Victoria and Tasmania Fishing Monthly - June 2015

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Features

ippsland Lakes G dusky flathead • Western Port’s land-based treasures • A statutory authority for Victoria Fisheries • Lake Eppalock’s epic revival • Rocklands: redfin Mecca • Citizen Science revisited •

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A Black Magic 6/0 Bleeding Pilchard rig with fresh squid for bait was used by Kristy Canavan to catch this 6kg snapper while fishing in Port Phillip Bay.

Neville Dean used Black Magic 15lb Tough Fluorocarbon leader to take this 68cm flathead while fishing in Botany Bay.

Lee Rayner landed this excellent tuna on Black Magic 10kg+ Inferno Braid and Black Magic 40lb Tough Fluorocarbon leader while fishing on the West Coast of Victoria.

This 55kg striped marlin was landed by Adam Camilleri while fishing Browns Mountain using a Black Magic Maggot lure combination No.2 and the Black Magic Equalizer gimbal and harness.

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Black Magic 30lb Tough Fluorocarbon leader and a Black Magic KS 6/0 hook were used by Tristan Rodriguez to catch this estimated 31kg tuna.

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June 2015, Vol. 10, No. 8

Contents WEST COAST West Coast 10 Warrnambool 12 Portland 12 Apollo Bay 14 Cobden 14

CENTRAL Geelong 16 Port Phillip West 18 Port Phillip East 20 Port Phillip North East 22 Mornington Peninsula 24 Western Port North 25 Western Port South 26 Phillip Island 28

EAST COAST Ninety Mile Beach 28 Welshpool 29 Inverloch 30 Lakes Entrance 32 Bemm River 32 Gippsland Lakes 33 McLoughlins Beach 34 Marlo 34

NSW SOUTH COAST Mallacoota 38 Bermagui 38 Eden 39 Narooma 40 Merimbula 41

VICTORIAN FRESHWATER Horsham 86 Robinvale 87 Mildura 88 Shepparton 89 Yarrawonga 88 Victorian Alpine 90 Wangaratta 91 Eildon 92 Bonnie Doon 92 Melbourne Metro 94 Ballarat 94 West/South Gippsland 95 Bendigo 96 Crater Lakes 96 Jindabyne 97

As recreational anglers, we’re often confronted with policies and decisions that we don’t like. Green zones, compromise of fish nursery habitats, restriction of access or the Super Trawler all trigger reactions – usually negative – amongst anglers.

Also as anglers, we have a variety of ways that we can react to the issues. Some of us complain to anyone who will listen. Others complain to people who may be able to do something about it – like your local Member. Others choose to go digital and present their case on social media – there’s nothing like a good old Facebook rant to get nothing done.

Well, there is now a real world opportunity to have an input into the direction of future recreational fishing policy and practice. It’s called the 2015 National Recreational Fishing Conference and it’ll be held on the Gold Coast on Saturday the 25th of July this year.

Why is this a better way to contribute than starting a Facebook page called “Fisheries Management Sucks”?

A joint initiative of FRDC (Fisheries Research and Development Corporation), ARFF (Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation) and AFTA (Australian Fishing Trades Association), it’s a forum that’s open to ALL recreational anglers who are interested and it’s your

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chance to shape the future of recreational fishing policy.

Attended by industry members, government representatives, scientists and a mix of local and international speakers, the interactive forums will expose you to the people who make the important decisions that affect YOUR angling experience.

The conference is cheap to attend – earlybird registration

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(by June 30) is $20 and $30 if you miss the first deadline.

But the icing on the cake is that all conference attendees get exclusive access to the AFTA trade show. This is particularly important since the ATFA board decided against its promise last year to incorporate a ‘public day’ that allows everyday anglers to come and preview the latest and greatest gear for the upcoming season.

Otherwise, you’ll just have to tune into my YouTube channel to get the daily updates and dozens of new product videos [fishing monthly].

With additional conference activities, Recreational Fishing Awards and a registration fee that allows enough in the budget to travel to the Gold Coast to do it, don’t spend time ranting to people that don’t matter, go to those who can make a difference.

For more information visit www.rectreationalfishing conference.com.au

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Back to Basics 79 Boating 68 Chappy’s Hotspot 35 Dam Levels 89 Fun Page 116 Inland Fisheries Service 42 Kayak 100 Spearfishing 109 Tasmanian Lake Levels 44 Tournament News 103 Trade and Services Guide 118 Victorian Tide Times 122 VRFish Update 30 What’s New Boating 80 What’s New Fishing 112 Gippsland Lakes dusky flathead Western Port’s land-based treasures A statutory authority for Victoria Fisheries Melbourne Boat Show Lake Eppalock’s epic revival Rocklands: Wimmera’s redfin Mecca Citizen Science Tying the Haywire Twist Processing squid Trailer couplings, chains and D-Shackles

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Worship at the gates of Gippy Lakes dusky flathead GIPPSLAND LAKES

Brett Geddes b.geddes@bigpond.com

I adore the common old flathead and I never get sick of catching them, big or little. I really admire and even worship the huge crocodiles that grow to a 1m or more. They have this ugly but somehow handsome, even stunning look about them and they remind me of some ancient fishy relic from the age of the dinosaurs.

The dusky flathead is one of the most sought-after and rewarding estuary targets here in my home waters, the Gippsland Lakes, so let me share with you some tips on where and how to catch them. I will also explore their incredible and surprising movements and growth rates from my tagging experience.

ABUNDANT DUSKIES There can be a rich and bountiful number of flathead within this huge Gippsland estuary of lakes and rivers.

Over the last 15 years I’ve learnt that their numbers

Gippy Lakes flathead are classically fat and very stocky for their length. even a 100 duskies a day with most of them either side of 40cm! After the massive 2007 floods those flathead numbers crashed as some of them presumably got washed out into the ocean. I have no idea what triggers the boom times and I can only guess it must revolve around abundant food supply, significant spawning events, or perhaps both.

also head west and search the Tambo or Nicholson rivers and the bays they feed into. The Mitchell River will often have good numbers of medium-sized duskies from the township of Bairnsdale down to Eagle Point and prime time here is from March right through to the end of winter.

The Nicholson River has

they will be off breeding down the Paynesville, Metung and Lakes Entrance end of the system before they gradually move right up into the western parts of the Gippy Lakes for autumn and winter.

The cooler months from April onwards see them travel up all the main rivers, into Hollands Landing or Seacombe and even right into Lake Wellington. In fact, the colder months can amazingly be far more productive for big numbers of flathead than over summer. The added bonus of this is fewer anglers on the water and the days might be cold but you often get beautiful calm weather.

Even on the coldest days of winter I’ve had some of the best sport landing big flathead with a warm coat and beanie on.

The duskies migrate right up high into the rivers through to the end of August before they head back down into the lakes for the summer breeding season.

LURE FISHING Most anglers have caught flathead on soft plastics by now, so I won’t expand too much in this already proven technique except to mention that very big plastics, up to 15cm, long may be required to get trophy flathead to bite.

Smaller plastics can still catch big fish and you also get a better mix of by-catch like bream, perch and luderick.

In my opinion metal blade lures will outscore soft plastics about 5 to 1. Most anglers chasing flathead are too set in their ways and rely heavily on soft plastics but if those same anglers put in a greater effort with blades they would get a shock at the increased catch rate. You can work a blade really fast with short pauses and that way you quickly cover a huge amount of your target area.

I suggest you compare a soft plastic against a blade and I’m positive you will see the worth of blade lures on dusky flathead.

The by-catch is just

as impressive with blades, and catches such as bream, perch, trevally, mullet, luderick, tailor salmon and even whiting are common.

LIVE AND DEAD BAITS The art of live baiting for flathead is very much ignored these days but I can assure you the old boys still catch monster fish with a mullet or a big prawn swimming around with a hook attached!

In some places now it is the ONLY way to get huge old fish that are now very wised up to fake lures.

Be warned that flathead are not dumb! I have cast blades and plastics to dozens of big flathead and they have totally ignored lures for days on end. Then I have watched those same fish being caught by smart anglers using live baits.

Drifting with dead baits like prawns, fish fillets or bluebait can also be very effective and still accounts for a lot of flathead each year. Even fishing baits just chucked out stationary and To page 8

This 80cm dusky jumped on a hardbodied lure meant for bream. It was a case of ‘who had who’ while she towed my kayak around! experience boom and bust cycles but there is always a good year to year background population to keep us all going.

Right now we are in a typical year, if there is such a thing, where finding them can take quite a bit of work. The good news is that the flathead population is slowly building towards another boom time and over the next few months and right into winter is going to be another prime time flathead season.

When you work out where they live most anglers can expect to find 15-30 flatties a day. About 10 years ago we had a massive growth cycle between 2004-2006 and it was nothing to catch 40, 50 or

FINDING FLATTIES There are some specific waters to chase flathead and where to start can be a daunting prospect within the huge Gippy Lakes area. An all year round place to begin any flathead search is at Metung and I would almost call this spot ‘dusky central’.

There are acres of sand flats and deeper drop offs that provide a vast range of suitable habitat for hunting or hiding.

From this area you can travel east and explore the saltier and very tidal waters around Lakes Entrance and the North Arm that provide excellent sport during early and late summer.

From Metung you can

fewer fish but some of these flathead can be huge. Over recent years large duskies have turned up there that have measured 70-80cm.

Then the mighty Tambo is the most well known flathead hotspot and I recommend you start your search around the highway bridge right down to the mouth. You can gain easy access on both sides of the Tambo River and it is the best option if you are land-based.

SEASONAL MIGRATION The most important factor when deciding where to find flathead is being in tune with their yearly movements.

From November to January

Top: Neil Morrison with a very typical sized flathead for the Gippy Lakes. Above: Rhys Bryant with a 76cm trophy and I just know this keen flatty angler will get an even bigger model one day.

JUNE 2015

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Nikki Bryant with a solid Wattle Point thumper, one of many caught during a rare calm spring day.

From page 9

Top Left: In my opinion, metal blades will outscore soft plastics as this nice dusky proves having crunched a home-made lure. Top Right: Barely 8cm long, this hungry little dusky proves how veracious they are eating a lure nearly as long as itself.

Above: My 92cm PB dusky flathead. A prehistoric and handsome trophy.

forgotten about will hook plenty, but if you slowly wind and move those baits around then your catch rate will go through the roof.

TAGGED FLATHEAD – SECRETS REVEALED AT RECAPTURE Well over 60,000 flathead, since the mid 1980s, have been tagged

right around the country, and that equates to thousands of recaptures and surprising stories of how far flathead swim and their growth rates.

The funding for QLD taggers has far out stripped any monies received by other states and sadly our Victag program is now dead in the water. However, when Victag was alive and well a

few years back I was heavily involved and we found out some incredible stuff.

In Victoria, about 4500 duskies have been tagged over the years, so let me now tell you some extraordinary facts and amazing data about the secret lives of flatties.

The big swim Flatties are often thought of as being laid back, lazy and inactive ambush hunters. They have certainly evolved to sit on the bottom and wait for passing prey. Movement between tagging and recapture can vary quite a lot, but let me assure you, flatties are not the stay at home sedentary types we all think they are! They can make long oceangoing voyages and even inside estuaries they move surprising distances in a short time.

I remember one dusky I tagged was recaptured just 24 hours later and had moved over 2km. Another one swam out of the estuary I tagged it in and was caught three months later, 50km away near Mallacoota out in the open ocean in about 20m of water.

Nearly all flathead recaptures have shown some movement and it’s common for them to have travelled over 15-20km. However, as usual, some fish have broken those rules too. A 72cm dusky I extracted from

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A Mitchell River dusky caught in deep water while blading for bream. out under a nice snag was recaptured 3 months on, (having grown to 74cm), from exactly the same spot. I also tagged a 35cm dusky and then 18 months later we were reunited, at the exact same bend in the Tambo River, next to the very same log, with the fish now 38.5cm. To catch this fish again, in precisely the same spot is quite incredible, especially when I’d caught dozens of other flathead on that same bend of the river, around that very same log during those 18 months.

MULTIPLE RECAPTURES Some of the most outstanding recaptures have been those fish caught on more than 2-3 occasions and a few lucky flathead have been released 4 times now!

With the tag number of A69532, I first released a dusky at Lake Tyers back in 2005 at 35cm, around a year later P. Cordingley hooked him again and returned it at 40.5cm. Then, just 3 months on, G. Wisewould caught the same fish and put it on the

dusky flathead that I first tagged when she ate a soft plastic lure fished close to the bottom. About 4 months later in the same estuary, I was fishing a surface lure across the top of a very shallow sandy bay in search of bream. Suddenly a huge crocodile-like snout erupts

Top: This 48cm Metung dusky was one of 16 for the session on an overcast hot summer morning.

Above: This flathead smashed a surface soft plastic that was rigged with foam instead of lead. ruler at 41cm before release.

Then, incredibly, on the very same day, along comes my good mate Peter Spehr and hooks it yet again! I think it’s fairly safe to say that flatty was a very slow learner.

I suppose my favourite recapture was of a big 4kg

out of the water and engulfs my surface lure. It was that same big flatty, and I released her yet again, with another tag! She had moved 2km downstream with no extra growth.

Another dusky I caught at Hollands Landing was

16cm and then 12 months later I pulled it in again about 3km away at 31cm.

That’s a very fast growth rate of 15cm in a single year.

It seems some flathead can grow fairly fast indeed.

An 86cm flathead sadly died on me many years ago while I tried to release her

so I got the fish aged via the ear bones and she was just 9 years old.

GOOD OLD FLATHEAD How many times have you had a slow fishing day and then eventually relied on flatties to at least get a feed or to finally hook a few fish for the day.

They can be so common at some locations that anglers might even curse them when a procession of little ones steal bait or lures aimed at larger quarry. Some cruel anglers even call flatties dumb and stupid for their tendency to continually attack lures and baits with almost suicidal conviction. I prefer to think of the good old flathead as a veracious apex hunter that even after relentless fishing pressure, can bounce back from over fishing in nearly all of their vast range of habitats.

Let me assure you that the Gippsland Lakes are a real dusky flathead stronghold and we are blessed to have them.

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Bag a bruiser bream WEST COAST

Shane Lowery

June promises to be a great month to fish the Glenelg River as well as many of the other smaller systems on the south west coast.

The colder months are generally the time we see the biggest blue nose southern black bream really on the chew and increased inflows to the river systems herald the start of spawning behaviour in our estuarine species. Bream and estuary perch will start to school up and begin their recruitment before moving into full spawn mode making them easier to find in large numbers but not always easy to catch.

Late April saw an artificial opening of the Glenelg mouth with water levels becoming very high and inundating the landings and jetties along the river.

This was certainly not a popular decision as the river had been fishing exceptionally well with the high water level, however the Catchment Management Authority had done all the applicable testing and deemed the opening to be

appropriate.

Patterns start to really change in the month of June as rains start to increase the inflow of water into the river. Bream start to move off the edges and school up in large numbers in the mid to high regions of the river.

These fish are often found out in 2-4m of water on the sounder in large schools but

Clint Northcott with some fine winter bream, which are usually larger specimens. popular technique at this time of year.

Estuary perch also move to the lower section of the river and can be caught in the estuary. Vibes, deep diving hardbodies, heavily weighted soft plastics or

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live baits such as minnows and whitebait are all very effective. The perch tend to stay in the deeper water but can often be found up on the mud flats early morning before moving back out during the day.

For those who are keen enough to brave the colder weather, June can be a fantastic month to fish the Glenelg River, so get out and enjoy the exceptional fishing that winter has to offer.

Bream start to school up in winter waiting for conditions to line up before spawning.

MARINE GRADE ADHESIVE FOAM DECKING

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are not always easy to catch and can be very finicky.

Bait fishers often find success dropping lightly weighted scrub worms, peeled prawn, pilchard fillet or cut crab down to these fish. Lure fishing can become harder but deep diving hardbodies like Jackall Chubbies rolled extremely slowly along

the bottom or just above often catch fish. Vibe or blade style lures are also a very successful technique to employ.

Increased flow also indicates that the time for big mulloway is near. Of course, this is dependant on an open mouth to the estuary system but generally good flow will keep the mouth open. Large mulloway move into the lower part of the river and tend to hold in the estuary section hunting baitfish in the dirty water. In past years, cast vibe lures and larger trolled hardbodies have accounted for some great fish. Trolling live mullet is also a very

Michael Linke and a quality Glenelg estuary perch taken on dark.

FISHING FILL-ITS

Operation Trinity nets fisheries offences Fisheries Victoria has just completed Operation Trinity, which patrolled popular areas along the Victorian coastline over summer to target shellfish offences in the intertidal zone.

Executive Director of Fisheries Victoria Travis Dowling said the Operation ran between January and March and involved Officers from across Victoria helping local Fisheries Officers.

“This state-wide operation was held during the busy summer period and particularly focussed on weekends in popular fishing

spots such as Warrnambool, Mornington, Cowes and bayside Melbourne.

“Fisheries Officers targeted the intertidal zone which is defined as the area starting on the beach at the maximum high water mark to a point where the water is two metres deep at any time.

“The intertidal zone is a very important ecosystem to protect and one that unfortunately due to its ease of access can have its aquatic resources stripped very quickly.

“Officers worked in a variety of ways, patrolling

popular areas and talking to anglers educating them about the rules around the intertidal zone, as well as conducting covert surveillance,” he said.

“Over eight weekends they handed out both official and verbal warnings, as well as issuing more than 200 infringement notices,” he said.

Mr Dowling said the Operation is also likely to result in several future court cases related to the illegal taking of abalone.

“Several instances involved alleged offenders taking over 40 abalone –

when the bag limit is five per person.

“Three cases involved individuals taking more than 70, and two with more than 120 abalone.

“This is a serious concern to Fisheries Victoria and if found guilty they face imprisonment, fines of up to $75,000, forfeiture of items as well as being banned from fishing,” he said.

Anybody who sees or suspects illegal fishing activity is urged to call the 24-hour fisheries offence reporting line 13 FISH (13 3474). – DEDJTR

Fishing Fill-its

Tribute to Murray Wilson: A fly fishing great to the point attitude would attest. He was a man of many talents but hung his hat on the tying vice.

Murray had a kind, gentle way about him.

Gruffly spoken and very rarely loud or obnoxious.

A mind filled with ‘what’ and ‘what-ifs’ in the ever spinning wheel of fishing

Murray Wi l s o n was a living, breathing encyclopaedia of fishing flies, tying techniques and general knowledge on fly fishing. Nothing was too hard to explain for Muz as his dry humour and straight

that turned in his head – always in search of the next new technique or the next fly tying material.

Muz was a master of what-ifs. What if I put this on here, what if I blended this with that? A truly

creative person that was always looking for an edge or a line to cross, just to see what was on the other side. He constantly stood in front of tradition with both arms out stretched and wearing a t-shirt with the slogan ‘STOP, you’re going the wrong way!’

When it came to fly tying Murray was always on the lookout for ways to do things better, easier, quicker and stronger.

Techniques that would make a difference to the way he fished - the way we all fished! Improvement on a design, the way smart phones are to land lines is what Muz was always striving for. The Wee Creek Hopper and tying in reverse are just two of the many techniques he brought to the table.

Murray Wilson lived in Camperdown, South West Victoria most of his life with only a brief stint in old Melbourne town. He fished all the local waters of this region like a cormorant and knew every corner of every river with picture accurate explanations. Sharing the secrets of this area was what he loved most. He would never hesitate to

tell you where to fish and what to use, but would never ‘tell’ you any of these things at all. He was a teacher. Waiting for the questions, he would make you ask in order to help you do better – to be your best. A true skill that came from giving and one that I learnt from him.

SABFOPT001

There’s a lot to be said for a guy that spent the last 40 odd years tying trout flies, and over half of that time doing it professionally.

With over 140,000 flies passing through his vice in this time, you’d have to think that ‘Muz’, as he was known, knew a thing or two about fishing flies.

Murray was a kindhearted man with time to kill and fishing on his mind. A mind that created so many brilliant flies; heck, the entire world now knows what a BMS is! The Hammer Head, Wee Creek Hopper, Bitza, Messy Dun, Sticky Caddis – the list goes on and all purely driven to

do one thing, catch fish.

We will miss your smug grin, your bad one-liners and the mess on your kitchen table. Most of all we’ll miss you. Thanks for being a true mate and a hero to us all and a bloody good fly tier.

Love ya, Wilson!

– Adam Royter

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West Coast wonders WARRNAMBOOL

Mark Gercovich mgercovich@hotmail.com

Another fine southern bluefin tuna season continues along the South

West Coast of Victoria and just across the border into South Australia.

TUNA TIME Apart from a 71kg fish taken while bottom fishing off Port Fairy by big tuna whisperer Ken Hines, no

The closed season for trout kicks in on midnight 8 June, so get out there and get your fill before the ban takes hold.

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barrel-sized tuna have been caught locally like the ones we are currently seeing at Port MacDonnell. Plenty of school fish and albacore are coming from inshore and the shelf region, and have been doing so since February.

The part I like best about tuna season is chasing these inshore school sized fish in smaller boats and June is often the best month to do this. Rather than trolling spreads of heavy game tackle, like most larger boats are set up to do, actively casting at schools, or trolling diving minnows, are gun methods to try to tempt these notoriously fickle fish.

These school fish, usually in the 10-20kg size class, are a fantastic sport fish when targeted this way.

Stickbaiting these fish is a technique that is definitely growing in popularity, and is as a productive method of catching these fish. Even though tuna will often be feeding on small baitfish, and optimally targeted on small metal lure or soft plastic, they will run down and smash a stickbait worked across the surface. Often they will take a large stickbait, yet will ignore a trolled deep diver or a small profiled slur or plastic.

THE HOPPIES The mouth of Hopkins River has recently closed, and as a result the river is

June is a great month to get out and target tuna in small boats. quickly filling up. Come June you will find most of the fish schooled up in the middle of the river, and they’ll usually be either hungry and in abundance, or hard to find and suffering from lockjaw. Well done to local pair Corey McLaren and Lewis Holland who took out the recently run Vic BREAM Classic event on the Hopkins. The biggest limit for the tournament was caught by Team Loft.

Weighing in at 4.6kg it was a bag that was made even more impressive by the fact that it was caught after 11am on day two of the tournament. A contrast to most tournaments where the

fishing usually gets harder the longer a tournament has been running.

CLOSED SEASON The closed season for salmonids species starts at midnight Monday 8 June, and runs until midnight Friday 4 September. There are still sections of some local rivers open for trout fishing due to their sea-run classification. They are: The Merri River (downstream of the Bromfield Weir), the Hopkins River (downstream of the Hopkins Falls), the Moyne River (downstream of the Toolong Bridge) and the Gellibrand River (downstream of the Great Ocean Road Bridge.)

How you target the Merri River for trout in June will depend on how much rain falls between now and the start of the closed season.

If little rain falls natural coloured stick minnow plastics and smelt coloured flies in the deeper areas will work best. Trolling minnow styled lures will also work well. If we get some serious rain then fishing shallow runs and flooded margins will be the best bet. In these areas 7-9cm hardbodies, paddletailed soft plastics and dark large wet flies will be the go-to options. Trout season in the Merri River was a little disappointing for big fish, lets hope 2015 is a little better.

Tuna is the word PORTLAND

Nigel Fisher

We have seen it all in the last month from monster tuna around the South West of Portland towards Port Macquarie, school tuna and albacore out around the shelf, to tuna in 20m of water off Cape Nelson.

We have seen both boat ramps in full operation. We’ve also seen water police, local police and fishing authorities show their faces recently, making sure boat safety and towing requirements were up to scratch.

There’s been some infringements handed out but for the amount of boats that have been in Portland it wasn’t too bad. One thing I do recommend to fishers is to read the speed limits in the harbour and around the breakwater, as this is one fine you don’t want.

All information is at the boat ramp.

Don’t forget that there is a $10 trailer parking fee at both ramps. The council have been pretty good so far, giving out reminders that you do have to pay. You can also get yearly parking tickets

through the council.

The breakwater has been a bit quiet over the last month but every now and then some decent fish still get caught. You will mainly see salmon and couta off the wall, plus sharks into the night at this time of the year. The breakwater is still a fantastic place to fish and bring the whole family down for a great day out. One thing I would like to say is please take all your rubbish home with you or place in the bins provided as we do not want this great spot closed to fishing due to stupidity.

Other good land-based fishing spots are the Trawlers Wharf, Pivot Rocks, and the jetties around the boat ramps. Also, the canal is a safe spot for the little ones to have a fish. We have a couple of great rivers to fish with the Surrey River through Narrawong and the Fitzroy River further out towards Warrnambool. These river sproduce good bream, mullet, salmon, the odd perch and mulloway. Again, this is another great spot for the families.

Salmon and shark fishing should improve around our beaches, which should see a

Joshua with his first southern bluefin tuna. That smile says everything that needs to be said. lot of anglers out and about around the coastline. Some of the hot spots are Hole in the Wall, Snapper Point and the Fitzroy River mouth around the North area and then back around the South West to Bridgewater and Discovery bays.

The boat fishing in the bay is still OK, with some very nice catches of whiting and some good size flathead.

Good schools of salmon are starting to get around too, and these guys are great fun to catch.

At North Shore, they are

still catching pinkies and some are still not bad in size, plus some big whiting and sharks have been getting around too.

In the deeper water there has been good catches of blue eye and of course the tuna and albacore.

• For all your fishing needs from bait and tackle to fishing and weather reports, look no further than Portland Compleat Angler. You will find us at 61 Bentinck Street, Portland or contact us on (03) 5521 1844.

JUNE 2015

13

Reviving a SW fishery COBDEN

Rod Shepherd

Early April witnessed another safe opening of the Gellibrand River mouth at Princetown. This is a far cry from two years ago when an inappropriate opening caused a massive fish kill as the top level of oxygenated water was allowed to run out to sea on the outgoing tide, leaving behind black water.

I attended a fishing clinic for juniors in April and witnessed bream, just undersize, being caught, which is a good sign for the near future. So too is the amount of estuary perch still in the system. Besides many undersized fish, there are plenty about (if you know where to look) measuring in the low 30s with the odd thumper hovering around 40cm. They are responding to minnow lures and soft plastics cast close to the bank and fished shallow.

They can be taken throughout the day, it’s just a matter of patience and perseverance waiting for the bite to switch on.

The Curdies River has seen

the bream bite sporadically to say the least. One day they are on; the next day… nothing. The fish are spread right throughout the system from right upstream into the bush to down in the lake. The lake’s level is reasonable, however a massive sand dune blocks the entrance and only heavy winter rains will encourage a manual opening.

The lake currently contains a lot of weed growth and bait fishing is really the only option. Live shrimp and worm fished unweighted is preferable (so it sits on top of the weed), and has been working on a given day. Myself and others have encountered fish way upstream past the Boggy Creek boat ramp and these fish are very dark in colour.

This points to some bream not moving since last year’s spawning run and only a decent fresh pushing down will move them at this stage.

Offshore, the southern bluefin tuna scene is looking great with barrels approaching 150kg being taken out wide from Port MacDonnell through to Cape Bridgewater near Portland.

Much closer inshore has seen school tuna to 22kg being taken off Warrnambool and Port Fairy. These fish are currently working depths around 40m, which equates to only a few kilometres offshore. This is viable on a calm day for smaller craft to access and plenty of boaters are doing just that.

Winter whiting are about but not in huge numbers.

Various beaches and bays from Port Campbell through to Peterborough have fired on a given day with pipi, filleted pilchards and squid strips the favoured baits. A rising tide occurring on dusk seems to be the prime time.

On a sadder note, late April saw the passing of a well-known but local fishing legend Murray ‘Muz’ Wilson. Muz was a self-taught fly angler and to say he loved to tie flies is a massive understatement. In fact, he created the ‘BMS (Bullen Merri Special)’ fly, which is known around the fly fishing fraternity worldwide. He believed in sharing all things fishy and was a great teacher to those who would listen. He will be sadly missed.

A Curdies black bream taken right upstream on a Damiki Saemi 70.

Apollo Bay tuna rage APOLLO BAY

Daniel Kent apollobaysurfshop@bigpond.com

Bluefin tuna are still all the rage off Apollo Bay with constant captures making it well worth the fuel bill for a day’s fishing.

Schools have been sighted as close as Blanket Bay but these fish have been of slightly smaller size (8-15kg) then what has been caught south of Cape Otway (15-25kg).

year salmon of over 3kg are caught off Apollo Bay, and at this size they put up a great fight. King George whiting are still being caught around the inshore reefs but are proving hard to locate with some anglers getting good numbers of fish, while others are left fishless. The idea is to keep moving every 10 or so minutes if you haven’t caught a whiting.

Eventually you will stumble upon a school of feeding fish, with hauls of 10-20 fish common.

Trout season closes after the long weekend this month so make sure you get out for a fish before it comes into effect. This is a great time to fish the Aire River up above the Great Ocean Road bridge as the fish start moving up into the rapids to spawn.

Small hardbodied lures cast along any sunken timber or into the larger pools up around the bush line should get the interest of the big resident brown trout.

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There have been reports of bigger fish in the estimated 60-80kg range being sighted out wide too, so don’t forget to take some heavy tackle as you never know what size fish you may encounter. Trolling skirted lures has been a standout this season with smaller sized lures being all the rage. Casting metal lures and small stickbaits at busting up fish has also been very effective when the boat traffic is down.

The local beaches are producing constant captures of Australian salmon. Both bait and lures can be used when fishing off the beach and dusk and dawn seem to be the prime times.

If you have a boat then trolling out behind the waves will see you in the action right throughout the day. The average fish is around 1kg, but each

Top: Tuna season is in full swing off Apollo Bay. Above: Trout season closes mid this month so make sure you make the most of it as the coastal rivers have been firing.

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Quality catches for the determined angler GEELONG

Neil Slater slaterbunch@optusnet.com.au

The Barwon River redfin were going nuts but then we were on the receiving end of a fair soak of rain for a week! The rain and resulting dirty water combined with cooler water temperatures can really turn them off in the Barwon so a bit of extra work may be required to find them this month.

Quality reddies were scoffing soft plastic lures and minnow profiled lures fished deep but it was live minnow that got them super pumped.

Fish from tiddler sizes to 900g were grassed.

Wurdi Buloc Reservoir near Moriac has produced some big redfin to 46cm for anglers prepared to cast soft plastics until their arms go numb (lfrom casting). Over the coming month as the water cools, the trout should really come on the bite here.

Mudeyes under a float can be deadly as can a Tassie Devil style lure cast and retrieved.

Easterly winds are best for float fishing as it will take your bait out further.

Andreas Rohringer

has been fishing the local jetties around Geelong and the Bellarine where he has caught a couple of decent whiting, leatherjacket, flathead and undersized pinkie snapper. The Geelong waterfront continues to produce flathead and snapper to 40cm for those anglers using soft plastic lures and pilchard fillets for bait. They have been biting best after dark and well into the night.

This time of year brings out the hardcore snapper fishers – anglers that were born with beanies already on and know how to handle the cold. I tip my hat to you guys as I know how hard you work for a winter snapper but they are available if you are prepared to put the hours in on those cold nights. The rewards are there as each year hardcore snapper anglers land fish in excess of 7kg fishing inside Corio Bay into the night.

Round five of the Australian National Sports fishing Association ‘King of the Rip’ was held in March.

Although the fishing was tough the Bellarine Light Game and Sports Fishing Club juniors came through with great results taking out three sections. Ellie Gibson landing eight different

species of fish, taking out the highest point scoring sub junior female, James Daglas taking out highest point scoring junior male. Ellie Gibson, James Daglas and Luke Robinson in a combined

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effort took out the highest point scoring junior team.

Rod Ludlow from Beachlea Boat Hire at Indented Head says squid have been biting well and are best early morning.

While they have been hard to find during the day, it is still possible to get a few for food and bait if you move about a bit and keep changing jigs. Best spots have been Governors Reef and Grassy

Ellie blitzed the field at the King of the Rip in March.

Point. There have been some good sizes in amongst them as well and have been taken on a mixed variety of jigs, so be prepared to keep changing or try a few at a time. Rod says clients have had some very big cuttlefish of around 3kg taken as well but there were some even bigger ones that got away as lines snapped.

Flathead are back on the chew over the last month with the incoming and high tides best anywhere from St Leonards back to the Prince George Bank.

King George whiting have been hard to find during the day over the last month.

Rod says this is because most were taken late in the day and after dark. All the fish Rod has seen have been a good size as well. Best spots have been Swan Bay entrance, White Lady and weed beds further out off St Leonards.

Also, Portarlington from Steeles Rocks back to Point Richards during the day.

There are some large schools of Australian salmon around as well with several being taken on squid jigs around the Governor Reef.

Tony Mackenzie took his sons out fishing off St Leonards last month as they

had a day off. They anchored up in about 22m of water off St Leonards and the flathead were thick, but unfortunately not too many were size. The lads had great fun catching flatties in calm conditions so then decided to head to a gully near Mud Island for any chance at a gummy shark.

They had two lines in with whiting heads as bait and both lines got busted off in a matter of 15 minutes. Tony says there was something big down there but they will have to wait until next time to find out what it was.

The Barwon River estuary has been fishing well for a wide variety of species of late. Elephant fish to 5kg were on the bite over April but stopped biting as if someone flicked a switch in May. Silver trevally and whiting were caught around the 40cm mark by anglers fishing the run-out tide downstream of the road bridge. Small mulloway from legal length to 70cm have been caught by anglers fishing a few days before the full and new moon using fresh squid after dark.

The Surf Coast will be the place to be as the Australian salmon invade the beaches over June. Don’t be surprised if you beach a mulloway as there has been a few caught after dark that have nudged 7kg along the

Left: Not a bad way to spend a day off! Campbell with two of his many flatties.

Right: Keep a rod in the car ready to go as the salmon will fire in June. surf coast beaches.

• Catch a few around Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula

or Surf Coast to Lorne recently? Send in a report to slaterbunch@optusnet.com.

au with “VFM” in the subject field or give me a call on 0408 997348. Please include

where (without giving away your secret spot!), when, what on and who caught the fish.

Pictures are always great, but please make sure they are at least 1mb (file size).

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17

Bream school as weather cools PORT PHILLIP WEST

Brenton Hodges blhodgey@hotmail.com

Cooler weather indeed, but the fishing remains hot across the western shores of Port Phillip with a range of species continuing to feed hard.

AVALON TO POINT COOK Daniel Mizzi emailed through a few photographs of the gummy sharks he’s been catching off Werribee South of late. Dan says the action has been at its best midway through the run-out tide, particularly during the new moon phase. Fresh pilchards have been getting the job done in 12m of water.

Southern blue spot flathead have been in good numbers from Werribee South through to Point Cook, particularly in depths ranging from 4-6m. Despite the cooler weather, even the shallows at the entrance to Werribee River have been holding some

Daniel Mizzi has been doing well on the gummy sharks of late, particularly along the 12m line off Werribee South. solid flathead to 45cm and sometimes beyond. Both soft plastics and various flesh baits have been getting the job done on these fine-eating fish.

According to the boys from Hooked on Bait and Tackle, squid have been active from Wyndham Harbour through to Campbells Cove with plenty of boats securing a feed after a few drifts along

the 3-4m line. Further along at Point Cook, the action on the squid has been comparatively slow, but those caught have been of a good size.

ALTONA TO WILLIAMSTOWN Expect plenty of juvenile pinkie snapper on the inshore reefs this month. Most will range in size from barely legal up to about 55cm or 2kg in

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weight, with the odd 5kg+ monster certainly not out of the question. Feeding heavily on mussels, scallops, marine worms and the abundant bait schools, which also seek refuge across the inner reefs at this time of year, pinkie snapper certainly offer some entertaining action in the shallows.

Both the inner and outer drift over the shallow reef in front of Altona Boat Ramp through to the pier can also be highly productive, especially of an evening.

Further around towards the Yarra River, the shallow reef extending from the Time Ball Tower on Battery Road out towards the Gellibrand Shoal marker and across to the Williamstown Football Ground Pavilion is another hot spot. It’s worth noting that the mobile berley trail created by marauding schools of Australian salmon attract all manner of opportunistic

Zoe Hodges admires another lure caught pre-spawn local bream. guts as it falls through the water column. Any sign of birds diving at bait schools is worthy of investigation. The trick is to hang out wider and cast behind all the surface activity where the bits of bashed up bait are still lingering.

YARRA RIVER Massive schools of baitfish have been gradually making their way up the Yarra River. As has been the case over the past few years, juvenile salmon are also thick throughout the lower to middle reaches of the system.

Further upriver, school mulloway to about 80cm have been encountered on soft plastics and blades cast amongst the bridge pylons.

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Small metal blades will be the best bet for lure anglers over the coming months as the resident bream begin to school in the deeper sections of our local estuaries. scavengers, including pinkie snapper.

Provided you can get a soft plastic past the sambos, pinkie snapper are often found lurking below the commotion, mopping up pieces of flesh and

While larger specimens have no doubt been hooked, landing these beasts amongst structure can be a real challenge.

MARIBYRNONG RIVER The Maribyrnong River bream have been getting a

good working over of late with many of the local tournament specialists dropping in between events. At this time of year, the stretch from Edgewater through to the Anglers Tavern is a consistent performer for those pitching lures and soft plastics. The bridge pylons, especially, will be well worth a go this month as the fish generally start to move away from the shallow rocky margins.

Crab imitations have been a standout of late, along with the tried and trusted vibe style offerings and single tailed grubs. For the land-based bait fishers, a fresh supply of mussel or live tube worm should see you amongst the action.

Also on the bite this month, expect pinkie snapper to start showing up on the higher tides. Likewise, school mulloway should continue to be a viable target for both lure and live bait anglers.

WERRIBEE RIVER Whether fishing from a boat or the bank there are plenty of areas to target bream in the Werribee River, from the mouth of the estuary right up to the golf course.

Traditional baits such as Bass yabbies, tube and sand worms are without doubt the most productive baits for the resident bream. These can be collected from nearby beaches at Altona or purchased from some local bait and tackle stores. Live shrimp run a close second, while freshwater yabbies and scrub worms are also effective after a recent down pour. As the water temperature continues to drop and the bream begin to school in the deeper sections of the river, small metal blades will be the best bet for lure anglers.

BEEN FISHING? • Reports and images are most welcome and may be submitted via email to blhodgey@ hotmail.com.

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19

Cool change alters fishing options PORT PHILLIP EAST

Lee Rayner info@fishingfever.com.au

As some serious icy blasts tear across Victoria, it lets you know that winter is on the way. Sure, it means the end of a lot of the fishing, but as the water cools it also makes way for a changing of the guard and the herald of some great winter fishing, especially around this section of the bay.

MORDIALLOC TO BLACK ROCK There has been a steady procession of small squid being caught from Mordialloc and Beaumaris piers over the past few weeks, especially late in the afternoons as the squid move into the shallower water to feed.

Mordialloc Creek has also seen the numbers of mullet starting to increase with the odd good bags of them being taken by the local pole fishers. One tip here if you want to catch the mullet yourself, is to take note of the rigs and how the locals fish for the mullet and you too will be able to catch them without too much trouble.

Out in the boats the whiting are really tapering off as the water cools, however the ones that are still being taken are of better size, the other bonus is the pinkies are starting to fire on the Parkdale pinnacles, and while the majority are smaller fish there is the odd better fish up to about 1.5kg to keep you on your toes.

Up around the old mussel farm in Beaumaris Bay its also the time of year to find some lovely blue spot flathead, with anglers reporting fish up to 48cm in length. In among them are also the ever-present

Left: Now’s a great time to take the kids out for a fish, especially with great fish like flathead getting around. Right: With the water cooling, squid are a great option around the shallows. These are a great target for those who loves sight fishing. pinkies to 40cm, and some very solid red mullet. The easiest way to target them is with plastics such as the Zman 3”minnows in sexy mullet and smokey shad colours, or small vibes. Unlike a lot of other flathead spinning where an aggressively worked plastic gets the bites. A recent session with my kids saw them catching plenty by just lightly jigging the plastics along the bottom.

As an added bonus when the water is clear there has also been some great garfish action off Beaumaris pier and its surrounds.

Up off Ricketts Point and towards Black Rock, the salmon schools have been quite good, and while they aren’t huge fish there are more than enough salmon to 1kg to have you hooting and hollering for a few hours.

To find the salmon look for obvious signs such as the birds diving but also

keep your eyes peeled as there have been days when the salmon are just making to odd swirl or splash on the surface and have no birds on them.

As for the pinkies, along this stretch they too are starting to get better in both numbers and size, although the best catches are definitely on the rougher days, during these conditions there have been good reports of boats taking several pinkies in a session between 43-49cm.

Interestingly, these fish are coming from 2-3m of water on dusk on both lightly weighted stick bait style plastics or unweighted baits of white and blue bait.

For the land-based anglers, the foot path and rock wall that runs north towards Black Rock has been producing good numbers of squid with some of the keener anglers finding squid to almost 1kg on the high tides after dark with large lightly weighted

jigs such as the Evergreen 3.5XS – especially in the brown and gold pattern.

SANDRINGHAM TO ST KILDA With the cooler weather and the winter winds it will stir up the shoreline making the squid and garfish a calm clear water option, but when it blows the shallows are the place to

boat based anglers, with places such as Yorkies Reef and the groynes at Hampton producing fish for those that are willing to go looking for them.

Late last month I also had a few anglers reporting the odd scattered catches of whiting, with the main areas being just north of Brighton through to St Kilda. And

water had a bit off colour after recent rains.

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find some excellent winter pinkie action and if the past weeks are anything to go by then this month should be great.

The last few weeks have seen good land-based an boat fishing all along the Sandringham to Brighton areas with plenty of pinkies in the 30-40cm size.

Adding to the pinkies up in the Sandringham area, when they are on the chew the garfish are still offering anglers some good catches for both shore and

while the numbers of fish may not be huge they are of great size with the average being in the 37-40cm.

ST KILDA TO PORT MELBOURNE While the reports haven’t been thick in this area over the pasty weeks there has been reports of pinkies off a lot of the local piers and the St Kilda breakwall, with one group of anglers reporting some good fishing with pinkies to 42cm during the day when it was rough and the

Either way, this month will also generally see some great pinkie action between the Princess and Station piers, with some often solid pinkies/snapper to 23kg in weight with the best method being to fish floating baits of pilchard and squid after dark, especially if you can get one of those cold calm nights – some will say your crazy, others will envy you, either way, don’t stop fishing now as there are plenty of fish still to catch.

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Winter is crisp, calm and full of promise PORT PHILLIP EAST

Wayne Friebe wfriebe@bigpond.net.au

Sadly, the shorter and colder days are well and truly upon us, and the longer brighter days of the warmer months have been left behind. The cool days have continued this month and we have also been treated to some substantial rainfall. Hopefully the early months of winter will bring the crisp, calm days that make fishing on the south of the bay a rewarding (yet cold) experience.

At this time of year I always tend to be delivering the same motivational message about rugging up and getting amongst the action, but as Victorians we don’t have much choice.

But seriously though, while the days (especially the mornings) can be a little chilly, the middle of the day is often very pleasant.

Shorter daylight hours also tend to produce more condensed and frantic bite windows for some species, as they too will be changing their feeding habits to adjust to their environment or other seasonal influences like spawning, etc.

Specifically, there have still been plenty of encouraging snapper reports from this part of the bay, which is great to see. While no surprise to many, the presence and reliability of winter snapper fishing in PPB is starting to gain some real momentum in the bay amongst the bay’s anglers.

Speaking to some anglers in the know recently, they have

all said that you will catch fewer snapper at this time of year, but they are almost always better quality fish, and have better table qualities as well. These larger solitary snapper tend to be taken from the deeper marks out wide near the channel, and also over the vast mud areas south of Mount Martha.

The winter spin-off for many anglers is also the vast amounts of smaller school fish and pinkies that can be targeted close to, and right amongst the inshore reefs.

These smaller fish are generally in greater numbers, can be located easily on your sounder, and will respond to a variety of methods. They will also readily take soft plastics and other sinking lures, and trolled lures as well. Fishing this way is not only great for anglers of all

Patterson Lakes bream have been responding well to lures and bait. ages and skill levels, but also brings plenty of by-catch into the frame and can make for a very fun day over the cooler months.

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as well, mainly using unweighted plastics in the local creeks and estuaries.

He has landed some nice fish amongst lots of little ones.

Unfortunately, the recent rain and dirty water will slow down the squid, and garfish action in the shallows, but this will return when the water clears. The squid in particular will hold in areas of clean water, and will often school in large numbers. Sometimes they will also move onto deeper reefs as well, so don’t be shy to change things up a bit if you’re on the lookout.

Expect the eastern shores of PPB to really fire up over the next month for salmon as the water cools even more, as well as the local surf beaches.

Recently, I have been following schools moving along the coast, even by car, and meeting up with them at various points along the way. They are easily spotted, and will respond well to a variety of lures and plastics, but you will often need to cast a fair way, so metal lures and sinking stick baits are your best bet. This is even more effective from a boat or kayak in calmer weather, but recent conditions have been more conducive to land-based missions.

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The recent rain that we have received is great for the bay, and really gives the inshore areas and the bay’s food chain in general a good old shot in the arm.

Although the water colour and clarity may be affected for a little while after rain, many species will make the most of the food on offer and really cash in. As a result many of the popular land-based locations can be a real hotspot, especially near the mouths of rivers and substantial drains for a variety of species, especially salmon and other predatory fish.

Specifically, the bream fishing in various locations has kicked up a notch over the last month, especially in the Patterson River. Bait fishing with garden or scrub worms can be very effective when the water is dirty, as well as using vibration style lures or plastics in the same areas and close to structure. There has still been plenty of reports of mulloway in the river as well, particularly amongst the dedicated crew of night live baiters, so be prepared to tangle with something a little bigger as well!

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23

Hot action across the board MORNINGTON PENINSULA

Dan Lee info@peninsulatotaltackle.com.au

The fishing over the last month has been positive across the board. Not one single species has dominated the headlines, there’s been a host of species that have combined to deliver anglers consistent and reliable fishing.

Whiting, squid, gummy shark and salmon have all been caught in good numbers, but there is no doubt that as the weather continues to cool we will see more and more anglers focus on the winter beach scene.

AUSTRALIAN SALMON We have a couple of stalwart beach fishing customers at Compleat Angler and these guys spin our local back beaches year round, proving that Australian salmon are indeed a viable target species all year round. With that said, there are plenty of anglers who choose the winter period to don the waders and head

One of the big cuttlefish taken by Baz and the crew at Southern Sport and Gamefishing Charters. to the back beaches such as Gunnamatta and Portsea to fish for this prolific species.

Through late autumn

we have seen really good quality salmon being caught, with many fish over 50cm, or around that 2kg mark. This

the water early for the most part have been catching their salmon on lures, with dark green colours accounting for plenty of fish. We have a new metal lure that’s recently been released called the Angry Bait, and it has already become popular with spin fishers. We are also finding many anglers keen to rig their lures with small assist hooks, which no doubt provide a stronger hook-up, and helps minimises the fish getting leverage on the hook and dislodging trebled lures.

WHITING Whiting have continued to fish very well over the last month, with the autumn run of fish along the peninsula seeing plenty of anglers catching a good feed of King George whiting. Locally whiting catches should start to wane, but if past years are anything to go by St Leonards should produce plenty of fish during the winter period.

Fish along this section of Bellarine Peninsula are often smaller, in the 28-34cm size range, but what they lack in size they make up for

Big cuttlefish have been everywhere on the peninsula this year. And we have seen the size progress as the months have rolled on. Ben Broomfield shows off a lovely example. is certainly what I would consider to be pretty good fishing considering, and anything that tips the scale above 3kg is a stonker.

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in numbers. On a calm day it is probably a 15-minute run from Sorrento to St Leonards, making it an easy and achieveable trip when the conditions are right.

Tim Fyffe with a nice bag of whiting. The fish will start to congregate at St Leonards through winter. A great place to get an easy feed.

SQUID Through winter, squid are probably the second most reliable species to target. If there is nothing else to do, you can always pick up a squid rod and head to your local pier, or drop the boat in for a quick run, and be confident you will find some squid.

This has definitely been the case recently with reasonable numbers of squid being found in 2-4m of water at Safety Beach, in 6-8m of water at Rosebud and Tootgarook, and around Blairgowrie Marina.

Interestingly, there has been plenty of big cuttlefish caught by those out targeting squid.

Their size has increased from the small cuttlefish that were being caught during summer, with cuttlefish as big as 7kg a regular catch at the moment. At this size they offer a mammoth feed for dinner, and a truckload of bait, depending on your intended use for them.

LOOKING AHEAD The next couple of months would certainly be considered the low in the piscatorial fishing calendar for Victoria. However, over the last half dozen years with the emergence of social media it has been amazing to see that even through this cool, dark period we see a heap of captures that would once have been considered improbable if not impossible.

Last year we saw some makos caught in Bass Strait during June and July, plus a run of other more common species such as snapper. Who knows this year it may be the kingfish that come to fore during winter. Whatever the case, it is as simply as being out there and wetting a line, you never know what you might find.

For more information feel free to drop in and see the boys at Peninsula Compleat Angler, 11 Boneo Road in Rosebud or phone: 03 5981 1994.

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Adam Ring

The wintery conditions have hit us full force and I’m sure many Victorian anglers are beginning to lock their boats up for the winter, however I am here to tell you that it may be worth holding off for at least a couple of more weeks. By no means has the fishing been red hot but there is definitely enough happening to keep us anglers more than interested.

THE TOP END I will open up this month’s report with something that may surprise quite a few anglers. A young man by the name of Nick Smith fished somewhere throughout the top end of the port and landed a monster bronze whaler shark. Now, by monster I mean 2.7m long and weighing 186kg type of monster. It is common knowledge that fish this

big and bigger do reside in Western Port but it still amazes me every time we see a report like this. Well done Nick.

There are still a few land options around as young staff member of Tackle World Cranbourne, Jesse Matthias, has been finding out. Jesse has been putting in a few hours off the beach at Lang Lang and getting stuck into a few late season elephants.

Jesse has been fishing quite

small, for the most part fishing standard whiting rigs, so downsize the baits to tempt these fish when they are tough.

Joes Island has easily been the pick of the areas over the last month and believe it or not it’s the snapper that are dominating proceedings.

Mark Keaveny and mate Scotty had a look around Joes and sounded up a few fish and within a matter of 15 minutes they had a

Top: The boys with their three epic Joes Island snapper.

Above: A sample of the quality calamari on the Tyabb Bank.

nice red in the boat before conditions got a bit dirty and they made their way in.

The snapper catch of the month has to go to 3 local anglers by the name of Simon, Steve and Billy.

They also spent a few hours around Joes Island and returned with three epic snapper. They weighed in a 5.9kg, a 6.7kg and a monster 7.2kg fish in the same session. I wouldn’t mind that in the middle of November let alone when

it’s freezing cold! These fish come on fresh yakka and squid, so keep it fresh people and you shall reap the rewards!

THE NORTH ARM It’s calamari time in the north arm people! The squid fishing has been pretty insane and there are some right beasts amongst them. The Tyabb Bank has a rather nice sprinkling of calamari over it at the moment with squid to 1.8kg being taken quite regularly.

Squid of this size has a hood of roughly 38-40cm and, these days, most are taken on artificial jigs.

Don’t be afraid to think big when it comes to your lures. Size 3.0 to 4.0 size jigs are the go and either white/lighter natural colours on the clear days and red/darker colours on the more overcast usually bring on the better results.

Nick Smith with his massive 186kg bronzie.

We still cannot discount the old baited jig though, still to this day the biggest squid I have seen have come on baited jigs.

Silver whiting, yakkas and tommies are the best baits, so don’t mince up the old snapper baits just yet!

Up on the Tyabb Bank isn’t the only place to get a calamari. Peter Ferguson has been up on the Middle Spit and finding some really nice squid along with a few large cuttlefish which is a cracker of a by-catch.

The whiting have been really quite patchy but there has been some really good catches still taking place, which is making it hard to completely

write the whiting off for another season. The most notable catch came from locals Athen and Michael Lazaris who had one of those sessions where they couldn’t do a thing wrong.

It didn’t matter what bait they put down, they had fish on it straight away.

They finished with their bag of whiting in no time and couldn’t believe how red hot the action was, well done fellas!

Like I mentioned earlier, it’s getting really cold and winter is well and truly on our doorstep but I hope the above reports inspire a few people to keep their boat in the water.

Good luck, stay warm and keep the reports coming!

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Landlubbers brave the cold WESTERN PORT STH

Jarrod Day jarrodday@iprimus.com.au

From all its glory just a few weeks ago, Western Port quickly put on the brakes as the water temperature took a dive. Those fabulous summer species have now well and truly gone, although there is the odd handful of winter whiting getting about.

For those wanting to get into the winter whiting action, limited locations will produce the goods. This means working around tidal locations such as Cleeland Bight, Flinders and Cat Bay. Of course, these fish are hard to find at the best of times but a little berley won’t go astray.

Whiting aside, it is the time to concentrate on those cool water species and if you’re capable of sticking out when the rains fall sideways and the cyclonic winds blow, you’re in for a treat. What I like best about the winter period is that there is very few other boats on the water meaning you practically have the entire Port to yourself.

I am hopeful this winter season is like the last few have been, and by that I mean with the exceptional run of snapper. So far, it is looking like it will be with fish to 5kg already being taken. Brett Cunningham managed to catch that quality fish while fishing from Sandy Point. Ian Walker and Wayne Phipps caught a lovely snapper off Corinella that measured 67cm and was caught on fresh squid and cuttlefish, which they caught the previous day.

Other snapper have also been caught around Corinella as well as off Observation Point and at the Corals.

During the next month or so, winter snapper fishing will be a popular affair, and so long

as you’re happy to pick the weather and brave the cold, you too might find yourself a quality red.

For those who don’t want to put in the time and effort in targeting snapper, the regular hoards of salmon will infect the Port with their presence. In saying that, they already have with an abundance of salmon hoarding up schools of baitfish in the Tankerton and Stony Point regions.

of the action.

Another highly prized winter species is the gummy shark and although you won’t often encounter a monster, there are plenty of smaller males about during this time. Most of the gummies being caught average around 8kg and tend to be caught in the shallower, more tidal channels of the Port. Throughout winter, I find Rhyll, Coronet Bay,

LAND-BASED OPTIONS Although boating on the Port is good fun throughout winter, Land-based angling takes priority for a lot of anglers mainly due to the unpredictable weather conditions.

Stony Point has been quite a popular land-based platform to fish from throughout winter with garfish, salmon, silver trevally and the odd gummy shark being caught. Last month, local angler Cameron Peters managed a fair catch of calamari while fishing into the night. Fishing the high tide with a bait jig, he caught 8 calamari under the pier lights.

Yellow-eye mullet have also been a regular catch for those fishing the last of the run-out tide around 20m past the old pole ruins.

Berley is a must with a paternoster rig ideal to fish the bottom in the easing current.

Further south, the Corinella Pier has been producing some nice gummy sharks on the top of the flood tides. Though it can be cold, providing you rug up and fish big oily baits, you’ll do well.

A little further up the Port, I continue to promote the quality of the fishing from Stockyard Point and when I was a young rookie, it was all about gummy sharks, bronze whalers, seven-gillers and elephants. Well, it seems that even some 25 years

Bazz displays a nice elephant from Stockyard Point, which took a squid strip. This location is a low tide fishery only so get your timing right. on, nothing has changed. I received an awesome report not long ago from Matt Cini’s nephew ‘Bazza Mate’. Bazz that he was fishing with his mates during the low tide at Stockyard and managed to get stuck into quite a number of quality elephants. The boys fished a running sinker rig and found squid strip baits to be a hot favourite.

Duane Welson also had success at Stockyard with this nice elephant.

The Western Entrance has also seen huge schools of salmon rounding up baitfish and those armed with light tackle and an array of soft plastics and metal slugs have been having a blast. Keep in mind;: these fish have been more active on the tide changes with the high tide change proving to see most

Corinella and Stony Point produces a lot of quality fish but if you’re after the lager models you’ll have to contend with fishing off Balnarring, Point Leo and in the Western Entrance. Don’t think it will be easy though.

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Baited jigs are deadly on calamari both when landbased and when fishing from a boat. This method of fishing for calamari is also productive when using berley and setting the float back in the trail.

Calamari have also been quite a popular land-based species with the San Remo Jetty really producing the goods. Anglers fishing the high tide with both baited jigs and artificial jigs have been cleaning up. Angler Joshua Anderson fished one afternoon and managed 6 calamari, which fell to baited jig suspended under a float.

One of the things I really like about fishing in June is that you really do have the Port to yourself. It is a great time to do some research and learn about the Port finding where fish hold in the winter. For a lot of anglers, fishing in the cold doesn’t appeal but I’d rather be the one making the reports than the one sitting back in the lounge room reading about it on social media.

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Summer species still abundant but salmon are near NINETY MILE BEACH

Will Thompson allwaysangling@bigpond.com

We are just about into June and we are still seeing great reports of the most sought-after summer and autumn species, such as the humble gummy shark being taken off the surf in big numbers.

It feels as if the season is a touch late this year.

Summer was almost non-existent and the fishing poor, however, the fishing is now red hot and plenty of gummy sharks to 1.3m are being caught, despite most anglers thinking it is all over.

The Golden Beach end of the Ninety Mile is

producing mega amounts of gummies of an evening, especially during the end of the run-in and the start of the run-out tides. Anglers using squid, blue bait and eel are having all the success.

I thought by now the salmon would be well and truly here, but we are still only seeing modest amounts caught. However the salmon that have been caught are all over a 1kg.

If the season is a bit late, I expect this month to be huge for chasing those massive salmon that the Ninety Mile Beach is famous for in winter. It will definitely be worth getting the spin sticks out and throwing around some metal lures.

The elephant sharks

Left: Justin Shankland with another good sized gummy shark caught in May off the Ninety Mile.

It seems the gummies are hanging around longer and longer each year. Right: Brad with a nice 1.5kg salmon caught at McGaurans Beach on bluebait – it’s time to get out the spin rods! have still been present in big numbers and squid seems to be the best bait for them. All are being caught after dark

at both ends of Ninety Mile.

• For more information, contact Will at Allways Angling in Traralgon on

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Plenty of chances at Phillip Island PHILLIP ISLAND

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The author with an elephant fish caught at Golden Beach using squid strips.

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Winter is upon us once again and it seems like the older you get the quicker the seasons pass.

I know that a lot of anglers tend to put their boats and fishing gear away when the cold weather arrives, but there are still plenty of fish to be caught during the winter months.

Now is the best time to target trout in our many impoundments, bream in our estuaries and rivers, and Australian salmon of one our many surf beaches. So don’t stow your gear away and become a couch potato.

Get out there and expand your horizons, stay active, change tactics and enjoy the new fishing adventures or area has to offer.

SURF BEACHES Most of the surf beaches are producing fish up to 1kg at present with some reports of 2kg fish coming in from Woolamai and Gunnamatta Beaches. Quite a few anglers are having great success with strips of chicken breast soaked in tuna oil.

BELOW THE BRIDGE Well it was an almost non-existent season for makos with very few reported captures. At least the kingies were around in better sizes and numbers and those in the know managed a few good fish. There’s still

some reasonable flathead off the Glasshouse along with arrow squid and couta.

Cleeland’s Bight has seen reasonable bags of calamari, with a few extra large specimens being caught.

ABOVE THE BRIDGE The San Remo jetty has been fishing well for land-based anglers chasing squid. While there is still the odd whiting about in Dickie’s Bay, Leola Shoal and Reef Island, you have

to move around a bit to find them in any great numbers.

The whiting have all but disappeared from the top end of the bay so we can only hope that next season will be better as the one that we’ve just had was well below par. The fishing was good up until December then it really dropped off both in terms of size and numbers.

The same can be said for snapper in both Western Port and Port Phillip where

the bigger fish were around for a much shorter period of time.

FLINDERS AREA The odd gummy shark is being caught off Point Leo, while whiting are few and far between.

The upside though is that when you do find the whiting they are quality fish. The best reports have been coming off Balnarring and around ‘The Breakers’.

Glenn Porter with an elephant caught off Lysharts.

Winter wonderland at Welshpool WELSHPOOL

Alan McFayden amcsayte@bigpond.net.au

Winter is starting to show its hand as we move towards the middle of the year, with water temperatures dropping and a distinct chill in the air becoming the norm.

The summer season just gone was hit and miss on the angling front, with mixed reports the pattern for much of summer. Patches of activity did occur and have continued to do so recently and just prior to putting together this report I heard of a crew of anglers who decided to try their luck outside the entrance fishing large baits for whatever might come along. As it turned out they were in luck as a very hungry bronze whaler shark made an appearance and after a long battle was landed much to the delight of the crew. The big fish weighed 200kg and tipped the tape measure at 2.8m.

The same area has been producing good numbers of salmon, gummies and flathead, and anglers who have made the effort have been well rewarded. Salmon have been caught near the surface on a variety of lures, while flathead

are taking a variety of natural baits on the bottom.

The entrance has also been worth a visit when conditions have allowed. I received a report that Horrie Jacob and a mate decided to try their luck on a cold, windless, flat calm day. They moved around for a while for no result and then decided to have a look at the

Lewis Channel. After an initial quiet period they hit a purple patch and were rewarded with a quality bag of fish to 32cm in length, all caught on pipis.

There was a bit more excitement towards the end of the day, and at the end of a tough battle a large gummy shark was wrestled to the side of the boat. Regretfully a

Whiting like these have been caught inside the entrance at Port Albert.

missed gaff shot and broken line saw the gummy find its freedom. While disappointed with the missed opportunity, they realised the fish was more than likely a female in pup.

There have been reports of a late run of whiting in the Lewis Channel, and with any sort of luck this should continue. Silver trevally, flathead and good size mullet are also being caught, with pipis, squid and small strips of mullet proving the gun baits.

Franklin has been reasonable where good size flathead and gummies had been caught at the time of this report but the snapper have been a bit on the quiet side.

The jetties have been worth a visit with best catches coming on a run in tide on the eastern side of the jetties. The so called resident fish such as mullet, silvers, flathead have been in fairly good numbers, but for the benefit of those not familiar be careful as sudden wind bursts can blow equipment over the side and into the water never to be seen again.

A short distance to the east is Port Albert. A productive area during summer, Port Albert has slowed as the weather has cooled. Nonethe-less the jetties are still

This happy crew caught a 200kg bronze whaler shark off Port Welshpool and was 2.8m long. worth a visit on the run in tide. Rob Killury who runs the general store always has an up to date angling report, and is more than happy to share this information anglers visiting the area. Rob reports that the

fishing has been great, with whiting in particular found in good size and numbers. Still inside the entrance there have been good numbers of flathead being caught as well as silver trevally, mullet and gummies.

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Flathead and pinkies make visit worthwhile where they have been to the magical 50cm mark.

In the same area there are also good size silvers and flathead being caught at low water on the run-out tide.

The area is well named as there is plenty of underwater furniture. When a fish is hooked it is a very good idea to get it up as soon as possible as these fish seem to be well educated and will head straight for the woodwork and, if they make it there, it has every chance to win the battle.

Outside the entrance there have been some positive reports but fish, such as makos, have been very scarce but out wide there have been good numbers of gummies and school sharks being bagged as far as Cape Paterson. School sharks have also been in good numbers and with any sort of luck they should continue to put a smile on boaters’ faces.

There have also been good numbers of flathead

INVERLOCH

Alan McFayden amcsayte@bigpond.net.au

The ever-growing area of fishing continues to make a visit to Inverloch well worthwhile.

When conditions outside the entrance have allowed, there have been quality gummies being caught on squid, pilchards and fish fillets, preferably fresh.

Good size flathead and pinkies are also being bagged with quality whiting in the same area for those who know where to look. This is where Bass yabbies have been the best of the baits along with pipis and strips of pilchards doing the job.

Back inside the entrance, boaters have had a bit of a battle to find whiting as far up as the snags, but when one is hooked up it will usually be of very good quality.

The snags, especially, is the place for whiting

A group of regular visitors to Mahers Landing after enjoying a day out on the water. being caught on a variety of baits such as pilchards, squid and mullet fillets.

In closer, for those who know where to look, there have been very good size whiting being caught where Bass yabbies have been the

standout bait. These can be caught at low tide on the sand bars at places like the Screw Creek mouth at Inverloch.

Pipis and small strips of pilchards are also not bad alternatives. Pilchards seem to be a deterrent as far as

toad fish are concerned, possibly to their high oil content but it doesn’t really matter as long as they work.

Boaters have been doing well outside the entrance where they have been travelling around as far as the breakers at Venus Bay. This is where salmon are in good numbers along with quality flathead and pinkies making the effort well worthwhile.

Information from the caravan park at Shallow Inlet that is run by Andrew and Karen Starrett is that the water is a bit on the cool side. The whiting have been a bit scarce but there have been good numbers of silvers taking their place and have been of very good size.

There have also been quite a few salmon being caught butthey’ve been a bit small. Nevertheless, there are still enough well over size, which makes them great on the table. For best results they should be bled

and placed on ice.

There are also good numbers of flathead being caught but they too are not all that big. The fish are taking a variety of baits and are being caught on both sides of the tides.

Around about this time each year, there are large schools of salmon that are often in excess of the 4kg mark that will test the best of boaters whether they are fishing with baits or lures.

When hooked up they will put on a very impressive performance.

For the benefit of those not familiar with this area, there aren’t any boat ramps constructed on either side of the inlet. There are, however, firm areas of sand where boats can be launched but it is a good idea to seek local advice before launching. If you are not sure, the soft sand can be embarrassing and very expensive as a visiting crew found out the hard way early on in the year.

VR Fish Update

Trout cod fishing to provide tourism boost VRFish, the peak body representing recreational fishers in Victoria has welcomed the opportunity to provide comment on the proposed opening of recreational trout cod fisheries at Lake Kerferd and Lake Sambell near Beechworth in North East Victoria.

In recent decades, State and Commonwealth governments along with recreational anglers have started to rebuild trout cod populations through stocking and habitat restoration efforts.

Recreational licence fees have been used to stock trout cod into these lakes since 2008 with the intention of creating a put and take fishery for anglers to catch, as opposed to a self-sustaining population.

This proposal is an outcome of the National Trout Cod Recovery Plan and is one of the key initiatives of the Andrews

Government Target one million policy.

VRFish General Manager, Dallas D’Silva said, “This will be a great outcome for recreational fishers and the fishing related tourism benefits will be significant – we have received calls from interstate fishers that can’t wait to catch a trout cod from these stocked fisheries.”

Trout cod are threatened in the river systems and will remain closed to recreational fishers. Importantly, these stocked impoundments will not impact wild populations and controls are proposed to ensure the resource is shared between fishers.

In partnership with Native Fish Australia, VRFish ran a survey of fishers about their expectations for the fishery.

This information showed fishers would love to be able to go out and catch trout cod and take their kids fishing (most of whom may never have seen or caught a trout cod before). Fisher responses

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also indicate that the key objective for the fishery should be the continued recovery of the trout cod populations.

The survey information has been used by Fisheries Victoria, who are now seeking feedback on a suite of proposed management arrangements. The controls include a minimum size limit of 40cm, a maximum size limit of 50cm and a catch and possession limit of one fish per angler.

Close of comment on the proposals is 18 May. VRFish will be providing a submission based on feedback from our members at the State Council meeting on 16 May. For more information on VRFish visit our Facebook page or our website.

2015/2016 BUDGET A WINNER FOR REC FISHING VRFish, the peak body representing recreational fishers in Victoria would like to congratulate the Andrews Government for demonstrating its commitment to recreational fishing by allocating $20 million in the new State Budget.

VRFish was excited to join the Minister for Agriculture, Jaala Pulford MP at Casey Fields on Saturday 2nd of May, who announced the $20 million dollars of new and additional funding over 4 years. The announcement was reinforced in the State

One of 200 2-year old rainbow trout released recently at Casey Fields.

Budget released recently by the Treasurer and is a significant initial investment towards the $35 million Target one million policy.

VRFish Chairman, Russell Conway said, “It’s the single biggest one off investment in recreational fishing in Victoria.

Victoria’s 721,000 adult recreational fishers say thank you to the Minister for Agriculture, Jaala Pulford. ” It is important fishers

understand this money is not coming from revenue raised by our recreational fishing licence (RFL) fees. The Target one million policy is a $35 million program and the announcement will go a long way to ensuring current and future projects and services delivered by the RFL Trust are preserved.

Dallas D’Silva, VRFish General Manager who attended a special Budget Lock-Up Briefing yesterday,

added, “We are delighted the new Government has not only listened to fishers, but has come up with meaningful strategies to restore the funding balance. We look forward to a future commitment for the remaining $15 million of investment to fully implement the Target 1 million policy.”

The funding will kick off the commercial netting buyback in Port Phillip Bay and Corio Bay that is to be phased out over 8 years. It will also boost fish stocking to 5 million fish per year, improve boat-launching infrastructure and support better access to waterways.

Improving access for fishers is one of our highest priorities and there is a pressing need for greater investment in this area.

Other initiatives advocated for by VRFish that will be delivered include new a children fishing program to teach the next generation responsible fishing behaviours, a grant program to support angling clubs and an expansion of the internationally recognised angler diary program.

On Saturday 200 large rainbow trout were released at Casey Fields and it was terrific to see the local residents catch the 2-year old rainbow trout within 15 minutes of their release.

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Estuaries coming to life LAKES ENTRANCE

Frank Milito

Offshore, the last month has been very productive out from Lakes Entrance with a huge range of species on offer, but you would have to say the marlin run during March-April was by far the standout for the summer season.

OFFSHORE A couple of good mates of mine and avid marlin hunters Greg ‘Burto’ Burton and Russel ‘String’ Stringer managed to angle some impressive totals of striped marlin starting around 70km from the heads at lakes between the Halibut and Fortescue platforms and some days as far as 90km towards Mackerel Platform.

The lads tell me the go-to method was skip baiting (slow trolling dead baits on the surface) with small striped tuna or larger slimy mackerel their bait of choice.

It’s certainly been a great year for the snapper with some thumping 8-10kg reds being reported and that most of the marks around 38-42m have produced consistent bags of mixed pinkies and snapper this season using pilchards, squid and school whiting for bait.

The only negatives that I’ve encountered so far this season is the vast schools of spiky gurnard that seem to appear from nowhere right in the midst of a hot snapper bite.

The couta have been prolific in spots around the outer reef area also and as most anglers know they can prove to be costly on the gear due to their razor sharp teeth,

so usually after I’ve boated a couple for fresh bait I’m off in search of a new location to fish.

The gummies have also fished very well this year most in closer ground of around 16-24m with great reports of 6-8kg specimens and the odd bigger one around 10-12kg.

I prefer to anchor when chasing gummies and rely on a berley trail to attract them in numbers. The facts are that I’ve seen gummies caught on a range of baits over the years from fresh squid, pilchards and whiting right through to dam yabbies, believe it or not, but I would have to say that a fresh fillet of couta is hard to

beat and definitely my go-to confidence bait by far.

THE ESTUARY The deepening of the Lakes Entrance has certainly not pleased everyone but as far as anglers are concerned this season at Lakes has coincided with a big run of mixed whiting species, which are still running at the moment.

Silver, King George and yellowfin whiting have all been reported in various forms from the Cunningham Arm right through the Reeves Channel to Metung. A variety of baits including fresh mussel, peeled prawn and beach worm have been the go-to bait and you

A cracking 89cm dusky flathead caught from Lake Tyres.

Burto and String managed some impressive captures of striped marlin from around 70km from the heads at lakes between the Halibut and Fortescue platforms and, some days, even further. can also expect red gurnard, yellow fin bream and yellow mullet added to the mixed.

The run-out tide early or late in the day has definitely been the best producer.

Over the last decade Lake Tyres has boomed in popularity, and this year has been no exception with big numbers of people visiting the area in search of bream and flathead.

By all reports and through my own experience Tyres has been a real challenge to get consistent good bags from the last 2-3 months even when good numbers of fish are showing on the sounder.

The theory amongst most local anglers I speak with is that the larger volume of people visiting the area is starting to educate the fish due to the higher incidence of catch and release.

There’s probably some truth in that theory but more than likely it’s a combination

of events including the fact that the lake has abundant seagrass bed, which provide an excellent habitat for the fish to hide once the traffic heat up during the middle part of the day.

One thing that a lot of local C&R anglers are certain of is the new dusky flathead slot limit is starting to have a positive impact and we are starting to see a higher incidence of big female lizard coming out to play!

For the lure anglers the lake provides a great challenge to position your cast right along the weed edge, drop-off and points for best results. You should also try and get there as early as possible.

The bait crew can really use the weed edge to their

advantage by anchoring in close toward the bank and flicking lightly weight baits of local prawn or cubes of pilchard just back out along the weed edge. Cut crab is also producing some really big bream. A handful of berley thrown to the same location prior to casting can also prove valuable.

Some really great news for Tyres is that I have started to see small populations of 28-35cm estuary perch Hopefully with the regrowth of the seagrass beds, which is crucial to larval fish survival, connected to the right at amount of rain fall we may start to see a natural replenishment of the iconic sport fish over the coming decade, fingers-crossed.

Pack your winter woolies BEMM RIVER

Robyn Sturgess

Welcome to winter and the official opening of the ‘bream’ season.

Autumn certainly threw out an enormous amount of challenges regarding the weather. There was an amazing amount of rainfall along with gale force winds that continued throughout March and April, which then created the situation where the entrance had to be opened on April 11.

Anglers have had to work hard for their catches during this time. A lot of freshwater has been coming down the river from the mountains.

In the past few weeks bream have definitely come on the chew. Some of these fish weighed in over 1.5kg and were taking hardbodied lures and vibes.

32

JUNE 2015

Trevally and tailor are also on the lookout for these lures and can give you a lot of excitement when first hooked up. Hot spot locations have been Sibiera, below the old Post Office, Bobs Bay and now moving into the early parts of the river. The channel always produces a variety of fish even on the worse days.

The winter sunny mornings have seen some magic salmon caught off the surf beaches. You do need to get up early, brave the cold and be there by sunrise.

All in all this is leading into a pretty good winter so pack your woollies, fingerless gloves and get on down to the Bemm.

Finish off a great day’s fishing sitting around the wood heater and having a coldie and a bit of ‘BS’ with the locals and our publicans at the Bemm River Hotel.

• For on the spot and up to date fishing reports check

Rob Morgan with some nice bream. This month should produce some very decent specimens. out Robyn’s website: www. bemmaccommodation.com. au or ‘like’ us on Facebook – Bemm River Holiday

Accommodation Phone: (03) 5158 4233/Mob. 0427 584 233 Email: bemmaccomm@ bigpond.com.

Daniel caught this cod on a Bassman Spinnerbait with a nice slow roll retrieve in the Murray River.

The weather wasn’t great with a gloomy forecast and heavy rain at some points of the trip.

Busy with bream and flathead GIPPSLAND LAKES

Brett Geddes b.geddes@bigpond.com

With the bream fishing so busy anglers have come out of the woodwork to chase them.

I’ve met so many anglers on the water that I haven’t seen in years! With recent rainfall the rivers are flowing just nicely, which should also rev up the early winter fishing.

It’s business as usual for the Gippy Lakes and I’m ever so glad we missed those cyclonic East Coast lows that poor NSW got. Flood events like that in this area can shut the fishing down for a few months or more. We certainly dodged a bullet there because those systems will often push down into east Victoria and drown us right out.

FLATHEAD ARE BACK Duskies are always a welcome sight in these parts.

At the moment good numbers of flatties are showing up around Metung, the Mitchell flats, Duck Arm and even better numbers as far west as Hollands Landing and Lake Wellington. The lower Mitchell River will continue to produce a nice run of flatties, especially from the Grassy Banks down to The Cut. The Nicholson will

Yeee-ouch! Just moments after taking a photo, the bream shakes free from my hold and somehow gets a lure stuck into my leg. Not good! be holding flathead from the highway bridge down to the entrance.

When flathead numbers are up it means the Gippy Lakes are in good order and we are starting to see the real benefit of the slot limit sizes and also the bag limit of 5 fish per person. Every angler I talk to has commented on how big the duskies are getting and they are certainly surprised about how many they hook.

Most of the flathead have measured from 38-50cm and the odd longer fish to 70cm

have also turned up. As usual, blades and soft plastics are hooking most of the dusky flathead and where you find a few flatties be sure to cover the surrounding area very thoroughly because the duskies are a schooling fish. While fishing most of the above locations, I have pulled in about 10 or even 20 flathead while chasing bream with heavy soft plastics and blades. So they are more of a by-catch and if I targeted flatties alone, I bet my tally could probably double.

BLACK BREAM As usual the bream have provided challenges with their wicked ways but then some days they reward us and eat lures or bait without too much trouble at all. One thing for sure, on any given day they have not been on the chew for long.

Sometimes they bite early in the morning only and then shut down for the rest of the day! Other sessions have seen anglers hook all their fish between 9am and 1pm.

Yet other people tell me the bream are busy taking shrimp baits for 15 minutes and then refusing to eat again until an hour later, no matter what you throw at them.

The truth is this; we love catching bream because they always provide the ultimate challenge. Over the last few weeks I have found them taking soft plastics down very deep in the snags or even out in the middle of the river and totally ignoring all my favourite hardbodies. We have had to use very heavy jigheads around 5g to get down to the fish. I’m now starting to see more and more bream chasing blades and as the water temperatures drop even more over the next month or so, deep water options will start

A fat 42cm bream ready for release, caught on a Selzer K-plunk lure. producing a lot more bream.

Already I’m putting modest tallies of 10 or maybe 20 bream while blading in 3-5m. But the stand out lure has been the 2.5” Z-Man GrubZ. The best colours seem to be chartreuse and motor-oil with violent sparkle the real standout.

I watched Anthony Havers pull in 22 bream recently and his best fish went a whopping 46cm – it looked like a bronzed snapper! All of the fish he pulled in smashed a violent sparkle grub. During another session I got 34 bream to 44cm and Havo pulled in 40 bream to 42cm and all of those fish ate the Z-Man GrubZ. WHERE TO CHASE BREAM The Tambo continues to

hold huge numbers of bream at the moment and it pays to experiment with a range of methods when using lure or bait and try different times of the day. The fish are there to be caught but cracking their cranky code will take perseverance.

The upper Nicholson always fires at this time of year and although the bream numbers are not up with last year it is always worth a look, especially with surface lures.

Lake Victoria, the Straits and eastern parts of Lake Wellington have been holding some of the best fish in the whole lake’s system. But be quick because winter rains are not far away and this hot bream bite can shut down over night.

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Great fishing after a good flush MARLO

Jim McClymont mcclymont@net-tech.com.au

The cold weather has moved in and lots of rain from the east coast low that has devastated some parts of NSW costal regions was falling consistently last month, and with the rainfall the rivers will begin to rise and move huge volumes of water throughout the whole of the Snowy River and Brodribb River estuary system.

The swollen rivers are directing raging torrents down through the estuary and out to the ocean taking and with it all the debris that has built up over the summer months giving the estuary a much needed flush that will scour the sand bars and deepen the entrance. With the deep entrance, huge volumes of water will allow big schools of fish to move in with the tides and signal a renewal as the estuary restocks and becomes once again a pristine fishing destination.

The estuary is fishing very well with the winter run of bream already moving through out the whole system and with them trevally, luderick, mullet, salmon and tailor are re-establishing themselves in the system.

Our surf beaches fish

well all year with plenty of salmon, tailor, flathead, mullet and shark. Anglers have good results bait fishing using blue bait, white bait, pilchards, pipis and squid always accompanied with a popper.

Other anglers prefer to use light gear and spin with metal lures.

Offshore, the kingfish are harder to find and I can speak from experience. A good friend of mine Peter Kurrle was good enough to take another friend Colin Austin and myself on a fishing outing specifically to capture kingfish. We had reports of good size kings being caught on Tamboon Reef, a 35km trip form Cape Conran boat ramp. As we travelled we scanned the ocean for signs of baitfish with no luck. On arriving

There are endless flats and backwaters to explore and fish in Marlo. we trolled in close for salmon or any live bait we might capture, resulting in one tailor and a barracouta, not a very good start. We proceeded to live bait with the skippy and troll with the end result nil. After several hours we decided there were no kingfish so

we headed home.

We had only travelled a few kilometres when we met another boat going up to the reef, after telling them

Will Thompson allwaysangling@bigpond.com

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our story they continued to the reef and we went home empty-handed, and as you could guess when they arrived at the reef kingfish were breaking up everywhere, that’s fishing.

The fishing is still very good for the anglers who prefer to baitfish, and there are plenty of flathead, pinkie snapper, squid, barracouta, morwong and gummy shark on the chew.

Cracker kingfish craze MCLOUGHLINS

Find a drop-off and you never know what you might catch.

The boat ramp and jetty at Marlo is not only a safe place to launch a boat, but a popular land-based fishing location.

We have been very fortunate to this season to have a cracker on everyone’s favourite pelagic, the yellowtail kingfish and with good water temps, hopefully they don’t disappear anytime soon.

Just when a lot of anglers had packed up their boats thinking the season was finished (it never finishes by the way), the yellowtail kingfish numbers just seemed to stay strong. Despite a drop in water temperature inside our estuaries, the average temperature offshore had stayed around the 17°C mark meaning we still had good schools of bait out wide and plenty of kingfish and even rumours of the odd tuna as well.

Over the last few months I had caught stacks of kingies on knife jigs, so this month

or using the sounder to find bait schools.

We were lucky and had some of the best fishing I’ve ever had stumbling upon schools of bait that had been rounded up by schools of kingfish and we were able to throw small to medium size stickbaits and poppers at the kings. For those who don’t know, a stickbait is a floating lure usually with a rounded face unlike a popper that usually had a cup shaped face and displaces heaps of water when jerked or retrieved. A stickbait usually has a unique action often referred too as walking the dog where it zig-zags across the surface of the water looking like a wounded or scared baitfish.

These worked a treat and we have managed to catch plenty of kings using these lures. The hardest part has been finding the fish, but once you find them, they really seem to love these lures.

The offshore fishing has been quite good, yet the

catch any out wider, however I find they normally move out a bit deeper as the water cools and you need to drift to find them.

Inside Port Albert, the whiting were very hit and miss with anglers catching more undersized whiting than legal ones, however there was a run of big whiting caught at McLoughlins and Manns Beach.

We should really be setting ourselves up for the big salmon. We have just started to see a few on the surf in excess of 2kg and it won’t be long until they start coming inside.

We normally get a good run of trevally and tailor mixed in as well, so it’s definitely going to be worth taking some small metal slugs and large soft plastics down there and fishing the entrances on the run-in tide.

• For more information, contact Will at Allways Angling in Traralgon on 5174 8544. You will get

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Kingfish on stickbaits, it doesn’t t get any better. We managed good numbers of kingies to 80cm using surface lures while chasing birds around.

SHORT SLEEVE • LONG SLEEVE • HOODIES Carl Jocumsen

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I really wanted to use more surface lures such as stickbaits and poppers. To do this, the fishing was a little trickier and we had to do much more kilometres in the boat searching for signs of bird life

pinkies are now dropping off and are being replaced by those annoying rock cod or ling as some people mistakenly call them. The flathead on my last trip were on the 20m line and we didn’t

expert advice and great deals on fishing, bait and tackle. Tune into Rex Hunt and Lee Rayner’s “Off the Hook” on 1242 to hear Will’s report on what’s going on in Gippsland!

Hot Spot

Fishing heaven: head to Weipa CRANBOURNE

Mitch Chapman

If you looked up God’s country in the dictionary, there would only be one word. Weipa. Weipa is a fishing heaven for any novice or serious angler.

It is the mecca for inshore sports fishing You can tangle with barra and jacks up the creeks then head out wide for big pelagics and billfish. A must do is look up Weipa Sports Fishing and organize a trip with Lee Hodgetts. If you want a trip of a lifetime, a trip with the boys from Weipa Sports Fishing in Cape York should be on the bucket list for every single person. It will be the time of your life.

PRIME TIME There is no bad time to fish Weipa in the ‘fishing season’. It can become a bit difficult in the wet season but from March through to Late November, the fishing is up there is World Class.

People travel from all over the world to fish this destination, and each month can provide remarkable fishing for a huge variety of species.

THE GEAR You could do a 5-day trip and cover all species with only 3 combos. A 6-10kg baitcaster outfit with 30lb braid is ideal for barra fishing the creeks. A 3000

species such as GTs and sailfish. The beauty about Weipa is that you can use the same outfit and cover a huge amount of species without having to spend an arm and a leg on tackle.

Barra love shallow diving hardbodies such as Gold Bombers and Lucky Craft Pointers.

If heading offshore, then bigger plastics with heavy jigheads and metal slugs are

Just another rod buckling over as a bait ball continues to get smashed in the background!

Barramundi are on every visiting anglers’ mind, and the creeks up here are full of them! sized outfit on a 5-8kg spin rod can be doubled up for creek and inshore sports fishing. A larger 50lb outfit would be good to for bigger pelagics and larger offshore

BAIT AND LURES Lures for Weipa again changes with what you want to target. You could take thousands up but a few favourites are as follows:

ideal for all species. Again, speak with the guides before going up and see what’s hot and what’s not.

BEST METHOD Listen to the guides.

If they tell you to put this lure on and cast to that spot, then do it. The guys have a knack and know the waters that well, they will have you believing that they know every fish by name. I can’t speak highly enough on their knowledge and skill and they go above and beyond to put you onto fish.

MOTHER NATURE When fishing Weipa, no matter what time of the year, it always pays to be sun smart. Long sleeve shirts, buffs, hats and plenty of sunscreen is needed. You’re in the tropics and you can be burnt up there pretty easy within minutes.

HOT TIP There is only one name that you need to know. Weipa Sports Fishing. Weipa Sports Fishing is owned by Lee Hodgetts and is one of the best operation that you will find, not only on the Cape, but Australia Wide.

Lee, Wade and the crew come highly recommended by anyone that has been up there, hence why I keep going back, making this my 9th trip! It’s a trip I do annually.

Look them up on www. weipasportsfishing.com.au or give Lee a call on 0431 427 129. Once you go, I guarantee you’ll be back.

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Western Port’s land-based treasure chest based fishing in Western Port than I have ever endured. Gummies are an opportunistic feeder and will move into shallow water to search for food. Gummies do like lurking around soft mud flats where they can easily snaffle a rogue crab or decaying fish.

More active in their feeding patterns on the lead up to a full moon, anglers really have to do

WESTERN PORT STH

Jarrod Day jarrodday@iprimus.com.au

Land-based fishing is where many anglers began their fishing careers. Soaking a stinky old prawn on the end of the pier seems to be a common trend amongst many anglers today. Even though some migrate into boats, kayaks and other watercraft, a lot still continue to soak a bait on a pier or flick a lure off a sandy beach.

There is no doubt that land-based fishing is challenging, but with an understanding of the species being targeted, you can greatly increase your chances at success. Landbased fishing is a lot of fun and while some anglers spend countless hours perched on a rock ledge in hope of catching a trophy specimen, some anglers just want to catch something worth eating.

Western Port certainly has both on offer but you just need to know where to look. Although heading to the nearest pier or jetty is easy, you are not always going to catch something worth taking home.

When it comes to being

successful from a land-based location, it is imperative you do a little research. Learning about the area is a good start and this can be done by scanning over Google Earth on your smart phone, tablet or laptop. Google Earth can give you a great deal of information about where to fish at a particular location, which is beneficial in fishing in the right spot.

Likewise, knowing about the species on offer can also link you to the right location. Understanding a particular species will enable you to understand where it feeds, what it feeds one, when to target it and so on. This information is vital and can lead to you exploring new locations in search of a fish or two.

For instance, when targeting whiting and knowing they are a bottom feeder that searches for 36

JUNE 2015

their research on each and every location before trying their luck.

Top gummy shark locations are Point Leo Surf Beach, Merricks Beach, Balnarring Beach, Stockyard Point, Lang Lang Beach, Tenby Point, Corinella Pier, Cowes Pier and Cat Bay. All these locations will produce gummy sharks, but you will have to do the research to find out when each beach

In season, snapper can be caught from many of Western Port’s piers and jetties. A little berley and the right bait is all that is required.

Bass yabbies and estuarine worms, I’d be searching out locations where there is sand, soft mud and weed such as Coronet Bay, Balnarring Beach, Somers or at the end of Disney Street, Crib Point. Then, I would set up with pipi, mussel, fresh squid strips or live Bass yabbies and fish them on a paternoster rig.

Knowing about each species you want to target is what will lead you fishing a particular location, once you have that down pat, you then have to make the cast, sit back and wait for the bite.

SNAPPER If there is one species that is the most challenging to catch land-based, it is snapper. The reason is that they prefer deeper water where engine noise isn’t going to spook them. In saying that, snapper will move into shallow waters ,however this is often under the cover of darkness when things are quiet and during a high tide when more water is covering the banks.

Ideally when looking for likely areas to catch land-based snapper look for locations where there is a decent reef system and in deeper water. Locations in Western Port, such as Settlement Point, Cat Bay, Stony Point Pier and Cowes Pier are the pick of locations. Snapper can be caught at other locations but these four regularly produce nice fish in season.

Using berley can be downright difficult for snapper, but good quality fresh baits will do the job.

Bait selection is critical and many soft fleshier baits can fall from the hook during a cast. Fresh calamari on the other hand will not due to its consistency. Where possible, try to use calamari purely for this reason and catch it locally.

WHITING Catching land-based whiting is one of the more relaxing styles of fishing because they can be caught from basically any

accessible beach.

Knowing that whiting are a schooling fish and prefer feeding in shallow water, land-based anglers have the upper hand. You’ll notice that boat anglers all come in close to shore to catch whiting but, when land-based, we can access the same grounds with just a long cast.

Of all the locations, Flinders, Balnarring Beach, Somers Beach, Cat Bay, Ventnor Beach, Cleeland Bight, Coronet Bay Warneet Jetty and Hastings Pier all produce nice whiting. At any of the above-mentioned locations, look out for sand patches near weed beds.

Find the sand and cast into it and you’ll find the whiting.

Although berleying is a non event from the beach, from a pier it can be done with the use of a berley pot filled with pellets

and tuna oil.

From the beach, a paternoster rig or pre-tied Black Magic Whiting Snatcher rig is ideal, as the weight is at the bottom of the rig so when cast, the weight carries it further than if using a running sinker rig.

Whiting aren’t too fussy but you can’t go past pipi, mussel of tenderised calamari strips for bait.

GUMMY SHARKS Similar to that of snapper, finding reliable locations to catch gummy sharks is one of the more frustrating aspects of landAbove: Never underestimate fishing during a cold winter’s night from the Flinders Pier. Big calamari are a common catch.

Far Left: Winner, winner, calamari dinner! A nice calamari taken from Cleeland Bight. Left: Gummy sharks are a highly sought landbased species. They are not always easy to find. Balnarring, Tenby Point, Stockyard Point, Settlement Point, Corinella Pier and Cowes Pier are the pick of locations.

If it is big sharks you’re after, fish the lead up to the full moons at Point Leo. You won’t be disappointed.

Australia’s Premium Bait Pump Above: There are a few low tide only landbased locations that fish exceptionally well all year. These are found at Stockyard Point, Settlement Point, Reef Island and Hastings.

Left: Low tide locations like this one at Hastings, allow you access to deep water that you’d never reach if fishing the high. Below: Sandy beaches such as at Cleeland Bight and Ventnor support excellent populations of calamari that can be caught throughout the year. fishes at its best. Ideally, fish the moons and the high tides with the exception of low tide at Stockyard Point and Balnarring Beach.

Make sure you have a suitable rig, otherwise heavy reef can bust your off.

The ideal rig is a running sinker rig but I prefer my own fixed sinker rig. These days, specifically designed ICON Long Casting landbased rigs have been developed and keep the bait and sinker as one weight while cast. After hitting the water, two floats on the rig, dislodge the bait from the clip and have it float up in the water column.

The right baits also play a huge role in your success rate. Gummy sharks do like soft smelly baits such as calamari rings, heads and hoods, salmon fillet, trevally fillet and of course cured eel fillet.

THE OTHERS The three species above are your more challenging species to catch and species that many landbased anglers aspire to catch. However, there are still plenty of others worth targeting throughout the Port – calamari, yellow-eye mullet, garfish as well as big toothy sharks.

Calamari are one of the more popular species to target land-based, with Flinders being the pick of locations. A high tide at night seems to be the prime time, especially a week after the full moon. While

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there is nothing really too complex about fishing for calamari, a simple 2.5-3.0 sized jig cast towards the weed beds and worked over them slowly in a prawnlike fashion will get their attention. Alternatively, a baited squid prong suspended under a float and left to float with the current out from the pier is also an effective technique.

Garfish on the other hand can sometimes be a little more challenging to find and are quite seasonal. In abundance from September through to December, garfish can be caught from many of the piers and rocky ledges.

Stony Point Pier, Cowes Pier, Flinders Pier, Cowrie Beach, Kitty Miller Bay and Berry’s Beach are the most profitable locations.

Garfish prefer lurking around areas where there

is seaweed, in which they feed amongst gorging on plankton and other marine organisms. They are attracted to berley so establish a good trail of tuna oil based pollard by throwing in handfuls every 5 minutes or so. Then, toss out a garfish float with silverfish for bait and wait until the float dips under the surface.

Once the gars are around, the action can be crazy, but remember to always keep the berley trail going otherwise they may just move off.

What’s best about landbased fishing Western Port is the fact that something big or small can be caught from any beach, pier or rock platform. All it comes down to is a little research on the location and fish you intend on targeting to bring success.

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Mission: tuna!

Areas that have been producing yellowfin are out on the Continental Shelf, with Bunga Canyons, the Kink, or up at the Tuross Canyons.

Trolling may be best to locate fish and once done, berley trails with live baits, cubes or strip baits drifted out in them account for a few fish. You may find the fish encountered on the troll are likely to be albacore or striped tuna, but be assured the yellowfin won’t be far away. When trolling, a good mix of skirted, bibbed or bibless lures will generally work well, plus add a large skirted lure out the back as there has been many a marlin taken in June before and it’s likely many will be in the future.

Another species to consider is sharks, makos

BERMAGUI

Darren Redman djsxstreamfishing@bigpond.com

The looming Queens Birthday holiday in June is noted around the country as an excuse to go fishing.

Whether it is just recreational or competing in one of the many fishing comps held on this weekend, Bermagui is no exception as many an angler descends on the town with a mission to catch the powerful yellowfin tuna.

It may be coming close to the end of the yellowfin season, but remember, just around the corner in July and August, southern bluefin tuna are likely to show. For now though, let’s target what is on hand.

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especially. If you don’t put a shark bait out in a berley trail, at least have one at hand because these fish love tuna or tuna scent and are one of the best sportfish in the ocean.

For those who are not into the big stuff, there is plenty of other fishing to be found in the form of reef dwellers like snapper, morwong, nannygai, kingfish, wrasse, pigfish, or the tasty but dreaded leatherjacket.

Areas to consider are north around Montague Island. If quiet, you can always venture back towards Bermagui out off Tilba around The Step to bag some tasty flathead, gurnard or gummy sharks. Heading south will put you on many a reef like the Four or Six Mile, while further south out from Goalen Head offers some of the best reef fishing to be had.

If you like to double dip, try the deep water off the Twelve Mile Reef, where you can fish for the tuna while bottom

Big yellowfin are what we all want to see this month — before the bluefin arrive! fishing for species like large Tassie trumpeter.

On shore, even though it is a little cool, beaches within the area are offering plenty of Australian salmon, some tailor, or for the brave wishing to fish into the night, a mulloway or gummy sharks are likely. Use berley through the daylight hours and you’ll definitely attract bream, mullet and trevally for some light tackle action.

Drummer and luderick are the go off the rocks. When the shadows of the cliffs start to creep across the water late afternoon, try drifting cunjevoi, cabbage weed or even a peeled prawn out into the wash and hang on, as there are some pretty hefty

drummer around. Best areas are below the Blue Pool, the main headland, or the rocks adjacent to the Bermagui Harbour entrance.

If it’s estuary fish you desire, Wallaga Lake has some lovely black bream kicking around. Target them with lures around the western shoreline, and you can often sight fish for them here. Narira Creek up the back is another hot spot, as is around the island.

Below the bridge on an incoming tide when the warmer water from the ocean pushes in, fish the flats with nippers or squirtworms. Not only will you find bream, but mixing with them will be luderick, trevally, the odd flattie, mullet or whiting.

Plenty of winter options MALLACOOTA

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It’s that time of year when the visitors have all left the area, and with winter here it will be Christmas before the town livens up again.

The past month has seen plenty of rain, with a good flood flushing through the system, followed by another good river rise a week later.

This has turned the ocean brown and with the water temperature dropping as we head into winter, the offshore fishing is all but over for another year. Some good catches of gummy shark and flathead, both sandies and tigers, were taken on the days when the weather would allow the anglers to get out there before the water turned to mud.

The colder water has also seen the salmon turn up on the local beaches, and with plenty of good gutters all along them, the salmon are being caught anywhere from Quarry Beach through to Bastion Point. The salmon are around the kilo mark, with a few twice that size A few salmon have been caught in the lake too, and as the water clears in the weeks ahead, schools will start moving in and out.

Those who were fortunate enough to be fishing the lake over the past month have been amazed at the way the system has been fishing, particularly for bream. Fishing immediately after the first flood was insane, with one group of anglers fishing with me over 2 1/2 days catching more than 150 fish, with 90% of them big bream. This is why I love floods; the best fishing is often when the water is at its

dirtiest. All these fish were caught on lures.

Those fishing with bait have also done well though, with the best choice being prawns. You don’t need to be to fancy, with packet prawns working a treat. Why, they’ve even been caught on cooked prawns!

After the second flush, plenty of good fish were caught around the entrance area and from the jetties in town.

The colder water will see the trevally turn up in numbers. There are fish here all year, but the bigger models arrive and more fish are caught over the winter months.

The winter is set to produce some great fishing, and with few anglers around, it’s great to have the car park to yourself as you head off for a day’s fishing.

NSW South Coast

Quiet in town, but still busy on the water EDEN

Kevin Gleed captainkev@wildernessfishingtours.com

Like all the small towns on the far south coast, Eden has really quietened down after a busy summer and autumn period. The winter months still provide good fishing for the locals and any visiting anglers though.

As with the rest of the east coast, the Eden area received its fair share of rain and huge seas as a result of a couple of east coast lows.

The water temperature is also dropping fast as we head deeper into winter. Summer saw the water on the local beaches get to around 22ºC, but it’s about 17ºC now.

Good fishing on the beaches was had in the warm

water, with sand whiting and yellowfin bream a regular catch, but the falling water temperature has seen the salmon numbers increase, with a few bigger tailor starting to show as well.

There has been little to report on the game fishing scene. Warm water is out on the shelf and this is a great time of year to be fishing wide. Albacore, yellowfin and

even southern bluefin tuna can be caught; the problem has been finding a break in the weather to get out there and get amongst them.

This time of year sees a good opportunity for some of the best game fishing possible, but it is only a short window when these fish are moving by, so let’s hope for some good weather over the coming month.

The inshore fishing for flathead and snapper has been good and the water is starting to clear after the recent rains.

The coming months are when you can expect to catch bigger snapper. Once you see the cuttlefish washing up on the beaches, it’s time to chase the bigger models. Plenty of local anglers have been chasing these fish using soft plastics with good success. Once fish

are found with the sounder, you need to persist in the area.

White lures are the choice of many successful anglers.

Fishing in the local rivers has been good, with catches of bream, flathead and whiting taken before all the rain. As the water cleans up, the fishing will improve. All the rivers are flowing and by the looks of things more rain is on its way this winter.

Left: Big bream are about after all the recent rain. Right: With winter already here, silver trevally are turning up in numbers.

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Despite the weather, fishing options remain good NAROOMA

Stuart Hindson stuart@ausfishing.com.au

The last few weeks’ weather has been nothing short of abominable, with rain, wind and huge seas meaning fishing’s been non-existent except a few brave souls chancing it in the estuaries. The ocean has been messy, with a huge swell making it impossible to fish offshore, and for those that fish the beaches you may have to wait a little while yet.

But for all the negatives, it will soon turn into huge positives as the estuaries will receive a much needed flush out, the beaches will form new, deeper gutters, and offshore the bottom bouncing for snapper will really fire up.

Before the blow, the game fishing fraternity were getting a little excited about good reports of yellowfin tuna. There were some solid models amongst them too, with the best fish I’ve heard of going 86kg. Smaller yellowfin to 35kg are more readily available, with the shelf and beyond the place to fish. Trolling has been

extremely popular as you’re covering more ground, with bibbed and trolled skirted pushers getting the desired results. I would expect the cube/berley trail option to get rolling as we head further into the month and the fish become a little more concentrated.

Areas like The Kink, Tuross Canyons, the Six and Twelve Mile Reefs are all know hotspots. If the current, water temperature and bait concentrations are there, expect the yellowfin too. Those anglers after bigger toothy prey won’t be disappointed either, with mako sharks in excess of 200kg on the cards. These brutes will be following the tuna schools and the slightly cooler water conditions are ideal for them.

At Montague Island, the kings have been tough all season, with 1 out of 4 days producing. That’s hard in anyone’s books, but if the kings are ever going to fire, this month will be it. The end of autumn-start of winter is prime time for bigger kings, with the north west corner and Fowlhouse Reef the place to fish. Trolling larger bibbed minnows will work, but casting live slimy

mackerel into surface bait schools is the gun method.

You have to be there at the right time though, with early mornings prime. The last few seasons has seen kings to 25kg caught, so let’s hope this season is the same and the seals stay away too.

On the reefs, the recent blow and big seas have done it the world of good. The snapper fishing will be nothing short of exceptional, with reds in excess of 5kg common.

I’d expect the inshore reefs to fire nicely, with the cuttlefish run in full swing also. Areas to fish include Potato Point to the north of Narooma, or the close-in reef about halfway along Brou Beach. Both areas will fish well, but try to concentrate your efforts more on the edges of the reef over the gravel patches and not so much on the hard stuff itself. Better baits include squid strips and pilchards, with soft plastics catching fish also.

In the estuaries, Wagonga continues to fire, with the bait very concentrated in the upper reaches near the 4kt area.

The place is loaded with

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Josh Hollis with the sort of winter black bream that can be expected over the next 4 months. tailor, from just legal fish to proper greenbacks of 3kg. These bigger tailor have been caught by deep trolling big hardbodies and live bait fished near the bottom. There’s been ample flathead to be caught, but surprisingly not too many big girls over 70cm.

Trevally, bream, snapper and some big salmon have been hammering the bait schools also. Anglers fishing soft plastics on 3-5g jigheads are faring well, with bream

As I’ve mentioned, the swell has been big, but it will drop off eventually, making it an ideal time to fish the beaches. Most will have some deeper gutters close to shore, therefore long casts won’t be needed.

I had a quick drive along the coast the other day and almost all had great gutters, with the best at Brou and Kianga. These looked awesome and should be excellent for salmon and tailor, plus bream and bigger winter whiting.

Off the rocks, blackfish, drummer and groper love the rough stuff. When its safe to fish, the Golfie rocks and Dalmeny Headland will fire for sure. I’d be hitting the washes just around the corner from the main headland in both locations, and fishing lightly weighted baits like half crab or cabbage for all species. I wouldn’t bother too much with berley at present and the heavy seas have provided enough I’d think.

The front ledges will

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EVERY WEEK 40

JUNE 2015

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The author with an example of the mulloway that can be found in the Tuross Lake system. This fish fell to a Jackall Transam and was released. responding well to smaller blades fished hard on the bottom. The recent rain has dirtied the water somewhat, but that hasn’t slowed the fishing down at all. The only species that has slowed are the mulloway. They have thinned out somewhat over the last few weeks, but hopefully that will change as the bait is still there.

I’d be using smaller baits like beachworms and pipis for the breadand-butter species, with bluebait or pilchards rigged on a paternoster rig incorporating surf poppers ideal for the pelagic species.

Don’t be surprised to see a few good gummy sharks and mulloway come from these same gutters.

produce salmon and tailor, with big fish to 5kg quite a possibility. Casting whole pilchards on ganged hooks will work, as will Shiners around the 40g mark. Cast them long, wind fast and hang on. Let’s hope we have some more stable weather over coming weeks, but May/June usually provides it.

NSW South Coast

Settled conditions, now bring on the fish MERIMBULA

Stuart Hindson stuart@ausfishing.com.au

Well the weather has finally turned the corner after the relentless rain, wind and big seas of late.

It’s good to have a blow and flush the estuaries out, but time has come to get amongst them again.

What the weather has done for offshore fishos is pretty awesome, with anglers targeting snapper having a field day. The word is the reds are firing on all cylinders, with most inshore reefs and gravel beds producing the goods.

They are quality fish too, with a few knobbies upwards of 5kg amongst them. That’s a solid snapper for here and not incidental captures either; there are a few around that size getting captured.

The inshore grounds are definitely fishing better, not only because it’s been stirred up, but the cuttlefish run is in full swing, making them snappers hungry.

Areas to try include Long Point, Haycock and White Cliffs; they have all produced lately and I

can’t see that changing any time soon.

You can expect morwong, John dory, trevally and flatties to make up the rest of the bag, with fresh, squid, cuttlefish and pilchards the preferred baits. Anglers casting soft plastics and bigger soft vibes will be rewarded also, especially fishing early around a tide change, preferably the low.

Further offshore and it’s tuna time, with yellowfin, southern bluefin and albacore all possible opponents. Before the blow, some cracking yellowfin had been caught and a few jumbos lost, which is great to see early in the season.

One visiting crew I talked to told me they saw 15-20 70kg fish jumping around chasing sauries about 10km past the shelf. They only trolled as they didn’t have live bait or berley, but unfortunately they didn’t get a bite. That happens with yellowfin; when they’re tuned in on sauries they won’t respond to anything else most of the time. Sure there’s exceptions, but rules are meant to be broken on occasions.

The next few months

will see these fish chew, with their whereabouts anywhere from the 40 fathom line eastwards. It will depend on bait, water temperature and currents.

In the estuaries, they have received plenty of fresh over recent weeks and are just starting to clear as I type. The water has been very dirty, especially in Pambula Lake, but give it another week and it will be its usual crystal clear self. The fishing definitely slowed down with the amount of fresh we had as the water dropped a few degrees, but it’s now picked up with flathead still pretty good fun on soft plastics.

You can expect trevally, salmon and tailor towards the estuary entrance, with the main basin itself producing trevally, bream and blackfish. Anglers that have done okay are using smaller metal blades fished hard on the bottom in the basin, with soft plastics worked in the fast water towards the entrance. This system will only get better as we head into winter; it’s a very reliable fishery when the cold water arrives, and I can’t wait.

On the beaches, the

Clear, cool winter days mean solid black bream on the flats. l can’t wait for it! swell has carved out some new gutters and closed others in, but most beaches have good solid formations.

A quick drive around will soon see you fishing the right ones, but North Tura and Tura Main are the pick.

Both salmon and tailor can be found in good numbers, with the usual methods like bait/popper combinations on paternoster rigs the most effective. Anglers after

some exercise walking the beach will fare well casting metal Shiners deep into the suds for sizeable salmon.

It’s that time of year when big salmon will patrol the gutters, with greenback tailor on the cards as well.

If the pelagics aren’t for you, then you should be able to get a feed of bream and bigger whiting in the rockier corners on most beaches. Lightly weighted

baits like pipis and worm should produce nice fish for the pan.

The rockhopper brigade after a feed shouldn’t have any worries, with blackfish and drummer in good numbers on most headlands.

I’d be looking at Short or Long Point, as both fish very well after heavy seas.

Use lightly weighted baits like cabbage or bread with a little berley for best results.

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71-77 Chickerell St, MORWELL

250 Portarlington St, GEELONG

474 Wagga Road, LAVINGTON

BL MARINE

Ph 03 9478 1420

info@blmarine.com.au www.blmarine.com.au

CRAWFORD MARINE Ph 03 5134 6522

www.crawfordmarine.com.au

MOOLAP MARINE Ph 03 5248 3772

info@moolapmarine.com.au www.moolapmarine.com.au

TASMANIA

BORDER MARINE CENTRE

MAYNES MARINE

Ph 02 6040 9999

Ph 03 6214 9999

bordermarine@westnet.com.au www.bordermarinecentre.com.au

6 Effingham St, MOONAH

sales@maynesmarine.com.au www.maynesmarine.com.au JUNE 2015

41

It’s all about the weather TASMANIA

Kelly Hunt

It’s June and it’s the start of winter, but don’t let it bring you down. It is something that will turn a few off as it gets colder here in Tassie, but it really shouldn’t. If you prepare well and have some quality outdoor apparel you can enjoy some magical days fishing.

Water or land-based in winter and there are some fantastic opportunities for the super keen hardy angler.

Silver lining is you can also avoid any crowds as most will be on the couch watching TV.

is a heck of a lot easier to start warm and peel clothes off when you need. Once cold it is tough to get back to warm and cosy. June is thermals time.

Leggings and long sleeve top are essentials. This is the foundation for a shirt with a long back to keep the kidneys warm and a set of warm pants.

Your favourite jumper with a hood can be handy. Don’t forget gloves! Some people carry on about gloves, but gloves are a great addition to the winter fishing kit. If you are fishing with kids or your partner it is normally the fingers and toes that give the most grief. Find yourself some ones with fold back fingertips,

A great sword hauled from the depths!

If you believe the statistics on wind for Tasmania, June can have some of the calmest conditions of all months.

That’s great news. If you are looking to do most forms of fishing, wind is the enemy so rug up and get out there. Keep in mind however that June is also one of our wettest months as well. Don’t die wondering, get off the couch and get out and find a new winter fishery right on your door step.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS I have said it before. It

they are fantastic. Keep the fingers warm and also be able to tie knots and do tricky stuff.

What’s not to like!

A waterproof jacket is of huge advantage in Tasmania and I like a quality item that has sealed seams and tight neoprene cuffs. The idea of layering up to keep warm is to allow the layers to do the heavy lifting to get the job done. There is a place for waterproof jackets with a heap of warm inner linings but I find these very bulky and

cumbersome. A light weight, thin, yet extremely water proof coat is the best option.

Wet feet are the best way to ruin a day’s fishing.

Launching a boat or trying to save a favourite lure from the snags early is a recipe for a miserable day. Quality footwear with a sturdy sole with a high degree of waterproofing will make an enjoyable day a cracker. There is a lot to be said for thick warm socks as well.

With all the right gear you will be set up ready to go. So I think my point is clear: Dress warm and take clothes to dress even warmer. A change of clothes can also be a very, very good idea as well.

TROPHY SQUID Yes, that’s right, there is such a thing. Tasmania can quite seriously boast about being big squid capital of Australia. This time of year you can come across some monsters.

The easiest species to target this time of year for sport and food are calamari.

Great news is there can be some awesome fun to be had on light gear as the trophy squid move in. That’s right, trophy squid. Not just the ones you take a picture of and say on Facebook to boast about what you’re having for dinner, but the sort of squid that has a Facebook post leading with something like “Have a look at this belter, it’s capital ‘M’ massive!”

The squid come in over the inshore grounds and can be targeted by the land-based angler and boat owner alike.

If you don’t have a boat, find some ground that drops away into some deeper water pretty quickly. It’s perfect if it also covers some broken ground

Pure glass is something we can expect for the next few months. and possibly some weed, but don’t die in a ditch over that.

There are some nice spots all down the east coast and in and around the south that fit the bill.

Those in a boat have the luxury of finding a few more options. This time of year you can start searching in any depth. In my local haunt you can start in 4m of water and watch them come out of their hidey holes and attack the jig.

If they are not in close we just keep trying at every 5m of depth increase. Once you locate them you can do one of two things.

Mark on your sounder where you have picked a few up and set up to drift through them. If they slow down a bit then motor back up and set up to drift back down through the ground you had success.

This is my preferred method, as even if you are meticulous with your drift you still will be working over slightly different patches of an area you have located fish.

The other option is to drop

anchor and fish the zone you have identified in a 360º area.

I love this method when I have the kids aboard. You can drop a light anchor and start to deal with the mayhem. There will be a race between the kids on two fronts. Who can catch the first squid and who can get the biggest tangle trying to get their jig out first…

Winter squid sessions are sensational fun and a great way to spend some time with a couple of mates or the kids.

A hot thermos of whatever you fancy and a radio to listen to the game if you must … happy days!

AUSTRALIAN SALMON AND BENEFITS OF SHOPPING LOCAL These great little sportfish slow up as it gets cooler, but the still conditions in June can still have large schools of Australian salmon terrorising baitfish off the coast. These fish are also found in most river mouths and estuaries around Tasmania.

If you choose to target them in June or any other time

of the year, some knowledge and tips are always extremely useful and quite valuable. If you are spending good money on tackle and equipment you may as well spend it where you will receive expert advice and follow up service from people that love, live and breathe fishing in Tasmania.

There are a number of fishing and tackle stores that I would call the technical stores.

These are often privately owned retail outlets that have been around for a long time.

They pride themselves on having a range of products that are well suited to all the fishing we do in Tasmania and have formed that range on the back of years of personal experience. One such store is Spot On – The fishing connection in Hobart and staff member Andrew Large.

Spot On and the crew in there have been a fisher’s treasure trove of gear and knowledge forever. Tasmanian and mainland anglers alike would do themselves a huge To page 43

INLAND FISHERIES SERVICE

Work underway on Lake Leake boat ramp IFS

Tim Farrell

MAST reports that work is progressing well on the construction of the new boat ramp at Lake Leake.

This is a Recreational Boating Fund project, supported by the Northern Midlands Council and the Inland Fisheries Service.

The construction has benefited from low lake levels that will ensure a quality finish and has enabled the removal of a number of tree stumps around the end of the ramp.

Fingers are crossed for a wet winter so anglers can use this new facility next season!

RIVER DERWENT PROJECT LAUNCHED Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff officially launched 42

JUNE 2015

the River Derwent Anglers Access project and brochure at New Norfolk on Monday 4 May 2015. The launch was attended by the Chairman of Anglers Alliance Tasmania, Gary France, Derwent Valley Mayor, Martyn Evans, Federal Member for Lyons, Eric Hutchinson, landowners, volunteers and other stakeholders.

The River Derwent Anglers Access project is the ninth major river access project completed by AAT and the Inland Fisheries Service and brings to 250km the total length of rivers now accessible to anglers. The River Derwent project was jointly funded by the State and Federal governments and has received invaluable support from volunteers and the Green Army.

The River Derwent

GOLDEN GALAXIAS GOING WELL IFS IFS staff recently conducted the annual Galaxias auratus survey in lakes’ Crescent and Sorell. This survey is undertaken as part of an ongoing monitoring program associated with the Lakes Sorell and Crescent Water Management Plan 2005.

Using a number of small mesh fyke nets set within designated habitats in each lake, staff were able to assess population strengths and diversity of age classes from juvenile fish through to large mature adults. Survey results indicate that both lakes continue to support a strong and healthy Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Jeremy population of these important Rockliff and Angler Alliance Tasmania Chairman, little fish.

Gary France launching the River Derwent Angler LAKE BARRINGTON Access Project at New Norfolk, 4 May 2015.

MAINTENANCE brochure highlights in excess is available from major Hydro Tasmania advises that of 60 access locations from tackle shops, the IFS and to facilitate access works around Store Point to Gretna and AAT websites.

Lake Barrington the lake will

be drawn down to 119.42m – 2.5m below Full Supply Level (FSL). The draw-down is planned as follows: Between 4-18 May 2015 the lake will be gradually drawn down to 119.42m (2.5m below FSL).

Between 8am 18 May and 7pm 31 May 2015 the lake will be held below 119.42m. Lake Barrington is typically operated over a 2m range so over this period the level may be expected to vary between 117.42 and 119.42m.

The lake will then be allowed to refill to normal operating levels. The lake is expected to be back at normal operating levels by 14 June 2015.

Lake user groups are encouraged to take advantage of the lower lake levels to undertake any maintenance works.

From page 42

disservice by not going in and saying hi when within 50km of the place. In Harrington St in the city of Hobart they have it all.

Andrew Large has a vast knowledge of not only fishing, but also hunting and shooting so going and seeing him in Spot On has many benefits. His experience and information will short track your quest in targeting any species. His knowledge of Australian salmon is sensational.

Tasmania is fortunate to have two types of salmon roaming our coastline. The two closely-related species are the Eastern Australian salmon and the Western Australian salmon.

The Eastern Australian salmon is the more abundant of the two species and is commonly found in small to large schools right across the Eastern Australian seaboard.

Younger fish, which are often called cocky or colonial salmon, are regularly found in coastal bays, estuaries and channels.

The Western Australian salmon, although abundant across Australia’s southern coastline, is rarely found in Tasmania. These species are nearly impossible to tell apart. The Western Australian variety has a maximum length of around 96cm and maximum weight of 9kg whereas the Eastern species has been recorded at 7kg and a maximum length of 89cm.

Either way, a good salmon from any of the two species is usually known as a black back (owing to its colour change to dark later in life) and will not only test an angler’s fishing tackle to the maximum, but the angler as well. These fish have earned themselves the reputation of being ferocious feeders, hard hitters, and incredibly strong fighters.

Finding salmon Australian salmon, especially juveniles, love to frequent coastal bays and estuaries, river, creek and lagoon mouths. Bigger fish will also patrol these areas looking for unsuspecting schools of baitfish but in much smaller numbers.

Younger fish prefer these areas because normally smaller pilchards, pretty fish and mullet are plentiful and the danger of being eaten by marauding toothy critters like squid, couta, tuna and thresher sharks is kept to a minimum.

The open ocean and rocky exposed headlands are really the domain of larger salmon.

Areas of reef, rocky outcrops, white water and ocean running retainer walls should be looked at as serious fishing options by those anglers wishing to hook bigger than average salmon.

Anglers should exercise extreme care when fishing these areas as rocks can be slippery and the ocean very dangerous. One of my favourite salmon spots is a

sandy gutter that cuts in close to a rocky headland. The gutter which is well within the casting range of a 20g slice or slug lure and 8lb line chops up pretty rough in a sea breeze and can nearly always be relied upon to produce a fish or three.

Feeding signs Flocks of darting, diving mutton birds, terns and seagulls are probably the best indicators of feeding Australian salmon. Like all schooling bait chasers, salmon round up, push and then trap schools of prey (pilchards, pretty fish and krill) against the surface and then take great delight in chopping them to pieces in a mad feeding frenzy.

Predatory birds also make the most of this chance to swoop and dive on the vulnerable hordes of bait swimming just centimetres beneath the surface. Fewer sights excite keen salmon anglers more than seeing a

screaming squall of sea birds within casting distance of the shore or boat. The presence of feeding birds does not just indicate Australian salmon, more often than not in Tasmanian waters, couta, pike or a mix of all three could be responsible for the commotion. The only way an angler can really tell for sure is by sending a probing silver lure on its way, hopefully into the middle of it all.

Sometimes anglers faced with all of the above feeding signs, and only a few fish for all their perseverance, become disheartened. Do not be! There is a reason for the mediocre results. Salmon, at times like this, are sometimes feeding on krill and are virtually impossible to catch on a lure. Keep on spinning as there is always the odd fish amongst the many that is prepared to strike.

Best feeding times Like most open water species Australian salmon have light-sensitive eyes and therefore do not feed well under bright conditions.

Salmon much prefer dim or dark conditions and as a result become much more efficient and bold at hunting baitfish.

As a rule of thumb, dawn and dusk produce the best bags. Light levels are low at

Anglers fishing a dropping tide should fish the seaward side and pick fish up as they pass through. Also, salmon tend to congregate on the seaward side and slam baitfish that have been unfortunate enough to be washed out in the tidal rip. Generally speaking, fish for salmon as you would most fish species on an incoming tide rather than a dropping one.

Tackle Any functioning 6-7ft spin rod and medium-sized threadline or baitcaster reel is more than ideal for trolling, spinning and bait fishing.

For the salmon-chasing surf fisher a good choice would be a standard 10-12ft medium action two-piece surf rod combined with a large spooled thread line or 6”Alvey side cast reel.

Line choice is critically important and should have a breaking strain of around 6-8lb for light to medium-

these times and night-moving pretty fish and garfish are either on their way out to exposed waters for the night or returning to the safety of weed patches and shallow sandy flats at first light, in the morning, all the time leaving themselves prone to hit-and-run salmon attacks.

Windy, dark, overcast or rainy days are excellent for salmon fishing and salmon seize any opportunity to feed and strike at lures and baits.

These conditions effectively allow anglers to fish and be confident of a good catch.

Tides Tides are not terribly important when fishing for salmon from a boat in deep open water. Salmon that are schooling close to the surface are usually opportunistic feeders and will readily strike lures regardless of the tidal conditions.

However, many coastal lagoons rely heavily on changing tide conditions to fill and empty them.

Generally speaking, salmon enter these lagoons through narrow channel-like mouth entrances on an incoming tide and remain inside lagoons or rivers while the tide remains high. This is the best time to target these fish.

On an outgoing tide these

split rings and trace material should also be of a good quality to prevent breakages and seizures while fishing.

Although slightly more expensive, consider using roller-bearing swivels and good quality, coated stainless trace wire. If mono trace is your preference, particularly in the surf, try 20-40lb breaking strains. Quality hooks are essential. Treble sizes should be between no. 4-1/0. Surf fishers normally consider a no. 2 limerick-style as average but do sometimes use 1/0 and 2/0 sizes.

Lures Salmon lures should be predominantly silver, roughly the same shape and size as the salmon prey and big on action.

My favourites are our locally-produced Shark Chrome 20g Slice, Twister and Hex lures in either blue or yellow prism tape. I have found that yellow prism tape increases the strike rate

Top: Dress for success this winter, and don’t take it too seriously! Middle Left: Get the kids into the salmon action – they’ll love it!

Above: The broadbill sword fishing has been a bit silly lately.

Left: Andrew Large knows his stuff, especially when it comes to salmon.

lagoons empty quite quickly and their narrow entrances usually become very turbid and fast running. Salmon quickly leave the deeper sand flats where baitfish are plentiful and return to the main channel. Some remain here while most leave the lagoons and retreat to the sea via the lagoon mouth.

sized chrome spinning lures.

For heavier lures try 10-12lb line and if targeting salmon in the surf look at 12-15lb as a minimum.

Remember, salmon are strong fighters and will test the endurance of all tackle being used. Do not let poor quality line be the weak link between you and your fish. Swivels,

on bright sunny days when all other colours seem to be ignored.

Solvkroken Minnows seem to work well and come in a variety of colours and cast weights. Best catchers seem to be the purple, blue and green minnows.

Silver Wonder Wobblers, in 10-20g sizes, are another safe bet and help elicit ferocious strikes with their gentle fluttering minnow action.

One of the best tips ever given to me was to use Cobrastyle lures on bright days when the salmon are down deep. Silver Cobras have saved me on more than one occasion and seem to have a distinct advantage over other faster-style lures particularly when trolled.

Wigstons, Norton, Old Cobbers, Lofty’s, Johnson and King Cobra all have silver patterns in their ranges. When To page 44

JUNE 2015

43

From page 43

spinning in the surf choose large, heavy, chrome lures in the 30-50g range with plenty of action to grab the evil eye of passing salmon. Bigger lures work well in turbid conditions.

Flies Choose any bright no.

2-1/0 silver clad Deceiver, Crazy Charlie, Teaser or Minnow-style fly. Popular colours include blue with silver, yellow with white, and black and silver.

Black Magic have just released in the last 12 months assorted jigging flies in typical saltwater colours and styles.

These flies worked well last season and are sure to be a hit this year. Hook sizes range from no. 8-5/0.

Rod weights are the same as for trout, with any 6-8wt being more than adequate for black back. Tapered leaders can be kept short, around 9ft, and should be within 6-10lb breaking strains. If wire is necessary try a Toothy Critter with its reinforced bite resistant section.

Bait Salmon respond well to a pilchard-baited Paternoster rig cast into deep channels, canals and surf beach gutters. The key to successful salmon fishing is to continually change the bait and maintain its freshness.

Also vary the offering. Do not use pilchards all day. Try blue-bait, glassies, squid and mackerel or mullet strips.

It is now common practice to see surf fishers targeting salmon with surf poppers. A popper, usually red and white or blue and white, is simply used instead of the first or second hook in a Paternoster rig. Salmon just love to whack these highly active jigs.

Remember, when fishing in the surf, choose fish-holding gutters that exhibit deep tidal flowing characteristics. A gutter such as this may be located close to the beach or

further out. Either way, be observant when approaching the surf and do not fall into the trap of overcasting potential gutters just because they seem too close to the shore. Salmon will not ignore a good feed regardless of how close it is to the beach!

Berley This is one sure-fire method to get salmon into your immediate vicinity and interested in your offering.

Salmon are not fussy feeders and can usually be attracted by placing a mixture of tuna oil and fish pieces into the water or surf and allowing it to dissipate throughout the water column.

Crushed shells can be added from time to time, which constantly emit glittering arrays of light as they sink to the ocean floor. Salmon become even more excited as they assume the falling shells are passing schools of bait.

Berleying also works well for spin fishers working deep water and rocky headlands.

Once salmon have been coaxed in from the deep the use of silver lures can normally be relied upon to seduce them into striking.

In summary With the exception of the flathead, the Australian salmon would have to be the second most commonly caught fish species in Tasmanian waters.

Thousands of local anglers every year, both young and old, take great pleasure in trying to find, hook and land these great sportfish during our late spring, summer and autumn months.

Salmon are not regarded highly as an eating fish and are considered by many as sportfish only. Whether or not you enjoy this great, but pressured, resource for food or pleasure is entirely up to you but try and help protect it by adhering to suggested bag limits and minimum size requirements.

Salmon aren’t a great table fare, and most people throw them back after a happy snap or two.

OFFSHORE Sword fever The broadbill sword fishing has taken main stage and is genuinely pretty wild.

This has dead set exploded onto the Tasmanian fishing scene this year. The catches last year had people thinking there might be a few around and we should set up to try and catch one. To date this year has been wow… just WOW! Those who have taken the time to understand where to target them and on what gear have been richly rewarded.

There have also been some remarkable catches while fishing electrics for bottom dwellers.

The news has excited

those fishers from far and wide and we had some mainland crews come and try their luck.

This is fantastic as the fishing grounds are half the distance you would have to travel to reach the shelf elsewhere in Australia.

There has not been a broadbill caught under 100kg and the biggest so far has pulled the scales down to 354kg. This adds to the attraction of coming over and having a crack at the Gladiator of the Sea. There are a few options to fish the area from interstate.

You can either bring over your own boat or taking one of the charters available in the area. The trip on the passenger

ferry with a boat in tow is a little restrictive for a short stay.

There are a number of boat storage options and storing for the season and flying in and out. This allows you to take advantage of the world class southern bluefin fishery we have in Tasmania also enjoy when the broadbill when they are on the chew. There is another option that is a new concept and that is boatsurfers. com. Check their website out for more information - https:// www.boatsurfers.com/ Broady by-catch The targeting of broadbill has also exposed another new dimension to recreational fishing and that is broady by-catch. The term by-catch is a phrase from commercial fishing, which basically means a species of fish you are not targeting.

The controversial example of this is the small pelagic fishery and the 30m super trawler, the Geelong Star. It is looking to scoop up schools of small pelagic baitfish and its rather disturbing by-catch has been dolphins. Not all by-catch is bad as in a recreational sense, as you may be targeting snapper on rod and line and your by-catch could be a large flathead.

The guys really having a crack and targeting swords have discovered some really exciting by-catch of the good kind. In the short space that deep dropping for swords has been in play, there have been about a dozen large southern bluefin tuna caught at considerable depth. These events are exciting on a number of fronts. Firstly, catching more tha one species while you have a bait down is a fabulous problem to have. It may be a while before someone deep dropping for a sword actually says, “Damn! I am getting sick of catching these big tuna on my sword bait” Other cool by-catch while looking for a broadbill

is mako shark and large blue eye trevalla – two very tasty items to catch and have land in the boat. It’s amazing that the makos I have seen caught were landed with just big mono trace. Very lucky indeed! It may pay for a short section of wire trace be added to your broadbill rig if you plan on maximising your mako by-catch.

Second exciting development is the catching of large tuna on a single bait dropped to 400m must now open our minds to cubing?

Cubing has copped a bum rap in Tasmania for many years and there are a couple of half reasonable issues. Seals are a major headache when cubing and the fact that, we have never done any good so far.

I am suggesting that this has now become a new area to explore for keen offshore anglers. The runs are now on the board if there has been tuna caught regularly with one single bait down imagine how you may go with a good cubing session. My hot tip would be to cube some salmon or striped tuna. I nearly forgot my first hot tip… Don’t start a cube session anywhere near seals. This is the beauty of this new development as the broadbill grounds are out away from the seal hotspots.

If you do encounter some it may only be one or two and not a huge issue.

Now back to the cubes.

Make some serious cubes. I am talking 4cm2 for the first half hour and over a period of time bring them back to around 2cm. Just cut them up slowly and plop one or two over every now and then. If you have struck a nice day out on the shelf it just adds a new dimension to what we can do. In an hour of fishing, you have given yourself a fair chance and maximised the opportunity of coming across at least 5 species of super table fare.

HYDRO TASMANIA WATER STORAGE INFORMATION Water Storage Information as at 12th May 2015 Lake/Lagoon

Metres from full

Comment

Lake Augusta ...................................1.11 .......................................................Steady Arthurs Lake ....................................2.39 .......................................................Steady Great Lake .......................................15.65 ......................................................Rising Trevallyn Pond .................................0.75 .......................................................Steady Shannon Lagoon ..............................0.1 .........................................................Steady Penstock Lagoon .............................Null ................................................ Unavailable Lake Echo ........................................8.94 .......................................................Steady Dee Lagoon .....................................0.25 ........................................................Rising Bradys/Binneys/Tungatinah .............1.54 ........................................................Rising Bronte Lagoon .................................0.4 ..........................................................Rising Pine Tier Lagoon ............................................................................................Spilling Little Pine Lagoon ............................0.07 .......................................................Steady Laughing Jack Lagoon ....................6.09 .......................................................Steady Lake St Clair ....................................0.86 ....................................................... Falling Lake King William ............................9.2 ..........................................................Rising Lake Liapootah ................................0.02 .......................................................Steady Wayatinah Lagoon .........................................................................................Spilling Lake Catagunya .............................................................................................Spilling

Lake Repulse .................................................................................................Spilling Cluny Lagoon .................................................................................................Spilling Meadowbank Lake ..........................0.06 ........................................................Rising Lake Pedder ....................................1.07 ....................................................... Falling Lake Gordon ....................................34.49 .....................................................Steady Lake Burbury ...................................4.49 ........................................................Rising Lake Plimsoll ...................................1.45 ........................................................Rising Lake Murchison .............................................................................................Spilling Lake Mackintosh .............................2.67 ........................................................Rising Lake Rosebery .................................1.48 ....................................................... Falling Lake Pieman ....................................1.05 ........................................................Rising Lake Mackenzie ...............................0.69 ........................................................Rising Lake Rowallan .................................8.7 ..........................................................Rising Lake Parangana ...............................1.09 .......................................................Steady Lake Cethana .................................................................................................Spilling Lake Barrington .............................................................................................Spilling Lake Gairdner ................................................................................................Spilling Lake Paloona .................................................................................................Spilling Woods Lake .....................................2.03 .......................................................Steady Whitespur Pond .............................................................................................Spilling Lake Newton ...................................3.63 ....................................................... Falling Lake Margaret .................................3.75 ........................................................Rising

These levels are provided for an indication of lake level only and can vary from day to day. For more up-to-date lake level information please visit www.hydro.com.au/home/Tourism+and+Recreation/Lake+Levels.htm

44

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45

A statutory authority for Victoria Fisheries GEELONG

Ross Winstanley

In the lead-up to the November 2014 State election, Daniel Andrews made the commitment that ‘Labor will conduct a review to establish Fisheries Victoria as a statutory authority’.

Since then, the Minister for fisheries, Jaala Pulford, has told recreational fishers that the Government is working directly towards creating a statutory authority to replace Fisheries Victoria. For the first time in several decades, this will take the fisheries management role outside the mantle of mega departments with much broader – mainly unrelated – responsibilities.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Fisheries Victoria was part of broadly-allied conservation and natural resource management departments responsible for wildlife management, public land management, and environment and biodiversity protection.

Since then it has been absorbed into departments responsible for agriculture, forestry, mining and petroleum production and, more recently, the Department of Economic Development Jobs Transport and Resources (DEDJTR).

This current department is so large that portfolio responsibilities are spread across nine ministers. Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Regional Development, Jaala Pulford, is responsible for fisheries and made an immediate impression on recreational fishers with her enthusiastic promotion of the Government’s ‘Target One Million’ program.

Within the megaDEDJTR we have to drill down through the positions of Secretary and Deputy Secretary – Regulation and Compliance to find the head person in fisheries who goes by the title Executive Director – Regulation and Compliance (Fisheries).

WHY CHANGE TO A STATUTORY BODY? Typically, governments set up statutory authorities to improve efficiency in enacting and administering legislation and to achieve greater transparency and accountability than is usually the case with other areas of government.

During March, Minister Pulford and senior departmental executive, Travis Dowling, attended the Statewide Recreational Fishing Roundtable where they briefly outlined the purpose and benefits of the move towards a statutory authority.

For recreational fishers these include: Clear and separate identity for ‘Fisheries’, direct line relationship between the fisheries agency and the Minister, a board featuring strong public administration skills, transparent annual budget and expenditure reporting, a greater level of administrative and operational independence, a clear focus for driving the Government’s ‘Target One Million’ recreational fishing policy.

They assured Roundtable members that peak body, VRFish, is being involved in the process.

WORKING MODELS ELSEWHERE New Zealand Fish and Game Most of the many Victorian anglers who have enjoyed trout fishing holidays in New Zealand have wished that our inland fisheries were managed by an organisation similar to NZ Fish and Game. This longstanding and highly regarded agency is entirely selfsufficient, relying on fishing and hunting licence funding.

It is administered by a 12-person council comprising of members nominated by each of the 12 NZF&G regional councils. Current members have active fishing and/or hunting backgrounds, local F&G council experience and include honorary rangers, fishing guides and skills in fisheries biology, conservation and river management.

Tasmania’s Inland Fisheries Service is a system working elsewhere.

Tasmania’s Inland Fisheries Service Older anglers may recall the time when Tasmania’s inland fisheries were managed by an autonomous statutory body, the Inland Fisheries Commission.

Operating from the late 1950s, this body was overseen by a chief commissioner and two commissioners drawn from regional inland fishing groups.

The IFC had replaced the Salmon Commission, which was formed in the 1860s to establish and manage trout fisheries in the state.

In March 2000 the Tasmanian Government replaced the IFC with the Inland Fisheries Service (IFS), which now manages inland recreational and commercial fishing in the state. Under the Inland Fisheries Act 1995, the position of Director of Inland Fisheries was created as a corporation with a degree of independence and responsibility in the funding area, but otherwise the IFS has become a part of the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIWE).

The Minister and Director are supported by the Inland Fisheries Council whose membership is moving from angling/guide/tourism based skills of the past to a board structure featuring greater experience in public administration and corporate governance.

Fishing licence fee increases are pegged to a government-wide CPI-linked

A VFA would be responsible for marine and freshwater recreational fisheries, commercial fisheries, aquaculture and aquatic ecosystems.

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policy and the only regular non-licence funding is a non-indexed $1 million grant from the DPIWE. Australian Fisheries Management Authority With Tasmania’s inland fisheries body having lost virtually all of its statutory independence, AFMA is now the only statutory fisheries management agency in Australia.

Operating since 1991 under policies set by the Australian Government, AFMA manages Commonwealth fisheries and works with other agencies to deter illegal fishing in the Australian Fishing Zone. Following a common trend, over recent years AFMA’s 7-person board has morphed from a largely commercial industry-based to a more business/corporate styled entity.

According to AFMA’s web site, today ‘Commissioners are appointed for their high level of expertise in one or more of the fields of fisheries management, fishing industry operations, science, natural resource management, economics, business or financial management, law, public sector administration or governance’.

PREVIOUS CONSIDERATION OF A VICTORIAN FISHERIES AUTHORITY In 2000, the Victorian Government asked the Parliamentary Natural Resources and Environment Committee to enquire into fisheries management in the State. Among the terms of reference, the Committee was to report on options for ‘any alternative arrangements for the management of all aspects of commercial and recreational fishing, including the establishment of a single statutory authority for this purpose’.

As well as noting the demise of Tasmania’s Inland Fisheries Commission, they examined previous relatively short-lived ventures interstate, namely: The Tasmanian Fisheries Development Authority which managed sea fisheries from 1977 till 1985 before the Government returned the role to a division of the Department of Agriculture; and the Queensland Fisheries

Management Authority which managed fisheries and aquaculture from 1994 till 2000 when the role returned to the Department of Primary Industries.

Noting the problems that led to end of the IFS, TFDA and QFMA, the Parliamentary Committee concluded that ‘statutory fisheries management authorities have been most successful where their responsibility is for single-sector fisheries and where there is a clear client group that can be targeted for cost recovery’. At the time, the Victorian Government agreed.

WHAT WILL A VICTORIAN FISHERIES AUTHORITY LOOK LIKE? Game Management Authority Perhaps the best guide to what a Victorian statutory fisheries agency might look like is to look at what would be its older sibling - the Game Management Authority.

Under the previous Victorian government the management of game hunting was taken out of the DEPI bureaucracy and established from July 2014 as a statutory authority under the Game Management Authority Act 2014. The Coalition Government committed a total of $17.6 million over a 4-year period from 2013/14 to establish the GMA. Under the Act, the responsible Minister appoints a board of 5-9 members who, between them, have skills, knowledge and experience across legal practice, finance, wildlife biology, animal welfare, public administration, communications, Aboriginal culture, land management, game hunting and wildlife management, including pest animal management.

The inaugural 9-member board certainly has strengths in State and local government, corporate directorship, senior executive management and public policy. Between them, four members also have experience with Field and Game Australia or other hunting and related advisory organisations.

A VICTORIAN FISHERIES AUTHORITY Several things might set a Victorian fisheries authority (let’s call it the VFA) apart from the GMA, AFMA, IFS and NZF&G. For a start, only the VFA will be responsible for marine and freshwater recreational fisheries, commercial fisheries, aquaculture and aquatic ecosystems (as set out in the Fisheries Act 1995).

Also, under Premier Daniel Andrews’ policy at least half public board members must be women. That will apply to the VFA board when it comes to the selection of members with skills and experience combining business and

corporate management with knowledge spanning the fishing sectors. If the make-up of the NZF&G (all male) and AFMA (6/7 male) boards are any indication, with the maledominated recreational and commercial catching sectors in Victoria, this could present a challenge.

The GMA has the advantage of knowing all of its constituents in some detail.

According to their website, there are 34,000 licensed game hunters in Victoria, all of whose names and contact details are registered with the authority.

Similarly, every inland fisher in Tasmania and NZ and every Commonwealth commercial fisher must be licensed so the IFC, NZF&G and AFMA have complete records of their constituents.

While the VFA will have complete and detailed registers of Victorian commercial fishers and aquaculture operators, they will have only sketchy details of the 50% or so of Victoria’s 721,000 adult recreational fishers, not to mention the unlicensed fishing guides and charter operators.

And then there’s the matter of funding…

The GMA, AFMA, IFS and NZF&G each has a guaranteed fisher or hunterspecific funding base, founded on some form of cost-recovery policy, negotiated with their constituents and endorsed by governments. Every ‘client’ is licensed and every one pays. The same goes for Victoria’s commercial fishers whose cost recovery deal was finalised in 2013.

But, under current Government policy, a VFA funding base will be seriously flawed because only 50% of Victoria’s recreational fishers are required to hold Recreational Fishing Licences.

As well as weakening a VFA’s funding base, this is grossly unfair on those who are – in effect – subsidising the other 50%.

Adding to VFA funding challenges, the Government’s 2014 election commitment to peg all fees at current levels throughout the 4-year term means that the cost of a Recreational Fishing Licence – unchanged since 2009 – cannot be increased before 2018/19.

Until then, with the costs of ongoing licence-funded Departmental programs, such as enforcement, research and fish stocking, increasing year by year there will be less and less scope for funding the popular grants program for which the licence was originally intended.

All in all, Victoria’s recreational fishers face an interesting 12 months watching, and where possible participating, as the Government assembles a form of fisheries agency the likes of which has not been seen before in Australia.

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Visit the Melbourne Boat Show for winter family fun As the cold grey skies and chilly winds of winter descend on Melbourne it can be difficult to find entertainment for the whole family. We may well brave the rain and cold for our favourite footy team but our thoughts do turn to in-door activities.

So why not take your family somewhere you can all have fun and remind yourselves that winter does indeed end – summer days are not that far away.

Come and visit the 2015 Melbourne Boat Show.

NEW LAYOUT AND EXCITING NEW FEATURES THIS YEAR! This year the Melbourne Boat Show boasts a complete new layout that will impress you from the outset. Even before you enter the main auditorium, visitors will be astounded at the comprehensive range of boats on display.

Three zoned areas, arranged in price groupings,

allow an easy comparison of the type of boats your budget can buy. From $1,000 up to the luxury range of $200,000+, choose your best fit and then enter the show to look at brands and models in detail.

An Information Booth will be available in the foyer with details of boat licencing courses on all aspects of boating skills; and the all-important destinations for your next holiday. $50,000 PACKAGE TO BE WON! Don’t forget to scan your entry ticket at the 6 designated points around the show auditorium to automatically enter the draw to win a boat, trailer and engine package worth $50,000!

YACHTING LUXURY! Upon entering the show, your eyes will be instantly drawn to the massive mast of Jeanneau Boats’ 379 Cruising Yacht.

With just a 750mm mast

clearance from the roof, this beautiful, expensive, luxury sailboat comes to the 2015 Melbourne Boat Show direct from Europe.

It is an awesome sight and a great chance to get up close with such a magnificent lady.

It is possible for anyone to experience this wonderful and elegant vessel as it will be available for charter on Victoria’s very own boating playground – the Gippsland Lakes. What a perfect combination of luxury, exciting sailing and the

and built in France. Part of the Monte Carlo Yachts Group it can be yours for a cool $1million plus!

A jaw-dropping price-tag but with an aspirational lifestyle attached!

BOATS, BOATS AND MORE FISHING BOATS! If it’s fishing boats you’re into, where else can you see so many brands and models all under the one roof. As well as your longterm favourite exhibitors bringing their latest models

and a whole new range of releases, this year’s Melbourne Boat Show introduces some exciting new brands. So come and check out the features of each model and learn about their technical aspects by talking to the experts – the men and women who know their ranges better than anyone.

From the smallest tinnies to the mega-boats, the range of exhibitors covers fishing-boats, pleasure craft, jet-skis, yachts and paddle-boards

The Jeanneau Boat’s 379 Cruising Yacht.

and kayaks.

There will be engine manufacturers displaying their ranges to match with any model or size of boat that you could want.

Trailer manufacturers will be featuring their ranges as well with exhibitors of both aluminium and steel models.

PACKAGES, SPECIAL DEALS AND ACCESSORIES Many exhibitors will be offering deals so you can buy a complete package with boat, engine, trailer, insurance and a whole range of accessories.

And don’t forget exhibitors will have prepared some extra special deals designed just for this year’s Melbourne Boat Show. Be sure to check out the deals on offer.

Everything you could possibly need or want for your boat will be available; from essential communications and navigation equipment, to winches, anchors and other accessories. Technology advances rapidly so take some time to visit the technical exhibitors to keep abreast of all the changes.

A lot happens in a year!

RODS, REELS AND ALL THINGS FISHY What would the Melbourne Boat Show be without a huge range of rods, reels and other fishing equipment? Make sure you don’t miss the stands and deals available.

natural beauty of one of our largest inland waterways.

It could be yours for an unforgettable holiday.

CRUISING LUXURY! Perhaps the most expensive boat ever displayed at the Melbourne Boat show, Sundance Marine, will be proudly displaying a 40ft luxury cruiser. Showcased at the Boot Dusseldorf Boat Show in Germany, the Monte Carlo 4S is of Italian design WHAT ABOUT ME? There is plenty of entertainment for the kids – big and small alike with many new activities along with old favourites.

The 2015 Melbourne Boat Show introduces a whole new element with kids fishing clinics both inside and on the Yarra’s edge. Hosted by River2Surf, who are passionate about teaching sustainable fishing knowledge and techniques to a wide audience, there will be three separate zones.

Kids aged up to 6 years 50

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2015 • MELBOURNE

BO AT S HO W melbourneboatshow old, can try their luck catching a colourful plastic floating fish in the Junior Catch Pool, using a safetyconscious loop to hook their catch. Underneath each fish is a marker with a prize awarded for catching a fish.

Help will be on-hand to give the little ones a fun time.

For older kids 7 years and up, the Casting Zone will test their skills at target casting to win a prize. The team from River2Surf will again be on-hand to help.

For the 7 to 17 year olds, the Fishing Clinic on the Yarra River will give them a chance to catch a real fish. Numbers are limited so make sure to book them in to avoid disappointment.

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show that will be sure to engage kids and adults alike.

With guest appearances by well-known fishing personalities, Darren Finkelstein, Charlie Micallef, Lee Rayner, Theo Rozakis, Paul Worsteling and others, the Main Stage will be lively, entertaining and educating for all. There will be demonstrations, talks and book signings and the chance for you to meet and chat with fishing experts.

The Shimano Fishing Tank will feature this year and have a 10m long tank divided into two sections, Mossy will have fun demonstrating catch and release techniques and even inviting audience

participation.

There are heaps of fishing and casting demonstrations and prizes and give-aways including $500+ each day in fishing gear from your favourite brands.

CARS, BOATS AND TODD AND RICK KELLY Joining the ambassador team for the 2015 Melbourne Boat Show are multiple Bathurst Winners for Holden, the Kelly brothers. They are also the proud owners of Nissan Motorsport, the factory Nissan V8 Supercar Team.

As well as racing cars all over Australia and New Zealand they are passionate about power craft including To page 52

$5,000 to be won – so get your kids to try out their skills!

Then take time out at the Family Meal and Relax Zone right alongside the kids’ activities.

ON STAGE THIS YEAR What better introduction for on-stage activities than well-known fishing presenter and enthusiast, Dave Moss!

Fishing is in Mossy’s blood and he delivers a highly entertaining and exciting

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their own high-powered purpose-built race boat.

If you are looking for a new vehicle to tow your new boat, don’t forget to stop and talk to the boys from Bayside Jeep who will have a number of models on display.

It’s not just boats!

BROWSE AND IMPROVE YOUR KNOWLEDGE Even if you’re new to boating or wanting to buy your first boat, the 2015 Melbourne Boat Show is the perfect place to find out everything that you need to know to keep you safe on the water. There will be experts on hand to advise

you on licencing, watersafety; and where to find courses to learn how to launch and retrieve a boat.

Technical and practical information is at hand.

Not ready to buy?

What better way to do your research for your next purchase? When you are ready to buy you will be well prepared with all the

information and contacts you need to secure the best deal possible. Whether it be a complete new package or an update of your engine or trailer or other accessory on your existing boat.

Don’t miss out on the 2015 Melbourne Boat Show. It’s new and it’s exciting!

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Exhibitors EXHIBITORS GOURMET EXPERIENCE FOR CLUB MARINE MEMBERS Club Marine members are in for a special treat at this year’s Melbourne Boat Show when we feature Club Marine’s Gourmet Experience with Bart Beek.

Exclusive to Club Marine,

cooking class, in which he will guide them through the creation of a fabulous dish.

At the end of each session, the lucky participants will savour their newly cooked masterpiece with an appropriately matched beverage in front of a crowd of envious onlookers.

Club Marine members who would like to participate in Club Marine’s Gourmet Experience with Bart Beek

Bar Crusher models on display at the show include the popular folding-roof cuddy cabin (C) series.

Exclusive to Club Marine, you can have a Gourmet Experience with Bart Beek. a few lucky members will enjoy an exclusive personal coaching experience with Bart, live on the Club Marine stand.

Club Marine resident chef Bart Beek can regularly be found entertaining the crowds at boat shows across Australia, where his vibrant personality brings the Club Marine Stand alive as he prepares his latest offerings from the pages of Club Marine Magazine’s Gourmet section.

Club Marine members will join Bart for an exclusive

at this year’s Melbourne Boat Show can email promotions@clubmarine. com.au, specifying your preferred date and time (from the below list) in the subject field. Please include your policy number and phone number in the body of the email. Members will be randomly selected from the list of entries and will be notified prior to the show.

Club Marine’s Gourmet Experience with Bart Beek session times: • Friday, June 12 – 10.30am, 12pm, 1.30pm, 3pm, 4.30pm

• Saturday, June 13 – 10.30am, 12pm, 1.30pm, 3pm, 4.30pm • Sunday, June 14 – 10.30am, 12pm, 1.30pm, 3pm, 4.30pm Please note: Club Marine will provide free show entry to winning members for the day of their Master Class.

Members are responsible for their own accommodation and transport to and from the Melbourne Boat Show.

SHOW SPECIALS ON NEW BAR CRUSHERS Making their Melbourne Boat Show debut, Bar Crusher’s new 490C and 490WR will turn plenty of heads – as will the competitive pricing!

Aimed squarely at entrylevel boat buyers and those looking to step-up from pressed-aluminium tinnies, the 490 hull series brings Bar Crusher’s renowned quality and performance within reach of more people with its mid-$30k price tag.

Measuring 4.90m LOA, with a 2.00m beam, the 490C

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and 490WR are built on Bar Crusher’s industry-leading Gen2™ hull design with Delta Flare™. The high-tech Waveslicer® non-pounding, deep-V hull delivers an ultrasmooth ride, the expertlyengineered Rigideck® sub-floor system creates maximum hull strength and Bar Crusher’s exclusive Quickflow® water ballast technology ensures the 490C and 490WR are extremely stable at rest.

Lending itself to family fishing, the 490C is a tough all-round cuddy cabin boat that will handle the punishment first-time boaters often inadvertently dish-out to their boats. Great performance, easy to tow, launch/retrieve and maintain, it’s destined to ensure people stay involved in boating too.

The walk-around centre console 490WR will prove popular among lure casters and trollers. Freshwater, estuary and inshore, it’s the baby Bar Crusher many

The Bar Crusher award-winning hard top (HT) offshore series. anglers have been waiting for!

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From page 54

launching and retrieving is a breeze. Self-centring and aligning perfectly every time, Bar Crusher’s innovative Bar Catch™ system also allows

hard top (HT) offshore series – will be updated colour schemes, new seating arrangements/options and other innovations designed to further improve your boating

buyer’s guide to assist with your research.

For more information call Bar Crusher Boats (03) 9792 2999 or visit barcrusher.com.au.

The 650 Trident HT on display at the JV Marine World’s stand. for single-handed launch and retrieve.

Among the range of other Bar Crusher models on display at the show – including the popular folding-roof cuddy cabin (C) series and award-winning

and fishing experience.

Whether you’re a firsttime boat buyer or have owned 10 boats and you’re looking for your next one, drop by and say g’day to the team and pick-up a copy of Bar Crusher’s boat

JV MARINE DRAW CARD JV Marine World’s stand is always a massive draw card at the Melbourne Boat Show and this year will be no different. Their monstrous stand will be displaying over

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50 new boat packages, all at amazing prices.

There will be specials across the entire range of Quintrex aluminium boats, Haines-Signature fibreglass boats, Yellow plate offshore boats, Four Winns luxury Bow Riders and Cruisers, Revival fibreglass boats, Kawasaki jetskis, Suzuki 4-stroke outboards, E-Tec Outboards and Dunbier trailers. There is no better time to grab a serious bargain than at the Melbourne Boat Show!

Looking for something new? JV Marine will be displaying the new ‘Fighter’ series of Hornets and Explorers from Quintrex with their new look front bow area.

Haines-Signature are constantly evolving their boats and have made some tweaks of late, leading with the 650 Hard Top which will be on display powered by a 250hp Suzuki 4-stroke.

The new Kawasaki range of Supercharged 310hp Jetskis will be on display, and let’s not forget the game changing E-Tec G2 Outboard that is sure to change the way people see outboard engines.

Revival Boats will be

For more information visit www.jvmarine.com.au.

RAYMARINE ELECTRONIC PROWESS Leading electronics manufacturer, Raymarine, can be found by Door 7 at this year’s Melbourne Boat Show.

Raymarine’s fishfinding prowess is evidenced through their expanded range of multifunction displays and high performance sounder modules.

Exhibited in Melbourne for the first time, are three ground breaking new products. The CP470, the new eS Series HybridTouch™ Multifunction displays and in the DragonFly range, the new DragonFly 4, DragonFly 5 and Wi-Fish models.

The CP470 Sounder Module is Wide Spectrum, Dual CHIRP and 1kW/2kW compatible (transducer dependant), providing superb target separation and depth capabilities to 3,000m (10,000ft).

The new Airmar Widebeam CHIRP transducers are compatible with the CP470 (and the soon to be introduced, ultra-high performance, professional 4kW CP570). The all new

non-fogging.

To purchase Raymarine products at the show, see one of their participating dealers including Boating and RV, CH Smith and RoadTech Marine. As testament to the quality and performance of their products, leading manufacturers including Barcrusher and Whittley choose to install Raymarine products as standard to further enhance their class leading boats.

ON A HOT STREAKER BOATS Leon and Paul Savage’s Streaker Boats will again attend this year’s Melbourne Boat Show and display a range of their own ‘award winning’ Streaker Boats as well as a large display of the market leading Quintrex aluminium boats and the latest models from Cruise Craft.

All brands will be available with the customer’s choice of either Yamaha or Mercury outboard motors and finance applications can be easily arranged through Yamaha Motor Finance, irrespective of engine choice.

The highlight of this year’s Boat Show for Streaker Boats is that we

displaying two brand new models never seen before, so look out for them, a 580 and 640 Cabin Cruiser.

Four Winns will have a few new models to show as well as incorporating the new 4.5L V6 250hp Mercruiser into their Bow Riders, which will be on display.

For the biggest range of quality boating brands all at the best prices make sure you visit the JV Marine World stand at this year’s Melbourne Boat Show.

eS Series HybridTouch™ Multifunction displays are ideal for offshore fishing and compatible with the entire range of high performance CHIRP Sounder Modules and transducers.

Raymarine is also showcasing the full DragonFly range, featuring the new DragonFly 4 and DragonFly 5 models, the only ones in their class to feature Dual CHIRP, WiFi and fully bonded screens for excellent visibility and

have been appointed the ‘Sole Victorian Dealer’ for the sensational range of Cruise Craft Boats and will have on display at the show the latest Cruise Craft Explorer 595, 625 and 685 in Hard Top configurations.

Also on display, as a new release, will be Quintrex’s latest 610 Trident Hard Top. This will be the new models Boat Show debut and will be sure to attract the serious offshore angler looking

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76 Northern Hwy ECHUCA VIC 3564

5482 1992

www.boatsandmore.com.au

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for an alloy boat that will give an exceptionally soft ride due to its Blade hull, which is exclusive to the Quintrex range.

Another highlight of their display will be Yamaha’s recently released ‘new model’ 130hp 4-stroke outboard and also Mercury’s new 135hp 4-stroke outboard.

So whether you’re searching for a small tinny, outboard motor, or complete boat package, do yourself a favour and take the time to drop by the Streaker Boats stand to have a look at the awesome range of Quintrex, Cruise Craft and Streaker models on display and have a chat to their friendly staff who will be more than happy to discuss your boating requirements.

SAM ALLEN WHOLESALE’S EXCITING NEW PRODUCT Lenco Marine Lenco Marine is the true industry leader in the marine and boating world - manufacturing trim tabs and electric actuators and switches. The Auto Glide

Boat Levelling System is quite simply the most advanced, fuel efficient, automatic trim tab control system ever developed.

Lenco Marine has an extensive range trim tabs suiting almost any type of installation no matter how complex or difficult the installation making it simple and easy.

NEW Reverse Mount Trim Tab Kit The Reverse Mount Trim Tab has a short ram, perfect where space is limited on the transoms or in-mounted in reverse if there is a moulded swim platform. The actuator can be installed on the underside of a swim platform and does not impede tab movement.

Lenco Electric Trim Tab Kits make your boat ride smoother, drier, faster, safer and more fuel efficient whether on a small boat or a large yacht. The Lenco Ballscrew design is more reliable, three times more powerful and features an instant response, which makes them very userfriendly compared to typical hydraulics.

The New Reverse Mount Trim Tab extends Lenco’s range of trim tabs providing one of the most trim tab solutions in the marine industry.

Some of the key features

with the Lenco Trim Tab system are: Fuel savings by up to 53% when installed with the Auto Glide System; can be installed on any boat with any engine(s); easy retrofit to boats with hydraulic tabs; fast and easy installation; and, softer, smoother and more comfortable ride.

BL MARINE DELIVERS AGAIN BL Marine is a family owned business that has been established for over 35 years. With a large range of products and brands, BL Marine can accommodate the needs of most boating enthusiasts.

This is BL Marine’s 17th year displaying at the Melbourne Boat Show and this year our display will feature Stacer Aluminium Boats, Crownline USA built bow riders, Australian-built Matrix ski and wakeboard boats, Yamaha Waverunners, Mercury and Yamaha outboards.

All brands on display will feature exclusive Boat Show deals, along with competitive finance and insurance programs, all of which is handled in house at BL Marine.

Our Stacer display will include Baymaster and

MELBOURNE’S MOST EXPERIENCED

DEALER

SERVICING THE BOATING INDUSTRY SINCE 1981

VIC/TAS Dealer /14 3 1 0 2 r a e Y e h t f o US AT THE COME AND SEE

OAT SHOW MELBOURNE B

STAND C5

BLE WITH EITHER PACKAGES AVAILA AHA OUTBOARDS MERCURY OR YAM 58

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OVER

30 YEARS EXPERIENCE

E LARG display

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612-614 Plenty Road, Preston VIC 3072 | 03·9478 1420 | info@blmarine.com.au

2015 • MELBOURNE

BO AT S HO W melbourneboatshow Seaway runabouts, Outlaws and Proline Anglers, Easy Rider bow riders and the highly acclaimed Assault Pro. They will be powered by a variety of latest release Mercury and Yamaha outboards.

Crownlines on display will include the 18SS, 19SS and 215SS trailerable bow riders all powered by Mercruiser Stern Drives.

Crownline is recognised throughout the world as one of the finest manufactured fibreglass products available.

At BL Marine we have been a dealer for Australian manufactured Matrix ski and wakeboard boats for the past 15 years.

Matrix are renowned for their exceptional build quality, attention to detail, performance, design and value for money. We will have the largest range of Matrix boats ever displayed at the Melbourne Boat Show including the Australian release of the new MXZ cross over bow rider and the new model MVS rear mount.

Our stand will also include a range of Yamaha Waverunners featuring the latest release VXR and FX SVHOs, which include

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the unique Yamaha RIDE system. For the first time in Australia you can experience the benefits of RIDE on dry land with the Yamaha simulator.

With our wide range of products we have something to accommodate the needs of all families. Come and

visit our stand C5 and speak with any of our experienced staff about our products and exclusive boat show offers.

THREE CHANCES AT A SAVAGE

Savage Aluminium boats will be represented at the Melbourne Boat Show this year by 3 of it’s biggest

dealers in Victoria. The Marine Shop, Eade’s Xtreme Marine and Warragul Marine Centre are displaying a huge range of Savage Aluminium boats, from the smallest in the range up to the brand new model, the 575 Blue Water cabin boat.

One of the original punt-

Lencos new Reverse Mount Trim Tab Kits will be on display at the Show.

style sport fishing boats, the Jabiru, will be on show as well as the ever popular Bay Cruiser runabout series for families and anglers alike.

The exciting new Scorpion range, released late last year, will also be on display. They are sure to appeal to the fishers out there, with side or centre console configurations, available with front and rear casting platforms and live bait tanks as standard features.

If you prefer a boat with plenty of seating, the Beachcomber bowrider is the boat to choose. With seating up the front for the kids and fishing room down the back, this is the perfect all-rounder for skiing, fishing or just cruising.

All the boats are powered

by Mercury outboards, for reliability, performance and value for money.

Come and see the team on the stand at the Melbourne Boat Show, call the team at The Marine Shop in Melton on 03 9747 0588, Eade’s Xtreme Marine in Echuca on 03 5482 2333 or Warragul Marine Centre in Warragul on 03 5623 6250 , or visit www. savagealuminium.com.au.

BOATS & MORE OFFER MORE Boats & More are excited to be displaying a great range of fishing boats, wake boats and bow riders at this year’s Melbourne Boat Show on Stands D9 and D6. There will be a range of Haines Hunter boats on display including the new release 565R, ideal for fishing and leisure and at a very competitive price.

Once again there will be a 565 Offshore on display at an unbelievable price. There will also be a 520R and 495 Profish on display.

On the aluminium side of things there will be a huge range of Clark boats on display including the Predator, Kakadu SC, Bay Hunter, Estuary Pursuit, Rebel CC and Dominator models. There is sure to be a boat in the Clark range to suit any fishers’ needs.

On Stand D6, just opposite their main stand, will be a range of Anglapro boats including the Sniper, Getaway, Outlaw and Trixsta models. The Anglapro boats are built tough with their XCore construction and new Saber hull.

There will be four MB Wake Boats on display, To page 60

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ncluding the F21 Tomcat, F22 Tomcat, B52 21 and the new release B52 23. The MB boats are packed full of features sure to satisfy the family or hard core wakeboarder and the value for money is exceptional.

The new release Larson FX1750DC will be on display and is sure to impress.

It is the ultimate inshore fishing weapon with ample casting space and all the essential options included.

There will be a range of Larson Bowriders on display including the LSR2000, LX195S and the LX 180 SE. Larson Bowriders are the perfect family boat, beautifully finished, with fantastic performance in all conditions. Luxury you can afford.

A full range range of Mercury, Suzuki, Evinrude and Seadoo products are available from Boats & More. They are also a Compleat Angler store and have stores in both Shepparton and Echuca.

Be sure to see the friendly team at Boats & More on stands D9 and D6.

They can tailor a package just for you.

BLUE BOTTLE FISHING BONANZA Blue Bottle Fishing will be attending the Melbourne Boat Show this year at Stand A26 with their great range of fishing and boating products on display. Some of their key products available will the range of Chiller Fish Bags,

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the Launch and Retrieve Boat Latch, Bubba Blade Knives and the new RinseKit which is a portable wash down device.

The Chiller Fish Bags have been extremely popular product since hitting the Australian market and are a great alternative to the common icebox or esky.

They are designed to store your fish catch in a hygienic environment ensuring fresher, long lasting fish.

The bags are able to hold ice for days due to the insulated 1/2” dense foam and the UV resistant outer. The bags have flared bottoms so they stand up straight and come in various sizes from the Micro (75cm length) through to the Maxi (2m), which is perfect for

storing those big Victorian game fish.

The bags also have drain ports for easy cleaning and can be folded after use for great storage.

The RinseKit is also a product worth checking out: It’s a portable, pressurised shower that’s like having a garden hose in the field. With no pumping, and no batteries, it fills in 20 seconds, and is able to deliver pressurised spray for up to four minutes. It comes packed with thoughtful features, including: compact design with a 2 gallon pressure chamber, built-in ruler to measure fish, folding handle for one-handed carrying, and easy-to-remove lid to stand on for changing.

So come on down to Stand A26 and see Spiro and the team for some great deals on their range of products.

GET TO KNOW ROBALO Robalo may not be a household name in Australia, although the more serious members of the fishing fraternity would be familiar with the brand; but if the latest offerings from this very experienced boat builder are any indication, we can expect to see a lot more of these clever boats on our waterways in the near future.

Most fishos wouldn’t know that Robalo has been a leading contender in building dedicated fishing boats for over 45 years and is credited with a number of ‘firsts’ in the industry that many of us take for granted now.

The T-Top for example was a Robalo first as was the integration of Kevlar in the hull construction.

Now sold in 30 countries around the world Robalo have branched out into crossover models that offer fishing fundamentals, but add family orientated designs that allow for expanded boating activities, such as skiing and cruising, which has to help get the family

financial controller over the line when the big purchasing decision is being made.

The R207 for example is a dual consul bow rider that is packed with fishing features such as live bait tank, raw water wash down, self draining decks, rod storage, tackle locker, kill tanks, toe rails, and interchangeable seating such that creates big casting platforms. Then with the optional wake tower (complete with rocket launchers) the built in head and stunning good looks, the family can relax on what is ostensibly a classy high performance sports boat – everyone is happy!

The real secret to Robalo’s success is the Hydro Lift deep V hull design; the engineers have created an efficient, soft riding hull that offers a dry ride and phenomenal efficiency at all speeds; the variable dead rise combined with wide reverse chine’s provides exceptional stability at rest.

With standard features such as bronze sea strainers, direct overboard drainage, top end gelcoats that resist fading or chalking, acrylic epoxy resin used with woven roving and Kevlar in the construction, chrome plated 316 grade stainless hardware, high volume pumps, oversized circuit protected wiring, high density foam buoyancy and quality touches everywhere you look; the Robalo range sets a new standard in boat design and construction.

From a pricing point of view we were pleasantly surprised with just how competitive the Robalo’s are; the model range includes Centre Consoles from 18-30’, Walkaround cabin boats from 22-30’, Bayboats from 20-24’ and the Cross over Bowriders from 20-25’.

To give you an idea, the starting price of the R207 cross over with a 115hp 4-stroke motor with trailer and bunch of extras, ready to

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go is just $84,999.

With 227L fuel capacity the R207 can take you to your favourite fishing spot no matter how far it is and don’t think for one minute that the bow rider design compromises the famous Robalo dry ride, the steep Carolina bow, high free board and amazing Hydro-Lift hull can handle anything you want it to tackle; you will be amazed at how comfortable it is. If you have struggled to convince the treasurer to spend money on a new boat, then one ride in the R207 will be the clincher!

Manufactured by the highly regarded Chaparral sports boat company who are celebrating their 50th year of production, Robalo currently hold the number #1 position in U.S. with a 25% share of the fishing boat market from 18-30 feet and have won dozens of industry and consumer awards with their all new line up.

Fishing Monthly will bring some hardcore Robalo tests to you soon, but for now visit the Aussie Boat Sales stand at The Melbourne Boat Show and check out the Robalo range including the crossover bowriders, walkaround/cuddy’s, centre consoles and Bay boats and see for yourself why Robalo are taking the world by storm.

Aussie Boat Sales can be found on stand D10 near entry door 7 or for more info go to www.robalo.com or call Robalo Australia on (03) 9397 6977. (The photos supplied are courtesy of Moby Dick Content) DYNAMIC DUO UNMASKED AT WHITTLEY Following the release at the 2015 Miami Boat Show, rumour has been rife about just when Volvo Penta’s next-generation V6-200C and V6-240C would make their local entrance. We can now reveal that the To page 62

MASSIVE JUNE IN STORE SALE Starts Monday 8th June Ends June 27 p: 9772 1800 • m: 0417 721999 • e: brian@baymarine.com.au

MERCURY OUTBOARDS 2.5 HP THROUGH 400 HP - REPOWER SPECIALS Unlike any 4 stroke the world has ever seen. Unbridled power, compact, reliable & fuel efficient.

Order a new Mercury during our June sale and save 25% on installation & pre-delivery.

Commercial operators. All new SeaPro 4 stroke model range 2 Year /1000 hour warranty.

Finance Available

MERCURY MERCRUISER PETROL & DIESEL STERNDRIVE & INBOARDS Now is the time to repower and ready your cruiser for next summer. Let our 35 Years of MerCruiser experience select the right motor & drive combination to suit your boat. Order a new Petrol or Diesel Mercruiser during our June Sale and save 25% on installation & Pre delivery. Finance Available

MERCRUISER NEW MODELS V6 4.5 LT 200 HP & 250 HP

Mercury Inflatables – One Incredible Inflatable Range

Haines Hunter – Powered with Mercury outboards Australian made with over 50 years of manufacturing experience.

Mackay aluminium trailer upgrade included with all June orders NEW MODEL

Air Deck

2.20 - 3.20

Heavy Duty

3.65 - 4.70

Dinghy

2.00 - 2.70

2.50 - 4.60

Sport

2.20 - 3.20

Rigid Hull Ocean runner & Dynamic

Brooker Aluminium Boats - Better value, better built.

Dinghies, Runabouts, Side & Centre Console models. Order a stock package in June & get a Lowrance Elite 5 GPS sounder fitted for $99.

MACKAY TRAILERS Get a ripper June only deal on all new galvanized & alloy Trailers

WIN THIS NEW HAINES HUNTER 495 PROFISH Spend $20 in store during our June Sale and receive a ticket to go into the draw to win the fabulous New Haines Hunter Boat Powered with a Mercury 75 Hp 4 stroke Outboard On a Mackay Trailer Including Rego & Safety Equipment Bimini Canopy & Tonneau Cover.

Fish finder.

IN STORE JUNE SPECIALS ON ELECTRONICS

Bell Marine quality stainless anchor winches, bait boards & rod holders.

SERVICE, PARTS & ACCESSORIES

Authorised Mercury MerCruiser service centre. Factory trained technicians. An extensive range of parts & accessories. Drop in and see us at 8 Ashley Park Dve, Chelsea Heights Vic. 3196

9772 1800 • info@baymarine.com.au • www.baymarine.com.au

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dynamic duo will make their Australasian debut on the Whittley Marine stand at the 2015 Melbourne Boat Show – the first time these engines will be on public display outside the US and a unique opportunity for boat show patrons to find out what all the buzz is about.

“The response to these new engines has been unprecedented,” Whittley Managing Director, Neville Whittley revealed. “In fact, we had to revise our forward orders after pre-selling our initial consignment. And that was before the first new engine even hit our shores.”

Volvo Penta’s catalysed aluminium V6 is inspired by the award-winning V8-380 introduced in 2012. The all new platform incorporates closed loop cooling as standard, eliminating exposure to saltwater thereby enhancing durability and reducing maintenance. The nett result is a lightweight high performance power plant with unrivalled fuel economy that has been bred to thrive in harsh marine environments.

Key benefits and technologies include:

Whittley have the Volvo Penta V6-200C and V6-240C installed in a range of its most popular fishing and cruising models.

Better fuel economy and lower emissions through common-rail direct fuel injection; higher torque and acceleration using Variable Valve Timing (VVT); no saltwater exposure to any internal engine parts with freshwater cooling (FWC); increased powerto-weight ratio due to lightweight all-aluminium block optimized for use with ethanol blends using wideband oxygen sensors; extended service intervals and simplified servicing from common engine platform.

Yet, despite the obvious focus on performance and reliability, Volvo has not compromised its commitment to the environment and has delivered a platform that stretches the performance envelop while shrinking the environmental footprint.

The V6-200C and V6-240C are now the most environmentally friendly engines in the industry, surpassing all other inboard and outboard benchmarks.

All new engines support Volvo Penta’s optional EVC (Electronic Vessel Control) and touch-screen Glass Cockpit which seamlessly integrates all entertainment

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and navigational systems and offers fingertip control over the engine’s vital functions and the vessel attitude.

“We’ve been working closely with Volvo Penta to ensure that our hulls were optimised to take advantage of the new engine platform,” said Whittley’s director of R&D, Steve Whittley. “And we are delighted with the results. Not only has Volvo Penta provided us with a product that keeps pace with other players in the market, they’ve completely eclipsed them.”

So if you’re interested in discovering why so many boating families have adopted a sterndrivepowered Whittley CR or SL, come visit us at stand D4 and experience how the nextgeneration lives.

Whittley will have the V6-200C and V6-240C installed in a range of its most popular fishing and cruising models ready for potential buyers to sample straight after the show.

CHECK OUT THE LATEST QUINTREX MODELS After releasing new models in March – the Melbourne Boat Show is one

Anchoring System Drum Anchor Winches Specialists Mud Magnet Anchors

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Rope & Chain Kits Lone Star Marine 5 + LIFE Wiring Looms Australian Owned Hawse Pipes Australian Designed Chain Guard 5 Year Unconditional Warranty Bowsprits Industry Leading Customer Service & Support warranty

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BO AT S HO W melbourneboatshow of the first opportunities for customers to check all the latest Quintrex products on offer. And with JV Marine and Streaker Boats attending with a whole heap of Quinnie favourites there will be plenty to see!

New to the Quintrex line-up for 2015 is the 610 Trident Hard Top. After demand from customers and dealers Quintrex has expanded their ultimate offshore fishing range, which now includes 6 models. The 610 Trident Hard Top offers customers a slightly more versatile and affordable option while still incorporating all the features and strategic layout design of the larger Hard Top models.

Constructed with 5mm marine grade aluminium bottom sheets and an underfloor rib structure the 610 Trident HT is made to handle and manoeuvre through Australian waters and weather.

Another must see model is the new Top Ender and Hornet Trophy. The Top Ender Range has received upgraded thickness of bottom and side sheets for extra strength from the 430 to 510 models as well as

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new premium carpet, a new console and new premium seat bases and pedestals.

Quintrex National Account Manager Cameron Wood said the Top Ender Range was taking back its title as the premium fishing boat of choice.

“We have added plenty of new features to the Top Ender range but the price has remained practically unchanged,” Cameron said.

The new 2015 Hornet models now all feature the Fighter Series bow, which offers a wide ‘forked’ shaped bow, designed to improve stability at rest and also increase internal storage room and the casting area.

The addition of the Fighter Series Bow sees a whopping 11% increase of size in the front casting deck across the entire Hornet Trophy range which also feature new premium, hook less and heat resistant carpet.

YOU BELONG ON A HOBIE® Specialist water-sports manufacturer Hobie Cat® has been reinventing the word fun since the 1950s.

Hobie revolutionised the world of surfing in the 50s with the introduction of

The 440 Hornet Trophy from Quintrex.

the world’s first fibreglass and foam-core surfboards.

They went on to spark an international sensation in the 60s and 70s with the invention of the Hobie 14 and 16 foot catamarans, and that was just the beginning.

Fast forward to 2015 and a wide range of catamarans, kayaks, stand up paddle boards and accessories to cater to all ages and levels of experience have been added to the Hobie legacy.

Visit the Hobie stand at this year’s show to see a range of Hobie MirageDrive kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.

The MirageDrive let’s you power the kayak with your feet, driving two under water flippers that work like a penguins fins to propel the kayak with remarkable speed and leave your hands free for fishing, your camera or even holding a drink.

Also on show is the Hobie Mirage Tandem Island – A super fast, two-person kayak, with the MirageDrive. But attach the included cross beams, floats and sailing kit and you and a partner will be flying across the water, powered by a roller furling, To page 64

03 9729 8288

CALL NOW FOR OUR BOAT SHOW SPECIALS

461 Mountain Highway Bayswater VIC 3153

Tel (03) 9729 8288

streakerboats.com.au JUNE 2015

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boomless mainsail.

Always a favourite, Hobie will once again provide a huge highlight to the show, head over to their stand and check them out or visit them online at hobiecat.com.au.

VRFISH, THE FISHERS’ VOICE VRFish is your peak body representing recreational fishers in Victoria.

We have more than 100 years of fishing knowledge and experience in recreational fishing. We represent the full diversity of fishers with members from different cultural and ethnic groups.

We are made up of representatives from Victorian offshore, coastal, inshore, estuarine, inland and highland fisheries.

We are comprised of members from outside the well established clubs and associations and also include grass roots fishers that are not members of a formalised group. We are not-for-profit and our board is determined annually by a democratic election process.

Fish stocking, research, habitat improvement, enforcement and education, improving infrastructure and access are well established priorities identified by Victoria recreational fishers.

We will be at the show and are keen to talk to fishers about issues that are important to them.

Please be sure to stop by and say hello.

For regular updates sign up to our monthly newsletter on our website www. vrfish.com.au TONIC LATEST MODELS Tonic Polarised Eyewear, the new leader in high quality fishing sunglasses, is bringing its latest fashion frames and its new Neon ‘winter lens’ to the 2015 Melbourne Boat Show.

The Neon lens and stylish new Cove and Torquay fashion frames are part of the full Tonic range on offer at the Bar Crusher stand.

Neon is specially formulated for bright, reflection-free vision in low-light conditions as an ideal “winter lens”, available in Tonic’s popular Rush and Shimmer styles.

Tonic founder Doug Phillips developed Neon’s light copper colour using four colour filter layers for dawn and dusk fishing and for sight fishing in shadows, fog and cloud.

“Serious anglers love its ability to cut through the glare while maximising light – they say Neon seems to add an extra light source,” he said.

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Cove styles are designed to broaden the appeal of the range beyond the dedicated anglers who have already taken Tonic to their hearts.

Doug Phillips said they delivered Tonic’s highperformance optics in a more cosmopolitan style, ideal for clear and glare-free sightseeing or driving as well as for fishing.

“It’s all down to the latest in 21st century Japanese optical technology, which is what gives Tonic its unbeatable optical performance and all-day comfort,” he said.

“Our unique de-centred VistaView lens gives distortion-free viewing at any angle, and our scratch resistant UltraOptic lenses are just 1.8 mm thick, which makes them 30% lighter.

“Combined with our MultiCut full-spectrum anti-reflective coating and lightweight frames, this delivers fatigue-free vision in even the fiercest glare – people can hardly believe their eyes.”

Tonic Polarised Eyewear comes in eight wraparound styles, including Evo and Rush with ClikStrap removable safety strap. RRP AUD$259 with UltraOptic glass lenses.

Check out Tonic and find your Tonic retailer at www. toniceyewear.com.au.

PORT OF MELBOURNE CORPORATION The Melbourne Boat Show presents an important opportunity for Port of Melbourne Corporation (PoMC) to engage directly with bay stakeholders, particularly with regard to the ‘Steer Clear’ safety message reminding boat operators of the dangers of anchoring or mooring in shipping channels.

PoMC’s Steer Clear campaign reaches a targeted audience at the Melbourne Boat Show reminding visitors that commercial ships and small recreational vessels cannot be in the same place at the same time.

With such a diverse range of boating and fishing stakeholders under one roof, PoMC’s stand reaffirms that the best way for recreational fisherman and boat operators to enjoy their time on Port Phillip Bay is to do so responsibly by steering clear of large ships.

Large ships do not have brakes or the manoeuvrability to avoid small recreational boats which are often difficult to spot from a ship’s bridge. We remind visitors not to assume that if they can see a ship that the ship can also see them and that small boats should stay well clear of their path at all times rather than trying to move

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There is an Assault Pro to suit everyone’s needs. Available in lots of different sizes. away at the last minute.

Each year the PoMC’s distinctive stand with its strong safety branding is typically hosted by experienced staff from our Marine and Navigation Services Team who also provide insights into the port’s operations and aquatic events advice.

Importantly, direct feedback from visitors to our stand also allows PoMC to evaluate its Steer Clear advertising and messaging for the campaign’s continuous improvement and effectiveness.

For more information visit www.portofmelbourne.com.

BOATING & RV SHOWCASE Boating & RV are excited to be attending this year’s Melbourne Boat Show.

At the 2015 Melbourne Boat Show we will be showcasing a variety of new products from some of the biggest brands. These exciting new products include the Lowrance HDS Gen3 range, Humminbird’s Helix range and also the Raymarine WiFi Dragonfly.

Our friendly and experienced staff will be on hand to answer your questions and offer you pro-tips for any of your boating and RV needs. Sales representatives from all of the big brands will also be available on our stand throughout the show, to offer you expert advice for the latest products. We will have a huge range of boating and caravan supplies available at the Melbourne Boat Show, which will all be available at special show prices, so make sure you come and see us at this year’s show and catch a bargain!

Boating & RV are specialists in marine chandlery and RV accessories,

and with the addition of 3 new showrooms over the last 12 months, we are able to offer our great products, prices and service to even more boating enthusiasts. So if you can’t make it to the Melbourne Boat Show check out our online store and see our huge range.

Our friendly staff members are always available to offer you great advice whenever you need it. For more information visit www.boatingandrv.com.au.

MORE STACERS THAN EVER BEFORE With a huge line up of dealers attending the Melbourne Boat Show for 2015 there will be more Stacers on display than ever before. Attending dealers include BL Marine, Melbourne Marine, Phillip Island Marine and Molin Motorcycle and Marine.

On display will be a line-up of all the Stacer favourites including the family-friendly 429 Seaway, some serious fishing rigs with a range of Assault Pros on display and the ultimate offshore boat the Ocean Ranger Hard Top. The 429 Seaway has been upgraded from its previous flat back transom in favour of a new podded style, which not only aids stability but provides better flotation.

Stacer National Account Manager Drew Jackson said the 429 Seaway was a popular choice at the Melbourne Show in particular.

“Our new Seaway is rated to carry up to five people which is great for families looking for a manageable runabout they can still take the kids out in. I expect it will be just as popular if not more so at this year’s show,” Drew said.

The Assault Pro is also

set to draw the crowds featuring a new hull shape with a sharper chine, sleek new gunnels and extra freeboard offering unbeatable stability at rest.

The Assault Pro is available in a range of sizes including the 449, 459, 489 and 519 so there is one to suit everyone’s fishing style.

THE HAINES GROUP SPREADS WIDE The forthcoming BIA Melbourne Boat Show will again see a great cross section of product representation from Queensland manufacturer and marine industry icon – The Haines Group.

The Haines Group are the world’s biggest private distributor of the muchawarded Suzuki Marine Outboards, so visitors to the show can be guaranteed a great representation of Suzuki Marine products from a large cross section of their valued Victorian dealers.

This year Suzuki Marine will be represented by 5 Victorian dealers and OEM Boat Builders across the show. Customers from across the state will be spoilt for choice with Suzuki Marine products on display on the JV Marine site, Boats & More, TRE Motorsport the re-power specialists, along with Bar Crusher and Edencraft Boats.

In addition to the Suzuki Marine brand, The Haines Group flagship brand, Haines Signature Boats, will be well represented on the JV Marine World Stand, with 8 models on display for boating and fishing enthusiasts to peruse.

The Haines Signature range will highlight an excellent cross-section of boats from the Haines Signature stable, which are all perfectly suited to the

Victorian waterways and conditions. Showcasing the range, will be the new 650F Hardtop – an ideal offshore fishing boat designed to suit Victorian offshore waters.

On display at the 2015 show will be: 493F, 543F Predator, 575F, 575RF, 580BR, 602F Hardtop, 632F Hardtop, 650F Hardtop.

For further displays from The Haines Group range, make sure you make your way over to the Cranbourne Boating Centre stand as there will be a selection of Tournament Pleasure boats available for sale.

Whether it be Suzuki Marine power for your boat, a complete package to get your family on the bay or you’re a serious angler set to brave all conditions, The Haines Group has a product for you at the 2015 BIA Melbourne Boat Show.

FREE FISHING MONTHLIES AT THE SHOW The team from Victoria and Tasmania Fishing Monthly will be there at the show to say g’day, sign you up for a subscription (with a special gift for those who do) and to hand out a pallet load of free magazines!

Seriously. We’ll have free samples there, because, believe it or not, there’s some fishos and boaties who haven’t yet experienced the wonders of Vic/Tas FM. And it’s the least we can do to help educate them!

MY MARINE NEW SURTEES The MY Marine stand will be showcasing the new Surtees Boats’ models.

Built in 495, 575, 610, 650, 700, 750, and 850, the models are all available in Workmate, Game Fisher and Centre Console. And don’t worry the ever-popular 5.5 Workmate is still on offer.

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BO AT S HO W melbourneboatshow All the new models feature Surtees Boats’ non-pounding Super Deep V Hull, Stabilising Ballast Technology, and Surtees’ ultra-strong deck system.

Surtees Boats have been producing award winning vessels for over 20 years, since Neil Surtees made the first Surtees craft in the early 1990s to fish New Zealand’s prolific offshore waters.

Also on show will be the popular Stabicraft range; models include the 1850 Supercab, 2050 Supercab, 2100 Supercab and the 1650 Fisher.

However, the big news is the debut of the all-new 2400 Supercab. It’s 7m of offshore excitement set up as a twin rig with a locking cabin.

Not forgetting the bay and estuary fisho, the new 1600 Fisher and Frontier models, which incorporate the larger boat features, will be on display for the first time in Australia.

If your needs are a little smaller, the new 1410 (4.3m) range of Stabicrafts have been reworked with a number of new features.

Come and say hi to the Team at MY Marine on stand D9.

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FURUNO FEATURE FLARE FURUNO brings new features and refined controls to your fingertips with the new NavNet TZTouch2 multi function series.

Furuno Australia is pleased to announce this latest addition to the NavNet TZtouch multifunction display range is now available and will be on display at the Melbourne Boat Show.

NavNet TZtouch2 15.6” In 2012, FURUNO set a new standard for touch screen technology with the introduction of the marine industry’s first multi touch navigation system. FURUNO continue to leverage the latest hardware and software technology with their newest MFD (Multi Function Display) introduction, NavNet TZtouch2.

TZTouch2 includes many of the capabilities of the current award-winning TZtouch hardware and many new features, at a very attractive price point.

TZTouch2 is a touch only MFD (optional joystick available) and Furuno designers have developed a simple, refined, bright and

bold user interface where accessing menus is done from the main screen or via “Edge Swipe” motion.

TZTouch2 is the first MFD from Furuno to include a built in 56-channel GPS Receiver and dual frequency

600w/1kW Fish Finder.

The Fish Finder includes FURUNO’s unique Bottom Discrimination and ACCUFISH™ modes, but it also incorporates another new Furuno proprietary Fish Finder technology, called

RezBoost™.

RezBoost™ is a revolutionary new feature that uses FURUNO’s exclusive digital signal processing protocol to produce fantastic target resolution and separation, without the need to change out your transducer, or purchase expensive broadband transducers. With RezBoost™, you can now achieve target separation and resolution that was previously limited to FURUNO commercial-grade Fish Finders.

MORNINGSTAR BOATS After entering the Australian boat market a couple years ago now, Morningstar Boats are no longer the new kid on the block. And with Aussie Boat Sales now being the newest Australian dealer for these craft, it will not be long until we see more of these boats out on the water.

When it comes to design, the Hydro Hull on Morningstar Boats provide a smooth and steady ride.

During the construction process of these boats there’s little room for error, as the boat is put together using precise and consistent robot

welding. The boats also feature 5083 Aluminum Alloy, and meets Australian and CE Standards.

Confidence when purchasing comes from the manufacturer as all models come with a 5 year warranty.

Morningstar Boats have a series of models available, so pop into Stand D10 and see the team at Aussie Boat Sales to see these boats first-hand.

For more information visit www.morningstarboats.com.

BLA EXCITING NEW PRODUCTS Life Cell A device designed to reduce the amount of lives lost at sea, by ensuring all safety equipment is contained in one place when abandonment is the only option.

The Life Cell is made from closed cell PU foam and constructed from UV resistant flame retardant polyethylene (PE). They are supplied with a PE mount bracket. The Life Cell is designed to automatically float from the bracket in the event of being submerged.

Unlike grab bags, Life Cells float acting as a

SITUATION 385 Big Boy

455 Scorpion SC

TwoStroke Torque.

FourStroke Efficiency.

6 Holland Drive, Melton

03·9747 0588

www.themarineshop.com.au

D AN 2 ST #C

A BOAT FOR EVERY

To page 66

575 Blue Water

> Largest displacement in its class > Compact and lowest weight in design > Fewer moving parts > Quiet operation

172 Queen Street, Warragul

03·5623 6250 | www.warragulmarine.com.au

24 Sturt Street, Echuca

03·5482 23333

www.xtrememarine.net.au JUNE 2015

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From page 65

secure hand hold keeping all crew together and as stable platforms to assist in the deployment of flares and other safety equipment.

Life Cell is a floatation device that stores all your essential safety gear including, EPIRBs, flares, V sheets, whistles, horns and torches.

Minn Kota accessories With the introduction of new freshwater motors we have added some accessories to complement them. We now range all the Universal Sonar adaptors for all brands of electronics. Refer to the images for correct plugs to suit your application. We also have a new Drift Sock and Harness designed to slow your drift down in open water fishing. The new black ploy quick release bracket will perfectly suit your fresh water motor. This is the same as the 603009 you are all familiar with.

Micro Remote For i-Pilot And i-Pilot Link i-Pilot and i-Pilot Link give you full command of your motor. But when you want simplified, compact control, grab the waterproof Micro Remote accessory

for quick command of Spot-Lock, speed, steering and Advanced AutoPilot. i-Pilot and Link can learn multiple remotes.

Drift Sock Optimise your lure presentation with a Drift Sock, which can slow down your drift over holding fish.

Features durable construction and – on our MKA-27 – built-in weights and floats that allow it to automatically open when placed in the water.

MKA-28 Drift Sock Harness Attaches to any cleat with a quick connect clip.

The float allows sock to be quickly released to prevent tangles when fighting/ landing fish.

Universal Sonar 2 Adapters Universal Sonar 2 delivers streamlined, interference-free sonar performance and DualBeam PLUSTM technology for the best view of the waters below.

These adapters connect your motor to your favourite brand of sonar or fishfinder with waterproof connectors.

Minn Kota Terrova There are several exciting additions to the Minn Kota Australia line up

for 2015 and one of those is the Terrova freshwater motor.

If you are a freshwater angler take advantage of the standard features on the Terrova.

The Terrova has all the features of the saltwater Terrova and also includes a US2 Dual Beam transducer built into the lower unit. With the purchase of an adaptor this transducer will fit to Humminbird as well as many other brands of electronics operating 200/83kHz 2D sonar. See US2 adaptor cables to suit your sounder.

The Terrova also come standard with the foot pedal 602964. A black Poly quick release bracket is also available

It features: Digital MaximizerTM - Delivers up to five times more running time on a single battery charge. Stay out longer, stronger. A push to test battery meter - Get an instant ‘state of charge’ reading at the push of a button. i-Pilot - Advanced wireless remote uses GPS to set Spot-Locks, remember fishing spots and paths, and can control speed, steering, cruise control and Advanced AutoPilot.

Universal Sonar 2 - Motors with Universal Sonar 2 keep your transducer and wiring completely concealed and protected, running everything through the motor’s shaft, with shielded connectors that virtually eliminate

interference.

Terrova Foot Pedal - Low-profile, waterproof and loaded with comprehensive control features to let you make precise steering adjustments.

Includes 18” cord.

LONE STAR MARINE DEBUTS Lone Star Marine are proud to announce the release of an all new product range at Melbourne Boat Show this June. For the first time in ‘drum winch anchoring system’ history, they will be offering two ranges of anchoring systems, a winch for every boat and price point.

GX Series A natural evolution from the wildly popular Gen3 series, the GX encompasses all of the innovative design features of the Gen3 but will also feature all new quality Italian made transmissions, all AU made stainless steel, and fully sealed high output motors in a shorter design for easier fitting and versatility.

The GX will also feature an innovative easy to use manual release system in the event of loss of power.

All GX winches feature truly oversized worm drive gearing with the smallest unit boating a gearing system

.com.au

50% larger than used on any similar sized drum today. The GX will feature 3 models in the range for boats from 15-30ft. RRP including rope and chain from $1,099.

Elite Guaranteed to be the finest drum style anchoring systems ever created, the Elite by LSM feature a first in anchoring systems with an Australian-made hard anodized CNC’d billet (not cast) aluminium gearbox in marine grade alloy.

Gear sets featured in the Elite range are ground, polished, and work hardened have the highest holding power at anchor of any gear sets employed today.

To complement the finest gearboxes LSM have had new motor technology developed to employ the highest output power density on a more compact frame. This is brand new tech and has never before been employed in motors of this size or on any winch and promise to be the future of fine anchoring systems. LSM expects these winches to last for 20 years+ without corrosion. The Elite series will feature 5 models for boats from 18-70ft with RRP from $1,699.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Enterprise Marine

(02)

9999 5558

QLD (Cairns & Townsville)

NQ Marine Pty Ltd

0458502397

VICTORIA

Aussie Boat Sales

(03)

9397 6977

34 The Strand Williamstown Vic. 3016

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New Anchors LSM are proud to announce the release of two new anchors to suit virtually all seabeds. Both anchors feature the popular ‘slide handle’ as well as features unique to LSM. Bow Sprits To complement the popular SLR range, LSM have developed a new range of bowsprits. The CX series is a simple static sprit with no moving hinge. The CX features extra heavy

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duty AU made stainless, rollers, and even custom bolts for aesthetics and easy mounting.

YAMAHA MOTOR AUSTRALIA At this year’s Melbourne Boat Show, Yamaha Motor Australia will be proudly displaying their class leading range of Outboard Motors and WaveRunners.

Great finance and insurance options will also be available from Yamaha Motor Finance and Yamaha

Marine Insurance making it easy and convenient for customers to purchase at the show.

The flagship engine for Yamaha in 2015 is the all new F130A. This groundbreaking engine has been designed almost exclusively for the Australian market and is suited perfectly for a huge range of boats in the 5-6m class. Featuring the latest lightweight innovations, responsive performance and incredible fuel economy, the new F130A has taken the market by storm.

Yamaha will also display the 2015 range of WaveRunners – featuring the most powerful and exciting Yamaha models ever produced. In addition to this, Yamaha has also launched their new RiDE controls – a dual throttle system that allows the rider to decelerate and shift into neutral and reverse while maintain complete control.

The new RiDE system is a huge leap forward in WaveRunner design.

MERCURY SHOWS WHY IT’S A MUST SEE When it comes to recreational marine propulsion, Mercury Marine

by

has it all, which means the Mercury stand is a must see stop at this year’s Melbourne Boat Show.

The stand will have the best of everything Mercury, but two of the star attractions will be two brand new outboards which have blown the competition out of the water Verado 350hp 4-stroke Verado 350hp 4-stroke is built on Mercury’s proven supercharged inline 6-cylinder Verado technology, the new 350 delivers unsurpassed speed and amazing overall performance without sacrificing the durability and cruise fuel economy for which Verado is famous.

Testing has shown the Verado 350 provides up to 10% greater fuel economy than competitive outboards while being 56kg lighter than the nearest competitor.

Whether it’s installed in single, multiple, triple or quad-engine configurations, the Verado 350 delivers everything boaters and anglers demand.

Mercury Racing Verado 400R Mercury Racing Verado 400R is the most powerful

consumer outboard ever produced by Mercury.

An all-new watercooled supercharger enables the engine to generate unprecedented torque and unmatched acceleration all the way from the lower end of the power band up to the 7,000rpm maximum engine speed.

Thi s i ncr edi bl e achievement in power and efficiency is all built on the proven 2.6L Verado platform – and all aimed at creating the perfect powerhouse to complement the latest generation of hulls.

Fantastic as they are, these two engines are just the tip of the iceberg, with Mercury leading the way across the field – with MotorGuide electric trolling motors; outboards from small 2.5hp 2-strokes to 400hp Verado supercharged 6-cylinder 4-strokes; MerCruiser and Mercury Diesel petrol and diesel inboard and stern drive engines up to 430hp, as well as jet drives and specialist racing engines producing up to 1,650hp.

Add to that the largest range of propellers in the

world, brilliant inflatable boats, a massive range of parts and accessories, plus Mercury’s very own Mercury Finance and insurance.

So you can understand why Mercury Marine is number one on the water and the Mercury stand is the place to go at this year’s Melbourne Boat Show.

Mercury’s 400R with Sport Master gearbox.

LO #ROBAON NATI

Chaparral

Robalo Boats have been world leaders in fishing boat design and construction for 46 years, the unique HydroLift hull design provides the softest ride in the toughest conditions. With more standard features, quality finish and legendary handling, we challenge you to find a better fishing boat than a Robalo.

Time to get serious....

Bay Boats from 20-25ft

Crossover bowriders from 20-25ft

Call for your nearest dealer 03 9397 6977

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Centre Console from 18-30ft

Walkaround/cabin from 24-31ft

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Ocean bound with Whittley SL 26 hard top BRISBANE

Wayne Kampe wkff@aapt.net.au

The Whittley Sea Legend 26 HT SD Adventure is such a striking boat that it impressed me even before the hull hit the water at Pattersons Lake.

Everything about the Whittley Adventure is impressive. From the gleaming stainless bow rails to the high gloss gel coat, and the massive hard top with rear cockpit area extension, the Whittley is a boat that demands attention.

On water the Whittley’s renowned tradition of features, comfort, practicality, and attention to detail all blended smoothly

FEATURE PACKED LAYOUT At the front of the Whittley’s sleek cuddy cab is a massive anchor well, featuring a stainless steel drum winch, complete with rope, chain and Delta anchor.

Within the lined, well lit, and fully lockable cabin is, full passenger headroom when seated, below berth storage, fridge, stove, fan, table, and toilet and shower.

Twin, high-backed, bucket seats provide ultimate comfort and safety for the skipper and first mate, while a massive wiper equipped glass windscreen delivers outstanding visibility.

Connected to a solid moulded hard top and featuring side windows, the Whittley’s windscreen ensures optimum

This image gives a good look at the SL26’s stylish hull lines. not overblown or flashy. The dash features were numerous and generous, including trim tabs controls, speedo and tachometer, anchor winch controls, and engine start up system nestled either side of

the dash is the Whittley classy three spoke steering wheel linked to the vessel’s power steering system.

The Whittley’s side mounted engine controls featured Volvo Penta’s state-

a massive Raymarine Hybrid Touch sounder. Alongside the Raymarine unit was a 12V power outlet, while lower their banks of switches to control the many functions within the craft including the Fusion sound system. Sitting front and centre and proud of

of-the-art Electronic Vessel Control system with its interesting options of cruise, tow, plus other modes, at the skipper’s disposal.

In typical Whittley tradition the SL 26’s main seats were located on the front of massive storage boxes.

Top Left: This degree of freeboard makes the Whittley a blue water cruiser with real capacity for work over the horizon. Top Right: The Sea Legend’s graceful lines are easily seen in this shot. Above: The Volvo Penta D4 inboard is a popular choice for larger craft: note the accessibility of many of the features around and on the engine. Right: Powering into a sharp turn the Whittley’s massive hull shows off its well-formed bow. and seamlessly together to deliver boaties a vessel that performs as well as it looks. The Whittley’s diesel Volvo Penta inboard engine further enhances the package delivering outstanding power and performance.

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visibility and ventilation at any speed and in any conditions.

The cockpit features don’t end there, with a LED light bars overhead, LED cockpit lighting, rocket launcher rod racks, and marine radios tucked away

out of the weather and elements. Grab rails for the skipper, side padding for added comfort and security, and handy storage pockets further complement the boats ample list of features.

The Sea Legend’s dash layout was impressive, yet

These boxes also featured a seat on the rear of the box that allows a couple of passengers to remain close to the cockpit while under way. I was impressed with the manner in which the moulded seat boxes could be lifted upwards to allow access to the ample storage beneath. One thing that’s never in short supply in a Whittley is storage.

COCKPIT FOR FOUR ANGLERS TO WORK Located rear of the forward seating, and sheltered under the hard top’s extended canopy is a well set up, self draining cockpit that provides working room for up to four anglers. The Whittley’s gunwales feature sunken grab rails, padded sides, and massive side pockets that can store anything from fenders through to dive tanks. The side pockets also feature rod storage racks, which include in-hull tip protection for ultimate rod protection and angler safety.

A large, plumbed live well ensures your livebaits are kept alive and kicking, while a pair of rod holders adorned the top of the gunwales. A large underfloor compartment provides a home for your catch, and when combined with a deck wash makes it easy to keep things tidy when fish are coming aboard in quick succession.

Additional rod holders were set up on the stylish bait station aft of the engine box, as well as on a stainless rack on the rear of the massive fullwidth marlin board located on the stern of the craft. The marlin boat provides a handy place to fish on a warm day, and easily accessed via the vessel’s transom gate. In total there are 13 rod holders on-board providing ample storage and facilitating a clear clutter-free work area.

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Far Right: Plenty of the SL 26’s main features are visible here, among them paired high backed seats that pamper skipper and mate. Middle Right: Whittley won’t miss an opportunity for storage. Check out the storage space under the forward seats. Right: The Whittley’s massive side pockets come equipped with enclosed rod racks for safe carriage of valuable tackle.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION Length...............................................................7.74m Beam................................................................2.46m Deadrise.............................................................. 23° Weight BMT with stern drive ......................2975kg Fuel....................................................................270L Engine ratings.................................... 200 to 380 hp Engine fitted................... Volvo Penta 260 hp diesel.

Persons ..................................................................6 Towing.................................................... Large 4 x 4

There’s no need for any faux timber on this dash set up: the simple but effective layout says the lot.

DIESEL POWER WISE CHOICE. The cockpit seating consisted of slide-in quarter seats (removed for our test runs), and a very handy seat located on top of the engine box. The seat located on the engine was comfortable and also provided a degree of sound proofing for the Volvo Penta 260 diesel engine tucked into the rear of the craft. The Volvo D4/260 diesel engine is in keeping with growing trend for diesel engines on large trailer craft. The reason for their

growing popularity is simple.

The reasons come down to: limited initial expense, frugality running costs, plus the extra stability imparted to a hull.

The Volvo Penta D4, is a 260hp, fresh water cooled diesel inboard purpose-built as marine engine by a long standing marine engine manufacturer with decades of reliability and proven capability. The engine features a 3.7L capacity, common rail fuel injection, and turbo charging. The Volvo Penta engine also

A toilet with full headroom is just one of the outstanding features of this excellent Whittley.

features an electronic engine management for optimum efficiency, and is linked wirelessly to the Electronic Vessel Control system located at the helm.

The Volvo Penta diesel proved to be quiet, very responsive, and with ample performance. The big rig (with three aboard) planed at 13.17 knots (24.4 km/h) at 2000 rpm, and 22.40 knots (41.5km/h) at 2500rpm.

Fuel consumption at these speeds was an impressive 23L/h. When more throttle was applied 28.23 knots

(52.3km/h) was achieved at 3000 rpm, while at wide-open throttle 36.71 knots (68km/h) was achieved at 3600rpm.

While the Whittley’s speeds were impressive it’s perhaps the fuel consumption that is most noteworthy. At 22.40 knots (41.5km/h), a very useful cruising speed for such a large craft, the frugal diesel was sipping just 23L/h of fuel. With 270L of diesel under the floor that’s impressive cruising range on hand.

I’ll often devote a whole paragraph to a boat’s stability

and sea keeping attributes when writing a review, but with the Whittley that many words aren’t required. The Whittley is a large hull, with raft-like stability; the result is a vessel that is unashamedly assured and stable both at rest and on the move.

THE WRAP UP The Whittley SL26HT SD Adventure is a remarkable boat in many respects. It really is the boat that has the lot. Starting with an absolutely top shelf finish down to highest possible comfort levels, and outstanding performance. It’s a package that ticks most, if not all, boxes. A fishing boat

with few peers, it’s a boat that is destined to become a favourite with keen anglers.

With impressive features and dimensions, excellent sea legs it’s a boat that fails not to impress. The SD Adventure is a true offshore boat or long-range coastal cruiser.

With Whittley pedigree underpinning its design and construction it’s also a boat that will hold its value for years to come, ensuring optimum resale price.

As reviewed, the Whittley Sea Legend 26HT SD Adventurer – with all options as shown will come home for $194,990 ex. Melbourne.

Contact Whittley Marine Group on info@ whittley.com.au or telephone (03) 83391800 or fax (03) 83391824 for further information or a dealer near you.

• 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.

Top Left: Convenience, comfort and sheer fish ability are all packed into the Whittley’s big cockpit.

Top Right: The Whittley’s deluxe cutting board and rod holder arrangement is designed to make a lot of fishing pursuits just that bit better. Left: Comfort levels within the SL26’s well-appointed cabin are very high, as these features indicate. Right: A very large V berth within the Whittley’s cabin is designed to make those aboard very comfortable.

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Savage 575 Blue Water – Affordable offshore fun FMG

Peter Jung pjung@fishingmonthly.com.au

The pedigree of Savage aluminium boats cannot be questioned. Any brand that has stood the test of time since 1898 has to be doing something right.

I certainly have had enough conversations over the years with people that own a Savage boat to know that a Savage boat owner is a proud one.

With that in mind, it wasn’t until my recent trip to Lake Narracan in Gippsland Victoria that I had the opportunity to take a Savage boat out on the water in the form of the Savage 575 Blue Water.

The Savage 575 Blue Water is a cabin style boat designed for inshore/ bay usage and gives you the option in the right conditions to venture further afield. The team

In this picture you can see the Ultra Lift Hull’s deeper V at work.

extended the reverse chines by about 15 per cent. After doing the research on this, their objective was to allow boats to run smaller output motors without unduly affecting the performance of the hull. The evidence of how this works was plainly visible with the 575. The Mercury 115 hp is well below the maximum horsepower for the hull yet it got the hull onto the plane quickly and easily. Once on the plane it was stable and handled beautifully.

Lake Narracan didn’t offer vast pieces of water to run around on; so sharp cornering was the name of the day and the Blue Water dealt with this nicely.

the new Command Thrust gearbox provides plenty of power to get you out of the hole as well as fuel savings and noise reductions. All good reasons to match the motor to the boat. It also has the added bonus of keeping the price down on

SPECIFICATIONS Hull Weight......................................................635kg Beam................................................................2.33m Length..............................................................5.80m LOA on Trailer..................................................6.90m Bottom sides..................................................4.0mm Top sides........................................................3.0mm Min HP..............................................................90 hp Max HP...........................................................150 hp Person Capacity.....................................................7 Towing....................Large 6 cylinder vehicle to 4WD at Warragul Marine had optioned up the test boat to include a bimini and full clear sides to provide even more comfort and protection from the elements. It was not only my first opportunity to jump into a Savage Aluminium boat, but also Simon and David’s first chance to get the Blue Water on the water as this was the first fit out they had done on this model.

It was easy to feed off their enthusiasm to get on the water to see what the boat could do.

ON THE WATER Launching the 575 Blue Water proved to be very easy and it wasn’t long before we were on a stretch of water on the lake that we could take it through its paces.

The team at Warragul Marine had chosen the Mercury 115 hp EFI 4-stroke Command Thrust motor to power the Blue Water. Although it has a minimum rating of 90hp and a maximum of 150hp, the 115hp was chosen as 70

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On the plane the 575 Blue Water was stable and handled beautifully.

SPEED AT RPM Idle (600rpm).................................................9 knots 1000rpm.....................................................1.1 knots 2000rpm.....................................................2.4 knots 3000rpm.....................................................8.5 knots 4000rpm...................................................20.6 knots 5000rpm...................................................24.6 knots WOT..........................................................32.4 knots

The Mercury 115EFI motor with a Command Trust gearbox was well matched with the 575 Blue Water.

the overall package.

Simon had brought an extra prop to swap over during the day, purely to tinker and try and match the correct prop for the package. We didn’t end up doing that and felt there was most probably some gains to be had by changing out the prop. Even without the tinkering the overall numbers were pretty good (see fact box) and there is no doubt they were keen to maximise the efficiency of motor for anyone looking to purchase this package.

RIDE AND STABILITY A few years ago Savage Aluminium boats introduced their UltraLift hull. Effectively they increased the deadrise to make the V sharper and

The stability at rest of the Blue Water was also very good. We did an interview sitting on the gunnel at the back of the boat and even with my large frame moving into shot, there was little or no movement.

FISHABILITY The 575 Blue Water has really been set up with fishing in mind. The rear deck area provides plenty of clear space to fish from and to walk around. The test boat was fitted with a heavy-duty bait station and burley bucket, but other options like a kill tank, rocket launchers or a live bait tank are also available meaning you can pimp your fishing boat as you see fit.

The other thing that I liked

is that although you can go through the cabin to get to the anchor well and front deck, you also have the option to walk around the cabin on the extra wide gunnels provided. Fantastic if the need arose while fighting a big fish while at anchor.

There is also plenty of storage in the Blue Water.

You have side pockets on either side of the rear deck, Storage in the pedestal of both the seats, and larger storage under the bunks in the cabin. These would be big enough to stow all your fishing tackle, shorter rigged rods and any safety gear. You can never have too much storage as it ensures you are keeping your fishing space clear of obstacles.

The cockpit of the boat also has a plethora of room to place your electronics. The tested boat had a Garmin 751XS combo unit, and a number of Mercury gauges. There was still plenty of space if you wanted to bigger or have more. The cabin layout of the Blue Water also provides plenty of room for the driver and passenger.

The seats were very comfortable with plenty of legroom including twin footrest and a grab rail for the passenger while underway. The addition of a bimini and full clear sides was a great alternative as it provides that additional protection from the weather and spray in rougher conditions, and sun protection on those hot days when you are waiting for the fish to bite.

MERCURY 115HP EFI WITH COMMAND TRUST GEARBOX It is hard not to be impressed with the new range of Mercury 4-stroke engines. The Command Trust gearbox is designed to push a larger prop, providing exceptional torque into the water. This results in a great hole shot, in the case of the Savage 575 Blue Water it was just over 4 seconds.

Couple this with fuel efficiency, minimal noise and the fact that it is the lightest motor in its class, the Mercury 115hp EFI 4-stroke is a great option for this package.

SAVAGE I-BEAM TRAILERS Something that was very new to me during the test was the Savage I-Beam trailer that was under the boat. Just like the boats it is produced in Telwater’s

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They are a composite gal/ alloy trailer that is bolted together not welded. They are factory fitted with alloy wheels with integrated bearing buddies, and are a full drive on trailer. There is also a saving in tare weight with the I-Beam trailer and a 6 cylinder family car can easily tow this package.

For the size of the

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like wider gunnels for safety/seating and practical family space mean the 575 is a family friendly boat. The fishing features, as already mentioned, mean that it also meets the needs of a large part of the boating market.

Considering you can pick this boat up from Warragul Marine from $39,900 with a Mercury 90ELPT 2-stroke motor, alloy trailer, regos

and safety kit, it is a very affordable package that you can build on over time.

The team from Warragul Marine aim with the package we tested is to have a comprehensive package under $50,000. Coming in at $49,700 the boat as tested included a Mercury 115 hp EFI 4-stroke with Command Trust gearbox, Savage I-Beam trailer with alloy wheels, 2-tone paint,

There is plenty of seating to use while you are waiting for a bite or to keep the family comfortable while you are on the water. bimini and clears, Garmin 751xs sounder combo, burley bucket, transom door and a heavy duty bait station. That’s a lot of boat at a reasonable price.

For more information you can contact Warragul Marine on 03 5623 6250 or go to their website www. warragulmarine.com.au. It is well worth a look.

• 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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Above Left: The transom door provides easier access into the boat from in the water or on the trailer. Above Right: The seating for the driver and passenger is very comfortable, with a well-positioned footrest for both. boat I would suggest that launching and retrieving is a two-person job. Having said that, for a boat of nearly 6m I thought the 575 Blue Water launched and retrieved easily.

CONCLUSION The 575 Blue Water from Savage Aluminium Boats ticks a lot of boxes.

As the oldest aluminium boat brand in Australia, Savage have ensured that this new batch of boats meet the needs of today’s angling and boating fraternity. Simple things

There was plenty of storage to keep your bits and pieces out of the way while fishing or to store them when underway.

Scan this QR code to hear the full interview and see this boat in action.

The heavy-duty bait station is a great addition for the avid angler.

Left: I was very impressed with the Savage I-Beam trailer. It is very well made and is easy to launch and retrieve the boat.

Right: The 575 Blue Water is a good mix of fishing space at the rear and storage and comfort as you go forward.

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Feature packed Larson FX FMG

Peter Jung pjung@fishingmonthly.com.au

The old adage that ‘good things come in threes’, is a wonderful thing in theory and having now spent a few hours on the water in the new Larson FX 1750DC at Lake Mulwala, on this occasion I have to agree.

This was my 3rd opportunity to get on the water in a new Larson FX series boat. Previously I was only required to take secondary photos and provide a second opinion about the FX1750 SC and the FX1850 DC. This time it was my turn to take this new boat through its paces.

THE TECHNOLOGY Larson boats are produced using their

while wide modified chines at the stern ensure greater stability. Narrower chines at the front further reduce and cushion any wave impact as well. Couple that with straight strakes and a rear trolling keel to assist with a smoother hull transition, tracking and maneuverability and you have a boat that is a lot of fun to get out on the water and use.

At Lake Mulwala where we tested the boat we were able to give the boat plenty of long runs to really get a feel for what the combination of the Mercury 150hp 4-stroke and the 1750DC could provide.

Equally, enough twists and turns to put the manufactures claims to the test. This is where the fun began. I can’t say that the 150 hp eased the Larson onto the plain as we were up and running in less

STORAGE The storage available in the Larson is seriously awesome. From an angling perspective I think you would be doing well to fill all of the available space with gear. You have two side rod lockers plus a central compartment that can hold more than a dozen fully rigged rods and any back ups you may want. The foredeck has three storage lockers for your tackle, wet weather gear or the like, and there are numerous smaller areas to put things to keep the deck space clear and maximise your fishing space.

There are also 2 plumbed livewells on board, with one located between the battery lockers at the rear of the boat and the other positioned in front of the port side passenger console. So keeping fish alive

Not only is the Larson 1750DC a fishing machine, it is also a great looking boat.

COMFORT As age gets the better of you, comfort becomes more important. By comfort I mean creature comforts like comfortable seating, plenty of legroom, a music system,

and easily and accessible switches and electronics. The Larson 1750DC ticks these boxes nicely. The seating for the passenger and driver can only be described as plush and at 6’2” the Larson

Left: The flared hull and modified chines ensure that water splash is reduced to a minimum.

Right: The handling and maneuverability of the Larson at speed made it a pleasure to drive.

SPEED AT RPM Idle (800 rpm).3.2 knots 1000................. 6.1 knots 2000................11.3 knots 3000............... 29.5 knots 4000............... 42.6 knots 5000............... 54.7 knots WOT............... 62.6 knots Hole shot............3.8 sec patented VEC (Virtual Engineered Composites) Precision Technology. This manufacturing process is computer controlled and ensures every Larson FX hull is produced with less variance in weight and design than any other boat manufacturer (as little as 1% variance). The resulting hulls are one piece, so no wood, no joins, no weak points, hence the manufacturer has no hesitation providing a ‘Lifetime Limited Warranty that is fully transferable to a second owner.

The Larson 1750DC really rides amazingly well, corners exceptionally well and is a very stable fishing platform. Much of this is achieved through some of the design features in the hull.

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than 4 seconds and had a ball taking a long run up the lake at wide open throttle hitting speeds I have never driven a boat doing before.

I have always been very conservative with my speeds when driving boats, having not always owned a boat I have always erred on the safe side of things (drive to your ability). I have to say that the 1750DC took me out of my comfort zone and has raised the bar. The boat handled beautifully and although we avoided the 40 knot breeze that was creating havoc in the Lake, it dealt with any boat wakes or wind chop with ease. The cornering is a little different in the Larson to what I have experienced before.

The boat tends to lie into the corners a little more when turning tightly. I asked Simon from Boats and More about this and he explained that this is very similar to the handling of a ski boat, very safe and highly maneuverable.

The experience of cruising my way around (approx 40 knots at 4500 rpms) the Lake’s backwaters for a couple of hours easily convinced me that the 1750DC would get you where you wanted to go safely and quickly.

gave me plenty of legroom.

The driver’s console has everything at your fingertips and has plenty of room to install your favorite electronics.

As a duel console the 1750 also has a full windscreen. It does look very different to what we you might expect (certainly what I was expecting), but it does provide very good protection from water spray and the wind at speed. More protection than I have seen from any other boat I have seen of this style.

FISHABILITY Although the team at Boats and More hadn’t had the opportunity to fully kit out the Larson with electronics and an electric

Left: Powered by the Mercury 150 EFI 4-stroke, the Larson 1750DC will get you where you want to go quickly and efficiently. Right: Larson fishing boats are serious fishing platforms, which Simon Ryan from Boats and More proved last time we hit the water. or separating bait and fish is never going to be a problem.

Simple touches like a separate container to the side of the passenger console to place rubbish in, lockable, waterproof storage, cup holders, and mesh storage areas that prevent things from flying out of the boat all combine to make the Larson easy and pleasurable to use.

SPECIFICATIONS Hull Weight......................................................903kg Beam................................................................2.44m Length..............................................................5.31m Fuel Capacity...................................................83.2L LOA on Trailer..................................................5.97m Weight Capacity..............................................680kg Max. Horsepower..........................................150 hp Person Capacity.........................................5 People Towing............................................. Large 6 cylinder ....................................................vehicle to a 4WD

motor, the space is there to install a 24 v electric motor set up and sounders in the nose and cockpit of the boat.

Boats and More can provide you with either a Motorguide or Minn Kota electric motor and have a full range of Garmin or Humminbird sounders to choose from.

When it comes to physical fishing space in

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.com.au and from your desired destination, so there’s no need to upgrade your vehicle if you are interested in buying the Larson.

CONCLUSION The Larson FX 1750DC is a little different and a little great all at the same time.

A little different in that if you compare this to other tournament fishing boats it has a wider beam than most (2.44m). The rear deck space has more freeboard

the Larson, the front casting deck would easily cater for 2 anglers and I think would deal with 3 comfortably. The rear fishing area has more freeboard than you would see in a conventional bass or tournament fishing boat with plenty of casting room for you to fish from the rear deck or for the kids to fish out of the cockpit itself.

We fished out of the 1750SC when we last tested a Larson for Boats and More and it was an absolute pleasure to fish out of, and had plenty of fishing mojo as well. I think the 1750DC would be exactly the same.

MERCURY 150HP EFI 4-STROKE 150hp is the maximum rated motor for the Larson and the 150hp EFI 4-stroke from Mercury not only provided an incredible powerhouse, but other benefits as well. Firstly at around 206kg it is one the lightest motors in its class and any savings in this area are worthwhile. Mercury’s EFI

accessories are second to none, meaning that it is a boat that any serious angler would love to own and use. It does however also have a family aspect that provides a safe space while onboard and the ability tow a tube or skiers if that’s your go.

If you want to find out more about this boat or the Larson boats that are available you can contact Boats and More at Shepparton on 03 5822

ADDED OPTIONS ON TESTED BOAT • 150 hp XL 4-stroke • Sports package with carbon and green interior • Driver and passenger seat slides • Aerated bow livewell (18 gallon capacity) • Hydraulic steering • Large lure tray • Oxygenator for both livewells • Snap in carpet/carbon

Top Left: Boats and More didn’t have time to fully fit the 1750DC with electronics. There is plenty of room available to fit any electronics you want.

Top Right: It was fun taking the Larson for a good run. The Mercury performed beautifully. Middle Left/right: The 1750DC has plenty of well though out storage throughout the console space. Above Left: The rear casting deck provides plenty of space and contains two live wells and storage.

Above Right: The front casting deck has ample storage for your fishing gear, safety equipment etc. and has a live well too.

The rod storage in the Larson is second to none. It has a central storage area as well as two side rod lockers.

motors are very fuel-efficient, maximising your range of travel on the Larson’s 80-litre fuel tank. This power is not lost at takeoff either with the Larson getting on the plane in less than 4 seconds.

The thing that always impresses me is how quiet the Mercury 150hp is. There is the obvious engine noise when taking off or while underway, but this is more of a dull roar than a loud wail and at idle the engine noise is almost non-existent. As Simon from Boats and More explained to me, they like, wherever possible, to put the maximum horsepower motor onto their boats and the Mercury 150hp EFI 4-stroke is the perfect match for this boat.

THE TRAILER The Larson was trailered on a Dunbier single axle fully rollered trailer. It is fully drive on, drive off capable.

The day we tested had wind conditions that were less than ideal and we had no trouble launching and retrieving. A testament to the suitability of this trailer to the boat. The other thing to note is that a family 6 cylinder vehicle would be more than capable of towing this package to

than I have seen in any other boat of this style and the full screen across the two consoles provides a different look as well.

How does this different translate to the end user?

You have more fishing and storage space at the front of the boat. You have a much safer fishing space at the rear of the boat if you have a young family that you want to take out with you, and the full screen provides offer a little bit more protection from the elements that we all say we don’t need but appreciate having.

The tackle storage and

2108 or enquire through their website www.boatsandmore. com.au. The boat we tested sells for $55,900 (150 hp Mercury EFI 4-stroke), and gives you the option add your choice of electronics and accessories for you to make it your own personalized fishing machine. Prices for other packages are as follows: $50,990 (90 hp Mercury EXPT EFI), $45,990 (90 hp Mercury EXPT EFI).

• 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.

QR CODE

Want to see the Larson in action? Scan this QR code to see the video filmed on the test day.

Top: The Larson has plenty of deck space and 2-3 anglers could fish comfortably from the front deck. Above: The Dunbier trailer allowed for an easy launch and retrieve and one person could do it if required.

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Northbank 550 Cuddy and Merc 115 a neat combo FMG

Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

There was a whole lot of new for me when I met Andrew Stephen from Melbourne’s new Melbourne Marine Centre. I hadn’t met Andrew before, I hadn’t heard of the new business and I hadn’t seen a Northbank boat before.

Maybe this is an artefact of spending too much time in Queensland, but I was familiar with the Mercury 115HP new four-stroke. A few months ago we put it head-to-head against the existing 125HP OptiMax at the National

Watersports Centre at the top of the Patterson River, where it gave the Opti a solid touch-up on most parameters.

This time, we were in the lower Patto, on the other side of the weir which separates the NWC and the tidal water.

At first glance, it looks like the Northbank 550 – the cuddy cab that we tested - is styled to be the perfect complement to the Mercury. With white gelcoat and black accents, this is a seriously good looking rig with the new style 115 four stroke on the transom. With a couple of red pin-stripes, you could call it a factory designed Mercury boat

The Northbank 550 is a good looking boat and the colour scheme of the test model complemented the Mercury 115CT very nicely.

All up, the 550 is a great package, with prices from under $50,000.

Left: A 21º deadrise means that you’ll land softly when you’re driving at the right angles.

Right: There’s no worries launching this boat and retrieving single handed.

and everyone would nod and agree. But I digress.

Andrew is a new marine dealer but no stranger to the marine industry, working for wholesalebased companies before deciding to try his hand at the pointy end of the supply chain. The test boat was impeccably clean and prepared for evaluation and I dare say that if his attention to detail is the same with his customers, then there’ll be a band of happy purchasers as time moves forward.

If I was to use a phrase to describe this boat, it’d be a ‘classic bay snapper

chaser’. With protection from the weather, places to store your rods, baits and catch, and a price tag that puts it well within the reach of a family towing with a family car.

Northbank hulls are designed and built in South Australia. Touted as being built with the ability to handle short, sharp chop and designed by naval architects, the 550 is a foam filled fibreglass hull that’s the second smallest in their range and ticks all of the boxes – from good looks through to practical layout and performance.

We think that as east

SPECIFICATIONS

The Northbank is designed to handle short, sharp chop.

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Length................................................................5.5m O/A Length......................................................5.75m Beam................................................................2.34m Height on trailer..............................................2.05m Length on trailer............................................... 7.1m Max persons...........................................................7 Max HP.................................................. 150HP (2-S) Max HP................................................... 130hp (4-S) Hull weight......................................................750kg Fuel capacity.....................................................100L Deadrise.............................................................. 21º Freeboard..................................................... 800mm Transom length............................................ XL (25”)

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The test day out of the Patterson River could only be described as ‘frightening’. With a nasty south-westerly gusting to around 30 knots, we were limited to some wave jumping around the river mouth and surrounds. As expected, the Northbank’s 21 degrees of deadrise meant that if the boat landed evenly, it landed soft, which made VFM staffer, Peter Jung very happy. There may have been some whites of the eyes showing when crossing the ‘bar’ at the front of the Patto!

Internally, the layout is smooth and practical.

The seating for both the driver and passenger is comfortable. The helm seating can be readjusted to become a great place to keep an eye on the rods when you’ve got a spread set for snapper. The bait station keeps the messy work localised and the underfloor kill box even comes with a couple of stainless steel gas struts to make it easy to put your catch on ice. This has been designed by an angler.

Hemmed in by two bait tanks, the workstation is practical and removable.

Like many boats of this ilk, the fold down rear bench seat is great for travel and stowed for serious fishing.

At the helm, there’s room to flush mount reasonably large fish finders and GPS units.

The front cabin is deceptively spacious due to the open design. Sure, there’s not enough room to throw a dinner party in there, but if you need to get the wife and kids out of the elements, then it does the job just fine. An excellent feature, however, is the walk-through anchoring system that allows you to open the windscreen and a front hatch to get access to the anchor. Itmakes deploying and retrieving the pick a cinch.

This hull is paired with the new Mercury 4-stroke 115CT outboard, which we’ve looked at in detail in previous issues (see the QR codes hereby for our videos on this outboard). Moving forward, the 4-stroke is the only sensible option when it comes to powering this hull with a Mercury outboard. Watch the video we created last year (via

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Scan the QR code above to watch Mercury’s Steve Miller talk about the new Mercury mid-range 4-stroke engines.

Scan the QR code above to see the video footage from the boat test day.

Above Left: There’s plenty of cockpit space to fish several people in comfort.

Top Right: The underfloor kill tank is neat – gas struts and all. Above Right: The workstation is removable and is complemented with plumbed tanks each side. scanning the QR code), but in summary, the new 4-stroke is lighter, has better torque, is lighter, quieter and uses less fuel that its OptiMax bretheren.

Travelling on a Dunbier

twin-axle trailer, Andrew demonstrated the ability to launch and retrieve this boat single handed. Fully rollered, the trailer allows the boat to be driven on and although brakes, it can

Above Left: Access to the bow with the walk through design is easy. Top Right: The helm is simple and effective, and the adjustable seats mean that you can fish from them as well as drive. Above Right: The live bait tanks are of adequate size.

Scan the QR code above to watch the 115 4-stroke versus the 125 OptiMax video. be towed by most family cars. I’m a fan of twin axle trailers. They may use a little more fuel and have a higher purchase cost, but the overall ride and peace of mind outweighs any disadvantages.

Best of all, if you drop in and see Andrew at the new Melbourne Marine centre, I’m sure you’ll get top level customer service.

They are eager to please, meticulous with their fit-ups and are striving to create advocates for their business by making their customers happy.

If you want to check out the Northbank boats, give them a call on (03) 9703 2003 or visit www. melbournemarine.com.au.

Packages start from under $50,000. As tested, this rig would sell for $57,587.

• 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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Streaker’s 6700 Commander is impressive FMG

Steve Morgan s.morgan@fishingmonthly.com.au

I initially met Sean Savage when Fishing Monthly did the headto-head comparisons of Mercury’s new 4-strokes versus their existing OptiMax product. On that day, Sean brought along identical Streaker Navigator 5700 hulls to do the tests.

Having little experience with the Streaker brand, I was immediately impressed with both the clever design and the quality of build.

And, of course, about Sean’s desire to win the drag-race between the 4-S and the Opti. Luckily he was in the right boat to leave the Opti in its wake time after time.

You can take the boy out of the racing boat but … well … you know the rest.

A few months later and

we’re meeting Sean and his brother Paul at the ramp again. This time testing the biggest and the smallest boats in the Streaker range – the 4850 Tournament (that you’ll hear all about in a later issue) and the boat that is the focus of this report, the Commander 6700, powered by a giant Yamaha 250 four stroke.

Like all of the Streaker boats, they’re set up on EasyTow roller trailers fitted exactly to the hulls, so launching was a simple matter of keeping some forward thrust on with the outboard, unhooking the winch and then reducing power to ease the hull back into the water. With this design, it’s as easy to launch and retrieve the small 4850 as it is the 6700 and there’s no reason that this can’t be done singlehandedly if required.

Sean mentioned that the 6700 is designed to ride low, so that there’s less of the

trailer you need to immerse to get the boat on and off.

This is the advantage of having a manufacturer supply the trailer – you won’t get a better and more practical fit.

Speaking of towing and launching, the 6700 is towable by most mid sized 4WDs – weighing in at around 2.5 tonnes on the road, a dual cab 4WD ute will tote this boat if not with ease, then at least with a feeling of control. Twin axles are a necessity for a rig of this size, as are brakes that work when required.

First impressions are

They’ll also love the covered receptacle on the passenger side for your pocket-items like wallets and mobile phones.

It goes without saying that the seats and base combination is not only customised but functional.

Fitted with tray-based tackle storage and miscellaneous storage with a clear door, the theme of having a place for everything runs through this design.

Swivel around to the spacious cockpit and the theme continues. The 6700 tested came with a simple bait station over the

PERFORMANCE

The Streaker 6700 comes standard on an EasyTow trailer and with a vinyl wrap.

RPM LPH SPEED (KM/H) 600........................ 2.4.............................................5 1000......................... 5.............................................9 2000.................... 13.5...........................................17 3000.................... 24.4........................................37.5 4000....................... 43........................................53.5 5000.................... 72.5...........................................69 5800....................... 92...........................................81

The 250 Yammy pushed the hull into the nineties (that’s km/h – not the decade).

Top: With a 20º deadrise and the well balanced hull, the 6700 rides smoothly. Above: Quiet at idle is expected of modern outboards.

Right: From any angle, the 6700 is a sleek machine.

SPECIFICATIONS Length..............................................................6.70m Beam................................................................2.50m Height..............................................................2.35m Total Length......................................................8.0m Deadrise.............................................................. 20º Fuel....................................................................228L Tow weight.......................................... 2200-2400kg Max HP...........................................................250HP Capacity....................................................8 persons 76

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that this is a good looking boat. Standard with a factory installed vinyl wrap that’s available in a choice of colours, the rig looked classy with the black vinyl wrap as we tied it to the dock.

At the helm, the 6700 was optioned for action.

A Lowrance HDS 12 – flush mounted – gave the driver a great view of what’s underwater and the new Yamaha 5-inch colour screen outboard gauge supplied all of the vital power plant data on the fly.

This combination made the helm look remarkably uncluttered – the split screen on the HDS combining what used to be done on several units and the single Yamaha gauge removing the need for a cluster of independent monitors.

Clean-freaks will love it.

outboard well and stainless rod holder inserts that allow you to lay a spread of baits in safety. Small touches like clear lids for the aft corner bait tanks add to the fishability of this boat.

After all, it was designed by Victorians for the catching everything offshore.

The stainless steel rocket launchers are fitted standard, too, with rearfacing lighting and forward fitting shade canopy. Use this structure for support and you can swing around it and walk around the gunwales.

Standard 16 foot outriggers mean that this boat isn’t limited to snapper in Port Phillip Bay. The next striped marlin, SBT or mako to cross the transom won’t be the last. The setup changes from a snapper boat to a game fishing boat with ease. The bait station

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In his interview, Sean was pretty quick to point out that this boat is the

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flagship of the range and does come fully optioned.

From boarding ladders and berley pots at the stern to the anchor winch in the

Top: There’s nothing to dislike about the helm.

The seats are custom and comfortable and the design is minimalist – just how I like it. Middle: The Stress Free anchor winch means that you don’t need to take your least favourite mate out now to haul the pick up from 20 fathoms. Above: The front cabin is well appointed and will keep you and your family out of the weather when necessary.

bow, there’s not many additions you’ll have to make to get out on the water.

And get out on the water we did on a lovely day on Port Phillip Bay. The big Yammy popped out the hull with ease and a couple of quick adjustments on the Bennett trim tabs had us sitting nicely on cruising speed.

The most economical cruising range for the 6700 was in the 3000s RPM, where we measured 1.53 km/l. Drop the hammers any more and you may well get up into the 90s, but you’ll travel lass then a kilometre for every litre burned. This is a deep boat with a lot of resistance through the air at these speeds.

The Stress Free anchor winch worked a treat – we made Sean deploy and retrieve, and this is a standard inclusion as well. The only thing we were missing was the fishing tackle and some ice to keep some fresh snapper. The things we do to get a test done on time….

Overall, it’s difficult to fault a rig which has been designed to be a

big, safe, offshore fishing machine. With a list of standard features as long as your arm and the typical Streaker attention to detail, you get a lot of boat for your $114,990. With the on-water training included in the package price, anyone from a novice big-boatie to a seasoned offshore pro will be enjoying the 6700 Commander in no time.

For more information, visit www.streakerboats. com.au or scan the QR code hereby to watch the video from the test day.

QR CODE

Scan the QR code above to watch the Streaker Commander 6700 with Yamaha 250hp in action.

Just how anglers like it – out of the weather and onto the fish.

Top: Seat bases that reduce clutter should be standard on every boat! Above: Modern, multifunction electronics give an increasing range of data in fewer units. The Yamaha gauge was launched earlier in the year.

Middle Above: Clear baitwell lids are classy and practical simultaneously. Above: The EasyTow is designed to sit the hull low on the frame, meaning that you don’t need to sink the trailer as deep to launch and retrieve.

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Part III: Picking plastics NSW STH COAST

Steve Starling www.starlofishing.com

In the final installment of his three part series on the basics of fishing with soft plastic lures, I will take a look at the subject of picking the ‘right’ plastic to use on the day.

Lots of anglers seem challenged when it comes to selecting that first soft plastic to tie on at a new location, or even to start a

for someone to direct their burning question to: “What should I use?”

My advice is simple: if you truly have no idea where to start, take the plunge and make a guess!

Tie something on, give it a swim and see if the fish show any interest. If they don’t, then change your lure and try again.

In truth, your approach rarely needs to be quite that experimental. You should at least have an idea of what lives in the

off with a 5cm worm or grub imitation! Conversely, if it’s a gin clear alpine trout stream with a good population of aquatic insect nymphs, it will most likely be counterproductive to tie on a 15-20cm fish-shaped plastic swim-bait!

Engage your basic common sense and begin by pruning down at least the size selection process.

If you’re chasing big fish that you suspect are eating big things, then choose a biggish lure. If you’re

Whiting eat worms, yabbies and other small, natural-coloured prey. It makes sense that a plastic capable of imitating these food sources will catch the odd whiting.

Natural baitfish shapes and colours make a great starting point, especially in clearer water. This spangled emperor smacked a soft shad. new day’s fishing at a wellknown spot. I’m surprised how daunted some people are by the thought of making that initial choice.

They open their tackle box, scan its contents with a confused, worried

waterway and what some of the most important food sources are likely to be.

This basic knowledge is a big help in fine-tuning your initial selection. If it’s a stocked barra dam renowned for producing

after smaller fish that you think are eating tiny food, pick a little lure… It’s not rocket science!

While you’re at it, at least have a think about roughly matching the shape, colour and swimming

If you don’t like the colour of your plastic, grab some marker pens and change it! expression, sit in a silent agony of tangled indecision for several minutes, then turn desperately to look

metre-plus bruisers and boiling with hand-sized bony bream, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to kick

action of those likely food items. Fly fishers call this thought process ‘matching the hatch’ and it’s one of

the most important steps in successful lure selection.

Be willing to accept that you might be wrong in your initial selection… It happens! Just occasionally those big barra, surrounded by all of those chunky bony bream and beefy mullet might actually be dining on a prolific year class of juvenile rainbow fish half the size of your little finger.

Or the larger trout in that high country stream may actually be cannibalising their smaller cousins.

That’s okay. You’ll find this out when they ignore your first choice!

If no obvious food sources are present and you’re not sure what the fish are actually eating, look at the water itself. Is it clear or dirty? And if it’s somewhere in between those extremes, is it greentinged, brownish or tanninstained? Whatever it is, the little critters living in it are likely to be wearing a roughly similar hue. So if it’s greenish, go for a green lure. If it’s tea-like, choose a red or brown plastic.

Again, this is just a starting point. The tick of approval (or otherwise) will come from the true experts on this issue: the fish themselves.

In other words, if your first choice draws a blank, try something else.

What I’m trying to tell you is that nothing and no one can give you better feedback on your lure choices than the fish themselves. Let them tell you what they want and, when they do, make damn sure you’re listening!

As a final word on the vexing issue of colour selection, there’s a rule of thumb I’ve used for many

years that usually stands me in pretty good stead. It goes something like this: If the water is gin clear, start with very subdued, natural, transparent tones.

If it’s a bit dirtier, choose something a little brighter.

If it’s very discoloured, go for vivid, fluorescent tones.

If it’s absolutely filthy, try black or purple… or bait… or go home! And finally, if your mate’s catching fish and you’re not, then use exactly what he’s using!

No matter where they live, bream generally prefer relatively small, subtle offerings.

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What’s New BOATING

1

EPROPULSION SPIRIT 1.0

Enjoying the ride without pollution. The ePropulsion always takes the social responsibility of environmental protection.

Our electric outboards take a solution for zero-emission eco-friendly boating.

We aim to develop a sustainable boat power system with energy harvesting system in the future. Innovating in electric power engineering, the ePropulsion specializes in innovation and technology by increasing the stability and efficiency of key components such as motor, controller and propeller.

Our well-optimized outboards can achieve a maximum overall efficiency of 55% and provide large thrust power and long operating time.

The ePropulsion is dedicated to delivering the best quality electric outboard at a reasonable price and is perfect for anglers with small craft.

At ePropulsion, we seek innovative design, fine art refinement, well-constructed details so that each ones can offer an excellent user experience and you can get the most out of this product. – Island Marine

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When Anglapro launched into the Aluminium boat market, its hull designs set a new standard for exceptional hull strength and dynamic hull performance.

Today we have raised the bar to a new level with our latest engineered hull technology called the Sabre. We have refined our Deep V hull design to incorporate an even deeper deadrise and additional performance enhancing features.

Our refinements included the hull support structure, not just the outer skin. The foundation of our industry leading hull strength is in our hull structure and our new X Core construction system gives the strongest possible framework to support the hull. X Core is now used on both our Deep V and V Nose Punt hulls.

“We wanted to work towards providing a 5 year warranty for our hull,” said Derek Rodway, director of Anglapro. “From testing refinements to our Deep V hull design, we have been able to deliver excellent performance enhancements with cornering, hole shot and rough water handling.” – Good Times Marine

BRUNSWICK ACQUIRES BLA

Brunswick Corporation have announced that it has acquired BLA, Australia’s largest provider of ‘boating, lifestyle and adventure’ products, to strengthen Brunswick’s marine parts and accessories (P&A) presence in the region. BLA had revenues of approximately AUD$50 million in 2014.

“We continue to seek opportunities to strategically grow our marine and fitness operations throughout the world,” said Brunswick Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dustan E. McCoy. “BLA bolsters the distribution arm of our marine P&A business by expanding our reach and customer responsiveness in the important Australian marine marketplace and this region of the world.”

Founded in 1974, BLA has an extensive dealer network throughout Australia and New Zealand and also serves original equipment manufacturers. BLA offers more than 15,000 different SKUs, including products from such well-known brands as Attwood, BEP, Cannon, Humminbird, Lewmar, Mastervolt, Minnkota, SeaStar Solutions, Sierra and Whale. BLA will continue to conduct business under its current name and will remain based in Brisbane, Australia. - BLA

Lowrance has added the availability of the newly launched GoFRee Shop and wireless, cloud-enabled features on its full line of HDS Gen3 and HDS Gen2 Touch and multifunction displays.

GoFree cloud-enabled technology gives users the capability to receive automatic software update notifications and be able to download and install these updates directly, guaranteeing the most up-to-date operating system with all of the latest features.

One of the most exciting new features is access to the GoFree Shop directly from the displays. With the GoFree Shop, users will have the ability to purchase, download and immediately use Insight maps, and other third-party maps from GoFree partners, directly from the home screen of a HDS Gen3 or Gen2 Touch display. The GoFree technology also provides consumers access to crowd-sourced Insight Genesis. An easyto-use, cloud-based tool, Insight Genesis allows boaters to open a free account, upload sonar logs, and download up-to-date, personalised contour maps and contribute to the community-based social map. – Navico

ANGLAPRO 5-YEAR HULL WARRANTY

GEMLUX FRICTION HINGES

The Gemlux Friction Hinge is designed to eliminate the need for gas shocks or hatch springs, and gives you one trouble-free hinge that will last and hold your hatches, lids and boxes open.

Friction Hinges are built into the barrel of the hinge using patented technology from Gemlux, putting them in a class of their own. Your hatch will go up, and stay up.

Gemlux Friction Hinges will hold open hatches, live well lids, radio boxes, and anything else you can think of. They are available in various shapes and sizes to fit what ever hatch, lid or box that you are working with.

Each style is available in four different mounting types, which makes these hinges very versatile and simple to mount.

Gemlux hinges are 304G stainless steel.

For all the specifications check out www. samallen.com.au. – Sam Allen Wholesale

JUNE 2015

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HAINES HUNTER 565R

Last year’s launch of the 565 Offshore at the Melbourne Boat Show was met with great enthusiasm from dealers and punters alike with sales showing the 565 has filled a big gap in the market.

The 565 Offshore performs like a hardcore game boat and doubles as a weekend leisure boat. This has lead Haines Hunter to give the 565 Offshore the “R” treatment.

To be presented at this year’s Melbourne Boat Show is the all-new 565R. When Haines Hunter decides to take a boat into the R segment, it’s more than just a paint job and a sticker.

Managing Director John Haber comments: “The new 565R has a 200mm lower deck allowing for better garage storage and a lower centre of gravity which improves handling. We increased the cockpit space by 200mm so it’s got more room for fishing and while that has reduced the cabin by 200mm, you can still comfortably sleep two and there is room for a toilet.”

– Haines Hunter

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

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FISHING PRODUCT GUIDE

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What’s New BOATING

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BRP TELWATER PARTNERSHIP

BRP and Telwater have agreed to continue their partnership, producing factory backed and fitted boat motor and trailer (BMT) packages for the Australian market for an additional 3 years.

Since 2011, the partnership between Telwater and BRP has provided Australian boat owners with complete boat, motor and trailer packages that offer the highest level of innovation and quality on the market.

During this period Evinrude E-Tec engines have been fitted to Quintrex, Stacer, Yellowfin and Savage BMT packages.

The extension of the partnership between these two industry heavyweights will allow even more customers to enjoy the many benefits of an Evinrude E-Tec powered Telwater Boat Motor Trailer package.

“Evinrude E-Tec technology provides best in class torque, fuel efficiency and emissions. These features, combined with the Evinrude E-Tec power to weight ratio make our boats perform like no other engine can,” said Paul Phelan, Managing Director of Telwater. - Telwater

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GX700 VHF MARINE RADIO

GME, the Australian leader in marine and land-based communications equipment, emergency signalling beacons and television signalling equipment has announced a new VHF Marine Radio will be available for sale from May 2015.

The GME GX700 VHF Marine Radio is a compact communication and safety device with innovative installation options.

Waterproof to IPX7, the GX700 is the ideal communication tool for your boating lifestyle whether you’re sailing inland waters, or heading offshore.

Compact design makes installation of the GX700 simple and enables installation in locations where space is limited.

The GX700’s innovative rear microphone input socket enables the user to run a 5m or 8m extension cable (this is available as an optional accessory).

This can run from the rear input to a convenient location on the vessel where the waterproof flush mount socket can be installed.

The waterproof speaker microphone can now be input from this location.

By adding the waterproof blanking plug to the front microphone input socket. – GME Marine

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

FISHING PRODUCT GUIDE

TABS 5600 CENTRE CAB

Tough Aussie Boats or TABs for short, means we don’t just build tough boats, we build boats specifically for Aussie conditions In most of this country we exit our waterways through relatively shallow bars not deep fjords, we need a shallow draft vessel for fast acceleration and so we don’t bottom out.

We live in a sun-burnt country, we not only need room for the big esky, we need even more room for three to four (or more) people, so big beams and chine to chine measurements are a necessity.

The 5600 Hard Top Centre Cab has all of the above features. Furthermore, as of 2015 the latest design called SuperFX has port and starboard 200mm reverse chines so it now offers what can only be described as land-based stability. They’ll be no rocking and rolling if you own one of these. – South Easterly Marine

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HYBRIDTOUCH MULTIFUNCTION DISPLAYS

We are pleased to announce the launch of the exciting new eS Series line of HybridTouch multifunction displays from Raymairne.

Powered by Raymarine’s advanced LightHouse II user interface, the eS Series includes three high-performance navigation displays that offer unprecedented control and ease-of-use in a sleek, ergonomic design.

The eS Series features a choice of 7”, 9” and 12” displays, each with an attractive, glass bridge-style design that blends seamlessly with today’s modern helm stations, allowing for both low profile console and a completely recessed flush mounting option.

Easy to use and great to look at, the eS Series of MFDs give you easy access to your controls and can be mounted almost anywhere.

The eS Series line of HybridTouch multifunction displays is now available in eS7, eS98 and eS128 MFDs, and eS77, eS97 and eS127 MFDs will be available soon. – Raymarine

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LOWRANCE WIRELESS PILOT CONTROLLER

Lowrance has announced the release of the compact Wireless Pilot Controller, providing complete control to anglers, no matter where they are on the boat.

The new Wireless Pilot Controller is comprised of a small and lightweight waterproof Bluetooth base station with micro-C connections, pairs with up to four remotes, and is compatible with Lowrance Outboard Pilot systems.

The Pilot Controller Wireless Remote is perfectly sized to fit into the user’s palm.

The unit has a series of clearly marked keys and an LED status light to allow for fast and accurate autopilot access.

A mode button allows anglers to toggle through the available pilot modes, while two dodge keys enable the user to program turns by 1 or 10° increments.

There is also a Pilot Standby button for the ultimate in safety and a large Auto key.

Easy to install, the remote has a range of up to 30m. – Navico

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FEELFREE LURE 13.5

Feelfree Australia is pleased to announce the expansion of the popular Lure series.

The Lure 10 and 11.5 are proving to be a great hit with the avid angler, though some have demanded a little more.

Now Feelfree fills the gap to satisfy the rest of them - the ones that want it all.

New to the Lure 13.5 is the multi-use console, which sits right being the bow hatch. The console lid features an inlaid cutting board, handy for preparing bait or cleaning fish.

The lid is also insulated and together with the console cooler insert makes an ideal container to keep your drinks, bait and even fish. The console can also be used as a child’s seat.

Other key features unique to the Lure 13.5 are the removable sonar and electronics pod for easy installation of a fisher finder or other devices and a flat wide open deck area. – Feelfree Australia

visit www.tacklejunkie.fish for the latest tackle news - AS IT HAPPENS! JUNE 2015

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Lake Eppalock’s epic revival BENDIGO

Roger Miles codhuntertours@bigpond.com

Lake Eppalock is situated in Central Victoria and is a popular fishing destination in the middle of Victoria’s Goldfields re g i o n .

Located just 120km north of Melbourne and 25km to the east of Bendigo, this great fishery has been plagued by drought and dwindling fish stocks, however it has undergone a significant revival in recent years.

HISTORY OF LAKE EPPALOCK The history of the fishing in Lake Eppalock has been mixed over recent decades. Some of the most productive native fishing was during

mixed fishery starting to become more productive.

The future for Lake Eppalock is very promising with some good stockings in recent years.

The productivity in the native fishing for golden perch and Murray cod is going to improve.

In the last three

seasons the stocking for golden perch has been excellent, unfortunately the stocking for Murray cod has been lower.

Nevertheless, the lake did receive an improved Murray cod stocking in the 2015 season and, ideally, if the lake received a stocking rate of 100,000+

TECHNIQUES FOR GOLDEN PERCH • Casting lipless crankbaits around rocky shorelines and both standing and lay me down timber.

• Casting medium sized hardbody lures, both floating and suspending around timber and rocky shoreline.

• Casting spinnerbaits around timber structure.

• Trolling hard body lures.

• Trolling lipless crankbaits.

• Jigging ice jigs around large trees.

• Vertically jigging and slow rolling soft plastics around trees.

• Bait fishing with shrimp, yabbies or worms around standing timber.

Murray cod per season, we would see this destination become once again a premier mixed fishery.

The productivity in the native fishing will continue to improve for the next few years. How productive the redfin fishing will be, will largely depend on what happens with inflows and water levels.

If water levels continue to decline as they did during 2015, the redfin fishing will decline. However, if we receive good inflows over winter and the spring months and water levels again rise to higher levels we will again see a dramatic improvement in the redfin fishery.

FAVOURITE AREAS Lake Eppalock is a large impoundment and like most impoundments locating fish is not always

This golden perch was caught while casting into open water on a Jackall TN60. easy. My preference as an angler and as a fishing guide is to always try and fish areas that are receiving a reduced amount of fishing pressure.

This can mean in the back of secluded bays or just fishing the most popular areas during the weekdays when there is less fishing pressure on the water.

In recent seasons, the most productive redfin fishing have been in the Kimbolton pool and Derrinal pool.

Good areas to target the golden perch and

the late 1990s and early 2000. During this period water levels were good, thanks largely to some very good stocking from Fisheries Victoria as well as other angling clubs. We saw the fishery turnaround from a redfin fishery into a fantastic mixed fishery. Unfortunately, the extended drought saw water levels drop significantly and fish stockings were ceased and the fishery went into decline.

The turning point for the fishery was in 2010 when the drought broke. Good rainfall saw the water levels rise in the lake to record high levels. The improvement in the fishing happened very quickly.

The resident redfin population exploded and the growth rates were very good and anglers were rewarded with some excellent catch rates. Fish stockings were again commenced in the lake and the process of developing a mixed fishery was beginning. The redfin fishing continued to be very productive for the next few years. This season we have seen the 82

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Top Left: Rocky points are great areas to find both Murray cod and golden perch. Top Right: This is perfect structure to target. A lay down timber located along a rocky shoreline. Left: Rock banks are good areas to target native fish.

Above: Rocky shorelines are good areas to fish.Below Left: This Murray cod was caught while casting some submerged timber on a Custom Crafted Mega Minnow.

TECHNIQUES FOR MURRAY COD • Casting and retrieving lipless crankbaits around timber structure and rocky shorelines.

• Casting and retrieving spinnerbaits around timber structure and rocky shorelines.

• Trolling medium to large profile lures around submerged timber and rocky shorelines.

• Casting surface lures at night or early mornings.

• Bait fishing with yabbies and bardi grubs around timbers areas.

FAVOURITE LURES Deep water trolling and casting options: Custom Crafted Bass Hunter, Custom Crafted Lumo Diver, Australian Crafted Invader, Feral Catt, Jackall Mask Vibe HM, Medium water for trolling and casting options: Custom Crafted Mega Minnow, Custom Crafted Small Hammerhead, No.2 Size Stump-Jumper, and Orgee lures, Jackall TN60, Jackall Clone Fry. Shallow water trolling and casting options: Custom Crafted Bass Hunter (shallow bib), No.3 Size Stump-Jumper, Jackall TN60, Jackall Mascle, Jackall Soul Shad, Jackall Mask Vibe12gm, blades.

Murray cod have been the rocky shoreline at North Head. Also in the back of many bays such as Kangaroo Arm, Glover Bay, a Mount Ida Inlet and the Twin Rivers section of the lake.

The fish have a tendency to move around a lot. The secret to success is to continue to hunt around until you find a concentration of bait and in turn a concentration of larger fish. A quality fish finder is a huge asset in helping you locate them.

Likewise, having a basic understanding on the fluctuations in water levels and understanding water temperatures will help you find where the greatest concentration of fish can be located.

anglers are not able to get accommodation at the lake there are many options available at nearby towns of Bendigo and, to a lesser extent, Heathcote.

FUTURE FOR EPPALOCK The future does look bright for this location.

Fisheries Victoria needs to be congratulated on the excellent numbers of golden perch that have been stocked into this waterway. These stockings ensure anglers are going to have some great angling opportunities over the next few seasons. As always there is room for improvement and I believe there is a very good case for this lake to receive an increase in the Murray cod stockings in the future.

TECHNIQUES FOR REDFIN • Trolling hardbody lures around points, submerged islands and drop-offs.

• Casting and retrieving lipless crankbaits.

• Casting and retrieving soft plastics and blades.

• Casting small profile surface lures.

• Vertically jigging ice jigs and soft plastics.

• Bait fishing around standing timber and points.

In spring when water temperatures and water levels are rising and water clarity is average, the greatest concentrations of fish will often be found in the shallower water.

During the middle of summer when water clarity improves and water levels are declining, the fish start to move deeper. In autumn, water clarity is usually good and often water levels have dropped over the previous six months and the greatest concentrations of fish are found in deep water. This trend continues over the winter months.

ACCOMMODATION Lake Eppalock has a number of caravan parks around the lake.

Unfortunately the majority of these are for permanent site holders. Several Caravan parks that do have accommodation available are Moorabbee Lodge Caravan Park (03 5439 1231), Lake Eppalock Holiday Park (03 5439 2538) and Lake Shore Caravan Park (03 5439 2510). If visiting,

LAKE EPPALOCK STOCKING YEAR GOLDEN PERCH MURRAY COD 2005............................................... Not stocked............................Not stocked 2006............................................... Not stocked............................Not stocked 2007............................................... Not stocked............................Not stocked 2008............................................... Not stocked............................Not stocked 2009............................................... Not stocked............................Not stocked 2010.................................................... 70,000....................................20,000 2011.................................................... 70,000................................... 110,000 2012.................................................... 50,000.................................... 15,000 2013................................................... 200,000................................... 21,848 2014................................................... 200,000................................... 42,480 2015................................................... 120,000...................................75,000 TOTAL............................................... 590,000.................................. 209,328 Note: Additional stocking by the Heathcote Angling Cub occurred post drought.

Top: There are good boat launching facilities around Lake Eppalock.

Middle Left: This large redfin was caught at Lake Eppalock while slowly trolling a Jackall TN60 in shallow water.

Middle Right: Redfin pattern lures work well on the golden perch.

Above Left: There are currently only limited numbers of large Murray cod in Lake Eppalock. With the increased stockings of Murray cod, we should start to see the productivity in the Murray cod fishing improve.

Above Right: Submerged saplings are great areas to target golden perch.

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Rocklands Reservoir: Wimmera’s redfin Mecca HORSHAM

Trevor Holmes

Rocklands Reservoir, under the then State Rivers and Water Supply Commission, commenced construction in March 1941. Originally, it was constructed by damming off the Glenelg River to serve an area of almost 25,000km2 for domestic, stock and irrigation water.

However construction was interrupted by the demands of World War II. Post war the construction was continued and finally the reservoir was completed and opened in May of 1953 with a capacity of 348,310ML and extending upstream about 20km.

Many indigenous artefacts and places of interest can be found within a short distance of the original river system as well as a rich history of being the site of the then Adelaide-Melbourne highway. Legend has it that in the 1840s the Chinese gold fossickers used the riverbed of the Glenelg to hide from state troopers to avoid the £1 Poll Tax. Surviving the drought throughout the 1990s and still maintaining a great fishery was a bit of a juggling act for local water authorities but with careful management the Grampians-fed Rocklands Reservoir pulled through after reaching a level of 4%. While the trout fishery declined in this period other introduced, or non natives, seemed to thrive on the lower water levels. The ever pesky carp grew to massive proportions, but the redfin are highly regarded as the best table fish of the Wimmera. Many locals travel here on weekends to gather a feed of these tasty critters. Although the origin is unknown, cod and bass have somehow also appeared in Rocklands.

Situated only a short 15km drive from the township of Balmoral. Through rolling redgum country and partial bush, arriving at the main ramp you could be forgiven for thinking you are looking at a barra impoundment in Queensland! It is a very picturesque waterway dotted with many dead redgums, rocky outcrops, clay and sandy banks.

By road from Horsham, the drive is pleasant but allow yourself an hour as the region has its fair share of wildlife including kangaroos, emus and the odd red or fallow deer that can destroy a vehicle on impact.

Many visitors marvel at the views from different sections of the reservoir with a sensational backdrop of the recently fire ravaged Black Range and the magnificent 84

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Rocklands reservoir was completed in 1953. tourism magnet, The Grampians. With many local attractions to coincide with a visit to the region I suggest you enquire at the local tourism information centre as there is designated tours, tracks, wineries, activities and plenty to do and see within a short drive.

REDFIN As previously mentioned, the redfin would be the most targeted species and, with several ways to hook a feed, it pays to come prepared.

Lures and bait fishing are the most popular.

Bait wise, gudgeon and live yabbies would be the prime fare. Sounding up schools or just fishing heavy timber, deeper holes seems to work best. Most of the older generation prefer gudgeon

fished live just off the bottom on a paternoster rig and just lifting and dropping the rod tip is usually enough to present the bait to these ferocious feeders.

Yabbies presented in the same manor will work well too. Don’t be afraid to use big ones either as reddies have a big mouth. It never ceases to amaze me the size of some gut contained yabbies taken by redfin.

Worms work okay here but they always seem to attract the feral carp that have invaded Rocklands.

Trolling is also very successful and with many different lures, colours and styles available these days it can be very confusing for the new angler. To keep it simple I find it very hard to go away from the traditional lures, such as StumpJumpers, Halco Scorpions and the likes that

have for generations landed many fish.

Another lure I have had the pleasure of using is the Ballista Trigger with its LED technology flashing internal light.

Best colours have been the fluoro greens and brighter oranges and yellows that seem to show up better in the almost tea coloured Rocklands water, often referred to by many as tannin water.

Working the tree lines in around 4-5m of water has

been most successful this year and lures that swim in the 2-2.5m range have worked well. A lure retriever is a great investment here as many submerged trees, sticks and snags can lighten the tackle

box in a short space of time.

Vibes, jigs, cast and retrieve have all had their merit but in the early days most anglers used what was called a Baltic Bobber, these days they are still available but overrun by technology and replaced by what are commonly known as ice jigs.

The method was to locate a school around structure and drop the jig down to the level the fish were at and jag it up through the mob! Many times resulting in a foul hooked fish and a great fight. Vibes are worked either vertically just off the bottom or cast and worked back towards the boat or bank.

With so many submerged trees and snags it can be an expensive exercise but often a rewarding one.

Drift casting is another locating method for reddies.

Working off the electric motor

or simply drifting with the wind, either with or without a sea anchor depending on wind strength, cast into differing areas to locate schools then sit off them and present lures. It’s a great way to cover ground and find fish.

Another good practice is to try keeping one fish hooked up in the water at all times, as this can keep the whole school in striking distance.

Often, once a redfin is lost or returned, it can mean the end of a session as the school spooks and moves on.

TROUT Rocklands does hold a large population of both brown and rainbow trout.

Pre-drought, there was a boom time where anglers could be confident of tangling with some XL fish. Using mudeye under a float in amongst the trees provided great sport.

Above Left: Cowbells and Ford fenders will enhance your trolling in Rocklands. Above Right: StumpJumpers, are the ever-reliable Rockland’s lures for most species.

Far Left: A couple of bait nets are essential for catching live bait like gudgeon.

Left: Strike Pro Redfin lures have accounted for some great catches.

Below Left: Tasmanian Devils are a musthave to flat line troll at Rocklands. Below Right: (Left to right) Rapalas, Fishooka, Daiwa Double Clutches, Ballista Triggers.

It’s a massive challenge to wrestle these monsters out without snagging up or being busted off. These days though, the mudeye, gudgeon, yabby or worms under a float still work well, but the common capture of trout is by trolling.

Flatlining early with shallow running hardbodies or Tasmanian Devils should see you connect, but once the sun gets above the horizon and the mountain range, it is best to go to deeper diving lures such as Rapalas, Daiwa Double Clutches, Ballista Triggers and similar. These fish are very crafty and don’t succumb easily.

Overall, early morning and late afternoon, fish shallow, and in between times work deeper areas with diving lures. The bonus with the deeper lures targeting trout is the by catch of redfin and maybe a bass or cod.

BASS Over the last few years

the trolled lures for other species, seem to be the most productive methods.

Keep in mind bass are aggressive fish but also a little on the shy side, so work quietly in heavily

MURRAY COD As with the bass, the cod have just appeared in here and local legend has it that around 20 years ago a local angler decided to buy some and do some stocking of his

Left: Typical redfin school just prior to a double hook up! Right: Rocklands from near the wall with the Grampians in the background. timbered areas can provoke them into striking a well presented offering.

Well known for taking up residence in snags and being territorial, you have to be right on their zone to entice a strike. Fighting qualities

own after being frustrated with the lack of variation in species.

While I haven’t heard of any large fish being landed I’m sure they have but have been kept hushed up. Over the last few months I know

Eildon scale, as the potential and habitat is ideal for their survival. In the coming weeks I’m doing some research work with the good people of Fisheries investigating the likelihood of this being developed.

Left: Mudeye under bubble floats equals trout! Right: Live yabbies are essential bait at Rocklands. there have been some nice bass landed and, although they have mainly been present below the wall of the reservoir, they now inhabit the lake and are a great tussle on light gear.

Size wise, there are some larger fish that are regarded as trophies but the average is between 25-40cm. I recently lost a large specimen up in the wall area that I estimate was around 55cm so the big boys are present. Vibes hopped along snags and rocky outcrops, as well as

are fierce and upon hook up they head straight for cover, so turning their head away or slowly motoring away from their home base is paramount.

In the old riverbed I have sounded up schools of either baitfish of small redfin with bigger arches showing in the vicinity on the sounder.

Most times these turn out to be bass. Drop shotting or free spooling a soft plastic beyond these schools will in most cases entice a hit, if the fish are in the mood.

of several fish being caught and released with some better than 5kg.

Dedicated cod anglers who know their stuff could target these fish and still wouldn’t be overly confident of landing one, so they must still be regarded as a bonus catch.

Hopefully in time we may see Rocklands develop into a native fishery of an

YABBIES For many years now, Rocklands has been a great place to get a good feed of these tasty critters and most visitors carry a couple of drop nets with them and overnight secure a great feed.

Because of the abundance of predators, the yabbies will only crawl in the dark hours so a night patrol of the drop nets is required. Habitat is

everywhere for them but I usually spend some time locating their burrows in deeper water with a view mask and punch the location into the GPS and return on dark and work the nets there for best results.

Fresh bait of bullock’s heart or liver is prime.

Remembering there is limits in place for yabbies so please check Victorian regulations before fishing and remember all nets have to be tagged with owner’s details as per regulations contained in the fisheries handbook.

SAFETY AND SURVIVAL Rocklands can be a very confusing place for the new angler with its ever-present treelines and surrounds that all look the same. My best advice for anyone visiting is a GPS and compass as lost and confused anglers are always found.

Take the time to familiarise yourself with the lake and mapping of it. Snags, trees and submerged logs are abundant and extreme caution needs to be undertaken at all times. Wear a PFD at all times for your own safety as there has been many stories of fishos tipped out of boats after hitting submerged surprises.

Most of the lake has mobile service with Telstra but a marine radio is advised in case of emergency. If you do get into trouble and have a mobile remember that 000 is still reachable, even in no service areas. Plan your trip,

let someone know where you will be fishing and enjoy your stay at this great place.

ACCOMMODATION /CAMPING Locally there are several options for camping with the Rocklands Caravan Park within a short drive of the main ramp close to the wall area. There is a local lodge available for larger groups as well as designated but un-serviced camping around most of the lake.

Camp grounds are located at Mountain Dam and Brodies on one side of the lake and Hynes and Glendinning on the other. With many local private accommodation options available on the internet it is best to source it before you arrive if not camping. While there is no charter or hire boats currently operating on Rocklands, Victorian Inland Charters is located at Lake Toolondo some half an hour away and available year round at both venues.

With the nearest township being Balmoral, which has most services, shops, hotel and fuel, Rocklands is isolated enough to be pleasurable but not too far from civilisation.

Always check local signage and regulations for both boating and camping to avoid prosecution. Maritime Safety Victoria, Fisheries Inspectors are ever present to enforce rules and deter illegal or unlicensed activities, as are the locals from Victoria Police.

Left: This is a nice little bass from Rocklands taken trolling StumpJumpers. Middle: Darryl Oshannassy with a ripper reddy taken trolling at Rocklands. Right: Tash Mustafa Allan landed this beaut brown trolling the trees on a Rapala hardbody.

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Winning catches at Wimmera HORSHAM

Trevor Holmes

Although it remains dry throughout the region and the much-anticipated early autumn rains haven’t arrived as yet, some great catches have been recorded locally, mainly in the deeper lakes and the rivers and streams. As the water temperatures in the shallower lakes drops, we can soon expect to see good numbers of trout come on the chew and the redfin school up just prior to their winter retreat.

As the region is desperate for rain with water storages dropping back at a rapid rate we all hope that the rain gods are kind to us this winter. At this time we look to the North East and see massive amount falling all up the East Coast, including

A very happy Kang Lim with another Toolondo terror buck taken on a Bent Minnow!

A rather excited Tyson Chaplin landed this beaut Toolondo brown in shallow water casting a Nories Spoon Tail Shad.

Troy Longson with a fine Toolondo buck brown.

Sydney, having in excess of 300mm in places... if only we could get that here!

WIMMERA RIVER Reports of great catches throughout the whole system are very encouraging and testament to the valuable stocking regime by DEPI. Research and careful planning are bringing the river back to life after it’s been on the ropes for a long period of time. Many happy anglers are now enjoying some great native fishing with yellas, cod and silvers being landed by persistent fishos.

Yabbies, worms and grubs continue to be the prime baits and I’m very happy to report what seems to be a decline in carp numbers in the areas that the natives are located.

Casting at the snaggy areas with spinnerbaits and rattle style lures is working well for the yellas and a few intrepid punters have done okay late afternoon on the cod with surface lures.

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Leading into winter, the cod seem to feed higher in the water column and anyone who has targeted them on the surface lures will tell you of the excitement of this style of fishing.

LAKE TOOLONDO As we are only just starting to see the weed drop back in the cooler weather, it is still not quite a trolling prospect as yet.

Bait fishing has been very hit and miss but those that persist have landed a few very nice fish. Keeping in mind there was no stock liberated in here last season due to low water levels, the smallest trout you are likely to encounter will be around the 1.5kg mark.

After sighting many fish lately, and catching a few as well, it’s an exciting prospect in the future with several fish better than 3kg on offer. I have no doubt that there is fish in here that will break the magical double figures this season,

a 10-pounder is only a matter of time!

Browns dominate the catches and the everelusive rainbows are a real prize with their aerobatic displays and pretty colours.

Fly fishos working the wind lanes on the lake are reaping rewards with bead head nymphs and the Toolondo special called the Shrek.

Woolly Buggers and smelt patterns have also taken some nice fish.

Redfin are schooling now but as yet we haven’t seen the run of big girls that congregate and stick together leading up to their late winter spawn.

LAKE FYANS Trout here have become a bit scarce but those

working the wall area and the shallows with both bait and fly have done okay the last few weeks. Trolling seems to have slowed on the trout, but the redfin are in good numbers. Sorting through the smaller fish is a problem as they are willing to hit anything dragged past them, even if it is bigger than them.

As with Toolondo we will see the bigger girls mass up and roam looking for a feed prior to the real cold moving in. So don’t be afraid to take a feed of these tasty critters as a lake the size of Fyans would only need 6-10 big girls to regenerate this waterway.

Redfin have been the mainstay of the Wimmera for many years but with the resurgence of other species we don’t want to see over population, which leads to stunting of growth and a pygmy redfin strain developing.

Let’s face it everyone loves to catch a big reddie.

The writer with a XL Toolondo buck taken on a cast Nories Spoon Tail Shad.

ROCKLANDS RESERVOIR DEPI have just stocked the reservoir with brown and rainbow trout and, although they don’t always show a great return due to fishing pressure and ease of catch on the troll, we are hoping most anglers do the right thing and release these little fellas so the future stocks are bolstered. Like back in the 1990s, when some big fish were caught, mainly by mudeye fishos in tree areas.

There are still some big trout to be had but as I always say they don’t get big by being silly. Redfin numbers have been down on previous years and I’m putting this down to low water levels and more concentrated schooling. The coming weeks should see some schooling big girls like most lakes and trolling in around 4-5m of water will put you in the zone.

Bass continue to be a great sport fish and there’s a few anglers now confident to target them as the numbers grow. Most are around the 25-40cm mark but there is bigger fish in there. The odd surprise catch of a cod too, either on lure trolling or a bait on the bottom of the reddies and carp don’t get there first.

• Victorian Inland Charters are proud to announce we have just purchased 3 Polycraft 4.1m hire/drive boats that are now available at Fyans, Bellfield, Wartook, Toolondo and Rocklands. We also have a 4.5m Polycraft in survey for hire drive or charter work based at Halls Gap. These vessels being powered by 8hp Tohatsu motors require no boat licence to operate and are available in daylight hours only. Full equipped with safety gear they are ready for you to enjoy a day or weekend, be it fishing or sightseeing on these magnificent lakes. Enquiries to Trevor on 0438 132 130 or 03 5388 1338. Catch us on Facebook: Victorian Inland Charters or check our web site: www.victorianinland charters.com.au

Cod fishing cools down ROBINVALE

Rod Mackenzie codmac@bigpond.net.au

With the onset of cooler conditions, anglers have dragged out the thermals and donned beanies in preparation for the cooler months that lay ahead. The ‘true’ cod season is about to begin, where size outclasses numbers every time.

In saying that, the fishing along the Murray has been a little slower than that enjoyed last season, but that’s to be expected as the majority of cod have had all manner of lures dragged across

are proving harder to persuade, but they are still prone to making the odd mistake.

Big lures still remain the key to relaxing this lockjaw attitude and while the action is slow, the rewards are most often at the bigger end of the Brag Mat. Robinvale in the pool water has good numbers of smaller cod to 80cm taking both bait and lures depending on the water clarity. Golden perch too, have been biting well, especially on bait.

Shrimps or small yabbies bobbed around the timber are working, with most anglers catching their bag in a short session.

45cm range. A few catfish have also been landed in the Robinvale area, especially when fishing baits of worms around the willows. Carp are everpresent and the pesky silver perch are alive and well.

A protected species, it’s great to see catfish numbers on the increase.

Downstream to Wemen and it’s a similar story, although the cod are quite a bit larger in size. Several cod over the metre mark have been landed at Wemen on both bait and lures. Generally shallow and fast flowing, most of these larger fish have been caught around

Travis Brand with a typical cool water monster Murray. Anglers can expect to encounter more large fish as the water temperature drops. their noses in the past 12 months. Murray cod are far from stupid, especially when they acquire a bit of size, and the big fish

Upstream around the Nine Mile has fished well, as has the Toll Toll area. The perch have been of quality size, with most above the

the numerous rock bars that are typical of the Murray in this area.

As the ghost moths hatched with the autumn

This monster Murray cod was caught trolling a 170mm King Mong. Big lures equal big fish as the water cools. break, several good cod were also landed on surface lures. As this form of fish continues to grow in popularity, we are sure to see some honking fish landed from the surface over the next few seasons.

I have already had a couple of near misses, with 1 large fish hitting the lure so hard I expected to see nothing but powdered remnants floating on the water. I will be back to annoy this bad boy throughout the season, and with a little luck he will slip up and

have another crack.

Golden perch have also been on the chew in the Wemen area, with bait proving most effective.

Shrimp are starting to become scarce as the water cools, but are proving to be the best bait, which is always the case when something is hard to source.

Hattah Kulkyne has also fished well for cod on lures, the largest reported this past month stretching the tape out to the 121cm mark. Large

shallow running lures are working best, but they are hard to find. It’s a common perception among lure makers that to think big is to think deep, when in fact these same giant lures are what’s required to tempt big fish in shallow waters.

Perhaps by season’s end we will see a few larger models fitted with shallow bibs.

All up, the fishing has been quite good and with the big fish season now underway, we can expect some large cod captures over the coming months.

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Justin Rees with another metre-plus cod, this time taken on the cast using a spinnerbait.

Competition is open to Australian residents only. A maximum of one entry per person allowed. Competition closes 30/06/2015. Competition will be drawn on the 07/07/2015. The winner will be able to collect their prize from their nearest tackle store once notified the pack is ready to collect.

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JUNE 2015

87

Change is in the air MILDURA

John Menhennett goobyfish@hotmail.com

Mother Nature can provide many clues relating to the change of seasons, and anglers need to be aware of these. The changes in air, water temperature and wildlife movements should also signify a change in the anglers’ approach in order to land that fish of a lifetime.

For many of the die-hard fishos out there, it is not until the start of June that begins the start of, what has been dubbed, the unofficial cod opening.

Autumn has been unusually warm around Mildura and water temperatures have been higher than normal. Coming off the back of another very hot summer, the cod have started to move in good numbers but haven’t started to fire in the ‘usual’ spots as yet. However, this should change very soon.

Murray cod fishing can be a bit of hard work over the cooler periods, but those anglers putting in the long hours and those willing to work out where the fish are holding will reap the benefits.

A few nice Murray cod have been caught on large lures both upstream and downstream of Mildura lately, with quite a few well over the magical metre mark. A few smaller models coming in at around 70-80cm have also been caught in the clearer waters we are experiencing at the moment. Most of these cod have been caught using 120mm Koolabung Codzillas, King Mongs and Gidgee lures in various colours.

Good news is that cod are starting to move into the shallows as some of the cod caught lately have been in around 2-3m of water. In this situation casting large lures tight up against timber is the way to go.

There have been a few good fish caught on surface lures lately in the Murray River both during low-light

days and at night.

Considering the size of the baitfish that cod are feeding on, upsizing lures is a must. Most of the cod caught lately have been taken on large, trolled lures. Trolling speeds have also been up from the norm indicating that the fish are starting to come on the chew.

Some nice yellas have been caught recently on larger trolled lures in the Murray.

Most of the fish have been holding close to timber and a slow trolling speed seems to be doing the damage. Some of the creeks outside the main river have also been fishing well for big yellas.

Fort Courage has been fishing well for yellas as well, both on lures and bait.

As the cooler weather rolls in, anglers will swap their trolling gear for casting rods and lures as the cod move tight into snags and into the shallows. Anglers will be casting from June through to end of close season with a few dedicated trollers doing it their way. Casting large

Luke Haaja with a silver perch caught on a surface lure at night. This fish was returned to the water directly after the photo was taken. spinnerbaits into the timber will be one of the go-to techniques.

It’s not only the Murray

cod that are the main attraction around Mildura during the winter. It is also the beautiful river scenery,

warm red-gum fires of an evening and foggy mornings, which make fishing on the Murray an absolute pleasure.

The plug’s getting pulled YARRAWONGA

Tony Bennett codclassic@bigpond.com

Trying to predict what’s happening in and around Lake Mulwala at present is nigh impossible. As I write, we have a lake that sits at 96 per cent full.

Within days, the plug will be pulled, and it will all vanish in a hurry. Not knowing exactly how much it will be drawn down makes it hard to guess about the fishing.

If history is anything to go by, best bet is to hook the boat up and get here in a hurry.

As the lake recedes, most ramps become un-usable, with the 1 located at the yacht club remaining usable the longest. If you have not been here for a draw down, do yourself a favour and come for a look. It’s an awesome sight to see and will give you a totally new perspective on the place.

Looking back to the start of April, not only did the Easter Bunny drop off plenty of goods for the kids, but he helped stir up the cod for all and sundry. Since I’ve been putting pen to paper over the past 15 years, I’ve never seen a better month for quality and consistent reports, some of them near on unbelievable, but 88

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with photos of proof, they are undeniable.

The most unbelievable story, report, photo, call it what you wish, came in the form of an amazing pic of a large cod that had attempted to engulf a floating volleyball! Being partially flat, the ball became perfectly wedged in the cod’s mouth and was unable to dislodge it. After some photos for proof, the ball was removed and the cod swam away to fight another day. From the look of the picture, the fish would have measured around the 1m mark. It was found around the Kyffins area. Like spaceships and Martians, if I hadn’t seen the photos (that now adorn the front window of Lake Mulwala Fish Camp and Ski), I would not believe it!

Another story about the 1 that didn’t get away came from the first day of the Cod Nationals. Competitors Steve Hogan and Graeme Jarvis were fishing close to the yacht club when they were alerted to an elderly lady calling “Help me!

Help me!” Upon closer inspection they found she was actually hooked up to a beast of a cod she couldn’t land due to not having a landing net and the fish being too big for her to lift! The boys rendered assistance and proceeded to help her land a mighty 110cm monster taken on a small 1/0 hook with a piece of chicken breast for bait.

Ben Sharp, a Mulwala regular, had a great run over Easter, guiding friends and family onto some beautiful cod. After calling in to buy a handful of pink/purple Custom Craft lures, he took his mate James Ryan out for his first-ever spot of cod fishing. Not 100m in and James was hooked up to a great cod that measured a healthy 92cm.

Next day Ben decided it was time to take his 2 daughters for a quick troll.

Low and behold, 5-year-old Eve hooked up to a 60cm model, closely followed by a 68cm cracker — a couple of fish any grown man would be happy with. Ben struggled to keep the kids out of the boat for the next few days, and landed some other nice cod in that time.

Another fella who came into the store, Brian Smith, had a smile on him like a cat that had caught the budgie. Producing a photo that weighed 3lb alone, Brian recounted the capture of his mate Keith Sieeber. Again on a piece of chicken, Keith landed a true Murray monster that stretched the tape out to 123cm and looked like it could have been a good 80lb and then some. This cod was taken downstream around the Bourke’s Beach area.

The fifth Cod Nationals have just wound up, with Team Venom’s Anthony Pavlou and Stephen Booth taking out the prestigious

James Ryan with his first-ever cod. A beauty that measured 92cm.

Champion Team title from Team Bassman’s Jamie Stewart and Bryden Whitfield. Jamie Stewart claimed the Individual Champion title, closely followed by Jamie Beer.

While on the Jamies, Jamie Kelly achieved any cod angler’s dream, weighing in 1 that achieved the magical mark of 100.6cm. All up, there were 147 cod, with 64 of legal size, weighed in by 37 competing anglers.

Cray season is drawing near, so it is important you are up to speed with the

new rules and regs that were implemented last year.

The season opens on June 1. If heading out, I urge all to be safe, especially if you are boating at night in shallow waters and observe all limits.

If visiting Yarrawonga/ Mulwala, call into Lake Mulwala Fish Camp and Ski, the shop with the big green cod out the front in Mulwala. We are your largest Murray cod-specific shop in the region and specialise in all things green. For any info

on upcoming events or fishing reports, give us a call on (0357) 443 133.

• If you are visiting town, I urge you to call into Lake Mulwala Fish, Camp & Ski (opposite the post office) in Mulwala and say G’day.

We are your largest Murray cod-specific shop in Yarrawonga/ Mulwala and specialise in all things ‘green’!

For any information on the upcoming events or fishing reports, give us a hoy on (03) 5744 3133.

Crays and cod come on board SHEPPARTON

Nick Brown teamriverrats@hotmail.com

Winter has now well and truly set in. In the past month, we have all been waiting and anticipating our first big frost and, for most anglers, now marks the time to start chasing some crayfish.

I have always waited for the first major frosty morning to shift my focus to my cray pots and I think this season will be a cracker.

Last season a lot more locals were craying in and around Shepparton and there were a lot of reports of a heap of small males in our waters.

Hopefully this season we see some larger males being caught and, if late April and early May was an indication, this will happen.

I had a handful of reports of crayfish being landed off the bank by land-based anglers targeting cod, so I can only imagine what will happen with a fully baited cray pot.

The waters out towards Murchison seem to deliver the best results when cray fishing.

There is plenty of shallow water with some really deep runs where you can set out a few pots in a row to maximise your chances.

In recent years both the

Goulburn and Broken rivers right in town have been a good option to chase crays. Setting your pots off the bank is not ideal but there are plenty of locations in the Broken where you can do this.

While waiting for your

and yellowbelly are still being caught in shallow water around the 6’ mark.

Bait fishing is tough now due to the crays really enjoying taking grubs or worms so I would probably stick to using lures. There have been plenty

great when I wrote this report and this is why we are still seeing good numbers of fish being caught on lures.

WARANGA BASIN I have put this report up a bit higher this month due to the relevance of craying

Kaleb Oxley caught this nice cod out of his kayak on a Kuttafurra Lure.

Shepparton resident Adrian Price didn’t catch this fish in Shepparton but it’s a ripper of a catch and worth showing off. pots, have a fish because the fishing may have slowed down a bit but there has still been some good reports floating in. Legal sized cod

of reports of locals using the locally designed Old Mate or Codger lures mostly trolled in the Goulburn River.

The water clarity was still

in Waranga Basin. More and more floats are being seen out at the Basin and it’s no big secret that there is some quality crays in there.

FISHING FILL-ITS

Casting a close eye on Lake Nagambie’s fishing

Study revealed Lake Nagambie to be a fishing hotspot.

A new study about recreational fishing in the Nagambie Lakes has bench-marked angler catches, fishing methods, angler satisfaction and spending patterns to provide a clear picture of this developing fishery and how it can grow local tourism in the future.

Fisheries Victoria Executive Director, Travis Dowling, said the study revealed most anglers were satisfied with their fishing experience and that catches were now dominated by golden perch and Murray cod, both of which had been stocked extensively in recent years.

“Recreational fishing

licence fees have helped stock more than one million golden perch and Murray cod fingerlings into the Nagambie Lakes system since 2009 so it is great to see anglers’ investment paying off,” Mr Dowling said.

“The study was undertaken over four summer months

by Fisheries Victoria with a contribution from the Shire of Strathbogie, which was keen to know more about the role of fishing and its economic benefits to regional tourism.

“The study revealed that 55% of anglers’ catch consisted of golden perch, 19% Murray cod, 16% carp and 8% redfin.

“One third of interviewed anglers specifically targeted Murray cod, golden perch or

redfin with half happy to catch any species of fish in the Nagambie Lakes system.

“Nearly two-thirds of anglers fished from the shore and most used bait.

“When asked about their satisfaction with the fishery over the previous 12 months, 60% of anglers said they were either ‘very’ or ‘quite’ satisfied.

“The total economic value of the fishery was estimated to be up to $500,000 annually, confirming that recreational fishing is not only socially significant, but also important to the regional economy.

Mr Dowling congratulated Wally Cubbin and members of the Goulburn Valley Association of Angling Clubs for working closely with fisheries managers to develop the fishery into the community asset that the study clearly demonstrates.

“Further analysis of the study’s findings and angler feedback will focus future investment in the fishery, which was expected to only improve as more stocked fish reached catchable size.”

Strathbogie Shire Deputy Mayor Councillor Colleen Furlanetto said the study offered a glimpse of how

popular recreational fishing had become in freshwater environments.

“Lake Nagambie is an angler’s delight and we hope the study’s results ensure fishing in the area remains sustainable so future generations can enjoy this fabulous pastime,” Ms Furlanetto said. – DEDJTR

The Basin is currently pretty low, which makes it a lot easier to cray and fish in the lake. When craying in a large body of water, I like to split my nets into a few areas until I find a depth or a bank where the crays are.

Once you have located them pull your other nets out and put them in the area where you’re catching them.

Redfin are on the bite as well so if you’re putting your nets in be sure to take a fishing rod. Redfin up to 45cm have been caught mostly around the Harrimans Road areas on bright lures or casting small spinners.

SHEPPARTON LAKE With the cold mornings here to stay, the local trout are on the chew and making the most of the conditions.

The trout have been stocked in the lake for the past couple of years and there are some cracking sized fish in there.

The average size is still around the 20-25cm mark but I have seen fish around the 30-40cm mark being caught.

Small diving lures or spinners work well when fishing the lake in the winter months. Light rods and reels

are needed for you to put in some big casts.

Trout sometimes wander out of casting distance so I would use the lightest outfit possible to get the maximum casting distance.

If you’re not into casting lures, Powerbait works the best on the trout in the lake and all the local tackle shops now stock a wide variety of baits to use.

LOCAL CHANNELS The channels will now almost all be drained and I have a bit of info from the GM Water website regarding this.

They will be draining the channels and spraying chemicals to try and control the arrow head weed issue.

The herbicide will be applied to weeds in the drained channels from May 15 and then left to absorb for several weeks. The channels will then be refilled from August 1.

There maybe water still pooled in some areas of the channel systems but I would be staying well away from the channels. I am not sure how safe the spray is but I would not be risking it.

DAM LEVELS Lake/Dam % Full

Dam % Full

LAKE/DAM Mar Apr May Cairn Curran 45 42 42 Dartmouth 78 77 77 Eildon 64 57 57 Eppalock 47 47 47 Fyans 73 74 74 Greens 57 52 52 Hepburn 54 46 47 Hume 36 21 21 Lauriston 76 75 76 Malmsbury 31 24 21 Mulwala (Yarrawonga) 92 96 96

Newlyn 52 46 46 Nillahcootie 70 59 59 Rocklands 17 17 17 Taylors 19 19 19 Tullaroop 41 36 36 Upper Coliban 74 66 66 Waranga 21 17 17 Wartook 60 60 60 William Hovell 73 57 57 All levels correct at time of going to press.

Damlevels can change at any time, so please check with local authorities to ensure safe boating and fishing.

JUNE 2015

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Lake lovin’ during winter VICTORIAN ALPINE

Robbie Alexander

Queen’s Birthday weekend in June marks the closing of the Victorian trout season.

Towards the end of the season the trout can become very hard to catch. They can become very hit and miss as they guard the freshly deposited eggs in their seasonal nest, known as a redd.

If fishing for trout in streams or rivers towards the end of the season, try using very bright coloured lures. Fluorescent orange bladed spinners such as Super Vibrax can be particularly handy at that time of the year, so too can very brightly coloured soft plastics.

Larger minnows can work particularly well also. Minnows such as the Pontoon-21 GreedyGuts in 58 or 68mm, or the long thin Rapala Husky Jerks, which can entice an aggressive strike from a spawning trout.

Quite often the trout will just follow the lures out of the pools as in their eyes, they are just ‘escorting’ potential predatory fish out of their territory. If this happens, try pausing your lure, which can mimic a predatory fish showing an unwillingness to leave, and in turn provoke the aggressive trout into striking the lure.

Away from the streams, now we are heading into the best time of the year to fish the two main lakes in the area, the giant Lake Dartmouth and the much smaller Khancoban Pondage.

The annual Dart Cup is on over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend and there will

Left: The Murray cod fishing was quite good at times in the Kiewa and Mitta Mitta valleys during autumn. By June the cod will be very, very quiet and not worth targeting unless you are a diehard cod fisher with cravings to feed. Right: Allans Flat waterhole is looking magnificent. It will be stocked with yearling rainbow trout in the second half of June, a few days before the winter Victorian school holidays start. Once it is stocked it is a wonderful place to take the kids fishing with scenic views, great fishing and easy access. be a lot of traffic on the lake. If fishing competitions are your thing, this one has a great reputation. If you’re like me and enjoy the solitude of beautiful places like Lake Dartmouth, then perhaps head up there the weekend before, or the weekend after Queen’s Birthday long weekend.

The most productive way to fish Lake Dartmouth during June is to flatline troll winged lured such as Tassie Devils. It’s a bit of a no brainer sometimes in this huge lake. Just cast your lure out, a long way behind the back of the boat and troll around the lake with a blindfold on until a trout grabs you lure. It’s as easy as that!

I do have some preferences. I prefer the lowlight periods of the day.

To increase your chances of catching a trout, try and arrive and be on the water when it is still quite dark to ensure you are fishing

the morning twilight period.

The same goes for the evening twilight period, try and fish until it’s dark.

Make sure that you are back near the boat ramp, or your camp close to nightfall though as the lake is very

large and it is quite easy to become disoriented in the dark, despite the flashing lights near the boat ramp. Or

Trout fishing in the streams really picked up in the second half of autumn as the water cooled off and rainfall freshened the streams up. This brown trout was caught in a tributary of the Kiewa River. Its thin build is an obvious sign that it was laying low and not feeding during the warmer months. A great sign for the new trout season in September.

Left: Dartmouth dam is the place to head during June, and any time in the winter months really. Make sure you pack plenty of warm clothes though as it gets bitterly cold up there. Right: Two of my favourite Dartmouth trout lures. A Pontoon 21 Greedy Guts in brown trout pattern and a hot pink Tassie Devil. I troll the Tassie Devil at the low light periods, and on overcast days and during the brightest parts of the day I switch to the Pontoon 21 as it dives down a bit deeper.

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even better, make sure you take a GPS unit and mark the boat ramp as a waypoint to help you find your way back in the dark.

During the day, try and troll with lures that get down that little bit deeper. Diving minnows that get down to 6 feet or so can work really well at times, and a favourite of mine is the dual depth Tassie Devil, which can be rigged differently to make it dive down deeper.

Khancoban pondage is totally opposite to Lake Dartmouth in so many ways. It is quite small and shallow, but has much larger trout than Lake Dartmouth.

This is due to a few factors including the abundance of shallow weedbeds providing plenty of food for the trout to eat, as well as the fact that there are fewer trout in Khancoban pondage.

The pondage can be very hit and miss whereas Lake Dartmouth is very consistent all winter. In a nutshell, I prefer Lake Dartmouth if I really want to catch a trout, and I prefer Khancoban pondage when I am after big fish.

My favourite technique in Khancoban pondage is to bait fish with live mudeyes suspended underneath a float. There’s something special about seeing the rings form around your float and then watching your float disappear underneath the water, or looking over at your float and not being able to see it, because it has been pulled under!

Good luck to everybody heading out in June.

Remember, this entire corner of the state is at the foothills of the Victorian Alps and much of it is sub alpine, so it is very cold. I always find it hard to warm up on either of these two lakes when I am fishing, and I do not feel the cold like most people.

Make sure you take plenty of warm clothing, and then a bit more!

Calling the diehard cod squad WANGARATTA

Robbie Alexander

Once autumn arrived the Murray cod fishing slowed right down across North East Victoria this year. The cod fishing in the King River seemed to die an instant death the moment the weather started to cool and the Ovens River tapered off quite quickly as well.

In saying that, like all creatures Murray cod do need to eat something from time to time. As a result there were a few cod caught here and there. My mate Brett Corker, who is the most persistent cod fisher I know, spent a lot of time cod fishing in autumn and had plenty of fishless days, broken up with a few good days.

By June both rivers will not really be worth fishing if you are targeting Murray cod. The water will be bitterly cold as frosty nights

to drop. In other words, the Murray River runs the complete opposite to the natural flowing rivers of the

rivers and creeks. Many of the seasonal streams were flowing by the end of April. Hopefully this extra

water has assisted the trout to disperse better in the streams to spawn, leading to a higher survival rate

If you’re after Murray cod during June, your best bet will be to head to the Murray River.

Jacob Winter-Weidner with a magnificent 68cm Murray cod caught in the Murray River upstream of Lake Mulwala recently.

of the newborn fry than what you get when they all spawn close together. Extra water in the streams in late autumn is never a bad thing.

If you’re trout fishing in June before the season closes, try using fluorescent coloured bladed spinners like the Super Vibrax in fluro orange colour or something similar. Trout feed on the eggs of other spawning

trout. It is for this reason that it is highly illegal to use fish eggs (roe) as bait.

A couple of years ago a couple of dodgy blokes had all of their fishing tackle seized when they were caught using trout eggs as bait in the Rubicon River here in Victoria. Great work fisheries.

These eggs are a bright orange colour, which is why

Left: Don’t forget that the Victorian trout season closes at Midnight on Monday June 8th and re-opens on the first Saturday in September. Right: Lake William Hovell is a great place to head in June. Last month the lake was at 50% capacity, but being such a small lake it fills quickly and is usually filled or filling during June. blanket the catchment with ice and the early winter snowmelt starts to feed the headwaters.

I have caught cod in the Ovens River during June, but have had to work very, very hard for them. June is the time of year when only the keenest of the keen cod fishers can catch cod in the Ovens River catchment.

If you are coming to the Wangaratta area during June and hoping to hook onto a Murray cod, your best bet will be to head to the Murray River, in particular Lake Mulwala.

In the Murray River, Lake Hume discharges large volumes of cold water all summer. By June the irrigation season has ended and the plug is put back into the lake. This forces the Murray River

area. As a result there can often be some quite good cod fishing throughout the winter months when the water is low.

In June there will be a little over one week left of the current trout season.

The Victorian trout season closes on Monday 8th June at midnight. By then most of the regions brown trout will either be spawning, or just finished spawning. At this time the trout fishing can go either way. They can be very hard to catch, or they can be biting like crazy. Either way, the trout in the streams in June are usually in quite poor condition.

We had some very good widespread rainfall across North East Victoria in June.

This saw a decent flush of water push through the

When all else fails, you should try a black spinner of some kind when trout fishing. Dark natural lure colours are great all rounders for trout.

I like to use a bright orange coloured lure so late in the season as that is the colour the trout are looking for.

If that does not work, try something dark, like a black and green spinner or soft plastic. When trout fishing in streams at any time of the year, if all else fails, choose a dark natural coloured lure.

Lake William Hovell will be the place to head in June. The lake is not subject to the seasonal trout closure and also has a decent amount of trout in it. There are not a lot of big trout in there, but occasionally a large one of 4lb will turn up.

Last month the lake was very low, but that is subject to change quite quickly as it is only a small lake and can be filled quite quickly after decent rainfall.

JUNE 2015

91

Rising lake to create action EILDON

Andy McCarthy

I would like to start this month’s report with some sad news, the passing of legendary fly fisherman Murray ‘Muz’ Wilson.

man down in Tassie talking to great mate and former editor of this magazine Neil Grose, an amazing fly fisherman in his own right.

Just the way he spoke of Muz was incredible and made you instantly have respect for someone you

for having known him, rest in peace Muz Wilson.

Onto fishing now, and the water flow finally slowed down enough to get the waders on and fish the Goulburn properly. It was an outstanding but very short 5 week period until the season closed, but the massive flush over the last 6 or so months has really invigorated the entire system with the Goulburn looking fabulous and the sheer numbers of fish being caught is very promising. Considering the reports of low numbers of trout all over the state, this is great news for the health of the lower Goulburn.

The ever-popular black and gold T-Tail was dynamite lately as well as the Cranka Shallow Minnow in golden trout counting for loads of fish also. Reports of both browns and rainbows between 4-5lb over

the last month weren’t uncommon and there were good numbers of tablesized fish in the 1-2lb range being caught near Gilmores Bridge and the Twin Rivers Caravan Park.

Up on lake now and the water is going up instead of down so the trout fishing is set to explode and be a very special season, which will be great after such a lean year where there has been zero consistency at all. The trout up and around the Big River and Goulburn Arm areas have been active and starting to feed up prior to the spawn so things are looking good for winter.

PONDAGE Now the water level will be a lot more stabilised it will become more consistent and start to come into its own, it’s already been fishing well over the last few months so I think it’s going be a great winter on the pond.

Pete Thorpe with a healthy little Eildon cod.

Tough fishers keep fishing on BONNIE DOON

Andy McCarthy

Allan Jeffries nailed this nice autumn yellowbelly from Eildon.

I’m sure all you fly guys and gals will know of the great man and his legacy, his brilliant fly tying skills and his imagination. He produced many of the most amazing trailblazing flies in history, and not being a fly fisherman myself I still heard the stories of this

hadn’t even met.

Also, reading recent stories from Adam and Kristina Royter about what they had learned from the man, you could only wish to cross paths with someone so special and gifted. You couldn’t help but feel those who knew him were richer and wiser

Thank goodness the irrigation season is finished after the massive amounts of water going down the Goulburn River was larger than usual due to such dry conditions all over the state.

Now the lake is slowly rising, I think the fishing may start to become a little more consistent - let’s pray anyway. The last 6 months have been the toughest I can remember over the last 10 years.

Recently a round of the Central Victorian Lure Casters Super Series was held at Peppin Point Caravan Park with over 100 talented anglers from all over the state pitting themselves against each other and the inconsistent Lake Eildon. It was a very tough tournament

The author with a decent Delatite cod. to say the least with only 6 cod being taken as the main target species of the round.

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most of the fish were caught at a similar time and once again establishing the short periods of bite opportunity,

which just goes to show how tough it has been.

For those of you who haven’t fished in comps before, I highly recommend having a crack in this series, it’s a brilliantly run series by Roundy and his crew, and it’s very affordable with a big emphasis on the social side of things. Everybody who fishes them has a ball and a few bevies as well.

The best way to contact them is through Facebook and I guarantee you will have a ball.

Now I think we will see some big banging cod coming on the chew so load up your heavy gear just in case you hook that fish of a lifetime and keep in mind the new slot limit for taking cod is between 55-75cm.

After the last couple of months there has been a lot of big brown trout mooching around the surface and as the water gets cooler I’m sure they will become a lot more active for flatlining Tassie Devils and hardbodied lures. Some of these fish I have seen have been genuine double figure fish (in pounds of course) so once again you might want to go to 10-12lb leader in case you snag a horse.

I think we will see one of the best trout seasons for quite some time. There still hasn’t been reports of large numbers of redfin being caught, so let’s hope as the water level goes upwards we might get a feed or two throughout winter.

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The streams close, but it’s not all bad news MELBOURNE METRO

Ian Debar iand@gottabite.com.au

Just a timely reminder that trout season in Victoria is closed as of midnight on Monday June 8, and will reopen after midnight on Friday September 4. This is not all bad news however, as lakes and impoundments are still open to fish all year round.

For the trout lovers out there desperate to hook into a few, your best bet for a local session on them would be Karkarook Park. Depending on whether

you prefer to bait, lure or fly fish for trout there are a few options for you. Far and away the most effective method for fishing Karkarook Lake is to use a suspended Berkley Powerbait rig in conjunction with a small berley feeder cage above your leader. Using a trout-specific berley mixture will make sure that any fish in the area will hang around for long enough for you to have a shot at catching them.

For the angler who prefers to pack a small box of lures and go for a walk, there are a few must have items: Small profile shallow running minnows like Strike Pro Baby

Archback and Ecogear SX40 are excellent lures to cast in close around the shallows and reed stands, while the Strike Pro Bob’n Spoon is a very good long casting option to search out further in the lake, and lastly small soft plastics such as 80mm Squidgy Wrigglers and Berkley Bulky Hawgs are excellent options to closely imitate small yabbies and baitfish in the lake.

Make sure that if you are using any lures down here that you cast and retrieve them slowly. Many people make the mistake of winding their lures back far too fast, which doesn’t give the fish a chance

to catch them. If you think you may be retrieving your lure choice too slow, there’s a good chance that you can slow it down even more.

If you’re a diehard fly fisherman who is going through withdrawals from not being able to fish the rivers, you can always practice your still water flyfishing here at Karkarook.

While the rainbows will rise to insect hatches here, one of the more productive methods is to ‘blind cast’ with wet flies.

Flies like beadheaded wooly buggers and weighted streamer patterns in darker colours are good options to work slowly back around the drop offs on a

floating line.

Rowville Lakes is a great fishing option, with the ‘main’ lake producing a few different species at the moment. Small redfin, roach and carp are the most prevalent, but rainbow trout can also be caught when using the correct methods.

Maggots fished under a float will catch all species of fish here, with roach and carp making up most of the catch at the moment. Small soft plastics like 80mm Squidgy Wrigglers have been working well on the redfin, especially when cast along the edge of reed stands and slowly worked back.

If you have had some

success in these areas lately send me a photo and go into the draw for your chance to win $100 Tackle voucher. Email it to admin@fishingcamping. com.au, and don’t forget to include the angler’s name, species, and the area you were fishing.

For up to date fishing information, contact the guys at Compleat Angler in Dandenong on 9794 9397 or drop in and see us at 241 – 243 Princes Hwy, Dandenong, we are open 7 days a week.

For our other latest fishing reports and to download information sheets, go to www fishingcamping.com.au.

Winter wonderland BALLARAT

Shane Stevens

The Central Highlands region of Victoria is certainly blessed with some wonderful fisheries and some of those waters really shine as we move into the end of autumn and the following winter months.

Anglers will need to put on their winter woollies and rug up and get out there

seems to be getting better. Ben Young and I have been fishing soft plastics (which I now am a convert to thanks Ben) with unbelievable results. Our best effort for a three hour window was boating 5 brown trout up to 53cm and losing countless others. I am amazed how these Lake Wendouree brown and rainbow trout love the plastics. Ben’s go-to plastic is a 3” Ecogear Power Shad, while mine is a 4” Nories Spoon Tail Shad. Our standard

Jacob Young’s solid Lake Wendouree caught redfin caught that fell to a 3” Ecogear Power Shad. Photo Ben Young amongst the elements, and those that do will certainly be rewarded for their efforts I’ve never been able to catch a trophy trout while I have been sitting at home in the warmth watching the footy and whingeing about the weather. Our waters in the district hold some magnificent fish and winter is the time to catch some of them, so get out there and get amongst them.

LAKE WENDOUREE Lake Wendouree has been top of the tree again over the last month. I’m amazed just how good the fishing is here, and it only 94

JUNE 2015

approach is to drift across the main rowing channel, slowing out boat drift with a drogue, and slow rolling out plastics back to the boat after making the longest cast possible. This presentation works on most occasions.

The weather conditions play a major role The most consistent fishing at Lake Wendouree comes on overcast days with a it of breeze.

Covering water is another important element to success and the key to finding feeding fish. Olive coloured plastics are the standout colour, and I believe the trout are eating them because they see them

as one of the many minnows that inhabit the lake. Minnows are a staple for trout and redfin during summer in absence of the reduced insect activity.

Other anglers have been catching trout and redfin as well, either trolling the main rowing channel, fly fishing loch style with large woolly bugger patterns in bright colours, while the mudeye fishermen have also been catching some cracking fish.

I’m sure over the winter months this will continue and some very large specimens will be caught by anglers fly fishing and lure casting with bright coloured artificials.

NEWLYN AND HEPBURN Newlyn Reservoir and Hepburn Lagoon have been fishing extremely well for anglers who are prepared to put in the time and effort. I am amazed by the fish that have been caught out of these two waters. I, like many others, have fished both for modest results. I’m planning on returning in spring when the water level is higher and the fish are hopefully more active. For those that can’t wait until spring the fish are in there and they are hungry and eager to eat baits and lures.

Tom Kulczynski loves to fish both of these waters and is prepared to get up early, drive up from Melbourne, and be on the water’s edge before day

Tom Kulczynski’s brown trout he caught at Hepburn Lagoon fishing a holographic Tassie Devil lure though the clear pockets of water. Photo Tom Kulczynski break nearly every weekend to tangle with their fish. And boy does he catch plenty of fish.

I have been mentioning Tom over the last few months and how he has been catching trout on mudeyes fished under bubble floats. Tom has changed tactics and is now using Tassie Devils as his weapon of choice. Tom uses his Tassie Devils in a variety of colours, with gold, white clown, and holographic colours his go-to choices.

Tom has caught fish in both waters in the last month up to 6lb. Tom’s keys to success are to cover plenty of water, fish deeper areas where there is no weed, and if you catch nothing, make a change.

Whether is be location, or lure colour.

Tom fished Hepburn

recently and caught three magnificent fish. He returned the next day hoping for the same outcome and caught nothing. Not willing to give up he then went to Newlyn Reservoir and bang, he caught three browns up to 6lb. It goes to show that despite being close to each other both lakes are, and can act quite differently. Both waterways over winter fish well not only for the lure fishermen but also fly fishers using bright flies or smelt patterns.

CLOSE TO HOME Bostock Reservoir and Moorabool Reservoir will be well worth a look over winter, with both waterways well stocked with trout, and home to healthy redfin populations.

The humble old garden worm should produce the best results

for the bait fishermen, while fly fishermen should concentrate on smelt patterns or bright coloured woolly buggers. For lure anglers bright is best in whatever lure you choose.

Tullaroop Reservoir only about 40 minutes from Ballarat should produce some good fishing over the next few months and I hold the water in high regard as an excellent winter/spring fishery especially for the fly fishermen chasing the smelt feeding trout. As a result smelt patterns are the flies of choice. Fly fishing is not the only method of catching fish from Tullaroop and casting minnow styled lures and drifting mudeyes will also some bring some of these trout and redfin out to play.

Left: A Lake Wendouree rainbow trout caught on 4” Nories Spoon Tail Shad by Shane Stevens. Right: Big fish eat big lures. Shane Stevens with a solid Wendouree brown trout that ate a 4” Nories Spoon Tail Shad. Photo Ben Young.

Winter fishing at Blue Rock WST/STH GIPPSLAND

Steve Haughton steve@habitatcreations.com.au

As we say goodbye to another stream trout season for a year, our attention shifts over to Blue Rock Lake, Willow Grove in the pursuit of lake trout and winter bass. The stream trout fishing season closes from midnight 8th of June (Sunday midnight of Queens Birthday weekend) through to midnight 4th of September 2015.

Anglers were still having a bit of luck on bass in May but most were been caught on bait fished deep and close to structure. Like us, bass tend to slow down a bit over the colder months so lure fishing can be very slow and unfruitful. Live baits such as crickets and worms dropped straight down next to a dead tree can still result in a good session on bass. And boy do these bass pack a punch!

A small 15-20cm bass puts up an incredible fight on light gear.

Historically this region lacked other options when the stream trout season closed, particularly for the local anglers. Now Blue

Rock bass are starting to average 25cm plus, which is exciting to see the success of the stocking program.

Even more exciting is that anglers can target them all year round.

Trolling for winter trout

and windy few days. When heading out from the boat ramps you’ll see dirty oily water in lines and once you get next to these wind lanes you’ll see the trout feeding off the surface. These dirty oily lanes are made up of

outing. If you are skilled with a fly rod, then holding the boat back a distance and casting a fly in to these wind lanes can be a lot of fun too.

If you are planning on sneaking one more stream fish before the trout season

Not to be out done, his Uncle Tom caught a thumping 45cm stream trout a little while later, again on crickets.

A very happy Jett Muir with a beautiful 35cm stream brown trout caught in the Loch Creek on crickets. on Blue Rock can be a lot of fun. The key is picking one of those gorgeous still June days and trolling besides wind lanes where all the food congregates after a wild

leaf litter, natural oils and tannins and loads of beetles and insects that are stuck below the meniscus. Flatline trolling beside the wind lanes can lead to a successful

closes, the upper stretches of the Latrobe, Loch and Toorongo Rivers in Noojee are worth a shot. If you feel like adventuring beyond Noojee, the Tanjil River

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which flows in to Blue Rock must be holding some really good trout this time of the year. Closer to Melbourne, the Bunyip River is holding nice sized trout and is flowing well. Stream trout this time of the year can be a bit tricky to catch as their attention has shifted from feeding to spawning so lures can be hard work.

The old trusty garden worm however can still be hard to resist drifted down stream

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95

Reward for effort as the fishing will get tougher BENDIGO

Roger Miles codhuntertours@bigpond.com

The overall productivity of the fishing in the Bendigo region has declined over recent weeks. This is typical of this time of the year; as water temperature decreases, the fishing becomes tougher. For the most dedicated anglers the rewards are there if you are prepared to put the time in though. During the coldest months of the year is often when the largest fish are caught.

During June it can also be common to catch ‘doughnuts’ — that is no fish for the day, not even a strike. The educated anglers don’t lose confidence, as they know that a new day brings new opportunities and the next trip may produce a fish of a lifetime.

LAKE EPPALOCK There are still small numbers of redfin being caught. The majority of these have been taken trolling deep diving hardbody lures or casting soft plastics. As the water temperature continues to fall, the redfin fishing will become tougher. This is also the last hurrah for golden perch fishing. At present, small numbers

of goldens are still being caught, the majority around standing timber. Trolling around the edges with deep diving hardbodies has been working. Casting lipless crankbaits around the trees has also been productive.

Anglers have to be patient so the lures can sink deep enough to where the majority of golden perch are holding, then retrieving the lure very slowly for success. After this month the number of golden perch being caught will be very low indeed, and we will more than likely not see any significant improvement in the catch rate until September.

CAMPASPE RIVER Water clarity is still very good in the Campaspe River. It can change quickly after heavy rainfall though.

Rain has been minimal lately, but the forecast is for above average rain over the next couple of months.

The number of Murray cod being caught in the system are low, although there have been a few quality fish up to 80cm.

The most productive method has been casting spinnerbaits.

The majority are being caught in holes or the deeper sections of river.

The number of golden perch being caught is also low. Casting and retrieving

lipless crankbaits in dark or transparent colours have been the best options. Some small numbers of quality redfin have been caught.

The section of river below Lake Eppalock has been the most productive for reddie fishing. Casting small hardbody lures and soft plastics has been producing small numbers.

CAIRN CURRAN The fishing for Murray cod and golden perch has slowed significantly in recent weeks, with only isolated captures. The majority of these been caught by anglers trolling hard body lures. At this stage redfin fishing remains average at best. The majority are coming from depths greater than 10m.

Bait fishing with worms and small yabbies has been producing a small number of redfin, while jigging ice jigs and soft plastics has also been producing fish.

Locating good concentrations is difficult at the present time. I still am hopeful that we will still see some good fishing at this destination over the coldest months of the year though. Hopefully, as water temperatures continue to drop, we will start to see the fish school up.

At this stage the number of trout being caught has been poor.

Casting spinnerbaits has been a successful cod technique lately.

Productivity should improve significantly this month if we receive good rainfall and water levels start to rise.

LODDON RIVER The fishing in the Loddon River has also slowed down in recent times. It has fished very well over the warmest months of the year, but it is now feeling the effects of a huge amount of fishing pressure. The occasional

quality Murray cod is being caught, the majority of which are coming from the deepest sections of the river. Similar to the Campaspe, fish activity in the shallower sections of the river is most affected by the cooling water temperature.

Tr o l l i n g l a rg e hardbodies and heavy spinnerbaits in the pooled water above Bridgewater has produced the occasional quality cod. Trolling medium

sized hardbody lures has also been producing a small number of golden perch.

The occasional redfin has come from the Loddon River lately, but fishing will remain tough for the next few months. At this time of year, the fishing pressure really backs off and you are often the only angler on a section of river. If you are prepared to put the time in, those quality fish are there to be caught.

Rain, rain, where have you gone? SW missed out CRATER LAKES

Rod Shepherd

Whilst other parts of the state have received a welcome dump of rain the south west of the state could be considered to be in a green drought.

Just enough drizzle to keep the grass green, but nowhere near enough to even begin toping up our lake, let alone put some sort of a flow back into our rivers.

March and April have been relatively devoid of rainfall. Anglers have been hoping that May would be a wet one. Our crater lakes are fishing fine.

Cool weather means cool water, which is perfect conditions for trout.

The depth of these lakes guarantees that these lakes will never run dry. The same cannot be said about the rest. We have plenty of shallow lakes such as Elingamite near Cobden (where currently there’s no water at the boat ramp) right through to Lakes Tooliorook at Lismore and Lake Bolac. These 96

JUNE 2015

waterways, when full top out at around five metres in their deepest sections so therefore are subject to water loss from evaporation, and require decent rain to fall every now and then to top up their levels. This hasn’t happened for quite some months. Let’s hope we have a wet winter, and the sooner it arrives the better.

As long as doesn’t rain on the weekends of course.

BULLEN MERRI The Chinook fishery at Lake Bullen Merri has slowed down a little, although fish to 3-4kg are still about. The odd fish is being picked up in depths to 20m, with bait such as chunks of pilchard fished on a double Paternoster rig combined with wet, smelly berley, proving successful.

The odd brown trout has also been taken closer to shore in depths up to 10m.

Deep diving lures, either trolled or cast, has caught a few. So too have mudeyes or live gudgeons suspended at least 2m under a float.

The water level here has dropped making the launching of water craft slightly more difficult,

but bank anglers can now access drop offs that were originally just out of a cast’s reach. Lake Purrumbete’s Chinooks are relatively active although nowhere near the size and weight as those from Bullen Merri. Similar methods are also working here. Some beautifully coloured browns around 2kg are responding to lures cast close to the weed beds, or mudeyes fished under a float.

There’s plenty of redfin on the chew and they often steal bait and lures sent out for trout and they can be a real nuisance at times but occasionally a larger fish is landed which makes it somewhat worthwhile.

GETTING STOCKED The DEPI have recently announced their stocking regime for 2015. Here’s what’s in-store for the waterways. Lake Bullen Merri will receive 20,000 yearling Chinook salmon as well as 5,000 of both brown and rainbow trout. Lake Purrumbete will only receive 10,000 yearling Chinooks as their growth rate does not match that of Bullen Merri’s fish, but 20,000 brown trout

Redfin of this size are considered a definite keeper when taken from Lake Purrumbete. will be released here during the year. So too will 5,000 rainbow trout.

Lake Elingamite’s water level remains too low for boats to launch. Even kayak

users are finding it extremely difficult to get in and out. 100 to 150 millimetres of rainfall will remedy this, but to date no significant falls have occurred. Lake Tooliorook

remains extremely low and weedy, and although I have received reports that there are still some trout in it, it remains an unviable proposition for fishing.

Rivers will soon be out, but the lake is now firing JINDABYNE

Steve Williamson swtrout@airlan.com.au

June is the last of the river fishing season for us until October. Once the June long weekend finishes on the Monday, it’s back to the lake for the rest of winter and that’s not such a bad thing as it’s at its best then.

This month you are going to hear about those big Atlantic salmon that get caught in Jindabyne, and brook trout that we never see caught over the summer months. Both these fish love the colder weather.

Meanwhile, there will still be plenty of brown trout holding up around Creel Bay at the mouth of the Thredbo River, just waiting for the right moment to head into the river to spawn. Then there are the early spawners just coming back from the river These fish are hungry, so while big lures will catch the aggressive pre-spawners, bait anglers will do okay on the post-spawners.

Anyhow, let’s have a look at what I think will

on the bite this month, and if you troll around in the weedy bays you might just find a school of brook trout.

Rapalas and other big lures up to 13cm, mostly unheard of in trout fishing, will get the big trout for you. Size does not matter when the big browns are spawning, as the bigger, aggressive males will chase anything, no matter how big it is.

Other lures to use in the middle of the day are Tasmanian Devils in pink number 55 or orange number 56 colours. These are aggression colours in winter and the trout will strike these hard. Also keep in mind that a number Y36 Yellow Wing for the sunnier days and Tassie Devil holographic or 48 or Y48 are always worthwhile early and late in the day, fished off 3 colours on lead core line.

There is still plenty of big fish at Creel Bay and it is not too difficult to fish, given there is so much more water this year. You can downrig some very big brown trout using bigger minnow lures. If you don’t have a downrigger, then try putting a big Rapala onto

Young Charley Burns with a young rainbow. happen over the month in more depth.

Boat trolling over the last month has been good, with plenty of kilo rainbow trout and some big browns in excellent condition giving the lake trollers a lot of fun. I would expect this pattern to continue as it usually does over winter.

As mentioned, those big Atlantic salmon come

your lead core line and put 4 colours of lead into the water and then another 20m of 20lb Dacron backing.

Todd Canham with a 55cm buck brown on a colour Y82 Tassie Devil.

This will get you down to where the bigger browns are holding out. Remember, troll slowly at about 2km/h.

Lure spinning around the lake margins is the best way to find the fish. Keep moving and don’t stay in one spot too long.

I find that in winter smaller 7g Tassie Devils are best for the deeper water on still days and the 13g Tassies on the windy days. Another lure that has been worth a throw is the 3” StumpJumper. Pink is a great colour in winter.

Orange Minnow Spins are also great off the bank.

Soft plastics are worth a try, and the Strike Tigers in vodka and orange and princess pink colours are good options. The Tasmanian Trout Frogs are also going great guns.

Flicking soft plastics out and working them slowly through the snags and above weed beds when the lake is low remains the best way to catch trout.

Like bream fishing down the coast, blades are working well on trout, both in the rivers and the lakes, so they’re well worth a try.

Some of the better blades are TT Switchblade golden boy, Strike Pro Cyber Vibe 35 BLG, and Cyber Vibe 50JU009. (Some of these look like our lake goldfish, and trout love to eat little goldfish!)

Bait fishing over winter is always a favourite for those that just want to sit by the campfire and keep warm. You can fish all day

Eric Blakers with a 5lb brown on a 111 Tassie Devil. during winter, but don’t fish too deep as the fish often feed in close to the shore. Bait fishing with scrubworms or artificial bait works well, so long as you don’t mind sitting back and waiting either day or night.

Artificial salmon eggs have been very good for bigger trout at the moment.

Both the worms and artificial baits are fished

JUNE ROUNDUP — THE BEST OF THE BEST! Best method:............... Bait fishing with scrubbies teamed up with artificial baits.

Best depth:......................................................................................Bottom fishing.

Best lake lure:... Tasmanian Devil in pink 55 or Rapala Brook and Perch patterns.

Best lake area:.................. Creel Bay at Waste Point and the Clay Pits near town.

Best fly method: ................................... Williamson Gold Fish in the weedy bays.

Best river: .........................................Rivers are all closed to fishing until October.

off the bottom with a running sinker.

Artificial baits are great in winter and you only need to use a small ball of it, about the size of a pea. A size 12 hook will

catch more fish than big hooks and big bits of bait.

Gamakatsu do a fine wire hook known as a single egg hook, and these are great for PowerBait. You can use a size 8-10 hook for trout in winter.

Over the next few months, the areas to catch a trout on bait are Wollondibby Inlet and Creel Bay at Waste Point, and Stinky Bay nearer to town.

Just remember, the lake is weedy, but that’s where the fish like to hang out.

Fly fishing in June and July on Lake Jindabyne would have to be the hardest and coldest months to attempt it. The best fishing usually occurs when the browns start to return from spawning, however, this year with some of the browns and rainbows spawning as early as March, we might find that the fly fishing will be better this year. With the higher lake levels and fish hanging about the bays, the better areas are Creel Bay, Hayshed and Hatchery Bay, Mill Creek Inlet, Clay Pits, and the Snowy Arm. Well rug up and enjoy your trip to the Snowies, and if coming down for a snow play, don’t forget your fishing rod!

NEWS If you would like a bit more information on what trout fishing is available on Lake Jindabyne in winter, please call into my shop at Discovery Holiday Parks Jindabyne, next to the Shell servo, or phone (0264) 561 551. All the best with the fishing over the next couple of months, and remember, I operate guided tours right throughout winter.

• If you would like some personal guiding, I will be available over the coming months for fly-fishing tuition and lake trolling trips. Lessons can be booked from 2 hours’ duration, and trolling trips from 3 hours to a full day. If you want to know more about the latest in fishing conditions, just give me a call on (0264) 561 551 or check out my website at www.swtroutfishing.com. au. You can also see our daily Facebook updates at https://www.facebook. com/LJTFA.

“For all your fly fishing needs” ORDER ONLINE www.adrenalinflies.com.au JUNE 2015

97

Science meets fishing

Citizen Science GEELONG

Ross Winstanley

In his April VFM editorial, Steve Morgan described examples of citizen science and urged readers to play their part, be it by getting actively involved in voluntary tagging and catch data-collection programs or by reporting details of tagged fish they catch.

Steve referred to Infofish Australia’s massive data base of volunteer tag-recapture records that can be analysed to describe the growth and movements of many species at both individual fish and whole stock levels. So powerful is the combination of volunteer-based catch and tagging data with environmental information that Infofish is routinely predicting the coming barramundi fishing season outcomes in the Fitzroy River and Gladstone area.

Victorian anglers have played active roles in many highly-valued research programs for over 50 years.

Better known programs include the reporting of recaptured tagged fish, volunteer fish tagging, and Fisheries Victoria’s Research Angler and Angler Diary programs. These contributions by anglers are assuming increasing importance to the research and management framework that the future of our fisheries depend on.

SNAPPER TAGGING Snapper tagged by Fisheries Victoria from the mid 1950s till the early 1970s were still being recaptured and reported by anglers up to 20 years later. The data from this work helped to define the separate eastern and western Victorian snapper stocks and to describe snapper growth rates.

Between 1993 and 2010, ANSA (Victoria) ran an angler-based tagging program in Victoria, in collaboration with Fisheries Victoria. As well as accumulating long term data on a wide range of popular marine and estuarine species, volunteer taggers were able to assist valuable short term Commonwealth-funded research projects focusing on major trawl fishery species such as warehou or blue trevalla.

While confirming well established ranges and movement patterns of species like snapper and Australian salmon, the ANSA program threw up a number of interesting individual anecdotes that were well publicised locally, helping to maintain interest in the program. For example, a tagged 3.5kg fish was 98

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reported from the kitchen of a restaurant in Surrey Hills, Sydney in October 2004.

It turned out that it was a snapper: The 29cm pinkie had been tagged in Corio Bay in December 1997. Altona commercial fisherman, Phillip McAdam, had caught it again off Altona at 66cm in October 2004. He then sold it to Racovolis auctioneers at the Melbourne Fish Market. They sold it to Ashe Brothers, Richmond, who then sold it to S&J Seafood, Melbourne. Finally, the fish was sold to the Sydney Fish Market, where the tag was recorded.

It was only spotted before the fish was being prepared for cooking! This report was significant in two

tracking of snapper fitted with acoustic tags, in Port Phillip Bay. This study has revealed surprising seasonal entry and exit patterns and localised movements in heavily fished regions during the height of the spawning – and fishing – season. Anglers helped by catching snapper for Paul to tag and by hanging portable receivers over the side of their boats while fishing during the 2011/12, 12/13 and 13/14 seasons.

Again, some interesting stories came out of individual snapper tracking histories. For example, in October 2014 a Geelong angler reported catching one of Paul’s acoustictagged snapper in the Corio

Fisheries Victoria researchers inserting the first acoustic tags in Corio Bay to begin the snapper tracking program, in November 2011.

Graph showing the close alignment in annual snapper recruitment indices estimated from trawl sampling and one Research Angler’s fishing data. ways. First, it illustrated how, when those in the commercial fish marketing chain are handling quantities of snapper, a slender tag covered in brown growth is readily overlooked, contributing to the underreporting of tagged fish.

Second, the South Australian tag manufacturer confirmed that the period between tagging and recapture - 2495 days or almost 7 years was a record for a T-bar tagged snapper.

Another anecdote: a snapper that I tagged in Corio Bay was caught in a craypot off Lakes Entrance.

It, and another, tagged off Queenscliff and also caught off Lakes Entrance, were the only two of many thousands of snapper tagged in Port Phillip Bay to have ever been recaptured east of Wilsons Promontory.

The significance of these recaptures is that they prove that, while the Prom acts pretty much as a barrier between the eastern and western Victorian snapper stocks, some ‘leakage’ does occur between these stocks.

More recently, anglers have assisted Queenscliff researcher, Paul Hamer’s

Bay Outer Harbour. It measured 77cm and weighed 5.2kg. The feedback from Queenscliff read: “This is pretty cool! The fish was the fourth tagged in Port Phillip Bay on our first day of the project. The fish was caught for us by Ross Winstanley in Corio Bay (West of Point Henry) on the 4/11/2011. It was 48.5cm (total length) and weighed a touch under 1.5 kg.”

“It was detected again

by Ross in nearby locations in Corio Bay on the 2nd, 7th and 12th of December 2011.

It was only ever detected one more time at the turning buoy off Point Henry on the fourth of March 2012. Now it has been someone’s dinner in October 2014.”

Two interesting things about this fish: the lack of ‘sightings’ by tag detectors elsewhere in the Bay suggests that it stayed in the Corio Bay area for the 717 days it was at liberty.

And, its growth from 1.5 to 5.2kg over that period was exceptionally fast. This emphasises the point that, while adding to the overall data sets used to learn more about the overall population, each tag recapture can tell

an interesting story – and connect anglers otherwise unknown to each other.

RESEARCH ANGLER AND ANGLER DIARY PROGRAMS Working with local anglers, Fisheries Victoria has led the way in establishing nationally recognised volunteer-based data collections that are making an increasingly important contribution to stock assessments and fishery performance measures.

Writing in Sport Fishing Australia in 2012, former VFM editor Martin Auldist described how the Angler Diary Program involved about 50 anglers spread across East Gippsland inlets and the Hopkins and Glenelg

Another juvenile snapper is tagged by an angler.

rivers providing essential information on trends in black bream populations. As well as indicating variations in catch rates and stock abundance between estuaries and between seasons, diary data can indicate year-to-year variations in spawning success.

The departmental website states that the Angler Diary Program has been running since the mid 1990s. It provides valuable time series information about catch trends, spawning success, survival and growth rates for a range of fish species. This diary information is also used in various stock assessments, which guide the sustainable management of fish stocks.

The value of Diary Anglers’ data come from the fact that they fish in their usual way and locations, year after year over long periods, and record complete details of their activities and catches. Some of these anglers also participate in specific Research Angler projects requiring them to fish for short periods in using specific hooks in designated spots. For example, using this approach Queenscliff researchers have used Research Angler data to show that the 2008 Port Phillip Bay Channel Deepening Project had no detectable Bay-wide affect on anglers’ catches. Diary anglers also fished on the sites of the recreational fishing reefs before and after the reef modules were installed, to help measure their effectiveness.

As research resources have been cut back, bit by bit, over the past 15 years, Fisheries Victoria has become increasingly dependent on volunteer anglers for data essential to stock assessments of our major marine scalefish. This increased dependence will become more acute when the impending removal of

Science meets fishing commercial net fishing from Port Phillip Bay eliminates the commercial fishery data on which assessments have mainly relied until now. In waters where commercial fishing has already been removed, such as Mallacoota Inlet and Lake Tyers, fisheries management plans prescribe monitoring that is dependent on Diary Anglers.

Martin Auldist’s story highlighted the contribution

can continue for as long as there’s a recreational snapper fishery in the Bay. By definition, Angler Diary volunteers are unpaid but there is a significant cost involved in managing the program, which now covers around 300 anglers and a number of other species and waters. These include black bream and dusky flathead in several estuaries, whiting and flathead species in the

fishers. The practice of hauling nets after a full day’s scallop fishing sometimes resulted in significant wastage of sealice-ravaged snapper. At the same time, the anglers observed that many recreational fishers were taking excessive catches of snapper and King George whiting. As a show of good faith they proposed to accept smaller daily recreational catch limits for these species.

Diary anglers report details of their fishing activities as well as every fish they catch.

that individual anglers can make to the scientific assessment and management of their fisheries. Here’s an example of just how powerful one angler’s data can be if collected in a uniform way over a long period.

Between 1997-2009, Queenscliff researchers used two methods to monitor annual snapper recruitment (i.e. spawning success) in the Bay by comparing: the relative abundance of each new year-class as indicated by catch rates of 1-year olds taken in a standard fish trawl, and angling catch rates of the same year-classes taken at older ages by a single Diary Angler fishing in Corio Bay. The figure shows just how closely the recruitment estimates from one angler’s data can match those from costly and resource intensive research. The value of this ‘safety net’ for the science underpinning management of the snapper fishery has been heightened by the department’s 2011 decision to discontinue the annual trawl survey.

Whatever else the future holds for Fisheries Victoria’s field sampling efforts, if managed properly the Angler Diary Program can continue to offer an effective and relatively low-cost monitoring opportunity that

two major bays and trout in the Goulburn River.

Anglers interested in joining the Angler Diary Program should contact Fisheries Victoria’s Research Branch at Queenscliff on 5258 0111.

Further information on the program can be found at www.depi.vic.gov.au/ fishing-and-hunting/sciencein-fisheries/fisheriesresearch-findings/anglerdiary-program.

SELF DETERMINATION FOR ANGLERS A final and important point. The full value of ‘citizen science’ is not just about what inputs or contributions anglers can make to fisheries science and management. Anglers can also play a major role in assessing the management implications and the responses needed in areas such as sustainability and their own ethical conduct as fishers. Without waiting for formal research they can even go beyond that, initiating tighter controls of their own activities based on their anecdotal observations or ‘gut feel’ about situations that could or need to be improved.

Here are 3 examples: 1. During the 1980s, Port Phillip Bay anglers pointed to the need to rein in gill netting by some scallop

Tighter controls of snapper gill netting and recreational catch limits were duly introduced.

2. A few years later, after controls on commercial shark fishing in State waters had been tightened for some time, recreational catches of elephant fish began to increase rapidly in Western Port Bay. In response, anglers and fishing charter operators initiated – successfully – the introduction of a 2/day catch limit.

3. In November 2006, an angler-initiated workshop attended by fisheries managers and researchers was held to consider the need for tighter controls on recreational snapper catches.

The Port Phillip Bay snapper fishery had improved year by year to the point where publicity of large catches under the liberal daily limits were feeding an increasingly negative public perception. It didn’t require any scientific assessment to persuade anglers to propose the sort of reduced daily catch limits that were introduced the following year.

Taken to its logical conclusion, when anglers are part of the design, implementation and fishery response, citizen science is really about anglers determining their own future.

FISHING FILL-ITS

Reunited after twenty years: tagged southern bluefin tuna tells all We have been reunited with an old friend. We met a long time ago, 22 years in fact, and we certainly left our mark during that first meeting. Now with a long passage of time behind us, we are keen to find where she has been all this time.

We are, of course, talking about this stunning southern bluefin tuna (SBT). Tagged in 1993, the fish was reeled in by avid fisherman Matt Bell with the help of Skipper Dennis Heinicke, near Port MacDonnell last week.

We first met ‘Bluey’ when she was approximately two years old. At the time, our scientists were out on the open oceans teaming up with the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna to tag over 11,000 SBT in the Great Australian Bight (GAB).

Thanks to our citizen scientists Dennis and Matt, Bluey is back, and my how she has grown. The fish has more than doubled in size.

She weighs 102 kgs and has had a decent growth spurt, from 60 cm to a behemoth 191cm total length – or if you are a purist for measurements, her ‘fork length‘ is 175 cm (that’s still 5′ 7”, or taller than Tom Cruise).

Other than growing up to be taller than Hollywood celebrities, what does an SBT do in 20 years? From

what we can tell, Bluey has led quite an interesting life.

We know that Bluey spent large parts of her life travelling the southern seas.

And although she was reeled in 800 km east of where she was originally caught and tagged, we know from our other more sophisticated SBT tags that Bluey has been undertaking large migrations.

As a juvenile, these migrations took her from the GAB to the Indian Ocean; upon maturing, she travelled between the Southern Ocean and the Indian Ocean, just south of Indonesia.

It is here that adult SBT spawn each year.

Dennis and Matt have not only been helping our researchers by reporting and returning Bluey’s tags, but they have also collected some very important samples of the

That’s a big bluefin! Matt Bell with the 175cm southern bluefin tuna he caught near Port MacDonnell. Photo courtesy of Matt Bell and Dennis Heinicke. fish. By looking at Bluey’s otoliths (deposits in the ear) we can determine and verify

An example of the small yellow tags poking out of the dorsal fin of a juvenile SBT. This isn’t Bluey, but you can appreciate how big she has grown.

her age. By looking at her ovaries we can determine her sex and reproductive history. And by analysing the chemical composition of Bluey’s muscles, we can know her diet.

Why are we so excited about this find? Because we rely on the cooperation of commercial and recreational fishers to find the tags, and in the vastness of Southern Ocean, finding a tagged fish after such a long time is like finding a needle in a haystack.

Remember, Bluey doesn’t have a social media profile (MySpace wasn’t even around back then) so checking in and finding

out what’s been happening is a bit more complicated than trawling through her Facebook Timeline. Now that the tags and the fish are back with our scientists, we have an opportunity to learn more about the life of this particular bluefin and the SBT population in general.

These insights, will help with our ongoing research and conservation efforts in our southern oceans. The information is invaluable as we seek to understand how exploration and extraction activities in the ‘Bight’ might affect SBT populations.

We will now add Bluey’s profile to the data

we’ve gathered after almost 50 years of archival tagging efforts.

We’ve recently been tagging juvenile SBT (similar to the two year old Bluey) with ‘smart’ archival tags that gather detailed data on the movements, diving behaviour, habitats, and feeding of the SBT. By comparing the data from these tags to similar tags we deployed during the 1990s and 2000s, we can investigate the impacts of oil and gas exploration and extraction on juvenile SBT during the period they ‘summer’ in the GAB. To learn more about Bluey, you can listen to a recent interview Dr Campbell Davies conducted with ABC Radio Hobart where he speaks more about tagging and our research.

And if you would like more information about our SBT tagging efforts you can visit our fisheries page.

If you consider yourself a budding citizen scientist, and you do happen upon one of our tags during your fishing adventures, we’d love to hear from you. There are prizes and giveaways for returned tags, plus the gratitude of our scientists and the knowledge you are furthering our understanding of these incredible creatures. – CSIRO JUNE 2015

99

Kayak fishing – a handful of handy accessories BRISBANE

Justin Wilmer Find me on Facebook at Yaks On

With limited cockpit space in the kayak, I have spent the last couple of decades refining the gear that I carry with me. I now have

The Assault Hand Paddle, from US brand Backwater Paddles, is available in Australia and is a great option for propelling and positioning your kayak with stealth, while fighting a fish, positioning for a photo, or making adjustments to your kayak

RIGGING I have no idea how many pairs of braid scissors I have donated to the ocean floor or people fishing with me, but it’s quite a few. I know I should leash them, but it always seems excessive to put a bulky leash on an item that actually costs less than

The Assault Hand Paddle from Backwater Paddles.

A flathead secure in the net.

A decent flathead under control of the BogaGrip. the leash itself! The solution is a cool retractable line snip that has the retractor built inside, the Boomerang Tool Snip.

These quality snips

feature 420 stainless steel cutters that clean cut braid or mono up to 50lb test, a 36” retractable cord that returns the snip to their home position, and a

squeeze design that allows easy one-handed operation even with wet or gloved hands. When not in use, slide it into ‘safe’ mode.

I attach mine to the rod

A nice handful of bream on the Swivels Measure. a kit bag that I throw in the car and it contains the tools that make my fishing adventures safer, simpler and more enjoyable. After each trip these are rinsed, allowed to dry and then repacked for the next trip.

On the last couple of trips, I made note of a handful of accessories that I use most frequently, so that I could share these with you and briefly outline why they are included and how they are utilised in my kayak.

PROPULSION AND POSITIONING Whether you paddle or pedal, there’s a handy paddle with a difference that is worth including.

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angle and drift.

Designed by Edward Halm, a retired US Naval Instructor, master naturalist and kayak eco-guide, this durable polypropylene hand paddle floats and features a foam grip, hook on the end for grabbing ropes, branches or other objects, and ‘teeth’ on 1 edge for pushing off from rocks, oysters, logs and other surfaces. It is available in green or hi-vis orange and doesn’t take up much room, sitting easily between your feet or beside you, within reach when required. www. mlte.com.au

The Boomerang Tool — always handy, never lost.

holder tab on my shirt, but you might choose to attach yours to your PFD, seat, backpack, or other location within easy reach. www. ttlures.com.au LANDING AND HANDLING FISH When it comes to landing and handling fish, the first thing you need is a short-handled net. I use 1 with a decent sized opening as I often target flathead which can grow quite large.

Nets with a rubber mesh or other scale safe mesh are the preferred option as they do minimal damage to the fish’s slime coating.

Select a floating net, add an accessory float or leash your net, otherwise it’s guaranteed if you lose it the next hookup will be a PB and you’ll be wishing there was a net on board.

Lip grips make handling fish a breeze and safer for both you and the catch.

I have fished with loads of anglers over the years,

using many different lip grips, and half of them are rubbish. They lock too hard or soft, fish kick and the teeth twist open, and they end up with a spiky flathead in their lap or lost back over the side. The other common scenario is that they have seized up since they were last used.

I have had an original BogaGrip for about 6 years now and it is as good as day 1. There are 3 models, rated at 15lb, 30lb and 60lb, and they have a rotating head that makes fish handling easier, and a built-in scale for those working on weight. The bulk of my fishing is freshwater, river and estuary, so I run the 15lb model, which is more compact than many of the bulky, clunky copies that have flooded the market.

A quick rinse when you get home will see it lasting a lifetime. The initial outlay of a couple of hundred bucks may hurt, but is worth every cent when years later your grips are reliable, function perfectly, look slick, and are a pleasure to use. The BogaGrip also has a lifetime warranty.

Leash them on! www. strikebacktackle.com.au MEASURING FISH Whether it’s to keep track of your PB fish, score some bragging rights, check if a fish is legal to take home for a feed, or just for your own interest, a fish measure will be found in most anglers’ kits. For years I carried a roll up Brag Mat in the kayak, now preferring to carry a Swivels Original Fish Measure.

A roll up Brag Mat can be awkward to handle and use, especially if the wind is blowing. Swivels Original Fish Measure, on the other hand, is similar to a builder’s tape measure, allowing it to pack extremely small. It’s lightweight, inexpensive, and you buy the model to suit your region, which includes legal sizes for common species marked along the measure.

I land the fish and then

The BogaGrip and Swivels Measure in action. simply pull out a bit more tape than I think I require and slide the locking switch to keep it open. I am now able to handle the fish with 1 hand and measure single handed, or hold the fish on the measure with 1 hand and take a photo with the other. If fishing in saltwater, make sure you give the measure a rinse when you get home. I extend the measure fully, give it a rinse, leave it extended in the shed while it dries, and then flick the switch so that it automatically retracts ready to store for next time. www.swivelsoriginal.com FISH STORAGE If you are going to keep a fish or 2 for a feed, it’s important to respect your catch. For years I have strapped an Evakool icebox to my kayak to take a feed out, and maybe bring a feed home. Evakool offer a massive range of iceboxes, including a few of around 20-26l capacity, that fit perfectly in the rear well of most of the popular kayak brands. The advantages of an icebox over a cooler

or soft cooler include superior refrigeration grade insulation, insulation in the lid, and they are also more durable.

I drop 2 large ice bricks in a large Ziploc bag and lay them flat to cover the bottom of the icebox, throw in a spare bottle of water and my lunch in another Ziploc bag, and I’m ready to go. A couple of eating size flathead or a pan-size snapper or 2 will comfortably fit, keeping them cool and in good condition for later. When you get home you can unload, rinse the icebox, remove the fish-slime-free ice bricks from the bag, give them a rinse and throw them back in the freezer for next time. This is an inexpensive and effective way of keeping your lunch, drink and catch cool and in optimum condition. www. evakool.com.au WRAP UP That’s a high 5 handful of accessories that improve my experience when fishing from the ’yak when it comes to propulsion and

positioning, rigging and also landing, handling, measuring and storing fish. This would be a great list for those looking for gift ideas for the kayak angler in their family, or a shopping list of the good gear for someone getting into kayak fishing

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• Large internal tackle storage facility.

Profish Chill Pod™ • Insulated to keep your catch in perfect condition. Just add ice.

• Quick release for ease of loading into your vehicle.

• Contains the mess, making clean down a breeze.

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101

Fishing Fill-its

Watch Merv Hughes Fishing for a lighter angle Merv Hughes Fishing is finally here and can be watched every Saturday on the ONE HD Channel at 4pm (with a mid week repeat).

The show is centred

around former Australian test fast bowler Merv Hughes and Jason Kennedy from Fishin’ Trip fame. The two have teamed up to show the funnier side to wetting a line and to feature some of Australia’s most loved species.

Merv is known for his cricketing antics, which included a test hat-trick against the West Indies, kissing Alan Border’s ear and of course his famous aerobic lessons in font of the faithful at the MCG. Merv has always loved fishing and now that his playing days are over he thought it was time to follow his passion and show the humorous side of angling, “Merv Hughes Fishing is a completely different show to all that are out there,” he said “We wanted the show to have great fish, cracking yarns (mostly true) and mateship.

“I teamed up with Jas [Jason Kennedy] for his knowledge of how the television fishing industry runs and …please don’t tell him this… but also his wide knowledge of

Australian fishing,” he laughed.

“The two of us combined definitely adds a new dimension to fishing television.”

The show highlights

Top Left: Co hosts Merv Hughes and Jason Kennedy have gained a cult-like following for their new show. Top Right: No overseas trips and definitely no ego species, this show is all about Australian anglers on Australian waters. Above Left: Life after cricket isn’t too bad! Above Right: There are plenty of feel good stories, including watching this young angler catch his first bream!

Australia’s most sort-after fish including snapper, bream, trout, squid, flathead, kingfish just to name a few. “Once again we went back to basics, no overseas trips and definitely no ego species, this show is all about the Australian anglers,” Merv said.

The show has attracted a cult-like following from the first few episodes and the team, including Big Merv, couldn’t be any happier.

Some of the feel good stories to come out of the show is the day the boys spent with a young family

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from Sydney fishing on a little back water at Coffs Harbour, NSW. The family didn’t expect to see Merv and Jason walking towards them and then helping their young boy catch his first bream.

“We spent about two hours on the river bank with the family just plugging away until the young fella jumped with excitement and landed his first fish,” said Jason Kennedy. “The side you see of Merv on TV is the same Merv you get in real life, I am truly blessed to work with such an iconic Australian.”

Merv Hughes Fishing is going leaps and bounds and I guess it won’t be too long until we see series 2 in production. If you wish to follow all the zany antics of Merv and Jason you can log onto their social media pages www. mervhughesfishing.com. au or Mervhughesfishing for Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Merv Hughes Fishing in on Saturdays at 4pm on ONEHD. – Merv Hughes Fishing

Merv Hughes and Jason Kennedy with a couple of decent sized snapper.

yak Hobie Ka ries Se BREAteMd by Daiwa Presen

Somerton powers to Paynesville win on it, so it would stick out a bit, but I didn’t get anything.

I moved down to a couple of pontoons, I was throwing a black crab and I snagged up and lost it. I only had the sand coloured Cranka handy so I threw that and bang I caught an 800g fish. So I stuck with it, in the end catching all my fish on it. I worked pontoons and boat hulls up and down the straights and got my bag.

Then I moved down to the lake and fished a couple of jetties down there and caught a kilo upgrade on a black crab so I was very happy”.

NATHAN NAILS DOWN SECOND Event runner-up Nathan Prezioso found the fishing tough.

“I hit Newlands Arm on both days. I pre-fished there a couple of weeks ago and saw heaps of bream but couldn’t get them to convert. I just took my chances and headed back tournament, Richard Somerton to where I’d seen fish to see if I held on to his lead and claimed could get them to bite. I didn’t the top prize with his 6/6, catch more than three on each 4.96kg limit, followed by day, with no upgrades. It was Nathan Prezioso (6/6, 4.09kg) tough, but it paid off I guess.” in second, and Rick Massie Round 7 is the 2nd of (4/6, 2.96kg) in third. Rick three Hobie Fishing Worlds Massie alsoTOPclaimed the Qualifiers and will be held in 10 NON-BOATERS

It was a wet and wild weekend at Paynesville as 55 anglers hit the water in Round 6 of the Hobie® Kayak Bream Series presented by Daiwa.

There’s no denying it was a tough event for most anglers with only 62 bream presented to the tournament director over the course of the weekend. Many fish were seen over the two days but unfortunately proved too difficult to convert for most.

On day 1, overcast skies and light rain, which persisted throughout the day, greeted the anglers as they headed off from the Power-Pole starting line.

However, the forecast of 10–20 Above: Richard Somerton claimed another win knot winds didn’t eventuate with victory at Paynesville. Top Right: Victoria’s during the session, perhaps Tony Pettie value added his winnings at Paynesville, contributing to a slow edge bite. picking up the $100 Hogs Breath Café Boss The arena proved difficult Hog Big Bream with his 1.1kg kicker fish. for anglers with only 25 Right: Nathan Prezioso filled his limit each competitors bringing fish to the day to finish secure second place. scales. Many reported seeing bream under boat hulls but were not able to entice them to bite, leaders for the second day of while others reported getting the tournament.

At then end day 1, Richard busted off around structure and made plans to tie on heavier Somerton from Victoria was

WINNING NOTES

Winning Tackle

Rod:..................... Daiwa Generation Black Rod: ........................ 1–4kg Duffrod HySTIX Reel: ...........................Daiwa Certate 2000 Line: .......................... Daiwa TD sensor 6lb Leader:.................................... 6lb FC rock Lure: ...... Cranka Crabs in Sand and Black

Winning Ways

“The sand coloured crab was definitely the key. I would throw it in and let sit on the bottom and hop it and slightly drag it and let it sit, and sit, and sit. It was a lot harder on Sunday with the wind because you had to keep watching the line”.

Somerton’s winning lure, a sand coloured Cranka Crab. the TT Lures leader of the day, bringing back a solid 3/3, 2.35kg limit. Somerton was followed by fellow Victorians, Nathan Prezioso (3/3, 1.8kg), and Mitch King (3/3, 1.76kg).

Mitch King also has his hands on the Hog’s Breath Cafe, Boss Hog Big Bream at the end of day one thanks to his 1.05kg

HOG’S BREATH BOSS HOG BASS ELECTRIC SERIES

kicker fish.

The wet weather continued on day 2 and the wind picked up to the forecasted 20–30 knots.

Many anglers hoped that the wind would turn on the bite for the second day of competition but unfortunately it was another tough day on the water.

At the conclusion of the

Tony Pettie took out the Hog’s Breath Cafe, Boss Hog Big Bream Award with his 1.1kg fish that he picked up near the mouth of the Mitchell River using a Jackall Chubby in brown suji shrimp.

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Fishing Tournaments bass • bream • barra

Mortgage Corp Monster Mover prize, jumping from 19th to 3rd place on the final day.

Somerton laid out his plan of attack for the tournament.

“My plan coming in was to fish some flats that I’d scoped out a few weeks back but the fish just weren’t on them so I had to go to plan B and just hit boat hulls, jetties and pontoons. I went over to the flats on Saturday morning and there was a lot of grey mud from where the swans had been working so I thought I’d fish a sand coloured Cranka Crab

Pettie, Prezioso, Somerton and Massie all cashed in at the Paynesville round of the 2015 Hobie Kayak BREAM Series, presented by Daiwa.

Forster in New South Wales, May 16-17.

Like all of the events in the Hobie Kayak Fishing Series, this 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, PowerPole, Mortgage Corp , Hog’s Breath Cafe and ABT. Thanks also to Anthony and Shaun from Alpine Country Tackle World in Sale for providing Hobie dealer support.

RESULTS

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

PLACE

ANGLER

FISH

WEIGHT

PAYOUT

PRIZES

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Richard Somerton Nathan Prezioso Rick Massie Justin Dingwall Chris Burbidge Mitch King Stephen Majera Tony Pettie Gary Hanson Jason Deenen

6/6 6/6 4/6 4/6 3/6 2/6 3/6 2/6 3/6 3/6

4.96 4.09 2.96 1.87 1.82 1.76 1.74 1.74 1.69 1.55

$1,550 $810 $520 $240 $200 $180 $160 $140 $120 $100

Austackle prize pack Strike Pro prize pack Berkley prize pack Atomic prize pack

For full result listings, see www.abt.org.au JUNE 2015

103

2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R offers everything FMG

Peter Jung pjung@fishingmonthly.com.au

There is always something exciting about sitting in a new car and experiencing what it has to offer. Some things will never be forgotten like the new car smell or the enjoyment of the first time you sit in the drivers seat, adjust the mirrors and make yourself comfortable.

What about the expectation when the first opportunity comes to put your foot down and feel the power of the engine.

These are all things in the forefront of our minds when we are when we are making decisions about buying a new car.

It was these things

The Outback 3.6R towed the Savage boat package with ease.

SPECIFICATIONS Engine.............................. 3.6L horizontally opposed ............................................... Boxer petrol engine Transmission... Lineartronic CVT with manual mode Ground Clearance........................................213mm Towing (braked)............................................1800kg Towing (unbraked)..........................................750kg Safety Rating......................................ANCAP 5-Star that I was looking forward to, as my flight from Brisbane touched down in Melbourne. I had never driven a Subaru Outback, so I was pumped to be able to spend a couple of days driving one around and being able to pass on to you what the vehicle have to offer.

HERE IS YOUR CAR, ENJOY I have been to Subaru Docklands on a number of occasions and I am always impressed with the premises and the customer experience they provide.

The sign of a good operator is the professionalism offered to all those that they deal with.

So after a quick chat, one of the team ushered me to the car I would be driving for the next couple of days, the Subaru 2015 Outback 3.6R. This is when my experience began. How many times was I going to have the opportunity to have a couple of days to get to know a car as well as figure out what all the buttons and extras do? I don’t know anybody that doesn’t like doing that. “I wonder what this button does?” “Oh okay, it does that! I wonder how this works?” I was going to have two days to discover and experiment.

SOME THINGS REMAIN THE SAME It is always comforting to know that things don’t 104

JUNE 2015

have to change to be better. Subaru has been matching their everreliable Boxer engine with their Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system for as long as I can remember. The Outback comes with three motor options; a 2.5L petrol 4-cylinder with CVT, a 3.6L petrol 6-cylinder with CVT (the test car), and 2L turbo diesel with 6-speed manual/CVT options.

The Subaru’s new generation Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with manual mode and produces 191kW of power at 6000rpm and 350Nm of torque at 4400rpm. In combination with the 3.6L engine, it provides a very smooth power delivery as well as savings at the bowser.

The first opportunity to put the foot down was impressive. People that know me well know that I am anything but a lead foot. It is nice to have the power when you need it and the 3.6L powerhouse certainly provides that in a quiet, powerful and smooth manner.

It is important to mention the Symmetrical All-Wheel drive system.

Many manufacturers offer an AWD system, however theirs are generally based on a predominantly front wheel drive system.

Subaru’s system however has power being delivered in a balanced manner

to all four wheels. This provides outstanding grip and control especially in low grip situations (wet or muddy roads, dirt roads etc.). Another benefit of Subaru’s AWD system is that it detects if a wheel is slipping (within one revolution of the tyre) and transfers torque from that tyre to those that have grip and this is not limited to one wheel. By this I mean that if traction is only available to one tyre, you still have a chance of getting moving.

THE CREATURE COMFORTS There is no lack of features in the Outback 3.6R. It certainly provided me with plenty of opportunities to press and discover. Standard features are Duel Zone

climate control system including rear vents.

Heated front seats with a leather trim. The driver and passenger seats are 8-way power controlled, with the driver seat also having duel memory and electric lumbar support.

Smart key operated with push start ignition, which also incorporated a rear hatch assist (opened and closed the tailgate automatically). Not to mention the electric sunroof, power folding and heated side mirrors and the rain sensing front windscreen wipers.

All of this before you even get to the integrated infotainment system, which includes satellite navigation, AM/ FM radio, CD player, 12 harman kardon speakers including a subwoofer

Although the Outback is a very family orientated vehicle, its sporty lines also make it pretty easy on the eye.

The hatchback gives you great access to all of your gear even when you have a trailer on the back. Not something all manufacturers can say.

and a 7” touch screen. It is also MP3, WMA, iPod and Pandora compatible and offers Bluetooth wireless technology for hands-free mobile communication and audio streaming.

There are a few more features that I would like to expand on a little more. Rear view reverse camera – It lets you see not only what is behind you in terms of obstacles, but provides a graphic to show the line of the vehicle and its intended path. It was also a fantastic tool to line up the tow ball when we put the boat trailer behind the car.

EyeSight Driver Assist System – Cameras mounted at the top of the windscreen capture a three dimensional image of the road ahead and provide warnings and assistance to the driver. This may be in the form of pre collision braking, pre collision throttle management

or lane sway or a lane departure warning. Great piece of mind when it comes to the safety of you and your family.

Adaptive cruise control – With the assistance of the EyeSight Driver Assist System the adaptive cruise control not only maintains the speed set by the driver but also monitors the distance between your vehicle and the car in front. You can select a distance and the EyeSight system will maintain that distance and regulate the vehicles speed inline with traffic flow.

X-Mode – This mode assists you by controlling your speed for you on steep descents so you can focus on pointing the vehicle in the direction you want to go.

THE REAL DEAL The look and feel of the Outback 3.6R is not lost on the outside either.

The 18” alloy wheels compliment a very stylish design that belies the family orientation of the vehicle. It had significant storage space in the

rear to hold everything a family holiday may entail and plenty more with the rear seats down.

The reason for my visit to Victoria was to do some boat testing for Warragul Marine in Warragul. This also provided the opportunity to put a boat behind the Outback and see how it may affect it. Like most anglers, it is important that my vehicle can not only get my family safely from A to B but also me and my boat to my desired angling destination.

I towed a Savage 455 Scorpion boat package on a braked trailer from Warragul to Lake Narracan and back and to say that it didn’t affect the cars performance would be an understatement. It dealt with towing this medium sized boat with ease.

Safety and Subaru

go hand in hand and the Outback 3.6R has a 5-star ANCAP rating, as do all Subaru vehicles.

Want to experience the Subaru Outback 3.6R, or any of the other vehicles in

the Subaru range? Contact Dale Baxter from Subaru Docklands on (03) 8698 3422. Ask him about the Subaru AWD Experience (See V&TFM October 2014 issue, http://issuu.

com/fishingmonthly/ docs/vtfm_oct2014 ), which is a great way for you to understand what these vehicles are about and what they are capable of doing.

Launching and retrieving a boat was easy, with the added piece of mind of the Subaru Symmetrical AWD if the ramp is slippery.

Top Left: With the rear seats down the Outback has plenty of storage for all of that essential fishing gear.

Top Right: There is an overall feeling of space in the interior of the Outback. Above Left: Everything is at your fingertips with the dash layout of the Outback. Above Right: The 3.6L Boxer engine is an impressive power plant.

JUNE 2015

105

Working with wire: How to tie a Haywire Twist BRISBANE

1

Kim Bain

This article on a Haywire Twist is the first in a three part series that focuses on working with single strand wire. Part one is the Haywire; part two is the barrel roll and part three will cover the modern single strand wire leader system.

The Haywire is the simplest connection for making a loop in the end of a wire trace\leader and\or for joining wire to a hook, lure, ring or swivel\snapswivel. A Haywire is so simple because it does not require any tools, nor any extras (like crimps).

WHY USE SINGLE STRAND WIRE? The biggest advantage with single strand wire, is that because of the greater thickness of the single individual strand of single strand wire (compared to the thinner strands of cable type multi-strand wire), is less likely to be bitten through when it slides in between the scissor-like teeth of a wahoo or Spanish mackerel.

QR CODE

There are lots of examples of tying the Haywire Twist on the internet.

The best one we found was on YouTube from BlacktipH. Scan the QR Code above to see the demonstration.

Either form a loop in the end of the wire, or alternatively thread the wire through the eye of the hook (or swivel or snap-swivel).

Make sure not to kink the wire at the bend. Hold the wire loop end between the index finger and thumb of your left (or right) hand, or if you must, you can hold the loop in between the jaws of a pair of parallel-jawed pliers. Cross the free end of the wire under the main wire in order to make an ‘X’ and form the loop.

2

This is the critical part of tying the Haywire. Grip the two strands (the free end as well as the main wire) between finger and thumb of the right hand; thumb on one strand, index finger on the other strand, and twist.

It is very important to make sure that the tag end and standing wire are nearly the same angle to each other and evenly spread apart. Next, firmly hold the point where the two strands initially intersect. With stiff wire, one way to ensure a good Haywire is, during the first twist, to make sure that the standing part of the wire and the tag end cross each other at an angle in excess of 90º.

3

Simultaneously twist the wire tag and standing wire with one hand while holding the crossing point between the thumb and forefinger of the other hand. As the twists progress, slide\push your fingers closer to the wraps and continue the pressure. A tight grip close to the twists makes it easier to twist the wire, helps keep it straight and prevents kinking. Again you can ensure that the two wire strands cross each other at an angle in excess of 90 degrees. You can achieve this by pushing towards the loop with the thumb and forefinger(s) as well as pushing the wires apart with the thumb and forefingers. You also must twist both strands at the same time so that they are both crossing each other at similar angles. These large angles cause the strands to interlock with each other as they are twisted. If there is not sufficient angle, one wire could remain straight and the tag end then only wraps around the main wire. Make at least 5 Haywire wraps.

IT AIN’T ALL BEER AND SKITTLES The downside of single strand wire is that its breaking strength is seriously lowered if the wire is kinked.

Accordingly, users of single strand wire have evolved to using short and easily changed wire ‘connections’.

The most common uses for single strand wire are as a leader in front of dead baits and lures that are used for targeting razor gang species like mackerel and wahoo.

Single strand wire used to be the go-to option for billfish and shark fishing as well; however, higher tech mono-nylon-type leaders are often the go-to for marlin these days, and where targeting sharks is still legal, cable-type wire leaders

(often of the nylon-coated variety) are arguably the more common option.

DOING THE HAYWIRE TWIST The secret to nice looking Haywire twists is to get the angles the same and to establish repeatability of these angles for each twist.

With a bit of practice you’ll get the twist looking 90% okay just by working the wire with your thumb and one or two fingers. It may only take a little help with your pliers to neaten things up a little. With a bit more practice you won’t even need the pliers anymore.

Like all of the head-down work that we have to do when out fishing on the blue water, tying wire in a rocking boat isn’t for everybody.

Fortunately anglers have

evolved a system where wires can now be tied at home in the tackle cave. This system will be covered in part three of this mini-series on single strand wire.

HAYWIRE HINTS Done properly, the connection is at least as strong as the wire itself, due to the double-wraps.

The Haywire Twist is widely used in bluewater angling when fabricating wire leaders for wahoo and Spanish mackerel and securing snap swivels at one end and solid rings at the other end of wire leaders. It is also just as important as a connection when using light wire for smaller coastal and inshore species of mackerel.

The Haywire gains its strength through a series of

FISHING FILL-ITS

Diamond Deck - the future in decking Fishing and boating e nth usi a st s a re passionate about their boats and tinnies and this is why Diamond Deck is the perfect solution to enhance your boating experience.

Making your boat or tinnie aesthetically appealing to the eye with a very modern look and the added importance of superior comfort and safety.

The future trend in modern fishing, boating and all marine applications, Diamond Deck will soon become the standard for all boats, tinnies and marine 106

JUNE 2015

applications as people grow more aware of the major benefits of this product over carpet.

Checker plate has also become very common now in boating, but as we all know it is very hard on the feet after only a short period of time and it can be dangerous if you take a fall on it. This is where Diamond Deck is now the perfect solution to turn your checker plate into the ultimate comfort zone without the loss of any safety or grip.

So when you need to enhance your seats, decking, flooring, gunwales, transoms, bow, hatch covers,

anchor well, steps and other endless possibilities – Diamond Deck is right here and right now.

There are plenty of extra benefits and features of the UV stable Diamond Deck Closed Cell EVA: foam with adhesive backing, which is manufactured to the highest of marine grade standards, non-slip grip, protection against scratches and dents, easy to hose down and clean, and can diminish shock, fatigue, noise and glare. This all-year round product can reduce heat on your deck by 75% in summer, and its insulated design will keep you warm in winter.

Diamond Deck has also ensured that this quality marine grade product is affordable to all consumers, DIY fishing, boating and adventure enthusiasts, which comes in easy to apply sizes.

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tightly executed twists. These twists fortify the section where the wire joins the hook or swivel, making this otherwise major stress point stronger and less prone to kinking under heavy pressure.

There are certain guidelines that guarantee a perfect smoothly finished Haywire. For example, if the twists are not even or if they are loosely wrapped, the connection could spin off or kink and\or possibly break.

Another tip is to use a big hook to connect to when first practising the Haywire Twist.

Such a hook can be used as a handle that you can use to twist the wire while you focus on getting the thumb and forefinger angles sorted on your other hand.

For most applications,

5-10 Haywire twists are adequate. The size (diameter) of the loop at the end of the leader (or that containing the hook or swivel) can be determined by shortening or expanding the point where the wires initially crossover.

Keep this in mind when making the first wrap of your Haywire Twist.

A handy hint is to practise tying the Haywire with both hands. Tie in both directions; with the loop held in the fingers of the left hand, then tie a few with the loop held in the right hand. If you practise only one way you’ll get muscle memory and only be able to tie it when facing your tackle in the one direction.

Next month we will illustrate how-to finish off the connection with a barrel roll.

Tech Tricks

Processing squid BRISBANE

Gordon Macdonald masterbaitertackle@hotmail.com

As the waters cool over the coming months and westerly winds promote clean, clear conditions inshore, anglers will notice an increase in the number of squid.

This will be especially noticeable within Moreton Bay’s channels, around the shallows of the bay islands and the foreshore areas, including Wynnum, Manly, Wellington and Victoria points, Scarborough and numerous other locations.

Squid prefer clean, clear water that flows over structure such as reef, rubble, weed beds, rocks and the like. At night they are attracted to areas with lights and the baitfish and prawns, which are drawn in by the illumination. They are highly accessible for landbased anglers and boaties alike and best of all they are delicious.

Squid can be caught on both egi (a prawn shaped lure with rows of barbs at the rear) and baited skewers suspended beneath a float.

The areas around the harbours, canals and foreshores are worth prospecting with many anglers plying their trade at night. Highpowered head torches can be used to locate squid prowling close to the surface. From here it is a simple matter of casting your egi and retrieving it with a slow wind or a series of hops and pauses. However, don’t expect instant results as squid can get quite cagey in more heavily fished waters.

Often, you will need to keep changing jigs and retrieves until you get a take, or the squid departs. Baited skewers are generally suspended under a just neutral buoyancy float and cast out from the rock wall or jetty or drifted behind the boat.

Once the float is pulled down, it is a simple task of slowly winding in your prize.

Once you have some tasty squid for the table, the next stage is to process and cook it. Squid are relatively easy to clean and will taste delicious when cooked on a high heat for a short period. The more you cook it, the tougher it will become but it is even very tasty when consumed raw. There are four main ways that I will cook my squid and all are delicious.

The first method is to coat small pieces in a mix of rice flour with cracked pepper and ground salt and then deep fry for 30-45 seconds and consume with an aioli or sweet chilli dipping sauce. The second method is the conventional crumbed calamari: Roll the squid in flour, dip in beaten egg with a splash of milk and then coat with panko crumbs and deep fry for around a minute or so until the panko crisps up.

The third method is to split the tube lengthways into four or so strips and then throw these straight on a piping hot BBQ grill for 30-45 seconds.

Remove, dip in a mix of olive oil, splash of soy sauce, garlic and limejuice and consume.

The final method is to get the wok smoking hot, add some butter and crushed garlic and stir fry small squid pieces for around a minute, flipping them regularly.

I am sure you will all have your favourite methods and there are plenty of great squid recipes to be found online but just make sure you don’t spoil the squid by overcooking it. Here is how I process my squid.

1

2

Grab the head, slide your forefinger inside the tube (main squid body) and move it around to break away the guts from the tube. Pull the head to remove the head and guts from the tube. Avoid breaking the black ink sack if possible as this will create quite a mess and will require more washing and drying.

Also remove the clear backbone that is attached to the inside wall of the tube by pulling it firmly.

3

Cut the tentacles away from the main head, a little below the eyes. You may need to remove the centre section out of the cut away tentacles if you still have the beak section in it.

4

Grab the tube in one hand and one of the wings in the other and pull firmly until the two begin to separate.

7 6

Next we have to extract the meat in the two wings away from the skin. To do this, you will need to grip the wing firmly and then peel the skin off. It may take a couple of attempts to get all the skin off, leaving two clean white wings.

5

The tube should come away clean like this and you will be left with two pieces: the tube as one piece and the skin with the two wings still attached as the other.

9

You should now have one entire tube, a cluster of tentacles and two wings. The other pieces can be discarded or kept for addition to the berley trail.

8

With the tube inverted, clean the last of the thin, skin-like remnants away from the inside if the tube (now on the outside). You will just have to pick these bits away with your fingers. Wash and dry the tube and then invert again so it is back to normal.

10

Next cut the tentacles into smaller pieces, the wings into 2-4 bits (depending on size) and cut across the tube to create calamari rings (if that is what you want). This is how I would prepare it for crumbing with panko.

Wash your whole squid to remove any ink or slime off it.

Dry with some kitchen paper. It is best to have chilled down your squid for a while before processing as this will make removal of the skin a lot easier.

On small squid you will be able to get your fingers in to clean the last of the remnants away from the walls. If cutting into strips, you can split the tube to clean it, however if you want calamari rings, you will need to invert larger squid tubes to clean them properly. Use your finger tip, or a long, blunt object pushed on the tip of the tube to turn it inside out.

11

If stir frying or doing salt and pepper squid, I would pineapple (score or cut) the inside of the entire tube with light pressure applied to a sharp knife. Lay the split tube flat, with the outside in contact with the cutting board and cut less than half way through the flesh on the inside of the tube in a criss-cross pattern.

This allows the squid to cook more evenly, absorb the flavours, makes the coating adhere better and also looks appealing.

12

However you like to cook your squid, cleaning it properly will make a big difference to the final result on the plate. Even if I am going to freeze freshly caught squid, I will clean it first before I cryovac it because this will guarantee a clean, untainted flavour when you defrost and cook it.

JUNE 2015

107

THE ALL

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NEW F130A.

IN ITS CLASS.

The all new F130A from Yamaha delivers a new level of performance, efďŹ ciency and boasts an incredible power to weight ratio. Take your time on the water to the next level with the new F130A. This changes everything.

TO LOCATE A DEALER & FIND OUT MORE, VISIT:

www.yamaha-motor.com.au/F130

108

JUNE 2015

DROP INTO YOUR LOCAL DEALER TODAY VICTORIAN DEALERS

BAIRNSDALE

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GEELONG

Braving the elements WEST COAST

Shane Lowery

April and May saw the continuing build up of southern bluefin tuna on the southwest coastline and some great captures were accounted for.

Shipwreck Coast Skindivers Inc. members (which is the Port Fairy based spearfishing club) have had several very successful dives targeting SBT. In particular, Peter

of this mark and it’s only a matter of time until this record is smashed.

The other target has been albacore tuna but they have not been quite as prolific in the early part of the season. Several trips are planned by the SCS Club to go to the continental shelf in June.

Albacore differ slightly from SBT in that they seem to have no fear of divers and will approach with curiosity.

Port Fairy has been

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Peter and Mac Riddle nailing the SBT. They have had a cracking season on the tuna.

NORTHERN VICTORIA

for bird activity. Once the birds are seen working on busting fish, move in as quietly as possible and begin dumping pilchards into the water. The schools have been easy to keep at the boat with a steady stream of berley. Once the divers enter the water the fish generally go down but will quickly come up again and go back to feeding on the berley.

It’s advisable to put a minimum of two divers in the water on each drop so they can keep an eye out for each other’s safety and a boat handler is a must as he can keep an eye on the divers and keep the boat in close proximity.

June also presents many opportunities for fantastic inshore diving for reef species. King George whiting, salmon, silver trevally, snook and squid are all prime targets at this time of year. There are also plenty of abalone and southern rock lobster available in the shallows.

Just remember that as of June 1 female rock lobster begin their closed season. When targeting these species working inshore reefs with sand holes adjacent in 4-10m of water is the go. A steady flow of berley will also help to attract and hold these reef species in the area.

Inshore diving does not present the same dangers as offshore bluewater diving but it’s still highly advisable to dive with a buddy and remain close to each

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Aaron Mitchell has had another great season on the crays.

Riddle and his son Mac have led the way this season with fantastic fish in the 17-18kg mark and just short of the state record of 23.5kg. There have also been plenty of fish about well in excess

the main hunting grounds and the SBT have been everywhere in the 40m mark. At times fish have been busting all around the boat in every direction. The technique has been simple: head out to 40m and scan

other so you can help keep an eye out and look after each other.

June generally presents some very stable weather patterns and flat seas so get out and enjoy the great diving on offer this month.

JUNE 2015

109

What’s new from Quintrex FMG

Will Lee wlee@fishingmonthly.com.au

Quintrex is a household name when it comes to boating and their reputation for being at the forefront of boat design is exceptional. They once again proved that one of the keys to their success is staying in front by continually improving on their designs at a wet and windy media day on the Gold Coast’s Broadwater.

HORNETS In 2013 Quintrex introduced a revolutionary

available in the 400, 420 and 440 Hornet models.

The Fighter Series Bow has increased the front casting deck space by 11% across the entire range and with the squarer design will facilitate two anglers on the front deck nicely on the smaller Hornet models. More space on the front casting deck means more storage below for fishing tackle and safety gear.

All of the Hornet Trophy’s have received a carpet upgrade going from the previous looped grey carpet to a new deluxe hookless carpet which will prevent trebles on lures

the angler more space up top but it also gives more over hang which in turn produces a much dryer ride. The only water that wet us while out testing this boat was the intermittent heavy showers from the heavens above.

Quintrex are now offering Railblazer accessories with the Hornet Trophy range with some neat rail mounted rod holders and sounder mounting plates available.

TOP ENDERS During the media day I had the opportunity to spend a lot of time on board the new 510 Top Ender. The popular Quintrex Top Ender models have a whole swag of new

Quintrex had the 530 Cruiseabout, F420 Hornet, F440 Hornet Trophy, 510 Top Ender (not pictured) and 610 Hard Top Trident on display at the media day.

Left: A new deluxe rod lock is an option on the Top Ender and Hornet models. Middle: The 610 Trident Hard Top is designed to fish in less than desirable conditions. Right: The new side console design in the Top Ender models will accommodate up to a 10” Screen. new bow design through the 450, 481 and 500 Hornet Trophy models. The wide ‘forked’ bow aesthetics were debated by Quintrex customers and dealers alike but quickly produced rave reviews and the call was out for the design to be incorporated into smaller models. Quintrex listened and in late 2014 released the F series range of explorers. Hornet fans will be delighted to know that now the successful Fighter Series forked shaped bow is QR CODE

Scan to watch the 440 Hornet Trophy in action.

Scan to watch the 510 top Ender in action.

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getting stuck to the floor while trying to remove them from a fish. Quintrex’s Cameron Wood told us ‘the carpet is aerated making it cooler when tested in warm northern conditions’.

The 440 Hornet Trophy that I rode in on the day gave the impression that some serious fishing heads at Quintrex had come together to produce this well thought out fishing rig. With front and rear casting decks there is enough room for three lure casting anglers to work around the boat nicely. The rear casting deck has a built in live bait tank while the front deck featured a nice large livewell big enough to meet the minimum requirements of tournament event organisers around the country. Quintrex listened to their customers and improved the carpeted hatch over the livewell by adding a sheet of aluminium to the underside that will prevent fishy odours and moisture seeping into the carpet and timber from the livewell but also strengthen the hatch.

Underneath there has been some changes made to the 440 Hornet Trophy.

Quintrex have increased the stemline by 7 degrees giving a much smoother ride and this was noticeable while we did some testing in a choppy Southport Sea Way. The new bow design not only gives

upgrades for 2015.

Structurally the Top Ender range are now stronger and more durable than ever before with the sides being beefed up with thicker sheet

With the popularity in larger sounder and GPS screens and the ability to run your engine data through these screens Quintrex thought it was necessary to

Enders and on the 510 there are two underfloor storage bins that could be used for storing safety equipment, as a kill tank or for icing down your catch. Under the front

Above: The F series bow is now standard on all of the Hornet models. sizes across the range. Not only are the side sheets now thicker on the 430 through to 510 models but they have also received sheet upgrades to the bottom. Hardcore anglers looking for strength in their boat are really going to appreciate these upgrades.

increase the space on the dash of the side console.

To achieve this they have come up with a space saving console that is broader at the top with a smaller footprint at the deck.

There is more storage than ever in the new Top

casting deck is even more storage and Quintrex will have Roto moulded tubs to fit in below these hatches as an option.

The new Topender models have a larger anchor well opening and there is enough room for a drum

winch to be mounted above it.

Standard features on the 510 Top Ender include rod holders, a livebait tank in the back deck, sounder, self draining deck with a neat scupper drainage system and a rear boarding ladder. With all of these features anglers will now get more bang for their buck when it comes to buying a new Top Ender.

One of the really neat new optional extras for the Top Ender models is the deluxe rod locker. It is a really neat and simple design that is perfect for protecting expensive rods and reels while travelling between fishing spots.

The 510 Top Ender is now rated to a 115hp which will be perfect for anglers wanting to travel greater distances.

CRUISEABOUTS Quintrex Cruiseabouts are a very popular model for family boating. The 530 Cruiseabout has 62% more room in the bow area than the previous model and the 570 has an extra 47%. This extra room means that not only can the kids stretch out on the front lounges but Mums and Dads won’t have any problem either.

The Cruiseabout range is also getting the deluxe carpet treatment which will be sure to keep the whole family happy!

To page 111

Trailer couplings, chains and D-shackles SYDNEY

Christian Bold

When it comes to towing your trailer, there are a few things to keep in mind regarding the coupling, safety chain and D-shackle. If you’re not aware, all parts related to towing need to be correctly marked and rated with the Australian Standard. If they are not, then you may be towing illegally.

COUPLINGS There are 2 sizes a trailer coupling can be in Australia — 50mm or 70mm. The most common is 50mm. These couplings are on all trailers that have an Aggregate Trailer

Trailer couplings come in two sizes — 50 or 70mm.

Mass (ATM) of between 750kg and 3500kg. It does not matter if the trailer

has brakes or not, as it’s irrelevant when it comes to the size of the coupling.

You can contact the trailer manufacturer and have them send you certification

CHAINS AND D-SHACKLES Chain and D-shackle standards can get confusing, especially if you don’t know what size is the minimum for your trailer. Here is a guide: AGGREGATE TRAILER MASS MINIMUM CHAIN SIZE SHACKLE BODY DIAMETER Up to 1000KG........................................................... 6.3mm................................................... 9.5mm Over 1000KG up to 1600KG.................................... 8.0mm.................................................. 12.7mm Over 1600KG up to 2500KG..................................... 10mm.................................................. 12.7mm Over 2500KG up to 4500KG............................7.1mm x 2 Chains............................. 12.7mm x 2 D-shackles

D-shackle ratings are just as important as chain ratings.

If your coupling is not marked with an ‘AS’ (Australian Standard) number or have 50mm or 70mm stamped into it, then make sure you get it checked out. Other reasons to be concerned with your coupling include: Coupling component is loose or cracked.

Coupling does not display Gross Mass Rating.

Any mounting bolts, fasteners or weld beads have advanced corrosion.

It is now common to see markings on chains and D-shackles, but if yours are not marked, don’t worry.

on the chains fitted.

Other chain issues that are deemed a defect include: If the chain is not permanently attached to the draw bar.

If the chain touches the ground.

If the chain links are bent, broken or ground down in size.

If you have any questions relating to your trailer’s coupling, chain or D-shackle, make sure you seek professional advice from an Authorised Trailer Inspection Station, or feel free to contact Bold Trailers for all your trailer needs.

If chain and shackle ratings are not visible, reputable trailer manufacturers should be able to supply you with the necessary certification.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Christian Bold, also known as ‘The Trailer Guy’, is one of Australia’s leading trailer and caravan repair specialists. As the director of Bold Trailers he is a licensed motor mechanic, auto electrician and automotive body builder.

Christian is also an AUVIS and e-safety examiner for the RMS. You can contact Christian at Bold Trailers on 02 8544 8114, or for more information visit www.boldtrailers.com.au.

Left: With its new bow design the 440 Hornet Trophy is an extremely dry ride. Middle: The 510 Top Ender is packed with changes including now being rated to a 115hp outboard. Right: Quintrex had angler’s comfort in mind when they built the 610 Trident Hard Top. From page 110

610 TRIDENT HARD TOP The line up of Quintrex Tridents has been a hit with the offshore fishing fraternity.

Quintrex’s newest release in the line up of Tridents is the hotly

anticipated 610 Hard Top. The 610 Hard Top offers the customer versatility at an affordable price while still featuring the smartly designed layout of the larger hard top models.

With a fully enclosed hardened glass windscreen

featuring wipers this boat looks ready to stand up to wet and cold weather conditions and was perfect for keeping journalists and their camera equipment dry while we were all out in the rain on the Gold Coast.

Quintrex have kept the side decks wide enough on the 610HT that you can easily walk around the cabin on the nonslip pads to the bow to access the now larger anchor well opening.

The hard top has a really neat built in grab rail for

added safety.

Despite the wet and at times wild weather conditions we were challenged with during the media day it was actually great to see how well these models went in the rain, wind and waves that

were thrown at them. All of these exciting new models and changes are starting to roll through the Quintrex dealers so for more information check out www.quintrex. com.au and contact your local dealer.

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What’s New FISHING

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FEELFREE FISH BAGS

Feelfree Kayaks would like to introduce their new range of insulated fish bags, which are going to be available in both medium and large sizes.

The fish bags are designed with a closed cell foam insulation making sure that your catch is going to stay cool while out on the water.

The fish bags have a removable liner fitted inside to help with cleaning and keeping your catch separate if you wish to place other items in the insulated bag.

Feelfree Kayaks in their design have also placed several clip attachments on the bags, a convenient carry handle and carry strap too.

The bags are all fitted with heavy duty zippers to access the top of the bag or the front zipper stops you from getting too much warmth into the bags when accessing it on the water.

All the bags are made out of a heavy duty Diamond Ripstop polyester material, they will be available in our most popular camouflage colours.

Price: RRP $169 (medium), $205 (large) www.feelfreekayaks.com.au

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OKUMA CEYMAR

The all-new Okuma Ceymar spinning reel delivers stunning engineering at a great price. With its ultra-lightweight rotor, aggressively ported spool and red on black styling, the Ceymar makes a statement on the water.

Backing up the fierce look is a core of excellence: 8-bearing system including a Quick-Set anti-reverse, machined aluminium spool, blade body design, forged aluminium handle, EVA handle knobs and a drag that generates up to 8kg of drag. The Ceymar is an incredibly affordable lightweight perfect for all inshore applications.

Built with quality parts, this reel, like all Okuma reels, is built as tough as nails to ensure your reel a long life.

Available in sizes C-25, C-30, C-40 and C-55, the Ceymar takes on all light to heavyduty applications and is backed up with a complete Lifetime Guarantee, so you can fish hard with peace of mind.

Price: RRP $119.95 www.rapala.com.au

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SX 40F NEW COLOURS

The SX 40F lure from Ecogear is a very well respected light tackle crankbait, which has been making an impact across Australia in all sorts of light tackle sport fishing with its lifelike action and colours, and it’s compact nature, making it’s a perfect casting lure.

This year, Ecogear are introducing 2 new colors into the range, 376 and 377. These colours are perfect mimicking prawns, small baitfish, and small trout when you are using them in trout streams or dams. Paired with the irresistible action of the SX 40F, these lures will be taking fish like no tomorrow!

These new lifelike colours are a must-have for any keen bream, bass or trout, but the applications could potentially be as wide as the angler’s mind.

Available at any good tackle store, these new colours are set to go like hotcakes, so get out and grab your share before they all run out! www.jml.net.au Price: $17.95

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FLY FISHING IN 50 FLIES

JUNE 2015

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The History of Fly Fishing in Fifty Flies is a beautiful and practical book on a much-loved pastime.

Whitelaw takes us on a journey through the 2000-year history of fly fishing, charting the growth of this fascinating sport and showcasing 50 of the most iconic flies.

Among them is the distinctively Australian Nobby Hopper.

Not only does Whitelaw show how a host of classic flies are made, but he also introduces us to the people who crafted them, such as Dusan (Dan) Todorivic, who developed the Nobby Hopper while fishing the Murrumbidgee.

More than this, the book describes the evolution of rods, flies and everything associated with fly fishing. The author also offers helpful tips on how to make great catches.

The History or Fly Fishing is illustrated with specially commissioned watercolour paintings of all 50 flies, with diagrams showing each individual part of the fly.

Price: RRP $34.99 www.exilepublishing.com.au

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BLACK MAGIC ROCK ‘N’ SURF

Black Magic’s growing range of rigs targeting land-based anglers has gotten even better.

This new addition to the range incorporates two flies per rig tied on suicide 3/0 hooks. There are two colours to choose from; the tried and tested ‘bleeding pilchard’ with its red, blue and silver combo, and the ‘blinky’ with its hot pink and blue combo.

Each fly is topped with a soft, long-life lumo bead, which is great for fishing at night, or in deeper water giving your hook that added attraction.

These rigs are ideal for a range of species including snapper, salmon and flathead. The Rock ‘n’ Surf have been developed for use from the rocks, beach or wharves, but they are also effective fishing ‘straight up and down’ from boats.

Just put a small strip of bait on each hook, attach a suitable weight, and you’re ready to cast.

Price: RRP $12.95 www.blackmagictackle.com

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GEKKABIJIN FAMILY

Daiwa’s Gekkabijin family has a genuine finesse pedigree with roots in the Japanese land-based, light rockfish movement: finesse rods, finesse reels, light lines and lures, and a hell of a lot of fun.

Accessible to all, this style of fishing has exploded in Japan, and Daiwa’s Gekkabijin brand has gained popularity and a strong following amongst light tackle and bream enthusiasts in Australia.

The Japanese-made, 2015 Gekkabijin range eclipses all others, combining sleek and stylish design accents with unparalleled innovation and performance, features that remain unrivalled by our opposition.

Four high-performance, lightweight, technologically rich finesse rods with AGS guides that grace superior rod blanks are matched to a beautiful, feature packed, highly sensitive, Magseal protected reel.

Finished with funky, stylish cosmetics, the Gekkabijin Family is about as close to perfection as you will ever feel. www.daiwafishing.com.au

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WILSON DELUXE CAMP CHAIRS

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SURECATCH IN-LINE SINGLES

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PFLUEGER TRION SPIN

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EGI OH K LIVE SHALLOW

Camping chairs are always one of those things that just make being out and about that little bit more comfortable.

The Wilson Deluxe Camp Chairs are built to withstand 150kg of weight meaning they are built tough and built to last. The build is also extra wide, a gift for anyone using the chair as you no longer feel like you’re flying on a budget airline trying to squeeze yourself into the seat.

All materials are double stitched with reinforcement around the rubber eyelets, meaning this chair will go the distance.

Other features include a silver-lined cooler bag on the left arm and an insulated cup holder in the right arm to allow you to really take it easy and not move a muscle.

A powder coated steel frame reduces rust and damage and the attractive Wilson print in either blue or pink make these chairs as good to look at.

Price: RRP $60 www.wilsonfishing.com

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In-Line singles are making a big impact on all forms of lure fishing these days and the SureCatch In-Line Singles will add a cost effective choice to the market.

These hooks are chemically sharpened for superior penetration, the SureCatch In-Line Singles are initially available in four sizes: 2, 1, 1/0 and 2/0. Making use of high carbon and using a black nickel finish, these hooks have an eye that is in line with the lure’s tow point and allows anglers to use only one split ring instead of bogging down the lures with more than one split ring and are super strong.

Consistent strength, superior sharpness and a size range that will suit most commonly used lures makes these hooks fantastic option for those wanting to retro-fit their lures with stronger hooks.

The SureCatch In-Line Singles offer anglers an affordable and reliable option when retro-fitting lures with single hooks.

Price: RRP $5 www.wilsonfishing.com

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TIDE APPAREL LED MEASURE MAT

Tide Apparel is a brand that wants to provide quality products to people who share the same passion as us. Whether you love going fishing or just being on the water, just remember we want this beautiful gift to be appreciated and enjoyed forever.

Now, Tide brings you the all-new LED measure mat. This mat is different from all the rest by being 150cm in length, so you’re not caught out when you land that fish of alifetime.

It also has a feature that is specific to this mat and the first of its kind, an LED light built into the header, which you can unclip and use as a torch. Simply lay the fish on the mat, switch the light on and the fish will be illuminated for you to see at night for that revered ‘mat shot’!

There’s limited stock, and it’s going fast, so jump online or call in at the factory and grab your own today!

Price: RRP $50 www.tideapparel.com.au

SAMMY BUG 75MM

The new limited edition Lucky Craft Sammy Bug, is a larger surface walker, perfect for big, angry native predators!

It features a loosely mounted front cup, which creates a metallic sound while walking, a fizzer tail and Decoy W-77 trebles. The extra commotion and noise of this lure will make any large predator go nuts!

It casts long and will stand up to the punishment of a big fish, especially the mighty Murray cod.

The melodic fish calling action and sound will generate explosive surface strikes, and really fire up those aggressive predators.

At 75mm and 23g, it’s a perfect snacksized profile for big angry predators, but not too big for smaller species like bass, mangrove jack and sooty grunter.

This awesome limited edition surface walker is made with quality hardware in Japan and is a must-have for any topwater enthusiast.

Price: RRP $35 www.ejtodd.com.au

The Pflueger Trion spinning reels are the workhorse of the Pflueger reel line-up, offering performance and quality only seen in reels twice its price.

The Trion features a 6+1 stainless steel bearing system housed within a lightweight graphite body and rotor for durability and corrosion resistance.

It features everything great about modern spin reels, including on/off instant antireverse bearing and convertible left and right hand retrieve and a threaded main gear design eliminating play in the handle.

Other features include a smooth multi disc drag system, machined and double anodised aluminium spool, SureClick bail and an aluminium handle with soft touch knob.

The Trion series is available in 4 sizes ideal for light to light-medium freshwater and estuary fishing. Match them up with a Pfleuger Trion rod and you’ve got yourself a pairing of some of the most affordable quality on the market.

Price: RRP $99.95 www.purefishing.com.au

The new shallow and super shallow squid jigs from Yamashita are now available in size 3.5 and 4.0 in the EGI OH K series.

These slow-sinking jigs are available with sink rates of 6 seconds per metre and 10 seconds per metre! But don’t think the slow sink rate means less weight or poor casting distance – Yamashita have added extra weight to the tail of the jig which changes the sinking posture in the water to be more horizontal. This creates more water pressure when sinking and results in a slower sink rate, yet excellent casting distance.

Yamashita have also applied a special top coating over the cloth, which is 1.5 times stronger than uncoated cloth.

Available now in 12 new colours in the following sizes: 3.5S 20g, with a sink rate of 5.5-6.0sec/m, 4.0S 24g, with a sink rate of 5.5-6.0sec/m, and 3.5SS 19.5g, with a sink rate 8.0-10sec/m.

Price: RRP $24 www.ejtodd.com.au

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What’s New FISHING

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PARAFRAME MINI KNIFE

Pocketknives are designed to be on hand at all times for unexpected uses that often pop up in the most inconvenient of times.

With this in mind, Gerber has designed the Paraframe Mini Knife to be your ultimately, highly-effective and compact dayto-day companion.

The Paraframe is the smallest of the eight knives in the Paraframe series and is based on the same frame-lock design as its bigger predecessors.

The use for a fine-edge blade has never been more profound. Whatever the job, the Paraframe Mini has it all covered. It opens effortlessly and securely locks in place so there’s no danger when carrying it in your pocket. Gerber has long been the leaders in versatile, sturdy knives. As such, they’ve reinforced the Paraframe Mini with a stainless steel handle and a tough pocket clip for secure travel.

At a length of 15cm, this small blade is perfect for any job requiring a small blade.

Price: RRP $22.95 www.gerbergear.com

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REEL CUSTOM SYSTEM (RCS)

Imagine being able to customise your favourite reel so they feel better, looks better and performs better in your hand, and exactly the way you want them to.

Well, now you can with Daiwa’s stylish range of upgrade parts.

The RCS or Real custom System parts are designed to maximize the performance of specific Daiwa reels to suit the individual angler’s personal requirements. Perfect for retro-fitting Daiwa reels.

The individual parts are well made, stylish, and are made to last after plenty of use, making for lots more of time out on the water catching fish, rather than having to repair equipment.

Customise your reel into your own unique function and shape and make it ultra cool in appearance. RCS parts individualise your reels setting them apart from the rest of the crowd, to give you that edge out on the water. www.daiwafishing.com.au

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BALISTA FIRESTORM 120

The Firestorm 120 Shallow features our LED technology, making this lure dynamite when fishing dirty water. Some of the best conditions to chase barra revolve around dirty water like run-off and drains, this is when the Firestorm comes into its own.

The LED technology is scientifically proven to increase strike rates, the light provokes both feeding and aggressive territorial responses from barra. The flashing red LED is water activated and turns off after removing from the water. You’ll get at least 120 hours of battery life, or approximately 5 years of use.

The Firestorm is 120mm in length, dives to 3 feet and has a cracking swimming action.

Strength is a must for barra, which is why this lure features upgraded wire, split rings and hooks. Also sporting 8 barra specific colours in an ever-growing colour range.

You won’t find a barra lure with more strike features than the Firestorm 120 Shallow.

Price: RRP $19.90 www.balista.com.au

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CRAGHOPPERS NOSILIFE

JUNE 2015

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The collection features Craghoppers world-exclusive NosiLife technology, the only permanent insect repellent clothing on the market, which gives up to 90% protection from biting insects including midges and ticks.

Anglers have long recognised the benefits of wearing NosiLife to help keep the midges at bay. The NosiLife Long Sleeved Anglers Shirt offers all the protection from the standard NosiLife range, but has been especially designed for fishing enthusiasts and comes with multiple pockets for all the essential accessories as well as a rod resting loop.

Other features include a solar and cooling collar, sunglasses hanger loop and sunglasses wipe, as well as a vented back and underarm gusset. The shirt is also available in a shortsleeved version in provincial blue, parchment and dark khaki colours in sizes S-XXL. The Craghopper NosiLife is perfect for fishers in the Australian sun and will keep the mozzies and ticks off!

Price: Various www.plg.com.au

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The all-new Presia is the latest flagship spinning reel from iconic Australian fishing brand Silstar, designed by Australians, for Australians.

By incorporating 7hp bearings, a lightweight aluminium body you can cast all day and oiled felt drag system into this series, the Presia is an ultra smooth piece of machinery and balances perfectly with a lightweight graphite rod.

A braid ready ported spool promotes accurate and long casts, giving you the ability to put your lure into the strike zone every time and hook into that fish of a lifetime.

Built tough, this hardy little reel is sure to last you a long time and will handle the rigours of fishing in salt water if looked after properly.

Available now in a 20, 30, 40 and 60 size to cover any light tackle situation you find yourself in out on the water.

Price: RRP $119.95 www.rapala.com.au

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SILSTAR PRESIA

MASTER FIT LUGGAGE BOX

Family road trips are a highlight of every holiday period, but excitement can quickly turn to anguish before you even leave the driveway.

The harsh realisation that there just isn’t enough room to take everything you need is a dreadful one. Fortunately with the RhinoRack Master Fit Luggage Box these feelings will never have to resurface again.

The Rhino-Rack Master Fit Luggage Box has a hefty interior that allows for 400L, 440L or 550L of additional space and the sleek, aerodynamic design reduces wind drag while driving for an extra smooth ride.

Built from tough and durable impact resistant materials, this handy storage unit has a proven and tested 75kg Off-Road load rating and will protect your belongings from all kinds of weather while you’re on the road or in the Outback.

Rhino’s unique Master Fit Technology means you can quickly and safely fit the Luggage Box to your vehicle by using a revolutionary ‘Twist to Tighten & Press to Lock’ clamping system.

Price: RRP $669 (440L), $839 (550L) www.rhinorack.com.au

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TFO BVK Super Large Arbor fly reel

I was after a lightweight fly reel to stick on my medium 8-9wt outfit that wouldn’t make me sore from casting all day and would hold a lot of line, with an ultrasmooth drag.

It doesn’t sound like much to ask, but when quality is weighed up against price, you end up looking around pretty extensively.

A colleague recommended I try the BVK Super Large Arbor from Temple Fork Out Fitters (imported by EJ Todd), so I did.

The reel was definitely one of the most beautifully made fly reels I’d ever seen, and the attractive moss green colour was really pleasing to the eye. I think I even caught Steve Morgan trying to pinch it from under my nose…

I spooled the little beauty up with 300m of 30lb Super P.E, and an 8wt WF intermediate line from Scientific Angler. The reel was matched to my 8wt Reddington CPX, and my casting arm was twitching! I was ready to see what all the fuss was about.

That was 3 months ago now, and since then I’ve clocked up a fair few different species on that rig, with absolutely no failures or complaints and only good things to say about the reel.

Taking the reel offshore, I was lucky enough to be motored around by good mate Kaspar Lenigas, while he laughed at me trying to fight tuna on fly tackle and be seasick simultaneously…

The reel performed amazingly when it was stripped well into the backing by a few funsized mac tuna, singing its glorious song, and I can safely say it’s the smoothest drag I’ve ever experienced on a saltwater fly reel. That

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large arbor came in handy when I needed to crank those fish back with a big dirty shark up their bum!

The BVK also shone in the close-range hand-to-hand type stuff. Fly fishing for threadfin salmon and mulloway in shallow water was another great test for this great machine. While I ended up with smashed-up knuckles, I landed quite a few threadies and mulloway on this reel, and fighting them on the reel was no drama at all – in fact, it was a lot of fun!

Threadfin salmon are a prized fly target, and a good reel with a smooth drag is necessary if you want to stay connected during the stubborn fight.

Between madness, I also caught some other species on the side, such as tarpon, flathead, small trevally, queenfish and even a big smelly catfish (which was released).

With all the fishing I did, I had no trouble with a jerky drag, which is why I even fight smaller fish on the reel now rather than with the line.

Tuna are known to cause inferior fly reels problems with their ridiculously long and hard runs. The BVK seemed to enjoy the punishment dished out by this little rocket, Another great feature that would appeal to perhaps more than the very seasick angler many fly anglers is that you can turn this reel holding it… from a left-hand to a right-hand wind with a click and turn of the bearing in the reel.

Spare spools can be bought separately, rather than coming with the reel and taxing you for something you didn’t want. I haven’t had the need to run any other line yet, and I’m happy I don’t have another spool on the shelf gathering dust.

The BVK Super Large Arbor fly reel from Temple Fork Outfitters has become my favourite fly reel that I own and I look forward to seeing what other sort of punishment I can put it through! – Bob Thornton

DUO Realis Grade A Shinmushi

Bass were the predominate target, but fish up north and down south should find these lures irresistible.

“Far out! That has to catch fish!” That was my first reaction half way through my first retrieve of the new DUO Realis Shinmushi (slightly watered down version of my initial thoughts).

This first reaction was then followed on the second cast by a violent explosion as an Australian bass smashed it and took off for home. Any fish caught on a surface lure is special, but when the take is this explosive, it tends to etch it in the memory banks.

Recognised as a maker of quality Japanese fishing lures, DUO International has a strong reputation for their attention to detail and innovation in design. The

Shinmushi is no exception. It is an adult cicada imitation that is 400mm long and weighs 5.7g.

The point of difference to other cicada imitations is that this lure can be pulled apart, providing you with the ability to replace key components if damaged or customise it as the angler sees fit.

Replacement packs will also be available for all components for when wear and tear takes its toll. I have seen lures where the legs have been pimped using feathers, tinsel and all manner of colour variations of spinnerbait skirts.

Forgetting for the moment about the

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ability to personalise the lure, I think the key feature of the lure is its ease of use. From the packet you can simply attach it to the line with a loop knot, cast it out and wind it in. It is a slow roll and the lure will tell you if you are winding to fast or too slow, as the paddling action will disappear. When you do have it right it has a seductive action as it wobbles across the surface producing a subtle ‘plimp, plimp’ sound and a slight bubble trail to let any fish nearby know that it is there. Continuing on the ease of use track, my bugbear with many of the cicada imitations in the marketplace is the rod angle required for the lure to swim correctly. You have to have the rod angle at 45° or higher otherwise the winged bib wont work. For new people using these types of lures this can prove to be a rookie mistake and turn people away from them. The Shinmushi does not have this issue, no matter what angle you have the rod, as long as you have the speed of retrieve right, it will swim correctly and give you a chance of catching a fish.

Chasing bass with them was my initial thought, but I can’t imagine that a sooty grunter, jungle perch, saratoga, trout or even a bream could resist them. I think small variations in your retrieve, whether it be pausing the lure every couple of winds of the handle or having an extended pause (letting the tell-tale rings of the retrieve disappear) would be the downfall of many of these fish.

Is this the new ‘must-have’ lure? I don’t believe that is for me to judge. They will

however sit on my list of go to lures and they are definitely worth having a look at them. There are 8 colours available, but I did note that 5 more colours will be available soon. I had better start putting some money aside, because I will need to add them to my collection. You can go to www. swldistributions.com.au for more information on the range of Realis Shinmushi lures and the other DUO lures available in Australia.

– Peter Jung

A fish on the second cast is good fishing anywhere, especially when they explode over the lure like this one did!

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FIND-A-WORD COMPETITION

Which Wrasse?

Name

BAR CHEEKED

HUMP HEADED

RINGED

BI COLOURED

JANSENS

ROSY

BIRD

KING

SENATOR

BLACK SPOT

MAORI

SHARP NOSED

BROWN FIELDS

MOON

THICK LIPPED

BROWN SPOT

PEARL

TRIPLE TAIL

P/Code

GOLD SPOT

PURPLE

WESTERN FOX

Phone (day):

Address

The first correct entry at the end of each month will win a Fishing Monthly selected prize pack.

SEND ENTRIES TO:

VIC Find-a-word Competition PO box 3172, Loganholme Qld 4129 VIC JUNE 2015

FINS SCALES & TALES by A. Both

SUBSCRIBER PRIZE The subscriber prize winners for April were G Mitchell of Myrtleford, R Reilly of Tarneit, M Cocks of The Basin, M Prew of Ballarat, J Van Vliet of Templestowe Lower, R Clarke of Strathdale, who each won a Gamakatsu gift pack valued at $50.

All subscribers are entered in the monthly subscriber prize draws. Prize delivery takes up to 8 weeks. – VTFM

FIND THE VMC LOGO WINNERS BARRA COUNTRY by Brett Currie

BITE ME by Trisha Mason

The Find the VMC logo prize winners for April were: W Chapman of Pomonal, K Rich of Miners Rest, W Henley of Heathmont, L Gruar of Portland, B Sebire of Traralgon, C Watson of Wendouree, T Laidlaw of Portland, W Johnson of Morwell, P Musgrove of Casterton, H Skeer of Millicent, G Ball of Dennington, M O’Borne of Colac, P Geale of Georgetown, R Matheson of Stawell, J Politis of Reservoir, K Tripp of Glenroy, M Collier of Smythes Creek, R Wenzler of Ashwood, B Delaney of Meenigan, I Bryant of Mt Eliza, P Cobb of Berrigan, D Fitzgerald of Coldstream, D Tonkin of Lavington, D Baulch of Colac, C Blanch of Hastings , R Waters of Temora, J Killian of Briar Hill, R Leathers of Romsey, A Gamble of Narre Warren, B Meaney of Tungamah, G Muir of Woodend, T Dron of Alfredton, G Illman of Mt Gambier, L Milkins of Wonthaggi, M Tansey of Eaglehawk, B Pontt of Loxton, M Harrison of Newborough, F Hutchins of Sunbury , W Pisani of Cororooke, R Carson of Wheelers Hill.

Prize delivery takes up to 8 weeks. – VTFM

check out!

• New products • Videos • Indepth Reviews

FIND THE VMC LOGO APRIL LOCATIONS GEORGE & NEV by Michael Hardy

The answers to Find the VMC Logo for April were: 6, 15, 22, 28, 34, 37, 42, 46, 59, 62, 65, 71, 81, 84, 87, 93. – VTFM

FIND-A-WORD WINNER Congratulations to David Fox of Berrigan, who was last month’s winner of the Find-a-Word Competition!

Monthly winners receive a Fishing Monthly prize pack. Prize delivery can take 8 weeks. – VFM 1 116

• DECEMBER 2010 JUNE 2015

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250 Portarlington Road, Moolap Phone: (03) 5248 3772 | Fax: (03) 5248 5913 Email: info@moolapmarine.com.au

139 – 141 Hotham Road, Sorrento Phone: (03) 5984 1666 | Fax: (03) 5984 1680 Email: nautical@surf.net.au

Melbourne The Marine Shop

117 Northgate Drive, Thomastown Phone: (03) 9465 8787 | Fax: (03) 9466 1418 Email: triplemmarine@dodo.com.au

172 Queen St, Warragul 3820 Phone: (03) 5623 6250 | Fax: (03) 5622 0623 Email: info@warragulmarine.com.au

3 Satu Way, Mornington Phone: (03) 5976 4622 | Fax: (03) 5976 4633 Email: sales@wesfrostmarine.com

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JUNE 2015

117

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BAIT & TACKLE

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CENTRAL

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Hooked On Bait and Tackle Hoppers Crossing (03) 9748 3811

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Fishing Fever Mordialloc (03) 9590 9899 Peninsula Total Tackle (03) 5981 1994 JV Marine World Braeside (03) 9798 8883 Complete Angler Ringwood (03) 9870 7792 New World Marine (03) 9709 8444 The Flyfisher Melbourne (03) 9621 1246

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This section in V&TFM 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.

JUNE 2015

Geelong Charters & Fishing Trips, Geelong (03) 5275 7107

VICTORIAN ALPS

DARTMOUTH MOTOR INN THIS BUSINESS IS FOR SALE • Motel style units • Self contained apartments & lodges - ideal for groups, fishing clubs etc • Nightly, weekly & corporate rates 1 Eustace St, Dartmouth VIC 370 P 02·6072 4233 E dartmouthmotorinn@bigpond.com

FRESHWATER

Katrina Louise Charters, Cheltenham 0402 828 140

Angling Expeditions Victoria, Tawonga (03) 5754 1466

Kestrel Charters, Queenscliff (03) 5258 1783

Highland Trout Lakes, Ballarat (03) 5368 9574

Queenscliff Fishing Charters, Queenscliff 0458 504 058

Millbrook Lakes Lodge, Ballarat (03) 5334 0404

TASMANIA & FLINDERS ISLAND

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Ausprey Tours, Launceston (03) 6630 2612 Gone Fishing Charters, St Helens (03) 6376 1553

Saltwater Charters, Queenscliff (03) 5258 4888

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0418 107 071

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St Kilda Fishing Charters, St Kilda (03) 9770 2200

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Western Port Fishing Charters, Hastings (03) 9769 5544

BOAT TRAILER CENTRAL

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Far Out Charters, McLoughlins Beach 0428 401 819

BMS Marine (03) 9731 7269

Prom Coastal Charters, Yanakie (03) 5687 1248 or 0429 935 583

CHARTER BOATS EAST GIPPSLAND

Razorback Bluewater Charters, Port Albert (03) 5183 2691

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This is where your copy will appear.

You will have approximately 40 words within a 8x2 ad size.

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Series 2 through 8

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SAMPLE AD - BUSINESS NAME This is where your copy will appear.

You will have approximately 30 words within a 5x2 ad size.

Email : pjung@fishingmonthly.com.au Able Fishing & Charters, Williamstown (03) 9502 3777 ACE Fishing Charters, Bonbeach (03) 9773 4183 Adamas Fishing Charters, Barwon Heads (03) 5254 3320

pjung@fishingmonthly.com.au

1800 228 244 Charter Boat Picture

East Gippsland Charters provides you the opportunity to catch fish like this on a number of waterways like Lake Tyers, Bemm River and more.

Big Red Fishing Charters, Queenscliff 1800 805 587 Blue Magic Fishing Charters, Rowville (03) 9759 5301 Calypso Fishing Charters, Tootgarook (03) 5985 8463

Advertisers wanting to be involved in this directory can call (07) 3387 0800 or email pjung@fishingmonthly.com.au

JUNE 2015

119

3 lucky

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76 Northern Hwy, Echuca 03 5482 1992 www.boatsandmore.com.au • salesechuca@boatsandmore.com.au

GEELONG

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Cranbourne Boating Centre

236 South Gippsland Hwy, Cranbourne 03 5996 2206 www.cranbourneboatingcentre.com.au cranbourneboating@bigpond.com

Alberton Marine

Johnson St, Alberton 03 5183 2344 www.albertonmarine.com.au • albertonmarine@wideband.net.au

NTH SUBURBS

250 Portarlington Rd, Moolap 03 5248 3772 www.moolapmarine.com.au • info@moolapmarine.com.au

MELBOURNE

JV Marine World

878 Springvale Rd, Braeside 03 9783 8883 www.jvmarine.com.au • info@jvmarine.com.au

Triple M Marine

117 Northgate Dr, Thomastown 03 9465 8787 www.triplemmarine.com.au • triplemmarine@dodo.com.au

TASMANIA SOUTH

Maynes Marine

6 Effingham St, Moonah 03 6214 9999 www.maynesmarine.com.au • sales@maynesmarine.com.au

JUNE 2015

121

Victorian Tide Times

POINT LONSDALE – VICTORIA MAY Time 0241 0943 FR 1453 2149

1

m 0.70 1.25 0.78 1.30

2015

LAT 38° 18’ LONG 144° 37’ Times and Heights of High and Low Waters JULY JUNE Time

Time

m

m

m

0.35 1.68 WE 1800 0.81

2 0452 1211

17 0600 1309

3 0545 1301

18 0048 0650

4 0045 0635

19 0137 0736

5 0137 0723

20 0222 0817

6 0227 0811

21 0303 0855

7 0315 0859

22 0343 0931

8 0404 0946

23 0421 1006

9 0457 1034

24 0500 1042

2 0454 1157

17 0525 1237

3 0542 1245

18 0015 0619

4 0023 0625

19 0108 0709

5 0112 0707

20 0156 0755

6 0159 0748

21 0241 0838

7 0243 0830

22 0323 0918

8 0327 0913

23 0404 0956

9 0413 0958

24 0446 1032

0425 1139 TU 1655 2318

16

1

0.51 1.49 0.95 1.37

Time

0353 1116 WE 1630 2245

0.46 1.53 SU 1607 0.77 2247 1.47

1

Time

m 0.39 1.62 0.85 1.47

0357 1104 MO 1623 2235

16

0.58 1.42 0.92 1.36

Time

0.52 1.44 0.73 1.45

0225 0941 SA 1447 2144

Local Time AUGUST

0.45 1.56 TH 1735 0.90 2347 1.40

0505 1216 TH 1737 2354

16

Time

m 0.40 1.59 0.83 1.43

Time

m

0511 0.38 1232 1.57 SA 1755 0.78

0032 0633 SU 1328 1907

1

16

2 0022 0610

17 0122 0717

3 0120 0704

18 0206 0757

4 0214 0756

19 0245 0833

5 0305 0845

20 0321 0907

6 0357 0934

21 0356 0942

7 0449 1021

22 0433 1016

8 0546 1107

23 0513 1052

9 0647 1154

24 0557 1129

2 0355 1048

17 0338 1053

3 0456 1145

18 0446 1158

4 0545 1234

19 0546 1256

5 0018 0627

20 0042 0641

6 0101 0705

21 0132 0730

7 0143 0742

22 0218 0816

8 0224 0818

23 0302 0901

9 0303 0855

24 0345 0943

10 0344 0932

25 0428 1023

10 0501 1044

25 0530 1109

10 0554 1122

25 0544 1118

10 0035 0749

25 0646 1207

11 0425 1012

26 0512 1100

11 0557 1132

26 0618 1148

11 0004 0700

26 0631 1157

11 0129 0851

26 0030 0743

12 0509 1054

27 0559 1139

12 0015 0703

27 0028 0713

12 0055 0809

27 0030 0726

12 0230 0953

27 0117 0847

13 0600 1140

28 0016 0653

13 0109 0819

28 0110 0813

13 0152 0914

28 0111 0826

13 0338 1054

28 0217 0956

14 0020 0702

29 0102 0756

14 0211 0930

29 0158 0915

14 0256 1016

29 0200 0930

14 0444 1152

29 0329 1102

15 0117 0820

30 0154 0901

15 0317 1037

30 0253 1016

15 0402 1118

30 0300 1035

15 0542 1244

30 0443 1201

0.66 1.30 SA 1614 0.81 2243 1.31 0.59 1.38 SU 1725 0.80 2332 1.34 0.51 1.48 MO 1816 0.77 1.39 0.44 TU 1316 1.57 1859 0.73 1.43 0.38 WE 1356 1.64 1937 0.70 1.46 0.34 TH 1434 1.69 2015 0.67 1.48 0.32 FR 1513 1.71 2052 0.65 1.49 0.31 SA 1551 1.71 2130 0.63 1.48 0.32 SU 1630 1.68 2208 0.63

1.46 0.35 MO 1711 1.64 2248 0.62 1.43 0.40 TU 1754 1.59 2331 0.61

1.41 0.48 WE 1842 1.53 0.59 1.39 TH 1233 0.56 1937 1.49 0.57 1.39 FR 1335 0.66 2039 1.46

0.38 1.63 MO 1722 0.76 2347 1.50 0.30 1.72 TU 1824 0.72

1.53 0.26 WE 1349 1.78 1916 0.68 1.55 0.25 TH 1437 1.80 2004 0.65 1.55 0.27 FR 1522 1.78 2049 0.63

1.53 0.31 SA 1603 1.74 2131 0.62

1.50 0.37 SU 1642 1.68 2214 0.62

1.45 0.45 MO 1718 1.62 2254 0.63 1.39 0.52 TU 1753 1.56 2334 0.64

1.35 0.61 WE 1830 1.50 0.65 1.31 TH 1220 0.69 1910 1.44 0.66 1.29 FR 1306 0.78 1955 1.40

0.65 1.30 SA 1400 0.86 2045 1.37

31 0254 1005

0.63 1.35 SU 1507 0.91 2139 1.35

0.52 1.51 TU 1730 0.90 2330 1.38 0.46 1.60 WE 1820 0.85 1.42 0.40 TH 1329 1.67 1905 0.80 1.46 0.35 FR 1412 1.72 1947 0.74 1.49 0.33 SA 1454 1.75 2029 0.70 1.51 0.33 SU 1535 1.75 2111 0.65 1.51 0.35 MO 1615 1.73 2153 0.61 1.50 0.40 TU 1656 1.70 2238 0.57 1.49 0.47 WE 1738 1.65 2324 0.54 1.46 0.55 TH 1823 1.60 0.51 1.45 FR 1224 0.65 1913 1.55

0.49 1.46 SA 1321 0.74 2009 1.51

0.46 1.49 SU 1427 0.82 2112 1.48

0.43 1.55 MO 1541 0.86 2215 1.47

1.49 0.32 TH 1330 1.73 1856 0.76 1.51 0.32 FR 1417 1.75 1945 0.72

1.51 0.34 SA 1500 1.74 2030 0.68

1.50 0.38 SU 1538 1.72 2114 0.65

1.48 0.43 MO 1613 1.68 2154 0.63 1.45 0.49 TU 1645 1.64 2232 0.62

1.42 0.56 WE 1716 1.60 2311 0.61 1.38 0.63 TH 1749 1.55 2348 0.60 1.36 0.70 FR 1825 1.50

0.59 1.34 SA 1230 0.78 1905 1.46

0.58 1.34 SU 1317 0.86 1951 1.41

0.57 1.37 MO 1413 0.93 2044 1.38 0.55 1.42 TU 1519 0.96 2142 1.36

0.39 1.64 FR 1830 0.83 1.45 0.35 SA 1349 1.70 1918 0.75 1.50 0.32 SU 1433 1.74 2005 0.66 1.54 0.33 MO 1516 1.76 2052 0.59 1.56 0.36 TU 1558 1.75 2140 0.52 1.56 0.41 WE 1638 1.72 2227 0.46 1.55 0.48 TH 1719 1.68 2315 0.42 1.52 0.57 FR 1802 1.63

0.40 1.49 SA 1212 0.67 1850 1.57

0.40 1.48 SU 1303 0.76 1944 1.51

0.41 1.49 MO 1403 0.83 2044 1.46 0.42 1.51 TU 1514 0.88 2148 1.43

0.41 1.54 WE 1629 0.87 2253 1.42

0.38 1.63 FR 1836 0.77

1.44 0.38 SA 1355 1.66 1927 0.71

1.46 0.39 SU 1435 1.67 2012 0.65

1.47 0.41 MO 1510 1.66 2053 0.61 1.47 0.45 TU 1541 1.65 2131 0.57

1.46 0.50 WE 1610 1.62 2207 0.54 1.44 0.55 TH 1641 1.60 2243 0.52 1.42 0.61 FR 1713 1.56 2317 0.51

1.40 0.67 SA 1747 1.52 2352 0.50

1.38 0.74 SU 1825 1.47

0.50 1.36 MO 1240 0.81 1909 1.42 0.49 1.36 TU 1329 0.88 1959 1.37

0.48 1.38 WE 1429 0.92 2058 1.34 0.47 1.43 TH 1539 0.92 2205 1.34

1.44 0.34 SU 1323 1.65 1851 0.66 1.51 0.32 MO 1410 1.70 1944 0.55 1.58 0.32 TU 1454 1.73 2033 0.44 1.61 0.35 WE 1536 1.73 2123 0.36 1.62 0.40 TH 1616 1.71 2211 0.31 1.60 0.47 FR 1658 1.66 2259 0.29 1.56 0.55 SA 1741 1.61 2346 0.30 1.51 0.63 SU 1828 1.54 0.33 1.46 MO 1243 0.72 1920 1.46 0.38 1.43 TU 1338 0.79 2021 1.40

0.43 1.42 WE 1446 0.84 2127 1.35 0.45 1.43 TH 1604 0.84 2234 1.33 0.45 1.47 FR 1717 0.79 2337 1.35

0.44 1.51 SA 1817 0.72

31 0406 1137

0.43 1.50 FR 1650 0.87 2317 1.38

 Copyright Commonwealth of Australia 2014, Bureau of Meteorology Datum of Predictions is Lowest Astonomical Tide Times are in local standard time (UTC +10:00) or daylight savings time (UTC +11:00) when in effect Full Moon Moon Phase Symbols New Moon First Quarter

m 1.38 0.43 1.55 0.64

1.42 0.42 MO 1405 1.57 1949 0.57 1.45 0.43 TU 1437 1.58 2028 0.51

1.48 0.45 WE 1507 1.58 2103 0.47 1.49 0.48 TH 1536 1.58 2137 0.44 1.49 0.52 FR 1607 1.56 2211 0.42

1.47 0.56 SA 1640 1.53 2244 0.41

1.45 0.61 SU 1715 1.49 2316 0.41

1.42 0.67 MO 1751 1.44 2350 0.41 1.38 0.73 TU 1833 1.38

0.42 1.35 WE 1252 0.79 1923 1.34 0.43 1.35 TH 1348 0.83 2025 1.31 0.44 1.37 FR 1458 0.83 2138 1.31

0.43 1.42 SA 1613 0.77 2257 1.36

0.40 1.49 SU 1724 0.65

31 0006 0550

1.45 0.37 MO 1254 1.57 1826 0.52

Last Quarter

Tide predictions for Port Phillip Heads have been formatted by the National Tidal Centre, Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Copyright reserved. All material is supplied in good faith and is believed to be correct. It is supplied on the condition that no warranty is given in relation thereto, that no responsibility or liability for errors or omissions is, or will be, accepted and that the recipient will hold MHL and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology Australia free from all such responsibility or liability and from all loss or damage incurred as a consequence of any error or omission. Predictions should not be used for navigational purposes. Use of these tide predictions will be deemed to include acceptance of the above conditions.

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