Queensland Fishing Monthly - September 2014 by Fishing Monthly

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ABT visit Nomad • DFA surface lures • Side scan know how • Boating safety accessories • Killer whale takes on manta ray •

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Trevor Coleman landed this 3kg perch while fishing at Somerset Dam, QLD. Trevor used a Black Magic C Point size 2 hook.

Black Magic 40lb Tough Trace was used to catch this 92cm murray cod. Jordan Sanders was fishing at Hattah-Kulkyne National Park.

Black Magic 40lb Tough Fluorocarbon leader was used by Lachlan Lewis to catch his first legal nannygai. Lachlan was fishing out from Yeppoon, QLD.

Ngarra Warren caught this 80cm flathead using a Black Magic 4-8kg Snap swivel. Ngarra was fishing in the Great Sandy Strait.

Paul Carson used a Black Magic Snapper Snatcher 5/0 ‘original’ to take this 5.1kg snapper. Paul was fishing off Barwon Heads, VIC.

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September 2014, Vol. 28 No. 11

Contents SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND Tweed Heads 18 Southern Gold Coast 19 Gold Coast Canals 20 Gold Coast 22 Jumpinpin 24 Brisbane Offshore 28 Brisbane 30 Northern Bay 32 Southern Pumicestone 34 Caloundra 36 Noosa 38 CENTRAL QUEENSLAND Rainbow Beach 40 Hervey Bay 40 Bundaberg 42 Fraser Coast 44 Stanage Bay 46 Rockhampton 46 Yeppoon 48 Mackay 50 TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND Bowen 52 Townsville 54 Ayr 55 Lucinda 56 Hinchinbrook 57 Cairns 58 Port Douglas 61 Cooktown 62 Weipa 62 Karumba 63 The Cape 63

From the Editor’s Desk... Well this is it. After more than 11 years being the editor of QFM I have finally found the courage to dip my toes into the real world and get a job! Thinking over the last 13 years at Fishing Monthly I’ve had some terrific times and amazing experiences. There have also been the inevitable down times where everything just seems to be wrong. Thankfully the behind the scenes team at Fishing Monthly are amazing and always pulled through when the chips were down and they are and always will be a massive part of my life. My greatest thrill with all of this editing caper was to get feedback about someone being helped out there in angler-land. The fact that we have some of the very best writers in Queensland certainly made

my job easier, but knowing that we helped a few people catch their first, best or next fish is immensely gratifying. The other part of my job I really loved was introducing new writers. New writers always bring a different perspective and that is incredibly valuable for readers. We can all tire of the same old, same old and a new technique or location written about by a new writer is revealing in many different ways. And you, the reader, who has allowed me to work in a great industry for so long and provided me with inspiration, feedback and a good butt kicking when I needed it cannot be thanked enough. Ultimately it is for you that we do everything we do. If we didn’t meet your needs and expectations, you simply would not buy the magazine and I wouldn’t

have a job – well actually I don’t have a job anymore, but you get my drift. Internally there are far too many people to thank. I think over the challenges Fishing Monthly Group has faced in the last 12 months and I am proud to have been a part of the recovery from oblivion. I have never seen people work so hard and be so committed to making everything get back on track. The general staff have been spectacular in making sure the company still existed and I believe now the company is safe from further harm. And that’s without mentioning the leadership Morgo and Matty showed, making the hard decisions and setting the direction for the recovery. It’s not nice watching kilograms melt off your directors, but we just had some sensational cupcakes for Matty’s 20th

anniversary at FMG and we all seem to be finding those lost kilograms again. There are people within our industry that I would love to thank but if I start I’ll miss someone important so I’ll just say thanks to all in the industry who have helped professionally and personally. Hopefully you all know I appreciated it. What does the future hold? Who knows but I am a bit like a bad smell and will turn up somewhere in the industry doing something. I kind of like the idea of having a bit of a break and getting back into fishing for me and not fishing for work! So thank you all for support of QFM and your support of me over the years. It’s been a fun ride and now it’s over. I might even have to get a real job – perish the thought!

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Kurt Rowlands from Gympie with an amazing mangrove jack that he caught on a Zerek Prawn on a recent trip with Hervey Bay Fly and SportFishing. An Andrew Chorley image.

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ABT’s Grand Final winner takes on Nomad’s GT FMG

Chris Byrnes

Anglers dream of fishing pristine locations teeming with the opportunity to land the catch of a lifetime. The reality is this has never been easier for all anglers to experience world class fishing. ABT joined 2013 BASS PRO Grand Final winner Dean Silvester as he travelled with Nomad Sportfishing Adventures to experience Australian fishing at its best. Hamilton Island provided the idyllic backdrop to the start of the Nomad trip. ABT arrived at Hamilton Island the day prior to departure and stayed overnight at the Reef View Hotel. The following morning we were picked up from the hotel and shuttled to our floatplane. After a quick safety briefing we were soon airborne and on our way to the Outer Great Barrier Reef for our 6 day adventure (Nomad do have shorter 3-4 day adventures starting in 2015 for those with less time). A swift 50 minute flight saw us touching down a few hundred metres from our home for the next week, Nomad’s mothership Odyssey. This 80’ aluminium catamaran was purpose built for fishing charters and provided all the creature comforts required. The mothership is served by four tenders that ferry guests to the fishing locations each day. Once aboard we were introduced to Odyssey’s

Captain and crew and briefed on safety and the ship’s facilities. When this was completed we acquainted ourselves with our fellow passengers and begun to prepare our tackle for the following day’s session. Nomad provides rods

SEPTEMBER 2014

board shop and rear bar area. Access to the wheelhouse and motor room is strictly limited to crew. The area is well laid out, spacious and provides the opportunity to either mix with fellow guests or just enjoy some private time. Optional facilities (additional costs

Left: The Odyssey is a sensational home base anywhere on the reef. The crew are first class and you are looked after like you’re part of the family. Right: This is a pretty standard GT that will smash your lures. While they get much, much bigger, fish like this keep you somewhat worn out while you wait for the really big ones to kill you for the day. and reels for all guests. These are top of the line Shimano outfits that will stand up to the rigors of the fishing. In the event of loss or breakage, the angler is responsible for replacement. This unfortunately does happen time to time (including on this trip) but it is a risk all guests accept. You can take your own rods and reels, but these do form part of your

From 7.30am until 5pm you are in with a chance to hook your biggest GT ever. The guides work hard to put you in the right place, you’ve just got to take the chance when it comes – and it will come! 12

luggage allowance. Guests are required to bring suitable lures for use, or purchase lures from the onboard tackle shop. For the uninitiated this may sound daunting (and expensive), but with the guidance of Nomad the process was

fairly straightforward. For example most of the lures I researched and brought were suitable for use, but a number required larger or stronger terminal tackle (split rings/hooks) that I didn’t have so I purchased that on board (an on board running tab is used for purchases). The use of barbless single hooks is mandatory for all heavy tackle fishing, which makes releasing fish easier and ensures the welfare of the fish and the angler. After getting our tackle ready we checked the board that indicated the guide and passenger allocation for the next day. Nomad works with all passengers to identify their preferred type of angling and then allocates boats to suit. Passengers are rotated throughout the range of vessels ensuring everyone has the opportunity to experience the different guides and tenders used. Our guide for the following day kindly rigged our chosen rods with the leader and lures required. The guide clearly explained the knots used, tackle and what we could expect in terms of target species. It was clear all the guides held a wealth of knowledge and were happy to share their insights and experiences. Odyssey is divided into two levels; upper deck and lower deck. The upper deck provides a table area to sit around, area to store any tackle you may have brought and a clothesline to dry any washing or wet gear. The lower deck houses the ship’s accommodation, bathrooms, galley and dining area, on

INFORMATION NEED TO BRING Sunscreen Appropriate sunsafe clothing including buff/ headscarf Wet weather gear – the best you can afford! Polarised sunglasses – ideally two pairs in case of loss Hats Toiletries Medical requirements Travel insurance LUGGAGE RESTRICTIONS There is a 20kg weight limit on the seaplane to the Coral Sea. This includes all rods, reels, tackle and carry-on that you may bring. Check with domestic carriers regarding weight limits and restrictions on the length of rod tubes allowed to be carried. TACKLE Guests are free to bring their own rods, reels and tackle as long as it comes under the weight restrictions for your particular trip and is of the standard required. COST OF TRIP Varies depending on trip location and duration. New to 2015 Nomad are offering 3 or 4 day packages for February and March 2015, fishing Escape Reef and the Ribbon Reefs, exiting Cairns. These new packages will allow guests to access some of the world’s best GT fishing plus casting, jigging and trolling for an incredible variety of species. These trips are quick, easy and great value for money, with no long overnight ocean passages, and same day access to the reefs exiting Brisbane/Sydney/Melbourne. If you prefer an extended trip, Nomads 6-day Ultimate Adventures offer 6 days of fishing in some of the most remote fishing grounds available. There are 4 main destinations to choose from – Jewell Reef, Bligh Reef, the Claremont Isles and Ashmore Reefs, which are all accessed via Cairns. Extended and Exploratory charters are also offered each year. Remember 30-40% of customers are repeat customers so make sure you book quickly to ensure your place on these once in a lifetime fishing adventures. The 3-4 day packages start from $3,100 PP excluding transfers. Check out www. nomadsportfishing.com.au/wordpress/ for further information.

involved) included small clothes washing service, satellite phone and email. I would be lying if I didn’t point out that most people took the opportunity not to be contactable during their time on Odyssey. All guests stay in either quad share bunkrooms or in twin share cabins (for an additional fee). There was plenty of storage space within the cabin for all occupants and all linen and towels were provided. The beds were spacious, comfortable and provided a well earned rest at the end of each day. Given that you may not have met your fellow guests I suggest taking all the necessary precautions to ensure a good night’s sleep including earplugs, face masks and any necessary sleeping aids. All meals are provided during your journey and they quickly became a highlight of each day. A full hot or cold breakfast greeted us each morning. Lunch packs covered us throughout the day while fishing. Dinner was served at 7pm, which was comprised of a three course meal. At no time did anyone complain of hunger and were presented to a high standard. Two kegs of beer were provided free of charge ensuring no one went thirsty (the bar stocks a full range of beer, wine and spirits for purchase). Personal culinary highlights included the fresh fish guests caught served for dinner (including the freshest tuna sashimi I have ever tried), a first class crème brûlée and fresh squid sashimi prepared and served to guests within minutes of capture.

A day’s fishing would normally extend from 7:30am to 5pm including a half hour break for lunch. In this time we travelled around the various reef edges, bomboras, blue holes and flats that harboured the fish we were chasing. During each session we spent the majority of time casting for giant trevally punctuated with trolling between locations where possible. Schools of yellowfin tuna, shark mackerel and bludger trevally provided welcome moments of frenzied activity where triple hook-ups were not uncommon. During the session the environment provided the perfect backdrop with whales and dolphins popping up regularly and the tides and current showcasing the vast amount of water that moves through the reef area and shapes the reef system. The crew was ably led by the Master of MV Odyssey, Andrew Caines. Caines, who has been in the role for three years, oversees a crew that includes guides, engineer, cook and host, and whose responsibilities include the safety of personal, seafaring, voyage planning and crew and guest management. Caines undoubtedly takes his role very seriously, but always remained friendly and approachable throughout the entire journey. When questioned it was the guest’s

experiences that provided the greatest fulfilment within his role. The guides work together throughout each day sharing information about where they are fishing and what conditions

they are encountering. When questioned on what identifying features they are looking for on the water to the answers were not unfamiliar; bait activity, birds, current, wind and areas of pressure to name a few.

Chris Byrnes with a typical GT that nailed a stick bait. Good fun for anyone.

The guides provide guests with advice and direction on the lures to use, how to effectively work the lure and where to cast the lure to maximise opportunity. There is the expectation that anglers are familiar/experienced with using a rod and reel and are able to cast a lure. Regardless of your skill level it will take time getting used to casting large lures on heavier gear and it was a few days before I was able to regularly get the desired casting distance. If guests were using lures that required a specific technique the guide would advise accordingly. For example while using a large popper I was informed that the retrieve needed to be more aggressive in order to work effectively. The guide illustrated how the popper should be worked, when to pause the lure and the correct action of lure and level of water displacement I should be looking for. There were no shortcuts to replicating this, but by alternating sides and using a gimble retrieve the exertion was manageable. Anyone who thinks that this type of fishing is easy on the body will quickly realise that endurance plays a pivotal role in the process. Crossfit training anyone? Dean Silvester took to the experience like a fish to water. Despite not having

fished for GT before, Dean’s focus and technique allowed him to adapt to the style of fishing and get results. The numerous giant trevally that he caught (and many more that managed to escape) were the result of persistence, skill and determination. Silvester was the first person to offer advice, share stories or assist fellow guests when asked and was always the first person ready to board the tender after breakfast each morning. Given that most guests had limited exposure to tournament fishing it was an ideal situation to have a great representative able to talk about the sport, share his experiences and showcase his obvious passion. Each day on board Nomad was a unique experience. Between fishing there were many experiences to be had including swimming in blue holes (a cave or underwater sinkhole) located on the reef, seeing first hand hundreds of types of fish species inhabiting the coral reef and witnessing the kaleidoscope of vivid colours of the world’s largest coral reef. It really was up to the individual to determine how their day unfolded and ultimately gave each guest a blank canvas at the start of each day. To remember and share the experience a complimentary DVD of guest’s photographs

was compiled at the end of the trip and provided as a memento of the journey. This DVD showcased the locations travelled to and large number and variety of fish caught throughout the trip, illustrating the adventure through the eyes of each guest. I will leave the last quote to the Master of Odyssey Andrew Caines, “If you are a person seeking a unique adventure then Nomad Sportfishing Adventures will provide you with the opportunity of a lifetime. If you are an angler that is serious about your fishing then my advice would be to do training prior to arrival. Finally, if after the day’s adventures you can lie down and regardless of what transpired you are still smiling then we have done our job”. Two weeks on since our return and the smile is still there when I go to sleep. I am already looking forward to my next adventure...

Check out the short video of the trip by clicking on this QR Code or by logging onto youtu.be/JB8BHg8ertE.

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Setting up a sportsfishing boat HERVEY BAY

Mark Bargenquast

My mate Murry was on the bow of my previous boat (a 4.40 tiller steer), fly rod in hand, 80ft of flyline stripped onto the deck chasing school mac tuna around the bay. Conditions were near perfect, and the fish were in range. Murry made a good cast, hooked a fish, high fives all round and as it sped off with the school, the line on the deck wrapped around a tie down latch for the front deck and the leader instantly snapped! Heartbreak. This is just an example of one of the little things that can

be changed to make a good boat into a great boat. Over the past 25 years I have owned dozens of boats, big and small, but now I own a small fibreglass centre console. It is low sided, self-draining and there is nothing to hook up a stray flyline, soft plastic, lure, net, shin or toe on. I wont get into the construction material debate, I’ve owned everything from plate boats, fibreglass and Polycraft and at the end of the day they all have pros and cons with weight, hull design and setup being the main consideration. A good boat setup really depends on the type of fishing you intend to do. My fishing

styles have slowly evolved over the past years and, as a consequence, so have my boat needs. One thing I have learnt after doing years of guiding is you definitely don’t need anything protruding to catch on gear; just check out some of the American boat layouts. These guys have been doing this way longer than us Aussies with a massive flyfishing market over there. Just remember a good boat set up for lure fishing often won’t work for a fly fisher but the other way around works great. Fly boat setups should have absolutely nothing protruding, especially around the front deck area, even those

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Robbie spotted then hooked this decent golden trevally while fishing off the high foredeck.

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tiny bungy strap loops and the little buttons they hook on will catch something. I was out with another mate the other morning and he had a nice snapper up to the boat but placing the net on the front deck, some of the mesh hung over and caught on one of these buttons and the split second it took to reach down and unhook it, he lost his fish – a groper ate the fish off the surface! My current rig has a flush front deck hatch with a generous drain channel underneath, so there is nothing to kick toes, hook nets or flyline on, and great drainage even when hit with a high pressure hose. Every boat

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should have dry storage in the hatches, I had a boat once and after every trip’s wash down everything had to be taken out and dried, which was a real pain. If you are serious about your sportsfishing, whether it’s bass, bream, barra, or tuna, a good sounder is a must. My advice is to get the biggest screen size you can afford or fit on your boat. I am currently using a Lowrance HDS 10 with structure scan, I started with a 7” screen then went 9” but now use a 10”. You will spend a lot of time looking at one of these things so don’t go cheap, the bigger screen will let you see things in better detail.

Side imaging is nearly a must nowadays, so spend the money, get one and learn how to use it. I have learnt so much about fish movements, how they hang off structure and found the smallest bits of bottom where I never thought it would be, which is often overlooked and with some good fish on them. Some of the guides up the Cape now use side imaging to look into the drain mouths for barra in a metre of water; they can get in real close and quiet on electric power. On many occasions in Hervey Bay I would quickly sound around a GPS mark and if I saw nothing good on the side image then I’d just keep To page 16

Weipa guide Alan ‘Fish’ Philiskirk drives the electric while following a fast fish for his client. The high front cast deck allows for great fishing.

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From page 14

moving. They definitely save time from fishing dead water. Rod holders are another topic that needs exploring. Vertical rod storage can be great, but I have seen on many occasions rods stored around consoles and bait boards that get hit by a cast lure, fly or bait. Not only is there a high chance of them getting broken, but they can get in the road when following a hot fish around the boat. They may look cool all lined up but it is a disaster waiting to happen. Horizontal storage is the way to go, especially under gunwale out of the road. I have 50mm poly tubes glassed into the front deck that follow the curve around towards the bow. The tips slide in and the rod butts are hung on Velcro straps at the rear. This system is fool proof for both spin and fly rods as the rods are easy to access. I have never broken a rod this way. Serious sportsfishing boats rarely have canopies or T-tops as they hinder casting. Fold down shades can work, but aren’t ideal. Sun protection should be high priority, especially with kids in the boat, but I prefer to use a good cap, sunnies and a buff pulled up over my nose. Just remember to take it off when heading home, a friend forgot to take his off after retrieving his boat and was pulled up

Sportsfishing boats lined up in a Cape York creek mouth waiting for the tide. by the police, I guess they thought he was a bank robber. Everyone has an electric motor nowadays, however I tend to take mine off when sportsfishing for tuna and deepwater plastic fishing. They are just too slow to follow tuna and generally it’s too windy to hold position offshore. Occasionally on a calm day they can work, but a slow drift works fine. Power poles are another invention that are valuable when shallow water fishing. The first one I saw was on a

client’s boat he towed up for a week. I remember thinking what a useless thing this would be but after going out in his boat I went out and bought one for myself. Best bit of gear I ever put onto a boat, whether working drains for barra or flathead, popping for whiting, flats fishing for trevally. They even have a drift paddle you can simply clip on so at the press of a button you have a sea anchor. High cast decks are great value, allowing the angler to have better vision, and

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more storage underneath for tackle, swags on so forth. It is another American design, and the poling platform over the outboard allows a great place to stand up on to look for fish and suitable spots. There is a great place to sit with the electric motor control in hand even to clean fish on or cook a feed on. Outboard choice is again personal, most of the new generation engines are super-efficient with many sportsfishing boats are now running further afield exploring new country and reliability seems to be better than ever. It’s not uncommon up the Cape to see small 4.5-6m sportsfishing rigs run 150-200km on a trip down the coast, 20 years ago it would have been a massive effort to get the extra fuel needed! Lastly, under every good boat should be a great trailer. Be weary that some boat deals cut costs by placing inferior trailers under the vessel but most boat damage is done by cheap, light trailers that just don’t support the hull correctly. Get a good solid one with plenty of hull support. I’m currently using a full alloy drive on/off Mackay with Teflon lead-ins like a vee at the rear, so whatever angle I approach it automatically centres. Most manufacturers are now starting to customise trailers with some really good ideas coming out!

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Fertile fishing ahead for spring STH GOLD COAST

Ben Job

September is the first month of spring and with it comes some very fertile fishing on the Gold Coast in- and offshore. OFFSHORE In September the snapper

should be biting their heads off. They are one of Australia’s most popular sport fish, so why not get out there and chase a few. You will find snapper on almost all of the offshore reefs east of the southern Gold Coast but areas such as the 36 fathom line off of Surfers Paradise and the Tweed as well as the

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Mud Hole and Fidos Reef are always a bit of a winner. Lightly weighted whole pilchards fished slowly down to the bottom, with a small McCubbin glow sinker is my favourite way to catch snapper, but soft plastics weighted accordingly to depth and current is also more than effective at times. When fishing baits, I prefer monofilament fishing line, I think because snapper have very hard mouths you need to have a fair bit of stretch, otherwise I think you will be likely to pull hooks more often. Although, I’ve had far better success with soft plastics using braid, this is probably due to you being able to work the lure better and also feel bites a lot easier. With both braid and mono lines I use around 20-30lb breaking strain. Cobia should be causing a ruckus on our local grounds, and these hard dirty fighters are not only great sport but also a fantastic table fish. Cobia are best targeted with big live baits and most times, live bait species is not that important; tarwhine, juvenile snapper, tailor, yellow tail and slimeys are all really good live baits and anything around a kilo or so will do. It’s time to dust off the heavy gear when cobia fishing, although you will land even the biggest cobias on fairly light line. If there are a few boats in the area these fish are much more manageable on 15-24kg lines. Use a leader of around 1m in length and a breaking strain of around 80lb with either one or two 7/0 to

9/0 hooks depending on the live bait that are on offer. A little bit wider off of the Coast at the 42 and 50 fathom line you will be likely to encounter good numbers of pearl perch, pigfish and morwong. Most of these fish live close to the bottom so I find the most effective way to target them is with a paternoster rig with 2 or 3 droppers. I prefer either a gang of two 5/0 or a single 6/0 circle hook on my droppers with a glow in the dark bead just above the hook. Probably the most commonly made mistake when fishing for these fish is using baits that are too big; half pilchard, flesh or squid baits of similar size are more than big enough. You will catch far more fish with slightly smaller bait. When fishing deep, braid is the only way to go. You will feel the bites through the line far easier. INSHORE Flathead should be in plague proportions during September. Soft plastics are the most effective and the most enjoyable way to target this species. For flatties I like to use a soft plastic tails of around 3-4”, such as a 4” Mcarthy paddle-tail, as they are the most versatile size and will catch flathead of all sizes from little wigglers to shovel headed monsters. Most of your flathead fishing can be done with jigheads of around 1/4-3/8oz and a hook of around a 4/0. These two sizes are probably the most versatile. Flathead are an ambush predator so by fishing areas like drains or drop-offs at the last of the run-out tide you will have a good chance of finding fish in a feeding frenzy. If the flatties are shut down on plastics, it is always worth a troll with hardbodied lures, such as the Lively Lures Micro Mullet as these account for plenty of fish and are often great to use when prospecting new spots. Big winter bream should be well and truly on offer throughout September, these fish can be caught using countless methods. Lure fishing for bream has taken Australia by storm and this is a perfect time of year to get amongst a few. Casting lightly weighted soft plastics and hardbodied lures around

Brad Job with just one of many caught during the Dash for Cash competition.

Flathead should be in plague proportions during September and soft plastics are the most effective way to catch them. pontoons or moored boats will put you in with a chance of crossing paths with a few bream. You could also try deeper sections, such as the Southport Seaway or the Tweed Bar with plastics rigged on 1/16oz jigheads. The newest bream plastic on the market is the Ecogear Aqua Bream Prawn, I’ve been using this lure for the past few months and I’m yet to fault it. Bream just love the taste of this thing! To catch bream consistently you have to go for a stealthy approach with light line and leader works best. Lines anywhere from 2-6lb are best for bream and for leader I’ll try to use 6lb or lighter for most applications. There will still be a few decent tailor getting about this month and when these

things are schooled up they can be ravenous. Tailor are best found in the estuaries following the first push of clean water on the run-in tide. They can be caught casting or trolling metal or hardbodied lures. I find if schools of tailor aren’t visibly apparent, try trolling a couple of deep diving minnows around the bars and entrances, because chances are they are still there but perhaps a bit deeper than usual. On the beaches there will again be good numbers of tailor and also some thumper bream. Try fresh sand worms for the bream and pilchards for the tailor. Just a standard running ball sinker down to a leader of around a metre in length. I use about 40lb for tailor and 10-12lb trace for bream.

Better than last month THE TWEED

David Solano

Usually I start the column off with how good the state of the river is, and here I go again! It’s fishing even better than last month, the water quality is fantastic and so is the quality of the bait. I love checking out the baitfish to see what size and colour they are so I can attempt to match them with a soft plastic or hard bodied lure. The boys who net the mullet off Kirra Beach have been kept busy as there’s a lot around. Up at Point Danger whales have been spotted chasing them closer to shore. While I was spinning for tailor off the north wall two whales came in very close (just behind the surf break) and started getting friendly with each other. I had no idea what they were doing but the guy fishing next to me informed me they were mating. No wonder there were no fish nearby. So with all this baitfish around, it’s an exciting fishing destination. Small chopper tailor

are being caught in the river with the Blue Hole a pretty popular spot. You can find some bigger fish using metal lures or pillies on a gang hook. Try the causeway at Fingal, the beach off Fingal, both walls of the river mouth and pay particular attention to the beach where the sand pumping jetty is. All these spots are fishing well for the famous Tweed greenback. Luderick are around in numbers under Boyds Bay Bridge. The wall to the south side of the bridge is also generally packed at this time of year, particularly on the weekends. From the water these guys look like they are having a lot of fun, a real social occasion. Some big winter whiting are showing up in the shallows. I was struggling getting them on poppers but my mates were smashing them with live worms, so I grabbed a packet of Ecogear soft plastic worms and hey – they worked! The boys saw my success and started using them too. Weird how the fake bait out-fished the real thing. School jewies are around in numbers but

landing a legal 70cm+ mulloway is beyond me. My biggest so far this season was around 67cm and I haven’t heard of any legals caught in the river (you could try around the bridges just before daybreak and on dusk). Yellowtail kings in the river? Yes there are a few that have been caught on heavy gear from boats in the seaway. Big shallow diving hardbodies are doing the damage I’m told. Finally the bream are spawning, squirting milt everywhere. It’s all good fun until you cop a spray between the eyes, which happened to me recently. That fish was lucky not to be eaten. The bream are everywhere with the biggest being caught off the walls out front. If you don’t have a boat or yak here are a couple of land based hot spots. The boat harbour just past the trawlers is a great spot for luring and sharpening your casting skills, and there are a lot of big fish in there. Once I was slow rolling a deep diver along the side of a boat when a big barracuda came roaring out of the shadows and grabbed my

Dave with a healthy mulloway. lure. I got such a shock I almost threw my rod in the water. Yep, I got busted off. The other spot is a walking track behind South Tweed Shopping Centre. It’s a beautiful part of the world, and the track will take you out to the main river where you can walk for miles casting into the shallows chasing flathead and whiting. It is indigenous country and

this special spot takes you back to nature, I guarantee you’ll like it. There’s a seat halfway along the track next to the river, and I recommend you take time to sit silently there for five minutes. See how many different bird sounds you can make out. Lastly I was in my yak fishing the trawlers when all the charter boats came in. I had an idea for

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SEPTEMBER 2014

Bring on the big bite GOLD COAST CANALS

Josh Dunn www.joshdunnfishing.com.au

It’s spring already and this year is flying by! Winter was a cool one with exceptional fishing, and spring should be just the same – fishing wise. As the temperature rises, the fish will become more active and you should start to see more consistent catches. This month I will start

is also great for bait fishos with quality painted sweetlip taking prawns, I have found an early morning high tide is best around bridges. Hold onto your rod because these fish do tend to go hard! A few other baits that will work well in September include pilchards, white bait, anchovies, mullet and tailor fillets. If you like your lure fishing, try the new Z-Man 2” CrusteaZ close up to structure. I have been testing these out for bream in the

and bait. Best time to fish for these big lizards is from the dead high to the run-out. Table sized fish will also be caught throughout and deep diving lures also work well when trolled. I’ve heard reports of squid on the bite. If there is a nice, bright light shinning in the water at night, squid won’t be too far away! Paradise Point jetty, Biggera Waters (around the fish and chip shop) are just a couple of places where squid hold. IKA

Flathead fishing will improve as the water warms. 1-3kg or 2-4kg rod, 1000 size or 2500 size reel with 4lb braid and 6lb fluorocarbon leader is the perfect set up. All this can range from $150 to $300 and even up to

$800+. I recommend picking up something that is durable, last a life time and keep you happy but at the same time not breaking the bank. Drop into your local tackle

store and have a more detailed chat with them! If you would like any more information feel free to private message me on my Facebook page - ‘Josh Dunn’s Fishing’!

Canal fishing this time of year can go off as a lot more bait will flourish the canals which brings a lot more fish on the bite. taking the jack gear out with me more often, as this is the time when you will get some big fish. Flathead and trevally fishing will definitely get better. Canal fishing this time of year can go off as a lot more bait will flourish the canals which brings a lot more fish on the bite. We will start to see more bust ups – fish smashing the surface on schools of baitfish, most of the time they will be giant trevally. This time of the year

canals and they have been proving successful! Any small 2-2.5” plastic rigged up with a light jighead, fished close to structure will more then likely catch fish, just put the hours in and the fish will come! Very big flathead will be around, although not in huge numbers at the moment. They will hang around at the canal mouths throughout Paradise Point, Biggera Waters, Runaway Bay, Jacobs Well, Pimpama and pretty much any canal with some nice flow

Squid Jigs are excellent in a pink or green colour, a couple of others include Yo-Zuri and Yamashita work well too. Blades are continuing to show some positive results in the canals, anything in the 1/12-1/8oz are getting results. A brown or white/ silver colour seems to be a favourite of many. If you would like to get into lure fishing, the canals are a good place to start (be careful as lure fishing is extremely addictive!). A

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Fortune favours the flathead fisher this month GOLD COAST

David Green

Flathead are the major target species this month, and plenty of anglers will be practicing for the upcoming Flathead Classic. At this time of year the flathead begin their spawning run and there is a lot of fish movement towards the entrances of Jumpinpin and the Gold Coast Seaway. Big fish over 75cm are a lot more common as the water warms. Fishing deep water with large soft plastics, soft vibes and blades will produce plenty of great fish on the top of the tide and last half of the run-in tide. These bigger fish require at least 10kg hard leader and there are quite a few mulloway around as well. Work the dropoffs and deep ledges and in general you need at least a 1oz jighead to get your lure into the zone. I find keeping the boat directly over the lure is the best strategy in deep water. Don’t skimp with small lures. Big flathead like a lure at least 15cm long. Big curl tail plastics

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are deadly. Away from the entrances there are plenty of flathead on the flats although the average size is smaller. Trolling small lures such as Lively Lures Micro Mullets is a deadly method up on the flats at high tide. The biggest fish we have caught in the last few years fell to this method. Soft plastics, blades and vibes also work well and it pays to vary your lures constantly until you lock into the bite. This often varies from day to day. In September we generally average around 25 to 40 fish per session in good weather conditions. So far this season the flathead fishing has been quite good so the upcoming Flathead Classic should be a beauty. Mulloway will be around in good numbers this month in the Seaway and at Jumpinpin. Live pike have been the gun bait this season and quite a lot of fish over 120cm have turned up, especially at night. Big soft plastics fished on the bottom of the tide and first of the run-in tide have also accounted for some great fish. There

have been plenty of smaller specimens under 75cm and it is important to let these fish go in good condition. As the water warms the whiting become more active. It has been a very dry winter and already the whiting are moving well upriver. Wriggler Worms, yabbies, shrimp and small soldier crabs are all very effective whiting baits at this time of year. Some big fish over 40cm have turned up in recent weeks. The mullet run is starting to taper off in September and a lot of other spawning species such as beam have finished their winter spawn and start to move back up river. September is a good time to fish the Nerang River with soft plastics and hardbodies targeting bream and a few early season mangrove jack as the water starts to warm up a bit. This year the mangrove jack were still being caught in June so the ‘off season’ is now getting quite short. OFFSHORE September is a mixed month on the offshore grounds and the water temperature is generally between 19-21ºC. Every

Mark Frendin with an 82cm flattie caught on a Micro Mullet.

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thing this year has been about a month late and the seasonal changes in winter were slow, which meant the snapper run started late and both the 36 and 50 fathom reefs have fished slowly. This has started to improve and September should see some good snapper fishing on the wider grounds. The northern end of these reefs has fished better than the more southern marks. For the game fishers, this month can produce striped marlin and yellowfin tuna with the odd black marlin. Not a lot of boats troll at this time of year but it can be quite good on the wider reefs if there is bait about. When the gannets are active there is generally a few pelagics about as well. Striped marlin can be encountered anywhere from the 50m line to well off the continental shelf. A lot of anglers tend to head out too far offshore. The Cottons is an area that is a consistent producer in good seasons and holds a lot of bait. The biggest black marlin I ever hooked off the Gold Coast ate a live tuna I was trolling in September. It was a fish well over 150kg

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mulloway are around a metre in length. A nice calm night and a bit of patience should produce a few good fish. Circle hooks work well, and if you miss a bite the fish isn’t ‘stung’ and generally will come back and eat the next bait you drop down. The Cathedrals north of Jumpinpin is another great reef for mulloway. This year has seen relatively few cobia turn up off the Gold Coast but they often start to show on the inshore grounds in September. Plenty of berley and big live baits are the key to success. Out

wider there will be kings, amberjack and Samson fish and deep live baits and jigs are the best methods to lock onto one of these tough fighting fish. Overall, September is an interesting month to fish the Gold Coast and most of the action will be focused on chasing flathead. The Flathead Classic is a major national fishing event and this year should see a record field lining up to compete in this fantastic catch and release competition. Good luck to all competitors, and make sure you have some Micro Mullets in your tackle box!

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Rocky Edwards getting in some practise for the Flathead Classic using a Zerek. and we lost it after a 4 hour battle when the reel seized up. Fishing the 20 fathom line at night with live baits can produce plenty

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An 81cm and 97cm mulloway from the reef. Most bites come after sunset and live slimies are the gun bait for this month.

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SEPTEMBER 2014

Flathead on the move JUMPINPIN

Mick Morris gembait@tpg.com

Flathead are the best fish to target in September in the Jumpinpin area. The breeding season is well and truly underway and the lizards should be feeding up.

Big flatties can grow to in excess of 1m, which are a fish of a lifetime! Just remember all large flathead over 75cm have to be released so if you do catch one try to handle her with care and release her safely back to the water. The pick of the spots will be from the dead trees at the

The best flathead spots will be from the dead trees at the bottom of North Straddie all the way along Kalinga Bank along the steep drop-offs and the main channels leading to the bar.

bottom of North Straddie all the way to along Kalinga Bank along the steep drop-off and the main channels leading to the bar. They can be caught on any part of the tide but you’ll find they feed more on the first of the run-out or from about half tide out to the bottom of the tide as the water comes off the banks bringing the bait off the shallows into the deeper water. Try and aim for the banks that will be exposed at low tide and hit the edges of these banks. Flatties can be caught in as little as 6” of water so don’t be afraid to get right up on the bank and slowly move your bait or lure into the deeper water. Big bait for a big fish is the way to go with live mullet, herring, gar or pike awesome baits for the really big fish. Some other good spots to try for lizards are the Stockyards, Flat Rock, the point of Short Island, and the Gold Bank. Bream are still in plentiful numbers in the usual bream spots like Short Island, Kalinga Bank, Five Ways and Little Rocky Point. They are not big fish with most between 25-30cm but the odd stonker to nearly a kilo can still be caught. Stick with prawns, gut, yabbies, worms and whitebait as favourites for bream

Carissa Seary with a 6.7kg king threadfin salmon she caught from the Pin. bait. Vibes, soft plastics and suspending lures around any structure will usual catch you a bream or any number of other species. Juvenile snapper have been caught in the main channel from Cabbage Tree Point past Rocky Point and up to the western tip of Macleay Island. At the moment I’m told trolling deep diving hardbodied lures that dive 5m+ is proven very fruitful. The whiting should start to come on as the water starts to heat up. Worms are still the best bait or you could try yabbies, peeled prawns, squid or small worm like soft plastics fed along the current seem to be working well too. Popping in the shallows or using small minnow divers are

also producing. Try Alberton Sands in the Logan, the Junction, Marks Rocks, the Pimpama, Tipplers and the Never Fail Islands, Pandannus weed banks and the Gold and Green Banks. Tailor have been moving along the coast feeding on schools of bait so keep an eye out for them chopping up the surface. Poppers, metal lures and soft plastics are all working well with a fast retrieve but these toothy critters are murder on the plastics and will quite often take the plastic clean off the jig head which can prove an expensive way to fish. School mulloway are around in good numbers. Just remember that their legal size limit is now a minimum 75cm and a bag limit of two – there

are some anglers out there who still don’t know the new rules. Try around Marks Rocks, Little Rocky Point, Giants Grave, Whalleys Gutter, off Swan Bay and Fishermans Channel using live bait or large strip baits. The muddies and sandies will be on the move now that the water temp is heating up so be sure to throw the pots in when you head out. Muddies have been going well from the Logan River to the mouth and right down to Rocky Point. • Thanks for all your great reports and fish weighed in and if you’d like to order any bait or up to date fishing info drop us a line at Gem Bait & tackle on 3287 3868 or email gembait@tpg.com.au. I’ll catch you next month.

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Lure and Fly Expo Award winners The third Australian Lure & Fly Expo, held over the weekend of August 9-10, changed locations from Fernvale to the Ipswich Show Grounds for 2014. A part of the Expo that always attracts interest is the annual Lure Awards, featuring creative entries which are voted on by lure makers’ peers. The following three lure craftsmen each took away a trophy from this year’s event.

BEST COTTAGE LURE Chris Nielsen from Chris’ Creations Chris is a jeweller by trade with 20 years’ experience under his belt, and a couple of years ago he decided he wanted to indulge his fishing passion by creating beautiful lure artefacts and collectables. “I wanted to create something a bit out of the box, to put something out there that would make people say, ‘how

did he do that’?” Chris said. He has certainly achieved his aim with his new cicada, which took out the Best Cottage Lure award. Chris’ skill is evident in the intricate body and stunning finish, but it’s the bib that really catches people’s attention with its unique, elongated edges. Chris says he hand cuts and swages all his own bibs. At the time of writing Chris hadn’t yet decided on a price for his new cicadas,

Left: The Gobsmacked BuzzBug is designed to imitate a Bogong moth for Murray cod chasers. Right: This lure really turned a lot of heads in the display cabinet. Check out the stunning detail in this Murray Cray lure.

but interested parties can contact him at christophers. creations@yahoo.com.au for a price, or for any other information about his expertly crafted collectables. MOST ARTISTIC LURE Aaron Young from Kuttafurra Lures Winning the Most Artistic Lure award was a great achievement for lure maker Aaron Young, whose large crayfish imitation was pitted against some very strong contenders. Aaron’s crayfish exhibits exceptional attention to detail, with a carved body, realistic spikes and jointed moveable claws. Like all Kuttafurra handmade timber lures it has a design and paint job that’s second to none. This stunning lure was both a side project and a labour of love for Aaron, who worked on it whenever he found some spare time to kill. “It took many months to make,” he said. “I just kept coming back to it and tinkering with it until I finally had the finished product.” This lure does swim, so theoretically you could fish with it, but Aaron says he wouldn’t dream of fishing such a unique collectible. You can find more information on Kuttafurra Lures at www.

Check out the bib on Chris Nielsen’s award winning cicada. facebook.com/kuttafurra. lures.7 along with stacks of photos of the range. BEST COMMERCIAL LURE Jamie Judd from Gobsmacked The winning Commercial Lure was the Buzz Bug from Gobsmacked – essentially a topwater popper with buzzbait arms. It’s designed to be popped along the surface, which makes its propellered wings spin to create maximum attraction, like a large winged insect struggling on the surface. Designer Jamie Judd said the inspiration for the design came from cod fishermen, specifically one of his friends in Canberra who told Jamie the cod were smashing big bogong moths on the surface. He told Jamie it would be great to have

a lure to replicate the large moths, so Jamie got to work. The Buzz Bug will be available in tackle stores for a suggested retail price of $16. To view the full range of Gobsmacked Lures you can check out their website at www.gobsmackedlures. com.au. - FMG

To check out Steve Morgan’s interview with the Award Winners, click onto the QR Code or follow this link:http:// goo.gl/O7SjHr.

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Straight flush of reds offshore OFFSHORE

John Gooding

The past month has seen a couple of extended patches of good weather where we have been able to get offshore five or six days straight! That has allowed us to get a good handle on the snapper of late. The fishing most days we’ve been out has been nothing short of sensational with amberjack and snapper keeping us busy, along with a few yellowtail kingfish and the odd mulloway. This time of year we are float lining for snapper, but school sized amberjack in the 4-6kg range have been chewing their heads off. We’ve been grabbing a few livies as quick as possible in the mornings and we have been hitting the amberjacks before chasing snapper. To be honest on some days it has taken longer to gather the livies than it has to get the amberjack limit, which is only 2 fish per person. Two amberjack of this size is more than enough for a feed as they have a good recovery rate of fillets. When they are skinned and the bloodline is

SEPTEMBER 2014

removed they are great table fare. The wider grounds in 80-100m of water is where most of our amberjacks have been caught. The snapper have been great too and the quality has also been very pleasing with plenty in the 2-4kg range. I’ve also been pulling most of the snapper from 80-90m, but on a couple of trips there was a bit more win than forecast so we worked the 29 and 33 fathom lines for some very pleasing results. Snapper should continue to dominate catches east of the South Passage Bar over

the next couple of months and with the snapper starting a little later this year, I would not be surprised if they hang around in good numbers right through until Christmas. When people ring me to enquire about charters, I regularly get asked about some of the gear I use, so here’s a quick run down. For snapper fishing we use 7’, 15-24kg Live Fibre rods with PENN Fathom 40 Level Wind reels spooled with 30lb monofilament. The Live Fibres are sensational on the snapper with a light

Snapper are still producing and the quality has been fairly good.

tip action and plenty of grunt when you need it. The reels on my boat are all level wind versions to make it easier for the novice anglers. However, float lining for snapper needs a reel with a light freespool and the PENN Fathoms have that plus a smooth drag. I am also using some of the latest PENN Squall overheads and they are performing very well. When live-baiting for kingfish and amberjack we use 7’, 10-24kg Live Fibre M10s with the older model PENN 340GTi level wind reels. The M10 Live Fibre has a great working curve, which suits the 50lb braid I run and they are very forgiving on the angler. Again I have to run a level wind reel, especially with the braid and the 340 GTi keeps coming back for more. After all the punishment I have thrown at them on charter, the odd bearing or level wind mechanism are the only things I have had to replace. It is very hard to find a level wind reel that will stand up to that sort of day in, day out punishment with heavy braid and big, angry fish. For jigging we use PENN Spinfisher SSV

Red Hookers Fishing Club with some solid amberjack from the 42 fathom line. 7500s on PENN or Live Fibre 5’6” rods spooled with 50lb braid and they perform very well boating plenty of large and oversized kingfish and amberjack without any problems so far. My own snapper outfit is an 8’ Live Fibre Texalium 10-20kg with a Series II PENN Torque 40 Star Drag. The Texalium has a soft tip and plenty of power down low to slow a big knobby snapper down and the PENN Torque is the best reel I have ever used. It has such a light freespool, smooth powerful drag and overall smooth operation that it stands above the rest for me. I know a lot of snapper anglers prefer a lever drag, but I find it easier

to up and down the drag with a star drag knob while fighting a large fish. The Torque 40 isn’t a cheap reel but if you enjoy float lining for big snapper as I do, treat yourself to one. If you’re in the marker for a snapper reel, also have a look at the PENN Fathom 40 non level wind – it’s not as expensive as the Torque but a quality reel just the same. • Until next month enjoy your fishing, take care on the coastal bars and if you’d like to join me on charter (Max 8 persons), give me a call on (07) 3822 9527 or 0418 738 750, You can also visit my new website at www. outlawcharters.com.au.

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Fishing and weather looking up ledges surrounding the bay islands, the edges of the main riverbed (especially along collapsed mangrove banks), the mouth of filtering gutters or gullies and prominent holes offer great opportunity for success. Good baits for your crab pot can include mullet and other whole fish, chicken carcasses, or fish frames. The regulations relating to crabbing apparatus should be checked before heading out and you should be familiar with the size and bag limits for sand and mud crabs and be able to tell the difference between the bucks (male) and the jennies (females). As the water temperatures rise the quality of the crabbing will improve dramatically. Getting your pots into those harder to access spots can generally produce better results when chasing muddies in the estuaries. Even in the bay when chasing sandies, pot placement can be very important to the final result. Observe the type of areas where the pros set their pots and look for similar underwater terrain to set your apparatus in. KING THREADFIN SALMON It is not just the Brisbane River where threadfin are being caught consistently these days. The Caboolture and Logan rivers and numerous creeks filtering into the Pumicestone Passage and Jumpinpin area are also regularly producing threadies to over a metre in length. Although many of these are taken as by-catch by those targeting mulloway, mangrove jack, cod sharks and the like, some anglers are realising they are available in sufficient numbers to make targeting

them a serious option in these other waterways. Providing commercial netting is banned from these systems we should only see the numbers of threadies flourishing in years to come. Threadfin will respond to a wide array of lures and baits and from my experience, our southern threadfin are much less fussy or profileorientated than those found in northern waters. Also the average size is a lot better than those commonly taken in North Queensland and the Northern Territory. If only we could get barra to migrate south in the same numbers! One major drawback of our threadfin population is that they don’t seem to take well to handling, therefore it is best to take the hooks out while they are still in the water and then send them on their way. Removing them from the water will stress them considerably and often they can’t be revived. Live baits are a popular offering for threadfin, especially for those anglers fishing from the shore along the Brisbane River. Mullet, herring, banana prawns, pike and numerous other livies can be used. Even dead offerings of the same, as well as pilchards, have produced results. Some good lures can include vibration baits, soft plastics, blades and in some locations, bibbed minnows. The most important thing is putting your offering in front of them and working it well. Most decent quality lures will have a decent action that will produce strikes when worked as the lure was intended to be fished. Throughout September, there will be some good numbers of threadfin in the lower sections of the river but it is also well worthwhile heading upriver to target

them on the shallow mud banks, edges of the declines into the main riverbed and around any current altering masterbaitertackle@hotmail.com structure. With temperatures Night sessions are also gradually rising over the worthwhile and threadies next few months, anglers can often be found will notice a slight change slashing baitfish off the in the prominent species surface, especially around found throughout Moreton lighted areas. Bay and the filtering MANGROVE JACK waterways. One of the warm Good targets throughout weathers hotly targeted September can include species is the mangrove mulloway, king threadfin jack. These are available in salmon, flathead, squid, virtually every creek, river, snapper, crabs, mangrove canal, harbour and even in jack, school mackerel, some land-locked lakes. The cobia and numerous others. warmer weather, especially However, you should still when the barometer is be able to get amongst a few spiking, will see them tailor, bream, sweetlip, squid increase in aggressiveness. and heaps of other prime They will respond to a species. With air and water wide array of lures, such as temperatures rising, now plastics, minnows, topwater is the time to spring into offerings and even vibes. some awesome September These need to be worked fishing action. closely to prominent Martin recently nailed this quality snapper CRABS structure such as rock walls, just outside the bay on a soft plastic. If the old wives tale of mangrove snags, bridge only catching crabs during pylons, jetties, pontoons when the mackerel are around couple of quality cobia in a months with an ‘r’ in them and the like. Jacks hunt by will generally troll spoons session. Many of these fish is correct, then you should ambush and will rush from behind paravanes or trolling were better than 20kg and be back into the action this their hiding spot to nail any boards. The Halco No.3 due to their tough fighting month. It is true that crabs possible food source. They Barra drones are probably nature, they were a real can often be a little empty will return to that structure the easiest to find, however, handful on anything less than during the cooler months just as quick, which has Macka Spoons, Flashas (35g 15kg tackle. (which coincidentally don’t earned them a reputation as and 50g) and even shallow Large live baits are have an ‘r’ in them) but they a tough adversary amongst diving minnow lures can all generally the best however can be caught year round. sport fishers. be trolled behind paravanes they can also be taken on Nevertheless, the warmer Anglers commonly successfully. The lure should dead offerings and numerous months definitely produce use line classes between be around 3-5m behind lures, especially soft plastics better numbers of prime 7-15kg to target jacks in the paravane or trolling and jigs. Live baits can sand and mud crabs and heavily structured areas, and board and attached with a include whiptails, numerous therefore this is an awesome even this is sometimes not quality ball-bearing snap to demersal species (adhere to time to target them. With enough, especially when a eliminate the twist problem size regulations), sand crabs, dillies now being outlawed 50cm+ specimen nails your associated with spoons. slimey mackerel, bonito, in Queensland, safety pots offering. Both baitcasting Throughout September school mackerel and even remain the best way to and spin tackle can be used there will still be a few large grinners and other catch crustaceans. Pots are and there are even a few schoolies throughout the species. They usually aren’t available in numerous sizes guys chasing them on fly. Rous Channel, Rainbow that fussy and will slurp up and qualities and will attract Live baits are also Channel, Kianga Channel any kicking morsel they and catch crabs in the bay, popular, however the jacks and other areas of Moreton come across. Try around rivers and estuaries. will often have you back Bay. Jigging the beacons coffee rock reefs and ledges, Crabs commonly travel into the structure before you with chromed slugs and wrecks, the beacons in the and feed along contours can put any real pressure slices is often rewarding, shipping channels and other and in deeper holes, so set on them, due to the amount especially just before high prominent structure that hold your pots in these areas. The of slack line. Mullet and tide and just before low. demersal species and other large prawns are the best but Trolling the tops of major bait species. herring, pike and numerous bank systems such as those Occasionally cobia others will work. Most keen out from Tangalooma, can be seen cruising the jack anglers will release between the Four Beacons shallow sand flats as they the majority of their catch and Moreton Island and hunt for crabs, although they because they realise what Middle Bank can also be are generally mistaken for an awesome sport fishing productive, especially from sharks as they have a similar target they are. Estuary cod, half tide up to the high. I profile. Cobia numbers will trevally, hairtail, bream, mainly used small, deep hopefully increase over the tarpon, mulloway, threadfin diving minnow lures, which coming months although the and numerous others can fall are trolled around 5-7 knots. last few years haven’t been for the lures and baits aimed Light braid allows the lures that productive. at jacks. to get deep and also makes FLATHEAD SCHOOL MACKEREL it a lot of fun when a quality Increased numbers of Even as early as late schoolie, which can exceed flathead started to get noticed July, school mackerel were 80cm in length, grabs your in the estuaries around the showing up in certain areas offering. Bonito are common start of August and there throughout Moreton Bay. captures in these zones with has been some good catches One of the more productive this technique. ever since. I have heard of spots was in the upper COBIA flatties being caught (and reaches of the Rous Channel, Along with the school released) to over 90cm with Unbridled power, unexpectedly compact, uncompromising reliability, unbelievably fuel efficient. Mercury’s all new 75-115hp especially in the stretch mackerel, other pelagics some keen flathead anglers FourStroke Range. Unlike anything the world has ever seen. adjacent to the mouth of such as cobia will also accounting for numerous Browns Gutter. I managed enter Moreton Bay in 80cm+ specimens. Good a few here in late July, and a better numbers throughout numbers of smaller flathead Duffield Rd, Clontarf 306306 Duffield Rd,Clontarf Clontarf 306 Duffield Rd, couple of times since, mainly September. The last few have been caught with many on drifted pilchards or trolled seasons haven’t been great accounting for over 20 legal deep-diving minnow lures. for cobia but this year will fish in a session, with most 306 Duffield Rd, Clontarf The commercial line hopefully return to the days released. Finance Insurance Diesel MerCruiser fishers who inhabit this area when you could hook a Soft plastics are BRISBANE

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extremely popular presentations for many as you can sink these into any depth and work them close to the bottom where the flatties lurk in ambush mode. On the shallow flats, an irregular or slow retrieve will generally suffice while in deeper water and when working the edges of banks, many anglers chose a series of hops and winds to keep the plastic banging the bottom. Flathead submerged in the sand will use their lateral line (which acts like an ear) to detect movement in their general vicinity. The more times that your offering bangs the bottom, the greater the chance that a flathead nearby will detect its presence and chase it down. Other good offerings can include blades, bibbed minnows (especially when trolling) and flies (generally Clousers or weighted Deceivers). Live offerings are also great, especially when fished in deeper holes around the change of the low tide. Drifting with whole fish baits, either dead or alive, will allow you to cover a degree of water in your search. Trolling diving minnow lures or casting jighead-rigged plastics along the edges of major banks on the falling tide is usually a recipe for success. Anglers who understand the habits and movements

of flathead throughout the tidal phase will really reap the rewards in numbers and size of flathead. The larger specimens will usually take up the best ambush spots where the greater majority of food sources will pass during the tidal phase. Generally on the top of the tide it is best to fish the tops of the banks (especially any contours, weed beds or small gutters) and then as the tide starts to fall the flathead will mainly be found along the edges of the bank and at the mouth of small gutters and creeks. On the lower stages the main channels, deeper gutters and holes will be worth probing. SNAPPER Decent numbers of snapper can still be caught within Moreton Bay and the offshore reefs during September. There have been some quality fish taken over the last few months within Moreton Bay, mainly around the bay islands, artificial reefs and the numerous wrecks. Many of these have fallen for plastics, micro jigs and other lures although the trusty baits of squid, pilchards, fillet baits and others will always work a treat when presented well. Anglers will probably find some good fishing on the shallow offshore reefs throughout September as

many of the quality snapper which have entered the bay to spawn during the cooler months will make their way offshore again. Do not despair however as there will still be plenty of quality snapper to be taken within Moreton Bay as there are heaps of resident fish on offer during every month of the year. SQUID If the inshore waters are still nice and clean from the westerly winds of winter then there should still be plenty of squid (mainly tigers) to be taken around the bay foreshore. Generally the prominent channels, especially the Rous and Rainbow, will have good numbers of arrow squid on offer throughout September. I caught a few up in the Rous during late July while targeting mackerel on pillies. Generally I get better success on arrows when using a pilchard on a squid skewer than I do when using egi. Double figures of arrows can easily be caught in an area once you locate them as they are generally in quite large schools. The shallows around the bay islands should still be worth prospecting for tiger squid and others during September on egi. CONCLUSION With so much on offer during September and the

weather warming up by the day, anglers should be motivated to get out into Moreton Bay and the numerous creeks, rivers, canals and other waters to get amongst some of the desirable species on offer.

The school holidays are a perfect time to get the kids out into the great outdoors to experience real life, away from the attractions of electronic devices. Don’t forget to slip, slop and slap and be safe and

courteous to others when out and about, especially during the school holidays when there are increased numbers of inexperienced boaties about. Hope the rest of your family don’t outfish you too badly!

King threadfin salmon, such as this cracker that Aaron Winch subdued, are starting to show up in better numbers in other creeks and rivers outside the Brisbane River system.

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3397 4141 SEPTEMBER 2014

Pack away winter woollies NORTHERN BAY

Grayson Fong graysonfong@bigpond.com

This time of year would have to be one of my favourites when living and breathing the northern bay, as it’s a great time to finally pack away the winter woollies and get ready for the warm weather ahead. Being quite a dry winter, the famine on the land has seen a feast on the water as

fishers have had a productive season during these cooler months. Your known bread and butter winter species showed good form this year; juvenile snapper, mulloway, squid, flathead and tailor have kept us entertained in all corners of the bay. But it wasn’t all rosy on the fishing front, when a couple of weeks into last month saw a bit of a tough period of fishing where reports slowed and angler’s found it tough to find the

fish in many of the usually populated fishing areas. Whether it was a change in the temperature or even an early change in the season, it will probably remain an answer we will never find. Fingers-crossed though, the change into spring should start to bring better fishing conditions with the last of the westerlies making way for the southeaster’s we have grown to expect over the warmer months.

Flathead numbers have been steady over the last month with better numbers being caught in the Pumicestone Passage, Pine River and Cabbage Tree Creek, especially the mouths where baitfish have been more abundant. Areas worth a try at Bribie are White Patch, Glasshouse Creek and Poverty Creek with some fishos having success along the drop-offs near Toorbul. Drifting with the tide has

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been a fruitful technique as has been anchoring up on the corner of river and creek mouths, a noted ambush spot for flatties. At the mouth of the Pine, under the Houghton Highway bridge and Hays Inlet on the run-out tide have been the popular spots for flathead along with the Eventide wall on the top of the tide. Fishos have had mixed success with lures, soft plastics and bait with all three having wins in this area. The mouth of the Cabbage Tree Creek has also shown good form on the flathead front with anglers drawing better luck by anchoring up on the run-out tide.

David McKenzie with a healthy river mulloway. Tailor have been hot and cold over the past few weeks but have been plenty of fun when they are on the bite. They have been widespread through the Pumicestone, especially on the top of the tide as an increase in bait presence has drawn these rogue hunters out to play. Cooks Rocks has been a favourite of the locals of late as the sandy/weedy bottom of the area keeps the baitfish around, therefore drawing the tailor into there to feed. Also worth a try are the Cockle Banks as good whiting numbers throughout the last few weeks have drawn tailor into the area to prey on the smaller winter whiting. If beach fishing is your fancy, the Eastern Beach has seen anlgers pulling a few good tailor from the area, especially during the early hours of the morning with fresh baits being the weapon of choice. Bream numbers are starting to rise along with the water temperature after a sluggish back end of the winter season for the humble bream. After finishing their annual spawn the bigger bream are slowly appearing in the usual spots in the Pumicestone and the Redcliffe Peninsula with anglers throwing shallow running hardbody lures to great success. Atomic Crank 38s, Pontoon CrackJacks and Berkley Fat Dogs have been working well with light leaders combating the clearer waters and bringing increased success. Brisbane River has and

continues to produce good numbers of mulloway over the cooler months with this trend set to continue into spring. As the water temperature increases we should also start to see more king threadfin salmon activity accompany the mulloway fishing in areas of deeper holding bait. Lately the Pine River has had sound reports of smaller school mulloway being caught with fishos also snagging the odd threadfin when chasing the deep water dwellers. Areas throughout the Brisbane River have also produced the same results with bigger specimens populating areas around the mouth of the river. Heavier weighted soft plastics and soft vibes have been the pick of the lures this spring with anglers having success on Z-Man 5” Scented Jerk ShadZ, Shads Lures 4” Ribbed Candy Atomic Plazo 5” Prongs, Jackall Mask Vibes, Atomic Semi Hardz Vibe 60mm and Shads Lures Jew Candy. With the warmer months upon us, it’s certainly good to see the back of winter and the layers of clothes we usually wear over the cooler months. When usually covered up so much we often forget the importance of sun protection, especially that of our faces. As we start to spend more time on the water this spring be sure to pack the sunscreen and use a Buff/Headsox to keep our delicate faces away from the rays of sun. With only taking seconds to apply and cover up will be a valuable tool in our fishing careers.

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Cracker jack action awesome. It’s up there with some of the best and they pull line like you you’re never going to see it again. The Bribie Bridge has been the go-to spot, so hit it early or hit it late (in low light period). Mulloway have been around in good numbers but the size is generally just under legal with the odd one going over 75cm. I need to stress the legal size is 75cm for these fish. I have heard of a lot of cowboys landing 65cm fish of late and they are going straight in the ice box as it looks like a good size fish. It is not a legal fish, and as an angler you need to know size limits and bag limits and if you don’t it can land you in hot water fast. Mulloway have a minimum size of 75cm and a bag limit of two per person. Mulloway are fast growers and fish under 75cm have not had a change to reproduce. Most anglers these days won’t even keep the legal fish as they know how vital they are to keep in the system. The fight and a quick happy snap for bragging rights is all they

STH PUMICESTONE

Jason Wallis

September should see the water temp rise and bring on the jack action, fingers-crossed. Our winter wonders should still be kicking on with snapper still the main target for a little longer yet. The snapper have been one of the main targets for the early risers. You will need to get in quick to get some action; as soon as the sun gets up they shut down fast in our skinny clear water. The Passage snapper have been measuring in from 20cm through to 65cm. These fish have been eating fresh baits (pilchards, prawns, mullet, gar, etc) and they’ve loved the plastics. In my book the plastics offer a lot more joy or bang for your buck as one plastic can last four or five fish before you need to change it. You can’t do that with bait, as most days it’s the complete opposite – five baits to one fish. The speed and gusto a snapper hits a plastic is

need, as a good picture can say a thousand words and it lasts forever! Flathead have been patchy and hard to find at times, with only the most persistent anglers coming up with the goods. My prediction is that towards the end of this month they will come on thick and fast with some over size fish being landed and released. They can be a real handful on light gear and when they see the boat for the first time they seem to find another gear and go for ground. Small live baits, plastics and the humble Lively Lure Micro Mullet in hot pink is a killer. These little guys don’t look anything special to the human eye but to the lizards they must look like gold because they snap them up fast and can’t let them go past. The tailor have been patchy throughout the system with the best reports coming in off Bribie surf side. My hot tip is hit the beach. Bream have been coming through in patchy numbers. Some anglers are killing it while other anglers are struggling to put a feed

A near legal mulloway released after a quick happy snap. They love plastics on light gear.

Jarred with a winter jack going 48cm. together. Try to work with the tide up in the mangroves as this is where they head to feed as the water feeds up into the mangroves and vast weed beds that surround them, so the bigger the tides the better the results. We should see a few jacks starting to pop up, pull line and bust some of the best anglers up. No matter how good you think you are there is a jack waiting to burst your bubble. They will take a variety of bait or plastics and it doesn’t seem to matter, as it’s more about where, when and how you place them. I had a mate take down a good size jack on a plastic just the other week and the water temperature was 16ºC – now that is a talent that is hard to find! Once he gets wound up we will see some good pictures of some prized fish. There is a lot to learn about mangrove jack; just when you think you know it all, one will pop up and do something out of the box and send your mind into overdrive. It’s nothing for a dedicated jack angler to lay awake in bed all night thinking of how to master the master estuary fish. Stay tuned and I will see if I can answer a few questions for you.

The author with the result of a plastic sinking session snapper-style. Go to www.jackjacky.com for a bit of extra knowledge as I blog my way through the jack season, be it good or bad. If you have any questions, don’t be shy drop me an email and send in your happy snaps

with a short caption of when and how-to, email Jason@ jackjunky.com so I can get them up on my webpage. Now get out there and have a fat time, jack junky style!

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A belter along Barwon CALOUNDRA

Brad McKendrick fishingcaloundra@yahoo.com.au

Winter has finished for another year and it overall ended up being a little quiet. This was mainly due to the water temperature being up around 22ºC instead of the normal 19ºC. The cooler temperature causes the snapper to breed and be as hungry as a pack of rabbits in a desert, which would of made it a season to remember! Nevertheless, there have been some quality snapper taken in the deeper areas of the Barwon Banks and overall it was one of the best places to be throughout the winter period. Iodine bream have been prolific this winter. With so many fish around the southern end of the Barwon Banks it has been difficult to get anything else near the bait. It was only five years ago that iodine bream were scattered around but they have really taken a hold now. Tuskfish were also amongst the catches and once fish around the 2kg

mark are coming on board it makes the day a lot more interesting. The local wrecks held massive amounts of teraglin. The only thing about trag is that they really do mess up the fishing line. They can saw a rig so fast you could easily replace one each drop. Float lining has been the more favoured method to getting the bigger snapper on the anchor otherwise a strong paternoster rig has done the job without worry. The shallow reef areas, like Murphys, the Gneerings and Caloundra 12 Mile, have been the best places to locate the larger fish, which will be the case until summer takes a strong foothold. The estuaries have enjoyed a run of the bigger bream along with a few mulloway, which have been consistently hanging in the deeper drop-offs. Baitfish schools have been holding just offshore but there has not been enough predators around to break them up and sent them screaming for cover in the Pumicestone Passage. I witnessed a very large school of hardiheads just

off Moffat Beach headland recently and it sat in the deeper waters waiting to be attacked but nothing happened. That is a sure sign that things are quiet. Whiting are being caught on bloodworms and smaller poppers in the early mornings. Best bait for big bream has been chicken. People laugh when we mention that chicken is good bait, but if you use the bits around the leg they are a lot tougher and last a long time. Normally bream can’t pull it off the hook so they swallow it whole resulting in a hook up. Just cut small strips about worm size and put them on the hook like you would a worm, a couple of half hitches around the top of the bait and the bream is yours. Mullet have been in and out of the Pumicestone Passage and for those of us that use them for bait it was hard work finding enough numbers to put some in the freezer for later in the year. Of course if the mullet don’t run then the predators don’t come on and the whole season just grinds to a stop. Fishing the beaches has

There have been some quality snapper taken in the deeper areas of the Barwon Banks. been rewarding as there have been good numbers of bream, whiting and smaller dart about and an odd tailor or two. Late evening low tides have proven to be the better times to fish for tailor and smaller 3/0 hooks have made the difference this season. Normally 4/0 or 5/0 three ganged hooks would do the trick but because numbers have been down it has been important to use plenty of finesse. A key to good beach fishing is of course picking a spot that will hold fish but also use berley. We would normally start a berley trail from the moment we arrive at our chosen spot and that could be 20 minutes before we are even ready to begin

fishing. Just like offshore and estuary fishing, berley will make a tremendous difference to the number of fish you will catch. A simple mixture of chook laying pellets and old bait mixed together will bring them on if they are in the area. I suggest around a minimum of 20 minutes of berley if possible before starting or if it’s not then start the handfuls into the waves as quick as possible. So is it true the more you berley the more fish you will catch? No! Berley is not meant to feed the fish but to keep them around in the area and biting. Better to have a slower, consistent flow than a 5-10 minute break and start again.

One of the best delivery methods is an old bag that releases the mixture or simply a normal berley pot fastened into the sand by a pole leaving it to belt about in the wave motion. Summer fishing will be upon us soon but there are still opportunities to bag a snapper or two after dusk in the shallow reef areas or out wider in the deep holes. Don’t dismiss the use of berley and watch the tide times because a fishing trip on a high tide at dusk could be super productive. Work the estuaries this month for the last of the big bream and a few trevally and jack should be starting to show their aggression again. Have fun!

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There are plenty of great land-based spots to fish this month, like Military Jetty.

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SEPTEMBER 2014

All about the snapper NOOSA

Peter Wells

The offshore reefs are really firing up with snapper as the temperature drops and we get that great weather that seems to happen at this time of the year. For the smaller craft check out Sunshine, Halls and Chardons reefs with nice sized snapper being reported from all, as well as spangled

emperor, sweetlip and the odd cobia. Further afield in places like North Reef, Barwon Banks, The Hards and Double Island reefs have seen some great knobbies, mulloway and monster cobia. When fishing offshore berley is the key. Once you have anchored up on some promising ground, start with a good amount of berley, this will help to bring the fish around. After the initial berley up, slow down the amount

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dispersed and throw one piece of berley then wait until you can’t see it in the water and then throw your next. There are also a couple of rigs to greatly improve your catch rate. The Snapper Snatcher rig by Black Magic is always the first rig to go over the side, enhanced with a half pilchard on each hook; putting this down with the berley should see results, in fact the odd double header is not uncommon when using this rig. Rig number two is a floater rig. This is set up on a medium sized spin or overhead outfit, loaded with 20lb braid and a 30lb fluorocarbon leader. This has a small running ball sinker and a lumo bead above a 5/0 snelled hooks. The current run determines the sinker size you will need! The whole idea is to get the bait into the berley trail with the least amount of weight. The lumo bead is important especially when you are

Tim French’s North Reef 15.2kg cobia won him this week’s $50 Davo’s Fish of the Week prize. getting up in sinker size, as an attractant and it also protects your knot. Slowly let the line out until you get a bite. If you are not having any success try changing to a heavier or lighter sinker. As the bait floats down in the current, it looks the same as the berley. The fish that have been feeding on the berley trail see it as an easy meal. There are some anglers

When targeting tailor the more anglers the better. With more baits in the water, the better likelihood of the schools hanging around. If you are on a good school switch to a slug. Halco Twisters are the way to go. With these you will save time and bait and be back in the water faster ready for the next fish. On the southern Noosa Beaches the fishing has also been good for dart, bream

afternoon tides and you should see plenty of action. This is also a great time to target large flathead in the river. Ensure to wait for midway through the run-out tide, cast you lures up onto the shallow banks where the flathead love to sit in waiting for a passing morsel of food. Soft plastics are the way to go here with 100mm paddletails like the Squdgie Pro range

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Chicko Vella from Davo’s and Adam Salski with some quality snapper, Maori cod and sweetlip from North Reef.

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that prefer this method over all others. North Reef is a great place to use this method as the reef is quite long with fish holding over a bigger area. Chicko our resident offshore expert at Davo’s Tackle World in Noosa tells me this is his favorite time of the year to tackle some nice snapper and is more than happy to let you know where and how to fill the esky with a nice feed of reef fish. On the Maroochy North Shore beaches, mulloway have been on the chew with some nice sized fish to 12.5kg taken in the surf. Noosa’s North Shore has also seen some nice fish taken late at night with large baits of mullet or squid. Tailor are another fish that is on the improve, with good fish at the Maroochy River mouth on the late afternoon high tides. The Noosa North Shore up towards Teewah has seen some monster schools moving through with good sized greenbacks chasing bait fish in the gutters and holes with some even larger fish taken late at night by the anglers fishing for mulloway.

and chopper tailor, along with the odd big greenback tailor. In the Noosa River there have been some great sessions on the trevally with the current line and Woods Bays being the hot spots. In the low light periods, fish have been bashing baitfish that have been brought in on the bigger tides. Surface poppers like the Live Target Bait Ball or the lucky Craft Tone Splash are perfect for when the fish are feeding on the surface so look for those big early morning or late

in the Whip Bait a perfect imitation of a small baitfish. We have found that the killer tomato is also a proven performer and has claimed many a hungry flathead. • Next time you are on the Sunshine Coast call in to Davo’s Tackle World In Noosa or Davo’s Northshore Bait and Tackle in Marcoola to check out all the latest in fishing, our experienced team are happy to help with what’s biting and where, and remember tight lines and bent spines!

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SEPTEMBER 2014

Weather run reaps rewards RAINBOW BEACH

Ed Falconer

Good weather has continued to hold allowing for many offshore trips. OFFSHORE We have enjoyed our best run of weather in years and followed it up with great fishing results. All reef fish species have been on the chew with consistent catches of hussar, pearl perch, sweetlip and cod filling the eskies. We have also had a good run of snapper, bagging out on them around the moon and have picked up a few red emperor along the way with live yakkas for bait.

ON THE BEACH The beach has been fishing well for whiting with most of the action on the

full moon. Away from the full moon phase the whiting have been hot and cold. Small chopper tailor

A thumpin’ red landed by a Keely Rose customer.

have made an appearance with the hot spots being the Oaks at Inskip Point and Middle Rock to the south. GREAT SANDY STRAITS Squid jigging continues to be great. Little rain and clear water means these guys are plentiful and an easy catch. Flathead catches are still going strong with the Bullock Point area a good spot to flick a few plastics. September has always been my pick of the top fishing months. In the past we have encountered successive days of bag outs on pearl perch and snapper and had some great catches of red emperor.

A perfect meal-sized snapper. There will be plenty this size captured throughout September. A very good friend of mine and an awesome fisherman, Wayne, told me once, “If you can’t catch reef fish in September, it’s time to give it away!” Looking forward to some hot bites this month.

• To enjoy a day on the water with Keely Rose Fishing Charters phone Ed Falconer on (07) 5486 3150 or 0407 146 151 or visit www. keelyrosefishingcharters .com.au.

Big bounty on the bait HERVEY BAY

Scott Bradley marlin81@bigpond.com

The amount of yakkas present in the bay at the moment is amazing. Just

about everywhere you go the sounder screen is chock-full and there are some horses well over 1kg amongst them. All that bait can make things slow and getting away from the thick of it is sometimes necessary to catch fish.

ON THE REEF The Southern Gutters, 25 fathom and the Coral Patch off Rooneys have continued to produce some great catches of snapper, scarlets, red emperor, cod, coral bream and blackall for

Sam Taylor with an average sized Hervey Bay black marlin.

Steve Olsen caught this 3kg greenback tailor at the Cathedrals on Fraser Island. The whopper tailor was caught after dark, on a rising tide under a full moon. The fight took 12 minutes on 15lb Platinum line with the assistance of an Alvey 6500BC-V Lever Drag surf reel on a 12ft Wilson Liver Fibre Champion Trophy surf rod.

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the bait fishos. Spanish mackerel, cobia, longtails and yellowtail kings have been all over live and floating baits and jigs burnt back to the boat. In the estuaries, bream are at their peak with large numbers of fish over 30cm everywhere. Flathead are a prime target this month and with the water warming they really fire up. Flatties are suckers for a lure or fly and with miles of flats along Fraser Island there is no shortage of good country to fish. ON THE TROLL September is the start

of the trolling season inside Fraser Island and with reports of black marlin through July and August it’s looking like another big year for billfish. The past two seasons we have had baby blacks in the 10-30kg mark in numbers I’ve never experienced in over 17 years of trolling in Hervey Bay. When you can troll in sheltered waters literally metres from the beach and have multiple shots at marlin a day, you know you’re in a pretty special place. Traditionally we cop a flogging from northerly winds in September and

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October. However, if you can get a good day around the full or new moon and run a spread of small to medium size pushers and swim a gar or two around Wathumba, Station Hill and Rooneys working the bait and contour lines you’re bound to come up tight on a baby black. By-catch of several species of tuna and mackerel, queenfish, wahoo, trevally and cobia help keep things busy between marlin strikes and it’s always nice to bring home a feed of fish for the family.

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It’s time to fish for flathead BUNDABERG

Jason Medcalf topwater@bigpond.com

It’s time people! The water is warming up and so is the fishing. We have had one of the coldest winters in 60 years in our region and it’s finally coming to an end. The fishing has been pretty good over the past month and with a little

bit of rain we should see this continue through spring. THE BURNETT RIVER The river has been producing some great fishing with salmon, grunter and flathead all being taken,mostly on lures. Fishing the deeper holes and jigging soft plastics and vibes have been working very well. As the water warms the fish will spread out and readily hunt down lures in the shallows

where the bait schools reside. The pelagic activity will start to increase this month as warming water moves the different baitfish species around, so look out for birds and keep plenty of small metal slices handy. Getting in early or late is the go as the traffic on the Burnett these days can be pretty intense. THE BAFFLE The flathead are certainly on the chew in the Baffle and

Edward Crane with a cracking mulloway from the mouth of Brisbane River. The fish went 90cm and was caught on the freshest of squid. It put up a screamer of a fight, especially when it went around the anchor rope.

they should stay that way through September. Trolling small hardbody lures is a great way to cover ground and look for fish and it’s a great way to introduce the kids and newcomers to the joys of lure fishing. The mouth of the Baffle has certainly changed over the last few years. It has created quite a few new areas to target flathead from the bank or boat. I have taken my kids down the mouth on low tide pulled the boat up and walked around for a couple of hours casting soft plastics for flathead, it’s very relaxing and kids get to have a swim and run around. THE KOLAN I have fished the Kolan a few times of late and it has produced a few fish, but it has taken a bit of effort. The upper reaches have really silted up and this makes it near impossible to fish around the low tide, which is my favourite time to fish. The mouth is producing some decent flathead at the moment and should keep doing so throughout September and beyond. The large flats area just upstream from Maria has been a bit of a hot spot so grab some lures and get your trolling on as the flathead are waiting.

The author with the type of flatty anglers can and will encounter in the Bundaberg region in September. FLATHEAD TIPS September is flathead time so here’s a few tips to help you get into a few. Firstly, the flathead are schooling this time of the year so if you find one there should be more in the area. Secondly, flathead can be in very shallow water this time of the year so getting out of

the boat and having a walk, casting plastics and lures can be very productive. Lastly, flatties live on the bottom and face into the tidal flow, so keep your offering as close to the bottom as possible and try to work your lures the same direction as the tide. Enjoy the warming weather, I know I will be.

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Woody Island mysteries FRASER COAST

Phil James p_j_james@bigpond.com

While visiting anglers enjoy the best that Fraser Island has to offer, this month we will visit another Fraser Coast island. Sandwiched between Hervey Bay’s eastern suburbs and Fraser Island, Woody Island, or Big Woody as it is known locally, has a lot to offer hikers, campers, not least anglers. Closer to Fraser Island, the smaller Little Woody shares much of Woody’s characteristics and history. Both belong to the Great Sandy Marine Park, and are uninhabited. During the early years of the last century, the islands played an important part in providing safe navigation for vessels coming into the bay or bound for Maryborough. There were two lighthouses on Woody Island and these were manned by lighthouse keepers and their families during the early years of the last century. The one surviving, but no longer operational, lighthouse along with the shed that provided gas for the light, can still be seen near the middle of the

island. Both the lighthouse and the gas shed are local historical heritage sites, and are looked after by Marine Park personnel. The rock structures upon which the island is built are very much in evidence for most of its coastline. Along its eastern shore rocks extend varying distances seaward towards broken ledges that drop off into the deeper waters of the bay. Shallows with small reefs and narrow gutters separate the island’s western shore from the mainland. Navigation through this area can be difficult or impossible over the lower stages of the tide. It’s almost continuous rocky shoreline fringing rocky shallows make landing difficult but there are two easy options here. Jeffries Beach, on the island’s south eastern coast, the steep sandy beach provides easy landing at all stages of the tide. Behind the beach, grasslands and casuarinas make ideal camping spots for those who are self-sufficient. A permit is required to camp here and bookings can be made online or by phone with the Department of National Parks. It may be interesting to note that a popular TV fishing crew made this their base for one of

their expeditions. On the western side of the island there is an excellent beach landing on the southern side of a point known as One Tree. The prominent remaining coconut tree makes it easy to find. With shallows along the island’s western shores, landing here is only viable over the high tide. As already mentioned, navigation along the western shores is very much tide dependent, and certainly devoid of any navigation marks to help. To reach the eastern side of Woody Island from the Urangan boat harbour, follow the suggested track indicated on the map. This gives an all-tide route. Once past the north cardinal beacon there are no beacons to guide you along the western shore. In some areas the reef flats extend well out so it is best to keep an eye on the sounder. Having dealt with all the necessary background information it’s time to bring some fishing into the picture. Here we will be restricted to the island foreshores and the immediately surrounding waters. Around the northern end of the island, and along the western coast at least as far as the Gas Shed, coral and rock reefs and ledges produce most

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The winter months see a run of spawning bream around most of the rocky ledges, particularly those at the northern end of the island. of the action. There is a triangular section of Green Zone over much of the reef north and west of Woody Island. White markers indicate the southern and north eastern corners while the north western corner is very close to the red lateral beacon. Along the eastern shoreline broken ledges separate the shallows from the deeper waters of the bay. Some of the better structure is off the bluff and a little further south in an area known as The Graves. Further south there are excellent ledges with plenty of coral either side of the Gas Shed. As far as the southern tip of the island, there are isolated patches of good reef. These shallow reef areas fish best during the first few hours before and after daybreak and again on dusk and into the night. Species include coral bream (grass sweetlip), blackall, cod, coral trout, black spot tusk fish (blueys) as well as Moses perch. Blueys are generally daylight feeders and can be taken throughout the day, but it is almost essential to bait with rock crabs. Cod and coral trout are often taken by trolling hardbodies along the drop-offs and by working soft plastics and blades over the coral. The reefs and ledges out from the Gas Shed have proven to be one of the most reliable spot for big blackall, but mostly after dark. Large yabbies are in a class of their own when targeting blackall, provided there aren’t too many pickers about. Then it is good to use fresh squid or cuttlefish. Hardiheads, small

herrings and cut baits work well on coral bream and Moses perch. Although good catches of blackall can be made during the winter, most reef areas fish best from October to May. Reef species taken here are of course subject to legal minimum lengths and bag limits and responsible anglers need to be familiar with these. However I need to mention some that can be relevant here. A small fish, the lancer, looks like a coral bream apart for its long filamentous first dorsal spine and a prominent body spot. As a member of the emperor family (genus Lethrinus), it has a minimum legal length of 25cm. I don’t know where they grow to any acceptable size, as here in Hervey Bay where they are often called paddies, it would be exceptional to capture a legal specimen. I should also mention that juvenile snapper are often in plague proportions in this spot. We must be doing a good thing for the snapper fishery by nurturing so many baby fish. Of course, snapper must reach 35cm, and you can only keep four. Another trap that misinformed anglers might fall for is having a catch of grass sweetlip (legal length 30cm) including a number of spangled emperor (legal length 45cm). These species are certainly closely related but the spangled emperor can be picked out immediately by the rows of bright blue spots along its body. The winter months also see a run of spawning bream around most of the rocky

ledges, particularly those at the northern end of the island. These are particularly suited to working plastics between the ledges. The current bream season is now winding down but there will still be some good opportunities here before the seasonal northerlies become established. Despite the general lack of sand around the shoreline, flathead can be taken just about anywhere that sand and rock meet. Sand whiting are not easy to find along much of the island’s coast. However, Jeffries Beach often produces some good fish particularly at night. There is a small section of beach below the northern bluff that can also turn on some action at night. This beach is guarded by some nasty ledges so care is needed in going ashore. At One Tree on the western shore, excellent whiting fishing is to be had on the early ebb tide at night on big tides during winter and spring. Winter (diver) whiting are rarely taken from the foreshores but some of the biggest catches are made offshore from One Tree to the southern end of the island. This year winter whiting were late in arriving but by late July they were well established towards the end of the island. There are three other islands in northern Hervey Bay, Little Woody, Duck and Picnic islands, the latter two collectively known as the picnics. Like Woody Island, all three have mostly rocky foreshores. At a future time I look forward to unlocking some of their secrets.

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WHAT? That’s about the reaction of everyone who has heard the story and seen the pictures Lee managed to get. As the story goes, Lee had just finished having lunch with his clients when they spied a manta ray about 3m across wing tip to wingtip. It looked as if one of the wings had been damaged. As they were watching a killer whale spy hopped three times, checking out the manta ray and the boys in the boat. The 10m long killer whale obviously decided the manta looked like a better meal and tackle the ray head on before devouring it in front of the crew. An experience of a lifetime for sure and something I thought was more than worthy of popping in this issue to show everyone just what can happen when

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Full ahead for flatty flickers ROCKHAMPTON

Clayton Nicholls clay94_fishing@live.com.au

The moderately cool weather this winter has really kicked up the fishing in many areas. All the typical winter species such a bream and flathead are very active, and barramundi are still a good estuary species to successfully target. The systems are full of prawns and smaller baitfish, which is a great sign! LAGOONS The freshwater lagoons and creeks around the region are also beginning to fire up. Shallow fished plastics and surface lures are the way to go to get the fish. Using surface lures at this time of year will stir up the surface water and get a take from a barra and tarpon sitting just below.

ESTUARIES The common winter season estuarine species are all in amongst the mangroves and flats of all the creeks and inlets, particularly the Corio Bay. Grunter have really started to come out recently with many reports of these fish being caught. Through this past month places like the Fitzroy River and Corio Bay have seen a large number of salmon move in, from king threadfin in the creeks to the blues and king salmon out the front on the flats and beach gutters. Now is the time to fish the hot water outlet, the warming waters will see barra leave in the next few months, deep divers and soft plastics cast around in the main channel will see one or two larger specimens landed, if you’re not into the lure

side of things, some poddy mullet cast out will do just about the same job. Whiting have been found just along the drop-off line around the estuaries coming off the flats, fresh yabbies and worms will see you bag out on these in no time. Flathead have been an easy to take fish this year with a massive hype on soft plastic vibes and almost all manufacturers getting their hands in the pot there are now sizes for any species from bream through to coral trout. There are quite a few good 80mm vibes, which have worked well for flathead around the region. FITZROY The city reaches of the Fitzroy River have been fishing quite well and many people have been pulling good sized winter barra and big king threadfin salmon.

Using a down-scan function on a fish finder can provide massive clarity as to where the fish are sitting. There are a few deep holes around the city reaches that have a large number of fish sitting in them. Many anglers choose to throw soft plastic and hardbody style vibes down so they get down to the depth quick and are capable of imparting a great action simply from lifting and dropping the rod tip. INSHORE REGIONS The Keppel Group has been fishing well along with coastal headlands around the Keppel Bay Marina. A great variety of species have been caught, anything from large tuna through to mackerel and coral trout. Many people casting for these large longtail tuna are using ‘barra’ spin gear

The 80mm Sniper Vibe has picked up some decent fish lately. with small metal lures the same size as the baitfish in the water. Many of the trout and other reef species have been pulled on shrimp imitation lures, such as Zereks and the ever-reliable Gulp Jerk Shads are still taking the fish by storm. There are heaps of wolf herring out and about

lately, which is awesome for anyone stowing away some troll baits for when the mackerel fire up quite a bit late September. If you have any fishing photos of the Rockhampton/ Gladstone region feel free to send them through with a brief description of where you caught the fish and how you caught them.

Plenty to see and do STANAGE BAY

Von Ireland

Repairs seem to have come to a bit of a standstill along the road and there are plenty of potholes and corrugations from Halfway Creek. From the cattle yards at the actual Stanage Bay Property, where you first see the ocean on your right and estuary on your left, the road is a cattle highway through until you reach the township grid (start of the Stanage bitumen). Slow down as the cattle graze close to the road; just cruise and take in the view! ESTUARY The estuary has been quite slow for fishing and

crabbing. It’s still a bit chilly for the muddies, so keep your pots well baited and work them once every two days to give the crabs time to ease out of their holes as they hate the cold. The rocks keep biting outboards at low tide up thirsty sound at the moment, so please, please come and see me prior to leaving for your fishing trip to get some helpful pointers. Big winter bream have finally decided it’s time to bite. Blue-tooth, grunter and salmon are also still here, so take up the challenge and go catch some! Just a little hint for our southern visitors, don’t throw back the salmon, whether they’re flat, blue or threadfin, they are yummy to eat. ISLANDS AND REEF The islands and reefs are spelling while this big

blow is on. So instead come up and enjoy the sights, beaches, rock, creek and bay fishing or just catch up on some well deserved rest and relaxation. • Pacific Villa and Pacific Oasis, still boast the best R&R places up here at Plumtree Stanage, with slate pool tables, table tennis, darts, big TVs with Foxtel sports and extras along with normal digitial TV, DVD and CD players and they are both close to the tackle shop, pub, store, servo and boat ramp. Or you can walk to the creek and have a fish or just catch up on a bit of vitamen D from the sun on one of our sandy beaches or jog the bush tracks. Even come and have a yarn and drink with me and Tony, or you could arrange

A very rare albino crab. It’s still a bit cold for the crabs but they will soon be out of their hidey-holes. a visit with Alf or Bill, from our Coastguard to checkout our 3 boats, shed and control headquarters. For some

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Revelling on the reef YEPPOON

Scott Lynch ifishcq2@bigpond.com

Flathead have been going strong in recent weeks as they are now congregating for the upcoming spawning months. You will often find large numbers of males and just a few females in any particular spot. I only take one or two reasonable males and leave the females to their job of continuing the species. The pick spots for flatties are usually eddies, around structures, mangrove bases, creek mouths, sand bank edges and channel drop-offs. Hardiheads, poddy mullet

and greenback herring are the main baits schooling in the estuaries at present so they are going to be the best baits. Pillies, prawns and flesh strips are the better fresh/frozen baits for flatties. Lures are by far the most productive when targeting flathead for a couple of reasons: from their ability to cover a fair-sized area and locating the fish, to flathead finding a moving object almost irresistible when they are in feeding mode. The Fitzroy Delta area is probably one place where there are lots of flathead that aren’t really targeted due to the availability of the glamour species barramundi or golden snapper. There

are some serious flatties in this area, down through The Narrows or up along Rundles and Long Beach. Coorooman Creek and Corio Bay are the best option overall for a feed of flathead. The beaches, Ross Creek and The Causeway hold enough flatties to keep the locals happy without having to travel any distance to go fishing. There must be plenty of barramundi in the local estuaries and in the river if the amount of fish caught over the winter months is anything to go by. We usually have a quiet time where they are only halfhearted in swiping at lures or baits and even then it is in

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Ray Johnson caught this gold band jobby just past the islands. the warmest part of the day. This winter there were more fish landed than I can recall in recent years. Most of the creeks, including Coorooman Creek, which is normally hard work to get barra consistently anytime has produced some cracker fish around the metremark and a fair number of smaller fish to back them up. We got smashed by a couple in the shallows near the ramp targeting flathead last week. A small prawn style lure and Little Gold Reidy’s were hammered and lost in consecutive casts at the mouth of a shallow run-off drain (I don’t target barra with 1kg main, as a rule). The Fitzroy has also been performing from the town reaches right downstream with lots of quality fish at any hour of the day. Corio was much the same as Coorooman Creek with plenty of little fish among the big girls. Grunter have kept up their amazing run both inside and offshore. The Fitzroy River, Corio Bay and Coorooman Creek are all working for grunter at the moment. While there are the odd fish taking plastics,

by the current generally at the frontal pressure zone of a structure or where the current converges at the back. Offshore grunter like prawns, pillies, squid and fresh flesh strips. Salmon, whiting and bream are also going well at the moment. Spring is good for most estuary fish and the temperatures make September a great time to get among them. Spotted mackerel are due in anytime now. With the return of regular dry type seasons there has been a steady improve on all the mackerel and that should mean a decent September run of spotties. They travel quite close to the coast giving anglers an opportunity to land some quality table

Mick Jones caught double trout in reef country just off Yeppoon. large prawns are getting the best returns. They have been in the deeper holes or cockle beds in the estuaries. The saying ‘no run, no fun’ certainly applies to grunter. Though they sit out of or below the main currents, grunter rely on the moving water to bring a feed to them. Offshore spots are similar because they hang in trenches and dips made

and sportfish. Quartz Rock, Cave and Wedge isles off the southern end of our coast seem to hold spots for longer than the other mackerel spots. These places are great bait holding spots with decent current runs, eddies and obvious current lines. Spotties love current lines and will often school where the cleaner flow and the frothy waters meet.

Shiny slugs and Flasha type lures work the best as a rule using a quick erratic retrieve. Our best results come from casting across the run and letting the lure sink for several seconds before retrieving. This method works for pretty much all mackerel because the sink time allows the lure to stay in the water for longer periods giving the mackerel extra time to chase and grab it. Ritamada, Ironpot, Double Heads, Claytons, Forty Acre, Findlays, Bangalee and Farnborough reefs are all great spots for lesser mackerel and are all worth a shot when the spotted mackerel move into Keppel Bay. Spanish mackerel have not gone away or hardly even slowed down this year as catches from Liza Jane, Barren, Outer, Conical, South Keppel, Man & Wife, Flat, Perforated and Manifold can testify. Doggies are also clinging on, although the majority of fish are hanging just outside the bay at present. We can’t go to Barren or Keppel without getting dogs lately. Ribbonfish are still going off and some of the fish taken off Emu Park in recent days are as big as they get. One Cawarall local showed me a metre-plus ribbony this week. This big ribbon may be a little large for a Spaniard troll bait but it will slice up nicely for great reefy or mulloway baits. The last month or so we have been getting rosy and banded jobfish in shallower waters than previous years. Big jobbies are found in the deeper fern country (55-60m) among schools of red emperor or large nannies. Lately they have been caught at spots not far from the islands, in depths of 25m or less. Rosies or banded jobs are very good table fish and easily rank with reds and other reefies. Offshore, golden snapper have been a regular in To page 49

From page 48

recent times at many of the spots favoured by grunter hunters. They like country with plenty of shelter and plenty of run. With more people using big plastics they are catching more quality golden snapper. We try all the colours of the biggest Gulps on the biggest Nitro Heads until we find the colour that works on that day. Up to date, the old nuclear chicken is still my go-to until someone else gets a fish on another type and I haven’t been touched. I always put out a bait jig and a squid jig out the other side of the boat when I get to spots where there are likely to be golden snapper – they pay for themselves in no time if the fish are there. Live squid are probably the top ranking bait for nearly all fish at rubble patches or wrecks. Any of the local wrecks, mulloway holes and headlands are all areas to consider when you are looking to target them. Headlands and rock walls are perfect spots for trolling deep diving lures. I prefer a lure that bumps the bottom either kicking up a bit of mud or rattling off a rock, especially in water with low visibility. Like always, use fluoro lures in dirty water and natural colours in clear water.

FISHING FILL-ITS

Don’t get in a tangle using illegal nets in Queensland Nine people were found to be using illegal gill nets and cast nets throughout waterways in the Gold Coast hinterland recently prompting calls for fishers to refresh their knowledge of Q u e e n s l a n d ’s freshwater fishing rules. Queensland Boating

and Fisheries Patrol officer David Kahler said there had been an increase in the number of fishers using mesh nets in local freshwater fishing spots. “While most specified recreational nets can be used in tidal waters, fishers should be aware that mesh

nets are not allowed to be used in freshwaters,” Mr Kahler said. “Landing nets, scoop or dip nets, and dilly nets are permitted to be used; however all other nets, including cast and seine (bait) nets are illegal. “Since January 2014, we have confiscated 15 illegal nets and have issued a number of $1138 on-the-spot fines for using mesh and bait nets in freshwater,” he said.

“All of the nets have been between 20 m and 60 m in length with a mesh size greater than 90 mm, which are also illegal to use in tidal waters. “Many of the people said they had purchased the nets online or brought them into Queensland from overseas. “Fishers should take care when purchasing products online to ensure they can be legally used and possessed within

Queensland. Possession includes having them at a property or in a vehicle.” If you suspect illegal fishing, whether seen in person or online, report it to the Fishwatch hotline on 1800 017 116. Don’t engage the person, as this can compromise an investigation. For more information on fishing in Queensland, visit www.fisheries. qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23. - QBFP

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Brisbane Boat Show | 12-15 September 2014

SEPTEMBER 2014

A small boat angler’s bonanza MACKAY

Keith Day habdays@bigpond.net.au

September in Mackay equals sunshine, northerly winds, heat and small mackerel and tuna close inshore. After the winter we’ve had, when overnight temps dropped to around 5°C on several occasions, these conditions are something to really look forward to. Unfortunately for non-boating anglers, it looks like the southern breakwall of the harbour is going to be closed for continuing repairs so these anglers will be restricted to the north wall only. While this is probably not as productive as the

dark. These early morning and late afternoon timeslots are the hot times, and if there is a tide change then the fish will often go berserk. Baitfish can be found either balled up or showering out of the water in their panic to avoid being eaten. This is a small boat bonanza for anglers, and a 4m tinnie with a reliable outboard will get you plenty of action. There is a growing band of younger anglers who chase these small macks from kayaks, but with the large tiger sharks that are netted or caught on set lines near the harbour, I think I’ll stick with my tinnie, thanks very much! Small macks can bob up anywhere but they are not usually as frustrating as tuna.

Callum Matthews caught this king threadfin slowly working a Fuze vibe along a mud bank. Beaut threadies like this will be about all through spring and summer. southern wall, good catches of small macks can be taken right in almost to the beach. There is always the odd mac tuna or longtail to liven up the proceedings also. Schools of small bait are pushed right in on the walls and beaches by the early morning calm conditions, and that is the time to be on the water. The winds usually pick up to uncomfortable levels by about lunchtime and then often drop out again just before

Macks at least are fairly approachable, particularly when they are working into the wind and will often be within a rod length or two of the boat. Tuna, on the other hand, usually need to be approached under electric power and with long casts, so this is spin stick territory. With a 4000 size reel loaded with 10kg braid you can confidently handle just about any fish likely to be encountered.

I like casting to the macks and tuna and use a fair selection of lures, as shown in the photo. I generally stick to ‘shinies’ of one sort or other, but the blades are also proving to be good value. Plastics will always work, but the attrition rate can be horrendous and very heavy on the wallet. I also usually have a minnow rigged on a stiff baitcaster for trolling and like lures that run between 2-4m deep and have a fair bit of reflective flash. Wire is a vexed subject. More hits will definitely happen with a quality mono or fluorocarbon leader, but bite-offs are common. This is not such a big issue trolling minnows, but shinies are usually pretty small and tend to get just about fully engulfed, exposing the leader to those razor sharp teeth. If you’re using wire, keep it fine and short and use black swivels. One last thing, shine up your shinies with polish of some sort so you get maximum flash from them. Where to look for the macks is simple, either out from the harbour or the mouth of the river. The islands up around Seaforth produce well, as do the rock reefs off Shoal Point and Bucasia Beach. To the south check out around Hay Point, and the islands further south out from Sarina Inlet, but these involve a fair run so are better suited to boats 5m and up. If you call into the local tackle shops, the guys who work in them will put you onto the right spots and can fix you up with the current hot lures. They can also supply you with plenty of fresh baits (pillies and herring would be the two main choices), and they can advise on rigging and so forth. Finally, watch the legal lengths and learn to tell the difference between the species and please don’t bag out on them. Treat the fish as soon as you catch it by bleeding it into a bucket or over the side. Rip the guts out, wipe the flesh slime off, and get the fish laid in ice super quickly and the quality is top shelf.

BARRA AND JACKS Springtime also means that the water in the creeks is warming up quickly and that gets things moving there, too. Barra are back on the target list and the jacks also become more active as the weather warms up. Barra and jacks are often caught in similar spots at different stages of the tides, as the barra tend to cruise about to various spots while the jacks seem to find a spot to their liking and sit on it. Barra will often be found in numbers on the same snag or rock bar, whereas with jacks you generally get one or two and then have to move to another snag. Both species will respond to the traditional minnows but the barra in particular have taken a liking to plastics like the various vibes. However, these lures are better suited to more open water as the trebles are very exposed and snag up really easily. Although soft vibes will definitely work on snag-dwelling fish, it can be an expensive exercise – particularly if you’re using the Transams at around $30 a hit. I mostly use Threadybusters, Fuze and Quick Catch ones as they seem to work well and are much easier on the pocket. Prawn imitations will also come into their own as the weather warms up, and these can be rigged weedless and chucked right into the snags. Getting the hit is just the start though; the trick is then to horse the fish out which is easier said than done

It pays to have a variety of styles and sizes of chrome lures but they should all have some flash to attract attention. most times. I use many of the prawn-like plastics but I have a real soft spot for the Gladiator clear 80mm prawns which can be rigged like a bait, fitted with a treble hanging under them or rigged on a jighead. I have been using the Fuze jig hooks as the orange keeper section shows through the clear prawn body and just adds another colour dimension With a bit of ‘juice’ added, the lure then has

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Jim McDonald with a huge snub-nosed dart caught off Fraser Island. The fish took 30 minutes to land in the surf out the front of Wyuna Beach camping zone. It was caught using Gary Howard rod, Alvey reel with 15lb Platypus Platinum on a size 2 Mustad long shank hook and a fresh beach worm.

colour, action, shape and scent going for it. OTHER SPECIES It’s not all about jacks and barra, as flatties are prevalent in the creeks and estuaries, whiting are plentiful and there are still good numbers of pikey bream around. The mainstay of the creeks over winter, king threadfin and blue salmon, are also still about in numbers although the blues seem to taper off a fair bit with the warmer weather and water. (I wonder where they head off to?) There will also be plenty of good grunter moving about in the clean water, as well as small pelagics like trevally and queenfish, which can be found from the creek mouth to well upstream. All three will take strip baits, prawns, yabbies and a variety of lures. They are generally in more open water and respond well to soft plastics particularly. Great fun on light gear too. IMPOUNDMENTS And just for a change from the salty stuff, the barra are firing up in the dams and we have some absolute monsters in all three dams. I wonder if this summer will see a barra over the 1.5m mark? If so, my tip is that it will come from Kinchant Dam which is largely devoid of snags except weed beds. The members of Mackay Tournament Anglers have been getting the odd barra or two during the colder weather, but they’re looking forward to getting stuck into their barra series as the weather warms up. So if you are looking for a bit of frantic springtime angling action with plenty of different options, come to paradise and join us lucky locals. See you at the ramp.

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SEPTEMBER 2014

Great weather for great fishing BOWEN

Dan Kaggelis dkaggelis@gmail.com

If there is ever a month for great fishing and boating weather in Bowen then September takes the prize. This time of year is hands down the most consistent time for light winds and smooth seas and to top it off it’s also pretty good fishing as well. Inshore waters are typically red hot in September, which usually sees a thick run of big spotted mackerel over the Patches. These fish typically move in over August and by September they have thickened up and with most fish averaging around 5-8kg. On very calm days they will rise to the top of the water column in big schools and flash their silver-lined bodies in what is locally known as a shining. This is a wonderful phenomenon and one that should not be missed. The spotties aren’t the only mackerel worth chasing in September and this is a prime time for big Spaniards in inshore waters. Spots like North Head less

than 1km from the Grays Bay ramp become a local hot spot for big Spanish, especially during the early morning and late afternoon. Trolling large baits is the best way to snare a big Spanish and fish up to 35kg are not uncommon. The Abbot Point Jetty is also a hot spot during September and it pays to get up there early, before the boat traffic scares them off.

The deeper water in this spot is ideal for jigging so look for big schools of bait on your sounder and concentrate your jigging in these areas. I prefer to use big Bumpa Bar metals with plenty of wire for this application. If you are a sports fisher then you will also enjoy the hordes of queenfish, which love to hang around the pylons. Big jigs and plastics are also very effective at drawing a bite.

In offshore waters the bite can be a little finicky around the outer reefs in September and it really is a case of finding where the fish are holding. Prospecting in different depths from right up in the shallows to out into the deep water is often essential to find where the trout are holding. Once you locate where they are it’s not uncommon to put some good fish on the board.

Jacks, jacks and more jacks – September is all about big angry jacks!

Spanish mackerel will still be around and the quality is outstanding this time of year with many of the larger females coming right inshore.

The same can be said for the offshore red fishing with many of the larger fish being pretty wide out this time of year. Most inshore largeand small-mouth spots can be tricky to fish this time of year and the further out you go the easier it tends to get. It’s often a matter of just working contour lines to find where the fish are holding and the ground east of Holbourne Island is a top place to start. For creek fishers, the

good news is that the creeks will begin to warm up and if we get a solid spell of warm weather than the fishing will certainly fire up. Old bucket mouth barra will be back to their mullet boofing ways and the jacks won’t be too far behind as well. The barra are usually the first to be more active during September and they are best targeted with soft plastics and suspending hardbody lures. I love fishing drains this time of

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year as this is where the warmer shallower water tends to be. This warmer water attracts a lot of bait as it drains off the flats and in turn attracts the larger predatory fish. Don’t be afraid to get your lure right up into the drains as you will be surprised as to how shallow some very large fish can be hiding. Lots of anglers just place lures at the mouths of drains and essentially miss the fish that are laying further back. It’s also a good idea to target drains using a variety of

lures as the fish can be a little picky at times. Jacks will also be on the charge but will be a little more sporadic in their feeding. They will often come on quite hot during certain times and then drop off. This is where it pays to spend a bit of time on the water to crack the pattern. Concentrating efforts on the changes in tides is always a top idea as this is when they are likely to feed. Next month we will see much of the pelagic action drop away as the waters

begin to warm. The focus will move to the creeks where the traditional stormy weather will bring the jacks and barra on in a big way. This will be the last month before the close of the barra season so time will be precious and anglers will be best to get in as much time as possible targeting these awesome fish. I love to target jacks in October as they tend to be very aggressive and love hammering lures. All creeks fish well this time of year, especially if we get an early start to the wet season.

Barra will be back on the chew and fish this size will be in good numbers coming out of the cold of winter.

FISHING FILL-ITS

Springwood Marine relaunch Iconic southside boat dealership Springwood Marine has been purchased by the MotoSport Group, a group of outdoor lifestyle businesses that have customer satisfaction, great deals and a first rate experience as their major themes. Moving to 3475 Pacific Highway, Springwood Marine will retain the identity of the existing business and have a much needed injection of enthusiasm and positive attitude to complement the retention of key staff with years of experience. While it is early days yet for the new venture, the enthusiasm is infectious and the developments that are planned for Springwood Marine, and the MotoSport Group as a whole, will be like a shot of adrenalin for an industry that seems somewhat depressed. Springwood Marine will be the place to find the best deals on Four Winns, Wellcraft, Quintrex, Yellow Fin and once again, Kevlacat boats. An important partnership with Navico will see customers offered the best electronics from Lowrance Simrad and

To check out a short interview with Jason Peters log onto http://goo.gl/alJ7Js or click on the QR Code. Raymarine, while outboard power will see Mercury and E-Tec all offered to customers so a package can be tailored to the customers desires. And to add to the development, the team has recently purchased a workshop so that all fit out and servicing can be

carried out by a dedicated Springwood Marine crew, ensuring only first class service is provided tho their customers. The new premises are currently packed with great boating packages and with a new outdoor lifestyle store opening up in Moorooka soon, Springwood Marine and the MotoSport Group will be making a grand entrance into the market. Check out the new Springwood Marine at 3475 Pacific Highway in Springwood about 1km north of the IKEA building where you’ll find friendly staff waiting to get you into your next boat. You can also log onto www. motosport.net.au for some amazing deals and information. – FMG

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Get a spring in your step TOWNSVILLE

Karim DeRidder

The chilly August weather is now over with the sun hitting the horizon at a more respectable hour. The transition from the early morning westerly winds of July and August gain a hint of warmth with spring approaching. September is a month to really get excited as estuaries fire up once again, and the blue water winter species are still about in good numbers. Reports of thick schools of Spanish mackerel on the shoals are still rife, as well as massive captures of doggie and spotted mackerel around the weed beds close to town.

The amount of juvenile black marlin have kept the game fisher out amongst the best of it, with a lot of boats raising double figures and placing plenty of tags as well. Reports should remain constant during September, a

good sign of things to come for our southern counterparts. Hinchinbrook has been a bit hit and miss of late with some anglers indicating good captures, and others barely raising a scale. A consistent angler informed me that

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focusing on the flats has been working well with barramundi up to 85cm gracing the decks. Some bigger fish over the metre mark have been taken in Hinchinbrook and local systems with the Bohle River giving up its fair share, as well as the ever-popular Cattle Creek. The reef has been producing steady numbers of red throat emperor and coral trout. The reefs wide of Lucinda, including Britomart and Trunk, seem to be copping the brunt of angler tempted by the shorter run. Local wrecks like the Sea

Hound, Bomber and Solitaire are producing good golden snapper and large mouth nannygai lately, which are a rewarding stop-over during a return trip from the reef. The huge Lucinda Jetty has also been producing some large golden snapper and the usual queenfish that are in plague proportions, which in turn attract similar numbers of anglers keen to sample their mid-air acrobatics. Flats fishing is also a really effective method to get reels screaming. A relatively uncommon method other than to specialty sport fishers

or fly-fishers, it can be a visual appealing and action packed way of spending a day on the water. Fish such as golden trevally, permit, grunter, barramundi and giant trevally are common captures, all having distinct characteristics requiring different tactics. A good pair of polarized glasses is a must-have to identify your quarry from a distance before the slap of waves spooks them before a cast is made. By using a variety of light jigheads and fitting To page 55

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Estuary anglers all smiles AYR

Steve Farmer

Burdekin estuary anglers have been all smiles over the past month with good catches of a variety of winter and summer species being reported. The traditional winter species like whiting, bream and flathead are still in Burdekin creeks in reasonable numbers. The bream in particular have been fishing well after a slow start earlier in the season and most estuaries and beaches are producing quality fish to 30cm and more. A spearfisherman diving around The Bun at Cape Upstart reported seeing large schools of bream in the deep water off the tip, so chances are the rocky bays and beaches along the inside of the cape will be worth a shot if you fancy a few fresh fillets of bream. Flathead are still about in good numbers, although at the moment the early morning high tides mean a dawn attack is almost a necessity to fish the best part of the tide. I prefer the last hour or two of the making tide when luring for flathead and the bigger the tide the better. Grunter are also keeping estuary anglers keen, although not as much as they did last year. This time last year Bowling Green Bay was alive with boats chasing fish to around 70cm and plenty of anglers were scoring well. So far this year similar sized fish are being regularly taken in the bay and creeks, but the numbers aren’t as good as they were last year. Those in the know suggest squid baits are producing the best results at the moment. Anglers fishing the bays, beaches and a few of the local estuaries report the blue salmon are on the move and hungry. Almost any bait or lure will tempt these speedsters when they’re schooled up and feeding. Salmon will forage on the bottom in the dirtiest of water or thrash the surface to foam in a feeding frenzy, so it can pay to fish your baits or lures throughout the water column if you’re targeting this species. Blue salmon aren’t great on the plate, but by killing and bleeding them quickly and trimming any worms from the fillet you can maximise the From page 54

plastics or even hand tied buck tails, this is bound to kick along this exciting method of angling. By understanding the tides and deeper areas of water, you can position your vessel to best ambush fish you are targeting, with an exit strategy in the back of the mind to ensure you are not

table quality. Bluewater fishers have had a tough winter this year with only very short breaks of calm weather when they could hit the water. However, when they did manage to fish the reefs and shoals most came home with at least a good feed of quality reef species. Coral trout have been hot and cold with some anglers bagging out while others fishing different spots have struggled to add even one to the icebox. Even the inshore shoals have produced a number of quality red emperor and red jew up to 9kgs, while small-mouth nannygai have almost been in plague proportions at times. Pelagics have also been in the XOS sizes with big tealeaf trevally and cobia to 1.8m. Cobia are renowned for their tough, stubborn fight and have inflicted plenty of pain on anglers, especially those who hook them on handlines. The Spanish mackerel have been relatively quiet

Anglers in the know will certainly be catching their share of barra by now - and probably have been for the past few months. If you’re hoping to get a few runs on the barramundi board try fishing the snags with live prawns. You’ll pick up the odd keeper as well as a swag of smaller fish for release. If you’re luring, try a lure with a slow action on a slow retrieve and keep it in the strike zone as long as possible. Jacks should also be coming back with a vengeance and in fact, I recall some of my best jack fishing was during September. Again a slower retrieve might make the difference until the warming weather cranks the fish into top gear. In the estuaries bream and flathead should still be on the chew with the size of fish possibly even improving as we move through the month. The freshwater reaches of the Burdekin River are

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DAYS / TIMES Mangrove jack action should be increasing throughout Spetember. this month with most boats counting only a few amongst their catch. Perhaps the rewarding bottom fishing took the pressure off the macks. THE MONTH AHEAD Barramundi fishers will be chafing at the bit as temperatures rise throughout September.

looking good at the moment, with the water as clear as I’ve seen it. Unfortunately this clarity can result in the proliferation of water weeds, making some stretches of river almost unfishable. Find a clear spot and you would be mad not to try for a barra as the temperatures rise.

left high and dry. A high position in the boat will give the best chance of seeing the fish, with quick reflexes and accurate casts at a distance. Try to cast at fish moving towards you rather than away to avoid ‘lining’ them. I like a 7’ spin rig with a 2500 size reel and 4-10lb line to achieve the

best distance and accuracy required. In the fly fishing department it is hard to go past a 9wt quality fly rod, such as a TFO BVK paired with a large Arbor reel, weight forward intermediate line and plenty of backing. Flies should consist of the ever-reliable white and chartreuse Clousers, various crab and shrimp patterns.

Friday 12 & Saturday 13 September 10am to 8pm Sunday 14 & Monday 15 September 10am to 5pm

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for more information on the show, go to:

brisbaneboatshow.com.au SEPTEMBER 2014

Tearing it up in Lucinda LUCINDA

Jeff Wilton jeffwilton83@hotmail.com

Winter has been a cracker, the pelagic fish were about in massive numbers and were hungry and ready to tear things to shreds. September will bring more of the same but the channel will start slowly warming up and the iconic barra will be more willing to open their mouths. HINCHINBROOK CHANNEL Anglers have been tangling with some big crocs over the cooler months and I don’t mean the snapping handbag type. Flathead on average are rather large in the tropics and swimming some live baits on the flats and mouths of creeks will see them come to the party. Flathead will hunt in very shallow water and the best sessions I have had actually saw me landing the lure on the dry sand and bringing it back into the water. Lures should be digging into the bottom on the retrieve and if using plastics they should bump the bottom. Bream are hunting in the usual winter packs of thousands and will

destroy your live baits in seconds. It is normally the case of moving spots if the bream are about as they will deplete your bait supply and can be rather annoying. For fun and games drifting along the shallows targeting mini GT and queenies on poppers and slugs can be very entertaining and bringing out the light gear will test your angling skills. Flats that have deep channels and drop-offs are good places to start off and keep your eyes peeled for bait schools or birds working. Golden snapper are schooled up in the channel in the deeper water and there are numerous locations throughout the entire system that hold these great fish. Live herring are about in massive schools and one good cast with the net should be enough for a session or 5. Live herring fished on the bottom will get results and if you can fish around the smaller tides and especially the rising tide your results will improve dramatically. Golden snapper are suckers for plastics and jigs as well so if you find good shows on the sounder it is well worth dropping plastics such as Gulp Squid Vicious and 5-7”

jerk shads down. Choosing a jighead that will get you to the bottom and remain natural looking is the secret to better catch rates. JETTY, ISLANDS AND REEF As I have reported over the last few months the jetty is on fire and this will remain for months to come. Big winter queenfish are gathered in packs and when they are on, it is a case of everybody in the boat hooked up and then the fun really begins. Queenies are super quick and can rip 30m of drag then change direction and jump several times before dusting you up through the pylons. Fish a light to medium drag and try let them run away from the structure before putting too much pressure on them. I recently had my sisters up from down south and loved watching their faces as packs of queenies would follow the plastic to the boat before turning and showering us with water. Some of the action shots I have of wide open eyes and mouths as queenies took to the air are classic, queenies really are hard to beat in terms of sportsfishing. Find them on the sounder and

It takes two to hold this horse nannygai. drop jigs and plastics into them, rip the plastic back using a varying retrieve to find what turns them on. By far the standout plastics have been the Z-Man 5” Streakz and the Berkley Ripple Shad, the secret being to not go to bigger profile. The Palm Islands are fishing well for Spanish and shark mackerel and if you can find bait schools on the points then the mackerel will be there. It is just the case of being persistent until they bite, and trying different techniques such as trolling,

jigging and fishing baits both live and dead. The reef is also on fire with cracking numbers of coral trout in the shallows and big red fish out in the deep. The weather has been average and the reef has not been flogged much as old windy has not really let up (typical) but on the odd occasions everyone is getting into some great fish both in quantity and quality. Taking my sisters out into the deeper water chasing nannygai and emperor proved entertaining as it is a

big ask to fight fish from the deep. The girls went home with bigger arm muscles after getting into some cracking nannygai up to around 12kg. Also there have been good numbers of black marlin showing up and next month I will give you a good report and hopefully some photos to get the motivation levels up. Chasing blacks is a time consuming game and the action goes from dead slow (boredom) to adrenalin pumping mayhem in an instant. Until next month, into ‘em!

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Threadfin save the day HINCHINBROOK

Ryan Moody www.hookedonhinchinbrook.com

We certainly had a melodramatic winter, and it seemed to be one of the longest we’ve had for some time. Several bursts of southern air made their way north, keeping water temperatures well below average for inshore areas. I can’t wait for things to warm up further, and I’m sure there are plenty of northern fishos sharing my exact thoughts. Bring on summer and the awesome fishing that goes with it! I have to admit that I was stumped on a few occasions during August as the barra took a vacation, hiding from the cold waters. Temperatures as low as 17°C made sure of that, and those cold conditions didn’t do much for the local population of fingermark either. Both species have been pretty much off the radar in recent weeks, but we’ve fortunately still had some reasonable sessions on the king threadfin salmon. The threadies have been a little deeper this

year and seem to be moving around a lot. Maybe they are moving to keep warm, who knows! Although some reasonable threadies are on the go, we have seen some nasty activity coming from the bull shark sector. This is the first year I have experienced them in these numbers during cold weather. Normally we see a few as it starts to warm up but their numbers have been out of control lately. Some people think sharks are endangered, but I don’t think these people have taken a swim in the channel lately or out the reef for that matter, with several reports of sharks stripping anglers of every fish in some locations. Speaking of the reef, many anglers have been having a fat time out there with some of the best trout and emperor fishing seen in years. Generally the colder the water the better when fishing out wide; this is a pattern that I have observed over the years. The wonky holes would be firing too, as the cooler months are the best time of year to fish them. If you’re not sure of what a wonky hole is

or how to find them, stay tuned to our website for our upcoming e-course on them early next year. They are a great haven for large-mouth nannygai, red emperor, gold-spot cod and cobia. Many fish caught around these fascinating little structures have plenty of octopus, prawn and mantis shrimp in their bellies, indicating that there’s no shortage of prime quarry for predators. Spaniards have also been known to hang in good numbers around wonky holes as well above the bottom. Many baitfish species also like to bask in the freshwater that spews from these vents. Yes, that right – they are basically underground springs exiting through the seabed, but where and why are the big secrets! We have also just recently seen some good action on the billfish. Mick Edwards from Moonshine charters had a great session on the little black marlin, raising 10 in an afternoon, and managed to keep the hooks in a few that were tagged and released. I might head out myself for a bit of fun as we don’t have to

Tim Kong with a quality threadfin salmon caught while jigging plastics. run all that far to encounter these spectacular little fish. A few more reasonable reports from other boats have trickled in so here’s to a good season for all northern waters. BREAKING NEWS Our premiere e-course Barra Basics opens on 22 September 2014 and will

not be offered again until February 2015. For this first ever intake we are offering a massive, neverto-be-repeated introductory discount of 50%. If you want to become a top performer and learn pretty much everything I know about catching barra (and I mean everything!), head to our

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A great month on the water CAIRNS

Garry Smith garrysmith@fishingmonthly.com.au

The extended run of lousy weather continued well into August and winter finished with very few opportunities to wet a line, especially offshore. When the weather did let up, the fish and fishermen did make the most of it but all up it has been a disappointing cool spell. September is traditionally an exciting month to be on the water in the Cairns area, so here’s hoping our luck turns on the weather front. The extended periods of howling southeasterlies should result in the water temperatures being slow to climb, so early in the month should see a continuation of winter species on the bite, with a late transition to summer species as the weather and water warm up. ESTUARIES Estuary fishing will be slow early in the month. Cod, flathead, grunter, queenfish, small trevally and bream are typically the main players, especially around the lead-up to the

full moon, on the first weekend in September. The best chance for the some serious summer species action will be just after the new moon, during the last weekend of the month. The tides are ideal and are coupled with the school holidays, so there should be plenty of anglers keen for some action. If the first week of the September school holidays coincides with a spell of warm weather and light winds, anglers should experience some great estuary action on grunter, mangrove jack, golden snapper and barra. The big barra will be starting to move out of the systems and along the headlands in preparation for spawning. Any patch of warm still weather that brings about a rise in water temperature is the perfect time to target a trophy barra around the river mouths and headlands. Large soft plastics worked close to the bottom using a slow rolling technique and slow twitching big Bomberstyle hardbody lures are deadly on monster barra. REEF AND OFFSHORE Anglers with medium

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to big boats will have their focus drawn east with everyone hanging out for light winds. The action on the bottom and the surface should be hot when the opportunities arise. The inshore wrecks, reefs and islands will still hold a few mackerel, mostly consisting of the lesser species, with the odd Spaniard still around to liven up proceedings. Most of the pelagic action will be out wider however, with mackerel, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, giant trevally, cobia and black marlin all on the agenda, from the Paddocks to the continental shelf. Many of the southern game boats will be making Cairns home for the next few months and they will be fishing a mix of light and heavy tackle, depending on how the season progresses. It is not uncommon for the odd 800lb black marlin to be tagged in late September. Reef fishing will be the main focus for anglers with a boat to get out there, with the big three of large-mouth nannygai, red emperor and coral trout the target catches. If I could only fish the reef one month of the year, September would be

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my pick. The reds are in serious numbers and size, the trout are feeding up to spawn and the weather is more likely to cooperate, as the winter high pressure systems fade from memory to be replaced by the pre-monsoon doldrums. As well as the big three on the bottom there will be a good sprinkling of reef mangrove jack, spangled emperor, Moses perch, stripeys, long-nose emperor, cod and trevally to add variety to the esky. Bragging rights reds will be on the chew in 40m+ depths, especially at night. If last year is anything to go by there will be plenty of 7-10kg fish among the schools. The turn of the tide was the key to reef fishing last year, so keep that in mind when planning your trip. Try to be there for at least one but preferably two tide changes to increase your chances of coming home a winner. Look for isolated bommies in the 40-60m range that are holding bait or have the odd big fish showing. Trout will be schooling up in the shallows waiting on a sudden rise in water temperature to coincide with a new moon so they can spawn. Knowing which bommies are holding fish can be a challenge, but generally any really rough bommie that is holding bait and exposed to a bit of current has the right ingredients. You need to be prepared to move around a bit when chasing trout, so if a keeper hasn’t come aboard after 30 minutes it’s time to try another bommie. Sharks have plagued reef fishos all year and will most likely continue to take more than their fair share of the spoils. Make the

Barra fishos will be hoping to tangle with a monster like this 119cm beauty caught by Tom Smith on a big run-out tide at night. most of the action before they move in. After that it’s a toss-up between sticking it out and trying to run the gauntlet when you hook a fish, or pulling anchor and trying somewhere else. Always have at least a pilchard out the back under a float if the current is slow, or just drifting in the current if there is a bit of run. Have another rod

ready rigged to take a live bait when a suitable fish comes over the side, as a livey is often the difference between nailing a Spaniard and missing out. September is the month to be on the water in the Cairns area, so make sure your gear is serviced and the brownie points are in the bag so you can make hay while the sun shines.

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Top choice of the tropics PORT DOUGLAS

Lynton Heffer

September in the tropics is a favourite time of year for many anglers as it offers an array of fishing opportunities both inshore and offshore. The weather pattern is generally very good and the day and night time temperatures are just magic. It’s also probably the busiest time in the region as tourists arrive in their droves to enjoy the ambience of our sleepy seaside village in Far North Queensland. On the piscatorial side of things it’s a crossover period where all your winter and summer time species are on the move. Add to this you have the marlin fishing kicking into gear as well, and we have the best marlin grounds in the world. It’s exciting times. On the reef to date it has been an exceptional year for our favourite reef species which include the likes of coral trout, red emperor and thumping big large-mouth nannygai. The weather hasn’t been all that kind at times, but when we’ve had good weather windows the action has been jam-packed. Other species which have shown really good form over the cooler months have included tea-leaf and gold-spot trevally, spangled emperor, sweetlip, moses perch, reef mangrove jack and cobia. Nothing much will change in the coming month and the fishing will be top notch. It will only improve with the chance of more calmer days which you would expect for this time of the year. Our light tackle scene has experienced one of the best overall seasons in recent years. The amount of Spanish mackerel in the region has been phenomenal this year and there’s been a good mix of other mackerel as well including spotted mackerel on the outer reefs and grey and school mackerel on the coastal reefs. For a few months now catching bag limits has been child’s play, whether it be by

trolling methods or floating rigs, and this infectious style of fishing should keep rolling on in the coming month. The small black marlin season has also been pretty good this season, with plenty of frisky stallions around 25-30kg being caught on the wide grounds south of

arrive in the area, and it’s one of the greatest migrations in the fishing world. RIVERS AND CREEKS Now that the coolest of our days have passed, our rivers and creeks will start to produce well as the days get warmer. Barra will be back on the agenda, and mangrove

The Daintree River has fished well for big 1m queenfish during the cooler months. Port Douglas. The general consensus is this small black marlin fishery will continue through most of September, which is when the bigger models will also start to arrive from the Pacific Ocean and Coral Sea and prowl along the continental shelf. Generally the 200-500lb specimens will be registered in September, with the bigger females to arrive sometime later in the month. There’s always a bit of variation from year to year as to when this light will be ignited, but there are signs that it could be an early start to the heavy tackle season. One thing’s for certain – we’ll start to see a lot more game boats arrive from down south and many of them will base themselves around the Port Douglas region for the next few months. It’s great to see a spectacular flotilla of vessels

jack and fingermark catches will become more frequent. Trevally and queenfish schools will be abundant, and some of the queenfish catches have already been super impressive during August, especially in our bigger systems like the Daintree River. There should also be still some good fishing for school mackerel at the front of our rivers and creeks, and our coastal reefs in certain places will hold numbers of grey mackerel as well. The inshore fishery overall will offer a fair bit of variety in the coming weeks and should be quite productive. So if you are thinking of coming up to the tropics, you can rest assured the fishing will be diverse and will provide plenty of action no matter style of fishing you’re into. You’d be mad not to have a crack at most of it!

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Saltaire Charters have been catching small black marlin on the wide grounds in recent weeks. SEPTEMBER 2014

Warm winter holds numbers COOKTOWN

Nick Stock

A cooler and slightly longer winter than usual has seen good numbers of the typical winter culprits hanging around in good numbers. There are still plenty of bait in both of the local systems and as a result, there has been some decent fishing for the bread and butter species like pikey bream, grunter, flathead and trevally. The local guides have been putting anglers onto

some great fish in the estuaries and offshore. Live prawns and greenback herring are producing some fantastic river pelagics with everything from diamond, giant and golden trevally, queenfish and even a surprising amount of permit. Barra in the Endeavour are starting to make a more reliable target as the water temps increase. The rockwall around Marton is a great land-based spot for tourists to try their luck if they don’t have access to a boat. Good grunter, jack, golden snapper

and barra hold here all year round and often fishing 30 minutes either side of the tide change will see best results. Live sardines are the best option and can be caught by cast net from the immediate area. For the lure flickers, small 75mm sized lures are the best option as it is a case of matching the local bait. At the bottom of the tide we get good fish by slowly twitching timber hardbodies and as the run picks up changing over to Threadybusters and Squidgy Fish. Just be mindful of the resident salty that lives on the adjacent sandbar. The Annan River has been fishing well for queenfish, golden trevally and grunter at the river mouth however it can get a bit windy and sand blown if the weather isn’t

playing the game. There are some monster flathead to be found around the mouth and the inside bay and sandbars are a top place to start looking. Further up river towards the old prawn farm, reports of some decent golden snapper are coming in. Some of the better fish are falling victim to 20g Threadybusters and Gulp Prawns that are wafted upstream, casting back towards the northern bank. The old road bridge is still producing all the usual culprits such as jack, bream, trevally, queenfish and even the occasionally barra. Live bait or fresh mullet fillet are the best baits and both can be cast netted off the bridge. Just be careful of snags as the place has accounted for more lost tourist nets than anywhere else in Cooktown!

Live prawns and greenback herring are producing some fantastic river pelagics, like this golden trevally. Offshore has been hit and miss due to the weather, which is typical for this time of year. On the better days, Mark Privitt from Gone Fishing charters has been putting clients onto some great fish from the South Bedford area. Big bar cheeked trout, large mouth nannygai and Spaniards

have been making up a great esky for clients and countless trevally species to keep the catch and release fishos happy. • Once again, until next month stay safe on the water and be sure to jump onto Facebook and check out the timber Barra Lures I make called Twin River Lures.

Last shot at Weipa barra WEIPA

Josh Lyons thesportfisher@gmail.com

Grunter fishing has been excellent with all the bait in the local waterways.

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If you live in the Gulf of Carpentaria, or have planned a trip up this way September is your last month on the calendar to chase a barra. With the Gulf barra season closing on October 7 it is time to awake from your winter lull and fire up like the barra will be. Midday temps exceeding 30°C will be the norm and this coupled with low tides throughout the day will see water temperatures rise as the mudflats get baked in the heat of the day. Early in September it’s quite often the afternoon run in tides that see most of the action as the water is at its warmest while later in the month it will really be up to what the barra feel like doing. Keep in mind that even though the season is still open, a lot of these fish are getting ready to or are already

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in the process of spawning. Most fish over 70cm will already have eggs ready to go so it really does pay to let any big fish you catch go as quickly as possible. Having said all this however, doesn’t

that will all work at different times, it’s just up to what you enjoy doing and deciding what to do when. Offshore has been pretty quiet through August with generally milky water the main cause of this. A persistent

It’s mackerel season and when the blue water gets pushed in close, mackerel on plastics meant for things like fingermark and black jew will get nailed by quality fish like this. automatically mean that if you put a line in the water you’re going to catch a barra. Their habits can be quite weird in September and while there can be some awesome sessions to be had, there will also be days where you wonder if there is even a barra living in the river. A lot of the other estuary species also enjoy this warmer weather and the ‘bycatch’ of a day’s barra fishing in September can be awesome. Jacks, fingermark and threadfin salmon are the pick of this bycatch, while blue salmon and queenfish will also be firing up almost becoming pesky at times. I like a midday low tide for river fishing in September and usually fish the runout tide for all these species with lures in the morning and then switch to live bait for the run in tide after lunch. However there are plenty of techniques

southerly swell and the larger moving tides around the full and new moon haven’t helped the water clarity and it really just needs a week or so of current from the right angle to bring some serious action. September is a top month for Spanish mackerel in the Gulf with them also spawning around the time that barra do. They will start to school on some of the wider shoals and feed voraciously at times, how far in they come will depend on the water colour. When the rich blue water pushes in close, boats of all sizes can get into the action with areas out from Westminster and around the channel markers turning up some lovely Spaniards. Trolling is the most consistent way to target Spaniards in the Gulf while floating pilchards or gar will also work at times. Over on the east coast this is a gun way of getting into

the mackerel however in the Gulf the huge numbers of small sharks can often make it near impossible to keep a bait in the water long enough for a Spanish to find it. Easily the most talked about topic in Weipa at the time of writing is the sighting of a killer whale just out from Weipa. My fishing charter colleague and owner of Weipa Sportsfishing Lee Hodgetts was out on an offshore charter about 15 miles to the south of Weipa when one of the most insane things I have ever heard of happened. Lee and his three client had just finished lunch and were drifting along less than a kilometre off the beach when a fully grown manta ray came to the surface nearby. It appeared to be injured with one wing all banged up. Within seconds, and out of nowhere, up pops none other than an estimated 10m long killer whale. After sticking its head out of the water on 3 occasions, no doubt sizing up the boys in the boat and the injured manta ray, the killer whale proceeds to line up the poor old manta head on and eat it. Lee found it nearly impossible to describe the power the orca showed in devouring the manta which was about 3m wide wingtip to wingtip in its own right. The good thing is Lee carries a quality camera and put it to good use getting some phenomenal photos of it before it disappeared as quickly as it turned up. Unfortunately I decided to fish up the river that day and missed a once in a lifetime event, but it does go to show while you’re out on the water anything can happen and if it’s out of Weipa it usually will.

Plenty from the fishy food court CAPE YORK

Tim O’Reilly aggott88@gmail.com

As the seasons change and we move from the grip of a tropical winter, the T-shirts are stored away and we once again reach for our singlet. So what’s in store for us over these next few months as temperatures begin to warm? Read on! For many anglers the excuse of sitting out the winter and watching as the high-pressure systems float over southeast Australia can all too easily lull us into a period of heavy sedation. If I cast my mind back to earlier Septembers, images of beautiful conditions and startlingly clear waters come to mind. But admittedly, it is a bit of a lottery at this time of year. As a guide working up in Cape York, something magical happens on September 1. It’s as if the winter blues have suddenly washed off and you begin to picture hungry barramundi again. Fish will be feeling far more sociable after their winter slumber and mullet schools will begin to get

Locals often camp out around Cape York in September.

This slow retrieved lure was engulfed as it was twitched past a deep snag.

extremely edgy. It’s true to think of barramundi as social creatures. Lets imagine that there are 50 of us walking around the mall. Why are we at the mall? Conditions are comfortable, it’s easy to get a feed and others are also gathered there, giving it a sociable vibe. It’s about lunchtime and everyone is beginning to get a little restless around the food court. Next thing someone yells out ‘fight’ and everyone heads over to check out what all the ruckus is about! You can use this analogy to catch far more fish in September. Conditions are settled, fish are moving into feeding locations like the mall and, once you figure out where they are gathering with the tide, it’s best to concentrate all your efforts at the food court! Sometimes it will take a bit of time for the fish to show up, but good scores are the result of patience in September. A good example comes to mind of some very consistent fishing we have had during September in one of the Gulf rivers, but the concept is similar for

Barra back on the menu KARUMBA

Alan Gurney awes0me@bigpond.net.au

The fishing in August was first class for those able to get out the front on the calm days, with Spanish mackerel up to 25kg being caught on the drop-off. I mentioned this spot last month and a few people came in to say there was no

Please be aware that the wind will blow so only venture out when it’s calm and head back as soon as it starts. We held the annual Cancer Cuppa event again this year in Karumba, and with the help of the Gulf community the total raised was $42,122. This amount is awesome. I would like to congratulate the committee, especially Rose and Judy and

Fish are healthy and well conditioned at this time of year. most of them. Especially where a shallow bay or tidal lake is a feature near the mouth, the shallow gutters feeding deeper water can be a great place to target barra. Sometimes trolling shallow divers a long distance from the bank in around 8-10ft of water can be hugely productive on a slowly receding or making tide. If you find the fish sitting out wide but well concentrated, try lowering your pick just upstream from the feeding patch of barra and begin casting shallow divers, vibes and soft plastics to pinpoint them. Small black jew, grunter, golden trevally, mangrove jack, fingermark, queenfish

and trevally will also feed out on the sandy current lines if bait is sweeping past with the tide. September is a great month to use visual clues to unlock the best fishing around the inshore grounds and estuaries. Snags will be very visible by now, as will some of the deeper rock bars that were hidden for months following the wet season. It is for this reason I do a little more trolling this time of year to search out likely stretches of river and wider areas that I expect to hold fish. Looking for converging currents and visual clues of bait locations plus a sharp eye on the sounder will yield great results.

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0431 770 929 Tracey with her first legal barramundi that went 67cm.

Delia Okane with a nice mangrove jack. drop-off out the front as they had spent all day looking. It is where the depth goes from 6ft to 12ft on the northeast side of the sand island that is 4km out from the point. The change of depth is not much for the east coast but in the Gulf it is a reasonable change.

everyone who helped to achieve this outcome. Blue salmon have turned up in good numbers again this year and they are great fun on light gear. They put up a great fight and are good to eat when fresh. Please only take enough for a feed and this will

allow everyone to catch one. Places to find them will be in the windsock channel and on the dirty water line that heads north from the mouth on the northern side of the Sunset Tavern. A running sinker rig with 60lb mono trace attached to a 6/0 hook will do the job. As the water warms up the barramundi will be back on the menu. I have been out doing some fish stock research (someone has to do it) and can confirm there are some around. I went with a group of people up the coast and we had an awesome time, even getting a double hook-up. Delia socked me when she hooked up to a mangrove jack by saying it wasn’t

a barramundi. I have seen only three caught here in 10 years and my joy was blown away as she had a one-track mind. Our last day fishing was eventful with the two girls in the other boat catching five barramundi each for the afternoon session and my offsider John for the day and myself only catching five in total. My comments that they had stitched me up was supported by John who never realized I was having a go at him as I had caught four and he only caught one. The male barramundi will be heading out to the mouth to breed with the females so concentrate your time near the mouth for the best results.

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SEPTEMBER 2014

A-Z of bait fishing for reds COFFS GAME

Glen Booth

It’s snapper time on the north and mid north coast of New South Wales, and

in this article Coff ’s Harbour’s Glen Booth offers a handy A to Z guide to scoring a feed of these handsome and tasty sportfish over the upcoming months.

‘A’ IS FOR ALVEY For spinning off a metre of line to a timidly biting fish, to enabling a bait to drift down unimpeded in a strong current, it’s hard to beat an Alvey sidecast. And then there’s the indescribable joy an angler feels as line starts rapidly flicking off the spool while in sidecast mode, as this means you’ve ticked all the right boxes in regards to location, sinker weight and bait choice. A 600 (6”) size is perfect for reddie fishing, either an A5 (stainless sideplate) or B (graphite), the latter being

a better option if you’re hand-holding the outfit. There’s no drag to speak of on either reel, just fingers and the skin of the palm, so every big red is a fish well earned. Not only are Alveys more effective than spin and overhead reels, they’re simply more fun to use. Team it up with a 2.4m (8ft) ‘wash’ rod with a low reel mount and you’re good to go. The only downside is hooking a stray tuna or kingfish; they stop being enjoyable a long time before they’re at the boat.

‘C’ IS FOR CUTTLEFISH Dead cuttlefish floating on the surface are a free, hardwearing and effective bait for a number of species. Snapper just love them, but before rushing in and scooping

up a cuttlefish, approach carefully and check to make sure there’s not a big red lurking directly underneath. Even if no one’s at home, those mysterious peg-like bite marks in the cuttlie’s body are now explained.

‘F’ IS FOR FLOATERS A lightly-weighted or un-weighted pilchard, tuna strip or squid head being fed down a sparse berley trail while at anchor is the name of

the game here. It’s miles of fun and on the days when the snapper move up off the bottom and into the berley, it’s literally a fish a cast.

‘D’ IS FOR DEPTH SOUNDER Learn to love your sounder. Turn the auto settings off and drive it manually. Play around with the sensitivity (gain) and all of a sudden you’ll

twig as to what snapper look like on the sounder. This can save many hours of fruitless fishing barren reefs hoping to lure the fish in with berley.

‘G’ IS FOR GEL SPUN LINE Gelspun or braided line in their many forms have made such a difference to all aspects of fishing. Thanks to their fine diameter and zero stretch for better bite detection, they’re the ideal main line for floater or bottom bait fishing. The other good aspect of braid is that it lasts seemingly forever. ‘H’ IS FOR HOOKS Snapper will swallow any hook that fits in their mouths, but some designs are better than others. Two or three hooks

ganged together, or suicide or octopus hooks fished singly or snelled in pairs onto a leader have been a standard since snapper fishing was invented. For a more flexible presentation, it’s hard to beat two hooks linked by a swivel though. A number 10 barrel swivel will slip over the barb of a 3/0 Mustad 542 Viking hook (you may need to pinch the swivel eye slightly closed afterwards though), and then open the eye of the 4/0 with side cutters to take the other end of the swivel.

‘I’ IS FOR ICE SLURRY Since this is an unabashed meat gathering exercise, you’re best off dispatching any keepers with iki jime (brain spiking), promptly bleeding them and then putting them into an ice slurry consisting of

‘B’ IS FOR BAITRUNNER The Baitrunner function on a spin reel allows a fish to freely swim off with the bait before the angler engages the drag and sets the hook. This makes Baitrunner-style reels ideal for snapper fishing wherever the species is found. The Baitrunner was actually an Australian

SEPTEMBER 2014

development, formulated by Shimano Australia’s John Dunphy way back in 1988. From concept to the finished product hitting the shops took an incredibly short four months. Now everyone makes them, but the Shimano Baitrunner in its many forms is still the best.

three parts freshwater ice to one part seawater. Making up saltwater ice blocks is also an option, but make sure the slurry doesn’t get too cold or the fish will actually freeze before reaching the filleting bench.

‘E’ IS FOR EARLY STARTS If you’re hitting inshore shallows, being on site before dawn can have a huge bearing on success. When you’re fishing in just a few fathoms, stealth is the key, especially on still mornings. There should be no rattling anchor chain, no splashing anchor, and no dropping big sinkers on the floor of the boat. With not much water depth under the keel and often a thick bed of kelp on the bottom, this is sudden death fishing, so tighten those drag knobs up

an extra turn and be ready to go hard. The snapper usually go off the bite and drift into deeper water as the sun rises, maybe lingering a little longer if it’s an overcast day. When spawning is in full swing though, they may throw caution to the wind and bite throughout the day. If getting up in the chilly darkness is not your cup of tea, these same spots often fire just as well at dusk.

‘J’ IS FOR JACKETS Fortunately, Chinaman leatherjackets are more of a scourge in deeper water, where they can steal every hook, sinker and swivel thrown at them, not to mention metres and metres of expensive braid. While excellent eating, the associated terminal tackle losses make them a less than welcome catch. According to south coast reports, dark green braid like Berkley Whiplash tends to fly under their radar a little bit, while they absolutely love munching on multicoloured stuff. ‘K’ IS FOR KNOBBIES Those big, knobby, often grotesquely deformed beasts we all like to catch and have onlookers ooh-ing and ah-ing back at the filleting table are also known in some circles as ‘old man’ snapper (although this can be contradictory as even quite small fish periodically sport substantial protuberances). There’s a lot of folklore

about how snapper get their head bumps (in NSW and Queensland waters at least), but about a dozen years back a mate commented that all the knobby headed ones were males. I’d never joined the dots before, but having kept an eye on the sex of the fish when cleaning them ever since (based on the presence of milt or roe), he’s been 99% right. ‘L’ IS FOR LEAD Water depth and current strength can have a huge bearing on the success of this enterprise, and on some days an adjustment up or down of just one sinker size can make all the difference to results. Is your mate out-fishing you? Notwithstanding the fact that he might be a better fisho than yourself (perish the thought!), it’s worth checking to see that the sinker sizes are exactly the same. You should carry a range of ball sinkers, from half

peas up to wrecking balls, as well as a variety of snapper leads. Even on the heavier bottom gear, a lighter sinker can make all the difference when the current is light or non-existent. ‘M’ IS FOR MONOFILAMENT A hard wearing yet limp monofilament nylon main line has long been first choice for traditional floater fishing. Go for a neutral colour like grey, clear, green or pink in 6-10kg breaking strains, depending on

the terrain being fished. For my money it’s hard to beat pink Ande. For Alveys, nylon is still king if you want to keep skin on your fingertips. ‘N’ IS FOR NET Invest in the biggest net you can find. When that much sought after 20lb snapper is lying beaten boatside, there’s nothing worse than trying to get it to fit in a net better suited to scooping yakkas out of the bait tank. A big net also helps with boating lengthy species like cobia, kingfish and mulloway.

‘P’ IS FOR PATERNOSTER The traditional ‘up and downer’ approach of two short droppers above a snapper sinker is still a viable snapper catching rig. Pimp it up with gelspun main line, fluorocarbon, glow beads and offset semi-circle hooks like the Black Magic KL in 5/0 or 6/0 for largely set-andforget fishing while you attend to the floater rods.

It’s one of the great mysteries of snappering as to why on some days – particularly early in the season – the bottom rods produce all the fish, when the floaters, which should be a more natural, attractive option, hardly score a bite. Then, as the season wears on, it’s the floaters that do all the damage. Weird.

‘O’ IS FOR OTHER SPECIES The joy of bait fishing for snapper is that other awesome table species such as pearl perch, tuskfish, big Moses perch

and teraglin come into play. Snapper may be excellent tablefish, but pearlies and tuskies are close to culinary ambrosia.

‘Q’ IS FOR QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY The mackerel and marlin are nearly all gone, so in northern NSW the long weekend is traditionally the time that snapper become the prime offshore focus. It’s also when the Dave Irvine Memorial Snapper Comp is held out of Coffs Harbour, and the catches are somewhat

IGFA list them as. What the hell, from an estuary bait stealer to a giant reef prize, they’re all snapper. ‘S’ IS FOR SHELLFISH Prawn, crab, bug and crayfish shells make

excellent berley, possibly the best. Start stockpiling these over the summer months (get the neighbours to pitch in) and come winter there’ll be bags full of succulent berley ready to go.

‘T’ IS FOR TUNA Salted tuna, whether it be striped, mackerel tuna, frigate mackerel or even bonito, is perfect for use on the bottom outfit, or cut into long strips as a floater bait. Fillet the fish, sprinkle coarse salt on the flesh side, individually wrap the fillets in a sheet of newspaper, and pop them in the freezer. (Curse the day Fairfax went from broadsheet to

tabloid, because the fillets are now so much harder to wrap. Salted tuna fans live in fear when news goes completely on-line, because it’s just about impossible to wrap tuna fillets in an iPad.) Just be mindful of the salty tuna flavoured puddle that will form in the freezer as the moisture leaches out. Bag them to be safe.

of a litmus test for the upcoming season. ‘R’ IS FOR REDS Snapper are a species that attract a lot of nicknames – red bream, cockney bream, reds, pinkies, squire, knobbies, old man snapper, even the somewhat derogatory ‘pinks’ from over west. I’ve never heard of anyone refer to them as a squirefish, but that’s what

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‘U’ IS FOR UNWANTED SPECIES And this is the downside of bait fishing as opposed to using soft plastics and octo jigs – mados, sweep, leatherjackets, wobbegongs, cat sharks, green eels and red rock cod can really ruin the day. It’s also a sign that there’s little or no current, or not many of the target species around, hence the trash fish getting to the bait first. Red rockies can be a serial pest, especially on the bottom rod, but if it’s any consolation at least you know you’re fishing over hard reef. They supposedly taste like lobster, but few anglers can be bothered filleting the spiky little mongrels and anyone that’s been stung by one knows they’re best handled at arm’s length and flicked off over the side with a pair of long-nose pliers.

The foot soldier of the offshore world, the yellowtail or yakka is a great bait live, dead, butterflied or as fillets. To tempt a really big fish and/or if the pickers are bad, try a head

‘V’ IS FOR VALUE ADDING The downside of catching a big snapper is that the meat recovery in the form of usable fillets is relatively low, somewhere in the order of 33% depending on the size of the fish. However, that doesn’t mean what remains is useless. Boil the head (or heads) for an hour to make stock for snapper chowder (only

SEPTEMBER 2014

‘Y’ IS FOR YAKKA

do this outside though!). You can also scrape the frames to recover a tasty fish ‘mince’ for fish cakes, and then bury whatever’s left in the vegie garden for a free soil tonic. Some Dutch people I remember from my childhood used to eat the roe, which is considered a delicacy in some communities.

‘W’ IS FOR WA PILLIES Quick and convenient, although not as cheap as they once were, it’s hard to remember a time when West Australian pilchards, pillies or mulies weren’t available as snapper bait. It’s fair to say that more snapper around the country have fallen to WA pilchards than any other bait. If possible, try to source local pillies from the bait netters if they ever become available – they’re an excellent, somewhat cheaper alternative. A 4kg box of individually quick frozen (IQF) pillies will cover a number of trips, with less waste than with block pillies. When you’re fishing two

split down the middle. It won’t go off every time, but when it does, the red will be a cracker. The same approach works equally well with slimy mackerel and pike heads.

floater rods, try a pilchard on one and a tuna strip or squid on the other to see if there’s any preference being shown by the fish. ‘X’ IS FOR X MARKS THE SPOT This is pretty obvious really. Snapper can be found lurking in a range of environments, from bommies to kelp beds to broken ground of rock and sand, but the pick of them is generally a high peak grading to gravelly structure behind it, not affected by too much current. ‘Z’ IS FOR ZZZZ! The sound that reel will be making if you follow all of the above!

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Tough fishing in clear water in the Richmond BALLINA

Tristan Sloan tris.sloan@gmail.com

It’s been a tough month on the Richmond River, in fact the last few months have been tough for the regular punters just out looking for a feed. This is mainly due to the lack of rain which has resulted in some incredibly water clarity. In fact, last weekend I could see the bottom of the river in 6m of water while anchored up

at the Porpoise Wall on the run-in tide. The only species that has been reliable and biting readily in numbers has been the humble luderick and even then I’ve had to drop down to 2lb trace to get some consistent action, and use a variety of green and black weeds. For those of you who haven’t yet mastered the art of catching luderick, the most successful technique to get onto a few fish in the river has been to use a variety of fresh and live baits. The run-out tide,

which provides a bit of colour to the water, has been the best time. Lightly weighed live yabbies, prawns and mullet gut have fooled some wary bream and the occasional flathead. The lure fishermen have been doing it especially tough. Forget about trying to fool a super wary bream in these clear waters – I’ve even struggled to get a decent feed of flathead lately. The only reasonable success I’ve had is targeting pockets of sand amongst the weed beds with natural looking soft plastics

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and small hardbodies. With the hardbodies you generally only get a few cranks of the handle across the sand pockets before the lure fouls up on weed so make that first cast count. Soft plastics on the other hand are a lot easier, and rigged weedless they are a deadly and snagproof option for tough days. The rock and beach fishing has been the saviour for many locals lately with good bream, drummer

and grouper falling to well presented (lightly weighted) baits fished close to the rocks. The swell has been forgiving enough lately to access some of the harder-to-reach spots, and structure such as bommies and rocky outcrops with sufficient white water have been producing fish. Lately I’ve also done quite a bit of tailor spinning around the beach gutters and rocky headlands in the mornings, and have been surprised with the quality of fish on offer. Solid winter greenbacks are common, and I watched a young lad lose a fish of about 6kg spinning off Flatrock. He was devastated. I tried to console him by reminding him that half the attraction of fishing is ‘the one that got away’ but I don’t think that helped much! I can’t comment much on the offshore fishing because every weekend it seems the swell manages to get up and the fishing gods prevent me from doing some much-needed research for readers. The anglers who have managed to sneak out mid-week have reported that plenty of snapper are located on the close reefs as well as the 32 and 48 fathom lines, with quite a few pearl perch, kingfish and amberjack also coming over the side. Unfortunately the plague of leatherjackets has also arrived so remember to take plenty of wire and hooks when you head out. The humble leatherjacket can make a great feed but those scissor-like teeth can be mighty expensive on terminal tackle. FUNDING OPEN FOR NSW HABITAT ACTION I noticed in a recent email from NSW Fisheries that funding is now available for NSW Habitat Action Grants

Fresh squid makes a great mulloway bait off the beach.

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stabilisation works, removal of exotic vegetation and rehabilitation of riparian lands. This is a great opportunity for anglers to take an active approach in the future of their local waterways. More information can be found on the NSW Fisheries website at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/ hag. Applications close on September 19, 2014.

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The weather has been a lot fairer of late. The run of mulloway on the walls and headlands is still continuing but the quantity of large fish has been dropping a bit. Still, there are a few bigger fish

around and they’re still liking the large locallymade hardbody lures from Get Bent Lures and Croaker Lures. Just like last month, the best way to get connected to one of these lure-crunching mulloway is to slow roll your offering through the washes of the headlands. The insides of the walls are also good spots to try.

Despite the weather being a bit more mild this month, it hasn’t hurt the tailor and there are still plenty of them around of the headlands and beaches. Most of the fish caught lately have been averaging around the 1-2kg mark. There’s plenty of bait around so hopefully the tailor will stick around as well. On the bream front the same tactics as suggested last month should still be doing a bit of damage around the lower walls

of a night. Gut baits like chook and mullet gut are working the best. It can also be productive fishing these same areas with your favourite bream lures (I like using blades and soft plastics) worked deep along the walls and deep reefs in the river at this time of year. There are still plenty of good sized table quality squire around to be had. The pick of the baits is still little bottle squid, but having a variety of bait on hand is always handy. If you

are out trying to rustle up a feed of these tasty fish on bait, berleying can most definitely improve your success. However, as talked about last month you have to be very careful there is a very fine line between not enough and too much. You want to use your berley to get them interested not to feed them. When fishing the shallows at this time of year my favourite method is to use a lightly weighted bait drifted down a berley

trail from the back of the boat. But if you are after a trophy-sized knobby, early starts are key. When I say ‘early starts’, I mean getting to your favourite marks in the dark, setting up your berley trail and fishing into the light using bigger baits. As well as using bigger baits you would do well to upsize everything else like hook size, main line and leader. Losing a big fish can haunt your dreams for many a night after!

Left: Kaleum Gannon with a Croaker Lures munching mulloway spun up from the boat. Middle: Kurt Murphy with a healthy Clarence River flatty. Right: This shows the quality of choppers around at the moment. These were spun up by Kurt Murphy off the beach.

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DFA surface lures - the cutting edge of lure design BUNDABERG

Dave Magner

While diving lures and plugs dominate the hand made wooden lure market, I often wonder if the design and construction of sophisticated surface lures is where the cutting edge or lure making is headed. I’ve found myself penning quite a few articles about the strength of the local cottage lure industry lately and with good reason. It seems that hand crafting wooden lures has never been

of lure makers producing top quality, hand made timber lures. It’s got to the stage where it has become a boutique industry where the customers are prepared to pay a bit more to get something that we know not only performs well, but is built to last and looks good. The interesting thing is that despite the huge jump in lure makers, I don’t think you couldn’t really say the range of lures on offer has increased at the same sort of rate. Most makers seem to concentrate on one of two broadly defined genres,

A DFA Snare sits in front of a wooden blank. There are quite a few steps in-between these two stages. more popular than right now. All across the country we have an increasing number

SEPTEMBER 2014

depending on where they are based. In the southern states there are the guys turning out

all manner of deep diving cod and golden perch lures, while up north there are those who specialise in shallower running barra or jack type minnows. Of course, there are a few exceptions but that pretty much covers the vast majority of timber lure makers out there at the moment. What seems to have dropped off the radar are lures at the smaller end of the scale. Apart from a couple of notable exceptions, smaller hand made minnows suitable for bass, bream or particularly trout are getting harder to find. The most significant factor for this is that smaller lures are time consuming and demanding to make. When you are working at the smaller end of the scale, everything has to be perfectly balanced and in tune. With the big buoyant body of a cod or barra lure, a mm or two either way doesn’t really matter. In a tiny little slim bodied 5cm minnow, you just don’t have that luxury and everything has to be perfectly aligned or it simply won’t swim properly. As difficult as it is to hand craft small minnows, there is one branch of the art

While Red uses machinery to do the initial cutting out of his lures, there is still a lot of hand sanding and finishing involved. He keeps templates of all his working shapes to ensure consistency. which I believe offers even more of a technical challenge and that’s the realm of small surface lures. Now I’m not talking your standard mini popper here that anyone can turn out on a lathe, but the much more subtle and intricate style of surface lures like bent minnows and stickbaits, which work on the surface or just below it. Building small surface lures tosses up so many different challenges. Firstly, there’s the matter of buoyancy. It’s not simply good enough to make a lure that floats, you need to have a lure that floats at the right angle and with just the right amount of lure above and below the waterline so you can create the right sort of action and sound signature. That probably doesn’t seem all that challenging until you realise you also need to be able to cast that same lure a reasonable distance. That means the lure needs to be weighted. Of course, you just can’t put that weight anywhere, it needs to go in the right place or the lure will tumble and tangle in flight. When you take all that into consideration and realise that we are talking about lures only 50-70mm long and with very little bulk to hold the weight and provide enough buoyancy in the first place, you start to realise the challenges involved. Recently I spent an afternoon with Andrew Ready, from Red’s Lures while we tossed a few of his smaller surface specials in his testing pond. From my point of view, I consider the experience as time very well spent. I got to pick his brains and really get an understanding of just how much goes into the design and construction of his little lures. I also got to

see how even the slightest changes in the position of an eyelet of change of hook size can drastically alter

imports. His airbrush work is quite simply amazing and he is doing stuff I haven’t seen anywhere else.

Top: Andrew Ready from Reds with a small bass taken on one of his unique DFA Flick surface lures. Don’t you love his company boat! Bottom: The Reds DFA range in a small tackle box. Unique lures with brilliant paint jobs. the performance of a small surface lure. For those of you not familiar with Red’s Lures, I suggest you go onto Facebook and check out his page. Red’s specialise in custom lure re-sprays and I’ve used his services before with outstanding results. Andrew can take a beat up old lure, strip it back and then refinish it in amazing colour schemes which rival any of the latest and greatest

As well as re-sprays, Andrew is also putting together a very limited range of unique wooden surface lures and wake baits under the Red’s Lures DFA range. RED’S DFA RANGE Andrew is currently producing a very limited range of lures. In fact, there are just five models in his current line-up. These are all part of the DFA range, which stands for ‘Death From Above’. I think these

unique lures provide a bit of insight into the sort of innovative work Andrew is currently up to so I have provided a bit of an outline of each model here. DFA AMBUSH The lure I found most interesting in the Red’s lineup was his take on the bent minnow shape. For his version, Andrew has settled

to be a brilliant flats lure. These things float at rest and when retrieved can be worked a couple of different way. For example, a rod tip up retrieve will have them dancing across the top in a skittering fashion which whiting love. Point the rod tip down and they flip over and go just subsurface with a crazy haphazard wobbling

FLATHEAD ON SURFACE LURES While more anglers are willing to accept that flathead can be taken on surface lures, most still seem to think it’s an exception rather than a rule. Well let me tell you not only can the humble lizard be taken off the top, it can actually be the most efficient way to fish for them, particularly in really shallow water and over weed beds. I recently spent a day wandering the flats down the inside of Fraser Island with Andrew Ready from Red’s Lures and we would have easily accounted for something like 20 lizards and as you can see from the photos hereabouts, they were all taken on lure worked on or just beneath the surface. While the fish weren’t huge, the hits were amazing, throwing water everywhere and I doubt there could be a more entertaining or effective way to target lizards. on a body of approximately 70mm in length and barely 10mm across at its widest point. As the body tapers away at each end to a thin pointy tip, they have a very slim profile. Despite their small size and odd shape, Andrew has been able to weight them in such a way that they still cast far enough

action. Despite their small size, these things are an amazing flats lure with plenty of whiting, flathead and bream to their credit but they also do the business on bass in the fresh. I know this style of lure is available commercially but the plastic versions can suffer in the casting stakes.

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A very chunky bar tailed flathead taken off the surface on a DFA Ambush. Great fun! Personally, I don’t know anyone else out there trying to make timber lures with these sorts of complex curves but if there is, please contact me and let me know I’d love to try them. DFA FLICK These lures look so delightfully simple but like everything in the Reds range, there is a lot of subtlety involved in their design and development. Again, they are similar in dimensions to the bent minnow but are straight rather than curved. For whiting fishing Andrew sets them up with tiny assist hooks on the rear eyelet. Rigged like this they are deadly on whiting. Change them over to a pair of top quality light weight trebles

and they are just as effective on bass and flatties. Worked with subtle flicks of the rod tip and you get a lure which stays on the spot and almost appears to leap straight up out of the water. If you prefer, you can work them a bit more conventionally to get a subtle walk the dog effect happening. DFA BUG These things are such a simple lure but they work amazingly well. Basically they are grub shaped (around 5cm long) lure with not wings or other fancy adornments. The profile is very cicada-like and they come with a single treble hanging off their belly. Fishing with them is as simple as the lure themselves. You just crawl them slowly across

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as it dives under, making that classic blooping sound which drives predatory species wild. You can however retrieve them in the usual fashion and they have a wide, rolling wobble that takes them just under the surface. These are another flats classic. DFA POPPER In case you are wondering, Andrew does do a small cup faced popper. It’s probably the most traditional in his line-up but like all his lures, casts brilliantly for its size. It works on the flats as well as it does in the fresh and he does some of these in a ‘nude’ finish which takes advantage of the natural grain of the timber.

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the surface or if you have the patience, cast them out on top of a snagpile and leave them sit there, occasionally giving the lure a gentle flick to make is send out a few ripples. If all that doesn’t work, then you can retrieve them like a wake bait and they swim beautifully along just under the surface, sending out a nice bulge that’s sure to get any bass’ attention. DFA SNARE These have a classic upside down fish profile and can be used as a surface lure or a wake bait. Snares float at rest with just the nose and bib out of the water and when you flick the rod tip, air gets trapped on the face of the lure

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• DECEMBER SEPTEMBER 20142010

Hail the humble flatty NSW STH COAST

Steve Starling www.starlofishing.me

Flathead are one of Australia’s most iconic and readily available fish. They’re also a great target on which to hone your fishing skills, or try out a new technique… And best of all, they’re on the chew right now! You’ve got to love the humble, abundant and almost always willing flathead clan. There are more than 30 different species of these ugly but tasty bottom dwellers living in our salt and brackish waters, and at least a couple of varieties are available almost anywhere you might care to cast a line, right around Australia’s vast seaboard. Up north and over in the West you’ll mostly catch bar-tails. Along the east coast we have sandies and tigers offshore, along with the jumbo member of the clan — the dusky — lurking in our estuaries. Down south there are blue

Flathead are masters of camouflage and ambush. That big mouth is lined with small, sharp teeth and rarely misses its mark.

The dusky flathead is the giant of the clan, very occasionally topping a metre in length and giving the 10kg mark a nudge. However, most of those caught by anglers will measure between 35-80cm.

There are few better targets than flathead with which to open your saltwater flyfishing account. They love a streamer-style fly! with the sand or mud is best of all. Perhaps the deadliest method yet devised for

catching flathead on rod and reel is to throw out a 7-12cm long soft plastic (a shad, T-tail or curly-

tailed grub will do the job) rigged on a 7-14g (1/41/2oz) jighead, carrying a 1/0-4/0 hook. Let this lure sink all the way to the bottom, then give it a reasonably sharp flick or two, retrieve the slack line generated and repeat… all the way back to the rod tip. Keep doing this — making sure the lure regularly falls back to the seabed — and you WILL catch flathead, I assure you… It’s honestly as simple as that! The colour of the lure isn’t usually all that important, either. Try natural tones in clearer water or bright hues such as hot pink and chartreuse (lime green) in dirtier or darker conditions. Or black. Or white. They all work! Spring is prime flathead time in most parts of the country, so get out there in the next few weeks and give it a crack!

FISHING FILL-ITS

Flathead settle and bury into the sand between ambush assaults, often leaving clearly discernible ‘lies’ that can be easily spotted at low tide. spots and rock flathead, plus even more sandies and tigers. In short, wherever you go, there’s no shortage of flatties! Flathead are also not a particularly difficult fish to catch. They’re opportunistic predators and occasional scavengers, spending much of their time lying motionless and well camouflaged on the sea floor or riverbed. However, if something vaguely edible happens to swim, crawl or drift by, these reptilian fish are incredibly quick over a distance of a metre or two. They also have an over-sized mouth lined with small, sharp teeth: a mouth primarily designed for one-way traffic.

Favourite tucker for flathead includes all sorts of little (and not so little!) fish, as well as prawns, crabs, octopus, squid, yabbies or nippers and various marine worms. But they’ll eat bits of dead animals, too. The biggest trick to catching flathead is to remember that they’re almost always more likely to grab something that’s moving. These fish really do seem to be attracted and excited by motion and action. One of the best ways to achieve constant bait movement is to drift with the wind or tide in a boat, kayak or canoe while your weighted and baited lines drag slowly along

the bottom behind you. If you’re land-based, the same result can be achieved by slowly retrieving line, or even shuffling backwards up the beach or bank after making a cast. The flathead’s fondness for hitting a moving target also makes it a sucker for many lure and flyfishing strategies. It’s no accident that a flathead is often the first saltwater species racked up by any newcomer to lure and flyfishing. The only real trick to success lies in ensuring that your artificial bait stays within a metre of the bottom at all times, whether trolling or retrieving. Closer to the bottom is even better, and making occasional contact

Coastal Powerboats moves Coastal Powerboats has moved locations to offer customers and visitors an amazing experience when they arrive at 28 Machinery Drive in Tweed Heads. Continuing to stock and sell the same brands that have made Coastal Powerboats famous, the team has added some brand new ProCraft models to their extensive range. The ProCrafts will range in size from 5-6m and include half cabins, centre consoles and bow riders. They will also be expanding their chandlery range so all those little bits and pieces you’ll need to get you on the water will be on hand. Add to this a Suzuki service centre and boaties on the south coast will be well looked after.

If you’re interested in ProCraft aluminium and fibreglass boats, Polycraft, Sea Rod boats by Formosa or

Yalta Craft, drop into the new premises at 28 Machinery Drive or give the team a call on (07) 5523 0072. – FMG

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Tech Tricks

Simple snelled hook rigs BRISBANE

Gordon Macdonald masterbaitertackle@hotmail.com

Effective rigging and good bait presentation can go a long way in determining the success of your next fishing trip. Being able to rig baits in a way that presents them naturally and promotes maximum hook setting potential will result in more bites and an increased bite to capture ratio. For many longer baits, including whole squid, pilchards, pike, mullet, fillet baits and the like, you need to have good hook coverage of the bait and also keep it straight without it bunching up, which would cause the bait to spin in the current and appear unnatural. Several smaller hooks will present a bait better than a single large hook in most situations. There are several ways to make a snelled hook rig, yet this month we are going to look at the Simple Snell, an easy and effective rigging option that will make these sort of baits a much more productive offering. WHY SNELL? Basically, a snelled hook rig comprises of two or more hooks which are knotted onto the line at a set length apart. This offers better flexibility than when rigging with hooks ganged in the eye-to-eye fashion and allows you to make rigs of any length with the hooks at any distance apart. You can even use hooks of different sizes in the one rig allowing you to have a larger hook at the head of the bait and a smaller one through the tail. Any type of hook can be used, however patterns with a turned out eye often present better than those with a straight eye, especially when using thick monofilament or fluorocarbon leaders (see image A). All types of leader materials including monofilament, fluorocarbon and even nyloncoated wire can be used when making snelled hook rigs therefore this type of rig can cover a huge array of bait fishing situations. Nyloncoated wire rigs are great for when you are targeting sharks and other toothy creatures and snelling the hooks to this type of wire is so easy. The snell knot we utilise for this rig is exceptionally strong and the more tension you put on the rig the tighter the knot locks. The only exception would occur if you were trying to use thin leader on large hooks, say a 10/0 hook on a 20lb leader. In this instance the knot may slip, however I can’t imagine why you would want such a large hook on such thin leader anyway. When using a sensible hook size to leader ratio, snelling will work a treat 76

SEPTEMBER 2014

2 1

Cut a length of leader that is a little longer than you want the finished leader to be. Pass the tag end of the leader down through the eye of the hook to the end of the bend.

Continue wrapping the main portion of the leader around the shank five to eight times. You should make more wraps in stiffer leader than you would in more supple leader, but never less than five times. Pass the main portion of leader up through the hook eye, from the back of the shank through to the gape side of the hook.

To attach the next hook, pass the main portion of leader up through the eye (from the back of the shank through to the gape side). Space the two hooks apart at the desired length, depending on the size and type of bait being used.

6 5

Again pass the main portion around the shank, just below the hook eye.

and personally I have never had a rig fail. In fact, the snell knot puts less stress on the leader than tying most other knots as there is no friction caused when the knot is pulled tight and no sharp angles on the leader material. HOOKS A wide array of hook styles, brands and sizes can be used for this rig. You will need to match the hook style to the bait and target species, and then choose a suitable leader material type and breaking strain. Be aware of some cheap, lower quality hooks where there is a gap where the eye curves around back onto the shank. These can sometimes damage the leader material or allow it to slip through the gap, causing the rig to fail. Circle hooks work exceptionally well with this type of rigging as they offer a semi-stiff connection between the leader material and the hook. This has proven to offer better hook setting potential with this pattern. Even circle hooks with straight eyes can work well but you need to ensure that the leader material exits the eye on the gape side of the shank (see image A). This should be the case with all your snelled hook rigs but

is especially important with circle hooks. I have used hooks as small as 6 and as large as 12/0 when making snelled rigs. When drifting with whole fish (herring, whitebait, frogmouth pilchards and suchlike) or fillet strip baits in the estuary, it creates a great presentation that can attract anything from whiting to mulloway. I commonly use hooks from size 2 to 1/0 for this application (often Mustad Penetrators) with one hook pinned up through the head laterally, and the other down near the tail. Other popular applications include float lining for snapper with baits of whole pilchards and squid (generally using a three hook snell-rig) and a twin circle hook rig on plasticcoated wire for whaler sharks in the bay and rivers. Just like any other rigging, you need to choose the hook style and size that best suits your application, yet this type of rigging works exceptionally well in a host of scenarios. Let’s look at making this extremely easy yet effective rig. (In the photos below I have used braid to make it easier for you to see the tying process, but I wouldn’t use braid as a leader material.)

Holding the tag end against the shank, wrap the main portion of the leader around the shank, just below the hook eye.

Wrap the leader around the hook shank five to eight times.

Pass the main portion of the leader back up through the hook eye. Subsequent hooks are put on exactly the same way with the spacing between each being any length you desire, depending on the bait being used. Attach a swivel, ring or loop to the other end of your leader and your snelled rig is ready for use.

ADAPTABILITY Snelling allows loads of options in hook style, leader type and overall size of the rig. I use this rig for a host of baits and a huge array of fishing situations, both inshore and offshore, for species as diverse as bream, snapper and billfish. It is extremely easy and you can quickly make a rig out on the water, depending on the size of the live baits you catch or the size of the bait you purchased on the way to the boat ramp. If it wasn’t so easy it wouldn’t be called the Simple Snell!

Update on flying at Maroon Dam BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe

Also, with dry flies, do remember that less is more. Maroon bass have seen plenty

(again, in time of low light) will involve the use of an intermediate sink line in

that when fishing in the early morning as the sun comes onto the weed bed

wkff@aapt.net.au

Maroon Dam is quite a special fly fishing destination. What the resident bass lack in size they more than make up for in numbers! A great fan of this mountain fringed impoundment, I have been pushing the boat off the trailer at Maroon’s ramp quite a bit through the cooler months. The bass are still there and quite fly catchable but I’ve noticed the need for different tactics compared to the same time frame last year. Firstly, there has been an alteration to Maroon’s water level, which appears to be down by almost 2m from last September’s height. Surprisingly, instead of Maroon’s renowned weed beds being more noticeable as the result of the reduced water level, the opposite has occurred. There’s been a marked reduction in weed growth around all of the dam’s shoreline which means that a lot of the thick weed beds that were cresting the surface last September have declined to the point where they are now some distance under the water. SURFACE FISHING One result of these changes will be noticed in the surface fishery, something that has been an important feature of this impoundment. With the reduction in surface weed systems the fish don’t come into the shoreline weed areas as much. Being on the water at the first hint of light or staying until dusk and mooching quietly over towards the shore for a fish (in an area right out of any breeze) can still be worthwhile, but there just doesn’t seem to be the numbers of fish wanting to play. So, to maximise success, it’s more important than ever that a stealthy, quiet approach be made to a chosen area when doing some surface fishing. Get that electric motor into use! That said, I would still, at dawn or dusk, have a 5-6wt fly outfit rigged with a floating fly line and a dry fly such as a size 6 Muddler Minnow, Gartside or Grabhams Curgler on a 4kg tippet and give it a decent try. Sitting quietly in close proximity to a weed bed and gently landing the fly on the water adjacent to the weed growth, or to any place where it breaks the surface, is the key to success.

This pair of Maroon bass taken by Denise Kampe are fairly representative of the fish the fly angler will enjoy catching this year.

Lowered water level or not, Maroon Dam is still a very pretty place to enjoy some fly fishing.

The sounder tells the story of a lot of fish sitting right on the bottom. Note the small Vampire pattern the fish was taken on. of flies and they don’t seem to want to attack an offering moving too energetically or with too many ripples. Also, if a tiny retrieve is made it’s smart tactics to feed some slack back into the system as the fly slows so a fish can take the fly without feeling any tension from the leader. That same system works on anything from barra to bass, of course. I do believe that success can also come down to the particular morning. If it’s warm, cloudy and fairly windless then things are in the angler’s favour. A clear, breezy morning with some chill about it might well see the fish shunning the shallows. FISHING THE WEED BEDS Another tactic that I’ve seen successfully used around the weed beds

lieu of a floating one. The method of fishing can best be described as ‘cast and strip’. On the tippet there’s a size 6 wet fly such as an olive or black Leech pattern, a Vampire in red and black or bronze and black (this latter colour combo works well in Maroon) or a simple Clouser in red and black colours. The technique again involves staying close to the weed bed and casting the fly some distance over the top of the submerged weeds. Allowing a couple of seconds for it to sink a bit then commencing a fairly brisk, twitchy, retrieve should see a bass nail it before it moves too far. If the fly is ticking the weed occasionally that’s fine; so long as a bit of weed doesn’t stick the fly will still do it’s job. Be advised though,

it’s usually time to move to deeper water and try the next trick up the sleeve.

SINKING FLY LINE This last method is regarded by many as the ‘usual’ method of fly fishing for bass. Yet because the sounder will often detect Maroon’s bass schooled up in around, or less than, 6m of water once they depart the shallows the fly line does not need to be an especially fast sink one. An intermediate sink rate line can work fine, the clue is to allow a bit longer for it to get down to where the fish seem to be on the job. A reference to the sink rate on the box the line came in will help. A point worth noting - in the last few months in Maroon Dam I have noted a lot of bass sitting right on the bottom in water from around 6-10m in depth in lieu of an expected situation where they are distributed from the bottom up to around mid water depth and showing obvious signs of moving around feeding. When the bass are sitting right on the bottom, an angler could be forgiven for thinking they are sedentary but this is often not the case. Once the fly (the same one used in the cast-andstrip over the weed beds)

is among them, a fish will usually grab it. The thing to remember is that if the sounder is showing around a half dozen or more fish sitting right on the bottom it’s a virtual certainty that they will have a lot of mates in the immediate area. And in many cases they are catchable, it just comes down to working out a good drift, getting the entire fly line out of the line guides (nothing wrong with using the electric motor here) allowing time for the fly and line to get right to the bottom and then commencing the slow strip and draw process. Using this method on the southern end of the dam out from the Camp Lakefire water intake I have scored some good catches. Fish to 40cm are scarce, larger ones even more so, but the Maroon bass are usually plentiful. Another excellent area to look for fish sitting on the bottom is the 6m area east of the ski club buildings. Maroon may be changing but the fish are still there. Adapt your tactics and make the most of this great waterway.

A bronze and black Vampire was too much for this Maroon Dam bass to ignore. SEPTEMBER 2014

Captiva 5 LTZ diesel AWD wagon BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

The Holden Captiva is one of the strongest selling vehicles in its class. It never takes long to spot one being driven or parked, and sales figures confirm its popularity in a very competitive market niche. Clearly the Captiva must have some good things going for it so let’s take a look at what’s on offer. The Captiva’s styling is by no means new (although there was an upgrade not that long back) as the wagon has been around for a few years, but it’s still pretty easy on the eye. It’s a fairly tall vehicle which allows the driver and passengers to enjoy that important ‘command’ stance. This is one of the features, along with lots of load space

at the rear, that endear these sorts of vehicles to buyers. Two models are in the showroom, the 5 and the 7, named according to their seating capacity. The 5, as reviewed, comes with two engines and drive modes. There’s choice of a 2.4L petrol engine or a 2.2L turbo diesel, while two standards of trim and features are also available. The LT offers just a few less features than the LTZ, which I was offered for review. FEATURES The ‘standard’ LT will by no means short-change an owner thanks to features such as choice of petrol or diesel engine, and the choice of manual (petrol) or auto unit. Note that the diesel option is only available in All Wheel Drive mode linked to a six-speed auto unit. And there’s nothing wrong with that!

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Other goodies include a host of safety features such as electronic stability control, six air bags, traction control, brake assist, active rollover protection, hill descent control, hill start assist and front and rear park assistance as standard. Outside there are auto head lamps, roof rails, front fog lamps and 18” wheels. Interior features include electronic functions throughout, a CD audio system with steering wheel controls, Bluetooth compatibility, USB port with iPod integration, dual zone climate control air, cruise control, remote keyless entry and driver information display covering a host of functions including fuel use and the remaining range in relation to fuel in the tank. The LTZ classification offers all of the aforementioned features plus refinements in the form of 19” alloys, heated front seats, electric driver’s seat and leather interior trim. Both models of Captiva offered a subtle blend of interior tonings designed to complement each other. The overall ambience was subdued, with a few faux metal highlights offsetting the majority of the dark interior tonings. In all, easy to live with and not at all ostentatious. POWERFUL DIESEL ENGINE The Captiva LTZ All Wheel Drive reviewed was powered by a four-cylinder DOHC 2.2L direct injection turbo diesel engine linked to a very smooth six-speed auto transmission. The engine

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was both quite smooth and noticeably powerful. As is the case with many diesel engines it was a little inclined to chatter at idle but certainly hard to hear when underway. Output figures were 135kW of power and 400Nm of torque. The diesel Captiva was quick off the mark, great for overtaking, handy for towing boats (unbraked trailer 750kg, braked 1500kg) and on a mix of both country and city driving returned a fuel consumption of 9.3L per 100km. That’s quite acceptable in my view.

Eye catching styling is a feature of the LTZ Captiva. Select system I’d see a run up the beach or along a bush track quite within the Captiva’s capability. I considered the auto unit was perfectly mated

The Captiva’s reasonable 430L luggage space is enhanced by slipping the second row of seats downwards. ON THE ROAD The Captiva had a sense of purpose on the highway: business like, easily managed but quite well balanced overall. It felt solid. Steering was very direct, yet not overly heavy and with ample feedback. The leatherbound wheel was the right size for comfort. I found both driver’s and passenger’s front seats very comfortable and quite supportive. A four-hour drive caused no discomfort at all. Rear seating is generous enough to accommodate two adults and a child without fuss. On winding roads with sharp bends a little body roll in corners was evident and the odd bump or thump was par for the course when I took the Captiva for a run down a badly corrugated forestry track. If you have been to Lenthalls Dam you’ll know what I’m on about. “Badly corrugated” is an accurate description. Suspension consisted of MacPherson strut, gas dampers and a stabiliser bar up front with independent four link gas dampers and another stabiliser bar at the rear. There’s quite good ground clearance and with the combination of strong engine power, the vehicle’s Active All Wheel Drive system – dividing power between front and rear wheels when sensors detect the need – and manual gear changing via the Active

to the diesel engine with gear changes virtually undetectable. It was interesting to note that 100km on the highway equated to a mere 1800rpm on the tachometer; obviously that diesel engine is very under stressed.

In 110km/h limit areas overtaking a truck or caravan being towed would occur in seconds without the need to increase power over some distance, which is an annoying aspect of some modern diesel cars. Interestingly, there’s an ECO drive mode with the auto transmission units as well. This system is said to improve fuel economy by up shifting transmission changes sooner, down shifting a bit later. SUMMING UP Overall I saw the fiveseat Captiva LTZ diesel as an excellent family unit, great for work around the city and suburbs during the week, ideal for a weekend or holiday away. Luggage capacity is a generous 430L with rear seats upright, 865L with the rear seat folded down so a fair amount of gear could be tucked in there for a weekend away. That 750kg towing limit for an unbraked trailer would see it towing plenty of boats; it certainly towed our Tabs Bullshark with ease. The price of the LTZ 5 was $35,690.

Top: Leather seats, a stylish interior highlighted by some brushed metal panels are features of the front seating of the Captiva LTZ. Bottom: The Captiva’s rear seating will accommodate two adults plus a child in ample comfort thanks to adequate leg and head room.

Cape York camping: Part II BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

In last month’s issue I discussed the considerable advantages of taking the boat to fish the eastern side of the Gulf’s waters; either Weipa, Seisia Aurukun or points in between. Plentiful fish, and some really good sized ones at that, await the boat-based angler in that neck of the woods whether it’s a creek, river or an off shore reef being fished. The point here is that virtually all of the eastern side of the Gulf is in a lee during the Dry with the predominant south-easter being an off shore wind. That situation sure makes it easy to fish from a small boat! But, in fairness, I also enlarged on the down side of the equation with the roughness

beaten track and there are a host of places within a few hours of Weipa where peace and solitude are abundant. It’s wise though to completely restock with groceries, fuel, water and all consumables at Weipa. Be advised that Woolworths, the town’s only supermarket, won’t be open on a Sunday or a public holiday, and closes early on a Saturday. The town’s fuel outlets are pretty flexible though. GET THE CAMP SITE RIGHT Camping is virtually the only option when the boat’s on the tow bar and the plan should be to locate a fishing area that is a bit away from the mainstream areas. Shade is essential, even in mid winter as 30°C temperatures are standard fare so, the camp’s over fly set up under some shade will be a bonus. Do not, repeat do not camp too close to coconut

Korr solar panels will top up any batteries in short order.

Plenty of mesh on the chosen tent is a great asset for comfort at night. of the gravel sections of the Peninsula Development Road demanding special toughness from the trailer, the wisdom of having a well fitted cover for the boat and the need to totally dustproof the outboard. And all this just to get to the Gulf in the first place! However, rewards await the daring and once at Weipa, a very popular kick off point for the serious angler with a boat in tow, options are to move further afield or maybe set up camp at the Weipa Camp Grounds that are close to the town’s shops and services. I like to rough it somewhat to really enjoy the experience of camping away from the

palms. The white cockatoos of Cape York have evolved a technique of chewing the husk off a ripening coconut to get at the pulp inside. That’s fine, but the tree then discards that defective coconut which can fall any time day or night, windy or otherwise. Beware, too, of having any part of that fly touch adjoining foliage lest a horde of nasty and anti-social green ants climb down to investigate what the camp offers in the way of food, plus bite anyone intending to remove them. A thorough spray of Bushman or tropical strength Aerogard around the base of all tent and fly poles will keep them from

climbing aboard. Renewing the deterrent every few days is important. When setting up the camp site a rake is very handy to remove any leaves, sticks or other debris which might be a possible hide out for scorpions or other nasties. A shade cloth ground cover is very handy but not essential. This stuff is easily washed later and can be swept while in use. TENTING AND OTHER TACTICS Choice of a tent is simple. It must have mesh small enough to keep out insects but large enough to allow plenty of breeze through. Most dome tents on the market fulfil this criteria with the added bonus of packing into very small packages. Generally speaking, if the selected camp site has ample shade things should be sufficiently comfortable through the day. Night time is different in that the mosquitoes at the Cape are fanatical in their quest for blood. While repellent sprays with a DEET content are very good at keeping these critters at bay, I prefer to minimise the use of repellent and keep the little devils from biting me by wearing light weight but long clothing and using strategically placed smudge fires around the proximity of the camp. If there’s a risk of fire, mosquito coils work sufficiently to provide respite but you’ll need plenty of them. The pleasing thing is that these pests are shift workers; come daylight they vanish. I had the use of a couple of orange light bars from Korr Lighting to try out and I believe that these special bars do deter insects. The section of the camp where they were set up seemed to be infested with fewer mozzies than other areas. We naturally used Korr solar panels to keep our spare electric motor battery and general house battery charged. Refrigeration issues need some thought. Many rely on 12V fridges while the car’s on the move but once camp is set up and longer term use is planned, it’s very hard to go past a three-way fridge that runs on gas or alternatively a 240V model linked to a generator. For the information of Chescold owners my RC1180 runs for 12 days at maximum cooling on a 3.7kg cylinder of gas. For the best results, any refrigerator should be kept in the shade to keep the sun off the exterior as much as possible. A wash at end of day is very refreshing in a tropical climate and it’s here that the Glind Cape Yorker really earns its keep. Camping near Weipa last July with the temperature still around 26°C at 7 pm I didn’t even bother to warm up a bucket of water, I simply hooked the unit to our spare battery and enjoyed

a great cold shower via the Cape Yorker’s pressure pump. These units store readily, can be used for any salt or fresh water and are worth every cent of their modest price. Generally speaking, the Gulf has ample water and it’s usually not hard to find a source. FISHING THOUGHTS With a boat at your disposal the fishing is going to be well worth the effort. That said, attrition on tackle can be high. When targeting reefies there are always barracuda biting off plastics, bait, vibes and even my flies at every turn. Mackerel we would give anything to catch in southern Queensland can also be in pest proportions, biting things off everything in an overly enthusiastic manner. River and creek fishing is always fun with barra and jacks aplenty. The odd fingermark in the rivers is appreciated as well, but this fishing can also see tackle demolished as barracuda are also get up creeks, and big cod are happy to scoff a plastic or lure and move back into their cover, seemingly undisturbed by the resulting break off. The trick is to take lots and lots of terminal tackle, plus

Orange lighting from Korr did a decent job of repelling insects in its vicinity. sufficient spares all round to cover contingencies. Extra tackle won’t take up much room but can be well worth having along. So with all that said, prepare your vehicles, sort

your camping gear and get on up there. The Cape is a wonderful part of Queensland that, if you have time, can be experienced with all of your own gear quite easily these days.

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SEPTEMBER 2014

The Torque The Torque of the Town. of the Town. The 150hp Mercury FourStroke.

The 150hp Mercury FourStroke.

We could continue to talk up its strengths. Instead it has spoken for And now, Australia’s leading marine reviewers can’t stop talking abo We could continue to talk up its strengths. Instead it has spoken for itself. Clearly the most compact and durable, lowest weight and highest And now, Australia’s leading marine reviewers can’t stop talking about it. “This engine was so good it actually displacement 150hp FourStroke outboard the world has ever seen. Clearly the most compact and durable, lowest weight and highest made me rethink my love of direct displacement 150hp FourStroke outboard the world has ever seen. Visit www.mercurymarine.com.au fuel injection two-strokes.” Visit www.mercurymarine.com.au Andrew Norton - Tradeaboat

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

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

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

Image courtesy of Shane Chalker, www.shanechalkerphotography.com Image courtesy of Shane Chalker, www.shanechalkerphotography.com

SEPTEMBER 2014

Contact Your Local Dealer Today NORTHERN NSW / GOLD COAST TWEED COAST MARINE

147 Pacific Hwy Tweed Heads South Phone: (07) 5524 8877 | Fax: (07) 5524 3324 Email: dan@tweedcoastmarine.com.au | Website: www.tweedcoastmarine.com.au

MERIDIAN MARINA HORIZON SHORES ONSHORE MARINE

Cabbage Tree Point Rd,Woongoolba Phone: (07) 5546 2480 | Fax: (07) 5546 1362 Email: onshoremarine@ozemail.com.au | Website: www.onshoremarine.com.au

BRISBANE SOUTH SPRINGWOOD MARINE

3475 Pacific Hwy Springwood Phone: (07) 3297 8200 | Fax: (07) 3297 8290 Email: gyulav@springwoodmarine.com.au | Website: www.springwoodmarine.com.au

r itself. SOUTH COORPAROO MARINE out it.BRISBANE 57 Cavendish Rd Coorparoo

“This engine was so good it actually

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fuel injection two-strokes.” Andrew Norton - Tradeaboat 570 Royal Esplanade Manly

BRISBANE SOUTH MANLY HARBOUR MARINE

Phone: (07) 3893 2199 | Fax: (07) 3893 2188 Email: info@manlyharbourmarine.com.au | Website: www.manlyharbourmarine.com.au

BRISBANE WEST KAREE MARINE

“It takes the recent trend of 1851 Ipswich Rd Rocklea Phone: (07) 3875 1600 four-strokes | Fax: (07) 3875 1622 smaller, lighter Email: sales@kareemarine.com.au | Website: www.kareemarine.com.au

making and more responsive to the next level.” BRISBANE HOLT MARINE Jim Harnwell - Fishing World

25 Queens Rd Everton Park Phone: (07) 3353 1928 | Fax: (07) 3353 4548 Email: info@holtmarine.com.au | Website: www.holtmarine.com.au

BRISBANE NORTH CUNNINGHAMS MARINE “I walked away impressed with the

23-25 Snook St Clontarf performance, technology, passion Phone: (07) 3284 8805 | Fax: (07) 3284 8813 and insane amount of R&D... Email: ian@cunninghammarinecentre.com.au | Website: www.cunninghammarinecentre.com.au

squeezed under the cowling of

BRISBANE NORTH BRISBANE MARINE 150hp four-stroke.”

306 Duffield Road Clontarf, Q. 4019 Phone: (07) 3889 3033 |Matt Fax: (07) 3889 5390 Jones - Tradeaboat Email: info@brismarine.com.au | Website: www.brismarine.com.au

TOOWOOMBA WATERSKIERS WAREHOUSE

91-93 Neil St Toowoomba “The large cubic capacity 3.0L block Phone: (07) 4637 9511 | Fax: (07) 4637 9513 means the engine’s more chilled Email: rod@waterskierswarehouse.com.au | Website: www.waterskierswarehouse.com.au

out than a Buddhist monk, but with

BRIBIE ISLAND BRIBIE BOATofSALES plenty torque.”

217 First Ave Bribie Island Jones - Tradeaboat Phone: (07) 3408 0055 Matt | Fax: (07) 3408 0805 Email: danny@bribieboatsales.com.au | Website: www.bribieboatsales.com.au

SUNSHINE COAST NORTHCOAST BOATING CENTRE

264 Nicklin Way Warana Phone: (07) 5493 9376 | Fax: (07) 5437 6144 Email: mail@northcoastboatingcentre.com.au | Website: www.northcoastboating.com.au

HERVEY BAY BAY CITY MARINE

82 Dayman Street Urangan Hervey Bay Phone: (07) 4128 9944 | Fax: (07) 4125 2350 Email: sales@baycitymarine.com.au | Website: www.baycitymarine.com.au

FISHING FILL-ITS

Fuji pursues K Guide copies Japanese fishing guide manufacturer Fuji spends millions of dollars researching and creating functional and durable guides for millions of fishing rods worldwide. One of their latest iterations of guide is called the K Guide, and it has some pretty special properties. K Guides are designed to stop braided lines knotting on the guide frame during the cast. Simple. Casts that jerk to a halt with a knot for you to untangle around the guide frame become a thing of the past with these guides, and that’s pretty cool for anglers who like fishing braid. Fuji has a Design Patent on this concept – both in Japan and in Australia. Recently, Australian Fuji distributor Frogleys Offshore announced that Fuji would be taking firm

action against companies which (knowingly or unknowingly) build rods with copies of these guides. Frogleys Offshore Director Paul Starkey chatted to Fishing Monthly recently about the action. “The plain story is that the copies of the K Guides are infringing the patent, and we will be taking action to eradicate these from the market,” said Paul. “We know consumers don’t really care about the technicalities and actions between companies, they just want a well built guide that will do the job for them – and that’s where copies will let you down. If they’re not an original Fuji, they won’t be built as well as the real thing, and if the copycats have varied the design enough to avoid the patent infringement, the guide won’t do the job it’s supposed to do.”

The bottom line for consumers is to ask your tackle store if the rod you’re buying has genuine Fuji K Guides on it. You can tell by the word FUJI stamped into the frame. It’s the only way to be sure that you’re getting the real thing. – FM

Hobie GF location After much speculation, Hobie Cat Australasia is pleased to announce the location of the Grand Final of the 2014 Hobie Kayak Fishing Bream Series, presented by Daiwa. The event is set to take place in the stunning bream fishery of South Yunderup near Mandurah, approximately 70km south of Perth in Western Australia, and will be held on the 22nd and 23rd of November 2014.

The competition waterway, situated on the Murray and Serpentine systems, provides an incredibly diverse venue for this year’s grand finalists. From the river systems themselves to the flats of Peel inlet and the extensive network of man-made canals, there is truly going to be something for every style of kayak angler. Simon Goldsmith, tournament director at Australian Bass

do so on a national stage. With the Grand Final slated for Western Australia, this emphasis on a nation-wide series is on full display. The opportunity to showcase WA’s outstanding bream fishing to anglers from across the country is a very exciting prospect.” The Grand Final will unite the east and west coasts, bringing fishermen and women from opposite shores of the country together in a battle of wills.

BUNDABERG ADRIANS MARINE CENTRE

28 Ritchie St Bundaberg Phone: (07) 4153 1819 | Fax: (07) 4153 1819 Email: adriansmarinecentre@bigpond.com | Website: www.adriansmarinecentre.com.au

ROCKHAMPTON RIFEN BOATS

Unit 11-12, 10 Dooley St, North Rockhampton Phone: (07) 4927 9150 | Fax: (07) 4921 3502 Email: rifen.boats@bigpond.com | Website: www.rifenboats.com.au

MACKAY SUGAR CITY MARINE

11 Victoria Street Mackay Phone: (07) 4951 4711 | Fax: (07) 4957 6034 Email: goboating@sugarcitymarine.com.au | Website: www.sugarcitymarine.com.au

YEPPOON SEABREEZE MARINE

150 Scenic Hwy Yeppoon Phone: (07) 4933 6366 | Fax: (07) 4933 7590 Email: info@seabreezemarine.com.au | Website: www.seabreezemarine.com.au

WHITSUNDAY CANNONVALE WHITSUNDAY OUTBOARD CENTRE

1 William Murray Dr Cannonvale Phone: (07) 4946 7286 | Fax: (07) 4946 7848 Email: woc@whitsundayoutboardcentre.com.au

INNISFAIL COASTAL MARINE & OUTDOORS

178 Edith Street Innisfail Phone: (07) 4061 8272 | Fax: (07) 4061 7718 Email: joel@coastalmarine.com.au | Website: www.coastalmarine.com.au

BOWEN REIBEL MARINE

34 Don St Bowen Phone: (07) 4786 2944 Fax: (07) 4786 6606 Email: remarine@bigpond.net.au

INGHAM J&B MARINE

79 Herbert St, Ingham Phone: (07) 4776 1188 Fax: (07) 4776 1288 Email: jbmarine@bigpond.com Website: www.jandbmarine.com

BYO tackle and PFD and you’re ready to fish. All Hobies are supplied with live wells and electronics. Predominantly built upon a network of canals at the mouth of the Murray River, South Yunderup has a local population of around 2500 and is a popular retirement location for many Western Australians due to its warm climate, excellent fishing and relative isolation.

Tournaments, had this to say about the competition and location. “The Hobie Kayak Fishing BREAM Series is a truly unique series. Catch and release tournament fishing at its very best, it’s a series that allows anglers to challenge their abilities in a competitive realm and

Over 50 kayak anglers will descend on the fishery and go head to head, all vying for the top prize! Mathew Williams of Getaway Outdoors said they were thrilled to be hosting the fifth National Hobie/ Daiwa Kayak Fishing Grand Final. To page 82

SEPTEMBER 2014

Back to basics: Tying the San Diego knot BRISBANE

Kim Bain

As folklore has it, this knot gained its popularity amongst anglers fishing on the long range boats out of San Diego where the knot is used to tie leaders to the large ring eyelet that is at the top of ‘iron’ jigs that are cast for tuna and wahoo. On my boats, I’ve developed a passion for using this knot to tie doubled heavy tackle main lines (including 37kg and 60kg) to swivels and\or snap swivels. The San Diego knot is one of the few knots that will work just as well with stiff fluorocarbon as it does with flexible braid. Of course it also works well with mono type nylons. Like the similar but different Uni knot and the various clinch knots, the San Diego slides along the line to tighten. I’ve seen tests where the San Diego is the highest rated terminal ‘slide’ knot at 94%. This is in contrast to the best of the loop knots that typically get up to 89% performance. The San Diego knot is built with wraps around both the tag end (free end) and the standing line (main line), hence this knot has a better cushion and is stronger than clinch knots. Clinch knots generally only wrap one strand. The knot has a few names including the San Diego Jam and the X-turn San Diego, ‘X’ being the number of turns chosen by the crew to go with the

system that they are using – 6-turn and 7-turn San Diegos being probably the most common. The main trick with the San Diego is to keep control of the ‘turns’ and the end loop and the tying eye. This will require practice; each hand will have two tasks (maybe three tasks) at the same time but it is not difficult. The San Diego can be tied in either a single line or your double – naturally when tying it in a double with stiff line you’ll need a lot of practice in order to keep it streamlined. Possibly a second set of hands will help as well. The secret is in pinching the ‘lines’ together and holding them with two fingers while you wrap with your other fingers. HANDY HINTS Keep the wraps (aka binding) in sequence If the twists or wraps overlap each other, then the knot will not pull down smoothly and it can bunch up. This may give a loose loop that can burn when it goes from almost tight to tight. The burn can cause the knot to break. To reduce friction and to avoid the wraps crossing over, work the wraps down the line. Go slow and ensure that the twists are lined up neatly next to each other and that they lay side by side (like a bind). Wet the line It is a must to wet (aka moisten) the line’s surfaces before snugging. This reduces line-weakening friction and also allows the

knot to snug down better. Most anglers do this with spittle from their mouth. Snug the knot tightly To snug the knot, firmly apply pressure to clamp the wraps while slowly pulling on both the tag end and mainline simultaneously until the knot feels snug. Make sure your knot is neat and properly secured to the eye of the hook, swivel or lure. Pull on the knot This is different to making the knot ‘snug’ because a knot peg is not used. Once you have the knot snugged down, grab your lure or hook or swivel and secure it (to a knot peg) and slowly tension the mainline until you are confident that the knot is secure. When using flexible main lines you may take a wrap in the mainline with your hand in order to pull tight; however with stiff mainlines taking a wrap may distort the line – choose your technique based on the components in your system. Now that we have the background – let’s tie the knot! TYING THE SAN DIEGO KNOT 1. Pass the free end of the line through the eye to which you wish to tie. I typically tie to a swivel (I often crimp a heavy leader to the hook, this leader is then crimped to the swivel). Pinch the swivel between your little finger and the palm of the hand that is holding the swivel. This leaves your thumb and

SAN DIEGO KNOT loop

main line

index finger in loop

6-10 wraps

remaining fingers free. Double the line back by laying the tag end back along the main line (aka standing line). Some anglers recommend looping the line through the tying eye twice, especially when using thin diameter lines including braid. 2. Pinch the two lines together above the tying eyelet if you can. The index finger on the hand holding the swivel can be ideal for this. Now loop the free end over your index finger (the index finger on your other

hand) and using the pointer finger and thumb of the hand holding the swivel (or alternatively try using the thumb and forefinger of the hand holding the loop), make 6 or 7 wraps around the two lines. The wraps should be bound towards the tying eye. With braid you may do up to ten wraps. 3. Feed the tag end between the two lines just above the tying eyelet (between the tying eyelet and the last wrap). Then bring the free end back to the loop that is around your index finger. Complete this

step by pushing the free end through the index finger loop. You should have had enough length in your free end to have not had to pull on it to snug at any stage. Now remove your index finger from the loop. 4. Lubricate the knot by moistening the lines and snug the knot using the tricks given above in the handy hints. Make sure that the spirals don’t cross over. You can pull the loop to tighten the wraps and pull the tag and mainline together to tighten the knot against the eyelet.

From page 81

Will Noffke (7yo) caught this 39cm whiting in the Pumicestone Passage at Caloundra.

SEPTEMBER 2014

“The Murray River launch area and facilities, on the outskirts of Mandurah, offers a stunning backdrop to some of the best and most diverse bream fishing in West Australia,” he said. “The options are endless and there is something to cater for every competitor, from fishing the Murray and Serpentine River systems then onto the flats of the Peel Inlet and finally the man-made canals of Mandurah itself. They’re all accessible by kayak in a day. Bring all these elements together and we are confident WA is going to host an exciting and challenging Grand Final.” Steve Morgan from Fishing Monthly agreed. “West Australia has a rich BREAMing history, with West Australian anglers placing well in National Finals over the years in the eastern states,” he said. “The Murray River Hobie/Daiwa Kayak Fishing Grand Final finally turns the tables and lets the eastern breamers take on

The Grand Final features identical, supplied boats for all competitors, providing a truly level playing field. the talented West Aussies on their home turf. It’s going to be exciting to see if the eastern anglers’ skills will transfer west as readily as the West Aussies export theirs east. “Finally We s t Australian BREAMers

will experience the wonder, excitement and challenge that is the Hobie/ Daiwa Kayak Fishing Grand Final.” With only three rounds left in the series in which to qualify, the pressure is definitely on to claim a

place in what is going to be a phenomenal Grand Final that elevates the Hobie Fishing Series to an Australia-wide, truly national level! For more information on the series go to www.abt.com.au. – FMG

Paying the price BRISBANE

The Sheik of the Creek

So much about fishing and fishing trips is all about timing. Like last weekend for example. Leemie and I put the boat in and headed off to try to snare a mulloway, or a threadie. Our timing was off because we spent three hours getting three mullet in the cast net, then three minutes at anchor with our lines over the side. I think the anchor had time to hit bottom before a storm came in out of the west like a goods train but I’m not sure. So then it was roar back, jam the glass boat onto the rock and concrete ramp and scrape the bottom of the car against the exposed boulders as I backed down the threequarters of a mile to where the boat was waiting as it was low tide. Our timing was very poor, as mine is so often. We could have stopped cast netting and started fishing a little earlier, but given we had no bait, that would have been a little futile, but then again we wouldn’t have caught any less fish than we did. Which

makes me wonder why I don’t just fish from the back deck and save a hell of a lot of time, effort and money. But then I wouldn’t get to spend so much money on gear. Speaking of spending money on gear, I read a comment recently from a bloke saying that the worse thing that could happen after he dies would be his wife selling all his fishing gear for what he said he paid for it. That is a terrifying thought, I agree, but there is a worse scenario. She could find out what you paid for it while you are still alive. In which case you would then probably be dead anyway. I’ve got to say, that I generally keep my spending pretty quiet. That’s not to say that I am telling porky pies to my significant other. Just that I avoid discussing those sorts of things. So when she says, “That’s an expensive looking reel. Aren’t Shimano reels expensive? Why is it in that massive box, and why are you taking that kilo of gold, that thick role of bank notes and the first edition Phantom comic out of the safe to make room for that reel? What is it worth?” – I always reply in a truthful

manner (as I value the bond of trust that lies at the base of every good relationship) with something like, “Have you heard Nina and Ridge get back together?” and

wait to see what happens. Apparently that doesn’t seem to cut the mustard with my wife. Why Ridge and Nina don’t get back together I don’t know; I must be

missing something. My timing must be out. In the interests of good timing, if you’re worried about the amount of gear and its cost, my hint would

be to try to sell your gear off before you die. Or give it away if you have to. But not to your significant other. There’s timing and there’s stupidity.

s you may not be aware, from 2nd June, Australia Post will introduce 2 delivery timetables for their Print Post services, which will affect the delivery time of your magazines. The current delivery timetable continues but will be renamed “Print Post Priority.” The second Timetable will be named “Print Post Regular.” The names “Priority” and “Regular” reflect the different performance of the two timetables. Your magazines will be sent as “Regular” and Australia Post says it may take between two and four business days longer to be delivered than the “Priority” timetable. We will still endeavour to get your magazine to you before it goes on sale at the Newsagents but ultimately, we are at the mercy of Australia Post and have no control over them once they are lodged into their system. We welcome your feedback on your Australia Post experience to kym@fishingmonthly.com.au. SEPTEMBER 2014

Cooking

Coated tuna steaks This month’s processing sequence is for tuna steaks intended to be cooked in the frying pan. There is some debate

BRISBANE

Lynn Bain

These tuna back fillets have been stored in sealed plastics bags for two days in an esky filled with an iced slurry. The plastic satchels were fully immersed. If you are making sashimi or sushi, ensure that the flesh does not make contact with the water. It is not that critical if your steaks are intended for the frypan.

2 These steaks have been cut with the skin on.

Cut the tuna into thick steaks.

Cut away the blood line from the clear fleshed steak.

At this stage the steaks are ready for the pan, but there is an optional extra step. By putting the steaks in iced water in the fridge overnight, gives the tuna a ‘veal-like’ consistency.

Cut the skin away from the steak.

NUTTY ASIAN COATING I have used pistachios in this coating, however you could substitute macadamia nuts or unsalted cashews. The important thing is that the nuts are unsalted because there is also soy sauce (which is salty) in the coating. The quantities shown for the Nutty Asian Coating is for four tuna steaks (both sides). Ingredients 1 c up shelled unsalted pistachios 2 -3 g reen shallots, root end removed 1 teaspoon sesame oil 2-3 t easpoons soy sauce vegetable oil, for frying Prep Before applying the coating, gently pat the surfaces of the tuna steaks dry with either a clean tea towel or a clean chux wipe. In this scenario I prefer not to use paper towel because 84

over whether or not to allow the steaks to make direct contact with the iced water slurry – all will be revealed, read on.

SEPTEMBER 2014

it can leave a little ‘fluff’ on the surface of the tuna. In a food processor, process the pistachios and green shallots until ground to a crumbly consistency. I find that the best way to get a great texture for your coating, is to pulse the food processor until the right consistency is reached. Put the pistachio crumb mixture into a bowl and add the sesame oil. Stir well and then add the soy sauce, a little at a time, until the coating has formed a paste like consistency. It looks like a dukkah, and can be used as such. • Mt Stirling Olives www. mtstirlingolives.com.au of Queensland’s Stanthorpe wine region offer a great range of dukkahs\ coatings in their store and on their website. For a flavor variation give Mt Stirling’s Chilli Dukkah a try.

Press a generous amount of the coating onto the dry surfaces of the tuna steaks. A handy hint is to line a plate with plastic wrap and place the tuna steak, coated side down on the plastic wrap, while you coat the upper side of the fish. Chill the coated steaks for about an hour to firm up the coating and help it adhere to the steak.

Heat some vegetable oil in a heavy based frypan over a medium heat. Don’t make the oil too hot or the pistachios in the coating could burn. When the oil is hot, carefully lay the tuna steaks in the pan and cook until golden. Then carefully turn the tuna steaks over and cook on the other side until golden.

Serve with a little of the crust, either toasted from the pan, or straight from the leftovers in the bowl.

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© 2014 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). ®, ™ and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates. Terms and conditions apply, excludes commercial purchases. # Extended warranty covers MY11, MY12,

© 2013 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). ®, ™ and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates. Terms and conditions apply, excludes commercial purchases. * 'Spring Cashback Promotion' offer valid on MY11, MY13 MY13 & MY14 Evinrude E-TECE-TEC engines 40HP40 and newlynewly purchased and and registered from participating authorized dealers. full terms and conditions please contact local participating dealership. BRP January 31styour 2014. Cashback will beEvinrude in the form of a Prepaid MY12, & MY14 evinrude engines HPabove, and above purchased registered from participating authorized dealersFor between December 1st 2013 and Visa Card. the ** For normal recreational use. # Extended warranty covers MY11, MY12, MY13 features, & MY14 Evinrude E-TEC engineswithout 40HP and above, obligation. newly purchased and registered from participating dealers between October reserves right at any time to discontinue or change specifications, prices, designs, models or equipment incurring Products are distributed in Australia authorized and New Zealand by BRP Australia st st 1 and December 31 2013. ^ 25hp-250hp consumer models. For full terms and conditions please contact your local participating Evinrude dealership. BRP reserves the right at any time to discontinue or change specifications, prices, PTY Ltd.features, Card Issued byorHeritage Bank Limited ABN 32 087 652 Products 024 AFSLare240984. designs, models equipment without incurring obligation. distributed in Australia and New Zealand by BRP Australia PTy Ltd. Card Issued by Heritage Bank Limited ABN 32 087 652 024 AFSL 240984. Visa Card Terms and Conditions apply.

THE RECREATIONAL ANGLER’S LINK September is always great for fishing in the South East. Bream are in abundance in all our local waterways. They are a great table fish with so many ways to serve them.

FISHERIES MANAGEMENT REVIEW •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• As I mentioned last month Minister McVeigh has announced the members of the advisory panel to assist the MRAG Asia Pacific consultants in the review process. Recreational fishing representatives are David Bateman AM from Sunfish Queensland and Les Kowitz from the

Freshwater Fishing and Stocking Association. Regional visits are due to occur around August and September and I urge everyone to provide their comments to the consultants prior to 5pm October 30. Comments can be made at port meetings or via email to qldfisheriesreview@ mragap.com.au .

The review is intended to look, at a strategic level at ways to move fisheries management into the future. This can best be achieved by providing the committee with as much informed comment as possible. As soon as the dates and locations of port visits are available I will send them out through our networks.

MYRTLETOWN ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

KIDS’ FISHING DAYS •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• We have just finished our suite of days for 201314. Kids Fishing Day area the jewel of Sunfish’s activities. These young minds soak up all the skills and messages that can be delivered to them. We certainly appreciate that Fisheries Queensland also acknowledge the value in nurturing this conduit back into communities by continuing to support this program.

This year we had a succession of great events. In general the weather right across the state

was favourable and every event was well attended and enjoyed by parents, children and instructors and volunteers alike. At each event the children thanked Fisheries Queensland and Sunfish Queensland for the opportunity to attend their clinic. We engaged with nearly 2500 children, family and friends and as you can see from the list above, the events were held right across the

state. All these communities were richer for having had their children participate. Modules selected for each

event are selected depending on location, age of the participants and criteria from the organising group. It is a great testament to our volunteers that they keep their enthusiasm going year after year, even with dwindling instructor numbers. Some of our instructors double and triple up all around the state to run events with local assistants. Hopefully, in the near future we may be

able to run another Level 1 Instructors course so that these assistants can become accredited.

KIDS’ FISHING DAY EVENT LOCATIONS: ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Broadwater Parklands..............................................Billy’s Bay Wivenhoe Dam Roma Street Parklands....................................................................Woody Bay Deception Bay....................................................................... Lake Kurwongbah Jacob’s Well.......................................................................................... Wynnum Manly..................................................................................Bjelke Petersen Dam Townsville Barra Farm............................................................................ Ingham Bushland Beach.......................................................................... Woorim Beach Lake Moondarra .......................................................... Lake Corella, Cloncurry Burketown................................................................................... Moreton Island Weir Waterpark Charters Towers......................................... Lakeside, Dakabin Hamon Cove...............................................................................Miora, Yandaran Raby Bay .................................................................. Paradise Dam, Biggenden Gregory Downs, School of the Air................................................... Hayes Inlet

SEPTEMBER 2014

www.sunfishqld.com.au

Sunfish Queensland is partnering with SEQ Catchments and QORF (Queensland Outdoor Recreational Federation) to develop a robust and consultative plan for improvements to the Piped Road area along the Brisbane River. As

part of this process, there was a survey to collect information from users to help guide decisions made regarding the area and any work that is done to enhance the location for local users and the condition of the area. The first stage of

this process was to raise awareness and collect information from individuals to help us make informed decisions about what the users would like to see happen in the area. As this project progresses I will keep you informed.

JUNIOR ANGLERS ASSOCIATION •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• As has been the case since the 1950s, Saturday 11 October will see a hundred or so high school students land on the beach at Tangalooma. The only difference now is that instead of coming ashore at the Tangalooma jetty and traipsing through the resort they surge down the ramp from the Micat. Not knowing whether the best catch will be one nice flathead or a dozen whiting these young anglers usually manage to surprise even some of the crustiest locals with their enthusiasm and level of energy. This competition has been able to continue due mainly to the unwavering support from Alvey Reels Australia. One of the original founders of the Junior Anglers Association, Jack Alvey has been succeeded by his sons Bruce and Glen who have continued in the tradition of supporting the angling industry by promoting the involvement and piquing the interest of junior anglers. Last year there were 123 competitors each competing keenly for all the great prizes available. These prizes range each year from fishing rods, Alvey reels to tackle and vouchers. None of this would be possible without the continuing financial support from Alvey Reels Australia and sponsorship from Fisheries Queensland. Where once this competition was fiercely fought between teams with prepared plans and tactics and a team coach

the direction in the last few years has begun to move towards a trend of which school shows the greatest improvement. Aggressive competition is no longer the aim of the trip. On the day we are privileged to have representatives from Fishing Clubs, SQAFCA and industry leaders as well as seasoned fisher. All these people are very excited at the prospect of passing on some of their knowledge to another generation who may in turn take this interest back to friends at school or other family members. This is aided in part by the provision of information packs to all the students who attend. The competition is open to any high school

students who may wish to attend either as individuals or part of a school team. Additional information is available from John or Judy Lynne on 38824518 or from judylynne@ sunfishqld.com.au . The cost of the trip is $25 and we depart from Whyte Island, no tickets are available on the day of the trip and must be prepurchased.

Email: judylynne@sunfishqld.com.au

News 9232 Tags and counting Suntagger Daniel Powell is an amazing fisher, what’s more as he has the stats to prove it. Not yet 30 Daniel has tagged 9232 fish. End to end that would give you 3.3km of fish, the equivalent of 3 Sydney Harbour Bridges. Daniel targets the wild fisheries of Central Queensland often getting into places others would avoid. What sort of insanity leads a man to tag more than 9000 fish before the age of thirty? There would be a good many fishers that would like a dose of that kind of insanity and success. Daniel recently shared some of his tips for success and we have added one or two observations from watching him in action.

Looking into the crystal bowl Wouldn’t it be great if you knew what the fishing was going to be like next year… or the year after? Bit like looking into a crystal ball. Well the fishing version of that is a “Crystal Bowl” which is a combination of crystal ball and fish bowl. And the fishers of Central Queensland are the first to have some predictions of what the Barramundi fishery looks like. At the end of 2013

is the predictions were scarily close to what was observed. To find out the

Unlocking Brisbane’s secrets The Brisbane River is some 344 kilometers long and acts as the main water supply for nearly 2 million people. There is more development along it’s banks than any other river in Queensland. You would think the river would

• Preparation is everything. The more time spent researching the areas and species you are targeting, the quicker you will find the fish. • Being fit. Fishing is like any sport if you want to stay at your peak for longer you have to keep your body in good shape. • Fish as often as you can. Any skill takes time to master and fishing is no different. The more time put in on the water, the faster the successes come. • Keep challenging yourself. Daniel’s latest challenge for himself is the Tripletail, a species not targeted much in Australia.

Infofish, using Suntag data, commercial catch, recruitment surveys, river flows and rainfall made a prediction for the 2014 season for the Fitzroy River and Gladstone. Predictions were in terms of the size range of fish to expect, catch rates and level of recruitment (baby Barra). Halfway through the season predictions were checked against what actually happened. The good news

be the best researched in the state. The reality is we know very little about the the river from the mouth to Mt Crosby Weir. Now, recreational fishers through Suntag are helping to change that. It’s early days but

fishers are now tagging key species along the river. In the coming months the areas covered will be expanded with a goal of having a map of the river by Christmas. In parallel fishers are seeking out sites where juvenile fish congregate in order to assess how successful key species are in spawning. Fishers who want to assist in the monitoring of the river can help in two ways. Fishers who wish to help with monitoring can contact Stefan Sawynok on 0409 811 551 or stefan@info-fish. net. Anyone who finds juvenile fish on line or in

details go to http://crystalbowl.com.au/looking-intothe-crystal-bowl-2014/.

The Thousand Metre Club – TOP TEN taggers in QLD by length of all fish tagged. Rank Fisher Length (m) 1.

Dohnt M

7325

Powell D

3340

Stoneley P

3322

Stewart A

3312

Oxford B

2720

Sawynok W

2473

Powell M

2294

Harveyson K 2215

Donald D

2149

10.

Carstens N

2000

cast nets can report their location via the suntag website http://suntag.org. au/report-a-sighting-ofjuvenile-fish/.

Mangrove jack takes a hike When Dave Raguse tagged a Mangrove Jack in the Turkey Beach area late last year he must have told the fish to take a hike

and the fish took him at his word. A few weeks ago the fish was speared at Lady Musgrave Island over 90km from where

tagged. This adds to the growing list of Jacks tagged in estuaries and then recaptured offshore. You can follow interesting

recaptures of tagged fish through the Suntag Facebook page at www. facebook.com/Suntag. Queensland.

SEPTEMBER 2014

SERIES BREAM Yamaha d by Presente

Hickson hones in to win Clarence River

the 28-year-old tournament veteran putting on a dominant display to win the Taree breamer Kris Hickson third stop of the 2014 13 secured victory in the Fishing BREAM Series. Yamaha Clarence River Starting each morning at BREAM Challenge with the trawlers within sight of

the start line, Hickson fished a lightly weighted soft plastic throwing an Ecogearaqua Bream Prawn against and under the boat hulls and working it with a deadstick retrieve. “It was a do nothing retrieve, simply throw it in and let it sink and wait for a fish to eat it,” said Hickson. The early boat attack paid off each day with Hickson putting three fish in the well in quick time. With the boats trawled of all the bream they held, Hickson headed to Collis Wall to finish off his limit and hopefully find a few upgrades. Day one would require a pit stop at the Oyster Channel boat ramp to pick up a set of jumper leads to jumpstart a flat cranking battery in his boat. It was an impromptu stop that saw Kris catch his fourth fish off a nearby pontoon. “I thought why not I’ll have a cast at it when I saw the pontoon. I threw in a Bream Prawn and dead-sticked it and a bream ate it, ” said Hickson. Back at Collis Wall Hickson’s technique once again had a soft approach with the Clarence champ throwing a 2 1/2” Z-Man Grubz rigged on a 1/12oz, size 1, TT jighead and working it with a slow sink and wait retrieve. With his limit in the well each day, Hickson left Colless Wall and headed upstream, spot hoping his way upriver, then turning around and doing the same thing as the clock ticked down towards the end of the session. “I headed up the north arm and hit the bridges and

Kris Hickson showing off some quality Clarence River bream. Photo courtesy of lureandfly.com the banks that experience and the prefish told me held fish,” said Hickson. On day one the approach delivered five upgrades, most coming on the Z-Man Grubz. Day two saw a similar result with Hickson hitting a milk run of spots on the way back. His last two stops would prove the highlights of the day and anchored his bag, and ultimately his victory. “My second last stop was at Hardwood Bridge where I picked up an upgrade. I then heading back down river and made one more stop at a random snag that looked

too good not to hold fish,” said Hickson. Having caught many of his fish on his 3lb straight through outfit, Hickson aired on the side of caution, concerned if he did hook a fish that 3lb wouldn’t be enough to extract a fish from the snag. His thinking was spot on, with a 1.20kg fish eating his OSP Dunk and testing his tackle to its very limits. “It was one of those tournaments where I just seemed to make the right calls. Swapping to my 5lb outfit and pulling that big fish out of the snag was definitely

one of those right calls,” said Hickson. Delivering a 3.68kg bag to the scales on the final day Hickson did it easy in the end turning a deficit into a 1.15kg winning margin. With a spot booked in the 13 Fishing BREAM Grand Final in November, Hickson is excited to be heading to the Hawkesbury River at the end of the year. “The Hawkesbury is a big system with plenty of big fish in it, I can’t wait to get down there and see what it has on offer for us in spring,” said Hickson.

OSP Dunk (alive shrimp)

Ecogearaqua Bream Prawn (mustad seed) 1/40oz, size 1, TT HWS jighead Z-Man Grubz (greasy prawn), 1/12oz, size 1, TT jighead

Thorpe dives into second CE 2ND PLA

ABT, PO Box 7196, LOGANHOLME, QLD 4129 Alternatively you can download an entry form from www.abt.org.au At any time you can call ABT on (07) 3387 0888 for help with your entry during business hours. 88

SEPTEMBER 2014

For event runner-up Anthony Thorpe it was his best result to date on the BREAM tour with the 30-year-old Retail Manager grabbing the lead on day one then stumbling on day two to hand a strong finishing Kris Hickson the event win.

Fishing a deep water plastic approach to catch his fish Thorpe started each day fishing the Yamba breakwall before swapping to the Iluka breakwall later in the session. On the first day, this saw Thorpe fill his bag at Yamba fishing 25-30ft deep water with a jighead and stinger rigged Berkley Gulp Shrimp in pepper prawn colour. The technique involved shaking and sinking the lure down

along the wall and into the path of waiting fish. With his limit, Thorpe switched to the Iluka Breakwall and while he continued to throw the pepper prawn shrimp, it was his beloved Bait Breath Rock n Crab that brought about the undoing of his biggest fish. “The large crustacean pattern drew the bigger bites and I picked up a 37cm and 38cm fish tight to rocks,”

said Thorpe. As the tide eased Thorpe progressively downsized the weight of his jighead to enable the optimum natural presentation of his plastic, starting out with a heavy 1/6oz and eventually dropping to a 1/8oz. The exact location of where he caught them on the wall at Iluka also varied each day, and required Thorpe to adjust his position to stay

on the fish. “The fish were sitting a little wider on the wall at Iluka on the first day than they did on the second day so they were a little easier to hook and get out. This may have been because the light was brighter and the current was stronger on the second day,” said Thorpe. While Iluka produced a series of upgrades on day one, on day two things were a lot harder, especially fishing tighter to the wall. Thorpe hooked up, but rather than landing, was dusted by a series of big fish. With only four fish in his well, and the 5th still yet to come he moved location and headed to Browns Rocks in search of number five. “Browns is always a reliable spot, and I was confident that I could get my fifth fish there, unfortunately it wasn’t to be and I only weighed in four fish,” said Thorpe. With only a 4/5, 2.22kg limit delivered to the scales Thorpe’s 310g day one lead turned into a 1.15kg winning margin for Hickson. “I can’t be too despondent, I picked up a solid cheque ($1,700),

a spot in the grand final, and a new custom-made Duffrod for winning the Duffrods Big Bag (3.77kg) for the tournament,” said a resigned Thorpe.

BREAM SE RIE

S Presented by Yamah a

Pause zone

Sink and wait retrieve

Anthony Thorpe secured second place courtesy of a deep water approach. Photo courtesy of lureandfly.com

WINNING NOTES

Winning Tackle Outfit 1 (soft plastic) Rod: Daiwa 6’8” Infeet Reel: Daiwa Certate 1003 Line: Daiwa 10lb Shinobi Leader: Daiwa 3lb TD fluorocarbon (20 feet long leader) Lures: Z-Man Grubz (greasy prawn), 1/12oz, size 1, TT jighead

Zac cracks the win -BOATER 1ST NON

For Taree apprentice boiler maker Zac O’Sullivan it’s been a dream maiden year on the ABT BREAM Series with the 19-year-old breamer claiming a narrow 20g win over Grayson Fong to secure the non-boater title at the Yamaha presented Clarence River event. Fishing with Anthony Thorpe at Yamba and Iluka breakwalls on day one, O’Sullivan fished an Ecogearaqua Bream Prawn in king prawn colour rigged on a jighead fitted with a Gamakatsu Octopus, size 10 stinger hook. “It was important to have that stinger to get the timid fish and bites to

stick, and it was important to adjust the weight of the jighead for the tide and to present the fish with something different,” said O’Sullivan. The approach paid off with O’Sullivan catching his limit, five upgrades and weighing in a 2.81kg bag on day one. Sitting in second place at the end of the day O’Sullivan had high hopes for day two, a day that would see him fish with defending Clarence River champion Mark Lennox. “We started off in the north arm, once again fishing plastics down deep with the tide,” said O’Sullivan. A move down to Yamba to change things up a bit, followed by a move back up the river saw O’Sullivan with his full limit 3 and 1/2 hours into the session.

Outfit 2 (crankbait) Rod: Daiwa 7’6” Infeet Reel: Daiwa Caldia 2000 Line: Daiwa 5lb flurocarbon Lures: OSP Dunk (alive shrimp)

Winning Edge

Filled his limit each day in the lower reaches of Clarence River before heading upriver in search of the bigger fish (upgrades) that he found in the prefish.

BIG Bream

Kris Hickson claimed the Austackle Big Bream Prize with the Clarence champ securing the $500 reward with his 1.2kg fish caught on day two on an OSP Dunk from a snag as he fished on his way back to the event finish line.

Zac O’ Sullivan secured his maiden ABT victory at the Clarence River event. “I had my limit by 10.30am, but that was all I caught,” said O’Sullivan. In the end, five legal

bites were enough, but only just, with O’Sullivan one of the last to weigh-in and he bumped Queenslander

TOP 10 BOATERS

Grayson Fong to second by a mere 20g. With a victory already under his belt in his first

year on the BREAM tour O’Sullivan will be an angler to watch for the future. - ABT

TOP 10 NON-BOATERS

Place Angler

Fish

Weight (kg)

Payout

Place

Angler

Fish

Weight (kg)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

10/10 9/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 8/10 10/10 10/10 10/10 10/10

7.14 5.99 5.62 5.21 5.10 5.08 5.04 5.04 4.90 4.62

$4,250 $1,700 $1,400 $1,200 $1,000 $850 $1,000 $650 $550 $500

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Zac O’SULLIVAN Grayson FONG Allan AUSTIN Shaun EGAN Josh CARPENTER Jonathan THOMPSON Clint VOSS Simon JOHNSON Ben LOCKWOOD Taigan HEATH

10/10 10/10 10/10 7/10 6/10 8/10 7/10 6/10 7/10 5/10

4.85 4.83 4.27 3.71 3.46 3.21 3.10 3.07 2.88 2.78

Kristoffer HICKSON Anthony THORPE Warren CARTER James HOWARTH Scott BUTLER Cameron WHITTAM Jamie MCKEOWN Ross LAMOTTE Tom SLATER Tristan TAYLOR

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

Payout Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack Prize Pack

For full result listings, see www.abt.org.au SEPTEMBER 2014

2014 MTA Sooty Grunter Winter League Rd 4 The weather was almost perfect again for the 4th and final round of the Sooty Grunter Winter League at Eungella Dam on 19-20 July. Little wind, no rain on Saturday but on the Sunday morning we had ice cover on the boats due to a frosty cold morning. The dam had been reported to be fishing very well during the week with reports of over 20 sooties being caught in a session from 2 anglers.

SOOTY AOY 2014 FINAL RESULT

have learnt that a cold snap will make it a tough bite, but as usual if you found the fish some of them were willing to feed. There were 8 out of 25 anglers without a fish in the first session on Saturday morning. There were 11 anglers who caught their 2 fish bag and 6 anglers with 1 fish, making 21 sooties weighed for a total weight of 46.47kg. The second session fished Saturday afternoon slipped a

Rank Angler Points 1................. Neil Wilson......................................233 2................. Greg Thomas..................................232 3................. Mick Detenon..................................231 4................. Nick Moore.....................................228 5................. Peter Behrens.................................226 6................. Geoff Newby...................................225 7................. Paul Butler......................................223 8................. Mat Mc Farlane...............................219 9................. Phil Lyons.......................................217 10............... Geoff Bradshaw..............................202

MTA AOY 2014 Rank 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Angler Points Geoff Newby....................................545 Nick Moore.......................................533 Mat Mc Farlane................................530 Peter Behrens..................................524 Neil Wilson.......................................517 Paul Butler........................................496 Greg Thomas...................................477 Dan Curry.........................................450 Ash Sims..........................................448 Geoff Busbridge...............................430

The cold snap put a damper on the quantity but some of the biggest sooties we have seen in the last 2 years since the inception of the MTA Sooty Grunter winter league were brought to the weigh scales. We

Winner Shane Snell concentrated on edges on the eastern side of the dam with his Jackal TN50 on a 3-7 second drop and a slow retrieve.

bit with 10 anglers getting their 2 fish bag and 7 anglers getting a single fish with a total weight of 40.64kg The thrid session fished Sunday morning proved to be the toughest with 12 anglers failing to boat a fish and a

total weight for the session of 35.99kg. The sooties caught for the whole event weighed 123.101kg. As stated earlier there where some good quality fish weighed in with 2 fish weighing 5.7kg with the biggest 3.2kg and measuring 54cm in length. The water level for the dam has started to drop, as is expected his time of year.

The water temp maxed out over the weekend around 18ºC and started around 16.9ºC on Saturday morning. The weather conditions were good during the comp although the varying wind direction did not help matters. Neil Wilson was leading the field after the first session with the biggest bag of sooties ever seen in the MTA

comps since its inception 2 years ago. The bag weighed 5.7kg with one fish weighing in at 3.2kg. Neil concentrated in the trees around Waterfall Bay with the fish falling to a 3” Gulp Grub. Neil’s partner, Daniel Grech who knows the dam better than anyone also had 2 good fish for 4.24kg giving him second place Daniel’s fish were caught on a Rapala Clacking Rap. Mick Detenon also found 2 good fish for 3.73kg to continue his great form from the previous rounds. Mick put most of his effort in the trees around the island. The second session started Saturday afternoon with Daniel Grech moving up from 2nd place after the first session to take the lead

A not fo organisatio r profit n local and re helping gional charities

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with a session weight of 3.61kg and a total of 7.85kg. Neil Wilson dropped to 2nd place catching only 1 fish for 1.67kg in the second session but the weight from the massive first session kept him in contention with a total of 7.37kg. Charlie Hohn from Rockhampton fishing the dam for the first time moved up from 4th to 3rd place with 2 nice sooties for 3.37kg giving him a total for the two sessions of 7.02kg. The third session on Sunday morning was expected to be tough, which usually changes things! Shane Snell moved up from 4th place after the second session to take out the tournament with the second biggest bag of the event of

Over $55,000 in total prizes

$25 SENIOR (16 years and over) $15 JUNIOR (15 years and under)

21st 4 SEPT. 201

Australia’s BIGGEST Family Fishing Classic at the Top of the Whitsundays SENIOR BOAT worth $35,600

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FISHING HOLIDAY PACKAGE

VALUED AT $1211 - LUCKY WEIGH-IN PRIZE ●

● Coach Tickets for 2 - Cairns to Karumba return Valued at $616 by Trans North bus and coach. A days boat hire fishing or exploring by Boab Boat Hire in Townsville valued at $445. ● $150 Fuel voucher by Tropic Petroleum.

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(Kids entertainment brought to you by West End Fish Shop) advocate WEIGH-IN WITH SPECIAL GUEST PERSONALITY $1820 value “SPIDA EVERITT” express advocate observer independent Nomination miner tickets available at most leading tackle stores from Townsville to Mackay or check the website Innisfail

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(OFF PEAK)

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4.66kg and a total of 11.67kg. Shane tied on weight with the second session leader Daniel Grech but Shane was awarded 1st place on count back with his last session total beating Daniel’s best session total. Third place was won by Rance Barnett fishing his first MTA event and had a great last session bag of 4.34kg with one of the fish weighing in at 3.2kg coming out of an edge in the main basin, which gave him a tournament total of 10.83kg. Most of Rance’s fish where caught on a 4” Gulp Curly Tail in pearl white. Rance concentrated on 3 main areas, in a bay behind the island western side lily pad edge and the main basin. The 2nd division prize list comes into play when we achieve more than 20 anglers. After the second session the comp is divided into a 1st and 2nd division; 1st division are 1-13 and 2nd division are 13-25. This is to encourage new tournament anglers just learning to have a target and

TOURNAMENT CALENDAR

SEPTEMBER

2014

prize potential. Prize list for the 2nd Division was 1st place Shane Snell Jnr, 2nd place Coleman Roberts and 3rd place Geoff Busbridge. The Sooty Grunter Winter League for 2014 has now closed. MTA competition

calendar for 2014 with the new membership and barra comps starting in September. The barra calendar for 2014/15 is available on the website with any other relevant information about MTA available. - MTA

SOOTY GRUNTER WINTER LEAGUE ROUND 4 RESULTS Place Angler Weight(kg) Payment 1................ Shane Snell ......................11.671.................................$250 2................ Daniel Grech.....................11.670.................................$190 3................ Rance Barnett...................10.830.................................$140 4................ Craig Birkett......................8.650 5................ Phil Lyons..........................8.380

OCTOBER

The biggest bag in any previous MTA Tournaments at Eungella of 5.7kg was caught by Neil Wilson in the first session and consisted of 2 fish of 3.2kg and 2.5kg and came from trees in Waterfall Bay area.

DATE DETAILS

CONTACTS

Sep 5-6

WTF Women that Fish Barra Classic Fitzroy River Rockhampton

Belinda Lindel 0407 674 198

Sep 6-7

Round 1: Freshwater Fishing Series Boondooma Dam

CFC www.countryfc.com.au

Sep 16-17

ABT BASS Megabucks Lake Somerset

ABT 07 3387 0888

Sep 20-21 Bowen Family Fishing Classic Bowen

Russ McCabbin 07 4786 3899 0428 776 653

Sep 20-21

Mackay Tournament Angers Round 1 Barra Peter Faust

Geoff Newby 0419 183 188

Sep 27-28

ABT BREAM Series Gold Coast

ABT 07 3387 0888

Sep 27-28

Tara “WIN A TINNIE” Family fishing comp Tara

Jim Smith 0427 653668

Sep 28

Bluefin Boats BASS Electric Series Lake Gregory

ABT 07 3387 0888

Oct 4-5

Bjelke-Petersen Inland Family Fishing Classic Shona Bjelke-Petersen Dam (07) 4168 4746

Oct 4-5

Saratoga Spectacular Bedford Weir Blackwater

Steven Schuh 0429 165 756

Oct 5

Bluefin Boats BASS Electric Series Lake McDonald

ABT 07 3387 0888

Oct 11-12

ABBT Basstasstic Bass Qualifying Rd 6 Somerset Dam

Russell Nowland 07 4167 8183

Oct 18-19

Bluefin Boats BASS Electric Convention Lenthalls Dam

ABT 07 3387 0888

For listings please email sbooth@fishingmonthly.com.au LAKE MOONDARRA FISHING CLASSIC

RMAT O F W E N

24-25 OCTOBER 2014

BLACK ROCK, LAKE MOONDARRA, MOUNT ISA

FAMILY FUN & N O TI C A G IN H 2 DAYS OF FIS ACK BARRA TB U O S U O M FA IN BATTLE THE TERTAINMENT HUGE LINE UP OF EN ON BOAT REGATTA INCLUDING DIY DRAG VOLLEYBALL BUFFS CLUB BEACH S CULAR, YABBY RACE FIREWORKS SPECTA , LIVE BANDS CASTING COMPS MPING, BAR TRADE EXHIBITS, CA ORE! GREAT FOOD & M 22 PRIZE CATEGO INCLUDI RIES N G M Y THOUSA STERY W NDS OF EIGHTS. $$ WORT CASH & H O F TROPHIE PRIZES U S, P FOR G RABS

NOMINATIONS: $10 FOR JUNIORS OR $30 FOR SENIORS. ENTRY: GOLD COIN DONATION AT THE GATE.

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2014

FLATHEAD CLASSIC The 21st consecutive year of the Flathead Classic come and join the party!

1ST - 4TH OCTOBER 2014 TOURNAMENT VENUE : GR Thompson Park, Broadwater Parklands, Southport

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY: FISHING’S JUST THE BEGINNING!

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This year for the first time we trial a later fishing finish on the Saturday with a Saturday Night Dinner, presentation and party.

Sign-On, Briefing and Dinner: WEDNESDAY 1st OCTOBER 2014 from 4.30pm Fishing and Dinner: THURSDAY 2nd OCTOBER 2014, FRIDAY 3rd OCTOBER and Saturday 4th Fishing, Dinner and Presentations: SATURDAY 4th OCTOBER 2014 running into the night.

DOUG BURTS

Entry Seniors Juniors s e Fe

(16yrs and over) (under 16yrs)

$275 $130

Places permitting

Entry forms or online available at

www.flatheadclassic.com.au

Gold Coast Flathead Classic SEPTEMBER 2014

S M SERIE A E R B K a KAYA d by Daiw Presente Over the weekend of August 16-17, the host township for round 12 of the Hobie® Kayak Bream Series presented by Daiwa was the Queensland tourist haven of Mooloolaba, situated on the Sunshine Coast, north of Brisbane.

Rogan adapts for top spot Fishing Series rounds in the past but it was at Mooloolaba his ability to adapt to the changing conditions saw Luke take his first win. Luke likes to fish Raby Bay Canal (in Morton Bay) and he believes that his experience fishing similar artificial structure, like pontoons and canals, helped him to win at Mooloolaba. “On the first day of the

CE 1ST PLA

“On day two I just went and found the clean water. As soon as I found that clean water it was the complete opposite. I’d gone from finding the dirty water yesterday to the clean water and that’s what did the trick today,” said Luke on his day two technique. Luke also changed the colour of his lure to a ghost ebi, to suit the differing day two water conditions.

just 5g ahead of second place getter Tyson Hayes. Luke qualified for the Grand Final last year and missed it due to the trip he goes on with his mates to Weipa each year. With the pre-planned trip to Weipa, clashing with the grand finals for the second year in a row, Luke now he has some serious talking to do with his mates. Luke Rogan took out 1st place at the Mooloolaba Hobie Kayak Fishing Series round 12.

Zip Bait Khamsin Tiny in (from left to right) ghost ebi and mist wakasagi colours. Mooloolaba’s river, estuary system and canals are teaming with yellowfin bream, making it a perfect location to showcase a Hobie Fishing Series tournament. Unusually wet conditions for the Sunshine Coast tested the anglers on day one, with around 50% of the competitors returning home with full bags of four bream. Day two conditions were an improvement over the trying weather of Saturday with patchy light showers and some dark clouds providing cover as the anglers crossed the Power-Pole starting line. By 10.30am however, the sky was a brilliant blue with glassy conditions on the water in the canals, around the marinas and the trawler wharfs. Luke Rogan from Brisbane has been close to taking out Hobie Kayak

event it rained all day, it dirtied the water up a little bit, but it turned them on. The bite was happening and I probably caught 50 fish, all legal. But I could only get a couple that were big enough to keep all day so I just kept upgrading”. Luke’s original plan of attack on day one was to fish the Newport Canals, find the current and stay in that current away from the dirtiest water. He used a Zip Bait Khamsin Tiny in mist wakasagi in the dirty water. “I’m pretty good at casting but these lures just make me better, I can get them where I want under the pontoons.” Luke was coming second at the end of day one with a 4/4 bag weighing in at 2.11kg trailing the leader Michael Halliday by 110g.

Luke used a slow, steady retrieve for the lure, keeping the rod tip in tight and hard against the pontoons and slow

winding it out. He left the lure about 1m out from the pontoon for a short while and attracted the fish out from under the structure. He paused, suspending the lure in the water then twitched

it, which tended to make the fish aggressive and then they would eat it. Luke finished the day with a 2.39kg bag giving him a two day overall bag weight of 4.5kg. His 8/8 fish were

Watch Luke and Tyson’s Winning Ways interview here.

Hayes takes close second CE 2ND PLA

Having taken third place in round 11, Tyson Hayes demonstrated he is a consistent performer finishing on the podium in two consecutive events. This time he took a step up to second place in one of the closest results seen since the inception of the

tournament’s biggest bag on day two of the tournament with 2.615kg. His overall total of 8/8 fish had a bag weight of 4.495kg with his biggest fish over the two days coming in on day two and weighing 895g. Tyson qualified for the Hobie Kayak Bream Series Grand Final and was quick to say that he would be definitely heading across to Western Australia to compete in the championship event. SPECIAL THANKS Once again we have to thank Mal and Trish Gray and Peter

packs, drinks and a BBQ on both days. Like all of the events in the Hobie Kayak Bream Series presented by Daiwa, the Mooloolaba round could not have gone ahead without the great

support of our generous sponsors Daiwa, Berkley, Atomic, Lowrance, Rhino-Rack, Strike Pro, Austackle, TT Lures, Yamatoyo, Ecogear, Power-Pole, Hog’s Breath Café and ABT.

WINNING NOTES

Winning Tackle

Rod: G-Loomis GLXR Dropshot Reel: Daiwa Steez 2508 Line: 6lb Unitika Silver Thread straight through Lure: Zip Bait Khamsin Tiny in mist wakasagi and ghost ebi colour

Winning Edge

Luke learnt from the experience of losing too many big fish on light line and found the 6lb straight through was the winning edge he needed on the day. He landed every fish he hooked on Sunday, including his Hog’s Breath Café Boss Hog Big Bream.

HOG’S BREATH BOSS HOG

TOP 10 NON-BOATERS

Luke Rogan bagged the Hog’s Breath Café Boss BASS ELECTRIC SERIES Hog Big Bream cheque. He landed a 1.025kg bag kicker from the trawlers on Day Two on a Zip Bait Khamsin Tiny Deep Runner. Tyson Hayes was close to the number one spot missing out by a meagre 5 grams.

SEPTEMBER 2014

Hobie Kayak Bream Series. In the end, Tyson was only beaten by a mere 5g. Starting out using the very popular Atomic Shad 40mm hardbody in ghost gill brown to get smaller legal fish to fill his bag, Tyson then went on to use the new, yet to be released on the market, Crusty Z-Mann with a 1/16oz hidden weight jighead around the trawlers. Tyson’s Day one bag weighed in at 1.88kg putting him in reach of the lead, and he brought in the

HOGS BREATH BOSS HOG PAY TO:

Budd from Sunstate Hobie (sunstatehobie.com.au) for providing dealer support to the competitors throughout the tournament and for supplying them with snack

Hogs Breath Boss Hog

FOR THE SUM OF:

One Hundred Dollars

DATE:

$ 100

Fishing Tournaments bass • bream • barra

TOP 10 KAYAKERS Place Angler

Fish

Weight (kg)

Payout

1 2 3 4 5

8/8 8/8 8/8 7/8 6/8

4.500 4.495 3.480 3.200 2.930

$700, Prize Pack, Boss Hog $350, Prize Pack $220, Prize Pack $140, Prize Pack Prize Pack

Luke Rogan Tyson Hayes Matt Cameron Jason Garner Stephen Maas

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

Stand up and be counted! NSW STH COAST

Steve Starling www.starlofishing.me

The first time I saw a stand-up paddle board or SUP I remember thinking to myself: “Wow, that looks fantastic! I’d really love to try that!” However, almost immediately the more pragmatic side of my brain responded with: “Don’t be a complete idiot! You’re 120kg, have two left feet and absolutely no sense of balance. If you could stand up on one at all, it’d only be for long enough to fall off again.” Sadly, I had to agree with my rational self, especially in light of abundant memories of earlier abject failures on skateboards, roller skates and wind surfers. I’m even a bit of a worry on a pushbike, and seem to have an involuntary attraction to trees and fences when riding one. So I never did get around to trying an SUP. In more recent years, stories began to filter through of people fishing —

apparently with some success — from these boards, and I even found one in a South African fly fishing magazine that was designed primarily with fishing in mind. Still tempted, and despite my selfconfessed shortcomings, I exchanged a few emails with the manufacturers in South Africa, but it was all too hard. The boards were expensive, too heavy and too large to have shipped, at least without taking out a second mortgage. Once more, the SUP idea found itself shelved away in the back corners of my mind. Occasionally, however, shreds of old daydreams would flit into my imaginings. How good would it be to stand up on something that drew scant centimetres of water while paddling quietly across the estuary flats, eyeballing the fish I was about to cast a lure or fly at? But each time these dreams took wings again, my rational self slapped them down. CHANCE EVENT This situation would probably have prevailed, if not for a chance event. On

a visit to Capacity Sports showroom in Melbourne to pick up Jo’s wonderful new Native Watercraft Slayer 13 kayak (recently featured in these pages) my eyes spied an unusual looking craft perched high on the storage racks in the same warehouse. “What’s that?” I exclaimed, pointing excitedly at the vessel. “Oh,” Capacity’s owner Natalie Joffe replied, “It’s a Native Watercraft Versa Board. Basically it’s a stand-up paddle board designed for fishing. That’s the demo model…

the west and parked its 1030plus millibar butt firmly over us. Nights became especially chilly, but the short days were crisp, sunny, bright and very welcoming. In short, I’d run out of excuses! Accepting the fact that my first effort was likely to end badly, I took absolutely nothing but a paddle and a pole with me on that shake down cruise, working on the theory that if I didn’t want to lose it or at least get it wet, I shouldn’t carry it. I started in very shallow water, and sitting on the board,

The Versa Board is a big lump of an SUP, with a load carrying capacity to match. This board was designed very much with fishing in mind. Photo courtesy of Jo Starling.

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With a fish hooked, it pays to align the rod down along the centre of the board. Even quite small opponents can pull the craft around! Photo courtesy of Jo Starling. Would you like to borrow it for a couple of months and give it a try?” “You bet!” I heard my inner dreamer blurt out, while old Mr Rational smacked his brow with the palm of his hand, moaned loudly and shook his head in total dismay. But it was done… I was now the temporary owner of an SUP! SUCK IT AND SEE In retrospect, the depths of a NSW south coast winter probably wasn’t the ideal time to agree to an extended field

Versa Board sitting, kneeling and standing and also poled it with the 5m fibreglass flats pole I’ve had for many years. Everything worked! In fact, I was already kicking myself for not bringing a rod. BLOODING THE BOARD A week or two later, and with a Scotty rod holder now fitted to the board’s forward accessory track, I set out

the whole concept of casting from the SUP when the first fish nailed my soft plastic. I called it for a keeper flathead, but it actually turned out to be a nice, plate-sized flounder. Sliding it onto the board was a breeze and I quickly found that one of the foot well depressions ahead of the seating position also made a perfect ‘flounder well’. In fact, by pulling out

with my ample rear end parked in the appropriately shaped and thinly padded seat depression. I immediately noticed two things. Firstly, the board was more stable than I’d dared to expect. Secondly, I already had a wet bum! Next I climbed off, stood in the shallows beside the board… and then stepped gingerly up onto it. When I opened my eyes, I was amazed to find I was still upright, albeit with slightly quivering knees. Tentatively, I poked my paddle

NATIVE WATERCRAFT VERSA BOARD Length: .............................................. 3.73 m (12’3”) Width: ................................................... 0.84 m (33”) Weight: . ................................................ 25 kg (55 lb) Depth: ..................................................... 0.18 m (7”) Load capacity: .................................. 136 kg (300lb) Dealer: .................. Capacity Sports, 225 Bay Road, Sandringham, VIC Phone: ..............................................(03) 9598 9821 Online: .capacitysports.com.au and on Facebook at Native Watercraft Australia test of a craft like the Versa Board, and for the first few weeks after coming home, the SUP sat under the house slowly gathering dust and spider webs as we were flogged by one stormy cold front after another. Eventually, one of those big, fat high pressure systems that usually characterise our southern winters slid in from

into the water and gave a gentle push. Still I remained upright. Within a few minutes I was laughing and shouting excitedly to Jo: “Look at me! I’m doing it!” Remarkably, I got through that entire first session without taking a dunking and I even left the jelly knees behind after a while. I paddled the

Success! A nice little chopper tailor landed from the Versa Board. Photo courtesy of Jo Starling. for my first halfway serious SUP fishing foray. I chose an older rod and reel and carried the minimal spare tackle I’d need (a spool of leader, braid scissors, plus half a dozen jigheads and Squidgies tails), stashed in my shirt pockets. I was still getting used to

the drain bungs, it even had flow-though circulation! Ten minutes later my plastic was nailed by a much more spirited opponent. After a thrilling tussle, I knelt and comfort-lifted a 40cm tailor onto the Versa Board. Deciding to keep it for dinner, my only

option was to break the fish’s able to easily traverse water frequently dribbled with water neck, bleed it out immediately that was literally ankle deep or as you swing the paddle or and then place the paddle blade even less. pole across above it. In reality, across it in the opposite ‘wet Best of all, visibility from this is also the case in most well’ to the flounder while I the standing position is superb kayaks and canoes, of course, continued to fish. but it’s exaggerated on a low, (very nearly as good as from A couple more good hits the casting deck of my boat) open SUP. Any additional failed to connect and by then and the Versa Board seems to gear carried would need to my thighs were starting to tell have a negligible ‘signature’ be stowed in a watertight me it was time to bring the or presence in the water. I can container or dry bag and session to an end, so I paddled honestly say I have never been secured under the elasticised back towards the ramp, smiling able to move as close to wary cargo straps. from ear to ear. This was fun! This is also not an fish like whiting, bream and FIRST IMPRESSIONS especially light craft at 25kg. flathead in any other style of My first impressions of craft, nor while wading. It’s I can certainly handle it on the Native Watercraft Versa nothing short of amazing. and off the roof racks and in Board SUP are, for the most On and out of the water on my the downside, part, incredibly positive. It’s everything on board (including own, but a young person or much easier to operate than me) gets wet to some extent. a lightly-built woman might Poling the Versa Board allows sneaky access to some I’d expected and surprisingly Even sitting in the forward struggle — perhaps more with incredibly shallow areas. Photo courtesy of Jo Starling. stable on flat water. I coped rod holder, the rod and reel is the unwieldy bulk than the with a few modest boat wakes on the first fishing day while standing, but for bigger stuff I reckon I’d definitely drop into the kneeling or seated position. Transitioning from sitting or kneeling to standing is a little heart-in-mouth the first few times, but quickly becomes second nature. Kneeling is my favourite position for covering longer distances and, in this mode, I find a standard, doubleended canoe blade better than the specialised stand-up single paddle. Poling is also a dream, although a shorter, lighter pole would probably be better than my big beast. Kneeling and paddling is the author’s favourite Using the pole (and with the way of covering longer distances. Note the board’s retractable keel skeg in 10:37 AM Page 1 Stand up and18/07/12 paddle! Photo courtesy of Jo Starling. rod holder. Photo courtesy of Jo Starling. its STA13434Dealer1-2_STA11838NewCamp fully raised position) I was

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actual weight. Fortunately there’s a permanently fitted wheel under the tail of the board, which makes travel across firm land surfaces much easier. Finally, there’s no denying that operating an SUP is a bit of a workout, especially for an unfit desk jockey like me. Your ankles and thighs will certainly let you know you’ve done it, at least for the first few outings. No wonder they reckon these things are good for your core fitness levels! All in all, I’m pretty damn excited about the Native Watercraft Versa Board, and I’m going to make Capacity Sports an offer to buy this demo model. I see so many applications for it, not least reaching those distant and largely inaccessible back flats this coming summer to chase whiting and big flathead on poppers and flies. Often, I’m sure I’ll end up mooring the board when I arrive by clipping it off to a pole or paddle pushed into the sand, then wade to fish, but it will be my magic carpet ride for getting there and back. Oh, and don’t tell anyone, but I’m also planning to take it out in the surf and try catching a few waves! Not bad for an overweight 56 year-old who could never stand up on roller skates, eh? The message is pretty clear: If I can do it, anyone can!

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SEPTEMBER 2014

Big bass are biting TOOWOOMBA

Jason Ehrlich fishability1@bigpond.com

It’s been a long time since I’ve sat down to whip together my freshwater reports and been as excited as what I am right now! I have the fishing bug back big time and this is due to some awesome bass fishing experienced last month. Spring is usually the time the bass school up on the dams and the time they turn it on and bite. I guess it could be due to a fairly mild winter but last month some dams started producing good results. Once those schooled fish are found, they can be caught in big numbers. There are plenty of options when it comes to catching schooling bass. The fish will soon let you know what will work best after you offer them a few lure styles and mix up the presentations. You’ll need to have an assortment of blades, plastics, jigheads, ice jigs and lipless crankbaits in your box of tricks at a bare minimum. These lures cover most situations and retrieve styles. A sounder is also a must unless you know exactly where the fish are. I rely a lot on my sounder and spend plenty of time driving around looking for fish before I even put a lure in the water. It could take up to a couple of hours to find them if you have no idea where to start searching. Look across points, flats and near drop-offs exploring different depths of water until you find the depth the fish are favouring. It is all worthwhile spending time searching as often when the fish are stacked below, you’ll catch them one after the other. It certainly beats fishing to barren water. The rivers and creeks are open to bass fishing again. With the closed season finished at the end of August, we can hit the natural habitat of our prized sportfish and have some fun. These areas are ideal for kayaks, small boats and some are so skinny you may need to tackle them on foot. While creek fishing tactics with poppers and small hardbodies flicked

around snags and overhanging banks and vegetation can produce, it will also be worth sounding up a few fish in the bigger, deeper systems. The fish will still have a bit of that breeding instinct happening and this could have them packed into fairly tight schools. Try the deep parts and the lower end of the holes and you may be surprised at just how many bass you can catch. Soft plastics and smaller hopped blades are ideal for chasing the wild schooling fish. If you don’t have a sounder on your kayak or boat, chuck a lure out the back and troll it through the deeper water while you are on the move and this may help you locate the schooling bass. You may think that I’m a bit bass crazy this month and you are right. The fish are big, fat and angry and pulling harder than ever. It is the best time of year to catch them and due to the dryer winter and autumn; they should bite their heads off. Some of the lakes hold trophy specimens over 50cm in length and these fish can be well over 3kg at this time of year. THE BASS CHALLENGE I put a challenge out there to the readers. If you catch a bass in September over 50cm

or the magic 3kg I’d love to see a photo. I will have some of the biggest bass published in next month’s Queensland Fishing Monthly. Just send your quality image to me at fishability1@bigpond.com along with the angler’s name, where the fish was caught and what lure or bait was used to fool the fish. There are of course plenty of other freshwater options right around the state and these fish will also be starting to fire up. Golden perch will be quick to fire up as they have continued to bite well right through winter at some locations. Barra will be close to follow. You can expect the action to pick up this month and continue to get better towards the end of the year. Other species like sooty grunter, cod, silver perch and saratoga will also get more active as the lake and river temperatures warm. If your rods are sitting in the corner gathering cobwebs and dust, it’s time to pull them out and put them to work. There is just too much happening on the freshwater scene. With so many options, there are too many days to work and not enough to fish. Until next month, buckled rods from the Colonel!

Cressbrook Creek arm last month. It will be great if these fish continue to bite as the goldens have been scarce over the past few years. The entry fee at the boom gate has been removed but the 8 knot speed limit is still in place. Hours for boating and day use of the recreation area are 7am to 6pm over the winter months. For all your supplies, expert advice and to check on the boating restrictions, call in at Fish’n’Bits in Alderley Street, Toowoomba, or give them a ring on (07) 4636 6850. The boys at the store all compete in bass tournaments and really know their stuff. SOMERSET CLOSEST TOWNS: ESK, KILCOY

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SEPTEMBER 2014

14 31

Weipa

Toowoomba

BRISBANE 27

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

This is big bass month at Somerset. The 3kg monsters will be out there somewhere and anglers who put in the time to explore the flats and drop-offs will find them somewhere in the middle of the lake. The big bass are likely to be holding across the 7-11m flat areas around Pelican Point, Bay 13, Queen Street and South of Kirkleigh. Once you find these big fish, you’ll be able to catch them in numbers. The fishing at Somerset has been really tough for the past few months. This isn’t unusual for Somerset bass at this time of year. The schools can break up and even when you find a few, they are near impossible to tempt. At some stage this month, previous years suggest they will turn

Gold Coast

24 25 Cairns 1

19 20

Townsville 2

3 4

Proserpine 6 Mackay

Rockhampton

Emerald 29

Gladstone

Bundaberg 9 11

Highlighted dams are covered in this issue

Maryborough

Roma

BRISBANE

it on. The bass will school up in a few areas around the dam on the deeper flats and start responding well to lures. Soft plastics are one of the first lures they will love to eat. Paddle-tail shads like the Powerbait 7cm Ripple Shad and 70mm Squidgy Fish rigged on a 1/2oz Nitro Dam Deep jighead will have you ready for action. These lures should be cast over the schooling fish and allowed to sink all the way to the bottom. Wind the lure slowly for up to a dozen turns of the reel before free-spooling it back to the bottom. This process is repeated all the way back to the boat. Mix up the speed a little going from dead slow to a medium pace. Usually a very slow retrieve will fool the bigger fish.

DAM LEVEL Report DAMS APR MAY JUN JUL AUG Atkinson 70 68 65 60 56 Awoonga 99 98 96 94 93 Bjelke-Petersen 68 68 67 65 63 Boondooma 78 77 76 74 72 Borumba 100 100 100 99 98 Burdekin Falls 101 100 99 97 94 Callide 66 64 63 61 60 Cania 92 92 91 90 89 Clarendon 78 75 73 69 65 Clarrie Hall 91 n/a 99 n/a n/a Cooby 85 83 81 79 n/a Coolmunda 51 51 50 49 48 Copeton 33 33 33 33 32 Cressbrook 98 98 97 97 n/a Dyer/Bill Gunn 78 77 74 71 66 Eungella 100 100 99 99 99 Fairbairn 53 51 50 49 48 Glenlyon 38 37 37 37 37 Hinze 95 93 92 90 88

SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND CRESSBROOK CLOSEST TOWNS: TOOWOOMBA, CROWS NEST Last reports indicate the bass are still quite scattered. Lure trollers have had success using pink Little Rippers. These are a locally made lure that dives to around 6m. Trolling the toilet point up Bull Creek and the point opposite the Eagles Nest up Cressbrook Creek has produced some exceptional quality bass. Keep an eye out for schooling bass this month. The bass should bunch up into a tight school and be easier to target with soft plastics and 1/4oz blades. There were also quite a few golden perch caught jigging blades up the

Gympie

Blade baits and lipless crankbaits hopped across the bottom may also be worth a try. The bass would normally respond better to these offerings later in the year but you never know when a reaction style presentation will tick the right boxes and get them excited. Based on the bulk amount of golden perch around prior to winter, they should start showing up in good numbers towards the end of the month. Goldens can be caught by vertically jigging blades on top of hard structure. Finding old stumps on the drop-offs is one way to find prime golden country but that can be tricky. Look for standing timber and hop blades around To page 97

For fortnightly updates Julius 80 76 73 69 67  Kinchant 99 98 97 99 99 Koombooloomba 70 92 97 97 73  Leslie 38 38 37 36 36  Macdonald 104 103 100 97 95  Maroon 96 95 94 92 91  Monduran/Fred Haigh 87 87 86 85 84  Moogerah 92 91 90 89 91  North Pine/Samsonvale 78 76 74 72 70  Peter Faust/Proserpine 89 96 95 94 93 Pindari 17 17 17 17 16  Somerset 100 99 99 98 97  Storm King n/a n/a n/a 62 59  Teemburra 101 101 101 101 101  Tinaroo 77 91 91 89 85 Toonumbar 100 100 100 98 94  Wivenhoe 91 91 89 88 86  Wuruma 83 81 80 78 78

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 19/8/14

From page 96

the tree trunks and heavy timber. If you are able to find a submerged tree in deep water, the goldens will often hold in the top branches. Trolling the old creek bed in the dam’s middle reaches and venturing into the river channel up in the timber can also produce good numbers of yellowbelly. WIVENHOE CLOSEST TOWNS: ESK, FERNVALE The bass that have been holding around the lake edges are likely to form schools this month. The lower part of the lake from Logans Inlet to the buoyed off area up towards the dam wall will be worth a look. With the dam so high in capacity, there are miles of water to cover and explore. Trolling and watching the sounder will be the best way to locate the bass on the flats. To narrow down the search, concentrate on staying close to the drop off to deeper areas with the boat in 8-11m of water. Don’t mistake the big schools of fork-tailed catfish for bass. These fish have been holding in deep water over 15m close to the bottom and the bass are more likely to be found in less than 11m of water. The edges were producing good numbers of bass and goldens for lure casters over the last few months. It is likely quite a few of these fish will remain in 3-5m of water close to the steep banks. Casting lipless

crankbaits and spinnerbaits in to the edges and letting them sink down to the fish before retrieving can be quite productive. The bass will swim out and sit under your boat if they are in the area and once there are quite hard to catch. If this happens, rest them for half an hour by leaving the area. Return to the fishy spot and sit wide of it using long casts. Wivenhoe has been opened to powerboats. Only 4-stroke outboards or low emission 2-strokes are allowed to be used on the lake and boats must not exceed the 6 knot speed limit. Even with these restrictions in place it is much faster to get around the lake than using just your electric and you don’t have the fear of running out of battery power. MOOGERAH CLOSEST TOWNS: BOONAH, ARATULA The fishing at Moogerah is shaping up to be awesome. The dam has received a lot of pressure with quite a few fishing competitions over the past month. Once these are all over, the pressure will ease and the bite period will last a lot longer. Schooling bass are holding on the flats and points in water over 8m deep. There are a few at the start of the timber way out in the middle, good numbers on the flats just before the timber within 500m of the ramp west of the camp grounds (out from the palms) and piles of fish inside the bay to the east of the dam wall. With all the boating pressure, these fish are likely to move

DARLING DOWNS GRANITE BELT REGION COOBY CLOSET TOWNS: HIGHFIELDS, TOOWOOMBA Surprisingly golden perch were caught right through winter at Cooby. Bait fishers were able to keep hauling them in on saltwater yabbies and lure fishers had success with small blades rigged with assist hooks. Not much should

change this month apart from even better numbers being caught. The fishing will slowly improve towards the end of the year as the water warms back up. The deeper water seems to be holding some of the better numbers of fish. Baits should be dropped straight over the side of the boat and fished on a tight or almost tight line to

Blake Ehrlich had a ball the first time using tail-spinners and Jackall Mask Vibes at Moogerah Dam. He started the session off with a hat trick – 3 bass in 3 casts! around so it will pay to sound around for them. Places, like The Spit, that runs out towards the dam wall from the northern boat ramp have had a few bass schooling but may start to see much better numbers as the fish move about. Hopping lures across the bottom, jigging and slow winding soft plastics are all catching fish. The trickiest part seems to be finding an active school. After that all you need to do is put the lures in front of them. Hopping 1/4oz and 3/8oz help with bite detection. The saltwater yabbies will keep doing the trick and action on live shrimps may also pick up. At times the bites are quite timid and you can turn these into hook-ups with the right approach. Fish a pea-sized running ball sinker on top of the hook or on the bottom of the rig with the hook 40cm above tied to a dropper loop. The hook should be a size 1 wide gape pattern like the

blades across the bottom can be dynamite on Moogerah bass. It is really worthwhile alternating between this approach and slow winding 1/2oz jighead rigged soft plastics. When the fish are thick on the sounder, keep lures fairly close to the boat and spend a bit of time working them vertically. By alternating these two methods

you are likely to get results. Ice jigs are another good option especially if the bass are hugging the bottom right below the boat. If you are looking to catch the larger bass, the bigger profile of a Jackall Mask Vibe 60 (19g) is the ideal lure to explore the bottom. These lures can be cast over the fish and hopped back along the lake floor. Make sure the lure touches bottom after it falls with each lift. When hopping change the size of the lifts and the amount of aggression to see how the bass will respond best. Tail-spinners have made a comeback and Moogerah is one of the lakes where they are performing well. These lures are great for searching. If fish are in your area, you can move the boat around while watching the sounder and fishing at the same time. Long casts can be made as these lures punch out like bullets. Let them sink to the bottom or even midwater if fish are suspended. From here use a long draw of the rod to lift the lure up and then let it sink while recovering some slack. This is repeated as the lure reaches the bottom or the required depth. If fishing suspended fish for the first time, head to a flat where the bottom is the same depth as the fish and count how long the lure takes to hit the bottom after the cast

and how long to return after each hop. This should then be repeated to the suspended fish and you will be able to keep the lure close to the target area. MAROON CLOSEST TOWNS: BOONAH, BEAUDESERT Maroon Dam had been quiet with a few bass being landed in around the weed pockets, but just as I write has also started to fire up. This month we may see some of the better quality bass move out from the weed and school up on the major points. The points and dropoffs below Pointro, across the bay at the boat ramp and up at The Nursery will all be worth exploring. Try soft plastics rigged on 3/8oz or 1/2oz jigheads. Plastics that perform well with a very slow retrieve are definitely the go. Some paddle-tail soft plastics take a bit of speed to get their tails going and you should be looking for ones, which kick in with a dead slow wind. It’s pretty hard to beat the 7cm Powerbait Ripple Shad. I cut or bite about 10mm off the head of mine to get rid of the eyes before rigging. This doesn’t change the action and places the hook point closer to the tail where the bites will be.

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

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To page 98

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Lake Boondooma Caravan and Recreation Park self contained cabins powered & unpowered sites kiosk camp kitchen refuelling facilities walking tracks dump point Jigging lures like blades, ice jigs and lipless baits will definitely get the golden perch chewing. It pays to try a few lure types to see what they want to eat.

Book your Boondooma stay today on (07) 4168 9694 SEPTEMBER 2014

From page 97

Owner K Hook. When the bites come, simply lower the rod’s tip 15cm to give the fish some slack and lift at a medium pace about 30cm to set the hook. This method will hook heaps of fish that you could miss with any other setup or approach. The Ecogear ZX blades are perfect for Cooby’s golden perch. They are ready to go straight out of the packet. A lot of guys will also buy their own assist hooks and fit them to other brands of blades. I love the 40mm and 44mm Berkley Powerblades in the midnight colour fitted with my homemade assist hooks. Cooby is an electric motor only dam and is well suited to kayaks and canoes. The concrete boat ramp is on a shallow angle when the dam is full and can be slippery in places but a big electric powered boat can still be launched with care. Outboard motors can be left on the boat but must not be used. Live shrimp and saltwater yabbies can be purchased from Highfields Bait and Tackle on the New England Highway in Highfields. Call in and see Doug and check out the great range of fishing gear, kayaks and accessories he has on display.

LESLIE CLOSEST TOWN: WARWICK Last month the fishing slowed down at Leslie but as water temperatures begin to rise this month the action will quickly improve. Golden perch will be found in good numbers in the upper half of the dam. Look for fish around the drop-offs and concentrate on fishing structure. There are plenty of granite rock formations below the surface which show up well on the sounder. Parking the boat on top of these and hopping blades and lipless crankbaits are good ways to pick up numbers of golden perch. Bait anglers should have plenty of success when using saltwater yabbies and live shrimp. Try targeting fish around the rocks or drop-offs to the creeks running into the main basin of the dam. For any tips and gear for fishing Leslie Dam or the Warwick area, call in and see the guys at Warwick Outdoor and Sports in Palmerin Street Warwick. The store stocks a great range of bait and freshwater gear which is well suited to catching our Australian natives.

lt y fis pes h o

www.taxidermy.net.au

Traditional skin mounts

SUNSHINE COAST REGION BORUMBA CLOSEST TOWNS: IMBIL, GYMPIE It had been quite a while since I fished Borumba. Last month I teamed up with local bass guru, Callum Munroe and we filmed a segment for AFN Fishing TV and Sportfish DVD. The bass didn’t disappoint and based on what I saw the action should be similar this month as well. There are plenty of schooling bass in the main

and dropping soft plastics vertically, jigging smaller blades and ice jigs. Some better quality bass are found across the flats in around 10m of water. These fish can be harder to tempt but if you locate them and put in the time you should be rewarded. The better quality bass are between 45-50cm long and quite fat at this time of year. I always say if you put a Borumba bass head-to-head with the bass from any other

Jackson Doyle was whacking the Lake MacDonald bass last month. Blades and plastics should continue to pull fish this month as well. Massive schools of bass should be found in the deeper water of the main basin at Borumba. You can’t miss when the fish are this thick. basin before the timber. These fish are favouring the deeper water with quite a few of them suspended there. The better concentrations seem to be around the points, which jut out into the dam quite often near the yellow buoys. Plenty of these fish are smaller specimens below 40cm but the numbers ensure you will have heaps of fun. Casting soft plastics to the suspended fish can get plenty of interest. If the bass school up below the boat, try winding

dam, they would out-pull it in a fight. These fish go off! MACDONALD CLOSEST TOWNS: COOROY, NOOSA The bass at MacDonald have woken early from their winter spell and are chewing all types of lures. The trick is to locate the schooling fish. The Botanical Gardens and 3 Ways areas have been holding goodsized schools. The fish can be found by sounding across the flats and paying particular attention to the drop-offs.

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BOONDOOMA CLOSEST TOWNS: PROSTON, KINGAROY The bass were a bit lure shy last month due to a fair amount of fishing pressure over the winter period. Golden perch continued to please with some anglers managing big hauls on lures fished in the timber. With the warming water and less fishing pressure, the fishing will be much better this month. Bass numbers will return and schools will be found in areas like Pelican Point, Leisegangs Ledge, Barbers Pole and The Junction. It may also be worth trying some of the major points on the way up the dam from the boat ramp. Bass should be fired up and they will take soft plastics, blades and hopped lipless crankbaits. There were plenty of quality ones around last month with bass over 2kg being landed. With the golden perch being so active, you can expect to nail a few while casting lures for bass. The

start of the timber in both arms will also hold a mix of bass and golden perch. Take care in the Stuart Arm as the falling dam level will have a few new trees sitting just below the surface.

I had a cracker of a session last month after spending the day filming a Spiderwire Promotion. The water looked too inviting not to throw a cast so I finished the day by heading out to the Botanical Gardens. The bass were schooled up and I started hopping a 40mm Powerblade in assassin colour. After 10 casts, I had landed 10 fish and managed to hook another 4, which fell off. The action continued and the Powerblade produced 20 fish in under an hour before I headed the boat back to the ramp as the light was fading. It has been a long time since I have experienced

such a hot bass bite and I wonder how long the action can continue. The lake is certainly worth a visit if you want to nail some hard fighting bass. Most of the fish are under 40cm but there are some big fat 45cm models out there. Hopping smaller blades across the bottom seems to be a dynamite technique. Soft plastics rigged on 3/8 or 1/2oz jigheads also work well. As the weed beds start to take hold again in the warmer months the fish will spread out through the dam but in the meantime look for the schools in the lower half of the lake and have some fun.

Boondooma is a great place to camp right near the water and sit by the fire when it’s cold. You could also do it in more style and book into one of the cabins overlooking the dam. The kiosk at the main office does hot food and other basic items. For campsites, cabins and bunkhouse rooms

call Corey and Niki on (07) 4168 9694. BJELKE CLOSEST TOWNS: MURGON, GOOMERI There will be heaps of goldens around this month with plenty of big females mixed in. Trolling lures is

Callum Munroe nailed this better quality bass fishing his lure across an 8-10m flat at Boondooma.

To page 99

From page 98

one of the best ways to catch these fish and the smaller bass will also get into the action. Fishing around The Islands, Bass Point and the first kilometre of the timber should produce the desired results. Lures that dive 5-7m are ideal. The Golden Child, Smak 16 and Brolga in darker colours like purple, brown, gold and green can all perform well. Lure casters can get into the action. Hopping 1/4oz and 3/8oz blades across the bottom or the bigger profiled lures will see you connected to plenty of small bass and some big golden perch. Bait anglers can catch a mixed bag on live shrimp or target the big golden perch on saltwater yabbies. The same areas mentioned for lure trolling are worth a try. For help catching Bjelke and Boondooma fish, call into your local Bass 2 Barra store. You can see Matthew at Kingaroy or Dylan in Dalby

and the boys will have you all geared up and ready for action in no time. ISIS BALANCING STORAGE CLOSEST TOWN: BUNDABERG The weed beds of Isis are where the best action is taking place. Bass have been whacking a range of offerings. Suspending lures fished around the outside of the weed edge are taking some of the better quality bass. Deeper diving models capable of diving to 3m are ideal. Soft plastics, spinnerbaits, lipless crankbaits and blades are also tempting the bass. The fish are a lot of fun and it pays to carry a good selection of lures in the box to see what they want to eat most on the day. Surface fishing on the calmer mornings and afternoons should also pick up this month. The popular Cultiva Zip’n Ziggy topwater lure should always get a run across this lake. You can

also show them something different that stays in the zone longer in the way of a 60mm Halco Roosta Popper. Try popping or walking these lures over the top of the weed beds and in between the lily pads early and late in the day when the light level is low. The boys at Bundaberg’s Saltys Tackleworld fish the dam on a regular basis. Being so passionate about their bass fishing, they are the ones to talk to if you are heading to the lake for a fish. Saltys stock a great range of lures for both fresh and saltwater fishing and the Bundaberg area has plenty to offer. MONDURAN CLOSEST TOWN: GIN GIN There were a few barra caught by those putting in the hard yards over the winter months. This is a good indication things will pick up quickly as the water warms up. The action won’t be furious this month but there

CAPRICORN REGION AWOONGA CLOSEST TOWNS: BENARABY, GLADSTONE I haven’t heard a fishing report from Awoonga for the last few months. The fishing below the dam was still okay considering we have just gone through winter. Barra were caught above and below Pikes Crossing in the Boyne River. This area is home to small boats or kayaks. The barra cop an absolute flogging but most are released and they continue to bite. There are plenty of 70cm sized fish with some bigger and smaller models to be caught from

this freshwater section of the river. I haven’t heard much on the section of the Boyne River around Benaraby but imagine some fish will have dodged the nets and be in the area shaking off their winter blues and starting to cruise around looking for a feed. Soft plastics and hard bodies are very effective in these parts of the Boyne River. The Transam 95 is another great lure to use in the saltwater stretches of the river. There are now plenty of copies and similar lure styles to the Transam available but I haven’t used them so can’t comment on just how effective they are. It’s hard to make change when you know

WHITSUNDAY REGION PROSERPINE CLOSEST TOWNS: PROSERPINE, AIRLIE BEACH As the northerly winds begin to kick in this month the action at the back of the dam should improve. Already last month, barra were being caught by those battling the colder water temperatures. Being so far north, the water will warm quicker than some of the more southern barra lakes and therefore the action should be pretty good. There will be barra to catch around the trees lining the creek beds as well as closer to the tea tree points. Up the main creek will also be worth a shot around some of the shallower areas especially if they have laying down timber. Hard bodies like the Halco Hamma, X-Rap and B52 are ideal around the shallower spots. If you can locate some healthy weed beds, surface lures are definitely worth throwing for some explosive

barra strikes. With most barra over a metre long, Proserpine Dam has a huge appeal and when the fish turn on can provide some amazing thrills. Be sure to bring a couple of outfits to give you a chance at stopping these monster barra. In more open areas and around the weed, you can get away with 20lb braid. If you venture into the thicker trees, you may need to bring out the big gear; a 50lb outfit and lures with trebles upgraded to the Owner ST66. If you are heading out to the dam make sure you call in at Proserpine Bait and Tackle. The store is on the highway through Proserpine and stocks all the barra gear you could possibly need. The guys will be able to send you in the right direction and help with nailing the lake’s big fish. The store owner Lindsay Dobe runs charters on the lake and bookings can be made through the store on (07) 4945 4641.

something works so well. These soft lipless crankbaits can be cast over fish and hopped back to the boat. It is great to have a side image sounder to show the barra cruising past to the side of the boat. It takes a lot of guesswork out of the process of finding fish and placing lures in front of them. If you are keen to try to tackle some fish in the river or dam, give Lyn and Mark from Awoonga Gateway a call on (07) 4975 0033. At Awoonga Gateway you’ll find clean, modern cabins and your hosts will be full of useful advice to help you try to land that barra of a lifetime.

should be a definite increase in the numbers of barra caught. Casting suspending lures around the bushy trees standing in the water is a good way to find a few fish. You can cover a lot of water to locate good numbers but always go by the theory where you find one there will be more. Bays and points are always worth a look and the water past White Rock seems to be where the better action starts. There are now plenty of barra around the 80cm size and these fish around the timber provide plenty of thrills. Monduran is a massive lake so it pays to get some advice from Foxies Tackle in Gin Gin, the caretakers at the campground or even book a charter with one of the guides. You can’t beat local knowledge so if they are willing to share a few secrets take advantage of this. The tackle store in Gin Gin, Foxies, stocks a range of effective barra lures. The store will mail order and you can check it out online at www. barratackle.com.au . Be sure to call in and get directions to some of the best barra fishing

in the area or pick up one of the detailed maps. Accommodation can be booked through Lake Monduran Kiosk and Tackle Shop. They look after all the cabins, houses, powered and unpowered camp sites, as well as house boats and boat hire. You can also make bookings for Guide Lines fishing charters through the kiosk, on (07) 4157 3881. I usually stay at the Gin Gin Hotel that is about 20 minutes from the boat ramp. The

rooms are very affordable and pretty basic but you can get a great feed and cold beer. To make a booking call (07) 4157 2106. Jamie Bein runs Lake Monduran Barra Charters and fishes that dam more than anyone I know. His regular visits ensure he has a good understanding of what’s going on. Contact Jamie on his mobile, 0407 434 446 or through his website www.lakemonduran barracharters.com.

When the bass are sitting close the bottom on the sounder a 40mm Powerblade hopped or jigged over them is hard to resist.

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DIY anchor weight AYR

Steve Farmer

There’s a fair chance that the first anchor ever invented was simply a lump of stone tied to a rope. According to Wikipedia, many such anchors have been found which date from the Bronze Age and the ancient Greeks used baskets of stones or sacks filled with sand to secure their vessels. Of course, these days anchors are much more refined, with a range of designs made from metals and even plastics to suit various applications. However, the humble anchor weight still has its uses and, I suggest, should have a place in your small boat. The advantages of a weight anchor are that it can be quickly deployed and can almost immediately hold you

when luring estuaries and it has proven quite successful. The idea was to allow me to quickly and quietly anchor the tinnie within casting distance of a snag or hole that required a little more concentrated attention. While the electric motor can be used to hold the boat in the desired position, the lead anchor weight is a handsfree, low-tech option that leaves everyone able to concentrate on the fishing or, hopefully, available to help land the fish. The anchor weight is especially handy when I’m luring alone for the same reason and it’s also handy when I hook a fish and need to stop the boat being dragged into the snag or creek bank. A quickly deployed anchor weight allows me to fight the fish from a stationary position and actually pull the fish clear of the snags. Such advantages can make all the difference

when battling structure-loving species, such as mangrove jack, barra or bream. I’m sure the same principles can be applied when working the flats in search of whiting or flathead. If you spot a drop-off, gutter or yabby bed that needs more attention, just quietly lower the weight anchor. You can control your drift by simply lifting the weight off the bottom and letting the current take you to your next likely spot.

The weight can be used as a stern anchor to position the boat on a snag or hole.

A large handle makes it easy to deploy the weight anchor.

The anchor weight adds a little security at the ramp when parking the car and trailer.

The lead weight anchor is ideal when luring for mangrove jack.

Left: The melting pot was made from an off-cut of box steel and has two handles for easy and safe pouring. Right: The handle is suspended in the tin into which the lead will be poured. Below: Pouring the molten lead into the mould. Protective clothing and eye and face protection is essential. in position. A weight anchor does not need as much scope as normal anchors (such as the Danforth and Plough) need to dig in and become effective. That said, there’s no doubt that weight anchors have their limitations. For example a weight anchor would have to be many kilograms in weight to match the holding power of a relatively lightweight Danforth and chain well bedded down in a sandy bottom. I made a lead weight anchor for my 3.95m tinnie and have found it ideal in a number of practical situations. My original reason for reverting to the old technology was to help control my tinnie 100

SEPTEMBER 2014

When you’re using the weight in any of these situations it helps to have the anchor rope tied off to about the depth of water plus a metre or two. That way you don’t have to worry about tying the anchor rope off when the weight hits the bottom. An alternative (which I haven’t tried yet) is to mount a cam cleat somewhere handy so you can quickly and easily cleat the rope off one-handed. I find my anchor weight is also handy when a little additional, short-term security is required, such as when I’m launching alone. I lift the tinnie onto the cement ramp and drop the anchor weight out as an

additional precaution while parking the car and trailer. I only rely on the weight for a short time and only if conditions are suitable. I have also used the weight as a stern anchor to position the tinnie side-on to a current or wind to more effectively fish a snag or drop-off. Provided the current isn’t too strong the weight does the job and is easier than deploying the proper stern anchor, which I also always carry. When tide or wind conditions are moderate you’ll usually find you need relatively little weight to hold a small boat. My anchor weighs only 4.5kg but usually does the job for me. By the way, it’s surprising how sore your hands can get when deploying and retrieving the weight time after time. I’m using relatively thin 6mm silver rope, which is part of the problem. A heavier rope (such as 8-10mm) or a softer, braided rope could be a worthwhile investment. MOULDING YOUR ANCHOR To make your own lead anchor weight you’ll need the appropriate amount of lead, a robust melting pot with a strong, secure handle, a gas stove, an old tin of the desired diameter for a mould and a handle made from 6 or 8mm stainless steel round rod. Safety is paramount so you’ll also need PPE (personal protective equipment) consisting of trousers and a long-sleeved shirt, boots, heavy-duty elbow-length welder’s gloves, safety glasses or goggles and a face shield. You’ll need a clear, well-ventilated area free of combustibles in which to work. To make the handle, bend a length of 6 to 8mm stainless

steel rod into a D shape with a couple of ‘feet’ to anchor the handle into the lead. You could just mould a short length of chain into the lead, but a handle wide enough to comfortably grip makes using the weight so much easier. Cut your tin (which you’re using for a mould) off at the right height and suspend the handle just clear of the bottom with a piece of timber. The inside of the tin should be lubricated with a smear of grease to ensure the poured weight will more easily separate from the tin mould. Now you can melt the lead and pour the weight. By the way, I made my melting pot from a short off-cut of 100mm RHS with a plate welded in one end. I formed a pouring spout and added two handles for safe and easy handling. An old but robust saucepan will also do the job, but make sure the handle is up to the weight you’ll be lifting. A pair of firmly attached vice grips can be used as a second handle. With all your PPE on, carefully feed the melting pot with small pieces of lead. It’s a good idea to weigh out the required amount of lead before beginning so that you only melt what you need. Pour the molten lead into the mould and wait for it to entirely solidify before moving the mould or the handle. Finish cooling the solidified lead in a bucket of water and then remove it from the mould. If this isn’t easily achieved try splitting the tin with a pair of tin snips. If you have a boat and a canoe or kayak, it’s worthwhile moulding different sized weights to suit each. The anchor weight might date from the Bronze Age, but it can still be handy in even the most modern of fishing boats.

Side scan success BRISBANE

Nabeel Issa

“But that’s not fair on the fish… is it?” This is what I get told almost every time I teach someone about how Side Scan sonar works! If you have used it or seen it used, you are probably well aware of how successful this technology on your sounder can be. Although this article will be based on Lowrance products (Lowrance have had this awesome tool out for a few years now), a lot of the principles of how it works can be shared across all brands.

The screen shots are all taken from Lowrance HDS Touch Screen Models. If you have no idea what I’m talking about when I say Side Scan, it is basically sonar that can show you what is left and right of your boat, as opposed to traditional sonar that shows you only what is directly underneath. With Side Scan you can cover large areas as you drive your boat around and get a much clearer image of what’s underneath. Got it? Good! Let’s get started on understanding how to read the image our sounder shows us. IN THE SHADOWS When it comes to reading

Have a look at this first image. No prizes for guessing that it’s a sunken boat. You can also see the dark shadow that is next to the boat; the shadow of any object can help with telling us more about what’s happening. Much like how we get a shadow behind an object that is lit up by a torch, sonar works the same. The sonar has ‘lit up’ the boat and we can see the shadow behind. In this instance the shadow is telling us the height of the sunken boat.

our Side Scan images, there are a few things to keep in mind that will help you get a much better understanding of what’s going on. Firstly remember that the brighter the object in the image, the harder the object is. Harder objects will give the sounder a better return signal and will display as brighter on your screen. THE BOTTOM LINE Side Scan Sonar is a great tool for anglers and can really help improve your catch rate. It just takes a bit of practice to understand what you are seeing on the screen and knowing the limitations of the tool. For example, it won’t be as useful to you if you constantly fish in water over 100m. In deeper water, your range needs to be increased and with some of the smaller screen sounders it can make it hard to pick up what’s going on. This is where having a larger screen will help. By the same token, in water under 1m deep, having a range setting of 150m is probably not the smartest move and won’t give you much detail at all. Side Scan is an impressive feature that we have at our disposal, so why not take advantage of it and use it to help you catch more fish? I guarantee that once you spend the time to learn how best to use it, it will change your fishing as it has done for me!

Shadows can also help to give us more information when we are unsure about what the object is. This next screenshot is of a ‘fish box’, a large, concrete box used in artificial reefs. If we look on the left of screen, at the actual object, we can see the white lines that make up the box. However, by looking at the shadow behind it we can get a better idea of the actual shape and form. We can also see a group of round objects showing on the left hand side. These are known as ‘reef balls’, another type of artificial reef structure used throughout Australia. There is no distinct shadow behind the reef ball so we can assume that it is tight to the seabed and isn’t very tall. © The State of Queensland (Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing).

Show me the fish! So what do fish look like? Side Scan makes it easy to find fish but you need to know what you’re looking for and you need to make sure you understand your sounder. Making sure that you have a suitable range setting (i.e. the distance you are scanning) will also help to give you a better image. Generally fish will show up as small blobs or lines but in some cases you will actually be able to see the shape of the fish.

This image shows a school of mulloway from Moreton Bay in Southeast Queensland. Mulloway (or jewfish) are an easy fish to pick up on Side Scan as they are generally quite large. The fact that they often school up in big numbers also makes them easier to spot. In this image you can see to the left hand side of the screenshot there’s a bunch of small squiggly lines. Each one of these lines is a single fish. You can also see the shadows behind the fish. Here, the shadows are giving us a better indication of the fish and their shape. Different sized fish will show differently on Side Scan; smaller fish will obviously be smaller on the sounder. This is where playing with your range setting can help. In the previous screenshot of the mulloway, the range was set to 120ft. This is fine when searching for large schools of big fish, but when looking for smaller fish you’ll find that tuning the range down will help pick up those smaller fish that may otherwise become tiny specks on a larger range.

In this image the range has been set to 60ft and there is a school of fish that can be seen to the right hand side. These fish were tarpon ranging from around 40-60cm long. It’s also worth taking note of the shadows here. There is a slight gap between the fish and the shadows which tells us that these fish are not quite sitting on the bottom but are higher in the water column.

One last screen shot, again showing how important it is to look at the shadows. In this image we can see fish in the water column (in the dark blue section). It’s hard to tell what they are apart from the fact that they are quite large. If we look to the shadows on the right we can actually see a lot more detail and can pick out that they are actually sharks. In some of the shadows we can see the tail and fins of the shark. Knowing what range to set is a crucial part of gaining a good image. I like to start at around 80ft and alter it from there. There are no set rules and selecting the range all depends on what sort of fish you are looking for and the depth you are fishing in. I have found that the more time you spend using your sounder, the better you will become with picking the best range for the situation. When it comes to other settings, I like to leave my unit on ‘Auto’. With Lowrance units this setting tunes itself to give you a clear image and I find that there is rarely a need to change. SEPTEMBER 2014

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Boating Safety

What to know about boating safety accessories FMG

Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

When we think about our fishing and boating expenditure, it’s usually all about the latest and greatest rods, reels, tackle and lures. If you have a boat, maybe you dream about the latest marine electronics or a flash new outboard. Not many of us devote a lot of thought to our safety gear and the bits and pieces that, hopefully, you’ll never have to use. The truth is, however, that you would be extremely glad to have them if things ever got nasty. So we’ve done some of the thinking for you and gathered a collection of products that you might like to have kicking around when the chips are down...

EPIRBS

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

With luck, you’ll never have to use your Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB). However,

when you do have to flick the switch on it, you’ll want to know that yours is in-date, well maintained and built to work when you need it. Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) are an ideal safety device for anyone on the water that does not require an EPIRB. They are small, easy to store on your person or on a lifejacket, can save you in an emergency and, best of all, will notify emergency services as soon as you pull the trigger. Remote creeks, large lakes and estuaries or even inland waterways a long way from civilization; they’re ideal for a PLB.

FLARES

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Although it can be a pain in the butt to constantly ensure that your safety flares are in date, you’ll love that they’re as good as gold if you ever need to relay your position to a spotter plane or search boats. Drop your old ones off at your local VMR or Coast Guard and keep your new

World’s SMALLEST EPIRB and Personal Locator Beacon rescueME EPIRB1

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rescueME PLB1

ones in a watertight container that’s easily accessible in an emergency.

LIFEJACKETS

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Australian Distributor

For more information contact

1300 747 587 sales@allsat.com.au

MARINE RADIOS

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

If you don’t log in to your local Coast Guard as you head offshore, you’re crazy – and you’ll need a decent marine radio and the training to use it. It’s so important when you’re offshore that a lot of guys fit their boat with two – 27mHz and VHF.

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We all like to think that we’re Ian Thorpes in the water, but the reality is that if you’re treading water for any length of time – particularly clothed – you’ll fatigue very quickly. Well maintained Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) are not worn nearly often enough in this country. I reckon that you should have them on at all times the

boat is under outboard power and any time you’re boating or fishing alone – regardless of what the regulations say about boat size. While I’m on the subject, if you don’t use your outboard kill-switch when you’re driving a boat, you’re mad. The last thing anyone wants is to fall out of a boat you’re driving and have it do a circle and repeatedly try to run you over. Wear it.

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LIGHTING

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

If you’re boating between dusk and dawn you’ll need nav lights that are legal – and that includes a white anchor light on a pile the right height to give you 360 degree visibility. The emergence of LED technology makes nav lights (and trailer lights) much more reliable and trouble-free. And a quality spotlight is just as useful in a rescue situation as it is finding that missing crab pot.

BATTERIES

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

A lot of marine breakdowns are batteryrelated. We load up the cranking battery with so many electronic devices that sometimes they simply

Skippers Mate 5x3

just get flattened. Modern batteries are clever – some lithium ones are smart enough to turn themselves off and save enough charge to start an outboard when they are getting drained to their limit. Regardless, keeping your battery new and charged solves a lot of potential problems.

FUEL SEPARATION AND OPTIMISATION

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Bad fuel, old fuel, the wrong fuel – we’ve seen it all. It doesn’t like water in it, it doesn’t like sitting there for a year and there are products that you can get which can help in all these situations. Today’s outboard motors are a significant

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Boating Safety TRAINING AND LICENCING

ESKIES

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Don’t laugh. Plenty of people have been saved – literally – by their floating esky! And of course, they have the added bonus of keeping your food, drinks, bait and catch cool. We’ve even heard the story about an angler paddling to shore holding on to his floating camera box.

FIRST-AID KITS

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Do you have one on board? Is it fully stocked? DO you know how to use what’s in it? Is it in a waterproof container?

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Of course, the best way to be fully prepared is to have the correct training. From obtaining your boat licence to marine radios to first-aid courses, you’ll be much more prepared to deal with a nasty situation if you have the confidence of experts teaching you how it should be done. In the following pages, there’s a selection of relevant products that you may want to know about. They may save your life one day.

RESCUE LASER FLARES “One of THE BEST night signals invented”

-US Navy Aviation Survival Gear Field Test Report

• Non-hazardous • Lasts up to 2400 times longer than pyrotechnic flares

TO ORDER PHONE: (02) 9700 0233 or email: sales@sosmarine.com.au

www.sosmarine.com

“Your tool for pure Fuel”

REMOVES

financial investment and in these modern times extending engine life, improving efficiency and improving performance is becoming more important. For too long marine outboards have relied on basic fuel filtration. As any outboard mechanic will testify, finer particles and water emulsion will evade the capabilities of basic filtration, exposing the engine to accelerated wear which contributes to loss of power and loss of economy. A dedicated waterseparating fuel filter

assembly is the best way to ensure the right fuel quality is delivered to your outboard motor all the time, and a clear inspection bowl helps you monitor the overall quality of the fuel coming from your tank. Also, a funnel that can separate, instantly, a litre of fuel from a litre of water might seem expensive, but wait till you need it. You’ll want to marry it.

JUMP STARTERS

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

A pocket-sized jumpstarter in the glove box is a great way to treat the

symptoms of bad battery management. Push a button, hook it up and presto: outboard started. You can also use them to charge your phones and other devices.

INSURANCE/ GEAR PROTECTION

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

In worst-case-scenario, you want to know that your pride and joy is covered. Insurance might seem painful – until you need it. There are more and more players moving into the

marine market and it pays to check out the fine print. What will they do for you when all goes to hell? Do a bit of reading and find out.

• Water • Dirt • Sand • Rust and debris Portable, self cleaning, static free, no replacement parts

www.mrfunnelaustralia.com.au 2 PERSON LIFE RAFT

ANCHORS

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

If you’re having dramas near a river bar on the outgoing tide, then you’ll want to make sure that you’ve got the right anchor for the job. It needs to be able to stop your craft from drifting in several knots of nasty chop and current. Does yours fit the bill right now? Be honest.

• Compact • Easy to handle • A must have safety accessory

TO ORDER PHONE: (02) 9700 0233 or email: sales@sosmarine.com.au

www.sosmarine.com

PWC Smart Rider RIDE FOR LIFE

SAFE Riders Are SMART Riders

www.marineqld.com.au

Supported by Maritime Safety Queensland, Department of Transport and Main Roads

PORTABLE EMERGENCY POWER PACK

THE SMALLEST MOST POWERFUL JUMPSTART PACK IN ITS CLASS

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4.8kg

have one! 1300 136 413 Every boat shouldwww.superminibooster.com SEPTEMBER 2014

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Boating Safety  GME EPIRBS SRP

399



GME EPIRBS

Laser Flares SRPF $149.90

In both the commercial marine and recreational environments, EPIRBs are an essential safety device. They are often the only means to alert rescue authorities in a life threatening situation so it’s critical that before heading out for a day’s fishing you check that this indispensable piece of life-saving equipment is in good working order. Firstly check the battery hasn’t expired. The expiry date is clearly indicated on the side of the EPIRB. Beacon manufacturers around the world strongly suggest that their EPIRBs are tested on a monthly basis. To test a GME EPIRB vatch the video by scanning the QR code to the left. If you have any concerns regarding the test result or the integrity of your EPIRB, immediately contact your marine electronics supplier for advice. If you’re in the market for a new EPIRB, consider upgrading to a GPS-equipped model. GPS-equipped EPIRBs provide significant advantages including emergency signal detection within minutes and position accuracy of around 100m. Authorities will be able to determine your location faster and reach you sooner. It could save your life. To view the full GME range of EPIRBS log onto www.gme.net.au.

WaterScreen Nano Filter SRPF $59.00 3

Boat and PWC Courses SRPF $65.00

SRPF $29.99

Mini Jump Starter SRP

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SEPTEMBER 2014

144.95 6

LASER Flares

Rescue Laser Flares are a worthy addition to your pyrotechnic kit. The Greatland’s Rescue Lasers (from RRP $149.90) are available at SOS Marine, and are designed to signal in an emergency by creating a line of light. Point the compact Rescue Laser Flare at a wall and you’ll see a short line. Point and slowly sweep it toward a passing boat or aircraft and the line is 3.600ft high (1097.28m) at 17km, appearing as a brilliant flash of light. Best of all, Rescue Lasers last for hours, are environmentally safe, and there is no fire hazard where pyrotechnic flares burn for 40 seconds. The Rescue Laser Flare can also be used to detect reflective material on lifejackets, channel markers, and other objects up to 1.7km away. When the laser line is scanned over any reflective element it produces a bright flash of light. SOS Marine has pioneered marine safety equipment for over 30 years and supplies safety equipment to 12 defence forces world-wide. For more information visit www. sosmarine.com or email sales@ sosmarine.com.au.

Mr Funnel

GME EPIRBS

WATERSCREEN Nano Filter

WaterScreen specialises in marine fuel filters. Their expertise has resulted in them becoming a leading manufacturer of premium marine fuel filters and a number one choice of waterseparating fuel filter for your outboard motor. WaterScreen’s latest innovation is the Nano fuel filter assembly. The fuel flow through the Nano is similar to that of the larger WaterScreen filter assemblies. The Nano will separate water on the run, making the Nano unique in the market. Other small filters will filter particles and yet fail to separate the water out, relying on gravity assistance or sedimentation to get the water out of the system. The Nano opens the way to class-leading filtration for all boats. Not only does it fit into smaller spaces, but it makes for a better looking and neater installation. The Nano’s exclusive, high-tech 10 micron filter media technology is specifically designed for today’s complex fuel blends. The fuel filter grade offers higher flow characteristics and efficiencies, better water separation and improved dirt holding capacity. This media protects your engine against the dangers of unwanted particle

contaminants in the highly-tuned tolerances of the fuel system, which contribute to a loss of power, economy, and accelerated engine wear. WaterScreen delivers optimum protection and optimum performance. Check out all the specs at www. marinewarehouse.com.au/waterscreen.

BOAT And PWC Courses

Maritime and Safety Training NSW is recognised by NSW Roads and Maritime Services as an accredited training provider. The course takes three to four hours. When you have successfully completed a comprehensive General Boat and/or PWC (jetski) safety training program you will be awarded a Certificate of Successful Completion. Presentation of your certificate along with the licence fee and completed logbook to NSW Roads and Maritime qualifies you for a General Boat or PWC (jetski) licence. The General Boat Licence seminar and test is $95 for adults, $75 for a Young Adult Licence (12 – 15 years old) and $75 for pension card holders. On-board practical training is $125. A PWC Licence seminar and test is $65. For more info visit www.powerboating. com.au/courses/boat-jetski-course or call 1300 302 123.

MR FUNNEL

When you’re next re-fuelling your boat, ask yourself this: how safe is the fuel and will it offer you and your crew a safe return? Dirt and water are practically unavoidable in stored fuel in Australia, causing components like filters to become clogged, decreasing combustion efficiency and causing engine shutdown or system failure. Mr Funnel products can save you thousands of dollars in repair bills by catching fuel contaminants like water and debris BEFORE they enter your fuel tank. Many articles have been written about ethanol, which likes to absorb water. Take away the water and you’ll eliminate the chance of damage to your engine. Mr Funnel products are self-cleaning and have no replacement parts. They come in four sizes and can be used for petrol, diesel, two-stroke, kerosene and any other hydrocarbons. Each size has a specific flow rate for the job at hand. The black model is carbon injected when moulded to mitigate against static build up during the fuelling process, while the tough stainless steel filter mesh is coated with Teflon, preventing contaminants obstructing the flow while fuelling. Log onto mrfunnelaustralia.com.au to view the entire product range.

Even Smaller MINI JUMP STARTER

Weighing in at only 210 grams, the latest version of the popular Mini Jump Starter – the PowerSLIM is small and light enough to store in the smallest nook and cranny in the boat. Pushing out 300 cold cranking amps of power, though, it’ll jump start motors up to 5 litre V8s. This means that there’s virtually no outboard that it won’t kick to life when your battery dies. Smaller and lighter than the original Mini Jump Starter PowerBLOCK, the unit features a USB port and is supplied with a multifunction squid-style cable array that will charge anything from smart phones to laptops. Available in four colours, the Mini Jump Starter PowerSLIM costs $144.95 with free shipping from www.minijumpstarter. com - FMG.

IS YOUR EPIRB DUE TO BE REPL ACED?

Prepare for the extreme with GME, because your life could depend on it

1300 463 463

gme.net.au SEPTEMBER 2014

M355G

Digital EPIRBs have been around for quite some time now, and many are about to reach their expiration date. So next time youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re out on your boat, double check the expiration date of your EPIRB. If it has expired, or is approaching expiration, contact your local Authorised GME Dealer and discuss options for replacement, including updating to the latest GPS equipped model from GME. With a GPS equipped EPIRB, you will be located faster, and rescue authorities will be able to reach you sooner. It could save your life.

105

Boating Safety 1 EVIE N150 SRP

69.95 1

Super Mini Booster SRP

The EVIE N150 automatic inflatable lifejacket is light and simple to wear and doesn’t restrict movement. You can enjoy your fishing and at the same time be safer and more visible. Once activated, the reflective tape can be seen from a considerable distance away, especially at night under spotlight. The EVIE can also be activated manually via a pullchord and comes with a rescue whistle. For all-day wear, the EVIE includes a soft neck protector avoiding the irritation of nylon rub. An additional feature of this lifejacket is a clear plastic pocket so that you can easily slip in a label with your vessel’s name and registration. The recommended retail price is $69.95 and you can find out more at www.skippersmate.com.au.

299.95 2

2 RescueMe PLB1 SRP

Jaunt Safety Gear Bag SRP

SOS Raft Life SRPF

EVIE Inflatable PFD

1499

250.00 5

399

Imagine being out from port and your batteries run flat? What do you do? To get you out of trouble, the answer is simple: you have a portable emergency power pack, the Super Mini Booster, on your boat at all times. The Super Mini Booster is the smallest, most powerful jump start pack in its class, weighing only 4.8kg. Delivering 1200 amps instantaneously giving you 400 CCA cranking when needed it to get you out of trouble. With the ability to start engines up to 7.0L V8 petrol and 4.5L diesel 12V engines, your boat’s cranking battery is no challenge at all to the Super Mini Booster. This little unit comes complete with a low charge warning light, two super bright LEDs and a 12V auxiliary outlet that provides 12V/80W to charge mobile phones, run motorised 12V reels and trailer winches, spot lights, fridge freezers, plus power when you need it. The RRP is $299.95 and more info is available at www.superminibooster.com (to become a recommended stockist, contact Steve Moore on 1300 136 413).

3 4

Super MINI BOOSTER

RESCUEME PLB1 Locator

Easy to use and 30% smaller than other personal locator beacons (PLB), the rescueME PLB1 is suitable for a range of activities and will provide a level of safety unparalleled in its field. The rescueME PLB1 easily fits into a lifejacket and has a retractable antenna

making the package non-obtrusive. A 7 year battery life is supported by a 7 year warranty giving you longevity when you need it. A 1 candela strobe light makes location easy while the 66 channel GPS receiver means you are always going to be located, wherever you may find yourself in need of help. Wherever you are at sea or on land, the rescueME PLB1 provides the reassurance that emergency services can be alerted by the press of a button. Simple and effective. RRP: $399 www.allsat.com.au

SOS 2 Person Life Raft

SOS Marine has designed an ultra-light SOS 2 Person Life Raft that ‘bridges the gap’ by offering all the boaters travelling alone or with one other person an easier system to use in a person overboard situation. It is easier to handle and throw by man, women and child in an emergency situation. Often the existing 4 person rafts are too heavy and cumbersome for a couple to move into position when the need arises. The SOS 2 Person life raft is compact in size (500x350x110mm) weighs around (7.5kg/16lbs). The life raft is packed in a high visibility orange valise. It is easier to maintain with much smaller servicing costs. It has and easy-to use boarding platform and a thermally insulated floor which can also reflect to search and rescue teams. It can be stowed in the smallest of spaces on every boat. More information: www. sosmarine.com

JAUNT Safety Gear Bag

The Jaunt safety gear bag contains a comprehensive collection of all the safety gear you require for recreational boating, all in one easy to grab gear bag. The gear bag is perfect for trailerable boats, allowing you to conveniently remove your safety gear for storage when required. The safety pack includes, 4 Jaunt Level 100 PFDs, 2 paddles (not shown), current inshore flare kit, V sheet, signal mirror, waterproof torch with batteries and of course, the Jaunt Gear bag. The weatherproof Jaunt gear bag is a great traveller, it features an insulated cooler at one end, vented mesh pouch as well as a wet gear pouch and a pen and phone holder. Shoulder and hand straps make it a perfect overnighter/travel bag. More Information: www. marinewarehouse.com.au. - MW.

CALL SALES 024 297 5156 ww w.mini jumpsta rt er.com 106

SEPTEMBER 2014

What’s new boating

TOURNAMENT AMM 7800

The Tournament 7800 is AMM’s latest 7.8m rig, designed by Barton Thomas. With features including a separate toilet and shower cubicle; heat insulation, exceptional cabin sound insulation; a fresh, hot water system; a fridge freezer running on solar panels, the boat was launched with twin 200hp Yamaha G series outboards fed from a fuel capacity of 750L. The Tournament 7800 has a beam of 2.5m and a 20° deadrise, and achieves a premium ride with outstanding stability at rest. The cabin and helm are located 800mm further aft than in a similar sister ship, removing any hint of the dominant ‘nose down’ attitude prevalent on many deep vee plate boats where the cabin has been pushed too far forward. The greater lift in the bow sees the Tournament rising more readily to meet the faces of pressure waves. The price ranges from around $118K to $225K depending on the level of customisation, and specs are available at australianmastermarine.com.au. – AMM

COMPACT RESCUEME EPIRB

Ocean Signal has introduced the world’s most compact EPIRB, the Category/ Class 3 rescueME EPIRB1, which features a 30% reduction in size compared to other EPIRBs. The new rescueME EPIRB1 measures 178mm (height with antenna stowed) by 89mm and weighs 422g. It’s manually activated and can be easily retained within its manual release bracket or placed in an emergency grab-bag or life raft. A retractable antenna provides maximum protection and reduced outline for stowage and is deployed with a gentle pull, using one hand if necessary. A protective tab over the operating keys prevents inadvertent activation. The rescueME communicates your location in three ways – the designated 406MHz Cospas-Sarsat satellite system with position provided by a 66-channel GPS, a 121.5MHz homing beacon, plus two high brightness strobes. Operating within a temp range of -20°C and +55°C, it will transmit for 48 hours. It has a 10-year battery life and is backed by a 5-year warranty. For more info visit www.allsat. com.au. – OS

BAR CRUSHER HTP

Bar Crusher has launched its new Hard Top Pilothouse (HTP) series of offshore Fishing Weapons. Incorporating three models – 670HTP, 730HTP and 780HTP – this series offers the ultimate in protection from the weather, as well as the opportunity to stay overnight, with fully-enclosed cabins, toilets and other comforts. The flagship 780HTP has plenty of space to fight and handle big fish; a fully-welded and sealed, self-draining checkerplate deck with scuppers; alloy rod holders; good-sized baitboard; transom livebait tank; deck wash; sizeable kill tank; tackle storage; leader dispenser; and more. The flexible layout can be changed in minutes, from a functional fishing machine to a dining layout for the evening. The fully-lined cabin has comfortable V-berth, LED lighting, long storage shelves and a plumbed toilet under the centre cushions. The HTP series comes on a customdesigned trailer, and the Bar Catch system allows for single-handed launch and retrieve. For more info visit www.barcrusher.com. au. – BCB

MINN-KOTA 55LB POWERDRIVE

With the increasing popularity of deep V boats with higher freeboard being fitted with Minn-Kota electric motors, MinnKota has responded by introducing a 54” shaft. Replacing the previous 601450 and 601484 models, the Minn-Kota Saltwater PowerDrive 55lb, 54” SP motor (RT 55SP) is supplied standard with full function foot pedal, giving the user accurate control, power and steerage. This motor provides optimised saltwater performance with Riptide SP’s re-engineered electric steer control, and new advanced deploy-assist lever for easy operation. Features include: Digital Maximizer - up to five times longer run time on a single charge; Stainless Steel Hardware - maximum durability and corrosion resistance; Sacrificial Anode - attaches to prop hub, eliminates corrosion on other metallic components and Riptide trolling motors; Indestructible Composite Shaft - stronger then steel, flexes on impact, will not break, kink or corrode, guaranteed for life; and Fully Encapsulated Electronics - protects electrical components from the saltwater environment. More info is available at www.bla.com.au. – BLA

COLOUR SOUNDER <$150

The most affordable colour fishfinder ever introduced, the new Lowrance Elite-3x includes a dual-frequency 83/200kHz Broadband Sounder transducer and features an LED-backlit display with detailed 240x360-pixel resolution that’s easy to see in full sunlight from wide viewing angles. The Elite-3x allows anglers to quickly and easily identify fish targets, bottom contour, structure detail, bottom hardness, thermoclines and more. Offering selectable dual-frequency operation to maximize the view beneath a boat, 83 kHz sonar provides up to 60° of conical coverage, while 200 kHz sonar provides up to 20° of coverage for enhanced fish-target separation and lure-tracking. The Lowrance Skimmer transducer, included with the Elite-3x, can track bottom at speeds up to 75mph, and has a built-in water temperature sensor. Protected by a one-year limited warranty and the Lowrance Advantage Service program, the Elite-3x fishfinder is priced at $149 in Australia. For more info visit www.lowrance.com. – Navico

4 5

STACER 509 SEA RUNNER

Stacer’s new Sea Runner Range includes three models – the 509, 539 and 579 – all featuring a walk around cabin. Built tough, the popular 509 Sea Runner features 3mm bottomsides, and rated to 115hp this cabin is made for cruising through bays, lakes and estuaries. With room for up to seven people, it has a folding rear lounge as standard and a 77L underfloor fuel tank. Options include a bimini, ski pole, live bait tank, sounder, vinyl wraps, ski hooks, a mega cutting board, sound system, berley bucket, rocket launchers and a twin battery box and switch. The 509 Sea Runner is available as a Ready 2 Go Package complete with a boat, motor, trailer and a 3-year limited factory warranty. For more info visit www.stacer. com.au. – Stacer

6 SEPTEMBER 2014

107

What’s new fishing Powered by

ECOODA ROD CASE

The new Ecooda Deluxe Rod Case is leading the pack in design concepts for rod friendly travel. With a threepart design, two-colour concept the Deluxe Rod Case extends from each end in a telescopic manner with the blue sections being able to be placed in more than one travelling position. From 1.5m to 2.2m the Deluxe Rod Case can carry up to 10 rods, has internal wavy foam that is adjustable to suit the guides, tips and butts and aid in the protection and secure travelling of your products. There are six locking mechanisms as well as two points for padlocks to prevent the unrequired opening of your case. A flat design ensures that your rod case won’t roll around in the car, ute or airplane and allows you to pack on top of it in all circumstances as well. Price: from RRP $239.95 www.ecooda.com.au

SQUIDLY RIGS BY BLACK MAGIC

Black Magic has added a new product to their extensive range of pre-tied rigs – the Squidly. Rigged with three soft squid lures, it is similar to others on the market, but Black Magic has made sure that this one is a cut above the rest by using superior quality raw materials. Each squid is rigged on a strong hook to suit tougher fighting fish, and is rigged on 80lb trace. Squidly rigs come in a range of five great colours that are effective on a wide variety of fish species. Target species include snapper, cod, kingfish, coral trout, flathead, mackerel, queenfish, mangrove jack, mulloway, trevally and salmon. Keep an eye out for the Black Magic Squidlys at your favourite tackle store. Price: RRP $9.95 www.blackmagic.com

PENN BATTLE II SPIN

Inspired by design innovations made possible through new technology, Penn introduces the improved Penn Battle II. Penn has added line capacity rings to let the angler know when the spool is properly filled. This ensures that the casts are not subject to excess line stripping from the spool, resulting in improved castability. This reel has enhanced corrosion resistance due to the improvements of using five sealed bearings and one antireverse bearing. The Battle II incorporates keyed carbon fibre washers in the HT-100 drag system that uses both sides of the drag washers and increases maximum drag by 15-50%. Many original Battle features remain in the Battle II, including the full metal body, sideplate and rotor; instant anti-reverse, heavy-duty aluminium bail wire and superline spool. Eight Battle II spinning reels are offered in 1000 to 8000 sizes. New to the line-up is the 2500 size designed for inshore/light braid applications. Price: RRP $220-$260. www.pennfishing.com.au

108

STRIKE TIGER MICRO SPOONS

Strike Tiger is a Tasmanian fishing lure brand best known for their range of quality soft plastics. With the island state having some of the best trout fishing in the country, Strike Tiger has now released a specialised lure aimed solely at trout in small rivers, creeks and streams. Measuring only 22mm, the new Strike Tiger Micro Spoon is exactly what the name suggests. The spoons weigh in at 2g and are fitted with single, fine-wire barbed hooks. This ensures maximum hook-ups, even on smaller trout. These tiny spoons can be cast accurately and for lengthy distances, despite their small size. They will naturally flutter as they sink to the bottom, attracting trout to strike almost immediately. They can be fished with a slow, flat retrieve, or left to drift and flutter in the current of any stream or river. The spoons are currently available in three trout slaying colours: beetle, fire tiger and perch. Price: RRP $9.95 www.striketiger.com.au

NEW BULLET COLOURS

Hot on the heels of successfully launching his 3cm Bullet Minnow, Jason Pace from Bullet lures has added a great range of new colours just in time for the upcoming trout season. The Bullet Minnows are popular due to their fantastic castability and their great action, no matter what speed they are retrieved. A lot of effort has gone into the development of these lures to ensure they swim true, regardless of water depth and flow. It’s small wonder these lures have a great reputation for their fish catching ability. These new colours are bound to be a musthave for any serious angler. These lures are fitted with quality Owner trebles and are built to last, so go out and get one today. Price: RRP $12.95 www.bulletlures.com

SHIMANO ANARCHY RODS

Shimano’s new Ian Miller-designed Anarchy rods are looking to restore order to lawless fish wherever they are found. This impressive rod range makes use of Shimano’s new X Technology Construction, which is a major development in rod blank design, and something we’ll be hearing a lot more about in the future. Fuji K series ‘tangle free’ guides for greater casting efficiency and distance are almost a given on a prestige rod series like this, while hook keepers on the lighter rods are useful to protect that small minnow’s trebles or soft plastic tails from damage The line-up consists of nine rods — five spin, from ultra light to a beefy saltwater spin, a one-piece medium baitcaster, and three PE-rated spin jig rods. The custom EVA and cork grips (where applicable) have aluminium accents which, when combined with the gloss black ergonomically designed reel seats, make Anarchy rods look ultra stylish and definitely cutting edge. Price: too new www.shimanofish.com.au

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

SEPTEMBER 2014

What’s new fishing Powered by

9 10

SHIMANO 3 ZERO

The Ian Miller-designed 3 Zero rods are an all-new release for the upcoming season. There are seven rods, ranging from a two-piece ultra light spin through to a handy Top End spin, plus a onepiece baitcaster. These rods are all about being in tune with what that hard body, vibe, spinnerbait or soft plastic is doing down there, transmitting any tap, nudge or bump from structure or fish immediately to the angler’s hands. This is due to the use of nano technology in the high modulus blanks they are built on. As befitting a rod series like this, they all feature Fuji K series ‘Tangle Free’ guides, and the reel seats are of a custom design, combining strength with lightness. The grips are interesting, with a mix of custom cork and EVA combinations, providing longevity and instantaneous strike transmission. Of course the whole sensitivity experience is enhanced by using braided line like Power Pro, which these cutting edge rods are perfectly suited to. Price: too new www.shimanofish.com.au

BLACK MAGIC BMAX

DAIWA DT4601 TREBLE

Black Magic has introduced a new range of lures under the name BMax. The BMax 60 is designed as a subsurface suspended lure ideal for the likes of trout, bream, redfin and Australian bass. This 60mm lure has an ideal weight for casting and it is perfect for both spinning and trolling. The short bib lets the lure dive down 1.2-1.8m and ensures a very enticing swimming action. The Black Magic BMax is rigged with strong, sharp treble hooks – one on the belly and one on the tail. It’s available in a range of five fish-catching colours and is competitively priced. Price: RRP $9.95 www.blackmagic.com

The best lures need the best accessories and there are none finer than new performance inspired lure accessories from Daiwa. Advanced in technology, performance and features, these Japanese-designed accessories are the must-have items to take your lure fishing to the next level, and keep your lures performing at their best. One of the latest models to be launched is the DT4601 treble. Strong and rigid in construction, it has a titanium nitride (TiN) coating for unrivalled corrosion resistance and hardness. Featuring a super sharp cutting point for optimum hook set, it’s sharper than most and cuts and penetrates like few others. With a sizing range from 1 through to 10, the DT4601 is the ultimate mid-size treble range. The models are: DT4601 #1 (size 1, 6 per pack), DT4601 #2 (size 2, 6-pack), DT4601 #4 (size 4, 7-pack), DT4601 #6 (size 6, 7-pack), DT4601#8 (size 8, 7-pack) and the DT4601 #10 (size 10, 7-pack). Price: too new www.daiwafishing.com.au

NEW FROGS FROM SEARING

Quality tackle distributor Searing has launched two new frog imitations: the Damiki Air Frog and the Fish Arrow Still Frog. The 4” Damiki Air Frog features two hollow air chambers in its arms that act as floats. The self-righting design will always allow the frog to sit on its belly ready for a strike. A hook slit combined with two large paddle tails incorporated into the legs will allow this frog to be fished in open water or the thickest of cover. It’s ideal for barra, sooties, Murray cod and XOS bass. The Still Frog, created by Japanese lure company Fish Arrow, is a 65mm long weedless lure with a cupped popper face. Its extremely soft body allows for high hookup rates. It is also slightly weighted in the tail to help get over cover easier as well as to maximise the hook-up rate. The hooks are super sharp and strong for barra and cod. It weighs 3/4oz and comes in four colours. Price: RRP $12.99 (Air), $19.99 (Still) www.searingtackle.com.au

TT KIDS SHIRTS

If you have a little fisho in the family they can now share their love of the sport, just like mum and dad, in their ZMan or TT Lures Tournament shirt. These shirts are cool and comfortable, quick dry and they have a UPF 45 rating to help protect your little fisho, whether they’re collecting bait, fighting a fish, or splashing around and building a sand castle. ZMan and TT Lures Tournament shirts are now available in kids’ sizes – 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and XS, along with the adult range of S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL and 5XL. These shirts are ideal for those spending time outdoors and make a great gift idea for the angler, boatie or camper. Available to order from your local fishing tackle retailer, or online from the Tackle Tactics website at www.tackletactics.com.au. Price: SRP $59.95 www.tackletactics.com.au

NEW GULP MODELS

Combine the fish-catching profile of a Jerkshad with the enticing tail action of a grub and you get the Berkley Nemesis. Designed in Australia, the Nemesis shape is now available in a 4” size. The tail action of this shape has to be seen to be believed. On the drop or on the wind, the Nemesis tail swims at the slowest of speeds, delivering continuous lifelike action. Each Nemesis is also loaded with Gulp scent, a powerful water-based scent dispersion system that also makes Gulp 100% biodegradable. Berkley has also released a 3” Powerbait Twitchtail Minnow, with a unique thin tail that delivers continuous, lifelike action. Perfect for finesse situations, it comes to life with the slightest twitch of the rod. Each Twitchtail is loaded with Berkley’s Powerbait scent, which causes fish to hold on 18x longer. Both new models are available in a wide range of proven colours. Price RRP $8.95 (Twitchtail), $9.95 (Nemesis) www. berkley-fishing.com.au

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

SEPTEMBER 2014

109

What’s new fishing Powered by

DUO AOMASA 188

RUPE’S IRONHIDE

Back with another release for 2014 is one of Japan’s most highly regarded lure manufacturers, DUO International, who have just launched the Aomasa 188. It took two years of R&D to give the Aomasa 188 the kind of sub-surface swimming action that meets the high standards set by DUO. It was created primarily with kingfish in mind – a species that is popular both in Japan and Australia – but it’s proven effective on other bluewater speedsters as well. Measuring 188mm and weighing 69g un-rigged, this lure casts like a bullet for its weight. By letting the lure rest on the surface then sweeping the rod back, you can achieve an ‘S-curve’ action just below the surface. Follow it up with a pause to cause the Aomasa to kick out to the side before resting vertically on the surface. This is the way the lure was designed to work, usually enticing a hit on the pause. The Aomasa 188 can also be retrieved fast to skip or walk. During Australian field testing these lures have accounted for GTs, sailfish, cobia, southern bluefin and yellowfin tuna as well as big kings. Price: RRP $45 www.duolures.com.au

The Rupe’s Ironhide lures have been designed and crafted in Australia for our tough Aussie fish and conditions using only the best methods and materials. The new and improved ABS plastic models of the Ironhide are quickly gaining a reputation as strong fish catchers, especially when targeting our freshwater natives. The new range of Ironhides features different finishes that were never possible with their timber predecessors, including rattles, clear body finishes, chromes and a couple with a laser finish that is sure to get a reaction from even the most stubborn fish! All Ironhide series lures come fitted with extra strong rings and trebles that will stand up to the toughest fight. With 10 colours in the range and a diving depth of 10-12ft, you are sure to find the right one for your target species. And if one of your favourite targets is bass, now is definitely the time to stock up on these fish catchers for the open season. For the full range of stockists of Rupe’s Lures go to www.rupes-lures.com. Price: RRP $14.95 www.rupes-lures.com

DAIWA SNAPS AND RINGS

Daiwa has released a new range of lures and lure accessories, and two of the latest releases are the Tournament Snaps and Tournament Split Rings. The new Tournament Snaps make it easier than ever to change lures. Light, symmetrically designed, and slim-line in profile, these high-quality stainless steel snaps won’t compromise the action of the lure, and are available in three models so you can match the right snap to the right lure. The models are the 8-SNAP (6.0kg), D-SNAP S (13kg) and SW-SNAP (34kg) and they come in packs of 10. Made in Japan from tempered highquality stainless steel the new Tournament Split Rings are the ultimate choice for the ultimate luring experience. Light yet incredibly strong, these super rings are available in five sizes and are unsurpassed in quality and performance. The models are the TSR #1 (5.4 kg, 20 per pack), TSR #2 (8.8kg, 18pack), TSR #3 (12.6kg, 16-pack), TSR #4 (27.9kg, 14-pack) and the TSR #6 (64.9kg, 10-pack). Price: too new www.daiwafishing.com.au

BX WAKING MINNOW

Combining the unmatched responsiveness of balsa with the rugged durability of a copolymer outer shell, the Rapala BX Waking Minnow is the ultimate surface waking bait. When fished slowly with the rod tip held high, the wide rolling action of the Waking Minnow rides right on the surface like a wounded baitfish, leaving a highly visible wake and bubble trail that will attract any lurking predators. Once the fish strikes, the premium VMC black nickel hooks will ensure you remain connected. Hand-tuned and tank-tested for perfection, the BX Waking Minnow is now available in a 13cm model that weighs 22g. Look it up on YouTube to see clips of the BX in action. RRP: $24.95 www.rapala.com.au

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CHILLER FISH BAGS

The Chiller Fish Bag, distributed by Demop Imports, is designed to store your fish catch in a hygienic environment ensuring fresher, long lasting fish. This insulated bag holds ice for days and is ideal for boats both small and large. Its flared bottom keeps it stable on the deck, it’s insulated with 1/2” dense foam and has a waterproof zipper to keep fishy fluids contained. These sturdy bags are UV resistant and mildew resistant, and are built to withstand the harsh saltwater environment. They have a drain spout and a filler spout for easy cleaning, and fold up for easy storage. There are three models in the range, and the dimensions are as follows (*width refers to base which opens out): MINI – 100 cm (L) x 40 cm (H) x 20 cm (W*); MIDI – 150 cm (L) x 40 cm (H) x 20 cm (W*); and MAXI – 200 cm (L) x 60 cm (H) x 40 cm (W*). Price: from RRP $129-$299 www.demopimports.com.au

ECOGEAR PP 60F

The PP 60F is a new addition to the Ecogear premium hard baits range. This new arrival is a topwater popper lure, and its large cup-face makes an attractive popping sound on the top of the water to attract any predator fish in the area. When you make quick rod twitches, the popping sounds emitted by the PP 60F mimic the sound of fish feeding on the surface in shallow water. This new popper is fitted with ultra-sharp hooks and the best quality components to prevent dropped fish and give you the best hook sets possible. The PP 60F is designed to work great on a range of topwater feeding fish in both salt and fresh water. It measures 60mm, weighs 7.5g and comes in six awesome colours. Price: SRP $21 www.jml.net.au

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

SEPTEMBER 2014

What’s new fishing Powered by

TESTED: Doble Outdoor’s LED lighting solutions Lighting in a camp is always important and the range of LED lights out there these days is impressive to say the least. On my recent camping trip along the Murray River I had the opportunity to sample a new product, a product that at that time was still in development but now has hit our shores and is available to consumers across Australia. That product is the Doble Outdoors camping system To start there are three products and these include a tent pole light (200t) and a wand or strip light (100p) and a 5w solar panel. Let’s look at each of the two lights individually as they offer great convenience and ease of use. 200T TENT POLE LIGHT The tent pole light is an incredibly simple and at the same time incredibly lateral piece of thinking. Essentially the tent pole light is a set of LED lights encased in a tent pole. Yep, a light in a tent pole. Just think about that for a little while and let the brilliance of the idea absorb into your head. I know when I was first told about the idea about a million things rushed through my head and all of them were good. The tent pole light is constructed using stainless steel outer casings with a twist grip extension mechanism that works very well. I used the developmental pole light behind where we cooked and that gave off enough light for us to work by when it came time for dinner or for an early cuppa in the pre-dawn gloom. There are three light intensity settings and we found the darker it got, the lower the intensity light we needed. While I’ll admit to not using the lowest setting all that much, the middle and top setting got a very good workout. On the top setting the LEDs throw out about 250 Lumens. That’s a lot of light! But where does the power come from I hear you ask? It’s all internal. Yep, a rechargeable lithium iron phosphate battery is inside the pole and the best part of all is that the pole comes as a kit with a small 5w solar panel that will charge the batteries within six hours, even on cloudy days. It’s quite amazing! The pole is extendable from 1.3m through to 2.3m and that gives you enough range to cover just about any tent or tarp set up around.

But that’s not all, as they famously say. The pole also has the ability to charge devices from the batteries. There is a USB adaptor with every light and also a Nokiastyle pin charging port included in the unit and I found that I could recharge my video cameras that needed a USB jack to charge. It was simply plug it in and the batteries charged them easily. Impressed? You should be as this is a really cleverly thought out piece of camping equipment. 100P PORTABLE LIGHT The 100P Portable Light or wand as I call it is just that, a small LED wand that can be used in a thousand different ways. Like the tent pole light the wand has three light settings and we used the lowest setting most often on the wand. Mainly used in the

The charging system is amazing. I charged my video cameras with the in built charger, however phones and more can be charged easily – even better when the 5w solar panel is attached as well.

to fix stuff under the bonnet of your car and more. The uses really are endless. SUMMING UP Both of these lights are brilliant in their simplicity and thinking. I love the idea of a tent pole that has a light in it. I love the idea of a solar rechargeable light – brilliant. These two lights are not cheap and nasty and are built to last, In fact the two year warranty gives purchasers a secure feeling when you buy them. I didn’t treat the lights with any great respect as I was told to use and abuse them. Most of the people who fish with me or know me, will know that’s not an ideal things to say to me as I will take that literally. On our trip the pole and wand were transported with all my other tarp poles in their canvas bag. They were treated no different from any other tarp pole I own and neither of the units showed any signs of breaking or damage. Additionally, the last night and morning both light got to experience the worst of the Murray River weather with persistent and heavy rain falling. It made pack up and the drive home for 20 hours a bit stinky and wet! I checked both lights when I got home and was drying everything out and the 12 or more hours of rain falling on them and then the day and a half of essentially wet storage did them no harm at all. That IP 54 water resistance rating is actually that – a very, very good water resistance rating. In my experience rain is no problem at all. I loved this kit. Both units filled a niche and provided more than ample light for my

The 5w solar panel is a little ripper and charges the pole and the wand quickly meaning you will have light whenever you want. Inside and out you can light up your world with these products.

You want light, you’ve got it. The tent pole is an ingenious idea that answers a lot of lighting questions.

tent, the wand was used as a tent light and as we trundled off to bed each night there was certainly no need for the full force of the LEDs to be used. The 100P actually outputs between 5 Lumens at the lowest setting and 125 Lumens at the highest setting and in a confined space, that is a lot of light output. Like the tent pole light, the wand came complete with an internal lithium iron phosphate battery that could be recharged by the same solar panel. In use though we did not charge the wand at all over a week’s use and that is a good testament to the charge the internal batteries hold. There is something like 250 hours of use available in a fully charged wand that is used on the lowest setting – that’s a lot of nights camping. The uses for the wand are almost endless as its portability makes it ideal for so many uses. A night light in the tent for the young ones, a stronger light for night excursions, a boat light for night fishing, an entryway light for the tent, a light to assist in cooking, a light

needs and we do set up a reasonably large camp. The 100P Portable Light sells for $139, while the 200T Tent Pole Light sells for $189.99. If you’re into camping that’s great value, especially when you consider how tough these units are. The 5w Solar Panel is valued at $109 and comes with its own neoprene protective bag. This is an essential purchase, but you do only really need one of these regardless of the number of poles or wands you buy as you can purchase a ‘daisy chain’ cable to charge multiple poles simultaneously. You can also buy a complete kit (Combo Pack) that has the 200T, 100P, 5w solar panel and a multi-function mini table (attaches to the pole) for $425. This would be the way I’d go as it’s good value and has everything you need. Check out the range at www. dobleoutdoors.com. Innovative, extremely useful and exceptionally functional. – Stephen Booth

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

SEPTEMBER 2014

111

Black Rhino 660 Walkaround BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

Black Rhino is a new name in boating circles, but they’re built with input from some very prominent New Zealand and Queensland based alloy manufacturers, and the quality is evident. From the eye-catching styling, angler-orientated features through to a ride and degree of sea-keeping that needs to be experienced to be believed, the Black Rhino is an outstanding craft well suited to the sort of long distance travel that many Queensland anglers enjoy. I recently reviewed the Black Rhino 660 at Mission Beach with the team from The Tinnie Shack at Mission Beach. They’re in an ideal location, being situated between Townsville and Cairns, attracting buyers from virtually anywhere north of Mackay. There’s a big demand in the North for well appointed and high performing fishing craft that can get quickly out to the reef and back in genuine, no-compromises standards of comfort. Unfortunately the review day was not within a bull’s roar of what anybody might regard as ideal, but time constraints saw us launching from Clump Point at Mission Beach where we were confronted by rain scuds, wind squalls and a 1.5m swell rolling across from the east. However,

The Black Rhino has an attractive sleek design. despite the rain and strong winds, the Rhino’s excellent performance shone through. In retrospect it was an ideal situation to put the rig through its paces, and I came away very impressed with the Rhino’s capabilities. CONSTRUCTION AND FINISH The boat’s plate alloy construction sees a solid 5mm bottom linked to 4mm topsides. This beamy walkaround equipped centre cab is 2.4m wide, and its styling is impressively eye-catching with flowing lines stretching from the cabin up to the all alloy hard top on its massive yet very tastefully crafted framework. Under the floor there’s a huge stringer arrangement and an extensive foam fill to stop annoying noise. Waiting for the rain to

ease I had time to thoroughly inspect the Black Rhino at The Tinnie Shack’s yard and I was amazed at the extremely high standards of construction and finish throughout. They were right up with the very best I’ve seen. All welds were smoothed to the point of invisibility, corners were neatly rounded and proportions throughout the craft were designed for maximum comfort and easy use while aboard. Paintwork and upholstery were also of a deluxe standard, and the joinery and attention to detail was so neat that I initially suspected that the hard top was moulded glass. I was wrong, it was smoothly formed alloy, the same as the rest of the craft. LAYOUT AND FEATURES Launching could not have been easier thanks to the dual-axle multi-roller Oceanic trailer which saw the rig slipping easily into the Clump Point harbour. Walking around the craft on the 35cm wide section between the high bow rail and centre cab as we motored out into the rough stuff, I noted an anchor well up front large enough for a

A Minn Kota on a craft of this size? Yes, to facilitate live bait gathering. There’s also room to fish up front.

Top: Best use of the clean space under the hard top saw the big Humminbird unit as well as marine and pleasure radios set up out of the way. Above: Helm seating within the Black Rhino is per customer specs; this unit had a fore / aft bolster seat fitted for skipper and mate. The large cabin offered room to sleep or store gear.

lot of ground tackle plus a winch (although the test rig didn’t have one fitted). A Minn Kota 112 electric motor, unusual on an offshore oriented rig, aroused my curiosity. The explanation was simple: with live bait fishing so important in northern waters the electric motor ensured a stealthy approach to bait schools so a cast net could secure a good supply of livies. Cunning. The centre cab featured a three-piece glass windscreen aft, a very neat yet ruggedly strong frame linking the hard top while front and side upper clears (with zippers) afforded further protection for skipper and mate. Seven rod holders were set up at the rear of the hard top, within reach of the cockpit floor. Within the soft lined centre cab I noted a bunk large enough for a family with a couple of youngsters to overnight in, sufficient leg room for comfortable seating, room for a marine toilet and plenty of storage area as well. A small table was stored under the bunk of the test craft, and would be easy to bring up when required. Helm seating consisted

Left: A look at the Rhino’s hull under construction reveals a rigid under floor frame work plus plenty of foam fill to keep the noise down. Middle: There’s room for four persons to fish in the Black Rhino’s cockpit, more up front as well. Right: Floor level lockers were standard, this one lockable. 112

SEPTEMBER 2014

of a two-person well padded fore/aft bolster seat. A multi-function gauge for the Mercury Verado 200 was set above the wheel on a raised dash area, while banks of switches for electrical items, trim tab controls as well as the side-mounted engine controls fell to hand quite readily. An important feature was the full visibility all round. Excellent use was made of the sheltered area under the hard top where a marine radio, sound system and a very impressive Humminbird 1159 Sonar/ GPS unit were tucked away from the elements. Other items of interest in the helm area were storage compartments (one lockable) just above the checkerplate floor while immediately aft of the seat was the craft’s floodable underfloor fish box. Note that additional seating is available for this seven person rig, as per buyer’s specification. A FOUR ANGLER COCKPIT The cockpit provided plenty of space for up to four anglers to work in comfort due to a beam of 2.0m and almost as much length. Thanks to the checkerplate floor, 660mm high interior sides, rod holders in gunwales, side storage compartments plus a deck wash, bait station and live well, there’s everything needed to keep an angling team happy while fishing

last! The ride of the Black Rhino 660 was simply in a class of its own. The hull design featured a very fine entry mated to considerable upper flare topsides, while massive 35cm wide reversed outer chines on the 20.5° Vee hull’s underwater extremities combined to provide not only an outstanding bump and noise-free ride but a feeling of overall balance.

be powered by a smaller engine. I reckon a 150 would work well. FISHABILITY The Black Rhino opens a virtual world of angling opportunities to the lucky owner. With a 190L fuel capacity it has tremendous cruising capacity and as such is ideal for what North Queenslanders love best: a couple of hours running out to the reef to catch some

SPECIFICATIONS Length:.............................................................6.60m Beam:...............................................................2.40m Length on trailer:............................................ 7.80m Height on trailer:...............................................3.1m Hull construction:.............plate alloy; 5mm bottom,. ............................................................ 4mm upper Deadrise:..............................................20.5 degrees Fuel:...................................................................190L Outboard rating:..................................... 135-200hp Engine fitted:..... 200hp Mercury Verado four-stroke. Persons:..................................................................7 Towing:............................large 4x4 wagon or similar That feeling is often lacking in a lot of today’s larger craft, whether they be alloy or glass. Trim tabs were fitted but hardly used as the rig handled very well without them. What’s more, the big plate alloy’s ride was remarkably dry in the choppy and wind-lashed conditions. The stability of the 980kg hull, thanks to the input from the reversed outer chines and the craft’s substantial mass, saw three people on the one side making little difference.

quality tablefish or a day spent trolling for the larger sportfish. Comfort levels are assured, and travel in unfavourable conditions isn’t a problem thanks to the craft’s brilliant ride and well balanced handling. It’s said that all boats involve compromises but there certainly aren’t many in this one. SUMMING UP Thanks to a high level of fit and finish matched to eye-catching styling, the Black Rhino 660 is a

The Rhino’s fine bow at work; note how cleanly the craft rides. You can find out more at The Tinnie Shack’s website at thetinnieshack.com.au, or you can phone them on (07) 4088 6125. Dean and Carla would be happy to answer

any questions you may have. • Quoted performance figures have been supplied by the writer in good faith. Performance of individual boat/motor/

trailer packages may differ due to variations in engine installations, propellers, hull configurations, options, hull loading and trailer specifications.

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New stock currently available Head turning good looks are just part of the Black Rhino package. The Oceanic trailer has a multitude of rollers, making it easy for one person to launch and retrieve. form this boat. And let’s not overlook the fact that a couple more anglers could fish just as easily up front thanks to the Rhino’s wide walkaround area plus ample bow space. For convenience both engine and house batteries plus isolator switches and filters were mounted off floor in the transom area while a boarding ladder was set to port. Large scuppers aft were provided to facilitate wash down of the cockpit interior and floor after fishing. RIDE AND HANDLING I have saved the best for

It was very hard to get the hull to lean. Powered with ease by the punchy Mercury Verado 200 four-stroke (top power in a rating of 135-200hp) the Rhino eased onto the plane at a speed of 24.2km/h at 2800rpm with the Verado still virtually at idle. 3000rpm saw a speed of 39.2km/h, 4000rpm 53.5km/h, 5000 rpm 58.6km/h and WOT of 6100rpm a very slick 77km/h. Speeds were recorded with three persons aboard. Performance of this nature from the 200 Verado indicates that the Black Rhino’s hull could well

real head turner. Pride of ownership as well as the sheer pleasure of driving such a well performing and easy handling craft are all part of the package. The brilliant bed-of-rollers Oceanic trailer makes even single person launch and retrieval easy, and is just another pleasing aspect of owning this powerful craft. The price as reviewed, including all electronics and the Minn Kota, is $97,500. Without the electronics and other items, and with a 150hp outboard in lieu of the 200 Verado, the price would be around the $89,000 mark.

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113

Sea Jay 520 Velocity Sports BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

Factory fresh from Sea Jay’s Bundaberg factory, the new 520 Velocity Sports with its newly designed Samurai hull, on a dual axle trailer, slipped into the Burnett River for a morning of water testing last month. This is a side console with attitude, not the least being the classy wrap enveloping the hull’s sides. Very beamy at 2.4m and with an overall length of 5.3m, the Velocity Sports will fulfil a multitude of roles thanks to a careful balance of features that will appeal to a wide cross section of boaters. A 150L fuel tank is standard, and that generous fuel capacity will be a big selling point for northern anglers that see a couple of hours’ travel to a good fishing area as par for the course. Powered by a 115 Yamaha four-stroke (recommended power) the craft was no slouch either, with top speeds around the 65kph mark recorded on the Burnett River. LAYOUT A close look at the layout of the 520 Velocity Sports reveals that Sea Jay have

covered quite a few bases with this newcomer to their line-up. While the company is renowned for their well set up and well appointed fishing boats, I reckon it won’t just be keen anglers who will be drawn to this craft – familyoriented anglers will like it as well. It’s beamy, strong, solid as a rock, and has a lot of freeboard thanks to a side depth of 1.29m. Five seating positions are standard, as is useful storage within the front deck areas and within the side console with its

windscreen and surrounding grab rail. Up front there’s a good sized anchor well (and a bow rail there of course). A pair of hatches within the front casting deck allow easy access to the storage area below, which is large enough to hold an ice box, as well as offering a handy area for tackle trays and the like. Stepping down from the 400mm high cast deck there’s ample room to easily select a rigged rod from the six upright rod holders in front of the console. Roominess is

certainly one of the big pluses with this craft; nothing is cramped or cluttered. Features are set up for maximum comfort and ease of use throughout. CONSOLE I noticed that the side console with its grab handles on the side and top was just the right size – not overly large, nor too small to be useful. On the flat upper section there was ample room for large sounder screens or other nav aids. A Humminbird state-of-the-art Onix 8S1 unit

Recommended power, the Yamaha 115 really shone.

An attractive vinyl wrap highlights the 520 Velocity Sports. graced the console of the test rig with a trio of Yamaha multi-function gauges immediately below. The main switches were set neatly to starboard of the wheel linked to hydraulic steering. With a central shelf for odds and ends and ample leg room below it, the console was well thought out. It balanced both the appearance and handling of the craft in fine style. Seating aft of the console consisted of paired, folding pedestal-style seats for skipper and first mate. I found the skipper’s pedestal seat to be strong, handy in that it swivelled, and in the correct position to helm the craft. Visibility was, of course, totally unlimited, as expected in an open boat of this style. With such a wide area of cockpit space to use, the ability

Left: Jumping a swell in the Burnett River, the Velocity Sports struts her stuff. Right: With a hull design as smooth as the Velocity Sports’ there won’t be much displaced water coming aboard.

to move seats is an important feature of the craft as it creates a great deal of flexibility and ease of weight distribution. Also of importance were the very high cockpit sides, three rod holders per side, a deep side pocket to port and full carpet on all floor areas. Transom features consisted of a plumbed live well, a transom door and boarding ladder to port, boarding platforms and rails each side of the smooth Yamaha four-stroke, plus cleats. RIDE AND HANDLING I was interested in how the wide side console would perform. Sea Jay recommend the 115 Yamaha four-stroke as power for the craft and I think that’s about right. This is, after all, a quite solid plate hull with its 4mm bottom and 3mm sides, 13 under-floor cross ribs all contributing to the craft’s 575kg weight. The smooth running 1.8L four cylinder Yamaha eased the craft onto the plane at 22.3km/h at 2800rpm, with 3000rpm giving the rig a speed of 28.7km/h. Other speed readings were 43.2km/h at 4000rpm, 55.8km/h at 5000rpm and 65.6.km/h at 6200km/h. With its 18° deadrise and well-formed underhull pressings, the Velocity impressed me with the way it handled the swells rolling up the Burnett River at Burnett Heads. Even when travelling at full throttle I felt little impact from the swells we encountered, and it was pleasing to note that the hull refused to bang or cause any

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Here you can see just how much fishing area there is in the 520 Velocity Sports.

As an open craft, of course, you might expect some spray if travelling with wind and waves on the quarter. However, the Velocity’s quite high sides should assist in keeping water out of the way. FISHABILITY Virtually every aspect of the Sea Jay 520 Velocity Sport’s design and the numerous angler-friendly features make it an ideal fishing craft for up to four anglers. A raised platform up front, ample room aft, flexibility in seating layout, high sides for maximum sea

quite visible while the brilliant orange wrap was undoubtedly the icing on the cake. The price (from Stones Corner Marine in Brisbane) with Redco Sportsman dual axle trailer and fitted with the Yamaha 115 would be in the low forties without the sounder. For more information visit www.seajayboats.com.au.

• Quoted performance figures have been supplied by the writer in good faith. Performance of individual boat/motor/ trailer packages may differ due to variations in engine installations, propellers, hull configurations, options, hull loading and trailer specifications.

Left: Easy access to under-floor storage up front is a feature of this craft. Right: It’s not hard to imagine four anglers working in comfort when looking at this spacious layout. noise other than a hiss of displaced water. Handling was also a strong point with the hull turning sharply with minimal lean. Family anglers wanting to have some tow sports fun would warm to this aspect

of the Velocity’s handling. Good stability at rest would make the craft suitable for all manner of fishing, whether in the estuary or heading offshore. It was easy to move about without causing the craft to lean. Even when

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SEPTEMBER 2014

115

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.

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116

Marine Electronics

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Holiday Accommodation

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

Behind GEM Service Station, Alberton 4207

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For bookings or enquiries contact: Cliff Andreassen 07 5449 9346 or 0428 712 283

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A FISHO’S DREAM

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Paradise Fishing Charters 0403 531 428

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SEPTEMBER 2014

IDEAL GIFT!

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