordinates of likely areas, and the Google Earth app downloaded onto your phone or tablet will have the latest updates and quick reference available at your fingertips. There are plenty of fishing websites available for you to ask questions and if you can get a local to interact with you then this is exceptionally valuable in the scheme of things. A quick call to the local independent tackle store is also recommended, as the staff have usually been local residents for a long time and can give you some

very important information that you may not have known about. If you’ve never been around crocodiles then definitely do some research as they’re a very real threat, and while some of the stories of 20ft crocs may seem a bit out there, there are some verified sightings that wouldn’t be far off. It only takes a croc half that length to see you as a potential meal, so don’t get complacent. As they say, if you don’t give them an opportunity, they can’t take one. Boat ramps are an obvious high risk area, but crocs are just about everywhere, and can be found far inland and way up in the freshwater reaches as well, so don’t think that just because the water isn’t salty, there aren’t salties there. Preparation and planning are the keys to success and this goes for local stints as well as long distance travels, so get on the ‘net and start planning your next fishing adventure.

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Kieran Koczwara with a huge GT from the Great Barrier Reef.

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Tech Tricks

Adding an XOS stinger hook three ways BRISBANE

Gordon Macdonald masterbaitertackle@hotmail.com

Over the last few years there has been a resurgence in the popularity of cod fishing. Images of large mottled green goodoo, many of them over the magical metre mark, have

intrigued and inspired anglers to make the journey to target these Aussie natives. Generally large lures are required to tempt large fish, and the interest in swimbaits has flourished in recent years with Murray cod, barramundi and mulloway being some of the main targets. Swimbaits can

include multi-jointed hard and hard/soft fish imitations, single-jointed hard glide baits and numerous oversized rubber or silicone fish profiles that commonly sport large paddle-tails, which will thump away as the lure is retrieved. Many of these lures come completely rigged while others require rigging.

Numerous large shadprofiled soft plastic tails are now available on the market. These are shaped like a fish, sport a large paddle-tail and will swim enticingly when slowly retrieved or worked with bursts of speed and paused. Rigging many of these lures has previously posed a problem, with minimal large worm hooks or

This is the basic positioning of the BKK 18/0 Swimbait Hook in the Berkley Papa Giant. As the hook point is almost in the front third of the plastic, the addition of a flexible stinger hook will aid hooking potential without affecting action.

to snag or foul) due to the way that the hook point sits flat against the lure’s back. However, as the hook point is only around halfway along the lure’s length, many anglers like to add an additional stinger hook closer to the lure’s tail to maximise hook-up potential on short biting fish. Let’s look at a few ways to do this.

There are a few items you will need to rig a shad-profile lure (like this Berkley Papa Giant 25cm) in three different ways. If you only want to rig one way then you won’t need everything here. To do all three rigs you will need a sharp knife, some quality treble hooks, split rings, large swivels, assist cord (100-150lb), an 18/0 BKK Swimbait hook, a 4/0 assist hook and some lumo tube (a large lumo bead or some Bait Buttons will do).

suitable jigheads available. A few different brands of large worm hooks are starting to show up like the Nomad Tackle BKK Swimbait hook, which is available in sizes up to 20/0 to suit the largest plastics on the market. When a plastic shad is rigged with just these hooks it can become almost weedless (almost impossible

To initially put the worm hook in the shad, screw the wire spiral into the front nose of the bait. It should go all the way in until the hook eye is against the shad’s nose.

Pass the free end of the swivel over the hook point and barb and then lay the rig along the back of the shad’s back. Work out the point on the shad that coincides with the bend of one hook on the treble, and pass the hook point into the shad at this position. This will keep the other two points of the treble proud. Ensure the shad is still flexible and the stinger treble positioning doesn’t affect its movement. Add a piece of lumo tube, a lumo bead or a Bait Button over the hook to prevent the swivel sliding off. This rig is now ready to fish.

Work out where the rear of the hook needs to penetrate the back of the shad, then distort the body so you can push the hook point through at this position. Once complete, the hook should look like this with the hook exiting centrally along the back and sitting flush against it.

There are numerous ways to attach a hook or treble to some assist cord. One of the easiest is the simple snell. To do this, firstly pass the end of the assist cord through the eye of the hook. While holding this tag end against the shank, pass the cord back behind the eye and begin wrapping it around the hook shank.

This particular plastic has a belly recess slot, which makes it ideal for rigging with a worm hook. Many large shads don’t have this, so you’ll need to cut a slot approximately two thirds the way down the belly of the bait (or at least as long as the worm hook). This slot needs to be fairly deep and you will need to cut all the way through to within 1cm of the back. This will make the bait softer, which will increase action and will also allow the worm hook to push upwards when a fish crunches the shad, which will expose the hook point. 18

OCTOBER 2017

Connect the treble hook to the swivel with the split ring. Ensure the quality of each is up to the target species. The swivel’s eyelet will need to be large enough so that it can go over the barb of your chosen BKK Swimbait hook.

Wrap down around the shank four or five times and then pass the long end of the assist cord back through the eye and pull tight.

Tech Tricks

Attach the assist cord to the shank of the BKK Swimbait hook with a double clovehitch or sliding uni knot. The benefit of this rig over the previous one is that you can make it any length you want, depending on the size of your shad. This rig is now ready to fish.

Push the needle through the plastic from the rear and exit it out the gut cavity or slot that you cut with your blade. Loop the solid ring of your assist rig onto the eyelet of the needle in preparation to pull it through the plastic.

The third way to rig a large shad is with a single hook. This can either protrude from above or below the tail. You can use assist cord to attach the hook using the same method that we used for the treble, or use a premade assist rig like this Vanfook Spear 4/0. You need to insert the cord through the plastic, so you’ll need a needle like this one, which can be made from a large bait stitching needle with a piece cut out of the lower section of the eye loop. Place your rig alongside your shad to work out where the needle needs to pass.

Put the solid ring onto the hook and then insert the hook point up through the back of the plastic, as you did in Step 5. This rig is now complete and ready to fish. With the single stinger hook in this position, it offers more snag resistance than the previous two treble hook rigs.

Pull the needle through, dragging the assist rig with it until the solid ring is all the way through into the gut cavity. You may need to distort the ring slightly into an oval so that it will pass over the barb of the hook.

Obviously you can still rig a single stinger hook out the top of the plastic. The practice is exactly the same as when rigging it from below, except your needle will travel on a different path. All these rigs offer increased hooking potential when using XOS shad style plastics without affecting the action. More weight can be added to this rig by putting lead on the shank of the BKK Swimbait hook or a small ball sinker on the leader loop knot used to attach it to the hook eye.

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Concentrating your fishing efforts on specific target species, places or techniques can dramatically improve your overall angling results.

Those smart anglers who select a species, a type of tackle, an environment type or a geographic location and then focus intently on it until they’ve mastered at least the basics always tend to catch a lot more fish than what I like to call the ‘generalists’ or ‘opportunists.’

up in front of them, I’ll often enquire what they’re fishing for. Almost without fail their answer runs along the lines of ‘Ah, mate, I don’t really care. Whatever comes along!’ Almost without exception, those same anglers will head home later that day with an empty fish bucket. Those are what

Mulloway are one species that definitely rewards the specialist angler. a target species or a short list of species in mind, and tailor your gear and techniques to match that list, you’ll invariably do better. Funnily enough, you may well end up catching something that

a scattergun approach. These fish typically exhibit very specific habits, feeding times and food preferences. Miss the mark in any one of those areas and you simply won’t catch many (if

this is a rather extreme example, but it illustrates the underlying value of specialisation. Of course, specialisation doesn’t mean you need to chase one fish on one type of

Casual, generalist anglers do catch a few trout, but the specialists tend to fare much better on these popular imports. In my book, specialisation is one of the absolutely fundamental keys to consistent success in recreational fishing, no matter where in the world you choose to wet a line.

What’s a ‘generalist’ or ‘opportunist’ angler, you ask? When I’m walking along a jetty or a riverbank and I spot someone reclining lazily in a comfortable camp chair, drink in hand, with a rod propped

I call the generalists or opportunists. They choose a scattergun over a sniper’s rifle… and they don’t hit very much as a result! By contrast, if you head out on every fishing trip with

Some anglers spend their entire lives fishing in tidal systems with healthy estuary perch populations, yet never catch one! The answer is to focus and target.

You won’t catch many luderick unless you specifically target them using the right gear, rigs and baits.

isn’t even on your original list, but simply having that list in the first place seems to make a positive difference to overall outcomes. Of course, certain species of fish tend to reward the specialist angler even more than others. Luderick (blackfish), mulloway (jewfish), estuary perch and trout are four popular varieties that spring to my mind as species that will only rarely be caught by the opportunist fisho using

any) of these fish. As if to hammer home this point, I’ve met anglers who’ve spent many, many years fishing in estuary systems that are home to excellent numbers of both estuary perch and mulloway without ever catching a single specimen of either. Some are unaware that those fish even live there! By contrast, specialists working on those same waterways are regularly scoring great catches of perch or mulloway. Admittedly,

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gear and in just one location for your entire angling life… that’d be rather boring! But it does point to the value of narrowing your focus, at least in the short term. The very best anglers I’ve ever met have all tended to be serial specialists: they focus on one aspect of their fishing until they feel comfortable with that species or method, then they move on to the next challenge… It’s not a bad way to go!

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Hoping this October is even better than last year YAMBA

Dave Gaden

October is my least favourite month of the year for fishing offshore. October is the month you jump on a plane and go overseas. However, some anglers last year never stopped producing fish. It

two previous, we worked hard to find fish of any numbers at all. This really is the change of season on the water around my part of the planet. Winter fish have dispersed from the shallow areas, summer fish are still too far away and the winds haven’t calmed enough to get out to the wider grounds

This time last year we chased really good trag, snapper and cobia north around Black Rock, the Italian Grounds and South Evans Reef. They were scattered from 30-42m deep, bunched up really tight and easy to find on the sounder. With the trag, there was the odd good mulloway; a lot of these were actually caught on the trag by mistake. We fished live yakka with the flesh baits for the bigger trag, and as the trag got hooked the mulloway engulfed them. Cobia were funny, as nearly all of them were

caught on the bottom, with livies on the surface not being touched. For those anglers not wanting to travel that far or who have smaller boats, try the reef just out the front of Woody Head. Snapper and trag will hang in 10-20m there most of the morning. If you launch from Woody boat ramp, you’re there in five minutes. We also caught good fish close to Yamba on the northeast corner – the closest reef spot to the bar. It’s a bit deeper here, fishing between 45-55m, but there’s a fair bit of reef. Again, if they are there,

Ryan and Sue from Adelaide with dinner.

Barb with a cracking cobia. was like they just decided to throw my fishing diary in the fire and reinvent October. We had good catches all the way from Evans Head in the north to Sandon in the south. In other years, like the

with any consistency. As I said, last October was fantastic, so let’s work on the basis that this one will be the same. I wouldn’t be a fisher or a charter operator if I wasn’t an optimist, huh?

Don Causley with a 62cm pearly.

they’ll bunch up and will be easy to see. I rarely drift this ground, as anchoring in the consistent current produces far more fish. You’ll need a good anchor here and 100m of rope. Last year had good Moses perch, Maori cod, venus tuskfish, trag and average snapper around 40cm. Further south, I fish almost due east of Brooms Head in around 42m. This is a good drift ground that regularly produces numerous pearl perch to 60cm+ as well as all the other tasties. A good sign that you are in the right spot will be the small swallow-tailed dart (a close relation to

the orange roughie). These delicious little fish are a dead giveaway that you are on the ‘Pearlie Grounds.’ Try to avoid doing short drifts, as the pearlies will be spaced apart at this time of the year on this ground. I drift for about 1km each time, marking hook-ups on the GPS to get a pattern of the fish. If the wind and swell are kind, head wide to about the 85m mark; the fish that have left their shallow winter home will set up new homes here. The super strong summer currents won’t have arrived yet, and the leatherjackets (which ate everything that moved in July and August)

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Dianna with her first pearl perch. crabs provided they are not in berry (carrying eggs). Also, we measure our crabs front to back of carapace. Mud crabs must be 8.5cm and blue swimmers must be 6cm. Start to look for good whiting around this month. Upstream from Browns Rocks around the bend will be the entrance to back channel, Serpentine Creek and Turkey Island. These shallow flats are a great spot at this time of the year. Spend some time chasing a good supply of nippers (yabbies) and you will be rewarded with some quality fish. The school prawns will be running pretty well and with this the soapy mulloway will be chasing them. Try the western end of the Browns Rocks Reef between the reef and the caravan park on the Goodwood Island bank.

HALF CABIN

The prawns get pushed into this corner on the start of the run-out tide, and the small mulloway gang up on them. I fish here with 5” white plastics on a 1/4oz jighead flicking upstream and work them back with the tide. Flathead should have moved back into Oyster Channel from the bridge all the way to the lake. Try the flats around Carrs Drive Boat Ramp and Joss Island, and take your dillies with you. Remember, flathead are a lot like us – they like to be out of the wind and have the sun on their backs, so fish the calm water. Also, they seem to like the one area each day. It’s like if you catch one, two come to his funeral, so don’t be in a hurry to move if you’ve caught a good fish. Good luck this month.

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will go south. There are good grounds north and south of Yamba and both are about 19 nautical miles from the bar – due east of Evans Head Air Weapons Range in the north and Broom Head in the south. In the estuary, the river seems to change season a lot quicker than the ocean. Water temperature and clarity can change in just a couple of tides sometimes. This should be the month for blue swimmer crabs to arrive in good numbers. We have had several really good seasons for these tasty guys and I believe it has been that way for almost the entire east coast. If you are travelling down from Qld to chase crabs, NSW has very different laws. Dillies (witches hats) are still used here, you are permitted four dillies and two traps per person and you are allowed to take female

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What’s coming in close this month rowz BALLINA

Joe Allan

Aussie bass season is now open and in full swing. This is my favourite time

to get out and chase these feisty fish. They will be on the move to the upper reaches of the creeks and main river arms, but don’t overlook the main river stretches, either.

The fish are always hungry at this time of year after doing their business, so try big lures that rattle. The best colours to try are black, black/orange and gold. As the weather warms

Ben Hawkes with an early season bass from around Coraki.

up and the bugs start to get out, the surface action will hot up. Most likely it won’t be that great for a little while yet. On the offshore front, try getting as far out to the edge of the shelf as you can to chase some blue-eye trevalla and bar cod. The best bait is cuttlefish. Cut the backbone out of the cuttlefish and use big, strong circle hooks. Electric reels are a must. Close-in reefs will still produce good snapper, although towards the end of the month the reds will start to move out to the 32 fathoms. This is where you should look when you can get there, and if the tide allows you to fish it. The northeasterly winds that will start over the next few months will make it harder to fish the deeper reefs. As the water warms, cobia and mahimahi should start to move on the close reefs. Getting some live baits such as yakkas and slimy mackerel and throwing these around the FADs is always a good start. The lower reaches of the Richmond River should see some mud crabs fire up as the warmer weather

Aidan Kane with a snapper from a close in reef off Ballina.

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brings them in. Emigrant Creek and North Creek are the spots to start looking for these tasty guys. The best baits are luderick frames and any mullet frames left over from your bait fishing trips. If you’re after a feed

of flathead, now is a great time to get out and get amongst them. The deep water right in front of the porpoise walls, the channel in front of the RSL Club and the deep hole upriver from the Burns Point Ferry are some good places to

river, whiting should start to come on the bite using surface lures. Try targeting the shallow flats as the water moves up with the incoming tide. The best lure to try is definitely the SugaPen from Bassday. It’s my personal favourite and I can’t wait until this time of year to get into these tasty things. Beaches are fishing well and the dart have started to

come on nicely. The Gorilla Big Eye slugs are a great profile to use for these guys. You may still get the odd tailor off the beach, but these will become scarce. You’ll pick up the odd big sea run bream and flathead in the gutters as by-catch. The big bream can really give you some stick on light gear. Until next month, tight lines.

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The Tweed region’s bass are all set to fire up THE TWEED INSHORE

Tim Latter

With bass season well and truly underway now, the tackle junkies and bass tragics will be out in force. Ridiculously early starts and surface lure sessions going well into the wee hours in the brackish water are par for the course. You can also

head right up in the sweet stuff and the local dams. It really is a fantastic time of the year. That’s not to say that you won’t have success during gentlemen’s hours though. As water temperatures rise it’s no secret that low light conditions are the prime time. There are a lot of different views on how the barometer has an effect

on the feeding habits of Australian bass. I am by no means an expert on this topic, but over the years I have found that as long as the barometer has remained relatively steady and around 1015hPa or above, you will have to find another excuse for why the bass didn’t bite. They are certainly a species that takes a lot of working out. That, along with the massive amount

The author’s first fish of the season taken on a paused Bent Minnow.

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of lures they will readily attack, is what gets anglers hooked and keeps them coming back season after season. Irrespective of all environmental factors, there is no way you’ll catch a bass at home, so grab your favourite outfit and go get amongst them. Fishing surface is by far the most exciting way to target bass. I can’t remember who said, “One on the top is worth ten from below,” but for many anglers this rings true. There are plenty of lures to choose from and it would be impossible to list them all, although as the air temperature warms up it’s hard to go past cicada

imitations. Megabass Sigletts and Grand Sigletts stand out, as well as the Tiemco Soft Shell Cicada. There has been a lot of hype around the recently released Pompadour Micro from Jackall, so time will tell on its success compared to its bigger brother. Other common surface imitations like poppers and stickbaits can work just as well; these require more action imparted by the angler. Favourites here are stickbaits like Atomic K9 Bulldogs or Bassday SugaPens, as well as poppers like the Megabass Baby Pop X or Jackall Binksy. When the fish are a bit quiet on the top it can pay to change to subsurface lures to maximise your chances of success. Lures that work just below the surface can be worth trying first, as it is still a visual

technique and seeing your lure monstered from below is truly one of the best sights a fisher can see. The unique Megabass Anthrax is another great option as well, because you can bloop it on the top, fish it like a wakebait with the rod tip high or drop the rod tip to get it running shallow. Suspending jerkbaits paused and twitched around structure are a very successful technique for Australian bass. Most Japanese lure companies will have some suitable options. My favourite is a Maria 55 Deep. Crankbait style lures work well in shallower water or retrieved over submerged weed. And of course, the versatility of the humble soft plastic means it is regularly tied on when searching for feeding fish or working deeper sections of water. Atomic 3” Fat

Grubs are my favourite for the Tweed. I could go on and on about different lures that work, and I think they just about all do at times. It’s how they are presented that really counts. Be as stealthy as possible and keep your casting on point. Nine times out of ten it’s the first quality cast that gets the fish, not the third or fourth sloppy one. Finally, time on the water practising your casting will contribute to achieving more consistent success. You will find bass all throughout the Tweed and its tributaries from the brackish sections upstream, so go find some water and have fun. Remember that your new spot is someone else’s old spot – treat the environment with respect, be kind and courteous on the water and remember, it’s just lovely being out there.

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Bass can show up anywhere, even as a surprise by-catch while jack fishing.

A blending of winter and summer species THE TWEED

Anthony Coughran

Now’s a great time to be fishing the Tweed region, with long, warm days and cool, crisp nights. We’ll see water temperatures rise and start to fire up summer species and bring them out of hibernation. Many

OFFSHORE With ocean currents picking up, close reefs are starting to fish really well. Big snapper move onto these close reefs to feed up after spawning and it’s a good time to target them with plastics. Most 5-7” plastics are proving irresistible for big snapper. Try the gravel patches between

side of these packs and they’ll feed towards your 20-60g metal lures. Retrieve these at high speed for better sizes and more fish. If they are easily spooked, try cubing pilchards then float out a half pilchard. This technique will trick them into a bite. If you need fresh bait, try the sand pumping jetty, yellow marker at Cook Island, on

Luke Tapfer with a solid snapper caught on a plastic. anglers are seeing a blend of winter and summer species in estuaries and offshore. Snapper, spanglies, tuskies and pearlies are mixing with mahimahi, mackerel, wahoo and marlin. Bream, tailor, luderick, mulloway and flathead are mixing with jacks, whiting and GTs in the estuary system. Bass are really starting to fire up with the warmer temperatures after their spawning season.

the shallow reefs of Tweed and Kingscliff for the best results. Many deep water fishers are trolling skirted lures and downrigging live baits and troll baits for topwater species such as mahimahi, wahoo and billfish. Look for current lines and bait balls in 100m for a bit of pelagic fun. Packs of tuna have arrived and are great fun to target on light gear. Position yourself on the windward

The author with a nice 6kg spangled emperor.

the south side of Kingy Reef, Point Reef and Kirra Reef. ESTUARY Jacks are starting to fire up this month with the water temperature rise. Hardbodied lures, slow rolled plastics, soft vibes and live baits can be irresistible for this species at this time of year. Targeting pylons, pontoons, bridge pillars, rock walls, and mangrove lines can be really productive. Make sure you’re accurate with casting or it can be a very expensive way of fishing. Finding good concentrations of bait around structure will put you onto one of these red dogs. Mulloway are still being caught throughout the system, and 7” plastics or 200mm deep diving hardbodied lures around the river mouth will work well. The 5” plastics and live baits work better in the holes. Summer whiting are starting to move around the system. Casting small clear poppers can be very fun

when targeting this species on the sand flats. Yabbies and beach worms are catching more in the main channels. Luderick are still hanging around most rock walls and the river mouths. Try stringy weed for a feed and bloodworms for a beast. Try the river mouth near Kingscliff, Kingscliff Bridge, the south wall, Tweed Bar, Barney Point, Boyds Rock Wall, Hastings Point, Hastings Bridge and Brunswick rock wall for the best results. Flathead are still hanging around and are moving back up the system and are sunning themselves in skinny water around weed beds. Hopping light weighted 3” curl-tail and wriggle-tail plastics across the bottom works well this month. The Hastings River mouth has produced a few beasts this month. Bream are starting to feed up before they move back up the system. Small crankbaits, small plastics, bladed lures, soft crab lures and small hardbodied lures have been fishing well around the boat harbour and bridges. There are lots of herring around the Boyds Bay Bridge and Cobaki Bridge at night, if you need live bait. BEACHES There are still a few tailor and dart sitting in the bigger gutters on the

Matthew Saad with a great mahimahi caught on a high-speed metal. Try Fingal Beach, Fingal Head, Kingscliff rock wall, Hastings Point, Black Rock and Ocean Shores, which have all produced this month. The odd mulloway has been sitting in the gutters around Fingal Head, and the south wall near the Tweed Bar, Kingscliff and Brunswick. There are good number of pipis and beach worms on Fingal Head and Kingscliff Beach if you need fresh bait.

Guy Huntchins with another solid snapper caught off Brunswick. beaches and around most headlands at sunrise and sunset. Fast retrieved metals are catching good numbers of pan-sized fish, and soaking a whole pilchard off the headlands and rock walls at night will catch the bigger greenbacks.

FRESHWATER Bass are really starting to fire up in the upper river systems and in the skinny waters of the dams. Look for shallow pools with holes on one side of the riverbank and secluded shallow corners of the dams. The

bigger bass will be sitting in these holes, under trees and around weed beds, waiting for injured fish and for bugs to fall in the water. Winged cicada lures work really well around sunrise and sunset, and jig spins and ice jigs work best in the timbers of the dams. Deep diving lures worked along the drop-off catch better fish once the sun is up. Next month the water temperature will keep rising and currents will keep increasing, which makes it impossible for anglers to bottom bash and micro-jig; this will see more summer species coming into play. Pelagics will thicken up offshore, and big snapper will be feeding up on close reefs before they go out wide to hibernate. Jacks will be the focus of most estuary fishers next month and the warming weather will make them fire up. Whiting should start filling the rivers, sand flats and main channels this month, and flathead will push up onto these banks to feed on the whiting. Fishing skinny water will produce some great fish next month. Bass will turn on the warmer the water gets. Look for shrinking pools; they will produce some good fish next month. Any drain and run-off will fish well too.

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Warm delights on offer SOUTHERN GOLD COAST

Mark Ward

October marks the start of the warmer weather and, in turn, the winter species start to quieten off and are replaced by aggressive summer fish. It will be a shame to see the end of winter, due to it being an awesome year for snapper on the reefs and flathead in the shallows. Having said that, there is always a lot to look forward to as the winter chills give way to warm northerlies and an early sunrise. ESTUARY It’s the start of mangrove jack season and that’s enough to get me out of bed at 4am. With the sun rising early and the water warming up to 25°C or more, the jacks will be active during the night as well as first and last light. Target jacks around canals, bridges and rock walls. Live baits are great at night when the fish will move away from structure and be more inclined to actively hunt, but lures are the best during daylight. Lures allow anglers to get right into the structure and annoy the cranky mangrove

jacks enough to make them bite. Trevally are another species that will show up at this time of year. They can be found in similar spots to the jacks. Look for current when

targeting these fish; canal mouths and rock walls with plenty of hard running water are the pick of the spots. If you are on the water early enough, you can sometimes cast to trevally smashing

Summer Ward with her PB flathead that was caught trolling a Micro Mullet along the edge of a weed bed. These big flathead will still be around in October, but the females need to be photographed and quickly released to protect future stocks.

Canal mouths are a great location for finding big flathead. Cody Ward landed this beast while jigging a 5” plastic.

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bait on the surface. Small poppers and walk-the-dog lures like Tango Dancers will see plenty of action. Whiting will be a lot more active in the shallow, warm water of the Tweed River, Currumbin Creek and Tallebudgera. Fresh, live baits are best with light line and small sinkers that allow the baits to drift around. These will work every time. This is ideal for land-based anglers who can target whiting anywhere there are yabby beds or weedy shallows. Winter species are still about, so don’t give up on flathead and bream. Some of the bigger flathead can be found in October, especially if it’s a late spawn. My boys and I have had one of our best flathead seasons in years, so we will still be cashing some big lizards, but take good care of these fish and release the big girls unharmed, so they can spawn again next year. This month can see the northerly winds and on a run-out tide, the water will be warm and dirty. This will shut the flathead down, and as soon as the cool, clear water from rising tide hits the banks they will start to chew once again. BEACH There will still be plenty of tailor on the beach. Most of them will be choppers and they’re a lot of fun on lures. The rock walls on the southern end of the coast will also hold tailor, especially around the Tweed River. Whiting, bream and dart will be around in good numbers. October is the best month for big flathead in the gutters. There is nothing like a gold-coloured flathead from the surf and they love pipis as well as flesh baits and pilchards. Skewer a few pipis onto a long shank hook for one of the best surf flathead baits you can get. Big bream will love them too.

Gutters with a little white water for cover will hold dart and big whiting in October. The whiting can be as thick as your forearms, making them ideal for the table. A pipi with about 5cm of beach worm on a long shank hook (what I call the ‘Straddie Cocktail’) is my preferred bait for big beach whiting. OFFSHORE We have had one of the best snapper seasons in years. Unfortunately, the

well. For anglers who are a little more active, jigging is hard to beat for bone-jarring takes and screaming runs. It’s good for building up the ‘guns’ as well. The inshore reefs will hold the usual suspects along with plenty of tailor that will be moving south this month. Spinning bait schools and shallow reefs will see plenty of action. Along with the tailor, we will see mac tuna and bonito.

It’s whiting time in the Tweed River. Renee O’Neill landed a great feed using blood worms around the Kennedy Drive stretch of the river. snapper will have moved on by October. There may still be some good fish on the wider grounds along with pearl perch for the bottom bashers. The current is a lot kinder this time of year, so fishing deep is a good option. Speedsters like amberjack, samsonfish and kingies can also be tempted out wide. Live baits work

Live baits and berley trails might just tempt cobia and kingfish to the boat. The slower currents and good weather makes setting a berley trail a great option. There is nothing like kicking back, watching the whales cruising down the coast while floating some livies off the transom. Enjoy the transition month of October.

A variety of species GOLD COAST CANALS

Josh Dunn @josh_dunn_

October offers a variety of species, such as flathead and mangrove jack. Only a couple of months ago, in August we broke some weather records with temperatures exceeding 30°C. I can’t imagine how hot our summer will be, but it certainly excites me. Plenty of anglers are fishing dams, landlocked lakes and in the hinterland for Australian bass. Last year I had my best sessions with bass, when fishing some new areas I found on Google Maps proved successful. As our water temperatures rise during the fresh season of spring, most of the coast will start to encounter large numbers of pelagics actively feeding and leaving the bigger schools. Fish such as trevally, queenfish and tarpon will aggressively eat your lures more and more as we delve deeper into this month.

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Harrison Branch got into some cracking flathead in the northern canals of the Gold Coast. sessions I’ve had lately. Secondly, find pressure points and eddies. Baitfish congregate mostly around

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October offers a variety of species like this giant herring. Systems such as Ta l l e b u d g e r a and Currumbin will start to burst with these species. Soft plastics will work perfectly and help you catch a lot more fish. Surface lures should be put on hold for at least a month, as they won’t be too useful this early on. To put pelagics on the deck there are a few key factors that you will need to remember, like times and tide. Keep in mind that the best bites will be on sunrise and sunset. The incoming tide in the morning and the outgoing tide in the afternoon are the best

spots with a lot of flow and clear water. I find I catch more pelagics in the cleaner water in the Broadwater over creeks, although some sessions fishing the creeks have been crackers! Lastly, keep your gear light. My last few sessions have resulted in quality GTs and I’m certain that downgrading my tackle from 20lb to 12lb has helped with the bite. You may lose more fish, but the hook-up rate will be a lot higher, and it’s plenty of fun! With the 2017 Gold Coast Flathead Classic held recently and the Broadwater and Jumpinpin getting

heavily fished. Sandbars, drop-offs, rock walls and mangrove-lined banks have all been holding solid fish, but it’s worth fishing the deeper water, as a lot of anglers will ignore the fact that 80cm+ fish hug the bottom in the deeper water in these spring months. Surprisingly, some big fish were landed just after the Classic. They’re out there and hungry – you just need to get amongst them! October is a good month for all types of fishing and species. Pelagics are out in force, as well as flathead, bream and of course mangrove jack.

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A fun few months ahead JUMPINPIN

Mick Morris gembait@tpg.com

October offers up a good variety of fish species to whet any angler’s appetite, with species like tailor, whiting, bream, jack and mulloway all coming on the chew. There is, however, one fish that most will be targeting above all for their fighting and eating quality. FLATHEAD Flathead will be all the rage this month, with heaps of big lizards already being caught as they feed up after their spawning season. There are plenty of them out there, so for your best chance to catch one of these big flatties, try drifting from Kalinga Bank to Swan Bay in the deep water using big 5-7” plastics, staying in constant contact with your lure. For this caper, it pays to use an appropriate sized jighead so that the line doesn’t bow too much. Big soft vibes and blades have been working a treat as well. If you stick with small lures and baits you will find that you’ll catch a lot more undersized and school fish, however I have seen

metre flathead caught on the smallest of lures, so there is a bit of luck involved too. All the best flathead anglers I see never anchor up to catch flatties. Most will use their electric motors to hold them in place while they work that spot with plastics or bait, and if they don’t catch any fish, they quickly move on to the next spot. When they do find a fish, they tend to find a few more in the same area, so it’s always worth working areas after you’ve caught one. Some other hot spots to try for flathead this month are around the southeast corner of Kangaroo Island, Tipplers Island, Canaipa Passage near Slipping Sands and the sand flats west of Mosquito Island. BREAM There should still be some quality bream being caught, even though the traditional bream season is well and truly over. They are a great fish to catch and are most anglers’ first fish, so they are just a great species to learn to fish on. They should almost always be out there whenever you fish the ‘Pin. They will eat almost anything and can be found

anywhere there is structure or somewhere that gives them shelter. WHITING Whiting have been picking up in size and numbers now that the water temperature has increased, particularly around the Broadwater, Wave Break Island, Couran Cove, the Green Bank, Slipping Sands and the western side of the Never Fail Islands. A few good fish have also come from the Pimpama and Logan rivers, the sand flats between Kalinga Bank to the Pig Sties and the top of Crusoe Island. Sticking with either sand or bloodworms and using red tube and beads will increase your chances of a feed. TAILOR Tailor are another fine table fish that frequent the ‘Pin area and we’ve had a few schools go through already this year, with some real whopper greenbacks to nearly 5kg amongst them. Tailor are usually cruising about in the upper water column and are easily visible when they start to feed on a school of baitfish. They will push the bait schools up to the surface, breaking the water’s surface in a feeding

frenzy. This will attract birds looking for an easy meal, so always keep an eye out for birds working the surface and you’ll find yourselves tailor. They have very sharp teeth and fight erratically, so it is not uncommon to lose a few when chasing them. It’s a great way to spend the day at the ‘Pin and heaps of fun when you get onto a patch. Use small lure that mimic what they are feeding on, which is usually small whitebait, and use a little heavier leader so they don’t bite you off. SUMMER SPECIALTIES Jacks and cod will become more active at this time of year around the rock walls and heavily snagged areas of the Pimpama River, mainly because this is where the water is warmer and there’s lots of bait. Anywhere that can hold schools of small mullet, gar or herring, there will be a jack or a cod close by. Spots like Rocky Point, Cobby Passage, behind Tabby Island and the Gazebo in the Logan are places you can catch a few as well. After we get the first lot of rainfall to flush the rivers out, the crabs will be out in force, so now is the time

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Offshore action worth a shot in October GOLD COAST

David Green

This year has seen a hot winter and unseasonably high water temperatures throughout winter and

early spring. There were marlin caught on the wide grounds throughout the winter months, with water temperatures wide of the continental shelf rarely dropping below 22°C. This month should see

There should be good numbers of pearl perch on the 50 fathom line and any isolated pinnacles out to 150m.

decent action on the wide grounds. There are often good schools of yellowfin tuna around the thousand metre line, and there is always the chance of a blue or striped marlin from the hundred metre line and beyond. There may also be a few striped marlin on the 36 and 50 fathom reefs with the odd black marlin turning up as well. If the water is blue and there are gannets and sauris leaping out of the water, it’s definitely worth a troll. So far in late winter and early spring there have been excellent numbers of juvenile black marlin around Townsville, and these fish will move rapidly south as the East Australian Current increases in intensity, hopefully arriving on the Gold Coast in a few months’ time. From the reports in more northern waters, it looks like this season could be a beauty for small black marlin off the Gold Coast. Snapper will still be around in numbers on the 36 fathom line this month, although most fish have spawned by this time and the numbers drop off a bit. Despite the warm water, we had an excellent snapper

season throughout winter. There should also be good numbers of pearl perch on the 50 fathom line and any isolated pinnacles you find out to 150m. October is an excellent month to chase kingfish, amberjacks and samsonfish on the wider reefs using live baits and jigs. Some of the biggest amberjack of the year turn up in October. The high pinnacles at the northern end of the 50 fathom reef can be particularly productive in October, with the odd fish over 30kg turning up. Most of the bigger fish fall to live baits. In closer to shore, the water is generally cooler. The 18 and 24 fathom reefs should produce a few snapper, teraglin, tailor and the odd cobia, and at night there should still be a few nice mulloway caught on live baits and pilchards. Anchoring up and berleying is a great method to try. If you keep a good constant berley trail of tuna, chopped pilchards or any oily fish, you’ll attract fish in from a considerable distance. A reliable way to cover all available options is to have a deep live bait, a second fished mid water and a third rig

There are often good schools of yellowfin tuna around the thousand metre line. with a slow sinking pilchard. Soft plastics can also be extremely useful for both

snapper and cobia. I have found 7” plastics in white or green and red to be very

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OCTOBER 2017

reliable when fished on a 5/8 to 1oz jighead, depending on the water depth. October is also a good time to stock up on baits for the coming mackerel season. There should be schools of small mackerel tuna and tailor working just off the back of the

seaway and down at the artificial reef off the beach at Narrowneck. Spinning with metal lures should be an effective strategy. There will also be the occasional longtail tuna just off the surf line, especially just to the south of the Jumpinpin Bar.

Mangrove jack become increasingly active in October as the water warms and there is increased baitfish activity up in the canals.

There should still be plenty of flathead around this month.

ESTUARIES As the days get longer, the estuaries warm up and the fish activity changes. There should still be plenty of flathead around and a lot of the bigger fish will be in the deep water channels around the Seaway and the Jumpinpin entrances, as the fish will continue to spawn throughout October. Up on the flats, particularly on high tide early in the morning, there should be quite a few big fish to 70cm+. These are quite susceptible to swimbaits and large soft plastic stickbaits such as Sluggos and Silstar Slapstix. The secret is to use minimal weight and work the lure in a series of long sweeps. Make sure the lure stays horizontal.

Trolling is also very effective in the feeder channels and up on the flats. Lively Lures Micro Mullets and Zerek Tango Shads are both very effective troll lures. It’s important to have your lure close to or on the bottom. Mangrove jack become increasingly active in October as the water warms and there is increased baitfish activity up in the canals. Casting suspending medium-size hardbodied lures can be very effective, as are 4” paddle-tail plastics in white. Surface poppers are another useful lure in the canals, particularly early in the morning. In October both the Nerang and Coomera Rivers

can fish very well. Quite a few fish around 50cm can turn up this month. The recent netting of the Council Chambers Lake at Evandale to remove stonefish also netted an 84cm jack – an absolute monster of a fish, and it was returned back into the Nerang River. Whiting become increasingly active this month and there should be a few mud crabs and sand crabs starting to show up. It’s a good month to

start throwing a few small poppers and stickbaits over the flats. Catching whiting on poppers is a fun way to fish between checking your crab pots. A few fish around 40cm in length turn up early in the season. This October should be an interesting month to fish the Gold Coast. We had an extremely dry, warm winter and this may slow some of the fishing down a bit, but there are still plenty of good options.

A lot of the bigger flatties will be in the deep water channels around the Seaway and the Jumpinpin entrance.

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OCTOBER 2017

Everyone’s gone flathead mad SOUTHERN BAY

Nick Whyte

Flathead are still talk of the town. There are plenty of fish on the banks but the larger specimens should be out in full force in the deeper waters around the ‘Pin bar.

ready to go. There have been truckloads of tailor about and some good-sized ones in amongst them. Something in the 20g range will still give you good casting distance and match the bait they’re crunching. Look for the fish busting the surface, cast to them,

Rocks in the Logan River, the artificial reefs off Peel and in the Brisbane River have been the best spots. In the Brisbane River at the moment there is so much bait it’s not funny. Driving from wharf to wharf and watching the sounder, looking for the

Wade took this chunky mulloway from the Brisbane River mouth. The bottom end of North Straddie closest to the bar and along Kalinga Bank will be the places to look. To target these XOS fish I like to use 8” plastics. You’ll need to fish these on a 1oz jighead or larger, depending on how much water movement there is. You’ll need to use a pretty heavy weight rod to use a lure this size as well. While out around the ‘Pin bar its a good idea to have a slug rigged up

pockets where the bait has spread from the mulloway pushing through them and casting to these areas has been producing fish. There is also a lot of flathead down around the port gorging on the large baitfish schools. I heard a report of a fish a cast in there last week, with 20 fish caught in an hour and all good quality fish. Reports of snapper have been slow. We have not seen a run of big fish in the bay this year. There has been lots of squire caught though, especially up in the shallows. Fish from 40-60cm have been common in 5-15ft when around isolated structure like wrecks and reef edges. Casting 3” plastics and small deep-diving hardbodies is an awesome way to target these shallow water brutes. Using light line is the key to getting the bites, but be careful, as there’s a fine line between light enough to get the bites and heavy enough to stop the bigger fish. Make sure you abide by the size and slot limits if keeping a feed. Mangrove jack will be

A respectable flathead from the Jumpinpin Bar area. warming up this month. All small creeks, rivers and canal systems will be holding fish. Main structures like bridges, rock bars, pontoons, boats and sunken timber will be the

and employ a medium to fast retrieve, and this will get the bites. If bait fishing, it will pay to have a lightly-weighted pilly or slab of bonito out as they move through. Throughout the Southern Moreton Bay region there has been plenty of medium-sized mulloway. I haven’t heard of any big fish being caught, but lots of fish in the 80-95cm bracket. Giants Grave and Marks

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places to swim a plastic or hardbody. When live baiting I like to run large baits up to 25cm long. Even small jacks will hit these size baits. When it comes to lures I like the large 6” paddle-tail soft plastics. Around timber I like to use hardbodies and crank them down into the sticks to wake the fish up. The Nerang, Coomera and Logan rivers will all be worth a try. If you have a great capture from the Southern Bay you would like to share, email them through to techfishing@ hotmail.com. Until next month, tech-it-easy! • If you would like to learn more about targeting fish on artificial lures or would like to learn how to get the most out of your sounder, please call Nick on 0422 213 669 to customize an on water session to suit your fishing or sounder needs. Check out the Tech Fishing Facebook page for further information. Your Boat-My Knowledge-More Fish!

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Another solid flathead from the ‘Pin.

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

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Successful sunrise fishing in the warm water MORETON BAY

Ryan Smith

Recently I’ve been heading out with my mate Finley to do a bit of sunrise fishing. Finley and I both like using small hardbodies, soft plastics and surface lures with light leaders. Lures that are a go-to for us are the Atomic Crank

We both find when the water is crystal-clear in the early hours of the morning that natural colours produce the best results. We always rig up a slightly heavier rod with a larger lure, just in case. Normally we don’t use the heavier gear, but on our last trip an opportunity popped up where schools of tailor were hitting the surface chasing small hardiheads.

The author with a tailor caught on a Bassday Sugapen. 38s, Megabass Smolts, Mimix Jelly Prawns, Cranka Crabs and Bassday Sugar Deeps – all in natural colours.

I had a 95mm Bassday Sugapen in a bright yellow and pink and put it on to see what would happen. Working it fast along the

surface drew attention and managed to catch a few. Juvenile snapper, bream and tailor were all caught and released. I even caught a little mackerel on a plastic. As the day goes on the fish hang around the dropoffs where a flat drops down to a deeper channel or hole. These drop-offs tend to hold some type of structure like rock ledges or different types of coral and weed. The bait tends to hide in these areas and when you find the bait, the predatory fish aren’t far behind. These areas are generally in depths of 2-5m; you do find deeper drop-offs, but I generally focus on the ones in the depth range I like. Soft plastics, deep diving hardbodies and vibes are all lures that can be used in these areas with my favourite being soft plastics. Cast your lure up onto the flat and work it slowly across the bottom for the most success. A variety of fish species like to hang around these areas. Bream, sweetlip, juvenile snapper and cod are common, and a wide variety of by-catches are possible. Summer is almost here and that means the surface

This little mackerel was a surprise in 2ft of water. bite is on in Moreton Bay. As you may know, surface fishing is by far my favourite form of fishing – seeing a fish take a lure off the surface is something I will never get bored of. The ways different fish species eat a surface lure are pretty unique. Bream will generally slurp and suck it off the surface, whiting will get a run-up and charge into the lure and a flathead will boof it off the surface.

Using a monofilament leader is key for surface lures as they float, unlike a fluorocarbon leader that sinks. You can have a play with your surface lures by adding small stinger hooks and even putting two split rings on before a treble. You can use surface lures in any depth of water depending on the species you are targeting. I like around knee to waist height. Next month should be

an exciting one for fishing in Moreton Bay with the surface bite becoming a viable option all throughout the day. Fishing drop-offs is also a successful tactic, or you can get out before the sun’s up to see what you can find. If you have any questions or just want to have a chat, come into Dave’s Bayside Bait and Tackle in Victoria Point and we are always happy to have a chat. Until next month, tight lines and screaming drags.

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Warmer water means the fish are hungrier BRISBANE

Gordon Macdonald masterbaitertackle@hotmail.com

Anglers have been enjoying the warmer conditions and piscatorial rewards provided by species such as mangrove jack, mackerel, flathead, threadfin and numerous others over the last month or so. These will continue throughout October and numerous other species will come to the fore over the coming weeks. Warmer conditions generally result in increased aggression from many species as their metabolism speeds up and they become hungrier. Numerous species will hunt down and attack lures and live baits with increased gusto. Even dead offerings are pounced upon with relative vigour. For the angler, warmer conditions make it more favourable to get out onto the water to target some of these prime piscatorial targets. MANGROVE JACK Even from late in August, anglers were beginning to get amongst good numbers of mangrove jack within the rivers, estuaries, creeks and canals. Although they had to work for their crimson rewards, anglers putting in effort with lures and occasionally live baits found jacks to be more prevalent than you would expect during the cooler months. October offers some awesome jack fishing opportunities. Lures are mostly favoured by serious jack anglers, as they allow you to cover a good area of water and provide a realistic presentation that really gets the jack’s attention. The presence that a lure offers will have aggressive jacks moving off their snag or ambush location to attack it, especially during those hot days when their metabolism will spike. For anglers, this is a great scenario, as it will give you the upper hand if your reflexes are sharp. Keeping the jack away from its snaggy sanctuary is generally down to fast reflexes, good rod work and a bit of luck. You can often throw a few hundred casts before your lure stops dead and you are jolted into action. It is the aggressive strikes of jacks, their elusiveness and the difficulty in getting them away from their sanctuary that makes jacks one of the most sought-after estuarine species during the warmer months. There’s a huge array of lures that will work for jacks. Minnow lures and soft plastics (especially shad and prawn profiles) are the 38

OCTOBER 2017

most popular. Vibration baits, swimbaits, stickbaits, topwater offerings and numerous other plastic presentations can be put to good use. When cast close to structure and worked enticingly, lures will elicit strikes from jacks, estuary cod, trevally and others. Plenty of juvenile Qld grouper have also been caught by jack anglers plying their trade in the estuaries, canals and rivers in recent years. Luckily anglers catching these quickly realise what species they are and return them to the water pronto, as they are a protected species. Other captures by anglers targeting jacks in some areas will include threadfin salmon and barramundi. It’s surprising how many barramundi have been caught in the Brisbane and Logan rivers, although most anglers don’t publicise it. Most barra are returned to the water as they are being caught by thinking anglers who are keen to see them take hold in the systems of Southern Queensland or they are caught during the barramundi closed season,

the water, you will soon get a good feel for where you should be putting your lure. Nights, early mornings and late afternoons will often produce some of the best opportunities. Live baits fished around structure can also reward. Anglers commonly fish around bridge pylons and mangrove snags when live baiting jacks with prawns, herring, mullet, pike and similar. A running ball sinker rig with about 50cm of leader and a suicide, kahle or circle hook will offer a good presentation. A broad array of other species including cod, trevally, big bream, flathead, sharks, pike eels, catfish and an array of others are likely. THREADFIN During the cooler months, a large part of the Brisbane River threadfin population tends to head upriver. As the water temperature warms they spread out again and become common captures along the length of the river system from below Mount Crosby to the lead markers outside the Brisbane River mouth. The reach downriver from

Threadfin numbers will increase as water temperatures warm. This one was taken from a land-based location well upriver. therefore they must be returned by law. Casting around structure such as bridge pylons, mangrove snags, pontoons, jetties, rock walls and rock bars will put you in with a good chance of encountering a jack or two. The closer you work the lure to the snag, the better your chances of a hook-up. With time spent on

the Gateway Bridge tends to hold a lot of quality threadies and is the main zone where anglers tend to target them. Having a quality sounder and a good knowledge of its workings can be invaluable in locating numbers of fish. Anglers will scour the edges of the main riverbed decline, adjacent

to the numerous jetties and wharves, the deeper dredge holes along the retaining wall, submerged ledges and around the Gateway Bridge pylons in their search for threadies. These areas will also hold species such as mulloway and snapper, which are always welcome captures. These zones can be probed with vibration baits (both soft and hard), soft plastics, micro-jigs and numerous other offerings. Live baits such as herring, prawns, mullet, pike and gar will also produce and offer a relaxed way of fishing. Livies can be caught using a cast net at places such as Boggy Creek, Doboy Creek (Aquarium Passage), Breakfast Creek, the sewerage chute outlet and from the pontoon at the Boat Passage Ramp and Colmslie Ramp. Dead baits such as pilchards, banana prawns and herring will also produce, however live baits are the way to go if you are serious about catching quality fish more consistently. With the water temperatures starting to rise, anglers will also notice an increase in the numbers of whaler sharks and catfish that they encounter on baits. Plenty of threadfin are also caught in other systems such as the Logan, Caboolture and Pine. The Logan is probably the best bet apart from the Brisbane River. Anglers putting in time in this system are regularly scoring threadies on vibes, soft plastics and live baits. The threadies will move up and down with the tide, so anglers live baiting from the shore or boat have a good chance of scoring a few. Deeper holes are preferred, however threadies can be located all along the shore. With the closures on fishing, prawning and crabbing early in the year, due to the discovery of whitespot disease in prawns, this summer should provide slightly better fishing and crabbing than usual in the Logan. Live offerings also produce plenty of bull sharks in this system. As water temperatures warm, threadfin will become more prolific in a broad array of areas throughout Southern Queensland. MACKEREL Bay anglers will often score well on school mackerel during October. The main channels including the Rous, Small Ships, Pearl, Rainbow and Kianga (Western Rocks area) will all hold some respectable schoolies and even the occasional spotty. During August

Anglers targeting mackerel in the bay should be able to score a few quality mackerel to take home for a feed. and September, there was almost plague proportions of small (mainly undersized) schoolies in the Rous, Small Ships Channel and numerous other places. Trolling spoons behind paravanes often results in huge numbers caught, yet very few make the minimum 50cm size limit. These fish grow quickly, so most will be legal class fish. In addition, more large fish should move into the bay. A few anglers found quality school mackerel at a couple of locations in the northern bay over the last two months, with most being caught in deeper areas on pilchards and small livies drifted close to the bottom. The Cowan Ledge, Benowa Track Grounds, Curtin Artificial, Harry Atkinson, Peel Artificial, adjacent the Bay Islands and around the shipping channel beacons are good places to employ this technique. Trolling spoons and minnow lures along the edges of banks systems such as the Tangalooma Banks and Middle Bank can be rewarding for mackerel and bonito. Some even score mackerel when trolling lures around the fringes of the Bay Islands while targeting snapper. Over the next few months, school mackerel numbers will increase with

spotties becoming more prevalent, too. FLATHEAD One of the most commonly encountered estuarine species is the flathead. They are available in good numbers almost all year round, however the late winter to early summer period offers some of the best opportunities when large females come inshore to breed, closely followed by hordes of smaller, eager males. Once you familiarise yourself with their habits, flathead can be relatively predictable and you’ll instinctively know the best areas to target at certain tidal stages. Although the basic rule is to fish the shallow flats and drains on the high stages of the tide, the edges of prominent banks and the mouths of creeks, gutters and drains on the falling tide and the deeper holes and channels on the lower stages, flathead can be located in a surprising array of places at times. They can be taken well upriver in almost brackish waters and well out into the bay and offshore at times. Plenty of land-based locations will produce flatties, especially around the mouths of the creeks and rivers and in the residential canals. The Hornibrook Highway Bridge area and up

into Hayes Inlet (be aware of the Green Zone here) are great places to cast around a few soft plastics, minnow lures, blades or Clouser minnow flies. Around this area and most river mouths, the last two hours of the falling tide and the first hour of the rising tide will provide awesome opportunities. Anglers without watercraft can target flathead from the Wynnum Foreshore, mouth of Tingalpa Creek, Sandgate Foreshore, King Island, Victoria Point and many other locations. Obviously having a boat or kayak will open up your fishing options and allow you to get to a lot more locations, some of which you may decide to fish from Shank’s pony (land-based) once you beach your craft. SNAPPER It hasn’t been a great snapper season for bay anglers, but the offshore fishing has been the best for many years with plenty of quality knobbies taken. Bay anglers (including myself) have struggled at times to get a few quality keepers to take home. On certain days, it has been good, but rather inconsistent much of the time. Mud Island has probably been the standout area, however the Harry Atkinson, other Bay Islands and Peel Artificial

have not been as good as previous years. October still offers good fishing for snapper and perhaps this year we will see a late run of quality fish within Moreton Bay. Often the eastern side of Green Island is worth a go during October, however quality fresh baits and pre-dawn sessions are imperative for consistent results here. The edges of the reef at Peel can be worked with soft plastics along the edges and minnow lures and topwater offerings across the top of the reef for good results in the early morning and late afternoon, especially on the higher tidal stages. Most of the usual spots in the bay will be well worth checking out if you are targeting snapper in the next month or so. BREAM For anglers that chase bream, October can be a good month with numbers of stud bream still around in the estuaries, the bay and along the ocean beaches. Bream will respond to a broad array of natural and artificial presentations. Many anglers have made catching bream on lures a refined art form, making it look all too easy, and many have put a lot of time and effort in refining their craft. Small lures such as hardbody minnows, soft plastics, blades, topwater

offerings and an array of others can be put to good use. The shallows around the Bay Islands will often hold quality bream and these are best targeted with topwater offerings such as stick minnows, Bent Minnows, small poppers and wakebaits. Often several bream will home in on your lure, commonly shouldering each other out of the way as they compete for your lure. Sweetlip, snapper, pike, longtom, tailor, trevally, tuskfish, squid and several other will attack your offerings in this zone. While this type of fishing will require stealth and skill, bream can be taken with some fairly crude tackle and simple baits in a lot of locations. Any bait in the water is likely to be gobbled up by a hungry bream. However, a finesse approach will greatly increase your chances. CRABS With warming water temperatures, it will be worth setting a few crab pots in the bay, rivers and estuaries during October. Both sand and mud crabs can be on the menu with a few selectively placed crab pots baited with fish frames, whole mullet, chicken carcasses and other baits. Deeper holes well up the creeks and rivers, collapsed

Matt with a nice early season jack to get the adrenaline flowing. These will increase in numbers and ferocity over the coming weeks and months. mangrove banks and the mouths of drains and gutters leading out of the mangrove expanse offer great spots to set pots for muddies. For sandies try along the edges of major banks, in the channels, along submerged ledges and contours and any deeper holes. Leave pots set for at least three hours, especially over a tidal change. Setting pots overnight will generally produce some great results. The crabbing will just get

better over the coming months, so now is a good time to check your apparatus to ensure it complies with current crabbing regulations. Keeping any fish frames from your piscatorial successes will ensure you have some quality baits for future trips. CONCLUSION October offers plenty of options for anglers plying their trade around Moreton Bay or the creeks, rivers and canals that filter into it.

The pelagic action should increase steadily over the next month or so and there will be plenty of other great species to target. With the increase in temperatures, anglers need to be aware of keeping up fluid levels, covering up with some protective wear and applying plenty of sunscreen to ensure a comfortable day. Throw a few quality fish into the mix and you’ll be enjoying the great outdoors to the max.

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OCTOBER 2017

The early season snapper bite is going great BRISBANE OFFSHORE

John Gooding

The weather has again been fairly reasonable lately. We’ve managed to get offshore regularly and the snapper have continued to play the game. The 29 and 33 fathom lines are still producing quality fish, but on charter

hittiing the kings and AJs a little later, tide changes are a productive time to chase them. Mulloway have been active lately and they have been coming from Shallow Tempest and the 50m line south of Point Lookout. Livies or fresh strip baits such as tailor or mullet on a single hook dropper rig have been getting the job done. Mulloway seem to be different to the norm, with the larger ones being much better on the plate than the smaller ones that

good with fish to 3kg fairly common along with the odd larger one. For a couple of weeks we had a couple of knots of southerly current and the fish chewed very strongly. Once the current dropped out the fish got a bit touchy and you would only get one drop on them before they would shut down, even with the sounder turned off. There’s no reason the snapper

can be a bit ‘soapy,’ so to speak. If you’re after a feed of mixed reefies, the shallows around Point Lookout are still producing good mixed bags of Venus tuskfish, Moses perch and a few pearl perch. • Until next month, enjoy your fishing, take care on the coastal bars and if you’d like to join me on charter (max. eight persons), give me a call on (07) 3822 9527 or 0418 738 750 or visit my website outlawcharters.com.au.

Snapper should continue in good numbers right through until Christmas.

Happy anglers with quality float-lined snapper. we’ve found the wider reefs in 75-90m to be fishing more consistently for numbers. The quality has been

shouldn’t continue in good numbers right through until Christmas. Shallow Tempest can also fish very well at this

time of year, especially if there’s plenty of bait in the area. Along with quality snapper there will be amberjack, XOS yellowtail kingfish, cobia and spangled emperor. You can often get a hot bite period going in the area and it can be hectic with plenty of bust-offs from the bigger pelagics, but don’t fall into the trap of changing to heavier tackle. Stick to 30lb mono, because it’s better to get plenty of hook-ups and lose a few than scare them

off with big gear. As I mentioned earlier, the wider grounds in 80-90m should continue to hold good numbers of fish over the next couple of months, especially if there’s a bit of current around. Yellowtail kingfish and amberjacks are normally fairly active in the spring months. Working live baits and jigs on the wider reefs and wrecks should be quite productive. If you’re fishing for snapper first thing in the morning and plan on

Bag outs have been common!

FISHING NEWS

Seqwater urges fishers to dispose of tilapia Anglers are warned: using pest fish as bait is out of line. Seqwater is urging recreational fishers to take care when removing and disposing of tilapia from South East Queensland waterways, with reports of people using the noxious fish as bait. Seqwater Biosecurity Officer Perry Ward said the invasive fish species had managed to dominate natural waterways across the region since they were first introduced into Australia in the 1970s. “Tilapia are an aggressive species that have become a problem for a number of reasons,” Mr Ward said. “They outcompete the native species for food and dominate aquatic communities. “The species are incredibly fast at reproducing and are able to survive in many different environmental conditions that native fish find difficult to cope with.” Mr Ward said new invasions of tilapia had resulted from deliberate and accidental introduction of the species into dam storages and rivers, even 40

OCTOBER 2017

Boonah angler Fred Schneider, 73, reels in a carp at a spot near Lake Moogerah. in instances where the fish were dead. “Tilapia are ‘mouth brooders’ and can carry more than 1000 eggs at a time in their mouth, to protect the eggs

from predators,” Mr Ward said. “When a dead female is thrown back into a river or dam, some of the juveniles in her mouth can survive and colonise a new water body.

“Unfortunately there have been reports of people using the tilapia as bait. In Queensland the law is very clear; tilapia can’t be kept, sold, used for bait, taken home for eating or used for any other purpose. There are fines of more than $200,000 for serious offences.” Mr Ward said Seqwater had a number of initiatives to limit the spread of tilapia. “We have disposal bins for tilapia set up at some of our lakes, local fish stocking groups release native fingerlings into our dam storages and we host community pest fishing days,” Mr Ward said. “Even though total eradication of tilapia in South East Queensland is impossible, it’s important we do what we can to stop the spread.” Retired Boonah farmer Fred Schneider is indeed doing his part to rid waterways of tilapia, having caught and disposed of thousands of the pest fish around Lake Moogerah. The 73-year-old angler said he habitually went fishing from 6am to midday at least four times a week and generally caught dozens of tilapia in each sitting. “I also catch a lot of carp, which is another

pest species – it’s all in a day’s work,” Mr Schneider said. “I keep records of the thousands of tilapia and hundreds of carp I remove from the waterways each year. They’re always biting. If I see any other anglers, I make sure they are aware about the restrictions in place to prevent the spread of this vermin fish.” DISPOSING TILAPIA Biosecurity Queensland advocates the ethical euthanasia protocols recommended by the 2001 ANZCCART publication: Euthanasia of Animals Used for Scientific Purposes. The most appropriate method may involve stunning the fish via a sharp blow to the back of the head just above the eyes. When applied correctly, this causes brain destruction – the fish’s

gill covers should stop moving and its eyes should remain still. Pest fish should be disposed of as soon as possible in a way that avoids any risk of the fish being released back into the waterway (water from the container used to hold the fish should also be disposed of away from the waterway to prevent juvenile reintroduction). This is usually achieved by burying the fish above the tidal influence and at least 50m from surrounding watercourses, at a minimum depth determined by local council guidelines. The fish can also be disposed of in waste bins. For more information about tilapia, visit www.daf.qld.gov.au. – Chris Owen

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Estuary species are heating up NORTHERN BAY

Grayson Fong graysonfong@bigpond.com

The northern bay has lived up to its reputation this spring season, with easterly winds peppering our inshore waters and forcing many weekend angling warriors to the many estuaries we have adjoining Moreton Bay. On the fishing front,

things are starting to look positive for the warmer months, with water temperatures slowly increasing, especially after a period of northerly winds. With Pumicestone Passage being quiet on the fishing stakes due to the last of the weed floating through the system, the focus for the northern bay has been shifted to the southern corners around Scarborough to Bramble Bay.

WHITING Whiting numbers have been nice and steady over the last few months and are set to stay consistent throughout October, with both diver whiting and sand whiting being caught in all corners of the bay. The Cockle Banks are still a reliable area for a good bag of diver whiting, with the southern beaches of the Bribie around from Skirmish Point still producing good sand whiting. Margate Beach is another spot that is hot at the moment, with many anglers setting up multiple rods to maximise their chances of a good catch. Bramble Bay has also been producing diver whiting, with the Shorncliffe Pier being a productive spot for land-based diver whiting anglers. BREAM Bream numbers are slowly on the rise, with warmer waters firing up good surface action on the

Lachie Nolan with his new PB bass, 41cm caught on a small spinnerbait. He went fishing in the Pine River with his friend and caught nine bass with spinnerbaits, deep divers and trolled plastics, while his mate caught a fish with an Allens snake lolly rigged on a jighead.

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The Pine River consistently produces quality bream for the author. Pumicestone Passage, the Caboolture and Pine rivers all fishing well at the moment. White Patch and Donnybrook have been the areas to concentrate on in Pumicestone Passage, with the lower reaches of the Caboolture River around Bakers Flat and downriver

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windless days. Ecogear PX55, Daiwa Slippery Dog and OSP Bent Minnows are amongst the pick of the surface lures that work in the northern region ,with pauses during your retrieve enticing lookers to become eaters. Soft plastics have been the pick of the lures this October with 2.5-3” grubs and paddle-tails working really well when slow rolled along the flats, especially in the areas around Donnybrook, Ningi and Cooks Rocks. They have also been working well off the Redcliffe Peninsula, with the regular by-catch of squire and grass sweetlip adding some spice to the mix. Ted Smout Fishing Platform has been producing bream at night on the receding tide, with fresh baits being a great recipe for the patient anglers. FLATHEAD Flathead numbers have remained steady through the spring period, with the main waterways like

of Uhlmann Rd Boatramp proving to be fruitful In the Caboolture River. The mouth of the Pine River, under the Houghton Highway has been a little hit and miss of late, with windier days working better in that area. Paddle-tail and creature bait soft plastics have been producing fish. CRABS Sand crabs have been in good numbers throughout the bay, with Bramble and Deception bays being the most productive. The main part of Pumicestone Passage still produces good crabs on the fuller tides. Mud crabs have started to show up in our estuaries, with Cabbage Tree Creek and the upper reaches of the Pine River being areas of interest. TIP OF THE MONTH Sunglasses are a must around this time of the year when spending extended periods on the water. Choosing glass lenses over polycarbonate ones give you greater lens life and can give your eyes the adequate protection they need.

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Good numbers of spring fish NOOSA

Peter Wells

With a bit of luck we will see those spring rains deliver a bit of colour into the river systems and in turn get the fish feeding a bit more aggressively. In the Noosa River large flathead are still in great numbers and taking soft plastics. The 3” plastics have been working a treat with areas like the river mouth sand banks, the Tewantin Ski Run, and Weyba Creek all producing some outstanding fish. Whiting have been in good numbers with live worms and live yabbies

Mangrove jack are beginning to feed at night around heavy structure. Live baits and 4” paddle-tail plastics have been the best methods to target these fish. Make sure your gear is up to the task; use heaver graphite rods, 2500-4000 size reels and, above all, good braided lines. If you haven’t changed the line on your jack outfit, now is the time to do it – braid has a reel life of about 12 months. Trevally are in great numbers in the Noosa River and have been feeding hard on the bait that is brought in with the tide. Fishing areas like Woods Bays in the low light periods has been the way to go. These fish will tend to

ready for the season. Crabs are around, but they will really get walking as soon as we see the start of the spring rains; the deeper sections of the river near mangroves are the best places to put your pots baited with fresh mullet. In the Maroochy River the jack anglers are out in force! The upper reaches of the river are where where most anglers are targeting these fish. Live bait has accounted for some nice-sized jacks along with hardbodied suspending lures. The Zerek Tango Shads in the 69mm size have been working well with the darker colours claiming some good fish. Whiting have been in good numbers around Black Banks and Chambers Island.

the edges of the sand banks. Larger bream have been around the pontoons and jetties off Picnic Point and Maroochy Waters. Smaller grub-style soft plastics like the ZMan GrubZ in the 2” on light fluorocarbon leaders and light jigheads are perfect for catching some monster bream. On the offshore scene anglers have had some great opportunities to get out in some very favourable conditions. A lot of larger craft made the run out to the Hards and the Barwon Banks. Pearlies, snapper, mulloway and cobia have all been landed. Another popular spot for anglers in larger craft is the run up to the reefs east of Double Island Point. Red emperor, pearl perch, large snapper and pelagics have all been caught. North Reef is another great area that is getting plenty of attention at the moment with plenty of quality fish hitting the decks. North is one of those reefs where you can cover a lot of ground and this is perfect for those anglers that love to fish plastics or micro-jigs. As the reef is quite large with a rubbly bottom, drifting on the current can produce a great range of quality reef species. Working both plastics and jigs amongst the bommies and rubble will see you come across many species like pearlies, snapper, mulloway, spangled emperor, sweetlip and Maori cod.

Tom Emanuel was fishing Woods Bay in the Noosa River when this 50cm jack took a liking to his Squidgy Prawn. Tom was lucky to get the fish, as he was only fishing 8lb leader. sweetlip, cobia and Maori cod. Fishing with berley is the key. If you can get your berley pot to the bottom, you’ll have more success. Pelagics are also starting to come on line with some smaller school mackerel around Old Woman Island and the odd spotty and Spanish mackerel also appearing. Coolum Reef has also seen some nice fish with both cobia and redthroat boated. On the beaches there are still some great-sized tailor along the Noosa North Shore. These fish will be making their way south after spawning up at Fraser Island. Pilchards, mullet and bonito baits have claimed some quality fish up to 3kg. Small to medium-sized mulloway

Whiting, bream and dart have inhabited the closer gutters, making great fun for the kids. Worms, prawns, pipis and yabbies have been the baits of choice. On the southern beaches around Coolum and down toward Marcoola, good gutters are producing quality sized dart, trevally, tarwhine and some nice bream. In the freshwater, Lake Macdonald has seen good schools of bass in the deeper sections down towards the dam wall. Vibes and paddletail soft plastics have claimed decent fish. In Lake Borumba the bass are also schooled in the deeper parts of the dam and are taking ice jigs and deep plastic presentations worked through the schools. • For all the latest information

Alisha Coyne was fishing North Reef and did battle with this 80cm snapper. This was her first-ever snapper and it took a live yakka. producing quality fish in the lower reaches. Bream have also been a favourite with the kids and prawns and mullet flesh has claimed some nice fish.

feed on the surface, so make sure you have some great poppers or surface walkers that are up to the task. There are plenty of anglers getting their crab pots

Peeled prawns, worms and freshly pumped yabbies have been the go-to baits. Large flathead are still being taken in the lower reaches of the river fishing drop-offs and

The Lawrence family did a trip to the Noosa North Shore and had a great time with plenty of fish on offer including bream, tailor and dart. Here’s Mum De, young Khy, and little Indy with some of their catch. North Reef is also perfect for the anglers that love to have a lightly-weighted floater out the back, as there is a good population of pelagics on offer. For those anglers who head out of Mooloolaba, the Gneerings has been fishing well for juvenile snapper, 44

OCTOBER 2017

are also on the chew. With a favourable new moon they tend to move into the shallow gutters under the cover of darkness to feed on smaller baitfish and tailor. Fresh mullet or tailor fillets or a large clump of beach worms has claimed some good fish.

log onto www.fishingnoosa. com.au for up to date bar and fishing reports. Drop into Davo’s Tackle world Noosa or Davo’s Northshore Bait & Tackle at Marcoola to find out where the fish are biting, and remember tight lines and bent spines!

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DIY Lure Making

Doc’s Stickbait Surface Lure BRISBANE

Greg Vinall support@makewoodenlures.com

Last month we made Doc’s Minnow, a cool little shallow running crankbait designed to catch many of Australia’s bread and butter species. Hopefully by the time this edition goes to print, a whole bunch of Fishing Monthly readers will already have experienced their first fish on a homemade lure. If that’s you, congratulations! You’re now officially a custom lure maker! But if you missed last month’s project, you can always watch the video tutorial and download the lure template on my website at MakeWoodenLures.

com/Fishing-Monthly. This month I’m going to widen our fishing options with Doc’s Stickbait, a simple, walkthe-dog style surface lure. If you’ve never fished with small stickbaits, you’re in for a real treat! Being tailweighted, these lures cast better than most other wooden lure styles. Worked properly, they slide across the water surface with an enticing zig-zag action that just begs for a splashy surface strike. In the estuaries and bays Doc’s Stickbait is perfect for bream, small trevally and even whiting. And in freshwater they’re especially deadly on bass and saratoga. Don’t let the small size of this lure fool you. The next generously proportioned tailor, barra,

Template: 1 Square = 1cm

Murray cod, jack or estuary perch to swallow one of these little lures won’t be the first or the last. They’re meant for smaller fish, but surprises are not uncommon! FISHING WITH DOC’S STICKBAIT Small tail-weighted lures like Doc’s Stickbait can take a little practice to use. If you simply cast them out and then crank them back, they’ll have virtually no action and you probably won’t turn a scale. Light lines and leaders give the best results. Make sure you attach the lure with a good, non-slip loop knot so it has plenty of freedom to move. If you need a little help, you’ll find a bunch of great tutorials for fishing stickbaits on Youtube, or zip down to

100% Scale

the local tackle store and ask one of the staff to give you a quick demo! Over spring and summer there are numerous places to throw small stickbaits. The shallow margins of lakes are a good place to look for bass during the afternoons as fish move up looking for warm water and food. Wading or yakking the yabby flats for bream and whiting is another productive option. Working lures along fallen timber in shallow water is also productive at times, as snags are less of a problem when your lure is on the surface. MAKING DOC’S STICKBAIT Once you have a design that works, turning out a few stickbaits is about as simple

TOOLS AND MATERIALS Tools Utility knife, battery drill and bits, hacksaw, pliers. Materials • 12.5mm x 75mm balsa plank • 1-1.2mm stainless steel wire • 120 and 240 grit sand paper • 240 grit wet sanding paper • Epoxy adhesive (with syringes and mixing sticks) • Ball sinkers (size 00) • Methylated spirits as wooden lure making gets! We’ll be using the same techniques as last month, but we’ll be weighting the lure differently it won’t have the characteristic diving lip of a crankbait. Painting and clear coating Once again I’ll be using an airbrush to paint this lure. But there is nothing wrong with using brushes or aerosol cans to give your lure some colour. After all, a pretty paint job is more for anglers than

fish, so don’t be put off if your early painting attempts aren’t spectacular. That said, if you’d like to take your lure painting to the next level, you could sign up for my free airbrushing course at http://crazylureart.com/freelure-painting-lessons-register/. Or my ebook Getting Started In Custom Painted Crankbaits is available on my website at https://makewoodenlures. com/product/custom-lurepainting-ebook

Cut out the template, place it on your balsa and then trace the side profile of the lure onto the wood. Use your utility knife to slice between the outlines and separate the blanks. 2

Pare away the bulk of the waste with a utility knife, chisel, carving gouge or other sharp blade. Cut close to your guidelines, but not all the way – and try to keep the wood as square in cross section as you can. If you’re a little out of square we’ll fix that in Step 3.

I’m using both our square and curved sanding blocks from last month to clean up the blanks. Hold the block firmly on a flat surface and rub the blank against it until you’ve shaped down to your outline. At this point, your blanks should be nice and square, which helps in getting the hardware properly aligned.

Next I’m marking a centre line. Then I’ll lay the template on the lure blank to mark the location of the tow point, hook hangers and weight. Notice the weight is towards the tail on stickbaits, not up front like it was for our crankbait project. Balsa is soft, so you can use the tip of a nail or other pointy item to make a tiny dent for the drill bit to centre on.

With a battery drill and a 1.5mm drill bit, I’m making the holes that the eyelets will be glued into. Then with a brad point bit I’m making a 4mm hole for the tail weight. Be careful not to go too deep with the weight hole, the weight needs to be just beneath the surface of the wood. Removing too much wood will only weaken the lure body. 46

OCTOBER 2017

Centre the top template on the blank and trace around it. Then slice away the bulk of the waste with a utility knife. Then once again use a sanding block to refine the shape while keeping the balsa square in cross section. When you’re done with this step the lure body should be symmetrical when viewed from above and should be square in cross section.

Now mark centre lines on all the long sides of your blank, then carving guidelines. The guidelines are basically half way between the edge of the wood and the centre line you just drew. Remove the waste between the guidelines using your knife. It’s easier to get this right if you take lots of light cuts and work with the grain. If you find the blade ‘digging in’, it’s time to turn the blank around and carve in the opposite direction.

DIY Lure Making 8

Refine the shape with 120 grit sandpaper. The trick is to not to press too hard on the sandpaper and to do a few strokes on one side, then switch and do a few strokes on the opposite side. That way you’ll maintain the shape and not get flat spots. Keep checking the lure from in front, behind and above to make sure it’s symmetrical. 10

Twist up some small pieces of stainless steel wire to make eyelets. Then use a flat stick to work as much good quality, 24hr cure time epoxy as possible into the holes. Smear some epoxy onto the shaft of the twist eye and gently twist it into the hole in the opposite direction to the thread. When it’s fully into the lure, wipe away any excess adhesive. I’m using a half of a size 00 ball sinker to weight my stickbaits. I split them in two using my utility knife, fill the hole with epoxy, push in the weight and fill over the top with a little more epoxy. Now put the lure aside for at least 24 hours to cure. I’m using twist eyes to keep these lures simple for beginners. That’s fine for small, light duty lures like the ones we’ll make in this series. If you’re making lures that will be fished on lines greater than 6kg breaking strain, you’d be better to use a through-wire or harder timber. Or both! FINISHED LURE

This is a very important step to make your lures hard and waterproof so they last longer. Fill the grain and seal the wood for a better looking paint job. Mix up a small batch of epoxy, then thin with a little metho. Warm each lure body using a hair drier and brush with thinned epoxy while the wood is still warm. Let your lures cure for at least a day, preferably more. Finally, wet sand them with 240 grit paper until they’re smooth and all the gloss has been taken off the epoxy.

• For extra information and video tutorials please go to Greg’s website MakeWoodenLures.com/Fishing-Monthly/ and complete the free registration. To check out Greg’s other work visit crazylureart. com and his Facebook page Wooden Lure Making.

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An open letter to the QSIA Nowadays, the immediate response once an incident or issue has been identified is to apportion blame. The circumstances that actually caused the event are immaterial and rationality forgotten as the need to find a scapegoat becomes the primary focus. This is exactly the situation currently embroiling the Qld Seafood Industry Association (QSIA) and commercial fishers in general. The conundrum is very simple! To earn a living, a commercial fisher must catch fish. If that fisher wants to continue doing just that, what should be their focus? The state of the fish stocks they rely on for their livelihood would seem the obvious answer. The question then becomes, who is responsible for ensuring that these fish stocks remain viable? As the prime user of our fisheries resources, that responsibility ultimately rests with the commercial fishers themselves, through their representative body(s). Recreational fishers are permitted to also access some of those fish stocks, a resource ultimately owned by the entire community. As another significant user of the fishery, what strategy should commercial fishers pursue to optimize any effects by recreational fishers on their ultimate revenue source as identified above – fish stocks? The obvious answer is to work cooperatively. Here’s the reality: no fish, no commercial fishers! If you think this is oversimplifying a complex problem, then take a good look around our country and the world. Fisheries collapses have been happening regularly since the end of World War II with Atlantic cod, Peruvian anchovies, Australian salmon and southern bluefin tuna. Most of these happened when key commercial fishers and scientists were insisting that stocks were still in good condition. Thousands of jobs and tens of millions of dollars were lost as a result of these miscalculations. Coming back to Queensland, the signs are not good. Our southern scallop fishery was recently closed due to dangerously low stock levels. Prawn farms infected by white spot virus may have passed this onto wild stocks, threatening our trawlers. Pollution in Gladstone Harbour seriously impacted fish and crabs and may still be ongoing. Toxic fire fighting foam leaked into estuaries in Cairns and Brisbane has contaminated marine life. How many times has this happened and been ignored? Commercial fisher livelihood (and recreational fishing tourism) depends on healthy, robust fish stocks. What are the greatest threats

to this integrity? Pollution, land degradation, urban development, siltation, agricultural runoff, mangrove destruction, weather and climatic events, overfishing, changes in genetic viability and, loss of marine diversity are some of the significant ones. What this means is that the impediments to a commercial fisher making a living are many and varied. When applied to the common perception by some fishers and politicians that they’ll continue to be able to catch just as many fish as they always have, a problem arises. Catches fall, so the knee jerk reaction is to ignore the more complex issues and blame something closer to home that’s highly visible – recreational fishers! The recent controversy over the declaration of Net Free Zones has elevated the ‘blame’ game to a virtual declaration of ‘war’ by a group of rogue commercial fishers. Indications are that this very public and vitriolic campaign is being supported by the QSIA. Social media pages are full of abuse, profanities and threats, most of which has been directed at the recreational side. In a couple of instances, death threats made against recreational advocates have been reported to the authorities. Commercial fishers should be ultimately concerned about what is happening to those fish stocks on which they rely. Thanks to the voluntary assistance of hundreds of recreational fishers since the mid 1980s, the most comprehensive fish tagging program in the entire world is centred here in Queensland. Using the latest statistical analysis methods, this data bank is now accurately predicting barramundi and king salmon stock levels in the central Queensland region. Instead of embracing this cutting edge fishery tool, the commercial sector has written it off! But when asked to supply data to support their claims, real answers are in very short supply. Instead, the rhetoric just gets more and more aggressive. The QSIA may be better to take a very close look at its position and ask these questions: Why are we wasting all this energy fighting fishers who ultimately have the same aim as we have – a healthy, viable fish population? Why are we allowing ‘rogues’ to distract the industry from focussing on what we need for the future? And finally, why aren’t all our efforts directed to achieving the best fishery outcome from the recent Fisheries Review? There are rumours that behind the scenes, the jockeying has already started amongst the ‘smarter’ commercial fishers to place themselves in the best position to take advantage of the new regulations expected to result from the Fisheries

Review. These operators know that change has to happen and that many in the industry may have missed their opportunity to take advantage of the recent buy-out initiatives. Queensland is the last state in Australia to recognize that the enhancement of recreational fishing is just as important to a healthy economy as commercial fishing, particularly in key areas close to urban development. Tourism revenue continues to skyrocket while fisheries income remains relatively stagnant. Finding a balance between these sectors has now become a political necessity. The NT has the optimal model, a commercial fishery that has a limited number of commercial fishers operating very profitably and catching record amounts, a tourism industry based around recreational fishing that continues to boom, and, most importantly, fish stocks that are at a very high level, barramundi being estimated at 90% of original stocks. There are many other side issues – the QSIA promoting the misinformation that the public is missing out on fresh fish, when most of it is exported interstate or overseas, and major supermarkets selling farmed or imported ‘inferior’ product. How about focussing on better marketing procedures such as value adding or better promotion? Being proactive will win out over negative arguments any day. There’s always plenty of mention of recreational fishers doing ‘bad’ things, and yes, there are certainly a few around who taint the remainder. But firstly, take a look around at the ‘baddies’ in your own industry! If you don’t know who they are, take a look in the court sections of local papers for a start. One serial offender in the Mackay region has graced the front pages of the Mackay Bulletin and appeared on TV screens regularly during the past year! A key function of a healthy representative organization is that it purges its unsavoury operators and dead wood! So here are the alternatives. Keep fighting the war and ignoring the real problems or start concentrating on making sure you have plenty of fish to catch in the future. In essence, QSIA can continue to be distracted and confused or step up and become truly professional in its vision. If and when you come to the obvious decision, I am sure you will find plenty of passionate recreational fishers who will want to stand with you in the battle to restore healthy fish stocks in Queensland. Our Fisheries Department and politicians will remain ensconced in the management ‘dark ages’ if you don’t. It really is that simple! – Dave Donald OCTOBER 2017

Hot October action will get anglers excited HERVEY BAY

Dane Radosevic

Now is an exciting time of the year to hit the water with a host of different species on offer in the warmer conditions. The freshwater scene is bound to erupt with local impoundments and rivers starting to fire for both bass and barra, and we can only expect the action to improve as water temperatures continue to rise. Topwater lure presentations are a great option at this time of year and make for some spectacular visual displays. For the barra, the Bagley Finger Mullet 09 and weedless rigged ZMan

Turbo CrawZ are good lures for the bass and both have produced good numbers of fish in past seasons. This winter was by far been one of the warmest and driest we have endured for many years and as a result the river systems should fire earlier than usual. The Mary and Susan rivers are proven performers and there are already whispers of a few barramundi and threadfin salmon lurking around on the run-out tides. The entrance to the heads has produced quality sportfishing during the larger tides with species such as school and Spanish mackerel being regular captures off the barge ramp and headland itself. Casting metal slugs

Young local angler Bailey Baker getting stuck into some inshore sweetlip on soft plastics.

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or drifting an unweighted pilchard on a set of gangs has proved to be successful. Ensure you know the size and bag limits, as there are a lot of smaller fish amongst them. We should expect to see the annual run of chopper tailor, which will haunt similar areas in weeks to come and can often be found harassing the schools of hardiheads and herring. Schools of baitfish nervously skittering across the surface are usually a tell-tale sign the tailor are lurking below. The Straits offer other great options on the building tides and open the door for opportunities in terms of species. Bream stocks across the flats will begin to taper off, however flathead and whiting numbers will both increase and make for great sport on soft plastics and small surface poppers. Grunter of substantial size have been captured from the many adjacent creeks and will often be found in good numbers on the run-out tide. With threadfin salmon and barramundi becoming increasingly active, it’s well worth having a scout around structures such as rock bars, submerged trees and the entrance to the many drains in the area. It really is a great time of year to be fishing the rivers and the Burrum River is fishing quite well for tarpon, queenfish and river GTs, which have been located in good numbers, usually on the corners of the river coinciding with the deeper holes. They can be great sport on light gear with both lures and fly. Towards the river mouth and around the islands, flathead, grunter and whiting have been regular captures on both lures and fresh baits. A night session coinciding with a full moon is a lethal combination for targeting those elbowslapping whiting and quality grunter. The upper reaches of the system and

The disturbed water in the background is a dead giveaway of a submerged rock bar – a key structure to look for when chasing barramundi. The author worked it over with a soft plastic and it paid dividends. the Gregory River are both fishing well for barramundi and mangrove jack. The best results come from anglers fishing the run-out tide on the neaps. Over the coming weeks as water temperatures continue to rise these species will become more prolific and will be regular captures. Moving inshore the shallower reefs are starting to produce quality sweetlip. If last year’s season is anything to go by, we can expect to see big numbers of fish again this year. Fresh cut baits such as strips of herring or mullet and peeled prawns are ideal fished on a light running ball sinker rig. Blackall, cod and trout have also been readily caught while bait fishing, however results will also come for those flicking soft plastics or trolling hardbodies in the 2-3m diving range. It seems as though our run of juvenile snapper has slowed down quite dramatically with water temperatures increasing, but we do often see a late run of better quality fish move through the bay. The inshore islands should fish well on the bigger tides for pelagics. With good current and a healthy bait supply, species such as GTs,

golden trevally, queenfish and mixed mackerel species will become great sport on topwater and soft plastics. Be mindful of the green zones set in place on Little Woody and the bottom island of the Picnics. The flats are showing potential with more consistent fish sightings lately. Golden trevally and large queenfish have been regularly spotted on the tide change and the odd big GT has been tearing across the flats. Fishing the neap tides provides better opportunities with the increased water clarity. The areas south of Moon Point and the back of Little Woody are worth prospecting. Although it’s early days yet for the avid flyfisher, it’s a promising sign for the season. School mackerel still continue to show up in plague proportions throughout the central bay and up along Fraser Island, with the Burrum Eight-Mile, Fairway beacon, Six-Mile Arch Cliffs and Red Neds all producing quality fish. Spinning metal spoons and floating live or dead baits such as herring or pilchards down the water column is the preferred choice. The odd longtail tuna has also started to show up

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The author extracted this chunk from tight cover on a ZMan Turbo CrawZ and BuzzlockZ combination. Bring on the spring time surface bite!

in similar areas and can be expected to be caught down deep for anglers hopping a soft plastic. The wider reefs have proved quite tough over the past month, which may be due to the pressure it has received with all the good weather. Trout numbers have decreased and are they’re proving difficult to catch in any decent size or quantity; targeting them on the bigger tides is going to be key for those willing to persevere with live baits or tea-bagging soft plastics. The best results have come from anglers fishing fresh baits for sweetlip, tuskfish, cod and the occasional big red during the daylight hours and night sessions are still producing reef jacks and the odd snapper. This is the ideal season for surf fishing and there is no greater location than the eastern side of Fraser Island to soak a bait or cast a slug. Fishos have started to head over for the annual tailor run and there have been some outstanding catches with fish to 3kg being reported. Most of the fish are ranging 40-50cm. The gutters north of the Maheno reportedly produce the better quality fish. Dart and large summer whiting have also been prolific in the gutters on the eastern side and are taking a liking to freshly dug pipis or fresh sand worms. Slide baiting and drone fishing are fast becoming very popular and successful methods for targeting your bigger pelagic species, such as Spanish mackerel and GTs. Fish have been sighted along the beach cruising the edges of the gutters and have readily been taking slugs or live baits. If in doubt, call in and talk to the team at Fisho’s Tackle World Hervey Bay, previously Fishermans Corner. It’s the same store, same staff, and same great service and advice. All the best and tight lines from the team.

Tailor fishing hotspots around Indian Head FRASER ISLAND

Phil James p_j_james@bigpond.com

For the last two months, the tailor closure has applied to beaches and headlands between 400m south of Indian Head, and 400m north (actually west) of Waddy Point. Of course, this hasn’t restricted other activities like the almost mandatory climb to the top of Indian Head and a swim in the Champagne Pools at Middle Rocks. On beautiful September and October days you could expect to see groups of people looking seaward from the top of Indian Head enjoying breathtaking sights of humpback whales, dolphins, turtles, sharks and schools of pelagic fish. In May 1770, on his voyage along the Fraser Island east coast, James Cook noted groups of Aboriginal people looking seaward showing keen interest in his passing ship. In his day, native people of many lands were known as ‘Indians,’ so Cook’s naming of this headland could have been expected. Indian Head, Middle Rocks and Waddy Point

are the remnants of ancient volcanic activity, accepted as being critical to the formation of the island, forming barriers to the movements of wind and ocean-borne sand from the east coast of Australia. Now that October has arrived, the restriction on tailor fishing have been removed. However, the small headlands and beaches of Middle Rocks are zoned green within the Great Sandy Marine Park, so fishing for any species at all here is not permitted throughout the year. The opening of the closure zone is anticipated with much enthusiasm by anglers who believe that the very best tailor fishing awaits them, particularly on the northern side of Indian Head. Certainly some of Fraser Island’s largest tailor might be taken at Indian Head on opening day. With bag limit regulations in place, there should be no urgency as far as numbers are concerned. The tailor season will continue though this month and well into November, and Indian Head will continue to attract plenty of attention. With the headlands now open, anglers targeting other species will also have some interesting

A map of Indian Head.

options to explore. Regular visitors to the island might excuse my side tracking a little. Driving along any of Fraser’s ocean beach is generally better towards the bottom of the tide. Closer to high tide, there can be plenty of soft sand to negotiate, as well as some creek crossings. For the last few kilometres approaching Indian Head, the beach can be so narrow that anything but low tide driving can be difficult, even impossible. Just before reaching the southern face of the headland (B), the wide sandy tracks lead into the Indian Head bypass. Just about every time we use this track, there is at least one bogged vehicle. The problem could be associated with an inexperienced driver, underpowered vehicle, overloading, too high tyre pressures, or failure to plan the approach and progress through the track, or any combination of these. It is best not to rush into a crossing. Rather, have a good look at the situation and where other drivers are succeeding or failing before continuing. If you don’t wish to go as far as the bypass, vehicles usually park near the southern face of the rocks. From here the path to the top of Indian Head can be taken. There is no longer a path to the top from the northern side of the headland. The beach on the northern side of the headland (A) can be extremely variable, courtesy of loosely consolidated sand and changing weather and tidal conditions. It can be as uninteresting as a simple flat beach, but there are usually some features that provide opportunities for targeting tailor as well as whiting and dart. In most weather conditions the sandy gutters and holes make for easy light

E D

Indian Head’s north face with points A, C, D and E marked. line fishing, particularly suitable for families. It is the northern face of Indian Head that sees most of the fishing action. From the beach, a path (if you can call it that) through boulders and along rock ledges leads towards the eastern tip of the headland. On the way, depending on the current features of banks and gutters, there can be plenty of opportunities to target tailor and dart. If there is a decent southeasterly sea running, the direction of the swells changes as they bend around the headland. The breaking waves can produce a lot of white water over these shallows – top conditions for chasing tailor, particularly at night and early morning. A little further along there is a segment shaped area of broken rocks and boulders known as ‘the pebbles’ (C) projecting towards the north. During the tailor season this is one of the island’s hotspots with many anglers competing for good vantage points. Decades ago, before tailor was a

regulated species, it was not uncommon to witness some unfortunate scenes involving competing anglers fishing the pebbles. Dart are also a popular catch here throughout the year and the quality always seems to be spectacular. Bream, tarwhine, trevally, Moses perch and sweetlip are also likely here, particularly when a deep hole or gutter has been gouged into the edge of the pebbles. Beyond the pebbles the path continues below the main rock face onto a higher shelf (D) that has excellent deep water access. Anglers have lots of pet names for their spots. Some that come to mind here are the ‘ledge’ and the ‘balcony.’ In addition to tailor and dart, some of the larger pelagics like spotted and Spanish mackerel as well as queenfish and various trevallies come in close enough to be targeted by anglers using live baits, metals and other artificials. Bream and tarwhine always seem to be lurking around the holes and ledges. So too are reef species

like the blubberlips, bruin and spotted perch. I need to stress that, like any headland situation, safety is paramount. Although the northern face of Indian Head is somewhat protected, unexpected swells can bring about disaster. It is possible to venture further out along the northern face to the eastern point of Indian Head (E), known by some as the ‘veranda.’ While there are stories of huge pelagics taken from here, this is a spot that I will not visit again for safety concerns, so I can’t recommend it. Almost all of the southern face of Indian Head (F) is not easily accessible, so we’ll leave it to the mountain goats to check out the possibilities here. Close to the southern beach (G) there are limited vantage points for casting to tailor and dart in the white water and possibly bream in the holes close to the rocks. Next month we shall venture north to Waddy Point, bypassing the greenzoned Middle Rocks.

Stunning Rainbow Beach weather continues RAINBOW BEACH

Ed Falconer

October is a great spring month and in the past it has produced some of the best red emperor catches. The recent perfect weather is set to continue, which will keep the fish on the chew. The perfect weather conditions offshore, have allowed anglers many trips out with some red hot results. Just like last month, pearl perch have been an easy target. Easy-to-catch

Matt with two stunning coronation trout.

pilchards and soft plastics are doing the trick. Red emperor, big cod, cobia and amberjack are also biting well, but live bait – like yakkas – has been the key to success. Other great reefies have also been on offer, including tuskfish, hussar and snapper. Moses perch have been as big and as plentiful as I’ve ever seen and are taking any cut baits. • To enjoy a day on the water with Keely Rose Fishing Charters phone Ed Falconer 0407 146 151 or visit www. keelyrosefishingcharters. com.au.

Dennis with a pair of beautiful Rainbow Beach red emperor. OCTOBER 2017

Fish now while rivers are still running clean BUNDABERG

Jason Medcalf topwater@bigpond.com

September was a mixed bag of weather, although it was mostly warm and very dry. Our local creeks started heating up and this really moved the baitfish and prawns around. As we have had virtually no rain, the creeks are still clean, with only the bigger tides disturbing the water clarity. THE BURNETT RIVER Our main river the

Burnett has still been producing the goods for those putting in the effort. Some early season saltwater barramundi have been taking live baits and well-presented lures in the deeper holes and on some of the hidden structures in the river. There has been some big fish encountered too, with metre fish being bragged about and sensibly released. There has also been a good solid run of grunter in the river and they have been there all year, they have just been moving around.

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The grunter are suckers for a fresh strip bait of sprat or hardiheads, but are also being taken on small soft plastics. Over September the mouth of the river was the most productive for catching grunter, and unless we get some rain, I don’t think that will change. The flathead have been almost everywhere and there haven’t been too many reports of anglers missing out if they are targeting them. Of course, the humble flathead is just ideal for the lure fisher, as they sit on the bottom waiting to ambush their prey on drop offs and anywhere they can conceal themselves where baitfish travel past. For this reason, trolling diving lures around these areas, making sure your lure is bumping the bottom, puts you right in the spot. Usually, if they are there they will eat your lure. PELAGICS Around the leads and rock walls at the mouth there have been some tuna and mackerel showing up and over October the pelagic activity should only increase. A simple way of putting yourself in with

Flathead should be just about everywhere in the Burnett this month. a shot at some of these pelagics is to troll a couple of lures around the mouth, looking for diving birds and fish activity as you go.

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in the purple and chrome colour. These two lures have caught just about everything that swims, and the key is to troll them at around 6-8 knots, or a quick jogging speed. If you want to improve your chances at getting a bite while your trolling, hang on to the rod and move it back and forwards as you troll, this imparts a darting action on the lure and can fire up the mackerel. To get the best from your catch, dispatch the fish quickly and bleed them thoroughly. This can take 5 minutes on a larger mackerel or tuna. After they have bled out, put them straight on ice so that when you come to clean them the fillets will be clean and firm. There has been some decent rain forecast for our area over November and December, and we really need it, so get into the fishing while the creeks and rivers are clean. Of course, the fishing will improve again after a big dump of rain, but the first few weeks after rain can see the rivers and creeks high and dirty. Stay safe this month.

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Reef turns on good weather GLADSTONE

Liam Jones

September once again turned on magnificent weather. There were plenty of days with less than 10 knots and nice warm temperatures. With the warmer weather the summer species have already started to fire up.

and miss in just about every system. This will pretty much continue until mid December or until we receive some decent rain. Offshore has been very rewarding for those who were lucky enough to get out. The bigger sweetlip have started to show up in the shallows making for some extremely entertaining fishing for the stickbait fishos. These things

to Japan with the team from Shimano Fish Australia and a few other Compleat Angler stores from around the country to have a look at the Shimano Japan factory and how they go about things over there. All I can say is ‘wow, what a well run and precise organisation!’ The factory and head office were amazing. I don’t think I had ever seen such a clean place. We had a

Double hook-ups were common for the author and his mates on their fishing trip. Mangrove jack catches increased as the month went on and – as they didn’t really stop chewing throughout winter – barra have been on fire! All the systems have been fishing well from Turkey Beach right through to the top of the narrows. Expect Turkey Beach to really come into its own as this dry weather continues and temperatures continue to rise. The likes of Worthington Creek and Sandy Creek on the road in should be ideal for early morning or late afternoon jack sessions. Surface fishing will become more rewarding and certainly much more fun with the warmer temperatures. The big grunter schools have started to turn up in the harbour and should only become thicker throughout October and November. As these fish will be sitting in 12-20m of water, the most productive way to fish is slow pitch jigging with 30-60g jigs. Schools of black jew are also still floating around the harbour and are an exciting by-catch when slow pitching for grunter. Crabs are still very hit

will rise to the surface and pack-attack a stickbait at the right times. This is worth a try if you haven’t done it before. It can produce insanely hot sessions and visual fishing for reef species is pretty hard to go past.

little free time, so we snuck off to a couple of fishing tackle stores to have a quick look. Stock, stock and more stock – ceiling to floor, every aisle was stocked to the absolute maximum they could handle. While not exactly cheap, it was

Mitch Innocend with a PB nanny. With the sweetlip will come the big trout! If you think a trout pulls hard for the first 5m in 20m of water, wait until you hook one in 1m of water. Lock up hang on and make sure all your gear has been upgraded. September was pretty hectic for me; having travelled

Cortney Meiers with the first nannygai of the trip.

amazing to see such a wide range of lures, rods, reels and everything else in between. Arriving home from Japan I was greeted with 5 knots of wind and decided after spending so much time looking at tackle, I better get out and use some of my own! I headed out on the tide at 10am to a contour I was interested in and spent a few hours sounding around looking for structure. In about half an hour we came across the first decent structure with a good show of fish – a small 5m high bommie with good shows on either side. Three of the four anglers on board sent baits down 55m to the bottom. As we came up onto the mark all three loaded up with fish – a solid 5kg nanny, a big goldband snapper and a big bludger trevally. I’d caught plenty of these inshore and on wrecks

and other artificial structures, but never 50 miles out to sea on an isolated bommie! We continued to catch a bunch of big trevally and decided to move. We began sounding along the same contour to look for some more ground and soon found another likely-looking bommie. Lines over and you wouldn’t believe it – there were more bloody trevally! I began to think this trip was going to be a waste of time. I’d come out to the home of all bludger trevally. On another drop two of us managed to get through the trevally for a solid 8kg nanny and nice grassy sweetlip. There was hope, so we motored back over for another drop, for more trevally and one grassy sweetlip. We were managing a feed, but it was certainly hard work. After a brief discussion we decided it was best to allow the tide to turn in a hope this would quieten the trevally down and fire up reefies, especially as this was going to be just before dark. With the tide turn just over an hour away, it was time to look for more ground. We sounded around for nothing until we were nearly back at the first mark. The tide began to turn and sun was getting low in the sky, so we tried the first mark again. As soon as we hit the bottom it was a four-way hook-up! Everyone was quiet and secretly praying they didn’t have a trevally. I was the first to get colour and it wasn’t good! A few words were yelled out before my trevally was released boatside. Next we had some big nannys and another goldband snapper. By this time the tide was barely moving. There wasn’t a breath of wind and the sun was setting. Out come the

The author with a solid nannygai caught on a slow pitch jig just after sundown. jig rods. Around the boat we had a mixture of nannys to 8kg, goldband snapper and grassy sweetlip coming on board. The jigs really started to fire the fish up and before long we were hooking up well before getting to the bottom. We managed a red emperor on jig, a few black jew and even a few snapper in this insane little session! The plan was to stay out overnight and return the next morning, but with more than enough for a feed and glassy calm conditions, we left them chewing and returned home to

the boat ramp by 10pm! This was the hottest session I’ve had in years and it just goes to show that if you put the time in, you’ll reap the rewards. Nannygai one after the other with a few other trophy fish thrown in mix – mostly coming on jigs – are pretty hard to beat! The jigs we used in the 60-80g worked well and the Yakamito Rager in pink gold and Storm Koika in orange white seemed to be the picks. All jigs were fished with Mustad Skirt Assists or Asari Octo Assists.

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Get ready for the spring season threadies YEPPOON

Scott Lynch ifishcq2@bigpond.com

King threadfin salmon have been the most reliable species in the Fitzroy ever since the Net Free Zone came into effect. The immediate results showed, particularly up towards town where the massive schools move upstream as far as they can. They will move up and down with the tides until we get rain, which

recognisable piece of rubber and wire. They will catch plenty of salmon and smaller fish without any trouble. Paddle-tails and plastic swimmers are other favourite plastics, again due to their versatility. Hard vibes and metal vibes are also pretty handy to have in the tackle box when things go slow on a certain type of other lure. You can change things up a bit and suddenly the bite starts up again. I am really pleased that the majority of anglers who

Wade Smith with a top local trout. disperses them downstream until the river salts up again. On saying that, there is still a chance of big threadies in relatively fresh water, but not in the same numbers. Plastic vibes have been by far the most successful lures, because they have the ability to reach areas that hardbodies can’t. We find that the cheaper varieties will catch fish until that big barra sitting under the salmon school hits it and dismantles it to a barely

target these incredible estuary fish also practice catch and release. On the days where it’s possible to catch numbers of fish well into the 20cm or more, most are put back in very good condition to fight another day. Big barra are the other highlight in Central Queensland this month. I have been fishing for these guys for many years and I just keep getting surprised by the climb in numbers of large

fish since the introduction of the NFZ. This year the cooler months didn’t stop the catches, they only reduced the bite periods. This is one factor that will usually determine your success rate for getting decent captures. Anglers who have it wired will usually turn up for a couple of hours and leave after they have landed a few fish. Just after the start of the run-in and run-out are great times. I also prefer a little run in the water. They will shutdown when the current stops completely. At the moment the hardbodied mid to deep divers are probably working the best, as plenty of the fish are in easy to get to depths and along well-structured edges of the river. At different times they will move into the deeper holes and only plastics can reach them. Barramundi will take one retrieve now another later. As conditions change, so can their preferred lure or style of retrieve. I always start with a few slow rolls through the school and change speed and twitches until I get a reaction from the fish. Sometimes nothing can make them bite; so the more you try different things, the higher the chance of a fish grabbing the lure. There are quite a number of live bait anglers in the area who will spend a fair amount of preparation time getting the right baits and position for their favourite part of the tide. Live baits can be very difficult to get hold of around Rocky. Some anglers catch their livies in the Woolwash and other lagoons where there are stacks of bony bream and spotted perch. These freshwater fish

Jack had a big smile to match his big 95cm threadfin, which he caught fishing on the Fitzroy River with his dad. will last a long session in the river and any that are left can easily be kept for another day. The best option for anglers on the coast is to get their live baits in one of the many local creeks and take it up to the Fitzroy. There are plenty of access points to the river where you don’t need a boat to catch the fish of a lifetime. This year more of the shore-based crew are landing metre-plus fish on a regular basis. After the barra season we have had this year, I have cancelled my planned trip to the territory. I can’t see the sense in travelling for days, when we can get the same or better results here for a lot less cost. We have a premier barramundi and threadfin fishery right here, within an easy drive from Brisbane. Blue salmon are also on the hunt in big quantities along the coast, especially near the larger creek mouths and bays.

They will eventually move to the Fitzroy River delta where they gather to spawn. They spend some time there before breaking up and heading back to the local creeks. I don’t target them in their breeding phase, but once they have done their job we like to get a couple as they travel back up the coast. Blues will take lures or livies and even pilchards on gang hooks at times. When they are travelling you will often see them smashing the schools of herring and northern pilchards moving along the coast. Ritamada and Rosslyn Bay are two great spots when the blues are passing. The past few weeks have seen the lesser mackerel spread through Keppel Bay from Quartz Rock past Farnborough and up to Corio Heads. When we were taking a little boat for a test run, we couldn’t help but troll a couple of barra lures for a

cod or a salmon. Before we had travelled 100m from the harbour entrance, the first rod was doubled up with a decent doggie mackerel. Over the next half hour we had trolled around to Porcupine Point and scored several more doggies and a couple of spotties. From now on, whenever the weather is calm and fishable around the high tide, it’s well worth the effort of chasing the smaller macks. Spanish mackerel have remained in good form at most of the deeper spots in the area from Cape Capricorn through to army country. This time of year the ribbonfish and bonito in the freezer get to go for a swim. We always jig a Taipan or a Flasha down deep between the trolled baits to attract the big Spaniards to the baits above. Most times it will be the chromie that gets the take. October is a great month for reefies and estuary species right around local waters. Fish like mangrove jack and golden snapper have lifted their game and become much more active as the temperatures rise. The usual bream and flatties have spread out back to their usual haunts and may not be in the same quantities as the past month or two. They are still around and you can still get a decent feed. Muddies are fattening up and some reports from the past week have mentioned big chocolate bucks in the river. Red emperor, coral trout, largemouth nannygai, jobfish and tuskies have been in fine form at many of the closer grounds. As usual, the trophy fish are in the unpressured areas just a bit further away.

Consistent spring weather fishing for everyone ROCKHAMPTON

Clayton Nicholls clay94_fishing@live.com.au

The fishing over the last month has been pretty solid, and while we haven’t

had the best weather for consistent fishing out wide, it’s been manageable. Most of the best fishing lately has been in the river, creeks or Keppel Islands. Some key places would have to be Nerimbera area

for the threadies, any coastal headland for landbased mackerel fishing along with headlands like Five Rocks and Stockyard Point. Towards the end of October many anglers start to stack away their

Darryl Yarrow with a hefty Spanish mackerel from a recent overnighter. offshore gear and get more armed up with inshore and estuary gear with the somewhat less calm conditions of summer. 54

OCTOBER 2017

LAGOONS The freshwater lagoons and creeks around the region are pretty much in full swing with a good deal

of surface activity in the late afternoons and early mornings. During the day big plastics or large deep To page 55

Slow down and enjoy the Stanage fishing STANAGE BAY

Von Ireland

Welcome all honest and respectful, new and old visitors to Stanage Bay, Alligator Point, Alligator Beach and Plumtree. The road into Stanage Bay is (as per usual) the hot topic. Some who have travelled it have said how bad it is, and others say how good it is. I believe we have pure heaven at the end of it, so why curse and whinge about it? City dwellers sit for hours wasting fuel and time in traffic, juggling and dodging other road users and accidents. On our big driveway, it’s simple – slow down, and take in the beauty of the properties, the cattle and the wildlife. Kill the stress, put a box of chocolates in for the driver and have a few yummies. Stanage isn’t going anywhere. The estuary fishing and mud crabbing have been really slow and challenging. However, a group of anglers from Lismore, NSW showed up and magic happened. The mulloway, big bream, grunter, cod and tuskfish turned it on for them and others. Patience has paid off once again. Most people coming to Stanage Bay have heard of our infamous From page 54

divers are still the go for many of the areas. There are some good spots along the Woolwash Lagoon at the moment, and in the afternoons we have lent towards using small poppers and stickbaits for barra and tarpon. The barra are liking a slower action with long pauses, whereas the tarpon are hitting the lure when it’s moved over them with a bit of pace. ESTUARIES Flathead have been a very easy capture recently, and they have mostly been found at the bottom of drop offs and calm pockets of water. They have been eating everything from prawn imitations to soft vibes. A very slow rolling action is what has been stirring these fish up lately, and I like to keep the rod tip down at the water and slowly wind the lure just enough so that it is imparting the intended action, with the occasional twitch thrown in there. Bream and whiting are still present and have been caught all over the place, from mangrove edges to deep pockets and sand bars, and saying their population is healthy is an understatement. The

Joel Ganter caught and released a cracker estuary cod coming in at just over 1m, while celebrating his birthday. mulloway holes, and, yes, they are still alive and thriving this year, even in the dry weather. The Coral Sea that surrounds Stanage Bay with adorning islands, beaches and reef came alive when the wind allowed and anglers caught beautiful dinner-sized reef fish including coral trout, cod, sweetlip, redthroat emperor. The bar was set when the Spanish mackerel started getting serious taking the saury bait and hardbody lures. Brad and his crew adventured to the Percy Isles, living like Gilligan

and the Skip without Ginger. With plenty of slip-ups from those Brisbane fellas, it was lucky they didn’t need our Coastguard. Thank you for the $25 donation for QF 24 Coastguard Thirsty Sound. Remember next time, make sure any spare bits you bring with you actually fit your outboard. There have been good catches of mulloway offshore and in the Thirsty Sound trenches near Quail Island. The big hole between the rocks before Rocky Creek should turn it on. The holes outside Pier

smaller pelagic species have been caught closer to the mouth of these areas, and

the queenfish have been pretty dominant, but are always a fun bit of action on

Head should also kick in for the mulloway. With the weather heating up, barra and grunter should start chewing again for anglers trolling hardbody lures off the headlands and islands in the Sound. If you’re a lazy fisher like myself when having time out, don’t forget quality dead bait can be really good. Until next time, take time to smell the fish. • Anything from big local prawns, pilchards, pencil squid, saury, yellowtail, cuttlefish to beach worms, whole mullet and mullet fillets – Von has it all at Stanage Bay Marine & Accommodation. If you need a lure that will actually catch your target fish, the little tackle

shop in the back of the boatyard really does have the lot, with everything you will need to catch that dream fish. Von is always helping fishers with books, maps, charts, Stanage Bay sun shirts and matching polo shirts, face socks and dinghy caps. Call her for extra info on (07) 4937 3145, or email your queries to stanagebaymarine@ bigpond.com. • Don’t miss out on the amazing fishing and crabbing at Stanage Bay! Call us at Stanage Bay Marine & Accommodation on (07) 4937 3145, check out www.stanagebay.com, email stanagebaymarine@ bigpond.com or look us up on Facebook.

Jess Connelly caught this fantastic grassy sweetlip coming in at 61cm. light gear. FITZROY The Fitzroy is fishing well after the mid month cold snap, and this was very noticeable on the recent Rocky Rumble event. Some great fish are being pulled among the rocks at low tide, many of which you can walk out on. Our choice of lures for this are the Lucky Craft Pointer XD lures, 4” ZMan SwimmerZ and Gulp 3” Shrimp plastics. The Gulps are really helpful on days when the fish are hitting prawns and aren’t overly interested in the larger fishprofiled lures.

The Nerimbera area of the Fitzroy has produced some great king threadfin recently, with many being taken on live baits at night, and lures being easily viable during the day. The areas you should be looking for to target these fish at the moment would be the gravel or coffee rock areas in amongst the flats. INSHORE REGION The inshore regions have been fishing great for the last month, and many people have been getting some great results throwing metal slices and various other lures off the rocky headlands. Other anglers

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with the chance to take the boat out have been doing well using heavier slices, soft plastics and various jigs. Some great pelagic species have been captured recently with jigs and plastics, and burning them up quickly off the bottom in 4-7m of water seems to be the favoured method. If you have any fishing photos from the Rockhampton/Capricorn region feel free to send them through with a brief description of where you caught the fish and how you caught them clay94_ fishing@live.com.au.

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Rhett Thorne pulled this solid saltwater tarpon fishing a fly over at the Keppel Group.

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www.salt-away.com.au OCTOBER 2017

October turns it up for jacks, macks and barra MACKAY

Keith Day habdays@bigpond.net.au

October brings heat, humidity, barra, jacks and small mackerel species to Mackay waters, and that means a bonanza for small boat anglers. Barra are well and truly on the chew in both fresh- and saltwater and this month is the last chance to get among the salties before the closed season from 1 November to 1 February next year. Last month saw the barra on the move and towards the end of the month good catches were coming from the main creek systems, both north and south of the city. October is usually a top month to chase barra in Reliance Creek, which is the first major system north of Mackay. The mouth goes dry at low tide, so it’s a case of getting in on the high tide, finding a decent hole and then sitting it out until the next incoming tide gives sufficient water to run back to Shoal Point, which is a beach launch area only. Some anglers choose to walk the beach to this creek, but it is home to some substantial ‘mud

Troy Taylor got a little more than he bargained for with this lovely sailfish caught in flat, calm conditions while trolling for mackerel. geckos’ (crocodiles), so that’s not a practice I recommend. Live baits are usually fairly easy to come by with mullet and herring being the main standbys and a cast net will get enough for a session. While barra are the target, don’t be surprised to score king and blue salmon as well as good size grunter from this system. Lures work well on the low tide in the holes; large plastics up to 150mm long are effective.

Further north Constant Creek will be firing well, especially down towards the mouth. The barra hole is understandably popular and easy to find, as there are normally up to five boats drifting livies in this area. It’s not a bad spot for the odd jack and golden snapper too. Further up the creek, work the rock bars and mouths of any gully on the run-out tide with lures or bait. The rock bars are best fished with floating

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hardbodies, otherwise you can lose a lot of lures to snagging. Further north again we come to the Net Free Zone centred around the Seaforth township. The 18 months of no gill netting have made a big difference to the creeks and flats around here. Victor, Cluney, Murray, and Blackrock creeks have all benefited and are fishing well. One of the most pleasing aspects of the NFZ is that anglers can now catch grunter well over legal size instead of the norm, which was just under the limit. Barra are also on the increase, but one more breeding season will really see the place fire up. Threadies will also benefit from not having to dodge the nets. These creeks need a bit of local knowledge to fish them for maximum results and the local tackle shop staff are always happy to help. By far, live baiting is the most popular way to chase barra, but more anglers are finding large plastics, surface lures and imitation prawns are also scoring well on barra. Jacks

also respond well to these methods and a 50-55cm jack is always welcome, for both the fight and the taste on the plate. South of the city, the barra hotspots include Bakers, Sandy and Alligator creeks, Sarina Inlet, and Rocky Dam Creek near Koumala. These are all good waterways worth exploring. Keep an eye out for the crocs and watch the tides, as it is easy to get stranded. These areas are primarily suited to boat fishing from a small tinnie and visitors should have a yarn to the local tackle shops before venturing too far. The barra in the dams have definitely shaken off their winter lethargy and have been quite active around the weed beds in Kinchant Dam particularly. Kinchant is a great weekday fishery when the ski boats aren’t in abundance, and the quieter traffic suits the barra. Work large surface lures just on daylight or late afternoon in the little bays within the weed beds, but don’t be in a hurry as the barra are pretty lazy. After you cast the surface lure, don’t move it for 20 seconds and then give it a slight twitch. This is often when the smashing surface strikes happen, so be prepared! Big plastics and hardbodies also work well and it’s interesting to see the trend to the big swimbaits. Everything old is new again, and the old Rapala Articulated Minnows have been a favourite of mine since the dams were first stocked by MAFSA 20 years ago. When the barra wouldn’t show any interest in normal hardbodies, the old Rapalas would come out and score me a fish. They always needed hook upgrades, though, as the

originals weren’t as good. In Teemburra and Eungella dams look for barra around weeds and on any prominent point in the main dam body. Any bays are worth checking out too. The hotspots are both ends and any laydown timbers or lilies in those areas. Old tree stumps can often hold three or four fish on them and are always worth a cast or two. On the saltwater scene (apart from barra) the small macks are occupying the efforts of the tinnie anglers. The bait schools during September have moved right inshore along the harbour walls. In fact there are bait schools from the Lamberts Beach Lookout right through to the mouth of the Pioneer River. Where this bait goes, the doggies and spotties follow. Plenty of longtail and mack tuna have also been mixed in with the macks and provide plenty of red-hot action. To be drifting around in a tinnie with macks and tuna busting bait balls all around the boat is surely one of life’s great angling experiences. The noise can be incredible and I have had tuna actually run into the boat, because they’ve been so focussed on the bait! These predators can also be notoriously fussy when smashing small baitfish and will often ignore anything that doesn’t ‘match the hatch.’ Slim metal lures cast off good spin sticks are the most effective, and plastics on slim profile jigs also work well. It’s a matter of trying different things to crack the code. From the reef to the rainforest, October is a great month for anglers here in paradise, so why not come and join us lucky locals. See you at the ramp.

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Anglers will be chasing barra like this 110cm specimen caught by Geoff Newby in both fresh and saltwater this month.

F I S H I N G G U I D E TO Q U E E N S L A N D D A M S

Cover Image: Cy and Kerrin Taylor

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DAM Y T E F A S

Do the right thing by Steve Morgan

Freshwater fish stocking in Queensland has created hundreds of angling opportunities that didn’t exist before. Many dams and weirs still have fishways for our native species, but the breeding and release of native fish fingerlings have manufactured opportunities that don’t exist in natural waterways. We are lucky to be able to fish on most of our water supply storages, and many allow for recreational use of lakes for fishing and other outdoor activities. Indeed, fishing, skiing and camping at our favourite lakes has become part of our modern culture that we value immensely. There are anglers now who are so talented and specialised that they can find and catch freshwater fish at will in these waterways. They quickly distil down massive areas into small hotspots and have cracked the code when it comes to fooling a bass or barramundi with an artificial lure. These guys are at the top of their field. They don’t need to resort to fishing in no-fishing areas to satisfy their desire to be a good angler. The fact is, though, that lesser anglers often feel like they need to break the rules to catch a fish. The reasons that no-fishing and no-go zones exist in dams is for everyone’s safety and well being - anglers, operators and even the fish. Let’s break it down. Australian native fish that migrate to breed, like Australian bass and barramundi, are easy targets when they run into an impassable barrier in their upstream migrations. Whether it is a dam or a weir, their natural urge to travel back upstream is halted. 2

MAKING WATER WORK

It’s illegal to fish directly above and below of most of the dams, weirs and barrages in Queensland. Firstly, that’s to protect the fish. Shooting fish in a barrel doesn’t make anyone a better angler. In fact, it shows the opposite. If you want to take the easy and illegal road to catch a fish, you mustn’t be much of an angler. Secondly it’s for your safety. Both above and below dam spillways there are exclusion zones. When a lake is high, there’s the obvious risk of getting sucked over a spillway. Hence the buoy lines at most SunWater dams. Also, there are no warnings for when water will be released from most of the dam or weir outlets. Be it for irrigation or environmental flows, massive amounts of water will catch you out when you are poking around downstream in areas where you shouldn’t be. And thirdly, it’s an investment in our angling future. If everyone obeys the rules, dam operators will be happy to keep providing the opportunities that we take for granted on a lot of lakes. We don’t want the few bad apples ruining it for the many. Do the right thing and we’ll all be able to keep doing what we love. And that’s catching fish. To help you do that, here’s a guide we’ve put together for several SunWater dams in Queensland. If Peter Faust Dam (Lake Proserpine) and Kinchant Dam aren’t on your bucket list for barra, then you need to review your list! For more information on all SunWater lakes, visit www.sunwater.com.au and you should definitely download the SunWater App for operational and emergency updates - straight to your phone. You can find it in the App Store or on Google Play.

Chasing the big barra at Peter Faust

by Dan Kaggelis

MI R

KANGA The designated noCAMP fishing zones are easily identifiable, especially around the dam wall. This area is well signed and visible to r ive fishing LINE anglers and BUOY boaties. The zones ensure eR d rpin e kR s pressure is DAM reduced in areas dam oo Pro of lbrthe WALL a t ys accidents. and also reduces risk of boating Cr While having some common sense and only fishing authorised areas is pretty straight forward, there are other factors that impact

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Spillway Fishing is not permitted from buoy line upstre Lindsay Dobe of Barra World Prosperine recommends using Squidgy Slick Rig in drop bear colour and Classic Dr Evil in and spillway t banana fish to smash the barra at Lake Proserpine. 500m downstrea

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Sta agricultural land and destroy natural habitat. Boat Ram Mimosa is easily spread as it produces thousands of seeds that can be transported on clothes, shoes and vehicle tyres. Likewise, even if you are not camping, ACCOMMODATION only access and park in designated areas. Camping is not permitted at Peter Faust Unauthorised areas are well signed Dam. There are plenty of spots to camp just throughout, especially around the dam No boating or water skiing down the road at Camp Kanga (currently operation Six knotspillway. speed limitThese - no water skiing areas are not closed due to damage from Cyclone Debbie - safe for- water recreational due to a range Shallow water skiing notuse recommended repairs scheduled to be completed shortly)Unrestricted or of potential safety hazards including area in the Proserpine township. These camping regular water releases. Areas zoned as spots are near the dam (Camp Kanga is less unauthorised are deemed unsafe due to than a 2-minute drive to the ramp), offer uneven rock surfaces and steep slopes, not very good amenities and, most importantly, to mention the presence of venomous snakes. provide a place where you can brag to Being able to fish Peter Faust is a other campers and anglers about the metre- right many anglers take for granted. We plus barra you just pulled from the sticks! need to remember with this right comes While it may seem a little annoying the responsibility to ensure that we all that you can’t camp around the dam, there respect the rules that have been put in is a very good reason for it – the presence place for the safety and sustainability of of the noxious weed Mimosa Pigra, which its natural environment. Doing your bit, is found on the banks. Mimosa is identified staying safe and acting responsibly is the as an economic and environmental threat first step to ensuring that this world class to the region as it can quickly infest fishery remains for everyone to enjoy.

the dam’s sustainability. Many anglers are unaware of the dangers of bringing non-native fish and crayfish species to the dam to use for live bait. It is prohibited to use any pest fish as bait. Barra may love to chew down on a tilapia, but it is the threat to bait sources, such as bony bream, and habitats, such as weed beds, where they have their greatest negative effect. One thing Faust is known for is its large barra-producing weed beds, and if

No boating or water skiing Six knot speed limit - no water skiing Shallow water - water skiing not recommended

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Lake Proserpine, referred to by impoundment barra anglers as Peter Faust Dam, is a world class impoundment barramundi fishery. Indeed, it is regarded by many anglers as a ‘must fish’ destination when travelling to Queensland. The dam is annually restocked and is famous for its 1m+ barra captures with no seasonal closures – an angler’s paradise. Additionally, it’s also an ideal destination for families and all water sport enthusiasts with ample camping, accommodation and services available at the nearby town of Proserpine. FISHING KNOW-HOW For first-timers chasing the big barra, remember you really want to ‘load for bear’! An 8-strand braid main line around 30-50lb is essential, with a high quality fluorocarbon leader like Sunline FC100 between 60-80lb. Ensure you also have a decent length of leader, at least 80cm in length. The best locations are prominent points jutting out on the dam or on the edge of bays. Be aware that many of these points have large weed beds hidden underwater, so anchor a way off these points and fish the weed beds. Submerged weed is your friend – work your lures over the top of the weed as slowly as you can without snagging up. Spending time looking for fish on the sounder is always worth the effort. Wind is certainly not your enemy in the lake. A prominent point with wind and waves pushing heavily onto it is ideal because this creates natural pressure points that force bait and warm water into this location. The fish are usually more active on the lead up to the full moon during the warmer months of the year. Take note of the Shute Harbour tide times as the bite will often coincide with a tide change period.

Big metre-plus barra is what Peter Faust dam is famous for.

A few top hot spots producing awesome barra captures are Faust Point, which is the main point area up from the boat ramp, and the old riverbed at the top of the dam. The dam basin is also very popular for those trolling deep diving lures. The downside is that the lake has a lot of timber that you will need to find your way through, but the reward is certainly worth it with so many great bays and points to fish.

tilapia or other noxious fish made their way into the dam these would quickly disappear. Using commercial nets in freshwater is illegal. Keeping an eye out for any dodgy behaviour while fishing the dam is important, and if you see anything suspicious it is best to contact the Fishwatch Hotline on 1800 017 116. Finally, make sure you give yourself a couple of days on the dam as once you can work out a pattern the fishing gets much easier!

MAKING WATER WORK

Kinchant in the crosshairs

by Luke Galea

Offering what can be an explosive barramundi fishery, Kinchant Dam typically flies under the radar of many anglers wishing to tick the Holy Grail metre-plus barramundi off their bucket lists. Although large fish are encountered here regularly, impoundments such as Monduran, Awoonga, Peter Faust and Tinaroo seem to grab all the attention. Not anymore. The secret is out and this little, lesser known dam located just to the west of Mackay is now holding its own within the barra fishing fraternity.

a clear absence of dead standing timber at this dam. There is one lone tree that stands in the southwestern arm of the dam which is frequented by a few local anglers, however, results from this spot are minimal. The dam wall extends for 5.5km along the north and northeastern sides of the dam. Although consisting of large rocks and being the only hard structure present, it is actually illegal to fish within 100m of the dam wall. This exclusion zone exists along the entire length of the wall and is clearly marked INSET

15hp motor nosed up into the weed will put you right in the game. Most sounder shots black out when the water column is wall to wall with weed anyway. The main advantage a sounder gives you in Kinchant is the ability to view the water temperature, and shows whether or not fish are moving in or out of your field of view. If you stop and think about it,

clear, glassed-out mornings, it is not uncommon to see the barra’s large, round tails breaking the surface while they sit head down feeding or ‘mooching’ in the weed beds. This visual aspect certainly gets the blood pumping, but casting at these fish can be frustrating as they are usually too focused on what they are feeding on to chase down any other offering thrown at them.

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No boating or water skiing Six knot speed limit - no water skiing Unrestricted area Shallow water - water skiing not recommended

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BACKGROUND Kinchant Dam is situated in the picturesque Pioneer Valley, some 41km west of Mackay. Constructed in 1977, at full capacity it holds 62,800ML of water and occupies an area of 920ha. This dam may be small but its emerging reputation as a big barra fishery is helping to put Mackay on the map. Obviously the barramundi are the main piscatorial target the dam is renowned for, but huge sooty grunter (upwards of 50cm) and sleepy cod are often encountered and have been actively stocked here by the Mackay Area Fish Stocking Association (MAFSA) since 2000. Sooty grunter are a worthy impoundment target in their own right (and Eungella Dam located just up the road is full of them), however, as they usually come as barra by-catch at Kinchant, they are knocked over relatively easier on the heavier gear. Structurally, Kinchant Dam is unlike any of the more well-known impoundments. It has been constructed as an off-stream storage rather than being built on an actual major river system fed by a upstream catchment. Kinchant has quite a small catchment leading into it, so relies on an extensive network of irrigation channels to pump water from the Pioneer River in times of heavy rainfall. There are some regulations and requirements relating to this infrastructure that you will need to be aware of when fishing the dam, so more on this later. STRUCTURE Kinchant Dam is quite shallow overall and averages 6.8m in depth. Shallow, weedy areas and lily pad edges make up at least 60% of the dam. There is

DAM WALL TO MIRANI

Toilets

Water (untreated)

TO ETON

CAR PARK

Picnic tables

Lookout

SPILLWAY

Camping Area DAM WALL

KINCHANT WATERS CARAVAN PARK

NOorBOATING OR Local guide Paul Dolan can’t go past a Zerek Fish Trap a Slick Rig in black gold for the dam’s big barra.FISHING WITHIN 100M OF DAM WALL

LAKE KINCHANT

on signage at the boat ramp, so don’t say you haven’t been warned! In saying that, I know that Waterways Officers within the Mackay Regional Council are currently embarking on a project to install log ‘hotels’ and other forms of habitat enhancement into Kinchant Dam. This project forms part of the region’s recently adopted Recreational Fishing Strategy aimed at boosting fishing related tourism opportunities for the Mackay region. Until such a time that this structure is installed, the weed beds are the main form of structure. Because of this a big flash bass boat with sounders the size of television screens don’t necessarily give you that much of an advantage at Kinchant. A busted-up 12ft tinny, with a

BOAT RAMP

CAR PARK

what could provide a better form of habitat and source of food than a weed bed? They are absolutely loaded with small shrimps and Aussie natives like rainbowfish, gudgeons, spangled perch and barred grunter, which are all high on a barramundi’s menu. On

TECHNIQUES AND GEAR As you have probably picked up by now, Kinchant Dam is all about the weed beds, and unless you tailor your type of fishing to this structure you are wasting your time. While you may have

success on conventional methods in other impoundments, unless you explore lesser known techniques you may very well struggle. One of the best ways an angler can adapt to fishing the weed beds is by opting to use weedless rigged soft plastics. It has completely revolutionised the way I fish Kinchant Dam, and the beauty of it is you have the ability to rig any shape, size or style of soft plastic in this fashion. All you need to do is purchase the appropriate sized extra wide gape (EWG) or worm hook.

FACILITIES AND ACCOMMODATION Although technically classified as a single lane boat ramp, two boats can easily be backed down at once with a little common sense and courtesy. This is important, especially during peak times. Once on the water, there is a 6 knot speed zone from the Lookout to the Kinchant Waters Resort. There is ample parking for vehicles and trailers at the dam, and even extensive grassed park areas equipped

scale result of a weedless rig is the Not toend The hook point and barb laying parallel along the dorsal side of the plastic. Due to the fact that hook does not stick out or protrude, you have the ability to cast it into the most gnarly structure (including weed) and not snag up. When the plastic gets crunched by a fish, the plastic slides down into the large belly or gape of this specialised hook, resulting in a jaw-hinge hook-up. Large paddle-tailed soft plastics between 100-150mm in length are a good choice for Kinchant Dam barramundi. Popular plastics include 6” Atomic Shads, 130mm Squidgy SlickyRigs and 115mm Squidgy Mongrels, and are well matched with a 7/0 Gamakatsu EWG hook. With regards to the retrieve, simply slow roll your paddle-tailed plastic in and around the weed beds and keep it moving at around half a metre per second. The occasional is recommended. For OAtwitch KE AIN NDEN run relatively heavy soft plastics Mfishing, CHA NNE baitcaster Kgear. L inch ant o ad Dam R technique Another popular is topwater – usingTO ETON poppers, stickbaits and even plastic frogs across the surface. These techniques are more effective very early in KINCHANT WATERS the morning or during the twilight hours. CARAVAN PARK barra actively feed upon Impoundment the surface at these times. The seductive action of a meandering stickbait across the top of the weed beds is my personal preference. Heavy spin gear should be used for topwater applications. A heavy spin rod provides enough backbone to punch the heavier lures out as far as possible and at 7ft long, allows an angler to cover a lot of water with each cast.

with a couple of picnic shelters, tables and chairs. Kinchant is a very family friendly impoundment. For those who like to camp, the Kinchant Waters Caravan Park is located right at the dam. The campground is 4ha and offers cabins, camp sites, bar, a restaurant and laundry facilities. It does get very busy during peak holiday periods so make sure you book well ahead. You can always opt to stay in nearby Marian, Mirani or the Mackay CBD, which is only a 40-minute drive away. REGULATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS Like all stocked impoundments in Queensland, you will need to obtain a Stocked Impoundment Permit (SIP) to fish it. These can be obtained by visiting www.qld. gov.au/recreation/activities/boating-fishing/ rec-fishing/dams or by various fishing stores and service stations in Mackay, even the campground! These must be kept on your person at all times when fishing the dam, even if land-based. As mentioned earlier, there is a 100m exclusion zone along the dam wall. The northwestern side of the dam wall comprises the inlet zone whereby water is pumped into the dam via irrigation channels from the Pioneer River. The primary reason for this exclusion zone is for patron safety. SunWater is currently experiencing reoccurring incidents of trespassing, particularly around its dam infrastructure and various weirs. In the past 12 months, there have been high levels of fishing related trespassing, most of which

has been while water is being pumped into the dam. It’s a common known fact that barramundi and sooty grunter are attracted to flowing water and will move up against it in a bid to migrate and recruit new waters. Anglers have cottoned on to this and are illegally walking over the dam wall (ignoring the ‘No Tresspassing’ sign, negotiating the inlet infrastructure and fishing right where the water is being pumped into the dam). This is all within the 100m exclusion zone. Not only is this downright illegal but it is very dangerous. It’s only a matter of time until someone drowns if this continues. These gates open without warning and the water flowing in can be strong enough to wash a person off their feet and potentially pin them under water if they happen to get caught under debris or a dense weed bed. Even if water looks still on the surface, it can often have strong undercurrents that can sweep wading fishers away. If you are fishing here in a boat, you still need to be over 100m away from the wall and within the marked areas as well, just because you didn’t walk over the dam wall doesn’t make you immune to the law.

you aren’t much of an angler. What you are doing is taking advantage of a fish’s instinct to congregate at an inflow point or at the base of a dam/weir wall in a bid to move upstream, therefore being susceptible to overfishing. Every year (during the wet season especially) when water is pumped into Kinchant, social media pages are flooded with images of anglers with barramundi and sooty grunter caught at the inflow to Kinchant. The banks are wall-to-wall with people catching a fish a cast and they show it off like a badge of honour. Seriously, if they were real anglers they would be able to catch these fish in other, legal parts of the dam. Signs at the ramp show the exclusion zone, signs at the dam wall state ‘no trespassing’ and I’m 100% positive these fishers know it’s illegal and wrong yet do it anyway. In addition to the fines that have been handed out by Fisheries Officers, regular patrols by police and security guards have now been commissioned to monitor these locations as well. Don’t say you didn’t know!

Weirs have similar exclusion zones so check your local guides. An exclusion zone of 200m upstream and 200m downstream of Dumbleton Weir, Marian Weir and Mirani Weir exists as well. Once again this is primarily from a liability and safety perspective, as SunWater makes water releases regularly for environmental purposes and for customers. These releases happen without warning. Secondly, I’ve got to say that if you are fishing these barriers and inflow points then

OVERALL Kinchant Dam has got it all. Excellent barramundi fishing, great facilities, scenic views and just a stone’s throw away from the amazing city of Mackay. It should not be overlooked by those anglers looking to make their sojourn north for an impoundment barramundi fix, and should be on the radar of all anglers who live and breathe barra. A word of warning though, once you visit this place, you will be back. Believe the hype! This place is seriously addictive.

MAKING WATER WORK

Mad keen Monduran The warming spring weather and the many opportunities available in our freshwater dams, rivers and lakes mean it’s a great time to explore some sweet water. There are so many options on offer at South Burnett with many and varied fish species, facilities and techniques. LAKE MONDURAN Fred Haigh Dam, or as the locals call it Lake Monduran, has become a must-stop location for different types of travelling anglers, from the

to get them to bite. However as I have fished this lake over all seasons and have never seen a skinny barramundi, so they must feed all year round. To put yourself in with the best chance, the barra are most active between September through to June. For the first-timer, the lake’s size can be quite daunting but if you stick to a few guidelines you will put yourself in with a chance to mess with these great fish. Firstly, these fish move around a lot,

by Jason Medcalf

waterway and all it has to offer. WURUMA DAM Another little sneaky jewel in the North Burnett’s crown is Wuruma Reservoir. This reservoir is located between Eidsvold and Monto off the Burnett highway. I first fished this dam over 20 years ago and fell in love with its rolling hills, clean water and cows that wander into your camp at any time of the day. The dam has toilet facilities and is a free camp, which means it’s popular. There is a two-week limit per stay and spaces are restricted to designated Les Gane of Foxie’s Barra Havoc Gin Gin reckons if you are hitting Lake Monduran in summer, make sure you take along a Reidy’s C-Kar Fish Snakz. For a winter fishing session, a Lunker Hunt Lunker Frog gets the best results.

mad keen barramundi angler to the retired wet-a-line-for-relaxation fisher. Accommodation facilities at the holiday park near the dam are fantastic, from the basic tent site on large, well-kept lawns to fully powered van sites on level, easyto-access sites. There are also modern cabins overlooking the large main basin of the dam that have everything a mad keen angler will need. If you want to bring all the relatives you can also talk to the holiday park management about the onsite houses that are available as well. There is a shop with the basic supplies and it’s only a short 20-minute drive back to Gin Gin if you need anything else. There are two boat access points at the lake, with a dirt ramp near the wall, which can be very slippery if it’s wet, and the main ramp, which is a short drive from the park and provides all-weather access with ample parking. There is no camping around the boat ramp and no overnighting in vans at the park. The fishing, which is probably more important than where you sleep if you’re a mad keen angler, is seasonal. The main target is barramundi, which have been stocked in the dam for the past 20 years. There have been losses of fish over the wall in the past with flooding, but as the lake is so large and the hardworking fish stocking association has kept the fingerlings going, the lake still has a very healthy population of fish. Like any barramundi fishery the coldest months seem to be the hardest

MAKING WATER WORK

and I mean a lot! They are constantly searching for a feed, so locating baitfish is important. The bait can sometimes be everywhere so also keep an eye on your fish finder for baitfish moving. Barramundi travel along routes or alleys between their favourite feeding spots so if you spot them you need to work out where they are moving to. They will often feed in bays that have broken weed for them to hide in, and ambush the bait schools. The key is to find a point, bay or weed bed the fish are stationed on between hunting missions, as this will give you a shot usually at a school of active fish. Trolling is probably one of the most popular techniques for targeting barramundi for the first timer, and it can be a deadly way of getting your lure in front of big fish. At certain times of the year, barramundi will school in the main basin of the lake, and trolling big lures is the most effective way of putting your lure in the strike zone for long periods of time. What can happen when the fish are ‘on in the basin’ as the locals call it, is an influx of boats trolling both during the day and during the night. I have seen on many occasions boats not giving way and at night not having the legally required navigation lights on their boat. So if you do venture onto the dam, especially at night, make sure your boat complies with state regulations. Likewise, under the cover of darkness you really need to know where

you are going, especially regarding the buoy line and restricted area. At any time the dam will release water for the purpose of filling the irrigation channel below the dam. This may not sound that dangerous but things can go horribly wrong very quickly. So for you and your passengers’ sake, keep outside the buoy line at all times. In the no fishing zone below the dam, it is illegal to cast a lure, soak a bait or even drop a yabby trap in the restricted 200m zone. The zone is in place to protect you from the dangers of quickly released water and from the hazards of submerged fallen trees and obstacles that have washed over during the floods. Lake Monduran is a great place to fish, bird watch and sightsee - just check all regulations and be familiar with the no-go zones and enjoy this majestic

camping areas - refer to signs on site. You can have a fire in the pits provided, but be mindful of any fire bans in place at the time. You can camp along the foreshore of the dam but be aware if the water has been dropping, the edge can be quite soft. Make sure you stick to the designated areas on the sign. The main fishing target is bass but there are also barramundi stocked in this dam. If you’re a travelling casual angler you will get a greater return on your fishing time targeting the bountiful bass in the dam. The bass are usually found in schools, but they too move around and can be found on the edge of the deeper water right up in the mass of standing trees. Again, trolling is a great way of finding fish as you have time to check your fish finder, and when you do hook one there is a great chance there are a lot more in that area.

Not to scale

No boating or fishing between the buoy line upstream and the dam wall and 200m downstream of the wall

Once you have located a school you can stop and sink lures down to the fish, and as long as they want to play the game you can have hours of fun on these iconic Aussie fish. The dam is currently enjoying around 95% capacity at the moment, so water sports are very popular with skiing being the top choice. There is a no boating or fishing between the buoy line and the dam wall and 200m downstream. These safety steps are put into place to once again

more than a few nights’ stay. The tranquillity and the chance to catch some nice fish is just a bonus. WORD TO THE WISE I’m an addicted fisherman that has explored many parts of our region looking for that hidden great spot that no-one else could find. I have been lucky enough to discover secret water holes, creeks and dams that virtually no-one has cast a lure in. However, I’ve had to

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DAM SPILLWAY

LAKE MONDURAN HOLIDAY PARK

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WURUMA RESERVOIR

INLET TOWER

LAKE MONDURAN SDA CAMP

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Not to scale

LAKE MONDURAN

GIN GIN MAIN CHANNEL

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Wuruma Dam Log TO EIDSVOLD AND MONTO

SUNWATER SUNWATER OFFICE OFFICE

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No boating or fishing between the buoy line No boating upstream andorthe fishing within dam wall and 200m upstream or 400m downstream downstream of the of the wall dam wall DAM WALL AND SPILLWAY

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despite the big sign telling us it was dangerous and not to walk on the weir. These no go zones are not just there for your safety, but also the safety of the fish stocks. These weirs and dams naturally attract fish congregations as they try to move up and down the river system. Targeting these fish while they are schooled up trying to breed is illegal

protect you and the people you are with, especially if you’re the one driving the boat. These are exclusion zones, which mean no fishing, boating, kayaking or swimming in these areas. They can be dangerous with unseen water current, submerged logs and rocks that trap and drown the unsuspecting explorer. Look out for the SunWater signs that are located at the dam. Wuruma is a beautiful place, well worth

LOOKOUT

learn the hard way to never take a risk with my safety or the safety of those that are with me. Many years ago, I was walking across a weir trying to take a shortcut across a creek with a good mate of mine who slipped and broke his ankle. This was meant to be a great day out exploring but ended in months of casts and rehabilitation. We took that risk

and can upset the natural breeding cycle of some of these species. There is nothing better than seeing kids fishing off a river bank with their mates but as parents we need to make sure they are in a safe area and understand the importance of fishing responsibly. The South Burnett has some magical places to fish so get out there and enjoy.

For the big barra bite at Wuruma Dam, Matthew Mott of Sportsfishing Charters suggests Smak 5/8oz spinnerbait in KS colour or a Smak 16 in ayu.

MAKING WATER WORK

• Keep your vehicles, trailers and boats clean to limit transfer of weeds and pests when entering and leaving. • Use rubbish bins provided or take it with you. • Read the signs and adhere to all safety messages. • Open fires are not permitted. • Keep all pets on a leash (or restrained). • Report any anti-social behaviour immediately to police. • Do not trespass on private property. • Never take pest fish as live bait into lakes.

There are 63 Stocked Impoundment Permit Schemes (SIPS) dams and weirs throughout Queensland. Freshwater fish stocking is the process of releasing young fish (fingerlings) into dams, weirs and rivers to enhance and maintain fisheries, provide mosquito control and assist threatened fish species to recover. More than 45,000 people enjoy fishing at a SIPS waterway each year. An annual permit costs $50 per person, an annual concession permit is $36 and a weekly permit is $10. More information is available on the Queensland Government website: www.qld.gov.au/recreation/activities/ boating-fishing/rec-fishing/dams/stocking

Background Artwork Created by Mrsiraphol - Freepik.com

Location: Approximately 30 minutes or 26km inland from Proserpine. Construction: Completed in 1990. Sixth biggest dam in Queensland at 491,490ML full capacity. Species: Stocked with barramundi and sooty grunter by the Faust Dam Fish Stocking Association Inc. Fishing: Fishing is not permitted from buoyline upstream, and spillway to 500m downstream. SIP required: Yes Camping: Not available at the dam, only available at the privately operated Camp Kanga (currently under repairs from Cyclone Debbie damage).

Location: On the Nogo River approximately 23km northwest of Eidsvold. Construction: Completed in 1968. Storage capacity of 165,411ML. Fishing: Fishing, boating, and skiing is not permitted within the buoy line upstream and the dam wall to 200m downstream of the dam wall. Species: Australian bass, barramundi, golden perch (yellowbelly), sleepy cod, silver perch, saratoga, catfish, eel-tailed catfish (freshwater jewfish), red claw and eels. SIP required: Yes. Camping: Permitted in designated camping areas. No bookings needed and it’s free-of-charge, however stays are restricted to a maximum of two weeks. Campsites must be at least 10m from the water. Refer to the signs for the designated camping area. There are no barbeque facilities but campers are permitted to use their own non-wood-fired barbeques. No treated water is available, campers must bring their own.

Location: Kinchant Dam is located in the Pioneer Valley near Mount Kinchant, 6km southeast of Mirani and 41km west of Mackay. Construction: Completed in 1974-86. Storage capacity of 62,800ML, covering a surface area of 920ha. Fishing: Fishing, boating and skiing is not permitted within 100m of the dam wall and upstream of the spillway. Camping: Available at the privately operated Kinchant Water Leisure Resort, situated on the south eastern shore of Lake Kinchant. For more information and bookings phone (07) 4954 1453. There are no barbeque facilities but campers are permitted to use their own non-wood-fired barbeques.

Location: Situated on Lake Monduran, 75km west of Bundaberg, Closest town is Gin Gin. Construction: Completed in 1975. Storage capacity is 562,045ML. Species: Bass and barramundi. Fishing: Fishing is not permitted from between the buoy line upstream and the dam wall and 200m downstream of the dam wall. SIP required: Yes Camping: Privately owned cabins and holiday park nearby.

Make sure you are a part of Australiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest fishing event. Check the website for events in your area and make sure that you like the facebook page and use the hashtag on the day to show off your catches. #gonefishingday

F: Gone Fishing Day

Last chance for a big barramundi this month AYR

Steve Farmer

Despite rising temperatures, the early days of spring have so far failed to produce a corresponding heating up of Burdekin fishing. However, there has been enough action in the estuaries to keep local anglers interested and most are hoping that, after an exceptionally dry winter, a little rain during the coming months might kick things along a bit, especially for barramundi. While most estuaries have produced a few barra, the size and numbers have been pretty ordinary. As usual, the best barra fishing has come from the Burdekin River, with Barattas Creek and the Haughton River tying for second place. There have also been a few reports of decent barra being taken in the freshwater reaches of the Burdekin, although consistently dirty water has meant live baiting has been the best bet. Lure fishers have had to work hard, with large paddle-tail soft plastics proving to be the most effective. Unfortunately it seems unlikely the river

will clear up much before the barra season closes on November 1. Other estuarine species, which have been fishing well (or at least improving) over the past month are salmon, grunter, mangrove jack and bream. Flathead are one estuary species you can usually rely on. They have been conspicuously absent lately. Any fish you do pickup on your lures or baits are likely to be too small to keep. A morning kayaking and flicking small hardbodies on the Alva Beach sandflats recently produced just one average keeper and five tiddlers well below the 40cm legal size for duskies. One thing I noticed at Alva was schools of bream up on the shallow sandflats, but they weren’t interested in my little lures. In the clear water I also spotted heaps of large sea mullet and a couple of Spanish mackerel, which were probably just legal size. Speaking of Spaniards, with only brief, mid-week windows of calm weather, most bluewater anglers haven’t had a chance to fish the schools of mackerel on their annual run up the coast and that migration is probably

close to finished by now. If you’re keen to tangle with a Spaniard, don’t give up yet. While numbers are definitely lower, there are still a few fish cruising northern inshore waters. Relatively close-by areas to target are the Alva Shoals, the rocky headlands of Cape Upstart or the pylons of Abbot Point Jetty. If you can get there, reef waters are definitely your best bet. OCTOBER FISHING The big news for October will hopefully be barramundi. With only a few weeks to go until the season closes, local anglers will be out in force trying to nail a barra or two before they are off the menu for three whole months. Live baits are probably the best way to ensure you snare one. If you’re a dedicated lure fisher, large hardbodies or soft plastics (cast or trolled) could also work. The word is that soft vibes have also been fishing well over the past month or so, accounting for some of the better fish caught. Mangrove jack action should also be heating up throughout October and once again, either baits (slabbed, whole or live) or a variety of hardbodied and soft plastic

lures will produce the goods. Drifting a creek and luring for jacks is a great way to explore new country and it’s quite productive to boot. As well as mangrove jack, you can also expect to score the occasional barra, golden snapper, cod or trevally. Blue salmon should be pushing into local estuaries with the building northerly winds and climbing temperatures. The schools that once followed the tides up and down the creeks aren’t as large or as numerous as they once were, but anglers can still expect to pick up the occasional fish on prawn, mullet or herring baits. Lures also work well on this species with almost any lure appealing to these speedsters. Metal slugs or slices are a favourite of mine when targeting them, especially if you’re lucky enough to find a feeding school. Blue salmon have sandpaper-like jaws, so fish with a wire trace or a heavy leader to avoid being cut off once you’ve hooked up. While salmon can be spectacular to catch, they don’t perform so well in the table stakes. Fresh and

Flathead have been scarce over the past month or so, but should make a comeback in late October. bled immediately they’re passable, but freeze them and their table ranking drops even more. Estuary anglers are also hoping October will see the

return of the dusky flathead to Burdekin creeks and beaches. The old lizard often fishes well late in the year and can be relied upon to put a few tasty fillets in the ice box.

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OCTOBER 2017

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Good weekend weather for fishos TOWNSVILLE

Dave Hodge

It’s been an interesting month with the highs and lows of fishing that go along with the fluctuations of the barometer. Wind has been an issue, but instead of it blowing like crazy on the weekends and calming off during the week when everyone’s at work, we’ve had a couple of good weekends for a change. Over the last few months I’ve focussed more on the local stuff, as I haven’t had enough faith in my trailer to travel too far from town, especially at highway speeds, but I’ve just

The new Halco Madeyes Flutter Shrimp has been braining the fish in the shallows. In the dirty water the blood red colour is a great producer.

Double hook-ups are quite common in deeper holes, and barra quite often hold in the same areas, so be ready for them as well. got myself a new trailer from Oceanic that will allow us to start roaming again. We’ve been having a bit of fun with the light gear and it turned out to be our saviour many times this season. Without a doubt, the light 6lb braid with 15-20lb leaders has helped us pull reasonable fish when standard gear hasn’t been raising too much. Using lighter lines and smaller lures during winter is no secret; I’ve written many times about it, and so have plenty of others, and it seems only just this year that many more people have made the jump with good results. With the introduction of a few more small lures at this year’s AFTA Trade Show, the options are far better and more expansive than they once were. It used to be the case that appropriate rods for the light line specialist were quite expensive and being such a specific style of fishing, tackle choice was quite limited for those with a tight budget. No matter how many reasonable fish we catch on the tiny gear, it still never ceases to amaze me how many respectable fish eat tiny offerings. We generally reserve the traditional-sized barra tackle for the snags these days and pull out the light gear as soon as conditions allow. You’re always going to get the unexpected captures on the heavier gear and bigger lures, but the unexpected is far more common with light gear, and

the fun never stops. A CRACKER MACKEREL SEASON Even though you hear plenty of stories of people trolling for hours for very little, this year has been a cracker for the mackerel specialists. Big Spanish have been common,

the photos I’ve been seeing of trout, redthroat, largies and reds over recent weeks have been very impressive, and plenty of people have been bagging out if they can find somewhere away from the sharks. Fresh pinkies have been the best bait along with the long-awaited return of the Lund’s California squid, which had been absent from bait freezers for 16 months. These Tweed-supplied squid have been a stable bait source for gun fishos chasing everything from grunter and golden snapper to trout and reds and are an effective and easily accessible bulk bait. During the daylight hours they can be used in halves or thirds on 7/0 to 10/0 hooks. My preference is the Gamakatsu Suicide pattern, but many anglers are switching to the Gammy Big bait circles for the

Sooties are a hard-hitting and fighting species that will see you struggling to get control on light gear, even at this size. The Bassman Pup is one of those lures that really shines when you’re looking for bigger specimens. and school-sized fish are easily accessible to the smaller boats when the weather allows. Doggies were in damn near plague proportions and I got very sick of them early on. It didn’t seem to matter where you went, they’d be snipping your softies meant for golden snapper and other species. Recently they were still thick out the front and providing plenty of people casting slugs and slices around with fresh fillets for the table. Some of

heavy-lined approach to beat the sharks. Soft-tipped, fast-tapered rods that are slightly longer than the normally short powerful rods are a huge benefit for the circle hook rigs and improve hook-ups substantially. Remember not to strike. Let the hook find its mark as the line slowly pulls tight and the point rolls into the corner of the jaw hinge. I’m hopeless – if a big bite gets me by surprise, I just can’t help myself sometimes. It’s a bit of a spin-off from the lure thing, and striking is more of a reflex than a planned action. When the sun goes down and thoughts turn to big red fish, I tend to snell rig a couple of 8/0s on 80-100lb mono leader and prepare for that big bite. Softer mono is better for bait fishing than fluorocarbon, as the latter is wiry and more

Casting small slugs like this 20 Outcast is standard practice for chasing the doggies. A short piece of Staybrite wire helps save on lure losses when they’re in full swing and engulfing the lot.

All sorts of fish can be taken on fly, but the environment you’re in will determine which fly and leader, or tippet, size will best be used. Trout don’t usually give two hoots about leader size, though. easily detected. I don’t do too much offshore stuff these days and the snags and flats are my main obsession. When family life allows me to head out wide, I have a favourite combo that covers almost everything I’m likely to come across. It’s a custom-made stick, 7ft long and built on a fast tapered soft tipped blank. I have a Penn Torque spooled with 80 braid and silky smooth drag. It’s perfect for the way I like to fish for big reds and I can use it for trolling for Spanish, deep water jigging and more. HEAD FOR THE HILLS Every now and then we get sick of the boat and head for the hills to chase the sooties and JPs, and even though the

Long casts and deeper water often require a lure that can cover both aspects of wide river casting. The small Atomic Rattlers do both well, and vibe at slow speeds.

waters we go to are full of big crocs, it’s still quite refreshing to wander the banks. The crystal-clear water gives you more of an idea of where your

risky situations. Similarly, the Bassman Pups cast well for long distance stuff and are a standout in the faster water. Your target species range is a little less in the fresh and is limited to barra, sooties, jacks and jungle perch, but this doesn’t mean that the fishing is difficult at all and the sooties are often thick. The apparent increase in anglers wanting to take up the art of flyfishing is certainly interesting and anglers who have caught enough fish on lures and bait are looking for the next challenge. In the beginning, keep expectations to a minimum and you won’t be disappointed. As you get more experienced, the action becomes much more frequent and half of the satisfaction is being able to make a good, accurate cast before a fish is

Something you don’t see every day while lure casting in the salt – a big ball of five file snakes drifted past with the push-in tide and the author couldn’t resist getting a pic. threats are and how to avoid them. The same outfits we use for the light stuff in the salt are used in the fresh for sooties, but the lures are a bit different. The Atomic Vibes are a killer lure in the fresh and can easily be cast the long distances often needed to reach deeper water and eliminate the need to put yourself in

even hooking up. With water temperatures increasing very quickly lately, you’ll be in with a good chance of catching a range of fish and everywhere from the rivers to the reefs should fire, weather permitting. If you keep your options open, you shouldn’t see a quiet time in your pursuits. Cheers and good luck. OCTOBER 2017

Lucinda is set to sizzle in the heat this spring LUCINDA

Jeff Wilton jeffwilton83@hotmail.com

It’s such a great time to be out on the water anywhere in this great state. Here in Lucinda, October can offer such great fishing opportunities. Better weather hopefully means more chances to get out on the bluewater and into some red-hot fishing. A few dates to be aware of if you’re planning a trip up here are 17-21 October and 15-19 November – these dates coincide with the coral finfish closures. It’s also the last month before the barra season closes and this means they’ll have plenty of attention from both lure and bait fishers. The last few months have seen epic fishing and this should only improve as the waters warm and the transition into the build-up of the wet season commences. HINCHINBROOK CHANNEL With the barra closed season looming at midday 1 November, anglers will be keen to get a few tasty fillets into the freezer and

– more importantly – have fun chasing the iconic Hinchinbrook barra. As always, the best times are the hours around the low tide, as the lower water levels push their food out of their hiding places. Snags and drains that have some current and baitfish around will mean barra will be close by. Live baiting is an easy way to target barra. It’s important to gather lots of quality bait and put in the extra effort – it will pay off. Cast netting can be a messy and difficult job at times, taking an hour or so to get enough baits; other times it can be a case of throwing the net once and you have more than enough for a couple of trips. Live mullet are always top of the list for bait as barra love eating them and they are also very hardy, so they don’t need lots of looking after to keep them alive. A running sinker rig attached to a swivel and a trace through to a hook is simple and effective. Use enough weight to anchor your bait on the bottom, as allowing it to swim around too much can cause tangles. Your hook size needs to

This is the last month to get yourself some Hinchy barra. be adequate enough to pin the live bait securely and also have enough exposed point to hook a fish when it eats it. A hook that is too small will mean plenty of missed fish, as the hook just pulls out of

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the barra’s mouth. Plenty of the top fishing guides also leave the rod in the rod holders while live baiting, as anglers have a tendency to strike too early when the bait gets attention. There has been a good run of both silver and golden grunter over the last month, and this should also continue though October. Plenty of boats have been sitting out around the Sugar Loading Jetty, especially around the area of the big red triangle, which is wellknown area for grunter. Fresh soft baits such as herring or sardines or the ever-reliable squid or prawn are great baits. Rigs don’t need to be too heavy as grunter aren’t dirty fighters; they take nice runs that require a smooth drag. A simple running sinker rig is all that’s needed to make sure you’re getting the bait to the bottom, as grunter are bottom feeders. Most importantly, make sure you use a small hook, as grunter have smaller mouths. They will also pick the bait up and normally move off slowly with it before eating. If you strike too early, there’s a good chance you’ll simply pull the hook out of its mouth. A great tip is to use a bait feeder style reel or

free spool the fish for a few seconds before striking. JETTY, ISLANDS AND REEF The jetty has been hard going and the biggest problem has been the sharks whenever a good fish has been hooked. It has been near impossible for us to land anything decent and I’m sure plenty of other anglers have been having the same problem. I’m not sure

Jacks will be hungry, as always. if this is due to the amount of boats out fishing, which always attracts the shark with an easy meal. There has been a steady run of Spanish mackerel over the last few months. The catches

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haven’t been tremendous like in previous years, but there have still been lots of fish caught. Most anglers troll lures or gar around the reef edges for mackerel; this is a proven way to consistently catch them. Look for places that have strong currents pushing past them, which will in turn congregate the baitfish. Mackerel are always much more active in the morning and the afternoon. Low light has them hunting closer to the surface and they will go deeper as the sun gets higher in the sky. There have been epic coral trout captures lately and everyone hopes this will continue, as these fish offer the best fillets in the ocean. As the waters warm it’s best to fish for them in slightly deeper water; anywhere in the 25-35m mark should produce. As always, look for good structure with plenty of current flow and baitfish. Schools of fusilier are a great place to start, as they feature heavily on the trout dinner menu. The run of small black marlin has been good with plenty of boats, both large and small finding a few of these great looking sportsfish. Trolling skirted lures around bait schools in the boat passage between the mainland and the reef has been the best way to get

hooked up. On light gear these fish sure know how to rip off some line. When they take to the air it’s mindblowing stuff, as they spend more time out of the water than in it.

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Finding the biting barra and golden snapper its chops. The impoundments fire up, too. This is definitely my favourite month of the year. There is a big competition on at Tinaroo in early November that’s worth keeping an eye out for. The Tinaroo Barra Bash is a family event and expected to attract 700 anglers. I will be heading up to do some of the presentations and looking forward to seeing some big barra caught. The Cardwell Sportfishing Club is having the Barra Bonanza on the last weekend in October for its annual event. This event gets more and more

HINCHINBROOK

Ryan Moody info@ryanmoodyfishing.com

It’s that time of year when seasons are changing for the better. We’re getting some warmth back in the ocean, allowing many species to move back into inshore waterways. Warmer waters will also see a lot more fish moving around and becoming more responsive in general. Barra will be high on the hit list with October being the last month to have a crack at them before the closure. Barra fishing over the past month has been reasonable. There have been some good sessions on big fish with shallow divers, but we have had a few periods early in the month where they shut down a bit. There are quite a few fishing comps out of Cardwell this month, so we can expect to see some boats on the water. This will make many more of the known spots shut down as the fish get lure-shy over time with increased effort. Even if anglers aren’t catching them, it’s the constant lures bouncing around their heads that puts them off. It’s important to get away from the masses and build your own strategy when the waterways get busy. It has always worked

popular every year with teams from all over the country attending. Keep an eye out later this year for our online fingermark course ‘Finding Fingermark’ on www.fishsmarter.com.au. It will be an eye opener and will shell out all the tricks you need to get a better understanding of these fish. • 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.

Big barra like this one caught by Bob should be in numbers with the weather warming in early October. for me. The trick with fishing the gutters is to get to the best ones first as the tide is draining. There’s nothing worse than knowing that someone might have been five minutes before you and they have disturbed it. Offshore has been pretty good recently, apart from the marlin fishing, which has been slow in waters south of Hinchinbrook. Cairns has had all the limelight this year with some outstanding light tackle tournaments and great numbers of small black marlin. We could see some better action soon as they migrate south with the baitfish. The

Spaniards will also move offshore now for spawning and then move south as well. It’s good to see some things going back to normal; by that I mean the big spawning run of golden grunter is right on queue for a change after years of staggered results. This would have to be the warmest winter I have seen in a long time, so here’s hoping for a good run of all species leading into the end of year. Another species showing up on queue is golden snapper (fingermark). We should see some larger fish move back in from the headlands and into

the inner channel waters. They should bite well right up until the first floodwaters arrive. October should be an awesome month if all goes to plan. Apart from the barra coming on the chew it’s the overall fishing – whatever the species – that counts. This time of the year during the seasonal change is great for a variety of things. The reef still fishes well, it’s the last good month for the Spaniards and small billfish, and everything estuary goes off

A great golden snapper caught in 1m of water while filming the online fingermark (golden snapper) course.

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Any High School student interested in attending a fishing competition on Moreton Island this month, get ready. On Saturday October 28, the Junior Anglers Competition is being run by the Junior Anglers Association. You can enter on your own or form a team with up to five members (total). Schools may enter more than one team. Trophies are available for the South Queensland Champion, Under 18

Champion, Under 16 Champion, Under 14 Champion and Champion Team. The trophies are also given for second and third places in each division, the heaviest fish caught and the best whiting catch. No person may win more than one trophy and there may be other special trophies allocated on the day, to give everyone a fair go. This competition is being co-ordinated by the Junior Anglers Association, and is sponsored by several groups including Sunfish

Queensland, The Tackle Warehouse, Tackle Land Sandgate, Tackle Land Carseldine, Charlton’s Fishing, Jones’s Tackle, Wilson, Tackle World Lawnton, and others. For more information, call John or Judy Lynne on 3882 4518, or 0409 056 437. Or email judylynne@ sunfishqld.com.au. You can also check out the Facebook page at www. facebook.com/JuniorAnglers-Association -321340071296566 for details. – Judy Lynne

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Trout and barra are on the menu CAIRNS

Garry Smith garrysmith@fishingmonthly.com.au

Coral trout will be the main focus of anglers who can get to the reef this month. October usually offers plenty of opportunities to get offshore, so here’s hoping we get a better run to the reef than the rest of the year has provided. While the opportunities to fish the reef this year have been limited, the fish have certainly cooperated and October should be no different, with trout up shallow and reds in the deep water. For those fishing the estuaries, barramundi will be the main focus, with warming water temperatures

Bait schools will be the key to finding fish at the reef. Spend a bit of extra time locating good-looking country with bait showing and you will increase your chances of nailing a feed significantly. There is a lot of good country to look at on the sounder and the areas with bait will also attract your target species. Remember that the first of the two coral reef finfish closures for 2017 will take place this month, from 17-21 October. Mackerel will be starting to thin out, but will still be around in sufficient numbers to warrant making them a target species. Always have a floating or drifting pilchard, gar or mullet out the back when bottom bashing or a live bait for the more

the first flush of freshwater needed to spawn. The small guys will be hanging around hoping to get in on the action when the time is right, so focus your efforts in these areas. Last October there were plenty of 1m+ big girls on the headlands, for those lucky enough to win the battle. Luring the headlands to the north and south of Cairns is a great way to tangle with one of these chrome barra, as they are sometimes called locally. They are big and iridescent silver, thus the name. The key to landing these brutes off the rocks, once you manage to hook them, is to ease the drag right off and let them run. They will still brick you or jump you off on quite a few occasions, but it is an

but I’ve had a far better conversion rate using this method rather than laying into them, as I did for many years. I used to fish the headlands for barra with 50lb braid; since changing tactics I have found 30lb more than adequate. On the other hand, golden snapper are a whole different ball game! Once you hook a golden snapper off the rocks, it’s a suddendeath tug of war, with the fish winning most battles once they get over 50cm. The best I have managed to land off the rocks in over 20 years of trying is 62cm! You can usually tell the difference between the strike of a barra and a golden snapper; you’ll know in the first few seconds with the barra jumping and the golden snapper diving for cover. Occasionally barra will behave the same as golden snapper and it’s usually when they are very actively feeding. They hit hard and head straight for cover immediately. When barra are in this mood, the attrition rate is pretty high with any fish over about 70cm. Occasionally you can coax them back out into open water, but most times they just bury you deeper in the cover. Golden snapper in the

Luring the headlands to the north and south of Cairns is a great way to tangle with one of these chrome barra. XOS range will be on the chew along the headlands, around the inshore islands, reefs and wrecks, as well as in the deep water in Trinity Inlet this month. Fishing jerk shads, soft plastic swimbaits, soft vibes and live baits of squid, sardines, mud herring, mullet and prawns are all top ways to tangle with these mangrove jack on steroids. Bait soakers should find some grunter action on the hospital flats on the Cairns esplanade as well as inside Trinity Inlet on the shale, weed and rubble areas. It’s best to fish the last half of the rise on big full and new moon tides and stay for an hour or

two of the falling tide. Fresh bait is an absolute must, as is fishing light and well away from the boat. Grunter are easily spooked, so keep the boat noise to an absolute minimum. Don’t forget the freshwater as the weather warms. Sooty grunter, jungle perch and (closer to the tidal reaches) mangrove jack will be becoming more active. An afternoon working the pools under the cover of a cool rainforest is a great way to get your fishing fix. All up there are a lot of options this month and hopefully the weather will be in a more cooperate mood than so far this year.

Golden snapper in the XOS range like this one will be on the chew along the headlands, around the inshore islands, reefs and wrecks, as well as in the deep water in Trinity Inlet. hopefully kicking the fish into overdrive before the season closes at the end of the month. Overnight fishing at the reef will be a great option this month before the storm season really takes hold. If there are some early storms, be sure to keep a very close eye on the radar and horizon as they can spring from nowhere and build very rapidly. Being caught at sea in a storm at night is not a fun experience!

dedicated mackerel fisho. While trolling baits, lures or live baits is certainly more productive, most reef anglers consider mackerel secondary to their main target of bottom species. Barramundi will be the main focus fish for estuary and land-based anglers hoping to finish the season with a few notches on their rod butt. The big girls will be out on the headlands and around the river mouths waiting for

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absolute certainty that they will dust you if you lay into them. Fight them soft and easy, otherwise they’ll dive and bury you in the rocks. Once you’ve set the hook, let the drag right off and give her a headstart. They tend to jump as soon as they are hooked in shallow water and if you don’t fight them they usually stay high in the water, rather than diving for cover. They will continue to jump and can readily throw the hooks,

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OCTOBER 2017

Riley Smiles with 21kg of Spanish mackerel that took 20 minutes to land. This beast came to 110cm and was caught off the beach on Fraser Island using a slider rig with live tailor, 60lb braid and 80lb leader.

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Make the most of warmer spring weather options CAIRNS

Dan Kaggelis dkaggelis@gmail.com

With the weather beginning to warm, here are a few ideas to make the most of Cairns’ awesome Net Free Zone. During spring the tides will begin to build, which will see excellent fishing off the beaches and headlands along the Net Free Zone. From the Barron River mouth to Taylor’s Point at the northern end of Trinity Beach, there are plenty of headlands and beaches to choose from and all will be beginning to fire up. Your target species include barramundi, salmon, queenfish and your smaller bread and butter species. If you’re

chasing the larger barramundi and salmon, then here’s a few tips on getting that rod bent. Try fish the larger high tides. The making tide is preferable, especially if you’re on the headlands, as fish will be moving onto the headlands and beaches. Calm conditions are always better and night time will be more productive, especially around that full moon phase. When fishing baits it’s always good to have a variety to suit the different species on offer. Large live baits such as mullet set on a float or on the bottom are ideal for barra, while a dead fresh bait on the bottom will be better for salmon and grunter. Live prawns are also ideal for all species.

Species such as mangrove jack will be on the chew in all rivers, not just the inlet.

Any rainfall over the next month will get the bite flowing in all areas, so if it comes down heavy, get out there as soon as possible.

Lure fishing is also worth a shot, especially around the low-light hours in conjunction with a rising tide. Large prawn style soft plastics worked very slowly on the hop are an excellent option, as are soft vibes. It’s best to work these slowly around tidal pressure points or eddies, as these areas will have the bait. Hardbody lures are also worth a shot in the same spots, especially slow rolling shallow divers like bombers. The water in these areas is usually no deeper than 3m, so you don’t need anything with too big a bib. In the creeks, when the water pushes over 26°C the fishing will light up

like someone has flipped a switch. At the moment plenty of anglers in the inlet are finding good schools of barramundi, however they are proving a little harder to get to bite. When they do come on, the fishing will be red-hot. Many of the larger fish have been holding on the artificial structures that line the sides of the inlet. On the natural timber they have been holding on everything from mud banks and flats to lay down structures. When the calmer conditions begin, the flats out the front of the inlet will fire and there are some really big fish out there worth targeting. If you can find them, it’s really

a case of peppering them until you can get them to bite. Other species such as mangrove jack will also be on the chew in all rivers – not just the inlet – and these are best targeted around the bottom of the tide, as the bait and snags are condensed by the lack of water. Smaller soft plastics around the 4” size, especially paddle-tail profiles tend to be very effective at this time of year, as they mirror the small mullet that are also about in numbers this time of year. The new moons in the upcoming months will see migrations of big jacks out to the reef, so the headlands along the Net Free Zone will see some larger jacks on them; they’re worth targeting, especially around the new and full moon periods. Any rainfall over the next month will get the bite flowing in all areas, so if it comes down heavy, get out there as soon as possible. The bait and fish are waiting for the wet stuff to start flowing. It was a very dry winter and here’s hoping for a bit of an early wet to get the recruitment going as soon as possible. Make sure you get out and enjoy our Net Free Zone; we are lucky to have such a terrific asset in our part of the world. Don’t forget if you catch a fish in the net free zone area, post it on social media with the tag #lovemynfz.

Tick a few species off the list this month PORT DOUGLAS

Lynton Heffer www.fishingportdouglas.com.au

Recently the tropics have gone through a seasonal transition with the days getting considerably warmer with a more stable weather pattern on hand, which should maintain for the next couple of months. The biggest shift in the fishing world is the passing of the small black marlin season. Now we’re focusing on the big marlin heavy tackle season. The small black marlin season ended in a blaze of glory with a huge amount of fish tagged and released towards the back of August and the start of September. It’s quite possible the marlin numbers were there earlier but consistently bad weather was a deterrent to go and chase them. By mid-August the weather changed for the better and the local fleet were able to access them. Just to give you an

example, the three day Cairns Bluewater Tournament saw an incredible 247 small black marlin tagged and released, smashing all previous records. Local charter boats were tagging up to six marlin per day and seeing more jump off the end of the line in what was an incredible climax to the season. Vessels will now converge on the Lizard Island region and initially fish the Ribbon Reefs in anticipation of the arrival of the first big black marlin for their breeding season on the shelf. This will then also extend further south to the Linden Banks off Port Douglas as the season continues. Closer to home our local outer reefs have been ticking along nicely for our tropical reef species. By early September the coral trout were already starting to congregate in numbers, which is a sign they may spawn this coming month around the new moon. As this date approaches they will tend to go off the bite until they complete the process. Then they will

Coral trout began to congregate in the early stages of September. explode with rejuvenated vigour keen for a feed. Until now they have been the most consistent fish on the reef with many a plump

trout caught. The nannygai duo (small and largemouth) have had their moments and have shown their best form leading

into the new and full moons, when they have been in a very aggressive mood. In such a mood they turn up in prolific numbers. Outside of this they have been patchy. Goldspot trevally, reef jacks, Moses perch and coral trout have made up the numbers. There have been some striking Spanish mackerel caught on the outer reef, especially when there has been a bit of run in the water. The best recorded was a 34kg model. The reef fishing will be prosperous for another month or so and the night time fishing opportunities will open up with more settled weather expected. The night fishing for the emperor and nannygai schools can be exceptional. Check the forecast before committing to a night trip and be wary of any potential storms brewing from the south or west inland. I can tell you from personal experience, there’s no joy being caught in 35 knot winds when it’s pitch black. In closer, we’ve experienced a good run on the spotted mackerel schools in

recent times along with some good longtail tuna action. Many boaties have also had memorable encounters with the whale migration this year. Unfortunately they have now moved back down south. Up the rivers and creeks, the barra, jacks and golden snapper are now back on the menu and back into full swing as the water temperatures have risen. Low light periods and after-dark fishing with live baits will see the best action with the middle of the day being a siesta period for these prized species. We’ll still see numbers of trevally and queenfish taking up the slack during daylight hours with the best action seen on the rising tide. Live baits, soft plastics and surface lures should be your choice of presentations. There’s quite a bit on offer. October is probably the best all-round month and there’s every chance you’ll be able to tick quite a few fish off the list. OCTOBER 2017

October action heats up for toughened anglers CAPE YORK

Tim O’Reilly wildrivercompany@gmail.com

October marks the start of the intensely hot months towards the end of the Cape York dry season. Most of the less serious fishos will have exited stage left by the end of the September holidays, leaving Cape York for the hardened, gnarly old lure chuckers. The 7th of October marks the end of barra season in the Gulf of Carpentaria, however the east coast season remains open until the beginning of November. It’s around this time of year, depending on conditions and

Longtail tuna schools off the west coast. into the bays. Flicking soft plastics, vibes, shallow divers and surface lures around the points and sand spits on an incoming tide is one sure-

Check out this jack caught at a remote headland. how they interact with the moon cycles, that male barra move downstream and out

fire way of tracking down fish. Look for spots where a large current is pushing past,

creating a substantial back eddy. In these spots, bait will hold up and the barra and threadfin salmon will be in close proximity. Out along the coastline, the same run of fish might be found in shallow gutters on the same gentle incoming tide. Schools of smaller barramundi can congregate, eager to pounce on any slow, twitching and shiny offering on it’s way past, especially in spots where shallow rubble or rock lie close to shore. Beaches up the length of the Gulf will remain universally calm and clean for much of October. Mornings will of course be the pick with schools of many species patrolling the shallows before the onshore breeze picks up into the afternoons. Sight casting to some of the more recognised flyfishing species can be fantastic. Golden trevally, permit, blue bastards, giant

trevally and queenfish will have some of the serious fishos licking their lips. Offshore will see a transition period where increasing water temperatures can push some reef species into slightly deeper water. Conversely, spawning activity for some species can see shallow reefs fire up on the pressure edges and calm sides of the more isolated patches. Be cautious of the closures for coral reef finfish on the east coast between 17-21 October. These periods allow certain species to congregate and spawn in peace, which is crucial for all fishers and their captures in the months and years following. Bread and butter species such as nannygai and coral trout may be moving off into the slightly deeper water of

the shoals and deep reefs out wide. Spanish mackerel have been around in good numbers and should continue to fish

bit of everything for every angling group out there. From 21-28 October the 31st Lizard Island Black

A big barra caught in a tiny east coast creek mouth. well throughout October. This is a great transition month, which supplies a

A remote reef that looks like an anglers’ paradise.

Marlin Classic will be hotly contested again. Game boats will be catching baits in the mornings and working the outer reefs and continental shelf lines for giant black marlin throughout the month. The dream for all these boats will be black marlin up around that 800lb mark, with the occasional behemoth over the magical 1000lb mark. More giant fish are caught between Cairns and the Ribbon Reef group than anywhere else on earth. • For information on remote charter operations for tailored fishing adventures, please email Tim on wildrivercompany @gmail.com

Finding the right time to go reef fishing COOKTOWN

Paul Prokopuk

The infamous Cooktown breeze has shown signs of easing off enough for boats to begin hitting the

week then have your gear pre-prepared and hit the reefs straight after work. Fishing the reefs yields pretty good success at this time of year, because the reefs have had plenty of time to recover and replenish, due to the

the deeper rubble patches, good numbers of red emperor have been caught as well. The rig of choice has been a double hook paternoster when finding the fish. As soon as they start firing, a single hook will do the trick. As for pelagics, there have been good numbers of mackerel around. You don’t have to go far to find them. With the bait still congregating around the river mouths there have been plenty of mackerel caught around the headlands and inshore reefs. Trolling shallow and deep diving lures

– especially red and white – or a ‘woghead’ rigged with a garfish dead bait will make it difficult for the mackerel to resist. Coral trout have been caught in good numbers. To catch this delicious table fish, try hanging your anchor near coral bommies and floating pilchard baits down beside the bommies. Use only enough lead to get to the bottom. If bait fishing doesn’t interest you, try your hand at micro-jigging around structure or bouncing soft plastics over reef edges for

Tuna caught on light gear always make for an exciting fight and delicious sashimi. reefs. Currently we’re averaging winds below 10 knots one day a fortnight. If you manage to align one of these lulls in the winds with the weekend then make the most of the reef action. If the lull in the winds falls during the working 72

OCTOBER 2017

undesirable winter winds that have been pestering for months. With the water warming, there has been no shortage of reef species being caught. Large and smallmouth nannygai and spangled emperor have been filling the eskies. When working

Young Jessie with a lovely coral trout.

Damien Lingard caught his first saratoga on a $5 bargain bin hardbody lure at a local national park. a bit of light gear fun. The fight from even relatively small fish when fishing light will bring excitement, though be prepared to spend some money as bust-ups are inevitable when marauding mackerel are around. The water has warmed up for the barramundi and mangrove jack too. Some quality catches have come from the wharf in Cooktown recently. Simply send down a live bait around the pylons and wait. Landing big fish around the wharf can be

an issue around the many oyster-covered pylons. If you have a boat, head up any of the rivers and work the snags with lures, soft plastics or live baits for barramundi and jacks. We are now in our last month of catching barramundi before the season closes on midday 1 November, so get amongst it while you can. Chasing mangrove jack, mud crabs and other estuary species up the rivers or around the wharf is still well worth it after November 1.

Summer is coming up fast WEIPA

Mark Bargenquast

Finally the mornings are starting to warm and the days are getting longer. Already we have had temperatures of 35°C as we build towards the wet season.

trying. They were nothing big, but the jacks averaged 45cm and barra were just legal. All were released. Offshore the Spanish mackerel have been good on the bigger tides with plenty of fish around 12-18kg caught on trolled lures. Some anglers have caught tuna, cobia and a

fished as it swam along a current line. Inshore there have been some big permit schools and our fly clients have been having a ball casting at these majestic fish. Dougal Rilestone caught four in one day, which is pretty hard to beat. Big queenies, goldies and brassy trevally

barra are dying as they are landlocked with low oxygen levels. Tarpon on the other hand thrive with their ability to gulp air and can be seen in numbers as they roll, taking a mouthful as they go. Tell-tale bubbles show their path and a quick cast with a small plastic will get the bite. The tourists have thinned out somewhat and the bream and grunter will get a break from the car topper forays in the close creeks. Mud crabs are about with the regular crabbers starting to pull out for the season and head south. There are a few nice squid down the coast, too, so a good seafood feast can be taken with a little planning. On another note, there have been a few large crocs hanging around the Mission River ramp and bridge. Local authorities have relocated a

Sharks seem to be everywhere, even along the beaches. couple of troublemakers – big crocs that were stalking families and boats – but

they are always replaced by a specimen just as big, so be careful!

Greg Livingstone with a great jack. This means three things: barra, threadies and jacks. I went for a quick flick in the Embley River last weekend and in about an hour and a half caught four jacks and two barra on small Twin River and Rapala BX minnows without even

few GTs. Anglers fishing wide have been rewarded with nice sailfish with up to 20 raised per day and plenty of anglers landing their first. My son Jacko had a day off school and managed his first mahimahi – it was about 10kg sight-

are also hanging around the flats; the best fish I saw was a 20kg Spanish mackerel free swimming in 1m of water on the flats – a pretty awesome sight. Being in the dry season now, the swamps are really drying up. Quite a few

Big cobia are around in good numbers.

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On the hunt for jacks and JPs FRESHWATER

A U S T R A L I A

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Mangrove jack are becoming very active again this month.

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great outdoors and explore some beautiful country. The red devils (mangrove jack) are starting to become very active. This is a very exciting time up here in the tropical north, because these fish are so fun to target. They hit your lure hard and fast. With a tight drag, a bit of luck is always needed when the jacks are around. Cast your lures hard into the snags and be ready for a brutal assault on your presentation. It’s common to catch double figures of this iconic fish when the conditions are right. They are the ultimate hunters when it comes to ambushing! They will only become more active as the weather heats up over the next few months, and I can’t wait to get out and tangle with a few. If you’re keen to get some serious exercise in

before it gets really humid up in FNQ, then a good old sooty grunter session is on the cards. These tough little critters thrive in most of our freshwater rivers and streams up in this part of the country. There are many systems ready to explore in search of a few of these line-peeling brutes. Taking a number of different artificial presentations is the way to go when targeting sooties. They will crunch just about anything that will fit into their mouths. Remember to take the camera with you, because the country you will end up in is truly breathtaking. Have a great time out there. I might see you on the water!

Hunting JPs is a fun physical way to wet a line.

Northern Junior

Cape anglers experiencing a pelagic paradise WEIPA

Jackson Bargenquast

Summer is in the making and finally, after a quiet winter, the fishing is returning to its once great state up here in the Cape. The elusive barramundi have been quiet, and the rivers still prove a challenge, however offshore action has been going insane. Alongside the bounty of reef fish to be caught bottom bashing, the true pelagics have been feeding hard!

Northern bluefin or longtail tuna have been around in spectacular numbers over the last few weeks. They can be seen in their thousands every day from dawn to dusk smashing bait and leaping clear of the water chasing prey such as garfish and flying fish. These fish are great fun on fly and spin tackle and will take just about everything from a small white Clouser to a 10” stickbait. Spanish mackerel have been hanging deeper on bait schools and actively chase metal jigs dropped to the

seafloor and burned back to surface as fast as possible. A wire trace is recommended for these brutes, as their particularly sharp teeth can be annoying to anglers who lose expensive lures to these thieving fish. Another way to lose tackle is to sharks – not the animal eating the angler’s bait of course, but the 10ft+ monsters engulfing every fish that becomes hooked before it’s landed. Out a little wider it’s possible to avoid the sharks, as they mostly hang around tuna and mackerel schools located

Considered a large one for the area, this 10-11kg, 115cm bull mahimahi was sight casted with a soft plastic and landed on 20lb spin gear!

closer inshore. Out wider, pods of sailfish and juvenile black marlin are on patrol. Mixed bait balls containing species like cobia, barracuda, golden snapper and trevally have been around as well. A couple of weeks ago I went for a trip with my father, a mate named Nick Stocks who makes his own lures and Nick’s old man Rex. It was only supposed to be a quick one chasing a couple mackerel. Straight up we found a bait ball and I landed a small cobia while the other three had a triple hook-up on tuna. Next we chased the promised Spanish mackerel and after losing a couple of bigger fish to aggressive bull sharks, we caught three nice mackies around 6-8kg. The weather was glam and lately this has been a rare thing, so we decided to take our chances and head out a little wider to look for a billfish. Halfway out to the chosen grounds, Dad (the skipper) pulled up and spun around. He said he saw a fish on the surface swimming past the boat and thought it was a small marlin. I grabbed a 20lb spin rod and jumped up the front. Five minutes passed and we

The author and his sister Georgie, who was stoked after landing her very first longtail tuna. There have been a lot of tuna around lately. decided to keep going, but just as the boat began to turn I spotted a blue flash around 60ft from the boat. Rigged up with a light soft plastic, it was a long cast, but I landed the lure in front of the fish and began to twitch it back to the boat. The lure barely got 6ft, when with remarkable resemblance to a barramundi, a solid bull mahimahi (dorado) boofed the plastic. I was amazed. It’s rare to find a mahimahi this big and this close to shore in the Gulf of Carpentaria! After several fast runs

and graceful leaps and somersaults, a long fight came to an end, and I was stoked to have landed my first mahimahi. We then threw out two stickbaits and trolled for about 20 minutes. Rex managed to get a great sailfish fish to the boat for a quick photo, then swam and released it healthy. Nick and Rex shared a special moment together cradling the 30kg+ giant and old Rex tells me it was the best day fishing of his life. Good luck to all anglers in the upcoming weeks and remember to think like a fish.

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It’s on for all this month! TOOWOOMBA

Jason Ehrlich fishability1@bigpond.com

Prepare for another hot month of freshwater fishing. The lack of rainfall has the dams dropping, and without any inflows the fishing is more predictable. Bass will continue to impress with excellent catches coming from across most stocked lakes. Golden perch will pick up the pace as well this month. As the water warms, they get

more excited and wake up from their lethargic winter moods. We will see a lot more caught on faster presentations like cast and trolled lures. When it is tough, all they seem to want to eat is bait or a jigged vibe or blade. We are still in closed season this month for targeting the mighty Murray cod in the rivers. Give these fish a spell and let them get down to a bit of baby making. The cod closure doesn’t apply in the stocked lakes, so if you’re after a cod fix, head to one of these dams.

SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND CRESSBROOK CLOSEST TOWN: CROWS NEST Some monster bass are still being caught at Cressbrook. Fish to over 50cm have been caught in the last month and catches of this size seem to be more regular than ever. While a solid fish, they lack the girth and weight of Wivenhoe and Somerset bass, but put up a respectable fight all the same. Mixed in there have been plenty of fish over 40cm and heaps of smaller models in the low 30cm bracket. As always, finding fish to yourself has been the key to prolonging the bite time and keeping them active. Cressbrook has been like this for a long time. Maybe the fish are well educated and have all felt hooks before, because as soon as a few are landed or a boat sits on them for several minutes, they start to get harder to fool. There are a couple of ways around this tightlipped bass problem. If you know the location of fish, it pays to sit off them for a full cast length. Heavier lures like tail spinners and

spoons can be launched over 50m and this is often far enough away from the fish to keep them from schooling

DAM LEVELS

        

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

JUL AUG SEPT 6 6 5 96 95 93 22 21 19 31 43 49 82 80 73 95 92 86 87 86 84 96 95 92 9 8 6 52 51 50 95 94 89

         

17 18

Toowoomba

BRISBANE

IMPOUNDMENT DAM

quality fish reduces. The other option is to troll. Trolling stops the fish following the boat and prolongs bite times in each school. Always try to keep moving and don’t sit in the one spot for too long. This can be tricky if you are hooking fish, but the longer you sit still, the more the fish school below you and the longer they are there, the harder they are to tempt. Rather than trolling with hardbodies, give tail spinners a go. Cast out around 50m of line (4-8lb braid) and troll the lure at 1.8-2.2km/h. This will see it swimming at 28-32ft deep.

52 53 52 66 64 62 9 7 7 100 99 98 41 41 37 75 75 74 101 99 97 89 87 83 97 95 86 39 32 22 16 16 15 98 89 81

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

up underneath your boat. The first few winds are most likely to produce the bites and as the lure gets closer to the boat, the chance of hooking a

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

Cairns 1

Townsville 2

3 4

Proserpine 6 Mackay

Rockhampton

Emerald

29 7

Highlighted dams are covered in this issue

Gladstone

30 8

Bundaberg 9

Roma

Use this as a guide and modify the amount of line out or the speed to suit fish in different depths. Look for schooling bass out from the major points, starting from the boat ramps and to the west. After the first bend where the rock wall (Eagles Nest) is, look across the flats on the southern side of the lake as well. A quality sounder will reveal the schooling fish and once they’re found, sit off them and start casting. Tail spinners have been the gun lure with spoons and blades also faring well. It always pays to have a soft plastic or lipless crankbait

BRISBANE

rigged as well. With these four lures you have all bases covered for targeting quality Cressbrook bass. A few bass were reported along the buoy line all the way over to Deer Island. In this deeper water, a trolled hardbody capable of reaching 10m may score a fish or two. For all your fishing supplies and the latest reports on Cressbrook and the surrounding dams, call in to see Fish’n’Bits in Alderly Street. They have a great range of lures and fishing gear. The staff can sort you out with the right To page 77

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

Maroon 100 99 98 Monduran/Fred Haigh 99 98 97 Moogerah 96 94 93 North Pine/Samsonvale 70 68 66 Peter Faust/Proserpine 78 77 75 Pindari 100 100 98 Somerset 76 76 75 Teemburra 100 100 99 Tinaroo 49 48 44 Toonumbar 101 101 98 Wivenhoe 71 68 70 Wuruma 98 97 95

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 19/9/17

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

OCTOBER 2017

Maryborough

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

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

Weipa

brought to you by

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

Barramundi will be in full swing across the lakes. There’s only another month to go until closed season in the rivers, so if you want one of these big scaled battlers, the lakes will be the only option after November 1. The ultimate sportfish (the barra) put on a great show and launch in the air often. With barra lakes as close as Maryborough, it’s not a long drive from Queensland’s southeast to target these great fish. Until next month, buckled rods from the Colonel!

Here’s proof trolling is a good way to locate the schools at Wivenhoe and that catfish often hang out with the bass. These two fish ate the JDK Rippa lure at the same time. The trick to catching fish on the Wivenhoe flats is to get your lures down at least 10m.

Gympie

From page 76

gear and give you some tips on where to find them. 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 will be extended this month to 6am until 8pm. SOMERSET CLOSEST TOWNS: ESK, KILCOY Big bass are still the main attraction at Somerset. The fishing has been hot and cold with some days producing excellent numbers and others a struggle to get a bite. This is typical for Somerset and all you can do is hope they are chewing the day you visit. Mornings and late afternoons have been best. The bass are schooling around Kirkleigh flats, out from Queen Street, wide from bay 13 near Eagles Nest and wide on Pelican Point (closer to Red Rock). Look for fish in around 10m of water and follow the drop-offs

Adam Krautz landed this cracker of a bass, which measured 54cm to the fork of the tail at Wivenhoe Dam. The fish ate a Jets Tail Spinner first cast. Notice his hand tied assist hooks, which produced the secure hook-up. closely. Most times the fish will be within 50m of the old riverbed. A lot of sounder shots shared online show bulk schooling fish in over 20m of water. Often these fish are found up in the shallower 10m water and follow the boat out into the deep where they school up. It’s not a bad tactic to drag the fish out there to school under you if they are willing to bite. With such a

Kirkleigh, switch to 6-8m divers and troll around the trees, flats and old river bed drop-off. For the latest reports, check out Somerset Fishing Tackle online and on Facebook. The store has a trailer, which can be located in the day use area at Kirkleigh. The opening days could change to include more weekdays, but you can expect them to be there Friday, Saturday and Sunday each week. Somerset Tackle has a great range of lures and gear suited to fishing the dam. They also have the knowledge and skills to help steer you in the right direction. Call in and see

golden perch and didn’t have many catches under 40 fish per day. There have been a few reports of quality bass mixed in with smaller fish coming from these schools. Fish can be found out in front of Billies Bay out on the old riverbed edge. At this time of year they tend to sit quite deep, so look in 10-13m of water and follow the drop-off closely if there is no life up on the flats. Trolling is a good way to locate fish, but ensure your lure can reach them. There’s no point dragging something that runs 7m deep when the fish are holding at 10m. Leave

mass of fish under you it’s no problem placing a lure in front of them. Spoons and tail spinners have been the standout lures. Slow winding is the preferred method when the fish are reluctant to bite. Another way to get the bites when the fish refuse to play is to slow troll a tail spinner. I like to move along under electric power at around 2km/h to get the lure down 10m. Tail

On a tough day at Somerset Ian Ryan fooled some bass by switching to trolling tail spinners. If you want to give it a go, place the lure 50m behind the boat and troll at around 2km/h to get the lure down to the fish.

Somerset bass are still worth chasing. Although tough at times, there are plenty of great sessions producing quality bass like this. The Gang Banger spoon has been performing well.

SUNSHINE COAST REGION MACDONALD CLOSEST TOWNS: TEWANTIN, NOOSA The schooling bass may still be holding around the main basin of the lake. Check out the bay in front of the Botanical Gardens for quality bass. If these fish are present, try feeding them blade baits hopped through their school. The bubbler can be home to golden perch and smaller bass at this time of year. Again, blade baits and spinners are a good option. These bass schools may have broken up and moved back to the edges and further up the lake. If this is the case, it will be a

matter of searching while fishing reaction baits. Cast spinnerbaits and blade baits up onto the weed edge and retrieve them back allowing them to flutter down the edges of the weed and find the bottom in the deeper areas. Always keep an eye on the sounder while doing this. This does two things: firstly, you can position the boat outside the weed edge and try to follow it as closely as possible with your lure, and secondly you can watch to see if any schooling bass are holding outside the weed. When they are sitting on the weed edges, it opens up the range

of lures you can throw at them and the possibility to catch bigger numbers increases. Davos in Noosaville is just a short drive away and they carry all the right lures to use on the lake. Check in with them to see if they have heard the latest news on how the lake is fishing. BORUMBA CLOSEST TOWNS: IMBIL, NOOSA There have been some reports of schooling bass down the boat ramp end of the main basin. These fish can be found in around 10m of water and are suckers for blade baits. Other options would include tail spinners, spoons and vibes. Schools should also be found on the major points

spinners with more weight should be great for this style of fishing. You could possibly speed up the boat to cover more water and still achieve the same depth. Golden perch are likely to fire up this month. Already quite a few are taking the spoons and tail spinners intended for bass. Trolling extra deep hardbodies that are able to reach 10m will be a good way to score a mixed bag of goldens and bass in the main basin of the lake. Up in the timber north of

them or consider doing a phone or internet purchase, as they mail order fishing gear all over the place. For some of the most competitive prices around, visit the website www. somersetfishing.com.au. WIVENHOE CLOSEST TOWNS: FERNVALE, ESK I have a feeling the dam is about to fire up. The schooling fish have turned up out in the main basin, so it’s just a matter of time before they play. Last year we were smashing bass and

plenty of line out and run fine braided line of 4-8lb to get the most out of your lures. Once you find the fish start casting lures at them. lipless crankbaits, tail spinners and spoons will get most of the bites. These lures also tend to produce less forktailed catfish. The catties, bass and golden perch will all hold together, so don’t move off a school if you are catching the wrong species.

in the basin, Borumba flat and the trees within sight of the Junction. The same lures will work again. Some anglers prefer to use soft plastics inside the timber,

as it doesn’t hurt the hip pocket as much when you snag and lose them. Davos at Noosaville has all the gear you’ll need to tackle the fish at Borumba

and Lake MacDonald. The store caters well for fresh and saltwater anglers. They can be found in the Homemaker Centre on the corner of Mary and Thomas streets.

DARLING DOWNS GRANITE BELT REGION COOBY CLOSEST TOWNS: HIGHFIELDS, TOOWOOMBA The fishing hasn’t fired up just yet at Cooby. There have been a few goldens and catfish landed from the rocky bank when using saltwater yabbies and live shrimp. Lure fishers have had the most luck while hopping vibes around the buoy line and along the

northern bank leading away from it. Lipeless crankbaits and blades are accounting for a few goldens in this area. Cooby D a m ’s proximity to Highfields and Toowoomba makes it a very popular fishery. If you are looking for somewhere close to home to drop the boat or kayak in, Cooby is definitely worth a visit. The dam hours are now 6am until 8pm. 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 with care. Outboard motors can be left on the boat and must not be used. LESLIE CLOSEST TOWN: WARWICK Some better quality golden perch have been caught lately. These fish To page 78

OCTOBER 2017

From page 77

are measuring 47-50cm in length. Last month, bait was still working best with lures only nailing the occasional golden perch and some smaller cod. Lures should really start to produce this month. Try trolling in 3-5m of water with lures capable of reaching the bottom. Smaller lures are my preferred option for early in the season, so try something like the 50mm 3m diver. It can make a difference as to which colour you use, so try a mixture. Good options are black, brown, green and chrome gold. Slow trolling lipless crankbaits is also very effective in this depth of water. Use the electric motor to tow them and ensure you can see the action of the lure in the rod tip. You need to have the speed just fast enough to kick them into life. If you can’t feel it due to a soft tipped rod, inspect the lure beside the boat at the speed you intend to travel to see how it is working. When fishing Leslie, opt for a lighter outfit when trolling. A spin reel spooled with 6-8lb braid is plenty to handle the golden perch and enough to battle

Murray cod can still be caught from the lakes this month. This fish ate a big Double Willow Spinnerbait right at the base of a tree on Coolmunda Dam’s flats. in a bigger cod. Try running a short length of 14-16lb leader material just in case a big cod comes along and swallows your lure. I’ve seen big cod landed on 6lb leader when anglers have had the patience to wear them out and cushion those big solid lunges by following the fish with the rod and keeping a light drag. Only increase the pressure when the fish is behaving and you can land monster cod on light gear. Along with getting a fishing report, stock up on all your gear while at Warwick

2 Dams

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BJELKE-PETERSEN

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 golden perch

should fire up this month. Hopping small blades has been the way to catch good numbers over the last few months. While the fish have been spewing up shrimp, they have been reluctant to take them. This is all about to start changing. Live shrimp can be caught from the dam. Try baiting a shrimp trap and placing it along the rock

WIDE BAY AND SOUTH BURNETT REGION BOONDOOMA CLOSEST TOWNS: PROSTON, KINGAROY Some great schools are holding around the flats in 10-13m of water. Matthew Mott reported that a lot of the better quality fish are actually being caught by anglers casting to the shallower water near the edges of the deep schools. Try looking around the third marker buoy and from the Junction up to Pelican Point. Reaction lures are the go with plenty of bites on spoons, tail spinners and similar fast presentations. Spoons seem to be the standout lure. Mix up the retrieve until you find out what excites them most. A fast burn and kill to allow the lure to flutter back to the bottom can be dynamite. Another method that has worked well with all spoon types is to give the lure minimal movement and only draw it about 30cm off the bottom before letting it sink back down. Anglers

having success with this method have talked about taking as little as one wind between pauses. It sounds similar to a technique we were using on Somerset last year. Rather than winding the spoon, we were drawing the rod tip up slowly to pull the lure around a metre before following the lure back to the bottom with the rod tip. The beauty of this method is you can change the way the lure falls. If you keep a tight line, it restricts the fall. If you drop the rod tip quickly, the lure flutters unrestricted back to the bottom. It’s amazing how such small differences can be the key to getting bites. Thanks Nigel Middleton for showing me that one. Soft plastics are pulling a few fish from the edges in the Stuart and Boyne timbers. With the longer and warmer days, these fish will really only be an option early in the morning. Boondooma is a great

CAPRICORN REGION

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www.lakeboondooma.com.au www.yallakoolpark.com.au 78

OCTOBER 2017

AWOONGA CLOSEST TOWNS: BENARABY, GLADSTONE October is a great time to visit this lake. The water is looking great and with fish caught right through winter, it is looking very promising. The next two months should deliver some of the best fishing for the whole year. In the

past few years, the fishing has been a bit tougher over summer months. The smaller barra that were all around legal size a year ago are now ready to stretch anglers a bit more, as they have grown another 10-20cm. The edges of the lake should fish best. Often the most productive areas are the tight spindly timber in the bays and the big taller

wall overnight or drop it into around 3m of water out in front of the campground. Once you have your bait, head out to around 5m of water and drop the baits directly below the boat. Working along the rock wall leading to the dam wall or around the old creek bed will improve your chances. Some anglers also have luck up in the timber using the same approach. Lure fishers will continue to catch fish on small blades. Hopping these along the base of the rock wall will account for nice golden perch. Explore the whole wall looking for concentrations of fish. Once you find one, there is likely to be plenty more. The same exploring style of fishing can be used up in the Bracker Creek timber. Cast lures around the base of the trees and hop them back to the boat or even vertically. Cod have been quiet, but some exploring with bigger spinnerbaits should see some action. Try around the timber in 2-3m of water and target timber laydowns

and bigger standing trees. It can take a lot of casting throughout the day to get a bite, but if you put in the time, the cod are there and will chew eventually. Early mornings and late afternoons are the prime bite times. The Coolmunda Caravan Park is only around 1km away from the lake. The park is just off the Cunningham Highway and far enough away from the noise of trucks to get a good night’s sleep. It offers camping sites, cabins, caravan facilities, tennis courts, a swimming pool, BBQ shelter and a camp kitchen. The park 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.

place to camp right near the water, sit by the fire and enjoy the view. You could also stay in more style and comfort by booking into one of the cabins overlooking the dam. The kiosk at the main office does hot food and other basic items including an excellent range of proven fishing tackle. For campsites, cabins and bunkhouse rooms call (07) 4168 9694. BJELKE CLOSEST TOWNS: MURGON, GOOMERI The fish have really fired up at Bjelke. There is plenty of action around the banks with spinnerbaits, lipless crankbaits and chatterbaits all producing. Casting around the banks near and opposite Bass Point and below the wineries is a good starting point. There won’t be much action up past Bass Point, due to the lower water levels. There are fish in the deeper water, but they’re harder to tempt. Small blades are accounting for a few bites with golden perch

and bass being caught. Live shrimp would be a good option to switch them on and make them eat. Trolling to these fish has been slow and should start to improve as water temperatures increase. Expect it to be another month before it really works well; in the meantime, it may be worth a try. When trolling at Bjelke, run shallower lures, that dive 3-5m deep or even 1/2 and 5/8oz spinnerbaits. It is a shallower lake, so the fish don’t hold as deep as in other lakes. For help catching Bjelke and Boondooma fish, call into Bass 2 Barra. The store stocks an awesome range of gear suited to chasing our freshwater fish and the staff have all the knowledge to guide you on how to use it. You’ll find the stores at 119 Youngman Street Kingaroy. 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.

drowned timber on the most exposed points. There is no need to venture too far as most of the action has been taking place in the dam’s main basin or at the start of the creeks. When fishing the trees, suspending hardbodies that can dive 2-3m deep should produce bites all day long. The open weed edges will also be worth prospecting. Casting soft plastics rigged with 1/4-1/2oz jigheads

is effective here, as they cover a lot more water. On the weed edges, move fairly quickly on the straight featureless parts, and slow down when the weed becomes broken and forms a point or a bay. While most of the barra will be from 60-80cm in length there will be a few surprises amongst them. Metre fish are going to be a lot more common To page 79

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now that they’ve had a chance to grow. Below the dam, Pike Crossing gives access to the Boyne River. From here you can launch small boats and kayaks and venture both upstream and downstream. These fish are off limits from next month in the closed season so make the most of them now. Soft plastics and hard swimbaits fished around the weed edges and lilies will produce barra from 50-110cm, so be prepared for anything. Mark from Awoonga Gateway Lodge has a few productive secret spots he’s always willing to share. The Gateway lodge is on the way in to the dam after turning off at Benaraby. The accommodation is great with plenty of boat parking space right beside the comfortable air-conditioned, selfcontained cabins, each with its own veranda. To book in a stay give Mark or Lyn a call on (07) 4975 0033. KINCHANT CLOSEST TOWNS: MACKAY, MIRANI After the top up to full capacity earlier this year, the dam will now be starting to drop as water is drawn to irrigate crops. The weed beds will cope with this falling

level for some time yet, so concentrate efforts around the healthiest patches of weed. Casting soft plastic weedless rigged frogs on top of the weed and skimming them back across the top is one of my favourite ways to fish the acres of weed, which is almost to the surface. The chases and explosions on the lures are very spectacular and the fights that follow in the shallows are fast and hectic until the fish buries itself in weed. The edges of the weed beds can be fished with heavier plastics or soft vibes during the day. As night approaches, the fish will move more and venture further from the weed edge. A quality sounder with side image will let you know if you’re in the right spot. Position the boat off one of the major weed points and keep casting until they decide to bite. If you’re planning on fishing Kinchant, Teemburra or Eungella, be sure to call in and see Bruce and Ash at Nashy Compleat Angler on Harbour Road, North Mackay. Ash works in the store and as a fishing guide on the lakes. Some firsthand information as to where they are biting always goes a long way. Nashy’s has a great range of tackle suited to the dams as

It’s barra time again and metre plus fish will be common on lakes like Kinchant, Tinaroo and Proserpine. Expect a few big ones further south at Awoonga and Monduran too. With the drier conditions after years of wet, it’s shaping up to be great for impoundment barra from now on. well as all the other fishing options the Mackay area is blessed with. You can call the store for more information or to put some gear on hold by calling (07) 4957 2272. PETER FAUST CLOSEST TOWNS: PROSERPINE, AIRLIE BEACH Still the best big barra lake in Australia, Prossy (Peter Faust Dam) is ready

to produce the goods. The barra were a bit tough over the winter months but the warmer weather will see them a lot more active. The lake is quite big and the mass of trees can confuse a new angler, so make sure you call in to see the staff at Proserpine Barra World on the Bruce Highway for a map and some tips. Fish should be caught casting and

trolling this month. The full moon is the most popular time to chase them. Lure trolling with deep divers like the 8m Scorpion Crazy Deep will secure some monsters from out in front of the dam wall. Try trolling the open water and concentrate efforts around any bait schools or actual fish returns. Mornings and afternoons are often best but fish can be caught at any time provided you can find them. Some days they are there and others they just seem to disappear. The creeks inside the timber will be like barra highways. They use them to move from deep to shallow water starting up in the shallows early and then swimming back out into the deeper water during the day. These creeks can be fished with 3-5m diving hardbodies. Cast these lures tight to the trees along the creek edge and fish them slowly, allowing them to float up in the middle of the trees. Tight drags, a bit of luck and quality hooks and rings are needed to extract the bigger fish in this area. The weed edges are also worth a try throughout the day. Healthy weed is best and can be found all around the dam with some

of the best and easiest to fish edges being up the main river. Weedless soft plastics are a good option while you are prospecting the weed edge and trying to find concentrations of fish. If fish are seen on the sounder outside the weed, switch to soft vibes or even smaller surface poppers to get the bites. The major points inside the trees and even Proserpine Point in the main basin just outside the timber will be good spots to prepare for a night time session on the full moon. Repeatedly casting soft plastics up onto the point and winding them back will put you in with a good chance. Side imaging sounders are almost necessary these days. If you aren’t seeing fish moving through the open water, you aren’t going to catch them. If this is the case, move in tighter to the edge and fish the weed or move to a new spot. For all your fishing supplies or a guided trip on the lake call Lindsay or Dane at Barra World (formerly Proserpine Bait and Tackle) on (07) 4945 4641. The store is right on the highway in Proserpine and specializes in barra fishing tackle.

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Anglers smashing them at Lake Somerset SOMERSET

Matt Taylor

Some of the most incredible and consistent fishing ever seen at this lake has taken place over the past few weeks. Many fish have come close to 60cm in length with bass over 50cm regularly being caught by anglers. One recent session

have found that the schools are located throughout the dam, with areas in the Kirkleigh vicinity such as the ‘Dogleg,’ the main Kirkleigh Point, the bottom of Queen Street and the main riverbed holding the larger fish over 50cm. While these areas are producing in the morning, the main bite time has been in the afternoon from midday to

end of the lake, there have been smaller fish of about 30cm holding in areas close to the Spit Boat Ramp, but this is where the fishing only improves at this time of year, with big bass expected to be caught from this spot soon. If you find a few fish on your sounder, generally come back a few hours later and they will be schooled up. This has been occurring often at Brads Bank and Pelican Point, with schools of fish nowhere to be seen one hour and stacked on the sounder the next. An array of lures like jigged and cast blades and lipless crankbaits are productive for anglers at the moment in natural colours

like brown, silver and olive. The go-to lures that are catching the most fish are soft plastics, tailspinners, spoons and ice-jigs. According to reports, bass up to and over 50cm have been captured on soft plastics. Cutting the lures down has proved to be a winner tactic. Silver and white colours like baby bass are favourites for anglers. These have been used with a long and slow hop. Burning retrieves and slow rolling are also doing well. While these lures are all consistently catching good numbers of fish, on many days the blue, green, gold, silver or barred grunter coloured spoons have

Brett Klaws with a monster 4.04kg bass he caught while casting a spoon. rewarded me with five trophy fish of this size. The first legitimate 4kg bass I have seen was caught by Somerset Fishing Tackle pro fisher Brett Klaws measuring 57cm to the fork and 59cm to the tip of the tail. Most fish have been extremely fat, having roed up over the winter, but the quality of these fish will decrease with the warmer months coming up. While it may sound as if the fish are jumping into the hands of anglers, only those who put in the time and effort have reaped the rewards. The fishing has been quite tough at times and as usual the fish are biting better during the weekdays in times of less fishing and boating pressure. To catch fish, you will need to wait until they decide to bite. In a recent session I boated 30 or so legal fish once they came on the chew. Anglers casting for bass

dusk. Schools have also been found wide of Red Rock and Eagles Nest; these have generally been smaller than those at Kirkleigh, but the fish are about 40cm in size, with the occasional larger fish among them. These have been the go-to spots recently. At the other

The author with two pre-storm bass he caught on spoons just after a recent competition.

A few ‘donkey’ bass over 50cm that the author caught recently on Halco Twisties and Smak Ice-Jigs.

Dave Nelson with a cracking Aussie bass he caught in a recent Basstasstic competition held at Somerset Dam.

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worked to great effect. Halco Twisties have been working well, with Hotbite Gangbangers, Nories Wasabys, Smak Knives and Palms Slow Blatt spoons all pulling their weight and catching quality bass. Burning these lures and then letting them sink back to the bottom, super slow rolling with lots of pauses, and jigging will be your best bets. The pauses seem to be igniting the bite, while picking up the pace of the lure after a slow roll is also doing well. A technique that isn’t

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rock walls, hardbodied lures in blue ice and chatreuse colours have been effective. If you are heading to Lake Somerset and are fishing or boating, there are two main boat ramps to use: one located at the Spit, and the other at the Lake Somerset Holiday Park. From September to April, the gates open at 5.30am and close at 6.30pm, and from May to August opening hours are 6am to 5.30pm. • For fishing tackle, info on the lake or fishing tips, make sure you drop in to Somerset Fishing Tackle, located about 200m from the Kirkleigh day use boat ramp. Just look for a blue trailer and you won’t miss it. Kayak and boat hire is available, with a number of options to suit your needs. To see more from Matt, check out his Instagram @matthew____ taylor and his Facebook page @matthewtaylorfishing.

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talked about very often has been used by a number of anglers recently to great effect. Fish a 50g spoon parallel to the bottom and retrieved back to the boat with the rod tip held high; shaking the rod can also help bring on the bite. The yellowbelly fishing has picked up over the last month. The two main ways that anglers have had success with this species are getting them as by-catch while fishing for bass, or trolling hardbodied lures along rock walls. Recently I caught a golden perch just under 50cm while hopping an ice-jig next to fallen timber I could see on the sounder, where a school of bass were situated. Spoons fished close to the bottom are also proving to be effective. A green and silver spoon fished with a slow retrieve worked well for one angler, along with slow rolled soft plastics. On the

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New Mahindra Genio drives the dollar further BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

Mahindra are a massive manufacturing conglomeration in India. While agricultural machinery is the company’s mainstay, Mahindra also make a lot of cars – their

point for a genuine work load to commence. I reviewed the 2WD single cab version and for a two person ute there’s a fair amount of comfort on board. Seating is very high with brilliant visibility in every direction – forget the overtaking warnings that some makers hang their hats on; behind the wheel of the

arm rests between driver and passenger can be used or quickly pushed out of the way. There’s no shortage of storage room either, with space under and behind seats a standard feature. The dash layout was functional rather than fancy but dials and controls were easily read and or found. For a basic sort of ute there is some prime features: ample air bags, central locking, Bluetooth hands-free phone calls, dual USB charging ports, air conditioning, cruise control, electric windows, a radio with CD, MP3 and SD card

The Genio in profile – big wide doors, a step to assist entry, lots of ground clearance and a big wide tray are trademarks of the genial Genio. readers, and steering wheel mounted audio controls. Safety features also included Bosch Hill Ascent/ Descent control with roll over mitigation and Electronic Stability Control. An alloy bull bar and steel tow bar are optional extras. EURO 5 COMPLIANT ENGINE Mahindra work engines

Big wide seats make the drive remarkably comfortable. utes and SUVs are some of their better known offerings. You could hardly choose a more testing market place than India where roads are reportedly rough and the stated capacity of a work ute is generally just a starting

Genio you can actually see exactly what is going on around the place. The steering wheel is a little different with its placement and you seem to be sitting right over it, but it’s easy to grow accustomed to things. A couple of big

280Nm of torque. Linked to a 5-speed manual gear box, I was surprised to find out that what appeared to be a quite modest engine – on paper – turned out an excellent performance in many respects. With no auto option, it’s pretty easy to become accustomed to the manual shifter with its positive

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A neat central dash area with cup holders and some hardwearing plastic bits are a part of the Genio experience.

are European-sourced turbo diesels, referred to as the M Hawk. The Austrian-built engine is a 2.2L overhead camshaft 4-cylinder, Euro 5 (our ADR 79/04 equivalent) emissions compliant common rail intercooled turbo diesel, which turned out 88kW of power and

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The Genio’s neat dash area features a fair amount of plastic, but it looks and feels strong – same as the rest of the vehicle.

throw and quite soft clutch. Take-off from traffic lights was a fairly leisurely business and once the turbo was doing its job the ute impressed me with its excellent mid range power. For city driving, a snappy change from first to second gear would get things rolling smartly then easing off the accelerator helped the transition into third and fourth gear. Fifth was very much an overdrive suited to M1 highway cruising at 110km/h. At that speed the diesel engine was virtually soundless with only a smidgen of tyre noise intruding. MASSIVE REAR TRAY The reviewed 2018 model year Genio was a two-door work horse with an imposing 2.7m long, 1777mm wide and 450mm deep tray behind the two-person cabin. Given how much the tray overhangs the rear axle, I suspect this immense size would be handy for a tradie earning a living with the ute; installing a tow bar under

that substantial overhang might be a bit of a stretch, but a steel one is certainly an option! That aside with a stated 1.8t braked tow capacity, there’s no doubt it would be suited to weekend camper trailer or boat towing duties. While it’s a 2WD unit, adequate ground clearance and ample low down grunt would see the Genio towing with ease.

between ratios and excellent gearing made easy work of anything I required. The driving position was so different to other utes on our market and for a big change there was no need to watch side mirrors continually to avoid low vehicles sneaking alongside. Same as the Mahindra Pik Up I drove last year, the easy visibility and comfortable

the Genio, but in truth I have driven far more expensive utes than this one and noted more rebound and bounce in the rear than in the genial Genio. A payload (rated to

seats are well designed and a three hour stint behind the wheel was surprisingly comfortable. At $21,990 for the two-door model there’s value for money.

The main dials are easily read.

There’s plenty of plastic in the interior of the Genio, but fit and finish were quite reasonable given the price point.

Radio, air conditioning and Bluetooth – all easily found and easy to use. ROAD TEST SURPRISES During road tests with the Genio I was surprised by several issues that lifted the budget oil burner in my estimation. That M Hawk engine was very slick once I became accustomed to the gearbox, as a light throw

seating was also a huge plus. Fuel consumption was a winner too with 7.8L/100km standard over a mix of country and city driving. The fuel tank capacity is 74L. The ride (with rear leaf springs) was a tad choppy without a load in the rear of

The Genio won’t win a beauty contest, but it has other far more desirable attributes.

1200kg) would certainly sort out things, that’s for sure. AN OVERVIEW While the Genio is never going to win a beauty contest (from the driver’s seat this hardly matters) it’s a no-frills, functional sort of unit that would suit a budgetminded tradie looking for a solid workhorse with strong carry and tow capability as a bonus. The engine seems very modern and strong enough to work well. The Genio’s wide fabric

Even though it’s a 2WD ute, a low first gear and ample grunt should see it doing things pretty easily around a boat ramp. The warranty is 100,000km or three years and there’s also three years of free roadside assistance. Surprisingly the Genio came across as a work ute with a pretty good attitude, given it’s very modest drive away price. A dual cab model is on hand as well for $25,490.

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Best of the best – Cania Gorge Big 4 Holiday Park BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

A half hour’s drive from the town of Monto is one of the best-kept caravan and camping grounds I’ve had the pleasure of spending time in. Aptly named as a ‘holiday park,’ there is something for everyone to enjoy at this magnificent and well-kept venue. While Lake Cania is only a five minute drive away – with stacks of bass, tonnes of toga and yards of yabbies to test the skills – there is a whole lot more to a stay at the Cania Gorge Big 4 Holiday Park than just fishing and exploring the lake with it’s

The author with a Cania Dam saratoga. Cool water made these fish hard to catch, but this one obviously wanted to be in a photo. I had the campfire stoked up. The latter were bettongs – miniature nocturnal wallabies that seem to enjoy

Denise Kampe with a Cania Dam bass. magnificent sandstone cliff background and numerous bays and stands of timber to entice the angler. That said, we’ll leave the fishing for now and explore the park and it’s attractions in more detail. FIRST IMPRESSION The park’s very tidy entrance has an inviting look about it; the well-kept grounds and immaculate facilities inside it take things a whole lot further. The main office is large, the adjoining kiosk is well stocked with everything from outboard oil to breakfast cereal, and at reception the helpful staff make visitors feel welcome. Feel like a coffee after the drive? The staff make great flat whites and cappuccinos. ROOM TO SPREAD OUT The sites are very large in this well-maintained caravan park and camping grounds. Both powered and unpowered sites are available with ample concrete pads on hand for caravans. As we had the boat along for our stay, we chose to camp and enjoy the local visitors that liked to drop in at lunch time – apostle birds, king parrots and lorikeets – or those that came to see us after dark when 84

OCTOBER 2017

car, slipping in a bit of fishing tackle and enjoying the drive on the Burnett Highway from Biloela to the north or via Mundubbera in the south. Monto is the nearest town and the turnoff to the park and Cania Gorge National Park is around 30km north of that town. Incidentally, there are hire boats available at the park along with canoes and kayaks. THE FOOD Overall, the entertainment value is immense, especially in the culinary department. Visitors will find the holiday park ensures that all comers are treated to genuine country hospitality nearly every day of the week. On Monday there’s the evening camp oven roast with roast vegetables plus apple crumble and custard – a true country style meal. Tuesday and Thursday

Lunch time always involved a few king parrots dropping in for a look. human company. During daylight hours several grey kangaroos and prettyfaced wallabies also spent time with us. ON-SITE ACCOMMODATION For folk that like to holiday in style, there are several styles of cabins available, from very large air-conditioned villas with ensuites, to smaller cabins suited to couples or small family units. In truth, enjoying time at the Big 4 Cania Gorge Holiday Park can be as easy as packing the

mornings (excluding school holidays) see freebie billy tea and damper in the main dining hall. Wednesday night is outdoor movie night with a big fire going in the cooler months to make everyone comfy. Friday night sees fish and chips, while Saturday is the wine tasting and deluxe pizza night. There’s a wood-fired baker’s oven in the main dining hall and this can cook a dozen pizzas at a time, easily ensuring that orders are served right on time. As an aside, redclaw

with its pools and slides. There’s even a toddlers’ pool. Youngsters can also take their bicycles along, as there is plenty of room to enjoy a ride. Both young and old visitors can enjoy the 4.30pm bird feeding sessions where colourful parrots interact with visitors in great confidence. After dark, all’s very quiet and I’m pleased to say that this is one of the quietest parks I’ve enjoyed for a peaceful night’s sleep. There are no generators, no music and nothing to disturb the call of an owl, just perhaps

sinks, refrigerators and electric stoves and gas bbqs for campers to enjoy. TV sets are in each kitchen as well. You can get phone reception in the park. Also on hand are gas refills (and bottle exchanges) as well as fuel for the car or boat – this is handy when it comes time to refill the boat’s tank. Did someone mention a boat? Let’s look at the fishing. CANIA DAM Just 5km from the holiday park, Cania Dam is a genuinely interesting place for the angler to

Seeing is believing. Where else will kangaroos come to the campsite to enjoy a sleep? wranglers can arrange to have some of their catch on a pizza and enjoy a decent discount as well. This is an interesting offer and sure to be taken up as the weather warms and the redclaw are more prolific.

the gentle hop of a roo or wallaby as they go about their business. Along with the events and attractions, when it’s time to eat there are two large well set up camp kitchens with kettles, microwaves,

The park’s camp kitchens were a treat to use with everything clean as a whistle. OUTDOOR / INDOOR ACTIVITIES Adults at the park can enjoy golf at the Cania Royal Nine Par 3 course; there’s also disc golf, which is different but no easier. A tennis court is also offered for visitors’ use. Walks are popular, as there’s approximately 15km of walking tracks leading from the park with identified and easily managed walks within the adjoining Cania Gorge National Park. Youngsters can and will enjoy the large jumping pillow and the water park

explore. The boat ramp is well-formed, easily managed and has ample adjacent parking along with picnic tables, shelter sheds and toilets. Cania is well stocked with bass, golden and silver perch and saratoga. It’s an angler’s delight in many respects as there are numerous bays where it’s possible to shelter from prevailing winds, and most bays have stands of timber where the toga and bass like to rest between feed times. We found bass exactly where we expected – on flats adjoining the edges of Three Moon Creek, on which the dam was formed back in the 80s, in the standard 8-10m of water. We found saratoga around the timber readily enough, but as the water

The main dining hall adjacent to the park’s office – events here included wine tasting, Friday night pizzas and damper with billy tea.

temperature was around the 19°C mark during our visit they were hard going. Plenty were looking and few were hooking. Bass anglers seem to do best with blades in this dam with good old ice jigs also scoring fish. Don’t overlook your favourite plastic either, as it will still work on bass. Bony bream and redclaw yabbies are undoubtedly the main forage items for the dam’s fish, so keep this in mind when selecting an offering to tie onto the tippet. Bait anglers using small yabbies should enjoy

The park’s office has a welcoming look about it. The café and kiosk extend this welcome even further. The famous sandstone cliffs of the gorge. LAST THOUGHTS If a peaceful, totally relaxed, genuine holiday experience is something you have in mind, the Cania Gorge Big 4 Holiday Park is the place to go. While

fishing in the nearby Cania Dam is undoubtedly a major attraction, so too must be the great variety of interesting experiences within the park that await the visitor.

Well-appointed cabins offer a touch of luxury to a stay at the park.

Damper was on the house, too. the fishing as well. Cania Dam has a reputation of being one our premier bass dams, so a visit is always interesting. The impounded Three Moon Creek is surprisingly deep, even well

up the last remaining arm of the impoundment. When the time for exploration prevails over time for fishing, a run up the dam proves very interesting with colonies of water birds nesting in standing timber.

It’s quite unique and almost unheard of in today’s busy world to step back into a fresh atmosphere full of new experiences from another time. Visitors will enjoy the efforts staff put in to keep amenities such as toilet blocks,

The waterslide and swimming pools are a treat for youngsters.

laundry areas and kitchen areas spotless. Little things can make the difference and this is, in my view, a major factor in making a holiday so special. For more information contact Cania Gorge Big 4 Holiday Park on 1800 673 018.

Cania4 Gorge

LAKE CANIA - ONE OF THE TOP

STOCKED DAMS IN

QUEENSLAND!

www.caniagorge.com.au

n park Creek 5 kms from our carava Situated on the Three Moon ts. ris raction to our tou Lake Cania is a very big att n stocked s d dam in Qld, and has bee It is one of the top 4 stocke ow Belly and Saratoga. with fish including Bass, Yell iation holds its... Cania Fish Stocking Assoc ition Major Annual Fishing Compet ber on the 2nd weekend in Novem

WOOD FIRED PIZZA SATURDAY NIGHTS

Bush Walks

Boating

l Events Room l Bird Feeding l Jumping Pillows l Pools & Water Park Complex l Outdoor Movies

07 4167 8188

Fishing l Bettongs l Wine Tasting l Tennis Court l Open Fires l Self Drive 4WD Trips

Kayaking l Camp Oven Dinner l Morning Tea l Challenging nine hole

Big 4 Holiday Park

golf course l Plenty of Red Claw

Cania Dam Rd, Cania Gorge, QLD

info@caniagorge.com.au OCTOBER 2017

WHAT’S NEW FISHING ZEST RUDDERTAIL JIGS

The outstanding new Zest Ruddertail Jig has some fabulous new features that give this jig an impressive action. The key feature on the Ruddertail Jig is its metal rear wings, which impart an enticing action and make these jigs dance and slide through the water column. The Ruddertail Jigs come in a 200g size, are 170mm in length and come in four superb colours. The Ruddertail Jig is a centre-balanced jig that comes pre-rigged with a quality Mustad assist hook that features 200lb Kevlar that is heat shrunk with quality split rings and solid rings. These lures are dynamite on species such as kingfish, amberjack, samsonfish and dhufish. For more information visit the Juro Fishing website, or look them up on Facebook. www.jurofishing.com

OBSESSION CHATTERBAIT

One of the latest releases in the Australian-made Obsession Spinnerbaits range is their Chatterbait. A must-have lure if you like to target larger native species like Murray cod and golden perch, chatterbaits will get you down to where the fish are and get them to bite. Obsession Chatterbaits are currently available in three sizes, 3/4oz, 1oz and 2oz. They also come in the full range of head colours and all the hot tip and turboflared skirts colours that Obsession has. You also have the option top customise your bait with a curl-tail grub to match your head colour choice. Like the rest of the Obsession Spinnerbait range, these Chatterbaits will become a must-have the next time you go fishing for Murray cod and golden perch. For more information on these and other lures in the Obsession line-up, head to their website or like them on Facebook. www.obsessionspinnerbaits.com

SUNLINE SIGLON PE

Sunline’s newest braid, Siglon PE, offers superior performance at an affordable price. Made from EX-PE fibres, Siglon PE is a tightly woven braid that provides superior abrasion resistance, a very thin diameter for its breaking strain, and minimal stretch. It is very easy to manage, with a stiff yet ultra-smooth and round profile, and is available in striking colour options. Siglon PE is available in 8 carrier PE (PEx8) and 4 carrier PE (PEx4). Both the PEx8 and PEx4 are Japanese-made, featuring great lineal and knot strength. The PE fibre provides high sensitivity and low colour bleed. Siglon PEx8 is available in light green, orange and multicolour. It comes in breaking strains of PE0.3 (5lb) to PE3 (50lb) in 150m spools, and PE0.6 (10lb) to PE10 (130lb) in 300m spools Siglon PEx4 is available in light green. It comes in breaking strains of PE0.2 (3lb) to PE3 (50lb) in 150m spools, and PE1 (16lb) to PE3 (50lb) in 300m spools. www.ejtodd.com.au 86

OCTOBER 2017

SHADOW RAP 3X

The Rapala Shadow Rap is getting an Australian upgrade. No other fishery demands more of its equipment, and anglers fishing for iconic species like barra demand a lure that can be fished straight out of the packet with no upgrades needed. The new Rapala Shadow Rap 3X and Shadow Rap Shad 3X feature upgraded VMC Coastal Black 3X strong 7556 Spark Point trebles and upgraded split rings. Comprising the 110mm Shadow Rap 3X in both deep and shallow bibs, and the smaller 90mm Shadow Rap Shad 3X in both depth varieties, the new range reinforces Rapala’s reputation of building some of the best barra lures available. Available in eight colours, these new lures feature the same unmistakeable Shadow Rap finish and action. Tuned to suspend in freshwater, the Shadow Rap 3X will turn back on itself with each twitch of the rod tip, bringing the biggest fish out of the shadows for a look. www.rapala.com.au

SENSHI EGI PRO JIGS

Senshi have released seven new colours in their ever popular Egi Pro Series Squid Jig range that will certainly land plenty of squid this season. Each jig is perfectly weight balanced for a precise, lifelike swimming action with a high quality lead keel. Senshi Egi Pro Series Jigs feature high quality cloth materials, oversized eyes, and super sharp nickel prongs. These effective jigs also boast UV finishes that attract squid, and can be recharged with any light source such as a torch, sunlight or camera flash. The Egi Pro Series Jigs come in two sizes. The first is a 2.5 size that sinks at five seconds per metre, and the second is a 3.5 size that sinks at three seconds per metre. These jigs are exceptionally priced, and you can find more information and photos on the Juro Fishing website. www.jurofishing.com

LUCKY CRAFT SAMMY BUG 100

PRODUCT GUIDE

Following on from the success of the Sammy Bug 75 wakebait, Lucky Craft has released a larger version: the Sammy Bug 100. Sammy Bugs feature a unique adaptation that generates attentiongrabbing topwater action. At the front, the Lucky Craft Sammy Bug features a large-cupped mouth that slaps against the surface, creating a prominent splash and an attention-grabbing acoustic. The large cupped mouth also rests loosely against the bait, clacking and knocking against the body, generating additional strike-inducing sound. At the rear, the Sammy Bug 100 is fitted with a super-bright prop, which adds even more splash and creates a bubble trail. It measures 4” and weighs 1 1/8oz and, as you’d expect from a Lucky Craft lure, it has a premium finish with a detailed scaling pattern. www.ejtodd.com.au

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PRODUCT GUIDE

WHAT’S NEW FISHING ATOMIC HARDZ VIB 70

Super tuned and super sized, the new 70mm Atomic Vib now sees the Atomic Hardz Vib range as the complete series, with three sizes (50, 60, and 70mm) making up this impressive range. Designed and tuned to swim straight and true all the time every time, the new 70mm model is a lure that can handle a host of different retrieve speeds and deliver the angler a range of different presentation options. The largest of the series is the 70mm version. Quarry such as Murray cod and barramundi will find it hard to resist this rattling intruder. Freshwater species of course aren’t the only ones that will fall in love with these two new lures; flathead, mangrove jack, mulloway, trevally, snapper and of course a host of offshore species are destined to fall in love with this new lure. The Atomic Hardz Vib 70 is available in all of Atomic Hardz 18 popular colours. To find out more visit the Atomic Lures website or like them on Facebook at facebook. com/atomiclures www.atomiclures.com.au

DEPS SILENT KILLER

Like its DEPS Slide Swimmer cousin, the Japanese-made DEPS Silent Killer oozes quality, durability, and sophistication. With big swimbaits all the rage, the Silent Killer is one of the best you will find in the Australian market, and has proven to be a magnet for Murray cod and big bass. The Silent Killer is a large profile wakingstyle bait that makes no mechanical noise, which is great for a more finesse approach around fish that are highly pressured. To make the lure silent, a tough but soft ABS plastic material is moulded around the hard inner body. The exterior material is translucent and the inner body has a metallic scale pattern. This combination gives an awesome look in the water, especially under bright conditions, and also keeps the lure well protected. Predators additionally get a different feel when they strike the lure; it feels soft and sticky, which ensures the lure stays gripped within the mouth after that first hit. The Silent Killer floats at rest, and with the short square bill it does not dive more than a few feet. The natural action is slow and steady on the surface. It comes in an array of attractive and realistic colour combinations, and in 250mm and 175mm sizes. www.dogtoothdistribution.com.au

CHASEBAITS WIGGLE 9 BOMB

This unique and versatile soft plastic lure has been designed to give an incredible wiggly tail action on the drop, a nice leg kicking action on the retrieve and a bonus weedless set-up for those anglers who want to fish deep into the weeds and snags. The Wiggle Bomb has an ultra life-like creature swimming action, is extremely durable and can be fished in many different ways. You can keep the rod tip high and use it like a wakebait, let it fill with water and fish deep, or just slow roll it through snags and drop it down ledges. Present something different and turn the fish on. The Chasebaits Wiggle Bomb is available now in leading tackle stores around Australia. For more information, photos, videos and competitions, look up Chasebaits on Facebook. www.river2sea.com.au

SHIMANO CURADO K

The next generation of Curado baitcast reels sets the benchmark in everyday performance and saltwater durability with the new K series. The Curado K series features the latest in Shimano’s innovative MicroModule gearing and X-Ship for smooth rotation, combined with the new SVS Infinity braking system for enhanced casting performance. To withstand the toughest saltwater environments, Shimano has incorporated a specially plated pinion gear, combined with a breakwater wall and drainage port to provide superior protection against corrosion. Featuring Shimano’s new compact body design, the Curado K is 10% smaller in both length and width when compared to the previous model. This is further enhanced by the metal Hagane Body to provide the reel with added durability and rigidity. These sleek, matte black reels are available in a 200 size in both right-and-left -hand models in multiple gear ratios up to 8.5:1, and are fitted with 6+1 Shielded A-RB bearings. www.shimanofish.com.au

ZMAN 3.5” AND 4.2” 11 TRICK SHOTZ A new release that created plenty of interest at the AFTA trade show was the unique profile and action of ZMan’s 3.5” and 4.2” Trick ShotZ. These new soft baits feature a realistic baitfish profile, with a heavily ribbed underside for creating water movement and holding scent. They also have a unique, heavily textured, spade-shaped tail that creates glide, flick and a seductive action, even with minimal movement. Combine this with the buoyancy of ZMan’s 10X Tough ElaZtech material, and this bulkier tail stands up in the face of the fish, creating a strike attractant that is close to the hook point. The heavily ribbed and textured body adds to the flexibility of the lure, creating a plastic that rigs easily and fishes well with almost any retrieve. The Trick ShotZ smaller 3.5” model will appeal to everything from bream, flathead and bass to inshore snapper, while the larger 4.2” version is targeted at snapper, mulloway and barra. Trick ShotZ are available in six colours, with the 3.5” coming in a pack of six, and the 4.2” in a pack of five. Price: SRP $10.95 www.z-man.com.au

HALCO TREMBLER 70XS

Halco has expanded its popular range of Trembler lures with the addition of the Trembler 70XS. The Trembler 70XS is a virtually indestructible bibless minnow that can be cast, jigged or trolled for outstanding results on a wide variety of sportfish. This lightweight, rapid sinking lure weighs a total of 16g and is 70mm in length. It can be trolled at speeds of up to 6 knots, and has a swimming depth of 2.5m. Other lures in the Trembler range are the Trembler 110, the Giant Trembler and the GT Jig. For more information visit the Halco Tackle website. For all the latest news and photos, check them out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HalcoTackle. www.halcotackle.com

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

WHAT’S NEW FISHING DAIWA HOOKING NOISY RATTLE

BLACK MAGIC 13 SUPPLE TRACE

The new Daiwa Hooking Noisy Rattle is a topwater with many differences. The Noisy Rattle is the first Daiwa lure to feature ultra-sharp barbless hooks, perfectly suited for catch and release fishing. The rear hook features the Nigasazu system, attaching to the body via a flexible, stretchy material that can take upwards of 50kg in pressure! This flexible ‘eyelet’ allows for extra movement of the hook, reducing the chances of fish pulling the hooks. Internally, the rattle system is designed to work instantly when the lure lands on the water. The rattles are located in the belly of the lure so to help send the sounds deep into the water for added appeal. On top of the lure is a small groove designed to take a 2.8mm diameter cyalume stick – ideal for tracking the lure in darkness and adding an attractant to topwater feeders. www.daiwafishing.com.au

SUFIX ADVANCE MONOFILAMENT

Made from 8X tough Flexitech, the new Hurricane 2 1/4” SubGrub has an amazing tail action. At the slowest of movements or the lightest of jigheads, the SubGrub’s tail still maintains a sensational action – so there’s no need to jerk the SubGrub around. Just cast it out and wait until hit hits the bottom (it may get hit on the drop so be ready). Once it has hit the bottom, pause it before making small lifts. You can also try a soft jiggle or slow roll; mix it up on the day until you discover what the fish want. Just remember that slow and subtle is the key to maximising your catch rates. The SubGrub is a great choice in a lot of situations and is also perfect for beginners. This new lure is already producing great results, and creator Peter Nord says it won’t be long before it claims a tournament victory. Report: SRP $9.95 (pack of 8) www.hurricanelures.com.au 88

OCTOBER 2017

Black Magic Tackle has added two new line weights to their range of Supple Trace: 30lb (13kg) and 50lb (23kg). The premium leader is recognised in many countries around the world and manufactured from Japanese copolymers, extruded to the specifications of Black Magic Tackle. This ultraclear product features high abrasion resistance, good knot strength and low diameter. And true to its name, it is supple and sensitive. With these two additional sizes, Supple Trace sizes now align with those of its running mate, Tough Trace: 20lb (100m), 40lb (100m), 60lb (100m), 80lb (80m), 100lb (60m), 120lb (55m) and 200lb (30m). It is packaged into a compact dispenser pack and can be re-used as a lure holder. Black Magic Supple Trace is available from Black Magic dealers nationwide. For more information head to the Black Magic website, or look them up on Facebook at www.facebook. com/blackmagictackle. www.blackmagictackle.com

13 14

AQUAYAK 17 14 DIVE FLOAT The new Australian-made Dive Float by

When it comes to monofilament line, Sufix has raised the bar with its introduction of Sufix Advance at the 2017 AFTA trade show. Sufix Advance is the first and only mono to utilise HMPE raw material into a brand new magnetic extrusion process. HMPE is the raw material used to make all your favourite braided lines, and by incorporating HMPE with the Hyper Copolymer materials, Sufix Advance shatters all previously held records for mono. Sufix Advance boasts statistics like 96% knot strength, 50% less stretch than standard monofilament lines, and superior abrasion resistance thanks to a tough outer layer of HMPE molecules. Additionally, Sufix Advance absorbs less than half of the damaging UV light of a traditional mono, so it will last longer on your spool and won’t degrade over time. Soft and supple, Sufix Advance also has decreased memory, making it the most supple monofilament line ever created. www.sufixadvance.com

HURRICANE SUBGRUB

PRODUCT GUIDE

Aquayak is here, and this high quality float is gaining a lot of interest from divers. The 10L Aquayak Dive Float measures 600mm long, weighs 1.8kg, and has a diameter of 160mm . Its features include : international dive flag, 75mm shark clip, forward and rear tow point, 500g lead keel, LDPE (lowdensity polyethylene) UV11 roto-moulded tough construction and 4mm wall thickness, and of course it’s fully sealed. You can get the Aquayak Dive Float in almost any colour you like, and it’s priced at $89 including postage Australia-wide. For more information or to place an order, head to the Aquayak website. While you’re there, you can also browse their range of kayaks, canoes, kayaking accessories, roof racks and 4WD accessories and more. To see the latest products, videos and special deals, you can like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ AquayakKayaks. Price: SRP $89 www.aquayak.com

ZEREK GIANT RUBY

The Zerek 75mm Giant Ruby crankbait is a beefed up cousin of the Ruby Crank. Armed with a bigger bib, this formidable addition to the Zerek family is set to stir up the underwater currents with its wide wobbling action, as it meanders through the underwater obstacles in depths of 4-5m. The Giant Ruby’s robust form further enhances its castability, while the heavy-duty construction, using quality ABS material, helps withstand the crushing jaws of voracious predators. In addition, the superior buoyancy of this crankbait’s design permits the use of heavyduty reinforced trebles, specifically designed to subdue dirty fighters. A casting weight transfers to the rear of the lure during casting before being rolled and locked near the front of the lure during retrieve, and the Giant Ruby can cast the extra yards and dive just that little steeper when required. Weighing 28g and available in 10 colours, the Giant Ruby will appeal to anglers chasing large predators such as barra, Murray cod, golden perch, flathead and bass. www.wilsonfishing.com.au

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PRODUCT GUIDE

WHAT’S NEW FISHING

XP Baits Butterfly Jigs – XPerience the difference 2016 saw the release of XP Baits Butterfly jigs into Australia. Designed in Russia, they are an ice jig with a difference and Australian wholesaler Juro OzPro Tackle jumped at the opportunity to be the Aussie distributer. They were confident that fish like golden perch, bass, estuary perch, redfin and trout would find the unique fluttering action that the lures have, irresistible. Most people agreed after seeing them in a tank at the 2016 AFTA trade show.

TESTED

What’s different? Before opening the packet there is no obvious difference between a XP Baits Butterfly Jig and a standard ice jig. All is revealed however when you open the packet. The body of the jig has wings. They open once the jig is in the water and begins to descend. It slows the sink rate of the jig and creates an enticing fluttering action. It takes very little for wings to flick out, and not only do they provide a different action, but plenty of flash and a clicking sound as they drop.

The XP Baits Butterfly Jig in colour 32 (violet orange speck) held its own against the current gun method at Somerset Dam

Steve Morgan with a beautiful Somerset 50cm+ bass. Late winter and early spring is prime time for big bass in some of our SE Queensland impoundments and a key lure to have in your arsenal is an ice jig. A quick call to Rick Massie from Juro saw some Butterfly jigs arrive at the office and plans made to get out on the water to use them. We decided to head to Somerset Dam, where the bass

Butterfly Jigs vs traditional methods and lures There are many ways to target the schooled fish of Somerset Dam, from rolling plastics through them to flyfishing, but the most successful method in recent years during this spring period has been using metal slugs, which more traditionally would be used to cast for tailor or salmon. The technique is simple – find the fish, cast your slug as far from the boat as possible, let it sink to the bottom, burn the lure back 10 winds or so, stop, feed the lure back and repeat. Steve used this method while I was using the XP Butterfly Jigs. I used a 60mm jig (weighs 10g) in the violet orange speck colour. Although similar, the method I was using was also at the opposite end of the spectrum to what Steve was doing. We described it as finesse at the time, because the bites were heavily reliant on the action of the jig. I made long casts from the boat and then let the lure flutter down to the fish. I did add the odd twitch of the rod tip in case a bass was watching the jig as it dropped (a number of fish smashed it after the twitch). Once on the bottom, it was a matter

of working the jig back to under the boat with a series of jigs and lifts. It definitely paid to work the jig directly under the boat for a while before winding in. The fish could only resist the fluttering jig for so long. I was having one retrieve to four of Steve’s. Between these two methods we caught 23 fish. The XP Jigs well and truly held their own, bagging 11 of those fish. Size wise, Steve did pip me and it was great to see a genuine 50cm bass in the net. What impressed me was the hook up rate of the jig. I missed one bite on the day, with the majority of the fish caught in the corner of the jaw on the treble hook. I don’t think you can ask for too much more than that. Try them for yourself XP Baits Butterfly Jigs are readily available through most good tackle stores. They come in two sizes, 60mm weighing 10g and 50mm weighing 5.5g. There are 10 colours in each size and retail price from $19.95. To find out more about XP Baits Butterfly Jigs and the other products that Juro OzPro Tackle do, you can go to www.jurofishing.com - Peter Jung

The author’s biggest fish for the day. The Somerset fish loved the XP Jigs.

The hook up rate was excellent on the XP Jigs. Most fish were hooked in the corner of the jaw. school up in large numbers throughout the lake. Schools can be easy to find, but getting them to bite can be one of those truly frustrating things in fishing. Fishing schooled up bass in deep water doesn’t fall into my wheelhouse of fishing experience, so I recruited the boss man himself Steve Morgan to show me how it’s done.

Can it be fished like a traditional jig? Once at your desired depth the Butterfly Jig certainly fishes like any other ice jig I have fished. A flick of the rod tip see’s the jig dart and weave as you would expect from an ice jig, it is just the fluttering motion as it drops that is completely different. Getting it to the desired depth without the fluttering slow decent would certainly be the key at times and XP Baits has a solution for this too. A line clip is in place at the tail of the jig. You clip your line into it. The jig then hangs weight down, place it in the water and drop it to your desired depth. To release the line give the rod tip a quick flick and you’re fishing.

The mood on the boat was playful to say the least as we put in the hard yards testing for the magazines.

OCTOBER 2017

Cooking

Offer more than just oysters, try something new BRISBANE

Lynn Bain

An often-successful host’s strategy is to offer something familiar alongside something new.

In this recipe, tradition is brought to the table with delicious oyster and bacon treats known the world over as Oysters Kilpatrick. My oven-baked garlic and Parmesan breadcrumbed oysters are

the change-up. As with any welltravelled recipe, there are different versions of oysters Kilpatrick. My version steps it up just a little with some mellowing cream and a breadcrumb theme. I’m

using a cast iron oyster pan suitable for stove-top, grill or oven cooking. Medium sized oysters are the best fit for this 12-slot pan, and the following recipe is for 12 medium sized oysters (six in each recipe).

Ingredients Oysters kilpatrick • 6 oysters in the shell • 1/2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce • 1/2 cup cream • 1/2 cup fine fresh breadcrumbs • 2 rashers streaky bacon, finely diced Garlic Oysters with breadcrumbs • 6 oysters in the shell • 2 tbsp butter • 1/2 cup fine fresh breadcrumbs • 1 tbsp flat leaf parsley, finely chopped • 1 clove garlic, finely grated • 1 tbsp fresh Parmesan cheese, finely grated • Ground salt and pepper

5 90

Sprinkle the fresh breadcrumbs over each of the six oysters then scatter the bacon pieces over the top. Now the oysters Kilpatrick are ready to be baked.

Place a generous spoonful of the breadcrumb mixture onto the last six oysters. Top each of these oysters with a small piece of butter.

OCTOBER 2017

In a frypan, melt most of the butter over a low heat. Add the breadcrumbs and parsley to the melted butter and stir-fry for a couple of minutes. Season with freshly ground salt and pepper then add the garlic paste and stir through.

Place the oysters into the oven in the cast-iron pan for five minutes at 200°C. Keep a close eye on the oysters while they cook and be ready to whip them out when the breadcrumbs turn gold and the bacon has cooked.

Pour the Worcestershire sauce into the pot of cream and combine. Spoon the cream mixture onto six of the oysters in their shells.

Remove the pan from the heat and sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top. With a fork, fold the Parmesan cheese through the breadcrumb mix.

Let the oysters cool before serving.

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The age of the digital fish is coming SUNTAG

Stefan Sawynok

I am going to take a month off from analysis seeing as we are into the changing fishing season to address some of the background of much of my personal work this year. For those that are interested in fishing technology and where it’s going – this is for you. Like many other industries, fishing is changing and the digital revolution is upon us. How fishers operate

What digital technology of all types does best is it exposes the habits of the end user to the creator in the process, allowing the creator to zero in on the things that will win you over. It’s the data the new tech provides more than the technology itself that drives the adoption cycle. The iPhone may have seemed like a revolution, but it wasn’t. Technologically it was, but the amount of data the development teams collected long before any model rolled off the shelf was enormous. Apple knew exactly what would turn people on. It was a very predictable revolution to them.

The Track My Fish App. in ten years will be radically different in my estimation; not in the basics – rods and reels are here to stay, but we won’t look at the fishing experience in the same way. Now I have been through the digital disruption process many times, first in the photocopying industry in the days when digital copiers decimated the manual clunkers of the 80s. Then it came to other industries I worked in – printing, finance, phones, media – even in software development. Disruption starts with the ability to collect useful information that wasn’t present before, then someone works out how to use that data. Sometimes new digital technologies have a price or feature advantage (like the first iPhone), but not always. 94

OCTOBER 2017

As I jump into the digital revolution, I will look at products that exist now, technologies that are on the cusp of hitting fishing and explore the challenges they face. PART 1 – THE CHALLENGES The Five Senses – Our Evolutionary Advantage In looking at the how to be a better fisher side of things, using traditional methods I have taken my best shot at bringing a bit of science into the fishing space. If we are going to talk about technology and fishing, we need to understand the most weaponised piece of fishing technology there is – our brains. This is in no small part because fishing is driven by the evolutionary need that made us the dominant species – the ability to vary and control our food intake. Humans evolved with a very different balance of sensory information to almost any other animal. Sharks, for example, have an incredible sense of smell. Fish in general have high sensitivity to movement. That dominance of one or two senses is almost always balanced by deficiencies in others. By contrast, humans have a very ordinary sense of smell (unless you are in a bus of postgame weekend footballers), useful but not exceptional vision and a serviceable range of hearing. Even our sense of taste is more useful for preferences. In other words, none of our senses give us an advantage over other animals. If someone was to put you in the jungle with just the clothes on your back, on senses alone you are cactus. If you add in lack of natural armour, lack of weapons such as teeth and claws, then really when you think about it – how on earth did we make it this far? In evolutionary terms, this is a case of ‘sucks to be them!’ While our senses don’t stack up they are far more useful

A live dashboard of king threadfin in the Fitzroy River.

The ANGLR Tracker system helps fishers track their fishing methods and the conditions they’re fishing in. for solving a much greater range of problems. While I am forever amazed by the natural world, the reality is that most animals have a range of behaviour that is tailored to their environment. Some adapt; dogs, for example, have adapted to the advantages of co-operation, but adaption is not a game changer and that is in part

without focusing on anything in particular. That means our early brains had less to work with in terms of assigning importance to a piece of information. Think about it – if you have a really good sense of smell then your brain will prioritise that information as it is the highest quality information you have. I will add there were a

and the modern world does more than you can possibly imagine to shut down your built-in data gathering tools. I can give people a lot of tools that will help improve specific parts of the fishing brain, but for pure super concentrated and even spiritual connection to the natural world, Johnny Mitchell does a masterclass in Gladstone.

Lure vs. bait. Technology makes it easier to track and use data to answer the big questions about fishing. because the brain and senses are impossible to separate. A brain without senses is a calculator, and not a very good one. The development of the brain and senses are not independent of one another, which is why a sensory advantage in an environment can be an evolutionary disadvantage. The real game changer in evolutionary terms for us is our brains, but it’s important not to separate the brain and the senses. While our senses are not very specific in their ability, they are the precursors of evolutionary digital disruption. What our senses do better than almost any other animal is provide a wide array of data on our world

few things happening at once evolutionarily in our far distant ancestors’ brains, but there is one inevitable consequence of our sensory balance – exploring, as our senses don’t. When it comes to decision making – data is king! In this article set I am focusing on technology and the future, so I want to be clear that in the here and now the best asset you have as a fisher is the weapon between your ears. In the past few articles I have focused on a number of concepts in terms of how the fishing brain works, and this month I have some practical advice. Your senses are where it’s at when it comes to fishing

Going to Gladstone and really embracing what Johnny teaches is the equivalent of a technology detox that rewires the brain for fishing. MAN VS MACHINE If you are one of those people who wonder if the machines will ever surpass us – stop wondering. We are the dogs in the man-machine equation – we can adapt, but we are done. I am going to let you in on a secret. Almost all the super smart technologies that have been developed in recent years for the mass market have been about predicting us as humans and what we do, though you are probably don’t like to hear that you are very predictable.

A dud’s trail of destruction or unlucky break? BRISBANE

The Sheik of the Creek

It’s one of the great mysteries that has kept people guessing since Moses played prop for Jerusalem – what makes a person lucky? Me, Boobies, Stuffer and Doughers had an impromptu meeting a couple of weeks back and between planning our next trip to New Guinea (unlikely), or North West Australia (unlikely) or the boat ramp at Maroochydore (likely), we had a riff on some of the things that went wrong in the early years of the Dudds. Keep in mind that we limited the stuff-ups to the major issues, or else we would have spent the better part of a fortnight there. These major mistakes included, but were not limited to: me breaking five rods, reels and camping

gear – things of Boobies’ – at Boondooma Dam in one five-minute window of pure disaster, Boobies losing a reel of braid when it cost the equivalent of three day’s work per metre, Stuffer abusing the hell out of an Australian celebrity weather presenter on the rocks at Baffle Creek because…well, no logical reason was ever put forward, and Doughers doing a full somersault from the front of Boobies’ boat at the Turkey Boat Ramp without spilling his beer. Also mentioned were Skipper’s near drowning at Turkey and Pommer’s near drowning at Baffle. The thing that puzzles me is why bad luck and disaster seem to follow some people around. Some people being me, and to a lesser extent, the Dudds. What is it that allows that thing to happen at that precise moment to cause that inevitable conclusion

and why does it tend to happen to some more than others? Is there a pay-off in some way? Do nasty things of some other persuasion happen less frequently to those people to make up for the fact that our lives can be a stumbling debacle? We all know of those situations where two people fishing in the same boat catch different amounts of fish. Is that a skill thing, or is something else involving luck going on? When I go out with the Dudds and catch more fish than them, is that to make up for the trail of destruction I leave behind me back at the campsite? A sort of karma catch-up? Or perhaps while I think I catch more fish than them, is this just more evidence that I’m an ignorant knob? I would like to think that the trail of destruction that I’ve left behind me is also just my imagination and that the rest

of the Dudds really don’t see me as a clown, but I’d be lying. There are some things that your imagination just can’t accept as reality.

Mind you, our trips just wouldn’t have the same fizz if there wasn’t that sense of imminent clusterstruck. Maybe it’s that ability to

make a tedious trip into a glorious disaster that has kept us together all these years. And I’ve played my part in that big time.

FISHING FILL-ITS

The trials and tribulations of fishing with kids Anyone who has been fishing with kids knows the frustration of spending more time untangling line, re-baiting hooks and discussing fish and their lack of pants than actual fishing. My two boys are only just getting into fishing and witnessing their excitement as they haul in a 12cm bream makes me grin. A few months ago I was fishing from the pontoon at my father’s house in Benowa Waters with my youngest son. It’s a fertile fishery and,

if you can put up with the sand flies and errant teenagers on jet skis, you’ll be rewarded. I’ve caught all kinds of species off that pontoon; large bream, trevally and, on one occasion, a belligerent hairtail eel much to the shrieking dismay of my wife. It was an overcast, chilly morning and I was doing my usual trick of casting line out, casting another baited hook out and then flicking a lure. To call my youngest son impatient is an insult to impatient people everywhere. One of the shortest

measurements of time is possibly the period between the bait hitting the water and my son asking if he can wind in the bait to check if it’s still there. I usually get two casts in with the lure before I hear a whining voice asking about the physical presence of the frozen prawn that had, only moments earlier, sailed into the canal. My frustration aside, the fishing was good that morning and within 10 minutes we’d caught and released four bream and a tiny flathead my son nicknamed ‘Darren’ for reasons he

This fish thought it got the best of reader Andy Thompson when it stole the rod, but it was wrong.

wouldn’t divulge. I had cast out my own bait before I heard my son mewling to the right of me. He had somehow wrapped the line around his protuberant noggin and was building up towards a force four wail. I put my rod down and walked over to start untangling the angler, but as soon as I’d placed the rod on the ground it was yanked into the canal by a denizen of the deep. I reached over for the rod, which was slowly sinking, and tried my best to grab it to no avail. The rod was gone. That was when I did some quick mental arithmetic:

• Value of rod and reel: $350 (also, not mine) • Value of jeans and shirt: unknown variable • Presence of phone in back pocket: nil • Presence of bull sharks: known variable • Water temperature: 19°C I went in without hesitation. My wife was apparently watching the entire situation from the kitchen window. All she saw was her husband do an ungraceful roll into the canal like an albino sea lion while her youngest son screamed “Daddy! Watch out for sharks!” It all happened in a flash, but I opened my eyes and swam

down to the bottom of the canal, which was about 7ft deep, where I saw my rod lying in the mud. I grabbed the rod and clambered back onto the pontoon, dripping wet. Amazingly, there was still a fish on the end of the line, so I nonchalantly reeled it in and posed for the obligatory photograph. End result? Caught a fish, didn’t lose a rod and my kids think I’m a superhero. My wife thinks I’m crazy, but this isn’t a new development. I’m going fishing with my boys this weekend. I might take a wetsuit with me. – Andy Thompson

Cameron Hudson caught this fantastic 112cm queenie from Moreton Bay while fishing for spotted mackerel. His lure of choice was a 30g Halco Twisty on a Shimano Stradic 300o with 15lb braid. OCTOBER 2017

Perfect season for West

THE FUTURE IS HERE Self-contained Electric Outboards

STORM

Charles West has closed out the perfect season with his fifth win of the 2017 ePropolsion BASS Electric season at Moogerah Dam and accumulated a perfect 500 out of 500 Angler of the Year points. In the process he took his third win in as many years at Moogerah Dam, showing he is the master of the lake in tough conditions as the only angler to weigh in his full limit with 2/2 fish for 1.05kg. Hot on his heels was his fishing partner Adrian Wilson, who caught the only other legal fish for the tournament at 0.64kg and the event Big Bass. With tough conditions greeting anglers, West knew it would be a grind to fill his limit. Having found good concentrations of bass holding tight to the bottom at The Spit on pre-fish day, he and Adrian Wilson started the session fishing a mixture of deep plastics close to the bottom. “Once we dropped our lures to the bottom, we could see the fish light up, but we

could not get them to bite,” said West. The pair kept moving across the main point of The Spit looking for fresh fish to target. They began to boat undersized fish and knew it would be a process of grinding through fish to find the legal fish within the school. “We started to catch fish as the session went on and began to get lots of fish to follow the lure, but I just felt I needed something to annoy the bigger fish into biting,” said West. Having fished Moogerah for a number of years, West dipped into his bag of tricks and pulled out an old favourite – a silver and orange Nils Master ice jig. While it didn’t produce instant success, West persisted and began mixing up the retrieve to entice the fish. “I would hop the lure close to the bottom, which would activate the fish. Once I could see the fish holding off the bottom I would slow roll it up just out of their reach and then

RESULTS

Place Angler

Fish

1 2

2/2 1/2

Charles West Adrian Wilson

Total Weight (kg)

1.05 0.64

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

BASS EL ECTR SERIES IC

Charles West with the winning fish from Moogerah that delivered him the 2017 Angler of the Year title. hop it again. I found this kept the fish interested and they would eventually bite,” explained West. He went on to explain the key was to not strike on the fish until the rod had begun to load up. West’s tackle of choice was a Valley Hill Raison Jaburo 65L spin rod, matched with a Daiwa Certate spooled with Sunline Castaway 10lb and 6lb Gamma FC. West’s fifth win of the season caps off an incredible season for the Brisbane-based bass angler as only the second angler in ABT history to score a

perfect 500/500 Angler of the Year score and the first bass angler to complete such an astonishing season. When asked about the key to his season, West put it down to confidence and trust in himself and his fishing partner. “It has been an amazing season, from a slow start it has been a crazy year. I have had such a great time fishing with Adrian; we always have a great time on the boat,” said West. He was also quick to thank his sponsors Valley Hill, Costa, Pro Factory and his family for their ongoing support.

Wilson Whips it real good With his second podium finish in as many events, previous AOY winner Adrian Wilson has continued his stellar finish to the 2017 season taking second place and Big Bass with 1/2 fish for 0.64kg. While West kept his presentation subtle and kept his lure in the face of the bass, Wilson opted for a more aggressive approach – casting a 15g silver Halco

Twisty across the school before ripping it off the bottom in an effort to entice the fish to bite. “I would mix between the aggressive approach of the Twisty and a grub. Each time we would get to a new school I would start out with the Twisty, ripping it to wake up the fish,” said Wilson. While the pair caught between 10-15 fish for the tournament, Wilson was

The calm before the storm as anglers prepare for the early take off.

Visit www.abt.org.au for entry forms. For general enquiries phone ABT on (07) 3387 0888. 96

OCTOBER 2017

West and Wilson finished as the top two on a tough Moogerah Dam.

unable to find his second legal fish and complete his limit. “As always, it was a great day on the water, I just couldn’t find the second fish for my limit,” explained Wilson. For this work Wilson used a Barrabass XP843 baitcaster matched with a Daiwa Steez reel spooled with 20lb Sunline Super 8 PE and 8lb FC Rock. Wilson also made the key adjustment to his Twisty by adding assist hooks to make the most of every bite. “It has been awesome seeing Westy have such a

great year. We always have a great day on the water and it’s just always a laugh,” said Wilson. “It also helps having great support from the guys at Tackle Warehouse and Brad from Barrabass Rods.” Attention now turns the Convention in late October. Can West put an exclamation mark on his season or will someone else take the title at the convention? Stay tuned to abt.org.au for all the news and tournament results. – ABT

FUN PAGE AND COMPETITIONS FISHY TV SHOWS

BIG BREAM THEORY CRIMINAL CHINES DOCTOR HOO FRAME OF THRONES BOWS OF CARDS MY KITCHEN SCHOOLS OFFSPRING TIDE PLAY SPOOL RUSSELL CAUGHT SIXTY MINYMPHS

SPICKS AND DECKS THE DOCK THE OFFISH BETTER CALL SOLE THE SHRIMPSONS THE SOPRAYNOS THE PIKEINGS TWIN PIKES VICAR OF DIBLEEL

Valley Hill Rocketeer Slicer

Name: Address:

P/Code:

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

QLD OCT 2017

Phone (day):

FINS SCALES & TALES by A. Both

The Rocketeer Slicer from Japanese tackle giant Valley Hill is a real feat of Japanese design and engineering. The Rocketeer Slicer has a unique metal plate at the nose of the jig, which lets you secure line in two places, and ensures a superior swimming action even through debris. In addition, its tail system lets you cast more effectively into the wind, The Rocketeer Slicer is available in two sizes (3.0 and 3.5) and 13 different colour combinations. It has proven to be highly effective on Australian squid. www.dogtoothdistribution.com.au

SPOT THE

10 DIFFERENCES

GEORGE & NEV by Michael Hardy

ORIGINAL

FIND-A-WORD

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

SUBSCRIBER PRIZE

The subscriber prize winner for August is V Harris of Ravenshoe, who won a TT Lures and ZMan prize pack valued at $300. All subscribers are entered in the monthly subscriber prize draws. Prize delivery takes up to 8 weeks. – QFM

Berryman, J Boneham of Eight Mile Plains, J White of Gympie, J Routledge of Bundaberg, D Davidson of Guyra, A Bragg of Mount Isa, B Lobley of Silkstone, L Betts of Kendall, G Leverton of Taylors Beach, B Fisher of Roma, G English of Bowen, P Martin of Narangba, R Whillans of Bellara, K Hughes of Banora Point, B Lentell of Gracemere, M Griffin of Ferny Hills, M Grice of Hope

Island, G Walker of Warner, J Paul of Inverell, C Watson of Torquay, G Poor of Taromeo, B Barratt of Bucca, M Boyle of Slacks Creek, R Kunde of Beerwah, O Noffke of Kulangoor, J Conte of Tullera, A Kittel of Logan Village, G Ward of Bloomfield, R Casey of Tolga, H Hewitt of Mia Mia. Prize delivery takes up to 8 weeks. – QFM

LAST MONTH’S ANSWERS

FIND THE COASTAL BLACK LOGO

GUESS THE FISH?

The answers to Find the Coastal Black Logo for August were: 11, 16, 20, 25, 30, 38, 52, 61, 69, 80, 84, 90, 119, 122, 127. – QFM

This month’s Guess the Fish Answer: Snapper

The Find the Coastal Black prize winners for August were: B Freier of Ningi, S Kras of Goodna, A James of Burpengary, B Nicholson of Bundamba, L MacNellie of Greenbank, D Allen of Moggill, G Herring of Gympie, D Lay of Longreach, C Couper of Chinchilla, A Needham of Blackbutt, J Goody of Mt

Answer: OCTOBER 2017

The hit Urunga Tournament is back again The weekend of 10-12 November will see anglers descend on the sunny seaside town of Urunga for the fourth annual

Berkley Urunga Estuary Sport Fishing Flathead Tournament. Fished across both the Bellinger and Kalang rivers

which intersect and head out to sea at the front of the township, fishers of all ages will do battle on some of the most beautiful

With Berkley being the naming sponsor, you can be sure there’ll be plenty of packets of PowerBait and Gulp given away to entrants. The new Gotam Shad looks like a hit already!

Craig Hanlon and Dale Johnson from Team Freshest Fishing Tours took out the Teams category, even beating three-person teams!

The one they all want their names on – the amazing trophy carved by Mick Molnar Marine Art.

Local legend Luke ‘Tinno’ Tinson and his decky Debbie always seem to find the fish and have a great time doing so.

water the Mid North Coast of NSW has to offer, competing for thousands of dollars in prizes including a brand new Stessco 379 Tripper fitted with a Suzuki outboard from North Coast Boating Centre. The competition starts at 7am each day and runs through to 8pm on Saturday and 3:30pm on Sunday, with organisers being mindful of people who have traveling to do once it’s all been said and done. While this is a flathead tournament, the rivers have much more to offer as far as species go and the club To page 99

TOURNAMENT CALENDAR 2017

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

29 Sep- 1 Oct

Baffle Creek Family Fishing Festival Baffle Creek Community Inc grounds

Facebook: Baffle Creek Family Fishing Festival familyfishingfestival@gmail.com

30 Sep-1 Oct

Saratoga Spectacular Bedford Weir Blackwater

Dennis Linke 0438 635 840

30 Sep-1 Oct

St Georges Basin BREAM Qualifier #8 St Georges Basin

www.abt.org.au

14-15 Oct

Spare Round Hobie Polarized Southern Bream Series TBA

Lynette Kime 0490 762 188

14-15 Oct

BASS Pro Grand Final Richmond River

www.abt.org.au

30 Oct

BARRA Tour Round #1 (Evening Event) Teemburra

www.abt.org.au

31 Oct

BARRA Tour Round #2 (Evening Event) Kinchant Dam

www.abt.org.au

3-4 Nov

BARRA Tour Round #3 (Evening Event) Peter Faust

www.abt.org.au

4-5 Nov

Hobie Polarized Southern Bream Series Grand Final Shoalhaven River

Lynette Kime 0490 762 188

6-7 Nov

BARRA Tour Round #4 (Night Championship) Peter Faust

www.abt.org.au

16-19 Nov

Hobie Kayak Bream Series 9 Championship Western Australia

hobiefishing.com.au

Add your tournament or competition to this list by emailing jthomas@fishingmonthly.com.au or calling 07 3387 0800 in office hours. Just supply a date, venue, tournament name and a telephone number and contact name. 98

OCTOBER 2017

From page 98

rewards those who land big by-catch with trophies and prizes too. The rivers are wellknown haunts for big

bream, mulloway, trevally, mangrove jack and a host of other hungry fish eagerly awaiting their chance to put a bend in your rod. Open to boaters, kayakers

and land-lovers alike, there’s a place for everyone at the Berkley Urunga Estuary Sport Fishing Flathead Tournament. There’s plenty of competition in the Adult

Even if they don’t catch a fish, the kids can have a ball on the beach in the casting competition.

Male and Female and Junior sections, and all juniors go home with a trophy no matter how many flathead they catch. This is a strictly lureor-fly-only competition with a catch, photograph and release points system, so you’ll need a camera with a removable SD card if you’re going to be in the running for the Mick Molnar Marine Art trophy. For those who need to a kick-start to the day with a fresh hot coffee and a hearty bacon and egg roll, the Urunga Anglers Club along with the Urunga Lions Club will be selling a BBQ dinner on Friday night and Sunday afternoon, and also breakfast on both Saturday and Sunday morning from 5am. A coffee van will be on site for you to purchase a nice quality coffee from 5am each day too.

One lucky fisher will drive away with a brand new Stessco Tripper 379 and Suzuki outboard thanks to North Coast Boating Centre. The first 300 competitors to register will get a sponsor prize pack full of goodies, so grab a mate or two and enter now. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a fishing competition with a friendlier atmosphere than the Berkley Urunga Estuary Sport Fishing

Flathead Tournament. To find out more visit www.urungasportfishing. com.au or to secure your entry, go to www. stickytickets.com.au/58297. – Berkley Urunga Estuary Sport Fishing Flathead Tournament

Fun times at a tournament at Somerset Dam I was ready for my big adventure with my dad at Somerset Dam at 5am. I hoped to catch a bass – that’s what we had to catch to win. The day before, Dad and I packed the lures, the fishing rods and my warm snuggly clothes. I’m very glad that I packed them, because it was 9°C. Dad and I packed the tent, camping chairs and some Mystical Fire, which turns the fire rainbow colours. Driving while the sky was still black, 40 minutes away from our adventure, you don’t know how excited and nervous I was, because I’d never been camping before. When Dad and I got to Somerset Dam I

Taleah (left) and Alexia (right) did an awesome job fishing their first tournament.

Taleah and Alexia with some fantastic fish. was so excited to get on the water to start fishing. Alexia was on my team (Team Pink). We

hoped to get a nice, decent bass in the pre-fish. When we got on the water, to be really honest, it was

chilly, crisp and foggy. The freezing water was as flat as glass. When we got in the boat and started moving the wind was so cold we couldn’t feel our fingers or toes. The first fish we caught was a barred grunter and we caught it on an ice jig. We then caught a yellowbelly on the ice jig and it was about 50cm. We moved to several different spots and finally caught a small bass. It was only 30cm, so we had to do better the next day. On the day of the fishing tournament, Dad and I woke up at 5:00am. We were staying in a tent and I didn’t want to get out of my sleeping bag, but the excitement of the competition helped me! We went outside to the Bass Nation event stand and they told us all the rules. All the boats were in the water and circling in the same area, waiting to

get their starting number. We were given number six. The MC called out the numbers and the boats started screaming off. We raced off to fish. Most of the shiny boats with huge engines went straight to the same place. Some large 50cm+ bass were caught there the day before, so I guess that was their plan. We decided to go off and find our patch of bass away from everybody else. During pre-fish we had found a nice school of bass on our fish finder at Red Rock. Dad put a blue mark on the sounder, so on the tournament day we would go there. When we went over the mark we found a large school of fish. Alexia caught a couple of barred grunter using a brown coloured Smak Ice Jig. Dad was undoing my second tangle of the morning and passed me the first rod back. I opened up the bail arm and dropped the jig to the bottom. As it was falling I got a large bite and I starting reeling it back in. I caught a bass like that, no joke. It had to be 31cm to be entered, and Alexia’s Dad measured the bass – it was 35cm. After I put the bass into the livewell, I did a little victory dance at the front off the boat. Throughout the day we heard that most teams were yet to catch a bass, which meant my little fish could be a winning fish. After that fish unfortunately we didn’t catch anymore. We raced back to the weigh-in spot and jumped off while the dads put the boat back on the trailer. Alexia and I got the bass and put it into the weigh-in

bag. We were called onto stage to get our fish weighed and the scales said 0.58kg. Out of all the teams, only three caught fish, which made us feel really good to get called onto stage. The team that came first caught a huge bass that weighed 1.96kg and the angler was only about 8 years old. They were so good! The prize for third was a bag full of cool lures that Alexia and I shared (although the Dads tried to steal them from us.) As the event ended, all the other teams came up and congratulated us, which was really nice

of them to do that and made me feel special and famous. Then it was time to pack up the tent and say goodbye to everyone. Team Pink would like to thank Somerset Tackle for sponsoring our first tournament. They gave me a really cool rod and reel combo that I actually caught the fish on. They also gave us some cool lures and gave us tips on how to use the lures to catch bass, so I guess it worked. Alexia and I can’t wait for another kids fishing tournament. – Teleah Hennah

OCTOBER 2017

McKeown masters the Gold Coast Jamie McKeown has been a perennial top-ten finisher in recent years of the Costa BREAM Series. The seventh stop of the 2017 Costa BREAM Series would see him etch his name onto the champions list, as he came from behind presenting a 4kg bag to the scales on Sunday afternoon to jump into the number one position. McKeown, a Gold Coast local, used every bit of his local knowledge to put together his 10/10 6.49kg limit, more than 600g in front of his next nearest competitor. “I fished the same run both days, but it was definitely the change in wind direction from southwest on Saturday to southeast on the Sunday that made all the difference for me,” explained McKeown. With blustery conditions

THE FUTURE IS HERE Self-contained Electric Outboards

Jamie McKeown with a pair of his Gold Coast winning bream. of people and lures, so they don’t like venturing far out of their comfort zone to eat something. That little change made all the difference.” Starting Sunday’s final

STORM

of the most remarkable Gold Coast bags. McKeown fished a bait that has made plenty of appearances on ABT’s new livestream coverage this year – an Ecogearaqua Bream Prawn 50, in the salt n pepper colour. McKeown rigged the bait on a 1/50oz hidden weight jighead and fished his offering on a Samaki K2 rod and Ecooda reel. “The technique for most

of the bites happen,” explained Mckeown. With every passing year of the ABT BREAM Series it’s always interesting to look back at the stats of years gone past. Looking back to the record books, it’s easy to assume either the fish are getting bigger quick, or anglers are getting better at targeting the kicker fish that are so important to win tournaments. McKeown’s

WINNING TACKLE Rod: Samaki K2 rod Reel: Samaki Ecooda reel Line: 4lb Extreme PE Leader: 4lb Yamatoyo flurocarbon Lure: Ecogearaqua Bream Prawn 50 (salt n pepper colour) rigged on a 1/50oz hidden weight jighead.

Jamie’s 4.19kg Duffrods Big bag on day two was anchored by the event’s Big Bream.

Visit www.abt.org.au for entry forms. For general enquiries phone ABT on (07) 3387 0888. 100

OCTOBER 2017

greeting anglers on Saturday morning, the extended arena of Moreton Bay was closed to fishing, forcing anglers to rethink strategies and place more pressure on the waterways of the Gold Coast proper. For McKeown, it wasn’t the speed of the wind that worried him, but the direction. One of his go-to locations was the swimming pool at Southport. A popular tourist attraction, the mesh netting and accompanying floats also attract plenty of bream. “I was fishing very lightly weighted plastics – 1/50oz. On Saturday the wind would pick up a belly in my line and would pull my bait away from the net. On Sunday I could fish with the breeze to my back, allowing my bait to sink straight down underneath the net, which bellies with the tide. Those fish are wary and see plenty

day in 10th place, McKeown was simply hoping for enough weight to move up and possibly get high enough to lay his hands on a cheque. As fate would have it though, McKeown put together one

of the locations I was fishing was very similar. You want the bait to fall naturally and slowly. The water on the Gold Coast is clear and these fish see a lot of boats and fishing pressure. There’s really not much you need to do when fishing an Aqua – simply let it fall down the face or underneath your target and hop it a few times once it hits the bottom. If you haven’t got a bite after a few hops, reel it out and throw it in again; that initial fall is when the majority

4kg Gold Coast bag is perfect testament to the increasingly effective techniques that tournament anglers perfect and adapt to different fisheries throughout the country. McKeown now ensures his qualification for the Costa BREAM Grand Final, which will be held on Lake Macquarie in December where both the champion boater and champion non-boater will be walking away with boat/motor/trailer packages courtesy of Bluefin and Mercury!

RESULTS – BOATERS Place

Angler

TW (kg)

Payout

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Jamie McKeown Darren Borg Tristan Taylor Alex Roy Steve Eldred Kristoffer Hickson Todd Riches Ben Richards Denis Metzdorf Aaron Sharp

10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10

6.49 5.86 5.67 5.53 5.41 5.20 5.19 5.07 4.74 4.73

$2200, Big Bream, 1st Mercury Bonus and Duffrods Big Bag prizes $1200, 2nd Mercury Bonus $1000, 1st Pro $750, 3rd Mercury Bonus $550 $500 $400

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

BREAM S PRESEN ERIES TED BY

Darren Borg can still catch them! Darren ‘Dizzy’ Borg was a name that was synonymous with tournament bream fishing for so many years through the start of this decade. As it turns out, the guy can still catch them just as well as back then. Finishing second at the Ecogear Gold Coast BREAM Qualifier, Borg finished with 10/10 for 5.86kg – good enough for runner-up and the $1,350 prize that went with it. Borg’s two bags were carbon copies of each

other, both full limits and both weighing 2.93kg. Borg was on a consistent bite all throughout the tournament, and didn’t have to go far to get them. “I caught almost all of my fish off the Sundale Bridge pylons,” said Borg. “I believe the fish I was catching were post-spawn fish that were making their way up the system after spawning near the seaway or channel markers further out. It’s rare to catch this many numbers on the Sundale

bridge, but myself and other anglers found them schooled here thick on pre-fish day. We committed to the bite here and it paid off.” Fishing a Hurricane Sub Grub soft plastic, Borg would cast tight to the pylons and allow his bait to sink to the bottom. “The fish were holding really tight to the structure, so you had to get your bait close and make sure your line management was on point. You didn’t want your loose line getting caught in

the current outside of the eddy, because that would pull your lure away as it’s sinking.” Once his lure had made contact with the bottom, Borg would fish the bait slowly, letting the curl-tail of his chosen soft plastic do most of the work for him, as it wafted in the current. Borg’s consistency held off a fast-finishing Tristan Taylor, as the extended boundary of Moreton Bay was open to competitors on the Sunday.

Ecogearaqua Bream Prawn

Darren Borg was super consistent each day and finished 2nd in the boater division.

Current

DUFFRODS BIG BAG Jamie McKeown secured the Duffrods Big Bag delivering the only 4kg bag to the scales – a 4.19kg day two limit – to jump from 10th to 1st to claim the event win.

BIG BREAM Jamie McKeown valued added his event win claiming the Big Bream on the Gold Coast for his day two kicker fish caught on an Ecogearaqua Bream Prawn.

Maas-terclass! Another Gold Coast local, Michael Maas took out the non-boating division of the Ecogear presented Gold Coast BREAM Qualifier. Normally a boater, Maas had come prepared to fish the tournament as a boater. With only days to go before the event, his boat sold through tournamentboats. com and he was left to switch his entry to a non-boater.

“It’s funny because my boat had been for sale for a while; I was all set to fish the event as a boater and I’d been pre-fishing and knew where they were. It just worked out that my boat sold and I switched. Luckily, I drew two boaters that fish very similar areas and techniques to what I like to, so that played into my hands nicely,” said Maas. Fishing the natural banks of the Tiger Mullet Channel

in Jumpinpin, Maas and his boaters would cast soft plastics tight to the bank, where they’d pick up plenty of fish, but the size was not what they were after. “We’d find the shallows had plenty of just legal fish. After a while, we worked out that there were actually large schools of bream still spawning out wide in the deeper water. That’s where we were able to

RESULTS – NON-BOATERS Place

Angler

TW (kg)

Payout

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Michael Maas 10/10 4.33 Costa Sunglasses and Prize Pack Rodney O’Sullivan 10/10 4.19 Costa Sunglasses and Prize Pack Shaun Egan 10/10 3.95 JML Alliance Rod and Prize Pack Stuart Walker 8/10 3.25 Prize Pack, 1st Hobie Bonus Justin Reeves 8/10 3.14 Prize Pack Sam Bateman 8/10 3.06 Prize Pack, 2nd Hobie Bonus Russell Winters 8/10 2.97 Prize Pack, 3rd Hobie Bonus Paul Mazaroli 6/10 2.62 Prize Pack Stuart Robinson 7/10 2.62 Prize Pack Glen Sturrock 5/10 2.42 1st Pro For full result listings, see www.abt.org.au

Michael Maas loaded up on bream and prizes to claim the non-boater title. target the better-size fish,” explained Maas. Actively targeting the schools they could see on the side-imaging sonar, Maas caught limits easily during both sessions. Starting Sunday’s final session in 4th place, Maas knew he’d only have to improve on his day one bag to be in with a shot to win. “The day two bags often get smaller for the

Gold Coast. If you remove Jamie McKeown’s monster day two bag and take into account the bay being open, quite often a mid 2kg bag is very good for the Gold Coast, especially from the back of the boat. Once I had upgraded a couple of times and knew I had more weight in the well than I had on Saturday, I knew I was in with a pretty good chance of a top-two finish,”

said Maas. As overnight leader Paul Mazarolli stumbled on Sunday, it was left to Maas to hoist the trophy and collect his prizes. Maas now punches his ticket to the Costa BREAM Grand Final in December where he is a front-runner to win the Bluefin and Mercury boat package, which would be perfect timing considering his recent sale! OCTOBER 2017

101

Cannizzaro can do no wrong THE FUTURE IS HERE Self-contained Electric Outboards

STORM

Ross Cannizzaro has finished off where he started on the Bass Cat BASS Pro tournament trail, winning his third event of the season in only his fourth bass tournament since making the switch from being a bream-only tournament angler in 2017. For the first time ever, the Bass Cat BASS Pro Series hit the waters of the mighty Clarence River, a venue often encountered by the Costa BREAM Series but a totally new experience for almost all of the field. Opening weekend of the 2017 bass season saw 26 boaters and 26 non-boaters hit the water at Grafton, and the Clarence River presented hundreds of kilometres of fishable water for anglers to apply their skills. The event was brought to them courtesy of another North Coast NSW icon, Bassman Spinnerbaits. Anglers could choose to travel upriver through the numerous rock bars and shallow rapids to the boulder-lined banks of the upper Clarence, or as Cannizzaro did, make the long run downstream to the brackish waters of Lawrence and Maclean. For Cannizzaro, it all started with Google Earth. Having fished the lower half of the system a lot for bream

in previous ABT tournaments, he was familiar with the lay of the land and how wide the river is at the mouth. “The Clarence is such a massive waterway and it really shows when the current starts to move,” said Cannizzaro. “Knowing we’d be faced with a post-spawn pattern, I looked for the most obvious locations upriver from the salt where I believed the last of the spawned out fish would be transitioning on their travel upriver.” Cannizzaro called it perfectly, identifying the natural bottle neck that is the Lawrence section of river, where the river narrows and funnels everything into a small channel near the mouth of Sportsmans Creek and the Lawrence Cable Ferry. “On official pre-fish day, I ran straight there and on the first cast with a Bent Minnow I had a 40cm fork fish in the boat. To confirm it wasn’t a fluke, I followed with my trusty 2.5” Berkley Tournament T-Tail and landed another; I knew then that this was the spot I would concentrate my efforts on during the event.” Committing to this area meant a 40km trip each way with two weigh-ins on Saturday – that meant almost 200km in the boat to

BIG BASS

Matt Cameron claimed the Big Bass Prize at the Clarence with the Grafton angler securing the $500 cheque for his day two kicker fish, a 1.81kg bass that he caught on a 50mm silver shadow coloured Atomic Metalz on a 35ft deep rock bar at Eatonsville.

Grafton local Matt Cameron claimed the $500 Big Bass Prize at the event.

Ross Cannizzaro with a brace of his Clarence River winning fish. and from his go-to spot. Saturday’s session started with Cannizzaro and non-boating partner Dylon Byron catching a quick limit on topwater, before working the steep rocky banks in the Lawrence bottleneck using the Berkley Tournament T-Tail rigged on a 1/8oz Nitro Dam Deep jighead. “I was confident of the morning bite and knew I could catch a limit. I never fished the area during the afternoon on the pre-fish day, so I was hesitant about what was going to happen, but as it turned out the bite probably got better. That was more than likely due to the increased current flow from the run-out tide, funnelling the bait and creating back eddies, much like what I targeted in the Hawkesbury River event earlier in the year.” After weighing in a 4/4 3.28kg limit, they headed back down and were greeted with this increased current flow and generous bass and estuary perch willing to play the game. “It all came down to managing the fish. There were certain spots where they would congregate more than others, so it was a case of rotating through and allowing those spots to rest for 20-30 minutes before returning to try and capitalise on another

TOP 10 BOATERS Place Angler

Visit www.abt.org.au for entry forms. For general enquiries phone ABT on (07) 3387 0888. 102

OCTOBER 2017

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Fish

Weight (kg)

Payout

Ross Cannizzaro 12/12 10.45 $2,000 Mike Nelson 10/12 10.39 $1,400 Kristoffer Hickson 12/12 10.39 $1,000 Mark Lennox 12/12 9.68 $650 + Duffrods Big Bag Adrian Melchior 12/12 9.33 $450 Paul Gillespie 12/12 9.02 Tom Slater 11/12 7.84 Robert Blackeby 11/12 7.82 Brian Everingham 9/12 7.67 Kris Banks 9/12 7.38 For full result listings, see www.abt.org.au

few bites,” said Cannizzaro. Capitalise they did, as the pair put on a 4/4 3.47kg limit to take the lead from Mike Nelson and plant Cannizzaro firmly in the driver’s seat going into Sunday’s final session of the regular Bass Cat BASS Pro Season. Fishing Sunday with non-boating partner James Reid, the pair returned to the area which had been so successful on the Saturday, and it didn’t take long to pick up where they’d left off the day before. Boating another quick bag on topwater lures, Cannizzaro again turned to the Berkley Tournament T-Tail in pumpkinseed fleck and watermelon colours fished on Abu Garcia KRX Salty Stage Light Casting rods, matched with Abu Garcia Revo ALX spinning reels spooled with Berkley Exceed and Fireline Ultra 8 braided lines. The technique was simple: cast the bait out close to the target structure then allow the bait to sink and waft through the current. Once it had reached the bottom Cannizzaro would hop and twitch the lure before letting it come to rest on the bottom again. “Every bite would happen on the drop, which is why you had to pay attention to your line and why a sensitive rod like the Abu Garcia made all the difference.” For Cannizzaro, the 2017 Bass Cat BASS Pro Series couldn’t have gone much better. Finishing the year on 395/400 possible points, he also claimed the coveted Costa BASS Pro Angler of the Year Award and won almost $10,000 in the process. He’ll now look to make it four from five when the Bass Cat BASS Pro Series returns to a river for the season-ending Bass Pro Grand Final held on the Richmond River out of Coraki this month.

BASSCA BASS PR T PRESEN O TED BY

Nelson gets quality over quantity Mike Nelson had never fished an ABT BASS Pro event before turning up to the banks of the Clarence River for the Bassman Spinnerbaits Clarence River BASS Pro. He left the event with some money in his pocket and a ticket to the biggest show in ABT BASS fishing, a qualification for the season ending Bass Cat BASS Pro Grand Final on the Richmond River in October. Nelson’s 10/12 10.39kg limit was only 60g shy of spoiling the Cannizzaro party, with Nelson’s technique for

targeting quality over quantity working almost perfectly. As it turned out, one more bite of any size would have secured the victory as he fell agonizingly short of victory in his first BASS Pro event. Nelson is no stranger to wild river bass fishing; living on the central coast of NSW, Nelson regularly fishes the Manning River as well as others and has spent countless hours honing his skills on these waterways. It was this experience on tidal fisheries that Nelson leaned on to produce a go-to technique for the weekend.

Ross discusses day two tactics before the start on the final day.

“During pre-fish I covered approximately 100km of river trying to locate a solid congregation of fish. I settled on an area well upstream of Grafton through some of the shallow rocky sections almost all the way to Copmanhurst,” said Nelson. Session one started slowly for Nelson and his non-boating partner Nigel White. The pair targeted any crevice or overhanging tree with lightly weighted soft plastics and watched for the tell-tale tick in the line as a bass ate the plastic on the sink. “Once the sun came out the fishing heated up. I think it helped position the bass closer in to the boulders and shade lines, and that meant we were putting it right in their faces as we sank the lures down into the zone.” Weighing in a session-best 4/4 3.51kg limit, Nelson was in the lead heading into session two. Unfortunately, this would ultimately be the session that cost him victory. With the pair failing to bring in a four fish

limit, they weighed in a 2/4 2.95kg limit, showcasing the quality of fish Nelson was consistently bringing to the scales. “That second session hurt me. I had another solid fish in the mid 40s hooked and battled it for a few seconds before it fell off. That would have easily sealed the win for me, but that’s fishing and you can never land them all.” Dropping back to 5th place after session two, Nelson was determined to fill a bag on Sunday’s final session. Committing to again travelling up the rapids to his chosen area, Nelson and non-boating partner Tani Konsul targeted the same structure with a lot more success. “The day started thick and fast. We had a limit early and then went to work upgrading throughout the day.” Placing his bag on the scales, Nelson and Konsul pulled the scales down to an astonishing 4/4 3.93kg limit, almost a 1kg average and the second biggest bag of the whole event.

Mike Nelson brought the big fish to the scale to finish 2nd at round 6 of the Bass Cat BASS Pro Series.

DUFFRODS BIG BAG Armidale bass gun Mark Lennox secured the Duffrods Big Bag with the former Bass Cat BASS Pro Grand Final Champion catching his winning bag of (4.09kg) on the final day.

Painter claims victory and the Costa AOY The bearded singing fisher, also known as Keeghan Painter, put the finishing touches on a remarkable first year on the Bass Cat BASS Pro Series as a non-boater. Winning the final event of the season was just enough to pip stalwart Peter Morgan for the coveted Costa BASS Pro Angler of the Year Award in the non-boater section, a goal Painter was thrilled to accomplish in only his first year competing. “It feels pretty surreal to not only win the last event of the year but to take out AOY as well. I really couldn’t ask for anything

more. Every event throughout the year was a great learning experience and I got to share the boat with some amazing anglers who each taught me something new. That’s one of the best things about the ABT BASS tournaments – the shared weight format. It gets me on the front decks of these boats shoulder to shoulder with guys like Kris Hickson, and you couldn’t buy a better learning experience than that as far as I’m concerned.” Fishing with Kris Hickson on day one, Painter found himself running and gunning. Starting the session heading upriver from the start line, the pair

WINNING TACKLE Rod: Abu Garcia KRX Salty Stage Light Casting rods Reel: Abu Garcia Revo ALX spinning reels Line: Berkley Exceed and Fireline Ultra 8 Leader: 4 and 6lb Berkley Vanish Lure: 2.5” Berkley Tournament T-Tail (pumpkinseed fleck and watermelon colours) rigged on a 1/8oz Nitro Dam Deep jighead, 86mm OSP Bent Minnow

Keegan Painter was a happy man with his non-boater win. would eventually work their way down all the way to Lawrence and back again. The pair hit spots quickly and thoroughly en route to posting day one bags of 4/4 3.03 and 4/4 3.59kg limits, landing them in 2nd place behind Dylon Byron heading into Sunday’s final session. Fishing on Sunday with Adrian Melchior, the pair also did some miles but concentrated on the areas upriver from the start line.

“Adrian is really comfortable in the upper sections of these North Coast rivers and that’s what he

wanted to concentrate on, so we targeted the boulders and overhanging trees on steeper banks upriver from Grafton,” commented Painter. A solid 4/4 3.31kg limit during the final session was enough to edge out a fast finishing James Browning and claim his first victory and enough points to close out the Costa Angler of the Year award as well. Painter relied on a mixture of techniques throughout the weekend but the finesse approach from fishing aboard Kris Hickson’s boat was his predominant technique. “I really just used techniques that are normally more suited to the bream tournaments – cut down

small plastics rigged on 1/16oz jigheads flicked into any shade pocket or piece of structure I could find,” said Painter. His plastic of choice was a Keitech Easy Shiner and Swing Impact. He fished the offering on a JML Anglers Alliance Perfection Series rod, spooled with Yamatoyo braid and Harris Fighter leader. Painter now turns his attention to the Bass Cat BASS Pro Grand Final which will be held on another tidal fishery, the Richmond River out of Coraki, on October 14-15. The winner will walk away with a Bass Cat Margay, Mercury boat motor and trailer package valued at over $50,000.

Berkley T-Tail on 1/8oz Dam Deep Jighead

TOP 10 NON BOATERS Place Angler

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Fish

Weight (kg)

Payout

Keeghan Painter 12/12 9.93 Westin Rod and Prize Pack James Browning 12/12 9.79 Bassman Prize Pack Nigel White 10/12 9.40 Prize Pack Elliot Fooks 12/12 9.05 Prize Pack Tanya Konsul 11/12 8.83 Prize Pack Lochie Rutherford 10/12 8.61 Prize Pack Dylan Byron 10/12 8.54 Prize Pack James REID 10/12 7.79 Prize Pack David Simmons 11/12 7.79 Prize Pack James Hickson 8/12 6.96 For full result listings, see www.abt.org.au OCTOBER 2017

103

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

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

PROFISH BOATS – Phone Peter 0417 782 114 Email: peter@profishboats.com www.profishboats.com

FIBREGLASS Repairs

Brisbane South and Gold Coas t

• Modifications • Detailing • Repairs JOE BONNICI

0410 480 203

Email: nkelly@fishingmonthly.com.au Salt-Away www.salt-away.com.au

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

Phone 07 5522 1933 MOBILE SERVICE AVAILABLE

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

SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND Stones Corner Marine (07) 3397 9766 Brisbane Yamaha (07) 3888 1727 Northside Marine (07) 3265 8029 Coorparoo Marine (07) 3397 4141 Capalaba Boat Centre 04011 728 379 Holt Marine (07) 3353 1928

BOAT HIRE // HOUSE

SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND

GOLD COAST

Great family and fishing boats! + 50km of sheltered waterways on the Gold Coast’s Broadwater + No Licence required CALL FOR A + Boats from $995 DEAL + 2-12 berth

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

Shed 1 281 Jacobs Well Road Behind GEM Service Station, Alberton 4207

Phone 3807 7846

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

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

NEW

TINNIE HIRE AVAILABLE

Mob 0427 142 201 Fax 3807 2468

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

FRASER COAST Rainbow Beach Houseboats (07) 5486 3146

ASM Mobile Welding Brisbane 0409 624 402

Cunningham Marine Centre (07) 3284 8805 Caloundra Marine (07) 5491 1944

NORTH QUEENSLAND Reef Marine Mackay (07) 4957 3521

MARINE MECHANICS // MOBILE WYNUMM MANLY-BAYSIDE Wondall Rd Marine (07) 3396 5633

Gary’s Marine Centre

Marine Windows and Doors Brisbane (07) 3284 5088

Lake Monduran House Boat www.lakemonduranhouseboathire.com.au Small Craft Electrics (mobile) 0408 063 064

BOAT HIRE // TRAILER GOLD COAST Boab Boat Hire - 1300 002 622

Boat Collar (07) 5441 3636 CMC Marine Sales 0409 910 808 Iconic Boats Brisbane 0475 311 447

3201 6232

217 Pine Mountain Road, BRASSALL

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. 104

OCTOBER 2017

Boats & Guided Fishing Tours Directory MARINE TRAILERS Oceanic Boat Trailers (07) 5597 0577

FISHING GUIDES SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND

Spitfire Trailers (07) 0400 866 323 Tinnie Tosser (07) 5498 7339

Suncoast Barra Fishing Park www.suncoastbarrafishing.com

Sea-Link Special Trailers (07) 3881 3568

CENTRAL QUEENSLAND

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Lake Monduran Barra Charters 0407 434 446

TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND Hooked On Hinchinbrook www.hookedonhinchinbrook.com

MARINE TRIMMERS

SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND Rowland Street Boat Trimmers Springwood (07) 3208 9511

ads@fishingmonthly.com.au

1299

echoMAP CHIRP 95sv DownVüTM/SideVü GPS Map Combo

Brisbane Yamaha (07) 3888 1727 Rays Canvas & Marine Caboolture (07) 5499 4911

MARINE ELECTRONICS

SALES • REPAIRS • INSTALLATIONS

ONSITE AND MOBILE INSTALLATIONS

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

Affordable Boat Covers Gold Coast 0419 424 587

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4999

Small Berley Mincer Also Available •Large Berley Mincer $69.99

Vented Motor Covers to Suit Wide Range of Makes & Models

$590 + GST for 6 Months NEW!

MARINE OUTBOARD WRECKERS

FROM

TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND North Queensland Outboard Wreckers Townsville 1800 812 748

nkelly@fishingmonthly.com.au

Rod Holder 2 With StarPort Mount

MARINE TRANSPORT ROD & REEL REPAIRS NORTH QUEENSLAND

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

DJ Freight Marine Transport 0418 793 357 0427 341 076 contact@djfreight.com.au FISH TAXIDERMY Fish Taxidermist www.fishtaxidermy.net.au or 0428 544 841

D&H

REEL REPAIRS

ce Reel Performan

parts needs pairs and spare re el re ur yo l al For 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

•Black or White

99 EACH

STORES

CELEBRATING

WIDE

YEARS

AUSTRALIA

www.bargainboatbits.com.au

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

Advertisers wanting to be involved in this directory can call (07) 3387 0834 or email nkelly@fishingmonthly.com.au OCTOBER 2017

105

Trades, Services, Charter Boats & Guided Fishing Tours Directory HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND The Islander Retreat, South Stradbroke Island 0420 967 557

Dave Gaden’s Yamba • Deep Sea

REEL TIME FISHING CHARTERS

FRASER ISLAND

FRASER ISLAND FISHING UNITS Indian Head I Fraser Island • 6am to 2pm $150pp • 2 boats – holds up to 18 people • All fishing gear and bait is supplied • No fishing licence req. • Pickup from Yamba Marina or Iluka ferry wharf

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

Rainbow Beach Fishing Charters 0439 775 070 Smithy’s Fishing Charters Sunshine Coast 0407 574 868 Top Catch Charters Sunshine Coast 0429 013 012 Fish n Crab Charters Mooloolaba 0412 155 814 Offshore Reef and Game Fishing 0413 485 402 Sunshine Coast Fishing Charters (07) 5500 0671 Fishing Offshore Noosa 0418 889 956 Noosa Fishing Charters (07) 5665 8170 Hervey Bay Fishing Charters (07) 4125 3958 Incredible Charters 1300 655 818

HERVEY BAY

Fully Guided Lure & Fly Fishing •

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

BORN AND BRED LOCAL GUIDE

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

OPEN 7 DAYS

EASY PARKING

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

CENTRAL QUEENSLAND

RU4 Reel Tweed Heads 0449 903 366

Baffle Creek Holiday House 0419 624 833

BA MARINA

ACKLE, YAM STORE T & T A O B MARINA TACKLE e & Gas ES Fish The Deep Charters 0416G 224 412T Discovery Fishing Charters Gold Coast 0427 026 519

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION

BA’S LAR

YAM

Boat Sales Ph: 6646 1994 •C • Trailers S Tackle Charters 0411 605 090 ait & Fishing or 0428 231 962 • BCoast Gold ookings B r e rt a Email: dave@gaden.com.au h C • • s Paradise dlery Charters 0403 531 428 ales & Part hanFishing

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

• Ic

Hooker 1 Charters Gold Coast (07) 5528 6469 Sea Probe Fishing Charters 0400 312 330

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

Coastal Sports Fishing Charters Gold Coast 0412 691 929 Gone Fishing Charters Gold Coast (07) 5529 7833

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

BRISBANE Frenzy Charters Brisbane (07) 3209 4576 Big Cat Charters and Tom Cat Charters 0433 430 248 Moreton Island Fishing Charters 0413 128 056

NORTHERN NSW

Brisbane Fishing Charters 0427 026 510

Wooli Fishing Charter (02) 6649 7100

WOOLI FISHING CHARTERS

Bucket List Fishing Charters 0428 368 316 John Gooding Outlaw Charters 0418 738 750

www.herveybaysportfishing.com.au

Andrew Chorley

0407 627 852

CENTRAL QUEENSLAND Bite Me Fishing Charters Yeppoon 0419 029 397 Ultimate Sportfishing Charters 0450 753 726 MV Capricorn Star 0408 755 201 Mikat Cruises Fishing Charters 0427 125 727 Bundaberg Fishing Charters 0429 017 217 Sport Fish 1770 (07) 4974 9686 Coral Coast Game Fishing 0447 347 437 Norval Reef Charters 1800 771 234 Iluka Fishing Charters Gladstone 0414 940 911 Kanimbla Charters Gladstone1800 677 202

TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND Eclipse FNQ Weipa Charters 0488 058 668 Fish’s Fly & Sportsfishing Weipa (07) 4069 9957 Action Charters Mackay 0417 452 346 Fishing Charters Townsville 0403 386 722 JC’s Fishing Charters 0438 753 382 Fairdinkum Fishing Charters Townsville (07) 4751 5324 Cairns Reef Charter Services 1800 119 044 Cairns Charter Boat 0427 533 081 Cairns Fishing Charters 0427 400 027

FISHING ON TV

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$590 + GST for 6 Months

IDEAL GIFT!

WOOLI BAIT & TACKLE • Top Accommodation • Tweed Bait • Ice • Terminal Tackle • Lures & Soft Plastics • Fishing the North Solitary Islands

1/2 day or full day charters. All bait & tackle provided. We are only a one hour drive north of Coffs Harbour or one hour drive south of Yamba.

Contact Stan or Claire Young

nkelly@fishingmonthly.com.au

02 6649 7100

43 RIVERSIDE DRIVE, WOOLI

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

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

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

DVD’S -

Series 3 through 9

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

1800 228 244

Advertisers wanting to be involved in this directory can call (07) 3387 0834 or email nkelly@fishingmonthly.com.au 106

OCTOBER 2017

boats & kayaks

In the skipper’s seat

Inside story...

Waverider Boats are the brainchild of Pat Jones on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. A quality finish is a must, so all Waveriders are built by Aus Ships in Brisbane, under the supervision of naval architects. They are constructed from plate aluminium to best practice standards.

Made for... Waverider Boats, as the name suggests, are made for handling swell, and getting you home safely should conditions get testing. In a Waverider, you really can ride a wave if you need to, because you get lift, grip and stability all working together, so that you can fly home faster without even being aware of the corrections the boat is making.

This month...

Wayne Kampe takes the new Waverider 550 Centre Console out into the Brisbane River. See the full story on page 116.

108 Hobie Mooloolaba Bream results Find out what worked and what didn’t for the Hobie Bream qualifier at Mooloolaba.

110 Yakking flatties

With flatty season in full swing, we can’t leave our yakkers out! Get the scoop from Justin Willmer.

112 Kampey’s new rig

Having two boats was impractical, so Wayne Kampe decided to buy a 4.5m Galeforce.

114 C-Map Genesis

Let tournament angler Peter Jenkins tell you about Navico’s newest mapping technology.

118 645 Game King

Mark Saxon has a run in this beast from Extreme Boats, which are based in New Zealand.

Bryant wins round 10 of Hobie Bream Series Tackle Tactics Round 10 of the Hobie Kayak Bream Series 9 was battled out on the Mooloolah River in Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast. The ‘One Day Wonder’ saw anglers from Qld, Vic, ACT and NSW compete for cash prizes, sponsor prize packs and Angler of the Year (AOY) points. Some anglers struggled through pre-fish, while others found fish all over the arena. On both pre-fish and competition days the weather was sensational and the location stunning. Winter days don’t get much better than they were in Mooloolaba, but the clear water made it a tough fishery, with easily spooked fish requiring stealth and finesse. Most reports from anglers were that the bite was much tougher on competition day, and everyone had to work hard to attract legal-

BRYANT THE MOOLOOLABA GIANT Scott Bryant from Brisbane gave a brief rundown on how he climbed to the top of the leader board in Mooloolaba.

happened. I had my bag of four bream by 8am, a high 30cm and three just under 30. I predominately fished only one set of canals all day, and just rotated through the same pontoons

LEADER BOARD 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Scott Bryant Mitch King Steve Crawley Marco Grubb Luke Rogan Michael Halliday Warren Cossell Scott Marcinkowski Tyson Hayes Stephen Maas

sized bream. It seemed like a different waterway to the pre-fish day, and while bream were tough to locate and catch, there was plenty of by-catch, including some big trevally and even a massive grouper

QLD VIC QLD QLD QLD QLD QLD NSW QLD QLD

4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

2.64 2.32 2.15 2.12 2.08 1.95 1.94 1.86 1.85 1.84

“I did a bit of pre-fish in the area in the lead-up months but didn’t go out on pre-fish day, because I didn’t want to sting any of the fish,” Bryant explained. “Knowing the area pretty well, I had a plan and was confident with

WINNING TACKLE Rod : MajorCraft Skyroad Reel : Shimano Twin Power Line : FC Sniper Lure : Duo Ryuki Spearhead or two. Those anglers who knuckled down and slogged it out found rewards in their persistence and adjustments to strategy.

108

OCTOBER 2017

1-5kg 1000 3lb 50MD

it, and it pretty much worked as expected. “Warm weather, clear skies and clear water were what I wanted, and it

$570 + prize pack $340 + prize pack $200 + prize pack $140 + prize pack $100 + prize pack

over and over. I kept pulling fish, upgrading a few times. I hit boat hulls as well, basically any structure that was in the shade. “As the tide changed and started coming through in the morning, the water really cleared up. I did have a quick look in other canals but they seemed to have a lot of sediment and didn’t quite look right to me. Where I chose to fish, the water was crystal clear and I could see the fish underneath the pontoons and the boat hulls, and it was just a matter of bringing them out into the open. I’d throw the hardbodies past

the pontoons and slowly crank them back along the face, and when I’d see the fish follow the lure out I’d just pause it. The fish would come up and pick it up, then they’d try to go back under cover and away we’d go. “I was cranking the edge of the pontoons with little Jackall Chubbys, the Duo Ryuki Spearheads a couple of soft plastics including the Berkley Gulp shrimp, but 90% of my fish came on the hardbodies. I did find a pattern with the trevally that were in there – every time they started busting up, the bream got really aggressive and would start feeding on the edges.” KING OF THE ROAD Victorian angler Mitch King hauled his way up to Queensland for the second time in a month to fish a Hobie comp, and his trip to Mooloolaba paid off in cash and 99 AOY points. “I was able to do the pre-fish for a few hours and hit all of the areas that I had read about,” King said. “I went down to the trawlers and had a bit of a play around,

hit some rock walls, some flats and eliminated some of the spots. I found a canal set that was holding some good fish. I could see them sitting under pontoons and they were taking lures, so I knew that it was going to be a canal thing for me. “I started my comp day by heading straight to the trawlers hoping to pull a quick fish, but there were a lot of people there so I bailed pretty quickly, and went into the canals. It was a slow start, which had me worried, but I hoped they would come on the chew as the tide rose later in the day.” “I worked three or four sets of canals going up one side using a mixture of Gulps and Tiemco Stick

Minnows. When I found the water was running a bit harder I threw on the faster sinking stuff. The stand-out lure for me was definitely the Stick Minnow. “I ended up getting fish in scattered areas. They were few and far between, probably one every hour, but they were generally good fish.” SPONSORS Thanks go to Sunstate Hobie for their dealer support and for the BBQ and drinks after the anglers’ day on the water. Thanks also to Daiwa, Berkley, Atomic, Lowrance, RhinoRack, Strike Pro, TT Lures, Pro Lure, JML Anglers Alliance, Mortgage Corp, Power-Pole, and Hobie Polarized.

RUNNER-UP TACKLE Rod : Miller Brawler Reel : Daiwa Certate Line : Sunline Castaway Leader : Sunline FC Rock Lure : Tiemco Stick Minnow

2506 10lb 8lb 007

ATOMIC BIG BREAM Marco Grubb won the Atomic Big Bream $100 cash prize for the event. He caught his 980g bream, more than double the size of the average bream in the area, throwing crabs at the trawlers.

WHAT’S NEW BOATING WHITTLEY INNOVATION 1

SIMRAD SOFTWARE 4 UPDATE

Whittley has joined forces with Garmin and Volvo Penta to release a new engine and power management system, which will be standard on all models. It will display Volvo Penta engine diagnostics through a Garmin 7” multi function screen (12” or 16” upgrades are available). At the push of a button, users can see accurate engine data including fuel flow levels, distance to empty, battery performance and more. There’s no need for mechanical gauges to be cut into the dash. The system also integrates to Volvo’s Battery Control Module, which manages the charging and distribution of power between batteries from the motor, as well as power usage throughout the boat. In addition, sterndrive boats will come standard with a built-in waterproof battery charger. Owners can also easily upgrade to the exclusive Whittley Pulse system. It features digital switching via the Garmin screen, a separate 2.5” screen for battery diagnostics and an E-key remote that controls engine startup, along with battery ‘on’ and ‘off’ functions. www.whittley.com.au

Navionics functionality and general software improvements. The update includes significant improvements to TVG (Time Variable Gain) and Auto Gain, Navionics SonarChart Live, Navionics Dock-to-Dock Autorouting and Navionics Plotter Sync, in addition to NMEA 2000 entertainment enhancements. TVG (Time Variable Gain) functionality has been significantly enhanced to remove clutter at the top of the screen without affecting fish targets near the surface. The update also simplifies the TVG scale, and Auto Gain calculations now yield better performance across a wider range of transducer installs and vessel speeds. Other improved features include SonarChart Live (lets you create 0.5m HD bathymetric maps in real time), Dock-to-Dock Autorouting (creates intelligent, detailed routes), and Navionics Plotter Sync. Software enhancements to these displays enable them to work directly with all third-party NMEA 2000 compatible audio equipment. For more info visit the Simrad website. www.simrad-yachting.com

RAYMARINE AXIOM PRO

FLIR Maritime Asia Pty Ltd has launched the expansion of its Raymarine Axiom Multifunction Display (MFD) line to the Australian market with the introduction of the Axiom Pro. Designed for serious offshore enthusiasts and professional captains, Axiom Pro features Raymarine’s HybridTouch user experience, combining multi-touchscreen controls with an ergonomic keypad for additional confidence in rough seas. For the serious offshore angler, Axiom Pro is available with a 1 kW, high-powered CHIRP sonar and Raymarine’s built-in, advanced, RealVision 3D sonar. The new Axiom Pro line is available in 9, 12 and 16-inch display sizes, and each model is available with Raymarine exclusive RealVision 3D sonar. Axiom Pro’s fish-finding capability is upgraded with an optional, internal 1kW CHIRP sonar. This powerful offshore sonar employs a wide spectrum of CHIRP sonar frequencies and enables anglers to see through dense schools of baitfish, identify thermoclines and simultaneously target gamefish in deep water. Price: RRP $3,699 www.raymarine.com.au

OCEAN CRAFT DEEP VEE

The new Ocean Craft Walkaround Cabin Ultra Deep Vee is the deepest vee planing monohull in its class, with a 30° deadrise and outstanding fuel efficiency. It also has an excellent power-to-weight ration, with the redesigned 6000 Caloundra Class Walkaround Cabin weighing only 750kg. The new monohull is a trimaran at rest and an outrigger when turning. With sponsons coming to bear off the plane, the boat’s draught remains shallower at rest and is a lot softer when planing. Combined with inflatable pneumatic properties with less vibration and wear on landing (wave jumping), the ride is a lot smoother and outperforms other hull types. It tackles wind and waves head-on and delivers superior all-weather performance using less fuel. The Walkaround Cabin Ultra Deep Vee also features phenomenal buoyancy and stability, with a low friction, smooth riding Posi Lift hull backed by a Lifetime Unsinkable Warranty. The UltraDeep Vee is now standard on all models, from 2.6-7.6m. www.oceancraft.com.au

PRODUCT GUIDE 1

TWO NEW LIVEVÜ MODELS 5 Designed for trolling motor installation, the PS22-TR is the latest addition to the Garmin Panoptix product line, which now includes six transducers with varying installation options for freshwater, estuary, inshore and offshore applications. Incorporating LiveVü Forward and LiveVü Down all-seeing sonar technology, the PS22TR offers a narrow 20° beam angle for crisp, improved resolution and clear images of what’s all around and below the boat – in real time, while moving or stationary. Paired with a compatible Garmin GPSMAP or echoMAP CHIRP head unit, Panoptix delivers a whole new perspective to fishing, allowing anglers to watch the movement of fish and the reactions to their lures/baits up to 30m away. The PS22-TR is ideal for freshwater, estuary and inshore anglers targeting bass, barra and bream in the snags, and species such as jewfish, snapper and kingfish on relatively shallow reefs. Price: RRP $1,499 www.garmin.com/en-AU

HAINES SIGNATURE 6 FLAGSHIP 788SF

One of the largest legally trailerable boats in Australia is here with the release of the Haines Signature 788SF! The flagship 788SF sets a new benchmark in the fibreglass fishing boat market – a formidable bluewater fishing machine that’s an impressive addition to the iconic Australian-built Haines Signature range. Designed with the adventurous offshore sport fisher in mind, the boat is perfectly suited to tackle the open waters head on with its superior build, standout performance and seafaring capability. With its all-black hull, 500L fuel tank, stainless steel finishes, big screen electronics and a transom rating up to 400hp (single), the 788SF is a stylish, well-equipped, serious fishing boat capable of taking on the bays and seas with confidence, whether for a day trip or weekend charter. The prototype model on show features a centre console configuration with full composite (Thermalite) construction and is powered by two of Suzuki’s mammoth 350hp outboards. Price: from $149,000 for a boat, motor, trailer package www.signatureboats.com

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

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OCTOBER 2017

109

Flathead tricks for spring kayak anglers BRISBANE

Justin Willmer Find me on Facebook at Yaks On

It’s the season to be kayak fishing, with spring bringing longer daylight hours, warmer weather and a stack of new species onto the kayak angler’s radar. Whether it’s bass in the creeks, snapper in the bays, mangrove jack in the snags or big flathead up in the shallows, spring offers kayak

plastics, I thought I’d give you a few tips for targeting one of my favourite spring species. Flathead are available all year round, but spring sees them fire up in many systems and you can catch good numbers. Big breeders also become more active and often move into the shallows. I love catching these big girls from the kayak, especially in shallow water, however I always handle them with care and release them quickly after

Early morning is both spectacular and a peak bite time. Sunset and sunrise are magic times to be on the water.

Crab pots can be an indicator of slightly deeper water, drains and channel edges, all of which hold fish. anglers ideal conditions and some exciting fishing opportunities. Spring also fires up the kayak retailers and you will find plenty of new product releases in both kayaks and accessories, along with package deals and specials,

a couple of photos, so they can get on with producing more flathead. TIPS FOR KAYAK FISHING FLATHEAD Time your tides Use the tide to your advantage and catch a drift while you cast and cover

tide for flathead is the last of the run-out, targeting the channel edges, sandy patches and especially drains. Run and gun If the fish are there and active, it won’t take many casts to find out, so I like to ‘run and gun’ covering plenty of water and throwing plenty of casts. Even in the shallows I will throw a 1/4oz jighead, switching up to 3/8oz if fishing a deeper edge over 1.5m deep. Once I catch a fish or two, I will make note of the area and drift that section of bank again or anchor up, as flathead often school at this time of year with several smaller males around a larger female. Anchoring You will be happy you packed an anchoring device once you come across a

a brick on a rope, a stake out pole that you drive into the bottom and attach to your kayak, or more complex like the versatile powered

luck catching flathead I always reinforce the fact that your lure needs to be on the bottom. Whether you use a heavier jighead

Jeff with a pan-size flathead that was released to fight another day. Paddle-tails are a favourite for flathead, with plenty of action on the sink and retrieve. option – the Power Pole Micro Anchor. Knock them on the head When I’m speaking to anglers that have had no

when you first start to make it easier to see your lure touch down and your line go slack, or a slightly deeper diving hardbody for casting

or trolling, just smack the bottom. As you become more experienced you can lighten up the presentation and flutter it down over weed to attract some of those pickier, larger fish. Flick the switch If you’re fishing for an hour for no fish and you haven’t changed lures, you’re probably missing out. A colour change can make a difference; I often run a lighter more natural colour in clear water and on bright days, or a darker silhouette colour in dirty water and overcast days. I use a fluoro colour if the others aren’t working. A change of profile size can also make a difference and I will switch from a bulky 3” paddle-tail to a slimmer 2.5” paddletail or vice versa, sometimes with surprising results. Keep an eye out for baitfish in the area and ‘match the hatch.’ Weedless wonders If you fish weedy areas, a weedless jighead for your plastics can allow you to bounce over or swim a plastic through weed and structure with less chance of snagging or fouling. The hook-up rates are still good with flathead striking the plastic aggressively and the hook-ups are often solidly set in the jaw hinge where there is less chance of thrown hooks or biteoffs. You will find plenty of guides on how to weedless rig online. It makes scents After numerous occasions when scent has switched on the bite, or made the bite more aggressive, I am a massive believer. I use them for masking foreign scents, attracting fish, triggering strikes and making fish hold on longer, so I have more time to set the hook. If you’re not catching, scent up and see if it makes a difference for you. My favourite scents

Changing to a fluoro colour like sexy penny can sometimes entice a bite. so it’s a great time to grab your first kayak or upgrade to a new model. I was lucky enough to travel to the ICAST International Tackle Show in Orlando and can guarantee that there are some awesome new craft and plenty of new accessories on their way to Australia. After catching about 50 flathead over a recent weekend of throwing soft 110

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ground. Then catch the turning tide back home again. When fishing the last of the run-in I target mangrove edges, drains, holes and eddies in the current caused by structure. A favourite spot to find a flathead when the flats are covered by the tide is broken weed flats where flathead can be pulled from sand patches no larger than your kayak. My preferred

patch of fish or the perfect drain or snag. An anchor running rig that allows you to move the anchor from the front to the rear of the kayak is handy and I like to anchor so that the nose of the kayak faces into the current, allowing me to make casts up current and bounce the lure back naturally with the current. Other anchoring options can be as simple as

Sheri was stoked with her first cod; a new species is worth celebrating.

for flathead include mullet, pilchard and bloody tuna, and I prefer gel scent as it stays on much longer. I generally smear on some scent every 30 or so casts and after landing a fish.

a few, so make sure they’re rigged up with suitable gear for the area, and getting the lure into the strike zone and working it effectively. I gave Jeff the lead drift and first crack at the fish, just

his kayak to a quality brand in a larger model that tracked straighter, and paddled faster and easier over longer distances. It didn’t blow around as easily in the wind and he wasn’t

back and work that section again, taking note of what was holding the fish in the area, including rubble, sand patches and drains. As the tide slowed the bite dropped off. The saying goes, ‘no run, no fun,’ so I dropped my jighead weight to 1/8oz and slowed my retrieve right down in the hope of encouraging a fish to bite. With less run the flathead can just lay around and there’s no urgency to trigger a strike, such as a baitfish speeding past with the current. I managed to land a few during the tide

Sliding the kayak in to chase a sand crab, the author ran into this bloke who was familiar with his ramblings.

Upgrading to a larger yak with more payload has made paddling and fishing more comfortable and enjoyable for Jeff. Safety First Remember, flathead have a few nasty spikes around their head and they often thrash around when landed, so a landing net is a great idea, along with a pair of lip grips for handling, photos and releasing the fish, or transferring it into the icebox. I leash both my net and lip grips onto the kayak using T-Reign retractable gear tethers… as the saying goes, ‘leash it or lose it.’ Spring a trip on your mate Spring is a great time to introduce new anglers to the sport, line up a few friends for an adventure or grab that mate from work who doesn’t catch as many as he should and take him for a fish. My mate from work Jeff had been on a few paddles recently where the bite was a bit slow, so I thought I would invite him up my way, as there had been a few flathead on the chew. I was looking forward to

taking my time and enjoying the glassy morning. Once we had him the right distance from the bank, landing that

A low tide flat with this much life is sure to hold fish at high tide.

This drain just screams ‘flathead’ as it funnels bait off the flat with the dropping tide. lure right on the edge of the weed and hopping it down the channel edge it was fish on! Don’t get me wrong –

Pink is a favourite for flatties and ZMan’s new twilight colour is a winner. the paddle, drift, banter and hopefully getting him onto a few fish. Remember. you’re trying to get your mate onto

sitting in a puddle of water. Like many anglers, he had initially purchased a cheap, small kayak that came with a

Jeff can fish. Once he had me four to one, it was every man for himself. Jeff recently upgraded

paddle, seat and trolley, only to realise that it wasn’t really suitable for larger paddlers or those wanting to carry plenty of fishing gear. These are great for the kids and recreational paddling, but you need to ensure the kayak is suitable for the application and has an adequate payload before you make your purchase. Jeff’s new yak is set up to use the electric motor that it came with for longer adventures, however he will be soon upgrading his seat after a few hours on the water and a numb butt. We continued our drift, alternating between 2.5” and 3” paddle-tail plastics and changing colour occasionally if the bite slowed. Jeff threw 1/6oz and 1/4oz jigheads, while I threw 1/4oz and 3/8oz jigheads and we both landed fish. The fish were in patches, so if we landed a couple, we would paddle

change, targeting a slightly deeper section that I call ‘the basin.’ We pulled our yaks up on a sandy patch to stretch the legs and eat our morning tea while the tide turned and then commenced our drift back with the incoming tide. With the tide picking up pace it was a real run and gun as we drifted quickly back to the ramp. To control the plastic more effectively we cast slightly ahead of the drift and then bounced it down the channel edge and back towards the kayak. If the soft plastic falls back behind the drift, it’s difficult to stay in touch

with and control the plastic, and also to keep in contact with the bottom. It was a great morning on the water and we landed about 20 flathead. We kept one each for a feed and Jeff had held his own during a magic morning on the water. We had dinner sorted and a few yarns to tell at a later date. Don’t forget the camera I was grateful recently that I always ensure the waterproof camera is charged and in my pocket, when my wife Sheri landed her first cod. We were drifting close together when I heard the excitement of the hook-up, the stubborn first run and then the squeal when Sheri realised it was a new species for her. I paddled over, slid the net under the fish and it was high fives as we admired the colours and markings before a quick photo and release. New species are worth enjoying and celebrating, regardless of species or size… who knows when the opportunity will come again to tick off another first? That’s a wrap for me. I hope you have a chance to get out on the water. Maybe it’s time to take a mate, plan an adventure or target a new species.

A landing net and lip grips makes handling flathead and other species safer and simpler. OCTOBER 2017

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Galeforce 4.5m Centre Console with 75 E-Tec BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

In a previous issue I outlined my plans to have a 4.5m Galeforce built as the right boat for the job, which was a topic I discussed at length in previous articles. My view was that the justright boat should always be purchased after a thorough assessment of proposed fishing plans along with the

work – into a smaller rig that would be used in both barra dams and the bay, and in a package that is easier to deal with in everyday usage. At the ramp, at home, at the barra or bass camp – there are things that require manual effort. I’m not saying I’m getting old or feeble (grey hair must be a big fad these days as so many people have it), it’s just that a lot of things are heavier than they used to be, and the hills I hunt with the bow in autumn are

hull design still retained all proven features such as the 21° Vee with planing plank aft, big reversed outer chines for stability under way (and at rest) plus the above water bow flare along with 800mm high sides to keep occupants as dry as possible at all times. It was a novel concept, given that a 4.5 Galeforce had never graced a mould at its Maryborough factory, but as Galeforce are custom boat builders, it was a project that Kev and Meth Youngberry undertook with ease. The new 4.5 is available in both tiller steer and console format, and I selected the double centre console layout to suit our requirements. Anglers who are keen on a different layout will find it’s only a matter

The 4.5’s hull in profile; it goes as good as it looks. compartment’s hatches. WATERPROOF HATCHES Storage within the 4.5 Galeforce started up front via hatches below the fullsized non-skid casting deck, which is the same size as larger models. An anchor well up front (lidded to keep the rope in the boat) sat ahead of two storage hatches that were 800mm long, almost as wide and 320mm deep. A drained fish box

Twin transom compartments are part of the 4.5 Galeforce’s storage solutions. water conditions likely to be encountered. Considering my own needs saw me deciding on a smaller glass craft for all-round work, as I wanted comfort while I travelled, as much fishing room as possible, given the dimensions of the craft and stability while I fished. As the owner of three previous Galeforce rigs, I was very familiar with the great ride and handling they offered along with the

definitely becoming steeper each year. Hence the need for a more compact Galeforce craft, which would be lighter and have less weight behind the car. The very effective Dunbier SR4-SB multi roller trailer under the craft was also substantially lighter in weight than that under the previous 5.5m craft, so there was – along with the powerful 75hp E-Tec on the transom – a further weight reduction bonus there as well.

Main features are easily noted here. From the bow there’s the anchor well, paired under deck lockers, the Xi5 Minn Kota electric, the double console with grab rail and tinted screen, and wide decks. compromises, right? Well there’s one we made; trading off some space for slipstream protection. Another involved deleting the usual seat ahead of the centre console, which needed to come forward for best overall balance. This was no issue, and if we planned to take along an extra passenger, they could sit on one of the rear storage

that the combination of cast deck drains, plus decent hatch seals, completely carried all water away without any finding it’s way into the storage compartments to annoy me – a very good start to ownership in my view! LOWRANCE 12 CARBON DOMINATED THE DASH I kept the Galey’s dash layout as minimal as possible. A Lowrance Carbon 12 sounder/GPS was

SPECIFICATIONS Length of hull.......................................... 4.5m Length on trailer................................... 5.95m Beam......................................................2010m Interior freeboard............................... 700mm Exterior Freeboard............................. 800mm Deadrise hull.............................................. 21° Fuel............................................................ 80L Recommended engine hp................. 70-75hp Engine fitted................... 75hp Evinrude E-Tec Towing....................... Family six sedan/wagon some 900mm long, 30mm wide and just as deep was set up at the rear of the cast deck and designed to take care of plenty of ice and the day’s catch. One of the really great things I was to first discover about the baby Galey was when I gave it it’s first wash down at home. I was to find

flush mounted to port with a pair of Evinrude I-Command gauges, providing real-time data on exact fuel use, fuel remaining, engine revs and other important information set to starboard. A radio aerial base fitting and a Uniden radio were also part of the dash layout, which saw the wheel linked

Ample above water bow flare ensures water is pushed well away from the Galey’s hull underway. Running at speed the 4.5 Galeforce shows the freeboard that keeps occupants dry. excellent sea keeping ability and overall build quality. Most importantly, I know they also maintained a high resale value. LIGHTER WEIGHT IS IMPORTANT The concept was therefore simple: combine some of the best characteristics of my previous 5.5m Galey – which was brilliant for Moreton Bay 112

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TOTALLY NEW HULL Most importantly the new rig would still need to provide my wife and I sufficient room to enjoy our fly ishing as well as lure and plastic work, but I figured that with only two aboard we’d do it easy. To be fair this particular 4.5 Galeforce was an entirely new concept, but let’s not lose sight of the fact that the craft’s

of having a discussion with Galeforce Boats to consider alternatives. We really enjoy sitting high and tucked behind a console while travelling, so we happily exchanged some interior space for the extra comfort under way. One morning we launched at Cania Dam and it was 3°C. We love that console! Boats involve

The author opted for easily removable pedestal seats to provide flexibility in the fishing area aft. Note the deck mounted rod holders and pop up cleats as well.

to hydraulic steering right in front of the starboard seat. The double console came equipped with a very useful hand rail atop the tinted screen and within the console’s upper compartment the craft’s isolator switch, the I-Command and NMEA 2000 network wiring for engine gauges, sounder and Sonic Hub 2 were all neatly installed out of harm’s way, so that I could effectively use the storage to advantage. The lower console area was set up with the engine battery and offered another very large storage space. Further storage came via the twin compartments in each transom corner. The box to port was drained and could be used as a live bait well.

BOATS FOR SALE on

PHOENIX 920 Location: NSW

The personal touch – rod racks under the deck return.

Wide decks are handy for a well-earned coffee; that bass fishing’s hard work. FLEXIBLE WORK AREA AFT Aft of the double console with twin section lockable storage compartments, the rear fishing area was 900mm in depth and a full 1800mm in width. Pedestal swivel seats were purpose-designed to be removed on the day to provide extra fishing work room if required. There was nothing new in this, and I often did the same with my larger Galeforce craft when heading out for a quick daylight mackerel or tuna trip. The idea being that fish spotting was so much easier standing and, besides, it just gave us extra work area aft to handle large fish that like to struggle, carry on and make a big mess in the progress. The full non-skid deck up front was dressed up with a lean post, which – being so handy – is pretty much a fixture. TOP SHELF STABILITY Fishing at Somerset Dam on the craft’s maiden outing saw Denise flyfishing aft (she scored a decent bass first cast!) while this old boy worked up front with the long rod for the experience. Bass were hard to find that

day, and even harder to hook up. I had one hit and missed him! One thing immediately noticeable to both of us when fishing was the remarkable stability of this smaller Galeforce. It seemed to be every bit as stable as the other three I had owned, which I must confess, was as surprising as it was

pleasing. The 21° Vee hull’s excellent design, although smaller, still did its job of maintaining a firm grip on the water at rest thanks to those large outer reversed chines in combination with the mass of an 80L fuel tank and the 75 E-Tec astern. NOUGHT LOST IN THE RIDE A chance to run the

Galey in some solid chop at Somerset Dam came during the afternoon session when a cold southeasterly had blown in and it was exciting to see that the ride I was accustomed to had not changed one bit. Powering into the chop we stayed dry as all wash and spray was pushed well away from the hull, as per usual. SUMMING UP While the 4.5m Galeforce is a definite head turner, it goes as good as it looks thanks to the willingness of the 75hp on the transom. Already I’ve found the craft has proven very easy to launch, retrieve, and to push back into its space at home. You might be able to back your boat into its storage area, but I can’t, so the planned weight reduction of the overall package has paid off handsomely. The stability, ride and performance look good and soon I will have had a much broader use of the craft around the ‘Pin and bay areas for a more exact assessment. The Carbon 12 sounder is even easier to use than the HDS Gen 3 predecessor and I cannot wait to get some impoundment maps into the system and head back for more time at Somerset and other dams.

$85,000 CUSTOM QUINTREX HORNET 440 Location: QLD

$28,500 ATTACK 470 Location: NSW

$15,500 HAINES HUNTER 445/146R Location: VIC

$15,900 SKEETER ZX190 Location: NSW

$30,000 The Galeforce hull features a 21° Vee aft, planing plank and reversed outer chines.

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Advertorial

Ahead of the game For a long time prior to the introduction of the Insight Genesis digital mapping system I was in search of topographical information for a number of the inland impoundments that I regularly fished and competed on. Mapping detail for the coastal waterways was readily available via a number of means like Navionics cards, however the inland freshwater dams and rivers of Australia had limited detail. I had tracked down old printed topographical maps, often produced prior to the dam wall construction for some of these impoundments, however it wasn’t until the introduction of Insight Genesis that contour details for the inland dams could be accessed and displayed on our electronics. While the name might have changed, the new rebranded C-Map Genesis has opened up a whole new range of information and offers plenty of assistance in displaying and interpreting bottom contours and continues to deliver huge advantages to the recreational and tournament angler. In a nutshell, the product allows you to record sonar data

This sort of mapping technology is essential if you want to be competitive in tournament angling these days. with a compatible Lowrance/Simrad/B&G unit while on the water and, after submitting this data, a custom map will be made available that displays contours down to 1ft intervals. Uploading of data can be done either remotely, while on the water, or alternatively via your PC using the C-Map Dashboard. Once the new digital high-definition map is generated and downloaded, it can then be displayed again on a compatible unit. The maps contain additional detail displayed in a variety of colour palettes, and also allows the display of bottom hardness and underwater vegetation so you can position yourself and target those areas that are holding fish. Bottom hardness will display in varying shades to highlight hard through to soft. Similarly, vegetation is displayed in various colours to show weedlines or submerged weedbeds. With all these features combined, the angler can target specific contours, bottom hardness, vegetation or combinations of all types to hone in on the most likely habitat to hold fish.

Social and tournament anglers alike will enjoy the features of C-Map Genesis digital mapping. OCTOBER OCTOBER 2017 2017 114 114

C-Map Genesis is very user-friendly and easy to get your head around.

As an additional bonus, the free version of C-Map Genesis offers access to social maps, allowing you to tap into the mapping efforts of others and display contour maps for bodies of water you might have never visited previously. The list of social maps and the coverage of the respective impoundments is ever increasing. Most of the more popular dams in the eastern states, through the efforts of the Lowrance community, have now been fully mapped and the corresponding social maps offer complete coverage for most of these dams. As either a recreational or tournament angler, there are

Check out the detail of this map!

many advantages of this product. I use C-Map extensively when researching new impoundments or seeking out new areas on dams that I am already familiar with. From the comfort of my own home, I can scan the map of a dam and look for the sorts of features that I know will hold fish, depending on the time of year. From the map, I am able to create a waypoint that I then transfer to my sounder, so it is ready for me to visit when I get on the water. Once at the dam I’m able to track straight to those areas, already knowing the bottom contours and have the contour detail available when I arrive there. My passion is Australian bass, however the principles are the same for all fish. At particular times of the year I choose to target bass in areas that display different characteristics. When fish are holding on points, I target these areas. Once I hone in on where the bass are located, I can seek out similar contour details on the C-Map and maximise my time in productive areas. Using the contours I can identify steep points from flatter points, determine if fish are holding on one particular side of a point and look for similar features elsewhere. Once I find the optimum depth, I’m able to follow this contour on the C-Map around the point and keep the boat positioned in the most productive depth. At other times of the year the fish congregate on the flats adjacent to the main river bed and again, the C-Map helps to quickly identify these areas. At various times of the year the depth they hold at can vary, however, once the fish are located, the map can be used to identify similar areas. All the while the map is showing the underwater features that aren’t necessarily apparent when scanning the above

water landscape and can therefore be identified solely by reading the sounder. One of the coolest features and the most eye opening moment for me was when I first started displaying the C-Map contour maps on my unit. Over the years I had compiled a large number of waypoints that were resulting in clusters on my chart. Up to that point I had largely fished ‘blind’, and while I was always targeting certain depths, I did not necessarily have a ‘spatial’ view of the bottom to identify flats, gullies, points, saddles etc. When the contour details were overlayed on my existing waypoints, it immediately became apparent the sort

The maps have additional detail displayed in a variety of colour palettes, and allow the display of bottom hardness and underwater vegetation.

Knowing the topography of an impoundment before you even go out will inevitably put you onto more fish. of structure the fish were congregating on. I could see that often the clusters of waypoints I had saved over the years corresponded to a flat, hump, gully or other notable feature. Once I understood the bottom structure the fish liked, I was able to scan the map and seek out other areas that displayed similar features. This has opened up numerous other areas of the dams that I had previously never visited and increased opportunities. The display of the C-Map Genesis map on my sounder is now one of the most valuable tools I use and, with the coverage of the social maps on the increase, is continually improving. The ability to view charts prior to arriving at a new location allows me to prepare beforehand and I already have a plan of the areas I wish to cover before I get there. – Peter Jenkins

genesismaps.com

Kapten Waverider 550 CC a game changer

BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

Boats are a big part of my life; I love them and love the things I can do with them. I enjoy spending time in other poeple’s boats as well, which means that every so often I have the privilege of spending time in something quite out of the ordinary, which is exactly what the plate alloy Kapten Waverider 550 is! The Waverider’s hull configuration is a radical departure from the norm (yet absolutely proven) and combines high levels of performance and stability with a highly detailed finish and very high levels of sea keeping capability. The craft is a genuine game changer in plate alloy craft design. The radical hull configuration is the brainchild of Kapten Boat Collar’s Pat Jones of the Sunshine Coast. I first experienced the design and the accompanying top-shelf ride and easy performance a couple of years ago when I reviewed the Kapten 490 Waverider and its big brother the 610 centre console Waverider. These innovative rigs employ a vastly different hull shape, which sees the 4mm plate alloy craft having a fine entry with massive and quite steep reversed outer chines commencing somewhat aft of the entry section and continuing to the stern, in what could almost be regarded as a tri-section arrangement. While this rig is admittedly different, in practice it works 116

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very well; the fine bow reduces impact from waves while the tunnels created by the exaggerated outer reversed chines have a significant impact on ride, performance, and handling by trapping air under them underway and then really digging into the water to provide utmost stability at rest. In sea conditions off the Sunshine Coast the two earlier Waveriders were simply outstanding. While it would have been a treat to review the new 550CC in an oceanic environment, time and other constraints prevented the opportunity. Settling for the Brisbane River in lieu, we fortunately encountered some very large wash from passing tugs, ferries and other large behemoths; this allowed at least an accurate assessment of the hull’s ability to manage short sharp chop at speeds in excess of 50km/h. Mother Nature did her bit as well; the wind blew around 30 knots making for a fun day on the water! Hang on to your hat – I certainly did! AUS SHIPS’ DELUXE FINISH In essence, the new 550CC has combined many of the very best features of the earlier models and some additional ones to make what was quite good even better. The reversed outer chines are even larger and there’s also a 17° Vee aft to further iron out chop. The reviewed rig was constructed by Aus Ships at Rivergate Place Murarrie. Surveying the craft on its custom trailer, I was taken by the outstanding Aus Ships finish, which involved a truly outstanding standard

of workmanship. The welds were smoothed, polished and perfected with fit and finish absolutely top-shelf as well. A neat wrap highlighted the sides. Although the 550 Waverider was an eye catcher, I found the good looks were highlighted with practicality and fabulous performance. Pat Jones advised me there were, in fact, four models available – each an entirely custom rig as per final fit-out. The sizes available were 4.5, 5.0 (tiller steer available) 5.5,

fuel consumption of 23.6L/h. Into the wind-driven chop, the plate Waverider felt like a virtual hovercraft, so even though the 2.8L Suzuki was brand new I kicked in a quick burst to 5000rpm to enjoy the blast of breeze at 64.5km/h while the 550 just hummed along – no fuss and no bumps whatsoever. Dropping the trim down a tad (the craft was very responsive to trim) I experienced some really impressive G-force doing hard turns just for the fun

SPECIFICATIONS Length........................................................... 5.50m Length on trailer............................................ 6.7m Beam............................................................. 2.38m Recommended engine.....................150hp Suzuki Hull construction................4mm plate throughout Weight hull.................................................... 650kg Max People.......................................................... 5 Deadrise..........................................17° at transom Trailer....................Custom-made rolled aluminium Towing.................. Family six wagon or 4x4 wagon 6.0 and 6.5m centre console craft, so there’s something for everyone by the look of things. Note that while the reviewed craft didn’t have a windscreen, one would be fitted prior to the owner taking delivery. HOVERCRAFT RIDE Launching at Colmslie, I was amazed at just how easily the 650kg hull was powered by the 150 Suzuki on the transom. The craft planed at a modest 2650rpm, which saw a speed of 21.5km/h recorded. Easing the ultra-sensitive fly-by-wire throttle forward to 4000rpm, I saw a speed of 45.6km/h recorded with a

of it. I would speculate that with the 2.8L Suzuki broken in properly and the tacho touching the 6000 mark – as it certainly would – speeds around 70km/h would be quite manageable. FISHABILITY AND LAYOUT Footing’s assured in this purpose-designed offshore rig, thanks to carpet throughout and there’s plenty of room for up to five anglers to fish. A couple can work astern with two or three on the raised deck ahead of the console. It would be game on thanks to the surplus of work room and assured stability.

The 700mm interior sides finished just above the selfdraining floor provide a foothold when playing a big angry one, while the wide decks atop the sides also provided great brace points. The big bait station aft came with rod holders, cutting board and a window front to keep an eyes on the livies. Set into the transom was a tackle locker with several drawers while additional rod holders were near the bow. There were storage compartments set within the front floor, beneath the front seat and under the console. Additional storage is just one of the many options for a buyer to consider along with installation of an electric bow mount, as a Water Snake 80lb thrust was installed on the reviewed craft. The hub of the craft was the neat console under the big T Top with a bench seat for the skipper and a mate placed to ensure the dash and engine controls were within easy reach. The simple and functional dash layout had a Suzuki multi-function gauge set to port with switches and other items handy, the Suzuki engine controls to port and within easy reach whether you’re seated or standing. The dash hasn’t been designed to accommodate a flush mounted sounder, so a pair of optional 9” Garmin 820 units could be top mounted. The seating comprises of paired two person benches, per the owner’s request, and the seat up front of the console certainly provided plenty of breeze in the hair underway.

LAST THOUGHTS In assessing the Waverider 550CC I saw it as an exceptionally wellbuilt craft with a design that, while very different, is one hundred percent functional. Ride quality and stability are the strengths of this craft and they fairly beg for an offshore run, yet there’s no doubt the high degree of care in the finish and presentation would also have great appeal to a buyer. The design is available in bow rider, runabout, half or cuddy cabin formats and can be offered in both 2D and 3D survey. The standard rating is Level Floatation; if swamped (and fully loaded with all gear) three people can stand on one side without fear of capsizing thanks to under-floor sealed compartments and the sealed foam-filled side decks running the length of the craft. The fuel capacity was 185L but can be extended to 300L for far-ranging offshore work. As reviewed with the recommended Suzuki 150 and well-designed custom trailer – without electronics – the rig would come home for $69,500. For more info, visit www.waveriderboats. com.au, call (07)5441 3636. • 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.

The Waverider’s unique massive reversed chines are almost pontoon-like in their effect. Check out the very shallow draft of the craft at rest.

The Waverider’s forward anchor locker bulkhead incorporates a set of rod holders; the Water Snake 80 is an option.

Those totally sealed side modules are foam filled, hence the craft’s Level Floatation rating.

Transom features include a three-step ladder to starboard, a big bait station and a multi drawer tackle locker.

A forward hatch up front is handy for anglers working there.

Stability’s assured with the Waverider. Even jumping a curling wash didn’t move the craft off a level attitude.

The Waverider’s interior sides form part of full-length foam filled compartments.

The Waverider’s Tee top offered both shade and rod storage.

Main pic and above: The Waverider at speed – air forced under the hull ensured ample lift underway, hence the very fine mist of spray coming away from the chine. Ample freeboard gives the Waverider definite offshore cred.

Pat Jones at the helm. Note the fishing room and those 700mm high interior sides. OCTOBER 2017

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Extreme 645 Game King with Mercury 150hp

THE HASTINGS

Mark Saxon castawayestuarycharters@bigpond.com

I couldn’t help but feel a little bit excited when I first laid eyes on the Extreme 645 Game King. It happened when I was standing on the main ramp in Port Macquarie, about to get a firsthand look and test run on the boat with Jason Herbert from Hastings Marine. The first thing that caught my eye as it reversed down the ramp was how good it looked with the black sides and white hard top. Its SPECIFICATIONS Overall length ��6450mm Beam ��2500mm Hull thickness..... 5mm Side and deck thickness............. 4mm Deadrise.................20° Recommended hp.................... 115-150 Length on trailer............. 7400mm Width on trailer............. 2440mm BMT weight..... 1550kg tread plate deck looked very impressive, and when it was eased off the Tinka Classic trailer and put alongside the jetty I realised how spacious the deck area was. It was clear that this boat had some serious fishing potential. The test day was a perfect Port Macquarie day, with only light winds – not that great for a boat test. Still, with a little swell still hanging around from previous days, Jason believed we could give it a good hit out on the back of North 118

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Beach and its prevailing swell. The test boat’s power plant was a 150 Mercury EFI 4-stroke, which is the recommended maximum horsepower, so I knew we were in for some fun. HISTORY Extreme Boats is based at Whakatane, in the Bay Of Plenty in New Zealand’s North Island. The Owners are Glenn and Dianne Shaw. The Shaws began manufacturing boats in 1998 and have gone from strength to strength, and now have a staff of 40-plus. They produce more than 200 boats each year, and all the hulls are designed in-house. Extreme has a large share of the aluminium boat market in New Zealand, and have won many awards. They also have a range of dealerships in Australia. HANDLING AND PERFORMANCE The Game King’s deep vee hull (20.5° at the transom) performed sweetly going through the beach swells, and no doubt would be good in sloppy conditions. We pushed the boat down the swells, across them and then straight back into them without once feeling concerned. Turning on a swell was brilliant. Jason pushed it to the extreme (pun intended) throughout the entire test period, and not once did he back off the throttle. Another thing that impressed me was that when running across the sea, the Lectro Trim tabs enabled quick and easy ride adjustment while underway. This would be very handy into a decent cross wind and side-on swell. Underneath the tread plate deck there are four welded buoyancy chambers, and with the flooded keel

this makes the Extreme very stable at rest. This is a cleverly designed hull, and I’m sure this boat will get you out there to the fishing grounds and back again with comfort and reliability. PERFORMANCE Speed

RPM (knots) Fuel (L) 1000 5.2

3.1

2000 7.8

9.6

3000 17.2

16.8

4000 27

5000 32.5

5800 36

CABIN LAYOUT AND HELM When you enter the wheel house you will notice all the instruments are flush mounted, with the Raymarine ES 98 with CPT-100dvs sitting above the hydraulic steering, and the Mercury VesselView

directly above the sounder/ GPS unit. The trim tab control is within reach so you don’t have to leave your comfy deluxe swivel seat, and there are neatly positioned grab rails for those sloppier conditions. Sitting above the fishing electronics are a neatly fitted Fusion stereo and Raymarine VHF radio. Visibility is excellent from the helm. It has sliding side window panels, and the main view has a wiper. The fore cabin could sleep two adults and has two side shelves for storage. The fore cabin also provides access to the drum anchor winch. When you are not in the fore cabin, an aluminium rolling door can be pulled down. Back in the wheelhouse you will also notice side pockets which will keep cabin uncluttered. DECK LAYOUT AND FISHABILITY The deck gives you a feeling of room to play when

It’s easy to walk on at the stern with the walk-through transom door.

the fish are on. There are two under deck storage units, with one between the seats. Both rocket launchers are out of the way (one across the hard top and another above the bait table), and there are four aluminium throughgunwale rod holders on the sides. At the stern there is a removable three quarter bench seat, along with two transom lockers for batteries, oil reservoir and the wash-down pump. There is a livebait well and a walkthrough transom which is very effective. To the side of the cabin is a freshwater bladder and a pump tap, which is great for washing your hands before lunch. ANCHORING Anchoring was a breeze on the test run. We anchored in the river using the Stressfree Mini NG drum, which can lower or retrieve at 80-90ft (24-27m) per minute. The Stressfree is super responsive; it can free fall at 600ft (183m) per minute, but once the anchor hits the bottom the revolution speed slows down and stops, thanks to the engineered braking system. TRAILERING The Extreme 645 was quite easy to put on the Tinka Alloy fully rollered trailer. It has a 12V Stressfree Trailer winch, but was an easy drive-on to the tandem axle trailer. With a weight of 1550kg, the rig was towed behind Hastings Marine’s dual cab Navara with ease. VERDICT The Extreme is an eye catching, well designed and top-of-the-line offshore fishing vessel which is very comfortable and dry. The Extreme has plenty of room for serious anglers to ply

FITTED OPTIONS • FACTORY FITTED Bait board Boarding ladder Cabin roller door Deck wash Upgraded fuel tank Fusion stereo MD-UD650 Choice of black or white Rear pop-out bimini Hard top to transom cover Wiper • HASTINGS MARINE FITTED Raymarine ES98with CPT-100DVS Freshwater bladder with pump Stressfree Mini NG with SARCA anchor Stressfree 12V trailer winch DLX Seat upgrade Price as tested: $107,000 drive away*

*Price includes NSW registrations, offshore safety equipment, Tinka alloy trailer TA640 T MO with spare wheel, and Mercury 150hp 4-stroke with VesselView 4

their trade, secure in the knowledge that the boat can handle the rough stuff! If you’d like to find out more on the Extreme 645 Game King you can contact Brisbane Marine on 07 3889 3033 or visit 306 Duffield Road, Clontarf. Alternatively, you can head to Karee Marine at 1776 Ipswich Road, Rocklea or call 07 3875 1600. • 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.

Looking from the rear you can see the Lectro Tabs, the walkthrough with grab rail and fold down boarding ladder.

The power plant: Mercury’s 150 EFI 4-stroke.

Whenever you schedule a boat test the wind drops out!

Viewing is not going to be a problem with widows like this.

The live well is under the deck in between the walkthrough.

The helm is fitted with all the equipment needed for great fishing and safe boating.

As any boat reviewer will know, the weather is always perfect when you need to do a test, so we checked out the Extreme Game King on some North Beach surf.

The anchor drum is Stressfree by name and by nature. It’s excellent to use. The bait board with rod holders is located over the hatches that are home to the batteries and deck wash.

There’s miles of fishing room in the Extreme 645 Game King.

The optional alloy roller door to the fore cabin. OCTOBER 2017

119

FOURSTROKE DEALS

SAVE UP TO

$1950 ON THE 3.5-150HP

FOURSTROKE RANGE

LOW FINANCE DEALS AVAILABLE HURRY OFFER ENDS NOVEMBER 20TH 2017 So for a truly unbeatable deal, see your participating Mercury dealer today. See website for full program terms & conditions. www.mercurymarine.com.au

INCLUDES FREE VES

SELVIEW MOBIL ON 40 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 150HP E